on the cross as a victim for our sins 1 When this is being performed, say :—

We offer to Thee Thine own, out of Thine own. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks to Thee, and we pray Thee, O Lord, our God.

After which done, the Priest shall say, Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.2

Almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men ; We humbly beseech Thee most mer

Q. "What should we remember at that time in the Liturgy, when they make the procession with the gifts from the table of preparation to the altar?

A. "Jesus Christ going to suffer voluntarily, as a victim to the slaughter, while more than twelve legions of Angels were ready around to guard Him as their King." "The King of kings, and Lord of lords, cometh to be slaughtered" (Hymn). Catechism of the Russian Church.

2 In the first rubric after the Communion Service, the title of this prayer is, "for the good estate of the Catholic Church of Christ.' This marked alteration was made in 1662, in consequence, no doubt, of the commemoration of the faithful departed, which was then added to it.

If there be no Alms or Obla

tions, then shall accepting

the words of

our

alms and obla he left

cifully [to accept our alms and oblations, and] to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto Thy Divine Majesty; beseech-t unsaid. ing Thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant, that all they that do confess Thy holy Name, may agree

1 No doubt our alms, oblations, and prayers, in this place are to be regarded as synonymous with the prayers, supplications, and thanksgiving (vxapiorías), which, according to the Apostle's exhortation, we offer to Almighty God for all men, not forgetting the faithful departed, in whose behalf we bless (Evλoyovμev, a purely liturgical term) His holy name. "Without doubt", says St. Augustin of Hippo, "the dead are assisted by the prayers of holy Church, and by the health-giving sacrifice and alms which are offered for their spirits; that with them God may deal more mercifully than their sins have deserved. For this has been handed down from the fathers, and observed by the whole Church, that for those who have died in the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, we pray, and commemorate them when that is offered. And when, for the sake of those who are to be commended, works of mercy are performed, who doubts that they are benefited, for whom prayers are not emptily said?"-Serm. clxxii.

In like manner St. Chrysostom (on Acts, Mor. xxi): "Not in vain are the oblations which we offer for the departed; not in vain the prayers; not in vain the alms. All these things have been prescribed by the Holy Ghost.'

in the truth of Thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech Thee also to save and defend all Christian kings, princes, and governors; and specially Thy servant Victoria our Queen, that under her we may be godly and quietly governed: And grant unto her whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under her, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of Thy true religion, and virtue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and Curates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth Thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer Thy holy Sacraments: And to all Thy people give Thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and

receive Thy holy Word, truly serving Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech Thee of Thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. And we also bless Thy holy Name for all Thy servants departed this life in Thy faith and fear; beseeching Thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of Thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, Ŏ Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

At the time of the celebration of the Communion, the Communicants being conveniently placed for receiving the holy Sacrament, the Priest shall say this Exhortation

*

Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Com

munion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink His blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us); so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily. For then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord's Body; we kindle God's wrath against us; we provoke Him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord;