¶ Benediction.

Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever.

AMEN.

END OF THE COMMUNION SERVICE.

THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS.

The Minister shall say to those who are present :

HEAR the words of the gospel written by MATTHEW, in the 3rd chapter, verse 13 to 17 inclusively :

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering, said unto him, suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him. And lo, a voice from heaven saying, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."

Hear likewise what MARK writeth in his 10th chapter, verse 13 and 16 inclusively:

"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. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.'

The Minister shall then make this brief exhortation upon the words which he has read:

In these gospels you see the actions and hear the words of the beloved son of God: how he commanded little children to be brought unto him, how readily he blessed them, how kindly he embraced them, how he pronounced them capable of and entitled to the kingdom of God; how he commanded us to receive the kingdom as infants received it, and affirmed that we can no way receive it but by being like them. You see also by the example and words of Jesus that the innocence of children and their freedom from sin should not excuse them from baptism, for he himself who knew no sin was yet baptized in the baptism of repentance, and so to do was the fulfilling of righteousness.

Then the Minister may deliver an exhortation to the Parents.

Then shall be said the following Prayer:

O Almighty and eternal God, who hast redeemed us from sin and shame, from ignorance and darkness, by thy holy son. We praise and glorify thy name that thou hast called us to the knowledge of thy will, and the service of thy majesty which is perfect freedom, the freedom of the sons of God. As thou hast dealt graciously with us, so deal with this infant. Receive him, O most gracious Lord,

who is thy child by creation; let him be admitted into the bosom of thy church, into the arms of thy mercy, into the service of Christ, and into the communion of saints. Give unto him a gracious heart, and an excellent understanding, a healthful and a useful body, and a wise soul, that he may advance thy glory in this world, and may increase the number of thy saints and servants in the kingdom and fellowship of Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Then the Minister shall take the child into his arms, and shall say to the Parents or Guardians:

What is this child's name?

And then naming it after them, he shall sprinkle water upon the child, saying:

N., I baptize thee in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Or,

N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

Prayer by the Minister.

T Benediction.

AMEN.

The Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us, and give us peace. NUMB. vi., 24-26.

END OF THE SERVICE.

THE FORM OF THE SOLEMNIZATION OF

MATRIMONY.

The previous steps necessary to render the Marriage awful having been taken, and the persons to be married, and their friends being assembled, the Minister shall say:

BRETHREN, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony: which is an honourable estate, instituted of God; all the moral and natural obligations of which Christ most solemnly set forth and sanctioned in his Gospel; and St. Paul pronounced this state to be honourable in all: So that it is not by any to be thought of, nor taken in hand unadvisedly, or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering its divine appointment, its irrevocable character, and its solemn obligations.

The Minister shall then say this Prayer:

Most holy and gracious God! We praise thee that thou hast made us rational creatures, capable of enjoying the various blessings of the social life. We thank thee for the Institution of Marriage and that thou hast made it honourable in all. Be pleased to bless these persons who are about to be joined in this holy relation. May they, being united to each other in the Marriage Covenant, also be united in