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

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a

HAT is, to God belongs the kingdom of which we have prayed, His is the power to deliver us in temptation, and His the glory of our victory over evil. His is the kingdom of which we are subjects, His is almighty power, b and His eternal glory. Amen, so-be-it. In this word Amen is gathered up the intent of every preceding prayer, and if through human frailty the mind has become unintentionally distracted it can recover itself again in the final Amen, a word expressive of hope, and expressive of faith.

HE Lord's Prayer will answer every requirement of the human heart. The use of the

Lord's Prayer with special intention is very profitable. It can be expanded to suit every want, and, as it were filled in; this, being meditation combined with prayer, is most profitable, but can only be used by those who have some, though small experience in meditation, whereas saying the Our Father with intent can be performed by any one.

a Rev. xi. 15. b Rev. xix. 1.

2 S. Pet. iii. 18.

To say it with intent, one must resolve before kneeling down what one wants to ask of God, stir up a fervent desire to obtain this, fix the mind on God and say the prayer.

To expand it must be done with caution lest one fall into the habit of making long, rambling and pointless prayers. A little said rightly, and said with earnestness, and with a clear intent is better than much irrelevant devotion.

Two examples of the Lord's Prayer expanded are given as models. In Trouble. Our Father which art in heaven;-I am Thy child, and a wise father chasteneth his child whom he loveth, therefore grant me to bear this correction as coming from Thee. Hallowed be Thy name;-if by my suffering Thy name may be hallowed, as Thy strength is made perfect in weakness here. Thy will be done by and in me on earth as Thy will is executed perfectly above and for the peace eternal of heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, though that be the bread of affliction I will eat thereof and long to be satisfied with the plenteousness of Thy house where all the Angel hosts have bread enough and to spare, whilst I perish with hunger. Forgive us our trespasses, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son, yet of Thy infinite mercy pardon me, and may this my trouble convince me how unsatisfying are the husks of this world's

pleasures, and how that alone with Thee is happiness. Restore to me by Thy pardon that happiness which I have lost; and grant that as Thou forgivest me so I may be ever ready to forgive others. And lead us not into temptation, for my flesh is weak, and my courage fails, suffer me not to be tried above measure, but in every furnace of affliction may Thy presence be to me as a moist and cooling wind refreshing and cheering. And deliver me from evil, this Thou wilt do, for Satan shall not pluck out of Thine hand those who have been given unto Thee. In Thanksgiving. Thou O God art my Father, and Thou lovest me, and therefore I thank Thee for what Thou hast done unto me Thy child. Hallowed be Thy name through endless ages by men and angels for all Thy mercies. Thy kingdom come in glory wherein we shall ever praise Thee with joyful lips. Thy will be done in blessing as in afflicting. Give us this day the bread of comfort “to strengthen man's heart," and for all we receive make us truly thankful. Forgive us our trespasses, that we may thank Thee for all Thy mercies to soul and body. Lead us not into the temptation of resting confident in our security now, but keep us watchful, and give us the grace of final perseverance, that we may be, at the last, delivered from the evil one.

Note. An useful explanation of the Lord's Prayer is "Denton on the Lord's Prayer." "Bell and Daldy: London: 1865. Price 58.

THE ANGELIC SALUTATION.

Hail Mary, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

C

HE Angelic Salutation like the Lord's Prayer is taken from the Holy Gospel. The Angel Gabriel with these words addressed the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Elizabeth "full of the Holy Ghost" concluded them with the last paragraph, b That such a salutation should be used in all ages of the Church, Mary herself implies when she exclaims, "All generations shall call me blessed." And well does she merit to be called blessed, for as Eve, the first mother, disobeyed and brought mankind into bondage, so Mary, the second mother, by her obedience restored man to liberty. The first mother listened to the evil angel, and sought knowledge by disobeying God, the second mother listened to the good Archangel, and asked not how the things promised were to be accomplished, but obeyed in implicit faith. The Angelic Salutation is a memorial of the Incarnation, a

S. Luke i. 28.

b S. Luke i. 42.

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S. Luke i. 48.

confession that Christ came in the flesh, was born of a virgin, and dwelt among us, that the doctrine of the Incarnation is the basis of Christian faith, Christian hope, and Christian charity.

2. The form in use in the Eastern Church is this: "Hail! Virgin Mary, mother of God! Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, which gave birth to the Saviour of our souls." The Roman Church, in the sixteenth century added the words, "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen." The ancient form, being strictly scriptural, is preferable to either.

3. The "Hail Mary" is not printed throughout this book, but its use is recommended after the "Lord's Prayer" in the canonical hours, and in private devotions.