In his 1871 manifesto Our New Departure E. G. Brooks dourfully noted that the Universalists were not “a praying people” (more about that later) so I doubt this 1861 service or its week of companions were often used as intended. Still, after I type in all the mornings and evening, I hope to see a pattern and how this cycle of morning and evening family prayer does or does not tie into the general scheme of worship
The day, O Lord, is Thine: the night also is Thine. Unto whom shall we come, but unto Thee? And where shall we begin, or where shall we end, if we attempt to number the praises of the Lord? Thy mercies are new every morning, and fresh every evening; and whoso most gracefully enjoys them, the best obeys Thy will.
Lord, sanctify to us Thy perpetual loving-kindness. Help us to estimate it justly, to feel it constantly, and to acknowledge it continually.
Enable us to glorify Thee in all our thoughts and way, knowing that we are not our own. May our bodies be kept in honor and purity, our souls be in fellowship with all that is lovely and of good report, and our whole being acceptably hymn Thy Praise.
¶ All united in the Lord’s Prayer. ¶ Scripture Lesson. ¶ One of the Prayers on pages 60-62.
- From Gospel Liturgy (1861), p. 143-44.