©1|^ gammon #rdsr of Jllomm0 }mJoraF|i|j and Selections • APR 9 1904 *j BV 198 .H83 1903 Hungerford, Edward, 1829- 1911. The common order of morning worship Ube Common ®r^er ot /IDornlttG Morsbip EMBODIED IN FIVE GRADED SERVICES BASED ON A COMMON ORDER WITH A VIEW TO proximate 'Clnitormit^ ot Morsbtp PREPARED BY V ' REV. EDWARD HUNGERFORD AUTHOR OF THE AMERICAN BOOK OF CHURCH SERVICES And The Five Services Approved BY THE Conference of Conaresational Cburcbcs Chittenden County, Vermont For the Use of its Churches Revised Edition (Breen /IDount ipress JSurltnaton, IPt. Copyright by Edward Hungerford 1903 All riahts reserved H ipretace wttb SugQCSttons to ipastors The services here presented are the result of se- rious study and thought, on the subject of public wor- ship, begun eighteen years ago, in the course of which I have given attention to numerous ancient liturgies of the Catholic Church and have ex- amined all the leading Protestant liturgies and many of the books of worship put forth by pastors of non- liturgical churches. By these investigations I have been confirmed in the conviction, that the present movement, in these last churches, towards liturgical forms will not reach its purpose by the imitation of any existing liturgy. Its aim can only be reached by means of a teachable spirit, which merges indi- vidual prejudices in a reverent appreciation of all that the church has prized in the past, and in a read- iness to adopt suggestions from her best experiences, while it is free to mould the elements of worship, which come to us from manifold sources, into a litur- gy which expresses the deepest and richest expe- riences of Protestant Christianity in its life of to- day. These services are the outcome of such studies and of this conviction. In their fullest form they pre- sent, as nearly as may be, my ideal of protestant worship, so far as that ideal is attainable under present conditions. The presentation of five orders is prompted by the need of adaption of services to churches in differing stages of liturgical advancement. They have been prepared on a single basis, or a common order, be- lieved to represent the natural progress of thought and feeling in worship. This common order and the recurrence of the same elements in the different services constitute their approach to a uniformity, which, for various reasons, is not now attainable, but may be promoted by placing in the hands of congre- gations a series, in which one order is carried througli all the numbers, while each successive number in- troduces new features. iv PREFACE The educational value of such a series is manifest. While each church provisionally adopts that ser- vice which is best suited to its needs, the series offers to a growing sentiment of worship additional means of expression. Attention is particularly requested to the follow- ing featuresi: The serv'ices are arranged with reference to a natural progress of thought and feeling towards a climax in the Pastoral Prayer or Prayers and the following Doxology. (1) The Period of Preparation for Worship ex- tends from the opening Organ Meditation to the close of the Lord's Prayer. (2) The Period of more Im- passioned Worship extends from the close of the Lord's Prayer to the close of the Pastoral Prayer, each element heightening the spirit of worship until the climax is reached in the Doxology from Rev. 7:12. (3) The remainder of the service belongs to the sermon and the dismissal of the congregation. The Impression of Length occasioned by seeing the elements printed is misleading. Service No. 5 is easily included in the one and one-half hour with a sermon of thirty to forty minutes. The services aim to secure Audiable Participation of the congregation in worship by responses, as far as possible under diverse degrees of readiness on the part of the people. In this matter experience and observation assure me that whenever the service is judiciously chosen, the people are more ready to do their part than pastors are to trust them. In this respect I have never been disappointed, but have been surprised at the heartiness and promptness of congregations. Some preparation is needed. It is advisable to de- vote a mid-week meeting, or other occasion, to a careful exposition of the meaning and relation of parts in the service, and of its whole spirit, calling attention to details in the participation of the people. The same precautions should be taken with the choir. The pastor should go through the service with his choir in private, rehearsing with the choir its parts and insisting on promptness in coming in on its parts, and on their duty to lead the congrega- PREFACE V tion in its parts. In such services the importance of the choir is greatly enhanced. Emphasis should be placed on the character of Hymns and Anthems, as required in different parts of the services. The Hymn of Aspiration should distinctly embody such sentiments as are expressed in those hymns, the first lines of which are given in the back part of the book, and the same is true of the Hymn of Praise. The Choir Call to Praise should second the Pastoral Call to Praise by as distinct a call upon the people to praise God. If a Church will use a Processional Hymn before the Sentences it will be best to make it a Hymn of Aspiration, omitting this Hymn from the place pro- vided for it. The Hymns used in the Procession are too often unsuited to the opening of a Service. The Chief Anthems may range from praise and adoration through a great variety of themes, to suit the Minister's immediate purpose, which will also give an undertone to the whole service by means of his selections. There are Three Critical Points in the services. (1) The succession of parts which specially consti- tute the season of praise, (the Pastoral Call to Praise, the Choir Call to Praise, the Congregational Hymn of Praise), will afford a deeper impression if they follow each other promptly, and without interrup- tion by giving out the hymn. For this it is earnestly recommended that the Hymn of Praise be posted on a tablet in sight of the congregation, and to this may well be added the Hymn of Aspiration. The hymn before the sermon may be given out, and even read by the minister. (2) It would seem superfluous to emphasize the importance of the Pastoral Prayer, and yet it is to be feared that the almost exclusive attention given by pastors to the preparation of their sermons often blinds them to the fact that this prayer, in which the minister gathers up the petitions of the people to present them to God, is the great act of the whole service, and requires the pastor's best and most earnest exercise of thought and feeling and utterence. (3) The impressions of the service will be greatly vi PREFACE enhanced by faithful observance on the part of the congregation of the prescribed attitudes. This is particularly true of the close where the congregation, still standing, engages for a moment in silent prayer before it is dismissed by an Organ Chord. Rightly con- ducted this becomes a serious moment in the service. Flexibility and voluntariness have been consulted so far as consistent with a definite spirit and a fixed order. All the Hymns, Responsive Readings, Scrip- ture Lessons and Anthems are open to choice, and abundant provision is made for extemporaneous prayer, while in the few instances in which fixed forms are prescribed a choice is usually given be- tween alternates. The charge of sameness or of bondage to fixed forms finds here but slight applica- tion. It is also to be noted that intermediate ser- vices, between the five of the series, may easily be secured by the introduction of some part belonging to the Minister into a lower number from a higher. For example, into a lower number may be introduced, from number three. The Pastoral Call to Praise or the Sentences or the Prayer of St. Chrysostom, with out disturbing the order, and therefore without lack of uniformity. Pastors who give Childrens' Sermons may best introduce them at close of the Notices. Throughout this book great care has been taken to refer to their sources all prayers and petitions, which have not been specially prepared for this work or for the American Book of Church Services. May one who has devoted much time and labor to the preparation of these services be pardoned the mention of these details, and be permitted the hope that his labor will not be without good results in the worship of the churches. EDWARD HUNGERFORD. Burlington, Vermont. XTable of Contents First Order of xMorning Worship 2 Second Order of Morning Worship 5 Third Order of Morning Worship 9 Fourth Order of Morning Worship 14 Fifth Order of Morning Worship 20 The Ten Commandments 28 The Creeds 31 The Beatitudes 33 The Morning Litany 34 The Offertory 40 After Sermon Collects 43 Dismissal Prayers 44 Prayers suitable for the Morning Service 47 Prayers and Thanksgivings for Various Occasions 53 Celebration of The Lord's Supper 66 First Lines of Hymns of Aspiration 75 First Lines of Hymns of Praise 76 o «< o ^ .ii 3 o 13 a.- 5 ►J c« M Oh O ^S"l. O w V- 4, D rt 4; k< P V e c '^ " , cd rt". J? -a C e« u be («0 o O c« '5^ 73 CO .ti c c - 3 ««ii 5 a n .2 .2 rt a »« c _. ™ S £ ^ «^ :5§ W5 £ o M ! : S C ; : '2 4> ^ C ; rt • i-0l,.I2 ; « ?» ^ S; isl'^ J J :. .::>»« • 'Pi?,'© u) bOu \ < M^ cos il-gl aoU :^ i55£ 111 i V M ; 5 c ; ! '^ "5 c ; V- V tt , ' u^.'^ V in I ! 4» C< oi s : 1^^ i c 3 , '-"" w c O':: ■" ' 0,0 0. . « h ; 1 i) wo I fl • rt •5 c ; I -^' *^ c« I ' u"^ "■ V in 1 ; « o'rt ^ 4) 1 in bt u , c 3 . l-*" t- d ";; *; It i-EoS ag 9. : in -^ "r" ' ;oj3 >^ ^asi V bjo : OT c : '3 -a c ; i" ^ c« : Ph en i) (n . O'rt « S ; c3o c 3 : aoa : 5s 2 io ; £1 JS u ^ a a; QS50Wtf5>— w, X ^ > in !>, ° •- ^- c S in >> c S rt O >> c H 2 o o^ a 5 V-T3 .^£^ B 1) bO a3c/}0 B n " rt u v. E2 s rt U QWoqO g (Kj rt O O ^ E P in a O •- J, 0-^ ^ a 550 Common ®rber of nDorning Morsbip. Ube fivBt ©r^er ot /iDorning morsbip^ The service should begin with a devout ORGAN MEDITATION expressive of the true spirit of worship. Then is sung by the Congregation THE HYMN OF ASPIRATION [Congregation stands] Here follows THE INVOCATION [Congregation bows or kneels] Then is given THE CHOIR CALL TO PRAISE which should be one of the Choir .Calls given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other of like import as the Minister may approve. To the Choir Call to Praise let the whole Congrega- tion respond in THE HYMN OP PRAISE [Congregation stands] Then follows THE SELECTION FOR RESPONSIVE READING [Congregation stands] and at its close is sung the following from the Dox- ologies provided in Scripture for the Psalms: FIRST ORDER. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen and Amen. or may be sung THE GLORIA PATRI 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. Tlien is read THE SCRIPTURE LESSON and at the close of the Scripture Lesson the Minister should say: Here ends this Scripture Lesson. Here follows THE CHIEF MORNING ANTHEM which may be one of those given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other as may be ap- proved by the Minister. Here is offered THE PASTORAL PRAYER [Congregration bows or kneels] Here follow THE NOTICES THE OFFERTORY Then follow in order: A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN [Congregation stands] THE SERMON 3 MORNING WORSHIP. A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN with a Doxology [Congregation stands] THE DISMISSAL PRAYER [Congregation stands] THE BENEDICTION [Congregation stands] SILENT PRAYER [Congregation stands with bowed heads until is given] AN ORGAN CHORD XTbe Second ©rber ot /IDorniuG Moreblp* The service should begin with a devout ORGAN MEDITATION expressive of the true spirit of worship. Then May Be Sung by the congregation a Hymn of Aspiration (see page 75), and after the Hymn, or if it be omitted, let the Minister say: [Congregation stands] Minister: My soul looketh for the Lord, more than watchmen look for the morning; Congregation: Yea, more than watchmen for the morning. Ps. 130:6. Minister: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him ; Congregation: To all that call upon him in truth. Ps. 145: 18. Minister: The Lord bless thee out of Zion; even he that made heaven and earth. Ps, 134: 3. Congregation: Amen. Minister: Let us pray. Here follows THE INVOCATION [Congregation kneels or sits with bowed lieads] And at its close let all audibly join in the Lord's Prayer. ' MORNING WORSHIP. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil ; fFor thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Then is given THE CHOIR CALL TO PRAISE which should be one of the Choir Calls given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other of like import as the Minister may approve. To the Choir Call to Praise let the whole Congrega- tion respond in THE HYMN OP PRAISE [Congregation stands] Here follows THE SELECTION FOR RESPONSIVE READING [Congregation stands] and at its close is sung the following from the Dox- ologies provided in Scripture for the Psalms: [Congreg-ation stands] Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen and Amen. Or may be sung the Gloria Patri. 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. t This Doxology to the Lord's Prayer may be given by the Choir or by the Congregation. SECOND ORDER. Then is read THE SCRIPTURE LESSON and at the close of the Scripture Lesson the Minister should say: Here ends this Scripture Lesson. Here follows THE CHIEF MORNING ANTHEM which may he one of those given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other as may be ap- proved by the Minister. Here is offered THE PASTORAL PRAYER [Congregation bows or kneels] and at its close is given the following Doxology: Choir: Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wis- dom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev, 7:12. Here may be given THE NOTICES Here may be collected THE OFFERINGS Then follow in order: A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN [Congregation stands] THE SERMON A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN with a Doxology [Congregation stands] 7 MORNING WORSHIP. THE DISMISSAL PRAYER [Congregation stands] THE BENEDICTION [Congregation stands] SILENT PRAYER [Congregation stands with bowed heads until is given] AN ORGAN CHORD XTbe Ubirt) ©rDer of /IDoruing morsbtp. The service should begin with a devout ORGAN MEDITATION expressive of the true spirit of worship. After the Organ Meditation the Minister reads as many as may seem to him convenient of the fol- lowing SENTENCES [Congregation stands] This is the day which the Lord hath made ; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:24. The Lord is in his holy temple : let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab. 2 : 20. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts : the whole earth is full of his glory. Is. 6:3. God is a spirit : and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4 : 24. Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for- evermore. Ps. 93 : 5. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool : holy is he. Ps. 99 : 5. Then May Be Sung by the congregation a Hymn of Aspiration (see page 75), and after the Hymn, or if it be omitted, let the Minister say: [Congregation stands] Minister: My soul looketh for the Lord, more than watchmen look for the morning; Congregation: Fea, more than watchmen for the morning. Ps. 130:6. 9 MORNING WORSHIP. Minister: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him ; Congregation: To all that call upon him m truth. Ps. 145: 18. Minister: The Lord bless thee out of Zion; even he that made heaven and earth. Ps. 134: 3- Congregation: Amen. Minister: Let us pray. Here follows THE INVOCATION [Congregation kneels or sits with bowed heads] And at its close let all audibly join in the Lord's Prayer. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil ; fFor thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Here let the Minister repeat one of the following pas- sages from the Psalms, which call upon the people to praise God, and let the Choir second the call by the Choir Call to Praise; but if the Minister and Choir will render the Choir Call to praise anti- phonally, the Minister shall omit the verses from the Psalms. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imput- eth not iniquity, t This Doxology to the Lord's Prayer may be given by the Choir or by the Congregation. 10 THIRD ORDER. And in whose spirit there is no guile. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous : And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Ps. 32: i, 2, 11. Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth: Sing forth the glory of his name : Make his praise glorious. Ps. 66: i, 2. Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. Ps. 113: i, 2. Here follows THE CHOIR CALL TO PRAISE which should be one of the Choir Calls given in the Common Order Choir Book, or sych other of like import as the Minister may approve. To the Choir Call to Praise let the whole Congrega- tion respond in THE HYMN OF PRAISE [Congreg-ation stands] Here follows THE SELECTION FOR RESPONSIVE READING [Congreg-ation stands] and at its close is sung the following from the Dox- ologies provided in Scripture for the Psalms: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen and Amen. or may be sung the Gloria Patrl. 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. 11 MORNING WORSHIP. Then is read THE SCRIPTURE LESSON. and at close of the Scripture Lesson the Minister should say: Here ends this Scripture Lesson. Here follows THE CHIEF MORNING ANTHEM which may be one of those given in the Co mm on Order Choir Book, or such other as may be ap- proved by the Minister. Here is offered THE PASTORAL PRAYER. [Congreg-ation bows or kneels] which closes with A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM Minister: Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee ; and dost prom- ise that when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests ; ful- fil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Congregation: Amen. Choir: Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wis- dom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. 7:12. Here may be given THE NOTICES 12 THIRD ORDER. Here may be collected THE OFFERINGS Then follow in order: A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN [Congregation stand»] THE SERMON A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN with a Doxology [Congregation stands] THE DISMISSAL PRAYER [Congregation stands] THE BENEDICTION [Congregation stands] SILENT PRAYER [Congregation stands with bowed heads until is givenj AN ORGAN CHORD 13 Zbc ffourtb ©r^er ot /IDornino Morsbip, The service should begin with a devout ORGAN MEDITATION expressive of the true spirit of worship. After the Organ Meditation the Minister reads as many as may seem to him convenient of the fol- lowing SENTENCES [Congregation stands] This is the day vv^hich the Lord hath made ; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. ii8: 24. The Lord is in his holy temple : let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab. 2 : 20. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts : the whole earth is full of his glory. Is. 6:3. God is a spirit : and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4 : 24. Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for- evermore. Ps. 93 : 5. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool : holy is he. Ps. 99 : 5. Then May Be Sung by the congregation a Hymn of Aspiration (see page 75), and after the Hymn, or if it be omitted, let the Minister say: [Congregation stands] Minister: My soul looketh for the Lord, more than watchmen look for the morning; Congregation: Yea, more than watchmen for the morning. Ps. 130:6. 14 FOURTH ORDER. Minister: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him ; Congregation: To all that call upon him in truth. Ps. 145: 18. Minister: The Lord bless thee out of Zion; even he that made heaven and earth. Ps. 134: 3. Congregation: Amen. Minister: Let us pray. Here follows THE INVOCATION [Congregation kneels or sits with bowed heads] wMch may be in the Minister's own words, or as fol- lows by Minister and People responsively: Minister: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, Congregation: Let thy glory be above all the earth. Minister: Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Congregation: According as we have hoped in thee. Minister: O Lord, let thy presence be manifested among us. Shine thou in our hearts, Congregation: To give the light of the knowledge of thy glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Minister: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Congregation: O Lord, my rock, and my re- deemer. If the Ten Commandments (page 28) are used In this service, they may be inserted here with the Kyrie Eleison. [Congregation still kneeling or sitting with bowed heads.] 15 MORNING WORSHIP. Here let All audibly join in the Lord's Prayer. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil ; fFor thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Here let the Minister repeat one of the following pas- sages from the Psalms, which call upon the people to praise God, and let- the Choir second the call by the Choir Call to Praise; but if the Minister and Choir will render the Choir Call to Praise anti- phonally, the Minister shall omit the verses from the Psalms. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imput- eth not iniquity. And in whose spirit there is no guile. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Ps. 32: i, 2, 11. Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth: Sing forth the glory of his name : Make his praise glorious. Ps. 66: i, 2. Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. Ps. 113: i, 2. Here follows THE CHOIR CALL TO PRAISE t This Doxology to the Lord's Prayer may be given by the Choir or by the Congregation. 16 FOURTH ORDER. which, should be one of the Choir Calls given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other of like import as the Minister may approve. To the Choir Call to Praise let the whole Congregar tion respond in THE HYMN OF PRAISE [Congregation stands] Here follows THE SELECTION FOR RESPONSIVE READING [Congregation stands] and at its close is sung the following from the Dox- ologies provided in Scripture for the Psalms: [Congregation stands] Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting- and to everlasting. Amen and Amen. Or if the Gloria Patri is sung here it may be omitted after the Creed or The Beatitudes. Then should be read THE SCRIPTURE LESSON and after the Scripture Lesson the Minister should say: Here ends this Scripture Lesson. Here follows THE CHIEF MORNING ANTHEM which may be one of those given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other as may be ap- proved by the Minister. After the Anthem let all join in reciting THE CREED (page 31) 17 MORNING WORSHIP. or in reading THE BEATITUDES (page 33) responsively. [Congregation stands] And after the Creed or the Beatitudes is sung THE GLORIA PATRI 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. Minister: Let us pray. Here is offered THE PASTORAL PRAYER [Congregation bows or kneels] such as the Minister may wish to offer in his own words. After the extemporaneous prayers, if they be brief, or if thought best in place of them, may be given the Morning Litany (page 34) or selected Prayers (page 46), and when the Litany is not used the prayers should close with A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM Minister: Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee ; and dost prom- ise that when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests ; ful- fil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Congregation: Amen. Choir: Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wis- dom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, IS FOURTH ORDER. and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. 7:12. Here may be given THE NOTICES Here follows THE OFFERTORY (page 40) to be used only when Offerings are made. Then follow in order: A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN [Congregation stands] THE SERMON THE AFTER-SERMON COLLECT (page 43) [Congreg-ation bows or kneels] A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN with a Doxology [Congregation stands] THE DISMISSAL PRAYER (page 44) [Congregation stands] THE BENEDICTION [Congregation stands] SILENT PRAYER [Congregation stands with bowed heads until is given] AN ORGAN CHORD 19 Zbc ff ittb Ot^ct ot /IDorntna Mor9btp< The service should begin with a devout ORGAN MEDITATION expressive of the true spirit of worship. After the Organ Meditation the Minister reads as many as may seem to him convenient of the fol- lowing SENTENCES [Congregation stands ] This is the day which the Lord hath made ; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:24. The Lord is in his holy temple : let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab. 2 : 20. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts : the whole earth is full of his glory. Ay. 6 : 3. God is a spirit : and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4: 24. Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for- evermore. Ps. 93 : 5. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool : holy is he. Ps. 99 : 5. Then May Be Sung by the congregation a Hymn of Aspiration (see page 75), and after the Hymn, or if it be omitted, let the Minister say: [Congregation stands ] Minister: My soul looketh for the Lord, more than watchmen look for the morning; Congregation: Yea, more than watchmen for the morning. Ps. 130:6. 20 FIFTH ORDER. Minister: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him ; Congregation: To all that call upon him in truth. Fs. 145 : 18. Minister: The Lord bless thee out of Zion; even he that made heaven and earth. Ps. 134 : 3. Congregation: Amen. Minister: Let us pray. Here follows THE INVOCATION [Congregation kneels or sits with bowed iieads.] which may be in the Minister's own words, or as fol- lows by Minister and People responsively: Minister: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, Congregation: Let thy glory be above all the earth. Minister: Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Congregation: According as we have hoped in thee Minister: O Lord, let thy presence be manifested among us. Shine thou in our hearts, Congregation: To give the light of the knowledge of thy glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Minister: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Congregation: O Lord, my rock, and my re- deemer. If the Ten Commandments (page 28) are used in this service, they may be inserted here with the Kyrie Eleiscn. (Congregation still kneeling or sitting with bowed heads.) 21 MORNING WORSHIP. Here let All audibly join in the Confession of Sin and the Lord's Prayer. O God, searcher of hearts, in whom there is no darkness, and from whom our sins cannot be covered, we humbly confess that by our mani- fold wickednesses we have provoked thee to cast us off from thy favor and fellowship. Behold, we return unto thee, our God, from whose ways we have so grievously departed, and we implore thy pardon for all our folly. Forgive us, we be- seech thee, forgive thy people whom thou hast redeemed with the most precious blood of thy dear Son; create in us clean hearts, and vouch- safe unto us thy heavenly grace, lest we return again to folly. Give us also a mind to forgive others as we beseech thee to forgive us, and cause us henceforth to serve thee in newness of life, to the glory of thy holy name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen*. Or this, Almighty and most merciful Father; we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the -devices and de- sires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us.f But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable of- fenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent: according to thy promise declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And * Altered from Euchologion of Church Service So- ciety, Scotland. t Instead of the words, "and there is no health us," may be said: and our hearts condemn us. 22 FIFTH ORDER. grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake^ that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy name. Amen, ft Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; fFor thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Here let the Minister repeat one of the following pas- sages from the Psalms, which call upon the people to praise God, and let the Choir second the call by the Choir Call to Praise; but if the Minister and Choir will render the Choir Call to Praise anti- phonally, the Minister shall omit the verses from the Psalms. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven^ whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imput- eth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Ps, 32: i, 2, il. Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth : Sing forth the glory of his name : Make his praise glorious. Ps, 66: I, 2. tt Common Prayer. t This Doxology to the Lx)rd's Prayer may be given by the Choir or by the Congregation. 23 MORNING WORSHIP. Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. Ps, 113: i, 2. Here follows THE CHOIR CALL TO PRAISE which should be one of the Choir Calls given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other of like import as the Minister may approve. To the Choir Call to Praise let the whole Congrega- tion respond in THE HYMN OF PRAISE [Congregation stands ] Then is read THE FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON which should he from the Old Testament. Here follows THE SELECTION FOR RESPONSIVE READING [Congregation stands ] Which should, so far as is convenient, express senti- ments in harmony with the preceding and following Scripture Lessons: and at its close is sung the fol- lowing from the Doxologies provided in Scripture for the Psalms: [Congregation stands ] Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen and Amen. Or if the Gloria Patri is sung here it may be omitted after the Creed or The Beatitudes. After giving out the second Scripture Lesson, which should be from the New Testament, may be said or sung: THE GLORIA TIBI Glory be to Thee, O Lord. 24 FIFTH ORDER. Then should be read THE SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON And at its close let the Minister say: Here ends this Scripture Lesson. Here follows THE CHIEF MORNING ANTHEM which may be one of those given in the Common Order Choir Book, or such other as may be ap- proved by the Minister. After the Anthem let all join in reciting THE CREED (page 31) or in reading THE BEATITUDES (page 33) responsively. [Congregation stands ] And after the Creed or the Beatitudes Is sung THE GLORIA PATRI 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 Minister: Let us pray. Here is offered THE PASTORAL PRAYER [Congreg-ation bows or kneels] such as the Minister may wish to offer in his own words. After the extemporaneous prayers, if they be brief, or if thought best in place of them, may be given the Morning Litany (page 34) or selected Prayers (page 46), and when the Litany is not used the prayers should close with 25 MORNING WORSHIP. A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM Minister: Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common suppHcations unto thee; and dost prom- ise that when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests; ful- fil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them ; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Congregation: Amen. Choir: Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. y:i^. Here may be giveu THE NOTICES Here follows THE OFFERTORY (page 40) to be used only when Offerings are made. Tlien follow in order: A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN [Congregation stands ] THE SERMON THE AFTER-SERMON COLLECT (page 43) [Congregation bows or kneels ] A CONGREGATIONAL HYMN with a Doxology [Congregation stands ] 23 FIFTH ORDER, THE DISMISSAL PRAYER (page 44) [Congregation stands ] THE BENEDICTION [Congregation stands ] SILENT PRAYER [Congregation stands with bowed heads until Is given] AN ORGAN CHORD 27 TIbe Zen Comman^mcnt5 In place of the Congregation the Choir can render the responses if thought best. Minister: God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor the likeness of any form that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth : thou shalt not bow thyself down unto them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visit- ing the iniquity of the fathers upon the chil- dren, upon the third and upon the fourth genera- tion of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands, of them that love me and keep my commandments. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all 28 TEN COMMANDMENTS thy work : but the seventh day is a Sabbath unto the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the sev- enth day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sab- bath day, and hallowed it. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Thou shalt do no murder. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Thou shalt not commit adultery. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Thou shalt not steal. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Minister: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, 29 MORNINa WORSHIP. nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee. Then the Minister may say Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two com- mandments hangeth the whole law, and the pro- phets. The following prayer may be used at the Minister's discretion. Let us pray. O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy command- ments ; 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. * Common Prayer. 30 XTbe Creeps I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth : And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord : Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the virgin Mary ; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; The third day he rose from the dead ; He as- cended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy catholic church, The communion of saints ; The forgive- ness of sins ; The resurrection of the body ; And the life everlasting. Amen. I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And of all things vis- ible and invisible : And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds ; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made; Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was cru- cified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suf- fered 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 31 MORNING WORSHIP. proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is wor- shipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins ; And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen. The following has been prepared, from sources which are manifest, to meet the demand for a Creed with emphasis on the ethical life of our Lord. I believe in one God and Father of all, of whom are all things ; And in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, one with the Father, our Saviour and L;ord: Who was born of our flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. For our sakes he ^became poor and ministered unto men. He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. When he had published the gospel of the king- dom of God, and glorified the Father on the earth, he became obedient unto death, and was crucified for us, and was buried. The third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven; and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. From thence he shall come to be our judge. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, one with the Father and the Son; I ac- knowledge one holy Church of Christ throughout the whole world, the communion of saints ; I be- lieve in the forgiveness of sins ; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life ever- lasting. Amen. 32 Ube JBeatttu^es Minister: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain : and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him : and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying. Blessed are the poor in spirit: Congregation: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Minister: Blessed are they that mourn : Congregation: For they shall be comforted. Minister: Blessed are the meek: Congregation: For they shall inherit the earth. Minister: Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness : Congregation: For they shall be filled. Minister: Blessed are the merciful: Congregation: For they shall obtain mercy. Minister: Blessed are the pure in heart : Congregation: For they shall see God. Minister: Blessed are the peacemakers: Congregation: For they shall be called sons of God. Minister: Blessed are they that have been per- secuted for righteousness' sake: Congregation: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 33 MORNING WORSHIP. Minister: Blessed are ye when men shall re- proach you, and persecute you, and say all man- ner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Re- joice and be exceeding glad : for great is your re- ward in heaven: Congregation: For so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Minister: Hear also these words of comfort : Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Ubc /IDorniuG Xttanp* This Litany may be used in addition to or in place of other Prayers before the Sermon. It may be shortened by the omission of all that early portion which is included between the starred lines. [Congregation bows or kneels.] Minister: All loving and gracious God, who dost permit us at this time to draw nigh unto thee, dispose our hearts aright, that we may lift up prayer and praise to thee, trusting not in our well deserving, but in thy great mercy, through thine only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Congregation: Bow down thine ear, Lord, and answer me; for I am poor and needy, ******* Rejoice the soul of thy servant ; For unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 34 MORNING LITANY For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. _ , . , I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart ; And I will glorify thy name for evermore. Who coverest thyself with light as with a gar- ment; Who streachest out the heavens like a curtain. Who laid the foundations of the earth. Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all. We praise thee, Lord. ******* We praise thee that thou redeemest our lives from destruction and bringest us to thy holy dwelling. IVe praise thee, O Lord. That thou art made known to us in thme only Son Immanuel, God with us, who died, and rose again, and ascended on high to be our Intercessor and Advocate ; We praise thee, O Lord. Remember not our offences, nor the offences ot our forefathers ; neither take thou vengeance of our sins; spare us, good Lord, spare thy ^people, whom thou hast redeemed with Christ s most precious blood, and be not angry with us forever. Spare us, ^ood Lord. From neglect of thy law and contempt of thy grace; from rejecting thy Son, and from griev- ing thy Spirit ; Lord, deliver us. From pride, presumption, and arrogance; from dishonoring parents, magistrates, and govern- ments ; and from all irreverence ; O Lord, deliver us. 35 MORNING WORSHIP. From wronging the poor; from envying the rich; from keeping back the hire of labor; and from rendering eye-service; O Lord, deliver us. From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism ; from anarchy, riot, bloodshed, and rebellion; In mercy, Lord, deliver us. From corruption in office and in judgment; from sectional divisions, and partisan strife ; God of [nations, deliver us. From false maxims of cunning and greed; from immorality, vice, and unseemliness; from the corruption of our youth, and the godless pursuit of pleasure or gain ; Deliver us, O Lord, and from all evils defend us. We beseech thee. Lord, that thou wilt give to the earth fruitful seasons, that thy poor may have bread. We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. That thou wilt prosper and sanctify those who go down to the sea in ships ; those who labor in mines, factories, and mills ; those who sow fields and reap harvests ; those who buy, sell, and carry merchandise ; and all other toilers ; that they may be united in Christian love and service for the furtherance of thy kingdom. We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. That it may please thee to consecrate the indus- tries of thy people, giving us wisdom and grace, that as riches increase we may not set our hearts upon them, but use them, in the fear of God, for the downfall of evil and the triumph of good ; Hear us, gracious Lord. That it may please thee to watch over all schools of learning, giving discernment to those who preside over them, and grace to those who are gathered in them ; Hear us, gracious Lerd. 36 MORNING LITANY That it may please thee to consecrate all sci- ence and literature to the promotion of peace, pu- rity, and piety ; to guide inquirers after truth and seekers after righteousness ; to impart skill and give direction to physicians and all who minister to the sick ; and to bestow a spirit of righteous- ness and justice upon advocates and judges; Be pleased to hear us, Lord. That it may please thee with thy grace to visit all hospitals, asylums, and benevolent institutions, directing their efforts to the bodily and spiritual help of those to whom they minister ; Be pleased to hear ns, O Lord, and grant thy help. That thou wilt send into prisons and reforma- tories the light of thy truth and the sanctifying influences of thy Spirit ; Be pleased to hear us, Lord, most merciful. That thou wilt deliver our land from intemper- ance, extravagant living, and sinful waste, with their issues of poverty and crime ; and wilt estab- lish the nation in sobriety, thrift, and uprightness ; Hear our prayer, O Lord. That thou wilt bless all householders, parents, and guardians of young children, to the end that, by a go dly example, they may lead into the Chris- tian faith those who are committed unto them ; We entreat thee to hear us, O Lord. That it may please thee to bless and preserve the President of these United States, and the Governor of this State [Territory], with all rul- ers and magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice and to maintain truth ; O Thou who rulest over all, we entreat thee to hear us. That it may please thee to illuminate all pastors, preachers, and teachers with true knowledge and ' MORNING WORSHIP. understanding of thy word; and that both by speaking and living they may set it forth ac- cordingly ; We entreat thee to hear us. That it may please thee to give to all thy peo- ple increase of grace to hear meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit; Graciously hear us. That it may please thee to sustain those who are perplexed with the cares of home; to defend and provide for the fatherless children and wid- ows, and all who are desolate and oppressed ; to succor, help, and comfort those who are in dan- ger, necessity, and tribulation; Regard our prayer, O Lord, and be near with thine aid. That it may please thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord ; to bind in one with us those who come from other lands to dwell among us, and to make of us a people to thy praise ; Hear, we beseech thee, O God of peace. That it may please thee to strengthen and guide all missionaries of the cross, comfort them in per- secutions and dangers, and give success to thy blessed gospel in every land, that thy people may speedily say: The kingdom of the world is be- come the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ : and he shall reign for ever and ever; Be pleased to hear us, good Lord. Through thy beloved Son we beseech thee to hear us. In his name we beseech thee to hear us. We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities ; and, for the glory of thy name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant, that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and con- 38 MORNING LITANY. fidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of Hving, to thy honor and glory ; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord.* Congregation: Amen. * This and a few other petitions from Common Prayer. 39 Ube ©tfertor^. While in any Service the Offerings are being collected, passages from the Offertory may be read, and a Choir or Organ Response may be given after each passage. A Musical Setting of The Offertory will be found on pages 14 and 15 of the Choir Book. Honor the Lord with thy substance, And with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine. Prov. 3:9, 10. Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Mat. 5 : 16. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal : for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. Mat. 6: 19, 20, 21. All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them : for this is the law and the prophets. Mat. 7:12. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Mat. 7: 21. 40 OFFERTORY He that soweth sparingly shall reap also spar- ingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart ; not grudgingly, or of necessity : for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:6, 7. Cast thy bread upon the waters : for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight ; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. BccL 11 : i, 2. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, And his good deed will he pay him again. Prov. 19: 17. But whoso hath the world's goods, and be- holdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? i John 3:17. But to do good and to communicate forget not : for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heh. 13: 16. When all the Offerings have been collected let the Bearers of the gifts stand before the Table whila the Minister offers one of the following Prayers for Acceptance, or such other of like import as seems to him good. PRAYER FOR ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERINGS. [Congregation bowing or kneeling.] Accept, O Lord, the offerings of thy people, and prosper the work for which they bring them, to the praise of thy holy name; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Congregation: Amen. Or this 41 MORNING WORSHIP. Great and wonderful Lord, accept the offer- ings of thy servants ; make thy people glad with thy bounty, and bless them with spiritual good. Give health to their bodies, and give purity to their souls, with peace and final rest in thine eternal mansions ; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Congregation: Amen. 42 Btter Sermon Collects. The Collects here given are adapted to general use, and may serve as types of brief prayers in which, the Minister embodies the spirit of the sermon just preached. Ever gracious Lord, our Heavenly Father, who hast opened to us the treasures of thy truth in Jesus Christ, thy Son, we pray thee to send us thy Holy Spirit, that he may lead us into all truth to the praise of thy name in Jesus Christ. Congregation: Amen. We beseech thee, O Loving Father, who in thine own Son Jesus Christ has made known to us the way of a right life, grant unto us grace to order our thoughts, words, and deeds after the pattern of his holy living, in whose name we pray. Congregation: Amen. Lord, who knowest the temptations of thy chil- dren, suffer no one of us to fall a prey to our ad- versaries, but keep us in the faith and love and service of thy dear Son, our Lord, in whose name we pray. Congregation: Amen. O Lord our God, who hast taught us in thy holy word that love is greater than faith or hope, confirm us, we beseech thee, in both of these, and crown them with that love which spends itself in thy service among our fellowmen, after the example of our ever blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Congregation: Amen. 43 MORNING WORSHIP. Comfort, O Lord, the hearts of thy children with that comfort which comes only from thee, strengthen them with thy might, and give them the victory over adversities, that the sorrows of their earthly life may issue in heavenly joy to thy praise in Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Congregation: Amen. Lord, who hast made us to know thy Son Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we beseech thee to increase our knowledge of him, that we may be made shar- ers in his ministries and partakers of his joy, in whose name we pray. Congregation: Amen. Bismtssal ©racers. The Dismissal Prayer comes as a Preface to the Ben- ediction and may have reference to the going out of the Congregation, after the following models. O God, who art present in all places and dost bless all places that receive thee, abide always in the hearts and homes of thy people, we beseech thee, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation: Amen. We entreat thee, O our Heavenly Father, to send thy children hence in peace, make thy pres- ence to go before them in all their pilgrimage, and finally receive them into thine eternal mansions, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation: Amen. Almighty God, who hast given us this hour of approach unto thee, mercifully attend us as we go from thy house, and bestow on us thy con- tinual benediction, through our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our hope. Congregation: Amen. 44: DISMISSAL PRAYERS Ever present Lord God, who art acquainted with all our ways, suffer not thy children in any thing to go astray from thee, but grant that in all our going we may follow the obedience of thy dear Son our Lord. Congregation: Amen. 45 prai^ers suitable to be \X6C^ in a /IDorntna Service The Minister may use so many of the following Prayers as may seem to him best, in connection with a special prayer for the day and such extem- poraneous petitions as occasion may require. Here may be said the Collect for the Day, and after the Collect may follow this PETITION. Our Heavenly Father, who through thy be- loved Son hast promised to hear the prayers which we offer in his name, we beseech thee to draw our thoughts unto thyself that we may call upon thee from our inmost hearts, and, through the teaching of thy Holy Spirit, may ask such things as are in accordance with thy will. Congregation: Amen. A General Thanksgiving Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving- kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the bless- ings of this life; but above all, for thine inesti- mable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy 46 PRAYERS service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.* Congregation: Amen. Or this Most merciful Father, who didst in the begin- ning create the heaven and the earth, and to whom we owe our being, of thee day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. We thank thee that thou hast kept us safe amid the changes of this mortal life, and hast brought us to this hour of peaceful worship. Most of all do we praise thee for the unspeakable gift of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, whom thou didst send into the world to lighten our darkness and lead us into the truth of thy hea- venly kingdom ; who also, when he had accom- plished his sufferings, was raised from the dead for the justification of those who believe, and received unto thyself in glory, and appointed to be our Mediator, Advocate, and Saviour. We praise thee for the ministry of thy Holy Spirit, and we humbly entreat that evermore doing thy will, we may share the joys of thy glorified saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation: Amen. A Prayer for Patience O God, whose mercy endureth forever, as thou hast taught us that thou dost not willingly af- flict nor grieve the children of men, give us pa- tience, we beseech thee, under those trials which thou dost lay upon us, and help us always to ac- cept them as meant for our purifying, and as ♦ Common Prayer. 47 MORNING W0R8HIP. occasions given us to make before men a good confession of faith, hope, and love towards thee. And we entreat thee, who art the comfort of the sad and the strength of sufferers, let the prayers of those that cry out of any tribulation come unto thee; that all may rejoice to find thy mercy pres- ent with them in their afflictions.* Heal those who are sick, relieve those who are in bodily pain, and dry the tears of mourners, for thou. Lord, art our help. Congregation: Amen. A Prayer for all Toilers All bountiful Lord, from whom cometh every good gift and every perfect boon, and who hast appointed unto man to labor upon the earth, w^e beseech thee, give success to all who engage in useful industries; and add to their prosperity therein a heavenly mind that they may rejoice in the confidence that righteous toil is accepted of thee for the furtherance of thy kingdom. Diffuse among all dasses and conditions of men the grace of charity, to the end that, putting away all envy, malice, pride and greed, they may put on broth- erly kindness and the spirit of Christian service. In particular, we pray that thou wilt inspire thy church to activity in every good cause, endue it with power, and add to all its endeavors the healthful influences of thy Spirit, to quicken the seed sown and make the efforts of thy children effectual unto the increase of the same kingdom ; for the coming of which we earnestly pray, in the name of our blessed Redeemer. Congregation: Amen, * Gelasian from the words "comfort of the sad." 48 I'KA YERS For Fruitful Seasons We praise thee, gracious God, that by thine ordinance, while the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease; and we beseech thee, who makest the clouds thy chariot, and walkest upon the wings of the wind, so to direct these thy ministers that the earth may be re- freshed with showers, and may bring forth her increase under the hand of diligence for the sus- tenance of man and beast. And to the nourish- ment of our bodies add all due nourishment of our souls, that we may lead lives of contentment in thankfulness, to thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation: Amen. For the Church Universal O God, the creator and preserver of all man- kind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men ; that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy church universal ; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth. f Give thy people grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord ; that as there is one body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may all in thy good time become of one heart and of one t Common Prayer. •i9 MORNING WORSHIP. soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.* Congregation: Amen. Be merciful, O God, to all those who shut their eyes against thy truth, and grant that, being soft- ened by thy love, they may be illumined with thy wisdom. Co ngregafion : Amen. Be present with all pastors, preachers, and teachers in thy church; that with knowledge of thy truth they may have wisdom to exemplify the same by godly lives : and bestow on all Christian congregations the spirit of meekness to receive thy word in humility and obediently to practise thy precepts. Cause thy people to dwell together in love, by good works showing their faith, and giving of such things as thou bestowest upon them to help the needy and to proclaim the good news of thy kingdom. Congregation: Amen. Send out thy light and thy truth upon all peo- ples, and make the missionaries of Christ's cross to dwell in safety, that they may effectually de- clare thy word, and may guide the ignorant into the way of salvation ; through thy dear Son Jesus Christ. Co ngregation : Amen. For Households Grant the light of thy love, O God, unto the homes of thy people. Strengthen all parents to bear such burdens as are put upon them ; enable them to order their houses with discretion and * Anglican. 50 PR A YERS piety. Knit together in constant affection tliose who have been made one in holy wedlock. Bestow upon children and youth the dew of thy grace, that they may grow up in thy most holy faith and continue therein. Imbue them also with rev- erence, that honoring their parents, and having respect unto the aged, and submitting themselves to such as in wisdom or authority are superior to them, they may learn to uphold righteous gov- ernment and to fear thee. Congregation: Amen. For Rulers Most merciful God, who hast taught us to make intercession for kings and all that are in high place, we earnestly entreat thee to preserve, guide and bless the President of these United States, the Governor of this State [Territory], and all in the whole world who administer the power which belongeth unto thee; that, being mindful whence cometh their authority, they may always incline to thy will and walk in thy way. Endow them plenteously with heavenly gifts, to the end that, in fulness of thy wisdom and grace, they may rule for the glory of thy name, the ad- vancement of thy kingdom, and the welfare of thy people. Congregation: Amen. A Prayer for Blessing on the Word Let thy gospel, O Lord, come unto us at this time not in word only but in power, and in much assurance, and in the Holy Spirit, that we may be guided into all truth, and be strengthened unto all obedience and the enduring of thy will with joy- fulness ; that, abounding in the work of faith, and the labor of love, and the patience of hope, we 51 MORNING WORSHIP. may finally be made partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ; through Jesus Christ our Lord.* Congregation: Amen. ♦ Order of Public Worship by Robert Lee, D. D. 62 praters anb ITbanhsoivtngs tor IDatious Occasions. The following Prayers and Thanksgivings are in- tended for use in the household as well as in public worship. Advent Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of thy people; that as they rejoice in the advent of thine only begotten Son according to the flesh, so when he Cometh a second time in his majesty, they may receive the reward of eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.* Congregation: Amen, Advent Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever.f Congregation: Amen. Christmas Eve O God, who hast made this most sacred night to shine with the illumination of the true light; grant, we beseech thee, that as we have known • Galasian. t Common Prayer. 53 VARIO US OCCASIONS the mystery of that Hght upon earth, we may also perfectly enjoy it in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.* Congregation: Amen. Christmas Merciful and most loving God, by whose will and bounty Jesus Christ our Lord humbled him- self for this — that he might exalt the whole race of man ; and descended to the depths for the pur- pose of lifting up the lowly ; and was bom, God- man, of the virgin, for this cause — that he might restore in man the lost celestial image ; grant that thy people may cleave unto thee, that as thou hast redeemed them by thy bounty, they may ever please thee by devoted service.f Congregation: Amen. Christmas O Almighty God, who by the birth of th Holy One into the world as on this day didst give thy true light to dawn upon our darkness ; grant that as thou hast given us in this time present to be- lieve in the mystery of his incarnation, and hast made us partakers of the divine nature, so in the world to come we may ever abide with him in the glory of his kingdom ; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. J Congregation: Amen. Palm Sunday Praised be thy name, O Lord, that in the ful- ness of time thine Anointed, who had been her- alded by the prophets and baptized by the Holy Spirit, did appear in lowliness and meekness on the Mount of Olives as King, and did offer him- self to Jerusalem as the Saviour of Israel. We * Galasian. t Galilean Sacramentary. X Common Prayer. 64 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS beseech thee that, with Hke humihty, we may al- ways have boldness to claim for him the sceptre, and may evermore render him true homage, in that we submit our hearts to his rule and our lives to be ordered by his commandments. Congregatioji: Amen. Ash Wednesday 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 contrite hearts, that we wor- thily 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.* Congregation: Amen. Good Friday Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy ten- der mercy towards mankind hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility ; mercifully grant that we may both fol- low the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.f Congregation: Amen. Easter Eve Almighty God, who from the tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ hast caused the light of eternal life to shine upon the world; we beseech thee, that in celebrating this holy season our hearts may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, and thy love may be so shed abroad therein by the Holy Ghost, * CJommon Prayer. t Catholic Apostolic. 55 VARIOUS OCCASIONS that we may continually seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at thy right hand ; and that, abiding in purity of heart and mind, we may at length attain unto thine everlasting king- dom, there to dwell in the glorious light of thy presence, world without end ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.* Congregation: Amen. Easter Almighty God, who by the resurrection of thy well beloved Son hast brought life and immortal- ity to light; we beseech thee, that, as thou hast raised him from the dead by thine own glory, so we also may walk in newness of life, and be planted in the likeness of his resurrection, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. * Congregation: Amen. Ascension Day Grant, we beseech thee. Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heav- ens ; so we may also in heart and mind thither as- cend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.f Congregation: Amen. Sunday after Ascension O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven ; we beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone- * Catholic Apostolic. t Common Prayer. 56 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS before, ',vho liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. * Congregation: Amen. Whitsun-day or Day of Pentecost O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit ; grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.* Congregation: Amen. Thanksgiving Day O most merciful Father, who hast blessed the labors of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits of the earth; we give thee humble and hearty thanks for this thy bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving kindness to us; that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort ; through Jesus Christ our Lord.f Congregation: Amen. Thanksgiving Day. Almighty and eternal God, who in the former days didst lead our fathers through manifold dangers into the possession of religious freedom and civil liberty, we praise thee and give thanks unto thee that, when thou hadst established them in good goverment and hadst given them wise men of their choice to rule over them, thou didst preserve unto them the beneficent order into which thou hadst led them, so that we, their chil- dren, rejoice in the same. And we beseech thee, from whom cometh every good, and without whom nothing that is good can endure, so to rule * Common Prayer. t Book Annexed. 57 ' VARIOUS OCCASIONS and govern this people, now and in all time, that the blessings which our fathers received from thee may be continued unto all generations; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Congregation: Amen. In Sickness O God, who ever governest thy creatures with tender aifection ; incline thine ear to our supplica- tions, and graciously regard thy servant , who is suffering from bodily sickness; and visit him [her] with thy salvation, and bestow the medicine of heavenly grace ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. * Congregation: Amen. Or this O God, by whose command the moments of our life run their course ; receive our prayers for thy servant , lying sick, on whose behalf we implore thy mercy; that our fears on account of his [her] danger may be turned into joy at his [her] recovery; through Jesus Christ our Lordf Congregation: Amen. For the Dying Sovereign Lord, our God, almighty, who wili- est that all men should be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth ; who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; we pray and beseech thee, loose the soul of this thy servant from all evil. Thou art he that loosest the fettered, and raisest up the crushed. Command, therefore, O Lord, that the soul of thy servant be released in peace, and go to rest in thine eternal tabernacles with all thy saints, through thine only begotten Son ; with whom, and with thy holy and life-giving Spirit, * Gelasian. f Gelasian. 58 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS thou art blessed now and ever, and unto ages of ages.* Congregation: Amen. For those in Afflictions O almighty, eternal God, the comfort of the sorrowful and strength of the weak ; graciously suffer to come before thy presence the prayer of all those who in trouble and conflict sigh before thee and cry unto thee, and especially of thy ser- vant [servants] for whom, we now intercede, that he [she or they] may inwardly experience and thankfully record thy help and comfort in this time of need, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord.t Congregation: Amen. Thanksgiving for Recovery from Sickness O God, who art the giver of Hfe, of health, and of safety ; we bless thy name, that thou hast been pleased to deliver from bodily sickness thy servant in whose behalf we now return thanks unto thee. Gracious art thou, O Lord, and full of compas- sion to the children of men. Impress him [her] and all of us with a due sense of thy merciful goodness, that we may devote the residue of our days to an humble, holy, and obedient walking before thee ; in Jesus Christ our Lord. ; Congregation: Amen. For Friends at Sea. Almighty God, in whom alone is our safety, we entreat thee to watch over those for whom our prayers are desired, and grant unto them deliverance from all perils of the sea, to the end that, experiencing thy gracious protection in both * Eastern Church, f Altered from Evangelic Lutheran. X Changed from Common Prayer. 59 ' VARIOUS OCCASIONS body and soul, they may evermore serve thee in thankfulness, to the praise of thy holy name in Jesus Christ Our Lord. For Peace O God, who art the abyss of peace, the sea of love, and fountain of blessings ; who sendest peace to those who will receive it; open to us the sea of thy love and water us with streams from the springs of thy benignity. Make us caildren of peace. Enkindle in us the flame of pure affec- tion ; sow in us thy fear ; strengthen our weakness by thy power ; bind us closely to thee and to each other in one firm and indissoluble bond of unity^ in Jesus Christ our Lord, f Congregation: Amen. For those who Minister in Holy Things O thou great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, give unto thy servants, the ministers of the mysteries of our most holy faith, the spirit of pru- dence and activity, faith and charity, confidence and zeal, diligence and watchfulness, that they may faithfully declare thy will unto thy people^ and rightly minister thy sacraments. Grant, O Lord, that by a holy life and a true belief, by well-doing, and by patient suffering when thou dost call them to it, they may glorify thee, the great lover of souls, and, after turning many sinners from the error of their ways, may shine as the stars in glory ;* through Jesus Christ, thy well beloved Son. Congregation: Amen. For a Church without a Pastor We cry unto thee for this thy church and con- gregation, that thou, O Lord, who lovest us, wilt t Altered from Syrian Clementine Liturgy. ♦Chiefly by Jeremy Taylor (Euchologion). 60 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS look upon our need of one to minister among us in holy things, and to be unto us a shepherd of thy flock and leader of thy people. Graciously guard us against all such as are not sent of thee, and mercifully send to us one who shall seek thy scattered sheep and conduct all to Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, daily instructing us and build- ing us up in the knowledge of thy will, that, here and everywhere, false doctrine, divisions, fac- tions, and every form of godlessness may be brought to an end, and thy chosen ones be bound together in the unity of the faith and of the knowl- edge of thy dear Son, to thy praise and the spread of thy gospel.f Congregation: Amen. In time of Tumult Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, whose be- loved Son Jesus Christ stilled the stormy waves of the Sea of Galilee, we beseech thee that by the power of thy grace the waves of our present trou- ble may be stilled, and that, this disturbance being quieted, we may dwell evermore in thy peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation: Amen, At the Opening of a Council Almighty and everlasting God, who by the Holy Ghost didst enlighten the minds of thy ser- vants, the apostles and elders, met together at Je- rusalem to take counsel for the peace and unity of thy church, and hast promised by thy Son Je- sus Christ to be with thy faithful ministers to the end of the world; grant to us, we beseech thee, the same enlightening and life-giving Spirit, that those things which seem good unto the Holy Ghost may also seem good unto us. Let brotherly t A dapted from Evangelic Lutheran. 61 VARIOUS OCCASIONS love continue, and in lowliness of mind let each one esteem others better than himself. Save us from all uncharitable judging and rash speaking. Let the peace of God rule in our hearts, and the law of kindness dwell upon our lips ; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe, we beseech thee, so to di- rect, sanctify and govern us in all our doings, by the indwelling of thy good Spirit, that the glori- ous gospel of Christ may be truly preached, de- voutly received and heartily obeyed in all places, to the breaking down of the kingdom of sin and Satan ; till at length the whole flock of thy dis- persed sheep, being gathered into thy fold, under the one Bishop and Shepherd of our souls, shall become partakers of everlasting life, through the merits and mediation of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. To him be glory in the church, world without end.* Congregation: Amen. The First Day of the New Tear Almighty and most merciful Father, in whom "we live and move and have our being, to whose tender compassion we owe our safety in the year that is past, with all the comforts of this present life, and the hopes of that which is to come; we laud and glorify thee, O Lord our Creator ; unto thee do we give thanks, O God, our exceeding joy, who daily pourest thy benefits upon us : and we beseech thee to inspire us with such a sense of thy love that we may be drawn towards thee, and filled with zeal and diligence in thy service. f Preserve us, O most holy Lord God, from the cares of this life, that our feet be not entangled by them ; and deliver us from spiritual hindrances, that we may not be wearied and cast down. Grant * Sacramentaries of Gelasius. f Adapted from Bishop Patrick. 62 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS that we may desire and love thee supremely, see all things as thou seest them, and esteem all things as thou esteemest them. And by thy grace en- able us to resist the seductions of prosperity and bear with patience the storms of adversity. O Light Eternal, transcending all created suns, shine into our hearts. Purify, warm and enlighten our souls, to the end that they may evermore find rest and joy in thee.f Congregation: Amen. For the Country Almighty God, who in the former time leddest our fathers forth into a wealthy place, and didst set their feet in a large room ; give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to us their children, that we may always approve ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Defend our liberties, preserve our unity. Save us from violence, discord and confusion, from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Fashion into one happy people the multitude brought hither out of many kin- dreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those whom we intrust in thy name with the authority of governance, to the end that there be peace at home, and that we keep our place among the nations of the earth. In the time of our prosperity, temper our self-confidence with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask for Jesus Christ's sake.* Congregation: Amen. t Condensed from Thomas a Kempis. * Book Annexed. 63 VARIOUS OCCASIONS A Prayer to 6e used before Elections. O Lord, our God, thou rulest over the nations and our hearts are in thy hand as the water- courses ; thou turnest them whithersoever thou wilt. We earnestly beseech thee, at this time, to so direct us as a people, that we may choose and establish in authority over us the men whom thou choosest for our good and the advancement of thy kingdom. Suffer not thy people to be em- bittered against each other in partisan strife. O Lord, who lovest truth, deliver us from the false and slanderous tongue, from the selfish designs of evil men, from bribery, corruption, and an in- ordinate love of power. Dispose thy people to sincerity, and grant that they may unitedly seek good government and just laws with a righteous administration of the same to the praise of thy great name. Congregation: Amen. Prayer for Congress. Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that thou wouldst be pleased to direct and prosper all their consulta- tions, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy church, the safety, honor and welfare of thy people ; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be es- tablished among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and for thy whole church, we humbly beg in the name 64 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour.* Congregation: Amen. For Healing Heal, O Lord, the diseases of thy people, and in thy mercy visit us with thy compassions. Gra- ciously perserve our land in peace and strength, in justice and quietness, that thy thankful people may unitedly strive for the triumph of thy king- dom, t 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 by Christ's most precious blood, and be not angry with us forever.:}: For thou. Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee ; and unto thy name be praise, honor and glory evermore, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation: Amen. For Defence against Enemies O God, who didst lay the foundations of this nation in the love of Jesus Christ our Lord, we beseech thee evermore to keep us in his love. And as in time past thou hast been our defence, so in the time to come do thou deliver us from all our enemies. Especially we pray thee to save us from the perils of ignorance and unbelief, of ir- reverence and lawlessness, of trust in worldly wealth or power, and to make us always mindful of our dependence on thee ; for thou, O Lord, art the rock of our strength, and thee only would we worship, in Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Congregation: Amen. * Common Prayer, t Based on Liturgy of St. Mark. + Common Prayer. Xlbe Celebration of tbe %ovb's Supper. When the Lord's Supper is celebrated the usual order of worship in each church may be followed until the place of the Sermon is reached, care being taken to select such Hymns, Anthems and Scripture as may be suitable to the coming Cele- bration; and. after such discourse as the Minister will hold is finished, the Rite of Baptism may be -Administered and Members may be Received into the Church, and the Communion may follow. Special Music for the Celebration will be found on the last pages of the Choir Book, and appropriate Anthems occur among the Chief Morning Anthems. But if the Church will adopt the following form, which has been prepared with special reference to ancient usage, it will be convenient to include in a brief Pastoral Prayer thanks and petitions which seem to the Minister needful and are not provided for in the special Communion Service, omitting the Prayer of St. Chrysostom and the following Doxology; and after the Congregational Hymn, a brief discourse may be held, if this seems best, or, omitting the discourse, the Minister may proceed to the Administration of Baptism and the Reception of Members, and then let the Minister give: THE INVITATION TO THE COMMUNION [Congregation stands] in the customary form, or in the words following: Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye who mind to come to the holy communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy sacrament; 66 LORD'S SUPPER. so is the danger great, if we receive the same un- worthily. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord ; repent ye .truly for your sins past ; have a lively and stead- fast faith in Christ our Saviour ; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men ; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mys- teries. Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, follow- ing the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways ; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your com- fort.* Minister: Let us pray. Here the Minister may offer a PRAYER OF PREPARATION, [Congregation kneels or sits with bowed heads until the close of the Intercessory Prayer.] in his own words or as follows: O God, our Father, who in thy great love to man didst send thy Son into the world, to bring back the wandering sheep, turn not away thy face from us,t but cleanse us, O Lord, from our secret faults, and mercifully forgive our pre- sumptuous sins, that we may receive thy holy things with a pure mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. J Congregation: Amen. Minister: Our Lord Jesus Christ saith : Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat. 1 1 :28. Hear also these words of comfort : God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him * Common Prayer. t Liturgy of St. James. % Leonine. 67 MORNING worship: should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3 • i6. Faithful is the saying and worthy of all accep- tation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. / Tim. 1:15. Minister: The Lord be with you. Congregation: And with thy spirit. Minister: Lift up your hearts. Congregation: We lift them up unto the Lord. Minister: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. Congregation: It is meet and right so to do. Minister: It is meet, right, and our duty, to praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee; O Lord God, Heavenly Father; who hast given thine only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born of our flesh, and suffer death for us, and rise again from the dead, and ascend into heaven, and be- stow on us the Holy Spirit, the promised Com- forter. Minister and Congregation: Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the com- pany of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glori- ous name; evermore praising thee, and saying: Choir or Minister and Congregation: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen. Then let the Minister offer Prayers, of which the fol- lowing examples are in accord with ancient usage at the Table of the Lord. The Intercessory Prayer. We pray thee, O merciful God, that thou wilt make us worthily to eat of the bread and drink of the cup which our divine Lord prepares for us, to the sanctification of our bodies, minds, and spirits ; that being made one with each other and 68 LORD'S SUPPER. with him, we may have part in the inheritance with thy saints, who in all ages have been pleas- ing unto thee. Congregation: Amen. We beseech thee graciously to remember thy holy church throughout the world, the people whom thou hast purchased with the precious blood of thine Anointed. Congregation: Amen. Give to the pastors of thy flock that they may worthily minister, watching over those who are committed to them, feeding them with the word of thy truth, comforting them in thy grace, and leading them in ways of safety. Grant unto them health of body and of mind, with the abundant strengthening of thy Spirit; sustain them with thy patience; and, after this life, bring them, w4th those to whom they minister, into the place prepared for them by the great Shep- herd of the sheep. Congregation: Amen. Give also to thy people that, honoring those whom thou hast placed over them, they may duti- fully receive thy commandments, seeking the peace of thy church and the triumph of thy king- dom. Congregation: Amen. Remember, Lord, those who are in affliction ; deliver those who are tempted ; restore those wha have fallen; and succor those who are soon to depart this earthly life. Congregation: Amen. Watch over the lambs of thy flock ; suffer them not to be parted from thy fold, but so work in the hearts of the children that they may be worthy citizens of thy spiritual kingdom. Congregation: Amen. 69 MORNING WORSHIP. Be gracious, Lord, to missionaries of the cross, and to all Christian laborers and dispensers of thy temporal or spiritual bounty, that they may not be easily discouraged, nor fall a prey to per- secutions or any adversities, but may triumphantly fulfil the charge thou committest unto them. Congregation: Amen. Give peace in the hearts of thy loved ones, O Lord ; give peace in thy whole church ; give peace in all the world. O King of Peace, give us thy peace. To thee, O Father, and to the blessed Spirit, we render praise in Jesus Christ, our ever living Lord and Intercessor.* Congregation: Amen. Here May Be Sung the Doxology, Rev. 5:12, provided in the Choir Book for the close of the Intercessory- Prayer. After the Prayers let the Minister recite THE INSTITUTION. Dearly beloved, in the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord, being with his disciples to eat the Passover, took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. In like manner also he took the cup after sup- per and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins : this do in remembrance of me. Wherefore, brethren, as often as ye eat this * Based on the Intercessory Prayers of the Early Eastern Church. 70 LORD'S SUPPER. bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come.* After the recital of the Institution the Minister may say: . In remembrance of our blessed Lord and of his sacrifice for us, we take the bread [here let the Minister take the bread], and lift up our prayer; saying, [Congregation bows or kneels] Praise be unto thee. Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hast given unto us all things, and didst in the fulness of time send thine only-be- gotten Son to be our life and the life of the world. We beseech thee, O our Father, send thy Holy Spirit to sanctify and bless unto us this bread, that it may become the body of Christ to our souls, and that partaking of it we may feed on him by faith, and be nourished by him in love. As he offered himself for us, we con- secrate our bodies and spirits unto thee, entreat- ing thee to accept the sacrifice we make of our- selves and all things committed unto us, that in them we may serve thee, and glorify thy name, through Jesus Christ, our risen and ascended Lord. Congregation: Amen. Then let the Minister say: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ this bread is broken [here let the Minister break the bread], and given unto you [here let the Minister give the bread to those zvho are appointed to serve]. Take, eat, this is the Lord's body. Those who serve receive the bread from the hands of the Minister. One of them, usually the senior dea- con, offers the bread to the Minister, and, when he * This history of the Institution is compounded from the various Scripture accounts of the event. 71 MORNING WORSHIP. has partaken, it is passed to all who will com- mune. Then the bread is returned into the hands of the Minister, and opportunity may be given for any one who has been passed by in the distribu- tion to signify the same by rising. Then, the dea- cons being seated, the Minister gives the bread to them that they may partake. When all have partaken of the bread, let the Minister* having poured the wine, say: In remembrance of our Lord, we take the cup [here let him take the cup], and give thanks; saying, [Congreg-ation bows or kneels] We bless thee, praise thee, and give thanks unto thee, O our Father, for this fruit of the vine, beseeching thee to send thy Holy Spirit to sanc- tify and bless it, that it may be made unto our souls the blood of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant unto us grace that, receiving it in faith, we may be partakers of his life, with comfort and joy in the forgiveness of our sins, and in the purification of our bodies and spirits unto eternal life. And we entreat that, as we are con- secrated unto thee, thou wilt be with us and abide in us, through our only Mediator and Sacrifice, Jesus Christ. Congregation: Amen. After the Prayer let the Minister say: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I give you this cup [here let him give the cup to those appointed to serve.] Drink ye all of it. This is his blood of the covenant which is shed for many unto remission of sins. Those who serve take the cup, and one of them gives to the Minister that he may partake of it, and the cup is passed to all who will commune. Then those who serve bring the cup to the hands of the Minis- ter, and opportunity may be given to any who have been passed by in the distribution of the cup T2 LORD'S SUPPER to signify the same by rising. At the close of the distribution, the Minister brings the cup to those who serve that they may partake: after which, hav- ing returned to his place, let him say: . Minister: Let us pray. [Congregation bows or kneels] Here let him offer such Prayers as seem to him suit- able at the Close of Communion, or, if preferred, these Prayers following. We give thee thanks, O Lord, that thou hast suffered us to partake of these symbols of the broken body and the shed blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, once offered for us. Vouchsafe unto us that his life may be renewed in us ; rightly direct our going; root us in that fear of thee which is love ; make us share in the resurrection of thy Son ; and in him may we be counted worthy of thy heavenly kingdom. Congregation: Amen. O almighty and everlasting God, we heartily beseech thee that the promise which thou didst make unto the fathers thou wilt fulfill unto us, their children, that the kingdom of thy dear Son may be set up in every land, and that the dark- ness which covers the people being removed, the light of thy glorious gospel may shine unto the uttermost parts of the earth ; for the sake of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.* Congregation: Amen. Holy Lord God, in whom all thy saints do find their everlasting rest, to this commemoration of our Saviour Jesus Christ we add thanksgiving for our fellowship with thy redeemed out of all ages; with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, mar- tyrs ; the general assembly and church of the first- * Sacramentaries of Gelasius. 73 MORNING WORSHIP born who are enrolled in heaven ; the spirits of just men made perfect: and we beseech thee that, as these all live by the true bread which thou givest, and of which if a man eat he shall live forever, we may evermore eat thereof unto eternal life, through thy dear Son our Lord. Co ngrega tio n : Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. After the Prayers may be said or sung THE NUNC DIMITTIS with THE GLORIA PATRI, or in place of these THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS, or some other Hymn of Praise or Triumph. After singing comes THE BENEDICTION and SILENT PRAYER, closing with an , •: ORGAN CHORD. 74: HYMNS OF ASPIRA TION FIRST LINES OF HYMNS OF ASPIRATION. Which may be found in nearly all Hymn Books. Note. — The objection sometimes made to a Hymn at the Opening of the Service is well founded, un- less the Hymn be of the character here indicated. If it is limited to the expression of desire for or satisfaction in approach to God, no opening form can be more appropriate. Each Minister may conveniently prepare a list of the numbers of such Hymns and of Hymns of Praise contained in the Hymn Book used in his Church. Arise, O King of grace! arise As pants the hart for cooling streams As the hart with eager looks Christ, whose glory fills the skies Come, dearest (or gracious) Lord, descend and dwell Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove Come, O Creator-Spirit blest Come, thou Desire of all thy saints! Dear Refuge of my weary soul Glorious things of thee are spoken How charming is the place Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts Lord of the worlds above! Lord, we come before thee now Lord, when we bend before thy throne O day of rest and gladness O Jesus! King most wonderful Open now thy gates of beauty Safely through another week Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love This is the day of light "Welcome, delightful morn Welcome, sweet day of rest <0 HYMNS OF PRAISE FIRST LINES OF HYMNS OF PRAISE. Which may be found in nearly all Hymn Books. All glory, laud and honor All people that on earth do dwell Awake, and sing the song Before Jehovah's awful throne Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme Come, sound his praise abroad Come, thou Almighty King Come, we who love the Lord Glory to God on high Holy, holy, holy, I^ord God Almighty! Lord of all being; throned afar Lord, thy glory fills the heavens Now thank we all our God, O come, all ye faithful O God! we praise thee, and confess O Holy, Holy, Holy Lord! Oh, worship the King, all glorious above Praise, Lord, for thee in Zion waits Praise to thee, thou great Creator! Sing to the Lord a joyful song Songs of praise the angels sang Stand up, and bless the Lord The Lord Jehovah reigns The spacious firmament on high When morning gilds the skies Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim. 76 Selectione for IReeponaivc IRea^ing ARRANGED WITH I'ROPER REFERENCE TO LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIVENESS BETWEEN /IDtnister anb Congregation BY \ REV. EDWARD HUNGERFORD AUTHOR OF THE AMERICAN BOOK OF CHURCH SERVICES. FREE PRESS ASSOCIATION, burlin(;toN| vt. V Copyright, 1893, By EDWARD HUNGERFOHD. All rights reserved. PREFACE. This Series of Responsive Readings is distin- guished by two features. Throughout the series the leading thoughts are carefully assigned to the minister, and the portions given to the congregation are true responses to the sentiments advanced by him. This arrangement of parts is based on the liturgical prin- ciple, which makes the people in public worship respon- sive to the pastor. New themes, sudden changes of thought, and as far as possible minor suggestions pro- ceed from him, and the congregation echoes the senti- ment, or emphasizes it by assent or by setting up a contrast, or adds a closely related thought. The Responsive Readings hitherto proposed have usually given the verses alternately to minister and con- gregation or divided the verses according to paral- lelism. Each of these methods involves serious infelici- ties. Reading by alternate verses often invei'ts the proper relation between leader and people. The verses fall to the one or the other without reference to respon- siveness. No close or fixed relation of the parties is maintained, and the reading, which should be responsive, degenerates into an alternate reading, which through its unresponsiveness sometimes becomes painfully confus- ing. Following the parallelisms, while less objectionable in this regard, introduces, under the rapid alternation of short sentences, a staccato movement, which, when too freely indulged, detracts from the dignity and stateliness of public worship. A worse fault is that the utterances of the minister are often so incomplete as to be mean- ingless. There seems to be no good reason for closely ad- hering to either of these plans. Verse divisions have no authority above that of convenience, and the com- mon impression, that by following the parallelisms we are adopting the original responses of the Hebrew choirs in the temple service, is probably erroneous. The stro- phic divisions may have had quite as much to do with the choir responses. For our purpose we secure a better result when we pass freely from parallelism to verse division, restrained neither by the one nor the other, but carefully seeking to distinguish the leading thought by giving it to the minister, while the congregation returns an answering thought. Once released from traditional bonds we are surprised to find how readily the psalms lend them- selves to our purpose ; what emphasis is given to im- portant utterances by the echoes of the congregation ; and to what extent the meaning and beauty of passages are brought out by the comments of the people. The instances in which a psalm does not yield to the method are exceedingly rare, though some psalms may require to be gone over many times, and the text subjected to a critical study before a satisfactory result can be secured. That this first attempt at such revision has involved protracted labor needs not to be said. I shall be re- warded if the result shall seem to the churches worth the effort, and if a more intelligent and more worship- ful because truly responsive reading shall date from the introduction of this series. I have retained in this work, for the most part, those groupings of the psalms and other scriptures into Selec- tions, which were adopted in the Responsive Readings published in my American Book of Church Services. The same headings are used for single selections and for groups of selections. These have been found conven- ient aids to the pastor in his search for a reading appro- priate to the occasion. The Index enables one to find Mnder what selection a psalm or other scripture may be found. The Strophic Divisions have been fixed by compari- son of authorities, Delitzsch, Cheyne, Thuluck, DeWette and some others. As there is disagreement among authors in regard to the placing of strophic divisions, I have as a rule accepted none that were not sanctioned by at least two authorities. In many instances there is a general agreement. The word "Lord'' for Jehovah is, in this work, printed always in loioer case because full faced type is not provided with small caps. To distinguish this use of the word from its use for Adon or Adonai, all instances of the latter use are marked by spacing thus. Lord. All interested in the matter will please note this necessary deviation from the usual practice. Stars in the text show omissions. Tlie mark -j- at the bottom of a page shows that a strophic division falls there. Elsewhere such divisions are indicated by wider spacing. Edward IIungerford. BuRLixGTON, Vt., May 3d, 1893. Selections? tor IResponstve IReaMno. GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. FIRST SELECTION. God provides. Ps. 104. Bless the Lord, my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great ; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. AVho coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out tlie heavens like a curtain : Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds liis chariot ; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind : Who niaketli the winds Iiis messengers ; His ministers a flaming fire : Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved forever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as witli a vesture | The waters stood above tlie mountains. At thy rebuke they fled ; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away ; They went up by the mountains, tliey w ent down by the valleys, Unto the place whicli thou hadst founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over ; That they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs into the valleys ; They run among the mountains : They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild asses quench their thirst. 1 RESPONSIVE BE A DINGS. By them the fowl of the heaven have their habitation. They sing- amoug- the branches. He watereth the mountains from his chambers : The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy worlis. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man ; That he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to nuilie his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the Lord are satisfied ; The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests : As for the stork, the fir trees are her house* The high mountains are for the wild goats ; Tlie rocks are a refuge for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons : The sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night ; Wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening. Lord, how manifold are thy works ! In wisdom hast thou made them all : The earth is full of thy riclies. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts. GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. There go the ships ; tliere is leviathan, whom thou hast formed to take l»is pastime therein. These wait all upon thee, That thou niayest give them their meat in due Beason. That tlioH lu'ivest unto them they g-ather ; Tliou openest thy hand, they are satisfied with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; TIiou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created ; And thou renewest the face of the ground. Let the glory of the Lord endure forever ; Let the Lord rejoice in his works : Who looketh on the earth, and it tremhleth; He toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live : I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. SECOND SELECTION. Nature and the Law. Ps. 19. The heavens declare the glory of God ; And, the firmament showeth his handy-work. Day unto day uttereth speech. And night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language ; Their voice cannot be heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course. 3 RESPONSIVE READINGS. His going forth is from the end of the heaven. And his circuit unto the ends of it : And tkere is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul : The testiinoiiy of the Lord is sure, makia^ wise the sim- ple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlit^htening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever : The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous alto- gether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold : Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned : In kee])ing' of them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors ? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ; Let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be perfect, And I shall be clear from g-reat transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Lord, my rock, and my redeemer. THIRD SELECTION. Universal Dependence on God. Ps. 67. God be merciful unto us, and bless us, And cause his face to shine upon us ; That thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. GOD IX NATURE AND IN HISTORY, Let the peoples praise tliee, God ; Let all the peoples praise thee. let the nations be glad and sing for joy : For thou slialt jiidjre the peoples with ecpiity, And govern the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise thee, God ; Let all the peoples praise thee. The earth hath yielded her increase : Ood, even our own God, shall bless us. (irod shall bless us ; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Ps. 65. Praise waiteth for thee, God, in Zion : And unto thee shall the vow be performed. thou that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me : As for our transgressions, thou slialt purge them away. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causestto approach unto thee, That he may dwell in thy courts : We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, The holy place of thy temple. By terrible things thou wilt answer us in righteousness, God of our salvation ; Thou that art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of them that are afjir off upon the sea: Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains • Being girded about with might : ' Which stilleth the roaring of the seas, the roaring of tliel waves. And the tumult of the peoples. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens : 5 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and eyening to rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it, Thoii greatly earichest it ; The river of God is full of water : Thoii providest them corn, when tliou hast so prepared the earth. Thou waterest her furrows abundantly ; Thou settlest the ridges thereof : Thou makest it soft with showers ; Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ; And thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of tlie wilderness : And the hills are girded with joy. The pastures are clothed with flocks ; The valleys also are covered over with corn ; They shout for joy, they also sing. FOURTH SELECTION. God Glorified in Nature and in Man. Ps. 8. Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth ! Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou es- tablished str'ength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained ; What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? And the son of man, that thou visitest him 1 6 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And croAvnest him witli glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands ; Thou hast put all things under his feet : All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field ; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. OLord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth. Ps. 29. Give unto the Lord, ye sons of the mighty. Give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give nnto the Lord the g^lory due unto liis name j Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters : The God of glory thundereth, Even the Lord upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful ; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars ; Yea, the Lord breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He maketli them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young- wild-ox. The voice of the Lord cleaveth the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; The Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve. And strippeth the forests bare : And in his temple every thine: saith, Glory. RESPONSIVE READINGS. The Lord sat as king at the Flood ; Yea, the Lord sitteth asking for ever. The Lord will give slreiigth unto his people ; The Lord will hless his people with peace. FIFTH SELECTION. The God of Jacob Contrasted with Idols. Ps. 114. When Israel went forth out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language ; Judah became liis sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea saw it, and fled ; Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams. The little hills like young sheep. What aileth thee, thou sea, that thou fleest ? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back 1 Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams ; Ye little hills, like young sheep 1 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob ; Which turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters. Ps. 115. Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the nations say. Where is now their God ? But our God is in tlie heavens : He hath done whatsoever he pleased 8 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have iiioulhs, but they speak not ; Eyes have they, but they see not ; They have ears, but they hear not ; Noses have they, but they smell not ; They have hands, but tliey Iiandle not; Feet l»ave they, but they ^valk not ; Neither speak they through tlieir throat. They that make them shall belike unto them ; Yea, every one that trusteth in them. Israel, trust thou in the Lord : He is their help and their shield. house of Aaron, trust ye in the Lord : He is their lielp and their shield. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord : He is their help and their shield. The Lord hath been mindful of us ; he will bless us He will bless the house of Israel ; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the Lord, Both small and great. The Lord increase you more and more, You and your children. Blessed are ye of the Lord, Which made heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the Lord ; But the earth hath he given to tlie children of men. The dead praise not the Lord, Neither any that go down into silence ; But we will bless the Lord, From this time forth and for evermore. Praise ye the Lord. 9 RESPONSIVE READINGS. SIXTH SELECTION. God above all Gods. Ps. 134. Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, Which by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Zion ; Even lie that made heaven and earth, Ps. 135. Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord ; Praise him, ye servants of the Lord : Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, In the courts of the house of our God. Praise ye the Lord ; for the Lord is good : Sing" praises unto liis name ; for it is pleasant. For the Lord liath chosen Jacob unto himself, And Israel for his peculiar treasure. For I know that the Lord is great. And that our L o r d is above all gods. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that liath he done. In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth ; He maketh lightnings for the rain ; He bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries. Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast. He sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. Who smote many nations, and slew mighty kings ; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan : 10 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. And gave their land for an heritage. An heritage unto Israel Iiis people. Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever ; Thy memorial, Lord, throughont all generations. For the Lord shall judj^e his people, And repent himself concerning his servants. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men^s hands. They have nioutlis, but they speak not ; Eyes have they, but they see not ; They have ears, but they hear not ; Neither is there any breath in their mouths. Tliey that make them shall be like unto them 5 Yea, every one tliat triistetli in them. house of Israel, bless ye the Lord : house of Aaron, bless ye tlie Lord : house of Levi, bless ye the Lord : Ye that fear the Lord, bless ye the Lord. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. SEV^ENTH SELECTION. Mercy to Rebellious Israel. Ps. 106. Praise ye the Lord. give thanks unto the Lord ; for lie is good : For Ills mercy endureth forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord, Or sliow forth all his praise I Blessed are they that keep judgment. And he that doeth righteousness at all times. 11 RESPONSIVE READINGS, Remember me, Lord, with the favor that thou bear- est unto thy people ; Tisit me with tliy salv.ation : That I may see the prosperity of thy chosen, That I may rejoice hi the gladness of thy nation. That I may glory with thine inheritance. We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Onr fathers nnderstood not thy w onders in Egypt ; They remembered not the multitude of tliy mercies ; But were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red !*»ea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up : So he led them through the depths, as through a wilder- ness. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them. And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries : There was not one of them left. Then believed they his words ; They sang his praise. They soon forgat his works ; They waited not for his counsel : But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness. And tempted (xod in the desert. And he gave them their request ; But sent leanness into their soul. They envied Moses also in the camp. And Aaron the saint of the Lord. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abirani. 12 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. And a fire was kindled in their company ; The flame burned up the wicked. They made a calf in Iloreb, And worshipped a molten image. Thus they chauared their glory For the likeness of an ox tlint eateth grass. They forgat God their saviour, Which had done great things in Egypt ; Wondrous works in the land of Hani, And terrible thiiii^s by the Ked Sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before hini in the breach. To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. Yea, they despised the pleasant land. They believed not his word ; But murmured in their tents. And hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. Therefore he lifted up his hand unto them. That he would overthrow them in the wildernrss : And that he would overthrow their seed among the na- tions. And scatter them in the lands. They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; And the plague brake in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: And so the plague Avas stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness, Unto all generations for evermore. They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, So tiiat it went ill with Moses for their sakes : 13 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Because they were rebellious against his spirit, And he spalie unadvisedly with his lips. They did not destroy the peoples. As the Lord commanded them ; Bat mingled themselves with the nations. And learned their works : And they served their idols ; Whicli became a snare unto them : Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters. Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan ; And the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their works, And went a whoring in their doings. Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people. And he abhorred his inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the nations ; And they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did he deliver them ; But they were rebellious in their counsel. And were brought low in their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry : And he remembered for them his covenant, and repent- ed according to the multitude of his mercies. He made tliem also to be pitied Of all those that carried them captives. Save us, O Lord our God, 14 GOD IN NATURE AND JN HISTORY. And gather us from among the nations, To j^ive tliiuiks uiifo thy holy name, And to trill III pit in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the peoi)le say, Anieu. Praise ye the Lord. 15 DIDACTIC. EIGHTH SELECTION. Prosperity of the Righteous. Ps. 1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the coun- sel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners. Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is iu the law of the Lord ; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water. That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither ; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The wicked are not so ; But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgnientj Nor sinners in tha congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : But the way of the wicked shall perish. Ps. 112. Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, That delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth : The generation of the upright shall he blessed. "Wealth and riches are in his house : And his righteousness endureth forever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness : He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth ; 16 DIDACTIC. He shall maintain his cause in judgment. For he sliall never be moved ; The ri^'-hfeous shall he liad in everlasting^ remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : His heart is lixed, trusting in tlie Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his adversaries. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy ; His righteousness endureth for ever : His horn shall be exalted with honor. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved ; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away ; The desire of the wicked shall perish. Ps. 26. Judge me, Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity : I have trusted also in the Lord without wavering: Examine me, Lord, and prove me ; Try my reins and my heart. For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes; And I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons ; Neither will I go in with dissemblers. I hate the congregation of evil-doers, And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency ; So will I compass thine altar, Lord : That I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, And tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I love the habitation of thy house, And the place where thy glory dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood : 17 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Ill whose hands are mischief. And their rl^ht hand is lull of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity : Redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot staiideth in an even place : In the congregations will I bless the Lord. NINTH SELECTION. The Righteous Accepted. Ps. 34. I will bless the Lord at all times : His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : The meek shall hear thereof, and be glad, magnify the Lord with me. And let us exalt his name together. 1 sought the Lord, and he answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened : And their liices shall neyer be confounded. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him. And delivereth them. taste and see that the Lord is good : Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. fear the Lord, ye his saints : For there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger : But they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me : I will teach you the fear of the Lord, 18 DIDACTIC. "What man is he that desireth life, And loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, Aiidlliy lips from speaking ^iiile. Depart from evil, and do orood ; Seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous. And his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against theui tliat do evil, To cut off the leuiembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord heard, And delivered them out of all their troubles. Tlie Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken lieart. And savetli such as be of a C()ntrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous . But the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones : Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked : And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeemeth the sonl of his servants : Ami none of them that trust in him shall be condemned. Ps. 15. Lord, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle ? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill ? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart. He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighboi*. In whose eyes a reprobate is despised ; Bnt he honoreth them that fear the Lord. + 19 RESPONSIVE READINGS. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury. Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Ps. 117. praise the Lord, all ye nations ; Laud him, all ye peoples. For his mercy is great toward ns ; And the trjith of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. TENTH SELECTION. niches a Vain Trust. Ps. 52. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man ? The mercy of 6od endureth continually. Tliy tongue deviseth very wickedness ; Like a sharp razor, working deceitfnlly. Thou lovest evil more than good ; And lying rather than to speak righteousness, TIiou lovest all devouring words, thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee forever. He shall take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent. And root thee out of tlie land of the living. The righteous also shall see it, and fear. And shall laugh at him, saying, Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength ; But trusted iu the abundance of his riclies. And strengthened liimself in his wickedness. But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God : 1 trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 20 DIDACTIC. I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done it : And I Mill wnit on thy name, for it is ^ood, in tlie pres- ence of thy saints. Ps. 49. Hear this, all ye peoples ; (xlvo ear, all ye iniiahitaiits of f lie world : Both low and Iiii^h, rich and poor toj^ether. My mouth shall speak wisdom ; And the meditation of my heart shall be of under- standing. I will iucliiio mine oar to a parable : I will open my dark sayiiig^ npon the harp. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels eompasseth me about ? They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him : (For the redemption of tlieir soul is costly, And must be let alone for ever :) That he should still live alway, 'J'hat he should not see corruption. For he seeth that w ise men die, The fool and the brutish tosrether perish, And leave tlieir w ealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall con- tinue for ever, And their dwelling places to all generations ; They call their lands after their own names. But man abideth not in honor : He is like the beasts tliat perish. This their way is their folly : Yet after them men approve their sayings. 21 RESPONSIVE READINGS. They are appointed as a flock for Sheol ; Death shall be their shepherd : And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning ; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for it. But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol : For he shall receive lue. Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased : For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away ; His glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul. And men praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers ; They shall never see the light. Man that is in honor, and nnderstandeth not. Is like the beasts that perish. ELEVENTH SELECTION. Evil Words of the Ungodly Avenged. Ps. G4. Hear my voice, God, in my complaint : Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers ; From the tumult of the workers of iniquity : AVho have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words : That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect : Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. They encourage themselves in an evil purpose ; They commune of laying snares privily ; They say, Who shall see them ? They search out iniquities ; We have accomplished, say they, a diligent search : 22 DIDACTIC, And tlie inward thoiisjrlit of every one, aud the heart, \i deep. But God shall shoot at them ; With aa arrow suddenly shall they be wounded. So they.slr.ill be made to stiinible, their own ton^ne being against tlieni : All tliat see tlieni sliall wag the head. And all men shall fear ; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall be glad in tlie Lord, and shall trust in him ; And all the upriglit in heart shall glory. Ps. 12. Help, Lord ; for the godly man ceaseth ; For the faithful fail from amono: the children of men. They spenk vanity every ojie with his neighbor : With flattering lip, and with a double heart do they spealv. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh great things : Who liave said, With our tongue will we prerail, Onr lips are our own : who is lord over ns I For the spoiling of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise, saith the Lord ; I will set him in safety at w horn they puff. The words of the Lord are pure words ; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked walk on every side, >>Tien vileness is exalted among the sons of men. 23 RESPONSIVE READINGS. TWELFTH SELECTION. Evil-doers not to be Envied. Ps. 37. Fret not thyself because of evil-doers. Neither be thou envious against them that work un- righteousness. For they shall soon be cut down like the ^rass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good , Dwell in the land, and follow after faithfulness. Delight thyself also in the Lord ; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; Trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him : Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way. Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to eril-doing. For evil-doers shall be cut off : But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the land. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be : Tea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the land ; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 24 DIDACTIC. The Lord shall laugh nt him : For he seeth that his day is coining. The wicked have drawn out the sword and have bent their bow ; To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as be upright in the way : Their sword shall enter into their own lieart. And their bows shall be broken. Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the w icked shall be broken : Bnt the Lord upholdeth tlie righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the perfect : And their inheritance shall be for ever. Tliey shall not be ashamed in the time of evil : And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the excellency of the pastures : They shall consume ; in smoke shall they consume away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again : But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the land ; And they that be cursed of him shall be cut oflF. A man^s goings are established of the Lord ; And he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down j For the Lord upholdeth him w itli his hand. I have been young, and now am old ; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging their bread. All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth ; And his seed is blessed. 25 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Depart from evil, and do good ; And dwell for evermore. For the Lord loveth judgment, And forsaketli not his saints ; They are preserved for ever : Bat the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The rigliteons shall inherit tlie land, And dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous talketh wisdom, And his tongue speaketh judgment. The law of his God is in his heart ; None of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, And he shall exalt thee to inherit the land : When the wiclved are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, Aad spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. But one passed by, and, lo, he w as iiot : Tea, 1 sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : For the latter end of that man is peace. As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together : The latter end of the w iciied shall be cut oft*. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord : He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. And the Lord helpeth them, and rescueth them : He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in him. 26 DIDACTIC. THIRTEENTH SELECTION. Deniers of God Rejected. Pb. 53. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity ; There is none that docth ^'ood. God looked down from heaven uj;on the children of men. To see if there were any that did understand, That did seek after God. Every one of them is gone bacli ; they are together become filthy . There is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge ? T\lio eat np my people as they eat bread. And call nut upon God, There were they in great fear, where no fear was : For God hath scattered the bones of him that encamp- eth against thee ; Thou hast put them to shame, because God hath rejected them. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion I TVlien God brinijeth bnck the captivity of his people, Tlien shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. Ps. 36. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, That liis iniquity shall not be found out and be hated. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit : He hath left off to be wise and to do good. 27 RESPONSIVE READINGS. He deviseth iniquity upon his bed ; He settetli Iiiiiiself in a way that is not good 5 He abhorretli not evil. Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, is in the heavens ; Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the skies. Thy rii?hteousiiess is Hke the mountains of God; Tliy judgments are a great deep : Lord, thou preservest man and heast. How precious is thy lovingkindness, God ! And the cliildren of men take refnge under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house ; And thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleas- ures. For with thee is the fountain of life : In thy light shall we see light. continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee ; And thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There are the workers of iniquity fallen : They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise. FOURTEENTH SELECTION. The End of Sinners Learned in the Sanctuary. Ps. 73. Surely God is good to Israel, Even to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone ; My steps had well nigh slipped. + 28 DIDACTIC. For I was envious at the arrogant, "When I saw the prosperity of tlie wicked. For there are no hands in tlieir death : But their strength is flrni. They are not in trouble as other men ; Neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride is as a chain ahoni Ihcir neck ; Violence covereth tlieni as a j^arinent. Their eyes stand out with fatness : They have more than heart could wish. They scoff, and in wickedness utter o]>}»ression : Tliey speak loftily. They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither : And waters of a full cup are wrung- out by them. And they say, How doth God know ? And is there knowledge in the Most High ? Behold, these are the wicked ; And, bein^alway at ease, they increase in riches. Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart. And washed my hands in innocency ; For all the day lon^ have I been plaj^ued, And chastened every morning. If I had said, I will speak thus ; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children. When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me ; Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And. considered their latter end. Surely thou settest them in slippery places : Thou castest them down to destruction. 29 RESPONSIVE READINGS, How are they become a desolation in a moment ? They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh ; So, Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. For my heart was grieved. And I was pricked in my reins : So brutish was I, and ignorant ; I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee : Thou hast holden my right hand. Tliou slialt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth : But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish : Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near unto God : I have made the Lord God my refuge. That I may tell of all thy works. FIFTEENTH SELECTION. God Judges Unjust Judges. Ps. 82. God standeth in the congregation of God ; He judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, And respect the persons of the wicked ? Judge the poor and fatherless : Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. 30 DIDACTIC. Rescue the poor and needy : Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither do they understand ; Tlioy wall£ to and fro in darlvness : All the foundations of the eartli are moved, I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High. Nevertheless ye shall die lilie men. Ami fall like one of the princes. Arise, God, judge the earth : For thou slialt inherit all the nations. Ps. 75. We give thanks unto thee, God ; We give thanks, for thy name is near : Men tell of thy wondrous works. When I shall find the set time, I will judge uprightly. The eartli and all the inha))itants thereof are dissolved: I have set up the pillars of it. I said unto the arrogant. Deal not arrogantly : And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn : Lift not up your horn on high; Speak not with a stiff neck. For neither from the east, nor from the west, Nor yet from the south, cometh lifting up. But God is the judge : He putteth down one, and liftetli up anotlier. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine foameth ; It is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same : Surely the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth sliall wring" them out, and drink them. 31 RESPONSIVE READINGS. But I will declare for ever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off ; But the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. SIXTEENTH SELECTION. God Sees the Doings of Evil Men. Ps. 94. Lord, thou God to whom vengeance be- longeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth : Eender to the proud their desert. Lord, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph 1 They prate, they speak arrogantly : All the workers of iniquity boast themselves. They break in pieces thy people, Lord, And afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless. And they say. The Lord shall not see. Neither shall the (xod of Jacob consider. Consider, ye brutish among the people : And ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ? He that formed the eye, shall he not see 1 He that chastiseth the nations, shall not he correct, Even he that teacheth men knowledge ? The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, Lord, And teachest out of thy law ; That thou mayest give him rest f loni the days of adversity. Until the pit be digged for the wicked. 32 DIDACTIC. For the Lord will not cast off his people. Neither will he forsake his inheritance. For Jii(l«-iiieiit sliall return unto riiiliteoiisnoss : Aud all the upright in lieart sliall follow it. Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers ? AVho will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity ? Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul had soon dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth ; Thy mercy, Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my tlioughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul. Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with thee. Which frameth mischief by statute ? They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous. And condemn the innocent blood. But the Lord hath been my high tower ; And my God the rock of my refuge. And he hath brought upon them their own iniquity. And shall cut them off in their own evil; The Lord our God shall cut them off. SEVENTEENTH SELECTION. It is Good to Worship the Most High. Ps. 92. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, And to sing praises unto thy name, Most High : To show forth thy loviugkindness in the morning, And thy faithfulness every nlgnt, 33 RESPONSIVE READINGS. With an instrument of ten strings, and with the psaltery ; With a solemn soiiiul upon the harp. For thou. Lord, hast made me glad through thy work : I will triumph in the worlis of tliy hands. How great are thy works, Lord ! Thy thoughts are very deep. A hnitish man knoweth not ; Neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish ; It is that they shall be destroyed for ever : But thou, Lord, art on high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, Lord, For, lo, thine enemies shall perish ; All the workers of iniquity shall he scattered. But my horn hast thou exalted like the horn of the wild-ox : I am anointed with fresh oil. Mine eye also hath seen my desire on mine enemies, Mine ears have heard my desire of the evil-doers that rise up against me. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree : He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They that are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; They shall be full of sap and green : To show that the Lord is upright ; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Ps. 93. The Lord reigneth ; he is apparelled with majesty ; 34 DIDACTIC. The Lord is appart'Ilcd, he tiatli g:ir(led hiiiiRclf \\\\\\ streiiKHi ; The world also is stnblished, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old : Thou art from everlasting-. The floods have lifted up, Lord, The floods have lifted up tlieir voice ; The floods lift up their waves. Above the voices of many Avators, The niig:hty breakers of the sea, The Lord on high is mighty. Thy testimonies are very sure : Holiness becometh thifie house. EIGHTEENTH SELECTION. The Acceptable Sacrifice. Ps. 50. God, even God, the Lord, hath spoken. And called the earth from the rising of tlie sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the jierfection of beauty, God hath shined forth. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence : A Are shall devour before him, And it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens above, And to the earth, that he may judge his people : Gather my saints together unto me ; Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness ; For God is judge himself. Hear, O my people, and I will speak ; Israel, and I will testify unto thee : 35 RESPONSIVE READINGS. I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices ; And thy burnt offerings are continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house. Nor he-goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine. And the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains : And the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry. I would not tell thee : For the world is mine, and the fullness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls. Or drink the blood of goats ? Offer un4;o God the sacrifice of thanksgiving ; And pay thy vows unto the Most Hig-h : And call upou me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. But unto the wicked God saith, AVhat hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth ? Seeing thou hatest instruction. And castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him. And hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil. And thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother ; Thou slanderest thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence ; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself : But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. S6 DIDACTIC. Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me ; And to him that oideroth his conversation ari^lit Will I show the salvation of God. NINETEENTH SELECTION. Ruling in Righteousness. Ps. 101. I will sino- of mercy and judgment : Unto thee, Lord, will 1 sing* praises. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way : Oh when wilt thou come unto me ? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no base tliinij' before mine eyes : I hate the work of them that turn aside ; It shall not cleave unto me. A froward heart sliall depart frved our tiausgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children. So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For lie knoweth our frame ; He remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass ; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ; And the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to ever- lasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children ; To such as keep his covenant. And to those that remember his precepts to do them. The Lord hath established his throne in the heavens ; And his kingdom ruletli over all. Bless the Lord, ye angels of his : Ye mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his w ord. Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts ; Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all ye his works. In all places of his dominion : Bless the Lord, my soul, 75 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. THIRTY-EIGHTH SELECTION. Appeal of the Innocent. Ps. 7. O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust : Save me from all them that pursue me, and deliver me : Lest he tear my sonllike a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. Lord my God, if I have done this ; If there be iniquity in my hands ; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me ; (Yea, I have delivered him that withont cause was mine adversary:) Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it ; Yea, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. •Arise, Lord, in thine anger, Lif up thyself against the rage of mine adversaries : And awake for me ; thou hast commanded judgment. And let the congregation of the peoples compass thee about : And over them return thou on high. The Lord ministereth judgment to the peoples : Judge me, Lord^ according to my righteousness, and to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous : For the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My shield is with Ood, Which saveth the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge. Yea, a God that hath indignation every day. 76 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. If a mail turn not, he will ivhet Ills sword ; He liatli lient his l)ow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death ; He maketh liis arrows fiery sliafts. Behold, he travaileth with iniquity; Yea, he hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He hath made a pit, and dig-ged it, And is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, And his violence shall come down upon his own pate. I will give thanks unto the Lord according to his right- eousness : And w ill sing- praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Ps. 144. Blessed be the Lord my rock, Which teacheth my hands to war, And my lingers to light : My lovingkindness, and my fortress. My high tower, and my deliverer ; My shield, and he in whom I trust ; Who subdueth my people under me. Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him ? Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him ? Man is like to vanity : His days are as a shadow that passeth away. Bow thy heavens, Lord, and come down : Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them ; Send out thine arrows, and discomfit them. Stretch forth thine hand from above ; 77 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Rescue me, and deliver me out of great waters, Out of the hand of strangers ; Wliose month speaketli vanity, And their right hand is a right liand of falsehood. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God : Upon a psaltery of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings : Who rescueth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Kescne me, and deliver me out of the hand of strangers, Wliose mouth speaketh vanity, And their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth : And our daughters as corner stones hewn after the fashion of a palace ; When our garners are full, affording all manner of store ; And our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields ; AVhen our oxen are well laden ; When there is no breaking in, and no going forth, And no outcry in our streets ; Happy is the people, that is in such a case : Yea, happy is the people, whose God is the Lord. THIRTY-NINTH SELECTION. Prayer of the Obedient. Ps. 40. I waited patiently for the Lord ; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay ; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 78 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God : Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, Lord my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done. And thy thoughts which are to us- ward: They cannot be set in order unto thee ; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou hast no delight in ; Mine ears hast thou opened : Burnt offering' and sin ofl'eringf hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I am come ; In the roll of the book it is written of me : I delight to do thy will, my Ood ; lea, thy law is within my heart. I have published righteousness in the great congrega- tion ; Lo, I will not refrain my lips, Lord, thou know est. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart ; I have declared thy faithfulness and tliy salvation : 1 have not concealed thy loviuj^kindness and tliy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, Lord : Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about, 79 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up ; Tliey are more tlian the hairs of mine head^ and my heart hath failed me. Be pleased, Lord, to deliver me : Make haste to help me, Lord. Let them be ashamed and confounded together That seek after my soul to destroy it : Lei them be turned backward and brought to disliouor Tliat delight in my hurt. Let them be desolate by reason of their shame That say unto me. Aha, Aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee : Let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be niaguifled. But I am poor and needy ; Yet the Lord thinketh upon me : Thou art my help and my deliverer ; Make no tarrying-, my God. FORTIETH SELECTIONo In National Disaster. Ps. 79. O God, the heathen are come into thine inherit- ance ; Thy holy temple have they defiled ; They luive laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem ; And there was none to bury them. We are become a reproach to our neighbors, A scorn and derision to them that are round about us. 80 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name : And deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. ****** Let the signing- of the prisoner couie belore tlieo ; Accordiiijj^to the i?reatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to death. ***♦*« So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture Will give thee thanks for ever : We will show forth thy praise to all generations. Ps. 80. Give ear, Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock ; Thou that sittest upon the cherubim, sliine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up thy might. And come to save us. Turn us again, God ; And cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. O Lord God of hosts. How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people ? Thou hast fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drinli in large measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbors : And our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, God of hosts ; And cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt : Thou didst drive out the nations, and plantedst it. Thou preparedst room before it. And it took deep root, and fllled the land. The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, And the boughs thereof were like cedars of God. 81 RESPONSIVE READINGS. She sent out lier brandies unto the sea. And her shoots unto the Rirer. "Why hast thou broken down her fences. So that all they which pass by the way do pluck her ? The boar out of the wood doth ravage it, And the wild beasts of the field feed on it. Turn again, we beseech thee, God of hosts : Look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine, And the stoclc wliicli thy riglit hand hath planted, And the branch that thou madest strong- for thyself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down : They perish at the rebuke of thy countenance. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand. Upon the son of man whom thou madest strong- for thyself. So shall we not go back from thee :. Quicken thou us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, Lord God of hosts ; Cause thy face to sliine, and we sliall be saved. FORTY-FIRST SELECTION. In Weakness and Frailty. Ps. 41. Blessed is he that considereth the poor : < The Lord will deliver him in the day of evil. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth ; And deliver not thou him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will support him upon the couch of languish- ing : Thou niakest all his bed in his sickness. I said, Lord, have mercy upon me : Heal my soul ; for I have sinned against thee. Mine enemies speak evil against me, saying-, When shall he die, and his name perish 2 82 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. And if be come to see me, he speaketh vanity ; His heart gathereth iniquity to itself : When he goeth abroad, he telleth il. All that hate me whisper together against me : Against nie do they devise my hurt. An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast nnto him : And now that he lieth he shall rise np no more. Yea, 'mine own familiar friend, in >vhoni I trusted, which did eat of my bread, Hatli lifted up liis heel against me. But thou, Lord, have mercy upon me, and raise me up. That I may requite them. By this I know that tliou delightest in me. Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity. And settest me before tliy face for ever. Ps. 39. I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue : I will keep my month with a bridle, ^>1iile the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good ; And my sorrow was stirred. My lieart was hot within me ; While I was musing the fire kindled : Then spake I with my tongue ; Lord, make me to know mine end. And the measure of my days, what it is ; Let me know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as handbreadths ; And mine age is as nothing before thee : Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. 83 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Stxi'ely every man walketh in a vain show : Surely they are disquieted in vain : He Iieapeth up riches, and knowetli not wlio shall gather theui. And now. Lord, what wait I for ? My hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions : Make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; Because thou didst it. Remove thy stroke away from me : I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth : Surely every man is vanity. Hear my prayer, Lord, and give ear unto my cry ; Hold not thy peace at my tears : For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. spare me, that I may recover strength. Before I go hence, and be no more. FORTY-SECOND SELECTION. From the Overbearing of the Proud. Ps. 123. Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, thou that sittest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress ; So our eyes look unto the Lord our Uod, Until he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, Lord, have mercy upon us : For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 84 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE, Our soul is exceedinii^ly filled With the scorn inu- of tIi<>so I hat are at ease, And with the conteuipt of the proud. Ps. 10. Why standest thou afar off, Lord ? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble ? In the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued ; Let theui be taken iu the d<' vices tluit they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, And the covetous renounceth, yea, contemneth the Lord. The wicked in the pride of his countenance, saith. He will not require it. All his thoughts are, There is no Goci. His ways are firm at all times ; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight : As for all his adversaries, he puft'eth at them. ITe saith in his heart, I shall not be moved : To all generations I shall not be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursiuaraud deceit and oppression: Under his tongue is mischiet and iniquity. H.e sitteth in the lurking places of the villages : In the covert places doth he murder the innocent : His eyes are privily set against the helpless. He lurketh in the covert as a lion in his den : He lieth in wait to catch the poor : He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him iu his net. He croucheth, he bowcth down, And the helpless fall by his strong ones. He saith in his heart, (Jod hath forgotten : He hideth his face ; he will never see it. + 85 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Arise, Lord ; God, lift up thine hand : Forget not the poor. Wherefore doth the wicked coiiteinii God, And say in his lieart, Thou wilt not require it % Thou hast seen it ; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to take it into thy hand : The helpless committeth himself unto thee ; Thou hast been the helper of the fatherless. Break thou the arm of the wicked ; And as for the evil niao, seek out his wickedness till Ihou And none. The Lord is King for ever and ever : The nations are perished out of his land. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the meek : Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear : To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, That man which is of the earth may be terrible no more. FORTY-THIRD SELECTION. In Defense of Righteousness. Ps. 17. Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry ; Give ear unto my prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence ; Let thine eyes look upon equity. Thou hast proved mine heart ; thou hast visited me in the night ; Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing ; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent. r. 86 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERAXCE, My steps have held fast to tliy paths, My feet have not slipped. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer rae, God: Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Show thy marvelous loviiit^kindness, thou that savest them which put tlieir trust in thee From tliose that rise up aj,'ainst them, by tliy right hand. Keep me as the apple of the eye, Hide me under the shadow of thy wings. From the wicked that spoil me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about. They are inclosed in their own fat : With their mouth they speak proudly. They have now compassed us in our steps : They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth. He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey. And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. Arise, Lord, confront him, cast him down ; Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword ; From men, by thy hand, Lord, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly thou flllest with tliy treasure : They are satisfied with children. And leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness : I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Ps. 13. How long, Lord, wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me J How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me ? -t- 87 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Consider and answer me, Lord my God : Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death ; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him ; Lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy ; My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing nnto the Lord, Because he hath dealt bountifully with me. FORTY-FOURTH SELECTION. From Temptations of the Wicked. Ps. 141. Lord, I have called upon thee ; make haste unto me : Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee ; The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, Lord, before my mouth ; Keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing. To be occupied in deeds of wickedness With men that work iniquity : And let me not eat of their dainties. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness ; And let him reprove me, it shall be as oil upon the head ; Let not my head refuse it : For even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue. Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock ; And they shall hear my words ; for they are sweet. As when one ploweth and cleavetli the earth, Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth. + 88 PHA VERS FOR DELIVERANCE. For mine eyes are unto thee, God tlie Lord : la thee do I put my trust ; leave not my soul destitute. Keep me from tlie snare which they have laid for me. And from the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let tlie wicked fall into their own nets, Whilst that I withal escape. Ps. 28. Unto thee, Lord, will I call ; My rock, be not thou deaf unto me : Lest if thou be silent nnto nie, I become like them that ^o down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee. When I lift up my hands toward thy holy orado. Draw me not away with the wicked. And. with the workers of iniquity ; Which speak peace with their iieij^hbors, But mischief is iu their hearts. Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings : Give them after the operation of their hands ; Render to them their desert. Because they regard not the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of his hands, He shall break them down and not build them up. Blessed be the Lord, Because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. Tlie Lord is my strength and my shield ; 3[y heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped ; Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth ; And with my song will I praise him. The Lord is their strenjith. And he is a strong hold of salvation to his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance : Feed them also, and bear them up for ever. 89 RESPONSIVE READINGS. FORTY-FIFTH SELECTION. From the Violent. Ps. 140. Deliver me, Lord, from the evil man ; Preserve me from the violent man ; Which iinag:ine mischiefs in their heart ; Continually do they gather themselves together for war. They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent ; Adders' poison is under their lips. Keep me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked ; Preserve me from the violent man : Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords ; They have spread a net by the way side 5 They have set gins for me. I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God : Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, Lord. (xod the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thon hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, Lord, the desires of the wicked ; Further not his evil device ; lest they exalt themselves. Ps. 86. Bow down thine ear, Lord, and answer me ; For I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul ; for I am godly : thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, Lord; For unto thee do I cry all the day long. Rejoice the soul of thy servant ; For unto thee, L r d, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. + 90 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer ; And hearken unto the voice of my supplications. In Ihe (lay of my trouble 1 will call upon thee ; For thou wilt answer me. There is none like unto thee among the gods, O Lord ; Neither are there any w orks like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and wor ship before thee, Lord ; And they shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest w ondrous things : Thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, Lord ; I will walk in thy truth : Unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, Lord my God, with my whole heart ; And I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me ; And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest pit. God, the proud are risen up against me. And the congregation of violent men have sought after my soul, And have not set thee before them. But thou, Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious. Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy and truth. turn unto me, and have mercy upon me ; Give thy strength unto thy servant. And save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good ; That they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed. Because thou, Lord, hast liolpen me, and comforted me. 91 RESPONSIVE READINGS, FORTY-SIXTH SELECTION. From Slanderers. Ps. 31. In thee, Lord, do I put my trust ; let me never be ashamed : Deliver me in tliy righteousness. Bow down thine ear unto me ; deliver me speedily : Be thou to me a strong rock, an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress ; Therefore for thy name's salte lead me and guide me. Pluck me out of the net that they have laid privily for me ; For thou art my strong hold. Into thine hand I commend my spirit : Thou hast redeemed me, Lord, thou God of truth. I hate them tliat regard lying vanities : But I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy : For thou hast seen my affliction : Thou hast known my soul in adversities : And thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy ; Thou liast set my feet in a large place. Have mercy upon me, Lord, for I am in distress : Mine eye wasteth away with grief, yea, my soul and my body. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sigh- ing: My strength failelli because of mine iniquity, and my bones are wasted away. Because of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach, Yea, unto my neighbors exceedingly, and a fear to mine acquaintance : They tliat did see me without fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind : 92 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the defaming of many. Terror on every side : While they took coiiiisel toi^ether against me, They devised to take away my life. But I trusted in tliee, Lord : I said, thou art my God. My times are in thy hand : Deliver me from tlie hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant : Save me in thy lovingkindness. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast hiid up for them that fear thee, Which thou hast wrought for them that put their trust in thee, before the sons of men ! In the covert of thy presence shalt thou hide them from the plottings of man : Thou shalt keep them secretly iu a pavilion from the strife of tongfues. Blessed be the Lord : For he hath showed me his marvellous lovingkindness in a strong city. As for me, I said in my haste, I am cut oflf from before thine eyes : Nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints : The Lord preserveth the faithful. And plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. All ye that hope in the Lord. 93 RESPONSIVE READINGS. FORTY-SEVENTH SELECTION. A Prayer of Moses the Man of God. Ps. 90. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place In all generations. Before the mountains were bronght forth, Or ever thou hadst formed tlie earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction ; And sayest, Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight Are bnt as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood ; they are as a sleep : In the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flonrishetli, and groweth up ; In the evening it is cut down, and withereth. For we are consumed in thine anger. And in thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, Our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath : We bring onr years to an end as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten, Or even by reason of strength fourscore years ; Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow ; For it is soon gone and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger, And thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto thee ? So teach us to number <>ur days, That we may get us an heart of wisdom. + 94 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. Return, Lord ; liow long ? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants. satisfy us in tlie morniiif^ with tliy mercy ; That we may rejoice and he glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, And the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory upon their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us : And establish thou the work of our hands upon us ; Yea, the work of our hands establish tJiou it. FORTY-EIGHTH SELECTION. In Old Age. Ps. 71. In thee, Lord, do I put my trust : Let me never be ashamed. Deliver nie in thy righteousness, and rescue me : Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort : Thou hast given commandment to save me ; For thou art my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For thou art my hope, L o r d God : Thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb : Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: My praise shall he continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many ; But thou art my strong refuge. 3Iy mouth shall be filled w itli thy praise, And with thy honor all the day. 95 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Cast me not off in the time of old age ; Forsake me not when my strength faileth. For mine enemies speak concerning me : And they that watch for my soul take counsel together. Saying, Godhatli forsaken him : Pursue and take him ; for there is none to deliver, God, be not far from me : my (xod, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and consumed that are adversa- ries to my soul ; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt. But I will hope continually, . And will praise thee yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of thy rig-hteousness, And of thy salvation all the day ; For I know not the numbers thereof. 1 will come with the mighty acts of the Lord God : 1 will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. God, thou hast taught me from my youth ; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Yea, even when I am old and gray-headed, O God, for- sake me not ; Until I have declared thy strength unto the next genera- tion, Thy might to every one that is to come. Thy righteousness, God, is very high ; Thou who hast done great things; God, who is like unto thee 1 Thou, which hast showed us many and sore troubles, Shalt quicken us again. And Shalt bring us up again from the depths of the earth. 96 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE. Increase thou my greatness, and turn again and com- fort me. I will also praise thee with the psaltery, Even thy trutli, my God : Unto thee will I sing praises with tlie harp, thou Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing praises unto thee ; And my soul, which thou hast redeemed. My toni^iie also shall talk of thy ritrhteonsness all tlie day lonj^ : For tliey are ashamed, for tliey are confounded, tliat seek my hurt. FORTY-NINTH SELECTION. Encouragement from God's Mercies. Ps. 143. Hear my prayer, Lord ; give ear to my sup- plications : In thy faithfulness answer me, and in tliy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant ; For in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul ; He hath smitten my life down to the ground : He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me ; My heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old ; I meditate on all thy doings : I muse on the work of thy hands. 1 spread forth my liands unto thee : My soul thirstetli after thee, as a weary land. Make haste to answer me, Lord ; my spirit faileth : 97 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Hide not thy face from me ; Lest I become like tliem that go down into tlie pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning ; For in thee do I trust : Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk ; For I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, Lord, from mine enemies : I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art my God : Thy spirit is good ; lead me in the land of uprightness. Quicken me, Lord, for thy name^s sake : In thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. • •»«•• Ps. 142. I cry with my voice unto the Lord ; With my voice unto the Lord do I make supplication. I pour out my complaint before him ; I shew before Iiini my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me. Look on my right hand, and see ; for there is no man that knoweth me : Refuge hath failed me ; no man careth for my soul. I cried unto thee, Lord ; 1 said, Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry ; for I am brought very low : Deliver me from my persecutors ; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy name : The righteous shall compass me about ; For thou shalt deal bountifully with me. 98 PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE, Ps. 138. I will give thee thanks with my whole lieart : Before the (xods will I sing praises unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth : For thoiriiast inagiiifled thy word above all thy name. In the day that I called thou answeredst me. Thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks, Lord, For they have heard the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord ; For great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly : But the haughty he knoweth from aftir. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me ; Thou Shalt stretch forth thine hand against the w rath of mine enemies, And thy right hand shall save me. The Lord will perfect that which conccrneth me : Thy mercy, Lord, endureth for ever ; Forsake not the w orks of thine own hands. 99 PRAISE FOR DELIVERANCE. FIFTIETH SELECTION. God's Majestic Appearing. Ps. 18. I love thee, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strong rock, in him will I trnst ; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised •' So shall I be saved from mine enemies. ^ The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The cords of Sheol were ronnd about me : The snares of death came upon me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried unto my God : He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry before him came into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains moved And were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And Are out of his mouth devoured : Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down ; And thick darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly : Yea, he flew swiftly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion round about him ; Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. 100 PRAISE FOR DELIVERANCE. At the brightness before biiii his thick iI help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness. And for his wonderful works to the children of men ! For he hath broken the gates of brass. And cut the bars of iron in sunder. Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat ; And they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble. And he saveth them out of their distresses. He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness. And for his wonderful works to tlie children of men ! Ill RESPONSIVE READINGS, And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving. And declare his works with singing. They that go down to the sea in ships. That do business in great waters ; These see the works of the Lord, And his wonders in the deep. For he coiiimandeth, and raisetli the stormy wind, IVliicli lifteth up tlie waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths : Their soul melteth away because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble. And he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet ; So he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness. And for his wonderful works to the children of men ! Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people. And praise him in the seat of the elders. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And watersprings into a thirsty ground ; A fruitful land into a salt desert. For the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water. And a dry land into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell. That they may prepare a city of habitation ; And sow fields, and plant vineyards, And get them fruits of increase. 112 PRAISE FOR DELIVERANCE. He blessetli them also, so that they are multiplied greatly ; And he sufTereth uol llieir cattle to decrease. AgaiD, they are minished and bowed dowu Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow. He poureth contompt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way. Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock. The upright shall see it, and be glad ; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise shall give heed to these things, And they shall consider the mercies of the Lordo FIFTY-SIXTH SELECTION. It is the Lord Who Delivers. Ps. 124. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, Let Israel now say ; If it had not been the Lord who was on our side. When men rose up against us . Then they had swallow ed us up alive, When their wrath w as kindled against us : Then the waters had overwhelmed us. The stream had gone over our soul ; Then the proud w aters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers : The snare is broken, and we are escaped. 113 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Ps. 126. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, We were like unto them that dream. Tlieii was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing : Then said they among the nations. The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hatli done great tilings for us ; Whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, Lord, As the streams in the South. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Though he goeth on his way weeping, bearing forth the seed ; He shall come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Ps. 85. Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land: Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people. Thou hast covered all their sin. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath ; Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Turn us, God of our salvation. And cause thine indignation toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever 1 Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations 1 Wilt thou not quicken us again : That thy people may rejoice in thee ? Show us thy mercy, Lord, And grant us thy salvation. 114 PRAISE FOR DELIVERANCE, I will hear what God the Lord will speak : For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is ni^li tlieiii that fear him; That g:lory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together ; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springrctli out of the earth ; And ri^liteousness hatli looked down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good ; And our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him ; And shall make his footsteps a way to walk in. FIFTY-SEVENTH SELECTION. A Call to Public Acknowledgment. Ps. 118. give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good : For his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, That his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say. That his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear tlie Lord say, That his mercy endureth for ever. Out of my distress I called upon the Lord : The Lord answered me and set me in a large place. Tlie Lord is on my side ; I will not fear : >yiiat can man do unto me I The Lord is on my side among them that help me : Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in tlie Lord Than to put confidence in princes. 115 RESPONSIVE READINGS. All nations compassed me about : In the name of the Lord I will cnt them off. They compassed me about ; yea, they compassed me about : In the name of the Lord I will cut them off. They compassed me about like bees ; they are quenched as the fire of thorns : In the name of the Lord I will cut them off. Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall : But the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song ; And he is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous : The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted : The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live. And declare the works of the Lord. The Lord liath chastened me sore : But he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness : I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto the Lord. This is tlie gate of the Lord ; The rigliteous shall enter into it. I will give thanks unto thee, for thou hast answered me. And art become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing ; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made ; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 116 PRAISE FOR DELIVERANCE. Save now, we beseech thee, Lord : Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he tliat conieth in tlie name of tlie Lord : We have blessed yon out of the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he liatli ^nven iis lii^lit : IJind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee : Thou art my God, I will exalt thee. give thanks unto the Lord ; I'or he is good : For his mercy endureth for ever. FIFTY-EIGHTH SELECTION. God Shows Himself a Judge. Ps. 9. I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart ; 1 will show forth all thy marvellous works. 1 will be glad and exult in thee : I will sing praise to thy name, thou Most High. When mine enemies turn back, They stumble and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my riglit and my cause ; Thou safest in the tiiroue judging righteously. Thou hast rebuked the nations, thou hast destroyed the wicked. Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. The enemy are come to an end, they are desolate for ever ; And the cities whicli thou hast overthrown. Their very memorial is perislied. But the Lord sitteth as king for ever : He hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, 117 RESPONSIVE READINGS. He shall minister judgment to the peoples in uprightness. The Lord also will be a high tower for the oppressed, A high tower in times of trouble ; And they that know thy name will pnt their trust in thee ; For thon, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion : Declare among the people his doings. For he that maketh inquisition for blood remembereth them : He forgetteth not the cry of the poor. Have mercy upon me, O Lord ; Behold my affliction which I suffer of them that hate me. Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death ; That I may show forth all thy praise : In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in thy salvation. The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made : In the net which they hid is their own foot taken. The Lord liath made himself known, he hath executed judgment : The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked shall return to Sheol, Even all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten, Nor tlie expectation of the poor perish for ever. Arise, Lord ; let not man prevail : Let the nations be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, Lord : Let the nations know themselves to be but men. 118 SONGS OF FAITH. FIFTY-NINTH SELECTION. Rest in God. Ps. 11. In the Lord put I my trust : How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountaiu ] For, lo, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the fouudatious be destroyed, What can the righteous do J The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord, his throne is in heaven ; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous : But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares ; Fire and brimstone and burnina: wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous ; he loveth righteousness : The upright shall behold his face. Ps. 3. Lord, how are mine adversaries increased ! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul. There is no help for him in (i!od. But thou, Lord, art a shield about me ; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cry unto the Lord with my voice, And he answereth me out of his holy hill. 119 RESPONSIVE READINGS. I laid me down and slept ; I awaked ; for the Lord sustaineth me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people, That have set themselves against me round about. Arise, Lord ; save me, my God : For thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone ; Thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : Thy blessing be upon thy people. Ps. 4. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteous- ness ; Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress : Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor ? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood I But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself : The Lord will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not : Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be stilL Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord. Many there be that say, "Who will show us any good ? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladuess in my heart, More than they have when their corn and their wine are increased. In peace will I both lay me down and sleep : For thou. Lord, alone niakest me dwell in safety. 120 SONGS OF FAITH. SIXTIETH SELECTION. Under the Shadow of the Almighty. Ps. 16. Preserve me, God : for in thee do I put my trust. I have said unto the Lord, Thou art my L o r d : I have no g^ood beyond thee. As for the saints that are in the earth, They are the excellent in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied tliat exchange the Lord for another god : Their drink ofleriniis of blood will I not offer, Nor take their names upon my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup : Thon maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, wlio hath jriven me counsel : Yea, my reins instruct me in the nig:ht seasons. I have set the Lord always before me : Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth : My flesh also shall dwell in safety. For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol ; Neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life : In thy presence is fullness of joy ; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Ps. 91. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. + 121 RESPONSIVE READINGS. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress ; My Grod, in whom 1 trust. For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler. And from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his pinions, And nnder his winsrs shalt thoii take refuge : His truth is a shield and a buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor the arrow that flieth by day ; For the pestilence that walketh in darkness. Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side. And ten thousand at thy right hand ; But it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked. For thou, Lord, art my refuge ! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation ; There sliall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh tliy tent. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands. Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder : The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him : I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 122 SONGS OF FAITH. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him ; I will be with him in trouble : I will deliver him, and honor liim. With long: life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation. SIXTY-FIRST SELECTION. God the Sleepless Guard. Ps. 125. They that trust in the Lord Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, butabideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, So tlio Lord is roufid about his people, From this time forth and for everuiore. For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous ; That the righteous put not forth their hands nnto iniquity. Do good, Lord, unto those that be good, And to them that are upright in their hearts. But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, The Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel. Ps. 121. I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains : From whence shall my help come ? My lielp oometh from the Lord, Which made lieavcn and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : He that keepeth thee \v\\\ not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper : 123 RESPONSIVE READINGS. The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by ni^ht. The Lord shall keep thee from all evil : He shall keep thy soul. The Lord shall keep thy goin^ out and thy coming in. From this time forth and for evermore. Ps. 23o The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul : He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake* Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil ; for thou art with me : Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : Thou hast anointed my head with oil ; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. SIXTY-SECOND SELECTION. Waiting Until Calamities are Overpast. Ps. 57. Be merciful unto me, God, be merciful unto me ; For my soul taketh refuge in thee : Tea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until these calamities be overpast, 124 SONGS OF FAITH. I will cry unto God Most High ; Unto God that performeth all thinf^sfor me. He sliall send from lieavcii, and save nie, >Vhen he that ivonld swallow nie up reproaclieth ; Ood shall send forth his mercy and his truth. My soul is among lions ; I lie among them tlitit are set on fire, Even the sons of men, w hose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sw ord. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let thy glory he above ail the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps ; My soul is bowed down : They have digged a pit before me ; Tliey are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. My heart is fixed, God, my heart is fixed : I will sing, yea, I will sing praises. Aw ake up, my glory ; awake, ])saltery and harp : I myself will aw ake right early. I will give thanks unto thee, Lord, among the peoples : I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the skies. Be thou exalted, God, above the heavens ; Let thy glory be above all the earth. Ps. 27. The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom shall I fear ? The Lord is the strength of my life ; of w hom shall I be afraid I When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh. Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. 125 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Though an host should encamp against me^ My heart shall not fear : Though war should rise against me. Even then will I be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after ; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the day of trouble he shall keep me secretly in his pavilion : In the covert of his tabernacle shall he hide me 5 He shall lift me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine ene- mies round about me ; And I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy ; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, Lord, when I cry with my voice : Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst. Seek ye my face ; my heart said unto thee. Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face from me ; Put not thy servant away in anger : Thou hast been my help ; Cast me not off, neither forsake me, God of my salva- tion. For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, Lord ; And lead me in a plain path, Because of mine enemies. 126 SONGS OF FAITH. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries : For false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodnesg of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on Ihe Lord : Be strong, and let thine heart take courage ; Yea, wait thou on the Lord, SIXTY-THIRD SELECTION. Tnist Unshaken by Tumults of Men and of Nature. Ps. 54. Save me, God, by thy name, And judge me in thy might. Hear my prayer, (^od ; Give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me. And violent men have sought after my soul : They have not set God before tlieni. Behold, God is mine helper : The Lord is of them that uphold my soul. He shall requite the evil unto mine enemies : Destroy thou them in thy truth. With a freewill offering will I sacrifice unto thee : I will give thanks unto thy name, Lord, for it is good. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble ; And mine eye hath seen my desire upon mine enemies. Ps. 56. Be merciful unto me, God ; for man would swallow me up : All the day long he fighting oppresseth me. Mine enemies would swallow me uj) all the day long : For they be many that flsiht proudly against me. What time I am afraid, 127 RESPONSIVE READINGS. I will put my trust in thee. In God I will praise his word : In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me I All the day long they wrest my words : All their thoughts ai*e against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps. Even as they have waited for my soul. Shall they escape by iniquity ? In anger cast down the peoples, God. Thou tellest my wanderings : Put thou my tears into thy bottle ; Are they not in thy book I Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call : This I know, that God is for me. In God will I praise his word : In the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid ; What can man do unto me % Thy vows are upon me, God : I will render thank offerings unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death : Hast thou not delivered my feet from falling % That I may walk before God In the light of the living. Ps. 46. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though tlie mountains be moved in the heart of the seas; 128 SONGS OF FAITH. Though the waters tliereof roar and be troubled, Thoiif^h the iiioiiiitaiiis sliake witli the snellhijr thereof. There is a river, the streams wliereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is ill the midst of her ; she shall not he moved : God shall help her, and that rij'ht early. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved : He uttered liis voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us ; The God of Jacob is our refuse. Come, behold the works of the Lord, What desolations he hatli made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth : He breaketh the bow, andcutteth the spear iu sunder ; He burneth the chariots in the lire. Be still, and know that I am God : I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted iu the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us ; The God of Jacob is our refuge. SIXTY-FOURTH SELECTION. In Great Darkness of Human Treachery. Ps. 55. Give ear to my prayer, God : And hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and answer me : I am restless in my complaint, and moan ; Because of the voice of the enemy. Because of the oppression of the wicked ; For they cast iniquity upon me. And in anger they persecute me. My heart is sore pained within me : 129 RESPONSIVE READINGS. And the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfuliiess and trembling are come npon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove ! Then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest. Destroy, Lord, and divide their tongue : For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the Avails thereof : Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: Oppression and guile depart not from her streets. For it was not an enemy that reproached me ; Then I could have borne it : Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me ; Then I would have hid myself from him : But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend. We took sweet counsel together, We walked in the house of God with the throng. • •»••• As for me, I will call upon God ; And the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain^ and moan : And he shall hear my voice. He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me : For they were many that strove with me. God shall hear, and answer them, 130 SONGS OF FAITH. Even he that abideth of old, The men >vlio have no chnnges, And who fear not Hod. He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him : He liatli profaned Jiis covenant. His mouth was smooth as butter. But his heart was war : His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee : He shall never suffer the righteous to be nioviMl. But thou, God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction : Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days ; But I will trust in thee. Ps. 62. My soul waiteUi only upon God : From him cometh my* salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation : He is my high tower ; I shall not be greatly niovetl. How long will ye set upon a man. That ye may slay him, all of you. Like a bowing wall, like a tottering fence ? They only consult to thrust him down from his excellency; They delight in lies : They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. My soul, wait thou only upon God ; For my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation : He is my high tower ; I shall not be moved. With God is my salvation and my glory : 131 RESPONSIVE READINGS. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times, ye people ; Pour out your heart before him : God is a refuge for us. Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie : In the balances Ihey ^vill go np ; They are together lighter than vanity. Trust not in oppression, And become not vain in robbery : If riches increase, set not your heart thereon. God hath spoken once. Twice have I heard this ; That power belongeth unto God : Also unto thee, L o r d , belongeth mercy : For thou renderest to every man according to his work. SIXTY-FIFTH SELECTION. In Separation from the Sanctuary. Ps. 42. As the hart panteth after the water brooks. So panteth my soul after thee^ God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God : T\Tien shall I come and appear before God % My tears have been my meat day and night. While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God ? These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, How I went with the throng, and led them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday. Why art thou cast down, my soul ? And why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him For the health of his countenance. + 132 SONGS OF FAITH. my God, my soul is cast down within me : TliereforiMlo I romeinber tlieo from the land of Jordan, And the Hernions, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts : All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night his song shall be wi(h nie, Even a prayer unto the God of my life. 1 will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me ? ^\\lJ go I mourning because of tlie oppression of the enemy J As with a sword in my bones, mine adversaries reproach me ; While they continually say unto me. Where is thy God J Why art thou cast down, my soul ? And why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, T>1io is the health of my countenance, and my God. Ps. 43. Judge me, God, and 2:>lead my cause against an ungodly nation : deliver me from the deceitful and unjust nmn. For thou art the God of my strength ; why hast thou cast me off ? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy ? send out thy light and thy truth ; let them lead mo : Let them bring me unti) thy holy hill, And to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy : And upon the harp will I praise thee, (Jod, my God. Why art thou cast down, my soul ? 133 RESPONSIVE READINGS. And why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in (xod : for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my (xod. Ps. 84. How amiable are thy tabernacles, Lord of hosts ! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord ; My heart and my flesh cry out unto the living (xod. Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house. And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young. Even tliine altars, Lord of hosts. My kin^, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : They will be still praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ; In whose heart are the high ways to Ziou, Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs ; Yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings. They go from strength to strength. Every one of them appeareth before God in Zion, O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer : Give ear, God of Jacob. Behold, God our shield. And look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in tlie house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and a shield : The Lord will give grace and glory : No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 134 SONGS OF FAITH. Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man that triisteth in thee. SIXTY-SIXTH SELECTION. God a Refuge in Weariness. Ps. 61. Hear my cry, God ; attend unto my prayer. From the end of tlie earth will I call unto thee, wlien mj heart is overwhelmed : Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a refuge for me, A strong tower from the enemy. 1 will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever : I will take refuge in the covert of tliy wings. For thou, God, hast heard my vows : Tliou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king^s life : His years shall be as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever : prepare lovingkindness and truth, tiiat they may pre- serve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows. Ps. 63. God, thou art my God ; early will I seek thee : My soul thirsteth for tliee, my flesh longeth for thee. In a dry and weary land, where no water is. So have I looked upon thee in the sanctuary, To see thy power and thy glory. For tliy lovingkindness is better than life ; My lips shall praise thee. So will I bless thee while I live : 1 w ill lift up my hands in tliy name. 135 RESPONSIVE READINGS. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness ; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips ; When I remember tJiee upou my bed, And meditate on thee in the nigiit watches. For thou hast been my help. And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee : Tliy right hand uplioldeth me. But those that seek my soul to destroy it. Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall be given over to the power of the sword ! They shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God ; Every one that sweareth by him shall glory ; For the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped ► SIXTY-SEVENTH SELECTION. God Alone Worthy of Trust. Ps. 33. Eejoice in the Lord, ye righteous : Praise is comely for the upright. Give thanks unto the Lord with harp : Sing praises unto him with the psaltery of ten strings.. Sing unto him a new song ; Play skillfully with a loud noise. For the word of the Lord is right ; And all his work is done in faithfulness. He loveth righteousness and judgment : The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made ; And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap r. He layeth up the deeps in storehouse t^, 136 SONGS OF FAITH. Let all the earth fear tlie Lord : Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of hiiiu For he spake, and it was done ; He commanded, and it stood ftist. The Lord bringeth tlie coimsel of the nations to naught : He maketh the thoughts of the peoples to b(; of none effect. The counsel of the Lord stundeth fast for ever, The thoughts of his licart to all generations. Blessed is the nation wliose God is the Lord ; Tlie people whom he hath chosen for Iiis own inlieritance. The Lord looketh from heaven ; He beholdeth all the sons of men ; From the place of his habitation he looketh forth Upon all tiie inliabitants of the earth ; He that fashioneth the hearts of them all. That considereth all their worlis. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host : A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety : Neither shall he deliver any by his great power. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upontliem that fear him. Upon them that hope in his mercy ; To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Onr soul hath waited for the Lord : He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, Because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. According as we have hoped in thee. 137 RESPONSIVE READINGS. SIXTY-EIGHTH SELECTION. God's Wonders Recalled in Time of Discouragement. Ps. 77. I will cry unto God with my voice ; Even unto God with my voice, and he will give ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the L o r d : My hand was stretched out in the night, and slaclied not ', My soul refused to be comforted. I remember God, and am disquieted : I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Thou boldest mine eyes watching : I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night : I commune with mine own heart ; And my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever ? And will he be favorable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone for ever % Doth his promise fail for evermore % Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies % And I said, this is my infirmity ; Bat I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will make mention of the deeds of the Lord ; For I w ill remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also upon all thy work. And muse on thy doings. Thy way, God, is in tlie sanctuary : Who is a great god like unto God ? 138 SONGS OF FAITH. Thou art the God that doest wonders : Thoa hast made known thy strength among the peoples. Thou hast with thiiio arm redeemed thy people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw thee, God ; The waters saw thee, they were afraid : The depths also trembled. The clouds poured out water ; The skies sent out a sound : Thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the whirlwind ; The lightnings liglitened tlie world : The earth trembled and shook. Thy way was in the sea. And thy paths in the great waters. And thy footsteps were not known. Thou leddest thy people like a flock, By the hand of Moses and Aaron. SIXTY-NINTH SELECTION. Comfort in the Divine Presence- Ps. 139. Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsittinir and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before. And laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me ; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit ? 139 RESPONSIVE READINGS. « Or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? If I ascend up into heaven, tliou art there : If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, tliou art there* If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea ; Even tliere shall tliy hand lead me. And thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me. And the light about me shall be night ; Even the darkness hideth not from thee. But the night shineth as the day : The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins : Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks unto thee ; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made : Wonderful are thy works ; And that my soul knoweth right well. My frame was not hidden from thee^ When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see mine unperfect substance, And in thy book were all my members written. Which day by day were fashioned, Wlieu as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, God ! How great is the sum of them ! If I sliould count them, they are more in number than tlie sand : When I awake, I am still with tliee. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, God : Depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men. For tliey speak against thee wickedly. And thine enemies take thy name in vain. 140 SONGS OF FAITH. Do not I hate them, Lord, that hate thee ? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee ? I hate tlieiii with perfect liaired : I count them iiiine enemies. Search me, God, and know my heart : Try me, and know my thoughts : And see if there he any way of wickedness in me, And lead me in tlie way everhi stint?. Ps. 131. Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eves lofty ; Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, Or in things too wonderful for me. Surely 1 have stilled and quieted my soul ; Like a weaned child with his mother. My soul is with me like a weaned child. Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and for evermore. J 41 THE KING AND THE KINGDOM. SEVENTIETH SELECTION. The Promise to David. Ps. 89. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever: With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever ; Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens, I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant ; Thy seed will I establish for ever, And build up thy throne to all generations. And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, Lord ; Thy faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies can be compared unto the Lord ? Who among the sons of the mighty is like unto the Lord, A Grod very terrible in the council of the holy ones, And to be feared above all them that are round about him % Lord God of hosts, Who is a mighty one, like unto thee, Jah ? And thy faithfulness is round about tliee. Thou rulest the pride of the sea : When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain ; Thou hast scattered thine enemies with the arm of thy strength. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine : The world and the fullness thereof, thou hast founded them. 142 THE KING AND THE KINGDOM. Tlie north and the south, thou hast created them : Tabor and Hernion rejoice in thy name. Thou hast a mighty arm : Strong is thy hand, and high is thy riglit liand. Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of thy throne : Mercy and truth go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound : They walk, Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In tliy name do they rejoice all tlie day : And in tliy righteousness are they exalted. For thou art the glory of their strengtii : And in thy favour our horn shall be exalff'd. For our shield belongeth unto the Lord ; And our king to the Holy One of Israel. Then thou spakest in vision to thy saints. And saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty ; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant ; With my holy oil have I anointed him : With whom my hand shall be established ; Mine arm also shall strengthen him. The enemy shall not exact upon him ; Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. And I will beat dow n his adversaries before him, And smite them that hate him. But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him ; And in my name shall his horn be exalted. I will set his hand also on the sea, And his right hand on tlie rivers. He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, 143 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Hy God, and the rock of my salvation. I also will make him my flrstborii, The highest of the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, And my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to eutliire for ever, And his tliroiie as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, And walk not in my judgments ; If they break my statutes, And keep not my commandments ; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. But my mercy will I not utterly take from him, Nor suffer my faitlif illness to fail. My covenant will I not break. Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness ; I will not lie unto David ; His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon. And as the faithful witness in the sky. But thou hast cast off and rejected, Thou hast been wroth with thine anointed. Thou hast abhorred the covenant of thy servant : Thou hast profaned his crown even to the ground. Thou hast broken down all his hedges ; Thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin. AU that pass by the way spoil him : He is become a reproach to his neighbours. Thou hast exalted the right hand of his adversaries ; 14tl: THE KIXG AND THE KINGDOM. Thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice. Yoa, fliou tiirnost hack the (mIjjtb of his s>vorlisheil, that her iiii(|iiit,v is par- doned ; that she liath received of tlie Lord's liand double for all her sins. The voice of oue that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilder- ness the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a high way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low : And the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of tlie Lord shall be revealed, and all flcsli shall see it together : for the mouth of the Lord lialli spoken it. The voice of one saying. Cry. And one said, What shall I cry ? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is ns tlie flower of the fleld : The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ; because the breath of the Lord bloweth upon it : surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadetli : but the worVhich holdeth our soul in life, And suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, God, hast proved us : Thon hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net : Thon layedst a sore burden upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads ; We went throngh fire and throngh water ; But thon bronghtest us out into a wealthy place. 1 will come into thy house with burnt offerings, I will pay thee my vows. Which my lips have uttered, And my mouth hath spoken, when I was in distress. I will offer unto thee burnt offerings of fatlings. With the incense of rams ; I will olTer bullocks with goats. Come, and hear, all ye that fear God, 167 RESPONSIVE READINGS. And I will declare what. he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, And he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear : But verily God hath heard ; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be Ood, Which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. EIGHTY-FOURTH SELECTION. Greatness and Goodness of God. Ps. 145. I will extol thee, my God, King ; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee ; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised ; And his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts. Of the glorious majesty of thine honor, And of thy wondrous works, will I meditate. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts ; And I will declare thy greatness. They shall utter the memory of thy great goodness. And shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion ; Slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all ; And his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall give thanks unto thee, Lord ; And thy saints shall bless tliee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, And talk of thy power ; 168 GENERAL PRAISE. To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, And (he glory of llie majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everhistincr kingdom. And thy dominion endiireth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall. And raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee ; And thou givest them tlieir meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, And satisflest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them tliat fear him ; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him ; But all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord ; And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Ps. 150. Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary : Praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts : Praise him aecordiugto his exrellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet : Praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel aiid dance : Praise him with stringed instruments and the pipe. Praise him upon the loud cymbals : Praise him upon the high sounding eymbiils. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. 169 RESPONSIVE READINGS. EIGHTY-FIFTH SELECTION. By the United Assembly of the Saints. Ps. 133. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity ! It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard ; That came down upon the skirt of liis garments 5 Like the dew of Hermon, That Cometh down npon the mountains of Zion : For there the Lord commanded the blessing-, Even life for evermore. Ps. 146. Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord : I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth ; In that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God : Wliich made heaven and earth. The sea, and all that in them is : Which keepeth truth for ever : Which execnteth judgment for the oppressed; Which giveth food to the hungry : The Lord looseth the prisoners ; Tlie Lord openeth the eyes of the blind ; The Lord raiseth up them that are bowed down ; The Lord loveth the righteous ; The Lord preserveth the strangers ; 170 GENERAL PRAISE. He upholdeth the fatherloBS and widow ; But the way of the wicked he turneth npslde down. The Lord shall reign for ever, Thy God, Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord. Ps. 149. Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, And his praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him : Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance : Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people : He will beautify the meek with salvation. Praise ye the Lord, EIGHTY-SIXTH SELECTION. Universal Call to Praise. Ps. 147. Praise ye the Lord ; For it is good to sing praises unto our God ; For it is pleasant, and praise is comely. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem ; He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars ; He giveth them all their names. Great is our Lord, and miirhty in power : His understanding is iriflnite. The Lord upholdeth the meek : He bringeth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving : 171 RESPONSIVE READINGS, Miig praises upon the harp unto our God : Who covereth the. heaven with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to tlie beast his food. And to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse : He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them tliat fear him, In tliose that hope in his mercy. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem ; Praise thy God, Zion. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates ; He hath blessed thy children within thee. He maketh peace in thy borders ; He fllleth thee with tlie finest of the wheat. He sendeth out his commandment upon earth ; His word runneth yery swiftly. He giveth snow like wool ; He scattereth the hoar frost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels : Who can stand before his cold i He sendeth out his word, and melteth them : He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation : And as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. Ps. 148. Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens : Praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels : Praise ye him, all his host. 172 GENERAL PRAISE. Praise ye him, sun and moon i Praise liim, all ye stars of li^'lit. Praise him, ye lieavens of lieavens, And ye waters that be above the heavens. Let tliem praise the name of tlie Lord : For iie commanv and vapor ; Stormy wind, fnUlllinj? his nord : Mountains and all hills ; Fruitful trees and all cedars : Beasts and all cattle ; Creeping things and tlying fowl : Kings of the earth and all peoples ; Princes and all judges of the earth : Both young men and maidens ; Old men and children : Let them praise the name of the Lord ; For his name alone is exalted : His glory is above the earth and heaven. And he hath lifted up the horn of his j^eople, The praise of all his saints ; Even of the children of Israel, a people near nnto him. Praise ye the Lord. EIGHTY-SEVENTH SELECTION. For Ordinations and Dedications. Ps. 122. I was glad when they said unto me. Let us go unto the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing Within thy gates, Jerusalem ; 173 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Jerusalem, that art builded As a city that is compact together : Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, For a testimony unto Israel, To give tlianks unto the name of tlie Lord. For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : They shall prosper that love thee. Peace be witliin tliy walls. And prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions^ sakes, I will now say. Peace be within thee. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. Ps. 132. Lord, remember for David All his affliction ; How he sware unto the Lord, And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob : Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, , Nor go up into my bed : I will not give sleep to mine eyes. Or slumber to mine eyelids ; Until I find out a place for the Lord, A tabernacle for the Miglity One of Jacob. Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah : We found it in the field of the wood. We will go into his tabernacles ; We will worship at his footstool. Arise, Lord, into thy resting place ; Thou, and the ark of thy strength. 174 GENERAL PRAISE. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ; And let thy saints shout for joy. For tliy servant David's sak<' Turn not away the faco (jf thino anointnl. The Lord liath sworn unto David in truth ; He will not turn from it : Of the fruit of tliy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant And my testimony that I shall teach thcin, Tlieir children also shall sit upon tliy throne for everni(>re. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; He hath desired it for his habitation. This is my restinfr place for ever : Here will I dwell ; for 1 have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests also will I clothe with salvation : And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud : I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will 1 clothe with shame : But upon himself shall his crown Nourish. Ps. 100. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with grladness : Come before his presence with singriuir. Know ye that the Lord he is God : It is he that hath made us, and we are his ; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise : Give thanks unto him. and bless his name. 175 RESPONSIVE READINGS. -For the Lord is good ; his mercy endureth for ever ; And his faithfulness unto all generations. EIGHTY-EIGHTH SELECTION. The Ten Commandments. In place of the congregation the choir can render the responses if thought best. In this way the Ten Commandments may be introduced as an antiphon in the evening service. God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Lord, liave mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor the likeness of any form that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth : thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me ; and shew- ing mercy unto thousands, of them that love me and keep my commandments. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. -Eemember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : but the seventh day is a Sabbath unto the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, 176 ♦ THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates : for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested tlie sev- enth day : wherefore the Lord blessed the Sab- bath day, and hallowed it. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our Iiearts to keep this law. Honour thy father and thy mother : that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Lord, have mercy upon us, and Incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt do no murder. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not steal. Lord, liave mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man- servant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighl)our's. Lord, Iiave mercy ui)on us, and write all these thy law** in our hearts, we beseech thee. Then the Minister may say : Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith. Thou shalt love the Lord tliy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. xVnd a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy 177 RESPONSIVE READINGS. neighbor as thyself. On these two command- ments hangeth the whole law, and the prophets. I have inclined mine lieart to perform ihj statutes, For ever, even unto the end.— Ps. 119 : 112. EIGHTY-NINTH SELECTION. The Beatitudes. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the moun- tain : and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him : and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying. Blessed are the poor in spirit : For tlieirs is tlie king'dom of lieaven. Blessed are they that mourn : For lliey shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek : For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteous- ness : For they shall he filled. Blessed are the merciful : For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart : For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers : For they shall be called sons of God, Blessed are they that have been persecuted for right- eousness^ sake : For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and perse- cute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding giad : for great is yonr reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you, 178 INDEX. 'salm. Selection. Psalm. Selection. Psalm. Selection* 1.... 8 34—. 9 72 74 3---- 72 36--.- 13 73 14 3.--- 59 37..-. 12 75 15 4.--. 59 38---. 35 76 --- 53 6.... 31 39-.-. 41 77 68 7-..-- 38 40-... 39 79 40 8.--- 4 41.--- 41 80 40 9.... 58 42.... 65 82 15 10-.-. 42 43---- 65 84 ---- 65 11..-. 59 45---- 73 85.--.- -. -.56 12.... 11 46---. 63 86 -. . ..--45 13... 31 47---- 81 87 80 15-..- 9 48-.-- 53 88 29 16...- - --.-60 49.... 10 89 70 17-.-- 43 50...- 18 90 ---- 47 18 --- 50,51 51..-- -.34 91 60 19--.- -. .- 2 52.... 10 92 ...17 20.-.- 71 53.... 13 93 17 21--.. 71 54.--. 63 94 -- . 16 22---- 27 55 . . - - 64 95 80 23 . - - . 61 56---. 63 96 81 24---- .- 80 57.--- 62 97 19 25...- 36 61.... -- --66 98 .. - ....82 26 . - . 8 62.--. 64 99 82 27.--. 61 63..- 66 100 87 28---. 44 64 --- -- -.11 101 . .19 29.--. 4 65 --- 3 102 30 30.--. 52 66 --- 83 103 37 31---- 46 67.... ---- 3 104 1 32---- 35 68-... 54 106-. . . . '7 33---- 67 69.... ...28 107--.- 55 71.... 48 109 31 Psalm. Selection. 1 Psalm. Selection. Isaiah. Selection. 110.--. 72 140 45 11 75 111-..- 83 141 44 12 75 112.... 8 142 49 35 . . 77 114.... 5 143 49 40 .... 77 115-... 5 144 38 42 76 116 ... 117.... 50 145 84 53 32 ::::::::::5 146 85 60 78 118.... .---57 147 86 119.... .. 20,21,22 148 .-- 86 Lam. 121.-.. 61 149-.. . 85 122...- 87 150 84 1 33 123..-. 42 124.... ...56 Prov. Rev. 125.... 61 1 23 7 79 126. .. 56 3 24 11 79 130.... .36 8 25 131.... 69 20 26 TL.3 Ten Command- 132 .. . 87 23 26 raents. 133.... -.--85 134.... 135 6 -. 6 Isaiah. 88 The Beatitudes. 13S-... -..49 5 26 on 139.... 69 9 76 I Princeton Theological Seminary Libraries 1 1012 01234 2814