I’ve spent a very enjoyable portion of the morning exploring The New Hymn and Tune Book, with services, published by the American Unitarian Association in 1914. Blogger Fausto was kind enough to point me to this book in the comments on this post over on my journal, and luckily, Google Books has the whole thing readily available and searchable.

The theologies and liturgies from the turn of the last century fascinate me, and make me wonder what Unitarian Universalism might look like today and in the future if we were to engage more fully with the words used in our churches a hundred years ago, perhaps adapting them for our modern sensibilities. This prayer is one of many from this particular volume that speaks deeply to me.

Prayer for Comfort and Faith

from The New Hymn and Tune Book, with services, 1914

O thou whose name is Love and whose compassions fail not: let thy merciful kindness be for our comfort when burdens are heavy and sorrow is near, — when our hearts fail us for the things that are coming to pass, and we fear as we enter into the cloud. When our dear ones die out of our sight, still, grant to us a large and happy faith, and in our own last hour lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou art the strength of those who put their trust in thee. Send out thy light and thy truth, to shine pure and strong over death and the grave. Amen.

Source: Prayer for Comfort and Faith, from The New Hymn and Tune Book, with services, pg 48, published by the American Unitarian Association in 1914

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