From all sin and evil;

From Thy wrath and indignation ;
From a careless spirit of neglect;
From the deadly sleep of sin ;
From all dangers that threaten us;
From plague, famine, and war;
From sudden and unlooked-for death
From the snares of the devil;
From anger, hatred, and every evil
will;

From everlasting death;

By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation;

By Thy Second Coming as Judge;

O LORD, deliver us.

Show forth upon us, O LORD, in Thy mercy, Thy unspeakable loving-kindness; loose us from all our sins; and deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for them. Amen.

Our FATHER, &c.

O Thou, Who Thine own FATHER'S Breast
Forsaking, Word Sublime!

Didst come to aid a world distressed,
In Thy appointed time:

Our hearts enlighten with Thy ray,
And kindle with Thy love;

That, dead to earthly things, we may
Live but to things above.

So when before the Judgment-seat
The sinner hears his doom,
And when a Voice divinely sweet
Shall call the righteous home;

Safe from the black and fiery flood,
That sweeps the dread abyss,
May we behold the Face of God,
In everlasting bliss.

Now to the FATHER, with the SON,

And SPIRIT evermore,

Be glory while the ages run,

As in all time before.

PSALM CXIX. In æternum, Domine.

O LORD, Thy word: endureth for ever in Heaven.

Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another: Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

:

They continue this day according to Thine ordinance for all things serve Thee. If my delight had not been in Thy law : I should have perished in my trouble.

I will never forget Thy commandments : for with them Thou hast quickened me.

I am Thine, O save me : for I have sought Thy commandments.

The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me but I will consider Thy testimonies.

I see that all things come to an end : but Thy commandment is exceeding broad. Glory be to the FATHER, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.

CHRISTMAS EVE.

"Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy." -S. Luke ii. 10.

On this day the Church's watch-word is 'Rejoice." Her cries of sorrow give place to Alleluias. She puts on the "garment of praise," and anoints herself with the "oil of gladness," that she may join her voice with that of Angels, and welcome Her SAVIOUR, which is CHRIST the LORD." In Heaven there is great joy. "All the Angels of GoD adore Him as a Child, Whom they had worshipped as GOD. All look with high reverence upon this blessed Babe, saying, "Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.'

And there is joy in earth. For the "Deliverer" is come. The " Hope and Glory of all lands." He comes to save mankind, to redeem the world.

O happy tidings! Peace with GOD, and with Angels: Peace to each one with him

self and with all others: Reconciliation to the FATHER, the remission of sins, victory over Satan, subjection of the flesh to the Spirit, and "good-will "good-will" from the ALMIGHTY to all " men of good-will.”

O most gracious SAVIOUR, give me this good-will which Thou offerest us, that I may deny my own will, and follow Thine, which is holy, pleasing, and perfect, and the beginning of all good in me.

But who sent these "tidings of great joy ?" The Eternal FATHER, to honour His SON, and to show how He loved the world. I humbly thank Thee, therefore, O Heavenly FATHER, for this gift of Thy dear SON, Well hath He merited that Thou shouldest honour Him, since He hath humbled Himself to honour Thee. And O teach me to sing this hymn of Thy Angels, with the same spirit with which they sang it.

O Prince of Peace, lift up my heart that I may glorify Thee upon earth, that whatever I shall say or do, whether of myself, or for others, may be to Thy glory, without seeking mine own; and that from my mouth and heart this word may never depart, "Glory to GOD."

Glory to the FATHER, for having given us His SON.

Glory to the SON, for having become man for our redemption.

And Glory to the HOLY GHOST, from Whose love this work did proceed. Amen. Make haste and tarry not, O LORD.

Come, LORD, and release Thy people from their sins.

Receive the Word, Virgin Mary, which is sent to thee from the LORD by the Angel, thou shalt conceive and bring forth Him that is both GOD and man; that thou mayest be called Blessed among women.

For thou shalt bring forth a SON, and suffer no loss of Virginity; thou shalt be with Child, and be the Mother ever undefiled. The LORD shall arise upon thee, O Jerusalem.

And His Glory shall be seen upon thee. Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just.

Let the earth be opened, and bud forth a SAVIOUR.

Lift up thine eyes, O Jerusalem, and behold the greatness of thy King:

Behold, the SAVIOUR cometh to loose thee from thy chains.

O LORD, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us Thy salvation.

Remember me,

O LORD, according to the favour that Thou bearest unto Thy people. And visit me with Thy salvation.

Come and deliver us, O LORD GOD of hosts.