Then shall the Minister say, Let us pray. our Lord Jesus Christ, we call on thee in the behalf of this child, which now, through us, begs thy baptismal blessing: and desires thy heavenly grace through spiritual regeneration. Receive him, 0 Lord, as thou hast promised in thy word, saying: "Ask, and ye shall receive, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" grant thy blessing unto this child, who asks; open the door unto him, seeing he knocks; that he may thereby obtain the blessing of thy heavenly covenant, and receive the promised kingdom of thy grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us hear the words of the gospel written by St. Mark, in the 10th chapter, from the 13th to the 16th verse. "They brought young children unto 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 the little children to come unto me, and forbbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily, I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them." Following this example, we bless this child-lay our hands upon him, and pray in the following man ner: Our Father, &c. Hereupon the Minister puts the following questions to the Sponsors.. Do you renounce, in the name of this child, the devil and all his works, and all his ways? Yes. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maFor of heaven and earth? Yes. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten our Lord; that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; that he descended into hell; rose again the third day; ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and that from thence he will come again at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead? Yes. And, do you also, believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the remission of sins; the resurrection of the body; and everlasting life after death? Yes. Is it your desire, that this child shall be baptized in this faith, and in the foregoing promise? Yes. "Baptism is not mere water, but it is that water which the command of God enjoins, and which is connected with his word." Then shall the congregation sing the following verse. And seal our cov'nant with the Lord; In heav'n our solemn vows record! The Minister, naming the child after them, shall sprinkle or pour water upon him, and say, N. M. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Hereupon the congregation sings the following verse. W O Holy Ghost with power apply Let us prsy. TE humbly thank thee, most merciful Father, that through the baptism of water and of the Holy Ghost, thou hast caused this child to be initiated into the bonds of the Christian Church. We humbly pray thee to grant, that henceforth he may be dead unto sin, and live unto righteousness. And seeing he has, through the holy ordinance of baptism, been buried with Christ into his deaths; grant, that henceforth, in him, the old Adam, together with all his lusts and desires, may be daily crucified, and finally, with the whole body of sin, entirely abolished; graciously grant, that as this child hath been made partaker of the death of thy Son Jesus Christ, he may also participate the benefits of his triumphant resurrection; and finally, with all that believe, be made an heir of thy everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Amen. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. SECTION THIRD. CONFIRMATION. Confirmations take place publicly in the Church. The Catechumens (after previous examination) being arranged before the Altar, the Minister puts the following Questions to them. 1. O you, in the presence of God, and of this promise, made at your baptism; ratifying and confirming the same-Renouncing the devil and all his ways? A. Yes, we renounce them. 2. Do you sincerely believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as taught in the apostle's creed ? A. Yes. 3. Is it your sincere desire and intention, now, in the last Supper of our Lord, to renew your baptismal vows and covenant; and will you obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of your life? A. Yes, it is our sincere, desire so to do. These Questions being answered to satisfaction, the Catechumen kneel down before the Altar; and the Minister laying his hand on the head of each, makes the following prayer, or any other that he may judge proper. Ο Thou Shepherd and Bishop of thy fold, behold this thy young servant with love and favour; suffer him never to be torn from thy hand, nor deluded from thy fold! O may he ever remain faithful unto thee, and at last receive the full completion of thy promises, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Amen. After each individual is confirmed in this manner, they rise, and the Minister makes a suitable address, first to the congregation at large, and then to the persons whom he has confirmed; after which they retire, and the form of preparation for the Lord's supper commences. SECTION FOURTΗ. FORM OF PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER. After the Preparation Sermon, which is commonly held the day preceding the Administration of the communion, the Minister addresses the communicants as follows: I ASK you in the presence of God, and upon the evidence of your own consciences; First. Whether you really feel, lament, and acknowledge your natural sinfulness, inability to do any thing which is good, and constant proneness to that which is evil? Do you confess that you frequently, by omitting to do good, and actually doing evil, have offended your God, and justly, therefore B |