XXV. FOR A FRIEND WHO IS SICK. ALMIGHTY GOD, most merciful Father, Who sendest forth thy Spirit, and we are created; Who takest away our breath, and we die: And health and sickness, life and death, We offer our supplications unto thee That this sickness may not be unto death, O thou, who art our life and our health, And to devote restored life to thy service. Father, not our will, but thine, be done. O God, prepare all hearts for thy will. And know that there is a Physician there, Our preparation for days of weakness and decline, And at last, through thy grace in Jesus Christ, Reunite us in peace, in that world Where there is no sickness, nor sorrowing, nor death. Amen. XXVI. ON THE DEATH OF AN ELDER SCHOLAR, O LORD, our Heavenly Father, The Giver of Life, and the Disposer of Death. Since, in thine infinite wisdom, It hath pleased thee to remove from us our friend, We bow with humble submission, And adore thee, the greatest and best of beings. Even in our tears, our prayer shall be, Father, not our will, but thine be done. We thank thee for the life our friend here lived, For the happy hours which memory brings to mind. We bless thee that we have often been permitted To engage in thy worship with the departed. That voice will no more be heard by us; That smile will no more be seen by us; Yet thou lovest us who are still left, And thou lovest those who have been taken : Thou art God of the spirits of the departed, As much as of thy children in this visible world. Exalt our minds, that, with a true faith, The lessons death is designed to give. May it seem like a new birth, To a world where death is unknown. Teach us to live as those who are about to die; And with all whom we have truly loved on earth. In meekness, humility, faith, and patience. Through Christ who died for us, Be all praise and glory for ever. Amen. XXVII. ON THE DEATH OF A YOUNGER SCHOLAR. ALMIGHTY GOD, we humbly adore thee: Thou art the author and the giver of life. For its sweetness of temper, And the fulness of its love. We shall see it no more in this world, But it dwells with thee. We rejoice in the assurance of Jesus, That its angel doth always behold the face And now help us, Almighty God, To bear our sorrow with a cheerful trust. |