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, and by thy restraining and renewing grace, he may be led to serve thee faithfully all his days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and Most Merciful Father, grant unto these, thy servants, the parents [sponsors] of this child, thy Holy Spirit, that they may command their household to keep the way of the Lord; that their whole family may be united to our Lord Jesus Christ in the bonds of faith, obedience, and charity; and that they all, being in this life thy holy children, may be admitted into the Church of the first born in heaven, through the merits of thy Son, our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

Then may the Minister offer extemporary Prayer.

Then shall be said by the Minister and People, all kneeling:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Order for the Administration of Baptism to such as are of Riper Years

The Minister, addressing the Congrega

tion, shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED, forasmuch as all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and our Saviour Christ saith except a man be born anew he cannot see the kingdom of God, and also gave commandment saying: Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 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 cannot have; that they, being baptized with water, may also be baptized with the Holy Spirit, 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 Everliving 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 the 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then may the Minister read the follow

ing Lesson:

And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. [Acts 2. 38-42.]

Or this

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came unto him by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and 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 anew. The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. [John 3. 1-8.]

Then shall the Minister speak to the Persons to be baptized on this wise:

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.

THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT

Son our Lord; and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he rose the third day; 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 communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and everlasting life after death?

Answer. All this I steadfastly believe. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? Answer. Such is my desire.

Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life? Answer. I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper.

Then shall the Minister say: O Merciful God, grant that all sinful affections may die in these persons, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them. Amen.

Grant that they, being here dedicated to thee in holy baptism, 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.

Almighty, Everliving God, 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 beloved children,

of the Persons to be baptized: 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 nor be led by them?

Answer. I renounce them all.

Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten

The one universal Church of Christ.

Then the Minister, asking the name of each Person, shall baptize him, saying: Ν., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then shall be said by the Minister and People, all kneeling:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Then may the Minister conclude with extemporary Prayer.

Reception of Members

Form for Receiving Persons into the Church as Preparatory Members

[The use of this form is discretionary with the minister.]

Those who are to be received into the Church as Preparatory Members may be called forward by name, and the Minister, addressing the Congregation, shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN, that none may be admitted hastily into the Church, we receive persons who seek fellowship with us on profession of faith into a preparatory membership; in which proof may be made, both to themselves and to the Church, of the sincerity and depth of their convictions and of the strength of their purpose to lead a new life.

The persons here present desire to be You will hear their anso admitted. swers to the questions put to them, and if you make no objection they will be received.

now

It is needful, however, that you be reminded of your own responsibility, as having previously entered this holy fellowship and representing the Church into which they seek admission. Inasmuch as they should find in you holy examples of life and loving help in the true serving of their Lord and ours, I beseech you so to order your own lives that these new disciples may take no detriment from you, but that it may ever be to them a cause for thanksgiving to God that they were led into this fellowship.

Then, addressing the Persons secking Admission as Preparatory Members,

the Minister shall say:

Dearly Beloved, you have, by the grace of God, made your decision to follow Christ and to serve him. Your confidence in so doing is not to be based on any notion of fitness or worthiness in

yourselves, but on the gracious promise of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. who loved us and gave himself for us.

That the Church may know your purpose, you will answer the following questions:

Have you an earnest desire to be saved from your sins? Answer. I have.

Will you guard against all things contrary to the teaching of God's Word, and endeavor to lead a holy life, following the commandments of God?

Answer. I will endeavor so to do.

Will you give reverent attendance upon the appointed means of grace in the ministry of the Word, and in the private and public worship of God?

Answer. With the help of God, I will.

The Minister shall then welcome the Candidates as Preparatory Members, and may assign them to classes.

Then may the Minister offer extemporary Prayer.

Form for Receiving Persons into the Church from Preparatory Membership

On the day appointed, all that are to be received into the Church shall be called forward, and the Minister, addressing the Congregation, shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED, the 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 end of this fellowship is the salvation of men and the establishment of the kingdom of God upon earth. As helps thereto the Church is charged with the maintenance of sound doctrine and of the ordinances of Christian worship, and with the exercise of that power of godly admonition and discipline which Christ has committed to her for the promotion of holiness. The duties of those united in this fellowship are to continue steadfast in the faith and practice of the gospel; to promote the peace and unity of the Church; to labor for the spread of love and righteousness; and by word and deed to bring others into the fold of Jesus Christ.

Into this holy fellowship the persons before you, who have already received the sacrament of Baptism and have been under instruction in the doctrines of Holy Scripture as taught by the Methodist Episcopal Church, 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 Persons seeking Admission, the Minister shall say:

Dearly Beloved, you are come hither seeking the great privilege of union with the Church our Saviour has purchased with his own blood. We rejoice in the grace of God vouchsafed unto you in that he has called you to be his followers, and that thus far you have run well. You have heard 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?

Form for Receiving Children as Members of the Church

We regard all children who have been baptized as standing in covenant relation to God, and as preparatory members under the special care and supervision of the Church. Whenever baptized children shall understand the obligations of religion, and shall give evidence of piety, they may be admitted into full membership in the Church. See Discipline, paragraphs 49 to 54.

At the appointed time, the Minister shal! read the names of the children to be received; and, after they have come forward, he shall say to the Congregation:

DEARLY BELOVED, these persons here present before you are baptized children of the Church, who, having arrived at the years of discretion, desire now to confirm the vows of their baptism and to enter upon the active duties and the full privileges of membership in the Church of Christ. They have been duly instructed as to the truths of the Christian faith, and have been examined as to their fitness for such membership. Before they assume the required vows, let us invoke on their behalf the gracious blessing of God our Father, and the continued presence of the Holy Spirit who hath inclined their hearts to this end.

Then shall the Minister say:
Let us pray.

Almighty and Everliving God, who hast appointed unto children a place in thy kingdom, and through thy well beloved Son didst give unto them thy blessing, we beseech thee that thou wilt visit with thy favor the homes of this congregation, and fill the hearts of all parents with the fear of God and the spirit of wisdom and love. We pray that thy church may be faithful in the nurture of those committed to her care. Let thy blessing rest upon these, thy children, whom thou hast graciously inclined to thy service and to the fellowship of thy people. We beseech thee, that thou wilt so further them by thy grace and direct them by thy Spirit, that they may be faithful servants in thy kingdom on earth, and finally reign with thee in thy kingdom above, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say: Hear the words of the Gospel as written by St. Luke (Chap. 2. 40-52).

And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? know ye not that I must be in my Father's house? And they understood not the saying

which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Then shall the Minister address the Persons seeking Admission as follows:

Dearly Beloved, we rejoice in the grace of God in that he has brought you to this place, and by his Spirit has confirmed you in your purpose to serve him and to live in the fellowship of the Church of Christ. It is needful now that you should declare your faith and purpose in the presence of this congregation by answering the following ques

tions: