THE WINGED SERAPH represents S. Matthew, whose Gospel contains much concerning our Lord's human nature.

THE LION is attributed to S. Mark, for he speaks. especially of the kingly dignity of Christ.

THE OX belongs to S. Luke, who tells of the priestly character of our Lord.

THE EAGLE is given S. John, because his writings lift our minds to consider the divinity of our Lord.

While this arrangement has a venerable and interesting history, it is after all a conventional distribution of the four symbols; and directly we regard these symbols as vindicating the special and distinguishing characteristics of the Gospels, the conventional arrangement is inadequate.

DEVOTIONAL OFFICE.

In classes where this hand book is used as a basis of instruction the following brief opening and closing services may be said.

PRAYERS BEFORE INSTRUCTION.

¶ All kneeling, the Instructor begins:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

R. Amen.

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: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

V. Make me a clean heart, O God;
R. And renew a right spirit within me.
V. Cast me not away from Thy presence;
R. And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
V. Give me the comfort of Thy help again;
R. And stablish me with Thy free Spirit.

V. Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes;
R. And I shall keep it unto the end.

Let us pray.

Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast Thy bright beams of light upon Thy Church, that it, being instructed by the doctrine of Thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of Thy truth, that it may at length attain to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant, O Lord, that they who at this place shall in their own persons renew the promises and vows of their Baptism, and be confirmed by the Bishop, may receive such a measure of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may be enabled faithfully to fulfil the same, and grow in grace unto their lives' 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.

PRAYERS AFTER INSTRUCTION.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of Thy laws, and in the works of Thy commandments; that through Thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body

and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

O God, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the Faithful, visit, we pray Thee, this Congregation with Thy love and favour; enlighten their minds more and more with the light of the everlasting Gospel; graft in their hearts a love of the truth; increase in them true religion; nourish them with all goodness; and of Thy great mercy keep them in the same, O blessed Spirit, whom, with the Father and the Son together, we worship and glorify as one God, world without end. Amen.

May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon us, and remain with us for ever. Amen.

PARISH COLLECT.

O Almighty and everlasting God, the never-failing Saviour of those who believe, hear us who seek Thy help in behalf of this Parish, and bless it in its life and work. Fill it more and more with Thy life. Shield it from all error, ignorance, pride and prejudice. Guard it, day by day, from distractions from without and dissensions from within. Make us of one heart, in love to each other, and in devotion to Thee; and of one purpose in all our efforts to serve Thee. Bless our Clergy and all working with them, and each department in its special kind of ministry; and grant that we may continue Thine forever, and daily increase in Thy Holy Spirit more and more, until we come unto Thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.