30. Sat. Visitors Paradise, and I think Horsley. Read 11 pages of the Bible. I was faint; dined on herrings and potatoes. At prayers, I think, in the evening. I wrote to Gastrel, and received a kind letter from Hector. At night Lowe. Pr. with Francis.

31. Easter Day. Read 15 pages of the Bible. Cætera alibi.

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AT THE TABLE.

LMIGHTY GOD, by whose mercy I am now permitted to commemorate my Redemption by our LORD JESUS CHRIST; grant that this awful remembrance may strengthen my faith, enliven my hope, and increase my charity; that I may trust in Thee with my whole heart, and do good according to my power. Grant me the help of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, that I may do Thy will with diligence, and suffer it with humble patience; so that when Thou shalt call me to judgment, I may obtain forgiveness and acceptance, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD and SAVIOUR. Amen.

AT DEPARTURE, OR AT HOME.

GRANT, I beseech thee, merciful LORD,

that the designs of a new and better life, which by Thy grace I have now formed, may not pass away without effect. Incite and enable me, by Thy HOLY SPIRIT, to improve the time which Thou shalt grant me; to avoid all evil thoughts, words, and actions; and to do all the duties which Thou shalt set before me. Hear my prayer, O LORD, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST. Amen.

These Prayers I wrote for Mrs. Lucy Porter,* in the latter end of the year 1782, and transcribed them October 9, 1784.

ON LEAVING MR. THRALE'S FAMILY.

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October 6, 1782.

LMIGHTY GOD, Father of all mercy, help me by Thy grace, that I may with humble and sincere thankfulness remember the comforts and conveniences which I have enjoyed at this place, and

• Daughter in law to Dr. Johnson, and lately living at Lichfield,

that I may resign them with holy submission, equally trusting in Thy protection when Thou givest and when Thou takest away. Have mercy upon me, O LORD,

have mercy upon me.

To Thy Fatherly protection, O LORD, I commend this family. Bless, guide, and defend them, that they may so pass through this world, as finally to enjoy in Thy presence everlasting happiness, for JESUS CHRIST's sake. Amen.

O LORD, so far as, &c.-Thrale.

October 7.

I was called early. I packed up my bundles, and used the foregoing Prayer, with my morning devotions, somewhat, I think, enlarged. Being earlier than the family, I read St. Paul's farewell in the Acts, and then read fortuitously in the Gospels, which was my parting use of the library.

1783.

September 6.

I HAD JUST HEARD OF WILLIAMS'S DEATH.

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LMIGHTY and most merciful Father,

who art the LORD of life and death, who givest and who takest away, teach me to adore Thy providence, whatever Thou shalt allot me; make me to remember, with due thankfulness, the comforts which I have received from my friendship with Anna* Williams. Look upon her, O LORD, with mercy, and prepare me, by Thy grace, to die with hope, and to pass by death to eternal happiness, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen.

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1784.

EASTER DAY.

April 11.

LMIGHTY GOD, my Creator and my Judge, who givest life and takest it away, enable me to return sincere and

* [This Lady, who was afflicted with blindness, lived many years with Dr. Johnson, and died in his house. She wrote several Poems, which were published in one volume 4to, 1766.]

humble thanks for my late deliverance from imminent death; so govern my future life by Thy HOLY SPIRIT, that every day which Thou shalt permit to pass over me, may be spent in Thy service, and leave me less tainted with wickedness, and more submissive to Thy will.

Enable me, O LORD, to glorify Thee, for that knowledge of my corruption, and that sense of Thy wrath, which my disease, and weakness, and danger, awakened in my mind. Give me such sorrow as may purify my heart, such indignation as may quench all confidence in myself, and such repentance as may, by the intercession of my REDEEMER, obtain pardon. Let the commemoration of the sufferings and death of Thy Son, which I am now, by Thy favour, once more permitted to make, fill me with faith, hope, and charity. Let my purposes be good, and my resolutions unshaken; and let me not be hindered or distracted by vain and useless fears, but through the time which yet remains, guide me by Thy HOLY SPIRIT, and finally receive me to everlasting life, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST Our LORD and SAVIOUR. Amen.