O God of my heart, and my portion for ever; O let nothing in life or death ever separate me from thee. O rather let me die a thousand deaths than offend thee mortally. "In all thy works aim at perfection."--Ecclesiastes xxxiii. 23. Prayers For Night. If it be a duty of the greatest importance to begin the day well, it is, doubtless, one of no less consequence to conclude it properly. The new graces conferred on us daring the course of the day, and the protection we stand in need of against the dangers of the night, are urgent reasons why we should address ourselves to God, and pray to him with the utmost gratitude and fervour. A daily Examination of Conscience, both in general, with regard to our whole conduct throughout the day, and in particular, with regard to our predominant vice, passion, or evil custom, and the particular virtue we want to acquire, is strongly recommended by all spiritual writers, as one of the most important duties of a Christian life, and the most profitable exercise we can apply ourselves to, both for the avoiding of sin, and the acquiring of virtue. It is a _looking-glass_, in which we see ourselves in our true colours, and come to the knowledge of our sins and evil inclinations. It is a _sponge_, by which we wipe away guilt from our souls, and become the more pure before God, the more diligently we practise it. If we do not daily weed the garden of our souls by this holy exercise, the corrupt ground of the heart will naturally produce vices and imperfections in abundance. {40} The nightly Examination of Conscience makes up the principal part of the last exercise of the day. The method thereof consists in the following acts, viz., of the presence of God, thanksgiving, supplication, examine, sorrow, and good resolutions. The many single blessings which God has bestowed and does bestow on those families where prayers are regularly said in common, should alone be a sufficient inducement to establish this practice every where, and chiefly at night, when all may be assembled with greater convenience.--"_Where two or three persons shall be assembled in my name, there,_" saith Christ, "_shall I be in the midst of them._" O Christians, what stronger inducement can we have to procure so great a happiness? + In the name of the Father, &c. Amen. Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Amen. Come, O Holy Ghost, replenish the hearts of the faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of thy divine love. Amen. Let us place ourselves in the presence of God, and humbly adore him.