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think little of childlike faith, of the purity of infant Baptism, of the blessedness of being undefiled from actual sin; of children's confidingness, their speechless trust and thanksgiving, their meek repose, their freshness from their Maker's Hands; and thus we do come to think much of what is in some sense our own, and little of that in which there is nothing of man, but which is purely GOD's gift.

But far different is GOD's sight from man's. This day earth saw only Rachel weeping for her children, and could not be comforted; but Heaven saw the blessed and joyous band, following the LAMB whithersoever He goeth; on earth slaughtered babes, in heaven an army of martyrs; on earth the objects of pity and grief, in heaven the foremost of that band which had learned the new song and sang it before the Throne; on earth as we deem knowing nothing, in heaven knowing all that is worth knowing, that new song which none save virgin souls may sing.

O most glorious King of Martyrs, JESUS CHRIST, Who on this day didst conquer and triumph in these, the babes and sucklings of Thy redeemed; have compassion on my weakness, and aid me with Thy grace, conquering in like wise sin and Satan in my heart. Suffer not wickedness to reign

over me, or deceit to beguile my soul, and rather let me die than live to displease Thee.

O Blessed SAVIOUR, Who hast set forth the healing virtue of Thy Cross, impart to us its saving merits; bring us nigh to Thee; look upon our afflictions; mortify and kill all vices in us; give pardon for the past; for the present, innocency of life, and for the future, constancy of faith even unto death. Give us the lowliness of infants; teach us to abase ourselves, that we be exalted of Thee; comfort us who mourn, place Thy blessed mark upon us, though it be that of suffering; so that Thou mayest know and own us in the Day of Judgment. Put a new song into our mouths, even a thanksgiving unto our GOD. Even so, come LORD JESUS. Amen.

O holiest JESUS, Child of a most pure Virgin, GOD Incarnate! O Life that never fadest! O Life by which I live, without which I die! O Life by which I rejoice, without which I mourn! O Life most sweet and precious, grant that I may be joined to Thee, and, soothed from earthly care by Thy boundless pity and love, may find my holy rest in Thee, Who art our perfect Peace. Amen.

Our FATHER, &c.

Glory to Thee, O LORD!

Who from this world of sin,
By the fierce Herod's ruthless sword,
These precious ones didst win.
Glory to Thee, O LORD!

For now, all grief unknown,
They reap in gladness their reward,
The martyr's heavenly crown.

Baptised in their own blood,

Earth's untried perils o'er,
They passed unconsciously the flood,
And safely gained the shore.

Glory to Thee! for all

The ransomed infant band,

Who since that hour have heard Thy call,
And reached the heavenly land.

O that our hearts within,

Like theirs were pure and bright;
O that, as free from wilful sin,
We shrunk not from Thy sight.

LORD, help us every hour

Thy cleansing grace to claim;
In life to glorify Thy power,
In death to praise Thy Name.

Amen.

PSALM VIII. Domine, Dominus noster.

O LORD our Governor, how excellent is Thy Name in all the world: Thou that hast set Thy glory above the heavens!

Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength, because of Thine enemies that Thou mightest still the enemy, and the avenger.

For I will consider Thy heavens, even the works of Thy fingers: the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained.

What is man, that Thou art mindful of him and the son of man that Thou visitest him?

:

Thou madest him lower than the angels: to crown him with glory and worship.

Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands and Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet; All sheep and oxen : yea, and the beasts of the field;

The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the sea.

O LORD our Governor how excellent is Thy Name in all the world!

Glory be to the FATHER, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

106

THE CIRCUMCISION.

LITANY OF THE HOLY NAME.

To be said from the Circumcision to the Epiphang.

LORD, have mercy.
CHRIST, have mercy.
LORD, have mercy.

O GOD the FATHER, of Heaven; O GOD the SON, Redeemer of the world;

O GOD the HOLY GHOST;
HOLY TRINITY, One GOD.
JESUS, SON of the Living GOD;
JESUS, Splendour of the FATHER;
JESUS, Brightness of Eternal Light;
JESUS, King of Glory;

JESUS, Sun of Righteousness;
JESUS, Son of the Virgin Mary;
JESUS, Most Wonderful;

JESUS, Counsellor ;

JESUS, The Mighty GOD;

JESUS, Everlasting Father;

JESUS, Prince of peace;
JESUS, Most powerful;
JESUS, Most patient;
JESUS, Most obedient;

Have mercy on us.

Hear us,

O LORD.

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