PRAYERS TO BE OFFERED UP IN THE HOUSE OF MOURNING.

I will pour out my soul before the Lord, for he is my glory and my strength. I will call upon the name of the Lord, for he is gracious, yea, he will be merciful; he is compassionate and full of goodness; he will support the meek in the day of trial, as he hath said, and heal the wounds of the broken heart.

Can the grave shut out immortality? or shall corruption say unto the living God what dost thou? Then why art thou cast down, O my soul! The Lord is thy salvation and the rock of thy defence. I will consider the ways of the Lord, for they are the ways of peace. I will consider thy mercies, O my Maker! for they are my trust. How vain is the help of the ungodly! How idle the vanity and the pride of the wicked! Can the works of mortal man hide the guilty from thy presence? or shall riches purchase thy regard? The vile are exalted only for a season; they are made rich with the substance of the oppressed, but are cut down in a moment, and consume away like stubble thrown into the fire. For the widow's cry shall be heard in heaven, and the orphan's tear shall blot out their remembrance from among the sons of men.

I will hold fast integrity and piety, and they shall preserve my soul. I will cling to justice and to virtue as the seeds of my salvation, for the Lord shall refresh and strengthen me with his blessings, as the tender herb with the dew of the morning. Though sorrow hath taken fast hold upon me, and I am greatly afflicted, the Lord will become my consolation, for he alone can

save.

The death of the upright is the beginning of eternal life, for this world is a state of probation; and the Lord rejoices in the purity of his creatures. Gracious is the Lord and righteous, yea, he is merciful to the

meek in spirit for he pitieth the simple and preserveth them. He will compassionate the humble and contrite in heart, and will save their souls alive. Return unto thy rest, O my soul! and glory in the name of thy redeemer; for he is the everlasting God, by whose mercy I shall stand firm. I will pay my vows unto the Lord as long as I live; I will render praises unto his holy name for all his benefits. I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and bow before the Lord in the presence of the whole earth; and to him be glory, for ever and ever. AMEN.

(Then say, first in Hebrew, and afterwards in English, the 49th Psalm.)

Hear this, all ye people; give ear all ye inhabitants of the world, both high and low, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, can by no means redeem their brother, nor give unto God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their souls is precious, and it is even impossible that they should live for ever, and not see the grave. For wise men die; yea, the fool and the prudent person perish together, and leave their wealth to others. The inward thought of the foolish is that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. But their enjoyment of honour endureth not; they are like the beasts that perish. Their way is caused by their folly, yet their posterity approve their sayings. Like sheep prepared for the slaughter, they are laid in the grave; death shall feed upon them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their form shall be consumed in the grave from their proud dwellings. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he will receive me. Be not thou dismayed, when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is in

creased. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he enjoyed his soul, (and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself,) he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that standeth in honour and knoweth it not, becometh like the creatures that perish. (Then conclude thus:)

Hearken unto my prayers, O Lord! and answer me in my supplications. My spirit is overwhelmed with grief, and I am made desolate with afflictions. Thou hast searched me and knowest my heart; thou hast tried me and knowest my thoughts. Though I am sorely troubled, thou canst comfort me; thou canst stretch forth thy hand and save me in my distress. I will call upon the Lord in mine afflictions, and he will deliver me; yea, he will save the souls of those who trust in him; even from the grave will he rescue them. The Lord will incline his ear to them who call upon his name. Let us then walk in the precepts of the Lord, and follow the ways of truth. They who sleep the sleep of death, shall awake in the likeness of the Lord, and dwell in his presence for evermore. They shall behold him and be satisfied.

God is exalted in the heavens; he dwelleth in the immensity of his glory. The wicked cannot flee his searching spirit: the righteous are ever before his all-seeing eye. Who shall escape his presence? If I ascend into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there; if I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Let the righteous rejoice, for God is ever present. I will trust in thy word, for thou wilt defend me from the terrors of the night, and dry mine eyes in sleep. Weep not, ye faithful, for the Lord rejoiceth in the death of the upright: or, weep in resignation, for they who sow in tears shall reap in joy. They shall be as the refreshing showers of the spring.

They shall overflow the heart, and righteousness shall spring forth. Let us love that God whatever may be his dispensations, for he is perfect in truth and justice. He hath given us a foundation lasting as his word, for the faith and hopes of man; he hath shown us the vanity of earthly glory. He alone is the Redeemer and Saviour in whom we trust, as it is written in the book of wisdom: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and although my very skin be consumed, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine own eyes, and not another's shall behold for me, though my reins be consumed within me." Let us then build our hope only on the Lord our God, who created and who will preserve. He is the rock of salvation. Let us sing praises unto his holy name for ever and ever. AMEN.

(And at the end of the days of mourning, add,)

Thy sun shall go down no more, neither shall thy moon change; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light. And the days of thy mourning shall be ended, as it is written: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and in the Kingdom of Heaven shall ye all be comforted." AMEN.

(Mourners add the following in the blessing after meals, during the seven days:)

We will bless him, who comforteth the mourner. Ever praised be his name, who comforteth the afflicted, of whose gifts we have eaten, and through whose abundant goodness we all live. AMEN.

MARRIAGE CEREMONY.

(The bride and bridegroom, accompanied by parent, sponsor or guardian, are placed opposite to each other, under a canopy, in the presence of not less than three witnesses, and the minister says:)

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe! who hast sanctified us with thy commandments. Thou hast hallowed the institution of marriage, blessing its fruits, and purifying connubial love with the spirit of thy holy law. Blessed art thou, O Lord of all creatures! who hast made Israel the depository of thy commandents unto thy children, and hast given unto man a helpmate and companion, to multiply his virtuous enjoyments and to be his best friend in adversity.

(The Bridegroom then places the ring on the Bride's finger, and says:)

Behold, thou art wedded to me, with this ring, according to the law of Moses.

(And the Bride answers,)

I accept this ring in token of the bond of marriage.

(The contract of marriage is then read, which shall specify that A. B. agrees to take C. D. as his lawful wife, according to the law of Moses, that he will keep, maintain, honour and cherish her, according to the manner of all Jews, and all good men, and that he will treat her as a friend and companion, be true to his faith, and love and protect her always.)