THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY
AFTER TRINITY.

Lessons

Epistle Col. i. 3-13.

Amos iii., v., ix.

Gospel: St. Matt. ix. 18-27.

THE COLLECT.

O LORD, we beseech Thee, absolve Thy people from their offences; that through Thy bountiful goodness we may all be delivered from the bands of those sins, which by our frailty we have committed: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

"Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. ."-Col. i. II.

"Those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary."-1 Cor. xii. 22.

"My work is done, I lay me down to die,
Weary and travel-worn I long for rest,
Speak but the word, dear Master, and I fly,
A dove let loose, to nestle in Thy breast."
Not yet, My child, a little longer wait,

66

I need thy prayerful watch at glory's gate."

"But, Lord, I have no strength to watch and pray, My spirit is benumb'd, and dim my sight, And I shall grieve Thy watchful love, as they Who in the garden slept that Paschal night." "My child, I need thy weakness hour by hour, To prove in Me, thy strengthlessness is power."

"Not for myself alone, I urge the suit,

But loved ones lose for me life's priceless bloom, And tender, patient, uncomplaining, mute,

Wear out their joyance in my darkened room." Enough, My child, I need their love to thee: Around thy couch, they minister to Me."

"It is enough, dear Master; yea, Amen, I will not breathe one murmur of reply, Only fulfil Thy work in me, and then

Call me and bid me answer- Here am I.'" "My child, the sign I waited for is given, Thy work is done, I need thee now in heaven."

THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE
ADVENT.

Lessons: Eccles. xi. and xii.; Hag. ii. 1-10;
Mal. iii. and iv.

For the Epistle: Jer. xxiii. 5-9. Gospel St. John vi. 5-15.

THE COLLECT.

STIR up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern."-Eccles. xii. 6.

"Even to your old age I am He, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you."-Isaiah xlvi. 4.

Is thy journey, aged pilgrim,
Great, too great for thee?
Pleads a tenderer voice than angels,
"Come to Me.

"Traveller of many summers,
Of the silvery hair,
Wrinkled brow, and eye betraying
Years of care.

"Come to Me; I know thy burdens,
Failing strength and heart;
Trust thyself to One who loves thee
As thou art.

"I have trodden life's rough pathway;
I its toil have known;
Trodden it with bleeding footstep,
Faint, alone.

“Long thy staff thy only comrade
Day and night hath been;
Now thy strength to grasp it fails thee,
On Me lean.

"Everlasting Arms are round thee,
Thine My pillowing breast:
I will be thy Rock and Refuge :
I thy Rest.

"Through the depths of Jordan onward,
Through the dread To be,

Yes, for ever and for ever
I am He."

If there be any more Sundays before Advent Sunday, the Service of some of those Sundays that were omitted after the Epiphany shall be taken in to supply so many as are here wanting. And if there be fewer, the overplus may be omitted: Provided that this last Collect, Epistle, and Gospel shall always be used upon the Sunday next before Advent. (Rubric.)

M

SAINT ANDREW'S DAY.

Lessons Isaiah liv., lxv. 1-17; St. John i. 35-43, xii. 20-42.

Epistle: Rom. x. 9.

Gospel St. Matt. iv. 18-21.

THE COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY God, who didst give such grace unto Thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed Him without delay; Grant unto us all, that we, being called by Thy holy Word, may forthwith give up ourselves obediently to fulfil Thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!"-St. John i. 35, 36.

Not far from Jordan's ford
Unknown a Stranger trod,
When lo, the voice reveals the Word,
Behold the Lamb of God.
O true and living Bread!
O present Paschal Feast!

The One who liveth and was dead:
The Victim and the Priest.

Upon the Throne of thrones,
Where cherubim adore,

And prostrate elders cast their crowns
And worship evermore,

Behold the Heavenly Lamb,

As on the altar slain,
There with the Infinite I AM,

Is seen to rest and reign.