Book of Common Prayer

upon us. Fix in our minds every lesson of faith and duty which thou hast been teaching

us.

Take from our hearts every veil that would hide from us the shining of the heavenly light. Grant unto us, before the record of this year has been finished and sealed, a fresh consecration, a very honest and deep desire to live according to thy will. Amen.

Penitence.

GOD, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; we are heartily sorry for the sins which we have at any time committed, in thought or affection, in word or deed. We pray thee to look graciously upon us and forgive us. Help us to lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us. We offer thee our whole being, our bodies and souls, to be thy temple forever. Take us, O Lord, into thy hands, and let nothing henceforward, either in life or death, separate us from thee any more. Amen.

The Nation.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who in the former time

didst lead our fathers forth into a large place, and didst send them to sow beside many waters; give thy grace, we pray thee, to us, their children, that we may always approve ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with

honorable industry and generous public spirit. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion. Fashion into one happy people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds, and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those whom we entrust with the authority of government. In the time of our prosperity restrain our pride and temper our self-confidence with thankfulness, and in the days of trouble suffer not our trust in thee to fail. Amen.

GOD, the protector of all who put their trust in thee; we pray for the good estate of this our beloved land, that it may please thee to preserve to us the blessings of an equal and impartial freedom. Unite in mutual understanding men of alien race and faith; revive in all hearts a spirit of devotion to the public good, that strife and tumult may be stilled and justice and truth be exalted. Enable us and all thy people faithfully to discharge the duties thou hast laid upon us, that thy kingdom may come and thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

ANTE-COMMUNION,

OR,

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDMENTS.

To be said on the Sundays immediately preceding those on which the Lord's Supper is to be administered.

Collect for Purity.

LMIGHTY 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 inspiration of thy holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Minister.

GOD spake these words and said, I am the

Lord thy God; thou shalt have no other gods but me.

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

Min. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of anything 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 those who hate me, and show mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.