using the very words which He Himself used, when he first appointed the Sacrament. We should pay the greatest possible attention during this prayer, and think of Jesus Christ really coming to us to feed us with His blessed Body and Blood:

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Heavenly Father,

Who of Thy tender mercy didst give Thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; Who made there (by His one oblation of Himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in His holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that His precious death, until His coming again: Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech Thee; and grant that we receiving these Thy creatures of bread and wine, according to Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of His Death and Passion, may be partakers of His most blessed Body and Blood: Who, in the same night that He was betrayed, took bread, and, when He had given thanks, He

Receiving the Bread and Wine. 83

brake it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of Me. Likewise, after supper, He took the cup; and, when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of Me. Amen.

Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like manner (if any be present), and after that to the people also, in order, into their hands, all meekly kneeling. And when he delivereth the Bread to any one, he shall say,

HE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take, and eat this ir. remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on Him in thy heart, by faith with thanksgiving.

And the Minister that delivereth the Cup to any one shall say,

HE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which

THE

was shed for thee, preserve Thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

Whilst other persons are receiving, you will have at least a little time to yourself. Sometimes, when there are many persons, there will be a long time. Do not occupy yourself in looking at them, either before or after you yourself receive. The time will be very useful to you for two purposes.

1. To pray. This is a great time for prayer: to pray for all manner of things for yourself, for your soul and your body; for all persons in whom you are interested, particularly for your wife, husband, children, parents, brothers, sisters, other relations, friends, neighbours, for anybody who ever has wronged you, for your ministers, for those who live in the same parish, those

especially who are in the church at that time with you. Do not be afraid or ashamed to stay upon your knees as long as is necessary to say to your kind Father Who is in heaven all that you wish to say.

2. To meditate. When you have finished praying, take some verse or passage of Scripture and think it well over, try to understand it, to feel it, and to apply it to yourself. I have written some "Meditations" just beyond to help you to do this.

When it comes to your turn to go up to the altar rails, go up very quietly, and with holy thoughts; and if you have gloves on, take them off. Kneel down humbly, and when the clergyman brings the bread to you, and says the solemn words to you, say in your heart,

"Lord, let Thy Body preserve me now from sin, and save my soul and

my body for ever. Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief."

When he comes to you with the cup, take it reverently, but firmly, into your hand, that there may be no danger of your letting it drop; and after he has said the solemn words, do you say in your heart,

"O Lord Jesus, wash away all my sins. I desire to live on Thee by faith; do Thou help me."

Then rise from your knees, and go back quietly to your seat; kneel down and pray to God to be with you and continue with you always.

HEAVENLY Father, I am utterly unworthy of the great mercy Thou hast shown me; I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under the roof of my soul. I beseech Thee, look not upon my unworthiness, but pardon me and every one who has prepared his