Evening star., 1932-01-31
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p, KENNEDY.

the archives of the rare books division
of the Library of Congress, Washing
ton, D. c.
This prayer book, written by Wash
ington, was first published by Stan v
HenkelS, Philadelphia, in 1891. The
copy which is now treasured in the LII
brary Of Congress is that Of w. Herbert
Burk, and was published for the benefit
OF the Washington Memorial Chapel OF
Valley Forge in 1907.
Washington Prayers" as they are
otficlally called, were found in a manu-
script form, hand written, among the
Washington relics, purchased in 1891 by
Rev. c. F.. Hoffman at sale by Thomas
Birch's Sons of Philadelphia.
These prayers cover the days OF the
week, from Sunday until Thursday
stopping abruptly with the Thursday
morning offering. 1t is probable that
only portion Of the original manu-
script was found. These at once simple
and majestic petitions reveal the sublime
confidence Of Washington's heart in the
guidance Of God.
The Sunday offering, morning and
evening, follows in its entirety. Ex-
cerpts from the other days are also
quoted:
SUNDAY MORNING.
Almighty God and most merciful
father, who didst command the chill
dren of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice
to Thee, that thereby they might
glorify and praise Thee for Thy protec-
tion both night and day; receive Q
Lord, my morning sacrifice, which
now offer up to Thee; I yield Thee
humble and hearty thanks, that Thou
hast preserved me from the dangers OF
the night past and brought me TO the
light Of this day and the comforts
thereof, day which is conSecrated tc
Thine own service and for Thine honour
Let my heart therefore, gracious God
be so affected by the glory and majesty
OF 1t, that I may not do mine own
works, but wait on Thee and discharge
those Weighty duties Thou requireth OF
me; and since Thou art God Of pure
eyes, and will be sanctifled by all who
draw near unto Thee, who dost not
regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear
sinners who tread in Thy courts, pardon
l beSeech Thee, my sins, remove them
from Thy presence, as far as the East
Is from the West, and accept Of me
for the merits Of Thy Son Jesus Christ
that when I come to Thy temple and
compass Thy altar my prayer may come
before Thee as incense and as l de-
sire Thou Wouldst hear me calling upon
Thee in my prayers, so give me grace
to hear Thee calling on me IN Thy
word that it may be wisdom, righteous
ness, reconciliation and peace to the
saving Of my soul in the day of the
Lord Jesus Christ. Grant that I NAV
hear it with reverence, receive 1t with
meekneSs, mingle it with faith and that
it may accomplish in me- gracious God
the good work for which Thou hast
sent it.
Bless my family kindred friends and
country, be our God and guide, this
day and forever, for His sake, who lay
down in the grave and arose again for
us, Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
SUNDAY EVENING.
o most Glorious God in Jesus Christ
my merciful and loving father, I ac-
knowledge and confide my guilt in the
weak and imperfect performance OF
the duties Of this day. I have called
on Thee for pardon and forgiveness
Of sins, but so coldly and carelessly
that my prayers are become my sin
and stand in need Of pardon I have
heard Thy holy word, but with such
deafness Of spirit that I have been
an improbable and forgetful hearer
so that o Lord tho I have done Thy
work yet it hath been so negligent
that I may rather expect a curse than
blessing from Thee. But. o God
who art rich in mercy and plenteous
in redemption, mark not I beseech
thee what I have done amisS remssn-
Der that I am but. dust. and remit
my transgreSsions, negligenceS, ig-
noranceS, and cover them all with the
absolute obedience Of Thy dear son,
that those sacrifices which have Of
fered may be accepted by Thee, in and
for the sacrifice Jesus ,rist offered
upon the cross for me; for his sake
ease me Of the burden Of my sins and
give me grace that by Thy calls of the
Gospel l may rise from the slumber
of sin with newneSs of life. Let me
live according to those holy rules which
Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy
holy words. Make me know what is
acceptable in Thy sight and therein
to delight. Open the eyes Of my un-
derStanding, and help me thoroughly
to examine myself concerning my
knowledge. faith and repentance In
CI6dSS lily 1dIlll anu NllCIb W lAlC
true object, Jesus Christ, the way the
truth and the life. Bless o Lord all
the people of this land, from the high
est to the lowest, particularly those
whom Thou hast appointed to rule
over us in church and state. Con-
tinue Thy goodness to me this night.
These weak petitions I humbly i'm
plore Thee to hear, accept and answer
for the sake of Thy Dear Son Jesus
Christ Our Lord. Amen.
MONDAY MORNING.
o Eternal and everlasting God. 7 pre-
sumo to present myself this morning
before thy divine majesty beSeeching
thee to accept of my humble and hearty
thanks, that it hath pleased thy great
goodness to keep and preserve me the
night past from all the dangers poor
mortalS are subject TO. and hast given
me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby
I find my body refreshed and COM
forted for performing the duties Of this
day, in which I beSeech thee to defend
me from all perilS Of body and soul.
Direct my thoughts, words and works
and wash away my sins in the i'm
maculate blood Of the Lamb and purge
my heart by the holy Spirit from the
dross Of my natural corruption. that
may with more freedom Of mind and
liberty of will serve thee. the everything
God, in righteousness and holiness this
day and all the days of my life.
Teach me how to live in thy fear
labour in thy service and ever to run
in the way of thy commandments
Discharge my soul from all things
that are displeasing to thee, of all i'll
will and discomfort, wrath and bitter
ness, pride and vain-conceit of myself
and render me charitable, pure, holy
patient and heavenly minded Be with
me at the hour of death, dispose me
for it, and deliver me from the slavish
fear Of it, and make me willing and fit
to die whenever thou shalt call me
hence. Bless, o Lord, the whole
race of mankind and let the world be
filled with the knowledge of thee and
thy son, Jesus Christ. Pity the sick
the poor, the weak, the needy, the
widows and the fatherless and all that
mourn or are broken in heart and be
merciful to them according to then
several necessities. Bless my friends
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