Acquiring Virtue

The nightly examination of conscience makes up the principal part of the last exer- cise of the day. The method thereof consists in the following acts, vis. of the Presence of God, Thanksgiving, Supplication, Examen, Sorrow, and good Resolution. The many signal blessings which God has , bestowed, and does bestow, on those families where prayers are said in common, should be a sufficient inducement to establish this prac- tice every where ; and chiefly at night, when all may be assembled with greater conveni- PRAYERS FOR NIGHT. ence. “ Where two or three persons shall be assembled in my name , there ” saith Christ, “ shall I be in the midst of them*' Offer your sleep to God, in union with that which our Divine «Lord took while upon earth ; beseech him to protect you during the night, that you may rise next day to serve him with increased fidelity. While undress- ing, you may think of the hour when you will cast off this mortal body, and appear be- fore God, divested of every thing but the works of justice or iniquity you nave per- formed. When you lie down, make the sign of the cross devoutly, as a sacred symbol that you belong entirely to Christ. Say with the prophet Isaiah, “ My soul hath desired thee in the night, yea, and with my spirit within me, in the morning will I watch to thee.” — Isaiah xxvi. 9. ■form nf Higftt $ ragtr. In the name of the Father, •{< and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen