THE GOLDEN GATE.

Part EE.

DEVOTIONS.

THE CANONICAL HOURS.

T has always been the custom in the Church to use offices of prayer at special times in the day, as has already been mentioned in the first part of this book, p. 26. "Who is it," says S. Jerome, "that knoweth not the ordinary hours of prayer to be the third, the sixth, and the ninth hours?" as they are the most eminent parts of the day to distribute and distinguish the public affairs of men, so have they been accounted the most solemn time of prayer and divine duties in the Church of God."

The offices in their complete form would fill a large volume, and are clearly unusable by persons in the world without much time at their disposal. The following compilation is an adaption to the use of devout laity, not living in religious communities. For religious and those who have opportunities of reciting the hours in their entirety. "The Day Hours of the Church of England," published by Messrs. Masters, price 2s., is recommended. It is suggested that some of the offices in this book be used in a family, and that they should take the place of family prayer. The night offices are omitted as it is not supposed that those living in the world could use them, and for those who are disposed to recite them, the collection. above mentioned is easily attainable. Another arrangement, but more eclectic than the Day Hours, is "The Canonical Hours," published by Palmer, price 6d.

Nocturns is said at Midnight in memory of Christ's Nativity.

Prime.

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

(Our Father, in secret, i.e., privately.)

V. O God, make speed to save us.
R. O Lord, make haste to help us.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

V. Praise ye the Lord. (Alleluia.)

R. The Lord's Name be praised. (Alleluia.) *

HYMN.-Jam lucis.

OW that the daylight fills the sky,

Now

We lift our hearts to God on high,

That He, in all we do or say,

Would keep us free from harm to-day:

Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife;

From anger's din would hide our life;

From all ill sights would turn our eyes;

Would close our ears from vanities:

*Alleluja is added from Easter to Trinity..

Would keep our inmost conscience pure;
Our souls from folly would secure :
Would bid us check the pride of sense
With due and holy abstinence.

So we, when this new day is gone,
And night in turn is drawing on,

With conscience by the world unstained
Shall praise His Name for victory gained.

All praise to God the Father be;
All praise Eternal Son to Thee;
All praise as is, for ever, meet
To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

PSALMS.

Antiphon: Blessed *

PSALM I.-Beatus vir.

BLESSED is the man that hath not walked in

the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners: and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord: and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side that will bring forth his fruit in due

season.

*To be said by the Reader alone.