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Do not deface books by marks and writins. Cornell University Library arV15533 Devotional services for public worshii 3 1924 031 320 538 olin,anx /5S33 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924031320538 DEVOTIONAL SERVICES FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP ON THE BASIS OF THOSE FREPARSD BY JOHN HUNTER, D.D. Minister of Trinity Churchy Glasgovi. ADAPTED TO AMERICAN USES BY REUEN THOMAS, D.D. **I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also." — I Cor. xiv. 15. BOSTON : p. LOTHROP COMPANY. 1893. Copyright, 1893, By Reuen Thomas. 0^ if^ Frank Wood, Pri7tter, Boston, CONTENTS. Introductory Sentences inviting to Worship i The Commandments 6 The Commandments, Shorter Order ...... 8 Old Testament Beatitudes ... p New Testament Beatitudes lo A Service respecting- our Duty 12 A Service respecting- our Duty 14 Suffrages 15 A Prayer of Intercession 17 A Prayer of Intercession .... .... 19 A Prayer of Intercession 21 A Prayer of Intercession 23 A Prayer of Intercession 26 A Prayer of Intercession 27 A Service of Confession . 2S A Service of Thanksgiving- 32 A Prayer for Help 34 A Prayer for Deliverance . . 36 A Prayer of Intercession . . 3S A Morning Litany 41 A Vesper Service 43 A Service for Morning or Evening (revised and adapted from the Book of Common Prayer) 4S A Service for Children 55 A Litany for a Children's Service . 5S Communion Service 60 The Offertory ... 66 The Baptism or Dedication of Children 67 Prayers for Special Occasions 70 Collects that may be used at the beginning or close of Public Worship S2 Private Devotion in the Church 95 Rules for the Observance of Sunday 97 The Apostles* Creed 9S The Nicene Creed 98 Prayer for the whole state of Christ's Church Militant ... 99 Selections for Responsive Reading ,,.,... 100 SUGGESTIONS. Members of the Congregation are respectfully requested to rise before the commencement of singing, and not while the first ■words are being* sung. In prayer it is desirable for all to kneel, if possible. The Sermon may be closed with the Gloria Pairi, or with some othet ascription of praise. Amen by the Choir and Congregation. The reading of one or two Scripture Sentences just before, or during the Offertory, w^ill help to make the Offertory more distinctly what it ought to be — a part of the service, an act of worship. After the Benediction, it is recommended that the Congregation reverently pause a short time before leaving their places. Let all the people say Amen. The Responses may be either said or sung. *'Let all things be done decently and in order." I Corinthians xiv. 40. DEVOTIONAL SERVICES. ITntrobuctors Sentences IFnviting to imorsbtp. OCOME, let us worship and bow down ; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God : and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness ; give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name : bring an offeriiig, and come into His courts. The hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor- shippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth : for such doth the Father seek to be His worshippers. God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of His saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him. Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God accept- ably with reverence and godly fear. 2 INTRODUCTORY SENTENCES. Through Christ Jesus we have access in one spirit unto the Father. For we have not received the spirit of bond- age again to fear, but the spirit of children, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanks- giving, let your requests be made known unto God. Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things unto them that ask Him. And this is the boldness which we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He heareth us. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. It is a good thing to draw near unto God. Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw nigh unto yoH. Acquaint yourselves with God, and be at peace. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. Thoughts of peace, saith the Lord, do I think towards you. Ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken to you; ye shall seek Me and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will shew them His will. INTRODUCTORY SENTENCES. 3 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God ; for He is gracious and merci- ful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise. If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any, that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, to shew forth His loving kindness in the morning, and His faith- fulness every night. Serve the Lord with gladness ; come before His pres- ence with singing. Enter into His gates with thanks- giving, and into His courts with praise. The Eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you. Rest in the Lord ; wait patiently for Him. Trust in the Lord, and do good. God is love : and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. INTRODUCTORY SENTENCES. We will lift up our eyes unto the hills, whence cometh our help. Our help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. We will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. We will exalt Him also in the congregation of the people. Wherewithal shall we come before the Lord, and bow ourselves before the most high God. He hath shewed us what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of us, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to rvalk humbly with God? Seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God for He will abundantly pardon. How great is the loving kindness of the Lord our Gcd, and His compassion unto all such as turn unto Him. The Lord is good to all, and there is no wrong in Him. We were glad when it was said unto us, Let us go into the house of the Lord. We will lift up our hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly. Whom have we in heaven but God, and what are all on the earth without Him. Our flesh and our hearts fail, but God is the strength of our hearts and our portion for ever. INTRODUCTORY SENTENCES. 5 » Morning. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Many there be that say, Who will shew us any good ? Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. The path of the just is as the light of the dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Evening. The day goeth away, and the shadows of the evening are stretched out. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised. Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord. Let our prayer be set forth as incense, and the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. It shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light. Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Christmas. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord alway ; again I say, Rejoice. THE COMMANDMENTS. Easter. This is the day which the Lord hath made ; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Christ is risen ; He is risen indeed. Because He lives, we shall live also. After two days will the Lord revive us : in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Ube Comman5ment0. Minister. Hear the commandments of God : I am the Lord thy God ; thou shalt have no other gods but Me. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image ; thou shalt not bow down to it, nor serve it. People, Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Honour thy father and thy mother. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt not kill. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. THE COMMANDMENTS. Minister. Thou shalt not commit adultery. People, Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt not steal. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt not covet anything that is thy neighbour's. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep Thy law. Minister. Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. People. Amen. COMMANDMENTS. (Iomman5ments. Minister. Jesus said : The first of all the command- ments is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord ; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister. If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the grace of Christ, Minister. Whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; and whosoever will lose his life for My sake, shall save it. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the faith of Christ. Minister. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the love of Christ. Minister. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the peace of Christ. Amen. BEATITUDES. 9 3- Beatltu&es. (From the Old Testament.) Minister. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. People, Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Minister. Blessed is the man whose strength is in the Lord, and in whose heart are the highways to Zion. People. Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Minister. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord ; they will be still praising Thee. People. Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Minister. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. People, Let Thy truth within ^us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Minister. Blessed are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. People. Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Minister. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful ; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night. People. Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, ^nd Love divine. lo BEATITUDES. Minister. Blessed are they that keep the testimonies of the Lord, and that seek Him with the whole heart. People. Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Minister. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. People. Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Minister. Blessed is He that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver Him in time of trouble. People. Let Thy truth within us shine, O Thou Light, and Life, and Love divine. Amen. 4- Beatitu5es. (From the New Testament.) Minister. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. People. May the "word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. People. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. People. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all "wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. People. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. BEATITUDES. Minister. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. People, May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. People. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. People. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. People, May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. People. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. It is more blessed to give than to receive. People. MsLy the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ; they rest from their labours and their works do follow them. People. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and power. Minister. Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. People. Amen. 12 A SERVICE RESPECTING OUR DUTY. H Service respecttng our 2)utB. Minister. What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. People, Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times ; for the righteous Lord loveth righteousness, and it is joy to the just to do judgment. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseecli Thee. Minister. Let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart, for love thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good ; and bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him ; provide things honest in the sight of all men, and render to every man his due. People. Write tliese words on oi^r hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. A SERVICE RESPECTING OUR DUTY. 13 Minister. Speak ye every man the truth to his neigh- bour, deceive not with your lips, and raise no false report ; for lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are his delight. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. Cease from anger and forsake wrath, for he that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, but he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister . Walk in the spirit and fulfil not the desires of the flesh ; for he that soweth to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the spirit will of the spirit reap life everlasting. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. Let brotherly love continue : as we have opportunity let us do good unto all ; and let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. Let the mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus ; for if any one have not the spirit of Christ he is none of His. People. Write these words on our hearts, O God, we beseech Thee. Minister. O Thou who hast taught us to keep all Thy commandments by loving Thee, the eternal God, and our neighbours as ourselves, grant us a peaceful spirit of divine affection, and of brotherly kindness and goodwill; that we may be devoted to Thee with our whole heart, and united to each other in the true bond of charity, and so fulfil the law of Christ. People. Amen. 14 A SERVICE RESPECTING OUR DUTY. 6. H Service respecting our 2>ut^. Minister. Jesus said : Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Whosoever shall do the will of God the same is my brother and sister. It is the will of God that we should endeavour to keep our bodies in health and strength, and our appetites and impulses under control, and everywhere and in all things to be temperate and pure. People. Lord, h-ive mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do Thy will. Minister. It is the will of God that we should train our minds, and be true in our thinking, and just in all our judging. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do Thy will. Minister. It is the will of God that we should be honest, truthful, and upright in thought, word, and deed. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do Thy will. Minister. It is the will of God that we should be diligent and faithful in our several callings, doing our daily work in all simplicity, and integrity, and seeking and labouring only for the things which are just and good. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do Thy will. A SERVICE RESPECTING OUR DUTY. 15 Minister. It is the will of God that we should rule our spirits, bear with each other's infirmities, and as much as lieth in us live peaceably with all men. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do Thy will. Minister. It is the will of God that we should live chiefly to be helpful to others, and not to seek only our own pleasure and gain. People. I-ord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do Thy will. Minister. It is the will of God that we should do what we can to take away the sin and sorrow of the world, and to overcome all evil with good. People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do Thy will. Minister. Grant to us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful ; that we, who cannot do anything that is good without Thee, may, by Thee, be enabled to live according to Thy will, as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. People. Amen. 7- Suffrages. Minister. O Lord, open Thou our lips. People. And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. [By choir or people, or both choir and people.] Minister. O God, make speed to save us. People. O Lord, make haste to help us. 1 6 SUFFRAGES. Minister. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. People, As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. .Amen. Minister. Praise ye the Lqrd. People. The Lord's name be praised. Minister. The Lord be with you. PeoJ>le. And with Thy spirit. Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us. Minister. O Lord, shew Thy mercy upon us. People. And grant us Thy salvation. Minister. O Lord, protect Thy Church. People. And mercifully hear us when we call upon Thee. Minister. Endue Thy ministers with righteousness. People. And make Thy chosen people joyful. Minister. O Lord, save Thy people. People. And bless Thine inheritance. Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord. People. Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O God. Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us. People. And take not Thy Holy Spirit from us. Minister. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, with- hold not from those who have done us evil anything that may be good for them ; but of Thy grace minister unto them and us, that we may live in charity with each other and all men, to the praise of Thy holy name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. People. Amen. SUFFRAGES. 17 Minister. Hear our prayers, O God, for all Thy children. Shew Thyself gracious unto all. Speak com- fortable words unto Thy faithful servants. Especially do we commend unto Thee the sick, the bereaved, and the desolate : in Thee may the weak find strength, and the dying depart in peace. People, Amen. H ipraper of IFntercessfon. Almighty God, the Father of mankind, who hast com- manded us to make intercession for all men, hear us •while we pray : — Minister. That it may please Thee to bless the whole family of mankind from one end of the earth to the other ; to destroy every form of tyranny and superstition : to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death ; to remember for good all kings, princes, and rulers, and to bind all nations in unity, peace and concord : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to look in kindness upon our country ; to preserve to us the blessings of an equal and impartial freedom ; to bring in upon us the righteousness of the kingdom of God, and so to control us by Thy good Spirit, that we may use our liberties alone for Thy glory and the welfare and progress of mankind ; People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God, Minister. That it may please Thee to bless our Presi- dent, and all Governors, Judges and Magistrates, to rule their hearts in Thy faith, fear, and love, that they may ever PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. seek Thy honour and glory, and that their example may be a power for goodness in the life of this nation : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to grant and con- tinue unto us a succession of legislators and rulers who have been taught the wisdom of the kingdom of Christ ; and ever to strengthen and sustain with Thine own Almighty Hand those who strive to guide and govern men in Thy fear ; that all our affairs may be so ordered, that virtue may prosper with us, and truth prevail : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to bless the Congress of this nation in all its deliberations ; to endow all its members with a right understanding, a pure pur- pose and sound speech that cannot be condemned, and to enable them to rise above all self-seeking and party zeal into the larger sentiments of public good and human brotherhood : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to purge our political life of every evil that would keep back the people from the highest measure of virtue and happi- ness ; to subdue in this nation all unhallowed thirst for conquest and love of vainglory ; and to inspire us with calmness and self-restraint, and the endeavour to get Thy will done everywhere upon the earth. People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and con- ditions of men ; that Thou wouldest be pleased to make Thy ways known unto them, Thy saving health unto all PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. 19 nations. More especially ~we pray for the good estate of the Church Universal ; that it may be so guided and governed by Thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we com- mend to Thy fatherly goodness all those who are any way afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate [especially those for whom our prayers are desired*^ ; that it may please Thee to comfort and relieve them accord- ing to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Amen. H praser of "ffntercession. Almighty God, the Father of mankind, who hath commanded us to make intercession for all men, hear us while we pray : — Minister. That it may please Thee to bless all classes of the people, and so to turn the hearts of men toward each other that the spirit of caste may be destroyed ; that all unjust and needless inequalities may disappear ; and that the fair brotherhood of men, which Thy Son came to establish, may exist among us of a truth : People. ^^ e beseech Thee to hear us, O God. * This Is to be said when any desire the prayers of the congregation. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. Minister. That it may please Thee to purge society from the love of luxury, from the pursuit of vanity and frivolity, from self-indulgence, and from vice; and to multiply the number of brave, earnest, self-sacrificing followers of Christ : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to purify and exalt the domestic hfe of the people, to deepen their sense of the worth and sacredness of home, so that the families of our land may be scenes of noble discipline and the nurseries of true religion : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to regard with Thy favour the commerce of our country; so that men everywhere may be in their transactions upright and honourable, in their workmanship conscientious and thorough ; and that dishonesty, and avarice, and selfish- ness may speedily cease : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to guide all those who study the laws of the land, that they may give wise and just advice to men in their dealings with one another ; to give grace to those who humbly search out Thy works, and mark the wisdom in which Thou hast made them all ; and to help all writers of books and newspapers, and all who mould • the thoughts and opinions of men, that they may be lovers of that which is pure and good, and use all their powers in the cause of truth and righteousness. People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to prosper all PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. 21 colleges and schools of sound learning ; to enlighten and fill with Thy fear all who teach and train the young, and to endow with knowledge and skill all who practise the arts of healing : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to bless the city in which we live ; may our first men be our wisest and best; may knowledge, virtue, and religion grow in our midst ; and may we all so cultivate the spirit of fairness and charity that our religious views may not bitterly divide us, nor our politics sharply part us, nor our tactics dishonour us, nor our conflicts leave us unkind : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to pity and bless the poor and sick in our workhouses and hospitals ; the afflicted in our asylums ; the sufferers in their own homes ; and to guide through death to a better life all who are appointed to die : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Amen. 10. H prager of llntercession. Almighty God, the Father of mankind, hear us while we pray: — Minister. That it may please Thee to regard with Thy favour the religious life of our land ; to encourage and sustain all true prophets, evangelists, and teachers sent from God ; to quicken and preserve Thy people in faithfulness ; to enlighten those who believe amiss and those who believe not at all, and to guide all men into the sure paths of life everlasting : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. 22 PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. Minister. That it may please Thee to rule and govern all the churches of Thy Son in the right way, that they may never injure Thy truth by clamour and uncharitable- ness, but preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to cause Thy blessing to rest upon the efforts of all Christians for the spiritual welfare of men ; to accompany with Thy influence the preaching of the gospel and the religious instruction of the young; to sustain and preserve all missionaries to the heathen, and to prosper their efforts to reveal and establish the kingdom of Christ among the nations of the earth r People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to guide and strengthen all those who are seeking to do their part toward lessening the suffering and ignorance and wicked- ness which prevail around them, that their work may be done devoutly, wisely, zealously, and hopefully : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to bless this con- gregation of Thy people, that the heart of each may be filled with the spirit of holiness and love, that our light may shine before men, and the work of our hands be established : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to regard with Thy favour all little children, that they may be early led into the paths of wisdom and peace ; young men and PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. 23 maidens, that they may be sober-minded, earnest, and brave ; the mature, that the cares of the world may not weaken and kill their higher life ; and all aged persons, that with chastened hearts they may still declare Thy wondrous works : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to remember all Thy people scattered abroad ; all our brethren every- where praying in this holy hour ; that the solitary place may be made glad, and the lonely heart, sighing after Thee, be enriched with a sense of Thy presence and love : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Amen. H prater of IFntercessfon. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who lovest all and forgettest none, we bring to Thee our supplications for all Thy creatures and all Thy children : — Minister. For all whom we love and for whom we watch and care : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who have blessed us with kindness, led us with patience, restored us with their sympathy and help, and whose charity has covered a multitude of our sins : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who have wished or done us ill, that Thou vvouldst turn their hearts to penitence and ours to pity and blessing : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. 24 PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. Minister. For the kindly use of all dumb creatures ; that men may be merciful to the beasts, and be touched with a feeling of their infirmities : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all on whom Thou hast laid the cross of suffering, the sick in body and the feeble in mind ; for all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation ; and all who travel by land or by water : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who have been bereaved of relatives and friends, or are troubled by the suffering or sin of those they love : People. We beseech Thee to hes'.r us, O God. Minister. For all who are visited by worldly loss, that in the dark and cloudy day they may find the peace of God: People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who are absorbed in their own grief, that they may be raised to share the sorrows of their brethren, and know the secret and blessed fellowship of the Cross : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, that grace and peace may rest upon them : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who are suffering because of their faithfulness to conviction and duty, that renunciation may bring strength, and sacrifice, joy, and that they may have Thy grace, who seeth in secret, and come at last to an open reward : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. 25 Minister. For all perplexed by the deeper questions of life, overshadowed with doubt, and concerned lest even in thought they should depart from Thee, that light may arise in their darkness : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For the careless, the scornful, the lovers of darkness rather than the Hght, that they may be delivered from the bonds of iniquity : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who are tried by passionate tempta- tions, or cold ambitions, or mean suggestions, that Thy mercy may be their salvation : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who are sad because they cannot sorrow for sin as they fain would, that they may come to know the sweetness of Thy love, and the wideness of Thy mercy : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who are lonely and sad in the midst of others' joys, that they may know God as their Friend and Comforter : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For the infirm and aged, and all who are growing weary with the journey of life, and for all who are passing through the valley of death, that they may find comfort and strength in God, and light at evening time : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all forgotten by us, but dear to Thee ; for the whole family in heaven and on earth ; for all saints and all souls : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Amen. 26 PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. H prai?er of IFntercessfon. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who hast com- manded us to make intercession for all men, hear us while we pray : — Afinister. For our native land, that in us all the na- tions of the earth may be blessed : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all our rulers, judges, and magistrates, that they may be endowed with the spirit of wisdom and righteousness ; People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For the whole body of the people, that they may be sober and pure, righteous and reverent : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who profess and call themselves Christians, that they may be led to the right understand- ing and practise of their holy faith : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ; for all missionaries, evangelists, Sunday-school teachers, and for all who are seeking and striving in other ways to bless their fellow-men and to build up the kingdom of God in the world, that they may be stedfast and faithful, and that their labours may not be in vain : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For our kindred and friends ; and all who help us to a faithful life, that grace, mercy, and peace may rest upon them : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. 27 Minister. For the poor and the ignorant, the weak and the lonely ; the sick and the dying ; and all who are troubled in mind, that Thy grace may be sufficient for them in their time of need : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For the tempted and the unbelieving ; the vicious and all in bondage to sinful passions and the evil ways of the world : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. For all mankind, that they may be united in the fear and love of Thee : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. God be merciful unto us and bless us, and cause his face to ^hine upon us. Let the people praise Thee, O God ; let all the people praise Thee : People. Amen. 13- H prager of IFntercesslon. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, hear us while we pray: — Minister. That it may please Thee to rule and gov- ern Thy holy Church universal in the right way : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to bless and keep all Thy people : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred and are deceived : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. 28 PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. Minister. That it may please Thee to strengthen such as do stand ; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted ; and to raise up those that fall ; and finally to give us the victory over all temptations : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to succor, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, sickness, and tribulation ; and to show Thy pity upon all prisoners and captives : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to defend and provide for all fatherless and motherless children, and widowfs, and all that are desolate and oppressed : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to have mercy upon all men : People. We beseech The» to hear us, O God. Minister. God be merciful unto us sinners : People. Amen. 14. H Service of Confesston. Minister. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. A SERVICE OF CONFESSION. 29 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgive- nesses, though we have rebelled against Him ; neither have we obeyed His voice to walk in the laws which He hath set before us. Almighty God, Spirit of Purity and Grace, whose salvation is never very far from the contrite heart, listen to our confessions of sin, and have mercy upon us. For all the evil past of our lives ; for our many refusals of Thy call; for our indolence, vanity, and unfaithful- ness : People, Have mercy upon us, O God Minister. F'or the sins of care and passion which have estranged our hearts from goodness and dimmed our vision of heavenly things : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For the sins and faults of youth which led us early astray from Thy ways and brought upon us many troubles and sorrows : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For all our hardness of heart and impeni- tence of spirit ; for our pride, self-sufficiency, and wilful iniquity : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For all our forgotten vows ; for the better purposes which we have suffered to grow weak ; for the good resolutions we have not kept ; for the excuses we have fashioned to hide from ourselves our unfaithful lives : People. Have mercy upon us, O Go4. 30 A SERVICE OF CONFESSION. Minister. For the sorrows that have brought no repentance ; for all the wholesome teachings^of life which have failed to turn our feet into the true and living way : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For the secret faults and presumptuous sins which have remained in our lives unrebuked and tolerated, and for our all our omissions to deal truly with ourselves : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For the words of unjust anger and bitter- ness which have escaped our lips ; for the strifes and separations which we have inflamed and aided, and for all our sinful neglect to produce peace and good will among men : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For our fretful sufferance of wrong ; for the vindictive passions we have cherished ; for our intoler- ance, injustice, and uncharitableness ; for our readiness to blame and our want of thoughtfulness, patience, kind- ness, and sympathy in our social relations : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For all the goodness of life which we have received thanklessly; for the strength which we have wasted ; for the gifts we have not cultivated ; for the opportunities which we have neglected ; for all the beauty of this fair world and the love of human hearts which have passed before us and which in our thoughtlessness and care and passion we have not appreciated : People, Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For the unworthy doubts of Thee which have clouded our path; for the times when we have A SERVICE OF CONFESSION 31 forgotten our duties and lost our faith ; for the hours when we have yielded to temptation and plucked of the fruit of the forbidden tree : Feople. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For our selfish comfort amid the wrongs, oppressions, and sorrows of life ; for our undue and exclusive regard to our own interests; for our lack of brotherhood and neglect of the service of humanity : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For the counsels of Thy Word which have spoken to us vainly ; for the grace and truth of Thy beloved Son which we have slighted ; for the pleadings of Thy Spirit to which we have not hearkened ; for the example and speech of the true and good which have failed to make us worthier children of Thine ; for all the monitions of Time and the Eternal Hereafter which have not made us more serious, earnest, gentle, pure, and rich in faith and charity : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. For all our sins remembered and forgotten ; for the sins we are conscious of, and the sins we are not conscious of because of our sinfulness : People. Have mercy upon us, O God. Minister. O God, whose nature and property it is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble con- fessions ; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of Thy great mercy loose us : through Jesus Christ our Lord : People. Amen 32 A SERVICE OP' THANKSGIVING. 15 a Service of tlbanfisgiving. Minister. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto the name of the Most High. Lift up your hearts : People. We lift them up unto the Lord. Minister. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, we call to remembrance Thy loving kindness and Thy tender mercies which have been ever of old, and with grateful hearts we would lift up to Thee the voice of our thanks- giving. For all the gifts which Thou hast bestowed upon us and our race ; for the life Thou hast given us, and the world in which we live : People, We praise Thee, O God. Minister. For the work we are enabled to do, and the truth we are permitted to learn ; for whatever of good there has been in our past lives, and for all the hopes and aspirations which lead us on toward better things : People. \Ve praise Thee, O God, Minister. For the order and constancy of nature ; for the beauty and bounty of the world ; for day and night, summer and winter, seed-time and harvest; for the varied gifts of loveliness and use which every season brings : People. We praise Thee, O God. A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING. 33 Minister. For all the comforts and gladness of life ; for our homes and all our home-blessings ; for our friends and all the pure pleasures of social intercourse ; for the love, sympathy, and good will of men : People. "We praise Thee, O God. Minister. For all the blessings of civilization, wise government and legislation ; for education, and all the privileges we enjoy through literature, science, and art ; for the help and counsel of those who are wiser and better than ourselves : People. "We praise Thee, O God. Minister. For all true knowledge of Thee and the world in which we live, and the life of truth and right- eousness and Divine communion to which Thou hast called us ; for Prophets and Apostles, and all earnest seekers after truth ; for all lovers and helpers of man- kind, and all godly and gifted men and women : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. For the gift of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and all the helps and hopes which are ours as His disciples ; for the presence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and for all the ministries of Thy truth and grace : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. For communion with Thee the Father of our spirits ; for the light and peace that are gained through trust and obedience, and the darkness and dis- quietude which befall us when we disobey Thy laws and follow our lower desires and selfish passions : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. For the desire and power to help others ; 34 A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING. for every opportunity of serving our generation accord- ing to Thy will, and manifesting the grace of Christ to men : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. For all the discipline of life ; for the tasks and trials by which we are trained to patience, self-knowledge and self-conquest, and brought into closer sympathy with our suffering brethren ; for troubles which have lifted us nearer Thee and drawn us into deeper fellow- ship with Jesus Christ : People. We praise Tliee, O God. Minister. For the sacred and tender ties which bind us to the unseen world ; for the faith which dispels the shadows of earth, and fills the saddest and the last moments of life with the light of an immortal hope : People. We praise Tiiee, O God. Minister. God of all grace and love, we have praised Thee with our lips : grant that we may also praise Thee in consecrated and faithful lives. And may the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be accept- able in Thy sight, O Lord, our Strength and our Re- deemer : People. Amen. H prater for Ibelp. Minister. To whom shall we flee for help ? Our help is in the Lord who made heaven and earth. Most holy and most merciful God, the Strength of the weak, the Rest of the weary, the Comfort of the sorrow- ful, the Saviour of the sinful, and the Refuge of Thy A PRAYER FOR HELP. 35 children in every time of need, hear us while we pray for Thy help in all the circumstances and experiences of our life :— When our hearts are growing cold and dead, and we are losing our vision of Thy face, and living as if life had no spiritual reality r People. Help us, O God. Minister. When the evil memories of the past trouble us, and we mourn over early dreams and hopes unreal- ized, over light within us turned to darkness, and strength to weakness : People. Help us, O God. Minister. When we are tempted to mean and wicked ways, and sin puts on the allurements which make it less sinful in our sight : People. Help us, O God. Minister. When we are called to difficult duty, to work in loneliness among men, and to bear burdens that are hard to be borne : People. Help us, O God. Minister. When we are weary of our work and think it fruitless, and duty is painful because it seems unprofit- able : People. Help us, O God. Minister. When the unknown future troubles us, and amid our fears and anxieties we forget the Eternal love and care : People. Help us, O God. Minister. When the last darkness closes about our life, and heart and flesh faint and fail, and vain is the help of man : People. Help us, O God. 36 A PRAYEA for HELP. Minister. O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright : grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all trials : People. Amen. 17- H iPraijer tor 2)eUverance. Minister. Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy : I dwell in the high and holy place ; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God ; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. Who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Almighty God, we Thy frail and sinful children bow before Thee, confessing our weakness and failure, and our need of a Strength which we do not find in our- selves. We do not ask to be protected from Thee ; we come to Thee for protection and deliverance : From despising the counsels of wisdom and truth ; from neglect of Thy law, and contempt of Thy grace ; from thinking and doing what is contrary to the mind of Christ, and from grieving and quenching Thy Spirit : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From sensual and selfish thoughts and desires ; from foolish and wicked speech and conduct ; A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE. 37 from slavery to appetite and passion ; from all unseemli- ness and seductions to evil ; from the corruption of youth, and from tempting any one to follow unhallowed ways : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From all inordinate cares and ambitions ; from maxims of cunning and greed ; from the godless pursuit of pleasure and gain ; from wronging the poor, and from envying and flattering the rich ; from keeping back the price of labour, and from rendering eye-service : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From pride, presumption, and arrogance ; from the scornful spirit, and from all irreverence ; from failing to give honour to whom honour is due ; from van- ity, small-mindedness, and undue self-assertion, and from despising and condemning others : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From ignorance, error, and prejudice ; from calling evil good, and good evil ; from putting darkness for light, and light for darkness ; from the shame of answering a matter before we hear it, and of neglecting to judge for ourselves what is right ; from unholy in- difference, selfish compromise, and zeal that is not ac- cording to knowledge : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From unrighteous anger and a quarrelsome spirit; from unjust and uncharitable judgment, and readiness to believe evil ; from clamour and back-biting, and all evil-speaking; from returning evil for evil, and from all remembrance of injuries ; from unlovely manners and ways, and from all blindness and hardness of heart : People. Good Lord, deliver us. 38 A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE. Minister. From indolence, and from neglecting to make the most of the power and opportunity which Thou hast given us ; from want of diligence and fidelity in our callings, and from all unfruitfulness of life : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From an ungrateful and fretful spirit ; from doubt of the goodness of life, from fear of death and the Hereafter, and from all distrust of Thy fatherly and eternal love and care : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. In all time of our tribulation ; in all time of our wealth ; in all the days of our earthly life, and in the hour of our final passion ; in this world and in the world to come : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. O Lord, merciful Father, that despisest not the sighing. of the contrite heart, nor the desire of such as be sorrowful, mercifully hear the prayers that we make before Thee ; and grant that we may put our whole trust and confidence in Thy mercy, and evermore serve Thee in pureness of living, to Thy honour and glory : People. Amen. i8. H prater of ITntercessfon. Minister. Almighty God, Father of mercies. Source of all grace and truth, who desirest that we should always pray and not faint, hear us now in these our common supplications : PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. 39 That men everywhere may rejoice in Thee as the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That Thy Church everywhere may be more true to its heavenly mission ; more intent on following the truth whithersoever it leads ; more open to all light, and afraid only lest it should fail in duty, or let its love grow cold : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minisier. That all who profess and call themselves Christians may be filled with a larger measure of Christ's spirit of self-sacrifice, and with a warmer zeal for the service of man ; that they may lay aside every weight, and the sins that so easily beset them, and run with patience the race set before them : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That all the wayward and the sinful, all the ignorant and the hopeless, may know that they are in truth Thy children, and that Thou canst never forego Thy claim upon them, nor yield up the right to call them Thine : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That those who are careless of their true well-being may be brought to a knowledge of their need of Thee, and of Thy need of them ; that their eyes may be opened to the moral purpose of life, the sacredness of duty and the worth of time, and that they may be delivered from their selfish and unholy lives : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. 40 PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. Minister. That all men and women, the young and the old alike, may be led to hate evil and forsake wickedness, to subdue the passions that degrade their lives, and to love and practise goodness : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That all timid and fearful hearts may be drawn to Thee, inspired with hope and courage, and that they may win the victory and crown of life : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to shine upon those who sit in darkness, to give strength to the weak, rest to those who are weary and heavy-laden, and light at eventide to the hearts of the aged : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to comfort those in sickness and in sorrow (especially those known to ourselves, whom we name in our hearts before Thee) ; and in Thy great mercy to sustain and receive the spirits of the dying : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to remember all those who remember the poor, and do good works among the people, that their hands may be strength- ened, and that their labour be not in vain : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That it may please Thee to enlighten the minds and hearts of all who teach the people, all who speak or write, that they may grow in nobleness and in the grace of Christ : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION. 41 Minister. Almighty God, the Source of every blessing and every hope, the Stay of those who labour, and the Repose of the holy dead ; keep us from every vain thought and imagination, that we may the better know Thee and the more worthily serve Thee ; excite in us nobler aspirations, and give us truer insight into the things which we see and use from day to day. Be Thou our strength every morning, and our rest when the shadows of evening are stretched out. Speak now to us all, here gathered together, Thy living word of comfort ; and bless us, and all who love the light, with the blessing of Thine eternal peace : People. Amen. H /looming Xftani5. Minister. Almighty and Everlasting God, the Refuge of Thy children from one generation to another, and our help in every time of need ; draw near to us as we now seek through the symbols of our earthly worship to draw near unto Thee. Open our souls to Thee, and quicken and warm the hearts grown dull and cold to the witness of Thy love. Win us from our low thoughts and cares, and draw us into the communion of Thy Spirit. We praise Thee that Thou turnest the shadow of night into morning, and redeemest our lives from destruction, and bringest us to Thy holy house : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. We praise Thee that Thou givest us another day for Thy worship, and for the doing of such things as are pleasing unto Thee : People. We praise Thee, O God. 42 A MORNING LITANY. Minister. We praise Thee for all the things which give peace and brightness to our days, and for the tasks and trials by which we are trained and strengthened in trueness and goodness of life : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. We praise Thee for the Word of God by which we live ; for Thy Word in ancient Scriptures and in the modern mind ; in the outward universe, and hidden in our hearts, and made known to us through Jesus Christ our Lord : People. We praise Thee, O God. Amen. Minister. Father of all, be gracious unto us while we confess our sins unto Thee, and beseech Thee to forgive all our transgressions : People. Forgive us, O God. Minister. In whatsoever we have offended, by word, or deed, or by the secret movings of our spirits : People. Forgive us, O God. Minister. From all evil desires and affections ; from selfishness and worldliness ; from setting any bad example ; and from tempting others : People. Save us, O God. Minister. In all things make us to know Thy will, and strengthen us to do the same : People. Help us, O God. Minister. For our country and its rulers ; for the peoples of the earth ; for the rich and the poor ; for masters and servants ; for our universities and schools ; for the industries of our land, and for all benevolent institutions ; for such as are wrofiged and such as do A MORNING LITANY. 43 wrong ; for the sick and those who minister unto them ; for wayward children and for sorrowing parents ; for all who err through ignorance, and for all who have fallen into presumptuous sins ; for all Thy worshippers here and everywhere ; for the increase of spiritual light and power, and the triumph of truth and goodness in all the world : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. O God, who hast included all Thy com- mandments in one commandment of love, so that if we love not our neighbour we cannot fulfil Thy law ; we humbly pray Thee to create in our hearts such a sincere and fervent love of one another, that we may be children of our Father in Heaven, and true disciples of Jesus Christ : People. Amen. 20. H IDesper Service. HYMN. SCRIPTURE LESSON. Minister. If I say. Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me shall be night ; even the darkness hideth not from Thee, but the night shineth as the day : the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. Almighty God, Lord of Peace and Giver of Rest; grant unto us at eventide as well as at noonday the light of Thy countenance, that we may see Thy truth and our 44 A VESPER SERVICE. duty, and so behold Thy glory, that we may grow into Thy hkeness. May we feel Thee to be near, and know Thee to be good, and that Thy mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. Lifting our hearts together, may we find Thee in our seeking, and with Thee all that is best and most abiding. That Thou blessest the morning, the noonday, and the evening : People. AVe praise Tliee, O God. Minister. That in this day Thou hast blessed us, and given us part in Thy work on the earth : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That the darkness covering the earth calls Thy weary ones to rest in Thee : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That Thy care is over all Thy children. Thy compassion with all sufferers, and Thy fatherly pity and longing toward all sinners : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That in Jesus Christ we have beheld the glory of Thy Goodness and Love, and know Thee to be the Everlasting Father and Saviour of men : People. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That Thou callest us to leave the low places of sense and sin, and become fellow-workers with Thee and Thy Son : People. We praise Thee, O God. Amen. Minister. Almighty God, who takest away the sins of the world, and whose salvation is ever nigh to the con- A VESPER SERVICE. 45 trite heart ; we grieve tiiat we so often wander from Thy ways and forget Thy laws, and that we stand in constant need of Thy forgiveness. The secret sins of our hearts ; the evil thoughts of our minds ; the transgressions of our lips : People. Forg^ive us, O God, Minister. Whatsoever we have unrighteously felt and thought, or outwardly acted, toward Thee or our fellow- men : People. Forgive us, O God. Minister. The weakness which we know not of, and the sins to which we are blind : People. Forgive us, O God. Amen, Minister. Merciful Father, whose Life is Love, whose Will is Right ; not for ease we pray, but for strength to cease to do evil, to learn to do well ; for grace to keep clean and simple our hearts, and to live dutiful and blameless lives. From all sin, and the fear that is born of sin ; from every evil thought and purpose, and from wishing any- thing by which another may be harmed : People, Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From being conquered by outward things ; from the undue love of pleasure or of gain ; from self- indulgence and self-deception j from the isolations of self-sufficiency and self-seeking; from all hardness of heart : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From all the perils and dangers of this night : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Amen. 46 A VESPER SERVICE. Minister. That we may strive earnestly to be faith- ful in all things, and live unto Thee at all times and in all places : People. Help us, O God. Minister. That we may be simple and sincere ; generous and unselfish ; courageous for the right, and patient under disappointment : People. Help us, O God. Amen. Minister. — God of infinite charity. Giver of all good, Father of all spirits ; That Thou wilt protect and bless those near and dear to us, and bring them to be numbered among Thy faith- ful children : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That Thou wilt restore wanderers to their homes, and recover those who are lost to truth and goodness of life : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That Thou wilt provide for the needy, quiet the fearful, help the helpless ; be near to those who are in peril on land or sea ; strengthen the fainting heart, comfort the sick and the dying, and be the Light of the darkened home : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That Thou wilt remember for good the household of faith throughout the world; all who are united with us in the communion of the same spirit of which we are disciples of Jesus Christ, and children of God: People. We beseech Thee to hear us. O God. A VESPER SERVICE. 47 Minister. That Thou wilt give the people wisdom, and that every man's life and work may be good, and fair, and blessed before Thee : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. That Thou wilt bless the whole family of man, and that the ends of the earth may see the salva- tion of God : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. Eternal God, in whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence ; we remember with quiet and grateful hearts our brethren and sisters who from the beginning of the world have pleased Thee in their several generations, and have now found their everlast- ing rest and home in Thee : mercifully grant that their example and memory may stir us to a better life ; that when for us the night cometh when no man can work, we may be counted worthy to join their fellowship in that world where peace and love are perfect and im- mortal : People. Amen. Minister. All these our thanksgivings and prayers we offer through Jesus Christ our Lord ; in whose spirit and words we yet further pray : People, Our Father which art in heaven ; Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive thera that trespass against us. And lead us not into tempta- tion; but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 48 SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. H Service for /Ktornfng or lEvenfng. Minister. When the wicked man turneth away from the wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save His soul alive. Rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God ; for He is gracious and merci- ful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Dearly beloved brethren. The Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness ; and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God, our heaverily Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart ; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by His infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God ; yet ought we most chiefly so to do when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hands, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His most holy- word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me : A General Confession, to be said or sung, all kneeling. Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. 49 followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare Thou them, O God, who confess their fault. Restore Thou them that are penitent, according to Thy promises declared unto mankind, by Christ Jesus our Lord ; and grant, O most merciful Father, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name : People. Amen. {Revised frojti the Ancient Litany^ Minister. O God, our Father in heaven, have mercy upon us, for we have sinned against Thee : People. O God, our Father in heaven, have mercy upon us, for we have sinned against Thee. Minister. Remember not. Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers ; spare us, good Lord, spare Thy people : People, Spare us, good Lord. Minister. From all evil and mischief; from all blind- ness of heart ; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy ; from envy, hatred and malice, and all uncharitableness : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From fleshly lusts that war against the soul ; from the deceits of the world, and from the counsels of the ungodly ; from dark and crooked ways, and from all error and prejudice ; from hardness of heart, and from contempt of Thy word and command- ment : People. Good Lord, deliver us. so SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. Minister. By Thy love revealed in Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Saviour ; by the mystery of His holy Incarna- tion ; by His Cross and Passion ; by His obedience unto death ; by His risen and exalted life : People, Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. In all time of our tribulation ; in all time of our wealth ; in the hour of death, and in every day of judgment : People. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord God : and that it may please Thee to rule and govern Thy Holy Church universal in the right way : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of Thee, in righteous- ness and holiness of life, the President of the United States and all Governors and Magistrates : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to illuminate all Ministers of Religion with true knowledge and under- standing of Thy word, and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to bless all right- eous Rulers, and that they may rule over the nations in true piety and order : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to bless and keep all Thy people : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. 51 Minister. That it may please Thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to give us a heart to love and fear Thee, and diligently to live after Thy commandments ; People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to give to all Thy people increase of grace to hear meekly Thy vi^ord, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to strengthen such as do stand, and to comfort and help the weak- hearted ; and to raise up them that fall ; and finally to give them the victory over all temptations : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to succour, help, and comfort all that are in danger, necessity, and tribu- lation : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to preserve all that travel by land or by water, all sick persons and young children, and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 52 SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. Minister. That it may please Thee to defend and provide for fatherless and motherless children, and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed : People, We beseech Thee to hear u9, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to have mercy upon all men : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to give and pre- serve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them : People, We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. That it may please Thee to give us true repentance ; to forgive all our sins, negligences, and ignorances ; and to endue us with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to Thy holy and blessed will : People. We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. Minister. O God, we beseech Thee to hear us : People. O God, we beseech Thee to hear us. Minister. Lord, have mercy upon us : People, Lord, have mercy upou us. Minister. Grant us Thy peace : People, Grant us Thy peace. Minister. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins : People. Neither reward us after our iniquities. Minister. O God, merciful Father, that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. 53 be sorrowful, mercifully assist our prayers that we make before Thee in all our troubles and adversities, whenso- ever they oppress us ; and graciously hear us, that the evils of this world may be brought to nought, and by the providence of Thy goodness they may be dispersed ; that we, Thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks in Thy holy church. Amen. People, O Lord, arise, help us and deliver us for Thy name sake. Minister. O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us the noble works that Thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them : People. Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Minister. We humbly beseech Thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities ; and for the glory of Thy name turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved ; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in Thy mercy, and evermore serve Thee in pureness of living, to Thy honour and glory : People. Amen. GENERAL THANKSGIVING. Minister. Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we. Thine unworthy servants, do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and loving- kindness to us and to all men \_particularly to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgiving for Thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them'\. We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but, above all, for Thine inestimable love in 54 SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And we beseech Thee, give us that due sense of all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful ; and that we may show forth Thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives ; by giving up ourselves to Thy service, and by walking before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days : through Jesus Christ our Lord : People. Amen. lord's prayer. Minister and People. Our Father which art in heaven ; Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give' us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil : for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Minister. Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplica- tions unto Thee ; fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most expedient for them ; granting us in this world knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. HYMN. SERMON. HYMN. BENEDICTION. SERVICE FOR MORNING OR EVENING. 55 The Lord bless us and keep us ; the Lord make His face to shine upon us' and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. H Service for Cbilbren. At the beginning of the service the Minister shall read the following sentences: — Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. Jesus said : Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not ; for such is the kingdom of God. I am the Good Shepherd, and My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother and My sister. Let us pray. O God, our Heavenly Father, though we often forget Thee, Thou dost never forget us. Pardon our forgetful- ness, and help us now with quiet minds and grateful hearts to remember Thee. Hear our prayers, and accept our hymns of praise. May we be made wiser and better by the good words to which we shall listen. May we be drawn to Jesus by the cords of love, and, like Him, seek to please Thee in all things. May we ever try to be good and to do good ; to do all that we can that Thy kingdom of purity, and truth, and love may come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven : Children. Amen. 56 SERVICE FOR CHILDREN. HYMN. SCRIPTURE LESSON. HYMN OR CHANT. Prayer. Our Father in heaven, look down upon us, Thy little children, and help us to worship Thee. Put out of our minds all foolish thoughts. Teach us Thy will concerning us, and incline us to learn. May we love Thy truth and seek to live by it every day. Our Father, we know that Thou dost hear us when we pray. The sound of voices which no man can number is ever in Thine ear ; but each voice is heard by Thee, cared for by Thee, interpreted by Thee ; and Thou missest not the cry even of a little child. Our Father, we know that we need have no fear of Thee. Though we are often very bad, yet we know that Thou lovest us even in our sin, and art always trying to make us better. Thy thoughts toward us are full of pitiful and tender love. Thou hast spoken to us by the sweet and gentle voice of Jesus, and He has told us that Thou art kinder than the kindest, better than the best, and that there is ever room in Thy heart and in Thy home for the little ones of Thy making and loving. Our Father, we thank Thee for all the good and beautiful things we find in and around our life. Thou art very kind to us ; and Thy gentleness makes us great. For food and raiment; for the love of parents and friends ; for our work and play ; for our school and books ; for the Sunday and its worship and teaching ; and for all Thy tender mercies, we thank Thee. SERVICE FOR CHILDREN. 57 Our Father, help us to show our thankfulness for Thy merciful and unwearying care by ever seeking to please Thee in all things. Help us to fight against our faults, that they may not grow into bad habits which will cling to us all our days. May we always speak the truth and never be guilty of deceit. May we be kind and gentle, and not easily angered. May we never neglect our duties ; but always learn our lessons and do all our work as in Thy sight and for Thee. May we think little about ourselves, but ever strive to do what we can for others, and to hurt no one by word or by deed. Thy beauty shines in cloud and flower. Oh, let it shine in our lives — that beauty of Thine which is only beautiful. May we grow more like Jesus every day we live, and become children with whom Thou art ever well pleased. Through Jesus Christ our Lord : Children. Amen. THE COMMANDMENTS OR BEATITUDES. HYMN. The Lord's Prayer. Our Father which art in heaven ; Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil : for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. SERMON OR address. HYMN. 58 SERVICE FOR CHILDREN. Prayer. Our Heavenly Father, may the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to Thee. We leave this place, but we cannot go away from Thee ; we part from each other, but from Thee we cannot part. Thy presence is ever with us ; and we are ever in Thy merciful and faithful care. Help us ever to live as children of the light ; upright, simple, pure, free from all evil, just and kind to all. May we ever hear our Shepherd's voice, and follow Him always and in all things, that the life we live here on earth may be full of blessing to Thy children, and that we may love and serve Thee in joy and peace for ever : Children. Amen. Benediction. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and for ever : Children. Amen. 24 H Xitans tor a Cbtl^ren's Service. Minister or Teacher. Come, let us worship and bow down. Our Father in heaven, the Lord and Guide of our hves, and the Giver of all our good things ; we bow before Thee now with humble and grateful hearts. That Thou art mindful of little children, and sufferest them to come to Thee : Children. We praise Thee, O God. LITANY FOR A CHILDREN'S SERVICE. 59 Minister. That Thou watchest over us during the darkness, and in the daytime : Children. "We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That we have minds that can think about Thee, and Thy will concerning us : Children. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That we find delight in Thy works ; in the beauty of the sky and the earth ; in the stars and the flowers : Children. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That we can read gooa books, and love good men and women ; that we have the power to praise Thee, and the grace to pray : Children. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That we can read in our own tongue the story of Jesus, the Lover of little children, the Friend of the needy, the Saviour of the sinful : Children. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. That Thou callest us to be followers of Jesus in childhood and youth : Children. We praise Thee, O God. Minister. From yielding to the faults which easily beset us : Children. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From pride and selfishness ; and from all unkind thoughts, and words, and deeds : Children. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. From profanity, untruthfulness, vulgarity, and impurity ; from showing disrespect to the poor, the aged, and the deformed ; and from all cruelty to birds and animals : Children. Good Lord, deliver us. 6o LITANY FOR A CHILDREN'S SERVICE. Minister. From bad companions and bad reading; from evil thoughts and evil manners : Children. Good Lord, deliver us. Minister. Give us grace to keep our hearts with all diligence, that we may be kept from wishing and willing anything that would injure ourselves or others : Children. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. Help us in our homes, at school, and on the street, in all places and at all times, to speak the truth and to do the right : Children. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. Be good to our parents, brothers, sisters, friends, teachers, and all who are good to us : Children. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Minister. Be kind to all poor and sick children, and help us to be kind : Children. We beseech Thee to hear us, O God. Amsn. Communion Service. The Minister, standing by the Table, shall say one or more of the following sentences : — Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. COMMUNION SERVICE. 6i And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world through Him might be saved. I am the Good Shepherd ; and I know Mine own and Mine own know Me, even as the Father knoweth Me and I know the Father ; and I lay down My life for the sheep. He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father. Be- lievest thoii not that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me ; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will mani- fest Myself unto him. Peace I leave with you ; My peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. Henceforth I call you not servants ; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but I have called you friends ; for all things that I have heard of My Father, I have made known to you. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye have received the spirit of children, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. There is no fear in love ; but perfect love casteth out fear; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love, because He first loved us. 62 COMMUNION SERVICE. Behold I stand at the door and knock ; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into him and will sup with him, and he with Me. And the Spirit and the Church say. Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst, Come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely. Prayer. Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid ; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or, O God our Heavenly Father, who by Thy beloved Son hast consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest of all, even the way of filial trust and love and sacrifice, grant unto us, we beseech Thee, the assurance of Thy mercy, and sanctify us by Thy Holy Spirit, that our fellowship at this time may be with Thee the Father, and with Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. Or, O God, the true Light of faithful souls, the Help of those that flee unto Thee, the Hope of those who cry unto Thee, cleanse us from our sins and from every thought displeasing to Thy goodness, that with a pure heart and a clear soul, with calm trust and perfect love, we may worship Thee as we seek at this time through these sacred symbols to remember and realize Thy love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. COMMUNION SERVICE. 63 Or, O God, our Father, who in Thy love to our race didst send Thy Son into our world, to bring back the wander- ing sheep, turn not away Thy face from us, but cleanse us from our secret faults, and mercifully forgive our presumptuous sins, that we may receive these sacred symbols with a sincere mind ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Reading. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits ; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies ; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things ; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord is merciful and gracious, full of compassion and plenteous in mercy. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor re- warded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the East is from the West, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. 64 COMMUNION SERVICE. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people. I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it and brake it ; and He gave it to the disciples and said. Take, eat ; this is My body. And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it ; for this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many unto remission of sins. Responses. Jesus said. The first of all the commandments is this : Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. And the second is like, namely this : Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep these laws. Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father. In My Father's house are many mansions : People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the faith of Christ. If any man will come after.Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; and whosoever will lose his Ufe for My sake shall save it : People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the love of Christ. COMMUNION SERVICE. 65 Peace I leave with you ; My peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth, give I unto you : People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the peace of Christ. If ye keep My commandments ye shall abide in My love ; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you that My joy may be in you : People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with the joy of Christ. Amen. Then shall the Minister read the following words: The Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was be- trayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks He brake it, and said, Take, eat ; this is My body which is broken for you ; this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood ; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. Then shall the Minister say when he delivereth the bread: Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ's body was broken for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. When he delivereth the cup: Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Hymn. 66 COMMUNION SERVICE. The Benediction. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. Xlbe ©ffertorp. Just before or during the collection of the offerings at any service, one or two of the following passages may be read: Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Concerning the collection for the saints, upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him. Therefore, as ye abound in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, see that ye abound in charity also. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. All things whatsover ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them. He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let each man give according as he hath purposed in his heart ; not grudgingly, or of necessity ; for God loveth a cheerful giver. THE OFFERTORY. 67 But to do good and to communicate forget not : foi with such sacrifices God is well pleased. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Cast thy bread upon the waters ; for thou shalt find it after many days. Blessed are the merciful ; for they shall obtain mercy. Prayer {After the offerings are collected) . Accept, O Lord, these offerings which Thy people make unto Thee, and grant that the cause to which they are devoted may prosper under Thy guidance, to the glory of Thy great name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. trbe JSaptism or De&fcation of CbUbren. Scripture Sentences. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and offspring is His reward. The promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord your God shall call. Go ye and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And Jesus said : Suffer littie children to come unto Me, and forbid them not ; of such is the kingdom of God. 68 BAPTISM OR DEDICATION OF CHILDREN. Whosoever receiveth one such little child in My name receiveth Me. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones. It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Address. The service in which we are now engaged is declaratory of the Divine Will for children. It is also one of thanks- giving and testimony, of recognition and dedication. It is a service of thanksgiving for all the sweet and solemn hopes which cluster around the new-born. It is a recognition of God as the Source of life ; a con- fession of the secret sense that He has come very near to you in the new blessing, the new duty, and the new need of wisdom and strength. It is a testimony to the fact that all children are poten- tially the children of God, and that He claims them. When we engage in this service we declare that it is not by our own choice or act we become children of God, any more than it is by our own choice and act we become members of a human family. It is the Heavenly Father claiming His little ones ; it is the Christ saying to-day as He said long ago : " Suffer little children to come unto Me ; of such is the kingdom of heaven." This service is also one of dedication and consecration — the dedication of the child to the will of God — the consecration of the parents to new and holier fidelities. By coming here, you gratefully recognize the fact that your little one has come to you from God, and you also confess your sacred obligation to train the child both by precept and example in the fear and love of God. BAPTISM OR DEDICATION OF CHILDREN. 69 Having been informed of the name, the Minister, naming the child, shall say : I baptize thee into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Or, I dedicate thee to the will and service of God in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Zet us pray. Almighty and most merciful God, the Faithful Pro- tector of all weak and lowly things, keep, guard, and bless this child evermore. May he be a blessing to the home and the world into which he has been born. ^ And as he grows in years may he also grow in strength and beauty, and, being led in the ways of Divine wisdom, be added to the number of Thy good and faithful servants, and be brought at last to Thy heavenly kingdom. Endue Thy servants into whose care Thou hast com- mitted this little one, with a wise, loving, devout, and faithful spirit. Help them to consecrate to Thee this gift of Thy love, and to make their home the scene of the highest affections, the noblest discipline, the sincerest religion. Help all who are here present to live unto Thee. Give us grace daily to rejoice in Thy goodness with thanksgiving, and to follow Thy law faithfully. We commit our ways to Thee, and trust in Thee. Preserve our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and for evermore. Amen. 70 BAPTISM OR DEDICATION OF CHILDREN. Benediction. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God our Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, now and evermore. Amen. pragers for Special ©ccasfons. Advent. Almighty God, who in Thy Providence hast made all ages a preparation for the kingdom of Thy Son; we beseech Thee to make ready our hearts for the bright- ness of Thy glory and the fulness of Thy blessing in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, by whose gracious Providence Thy servant John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of Christ ; make us to follow his teaching, that we may truly repent of our sins; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke wrong doing, and patiently suffer for conscience' sake. Amen. Christmas. Almighty God, whom once the nations worshipped under names of fear, but who hast revealed the glory of Thy love in the face of Jesus Christ, and called us by Him to live with Thee as children ; fill our hearts, as we remember His nativity, with the gladness of this great redemption. We would join in the heavenly song of Glory to God in the Highest, on earth peace, and good- will toward men. Breathe into our hearts the spirit of Jesus, that we may be led to Thee in trust and obedience, and be sent out to live among men in brotherly love and PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 71 sympathy. Every year, as this joyful festival comes round, may it find the world more and more in harmony with Thy will, which has been made known to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, who by the birth of Thy Son hast given us a great Light to dawn upon our darkness ; grant, we pray Thee, that in His light we may see light. Let the light of Christ search our souls and scatter our darkness ; separating between good and evil, hastening the decay of what is evil and quickening all that is good. Let it shine more and more throughout the world unto the perfect day ; and give us grace while we have the light to walk in the light, that we may be the children of light. Amen. Almighty God, bestow upon us, we beseech Thee, such love and charity as was His, to whom it was more blessed to give than to receive, and who came not to be ministered unto but to minister. May the same mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, while we keep the festival of His Divine humility, consecrating ourselves to the service of all who are in need. Amen. Holy Father, the Giver of every good and perfect gift ; we thank Thee for the sweet human significance of the festival which we are now celebrating. In Jesus Christ Thou hast unveiled to the world the glory of our nature and life, and blessed the families of the earth. We thank Thee for home and childhood, and for all our dear human fellowships and friendships. Forgive our enemies, if we have any, and help us to forgive them. Take from us all narrow and bitter thoughts and feelings ; our vanity 72 PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. and pride, and all dislike, doubt and jealousy of others, that this day we may enter the kingdom as little children. Soften and fill our hearts with love and gratitude, with tenderness and peace. Consecrate our joy ; help us to serve Thee with mirth, and whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, may we do all to Thy glory. Amen. Our Heavenly Father, whose Holy child Jesus is bom unto us, grant, we entreat Thee, that in memory of His holy infancy, and of the love Thou bearest to Thy little ones, all children may be sacred in our eyes. Make us heedful not to offend Thy little ones ; help parents with much patience to correct their children in love ; make our infants Holy Innocents, and teach us ourselves to become as little children. Amen. Almighty God, we remember in this hour the friends who have been with us on former days, but who have now gone from our earthly fellowship. We would keep our love for them unwasted and unchanged till we meet them again in a fairer world. May we who remain draw nearer to each other in all helpful sympathy and service while for us the light shines and the darkness lingers. Amen. The Close of the Year. Almighty Father, as we keep holy time under the deepening shadows of the closing year ; we thank Thee for all that it hath brought to us of mercy and truth. Receive our sorrow for our sins, and in Thine infinite mercy blot them out of the book of Thy remembrance. Let not the experiences of our past days be lost upon us. Fix in our minds every lesson of faith and duty which PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 73 Thou hast been teaching us. Take from our hearts every veil that would hide from us the shining of the heavenly light. Grant unto us, before the record of this year has been finished and sealed, a fresh consecration, a very honest and deep desire to live henceforth according to Thy holy will. Amen. The New Year. Almighty God, the unfailing Source of light and mercy, who hast brought us to the beginning of this year, and art sparing us to love Thee and to keep Thy command- ments ; prepare us, we beseech Thee, for the coming days. Let Thy grace enlighten our darkness, and strengthen our weakness. Help us to forget the sins and sorrows of the past, cherishing only the wisdom and the humility they may have taught us. Inspire us with new purposes and new hopes. Deepen within our hearts the love of truth and goodness. Enable us to discern the solemn meaning of these earthly days, and the high and sacred purpose for which they are given. Suffer us not to be unfaithful to Thee. Thou hast richly blessed us hitherto : still lead us by Thy hand : still admonish and guide us by Thy Spirit ; and in Thine own good time, our labors ended in this world, may we depart in peace, trusting in Thine infinite mercy, and looking for the gift of God which is Eternal Life. Amen. Lent. Almighty God, who givest us our quiet seasons of thought and prayer, help us now and at all times to find in Thee our true peace. Save us in the hour of trial, 74 PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. deliver us from evil thoughts and desires, and from the tyranny of outward things. May we learn of Christ to be strong and brave in the struggle with temptation, and to overcome even as He overcame. Amen. Almighty and Everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent, create in us new hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our low estate, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, the assurance of Thy forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Palm Sunday. Almighty God, who knowest the weaknesses which we are slow to confess even to ourselves, take from us, we beseech Thee, the faithless mind that would shrink from the way by which Thou leadest, and draw back from the harder paths of a dutiful life. As disciples of the Man of Sorrows, may we steadfastly set our face to go to our Jerusalem, prepared to meet all the counsels of Thy will, and to be obedient even unto death, seeking only for strength to glorify the cross Thou layest upon us. Amen. Almighty God, Fountain of Strength, send us Thy help. Help us to cast out of the temple of our hearts everything which in our moments of clear and solemn vision we know ought not to be there ; every temper and passion and desire that cannot bear the searching scrutiny of Divine purity and love. O God, our peace, dwell in us more and more. Dwell in our minds as Truth, in our hearts as Charity, in our wills as Strength, and nevermore leave Thy temple. Amen. PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 75 Good Friday. Holy and ever Blessed God, who dost ask abundant labours and sacrifices from those whose lives are enriched by much love, we thank Thee especially at this time for sending Thy Beloved Son to live and die for us men and our salvation ; and while we meditate on His final conflict and passion may we be filled with His Spirit, so that we may be enabled to offer up ourselves entirely, even as He did, to Thy holy and perfect will. Amen. Almighty God, Eternal and Invisible, we adore Thy love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. We believe that He came out from Thee that no soul of all Thy children might cry in vain for the light of Thy face. We believe that in His life and character He made Thee known. We believe that in His sympathy with men He revealed Thy compassion for our sorrow- stricken race. We believe that on His cross we behold Thy redeeming mercy and grace. May the message of that Divine sacrifice conquer our fear and suspicion, and restore our souls to health and peace. Redeem us into a life of truth and purity and love. Take away our sins, and reconcile us to Thy holy and blessed will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Spirit ever present ! O Providence unsearchable ! if in any hour we cry like the Crucified, " My God ! my God! why hast Thou forsaken me?" may we return like Him to a composed faith and say, "Father ! into Thy hands I commit my spirit." Teach us to live to Thee with perfect trust. May one only care be ours, to finish the work which Thou hast given us to do ; to walk 76 PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. to-day and to-morrow, if perchance the third day we may be perfected. May we bear our cross as true disciples, and count all denial and pain and reproach as only gain, if we may but fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Jesus Christ, and share in the sacrifice by which Thou redeemest the world. Amen. Almighty God, who in the life and teaching of Thy Son, hast showed unto us the true way of blessedness ; Thou hast also showed us, in His sufferings and death, that the path of duty may lead to the cross, and the reward of faithfulness may be a crown of thorns. Give us grace to learn these harder lessons. May we take up our cross and follow Christ in the strength of patience and the constancy of faith ; and may we have such fellowship with Him in His sorrow that we may know the secret of His strength and peace, and see, even in our darkest hour of trial and anguish, the shining of the eternal light. Amen. Easter. O Lord Most High, who art not the God of the dead but of the living ; we would unite this day in thankful joy in the remernbrance of Christ's triumph over death. We bless Thee, that through Him Thou hast freed us from bondage to invisible terrors ; and that out of this dust and out of these low mortal conditions Thou art striving to raise immortal souls into a Divine fellow- ship, and to establish them for ever in the heavenly dweUing places. Precious unto us is Thy redeeming love ; precious is the light of this earthly life ; precious Thy promises and our hopes touching a better life to PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 77 come. Let the Spirit of Christ dwell abundantly in us, that in us also, as in Thy blessed ones on the eternal shore, may be fulfilled His great assurance : " He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die." Amen. Almighty and Everlasting God, by whose power Thy Son, Jesus Christ, overcame death ; mercifully grant that we may purify ourselves even as He is pure ; and, by continually mortifying our corrupt affections and seeking ever to do Thy holy will, may rise through death into a higher and diviner life. Amen. O God, who hast called us to be children of the Resurrection, mercifully grant that whensoever in the dimness of this present life our eyes are holden that we see Thee not, our hearts may always be attentive and faithful to Thy Holy Will, and burn within us, as it is revealed unto us by Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Spirit of all grace and benediction, Father of Jesus Christ and our Father, Creator of these dying bodies. Life and Light of these undying souls ; help us to rise above the earthly into the heavenly; with Christ dying unto sin, and living only unto Thee ; and from the light of a true life here passing at length into that Presence where there is fulness of joy and peace for ever. Amen. Whitsunday. Almighty God, the Inspirer of prophets and apostles, and of every true and good thought and feeling in all 78 PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. men ; we would join the Christian Church throughout the world in thanking Thee for the gift of Thy Spirit by which Thou hast enabled some in all ages to be the teachers and leaders of their brethren ; and we pray Thee so to pour out the same spirit on us that we may have a right judgment in all things, and that love and goodness, and all the fruits of righteousness may abound in our lives to Thy praise and glory. Amen. Fountain of truth and grace, who visitest the world with times of refreshment from Thy presence, and so dividest Thy word as to kindle the fire of all hearts; come with Thy various energy into our midst ; whether as the rushing wind to cleanse and brace our souls, or as the hovering dove to quicken our faith, and hope, and charity. Cease not the pleading of Thy Spirit, O Comforter Eternal ; but when our love grows cold and our prayer is dumb, and we fall into the sleep of selfish care, break in once more upon the darkness and void ; waken and win us to Thy heavenly light, to know Thee as the Life of our deepest life, the \^oice of our inmost conscience, the Strength of our surrendered will. Burn up with Thy purifying flame every root of bitterness and seed of sin ; and let the nourishing dews descend which shall cover every barren place with the grace of sweet affections, and the fruits of holy living. Still let the blessed promise be fulfilled : leave us not comfortless : abide with us for ever. Amen. Trinity Sunday. Almighty God, whom by searching we cannot find out unto perfection, we bless Thee for the manifold revelation PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 79 of Thy glory by which we are led into all truth, nourished in all goodness, and made free to trust, love and serve Thee. The order of Nature, the life of the Son of Man, and the moral and spiritual being of Thy children bear witness of Thee, and their witness agree in one. Make us pure in heart, that we may see Thee more and more in the Creation of which we are a part ; in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord, and in the movement of our own spirits. Lord we believe, help Thou our unbelief Save us from the pride of ignorance and the pride of knowledge, and from following the false lights of prejudice and opinion. We beseech Thee of Thy compassion to deliver us from all error of thought and life. Help us to confess our faith in the Father by living as dutiful children ; our faith in the Son by arming ourselves with His mind, and our faith in the Holy Spirit by our quick obedience to the inward Light. Amen. All Saints. Eternal God, our dwelling place in all generations ; we would renew in this hour all fair and noble memories, all high and holy traditions of the days that are no more. Thou art the Source of all truth and beauty. Thine is the wisdom of the seer, and the saints' purity ; Thine the light that shineth in the eyes of holy prophets ; Thine the love that fiUeth every generous heart ; and Thine the reverence and aspiration of every prayerful spirit. We bless Thee for all the true and righteous souls who have revealed Thee to men, and who in their generation witnessed a good confession for the welfare of the world, and whose memorial Thou hast set on high, and whose 8o PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. names Thou hast made to shine as the stars for ever. We bless Thee for all unknown and lowly people who were faithful in their day and place, strengthening the cause of truth and virtue, and whose forgotten labours have made the earth more beautiful for us who follow them. May these examples and memories stimulate us to live a truer and braver life. Give us grace to live worthily, and to hold our inheritance as a sacred trust, that we may leave it with increase for those who shall come after. Amen. •< Almighty Father, the God not of the dead but of the living ; we have joy together in all who have faithfully lived and peacefully died, and whose truth and beauty are even now in our hearts. May we be assured that they who are absent from us have found a more perfect rest in Thee, and the crown of an unfading life. No longer can we car? for them ; but Thou wilt care for them better than our love could do. By pastures green and by quiet waters, into higher life and service Thou wilt lead them, O Thou Eternal Lover of souls. Cherish and bless them, we pray Thee ; and give unto us great peace and great hope as we think about them in this still hour. Take the veil from our hearts, and join us in one communion with all Thy saints on earth and in heaven. Amen. The Spring. Almighty God, our Creator and Preserver, we thank Thee for this springtime, in which Thou art renewing the face of the earth and quickening all things. When earth, and air, and sky are full of beauty, proclaiming PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 81 blessing and praise, our hearts would not be thankless, nor our mouths dumb. We bless Thee, the All-Good, whose mercy is boundless, whose grace is infinite. Thou who carest for the trees and the flowers ! ever-living and never-failing Spirit ! revive and renew our life, that we may bring forth the fruit of good works, as disciples of Him who came to quicken in human hearts the seed of eternal life. Amen. The Harvest. Blessed be Thou, Father of all mercy, who continuest to pour Thy benefits upon us. Age after age the living wait upon Thee, and find that of Thy faithfulness there is no end, and that Thy care is unfailing and unwearying. We praise Thee that the mystery by which we are com- passed about is a mystery of Infinite Goodness. Thou hast preserved us through the fourfold year, and bestowed again the plenty of harvest. We would not witness and enjoy Thy bounty in vain. Build Thine altar in our hearts. Oh make Thy goodness health and strength unto us, that we may be dutiful and holy. Amen. COLLECTS. Collects That may be used at the beginning or close of Public Worship. Mornitig. O Lord, our Heavenly Father, Almighty and Everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day ; defend us in the same by Thy mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings may be ordered by Thy governance, to do always what is righteous in Thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Morning. Eternal God, who hast neither dawn nor evening, yet sendest us alternate mercies of the darkness and the day, there is no light but Thine, without or within. As Thou liftest the curtains of night from our abodes, take also the veil from all our hearts. Rise with Thy morning upon our souls ; quicken all our labour and our prayer ; and, though all else declines, let the noontide of Thy grace and peace remain. May we walk, while it is yet day, in the steps of Him who, with fewest hours, finished Tny divinest work. Amen. Evening. O God, who faintest not, neither art weary, whose ever- lasting work is still fresh as Thy creative thought ! we bless Thee for the pity of night and sleep, giving us the rest Thou never needest. We would lie down each evening in peace and thankfulness, and commit the folded COLLECTS. §3 hours to Thee. But, O Lord, through toil and repose, save us from any fatal slumber of the spirit ; and keep us through life to the holy vigils of love and service, as they that watch for the morning of eternity. Amen. Evening. O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give ; that both our hearts and minds may be set to obey Thy command- ments, and also that by Thee we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sunday Morning. O God, our Guardian by night, our Guide by day. Thou hast led us forth from darkness into the light of life, and it is Thy day. May it be a holy time, and passed in Thy nearer presence, and in the love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sunday Morning. O Thou who bringest back the mo.'ning, causing the sun to rise on the evil and the good, lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, that in Thy light we may see light : light upon every hidden unworthiness ; light upon every doubt and fear ; light upon every cross and care ; light upon every wordly interest and every path of duty. Shine upon our ignorance as the light of knowledge ; shine upon our perplexity as the light of faith ; shine upon our sin as the light of purity ; shine upon our sorrow as the light of joy ; shine upon our broken hopes as the §4 COLLECTS. light of the immortal life. Quicken our minds and purify our hearts to receive the light of Thy truth and love. And when on the morrow we return to our daily life and labour, do Thou give us grace to be faithful to the light we have received in communion with Thee. Amen. Sunday Morning. O God, who givest us not only the day for labour and the night for rest, but also the peace of this blessed day ; grant, we beseech Thee, that this season of holy quiet may be profitable to us in heavenly things, and refresh and strengthen us to finish the work which thou hast given us to do. Amen. Sunday Morning. Most Holy and Most Gracious God, who turnest the shadow of night into morning, satisfy us early with Thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all the day. Lift the light of Thy countenance upon us ; calm every troubled thought, and guide our feet into the way of peace. Perfect Thy strength in our weakness, and help us to worship Thee : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sunday Evening. Almighty God, the Father of our spirits, meet with us at close of day, and grant unto us. Thy children, the peace which the world cannot give. May no unhallowed thoughts or cares disturb the quiet of this evening hour. Deliver us from all the vain things which have such power over us. May we learn wisdom, receive strength, gain hope, feel the influence of things unseen, and find rest in God. Amen. . COLLECTS. 8s Sunday Evening. Righteous and Merciful Father, we thank Thee for the sacred rest and opportunity of this day, and for all the good gifts of teaching and inspiration it may have brought us. Deepen every serious impression, and give us grace to be obedient to the heavenly vision. To Thee we commend ourselves. Grant that no darkness may hide from us the light of Thy truth and love. Keep us in safety under the shadow of Thy wing, and protect us evermore in life and death : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom lio secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy name : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Guide us, O God, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy name and finally, by Thy mercy obtain everlasting life : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, our Father, we beseech Thee to open those ways through which Thou dost draw near unto our souls ; to quicken in us faith, and hope, and love, that our com- munion with Thee at this time may be in the Spirit of Thy Son, and our gathering within these walls be to Thy glory and our good. Open our eyes to see the eternal things, and our ears to hear the heavenly pleading in our 86 COLLECTS. hearts. Help us as we seek to review our days in the light of Thy countenance ; to acknowledge Thine un- failing mercy and care ; to confess our sins, and to pray for grace to live more faithful lives. Give us rest from vain desires, and put us in love with serious thought. May we feel Thee near through the help of Jesus Christ, and by our unceasing worship in His Spirit may we grow into a firm and effectual assurance of Thine infinite goodness. Amen. Assist us mercifully, O God, in our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of Thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation ; that among all the chances and changes of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by Thy most gracious and ready help : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, the Fountain of all wisdom, who know- est our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking : we beseech Thee to have compassion on our infirmities, and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouch- safe to give us in the fulness of Thy love and grace, which Thou hast made known to us : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let Thy merciful ears, O God, be open to the prayers of Thy humble servants : and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please Thee : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord of all power and might, who art the Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all good- COLLECTS. 87 ness, and of Thy great mercy keep us in the same : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord, who has taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth, send us Thy Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and all virtue, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before Thee : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity ; and that we may obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, in whom there is no darkness, error, vanity nor death ; the Light, without which there is dark- ness ; the Way, without which there is wandering ; the Truth, without which there is error ; the Life, without which there is death ; say. Let there be light, and we shall see light, and eschew darkness ; we shall see the way, and avoid wandering ; we shall see the truth and shun error ; we shall see life, and escape death. Quicken and illuminate our souls ; lift our aiifections to things above and help us to make our obedience to Thee a service of perfect freedom : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, the strength of all them that put their trust in Thee, mercifully accept our prayers ; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace, that in keeping of Thy commandments we may please Thee, both in will and deed : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. COLLECTS. Almighty God, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive our prayers ; and grant that we may both perceive and know what things we ought to do, and also have grace and power to fulfil the same, in the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men ; grant unto Thy people that they may love the things which Thou commandest, and desire that which Thou dost promise, that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found. Amen. Grant to us, O Lord, we beseech Thee the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we who cannot do anything that is good without Thee, may by Thee be enabled to live according to Thy will. Amen. O Lord, from whom all good things do come ; grant to us. Thy humble servants, that by Thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by Thy merciful guiding may perform the same. Amen. O God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, and nothing is holy; increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy ; that Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not those things which are eternal. Amen. Grant, O Lord, that we may carefully watch over our tempers and every unholy feeling ; that, by conforming to Thy will in small things, we may hope, by Thy protec- COLLECTS. 89 tion and help, to pass safely through the greater dangers and trials to which we may be exposed. Amen. Be present, O Lord, to our supplications ; nor let Thy merciful clemency be far away from Thy servants. Heal our wounds, forgive our sins ; that being separated from Thee by no iniquities, we may be able evermore to cleave to Thee our Lord. Amen. O God, the Comforter of the humble and the strength of the faithful ! be merciful to Thy suppliants ; that our human weakness, which by itself is prone to fall, may be evermore supported by Thee to stand upright, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who art peace everlasting, whose chosen reward is the gift of peace, and who hast taught us that peacemakers are Thy children ! pour Thy peace into our souls, that everything discordant may utterly vanish, and all that makes for peace be sweet to us for ever. Amen. Almighty Father, whose grace doth ever keep, and whose love can never fail us, we would commit ourselves and our ways unto Thee in humble prayer. May we be glad in the Lord, and in the beauty of holiness worship Thee. May we invite Thy mercies through our charities, and Thy great love through our pure and unselfish affec- tions. Make us wise to know Thee, and faithful to obey Thee. Amen. Protect, O Lord, Thy suppliants ; support their weak- ness and wash away their earthly stains ; and, while they walk amid the darkness of this mortal life, do Thou ever quicken them by Thy light. Deliver them in Thy mercy 90 COLLECTS. from all evils, and grant them to attain the height of good, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Grant, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord, to Thy faith- ful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and evermore serve Thee with a quiet mind ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for the Nation. Almighty Lord, of whose righteous will all things are, and were created ; who liftest the islands out of the deep, and preparest not in vain the habitable world ; Thou hast gathered our people into a great nation, and sent them to sow beside all waters, and multiply sure dwellings on the earth. Deepen the root of our life in everlasting righteousness ; and let not the crown of our pride be as a fading flower. Make us equal to our high trusts ; reverent in the use of freedom, just in the exer- cise of power, generous in the protection of weakness. With all Thy blessings bless the President of the United States and all in authority. To our Legislators and Counsellors give insight and faithfulness, that our laws may clearly speak the right, and our Judges purely interpret it. Let it be known among us how Thou hatest robbery for burnt-offering; that the gains of industry may be all upright, and the use of wealth considerate. May wisdom and knowledge be the stability of our times : and our deepest trust be in Thee, the Lord of nations and the King of kings. Amen, COLLECTS. 91 A Prayer for the Church. O God, who didst send Thy Word to speak in the Prophets and live in Thy Son, and appoint Thy Church to be witness of divine things in all the world ; revive the purity and deepen the power of its testimony ; and through the din of earthly interests and the storm of human passions, let it make the still small voice of Thy Spirit inly felt. Nearer and nearer may Thy kingdom come from age to age ; meeting the face of the young as a rising dawn, and brightening the song of the old, " Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace." Already let its light abash our guilty negligence, and touch with hope each secret sorrow of the earth. By the cleansing spirit of Thy Son, make this world a fitting fore- court to that sanctuary not made with hands, where our life is hid with Christ in God. Amen. A Prayer for the Unity of the Church. Almighty God, in whom is calmness, peace and con- cord ; heal Thou the divisions which separate Thy children from one another, and enable them to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. While there are diversities of knowledge and of faith, and we cannot all be of the same mind, may we be made one in brotherly love, and in devotion to Thy holy will. De- liver us from all blindness and prejudice, from all clamour and evil speaking, that by the charity of our temper and thought and life, we may show forth the power and beauty of the religion we profess, to the glory of Thy holy name. Amen. 92 COLLECTS. A Prayer for the Coming of God's Kingdom. O Thou whose eye is over all the children of men, and who hast called them, by Thy Prince of Peace, into a kingdom not of this world ; send forth His spirit speedily into the dark places of our guilt and woe, and .arm it with the piercing power of Thy grace. May it reach the heart of every oppression, and make arrogancy dumb before Thee. Let it still the noise of our strife and the tumult of the people ; put to shame the false idols of every mind ; carry faith to the doubting, hope to the fearful, strength to the weak, light to the mourner ; and more and more increase the pure in heart who see their God. Commit Thy word, O Lord, to the lips of faithful men, or to the free winds of Thine invisible Providence ; that soon the knowledge of Thee may cover the earth, as the waters cover the channels of the deep. And so let Thy kingdom come through Christ Thy Son. Amen. The Lord's Prayer. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil ; for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. A General Thanksgiving. Almighty and most merciful Father ; we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep j we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own COLLECTS. 93 hearts ; we have offended against Thy holy laws ; we have left undone those things which we ought to have done ; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But Thou, O God, be merciful to us sinners. Spare thou them, O Lord, who confess their faults. Restore Thou them that are penitent ; according to Thy promises declared unto mankind by Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name. Amen. A General Thanksgiving. Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we. Thine unworthy servants, do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men \Jiarticularly to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings for Thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them*^ . We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life : but, above all, for Thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And we beseech Thee, give us that due sense of all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful ; and that we may show forth Thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives ; by giving up ourselves to Thy service, and by walking before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *This is to be said when any that have been prayed for desire to return praise. 94 COLLECTS. A General Intercession. O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and conditions of men ; that Thou wouldest be pleased to make Thy ways known unto them. Thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Church Universal ; that it may be so guided and governed by Thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in right- eousness of life. Finally, we commend to Thy fatherly goodness all those who are any way afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate {especially those for whom our prayers are desired*'\ ; that it may please Thee to com- fort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Benediction. The Lord bless us and keep us ; the Lord make His face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore. Amen. *Thjs to be said when any desire the prayers of the congregation. PRIVATE DEVOTION IN THE CHURCH. 95 private Devotion in tbe Cburcb. (For the Assistance, especially, of the Young'. J Collect on entering the Church. O God, the source of all pure desires and holy affec- tions ; give me now a quiet mind, and a reverent and devout heart, that I may worthily worship Thee at this time, and think how I am living and resolve how to live better. Amen. Collect before leaving the Church. Father in heaven, I thank Thee for this hour of medi- tation and prayer. Answer the desires of my heart, not according to my poor thoughts, but according to Thine infinite wisdom and love. Let me not be a hearer of the word only, but a doer. Nourish me in all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep me in the same. Amen. Before Communion. O God, my Father, help me now to remember Jesus Christ, and to meditate on the holy lessons of His life and death. Bid all my fear and doubt depart, and assure me of Thy forgiving mercy. Let my heart be replenished with a larger measure of Thy Grace. May Thy Son lead me nearer to Thee, and nearer to all Thy children. I commit myself to Him, to be taught and to obey. Hear my prayer for all who need His help, and for all who are striving to follow Him, Amen. 96 PRIVATE DEVOTION IN THE CHURCH. After Cojnmunion. Grant, O God, that by this holy meditation and com- munion I may be strengthened for daily service. Suffer me not to break my vows, but help me to live as I pray. May I strive more than ever I have done to live closer to conscience, and to the sweet and holy light of the Redeemer's life. Bind me to Thyself in faithful obe- dience, and bind me to all my fellow-creatures in the dispositions, charities, and sympathies of my Lord and Saviour. Amen. RULES FOR OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY. 97 IRules for tbe ©bservance of Sun5a?. Preserve peace and quiet ; put away noisy business and noisy mirth. Let the day be one of rest, for body and mind. Provide rest for all who serve us ; therefore let the day be simple. Let it be a glad day ; keep the mind and the behaviour cheerful. Let it be a day of love and companionship at home. Go with simple and serious heart to the church to join in praise and prayer, and to meditate on the higher and deeper things of Hfe. Thus the Sunday, our Home-Day and our Church-Day, will be restful, joyful, and hallowed. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small. For the dear God, who loveth us, He made and loveth all. God is love ; he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. THE ANCIENT CREEDS. Ube HpoBtles' Cree&. I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord ; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary : Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He went into the place of departed spirits ; The third day he rose again from the dead : He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty : From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost ; The Holy Catholic Church ; The Communion of Saints : The Forgiveness of Sins ; The Resurrection of the body ; and the Life ever- lasting. Amen. Ube IRfcene Creeb. I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible : And in one Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God ; Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God ; Begotten, not made ; Being of one substance with the Father ; By whom all things were made ; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man ; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate ; He suffered and was buried : And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures ; And ascended into heaven. And sitteth on the right hand of the Father ; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead ; ^Vhose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son ; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified ; Who spake by the prophets ; and I believe one Catholic Apostolic Church : I acknowledge one Bap- THE NICENE CREED. 99 tism for {that is, declaring) the remission of Sins : And I look for the Resurrection of the dead : And the Life of the world to come. Amen. prater for tbe wbole state of Cbrfst's Cburcb militant. Almighty and everliving God, who, by thy holy Apostle, hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all men : We humbly beseech Thee most mercifully {to accept our alms and oblations and) to receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity and concord : And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech thee also so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers that they may truly and impartially administer justice to the punishment of wickedness and vice and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virture. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Pastors and other Ministers in thy Church, that they may, both by their life and teaching, set forth thy true and living Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments. And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace, especially to this congregation here present ; that with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word ; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. We also bless thy holy name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and - fear ; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 100 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Selections for IResponsfve IRea&ing. First Day of the Month. (Psalm 104.) 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment ; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain : 3 Who layeth the beams of his chatnbers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot ; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind. 4 Who maketh the winds his messengers ; His ministers a flaming fire : 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth. That it should not be moved for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture ; The waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled ; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away ; 8 They went up by the mountains, they went down by the valleys. Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover tlie earth 10 He sendeth forth springs into the valleys ; They run among the mountains : 1 1 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them the fowl of the heaven have their habita- tion, They sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the mountains from his chamber: : The earth is satisfied -with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, RESPONSIVE READINGS. lot And herb for the service of man ; That he may bring forth food out of the earth : 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread that st7-engtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the Lord are satisfied ; The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted ; 1 7 Where the birds make their nests : As for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 1 8 The high mountains are for the wild goats ; The rocks are a refuge for the conies. 19 He appoi7ited the moon for seasons : The sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night ; Wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they get them away. And lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labour until the evening. 24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches. 25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships ; There is leviathan, whom thou hast formed to take his pastime therein. 27 These wait all upon thee, That thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest unto them they gather ; Thou openest thine hand, they are satisfied with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled ; Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. 102 RESPONSIVE READINGS. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created ; And thou renewest the face of the ground. 31 Let the glory of the Lord e^idure for ever ; Let the Lord rejoice in his works : 32 Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth ; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke. 3^ I will sing icnto the Lord as long as I live : I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. Second Day of the Month. (Psalm 67.) 1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us, And cause his face to shine upon us ; 2 That thy way may be known upon earth. Thy saving health among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; Let all the peoples praise thee. 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy : For thou shalt judge the peoples with equity. And govern the nations upon earth. 5 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; Let all the peoples praise thee. 6 The earth hath yielded her increase : God, even our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless- us ; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him. (Psalm 65.) 1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion : And unto thee shall the vow be performed. 2 O thou that hearest prayer. Unto thee shall all flesh come. 3 Iniquities prevail against me : As for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. 4 Blessed is the mail whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee. That he may dwell in thy courts : RESPONSIVE READINGS. 103 ]Ve shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house. The holy place of thy temple. 5 By terrible things thou wilt answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation ; Thou that art the confidence of all the ends of the earth. And of them that are afar off upon the sea : 6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains ; Being girded about with tnight : 7 Which stilleth the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves. And the tumult of the peoples. 8 lliey also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens : Thou inakest the outgoings of the morning and ei