The Lesson.-Matt. xxv. 1-13. THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Psalm cxxx. OUT of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord Lord, hear my voice. O let Thine ears consider well: the voice of my complaint. If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with Thee: therefore shalt Thou be feared. I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for Him in His word is my trust. : My soul fleeth unto the Lord: before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his sins. : HE Psalm cxliii. EAR my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire hearken unto me for Thy truth and righteousness' sake. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground: he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate. Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all Thy works: yea, I exercise myself in the works of Thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee gaspeth unto Thee as a thirsty land. my soul Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint hide not Thy face from me, : like unto them that go down into the pit. lest I be O let me hear Thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning, for in Thee is my trust: shew Thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies : for I flee unto Thee to hide me. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee, for Thou art my God let Thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. Quicken me, O Lord, for Thy Name's sake: and for Thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of Thy goodness slay mine enemies and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am Thy servant. [The Nicene Creed, as in p. 42.] For Obedience. ALMIGHTY God, Who shewest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. For Guidance. GOD, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without Whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that, Thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. Amen. For a better life. ALMIGHTY God, Who through Thine only begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech Thee, that, as by Thy special grace preventing us Thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by Thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Final Prayers. ALMIGHTY God, the Fountain of all wisdom, Who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; We beseech Thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things, which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Amen. Ghost, be with us all evermore. TUESDAY NOON. BE TEMPTATION. E sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter v. 8. HYMN. My GOD, when dangers press me round O leave me not alone: Preserve my soul from every snare, Thou art my GOD, my strength, my stay, Hast shielded me from harm: |