92 



THE OAK. 



103rd and 104tli Psalms, with the litany and suf- 

 frages, and Homily of Thanksgiving. 



There were in my remembrance/' says Eve- 

 lyn, " certain prayers, litanies, and collects, so- 

 lemnly used by the parish minister in the field, 

 at the limits of their perambulations on the Ro- 

 gation days, from an ancient and laudable custom 

 of above one thousand years, introduced by Avi- 

 tus, the pious Bishop of Vienna, in a great dearth, 

 unseasonable weather, and other calamities (how- 

 ever in tract of time abused by many gross super- 

 stitions, and insignificant rites, in imitation of the 

 Pagan Robigalia), upon which days, about the 

 Ascension and beginning of Spring especially, 

 prayers were made, as well deprecatory of epide- 

 mical evils, amongst which blasts and smut of 

 corn were none of the least, as supplicatory for 

 propitious seasons and blessings on the fruits of 

 the earth. Whether there was any peculiar ofiice, 

 besides those of Ember-weeks, appointed, I do 

 not know ; but the pious and learned Bishop 

 of Winchester (Andrews) has, in his Devotions, 

 left us a prayer so apposite and comprehensive i 

 for these emergencies, that I cannot forbear the ' 

 recital. 



Remember, O Lord, to renew the year with 

 thy goodness, and the season with a promising 

 temper ; for the eyes of all wait upon Thee, O 

 Lord ; Thou givest them meat ; Thou openest 

 thy hand, and fiUest all things living with thy 

 bounty. Vouchsafe, therefore, O Lord, the bless- 

 ings of the heavens, and the dews from above: 

 the blessings of the springs, and the deep from 

 beneath : the returns of the sun, the conjunctions 

 of the moon : the benefit of the rising mountains, 



