The singing ended, the Minister shall offer the General Prayer. He may use the Prayer here following; or, if there be no Communion, the Litany, or a selection from the Collects and Prayers, or any other suitable Prayer. (See pages 189 and 200.)

Almighty and most merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We thank Thee for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will and grace: and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us, that, in good and honest hearts, we may keep it, and bring forth fruit by patient continuance in well doing.

Most heartily we beseech Thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal, with all its pastors and ministers, that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of Thy saving word, whereby faith toward Thee may be strengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind.

Grant also health and prosperity to all in authority, especially to the President [ and Congress] of the United States, the Governor [and Legislature] of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges and Magistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Thy good pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness, and to the hinderance and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

May it please Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and adversaries, that they may cease their enmity, and be inclined to walk with us in meekness and in peace.

All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy Name and for Thy truth's sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the manifestation of Thy fatherly will.

¶Then shall the Offerings of the Congregation be gathered, and the Minister shall place them upon the Altar. He may then make any needful announcements.

A Hymn shall then be sung, which, if there be no Communion, shall close with a Doxology; after which the Minister, standing before the Altar, shall pronounce

THE BENEDICTION.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.

And although we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifold punishments, yet, we entreat Thee, O most merciful Father, remember not the sins of our youth, nor our many transgressions; but out of Thine unspeakable goodness, grace and merCy, defend us from all harm and danger of body and soul. Preserve us from faise and from plague and pestilence, from all calampernicious doctrine, from war and bloodshed, ity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy mercy, and from an evil death. every time of trouble, show Thyself a very present Help, the Saviour of all men, and especially of them that believe.

And in

Cause also the needful fruits of the earth

to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season." Give success to the Christian training of the young, to all lawful occupations on land and sea, and to all pure arts and useful knowledge; and crown them with Thy blessing.

Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may be made.

These, and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, O God, vouchsafe unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Saviour, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

Then shall the Minister, and the Congrega tion with him, say

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

The Congregation shall sing or say:
Amen.

The Congregation should then offer silent prayer.

While the Hymn after the General Prayer | is being sung, the Minister shall go to the Altar and prepare for the administration of the Holy Sacrament.

¶ The Hymn ended, the Congregation shall

stand until the distribution begin.

THE PREFACE.

The Minister shall say:
The Lord be with you.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

And with thy spirit.

Minister. Lift up your hearts. Congregation. We lift them up unto the Lord.

PROPER PREFACES.

For Christmas.

For in the mystery of the Word made flesh, Thou hast given us a new revelation of Thy glory; that seeing Thee in the person of Thy Son, we may be drawn to the love of those things which are not seen. There fore with Angels, etc.

For the Passion Season.

Who on the tree of the Cross didst give salvation unto mankind; that whence death arose, thence life also might rise again: and that he who by a tree once overcame, might likewise by a tree be overcome, through