As thou hast prepared a rich compensation for those who labor, may thy grace enable us at all times to work.

May we refer our whole life to thee, and undervalue all things in comparison with thy love.

Close our eyes to the illusions of this world, and open them to the glory of thy heavenly kingdom.

That when our earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, and this house of clay shall fall into dust,

We may ascend, and dwell with thee, in a building not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

Psalm LXXXV.

PRAISE the Lord, O ye children of men! praise him as the author of all your hopes. Praise him, O ye blessed of heaven! praise him as the author of all your joys.

Sing, O ye venerable patriarchs and holy prophets! sing a hymn of glory to the great messiah.

Sing and rejoice all ye ancient saints, who so long reposed in the bosom of Abraham! Come forth with your purest incense, and humbly offer it at the throne of the Lamb;

That divine lamb who was slain from the beginning of the world, by whose blood you were saved from destruction.

'Twas he that overcame the powers of darkness, and led you in triumph from your captive abode.

What transports filled your souls when you beheld at last your long-wished for Redeemer!

When the splendor of his presence beamed upon you; that presence which so quickly turns the most gloomy night into a cheerful day!

O glorious presence! when shall we be filled with an ardent desire of enjoying thee?

When, dear saviour! shall our desires be satisfied by the everlasting fruition of thy blessed self?

Henceforth, O Lord! may we welcome all afflictions for the love of thee!

May we fear the pleasures of the world, as dangerous to our immortal interests.

May we obey thee, while we live, that when we die we may possess thee forever. Glory be to the Father, &c.

Ant. Having overcome the sting of death, thou openedst the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

CHAPTER.-2 Pet. 3.

BEWARE, lest, being led away by the error of the unwise, you fall from your own steadfastness. But increase in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Hymn.

COME let us lift our joyful eyes

Up to the courts above,

And smile to see the Father there
Upon a throne of love.

The peaceful gates of heav'nly bliss
Are open'd by the Son;

High let us raise our notes of praise,

And reach th' Almighty's throne.

O heav'n! O land of pure delight,

Where saints immortal reign!
Whence endless day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain!

When shall my soul from darkness free,
To thy bright seats remove;
Fore'er to praise my dearest Lord,
In endless peace and love?

To Father, son and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore,

Be glory as it was and is,

And shall be evermore.

Amen.

V. Fear not those that kill the body;

R. But rather fear him that can kill both soul and body.

Antiphon at the BENEDICTUS.

It is consummated. Thou hast, O Lord! overcome in thy body all the powers of darkness. Their hour is past; but thy soul's eternal bliss remains; and behold the moment of thy triumphant resurrection approaches.

V. O Lord! hear my prayer,

R. And let my cry come unto thee.

Let us pray.

O God! who hast subjected thy only Son to the sufferings of the cross and the darkness of the grave, that he might destroy the reign of sin and expel the terrors of death; grant us, we beseech thee, the grace to resist all temptations, and fervently to perform the duties thou hast imposed on us, and to remember continually, that the labours and trials we endure for thee here, are but momentary, and will obtain for us hereafter an eternal weight of glory; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, &c.

COMMEMORATIONS, page 53.

VESPER S.

OUR Father, &c. page 59.

Ant. Let us use the world, as if we used it not; for the figure of this world passeth away.