PREFACE.

FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set forth forms of prayer to be used on various occasions, it will not, it is hoped, be thought improper, that the author of this little book should offer it to the public. Should it be thought that what renders this attempt warrantable makes it unnecessary, it should be considered, that the Prayers which have been published, though numerous, and many of them excellent, are so limited in regard to the occasions for which they are intended, that none of them with which I am acquainted are adapted to all the purposes for which these are designed. Many of our people, of our clergy especially, have long felt the want of a manual containing prayers suitable for all the occasions on which they are needed, and for which our church has not made particular and full provision. We have in print many excellent forms of prayer for visiting the sick, and for family worship-for the latter especially; and on this subject we have no want of more. But on other important occasions of frequent occurrence we have few; and on some, for which

provision is attempted in this publication, we have none. It is from a sense of this need, and of my duty as bishop of this diocese, and from the often repeated request of several of my brethren, and not from a confidence in my ability, that I have thus attempted what I view as a difficult and important work. Should it please God, in his merciful goodness, to make it instrumental of some good, or of inducing some person of more piety and wisdom to give us something better on a like plan, I shall have cause of thankfulness.

To avoid interference with the labors of others, and all unnecessary addition to the price of this manual, the offices of the church are not inserted in it. The Book of Common Prayer is in the hands of the most or all of those who will use this: the price of that is now very low; and can be obtained of any size or convenient form. This is not intended as a substitute for the Prayer Book, nor considered as worthy to be bound in the same volume with any parts of it; but is, at the discretion of our people, permitted to be used when the prayers it contains are judged to be appropriate and fitting. My object being not to make a book, but to supply certain prayers that are truly needed, I have been careful not to enlarge the work nor increase its price by the addition of any extraneous matter.

I have endeavored to set forth such as, in my judgment, are most needed for use and edification. That better may be prepared I have

no doubt: till such appear these may be used. They are all designed for occasions of social worship. In private devotions forms are less needed; and many of these may be used by one person in his closet, changing the plural of the pronoun into the singular number.

Though we have, in the Prayer Book, an office for visiting the sick, it is generally allowed that something more is wanted in the performance of that important duty; and many prayers for this purpose have been published and used and it is hoped that what are here published, with some additions for other occasions, will meet with the like indulgence. It will be seen that permission is given to use. these forms; but no one is laid under any obligation to do it, who thinks that others are better and more appropriate.

To seek honor for ourselves in praying, or in compiling prayers, would be highly improper and indeed sinful. In preparing these, I seek not the praise of originality; but gladly avail myself of the labors of others. Next after the Holy Scriptures, I have preferred the language of the Book of Common Prayer, and in many instances I have adopted the expressions of other writers. If we have forms of sound words, suitable for those who would unite in God's holy worship, by whom the words were first used is of very little importance, the inspired writings excepted.

With the following prayers, it is understood that the Lord's Prayer, and any others con

tained in the Prayer Book, may be used, at the discretion of the person who conducts the worship. They are offered to the public as helps to devotion; and any use of all, or a part or parts of them, which will have that effect, will be agreeable to what the author desires.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

WITH diffidence and after long delay, was published a manual of prayers adapted to occasions of social worship, for which provision is not particularly and fully made in the Book of Common Prayer. That such a work was needed appears in the call for another edition; and, as it is not known that any other work on a like plan will be given to the public, the author has endeavored, by corrections throughout, and very considerable additions, to render this more suitable for the purpose intended. It was, and still is his humble hope, that such a publication may, through God's blessing, be instrumental in causing prayer to be offered, at times, and on some occasions, when, without suitable forms prepared, it would be neglected; and also in obviating the necessity of extemporary praying, which, in his opinion, is less suitable for social worship.

The church has set forth forms for some occasions of frequent occurrence and general need; but some even of those contained in the Prayer Book are, as almost all allow, defective. Such are those for families, for the sick, and for funerals. In the service for funerals, we