To remind the reader of the beautiful simplicity and religious earnestness of these ancient prayers in which the martyred forefathers of the Christian Church, in all probability, and the martyred Bishops of our own branch of the Universal Church, who revised and translated them, unbosomed themselves before God, is merely to tread in a path that is trite and well trodden. May these Collects continue to clothe "the hearty desires of God's humble servants' for many generations to come!

THE COLLECTS

TO BE

USED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

The season of Advent as a preparation for the Feast of the Nativity has been observed in the Western Church from the sixth century.

THE COLLECT.

Prayer Book of 1549.

LMIGHTY GOD, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, Jesus Christ, came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when He shall come again in His glorious majesty to judge both the quick and dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through Him who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

B

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
O God, o'er all supreme in power,
Thy grace on us, Thy servants, shower;
To cast away the works of night,
To gird us with the arms of light.
Now in the hour when sorrows press,
Now in the day of dark distress,
Now in the thick of ghostly strife,
Now in the time of mortal life;

In which Thy dear and only Son
Came from His high and holy throne;
Our flesh to take, for us to die,
The pattern of humility.

That, when He comes again as King,
Arrayed in glory glistering,

The Judge of living and of dead,

The Saints' delight, the Sinners' dread,

With joy the Saviour we may meet,
And as the longed-for Bridegroom greet;
And to the life immortal rise,

And through Him gain the promised prize.

Whom with the Spirit, and with Thee,
One in co-equal majesty,

As King eternal, we adore,

World without end, for evermore.

AMEN.

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

B

THE COLLECT.

Prayer Book of 1549.

LESSED LORD, who hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

O blessed Lord, who didst inspire
Apostles, Seers, and holy men,

To preach Thy truth with tongue of fire,
And write Thy Word with teaching pen;

The beacon lamp, that lends its ray,
The pilot on life's doubtful sea ;
The "pillar," in the narrow way,
That leads to heaven and to Thee;

So may we heed all Thou hast said,
So read, mark, learn the sacred page;

So eat in faith, as living bread,
This manna of our pilgrimage;