Chapter 1: A Form Of Dedication
Chapter 1: A Form Of Dedication
"I will pay my vows unto the Lord." - Psalm 116:16-18
THIS FORM OF dedication is offered to be used by each alone, in some quiet place, as a suggestion of some deeper acts.
I come to Thee, most Blessed Lord, to renew my vows. My soul lies low in penitence before Thee, as I recall all thy patience and loving kindness, thy forbearance and tender pity, towards one of the most unworthy of thy followers. I have so often failed Thee, and brought shame upon thy name; I have disappointed Thee, when I might have given Thee pleasure; I have thwarted Thee, when I might have yielded to thy holy purpose. My only plea is thy most precious Blood. Thou hast magnified thy mercy in saving me at all: now magnify thy grace in forgiving and restoring my soul. Let me now stand again in thy holy presence and speak with Thee face to face.
"Nothing between, Lord, nothing between."
From this moment, I solemnly, and by thy grace, renounce and put away the evil things which have usurped an unholy supremacy with me-the companionships that lower the temperature of my inner life; the books and amusements which have cast a shadow on my hours of fellowship; the sin which so easily besets me; the soft yielding to sloth which has robbed me of so many seasons of hallowed communion; the desire to please men rather than Thee, and to succeed in this world rather than to be a humble servant in thy glorious household. All these I hereby steadfastly renounce and forsake. Other lords have had dominion over me; but henceforth by Thee only will I make mention of thy name. Especially do I steadfastly resolve by thy grace to renounce the devil and all his works; the world and all its vanity; the flesh and all its selfish and sinful desires; so that I may not follow or be led by them. In myself I cannot keep these resolutions-my will is like a bruised reed, my desires like smoking flax; but oh, keep me true! Thou hast kept my soul from death; wilt Thou not also keep my feet from falling, that I may walk before the Lord in the light of the living? Thou art able to keep me from stumbling, and present me faultless before the presence of thy glory with exceeding joy; into thy hands I commend my spirit: and I am persuaded that Thou dost accept and wilt keep what I commit to Thee against that day.
And now, Lord, I yield myself to Thee-spirit, soul, and body-that as these were once filled and used by the Spirit of Evil, they may henceforth be filled and used by thy Holy Spirit, who is one with Thee and the Father in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Never again, by thy dear help, shall sin reign in my mortal body, that I should obey the lusts thereof. It may tempt me by its suggestions; but it shall not reign, since I desire to present myself unto God as one alive from the dead, and my members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
In my inner life, I desire to be kept absolutely pure and lovely. 0 Holy and Spotless One, be in me the crystal fountain of purity! 0 Lamb of God, be in me the source of absolute meekness and humility! 0 Lover of Men, be in me a fire of unwaning, all-subduing tenderness! Make me instantly sensitive to the least taint of impurity and uncharity. Before ever the suggestion has assumed a tangible shape, may I detect it, and shelter in Thee.
In my home life, may I be made a blessing; its sunbeam when the days are dark; its inspiration when the days are sad and hopeless; its tender comfort when the days are full of pain and tears. Always thinking of others before myself; never imposing my private sorrows or moods; ever with the girt loin and the lighted torch; washing my face, and anointing my head, and confiding my griefs to Thee only, that I may ever have
"A heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize:"
In my religious life, may the neglect of prayer and thy Holy Word be things of the past. Wake me morning by morning to hear as a disciple. Enable me to spring up at thy call; and, like all thy true servants, to rise up early in the morning to gather the manna ere the dew be gone from it. May my fellowship with Thee be unbroken through the day, that I may often look up into thy face, even if I have not time to speak. Draw me, and I will run after Thee.
" Each moment, call from earth away,
My soul that only waits thy call."
In my daily calling, make me diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. May I do my work, not for the wages I may get, nor to secure an advance; but so as to please Thee. May it be the one object of my daily striving to do all to the glory of God - not with eye - service, as pleasing men; but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord; doing the will of God, as it is indicated in the circumstances of my life, and looking for my reward from thy hand, oh Divine Master!
In my use of money, I would not be anxious about the future, nor hoard up and keep for myself of that which Thou hast given me; I want to be thy very slave, counting myself, and all I have, as thy purchased property, and using all things as thy representative and steward.
In my use of time, and health, and all the opportunities of life, I desire to act with reverent care; redeeming the time; buying up each opportunity; conserving my body as the pure temple of the Holy Ghost: so partaking of recreation, food, natural scenery, travel, and all lawful pastimes, that I may the better serve thy purpose in my creation and redemption. Show me what my talents are which Thou hast entrusted to me, and help me to make the two, four; and the five, ten.
Now, bless me, even me, 0 Lord. I am thine: thy Father gave me to Thee before the world was made; Thou didst purchase me for thyself by thy most precious blood; Thou hast begun a good work within me by thy Holy Spirit: and now, afresh take me to thine heart, and seal me with thy Spirit. May He enlighten, comfort, and sanctify me; teaching me to pray, and opening the eyes of my heart that I may know Thee and the power of thy resurrection, that, as Thou hast ascended into the heavens, so I may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with Thee continually dwell, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, world without end. Amen.