IX. After the Sermon, there may be a pause for silent Prayer; and then the following Prayer, said by the Minister, the People responding "Amen" at its close.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast given us grace at this time, with one

accord, to make our common supplications unto thee, and hast promised by thy beloved Son, that, where two or three are gathered together in his name, thou wilt grant their requests, fulfil now, O Lord! the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

THE

X. Congregational Hymn, all standing during the singing.

XI. BENEDICTION.

HE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all for evermore. Amen.

After the Benediction, it is recommended that the Congregation reverently pause a short time, before leaving their places.

Fourth Evening or Vesper Service.

I. Sentences to be read by the Minister; the Congregation standing.

THOUGHTS of peace, saith the Lord, do I think towards you: pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. Ye shall seek me, and me, when ye shall search for me with your whole heart.

find

Let us search and try our ways, and turn unto the Lord; let us lift up our hearts with our hands unto God in the heavens.

I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

II. Psalm to be sung. In place of the Psalm, a Hymn from the Collection may be used, to be announced by number, and reading the first line; the Congregation standing.

DOMINUS REGIT ME. Ps. xxiii.

THE Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; he leadetlf me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, Be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

III. PRAYER; the Congregation seated or kneeling.

Minister. O Lord God! we enter thy gates with thanksgiving,

People. And thy courts with praise.

Minister. At all times and in all places, we will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty and everlasting God!

People. Fill our hearts with the spirit of praise and holy gladness. Minister. O God, our heavenly Father, by whose Providence both the day and the night are governed! vouchsafe, we beseech thee, as thou hast this day preserved us by thy goodness, so still this night to overshadow us by the blessed wing of thy most bountiful protection; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved from all adversities that may hurt the body, and from all wicked thoughts that may assault and defile the soul.

People. O Lord! give us thy peace, which the world cannot give or

take away.

Minister. How lovely are thy dwellings, O Lord! how pleasant the abodes of thy grace.

People. O Lord! hear our prayers, and in mercy visit our souls.

Minister. O Thou who art the one God and Father of all, who art above all, and through all, and in us all! we bless thy name for the gift of thy dear Son to be our Lord and Teacher and Saviour, through

whom thou hast adopted us as thy children. In him may we have redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins. Quicken thou us, we beseech thee, who have been dead in trespasses and sins.

People. O Thou who art rich in mercy! for the sake of thy great love wherewith thou hast loved us, make us alive in Christ.

Minister. O God our Father, the Father of glory! we pray thee to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of thee, that we may know the hope that is in the calling of God, and the riches of the inheritance wherewith thou hast endowed us, and the greatness of thy power which thou hast displayed in Christ, when thou didst raise him from the dead, and make him sit at thy right hand in heavenly places.

People. May we live to thy praise and glory through trusting in Christ, being sealed with the Holy Spirit, the earnest of our heavenly inheritance.

Minister. O God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! grant us to be strengthened with might by thy Spirit inwardly, that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that, being rooted and grounded in love, we may be able to understand the length and breadth and depth and height of the love of Christ, and be filled with all the fulness of God.

People. May we feel that we are not saved by the works we have done, but by the grace of God, through which we are moved and strengthened to do what is right and pleasing in thy sight.

Minister. Help us, heavenly Father, to come in the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to the stature of a perfect man, to the measure of the fulness of Christ. Help us to walk with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, to put away all bitterness and wrath and anger and evil-speaking, with all malice.

People. May we be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as thou, through Christ, hast forgiven us.

Minister. May we be followers of thee, as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ hath loved us, redeeming the time; having the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth, devoutly rejoicing together in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts unto the Lord.

People. May we give thanks always for all things unto thee, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Minister. O Father! help us to be strong in thee and in the power of thy might, to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand in the evil day; girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and our feet shod with the gospel of peace; taking the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

People. May we put off the lusts of the old life, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds, being created anew of God in righteousness and true holiness.

Minister. May we pray always, with all supplication, in the Spirit, and watch thereunto with all perseverance; and cleave to Christ, the Head of the Church, seeking to grow in the knowledge of him, whom to know with thee is eternal life. O Father! may we love thee with all the heart, and seek after thee, and diligently walk in the way of thy commandments, the safe and pleasant ways of wisdom and righteousness. And we pray that thou wilt ever be our help and guide and deliverer, saving us from all the evils of this present life, and bringing us in thine own time, with all whom we love, to know and serve and worship thee in the everlasting peace and joy of heaven, through the grace that came by Jesus Christ. Amen.

Here may be introduced, at the discretion of the Minister, other seasonable Prayers, either extempore, or from the Collection entitled "Collects and Prayers."

IV. Voluntary by the choir or organ.

V. Lesson from the Old Testament.