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A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting. them. We pray that thy watchful eye and holy protecting providence may be over us for good; guide us continually by thy unerring counsel: prosper us in all our lawful pursuits; and preserve us from desolating judgments and all calamitous events.

More particularly do we look unto thee, the only wise God, for thy favor and blessing upon the people of this town, and the important occasion on which we are here assembled. May we justly view and duly appreciate the blessing of our enfranchisement: the high privilege of choosing those who shall be our rulers, and of making appointments to offices of trust. May thy blessing, O Lord, be with us; the blessing of wisdom, harmony and love. Preserve us from the evils of party feeling, selfishness and contention. May it be the sincere desire of each and every one to promote the public welfare. In this important exercise of the rights of freemen, may they be directed to the choice of such persons as are best qualified for the offices to which they shall be elected. And give grace, we beseech thee, and wisdom to all those who are or shall be thus called to serve their town or state or country; may they willingly and faithfully perform the important duties of their office, sincerely endeavoring to promote equity, union and peace.

And may we all be disposed to harmony and love, and to give that measure to others which we expect from them. May the people of this town be continually united, as a happy society, with interests and feelings in common. May they who are strong support the weak, and every member of the community, according to his means and station, bear his just part of the public burthens, and contribute his due proportion to the general good. And grant, O Lord, that our land may still enjoy, and better appreciate the light of thy truth and the blessings of thy boun

A Prayer suitable for a Temperance Meeting.

tiful hand. Remove from us all spiritual ignorance, and preserve us from an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from thee, the living God. May we ever remain a happy, united people, having truth for our guide, and the Lord for our God. Hear us, O Lord, and bless us for the worthiness of thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. And may his grace, and thy love, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore. Amen.

A Prayer suitable for a Temperance Meeting.

O MERCIFUL God, who art the Giver of all good, and orderest all things in heaven and on earth; who hast compassion upon mankind, and hast graciously promised to hear the prayer of those who ask in the name of Jesus Christ, mercifully forgive our sins, and accept our humble supplications. Shouldst

thou be extreme to mark iniquities, no man living could be justified. For the glory of thy name, turn from us all those evils which we too justly have deserved. Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy. Let thy ears be open to our petitions; prepare our hearts to come worthily before thee, not in our own name, nor trusting in our own righteousness, but in the name of Jesus Christ, and trusting in thy mercy through his merits. Help us, O Lord, we beseech thee, to fulfil the duties of our respective stations in life, and to go forward in our Christian course. Open our eyes, that we may see the excellency of thy law; give us understanding that we may know thy testimonies, and write the truths of thy gospel on our hearts. Direct and bless us in all our endeavors to know and to do thy will. Thou knowest, O God, that we are set in the midst of

A Prayer suitable for a Temperance Meeting.

manifold and great dangers, and that our nature is weak; grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all perils, and carry us safely through all temptation. Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault or hurt the soul. Purify our hearts from all inordinate and sinful affections. Give us grace to be temperate in all things; in our meats and drinks, and in all that we do: may we use the world as not abusing it. Grant that the good things which thou givest may by us and by all people be thankfully received, and used with sobriety and moderation; that we may give good examples to others; that the flesh may be subject to thy Holy Spirit, and that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we may live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, may we do all to thy glory in Jesus Christ.

Give thy blessing, O Lord, we beseech thee, to those who associate, and to all who labor to suppress intemperance, ungodliness and vice. Give success to their benevolent efforts, and so rule their hearts and strengthen their hands, that they may be instrumental in promoting sobriety and good morals. Cause them to be unwearied in well doing, and reward their labor of love. Grant that our coming together at this time may tend to the good of ourselves and others. Give to us and to all men grace, that we may not abuse ourselves nor injure others by an improper use of the things of time and sense; deliver us from all inordinate and sinful affections, and help us to pass the time of our sojourning here in thy fear, and to live as they should live who expect shortly to give an account to thee, who wilt judge all men according to their

A Form of Service at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church. works. Preserve us from idleness in what concerns the welfare of our bodies and of our souls; may we not be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Help each and all of us to do our duty in the state of life to which it shall please thee to call us. Direct us in all our doings with thy most gracious favor; prosper us with thy continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name; and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all, evermore. Amen

A Form of Service that may be used at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church.

The several Parts of the following Service, as they are numbered, may be divided among the Clergy who are present, as shall be judged expedient.

1. Sentences of Scripture.

Except the Lord build the house, their labor is but lost that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain.

The same stone which the builders refused, is become the head-stone in the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is gracious, and his mercy endureth forever.

2. Introductory Address.

Friends and brethren: Devout men of old, under the law and under the gospel, have erected houses for the public worship of Almighty God, and have

A Form of Service at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church.

separated them from common use, for the more decent celebration of the christian ordinances, and to fill men's minds with greater reverence for God. We cannot doubt but such pious works are approved of God. King David was commended for his desire to perform such a work; that it was in his heart to build God a house. The building of churches tends very much to the promotion of his holy worship, and the practice of good morals and true religion. We humbly trust that He will favorably accept of this our present purpose of laying, with suitable solemnities, the foundation of a house, to be erected to the honor of His great name, and dedicated to His holy worship. Let us then unite in asking His blessing upon this our undertaking.

3. Then may be offered the following Prayers, or other Collects, at discretion, from the Book of Common Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Direct us, O Lord, in what we do, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; and grant that in this and all our works, we may glorify thy holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

O blessed Lord, who art the giver of all good, visit, we pray thee, this people with thy love and favor; enlighten their minds with the truths of the everlasting gospel; graft in their hearts the love of thy name; increase in them true religion; nourish them with all goodness; and of thy great mercy,

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