Prayer
For the beauty of the earth (A. and M. 663. vv. 1. 2, 3. 4; S.P. 494, w. 1. 2, 4. 5; C.H. 17. vv. 1. 2. 4. 5: Tune. England's Lane)
Interlude: Lord Shaftesbury '
Prayers; Prayer for Forgiveness; the Lord's Prayer
Jesus shall reign (A. and M. 220; S.P.
545; C.H. 388. omitting v. 2: Tune, Truro)
Blessing
Anthony Ashley Cooper. Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, was one of the great figures of the nineteenth century. As a young man he was shocked by the sufferings of the poor and spent his whole life, both in and out of Parliament, fighting to improve their lot. By his efforts many social evils were swept away, including the terrible conditions in mines and factories, the sufferings of women and young children who worked in the coal mines, and the misery of the little ' climbing boys ' who served as apprentices to the chimney-sweeps. His story illustrates the saying of Christ: ' He hath sent me ... to set at liberty them that are bruised ' (St. Luke 4, v. 18).