THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT.

Lessons: Exod. iii., v., vi. 1—14.

Epistle: Heb. ix. 11-16. Gospel: St. John viii. 46.

THE COLLECT.

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people; that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."-Exod. iii. 14.

66

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.”—St. John viii. 58.

A

cry of anguish from the banks of Nile Of mothers weeping for their little ones, Of fathers groaning in their cruel toil,

Of daughters scourged, of wrathful trampled

sons,

One bitter cry of bosoms torn and riven
Arises day and night to patient heaven.

What power shall mantle God's ambassador,
And trouble Pharaoh in his idol feasts,
Lead Israel forth to Canaan's promised shore,
And make of slaves a royalty of priests?
One only Name, the God of Abraham,
I AM hath sent thee: I AM that I AM.

Long ages pass'd. A darker cloud o'erhangs
From pole to pole the universal earth;
And Zion, wrestling in her weary pangs,

Bewails with tears and groans the hour of birth;

And yet a bitterer cry ascends to God,
"Woe for the chosen people: Ichabod."

Say, who is this in man's extremest hour,

Who comes to ransom man from sin and grave? This veiled Glory, travelling in power

And mighty in humility to save?

The Light of Light, foreseen by Abraham,
Or ever Abraham was born, I AM.

Ages once more have pass'd away like dreams,
And now Creation waits the end of things;
But far and near o'er all the world what seems
Darkens what is with vain imaginings;
And men are chasing shadows from their youth
And grasping unsubstantial mists for truth.

What is that only Name of power to drive
The phantoms of deceitful night away,
That dying man may save his soul alive,
And stand God's freeman in the light of day?
Hark, on the throne of God and of the Lamb
The name from everlasting is I AM.

THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER.

:

Lessons Exod. ix., x., xi.; St. Matt. xxvi.; St. Luke xix. 28-48, xx. 9-21.

Epistle Phil. ii. 5-12. Gospel : St. Matt. xxvii. 1-55. THE COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of Thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying. Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."-St. Luke xix. 37, 38.

What are these with palm and song
Round the Saviour's feet who throng?
Wherefore is that mountain road
With their festal garments strow'd?
Parents, children, welcoming

Zion's Son and Zion's King,

Shouts of glad Hosannas raise

With their love to crown His praise.

Lo, upon a holier mount,

Multitudes no tongue can count,
With celestial harpings chant

Hallelujahs jubilant.

Hark, their everlasting song Through the ages rolls along; Glory won and sin forgiven, Theirs the perfect bliss of heaven.

Blessed Jesu, grant that we

Here may serve and worship Thee : Loveliness and love Thou art, Write Thy name upon our heart; Help us gladly, Lord, to bring Costliest gift and offering

To the footstool of Thy throne, Thine ourselves and Thine alone.

Jesu, Thou wilt come again
Not to suffer, but to reign :
May we Thee with rapture meet;
Fall adoring at Thy feet;
With Thy saints and angels rise
To our mansions in the skies,
Hallelujahs there to Thee
Singing through eternity.

THE MONDAY BEFORE EASTER.

Lessons: Lam. i. 1—15, ii. 13; St. John xiv. For the Epistle : Isa. lxiii. Gospel: St. Mark xiv.

"And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him; and wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples?”—St. Mark xiv. 13, 14.

'Twas spoken long ago and far away;

But, hark! it vibrates in our hearts to-day,
That word of Jesus Christ of Nazareth :

That strange persuasive word, “The Master saith."

As once beside the lake of Galilee

He passes by and whispers, "Follow Me;"
Seems it to many but an idle breath?

There are who answer, ""Tis the Master saith."

What is it that He asks? Thy soul, thy heart,
Yea, brother, all thou hast and all thou art :
He claims it for His own, in life and death,
And after death for ever so He saith.

Thou wilt not say Him nay; but can it be
He asks some dearer than thyself of thee?
One word the costly offering halloweth,
One only 'tis enough-the Master saith.
Wait but a little while, of thee and them
The Lord hath need in His Jerusalem.
Press on who in His footsteps followeth
Shall know in glory all the Master saith.