The days of man are but as grass; he flourisheth as a flower of the field. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever upon those who fear him, and his righteousness upon children's children, Even upon such as keep his covenants, and think upon his commandments to do them. Then shall the Minister read the SECOND LESSON, which may be either of the following portions from the New Testament: St. Matt. vi. 1 to 19. St. Mark ii. 15 to 21. And at the end of the Lesson he shall say, Here endeth the Second Lesson. Then shall be said or sung the following Psalm. GOD PSALM LXVII. OD be merciful unto us, and bless us; and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; yea, let all the people praise thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad; for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise thee, O God; yea, let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase; and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the world shall fear him. Min. The Lord be with you. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us ; Min. O God, make clean our hearts within us; Min. O God, merciful Father, who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as be sorrowful; mercifully assist our prayers which we make before thee, in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they oppress us; and graciously hear us, that all evils which are devised against us may, by the providence of thy goodness, be brought to naught; that we, thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thy name's sake. O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them. O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thine honor. From our enemies defend us, O God. O Lord, let thy mercy be shown upon us ; PRAYER FOR FAST DAY. ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, who lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity, and art a compassionate Father to those who repent and turn unto thee; we would come before thee this day, humbly confessing our sins, and beseeching thee to impress upon our minds every motive to sincere repentance and a holy life. O thou Supreme Director of the affairs of human society; we thank thee for the advantages of our condition; that we enjoy liberty, safety, and plenty; that the lines are fallen to us in pleasant places, and that we have a goodly heritage. Yet we have made unworthy returns for thy loving-kindness; we have shown ourselves undeserving of thy mercy. We lament that plenty has been abused by luxury, and liberty by licentiousness; our peace and safety by strife, envyings, and divisions; that so little of the power of godliness is manifested; that so many restrain prayer before thee, and, notwithstanding the expressions of thy will, do yet despise or neglect thy laws. Surely it is of thy mercy that we are not consumed, and because thy compassions fail not. We beseech thee to grant thy mercy unto us who have corrupted our manners, who have been indifferent to thy worship; indulged too much a spirit of pride and uncharitableness, and have become too strongly attached to the world and the things of the world. Awaken us to a sense of our unworthiness; pardon the sins of our nation; forgive all those who humble themselves this day before thee, and spare thy people; animate us to unite with one heart in promoting the honor of thy name, the interests of religion, and the prosperity and happiness of our country. May we keep the fast which thou hast chosen; and, loosing every band of wickedness, become a peculiar people zealous of good works, that thy displeasure may be turned away from us, and that thou mayest delight to build us and not destroy us. up O thou, who art the Lord of lords, and the Fountain of all power, we commend to thy care and blessing the President of the United States, the Governor of this State, and all others in authority. May they have wisdom to discern, and firmness to pursue the true interests of this people; may they employ all their influence to promote peace and virtue; and under their government may justice and judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Endue with grace and clothe with godliness the ministers of religion. May they do honor to thy truth in their public services and their private conduct; and wilt thou so direct and bless them, both in their preaching and living, that they may save themselves, and those who hear them. We beseech thee to bless all seminaries of learning, all governors and instructors of youth, all patrons and promoters of sound literature and knowledge; and grant that all the means and opportunities of mental, moral, and religious advancement which are enjoyed among us, may be thankfully acknowledged and diligently improved. Universal Parent and Governor; be merciful to the whole race of man; enlighten all who sit in darkness; send forth a spirit of peace and good will; restrain the violence of unreasonable men; may no weapon formed against the rights of mankind prosper; multiply the patterns of Christian virtue and the instruments of beneficence; direct all flesh to the knowledge of thy Son; and may thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; which we ask as disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen. CONCLUDING PRAYER. ETERNAL and all-seeing God, we thy creatures sink into nothing before thy supreme majesty; we feel our weakness; we acknowledge our folly; we repeatedly bewail our sins; thee only would we adore with awful veneration; thee would we thank with fervent zeal; to thy power we humbly submit ; of thy goodness we devoutly implore protection; on thy wisdom we firmly and cheerfully rely. When |