plexed and doubting yet truly anxious to worship God in quietness of spirit, and with righteousness of life. A liberal Book for common prayer is also of high importance to the general interests of religion and society, by supplying a means of maintaining peace and good will among men, and thus laying the corner stone of the true Apostolic Catholic, or Universal Church of Christ. IN WHICH THE HOLY SCRIPTURE IS TO BE READ IN MORNING AND EVENING SERVICE. The Old Testament is appointed for the First Lessons, and the New Testament for the Second Lessons at Morning and Evening Prayer; so that the most part thereof may be read every year once, as in the Calendar is appointed. The Priest, however, is at liberty to change the lessons, or to omit them altogether, as may be convenient on Sundays, and on days of the week. He may also omit the reading of the Psalter. The Litany must be read on the fast days ordered to be observed, but may be omitted on all other days, either for cause, or on discretion of the Minister. RULES TO KNOW WHEN THE FEASTS AND HOLY DAYS BEGIN. Easter Day, on which the rest depend, is always the first Sunday after the Full Moon, which happens upon or next after the twenty-first day of March; and if the Full Moon happen upon a Sunday, Easter-day is the Sunday after. Advent Sunday is always the nearest Sunday to the thirtieth of November, whether before or after. Rogation, or Supplication Sunday, is five weeks after Easter. Whitsunday, or Feast of Pentecost, is seven weeks after Easter. Trinity Sunday is eight weeks after Easter. FEASTS TO BE OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. All Sundays in the year. Easter. The Epiphany, or Manifestation of Christ to the world, the twelfth day after Christmas. The Ascension of Jesus Christ. The Nativity of Jesus Christ, or Christmas. FASTS TO BE OBSERVED. Ash Wednesday, first day of Lent. Good Friday, or Crucifixion day. The Forty Days of Lent. A Summary OF CHRISTIAN FAITH AND CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. THE books of the Old Testament contain the sacred history of the Jews, and their record of government under divine direction of the God of Jacob, from the beginning to the birth of Christ. And the books of the New Testament contain the history of our Saviour, his mission, and his precepts, in which the way of salvation is opened to all mankind, and by which, and through which, the world was first taught the true signification of an Almighty God, and the particular significations of a Heavenly Father, a Redeemer, a Holy Ghost, the resurrection of the dead, and the life to come. The Bible bears record of many manifestations of the Holy Ghost, and gives assurance that this gentle Spirit of heavenly power is silently and faithfully at work to save us from the sins which flesh is heir to. Forming, as it does, the connecting link between the soul of man and God, we owe to the influence of the Holy Ghost |