106 THE MARTYRDOM OF HOLY INNOCENTS.

glorify Thee by their deaths; Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by Thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may glorify Thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

NOTE. It has ever been the opinion and teaching of the Church, that there are three kinds of martyrdom; each of which is illustrated during the course of the annual Festivals of the Church.

The first kind is that both in will and deed; which was the case of most of the Apostles.

The second kind is that which is in will, but not in deed; which was the case of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.

The third kind is that in deed, but not in will, because the power of choice is not granted; and this was the case of the Holy Innocents, who suffered for Christ's sake whilst yet in infancy; but the sacrifice of whose lives it nevertheless pleased God in His infinite mercy to accept, that they should become the "firstfruits unto Himself, and to the Lamb 1."

1 Rev. xiv. 4.

ST. MICHAEL

THE ARCHANGEL.

ST. MICHAEL the Archangel is mentioned in Holy Scripture as presiding over the Jewish nation, of which he is styled one of the "chief Princes"." He is likewise mentioned as having "contended with the devil for the body of Moses ;" and also, as having "fought with his Angels against the Dragon (or Satan), when there was war in Heaven 1."

3

The Festival of St. Michael and all Angels is on the 29th of September; on which day the Church has thought fit to commemorate the benefits received by the ministry of Angels, of which St. Michael was one of the chief; that " as the Angels of God always do Him service in Heaven, so we pray, that they may succour and defend us on earth 5."

2 Dan. x. 13. 21; xii. 1.

3 Jude 9. 4 Rev. xii. 7. 5 Collect for Festival of St. Michael and All Angels.

Collect for the Festival of St. Michael and all Angels.

O Everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant, that as Thy holy Angels alway do Thee service in heaven, so by Thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALL SAINTS.

6

IN like manner, the Church remembers the words of Holy Scripture, that the "Righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance "," when upon the Festival of All Saints, she commemorates all those holy persons who by their lives or martyrdom have "compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses "," or "who

6 Ps. cxii. 6.

7 Heb. xii. 1.

have departed this life in the fear and love of God";" that so we may pray for "grace to follow their examples in all virtuous and godly living ';" and so "run with patience the race that is set before us " that with them we may "be partakers of His Heavenly Kingdom';" and come to those unspeakable joys which He has prepared for them that unfeignedly love Him"." To which end, may God in His infinite mercy bring each and all of us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Festival of All Saints is on the 1st of November; and completes the Ecclesiastical Year.

Collect for the Festival of All Saints.

O Almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion and

8 Prayer for Church Militant.

2 Collect for Festival of All Saints.

2 Prayer for Church Militant.

3 Collect for Festival of All Saints.

1 Heb. xiii. 1.

K

fellowship, in the mystical body of Thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which Thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

END OF PART II.