ant who has (or, who as on this day) entered into rest; beseeching Thee to show forth upon Thy whole Church, in Paradise and on earth, the bright beams of Thy light and heavenly comfort, and to grant that we who are alive this day may follow the steps of all those who have served and loved Thee here, and have gone before us, in the confession of Thy holy Name, that with them we may at length enter into Thine unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord Jesus Christ, who by Thy death didst take away the sting of death; Grant unto us Thy servants so to follow in faith where Thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in Thee, and awake up after Thy likeness; through Thy mercy, who livest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. On a Public Occasion. Almighty and everliving God, we yield unto Thee most high praise and hearty thanks, for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in Thy saints, the fathers, doctors, confessors and martyrs of Thy Church in America and throughout the world, who have given unto us Thy holy Word in a language understanded of the People, together with a rich heritage of civil and religious freedom, and the blessings of Apostolic faith, order, fellowship and worship. And we pray that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give us grace so to follow the example of their steadfastness in Thy faith, even unto death, and of their obedience to Thy holy commandments, that at the day of the general Resurrection, we, together with them, may obtain a good report through faith, receive Thy heavenly promises, and enter upon our perfect consummation and bliss in Thy kingdom, eternal in the heavens. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. O 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 unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us, with all the faithful, light, peace and life everlasting. Amen. Or, Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen. If there be a Celebration of the Holy Communion. Collect. O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life; in whom whosoever believeth, shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in Him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us, by His holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for those who sleep in Him; We humbly beseech Thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in Him; and that, at the general Resurrec tion in the last day, we may be found acceptable in Thy sight; and receive that blessing, which Thy wellbeloved Son shall then pronounce to all who love and fear Thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech Thee, O Merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. The Epistle. 1 Thess. iv. 13 to the end. Or The Epistle. 1 Cor. xv. 20-29. XXIX. FORM FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF ANCESTORS OR MEMBERS OF A FAMILY WHO HAVE DIED WITH- THIS FORM OF SERVICE IS PROVIDED FOR THE ESPECIAL Being assembled with the friends at the grave, or in any suitable place, the Minister shall say: It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul, Thou hast redeemed my life. O Lord, Thou hast seen my wrong; judge Thou my cause. Or the Minister may read Job xiv. 1-15. Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And dost Thou open Thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. |