45.-GOING TO COMMU NION. of Communion is for "the strengthening and refreshing" of weak and sorrowful souls like yours. [See Church Catechism.] 3. You don't know enough. But you are not asked to know a great deal. You are only asked to believe GOD's truth. If you have faith, you will very soon learn all that is needed. 4. You have too many cares. For this very reason you should come to Communion. The more the world drags you down, the more you need GOD's help against it. 5. Some people go to Communion, and get no good by it. If they come unworthily, If you attend Church often, let this warn you to come and join in the Prayers of the worthily, and prepare yourself Communion Service, you will for receiving so great a blessdesire also to receive the Holy ing. Communion. Perhaps you have felt this longing, but have never yet dared to come to the altar. What keeps you away? Examine yourself and see what the reason is. Nothing ought to keep you away. For instance 1. You are not fit to come to Communion. If you mean by this that you are living in sin, then you are not fit. But, remember this, you are not fit to die. 2. You are not good enough. If you mean that you are trying to be good, and find it hard to keep from sin, then you ought to come. The blessing 6. Your neighbours will scoff at you. Don't mind this. Pray for them and for yourself. It is better that your neighbours should laugh at you, than that GOD should mourn over you. The LORD JESUS asks you to confess Him before men. Take up your cross, and follow Him. 7. You are afraid of falling back after Communion. You ought to fear this. But you ought also to fear keeping back now. Besides, you will get help from GOD, if you seek it; and, if you do God's will in this one thing, He will hear your prayers, when you ask Him to help you in other | ther, and of the Son, and of duties. 8. The Communion is a very solemn thing. Yet, it is; for the LORD JESUS, your Saviour, is present in it. But you will have to stand before Him some day as your Judge. He is now your Saviour, as kind and good as ever He was when He walked on earth; and He says "Come unto Me." Believe it, there is danger in coming unworthily; but there is also danger in staying away unworthily. JESUS CHRIST has said, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you." S. John vi. 53. 46. HOW TO GO TO COMMUNION. Do not go to Communion without preparation. Ask your clergyman to help you. Be very careful about your First Communion. Think of the great blessing you seek. "Prepare to meet thy GOD." You perhaps think that you are too young to be a communicant. You are not too young, if you are old enough to sin, to repent of sin, and to desire help to keep from sin. You should receive the Holy Communion, if possible, at an early service, and before you have taken any food. Devotions before Communion. the Holy Ghost. Amen. Our Father. I believe. Help me, LORD, to call my own ways to remembrance, and seriously think of the errors of the past; that I may enjoy the benefits of the Holy Sacrament and the blessings of the Heavenly Feast. [See Instructions and Devotions, Part II.] Let Thy Holy Spirit so assist me, O most gracious Father, that my preparation for the Blessed Sacrament may be earnest and devout. Let nothing take away my heart from Thee, or change my resolves. Let me so eat the Flesh of CHRIST and drink His Blood; that, when I go hence, I may be admitted to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; through the same JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen. [Add one or more of these Psalms-63, 65, 84, 85, 86.] During the Service you may use some of the Devotions given in Chapter 42. Before you go to the Altar say-LORD JESUS I adore Thee; I believe that Thou art present in this Sacrament; I hope in Thee; I love Thee; I desire to receive Thee, that I may feed on Thee, and never be separated from Thee. At the Altar say-LORD, I am not worthy that Thou In the Name of the + Fa-shouldest come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed. When the Priest comes to you with the paten, open both your hands, and lay the right hand on the left in the form of a cross. After the words of the Priest, say-" Amen." When the Priest comes to you with the chalice, drink a few drops, saying "Amen" as before. Go back to your place after a few moments, and kneel in silent adoration. After Communion. Thanks be unto GOD for His unspeakable gift. O LORD, whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of Thee. Soul of CHRIST. Chapter 44. Truest Bread, Good Shepherd, tend us, JESU, pity and befriend us; Feed our souls, from ill de fend us, [Add Prayers from Chapter 42 if you have time.] Grant, blessed GOD, that we and all Thy servants, who have received this Holy Communion may partake of all Its benefits. May we be so saved from the wiles of Satan, and so confirmed in the ways of godliness; that, being filled with Thy Holy Spirit, we may in this life be made worthy members of CHRIST'S Body, and at last become heirs of eternal life; through the merits and mediation of JESUS CHRIST Our Saviour. Amen. Almighty God, Who hast united all Christians in one Brotherhood by the Holy Sacrament of the Altar: Let me be partaker of the prayers of all that this day receive the of the world; and let my Holy Communion in all parts prayers for them be accepted by Thee; for JESUS CHRIST'S sake. Amen. Sight of all Thy Goodness JESU, the true Paschal Food, send us, In the Land of Life and Light. Thou Who all things canst and knowest, Who on earth such Food bestowest, Us, with Thy blest Saints, though lowest, Where the Heavenly Feast By Thyself on Thine be stowed; Miracle of mightiest love! Living Bread of Heaven support me, So no earthly chance may hurt me, World, nor Flesh, nor Satan more. Praised be the LORD for Amen and Amen. Amen. evermore. 47.-BEFORE AND AFTER PRAYER. Before Private Prayer. Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens. Unto Thee, O LORD, will I lift up my soul. Breathe on me, O GOD, by Thy Holy Spirit, that the breath of my spirit may now please Thee; and that my prayers may come up as sweet odours before Thee; through JESUS CHRIST my Saviour. O LORD, open Thou my lips that I may bless Thy Holy Name; cleanse my heart from all vain, evil, and distracting thoughts; enlighten my understanding and purify my will; that I may perform this service with attention and devotion; and that my prayers and praises may be heard in the Presence of Thy glory. Amen. After Private Prayer. Pardon, O merciful GOD, all the defects of my prayers; grant all that I have prayed for, and all that I ought to have prayed for; and give me a share in all the blessings granted unto the devotions of Thy Holy Church; for JESUS CHRIST'S sake. Amen. Before Service at Church. As for me, I will come into Thy House, even upon the multitude of Thy mercy, and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy Holy Temple. O LORD, hear the voice of my humble petitions, when I cry unto Thee; when I hold up my hands toward the mercy-seat of Thy Holy Temple. We wait for Thy loving kindness, O GOD, in the midst of Thy Temple. LORD, save me from wandering thoughts and looks, but chiefly from fixed lusts and habits of sin. LORD, cleanse my heart and my lips, that I may be able to love and serve Thee as I ought; for JESUS CHRIST'S sake. Amen. After Service at Church. LORD, hear my prayers, accept my praises, pardon my sins, teach me to do Thy will, and give me Thy blessing; for JESUS CHRIST's sake. Amen. My soul, wait thou still upon GOD: for my hope is in Him. Amen. |