Devotional Exercises

EPISCOPAL SERVICE.

PART I.

Adapted especially for Sabbath Morning.

Master. MY beloved friends, who are now assembled for the benefit of social worship, a duty not only rational, but a privilege highly to be esteemed, as honorary for us and to the human race, to call on the name of the Lord, in offering him a religious sacrifice of gratitude and praise; may we therefore with seriousness attend in our present devotions, and to the instructions of the sacred oracles, which directs us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and transgressions; that we should not dissemble, nor cloak them before the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge. our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so to do, when we meet together, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy word, and to ask those

things that are necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore let us accompany each other with the advice of the psalmist.

Master. O come, let us worship the Lord our God; and heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.

Family. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and speak good of his name.

M. Let us, with the inward devotion and homage of our hearts, unite to serve him with joy and gladness.

F. For the Lord Jehovah is great, far above the Gods of the heathen which are but idols; but it is the Lord who made the heav.

ens.

M. In his hands are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is His also. F. The great deep is His, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

M. May our praise therefore be of the loving kindness of the Lord, even upon the multitude of his mercy, and to acknowledge him in his holy temple.

F. To render to the Lord the honour due unto his name, to worship him in the beauty of holiness, and offer in his dwelling an oblation with gratitude.

M. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.

Master. Let us attend to those comfortable words of Christ our Saviour; Come unto me

all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast off. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

Family. Almighty God, give now unto us that ask; let us who seek, find; open the gate unto us who knock, that we may receive thy heavenly benediction.

M. St. John saith, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end that all who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; that if any man sin, we have an Advocate with Father, Jesus Christ the Just who is the Reconciliation for the sins of the World: which if we confess and forsake, he is faithful and just to forgive, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We are assured by God, who saith: Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me: He will therefore have mercy upon us, and heal our infirmities. Master. Lift up your hearts.

F. We lit

them up unto the Lord. M. Let us give thanks unto the Lord Jehovah.

F. It is meet and right so to do.

M. It is very meet and right, and our bounden duty at all times, and in all places, to give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, everlasting God.

M. Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be ascribed all Honour and Glory, world without end. Amen.

Master. O thou omnipotent Governour of the world, the aid of all who need, the helper of all those who with sincerity apply to thee for succour, and the life of them who believe ! We call on our souls and all that is within us, bumbly to offer to thee, our tribute of thanks, for the privilege thou dost grant us to adore thy perfections, and celebrate the praises of thy great and holy name.

Social Address.

THEREFORE With Angels, and Archangels, and all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising Thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, who is able to declare thy greatness, and to recount the marvellous works thou hast performed in all the generations of the world: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.--Glory be to thee, O Lord most High. Amen.

Litany, or General Supplication.

Master. ASSIST us merciful God in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation, that through all the vicissitudes of this mortal life, we may ever be defended by thy gracious help;