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After offering your alms, repeat the following

Prayer.

Grant, gracious Lord, that this, and all mine alms may be performed with such purity of intention, and in such proportion to the ability which Thou hast given me, that they may be graciously accepted in thy sight, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ.

While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and specially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10.

Blessed be Thou, O God, for the time that thou hast yet alloted me! O, give me then a heart to do good, before "the night cometh, when no man can work."

Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath: for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out. 1 Tim. vi. 6. 7.

Make me, gracious God, in whatever

state I am, therewith to be content; and for the rest, "thy will be done."

Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19.

Bless God ye that have riches, and impart them with a liberal hand, and cheerful heart; for be assured, that a free and ready distribution of them will be your truest riches, and the surest foundation of your future happiness.

God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works and labor that proceedeth of love; which love ye have shewed for his Name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb.vi.10.

Thanks be to Thee, O God, for this gracious promise: enable me constantly to persevere in all good dispositions and graces, in full assurance of thy great and glorious rewards.

To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, Heb. xiii, 16.

May our alms and oblations go up for a memorial before Thee, O God. And be Thou graciously pleased to accept them, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him; how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 St. John iii. 17.

Grant, gracious Lord, that while I have power and ability to do good, I may

never remain unmoved at the wants and necessities of my fellow creatures.

Give alms of thy goods, and never turn thy face from any poor man; and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Tobit, iv. 7.

Give me, O Lord, a true and lively compassion for the wants and miseries of others, that Thou mayest have compassion on me, at the great, the awful day.

Be merciful after thy power. If thou

hast much, give plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity.Tobit, iv. 8. 9.

I thank Thee, O God, that Thou judgest not by the greatness of the gift, but by the intention of the heart, and the ability of the giver; and for the comfortable assurance, that Thou will reward accordingly.

He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord and look what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. xix. 17.

How gracious art Thou O Lord, since we have nothing but what is thine, and yet Thou makest Thyself a debtor to us: to thine account then I place my charity, confident that Thou will graciously repay me,

Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psalm xli. 1.

Keep me, O God, from all idle and vain expences, that I may always have to give to him that needeth; and then in the time of tribulation, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, good Lord, deliver me

In this Prayer, accompany the Minister in a low voice, kneeling.

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant* here in earth.

Almighty and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire con

* i. e. Engaged in warfare with the sins and temptations of the world. This is a term applied to the Church of Christ on earth, as opposed to the Church triumphant in heaven,

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