that he might see; and from a most bitter persecutor, he straight became a most zealous disciple; not a disciple only, but an Apostle. Alleluja.

We celebrate this day one of the most stupendous changes that ever was wrought; a conversion, the most wonderful of all conversions; and from which millions of others have been derived. The illustrious convert preaches undauntedly the faith he had once opposed; and he, who had persecuted others to death, even lays down his life in defence of the same faith. Alleluja. Alleluja.

Thou art a vessel of election, O Paul! teacher of the Gentiles the great preacher of truth throughout the world. We bless thee, O God, for having caused, through the preaching of thy blessed Apostle Paul, the light of salvation to shine on the nations that sat in darkness and the shadow of death. Alleluja.

He fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith.

And therefore there was laid up for him a crown of righte

ousness.

O ALMIGHTY God! may we ever aevoutly praise thy grace, whereby thou didst make this Apostle a vessel prepared unto glory; may we ever adore that incomprehensible love whereby thou didst enable him to promulgate the blessed gospel throughout the world. Encouraged by thy mercy to him, may we never despair of obtaining forgiveness from thee. Always keeping in mind the doctrines which he taught, resolutely following his zealous and holy example, continuing in thy service faithful unto death, may we, at last, receive a crown of life and glory in the highest heavens, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour. Amen. [Add the Collect for the Day.]

Devotions for the Festival of the
Purification, &c.

TO-DAY our blessed Lord was presented in the temple. Alleluja. Come, let us adore him.

To-day the blessed and holy mother of God, in most humble obedience, performed the common rites of purification, and presented her first-born Jesus in the temple; redeeming him, according to the law, for the price of five shekels of silver.

To-day the devout Simeon took our Lord in his arms; and knowing that nothing now could make him happier but the joys of heaven, burst forth in this ardent prayer to God: Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

To-day the holy widow and prophetess Anna, who had spent her life in fasting and prayer, and in the service of the temple, came happily in, and saw our Lord, and spake gloriously of him to all who expected redemption in Israel.

Behold, the Lord, thy mighty Governor, is come into his holy temple; be glad, Ŏ Sion, and rejoice to meet thy God. Alleluja.

O GOD, who dost call us this day to commemorate the blessed Virgin's presenting herself in the temple to be purified, and her Son to be redeemed according to the law; give us grace, we beseech thee, to adore and praise the condescension of thy Providence, which, by such great examples, dost teach us our duty of submitting to thy wise and holy discipline, though sometimes appearing unnecessary for ourselves. Grant that we may ever reverently attend the public institutions of thy holy religion, and never neglect those means which thou hast provided for purifying our corrupt natures. Subdue in our hearts the emotions of pride and vain-glory, and enable us ever diligently to imitate the humble and holy example of our blessed Redeemer. By our lives, as well as by our professions, may we confess Jesus Christ thy Son, to be our Lord and Saviour, the light of the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel; that thus we may be partakers of the everlasting salvation which he has purchased; who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

[Add the Collect for the Day.]

Devotions to be used every Day during the Season of Lent.

COME, let us arise and go to our Father; let us turn to the Lord our God, that he may turn to us and bless us. Let us follow our divine Master in his forty days retirement and fasting.

Our blessed Lord, who for our sakes did fast forty days and forty nights, will not refuse us his grace, that our flesh

being subdued to the spirit, we may ever obey his godly motions in righteousness and true holiness.

Let us turn every one from his evil way; and the Lord will turn from his fierce anger.

The Lord our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil.

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. the righteous; and he is the propitiation for

our sins.

Let us humbly confess and resolve to forsake our sins, And strive for the future to bring forth fruits meet for repentance.

Father, we have sinned against thee,

And are no more worthy to be called thy children.
Help us, O Lord our Saviour,

And blot out all our iniquities.

O GOD, who hast called us, to lighten the weight of our corrupt bodies, which press down our immortal souls, by the long and solemn abstinence of forty days; dispose us, we beseech thee conscientiously to observe this wholesome discipline prescribed to us by the Church. Grant that we may devote this holy season to religious retirement and medita tion; to serious examination of the state of our souls; to sincere repentance for our sins: that so, by due mortification of the flesh, and by frequent devotions, all our carnal appetites may be fitted for burial in our Saviour's grave; and all our affections ready to rise with him to immortality, at those sacred feasts, for which this season is designed to prepare us, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

[Add the Collect for the Day.]

Devotions to be added on Ash Wednesday to the other Devotions for the Season of Lent COME, let us fast and mourn and pray, for our Lord is merciful and just.

O LORD, deal not with us according to our sins;
Nor reward us according to our iniquities.
Remember not our former transgressions;

But let thy mercy speedily deliver us.

Help us, O God our Redeemer;

For the glory of thy name.

Keep thy servants, good Lord, for thy mercy's sake ;
And forget not the souls of the humble for ever.

Receive and comfort all true penitents;

Who turn to thee in weeping, fasting, and praying.

Deliver all who are tempted;

Good Lord, deliver them.

Be gracious, O Lord, be gracious to all who are weary and heavy laden;

Nor let any of them be brought to confusion.
Spare thy people, good Lord, spare them;
And to all thy faithful give life eternal.
Vouchsafe to us the light of thy countenance;

And quicken us with the joy of thy salvation.

Defend us, O Christ, from the danger of the enemy;
And keep us from the evil of our own hearts.

O Christ, hear us;

O Lamb of God, hear us.
Lord, have mercy upon us;
Christ, have mercy upon us.

MOST gracious God, the fountain of all mercy and blessing, who desirest not the death of a sinner, nor despisest the tears of the penitent; favourably receive these our supplications, and effectually move our hearts to a true contrition; that, receiving forgiveness of the sins we have presumed to commit, we may be delivered from the evils we have deserved to suffer; and, assisted by thy grace, and fed by thy heavenly word, may spend the short remainder of our days in a more perfect denial of our corrupt inclinations, and more firm reliance on thy glorious promises; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Åmen.

[Add the Collect for the Day.]

Devotions for the Festival of St. Matthias.

LET them that stand take heed lest they fall.

Judas was

an Apostle, yet betrayed his Master, and died in despair; and another took his office.

The eleven appointed two for the vacant Apostleship, Barnabas and Matthias, and gave them lots, and prayed.

They prayed, Thou, Lord, that knowest the hearts of all men, show which of those two thou hast chosen-and the lot fell on Matthias.

The lot fell on Matthias, a continual follower of Jesus, from the baptism of John, till the day of his ascension; and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

He lived their life, and died their death.

And sits with them in glory to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God; by whose special grace the blessed Matthias was chosen to supply the roo of the traitor Judas, and complete the number of the Apostles; grant, we humbly beseech thee, that our devout celebration of his memory may excite in us a lively desire to imitate his virtues, that thereby we may follow him in his passage to everlasting glory. May the recollection of the lamentable apostacy of Judas teach us the necessity of diligent and holy watchfulness; that, under the guidance and succours of thy grace, we may be supported in all dangers, and carried through all temptations, through Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

[Add the Collect for the Day.]

Devotions for the Festival of the Annunciation.

TO-DAY the eternal word was made flesh.

Come, let us adore him.

To-day the Archangel was sent from God to the Virgin Mary, and addressed her with the honourable salutation, Hail, thou that art highly favoured; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women."

Behold, thou shalt conceive and bear a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; he shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

And blessed Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word."

Therefore let all generations call her blessed.

ALMIGHTY God and most merciful Father, who gavest thy only Son to take our nature upon him of a pure Virgin, and didst announce the glorious truth to her by the