and

came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing; and he called one of the servants, asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed for him the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

And he, answering, said to his father, Lo! these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet, thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But, as soon as this, thy son, was come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this, thy brother, was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Π

OUR FATHER, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come;

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us, this day, our daily bread:

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

AMEN.

XXIII.

THE wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Better is the poor, that walketh in his uprightness, than he, that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

He, that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Seest thou a man, that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool, than of him.

1

Teacher. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place, through all generations :

Pupils. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

T. Thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

P. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. T. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep :

P. In the morning, they are like grass, which groweth up.

T. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up:
P. In the evening, it is cut down, and withereth.
T. For we are consumed by thine anger:
P. And by thy wrath are we troubled.

T. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee:
P. Our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
T. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath:
P. We spend our years as a tale that is told

T. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if, by reason of strength, they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow:

P. For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. T. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom:

P. O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

T. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: P. For his mercy endureth for ever.

1

There was a certain man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs, which fell from the rich man's table: Moreover, the dogs came and licked his

sores.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou, in thy life-time, receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they, which would pass from hence to you, cannot ; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee, therefore, Father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house; for I have there five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, Father Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

I

OUR FATHER, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come;

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us, this day, our daily bread:

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our

debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil :

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

AMEN

LIKE shadows gliding o'er the plain,
Or clouds that roll successive on,
Man's busy generations pass,

And while we gaze, their forms are gone.

O Father! in whose mighty hand
The boundless years and ages lie,
Teach us thy boon of life to prize,
And use the moments as they fly;

To crowd the narrow span of life
With wise designs and virtuous deeds:
So shall we wake from death's dark night,
To share the glory that succeeds.

1

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim, through this barren land:
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand :
Bread of heaven,

Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,

Whence the healing streams do flow;

Let the fiery, cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journey through:

Strong Deliverer,

Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Bear me through the swelling current;
Land me safe on Canaan's side:

Songs of praises

I will ever give to thee.