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From Ancient and Authorized Sources,

WITH

MORNING AND EVENING READINGS

FROM THE

GOSPELS AND EPISTLES

FOR EACH DAY OF THE MONTH.

BY THE

REV. P. G. MEDD, M.A.

FELLOW AND TUTOR OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, OXFORD.

WITH THE SANCTION OF THE LORD BISHOP OF OXFORD.

LONDON,

RIVINGTONS, 3, WATERLOO PLACE;

41, HIGH STREET, OXFORD.

1864.

138.

Sanctioned by me for use in the Diocese of Oxford.

S. OXON.

Oxford, Nov. 2, 1864.

STHET

BOD

PRINTED BY W. BAXTER, OXFORD.

PREFACE, ON HOUSEHOLD PRAYER:

Every Christian Household ought to be a Church in miniature. The ties of Family are ordained of God, and should be consecrated to Him by the regular collective worship of the Family, conducted, in the absence of a Priest, by its Head. In the houses of Clergymen, and elsewhere, when possible, it is well to have a room set apart for the purpose, simply furnished in such a manner as to indicate its appropriation to holy uses. An oblong room is best, with a Prayer Desk, at which the Reader may kneel facing the end wall or window furthest away from the door. The congregation should range themselves down the two sides of the room, with their backs to the wall, and, without turning round, kneel down in that position, so as still to face each other. The males and females may take opposite sides, or the family one side and the servants the other. Chairs, or long benches, may be placed along, and close to, the side walls. But if the room be narrow this is not necessary, as those assembled may stand during the saying of the Psalms or the reading of the Lesson.

With regard to the Prayers to be used, the Editor would give the following recommendations :

I. In cases where attendance at the daily Church Service is out of the question, to use as much of the daily Matins and Evensong of the Prayer-Book as may be possible. It is the greatest possible mistake to suppose that familiarity with them, from constant private or household use, lessens their value, or our reverent appreciation of them, as Public Offices of the Church. All experience proves the contrary. Indeed it were most

B

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