not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing. Adorn us with the hidden man of the heart, with that which is not corruptible, with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Add to our faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godli-* ness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. May we all become a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, and to show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. May we follow him who has suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps, and being dead to sin should live to righteousness; when reviled, may we not revile again, but by welldoing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; may we refrain our tongue from evil, and our lips that they speak no guile; may we sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, so that all may be ashamed who falsely accuse our good conversation in Christ. Grant, O Lord, that, if it be thy will, we may suffer for well-doing, rather than for evil-doing. May the time past of our lives suffice us to have disobeyed thee; for the time to come may we be sober and watch unto prayer; may we have fervent charity among ourselves; that God may in all things 12* be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. May the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that we have suffered for a while, make us perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us, and to him be glory and dominion for ever. Amen. THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS. AND Jesus took a child and set him in the midst; and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children, in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but Him that sent me. And they brought young children to him, 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. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as a little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. MY FRIENDS: You have brought this child here to be baptized. I ask, therefore, Do you give this child to God, to Christ, and to the Church, that he may be God's child for ever; and by this baptismal water, the ancient symbol of purity, do you express your desire that he should grow up amid the purifying influences of the Gospel, and come to Jesus through the medium of all Christian institutions and influences ? Answer. We do. Will you instruct him in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and exhort him to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of his life? Answer. We will. The child shall then be baptized, the Minister saying, I baptize thee into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. A prayer and hymn may follow, or precede, this service. BAPTISM OF A CHILD. S. M. To thee, O God in heaven, This little one we bring, Giving to thee what thou hast given, Into a world of toil These little feet will roam, Where sin its purity may soil, Where care and grief may come. O, then, let thy pure love, Come down, like water, from above, To comfort and make clean. BAPTISM OF CHILDREN. S. M.. To Him who children blessed, To Him who took them to his breast. To thee, O God, whose face We bring them, praying that thy grace May keep, thine arms enfold. And as this water falls On each unconscious brow, Thy holy spirit grant, O Lord, To keep them pure as now. |