BIRTHDAY PRAYER.

The observance of a birthday by _prayer_ is not altogether incurious
in these days of license; and the following specimen, quoted from the
_Diary_ of that truly good man, JOHN EVELYN, may be entertained as the
genuine effusion of piety, unmixed with any alloy of fanaticism, or
religious enthusiasm:--

_Oct_. 31, 1689.--My birthday, being now 69 years old. Blessed Father
who hast prolonged my years to this great age, and given me to see so
great and wonderful revolutions, and preserved me amidst them to this
moment, accept, I beseech thee, the continuance of my prayers and
thankful acknowledgements, and grant me grace to be working out my
salvation and redeeming the time, that thou mayest be glorified by me
here, and my soul immortal saved, whenever thou shalt call for it to
perpetuate thy praises to all eternity, in that heavenly kingdom where
there are no more changes or vicissitudes, but rest and peace, and joy
and consummate felicity for ever. Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for
the sake of Jesus thine only Son and our Saviour. Amen.

* * * * *


CURIOUS LETTER,

_From a country squire, in the 18th century, to a gentleman in London,
who had written to him concerning the character of a Servant._