from most cruel torments, so vouchsafe, O Lord, to deliver the soul of
this thy servant, and bring it to the participation of thy heavenly
joys." _R._ "Amen."

"Depart, Christian soul, out of this world, in the name of God, the
Father Almighty, who created thee; in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of
the living God, who suffered for thee; in the name of the Holy Ghost,
who sanctified thee; in the name of the angels, archangels, thrones and
dominations, cherubims and seraphims; in the name of the patriarchs and
prophets, of the holy martyrs and confessors, of the holy monks and
hermits, of the holy virgins, and of all the saints of God. Let thy
place be this day in peace, and thy abode in _Sion_, through Christ, our
Lord." _R_. "Amen."

The offering up of this most beautiful prayer by the children for their
dying parent was not unattended with several breaks and pauses, caused
by the overwhelming grief of the poor orphans. They "gave out" the short
prayers of the litany very well, and without much interruption; but when
they came to the more solemn portion of that beautiful service, the
"recommendation of a departing soul," they could no longer restrain
their tears or suppress their lamentations.

Small blame to the poor children for this manifestation of grief, since
we have known instances of the most hardened hearts being touched, and
the most manly eyes yielding their tribute of tears, at the bare recital
of the most beautiful form of prayer for the "soul departing." We have
ourselves read this service a thousand times, at least, by the death
bedsides of many "departing souls;" and never could we once go through
the form of it entire without yielding to the weakness of nature, and
becoming speechless by the violence of our tears. Let the most obstinate