Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me : LORD, be Thou my Helper. Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy : Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. Therefore shall every good man sing of Thy praise without ceasing: O my GOD, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever. O Thanksgiving for Recovery. MOST Merciful FATHER, I offer unto Thee my humble and hearty thanks that Thou hast vouchsafed to restore to me my health and prolong my days, that I may have more time to do Thy work in this world, and to gladden the hearts of others by my love and my service. As Thou hast given me renewed life by Thy Mercy, grant me fresh strength by Thy Grace to yield my life more entirely to Thee, to please Thee, to serve Thee, and to glorify Thee, in my body, soul, and spirit, which are Thine. I thank Thee for all the human love and kindness which have been shewn me in my illness. Reward those who have, by their loving care, lightened my sickness and relieved my weariness; those who have ministered to me in soul as well as in body, help me to shew my love and gratitude to them as well as to Thee. Assist me to remember how short my time for work is, and enable me to put all my strength into what Thou givest me to do, so that, by Thy supporting Grace, I may be able to say, when Thou callest me at last to yield up my body and soul into Thy Hands, "I have finished the work Thou hast given me to do," and may be admitted to that Rest which Thou hast prepared for Thy children; through JESUS CHRIST, our only LORD and SAVIOUR. Amen. THA THANKS be to GOD, Which giveth us the victory through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen. The Prize of Perseverance. MY LORD, in glory reigning Upon the glassy sea, By angel hosts surrounded, My LORD a land is ruling, The Land of pure Delight, Whence hate and night are banished, My LORD a house is building, A home where nothing wanteth! 'Tis mine, 'tis mine that mansion, My LORD a crown is binding, Of flames, and flakes of snow. This thought my heart will cheer, 'Tis mine, 'tis mine that mansion, If I but persevere. My LORD a song is teaching Short Preparation for the Holy Communion. TO BE USED FOR THREE EVENINGS BEFORE COMMUNION. A few Devotions before Holy Communion are here added for the sake of those who have but little time for preparation, and who may perhaps use a very short form when they would pass by the larger and better manuals in more general circulation. They are arranged as short Offices for Three Evenings before the day of Communion, and in the following order: I. The Preparation of the Conscience. II. The Preparation of the Heart. III. The Preparation of the Soul. Try to make your Preparation so carefully that you may receive from God all that He longs to give you in Holy Com munion. Give ten minutes or a quarter of an hour to special preparation for three nights before you make your Communion, over and above your ordinary Evening Prayers; and, if possible, secure this in the earlier part of the evening, before you are too tired to give your full attention. Try to make it as much a business as your daily work; seek that your conscience may be cleansed; that your heart may be willing; that your soul may be longing for the gift of God. This short Preparation is divided into three parts: The Preparation of the Conscience, that you may go to the The Preparation of the Heart, that you may go to the The Preparation of the Soul, that you may go to the Holy |