| Church A. M._E. CHURCH LITURGY Be e=* iY PUBLISHED oe A. ne, es Beh CONCERN , Bus. 631 Pine Street SET Pa. 1924 é nat rey en - ¥, fe. ei ro ; en on dnt 5 hae To aoe RBREPAGE: IN presenting the Rites and Ceremonies of our church to our Bishops and Clergy in this separate form, printed in largeclear type, we aim to supply a long felt want. For while we have, in our present book of Discipline, the best ar- rangement and prettiest page the book ever contained; yet, because of the small page, it 1s impossible to stamp it with that dignity of ap- pearance which is most fitting tothe stately cere- monials of a largeenlightened communion. The ritual is more constantly in use than any other part of the book ; hence the need of larger type and amore pleasing page. We feel assured that all the clergy of our church will be pleased with this little visitor in large type; especially our venerable Bishops and older ministers. If, venerable fathers, it shall re- lieve in any degree, the tedium of your Heaven appointed work, this shall be our justification ,and reward. J. C. Emsry. : VA Preface. 5 PREFACE To ReviseD Eprrron. 1. It seems fitting, on proceeding to issue a new and improved edition of this valued little manual, to ask of the public the humble privi- lege of devoting a few pages to remarks. I was in hearty sympathy with Bishop Turner and others who moved the General Conference of 1880 to authorize the use of an abridgement of the Wesleyan prayer book. The one pre- pared by the great M. EK. Church, South, was too heavy for general use in our American Methodist worship. On the other hand, the little leaflet prepared by our Bishops in 1881, was too fragmentary. A book less elaborate than the former and more comprehensive than the latter was the manifest need. At length the idea came in 1887 to incorporate the de- sired exercises with the regular ceremonies of the Discipline, and by addinga few well se- lected hymns and Scripture selections appro- priate for funerals, we should have a hand book so compact and yet so useful that the most 6: Prijitee: conservative would be drawn into its tse. That this-was'the trite idea; the result’has abundantly proved. Three editionshave been issued from’ the press. The first; one thousand; the sécond;" twelve hundred, and the third; fifteén hundred ' nearly. -All of them have been sold, even to the last. ove many months since. “But few of our ministers now feel that they cam get on without it, while many outside of our own pale find'it helpful to them.. 11. (a) The opposition to a brief and ‘well arranged liturgy seems rapidly declining, not only among Methodists, but among others who’ have swung further away from primitive cus- toms than we. The rising intelligence of our times calls for a responsive and more distributed exercise. (b) To tens ot thousands of souls the lit- any and evening prayer have been unspeakably helpful. It is to be hoped that these means of grace may gradually find their way into our family worship and into public social prayer; Prejace. mot indeed to the exclusion of extempore prayer, but to supplement and aid it, just as a key to Algebra or a Greek author helps a student. erate | | (c) In order to profit by using this service, monotony, or sameness must be avoided. t.. Do not always. use the Ten,Commandments, (Some use it twice a day), this becomes weari- some; vary the opening by using the Ze Deum. Nothing can be more stately or striking than rehearsing this magnificent composition. Or vary by using two or more of the selections from the Psalms responsively; as Psalm 98, Cantate Domino, (O, sing unto the Lord), and Psalm 92, Bonum est Confitert, (It is a good thing etc.) Wehumbly drop these sug- gestions or hints to our fellow laborers in the hope that new editions under the more appro- priate title of ‘‘ Liturgy’’ may swell to tens of thousands annually. J. C. Empry, Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 20th, 1892. LITURGY OF THE A, ME CHURCH. RECEIVING MEMBERS INTO FULL CONNECTION ADDRESS TO THE CONGREGATION. Upon the day appointed, all that are to be received shall be called forward, and the minister, addressing the congregation, shall say: DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN: The Scrip- tures teach us that the Church is the household of God; the body, of which Christ is the Head, and that it is the design of the Gospel to bring together in one all who are Christ’s. The fel- lowship of the Church is the communion that its members enjoy one with another. The ends of this fellowship are the maintenance of sound doctrine and of the ordinances of Christian 8 Receiving Members. 9 worship and the exercise of that power of god- ly admonition and discipline which Christ has committed to His Church for the promotion of holiness. Jt is the duty of all men to unite in this fellowship, for it is only those that ‘‘be planted in the house of the Lord that shall flourish in the courts of our God.’’ Its more ‘particular duties are,—to promote peace and unity, to bear one another’s burdens, to prevent each other’s stumbling, to seek the intimacy of friendly society among themselves, to continue steadfast in the faith and worship of the gospel, and to pray and sympathize with each other. Among its privileges are,—peculiar incitements to holiness from the hearing of God’s Word and sharing Christ’s ordinances, the being placed under the watchful care of pastors, and the enjoyment of the blessings which are pro- mised only to those which are of the household of faith. Into this holy fellowship the persons before you, who have already received the sac- rament of baptism and have been under the care Foss, Receiving Members. of proper leaders for six months on trial, come seeking admission. We now propose, in the fear of God, to ques- tion them as to their faith and purposes, that you may know that they are proper persons to be admitted into the Church. ADDRESS TO THE APPLICANTS. Then, addressing the applicants for admission, the minister shall say : DEARLY BELOVED: You are come hither seeking the great ‘privilege of union with the Church our Saviour has purchased with His own blood. We rejoice in the grace of Ged vouchsafed unto you, in that He has called you to be His followers, and that thus far you have run well. You have heard how blessed are the privileges, and how solemn are the duties of membership in Chris?’s Church, and before you are fully admitted thereto, it is proper that you do here publicly renew your vows, confess your faith and declare your purpose by answer- ing the followitg questions : hecewuing Members. pew » Q..1...Do,yau here, in the presence of. God and. of, this: congregation, ...renew, .the. solenin promise contained inthe, Baptismal. Covenant, ratifying and confirming the same, and acknowl- edging yourselves bound faithfully, to observe and keep that covenant and all things. contained pANCKEIN Locale, | A..._I.do., re Q. 2. Have you saving faith j in the Lord jesus Christ ? ne: A... Ltrust I-have:-« . Q..3. Do you entertain friendly feelings to- ward allthe members of this Church ? a) Aa F'dos QO. 4. Do you believe in the doctrines of Holy Scripture, as set forth in the articles of teligion of. the African .Methodist aie Pua Church ? A. .I.do. .. Q. 5. Will you cheerfully be governed by the Discipline of the African’ Methodist Epis- . copal..Church, hold sacred the ordinances: of 12 Reeceiving Members. . God, and endeavor, as much as in you lies, to promote the welfare of your brethren and the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom? A. Twill. } Q. 6. Will you contribute of your earthly substance according to your ability, to the sup- port of the gospel, Church and poor, and the various benevolent enterprises of the Church ? A. I will ADDRESS TO THE CHURCH. Then the minister, addressing the church, shall say: BRETHREN: You have heard the responses given to our inquiries. Have any of you any reason to allege why these persons should not be received into full membership in the Church? THE RECEPTION. No objection ‘being alleged, the minister shall say to the candidates: We welcome you to the communion of the Church of God; and in testimony of our Chris- tian affection and the cordiality with which we teceive you, J now extend to you the right The Lord’s Supper. 1g hand of fellowship; and may God grant that you may be a faithful and useful member of the Church militant till you are called to the fellow - ship of the Church triumphant, which is witb. out fault before the presence of God. Then shall the minister offer an extempore prayer. THE LORD'S SUPPER. PRELIMINARY. Those persons who have scruples about kneel- ing to receive the Lord’s Supper may be per- mitted to receive it whilst either sitting or stand- ing. Let no person who is not a member of our society be admitted to the Supper without ex- amination, and some tokens given by an elder ora deacon. No person shall be admitted to the Supper among us whois guilty of any prac- tice for which we would exclude a member from our church. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. The elder shall say one or more of these sentences: * Let your light so shine before men that they 34 the Lord's Supper. may .see, yqur good works and glorify , your _ Rather. which is.in. heayen, ” _ Matt. WY. 16. » Lay..not up. for, yourselves, treasures upon poh where. moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up.for. yourselves, treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.’’ Matt. vi. 19, 20. : -.. ‘* Whatsoever, ye ta ie that men should do _to.you, do ye even so to them ;_ for this is the -law and the prophets.’’ Matt. vii. 12. ‘*‘ Not .every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; ; but he that doeth the will of my Father which isin heaven.’ Matt. vii. 21. “Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods ie give to "the poor; andif I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him four- fold.”’,. Luke xix. 8, *‘He which. soweth sparingly. shally reap | Ci . The Loris Supper. 5 also sparingly ; and he whic’: soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man accord- ing as he purposeth in his own heart, so let him give; not grudgingly nor of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver.’’ 2 Cor. ix. 6. 7. ‘‘As we have therefore opportunitv, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”’ Gal vi 10%, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing onto at Tim. O02 7 5 apne ‘Charge them.that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in un- certain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good; that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they ‘may lay hold on eternal life.’ in 1 Tim. vi- 17. — «BE, 1d ats 26 The Lord’s Supper. ‘‘God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed to- wards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.’’ Heb. vi. 10, | ‘‘To do good and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.’’ Heb. xiii. 16. | ‘* Whoso hath this world’s goods and seeth his brother have need, and shutteh up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ?”’ 1. John iii. 17 ‘* He that hath pity uponthe poor lendeth un- to the Lord; and that which hehath given will he pay him again.’’ Prov. xix.17. [While these sentences are in reading, some fit persons, appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor and other donations of the people in a decent basin, to be provided for that purpose, and then bring it to the Elder who shall place it upon the table. | | After which the Elder shall say: THE SOLICITATION. Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of your 2 sins. 2nd are in love and charity with your The Lord’s Supper. 17 neighbors, and interid to lead a new life, follow- ing the commandments of God and walking from henceforth in his holy ways—draw near with faith and take this holy sacrament to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees. | THE GENERAL CONFESSION. {Then shall this general confession be made by the minister in the name of all those that are minded to receive the Holy Communion, both he and all the peo- ple kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying]: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men, we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed by thought, word and deed, against thy divine Majesty, pro- voking, most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We doearnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings: the _ remembrance of them is grievous unto us. 18 The Lovd?’s Supper. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father ; for thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake; forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FIRST COLLECT. Then shall the Elder say: O, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whe of thy great mercy hast promised forgive .ess of sins to all them that, with hearty repent “ice and true faith, turn unto thee, have mercy + >on us ; patdon and deliver us from all our gins ; confirm and s‘rengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. SECOND COLLECT. | Almighty God, unto whom. att hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom “no: secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of cur nearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, rhe Lord's Supper. AS that we may perfectly love thee, and worthiiy magnify thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our.Lord.. Amen. - PRAYER | OF, ADORATION... Then'shall the Elder, say : Ta - It.is very meet and phe aid our Gounten duty, that we should:at: all :.times;.and in. .ail places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and “with all the company -of. heaven, we laud and magnify thy holy name—-evermore praising ~~ thee, and saying,. Holy, holy, .holy,. Lord. God _ -of hosts; heaven and earth are. full of thy glory. : Glory be to thee, O-Lord most high. Amen, PRAYER OF HUMILIATION. : Then’shall the Elder say. :. We.do not presume to come to this thy. table, -O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteous- . ness, but in thy . manifold .and great mercies. » We are not worthy so much as. to. gather the _ -Tumbs under.thy table. But thou art the 20 The Lord’s Supper. same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy ; Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eatthe flesh of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful souls and bodies may be made clean by his death and washed through his blood; and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. PRAYER OF CONSECRATION. Then the Elder shall say the prayer of consecration as followeth : Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son, Je- sus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption ; who made thereby (his ob- lation of himself once offered) a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; and did insti- tute, andin his holy gospel command us to continue a perpetual memory of that, his prec- ious death, until his coming again. Hear us, O Merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and grant that we, receiving these thy Thr Lord’s Supher: at eteatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ’s holy institu- tion, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body, and blood, who in the same night that he was be- trayed, took bread, (1) Here the elder is to (1) and when he had eee given thanks he brake it his hand. (2) And here to break (2) and gave it to his the bread. disciples, saying, Take, (3) And hereto lay his eat, this (3) is my Bete opon al the breat tody which, is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me, Likewise after supper he (4) Here he is to take took (4) the cup and the cup into his hand. when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, Drink ye. ) And here to lay his all of it, for this (5) is. hand upon all the vessels my blood of the New containing the wine. Testament. which is Be ‘Lhe Lord’s Supper. shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: do this, as often ag ye shall -drink it, in remembrance.of. me. Amen... . Then. shall.the minister first: receive.the. communion in, both kinds himeelf, and then proceed to deliver the saine to the other ministers in like manner (if any be present), and after that to the people in order, into their hands. And ‘when he delivereth the bread he shall say: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ,. which was given for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in re- mentberance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving. And the minister that delivereth the cup shall say: The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Drink this in remem- brance that Christ’s blood was shed for thee and be thankful. [If the consecrated bread and wine be all spent before all have commemorated, the elder may consecrate more by repreating the prayer of consecration]. . fWhen all have commemorated, the minister‘shall re- The Lord’s Supper. 23 turn to the Lord’s table and place upon it what re- maineth of the consecrated elements, covering the same with a clean linen cloth]. Then shall the elder say the Lord’s Prayer. LORD’S PRAYER. | Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is.im heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen. After which shall be said as follows: oa PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING. ff O Lord; our Heavenly Father, we thy hum- ble servants, desire thy Fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his bicod, we and thy whole church may obtain 24 The Lord’s Supper. remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy and lively sac- rifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that all we who are partakers of this holy communion may be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this, our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen. PRAYER OF EXTOLLATION. Then shall be said: Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify the. we The Lord’s Supper. 25 give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Al- mighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that taketh away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sitteth at the right hand of God the Father have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy, thou art the Lord, thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Then the Elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an extemporary prayer; and afterward shall let the people depart with this blessing: BENEDICTION~. May the peace of God, which passeth all un- derstanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of Ged, and his Son, Jesus 26 Baptism of Infants. Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Al- mighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you and remain with you al- ways. Amen. N. B. If the Elder be straightened for time, he may omit any part of the service, except the prayer of con- secration. ; — BAPTISM OF INFANTS, SPECIAL DIRECTIONS. 1. Let every adult person, and the parents of every child to be baptized, have their choice 2ither of immersion, sprinkling or pouring. But inno case shall our ministers re-baptize any person. And it any knowingly violate this prohibition, he shall be subject to suspen- sion or location as the Annual Conference may judge. Bom: 2. We will on no account whatever, make 4 charge for administering baptism or for burying the deac. Baptisin of Infants. 29 EXHORTATION. | je The minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled’ with pure water, shall use the following, or someé ‘other’ exhortation, suitable to the sacred office :.*: Dearly . beloved, -forasmuch: as. all men are: conceived and born in sin, and: that.our Saviour Christ, saith, ‘‘None, can enter-into the. king-. dom of God except he be.regenerated and born anew of water and of the Holy:Ghost,’’ I be- _seech you to call upon God the Father, through. our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy, he will grant to this child that thing which by nature it cannot have; that it may be baptized with water.and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ’s holy church, and be made a lively member of the same. PRAYER OF SANCTIFICATION. Then shall the minister say: LET US PRAY. Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy didst save Noah and his family in — the ark from perishing by water, and also didst 28 Baptism of Infants. safely lead the children of Israel, thy people, through the Red Sea, figuring thereby thy holy baptism; and by the baptism of thy well be- loved Son, Jesus Christ, in the river of Jordan, didst sanctify water for this holy sacrament, we beseech thee of thine infinite mercies, that thou wouldst look upon this child; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost, that he be- ing received into the ark of “Christ’s Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life; there to reign with thee, world ‘without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. slmen. O merciful God, grant that the cld Adam in this child may:be so buried, thatihe new man may beraised in him. Amen. Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit | may liveand growin him. Amen. Grant that he may ‘have the power ang Baptisen of Infanis. 29 strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. | Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our office and ministry, may also be endued with heavenly Virtues, and everlastingly re- warded through thy mercy, O ‘blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. Amen. _ Almighty everliving God, whose most dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, didst shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, and gave command- ment to his disciples that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the name }of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation, sanctify this water for this holy sacrement and grant that this child now to be baptized, my receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful elect children, x6 Baptivm o Infants. through Jesus Christ, ‘our Lord "Amen, sh aad “ADDRESS TO PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, rt DearLy BELOvED: Forasmuch as this child is now presented by you for Christian baptism, you ‘must re member that it is your part and duty to see that he be taught, as soon as he shall be able to learn, the natureand end of ‘this holy sacrament. And that he may know these things the better, you shall call upon him to give reg- ular attendance upon the appointed means of givee, such as the ministry of the Word and the public and private worship of God: and © further, you shall provide that he shall read the Holy Scriptures, and learn the Lord’s: Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Catechism, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul’s health in order that fe nay be brought up to lead a virtuous and holy life, remember- ing always that baptism doth represent unto us_ that inward purity which disposeth us to follow the example of our Saviour Christ. That as ~ : Ba plism of Infants. 3r “he died and rose again for us, so should we who are baptized die unto sin and rise again. unto righteousness, continually mortifying all cor: ‘rupt affections and daily proceeding in all vir- tue and wodliness. Do you therefore solemnly engage to fulfill these duties so far as it lieth in your power, the Lord being your helper? Answer—We do. | THE CEREMONY. Then shall the people stand up, and the minister shall say: Hear the words of the Gospel written by St. Mark, in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse: ‘They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them; but when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the king- dom of God. Verily, Isay unto you, whoso- ever shall not receive the kingdom of God asa 22 Baptism of Infants. iittle child, he shall not enter therein. And he | took them up in his arms, put his hands up- | on them, and blessed them.’’ | And the minister shall take the child into his hands, | and say to the friends of the child, NAME THIS CHsLD. And then naming it after them, ke shall sprinkle or pour water upon it, or if desired, immerse it in water, saying: N. « baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER. Then shall be said, all kneeling. Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name ; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our tres- passes, as we forgive those that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but de- liver us from evii, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Ami \. Baptism of Adults. 33 Then shal) the minister conclude with an extempo- rary. prayer. pee ee BAPTISM OF ADULTS. . EXHORTATION. The minister shall use the following, or some other _ exhortation, suitable to this holy office : Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin (and that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and they that are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, committing many actual trangressions), ané that our Saviour Christ saith, none can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regen- erated and born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ’s holy Church, and be made lively members of the same; I therefore beseech you to call upon God the ‘Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteons goodness he will grant unto “4 Baptism of Adutts, these persons that which by nature they cannot have, that they may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost. FIRST PRAYER. Then shall the minister say: Almighty and immortal God, the aider of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for Saccor, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead, we call upon thee for these persons, that they coming to thy holy baptism, may receive the remission of their sins by spiritual regeneration. Receive them, O Lord, asthou hast promised by thy well- beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shail be opened unto you: So give now unto those that ask; let us that seek find; open the gate unto us that knock; that these persous may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy hea- venly washing, and may come tothe eternal] kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen. EE Baptism of Adults. , 35 SECOND PRAYER. _ After which he shall say: Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, for that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowl- edge of thy grace, and faith in thee; increase this knowledge and confirm this’ faith in ‘us evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to these’ per- sons, that they may be born again, and made heirs of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen. SCRIPTURE LESSON. Then shall the people stand up, and the minister shall say : Hear the words of the gospel written by St. John in the third chapter, beginning at the first verse : “here was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews : the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou arta teacher come from 96 Baptism of Adults. God; for no man can do the miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith | unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, excepta man be bora of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest _the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.’’ ADDRESS TO THE CANDIDATE. Then shall the minister speak to the person to ‘be baptized, on this wise : Well beloved, who are come hither desiring Baptism of Adutts. Pei By to receive holy baptism, ye have heard how the congregation hath prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe* to receive you, and bless you, to release you of your sins, to give you the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his holy word, to grant all those things we have prayed for, which promise he, for his part, will most surely keep and perform. Wherefore, after this promise made by Christ, you must also faithfully, on your part, promise, in the presence of this whole congregation, that you will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly helieve God’s word, and obe- diently keep his commandments. Then shall the minister demand of each of the per- sons to be baptized: Q. Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, and promise that - thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them? 38 Baptism of Adults. A. Trenounce them all... , Q. Dost thou believe in God tHe Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? And in. Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord? And that he was conceived of the Holy. Ghost, born of the Virgin. Mary? ‘That he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried ; that he arose again the. third, day ; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead? _ | And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost,. the Holy Catholic Church,* the:communion of saints, the remission of sins, the resurrection ot the body, and everlasting life after death? A. All this I steadfastly believe. Q. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith ? A. This is my desire. Q. Wilt thou then obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in the. same all the days of thy life ?. A. I will endeavor to do so, God being my helper. * The Church Universal, and not the Papal Church of Rome. Baptism of Adults. 39 THE COLLECTS. when shall the minister say : O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that the new man may be raisedinthem. Amen. Grant that all carnal affections may die in them, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and growin them. Amen. Grant that they may have power and strength to have victory, and triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. Grant that they, being here dedicated to thee by our office and ministry, may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly reward- ed, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end Amen. Almighty, everliving God, whose most . dear- ly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, didst shed out of his most prec- ious side both water and blood; and gave com- mandment to his disciples, that they should go 4o Baptism of Adults. teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; regard, we beseech thee, the suplica- tions of this congregation; and grant that the persons now to be baptized, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children through Jesns Christ our Lord. Amen. THE CEREMONY. Then shall the nlinister take each person to be bap- tizea by the right hand, and placing them conveniently by the font, according to his discretion, shall ask the name: and then shall sprinkle or pour water upon him (or if they desire, shall immerse them in water), saying: N, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER. Then shall be said the Lord’s Prayer, all kneeling. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as itis in heaven; give us this day out daily bread, and forgive us our wres- Matrimony. “ge passes as we forgive them that trespass against us ; and lead us not into temptation, but deliv- er us from evil. Amen. Then let the minister conclude with an extemporary prayer. SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY, ADDRESS TO THE ASSEMBLAGE. At the day and time appointed for the solemnization, the persons to be married standing together, the maa on the right side and the woman on the left, the miviz- ter shall say: Dearly beloved, we are gathered together herein the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses to join together this mun ad this woman inholy matrimony; whi it aw honorable estate, instituted by God is rhe time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union which is between Christ and his Church ; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and the first 43 Matrimony. miracle that he wrought at Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honorable aniong all men, and therefore not by any to be entered upon or taken in hand unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. Into which holy estate these persons come now to be joined. Therefore, if any can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace. THE SOLEMN CHARGE. And also speaking to the persons that are tu be mar- ried, he shall say : I require and charge you both (as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed that if either of you know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in mat- rimony you do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God’s word shall allow. are not Matrimony. 43 joined together by God, neither is their matri- mony lawful. I. ADDRESS TO THE MAN. If no impediment shall be alleged, then shall the min- ister say unto the man: M, Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordi- nance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all oth- ers keep thee only unto her as long as ye both shall live? The man shall answer: I will. 2. ADDRESS TO THE WOMAN. Then shall the minister say unto the woman. N, Wilt thou have this man to be thy wed- ded husband, to live together after God’s © ordi- nance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsak- ing all others, keep thee only unto him so long as ye both shall live? 44 Matrimony. The woman, shall answer: I will. THE MAN’S PLEDGE. Then the minister shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him: as follows : I, M, take thee N, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sick- ness andiin health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordi- nance; and thereto I plight thee my faith. THE WOMAN’S PLEDGE. Then they shall loose their hands, and the woman with her right hand, taking the man by his. right hand, shall likewise say after the minister: : I, N, take thee M, to be my wedded hus- band, to have and tohold,, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance ; and thereto I plight thee my faith. Matrimony. 45 THE COVENANT PRAYER. Then shall the minister say: Let us pray. O, Eternal God, creator, preserver of all man- kind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life, send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman whom we bless in thy name; that as Isaac and Rebec- ca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vows and covenant betwixt them made, and may ever re- min in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE WITH THE RING. \1f the parties desire it, the man shall here hand a ving to the Minister, who shall return it to him, and direct him to place it on the third finger of the we man’s left hand. And the man shall say to the wor man, repeating after the Minister : With this ring-I thee wed, and with my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 46 Matrimony. THE MINISTER’S DECLARATION Then shall. the minister joiz their right hands to- gether and say: Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. -Forasmuch as M and N have consented to live. together in holy wedlock, and have wit- nessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining hands: I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. THE BENEDICTION. And the minister shall add this blessing. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve and keep you ; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have ff-. everlasting. Amen, Matrimony. 47 . THE LORD'S PRAYER. Then shall the minister say: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day ow. daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses aS we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the _ glory, forever. Amen. THE CLOSING INVOCATION. Then shall the minister say: O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless this man and this woman, and sow the seeds of eternal life in their hearts, that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall profit- ably learn, they may indeed fulfil the same fook,/..0 + Lord, niercifully upon them from heaven and bless them. And as thou didst send thy blessings upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort. so vouchsafe to send thy blessings npou tbis man and this woman, that tney 48 Matrimony. obeying thy will, and always being in safety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who by thy mighty power hast made all things of nothing,who also (after other things set in order) didst appoint that out of man (created after thine own image and similitude) woman should take her beginning ; and knitting them together, didst teach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou, by matrimony, hast made one; O God, who hast ‘ttonsecrated the state of matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented ‘the spiritual marriage and union betwixt Christ and his Church,—look mercifully upon this man and this wonam; that both this man may love his wife according to thy word (as Christ did love his spouse, the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it ven as his own flesh ), and also that this woman may be loving and obedient to her Burial Service. jay’: husband; and in all quietness, sobriety and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. Q Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE CLOSING BENEDICTION. Then shall the minister say: Almighty God, who at the beginning didst create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and didst sanctify and join them together in mar- riage, pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives’ end. Amen. BURIAL SERVICE. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. N. B.---The following, or some other solemn service, shall be used. . “he mitiister meeting the corpse, and going before it, shall say: ge Burial Service. ‘‘Y am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord ; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.’’ John ine 5 026 ‘*T know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, >” and not another Job m1xX¥ 25; 26, 2% ‘We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing cut. ‘The Lord gave, andthe Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’’ 1 Tim. vi. 7; Job Lets SUPPLICATION AT THE GRAVE. At the grave, when the corpse is laid in the earth, the minister shall say: .‘‘Man that is) born of woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower; he $ Burial Service. aaa A. fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.’ | In the midst of life we are in death ; of whom may we seek for succor, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased ? Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, deliver us not unto the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts, shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou | most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee. COMMITMENT. Then, while the earth shall be cast upon the coffin by some person standing by, the minister shall say: Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence, to take out of this world the soul of our deceased brother, we therefore commit zs body tothe ground, earth 52 Burial Service. _ to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, looking for the general resurrection in the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ ; at whose second coming in glorious majesty to judge the world ; the earth and the sea shall give up their dead, and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his own glorious body according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself, Then shall be said: ‘‘T heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write—From henceforth, blessed are the dead who diein the Lord: even so, saith the Spirit ; tor they rest from their labors.’’ Then shall the minister say : Lord, have mercy upon us, Christ, hnve mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Qur Father who a:t in heaven, hallowed be Burial. Service. 53 thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen. FINAL PRAYER. THE COLLECT. O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus ‘Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die eternally. We meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness, that when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him; and at the general resurrection at the last day, may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing which thy well-beloved Son sha:l then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, ‘‘Come ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom: prepared) for you 54 Ordination of Deacons. from the beginning of the world.” Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Meditator and Redeemer. Amen. BENEDICTION. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all ever more. Amen, ee ORDINATION OF DEACONS SERMON. [When the day appoiated by the Bishop is come there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted deacons]. PRESENTATION. After which one of the elders shall present unto the Bishop the persons to be ordained deacons, saying these words : Reverend Father in God, I present unto you these persons present, to be admitted deacons. The Bishop.—Take heed that the persons Ordination of Deacons. 55 whom you present to us be apt and meet, by their godly conversation, to exercise their ministry duly to the honor of God and the edifying of his Church. The elder shall answer: I have inquired concerning them, and also examined them, and think them so to be. Their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the people: Brethren, if there beany of you who know any impediment or crime in any of these persons presented to be ordained deacons, for the which he ought nottobe admitted to that office, let him come forth in the name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is. [if any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall cease from ordaining that person, until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of that crime]-. ' Then shall be read the following collect and epistle THE COLLECT. Almighty God, who by thy divine Providence. hath appointed divers orders of ministers of thy 56 Ordination of Deacons. Church, and didst inspire thy Apostles to | choose to the order of deacons, the first martyr, St. Stephen, with others; mercifully behold these thy. servants now called to the like office and administration; replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrines, and adorn them with the innocency of life, that both by word and good example they may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy holy name, and the edification of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who livethand reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and forever. Amen, SCRIPTURE INSTRUCTION. THE EPISTLE. I Tim. iii. 8 13. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine; not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved, then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, Ordination of Deacons. oe eae faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and _ their own houses well. For they that have used the ofhce of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ. EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES. Then shall the Bishop examine every one of them that is to be ordained, in the presence of the people, in _ the following manner: The Bishop.—Do you trust that you are in- wardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you the office of the ministry in the Church of Christ, to serve God for the promotion of his glory, and the edifying of his people? A. I trust so. The Bishopb.—Do you unfeignedly believe all the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testiment? A. I ‘o believe them. The 3ishop.—Will you diligently read and 58 Ordination of Deacon. expound the same unto the people whom you shall be appointed to serve ? A. I will. ; The Bishop.—I\t appertaineth to the office of a deacon to assist the elder in Divine service. And especially when he administereth the holy communion, to help him in the distribution there- of, and to read and expound the holy Scriptures; to instruct the youth, and, in the absence of the elder, to baptize. And, furthermore, it is his office to search for the sick, poor, and impotent, that they may be visited and relieved. Will you do this gladly and willingly ? A. Iwill do so, by the help of God. The Bishop.—Willyou apply all your diligence to frame and fashion your own lives (and the lives of your families) according to the doctrine of Christ, and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ ? A. J will do so, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop.—Will you reverently obey them CE Ordination. of Deacons. 59 to whom the charge and government over you is committed, following with a glad mind ad will their godly admonitions? «i, J will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my | helper. THE ORDINATION. Then.the Bishop, laying his hands severally on the head of every one of them, shall say: Take thou authority to execute the office of _a deacon in the Church of God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them the Holy Bible, saying: Take thou authority to read the Holy Scrip- tures, and to preach the same in the Church of God. SCRIPTURE SELECTION. Then one of them appointed by the Bishop, shall read the Gospel, Luke xii. 35 38: ‘‘Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men 60 Ordination of Deacons. that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding ; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when the cometh, shall find watching. Verily, I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and ~ serve them. And if he shall comein the second — watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.’’ {Then shall the Bishop proceed in the communion, and all that are ordained shall receive the holy commun- ion}. The communion ended, immediately before the benediction, shall be said the following collect: Almighty God, giver of all good things, who, — of thy great goodness, hast vouchsafed to accept : and take these thy servants into the office of © deacon in thy Church; make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest, humble and con- stant in there ministration, and to have a ready will to observe all spiritual discipline ; that they, ee ee ee ~f A ot nt pet Ordination of Peacons. 61 having always the testimony ofa good conscience, | and continuing ever stable and strong in thy Son Jesus Christ, may so well behave themselves in this inferior office that they may be found worthy to be called into the h'gher ministries in thy Church, through thesame, thy Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and honor, world without end. Amen. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy _ continued help, that in all our works begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, ‘ob- tain everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BENEDICTION. The peace of God, which passeth all under- standing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy 62 Uratnaiion of Elders. . Ghost be among you and remain with yeov always. Amen. " eee ORDINATION OF ELDERS, PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES. (When the day appointed by the Bishop is come there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted elders; how necessary that. order is in the Church of Christ, and also. how the people ought to esteem them in the office), } After which, one of the elders shall present unto the Bishop all them that are to be ordained, and say: Reverend Father in God, I present unto you ' these persons present to be ordained elders. The Bishop.—Take heed that the persons — whom you present unto us be apt and meet, by their godly conversation, to exercise their min- istry duly to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church. The Elder shall answer : Ihave inquired concerning them, aud aie examined them, and think them soto be ia / ES a Ordination of Elders. 63 The: their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the people: Brethren, these are they whom we propose, God willing, this day to ordain elders. For, after due examination, we find not the contra- ry, but they are lawfully called to this function and ministry, and that they are persons meet for the same. But if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or crime in any of them, for the which he ought not to be received into this holy ministry, let him come forth in the name of God and show what the crime or impediment is. (If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall cease from ordaining that person until such time os the party accused shall be found clear of the crime). Then shall be said the Collect, Epistle and the Gospel. THE COLLECT, Almighty God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers orders 64 Ordination of Elders of ministers in thy Church, mercifully behold © these thy servants, now called to the office of elders, and replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with the innocen- cy of life, that both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy name and the edification of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world withoutend. Amen. THE: EPISTLE.. BPH. IV yg ‘‘Unto every one of us is given grace accord- ing to the measure of the gift of Christ. Where- fore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is thesame also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things). And he gave some apos- tles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting Ordination of Elders. 65: of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.’’ GOSPEL SELECTION. After this shall be read, for the Gospel, part of the tenth chapter of St. John (x. 1 16). ‘‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that en- tereth not by the door into the sheepfold; but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and arobber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth, and thesheep hear his voice ; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will fiec from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them ; 66 Ordination of Jlders. but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. ‘Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, Isay unto you, I am the door of the sheep, All thatever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door ; by me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shep- herd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ‘‘But he that is a hireling, and not the shep- herd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth because he is a hire- ling and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, Ordination of Elders, 67 even so know I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep T have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.’’ THE BISHOP’S ADDRESS TO THE CANDIDATES. And that done the Bishop shall say unto them as here- after followeth: You have heard, brethren, as well in your private examination as in the exhortation which was just made to you, and in. the holy lessons taken out of the gospel, and in the writings of the apostles, of what dignity and of how great importance this office is whereunto you are now called. And now again we exhort you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that _ you have in remembrance into how high a dig- nity and to how weighty an office ye are called; that is to say, to be messengers, watchmen and stewards ofthe Lord, to teach and to premon- ish, to feed and provide for the Lord’s family, to seek for Curis:’s sisep. that are dispersed 63 Ordination of Elders. abroad, and: for his children who are in the midst of this: evil. world, that they may be saved through Christ forever. Have always, there- fore, printed in your remembrance how great a treasure is committed to your charge. For they are the sheep of Christ, which he bought with his: death, and for whomhe shed his blood. The Church and congregation whom you must serve is: his spouse and his body. And if it should happen the same church, or any member thereof, to take any hurt or hindrance by reason of your negligence, you know the greatness of the fault and also the horrible punishment that will ensue. Wherefore consider within your- selves: the end of the ministry towards the chil- dren of God, towards the spouse and body of Christ, and see that you never cease your labor, your care and diligence, until you have done all that lieth in you, according to your bounden duty, to bring all such as are or shall be com- mitted to your charge unto that agreement in the faith and to that ripeness and perfectuess «f Ordination of Elders. 69 age in Christ, that there may be’ no place left among you either for error in religion or for viciousness in life. Forasmuch, then, as: your office is both of so great excellency and of so great difficulty, ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as. well that ye may show yourselves dutiful and thankful to that Lord who hath placed you inso high adignity, as also| to beware that neither you yourselves. of: fend nor be occasion that others offend. How- beit, ye cannot havea mind.and will thereunto of yourselves; for that will and that ability is given of God alone; therefore ye ought and have need to pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit. And seeing that ye cannot by any other means compass the doing of so weighty a work, per- taining to the salvation of man but with doc- trine and exhortation taken out of the Holy Scriptures and with a life agreeable to the same, consider how studious you ought to be in read- ing and learning the Scriptures: and iu framing 70 Ordination of Elders. the manners both of yourselves and of them that speciaily. pertain unto you, according to ‘the rules of the same Scriptures, and this self- same clause, how ye ought to forsake and set aside (as much as ye may) all worldy studies. We have good hope that you have all weighed aud pondered these things with yourselves long before this time, and that you have clearly de- termined, by God’s grace, to give yourselves to this office, whereunto it has pleased God to: cal you ; so that as much as in you lieth, you will apply yourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way, and that you will continually pray to God the Fath- er by the mediation of our only Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance uf the Holy Ghost, that by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger in your ministry, and that ye may so endeavor yourselves from time to time to sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them af- ter the rule and doctrine of Christ, that ye may Ordination of Elders. 7 be wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the people to follow. And now that this present congregation of Christ, here assembled may also understand your minds and wills in these things, and that this your promise may the more move you to do your duties, ye shall answer plainly to these things, which we, in the name of God and his Church, shall demand of you touching the game. OBLIGATIONS OF THE CANDIDATES. Do you think in your heart that you are truly _ealled, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the order of elders ? A. I think so. The Bishop —Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity, for eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you de- termined, out of the said Scriptures, to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to vp Ordination of Lilders. teach nothing as required of necessity to salva- tion, but that which you shall be persuaded, may be concluded and proved by Scripture ? A. Iamso persuaded, and have so determined by God’s grace. The Bishop.—Will you then give your faith- ful diligence, always so to minister the doctrine and sacraments and discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded? A. Iwill do so, by the help of the Lord. The Bishop.—Will you be ready, with all fu- ture diligence, to banish and drive away all erro- neous and strange doctrines, contrary to God’s word ; and to use both public and private moni- tions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole within your charge, as need shall re- quire and occasion shall be given? A. Iwill, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop.—Will you be diligent in prayers, and in reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside the study of the world and Ordination of Liders. 73 the flesh ? A. I will endeavor to so do, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop.—Will you be diligent to frame and fashion yourselves, and your families, ac- cording to the doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much asin you lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ ? A. Ishall apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop.—Will you maintain and set forth, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace and love among all Christian people, and es- pecially among them that are, or shall be com- mitted to your charge? A. Iwill do so, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop.—Will you reverently obey your chief ministers, unto whom is committed the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind and will their godly admoni- ' tions, submitting yourselves to their godly judg- — ments? 74 Ordination of Elders. A, Twill do so, the Lord being my helper. Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say : Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same, that he may accomplish his work which he hath be- gun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS. [After this the congregation shall be desired, secretly in their prayers to make their humble supplications to God for all these things for the which prayers, there shall be silence kept for a space]. After which shall be said by the Bishop (the persons to be ordained elders all kneeling), Veni, Creator, Spiri- tus, the Bishop beginning, and, the elders and oth- ers that are present answering by voice, as followeth: Come Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, And lighten with celestial fire. Thou the anointing Spirit art, Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart. Thy blessed unction from above, Is comfort, light and fire of love. Ordination of Elders. 75 ' Enable with perpetual light The dulness of our blinded sight. Anoint and cheer our soiled face With the abundance of thy grace. Keep far our foes, give peace at home 5 Where thou art guide no ill can come. Teach us to know the Father, Son, And thee of both to be but one ; That through the ages all along, This may be our endless song ; Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son and Floly Spirit. THE INSTALLATION PRAYER. | That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise and say: LET US: PRAY. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given us thy.only and most dearly beloved: Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the author of everlasting life, who, after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into 76 Ordination of L:lders. the world his apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors—by whose labor and min- istry he gathered together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth the praise of thy holy name; For these, so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants, here pres~ ent, to the same.office and ministry, appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks : we praise and wor- ship thee ; and we humbly beseech thee by the same, thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, who either here or elsewhere call upon thy name, that we may continue to show ourselves thank- ful unto thee for these and all thy other benefits, and that we may daily increase and go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, ‘by the Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy ministers, 'as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy ministers, thy holy name may forever be glorified, and thy blessed king- dom enlarged, through the same thy Son Jesus Ordination of Lilders. 77 Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. THE ORDINATION CEREMONY. When this prayer is done, the Bishop with the elders present shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receivethithe order of elders, the re- ceivers humbly kneeling upon their sknees, and the Bishop saying: au - The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the office and work of an elder in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the im- position of our hands. And be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of his holy sacraments. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then the Bishop shall d2Hver to every one of them, kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying: Take thou authority to preich the word of God, and to administer the holy sacrament, in the congregation. THE COMMUNION. ‘When this is done, the Bishop shall go on in the ser- 78 Ordination of Elders. vice of the communion, which all they who receive or- ders shall take together, and remain in the same place where hands were laid upon them, until such times as they have received the communion. The communion being done, after the last collect and immediately before the benediction, shall be said this collect: 3 COLLECTS. Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants. thy heavenly blessings, that they may be clothed with righteousness, and the word spoken by their mouths may never be spoken in vain. Grant, also, that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeably to the same, as the means of our sal- vation; and that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help, that in all our works, begun, Ordination of Elders. 79 continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy, ob- tain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. BENEDICTION. The peace of God which passeth all under- standing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus. Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen. If on the same day the order of Deacons be given to some, and that of Elders to others, the Deacons shall first be presented, and then the Elders. The collects shall be both used; first that for Deacons; then that oo for elders. The Epistle shall be, Eph. iv. 7 to 13, as before in this office. Immediately after which they that are to be ordained Deacons shall be examined and or- dained as above prescribed. Then one of the Elders having read the Gospel, which shall be St. John x. 1, as before in this office, they that are to be ordained Elders shall likewise be 80 Ordination of Bishops. ‘examined and ordained, as in this office before appoint- ed, ORDINATION OF BISHOPS, — THE INTRODUCTORY PRAYER. Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ, didst give to thy Holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flock, give grace, we beseech thee, to all the ministers -and pastors of thy Church, that they may dili- gently preach thy word, and duly minister the godly discipline thereof; and grant unto the people that they may obediently follow the same; that all may receive the crown of everlast- ing glory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. Then shall be read by some of the Elders the Epistle, Acts xx. 17--35. From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus, and Ordination of Bishops Sk called the elders of the Church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them ; Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews; and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both tothe Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, be- hold I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions ‘abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which J have received of the Lord - Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 82 Ordination of Bishops. And, now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kindgom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore IT take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. ‘Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost . hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch, and remember, that by the space of three vears, I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give to you an in- heritance among all them which are sanctified, Ordination. of Bishops. 83 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. JI have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the | words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. | Then another Elder shall read the Gospel. St. John 2.99.0 Ie LESS ED thy fe Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him; yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He* saith. imtoo him, Feed my lambs. He saith unto him again, the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? 84 Ordination of Bishops. And ‘he said unto him, Lord, thou ‘knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ‘Or ‘this; St. Matthew xxviii. 18- Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All» power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father, and | of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES. After the Gospel and the sermon are ended, the elect- | ed person shall be presented by the two Elders unto the : Bishop, saying: Reverend Father in God, we present unto you this holy man to be ordained a Bishop. » Then the Bishop shall move the congregation present to prayer, saying thus to them : Brethren, it is written in the Gospel of St. ‘Luke, that our Saviour Christ, continued the Ordination of Bishops. 8s _ who.e might in prayer, before he chose and sent foxth his twelve apostles; it is written also in the Acts of the Apostles, that the disciples who were at Antioch did fast and pray before they jaid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them forth. Let us, therefore, following the exam- _ ple of our Saviour Christ and his apostles, first fall to prayer before we admit and send forth this person presented to.us, to the work where- anto we trust the Holy Ghost hath called him. | PRAYER FOR SPECIAL QUALIFICATION. Then shall be said this prayer, following: Almighty God, giver of all good things, who, by thy Holy Spirit, hast appointed divers oiders of ministers in thy church, mercifully behold this thy servant, now called te the work and ministry of a Bishop, and replenish him so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn him so with innocency of life, that, both by word and deed, he may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edify- ing and well-governing of thy church, through 86 Ordination of Bishops. the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ who liveth and reigneth, with thee and the Holy Ghost. world without end. ¢{men. DIRECT EXAMINATION. Then the Risiop shall say to him that is to be ors dained : Brother, forasmuch as the Holy Scriptures command that we should not be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting any person to gov- ernment in the church of Christ, which he hath purchased with no less price than the af- fusion of his own blood; before I admit you to this administration, I will examine you in certain articles, to theend, that the congregation ~ present may have a fair trial, and bear witness how you are minded to behave yourself in the church of God. The Bishop.—Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this ministration according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ? A. Iam so persuaded. The Bishop.—Are you persuaded that the | oo a Ordination of Bishops. 87 Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required cf necessity to eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined, out of the same Holy Scriptures, to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach and maintain nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded may be proved and con- cluded by the same ? A. I ami so persuaded and so determined, by God’s race. The Bishop.—Will you then faithfully exer- cise yourself in the same Holy Scriptures, and call upon God, by prayer, for the true under- standing of the same, so as you may be able by them, to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince . gain- sayers? A. I wiil do so, by the help of God. The Bishop.—Are you ready with faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous. * and strange doctrine contrary to God’s word, 88 Ordination of Bishops. and both privately and openly to call upon, and encourage others, to do the same ? A. Iam ready, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop.—Will you deny all ungodliness) and worldly lusts, and live righteously, soberly and godly in this present world, that you may show yourself in all things an example of good works unto others, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to say against you? © A. I will do so, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop.—Will you maintain and set for- ward, as much as shall lie in you, quietness, love and peace among all; and such as shall be unquiet disobedient and criminal within yout district, correct and punish, according to such authority as you have by God's word, and : shall be committed to you ? A. Iwill do so, by the help of God. The Lishop.—Will you be faithful in ordail ing, sending, or laying hands upon others ? A. Iwill do so, by the help of God. The Bishop.—Will you show yourself gen t Ordination of Bishops 89 and merciful, for Christ’s sake, to the poor and needy, and to all strangers destitute of help? A. I will so show myself, by God’s help. Then the Bishop shall say : _ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish in youthe good work which he hath begun, that you may be found perfect and irreprehensi- ble at the last day, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth forever. Amen. _ Then shall be said: VENI, CREATOR, SPIRITUS. Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, And lighten with celestial fire. Thou the anointing Spirit art, Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart. Thy blessed unction from above, Ls. comfort, light, and fire of love. go Ordination of Bishops. Enable with perpetual light The dulness of our blinded sight, Anoint and cheer our soiled face, With the abundance of thy grace. Keep far our foes, give peace at home; Where thou art guide no tll can come. Teach us to know the Father, Son, And thee of both to be but one, That through the ages all along, This may be our endless song; Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son, and Ffoly Spirit. That ended, the Bishop shall say : Lord, hear our prayer. A. And let our cry come unto thee. THE ORDINATION PRAYER. The Bishop.—Let us pray. Almighty God, and most merciful Father who of thine infinite goodness hast given thine only and dearly heloved Son Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer, and the author of everlasting life, who after that he had made perfect our re- et ee ies demption by his death, and was ascended into > Ordination of Bishops. QI heaven, poured down his gifts abundantly upon ‘men, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to the edifying and making perfect his church— grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant, such grace that he may be evermore ready to spréad-abroad thy gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with thee, and use the authority given him, not to destruction, but to salvation ; not to hurt, but to help ; so that as a wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family their por- tion in due season he may at last be received into everlasting joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. THE ORDINATION SOLEMNITIES. __ Then the Bishop and Elders present shall lay their hands upon the head of the elected person, kneeling before them upon his knees, the Bishop saying: _.The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Spirit, for the office and work of a Bishop in the 92 Ordination: of Bishops: Church: of God, now committed unto thee, by the: imposition of our hands, in the name of — the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy — Ghost. Amen. And remember that thou stir — up the grace of God, which is given thee, by the imposition of our hands’; for God hath not ‘given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and — love and soberness. | Then the Bishop shall deliver Him the’ Bible, saying ; Give heed. unto reading, exhortation and ; doctrine. Think upon those things contained — in this book. Be diligent in them, that the — increase coming thereby may be manifest unto | all men. Take heed untothyself, and to thy — doctrine ; for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee: Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf, feed them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring’ again the outcasts, seek the lost, be not so merciful that you may be too remiss; so minister — discipline that you forget not mercy’; that when Ordination of Bishops. 93 the chief. Shepherd shall appear, you may re- ceive the never-fading crown of glory, through Jesus.Christ,.our Lord. Amen, _ [Then the Bishop shall administer the Lord’s supper, with whom the newly ordained Bishop and all others present, shall communicate]. THE CLOSING PRAYER Immediately before the benediction, shall be said the following prayer: _. Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send down upon this thy servant thy heavenly bless- ing, and so endue him with thy Holy Spirit, that he preaching thy word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke with all patience and doctrine, but also may be to such as believe, a wholesome example in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity ; that faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may. receive the crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord, the righte- ous Judge, who liveth and reigneth, with God the Father, and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. 94. __. Corner- Stones. Direct us O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help, that in all. our work begun, , continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, .by thy mercy, ob-~ tain everlasting life, through. Jesus Christ our. adored dens BENMDICTION. _ The peace of God, which passeth all under- standing, keep your hearts and minds in the” knowledge and love of God, and his Son, Jesus ’ Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God" Almighty, the father, the Son, and the Holy ~ ‘Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. ON LAINGY CORNER-STONES, REMARKS. This ceremony should be preceded or followed by the delivery of an appropriate discourse. The officers and members of the congregation being present, the services \ Corner-Stones. 95 @re introduced by singing a suitable hymn. If the dis- course has not been pronounced there may be used ‘the following PRAYER. Supremely great and glorious Jehovah, who art the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only wise God, to whom belong honor and glory, for ever and ever! ‘Thou fillest all space with thy presence, pervading universal nature, and manifesting thy perfections in all thy works. We desire to approach thee in deep humility, and in the exercise of living faith. We rejoice that, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer, we have access to thy throne of grace, and are taught to call thee our God, and to worship thee as our reconciled Father. We thank thee for permitting us to assemble on the present occasion, amid circumstances of so much mercy, to lay the corner-stone of an edi- fice which is to be reared to thy honor, and to be dedicated to the exclusive worship of the true and living God, Father, Son and Holy 96 : Corner-Stones. Ghost. We earnestly beseech thee to draw nigh to us as a God of love, and bless us with. thy special presence. May the object that has called us together be acceptable to thee, and may the solemnities of this joyful and interest- . Ing ‘occasion meet with thy sanction and be at- tended by, thy blessing. While we devoutly : acknowledge our dependence upon thee, as weil in our attempt to erect a house for thy worship, as in the prosecution of the object for which it is intended, we pray thee that no unholy desire may find place in our breast; that all our mo- tives may be pure, and that our great aim may : be the Poms of thy glory, the conversion : of sinners, and the edification of thy people i in. the truth as it isin Christ. May we obtain, favor in thy sight, and may thy rich mercy be | upon us. Pardon our sins, help our infirmities, and ac-_ cept our prayer, through the merits of Jesus ; Christ, our adorable Saviour. And to thee the triune God, be all praise, now and ever Corner-Stones, | 97 more. Amen. [Here a suitable portion of Scripture may be read: for instance the 96th Psalm, or 1 Cor. 3rd chap., or 1 Kings, 5th chap., Haggai, Ist chap., from I-10 verse]. If the discourse has been preached, then the preced- ing prayer may be omitted: also if deemed necessary the Scripture lesson; and the exercises, after an appro- priate hymn, may be continued with the following: ADDRESS. BELOVED BRETHREN: Believing it to be your duty, as well as priv- ilege, to worship God in a public and social capacity, and impressed with the conviction that the interests of Christ’s kingdom and the salvation of souls may be thereby promoted, you have resolved in reliance on God’s blessing, to erect an edifice for the purpose of . public worship, and are now assembled to lay the corner-stone. Though there is no specific law of God ex- pressly requiring this at your hands, yet you justly infer from general principles laid down in the sacred Scriptures, as well as from the 98 Corner-Stones. dictates of enlightened reason, that itis your duty ; and hence you do well in uniting for the accomplishment of a work so important, and holding forth the promise of so much good to yourselves and your descendants. We trust that you are actuated by motives which God ap- proves, and that you sincerely love Zion, and can truly adopt the language of the devout Psalmist : ‘‘ How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even faineth, for the courts of the Lord.’’ We find frequent allusions in God’s word to the corner-stone. ‘‘ Behold,’’ saysthe Lord, in Isaiah, ‘‘I lay in Zion, for a-foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.’’ And in the Epistle to the Ephe- sians, the Apostle remarks: ‘‘ Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and proph- ets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone.’’ Thus appears that the corner-stone was a Corner-Stones. ‘99 part of the foundation on which “the edifice rested. Having its place in the corner, it united and bound together two walls.’ One corner-stone was laid upon another; and the same was done at each of the four corners of (the building. The corner-stones were, there- fore many; but all of them taken collectively, were spoken of as one. A single stone, larger, stronger, and more beautiful than the others, was laid in one of the corners, either at the top or the bottom of the foundation wall, as the representative of all the rest and of the whole foundation, and was emphatically termed fhe corner-stone, the chief corner-stone or the head of the corner. Hence Jesus Christ is called ‘both the ‘foundation and the corner-stone in the ‘stupendous edifice of Christianity. By which is meant that he is the support and strength of his Church, preserving it firm and unshaken and extending its borders till it shall encompass the earth, that he unites and binds together its members by the cords of that love which forms 1e@ Corner-Stones. the strongest of all incentives to harmony of feeling and action, and that he is also the glory ot the Church, both because of the elevating and sanctifying influences of his doctrines or the moral characters of his followers, and or account of his supreme personal excellence. Heis, therefore, most appropriately denominated ‘‘a chief Corner-stone, Elect, Precious,’’ sus- taining the whole system, and without which Christianity would cease to be Christianity, and soon fall to the ground. By laying the corner-stone of a house of worship, you perform a decisive act; you pub- licly announce that a commencement is made to build the house, and that it is your determina- tion, by the help of God, to complete it. This decisive act, so full of promise, and waking up emotions and prospects so pleasing and joyful, is justly made a prominent one, andaccompanied by solemnities suited to the occasion, and adapted to inspire us with an abiding sense of God’s goodness and our insufficiency withont Corner-Stones . 101 Him. Itis right and proper that we should publicly acknowledge our dependence on him, both in the attempt to erect an edifice and in the discharge of the solemn duties for which it is intended. “Such an acknowledgement gives to God an honor which is due to Him, and at the same time impresses our hearts with reverence and awe towards Him. ‘‘ Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.’’ This was the sentiment of Solomon, the wisest and,richest of the kings of Israel, whose pros- perity in all his great undertakings was 80 remarkable and brought so much glory to his reign. It becomes us, like him, on all occasions, especially in every important matter, to be deeply sensible of the power, the universal dominion, the all-wise, holy and irresistable government of God; to feel that we are his needy creatures, and dependent on his pleasure for each moment of our existence; that the success of all our exertions is the result | 102 Corner Stones. of his blessing, and that when we design to honor him or promote the public good, it is for Him to say whether we are the instruments, and our measures the means which he will choose to employ for those ends. When David contem- plated the erection of a house of God, the Lord forbade him, and said: ‘‘I have chosen | thy son to build me a house.”’ Let us, therefore, humble ourselves before the Lord, confess his name and seek his blessing in fervent prayer. | PRAYER. O Thou; whom the heaven of heavens can- not contain! Thou fillest the universe with thy presence, and all the praise of angels and men can add nothing to thy majesty and glory. But though thou needest not our worship, we adore thee that thou art too good to despise it, and that miilions have experienced that thou art a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. We rejoice that thou hast established the church here on earth, and preserved the same Corner-Stones. 103 against all the assaults of its enemies ; that the blessed sound of the gospel has also saluted our ears, and that thou hast in this place gathered a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ. We render thanks unto thy name that thou hast put it into the hearts of thy people to rear a temple to thine honor at this place, where thy name may be regarded, and thou mayest come to them and bless them. Weextol thy grace for enduing them with a spirit of liberality, and inclining them to contribute of their substance to prosecute this laudable undertaking. May they indeed esteem ita high privilege to lJend unto the Lord, and may many Others co-oper- ate in this holy work, and all labor together in concord and love until the habitation of thy house shall be completed and be held in pos- session free from debt and all incumbrance, as a standing memorial of their Christian benevo- lence and an evidence to future generations of their attachment to thy cause. May the work of this house be performed without hurt or ac- tod Corner-Stones. = “cident to any person! May harmony and en- lightened zeal animate every heart, and may discord, jealousy and every selfish aim be far “removed! And when thou shalt have pros- pered this enterprise, and a house of God shall stand here as a monument to thy glory, may it be filled with the fulness of every gospel bless- ing, that through the preaching of thy truth, many blood-bought souls may here be awaken- ed, enlightened, justified and sanctified. and thus be prepared for an entrance into the man- sions of bliss! We beseech thee to seal unto us the pardon of all our offences, to own us as thy ransomed people through Jesus Christ, to sanctify us thoroughly by thy Spirit, to guide us through life by thy counsels, to secure us by thy grace and to exalt us at last to an inher- itance that is incorruptible, undefiled and that tadeth not away. ‘These and all other needful blessings we ask for the sake and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Fath- er and Holy Spirit, be endless praise. Amen. Corner- Stones. 105 The preceding prayer, or any other suitable one, hav- ing been cffered, the stone shall be laid and adjusted. The officiating miinister deposits the documents in the excavation prepared in the stone for their reception. These documents may be the articles of subscription and names of the subscribers, a list of the church off- cers, the pastor and building committee, and of the ministers officiating on the occasion, the Discipline of ‘the Church, Hymn Book, Bible, the names of the high- est officers of government, religious papers of the Church, etc., etc. The minister then concludes with the following : DECLARATION. In the name of the Triune God, the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, we lay this stone for a foundation of a house of worship to be con- secrated to his service. In so doing we acknowledge his all-ruling providence, and pro- claim Jesus Christ as the great corner-stone of his church and the foundation of all our hopes of salvation in time and eternity; and may the God of all grace hear us, sanction our work and at last accept us through the Son of his 106 ‘nurch Dedication. love, our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. ON CHURCH DEDICATION. FOR NEW OR REMODELED CHURCHES. _ The bishop, or elder (when the bishop is not present), with the other ministers, shall be met at the door of the church by the trustees, stewards and leaders, who shall receive the bishop or elder, with the ministers, and bid them welcome in God’s name, and present. to the bish- op or elder the keys of the church, in token of the fact that they will ever after submit to the discipline, doc- trine and government of the African Methodist Episco- pal Church, and ‘‘will at all times hereafter permit such ministers and preachers belonging to said church to preach and expound God’s holy word therein.’’? Af- ter which, the procession shall pass up the aisle reading the following Psalm, the bishop or elder commencing with the first verse, and the ministers reading each al- ternate verse. RESPONSIVE RFADING PSALM LXXXIV. Bishop.—How amiable are thy tabernacles, Church Dedication, 107 O Lord of hosts ! Minister.—-My soul longeth, yea, even faint- eth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. , Bp.- Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she . may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Min.—Blessed are they that dwell in thy house ; they will be:still praisiny thee. - Bp.—Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ; in whose heart are the ways of them. Min.—Who, passing through the valley of -baca, make ita well: the rain also filleth the pools. Bp.—They go from strength to strength; every oneof them in Zion appeareth before God. . Min.—O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer ; give ear, O God of Jacob. Bp.—Behold, O God, our Shield, and look “pon the face of thine Anointed. 108 Church Dedication. Min.—-For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. JI had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the ten. of wickedness. Bp.—For the Lord God is a sun and shield ; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withold from them that walk up: rightly. Min.—O lord of hosts, blessed is the max that trusteth in thee. CHANTING OF THE CHOIR. The bishop, *with those who are appointed to lead the exercises, will now take their seats in the pulpit, the rest of the clergy sitting around it, and the choir will chant the following: | PSALM CxxII. 1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem, *Or, elder. Church Dedication. 109 3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together. | 4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of _ the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give ~ thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces, 8. For my brethren and companions’ sakes I will now say, Peace be within thee. g. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good. SOLOMON’S GREAT PRAYER. The bishop, * kneeling, then shall say the following prayer : I KINGS VIII. 23--51. Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee *Or, elder. ILO Church Dedication. in heaven above or on the earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy -servants that walk before thee with all their heart: but will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that we have builded! Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servants and to their supplication, O Lord our God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thyservants pray beforetheethisday: that thine eyes may be open toward this house, night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there; that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servants shall make in this place. And heark- en thou unto the supplication of thy servants and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray in this place; and hear thou in heaven, thy dwelling-place; and when thou hearest, forgive. If any man trespass against his neighbor, and ni accusation be laid against him, and the accu- satton come before thee in this house—then hear Church Dedication. I1Y thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall ‘turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house,—then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel and restore them again to thy tender mercy and loving-kindness. When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee, if they pray inthis place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them, then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon the land which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance. If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, r12 Church Dedication. mildew, locust, or if there be caterpillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be, what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man or by all thy people Israel, (which shall know every man the plague of his own heart), and spread forth his hands in this house,—then hear thou in heaven, thy dwelling- place, and forgive and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest, that they may fear thee all the days of their lives. Moreover, concerning a stranger that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake; when he shall come and pray within thy house, hear thou in heaven, thy dwelling-place, and do accord- ing to all that the stranger calleth to thee for ; that all the people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel, and that they may know that this house, which we have builded, is called by thy name. If thy feople sin against thee—for there is no man Church De xtion. - i754 that sinneth not—and th be angry with them | yet if they shall bethin. themselves and re- pent, and make supplication unto thee, saying, ~We have sinned and done perversely, we have committed wickedness; and so return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul; ‘then hear thou their prayer and supplication in heaven, thy dwelling-place, and forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their trangressions wherein they have trans- gressed against thee, for they shall be thy. people, and thy inheritance, which thou hast bought with the precious blood of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be glory, praise and power by all on earth and all in heaven. Amen. THE DEDICATORY ADDRESS. This prayer being over, the bishop or elder shall stand up and say : And now, O Lord God, most high, whom the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain, we dedicate this house to thy service ; Y¥4 Church Dedication, receive it, we humbly beseech the; receive it | unto thyself and number it among thine earthly sanctuaries,—that thine own presence, the presence of thy Son, Jesus Christ, and the pres-_ ence of thy Holy Spirit, may ever fill this? house, which we have builded and called by thy name, so that whensoever the Gospel is preached in this house. it may descend with all © its purity, power and demonstration, upon the — hearts of the impenitent, turning them from — darkness to light, and from the power of sin ~ and Satan unto God ; that its sanctifying influ- © ences may be felt in the souls of all believers, — lifting their desires, their hopes and their affec- tions from earth to heaven, and leading back — the wandering sheep of the heuse of Israel into the fold of eternal life. Amen. | Hear us, O merciful Father, and grant that whosoever shall be dedicated to thee in this house by the holy ordinance of baptism, they may also receive the fulness of thy grace; being made useful members of the church mili- tant, and finally obtaiz an abundant entrance Church Dedication. 115 into the church triumphant, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hear us, O merciful Father, and grant that whosoever shall ‘in this house partake of the symbols of the Saviour’s broken body and shed blood, may also realize by faith that he is in- deed the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world; and thus being regenerated and sanctified, stand spotless and life-crowned at thy right hand, world without end. Amen, Hear us, O thou who art the spouse of the Church, and grant that whosoever shall in this house be joined together in holy matrimony may also live, as Isaac and Rebecca, in the purest enjoyment of connubial love, mutually assisting each other in the way to heaven, and training up their children for usefulness in this life and for glory in that which is to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O thou high and Holy One of Israel, regard, we beseech thee, the prayers of thy servants, and grant that all who shall in this house make 116 Church Dedication. confession of their sins, or lift their voices in praise and thanksgiving for mercies past or benefits received, may also rejoice in the light of thy countenance, with the peace which passeth all understanding, with the joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. Amen. Great Head of the Church, we beseech thee to hear us, and grant that whosoever shall, in this house, be set apart or ordained to the holy — office of the ministry may also receive the anointing of thy Spirit, and go forth in the ful- ness of the blessing of the gospel, to preach its unsearchable riches to a ruined world; then having finished their course, fought the fight and kept the faith, receive the crown of life and reign with thee, world without end. Amen. Thou God of missions, hear us and grant that the sacred cause of missions, with every other institution of Christianity, may ever find in this house an able advocacy and an ample support, so as tobe rendered instrumental in hastening on the day when the kingdoms of Ch urch Dedication. 117 this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. 4men. - ‘Thus have we dedicated this house unto thee, O thou that dwellest in heaven. Receive it, O receive it among thine earthly sanctuaries, and | grant that all who may worship thee here from Sabbath to Sabbath, and from generation to — generation, even our children’s children, may feel it to be indeed the house of God and the gate of heaven! : Hymnal 463. a ee ee 9. S. M. Christ a Fountain.—Acts. 22. 16. I My Saviour’s pierced side, Pour’d out a double flood ; By water we are purified, And pardon’d by the blood. 2 Call’d from above, I rise, And wash away my sin ; The stream to which my spirit flies, Can make the foulest clean. 3 It runs divinely clear, A fountain deep and wide; *Twas open’d by the soldier’s spear, T™1 nv Redeemer’s side |} —Hymaual 333, | Liturgy. | 161 10. 7> 6, 7s 6. “Come over and help us.” I From Greenland’s icy mountains, From India’s coral strand ; Where Afric’s sunny fountains Roll down their golden sand: From many an ancient river, From many a palmy plain, . They call us to deliver Their land from error’s chain 2 What though the spicy breezes Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle: Though every prospect pleases And only man is vile: In vain with lavish kindness The gifts of God are strown; The heathen in his blindness Bows down to wood and stone. 3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted With wisdom from on high Shall we to men benighted The lamp of life deny? Salvation ! O salvation ! The joyful sound proclaim, Till earth’s remotest nation Has learned Messiah's name. 162 Liturgy. 4 Waft, waft, ye winds, his story, And you, ye waters, roll, Till like a sea of glory, It spreads from pole to pole: Till o’er our ransomed nature, The Lamb for sinners slain, Redeemer, King, Creator, in bliss returns to reign. —Hymnal! 844 ll. P. M : Psalm xlviit. I Great is the Jrord our God, And let his praise be great: He makes his churches his abode. His most delightful seat. 2 These temples of his grace, How beautiful they stand ! The honors of our native place, And bulwarks of our land. 3 In Sion Ged is known A refuge in distress ; How bright has his salvation shone Through all her palaces ! ° 12, Liturgy. 163 4 In every new distress: We'll to his house repair ; We’ll think upon his wondrous grace, And seek deliv’rance there. —Hymnal 885, Sas The Spirit inviting. I The spirit, in our hearts, Is whispering, ‘‘Sinner come ;”’ The bride, the church of Christ, proclaims To all his children, ‘‘ Come!’’ 2 Let him that heareth say To all about him, ‘‘ Come ;”’ Let him that thirsts for righteousness To Christ, the fountain, come. 3 Yes, whosoever will, O, let him freely come, And freely drink the stream of life ; ’Tis Jesus bids liim come. 4 Lo! Jesus, who invites, Declares, ‘‘ I quickly come;’’ Lord. even so; we wait tuy hour}; O blest Redeemer, come. -~Hyminal 418. 164 18. 4. Liturgy. The rest of faith. I Lord, I believe a rest remains, To all thy people known ; A rest where pure enjoyment reigns, And thou art loved alone: 2 A rest where all our soul’s desire Is fixed on things above ; Where fear, and sin, and grief expire Cast out by perfect love. 3 O that I now the rest might know, Believe, and enter in! Now, Saviour, now the power bestow, And let me cease from sin ! 4 Remove this hardness from my heart, This unbelief remove: To me the rest of faith impart, The Sabbath of thy love. Concluded. 1 I would be thine, thou know’st I wouid, And have thee all my own; Thee, O my all-sufficient Good! I want, and thee atone Liturgy. 165 2 Thy naime to me, thy nature grant! This, only this, be given : Nothing besides my God I want ; Nothing in earth or heayen. 3 Come, O my Saviour, come away ! Into my soul descend ! No longer from thy creature stay, My Author and my End! 4 Comte, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, And seal me thine abode ! Let all I am in thee be lost; Let all be lost in God! —Hymunal 614. IS Cave Perfect purification, ¢ Forever here my rest shall be, Close to thy bleeding side ; This all my hope, and ail my plea, For me the Saviour died. e My dying Saviour, and my God, Fountain for guilt and and sin, Spriuk me ever with thy blcod, An’ ‘*anse and keep me clean. 166 Liturgy. 3 Wash me, and make me thus thine Own § Wash me, and mine thou art 5 Wash mie, but not my feet alone, Mv hands, my head, my heart. 4 Th’ atonement of thy blood apply, Till faith to sight improve, Till hope in full fruition die, And all my soul, be love. —Hymual é¢a, 16. Cc. M. Longing to be established in love. r My God! I know, I feel thee mine, And will not quit my ciaim, : Till all I have is lost in thine, And all renewed I am. 2 I hold the with a trembling hand, But will not let thee go, Til: steadfastly by faith I stand, And all thy goodness know. 3 When shall I see the welcome hour That plants my God in me! Spirit of health, and life, and power, And perfect liberty? Liturgy. 167 4 Jesus, thine all-victoious love Shed in my heart abroad ; Then shall my feet no longer rove, Rooted and fixed in God. —Hymnal 506, 17. aM Psalin cxvit. I From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator’s praise arise,— - Let the Redeemer’s name be sung Through every land, by every tongue, 2 Eternal are thy mercies Lord, Eterttal truth attends thy word; Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and set ne more. —Hymnal 862 18. Cua NE, My meditation of him shail be sweet. Pie 1Od 22 34% I While thee I seek, protecting Power! Be my vain wishes still’d ; And may this consecrated hour With better hopes be fill’d. 168 Liturgy. 2 Thy love the power of thought bestow’d, To thee my thoughts would soar ; Thy mercy o’er my life has flow’d, That mercy I adore. 3 In each event of life, how clear Thy ruling hand I see; Each blessing to my soul most dear, Because conferr’d by thee. 4 In every joy that crowns my days, In every pain I bear, My heart shall find delight in praise, Or seek relief in pray’r. 5 When gladness wings the favor’d hour, Thy love my thoughts shall fill: Resign’d, when storms of sorrow lower, My soul shall meet thy will. 6 My lifted eye, without a tear, The gath’ring storm shall see ; My steadfast heart shall know no fear— That heart will rest on thee. Hymnal o& ‘9, Liturgy. Nearer my God to thee. I Nearer my God to thee, Nearer to thee ; E’en though it be a cross That raiseth me, Still,-all my song shall be, Nearer my God to thee, Nearer to thee. 2 Though, like the wanderer, The sun gone down, Darkness be over me, My rest a stone ; Yet in my dreams I’d be— Nearer, my God, to thee I Nearer to thee ! 3 There let the way appeai Steps unto heaven ; All that thou sendest me In mercy given ; Angels to beckon me— Nearer, my God, to thee! Nee“er to thee |! 169 6 and 4 170 Liturgy. 4 Then with my waking thoughts, Bright with thy praise, Out of my stony griefs, Bethel I'll raise ; So by m1y woes to be— Nearer, my God, to thee! Nearcr to thee! 5 Orif on joyful wing, Cleaving the sky, Sun, moon and stars forgot Upward I fly. Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to thec | Nearer to thee. Brevity of Life. 1 Thee we adore, eternal namie ! And humbly own to thee How feeble is our mortal frame. What dying worms we be! —Hymnal 1086. Vers 2 The years roll round, and steals away he breath that sirst it gave: Whate’er we do, where’er we be, We’re trav’ ling to the grave. Liturgy. 7i 3 Danger stands thick through all the ground, To push us to the tomb; _ And fierce diseases wait around To hurry mortals home. 4 Waken, O Lord, our drowsy sense To walk this dang’rous road ; And if our souls be hurried hence May they be ‘found with God ! —Hymnal 699. 2i. C. M. The Lord our help. I O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal hone: 2 Under the shadow of thy throne, Still may we dwell secure ; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defence is sure. 3 Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting thou art God, To endless years the same. 172 Liturgy. 4 A thousand ages, in thy sight, Are like an evening gone: Short is the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun. 5 The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their cares and fears, Are carried downward by the flood, And lost in foll’wing years. 6 Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away ; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the op’ning day. 7 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to conie, Be thou our guard while life si2., last, And our eternal home ! —Hymnal 7oz. Paul Ces A voice from the Tort. 1 Hark from the tombs a dole‘ ul sound, My ears attend the cry: ‘Ye living men, come view the ground Where you must shortly Ze. ee a eS —_— Liturgy. 173 2 Princes, this clay must be your bed, In spite of all your towers: The tall, the wise, the rev’rend head, Must lie as low as ours.”’ 3 Great God! is this our certain doom! And are we still secure ! Still walking downward to the tomb, And yet prepar’d no more ! 4 Grant us the power of quick’ning grace, To fit our souls to fly ; Then, when we drop this dying flesh, We'll rise above the sky. —Hymnal 702. 23. L. M Death Welcome to the Christian. I Shrinking from the cold hand of death, I soon shall gather up my feet ; Shall soon resign this fleeting breath, And dic,—my father’s God to meet. 2 Numiber’d among thy people, I Expect with joy thy faze to see: Because thou didst for sinners die, Jesus, in death remember me! 174 Liturgy. 3 O that without a ling’ring groan I may thy welcome word receive! My body with my charge lay down, And cease at once te work and live! 4 Walk with me through the dreadful shade, And, certifi’d that thou art mine, My spirit, calm and undismay’d, I shall into thy hands resign. 5 No anxious doubt, no guilty doom, Shall damp whom Jesus’ presence cheers : My light, my life, my God is come, And Glory in his face appears ! Hyninat Jog, 25. L. M.' Lhe Peaceful Death. 1 Why should we start and fear to die? What tim’rous worms we mortals are! Death is the gate to endless joy, And yet we dread to enter there. 2 The pains, the groans, the dying strife, Fright our approaching souls away ; And we shrink back again to life, Fond of our prison and our clay. Liturgy. 175 € Oif my Lord would come and meet, My soul would stretch her wings in haste, Fly fearless through death’s iron gate, Nor feel the terrors as she pass’d ! 4 Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are, While on his breast I lean my head, And breathe niy life out sweetly there. Hymnal 710. wASy CMe The Heavenly Canaan. I There is a land of pure delight, Where saints inimortal reign ; Infinite day excludes the night, And pleasures banish pain- iP) There everlasting spring abides And never-with’ring flowers ; Death, like a narrow sea, divides This heavenly land from ours. Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood icp) Stand dress’d in living green ; So to the Jews old Canaan stood, While Jordan stood between. 176 Liturgy. 5 But tim’rous mortals start and shrink, To cross this narrow sea; And linger, trembling on the brink, And fear to launch away. 5 Could we but climb where Moses stood, ‘And view the landscape o’er, Not Jordan's stream, nor death’s cold flood, Should fright us from the shore. —Hymual 725. 26. 8's 7’s double Praise to Christ for His Divine Grace. r Come, thou fount of ev’ry blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace ; Streams of mercy never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise : Teach me sortie melodious sonnet, Song by flaming tongues above } Praise the mount—I’m fixed upon it, Mount of thy redeeming love ! 2 Here I'll raise my Ebenezer ; Hither by thy help I’m come, And I hope, by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God: He, to rescue me from danger, Interpos’d his precious blood ! Liturgy. Izy 3 O! to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wand’ring heart to thee! Prone to wander Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love— Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for thy courts above. —Hymual 685, Ag © LT, IO, 21; 10° Come Ye Disconsolate. x Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish. Come, and at God’s altar fervently kneel; Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell yong anguish ; Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. 2 Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying, Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure, Here speaks the Comforter, in God’s name saying, Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure. 3 Go, ask the infidel what boon he bring us— What charm for aching hearts /e can reveal, Sweet as the heavenly promise hope sings us, Earth hath no sorrow that God cannot heal. Hymnal 395 178 Liturgy. 28. » The Shining Shore. I My day are gliding swiftly by, And I, a pilgrim stranger, Would not detain them as they fly. Those hours of toil and danger. CHORUS—For O, we stand on Jordan’s strand, Our friends are passing over, And just before, the shining shore, We may almost discover. 2 We’ll gird our lions, my brethren dear, Our heavenly home discerning ; Our absent Lord has left us word, Let every lamp be burning. 3 Should coming days be cold and dark, We need not cease our singing; That perfect rest naught can molest, Where golden harps are ringing. 4 Let sorrow’s rudest tempest blow, Kach chord on earth to sever ; Our King says come, and there’s our home, Forever. O forever. --Hymnal] 198% Liturgy. 179 29. Ventte Ad Meum. 1 Come nnto me, all ye that labor and are | heav-y | laden,|| and | I -: will | give: you | rest. 2 Take my yoke upon you, and, learn of me; forI am meek and | lowly -* in | heart||and ye shall find | rest— | unto +: your | souls. 3 For my | yoke ‘is | easy || and | my— | burden :: is | light. 30. Gloria FPatrt. Glory be to the Father, and | to’: the | Son, || and | to'*the | Ho-ly | Ghost ; As it was in the beginnig, is now, and | ever | shall be, || world without end.— | A—men. DOXOLOGIES. 3i. L. M. I Praise God. from whom all blessings flow, Praise him,. all creatures here below ; Praise him above, ye heavenly host ; Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost. 82. C. M. Together let us sweetly live, Together let us die ; And each a starry crown receive And reign above the.sky. ¥80 33. 34. 35. 36. Liturgy. To Father, Son dnd Holy Ghost, One God, whom we adore, Be glory as it was, is now, And shall be evermore. Ye angels round the throne, And saints that dwell below, Adore the Father, love the Son, And bless the Spirit, too. To Father, Son and Spirit, Ascribe we equal glory ! One Deity in Persons Three, Let all thy works adore thee. Temptations. 1 Yield not to temptation, For yielding is sin; Each victory will help you Some other to win; Fight manfully onward, Dark passions subdue, Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through. C. M. é Liturgy. 181 Cuo.—Ask the Saviour to help yon, Comfort strengthen and keep yeut He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through. 2 Shun evil companions, Bad language disdain, God’s name hold in rey’rence, Nor take it in vain ; Be thoughtful and earnest, Kind-hearted and true, Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through. 3 To him that o’ercometh God giveth a crown, Thro’ faith we shall conquer, Though often cast down 3 He who is our Saviour, Our strength will renew, Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through. Bymnal 193, DACTION ¥. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. ¢( Appropriate for funerals and other memorial occasions.) FIRST SELECTION. S there not an appointed time to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hireling? Asa servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as a hireling looketh for the reward of his work, so am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle. The eye of him that hath seen me, shall see me no more} Thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away, so he that goeth down to the grave, shall come up no more, Job, chap. vii. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof 182 Liturgy. “us notcease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; vet hrougt the scent of water it will bud, and bring & boughs like a plant. But man dicth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth aud dryeth up; so man li-th down, and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. If aman dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will an- swer Thee ; Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thy hands. Job xiv. SECOND SELECTION. : From the Psalter (Church of England.) Domine, Refugium. ORD, thou has been our refuge, from one generation, _ to another. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made, thou art God from: everlasting, and world without end. 3 Thou turnest man to destruction; again thou est, come again, ye children of men. ‘ 184 Liturgy. 4 Fora thousand years in thy sight are but as_ yesters day ; seeing that is past as a watch in the night. . 5 As soon as thou scattereth them they are even as a sleep ; and fade away suddenly like the grass. 6 In the morning it is green, and groweth up; but in the evening it is cut down, dried up and withered. 7 For we consume away in thy displeasure, and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation. ‘8 Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee; and our gecret sins in the light of thy countenance. 9 For when thou art angry all our days are gone; we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told. Io The days of our age are threescore years and ten ; énd though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow ; 80 soon passeth it away, and we are gone. 11 But who regardeth the power of thy wrath? for even thereafter as a man feareth, so is thy displeasure. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may ap- ply our hearts unto wisdom. 13 Turn thee again, O Lord, at the last, and be gra- cious unto thy servants. 14 O satisfy us withthy mercy, and that soon: so hall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life. 15 Comfort us again now after the time that thou hast ‘ Liturgy. 185 plauged us; and for the years wherein we have suffered adversity. 16 Show thy servants thy work, and their children thy glory. 17 And the glorious Majesty of the Lord our Ged be upon us; prosper thou the work of our hands upon us; O prosper thou our handiwork. | HOSO dwelleth under the defense of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say sto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my strong hold; my God, in him will I trust. 3 For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hun- ter, aud from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall defend thee under his wings,and thou shalt be safe under his feathers; his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flyeth by day; 6 For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day. Phar- phrase of the XC. and XCI. Psalms. 186 Liturgy. THIRD SELECTION, RESURRECTION. UT some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat. or some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body All flesh zs not the-same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, amd another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial zs one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for ové star differeth from another star in glory. So also zs the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption : It issown in dishonor, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power : It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body, Liturgy. 187 There is a natural body, and their is a spiritual body. And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a zviay soul; the last Adam was made a quickening 4pirit. Howbeit that was not the first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spir- itual. The first man zs of the earth, earthy: the second man ts the Lord from heaven. As 7s the earthy, such ave they also that are earthy’ and as zs the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the im2ge of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inkerit the kingdom of God: neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery 3; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In amoment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trnmp: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal ws¢ put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorup- 188 Liturgy. tion, and this mortal shall have put on immortality then shall be brought to pass the saying that is WHR Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where zs thy sting? O grave, where 7s thy victory ? The sting of death zs sin; and the strength of sin zs the law. But thanks de to God, which giveth us the victory through our LordJesus Christ. ' Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un- movable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in tne Lord. 1 Cor, xv. 35--58. | FOURTH SELECTION. DEATH OF A CHILD. ““WE ALL DO FADE AS A LEAF.”—Isa. liv, 6 | ND when the child was grown, it fell on aday, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head! And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. _ 20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and ¢hen died. 2; Auc sae went up. and laid him on the bed of the Liturgy. 1&9 Mut or nod, and shut ‘ke door upon him, and went out. 22 Andshe called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run tothe man of God, and come again. 23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to-day? 12 4s neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be weil. 24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, ' Drive and go forward ; slack not ¢hy riding for me, ex- cept I bid thee. , 25 So she went and came untothe man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said, to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder 7s that Shunamniite : 26 Run nowI pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, /s z¢ well with thee ? zs 7# well with thy husband? #s if well with thy child? And she answered, /¢ zs well. 27 And when she come to the man of God to the hill she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thurst her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul zs vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid 2¢ from me and hath not told me. 3§0 — Liturgy. 28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my Jord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? 29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy lions, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose and followed her. 31 .And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but fkere was neither voice nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. 32 And when Elisha was come into the house behold, the child was dead, avd laid upon his bed. 2 Kings iv. IQ--32. Or this: Lis leer therfore besought God for the child: and David fasted, and went in, avd lay all night upon the earth. 16 And the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with then. 18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to te “ bim that the child was dead: for they said, Bekeld . Liturgy. 192 while the child was yet alive. we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we teil him that the child is dead ? I9 But when-David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore Da- vid said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed and annointed Azmself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house ofthe Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing zs this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, whzle 7t was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Whocan tell whether God wilt be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore shall I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall goto him, but he shall not return tome. 2 Sam. xii. 16--23. Or this: ae ; It, : Nie I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow 192 Liturgy. not, even as others which have no hope. . 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. ? 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive avd remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven ‘with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shal! rise first. 17 Then we which are alive avd remain sliall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words, 4 Thess. iy. 13-18. BIBLE MOTTOES. Prayer to bé made for all men. | EXHORT therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, \ and giving of thanks,be made for all men : 2 For kings, and /oy all that are in au- pes that we may lead a guiet and — meceatiealipa! ESS SS A ce 9 Sta = emanate iaaD, Liturgy. 1a2 SS ee SS eee = peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this 7s gocd and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; ; 4 Who wiil have all men to be saved and toconie unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For ¢here is one God, and one media- tor between God and men, the man Christ | Jesus. 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, toi be testified in due time. | | 7 I will therefore that men pray every- | where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Tim. i. f eee not an elder, but entreat him [| asafather. 1 Tim. vy. ; ODILY exercise profiteth little; but god- |! | liness is profitable unto all things, 1 having promise of the life that nowis, and of that which isto come. I Tim. iv. ND why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Wuke ie 46. ORE Ale That God may bless the use of these prayers and set wices to the sanctifying of thousands of souls is the prayer of the compiler and editor. THE END. Anostle’s Creed . . . . Baptism—Aduits ¢ Children Burial Service Bishops—Ordination of Corner Stones Dedication of Churches eacons—Ordination of . Elders—Ordination of Evening Prayer Litany . Members—Reception of . Marriage Service Sacramental Service Scripture Selections :. . Order of Worship .. . Phe Leite ues” ea ace oe PAGE - 150 33 26 » 49 2 1So 94 . 106 - 54 62 . 136 129 J 8 e 41 e133 182 - 118 Index. FiyMns. All hail the power of Jesus’ name . . Blest be the ties that bind Before Jekovah’s awfulthrone .. . Come, thou fount of every blessing Come, ye disconsolate’ ...°'.. ... ' Come unto me (chant ) . From all that dwells below the sky Forever here my rest shall be . Frora Greenland’s icv mountaizs God moves in a mysterious way Greatis the Lord ourGod . ., Glocte Yrtri ‘chart * How eauteous are their feet Hark. ! irom the tombs a doleful sound I would be thine, thou kuow’st I would Jesus lover of my soul Lord, I believe a rest remains . My days are gliding swiftly by . My Goa: I ku10ow I feel thee mine Tavemaviotr s pierced side~ voi26 0). ye Nearer my God to thee. . . . . . “ius... O Thou whom all thy saints adore. .... ©: God, our:Helpiin ages past .. ..... Shrinking from t'1e cold hand of death . 196 lndex. Thee we adore, éeiuernal name ...... Yhere is a land of pure delight . The Spirit in our hearts . While thee I seek, protecting power . With joy we meditate the day . Why should we start and fear to die Yield not to temptation . DOXOLOUIES Praise God from whom all blessings flow . To Father, Son and Holy Ghost . Together let us sweetly live To Father, Son and Spirit . Ye angels round the throne SCRIPTURAIL SELECTIONS FOR MEMORIAL AND OTHER OCCASIONS, First Selection Second Selection ah eAlh ha gente Third Selection . Reereete an carl ee oe Boarth.. Selection’. 2)%... 3. eve consis oh eee 44 - ® NM): Date Due PRINTED | IN U.S.A, Princeton Theological Seminary-Speer Library ~ E 1 1012 010 +