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DUTTON & COMPANY 31 WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET Copyright, 1901, by ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL KNOWLES TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN HONOUR OF THE MOST COMFORTABLE SACRAMENT OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST 111 AUTHOR'S PREFACE THIS little book was written and compiled by a Priest of the Church to be a practical Manual of Devotion, containing prayers for Confirmation, Holy Communion, and all or- dinary occasions. It pretends to no literary or theological excellence. It aims to supplant no books of a similar character. Its sole object is to present in a clear and comprehensive way such Instructions and Devotions as may tend to the right reception of Confirmation and Holy Communion, may be helpful in the cultivation of the spiritual life, and may form a Manual for daily use, at once condensed yet complete. It is frequently due to a lack of knowledge of the Church and of her doctrine, discipline and worship that many persons who have started out in the spiritual life lapse into unbelief and mis- belief. They have never properly been taught the fundamentals of the Faith and so readily follow those who are '''' teaching for doctrines the comtnandmejits of men.'''' They have never realized the importance of a positive, definite belief, without which it is impossible to live a right life or attain to the full measure of spirit- ual development. It is indeed most necessary to be mentally and spiritually equipped for the fight against "the world, the flesh, and the devil." Vi AUTHOR'S PREFACE From his own experience and from the com- ments of others of the Clergy and Laity, the Author believes that there is large room for a work that will help in this respect. There are of course others now in use, but many people find them above their understanding or incapa- ble of satisfying their spiritual needs or alien to the Anglican mind. In the preparation of this present book, the Author, while trying to avoid any narrow conception of the Church, has aimed to have both the Instructions and the Devotions in thorough accord with the spirit of the Book of Common Prayer and the teaching of Holy Scripture. In drawing from outside sources, the Ancient Liturgies have been mainly consulted, as they are perfect treasure-houses of devotion, and represent the spiritual character of the Church most near its Source. These prayers, however, have been very freely adapted, partly because of their rather florid expressions, hardly suitable to the Western mind, partly in order to ensure a more rhythmical measure, which the original Greek or Latin loses in a literal trans- lation into English, The thought, however, has been preserved throughout. In many cases the Devotions will be found more full and numerous than may be required, but it seems better to minister to the needs of those well on in the spiritual life, as others may easily omit what they find burdensome or unnecessary, a possibility provided for in the arrangement of the contents. The Author has not knowingly used any copyright matter, hav- ing taken special care to guard against this, with the exception of several Eucharistic Hymns, for the use of which he most cordially thanks the Authors and Publishers. He also takes this author's pre^face vii opportunity of expressing his appreciation of the kindness of the Right Reverend Isaac Lea Nicholson, S.T.D., Bishop of Milwaukee, and the Reverend Samuel Upjohn, D.D., Rector of S. Luke's Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, in examining and approving this work and making many valuable suggestions as to the same. The Author therefore gives this modest mes- sage to the Church, praying God for Christ His Sake, to pardon all that may be imperfect and bless all that may be good, leading many souls to a closer walk with Him through the " Most Comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ." Philadelphia, Lent, 1901. CONTENTS PART I INSTRUCTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS PAGE The Church, its Institution and Growth . i The Ancient Church ..... 2 The Mediaeval Church . . . .6 The Reformation ..... 8 The Anglican Church .... 9 The Church in America . . . . i6 77/ith such sacrifices God is zuell pleased." '^ Satisfaction or Penance should be rational and its effect medi- cinal, helping, purifying and stimulating the spiritual life. It need not be hard, and whether suggested by the Priest or self-imposed should be in proportion to the sin and to one's power to ^ S. Luke iii. 8. * Hebrews xiii. i6. 8o PENITENCE perform. Satisfaction or Penance may be of two kinds : (i) Works of Devotion, such as Prayer, Meditation, Religious Reading, and more frequent attendance at Divine Service, and (2) Works of Mortification, such as Fasting, Abstinence, giving up innocent enjoyment and doing uncongenial or humiliating things. Resti- tution must be made when necessary, it being remembered however, that Penance must never be allowed to injure the health or hurt one's influence for good. Penitential Acts. The following may be helpful as suggestions for advancing the Spirit- ual life and overcoming besetting sins : Lack of Faith, such as unbelief, misbelief, and doubt of GOD and His Revelation may be overcome by Prayer or recital of Creed, reading the Scriptures, studying the reasons of belief, and making acts of faith, such as saying, " Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief." Lack of Hope, such as doubt of God's Love, Power and Mercy, of one's Salvation, of the preservation of the Church, or of answer to prayer may be conquered by reading God's Promises, reflecting on the evidences of His Goodness, of the sinners who became saints, of the dangers through which the Church has come and by never ceasing to struggle against despair and despondency. Lack of Love, such as dryness in devotion, and careless disregard of the Commandments, or the Golden Rule of Charity may find its remedy in thinking of God's Love, of the Death of Christ, of the beauty of holiness, of the punish- ment of sin, and by trying to win souls for God. AMENDMENT 8l Pride may be overcome by acts of humility, such as visiting the poor, the sick and the un- congenial, reflecting on one's own shortcomings, cultivating modesty, giving up one's own will, meditating on the equality of all in God's Sight, and thinking of the Humility of Jesus, Who '' pleased not Himself ''''^ but ''' made Him- self of no reputation y ^ Anger may be conquered by cultivating pa- tience, forbearance and charity, thinking before speaking, patiently hearing reproof, reflecting on the awful results of anger, doing good for evil, praying for one's enemies and meditating on the Silence of Jesus, ^ Who when reviled, reviled not again. Covetousness may be cured by self-sacrifice, self-denial and almsgiving, voluntarily giving up harmless luxuries and comforts, reflecting on the uncertainty of riches and their danger of leading us away from God, and meditating on the fall of Judas Iscariot and the Poverty of Christ. Lust may be overcome by fasting, shunning the occasions and the source of sin, cultivating shame, reflecting that Impurity gives one the mark of the beast "^ and leads to hell,^ and by meditating on the Spotless Purity of Christ and His Promise, ''Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."' ^ Sloth may be conquered by useful labour, study and reading, arising early, saying additional de- votions and voluntarily incurring fatigue. ^ Romans xv. 3. ' Philippians ii. 7. ^ S. Matthew xxvi. 63 ; S. Luke xxiii.9. * Rev. xix. 20. « Rev. xxii, • S. Matthew v. 8. 6 82 PENITENCE Gluttony may be cured by fasting, abstinence and self-denial, eating plain fare, dressing and living simply, and refraining from unnecessary rest, food or pleasure. Envy may be driven away by love, kindness and generosity, especially to those once envied, by helping others to attain their proper desires, and by cultivating the spirit of contentment. Love of the World may be overcome by the thought of death and judgment, heaven and hell. Love of Pleasure may be cured by meditation on personal responsibility in the Sight of God and thinking of the sorrow and suffering about us. Wandering Prayer may be conquered by recollection of God's Presence, repetition of prayers, and signing the Cross. These suggestions may be extended at length but those made may be sufficient to show the benefit of penitential acts, especially of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, when understandingly, devotionally and reverently performed. And above all, it should be remembered, that looking on the Cross and meditating on the Passion and Death of Christ are the greatest incentives to holiness and the best means of overcoming temptation. part 1111 preparation, praters auD Bevotions tor 1bol\? Communion 83 SUGGESTIONS FOR SELF- EXAMINATION SINCE people communicate more or less frequently and differ greatly both spiritually and intellectually, several Forms of self-examination are here set forth, to be used as found most helpful. It is well to heed the following suggestions : I. Remember the Presence of God, II. Choose the stillness and privacy of the Church or your room for self-examination. III. Avoid all formality or doing things mechanically by making the devotions your own and also by adding original prayers. IV. Do not become despondent, depressed, or mor- bid, but remember that God is ever ready to forgive. V. Seek out besetting sins and aim specially to con- quer them. VI. Impose penances which are remedial or corrective. VII. Be loving, sincere, earnest and humble, and try to see if sins were done willingly, knowingly, and deliberately. VIII. See God's Minister, if necessary, for spiritual guidance and help. IX. Remember that a few prayers well said are far better than long devotions made mechanically. 84 PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION. THE following Prayers and Devotions in preparation for Holy Communion may be used on the evening before receiving, or in the case of a Sunday Communion may be separated, so that part may be said on Friday, part on Saturday. The devotions may be shortened, if deemed advisable, by following the suggestions placed in brackets, or omitting the prayers that follow them, BEFORE SELF EXAMINATION IN the Name "i* of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Veiti Creator. Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire And lighten with celestial fire. Thou the Anointing Spirit art. Who dost Thy Sevenfold gifts impart. Thy Blessed Unction from above Is comfort, life and fire of love. 85 86 PREPARATION FOR HOI,Y COMMUNION Enable with perpetual light, The dullness of our blinded sight. Anoint and cheer our soiled face. With the abundance of Thy grace. Keep far our foes, give peace at home. Where Thou art guide, no ill can come. Teach us to know the Father, Son And Thee of Both, to be but One. That through the ages all along, This may be our endless song : Praise to Thy Eternal Merit, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. LET the words of my mouth, and the medi- tation of my heart : be alway acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord : my strength and my redeemer. ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent ; Create and make in us new and con- trite hearts that we worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may ob- tain of Thee, the GOD of all mercy, perfect re- mission and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen, ALMIGHTY God, we beseech Thee, let Thy Holy Spirit be in our minds that we may see our sins, in our hearts that we may hate them, in our mouths that we may con- fess them. Drive away from us all wicked de- BEFORE SEI.F EXAMINATION 87 sires and evil longings and make us pure in thought and word and deed. Receive us, we pray Thee, in mercy and help us to feel true sorrow for our faults. Grant us grace to have a firm trust in Thee and wash us clean in the Precious Blood of Jesus. See us not as we are in ourselves but as we appear in Him, En- lighten us with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that truly repenting of our sins, earnestly re- solved to lead a new life and in love and charity with all men, we may worthily receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, with all the benefits and blessings of the same, all of which we ask through the Merits and Mediation of Thy dear Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. {Or this) OMOST Merciful God and Heavenly Father, who art ever ready to receive those who turn to Thee, in sorrow and re- pentance, look with compassion, we beseech Thee, upon us, who come to be cleansed in the Precious Blood of Jesus. Lighten our dark- ness that we may see our sins as clearly as we shall see them when we stand to be judged before the Tribunal at the Last Day. Grant us to know ourselves as Thou dost know us, that we may perceive to the full extent the evil result of our wicked doings and humbly and penitently be- wailing them, may obtain Thy pardon and for- giveness througii Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. {Here 7nay be said the following., or else one may pass directly to the examination.) o UR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, etc. 88 PREPARATION FOR HOI^Y COMMUNION O SAVIOUR of the world, Who by Thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly be- seech Thee, O Lord. Amen. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. REMEMBER not, O Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take Thou vengeance of our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Most Precious Blood and be not angry with us forever. I WILL wash my hands in innocency, O Lord, and so I will go to Thine Altar. I SAID, I will confess my sins unto the Lord and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin. FOR we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous, and He is the Propitiation for our sins. SELF-EXAMINATION.i Have I had Faith, believing firmly in God, the Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity ; in the Father, Who hath made me and ^ This form is according to our Duty towards God and our Duty towards our neighbour, and also questions by the Three Theological Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins. If too long, one's own questions may be used, or the shorter form given later on. SEI.F EXAMINATION 89 all the world ; in the Son, Who hath re- deemed me and all mankind ; in the Holy Ghost, Who sanctifiethmeand all the people of God ? Have I believed in the Incarnate Life of Jesus Christ ; in the Work of the Holy Ghost ; in the Church, in the Scriptures, in the Creed as teaching " all things necessary to Salva- tion " ; in the Sacraments as the chief means of Grace ? Have I given assent to all that the Church teaches ? Have I been careful never to believe, or to follow "false doctrine, heresy, or schism"? Have I relied on God's Grace, trusting in His Power and not in myself ? Have I had Hope, putting my whole trust in God ; relying on His Promise of salva- tion ; using His Grace ; not presuming on His Mercy or despairing of His Forgive- ness ; being resigned to His Will in all things ? Have I had Charity or Love towards God, by having a holy fear of sinning against His Love ; by worshipping Him in spirit and in truth ; by going to Him as the Church directs, in public and private prayer ; by offering praise and thanks- giving ; by attending service and receiv- ing the Holy Communion ; by diligently calling upon Him ; by honouring His Holy Name and Word ; by reverencing His Church, His Ministers and all holy things and places ? Have I loved God with all my heart, above all else ; with all my mind by reading and meditating on the Bible 90 PRBPARATION FOR HOI.Y COMMUNION and learning of God and His Word ; with all my soul, by cultivating the spiritual life and living close to Jesus ; with all my strength, by serving Him truly all the days of my life, using my talents, oppor- tunities and privileges for His Great Glory and fitting myself for the world to come ? Have I had Charity towards man, by loving my neighbour as myself and doing unto all men as I would that they should do unto me? Have I loved, honoured, and suc- coured my father and mother, and tried to do my duty in the family and social rela- tions? Have I been kind, loving, gentle, forbearing, and forgiving ? Have I honoured and obeyed the civil authority, by keeping the laws of the land ? Have I submitted myself to all my governors (those who direct me), to my teachers (those who instruct me), to my spiritual pastors (those in the Sacred Ministry) and to my masters (those above me socially, intellectually or spiritually) ? Have I or- dered myself lowly and reverently to all my betters, remembering that no matter how high our position we all have our betters in some way ? Have I tried to resist all temptation to Pride, by being like our Lord, meek, lowly, and humble of heart ? Have I hurt nobody by word or deed, but been true and just in all my dealings? Have I borne no malice or hatred in my heart, resisting the tempta- tion to Anger, by being forbearing and forgiving ? Have I kept my hands from SElvP EXAMINATION 9I picking and stealing, not desiring other men's goods but refraining from CovET- OUSNESS ; Have I kept my tongue from evil speaking, lying, and slandering, not giving way to Envy ? Have I kept my body in temperance, soberness, and chas- tity, not falling into the sins of Drunken- ness, Gluttony or Impurity ? Have I learned and laboured truly to get my own living, if necessary, resisting all kind of Sloth? Have I tried to do my duty in that state of life unto which it hath pleased God to call me, being humble in prosperity, resigned in adversity, culti- vating the spirit of contentment, doing my very best to live at peace with all men and working for God's Glory ? Have I tried to discipline myself, to be careful in my Preparation for and Thanksgiving after Holy Communion, trying to do "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatso- ever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report " ^ remembering that God has said ' ' Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life." '^ {Here it is well to ask a few very pertinent questions of one'' s own, especially regarding besettitig sins, seeing if there has been any advance in the spiritual life or discipline of self. Then say most humbly and peni- tently the following :') * Philippians iv. 8, « Revelation ii. 10. 92 PREPARATION FOR HOI,Y COMMUNION CONFESSION OF SIN > O ALMIGHTY and Most Merciful Father, I ackowledge and bewail my manifold sins and wickedness, which I from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against Thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly Thy wrath and indignation against me. I con- fess unto Thee that I have sinned exceed- ingly, by omission and commission, through my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault and especially ( here name your special sins). O ! My God, have mercy upon me a sinner. Cast me not away in Thy displeasure but of Thy loving kindness save me and deliver me. Forgive me, I beseech Thee, all my of- fences and see me not as I am fn myself but as I appear in the Lord Jesus. Absolve me I pray, from these and all other sins which I can- not now remember; confirm and strengthen me in all goodness and grant me Thy Grace and Heavenly Benediction. Make me a contrite heart, O Lord, and let me be well pleasing in Thy Sight. All of which I ask through the Merits and Mediation of Thy Dearly Beloved Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. {,Or else the following Confession^ considerably adapted from the " Imitation of ChrISTV) ^ LMIGHTY and Most Merciful FATHER, Who art ever ready to receive those who turn to Thee in penitence, look with com- passion upon me, who would humbly and sorrow- * See part on Confession. This form is for those who do not use Confession to a Priest. If that is desired, sec Part III. A CONFESSION OF SIN 93 fully confess my sins unto Thee. I am unwor- thy to be called Thy Child, for I have sinned repeatedly against Thee, by thought, word and deed, by omission and commission, by my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault. I confess unto Thee that I am yet so carnal and worldly ; so full of wrong desires ; so prone to evil passions ; so given to vain fancies ; so much inclined to worldly affairs, so much opposed to spiritual works ; so ready for foolish mirth, so averse to godly sorrow ; so disposed to bodily comfort, so neglectful of self-discipline ; so anx- ious for abundance, so dissatisfied with little ; so admiring of the great, so cold to the humble ; so thoughtless in speaking, so given to gos- sip ; so averse to silence, so deaf to the Word of God ; so careless in my habits, so neglectful of my duties ; so quick to rest, so slow to labour ; so wandering in prayer, so cold in devotion ; so listless in preparation, so dry in communion ; so quickly distracted, so seldom recollected ; so easily moved to anger, so apt to take offence ; so ready to judge, so slow to forgive ; so harsh in rebuking, so hard in advising ; so glad in prosperity, so v/eak in adversity ; so full of wrong pride, so lacking in humility ; so inclined to slothful indulgence, so guided by selfishness ; so wanting in kindness towards man, so lacking in love towards Thee. All these and many other sins {here mention any special fault) which I remember, as well as those known only to Thee, I sorrowfully bewail and confess. O Most Merci- ful Father grant me, I beseech Thee, that godly sorrow that worketh salvation, so that truly re- penting of my sins, earnestly resolved to lead a new life and in love and charity with all men, I may be cleansed from all my offences, may 94 PRE^PARATION FOR HOI.Y COMMUNION obtain Thy pardon and forgiveness, and may re- ceive to my comfort and salvation the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. All of which I humbly ask through Him, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost art One God, world without end. Amen. ( Then say one or all of the following.) SHORT ACTS OF CONTRITION HAVE mercy upon me, O GOD, after Thy great goodness : according to the multi- tude of Thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wick- edness and cleanse me from my sin, for I ac- knowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me. MY Soul cleaveth to the dust : O quicken Thou me according to Thy Word. I have acknowledged my ways, and Thou heardest me : O teach me Thy Statutes. I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills : from whence cometh my help. My help cometh even from the LoRD : Who hath made heaven and earth. o MY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I grieve that I have so often offended Thee by my sins. (jOr this^ adapted f7-om S. Augustine.) FATHER I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee and am no more worthy to be called Thy son. I have ministered to my own desires and lusts, despising Thy Fatherly ACT OF FAITH 95 Love. I have dug for myself cisterns which hold no water, cisterns of earthly joys and vanities, leaving Thee the Fountain of many waters. I have sought pleasure in creatures which is only to be found in Thee ; and now behold all is vanity and vexation of spirit, for Thou hast made me for Thyself, and my heart findeth no true rest apart from Thee. Therefore I return to Thee, O Loving Father, Whose Mercy is Infinite, Whose Goodness knoweth no end. Wherefore I cry, Father I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee and am no more wor- thy to be called Thy Son, make me as one of Thine hired servants. O grant that henceforth I may walk in the straight path and narrow way that leadeth to Eternal Life, where with the Son and the Holy Spirit, Thou art unclouded Light and perfect Joy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ( Then say the following.^ ACT OF FAITH OLORD JESUS, I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Only Begotten of the Father. I be- lieve that Thou art Perfect God and Perfect Man, our great High Priest, Who by Thy Death and Passion didst make a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world. O Lord, I believe that Thou art Present in this Blessed Sacrament, so that we may plead this Holy Sacrifice before the Father and obtain remission of our sins and all other benefits of Thy Death and Passion. I know that there cannot be a greater joy than to 96 PREPARATION FOR HOI.Y COMMUNION receive Thee worthily. Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief. ACT OF LOVE OMOST Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, Who didst humble Thyself to be born of a Virgin ; Who didst live a life of sorrow and suffering, and didst endure the Agony and Shame of the Passion that Thou mightst offer Thyself upon the Cross for our sins and for our salvation ; O Lord, greater love hath no man than this, that he die for another. Yet Thou dost give Thyself to us in this Holy Sacrament to make us partakers of Thy ever- lasting life. O Lord, for this and all Thy mercies, I offer unto Thee my heartfelt love and adoration, and beseech Thee that I may so receive these Holy Mysteries that my whole life may be given up to the one purpose of serving Thee. O Saviour of the world, draw us closer unto Thee, that henceforth we may live to Thy Honour and Glory, and may love Thee, adore Thee and worship Thee ever more and more. ACT OF HUMILITY OLORD, Who am I that I should dare to draw nigh unto Thee and receive Thee, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords ! I am not worthy to gather up the crumbs under Thy table. Yet Thou, O LoRD,camest not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance, and dost bid all approach unto Thee who are weary and heavy-laden with their sins. Therefore, O My Saviour, with the publican I cry, " GoD, be mer- ciful to me a sinner." I am bowed down with BEHOLD, AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY SORROW LIKE UNTO MY SORROW." RESOI.UTION OF AMENDMENT 97 the burden of wrong-doing. O Lord, I come unto Thee. Do Thou in Thy mercy come unto me that I may find pardon for my sin and rest for my soul. ACT OF REPARATION O SAVIOUR of the world, Who didst deign to be led as a sheep to the slaughter and to be nailed to the Cross, for us men and for our salvation ; Who didst pray for Thy murderers, even as now Thou dost intercede for those who deny Thee in their life or crucify Thee in their heart by neglecting these Holy Mysteries or re- ceiving Thee without true faith, love and repent- ance, I bewail these and all other sins against Thy Divine Majesty, and beseech Thee to have mercy upon us. O grant that we and all others who shall approach Thy Holy Altar may offer ourselves a holy sacrifice unto Thee, and receive to our soul's comfort, and to Thy Honour and Glory, this Blessed Sacrament of Thy Body and Blood. resolution of amendment OM Y God, I desire to amend my life and to live henceforth as is well pleasing unto Thee. Do Thou, in Thy mercy, grant me Thy Grace that I may overcome all tempta- tions and persevering unto the end, may, through Thy Merits and Mediation obtain Everlasting Life. {Here may be said Psalm Ixxxiv.^or some o/the Peni- tential Devotions in Part III, or one may turn directly to the Devotions which follow?) DEVOTIONS FOR HOLY COMMUNION Mainly from Ancient Sources ( To be said the evening before) Antiphon : O how plenteous is Thy Goodness, O Lord. Psalm lxxxiv. Quam dilecta ! OHOW amiable are Thy dwellings : Thou Lord of hosts ! 2 My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord : my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young : even Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house • they will be always praising Thee. 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee : in whose heart are Thy ways. 6 Who going through the vale of misery use 98 DEVOTIONS FOR HOI,Y COMMUNION 99 it for a well : and the pools are filled with water. 7 They will go from strength to strength : and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer : hearken, O God of Jacob. 9 Behold, O God our defender : and look upon the face of Thine Anointed. 10 For one day in Thy courts : is better than a thousand. Ill had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God : than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. 12 For the Lord God is a light and defence : the Lord will give grace and worship, and no good thing shall He withhold from them that live a godly life. 13 O Lord God of hosts : blessed is the man that putteth his trust in Thee. Glory be to the Father, etc. Psalm lxxxv. Benedixisti, Domine. LORD, Thou art become gracious unto Thy land : Thou hast turned away the captiv- ity of Jacob. 2 Thou hast forgiven the offence of Thy people : and covered all their sins. 3 Thou hast taken away all Thy displeasure : and turned Thyself from Thy wrathful indig- nation. 4 Turn us then, O God our Saviour : and let Thine anger cease from us. 5 Wilt Thou be displeased at us for ever : and wilt Thou stretch out Thy wrath from one generation to another ? lOO DEVOTIONS FOR HOI,Y COMMUNION 6 Wilt Thou not turn again and quicken us : that Thy people may rejoice in Thee ? 7 Show us Thy mercy, O Lord : and grant us Thy salvation. 8 I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me : for He shall speak peace unto His people, and to His saints, that they turn not again. 9 For His salvation is nigh them that fear Him : that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together : right- eousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall flourish out of the earth ; and righteousness hath looked down from heaven. 12 Yea, the Lord shall show loving-kindness : and our land shall give her increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before Him : and He shall direct his going in the way. Glory be to the Father, etc. Psalm lxxxvi. Inclina, DoDiine. BOW down Thine ear, O Lord, and hear me : for I am poor, and in misery. 2 Preserve Thou my soul, for I am holy : my God, save Thy servant that putteth his trust in Thee. 3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord : for I will call daily upon Thee. 4 Comfort the soul of Thy servant : for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul, 5 For Thou, Lord, art good and gracious: and of great mercy unto all them that call upon Thee. 6 Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer : and ponder the voice of my humble desires. 7 In the time of my trouble I will call upon Thee : for Thou hearest me. DEVOTIONS FOR HOLY COMMUNION lOl 8 Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord : there is not one that can do as Thou doest. 9 All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship Thee, O Lord : and shall glorify Thy Name. 10 For Thou art great, and doest wondrous things : Thou art God alone. 11 Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in Thy truth : O knit my heart unto Thee, that I may fear Thy Name. 12 I will thank Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart : and will praise Thy Name for evermore. 13 For great is Thy mercy toward me : and Thou hast delivered my soul from the nether- most hell. 14 O God, the proud are risen against me : and the congregations of naughty men have sought after my soul, and have not set Thee before their eyes. 15 But Thou, O Lord God, art full of com- passion and mercy : long-suffering, plenteous in goodness and truth. 16 O turn Thee then unto me, and have mercy upon me : give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and help the son of Thine handmaid. 17 Show some token upon me for good ; that they who hate me may see it, and be ashamed : because Thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and com- forted me. Glory be to the Father, etc. (//" desired there may be used in place 0/ the above. Psalms li.y cxxx., cxliii.^ or xv., xxii,, xxiii., or xxvi., xxvii., xxviii.) Antiphon : O how plenteous is Thy Good- I02 DEVOTIONS FOR HOI,Y COMMUNION ness, O Lord, which Thou hast prepared for those that put their trust in Thee. L ORD, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. OUR Father, W.ho art in heaven, Hal- lowed 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 those that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil. Amen. I said, Lord, have mercy upon me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Turn Thee again, O Lord, at the last. And be gracious unto Thy servants. O Lord, let Thy mercy be shewed upon us. As we do put our trust in Thee. Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness. And Thy saints sing with joy fulness. Lord, cleanse Thou me from my secret faults. Keep Thy servant also frotn presumptuous sins. O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee. The Lord be with you. And with Thy spirit. Let us pray. MOST gracious God, incline Thy merciful ears to our prayers, and enlighten our hearts by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may worthily approach Thy Holy Mys- teries, and love Thee with an everlasting love. DEVOTIONS FOR HOI,Y COMMUNION I03 OLORD, we beseech Thee, may the Com- forter, Who proceedeth from Thee, illu- minate our minds, and lead us, as Thy Son hath promised, into all truth. OLORD, we beseech Thee, may the power of the Holy Spirit be with us, and both mercifully cleanse our hearts and defend us from all adversities. CLEANSE our consciences, we beseech Thee, O Lord by Thy visitation, that Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, when He cometh, may find in us a mansion prepared for Himself ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the same Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen. ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, behold I approach the Sacrament of Thy Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As one sick I come to the Physician of life : as unclean to the Fountain of mercy : as blind to the Light of eternal splendour : as needy to the Lord of Heaven and earth : as naked to the King of Glory : a lost sheep to the Good Shepherd : a fallen creature to its Creator : desolate to the kind Comforter : miserable to the Pitier : guilty to the Bestower of pardon : sinful to the Justifier : hardened to the Giver of Grace. I implore therefore the abundance of Thy Infinite Bounty that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to heal my sick- ness, to wash my foulness, to enlighten my darkness, to enrich my poverty, and to clothe my nakedness ; that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, I04 DEVOTIONS I'^OR HOI^Y COMMUNION with such reverence and humility, with such love and contrition, with such faith and devo- tion as is good for the welfare of my soul. Grant me, I pray, not only to receive the Sacra- ment of the Lord's Body and Blood, but also the virtue of the Sacrament. O Most Merciful God, grant me so to receive the Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ, that I may be incor- porated in His Mystical Body and washed from every stain of sin. And O Most Loving Father, grant me that Him, Whom I now purpose to receive beneath a veil, I may hereafter behold with unveiled face, even Thy Beloved Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever One God, for ever and ever. Amen. * o TASTE and see how gracious the Lord is. Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Alleluia 1 ^ WILL bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall be ever in my mouth. Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Alleluia ! " T HE Lord will redeem the souls of His ser- vants and will forsake none of those that trust in Him. Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Alleluia ! 2 > LORY and Honour be to the Father and [ to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, for- ever and ever. A??ien.^ ^ Adapted from S. Thomas Aquinas. ' From the Mozarabic Liturgy. I DEVOTIONS FOR HOI.Y COMMUNION I05 WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills : from whence cometh my help. I WAS glad when they said unto me : we will go into the house of the Lord, LIKE as the hart desireth the water brooks : so longeth my soul after Thee, O God. (One should be recollected and very careful until the morning of Cotnmunion^ thinking frequently of the Precious Gift to be received., of CHRIST coming to the Soul.) THE ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER OR HOLY COMMUNION. {.The Use here set forth is that 0/ the American Church. To save space the Rubrics^ Exhortations and Sentences are generally omitted^ as not being necessary. Since the intention of this Church is that the Service be read audibly '''' in a tongue understa7ided of the people^'' all should carefully follow it throughout, tnaking the devotions their own and only adding private prayers at pauses made by the Priest., as during the Offertory , the CoDnnunion and at the close of the Office. The Prayers of the Cojnmunion Offce are leaded to distinguish them from, the Private Devotions here included. It is well to be in Church some little time before the Service begins in order to say carefully one's own prayers and also the following :) BEFORE THE SERVICE, N the Name "t" of the Father and of the Son and of the HoLY Ghost. Amen. Antiphon. I will go unto the Altar of God. 106 BEFORE THE SERVICE I07 Psalm xliii. yndica vie^ Dezis. GIVE sentence with me, O GOD, and defend my cause against the ungodly people ; O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man. For Thou art the GoD of my strength, why hast Thou put me from Thee ? and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me ? O send out Thy light and Thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling ; And that I may go unto the Altar of GOD, even unto the GoD of my joy and gladness, and upon the harp will I give thanks unto Thee, O God, my God. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul ? and why art thou so disquieted within me ? O put thy trust in GOD, for I will yet give Him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God. Glory be to the Father, etc. Antiphon. I will go unto the Altar of GOD, even unto the God of my joy and gladness. TAKE away from us all our iniquities, we be- seech Thee, O Lord : that with pure hearts we may go unto the Holy of Holies : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.^ MAKE me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. O grant me worthily to receive these Holy Mysteries and to love Thee with an everlasting love. * Adapted from Old Sarum Use. Io8 THE ORDER OF HOIORD : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. O let Israel bless the Lord : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. 135 136 THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever, O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord : praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. Glory be to the Father, etc. Psalm cl. Landate Doinimim. O PRAISE God in His holiness : praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him in His noble acts : praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him in the sound of the trumpet : praise Him upon the lute and harp. Praise Him in the cymbals and dances : praise Him upon the strings and pipe. Praise Him upon the well-tuned cymbals : praise Him upon the loud cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Glory be to the Father, etc. The Song of Symeon, Nunc Dimittis. LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentile» ; and to be the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, etc, Antiphon. Let us sing the Song of the Three Children ; which they sang as they blessed the Lord in the furnace of fire. THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION I37 L ORD, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. OUR Father, Who art in heaven, Hal- lowed 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 those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation : But deliver us from evil. Amen. Let us bless God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever. Blessed art Thou, O Lord in the highest. And zvorthy to be praised and glorious for ever. The Almighty and Merciful God bless and keep us. Amen. Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O Lord. For in Thy Sight shall no man living be justified. Turn us again, O Lord God of Hosts. Shozu the light of Thy Countenance and we shall be whole. O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee. The Lord be with you : And ivith Thy Spirit. Let us pray. OGOD, Who for the Three Children didst cool the flames of fire, mercifully grant that the flame of sin may not consume us Thy servants. 138 THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION Enkindle, O Lord, with the fire of Thy Holy Spirit, our reins and our hearts, that we may serve Thee with chaste bodies and please Thee with pure minds. Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favour, 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, Wholiveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the same Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen. (//" desiredy the Thanksgiving may end here^ or else the following may be added.') Omnipotens, Sempiterne Dens. ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Preserver of Souls and Redeemer of the world, most graciously regard me Thy servant prostrate before Thy Majesty ; and this Sacrifice which in honour of Thy Name we have pre- sented before Thee, for the Salvation of the faithful, whether living or departed and also for our sins and offences do Thou most mercifully regard. Take away from me Thy wrath, grant me Thy grace and mercy, open to me the door of Paradise, mightily rescue me from all evils and forgive whatever sin of my own guilt I have committed. And make me so to persevere in Thy Commandments in this world, that I may be made worthy to be united to the flock of the Elect, through Thy Bounty, O, my GoD, Whose Blessed Name and Honour and Kingdom re- maineth for ever and ever. Amen. THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION 139 Omnipotens, Sempiterne Deus. ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Jesu Christ my Lord, be Thou merciful to my sins, through the reception of Thy Body and Blood. For Thou, O Lord, hast said "Whoso eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood dwelleth in Me and I in Him." Where- fore I humbly beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst create in me a pure heart, and renew a right spirit within me ; that Thou wouldst deign to stablish me with Thy Firm Spirit ; and so deliver me from the snares of the devil and from all my sins, that I may attain to be a partaker of Thine heavenly joys ; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. WE yield Thee thanks, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, Who not for any merit of ours, but of Thy mercy only, hast been pleased to feed us sinners. Thine unworthy servants, with the Pre- cious Body and Blood of Thy Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. And we beseech Thee, that this Holy Communion may not accuse us unto con- demnation but may be to us pardon and salva- tion. Let it be to us an armour of faith and a shield of good resolution. Let it be to us the riddance of all vices, the killing of all evil de- sires and longings, and the increase of love and patience, of humility and obedience, and of all virtues ; a firm defence against al! enemies visible and invisible, a constraining power to purity and holiness. Let it make us always cling closely to Thee, the One, True and Only God, and end our earthly days in peace. And we pray Thee to I40 Thanksgiving after communion bring us to that Heavenly Banquet, where Thou with Thy Son and the Holy Ghost art to Thy Saints true light, everlasting joy and perfect happiness. Amen. MOREOVER we beseech Thee, O Lord, that this Holy Communion may be unto us a guide and provision for our journey unto the haven of everlasting Salvation. May it be to us comfort in sorrow, strength in trial, patience in difficulty, medicine in sickness, de- light in prosperity and love in all things. By these most Holy Mysteries, which we have re- ceived, grant us right faith, firm hope and per- fect charity, purification of desire, gladness of mind, ardent love of Thee and a due re- membrance of the Passion of Thy Beloved Son, with grace to keep our lives full of faith and vir- tue. And in the hour of our departure grant that we may receive this great Mystery with true faith, sure hope and sincere charity unto Everlasting Life. Amen. ADDITIONAL DEVOTIONS. {Mainly adaptations of Ancient Liturgies.) {May be used he/ore Communion .') OLORD, we Thy servants bow down before Thy Holy Altar, waiting for the rich mer- cies which are from Thee. Send down upon us richly we beseech Thee, Thy grace and benediction, and sanctify our souls and minds and bodies that we may worthily receive these Holy Mysteries, unto forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. For Thou, O GoD, with Thine Only Begotten Son and Thy Most Holy Spirit art to be worshipped and glorified now and for ever. Amen. ' O BLESSED Master, Lord and God, reject me not utterly, though stained with many sins. Behold, I come to Thy Divine and Heavenly Mysteries, not as being worthy but trusting in Thy great goodness. O God, be merciful to me a sinner and though I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to raise my eyes to Thy Holy Table, do Thou prepare and cleanse me for this Thy ser- vice, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost art blessed now and unto the ages of ages. Amen. ' * Liturgy of S. James, considerably adapted. 141 142 ADDlTlONAIv DEVOTIONS OLORD, as we receive Thy Precious Body and Blood, send forth Thine unseen Hand which is full of blessings and bountifully bless us all. Have mercy upon us and strengthen us by Thy Divine Power. Take away from us the sinful working of all fleshly lusts. Drive from before our eyes the encompassing gloom of sin and unite us with the blessed company of all faithful people, who have been well pleasing unto Thee. P'or through Thee and with Thee and in Thee, with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all praise, honour, might, majesty, dominion and power, now and for ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.^ OLORD, with this Holy Sacrifice we offer up our prayers and supplications unto Thee, asking for ourselves the peace from above, the Love of God, the Salvation of our Souls ; for others that Thou wouldst be pleased to remem- ber the poor, to help the suffering, to heal the sick, to comfort the broken-hearted, to watch over the traveller, to give peace to the Church, to grant prosperity to the world, bringing all people to love and confess Thee, the One and Only God. And especially do we pray for the heavenly and adorable gifts which are from Thee, and for the salvation of Thy priest who stands to offer them by Thy Divine Command. O Lord God, grant that our Oblations, hallowed by the Holy Ghost, may be well pleasing unto Thee, and accept them, we beseech Thee, for the forgiveness of our sins, the salvation of Thy people and the repose of the faithful, that all at the Day of Judgment may find grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'^ * Liturgy of S. Mark, adapted. ' Adapted from the Liturgy of S. James. ADDITION AI, DEVOTIONS 1 43 OLORD, Who blessest them that bless Thee, and hallowest them that put their trust in Thee, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Guard, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Church. Hallow those that love the beauty of Thine House. Forsake not us who put our trust in Thee. Give peace to the world, to the Church, to the Priesthood, to our Rulers, and to all Thy people ; for every good gift and every perfect work is from above, coming from Thee, the Father of Lights, to Whom we ascribe, with the vSoN and the Holy Ghost, all glory, thanks- giving and worship now and ever, unto the ages of aces. Amen.' OLORD, grant that this Holy Communion may be to those who shall receive it, for the forgiveness of sins, the sanctification of souls and bodies, and the bringing forth of the fruit of good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord, with Whom Thou art worshipped and glorified in the Unity of the Holy Ghost now and forever. Amen.-' UNTO Thee, O Lord and Lover of Men, Ave commend our whole life and hope, praying and beseeching Thee to grant that we may partake of Thine heavenly Mysteries with a pure conscience, unto remission of sins and pardon of transgressions, unto communion with Thee and inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven and not unto judgment or condemnation. Amen.^ ^ Adapted from the Liturgy of S. Chrysostom. ^ Adapted from the Liturgy of S. James. ^ Adapted from the Liturgy of S. Chrysostom. 144 ADDITIONAI. DEVOTIONS OLORD, we offer unto Thee with this Holy Sacrifice, ourselves and souls and bodies for Thee to accept for the sake of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant O God, that hallowed by our union with Him, and cleansed in His Precious Blood, we may be a pure offering in Thy Sight and may evermore give ourselves up in loving service and holy obe- dience to Thee, Who art to be praised and glori- fied now and forever. Amen. COME, O Lord, in mercy to my soul and dwell there forever. Give to me Thy- self, without Whom all the world could not satisfy, and with Whom is joy unspeakable. Let me seek Thee with the full strength of my being, with the ardent longing of my soul, and finding Thee, let my life show forth the Glory of Thy Name, in the flowers of good works and the fragrance of holy living. Amen. BE Thou merciful to me, O Good Jesus, and grant unto me. Thy poor suppliant, some- times at least to feel in Holy Communion the cordial affection of Thy love, that my faith may grow stronger, my hope increase, my love enkindle. , . O Most Holy and Loving Lord, Whom I now desire to receive with devotion. Thou knowest my weakness and how often I am weighed down, tempted, troubled and defiled. To Thee I come for remedy. To Thee I pray for comfort and help. Behold, I stand before Thee, beseeching Thy grace and imploring Thy mercy. O Cheer Thy famishing suppliant, en- kindle my coldness with the fire of Thy love, enlighten my blindness with the brightness of Thy Presence, and raise my heart unto Thee. . . . ADDITIONAI, DEVOTIONS I45 With the greatest devotion and burning love, with all the affection and fervour of my heart I desire to receive Thee, O Lord. O Deal with me in Thy mercy as Thou hast often dealt wonder- fully with Thy saints of old, and prevent Thy servant in the blessing of Thy love, that I may worthily and devoutly approach and receive this Glorious Sacrament.' Amen. OLORD, we would remember in our prayers the Holy Catholic Church, that Thou mayst graciously vouchsafe to increase it in faith, hope and charity. We would remember the sick and suffering, the desolate and sorrow- ful, the poor and destitute, that Thou mayst heal, comfort and relieve them. We would re- member the souls of the faithful departed, that they may rest in peace where their works do fol- low them. Mercifully perform this, we beseech Thee, O Eternal and Almighty Father, to Whom we offer this Holy Sacrifice. Amen.'^ MOST Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the great High Priest, Who for us didst offer Thyself upon the Cross, a pure and spotless Victim, and didst ordain this Holy Mystery and give us Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink, saying, Do this in remembrance of Me, I pray Thee to wash us from our sins, and teach us by Thy Holy Spirit to receive these Sacred Gifts with such reverence and honour, such devotion and love as is meet and fitting. Make us through Thy Grace, always to believe and think and speak of this great Mystery as shall please Thee and be good for our souls. Let Thy ^ Freely adapted from Thomas k Kempis. ' Freely adapted from IMozarabic Liturgy. 146 ADDlTlONAIv DEVOTIONS Holy Spirit enter into our hearts and speak and teach all truth. For these Sacred Mysteries are beyond man's understanding. In Thy Mercy grant us to receive this Holy Eucharist with a clean heart and pure mind. Drive away all vain, evil, impure and unholy thoughts. Defend us with the loving and faithful protection of the blessed angels, and keep us free from the spirit of pride and vanity, envy and bJasphemy, doubt and distrust and fill us with boundless love of Thee. Amen.' OLORD, by this Most Sacred Mystery of Thy Body and Blood, whereof in Thy Church we are daily permitted to partake and whereby we are washed and sanctified and are made sharers of the Divine Life, Grant us we beseech Thee, Thy manifold gifts of Grace that replenished with them, we may approach Thine Altar with a good conscience and may receive these heavenly sacraments to our health and com- fort. For Thou hast said "The Bread which I give is My Flesh for the life of the world. I am the Living Bread, which came down from Heaven. If any man eat of this Bread, he shall live forever." O Bread most sweet, grant us the pleasantness of Thy Love. Heal us of all weak- ness that we may have joy in naught but Thee. O Bread most fair, that ever refreshest us and never failest, may we feed upon Thee and may our inmost soul be filled with Thine Heavenly peace. May we in our pilgrimage so receive Thee that we may not faint upon our way, but come in safety to the end of our journey. O Holy Bread, O Living Bread, O Adorable Bread, that comest * Freely adapted from Prayers variously ascribed to S. Ambrose and S. Anselm. ADDITION AIv DEVOTIONS 1 47 down from Heaven, come unto us and cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Drive away from us all enemies, and so watch over us, that we may reach Thine Heavenly Kingdom, where no more as now in Mysteries shall we see Thee, but Face to face. Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost art to be worshipped and glorified unto the ages. Amen.' {May be said after Covttnunton.) MAY the performance of our bounden duty be pleasing unto Thee, O God, and grant that this Holy Sacrifice which we, though unworthy, have presented before Thy Divine Majesty, may be acceptable unto Thee and ob- tain mercy for us and for those for whom we pray, by Thy compassion, Who livest and reignest One God, world without end. Amen.^ OMOST Merciful Saviour, look with com- passion, we beseech Thee, upon us who have received the sacred gifts of Thy Body and Blood. Bless the lips which have praised Thee, the heart which has loved Thee, the body which has worshipped Thee, the soul which has adored Thee, that in the world to come, they may be Thine forever. Amen. OGOD, Who art Holy and Wonderful and Mighty, Whose Power and Wisdom have no end, before Whom all things bow, and the heavens and earth declare Thy Glory, grant me to love Thee and to worship Thee forever and ever. Guide me unto the perfect light, that illumined by its radiance all darkness may flee away. Let the holy flame of Thy love so burn * Largely borrowed from Prayers variously ascribed to S. Ambrose and S. Anselm. ^ Adapted from Old Sarum Use. 148 ADDlTlONAIy DEVOTIONS in my heart that it may be made pure and holy, for none but the pure in heart can see and know and receive Thee, the King of Kings, our Lord and God, Amen.' O CHRIST our God, the Mystery of Thy Re- demption is accomplished as far as in us lies. We have had in remembrance Thy Death ; we have seen Thy Resurrection ; we have been granted Thy Divine Life ; we have received Thine Heavenly joys ; and now we pray Thee that hereafter we may be accounted worthy of Everlasting Life, Through Thy Merits and Mediation. Amen.'^ i^The Hymns on pages 152-158 will be found helpful as additional acts of devotion.^ ACTS OF ADORATION {Majf be said as opportunity offers') O SAVIOUR of the World, our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, Lover of Souls, and King of Glory, we adore Thee Present in the Holy Sacrament. Thou art the Only Be- gotten of the Father, All Holy and All Blessed, Infinite and Eternal, dwelling in all the fulness and splendour of the Light of Heaven, One with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost, Equal in Might, Majesty, Dominion and Power, Who art to be worshipped, honoured and glorified unto the ages of ages. We adore Thee, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, now veiled in the Holy Sacraments, even as in Thy Divine Compassion Thou didst veil Thy Glory in the Incarnation, to reveal to us the Love of God and to redeem mankind from sin. ^ Adapted from S. Augustine. * Adapted from Liturgy of S. Basil, ACTS OF ADORATION I49 We adore Thee once a Little Child on Thy Manger Throne of Bethlehem, lying upon the straw as an Helpless Babe but soaring on the wings of the wind, as the Lord Almighty. With Mary and Joseph, with Shepherds and Magi and with all the Angels of Heaven we worship Thee, filling all things with Thy Glory. Those Tender Hands and Feet which later were pierced by the cruel nails, those Holy Brows which wore the Crown of thorns, those Sacred Lips which cried "I thirst," were once caressed by the Virgin Mother as adoringly she gazed upon Thee, the Holy Child. We adore Thee as God made Man, in Thy Holy Home at Nazareth, in Thy Life of labour and poverty, and we worship Thee, praying that we may pattern ourselves after Thy Holy Ex- ample, following Thee, Who though the car- penter's Son art Lord of Hosts and Maker and Ruler of all things. We adore Thee, Ministering among men, reviled, rejected, persecuted, mocked, weary, hungry and faint, with no place in which to lay Thy Head, though Heaven and Earth were made by Thee and are full of Thy Glory. We adore Thee in Thy Words and Works, in Thy Miracles and Parables and pray Thee, that as Thou didst cleanse the lepers, so wash us from our sins, as Thou didst heal the sick, so cure us of our spiritual ills, as Thou gavest sight to the blind, so drive away our spiritual darkness, as Thou didst feed the multitudes, so give us the Bread of Life. We adore Thee, O Man of Sorrows, in Thine Agony in the Garden, remembering Thy Bloody 150 ACTS OF ADORATION Sweat, Thy Bitter Passion, and Thy Shameful Humiliation, Thou Who didst patiently bear all these things for us men and for our salvation, Who with a word could have had Legions of Angels at Thy Side. And we beseech Thee that in the thought of what Thou didst bear for us, we also may endure all trials and have the joy of fellow- ship with Thee. We adore Thee, Jesu, carrying Thy Cross for us, crowned with the crown of thorns, covered with Blood, dust and spittle, and we worship Thee as the Prince of Peace, Who reconciled us to the Father by that Tree of Agony, and we pray Thee that we may bravely bear our Cross of self-discipline, self-denial and self-control. We adore Thee, our Redeemer, Nailed upon the Cross and we reverence that Sacred Spectacle of Shame and Suffering. We pray that Thy Precious Blood may fall on us Drop by Drop to cleanse us from all our sin and that henceforth we may show the stigmata of that Cross in a pure and holy life. O Adorable Saviour, let us rest in Thee, as we now adore Thee and worship Thee, the Rock of Ages, "the Rock that is higher than I." Bless us and plead for us in Thine Heavenly Intercession. We adore Thee Stripped, to reprove our love of dress, and beseech Thee to strip us of the robe of pride and to clothe us with humility. We adore Thee, Nailed, to reprove our licence, liberty and law- lessness and beseech Thee to crucify our vile lusts and affections. We adore Thee Crowned with Thorns, to reprove our vain ambitions and pray Thee to drive away from us worldly thoughts and unlawful desires. O help us pattern our- selves after Thee, Who on the Cross didst lay ACTS OF ADORATION 15I down Thy Life, Thou Who as God hast all Power over Life and Death. We adore Thee, our Saviour, taken from the Cross. As Thy Sacred Body rested in the Tomb, come into these cold hearts of ours to warm them with an holy fire ; as Thou O Lord didst preach to the souls in Paradise so rule and direct us in all things. We adore Thee O Christ, Risen again from the dead and Ascended into Heaven, and we pray that we may rise from our sins and as- cend to lead a better life, ever drawing nearer and closer to Thee, as we worship, praise and magnify Thee, the Great King of Kings, the Lord Most High, now Reigning in Thy Power at the Right Hand of the Father, in all the Glory of the Heavenly Places, adored by Angels and Archangels and all the Company of Heaven. O Saviour of the World, grant that we may no longer requite such Infinite Love by coldness or wrongdoing. Drive away from us, we beseech Thee, all carelessness and indifference, all pride and worldliness, all selfishness and ingratitude, and grant to us such rich measure of Thy Grace that we may wholly give ourselves to Thee, Who wast all nailed to the Cross for us ; that we may burn with the fire of love, the ardour of devotion, the fervour of zeal, ever adoring, worshipping and glorifying Thee, so that in this world we may feel that peace and exaltation that only Thou canst give and in the world to come may see Thee. For Thou hast said ' ' Blessed are the pure, in heart for they shall see God." Glor^' and honour, praise and worship, be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. EUCHARISTIC HYMNS ( These may profitably be used as acts of Devotion.) O SAVING Victim, opening wide The gate of Heaven to man below, Our foes press on from every side Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow. All praise and thanks to Thee ascend. Forevermore, Blest One in Three, O grant us life that shall not end, In our true native land with Thee J V ERY Bread, Good Shepherd, tend us : Jesu, of Thy Love befriend us ; Thou refresh us, Thou defend us ; Thine eternal goodness send us, In the land of life to see. Thou, Who all things canst and knowest. Who on earth such Food bestowest. Grant us with Thy Saints though lowest. Where the Heavenly Feast Thou showest Fellow heirs and guests to be.'^ * S. Thomas Aquinas. ^ Ancient Hymn. O, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL; O, COME LET US ADORE HIM." KUCHARISTIC HYMNS I53 PROSTRATE I adore Thee, Deity Unseen Who Thy Glory hidest 'neath these shadows mean ; Lord my faith unfeigned, evermore increase Give me hope unfading, love that cannot cease. Shepherd of the Faithful, Jesu, hear my cry, Lord, increase their faith who on Thy Faith rely. 'T was the Godhead only, on the Cross was veiled, Here the Manhood also is from sight concealed. Both alike believing. Thee One Christ, I own Pleading penitently at Thy mercy's Throne. Shepherd of the Faithful, Jesu hear our cry. Lord, increase their faith who on Thy Faith rely.^ THEE we adore, O hidden Saviour, Thee Who in Thy Sacrament dost deign to be, Both flesh and spirit at Thy Presence fail, Yet here Thy Presence we devoutly hail. O blest Memorial of our Dying Lord, Who Living Bread to men doth here afford ! O may our souls for ever feed on Thee, And Thou, O Christ, for ever Precious be. Fountain of Goodness, Jesu, Lord and God, Cleanse us unclean with Thy Most Cleansing Blood : Increase our faith and love that we may know The hope and peace which from Thy Presence flow. * Adapted from Priests' Book of Private Devotion. 154 EUCHARISTIC HYMNS O Christ, "Whom now beneath a veil we see, May what we thirst for soon our portion be, To gaze on Thee unveiled and see Thy Face, The vision of Thy Glory and Thy Grace.' BREAD of Heaven, on Thee we feed For Thy Flesh is meat indeed : Ever may our souls be fed With this true and living Bread : Day by day with strength supplied Through the Life of Him, Who Died. Vine of Heaven, Thy Blood supplies This Blest Cup of Sacrifice ; Lord, Thy Wounds our healing give To Thy Cross we look and live : Jesu, may we ever be Grafted, rooted, built in Thee.^ WE love Thine Altar, Lord O, what on earth so dear ? For there in faith adored, We find Thy Presence near. Lord Jesus grant us grace On earth to love Thee more ; In Heaven, to see Thy Face And with Thy Saints adore, ^ * Hymn 312, A and M. '' Hymn 318, A and M. ' Hymn 242, A and M. EUCHARISTIC HYMNS 1 55 WORD made Flesh, true Bread He maketh By His Word, His Flesh to be ; Wine His Blood, which whoso taketh Must from carnal thoughts be free ; Faith alone, though sight forsaketh. Shows true hearts the Mystery. Therefore we before Him bending This great Sacrament revere ; Types and shadows have their ending, For the newer Rite is here ; Faith our outward sense befriending Makes our inward vision clear. Glory, let us give and blessing To the Father and the Son, Honour, might and praise addressing While eternal ages run, Ever too His Love confessing Who from Both with Both is One.^ SOUL of Jesus, make me holy, Make me contrite, meek, and lowly Soul most stainless. Soul Divine, Cleanse this sordid soul of mine, Hallow this polluted soul. Purify it, make it whole, Soul of Jesus, hallow me. Miserere Domine. Save me, Body of my Lord, Save a sinner, vile, abhorred. Sacred Body, wan and worn, Bruised and mangled, scourged and torn, ^ Hymn 30Q, A and M. 156 EUCHARISTIC HYMNS Pierced Hands and Feet and Side, Rent, insulted, Crucified, Save me — to the Cross I flee, Miserere Domine. Blood of Jesus, stream of life Sacred stream with blessings rife. From that Broken Body shed, On the Cross, that Altar dread, Given to be our Drink Divine, Fill my heart and make it Thine, Blood of Christ, my succour be. Miserere Domine. Stream of water, stream that poured From Thy pierced Side, O Lord, Wash Thou me without, within, Cleanse me from the taint of sin. Till my soul is clean and white, Bathed and purified and bright, As a ransomed soul should be, Miserere Domine. Jesu, by the wondrous power Of Thine awful Passion hour. By the unimagined woe, Mortal man may never know ; By the curse upon Thee laid, By the Ransom Thou hast paid. By Thy Passion, comfort me. Miserere Domine. Jesu, by Thy bitter Death, By Thy last expiring Breath, Give me the Eternal Life Purchased by that mortal strife. Thou didst suffer Death that I EUCHARISTIC HYMNS 157 Might not die eternally ; By Thy Dying quicken me. Miserere Domine. Miserere ; let me be Never parted, Lord, from Thee ; Guard me from my ruthless foe, Save me from eternal woe ; In the dreadful Judgment Day Be Thy Cross my hope and stay ; When the hour of Death is near And my spirit faints for fear, Call me with Thy Voice of Love, Place me near to Thee above. With Thine Angel Host to raise An undying song of praise ; Miserere Domine.' AND now, O Father, mindful of the love That bought us, once for all, on Calvary's Tree And having with us Him that pleads above. We here present, we here spread forth to Thee, That only Offering, Perfect in Thine eyes, The One, True, Pure, Immortal Sacrifice. Look, Father, look on His Anointed Face And only look on us as found in Him ; Look not on our misusings of Thy Grace, Our prayers so languid, and our faith so dim ; For lo ! Between our sins and their reward, We set the Passion of Thy Son our Lord. * From the Church Porch^ England 1855, quoted now from Priests' Book of Private Devotions. 158 EUCHARISTIC HYMNS And then for those our dearest and our best By this Prevailing Presence we appeal ; O fold them closer to Thy Mercy's Breast ; O do Thine utmost for their soul's true weal ! From tainting mischief keep them white and clear, And crown their gifts with strength to persevere. And so we come ; O draw us to Thy Feet, Most Patient Saviour Who canst love us still ! And by this Food, so awful and so sweet Deliver us from every touch of ill. In Thine Own service make us glad and free, And grant us never more to part from Thee.^ 1 Hymn 228, American Hymnal. A LONGER FORM OF SELF EXAMINATION' BY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS {These Conimand^nents condemn all sins and cont- 'mend all virtues : when anything- is explicitly ordered or forbidden^ the contrary is implicitly condemned or commanded.) THE FIRST COMMANDMENT Religion ( This teaches Faith, Hope, and Charity and condemns spiritual and intellectual Pride which is the cause of all unbelief or irreligion.) I AM the Lord thy God : thou shalt have none other gods but Me. — Have I realized the need and duty of Religion ? — Have I firmly believed in God, the Blessed Trinity, Three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but One God, Maker and Preserver of all things ? ^ This may be used before the great Festivals and Fasts of the Church year and on special occasions. l6o FORM OF SEI*F EXAMINATION — Have I remembered that God is always Pres- ent, and sees my acts, knows my thoughts, hears my words, for which some day I must give account ? — Have I believed all God teaches through the Church, the Scriptures and the Creeds, especially the truths of the Incarnation and Redemption, and have I kept from all false doctrine, heresy and schism ? — Have I believed in the Church as God's ap- pointed means of grace, to teach His Word, administer the Sacraments and save souls? — Have I had proper trust in God's Love, Mercy, Goodness, Justice, Knowledge, confiding all to Him and accepting His Will as best ? Has the thought of God's Infinite Holiness and Perfection humbled me and driven away my pride ? — Have I thought of God's Love as shown in our Creation, Preservation, and Re- demption, and all the blessings of this life? — Have I set God above all else, loving Him with all my mind and soul and heart and strength, as the Father Who made me, the Son Who Redeemed me, the Holy Ghost Who sanctified me? — Have I had a holy fear of sinning against God's Love. Have I lived according to His Will and Commandments ? — Have I sinned by pride, wrong ambition, vainglory, boastfulness, love of praise, inordinate opinion of myself, posi- tion, talents or appearance ? Have I been self-willed or self-satisfied, trust- ing too much in human knowledge and FORM OF SEI.F EXAMINATION l6l refusing godly counsel ? Have I re- fused assent to God's Revelation or failed to obey the Church's Teaching ? -Have I grown more or less religious as I have grown older ? o Act of Aniendinent MY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I grieve that I have so often offended Thee by my sins. THE SECOND COMMANDMENT Worship (This teaches right worship o/ Almighty GOD, ac- cording to the teaching and practice of the Church. It forbids giving to idols or creatures the homage due to GoD- It also condemns the sin of spiritual Sloth.) THOU shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth ; thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them ; for I the Lord thy God am a Jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me ; and show mercy unto thousands in them that love Me and keep My Commandments. — Have I worshipped God "in spirit and in truth," humbly, reverently and ador- ingly as man to his Maker, as a sinner to the All-Holy ? 1 62 FORM OF SElvF EXAMINATION — Have I faithfully said my own daily devotions, attended Family Prayers if possible, read the Bible, attended service in Church and above all regularly received the Holy Communion ? — Have I carefully prepared for and rightly received the Blessed Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood? Have I shown due reverence to Christ Present in the Sacrament ? Have I gratefully made my thanksgiving? — Have I given way to superstition or believed in chance, magic, or vain observance ? — Have I joined heartily in the services of the Church and listened attentively to ser- mons, trying to profit by them ? — Have I quoted the Bible in joke ; laughed at such quotations ; ridiculed religious acts ; given up religious practices ? — Have I said my prayers mechanically, or without love, faith, and recollection? — Have I tried to keep my Baptismal and Con- firmation vows ? My Marriage or Or- dination vows ? — Have I given to idols, images or creatures the worship due to God only? Have I attended services where error was taught or practiced, or read blasphem- ous, heretical or dangerous books ? — Have I loved family, friends, power, success, intellect, riches, self or self-will or any person or any thing more than God ? Have I cultivated detachment from earthly things? — Have I "set God always before me," realized His Presence, loved to worship Him above all else, thanking Him for all FORM OF SEI.F EXAMINATION 1 63 His Blessings and above all for His Great Glory ? — Have I remembered that worship here fits me for the life in Heaven ? — Have I tempted God by persistence in sin ? — Have I complained at God's Will or cursed anything He has made ? H Act of Ajuendment OLY God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.' THE THIRD COMMANDMENT Reverence. {This teaches reverence to GOD and all things holy, and forbids all blasphemy, swearing, cursing, wrong oaths or voivs, improper use 0/ Sacred Names, and all acts of irreverence, which come from Pride.) THOU shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain. — Have I worshipped and adored Almighty God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost : reverencing and bowing, as the Script- ures direct, at God's Holy Name and the Name of Jesus ? — Have I worshipped God with the body as well as with the mind and soul, doing as the Church directs ? If not, was it from wrong pride or fear of ridicule ? — Have I honoured and reverenced the Blessed Virgin, the Apostles, and all Saints and Martyrs ? ^ Trisagion of Eastern Church. 164 FORM OF SEI^ of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. Amen. (On the viorning of connnunion^ use the private prayers and follow the service as set forth ^ beginning page 1 06.) part mill Occasional ©ttices, IReaMngs, /IDebltattons, auD BppenMj 183 ^ DAILY PRAYERS IN the Ancient Church, the faithful, following the words of the psalmist, " In the evening and mo7'ning atid at noonday will I pray ^'' ' kept the third, sixth and ninth hours, known as the Apostolical Hours, as times of special prayer. The third hour, or nine o'clock, commemo- rated the time when our Lord was Nailed to the Cross, the sixth hour or twelve o'clock, the time when darkness came upon the earth, the ninth hour or three o'clock the time Christ Died. In the Mediaeval Church, other hours were added to afford the Monastic Orders addi- tional opportunity for devotion. These were called the Seven Canonical Hours, or Mattins (Prime) Lauds, Terce, Sext, Nones, Vespers and Compline. At the English Reformation, while the observance of these was in no wise discountenanced, a return was made to the Primitive Use by condensing and simplifying the Seven Mediaeval Offices into the Services of Mattins and Evensong. As many persons will be unable to attend or read these Daily Offices, the following devotions are set forth to be used at home for Family or Private Prayer, 1 Psalm Iv. i8. 185 1 86 DAII,Y PRAYERS MORNING. N the Name 'i' of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. o UR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, etc. ALMIGHTY God, we most heartily thank Thee for our creation, preservation and all the blessings of this life, for Thy lov- ing care and watchful providence over us all our days, and for having delivered us from all the dangers and perils of the past night, but above all things for Thine inestimable love in the re- demption of the world by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the means of Grace and for the hope of Glory. And we beseech Thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise and thanks- giving, continuing these Thy blessings to us and to all men, and taking us and all who are dear to us under Thy Fatherly care and protection. More especially we pray Thee to give us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that we, being un- feignedly thankful, may show forth our praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to Thy service and by walking be- fore Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, THE grace .^ of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. Afne?i. {^ If time permits add Prayer beginning page 192). DAII.Y PRAYERS 187 Morning Hynnn New every morning is the love Our waking and uprising prove ; Through sleep and darkness safely brought, Restored to life and power and thought. New mercies each returning day Hover around us while we pray ; New perils past, new sins forgiven, New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven. If, on our daily course, our mind Be set to hallow all we find. New treasures still of countless price God will provide for sacrifice. Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be As more of heaven in each we see ; Some softening gleam of love and prayer Shall dawn on every cross and care. The trivial round, the common task Will furnish all we need to ask ; Room to deny ourselves, a road To bring us daily nearer God. Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love, Fit us for perfect rest above ; And help us this and every day. To live more nearly as we pray.^ 1 Hymn i, American Hymnal. 1 88 DAII.Y PRAYERS NOON IN the Name 'i* of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. o UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. Lord, Have mercy upon us. Christ, Have mercy upon us. 'Lord, Have mercy upon us. O BLESSED Jesus, we love Thee, we adore Thee, and we worship Thee, fastened to the Cross for us. As Thou wast nailed, stripped and crowned with thorns, may we cru- cify all vile affections, tear off our robe of pride and drive away all vain ambitions. O pray for us now and in the hour of our death, that follow- ing the Example of Thy most holy Life, we may come to those unspeakable joys, which Thou hast prepared for those who love Thee, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost art to be worshipped and glorified unto the ages of ages. Amen. O SAVIOUR of the world. Who by Thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly be- seech Thee, O Lord. THE Grace "i* of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. Amen. ^'lAM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP." DAIIvY TRAYERS 189 Midday Hymn O Jesu, Crucified for man, O Saint, all Glorious on Thy throne, Teach Thou our wandering thoughts to scan The Mystery of Thy love unknown. We pray Thee grant us strength to take Our daily cross, whate'er it be, And gladly for Thine Own dear Sake In paths of pain to follow Thee. As on our daily path we go, Through light or shade, in calm or strife, O ! May we bear Thy marks below In conquered sin and chastened life. And week by week this day we ask That holy memories of Thy Cross May sanctify each common task And turn to gain each earthly loss. Grant us, dear Lord, our cross to bear Till at Thy Feet we lay it down. Win through Thy Blood our pardon there, And through the cross attain the crown. ^ ^ Hymn 480, A. and M. 190 DAII,Y PRAYERS EVENING TN the Name 4« of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. L ET my prayer be set forth in Thy sight as the incense and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. o UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. ALMIGHTY and most Merciful Father, we humbly pray Thee to have compassion upon our sins and infirmities, and grant that we being sincerely penitent and confessing them unto Thee, by Thine Infinite goodness and mercy may obtain forgiveness of the same. And we beseech Thee, grant us Grace so to re- sist the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil, that we may live to Thine Honour and Glory in this present and in the world to come attain everlasting life, through the Merits and Mediation of JesusChrist, ourSAViouR. Amen. ALMIGHTY God, we most heartily thank Thee for Thy goodness and loving kind- ness to us and to all men, for Thy Fatherly care and protection to us this day and for all the many blessings of the same, beseeching Thee that we may ever love and praise Thy Holy Name and follow Thee all the days of our life for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE Grace ►!• of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all ever- more. Amen. DAII.Y PRAYERS I9I Evening Hymn All praise to Thee, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light. Keep me, O keep me. King of Kings, Beneath Thine Own Almighty wings. Forgive me. Lord, for Thy dear Son The ill that I this day have done ; That with the world, myself and Thee I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. Teach me to live that I may dread The grave as little as my bed ; Teach me to die that so I may Rise glorious at the awful day, O, may my soul on Thee repose. And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close ; Sleep that shall me more vigorous make To serve my God when I awake. When in the night I sleepless lie. My soul with heavenly thoughts supply ; Let no ill dreams disturb my rest, No powers of darkness me molest. O, when shall I in endless day Forever chase dark sleep away. And hymns divine with angels sing All praise to Thee, Eternal King? Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow ; Praise Him, all creatures here below ; Praise Him above, angelic host ; Praise Father, SOxV, and Holy Ghost, ^ ^ Hymn 18, American Hymnal, 192 DAII,Y PRAYERS ADDITIONAL PRAYERS LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord ; and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night ; for the love of Thine Only Son our Sav- iour, Jesus Christ. Amen. I WILL lay me down in peace and take my rest for it is Thou Lord Only that makest me dwell in safety. DIRECT us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favour 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. WE beseech Thee, O Lord, pour Thy Grace into our hearts: that as we have known the Incarnation of Thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by His Cross and Passion we may be brought unto the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. (For Ourselves) OLORD OF SOULS, Who hast chosen and called us to service in Thy Church, all our trust is in Thee, for in Thee are the springs of our life. Abundantly give us of Thy Blessed Spirit, without Whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy ; and use us as it shall please Thee for the Glory of Thy Name. Make our will patient, our conscience pure, our temper DAII,Y PRAYERS I93 bright. Empty us of self, and fill us with the meekness of wisdom. Increase our faith, mel- low our judgment, stir our zeal, enlarge our heart. Let our life enforce what our lips utter. Do Thou choose for us the work we do and the place in which we do it ; the success we win and the harvest we reap. Preserve us from jealousy and impatience, from self-will and depression. Make us faithful unto death and then give us the crown of life. All of which we ask for Jesus Christ's sake. Amt-n.^ (For Others) OMOST Merciful Father, look with pity, we beseech Thee, upon all those in sorrow, trouble, sickness, or distress, relieving them according to their several necessities, or else giving them patience to bear their troubles ; remember in mercy all sinners and criminals and all who have erred and strayed from Thy ways, giving them repentance and better minds ; have compassion upon all men, and pour into their hearts such love towards Thee that they may turn from their wickedness and follow Thee, the Only God, for the sake of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. (For the Church and Parish) ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who dost govern all things in Heaven and Earth, mercifully hear the prayers and supplications of Thy people ; and grant unto the Church all things that are needful for her spiritual and temporal welfare. Strengthen and ' Adapted from Bishop Thorold. 13 194 DAII,Y PRAYERS confirm the faithful ; visit and relieve the sick ; turn and soften the wicked ; rouse the careless ; raise the fallen ; restore the penitent ; remove all hindrances to the advancement of Thy truth and bring all to be of one heart and one soul within the fold of Thy Holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God world without end. Atnen. (Confession of Sin) O ALMIGHTY God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I humbly confess unto Thee that I have sinned against Thee this day by thought, word and deed, by omission and commission, by my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault, and especially {here name your sins. . . .). Forgive me, I be- seech Thee, and mercifully grant that loving Thee above all things, I may hate all that is sin- ful, and henceforth live to Thine Honour and Glory. Amen. LET the words of my mouth and the medi- tation of my heart be alway acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord : my Strength and my Redeemer. DAIIvY PRAYERS 1 95 DEVOTIONS FOR THE HOURS {Partly adapted fro7n ancient sources) THE THIRD HOUR 9 o'clock A.M. ^^ And it was the third hour and they Crucified HimJ'^ S. Mark xv. 25. IN the Name -i* of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Now that the daylight fills the sky We lift our hearts to God on high, That He in all we do or say, May keep us free from sin to-day. O Father, fill our hearts with love That we may seek the things above, Extinguish Thou each sinful fire And banish every wrong desire. O Father, that we ask be done Through Jesus Christ, Thine Only Son, Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee Doth live and reign eternally. O BLESSED Jesus, Who at this hour wast nailed unto the Cross, grant us henceforth so to crucify to ourselves all that draws us away from Thee, that serving and pleasing Thee in this life, we may rise to the Life Im- mortal. Amen. 196 DAII,Y PRAYERS UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. o BELIEVE in God, etc. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. DIRECT us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favour 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. MAY the Lord of His Mercy grant unto us and all of His faithful servants rest and peace. Amen. THE Grace ^ of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. Amen. DAII,Y PRAYERS I97 THE SIXTH HOUR Noon ''''And when the sixth hour was come there was dark- ness over all the land^ S. Mark xv. 33. IN the Name "i* of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. O Lord, Ahuighty King of Kings, Creator of created things. Who from the morn till even's ray Through every change dost guide the day. Grant us, when this short life is past. The glorious evening that shall last. When by a holy life attained, Eternal Glory shall be gained. O Father, that we ask be done Through Jesus Christ, Thine Only Son, Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee Shall live and reign eternally. O GRACIOUS Saviour, Who didst bear our sins upon the Tree, and didst hang upon the Cross in the dense darkness of Cal- vary, be Thou our Light amid all the changes and chances of this mortal life, that looking unto Thee, the Author of our salvation, we, in the world to come, may rest in the Glory of the heavenly mansions which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee. Amen. 198 SHORT PRAYERS UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. o BELIEVE in God, etc. Lord, have mercy upon us, Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. O SAVIOUR of the world, Who by Thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. Amen. M AY the Lord of His Mercy grant unto us and all of His faithful servants rest and peace. Amen, THE Grace i^ of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the HoLV Ghost be with us all ever- more. Amen. SHORT PRAYERS 199 THE NINTH HOUR. ? o'clock, p. M. ''^ And at the ninth hoiif jESUS cried with a loudvoice , . . and gave up the Ghosts — S. Mark xv. 34-37. IN the Name ^^ of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. As now the sun's declining rays Towards the eve descend, Go life's brief day is sinking down To its appointed end. Lord, on the Cross Thine Arms were stretched To draw us to the sky; O grant us then the Cross to love And in those Arms to die. To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Holy Ghost, All Glory be from Saints on earth And from the Angel Host.' O LOVING Master, Who at this hour didst commend Thy Spirit into the Hands of the Heavenly Father and didst die upon the Cross for us, so assist us with Thy Grace, and wash us in Thy Blood, now and in the hour of our death, that at the last day we may be received into Thine everlasting Kingdom, where the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, to reign with Thee in heavenly Glory unto the ages of ages. Amen. * Paris Breviarj'. 20O SHORT PRAYERS /'~\UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. T BELIEVE in God, etc. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. STIR up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the wills of Thy faithful people, that they plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works may by Thee be plenteously rewarded. A7ne7t. MAY the Lord of His Mercy grant unto us and all of His faithful servants rest and peace. Amen. THE Grace «^ of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all ever- more. Amen. SHORT SILENT PRAYERS {It is helpful to offer up ejaculatory or silent prayer to God as a jneans of remembering GOD'S Presence and coviforting ourselves.) On arising: " I laid me down and slept and rose up again, for the Lord sustained me." On hearing a clock: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour where- in the Son of Man Cometh." ' When tempted: " Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be alway acceptable in Thy Sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer." ^ " Lead us not into temptation, but de- liver us from evil." In danger: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills : from whence cometh my help." ^ " The Lord Himself is thy keeper." ■* In doubt: "In Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust." ^ " Lord, I believe ; help Thou my un- belief." '' ^ S. Matthew xxv. 13. * Psalm cxxi. 5. 2 Psalm xix. 14-15. " Psalm Ixxi. i. 3 Psalm cxxi. i. ® S. Mark ix. 24. 201 202 SHORT SII^KNT PRAYERS In sickness: " Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night . . . nor for the sick- ness that destroyeth in the noonday." ' "Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done." ^ At sea: " It is the Lord that commandeth the waters." ^ " Thou rulest the raging of the sea." ^ "He maketh the storm to cease: so that the waves thereof are still . . . and so He bringeth them to the haven where they would be." ^ When travelling: "The Lord preserve my go- ing out and coming in from this time forth forevermore." At a beatitifiil scene: " The heavens declare the Glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork." ^ "O Lord, how manifold are Thy works : in wisdom Thou hast made them all : the earth is full of Thy riches." '' " O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His Goodness and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men." ^ To recollect God's Presence: " Be still then and know that I am GOD." * "Unto Thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul." '" * Psalm xci. part 5 and 6. ® Psalm xix. i. ' S. Luke xxii. 42. ^ Psalm civ. 24. 3 Psalm xxix. 3 ® Psalm cvii. 31. * Psalm Ixxxix. part 10. * Psalm xlvi. 10. " Psalm cvii. 29-30. ^^ Psalm xxv, i. SHORT SII,ENT PRAYERS 203 Before sleeping: " Father, into Thy Hands I commend my spirit." ' At a Funeral : " Lord, all pitying, Jesu Blest, Grant them Thine Eternal Rest." " Teach me to live that I may dread The grave as little as my bed. Teach me to die that so I may Rise glorious at the Judgment Day."* * S. Luke xxiii. 46. ^ Bishop Ken. INTERCESSION OUR Blessed Lord in His Life and Death set us the example and taught us the virtue of praying for others, and now in His Glory at the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven, " //t' evo' liveth to make intercession for us.'' ^ To be like Him we must obey His words: ''pray one for another.'' ^ Then the Voice of Jesus will speak in us, and we as well as those for whom we pray will be blessed in our intercessions at the Throne of Grace. Either our own devotions or liturgical prayers may be used, or we may simply make mention of our desired petitions and say the Lord's Prayer with intention. The following Short Office may be found helpful. OFFICE OF INTERCESSION I N the Name ^ of the Father and of the I Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. o UR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, etc. Lord, Have mercy upon us. Christ, Have mercy upon us. Lord, Have mercy upon us. * Hebrews vii. 25. ^ S. James v. 16. 204 INTERCESSION 205 ALMIGHTY God, Ruler of all things and Giver of all good gifts, look with mercy, we beseech Thee, upon us Thy servants and hearken to our prayers which we offer unto Thee for all Estates in the Catholic Church, granting them all such things as Thou seest to be best for them. And especially we pray Thee, look with compassion and regard with favour Thy Holy Church Universal, the Anglican Com- munion, our Bishops and other Clergy, our Mis- sions throughout the world, our country and rulers, our families and friends, our enemies and detractors, the poor and afflicted, the sick and sorrowful, the dead and dying, all sinners and criminals, those in danger or peril, in trial and temptation, and all others for whom we ought to pray. Grant all to turn to Thee in faith, love, and repentance, that steadfastly serving Thee in this world, they may reign with Thee in Glory in the world to come. All of which we ask through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ, Thine Only Son, our Lord. Amen. O SAVIOUR of the World, Who by Thy Cross and Precious Blood hast Redeemed us, save us and help us we humbly be- seech Thee, O Lord. Amen. (Or the following may be said: ) ALMIGHTY God, Whose Kingdom is Ever- lasting and Whose Power is Infinite, from Whom Cometh every good and perfect gift, look with compassion, we beseech Thee, upon those for whom we desire Thy heavenly blessing. Regard not their offences or short- comings, but raise up the Arm of Thy Power 2o6 INTERCESSION and come among them, granting them all such things as Thou seest them to need or is best for them. Grant, O Lord, that Thy Holy Church Universal may be ruled and governed in the right way, bringing all to be of one heart and mind within her borders. Bless the Anglican Communion, that earnestly contending for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, she may win many souls to Thine Honour and Glory. Prosper all Missions, that the number of Thine elect may soon be accomplished. Illuminate all Bishops and other Clergy {^especially . . . ) that by their preaching and living they may set forward the salvation of all men and be faithful ministers of Thy Word and Sacraments. Watch over our country that it may be preserved from all dan- ger and peril, and our rulers that they may govern righteously and holily. Have mercy upon our families {especially . . . ) and friends {especially . . . ), granting them health and happi- ness, and rich measure of Thy Grace to live ac- cording to Thy Word and Commandments. Have pity upon our enemies, and bring all Thy people to dwell here in love and charity. Look with compassion upon the poor, the afflicted, the sick and the suffering {especially . . . ), relieving them according to their several necessities, or else giving them patience to bear their troubles. Give Thy Heavenly comfort to the dying and wash them from all their sins in the Precious Blood of Jesus. Remember the dear departed and let them rest in peace, and let light per- petual shine upon them. Look upon all sinners and criminals and bring them to repentance and better minds. Regard those that are in danger and peril and raise up Thy might to save and succour them. Help those in trial and tempta- INTERCESSION 207 tion and suffer them not to faint or falter in their hour of need. Drive out from us all crime and corruption and make all Thy children to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. O Most Merciful Father, grant these petitions, we be- seech Thee, and give to us who have prayed and to those for whom we pray the Grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that henceforth we may walk be- fore Thee in holiness and righteousness and be brought to those heavenly mansions, where with Thine Only Begotten Son and Thy Most Holy Spirit Thou art to be worshipped, hon- oured and glorified unto the ages of ages. A men. PRAYERS BEFORE A JOURNEY {Considerably adapted /rovi the Ancient Itinerarium.) IN the Name ^i* of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Antiphon : Into the way of peace and pros- perity. The Benedictus. S. Luke i, 68-79. Antiphon: Into the way of peace and prosper- ity, may the Almighty and Merciful GoD direct us that we may return to our homes in joy arid happiness. o UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. O Lord, save Thy servants. Who put their trust in Thee. Be unto us, O Lord, a strong tower. From the enemy deliver us. Let no evil approach to harm us, O Lord. But guard us from all danger and peril. 208 PRAYERS BEFORE A JOURNEY 209 Blessed be the Lord, our Governuur. May our journey be safe and prosperous. Show us Thy ways, O LORD. And teach us Thy paths. O that our ways may be so direct That we may ever keep Thy Statutes. O God, give Thine Angels charge concerning us To keep us in all Thy ways. O Lord, hear our prayer. And let our cryittg come unto Thee. OGOD, Who didst guide the children of Israel by a pillar of cioud and fire, and didst lead the Wise Men by the shining of a star, be to us, we beseech Thee, a Light to lighten our darkness. And if it be Thy will, grant us a safe and prosperous journey, a bright and happy time, a safe arrival at the place where we would be and in Thy good season bring us to the haven of eternal salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. OLORD, we beseech Thee, take us Thy servants under Thy loving care and pro- tection. Be to us a light in setting out, a comfort in the way, a shadow in the heat, a covering from the cold, a refuge from the storm, a chariot in weariness, a protection in danger, a staff in slippery places, that through Thy guid- ance we may reach our journey's end in safety and return to our homes in peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our prayers and supplication^, and dispose the way of Thy servants t3,vr-.is the attain- ment of everlasting salvation ; that among all 2IO PRAYERS BEFORE A JOURNEY the changes and chances of this mortal life we may ever be defended by Thy most gracious and ready help ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. A men. Let us go forth in peace. In the N'ame of the Lord, Amen. {On returning.) MOST gracious Lord, Whose mercy is over all Thy works, we praise Thy Holy Name that Thou hast been pleased to conduct in safety through the perils of the great deep {o}' of the land) us. Thy servants, who now desire to return thanks unto Thee. May we be duly sensible of Thy Merciful Providence towards us, and ever express our thankfulness by a holy trust in Thee, and obedience to Thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. {A Prayer for others.') O ETERNAL God, Who alone spreadest out the Heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea, and ever watchest with Thy Lov- ing Eye : we commend to Thine Almighty Pro- tection Thy servants for whose preservation on the great deep (or on the land) we pray. Guard them we beseech Thee from all dangers which may await them, from sickness, from the vio- lence of enemies, and from every evil to which they may be exposed. Conduct them in safety to the haven where they would l)e, with a grate- ful sense of all Thy Mercies, through Jesus Christ our Lo. d. Amen. CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION is not lightly to be en- tered upon, but should be carefully pre- pared for. The whole being, mind, body, and soul, should be fitted for the new- privileges. This preparation may be indicated by the following : (i) The preparation of the body: This is the withdrawing from all delights or pleasures which appeal to our lower nature, or draw us away from spiritual things. It is specially guarding against the temptations of the flesh. In the case of an adult, fasting is expected as in Baptism.' Fast- ing is by Divine command and experience has proved it most helpful in the cultivation of the spiritual life. (2) The preparation of the mind: This is two- fold, first looking away from the temptations of the world, secondly contemplating the things of God. The mind must be emptied of worldly thoughts, and filled with the teachings of the Church. These are generally summed up in the Catechism, which should be known and understood. The Office of Confirmation, which explains itself, should also be read over, and ^ See Rubric in Baptismal Office. 211 212 CONIJ^IRMATION Instructions like or similar to those in this little book should be studied. (3) The preparation of the soul: This is on the one hand resisting the deceits of the Devil, and on the other the cultivation of faith, hope, and charity. It implies Conversion, which is simply the turning towards GoD and seeking to do His Will. This is shown in the desire to be con- firmed. The preparation of the soul is also assisted by self-examination, prayer, and con- fession of sin. The Forms for preparing for Holy Communion will be found helpful, as those Confirmed are expected shortly afterwards to make a First Communion. The following Office may also be used. SHORT DAILY OFFICE IN PREPARA- TION FOR CONFIRMATION TN the Name "i* of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. V o ENI Creator. See page 85. UR Father, Who art in Heaven, ete. ¥ BELIEVE in God, etc. {Here say Psalms xv.^ jcxv., xxiii.^ Ixxxiv.^ cxxi.^ cxxii.^ cxz'x., Ixiii.^ one or all as time permits^ DIRECT US, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy Most Gracious Favour and further us with Thy continual help (and especially in this my preparation for receiving the Sacrament CONFIRMATION 213 of Confirmation), that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy Holy Name and finally by Thy Mercy ob- tain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. WE beseech Thee, O Lord, pour Thy Grace into our hearts that as we have known the Incarnation of Thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, so by His Cross and Passion we may be brought unto the Glory of His Resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of Thy laws, and in the works of Thy commandments ; that, through Thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. OGOD Who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His Holy Comfort, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. OMY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I am sorry that I have so often offended Thee by my sins. THE grace "i* of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. A FORM OF CONFESSION TO GOD {In the presence of a Priest.) IN the Name "i* of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Penitent : Father, give me thy blessing, for I have sinned. Priest: The Lord be with thy heart and lips that thou mayst humbly and faithfully confess thy sins, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. confession Penitent : I confess unto God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, Three Persons in One God, and to you, father, that I have sinned exceedingly by thought, word and deed, through my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault, and especially (since my last confession) I accuse myself {Here follows the detailed confession^ For these and all my other sins which I can- not now remember or know not of, I am heartily sorry and most firmly purpose amendment, humbly asking of God pardon 214 A FORM OF CONFESSION TO GOD 215 and forgiveness, with space to lead a better life, and of you, my father, penance, coun- sel and absolution. Wherefore I beseech Gon, the Father Almighty, His Only Be- gotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost to have mercy upon me, and you father, to pray for me unto the Lord. Amen. {Then answer the /oliowing questions.) Priest Dost thou truly repent of all thy sins, with a firm purpose to commit them no more? Hast thou true faith in God's Mercy through Christ, that He is ever ready to pardon thee ? Art thou in love and charity with all men, forgiving as thou dost hope to be for- given ? THE ABSOLUTION. MAY the Almighty Lord grant thee absolu- tion and remission of all thy sins, space for amendment of life, and grace and comfort of His Holy Spirit. OUR Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath left power to His Church to absolve all sin- ners who truly repent and believe in Him, of His great Mercy forgive thee thine offences. And by His Authority committed unto me, I absolve thee from all thy sins in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. [Then make an Act of Contrition {beginning page 94) and use the Devotions {beginning page 98) and add Psalm ciii. as a Thanksgiving for Absolution^ SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (/« case of sickness or in the event of residing -where the Holy Eucharist is rarely celebrated^ a spiritual communion may be made with comfort and p7'ofit,) IN the Name •J* of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Antiphon ': O that men would praise the Lord for His Goodness. {Here say Psalm xliii^ on page 107.) Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. o UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. Antiphon : O that men would praise the Lord for His Goodness and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men ! ( Then read the Collect^ the Epistle^ the Gospel^ the Creed y the Prayer for the Church and the Confession as set forth in the Office of Holy Communion^ and in place of what then follows say /) OMOST Blessed Saviour, I cannot now re- ceive Thee in the Holy Mysteries, but I raise my soul unto Thee and pray that Thou wilt visit me in mercy and forgiveness. 216 SPIRITUAI, COMMUNION 217 O cleanse me from sin and grant unto me Thy Grace, so that being made one with Thee on earth, I may be Thine forever in the world to come. Amen. {A feiu minutes shotild be spent in thinking 0/ the Sacrifice of CHRIST and of the benefits received in the Holy Sacrament of His BODY and BLOOD. Then con- clude by saying the LORD'S Prayer , the Gloria in Ex- celsis, and Psalm xxiii.) THE Grace "i* of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. Amen. MEDITATIONS ON THE HOLY COMMUNION {^These may be used at anytime^ or specially at the seasons designated. The thoughts suggested may be ex- panded as devotion directs or tijne permits. It would be helpful to meditate in this way before each Com- munion.) The Apostles had a daily Eucharist, and that must ever be the ideal of the Christian. Fre- quent Communions should increase our love and devotion and so make it easier to make a careful preparation. The spiritual life needs Sacra- mental Food as much as the body requires nat- ural food, and it is a grievous loss to the soul, whenever attendance for worship is substituted for Communion. To offer the Eucharistic Sac- rifice necessarily involves actual Communion. Otherwise the Offering is incomplete. While only the Celebrating Priest is subject to the ob- ligation to receive, it should be clearly realized by all others who are present, that without Com- munion they may join in the worship but cannot assist at the Offering. This is a primary princi- ple of Sacramental teaching. In the Celebrat- ing Priest and in those who communicate with him, we see those who are actually offering, those who are engaged in the supreme act of our most holy religion. In others who are present, 2lS MEDITATIONS 219 we see those who as members of the Church are assembled at the great Offering of her solemn Oblation, to join in the Prayers of the Church, to worship the Lord of the Church. Such pre- sence can never be without help and profit both to the Church and to the individual, and it is strongly to be commended, especially when one has already received the Sacrament at an Early Celebration or has found it impossible then to attend. Yet whether one is or is not able to follow it, the ideal of the Book of Common Prayer should ever be realized and remembered : To comvninicate on Sundays, Saints' Days and Holy Days, for all of which a service is provided in our Liturgy, and on special occasions, as on a birthday, before a journey, or taking some solemn step. The frequent reception of the Blessed Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood should bear rich fruit in our spiritual life. 220 MEDITATIONS I. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS A PREPARATION FOR CHRIST. (Advent.) Preparation. Who comes? Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who though God became Man, the Word made Flesh, Who came once in humility. Who comes now in Grace and Who will come at the Last Day in Judg- ment. To whom does He come ? To us who are led away by the deceits of the M^orld, the flesh and the devil, who are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us. For what does Be come? That we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armour of light, that when He shall come again at the Last Day, we may rise to the life immortal. Aspiration : " Even so come, Lord Jesus." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him coming in the Blessed Sacra- ment to fit us for His coming at the Last Day. IL Pray that by a holy life we may so prepare for death that we will await His coming in joy. IIL Resolve by His Grace to live henceforth to His Glory. Aspiration : "Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord." MEDITATIONS 221 II. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS A SACRAMENT. (Christmas-Day.) Preparation. Who comes ? The Word made Flesh ; He Who dwelling in the Glory of God in Heaven humbled Himself to live as Man on earth ; He Who walketh upon the wings of the wind yet lay in the Manger as the Babe of Bethlehem. To zvhom does He cojne ? To us with little faith and little love, who care for earthly things ; who see " through a glass darkly." For zvhat does He come ? To be known to us in the Breaking of the Bread, to dwell with those who love and adore Him. Aspiration : "I will sing of the Lord, because He hath dealt so lovingly with me : yea I will praise the Name of the Lord most highest." Than ks giving. I. Behold Him God and Man, veiled in the Holy Eucharist, even as the Glory of the Godhead was hidden at the Incarnation. II. Pray for faith, love and humility, the better to receive Him in the Holy Com- munion. III. Resolve henceforth to live to Jesus, and with celestial choirs chant the Heavenly Hymn, " Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory." Aspiration : " Let us now go even unto Beth- lehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." 222 m:editattons III. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS REVEALING CHRIST, (Epiphany.) Preparation. Who comes ? Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, the Son of God, Who by the leading of a star brought the Gentiles to His Manger Bed, and manifested Himself to them as their Saviour King. To xvhorn does He come ? To us who so often misuse the Grace of God, who care little for the unsearchable riches of Christ, who vmlike the Wise Men journeying from afar, go with but halting steps to worship Him in the Sacrament. For what does He come ? That we may know Him now by faith and after this life behold Him revealed in His Glory in Heaven. Aspiration : " We praise Thee O God, we ac- knowledge Thee to be the Lord." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him, worshipped by the Wise Men, as Prophet, Priest and King, as in lowly adoration they offer the Holy Infant their gifts of gold, frank incense and myrrh. Him Who comes in the Holy Mysteries. II. Pray that we too may do Him reverence, as we kneel before Him. III. Resolve to show forth Christ in holy liv- ing, that in us He may be revealed to others. Aspiration : " Let my prayer be set forth in Thy Sight as the incense." MEDITATIONS 223 IV. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS UNION WITH CHRIST. (Lent.) Preparation. Who comes ? Our Lord, Who fasted forty days and forty nights in the wilderness, tempted by the Devil. Who, though Perfect God became Perfect Man, that He might be in all things like unto us, yet without sin. To whom does He come ? To us who " live in a barren and dry land where no water is," to us who need to watch and pray that we en- ter not into Temptation. For zuhat does He come ? That fasting from the world we may feast with Him ; that He may dwell in us and we in Him ; that by this union He may give strength to conquer sin. Aspiration : " Lord I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof." Than ksgiving. I. Behold Him the Bread of Life as He comes to us in the Holy Communion to make us one with Him. IL Pray that Lent may make us more worthy of these Holy Mysteries, that henceforth we may approach with love, longing and adoration. IIL Resolve to watch and pray, that we may be pure in heart as Jesus deigns to dwell with us. Aspiration : " My soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth after Thee, in a barren and dry land where no water is." 224 MEDITATIONS V. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS A SACRIFICE. (Holy Week.) Preparation. Who comes ? The Saviour, Whose Blood was shed for us, Who endured the Cross and Passion, suffering as Man, atoning as God, that He might make by that one Oblation of Himself, once offered, " a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world." To whom does He come ? To us who often cru- cify Jesus by our sins, to us who being sinful have no good thing of our own to offer, who are empty before God. For what does He come ? That we may plead Christ's Sacrifice before the Father, and through His Merits and Mediation may offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiv- ing, that His Righteousness may be imparted unto us, and we may be cleansed from sin. Aspiration : " GOD be merciful to me a sinner." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him led as a sheep to the slaughter, with His garments red in His Own Precious Blood, and remember that the Holy Com- munion is the pleading of that Sacrifice. n. Pray that we may bear our Cross of self- discipline and may consecrate ourselves to His Service. in. Resolve to crucify all vile affections. Aspiration : "By Thy Cross and Passion, Good Lord deliver us." MEDITATIONS 225 VI. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. (Easter.) Preparation, Who comes? Jesus Christ, Who Rose from the dead " with healing in His wings," the "very Paschal Lamb which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world." To whom does He come ? To us to whom ' ' the burden of sin is intolerable," who bowed down by its weight seek the Saviour that He may say: " Depart in peace, thy sins be forgiven thee." For what does He come ? To answer our prayer, to make us participate in the Redemption He hath won by His Death and Passion, to absolve us from our sin and feed us with the saving gifts of His Body and Blood. Aspiration : " Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His Benefits. Who forgiveth all thy sins and healeth all thine infirmities." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Christ the Great High Priest, as Risen from the Dead, He says, " I am the Resurrection and the Life," and blesses us with His Own Glorified Body and Blood, Mystically received in the Holy Com- munion. n. Pray that we may rise to a holier life and at the last day may shine as the stars in Heaven. in. Resolve to make our salvation sure by ever seeking His Grace in the Sacrament. Aspiration : " My Lord and My God." IS 226 MEDITATIONS VII. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR LIFE. (Ascension.) • Preparation. Who comes? Our Lord, Who Ascended into Heaven and Sitteth at the Right Hand of God on High ; the King of Glory, Who yet deigns to come to us in the Holy Eucharist. To whom does He come ? To us of the earth, earthy, who mind not heavenly things, whose spiritual life needs uplifting. For what does He come ? To give us life in Him, to renew the gift of Divine Life, that as He Ascended into the Heavens, so we in heart and mind may thither ascend and con- tinually dwell with Him. Aspiration : " O Lord to whom shall we go : Thou hast the words of Eternal Life." Thanksgiving. L Behold Him Who Ascended through the choirs of Angels as they sang : " Lift up your heads, O ye gates and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in." IT. Pray that the gates of our hearts and the doors of our sovils may open, that He may enter and give us Eternal Life. III. Resolve so to use His Grace that "when Christ Who is our Life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in Glory." Aspiration: " My soul hath a desire and long- ing to enter into the courts of the Lord." MEDITATIONS 227 VIII. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR LIGHT. (Whitsunday.) Preparation. Who comes ? Christ, The Light of the World, Whom the Holy Ghost testified is the Son of God, in Whose Name the Father sent the Holy Ghost on Pentecost, to guide the Church unto the ages of ages. To whom does He come ? To us who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, who need a Light to lighten our path. For what does He come ? That being our Light, and illuminating our minds, we may have a right judgment in all things, and like Wise Virgins may have Him, the Light, burning within us, revealing to us the Word of Truth. Aspiration : " Thy Word is a lantern unto my feet : and a light unto my paths." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him in the Glory and Splendour of the Heavenly Places, adored by the Angelic Host, sending His Holy Spirit upon us. II. Pray that we may evermore dwell in the light, illumined by His Brightness. III. Resolve to let the Holy Spirit ever lead us nearer Him that at last we may see God's Beautiful Face in the Glory Everlasting. Aspiration : "Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire : And lighten with celestial fire.'' 228 MEDITATIONS IX. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR LOVE. (Trinity.) Preparation. Who comes? Christ, Who said, "Love one another," Who declared, " God is Love," Who gives Himself to us in these Holy Mysteries. To IV horn does He come? To us given to un- charitable thoughts, who little love God or man, to whom Jesus says, " How can they love God whom they have not seen, if they love not their brother, whom they have seen." For %uhat does He come ? That giving us Him- self, Who is Love, we may have Grace to acknowledge the Glory of the Eternal Trin- ity, One God, in Three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Who is our Love Light and Life, and may love all men as God's children. Aspiration : " Unto Thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Jesus holding forth His Pierced Hands, pleading, blessing, and saying " Love one another." n. Pray for His Love, that we may say, " The love of Christ constraineth me." HL Resolve to seek this Grace in the Sacrament and to live in love and charity with all men. Aspiration: "O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His Goodness and de- clare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men," MEDITATIONS 229 X. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR STRENGTH. Preparation. Who comes ? Our Lord, Who hath showed strength with His Arm, Whose Name is the Lord of Hosts, to Whom all things in Heaven and earth do bow. To whom does He come ? To us whose spirit is willing but whose flesh is weak, who are sadly struggling against besetting sins, un- able of ourselves to resist. For wliat does He come ? That strong in His Strength and full of His Grace, we may " go from strength to strength " until " unto the God of Gods " we appear in Sion. Aspiration : " Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee : in whose heart are Thy ways." Thanksgiving. L Behold Him the Rock of Ages, Who will lead us through the valley of the shadow of Death and with His Rod and Staff support us. H. Pray to trust in Him and work with His Grace so as to say, " Christ in us the Hope of Glory." HL Resolve to be faithful unto death that we may gain the Crown of Everlasting Life. Aspiration : " The Lord is the strength of my life : of whom then shall I be afraid." 230 MEDITATIONS XI. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR REFRESHMENT. Preparatio7i. Who comes ? Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Stream of Living Waters, Who hath said, "Whoso eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood hath Eternal Life and I will raise him up at the last day." To 7vhom does He come ? To us who are strangers and pilgrims here, journeying on towards death "in a barren and dry land where no water is." For what does He come ? That coming to Him we may neither hunger nor thirst, for " He hath filled the hungry with good things." Aspiration : "Like as the hart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my soul after Thee, O God." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him Who is the Food of Immortal- ity, Who freely offers Himself to us. II. Pray that naught but Jesus may satisfy and ever say, " Lord give me Thyself." III. Resolve to be better prepared for each Eucharist and to long for it more devoutly. Aspiration : "Give us day by day our Daily Bread." MEDITATIONS 23 1 XII. THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR THANKSGIVING. Preparation. Who comes? Christ, Who Died for us, the Saviour of the World, Who hath borne our sins and suffered our punishment. To whom does He come ? To us who too little think of the Benefits won by our Lord's Death and Passion, Who little appreciate the gift of His Body and Blood, Who for- get the blessings God so bountifully gives. For what does He come ? That recalling us to ourselves we may love and adore and bless and thank GoD for all His Goodness, and the wonders that He doeth for the children of men. Aspiration : "Praise the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me praise His Holy Name." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him Who hath bought us with a price. Who hath shed His Precious Blood for us and gives us the Gift of Himself. II. Pray that we may learn to be thankful and appreciate all that He has done for us and above all God's love in the Redemption of the world. III. Resolve to offer up the Eucharist as our chief act of thanksgiving, doing all for the Greater Glory of God. Aspiration : " Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." 232 MEDITATIONS XIII. THE HOLY COMMUNION IN JOY AND PLEASURE. Preparation. Who co77ies? Christ, Who by His first Miracle at the Marriage of Cana sanctified all in- nocent joy and pleasure. To whot/i does He come ? To us who are too apt in our happiness to forget Jesus, who are in danger of choking the seed of His Word by the riches and pleasures of life. For what does He come? That we may love Him, not the world, that loving Him above all things we may be in the world but not of the world. Aspiration : " O turn away mine eyes lest they behold vanity : and quicken Thou me in Thy way." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Christ, in the Brightness of His Majesty, looking in love on us when we rightly use all innocent joys and pleasures by turning them to His Glory as He comes to crown all by the Holy Eucharist. II. Pray that we may at all times remember God's Presence and may never forget Him in our blessings. III. Resolve to cultivate detachment from earthly things and welcome Christ at the Altar as the Giver of all Gifts. Aspiration : " The earth is the Lord's and all that therein is." MEDITATIONS 233 XIV. THE HOLY COMMUNION IN SORROW AND SUFFERING. Preparation. Who comes ? The Man of Sorrows, Who hath said, " See if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow" ; the King of Glory, Who now comes to us. To whom does He come ? To us who shrink from pain and suffering, sorrow and loss, who often do not see the Loving Hand of God in all these afflictions. For what does He come? To comfort us with Himself, to teach us the privilege of suffer- ing, to make us know that sorrow gives us fellowship with Him. Aspiration : "I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Christ on the Cross, His Pierced Hands and Feet, His Side and Thorn- crowned Brows, stained with His Own Precious Blood. II. Pray that we may patiently bear all things as He bore the Cross for us. III. Resolve to use the Holy Communion as the great means of comfort. Aspiration : " So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress." 234 MEDITATIONS XV. THE HOLY COMMUNION IN TRIAL AND TEMPTATION. Preparation. Who comes ? Jesus Christ, Who was " in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin," Who now conies in His Glorified Life to give Himself to us. To zijhom does He come ? To us in a wicked and naughty world, drawn away and enticed by our own lusts, with no power of ourselves to help ourselves. For what does He come ? That following His Example and steadfastly looking unto Him, we may have grace to resist all temptations and live a life hid with Christ in God. Aspiration : " Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him teaching us how to live and die, and holding up before us His Perfect Life as manifested here on earth. II. Pray that we may copy that Beautiful Life by living in Him, for Him and to Him. III. Resolve to overcome temptation by Prayer and Fasting and especially by the grace of the Blessed Sacrament, ever looking unto Jesus. Aspiration : "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh even from the Lord." MEDITATIONS 235 XVI. THE HOLY COMMUNION THE PROMISE OF SALVATION. Preparation. Who comes? The Redeemer of the world, Who comes to us that we may not perish but have Everlasting Life, \Yho when we rightly receive Him says, "I will raise him up at the last day." To zvhom does He come ? To us as sheep go- ing astray, to sinners, knowing not the time of death's visitation. For 'what does He co??ie ? That in Him we may live, by Him we may have peace and through Him we may gain Everlasting Life. Aspiration : " O do well unto Thy servant : that I may live and keep Thy Word." Thanksgiving. I. Behold Him on the Cross, and see there the Symbol of our Redemption. IL Pray to bear the Cross, and by receiving the Sacraments to appropriate the salvation there won for us. III. Resolve to prepare for death by a holy life and by frequent Communion have the rea- sonable assurance of salvation. Aspiration : " O Saviour of the World, Who by Thy Cross and Precious Blood hast Re- deemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord." PENITENTIAL OFFICES. IN the Preparation for Holy Communion and the cultivation of the spiritual life, it is helpful to use special Devotions and Offices as Penitential Prayers, in order to deepen and show forth our love of God, our sorrow for sin and our desire for righteousness. The Book of Common Prayer is rich beyond measure in such Devotions, the stately dignity, the reverent wording, and noble aspiration of which are in marked contrast to the very inferior and often familiar and fulsome prayers gathered from other sources. The following will be found especially helpful : — The Litany or General Supplication. — The Penitential Office for Ash Wed- nesday. — The Seven Penitential Psalms — vi., xxxii., xxxviii., li., cii., cxxx., cxliii. — The Collects of the Prayer Book. — Hymn 529, American Hymnal or 465, A. AND M. In addition to these may be used the Peniten- tial Prayers or the Litanies here set forth. 236 PENITENTIAI, OFFICES 237 I. PENITENTIAL PRAYERS {^Chiefly from Ancietit Sources^ considerably adapted^ OGOD, Who art infinitely Holy and art hymned by the angels and adored by all the heavenly powers, Who didst make man in Thine Own Image and didst adorn him with all Thy graces, Who givest to him that seeketh wisdom and understanding and passest not the sinner, grant us we beseech Thee, repent- ance unto salvation. Forgive us all our offences and sanctify our souls and bodies that we may serve Thee in purity and holiness all the rest of our life. Amen.' ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who in Thy Goodness didst give to man when he had sinned an exhortation to repent- ance, look down upon those who penitently bow before Thee. Thou wiliest not the death of a sinner, but rather his conversion, that he may turn from his evil ways and live. . . Do Thou therefore receive the repentance of thy suppli- ants ; for there is none that sinneth not before Thee. For if Thou Lord shall be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it ? '^ I HAVE sinned O Lord, against Thee and in Thy sight. My many offences crieth for judgment against me ; yet, O Lord, Thou hast promised that where sin hath abounded Grace shall yet more abound. And Thy prom- ise bids me not despair, for he who despairs of ^ Liturgy of S. Chrysostom. ^ Liturgy of S. Clement. 238 PENITENTIAI, OFFICES pardon denies Thee to be a God of mercy. The multitude of my sins abaseth me to the dust, but the thought of Thy Passion raiseth me ; the nails and spear cry aloud that 1'hou hast recon- ciled me by Thy Blood. The soldier opened Thy wounded Side, wherein as in a cleft of the Rock of Ages, I hide myself from the foe and rest secure. Thou inclinest Thine Head, O Crucified Saviour, even in death as if to greet me ; Thou openest Thine Arms as if to embrace me. In that embrace I am willing to live, and in it I do long to die. Amen.' OLORD, help us to turn and seek Thee ; for Thou hast not forsaken us Thy creatures as we have forsaken Thee, our Creator. Make us to turn and seek Thee, for we know that Thou art here in our hearts when we confess to Thee, when we cast ourselves upon Thee, when we weep in Thy Bosom.' OGOD, The Light of every heart that sees Thee, the Life of every soul that loves Thee, the Strength of every mind that seeks Thee, grant me ever to continue steadfast in Thy Holy Love. . . . To Thee therefore I humbly cry, pleading that Thou wilt cleanse me from my secret faults, and keep Thy servant from presumptuous sins, so that they may never get dominion over me. Amen.' SHOW me Thy mercy, O Lord, for I am a sheep that is gone astray. O Good Shep- herd, seek me out and bring me home again to Thy fold. Deal favourably with me according to Thy good pleasure, that I may * S. Augustine. PENITENTIAI, OFFICES 239 dwell in Thine house all the days of my life and praise Thee for ever and ever with them that are there. Amen.' OMOST High and Gracious Lover of men, to Thee I confess all my sins, whatsoever and howsoever committed, from the hour when I first could sin up to this hour in which by Thy mercy Thou still sufTerest me to live. . . . Have mercy upon me, O Lord, who cry unto Thee ; let the voice of faith weeping unto Thee move Thy Love ; and let that mercy, in which alone I hope, forbid Thee to be extreme to mark what is done amiss. . . . O free Thou me from all evils and bring me to Life Everlasting. Amen.^ OLORD, I offer unto Thee all my sins and offences which I have committed in Thy sight. . . . that Thou mayst burn and consume them all with the fire of Thy love, that Thou mayst wipe away every stain and cleanse my conscience from every fault, that Thou mayst restore to me Thy Grace, which I have lost by my sin, by fully pardoning and receiving me in Thy mercy. O Lord, my God, depart not far from me ; O look upon me and help me, for this is my hope and my one consolation, to fly to Thee in every tribulation, to trust in Thee, to call upon Thee from my heart and patiently to await Thy comfort. O Good Jesus, enlighten me I beseech Thee with Thy brightness and cast out all darkness from the dwelling of my heart. Amen. ^ * S. Jerome. ' S. Anselm. ' Thomas a Kempis. 240 PENITENTIAI, OFFICES OLORU, Who hast called me to repentance by Thy Word. . . . Call me also by Thy Grace; but call me so powerfully that I may not turn a deaf ear and that I may not resist Thy Call. I am forced indeed to bring my sins along with me ; but it is to crucify them with Thee, and with a full purpose through Thy Grace, never to return to those sins that I have repented of.' O FAT HER of mercies, I beseech Thy Fath- erly loving kindness despise me not ; but rather regard me as Thou didst regard Magdalen at the feast, Peter in the hall, the thief on the Cross ; that with Peter I may bitterly weep, with the thief I may confess, with the Mag- dalen may love, yea, love much since I have so iTiany sins to be forgiven. Spare me, O Lord, spare me, a penitent, at least desiring to be a pen- itent and preparing thereto, recollecting my sins with grief, indignant with myself concerning them, and laying hold of Thy Most Bitter Passion. Spare me, O Lord, have mercy upon me, because it is not difficult to Thy Power, not un- befitting Thy Justice, nor unusual to Thy Good- ness.^ OGOD, prostrate before the Cross, we kneel as suppliants, sorrowing for our sin. We are unworthy to raise so much as our eyes unto Thee. Yet Thou art our Most Loving Father, and art more ready to hear than we to pray. Therefore O Lord, behold us in mercy, as we abase ourselves in the dust, as we bow before the Cross, as we plead the Passion of Thy Dear Son. Send us not empty away but for His ^ Bishop Wilson. ^ Bishop Andrewes. PENITENTIAI, OFFICES 241 sake hearken to our prayer, raise us from our sin and renew us with Thy Grace, that we may henceforth live to Thine Honour and Glory and in the world to come hymn Thy praises with all the heavenly host unto the ages of ages. Amen. II. SHORT LITANY OF PENITENCE OGoD the Father of Heaven : Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. O God the Son, Redeemer of the World : Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. O God, the Holy Ghost, Proceeding from the Father and the Son : Have mercy upon tis, miserable sinners. O Holy, Blessed and Glorious Trinity, Three Persons and One God : Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. Remember not, Lord, our ofifences nor the offences of our forefathers : neither take Thou vengeance of our sins : Spare us. Good Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Most Precious Blood and be not angry with us forever : Spare us, Good Lord. O Saviour of the World, Who by Thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us : Save us and help us, lae hitnibly beseech Thee Lord. From the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil : Good Lord, Deliver us. From the just reward of our sins : Good Lord, Deliver us. 242 PENITENTIAI, OFFICES From everlasting damnation : Good Lord, Deliver us. By Thy Holy Incarnation : Good LoRDy Deliver us. By Thine Agony in the Garden : Good Lord, Deliver us. By Thy Suffering and Humiliation : Good Lord, Deliver us. By Thy Bitter Cross and Passion : Good Lord, Deliver us. By Thy Holy Life and Death*. Good Lord. Deliver us. By Thy Glorious Resurrection and Ascension : Good Lord, Deliver us. By Thy Perpetual Intercession : Good Lord, Deliver us. That it may please Thee to bring us to sincere repentance : IV e beseech Thee to hear us. Good Lord. That it may please Thee to cleanse us from all unrighteousness : We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord. That it may please Thee to renew Thy Grace within us : We beseech Thee to hear us. Good Lord. That it may please Thee io deliver us from all evil : We beseech Thee to hear us. Good L^ord. That it may please Thee to lead us to true holi- ness : We beseech Thee to hear us. Good Lord. That it may please Thee to bring us to Everlast- ing Life : We beseech Thee to hear us. Good Lord. Son of God ; We beseech Thee to hear us, i6 PENITENTIAI. OfFlCKS 243 O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world : Grant us Thy peace. O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world : Have mercy upon us. O Christ, hear us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. O God, we believe in Thee, we hope in Thee, and we love Thee, and we are sorry that we have so often offended Thee by our sins. O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins : Neither rezuard us according to our in- iquities. O Lord, let Thy mercy be showed upon us : As zoe do put our trust in Thee. Let us depart in peace : In the Name of the Lord, Amen. III. HYMN OF THE PASSION. O Blessed Feet of Jesus Weary with seeking me ! Stand at God's bar of judgment And intercede for me. O Knees that bent in anguish In dark Gethsemene ! Kneel at the Throne of Glory And intercede for me. 244 PENITENTIAI, OFFICES O Hands that were extended Upon that awful Tree ! Hold up those precious nail prints Which intercede for me. O Side from whence the spear point Brought Blood and Water free ! For healing and for cleansing Still intercede for me. O Head so deeply pierced With Thorns which sharpest be ! Bend low before Thy Father And intercede for me. O Sacred Heart ! Such sorrows The world may never see, As that which gave Thee warrant To intercede for me ! O wholly scarred and wounded My Sacrifice to be ! Present Thy Perfect Offering And intercede for me. O Loving, Risen Saviour From death and sorrow free ! Though Throned in endless Glory Still intercede for me.' ^ From an inscription on a cross in an Italian church. SHORT READINGS PRAYER PRAYER is the chief means of attaining holi- ness. It bridges the gap between Heaven and earth, God and man. When we pray we are in the Presence of God, we mount as on angel wings to the heavenly places. It matters not if we pray aloud or pray silently. We may even pray without thought, beyond that of rest- ing in God, and communing with Him. Prayer elevates, chastens and purifies the soul. It shows our love for GoD. It shows His Love for us. God is so gracious to listen, so loving to answer. Man grows weary of us, God never. He is the Heavenly Father, Who is ever ready to hear, no matter how poorly expressed are our prayers. Our adoration, our thanksgiving, our confessions, our intercessions, our petitions are all accepted and in each GOD gives a special blessing. Prayer, however, owing to the frailty of our erring humanity, involves work. If we do our best, however, GoD is there to reward. He answers in the still small voice, whispering His Word of Love to the soul, conveying His Peace and giving the Inspiration to higher things. He answers but not always at once or as we wish. We must ever trust that He knoweth best, and doeth all things wisely. 245 246 SHORT READINGS THE SPIRITUAL LIFE THE Spiritual Life is a life " hid with Christ in God. '''"^ It is the cultivation of the highest part of man's being. It is the only life worth living, the only life that fits us for the Everlasting Life in Heaven. Man's sojourn in this vv^orld is but a pilgrimage, a journey towards the Jerusalem on high, the Holy City of God. Life is given here that we may have life hereafter, and when the spirit once realizes its immortality, we will be satisfied with naught less than God. He made us for Himself and there is no real joy or rest apart from Him. The Spiritual Life then is union with God by Prayer and Sacrament, and the reaching after those spiritual blessings which raise our thoughts to the things above. HOLINESS WE all need to sanctify ourselves to become holy in God's Sight. To do this we must pattern ourselves after Jesus, to have His Beautiful Life in some measure reflected in ourselves. Our character is not what we think we are, or what others think we are, but what we really are. Our character must bear the " marks of the Lord yEsusy ^ Holiness must be striven for, humbly, patiently, earnestly, prayerfully striven for, in the realization of our responsi- bility, in the realization of our privilege. Then at last may dawn the day, when we will be so per- fected and conformed to the Mind of GOD, that we will wish only to do His Will, to live for His Glory, to say to our souls "Jesus Only." ^ Colossians iii. 3. ^ Galatians vi. 17. HE TOUCHETH THE CROSS, AND MAKETH IT LIGHT." SHORT READINGS 247 COMMUNION WE hardly realize the good things that GoD gives to those who love Him ! How little, for instance, we appreciate the blessing of Holy Communion! How cold is our devotion at times ! How little we long for the Sacrament ! How poorly we prepare for it ! How hurried our thanksgiving ! Yet here in the Blessed Sacrament we have heavenly food, even our dear Lord's Body and Blood. Here we dwell in Him and He in us. O ! The won- drous privilege and blessing of that Union ! What joy, happiness and rapture we should feel ! In the Presence of the Master, ay, more, united with the Saviour, what could we want more than this, what blessing could be greater than this ? We need to think more about this precious privilege, to let nothing keep us away from Jesus, to seek Him with the full strength of our being and when He comes to us in the Holy Communion, to greet Him and to receive Him with the greatest love, devotion and thanks- giving, saying again and again, " Aly Lord and My God:' ' THE DAILY CROSS THERE will ever be to the faithful follower of Jesus a daily Cross to bear. It may be some sorrow or suffering, some trial or temptation, some besetting sin. The Cross is always there. To bear the Cross is to win the Crown. It is the symbol of our salvation, and the bearing of it shows our fellowship with Christ. It is the sanctifying power of life, •^ S. John XX. 28. 248 SHORT READINGS dragging up from the depths of sin, drawing us from the allurements of the world, raising to the heights of Heaven. If we bear our Cross, what- ever that Cross may be, in the little worries, the big worries, the petty annoyances of every day, the cares, the burdens, the disappointments of life, in sickness, sorrow or suffering, by self- denial, or self-discipline, or in whatever way God sends the Cross, then will the Master's Words be fulfilled, " Ve sJiall find rest for your souls For My yoke is easy and My burden is light,'" ^ SANCTIFYING OUR WORK ALL honest labour is honourable in God's Sight. It is not %vhat we do but hoiv we do it that makes us acceptable to God. We all have vocation or calling and fitness for something. We should try and find it, and when we find it, do our very best to make our labours glorify God. We must try to be perfect in what we do, remembering that little things make perfection but that perfec- tion is not a little thing. No matter how lowly, how trivial, how unnoticed may be the work, it should be done in the realization of the Presence of God, thinking of the words, " Thou God seest niey ^ Thus GoD is glorified, the Master is followed, we and our works are acceptable at the Throne of Grace and some day we shall hear those blessed words, " Well done ^ Thou good and faithful servant, '''' ^ ' S. Matthew, xi. 29-30. "^ Genesis xvi. 13. ^ S. Matthew xxv. 21. SHORT READINGS 249 FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY WE all need to cultivate the Theological Virtues. Our Faith in God and in His Revelation should never waver. When wicked men attack the beliefs we hold most dear, we should remember that our Lord predicted this, but that we need not fear, because the Holy Ghost is ever with us. Our Hope should be strong, grounded in Christ Jesus, the Rock against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail. We must never despair of ourselves, of others, or of the Church, for when all seems darkest, God is near and the light will come, for " a^ evening time it shall he light.'' ' Charity or Divine Love must also pervade us, for without it our doings are nothing worth. It is the greatest of all virtues, for by Charity we love GOD and love our neighbour and thus fulfil the Law. JUDGMENT WE must judge ourselves not others. We may condemn the sin but never the sin- ner. The more we realize our own faults and flaws, our own sins and needs, the more charitably will we look on others. They may not have the same light, the same oppor- tunities, the same privileges, yet they may be trying harder than we to do what is right. We should pray for them , ' ' Fa ther, forgive them for they know not what they do" ^ and praying for others, we ourselves should cultivate humility, for we, at best, are but " unprofitable servants." If tempted in the same way or placed in the same ^ Zechariah xiv. 7. ^ S. Luke xxiii. 34. 250 SHORT READINGS position, we might have erred more grievously. We should try to save souls, rebuking in love, gentleness and kindness, aiming to set a good example. Firmly standing for righteousness, we should pray for those who offend, judging our- selves but not others, CHEERFULNESS THOSE who seek after righteousness should be cheerful, their faces lighted with a holy peace and resignation. How much sunshine does a happy face, a bright smile, or a merry laugh bring with it ! They comfort and cheer and gladden all those who see or hear them. Let us then be cheerful in our religion, cultivating contentment in our state of life, resignation to what GoD sends, making the best of things, seeing God's Hand in all about us. Once gain the inner peace, the sense of resting in God, and nothing is too hard to bear with composure. AIM IN LIFE OUR life should not be aimless. It should be lived by a simple rule, built on a positive Faith, directed to some definite end. To accomplish anything acceptable in God's Sight we must put away the idea of self, remembering that our ^diWiowr '' pleased not Hi??is elf .'' ^ We must have the highest Ideal and strive hard to reach it, knowing, however, we never fully can attain it. We must cultivate earnestness of pur- pose, submission to God's Will, renunciation of our desires. This, united with sympathy for * Romans xv. 3. SHORT READINGS 25 1 others, forbearance towards others, and strict- ness with ourselves, will help us attain our aim in life. Religion must have a first place, and duty must be realized through religion. With all, we must cultivate Purity, for only through Purity can we see and know GoD and His Will : ^''blessed are the pure in heart- for they shall see God.'" ' FREQUENT COMMUNION IT is helpful and customary for the faithful, for those who are striving for ' 'the things per- taining to God " to receive the Holy Com- munion every Sunday, Holy Day and Saints' Day. Frequency of reception is in accord with primi- tive practice. It should stimulate the spiritual life and incite to more careful preparation for the Holy Mysteries. Nor should it be forgotten, that while attendance at the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist is helpful, nevertheless presence for worship will never compensate for the neg- lect of Communion. REVERENCE How careful we should be to be reverent. Sometimes the Clergy as well as the peo- ple need this caution. Familiarity with sacred things should conduce to greater, not less reverence. Nothing shows forth our love of God, of His Sanctuary and of His Service more than reverence. It is the spirit that makes God's worship beautiful. It witnesses to our realization of His Presence. It makes others honour His Church, and Sacraments. How care- ful should we be to refrain from conversation, * S. Matthew v. 8. 252 SHORT READINGS to move softly about, to keep from looking round, remembering that the Church is the House of Prayer. Nor is service mechanically done, acceptable to God. It must be reverently rendered, with the heart going with the words and the acts ; we must believe and feel what we say ; and we must reverently follow the service and sermon with the spirit and with the under- standing, doing all to the Glory of God, as in His Presence. Above all, at the solemn mo- ment of the Consecration of the Eucharist should we kneel in lowly reverence for, ' ' the Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence before Hwi.'' ^ Without Reverence we cannot really worship. It means the remem- brance of God, the abandonment of self. An irreligious person cannot have true reverence. Let us then cultivate religion, let us realize the meaning and object of our worship and let rever- ence control our every thought, word and act. Let there be no hurry, no ostentation, no excess, but let us quietly, humbly, lovingly show forth reverence in all we do, be it in dim Cathedral aisle or in little country church, be it among the rich and mighty or among the poor and lowly, for reverence is not before men but in the sight of God, unto to Whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from Whom no secrets are hid. DANGER OF INTELLECTUAL PRIDE MANY souls are lost through pride and pre- sumption. Some aspire to know more than God chooses to reveal. Others pre- sume on the knowledge that God vouchsafes, and ^ Habakkuk ii. 20. SHORT READINGS 253 led by intellectual pride make shipwreck of their lives and the lives of others. They forget that God is from above, man from below. They do not reflect that God's ways are not our ways, that they are ^^ past finding out." ^ God reveals His Truth as we are able to receive it, " here a little, there a little,''' ^ line upon line, precept upon pre- cept. Faith, love and humility make the dispo- sitions for learning of GOD and His Ways, for God " hast hid these things from the wise and prndent and hast revealed thejn unto babes,'''' ^ to those who look up into the Father's Face with the trust and faith of a little child. Spiritual things are only discerned by the spiritually minded, and very often a poor peasant knows more of the Love of God and the Comfort of Religion than the mighty Prince or the great scholar. Profound learning and a brilliant in- tellect do not in themselves make one acceptable to God. The unconsecrated mind is at enmity with Him. It is right to study, to learn of GoD and His Ways, but one must do so prayerfully and humbly, asking the guidance of the Holy Ghost, acknowledging the authority of the Catholic Church and cultivating that " meek and quiet spirit which is in the Sight of God of great price''' ^ Not to the worldly wise but to the meek and lowly of heart doth God reveal Him- self. FAITH AND HUMILITY WE should ever remember that Faith and Humility must go hand in hand. Re- ligion that puffs one up with spiritual pride is not the Religion of Jesus Christ. Faith ^ Romans xi, 33. ' Isaiah xxviii. 10. ^ S. Matthew xi. 25. * i S. Peter iii. 4 254 SHORT READINGS to be real must be fruitful in good works, for ''by their fruits ye shall knozv themy ' Yet those most abounding in good works for the Master must realize that they are but ' ' unprofitable serv- ant s."" ^ They will show forth Humility if they look lovingly on those about them, not thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to think, ^ but honouring and respecting others, whose lives may seem less spiritual than their own. Hu- mility is also shown in a loving, trustful Faith. We need to love God, not to speculate about Him, to believe the things pertaining to Him, not to understand them, to live the CHRiST-Life, not to talk about it. We must do all reverently and humbly for love of Jesus, for the Glory of God. We must not think to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, for " Jtoza we see through a glass darkly, but then face to facey ^ S. Augustine says, " first believe, then understand," and the Master tells us, ''Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed^ ' The Church is wiser than we, for the Holy Ghost speaks through her. Let us believe and hold fast the "Faith once delivered to the saints y ^ that at the Last Day, faith may be lost in sight, and we may see God face to face. ^ S. Matthew vii. 20. * i Corinthians xiii. 12. ^ S. Luke xvii. 10. ^ S. John xx. 29. ^ Romans xii. 3. * S. Jude 3. THE CHURCH'S SEASONS Advent, which begins the Church year, com- memorates the First Coming of Christ as the Saviour of mankind and anticipates His Second Coming as the Judge of the world. It also tells of His Continuous Coming in Sacramental Grace. Advent is a penitential season, and should be used a,s a preparation for Christmas. On the four Sundays in Advent special sermons are sometimes preached on Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. Christmas Day, the Festival of the Holy Nativity, commemorates our Saviour's Birth, when in the humble grotto stable at Bethlehem, He Who is the Maker and Monarch of all, was Born of a pure Virgin and laid in the lowly Manger, the Infant Redeemer, the Word made Flesh. Christmas is one of the greatest of all Church Festivals, and on it all the faithful are expected to receive the Holy Communion. S. Stephen's Day, S. John Evangelist's Day, and Holy Innocents' Day follow to show forth the three kinds of martyrs : S. Stephen a martyr in will and deed, since he was willing to die and did die for Christ ; S. John a mar- tyr in will only, since GOD did not call him to a violent death ; and the Holy Innocents, little children, martyrs in deed only, since not old enough to will do die. 255 256 THE CHURCH'S SEASONS The Circumcision commemorates our Lord when eight days old, conforming to this require- ment of the Jewish Law, and receiving the name Jesus. This Name, given by the Angel when He was conceived, is that Name at which every knee should bow. ' The Epiphany season has six Sundays ap- pointed for its observance. It commemorates the Manifestation or showing forth of Christ to the Gentiles, noting three special instances : (i) at the Visit of the Wise Men, Who did homage to the Infant King and offered to Him Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, thus acknowledging Him as God, as Priest and as Man ; (2) at the Marriage of Cana, when our Lord worked the Miracle of turning water into wine ; (3) at Christ's Baptism, when there was the revela- tion of the Trinity, the Father speaking from heaven, the Son coming up from the water, and the Holy Ghost descending as a Dove, The Purification of S. Mary the Virgin, occurring on February 2, commemorates the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, in fulfil- ment of the Jewish Law. Its ancient name was Candlemas, from the practice of carrying candles in procession to show forth that our Lord was " a Light to lighten the Gentiles.'''' ^ Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinqua- GESIMA, are three Sundays, roughly indicating seventy, sixty and fifty days before Easter, pre- paring us for the observance of Lent. ^ Philippians ii. 10, ^ S. Luke ii. 32. THE CHURCH'S SEASONS 257 Lent is a penitential season of forty days, ex- clusive of Sundays. It commemorates our Lord's Temptation and Fast in the Wilderness. It should be observed, as far as possible, as a time for retirement from worldly affairs and pleasures ; for careful self-examination and con- fession to God, for special Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, for the uplifting of the Spiritual Life and for meditation on the Cross, on the Love of God and the awfulness of sin. Ash Wed- nesday begins the season of Lent, and is a strict fast. Its name arose from the ancient custom of signing the Cross with ashes on the heads of the penitents, and reminding them of the certainty of death. The preceding day is known as Shrove Tuesday, from the practice of obtaining absolution or being " shriven " on that day. The fourth Sunday in Lent is sometimes called Midlent or Refreshment Sunday, from the Gospel which tells of the feeding of the multitude. The fifth Sunday is Passion Sun- day and begins Passion Week, so called because we then come specially to think of the Suffering of Christ. The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurs in Lent on March 25, and is kept in honour of the Incarnation of our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, the Angel Gabriel announcing to Mary her blessed privilege. This festival is sometimes known as Lady Day. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday in Lent, and is so named from the time-honoured custom of processions with palms, in commemoration of our Lord's entrance into Jerusalem amid the 258 THE church's seasons strawing of palm branches and the shouts of Hosanna. The custom of honouring GoD by strawing and waving pahii branches is one of Divine appointment.^ Holy Week, sometimes known as "the still week," which Palm Sunday begins, is so desig- nated because it commemorates the last solemn events in the Life of our Most Holy Redeemer. None who refuse to keep Holy Week rightly rejoice on Easter. Maundy Thursday, occurring in Holy Week, is so named from the words " Dies Man- dati," the Day of the Great Commandment, for it commemorates our Lord's Listitution of the Holy Communion, and His command " Do this in remembrance of Me." The faithful are ex- pected to receive the Blessed Sacrament of our Lord's Body and Blood on this day. Maundy Thursday is a Festival in that it is in special honour of the Institution of the Eucharist, but is also a Fast, since it commemorates the begin- ning of the Passion. Good Friday is the Day of the Cross, the "Still Day" commemorating our Lord's Passion and Crucifixion, when on the Cross, He Died for the sins of the whole world, Suffering as Man, Atoning as God. It is the most solemn time of the whole year and a strict fast. There should be no one who would not keep this day at the foot of the Cross, humbling himself be- fore God, sorrowing at that awful spectacle of Suffering, while rejoicing in the Redemption. Only with our sins laid in humble penitence at the Feet of Jesus, can we truly rise to the peace and joy of Easter Day. ^ Leviticus xxiii. 40. 17 THE CHURCH'S SEASONS 259 Holy Saturday or Easter Even commemor- ates our Lord's Body resting in the tomb. It should be used as far as possible, as a time of retirement, in preparation for the Easter Com- munion. Easter is the queen of all the Church's Feasts. It commemorates our Lord's Resurrection from the dead, and looks forward to our resurrection at the Last Day. It should mean for each of the faithful a better, holier, purer, risen life, " If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things -which are above.'"' ^ As the Resurrection is the most blesseddoctrineof our holy Religion, Easter Day is observed with the greatest rejoicing and ceremony. The Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week, the Sunday following, often called Low Sunday, because the high note of rejoicing is somewhat lowered, with the rest of the forty days following Easter, continue the commemor- ation of the Resurrection joy. All of the faithful should communicate at Easter. Ascension Day, or Holy Thursday, is the fortieth day after Easter, and commemorates our Lord's Ascension into Heaven, where He now Sitteth in Glory at the Right Hand of the Father. Ancient tradition held that as Christ ascended, the nine choirs of angels chanted antiphonally until our Lord entered into His Glory on Whitsunday. Whitsunday, or Pentecost, commemorates the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, and the beginning of their labours in the world. It is one of the great festivals of the Church on which all should communicate. ^ Colossians iii. i. 26o THE CHURCH'S SEASONS The two following days, known as Monday and Tuesday in Whitsun-week, are also solemnly observed. Trinity Sunday is the octave of Whitsun- day and is observed in special honour of the Blessed Trinity : One God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It begins the long Trinity season, in which there are twenty-five Sundays, the last Sunday being known in the American Church as the Sunday next before Advent. The Transfiguration of Christ is ob- served on August 6 and commemorates the revelation of His Glory, when on the mount, in the presence of S. Peter, S. John and S. James a cloud overshadowed Him, and Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. His unveiled Glory was then seen in all its majesty and splendour. Ember Days are days devoted to special in- tercession for those about to be ordained to the Sacred Ministry and for the Clergy generally. They are the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after December 13, the first Sunday in Lent, Whitsunday and September 14. They are ob- served as fasts. Rogation Days are the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension and are de- voted to special asking of, or petitions to, GOD. They were once observed by processions singing Litanies. They are kept as special fast days. All Saints' Day is November i, and com- memorates those who " rest from their labours," in the other world, and teaches us to rejoice in the Communion of Saints. The day which fol- lows is known as All Souls' Day, and is used THE church's seasons 261 for special intercession for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. Saints Days. The Prayer Book also com- memorates by Special Collect, Epistle and Gospel for the Communion Office, other great Saints or Martyrs as follows : S. Andrew, S. Thomas, the Conversion of S. Paul, S. Mat- thias, S. Mark, S. Philip and S. James, S. Bar- nabas, S. John Baptist, S. Peter, S. James, S. Bartholomew, S. Matthew, S. Michael and all Angels, S. Luke, S. Simon and S. Jude. The Church of England also commemorates, by men- tion of their names in the Kalendar, other holy personages or remarkable events. Sundays are kept as festivals in honour of the Resurrection. It seems fitting, in remem- brance of the great doctrine of the Resurrection, that the observance of the Sabbath or seventh day should have been transferred, as it was by the Church, to Sunday or the first day. Fridays are observed as days of fast or ab- stinence in remembrance of the Crucifixion of Christ. They should always be kept as peni- tential days, and worldly pleasures and social enjoyments should not be indulged in. Vigils, or Evens of Festivals are also set forth in the Church of England to be observed. CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND DUTIES, ETC. THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES : Faith, by which we believe God's Revel- ation. Hope, by which we trust God's Promises. Charity, by which we love God above all, and our neighbour as ourself. THE CARDINAL VIRTUES : Prudence, which makes us choose between right and wrong. yustice, which makes us fair and honour- able in all we do. Temperance, which makes us rightly use our powers and privileges and refrain from wrong indulgence. Fortitude, which makes us have moral courage and suffer pain and adversity with patience. THE CHRISTIAN DUTIES : Prayer : to worship, thank and call upon Almighty GoD. Fasting : to deny ourselves and discipline the body, as an aid in the spiritual life. Almsgiving- : to offer God part of what He gives us to use for His Glory. 262 CHRISTIAN VIRTUE;S AND DUTIEIS 263 THE ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES : To keep the Festivals and Fasts of the Church. To observe the commands, customs and ceremonies of the Church. To attend public worship in Church. To receive the Holy Communion. THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST : Wisdom, which turns us to GoD. Understanding, which apprehends the truth. Counsel, which inclines us to do right. Ghostly Strength, which gives us spiritual power. Knowledge, which shows God's Word and Will. Trtie Godliness, which keeps us pure and holy. Holy Fear, which excites love and reverence. THE TWELVE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT : Love. Longsufifering. Truth. Modesty. Joy. Gentleness. Meekness. Temperance. Peace. Goodness. Patience. Chastity. THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY : (i) To instruct the ig- (4) To comfort the af- norant. flicted. (2) To counsel the (5) To endure injury, doubtful. (6) To forgive wrongs. (3) To correct offend- (7) To pray for others, ers. 264 CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND DUTIES THE SEVEN CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY (i) To feed the hungry (4) To visit the sick, and give drink to (5) To help prisoners, the thirsty. (6) To visit the father- (2) To clothe the less and widows, naked. (7) To bury the dead. (3) To shelter the stranger. THE SEVEN CAPITAL SINS. Pride. Covetousness. Lust. Envy. Gluttony. Anger. Sloth. THE SEVEN GODLY VIRTUES. Humility. Liberality. Purity. Charity or Love. Temperance. Forgiveness. Diligence. WAYS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE SINS OF OTHERS : By evil counsel. By command. By consent. By provocation. By silence. By sharing. By concealment. By flattery. By praise. By defending the sin. SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST: (i) Presuming on God's Mercy. (2) Despair of God's Forgiveness, (3) Denying God's Truth. (4) Envy of another's good. (5) Persistence in sin. (6) Final Impenitence. CHRISTIAN VIRTUieS AND DUTIES 265 SEVEN STEPS IN SIN : (i) Suggestion. (4) Act. (2) Pleasure. (5) Habit. (3) Consent. (6) Slavery. (7) Spiritual Death. TWO SACRAMENTS GENERALLY NECESSARY TO SALVATION. (i) Holy Baptism. (2) Holy Communion. Five other sacraments or states of LIFE not necessary to salvation but having both inward and outward parts pertaining to Holy Mysteries : (i) Holy Orders. (3) Holy Matrimony. (2) Confirmation. (4) Penance. (5) Unction of the Sick, requisites for RIGHTLY RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION : ^ (i) Faith. (2) Love. (3) Repentance. THREE THINGS NECESSARY TO REPENTANCE (i) In the heart : Contrition. (2) In the mouth : Confession. (3) In the life : Amendment. ^ S, Chrysostom. 266 CHRISTIAN virtue;s and duties TIMES THE CHURCH URGES THE FAITHFUL TO BE PRESENT AT SERVICE AND IF POS- SIBLE RECEIVE THE HOLY COMMUNION. ' On Holy Days : the Nativity, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, the Presentation in the Temple, Easter, the Ascension, Whit- sunday, Trinity, the Transfiguration. Oit Saints' Days : the Festivals of vS. Andrew, S. Thomas, S. Stephen, S. John the Evangelist, Holy Innocents, Conversion of S. Paul, S. Matthias, the Annuncia- tion of B. V. M., S. Mark, S. Philip and S. James, S. Barnabas, S. John the Baptist, S. Peter, S. James, • S. Bartholomew, S. Matthew, S. Michael and all Angels, S. Luke, S. Simon and S. Jude, All Saints Day. All Sundays in the year and also on Ash Wed- nesday, during Holy Week (except on Good Friday, when there is no celebra- tion), Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week and Monday and Tuesday after Whitsunday. SPECIAL DAYS TO KEEP : All Sundays, (i) by thinking of Christ's Resur- rection and Ascension, (2) by receiving the Holy Communion, and (3) by contem- plating Heaven. ^ Following the example of the Primitive Church, when the faithful received daily, the Anglican Church urges frequent Communion, each Communion being the best preparation for the next Communion. It makes it obligatory to receive on Christmas, Easter and Whitsunday. CHRISTIAN VIRTUES ANE DUTIES 267 All Fridays, (i) by meditating on Christ's Passion, (2) by reflecting on our coming Death and Judgment, (3) and by per- forming penances. SOME TYPES OF THE HOLY COMMUNION : The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, which is thought to have borne sacra- mental fruit. The Offering of Bread and Wine by Melchiz- edek. King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God. The Manna in the Wilderness, or the Bread from Heaven, the Angel's Food. The Passover, or the sacrificial lamb of the Israelites. The Feeding of the Multitude, when Christ blessed and distributed the Loaves and Fishes. The Water and the Blood, which flowed from our Lord's Side as He hung on the Cross. THE FOUR LAST THINGS : Death. Judgment. Heaven. Hell. THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS : vi. xxxii. xxxviii. li. cii. cxxx. cxliii. FOUR NOTES OF THE CHURCH : One. Holy. Catholic. Apostolic. THREE TESTS OF CATHOLICITY : Antiquity. Universality. Consent. 268 CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND DUTIES THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN : TO FORM A RULE OF LIFE IN ORDER TO : Follow Jesus, Discipline the body, Resist temptation, Repent of sin, Obtain forgiveness. Use time rightly, Escape damnation, Set a good example. Cultivate holiness, Save others. Be resigned in sorrow, Despise the world. Save his soul, Win Heaven, And in all things Glorify God. THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED. " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours : and their works do follow them." ^ THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS. 1st Word 2nd Word : 3rd Word : 4th Word : 5th Word : 6th Word : 7 th Word : * Revelation xiv. 13. '^ S. Luke xxiii. 34. ^ S. Luke xxiii. 43. * S. John xix. 26, 27. ^ S. Matthew xxvii. 46. ' Father, Forgive them, for they know not what they do." ^ " Verily I say unto thee : To-day shalt thou be with Me in Par- adise." ^ " Woman, Behold thy son : Be- hold thy mother. "4 " My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me ? " ^ "I thirst." 6 " It is finished.""' " Father, into Thy Hands I com- mend My Spirit." ^ ® S. John xix. 28. ^ S. John xix. 30.. * S. Luke xxiii. 46. St. Mark xv. 34. CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND DUTIES 269 THE BEATITUDES : ' Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven ; Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted ; Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth ; Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for they shall be filled ; Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy ; Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God ; Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called the children of GOD ; Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake : for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven ; Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My Sake. OUR lord's welcome to the FAITHFUL AT THE LAST DAY. " Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." '^ "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever. -^ ^ S. Matthew v. ^ S. Matthew xxvi. 34. 3 Daniel xii. 3. ceton Theologtc.^ 1 1012 01004 4396