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WITH SERVICES FOR CONGREGATIO
WORSHIP
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FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D.
BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO
THE LIBRARY OF
PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Division £5<SC-
Section V V 3 5
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
Calvin College
http://www.archive.org/details/servicesforcongrOOamer
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<KW( OF PRW^> OCT 14 1933 ■
FOR
Congregational Worship
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BOSTON
AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION 1914
Copyright, 1914 By the American Unitarian Association
COMPOSITION AND ELECTROTYPING THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
PRESSWORK AND BINDING F. H. GILSON COMPANY, BOSTON, MASS.
PREFACE
The Book of Services for Congregational Worship is the outcome of the labors of a Committee appointed on November 14, 1911, by the Directors of the American Unitarian Association. The Committee consisted of Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, Rev. Howard N. Brown, Rev. Thomas Van Ness, Rev. William S. Jones, Rev. John H. Lathrop, Rev. Sydney B. Snow. The book has been prepared to meet the growing demand for a convenient and well-considered manual of worship adapted to the use of the Free Churches of the Congregational order. For this reason the simple order of service adopted is the form already f amiliar in many of these churches. It has had a natural growth and is, apparently, best suited to their common requirements. No part of the book as it stands bears the stamp of any single mind. It is the product of a group of minds, fairly representative of different shades of judgment and experience. In the prepara- tion of the first five services the Committee has limited itself for the most part to editing material already at hand; this has been taken from a wide variety of sources, both ancient and modern. The services for special days and occasions reflect to a greater extent the individual taste and feeling of the members of the Committee.
That the work of the Committee, protracted and painstaking as it has been, has provided a final solution for the problem of public worship would be too much to claim. Services put together with far less thought have, however, held their place for years and have become endeared to the congregations using them. The members of the Committee cherish the hope that the services now offered will win for themselves an even deeper esteem. They are bold enough to think that the suggested readings and prayers contain less to which reasonable minds can make objection and more that is of the highest rank as an expression of religious thought and feeling than any heretofore employed in our churches. Especially do they believe that the Responsive Readings from the Psalms are the best ever compiled for general use.
With the fervent hope that these utterances of the spirit which searcheth the deep things of God may commend themselves to all who are striving to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, these services for congregational worship are offered to the churches of the Free Christian faith.
CONTENTS
Page
First Service i
Second Service 4
Third Service 7
Fourth Service 10
Fifth Service 13
A Service for Christmas 16
A Service for Easter 20
A Service of Thanksgiving 24
A Service of Righteousness and Peace 28
A Service of Commemoration 32
A Communion Service 35
Prayers, Thanksgivings and Collects for Occasional Use . . 38
Selections from the Book of Psalms 53
FIRST SERVICE
€L One or more of these sentences to be read by the minister
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together; for with him is the fountain of life, and in his light shall we see light. Psalms xxxiv. 3; xxxvi. 9.
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John iv. 23, 24.
Surely the Lord is in this place. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. Genesis xxviii. 16, 17.
Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah vi. 6, 8.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the king- dom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew vii. 21.
Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James i. 25.
Choose ye this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. The Lord our God will we serve and his voice will we obey. Joshua xxiv. 15, 24.
€L To be said by the minister
With reverence and gratitude we adore the Eternal Goodness which makes our lives so rich and fruitful. Let us lift up our hearts unto the Lord, and bless his holy name; and may our praises and our prayers help to make our whole life an offering pure and acceptable in his sight.
Let us pray.
€L To be said by minister and people together
O Thou, whose never-failing provi- dence ordereth all things, both in heaven and on earth : we praise thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks unto thee for all thou art to us, and all thou doest for us, day by day. For reason and con- science, for nurture and guidance, and for all the gifts of nature and of grace; for thy forbearance and long-suffering, and thy tender mercies which never fail; for all good things received, and for thy promise, and our hope of good in time to come; for these and all other mercies, known or unknown, remem- bered or forgotten, we will give thanks unto thee now and evermore. Amen.
FIRST SERVICE
C To be said by minister and people alternately
O God, the source of all being and all joy:
Let thy blessing be upon us, and fill us with thy love.
From all jealousy and envy, from all unkindness, from offence given or taken, from unrighteous anger and an impa- tient spirit, from a hard and unforgiving temper, and from evil-speaking,
0 Lord, deliver us.
From an unquiet and discontented spirit, from despondency and gloom,
0 Lord, deliver us.
From fears and misgivings, from doubts of thy boundless love, and from forgetfulness of thy tender mercies,
0 Lord, deliver us.
Inspire in us, we pray thee, that spirit which suffereth long and is kind; which envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up; which doth not behave itself unseemly, and seeketh not its own;
Grant us to be filled with the fulness of thy spirit.
Quicken in us that charity which is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; which beareth all things, belie veth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; the charity which never faileth.
That so by thy grace we may establish good will upon the earth.
O thou who art the God and Father of us all, who hast breathed thine own spirit into thy children and made us to be at one with each other as members of thy household : enable us, we pray thee, to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Amid diversities of knowledge and of faith, may we be
one in spirit, in brotherly affection and in devotion to thy holy will. Deliver us from all blindness and prejudice, and whatsoever else would turn our hearts from one another. By the charity of our temper and thoughts, may we show forth the power of the gospel of love, and live in unity with all our brethren, as followers of the Prince of Peace.
€L To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up tinto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That ice may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
€L The service may then proceed with a responsive reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
€1, The minister to read one or more of the follorcing or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit.
FIRST SERVICE
3
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
Father of lights and Giver of all good, we praise thee that thou callest us to share as thine own sons and daughters the life of freedom, truth and love. Grant, we pray thee, that in purity of heart we may receive and manifest the blessings of thy universal life here in thy kingdom upon earth and in thy presence evermore. Amen.
0 God, grant unto us that we be not unwise, but filled with the knowledge of thy will; not slothful, but diligent in thy work; that we run not as uncer- tainly, nor fight thy battles as those that beat the air. Whatsoever our hand findeth to do, may we do it with our might: that when thou shalt call thy laborers to receive their reward, we shall have so run that we may obtain; have so fought the good fight as to receive the crown of eternal life. Amen.
We thank thee, O God, for the endless renewing of life. Thou that art never weary of setting us free from the bonds wherewith we have bound ourselves, make us to walk in this new day with- out fear or any kind of bondage. Open our eyes to receive new light; open our ears to hear the voices that are calling to us to make the world new by the power of love. Fit us for the task that is ours, and endue us with the spirit of that heavenly kingdom which is to come upon the earth where all shall be
brothers and men shall be the people of God. Amen.
Clear, O Lord, our inner vision, that we may see through the false shows of life, and be kept calm and true by thy great realities. Waken us from the dreams of the earthly mind in its forget- fulness of thee. Reveal to the young what it is to live this great life of opportunity; and fill them with the pure and undefined religion which will keep them unspotted from the world. And in the hearts of elders let not the fires die nor their work linger, till they are overtaken by the lengthen- ing shadows of their appointed time. Though we know nothing of the mor- row, may we be faithful to-day; gladly accepting the humblest task that waits for us by thy will and shines with the holy light of thine approval. Amen.
O God, the protector of all who put their trust in thee : we pray for the good estate of this our beloved land, that it may please thee to preserve to us the blessings of an equal and impartial freedom. Unite in mutual understand- ing men of alien race and faith; revive in all hearts a spirit of devotion to the public good, that strife and tumult may be appeased and justice and truth be exalted. Enable us and all thy people faithfully to discharge the duties of our different spheres, that so the king- dom of brotherhood and peace may be hastened upon the earth and thy will be done even as now it is done in heaven. A men.
€L Then may be sung an anthem or, a hymn, to be followed by the sermon, a congregational hymn, and the benediction
SECOND SERVICE
C One or more of these sentences to be read by the minister
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Psalm ciii. 1.
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm cxxxvi. 1.
Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Psalm c. 3, 4.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew vii. 7, 8.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unright- eousness. 1 John i. 8, 9.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm cxxxix. 23, 24.
The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Psalm cxlv. 18.
d. To be said by the minister
In the holy quiet of this hour, let us draw nigh to him who heareth prayer; and let us remember that he listeneth more to our hearts than to our words. Let each of us bring an offering of penitence, if not of purity; of love, if not of holiness; of teachableness, if not of wisdom; of devout obedience for the time to come, if not the fruits of well-doing in the time that is past. And may we obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Let us pray.
€L To be said by minister and people together
O God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid : we are heartily sorry for the sins which we have at any time committed, in thought or affection, in word or deed. We pray thee to look graciously upon us and forgive us. Help us to lay aside every weight and the sins which so easily beset us. We offer thee our whole being, our bodies and souls, to be thy temple for ever. Take us, O Lord, into thy hands, and let nothing henceforward, either in life or death, separate us from thee any more. Amen.
SECOND SERVICE
C To be said by minister and people alternately
Almighty and most merciful God, toward whose everlasting blessedness we ascend by the strong desire of the soul, and by patient continuance in well-doing; lead us by thine inspiration to seek our true life with thee, and earnestly to strive to enter thy heavenly kingdom.
Send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead us.
Set us free from the bondage of self- will, and passion, and ungodly desire, that sin may not have dominion over us; but that with a willing mind we may serve thee, the Lord of heaven and earth.
Sanctify and renew us in the spirit of our minds.
From unrighteous anger and an im- patient temper; from an uncharitable judgment and readiness to believe evil; from inordinate cares and needless anxi- eties; from complaints against thee and from rebellion against thy holy will: —
0 Lord, deliver us.
Give us a wise and understanding heart, a fervent and faithful spirit, a love of holy things, and a longing for whatsoever is good and pure.
Lord, fix our hearts on thee.
Grant that we faint not, but though our outward man perish, may our in- ward man be renewed day by day.
Help us to live and walk in thy spirit.
Protect and bless our friends and kindred, and so fill us with gentleness and kindness that we may dwell in our homes with a perfect heart, and have joy in each other which passeth not away.
Hear us and bless us as we pray.
Assist us in all our doings with thy gracious favor and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name.
Lord, our trust is in thee.
€L To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. O Lord, open thou our eyes. That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
€L The service may then proceed with a responsive reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
€L The minister to read one or more of the following or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
OGod, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
SECOND SERVICE
Almighty God, who hast bidden us seek that we may find, and who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of thy grace : deliver us when we draw near to thee from coldness of heart and wander- ing of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth. Amen.
0 God, our light in darkness, our strength in weakness, and our eternal home, be unto us merciful, long suffer- ing, and patient: that we who are slow of growth may hope to come at last to thy likeness; and, being upheld by thee, may go from strength to strength, until, having safely passed through the joy and duty of this earthly life, we come, in the fulness of thy mercy, into the land of thine eternal peace. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, who art the author of every good and perfect gift: send down upon all ministers of the gospel, and upon all congregations committed to their charge, the needful spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for thine in- finite mercy's sake. Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, who dost behold all the dwellers upon earth : most heartily we beseech thee to behold with thy favor the President and Con- gress of the United States; and so replenish them with the grace of thy holy spirit that they may incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts, that they may be enabled to promote the national prosperity and to secure the peace,
liberty, and safety of the United States, throughout all generations. Amen.
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind : we pray thee for all sorts and conditions of men, that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. We commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to com- fort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. Amen.
O Thou who hast compassed all the pathway of our lives: we thank thee that thy providence abides through every change. Thou dost cheer the loneliest lot with the comfort of thy presence, and we bless thee for thine unfailing care. Into thine own eternity thou hast called us, and set us in the midst of purposes we cannot measure; but we would thank thee for the good we know, and pray that thou wilt teach us patience till thou send more light. Waken our hearts to gratitude, O God, for mercies which have flowed upon us, day by day, in joy and sorrow, in health and sickness, in labor and repose. Give us grace to serve thee with our whole lives, that all manner of darkness and evil may be driven from our hearts, and that we may walk with joy in the way of thy commandment to love thee with our whole heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Amen.
<H, Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be
followed by the sermon, a congregational
hymn, and the benediction
THIRD SERVICE
<H_ One or more of these sentences to be read by the minister
There is one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians iv. 6.
The hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to wor- ship him. God is spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John iv. 23, 24.
Know ye not, that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians iii. 16.
For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans viii. 14.
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. 1 John iii. 1.
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs iv. 18.
Come walk in his way with songs of joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee. Isaiah xx vi. 3.
€L To be said by the minister
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth; and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he be not far from every one of us; for in him we live and move and have our being.
Let us pray.
€1. To be said by minister and people together
O Thou unseen, yet ever near our souls: anew we ask, with common needs and sympathies, thy help and blessing in our lives. Be with us now, as we remember before thee our strug- gles and our failures. Lord, we con- fess our unworthiness, and ask of thee more strength for duty, and a deeper faith. Take us into the fellowship of all pure hearts that cry to thee; teach us our kin with all who have conquered in difficulty, and loved even through their pain; and so make our worship fruitful in toil and trust. Amen.
8
THIRD SERVICE
€L To be said by minister and people alternately
O Thou eternal and everlasting One, who hath chosen for thy temple the souls of them that are righteous: grant to us, we pray thee, a quick and tender conscience, that we fail not to heed every suggestion of thine indwelling spirit.
Lift us into thy light and truth.
Reveal to us the beauty of thy per- fect will, the gladness of thy service, the power of thy presence in our hearts, that so without fear we may follow whithersoever thou dost lead.
Be thou, 0 Lord, our guide and help for evermore.
Calm the turbulence of our passions, quiet the throbbings of our hopes and fears, repress the waywardness of our wills, and direct the motions of our affections.
Strengthen us to bear our trials patiently and to glorify thee through our daily life.
We pray thee to bless and comfort the aged, to give strength unto such as are bearing the burden and heat of the day, and to preserve all whom we love from the dangers of this present life.
Prepare them, 0 Lord, by thy grace for life eternal.
Sanctify us by thy quickening pres- ence, that no ignorance or sin may per- vert us, and deepen in our minds such a sense of thy goodness that we may ever devote ourselves to thy service in word and deed, and praising thee both with our lips and our lives may go onward, through thy mercy, to the joy of life everlasting.
A men.
<H, To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tres- passes, as we forgive those who tres- pass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall shoio forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
C£ The service may then proceed with a responsive reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church.
PRAYERS
€L The minister to read one or more of the follow- ing or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with thee. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within
us.
And take not thy holy spirit from
us.
THIRD SERVICE
O God, who puttest into our hearts such deep desires that we cannot be at peace until we rest in thee: mercifully grant that the longing of our souls may not go unsatisfied because of any un- righteousness of life that may separate us from thee. Open our minds to the counsels of eternal wisdom; breathe into our souls the peace which passeth un- derstanding. Let our hunger and thirst be for righteousness, that we may be filled with the bread of heaven. O Lord, give us grace to seek first thy kingdom; and we know that thou wilt add unto us all things needful. Amen.
Most merciful God, who never failest them that trust in thee: give us grace in all difficulties and distresses to rest in the assurance of thy wisdom and thy love. Thou wilt keep him, O Lord, in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee. Suffer us not to be oppressed with the cares of this life, but grant that, having done our part in all honesty and diligence, we may cheerfully commit our- selves to thy providence, casting all our cares on thee, and being strengthened to say, even in our darkest hour, Father, not our will, but thine, be done. Amen.
Thou who art the Providence of the World, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: let thy blessing now
rest upon us as a people. Enable every race which thou hast drawn hither by thy guiding spirit to dedicate its noblest gifts to the common good. Grant us wisdom to make the homes of our land abodes of comfort; grant us knowledge to lead all children in the right way. Inspire us with a new sense of sympathy for those who are in sorrow, need, or any other adversity, and for those who are worn with excessive toil. Hasten the day when the sense of kinship shall be firm and strong. In- crease in us the manifold gifts of thy spirit, that through thy counsel and might we may do those works which glorify thee and gladden and uplift human lives. So, as co-workers with thee, shall we help to establish good will upon the earth, and to bring thy king- dom to every heart. A men.
O Thou who art the strength of all souls: guide us through the darkness of this world, guard us from its perils, hold us up and strengthen us when we grow weary in our mortal way; and lead us by thy chosen paths, through time and through death, to our eternal home in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
€£ Then may be sung an anthem or hymn, to be
folloived by the sermon, a congregational
hymn, and the benediction
FOURTH SERVICE
€1 One or more of these sentences to be read by the minister
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah xl. 3.
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary: they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah xl. 31.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceit- fully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm xxiv. 3, 4, 5.
Thoughts of peace, saith the Lord, do I think toward you; ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken to you; ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah xxix. 11, 12, 13.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God? The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians iii. 16, 17.
€L To be said by the minister
God, in whom we live and move and have our being, never leaves us day or night. But the very nearness and cus- tom of his presence hide him from our infirm and sinful hearts, temptations
gain a shameful power, and the good that is in us droops and fades. To clear such blindness away and recover the pure wisdom of a Christian mind, we are called to this day of remembrance and this house of prayer. Entering here, therefore, we cross the threshold of eternal things, and commune with the Father who seeth in secret. Let us shake off the dust of transitory care, and every disguise that can come be- tween us and God; and remembering whose disciples we strive to be, come to the simplicity, though it should be also to the sorrows of the Christ. Let us pray.
€L To be said by minister and people together
O God, before whose face the genera- tions rise and pass away: age after age the living seek thee, and find that of thy faithfulness there is no end. Our fathers in their pilgrimage walked by thy guidance, and rested on thy com- passion; still to their children be thou the cloud by day, the fire by night. Where but in thee have we a covert from the storm or shadow from the heat of life? In our manifold temptations, thou alone knowest and art ever nigh; in sorrow, thy pity revives the fainting soul; in our prosperity and ease, it is thy spirit only that can wean us from our pride, and keep us low. O thou sole source of peace and righteousness,
10
FOURTH SERVICE
11
take now the veil from every heart, and join us in one communion with thy prophets and saints who have trusted in thee, and were not ashamed. Not of our worthiness, but of thy tender mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
€L To be said by minister and people alternately
Almighty and everlasting God, in communion with thy saints in all ages, with patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, with our beloved dead who have fallen asleep in thy peace: we, who are still striving to do and bear thy blessed will on earth, adore thee, and offer thee our praises and supplications.
Hear our 'prayers, 0 Lord, we beseech thee.
We ask of thee that wisdom which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and with- out hypocrisy.
Give us, we pray thee, wisdom from above.
Help us to walk with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbear- ing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
So may we fulfil the law of love.
Enable us, by thy grace, to dedi- cate ourselves anew to the work which thou layest on conscience and heart.
In all we do, be thou, 0 Lord, our strength and help.
Lead us by thy chosen paths, through the perils of this mortal life, to our eternal home in thy heavenly kingdom.
Mercifully grant our prayers, 0 Lord.
Now unto the God of grace: for the might of his spirit and the love of Christ :
Be glory in the church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
€L To be said by minister and people togetlier
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
C The service may then proceed uith a responsive reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
4H, The minister to read one or more of the follow- ing or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with thee. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
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FOURTH SERVICE
O God, make clean our hearts within us. And take not thy holy spirit from us.
Eternal God, who dost commit to us the swift and solemn trust of life : waken us now, we pray thee, to the claims of thy holy will: lay to rest, by the per- suasion of thy spirit, the resistance of our passion, indolence and fear. Con- secrate with thy presence the way our feet must go; and the humblest work will shine, and the roughest places be made plain. Lift us above unrighteous anger and mistrust into faith and hope and charity, by a simple and steadfast reliance on thy sure will, that so we may be modest in our time of wealth, patient under disappointment, ready for danger, serene in death and con- fident of everlasting life. Amen.
Almighty Lord, of whose righteous will all things are, and were created; who liftest the islands out of the deep, and preparest not in vain the habitable world: thou hast gathered our people into a great nation, and sent them to sow beside all waters and multiply sure dwellings on the earth. Deepen the root of our life in everlasting right- eousness. Make us equal to our high trusts, reverent in the use of freedom, just in the exercise of power, generous in the protection of weakness. With all thy blessings bless thy servant the President of the United States. Fill his heart with loyalty to thee. To our legislators and counsellors give insight and faithfulness, that our laws may clearly speak the right, and our judges purely interpret it. Let it be known among us how thou hatest robbery for burnt-offering;
that the gains of industry may be up- right, and the use of wealth consider- ate. May wisdom and knowledge be the stability of our times and our deep- est trust be in thee, the Lord of nations and the King of kings. Amen.
O God, who didst appoint thy church to be witness of divine things in all the world: revive the purity and deepen the power of its testimony : and through the din of earthly interests and the storm of human passions, let it make the still small voice of thy spirit inly felt. Nearer and nearer may thy kingdom come from age to age; meeting the face of the young as a rising dawn, and bright- ening the song of the old, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." Already let its light abash our guilty negligence, and touch with hope each secret sorrow of the earth. By thy cleansing spirit make this world a fitting fore-court to that sanctuary not made with hands, where our life is hid with Christ in God. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee, and dost promise that, when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests; fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
€L Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be
followed by the sermon, a congregational
hymn, and the benediction
FIFTH SERVICE
€L One or more of these sentences to be read by the minister
O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm cxxxvi. 1.
Come, and let us return unto the Lord; and we shall live in his sight. Let us know, let us follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is as sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. Hosea vi. 1, 2.
It is of the Lord's loving-kindnesses that we are not cast down, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is his faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamenta- tions iii. 22, 23, 24.
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, long suffering and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. Psalm cxlv. 8, 9.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm xxxvii. 7.
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands unto God in the heavens. Lamentations iii. 40, 41.
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men; and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people; and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation xxi. 3.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew v. 8.
d. To be said by the minister
The heavenly Father, in whose pres- ence we now stand, is always more ready to hear than we to pray; nor does anything hide him from us but the veil of our impure and earthly mind. And since the preparations of even the willing heart are not without him, let us inwardly pray for the grace of a humble and contrite spirit, that for a little while we may rise above the haste and press of life, and commune with him in spirit and in truth.
Let us pray.
H. To be said by minister and people together
Infinite and gracious Father, giver of all good, to know whom even but in part is to lay hold upon thine eternal life, grant unto us thy children the peace, joy, and courage which come to those whose lives are lived in the spirit of the Master of men, and cen- tred and rooted in the thought of thee. Fix in us each noble hope, each worthy purpose; free our minds from needless fears and cares; confirm our faith in thine Eternal Righteousness that so, as worthy disciples of him whose example we would follow, we may go forward striving to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Amen.
13
14
FIFTH SERVICE
C To be said by minister and people alternately
O God, our true life, in whom and by whom all things live, who by thy spirit |dost command us to seek thee, and art ever ready to be found; to know thee is life, to serve thee is freedom, to praise thee is the joy and happiness of the soul.
We praise, and bless thee, and give thanks for thy great glory.
For seasons of bounty and of beauty, for nights of quiet sleep, for days of health, for the glory of earth, and its ministry to our need,
We bless thy name, 0 Lord.
For all the generations before us who through effort 'and pain have wrought so that we might be heirs of liberty and truth and peace,
We thank thee, our Father, and pray that we may enter into this heritage.
For opportunities used and unused, for victories over besetting sins, for the gladness and courage abiding with loyalty,
We praise thee, 0 God.
For the discipline that enriches, for the burden that strengthens, for the failure that is true success, and for the sorrow that enlarges the heart,
For these also we rejoice and give thee thanks.
For the soul and its powers, for the impulse to share, to serve, and to save,
We give thee thanks, 0 Lord.
Keep us, we pray thee, in thy love; and in and through the quickening of our spirits make us worthy of sonship with thee.
And to thee be the honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
C To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tres- passes, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temp- tation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
€L The sendee may then proceed with a responsive reading from the Psalms, a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
€L The minister to read one or more of the follow- ing or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
O Lord our God, who turnest into morning the shadows of night, grant
FIFTH SERVICE
15
that we may be children of the light and of the day. Let the sun of thy righteousness shine in our hearts. En- lighten our minds, animate our con- sciences, and purify our affections. We give ourselves to thee this day. So rule and govern us by thy spirit that faithless distrust and all evil thoughts may be driven from our minds; that we may walk with joy in the light of thy counte- nance and in the way of thy salvation. Amen.
0 Thou, who hast neither dawn nor evening, yet sendeth us the alternate mercies of the darkness and the day: as thou liftest the curtain of night from our abodes, take also the veil from all our hearts . Rise with thy morning upon our souls; quicken all our labor and our prayer; and, though all else decline, let the noontide of thy grace and peace re- main. May we walk, while it is yet day, in the steps of him who with fewest hours finished thy divine work. And unto thee, whose we are and whom we serve, will we render praise now and for evermore. Amen.
0 Thou, who by thy spirit art con- tinually calling us to be sons of God and who hast set one before us that he might be as the first-born of many brethren, help us, we pray thee, to renounce all vain and evil ways, that so we may be like him in faith and love and heavenly communion, and finally attain, through thy grace, unto the measure of
the stature of that fulness which thou desirest in all thy children. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we pray thee to look with favor upon thy worshipping people now before thee. We commend to thee our homes and our country. Defend our liberties and up- hold our free institutions. If it be thy will, deliver us from violence within and from strife without; save us from war- fare and pestilence; and bless our people with peaceful industries and with happy homes. We pray thee to bless thy ser- vant, the President of the United States. Plenteously endue him with wisdom from above and abundantly enrich him with thy heavenly grace. For all who are in authority, we pray that, as they rule by thy favor, so they may serve in thy fear. So, by thy grace, may we be that happy nation whose God is the Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee, and dost promise that, when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests: fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and peti- tions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
€L Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to
be followed by the sermon, a congregational
hymn, and the benediction
A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS
€L One or more of these sentences to be said by the minister
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tid- ings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth. Isaiah lii. 7.
Arise, shine ! for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee; and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy ris- ing. Isaiah lx. 1, 3.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. Luke ii. 14.
€L To be said by the minister
The Lord of Life, who maketh the sun to shed afar its light and warmth, hath also spread abroad his spirit among men that they may know the joy of life lived in peace and good will. For all his mani- fold blessings we are unf eignedly thank- ful, but chiefly for the gifts of the spirit which he hath bestowed upon us in those whom he hath raised up to be his prophets. On this day, therefore, let us praise him for the life and grace of Jesus and for that heavenly kingdom which hath taken hold upon the hearts of men throughout the world. May the joy of his gospel be our joy; and may we be not unmindful of the hope that is born on this festival of nativity, as we think
of the little child and the divine possi- bilities in each new birth.
Let us pray.
€L To be said by minister and people together
0 Thou who dwellest on high, accept this day the gladness of our hearts as our richest gift upon thine altar; and confirm the spirit of this holy time that it may be with us throughout the days to come.
€L To be said by minister and people alternately
O Lord God, who art in the midst of us, mighty to save, who dost rejoice over us with joy, we praise thee that thou art shown unto us in love and mercy, in holiness and devotion everywhere, so that thou art never without witness among thy people. Especially do we praise thee for those members of thy family who so serve thy will that having seen them, we behold thee. May the star of their lives burn before us until we too have made thy will our own and know that thou art with us alway.
Open our eyes, 0 Lord, that we may see thy glory round about us.
Make us quick to know each one of whom thou dost say "Hear ye him," that we may follow the voices of the shepherds of mankind. Let no accent of thy holy spirit be lost in us, that we
16
A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS
17
also may wonder at the words of grace which proceed out of the mouths of thy holy prophets. We would sit at the feet of Jesus on the mount and be taught of blessedness and love.
Open our ears, 0 Lord, that we may hear the multitude of the heavenly host.
Father, thou alone knowest the cares that press upon us and the burdens that weigh us down. When we are beset by fears, when we are disheartened, lonely or sorrowful, freshen our faith in thee and in thy kindly providence, that we may praise thee for the hand that bears us up. In hours of victory and joy as well, save us from ingratitude and from forgetfulness of thee.
Open our mouths, 0 Lord, that we may sing, Glory to thee in the highest.
Make us humble of heart, that we may be a fit abiding place for thee, even as the manger for the holy child. Purify our minds, that we may behold thy truth ; sanctify our wills, that we may move only to thy purposes; and kindle our affections, that our love may be broad as thy redeeming love. We would that the spirit that was in Jesus should be born in us, that we, as thy beloved sons, may call thee Father.
Quicken us, 0 Lord, that we may re- ceive these things and ponder them in our hearts. Amen.
€L To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tres- passes, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temp-
tation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
RESPONSIVE READING
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth :
/ have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the peoples.
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.
/ will give him for a light to the peoples that he may be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains : for the Lord hath comforted his people.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon him; because the Lord hath anointed him to preach good tidings unto the meek;
He hath sent him to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, to comfort all that mourn;
To give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
18
A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS
That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Praise be to God for that spirit which from generation to generation entering into holy souls maketh them friends of God and prophets!
Blessed be the Lord God; for he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began;
That we should serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed is the kingdom that cometh.
The Lord is God, and he hath given us light. O give thanks unto the Lord;
Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
To shine upon them that sit in dark- ness and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
•L The service may then proceed with a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
€L The minister to read one or more of the following or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
O Thou whose eye is over all the chil- dren of men, and who hast called them by the Prince of Peace into a kingdom not of this world : send forth his spirit speedily into the dark places of our guilt and woe, and arm it with the piercing power of thy grace. May it reach the heart of every oppressor, and make arrogancy dumb before thee. Let it still the noise of our strife and the tumult of the people; put to shame the false idols of every mind; carry faith to the doubting, hope to the fearful, strength to the weak, light to the mourner; and more and more increase the pure in heart who see their God. Commit thy word, O Lord, to the lips of faithful men, or the free winds of thine invisible providence; that soon the knowledge of thee may cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea. Amen.
Holy Father of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; thou who art the giver of every good and perfect gift; we thank thee for home and childhood, and for the friendships and fellowships that are dear to us. Take from us all unhal- lowed thoughts and feelings; our vanity and pride, and all doubt and jealousy of others. If any have wronged us we ask thee to forgive them and to teach us thy forgiveness. Soften and fill our hearts with love and gratitude, with tenderness and peace, that this day we may enter the kingdom as little children. Consecrate our joy; help us to serve thee with mirth, and whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, may we do all to thy glory. Amen.
Our God, who hast mercifully and patiently led us through the busy year,
A SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS
19
giving us more than we have deserved or even desired, give us at this Christmas time the grace which was in Jesus Christ. Let the spirit of the little child, as it knocks to-day at the hearts of men, enter our life and bless it. Let duty become touched with delight, and justice be forgotten in love. Ofttimes we ask that we may not fall short of thy re- quirements. To-day we ask for more: that obligation may be changed to opportunity and duty done with joy. Ofttimes we ask that we may walk uprightly. To-day we pray for grace to bow ourselves to others' needs. Let our ears hear the cry of the needy, and our hearts feel the love of the unlovely. Give our hands strength, not to do
great things, but to do small things graciously. Let our gifts to-day be a privilege rather than a sacrifice and let us accept kindness with humility. Heal the wounds of misunderstanding, jealousy or regret, and let the gentler air of the Christmas spirit touch our lives, as the cold of winter is touched by the gentler days of spring. As the old year ends and the new year begins, grant us peace with the world and peace in our own hearts, that those we love and those whom we may help may have sweet joy and rest. Amen.
d. Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be follotved by the sermon, a congregational hymn and the benediction
A SERVICE FOR EASTER
€L One or more of these sentences to be said by the minister
Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done excellent things! Isaiah xii. 6.
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the Lord hath comforted his people. Isaiah xlix. 13.
The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no evil touch them. Wisdom hi. 1.
For to know thee is perfect right- eousness : yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality. Wisdom xv. 3.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah xxxv. 10.
Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John xii. 24.
When this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! 1 Corin- thians xv. 54.
There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory. 1 Corinthians xv.
€L To be said by the minister
On this day we celebrate the com- ing of that great hope of everlasting life which shines through the Gospel. Believing that through Jesus the im- mortal world has been brought nearer to the hearts of men, we praise God for the assurance thus given that we shall not die, but live. As it is the summit of all human joy to know that the life of earth may go on into realms of endless love and blessedness, let us hold this festival with gladness and thanksgiving.
Let us pray.
€L To be said by minister and people together
Father of compassion and fountain of all goodness, we heartily thank thee for thy bountiful gifts to us and to all men. We thank thee for the blessings of health and strength, and for our con- solations in time of trial. We thank thee for all kindly charities and pure affections, for the means of doing good thou hast given, and for the vic- tory over sin and death thou hast promised us. Above all, we thank thee for the revelation of thy goodness, and for the love that governs all our ways. We therefore bless thy holy name, and bring our offering of praise and grati- tude, praying that thou wilt establish us in every good word and work and make us worthy the love thou hast bestowed upon us. Amen.
20
A SERVICE FOR EASTER
21
d. To be said by minister and people alternately
O God, who art Lord over all and within all, teach our hearts to sing for joy when our lips sing praises unto thee for all thy mercies. Banish from our souls, we pray thee, gloom, discontent, and fear, and make thy love of us and our love of thee to be in us joy, confidence, and full satisfaction.
Grant us, 0 Lord, to rest in thee, and in thee to have our hearts at peace.
O God, who hast made us thy sons, and heirs of eternal life, grant that having this hope we may purify our- selves, and become worthy of what thou hast in keeping for us.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see thee.
On this day which celebrates the power of the soul to outlast the changes of earth, and to rise victorious over the bondage of death, may our im- mortal being hear the call and feel its meaning.
Help us to rise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness.
Make us to know, and feel, that all thy children are precious in thy sight, and that they live evermore unto thee.
There shall be no more death; and thou shalt wipe away all tears from our eyes.
All glory be to thee, O God, whose light hath shined in our hearts to show us a way of everlasting life.
Blessed art thou for this light which no darkness overspreads.
Thou art the Lord, who hast shown us such light.
Thy mercy is everlasting, and thy truth endureth from generation to generation.
€L To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tres- passes, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temp- tation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. O Lord, open thou our eyes. That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
0 Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
RESPONSIVE READING
The Lord is the portion of mine in- heritance and of my cup: thou main- tainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
1 will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel. I have set the Lord al- ways before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption.
Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy. At
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A SERVICE FOR EASTER
thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to He down in green pastures : he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall fol- low me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.
/ called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear what man can do unto me.
// is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
/ shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness:
I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the Lord's doing: it is mar- vellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.
€1 The service may then proceed with a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
€1. The minister may read one or more of the follotc- ing, or may offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
Almighty God, who hast caused the light of eternal life to shine upon the world, grant that at this holy season our hearts may be so kindled with heavenly desires, and thy love may be so shed abroad in us through thy holy spirit, that we may continually seek the things which are above. Help us to abide in purity of heart and mind, that we may at length attain unto thine everlasting kingdom, to dwell in thy presence, world without end. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, we thank thee for all who have walked in thy light, and especially for those near to us and
A SERVICE FOR EASTER
dear, in whose lives we have seen thine excellent glory and beauty. May we know that out of the body as in the body they are with thee, and that, when these earthly days come to an end, it is not that our service of thee and of one another may cease, but that it may begin anew. Make us glad in all who have faithfully lived; make us glad in all who have peacefully died. Lift us into light and love and purity and blessed- ness; and give us at last our portion with those who have trusted in thee, and sought in all things to do thy holy will. Amen.
0 Lord of life, who dwellest in eter- nity, and who hast planted in our hearts the faith and hope which look beyond our mortal life to another, even a heavenly country, we give thanks to thee this day for the bright shining of the light of immortality in Jesus Christ. As he has showed us the blessed- ness of heaven on earth, and has called us into a kingdom not of this world, so may our life be made ever richer in the things that do not pass away. Raise us up, we pray thee, in the power of his spirit, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness. Prepare us to follow him, in hope and trust, through all the darkness of the grave into the world of light whither he has led the
way. And, when our spirits shrink be- fore the mysteries of life and death, may we be comforted by the thought of that immortal love which knows no change, and feel that, whether we live or die, we are safe in thine everlasting arms. Amen.
O God, the King eternal, who dividest the day from the darkness and turnest the shadow of death into the morning, drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep thy law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done thy will with cheer- fulness while it was day, we may, when the night cometh, rejoice to give thee thanks. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee, and dost promise that, when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests : fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and peti- tions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
€L Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be followed by the sermon, a congregational hymn, and the benediction
A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING
€L One or more of these sentences to be read by the minister
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm cvi. 1.
Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Psalm lxiii. 3.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil, he shall preserve thy soul. Psalm cxxi. 7.
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with a song. Know ye that the Lord he is God : it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Psalm c.
Praise waiteth for thee, O God of our salvation: who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea; who by thy strength settest fast the mountains, being girded with power; who stillest the waves of the sea, and the tumult of the people. Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God; thou crownest the year with thy good- ness, and thy paths drop fatness. Psalm lxv.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm xxxiv, 3.
€L To be said by the minister
Let us adore the ever-living God, and render praise unto him who spread out the heavens and established the earth, whose glory is revealed in the heavens above and whose greatness is manifest throughout the world; he is our God and there is none else. There- fore we bow the head and bend the knee and magnify the King of kings, the Holy One; blessed be he.
Let us pray.
€L To be said by minister and people together
O Lord our God, who hast bidden the light to shine out of darkness, who hast again wakened us to praise thy goodness and ask for thy grace: accept now, in thine endless mercy, the sacrifice of our worship and thanksgiving, and grant unto us such of our desires as may be wholesome for us. Make us to be chil- dren of the light and of the day, and heirs of thine everlasting inheritance. Remember, O Lord, according to the multitude of thy mercies, thy whole church: all who join with us in prayer; all our brethren by land and sea, or wherever they may be in thy vast king- dom, who stand in need of thy grace and succor. Pour out upon all the riches of thy mercy, and we will ever praise thy glorious name. Amen.
24
A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING
25
d To be said by minister and people alternately
O God, our heavenly Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: we lift up to thee the voice of our thanksgiving; we praise thee for the life which thou hast given us, and the service to which thou hast appointed us, for the knowledge of thy will, and the inspiration of thy love:
We praise thee, 0 our God.
For the work we have strength to do, for the truth we have insight to learn; for whatever good there has been in our past lives, and for the hopes which lead us on toward better things :
We praise thee, 0 our God.
For the revealing of thy presence in nature, and the tokens of thy wisdom and power, in the least as in the great- est; for every moment of nearer com- munion with thy spirit in all that is fair and glorious in the world :
We praise thee, 0 our God.
For thy holy word of righteousness and truth, spoken by the wise and good in every age, made manifest in noble and saintly lives:
We praise thee, 0 our God.
For home and friends, for all the comfort and gladness of our lives, for encouragements to duty, for succor in temptation, for sympathy in sorrow, for the peace that is gained through strife, and the rest that comes after toil:
We praise thee, 0 Lord, and bless thy holy name.
When our spirits fail, when our way is darkened, when we are oppressed by care, or laden with sorrow, or weighed down by sin, then, for the love which
bids us come to thee and lay our burden at thy feet:
We praise thee, 0 God, our Father and our Friend.
Make us ever more worthy of thy mercies, as we ourselves show mercy to our brethren.
As all have received thy gifts, even so help us to minister the same, that we may be good steivards of thy manifold grace. Amen.
€L To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tres- passes, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temp- tation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
RESPONSIVE READING
Praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
26
A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Great is the Lord, and of great power; his understanding is infinite.
Sing unto the Lord with thanks- giving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God;
Who covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, for he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, his word runneth very swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
He casteth forth his ice like morsels; who can stand before his cold?
He sendeth out his word and melteth them; he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, sun and moon, praise him, all ye stars of light;
Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl;
Kings of the earth and all people; princes and all judges of the earth;
Young men and maidens; old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the
Lord; for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Praise ye the Lord.
d. The sendee may then -proceed witk a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
C The minister to read one or more of the following or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
Almighty God, in whose hands are the destinies of the nations: we pray thee to bless our country, and to lead us in the way of honor and justice, and of true and enduring prosperity. Thou, Lord, hast permitted us to increase in power and riches. Thou hast endowed us with gifts of knowledge and skill, and assigned us a place among the mighty nations of the world. May ^ be mindful of the trust which thou h« thus laid upon us, and ever be foun faithful to thy cause. Raise up amone us noble and upright men, to be lead- ers and counsellors of the people. May all who are in authority exercise their power as ministers of thy justice and thy mercy, and may a wise and faithful spirit prevail in all our coun- cils. Deliver us from all evil ambitions and selfish rivalries and false judgments. May every calling be fulfilled in hon- esty, and every talent be rightly im-
A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING
27
proved. Make us so wisely to love our country, and so steadfastly to follow after all that makes for its true great- ness, that we may hold a worthy place in the community of nations, and live as fellow-citizens of thy kingdom, in loy- alty to thee, the sovereign Lord of all. Amen.
O God, who by thy spirit dost purify the minds of men, leading them into the truth, kindling in them the grace of charity, and drawing them unto thy- self in the bond of peace: we beseech thee to sanctify our hearts, that every- thing which beareth evil fruit may die in us, and that all which is good and holy may live, and yield the fruit of righteous- ness unto eternal life. So guide us through the ways of this world that no snares may entangle us, no temp- tations lead us astray; but that we may abide in thy truth, be comforted by thy love, and be brought in safety into thine everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Pour into our hearts the spirit of unselfishness, so that, when our cup overrunneth, we may seek to share our happiness with our brethren. O thou God of love, who makest thy sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendest rain on the just and on the un- just, grant that we may become more and more thy true children, as we re- ceive into our souls thine own spirit
of unwearying kindness, and show it forth unto the least of thy little ones. Amen.
O most merciful God, whose mercies are as high as the heavens, great and many as the moments of eternity: fill our souls, we beseech thee, with great thoughts of thine unspeakable bless- ings, that our thankfulness may be as great as are our needs of mercy. Let thy loving-kindness endure forever and forever upon us; and, because we can- not praise thee according to thine ex- cellence, take our souls, in due time, into the land of everlasting praises, that we may spend eternity in ascribing to thy name glory and honor and do- minion. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee, and dost promise that, when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests: fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life ever- lasting. Amen.
€L Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be followed by the sermon, a congregational hymn and the benediction
A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
€L One or more of these sentences to be read by the minister
The kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace and joy. Romans xiv. 17.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew v. 9.
Let us follow after the things which make for peace, and the things whereby we may edify one another. Romans xiv. 19.
In this the children of God are mani- fest: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John iii. 10.
God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted of him. Acts x. 34, 35.
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians iii. 17.
When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness which he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezekiel xix. 27.
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm lxxxv. 10.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalm xxiv. 3, 4.
28
C To be said by the minister
In the holy quiet of this hour, let us pray that the sense of the nearness and faithfulness of God may be quick- ened within us. May our hearts be filled with gratitude and praise, and our daily lives be gladdened and up- lifted by the thought of our divine kinship, and let us earnestly awaken to the high privilege of those accounted worthy to be fellow workers with God, called by his spirit to bring in the reign of righteousness and peace.
€L To be said by minister and people together
O Thou who keepest the steps of the upright in heart, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life: enable us by thy grace to live worthily as in thy sight. Inspire us with the spirit of devotion to thy holy will whereby we may prove faithful in that which is least as well as in that which is most. Join us in one great fellowship with those who seek to make firm and sure thy kingdom upon the earth. By the charity of our temper and thoughts may we show forth the power of the gospel of love and so live in unity and peace with all men. Amen.
€L To be said by minister and people alternately
O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of men to dwell in the unity
A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
29
of the spirit which is the bond of peace; amid diversities of race and calling en- able us to trust thy divine plan of love, in the working out of which thou dost give to each generation its appointed share.
Uphold in us, 0 Lord, the faith in our common brotherhood, that we may be kindly affectioned one toward another.
Grant that the blessings we have re- ceived from those gone before may be transmitted to them that are to come, with no principle impaired, but strength- ened and illuminated by our steadfast loyalty and good works.
Make us worthy, 0 Lord, of all thy benefits.
Revive in us and in the people of this land a spirit of devotion to the common weal, that so we may be kept from sloth and indifference, from every self- ish indulgence and impurity, and from all corruption of civil government and the high citizenship committed to us.
Lead us, 0 Lord, in thy righteousness.
Endue with the spirit of wisdom those entrusted with authority, that there may be peace throughout this land, and that we may be an influence for good among the nations of the earth.
Let thy peace, 0 Lord, rule in all our hearts.
Take from us all jealousy and envy at the good of others, all unkindness from offences given or taken, all unrighteous anger and an impatient spirit.
0 Lord, deliver us from evil.
€1, To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive, us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil : for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
RESPONSIVE READING
The Lord our God hath prepared his throne for judgment. It is he who reigneth over all the earth.
And he will judge the world in righteous- ness and minister judgment to the people.
He will bring forth justice to the na- tions; he will bring forth mercy and truth.
The Lord will not fail nor faint till he have set justice in the earth; until he have burst the cruel yoke asunder, and given liberty to the captive and to them that are oppressed.
In righteousness and peace hath he called us, and set us as a great light among the nations.
And in the need of the times that are and shall be, the Lord, the Eternal, shall be our help and that of all generations.
Pray for the peace of our land; let all the people say, Peace be within thee,
Peace be within thee and prosperity within thy borders.
30
A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
Let the redeemed of the Lord say this, whom he hath redeemed from many lands,
And called from the east and from the west; from the north and from the south.
O let them praise the Lord for his goodness,
And for his wonderful works to the children of men.
Arise, O Lord, that the nations may know thy power; arise, O God, and let not brutish men have dominion upon the earth,
Nor they that know not thy law triumph in their might.
Lighten, O Lord, the dark places of the nations, and give peace and godliness to the world,
So that the cruel shall be turned to mercy, and the unthankful shall open his heart.
Pour out thy spirit upon all flesh and write thy law upon the hearts of men,
For then shall there be the flame of freedom in men's souls and the light of knowledge in their eyes.
Let justice dwell in the far-off isles and righteousness abound among the people.
And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quiet- ness and confidence forever.
And men shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.
Let good-will speed from nation to nation; let the voice of friendship pre- vail in distant lands.
Yea: let the whole earth rejoice together as one people.
And the melody of righteousness
shall be as the new song of them that are redeemed.
So shall all hearts be filled with rejoicing, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
€L The service may then proceed with a scripture lesson and the singing of anthems or hymns, in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
€L The minister to read one or more of the following or offer prayer in his oicn words
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
O Thou in whom are calmness and peace, inspire in us that love which suf- fereth long and is kind, which envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, which doth not behave itself unseemly, and seeketh not its own: reconcile, we pray thee, whatsoever dissensions may now divide us, and bring us more nearly into a unity of purpose which may bear some likeness to thy blessed will, and finally, through thy grace, unite us all as members of one family, that with one heart and one mind we may serve and glorify thee our Father, and the Father of all mankind. Amen.
Lord of all, whose balance trieth the nations, to lift up or to cast down: never through vain conceit may we be blind to the unchanging conditions of thy blessing. The world and its full- ness are thine; our portion thereof
A SERVICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
31
may we hold, not in wanton self-will, but reverently, as of thee; making it the stronghold of right, the refuge of the oppressed, and the moderator of lawless ambition. Make all who speak or act for this nation true organs of thy equity, that through their wisdom and faithfulness thou mayst be our lawgiver and judge. And let it be that, as with the people so with the chiefs, as with the toiler so with him who directeth toil, as with the buyer so with the seller, all may know thee as weighing the path of the just; that righteousness may be the girdle of our power, and by justice our common- wealth may be established. Amen.
O Thou whose kingdom is a kingdom of justice and mercy, impel, by thy righteous spirit, all in whose hands thou has placed power and wealth to be faith- ful to their stewardship. Protect the
efforts of sober and honest industry and suffer not the hire of the laborer to be kept back. Incline to forbearance and good will the hearts of those who are em- ployed, that so the bonds of union and brotherly love may be maintained, and evermore firmly established. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee, and dost promise that, when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt hearken unto their requests: fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
C Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be followed by the sermon, a congregational hymn and the benediction
A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION
€L These sentences to be read by the minister
Give ear, O my people, to my speech : incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old :
What we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their chil- dren, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
For he established statutes, and ap- pointed a law, which he commanded our fathers to make known to their children :
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born: who should declare them to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. Psalm lxxviii.
€L To be said by the minister
Let us call to remembrance the dead yet ever-living who have passed the doors beyond which we cannot see. As they kept the faith in time of trial and held fast to righteousness in the hour of temptation, so inspired by their example, may we, when danger is near and the flesh is weak, triumph over
every trial and temptation, and finally attain unto everlasting life.
Let us pray.
€J, To be said by minister and people together
Eternal God, in whom the spirits of the just do rest from their labors: we bless thee for the memory of the right- eous, and especially for those most dear to us, who have lived in faith and departed in peace. May we follow their good example, and, truly loving and serving thee on earth, be gathered with them into thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
d To be said by minister and people alternately
O God, who art, and wast, and art to come, we rejoice that thou hast never left thyself without a witness in the world, but by the words and deeds of wise and faithful souls hast revealed thy abiding presence in the children of men.
Thou didst guide our fathers in their ways and thoughts, and didst protect and bless them.
Thou madest a way for them through deep waters, and didst set their feet in a large place.
The vrinds heard thy voice and were still, and the waves bore the tempest- tossed to their desired haven.
32
A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION
Thou hast wrought great glory by them, through thy power from the beginning, and a little one has become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. They inherited the land for ever, the branch of thy planting, the work of thy hands, that thou mightest be glorified.
These were noble men and women, whose courage and righteousness have not been forgotten, and whose names shall be kept in everlasting remembrance.
Grant, O Lord, that we, the inheritors of their renown, the heirs of their liberty, may possess their courage and patience and fidelity, and that generations yet unborn may adore thee for thy mercy and desire thee for thy loving-kindness.
CL To be said by minister and people together
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tres- passes, as we forgive those who tres- pass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our eyes.
That we may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
RESPONSIVE READING
Let us call to remembrance the great and good, through whom the Lord hath wrought great glory:
Those who were leaders of the people by their judgment, giving counsel by their understanding and foresight:
Wise and eloquent in their teachings, and through knowledge and might, fit helpers of the people.
All these were honored in their genera- tion, and were the glory of their times.
There be some who have left a name behind them, and whose remembrance is sweet.
And there be some who have no memo- rial, who are perished as though they had never been.
But their righteousness has not been forgotten, and the glory of their work cannot be blotted out.
Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth for evermore.
The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will show forth their praise.
For the memorial of virtue is immortal, because it is known with God and with men.
When it is present men take example of it, and when it is gone they earnestly desire it.
It weareth a crown, and triumpheth for ever; having gotten the victory striving for undefiled rewards.
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance, and the memory of the just shall be blessed.
Though a good life hath but few days, yet a good name endureth for ever.
Though the righteous be overtaken by death, they shall be at rest; their souls are in the hand of God.
A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION
Though they perish from the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.
Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with patience the race that is set before us;
And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
€L The service may then proceed ivith a scripture lesson, and the singing of anthems or hymns in such order as has become customary in any church
PRAYERS
CL The minister to read one or more of the folloicing or offer prayer in his own words
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy holy spirit from us.
Almighty God, thine is the wisdom of the saint and seer, thine the light shin- ing in the eyes of holy prophets, and thine the love that answereth and filleth every prayerful spirit. We bless thee for all the holy souls that reveal thee; for all unknown and lowly people whose
daily lives are offerings heroic, sweet, and beautiful to thee. Renew thy call to us, and lift us into the liberty and joy of thy faithful children. Amen.
Eternal God, with whom do live the spirits that depart hence, we praise and magnify thee for thy grace and blessing manifested to all thy true saints and faithful servants, of every nation and every age, who have glorified thee in their mortal lives. Grant to us, we pray, their spirit of love, and of devo- tion to thy will. May their example quicken us to a better life; so that we, who cherish their memory, may by thy grace be gathered into the company of those who abide with thee for ever. Amen.
O Thou who hast raised up prophets and apostles to be mighty forerunners in all the blessed privileges of a heavenly inheritance, draw us unto thyself by the same uplifting power, that our feet stumble not on the dark mountains, nor falter in the valley of the shadow of death. Be thou our strength and stay in all times of trial, and keep us in fellowship with those who while on earth strove to make firm and sure thy righteous rule. So may we, having done thy will, be given part in that heavenly heritage wherein peace and love are made perfect and thou art all in all. Amen.
C Then may be sung an anthem or a hymn, to be followed by the sermon, a congregational hymn and the benediction
A COMMUNION SERVICE
C The minister, standing at the communion table, may begin the service by reading one or more of the following sentences
Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew v. 6.
Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew xx. 27, 28.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Hence- forth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. John xv. 13, 14, 15.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of children whereby we cry, Father. Romans viii. 15.
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but who- soever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke ix. 23, 24.
I am the bread of life : he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that belie veth on me shall never thirst. John vi. 35.
Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation iii. 20.
H. Here may follow other portions of Scripture and an address. A hymn may then be sung, or, omitting the hymn, the service may proceed as follows .
€1. To be said by the minister
Dearly beloved, we have received it, that the Master on the night before he died, as he supped with his disciples in an upper chamber, took bread and broke it before them, likening it unto his crucified body, and poured out wine as a visible parable of the spilling of his blood. As we repeat this act with reverence, may the spirit which kept him steadfast, though foreseeing death, be quickened in us. We remember also that Christians in all ages have par- taken of the bread and wine as a sign of their fellowship. May the symbol of love crown the parable of loyalty, and, in communion with Jesus Christ and all faithful servants of God, who have counted not their lives more dear than the triumphs of the spirit, let us seek the Lord in prayer that we may receive strength to overcome the trials and temptations of this world.
H. Or this
We are assembled here to meditate together on the life and death of Jesus
35
36
COMMUNION SERVICE
Christ, that we may consecrate ourselves more earnestly to the service of God and of one another. In his acts of love and sympathy for the suffering, his compassion and help for the weak and sinful, he has left us an example that we should follow his steps. In communion with him, and with all who have been faithful servants of God, counting not their lives dear unto them- selves, we now offer our prayers to- gether to our Father in heaven. Let us pray.
€L To be said by the minister
O God, our heavenly Father, grant that this service may be profitable to all who partake of it, for the sanctifica- tion of body and soul, for fruitfulness in good works, and for the establishing of thy holy Church.
We remember in this our communion, and beseech thee to bless, the multi- tudes of every name who are joined with us in one household of faith, our brethren and sisters in Christ through- out the world.
We remember those who have fallen asleep in Christ, in the joyful hope of resurrection unto life eternal. O Lord, refresh their spirits with the light of thy countenance.
We remember the fathers from the beginning of the world, and all who have wrought righteousness, even down to the present day. Refresh thou their spirits, and give them abundant entrance into the joy of our Lord. And grant unto us, O God, that we may have our part and lot with all thy saints.
We remember all such as journey, and them that sojourn in strange lands. May it please thee to abide with them
wheresoever they abide, and when they travel, to bring them in safety to their destined goal.
We remember all who are sick and in distress, all who suffer in body or in mind, all who are in prison and in bonds : as bound with them, and as sufferers with them, we bear them in our hearts and pray for their relief.
We remember our enemies, if there be any who have injured us, or cherish hatred against us. We beseech thee to turn their hearts, that we may live peaceably with all men. May we freely forgive all who have wronged us; and, if there be any whom we have wronged, may we make amends and seek forgiveness.
We remember the whole family of man, beseeching thee that the spirits of all flesh may taste of thy grace, and that the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. Amen.
€L To be said by the minister
The Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said: This is my body which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me.
C Then, as he delivers the bread to the people, the minister shall say
Take this in remembrance of Christ.
€L When all have received the bread, the minister shall say
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying: This cup is the new testament in my blood. This do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
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C Then, as he delivers the cup to the people, the minister shall say
Drink this in remembrance of Christ.
€1. When all have received the bread and wine, the minister shall say
Let us pray.
O Lord, we thank thee for the blessed fellowship of all faithful people who have loved and labored and suffered for others since the world began. Give us grace henceforth to continue in the fellowship of that glorious army which strives to conquer sin and evil, and to make this earth at last thy kingdom of love and peace. Amen.
d Or this
Grant unto us, Almighty God, that we, communing with one another and with thee, may feel our hearts burn within us; until all pure and just and holy things are lovely to us, and we find nothing to fear but that which is hate- ful in thine eyes. Let thy peace possess our souls, while we look to thy loving
kindness and tender mercy to lift us above that which is low and mean; and, at last, give to the spirit within us a perfect victory, and bring us safe through death into life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
d. Then may be sung a hymn, after which shall follow the benediction
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; and the blessing of God, the Father Almighty, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS FOR OCCASIONAL USE
FOR THE OPENING OF WORSHIP
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspira- tion of thy holy spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily mag- nify thy holy name. Amen.
O God, giver of all temporal and spir- itual good: grant us thy grace, so to speak, so to know, and so to learn, that our minds may be enlightened, our fears banished, our faith confirmed, and our way directed unto eternal life. Amen.
O thou infinite One, who fillest the universe with thine unsearchable pres- ence, and hast thy dwelling-place in every heart that looks up in love and trust to thee: we come unto thee with our psalm of thanksgiving and our words of prayer, and would commune with thee in this hour of worship, that we may find thee nearer to us in our daily lives, and learn to live as in thy constant presence. May thy spirit rest upon us, and pray with us in our prayer, teaching us the things we should ask, and how to pray to thee as we ought; that we may worship thee, the infinite Spirit, in spirit and in truth. Amen.
FOR THE OPENING OR CLOSE OF WORSHIP
O God, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man's understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may ob- tain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire. Amen.
O God, from whom all good counsels, all holy desires, and all just works do proceed: we pray thee to enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts by thy heavenly truth. What we know not, teach thou us; whatever is amiss in us, dispose us to reform ; whatever in us is good, assist us to carry forward to per- fection, that we may live evermore to thy praise. Amen.
O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of men: grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and mani- fold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast caused the light of eternal life to shine upon the
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world: we pray thee that our hearts may be so kindled with heavenly de- sires, and thy love so shed abroad in us, that we may continually seek the things which are above; and, abiding in purity of heart and mind, may at length attain unto thine everlasting kingdom. Amen.
FOR THE CLOSE OF WORSHIP
Grant, O God, that the words we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, by thy grace, be so grafted in- wardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of thy holy name. Amen.
Enlarge now our souls, O Lord, with a divine charity, that we may hope all things, believe all things, endure all things, and become messengers of thy healing mercy to the grievances and in- firmities of men. Amen.
Increase in us, 0 Lord, a true knowl- edge of thy holy will, that we may de- vote ourselves to thy service in word and deed; and that, doing thy will with, cheerfulness and diligence, and bearing all our trials with patience, we may go on, through thy mercy, into the joy of everlasting life. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast caused the light of eternal life to shine upon the world: we beseech thee that our hearts may be so kindled with heavenly de- sires, and thy love so shed abroad in us by thy holy spirit, that we may con- tinually seek the things which are above; and, abiding in purity of heart and mind, may at length attain unto thine everlasting kingdom. Amen.
O Lord, who hast taught us that not the hearers of the word, but the doers, are justified in thy sight: let us go hence with an earnest and steadfast resolu- tion, with quickened zeal, and renewed devotion to thy service. If any true word of thine has been spoken to us, if any ray of thy heavenly light has shone upon us, if any righteous purpose has arisen within us, may we be found faithful to what we have received, that all our thoughts and actions may hence- forth be more in harmony with thy will. Let thy blessing be upon our uprising and our lying down, upon our going out and our coming in now and evermore. A men.
MORNING PRAYERS AND COLLECTS
O Lord, our heavenly Father, al- mighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thee, may be righteous in thy sight. Amen.
0 Lord, our God, who turnest into morning the shadows of night: grant that we may be children of the light and of the day. Let the sun of thy righteous- ness shine in our hearts. Enlighten our reason, make clear our conscience, and purify our affections. We give our- selves to thee this day, beseeching thee so to rule and govern us by thy spirit that faithless distrust and all evil thoughts may be driven from our minds; that we may walk with joy in the light of thy countenance and in the way of thy salvation. Amen.
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O Thou, who hast neither dawn nor evening, yet sendest us the alternate mercies of the darkness and the day: as thou liftest the curtain of night from our abodes, take also the veil from all our hearts. Rise with thy morning upon our souls; quicken all our labor and our prayer; and, though all else decline, let the noontide of thy grace and peace remain. May we walk, while it is yet day, in the steps of him who with fewest hours finished thy divine work. And unto thee, whose we are and whom we serve, will we render praise now and for evermore. Amen.
EVENING PRAYERS AND COLLECTS
Almighty Father and keeper of our souls, who alone makest us to dwell in safety: refresh with quiet sleep this night those who are wearied with the labors of the day; and mercifully pro- tect from harm all who put their trust in thee, that, lying down in peace to take our rest, we may fear no evil, but confidently give ourselves into thy holy keeping. Amen.
O God, the Father of lights, in whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift: help us so to live in thy peace that even the night shall be light about us. O thou who dost neither slumber nor sleep, and who giv- est thine angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways, send out thy light and thy truth, till all men shall see thy glory, and the whole earth be full of the knowledge of God. Amen.
O God, who givest us these quiet hours of holy thought and prayer: we
thank thee for the rest which thou hast granted us, and the peace which thou hast breathed into our souls this day. As the shadows of evening gather, we commend our spirits to thy care. And when the morning calls us forth again to serve thee, may thy love renew the blessing which we have sought to-day. So in new strength for toil, and a holier spirit of devotion to thy will, may we receive thy merciful answer to our prayers. Amen.
O Lord God, the day is thine, the night also is thine. The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Protect us through the hours of sleep, that our rest may refresh us in body and mind. Soothe our troubled thoughts, and breathe thy peace into our restless hearts. May thy invisible presence watch over us, and in the light of a new day may we rise to bless thee for thy sheltering care. Amen.
We beseech thee, Lord, to behold us with favor, folk of many families and nations gathered together in the peace of this roof, weak men and women subsisting under the covert of thy pa- tience. Be patient still; suffer us yet a while longer — with our broken pur- poses of good, with our idle endeavors against evil, suffer us a while longer to endure and (if it may be) help us to do better. Bless to us our extraordinary mercies; if the day come when these must be taken, brace us to play the man under affliction. Be with our friends, be with ourselves. Go with each of us to rest; if any awake, temper to them the dark hours of watching; and when the day returns, return to us, our sun
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and comforter, and call us up with morning faces and with morning hearts, eager to labor, eager to be happy if happiness shall be our portion, and if the day be marked for sorrow, strong to endure it. Amen.
FOR THE NEW YEAR
O'thou who art from everlasting to everlasting, without beginning or end of days: replenish us with heavenly grace, at the beginning of this year, that we may be enabled to accept all its duties, to perform all its labors, to welcome all its mercies, to meet all its trials, and to advance through all it holds in store for us, with cheerful courage and a constant mind. O Lord, suffer us not to be separated from thee, either by joy or sorrow, or any sin or weakness of our own; but have com- passion upon us, and forgive us, and keep us in the strong confidence of thine eternal love. Amen.
FOR THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling- place in all generations. Unto thee do we lift up our souls. Thy mercy en- dureth for ever, and thy compassions fail not. As we keep holy time under the deepening shadows of the closing year, we thank thee for all that it hath brought to us of mercy and truth. Let not the experiences of our past days be lost upon us. Fix in our minds every lesson of faith and duty which thou hast been teaching us. Take from our hearts every veil that would hide from us the shining of the heavenly light. Grant unto us, before the record of this year has been finished and sealed, a fresh
consecration, a very honest and deep desire to live according to thy will. Amen.
FOR PALM SUNDAY
Almighty God, who knowest the weaknesses which we are slow to con- fess even to ourselves: take from us, we pray thee, the faithless mind that would shrink from the way by which thou leadest, and draw back from the harder paths of a dutiful life. As disci- ples of Christ may we steadfastly set our face to go to our Jerusalem, pre- pared to meet all the counsels of thy will, and to be obedient even unto death, seeking only for strength to glorify the cross thou layest upon us. Amen.
FOR GOOD FRIDAY
O God who hast showed us the way of blessedness : thou hast showed us also that the path of duty may lead to the cross, and the reward of faithfulness be a crown of thorns. Oh, give us grace to learn these harder lessons of pain and darkness and affliction. May we take up our cross and follow Christ in the strength of patience and the constancy of faith; and may we have such true fellowship with him in his sorrows that we may know the secret of his strength and peace, and see, even in our darkest hour of trial and anguish, the shining of thine own eternal light. Amen.
Eternal Refuge of those who are dis- tressed : grant unto us that in all trouble of this our mortal life we may flee to thy loving-kindness and tender mercy; that so, sheltering ourselves therein, the storms of life may pass over us, and not shake thy peace within us. Whatso-
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ever this life may bring us, grant that it may never take from us the faith that thou art our Father and that under- neath are the everlasting arms. Amen.
FOR EASTER
O Lord Most High, who art not the God of the dead but of the living: we unite this day in thankful joy in the re- membrance of the spirit's triumph over death. We bless thee that out of this dust and out of these mortal conditions thou art striving to raise immortal souls into a diviner fellowship, and to estab- lish them for ever in the heavenly dwell- ing-places. Amen.
Great and gracious Presence, the Life of all that lives : thou sendest forth thy breath and we are created; thou openest thy hand and we are filled with good. To every faith bowed down and every love laid in the grave, thou bringest a new uplifting and a heavenly birth; and to ignorance and weakness and sin thou givest light and strength and the tender healing of forgiveness. Having re- ceived such ministry and comforting regard, help us to set our affections on things above, that so we may finally know the riches of that inheritance which thou didst manifest to him whom we remember this day with joy, and with him be deemed worthy of the crown of immortality. Amen.
FOR WHITSUNDAY
0 God, who hast breathed thy holy spirit into the hearts of thy faithful servants, sending them forth in thy might to speak the word and to do the work which has been entrusted to them
by thee: send down upon us all, we pray thee, that Spirit of holiness and wisdom and strength. Enlighten our minds that we may know what thou wouldst have us do; strengthen our hands that we may labor steadfastly to the end, and may faint not in thy ser- vice. Thou hast bestowed upon us a diversity of gifts; give us all the same spirit, that with one heart and one mind we may glorify thee, speaking the truth in love, and filling our lives with good deeds and faithful affections. In that spirit may we be strong to fight the good fight of faith, to conquer evil, and bear witness to the truth, and help to bring in the kingdom of righteousness and peace. Amen.
FOR ALL SAINTS
Our heavenly Father, we rejoice in the blessed communion of all thy saints, wherein thou givest us also to have part. We remember before thee all who have departed this life in thy faith and love, and especially those most dear to us. We thank thee for our present fellow- ship with them, for our common hope, and for the promise of future joy. Oh, let the cloud of witnesses, the innum- erable company of those who have gone before and entered into rest, be to us for an example of godly life; and even now may we be refreshed with their joy; that so with patience we may run the race that yet remains before us, and obtain an entrance into thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.
FOR ALL SOULS' DAY
Infinite Life, Power, Beauty: thine is the wisdom of the saint and seer,
PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS
thine the light shining on the eyes of holy prophets, and thine the love that answereth and filleth every prayerful spirit. We bless thee for all the holy souls that reveal thee; for all unknown and lowly people whose daily lives are offerings heroic, sweet, and beautiful to thee; and for thy voice that speaketh within. Oh, may we heed thy call, and rise into the liberty and joy of thy faith- ful children. Amen.
FOR THANKSGIVING DAY
O Lord God, Father of mercies, the Fountain of comfort and blessing, who fillest heaven with thy glory, and earth with thy goodness: we offer thee most earnest and humble thanks for the gifts of nature and of grace, the support of every moment, and the comforts of every day. We beseech thee to fill our hearts with thy praise; that our thank- fulness to thee may be great as are our needs, and that thy grace may so strengthen our purposes that our lives may be a thank-offering to thee, unto whom we ascribe all honor and glory. A men.
Most merciful God, our Father in heaven, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift: we give thee most hearty thanks for all thy blessings of nature and of grace ; for the power of loving; for everything, whether joy or sorrow, whereby thou hast drawn us nearer to thyself; and for all that thou hast in keeping for them that love thee. Henceforth, even for ever, we would trust thee with our present and our future, our hopes and our fears, for our- selves and for all whom thou hast given
us to love. And grant, we beseech thee, that, as thou dost continually pour out thy gifts upon us, we may ever, more and more, abound in thankful- ness and in all good works. Amen.
Most gracious and loving Father: thou hast opened the hand of thy bounty, to fill our lives with blessing. Thou dost shelter us in the arms of thy mercy; thou providest for us per- petually, and lovest us with an un- failing love. As thou hast laid thine hand upon us in blessing, so fill our hearts with thankfulness, and tune our lips to praise. Grant that what thou hast sown in mercy may spring up in duty; and let thy grace so strengthen our good purposes that we may walk in the light of thy favor, and in the paths of thy commandments, now and for evermore. Amen.
FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: sanctify unto us, we pray thee, the rich and holy gift of thine abounding love which is manifest to the world in this glad festival of univer- sal joy. Help us to attain unto the fulness of its blessing, that Christ may be born afresh to us this day, in deeper love and reverence for thee, in nobler sense of human brotherhood, in hunger and thirst after righteousness, in eager longing for the spirit of peace. May the passion of his faith and the patience of his love be shared by us this day in quickening consciousness of our eter- nal sonship to thee, his God and our God, his Father and our Father. Amen.
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Almighty God, whom once the nations worshipped under name of fear, but who hast revealed the glory of thy love in the face of Jesus Christ, and called us to live with thee as children: fill our hearts, as we remember his nativity, with the gladness of this great redemp- tion. We would join in the heavenly song of Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good-will toward men. Breathe into our hearts the spirit of Jesus, that we may be led to thee in trust and obedience, and be sent out to live among men in brotherly love and sympathy. Every year, as this joyful festival comes round, may it find the world more and more in harmony with thy will. Amen.
IN WINTER
O God, who rulest the changing sea- sons, and fulfillest, in all, thine own un- changing purposes: we bless thee that thou dost clothe all things around us with the beauty of winter, that thou sendest forth the treasures of the snow, and fillest the brief day with thy sun- shine, and all night long makest the heavens above us glorious with the countless stars. For all thou givest us thus to enjoy we praise thy goodness, and adore thine unsearchable wisdom and power. Amen.
IN SPRINGTIME
0 thou, whose life-giving energy flows through all things: we rejoice in the glorious revealing of thyself in Nature, in the tokens of thy might and of thy love which we behold on every side. We thank thee for all the bounti- ful gifts and the gracious promise of
this season of brightness and hope, when we trace again the workings of the unseen power which calls forth fresh life and growth, and renews the face of the earth. And while we bless thee for the beauty which thou sheddest around our path, we pray that it may find some reflection in our own hearts and lives. May thy creative spirit freshen and renew our souls, and may the precious seed of thy promises fall into good ground, where it may spring up and bear fruit according to the measure which thou hast appointed. Amen.
IN SUMMER
O thou, from whom cometh all the gladness and brightness of life: we praise thee for the riches of thy bounty which thou pourest out in these days of summer. Thou fillest the heavens with radiance, and causest the earth to re- joice in the abundance of thy gifts. Thou preparest the coming harvest; and thou makest our hearts glad with the wonder of thy creation. For all the greatness and glory of Nature we bless thee, and we would join with grateful hearts in the song of praise which all the earth raises to thee. Amen.
IN AUTUMN
We praise thee, 0 thou Source of all life and strength, for the bountiful pro- vision which thou makest for the wants of thy children. We would bring thee now our joyful thanksgiving for the har- vest of the fields, and all the increase that the fertile earth has yielded. Thou hast ordered the course of the changing seasons, and appointed a time for sowing and a time for reaping; and while men
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have toiled, or watched, or rested from their work, thy providence has never failed, and thou hast prepared for them the reward of their labors. May we enjoy the gifts of thy bounty in wisdom, temperance, and thankfulness, ever mindful of the love which bestowed them. Let the remembrance of thy fatherly goodness quicken in us broth- erly goodwill, and make us prompt to lighten any burdens of poverty and dis- tress. So may we show forth the power of the spirit which was in Christ, and become less unworthy to receive thine unnumbered gifts of blessing. Amen.
FOR THE NATION
0 thou who fashionest the hearts of men : grant to us, we beseech thee, and to the people of this land, the spirit of obedience to thy commandments, that, walking as in thy presence, we may, under thy mighty guidance, be kept from lawlessness and violence, from dis- cord and confusion and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, preserve our unity, and save us from all injustice, that so we may enjoy a place of honor among the nations and be an example of the blessedness which comes to them that keep thy laws and dwell together in righteousness and peace. Amen.
Almighty God, who in the former time didst lead our fathers forth into a large place, and sent them to sow be- side many waters: give thy grace, we pray thee, to us, their children, that we may always approve ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry and generous public spirit.
Save us from violence, discord, and con- fusion. Fashion into one happy people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those whom we intrust with the authority of govern- ance. In the time of our prosperity restrain our pride and temper our self- confidence with thankfulness, and in the days of trouble suffer not our trust in thee to fail. Amen.
FOR NATIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
Lord of all, whose balance trieth the nations, to lift up or to cast down: thou hast planted us, as a people, and laid upon us a mighty trust. Never through vain conceit may we be blind to the unchanging conditions of thy blessing. The world and its fulness are thine: our portion thereof may we hold, not in wanton self-will, but reverently, as of thee; making it the stronghold of right, the refuge of the oppressed, and the moderator of lawless ambition. Make all who speak or act for this nation true organs of thine equity, that through their wisdom and faithfulness thou may est be our lawgiver and judge. And let it be that, as with the people so with the chiefs, as with the servant so with the master, as with the buyer so with the seller, all may know thee as weighing the path of the just; that righteousness may be the girdle of our power. Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, Lord of lords and King of kings: most heartily we beseech thee to look with favor upon our beloved country. So replenish this people with the grace of thy holy spirit
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that they may always incline to thy will and walk in thy way. Endue them plen- teously with heavenly gifts. By escap- ing from the bondage of sin may they become free indeed. By brotherly love and the practice of righteousness may they become truly exalted among the nations, and be known as a people whose God is the Lord. And may the bless- ings of peace, good order, and national union more and more abound. Amen.
FOR GOOD CITIZENSHIP
O Lord, our God, who rulest over the nations and in whose hand are the des- tinies of the people: we earnestly pray thee, at this time, to so direct us that we may choose and establish in au- thority over us the men whom thou ap- provest and who will serve the State with disinterested zeal and unfailing courage. Suffer not thy people to be embittered against each other in parti- san strife. O Lord, who lovest truth, deliver us from the false and slanderous tongue, from the selfish designs of evil men, from bribery, corruption, and an inordinate love of power. Dispose thy people to sincerity, and grant that they may unitedly. seek good government and just laws, and a righteous administra- tion of the same, to the praise of thy great name. Amen.
FOR THE LEGISLATURE
O thou who rulest in equity and de- clarest righteous judgment: send down upon the Legislature of this State, now lawfully convened, the spirit of concord, purity, and justice, that all false counsels and evil influences may be absent from the assembly, and that the servants of
the people may be directed in wisdom and integrity, according to thy laws. So guide and prosper with thy blessing whatsoever may be devised and en- acted, that it may redound to the honor and welfare of this Commonwealth, to the peace and prosperity of the United States, and to the glory of thy name. Amen.
FOR THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT
O God, our Father, in whom are calm- ness and peace: reconcile the dissen- sions which divide us from one another, and bring us into a unity of love which may bear some likeness to thy blessed nature : that we may be spiritually one, as well in ourselves as with each other, through that peace of thine which mak- eth all things peaceful, and through the grace, mercy, and tenderness wherewith thou, O Lord, art our Father, for ever. A men.
Our Father in heaven take away from us, we pray thee, all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one body, and one spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee. Amen.
FOR GRACE TO SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS
O Lord, renew our spirits and draw our hearts unto thyself, that our work may not be to us a burden, but a delight.
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Grant unto us the mighty love that will sweeten all our obedience. Suffer us not to serve thee with the spirit of bond- age as slaves, but to walk before thee with the cheerfulness and gladness of children, delighting ourselves in thee and rejoicing in thy work. Amen.
FOR GRACE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE
0 God, whose kingdom cometh in spirit and in power, and who sendest thy word like the dew that falleth silently upon the earth: grant that all who contend for the faith which thou hast given them may never injure it by clamor and impatience, but, speaking the truth in love, may so present it that it may be loved, and that men may see in it thy goodness and thy beauty. Amen.
FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Almighty God, our light in darkness, our strength in weakness, our hope in sinfulness, and our eternal home: be unto us merciful, long-suffering, and patient; that we, who are slow of growth, may hope to come at last to thy likeness, and, being upheld by thee, may by thy mercy go from strength to strength, until, having safely passed through the joy and duty of this earthly life, we in the fulness of thy mercy may come into the land of the eternal peace. Amen.
0 God, eternal and unchangeable: we bless thee that, amid all the shad- ows that fall on our earthly way, the doubts that perplex us, the fears that hinder us, the dimness of our spiritual vision, the partial measure of our ap- proach to thee, we have one steadfast
light still shining on our path, even the light of thine infinite love. If thou watchest over us, we are safe; if thou guidest us, we shall not lose the way; if thou art teaching us, we cannot learn amiss. Breathe into our life thy spirit of holiness and love and peace. Awaken in us the high desire and devout affec- tion that will bring us into thy nearer presence. Lift us above the doubts and cares of our unfaithful hearts. Thus may we find the true rest for our souls, the true strength of our life, and joy that abides for ever. Amen.
FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
O God, who art the great deep of eter- nal peace and the fountain of blessings, who ever sendest peace to those that are ready to receive it: open to us this day the sea of thy love, and water us with plenteous streams from the riches of thy grace. Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace. Enkindle in us the fire of thy love; strengthen our weakness by thy power; bind us closely to thee and to each other in one firm bond of unity. Amen.
FOR SPIRITUAL FRUITFULNESS
Almighty God, we pray thee that, as the sun shines upon this fair world, so thy light may shine upon our spirits, upon our conscience, upon our love; that we may yield unto thee the fruits thou dost delight in, even the fruits of a ser- viceable, peaceable, honorable life. Amen.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE AND PRAISE
Almighty God, the Giver of all good: we give thee thanks for thy faithful ser-
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vants who, having witnessed in their lives the power of thy help, have left the light of their example to shine before thy people upon earth. We thank thee for the life which we have from thee, and for the work to which thou hast ap- pointed us; for whatever of good thou hast enabled us to win, and for the hope that leads us on toward eternal life. Give us, we pray , a heartfelt gratitude for these and all thy mercies, and increase in us the manifold gifts of thy spirit; that through thy counsel and might we may do those works which glorify thee, our Father in heaven. Amen.
FOR HEALTH AND CONTENTMENT
0 God, most holy, Preserver and Gov- ernor of all thy creatures and all their actions: keep us this day in health of body and soundness of mind, in purity of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in contentment with our lot and charity with our neighbor; and further all our lawful undertakings with thy blessing. In our labors strengthen us; in our pleasures purify us; in our difficulties direct us; in our perils defend us; in our troubles comfort us; and supply all our needs, according to the riches of thy grace. Amen.
fended against all adversities, and ever- more rejoice in thy blessed service.
Amen.
FOR COMFORT AND FAITH
O thou whose name is Love and whose compassions fail not : let thy mer- ciful kindness be for our comfort when burdens are heavy and sorrow is near, — when our hearts fail us for the things that are coming to pass, and we fear as we enter into the cloud. When our dear ones die out of our sight, still grant to us a large and happy faith, and in our own last hour lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou art the strength of those who put their trust in thee. Send out thy light and thy truth, to shine pure and strong over death and the grave. Amen.
FOR BROTHERLY LOVE
O God of Love, who hast given us a new commandment, that we should love one another, even as thou dost love us, the unworthy and the wandering: we pray thee, Lord, give to us, thy ser- vants, a mind forgetful of past ill-will, a pure conscience, and sincere thoughts, and a heart to love our brethren. Amen.
FOR PROTECTION AND DEFENCE
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: grant us, thy servants, we humbly beseech thee, that peace which the world can neither give nor take away; that we, who in all our dangers rely on thy goodness, may, under thy fatherly protection, be de-
FOR STRANGERS
0 Lord, who lovest the stranger: de- fend and nourish, we entreat thee, all sojourners in strange lands and poor helpless persons, that they may glorify thee out of grateful hearts; and to such men as are tyrannical and oppressive give searchings of spirit and amendment of ways, that thou mayest show mercy on them also. Amen.
PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS
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FOR THOSE IN TROUBLE
Almighty and everlasting God, the comfort of the sad, the strength of all who suffer : let the prayers of those who cry out of any tribulation come unto thee, and may they rejoice to find that thy mercy is present with them in their sorrows. Let all who are beset by fears, troubled by poverty, worn by illness, all who are wronged and oppressed, the lonely, the suffering, the weary and heavy-laden, be sustained by thy might, consoled by thy tenderness, and cher- ished by thy fatherly compassion. Amen.
FOR THOSE IN ADVERSITY
Most gracious God, whose tender mer- cies are over all thy works, and whose compassions fail not: we commend to thy pitifulness and protection all in this land who are in sorrow, need, or any other adversity. Especially we beseech thee to remember such as are destitute, homeless, or forgotten of their fellow- men. Lift up those that be cast down, mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all dis- couraged and unhappy people, and by thy heavenly grace preserve from falling those who are tempted into sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they be perplexed, save them from despair, and finally bring them unto that eternal home, where joy and gladness shall be their portion and where sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Amen.
FOR THOSE IN DISTRESS
Hear us, O Lord God Almighty, as we together pray for our brethren who are
overborne with trouble and worn with many cares. Have mercy upon those who have brought their anxieties with them into this house of prayer, and whose spirits are heavy and distressed even in the hour of praise; comfort them by thy grace and lift upon them the light of thy countenance. Strengthen, we pray thee, those who try to bear the burdens of their neigh- bors, and those who strive to enlighten men with the truth that maketh free. Uphold and inspire those who consecrate their powers to hold back the tides of evil in this our land, and all who are trying to help the world towards peace and purity. And we ask thy blessing for those who have no power to help, but can only wait and hope and pray. Have compassion upon those whose souls are dumb under the shadow of affliction, those whom thou hast newly baptized into the sanctity of suffering. Our Father, thou hast or- dained that our mortal life should be a struggle; keep us brave and loyal, de- liver us from evil, cleanse us by thy spirit, and renew us in thy grace, and afterward receive us into thy kingdom. A men.
FOR THE BEREAVED
Almighty God, in whose comforting and keeping there is shelter from the storm, and in whose mercy and pity there is shadow from the heat of life: hear now our prayers, we pray thee, for those who are mourning for their dead. Send thy pity to lighten their darkness, and the sense of thy presence and sym- pathy to fill their loneliness. Touch their wounds with healing, and help
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them to be still. Give them strength to do and to bear thy perfect will, and to take up the duties of their daily life more bravely for the sake of the be- loved who live no longer here on earth. Soon may the heavens open where they are most darkened now, and the angels descend on the silent home and its saddened hearts. Help us more and more to feel and realize that in thy holy care are all thy children, whether here or there; that the Eternal God is our refuge and that underneath are the everlasting arms. Amen.
O God, our heavenly Father, unto whom we may come in every hour of darkness and sorrow, to pour out our griefs to thee, and to rest our troubled hearts under the shelter of thy compas- sion : hear now our prayer for those who are bowed down in mourning. Shine upon their darkness, we pray thee, and enfold their loneliness in thy comforting presence. Thou hast given us the blessed assurance that the sorrows of death are but for a little while, and that the grave is only as a gate of entrance to another world of life. We pray thee, O our Father, to grant us in our hour of bereavement the joy and consolation of that hope; that, when we part from those whom thou callest away, we may say in our hearts that we shall meet again. May we who remain behind a little longer keep ever clear and bright the memory of their lives. May we be blest, even now, by a true communion of spirit with the unseen world, and live as members of one family, one company of friends and brethren, on earth and in heaven. Amen.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF HELPFULNESS
O thou who art Love and dwellest in love: teach us how to be thine own fel- low-workers. Never may we shut our hearts against the sorrows of even the unthankful and the evil. Make us messengers of thy tender mercy, to soothe the wretched, to lift the penitent, to seek and to save the lost; till all shall at length know themselves thy children, and be one with each other and with thee. Amen.
FOR ALL WHO ARE ENGAGED IN WORKS OF MERCY
O God, whose love, shed abroad in the hearts of thy children, is mighty to overcome evil, and to redeem and bless the world : we give thanks unto thee for all who are engaged in works of mercy and compassion. Grant the aid of thy counsel, and the support of thy strength, to those who teach the ignorant, who minister to the sick, who] visit the fatherless and widows, who plead the cause of the weak and the oppressed. Be with those who go forth to reclaim the sinful, to lift up the degraded, to cheer and sustain the disheartened. Make us to have our part, however humble, in these endeavors. Assure us that whatsoever we do for the healing and enlightenment and encouragement of the least of these our brethren, we do as unto thee. By the faithfulness of those whom thou callest thus to labor for thee, may all who wander, all who despair, and all who suffer be comforted and upbuilt, and brought into richer and more abundant life. Amen.
PRAYERS, THANKSGIVINGS AND COLLECTS
51
FOR MINISTERS AND CONGREGATIONS
Almighty God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: send down on all ministers of the gospel, and on all congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Amen.
FOR THE SUCCESSION OF PROPHETS
Almighty God, Fountain of Life and Light, who didst raise up prophets in ancient times to warn and inspire, and didst send abroad into the world apos- tles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers: we pray thee to raise up in these days an increasing number of wise and faithful men, filled with the old prophetic zeal, by whose labors thy Church may be greatly blessed, and thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR SCHOOL OR COLLEGE
O Lord, our heavenly Father, who givest knowledge to all that ask thee: grant thy blessing, we pray thee, to all who serve thee here, whether as teachers or learners, and help us in the work which thou hast given us to do. Enable us to labor diligently and faithfully, in singleness of heart, remembering that in thy fear is the beginning of wisdom. May we set thy holy will ever before us, and do that which is well-pleasing in thy sight, that so our work here may count for good to others, both now and in the days to come. Open our eyes to know thy marvellous works, to search our own spirits, and to understand the wondrous things of thy law. Pour into
our hearts the excellent gifts of friend- ship and brotherly love, and grant that in truth and purity we may glorify thee, the Father of lights. Amen.
FOR ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS OF MEN
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind: we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known to them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness all who are in any ways afflicted in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and re- lieve them, according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. Amen.
SHORT COLLECTS FOR GENERAL USE
O God, who art Love, grant to thy children to bear one another's burdens in perfect good-will, that thy peace which passeth understanding may keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
O God, who hast ordained that what- ever is to be desired should be sought by labor, and who, by thy blessing, bringest honest labor to good effect: look with favor upon our endeavors. Grant us, O Lord, to design only what is
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lawful and right; and afford us calmness of mind and steadiness of purpose, that we may do thy will in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
Almighty Father, whose grace doth ever keep, and whose love can never fail us: we would commit ourselves and our ways unto thee in humble prayer. May we be glad in the Lord, and in the beauty of holiness worship thee. May we invite thy mercies through our charities, and thy great love through our pure and unselfish affections. Make us wise to know thee and faithful to obey thee. Amen.
O God, the high and Holy One, who inhabitest Eternity: we pray thee so to enlighten and strengthen us that we may make thee our refuge and trust, our confidence and joy. Let us rest our hearts and our hopes upon thee through all the scenes and trials of this our short
and uncertain life; that when heaven and earth shall pass away we may be found in thine eternal dwelling-place, rendering to thee all honor and glory and praise. Amen.
We humbly pray thee, 0 Father in heaven, to guide us through the darkness of this world, to guard us from its perils, to hold us up and strengthen us when we grow weary in our mortal way, and to lead us by thy chosen paths, through time and through death to our eternal home in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
O Thou who art infinite in knowledge and in wisdom: though thy ways are past our finding out, we are sure that they are just and right. We would therefore submit our desires to thy will, our actions to thy government, all our concerns to thy disposal; and now, and at all times, we would offer up our prayers to thee in humility and trust. Amen.
SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS
FIRST SELECTION
Psalm I
BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand- eth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so : but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm IV
HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
The Lord will hear when I call unto him.
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune
with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm V
GIVE ear to my words, 0 Lord; con- sider my meditation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morn- ing, O Lord;, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy.
Lead me, 0 Lord, in thy righteousness; make thy way straight before my face.
Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joy- ful in thee.
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For thou, Lord, wilt bless the right- eous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
SECOND SELECTION
Psalm VIII
0 LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth ! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and suck- lings hast thou ordained strength, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
0 Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Psalm IX
1 WILL praise thee, 0 Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
1 will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.
The Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judg- ment to the people in uprightness.
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm XV
LORD, who shall abide in thy taber- nacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.
He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Psalm XVI
PRESERVE me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
The Lord is the portion of mine in- heritance and of my cup: thou main- tainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places: yea, I have a goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS
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THIRD SELECTION
Psalm XVII
HEAR the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry; give ear unto ray prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness,
0 thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee.
Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness : I shall be satisfied, when
1 awake, with thy likeness.
Psalm XVIII
I WILL love thee, 0 Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised:
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice, and my cry came before him.
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he de- lighted in me.
For all his judgments were before me,
and I did not put away his statutes from me.
Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, ac- cording to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
With the merciful thou wilt shew thy- self merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; with the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure.
For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buck- ler to all those that trust in hiim.
For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, 0 Lord, and sing praises unto thy name.
FOURTH SELECTION
Psalm XIX
THE heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy- work.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
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In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom com- ing out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect, con- verting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, re- joicing the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from pre- sumptuous sins; let them not have do- minion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm XXIII
THE Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall fol- low me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm XXIV
THE earth is the Lord's, and the ful- ness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
FIFTH SELECTION
Psalm XXV
UNTO thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed.
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57
Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, thy tender mer- cies and thy loving-kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, 0 Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord : there- fore will he teach sinners in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his cove- nant and his testimonies.
For thy name's' sake, 0 Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged : 0, bring thou me out of my distresses.
Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
0 keep my soul, and deliver me: let
me not be ashamed ; for I put my trust in thee.
Psalm XXVI
JUDGE me, 0 Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity : I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.
Examine me, 0 Lord, and prove me ; for thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, 0 Lord:
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy won- drous works.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth.
Gather not my soul with sinners, in whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in mine in- tegrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
My foot standeth in an even place : in the congregation will I bless the Lord.
SIXTH SELECTION
Psalm XXVII
THE Lord is my light and my salva- tion; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear : though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell
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in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
Hide not thy face far from me; thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my sal- vation.
When my father and my mother for- sake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Teach me thy way, 0 Lord, and lead me in a plain path.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord: be of good cour- age, and he shall strengthen thine heart : wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm XXIX
GIVE unto the Lord, 0 ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Psalm XXXI
IN thee, 0 Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed : deliver me in thy righteousness.
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defence to save me.
For thou art my rock and my fortress ; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, 0 Lord God of truth.
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy : for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adver- sities.
Have mercy upon me, 0 Lord, for I am in trouble. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing.
But I trusted in thee, 0 Lord : I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant : save me for thy mercies' sake.
0 how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavil- ion from the strife of tongues.
O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS
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SEVENTH SELECTION
Psalm XXXII
BLESSED is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord: and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found.
Thou art my hiding place : thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliv- erance.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Psalm XXXIII
REJOICE in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.
He loveth righteousness and judg- ment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord: let
all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord : he is our help and our shield.
Foi our heart shall rejoice in him, be- cause we have trusted in his holy name.
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
EIGHTH SELECTION
Psalm XXXIV
I WILL bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
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The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Oh, fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the Lord hear- eth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the right- eous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Psalm XXXVI
THY mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep : O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.
How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
They shall be abundantly satisfied; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Oh, continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
NINTH SELECTION
Psalm XXXVII
FRET not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy right- eousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him : fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
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For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down : for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are pre- served for ever.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judg- ment.
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
TENTH SELECTION
Psalm XXXIX
I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue.
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth ; and mine age is as noth- ing before thee : verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and know- eth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions : make me not the reproach of the foolish.
Hear my prayer, 0 Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
O, spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Psalm XL
I WAITED patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God : many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS
Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O Lord my God, are thy won- derful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us- ward:
They cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Then said I, Lo, I come: I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation:
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving-kind- ness and thy truth continually preserve me.
For innumerable evils have com- passed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; therefore my heart faileth me.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:
Let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarry- ing, O my God.
ELEVENTH SELECTION
Psalm XLII
AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, OGod.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
For I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy-day.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water-spouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Yet the Lord will command his lov- ing-kindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm XLIII
JUDGE me, O God, and plead my cause : for thou art the God of my strength.
0 send out thy light and thy truth : let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill.
Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my counte- nance, and my God.
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Psalm XLVI
GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea:
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Come, behold the works of the Lord. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us; God is our refuge.
TWELFTH SELECTION
Psalm XLIX
HEAR this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
None of them can by any means re- deem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Nevertheless man being in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he. shall receive me.
Psalm L
THE mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
Out of the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence.
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; for God is judge him- self.
Hear, O my people, and I will speak; I am God, even thy God.
Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains ; and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
I will not reprove thee for thy sacri- fices or thy burnt offerings continually before me.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee : for the world is mine, and the ful- ness thereof.
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High:
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
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But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence: thou thoughtest that I was altogether as thyself; but I will reprove thee, and set them in order be- fore thine eyes.
To him that ordereth his conversa- tion aright will I shew the salvation of God.
THIRTEENTH SELECTION
Psalm LI
HAVE mercy upon me, O God, ac- cording to thy loving-kindness : accord- ing unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from mine in- iquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions : and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from
Restore unto me the joy of thy sal- vation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
0 Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart,
0 God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalm LVI
BE merciful unto me, O God : for they be many that fight against me, 0 thou Most High.
What ktime I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God
1 have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
In God will I praise his word : in God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Psalm LVII
BE merciful unto me, 0 God, be mer- ciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
1 will cry unto God Most High; unto God that performeth all things for me.
He shall send from heaven, and save
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me. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
For thy mercy is great unto the heav- ens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
FOURTEENTH SELECTION
Psalm LXI
HEAR my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer: from the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Psalm LXII
TRULY my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
He only is my rock and my sal- vation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory : the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery.
If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy : for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Psalm LXIII
0 GOD, thou art my God ; early will I seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is ;
To see thy power and thy glory, so as
1 have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy loving-kindness is bet- ter than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live:
I will lift up my hands in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
When I remember thee upon my bed,
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and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
FIFTEENTH SELECTION
Psalm LXV
PRAISE waiteth for thee, O God: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
Oh, thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
Blessed is the man whom thou choos- est, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts.
We shall be satisfied with the good- ness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our sal- vation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea :
Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water:
thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
Psalm LXVI
MAKE a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands : sing forth the honor of his name : make his praise glorious.
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Oh, bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard :
WThich holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: but verily God hath heard me : he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
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Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Psalm LXVII
GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
Then shall the earth yield her in- crease; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
SIXTEENTH SELECTION
Psalm LXVIII
LET the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them ex- ceedingly rejoice.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name:
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains.
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, thou didst confirm thine inheri- tance, when it was weary.
Thy congregation hath dwelt therein :
thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily load- eth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
He that is our God is the God of sal- vation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
God giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
Psalm LXX
MAKE haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
But I am poor and needy; make haste unto me, O God.
Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.
Psalm LXXI
IN thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Be thou my strong habitation, where- unto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
For thou art my hope, O Lord God : thou art my trust from my youth.
I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day.
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Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
0 God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
1 will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
When I am old and gray-headed, 0 God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this genera- tion, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high: 0 God, who is like unto thee!
SEVENTEENTH SELECTION
Psalm LXXIII
TRULY God is good to such as are of a clean heart.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride