iour Jesus Christ, to judge the world in righteousness.

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, grant that this dispensation of thy righteous providence may be sanctified to the good of all present. May we take due warning, and consider the shortness and uncertainty of human life, the solemnities of death, and the awful realities of eternity, and prepare to meet thee in the judgment.

May the bereaved be comforted in their affliction, and have grace to submit to thy righteous will, and be fully prepared to say: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.

THE BENEDICTION

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

ORDINATION OF ELDERS

[It is recommended to the Annual Conferences that the person ordained to the office of elder be presented with a copy of the Holy Scriptures at the time of his ordination, containing the inscription:

"Presented to by Conference, on his ordination to the office of elder in the Church of Christ.

President."]

On the day of ordination, if practicable, an appropriate sermon shall be preached. After which the Secretary of the Annual Conference, if present — and if not, an elder selected by the President -shall announce the names of those to be ordained elders, who shall, respectively, present themselves before the President and assisting elders. Then the Secretary, or his substitute, shall

say:

President: These brethren have been duly elected by the - Annual Conference to the order of elder in the Church of God, and I present them to you for ordination.

One of the elders shall then read the following passages of Holy Writ :

"And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. — Matt. xxviii. 18-20.

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of th stature of the fulness of Christ.-Eph. iv. 7-13.

“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop, then, must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient; not a brawler, not covetous. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."1 Tim. iii. 1-7.

Another of the elders shall say to the persons about to be ordained:

Beloved brethren: Forasmuch as the Holy Scriptures command that we should not be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting persons to minister in the Church of Christ, therefore, before we admit you to the office of elder in the Church of God, we will examine you in the presence of this congregation, and receive your answers to the following questions:

Are you fully persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation ?

And will you, out of the same Holy Scriptures instruct the people, and teach and maintain nothing as of necessity required for salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded may be proved by them?

Will you faithfully exercise yourself in the study of the Holy Scriptures, and call upon God, by prayer, for the true understanding of the same, so that you may be able to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince gainsayers?

Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, that you may show yourself in all things a worthy example to the flock of Christ?

Will you diligently endeavor to teach and discipline your family according to the doctrine of the Gospel, and make it, as much as in you lieth, an example to others?

Will you strive to maintain quietness, peace and love among all Christian people, and especially among them who are committed to your care?

Will you diligently strive to promote an active interest in behalf of all the general and local interests of the Church among the people committed to your care?

All shall now kneel before God, and the elder shall say:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, mercifully behold these thy servants now set apart for the office and work of elders in thy church. Grant so to replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that, both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve the church in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edification of thy people, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The elders present shall then lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the order of elder, the receivers remaining on their knees, for the convenience of the ordainers, the President pronouncing aloud the following words:

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Spirit for the office and work of an elder, committed unto thee by the election of thy brethren, and the imposition of our hands; and be thou faithful.

The President shall then deliver to each one of them the Bible in his hands, saying:

We acknowledge thy authority to preach this Word, and to administer the ordinances in the Church of Christ.

Feed the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof; not as a Lord over God's heritage, but being an example to the

flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear thou shalt receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Then shall the President say:

Let us pray.

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to grant unto these thy servants, now set apart to the office of elder, thy heavenly blessing: and so indue them with thy Holy Spirit, that they, preaching thy Word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech and exhort with all patience and long-suffering, but may be also to such as believe, wholesome examples in doctrine, in conversation, in love, in faith, in charity, in purity; that, faithfully fulfilling their course, at the last day each one may receive a crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord, the righteous Judge, who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end.

Assist us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continued help, that in all our works, begun,continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BENEDICTION

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you always. Amen.

ADVICE TO THE ORDAINED

Keep your own soul alive to God by meditation, prayer, and searching the Scriptures daily. Read the Old and New Testaments regularly through, if practicable, once every year, and avail yourself

of all the helps within your reach to obtain a correct understanding of the Word of Life. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."

Neither be unemployed, nor engaged about trifles. Do everything at the time appointed, and complete everything you commence. Never disappoint a congregation, nor spend more time in a place than is strictly necessary. Labor constantly to feel the high responsibilities of your office and ministry; take heed that the blood of souls be not found on your skirts.

Be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and avoid all affectation, effeminacy, and everything like austerity. Be affable and courteous in your manners, and let your whole deportment be mild and inoffensive. "Learn of me," said the blessed Jesus, "for I am meek and lowly in heart."

In your dress, keep clear of the two extremes, antiquated singularity on the one hand, and fashionable foppishness on the other. Abstain from the use of tobacco in all its forms, and use no spirituous liquors.

Remember, it is your imperative duty not to preach yourself, but Christ crucified, the great sacrifice for sin, and the only Saviour of the world. We "charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, preach the word; be instant, in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine."

"Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation."

The minister and people shall read the following Psalm responsively:

PSALM CXXXII.

I Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:

2 How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob:

3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

4 I will not give sleep unto mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids;

5 Until I find out a place for the Lord, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah; we found it in the fields of the wood.

7 We will go into his tabernacles; we will worship at his footstool.

8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest: thou, and the ark of thy strength.

9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

10 For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of thine anointed.

II The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne forevermore.

13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

14 This is my rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

17 There will I make the horn of

David to bud; I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

18 His enemies will I clothe with shame; but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

The minister shall now read the fol lowing portion of the New Testament:

I COR. III.

9 For we are laborers together with God ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

II For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

The minister, addressing the people, shall say:

It is right and meet that we follow the holy example of the pious servants of God, who, in all ages, have had their chosen places set apart for his divine worship. And in accordance with this godly custom, we purpose here to erect a house unto the Lord; and are now assembled to lay the corner-stone of this new temple for the dwelling of the Most High, where he may record his name, and come and bless his people. Trusting to his gracious approval of this pious undertaking, let us pour forth our thanksgiving and praise to his Holy name in one of the songs of Zion, and devoutly invoke his benediction upon our enterprise.

Then a suitable hymn may be sung.

The minister and people will now repeat the Lord's Prayer, after which the minister shall offer the following petition to the throne of Grace:

O Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, and whose glory is above the heavens; who coverest thyself with light as with a garment, and stretchest out the heavens like a curtain; who hast said, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; but who dost condescend to dwell with the lowly and contrite in heart, and those that tremble at thy word: Thou Holy and Glorious Lord God Almighty, who hast manifested thy mercy and goodness in the person of our Lord and

Saviour Jesus Christ, through whose blood and intercession we have access to thy benign presence, we come this day to honor thy institution of public wor ship by erecting a house to thy glory. We thank thee that thou hast put it into the hearts of thy people here to build a Sanctuary to thy Name; and beseech thee to inspire them with a becoming liberality, that all may give as thou hast prospered them, that there be no stint in providing for thy holy worship. May the friends of this pious undertaking be multiplied to such an extent that the workmen need not stop, nor the hearts of those who have it in charge fail them. But wilt thou graciously incline the people to give of their substance until this habitation of thy house shall be complete and ready for consecration to thy blessed name. May the counsels of those who have the oversight thereof be harmonious and brotherly, influenced by the one commendable desire to glorify thee, and benefit the people. May the work be completed without accident or injury to any engaged therein. May the interest that many manifest in the erection of this house eventuate in the salvation of themselves and their families. And we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imbue us with thy Spirit that we may be always ready to every good work, using our bodies as temples of the Holy Ghost. May thy pleasure prosper in our hands. And when the duties and enjoyments of thy earthly service are ended, may we all meet in the Temple of thy glory, to share in the rest that remaineth to thy people forever. Grant us, O Lord, these our humble supplications, and all other favors needful for us, for the sake and through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Then another hymn may be sung, to be followed by the sermon or an address, after which the contributions of the people shall be received.