THOU whose help is always nearest when most needed, comfort those who mourn and are oppressed with their afflictions, or labor under the burden of a troubled mind: relieve the poor, and defend the cause of the fatherless and the widow: strengthen those who languish on the bed of sickness, and those who are departing from this world. Keep them all from sinning against thee, and from being overwhelmed by too heavy a sorrow. Let the events of their lives be under the control of thy holy spirit, and end in holiness, in peace, and joy eternal. Amen.

TERNAL God and most merciful

Father, grant us the help of thy holy spirit, that our souls may rest in the thought of thy goodness, and quiet themselves in thee. May we now, and at all times, find in thee our true inward peace. Let thy mighty hand and outstretched arm be our defence, thy mercy and lovingkindness our salvation, thy holy spirit our comfort and our strength, now and evermore. Amen.

Evening Prayers and Collects.

GOD, the Father of Lights, in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, help us so to live in thy peace that even the night shall be light about us. O thou who dost neither slumber nor sleep, who givest thine angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways, send out thy light and thy truth, till all men shall see thy glory, and the whole earth shall be full of the knowledge of God. Amen.

GOD, our heavenly Father, by whose providence both the day and night are governed, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, as thou hast this day preserved us by thy goodness, so still this night to overshadow us by thy might; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved from all adversities that hurt the body, and from

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all thoughts that assault and defile the soul. Amen.

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GOD, who givest us these quiet hours

of holy thought and prayer: we thank thee for the rest which thou hast granted us, and the peace which thou hast breathed into our souls this day. As the shadows of evening gather, we commend our spirits to thy care. And when the morning calls us forth again to serve thee, may thy love renew the blessing which we have sought to-day. Thus, O God, in new strength for toil, and with a holier spirit of devotion to thy will, may we receive thy merciful answer to our prayers. Amen.

ETERNAL God, our glory and our hope,

men.

the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort: we thank thee for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all We praise thy name for that portion of thy word and will of which thou hast made us partakers this day: grant that it may bring forth fruit unto righteousness, and to the glory of thy holy name. Amen.

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LORD God, the day is thine, the night also is thine. The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Protect us through the hours of sleep, that our rest may refresh us in body and mind. Soothe our troubled thoughts, and breathe thy peace into our restless hearts. May thy invisible presence watch over us, and in the light of a new day may we rise to bless thee for thy sheltering care. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, our Heavenly Father,

who hast cared for us amid the temptations and dangers of this day, we beseech thee to continue thy gracious protection to us through this night. Defend us from all dangers and mischiefs, and from the fear of them, that we may enjoy such refreshing sleep as may fit us for the duties of the following day. Make us ever mindful of the time when our bodies shall be laid

in the dust; and grant us grace always to live in such a state, that we may never be afraid to die: so that, living and dying, we may be thine, through the faith and gospel of thy Son Jesus Christ, in whose spirit we offer these our imperfect prayers. Amen.

Special Prayers and Collects.

COLLECTS; CLOSE OF SERVICE.

NOW, O Father, we ask thy blessing on the prayers and praises in which we have lifted up our souls to thee this day. May we go to our duties with a peaceful sense of thy besetting presence, and abide forever under the shadow of thy wing. May every season of quiet communion. with thee, and meditation on things unseen, be the preparation for more diligent work, and more earnest thought. Oh, send us hence in the spirit of hope and resolve, and confident trust in thy guidance. Give us a lofty aim and a settled purpose, a heart filled with thy love, and a will in harmony with thine. And may we strive, even as we pray, that thy kingdom may come, and thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.