Just as I am, of that free love

The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above;

0 Lamb of God, I come! Amen.

When the Clergy enter the Church, and kneel in Prayer, say this Prayer for them and for the Congregation:

O THOU that hearest prayer, listen now to the prayers of Thy servants. Bless with the spirit of prayer and supplication those who are to minister to us in holy things, that they may offer unto Thy Name the incense of true devotion, and the pure offering of this holy Service. And grant Thy people grace to draw near with faith, and to take this holy Sacrament to their comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness: and let Thy saints sing with joyfulness."

NOTE.-It is hoped that those who use this little book will study it at home, and will by degrees get familiar with the explanations and advice given, so as to be able to attend to, and enter into, the various parts of the Service without having to look each time at what is said about them. Do not let the words of this Companion turn you aside from the words of the holy Service itself.

11

THE ORDER OF THE

ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER,

OR

HOLY COMMUNION.

OUR

UR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

We

We come to God with the prayer of His dear Son upon our lips. See how fitly it begins this holy Service. can pray it in many senses. Perhaps in this place its meaning may be filled up in some such way as this:

OUR FATHER, most loving and gracious, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, yet didst send Thy dearly beloved Son to take our flesh here on earth, HALLOWED BE THY NAME in the holy lives and conduct of all who name the Name of Christ. THY KINGDOM COME, that all men may know Him who gave Himself for them. THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH by the showing of Thy dear Son's death till He come, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, where the Lamb that was slain is for ever worshipped and adored. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, feeding our souls with the precious food

of the Body and Blood of Christ. AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES in all past neglect and unworthy Communions, AS WE FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US, seeking to be one with all men in the bonds of Christian fellowship. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, saving us from all irreverence, all unbelief, all coldness and deadness of heart; BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, rescuing us from the power of all those sins which have had dominion over us, and granting us such freedom from bodily pain and sickness as may be good for us. ΑΜΕΝ.

THE COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY God, un

to whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy Holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A most fitting prayer before self examination and confession such as is about to follow. Think, O my soul, how God reads thy inmost thoughts, and knows thy most secret wishes. Wouldst thou know thyself even as God knows thee? Then pray for His Holy Spirit to show thee thyself, and to cleanse thy innermost chambers from every stain, as thou listenest to His Holy Commandments.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

While the Commandments are being read, try to remember the sins you have found out in your selfexamination. And recollect, if your heart does not condemn you in any one of them, "God is greater

than your heart, and knoweth all things." So you have many more sins to be forgiven than those you can remember, and have great need to cry for mercy after each Commandment.

You will take notice that the Commandments are read where they are to help to prepare you for the Holy Communion. A custom has grown up in modern times of breaking the Communion Service in two, and using only the first part to the end of the Sermon; and so it is often forgotten that this first part has anything to do with the holy Sacrament. This is a great mistake. The Commandments are read in this place that we may not forget to examine ourselves "by the rule of God's Commandments," and to see how many and great our sins are, before we draw near to the altar of our God.

You should, of course, have examined yourself already at home, but that you may not forget your sins, it is well to hear God's Law read aloud to you, and to let your conscience answer to each Commandment how you have kept it, or how you have broken it.

I will set down, just in a word or two, opposite each Commandment the grace you must aim at, if you would fulfil the Commandment perfectly. This will remind you how far short you come in all.

any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord Thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love Me, and keep My Commandments.

People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Minister. Thou shalt

not take the Name of

Great reverence.

the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh His Name in vain.

People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Minister.

Remember

Due observance of God's that thou keep holy Day, and faithful use of time.

the Sabbath-day. Six

days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast