Nearer the bound of life Where all lay burdens down; But lying darkly between, Winding down through the night, Is the dim and unknown stream That leads at last to light. Father my hope fulfil ; Strengthen my feeble faith; Let me feel as I would when I stand Beside the stream of death,— Feel as I would when my feet Are sliding o'er the brink; For I may be nearer home, Nearer now than I think! HA CHAPTER X. SHORT DEVOTIONS FOR THE DYING 1. For Help at the last. AVE mercy upon me, O Lord; consider the pains which I suffer, Thou who only dost deliver from the gates of death. Shew Thy marvellous lovingkindness, Thou that art the Saviour of them that put their trust in Thee. O let Thy merciful lovingkindness be my comfort; hide me under the shadow of Thy wings. O consider mine adversity and deliver me; for I am brought very low. O look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me; as Thou usest to do to those that love Thy Name. 1 In time of great weakness, these may be read over slowly, for the sick person to make the words his own. Or, many of them may be used as prayers for one insensible by changing "me" into "him" or "her." Cast me not away in the time of my distress; forsake me not now, when my strength faileth me. O Lord, let Thy strength be made perfect in my weakness. PSALM XXIII. Dominus regit me. THE Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul and bring me forth in the' paths of righteousness, for His Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But Thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. R For Pardon. EMEMBER me, O Lord, with the favour Thou bearest unto Thy children; O visit me with Thy salvation. O remember not my former sins, but have mercy upon me, O Lord, and that soon; for I am come to great extremity. Help me, O Lord God of my salvation, for the glory of Thy Name; O deliver me and be merciful to my sins, for Thy Name's sake. O remember not the sins and offences of my youth, but according to Thy mercy think Thou upon me, O Lord, for Thy goodness. Cleanse me, O Lord, from my secret sins; from whatsoever I have offended; By thought, word, or deed; By ignorance or error, frailty or negligence: In public or private; by day or by night; Against my neighbour; Against my own body; By myself or with others; From them all cleanse me, O Lord; even from them all. O enter not into judgment with Thy servant; for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. Wherein sin hath abounded, there let grace more abound. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. PSALM CXXX. De profundis. OUT of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord : Lord, hear my voice. O let Thine ears consider well: the voice of my complaint. If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with Thee: therefore shalt Thou be feared. I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for Him : in His word is my trust. My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel: from all his sins. 0 In great Pain. HIDE not Thou Thy face from me, O Lord; nor cast Thy servant away in displeasure. Thou hast been my succour ; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, and hear me; for I am poor and in misery. Comfort the soul of Thy servant; for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O Lord, save Thy servant; who putteth his trust in Thee. Send me help from Thy holy place; and evermore mightily defend me. |