by nature he cannot have; that being washed from his sins, and delivered from the power of the Devil, he may be made a member of Christ's holy Church, unto eternal salvation.

Here the Congregation shall rise, and remain standing until the Baptism is ended.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who of Thy great mercy didst save Noah and his family in the ark by water; and also didst safely lead the children of Israel, Thy people, through the Red Sea, figuring thereby Thy holy Baptism; and by the Baptism of Thy well beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in the river Jordan, didst sanctify water to the mystical washing away of sin: we beseech Thee, for Thine infinite mercies, graciously to look upon this person, to wash him, and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost, that he being delivered from Thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ's Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, 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. Amen.

Then the Minister shall address the person or persons to be baptized:

DEARLY BELOVED: You are come hither seeking deliverance from the power of the Devil, the remission of sin, and the gift of a new and spiritual life by the Holy Ghost, through the Sacrament of Baptism, which Christ hath ordained for the communication of such great grace.

These benefits God, on His

part, will most surely bestow, for the sake of His well beloved Son: wherefore, in the presence of God and these witnesses, I require of you, that you, on your part, do now make that confession of unfeigned faith, out of a pure conscience, which Almighty God shall accept and answer, by vouchsafing His holy Baptism.

Then shall the Minister address to the person or persons to be bap tized the following questions, to which the answer shall be given au dibly by each one.

Dost thou renounce the Devil with all his ways and works, the world with its vain pomp and glory, and the flesh with all its sinful desires?

Ans. I do.

Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?

And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; descended into hades; the third day rose from the dead; ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead?

And in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting? Ans. I believe

Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?
Ans. I will.

Dost thou promise to follow Christ, and to keep His commandments, all the days of thy life?

Ans. I do.

Then shall the Minister ask the name of the Catechumen, and re quiring him to kneel down, shall baptize him, 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 lay his hands on the head of the person baptized, and confirm him, saying:

The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Then the person or persons rising, the Minister shall proceed:

Let us give thanks.

WE yield Thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased Thee, through the mystery of Thy holy Baptism, to deliver this person from the power of darkness, and to translate him into the kingdom of Thy dear Son, in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. And we humbly beseech Thee to grant that he, being dead unto sin, and living unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in His death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin; and that as he is made partaker of the death of Thy Son, he may also be made partaker of His resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of Thy holy Church, be an inheritor of Thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowel 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 debts, as we forgive ou debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Then shall the Minister pronounce this Benediction:

And now may the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you: to Him be glory and dominiɔn forever and ever. Amen.

CONFIRMATION.

[It is the duty of the baptized children of the Church to become Catechumens, as soon as they are old enough to commit to memory the Cate chism, and to be benefited by the Pastor's instructions. In no case ought their attendance to be delayed beyond their thirteenth year. Their Catechization looks forward to their Confirmation, which forms its solemn completion.

Before Confirmation is administered, the Minister and Elders shall be satisfied that the candidate understands the fundamental truths of the Christian religion, and is governed by them in his life.]

After a Sermon, or an Address, the Minister shall read the names of the Catechumens, who shall then present themselves at the altar; whereupon the Minister shall begin thus:

Following the example of the holy Apostles, and those who succeeded them, the Church bestows upon those who have been baptized, either as adults or in their infancy, after they have been properly instructed, the blessing of Confirmation, by prayer and the lay. ing on of hands.

The laying on of hands was first practised as a re ligious act by devout parents upon their children, whereby they imparted unto them the parental blessing, and confirmed them in faith and piety. By the laying on of hands also, such as were called to be public ministers in the Church were invested with the authority and grace of the sacred office; and so