its parents, and all of us, reap eternal benefit, by our having assembled here on this occasion.

Assembly-Lord God Almighty, let thy blessings now descend upon us all.

Minister. And now,-Unto the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, be glory, as it was, and is, and ever shall be, world without end: amen. Assembly.-Amen, and amen.

BAPTISM OF ADULTS.

Minister. Let us sing to the praise and the glory of God:-" Ere Christ &c." [pronouncing the two first lines of the following hymn :—or, referring to some other, and pronouncing the two first lines of it.]

[All stand.]

1. Ere Christ ascended to his throne,
He issued forth this great command-
Go preach my gospel to the world,
And spread my name through every land.

2. To men declare their sinful state,
The methods of my grace explain,
He that believes and is baptized,
Shall everlasting life obtain.

3. Dear Saviour we thy will obey,
Not of constraint, but with delight,
Hither thy servants come to day,
To honour thine appointed rite.

4. Descend again celestial Dove,

On these dear followers of the Lord,
Exalted head of all the church,
Thy promised aid to them afford.

5. Let faith, assisted now by signs,
The mysteries of thy love explore;
And, washed in thy redeeming blood,
Let them depart, and sin no more.

[The Assembly sit.]

Minister. Let us now read a selection of Passages from the Word of God bearing upon this Ordinance.

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins: And he said unto them, Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. [Matthew, 3: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8.]

'Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus, answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. [Matthew, 3; 13-17.]

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.[Acts, 8: 12.]

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: And the Eunuch said, See here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized him. [Acts, 8: 35-38.]

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them who heard the word. And they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as

many as came with Peter, because, that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost; for they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we: and he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord.— [Acts, 10: 44-48.]

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians, hearing,believed, and were baptized.[Acts, 18: 8.]

And now, why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. [Acts, 22: 16.]

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.-[Romans, 6: 3-5.]

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [1 Corinthians, 12: 13.]

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.[Galatians, 3: 26-29.]

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which also he went and preached unto the Spirits

in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto ever baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject unto him.-[1 Peter, 3: 18-22.]

[Here the Minister will give an Address.]

Minister. Let us Pray.

[All kneel.]

Minister. Almighty God, who hast ordered and directed all things in the Kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ, condescend, we entreat thee, to be present with us whilst we attend to this ordinance in obedience to thy holy commandment.

Assembly.-O Lord, graciously condescend to be present with us at this time.

Minister. O Lord, we unite together in thanksgiving unto thee, for thy gracious goodness unto this individual now to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. We adore thee, O God, for enlightening him by thy Holy Spirit, that he might understand that all mankind are ruined by sin, and for having taught him to look to thee for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through the atoning sacrifice of thy Son Jesus Christ. Graciously grant unto him, O God, that he may be enabled to hold fast the faith of the gospel unto the end: may he increase in the knowledge of the Truth, and be deeply rooted and grounded in it.

Assembly. We bless thee, O God, on behalf of this individual, and pray thee to keep him stedfast and unmoveable in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.