The Book of hours ...

Front matter

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Preface

anies of the Holy Catholic Church a secondary inspiration which places them beyond all human productions ; this alone can explain their perpetual freshness and power. Offices must be framed of those materials, if it is hoped that they will satisfy the soul and serve the need of years.

The Seven Times of Prayer, according to immemorial tradition, are as follows. The 1st is that portion of the twenty-four hours when, midnight being past, it is still dark, but drawing towards the day. The Offices used at that time were known as Nocturns and Matins ; the Nocturns being divided into three parts, known respectively as the 1st, 2d, and 3d Nocturn, and the Matins, which followed immediately upon the Nocturns, being prolonged and terminated in an Office called Lauds, which was said at daybreak. The 2d time is that of the sunrising, at which the office known as Prime, and corresponding to Early Morning prayer was used. The 3d time is nine o'clock a. m., the " third hour of the day " in a double sense ; it was then that our Blessed Lord was devoted to Crucifixion by His foes, and at that hour the Holy Ghost descended on the Day of Pentecost. The 4th time is twelve o'clock meridian, at which period the Lord was hanging on the cross, and the darkness was gathering upon the land. At three p. m. is said the 5th Office, in commemoration of our Redeemer's death, and with special remembrance of those in the agony of their own dissolution, or approaching it. The hour of Vespers comes with the fall of the evening ; and 7thly and lastly, is said the Compline Office, when it is dark once more, and when the night-watches are again begun.

In arranging the services for these consecrated Times, 8

PREFACE.

the following objects were had in view by the compiler of this book : —

1st. To make the Offices as brief as was consistent with the purposes to be served, — the glorifying of God, and the edification of the souls of the faithful.

2dly. To adhere to the form and spirit of the ancient Offices.

3dly. To give as much flexibility as possible.

As to flexibility, it will be found by the student that there is in this respect a great difference between the Anglican and Galilean Hours, and a difference still more marked between the forms used respectively in the Eastern and Western branches of the Church. The Galilean type has been followed by the compiler, especially in the arrangement of the Psalter ; and they who have been accustomed to use the " Day Hours of the Church of England," or similar w^orks which might be referred to, will at once observe the variations, particularly as it relates to the use of the 119th Psalm at four out of the Seven Offices daily throughout the entire year ; this is a peculiarity of the Books in use in England, but is not found in the Galilean Offices. The Oriental Offices are so peculiar in structure and contents, that it was deemed inadvisable to attempt a combination of them with the Western Offices; they have furnished, however, some beautiful prayers, and at least one hymn, as familiar in the East as is Magnificat in the West.

A Book of Hours must, from the nature of the case, be complicated ; it will be more or less so in proportion to its fulness. Not but that it would be practicable to arranofe seven Offices, to be read straight through without

PREFACE variation or change ; nothing would be easier to do. But to use those forms, every day, three hundred and sixty-five times each in every year, without reference to changes of the Calendar, would be more than human nature could endure. There must be variety, and that variety must extend to the five great seasons. Advent, Christmas Tide, Lent, Easter Tide, and the Trinity season. The more numerous the changes, and the more characteristic of each leading mystery of Redemption as successively presented, the more satisfactory will be the Offices. It is, however, impossible to attain this very desirable end without a degree of complication in arrangement, or an enormous expenditure of space in repetition of the forms employed. Some degree of complexity was inevitable ; but it is believed that an examination and study of half an hour will enable any one accustomed to the Book of Common Prayer to use this little manual without difficulty.

A few words, in addition, on certain points of practice.

These Offices may be used, either privately or in community. When used in private, they should be read through, the person saying versicles and responses alike in full. Wlien used in community, some one must act as Reader ; after secret prayer, all present should rise, and the Reader should begin with the invocation of the Blessed Trinity, to which all reply, Amen. The Office is continued all standing until the words, " Let us pray," at which all kneel and so remain until the end ; the Reader always saying whatever is marked and the persons present always making the responses marked ; thus, there is but one change of posture throughout.

In the use of the Collects, Litanies, and Hymns, it is 10

PREFACE.

intended that the greatest freedom should be exercised, the Reader appointing hymns at discretion, and using prayers ds occasion requires or circumstances suggest. The Litanies may be substituted for the Offices, at pleasure, or added to them.

Wherever the privilege of the Daily Service may be had, the order for Morning and Evening Prayer would, of course, take the place of the Prime and Vesper Offices ; and on Sundays, only the Matins and Compline Offices would be required, if the full services of the Church were duly said.

That the Blessed Head of the Church will graciously accept this work and sanctify it through His intercession to the good of His People, is the humble prayer of one, who, less than the least of His servants, finds nothing of his own to give, but everything to ask from the indulgence of his brethren and the Mercy of the Master.

New York. Easter Tide. 1865.

I. The Offices

FOK THE

SEVEN CANONICAL HOUKS.

L

OFFICE FOE MATINS.

IN the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth. As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

^. Lord, open Thou our lips.

]^. And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

^ Then shall he said, at certain seasons, a and I^., as follows :

During Advent, daily, 'f. Send, O Lord, the Lamb to the Ruler of the Land.

1^. From Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.

During Christmas Tide, daily. The Word was made Flesh. Alleluia.

I^. And dwelt among us. Alleluia.

During Lent, daily.

Draw nigh unto my soul and save it.

I^^. deliver me because of mine enemies.

During Easter Tide, daily.

In Thy Resurrection, O Christ.

B/. Let heaven and earth rejoice.

On Sundays and Feast Days, at all other times throughout the year.

'f'. The Lord is high above all people.

And His glory above the heavens.

T[ Then shall the Office proceed as follows :

'f'. God, make speed to save us.

ly. Lord, make haste to help us.

^. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

I^. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Alleluia !

But from Septuagesima Sunday to Wednesday in Holy Week, inclusive, is said instead :

Praise to Thee, Lord, we sing. Of glory the Eternal King.

OFFICE FOR MATINS.

^ Then shall he said the Psalms for the day from the Psalter of the Hours. ^ Then shall follow the Chapter, Rev. vii. 12, with I^., from Epiphany to Septiiagesima, and from Trinity Monday to Advent, but at all other times the Chapter shall be taken from the proper Service of the Season. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Ajnen.

I^. Thanks be to God.

^ Then shall be sung the following hymn, or that in the Service of the Season.

-i-^ the sky,

We lift our hearts to God on high,

That He, in all we do or say. Would keep us safe from harm this day.

Would guard our hearts and

tongues from strife, From anger's din would shield

our life.

From all ill sights would turn our eyes,

Would close our ears from vanities.

Would keep our inmost conscience pure.

Our souls from folly would secure,

Would bid us check the pride

of sense With due and holy abstinence.

So we, when this new day is

gone.

And night in turn is drawing on,

With conscience by the world unstained.

Shall praise His Name for victory gained.

All laud to God the Father be. All laud. Eternal Son, to Thee, All laud as is for ever meet. To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

^ Then shall follow the Prayers.

^. The Lord be with you.

ly^. And Avith thy spirit. Let us pray.

'f'. Lord, be merciful unto me.

B/. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.

Y. Turn Thee again, Lord, at the last.

I^. And be gracious unto Thy servants.

y. Let thy merciful kindness, Lord, be upon us.

T^. As we do put our trust in Thee.

Y' Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness.

E?. And Thy saints sing with joy fulness.

Y- O Lord, save the people of this nation.

I^. And mercifully hear us w^hen we call upon Thee.

Y. God, save Thy servants and handmaidens.

I^. Which put their trust in Thee.

Y' Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

I^. Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces.

y. Lord, hear our prayer.

I^. And let our cry come unto Thee.

OFFICE FOR MATINS.

^ Then shall he said the Collect for the day, and after that any other Collects and devotions ; after which, on Sundays and Feast Days, shall he said the Memorials as follows.

Memorial of the Incarnation of our Lord*

( This is not to be said from Maunday Thursday to Low Sunday^ inclusive.)

Antiphon. Lo, Mary hath brought forth the Saviour, of whom, when John saw Him, he said, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

^. Thou art fairer than the children of men.

I^T. Full of grace are Thy lips.

THE COLLECT.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour Thy grace into our hearts ; that as we have known the incarnation of Thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel ; so by His cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of His resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Memorial of All Saints.

{Not said from Maunday Thursday to Low Sunday.)

Antiphon. Behold the Lord my God shall come, and all His Saints with Him, and there shall be in that day a great light.

'f'. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God.

I^. And there shall no torment touch them.

THE COLLECT.

O ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of Thy Son Christ our Lord ; grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou ha^t prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Memorial of the Passion.

( To be said from Trinity Sunday to Advent.)

Antiphon. It behove th us to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All the world shall worship Thee, O God.

I^. Sing of Thee, and praise Thy power.

THE COLLECT.

KEEP, we beseech Thee, Saviour of the world, in continual peace, those whom Thou hast been pleased to redeem by Thy Cross and Passion, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Am.en.

^ Matins shall then and alivays he concluded as follows.

'f'. The Lord be with you.

17. And with thy spirit. Bless we the Lord.

1^. Thanks be to God.

The Almighty and merciful God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless and keep us, now and for ever. Amen.

B

OFFICE FOR PRIME OR FIRST HOUR.

7 O'clock A.M.

IN the Name of the Eather, &c.

Our Father, &c.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth :

And in Jesns Christ his only- Son our Lord ; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary ; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried ; He descended into hell, The third day he rose from the dead ; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost ; The holy Catholic Church, The Communion of Saints ; the Forgiveness of sins ; The Resurrection of the body ; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

^. God, make speed, &c. O Lord, make haste, &c.

ir. Glory be to the Father, &c.

I^. As it was in the beginning, &c.

Praise ye the Lord. ]^. The Lord's Name be praised.

^ Then shall be sung the following, or any other hymn.

LET every faithful heart rejoice.

And render thanks to God on high ;

And with each power of soul

and voice.

Extol His praises worthily.

O love of Christ beyond all love !

O clemency beyond all thought ! O grace all praise of men above, Whereby such gifts to men are brought !

OFFICE FOR PRIM