DEC 3 1918 
 
 < 
 
 BX 5930 .K63 
 
 1918 
 
 
 Knowles , Archibald 
 
 Campbell, 
 
 1865-1951. 
 
 
 
 The practice 
 
 of re 
 
 ligion 
 
Digitized by tlie Internet Arcliive 
 
 in 2009 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Tlieological Seminary Library 
 
 littp://www.arcli ive.org/details/practiceofreligiOOknow 
 
THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
O, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL; O, COME LET 
 US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD." 
 
DEC 3 191 
 
 Practice of Religion. 
 
 A SHORT MANUAL OF 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS 
 
 ILLUSTRATED 
 
 BY THE REVEREND 
 
 ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL KNOWLES 
 
 RECTOR SAINT ALBAN'S CHURCH, OLNEY, PHILADELPHIA 
 AND AUTHOR OF 
 
 ' The Holy Christ Chi Id," "The Triumph of the Cross, 
 "Come Unto Me," -'The Belief and Worship 
 of the Anglican Church." etc. 
 
 ELEVENTH EDITION 
 
 WITH A PREFACE BY 
 
 THE RIGHT REVEREND 
 
 CHARLES CHAPMAN GRAFTON, S.T.D. 
 Sometime Bishop of Fond du Lac 
 
 EDWIN S. GORHAM 
 
 11, west 45th street 
 
 New York 
 1918 
 
Copyright, 191 1 and 1918 
 By Archibald Campbell Knowles 
 
TO 
 
 THE GLORY OF GOD 
 
 AND 
 
 IN HONOUR 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MOST COMFORTABLE SACRAMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BODY AND BLOOD 
 
 OF 
 
 CHRIST 
 
OUR OFFERING TO GOD 
 
 " First give thyself to God : then to the work God gives 
 thee to do." 
 
 (Saint Augustine.) 
 
 ** npAKE my life and let it be 
 A Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. 
 
 Take my moments and my days 
 Let them pass in endless praise. 
 
 Take my eyes and let them see 
 Souls that may be saved for Thee. 
 
 Take my hands and let them move 
 At the impulse of Thy love. 
 
 Take my feet and let them be 
 Bent on works of love for Thee. 
 
 Take my voice and let me sing 
 Prayers and praises to my King. 
 
 Take my lips and let them be 
 Filled with messages from Thee. 
 
 Thus my life will truly be 
 Consecrated, Lord, to Thee." 
 
 " We offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, 
 our soi4ls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy and living 
 Sacrifice unto Thee." 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION 
 
 IT is a source of much gratification to the 
 Author, that this book of Instructions and 
 Devotions has been so well received and so 
 favourably commended, both in this country 
 and abroad. 
 
 It was written as a labour of love to help 
 souls appreciate the great privileges and bless- 
 ings of the Christian Religion as given to us 
 in the Holy Catholic Church, the Divine In- 
 stitution of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The 
 best reward of one's work is the knowledge 
 that it has brought many on the road to God 
 and helped make religion real and its practice 
 loved. 
 
 In preparing this new issue the Author has 
 spared neither time nor trouble to make it 
 as helpful as possible, having practically re- 
 written many parts, and made considerable 
 addition and improvement. 
 
 The intention is to present such Instructions 
 and Devotions as may minister to the spiritual 
 life, make a well-informed Churchman and 
 prepare for the right reception of the Sacra- 
 ments. 
 
 Throughout it is meant to be eminently 
 practical, easily adaipted to the varying needs 
 of different persons. It aims clearly and con- 
 cisely to set forth and explain "the Faith 
 once for all delivered to the saints." It 
 also offers Forms of Devotion, simple and 
 dignified, from Ancient and Modern sources, by 
 
Vlll PREFACE 
 
 which we may worship God "in spirit and in 
 truth." And in both the Instructions and the 
 Devotions there is the ever present thought of 
 developing Christian character and of bringing 
 forth the "beauty of holiness." 
 
 It is believed that all herein contained is 
 in perfect accord with the accepted teaching 
 of the Church and Scriptures, the Author 
 being the first to reject anything that will 
 not stand this test. There are, of course, 
 many things which might have heen included 
 with profit, but then brevity — one object of 
 this book — would have been lost. 
 
 In once more asking God's blessing uipon this 
 book and giving it again to the public, the 
 Author would counsel all to a more extended 
 study of "those things which a Christian ought 
 to know and believe to his soul's health," and 
 to a clearer realization of their Catholic heri- 
 tage in Doctrine, Discipline and Worship. For 
 the Anglican Communion, should enlist the 
 love and loyalty of all her members as that 
 part of the True Church "unto which it hath 
 pleased God to call them." And it offers rich 
 measure of privilege and blessing to those now 
 outside her fold who turn to her and accept 
 the "Faith once for all delivered to the Saints." 
 And in this day of attacks within and attacks 
 without it is the duty of all bravely and faith- 
 fully to fight the battle to preserve the Ancient 
 Faith and Practice free from "false doctrine, 
 heresy and schism," and to show forth in 
 their lives the reality of the Religion they 
 profess. With this counsel the Author again 
 sends out this Book. 
 
 Trinity, 1918. 
 
A FOREWORD 
 
 By the Right Reverend C C. Grafton, D.D., 
 
 Sometime Bishop of Fond du Lac. 
 
 ^TpHIS is a book of Instruction in the Faith 
 ■*" and of Prayers. It is simple, clear, 
 definite in its teaching and loyal to our An- 
 glican position as a portion of the Catholic 
 Church. It gives to humble and devout minds 
 an outline of the Faith and the Catholic Re- 
 ligion which is of sterling value. In times 
 when minds are tossed about upon a sea of 
 doubt, here a safe harbour and resting-place 
 can be found. The longing the soul has for 
 certainty and security is here provided, for it 
 brings Christ home to the soul. Our Lord 
 is Himself the Revelation of God to man. He 
 is God manifest in the Flesh. This revelation 
 of Himself in truth and life and power He 
 makes known and applies to us in and through 
 His Church. He dwells in it, making it a 
 spiritual organism in which we are elevated 
 into a new and spiritual union with God. 
 
 This book is a devotional one. By its faith- 
 ful use, God will reveal and communicate to 
 the loving soul the riches of His Grace. Bet- 
 ter far than anything the world can give are 
 
X FOREWORD 
 
 the everlasting riches of light and strength, 
 of peace and joy which He bestows. A life 
 of devotion is a life with God. Happy and 
 blessed in this life are all they who walk with 
 Him and love Him and are devoted to His 
 Person and work for the extension of His 
 Kingdom. 
 
 May this book be of service to all who use 
 it and walk by its loving counsels and may 
 they make it known to others. 
 
 *i» C. C. Fond du Lac 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PART I: INSTRUCTIONS 
 
 I. The Church, the Bible, and the 
 Praver-Book: The Early and 
 Mediaeval Church; the Councils; 
 the Reformation; the Anglican 
 Communion ; the Oxford Move- 
 ment or Catholic Revival ; the 
 Bible ; the Prayer Book ic 
 
 II. The Creed: Its Authority and 
 Meaning; the Athanasian Creed.. 15 
 
 III. The Sacraments : Holy Baptism ; 
 Holy Communion ; Holy Absolu- 
 tion (or Penance) ; Holy Confirm- 
 ation; Holy Matrimony; Holy 
 Order; Holy Unction .... 22 
 
 IV. The Spiritual Life: Sin; Grace; 
 Penitence; Contrition; Confes- 
 sion ; Amendment ; etc 30 
 
 V. The Blessed Sacrament: The 
 Gift; the Real Presence; Euchar- 
 istic Adoration ; Fasting Com- 
 munion; the Offering .... ^^^ 
 VI. Public Worship; Authority of 
 the Church; Ancient Usage; Rites 
 and Ceremonies ; Vestments ; etc. 36 
 VII- Christian Symbolism: In Art; 
 in Architecture, etc. ; Meaning of 
 Altar, Candles, Cross, Crucifix, 
 etc. ; Use of Incense, Processions, 
 Banners, etc. 41 
 
Xll CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 VIII. The Church's Heritage: The 
 
 Various Parts of the Services . 48 
 IX. The Chuirch Kalendar: The 
 Festivals and Fasts ; Their Mean- 
 ing; Church Colours • • • . 53 
 X. Christian Duties, Virtues, etc. : 
 Short Summaries of Church Coun- 
 sels and Teaching 58 
 
 PART II: DEVOTIONS 
 
 I. Preparation FOR Communion: 
 (i) Self-Examination, etc 
 (2) Psalms and Devotions 
 II. The Holy Communion Service 
 
 III. Thanksgiving after Communion 104 
 Spiritual Communion 
 
 IV. Additional Devotions 
 V. Eucharistic Hymns, etc. 
 
 VI. Penitential Prayers, etc. 
 VII. The Way of the Cross 
 
 VIII. Meditation 
 
 IX. Sanctification of Sickness 
 Prayers in Sickness 
 Communion of the Sick 
 Unction of the Sick 
 X. For One at the Point of Death 
 XL For the Dear Departed 
 XII. Intercessory Prayer . 
 
 XIII. The Angelus . . . 
 
 XIV. Prayers Before a Journey 
 XV. Daily Prayers . . . 
 
 XVI. Confession to a Priest 
 XVII. Afterword of Counsel 
 
 110 
 III 
 122 
 131 
 139 
 148 
 154 
 158 
 161 
 163 
 165 
 167 
 169 
 
 175 
 176 
 
 179 
 190 
 
 194 
 
PART I 
 INSTRUCTIONS 
 
A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM. 
 
NOTES' ON THE DOCTRINE, DISCI- 
 PLINE, AND WORSHIP OF 
 THE CHURCH 
 
 THE CHURCH, THE BIBLE, AND THE 
 PRAYER-BOOK 
 
 THE Holy Catholic Church is a Divine In- 
 stitution founded and commissioned by 
 Our Lord Jesus Christ, to set forth the 
 Christian Religion and to minister the Word 
 and the Sacraments. The Church is, there- 
 fore, the Preserver of Truth, the Dispenser of 
 Grace, and the Guide in Morals ; and being 
 guided by the Holy Ghost speaks by Divine 
 Authority, and declares that which is neces- 
 sary and right as to Doctrine, Discipline, and 
 Worship. Her members are pledged by their 
 Baptismal and Confirmation Vows to con- 
 form to all that is commanded by the Church, 
 her authority and not private judgment being 
 the sole judge as to Teaching and Practice, 
 which the Church has clearly set forth in 
 Creeds, Scriptures, Liturgies, and Councils. 
 This ''Faith once for all delivered fo the 
 saints" is unchanging as to the Divine Reve- 
 lation, but is adapted to all persons, all places, 
 
 * These notes are but fragmentary, to recall or supplenten, 
 Confirmation Instructions. 
 
2 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 and all time, all Christian people being bound 
 both to hold and live the Catholic Religion. 
 
 I. The Church. 
 
 After Our Lord's Ascension and the Descent 
 of the Holy Ghost, the Apostles began their 
 active ministry in the Church and their mis- 
 sionary labours for the spread of the Gospel. 
 While the full development and organization 
 of the Church was a thing of growth, the 
 essential features are found at the very start, 
 evidently established according to Our Lord's 
 Instructions. The Three Orders of Clergy, 
 the assembling for Public Worship, the Minis- 
 tration of the Sacraments, the daily Celebra- 
 tion of the Holy Communion are all recorded 
 in the New Testament, which Scriptures, with 
 the Creed and Liturgy were the work of the 
 Apostles. At first the Services were held 
 secretly in Caves, Cellars and Upper Rooms, 
 where Lights, Vestments, Incense and other 
 Ceremonies seem to have been in us,e. 
 
 A human cause would have been hopeless 
 against the ridicule and persecution which the 
 Christians had to face, but the Church perse- 
 vered, with the blood of her Martyrs stairring 
 the page of history for three hundred years, 
 until finally the work of the Apostles and their 
 Successors triumphed, in the Christian Relig- 
 ion being established throughout the Roman 
 Empire and its Missions extended ^ far and 
 wide. During these days great religious cen- 
 tres were built up. Schools of Theology and 
 Philosophy were founded, the Monastic life 
 was started and even in the desert places of 
 the Nile and elsewhere Hermits carried the 
 Gospel of Christ. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 3 
 
 As need required, Councils were held to set 
 forth the Creed, to condemn heresies and to 
 regulate Discipline. Those called GEcumenical 
 or General Councils (at which the whole 
 Church was represented and whose decrees 
 were universally accepted) are usually ac- 
 counted to be seven : Nicsea 325, a.d., Con- 
 stantinople 381, Ephesus 434, Chalcedon 451, 
 Constantinople 553 and 680 and Nicsea y^y. 
 These early days were distinguished by the 
 great Fathers, Doctors and Writers of the 
 Church, the four greatest Greek Fathers be- 
 ing St. Athanasius, St. Basil, St. Chrysostom, 
 and St. Gregory of Nazianzum and the four 
 chief Latin Fathers, St. Augustine, St. Am- 
 brose, St. Jerome and St. Leo, 
 
 In the early Church, Rome, Alexandria, 
 Antioch, Jerusalem and Constantinople were 
 given special honour as five great Patriarch- 
 ates. Soon there arose a rivalry between the 
 Bishops of Rome and Constantinople for the 
 *' primacy," which with the " Image Contro- 
 versy " and the dispute about the Procession 
 of the Holy Ghost, in the nth century led 
 to the separation of the Eastern and Western 
 parts of the Church. To-day " the Holy Or- 
 thodox Eastern Church," with her 100,000,000 
 followers still holds aloof, claiming to be un- 
 changed from Apostolic days. 
 
 In the Western Church, Mediaeval times saw 
 the rise of the Papacy, the growth of the 
 Monastic Orders, the institution of the Preach- 
 ing Friars, the Crusades and the works of 
 the Schoolmen. Those days are somewhat 
 erroneously called " the Dark Ages." It was 
 a time when good and evil seemed to go side 
 by side. Corruption, ignorance and super- 
 
4 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 stition crept in, worldliness and wickedness 
 waxed great, and both Clergy and Laity often 
 aeemed careless of wrongdoing. Yet it was 
 also a period glorious in a record of 
 Saintly lives and of the consecration of Art, 
 Architecture, Music and Learning to the Ser- 
 vice _ of God. Many of the most beautiful 
 writings, most magnificent Cathedrals and 
 most inspiring paintings came into being in 
 those days, and it may be questioned whether 
 the life of the people has since shown as much 
 real religion and devotion as then when the 
 Church was the controlling power. 
 
 The unscriptural claims of the Papacy and 
 the abuses of the age led to the calling of 
 Councils which however accomplished little. 
 In the i6th century the desire to purify the 
 Church started the Reformation, but the work 
 was carried on in such a mistaken way, that 
 it ended in catastrophe. For when war and 
 persecution ceased, there was seen a divided 
 Christendom ; the purified Church of England 
 being separated from the partly reformed 
 Church of Rome and out of communion with 
 both were the Protestant bodies or Sectarians, 
 who had lost Apostolic Order with much of 
 the Ancient Faith and Practice and were 
 " teaching for doctrine the commandments of 
 men." The sad result of this schism is seen 
 to-day in over 200 kinds of Sectarians, dif- 
 fering one from the other, continually divid- 
 ing to form new bodies and all opposed to the 
 Church. 
 
 In the Holy Catholic Church, although the 
 Eastern branch still stands aside, although 
 the Roman Communion has added to the 
 Faith, although the Anglican body often 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 5 
 
 speaks with hesitating voice, and all are handi- 
 capped by party differences, they are neverthe- 
 less one in Christ, tracing their descent 
 through the Undivided Church, to the 
 Apostles. When in God's Providence re- 
 union or intercommunion comes, it will have 
 to be brought about by the drawing together 
 of these three branches of the Ancient 
 Church, numbering four hundred million souls, 
 and agreeing in the essentials of Doctrine, 
 Discipline and Worship. 
 
 11. The Anglican Communion. 
 
 That part of the Church known as the An- 
 glican Communion embraces the Church of 
 England at home, and in the Colonies, the 
 Episcopal Church of Ireland, Scotland, and 
 Wales, and the Episcopal Church in America, 
 with the Foreign Missions of these bodies. 
 
 The Church was planted in Britain (Eng- 
 land) in the first century, probably coming 
 from France, tradition variously ascribing 
 it to St. Paul, to St. Joseph of Arimathea or 
 to one of Our Lord's followers. Although its 
 origin is not known, its early existence is 
 proved by the ancient Sees of London, York 
 and Lincoln, by British Bishops being at the 
 first Councils and by the Martyrdom of St. 
 Alban. Later on, the British Church, with 
 Ireland, which was Christianized by St. Pat- 
 rick, and Scotland, where St. Ninian went, be- 
 came famous for holiness, learning and mis- 
 sionary zeal, Ireland especially being called 
 " the Isle of the Saints." 
 
 The coming of the Anglo-Saxons drove 
 the British Church into Wales and Cornwall, 
 
6 THE PRACTICE OP RELIGION 
 
 shut off from the rest of the western world. 
 There it was when in 597 St. Augustine came 
 with his Monks from Rome to convert the 
 Anglo-Saxons. For a while minor differences 
 and jealousies kept them apart but in the end 
 all worked together in converting the country 
 to Christianity, largely helped by the Scotch- 
 Irish Monks of lona and Lindisfarne. 
 
 The Church of England escaped many of 
 the corruptions of the Continent and largely 
 kept free from Papal control, protesting 
 against these claims. Consequently the Refor- 
 mation in England was different from that in 
 Europe. The movement led by the Bishops 
 did not break the continuity of the Church, 
 but asserting the ancient origin of the Church 
 of England and her independence of the 
 Bishop of Rome, aimed to correct abuses and 
 to restore the primitive purity of Faith and 
 Practice. Superstitious practices were swept 
 away, Public Worship was simplified, the 
 Services were shortened and the Bible and 
 Prayer Book were translated into English. 
 Mistakes were made, and some good things 
 went with the bad, extremists of all kinds 
 doing harm, but through all the compromise 
 which seemed unavoidable, God preserved the 
 Church, so that the Reformation left it the 
 same Ancient and Apostolic body that it was 
 before, changed in no essential of Faith and 
 Practice, still holding the Catholic Religion 
 and having the Ministry, the Word and the 
 Sacraments in their integrity. 
 
 The greatest injury to the Church came 
 in the i8th century, when the infidelity,^ the 
 immorality and the worldliness of the times 
 were such that Religion reached a very low 
 
INSTRUCTIONS ^ 
 
 plane, when closed Churches, infrequent Ser- 
 vices and irreverent Worship showed the lack 
 of devotion of both Priests and People, and 
 the neglect of religious instruction brought 
 about an ignorance of the Church and her 
 teaching, which is even now very prevalent. 
 When all was at its worst, there came those 
 wonderful movements which infused new life 
 into the Anglican Communion and made her 
 influence felt far and wide : first " the Evan- 
 gelical Revival " for the cultivation of per- 
 sonal holiness and then '' the Catholic Re- 
 vival " for the recognition of the Apostolic 
 heritage of the Church and the right use of 
 the Sacraments. This last, often called " the 
 Oxford Movement," was misunderstood and 
 opposed at first and its adherents sadly perse- 
 cuted, but now true lovers of God see in it 
 one of the greatest powers for good and in 
 its supporters some of the most loyal sons of 
 the Church. The work of restoration, which 
 was begun, is still going on, the full Faith 
 being plainly taught and the beautiful Cere- 
 monial of Ancient times being largely used. 
 In America, the Church was planted with 
 the Colonies, its members being under the 
 spiritual charge of the Bishop of London. 
 After the War of Independence, Churchrnen 
 organized as an American Church, obtaining 
 the Episcopate abroad, where Dr. Seabury 
 was consecrated by the Bishops of the Epis- 
 copal Church of Scotland, as the Bishop of 
 Connecticut, and Dr. White and Dr. Prevoost 
 were respectively made the Bishop of Penn- 
 sylvania and the Bishop of New York by 
 the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Prel- 
 ates of the Church of England. Sure of the 
 
8 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Apostolic Succession, in the Episcopate ob- 
 tained from the Mother Church, the American 
 Church has grown from that Httle pioneer 
 body to a large Communion which both em- 
 braces the best that America can give and also 
 ministers to " all sorts and conditions of 
 men." Free from state interference, and 
 blessed with a splendid Liturgy and full of 
 missionary zeal, the Church here has a large 
 opportunity and seems destined to a noble 
 future, if her members remain loyal to their 
 ancient Catholic heritage. 
 
 An ignorance of Church teaching, together 
 with wrong statements of other reHgious 
 bodies, has led some persons into thinking 
 that the Anglican Communion is " Protestant." 
 This is clearly contradicted by history and 
 by the Church of England in her Prayer 
 Book where never ^ once does such a word 
 occur. The same is true of the American 
 Church, except that under her title printed as 
 " The Church " occur the words " Protestant 
 Episcopal " in the special sense of a legal 
 designation, even as Roman Catholics are 
 officially called " The Holy Roman Church." 
 As Romanists are nevertheless " Catholics," 
 owning the supremacy of the Roman Pontiff, 
 so also are Anglicans " Catholics," protesting 
 against this claim. This is the only sense in 
 which this word is used by the "Episcopal 
 Church," any other meaning contradicting the 
 Church's own Formularies which clearly set 
 forth the Catholic Faith. 
 
 Thus according to the Prayer Book of 
 both the Church of England and the Church 
 here, one is Baptized into " Christ's Holy 
 Church/' is Confirmed into '' The Church," is 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 9 
 
 Married by " His Church'' prays for " The 
 Whole Church,'* " The Holy Church Uni- 
 versal," "The Catholic Church," \coniesses 
 in the Creed that he believes in " The 
 Holy Catholic Church," " One Catholic and 
 Apostolic Church," sees a Priest ordained or 
 a Bishop consecrated in "The Church of 
 God/' and when sick is made ready to die 
 " in the Communion of the Catholic Church." 
 
 There is no uncertainty here. By her Ser- 
 vices the Anglican Communion clearly shows 
 that she is most surely Catholic, which is not 
 a question of opinion, but a matter of fact, 
 proved in her having valid Orders, in her 
 owning the Authority of the Undivided 
 Church and in her Conforming to her Doc- 
 trine, Discipline and Worship. Consequently 
 her members should call themselves " Catho- 
 lics " as well as " Churchmen," for by so 
 doing they not only show the true character 
 of the Church but also mark Romanists as 
 more properly " Roman Catholics." 
 
 The Anglican Communion thus stands as a 
 true part of the Ancient Historic Church. 
 She has never lost her continuity with the 
 past. Her Orders are sure beyond doubt, in 
 them meeting three lines of Apostolic Suc- 
 cession: the English, the Irish and the Ital- 
 ian. She holds the Ancient Faith, ministers 
 the Sacraments as Christ ordained, and offers 
 the one Holy Sacrifice of the Altar, which 
 binds all three parts of the Church in invisible 
 union. Unassailable historically and doctri- 
 nally the Anglican Communion stands as the 
 Catholic Church for English speaking people. 
 
 1 Church of England P. B. 
 
lO THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 III. The Bible. 
 
 The Bible, or the Book of the Sacred Scrip- 
 tures, is the Word of God, because it was Di- 
 vinely Inspired, being written by holy men of 
 old through the guidance of the Holy Ghost. 
 It comprises the canonical books of the Old 
 and New Testaments, " containing all things 
 necessary to Salvation," and to these are 
 added the " Apocrypha," or those writings 
 which are read for " example of life and in- 
 struction in manners." ^ The Old Testament 
 was originally written in Hebrew, but later 
 on translated into Greek. The New Testa- 
 ment was written in Greek. Now the Bible 
 may be read in all the languages of the world. 
 Some parts are hard to understand, but the 
 reader will ever come to a closer union with 
 and a clearer knowledge of God if he reads 
 with faith, reverence, and humilitv. remember- 
 ing liis human limitations and recollecting 
 that the Church and not the individual is to 
 explain the Divine Message, for St. Peter says, 
 that no Scripture: "is of any private interpre- 
 tation." 
 
 IV. The Book of Common Prayer. 
 
 The authorized Service Book of the Angli- 
 can Church, setting forth the Order of Public 
 Worship with the necessary Rites and Cere- 
 monies and called " The Book of Common 
 Prayer," is largely a heritage from ancient 
 times. From the first the Church had set 
 forms, but for awhile these were probably 
 said from memory, for fear that others out- 
 side the faithful might obtain the sacred 
 words. When later the various centres of 
 
INSTRUCTIONS II 
 
 the Church put the Liturgy into writing, the 
 agreement in all essentials shows that they fol- 
 lowed the same model. The four greatest 
 early Liturgies were those called the Alex- 
 andrian, the Ephesian, the Oriental and the 
 Roman, often attributed to St. Mark, St. John, 
 St. James and St. Peter, but those which have 
 come down to us are largely the work of 
 others, such as the modern Roman Rite and 
 the Eastern Liturgy of St. Chrysostom. 
 
 The Gallican Liturgy of France and the 
 Mozarabic Liturgy of Spain are said to have 
 sprung from the Ephesian Liturgy of St. 
 John. From France, this Gallijcan Liturgy 
 was taken to England. There it was later 
 modified by the ancient Roman Rite intro- 
 duced by St. Augustine, giving rise to a 
 number of adaptations called " Uses," that 
 of " Old Sarum Rite " gradually supplanting 
 all others and being the basis of the present 
 English Prayer Book. 
 
 The contents of the Prayer Book are a 
 gradual growth. At first there was only the 
 Divine Liturgy, which strictly speaking is 
 the Order for Communion or the Mass. This 
 has always been the one Service of obliga- 
 tion for both Clergy and Laity. The other 
 Offices arose later as needs required. In the 
 Church of England, these different Services 
 were found in various books, chief of which 
 were : the Missal, containing the Mass ; the 
 Breviary, the Offices or '' hours "; the Pontifi- 
 cal and Ordinal, the Episcopal ministrations ; 
 and the Manual, the occasional offices, all of 
 which were in Latin. In addition were vari- 
 ous " Primers " or instructions and devotions 
 in English, for the Laity. 
 
12 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 At the Reformation, these books were short- 
 ened, simplified, combined and put forth in 
 English as " The Book of Common Prayer/' 
 which after many revisions (due to compari- 
 son with other Rites and the desire to recon- 
 cile differences) assumed its present form as 
 used by the Church of England. Another 
 form, used by the Episcopal Church of Scot- 
 land, more closely resembling ancient Rites, 
 largely influenced the Prayer Book of the 
 Church in America, which in the main is 
 probably the best of all Anglican Liturgies. 
 
 The Prayer Book is a notable example of 
 God's Providence, overruling all attacks upon 
 it, frustrating all attempts to sweep away its 
 Catholic teaching and worship, and preserving 
 the essentials of Faith and Practice through 
 many a perilous day of storm. 
 
 Although structurally differing somewhat 
 from the_ older Liturgies, the Anglican Ser- 
 vice carries us back to ancient days and en- 
 ables her children to present the same Holy 
 Sacrifice and offer the same Worship in simi- 
 lar way and word as did the Apostles and 
 holy men of old. It is lacking in no essential, 
 and should enlist the love and loyalty of all, 
 not only as a rallying point to resist attacks 
 upon the Faith, but also because of its beauti- 
 ful forms of praise and prayer, in a " tongue 
 understanded of the people," a blessing and 
 help which cannot be overestimated. While 
 other Liturgies may be superior in some re- 
 spects, there is a rhythmic beauty, a dignified 
 simplicity, a devout restraint in the thought 
 and diction of the Prayer Book, that sounds 
 like music in the ear and sanctifies our ap- 
 proach to Almighty God. 
 
GLORY BE TO GOD IN THE 
 
 HIGHEST AND ON EARTH, PEACE, 
 
 GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN/' 
 
II 
 
 THE CREED 
 
 THE Creed is the Declaration of "The 
 Faith once delivered to the Saints," as 
 revealed by Our Lord, contained in the Scrip- 
 tures, taught by the Church, and set forth by 
 her Authority. There is only one Creed, the 
 Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds be- 
 ing but three forms of expressing the same 
 Belief, the first briefly, the last two at greater 
 length. Some of the statements of the Creed 
 are called Holy Mysteries, because they are 
 beyond human understanding, dealing as they 
 do with the Nature or Attributes of God. 
 It is absolutely incumbent upon all persons 
 to believe each and every article of the Creed, 
 as the Church hath declared it, for the denial 
 of any one part of that which God has revealed 
 puts the soul in peril. The various declara- 
 tions of the Creed may very briefly be ex- 
 plained as follows : — 
 
 I. The Mystery of the Trinity is that 
 there is One, True and Only God, in which 
 Unity there are Three Persons (or Exist- 
 ences) : the Father, the Son, and the 
 Holy Ghost, of equal power, honour, and 
 glory, for "the Father is God, the Son is 
 God, the Holy Ghost is God, but there are 
 not three Gods, but one God." 
 
 God is a Spirit, without beginning or end, 
 possessed of infinite power, wisdom, and good- 
 ness, of perfect love, mercy, and justice. He 
 
14 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 is the Creator and Ruler of all things, always 
 and everywhere present, Whose Existence is 
 proved by the Works of Nature, the Voice 
 of Conscience, and the life of the Soul. God 
 also has been specially revealed to man in 
 Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the 
 Trinity. God cannot be comprehended by 
 the mind or described by the words of man. 
 Consequently it behooves all to think and 
 speak in reverent awe of the Blessed Trinity, 
 remembering that God is from above, we from 
 below. 
 
 11. The Mystery of the Incarnation is 
 
 that Our Lord, the Only-begotten Son of God, 
 came down from Heaven, was conceived by 
 the Holy Ghost, and Born of the Virgin 
 Mary, becoming Man, without ceasing to be 
 God, being " Perfect God of the Substance of 
 the Father, and Perfect Man of the Sub- 
 stance of His Mother." 
 
 Before the Incarnation, Our Lord was eter- 
 nally God; but from the moment of the In- 
 carnation He is henceforth both God and Man, 
 being One Person, the Second Person of the 
 Trinity, but having " Two Whole and Perfect 
 Natures, Divine and Human." He is Our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ, because He is the 
 ruler of all things and the Redeemer of the 
 world, being our Prophet, Priest, and King. 
 In His life on earth, Our Lord worked Mira- 
 cles, taught Parables, founded His Church, 
 chose His Disciples, instituted the Sacraments, 
 preached the Gospel, and although tempted 
 in all points as we are, was absolutely without 
 sin, the Perfect Pattern for all time. The 
 Church adores Our Lord as the Virgin-Born, 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 15 
 
 God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very 
 God, and at the same time reverences Saint 
 Mary the Virgin, as "Blessed among wo- 
 men/' ^ because chosen and sanctified by God 
 to be the instrument of the Incarnation, the 
 Mother of Our Lord, called by a Council the 
 Mother of God. because she brought forth 
 Him who was God. 
 
 in. The Mystery of the Redemption is 
 
 the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, in 
 the Sacrifice of Calvary, where Our Lord 
 suff^ered and died as Man, and saved and re- 
 deemed the world as God, making by " the 
 One Oblation of Himself once offered, the one 
 full, perfect, and sufficient Sacrifice, Oblation, 
 and Satisfaction for the sins of the whole 
 world." 
 
 In His Sufferings were included His Life 
 of the Cross, His Agony in Gethsemane, and 
 His Passion on Good Friday (in the betrayal 
 by Judas Iscariot, the denial by St. Peter, and 
 the stripping, scourging, and awful treatment 
 before Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate). 
 At Death, His Soul descended to the Place 
 of Departed Spirits " to offer salvation to 
 those who had gone before, and His body was 
 laid in the Tomb, He as God being in both 
 places by virtue of the Incarnation. 
 
 IV. The Mystery of the Resurrection is 
 
 that on the third day, Our Lord, by His Own 
 power as God, rose again from th€ dead in the 
 same Body which was Crucified, but then with 
 the properties of a risen body, that is. His 
 Body could no longer suffer, could be any- 
 
 1 St. Luke i. 28, 42. 2 i St. Peter iii. 19. 
 
l6 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 where at will, could pass through any sub- 
 stance, and was full of beauty and glory. 
 Our Lord proved the reality of His Risen 
 Body by sight,^ by touch,^ and by taking food.^ 
 The Faith of the Church is built on the Resur- 
 rection, for St. Paul says, "If Christ be 
 not risen, then is our preaching vain and your 
 faith is vain also." * No truth is more abso- 
 lutely assured than the Bodily Resurrection 
 of Christ and no fact could have been more 
 easily disposed of if it were not so. It is 
 absolutely certain. After the Resurrection 
 Our Lord remained forty days on earth, ap- 
 pearing to His Apostles at different times, and 
 teaching the things pertaining to the Church 
 or Kingdom of God." 
 
 V. The Mystery of the Ascension is that 
 on the fortieth day after the Resurrection, 
 Our Lord, in the sight of His Apostles, As- 
 cended into Heaven, exalting His Glorified 
 Human Nature to the highest place of Honour 
 at the Right Hand of God, there to reign in 
 His Glory and plead the Sacrifice He had 
 made for man, "He ever liveth to make inter- 
 cession for us."° From thence He will come 
 at the Last Day "to judge the quick and the 
 dead." 
 
 VL The Holy Ghost, also called the Holy 
 Spirit, the Holy Advocate, and the Holy Com- 
 forter, is the Third Person of the Blessed 
 Trinity, eternally proceeding from the Father 
 and the Son, with Whom He is to be wor- 
 shipped and glorified. The Holy Ghost is 
 
 1 St. Luke xxiv. 31. * i Cor. xv. 14. 
 
 2 St. John XX. 27; St. Luke xxiv. 39. ' Acts i. 3. 
 
 * St. Luke xxiv. 43. « Heb. vii. 25. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 17 
 
 the Lord and Giver of Life, Who comes 
 especially in Baptism, Confirmation, and Or- 
 dination, Who guides and counsels the Church 
 and her members, and who is ever with us 
 to " convince of sin, of righteousness, and of 
 judgment."^ 
 
 VII. The One, Holy, Catholic, and Apos- 
 tolic Church is " the mystical body of 
 Christ," having been instituted by Our Lord 
 to be the Preserver of Truth, the Dispenser 
 of Grace and the Guide in Morals. On the 
 invisible side the Church is the mystical union 
 of all believers with Christ their Head, on 
 the visible side a body with the Ministry, the 
 Word, and the Sacraments. The Church is 
 Catholic, because for all persons, all places, 
 and all times, and Apostolic because she holds 
 "the Faith once delivered to the Saints."^ 
 The Church embraces the Living and the 
 Dead, that is : the Church Triumphant in 
 Heaven, the Church Expectant in the Place 
 of Departed Spirits, and the Church Militant 
 on earth. This is called " the Communion 
 of Saints." The three great branches of the 
 Church are the Anglican, the Eastern, and the 
 Roman bodies, which though divided, agree in 
 the essentials of Faith and Worship. Those 
 who do not accept the Authority of the 
 Church or who reject all or part of the Truth 
 are called " heretics," " schismatics,^ " sec- 
 tarians," or " nonconformists," according to 
 the extent of their errors. Full measure of 
 grace and full assurance of Salvation are 
 only surely found in the Holy Catholic 
 Church. 
 
 1 St. John xvi. 8. 2 St. Jude. 
 
18 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 VIII. The Forgiveness of Sins is the par- 
 don which God gives on account of the 
 Merits and Mediation of Our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and is conditional upon our faith, 
 love, and repentance. The ordinary channels 
 for conveying God's forgiveness are Baptism, 
 which remits original and ante-baptismal sin ; 
 Communion, which remits sin to those who 
 rightly receive ; and Absolution, wherein the 
 Priest in the Ministry of Reconciliation con- 
 veys God's pardon/ 
 
 IX. The Resurrection of the Dead and 
 the Life Everlasting teach us that we rise 
 in our flesh at the Last Day and go into our 
 unchangeable state in Heaven or Hell. We 
 are judged by the works done while on earth. 
 At death the soul undergoes the Particular 
 Judgment, if lost going to Hell, if saved to 
 the Intermediate State, or the Place of De- 
 parted Spirits, sometirnes called Purgatory be- 
 cause there the soul is prepared and purified 
 for Heaven, as no soul can enter the Presence 
 of God unless absolutely free from the stain 
 of sin. At the Final Resurrection, or the 
 Last Judgment, the redeemed enter into the 
 Joys of Heaven, into the Glory of God, with 
 the Saints and Angels to be in unspeakable 
 blessedness, while the lost continue in the tor- 
 ment of Hell, shut out forever from God, 
 and doomed to everlasting punishment with 
 Satan and lost souls. We should remember 
 that none are lost save by their own fault, 
 that God of His Justice must punish those 
 who die unrepentant, and that all may be 
 saved who " do their duty in that state of life 
 
 1 St. John XX. 21-23, and Ordination Office, 3 Cor. v. 18. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS I9 
 
 unto which it shall please God to call them " ^ 
 and live and die " in the Communion of the 
 Catholic Church." ' 
 
 It may be noted of the three forms of the 
 Creed that the Apostles' is the simple state- 
 ment of the belief of the Church, whilst the 
 Nicene and Athanasian Creeds are of the na- 
 ture of doctrinal definitions of this belief. 
 The last of these Creeds is here printed in 
 full, as this splendid statement of the Catho- 
 lic Faith is not familiar to all: 
 
 The Athanasian Creed 
 
 Whosoever will be saved : before all things 
 it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith, 
 which Faith except every one do keep whole 
 and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish 
 everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this: 
 
 (i) That we worship One God in Trinity, 
 and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding 
 the Persons ; nor dividing the Substance. For 
 there is One Person of the Father, another 
 of the Son ; and another of the Holy Ghost. 
 But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son 
 and of the Holy Ghost is all one ; the 
 Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such 
 as the Father is, such is the Son; and such 
 is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, 
 the Son uncreate; and the Holy Ghost un- 
 create. The Father incomprehensible; the 
 Son incomprehensible ; and the Holy Ghost 
 incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the 
 Son eternal ; and the Holy Ghost eternal. 
 And yet there are not three eternals; but one 
 eternal. As also there are not three incom- 
 
 1 Church Catechism. 2 Office of Vis. of the Sicl?. 
 
20 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 prehensibles nor three uncreated ; but one un- 
 created and one incomprehensible. So like- 
 wise the Father is Almighty; the Son Al- 
 mighty; and the Holy Ghost Alrnighty. And 
 yet there are not three Almighties; but one 
 Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is 
 God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet 
 there are not three Gods : but one God. So 
 likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord; 
 and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not 
 three Lords : but one Lord. For like as we 
 are compelled by the Christian verity to ac- 
 knowledge every Person by Himself to be 
 God and Lord ; so are we forbidden by the 
 Catholic Religion: to say there be three 
 Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made 
 of none; neither created nor begotten. 
 The Son is of the Father alone; not 
 made nor created but begotten. The Holy 
 Ghost is of the Father and of the Son ; 
 neither made, nor created, nor begotten, 
 but proceeding. So there is one Father, not 
 three Fathers : one Son. not three Sons ; 
 one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. 
 And in this Trinity none is afore, or after 
 other : none is greater, or less than another ; 
 But the whole three Persons are co-eternal 
 together ; and co-equal. So that in all things, 
 as is aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the 
 Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He 
 therefore that will be saved ; must thus think 
 of the Trinity. 
 
 (2) Furthermore, it is necessary to everlast- 
 ing salvation : that he also believe rightly the 
 Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For 
 the right Faith is, that we believe and con- 
 fess: that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 21 
 
 of God, is God and Man; God, of the Sub- 
 stance of the Father, begotten before the 
 worlds, and man, of the Substance of 
 His Mother, born in the world; Per- 
 fect God, and Perfect Man, of a reasonable 
 soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to 
 the Father, as touching His Godhead ; and 
 inferior to the Father, as touching His Man- 
 hood. Who although He be God and Man; 
 yet He is not two but one Christ; One: not 
 by conversion of the Godhead into flesh ; but 
 by taking of the Manhood, into God; One 
 altogether ; not by co-nfusion of Substance ; but 
 by unity of Person. For as the reasonable 
 soul and flesh is one man ; so God and Man is 
 one Christ; (3) Who suffered for our salva- 
 tion; descended into hell; (4) rose again 
 the third day from the dead. (5) He as- 
 cended into Heaven, He sitteth on the Right 
 hand of the Father, God Almighty; from 
 whence He shall come to judge the quick and 
 the dead. (9) At Whose coming all men shall 
 rise again with their bodies ; and shall give 
 account of their own works. (9) And they 
 that have done good shall go into life ever- 
 lasting; and they that have done evil into 
 everlasting fire. 
 
 This is the Catholic Faith ; which except 
 a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved.^ 
 
 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 
 and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the 
 beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world 
 without end. Amen. 
 
 ^The so-called "damnatory clauses" only apply to those 
 who deliberately, ivillingly and knowingly reject the Catholic 
 Faith, when clearly presented to their conscience and reason. 
 The numbers correspond with the sections of the Shorter 
 Creed, as explained in this chapter. 
 
Ill 
 
 THE SACRAMENTS 
 
 THE Sacraments are not empty signs or 
 mere forms, but are Holy Mysteries, 
 instituted of God to confer Grace and effect 
 the purpose for which they are administered. 
 There are generally accounted to be Seven 
 Sacraments in all, two of them. Holy Baptism 
 and Holy Communion, being known as the 
 Greater Sacraments, or Sacraments of the 
 Gospel, because "generally necessary to Sal- 
 vation." 
 
 Holy Baptism is the Sacrament of regen- 
 eration, making the recipient " a member of 
 Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of 
 the Kingdom of Heaven." Baptism confers 
 the Forgiveness of Sins, the gift of Divine 
 Grace, and the character of a Christian, and 
 should be given as soon as possible after 
 birth. It is administered by prayer and the 
 pouring on of water in the Name of the 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It is some- 
 times called " Christening," from the giving 
 of the name, which should always be a re- 
 minder of our Christian profession which is 
 to follow Christ and to be made like unto 
 Him. It is also the " Christian Covenant," 
 because the Sponsors or Godparents promise 
 and vow in the name of the child (i) to re- 
 nounce the Devil and all his works, the pomps 
 and vanities of this wicked world, and all 
 
SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME 
 
 UNTO ME: FOR OF SUCH IS THE 
 
 KINGDOM OF HEAVEN." 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 23 
 
 the sinful lusts of the flesh; (2) to believe 
 all the Articles of the Christian Faith; (3) 
 to keep God's holy will and Commandments, 
 and walk in the same all the days of this life. 
 In the case of an adult, the rubric orders a 
 preparation of prayer and fasting. It is ex- 
 pected that persons baptized shall be con- 
 firmed as soon as possible. An unbaptized 
 person cannot love God except in a feeble 
 way. 
 
 At the Fall man lost his original righteous- 
 ness and came undee the dominion of sin, 
 inclining to evil and meriting God's wrath 
 and punishment. Baptism remits original sin 
 (or the penalty of the Fall), and in the case of 
 an adult also absolves^ from all sins committed 
 before Baptism, providing there is penitence. 
 Baptism is the " new birth unto righteous- 
 ness," and by its supernatural gifts enables 
 one to follow God's commandments. An adult 
 dying unbaptized cannot enter the Kingdom 
 of Heaven or see God, as Our Lord said, 
 " Except ye are born of water and the Spirit, 
 ye cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven," 
 but many hold that if his life is otherwise 
 good, he will not go to Hell but have " nat- 
 ural beatitude." 
 
 Holy Communion, -well called the Blessed 
 Sacrament, is the Sacrament of the Body and 
 Blood of Christ, and the Memorial of the 
 Sacrifice of the Cross. Under the forms of 
 Bread and Wine we receive Our Lord Really 
 and Objectively Present but after a Spiritual 
 and Supernatural manner. By this Offering 
 (instituted and commanded by Christ) we 
 commemorate and show forth the " One, Full, 
 
24 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Perfect, and Sufficient Sacrifice, Oblation and 
 Satisfaction for the sins of the whole world," 
 made by Our Lord on the Cross. The Holy 
 Communion is often called the Holy Eucha- 
 rist, since it is the Church's service of praise 
 and thanksgiving, the Holy Mysteries, since 
 it is above our understanding, and the Mass 
 or Sacrifice of the Altar, since it doth " show 
 the Lord's Death until He come." Our Lord 
 is to be worshipped and adored in the Blessed 
 Sacrament, since He is Supernaturally and 
 Mystically Present.' 
 
 In the Holy Communion, or Eucharistic 
 Sacrifice, it is Christ Who offers, conse- 
 crates, and gives His Body and Blood unto 
 Everlasting Life, through His Priest on earth 
 presenting the same Sacrifice which in Heaven 
 He offers or pleads in Glory before the 
 Throne of God.^ 
 
 Holy Absolution or the Sacrament of Pen- 
 ance is the Confession of Sins to God in the 
 presence of a Priest, " God having given 
 Power and Commandment to His Ministers 
 to pronounce to His people being penitent 
 the Absolution and Remission of their sins." ^ 
 The Priest exercises the Ministry of Jesus 
 Christ, to " speak in His Name," Our Lord 
 Himself forgiving sins through His represent- 
 ative, "the Ambassador of God" in the Min- 
 istry of reconciliation.^ 
 
 The benefits of using this privilege are 
 these: (i) It is an act of humility and shows 
 one's sorrow for sins; (2) it obtains the 
 
 * I Cor. X. 16, xi. 27, and Institution. 
 
 2 See part on Holy Order. 
 
 ' St. John XX. 21-23, Ordination Office. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 25 
 
 godly counsel and advice of the Priest; (3) 
 it secures the direct personal Absolution of 
 sin, which Absolution is the spiritual applica- 
 tion to the soul of the Precious Blood of Jesus 
 Christ ; (4) it enables one to speak freely as 
 is nowhere else possible, under the Seal of 
 Secrecy; (5) it conveys a special gift of Grace. 
 The Priest who hears the Confession is bound 
 never to divulge or mention it, (even to those 
 who have made it) outside the Confessional. 
 Everything is done to protect the Penitent. 
 The Absolution is conditioned upon Faith, 
 Love and Repentance, so that an insincere or 
 intentionally incomplete Confession becomes 
 sacrilege and merits God's displeasure. 
 
 In the Anglican Communion, while Confes- 
 sion is not rigidly enforced as in the other 
 branches of the Church, and in this sense is 
 voluntary, nevertheless it should be regarded 
 as morally obligatory to all properly taught 
 people. It is of great spiritual help both to 
 most saintly persons and to those who have 
 grievously sinned. True contrition brings one 
 to use this Sacrament, as pleasing to God, as 
 of Divine command, and as the only really 
 safe way for the soul. Those who have never 
 gone to Confession know nothing of its help 
 and comfort. They should be advised only 
 by those who know: the Clergy who hear 
 Confessions and the people who make Confes- 
 sions : both Clergy and Laity. The use of this 
 Sacrament is a great privilege and brings a 
 great blessing. It makes repentance real. It 
 expresses the need of God's Grace. It de- 
 velops character. It increases holiness. 
 
 People should not allow their prejudices 
 to blind them to speak against a Sacrament 
 
26 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 which probably they have never used, when a 
 few minutes of real study will show that 
 Confession has been a practice and privilege 
 of the whole Church, hallowed by the use of 
 centuries and should be regularly used. 
 
 Holy Confirmation is the Sacrament con- 
 ferring the Sevenfold Gift of the Holy Ghost, 
 " the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, 
 the Spirit of Counsel and Ghostly Strength, 
 the Spirit of Knowledge and True Godliness, 
 and the Spirit of Holy Fear/' four of which 
 are Intellectual Gifts enabling us to know 
 what is right, and three are Moral Gifts 
 enabling us to do what is right. 
 
 Confirmation also renews the Baptismal 
 Vows of Faith, Love, and Repentance, by 
 which one promises to believe in God and all 
 that He teaches through the Church as to 
 Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship, to love 
 God and follow His Will and Commandments 
 and to resist the_ deceits of the world, the 
 flesh and the Devil, trying to keep the mind, 
 body and soul as the temple of the Holy 
 Ghost and sincerely sorrowing over sin. This 
 Sacrament is sometimes called "the Seal," 
 or " Anointing " from the ancient practice of 
 touching the foreheads of the Candidates with 
 holy oil. In the Roman Church it is con- 
 ferred with the accompaniment of a tap on 
 the cheek, but the Anglican Communion fol- 
 lows the more Scriptural way of the "laying 
 on of hands " by the Bishop. Confirma- 
 tion brings forth the twelve frwits of the 
 Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gen- 
 tleness, Goodness, Truth, Meekness, Patience, 
 Modesty, Temperance, and Chastity. The re- 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 27 
 
 quirement for Confirmation (which is in- 
 tended to be administered to the young), is 
 that the Candidate can say the Creed, the 
 Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, 
 and is sufficiently " instructed in all other 
 things which a Christian ought to know and 
 believe to his soul's health." There should be 
 the threefold Preparation of mind, body, and 
 soul, or respectively : instruction, discipline, 
 and prayer. 
 
 Confirmation is not a matter of choice, but 
 is a matter of duty. Christ and His Church 
 call all to be confirmed when ready for this 
 sacrament. A person is not to study or sur- 
 vey all religions and then choose the one he 
 likes, for religion is not a matter of per- 
 sonal preference, but of Divine Revelation. 
 While there are many holy people in bodies 
 which have drifted away from " The Faith 
 once delivered to the Saints," the Church 
 alone offers the full measure of grace and 
 blessing in real ministry and real sacraments, 
 for which no sure warrant exists elsewhere. 
 
 God has promised His Divine assistance, 
 and we may be sure that He never fails to 
 give His grace to those who love Our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and who desire, through the 
 Sacrament of " the laying on of hands," to 
 have the privilege of receiving their Saviour's 
 Blessed Body and Blood in the Holy Sacrifice 
 of the Altar. 
 
 Holy Matrimony is the indissoluble union 
 of a man and a woman, makinsr them husband 
 and wife, and is "an honourable estate insti- 
 tuted of God, in the time of man's innocency, 
 signifying unto us the mystical union that is 
 
^ THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 betwixt Christ and His Church,"! The min- 
 isters of Holy Matrimony are the man and 
 woman, who plight their troth before proper 
 witnesses, the Church blessing and solemni:;- 
 ing the union. Unbaptized persons, near re- 
 lations and those divorced, and also those 
 prevented by certain impediments set forth 
 by the Scriptures and the Church, cannot con- 
 tract sacramental marriage. Holy Matrimony 
 is "not by any to be entered into unadvisedly 
 or lightly ; but reverently, discreetly, ad- 
 visedly, soberly, and in the fear of God/' i 
 The union cannot be severed, for marriage 
 when consummated, makes the man and 
 woman one flesh,'" 2 Even if they live apart, 
 neither can remarry during the life of the 
 other, for "those whom God hath joined to- 
 gether let no man put asunder/' The Divine 
 purpose of Matrimony is: (i) for bringing 
 children into the world to be raised in the fear 
 and nurture of the Lodrd; (2) for preventing 
 sin; (3) for mutual love and companionship. 
 Marriage should take place in Church. If 
 either party has been of a different belief, 
 such party should 'be confirmed or received 
 into the Church before marriage. 
 
 Holy Order is the Sacrament whereby 
 those called by God to the Sacred Ministry 
 are ordained Bishops, Priests, or Deacons. 
 Ordination is had by "the laying on of hands" 
 of the Bishop, accompanied by prayer and in- 
 vocation of the Holy Ghost, thus continuing 
 the Apostolic Succession from Our Lord and 
 His Disciples, conferring ministerial character 
 and giving the cure of souls. The sipecial 
 
 ^ Marriage Service. * Genesis ii. 23, 24. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 2g 
 
 office of a Bishop is to confirm, ordain, conse- 
 crate, and rule in the Church. That of a 
 Priest is to absolve from sin, to consecrate 
 and offer the Holy Eucharist, to preach the 
 Gospel, and to minister among men. The 
 clergy are to he esteemed : "very highly for 
 their work's sake,'"^ for the Bible says they 
 are : "the ambassadors of Christ/'2 to 
 "speak in His Name" as "Stewards of the 
 Mysteries of God/' 3 
 
 Holy Unction is the Anointing of the Sick 
 with oil blessed by the Bishop as an aid to 
 recovery, and is a rite ordered by God. 4 
 
 It is accompanied with Prayer. It is often 
 administered by signing the Cross with the 
 Oil only on the forehead. Its use is to be 
 desired in serious illness as an aid to recovery. 
 Many cures have taken place according to 
 God's promise. 4 
 
 Of these Sacraments, Holy Baptism, Holy 
 Confirmation and Holy Order can only be 
 received once since they confer "character." 
 To repeat except conditionally is sacrilege. 
 Holy Communion and Holy Absolution, how- 
 ever, are to he regularly used, and Holy 
 Unction when necessary. 
 
 The Holy Eucharist being a Sacrifice as 
 well as a Sacrament is offered both for the 
 Living and the Dead. To pray that the de- 
 parted may "rest in peace," that "light per- 
 petual may shine upon them" and that they 
 may soon have their perfect consummation 
 and bliss, is a custom ancient and Scriptural, 
 is found set forth in the Early Liturgies and 
 the Catacombs and appeals to all who believe 
 in "the Communion' of Saints." 
 
 ii Thess. V. 13. 3 Cor. v. 20. 
 
 *Cor. iv. I. * St. James v, 15. 
 
IV 
 
 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE 
 
 SIN is the Transgression of the Law of God, 
 the result of following the Temptation 
 of the Devil, who while he cannot force, may 
 persuade us to do wrong. 
 
 Sin may be by Commission or Omission, by 
 Thought or Word or Deed. It may be Mor- 
 tal, that is when done willingly, knozvingly, 
 and deliberately, and its nature is grave, or 
 Venial, when not so committed and the 
 offence is slight. 
 
 Only Mortal Sin separates from God, but 
 as all sin is displeasing to Him and as Venial 
 Sin may easily grow to be Mortal Sin, we 
 should be on our watch for the beginnings 
 of wrongdoing, especially guarding against 
 every form of Pride, Anger, Covetousness, 
 Lust, Envy, Sloth, and Gluttony, which are 
 called Capital Sins, since they are the heads 
 from which all evildoing springs. 
 
 We cannot exaggerate the awfulness of sin 
 and its danger to our souls, for the Bible says, 
 " the wages of sin is death/' ^ 
 
 Grace is the sanctifying power of God and 
 comes by Jesus Christ, given to us by His 
 ordinance through the Holy Catholic Church, 
 the Dispenser of Grace. Our Lord says, " My 
 grace is sufUcient for thee."^ Grace illumines 
 conscience, increases Faith, Love, and Repent- 
 
 1 Rom. vi. 23. 2 3 Cor. xii. 9. 
 
BEHOLD I STAND AT THE DOOR 
 AND knock/' 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 31 
 
 ance, and inclines to Prayer, Fasting, and 
 Almsgiving. Habitual Grace is that abiding in 
 the soul, rendering one pleasing to God. Ac- 
 tual Grace is that conferred by God for a spe- 
 cial purpose. To be in "a state of grace" is 
 to be free from mortal sin and at peace with 
 God, which condition comes from the use of 
 the Sacraments and the practice of Penitence. 
 
 Penitence is the fruit of Grace working in 
 the soul of the sinner. St. Chrysostom says, 
 "Three things are necessary to Penitence — 
 in the heart Contrition, in the mouth Confes- 
 sion, in the life Amendment." Contrition is 
 the Love of God that grieves for sinning 
 against Him, "ivhich godly sorrow worketh 
 repentance unto salvation." i Confession is 
 acknowledging our sins to God after self- 
 examination. This should be made to a Priest 
 as GoD-'s Ambassador. It obtains God's for- 
 giveness, for "if we confess our sins, God is 
 faithful and just to forgive us our sins and 
 to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 2 
 Amendment is the making satisfaction or 
 restitution for sin, the leading a better life. It 
 should have its outward sign in works of 
 Devotion and Discipline, to help us overcome 
 sin and advance in the spiritual life, for 
 "with such sacrifices God is well pleased." 3 
 
 Penitence is a necessary part of our prep- 
 aration for 'Holy Communion. It shows the 
 state of the soul in God's sight. 
 
 ^2 Cor. vii. 10 - I St. John i. 9. ^ Heb. xiii, 16. 
 
V 
 
 THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 
 
 The Gift 
 
 THE greatest Gift of God to man is the 
 Holy Communion of the Body and Blood 
 of Christ. The Blessed Sacrament is the 
 very centre of the Church's Faith and Wor- 
 ship and the greatest help in the Spiritual 
 Life. In Holy Mystery it sets forth the four 
 great parts in the work of redemption — the 
 Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, a«d 
 Ascension. The Blessed Sacrament is the 
 Sacrifice in which we plead the Death of Our 
 Lord, also the Sacrament in which we re- 
 ceive the Living Christ. Thus by Holy Com- 
 munion we are enabled to offer the memorial 
 of the One Sacrifice for sin and be brought 
 into union with God, living "a life hid with 
 Christ in God." ^ He dwells in us and 
 we in Him, and through this mystical union 
 our whole spiritual being is strengthened, illu- 
 mined and quickened, and we are enabled to 
 use the Divine Grace given and respond more 
 perfectly to the prompting of the Holy Ghost. 
 Consequently those who stay away from God's 
 Altar are in a state of Spiritual starvation and 
 are openly refusing Our dear Lord's invita- 
 tion, ''Come unto Me," "Do this in Remem- 
 brance of Me." Each Communion missed is 
 thus a grave loss to the soul. 
 
 » Col. iii. 3. 
 32 
 
instructions 33 
 
 The Test of Our Religious Life 
 
 The Blessed Sacrament is the test of our 
 faith, love, and obedience. Faith makes us 
 believe in Our Lord's words and acknowledge 
 the Presence of Jesus in the Sacramerit; 
 love induces us to receive and worship Him 
 there present; obedience constrains us to offer 
 that Holy Sacrifice as Our Lord hath com- 
 manded. Holy Communion should be the 
 greatest joy in life, Eucharistic Worship the 
 greatest privilege, for by the first we receive 
 the Lord of Life and by the second we adore 
 Him Who is the Sovereign King of Kings. 
 Thus the Blessed Sacrament is, as it were, a 
 foretaste of Heaven, ushering us into the very 
 Presence Chamber, before the Altar Throne 
 of Him Who is at once Our Saviour and Our 
 Judge. And by that Communion we receive 
 remission of sin, increase of grace, illumina- 
 tion of mind, purification of desire, strengthen- 
 ing of will, union with God, and the Pledge 
 of everlasting life/ 
 
 Then in the Blessed Sacrament, life will 
 receive a new inspiration to holiness as with 
 sin forgiven and grace received, Jesus meets 
 the Penitent, saying, " Whoso eateth My Flesh 
 and drinketh My Blood hath Eternal Life, 
 and I will raise him up at the Last Day." * 
 
 Adoration of Our Lord Present 
 
 If the approach to earthly monarchs and 
 rulers is accompanied with outward reverence 
 and homage, with what adoration and wor- 
 ship should we draw near to Our Lord 
 
 1 St. John vi. 54. 
 
34 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Enthroned in the Sacrament of the Altar! 
 For Jesus Christ is as Really Present in the 
 Holy Communion as He is in the Courts of 
 Heaven, although after a different manner. 
 Consequently our earthly worship should be 
 modelled after the Heavenly Pattern and 
 " with Angels and Archangels and all the Com- 
 pany of Heaven " we should adore Him, Who 
 is Our Lord and Master, Saviour and King. 
 
 We do not genuflect to the earthly elements 
 of Bread and Wine, but to Christ Really and 
 Supernaturally Present after Consecration 
 under those outward forms. For since Our 
 Lord is God, we must not fail to give Him 
 the worship due to God. Well St. Augustine 
 said in ancient times: "No one eats this 
 Flesh unless he first adores." 
 
 Fasting Communion 
 
 Fasting Communion is one of the most 
 ancient and hallowed practices and counsels 
 of the Church. Its motive is love and adora- 
 tion toward Our Lord in the Blessed Sacra- 
 ment and the desire to offer Christ the sacri- 
 fice of ourselves in makiner Him the first Gift 
 received. 
 
 Canons innumerable have ordered and es- 
 tablished the custom, and the observation of 
 this rule for centuries has shown the appeal 
 it makes to all devout and reverent souls. 
 St. Augustine says, " the Sacrament is every- 
 where partaken of by persons fasting ; " St. 
 Basil : " without fasting it is impossible to 
 venture upon the sacred mysteries ; " Jeremy 
 Taylor : " he that despises this custom gives 
 nothing but the testimony of an evil mind ; " 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 35 
 
 Bingham : " the general custom of the Church 
 is to receive the Eucharist fasting." These 
 quotations from widely different sources show 
 the universality of the custom. It is the rule 
 of all three branches of the Church. 
 
 In communicating one should never keep 
 on gloves, use a handkerchief for the lips, or 
 keep a veil over the face. All should be very 
 careful not to drop or spill any of the conse- 
 crated elements, for they are the Body and 
 Blood of Jesus CnrasT. 
 
 Our Offering. 
 
 The principle of true worship is that of 
 offering sacrifice. No Service of the Church 
 fulfils this requirement except the Holy Eu- 
 charist, which is the continual remembrance 
 of Our Lord's Death and Passion on the 
 Cross. It is this Sacrifice on Calvary to 
 which the Old Testament Sacrifices looked. 
 They were the antitypes of which the Holy 
 Eucharist is the Memorial. Consequently the 
 obligation for Worship is only fulfilled in at- 
 tendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar, 
 by which presence the faithful " assist " at the 
 Solemn Offering. And in the Oblation there 
 made, there is not only the Representation 
 of the one, full, perfect and sufficient Sacrifice, 
 Oblation and Satisfaction which Our Lord 
 made for the sins of the whole world, but 
 there is also: the Sacrifice of Praise and 
 Thanksgiving for God's Blessings, the Sacri- 
 fice of Prayer and Intercession for both the 
 Living and the Dead, and the Offering of 
 ourselves, our souls, and bodies as a reason- 
 able, holy and living Sacrifice unto God. 
 
VI 
 
 PUBLIC WORSHIP 
 
 P UBLIC Worship and Private Devotions 
 ^ are both essential to the Spiritual life, 
 as a duty and as a privilege. While Private 
 Devotions are determined by the individual, 
 Public Worship is regulated 'by the Church, 
 Catholic Usage and Tradition and not private 
 judgment being the Authority for the Rites, 
 Ceremonies, and Character of the Service. 
 
 The Offering of Public Worship is for the 
 formal recognition of God and for His Honour 
 and Glory. Consequently the Rites and Cere- 
 monies used should be such as make God's 
 Service beautiful, symbolize doctrine, and 
 show forth reverence, for well St. Paul says : 
 "Let all things be done decently and in order." 
 This has been the custom from the beginning. 
 Lights, Incense, V-estments, and all the accom- 
 paniment of an ornate service having their 
 origin in remote antiquity, and still continuing 
 to be the universal use of the Church. 
 
 This ceremonial mainly centres in the 
 Holy Eucharist, the only Service of Divine 
 Institution and Ohligation, called the Altar 
 Service. The other Offices are called Choir 
 Services and those officiating simply vest in 
 Cassock and Surplice. Reference here need 
 only he made to the Ceremonial used at the 
 Altar Service. The Ceremonial is not, as some 
 erroneously think, borrowed from the modern 
 
 36 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 37 
 
 Roman Church, but was in use by the Church 
 of England centuries ago, and is the heritage 
 of the ages past of all three branches of the 
 Church. 
 
 The ceremonial acts of crossing, kneeling, 
 bowing, and the like, whether by Priest or 
 People, are made as acts of reverence. A 
 general guide is : to sign the Cross before and 
 after the service, at the end of the Creed, 
 before the Gospel, when the Priest turns with 
 the Sacrament to the people, at the end of the 
 Gloria in Excelsis, in the Absolution, and in 
 the Blessing; to bow at the Holy Name of 
 Jesus and to the Altar in passing, and on 
 entering and leaving Church ; to genuflect in 
 the Creed at the mention of the Incarnation 
 and before and after approaching the Altar for 
 Communion. 
 
 Before the Service, the Priest or Celebrant 
 enters the Sacristy and puts on the Ancient 
 Eucharistic Vestments, used to symbolize the 
 Passion of Our Lord, These Vestments are 
 the Amice (or folded linen about the neck), 
 the Alb (a white linen cassock), the Girdle 
 (a cord about the waist), the Stole (a silk 
 scarf crossed on the breast), the Maniple 
 (a stole on the left arm), and the Chasuble 
 (a circular garment marked with a Cross), 
 these respectively symbolizing the handker- 
 chief which blindfolded Christ, the white robe 
 placed on Him by Herod, the ropes about His 
 Throat, Hands, and Waist, and His Own 
 Seamless Robe. Before or during this time 
 the Server makes ready the Sacred Vessels. 
 He puts over the Chalice a folded linen nap- 
 kin, called a Purificator, places on this the 
 
38 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Paten and a large bread or wafer, called the 
 Host, and over all the Linen Veil or Pall 
 and Silk Veil and the Burse, or silken pocket, 
 containing a large square of linen called the 
 Corporal, to spread on the Altar. Then, after 
 a brief prayer, the Priest takes the Sacred 
 Vessels and, preceded by the Server, enters 
 the Sanctuary. He bows to the Altar, and 
 going to it arranges upon it the Prayer Book 
 and Sacred Vessels, and then returning to the 
 Altar Steps, with the Server begins a short 
 devotional preparation for the Service, after 
 which, going to the Epistle side, he begins 
 the Service. He prays with arms extended 
 to form a cross, to obey St. Paul's command 
 " that men pray everywhere lifting up holy 
 hands'';^ he genuflects at certain times as a 
 special act of reverence, at the mention of the 
 Incarnation and to Our Lord Present in the 
 Sacrament ; he washes his fingers ceremoni- 
 ously to signify the need of purity, " / zi'ill 
 wash my hands in innocency, O Lord, and 
 so will I go to Thine Altar "•,^ he sometimes 
 sings or intones the Service, as the Psalmist 
 says, "O come, let us sing unto the Lord"; 
 he crosses and kisses the Gospel because it 
 is the story of man's salvation won by the 
 Cross ; he cleanses the Sacred Vessels by the 
 Ablutions after the Service to see that none 
 of the Consecrated Elements are left. 
 
 The Service itself, largely derived from 
 ancient liturgies but considerably adapted, may 
 be divided into the two parts (common to all 
 liturgies) and explained as follows: — 
 
 I I St. Timothy ii. 8. 2 Psalm xxvi. 6. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 39 
 
 (a) Tlie Piro- Anaphora. 
 
 The Introduction: or up to the Offertory, 
 containing chiefly the Kyrie Eleison, Collects, 
 Epistle, Gospel, and Creed ; 
 
 Thee Offertory: or the Presentation of Alms 
 and Oblations and the Prayer for the Church; 
 
 The Approach: or the Exhortation, Confes- 
 sion, Absolution, and Comfortable Words. 
 
 (b) The Anjapliora. 
 
 The Canon: or the Sursum Corda, Intro- 
 duction, Preface, Sanctus, Prayer of Humble 
 Access, Consecration, with the Words of In- 
 stitution, Oblation, and Invocation ; 
 
 The Communion: first of Priest, then of 
 people (if any of them are to receive;) ^ 
 
 The Thanksgiving: including the Gloria in 
 Excelsis and Benediction. 
 
 In the rendering of the Service the Holy 
 Eucharist is called a "Plain Celebration" or 
 "Low Mass" when the office is read and 
 there is only one Priest, with Server, and only 
 two candles are used. It is a "Sung Eucha- 
 rist" or "Missa Cantata" when chorally 
 rendered, with Priest, two Servers, other Aco- 
 lytes and Choir. Then all of the candles are 
 lighted. A "High Miass" or "High Celebration" 
 is the same except that it is sung with the 
 three "Sacred Ministers" (Celebrant, Deacon 
 and Sub-Deacon) and the (Teremonial is more 
 elaborate. We speak of a "Solemn Mass" or 
 "Solemn High Mass" when Incense is used. 
 A "Requiem Mass" is that for the dear de- 
 parted. A "Nuptial Mass" is one said or sung 
 at a marriage. All Ritual or Ceremonial Acts 
 have their meaning. Their motive is the 
 Glory of GoD^ giving God our best and 
 
40 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 making our bodily acts show forth the rever- 
 ence and devotion of the soul. Thus the 
 Lights and Flowers on the Altar, the fragrant 
 Incense, the rich Hangings, the solemn Music, 
 the Ritual Acts are all beautiful parts of our 
 Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving to Al- 
 mighty God, the homage of devout and humble 
 hearts bowed in adoration before the Altar 
 Throne of the King of Kings. 
 
 A beautiful spiritual and symbolic meaning 
 is as follows : the Introit typifies the Song 
 of the Angels at Christ's coming ; the Col- 
 lect for Purity the way of approach to the 
 Holy Mysteries ; the Kyrie our need of God's 
 mercy; the Epistle, Salvation refused by the 
 Jews; the Gospel, the Faith accepted by the 
 Gentiles; the Creed, Our Lord teaching; the 
 Alms and Oblations, the Offerings of the Wise 
 Men ; the Prayer for the Church, the union of 
 Living and Dead in Christ; the Comfortable 
 Words, the call of Jesus ; the Benedictus, the 
 greeting of the Faithful ; the Sursum Corda, 
 the coming joy;^ the Canon of Consecration, 
 Our Lord's Passion ; the Agnus Dei, our wor- 
 ship of the Lamb; the Communion, the En- 
 tombment; the Gloria in Excelsis, the Resur- 
 rection ; the Benediction, the Ascension. 
 
 In the performance of the Service, where 
 the Prayer Book leaves doubt as to the proper 
 Ritual or Ceremonial, the appeal should be 
 to the approved usage of the Universal 
 Church. 
 
A VERY ANCIENT CELTIC CROSS CARVED 
 WITH SCT^IPTURAL SCENES, IN THE CEN- 
 TRE BEING THE LAST JUDGMENT, AND ON 
 THE REVERSE SIDE THE CRUCIFIXION. 
 
VII 
 
 CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM 
 
 CHRISTIAN Symbolism is the use of 
 signs and emblems to teach and present 
 religious truths. Words often fail where sym- 
 bolism succeeds, while taken together they 
 frequently make spiritual things more easily 
 grasped. The value of this method in the 
 early days, when learning was not general and 
 printing unknown, cannot be overestimated. 
 And symbolism added a certain mystical ele- 
 ment always attractive in Religion. For the 
 proper understanding of Christian Art and 
 Architecture some knowledge of symbolism 
 is absolutely necessary. Some of the most 
 frequently occurring representations are the 
 following : 
 
 The Aureole is the luminous cloud or circle 
 of light used in religious pictures to surround 
 the w^hole figure. It symbolizes the Glory of 
 God and is only properly used for Divine Per- 
 sons or the Blessed Virgin. 
 
 Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters 
 of the Greek Alphabet, signify the Eternity 
 of God. 
 
 Three Circles connected by bands forming 
 an equilateral triangle symbolize the Three 
 Persons of the Ever Blessed Trinity. 
 
 The Dove represents the Holy Ghost. 
 41 
 
42 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 The Eye symbolizes God the Father, tell- 
 ing of His All-Seeing Eye. The Father is 
 also represented by a Hand, and also by the 
 upper part of the Figure of a Man. 
 
 The Flames of Fire signify the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 In Flowers the Lily signifies Purity, the 
 Pomegranate Immortality, the Rose Love. 
 
 The Fish represents Our Lord and also 
 the Eucharist. The Greek word "I.t^i'C " 
 which means *' Fish," is spelled from the first 
 letters of Greek words meaning, " Jesus 
 Christ, Son of God, Saviour." This sign was 
 used as a secret symbol by the early Christians 
 in the days of persecution. 
 
 The Good Shepherd is Our Lord. This is 
 probably the earliest of all Christian symbols. 
 
 I. H. S. are initials of the Holy Name. 
 They are generally taken to stand for " Jesus 
 hominum Salvator " (Jesus the Saviour of 
 men), but more likely they are an abbreviated 
 form of the Greek letters of the words Jesus 
 Christ, with a Cross between them. 
 
 The Lamb typifies Our Lord as the Lamb 
 of God that taketh away the sins of the world. 
 It is usually seen holding a banner and Cross. 
 
 The Nimbus is the halo of light placed about 
 the heads of Saints and Angels, symbolizing 
 the beauty of holiness. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 43 
 
 The Orb surmounted with a Cross means 
 that the Christian Religion is for all. It often 
 has under it written in Latin, " The Cross 
 stands while the world revolves." 
 
 The Passion of Our Lord is typified by the 
 Crown of Thorns, Spear and Nails, the Five 
 Sacred Wounds, the Precious Blood and the 
 Sheet. Sometimes there are added the Reed, 
 the Scourge, the Seamless Robe, the Pillar, 
 the Cock and also the Passion Flower. 
 
 The Pelican, a bird which nourishes its 
 young with its own blood, symbolizes Our 
 Lord feeding the faithful with the Blessed 
 Sacrament. 
 
 The Rock represents sometimes Christ, 
 sometimes the Church. 
 
 The Star is the emblem of Christ, "the 
 bright and morning Star." This is particularly 
 used to illustrate Christmas and Epiphany. 
 
 The Holy Communion is represented by a 
 Chalice with the Host above it ; by the Wheat 
 and Grapes and also by some of the Symbols 
 of Our Lord. 
 
 Of Trees, the Cedar symbolizes consecra- 
 tion, the Cypress mourning, the Laurel victory, 
 the Mustard growth, the Oak strength, the 
 Olive peace. A beautiful legend says that the 
 True Cross was the Tree of Life in the 
 Garden of Eden, later on used in the Temple 
 and finally discarded, to be taken for the 
 Crucifixion of Christ. 
 
 The Trefoil, copied after the Clover or 
 Shamrock, represents the Trinity. St. Patrick 
 
44 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 is said to have taught this doctrine from a 
 Shamrock. 
 
 In all of these symbols there is no offense 
 against the Commandment, for God is never 
 represented as God but by some attribute. 
 
 Of a different kind is the Symbolism asso- 
 ciated with the arrangement, the appointments 
 and the Services of the Church, the most 
 interesting of which may briefly be noted as 
 follows, as well as certain other adjuncts of 
 a Ceremonial Service : 
 
 The Altar symbolizes Mount Calvary, where 
 Our Lord was offered for the sins of the 
 world. 
 
 Ashes signify Penitence and Death, 
 
 Bells signify the call to devotion and atten- 
 tion as the Sacring Bell, the Sanctus Bell, the 
 Passing Bell. 
 
 Banners symbolize the Church moving as an 
 army to victory as the Psalmist says, '' Thou 
 hast given a Banner to them that fear thee." 
 
 The Candles symbolize that Our Lord was 
 the Light of the World. The two larger ones, 
 or Eucharistic Lights, represent Christ's Di- 
 vine and Human Natures. The Seven 
 Branch or Vesper Lights tell of the Seven 
 Gifts of the Holy Ghost or the Seven Sacra- 
 ments. There has always been large deviation 
 as to the number of lights used at Services. 
 
 The Cross represents the mode of Our 
 Lord's Death. Though long antedating Chris- 
 tianity it was early adopted as its greatest 
 Sacred Symbol. Of the many forms of the 
 Cross, the Latin, the Celtic, the Greek and the 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 45 
 
 Maltese are those most generally seen. The 
 shape of the " True Cross " was probably the 
 Latin (or perhaps the "T") Cross, having 
 the lower arm longer than the others. 
 
 The Crucifix is the Cross with the Carved 
 Figure of Christ added to it. Its use is very 
 ancient and very helpful. 
 
 The Church Building symbolizes the Ark 
 or Ship of the Lord, in which the Nave, Chan- 
 cel and Sanctuary (which correspond to the 
 Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies 
 of the Jewish Temple) respectively represent 
 the Church Militant, the Church Expectant 
 and the Church Triumphant or Earth, " Para- 
 dise" and Heaven. 
 
 The Coloured Hangings on the Altar mark 
 the Church's Seasons : white or gold signifying 
 joy; red, martyrdom; purple, penitence; green, 
 hope ; black, death. Red is also used for the 
 Holy Ghost and blue for the Blessed Virgin 
 Mary. This modern sequence of colours has 
 generally supplanted that of Old Sarum use, 
 or Gold, Blue, Purple, Red and White, known 
 as " the five Mystic Colours " because given 
 the Jews by command of God. 
 
 The Flowers are used in honour of Our 
 Lord and symbolically show that He is " The 
 Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley." 
 They are sometimes scattered before Proces- 
 sions. 
 
 The Fair Linen represents the Linen wound 
 about Our Lord's Body on the Day of the 
 Passion. It is marked with five little crosses 
 symbolizing the Five Sacred Wounds. 
 
46 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Incense typifies the Merits of Christ and 
 the Prayers of the Saints. It is of Divine 
 Authority and has always been associated with 
 the worship of both the Jewish and Christian 
 Church. The Bible says, " hi every place In- 
 cense shall he offered unto My Name and a 
 pure offering." 
 
 Oil symbolizes Grace and Blessing. 
 
 Palms signify praise, triumph and thanks- 
 giving. They were ordered to be carried by 
 God Himself,^ and were borne in honour of 
 Our Lord and their homage accepted by Him 
 on the first Palm Sunday. 
 
 A Procession signifies the Journey of the 
 soul to God for " they will go from strength to 
 strength and unto the God of gods appeareth 
 every one of them in Sion." It is preceded by 
 the Cross, as the symbol of the triumph of the 
 Church and because we follow Jesus, Who 
 " went forth bearing His Cross." Lights are 
 borne, for those who go with Christ " shall 
 not zvalk in darkness" and Banners are car- 
 ried because God said, "Lift ye up a Banner." 
 Incense is used to sj^mbolize the Merits of 
 Christ and Flowers are sometimes strewn to 
 signify the beauty of holiness and the fra- 
 grance of devotion. In a Procession a richly 
 embroidered Vestment called a Cope is worn 
 by the Priest in honour of Him, upon Whom 
 Herod in mockery placed a gorgeous robe. 
 
 The Reredos is the screen behind the Altar. 
 In front of it is a kind of shelf or " re-table " 
 used to place flowers and candles upon. 
 ^Lev. xxiii. 40. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 47 
 
 The Rood Screen (that which separates the 
 Chancel from the Nave) symbolizes the Gate 
 of Death, leading from earth to Heaven by 
 the Cross. The Crucifix here is called the 
 Rood. 
 
 Vestments of the Priest symbolize the Gar- 
 ments worn by Our Lord on the Day of the 
 Passion.^ 
 
 Water typifies pardon and absolution. 
 
 The following have no symbolical meaning, 
 but a well informed Churchman should know 
 what such names represent: 
 
 The Acolytes are those who walk with the 
 Crucifer or who serve at the Altar. 
 
 The Boat Bearer is the one who carries the 
 vessel holding the Incense to be burned. 
 
 The Censer is the vessel with chains, m 
 which the Incense is burned and swung. 
 
 The Credence Table is that which holds the 
 Breads, Wine and Water to be used for the 
 Communion. 
 
 The Crucifer is he who carries the Cross in 
 Procession. 
 
 The Sacristan is the one in charge of the 
 Vessels and Vestments used for the Service. 
 
 The Servers (or Acolytes) are those who 
 wait on the Priest at the Altar 
 
 The Thurifer is the Acolyte who bears and 
 swings the Censer. 
 
 1 For description of Euchartstic Vestments, see page zi' 
 
VIII 
 THE CHURCH'S HERITAGE 
 
 THE Primitive Church observed all the 
 " Three Apostolical Hours " of Prayer. 
 Later these were changed and enlarged to 
 form the "Seven Canonical Hours " of Medi- 
 aeval times, which Services are still said or 
 sung in Conventual and Monastic Houses. At 
 the Anglican Reformation, these ofBces were 
 simplified and arranged to form three regular 
 Services, that is, the Divine Liturgy or Holy 
 Eucharist, and the Divine Offices, or Morning 
 and Evening Prayer, to be said daily. These 
 Services contain the great treasures of Chris- 
 tian worship, selected from the Sacred Scrip- 
 tures, and from the devotional writings of 
 antiquity. They may briefly be noted as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 Agnus Dei. — This is a Hymn to Christ 
 in the Blessed Sacrament, being the three 
 petitions from the Gloria in Excelsis addressed 
 to Jesus as the Lamb of God. 
 
 Benedicite. — This is used in Lent and Ad- 
 vent as an alternative for the Te Deum Lau- 
 damus, and is the ancient Song of the Three 
 Holy Children, sung by them when in the 
 burning fiery furnace. It tells of all created 
 things praising the God Who made them. 
 
 Benedictus. — This is the Song of Zacha- 
 rias, in honour of the Coming of Christ. A 
 48 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 49 
 
 shortened form of the Benedictus, that sung 
 at the triumphant entry of Christ into Jeru- 
 salem on Palm Sunday, is sung at the Holy 
 Eucharist as a Song of Welcome to Jesus 
 coming in the Blessed Sacrament. 
 
 Canon of Consecration. — This is the most 
 solemn part of the Communion Service, em- 
 bracing Our Lord's Words of Institution used 
 at the first Eucharist, and containing the neces- 
 sary form for a valid consecration of the ele- 
 ments to become Christ's Body and Blood. 
 The Canon is considered by many to begin at 
 the Sursum Corda, or "Lift up your hearts/' 
 and to include all that follows up to the Com- 
 munion. 
 
 Collects. — These are the short prayers, 
 made up of a number of petitions collected 
 together and said for the people collectively. 
 Many of the Collects are very ancient, and 
 as translated in the Prayer Book are among 
 the most beautiful devotions to be found. 
 
 Commandments. — These are God's Ten 
 Laws given on Mount Sinai, embodying our 
 Duty towards God and our Duty towards our 
 Neighbour. 
 
 Creeds. — There are three forms of the 
 one Creed or Confession of the Faith of the 
 Church. These forms are known as the 
 Apostles, so called because probably that of 
 the Ancient Roman Church, for the most part 
 composed in the first century, the Nicene, put 
 forth in the fourth century by the Councils 
 of Nicsea 325 and Constantinople 381, and the 
 Athanasian, probably written in France in the 
 
so THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 fifth century. These Creeds are exact declara- 
 tions of the Scriptural revelation of the 
 Christian Faith. 
 
 Epistles. — These, as found In the Prayer 
 
 Book, are selections from the writings of 
 SS. Peter, Paul, John, James, and Jude, and 
 such other Scriptures as may be chosen in 
 their place, to be read at the Altar Service. 
 
 Gospels. — These are the sacred records of 
 Our Lord's Life and Ministerial Work and 
 Words, as related by St. Matthew, St. Mark, 
 St. Luke, and St. John, selections from which 
 are solemnly read at the Communion Service, 
 The symbols often used for the Four Gospels, 
 or the figures of a Man, a Lion, an Ox, and 
 an Eagle respectively, show forth the four 
 aspects of Our Lord's life as Man, as King, 
 as Priest, and as God, all of which Jesus 
 Christ was. Another symbol of the Gospels 
 is the picture of a Rock (signifying Christ), 
 from which flow four streams of water. 
 
 Gloria in Excelsis. — This is an expanded 
 form of the Angels' Song sung by them on 
 the morning of the Nativity. 
 
 Gradual. — This is a short Anthem sung be- 
 tween the Epistle and the Gospel, according to 
 ancient custom, to add solemnity. It is gen- 
 erally followed by the Sequence or Alleluia. 
 
 Hymns of the Incarnation. — These are the 
 Benedictus, the Gloria in Excelsis, the Magnifi- 
 cat, and the Nunc Dimittis, all of which are 
 found in St. Luke's Gospel, which is often 
 called the Gospel of the Incarnation. It seems 
 most fitting that these New Testament Hymns 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 51 
 
 should have their place in the devotional ser- 
 vices of the Church, associated as they are 
 with Our Lord's Nativity. 
 
 Introit. — This is a selection of a few verses 
 of the Psalms sung at the entrance of the 
 Clergy into the Sanctuary. 
 
 Kyrie Eleison. — This is a threefold peti- 
 tion to God for mercy : " Lord have mercy 
 upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord 
 have mercy upon us." These three petitions 
 addressed to different Persons of the Trinity 
 are sometimes repeated, each one three times. 
 
 Litany. — This is a beautiful series of peti- 
 tions offered unto God, originally composed to 
 be sung in Procession with great solemnity. 
 The Litany is composed of five parts: (i) The 
 Invocations, addressed to each Person of the 
 Godhead individually and then collectively; 
 (2) the Deprecations, prayers for deliverance 
 from various evils; (3) the Obsecrations, pleas 
 for mercy on account of what Christ has 
 done for us; (4) the Intercessions, prayers for 
 "all sorts and conditions of men" and (5) the 
 Versicles and Prayers. 
 
 Lessons. — These are those selections from 
 the Bible which are read at the Choir Offices, 
 one from the Old Testament, or Apocrypha, 
 one from the New Testament. 
 
 Magnificat.— This is the Song of Praise 
 of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in honour of 
 Our Lord and Saviour. 
 
 Nunc Dimittis. — This is the Song of Sim- 
 eon as he held Jesus up in his arms as the 
 Light of the World. 
 
52 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Psalter. — This includes the Psalms of 
 David and others. Both in the Jewish and 
 Christian Churches the Psaker has formed 
 a large portion of the ordinary praise of God. 
 The Psalms are full of rich imagery and real 
 devotion, and are among the most priceless 
 treasures of the Church, portraying every spir- 
 itual need and being exhaustless in their appli- 
 cation. As St. Augustine said : " Each word 
 of the Psalter is spoken in the name of Christ 
 and the Church." 
 
 Sanctus. — This is a form of the Hymn of 
 the Heavenly Host, as revealed to Isaiah and 
 recorded in his writings. It takes its name 
 from the singing of the word Holy (or 
 Sanctus) three times at the opening_ of the 
 hymn. It is one of the most beautiful de- 
 votions of the Church. 
 
 Te Deum Laudamus. — This is a Hymn of 
 Praise to God the Blessed Trinity, and is so 
 worded as to be a sort of Creed. It is 
 often attributed to the time when St. Am- 
 brose, the Bishop of Milan, baptized St. 
 Augustine, these two ancient fathers being said 
 to have sung the " Te Deum Laudamus " 
 extemporaneously and antiphonally. 
 
 Of these great Devotions, the Command- 
 ments, Kyrie, Collects, Epistles, Gospels, 
 Creed, Benedictus (shortened form), Agnus 
 Dei, Sanctus, Canon, and Gloria in Excelsis, 
 occur in the Holy Communion Service, to- 
 gether with the Introit and Gradual. 
 
A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN AND 
 THE MOON UNDER HER FEET/" 
 
IX 
 
 THE CHURCH KALENDAR 
 
 Advent, a penitential season, begins the 
 Church year, and commemorates Christ's 
 coming as the Saviour, as the Judge, and in 
 the Sacraments. The four Sundays teach re- 
 spectively Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. 
 
 Christmas is the Festival of the Nativity 
 of Our Lord, honouring the day when the 
 Son of God was born of the Blessed Virgin 
 Mary. Gifts are associated with this Festival 
 on account of the offerings of the Wise Men 
 to the Infant Saviour. 
 
 St. Stephen's Day, St. John Evangelist's 
 Day, and Holy Innocents* Day, commem- 
 orate those whose names are given, and 
 show respectively the three kinds of martyrs : 
 (i) in will and deed, (2) in will, (3) in 
 deed. 
 
 The Circumcision of Christ is the Octave 
 of Christmas, and commemorates Our Lord 
 submitting to the Jewish ordinance and re- 
 ceiving the Holy Name Jesus. 
 
 The Epiphany is the twelfth day after 
 Christmas, and commemorates Our Lord's 
 manifestation to the Gentiles: (i) to the Wise 
 Men; (2) at the Marriage of Cana ; (3) at 
 His Baptism. 
 
 The Purification of St. Mary the Virgin or 
 the Presentation of Christ in the Temple 
 
 53 
 
54 THB PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 occurs on February 2nd and commemorates 
 the events noted by the names of the day. On 
 account of the ancient custom of burning many 
 tapers in honour of Our Lord as the Light 
 of the World, it is often called Candlemas 
 Day. 
 
 Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinqua- 
 gesima are the Sundays immediately before 
 Ash Wednesday and roughly note seventy, 
 sixty, and fifty days before Easter. 
 
 Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent, and 
 is so named from the ancient custom of the 
 faithful being confessed or " shriven " then. 
 
 Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, 
 and gets its name from the custom of the 
 Priest signing with ashes the foreheads of 
 the faithful and reminding them of death with 
 the words " Remember, O man, that thou art 
 dust and to dust thou shalt return." 
 
 Lent is a penitential season of forty days,^ 
 commemorating Our Lord's Fast and Temp- 
 tation in the wilderness, and preparing us 
 for Easter by special devotions and discipline. 
 
 Refreshment Sunday is the fourth Sunday 
 in this season and is so named from the Gospel 
 telling of the feeding of the multitudes. 
 
 Passion Sunday is the fifth Sunday, when 
 we begin especially to picture Christ's suffer- 
 ings. The fortnight following is often called 
 Passiontide. 
 
 Palm Sunday Is the one before Easter, 
 beginning Holy Week, and on this day we 
 
 1 Exclusive of Sundays. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 55 
 
 remember Our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem 
 amid the strewing of Palms and the shouts 
 of "Hosanna." 
 
 Maundy Th.iO'sday is the Thursday of Holy 
 Week kept in honour of the Institution of the 
 Blessed Sacrament. It is kept as a Festival 
 until after the Mass. It is sometimes known 
 as the "Day of the Footwashing," from the 
 ancient custom, still obtaining in some parts 
 of the Church, of ceremonially washing the 
 feet of certain persons, in honour of Our 
 Lord's washing the feet of His Disciples. On 
 this day the Altars are stripped and ceremon- 
 ially washed by the Clergy. 
 
 Good Friday commemorates Our Lord's 
 Crucifixion and is the most solemn day of the 
 year, when all should specially think of the 
 Saviour's Sacrifice on the Cross. 
 
 Easter Even, or Holy Saturday, tells of 
 Our Lord's Body resting in the Sepulchre 
 and of His Spirit preaching to the souls in 
 "prison" or the place of departed spirits. 
 
 Easter Stinday is the greatest of all Church 
 Festivals and commemorates Our Lord Rising 
 again from the dead. The most splendid 
 music and ceremonial are generally associated 
 with this day of the Church's Triumph. The 
 Monday and Tuesday following are also spe- 
 cially observed, as are the Forty Days 'before 
 Ascension, this time being called Eastertide. 
 
 Low Sunday is the Octave of Easter. 
 
 Ascension Day is the fortieth day after 
 Easter, and tells of Our Lord's exaltation of 
 His Glorified Human Nature to the Right 
 
56 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Hand of God. This day is also called Holy 
 Thursday. 
 
 Whitsunday, or Pentecost, is the fiftieth 
 day after Easter, and commemorates the De- 
 scent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles 
 in the Upper Room. Monday and Tuesday 
 are also specially observed. 
 
 Trinity Sunday is the Octave of Whitsun- 
 day, but is kept in honour of the Ever Blessed 
 Trinity. 
 
 The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin 
 Mary is March 25th, and is kept in honour of 
 the Incarnation of the Son of God, and of 
 Saint Mary "The Mother of Our Lord." It 
 is often called " Lady Day," after the Virgin 
 to whom on this day the Angel announced the 
 blessed privilege which was hers. 
 
 The Transfiguration of Our Lord occurs 
 on August 6th, and commemorates the revela- 
 tion of His Glory on the Mount. 
 
 All Saints* Day is November ist, and is 
 kept in honour of the Saints in glory. 
 
 All Souls' Day, which follows, is observed 
 by intercession for the dear departed. 
 
 The Saints* Days in addition to those 
 already mentioned are the Festivals of St. 
 Andrew, St. Thomas, (the conversion of) St. 
 Paul, St. Matthias, St. Mark, St. Philip and 
 St. James, St. Barnabas, St. John Baptist, 
 St. Peter, St. James, St. Bartholomew, St. 
 Matthew, St. Michael and All Angels, St. 
 Luke, St. Simon, and St. Jude. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 57 
 
 Rogation Days are the Monday, Tuesday, 
 and Wednesday before Ascension, and are days 
 of special intercession. 
 
 Ember Days are the Wednesday, Friday, 
 and Saturday after the First Sunday in Lent, 
 after Whitsunday, after September 14th, and 
 after December 13th, and are kept as Fasts. 
 
 Vigils are the Eves of Festivals. 
 
 Fridays are kept in memory of Good Fri- 
 day and the Crucifixion, and are days of Ab- 
 stinence. 
 
 Sundays are observed in honour of Easter 
 and the Resurrection, and should be devoted 
 to religion and rest. 
 
 Corpus Christi, the first Thursday after 
 Trinity Sunday is also a day often fittingly 
 kept in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. 
 
 Black Letter Days are those in the Kalendar 
 regarded more as times of devotion than of 
 obligation or special rather than general. 
 
 Colours^ are used by the Church as follows : 
 White for Christmas, Epiphany (January 6), 
 Purification, Maundy Thursday (to close of 
 Mass), Easter, Ascension, Trinity Sunday, An- 
 nunciation, Transfiguration, All Saints', St. 
 John Evangelist and Corpus Christi ; Violet 
 for Advent, Lent, Holy Innocents', Rogation 
 Days and Ember Days ; Green for Epiphany 
 and Trinity seasons, excepting Trinity Sun- 
 day; Red for Whitsunday and Martyrs; 
 Black for Good Friday and All Souls'. For 
 Marriages White is used ; for Confirmation 
 and Ordination, White or Red; for Baptism, 
 Violet then White; for Burials, Black. 
 
 *See page 45. 
 
CHRISTIAN DUTIES, VIRTUES, ETC. 
 
 The Three Theological Virtues. 
 
 Faith. Hope. Charity. 
 
 The Four Cardinal Virtues. 
 
 Prudence. Justice. Temperance. Fortitude. 
 
 The Christian Duties. 
 
 Prayer. Fasting. Almsgiving. 
 
 The Ecclesiastical Duties. 
 
 To keep the Festivals and Fasts of the 
 Church. 
 
 To observe the commands, customs, and 
 ceremonies of the Church. 
 
 To attend public w^orship and receive the 
 Holy Communion. 
 
 The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding. 
 The Spirit of Counsel and Ghostly Strength. 
 The Spirit of Knowledge and True Godli- 
 ness, and the Spirit of Holy Fear. 
 
 The Twelve Fruits of the Spirit. 
 
 Love. Gentleness. 
 Joy. Goodness. 
 Peace. Truth. 
 Longsuffering. Meekness. 
 
 Patience. 
 Modesty. 
 Temperance, 
 Chastity. 
 
 58 
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 
 
 59 
 
 The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy. 
 
 To comfort the afflict- 
 ed. 
 To endure injury. 
 To forgive wrong. 
 To pray for others. 
 
 To instruct the igno- 
 rant. 
 
 To counsel the doubt- 
 ful. 
 
 To correct offenders. 
 
 The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy. 
 
 To feed the hungry. To visit the sick. 
 To clothe the naked. To help prisoners. 
 To shelter the stranger. To visit the widows and 
 To bury the dead. fatherless. 
 
 The Seven Capital 
 
 The Seven Godly 
 
 Sins. 
 
 Virtues. 
 
 Pride. 
 
 Humility. 
 
 Anger. 
 
 Forgiveness. 
 
 Covetousness. 
 
 Generosity. 
 
 Lust. 
 
 Purity. 
 
 Envy. 
 
 Love. 
 
 Sloth. 
 
 Diligence. 
 
 Gluttony. 
 
 Temperance. 
 
 Ways of Sharing in the Sins of Others. 
 
 By evil counsel. By command. By defence 
 By provocation. By silence. By praise. 
 
 By concealment. By flattery. By consent. 
 
 Seven Stages of Sin. 
 
 I. Suggestion. 2. Pleasure. 3. Consent. 
 4. Act. 5. Habit. 6. Slavery. 
 
 7. Spiritual blindness. 
 
 The 
 
 Three Dangers to the Soul. 
 
 World. The Flesh. The Devil 
 
6o THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION. 
 
 The Seven Sacraments. 
 Holy Biaptism. Holy Communion 
 
 Holy Absolution. Holy Matrimony. 
 Holy Confirmation. Holy Order. 
 Holy Unction. 
 
 Tlie Four I^ast TMngs. 
 Death. Judgment. Heaven. Hell. 
 
 Four Notes of tlie True Cliurch. 
 One. Holy. Catholic. Apostolic. 
 
 Tliree Tests of Oatliolicity. 
 Antiquity. Universality. General Consent. 
 
 Holy Days of Obligation on wliich all Con- 
 firmed, persons sliould receive the 
 Holy Communion. 
 
 Christmas. Easter. [Whitsunday. 
 
 Other Times of Obligation or Devotion. 
 
 Holy Days. Saints' Days. Sundays. 
 
 Obligation for Sunday. 
 
 To attend the Holy Eucharist for Commun- 
 ion or worship, unless prevented by grave 
 cause. 
 
 The Ten Commandments, teaching 
 /- I. Religion. 
 
 Our Duty towards Goo iJl; ^^.^f.^. 
 
 C IV. Consecration. 
 V. Love. 
 VI. Discipline. 
 Our Duty towards our J VII. Purity. 
 Neighbour. ^VIII. Honesty. 
 
 IX. Truth. 
 X. Contentment. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 6l 
 
 The Seven Penitential Psalms. 
 
 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143. 
 Tlie Gradual Psalms, 120 to 134. 
 The Psalm of the Saints, 119. 
 
 The Beatitudes. 
 
 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is 
 the Kingdom of Heaven; 
 
 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall 
 be comforted ; 
 
 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit 
 the earth ; 
 
 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst 
 after righteousness : for they shall be filled , 
 
 Blessed are the merciful : for they shall ob- 
 tain mercy ; 
 
 Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall 
 see God ; 
 
 Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall 
 be called the children of God ; 
 
 Blessed are they which are persecuted for 
 righteousness' sake : for theirs is the Kingdom 
 of Heaven ; 
 
 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you 
 and persecute you, and shall say all manner 
 of evil against you falsely for My sake. 
 The Marks of a Heal IR/epentance. 1 
 
 I, In the Heart : Contrition ; H, in the Mouth : 
 Confession; HI, in the Life: Amendment. 
 Form of Grace before Meals. 
 
 Bless *h O Lord, these gifts to our use, and 
 us to Thy service, for Jesus Christ's sake. 
 After Meals. 
 
 Thanks * be to Thee, O God, for all Thy 
 Mercies. Let us go forth with grateful hearts. 
 
 ^ According to St. Chrysostom. 
 
62 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 When Marriages Should Not Be 
 Solemnized. 
 
 From Advent Sunday until 8 days after the 
 
 Epiphany. 
 From Septuagesima until 8 days after Easter, 
 From Rogation Sunday until Trinity Sunday. 
 
 The Mysteries of the Incarnation 
 
 or 
 
 The Five Joyful Mysteries: 
 
 The Annunciation of the B.V. Mary. 
 
 The Visitation of the B.V. Mary. 
 
 The Birth of Our Blessed Lord. 
 
 The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. 
 
 The Finding of Christ in the Temple. 
 
 The Mysteries of the Redemption 
 
 or 
 
 The Five Sorrowful Mysteries: 
 
 The Bloody Sweat in the Garden. 
 The Scourging of Our Lord. 
 The Crowning with Thorns. 
 The Carrying the Cross. 
 The Crucifixion on Calvary. 
 
 The Mysteries of the Resurrection 
 
 or 
 
 The Five Glorious Mysteries: 
 
 The Resurrection of Our Lord. 
 The Ascension of Our Lord. 
 The Descent of the Holy Ghost. 
 The Triumph of the Church. 
 The Beatific Vision. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 63 
 
 Some Types of Holy Communion: 
 
 The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. 
 The Offering of Bread and Wine by Melchiz- 
 
 edek, Priest of the Most High God. 
 The Manna in the Wilderness, or the Bread 
 
 from Heaven, the Angels' Food. 
 The Passozrer, or the lamb sacrificed by the 
 
 Israelites when the Angel of Death 
 
 smote the Egyptians. 
 The Feeding of the Multitude, when Christ 
 
 blessed and gave the Loaves and Fishes. 
 The Water and the Blood, which flowed from 
 
 Our Lord's Side on the Cross. 
 
 Why w© Should Oome to Communion. 
 
 To obey Christ's Command. 
 
 To show forth the Glory of God. 
 
 To offer the Memorial of the Cross. 
 
 To assist at true worship. 
 
 To honour Jesus Sacramentally Present. 
 
 For the forgiveness of sins. 
 
 For the increase of grace. 
 
 For the purification of desire. 
 
 For the illumination of mind. 
 
 For the enkindling of love. 
 
 For union with God. 
 
 For the promise of Everlasting Life. 
 
 Memorial of the Incarnation. 
 
 Hail, Mary ! Thou that art highly favoured, 
 the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 
 women. (St. Luke i. 28.) 
 
 IVEemorial of the Redemption. 
 
 O Saviour of the world, Who by Thy Cross 
 and Precious Blood hast redeemed us, save us 
 and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. 
 
64 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION. 
 
 Why one Sihould Sorro'w for Sin. 
 
 Because sin grieves and offends God. 
 Because sin is the yielding to the Devil. 
 Because sin brought the fall of man. 
 Because sin brought sorrow and suffering. 
 Because sin caused the Death of Christ. 
 Because sin separates us from God. 
 Because sin crucifies Jesus Christ afresh. 
 Because sin resists the Holy Ghost. 
 Because sin ruins our characters. 
 Because sin deadens the conscience. 
 Because sin prevents the working of Grace. 
 Because sin imperils our immortal souls. 
 Because "the wages of sin is death." 
 
 Why we Should "go to Confession.'* 
 
 It shows sorrow for sin. 
 It expresses the need of God's Grace. 
 It strengthens the will and character. 
 It increases the beauty of holiness. 
 It brings peace to the mind and soul. 
 It keeps from presumption and subdues pride. 
 It seeks pardon in God's appointed way. 
 It releases the soul from the eternal penalty 
 and sometimes from temporal punishment. 
 It cleanses in the Blood of Jesus Christ. 
 It restores to a state of grace. 
 It fits the soul for death and judgment. 
 It shows real Faith, Love, and Repentance. 
 It marks the Cross in our lives. 
 It leaves nothing undone to ensure pardon. 
 
 "First give thyself to Goo ; then to the work 
 God giveth thee to do." 
 
 "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory 
 OF God/' 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 65 
 
 Practical Ways of Conquering the "Seven 
 Deadly Sins." 
 
 In General: The practice of Self-Discipline, 
 Self-Denial, Self-Sacrifice, Detachment, 
 Recollection of God's Presence. 
 
 Pride: Cultivation of Humility and Simplic- 
 ity; seeking to 'be Mieek, Lowly and Hum- 
 ble o'f Heart; Meditation upon Our Lord. 
 
 Anger: Practicing Self-Control ; silence for 
 a space before speaking; signing the 
 Cross ; realizing the possibility of acts of 
 violence; praying for others or self; ren- 
 dering good for evil ; Kindness, Patience, 
 Forbearance, Forgiveness. 
 
 Covetousness : Seeking to care little ifor 
 earthly things ; never hoarding ; being 
 generous to man and grateful to God, giv- 
 ing liberally to the Church and all good 
 works, and sharing what you have. 
 
 Lust: Cultivating Purity in thought, word 
 and deed; refusing to look at, speak of 
 or think of evil or suggestive things ; 
 avoiding sources of temptation; regular 
 habits; exercise; prayer; fasting; flight, 
 in special bodily temptation; realizing the 
 awful consequences of lust. 
 
 Envy: Cultivating Love, Magnanimity, trying 
 to rejoice in the joy or success of others. 
 
 Sloth : Living by Rule ; being occupied with 
 useful or profitable employment; doing 
 3^our duties conscientiously to the best of 
 your ability as in the Sight of God, for 
 God's Glory; taking proper Rest or Recre- 
 ation, but resisting idleness or laziness 
 
 Gluttony : RuHng your desires ; being tem- 
 perate and moderate ; fasting at times ; 
 avoiding excess ; taking less than desired. 
 
66 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION. 
 
 Counsels for Communicants. 
 
 I. Never receive the Holy Communion 
 
 without previous preparation. 
 II. Consult the Clergy if in doubt how 
 often to receive the Communion. 
 
 III. Always make your Communion fasting, 
 
 in order: (i) to honour Our Lord; 
 (2) to increase devotion; (3) to dis- 
 cipline the !body ; (4) to obey the cus- 
 tom and command of the Church. 
 
 IV. When preparing for Communion re- 
 
 member the Presence of God, and ask 
 the guidance of the Holy Ghost. 
 V. In examining your conscience, seek to 
 know your sins, see if they were done 
 zvillingly, knowingly, and deliberately, 
 and be sure you are really sorry and 
 wish to do right. 
 
 VI. Confess your sins to God, in the Sacra- 
 ment of Penance before God's Priest, 
 and cheerfully do your penances as 
 the means of showing your repentance 
 and making reparation and amendment. 
 VII. Love and long for Our Lord in the 
 Blessed Sacrament, and never fail to 
 adore Our Lord Present in the 
 Holy Mysteries. 
 VIII. Look forward to each Communion as 
 the greatest of earthly privileges and 
 the best preparation for life hereafter. 
 
 IX. Never hurry, either in Preparation, 
 Thanksgiving, or during the Service. 
 X. Never wear gloves or use a handker- 
 chief when communicating and re- 
 member the veneration due to Our 
 Lord's Body and Blood. 
 
PART II 
 DEVOTIONS 
 
COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT TRAVAIL 
 
 AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I 
 
 WILL GIVE YOU REST." 
 
PREPARATION FOR HOLY 
 COMMUNION 
 
 Part I 
 
 (Kneeling down, one may think of the words, " Thou Cod 
 seest me," and signing the Cross, say:) 
 
 IN the Name *J* of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 Veni Creator. 
 
 COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, 
 And lighten with celestial fire. 
 
 Thou the Anointing Spirit art, 
 
 Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart. 
 
 Thy Blessed Unction from above 
 Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 
 
 Enable with perpetual light 
 
 TJie dulness of our blinded sight. 
 
 Anoint and cheer our soiled face 
 With the abundance of Thy grace. 
 
 Keep far our foes, give peace at home. 
 Where Thou art guide no ill can come. 
 
 Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
 And Thee of Both to be but One. 
 
 That through the ages, all along, 
 This may be our endless song : 
 
 Praise to Thine eternal merit, 
 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
 69 
 
70 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 LET the words of my mouth and the medi- 
 ' tation of my heart be always acceptable 
 in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my 
 Redeemer. 
 
 REMEMBER not, Lord, our offences nor 
 • the offences of our forefathers, neither 
 take Thou vengeance of our sins. Spare us, 
 good Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou 
 hast redeemed with Thy Most Precious Blood, 
 and be not angry with us for ever. 
 
 ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who 
 • hatest nothing that Thou hast made and 
 dost forgive the sins of all those who are 
 penitent ; Create and make in us new and con- 
 trite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our 
 sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, 
 may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, 
 perfect remission and forgiveness through 
 Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 I WILL wash my hands in innocency, O 
 Lord, and so will I go to Thine Altar. 
 
 LORD, have mercy upon us ; 
 ■' Christ, have mercy upon us ; 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 {or say the following:) 
 
 OMOST Merciful God and Heavenly 
 Father, Who art ever ready to receive 
 those who turn to Thee in Faith, Love and 
 Repentance, look with compassion, we beseech 
 
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION 71 
 
 Thee, upon us who come to be cleansed in 
 the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Grant 
 us the light of Thy Holy Spirit, that truly 
 repenting of our sins, earnestly resolved to 
 lead a new life and in love and charity with 
 all men, we may obtain Thy pardon and for- 
 giveness and may receive to our soul's salva- 
 tion the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus 
 Christ, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost 
 liveth and reigneth ever one God, world with- 
 out end. Amen. 
 
 (Then ask yourself the following questions and include in 
 the confession the sins committed:) 
 
 Questions for Self-Examination.* 
 
 Have I believed in God, the Father, the Son 
 
 and the Holy Ghost? 
 Have I put my whole trust in God? 
 Have I believed all that God teaches through 
 
 the Church, the Creed and the Scriptures? 
 Have I kept from all false doctrine, heresy 
 
 and schism? 
 Have I avoided places or persons who might 
 
 have led me into error or sin? 
 Have I failed to love God with all my heart 
 
 and mind and soul and strength? Do I 
 
 love any person or thing more than God? 
 
 Do I grieve to offend God and His love? 
 Have I tried to serve God truly, keeping His 
 
 Commandments, and doing all things for 
 
 His Honour and Glory as in His Sight? 
 Have I loved my will more than God's will? 
 
 1 These are based on our " Duty towards God " and our 
 " Duty towards our Neighbour." 
 
72 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Have I kept my Baptismal, Confirmation, or 
 other vows? 
 
 Have I worshipped God in spirit and in truth, 
 with body, mind, and soul? 
 
 Have I regularly gone to Church and fre- 
 quently received the Holy Communion? 
 
 Have I carefully prepared for Communion? 
 
 Have I ever forgotten Our Lord's Presence in 
 the Blessed Sacrament and failed to give 
 Him worship? 
 
 Have I, without grave cause, failed to be 
 present at the Holy Eucharist on Sun- 
 days? 
 
 Have I omitted my Daily Morning or Even- 
 ing Prayers, or my Grace before meals? 
 
 Have I kept from unnecessary work on Sun- 
 days? 
 
 Have I kept Fridays by fasting or abstaining 
 from meat? 
 
 Have I kept the other Fasts and Festivals as 
 best I could? 
 
 Have I done any special work for the Church 
 and was my motive always for God's 
 Glory? 
 
 Have I honoured God's Holy Name and 
 Word? 
 
 Have I remembered the Presence of God? 
 
 Have I ever sworn, cursed, or blasphemed? 
 
 Have I kept myself as the Temple of the 
 Holy Ghost? 
 
 Have I been thankful for God's blessings and 
 used them for His Glory? 
 
 Have I been resigned to God's will and always 
 believed that God knows best? 
 
 Have I set my heart on things above and tried 
 to draw myself from earthly things? 
 
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION 73 
 
 Have I adored God, reverenced the Blessed 
 Virgin and the Saints, and honoured the 
 Clergy and all holy persons, holy places, 
 and holy things? 
 
 II 
 
 Have I tried to love my neighbour as myself? 
 
 Have I done unto others as I would that they 
 should do unto me? 
 
 Have I honoured and obeyed my father and 
 mother and those in authority over me? 
 
 Have I tried to be faithful, true, and good as 
 father, mother, husband, wife, son, daugh- 
 ter, brother, or sister (as my relationship 
 may be) ? 
 
 Have I tried to do my duty in the home, 
 regarding family ties as sacred? 
 
 Have I failed to be truthful, kind, cheerful, 
 sympathetic, and helpful? 
 
 Have I done my work to the best of my 
 ability? 
 
 Have I cheerfully followed the counsel and 
 admonition of the Clergy or those over 
 me and humbly received reproofs? 
 
 Have I sinned by pride, thinking too highly 
 of myself, and failing to be meek, lowly, 
 and humble of heart? 
 
 Have I been angry beyond or without cause? 
 
 Have I sworn at or struck any one in anger? 
 
 Have I been cross, revengeful, or disagreeable? 
 
 Have I forgiven those who may have hurt 
 me or owned my own fault if wrong? 
 
 Have I tried to live in love and charity with 
 all persons? 
 
 Have I been true and just in all my dealings? 
 
 Have I stolen, cheated, lied, or acted dishon- 
 ourably in any way? 
 
74 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION. 
 
 Have I given generously to the Church and 
 poor, one-tenth when possible? 
 
 Have I ever coveted what was not mine? 
 
 Have I envied the 'blessing of others or re- 
 joiced at any one's misfortunes? 
 
 Have I been impure with myself or with 
 others? Have I done evil or improper 
 things, such as Wrong Sexual Relations, 
 Adultery, Improper use of Marriage? 
 
 Have I gone with bad persons or to low 
 places? Have I gotten evil out of good? 
 
 Have I told or listened to wrong things or 
 been impure in thought and word if not 
 in deed? 
 
 Have I realized that Impurity is a Mortal Sin 
 of the worst kind? 
 
 Have I borne malice or hatred in my heart? 
 
 Have I borne false witness against others or 
 repeated slander or wrong gossip, or said 
 things that were not kind, true, or neces- 
 sary, or calculated to injure one's influ- 
 ence, reputation, or w^ork? 
 
 Have I eaten or drank too much or too often? 
 
 Have I indulged too much in luxury or wasted 
 my money on foolish things ? 
 
 Have I practised self-denial and self-disci- 
 pline? Have I tried to develope strength 
 of character? 
 
 Have I tried always to be contented in that 
 state of life unto which God calls me? 
 
 Have I been a bad example to others? 
 
 Have I thought of the awfulness of being in 
 IMortal Sin and not in a state of Grace? 
 
 Have I prepared for death should it suddenly 
 come upon me ? 
 
 How specially have I sinned in ways about 
 Avhich I have not already asked questions? 
 
PREPARATION" FOR COMMUNION 75 
 
 (/f going for Confession to a Priest use the form 
 on page 190. Otherwise proceed as follows:) 
 
 Confession of Sin, 
 
 ALMIGHTY and Miost Merciful Father, 
 I acknowledge and bewail my manifold 
 sins and wickedness, which I from time to 
 time most grievously have committed in 
 thought, word and deed, by omission and 
 commission, through my fault, my own fault, 
 my own most grievous fault. And especially 
 I confess unto Thee that I have sinned {here 
 name the sins you can recollect). For these 
 and all my other sins which I cannot now 
 rememlber, I am heartily sorry and firmly 
 purpose amendment, humbly beseeching Thy 
 pardon and forgiveness, with grace and space 
 to lead a better life. O ! My God, have mercy 
 upon me, a sinner. Forgive me all that is 
 past, confirm and strengthen me in all good- 
 ness and finally bring me to Everlasting Life 
 through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Or the Following. 1 
 
 (Tliis will anszuer for both the Self-Examination and 
 Confession for very young or busy people who 
 either do not use the Sacrament of Penance or 
 use it infrequently. They should omit or add to 
 the following as may be necessary:) 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, I confess that I have 
 sinned against Thee by thought, word 
 and deed, by omission and commission ; I 
 have not loved Thee as I should nor tried to 
 live for Thine Honour and Glory; I have 
 not remembered Thy Sacred Presence nor 
 feared to offend Thee; I have not followed 
 Thy Holy Word or Commandments or kept 
 my Voiws and Promises as I should ; I have 
 
j6 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 not listened to the voice of conscience or 
 followed the guidance of the Holy Ghost; 
 I have by wrong-doing denied Thee in my life 
 and Crucified the Lord Jesus in my heart; I 
 have not always been sorry for my sins or 
 really tried to amend my ways ; I have failed 
 to put my whole trust in Thee and have 
 doubted Thy Word and Promises; I have 
 not obeyed all the counsels and commands of 
 the Church or read the Bible as I should; 
 I have been careless in my prayers and devo- 
 tions and have stayed away from Public 
 Worship ; I have neglected the Holy Com- 
 munion or have received it without due prep- 
 aration, love and reverence ; I have not 
 observed the Fasts and Festivals of the Church 
 as I should or kept Sunday as the Lord's 
 Day and Friday by fasting or abstinence ; I 
 have spoken against the Clergy and have not 
 always loved, honoured and obeyed my parents 
 or those in authority over me ; I have not 
 loved my neighbour as myself or tried to 
 live in charity with all men ; I have been 
 proud, stubborn and self-willed and have dis- 
 liked counsel, advice and reproof : I have been 
 angry beyond cause and without cause and 
 have sometimes sworn, lied and quarrelled ; 
 I have been covetous and discontented and 
 have not been resigned to Thy Will ; I have 
 been im.pure in thought, word (and deed) 
 and have not been watchful against the 
 temptations of the world, the flesh and the 
 devil; I have been envious, jealous and fault- 
 finding and have not worked in the Church 
 as I should ; I have given way to sloth and 
 have failed to do my duties to the best of 
 my ability; I have eaten (and drank) too 
 
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION 77 
 
 much or too often and have been too fond 
 of ease and pleasure ; I have not tried to deny 
 myself and have failed to cultivate self-sacri- 
 fice and self-discipline. O have mercy upon 
 me a sinner: grant me, I beseech Thee, true 
 faith, love and repentance ; and pardon and 
 absolve me from all my sins and help me 
 lead a better life for Jesus Christ's sake. 
 Amen. 
 
 {Now say the following:) 
 
 Acts of Faith, Love and Repentance. 
 
 OMY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in 
 Thee, I love Thee and I grieve that I 
 have so often offended Thee by my sins and 
 I resolve henceforth by Thy Grace and Mercy 
 to lead a better life. 
 
 Act of Faith. 
 
 OLORD Jesus, I believe that Thou art the 
 Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who 
 dost give Thyself to us in the Blessed Sacra- 
 ment of Thy Body and Blood and in the Holy 
 Sacrifice of the Altar dost plead Thy Death 
 and Passion for the sins of the whole world. 
 Lord, I believe : help Thou my unbelief. 
 
 Act of Hope. 
 
 I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills : 
 from whence cometh my help. My help 
 cometh even from the Lord : Who hath made 
 heaven and earth. 
 
 Act of Love. 
 
 MY God, I would love Thee with all my 
 heart, with all my mind, with all my 
 goul and with all my strength. 
 
 o 
 
78 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Act of Contrition. 
 
 HAVE mercy upon me, O God, after Thy 
 great goodness : according to the muUi- 
 tude of Thy mercies do away mine offences. 
 Wash me throughly from my wickedness 
 and cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowl- 
 edge my faults and my sin is ever before me. 
 
 Act of Consecration. 
 
 OMY God, I offer myself to Thee with all 
 that I love and all that I have, to be 
 Thine forever. Let Thy Holy Spirit be in my 
 mind that I may think aright, in my heart that 
 I may love aright, and in my life that I may 
 live aright for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 
 
 Act of Humility. 
 
 OLORD, who am I that I should presume 
 to enter the Presence of the King of 
 Kings ! I am not worthy that Thou shouldst 
 come unto me, but say the word only, and I 
 shall be healed. 
 
 Act of Amendment. 
 
 OMY God, I desire to amend my life and 
 to live henceforth as is well pleasing 
 unto Thee. Do Thou, in Thy mercy, gra^t 
 me Thy Grace that I may overcome all tempta- 
 tions and persevering unto the end, may 
 obtain Everlasting Life through the Merits 
 and Mediation of Thine Only Begotten Son, 
 Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Lord and 
 Redeemer. 
 
preparation for communion 79 
 
 Act of Devotion to Jesus in the Blessed 
 Sacrament. 
 
 " Soul of Christ, sanctify me : 
 Body of Christ, save me : 
 Blood of Christ, refresh me: 
 Water from the side of Christ, wash me: 
 Passion of Christ, strengthen me: 
 O Good Jesu, hear me : 
 Within Thy wounds, hide me : 
 Suffer me not to be separated from Thee : 
 From the malicious enemy defend me : 
 In the hour of my death call me. 
 And bid me come to Thee; 
 That with Thy Saints I may praise Thee 
 For all eternity. Amen." 
 
 Part II 
 
 Antiphon. O how plenteous is Thy goodness, 
 O Lord, 
 
 {Here may be said one or all of the following Psalms:) 
 
 PsALM Lxxxiv. Quam dilecta! 
 
 OHOW amiable are Thy dwellings : Thou 
 Lord of hosts ! 
 
 2. My soul hath a desire and longing to 
 enter into the courts of the Lord : my heart 
 and my flesh rejoice in the living God. 
 
 3. Yea, the sparrow hath found her an 
 house, and the swallow a nest, where she may 
 lay her young: even Thy Altars, O Lord of 
 hosts, my King and my God, 
 
 4. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house : 
 they will be alway praising Thee, 
 
8o THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in 
 Thee : in whose heart are Thy ways. 
 
 6. Who going through the vale of misery 
 use it for a well : and the pools are filled with 
 water. 
 
 7. They will go from strength to strength : 
 and unto the God of gods appeareth every 
 one of them in Sion. 
 
 8. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: 
 hearken, O God of Jacob. 
 
 9. Behold, O God our defender : and look 
 upon the face of Thine Anointed. 
 
 10. For one day in Thy courts : is better 
 than a thousand. 
 
 11. I had rather be a door-keeper in the 
 house of my God : than to dwell in the tents 
 of ungodliness. 
 
 12. For the Lord God is a light and defence : 
 the Lord will give grace and worship, and no 
 good thing shall He withhold from them that 
 live a godly life. 
 
 13. O Lord God of hosts: blessed is the man 
 that putteth his trust in Thee. 
 
 Glory be to the Father, etc. 
 
 Psalm lxxxv. Benedixisti, Domine. 
 
 LORD, Thou art become gracious unto Thy 
 -/ land: Thou hast turned away the cap- 
 tivity of Jacob. 
 
 2. Thou hast forgiven the offence of Thy 
 people : and covered all their sins. 
 
 3. Thou hast taken away all Thy displeasure : 
 and turned Thyself from Thy wrathful indig- 
 nation. 
 
 4. Turn us then, O God our Saviour: and 
 let Thine anger cease from us. 
 
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION 8l 
 
 5. Wilt Thou be displeased at us for ever : 
 and wilt Thou stretch out Thy wrath from 
 one generation to another? 
 
 6. Wilt Thou not turn again and quicken 
 us: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? 
 
 7. Show us Thy mercy, O Lord: and grant 
 us Thy salvation. 
 
 8. I will hearken what the Lord God will 
 say concerning me : for He shall speak peace 
 unto His people, and to His saints, that they 
 turn not again. 
 
 9. For His salvation is nigh them that fear 
 Him : that glory may dwell in our land. 
 
 10. Mercy and truth are met together : right- 
 eousness and peace have kissed f.:ch other. 
 
 11. Truth shall flourish out of the earth: 
 and righteousness hath looked dovv'n from 
 heaven. 
 
 12. Yea, the Lord shall show loving-kind- 
 ness: and our land shall give her increase. 
 
 13. Righteousness shall go before Him : and 
 He shall direct his going in the way. 
 
 Glory be to the Father, etc. 
 
 Psalm lxxxvi. Inclina, Domine. 
 
 BOW down Thine ear, O Lord, and hear 
 me : for I am poor, and in misery. 
 
 2. Preserve Thou my soul, for I am holy : 
 my God, save Thy servant that putteth his 
 trust in Thee. 
 
 3. Be merciful unto me, O Lord : for I will 
 call daily upon Thee. 
 
 4. Comfort the soul of Thy servant : for 
 unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 
 
 5. For Thou, Lord, art good and gracious: 
 and of great mercy unto all them that call 
 upon Thee. 
 
 6 
 
82 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 6. Give ear, Lx)rd, unto my prayer : and 
 ponder the voice of my humble desires. 
 
 7. In the time of my trouble I will call upon 
 Thee : for Thou hearest me. 
 
 8. Among the gods there is none like unto 
 Thee, O Lord : there is not one that can do as 
 Thou doest. 
 
 9. All nations whom Thou hast made shall 
 come and worship Thee, O Lord : and shall 
 glorify Thy Name. 
 
 10. For Thou art great, and doest wondfous 
 things : Thou art God alone. 
 
 11. Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and I will 
 walk in Thy truth : O knit my heart unto 
 Thee, that T may fear Thy Name. 
 
 12. I will thank Thee, O Lord my God, with 
 all my heart: and will praise Thy Name for 
 evermore. 
 
 13. For great is Thy mercy toward me : 
 and Thou hast delivered my soul from the 
 nethermost hell. 
 
 14. O God, the proud are risen against me : 
 and the congregations of naughty men have 
 sought after my soul, and have not set Thee 
 before their eyes. 
 
 15. But Thou, O Lord God, art full of com- 
 passion and mercy : long-suffering, plenteous 
 in goodness and truth. 
 
 16. O turn Thee then unto me, and have 
 mercy upon me : give Thy strength unto Thy 
 servant, and help the son of Thine handmaid. 
 
 17. Show some token upon me for good; 
 that they who hate me may see it, and be 
 ashamed : because Thou, Lord, hast holpen 
 me, and comforted me. 
 
 Glory be to the Father, etc. 
 
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION 83 
 
 {Those who wish might add or substitute Psalms 15, 23, 
 24. 26, 27, 42, 107 or 130.) 
 
 Antiphon : O how plenteous is Thy Good- 
 ness, O Lord, which Thou hast prepared for 
 those that put their trust in Thee. 
 
 LORD, have mercy upon us. 
 ■^ Christ, have liter cy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 OUR Father, Who art in heaven. Hal- 
 lowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom 
 come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in 
 heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 
 And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive 
 those who trespass against us. And lead us 
 not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil. 
 Amen. 
 
 I said, Lord, have mercy upon me, 
 
 Heal my soul^ for I have sinned against 
 Thee. 
 Turn Thee again, O Lord, at the last. 
 
 And be gracious unto Thy servants. 
 O Lord, let Thy mercy be showed upon us. 
 
 As we do put our trust in Thee. 
 Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness. 
 
 And Thy saints sing zvith joyfulncss. 
 Lord, cleanse Thou me from my secret faults. 
 
 Keep Thy servant also from presumptuous 
 sins. 
 O Lord, hear my prayer. 
 
 And let my cry come unto Thee. 
 The Lord be with you. 
 
 And with thy spirit. 
 
84 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 MOST gracious God, incline Thy merciful 
 ears to our prayers, and enlighten our 
 hearts by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that 
 we may worthily approach Thy Holy Mys- 
 teries, and love Thee with an everlasting love. 
 
 OLORD, we beseech Thee, may the power 
 of the Holy Spirit be with us, and both 
 mercifully cleanse our hearts and defend us 
 from all adversities. 
 
 CLEANSE our consciences, we beseech 
 Thee, O Lord, by Thy visitation, that 
 Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, when He 
 cometh, may find in us a mansion prepared for 
 Himself ; through Him, Who liveth and reign- 
 eth with Thee, in the Unity of the same 
 Spirit, ever One God, world without end. 
 Amen. 
 
 1IKE as the hart desireth the water brooks : 
 •^ so longeth my soul after Thee, O God. 
 
 (For additional devotions or penitential exercises see Parts 
 IV., v., and VI. further on.) 
 
"is it nothing to you, all ye 
 who pass by?" 
 
II 
 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION 
 
 (/< is helpful to be in Church a few minutes before the Ser^ 
 vice, and after reverencing the Altar and signing the 
 Cross to say the following:) 
 
 Before the Service. 
 
 IN the Name »i* of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 Antiphon: I will go unto the Altar of God. 
 
 Psalm xliil Judica me, Dens. 
 
 GIVE sentence with me, O God, and defend 
 my cause against the ungodly people ; 
 O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked 
 man. 
 
 2. For Thou art the God of my strength, 
 why hast Thou put me from Thee ? and why 
 go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresseth 
 me? 
 
 3. O send out Thy light and Thy truth, that 
 they may lead me, and bring me unto Thy 
 holy hill, and to Thy dwelling; 
 
 4. And that I may go unto the Altar of 
 God, even unto the God of my joy and glad- 
 ness, and upon the harp will I give thanks 
 unto Thee, O God, my God. 
 
 5. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul? and 
 why art thou so disquieted within me? 
 
 6. O put thy trust in God, for I will yet 
 give Him thanks, which is the help of my 
 countenance, and my God. 
 
 Glory be to the Father, etc. 
 
86 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Antiphon: I will go unto the Altar of God, 
 even unto the God of my joy and gladness. 
 
 MAKE me a clean heart, O Lord, and 
 renew a right spirit within me. O 
 grant me worthily to receive these Holy Mys- 
 teries and to love Thee v/ith an everlasting 
 love. 
 
 OMOST Merciful Father, we humbly 
 approach Thine Altar to offer and re- 
 present unto Thee the One, Pure, and Holy 
 Sacrifice which Our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ made once upon the Cross and now 
 ever pleads for us in Heaven and which He 
 hath commanded us to show forth here on 
 earth in this Memorial of His Death and 
 Passion. Grant that this Offering may be ac- 
 ceptable at our hands, we beseech Thee, O 
 God, and see us not as we are in ourselves 
 but as we are in union with Our Saviour Jesus 
 Christ. We offer this Holy Eucharist unto 
 Thee first for Thine Honour and Glory as the 
 only Perfect Sacrifice which we can offer 
 unto Thee. We also offer it in Thanks- 
 giving for all Thy Blessings {especially . . .*), 
 for the forgiveness of all our sins (. . .*), for 
 the increase of all graces and virtues (. . .^), 
 for Thy Holy Church, for our Parish and for 
 the Clergy (. . .'), for those near and dear to 
 us (. . }), for the sick (. . . ^), for the faith- 
 ful departed (. . .^), and with all other holy 
 intentions which Thou wouldst have us make. 
 All of which we ask through the Merits and 
 Mediation of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and 
 Redeemer. Amen. 
 
 * Here name your special petition. 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION 87 
 
 THE SERVICE 
 
 {To save space the Rubrics are omitted and some por- 
 tions of the Service are only mentioned by head- 
 ings, as all persons are presumed to have Prayer 
 Books.) 
 
 (The Introit.) 
 
 {At a Choral Celebration a few verses from the Psalms 
 are sung as an Introit, zvhen the Priest enters the 
 Sanctuary.) 
 
 The Lord's Prayer. 
 
 (Here said by Priest only.) 
 
 /^QR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 Collect for Purity. 
 A LAHGHTY 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 inspiration of 
 Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love 
 Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy Name; 
 through Christ Our Lx)Rd. Amen. 
 
 The Commandments and Responses. 
 
 Or the Short Summary of the Law. 
 
 The "Kyrie.^^ 
 
 {These petitions, originally in Greek, are to be said or 
 sung by the Priest and People alternately.) 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 'Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 
 'Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have m^ercy upon us. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
65 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Let us pray. 
 ry ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, 
 vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to direct, 
 sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and 
 bodies, in the ways of Thy laws, and in the 
 works of Thy commandments; that, through 
 Thy most mighty protection, both here and 
 ever, we may be preserved in body and soul ; 
 through Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 
 Amen. 
 
 (Now turn to the Book of Common Prayer at the 
 proper place, or else listen attentively to the Col- 
 lect, the Epistle and the Gospel.) 
 
 The Collect for the Day. 
 The Epistle. 
 
 (At a Choral Service there now generally follow a 
 few verses from the Psalms arranged to form 
 what is called) 
 
 The Gradual. 
 
 (Here stand and face the Gospel and as it is an- 
 nounced sign with tlie thumb the Cross on the 
 forehead ►$« the mouth ►^ and the breast ►$« 
 and say the following:) 
 
 Glory be to Thee, O God. 
 
 The Gospel. 
 
 (After the Gospel say:) 
 
 Thanks be to Thee, O Christ. 
 The Creed. 
 T BELIEVE in One God, the Father Al- 
 mighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And 
 of all things visible and invisible. And in One 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION. 89 
 
 Lord Jesus Christ (here bow or courtesy in 
 honour of the Holy Name), the Only-begotten 
 Son of God, Begotten of His Father before 
 all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very 
 God of Very God, Begotten, not made, Being 
 of one Substance with the Father, by Whom 
 all things were made : Who for us men, and 
 for our salvation, came down from heaven 
 {here kneel in honour of Our Lord's Incar- 
 nation, in reverence to Him Who humbled 
 Himself to become Man), And was incarnate 
 BY THE Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, 
 And was made Man, And was crucified also 
 for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and 
 was buried, And the third day He rose again 
 according to the Scriptures: And ascended 
 into heaven, And sitteth on the Right Hand 
 of the Father. And He shall come again 
 with glory to judge both the quick and the 
 dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end. 
 
 And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord 
 and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the 
 Father and the Son, Who with the Father 
 and the Son together is worshipped {here bow 
 to shozj your worship) and glorified: Who 
 spake by the Prophets. And I believe one 
 Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowl- 
 edge one Baptism for the remission of sins, 
 And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, 
 And the Life of the world to come {here sign 
 
90 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 the Cross, to bless the body for the Resurrec- 
 tion Day). Amen. 
 
 The Sermon. 
 
 (If there is to he a Sertnon it now follows, except 
 at a Requiem.) 
 
 Offertory Sentences. 
 Presentation of Alms and Oblations. 
 
 {At the Presentation of Alms and Oblations say si- 
 lently.) 
 
 A LL things conue of Thee, O Lord, and of 
 ■^^ Thine Own have we given Thee. May 
 our Alms be acceptable unto Thee, and may 
 our Oiblations by Thy Word and Holy Spirit 
 become the Body and Blood of Our Saviour 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 The Prayer for the Church. 
 A LMIGHTY and Everliving God, Who by 
 Thy Holy Apostle has taught us to 
 make prayers, and supplications, and to give 
 thanks for all men; We humbly beseech Thee 
 most mercifully [to accept our alms and obla- 
 tions, and] to receive these our prayers, which 
 we ofifer unto Thy Divine Majesty; beseech- 
 ing Thee to inspire continually the Universal 
 Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and 
 concord : And grant that all those who do 
 confess Thy Holy Name may agree in the 
 truth of Thy Holy Word, and live in unity 
 and godly love. We beseech Thee also, so to 
 direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian 
 Rulers, that they may truly and impartially 
 administer justice, to the punishment of 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION 9I 
 
 wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance 
 of Thy true rehgion, and virtue. Give grace, 
 O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other 
 Ministers, that they may, both by their life 
 and doctrine, set forth Thy true and lively 
 Word, and rightly and duly administer Thy 
 Holy Sacraments. And to all Thy People 
 give Thy heavenly grace ; and especially to 
 this congregation here present; that, with 
 meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, 
 and receive Thy Holy Word; truly serving 
 Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days 
 of their life. And we most humbly beseech 
 Thee, of Thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort 
 and succour all those who, in this transitory 
 life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or 
 any other adversity. And we also bless Thy 
 Holy Name for all Thy servants departed this 
 life in Thy faith and fear; beseeching Thee 
 to give us grace so to follow their good 
 examples, that with them we may be par- 
 takers of Thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, 
 O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only 
 Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 
 
 Short Exhortation. 
 
 "VT'E who do truly and earnestly repent you 
 
 of your sins, and are in love and charity 
 
 with your neighbours, and intend to lead a 
 
 nevr life, following the commandments of 
 
92 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 God, and walking from henceforth in His holy 
 ways; Draw near with faith, and take this 
 holy Sacrament to your comfort ; and make 
 your humble confession to Almighty God, 
 devoutly kneeling. 
 
 The General Confession. 
 ALMIGHTY God, Father of Our Lord 
 •^ Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, 
 Judge of all men ; We acknowledge and bewail 
 our manifold sins and wickedness. Which we, 
 from time to time, most grievously have 
 committed. By thought, word, and deed, 
 Against Thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most 
 justly Thy wrath and indignation against us. 
 We do earnestly repent. And are heartily 
 sorry for these our misdoings; The remem- 
 brance of them is grievous unto us; The 
 burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy 
 upon us. Have mercy upon us, most merciful 
 Father; For Thy Son Our Lord Jesus 
 Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past; 
 And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve 
 and please Thee In newness of life. To the 
 honour and glory of Thy Name; Through 
 Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 The Absolution. 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, 
 
 "^ Who of His great mercy hath promised 
 
 forgiveness of sins to all those who with 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION 93 
 
 hearty repentance and true faith turn unto 
 Him; Have mercy upon you; pardon (*i* here 
 may be signed the Cross, in remembrance of 
 Our Lord's Death, by which man's pardon 
 was accomplished) and dehver you from all 
 your sins ; confirm and strengthen you in all 
 goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; 
 through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 The Comfortable Words. 
 Hear what comfortable words Our Saviour 
 Christ saith unto all who truly turn to Him. 
 
 /^OME unto Me, all ye that travail and are 
 ^^ heavy laden, and I will refresh you. — 
 St. Matthew xi. 28. 
 
 So God loved the world, that He gave His 
 Only-begotten Son, to the end that all that 
 believe in Him should not perish, but have 
 everlasting life. — St. John iii. 16. 
 
 Hear also what Saint Paul saith. 
 
 This is a true saying, and worthy of all men 
 to be received. That Christ Jesus came into 
 the world to save sinners. — i Timothy i. 15. 
 
 Hear also what Saint John saith. 
 
 If any man sin, we have an Advocate with 
 the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous ; and 
 He is the Propitiation for our sins. — i St. 
 John ii. 1-2. 
 
94 the practice of religion 
 
 The Sursum Corda. 
 Lift up your hearts. 
 
 We lift them up unto the Lord. 
 Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. 
 
 It is meet and right so to do. 
 
 The Preface. 
 
 TT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty 
 that we should at all times and in all 
 places give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy 
 Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. 
 
 {Here follows, if there is one, the Proper Preface, as set 
 forth in the Prayer Book.) 
 
 'T^HEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, 
 ■*• and with all the company of heaven, 
 we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name; 
 evermore praising Thee, and saying, 
 
 (Here should be shown great devotion, as with the Heavenly 
 Host we adore God.) 
 
 The Sanctus. 
 TTOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of Hosts, 
 ■*• "*■ Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory : 
 Glory be to Thee, O Lord Most High. Amen. 
 
 Prayer of Humble Access. 
 
 WE do not presume to come to this Thy 
 Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in 
 our own righteousness, but in Thy manifold 
 and great mercies. We are not worthy so 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION 95 
 
 much as to gather up the crumbs under Thy 
 Table. But Thou art the same Lord, Whose 
 property is always to have mercy : Grant us 
 therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the Flesh 
 of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink 
 His Blood, that our sinful bodies may be 
 made clean by His Body, and our souls 
 washed through His most precious Blood, and 
 that we may evermore dwell in Him and He 
 in us. Amen. 
 
 (If time permits say silently with great devotion:) 
 
 LET all mortal flesh keep silence and stand 
 -' with fear and reverence and drive away 
 all earthly thought, for the King of Kings and 
 Lord of Lords, Christ, Our God cometh to 
 be given for Food for the Faithful, before 
 Whose Presence all Choirs of Angels, with 
 all the Heavenly Host, veil their faces as they 
 sing their praises to the Lord Most High. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!' 
 
 {Then say, or join with the Choir in singing:) 
 
 The Benedictus. 
 
 Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of 
 the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest. 
 
 The Canon of Consecration. 
 
 A LL Glory be to Thee, Almighty God, Our 
 
 "^^ Lleavenly Father, for that Thou of Thy 
 
 tender mercy didst give Thine only Son Jesus 
 
 Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our 
 
 1 Adapted from the Liturgy of St. James. 
 
96 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Redemption; Who made there (by His one 
 Oblation of Himself once offered) a full, per- 
 fect, and sufficient Sacrifice, Oblation, and 
 Satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; 
 and did institute, and in His Holy Gospel 
 command us to continue, a perpetual Memory 
 of that His precious Death and Sacrifice, until 
 His coming again. 
 
 {During the words of Consecration which follow, it is fitting 
 to bend over in adoration of Jesus Christ, Who comes 
 to be Sacramentally Present.) 
 
 rpOR IN THE NIGHT IN WHICH He WAS 
 
 BETRAYED, He TOOK BrEAD ; AND WHEN 
 
 He HAD GIVEN THANKS, He BRAKE IT, AND 
 
 GAVE IT TO His disciples, SAYING, TaKE, EAT, 
 
 THIS IS My Body, which is given for you; 
 do this in Remembrance of Me. 
 Likewise after supper He took the Cup; 
 
 AND, WHEN He had GIVEN THANKS, He 
 
 gave it to them, saying. Drink ye all of 
 this, for this is My Blood of the New 
 Testament, which is shed for you and for 
 many, for the Remission of sins; do this 
 AS oft as ye shall drink it in Remembrance 
 of Me. 
 
 \X7'HEREF0RE, O Lord and heavenly 
 
 ' ^ Father, according to the Institution 
 
 of Thy dearly beloved Son Our Saviour 
 
 Jesus Christ, we, Thy humble servants, do 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION 97 
 
 celebrate and make here before Thy Divine 
 Majesty, with these Thy Holy Gifts, which 
 we now offer unto Thee, the Memorial Thy 
 Son hath commanded us to make; having in 
 remembrance His Blessed Passion and 
 Precious Death, His Mighty Resurrection and 
 Glorious Ascension; rendering unto Thee 
 most hearty thanks for the innumerable bene- 
 fits procured unto us by the same. 
 
 AND we most humbly beseech Thee, O 
 •^^ merciful Father, to hear us; and of 
 Thy Almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless 
 and sanctify, with Thy Word and Holy Spirit, 
 these Thy gifts and creatures of Bread and 
 Wine; that we, receiving them according to 
 Thy Son Our Saviour Jesus Christ's Holy 
 Institution, in remembrance of His Death and 
 Passion, may be partakers of His most blessed 
 Body and Blood. 
 
 AND we earnestly desire Thy Fatherly 
 "^^ goodness, mercifully to accept this our 
 Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving; most 
 humbly beseeching Thee to grant, that by the 
 Merits and Death of Thy Son Jesus Christ, 
 and through faith in His Blood, we, and all 
 Thy whole Church, may obtain remission of 
 our sins, and all other benefits of His Passion. 
 And here we offer and present unto Thee, O 
 7 
 
9o THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a 
 reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto 
 Thee; humbly beseeching Thee, that we and 
 all others who shall be partakers of this Holy 
 Communion, may worthily receive the most 
 precious Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus 
 Christ, be filled with Thy grace and heavenly 
 benediction, and made one body with Him, 
 that He may dwell in us and we in Him. 
 And although we are unworthy, through our 
 manifold sins, to offer unto Thee any Sacri- 
 fice, yet we beseech Thee to accept this our 
 bounden duty and service; not weighing our 
 merits, but pardoning our offences, through 
 Jesus Christ Our Lord; by Whom, and with 
 Whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all 
 honour and glory be unto Thee, O Father 
 Almighty, world without end. Amen. 
 
 (As the Priest turns with the Sacrament to the people, it is 
 customary to sign the Cross.) 
 
 {Here at a Choral Celebration is Sung the hymn called:) 
 
 Agnus Dei. 
 
 r\ LAMB of God, that takest away the sins 
 ^^ of the world : Have mercy upon us : 
 
 LAMB of God, that takest away the sins 
 of the world: Have mercy upon us: 
 
 LAMB of God, that takest away the sins 
 of the world : Grant us Thy peace. 
 
 iHere may be said the following, or some of the Devotions 
 in Part IV or Part V.) 
 
 o 
 o 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION 99 
 
 r\ SAVIOUR of the world, Who by Thy 
 ^^ Cross and Precious Blood hast redeem- 
 ed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech 
 Thee, O Lord, And grant that we may re- 
 ceive these Holy Gifts to our soul's Salvation 
 and to Thine Honour and Glory. 
 
 (If you are to communicate, genuflect in adoration of 
 Christ in the Sacrament as you leave your seat 
 and before taking your place at the Altar rail, 
 saying silently.) 
 
 LORD Jesus, I am not worthy that Thou 
 shouldst come under my roof. O my 
 Saviour come to me and be to me the way of 
 everlasting life ! 
 
 (As the Priest comes to yon, sign the Cross >^ and 
 receive the Blessed Sacrament in the right hand, 
 supported by the left, as the Priest says the 
 Words of Administration.) 
 
 ' I ^HE Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 
 which was given for thee, preserve thy 
 
 body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and 
 
 cat this in remembrance that Christ died for 
 
 thee, and feed on Him in thy heart by faith, 
 
 with thanksgiving. 
 
 (After receiving, bend lozu in adoration and thanks- 
 giving and say the follozving or some other zvords:) 
 
 np HANKS be to Thee, O Lord, for this 
 -'' most Wonderful Gift. 
 
 HAIL! Most Holy Body of Christ. I 
 worship and adore Thee, my Lord and 
 Saviour in this Most Blessed Sacrament of 
 the Altar. May this Holy Sacrament be unto 
 me the way of everlasting life. 
 
lOO THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 (As the Priest comes with the Chalice, say silently.) 
 
 OMY Saviour! Thou hast said, "Whoso 
 eateth My Flesh, and drinketh My 
 Blood hath eternal life !'' I will receive the 
 cup of Salvation and call upon the Name of 
 the Lord. 
 
 (Then signing the Cross \^ guide the Chalice, if 
 necessary, as the Priest administers with the words:) 
 
 '~p HE Blood of O'ur Lord Jesus Christ, 
 •which was shed for thee, preserve thy 
 body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink 
 this in remembrance that Christ's Blood w^as 
 shed for thee, and be thankful. 
 
 {TJien in devout thanksgiving say:) 
 
 "LJAIL! Most Sacred Blood of Jesus. Be 
 
 •*--*■ unto me the Way of Everlasting Life. 
 
 pjLESSED, praised and hallowed be Our 
 
 -^ Lord Jesus Christ, on His Throne of 
 
 Glory and in His Most Holy Sacrament of 
 
 the Altar. 
 
 f^ MY Saviour, I love Thee, I adore Thee, 
 
 ^^ and I thank Thee for the Sacred Gifts 
 
 of Thy Body and Blood. 
 
 P RAISE the Lord, my soul, and all that 
 
 ■■■ is within me praise His Holy Name. 
 
 (Arising, genuflect at the Altar rail and again before 
 taking your seat, and if time permits say some of 
 the devotions provided elsezvhere.) 
 
 The Lord's Prayer. 
 
 Thanksgiving. 
 
 A LMIGHTY and everliving God, we most 
 
 '^^ heartily thank Thee, for that Thou dost 
 
 vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received 
 
THE BODY AND BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS 
 
 CHRIST PRESERVE THY BODY AND 
 
 SOUL L'NTO EVERLASTING LIFE." 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION lOI 
 
 these holy Mysteries, with the spiritual food 
 of the most precious Body and Blood of Thy 
 Son Our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost 
 assure us thereby of Thy favour and goodness 
 towards us ; and that we are very members 
 incorporate in the mystical body of Thy Son, 
 which is the blessed company of all faithful 
 people ; and are also heirs through hope of 
 Thy everlasting kingdom, by the Merits of 
 the most precious Death and Passion of Thy 
 dear Son. And we most humbly beseech 
 Thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with 
 Thy grace, that we may continue in that holy 
 fellowship, and do all such good works as 
 Thou hast prepared for us to walk in ; through 
 Jesus Christ Our Lord, to Whom, with Thee 
 and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, 
 world without end. Amen. 
 
 Gloria in Excelsis. 
 /^LORY be to God on high, and on earth 
 ^"^ peace, good will towards men. We 
 praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, 
 we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for 
 Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, 
 God the Father Almighty. 
 
 O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus 
 Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of 
 the Father, that takest away the sins of the 
 world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest 
 
102 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 away the sins of the world, have mercy upon 
 us. Thou that takest away the sins of the 
 world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest 
 at the right hand of God the Father, have 
 mercy upon us. 
 
 For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the 
 Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy 
 Ghost, art most high ("^ here sign the Cross) 
 in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 
 
 The Blessing. 
 
 npHE Peace of God, which passeth all under- 
 standing, keep your hearts and minds in 
 the knowledge and love of God, and of His 
 Son Jesus Christ Our Lord: And the Bless- 
 ing of God Almighty ("^ here sign the Cross), 
 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, 
 be amongst you and remain with you always. 
 Amen. 
 
 {One should remain kneeling in Church until the Priest 
 has finished the Ablutions and leaves the Sanctuary. 
 During this time the following Gospel for Christmas 
 Day may be said and also the private Thanksgiving.) 
 
 IN the beginning was the Word, and the 
 Word was with God, and the Word was 
 God. The same was in the beginning with 
 God. All things were made by Him; and 
 without Him was not any thing made that 
 was made. In Him was life ; and the life was 
 the light of men. And the light shineth in 
 darkness ; and the darkness comprehended it 
 not. There was a man sent from God, whose 
 
THE HOLY COMMUNION I03 
 
 name was John. The same came for a witness, 
 to bear witness of the Light; that all men 
 through him might believe. He was not that 
 Light, but was sent to bear witness of that 
 Light. That was the true Light, which 
 lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 
 He was in the world, and the world was made 
 by Him, and the world knew Him not. He 
 came unto His own, and His own received 
 Him not. But as many as received Him, to 
 them gave He power to become the sons of 
 God, even to them that believe on His Name: 
 which were born, not of blood, nor of the 
 will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but 
 of God. And the Word was made flesh, and 
 dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, 
 the glory as of the Only-begotten of the 
 Father,) full of grace and truth. 
 
 {Now turn to the Thanksgiving which follows on page 104.) 
 
 {Those zvho are iinable to be present in Church should 
 make a Spiritual Co»iinunioH by reading over 
 such parts of the sen'ice as could be used alone 
 and following the Form set forth on page no.) 
 
 {Those v.'ho attend a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist 
 for zvorship but not for Communion will find 
 suitable devotions in sections IV or V.) 
 
Ill 
 
 THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION 
 
 (Before leaving tke Church the communicant shruld most 
 devoutly make a Thanksgiving for the Gift of Our 
 Lord's Precious Body and Blood. The following is 
 chiefly from Old Sarum Rite.) 
 
 Antiphon. Let us sing the Song of the 
 Three Children ; which they sang as they 
 blessed the Lord in the furnace of fire. 
 
 Benedicite, omnia Opera. 
 
 OALL ye works of the Lord, bless ye the 
 Lord, praise Him, and magnify Him 
 for ever. 
 
 O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: 
 praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. 
 
 O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord: 
 praise Him, and magnify Him for ever,^ 
 
 O let Israel bless the Lord : praise Him, and 
 magnify Him for ever. 
 
 O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: 
 praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. 
 
 O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the 
 Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. 
 
 O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, 
 bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify 
 Him for ever. 
 
 O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless 
 ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him 
 for ever. 
 
 O Ananias, Azarias. and Misael, bless ye the 
 Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. 
 
 Glory be to the Father, etc. 
 104 
 
THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION I05 
 
 Psalm cl- Laudate Dominum. 
 
 O PRAISE God in His holiness : praise 
 Him in the firmament of His power. 
 
 Praise Him in His noble acts : praise Him 
 according to His excellent greatness. 
 
 Praise Him in the sound of the trumpet: 
 praise Him upon the lute and harp. 
 
 Praise Him in the cymbals and dances : 
 praise Him upon the strings and pipe. 
 
 Praise Him upon the well-tuned cymbals : 
 praise Him upon the loud cymbals. 
 
 Let every thing that hath breath praise the 
 Lord. 
 
 Glory be to the Father, etc. 
 
 Nunc Ditnittis. 
 
 IORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart 
 -^ in peace, according to Thy word. 
 For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, 
 Which Thou hast prepared before the face 
 of all people. 
 
 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles; and 
 to be the glory of Thy people Israel. 
 Glory be to the Father, etc. 
 
 Antiphon. Let us sing the Song of the 
 Three Children; which they sang as they 
 blessed the Lord in the furnace of fire. 
 
 LORD, have mercy upon us. 
 '' Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 OUR Father. Who art in heaven. Hallowed 
 be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. 
 Thy will be done on earth. As it is in heaven. 
 
Io6 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive 
 us our trespasses. As we forgive those that 
 trespass against us. And lead us not into 
 temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen. 
 
 Let us bless God, the Father, the Son, and 
 the Holy Ghost. 
 Let us praise and exalt Him above all for 
 ever. 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord in the highest. 
 And worthy to be praised and glorious for 
 ever. 
 The Almighty and Merciful God bless and 
 
 keep us. Amen. 
 Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O 
 Lord. 
 For in Thy Sight shall no man living be 
 justiHed. 
 Turn us again, O Lord God of Hosts. 
 Show the light of Thy Countenance and we 
 shall be whole. 
 O Lord, hear my prayer. 
 
 And let my cry come unto Thee. 
 The Lord be with you. 
 And with thy spirit. 
 
 OGOD, Who for the Three Children didst 
 cool the flames of fire, mercifully grant 
 that the flame of sin may not consume us Thy 
 servants. 
 
 Enkindle, O Lord, with the fire of Thy Holy 
 Spirit, our reins and our hearts, that we may 
 serve Thee with chaste bodies and please Thee 
 with pure minds. 
 
 Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with 
 Thy most gracious favour, and further us with 
 
THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION 107 
 
 Thy continual help : that in all our works 
 begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may 
 glorify Thy Holy Name, and finally by Thy 
 mercy obtain everlasting life. 
 
 Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who 
 livest and reignest with Thee, in the Unity of 
 the same Spirit, ever One God, world without 
 end. Amen. 
 
 OMOST Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ, we love Thee, we adore Thee, 
 we worship Thee and we thank Thee for 
 these the Holy Mysteries of Thy Body and 
 Blood. Grant us grace that we may go forth 
 in Thy strength and live as befitteth those to 
 whom Thou hast deigned to come. Let us 
 ever remember the Sacred Gifts which we 
 have received and in joy or sorrow, adversity 
 or prosperity, let us recollect Thine Abiding 
 Presence. Let us never defile the temple 
 wherein Thou dost abide. Keep us pure in 
 thought and word and deed, and grant us so 
 to follow Thee in this world, that in the 
 world to come we may see Thee Face to Face 
 and dwell with Thee in Thine Heavenly King- 
 dom unto the ages of ages. Amen. 
 
 OLORD, Who under a wonderful Sacra- 
 ment has left us a Memorial of Thy 
 Passion ; Grant us, we beseech Thee, so to 
 reverence the Sacred Mysteries of Thy Body 
 and Blood that we may perpetually find in 
 ourselves the fruit of Thy Redemption ; Who 
 livest and reignest with the Father and the 
 Holy Ghost, One God, for ever and ever. 
 Amen. 
 
I08 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 jDARDON, O Father, the imperfections of 
 ^ our prayers and praises, our wandering 
 thoughts and lack of devotion. Look not 
 upon us, 'but upon the Face of Thine Anointed 
 and see us only as we are seen in Him. For 
 His Sake, accept us, penitents at the Throne 
 of Grace, and grant that what we have said 
 ■with our lips, we may believe in our hearts 
 and practise in our lives, through Jesus 
 Christ, Our Lord. x\men. 
 
 T ET us go forth in peace. 
 
 -*— ' In the Name of the Lord. Amen. 
 
 (For further Devotions see page 117, or say the 
 following:) 
 
 From tlie Ancient Hymn ''Saint Patrick's 
 Breastplate." 
 
 CHRIST be with me, Christ within me, 
 Christ behind me, Christ before me, 
 Christ beside me, Christ to win me, 
 Christ to comfort and restore me ; 
 Christ beneath me, Christ above me, 
 
 Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, 
 Christ in hearts of all that love mie, 
 Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. 
 
 I bind unto myself the Name, 
 
 The strong Name of the Trinity; 
 By invocation of the same. 
 
 The Three in One, and One in Three. 
 O'f Whom all nature hath creation; 
 
 Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: 
 Praise to the Lord of my salvation. 
 
 Salvation is of Christ the Lord. 
 
 {On the evening of the day on which the Holy Com- 
 munion is received, say the Short Thanksgiving 
 on page 109.) 
 
THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION. ICQ 
 
 A THANKSGIVING AT NIGHT 
 
 {To he said on the evening following the morning 
 ■when one communicates.) 
 
 IN the Name >b of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 LET us give thanks unto Our Lord God 
 and praise Him for all His mercies, 
 
 OMOST Gracious Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ, we give Thee hearty thanks 
 that Thou hast been pleased to feed us this 
 day with the Most 'Comfortable Sacrament of 
 Thy Body and Blood. We praise Thee and 
 bless Thee for all Thy Goodness to us and to 
 all men, and pray Thee that we may have 
 received these Holy Mysteries to Thine Hon- 
 our and Glory, to our strength and salvation, 
 and not to our condemnation and punishment. 
 Grant us henceforth to live a life hid with 
 Thee in God seeking the things which are 
 above and rejoicing only at that which brings 
 us closer to Thee, so that finally we may come 
 to Everlasting life. Amen. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 LO'RD, Thou hast been very gracious to me 
 this day; I will give Thee thanks v;ith 
 my whole heart. 
 {Here may he added a Psalm, such as 25, 26, 27, 103.) 
 
 THE Lord bless ^ us and keep us. The 
 Lord make His Face to shine upon us 
 and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up the 
 Light of His Countenance upon us, and give 
 us peace both now and evermore. Amen. 
 
no THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION. 
 
 SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. 
 
 (It is the bounden duty of everyone to he present at 
 the Holy Eucharist or Mass every Sunday and 
 Holy Day unless prevented by grave cause. When 
 it is really impossible the follozving may be used:) 
 
 JN the Name of >h the Father and of the 
 -■■ Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen, 
 Antiphon: O that men would praise the Lord 
 for His Goodness and declare the wonders 
 that He doeth for the children of men ! 
 (Now read or say the following, in order.) 
 Psalm 43, The Short Summary of the Law, 
 The Kyrie, The Collect, The Epistle 
 AND THE Gospel for the Day, The Creed, 
 The Comfortable Words. 
 
 (In place of what follows in the service, you may 
 now say.) 
 
 r\ MY Saviour, I cannot now receive Thee 
 ^^ in the Holy Mysteries or adore Thee 
 in the Blessed Sacrament oi the Altar. Yet 
 in spirit I would join myself with all of the 
 Faithful who in Thy Holy Church offer Thee 
 the Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving, Visit 
 me, I pray, with Thy Mercy, Pardon and Bless- 
 ing that I may henceforth live to Thine Hon- 
 our and Glory. Amen. 
 
 Antiphon: O that men would praise the Lord 
 for His Goodness and declare the wonders 
 that He doeth for the children of men ! 
 
 (Now read some of the Devotions in Parts IV and V, 
 make a short Meditation, and close as follows.) 
 
 /^UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 THE Grace ►J' of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 etc. 
 
IV 
 ADDITIONAL DEVOTIONS 
 
 Before Communion. 
 
 ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, behold 
 I approach the Sacrament of Thine Only- 
 begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As one sick I 
 come to the Physician of life: as unclean to 
 the Fountain of Mercy: as blind to the Light 
 of eternal splendour : as needy to the Lord 
 of Heaven and earth : as naked to the King 
 of Glory : a lost sheep to the Good Shepherd : 
 a fallen creature to its Creator : desolate to 
 the kind Comforter: miserable to the Pitier: 
 guilty to the Bestower of pardon : sinful to 
 the Justifier : hardened to the Giver of Grace. 
 I implore therefore the abundance of Thy 
 Infinite Bounty that Thou wouldst vouchsafe 
 to heal my sickness, to wash my foulness, to 
 enlighten my darkness, to enrich my poverty, 
 and to clothe my nakedness ; that I may 
 receive the Bread of Angels, the King of 
 Kings, the Lord of Lords, with such reverence 
 and humility, with such love and contrition, 
 with such faith and devotion as is good for 
 the welfare of my soul. Grant me, I pray, not 
 only to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's 
 Body and Blood, but also the virtue of the 
 Sacrament. O Most Merciful God, grant me 
 so to receive the Body and Blood of Thy 
 Son Jesus Christ, that I may be incorporated 
 in His Mystical Body and washed from every 
 stain of sin. And O Most Loving Father, 
 
112 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 grant me that Him, Whom I now purpose to 
 receive beneath a veil, I may hereafter behold 
 with unveiled face, even Thy Beloved Son, 
 Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth 
 and reigneth ever One God, for ever and ever. 
 Amen. (Adapted from St. Thomas Aquinas.) 
 
 BE Thou Merciful to me, O Good Jesus, 
 and grant unto me, Thy poor suppliant, 
 sometimes at least to feel in Holy Communion 
 the cordial afifection of Thy love, that my 
 faith may grow stronger, my hope increase, 
 my love enkindle. . . . O Most Holy and Lov- 
 ing Lord, Whom I now desire to receive with 
 devotion, Thou knowest my weakness and 
 how often I am weighed down, tempted, 
 troubled, and defiled. To Thee I come for 
 remedy. To Thee I pray for comfort and help. 
 Behold, I stand before Thee, beseeching Thy 
 grace and imploring Thy mercy. O Cheer 
 Thy famishing suppliant, enkindle my coldness 
 with the fire of Thy love, enlighten my blind- 
 ness with the brightness of Thy Presence, 
 and raise my heart unto Thee. . . . With the 
 greatest devotion and burning love, with all 
 the affection and fervour of my heart I desire 
 to receive Thee, O Lord. O deal with me in 
 Thy mercy as Thou hast often dealt wonder- 
 fully with Thy saints of old, and prevent Thy 
 servant in the blessing of Thy love, that I 
 may worthily and devoutly approach and 
 receive this Glorious Sacrament. Amen. 
 (Adapted from St. Thomas a Kempis.) 
 
 OLORD, we Thy servants bow down 
 before Thy Holy Altar, waiting for the 
 rich mercies which are from Thee. Send 
 
DEVOTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION II3 
 
 down upon us richly, we beseech Thee, Thy 
 grace and benediction, and sanctify our souls 
 and minds and bodies that we may worthily 
 receive these Holy Mysteries, unto forgiveness 
 of sins and everlasting life. For Thou, O 
 God, with Thine Only-begotten Son and Thy 
 Most Holy Spirit art to be worshipped and 
 glorified now and for ever. (Adapted from 
 the Liturgy of St. James.) 
 
 OLORD, with this Holy Sacrifice we ofifer 
 up our prayers and supplications unto 
 Thee, asking for ourselves the peace from 
 above, the Love of God, the Salvation of our 
 Souls ; for others that Thou wouldst be pleased 
 to remember the poor, to help the suffering, 
 to heal the sick, to comfort the broken-hearted, 
 to watch over the traveller, to give peace to 
 the Church, to grant prosperity to the world, 
 bringing all people to love and confess Thee, 
 the One and Only God. And especially do we 
 pray for the heavenly and adorable gifts which 
 are from Thee, and for the salvation of Thy 
 priest who stands to offer them by Thy Divine 
 Command. O Lord God, grant that our Obla- 
 tions, hallowed by the Holy Ghost, may be 
 well pleasing unto Thee, and accept them, we 
 beseech Thee, for the forgiveness of our sins, 
 the salvation of Thy people, and the repose 
 of the faithful, that all at the Day of Judg- 
 ment may find grace and mercy, through 
 Jesus Christ Our Lord. (Adapted from the 
 Liturgy of St. James.) 
 
 FATHER, I have sinned against Heaven 
 and before Thee, and am no more worthy 
 to be called Thy son. I have ministered to 
 8 
 
114 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 my own desires and lusts, despising Thy 
 Fatherly Love. I have dug for myself cis- 
 terns which hold no water, cisterns of earthly 
 joys and vanities, leaving Thee the Fountain 
 of many waters. I have sought pleasure in 
 creatures which is only to be found in Thee; 
 and now behold all is vanity and vexation of 
 spirit, for Thou hast made me for Thyself, 
 and my heart findeth no true rest apart from 
 Thee. Therefore I return to Thee, O Loving 
 Father, Whose Mercy is Infinite, Whose 
 Goodness knoweth no end. Wherefore I cry. 
 Father, I have sinned against Heaven and 
 before Thee and am no more worthy to be 
 called Thy son; make me as one of Thine 
 hired servants. O grant that henceforth I 
 may walk in the straight path and narrow way 
 that leadeth to Eternal Life, where with the 
 Son and the Holy Spirit, Thou art unclouded 
 Light and perfect Joy through Jesus Christ 
 Our Lord. (Adapted from St. Augustine.) 
 
 OLORD, Who dost bless those that bless 
 Thee, and dost hallow those that put 
 their trust in Thee, save Thy people and bless 
 Thine inheritance. Guard, we beseech Thee, 
 Thy Holy Church. Hallow those that love the 
 beauty of Thine House. Forsake not us who 
 put our trust in Thee. Give peace to the 
 world, to the Church, to the Priesthood, to 
 our Rulers, and to all Thy people; for every 
 good gift and every perfect work is from above, 
 coming from Thee, the Father of Lights, to 
 Whom we ascribe, with the Son and the Holy 
 Ghost, all glory, thanksgiving and worship 
 now and ever, unto the ages of ages. (Adapted 
 from the Liturgy of St. Clirysostom.) 
 
DEVOTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION II5 
 
 COME, O Lord, in mercy to my soul and 
 dwell there for ever. Give to me Thy- 
 self, without Whom all the world could not 
 satisfy, and with Whom is joy unspeakable. 
 Let me seek Thee with the full strength of 
 my being, with the ardent longing of my soul, 
 and finding Thee, let my life show forth the 
 Glory of Thy Name, in the flowers of good 
 works and the fragrance of holy living. Amen. 
 
 OLORD, we offer unto Thee with this 
 Holy Sacrifice ourselves and souls and 
 bodies for Thee to accept for the sake of Thy 
 Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Grant, 
 O God, that hallowed by our union with Him, 
 and cleansed in His Precious Blood, we may 
 be an acceptable offering in Thy sight, and 
 may evermore give ourselves up in loving 
 service and holy obedience to Thee, Who art 
 to be praised and glorified, One God, for ever 
 and ever. 
 
 OLORD, by this Most Sacred Mystery of 
 Thy Body and Blood, grant us Thy 
 manifold Gifts of Grace . . . that we may 
 receive this Blessed Sacrament to our health 
 and comfort. For Thou hast said, " The Bread 
 which I give is My Flesh for the life of the 
 world. I am the Living Bread which came 
 down from Heaven. If any man eat of this 
 Bread, he shall live for ever." . . . O Bread 
 most sweet that ever refreshest and never 
 failest, may we feed upon thee and may our 
 inmost soul be filled with Thine Heavenly 
 Peace. May we in our pilgrimage §o receive 
 Thee that we may not faint upon our way, but 
 
Il6 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 come in safety to the end of our journey, O 
 Holy Bread, O Living Bread, O Adorable 
 Bread, the very Body and Blood of Our 
 Saviour Christ, come unto us and cleanse us 
 from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Drive 
 away from us all our foes and so preserve us 
 that we may come in safety to Thine Heavenly 
 Kingdom, no longer to see Thee in Holy Mys- 
 teries, but then face to face. Amen. (Taken 
 from Prayers variously ascribed to St. Anselm 
 and St. Ambrose.) 
 
 OLORD, as we receive Thy Precious Body 
 and Blood, send forth Thine unseen 
 Hand which is full of blessings and bounti- 
 fully bless us all. Have mercy upon us and 
 strengthen us by Thy Divine Power. Take 
 away from us the sinful working of all fleshly 
 lusts. Drive from before our eyes the encom- 
 passing gloom of sin and unite us with the 
 blessed company of all faithful people, who 
 have been well pleasing unto Thee. For 
 through Thee and with Thee and in Thee, 
 with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all 
 praise, honour, might, majesty, dominion and 
 power, now and for ever, unto the ages of 
 ages. Amen. {Adapted from the Liturgy of 
 St. Mark.) 
 
 WE beseech Thee, O Lord, that this Holy 
 Communion may be unto us a guide 
 and provision for our journey unto the haven 
 of everlasting Salvation. May it be to us 
 comfort in sorrow, strength in trial, patience 
 in difficulty, medicine in sickness, delight in 
 prosperity, and love in all things. By these 
 most Ho!y Mysteries, which we would receive. 
 
DEVOTIONS AFTER COMMUNION II7 
 
 grant us right faith, firm hope, and perfect 
 charity, purification of desire, gladness of 
 mind, ardent love of Thee, and a due remem- 
 brance of the Passion of Thy Beloved Son, 
 with grace to keep our lives full of faith and 
 virtue. And in the hour of our departure 
 grant that we may receive this great Mystery 
 with true faith, sure hope, and sincere charity 
 unto Everlasting Life. Amen. (Adapted 
 from Old Sarum Rite.) 
 
 After Communion. 
 
 ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Pre- 
 server of Souls and Redeemer of the 
 world, most graciously regard me Thy servant 
 prostrate before Thy Majesty; and this Sac- 
 rifice which in honour of Thy Name we have 
 presented before Thee, for the Salvation of 
 the faithful, whether living or departed and 
 also for our sins and offences do Thou most 
 mercifully regard. Take away from me Thy 
 wrath, grant me Thy grace and mercy, open 
 to me the door of Paradise, mightily rescue 
 me from all evil and forgive whatever sin of 
 my own guilt I have committed. And make 
 me so to persevere in Thy Commandments in 
 this world, that I may be made worthy to be 
 united to the flock of the Elect, through Thy 
 Bounty, O my God. Whose Blessed Name and 
 Honour and Kingdom remaineth for ever and 
 ever. Amen. (Adapted from Old Sarum 
 Rite.) 
 
 ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Jesus 
 ■ Christ my Lord, be Thou merciful to 
 my sins, through the reception of Thy Body 
 
Il8 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 and Blood. For Thou, O Lord, hast said 
 " Whoso eateth My Flesh and drinketh My 
 Blood dwelleth in Me and I in Him." Where- 
 fore I humbly beseech Thee, that Thou 
 wouldst create in me a pure heart, and renew 
 a right spirit within me; that Thou wouldst 
 deign to stablish me with Thy Firm Spirit; 
 and so deliver me from the snares of the devil 
 and from all my sins, that I may attain to be 
 a partaker of Thine heavenly joys; Who livest 
 and reignest with the Father and the Holy 
 Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 (Adapted from Old Sariim Rite.) 
 
 WE yield Thee thanks, O Lord, Holy 
 Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. 
 Who not for any merit of ours, but of Thy 
 mercy only, hast been pleased to feed us 
 sinners, Thine unworthy servants, with the 
 Precious Body and Blood of Thy Son, Our 
 Lord, Jesus Christ. And we beseech Thee, 
 that this Holy Communion may not accuse us 
 unto condemnation but may be to us pardon 
 and salvation. Let it be to us an armour of 
 faith and a shield of good resolution. Let it 
 be to us the riddance of all vices, the killing 
 of all evil desires and longings, and the 
 increase of love and patience, of humility and 
 obedience, and of all virtues; a firm defence 
 against all enemies visible and invisible, a 
 constraining power to purity and holiness. 
 Let it make us always cling closely to Thee, 
 the One, True, and Only God, and end our 
 earthly days in peace. And we pray Thee to 
 bring us to that Heavenly Banquet, where 
 Thou with Thy Son and the Holy Ghost art 
 to Thy Saints true light, everlasting joy, and 
 
DEVOTIONS AFTER COMMUNION IIQ 
 
 perfect happiness. Amen. (Adapted from 
 Old Sarum Rite.) 
 
 MAY the performance of our bounden duty- 
 be pleasing unto Thee, O God, 'and 
 grant that this Holy Sacrifice which we, 
 though unworthy, have presented before Thy 
 Divine Majesty, may be acceptable unto Thee 
 and obtain mercy for us and for those for 
 whom we pray, by Thy compassion, Who 
 livest and reignest One God, world without 
 end. Amen. {Adapted from Old Sarum 
 Rite.) 
 
 OLORD, we would remember in our pray- 
 ers the Holy Catholic Church, that Thou 
 mayst graciously vouchsafe to increase it in 
 faith, hope, and charity. We would remember 
 the sick and suffering, the desolate and sor- 
 rowful, the poor and destitute, that Thou 
 may.st heal, comfort and relieve them. We 
 would remember the souls of the faithful 
 departed, that they may rest in peace where 
 their works do follow them. Mercifully per- 
 form this, we beseech Thee, O Eternal and 
 Almighty Father, to Whom we offer this 
 Holy Sacrifice. Amen, {Adapted from the 
 Mozarahic Liturgy.) 
 
 MOST Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ the great High Priest, Who 
 for us didst offer Thyself upon the Cross, a 
 pure and spotless Victim, and didst ordain this 
 Holy Mystery and give us Thy Flesh to eat 
 and Thy Blood to drink, saying, Do this in 
 remembrance of Me, I pray Thee to wash us 
 
I20 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 from our sins, and teach us by Thy Holy 
 Spirit to receive these Sacred Gifts with such 
 reverence and honour, such devotion and love 
 as is meet and fitting. Make us through Thy 
 Grace, always to believe and think and speak 
 of this great Mystery as shall please Thee 
 and be good for our souls. Let Thy Holy 
 Spirit enter into our hearts and speak and 
 teach all truth. For these Sacred Mysteries 
 are beyond man's understanding. In Thy 
 Mercy grant us to receive this Holy Eucharist 
 with a clean heart and pure mind. Drive 
 away all vain, evil, impure and unholy 
 thoughts. Defend us with the loving and 
 faithful protection of the blessed angels, and 
 keep us free from the spirit of pride and 
 vanity, envy and blasphemy, doubt and dis- 
 trust and fill us with boundless love of Thee. 
 Amen. (From Prayers ascribed to St. 
 Anselm or St. Ambrose.) 
 
 OMOST Merciful Saviour, look with com- 
 passion, we beseech Thee, upon us who 
 have received the sacred gifts of Thy Body 
 and Blood. Bless the lips which have praised 
 Thee, the heart which ^ has loved Thee, the 
 body which has worshipped Thee, the soul 
 which has adored Thee, that in the world to 
 come they may be Thine for ever. Amen. 
 
 OGOD, Who art Holy and Wonderful and 
 Mighty, Whose Power and Wisdom 
 have no end, before Whom all things bow, and 
 the heavens and earth declare Thy Glory, 
 grant me to love Thee and to worship Thee 
 for ever and ever. Guide me unto the perfect 
 
DEVOTIONS AFTER COMMUNION 121 
 
 light, that, illumined by its radiance, all dark- 
 ness may flee away. Let the holy flame of 
 Thy love so burn in my heart that it may be 
 made pure and holy, for none but the pure in 
 heart can see and know and receive Thee, the 
 King of Kings, Our Lord and God. Amen. 
 (Adapted from St. Augustine.) 
 
 IN the Peace of Christ let us depart. 
 In the Peace of Christ let us sing. 
 
 FROM Glory to Glory let us go forth, 
 hymning in our hearts to Thee, the 
 Saviour of our souls. Glory be to the Father 
 and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. We 
 praise Thee the Saviour of our Souls. 
 
 FROM Strength to Strength advancing, we 
 who have accomplished the Divine Min- 
 istration in Thy Temple, now pray unto Thee, 
 O God. Vouchsafe to us Thy Mercy, guide 
 our feet aright, root us firmly in Thy love, 
 and at last count us worthy of Thine Heavenly 
 Kingdom, through the Merits and Mediation 
 of Thy Son, to Whom with Thee and the 
 Holy Ghost be Glory, Honour, and Power 
 unto the Ages of Ages. (Adapted from the 
 Liturgy of St. James.) 
 
EUCHARISTIC HYMNS, ETC. 
 
 (Many of these are translations of Ancient Hymns and may 
 well be used as Acts of Adoration to Our Lord in the 
 Sacrament.) 
 
 <« T/'ERY Bread, Good Shepherd, tend us: 
 
 V Jesu, of Thy Love befriend us; 
 Thou refresh us, Thou defend us; 
 Thine eternal goodness send us, 
 
 In the land of life to see. 
 
 Thou, Who all things canst and knowest. 
 Who on earth such Food bestowest. 
 Grant us with Thy Saints, though lowest, 
 Where the Heavenly Feast Thou showest 
 Fellow heirs and guests to be." 
 
 ** "DREAD of Heaven, on Thee we feed 
 
 -D For Thy Flesh is meat indeed : 
 Ever may our souls be fed 
 With this true and living Bread: 
 Day by day with strength supplied 
 Through the Life of Him Who Died. 
 
 Vine of Heaven, Thy Blood supplies 
 This Blest Cup of Sacrifice; 
 Lord, Thy Wounds our healing give ; 
 To Thy Cross we look and live : 
 
 Jesu, may we ever be 
 
 Grafted, rooted, built in Thee." 
 
'HOLY ! HOLY ! HOLY ! LORD GOD OF HOSTS, 
 
 HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF 
 
 THY GLORY." 
 
EUCHARISTIC HYMNS 123 
 
 Tan turn Ergo* 
 
 THEREFORE we before Him bending 
 This great Sacrament revere; 
 Types and shadows have their ending, 
 
 For the newer Rite is here; 
 Faith our outward sense befriending 
 
 Makes our inward vision clear. 
 Glory let us give and Wessing 
 
 To the FATHER' and the Son, 
 Honour, might, and praise addressing 
 
 While eternal ages run, 
 Ever too His Love confessing 
 
 Who from Both with Both is One. 
 
 Adore Te Devote"^ 
 np HEE we adore, O hidden Saviour Thee, 
 -•- Who in Thy Sacrament dost deign to be ; 
 
 Both flesh and spirit at Thy Presence fail. 
 Yet here Thy Presence we devoutly hail. 
 
 O blest Memorial of our dying Lord, 
 Who living Bread to men doth here afford ! 
 O may our souls for ever feed on Thee, 
 And Thou, O Christ, for ever precious be. 
 
 Fountain of Goodness, Jesu, Lord and God, 
 
 Cleanse us, unclean, with Thy most cleansing 
 Blood ; 
 
 Increase our faith and love, that we may 
 know 
 
 The hope and peace which from Thy Pres- 
 ence flow. 
 
 O Christ, Whom now beneath a veil we see, 
 May what we thirst for soon our portion be, 
 To gaze on Thee unveil'd, and see Thy Face, 
 The vision of Thy glory and Thy grace. 
 *St. Thotnas Aquinas. 
 
124 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 ^ * A ND now, O Father, mindful of the love 
 -^^ That 'bought us, once 'for all on Cal- 
 vary's Tree, 
 And having with us Him that pleads above, 
 We here present, we here spread forth to 
 Thee, 
 That only OflFering, Perfect in Thine eyes. 
 The One, True, Pure, Immortal Sacrifice. 
 
 Look, Father, look on His Anointed Face 
 And only look on us as found in Him; 
 
 Look not on our misusings of Thy Grace, 
 Our prayers so languid, and our faith so 
 dim; 
 
 For lo ! Between our sins and their reward, 
 
 Wfe set the Passion of Thy Son Our Lord. 
 
 And then for those our dearest and our best 
 
 By this Prevailing Presence we appeal : 
 O fold them closer to Thy Mercy's Breast ; 
 O do Thine utmost for their soul's true 
 weal ! 
 From tainting mischief keep them white and 
 
 clear, 
 And crown their gifts with strength to per- 
 severe. 
 
 And so we come ; O draw us to Thy Feet, 
 Most Patient Saviour Who canst love us 
 still ! 
 
 And by this Food, so awful and so sweet, 
 Deliver us from every touch of ill ; 
 
 In Thine Own service make us glad and free, 
 
 And grant us never more to part from Thee." 
 
 <^"p\RAW nigh and take the Body of the 
 
 ^-^ Lord, 
 And drink the holy Blood for you outpoured. 
 
EUCHARISTIC HYMNS 125 
 
 Saved by that Body and that holy Blood, 
 Wrth souls refreshed, we render thanks to God. 
 
 Salvation's Giver, Christ, the Only Son, 
 
 By His dear Cross and Blood the victory won. 
 
 Offered was He for greatest and for least, 
 Himself the Victim, and Himself the Priest. 
 
 Victims were offered by the law of old, 
 Which in a type this heavenly mystery told. 
 
 He, Ransomer from death, and Light from 
 
 shade, 
 Now gives His holy grace His saints to aid. 
 
 Approach 3^e then with faithful hearts sincere. 
 And take the safeguard of salvation here. 
 
 He, that His saints in this world rules and 
 
 shields, 
 To all believers life eternal yields; 
 
 With heavenly bread makes them that hunger 
 
 whole, 
 Gives living waters to the thirsting soul." 
 
 O Salutaris Hostia* 
 
 O SAVING Victim opening wide 
 The gate of Heaven to man below, 
 Our foes press on from every side. 
 
 Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow. 
 
 All praise and thanks to Thee ascend 
 For evermore. Blest One in Three: 
 
 O grant us life that shall not end 
 In our true native land with Thee. 
 *St. Thomas Aquinas. 
 
126 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Adore Te Supplex {Adapted) 
 << PROSTRATE I adore Thee, Deity 
 
 -'- Unseen, 
 
 Who Thy Glory hidest 'neath these shadows 
 
 mean; 
 Lord my faith unfeigned, evermore increase ; 
 Give me hope unfading, love that cannot cease. 
 Shepherd of the Faithful, Jesu, hear my cry, 
 Lord, increase their faith who on Thy Faith 
 rely. 
 
 'Tvvas the Godhead only, on the Cross was 
 
 veiled, 
 Here the Manhood also is from sight con- 
 cealed. 
 Both alike believing, Thee One Christ, I own 
 Pleading penitently at Thy mercy's Throne. 
 Shepherd of the Faithful, Jesu hear our cry, 
 Lord, increase their faith who on Thy Faith 
 rely." 
 
 Pange Lingua* 
 '^TOW, my tongue, the mystery telling 
 -^^ Of the glorious Body sing, 
 And the Blood, all price excelling, 
 
 Which the Gentiles' Lord and King 
 In a Virgin's Avomb once dwelling. 
 Shed for this world's ransoming. 
 
 Word made Flesh, true Bread He maketh, 
 By His Word, His Flesh to be; 
 
 Wine His Blood which whoso taketh 
 Must from carnal thoughts be free ; 
 
 Faith alone, though sight forsaketh, 
 Shows true hearts the Mystery. 
 
 ^ ^ K" "^^^'^ ^^ Kings, yet born of Mary, 
 -^^ As of old, on earth He stood; 
 *St. Thomas Aquinas. 
 
EUCHARISTIC HYMNS 127 
 
 Lord of Lords in very surety, 
 
 In the Body and the Blood, 
 He will give to all the Faithful 
 
 His O'wn Self for Heavenly Food." 
 
 Ave, Verum 
 
 '' U" AIL, true Body, born of Mary; 
 "'- -*- Spotless Virgin's virgin birth ; 
 Thou Who truly hangest weary 
 
 On the Cross for sons of earth; 
 Thou whose Sacred Side was riven, 
 
 Whence the Water flowed and Blood, 
 O Mayst Thou, dear Lord be given 
 
 At death's hour to be my Food. 
 O most Kind, O Gracious One ! 
 O sweetest Jesu, Mary's Son." 
 
 ^^TESUS, in Thy dear Sacrament 
 
 J Thy Cross I cannot see, 
 But the Crucified is offered there. 
 And He was slain for me. 
 
 JesuSj in Thy dear Sacrament 
 
 Thy Flesh I cannot see, 
 But that Flesh is given to be our Food, 
 
 And It was scourged for me. 
 
 Jesus, in Thy dear Sacrament 
 
 The Blood I cannot see. 
 But the chalice glows with those red drops 
 
 On Calvary shed for me. 
 
 Jesus, in Thy dear Sacrament 
 
 Thy Face I cannot see. 
 But the Angels there behold that Brow 
 
 Thorn-crowned for love for me. 
 
128 THE PRACTICE OP RELIGION 
 
 Jesus, in Thy dear Sacrament 
 
 Thy Heart I cannot see, 
 But that loving Heart is prisoned there, 
 
 And it was pierced for me. 
 
 Jesus, my Maker and my God, 
 Thy Godhead none may see, 
 
 But Thou art here present, God and Man 
 In Thy Sacrament with me." 
 
 ADORATION AND INTERCESSION TO 
 
 CHRIST IN THE BLESSED 
 
 SACRAMENT 
 
 O SAVIOUR of the world, Our Lord and 
 Master Jesus Christ, Lover of Souls 
 and King of Saints, we adore Thee Present 
 in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, and 
 we pray Thee to intercede for us, pleading 
 the virtue of Thy Holy Life and Death. 
 
 We adore Thee in the Mystery of the Incar- 
 nation, dwelling in all the splendour of the 
 Heavenly Places, and worshipped by Saints 
 and Angels as God of God, Light of Light. 
 Very God of Very God, but on earth veiling Thy 
 Glory as God made Man, even as in the Holy 
 Communion Thou art hidden beneath the ele- 
 ments of Bread and Wine. 
 
 We adore Thee in Thy Holy Nativity, 
 lying as a helpless Babe upon the straw or 
 asleep in the Virgin's arms, but ruling all 
 things as Almighty God. And as Saint Mary 
 and Saint Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise 
 Men and all the Heavenly Host worshipped 
 Thee in Thy Manger Throne as the Only 
 
ADORATION OF CHRIST I29 
 
 Begotten of the Father, so we bend in loving 
 adoration before Thee now, enthroned in the 
 Holy Sacrament of the Altar. 
 
 We adore Thee in Thy Holy Life: in Thy 
 Home at Nazareth, in Thy Ministry among 
 men, reviled and persecuted, weary, hungry 
 and faint, often with no place in which to 
 lay Thy Head, tempted in all points as we are 
 and like unto us in all things, yet without sin. 
 And we pray Thee grant us grace to follow 
 Thy blessed example, pleasing not ourselves, 
 going about doing good, and bearing our Cross 
 after Thee, Our Lord and Master, Our 
 Saviour and King, despised and rejected 
 among men but the very Light of the world 
 Whom we here acknowledge in the Blessed 
 Sacrament. 
 
 We adore Thee in Thy Death and Passion, 
 in Thine Agony in the Garden, in Thy bitter 
 trials before Annas, Caiaphas, Herod and 
 Pilate, on the Way of Sorrows, and on the 
 Cross of Calvary. And we worship Thee, 
 Our Most Holy Redeemer, covered with 
 blood, dust and spittle, in all Thy pain and 
 humiliation. Who didst patiently suffer all 
 things for "us men and for our salvation," 
 Who couldst have had legions of Angels at 
 Thy side. And we pray Thee, that we may 
 be washed in Thy Precious Blood and receive 
 to ourselves the pardon won for us, as we 
 plead the Memorial of Thy Death and Pas- 
 sion in the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar and 
 feed on Thee, the Lamb of God that takest 
 away the sins of the world, as Thou givest 
 Thy Body and Blood unto Everlasting Life. 
 
130 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 We adore Thee, Our Risen and Ascended 
 Lord, Who didst conquer sin and the grave, 
 Who didst rise again from the dead and take 
 Thy Glorified Human Nature to the Highest 
 place of Sovereignty and Honour at the Right 
 Hand side of God. And we pray Thee that we 
 may rise from our sins and ascend to lead a 
 better life, seeking the things which are above 
 and preparing for that wonderful life here- 
 after, when we hope to see Thee face to face, 
 by approaching Thee here in earth in the 
 Sacramental Feast. 
 
 O SAVIOUR of the world, may we ever 
 adore Thee more and more, and never 
 requite Thy love for us by coldness, careless- 
 ness or wrong-doing. May we wholly give 
 ourselves to Thee, Who wast all nailed to the 
 Cross for us. May we burn with the fire of 
 love, the ardour of devotion, the fervour of 
 zeal, adoring, glorifying and following Thee 
 so that we may truly " see light in the Face 
 of Jesus Christ." As God may we worship 
 Thee, as Man may we copy Thee, as Both 
 may we be united with Thee in the Most 
 Comfortable Sacrament of Thy Body and 
 Blood, the very joy of existence here, the very 
 promise of life hereafter. 
 
 GLORY, Honour, Praise and Worship be 
 to Thee forevermore, Who with the 
 Father and the Holy Ghost art One God, 
 world without end. Amen. 
 
I DIED CN THE CROSS FOR THEE: 
 WHAT HAST THOU DONE FOR ME?' 
 
VI 
 
 PENITENTIAL PRAYERS 
 
 (It is helpful to say certain " devotions " as acts of sorrow 
 for sin ; such as the Seven Penitential Psalms (vi. , xxxii., 
 xxxviii., li., cii., cxxx., cxliii.), the Litany, or Peniten- 
 tial Office in the Prayer Book, or the following:) 
 
 I 
 
 I HAVE sinned, O Lord, against Thee and 
 in Thy sight. My many offences cry for 
 judgment against me; yet, O Lord, Thou hast 
 promised that where sin hath abounded Grace 
 shall yet more abound. And Thy promise bids 
 me not despair, for he who despairs of pardon 
 denies Thee to be a God of mercy. The mul- 
 titude of my sins abaseth me to the dust, but 
 the thought of Thy Passion raiseth me ; the 
 nails and spear cry aloud that Thou hast 
 reconciled me by Thy Blood. The soldier 
 opened Thy wounded Side, wherein, as in a 
 cleft of the Rock of Ages, I hide myself from 
 the foe and rest secure. Thou inclinest Thine 
 Head, O Crucified Saviour, even in death as 
 if to greet me ; Thou openest Thine Arms as 
 if to embrace me. In that embrace I am will- 
 ing to live, and in it I do long to die. Amen. 
 {St. Augustine.) 
 
 OLORD, help us to turn and seek Thee ; 
 for Thou hast not forsaken us Thy 
 creatures as we have forsaken Thee, Our 
 Creator. Make us to turn and seek Thee, 
 
 131 
 
132 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 for we know that Thou art here in our hearts 
 when we confess to Thee, when we cast our- 
 selves upon Thee, when we weep in Thy 
 Bosom. (St. Augustine.) 
 
 OGOD, The Light of every heart that sees 
 Thee, the Life of every soul that loves 
 Thee, the Strength of every mind that seeks 
 Thee, grant me ever to continue steadfast in 
 Thy Holy Love. ... To Thee therefore I 
 humbly cry, pleading that Thou wilt cleanse 
 me from my secret faults, and keep Thy ser- 
 vant from presumptuous sins, so that they may 
 never get dominion over me. Amen. (St. 
 Augustine.) 
 
 SHOW me Thy mercy, O Lord, for I am a 
 sheep that is gone astray. O Good Shep- 
 herd, seek me out and bring me home again to 
 Thy fold. Deal favourably with me according 
 to Thy good pleasure, that I may dwell in 
 Thine house all the days of my life and praise 
 Thee for ever and ever with them that are 
 there. Amen. (St. Jerome.) 
 
 OMOST High and Gracious Lover of men, 
 to Thee I confess all my sins, whatso- 
 ever and howsoever committed, from the hour 
 when I first could sin up to this hour in which 
 by Thy mercy Thou still sufferest me to live. 
 . . . Have mercy upon me, O Lord, who cry 
 unto Thee ; let the voice of faith weeping 
 unto Thee move Thy Love ; and let that 
 mercy, in which alone I hope, forbid Thee to 
 
PENITENTIAL PRAYERS 133 
 
 be extreme to mark what is done amiss, . . , 
 O free Thou me from all evils, and bring me 
 to Life Everlasting. Amen. (St. Anselm.) 
 
 OLORD, I offer unto Thee all my sins and 
 offences which I have committed in Thy 
 sight . . . that Thou mayest burn and con- 
 sume them all with the fire of Thy love, that 
 Thou mayest wipe away every stain and 
 cleanse my conscience from every fault, that 
 Thou mayest restore to me Thy Grace, which 
 I have lost by my sin, by fully pardoning and 
 receiving me in Thy mercy. O Lord, my God, 
 depart not far from me ; O look upon me and 
 help me, for this is my hope and my one cooi- 
 solation, to fly to Thee in every tribulation, to 
 trust in Thee, to call upon Thee from my 
 heart and patiently to await Thy comfort. O 
 Good Jesus, enlighten me, I beseech Thee, 
 with Thy brightness, and cast out all darkness 
 from the dwelling of my heart. Amen. 
 (St. Thomas a Kempis.) 
 
 OGOD, prostrate before the Cross, we 
 kneel as suppliants, sorrowing for our 
 sin. We are unworthy to raise so much as 
 our eyes unto Thee. Yet Thou art our Most 
 Loving Father, and art more ready to hear 
 than we to pray. Therefore, O Lord, behold 
 us in mercy, as we abase ourselves in the dust, 
 as we bow before the Cross, as we plead the 
 Passion of Thy Dear Son. Send us not empty 
 away, but for His sake hearken to our prayer ; 
 raise us from our sin and renew us with Thy 
 Grace, that we may henceforth live to Thine 
 
134 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 Honour and Glory, and in the world to come 
 hymn Thy praises with all the heavenly host 
 unto the ages of ages. Amen. 
 
 O FATHER of mercies, I beseech Thy 
 Fatherly loving kindness, despise me 
 not ; but rather regard me as Thou didst regard 
 Magdalen at the feast, Peter in the hall, the 
 thief on the Cross; that with Peter I may 
 bitterly weep, with the thief I may confess, 
 with the Magdalen may love, yea, love much 
 since I have so many sins to be forgiven. 
 Spare me, O Lord, spare me, a penitent, at 
 least desiring to be a penitent and preparing 
 thereto, recollecting my sins with grief, indig- 
 nant with myself concerning them, and laying 
 hold of Thy Most Bitter Passion. Spare me, 
 O Lord, have mercy upon me, because it is 
 not difficult to Thy Power, not unbefitting 
 Thy Justice, nor unusual to Thy Goodness. 
 (From Bishop Andrewes.) 
 
 II 
 
 Short Litany of Penitence. 
 
 OGOD the Father of Heaven: 
 Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. 
 O God the Son, Redeemer of the World: 
 Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. 
 O God, the Holy Ghost, Proceeding from the 
 Father and the Son : 
 Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. 
 O Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, Three 
 Persons and One God: 
 Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. 
 
LITANY OF PENITENCE I35 
 
 Remember not, Lord, our offences nor the 
 offences of our forefathers : neither take 
 Thou vengeance of our sins : Spare us, 
 Good Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou 
 hast redeemed with Thy Most Precious 
 Blood, and be not angry with us for ever : 
 Spare us, Good Lord. 
 From the deceits of the world, the flesh, and 
 the devil : 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 From the just reward of our sins: 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 From everlasting damnation : 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By Thy Holy Incarnation : 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By Thine Agony in the Garden: 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By Thy Suffering and Humiliation: 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By Thy Bitter Cross and Passion: 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By Thy Holy Life and Death : 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By Thy Glorious Resurrection and Ascension: 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By Thy Perpetual Intercession : 
 
 Good Lord, Deliver us. 
 By the Blessed Sacrament of Thy Body and 
 Blood : 
 Good Lord, deliver us. 
 
 That it may please Thee to bring us to sincere 
 
 repentance : 
 IVe beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord. 
 That it may please Thee to cleanse us from all 
 
 unrighteousness : 
 
136 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord. 
 That it may please Thee to renew Thy Grace 
 within us : 
 We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord. 
 That it may please Thee to deliver us from all 
 evil : 
 We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord. 
 That it may please Thee to lead us to true 
 holiness : 
 We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord. 
 That it may please Thee to bring us to Ever- 
 lasting Life: 
 We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord. 
 
 Son of God ; we beseech Thee to hear us. 
 O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of 
 the world : 
 Have mercy upon us. 
 O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of 
 the world: 
 Have mercy upon us. 
 O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of 
 the world : 
 Grant us Thy peace. 
 O Christ, hear us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 O Saviour of the World, Who by Thy Cross 
 and Precious Blood hast redeemed us : 
 Save us and help us, zve humbly beseech 
 Thee, O Lord. 
 
LITANY OF PENITENCE I3'7 
 
 O God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, and 
 I love Thee, and I grieve that I have so 
 often offended Thee by my sins. 
 
 O Lord, deal not with us according to our 
 sins; 
 Neither reward us according to our iniqui- 
 ties. 
 O Lord, let Thy mercy be shown upon us : 
 
 As we do put our trust in Thee. 
 Let us depart in peace : 
 In the Name of the Lord, Amen. 
 
 (Written on a Wayside Crucifix in Italy.) 
 
 O BLESSED Feet of Jesus 
 Weary with seeking me ! 
 Stand at God's bar of judgment 
 And intercede for me. 
 
 O Hands that were extended 
 
 Upon that awful Tree! 
 Hold up those precious nail prints 
 
 Which intercede for me. 
 
 OSide from whence the spear point 
 Brought Blood and Water free! 
 
 For healing and for cleansing 
 Still intercede for me. 
 
 O Head so deeply pierced 
 With Thorns which sharpest be ! 
 
 Bend low before Thy Father 
 And intercede for me. 
 
138 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 O Sacred Heart! Such sorrows 
 
 The world may never see, 
 As those which gave Thee warrant 
 
 To intercede for me! 
 
 O wholly scarred and wounded 
 
 My Sacrifice to be ! 
 Present Thy Perfect Offering 
 
 And intercede for me. 
 
 O Loving, Risen Saviour 
 
 From death and sorrow free ! 
 
 Though Throned in endless Glory 
 Still intercede for me. 
 
 IV 
 
 <« /CHRISTIAN! seek not yet repose, 
 
 VJ Hear thy guardian angel say : 
 Thou art in the midst of foes, 
 
 ' Watch and pray.' 
 
 Gird thy heavenly armour on, 
 
 Wear it ever night and day; 
 Ambushed lies the evil one : 
 
 * Watch and pray.* 
 
 Hear the victors who o'ercame. 
 
 Still they mark each warrior's way; 
 All with one sweet voice exclaim, 
 
 ' Watch and pray.' 
 
 Hear above all, hear Thy Lord, 
 
 Him thou lovest to obey : 
 Hide within thy heart His Word, 
 
 * Watch and pray.' " 
 
'and JESUS BEARING HIS CROSS 
 WENT FORTH.'' 
 
VII 
 THE WAY OF THE CROSS 
 
 {This Service is a reminder of the days when Christians 
 went on Pilgrimages to the Holy Land to honour the 
 places associated with Our Lord's Passion. Later 
 wlien Pilgrimages could no longer be safely made, Pic- 
 tures were hung in the Churches and devotions were 
 tnade before them. From this arose the Service: ''The 
 Way of the Cross," the object of which (like "The Three 
 Hours' Service" on Good Friday) is, by picturing the 
 Passion, to deepen our Faith, Love and Repentance, 
 make us realize Our Lord's Sufferings and arouse our 
 devotion to the Saviour.) 
 
 IN the Name 4* of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 {Some verses of a Hytnn are generally sung before each 
 " Station." Suitable Hymns are 103 and 106. Addi- 
 tional devotions may also be used, if desired.) 
 
 GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, 
 that we may now in spirit follow Our 
 Lord along the Way of Sorrows, and seeing 
 His sufferings may be filled with true Faith, 
 Love, and Repentance, and obtain the remis- 
 sion of our sins, through Jesus Christ, Our 
 Lord. Amen. 
 
 LET us go forth: 
 ■^ To follow Jesus along the Way of 
 Sorrows. 
 
 {Before each Station say: ) 
 
 We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. 
 Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast 
 redeemed the world. 
 
 139 
 
I40 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 (After each Station say:) 
 
 /~\ MY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in 
 ^^ Thee, and I love Thee, and I grieve 
 that I have so often offended Thee by my sins, 
 and I resolve henceforth by Thy grace and 
 mercy to lead a better life. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, etc. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 O 
 
 SAVIOUR of the World, etc. 
 
 1. Jesus is Condemned to Death. 
 
 LEAVING the house of Caiaphas, where 
 -^ He had been blasphemed, and the house 
 of Herod, where He had been mocked, Jesus 
 is dragged before Pilate. His Sacred Body is 
 torn with scourging; His Sacred Brows are 
 crowned with thorns, and He who at the Last 
 Day will judge the living and the dead is con- 
 demned to a shameful death. 
 
 OLORD JESU ! It was for our sins that 
 Thou didst suffer : it was for us that 
 Thou wast condemned to die ! O grant that 
 this thought may so touch our hearts that we 
 may hate our sins, and by our repentance 
 obtain Thy mercy and pardon. Amen. 
 
 (Devotions as set forth on page 140.) 
 
THE WAY OF THE CROSS 14I 
 
 II. Jesus Receives the Cross. 
 
 A HEAVY Cross is laid upon the bruised 
 shoulders of Jesus. He receives it with 
 meek submission, even with secret joy, for it 
 is the instrument with which He will redeem 
 the world. 
 
 OLORD JESU ! Thou didst bear the Cross 
 for us ! Yet how sorely we fight against 
 our crosses, while Thou didst suffer all things 
 for us ! O grant that henceforth we may ever 
 take up our cross and follow Thee, meekly 
 and cheerfully bearing all the trials and diffi- 
 culties of this earthly life. Amen. 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
 III. Jesus Falls Under the Weight 
 OF the Cross. 
 
 BOWED beneath the weight of the Cross, 
 Jesus sets forth along the Way of Sor- 
 rows, amidst the mockings and insults of the 
 crowd. He is weak from the Agony in the 
 Garden. His Body is covered with Blood and 
 Wounds. His strength fails Him. Jesus falls 
 to the ground under the weight of the Cross. 
 
 OLORD JESU! For us didst Thou go 
 along the Way of Sorrows, and didst 
 fall beneath the weight of the Cross ; O may 
 the thought of Thy shame and suffering make 
 us watchful against temptation, and save us 
 lest we fall into grievous sin. Amen. 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
142 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 IV. Jesus Meets the Virgin Mother. 
 
 STILL carrying the Cross, Jesus proceeds 
 ^ on the way to Calvary. He meets the 
 Virgin Mother, whose love for her Divine 
 Son brings her to His Side in that hour olf 
 trial. 
 
 OLORD JESU! May we like Thee ever 
 love Thy holy Mother and like the 
 Blessed Virgin may we love Thee above all 
 things and never separate ourselves from 
 Thee. Amen. 
 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
 V. The Cross is Laid on Simon of Cyrene. 
 
 THE strength of Jesus fails; He is unable 
 to proceed. The soldiers seize Simon 
 of Cyrene and compel him to carry the Cross 
 after Jesus. That sacred burden changed 
 Simon's heart, and the forced task became a 
 holy joy. 
 
 OLORD JESU! For us didst Thou 
 suffer! O may we rejoice when Thou 
 dost offer us Thy Cross to bear and permit 
 us to suffer with Thee. May we count it a 
 privilege and glory in Thy Cross, that by it 
 the world may be crucified unto us and we 
 unto the world. May we never shrink from 
 suffering, but rejoice if we are counted 
 worthy to suffer for Thy Name's Sake. 
 Amen. 
 
 (Devotions as before.) 
 
THE WAY OF THE CROSS I43 
 
 VI. Veronica Wipes Our Lord's Face. 
 
 THE Face of Jesus is covered with Blood 
 from the Agony and the Passion. In 
 love and compassion a holy woman named 
 Veronica wiped His Sacred Face with a linen 
 cloth and adored her Master. 
 
 r\ LORD JESU ! May we too show our love 
 ^^ for Thee, by our devotion to Thy Cross 
 and Passion, that looking now upon Thy 
 Thorn-crowned Brow, we may hereafter see 
 Thy Beautiful Face in Thy Glory in Heaven. 
 Amen. 
 
 (Devotions as before.) 
 
 VII. Jesus Falls the Second Time. 
 
 WEAKENED by Suffering and Fasting, 
 Jesus again falls beneath the Cross, in- 
 creasing the agony of His bruised and 
 wounded Body. 
 
 0L9RD JESU! Thou didst fall carry- 
 ing Thy Cross to win our Salvation, 
 while we oft have fallen by our sins. O ! 
 Grant that by Thy merits and mediation we 
 may hereafter persevere in well doing, loving 
 Thee above all things. Amen. 
 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
144 THE PRACTICE OP RELIGION 
 
 VIII. The Women of Jerusalem Mourn for 
 Our Lord. 
 
 AT the sight of the sufferings of Jesus, 
 •^~^ some holy women who were following 
 to Calvary were so touched with sympathy 
 and compassion that they openly mourned and 
 lamented Him. Jesus, knowing the things 
 that were to come to pass on account of the 
 rejection of Him, said, "Daughters of Jeru- 
 salem, weep not for Me, but weep for your- 
 selves and for your children." 
 
 OLORD JESU! For us was all Thy 
 Passion ! O make us to mourn for 
 Thee and for ourselves ; for Thy sufferings 
 and for our sins which caused them. Teach 
 us so to sorrow for our sins in real repent- 
 ance that we may escape the dreadful judg- 
 ments for those who reject Thee. Amen. 
 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
 IX. Jesus Falls the Third Time. 
 
 OUR Lord is weak and worn with suffering, 
 His cruel executioners try to hasten His 
 steps. Again Jesus falls to the ground, His 
 strength exhausted. 
 
 OLORD JESU! Help us to hate the sin 
 that made Thee suffer. O give us grace 
 nevermore to oft'end Thee by falling into 
 mortal sin but let us by Thy Bitter Passion 
 learn to love and follow Thee ! 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
THE WAY OF THE CROSS I45 
 
 X. Jesus is Stripped of His Garments. 
 
 ARRIVED at last at Calvary, the place oi 
 sacrifice, the soldiers prepare to crucify 
 Jesus. His garments are stripped from His 
 bruised and bleeding Body and He, the Holy 
 One, stands exposed to the sight of the rude 
 and scoffing multitude. 
 
 OLORD JESU! Thou wast stripped and 
 didst endure this shame to reprove our 
 pride and sin ! Strip us now, we beseech 
 Thee, of all false shame together with all 
 wickedness and worldliness, and make us so 
 to humble ourselves now that we may escape 
 judgment in the world to come. Amen. 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
 XL Jesus is Nailed to the Cross. 
 
 THE Cross is laid on the ground. The 
 soldiers take nails and hammers in hand. 
 Jesus stretches Himself upon the Cross, at 
 one and the same time ofifering His Bruised 
 Limbs to God in behalf of sinful man and to 
 His executioners to be nailed to the Tree of 
 Shame. The blows are struck ; the Precious 
 Blood streams forth: Jesus Christ is cruci- 
 fied. 
 
 OLORD JESU! Thou art nailed for us! 
 Thou art crucified for man ! O subdue 
 in us all that is evil and fill us with holy fear 
 and adoring love, and since our sins didst 
 drive the nails through Thy Sacred Hands 
 and Feet, grant us by godly sorrow to pierce 
 those sins and fasten them to the Cross. 
 Amen. {Devotions as before.) 
 
146 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 XII. Jesus Dies on the Cross. 
 
 FOR hours Jesus has hung on the Cross, 
 for three hours in darkness. His Pierced 
 Hands are torn with the weight of His Body. 
 His Brows are crowned with the sharp thorns. 
 His Blood has stained the Cross and bedewed 
 the ground. Yet in the midst of His agony 
 and suffering Jesus has prayed for His mur- 
 derers, has pardoned the penitent Thief, and 
 has committed the Virgin Mother to Saint 
 John. All is finished, and with a great cry of 
 Triumphant Joy, Jesus commends Himself 
 unto the Father and, meekly bowing His 
 Head, gives up the ghost. 
 
 OLORD JESU! Thou didst suffer and 
 die for us ! O make us to love Thy 
 holy Cross, the means of our salvation. In 
 Thy Atoning Death is all our hope. Hence- 
 forth let us live only unto Thee, so that in 
 life and death we may be Thine, loving Thee, 
 as Our Lord and Master, Our King and 
 Saviour. Amen. 
 
 (Devotions as before.) 
 
 XIII. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross, 
 
 THE crowds have fled from Calvary in fear 
 and remorse. Only one loving group 
 remains at the foot of the Cross. Joseph of 
 Arimathea goes to Pilate and begs the Body 
 of Jesus. Very reverently Joseph and Nico- 
 demus take the Body from the Cross and with 
 the Holy Women prepare it for burial, as the 
 sun again shines in the sky " for at evening 
 time it shall be light." 
 
THE WAY OF THE CROSS I47 
 
 OLORD JESU! Thou didst enter the 
 gate of death that we may enter the 
 way of life ! O grant, we beseech Thee, that 
 after our earthly pilgrimage is over, we may 
 rest from our labours, with those who have 
 finished their course in Thee. Amen. 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
 XIV. Jesus is Laid in the Sepulchre. 
 
 THE Body of Jesus is taken from the 
 Virgin, the Mother of Sorrows, and 
 placed in the new tomb in which never man 
 was laid. The tomb is closed, and there the 
 Sacred Body of Jesus rested until the hour of 
 its Glorious Resurrection on Easter Morning. 
 
 OLORD JESU! Thou didst accomplish 
 all things necessary for us men and our 
 salvation ! We too will die when and where 
 and how it shall please Thee Our God. Suf- 
 fer us not in the hour of death to fall from 
 Thee, but " let Thy Holy Spirit_ lead us 
 through this vale of misery in holiness and 
 righteousness all the days of our lives : that 
 when we shall have served Thee in our gen- 
 eration, we may be gathered unto our fathers, 
 having the testimony of a good conscience, in 
 the communion of the Catholic Church ; in 
 the confidence of a certain faith, in the com- 
 fort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope, 
 in favour with Thee our God, and in perfect 
 charity with the world " ; all of which we ask 
 through Thy Merits and Mediation. Amen. 
 {Devotions as before.) 
 
VIII 
 MEDITATION 
 
 IT is helpful to the Spiritual Life to practise 
 frequent Meditation. This can be done by 
 choosing a few verses of Scripture, or some 
 special subjects and thinkmg upon them, 
 asking God the Holy Ghost to guide and 
 enlighten us. 
 
 Some fruitful subjects of Meditation are: 
 The Love of God ; the Sacrifice of the Cross ; 
 the Life of Jesus ; the Awfulness of Sin ; the 
 Spiritual Life ; Prayer ; Communion ; Holi- 
 ness ; the daily cross; sanctifying work; aim 
 in life; God's glory; Faith, Hope, and 
 Charity; Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell; 
 Cheerfulness ; Resignation ; Reverence ; Dan- 
 ger of Pride ; Beauty of Humility ; Uncertainty 
 of Life; Self-sacrifice and Self-denial. 
 
 The following short Meditations suitable 
 for certain seasons will serve as a model for 
 others : 
 
 I. 
 
 THE HCLY COMMUNION AS A PREPARATION 
 FOR CHRIST. 
 
 (Advent.) 
 
 Who comes f Our Lord, Who came once in 
 humility, Who comes now in Grace and 
 Who will come at the Last Day in Judg- 
 ment. 
 
 To whom does He come? To us who are 
 sore let and hindered in running the race 
 that is set before us. 
 148 
 
MEDITATIONS I49 
 
 Tor what does He come? That we may cast 
 away the works of darkness and put upon 
 us the armour of light. 
 
 Aspiration: "Even so come, Lord Jesus." 
 
 I. Behold Him coming in the Sacrament to 
 fit us for His coming at the Last Day. 
 
 H. Pray that a holy life may so prepare us 
 for death that we will await His coming 
 with joy. 
 
 HL Resolve to live henceforth to His Glory. 
 
 II. 
 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION AS A SACRAMENT. 
 
 (Christmas-Day.) 
 Who comes f The Word made Flesh, Who 
 dwelling in the Glory of God humbled 
 Himself to be Born in a Manger. 
 
 To whom does He come? To us who care 
 for earthly things, with little love of God. 
 
 For what does He come? To dwell with us 
 and warm our cold hearts. 
 
 Aspiration: "Let us now go even unto Beth- 
 lehem and see this thing which is come 
 to pass, which the Lord hath made known 
 unto us." 
 
 I. Behold Him, veiling His Glory in the 
 Sacrament of the Altar as He did in the 
 Manger at Bethlehem. 
 
 II. Pray for more faith to love and adore 
 that Sacred Presence. 
 
 HI. Resolve to greet Jesus saying, " Blessed 
 is He that cometh in the Name of the 
 Lord." 
 
150 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 III. 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION AS UNION WITH CHRIST. 
 
 (Lent and Holy Week.) 
 Who comes?. Our Lord, Who fasted forty 
 days and forty nights, tempted by the 
 Devil. Who, as Man, was in all things 
 like unto us, yet without sin. 
 
 To whom does He come? To us who need 
 to watch and pray that we enter not into 
 Temptation. 
 
 For what does He come? That fasting from 
 the world we may feast with Him. 
 
 Aspiration: "My soul thirsteth for Thee, my 
 flesh longeth after Thee, in a barren and 
 dry land where no water is." 
 
 1. Behold Him the Bread of Life, Who by 
 His Death and Passion won our salva- 
 tion. 
 
 n. Pray that henceforth we may approach 
 with love, longing and adoration. 
 
 HL Resolve to watch and pray, bearing our 
 Cross after Jesus. 
 
 IV. 
 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION AS THE FORGIVENESS 
 
 OF SINS. 
 
 (Easter.) 
 Who comes? Jesus Christ, Who rose from 
 the dead, the " very Paschal Lamb which 
 was offered for us, and hath taken away 
 the sin of the world." 
 
 To whom does He come? To us who seek 
 the Saviour that He may say : " Depart 
 in peace, thy sins be forgiven thee." 
 
MEDITATIONS 151 
 
 For what does He come? To make us par- 
 ticipate in the Redemption He hath won 
 by His Death and Passion. 
 
 Aspiration: "My Lord and My God.'* 
 
 I. Behold Christ the Great High Priest, as 
 
 Risen from the Dead, He says, " I am the 
 
 Resurrection and the Life." 
 H. Pray that we may rise to a holier life 
 
 and at the last may shine as the stars in 
 
 Heaven. 
 HL Resolve to make our salvation sure by 
 
 ever seeking His Grace in the Sacrament. 
 
 V. 
 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR LIFE. 
 
 (Ascension.) 
 
 Who comes? Our Lord, Who Ascended into 
 Heaven and Sitteth at the Right Hand of 
 God on High. 
 
 To whom does He come? To us, whose spir- 
 itual life needs uplifting. 
 
 For zvhat does He come? That as He 
 Ascended into the Heavens, so we in 
 heart and mind may thither ascend and 
 continually dwell with Him. 
 
 Aspiration: "My soul hath a desire and long- 
 ing to enter into the courts of the Lord." 
 
 L Behold Him Who Ascended through the 
 choirs of Angels as they sang : " Be ye 
 lift up ye everlasting doors, and the 
 King of Glory shall come in." 
 
 IL Pray that He may enter the gates of our 
 souls and give us Eternal Life. 
 
T52 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 III. Resolve to let the Holy Spirit lead us 
 that at last we may see God's Beautiful 
 Face. 
 
 VI. 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION AS OUR LIGHT. 
 
 (Whitsunday.) 
 
 Who comes? Christ, The Light of the 
 World, in Whose Name the Father sent 
 the Holy Ghost on Pentecost. 
 
 To whom does He come? To us who dwell 
 in darkness and the shadow of death. 
 
 For what does He come? That we may have 
 a right judgment in all things, guided by 
 the Holy Spirit of God. 
 
 Aspiration: "Come Holy Ghost, our souls 
 inspire: And lighten with celestial fire." 
 
 I. Behold Him in the Glory of Heaven 
 
 sending His Holy Spirit upon us. ^ 
 H. Pray that we may evermore dwell in the 
 
 light, illumined by His Brightness. 
 HI. Resolve so to use His Grace that "we 
 
 may see light in the Face of Jesus 
 
 Christ." 
 
 VII. 
 THE HOLY communion AS OUR LOVE. 
 
 (Trinity.) 
 
 Who comes? Christ, Who said, "God is 
 Love." 
 
 To whom does He come? To^ us given to 
 uncharitable thoughts, who little love God 
 or man. 
 
MEDITATIONS 153 
 
 For zvhat does He come? That giving us 
 Himself, Who is Love, we may have Grace 
 to acknowledge the Glory of the Eternal 
 Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy 
 Ghost, and dwell in the love of God. 
 
 Aspiration: "Unto Thee, O Lord, will I lift 
 up my soul." 
 
 L Behold Jesus holding forth His Pierced 
 Hands, saying, "Love one another." 
 
 H. Pray to love God with all our heart and 
 mind and soul and strength. 
 
 HL Resolve to seek this Grace in the Sac- 
 rament and to live in love and charity 
 with all men. 
 
 ANOTHER FORM OF MEDITATION. 
 
 L Picture Jesus : in His Risen Glory : 
 with the Marks of the Passion; Stand- 
 ing with outstretched Arms ; longing 
 for our Souls; pleading with us; knock- 
 ing at the door of our hearts, 
 II. Consider: Ourselves, sinful, unworthy, 
 worldly, careless, cold, dead. Alas ! 
 Weary and heavy laden with sin. 
 
 III. See : The soul doomed without Jesus ; 
 the soul saved with Jesus. 
 
 IV. Prayer: O Blessed Master: Thou hast 
 
 called me, a sinner ! Let me turn to 
 Thee, confess to Thee, adore Thee. O ! 
 give me Pardon and Peace in Thee, O 
 My Saviour ! 
 
 (The above is but an outline which can be greatly ex- 
 tended.) 
 
IX 
 
 THE SANCTIFICATION OF SICKNESS 
 
 SICKNESS in varying degree is the lot of 
 all. Sooner or later God sends His vis- 
 itation for His Own good purpose. It is there- 
 fore wise to think somewhat of illness before 
 it comes. Sickness is in a way sacramental. 
 That is : the bodily illness may be made the 
 means of spiritual improvement. Sickness is 
 sent us by Almighty God, sometimes to bring 
 us closer to Him by giving us " fellowship in 
 Christ's sufiferings," sometimes to punish us 
 for sin and by so doing bring us to repentance, 
 sometimes to detach us more from earthly 
 things, and make us " seek the things which 
 are above." 
 
 We should ever remember that "the Lord 
 loveth those whom He chasteneth." If we 
 rebel, complain, or fret under sickness we put 
 ourselves in direct antagonism to God's will, 
 making the bodily illness harder to bear, and 
 missing all the spiritual benefit. If, however, 
 we are resigned and cheerfully submit to the 
 visitations of God, the hours of sickness and 
 suffering will be precious ones, where 
 " patience will have its perfect work," and the 
 very pain we have to bear will increase in us 
 the Love of God and the desire for Holiness. 
 
 Our existence here has been called " the 
 Mystery of Life." It is but the first stage of 
 that endless future. Life here is the prepara- 
 tion for life hereafter. As beings endowed 
 with free will we may make or mar our life 
 154 
 
HE TOUCHETH THE CROSS, AND 
 MAKETH IT LIGHT." 
 
THE SANCTIFICATION OF SICKNESS 155 
 
 on earth and so win the just reward or pun- 
 ishment of Heaven or Hell. For we are not 
 left unaided : God's Grace, or His assisting 
 Power, is given to us to guide, illumine, and 
 strengthen us that we may choose the right. 
 This Grace comes specially through the Sac- 
 raments, which both work in themselves and 
 call for a fitting response and co-operation 
 from those receiving them. As at no time is 
 one more susceptible to Divine Influences than 
 when ill, it can be seen how sickness for all 
 its pain becomes a precious privilege and 
 opportunity. 
 
 But to use sickness rightly needs certain 
 counsels to be apprehended, remembered, and 
 followed out. The following thoughts may 
 be full of helpful suggestions to those who 
 wish to grow in grace, using sickness as a 
 means : 
 
 I. The very first thing to do is to offer one's 
 illness to God. This means the acknowledg- 
 ing that it is God's will; (2) the submission 
 of our will to God's will; (3) the asking God 
 to bless the illness so that it may be for His 
 glory and for our good. This offering of our 
 illness to God will thus practically be the offer- 
 ing of ourselves to God for Him to use as 
 He wills, we being perfectly resigned to that 
 will, whether it mean our life or our death, 
 our speedy recovery or our continued sickness. 
 
 n. There should be the examination of our 
 conscience and our confession of sins to God. 
 There is great difficulty in this when one is 
 very ill. The thoroughness will vary with our 
 condition, and in some cases the pain, weak- 
 ness, or disease prevents more than a mere 
 
156 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 glance over our life with a feeling of peni- 
 tence. But God accepts even this when it is 
 all we can do. The confession is best made to 
 a Priest in the Sacrament of Penance. 
 
 III. There should be prayer. This is also 
 very hard for very ill persons. They may 
 remember, however, for their comfort, that 
 illness itself is a kind of prayer. The desire 
 to pray really puts one in the attitude of 
 prayer and is in itself spiritually helpful. 
 Two very easy ways for a sick person to 
 follow are these: (i) Say the Lord's Prayer 
 with intention, that is : that it will be for 
 all that we would pray; (2) to have a Crucifix 
 and look upon it with devotion, thus in a way 
 uniting oneself with Christ's Intercession. 
 
 IV. Send for the Priest and receive the 
 Blessed Sacrament of Our Lord's Body and 
 Blood. The Holy Communion is both a com- 
 fort to the soul and an aid to the body. It is 
 both a help to recovery and a preparation for 
 death, and is of inestimable benefit. And the 
 ministrations of the clergy, by prayer and 
 counsel and sympathy, should be both sought 
 and valued. It is to be desired that the Scrip- 
 tural injunction and Ancient Practice of 
 Unction for the sick will be followed by those 
 very ilj, for St. James says :" Let them pray 
 over him anointing him with oil in the Name 
 of the Lord." 
 
 V. When convalescent, the time should be 
 largely used by making Acts of Faith, Love, 
 Devotion, Repentance, and Thanksgiving, and 
 also Resolutions to lead a better and holier 
 and risen life when well. 
 
THE SANCTIFICATION OF SICKNESS I57 
 
 An illness thus used will be blessed indeed. 
 The soul will be purified and God's Love and 
 Goodness will be appreciated as never before. 
 We will realize that the Cup of Suffering held 
 out for us to take is extended by Him Who is 
 the God of Love, and that taking all as from 
 Him and trusting in Him we will feel that 
 comforting assurance that " underneath are 
 the Everlasting Arms," that Jesus says, " My 
 Grace is sufficient for thee." And in all our 
 sickness we should not be cross, complaining, 
 or impatient, but be patient and obedient, 
 appreciating all that is done for us by doctors, 
 nurses, attendants, or friends, smiling in our 
 sufferings, and glorifying God throughout by 
 a noble example. 
 
PRAYERS IN SICKNESS. 
 
 {The Sick Person is counselled to read over and 
 follow the suggestions made in the preceding chap- 
 ter on "The Sanctiiication of Sickness," and to pre- 
 pare for Confession and Communion. The Sick Per- 
 son might use the Visitation Office in the P. B. and 
 Psalms yi and 91 when ill, and 103 upon recovery and 
 any other Prayers in the pages to follow.) 
 
 IN the Name >if of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 T BELIEVE in God, etc. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 "D EMEMBER not, Lord, our offences, nor 
 -■■^ the offences of our forefathers ; neither 
 take Thou vengeance of our sins : Spare us, 
 good Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou hast 
 redeemed with Thy most Precious Blood, and 
 be not angry with us for ever. 
 
 A LMIGHTY and most merciful God and 
 -^^ Saviour, extend Thy accustomed good- 
 ness to me, Thy humble servant, grieved with 
 sickness. Santify, I beseech Thee, this Thy 
 Fatherly correction to me; that the sense of 
 my weakness may add strength to my faith, 
 and seriousness to my repentance : that, if it 
 shall be Thy good ^pleasure to restore me to 
 
 J58 
 
PRAYERS IN SICKNESS 159 
 
 my former health, I may lead the residue of 
 my life in Thy fear, and to Thy glory: or 
 else, give me grace so to take Thy visitation, 
 that, after this painful life ended, I may dwell 
 with Thee in life everlasting; through Jesus 
 Christ, Our Lord.. Amen. 
 
 O SAVIOUR of the world, Who by Thy 
 Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed 
 us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech 
 Thee, O Lord. 
 
 OGOD, Whose days are without end, and 
 Whose mercies cannot be numbered ; 
 Make us, we beseech Thee, deeply sensible of 
 the shortness and uncertainty of human life ; 
 and let Thy Holy Spirit lead us through this 
 vale of misery, in holiness and righteousness, 
 all the days of our lives : that, when we shall 
 have served Thee in our generation, we may 
 be gathered unto our fathers, having the tes- 
 timony of a good conscience ; in the com- 
 munion of the Catholic Church ; in the con- 
 fidence of a certain faith ; in the comfort of 
 a feasonable, religious, and holy hope; in 
 favour with Thee our God, and in perfect 
 charity with the world. All of which we ask 
 through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 OMY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in 
 Thee and I love Thee and I grieve that 
 I have so often offended Thee by my sins, 
 and I resolve henceforth by Thy Grace and 
 Mercy to lead a better life. 
 
l6o THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 OGOD, I offer myself unto Thee, with all 
 that I am and all that I have. Wash 
 me, I beseech Thee, from all that is sinful in 
 the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, and join 
 all that is good to His merits and mediation. 
 
 OLORD, give me Thy Grace, truly to say: 
 " Not my will but Thine be done." 
 
 (Upon recovering from illness, one should attend Church 
 and receive the Sacrament, asking the Priest to offer a 
 TJianks giving. It is also fitting to make a Thank- 
 offering.) 
 
 Prayer of Thanksgiving. 
 
 ALMIGHTY GOD, Who in Thy mercy hast 
 ^ heard my prayer and hast granted me a 
 longer continuance here on earth, accept this 
 my humble and devout thanksgiving and grant 
 that I may ever hereafter devote my life to 
 Thy service. May I never forget Thy good- 
 ness ; may I ever keep the good resolutions 
 that I have made and may I ever by Thy 
 grace walk before Thee in meekness and low- 
 liness of heart, to Thy honour and glory, 
 through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 THE Lord saveth my life from destruction 
 and crowneth me with mercy and loving 
 kindness. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. 
 
COMMUNION OF THE SICK. l6l 
 
 COMMUNIOIN OF THE SICK. 
 
 (Sometimes, the Sick Person desires to he communi- 
 cated by having a short Mass said according to 
 the Shortened Form set forth in the Prayer Book, 
 on pages 292 and 293. More often however, it 
 seems more desirable for the Sick Person to re- 
 ceive the Blessed Sacrament as carried from the 
 Church, where it has been Reserved. The following 
 form is for this latter use- Before the Service 
 the Sick Person's Confession may be ma4e to 
 the Priest.) 
 
 IN the Name ^ of the Father and of the 
 * Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 PEACE be to this house and to all that 
 dwell therein. 
 Antiphon: "Thou shalt purge me with 
 hyssoip, O LoiRD, and I shall be clean." 
 
 Psalm: "Have mercy upon me, O God, 
 after Thy great goodness." Glory be to the 
 Father, etc. 
 
 Antiphon: "Thou shalt purge me with 
 hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be clean. Thou 
 shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than 
 snow." 
 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, 
 
 Who hath made Heaven and earth. 
 Lord, hear our prayer, 
 
 And let our cry come unto Thee. 
 The Lord be with you, 
 And with Thy Spirit. 
 
 Let us pray. 
 
 HEAR us, Almighty Father, Everlasting 
 God, and grant that Thy Holy Spirit 
 may rest upon this house and that Thy Holy 
 Angels m.>y ever guard, succour and defend all 
 those who dwell therein. And if it be Thy 
 
l62 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 gracious will, grant that this Thy servant by 
 Thy tender mercy may be restored to health 
 and evermore worship Thee in spirit and in 
 truth, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Confession and Absolution (unless com- 
 municant has made a confession). 
 
 The Comfortable Words. 
 Agnus Dei. 
 
 Prayer of Humble Access. 
 Communion. 
 "The Lord be with you, 
 And with Thy Spirit." 
 
 Let us pray. 
 
 OHOLY Lord, Holy Father, Everlasting 
 God, We humbly beseech Thee, that 
 this Holy Communion of the Body and Blood 
 of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, may be 
 for the salvation of soul and body to this Thy 
 servant who has received these Holy Gifts 
 through the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, 
 Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 npHE Peace of God which passeth all un- 
 *■ derstanding keep your heart and mind 
 in the knowledge and love of God and of His 
 Son Jesus Christ Our Lord: and the Bless- 
 ing of God Almighty >h The Father, Son and 
 Holy Ghost, be with you and remain with you 
 always. Amen. 
 
 {The Sick Person may here he Anointed, if so desired.) 
 
ANOINTING WITH HOLY OIL 163 
 
 ANOINTING WITH HOLY OIL 
 
 OR 
 
 UNCTION OF THE SICK 
 
 (The Anglican Communion follows the Scriptural 
 command to use Anointing with oil as an aid to 
 recovery: "Let them pray over him anointing 
 him unth oil in the name of the Lord; and the 
 prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord 
 shall raise him up and if he have committed sins, 
 they shall be forgiven him." — St. James v. 14, 15.) 
 
 {One mode of administration is to anoint with the 
 Holy Oil (i) the Eyes, (2) the Ears, (3) the 
 Nostrils, (4) the Lips, (5) the Hands, (6) the 
 Feet, saying special prayers. Another mode now 
 most often followed in our Communion, is simply 
 to anoint the Forehead or Breast, making the 
 Sign of the Cross. This anointing is generally 
 given after the sick person has made his Con- 
 fession and received the Communion.) 
 
 (The Priest begins the service as follows:) 
 
 T N the Name *i* of the Father and of the 
 -*• Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 MA.Y all evil be quenched in thee 'by 
 the laying on of our hands and by the 
 intercessions o'f the Saints and Angels. Amen. 
 (Here the sick person zinlt be anointed.) 
 
 BY this Holy Unction fi* and by His Most 
 Gracious Mercy, may the Lord pardon 
 thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss. Amen. 
 
 AS with this visible Oil thy body out- 
 wardly is anointed, so our Heavenly 
 Father, Almighty God> grant of His Infinite 
 Goodness that thy soul inwardly may be 
 anointed with the Holy Ghost, Who is the 
 Spirit of all strength, comfort, relief and 
 
164 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 gladness. And resolve for His great mercy 
 (if it be His Blessed Will to restore unto 
 thee thy bodily health and strength, and send 
 thee release of all thy pains, troubles and 
 diseases, both in bod^^ and mind), to serve 
 Him truly all the days of thy life. Amen. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 O' Lord, save Thy servant. 
 
 That putteth his trust in Thee. 
 Send unto him help from above, 
 
 And strengthen him out of Sion. 
 Be Thou to him a strong tower. 
 
 From the face of his enemy. 
 Let the enemy have no advantage of him. 
 
 Nor the wicked approach to hurt him. 
 O Lord, hear our prayer. 
 
 And let our cry come unto Thee. 
 The Lord be with thee. 
 
 And with thy Spirit. 
 
 /^LORD God, Who, by Thy Holy Apostle 
 ^^ Saint James, hast taught us to anoint 
 the sick in the Name of the Lord, heal, we 
 beseech Thee, this Thy servant; pardon all 
 sins, take away all infirmities, and restore to 
 perfect health in mind, body and soul, if it 
 be Thy gracious Will, Who livest and reign- 
 est with the Father and the Holy Ghost, 
 One God, World without end. Amen. 
 
 'T^ HE Blessing * of God Almighty, etc. 
 
X. 
 
 A COMMENDATORY OFFICE TO BE 
 
 SAID FOR ONE AT THE POINT 
 
 OF DEATH 
 
 (It is impossible to give all of the Prayers, Inter- 
 cessions or Litanies that may be desired- The 
 Priest will use some. Others may be found in 
 the Visitation of the Sick in the P. B., especially 
 on pages 285, 286, 288, 289, 290. The following 
 may also be said.) 
 
 The Lord's Prayer and "Kyrie/' 
 
 The Litany (ending with "Good Lord de- 
 liver us.") 
 
 O Saviour of the World, the "Agnus Dei'' 
 and "Hail Mary." 
 
 \/TAY the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints 
 ^^^ pray for thee now and at the hour of 
 thy death. Amen. 
 
 M 
 
 AY the Holy Angels ever guard, suc- 
 cour and defend thee. Amen. 
 
 ^^ MOST Gracious Saviour, Jesus Christ, 
 ^^ look with mercy and compassion upon 
 this Thy servant, lying apparently at the point 
 of death. Fill him with Faith, Hope, Charity 
 and Repentance. Keep from him the powers 
 of darkness and stablish him in the Commun- 
 ion of the Catholic Church. Wash him from 
 all his sins, let his end he full of peace and 
 comfort, and in the hour of departure may his 
 soul rest in Thee, unto Everlasting Life. 
 
 I6S 
 
l66 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 {The following is said at the moment of death:) 
 
 GO forth, Christian Soul, into life ever- 
 lasting: in the Name of the Father, 
 Who made thee ; in the Name of the Son, 
 Who redeemed thee; in the Name of the 
 Holy Ghost, Who sanctifieth thee; in the 
 Name of Angels and Archangels and all the 
 Heavenly Host; in the Name of Apostles, 
 Martyrs and Confessors and all the Saints of 
 God, and may thee rest in peace and come 
 unto everlasting life. Amen. 
 
 INTO' Thy hands we commit the soul of 
 this Thy servant, that when dead unto the 
 world, he may live unto Thee. The Lord 
 gave: the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the 
 Name of the Lord. Amen. 
 
 {Also see pages 169 to 173.) 
 
XL 
 
 A MEMORIAL OF THE DEAR 
 DEPARTED 
 
 (The souls of the Faithful are in the hands of God. 
 Those who die in a state of grace, must still be 
 purified and perfected before they can enter into 
 their final state. During this time of waiting in 
 the "Place of Departed Spirits" or "Purgatory," 
 the Church remembers them at the Altar, and in 
 her Prayers. It is the duty of all to pray for 
 the holy dead, to have a Requiem at the time of 
 the Funeral, and to remember them at the Mass 
 and at their Intercessions.) 
 
 TN the Name * of the Father and of the 
 -*• Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 MAY the souls of the faithful departed, 
 through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. 
 And may light perpetual shine upon them. 
 
 UR Father. Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 O 
 
 (Now may be said.) 
 
 The Lord's Prayer and "Kyrie," O 
 Saviour of the World, the "Agnus Dei'' and 
 "Hail Mary/' 
 
 OLORD, the God of spirits and of all 
 flesh, Who didst put death under Thy 
 Feet, didst destroy the power of the devil, and 
 gavest Thy life for the world, grant rest, O 
 Lord, to the souls of Thy departed servants 
 
 (especially ), in the place of light 
 
 and refreshment, whence pain and sorrow and 
 sighin'g are driven away; and in Thy good- 
 ness and mercy pardon every sin committed 
 by them in thought, word and deed; Thou 
 Who art the Resurrection and the Life, and 
 Who livest and reignest, God forever and ever. 
 Amen. (From the Guild of AH Souls.) 
 
 167 
 
1 68 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 "They do rest in peace where their tiforks do 
 follow them." 
 
 ^^O LORD, in Whom the spirits live 
 
 ^"^^ Of all the faithful passed away, 
 Unto their path that 'brightness give 
 
 Which shineth to the perfect day. 
 O God of Mercy, Lord Most Blest, 
 Grant them Thine Eternal Rest. 
 
 Bless Thou the dead v^hich die in Thee; 
 
 As Thou hast given them release, 
 So quicken them Thy Face to see 
 
 And give them Everlasting Peace. 
 O Lamb of God, Redeemer Blest 
 Grant them Thine Eternal Rest." 
 
 "The souls of the righteous are in the hand of 
 God, where no torment shall touch them." 
 
 **'^J'OW the labourer's task is o'er, 
 
 '*-^ Now the battle day is past; 
 There upon the farther shore 
 
 Land the voyagers at last. 
 Grant them, Lord, Eternal Rest 
 With the Spirits of the Blest. 
 
 Purge each stain of sin away. 
 
 May in light perpetual be 
 Perfect more and more each day. 
 
 Those who lived and died in Thee; 
 Grant Thy love in them increase 
 May Thy Servants rest in peace." 
 
 THE Grace ►i' of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 etc. 
 
 (^Also see pages 169 to 173.) 
 
XII 
 INTERCESSORY PRAYER 
 
 INTERCESSORY Prayer is a duty. Its 
 power is unlimited. Our Lord says, " Ask 
 and it shall be given you." " If ye shall ask 
 anything in My Name I will do it," whik 
 St. James writes " the effectual fervent prayer 
 of a Righteous man availeth much" and St. 
 Paul says "by prayer and supplication with 
 thanksgiving let your requests be made known 
 unto God." Even the poet sings " more things 
 are wrought by prayer than this world dreams 
 of." 
 
 Prayer must be made in the Name of Jesus 
 Christ, and joined to His merits and media- 
 tion, for " He ever liveth to make Intercession 
 for us" If so made, and good for us and in 
 accordance with God's will it is sure to be 
 granted. Prayer gains added force " when 
 two or three are gathered together," or at 
 least praying the same petitions, and above 
 all is it effective when made at the offering of 
 the Holy Eucharist. 
 
 We may pray in direct formal words or 
 "by intention," that is, by saying the Lord]s 
 Prayer, with the object in mind. Prayer is 
 one of tke most important works of the Church 
 and those who cannot labour actively should 
 spend all the more time in intercession. 
 Prayer is best made to God direct, but the 
 Invocation of the Saints or asking them to 
 pray for and with us is a very ancient prac- 
 tice, based on the principle of both living and 
 169 
 
170 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 dead helping one another in the Communion 
 of Saints. 
 
 Among the objects of frequent Intercession 
 are: (i) the Church; (2) the Anglican Com- 
 munion; (3) the Parish; (4) the Clergy; 
 (5) the Sick; (6) the Dying; (7). the Dead; 
 (8) our dear ones; (9) those in danger; 
 (10) those in mortal sin. 
 
 The following is a brief form of Inter- 
 cession : 
 
 An Intercession. 
 
 OGOD, the Ruler of all things and the 
 Giver of all good gifts, we humbly offer 
 unto Thee our prayers and intercessions in the 
 Name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Grant, 
 O Lord, that Thy Holy Church Universal 
 may be ruled and governed in the right way, 
 bringing all to be of one heart and mind 
 within her borders. Bless the Anglican Com- 
 munion, that earnestly contending for the 
 Faith once delivered to the Saints, she may 
 win many souls to Thine Honour and Glory. 
 Prosper all Missions, that the number of 
 Thine elect may soon be accomplished. Illu- 
 minate all Bishops and other Clergy (espe- 
 cially . . .) that by their preaching and living 
 they may set forward the salvation of all men 
 and be faithful ministers of Thy Word and 
 Sacraments. Watch over our country that it 
 may be preserved from all danger and peril, 
 and our rulers that they may govern right- 
 eously and holily. Have mercy upon our 
 families (especially . . .) and friends (espe- 
 cially • . .), granting them health and happi- 
 ness, and rich measure of Thy Grace to live 
 according to Thy Word and Commandment.^. 
 
INTERCESSORY PRAYER I'Jl 
 
 Have pity upon our enemies, and bring all 
 Thy people to dwell here in love and charity. 
 Look with compassion upon the poor, the 
 afflicted, the sick and the suffering {especially 
 . . .), relieving them according to their several 
 necessities, or else giving them patience to 
 bear their troubles. Give Thy Heavenly com- 
 fort to the dying and wash them from all their 
 sins in the Precious Blood of Jesus. Remem- 
 ber the dear departed and let them rest in 
 peace, and let light perpetual shine upon them. 
 Look upon all sinners and criminals and bring 
 them to repentance and better minds. Regard 
 those that are in danger and peril and raise 
 up Thy might to save and succour them. 
 Help those in trial and temptation and suffer 
 them not to faint or falter in their hour of 
 need. Drive out from us all crime and cor- 
 ruption and make all Thy children to worship 
 Thee in spirit and in truth. O Most Merciful 
 Father, grant these petitions, we beseech 
 Thee, and give to us who have prayed and to 
 chose for whom we pray the Grace of Thy 
 Holy Spirit, that henceforth we may walk 
 jefore Thee in holiness and righteousness 
 and be brought to those heavenly mansions, 
 where with Thine Only Begotten Son and 
 Thy Most Holy Spirit Thou art to be wor- 
 shipped, honoured and glorified unto the ages 
 of ages. Amen. 
 
 (Or use the following.) 
 
 For the Sick. 
 
 O FATHER of mercies and God of all 
 Comfort, our only help in time of need : 
 look down with pity, we humbly beseech Thee, 
 uDon all those Thy servants who are grieved 
 
172 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 and wearied with sickness (especially . . .)- 
 Comfort them with the sense of Thy good- 
 ness; preserve them from the temptations of 
 the enemy; give them patience under their 
 affliction, with sincere repentance for all their 
 sins and hearty desire to do what is right. 
 Lift up Thy countenance upon them and give 
 them peace both now and evermore. And if 
 it be Thy gracious will, restore them to their 
 former health and enable them to lead the rest 
 of their life in Thy fear and to Thy glory 
 through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 For the Dying. 
 
 O ALMIGHTY God, to Whom at His Last 
 Agony, Our Saviour Christ didst com- 
 mend His Soul, as unto His Heavenly Father, 
 behold in mercy all those Thy servants who 
 are at the point of death. Let them be precious 
 in Thy sight and fit and prepare their souls 
 for Thy visitation. Strengthen them, we 
 beseech Thee, with Thy Grace and Holy 
 Spirit: wash them in the Blood of Jesus 
 Christ, which taketh away the sins of the 
 world ; stablish them in faith, hope and charity, 
 that with Thee they may pass through the 
 valley of the shadow of death. And at the last 
 let them depart in peace and in Thy favour, 
 to be received into Thy everlasting kingdom,, 
 through the Merits and Mediation of Our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 For the Faithful Departed. 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, with Whom do live the 
 ■ spirits of those who die in the Lord and 
 with Whom the souls of the faithful rest ia 
 
INTERCESSORY PRAYER I73 
 
 peace, mercifully hear our prayers and look 
 with compassion upon those who have departed 
 this hfe in Thy faith and fear (and espe- 
 cially . . .)• Grant them, we beseech Thee, 
 light, peace and refreshment, where no tor- 
 ment can touch them. Accept the interces- 
 sions of Thy Church and the Holy Sacrifice 
 of the Altar, which we offer from time to 
 time, for those who do rest from their labours. 
 Hasten the day of their perfection, that they 
 may soon receive the fulness of joy in Thy 
 Eternal and Everlasting Glory, where with 
 all Thine Elect they may shine forever as the 
 stars of heaven. All of which we ask through 
 Him, Who is the Resurrection and the Life, 
 Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 MAY the souls *i* of the faithful departed 
 through the mercies of God rest in 
 peace and let light perpetual shine upon them. 
 
 For Missions. 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, Who hast made all the 
 nations upon earth and didst send Thy 
 Blessed Son to bring peace to them that are 
 far off and to them that are nigh and hast 
 commanded Thy Church to preach the Gospel 
 to all men, bless we beseech Thee all Missions 
 sent forth in Thy Name. Bring the nations 
 into Thy Fold and add the heathen to Thy 
 inheritance that all may worship Thee in 
 spirit and in truth through Jesus Christ, Our 
 Lord. Amen. 
 
174 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 A HYMN FOR THE "DEAR DEPARTED" 
 
 TO BE SAID BEFORE THE 
 
 SACRAMENT. 
 
 "Jesu, Son of Mary, 
 
 Fount of life alone, 
 Here we hail Thee present 
 
 On Thine altar-throne. 
 Hum'bly we adore Thee, 
 
 Lord of endless might. 
 In the mystic symbols 
 
 Veiled from earthly sight. 
 
 Think, O Lord, in mercy 
 
 On the souls of those 
 Who, in faith gone from us, 
 
 Now in death repose. 
 Here, 'mid stress and conflict, 
 
 Toils can never cease ; 
 There, the warfare ended, 
 
 Bid them rest in peace. 
 
 Often were they wounded 
 
 In the deadly strife ; 
 Heal them, Good Physician, 
 
 With the balm of life. 
 Every taint of evil. 
 
 Frailty and decay. 
 Good and gracious Saviour, 
 
 Cleanse and purge away. 
 
 Rest eternal grant them, 
 
 After weary fight ; 
 Shed on them the radiance 
 
 Of Thy heavenly light. 
 Lead them onward, upward. 
 
 To the holy place, 
 Where Thy saints, made perfect. 
 
 Gaze upon Thy face," 
 
'hail! thou that art highly favour- 
 ed, THE LORD IS WITH THEE: 
 
 blessed art thou among 
 women/' 
 
XIII. 
 
 MEMORIAL OiF THE INCARNATION 
 OR "THE ANGELUS." 
 
 (Zh the Mystery of the Incarnation we worship and 
 adore Our Lord as God of God, we honour and rever- 
 ence Saint Mary as Blessed among women. In 
 honouring Mary, the Instrument of the Incarnation, 
 we really honour Christ, Who became Incarnate. The 
 "Angelus," which is said morning, noon and night, 
 expresses the inspired Salutation of the Angel and 
 Elizabeth as recorded in the Gospel of Saint Luke.) 
 
 THE Angel of the Lord came in unto Mary 
 and spake unto her. And she conceived 
 by the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Antiphon: Hail Mary, thou that art highly 
 favoured : the Lord is with thee ; blessed art 
 thou among women, and blessed is the fruit 
 of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of 
 God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour 
 of our death. Amen. 
 
 And Mary said : Behold the handmaid of 
 the Lord: be it unto me according to thy 
 Word. {Repeat Antiphon.) 
 
 And the fWord was made Flesh and dwelt 
 among us. {Repeat Antiphon.) 
 
 WE beseech Thee, O Lord, pour Thy 
 Grace into our hearts : that as we have 
 known the Incarnation of Thy Son Jesus 
 Christ by the message of an angel, so by 
 His Cross and Passion we may be brought 
 imto the glory of His Resurrection, through 
 the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Atnen. 
 
 GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, 
 etc. 
 
 175 
 
XIV. 
 PRAYERS BEFORE A JOURNEY 
 
 (Considerably adapted from the Ancient Itinerarium.) 
 
 IN the Name '^b of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 Antiphon: Into the way of peace and pros- 
 perity. 
 The Benedictus. St. Luke i. 68-79. 
 
 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: for He 
 hath visited and redeemed His people ; 
 
 And hath raised up a mighty salvation for 
 us : in the house of His servant David : 
 
 As He spake by the mouth of His holy Pro- 
 phets : which have "been since the world be- 
 gan ; 
 
 That we should be saved from our enemies : 
 and from the hand of all that hate us. 
 
 To perform the mercy promised to our fore- 
 fathers : and to remember His holy covenant ; 
 
 To perform the oath which He sware to our 
 forefather Abraham: that He would give us; 
 
 That we being delivered out of the hand of 
 our enemies : might serve Him without fear ; 
 
 In holiness and righteousness before Him, 
 all the days of our life. 
 
 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet 
 of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the 
 face of the Lord to prepare His ways ; 
 
 To give knowledge of salvation unto His 
 people: for the remission of their sins, 
 
 Through the tender mercy of our God: 
 whereby the day-spring from on high hath 
 visited us; 
 
 176 
 
PRAYERS BEFORE A JOURNEY 1 77 
 
 To give light to them that sit in darkness, 
 and in the shadow of death : and to guide our 
 feet into the way of peace. 
 
 GLORY be to the Father and to the Son, 
 etc. 
 
 Antiphon: Into the way of peace and pros- 
 perity, may the Almighty and Merciful 
 God direct us that we may return to our 
 homes in joy and happiness. 
 
 C\ UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 O Lord, save Thy servants. 
 
 Who put their trust in Thee. 
 Be unto us, O Lord, a strong tower. 
 
 From the enemy deliver us. 
 Let no evil apiproach to harm us, O Lo»a 
 
 But guard us from all danger and peril. 
 Blessed be the Lord, our Governor. 
 
 May our journey be safe and prosperous. 
 Show us Thy ways, O Lord. 
 
 And teach us Thy paths. 
 O that our ways may be so direct 
 
 That we may ever keep Thy Statutes. 
 O God, give Thine Angels charge concerning 
 us. 
 
 To keep us in all Thy imys. 
 O Ijord, hear our prayer. 
 
 And let our crying come unto Thee. 
 
 D 
 
 IRECT us, O Lord. etc. 
 
178 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 r\ GOID, Who didst guide the Children of 
 ^^ Israel by a pillar of cloud and fire, and 
 didst lead the Wise Men by the shining of a 
 star, be to us, we beseech Thee, a Light to 
 lighten our darkness, granting us a holy and 
 prosperous journey and in Thy good season 
 •bring us to the haven of eternal salvation, 
 through Tesus Christ Our Lord. Amen, 
 
 ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these 
 our supplications and prayers, and dis- 
 pose the way of thy servants towards the 
 attainment of everlasting salvation ; that 
 among all the changes and chances of this 
 mortal life, we may ever be defended by Thy 
 most gracious and ready help; through Jesus 
 Christ Our Lord. Amen, 
 
 r) ETERNAL God, Who alone spreadest 
 ^^ out the Heavens, and rulest all things 
 both on sea and land : we commend to Thine 
 Almighty Protection ourselves Thy servants 
 for whose preservation on the great deep 
 (or on the land) we pray. Guard us, we be- 
 seech Thee, from all dangers which may 
 await us, from sickness, from the violence of 
 enemies and from every evil to which we may 
 be exposed. Conduct us in safety to the 
 haven where we would be with a grateful 
 sense of all Thy mercies, through Jesus 
 Christ Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 ' I ''HE Grace ^ of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 ■^ the Love of God, and the Fellowship of 
 the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. 
 Amen. 
 
XV. 
 
 MORNING, NOON, AND EVENING 
 PRAYERS, ETC. 
 
 Short Silent Prayers 
 
 Upon arising: "I laid me down and slept, and 
 
 rise again, for the Lord sustaineth me." 
 Before sleeping: " Father, into Thy Hands I 
 
 commend my spirit." " I will lay me 
 
 down in peace and take my rest, for it 
 
 is Thou, Lord Only, that makest me dwell 
 
 in safety." 
 To recall God's Presence: "Thou God seest 
 
 me." 
 In sickness: "Thou shalt not be afraid for 
 
 any terror by night, nor for the sickness 
 
 that destroyeth in the noonday." 
 In pain: " Father, if Thou be willing, remove 
 
 this cup from me ; Nevertheless, not my 
 
 will but Thine be done." 
 In danger: " I will lift up my eyes to the hills 
 
 from whence cometh my help." " O Lord, 
 
 deliver us from evil." 
 In doubt: "Lord, I believe; help Thou my 
 
 unbelief." 
 For recollection: " Watch, therefore, for ye 
 
 know neither the day nor the hour wherein 
 
 the Son of Man cometh." 
 On a journey: "The Lord preserve my going 
 
 out and my coming in: from this time 
 
 forth forevermore." 
 
 179 
 
l8o THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 MORNING PRAYERS 
 
 IN the Name ►J* of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 LET the words of my mouth and the medi- 
 ■' tation of my heart be always acceptable 
 in Thy Sight, O Lord, my strength and my 
 Redeemer. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 BELIEVE in God, etc. 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, we most haartily thank 
 Thee for our creation, preservation and 
 all the blessings of this life, for Thy loving 
 care and watchful providence over us all our 
 days, and for having delivered us from all the 
 dangers and perils of the past night, but above 
 all things for Thine inestimable love in the 
 redemption of the world by Our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, for the means of Grace 
 and for the hope of Glory. And we beseech 
 Thee to accept these our morning prayers of 
 praise and thanksgiving, continuing these Thy 
 blessings to us and to all men, and taking us 
 and all who are dear to us under Thy Fatherly 
 care and protection. More especially we pray 
 Thee to give us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, 
 that we, being unfeignedly thankful, may 
 show forth our praise, not only with our lips 
 but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to 
 Thy service and by walking before Thee in 
 holiness and righteousness all our days; 
 through Jesus Christ, Our Lorp. Amen. 
 
MORNING PRAYERS l8l 
 
 Morning Hymn 
 
 " New every morning is the love 
 Our waking and uprising prove ; 
 Through sleep and darkness safely brought, 
 Restored to life and power and thought. 
 
 New mercies each returning day 
 
 Hover aroun,d us while we pray ; 
 
 New perils past, new sins forgiven, 
 
 New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven. 
 
 If, on our daily course, our mind 
 Be set to hallow all we find, 
 New treasures still of countless price 
 God will provide for sacrifice. 
 
 Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be 
 As more of heaven in each we see ; 
 Some softening gleam of love and prayer 
 Shall dawn on every cross and care. 
 
 The trivial round, the common task 
 Will furnish all we need to ask; 
 Room to deny ourselves, a road 
 To bring us daily nearer God. 
 
 Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love, 
 Fit us for perfect rest above ; 
 And help us this and every day. 
 To live more nearly as we pray." 
 
 THE Grace ►f" of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and the Love of God, aud the Fellow- 
 ship of the Holy Ghost be with us all ever- 
 more. Amen. 
 
l82 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 EVENING PRAYERS 
 
 IN the Name 4* of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 LET my prayer be set forth in Thy sight as 
 ■' the incense, and let the lifting up of my 
 hands be an evening sacrifice. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, we most heartily thank 
 Thee for Thy goodness and loving- 
 kindness to us and to all men, for Thy 
 Fatherly care and protection to us this day 
 and for all the many blessings of the same, 
 beseeching Thee that we may ever love and 
 praise Thy Holy Name and follow Thee all 
 the days of our life. And we pray Thee to 
 bless the labours of this day, pardoning all 
 our imperfections, and making all redound to 
 Thine Honour and Glory, through Jesus 
 Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 O SAVIOUR of the world. Who by Thy 
 Cross and Precious Blood hast re- 
 deemed us, save us and help us, we humbly 
 beseech Thee, O Lord. Amen. 
 
 I WILL lay me down in peace and take my 
 rest for Thou Lord only makest us dwell 
 in safety. 
 
 THE Grace "^ of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and the Love of God and the Fellow- 
 ship of the Holy Ghost be with us all ever- 
 more. Amen. 
 
evening prayers 183 
 
 Evening Hymn 
 
 "All praise to Thee, my God, this night, 
 For all the blessings of the light. 
 Keep me, O keep me. King of Kings, 
 Beneath Thine Own Almighty wings. 
 
 Forgive me. Lord, for Thy dear Son 
 The ill that I this day have done ; 
 That with the world, myself and Thee 
 I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. 
 
 Teach me to live that I may dread 
 The grave as little as my bed; 
 Teach me to die that so I may 
 Rise glorious at the awful day. 
 
 O, may my soul on Thee repose. 
 And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close; 
 Sleep that shall me more vigorous make 
 To serve my God when I awake. 
 
 When in the night I sleepless lie, 
 My soul Avith heavenly thoughts supply; 
 Let no ill dreams disturb my rest, 
 No powers of darkness me molest. 
 
 O, when shall I in endless day 
 Forever chase dark sleep away, 
 And hymns divine with angels sing 
 All praise to Thee, Eternal King? 
 
 Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow ; 
 Praise Him, all creatures here below ; 
 Praise Him above, angelic host ; 
 Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." 
 
184 THE PRAGTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 DEVOTIONS FOR NOON 
 
 IN the Name ^ of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 O 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 
 O SAVIOUR of the world, Who by Thy 
 Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed 
 us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech 
 Thee, O Lord. 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 LAMB of God, that takest away the sins 
 of the world, Have mercy upon us. 
 
 LAMB of God, that takest away the sins 
 of the world, Have mercy upon us. 
 
 LAMB of God, that takest away the sins 
 of the world, Grant us Thy Peace. 
 
 OLORD Jesus Christ, we adore Thee 
 once nailed on the Cross for us. O 
 pray for us now and at the hour of death, that 
 we may so follow Thee in this world that in 
 the world to come we may attain to those 
 unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared 
 for those who unfeignedly love Thee. Amen. 
 
 {Here might follow various Intercessions or additional 
 Prayers.) 
 
 THE Grace »i* of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and the Love of God and the Fellowship 
 of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. 
 Amen. 
 
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS 185 
 
 ADDITIONAL PRAYERS 
 
 STIR up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the 
 wills of Thy faithful people, that they 
 plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good 
 works may by Thee be plenteously rewarded, 
 through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 OGOD, Who hast prepared for those who 
 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 obtain Thy promises, 
 which exceed all that we can desire ; through 
 Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 DIRECT us, O Lord, in all our doings 
 with Thy most gracious favour and 
 further us with Thy continual help, that in 
 all our works begun, continued, and ended in 
 Thee we may glorify Thy Holy Name, and 
 finally by Thy mercy obtain everlasting life 
 through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 WE beseech Thee, O Lord, pour Thy 
 Grace into our hearts : that as we have 
 known the Incarnation of Thy Son Jesus 
 Christ by the message of an angel, so by 
 His Cross and Passion we may be brought 
 unto the glory of His Resurrection, through 
 the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who 
 dost govern all things in Heaven and 
 Earth, mercifully hear the prayers and sup- 
 
l86 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 plications of Thy people; and grant unto the 
 Church all things that are needful for her 
 spiritual and temporal welfare. Strengthen 
 and confirm the faithful ; visit and relieve the 
 sick; turn and soften the wicked; rouse the 
 careless; raise the fallen; restore the penitent; 
 remove all hindrances to the advancement of 
 Thy truth, and bring all to be of one heart and 
 one soul within the fold of Thy Holy Church, 
 through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who liveth 
 and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the 
 Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without 
 end. Amen. 
 
 LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech Thee, 
 ■' O Lord; and by Thy great mercy defend 
 us from all perils and dangers of this night ; 
 for the love of Thine Only Son, Our Saviour, 
 Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 OMOST Merciful Father, I confess unto 
 Thee that I have sinned against Thee by 
 thought, word, and deed, by my fault, my 
 own fault, my own most grievous fault, and 
 especially I confess that this day (here name 
 the sins of the day). Forgive me, I beseech 
 Thee, all my sins, through Jesus Christ, Our 
 Lord. Amen. 
 
 MAY the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints 
 pray for us now and at the hour of our 
 death. Amen. 
 
 M 
 
 AY the Holy Angels ever guard, suc- 
 cour and defend us. Amen. 
 
WATCH AND PRAY THAT YE ENTER NOT 
 JNTO TEMPTATION." 
 
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS 187 
 
 ANOTHER FORM OF MORNING 
 PRAYER. 
 
 IN the Name * of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 I LAID me down and slept and rise again, 
 for the Lord watched over me. 
 
 "Now that the dayhght fills the sky, 
 We lift our hearts to God on high, 
 That He in all we do or say, 
 May keetp us free from sin today. 
 
 O Father, fill our hearts with love, 
 That we may seek the things above. 
 Extinguish Thou each sinful fire, 
 And banish every wrong desire. 
 
 O Father, that we ask be done, 
 Through Jesus Christ, Thine Only Son, 
 Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee, 
 Doth live and reign eternally." 
 {Now say the following Prayers:) 
 
 OUR Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to 
 the Father, etc. 
 
 OMY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in 
 Thee and I love Thee, and I resolve 
 henceforth, by Thy grace and mercy to live to 
 Thine Honour and Glory. 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, we beseech Thee to bless 
 and (prosper us Thy servants, and all 
 others for whom we should pray and bring us 
 safely to another night, for Jesus Christ's 
 Sake. Amen. 
 
 THE Grace ^ <yi Our Lord Tesus Christ. 
 etc. 
 
lOO THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 ANOTHER FOiRM OF NOON PRAYER. 
 
 IN the Name <i* of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 I WILL look unto the hills from whence 
 Cometh my help. 
 
 "O Lord, Almighty King of Kings, 
 Creator of created things ; 
 Who from the morn till even's ray, 
 Through every change dost guide the day. 
 
 In will and deed, by heart and tongue, 
 With all our powers, Thy praise be sung. 
 And love light up our mortal frame, 
 Till others catch the living flame. 
 
 O Father, that we ask be done. 
 Through Jesus Christ, Thine Only Son, 
 Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee, 
 Shall live and reign eternally." 
 
 WE adore Thee, Oi Christ, and we bless 
 Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross 
 Thou hast redeemed the world. 
 
 "D LESSED, praised and hallowed be Jesus 
 ■■-' Christ, on His Throne of Glory and in 
 the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. 
 (Now say the following Prayers:) 
 
 OUR Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to 
 the Father, etc. 
 
 A LMIGHTY God, bless, we beseech Thee, 
 -^^ the 'Church, the Clergy, and the Cause 
 of Missions, Have mercy upon all men and 
 turn all to Thee in faith, love and repentance, 
 through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 THE Grace >i* of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 etc. 
 
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS 189 
 
 ANOTHER FORM OF EVENING 
 PRAYER. 
 
 IN the Name *b of the Father, and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 I WILL lay me down in peace and take my 
 rest, for it is Thou, Lord, Only Who 
 makest me dwell in safety. 
 
 "To Thee, before the close of day, 
 Creator of the world, we pray. 
 That with Thy wonted favour Thou 
 Wouldst be our guard and keeper now. 
 
 Grant us when this short life is past, 
 The glorious evening that shall last, 
 That by a holy death attained, 
 Eternal glory may be gained. 
 
 O Father, that we ask be done. 
 Through Jesus Christ, Thine Only Son, 
 Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee, 
 Shall Hve and reign eternally." 
 
 (Now say the following Prayers:) 
 
 /^UR Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to 
 
 ^^ the Father, etc. 
 
 OMY God I believe in Thee, I hope in 
 Thee and I love Thee, and I resolve 
 henceforth, by Thy grace and mercy to live to 
 Thine Honour and Glory, 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, we beseech Thee to bless 
 us Thy servants, and those near and 
 dear to us. Forgive us our sins, bless the 
 labours of the day and watch over us with 
 Thy tender care, for Christ's Sake. Amen. 
 
 THE Grace <i< of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 etc. 
 
XVI 
 
 FORM OF CONFESSION TO A PRIEST » 
 
 (On entering the Church for Confession, first kneel down 
 and say privately:) 
 
 UR Father, Who art in Heaven, etc. 
 ORD, have mercy on me, a sinner. 
 
 O 
 
 IS 
 
 I SAID I will confess my sins unto the 
 Lord, and so Thou forgivest the wicked- 
 ness of my sin. 
 
 OLORD, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear 
 our prayers and spare all those who 
 confess their sins unto Thee ; that we whose 
 consciences by sin are accused by Thy mer- 
 ciful pardon may be absolved, through Jesus 
 Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
 
 (When your turn comes, go to the appointed place, and 
 kneeling down, say:) 
 
 IN the Name ►f" of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 Penitent: Father, give me thy blessing. 
 
 Priest: The Lord be with thy heart and lips 
 that thou mayest humbly and faithfully con- 
 fess thy sins, in the Name of the Father and 
 of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen, 
 
 ^$ee Section on Confession, page 24. and the Questions and 
 Devotions for Preparation on page 6g. 
 
 190 
 
SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION I9I 
 
 (TJien say very penitently:) 
 
 Penitent: I confess unto God Almighty, 
 the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, before the 
 whole company of Heaven, and to you, father, 
 that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, 
 word, and deed, through my fault, my ov^-ii 
 fault, my ov^n most grievous fault, and espe- 
 cially (since my last confession) I accuse 
 myself of the follov^ing sins: 
 
 (Here ^.name your sins, hiding nothing, and truthfully 
 answering any questions which are asked by God's 
 minister.) 
 
 For these and all other sins which I cannot 
 now remember I am heartily sorry and firmly 
 purpose amendment, humbly asking of God 
 pardon and forgiveness, with space to lead a 
 better life, and of you, father, penance, coun- 
 sel, and absolution. Wherefore, I beseech 
 God to have mercy upon me, through the 
 Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ, and 
 you, father, to pray for me unto the Lord. 
 
 {After the Priest has given his Counsel and Penance and 
 satisfied himself of your Faith, Hope, Love, and Repent- 
 ance, he will give God's Absolution as follows:) 
 
 Priest: May the Almighty Lord grant thee 
 absolution and remission of all thy sins, space 
 for amendment of life, and the grace and 
 comfort of His Holy Spirit. 
 
 Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath left power 
 to His Church to absolve all sinners who truly 
 repent and believe in Him, of His great mercy 
 forgive thee thine offences. And by His 
 authority committed unto me, I absolve thee '^ 
 irom all thy sins, in the Name of the Father, 
 Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
XVII 
 AN AFTERWORD OF COUNSEL. 
 
 IT should ever be remembered that a right life 
 and a right belief should go hand in hand. 
 Neither one is acceptable to God without the 
 other. " Faith without works is dead." 
 Christian character shows in a holy life and 
 the members of the Church should by their 
 word and example show the sincerity of their 
 Faith and Worship and the power of Sacra- 
 mental Grace in their lives. They should 
 stand for high ideals in the Home, in Society, 
 in Business and on the Stage. They should 
 uphold the Sanctity of Marriage. They should 
 never countenance divorced persons who enter 
 into sinful union called " remarriage.'' They 
 should condemn drunkenness, gambling and 
 immorality, and keep themselves as "temples 
 of the Holy Ghost." They should take a 
 definite stand against all manner of corruption 
 and wrong doing, and in every way put into 
 practice the Religion which they profess, cul- 
 tivating " Holiness without which no man shall 
 see the Lord." They should stand firmly in 
 the Holy Catholic Church, ever having an 
 answer for the Religion which they hold and 
 ever being on their guard against the "danger 
 of drifting," realizing that the great weapon 
 against "false doctrine, heresy and schism" is 
 "earnestly to contend for the Faith which was 
 once for all delivered to the Saints" and to 
 keep that Faith inviolate, in its integrity. 
 15)4 
 
ADORATION 195 
 
 NOW upon the golden Altar, 
 In the midst, before the Throne, 
 Incense of His Intercession, 
 
 He is offering^ for His Own. 
 And on earth at all His Altars. 
 
 His True Presence we adore, 
 And His Sacrifice is pleaded 
 
 Until time shall be no more. 
 Alleluia ! Alleluia ! 
 
 To the Incarnate Son A God, 
 IWho, a Priest now and forever, 
 
 Still imparts His Flesh and Blood. 
 
 Then adored in Highest Heaven 
 
 May we see the Virgin's Son, 
 All creation bowed before Him, 
 
 There upon the eternal Throne : 
 Where the sound of many waters 
 
 In one ever rising flood. 
 Myriad voices hymn His Triumph 
 
 Priest and Victim, Man and God. 
 Worthy He all praise and blessing. 
 
 Who by dying, death o'ercame; 
 Glory be to God for ever : 
 
 Alleluia to the Lamb ! 
 
 (Adapted from "Hymns A and M-") 
 
ig6 THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION 
 
 " The Lord preserve thy going out, 
 
 The Lord preserve thy coming in. 
 God send His angels round about 
 
 To keep thy soul from every sin; 
 And when thy going out is done, 
 
 And when thy coming in is o'er, 
 When in death's darkness all alone. 
 
 Thy feet can come and go no more, 
 The Lord preserve thy going out 
 
 From this dark world of grief and sin. 
 While angels standing round about, ^ 
 
 Sing, ' God preserve thy coming in.' '* 
 

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