THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER

TRINITY.

Lessons: Ezek. xiv., xviii., xxiv. 15.

Epistle: Ephes. iv. 17-32. Gospel: St. Matt. ix. 1–9.

THE COLLECT.

O GOD, forasmuch as without Thee we are not able to please Thee; Mercifully grant, that Thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"— Ezek. xviii. 31.

Why will ye die? the question breaks
On the world's slumbers as of old;

And many a weary bosom aches

With strange deep yearnings uncontroll'd, But cannot, dare not answer, why

It chooses, not to live, but die.

Can pleasure with its witching powers,
Its fleeting lights, its idle mirth,
Fulfil these craving hearts of ours

That know and feel their heavenly birth ;

Or stand the scrutiny besought

In one still hour of steadfast thought?

Can rank and riches, pomp and pride,
With all the homage they command,
And all the treasure trove beside

Which learning gleans from every land,
Build up a lordly citadel

In which the soul of man may dwell?

Can sin with its wild maddening sense
'Of freedom fetterless by law,
Which smiles on trampled innocence
And scorns the rule of holy awe,
Be always in the sinner's breast
A well-spring of delight and rest?

What mean then all those bitter cries
Re-echoing creation's moan,
The wail of many centuries,

And haply loudest in our own,
So loud and bitter one might dream
They marr'd the songs of seraphim?

What mean they? but that man is great,
Too great, too nobly plann'd, too high,
In God's similitude create,

For aught but God to satisfy?

What mean they? guilt if unforgiven
Would make a very hell of heaven.

Why will ye die? the Spirit pleads

With you who long have grieved His love; And Christ in glory intercedes

As Priest upon the throne above.
O men, your Father asks you, Why
You wound His heart and will to die?

THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER

:

TRINITY.

Lessons Ezek. xxxiv., xxxvii.; Daniel i. Epistle: Ephes. v. 15-22. Gospel: St. Matt. xxii. 1-15.

THE COLLECT.

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of Thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

66

Singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord."-Ephes. v. 19.

O Master of the fount of symphonies,
Who drinkest in the music of the skies,
Enshrined in song alway,

My spirit's harp is tuneless and unstrung,
And broken words cling to my faltering tongue :
Hear me and help, I pray.

Lay Thou Thy hand of gentlest love Divine
Upon these jarr'd and loosen'd chords of mine,
And tune them to Thy will.

As likes Thee, deal with this poor instrument; Thine is the counsel, mine but the consent;

I would be only still.

Thou wilt not pain this frail heart overmuch ;
I know Thy thoughtful tenderness of touch,
Thy power to read me through:

I only ask Thee, dearest Lord, when once
The quivering strings are true in their response,
To keep them ever true.

Then let my life from morn to evensong
On earth the melodies of heaven prolong,
In trouble or in calm :

I ask no more, if Thy most gracious Ear
Discern in accents tremulous or clear

One low melodious psalm.

THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER

TRINITY.

Lessons: Daniel iii., iv., v.

Epistle: Ephes. vi. 10-21. Gospel: St. John iv. 46.

THE COLLECT.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord, to Thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve Thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace."-Ephes. vi. 15.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”Ps. xxxvii. 7.

Rest in the Lord; rest weary heart,

With sin and sorrow worn,

And conscience rankling with the smart
Of pitiless self-scorn;

Oh, counting all beside but loss,

Climb Calvary's lowly hill,

And there beneath the bleeding cross

Rest, and be still.

Rest in the Lord; what time the storm
Around thy pathway raves,
Behold His calm majestic form
Serenely walks the waves;

And hark! that tranquil voice is heard
Which winds and waves fulfil ;

Oh, rest upon His changeless word;
Rest, and be still.