graciously be pleased to look down, and for the sake of Thy great Name, and high arm, readily protect, hear, and everlastingly keep and defend, those who make their prayer in this habitation; that they being always happy, and always rejoicing in, Thy true religion, may constantly persevere in the Catholic Faith of the Holy Trinity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. XVII. AN OFFICE FOR HARVEST THANKSGIVING First Lesson. Deuteronomy xxvi. Morning Prayer having been said to the end of the Collect for Grace, the following may be used at the discretion of the Minister. Then shall be sung a Hymn or Anthem: after which the Minister shall say: Let us give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious; Answer. And His mercy endureth for ever. Then, all kneeling, shall be said this Thanksgiving: Most gracious God, by whose knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew; We yield Thee unfeigned thanks and praise for the return of seed-time and harvest, for the increase of the ground and the gathering in of the fruits thereof, and for all the other blessings of Thy merciful providence bestowed upon this nation and people. And we beseech Thee, give us a just sense of these great mercies; such as may appear in our lives by an humble, holy, and obedient walking before Thee all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory and honor, world without end. Amen. Then these Prayers: For Grace to honor God with our Substance. O Lord God, to whom belongeth the earth and the fulness thereof; Give us grace to honor Thee with our substance, and with the first-fruits of all our increase; that we may be blessed in the use of Thy gifts, and sanctified to Thy service, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For a Blessing on the Families of the Land. Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; We commend to Thy continual care the families of Thy people, and the homes in which they dwell. Put far from them, we pray Thee, the desire of vain glory, the pride of life, and every root of bitterness. Endue them with faith, temperance, patience, and godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who have been united in holy wedlock; turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; and so kindle charity among us all, that we may be evermore kindly affectioned with brotherly love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For all Poor, Homeless, and Neglected Folk. O God, almighty and merciful, who healest those that are broken in heart, and turnest the sadness of the sorrowful to joy; Let Thy fatherly goodness be upon all that Thou hast made. Remember in pity such as are this day destitute, homeless, or forgotten of their fellow-men. Bless the congregation of Thy poor. Forgive us wherein we have failed to care for the sick, the helpless, and the needy, and stir us up to love and to good works. Give unto all men the desire of industry and the opportunity of honest labor, that they may dwell peaceably upon the earth. Lift up those who are cast down; befriend innocent sufferers, sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs, and mightily deliver them. Cheer with hope all discouraged and un happy people; and by Thy grace preserve from falling those whose penury tempteth them to sin. Hear us, O Lord, for the love of Him who for our sakes became poor, Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. AT THE HOLY COMMUNION. The Collect. O God, who hast promised that, while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest shall not cease; Grant that, being nourished by Thy bounty, we may be faithful in Thy service, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Epistle. 2 Cor. ix. 8 to the end. The Gospel. St. John vi. 27-36. The Offertory. The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness. XVIII. A FORM OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING FOR Or Other Days of Special Thanksgiving or Patriotic Observance set forth by authority. At Morning Prayer. The Sentences. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency. The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey. First Lesson. Deut. xxvi. 1-12. At the end of Morning Prayer a Hymn or Anthem may be sung and an Address given. After the Address the following Prayer shall be said: Let us pray. For the Country. Almighty God, who in the former time didst lead our fathers forth into a wealthy place, and set their feet in a large room; Give Thy grace, we humbly beseech Thee, to us their children, that we may always approve ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and |