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HATCHARDS, 187 PICCADILLY.

HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO. 32 PATERNOSTER ROW.

1874.

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PREFACE.

WE have abundant cause for thankfulness on account of the acceptance which our first Book of Family Prayers, prepared some years back, has met with. Many who have used it have urged us repeatedly to provide them with another series of a like character. We have accordingly made the attempt in the present volume; aiming as before at simplicity of expression, brevity in the construction of sentences, and directness of supplication.

At the same time we cannot help feeling that, in comparing the two series, there will often be found sentences and

sentiments in each very nearly identical. It is not easy to see how this could have been avoided; since we have all again and again the same sins to confess, and the same blessings to ask or to praise for. We have endeavoured also to keep in mind, that by far the majority of those for whose benefit these Prayers are prepared are persons of little leisure, and perhaps very limited education. We have aimed therefore at edification rather than originality, and have been much more anxious to help humble suppliants at the Throne of Grace than to please those for whom such help is hardly needed.

It will be seen that the Fourth Week contains prayers taken entirely from the Book of Common Prayer. This has been done for two reasons:

First, because we feel, that although the Liturgy was originally framed only

for public worship, still there are no prayers more suitable for the object in view, or which suffer less from repetition, than our Church Prayers.

And secondly, because we know that many persons are desirous of using something like a responsive service in Family Worship. We have endeavoured to make the prayers alluded to only so far responsive, that they can be used without the actual necessity of placing a copy in the hands of each worshipper.

Most heartily do we trust that this Book of Prayers may be found as acceptable as its predecessor, and that those who use it may receive through its means a large blessing from God.

A. MONTREAL.

C. H. RAMSDEN.

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