implore forgiveness. We are sorry that we have displeased thee; and from the bottom of our hearts, we regret the offences with which we have so often requited thy goodness in our behalf. Oh keep us from yielding to temptations for the future. Make us sensible also, oh Lord, of the many ways in which we do wrong without even being aware of it at the time or afterwards thinking of our negligence. Thou hast said that the just man falls seven times a day :-how often, therefore, have we not reason to fear that we fall from our duties and this, without so much as owning our faults! Oh make us watch more carefully our passing thoughts and words; make us attend more rigorously to all the slightest movements of our tempers, all the hidden springs of our actions. Accept our grateful thanks if thou hast removed us from occasions of committing great and grievous sins: if, through thy mercy rather than our own endeavours, we have none such upon our consciences. Oh make us ever sensible of the favour thou hast shown us in protecting us in preference to so many other souls which are led astray, not by inclinations naturally worse than ours, but by the temptations to which their situations in life expose them. But, oh Lord, teach us also to shew by our conduct now that, in any other situation, we should have the strength to resist seductions and to serve thee. Teach us properly to judge of our guilt if we only abstain from offending thee mortally because we have no opportunity of doing So. Grant, oh Lord, rather that we may the more carefully watch over our tempers and every bad feeling of our hearts; that by conforming to thy will in small things, we may deserve thy protection in all greater dangers and trials to which we may be exposed hereafter. Amen. Visit oh Lord we beseech thee, this house and family, and drive far from them all snares of the enemy. Let thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may thy blessing be always upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. PRAYERS FOR PARTICULAR SEASONS. To be added before the concluding night prayer, "Visit oh Lord we beseech thee." FOR EMBER DAYS. Listen, almighty God, we beseech thee to the prayers which thy universal church offers to thee at this time; beseeching thy blessing on those who are about to be admitted to thy holy service at the altar. Give thy grace to all who are called to any office and administration in thy priesthood; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine and indue them with innocence of life, that they may faithfully serve thee to the glory of thy great name and the benefit of thy holy church. Amen. Oh God of whose mercies there is no number and of whose goodness the treasure is infinite, we humbly thank thee for the gifts thou hast bestowed upon us. Continue thy mercy to us and give us also so much of thy temporal blessings, as thou knowest to be for our good. Grant that the fruits of the earth may, by thy holy favour, increase and multiply: defend them from all drought, frosts or tempests, or whatever else may be hurtful to them. It is from thy hand only that we look for succour, and to thee we have recourse in all our necessities, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FOR ADVENT. Raise up our hearts oh Lord, we beseech thee, in expectation of the coming of thy only Son: that, by his advent, being reconciled to thee, we may serve thee in holiness all the days of our lives. Amen. FOR LENT. Oh Lord who, for our sake, didst fast forty days and forty nights; give us grace to use such abstinence, that our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may worthily lament and acknowledge our wretchedness, and may obtain perfect remission and forgiveness of thee, the God of all mercy, who livest and reignest with the Father and Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen. THE CONDENSED LITANY OF LORETTO. This Litany is printed from the manuscript of one of the most eminent divines living. By condensing, it admirably exemplifies and explains the figurative language of the ancient litany of Loretto. Prayers, like music, derive much of their effect, much of their power of selfpersuasion from habit and association: but although those whose early impressions are connected with it, may still cling to the olden form, yet we doubt not that converts will prefer the present beautiful version of the ancient Litany.] ANTHEM. We fly to thy patronage, oh Holy Mother of God; despise not our petitious in our necessities; but protect us against all dangers, oh ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Lord have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ gracious ly hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Virgin of Virgins, pray for us. Mother of Christ the fountain of divine grace, pray for us. Mother most pure and most chaste, pray for us. Mother without spot or stain, pray for us. Mother as lovely as thou art wonderful, pray for us. Mother of our Creator and Redeemer, pray for us. Most prudent Virgin, deserving object of our veneration and praise, pray for us. Powerful, compassionate, and faithful virgin, pray for us. Resplendent mirror, reflecting every virtue and all justice, pray for us. Chosen abode of heavenly wisdom, pray for us. Copious source from which sprang all our joy,' pray for us. Spiritual and honourable vessel, replenished with the precious ointment of piety and devotion, pray for us. Mystical rose, diffusing thy fragrant odours around this vale of tears, pray for us. Fortress of our defence, impregnable as the tower of David; fair as the turret of ivory; resplendent as the palace of gold, pray for us. Ark of the new covenant, pray for us. Gate of heaven, through which the King of Glory descended upon the earth, pray for us. Star of the morn which ushered in the orient Sun of justice, pray for us. Most powerful of intercessors, in whom the weak find health; sinners, a refuge; the afflicted, a comforter; and all Christians protection and help, pray for us. |