t LI BRARY OF CONGRESS, # UMTED STATES OF AMERICA. READINGS AT HOME fwlgtap of C|t Cjmrt| BY MRS. MARY E. TOWNSEND. C DRESDEN: PRINTED I!Y E. BLOCHMANN AND SOX. MDCCCLXYII. T3 V*t%~i ,Tfa5 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1S67 by MART E. TOWNSEtf D in the Clerk's office of the district conrt of the United States for the Southern district of New-York. TO THE JUL B M O R Y OF MY MOTHER. PREFACE. THIS book is a selection principally from the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer of such Texts, Prayers, Psalms and Hymns, as seemed most applicable to the respective Holydays of the Church, and is published only in the hope that it may suggest appropriate meditations for those who from ill -health or other causes are prevented from attending the Services of the Church. April 1807. M. E. T. CONTENTS. Page Saint Andrew's Day 1 Saint Thomas' Day 5 Christmas Day . . 10 Saint Stephen's Day 13 Saint John the Evangelist's Day 17 The Holy Innocents' Day 22 The Circumcision of Christ 27 Epiphany 32 Conversion of Saint Paul 37 The Purification of the Virgin Mary 43 Saint Matthias' Day 48 The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary 53 Ash -Wednesday . 58 Monday before Easter G3 Tuesday before Easter 08 Wednesday before Easter 73 Thursday before Easter . . . 77 Good Friday 82 Easter-Even 88 Monday in Easter -Week 92 Tuesday in Easter-Week 97 Saint Mark's Day 101 Saint Philip and Saint James' Day 104 Ascension-Day 108 Monday in Whitsun-Week 113 Tuesday in Whitsun-Week 117 Saint Barnabas' Day 123 VIII rage Saint John the Baptist's Day 12S Saint Peter's Day 133 Saint James the Apostle's Day 1:58 Saint Bartholomew's Day 143 Saint Matthew's Day 147 Saint Michael and All Angels' Day 152 Saint Luke's Day 160 Saint Simon and Saint Ju«le'< Day 166 All Saints" Dav 170 SAINT ANDREW'S DAY NOVEMBER 30. ANDREW, one of the twelve Apostles was a brother of Simon Peter and like him a fisherman. He had evidently been first a disciple of John the Baptist. The Evangelist Saint John says in his gospel in speak- ing of the Baptist: "Again the next day after John stood and two of his disciples; and looking npon Jesus as he walked he saith , Behold the Lamb of God ! And the two disciples heard him speak , and they followed Jesus". Then they saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day. "One of the two which heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother". Saint Andrew preached in various countries , but when in Achaia his zeal cost him his life. For the unbelieving Governor ordered him to be scourged and then crucified. It is recorded that in order to make his death more lingering he was fastened to the cross with cords instead of nails. The cross was constructed in the shape of the letter X and is known by the name of Saint Andrew's Cross. Even while dying lie taught the people, en- during his martyrdom "with the greatest cheerful- ness and triumph." TEXTS. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, he alway acceptable in thy sight, Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Ps xix. 14—15. Rend your heart and not your garments. Joel ii, 3. For with the heart man believeth unto righteous- ness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (See Epistle for the day.) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondeieth the hearts. PEAIEE. Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the in- spiration of Thy Holy Spirit : that we may perfectly loye Thee , and worthily magnify thy holy Xame : through Christ our Lord. Amen. — From the Psalter. Psalm cxiv, 15, 16, 17. — The eyes of all wait upon thee , Lord ; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thy hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. — Selection of Psalms xiv, Part 1, Verse 1. No change of time shall ever shock My firm affection Lord to thee, For thou hast always been my rock A fortress and defence to me. — Hymn 98, Verse 1. — "Go preach my gospel" saith the Lord, "Bid the whole earth my grace receive: Explain to them my sacred word, Bid them believe, obey, and live." COLLECT. Almighty God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay ; grant unto us all, that we being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give up ourselves obediently to fulfil thy holy com- mandments ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -^c^SS "In doing is the knowledge won Of seeing what remains undone; Let this our pride repress, And give us grace, a growing store, That day by day we may do more And may esteem it less." SAINT THOMAS'S DAY. DECEMBER 21. THOMAS called Didymus was, like Andrew and Peter, a fisherman. He had much zeal and courage and would die for his Lord, or with him if need be. And yet after our Saviour's resurection he would not at first believe in that great event. But Jesus shewed him the prints of the nails in his hands and his feet, saying "Be not faithless but beheving". — He preached in India as well as in other places, and was put to death by the Indian soldiery who were instigated to this cruelty by the Brahmins. TEXTS. Let us run with patience the race that is set be- fore us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher Of our faith. Hebrews xii, 1,2. Whom having not seen ye love ; in whom though now ye see him not, yet beheving, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1. Peter i, 8, 9. 6 And lie did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. St. Matt.xiii, 53. Daughter be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole. st. Matt, ix, 22. PiUYER. Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope and charity; and that we may obtain that winch thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command, though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter, Psalm xxv, 3, 4. — Shew me thy ways Lord, and teach me thy paths. Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me ; for thou art the God of my salvation ; in thee hath been my hope all the day long. — Selection of Psalms Hl, 1,3. — ■ My soul for help on God rely, On him alone thy trust repose; My rock and health will strength supply To bear the shock of all my foes. In him ye people always trust, Before his throne pour out your hearts, For God, the merciful and just, His timely aid to us imparts. — Hymn 142, Verses 2, 3. — Vain are our fancies, vain our flights If faith be cold and dead; None but a living power unites To Christ the living Head. The faith which new-creates the heart, And works by active love, Will bid all sinful joys depart And lift the thoughts above. COLLECT. Almighty and ever-living God, who for the greater confirmation of the faith didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; grant us so perfectly and without all doubt to be- lieve in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us Lord through the same Jesus Christ ; to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, now and for evermore. Amen. "WHOM NOT HAVING SEEN WE LOVE." "It is easy to love when eye meets eye, And the glance reveals the heart, When the flush on the cheek can the soul bespeak, And the lips in gladness part; There's a thrilling of bliss, in the loving kiss, And a spell in a kindly tone, And the spirit hath chains of tenderness, To fetter and bind its own." "But a holier spell and a deeper joy From a purer fountain flow, When the soul sends higher its incense fire And rests no more below ; When the heart goes up to the gate of Heaven And bows before the Throne, And striking its harp for sins forgiven Calls the Saviour all its own." "Though we gaze not now on the lovely brow That felt for us the thorn; Though afar from home we pilgrims roam, And our feet with toil are worn; Though we never have pressed that pierced hand, It is stretched our lives above; And we own His care in grateful prayer Whom not having seen we love". 9 "We have felt Him near for many a year, When, at eve, we Lent the knee; That mercy-breath, that glorious faith, Dear Saviour came from Thee! When we stood beside the dying bed And watched the loved one go, In the darkening hour, we felt His power And it hushed the waves of woe". "And still as we climb the hills of time, And the lamp of life grows dim, We are hastening on from faith to sight, We are pressing near to Him; And away from idols of earthly mould, Enraptured we gaze above, And long to be where His arms enfold, Whom not having seen we love". 10 CHRISTMAS DAT DECEMBER 26. Glory to God in the highest , and on earth Peace, good will toward men. TEXTS. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. st . Lllke ii; 19 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the Government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Tsaiah ix 6 . PRATER, Almighty God give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son, Jesus Christ came to visit us in 11 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. Amen. — From the Psalter, Psalm iii, 7. — Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : and thy bless- ing is upon thy people. — Selection of Psalms xxi, 7. — Erect your heads eternal gates, Unfold to entertain The King of Glory : see ! he comes With his celestial train. — Hymn 44, Verse 4. — Mercy and truth, with sweet accord, His rising beams adorn ; Let Heaven and Earth in concert sing, "The promised Child is born". COLLECT. Almighty God who hast given us thy only-begot- ten Son, to take our nature upon Him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin ; grant that 12 we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace , may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit ; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. -W&t^^gNL- CHRISTMAS. The Shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? My God no hymn for thee? My soul's a shepherd too; a flock it feeds Of thoughts, and words, and deeds : The pasture is Thy Word ; the streams, Thy grace Enriching all the place, Shepherd and flock shall sing and all my powers Outsing the daylight hours. George Herbert. 13 SAINT STEPHEN'S DAY. DECEMBER 26. SAINT STEPHEN was the first Christian Martyr. He was appointed by the Apostles to be one of seven Deacons. He performed miracles and eloquently in- structed the Jews. But they disputed with him, and becoming terribly enraged , they cast him out of the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death, while he prayed to God to forgive them. "And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him". A. D. 34. TEXTS. And he kneeled down and cried with, a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts v>'i, go. Blessed are they which are persecuted for right- eousness' sake ; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. St. Matth. v, 10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev . j 10. 14 — From the Psalter, Psalm cxix. (Lucerna pedibus meis) Verses 5, G, 8. My soul is alway in my hand ; yet do I not forget thy law. The ungodly have laid a snare for me ; but yet I swerve not from thy command- ments. I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway, even unto the end. PRAYER. We beseech thee Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty to be our de- fence against all our enemies, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — Selection of Psalms viii, Verse 4.— All those who have His goodness proved Will in his truth confide ; AVhose mercy ne'er forsook the man ' That on His help relied. — Hymn 112, Verses 1, 2. — Lo! what a cloud of witnesses Encompass us around; Men once like us with suffering tried, But now with glory crowned. 15 Let us with zeal like theirs inspired Strive in the Christian race, And freed from every weight of sin, Their holy footsteps trace. COLLECT. Grant 0! Lord that in all our sufferings here upon earth , for the testimony of the truth we may steadfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed ; and being filled with the Holy Ghost may learn to love and bless our persecutors, by the example of the first Martyr, Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers , to Thee, blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those who suffer for Thee, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 1G BE READY FOR THE DAYS ARE EVIL. Let me suffer wrong without complaining, While myself from doing wrong abstaining, Through Thy grace and strength, Lord, I pray ! Let me never smite the hand that smites me, But do good to him who ill requites me; Thus prepare me for the evil day. My true Peace and Saviour, be Thou near me, That in suffering I may not grow weary; Be Thou near me to direct my way; Streugthen Thou my soul when foes assail her, That Thy patient Spirit may not fail her, — • Thus prepare me for the evil day; That herself in patience still possessing, She may find e'en woes to be a blessing, . Nor account them strange when they arise; Point her to the happy realms above her, Where departed Saints, who dearly love her, Wait to greet her in the opening skies. — Spitta.-- (From Massie's translation.) SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY. DECEMBElt SAINT JOHN the "beloved disciple" was the son of Zebedee and the brother of Saint James. He appears to have been especially chosen with Saint James and Saint Peter by our Lord to be with Him on several important occasions. They alone were permitted to enter with Jesus into the house of the Ruler of the Synagogue, when our Saviour raised his daughter from the dead. The same three wit- nessed the marvellous Transfiguration ; and in the sad hour of agony were with Jesus at Gethsemane. Saint John and Saint Peter were selected by the Lord to bring the ass upon which he was to ride triumphantly into Jerusalem; and they two were also sent from Bethany to Jerusalem to "prepare the Passover". Saint John (as well as Saint Andrew) had been formerly a disciple of John the Baptist. He is supposed to have been about 30 years of age when called by our Saviour. He was the author of a Gospel, three Epistles and the Book of the Revelation. This last was written after the visions which he 18 beheld in the isle of Patmos. To that place he was banished by the Roman Emperor Domitian. It is said that the Apostle had been previously sent by order of the same Emperor to Rome, and cast into a cauldron of boiling oil, but from this he was taken out unhurt. He was recalled from banishment by the Emperor Nerva, and then lived at Ephesus until the commencemeut of the reign of Trajan, when he died at the age of 100 years. He was the only one of the twelve Apostles who died a natural death. TEXTS. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who also were in the ship, mending their nets. And straightway he called them ; and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. st. Mark i, 19, 20. "When Jesus therefore saw his Mother and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto hi« Mother: "Woman, behold thy Son"! Then saith he to the disciple; "Behold thy Mother! and from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. St. John, xix, 26, 27. I, John who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ was in the isle which is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit, on the Lord's day, and heard behind me, a great voice, as of a trumpet, 1!) saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Revelation of St. John, i, 9, 10 and part of 11. versos. PRAYER. Blessed Lord who has caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise, hear them, read, mark, learn and in- wardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm cxlv, 17, 18.— The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him ; yea , all such as call upon him faithfully. Selection of Psalms cv, Verses 1, 2. Lord, forever at thy side Let my place and portion be; Strip me of the robe of pride, Clothe me with humility. Meekly may my soul receive All thy Spirit had revealed; Thou hast spoken — I believe, Though the oracle be sealed. 20 — Hymn 97, Verses 1, 4. — Go forth ye heralds in my name, Sweetly the gospel trumpet sound; The glorious Jubilee proclaim, "Where 'er the human race is found. Freely from me ye have received, Freely in love to others give ; Thus shall your doctrines be believed And, by your labours sinners live. COLLECT. Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it being in- structed by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist, Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to ever- lasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 21 FOR ORDINATION. Christ to the young man said: "Yet one thing more If thou woulds't perfect he, Sell all thou hast and give it to the poor And come and follow me" ! And evermore heside him on his way The unseen Christ shall move, That he may lean upon His arm and say "Dost Thou, dear Lord approve 1 '? Beside him at the marriage-feast shall be To make the scene more fair ; Beside him in the dark Gethsemane Of pain and midnight-prayer! Oh holy trust! Oh endless sense of rest! Like the beloved John To lay his head upon his Saviour's breast And thus to journey on! Longfellow. '<&&&&*■ HE HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY. DECEMBER 28. "The Holy Innocents" is the name applied to those unfortunate little children of Bethlehem "from two years old and under", who were cruelly slain by command of Herod, King of Judea. He had been told by the "Wise Men that the King of the Jews (Jesus our Sayiour). was to be born in Bethlehem. He feared that his own kingdom would be in danger, and thought that by causing all the little ones to be killed the Holy One whom he dreaded could by no means escape. But Joseph being warned of God took the young child and His Mother away to the land of Egypt, where they remained until after the death of the wicked Herod. It is recorded by Josephus, of this wretched man, that before his death "he was smitten with many plagues and tortures". TEXTS. Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise Men . was exceeding wroth, and sent 23 forth and slew all the children that were in Beth- lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the Wise Men. St. Matth. ii, 16. And they brought young children to him that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked them that brought them. But when Jesus saw it he was much displeased and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the king- dom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them and blessed them. St. Mark x, 13, 14, 15. Doth not Wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? Now, therefore hearken unto me ye children: for blessed are they that keep my Ways. Proverbs viii, 1, 32. My little children, let us not love in word neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John iii, 13. I will write unto you little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 1 John ii, 12. PRAYER, Almighty and most merciful God, of thy boun- tiful goodness, keep us we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us ; that we being ready both 24 in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xxxiv, 11, 13, 14.— Come, ye children, and hearken unto me ; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile. Eschew evil, and do good; seek peace and ensue it. — Selection of Psalms cv, Verse 3. — Humble as a little child, Weaned from the mother's breast, By no subtilties beguiled, On thy faithful word I rest. — Hymn 127, Verse 1, 3.— As the sweet flower that scents the morn, But withers in the rising day ; Thus lovely was this Infant's dawn, Thus swiftly fled its life away. It died to sin, it died to cares, But for a moment felt the rod; Oh! mourner, such the Lord declares, Such are the children of our God. 25 COLLECT. Aimighty God, who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength and made in- fants to glorify thee by their deaths; Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives and con- stancy of our faith, even unto death, we may glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A MOTPIER OF BETHLEHEM. "A child now lives who Israel's King shall be, So Herod jealous trembling, yet in wrath, Has to his soldiers giv'n a stern decree, And, fearing One, strikes all from out his path From two years old and under." — What is this Judea's cruel king would now have done? My babe, my treasure and my only bliss Thou shalt not die, — thy life is just begun : — Ah, no! Why need I fear? — It cannot be! No man could slay an innocent young child, Ah, no, no, no! — Would any murder thee, Poor little, tender creature undefiled? — Besides, thou art no king and ne'er shalt be ; Though other babes must die, yet safe thou art; No regal, purple robe awaiteth thee, Thine only throne is in thy Mother's heart! — We are so very humble — , I am sure That if the soldiers come they '11 pass us by; For once 't is very sweet to be so poor, So poor that thou may'st live, — too poor to die ! 2G They say, some sheperds watching flocks at night Heard angel-voices singing from afar; That Eastern Magi saw a wondrous light And sought the Child-King, guided by a star: — — Oh, have they found, or are they seeking on? — Some say the infant sleeps in lowly place; Why, so dost thou my babe, and lo ! my son, Now shines a radiant star upon thy face : And why might not for thee sweet Angels sing? — (In sooth thou hast a very kingly air!) And hark ! — The people come to hail thee, King ! — -My God, ' tis Herod's soldiers ! — Spare, oh, spare ! M. E. TOWNSEND. THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. JANUARY 1. Ihis day is according to the Jewish mode of reck- oning, the eighth day from Christmas day (for the Jews always reckoned in the day from which they counted, as we see when Christ is said to have risen again on the third day), and so it was on this day that, according to the law of Moses, our blessed Lord was circumcised and received the holy name "Jesus", or "Saviour", and it is this event which the Church keeps in memory to day. Thus the year begins with Christ". TEXTS. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the God- head bodily. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the cir- cumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the 28 faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Coiossians ii, 9, 11, 12. And if Christ he in you, the body is dead he- cause of sin ; hut the Spirit is life hecause of right- eousness. For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die : but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans viii, 13. But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor ' uncircumcision, but a new creature. Galatians vi , 14, 15. For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. vml in, 3. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that deny- ing ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Titus ii, 11, 12. PRAYER. Lord we beseech thee grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the Devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee , the only God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 29 — From Psalter. Psalm li, 2, 10. — Wash me throughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. Make me a clean heart. God, and renew a right spirit within me. — Selection of Psalms lvii, Verses 2, 3. Whom then in Heaven but thee alone, Have I, whose favour I require ! Throughout the spacious earth there 's Compared with Thee that I desire. My trembling flesh and aching heart May often fail to succour me; But God shall inward strength impart And my eternal portion be. — Hymn 60, Verses 1, 2. — Thou to whose all-searching sight The darkness shineth as the light, Search, prove my heart; it looks to thee, Oh burst its bonds and set it free. Wash out its stains ; renew its dross, Bind my affections to the cross ; Hallow each thought till all within Be clean, as thou my Lord art clean. 30 COLLECT. Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to he circumcised and obedient to the Law for man; grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that our hearts and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -t&sgm^ NOTH1NG BUT LEAVES. ''Nothing but leaves; the Spirit grieves Over a wasted life, Sin committed while conscience slept, Promises made but never kept, Hatred, battle and strife: Nothing but leaves! Nothing but leaves; no garnered sheaves Of life's fair ripened grain; Words, idle words for earnest deeds;' • We sow our seeds, lo ! tares and weeds ; We reap with toil and pain Nothing but leaves ! Nothing but leaves; memory weaves No veil to screen the past; As we trace our weary way, Counting each lost and misspent day, We sadly find at last Nothing but leaves. 8.1 And shall we meet the Master so, Bearing our withered leaves? The Saviour looks for perfect fruit, — We stand before Him, humble, mute ; Waiting the word he breathes: — Nothing but leaves". 82 EPIPHANY. JANUARY 6. 'J his day is the festival of the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. The Jews had been led to expect from the writings of the Prophets that their promised Messiah would appear about the time when our Saviour was born. And Gentiles also from the East, Wise Men, or Magi, as they were called, travelled to Jerusalem, to find and to wor- ship this looked for King of the Jews, for they said they had seen in the East a wonderful star: "And the star, which they saw went before them till it came and stood over the place where the young Child was." When they worshipped him they also presented unto him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It is said in reference to the symbolic meaning of these gifts that they offered frankincense, because lie was God; gold, because he was a King; and myrrh, because he was to die for mankind. Myrrh was used among the Jews to embalm and prepare bodies for burial. 33 TEXTS. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them ; and the desert shall rejoice , and blossom as the rose. isaiuh xxxv, 1. Tims saith the Lord the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall wor- ship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Isaiah xlix, 7. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all Kings thy glory : and thou shalt be called by a new name; which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Isaiah lxn, ?. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? yes, of the Gentiles also. Romans iii, 29. For the Scripture saith, whosoever believeth on liim shall not be ashamed. For there is no diffe- rence between the Jew and the Greek : for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Romans x, 11, 12. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written , as I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 34 For so hath the Lord commanded us , saying , I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord. Acts xiii, 47, 48. Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons ; But in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him. Acts x, 34, 35. PRAYER. merciful God who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live ; Have mercy upon all Jews, Turks , Infidels and Heretics ; and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word ; and so bring them home, Blessed Lord, to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold, under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit , one God world without end. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm cxlv, Verses 4, 7, 9. — One generation shall praise thy works with an- other, and declare thy power. The memorial of thy abundant kindness shall be showed: and men shall 35 sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is loving unto every man; and his mercy is over all his works. Selection of Psalms xvii, Part 3, Verse 7. Then shall the glad converted world To God their homage pay; And scattered nations of the earth One sovreign Lord obey. — Hymn 42, Verse 2.— Israel 1 s strength and consolation, Hope of all the saints thou art; Long desired of every nation, Joy of every waiting heart. COLLECT. Oh God, who by the leading of a star, did^t manifest thy only -begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Cc) "Bright was the guiding star that led With mild, benignant ray, The Gentiles to the lowly shed, Where the Redeemer lay. "But lo! a brighter, clearer light Now points to His abode ; It shines through sin and sorrow's night, To guide us to our God. "0 gladly tread the narrow path While light and grace are given ! Who meekly follow Christ on earth Shall reign with Him in heaven." -^@J<3 37 CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL. SAINT PAUL was originally called Saul. He was a Jew, of the sect of the Pharisees. Zeal was a prominent trait of his character. While yet a young man (being then an unbeliever in Jesus), he mani- fested it by persecuting with great fury all who called themselves Christians. At the time of the stoning to death of Saint Stephen, Saul was a looker on, gladly participating no doubt in the cruel feelings which prompted the persecutors. It is recorded that the "witnesses" laid down their clothes at the feet of Saul, while they took their part in the stoning of Stephen. In the Jewish law it was required in the case of punishment by stoning that "the two or three witnesses" of the offence should be the first to cast the stones, "and afterwards the hands of all the people" should join in accomplishing the punishment. (See Deuteronomy xxvii, verses 6, 7.) "And Saul was consenting unto his death"; after which he seems to have become more and more cruel, for "he made havoc of the Church, entering into every house, and, ha- ling men and women, committed them to prison." We find too that in the following year (A. D. 35) "Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord , went unto the High Priests and desired of them letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem". — But he was suddenly and wonderfully checked in his mad career and was converted ; then having been baptized, and after tarrying "certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus", "he straightway preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God". — The Jews afterwards took counsel to kill him, for he had joined himself to their enemies, the Christians ; but the disciples saved his life, by letting him down by the city-wall in a basket. He then went to Jerusalem, but so universally had his cruel zeal of former days become known, that at first the disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of him. "But Barnabas took him and brought him -to the Apostles"; tell- ing them of all that had come to pass. So then he remained a long time among them, "speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus". Barnabas and Paul were associated many times in good works, during the following ten years, as will be seen by reading the Acts. When at Iconium some of the unbelieving Jews caused "Saul, who is also called Paul" to be stoned; but he was not killed, and the next day he continued his labours with Barna- bas, preaching the gospel, "confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation 39 enter into the kingdom of God". — Saint Luke's ac- count of Saint Paul's doings, as he relates them in the Acts of the Apostles, is most interesting; in- dicating very plainly that Saint Paul continued until the end of his days to be a zealous, untiring teacher of the doctrines of Christianity. Notwithstanding that he suffered wonderful hardships in many ways, "he preached the gospel in Jerusalem, Arabia, Asia, Greece, Illyricum, Rome and to the utmost bounds of the Western world", tie suffered martyrdom by being beheaded, in the 68* h year of his age, at the time of the great persecution of all Christians in the reign of the Emperor Nero. TEXTS. And he fell to the earth and heard a voice say- ing unto him : Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? Acts ix, 4. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, put- ting me into the ministry ; Who was before a blas- phemer and a persecutor, and injurious: but I ob- tained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy i, 12, 13. And the night following, the Lord stood by him, and said: Be of good cheer Paul; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem , so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Acts xxin , 11. Unto me who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesiaus iii , 8. 4U PRATER. Grant we beseech thee Almighty God, that we. who for our evil deeds, do worthily deserve to be punished, may by the comfort of thy grace merci- fully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xxv, 6,1. — Oh, remember not the sins and offences of my youth ; but according to thy mercy, think thou upon me. Lord, for thy goodness. Gracious and righ- teous is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way. — Selection of Psalms xxvii, Terse 1. — No sooner I my wounds disclosed, The guilt that tortured me within, But thy forgiveness interposed And mercy's healing balm poured in. Hvmn 185. — Since I've known a Saviour's name And sin's strong fetters broke. Careful, without care I am, Nor feel my easy yoke; Joyful now my faith to show I find his service my reward : All the work I do below Is liof-ht . for such a Lord. 41 COLLECT. God who through the preaching of thy blessed Apostle Saint Paul , hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world; Grant we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful con- version in remembrance, may show forth our thank- fulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE HEAVENLY SOWING. Sower Divine, Sow the good seed in me, Seed for eternity; "lis a rough barren soil, Yet by Thy care and toil, Make it a fruitful field, A hundredfold to yield; Sower divine, Plough up this heart of mine ! Sower divine! Quit not this wretched field, Till Thou hast made it yield ; Sow Thou by day and night, In darkness and in light. Stay not Thy hand, but sow, Then shall the harvest grow; Sower divine, Sow deep this heart of mine ! 42 Sower divine ! Let not this barren clay Lead Thee to turn away; Let not my fruitlessness Provoke Thee not to bless Let not this field be dry Refresh it from on high. Sower divine Water this heart of mine ! H. Boxar. C r^.-Vrl^ 4a THE PURIFICATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY. FEBRUARY 2. AND when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. St. Luke ii, 22. This was at the end of forty days ; and was done in obedience to the established Jewish law. On this occasion the mother of Jesus offered the custo- mary sacrifice in the Temple, which in her case was a pair of turtle-doves and two young pigeons. For she was poor and "unable to attain to the more costly offering which the Law prescribed to those who could afford it, — namely a lamb of the first year". (See Leviticus xii, 2, 4, 6.) — But how must the humble and poor mother's heart have been thrilled when (before she went with the babe and her husband back to "their own city Nazareth", and while yet in God's Holy Temple), the just and devout Simeon took the child up in his arms, blessed 44 God, and said, "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation" ! — Then came in Anna the prophetess, a venerable widow "which departed not from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day". "She gave thanks likewise unto the Lord , and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem". — Thus both a holy man and a holy woman were ready to rejoice in God's mercy, to proclaim the world's Saviour, to bless the Virgin Mother in the hour of her purification (though a sword should pierce through her own soul), — and to prophesy wonderful things of the child whom she had pre- sented to the Lord! — We may readily believe, as it is recorded in the Gospel, that "Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him". TEXTS. Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see God. St. Matt, v, 8. And the Angel said unto her , Fear not Mary ; for thou hast found favour with God. St. Luke i, 30. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his hand- maiden: for, behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. St. Luke i, 46, 47, 48. 45 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brethren. Acts i, 14. PRATER. Let thy merciful ears, Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants ; and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee ;■ through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xxxiv, Verses 2, 4, 10, 11. — My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. Blessed are they who dwell in thy house; they will be alway praising thee. For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. — Selection of Psalms 1, 1, 4.— For thee , God , our constant praise In Zion waits thy chosen seat; Our promised altars there we'll raise, And all our zealous vows complete. Bless'd is the man who near thee placed, Within thy sacred dwelling lives ; Tis there abundantly we taste The vast delights thy temple gives. 46 — Hymn 24, Verses 3, 4. — Behold the Ark of God, Behold the open door; Hasten to gain that dear abode And rove my soul no more. There safe thou shalt abide, There sweet shall be thy rest, And every longing satisfied With full salvation blest. COLLECT. Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly be- seech thy Majesty that as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 47 Saviour pure and holy, Lover of the lowly, Sign us with Thy sign, Take our hands in Thine, Take our hands and come, Lead thy children home! Star of morn and even, Shine on us from Heaven, From Thy glory-throne Hear thy very own ! Lord and Saviour come, Lead us to our home! Francis T. Palgrave. 4* SAINT MATTHIAS' DAY FEBRUARY 24. AFTER our Saviour Jesus Christ had ascended into Heaven, and the eleven Apostles were left alone on earth, to go and do all things as He had com- manded them, they were one day assembled, with many other disciples, when Peter stood up in the midst and told the multitude that the Scripture must needs be fulfilled, and that one among them must be chosen to take part of the ministry and Apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell. "Then out of the number of men who had com- panied with the Apostles all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, from the time of the baptism by John, until the day that Jesus ascended into heaven, they ordained one to be a witness of his resurrection also with them". He was to take the place of the traitor, making thus again the number of the Apostles twelve. First, then, two were selected from the crowd of belie- vers and prayer was made to God that He would show which of those two He had chosen. "And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon 49 Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" . He was probably one of the seventy disciples who, as it is recorded in Saint Luke's Gospel, (chap, x) were appointed by our Lord to go be- fore him through every city teaching, and healing the sick. "He preached first in Judea; and afterwards, ac- cording to Saint Jerome, went to the East, where after he had converted many to Christ, he obtained the crown of martyrdom". TEXTS. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye there- fore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. st. Luke x, 2. Thou therefore my Son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men , who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy n, 1, 2. Preach the word ; be instant in season , out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suf- fering and doctrine. 2 Timothy iv, 2. PRATER. Almighty Grod who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flock, give grace we 50 beseech thee to all Bishops, the Pastors of thy Church, that they may diligently preach thy Word and duly administer the godly discipline thereof; and grant to the people that they may obediently follow the same : that all may receive the crown of everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm ci. 4. 9. — I will take no wicked thing in hand; I hate the sins of unfaithfulness ; there shall no such cleave unto me. Whose leadeth a godly life, he shall be mv servant. -Selection of Psalms cviii. Verses 9, 10.- Biess God. ye servants that attend Upon his solemn state ; That in his Temple's hallowed courts With humble reverence wait. Within his house lift up your hands And bless his holy Name; From Zion bless thy Israel , Lord. Who Earth and Heaven didst frame. — Hymn 10, Verses 1. 5. — Father of mercies, bow thine ear Attentive to our earnest prayer. We plead for those who plead for thee, Successful pleaders may they be. Let thronging multitudes around Hear from their lips the joyful sound In humble strains thy grace implore And feel thy new-creating power. COLLECT. Almighty God, who into the place of the trai- tor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles ; Grant that thy Church, being always preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true Pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -*&&&&«- NOW. "Arise! for the day is passing While you lie dreaming on: Your brothers are cased in armour And forth to the fight are gone; Your place in the ranks awaits you Each man has a part to play ; The past and the future are nothing In the face of the stern to-day". "Arise from your dreams of the future Of gaining a hard fought field; Of storming the airy fortress; Of bidding the giant yield. 52 Your future has deeds of glory, Of honor (God grant it may!) But your arm will never be stronger Or needed as Now, to-day'\ Arise ! if the past detain you Her sunshine and storms forget; No claims so unworthy to hold you As those of a vain regret: — Sad or bright she is lifeless ever: Cast her phantom arms away, Nor look back save to learn the lesson, Of a nobler strife to-day. "Arise! for the hour is passing; The sound that you dimly hear Is your enemy marching to battle — Rise ! rise, for the foe is here ! Stay not to brighten your weapons Or the hour will strike at last; And from dreams of a coming battle You will waken, and find it past." ^S 53 THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY. MARCH 25. " lHE x\ngel Gabriel announced to Zacharias the Priest the coming in the flesh of the Lord Jesus at the same time that he foretold the birth of John the forerunner of Christ. — ■ Six months later the same Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she should be the mother of "the Saviour of the world." This startling communication at first filled her pure and gentle spirit with fear ; but she, in all meekness, replied to the Angel ; "Behold the handmaid of the Lord". Yes ! she might well take courage , though im- pressed with wondering awe, for had not the Angel said "Blessed art thou among women"? Let us remember that there is a blessing like- wise for all whose characters resemble that of the Virgin Mother; for — 54 ''Still to the lowly soul He doth himself impart, And for His cradle and His throne Chooseth the pure in heart." TEXTS. And the Angel came in unto her and said, Hail thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee ; Blessed art thou among women. st. Luke i, 2s. Many are in high place and of renown: hut mysteries are revealed unto the meek. For the power of the Lord is great and he is honoured of the lowly. Ecclesiastieus iii. And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord ; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. St. Luke i, 38. And of the angels he said , who niaketh his angels spirits , and his ministers a flaming fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne God, is for ever and ever : a sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews i, 7, s. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. i j i in j Vj 2, 3. 55 PRATER. God who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understand- ing ; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm Jxxii, verses 18, 19. — Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel, which only doeth wondrous things ; and blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: And all the Earth shall be filled with his majesty. Amen, Amen. — Selection of Psalms cxiii, verse 3. — Surrounded by thy power I stand. On every side I find thy hand: skill for human reach too high! Too dazzling bright for mortal eye ! —Hymn 134, verses 1,2.— Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed; The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast. 56 Prayer is the burden of a sigli, The falling of a tear; The upward glancing of an eye, When none but God is near. COLLECT. We beseech thee Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts ; that as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Blest among women is thy lot: But higher meed we yield thee not, Nor more than woman's name. Nor solemn 'Hail' to thee we pay Nor prayer to thee for mercy pray, Nor hymn of glory raise ; Nor thine we deem in God's high throne, Nor thine the birthright of thy Son The Mediator's praise. Mother of Jesus, Parent dear ! If aught of earthly thou couldst hear, If aught of human see; What pangs thy humble heart must wring To know thy Saviour, Lord and King, Dishonour'd thus for thee! — Bishop Mant. -^g^w- 58 ASH -WEDNESDAY- FROM THE LITANY. J HAT it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences and ignorances ; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy Holy Word; We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Xaine. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 59 And lest through our own frailt}", or the temp- tations which encomj)ass us , we be drawn again into sin, vouchsafe us, we beseech thee, the direction and assistance of thy Holy Spirit. Reform what- ever is amiss in the temper and disposition of our souls ; that no unclean thoughts, unlawful designs, or inordinate desires may rest there. Purge our hearts from envy, hatred and malice : that we may never suffer the sun to go down uj)on our wrath ; but may always go to our rest in peace, charity, and good-will, with a conscience void of offence to- wards thee, and towards men : That so we may be preserved pure and blameless, unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. TEXTS. Again when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his SOUl alive. Ezekiel xviii, 27. If we say that we have no sin we deceive our- selves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i, 8, 0. — From Psalter. Psalm xxvii, 1, 2, 7. — Unto thee will I cry, Lord, my strength ; think no scorn of me ; lest if thou make as though thou nearest not, I become like them that go down into GO the pit. Hear the voice of my humble petitions, when I cry unto thee; when I hold up my hands towards the mercy-seat of thy holy temple. — Praised be the Lord, for he hath heard the voice of my humble petitions. — Selection of Psalms lxxx, Verses 1.- "VVhen I pour out my soul in prayer, Do thou Lord, attend; To thy eternal throne of grace Let my sad cry ascend. — Hymn 59, Verses 2,3,5. — Yet sovereign mercy calls "Return" ; Dear Lord, and may I come? My vile ingratitude I mourn; take the wanderer home. And canst thou, wilt thou yet forgive, And bid my crhnes remove? And shall a pardoned rebel live To speak thy wondrous love? Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet, Dear Saviour, I adore: keep me at thy sacred feet, And let me rove no more. Gl COLLECT. Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest noth- ing 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 worthily lament- ing our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. "^^^C^SN^SSO©^ f <^^€): 62 Father of all my joy. Shall I not bring to Thee The griefs which oft oppress, Which sadly trouble me? Wilt Thou not hear my prayer. And from Thy throne on high In mercy lend Thine ear And graciously reply? Dangers surround my path, Temptations fright my soul, And trials make me yield To grief beyond control: The weight of all my sins Is painful to be borne; I ask thy firm support: Oh! leave me not alone! Dear Saviour, Thou hast said Thy grace shall ever be Sufficient to the need, Of all who trust in Thee: Oh! wilt Thou grant me faith To view Thy blest abode, Still trusting in Thy grace Closely to walk with God. Louisa S. Townsend. -^QzfiQy&^r MONDAY BEFORE EASTER "SAVIOUR when in dust, to Thee, Low we bow th' adoring knee; When, repentant, to the skies Scarce we lift our streaming eyes; by all thy pains and woe, Suffered once for man below, Bending from Thy throne on high, Hear our solemn litany". TEXTS. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. St. Matthew xxi, 22. And ye shall be hated of all men, for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. St. Mark xiii, 13. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him , and could not find 64 what they might do : for all the people were very attentive to hear him. St. Luke six, 47, 48. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold the world has gone after him. g t . j obn X j {- ^ PRATEK. Lord, we beseech thee grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil ; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only Grod ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xxxiii, Verses 10,11,12.— The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought, and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect , and casteth out the counsels of princes. The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever, and the thoughts of his heart from gene- ration to generation. Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord Jehovah; and blessed are the folk that he hath chosen to him to be his inheritance. — Selection of Psalms x, 1, 2 — How long wilt thou forget me Lord? Must I for ever mourn? How long wilt thou withdraw from me, Oh ! never to return ? 65 O hear, and to my longing eyes Restore Thy wonted light; Dawn on my spirit, lest I sleep In death's most gloomy night. — Hymn 160, Verses 1, 2, 3. — When gathering clouds around I view, And days are dark, and friends are few, On him I lean, who not in vain, Experienced every human pain; He feels my griefs, he sees my fears And counts and treasures up my tears. If aught should tempt my soul to stray From heavenly wisdom's narrow way, To fly the good I would pursue, Or do the ill I would not do; Still He who felt temptation's power, Shall guard me in that dangerous hour. When vexing thoughts within me rise And, sore dismayed, my spirit dies; Then He, who once vouchsafed to bear The sickening anguish of despair, Shall sweetly soothe , shall gently dry The throbbing heart, the streaming eye. 66 COLLECT. Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy ten- der love 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 man- kind should follow the example of his great humil- ity ; mercifully grant , that we may hoth follow the example of his patience, and also be made partak- ers of his resurrection ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 07 Look out beyond , for darkness is within ! Hear not too much thy heart, but hear thy Saviour speak ; Scan not too closely every secret sin, Look up unto thy God, He knows that thou art weak. Shut not the haunted chambers of thy heart, Where hide the sullen shapes of Sin and grim Despair, But throw thy "soul's large windows" wide apart Until God's glowing sunshine flood it everywhere ! Then listen while the loving Father cries: "Poor child ! My everlasting arms shall thee support; Have faith to lean on me,— Awake ! Arise ! But go no more astray, for thee I long have sought." Oh cease from sin, and pray and hope and trust; — Repentant thought should stir thee up to noblest deed : For others be thy tears, if weep thou must, Then tell them of God's love till they rejoice indeed ! M. E. TOWNSEND. -*&Q®&^- 68 TUESDAY BEFORE EASTER: 'By thy birth and early years, By thy human griefs and fears, By thy fasting and distress In the lonely wilderness, By thy victory in the hour Of the subtle tempter's power ; Jesus look with pitying eye; Hear our solemn litanv." TEXTS. It is good that a man should both hoj3e and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it Upon him. Lamentations iii, 26, 27, 28. And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Pi,n. n 8 ^ 60 But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter iv, 13. PRAYER. From all sedition, privy conspiracy and rebellion ; from all false doctrine , heresy and schism ; from hardness of heart and contempt of thy word and commandment : Good Lord deliver us. (From the Litany ) — From Psalter, Psalm lxiv, 1,2,3, ,7. — Hear my voice, God, in my prayer; preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the gathering together of the fro Ward, and from the insurrection of wicked doers ; who have whet their tongue like a sword, and shoot out their arrows, even bitter words ; that they may privily shoot at him that is perfect ; suddenly do they hit him and fear not. But God shall suddenly shoot at them with a swift arrow, that they shall be wounded. — Selection of Psalm xvji, Part 3, Verse 5. The meek companions of my grief Shall find my table spread; And all that seek the Lord shall be With joys immortal fed. — Hymn 143. — Jesus Saviour of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly, While the waves of trouble roll, While the tempest tsill is high: Hide me, my Saviour hide, Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide; receive my soul at last. Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on thee : Leave, ah ! leave not alone, Still support and comfort me : All my trust on thee is stayed, All my hope from thee I bring; Cover my defenceless head With the shadow of thy wing. COLLECT. Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy ten- der love 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 man- kind should follow the example of his great humi- lity ; mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -~i£m *_ 104 SAINT PHILIP AND SAINT JAMES- DAY. IT is believed that Saint Philip preached the gospel in Upper Asia. On account of his success in mak- ing converts he was thrown into prison, and after- wards scourged and crucified. Saint James the Less, surnamed the Just, was the son of Alpheus or Cleopas. He presided over the Church at Jeru- salem. At the feast of the Passover, the Scribes and Pharisees threw him from a battlement of the Temple , and then, while he prayed for his per- secutors, stoned him to death. (A. D. 62.) TEXTS. Xow Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Xathaniel and saith unto him, we have found him of whom Moses in the Law, and the Prophets, did write, Jesus of Xazareth the son of Joseph. And Nathaniel said unto him, can 105 there any good tiling come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come* and see. st. John, i, 44, 45, 46. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast : The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Gali- lee, and desired him saying, Sir we would see Jesus. St. John xii, 20, 21. James the son of Alpheus. — st. Matth. 2, 3, 4. James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. Epis ti e f st. James i , 1. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him ; let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his ways shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a mul- titude of Sins. St. James v, 19, 20. PRAYER. Almighty God who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin , and also an ensample of godly life ; give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his in- estimable benefit; and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 106 From Psalter. Psalm xvii. Verses hold Thou up my goings in Thy paths, that, my footsteps slip not. Show thy marvellous loving- kindness, thou that art the Saviour of them which put their trust in Thee , from such as resist Thy right hand. — Selection of Psalms xcvi. Terse 3. — Far better 'tis to trust in God, And have the Lord our friend Than on the greatest human power For safety to depend. — Hymn 209, Verse 1. — Thou art the Way, to thee alone From sin and death we flee ; And he who would the Father seek Must seek him, Lord, by Thee. COLLECT. Almighty God, whom truly to know is ever- lasting life; grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life ; that, following the steps of Thy Holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may steadfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life ; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 107 GRIEF. There's good in tears , or they had not been sent By him who is all good ! It is not wise To keep our sorrows in our hearts up pent When we can give them freedom from our eyes, The storm-cloud only darkens our fair earth, Until it falleth down in gentle rain; And then what wondrous beauties have their birth ; So, when the heart is overcharged with pain We see a shadow upon every good; But let our heavy sorrows have their way, And as they well into a tearful flood What comfort may not come? Ah, who can say? Grief has a mission holier than joy; It moves the selfish, and it warms the cold; A common sorrow will e'en pain destroy, And change the King and beggar to one mould. Our griefs should make us gentler to our kind, And as we comfort need more comfort pay; So using sorrow, we our tears shall find Have washed some grossness of our souls away. Selected. 10S ASCENSION DAY. rf HEN thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all be- lievers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. (Fj . om the TE deum.) It is very meet, right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto thee Lord, Holy Father , Almighty, everlasting God ; through thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; who after his most glorious Resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into Heaven , to pre- pare a place for us ; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of Heaven, we laud, aud magnify thy glorious Name : evermore praising thee and say- 109 ing , holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts , Heaven and Earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee Lord, most high. Amen. TEXTS. I saAV in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of Heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him : his do- minion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that winch shall not be destroyed. D aniel viij 13j 14 . Behold he cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the be- ginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, which was, and is to come, the Almighty. Revelation i, 7. 8. PRAYER. God, the King of Glory, who hast exalted thy only Son Jesus Christ, with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; we beseech thee leave us not comfortless ; but send to us thy Holy Spirit to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ has gone before, who liveth and 110 reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm lvii, Verses 10, 11, 12. — I will give thanks unto thee, Lord, among the people; and I will sing unto thee among the nations. For the greatness of thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Set up thyself, God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. — Selection of Psalms cxviii, Verses 6, 7. — All thy works, Lord, shall bless thee, Thee shall all thy saints adore; King supreme shall they confess thee, And proclaim thy sovereign power. They thy might, all might excelling, Shall to all mankind make known; And the brightness of thy dwelling, ■ And the glories of thy throne. — Hymn 73, Verses 4, G. — Who is the King of Glory, who? The Lord who all his foes o'ercame, The world, sin, death, and hell o'erthrew And Jesus is the Conqueror's name. Ill Who is the King of Glory, who? The Lord, of boundless power possessed, The King of Saints and angels too, God over all, for ever blest. COLLECT. 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 Heavens ; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 112 WHAT WE SHALL BE. What shall we be, when the freed soul can rise With unrestrained and bold aspiring flight To Him, who by His wondrous sacrifice, Hath opened heaven, and scattered sin's dark night ; When from the eye of faith the thin veil drops, Like wreaths of mists before the morning's rays, And we behold the end of all our hopes, The Son of God iu full refulgent blaze! What shall we be , when we shall hear Him say ; "Come, ye blessed", when we see Him stand, Robed in the light of everlasting day, Before the throne of God at His right hand; When we behold the eyes from which once flowed Tears o'er the sin and misery of man, And the deep wounds from which the precious blood, That made atonement for the world once ran! What shall we be, who have in Christ believed, What through His grace will be our sweet reward ! Eye hath not seen, ear heard, or heart conceived, W r hat God for those who love Him hath prepared; Let us the steep ascent then boldly climb, Our toil and labor will be well repaid; Let us haste onward, till in God's good time We reap the fruit, a crown that doth not fade. Spttta. (Massie'a translation.) 113 MONDAY IN WHITSUN-WEEK. BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST. (Nicene Creed.) It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose'most true promise the Holy Ghost came down, as at this time from Heaven, with a sudden great sound , as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the Apostles , to teach them , and to lead them to all truth ; giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the gospel to all nations ; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and the knowledge of thee and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels and Arch- angels and with all the company of Heaven, we 8 114 laud and magnify thy glorious name ; evermore prais- ing thee and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee Lord Most High. Amen. TEXTS. These tilings have I spoken to you being yet pre- sent with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. St. John xiv. 25, 26. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you , in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall re- ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God Shall Call. Acts ii, 38, 39. PRAYER. Almighty and ever-living God, who hast vouch- safed to regenerate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them for- giveness of all their sins ; strengthen them, we be- seech thee Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Com- forter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit 115 of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xxii, Verses 24,25. — My praise is of thee in the great congregation; my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him. All the ends of the world shall remember themselves, and be turned unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him. — Selection of Psalms liii, Verses 4, 5. — Ascending high in triumph thou Captivity hast captive led, And on thy people didst bestow Thy gifts and graces freely shed. E'en rebels shall partake thy grace, And humble proselytes repair To worship at thy dwelling-place And all the world pay homage there. — Hymn 75, Verses 1, 3, 4.— Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, With all thy quickening powers; Kindle a flame of sacred love In these cold hearts of ours. 116 In vain we tune our lifeless songs, In vain we strive to rise ; Hosannas languish on our tongues And our devotion dies. Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, With all thy quickening powers; Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love. And that shall kindle ours. COLLECT. 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 ever- more to rejoice in his holy comfort : through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee iu the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. "0 Holy Ghost, who from the Father flbwest And from the Son, teach me how to pray ; Thou, who the love and peace of God bestowest, With faith and hope inspire and cheer my way ; Direct, control, and sanctify each motion Within my soul, and make it thus to be Prayerful, and still, and full of deep devotion, A holy temple worthy, Lord, of Thee." Ill TUESDAY IN WHITSUN -WEEK. IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, ever- lasting God, for the precious death and merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and for sending to us the Holy Ghost the Comforter, who are one with thee in thy Eternal Godhead. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee Lord most High. Amen. TEXTS. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. One shall say, I am the Lord's, and 118 another shall call himself by the name of Jacob ; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Isaiah lxiv, 3, 5. So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood , the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. As for me, this is my covenant with them saith the Lord ; my spirit which is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. Isaiah lix> 19; 2 i. But ye beloved, building up yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life. Epistle of Jude, 20, 21. PRATER. Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine Providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church, give thy grace we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same, and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of fife, that they may faith- fully serve thee, to thy glory of thy great name, and the benefit of thy Holy Church ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 119 — From Psalter. Psalm li, Verses 11, 12, 13.- Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. give me the com- fort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked , and sinners shall be converted unto 1 thee. — Selection of Psalms cxvii, Part 1, Verses 7,8. Thy love through earth extends its fame . To all thy works expressed; These show thy praise, whilst thy great Name Is by thy servants blessed. They with a glorious prospect fired, Shall of thy kingdom speak; And thy great power, by all admired, Their lofty subject make. — Hymn 104, Verses 1,4.— 0, Spirit of the living God, In all thy plenitude of grace, Where e'er the foot of man hath trod, Descend on our apostate race. Convert the nations ; far and high The triumphs of the cross record; The name of Jesus glorify, Till every people call him Lord. 120 COLLECT. God who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, and ever- more to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour , who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one Grod, world without end. Amen. -x&^Qm*~ JESUS OF NAZARETH PASSETH BY. "What meaneth this eager and gathering throng? I hear it and feel how it rushes along; Oh, wherefore are sighs intermingled with song"? Thus a blind man calls till they make reply: "Hush! Jesus of Nazareth passeth by". Yes, Jesus of Nazareth walketh so near, He passeth him by, — yet He pauseth to hear: That strong earnest cry hath attracted His ear; His mission is mercy, and that is why The Saviour of Nazareth passeth by. Then be not afraid in His pathway to tread, But quick, let before Him the blind man be led; O'er the deaf and the dumb shall "Ephphatha" be said: Lo ! e'en the vile leper is crouching nigh, For Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 121 No anguishing heart groaned before Him in vain, He dried every tear, and relieved every pain: But that was of old; doth His love yet remain? Breaking hearts of to-day, may you and I See Jesus of Nazareth passing by? By Galilee's shores, on Lake Genesaret, Through the city of Nain, on Mount Olivet, Sweet trace of His footsteps is lingering yet; His love is eternal, — though now no eye Sees Jesus of Nazareth passing by. His love is eternal, and, oh! we are blest In feeling His presence, His arm giving rest; We sob out our sorrows that torture the breast Then hear a sweet voice that yields sigh for sigh As Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And whether at home when the black clouds lower, Or whether at sea, when the storm hath power; In the horrible wilds ! In the soul's dark hour ! In vain shall all terrors our faint hearts try If Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Poor Captive, with hands on the cold, iron bar, Whose sad eyes are watching the bright evening-star, There comes a soft footfall to Thee, from afar! Not the sentinel's tread : no ! no ! — do not sigh ! It was Jesus of Nazareth passing by. God's Peace now illumines the dungeon's damp floor, And Hope singeth out where Despair wept before: Lo ! Death's soothing angel hath opened his door ! All weary, the penitent smiles to die Since Jesus of Nazareth passed by. 122 Both the lofty and lowly in horror do flee, From the Outcasts of earth and their heart-break- ing glee; Yet, may (rod, in His pity, from sin set them free ! Then they, even they, shall by and by Find Jesus of Nazareth passing by. When the light has gone out from loved eyes that shone, And the hand moves no longer to grasp with our own, Then we turn from the grave with a shudder and groan, Asking: "Who will watch over them there all alone?" Yes, thus in the gloom of the night we cry Then hear, as from Heaven, this sweet reply: "Thy Dead in the churchyard in peace do He! In the Saviour's love, it is safe to die! And holy the Watcher, for ever nigh, 'Tis Jesus of Nazareth passing by". M. E. Townsend. 123 SAINT BAENABAS' DAY. JUNE 11. THE original name of Barnabas was Joses, to which the Apostles added the surname of Barnabas. This name signifies the son of consolation, so called perhaps because he sold his land, and brought the money to the Apostles for the relief of the poor. He was a Jew of the tribe of Levi, of the country of Cyprus, who became a follower of Christ, and was afterwards an Apostle. Acts xiv, 14. Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas were connected in their ministry. Saint Barnabas began preach- ing the Gospel at Antioch, the place where the name Christians was first given to the followers of Christ. It is supposed that he suffered martyrdom at Salamis in the island of Cyprus. TEXTS. And Joses, who by the Apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, the Son of 124 consolation) a Levite and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the Apostles' feet. Acts xiV5 3G> 37< It seemed good for us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our be- loved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ- Acts xv, 25, 26. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. i Thess. a, 8. PRAYER. Stir up we beseech thee, Lord, the wills of thy faithful people ; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plente- ously rewarded; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm cxlv, Verses 5, 7, 8. — As for me I will be talking of thy worship, thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works. The me- morial of thy abundant kindness shall be showed; and men shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful ; long suffering and of great goodness. 125 — Selection of Psalms xxix, Verse 5. - make but trial of his love, Experience will decide How blest they are, and only they Who in his truth confide. — Hymn 17G, Verse 5. — I want a true regard, A single, steady aim, Unmoved by threatening or reward To thee and thy great name; A jealous just concern For thine immortal praise ; A pure desire that all may learn And glorify thy grace. COLLECT. Lord God Almighty, who didst endue thy Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost ; leave us not, we beseech thee, destitute of thy mani- fold gifts ; nor yet of grace to use them alway to thy honor and glory ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. K/CMfrg 126 OUR SAINTS. A heartfelt smile, a gentle tone, A thoughtful word, a tender touch, A passing act of kindness done, 'Tis all, but it is much. The motions of a heart set free From all-absorbing, selfish care, A sweet concern that seems to me Like an unspoken prayer. A look that reads the inmost heart, Yet not with scrutiny severe, Nor as of one who sits apart, Nor knows our pain and fear; But as of one who, feeling all That we have felt, of sweet or sad, Has right to burst our sorrow's thrall, And bid us still be glad. These are not things to win applause; No earthly fame awaiteth such; Yet surely by the heavenly laws They are accounted much. Much in a world where fret and strain Wear daily on each finer sense; Much to the heart whose secret pain Draws help, it knows not whence; 127 Much to the faithless soul that heeds No truth that reason cannot prove; For better than a thousand creeds Is the sweet work of love. And they who give without restraint Such gifts, and ask them not again; What is there in the name of saint That they should not obtain? I think the angels in their height Might look to earth and envy them, And bend from out the spheres of light To touch their garments' hem. And that to brighter realms unknown Some joy, perchance, they may impart; For He who sits upon the throne Once blest the pure in heart. H. N. E. -^&Q^3^ 128 SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S BAY. JUNE 24. "JOHN the Baptist was the predicted forerunner of Jesus, and his mission forms the connecting link between the Old and the New Testaments. — He was the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, and took the name which distinguishes him from John the Apostle and Evangelist, from his administration of the rite of Baptism to the multitudes of Judea and to our blessed Lord. He was beheaded in prison by order of Herod Antipas, the same Herod who mocked Jesus and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe". TEXTS. And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his way; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our Grod; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited 129 us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the Way of peace. St. Luke i, 76-79. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preached the remission of sins. St. Mark i, 4. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. St. Matt, iii, 5, 6. When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness which he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his SOUl alive. Ezekiel viii , 27. And now why tarriest thou? arise and be bap- tized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts xxii) 16 . PR1YER. Grant Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections, we may be buried with him ; and through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful re- surrection; for his merits who died and was buried and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm lxxxv, 9, 10, 11, 12. — For his salvation is nigh them that fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth 130 have met together ; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall flourish out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall show loving-kindness, and our land shall give her increase. Righteous- ness shall go before him; and he shall direct his going in the way. — Selection of Psalms civ, Verses 3, 5, 6. — My soul with patience waits For thee, the living Lord; My hopes are on thy promise built, Thy never-failing word. Let Israel trust in God, No bounds his mercy knows; The plenteous source and spring from whence Eternal succour flows ; Whose friendly streams to us Supplies in want convey; A healing spring, a spring to cleanse . And wash our guilt away. — Hymn 151, Verses 1, 2, 4, 6. — Lord, my God, I long to know, Oft it causes anxious thought; Do I love thee, Lord, or no? Am I thine, or am I not? 131 Could my heart so hard remain, Prayer a task and burden prove, Any duty give me pain If I knew a Saviour's love? Yet I mourn my stubborn will, Find my sin a grief and thrall; Should I grieve for what I feel. If I did not love at all? Saviour let me love thee more, If I love at all, I pray; If I have not loved before, Help me to begin to day. COLLECT. Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour, by preaching repentance ; make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent, according to his preaching ; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. my^ '^-^G* 132 THE PROMISE AND THE PRESENCE. Not the pained, patient, desperate toiling on Of the lost wanderer in a starless night, Not the slow, sightless groping ere the Dawn Brings to the pilgrim promise, guidance, light; Christian not such thy state, Weary thou need'st not wait: Mercies propitiate Make thy way homeward straight. And not as those who in the wilderness, Heard with roused souls John's warning that there trod Close in his path One wise to weigh and bless, But, doubting, knew not yet the promised God: Christian! John's warning cry Christ's Presence standeth nigh; Cast not that promise by, Nor from the Presence fly! That fiery cry which woke the wilderness With strange and startling sense , from land to land And age to age comes burning down to us On herald-lips: "The Christ! He is at hand!" Christian! Not this the day, Doubting, to make delay; Christ comes! When, who can say? Cease not to watch and pray! J. T. 133 SAINT PETER'S DAY THE Apostle Simon Peter was the brother o f Andrew and son of Jona; and was a fisherman. Our Lord gave to him the surname of Peter, which signifies in Greek , Eock. ' He is also called Cephas , which likewise means, in the Syriac tongue, Rock or Stone. He was zealous , devoted , courageous , and many- times conspicuous in the history of our Saviour's life on earth. Saint Peter and Saint John were sent by Jesus to bring the ass on which he was to ride into Jerusalem: and they" two were also sent from Bethany to Jerusalem to prepare the passover. Saint Peter, with Saint John and Saint James, was chosen by the Lord to go with Him and witness the miracle of the raising from the dead of the daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue : the same three Apostles went up to the mount, at the time of our Lord's Transfiguration: and they were witnesses of the "Agony in the Garden". Yet, when the terrible moment of temptation came, Peter denied his Master! 134 But after our Saviour's resurrection, He spoke most touchingly to the bitterly repenting Apostle, and three times said: "Lovest thou me? Feed my lambs." Saint Peter wrote two general Epistles; one A. D. 60, the other A. D. 66. At the close of his second Epistle he warns "the beloved in the Lord" to beware lest they fall from their own steadfastness. He was crucified, it is said, with his head down- wards at Rome A. D. 69. TEXTS. And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea , for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straight- way left their nets and followed 1 him. St. Matth. iv, 18, 19, 20. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went' out and wept bitterly. St. Luke xxii, 6i, 62, Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter v, 8, 9. He saith unto him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because 135 he said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord thou knowest all things ; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. St. John xv, 19. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took know- ledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts iv, 13. PRATER. That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand ; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted ; and to raise up those who fall ; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet; We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. — From Psalter. Psalm xvii 5 ; Psalm xxxiv, 1 3 ; Psalm li, 9, 13.— hold thou up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not. Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips that they speak no guile. Turn thy face from my sins and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. give me the comfort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 136 — Selection of Psalms xcvii. — How blest are they who always keep The pure and perfect way; Who never from the sacred paths Of God's commandments stray ! 0, then, that thy most holy will Might o'er my ways preside; And I, the course of all my life By thy direction guide. — Hymn 176, Yerse 3.— I want a godly fear A quick, discerning eye, That looks to thee when sin is near And sees the tempter fly ; A spirit still prepared, And armed with jealous care, For ever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer. COLLECT. Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: Make we beseech thee all Bishops and Pastors dili- gently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may re- ceive the crown of everlasting glory ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 137 HUMBLE SERVICE. It is an easy thing to say, "Thou knowest that I love Thee, Lord!" And easy in the bitter fray For His defence to draw the sword. But when at His dear hands we seek Some lofty trust for Him to keep, To our ambition vain and weak How strange His bidding: "Feed my sheep." "Too mean a task for love", we cry: Remembering not, if in our pride We pass His humble service by, Our vows are by our deeds denied. Father! help us to resign Our hearts, our strength, our wills to Thee ; Then e'en the lowliest work of Thine Most noble, blest, and sweet will be! H. Mc. E. Kimball. 138 SAINT JAMBS' THE APOSTLE'S DAY. JUL* 25. SAINT James was brother to John the beloved disciple, and son of Zebedee a noted fisherman, of Galilee. Our Saviour gave to them both the sur- name of Boanerges or "Sons of Thunder", on ac- count of their eloquent zeal. James with his brother John and Simon Peter witnessed Christ's Transfigu- ration and His agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Saint James preached the Gospel in Samaria and Judea where he suffered martyrdom. Herod Agrippa "killed James, the brother of John with tlie sword". See Acts. ii. "He was the first of the twelve Apostles who suf- fered martydom, and the only one whose martyr- dom is recorded in the Holy Scriptures. — Particulars of the deaths of all the Apostles are given in the eccles astical Histories of the times in which they lived". 130 TEXTS. And going on from thence he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother in a ship with Zebedee their father, mend- ing their nets; and he called them, and they im- mediately left the ship and their father and fol- lowed him. St Matt, iv, 21, 22. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. St. Matt, xvii, 24, 25. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. And was transfigured be- fore them ; and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. St. Matt, xvii, 1, 2. About that time Herod the King stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church, and he killed James the brother of John with the sword. Acts xii, 1, 2. PRATER. Almighty and most merciful God, of thy bounti- ful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us ; that we being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 140 — From Psalter, Psalm xxvii, Verses 14, 15. — The ungodly have drawn out the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy and to slay such as are of a right conversation. Their sword shall go through their own heart, and their bow shall be broken. - Selection of Psalms xxvi , Verses 8, 9. - all ye Saints, the Lord With eager love pursue; Who to the just will help afford, And give the proud their due. Ye that on God rely, Courageously proceed; For he will still your hearts supply With strength in time of need. - Hymn 212, Verse 1. — Lo! what a cloud of witnesses Encompass us around ; Men once like us with suffering tried, But now with glory crowned. 141 COLLECT. Grant merciful God, that as thine Holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ and followed him ; so we, forsak- ing all worldly and carnal affections may be ever- more ready to follow thy holy commandments, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE USES OF LIFE. "Though we climb fame's proudest height, Though we sit on hills afar, Where the thrones of triumph are; Though all deepest mysteries be open to our sight; If we win not by that power For the world another dower, If this great humanity share not in our gain, We have lived our life in vain." "Though our lot be calm and bright; Though upon our brows we wear Youth, and grace, and beauty rare, And the hours go swiftly, singing in their flight, If we let no glory down Any darkened life to crown If our grace and joyance have no ministry for pain, We have lived our life in vain". 142 u To the giver shall be given; If thou would'st walk in light Make other spirits bright; Who, seeking for himself alone, ever entered heaven ? In blessing we are blest; In labour find our rest. If we bend not to the world's work , heart , and hand and brain, We have lived our life in vain." "Selfishness is utter loss; Life's most perfect joy and good, Ah! how few have understood! Only One hath proved it fully, and He died upon the cross, Taking on Himself the curse So to bless a Universe. If we follow not his footsteps, through the pathway straight and plain, We have lived our life in vain". 143 SAINT BARTHOLOMEWS DAY AUGUST 24. SAINT Bartholomew was of Cana in Galilee. His name means son of Tolmi. He is also called Na- thaniel. Saint Philip first brought him to our Sa- viour (See St. John, chap, i, verses 43 to 51 in- clusive.) On seeing him approach Jesus exclaimed: "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile 1 '! This Apostle is mentioned, by his name of Nathaniel, as having been in company with six others fishing on the sea of Tiberias when Christ appeared (the third time after His resurrection), and when He, standing upon the shore, performed the miracle of the great draught of fishes, which caused Him to be recognised by Saint John who said: "It is the Lord". Saint Bartholomew preached the Gospel throughout the East. He was flayed alive and then crucified with his head downwards, in Albanople, a city of Armenia where he endeavoured to reclaim the people from idolatry". 144 TEXTS. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. • St . Matt< t> 8 Follow peace with all men, and hohness, with- out which no man shall see the Lord. Hebrews xii, 14. The eyes of the Lord are in every place behold- ing the evil and the good. Proverbs xv, 3. And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Eevelation xiv, 5. PRAYER. God who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understand- ing; pour into our hearts such love towards thee, that we loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises , which exceed all that we can desire ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xvii, Verses 1,2.— Hear the right Lord, consider my complaint, and hearken unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; and let thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal. 145 — Selection of Psalms lxxxvi, Verses 3, 4, 5. - Happy are they and only they Who from thy judgments never stray, Who know what 's right nor only so, But always practice what they know. Extend to me that favor Lord, Thou to thy chosen dost afford; When thou return'st to set them free Let thy salvation visit me. Oh may I worthy prove to see Thy saints in full prosperity! That I the joyful choir may join, And account thy people's triumph mine. — Hymn 46, Verse 2. — Tell how he cometh ; from nation to nation, How free to the faithful he offers salvation, The heart-cheering news let the earth echo round ; How his people with joy everlasting are crowned. COLLECT. Oh Almighty and everlasting Grod, who didst give to thy Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; grant we beseech thee unto thy Church, to love that word which he be- lieved , and both to preach and receive the same ; through Jesus Christ. Amen. 10 146 THE TWO PEOSPECTS. Look down for traffic, noise and strife Look up for peace, for truth, for life; Look down for grovelling, earth-born schemes, Look up for holy, heavenly themes; Look down for passions fierce and wild, Look up for resignation mild; Look down into the cold, dark grave, Look up to Christ who died to save! M. E. TOWNSEND. u; SAINT MATTHEW'S DAY. SEPTEMBER 21. SAINT Matthew, also called Levi, was a publican or collector of taxes under the Roman Government. He was sitting in the house beside Lake Gennes- saret , exercising his profitable vocation when Jesus came and called him away to be his disciple. ''And he left all, rose up and followed Him' 1 , says Saint Luke, adding "And Levi (Matthew) made him a great feast in his own house". (See St. Luke chap, v, 27, 28, 29.) Historians tell us that Saint Matthew remained fifteen years in Jerusalem, after the death of Christ, preaching to the Jews, and endeavoring to convert them : and preached the Gospel success- fully in Judea, Parthia, and Ethiopia. He wrote the Gospel which bears his name. It is said, that he suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia. A. D. 60. " 14S TEXTS. And as Jesus passed forth from thence he saw a man named Matthew , sitting at the receipt of custom; and he saith unto him, follow me. And he arose and followed him. st . Matth iv, 9. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold ! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than Silver. Proverbs xvi, 16. The rich and poor meet together: The Lord is the maker of them all. Proverbs xxii, 2. Sell that ye have and give alms; provide your- selves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also. st. Luke xii, 33, 34. PKAYER. Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth ; send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which, whosover liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xv, Verses 1,2,6,7. — Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? or who shall rest upon thy holy hill? Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life and doeth the thing which is right, 149 and speaketh the truth from his heart: He that hath not given his money upon usury, nor taken reward against the innocent; Whoso doeth these things shall never fall. Selection of Psalms xcvii, Part 14, Verses 4, 5. Do thou to thy most just commands Incline my willing heart; Let no desire of worldly wealth From thee my thoughts divert. From those vain objects turn mine eyes, Which this false world displays; But give me lively power and strength To keep thy righteous ways. — Hymn 204, Verses 1, 2, 4. — Oh happy is the man who hears Religious warning voice, And who celestial wisdom makes His early, only choice. For she has treasures greater far Than East or West unfold; More precious are her bright rewards Than gems or stores of gold. And as her holy labors rise, So her rewards increase ; Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 150 COLLECT. Almighty God, who, by thy blessed Son didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist; grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same, thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. -*&§&&*. CHRIST'S LONELINESS. Birds have their quiet nest, Foxes their holes, and man his peaceful bed; All creatures have their rest, But Jesus had not where to lay His head. Winds have their hour of calm, And waves to slumber on the voiceless deep; Eve hath its breath of balm To hush all senses and all sounds to .sleep. The wild deer hath its lair, The homeward flocks the shelter of their shed ; All have their rest from care, But Jesus had not where to lay His head. And yet he came to give The weary and the heavy-laden rest, To bid the sinner live, And soothe our giiefs to slumber on His breast. 151 "What then, am I, my God, Permitted thus the paths of peace to tread, Peace purchased by the blood Of Him who had not where to lay His head? I who once made Him grieve, I who once bid His gentle Spirit mourn; Whose hand essayed to weave For His meek brow the cruel crown of thorn. why should I have peace? Why? but for that unchanged, undying love Which would not, could not, cease, Until it made me heir of joy above. Yes! but for pardoning grace, I feel I never should in glory see The brightness of that face, That once was pale and agonized for me. Let the birds seek their nest, Foxes their holes, and man his peaceful bed; Come, Saviour, in my breast Deign to repose Thine oft-rejected head! Come! give me rest, and take The only rest on earth Thou lovest within A heart, that for Thy sake Lies bleeding, broken, penitent for sin. J. S. Monsell. ^^t^~ 152 SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS' DAY. SEPTEMBER 29. TO Thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens and all the powers therein. To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and Earth are full of the Majesty of thy Glory. (From the TE DEUM.) Angels or heavenly "ministering spirits" have by God's will manifested themselves to human beings on numerous occasions since the creation of the world. It is interesting to consider the vari- ous kinds of manifestation. Sometimes we read that the Angels "called 1 ' the human being by name. Again "they met him", or appeared in a "flame of fire", or "with a sword drawn in the hand", or "sitting under an oak tree". Zechariah in speak- ing of his visions, says no fewer than ten times, 153 "The Angel that talked with me." It will be found on searching the Holy Scriptures that the Angels Michael and Gabriel are the two most prominently mentioned. The following texts are recommended for the reader's consideration. TEXTS. Cherubims at the gate of the Garden of Eden. Genesis iii, 24. The Angel of God "called" to Hagar. Genesis xxi, 17. The Angel of the Lord called unto. Abraham. Genesis xxii, 10, 11. Jacob's vision of Angels on the ladder. Genesis xxviii. And Jacob went on his way and the Angels of God met him. Genesis xxx, 1. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush in a flame of fire. Exodus iii. The Angel of the Lord was standing in the way of Balaam and his ass; and his sword was drawn in his hand. Exodus xxii, 22. An Angel of the Lord sat under an oak tree, and thus appeared unto Gideon and said . . . Judges vi, 11. An Angel appeared unto Manoah's wife and pro- phesied the birth of her son Samson. judges xiii. And the Angel of the Lord said unto Elijah . . . 2 Kings i, 15. 154 The Angel of the Lord smote, in the camp of the Assyrians, the host of Sennacherib. 2 Kings xix, 35. Isaiah's vision of the Lord in His glory sur- rounded by Seraphim s; "And one cried unto an- other and said, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts". Isaiah vi. Read from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel the 10. chap., relating his visions of Cherubim s. See Daniel chap, x, beginning at verse 10; also Daniel chap. xii. — In both of these Chapters mention is made of the archangel Michael. In the Gospel of St. Matthew we read that the Angel of the Lord appeared in dreams to Joseph the husband of Mary on four different occasions. The devil left Jesus, and Angels came and ministered Unto Him. St. Matth. iv, 11. Yes, as his nature was human as well as divine, as he was a man, Angels ministered unto him. And in his last hours of mortal "agony" there appeared an Angel soothing and "strengthening him", as were ad in St. Luke xxn, 43. But "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory." St. Matth. xxv, 31. Angels announced to the Shepherds that the Saviour was born into the world. St. Luke ii. And Angels proclaimed to the women that the Saviour had risen from the dead. St. Luke xxiv. It was the Angel Gabriel who was "sent from God" to Zacharias to speak unto him of the glad 155 tidings regarding the son, John the Baptist, who should be born unto him. And it was the same Angel Gabriel who announced afterwards to the Virgin Mary the wonderful news that she was to be the mother of the Saviour of mankind. St. Luke i. In St. John's Gospel, chap, v, it is related that at a certain season an Angel went down unto the pool of Bethesda and "troubled the water" thereby- rendering it efficacious for the cure of those suffer- ing from disease and infirmity. At the time of our Saviour's Ascension into Heaven, the wondering Apostles as they were "steadfastly" looking up, saw two Angels. Acts i, 9, 10, 11. The Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, setting free the Apostles. Acts v, 17, is, 19, 20. The . Angel of the Lord spake unto Philip , and commanded him to arise . . . Acts vm, 26. In Acts chap, x we find that the Angel of God came to the centurion Cornelius, saying unto him that his prayers and his alms were acceptable unto God. In Acts xii, Peter's delivery from prison by means of an Angel is recorded. When the Apostle Paul was in the ship on his way as a prisoner to Rome, while the tempest raged and all hearts were faint with fear, there stood by him at night an Angel of God saying, Fear not Paul. Acts xxvii. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels, in- 156 trading into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. Colossians ii, 18. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ : Who is gone unto Heaven, and is on the right hand of God; Angels and authorities and powers being made sub- ject Unto him. 1 Peter iii, 21, 22. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 1 Thess. iv, 16. And he saith unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. St. John i, 51. And behold, I heard the voice of many Angels, round about the throne, and the beasts and the elders ; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to re3eive power, and riches, and wis- dom and strength, and honour and glory and blessing. Eelevation v, 11. 12. PRATER. We beseech thee, Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts ; that as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, so by his Cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 157 — From Psalter. Psalm ciii, Verses 19,20,21,22.— The Lord hath prepared his seat in Heaven, and his kingdom ruleth over all. praise the Lord, ye Angels of his, ye that excel in strength ; ye that fulfil his commandment and hearken unto the voice of his word. praise the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye servants of his that do his pleasure. speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion ; praise thou the Lord, my soul. — Selection of Psalms Ixxxi, Verse 11. — The Lord, the universal King, In heaven has fixed his lofty throne; To him, ye Angels, praises sing, In whose great strength his power is shown. — Hymn 44, Verses 1,2,5,6.— While Angels thus Lord rejoice, Shall men no anthem raise? may we lose these useless tongues, When we forget to praise. Then let us swell responsive notes, And join the heavenly throng; For Angels no such love have known As we, to wake their song. Glory to God, in highest strains, By highest worlds is paid; Be glory then by us proclaimed, And by our lives displayed. 158 Till we attain those blissful realms, Where now our Saviour reigns; To rival these celestial choirs In their immortal strains. COLLECT. everlasting God, who hast ordained and con- stituted the services of Angels and men in a won- derful order; mercifully grant, that as thy holy Angels always do thee service in Heaven, so by thy appointment, they may succor and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. But over all our tears God's rainbow bends, To all our cries a pitying ear he lends; . Yea to the feeble sound of man's lament How often have his messengers been sent ! No barren glory circles round His throne, By mercy's errands were his Angels known; Where hearts were heavy, and where eyes were dim, There did the brightness radiate from Him; God's pity, clothed in an apparent form, Starred with a polar light the human storm, Floated o'er tossing seas man's sinking bark, And for all dangers built one sheltering ark. 159 When a slave's child lay dying, parched with thirst, Till o'er the arid waste a fountain hurst, When Abraham's mournful hand upheld the knife To smite the silver cord of Isaac's life, When faithful Peter in his prison slept, When lions to the feet of Daniel crept, When the tried three walked through the furnace glare, Believing God was with them, even there, When to Bethesda's sunrise-smitten wave Poor trembling cripples crawled their limbs to lave : In all the various forms of human trial Brimming that cup filled from a bitter vial, Which even the suffering Christ with fainting cry Under God's will had shudderingly passed by: To hunger, pain and thirst, and human dread; Imprisonment; sharp sorrow for the dead; Deformed contraction; burdensome disease; Humbling and fleshly ill! — to all of these The shining messengers of comfort came, God's Angels, — healing in God's holy name. Hon. Mrs. Norton. ICO SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST'S DAY. OCTOBER 18. oAIKT Luke was born at Antioch and- became a Physician. He wrote the gospel bearing his name, and the Acts of the Apostles. He preached in Egypt and Greece. Saint Jerome says, "he was hanged on an olive tree, by a party of Greek infidels, at the age of 84." — Saint Luke's Gospel begins with a statement of events which occurred just before the birth of Jesus ; and then goes on to relate the story of His life, death, resurrection and ascension, The writer commences an account of the doings or "Acts" of the Apostles from the time (A. D. 33) when they, watching Christ's Ascension, as the cloud received him out of their sight heard the two Angels say, "Why stand ye gazing up into Heaven"? He then tells us that the eleven Apostles returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet, where they all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. 1G1 Next he relates that in those days "they ap- pointed two" and prayed to God to show which he had chosen, that the elected one might "take part of this ministry and Apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell". "And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles." Then came the wonderful day of Pentecost. And now Saint Luke proceeds to recount many acts of these twelve men and others, who as disciples joined the little band from year to year ; going about from place to place , preaching , baptizing , healing the sick, praying, fasting; and suffering persecution, imprisonment and martyrdom ! After this relation of their deeds during a period of over thirty years, he concludes his narrative (A. D. 65) with these words: "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house" (in Rome) "and received all that came to him ; preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." It is evident that Saint Luke was very much in the company of Saint Paul. The latter in his Epistle to the Colossians , written A. D. 64, says: "Luke the beloved Physician, and Demas greet you." His second Epistle to Timothy, written A. D. 66, two years later , was sent from Rome , when he was brought before Nero the second time ; and it bears strong testimony to Saint Luke's devotion and con- stancy to him. We read in chap. iv. : "Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world. Only Luke is with me." 162 TEXTS. Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those tilings which are most surely believed among us; even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses , and ministers of the word ; it seemed good to me also , having had perfect under- standing of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. St. Luke i, 1, 2, 3, 4. The former treatise have I made, Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom had he chosen. Acts i, 1, 2. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. • 2 Timothy iv, 5. PRAYER. Almighty and Everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before thee, for all estates of men in thy Holy Church, that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry, may truly and gladly serve thee through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 163 — From Psalter. Psalm lvi, Verses 14,15, 16,17. — My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and salvation; for I know no end thereof. I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God, and will make mention of thy righteousness only. Thou God, hast taught me from my youth up until, now; therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works. For- sake me not God, in mine old age, when I am grey-headed until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to all them that are yet for to come. — Selection of Psalms lx, Verses 2,3,5.— My tongue shall oracles proclaim, Which ancient times have known; The truths which our forefathers care To us have handed down. We will not hide them from our sons Our offspring shall be taught The praises of the Lord whose strength Has works of wonders wrought; That generations yet to come, Should to their unborn heirs Religiously transmit the same And they again to theirs. 104 — Hymn 9, Verses 1,2.— The Saviour when to Heaven he rose In splendid triumph o'er his foes, Scattered his gifts on men "below, And wide his royal bounties flow. Hence sprang the Apostles' honored name, Sacred beyond heroic fame ; Hence dictates the prophetic sage And hence the Evangelic page. COLLECT. Almighty God who called'st Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist and Physician of the soul ; may it please thee, that by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed, through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 105 COMFORT FOR THE SICK. Poor body, tliou art weak ! Words cannot speak Thine anguish and distress The hitter restlessness The sinking grief With no relief. Poor body ! Thou art frail : Of no avail Thy little strength to try, For thou must lie Languid and full of pain Crying for help, in vain. Poor body, patient lie; For by and bye When Jesus deems it best His love will give thee rest: Then trust alway And watch and pray. Poor body, never fear! The Good Physician's near To heal , and give thee sweet repose, when thou art sad and dreary, For gentle Jesus said, Ere on the Cross he bled: "Come unto me, ye heavy-laden, come to me ye weary". M. E. Townsend. 166 SAINT SIMON AND SAINT JUDE'S DAY. OCTOBER 28. oAINT Simon was called Simon the Canaanite to distinguish him from the Apostle Simon Peter, and on account of his warm and energetic tempe- rament he was known as Simon Zelotes. He preached the Gospel in Greece and Africa. It is said that he preached also in Great Britain, and was cruci- fied there. Saint Jude, also one of the twelve Apostles, was the son of Cleophas, and brother of James the Less. He was known by the names of Lebbeus and Thad- deus, singnifying prudence arid zeal; which names likewise served to distinguish him from Judas the betrayer. He preached the Gospel in Judea, Galilee, Samaria, and Armenia.' It is said that he suffered martyrdom in Persia. Saint Jude wrote one Epistle, addressed to Christians generally. There is a tradition that Saint Simon and Saint Jude were often associated in their Christian ]abors. 167 TEXTS. (See St. Luke xvi, 13, 14, 15, 16. — Also Acts i, 13.) Judas saith unto him (not Iscariot), Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world ? st. John xv, 22. Jude the servant of Jesus Christ , and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. Epistle of St. Judc, Verses 1, 2. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Ephes. vi, 23, 24. PRAYER. Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; we beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith, and ever- more defend us in all adversities, who lives t and reignest one God world without end. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xxxiv , Verse 3. — praise the Lord with me, and let us magnify his name together. 168 Selection of Psalms lxv, Part 2, Vers.es 5, To all thy servants, Lord, let this Thy wondrous work be known; And to our offspring yet unborn Thy glorious power be shown. Let thy bright rays upon us shine, Give thou our work success ; The glorious work we have in hand. Do thou vouchsafe to bless. — Hymn 134, Verses 6, 7. — In prayer on earth the saints are one; They're one in word and mind, When with the Father and the Son Sweet fellowship they find. Thou, by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, the Way, The path of prayer Thyself hast trod ; Lord, teach us how to pray. COLLECT. Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and the Pro- phets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner- stone; grant us so to be joined together in unity 169 of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ■^*&§&&'< THE DARK ANGEL. Count each affliction, whether light or grave, God's messenger sent down to thee. Do thou With courtesy receive him: rise and bow; And ere his shadow pass thy threshold crave Permission first his heavenly feet to lave; Then lay before him all thou hast; allow No cloud of passion to usurp thy brow Or mar thy hospitality; no wave Of mortal tumult to obliterate Thy soul's marmoreal calmness. Grief should be Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate, Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free : Strong to consume small troubles ; to commend Great thoughts, pure thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end. Aubrey de Yere. *^5^>°£^- 170 ALL SAINTS" DAY. NOVEMBER 1. I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GrHOST ; THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. (From the Apostles Creed.) — From the "Canticle".— ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord; praise him and magnify him for ever. — From the TE DEUM — The glorious company of the Apostles praise Thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise Thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee, the Father, of an infinite Majesty; Thine adorable, true and only Son ; also the Holy Ghost the Comforter. 171 TEXTS. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write , blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Revelation xiv, 13. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil. m t 20, 21. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye also are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one an- other in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, sing- ing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians. i, 1, 4, 15, 16. So we, being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans xii, 5. Behold what manner of love the Father hath be- stowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is. i j h U m 1 2. 172 Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence in the Lord , and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are de- livered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; we give thee hearty thanks for the good examples of all those thy servants, who having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labors. And we beseech thee, that we with all those who are departed in the true faith of thy Holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Psalter. Psalm xvi, Verses 3, 9, 10. — All my delight is upon the saints that are in the earth, and upon such as excel in virtue. I have set God always before me : for he is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall. Wherefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced; my flesh also shall rest in hope. — Selection of Psalms xxx. Verse 3, 4< — Since of thy goodness all partake, With what assurance should the just, Thy sheltering wings their refuge make, And saints to thy protection trust ! Such guests shall to thy courts be led. To banquet on thy love's repast ; And drink, as from a fountain's head. Of joys that shall for ever last. 173 COLLECT. Almighty God who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeak- able joys, which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — Hymn 191. — Vital spark of heavenly flame, Quit, oh quit this mortal frame ; Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying, 0, the pain, the bliss of dying ! Cease fond nature, cease thy strife, And let me languish into life. Hark, they whisper, Angels say, Sister spirit, "come away' 1 ! What is this absorbs me quite; Steals my senses, shuts my sight, Drowns my spirit, draws my breath? Tell me, my soul, can this be death? The world recedes, it disappears ; Heaven opens on my eyes; my ears With sounds seraphic ring; Lend, lend, your wings ; I mount, I fly ; grave, where is thy victory! death, where is thy sting ! 174 A CLOSING PRAYER. God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered ; make us, we beseech thee deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let thy Holy Spirit lead us through this vale of misery, in holiness and right- eousness, all the days of our lives : That when we shall have served thee, in our generation, we may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience, in the communion of the catholic Church, in the confidence of a certain faith ; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope; in favor with Thee our God, and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. "One family in Heaven and Earth, Bound by the ties of second birth; None' dead, tho' some their work have done, Their battle fought, their freedom won; All in the Lord alive and blest, Tho' some may toil and some may rest." 175 2 Corinthians xiii, 11, 13, 14. Finally brethren, faeewell. Be perfect, be OF GOOD COMFORT, BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE ; AND the God of love and peace shall be with you. All the saints salute you. The grace of our lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Deacidified using the Bookkeeper p Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxic