For the Psalm and Lesson it will be found convenient for each member of the family to have the Book of Common Prayer in one volume with the Bible; the Hymns, should any be used, may either be bound up in the same volume, or with the Offices themselves. For the occasional Thanksgiving and Prayer it will be found the better way to have a M.S. book, in which, from time to time, can be written down such as are not only called for by the hour of the day, or by the stated Days and Seasons of the year, but such also as the ever-varying circumstances of domestic life, or of local and national events may demand. For the rest these Offices must be left to speak for themselves; they have been collected from various sources, for the most part, as will be seen, from Holy Scripture. Should they find a way into the Sanctuary of any one of the happy homes of England, and there be made subservient to that holiest and most blessed work, in which a Christian family can unite, their end and purpose will be answered. FAMILY OFFICES. An Order for Morning Family Prayer on Sundays and Festivals throughout the Year, and at such other Seasons, as the Master may appoint. ¶ First, let all kneel in silence, and each pray privately for a short Then shall be sung, or said, the proper Antiphon and Canticle. Note. The Antiphons are all marked for a double chant, or a single chant twice repeated, and the asterisk* marks the division; but both these and the Canticles can be sung to any appropriate music. If they be sung, let them be sung in chorus; but if they be said, let the Reader first say the Antiphon, and then the first verse of the Canticle, and when the Antiphon is repeated at the end of a Canticle, let all say it together. During Advent. Antiphon. BEHOLD, the Lord God will come with strong hand and his arm shall rule for Him.* Behold, his reward is with Him and his work before Him. : : ¶ Canticle. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert: a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted: and every mountain and hill shall be made low. And the crooked shall be made straight: and the rough places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed: and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Antiphon. Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand and his arm shall rule for Him.* Behold, his reward is with Him and his work before Him. : : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. From Christmas to the Circumcision. Antiphon. Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders.* And his Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God: the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. ¶ Then shall be sung, or said, the Canticle, Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion. And this same Canticle shall be sung, or said, immediately after the Antiphon for the day, or season, every Sunday and Festival till the following Advent. And the proper Antiphon is to be repeated immediately after it. The Feast of the Circumcision, and daily after to the Epiphany. Antiphon. The Lord thy God in the midst of Thee is mighty He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy.* He will rest in his love: He will joy over thee with singing. The Cpiphany, and daily to the 1st Sunday after, and also on all the Sundays after to Septuagesima Sunday. Antiphon. Thy gates shall be open continually: they shall not be shut day nor night.* That men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles: and that their Kings may be brought. Septuagesima Sunday, and every Sunday after to Passion Sunday. Antiphon. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord: my soul shall be joyful in my God.* For He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation: He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. Passion Sunday. Antiphon. And He saw that there was no man: and wondered that there was no Intercessor.* Therefore his arm brought salvation unto Him and his righteousness it sustained Him. : Palm Sunday. Antiphon. Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.* in the Highest. Easter Day, Hosanna : and daily afterwards to the following Sunday; and every Sunday after to the Ascension. Antiphon. Hallelujah : the Lord is risen indeed.* Hallelujah Hallelujah. Ascension Day, and daily to the Sunday after inclusively. Antiphon. Christ hath ascended up on high and hath led captivity captive.* Hallelujah Hallelujah. Antiphon. let him that : Whit-sunday, and daily to Trinity-sunday, The Spirit and the Bride say, Come and heareth say, Come.* And let him that is athirst, Come and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Trinity-sunday. Antiphon. We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty which art, and wast, and art to come.* Because Thou hast taken to Thee thy great power: and hast reigned. ¶ On all Sundays after Trinity-sunday to Advent, before the Antiphon, there shall be sung or said the following Invocations and Responses. O Thou, Who didst this day create the light: and enlighten the world. R. Glory be to Thee: O God Most High. O Thou, Who didst this day bring again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ. R. Glory be to Thee: O God Most High. O Thou, Who didst this day: send down thy Holy Spirit: R. Glory be to Thee: O God Most High. Antiphon. This is the Day: which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice: and be glad in it. ¶ And then the Canticle as on other Sundays. ¶ On all Festivals of the Blessed Virgin, the Holy Angels, and of Saints, before the proper Antiphon, there shall be sung or said the following Invocations and Responses throughout the year. O Thou, by Whom, and for Whom were all things created that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible. : R. Glory be to Thee: O Christ. Unto God be glory in the Church by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages: world without end. Amen R. Amen. Blessing, and Glory, and Wisdom, and Thanksgiving, and Honour, and Power, and Might: be unto our God, for ever and ever. Amen. ¶ Then shall be sung or said, the proper Antiphon, as follows, ¶ For Festivals of the Blessed Virgin. Antiphon. Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ.* When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man: Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb. On Michaelmas-day. Antiphon. To Thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, |