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.

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. Tob. iv. 7.

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. Tob. iv. 8, 9.

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.

:

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

Whilst these sentences are in reading, the Deacons, Church-wardens, or other fit person appointed for that purpose, shall receive the Alms for the Poor, and other devotions of the people, in a decent bason to be provided by the Parish

Observations and Directions.

Thou, O God, canst | is by them that Thou triest

support all Thy poor with

our faith, and our love for

out our assistance; but it

Thee.

Give me, O Lord, a true | mayest have compassion compassion for the miseries of others, that Thou

on me, at the great Day.

but by the heart, and the ability of the giver and wilt reward accordingly.

To Thy account, O God, | me; and I know that I I place my charity to the shall be no loser.

poor Thou sendest unto

Keep me, O God, from | all idle and vain expenses, that I may always have to give to him that need

You will now have the | comfort of seeing your alms presented unto God by His Minister, in order to bring down His blessings upon yourself, and

eth. At the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, good Lord, deliver

me.

upon the rest of your substance and labours, according as you have been a niggardly or a cheerful giver.

for that purpose; and reverently bring it to the Priest, who shall humbly present and place it upon the holy Table.

3

And when there is a Communion, the Priest shall then place upon the Table so much Bread and Wine, as he shall think sufficient. which done, the Priest shall say,

After

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

A

*If there be no

tions, then shall

alms and obla

out unsaid.

LMIGHTY 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 mercialms or obla- fully [*to accept our alms and oblations, the words [of and] to receive these our prayers, accepting our which we offer unto thy Divine Mations] be left jesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant, that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity, and godly love. We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors; and specially thy Servant VICTORIA our Queen; that under her we may be godly and quietly governed: And grant unto her whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under

Observations and Directions.

The Priest now, and not till this time, placeth the bread and wine upon the Lord's Table in the sight of the communicants, as

We are now going to exercise another and most extensive branch of Christian charity towards the whole Church of Christ:

a public acknowledgment, that our lives, and whatever is necessary for their preservation, are owing to the gift of God.

which you should seriously attend to, that you may add (secretly) Amen to every petition.

3 If this Rubric is not strictly observed, as in many places it is not, the intent of the Church is defeated, and a very instructive circun stance is omitted.