and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. For God so loved the world, that he sent his onlybegotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit; and they who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. EXHORTATION. My brethren, may this house be unto us no other than the house of God and the gate of heaven! Here let us worship Him who is a Spirit, in spirit and in truth. Suffer not the cares of the world and the anxieties of life to interrupt our devotions. rather let us earnestly pray, that we may here find strength to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. But LET US PRAY. ALMIGHTY GOD, who, by thy Son, Jesus Christ, hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gates of everlasting life, grant that we thy servants, having this hope, may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that daily following the steps of his most holy life, we may finally be received into thine eternal and glorious kingdom. Amen. 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, the power, and the glory, forever and Amen. ever. The Minister shall then say, (the Congregation rising,) MAY the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. Amen. Then shall be sung the following Psalm: PRAISE the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits; Who forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thy infirmities; Who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness. O, praise the Lord, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength; ye that fulfil his commandments, and hearken unto the voice of his word. O, praise the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye servants of his that do his pleasure. O, speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominions. Praise thou the Lord, O my soul. Or this Hymn: O, COME, loud anthems let us sing, Into his presence let us haste, O, let us to his courts repair, Or this: GREAT GOD! we sing that mighty hand, By day, by night, at home, abroad, With grateful hearts, the past we own; Though death shall interrupt these songs, Then shall be read a portion of the sacred Scriptures, from the Old Testament; at the close of which the Minister may say, (the Congregation rising,) PRAISE waiteth for thee, O God; and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Then shall be sung the following Psalm: It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High; To tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning, and of thy truth in the night season; Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the lute; upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad, through thy works; and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of thy hands. Or this Hymn : A CHARGE to keep I have, A never-dying soul to save, To serve the present age, O, may it all my powers engage, Arm me with jealous care, Help me to watch and pray, I shall forsaken die. Or this: ETERNAL GOD, almighty cause Of earth, and seas, and worlds unknown; All things are subject to thy laws; All things depend on thee alone, |