ST. BARNABAS THE APOSTLE.

St. Barnabas is said to have been one of the seventy Disciples, and to have suffered martyrdom at Salamis. The Festival is probably of the eighth century.

THE COLLECT.

Prayer Book of 1549.

LORD GOD Almighty, who didst endue Thy holy apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost; leave us not, we beseech Thee, destitute of Thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to use them always to Thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ST. BARNABAS THE APOSTLE.
O Lord our God, who didst endue
Saint Barnabas with gifts not few,
But by Thy Holy Spirit's power,
Grace singular on Him didst shower.

The Son of prophecy by name,
He consolation's Son became,
His lands in Cyprus' isle he sold,
And to the Church he gave the gold.

When Gentiles grace and truth received,
His heart rejoiced that they believed;
Thence as a preacher of Thy Word,
His voice in many climes was heard.

O Father, let us not be left,
Of Thy gifts manifold bereft,
Nor yet of grace to use the same,
To glorify Thy Holy name.

In us then let these virtues dwell,
That we too of Thy name may tell,
And so Thou mayest be adored,

Through Christ our Saviour and our Lord.

ST. JOHN BAPTIST'S DAY.

This Festival dates from the fourth or fifth century.

THE COLLECT.

Prayer Book of 1549. Slightly altered at the Revision of 1604.

LMIGHTY GOD, by whose providence Thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of Thy Son, our Saviour, by preaching of repentance; make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ST. JOHN BAPTIST'S DAY.

O God, whose wonder-working grace
Gave to his aged mother to embrace

Her child the Baptist John, whose herald voice
Should make the barren wilderness rejoice;

And pioneer Thy Son our Saviour's way,
Preaching, "Repent ye, seek the Lord and pray;
Behold! the promised Lamb of God is here,
The time of judgment come, the kingdom near."

The doctrine taught, the holy life he led,
May these teach us the way of life to tread,
That all our works may be an outward sign
Of faith that dwells within and grace divine.

Warned by the Nazarite prophet may we learn
To fear the wrath to come, repent and turn,
The truth like him to speak, the truth to hold,
And to rebuke all sin and vice be bold.

And should the cause of truth call us to die,
Like him may we, enduring patiently,
Our lives to death and martyrdom afford,
For Jesu's sake, our Saviour and our Lord.

ST. PETER'S DAY.

As stated above, St. Peter and St. Paul were commemorated on the same day, as they suffered martyrdom, it is said, at the same time. St. Peter is related to have been crucified with his head downwards. The Festival dates from the fourth century.

THE COLLECT.

Prayer Book of 1549.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who by Thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to Thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed Thy flock; make, we beseech Thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach Thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ST. PETER'S DAY.

O God of might who rulest over all,

Thou didst through Christ Thy Son Saint Peter call,

And in gifts manifold and graces rare,

Didst make Thy servant and Apostle share.