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THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER

TRINITY.

Lessons: 2 Chron. xxxvi.; Neh. i., ii. 1–9, viii. Epistle Ephes. iii. 13. Gospel: St. Luke vii. 11-18.

THE COLLECT.

O LORD, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy succour, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named."—Ephes. iii. 14, 15.

Ours is the grief who still are left in this far wilder. ness,

Which will at times, now they are gone, seem blank and comfortless.

For moments spent with loving hearts are breezes from the hills

And the balm of Christian brotherhood like Eden's dew distils;

And we, whose footsteps and whose hearts so often fail and faint,

Seem ill to spare the cheering voice of one departed saint.

But oh, we sorrow not like those whom no bright hopes sustain,

For them who sleep in Jesus, God will with Him bring again.

Love craves the presence and the sight of all its well beloved,

And therefore weep we in the homes whence they are far removed;

Love craves the presence and the sight of each beloved one,

And therefore Jesus spake the word which caught them to His throne;

"Father, I will that all Mine own, whom Thou hast granted Me,

Be with Me where I am to share My glory's bliss with Thee."

Thus heaven is gathering, one by one, in its capacious breast,

All that is pure aud permanent, and beautiful and

blest ;

The family is scatter'd yet, though of one home and

heart,

Part militant in earthly gloom, in heavenly glory.

part.

But who can speak the rapture, when the circle is complete,

And all the children sunder'd now around one Father meet?

One fold, one Shepherd, one employ, one everlast

ing home:

"Lo, I come quickly!" Jesu, come!"

"Even so, Amen. Lord

THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER

TRINITY.

Lessons: Jer.., xxii., v xxxv.

Epistle: Ephes. iv. 1-7. Gospel: St. Luke xiv. 1-12.

THE COLLECT.

LORD, we pray Thee that Thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."-Ephes. iv. 4—6.

Holy Father, hear me ;

Thou art my Defender;
Be Thou ever near me,
Loving, true, and tender.

Jesu, blessèd Master,

Lord of life and glory,
Bid the hours fly faster,

Till I kneel before Thee.

Comforter benignest,

Tabernacling in me,

Thou my need divinest :

Move me, draw me, win me.

Holy, Holy, Holy,

Come and leave me never,

Thine abode most lowly,

Only Thine for ever.

L

THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER

TRINITY.

Lessons: Jer. xxxvi.; Ezek. ii., xiii. 1—17. Epistle 1 Cor. i. 4-9. Gospel: St. Matt. xxii. 34.

THE COLLECT.

LORD, we beseech Thee, grant Thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow Thee the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."- -1 Cor. i. 7, 8.

Long years I wander'd far astray,
Long years the paths of sorrow trod,

Still overshadow'd day by day

By love, the patient love of God.

The time of mercy came at last,

His sheep the Shepherd sought and found;
And, as He smiled and homeward pass'd,
By love omnipotence was crown'd.

He brought me to His shelter'd fold,
He wash'd in blood my miry fleece,
And guided me with love untold

In ways of pleasantness and peace.

Alas, this wayward heart of mine

Too often wounds its tenderest Friend; But that unchanging heart of Thine Loves its beloved ones to the end.

And love must realize its best :

Love cannot fail of love's design:
The child must find the Father's breast:
The human must become divine:

And then no wrinkle on her brow,
No blush of shame, of tears no trace,
Thy Bride who sees Thee dimly now
Unveil'd shall see Thee face to face.

O rapturous gaze surpassing thought,
Which writes Thy likeness on Thine own;
A likeness near and nearer wrought,
And perfected before the Throne.

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