THE RITUAL. Order of Baptism. 481. THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO INFANTS. The Minister, coming to the Font, which is to be filled with pure Water, shall use the following: Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that having, of his bounteous mercy, redeemed this child by the blood of his Son, he will grant that he, being baptized with water, may also be baptized with the Holy Ghost, be received into Christ's holy Church, and become a lively member of the same. Then shall the Minister say, Let us pray. Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. Amen. most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, Almighty, ever-living God, whose for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, regard, we beseech thee, our supplications. Sanctify this water for this holy sacrament; and grant that this child, now to be baptized, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Minister address the Par Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy hast condescended to enter into covenant relations with man, wherein thou hast included children as partakers of its gracious benefits, declaring that of such is thy kingdom: and in thy ancient Church didst appoint divers baptisms, figuring thereby the renewing ents [or Guardians] as follows:of the Holy Ghost; and by thy well-be- Dearly beloved: Forasmuch as this loved Son Jesus Christ gavest command- child is now presented by you for Chrisment to thy holy Apostles to go into all tian baptism, you must remember that it the world and disciple all nations, bap- is your part and duty to see that he be tizing them in the name of the Father, taught, as soon as he shall be able to and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: learn, the nature and end of this holy We beseech thee, that of thine infinite sacrament. And that he may know mercy thou wilt look upon this child: these things the better, you shall call wash him and sanctifying him; that he, upon him to give reverent attendance being saved by thy grace, may be re- upon the appointed means of grace, such ceived into Christ's holy Church, and as the ministry of the word and the pubbeing steadfast in faith, joyful through lic and private worship of God; and furhope, and rooted in love, may so over-ther, ye shall provide that he shall read come the evils of this present world, that the Holy Scriptures, and learn the Lord's nally he may attain to everlasting life, Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the and by thy restraining and renewing grace, he may be led to serve thee_faithfully all his days, so that, when he has glorified thee in his generation, and has served the Church on earth, he may be received into thine eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Apostles' Creed, the Catechism, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health, in order that he may be brought up to lead a virtuous and holy life, remembering always that baptism doth represent unto us that inward purity which disposeth us to follow the example of our Saviour Christ; that as he died and rose again let thy loving mercy and compassion deAlmighty and most merciful Father. for us, so should we, who are baptized, scend upon these, thy servant and handdie unto sin and rise again unto right-maid, the parents [or guardians] of this eousness, continually mortifying all corrupt affections and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness. Do you therefore solemnly engage to fulfill these duties, so far as in you lies, the Lord being your helper? Answ. We do. Then shall the people stand up, and the Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. Mark. [Chap. x, 13-16.] 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 the little children to come unto me, and forbid 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 upon them, and blessed them. Then the Minister shall take the Child into his hands, and say to the friends of the Child, Name this child. And then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or pour Water upon it, or, if desired, immerse it in Water, saying, N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall the Minister offer the following prayer, the people kneeling : O God of infinite mercy, the Father of all the faithful seed, be pleased to grant unto this child an understanding mind and a sanctified heart. May thy providence lead him through the dangers,temptations, and ignorance of his youth, that he may never run into folly nor into the evils of an unbridled appetite. We pray thee so to order the course of his life, that by good education, by holy examples, child. Grant unto them, we beseech thee, thy Holy Spirit, that they may, like Abraham, command their household to keep the way of the Lord. Direct their actions, and sanctify their hearts, words, and purposes, that their whole family may be united to our Lord Jesus Christ in the bands of faith, obedience, and charity; and that they all, being in this life thy holy children by adoption and grace, may be admitted into the Church of the first-born in heaven, through the merits of thy dear Son, our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. Then may the Minister offer extemporary prayer. Then shall be said, all kneeling : Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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 from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and us not into temptation, but deliver us the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 482. THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO 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 transgressions; and our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God:-I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant_to these persons that which by nature they sons to be baptized on this wise: annot have; that they, being baptized | Then the Minister shall speak to the perwith water, may also be baptized with the Holy Ghost, and being received into Christ's holy Church, may continue lively members of the same. Then shall the Minister say, Let us pray. Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succor, 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 also be filled with thy Holy Spirit. Receive them, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: so give now unto us that ask: let us that seek, find: open the gate unto us that knock; that these persons may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen. Well beloved, who have come hither desiring to receive holy baptism, you have heard how the congregation hath prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive you, to bless you, and 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 that 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, for your part, promise in the presence of this whole congregation, that you will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy word, and obediently keep his commandments. Then shall the Minister demand of each of the persons to be baptized :— Quest. 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, so that thou wilt not follow Then shall the people stand up, and the nor be led by them? Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. John. [Chap. iii, 1-8.] There 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 art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these 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, Except a man be born 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. Answ. renounce them all. Quest. 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 by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? that he suffered under buried? that he rose again the third day? Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and 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 sins? the resurrection of the body, and everlasting life after death? communion of saints? the remission of Answ. All this I steadfastly believe. Quest. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? Answ. This is my desire. Quest. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life? *The one universal Church of Christ. Answ. I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper. Then shall the Minister say: O merciful God, grant that all carnal affections may die in these persons, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in 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 rewarded, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world with out end. Amen. Almighty, ever-living God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment 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, our supplications; and grant that the persons now to be baptized may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN : Scriptures 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 in Christ. The fellowship 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 worship, and the exercise of that power of godly admonition and discipline which Christ has committed to his Church for the promotion of holiness. It 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 wor ship of the Gospel; and to pray and sympathize with each other. Among its privleges are, peculiar incitements to holiness from the hearing of God's word and sharing in Christ's ordinances; the being placed under the watchful care of pastors, and the enjoyment of the blessings which household of faith. Into this holy felloware promised only to those who are of the ship the persons before you, who have already received the sacrament of baptism, Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all and have been under the care of proper leaders for six months on trial, come seeking admission. We now propose, in the fear of God, to question them as to their faith and purposes, that you may know that they are proper persons to be admitted into the Church. 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 Iwith his own blood. We rejoice in the Then shall the Minister offer extemporary grace of God vouchsafed unto you in militant till you are called to the fellowthat he has called you to be his followers, ship of the Church triumphant, which and that thus far you have run well. is without fault before the throne of You have heard how blessed are the God." privileges, and how solemn are the duties, of membership in Christ'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 answering the following questions: Do you here, in the presence of God and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise contained in the baptismal covenant, ratifying and confirming the same, and acknowledging yourselves bound faithfully to observe and keep that covenant? Answ. I do. Prayer. The Lord's Supper. [The General Conference recommends the use of pure, unfermented juice of the grape on Sacramental occasions.] Have you saving faith in the Lord Je- 484. ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF sus Christ? Then the Minister, addressing the Church, shall say: Brethren, you have heard the responses given to our inquiries. Have any of you reason to allege why these persons should not be received into full membership in the Church? 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 Christian affection and the cordiality with which we receive you, I hereby extend to you the right hand of fellowship; and may God grant that you may be a faithful and useful member of the Church THE LORD'S SUPPER. The Elder shall say one or more of these sentences, during the reading of which the persons appointed for that purpose shall receive the alms for the poor: LET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. [Matt. v, 16.] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, 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 would 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 is in heaven. [Matt. vii, 21.] Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. [Luke xix, 8.] He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver. [2 Cor. ix, 6, 7.] |