XXIX.

FORM FOR THE
COMMEMORATION OF ANCESTORS
OR MEMBERS OF A FAMILY WHO HAVE DIED WITH
OUT THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

THIS FORM OF SERVICE IS PROVIDED FOR THE ESPECIAL USE OF THE CLERGY WHO MINISTER AMONG NON-CHRISTIAN NATIONS.

Being assembled with the friends at the grave, or in any suitable place, the Minister shall say:

    It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.
    The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.
    The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.
    It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
    For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
    O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul, Thou hast redeemed my life.
    O Lord, Thou hast seen my wrong; judge Thou my cause.

Or the Minister may read

Job xiv. 1-15.

    Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
    He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
    And dost Thou open Thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?
    Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
    Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
    Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.
    For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
    Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
    Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
    But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
    As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
    So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
    O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
    If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

The following passages of Scripture shall then be read:

As I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples, made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.: And hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also of His offspring. ForasmuCh then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. — Acts xvii. 23-30.
 

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.—Rev. xx. 12.

Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.—St. Matt. xxv. 34-40.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the Spirit. In which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient.—1 St. Peter iii. 18-20.

For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.—1 St. Peter iv. 6.

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.—St. Luke x. 24.

God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to, love one another.—1 St. John iv. 9-11.

Then shall the Minister pray as follows:

Almighty God, Creator and Father of all men, in whom all live and move and have their being, and who lovest all whom Thou ha.st made though they know Thee not; We humbly commend to Thy love our fathers and forefathers and all those who have passed out of this world desiring to know Thee. Thou knowest all their desires and all their needs and Thou alone canst satisfy. Be Thou gracious unto them we pray Thee for Thy mercy’s sake. Amen.

O Father of lights, who hast made Thyself known in many ways and whose wisdom and knowledge have no limits; We Thy humble servants draw near and pray Thee to grant to those whom we love and who knew not Thee in this life such light as they are able to receive. Thou hast taught us little of the life of those who to us seem to sleep, but we believe that all men live unto Thee, and that Thou didst send Thy Son into the world to be the Light of every man. Give to Thy servants, we beseech Thee, that in Thy light they shall see light and glorify Thee for Thy great goodness. We ask this for the sake of Him through whom alone we have received the knowledge of Thee the only true God, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O most great and merciful Judge of all men before whom all stand, both small and great, to receive according to the things done in the body, and who hast taught us in Thy word that all judgment is according to knowledge; We praise Thee for Thy unfailing justice, confident that in all things the Judge of all the world shall do right. Into Thy hands therefore we commit the souls and bodies of those whom we to-day commemorate. Reward Thou them not according to that they have deserved, but according to the multitude of Thy mercies, and purify them if it may be from all evil, that they, filled with the knowledge of Thy love, and power, may glorify Thee in that place in which Thou hast placed them. Grant these our prayers for the sake of Him who came to be the Saviour of all, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask; and our ignorance in asking; We beseech Thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit you. The Lord bless you, and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

I, —— ——, by the Grace of God Bishop of this Diocese of ——, do promise and declare that it is my intention and purpose, well and faithfully to rule and govern the Church in this Diocese, that I will firmly observe the rights and privileges of both Clergy and People, and the laws of the State, I will observe all the Statutes and Ordinances of this Cathedral Church, and, as much as in me lies, will take care that they are observed by others, and I will also endeavor to promote the welfare and honor of the Diocese and this Cathedral Church. So help me God.

There shall then be space for silent prayer, all kneeling.

Then shall be said:

Almighty God, Holy Father, Everlasting Lord, who hast appointed every order in the heavenly mansions where angels and archangels ever serve Thee, and ‘who didst under the dispensation of the Old Testament ordain Moses Thy Lawgiver, Aaron Thy High Priest, and Samuel among such ‘as call upon Thy Name; who didst under the New Testament anoint Thy Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Ghost that He might be the Great High Priest, Chief Pastor, and ruler of Thy people, and didst through Him choose the twelve apostles to go forth in His Name and power; look in favor we beseech Thee on Thy servant —— —— whom Thou hast appointed Bishop and Pastor of Thy flock in this place: give him grace that he may keep his life without spot or harm, and both by word and good example edify those over whom Thou hast set him to rule, that he, with the flock committed to his charge, may attain to everlasting life; through Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All standing, the Dean or Senior Priest shall then raise and conduct the Bishop to the Episcopal Chair and place him therein, saying:

We, —— —— and —— ——, being the Dean [or Senior Priest] of this Diocese of ——, and representing the Clergy and People of the same, do hereby induct, install, and enthrone you the Right Reverend —— ——, into the real, actual, and corporal possession of the Bishopric and Cathedral Church of ——, and do place you in the Episcopal Chair, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, promising for ourselves and the Diocese all honor and obedience to your person and office as to our Father in God. The Lord preserve thy going out and thy coming in henceforth and for evermore. Amen.

The Te Deum shall then be sung.

After a Hymn the Bishop shall proceed with the Communion Service.

The Collect:

Almighty God, who by Thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to Thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed Thy flock; Give grace, we beseech Thee, to all Bishops, the Pastors of Thy Church, that they may diligently preach Thy Word, and duly administer the godly Discipline thereof; and grant to the people, that they may obediently follow the same; that all may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Hebrews iv. 14 to v. 7.
The Gospel. St. John xv. 9 to 17.

The following Collect shall be used before the Blessing:

O Lord our God, who dost shed the abundance of Thy Grace upon those whom Thou dost appoint to serve Thee in the Ministry of Thy Church, keep Thy servant whom Thou hast called to the office of a Bishop, that he may hold the Faith with a pure conscience and with all virtue; Enable him to administer his office according to Thy good pleasure, and by the Presence of Thy Holy Spirit fill him with love and zeal and sanctify him wholly, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

It is desirable that, if possible, the Bishop should meet the Clergy and People in some building adjacent to the Cathedral after the Service, or at some later hour in the day.

LITANIES

I.

A LITANY FOR THE CHURCH AND ITS EXTENSION.

    O God the Father Almighty, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Father Almighty, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take Thou vengeance of our sins: spare us, good Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.
    Spare us, good Lord.
    From the guile and malice of the devil,
    Good Lord, deliver us.
    From the vanity of worldly pleasure, and the anxieties of worldly business;
    From the carnal mind, from selfishness and self-will, from hardness and coldness of heart, and from want of zeal in Thy service;
    From slothfulness, from dullness in faith, and from distrust of Thy power;
    By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation;
    By Thy Cross and Passion;
    By Thy precious Death and Burial;
    By Thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension;
    By Thy Intercession at the right hand of God;
    By the gift of the Holy Ghost;
    By Thy desire for the Sanctification of the Church;
    That it may please Thee, O Lord, to revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years to make known; in wrath to remember mercy;
    We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That it may please Thee to perfect Thy Church in faith and godly discipline, and to grant that she may be throughly furnished unto all good works;
    That it may please Thee, to give all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, the spirit of faithfulness, devotion, and love; and to make them examples to Thy flock in all holy conversation and godliness;
    That Thou wouldest especially bless, protect, comfort and strengthen Thy Bishops and Clergy in foreign lands;
    That it may please Thee to send forth laborers into Thine harvest;
    That it may please Thee to fit and prepare all missionaries for their ministry, bestowing upon them Thy manifold gifts of grace and making them true workers of righteousness and helpers of mankind;
    That it may please Thee to move Thy people freely to give of their substance for the increase of Thy kingdom and salvation of all men;
    That it may please Thee to bless all in every place who are engaged in the extension of Thy kingdom;
    That it may please Thee to prosper and extend Thy holy Church;
    That it may please Thee to call many to the work of missions, and to bless all who are obedient to Thy call;
    That it may please Thee to have mercy upon the ——, and upon all that have not known Thy Name;
    That it may please Thee to send them the light of Thy truth, and to give them grace to receive Thy Word;
    That it may please Thee to bring to nought the powers of ignorance and error by which souls are held in bondage;
    That it may please Thee to encourage and sustain the converts to the faith in every land, making them strong to endure enmity and patient under reproach;
    That it may please Thee to extend the means of grace to all in our own land and in our other possessions who have them not;
    That it may please Thee to bring all who profess and call themselves Christians to serve Thee in the unity of Thy Church, that the world may believe in Thee;
    That it may please Thee to cast out of Thy Church all error and worldliness, and to strengthen her with faith and purity;
    That it may please Thee to make all nations to be at peace one with another;
    That it may please Thee to pardon our sins, whereby we have hindered the progress of Thy kingdom;
    That it may please Thee to perfect Thy Church in Thy fear and love, that all her members may attain to the fruition of Thy glory;
    Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
    Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
    O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world;
    Have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world;
    Have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world;
    Grant us Thy Peace.
 

O Christ, hear us.
   O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Let us pray.

O Lord our Saviour, who hast taught us that Thou wilt require much of those to whom much is given; Grant that we and all those to whom Thou hast entrusted earthly treasure, may use it to Thy glory; and that, being mindful of our stewardship to Thee, we may dispense our gifts to help and not to hurt; that so, making friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, we may be enabled to set forward the coming of Thy Kingdom, and at last, with all Thine elect people, be received into Thy heavenly habitations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant, O Lord, that we whose lot Thou hast cast in a goodly heritage, may strive together the more abundantly, by prayer, by giving, and by work, to extend to others what we enjoy; and as we have entered into the labors of other men, so to labor that other men may in turn enter into ours, to the edifying of Thy King dom and the glory of Thy Holy Name, who art with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Other prayers may be used here. See pages 159 to 166 of this book.
 

A LITANY OF GENERAL INTERCESSION.

    O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
    From all evil and wickedness,
    Good Lord, deliver us.
    From all want of Thy holy fear, from neglect of Thy commandments, and from forgetfulness of Thy continual presence,
    From the worship of any creature by superstition, covetousness, or undue affection,
    From foolish thoughts of Thee, and vain imagination,
    From timidity in confessing Thee before men; from irreverence in thought, word, or deed; from profaning Thy holy Name; and from levity in sacred things,
    From forgetfulness of our dedication to Thee in baptism,
    From the neglect of times set apart for Thine especial worship; and from seeking our own gratification on Thy holy day to the hurt of the soul,
    From forgetfulness of Thy presence in the assembly of Thy people; from irregular attendance and wandering thoughts; and from want of reverence towards Thy holy Word,
    From neglect of the Sacraments and ordinances which are administered in Thy Name,
    From neglect of honoring Thee with our substance, and with the first-fruits of all our increase,
    From the love of self; from boasting, pride, and blasphemy; and from forgetfulness of our entire dependence upon Thee,
    From want of reverence to parents and others who have lawful authority over us,
    From pride of station; from discontent with those set over us; from all discourtesy in word or action; and from despising Thy goodness in any of Thy people,
    From malice and hatred; from party-spirit and vindictiveness; from fierceness of temper, irritability, and sullenness,
    From any habit that is inconsistent with our domestic duty and natural affection and from words and actions which may injure others,
    From all impurity, whether in thought, word, or deed,
    From luxurious living; from the undue indulgence of appetite; from all undue gratification of the flesh; and from vanity of dress and bodily display,
    From untruth, injustice, and unfaithfulness in promises and contracts; and from false pretences, fraud, and theft,
    From scornfulness and disparagement; from exaggeration and slander; from deceit,’ hypocrisy, and all untruthfulness.
    From idleness and discontent; from envy and covetousness; and from the desire of anything that is contrary to Thy will,
    Help us, O God our Saviour, and grant us, O Lord, that we may lead godly and peaceable lives in this present world.
    Grant us, O Lord,
    The graces of humility, poverty of spirit, meekness, long-suffering, and obedience to those set over us,
    Quiet and thankful minds, contentment with our lot, and true peace and joy in the Holy Ghost,
    Temperance and modesty; sobriety and chastity; a humble opinion of ourselves and of the things of this world; and honesty and compassion towards others,
    Diligence and watchfulness; hunger and thirst after righteousness; zeal and fervor of spirit in Thy cause; and Christian fortitude and patience unto the end’.
    We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord; and that we may have grace to love Thee with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength;
    We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That we may sincerely love our neighbors as ourselves;
    That whatsoever we do in word or deed, we may do all to Thy glory, and not receive Thy grace in vain;
    That looking up to Jesus, who suffered for us, we be not weary nor faint in our minds;
    That considering His example, and the conversation of His saints, we may imitate their faith and patience;
    That as the baptized soldiers and servants of Christ, we entangle not ourselves unduly in the affairs of this life, but having food and raiment be therewith content;
    That forbearing one another in love, we may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;
    That bearing one another’s burdens, we may fulfil the law of Christ;
    That being strengthened in all virtue through the power of Thy grace, we may give Thee thanks for all things;
    That waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may be found in Him pure and without spot, and may receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls;
    Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
    Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
    O Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world;
    Increase our faith.
    O Lamb of God, that art in the midst of the throne;
    Confirm our hope.
    O Lamb of God, Bridegroom of the Church;
    Kindle our charity.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world;
    Have mercy upon us.
 

O Christ, hear us.
   O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Let us pray.

O Lord, raise up, we pray Thee, Thy power, and come among us, and with great might succor us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, Thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of Thy Son our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Other special prayers may be added. See page 154 and onward

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

III.

A LITANY FOR A SICK PERSON.

    O God the Father, have mercy upon Thy servant, keep and deliver him.
    O God the Father, have mercy upon Thy servant, keep and deliver him.*
    O God the Son, have mercy upon him, save and deliver him.
    O God the Son, have mercy upon him, save and deliver him.
    O God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon him, strengthen and comfort him.
    O God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon him, strengthen and comfort him.
    O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, have mercy upon him.
    O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, have mercy upon him.
    From all evil;
    Good Lord, deliver him.
    From his sins;
    From unholy thoughts;
    From pain and anguish;
    From the snare of the devil;
    From the power of evil spirits;
    From all tribulation at this time;
    From everlasting damnation;
    By Thy Holy Incarnation;
    By Thy Suffering Life on earth;
    By Thine unknown Sufferings;
    By Thine Agony and Bloody Sweat;
    By Thy strong Crying and Tears;
    By Thy bitter Cross and Passion;
    By Thy precious Death and Burial;
    By Thy mighty Resurrection;
    By Thy glorious Ascension;
    By Thine effectual Intercession and Mediation;
    By the graces and comforts of the Holy Ghost;
    For the glory of Thy Name; for Thy loving mercy and for Thy truth’s sake;
    In the time of his extremity; in the hour of his departure, and in the day of judgment;
    We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please Thee to be his defender and keeper, and to remember him with the favor Thou bearest unto Thy people, and to visit him with Thy salvation;
    We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That it may please Thee to save and deliver his soul from the power of the enemy;
    That, it may please Thee to give him a humbled and contrite heart;
    That it may please Thee to give him perfect faith, hope and love;
    That Thou wouldest take away from him all murmuring and impatience;
    That it may please Thee mercifully to raise him up from the bed of sickness;
    That it may please Thee to restore him in health and safety to Thy Holy Church;
    That it may please Thee to give him pardon of all sins;
    That it may please Thee to give him Thy grace;
    That it may please Thee to grant unto him when Thou shall call him hence, rest and peace, and a part in the blessed resurrection unto life and glory;
    We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That it may please Thee to vouchsafe unto him at the last estate of joy and immortality, with all Thy blessed saints in Thy heavenly kingdom.
    We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.
    Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
    Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
    Have mercy upon Thy servant.
    Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
    Have mercy upon him.
    Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father,
    Grant him Thy peace,
    Lord, have mercy upon him.
    Christ, have mercy upon him.
    Lord, have mercy upon him.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Then may be added such Collects and Prayers as the Minister shall think fit. See pages 175-178 of this book.

IV.

A LITANY FOR THE DYING.

See page 107.
 

* If the sick person be able to join in this Litany, let him substitute the word me for him.