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THE COLLECTS *.

THE SECOND COLLECT; FOR PEACE,

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ŌGōd,, who art the author of peace' and

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lòver of cóncord, in knowledge of whóm' standeth our eternal life; whose service' is perfect freedom-defend ús' thy humble sérvants' in áll

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assàults of our énemies; that wé, surely-trust

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ing in THY'-defence,, may-not féar the power of ány-adversaries-through the might' of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Collects require a distinct and deliberate utterance, solemn and even tones, accompanied with an earnestness and fervency, showing that the heart is in the business. In approaching the end of each prayer, the rate of utterance, instead of being quickened, as often happens, ought to become more slow; in order that the whole may be concluded with that impressiveness of manner, which will mark the importance we attach to the petition, and the reverence we feel for the Mediator.]

-through Jesus Christ, &c.] It must be observed that the intercession clause, which concludes this and many other Prayers, often refers not merely to the petition which immediately precedes, but to all the petitions in the Collect. To convey this notion, some readers terminate the penultimate

THE THIRD COLLECT;-FOR GRACE.

ō Lōrd, our Heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting Gód,, who hast safely-brought-us to the beginning of-this-day-defend-us in-thesame' with thy mighty power: and gránt' that

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this-day' we fall into nó sìn, neither rún into

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any-kind of dánger; but' that all our dóings' be ordered by thy' góvernance, to do álways

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clause with the falling inflection, thus:-" that is righteous in thy-sight," and then subjoin the following words, "through Jesus Christ our Lord," in a lower tone and rapid manner. This mode does not satisfy the ear, which expects the usual rising inflection, preparatory to an entire conclusion; and it likewise slurs over that important part of a Christian prayer, which expresses its hope of being accepted through the mediation of Jesus Christ alone. The meaning will be best conveyed by terminating the penultimate member with the rising inflection, (according to Rule xvII.) and then, after a considerable pause, delivering the final words in an under tone, but slowly and solemnly.

The student will likewise observe, that the last word in the Collects receives the falling inflection. This is adopted because the concluding member "through Jesus Christ our Lord," (like the more lengthened phrases to which it is equivalent,) is to be considered not as a supplication, but as a reason assigned for the acceptance of the whole prayer; and therefore, the final inflection would be that which is commonly used at a period. (See p. 29.)—But even

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that is righteous-in-thy-sight-through Jesus Christ our Lord.

if these concluding expressions should be considered as petitions, still they may properly end with the conclusive inflection (according to Rule XXII,) because the words may be conceived to imply more than is actually expressed :—e. g. "And this we beg (not for the sake of any other person or thing, but) for JESUS CHRIST's-sake."-" Grant this, for the honour (not of any human being, but) of JESUS CHRIST."As the abridged expression "through Jesus Christ our Lord" conveys the same meaning as the more lengthened sentences, it will therefore be terminated with the same inflection.]

Amen.] The transition from one Collect to another, is often made too rapidly. A considerable pause between each, gives relief to the mind, and prevents that exhaustion which soon results from the exercise of its faculties in earnest prayer.]

-that' is righteous] That being here used in a peculiar sense, equivalent to what or that which, may receive a separate inflection.

A PRAYER FOR THE KING'S MAJESTY.

ō Lōrd, our heavenly Father,, high and

O Lord] The exordium of this Prayer admits much of solemn and fervent delivery. The pauses must be carefully observed.

-high and mighty] The frequent repetition of the same inflection will produce something of a monotone, which will add to the solemnity.

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A PRAYER FOR THE KING'S MAJESTY.

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mighty, King of kings, Lord' of lords, the only

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Ruler of princes;-who dóst, from thy throne, behold all the dwellers upon earth;-most heartily we beseech-thee, with thy favour to behold' our most gracious Sovereign Lórd, King George: and sò replénish-him' with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he' may alway incline to thy' will, and walk in thy wày: Endue him plenteously' with heavenly-gifts; gránt him, in health and wealth, long-to-live; stréngthen-him' that he may vánquish and overcome' all his enemies; and finally-after

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this-life, he may attain' EVERLASTING-joy-and

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felicity through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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-of princes] This clause is often erroneously read with a lower tone and the falling inflection on the word 'princes,' as if the sense were complete. The same error often may be observed on the word earth' at the end of the next clause.]

-grant him, in health] Observe that the pause must be before the preposition 'in,' and not after it.]

-everlasting-joy-and-felicity] Temporal joy and felicity having been prayed for, in the preceding parts of the Collect, the word 'everlasting' in the penultimate clause becomes emphatic.

A PRAYER FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY.

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness

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we humbly beséech-thee to bless' all the Royal

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Family. Endúe-them' with thy Holy Spirit;

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enrich-them' with thy heavenly grace; pròsper

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them' with all happiness; and bring-them' to

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thine everlasting-kingdom - through Jesus Christ our Lòrd.

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The Royal Family] In contradistinction to the King, for whom prayer was made in the preceding Collect.

A PRAYER FOR THE CLERGY AND THE PEOPLE.

Almighty' and everlasting Gód, who alóne

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wòrkest great márvels-send down' upon our Bishops, and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful

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spirit of thy grace; and that they may trúlyplease-thee, póur-upon-them' the continual

dew-of-thy-blessing.

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Grant this, O Lord,

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