BX 8067 .L873 1918 Lutheran Church. Liturgy and agenda f'f7[>UJ^U^L. ^Uuirherao CA\uccJn -Wvvbou*\ *tfn»6 LITURGY and ^v^ k MAR 12 195 AGENDA. ABRIDGED EDITION. t St. Louis, Mo. coxcordia publishing house. i&18. J EDITORS' NOTE. Tn presenting our Liturgy and Agenda in a much abridged form, the editors desire to meet the pastor's demand for a pocket edition. Accordingly, only such liturgical forms and prayers as the pastor in his private ministrations and the missionary may need, have been reprinted. Every organized congregation ought to own a copy of the complete Liturgy and Agenda, which, in addition to the forms here given, contains prayers and forms for all occasions, such as, prayers for all church festivals and holidays, prayers for parochial school, synodical and conference services, mission-festival, a minister's jubilee, a teacher's jubilee, a jubilee of the congregation, anniversary of confirmation, anniversary of young people's and ladies' aid societies, charities, home-finding society, home for the aged, hospital, gradu- ation of nurses, home for the feeble-minded; and litur- gical forms for the installation of a teacher, installation of church council, dedication of school, organ, bell, burial- ground, parsonage, parish house, or dwelling: the his- tory of the Passion and Death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; a table of church-festivals and of Scrip- ture-lessons and Psalms for every Sunday; and the music for the liturgy. (428 and 57 pp.) A form which may be used by the pastor when visiting the sick and dying — not contained in the larger book — has for an obvious reason been inserted in this pocket edition. A number of blank pages have been added, on which the pastor may write such additional forms, Scripture-texts, prayer-, and hymns as lie may choose to use upon special occasions. QJablr of (Eimtrnta. Part !. -LITURGY. eAGB The Order of Morning Service, or the Conimunipn . . . . 3 Tin Order of Morning Service. (Second Form.) 15 Order of Evening Service, or Vespers 1* The Order of Afternoon or Evening Service. (Second Form. I - 1 The Order of Early Service, or Matins -1 The Order of Confessional or Preparatory Service .... 25 ( 'ollects and Prayers 28 Special Intercessions and Thanksgivings: — 1. For a Woman after Childbirth 47 2. For the Churching of Women 48 3. For the Catechumens 48 4. For the Communicants 40 5. For Persons Betrothed 49 6. For the Sick 50 7. At the Announcement of a Death 52 8. During a Vacancy in a Church 53 0. In Time of Dearth and Famine 53 10. In Time of Unseasonable Weather 53 11. In Time of Pestilence 53 12. After a Great Disaster 54 13. In Time of Insurrection and Tumults 34 14. In Time of War 54 15. In Time of Peace Restored 55 Part II. — AGENDA. Baptism : — 1. The Baptism of Infants : First Form 50 Second Form. (Without Sponsors.) 63 Emergency Baptism 65 2. Confirmation of Lay-Baptism 66 3. The Baptism of Adults 68 Confirmation ~0 Marriage : First Form 77 Second Form 81 Anniversary of Marriage 84 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE Lessons and Prayers for the Sick and the Dying : — 1. Afflictions and Their Uses 86 2. Repentance and Assurance of Forgiveness 88 3. Patience under Suffering and Trust in God's Help 90 4. Preparation for Death, and When the End is at Hand 92 5. Gratitude for Recovery e 94 0. At the Sickbed of Children 95 The Communion of the Sick 97 The Burial of the Dead : — A. At the House 100 B. At the Church ., 110 C. At the Grave 119 The Ordination of a Minister 123 The Ordination and Installation of a Minister 127 The Installation of a Pastor 180 The Installation of a Teacher 135 Laying the Corner-Stone of a Church 137 The Dedication of a Church 140 Congregational Meeting 143 PART I. Liturgy. LITUBGY AND AGENDA ®ttr- GDrorr of JHormnjj &r rtrir?, or tljr (Slommuntott. A Hymn of Invocation of the Holy Ohost may be sung. The Congregation shall rise, and the Minister, standing at the Altar, sluill say: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The Congregation shall sing or sau: Amen. Then shall be said the Confession op Sins, as here follotceth: The Confession of Sins. Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God, our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. Then, all kneeling or standing, shall be sung or said: Minister. Our help is in the name of the Lord. Congregation. Who made heaven and earth. Minister. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. Congregation. And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Then shall the Minister say: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto Thee that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against Thee by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Thine infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Thy grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Congregation shall say with the Minister: most merciful God, who hast given Thine only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us, and for Hi3 sake grant us remission of all our sins; and by Thy Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of Thee and of Thy will, and true obedience to Thy Word, to the end that by Thy grace we may come to ever- lasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 4 ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. Then the Minister, standing, shall say: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, hath had mercy upon us, and hath given His only Son to die for us, and for His sake forgiveth us all our sins. To them that believe on His name He giveth power to become the sons of God, and hath promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all! Then shall the Congregation sing or say: Amen. Then, all standing to the close of the Collect, shall be sung or said the Introit for the day. The Introit. The Introit irtth the Gloria Patsi may be sung by the Choir; or the Introit may be said by the Minister, and the Gloria Patri sung or said by the Con- gregation. Instead of the Introit a Psalm or a Hymn may be used. Gloria Patri. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Then shall follow the Kyrie. The Ktbib may be sung or said by the Minister and Congregation, or each petition may be said by the Minister, and sjing or said by the Congregation in response. Lord, have mercy upon, us ! Christ, have mercy upon us ! Lord, have mercy upon us ! Then shall be sung the Gloria in Excelsis as here followeth. Instead of the Gloria in Excelsis, another Canticle or Hymn of Praise may be sung, except on festival days, and when there is a Communion. Gloria in Excelsis. The Minister shall say: Glory be to God on high! The Congregation shall sing: Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. 5 Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Then shall the Minister say: The Lord be with you. The Congregation shall sing or say: And with thy spirit. The Minister shall say: Let us pray. Then shall the Minister say the Collect for the Day. The Collect. The Collect ended, the Congregation shall sing or say: Amen. Then shall the Minister read the Epistle fob the Day. Other Scbiptube Lessons may be read before the Epistle, but the Epistle and Gospel for the Day shall always be read, fhe Minister shall announce the Epistle, saying: The Epistle for (here he shall name the day) is written in the chapter of , beginning at the verse. The Epistle for the Day. The Epistle ended, the Minister shall say: Hebe endeth the Epistle. Then shall the Hallelujah be sung or said, except in the Passion season. The Hallelujah. Hallelujah ! Instead of the simple Hallelujah, a sentence for the Season of the Church year may be sung uith it; or a Psalm or Hymn may be sung after the Hallelujah. The Hallelujah and Sentence, for advent. Hallelujah ! Remember, Lord, Thy tender mercies ; for they have been ever of old. Hallelujah ! 6 ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. FOR THE EPIPHANY SEASON. Hallelujah ! praise the Lord, all ye nations ; and laud Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us ; and the truth of the Lord ehdureth forever. Hallelujah ! FOR THE PASSION SEASON. Christ hath humbled Himself, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. FOR THE EASTER SEASON. Hallelujah! Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Halle- lujah ! FOR WHITSUNTIDE. Hallelujah! Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created; and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah ! FROM TRINITY TO ADVENT. Hallelujah ! Lord, deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy; and teach me Thy statutes. I am Thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies. Hallelujah ! Or this: Hallelujah! Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers; praise Him, and highly exalt Him forever. Hallelujah ! Then shall the Minister announce the Gospel for the Day, saying: The Holy Gospel is written in the chapter of St. beginning at the verse. The Congregation may sing or say: Glory be to Thee, Lord! Then shall the Minister read The Gospel for the Day. The Gospel ended, the Minister shall say: IIkre endeth the Gospel, and the Congregation shall stand up, unless they have stood at the rending of the Gospel, and shall sing or say: Praise be to Thee, Christ! Then shall be said or sung the Nicene Creed or the Apostles' Creed; but i{ there be a Communion, the Nicene Creed shall be used. order of morning service, or the communion. 7 The Nicene Creed. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; And I look for the Resurrection of the dead; And the life of the world to come. Amen. The Apostles' Creed. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only- Son, our Lord ; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried ; He de- scended into hell ; The .third day He rose again from the dead ; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resur- rection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen. Then mini a Hymn be sung, and the Minister shall go into the pulpit After the ITymn shall fnllov The Sermon. 8 ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. The Sermon ended, the Congregation standing up, the Minister shall say: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The Offertory shall then be sung, at the close of which the Congregation shall be seated. One of the Offertories here following, or any other suitable Offertory, may be used. The Offertory. I. Create in me a clean heart, God: and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. II. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, God, Thou wilt not despise. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion : build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteous- ness: with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering. The Offerings shall be gathered and brought to the Minister, who shall place them on the Altar. Then shall the Minister make mention of any special Petition, Intercessions, or Thanksgivings which may have been requested. He may also make mention of the death of any member of the Congregation. Then shall follow the General Prayer. The Prayer here following may be used; or, if there be no Communion, the Litany, or a selection from the Col- lects and Prayers, or any other suitable prayer. The General Prayer. Almighty and most merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: we give Thee thanks for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will and grace; and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us that in good and honest hearts we may keep it, and bring forth fruit by patient continuance in well-doing. Most heartily we beseech Thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal, with all its pastors and ministers, that it may ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. 9 be preserved in the pure doctrine of Thy saving Word, whereby faith toward Thee may be strengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind. Grant also health and prosperity to all that are in authority. especially to the President [and Congress] of the United States, the Governor [and Legislature] of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges and Magistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Tby good pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness and to the hindrance and punishment of wickedness, that we may load a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. May it please Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and adversaries, that they may cease their enmity, and be in- clined to walk with us in meekness and in peace. All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy name and for Thy truth's sake, comfort, God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the manifestation of Thy fatherly* will. And although we have deserved Thy righteous wratli and manifold punishments, yet, we entreat Thee, most merciful Father, remember not the sins of our youth nor our many trans- gressions, but out of Thine unspeakable goodness, grace, and mercy defend us from all harm and danger of body and soul. Preserve us from false and pernicious doctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, from all calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy mercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of trouble show Thvself a very present Help, the Savior of all men. and especially <>f them that believe. Cause also the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season. Give success to the Christian training of the young, to all lawful occupations on land and sea. and to all pure arts and useful knowledge: and crown them with Thy blessing. Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may be made. These, and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, God, vouchsafe unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings aud death of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Savior, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God. world without end. 10 ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. Then shall the Minister, and the Congregation with him, say the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer. 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 and ever Amen. Then shall be sung a Hymn. If there be no Communion, a Doxology may be sung, and the Minister, standing at the Altar, shall pronounce the Benediction, after which the Congregation shall offer silent prayer. The Benediction. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee,- and give thee peace. The Congregation shall sing or say: Amen. Whilst the Hymn is sung, the Minister shall go to the Altar, make ready the Communion vessels, and prepare for the administration of the Holy Commdnion. The Hymn ended, the Congregation shall rise, and stand to the end of the Agnus Dei. The Preface. The Minister shall say: The Lord be with you. The Congregation shall sing or say And with thy spirit. Minister. Lift up your hearts. Congregation. We lift them up unto the Lord. Minister. Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God. Congregation. It is meet and right so to do. Minister. It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, Lord, Holy Fatber, Almighty, Everlasting God. Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed, or else immediately shall folloxo, Therefore with ANGELS, etC. OBDEB OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE CoMMLNiON. 11 Proper Prefaces. for christmas. For in the mystery of the Word made flesh, Thou hast given us a new revelation of Thy glory, that, seeing Thee in the person of Thy Son, we may be drawn to the love of those things which are not seen. Therefore with angels, etc. FOR THE PASSION SEASON. Who on the tree of the cross didst give salvation unto man- kind, thai;, whence death arose, thence Life also might rise again ; and that he who by a tree once overcame might likewise by a tree be overcome, through Christ, our Lord; through whom with angels, etc. FOR THE EASTER SEASON. But cliiefly are we bound to praise Thee for the glorious Resurrection of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; for He is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by His death hath destroyed death, and by His rising to life again hath restored to us ever- lasting life. Therefore with angels, etc. FOR ASCEN3I0N DAY. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who after His Resurrec- tion appeared openly to all His disciples, and in their sight was taken up into heaven, that He might make us partakers of His divine nature. Therefore with angels, etc. FOR WHITSUNDAY. Through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord and Savior, who ascended above the heavens, and, sitting at Thy right hand, poured out on this day the Holy Spirit, as He had promised, upon the chosen disciples; whereat the whole earth rejoices with exceeding joy. Therefore with angels, etc. FOR THE FESTIVAL OF THE TRINITY. Who with Thine only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost art one God, one Lord. And in the confession of the only true God we worship the Trinity in Person, and the Unity in Substance, of Majesty coequal. Therefore with angels, etc. \'i ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. After the Preface shall follow immediately: Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the com- pany of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious name, ever- more praising Thee and saying: Then shall be said or sung the Sanctus. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sahaoth ! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Then may the Minister give this Exhortation. The Exhortation. Dearly beloved ! Forasmuch as we purpose to come to the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, it becometh us diligently to examine ourselves, as St. Paul exhorteth us. For this Holy Sacrament hath been instituted for the special comfort and strengthening of those who humbly confess their sins, and who hunger and thirst after righteousness. But if we thus examine ourselves, we shall find nothing in us but only sin and death, from which we can in no wise set ourselves free. Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ hath had mercy upon us, and hath taken upon Himself our nature, that so He might fulfil for us the whole will and Law of God, and for us and for our deliverance suffer death and all that we by our sins have deserved. And to the end that we should the more con- fidently believe this, and be strengthened by our faith in a cheer- ful obedience to His holy will, He hath instituted the Holy Sac- rament of His Supper, in which He feedeth us with His Body, and giveth us to drink of His Blood. Therefore, whoso eatcth of this bread, and drinketh of this cup, firmly believing the words of Christ, dwelleth in Christ, and Christ in him, and hath eternal life. We should also do this' in remembrance of Him, showing His death, that He was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification, and, rendering unto Him most hearty thanks for the same, take up our cross and follow Him, and, according to His commandment, love one another even as He hath loved us. For we are all one bread and one body, even as we are all partakers of this one bread, and drink of this one cup. OP MORNING - k;:\ l< i . OR THE < OM Ml 13 the Minister, turning t» the Altar, ylnili Let is pray. 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 and ever. Then shall the Congregation sina or say: Amen. Then shall the Minister say: Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in (a) Here he shall which He was betrayed, took bread; (a) and K uh the Bread when He had given. thanks, He brake it and gave in hig hand - it to His disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is My Body, f which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. Alter the same manner, also. He took the (b) IIcre he skaU cup,(6) when He had supped, and when He had his hand. given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in My Blood, j which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. This do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. Then shall the Minister say: The peace of the Lord be with you alway! Then "hull he sung or said the Agnus Dei, and the distribution shall begin. Agnus Dei. Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us! Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us! Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace! Amen. When the Minister giveth Vie Dread, he shall say: Take and eat ; this is the true Body of Christ, given for thee. When he giveth the Cup, he shall say: Take and drink; this is the true Blood of the New Testa- ment, shed for thy sins. 1 I ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION. In dismissing the Communicants, the Minister may say: The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ and His precious Blood strengthen and preserve you in the true faith unto everlasting life ! // the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have, communed, the Minister shall consecrate more, saying aloud so much of the words of institu- tion as pertaineth to the element to be consecrated. When all have communed, the Minister shall reverently cover what remaineth of the Bread and Wine. Then, all standing, may be sung or said the Nunc Dimittis. ' Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace accord- ing to Thy Word: For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation: which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles: and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. Then shall be said: The Thanksgiving. Minister. give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. The Congregation shall sing or say: And His mercy endureth forever. Minister. We give thanks to Thee, Almighty God, that Thou hast re- freshed us through this salutary gift; and we beseech Thee that of Thy mercy Thou wouldst strengthen us through the same in faith towards Thee and in fervent love toward one another, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. The Congregation shall sing or say: Amen. THE ORMR <>r HORNING SERVICE. 15 Then may be sung or said the Benedicamus. Minister. The Lord be with you. Congregation. And with thy spirit. Minister. Bless we the Lord. Congregation. Thanks be to God. Then shall the Minister say the Benediction, as here follotceth, or he map say the words 2 Cob. 13, 14. After the Benediction the Congregation should offer silent prayer. The Benediction. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. The Congregation shall sing or say: Amen. uty? (JDrorr of HHflrmraj &mitrr. (Second Form.) The service is opened icith the singing of a Hymn of grace and mercy (Kyrie). The Congregation shall rise, and the Minister, standing at the Altar, shall chant or say: Glory be to God on high ! The Congregation shall respond by singing: All glory be to God on high, etc. The Minister, again facing the Congregation at the close of the Hymn, shall chant or say: The Lord be with you. The Congregation shall respond' And with thy spirit. Then the Minister, facing the Altar, shall chant or say some suitable versiele, or antiphon. tiru on festival day*, e.g., on Advent: Minister. Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Hallelujah! Congregation. Make His paths straight. Hallelujah! Minister. Hosanna to the Son of David. Hallelujah! Congregation. Hosanna in the highest. Hallelujah! 1G THE ORDER OF MORNIA'G^ERVICE. Then the Minister, still facing the Altar, shall chant or say: Let us pray. Then shall the Minister chant or say « suitable Collect. The Collect. Almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy Holy Spirit dost govern and sanctify the whole Christian Church : hear our prayers for all members of the same, and mercifully grant that by Thy grace they may serve Thee in true faith, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. The Collect ended, the Congregation shall respond with: Amen. Then shall the Minister read the Epistle for the Day. The Minister shall announce the Epistle, saying: Let us hear with devout attention the Epistle for the day. The Epistle Lesson for is written in the chapter of , beginning at the verse. The Epistle ended, the Minister shall withdraw, and a Hymn be sung. Then shall the Minister return to the Altar and, turning to the Congregation, shall say: Let us hear with devout attention the Gospel for the day. The Gospel Lesson for is written in the chapter of the Gospel according to , beginning at the verse. Then may be sung "We All Believe in One True God," and the Minister shall go into the pulpit. After the Hymn shall follow The Sermon. The Sermon ended, the Minister shall read the General Confession and Abso LOTION, saying: Having heard • the Word of God, let us now humble our- selves before the supreme majesty of God and make a confession of our sins, saying: almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sin- ner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended Thee, and justly deserved Thy temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them, and sincerely repent of them, and I pray Thee, of Thy boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being. Amen. THE ORDER OF MORX1NO SERVICE. 17 Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, who do heartily repent of your sins, be- lieve on Jesus Christ, and sincerely and earnestly purpose by the assistance of God the Holy Ghost henceforth to amend your sin- ful lives, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins, in the name of God f the Father, God f the Son, and God f the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall follow The General Prayer. After the General Prayer, special Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made, as occasion may require. Then, after making the announcements for the day, the Minister shall say The Lord's Prayer and the Votum. 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 and ever. Amen. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Then shall be sung a Hymn. If there be no Communion, the Minister, facing the Altar, shall chant or say a suitable. Anttphon and Collect. Then the Minister, facing the Congregation, shall chant or say The Benediction. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. The Congregation shall respond with: Amen. After the Benediction, the Congregation shall sing a closing stanza, and con- clude the service with silent prayer. LITURGY AND AGENDA. 2 18 ORDER OF EVENING SKRVICE, OR VESPERS. A Hymn of Invocation of the Holy Qhost or another Hymn may be sung. Then thall be sung or said rcsponsively the Vebsicle with the Gloria Patri, as here followeth, all standing to the end of the Psalm. Versicle. Make haste, God, to deliver me. Answer. Make haste to help me, Lord. Grory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. Hallelujah ! During the Passion Season the Hallelujah shall be omitted. The Psalm. Then shall be sung or said one or more Psalms. At the end of the Psalm the Gloria Patri shall be sung. An Antiphon may be used with each Psalm. The Lesson. The Scripture Lessons shall then be read, and after each Lesson may be sung or said: But Thou, Lord, have mercy upon us. Answer. Thanks be to God. After the Lessons a Responsory may be sung. Then may be sung a Hymn. Then may follow a Sermon, after wtiicb the Offerings may be gathered. Then shall be sung The Hymn. Then, all standing, may be sung or said this Versicle. But on Festival days, a special Versicle may be used. Versicle. Let my prayers be set forth before Thee as inceuse : Answer And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. The Canticle. Then shall be sung the Magnificat. (St. Luke 1.) My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath re- joiced in God, my Savior. For He hath regarded : the low estate of His handmaiden. For, behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed. ORDER OF EVENING SERVICE. «'R VESPERS. 10 For He that is mighty hath done to mo great things: and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him: from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm : He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats : and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath holpen His servant Israel in remembrance of His mercy: as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed, forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost ; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Or the Nunc Dimittis. (St. Luke 2.) Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace : accord- ing to Thy word: For mine eyes nave seen Thy salvation : which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles : and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost ; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. An Antiphon may be sung with the Canticle. The Prayer. Then shall be said the Prayers here following, or the Suffrages, the Litant, or other prayers. The Prayer. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, hare mercy upon us. 20 ORDER OF EVENING SERVICE, OR VESPERS. Then all shall say: 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 and ever. Amen. Salutation. The Lord be with you. Answer. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Then shall be said the Collect for the day: the Collect for the Sunday is said throughout the week following until Friday, but on Saturday the Collect for the following Sunday is said. Then may be said any other Collects and after that this Collect for Peace. A Versicle may be used with the Collect. God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Thy commandments, and also that by Thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. Then may be sung or said the Benedicamus. Bless we the Lord. Answer. Thanks be to God. The service may end with the Benedicamus ;. or a Closing Hymn may be sung, after which may be- said: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. At the close of the service silent prayer should be offered. ORDER OF AFTERNOON OR BVEK'KC SERVICE 21 mrirr. (Second Form.) A suitable Hymn may be sung. Minister. The Lord be with you. Congregation. And with thy spirit. Then shall follow The Versicle (.Antiphon) and Collect. Then shall be read The Scripture Lesson. After Hit siiujin<) of a Hymn shall follow the Sermon, and after it a suitable Prayer. Then shall be sung another Hymn, which is to be followed by an Antiphon, a Collect, and the Benediction Then, after the singing of a Doxology, the service shall close with silent prayer. tlhi> ©run* of £arh* £>mrin\ or Matins. .4 Hymn of Invocation of the Holy Ghost or another Hymn may be sung. Then shall be sung o> said the Versicles here following, all standing to the end of the Venite. Versicle. Lord, open Thou my lips. Answer. And my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. Versicle. Make haste, God, to deliver me. Answer. Make haste to help me, Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost ; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. Hallelujah ! During the Passion season the Hallelujah shall be omitted. ill follow the Invitatory with the Venite. On Festival Days a special Invitatort may be used. The Invitatory. Minister. come, let us worship the Lord: Congr,gation. For He is our Maker. 22 order of early service, or matins. Venite Exultemus. (Ps. 95.) come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving: and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God : and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. For He is our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost ; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. The Hymn. The Hymn shall then be sung. The Psalm. Then, all standing to the end of the Psalm, shall be sung or said one or more Psalms. At the end of the Psalm the Gloria Patri shall be tung. An Antiphon marj be used with each Psalm. The Lesson. The Scriptl'rf. Lessons shall then be read. After each Lesson may be sung or said: But Thou, Lord, have mercy upon us. Answer. Thanks be to God After the Lessons a Responsory may be sung. A brief Exhortation, or Sermon, may then follow. The Canticle. The Congregation shall stand and sing the Te Beum Laudamus or the Bene- dictl's. An Antiphon may be sung with the Benedictus. Te Deum Laudamus. We praise Thee, God : we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship Thee: the Father everlasting. ORDER OK EARLY SERVICE, OR MATINS. 23 To Thee all angels cry aloud : the heavens and all the powers therein. To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim: continually do cry, Holy, holy, holy : Lord God of Sabaoth ; Heaven and earth are full of the majesty : of Thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles: praise Thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets: praise Thee. The noble army of Martyrs: praise Thee. The holy Church throughout all the world: doth ac- knowledge Thee; The Father: of an infinite Majesty; Thine adorable, true: and only Son; Also the Holy. Ghost: the Comforter. Thou art the King of Glory: Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father. When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man : Thou didst humble Thyself to be born of a Virgin. When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death : Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come: to be our Judge. We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants: whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with Thy saints: in glory ever- lasting. Lord, save Thy people : and bless Thine heritage. Govern them: and lift them up forever. Day by day: we magnify Thee. And we worship Thy name:- ever, world without end. Vouchsafe, Lord: to keap us this day without sin. Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us. Lord, let Thy mercy be upon us : as our trust is in Thee. Lord, in Thee have I trusted: let me never be con- founded. Amen. Or the Benedictus. (St. Luke -1.) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: for He hath visited and redeemed His people; And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us: in the house of His servant David ; JJ4 ORDER OF EARLY SERVICE, OR MATINS. As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets: which have been since the world began; That we should be saved from our enemies: and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers: and to remember His holy covenant; The oath which He ' sware to our father Abraham : that He would grant unto us; That we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies : might serve Him without fear> In holiness and righteousness before Him: all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways ; To give knowledge of salvation unto His people: by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the Day- spring from on high hath visited us ; To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: to guide our feet in the way of peace. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost ; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. The Prayer. Then shall be said the Prayers here following, or the Soffraoes, the Litant. or other prayers. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Then all shall say: 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; ORDER Of CONFESSIONAL <>i: PREPARATORY SERVICE. 25 And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for- ever and ever. Amen. One or more Collects may be used, with the Salutation, which may be pre- ceded by a Versicle. After each Collect the Congregation shall sing or say: Amen. Then may be sung or said the Benedicamus with the Salutation. The Lord be with you. Answer. And with thy spirit. Benedicamus. Bless we the Lord. Answer. Thanks be to God. The service may end with the Benedicamus, or a closing Hymn may be sung, after which may be laid: The grace of the Lord- Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.. At the close of the service silent prayer should be offered. uJhr (§rb?v of (HmtfrHflumal or grrparatmuj £>?rmre. A Hymn of Repentance may be sung. Then shall follow a Prayer ex cord6 or one of the following Prayers. 1. Search me, God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen. Almighty and everlasting Father, the God of all grace, who forgivest the sins of the penitent, we beseech Thee, create in us new and contrite hearts, that, deploring our transgressions and acknowledging our wretchedness, we may obtain perfect re- mission, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen 2(3 ORDER OF CONFESSIONAL OR PREPARATORY SERVICE. 3. holy and righteous God, who settest our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance : we have done evil in Thy sight, our conscience condemns us, our sin catnot be denied. Grant, therefore, we beseech Thee, that we may not seek to hide ourselves from Thee, but make a sincere confession of our sins. And do Thou, according to Thy promise, forgive us our trespasses and cleanse us from all un- righteousness, for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our only Savior. Amen. 4. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who lovest to show mercy, we beseech Thee so to rule and guide us by Thy Holy Spirit that we may not make light of our sins and lapse into security, but know and heartily deplore them, and in true faith obtain pardon and peace, to the end that, dying daily unto sin, we may live in newness of life, and ever serve and please Thee, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord and Savior. Amen. 5. Lord Jesus Christ, who alone art able to make us meet for a salutary eating and drinking of Thy true body and blood in the Holy Supper, we pray Thee, enable us to partake wor- thily of Thy holy Sacrament. Grant us knowledge of our sins, that we may be truly penitent; grant us knowledge of Thy grace, that by faith we may draw nigh unto Thee; and work in our hearts a sincere resolve to serve Thee in holiness and pureness of living. Have mercy upon us for Thy name's sake. Amen, 6. eternal, holy, and righteous God, we beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit to work in us godly sorrow for our sins and a living faith in Thy Son Jesus Christ; cause us to turn with sincere Tepentance from our sinful ways unto Thee; and renew us daily by Thy grace, that we may live according to Thy holy will, worship Thee in true holiness, and be made meet to inherit Thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. ORDER OF CONCESSIONAL OH PREPARATORY SERVICE. 27 Lord God, who dcspisest not a contrite heart, and i'or- gettest the sin and wickedness of a sinner in whatsoever hour he doth mourn and lament his old manner of living: giant unto us, we beseech Thee, true contrition of heart, that we may vehemently despise our sinful life past, and wholly be converted unto Thee, by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. The Minister shall then deliver the PREPARATORY ADDRESS. Then the Minister shall say: Having now heard the Word of God, let us kneel and make i onfession of our sins: almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sin- ner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which 1 have ever offended Thee and justly deserved Thy temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray Thee, of Thy boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being. Amen. Then, white the persons confessing continue kneeling, the Minister shall rise and say: And now I ask you before God, Is this the sincere con- fession of all of you, that you heartily repent of your sins, believe on Jesus Christ, and sincerely and earnestly purpose by the assistance of God the Holy Ghost henceforth to amend your sinful life? Then declare so by saying, Yes. Answer: Yes. Then the Minister shall pronounce the Absolution as foll'/n - Upon this your confession, 1, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of God f the Father, God f tne S° n > ari( l God t the Holy Ghost. Amen. The service may be closed with a Humn. 28 COLLECTS AND PRAYERS.. i. Grant us, we beseech Thee, almighty God, a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Thy mercy, and a sincere love to Thee and to all our fellow-men; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. . 2, Lord God, Heavenly Father, we give Thee thanks that of Thy great goodness and mercy Thou didst suffer Thine only- begotten Son to become incarnate, and to redeem us from sin and everlasting death; and we beseech Thee, enlighten our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may evermore yield Thee unfeigned thanks for this Thy grace, and may comfort ourselves with the same in all time of tribulation and temptation; through the same Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 3. Almighty God, who hast given us commandment to pray for the gift of the Holy Ghost, most heartily we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Advocate, to grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that He may quicken our hearts by Thy saving Word, and lead us into all truth, that He may guide, instruct, enlighten, govern, comfort, and sanctify us unto everlasting life; through the same, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 4. Send, we beseech Thee, almighty God, Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that He may rule and direct us according to Thy will, comfort us in all our temptations and afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth, that we, being stead- fast in the faith, may increase in love and in all good works, and in the end obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. A men. 5. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who, of Thy tender love toward us sinners, hast given us Thy Son, that, believing on Him, we might have everlasting life: grant us, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit, that we may continue steadfast in this faith to the end, and may come to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (.'MM T> AND PKAYEKS. 29 Almighty and everlasting Qodj who, by Thy Son. has! promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life: we beseech Thee so to rule and govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that in our daily need, and especially in all nine of temptation, we may seek help from Him, and by a true and lively faith m Thy Word obtain the same; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lord God, Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee, let Thy Holy Spirit dwell in us, that He may enlighten and lead us into all truth, and evermore defend us from all adversities; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 8. Lord God, Heavenly Father, who hast given Thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification: quicken us, Ave heseech Thee, by Thy Holy Spirit, unto newness of life, that through the power of His resurrection we may dwell with Christ forever; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. v 9. Almighty and ever-living God, who makest us both to will and to do those things which are good, and acceptable unto Thy Divine Majesty: let Thy Fatherly hand, we beseech Thee, ever be over us; let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with us; and so lead us in the knowledge and obedience of Thy Word that in the end we may obtain everlasting life; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. FOR THE CHURCH 10. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, unto Thy Church Thy Holy Spirit, and the wisdom which cometh down from above, that Thy Word as becometh it, may not !><• bound, hut have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ's holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve Thee, and in the confession of Thy name abide unto the end; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 30 COLLECTS AND PRAYERS. 11. Merciful Lord, we beseech Thee to cast the bright beams of Thy light upon Thy Church, that, being instructed by the doctrine of the blessed Apostles, it may so walk in the light of Thy truth that it may at length attain to the light of ever- lasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 12. God, our Protector, behold, and look upon the face of Thine Anointed, who hath given Himself for the redemption of all, and grant that from the rising of the sun to the going down ■ thereof Thy name may be great among the Gentiles, and that in every place, sacrifice and a pure offering may be made unto Thy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 13. Lord, favorably receive the prayers of Thy Church, that, being delivered from all adversity and error, it may serve Thee in safety and freedom; and grant us Thy peace in our time; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 14. For the Children of the Church. Almighty and everlasting God, who dost will that not one of these little ones should perish, and hast sent Thine only Son to seek and to save that which was lost, and through Him hast said, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God: most heartily we beseech Thee so to bless and govern the children of Thy Church, by Thy Holy Spirit, that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Thy Word; protect and defend them against all danger and harm, giving Thy holy angels charge over them; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 15. For the Ministers of the Word. Almighty and everlasting God, who alone doest great won- ders, send down upon Thy ministers, and upon the congrega- tions committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of Thy grace; and, that they may truly please Thee, pour upon them the continual dew of Thy blessing; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. COLLE) !-« AXD ri:\\ ERS. 31 16. Almighty and gracious God, the Father of our Lord who hasl commanded us to pray that Thou wouldest send forth laborers into Thy harvest : of Thine infinite mercy { true teachers and ministers of Thy Word, and put Thy saying Gospel in their hearts and on their lips, that they may truly fulfil Thy command, and preach nothing contrary to Thy holy Word, that we, being warned, instructed, nurtured, comforted, and strengthened by Thy heavenly Word, may do those things which are well-pleasing to Thee, and profitable to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 17. almighty God, who by Thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to Thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and commandedsi tfiem earnestly to feed Thy flock: make, we beseech Thee, all pastors diligently to preach Thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of ever- lasting glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 18. For the Church in Its Conflicts. Almighty and everlasting God, who wilt have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth : we be- seech Thy glorious Majesty, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, impart the grace and help of Thy Holy Spirit to all ministers of Thy Word, that they may purely teach it to the saving of men; bring to naught, by Thine almighty power and unsearchable wisdom, all the counsels of those who hate Thy Word, and who, by corrupt teaching or with violent hands, would destroy it. and enlighten them with -the knowledge of Thy glory, that we, leading a quiet and peaceable life, may, by a pure faith, learn the riches of Thy heavenly grace, and in holiness and righteousness serve Thee, the only true God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 19. For Those Who Have Erred. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, whose property it is always to have mercy, we most earnestly beseech Thee to risil with Thy Fatherly correction all such as have erred and gone 32 COLLECTS AM) PRAYERS. astray from the truth of Thy holy Word, and to bring them, to a due sense of their error, that they may again with hearty faith receive and hold fast Thine unchangeable truth; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 20. Almighty, merciful, and gracious God and Father, with our whole heart we beseech Thee for all who have forsaken the Christian faith, all who have wandered from any portion thereof, or arc in doubt or temptation through the corrupters of Thy Word, that Thou wouldest visit them as a Father, reveal unto them their error, and bring them back from their wanderings, that they, in singleness of heart, taking pleasure alone in the pure truth of Thy Word, may be made wise thereby unto ever- lasting life through faith in Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Allien. 21. For Unity. God, who restorest to the right way them that err, who gatherest them that are scattered, and preservest them that are gathered : of Thy tender mercy, we beseech Thee, pour upon Thy Christian people the grace of unity, that, all schisms being healed, Thy flock, united to the true Shepherd of Thy Church, may worthily serve Thee; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Ann u 22. For the Removal of Schism. Bring to naught, O Christ, the schisms of heresy, which seek to subvert Thy Truth, that, as Thou art acknowledged in heaven and in earth as one- and the same Lord, so Thy people, gathered from all nations, may serve Thee in unity of faith. Amen. 23. For the Jews. Almighty and everlasting God, who lovest to show mere)-, hear the prayers which we offer unto Thee for Thine ancient people, that, acknowledging Jesus Christ, who is the Light of Truth, they may be delivered from their darkness; through the same, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. COL1 E< TS \M> PRAYERS. 33 84. For the Heathen. Almighty and everlasting God, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but wouldest have all men to repent and live: hear our prayers for the heathen; take away iniquity from their hearts, and turn them from their idols unto the living and true God and to Thine only Son; and gather them into Thy holy Church, to the glory of Thy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. FOR THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES. '! 5 . merciful Father in heaven, who holdest in Thy hand all the might of man, and who hast ordained the powers that be for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well, and of whom is all rule and authority in the kingdoms of the world : we humbly beseech Thee, graciously regard Thy ser- vants, the President of the United States, the Governor of this Commonwealth, our Judges and Magistrates, and all the rulers of the earth. May all that receive the sword, as Thy ministers, bear it according to Thy commandment. Enlighten and defend them by Thy name, God. Grant them wisdom and under- standing, that under their peaceable governance Thy people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness, and unity. Protect and prolong their liv be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy Holy Word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 50. For Grace to he Led into All Truth. Enlighten our minds, we beseech Thee, God, by the Spirit which proceedeth from Thee, that, as Thy Son hath promised, we may be led into all truth ; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 51. For Spiritual Renewal. Almighty God, who hast given us Thine only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, grant that we, being regenerate, and made Thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be re- newed by Thy Holy Spirit; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 52. For Pen it ex ce. Merciful Father, give us grace that we may never presume .to sin; but if at any time we offend Thy divine majesty, may we truly repent and lament our offense, and by a lively faith obtain remission of all our sins, solely through the merits of Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 53. For Pardon. Hear, we beseech Thee, Lord, the prayer of Thy sup- pliant?, and spare those who confess their sins unto Thee, that Thou mayest bestow upon us both pardon and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 54. For Deliverance from Sin. We beseech Thee, Lord, in Thy clemency to show us Thine unspeakable mercy, that Thou mayest both set us free from our sins, and rescue us from the punishments which for our sins we deserve; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 40 COLLECTS AND PRAYERS. 55. For Grace to Do God's" Will. Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in His glorious majesty to judge hoth the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal ; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 56. For Grace to Love and Serve God. God, who, through the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, dost pour the gifts of charity into the hearts of Thy faithful people, grant unto Thy servants health both of mind and body, that they may love Thee with their whole strength, and with their whole heart perform those things which are pleasing unto Thee; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 57. For Aid against Temptation. God, who justifiest the ungodly, and who desirest not the death of the sinner, we humbly implore Thy majesty, that Thou wouldest graciously assist, by Thy heavenly aid, and evermore shield with Thy protection, Thy servants who trust in Thy mercy,, that they may be separated by no temptations from Thee, and, without ceasing, may serve Thee, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 58. For Faith. Almighty and ever-living God, who hast given to them that believe exceeding great and precious promises, grant us so per- fectly, and without all doubt, to believe in Thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in Thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, Lord, through the same our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 59. For Divine Guidance and Help. Direct us, Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gra- cious favor, and further us with Thy continual help, that in all COLLECTS AND PRAYERS. % .) \ our works, begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy nam.', and finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. GO. <> almighty and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to direct, sanctity, and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of Thy laws and in the works of Thy commandments, that through Thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body anul ; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 61, Fob Spiritual Illumikatiox. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty Cod. that the brightness of Thy glory may shine forth upon us, and that the light of Thy light by the illumination of the Holy Spirit may stablish the hearts of all that have been born anew by Thy grace; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 62. For Likeness to Christ. Almighty God, who hast given Thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an ensample of godly life, u r iv.' us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that His inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to fol- low the blessed steps of His most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 63. For a Right Knowledge of Christ. almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, giant us perfectly to know Thy Son Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that, following His steps, we may stead- fastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life, through the same Thy Son. Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 64. For the Holy Spirit. Lord God, Heavenly Father, who by the blessed light of Thy divine Word hast led us to the knowledge of Thv Son, we most heartily beseech Thee so to replenish us with the grace of 42 COLLECTS AND PRAYERS. Thy Holy Spirit that we may ever walk in the light of Thy truth, and, rejoicing with sure confidence in Christ, our Savior, may in the end be brought unto everlasting salvation; through' the same Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, who of Thy great mercy in Jesus Christ, Thy Son, dost grant us forgiveness of sin, and all things pertaining to life and godliness: grant us, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit, that He may so rule our hearts, bhai we, being ever mindful of Thy Fatherly mercy, may strive to mortify the flesh, and to overcome the world, and, serving Thee in holiness and pureness of living, may give Thee continual thanks for all Thy goodness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Sun. our Lord. Amen. 66. For Purity. Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 6Y. For Tnnocency of Life. God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by Thy grace that by the innocency of our lives and the constancy of our faith, even unto death, we may glorify Thy holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Aiken. ■ G8. For Love to God. God, who makest all things to work together for good to them that love Thee, pour into our hearts such steadfast love toward Thee that the pure desires whi<||i by Thy Spirit have been stirred up in us may not be turned aside by any temp- tation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. COLLECTS AND PRWERS. ! : 69. Fob Chabity. Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth, send Thy Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and all virtues, without which, whosoever liveth, is counted dead before Thee. Grant this for Thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 70. For Humility God, who resistest the proud, and givest grace to the humble, grant unto us true humility, after the likeness in which Thine only Son hath revealed it in Himself, that we may never be lifted up and provoke Thy wrath, but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Thy grace; through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 71 For Patience. God, who by the meek endurance of Thine only-begotten Son didst beat down the pride of the old enemy, help us, we beseech Thee, rightly to treasure in our hearts what our Lord hath of His goodness borne for our sakes, that after His example we may bear with patience whatsoever things are adverse to us; through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 72. For a Happy Death. Confirm, we beseech Thee, almighty God, Thine unworthy ser- •vants in Thy grace, that in the hour of our death the adversary may not prevail against us, but that we may be found worthy of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 73. Fob the Biss6edn£88 of Heaven. Almighty, everlasting God, who didst give Thine only Son to be a High Priest of good things to come: hereafter grant unto us, Thine unworthy servants, to have our share in the company of the blessed; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 4-1 COLLECTS AND PRAYERS. 7L For Peace. God, who art the Author of peace and Lover of concord, la knowledge of whom standetli our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: defend us, Thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies, that we, surely trusting in Thy de- fense, may nbt fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. FOR AN ANSWER TO PRAYER. 75; Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto Thee, and dost promise that, when two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt grant their requests : fulfil now, Lord, the desires and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most ex- pedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. 70. Almighty God, the Fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking: we beseech Thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blind- ness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 77. Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in Thy Son's name, we beseech Thee mercifully to incline Thine ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto Thee; and grant that those things -which we have faithfully asked according to Thy will may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity and to the setting forth of Thy glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. COLLECTS AND PRAYEKS. 45 MISSION FKSTIVAT, <> Lord God Almighty, mercifully grant that we, who know now by faith, may with uur whole heart believe in Him, our only Savior, serve Him, and steadfastly confess and glorify Him before all men, making known Thy saving health among the nations, that He may see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and world without end. Amen. Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that of Thine infinite mercy Thou hast sent Thine only-begotten Son into the world as the true Light of men ; and we beseech Thee, shed abroad Thy light and Thy truth upon those who "are sitting in the region and shadow of death; let the knowledge of Thy sal- vation he increased, and subdue the nations to Thy grace, to the praise of Thy holy name; through Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc. Lord Jesus Christ, who earnest to seek and to save that which was lost, we thank Thee for sending forth the message of salvation into all the world. But as many millions are still going astray, like sheep that have not a shepherd, do Thou, the Chief Shepherd of the flock, send faithful pastors and teachers to gather the lost and wandering into Thy fold, that, being re- freshed with Thy salutary Word, they may worship and praise Thee for Thy mercy and truth, who livest, etc. Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that Thou hast strengthened and refreshed us by the preaching of Thy holy Word and by a recital of Thy marvelous works among men; and we beseech Thee, prosper all endeavors to spread abroad Thy Gospel in the world, that the uttermost parts of the earth may praise Thy name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc. Lord God, Heavenly Father, who dost call the Gentiles unto the fellowship of Thy Son, and charge Thy disciples to make known Thy Word to them: we beseech Thee, let us in grateful obedience labor zealously to carry out Thy command, and do Thou give free course to Thy Word, and bless the messengers that bring good tidings and publish salvation and peace, that Thy name may be glorified among the heathen; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. ,1 men. 4C COLLE< rS AND PRA1 ).::.'. Almighty and everlasting God, who wpuldst have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the trutl beseech Thee, keep us ever mindful of our commission to preach the Gospel to every creature. Strengthen us by Thy grace, lest we grow remiss in our efforts and prayers to make Thy way known upon the earth. Enlarge the borders of Thy kingdom, and let the earth be filled with the knowledge of Thy glory, as the waters cover the sea, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. most merciful God, who hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: we thank Thee for preparing Thy way before the face of all people and visiting them with Thy salvation. And we beseech Thee to grant Thy Word free course, and to accompany it with Thy heavenly benediction, that it may prosper in the tiling whereto Thou didst send it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that we, who in time past were far off and without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, are now made nigh by the blood of Christ, so that we are fellow-citizens with the saints and members of Thy household; and we beseech Thee, fill our hearts with a due and abiding sense of Thy unspeakable love, that, rejoicing in Thy salvation, we may by word and deed evermore thank and praise Thee, who hast called us out of darkness into Thy marvelous light; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. A men-. Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that Thou hast ordained Thy Son Jesus Christ for a Savior of all men, and appointed Thy Church to publish the tidings of salvation unto the ends of the earth; and we beseech Thee, awaken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit that we may ever bear in mind Thy gra- cious purpose and solemn command. Kindle such ardent love and zeal in our hearts, that we may labor unremittingly for the conversion of all who do not know Thee or have fallen away, that they may not be lost, but turn to Thee and praise Thy name, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS ANH THAN-KSGIVING8. 47 &prrial JntrrrfUBlona and (ZJljankBnttmtgB. 1. FOR A Wo.MAX AFTER CHILDBIRTH. A prayer 0/ thankagivinn ha* been requested for - — . the icife of , whom the Lord hath on biased with Ihc [lift of a healthy . Blessed art Thou, God, that Thou hast graciously sus- tained this mother in her peril and pain, and gladdened her heart with the gift of a healthy child. And we pray Thee, keep both mother and child in Thy protection, give them strength and health, and avert whatever might prove hurtful to them in body Or soul. And as Thou wilt be [hast been] pleased to receive the child into the kingdom of Thy grace by the washing of Holy Baptism, vouchsafe unto it Thy continual blessing, through Jesus ( hrist, our Lord. Amen. (for the BIRTH OF TWINS.) We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that Thou hast blessed these parents and graciously delivered the mother out of pain and peril. [And we pray Thee, vouchsafe to both the mother and her children the continuance of Thy mercy, give them health and strength, and receive the children into Thy gracious covenant in Holy Baptism; and keep (hem therein unto their end, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.] Especially do we thank Thee that Thou hast received the children, by the washing of Holy Baptism, into the kingdom of Thy grace; and we pray Thee, vouchsafe to both the mother and her children the con- tinuance of Thy mercy, give them health and strength, and keep them in Thy gracious covenant unto their end, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (FOB A .STILL-BORN CHILD.) Let us [H"cJ pray for our brother, , and hi* uifc, . \chane hearts are grieved by the birth of a stillborn child. God, Thou art wonderful, and the ways Thou leadest us are often dark and past finding out. Thou sayest : "What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." Thou hast turned the joyful hopes of these parents into sadness. 1 n reverent humility we bow before the dispensations of Thy provi- dence. Thou art the Lord; do what seemeth Thee good. Only 48 SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS. \vc pray Thee, hasten the recovery of the mother, and comfort both her and her husband, in the hours of sorrow, by Thy gra- cious presence, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 2. FOR THE CHURCHING OF WOMEN. Let US [We] pray for . the uife of , who has came lii i/irr thanks for her deliverance. God, we praise Thee for Thy great mercy shown to this mother and her child, and humbly beseech Thee to keep them always in Thy gracious care. Hear, Lord, the supplications of the mother, take her into Thy fatherly protection, and com- pass her with Thy favor as with a shield. Dispose and enable the parents to give their child a Christian training, that so it may grow up to Thine honor and the joy of all true believers. Amen. 3. FOR THE CATECHUMENS. Let us [We] pray for our catechumens, that they may be thoroughly grounded in the knowledge of the saving truth. Almighty and eternal God, as another class of catechumens is entering upon a course of instruction preparing them for Holy Communion, we beseech Thee Thou wouldst by Thy Holy Spirit enlighten, strengthen, and sanctify their understandings, memo- ries, hearts, and wills, that Thy name may be hallowed through them, Thy kingdom come to them, and Thy will be done by them. Do Thou also anoint their parents and sponsors with Thy grace, and dispose them to render faithful assistance by their example, admonition, and prayer, that these children may be made partakers of Thy perfect blessing, through Jesus Christ, Thy (bar Son» our Lord. Amen. Almighty and eternal God, our Heavenly Father, who in Holy Baptism didst begin Thy good work in these catechumens, and hast so far given success to their training, and improved our efforts and prayers in their behalf, that, being instructed in the Word of Truth, they now look forward to being admitted to the Lord's Supper: we beseech Thee, cause the last days and hours of their catechetical instruction to abound in blessings to their hearts and minds, that in the power of Thy Holy Spirit they may confess their faith with joy and boldness, and glorify and praise Thee as their faithful God and Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Savior. Amen. SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS. -19 a 4. FOE THE COMMUNICANTS. I.i i vs [We] also prop for our communicants. Lord Jesus, flrhb caliest unto Thee all those that labor and v laden, to refresh them and give rest unto their souls, we pray Thee, let these guests experience Thy love at the heavenly aicli Thou hast prepared for Thy children on earth. Keep them from impenitence and unbelief, that no one may partake of this holy Sacrament to his damnation. Take off from them the spotted garment of the flesh and of their own righteousness, and adorn them with the garment of the merit purchased with Thy blood. Strengthen their faith, increase their love and hope, and hereafter make them to sit at Thy heavenly table, where Thou wilt give those that are Thine to eat of the eternal manna and to drink of the river of Thy pleasure forevermore. Hear us for Thine own sake. Amen. 5. FOR PERSONS BETROTHED. The fallowing persona , desiring to enter the estate of matrimony, request the prayers of the congregation. (Or: I publish the Bans of Marriage between X., of — ■ — , and .V., of .) If anyone can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let him now speak, or eccr after hold his peace. (This is the first time of asking.) Let us pray! Thou blessest, Lord, and it shall be blessed forever. We beseech Thee, therefore, that Thou wilt vouchsafe unto these be- trothed persons the rich blessings of Thy fatherly hand. Make them pure in heart, and give them grace to love and fear Thee, that they may together walk in the ways of Thy holy Word, and receive Thy gifts with thanksgiving. Above all, enable them to attain the price of their high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Amen. Everlasting and living God, as the estate of matrimony or- dained by Thee is a holy estate, and to be kept holy by us, we pray Thee to anoint these betrothed persons with Thy Spirit, that they may enter into this estate in Thy name, continue it to Thine honor and their own welfare, and conclude it, with Thy help, in joy and bliss. Even in life and death be Thou their Cod. for the sake of Thy faithfulness and truth. Amen. most holy God, who art the Author of the marriage cove- nant, and desirest us to keep it holy, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst behold with favor these Thy servants who intend to have their betrothment sanctified by Thy Word, and to supplicate the 1 ITIRGY AND AGENDA. * 50 SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS. ft blessing once pronounced upon all whom Thou dost join together. Do Thou consecrate and sanctify them, God, that they may begin their wedded life with Thee; and grant them grace ever to remember with gladness that Thou hast united them. Enter into their hearts with Thy fear and into their home with Thy blessing. Hear us for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 6. FOR THE SICK. We pray to God [Thee] in behalf of a sick brother, for whom, in his great distress, our intercession is desired. Lord, our God, who art the Physician of our souls and of our bodies; who chastenest and again Thou healest: we be- seech Thee mercifully to regard Thy servant, [N.,] for whom we pray that his life may be spared, and his strength restored. Thou, who didst give Thy Son to bear our sicknesses and carry our sorrows, for His sake deal compassionately with this Thy servant, and send upon him Thy healing power and virtue, both in Ms body and in his soul and spirit. Into Thy hands we commit him; unto Thy gracious mercy and protection we com- mend him, as unto a faithful and merciful Savior, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only Help in time of need, look down from heaven, we humbly beseech Thee, behold, visit, and relieve this Thy sick servant, for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of Thy mercy, comfort him with a sense of Thy goodness, preserve him from the temptations of the enemy, give him patience under his affliction, and in Thy good time restore him to health, and enable Mm to lead the rest of Ms life in Thy fear and to Thy glory. Or else give Mm grace so to take Thy visitation that, after this painful life is ended, he* may dwell with Thee in life ever- lasting, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (for a sick child.) almighty God, our Father in heaven, have pity upon the young child, [N.,] now lying upon the bed of sickness. Spare the life which Thou hast given, and relieve the pains of the helpless; direct the ministry of healing for his recovery, and revive his spirit, that the frailty of the body may pass away; renew his strength both inwardly and outwardly, and grant unto him many years on earth, to serve Thee faithfully by doing good IONS ami TIIANKSC1 .',1 in his generation. Nevertheless, <> Father, whatsoever Thy will be concerning this child, we know that he is in Thy keeping, and we pray that A. is soul may be Thine forever and! ever, in Lord. Amen. Almighty God and merciful Father, to whom alone belong the issues of life and death', look down from heaven, we humbly I - Thee, with the eyes of Thy mercy upon the sick child for whom our prayers are desired. Deliver him, Lord, in ed time, from his bodily pain, and visit him with Thy salvation, that, if it should be Thy good pleasure to prolong his days here on earth, he may live to Thee and be an instrument of Thy glory by serving Thee faithfully and doing good in his generation. Or else receive him into those heavenly habitations where the souls of those who sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy eternal rest and happiness. Grant this, Lord, for the love of Thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. (for one who is near to death.) Eternal God, to whom belong the issues of life and death, we implore Thy mercy for Thy servant, [X.,] whose time of departure seemeth to be near at hand. With Thee there is nothing impossible, and Thou canst raise him up even yet and prolong his earthly pilgrimage, if it be Thy will; but if not, God, be gracious unto him, and prepare Mm to yield his soul unto Thee. Give unto him sincere repentance, true faith, abun- dant forgiveness, and a heavenly hope; suffer him not, in the last hour, for any pain or fear of death, to fall away from Thee, but let Thine everlasting arms be underneath him, and grant him a peaceful departure and a happy entrance into eternal rest, through the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. (FOR ON'E restored from sickness.) God, who art the Giver of life, of health, and of safety, - Thy name that Thou hast been pleased to deliver from his bodily sickness Thy servant, [N.,] who now desireth to re- turn thanks unto Thee in the presence of Thy people Gracious art Thou, Lord, and full of compassion to the children of men. May his heart be daily impressed with a sense of Thy merciful goodness, and may he devote the rest of his days to an humble, holy, and obedient walking before Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 52 SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS. 7. AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A DEATH. It hath pleased Almighty God to summon out of this vale of tears to our eternal home the soul of N., whose mortal remains will be committed to the ground , the service being held at (at the death op a young child.) Thou living and everlasting God, who turnest man to destruction and sayest, "Return, ye children of men," we thank Thee for all the mercies which, during his short life upon earth, Thou hast shown unto this child now taken into Thine ever- lasting rest. We pray Thee, grant Ms body sweet sleep in the grave, but on the last day awaken him to appear with joy be- fore Thy presence. Cause his parents to know Thy will, that they may be comforted, and the wounds which Thou hast in- flicted may be healed. Let them bear in mind the power of Holy Baptism, by which their beloved child is now delivered from sin and from the perils and miseries of this present world, and has been received among Thy saints perfected. And we, who still live in the body, beseech Thee to strengthen and keep us in Thy grace, that so, when our last hour shall come, we may depart in peace; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord and Savior. Amen. (AT THE DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN BROTHER OR SISTER.) Lord God, Thou Lord of life and death, who turnest man to destruction and sayest, "Return, ye children of men," we give Thee thanks for all the mercies which during his life Thou didst bestow upon this our beloved brother now fallen asleep; and especially do we bless Thee for having brought him to the knowledge of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. We pray Thee, comfort the survivors with Thine everlasting comfort, and cheer them with the sweet hope of a blessed reunion in heaven. Grant to the lifeless body rest in the bosom of the earth, and here- after, together with us all, a joyful resurrection to life ever- lasting. Teach us all to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom and finally be saved; through Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, our "Lord and Savior. Amen. (AT A SUDDEN DEATH.) Lord God, Thou Lord of life and death, who turnest man to destruction and sayest, "Return, ye children of men," we humbly give Thee thanks for all the benefits of body and SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS a.nd THANKSGIVINGS. 53 soul which during his Life Thou hast bestowed upon the de- ceased, who hath been so suddenly called away. We pray Thee to comfort all the survivors, who mourn his death, and to awaken us all to sincere repentance and true faith, that in the hour of our departure we may commit our souls and bodies into Tin- hands, fall asleep with joy unto eternal life, and finally rise again on the last day in bliss and glory ; through Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. 8. DURING A VACANCY IN A CHURCH. Thou God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, tins Thy flock being without a pastor, we entreat Thee, turn Thine eyes upon these Thy people and graciously regard their need. Let them continue steadfast in Thy pure Word, and send them in Thine own good time a faithful steward of Thy mysteries, who, holding fast the confession of the truth, shall feed Thy flock in singleness of mind. As Thou hast planted Thy vine- yard in this place, do Thou visit it and water it abundantly with the dew of Thy blessing by Thy holy Word. Grant unto Thy Church peace, unity, safety, and prosperity, and establish Thy work by the power of Thy Spirit to the glory of Thy name and the salvation of immortal souls, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. ^ 9. IN TIME OF DEATH AND FAMINE. See Collects and Prayers, No. 40. 10 IN TIME OF UNSEASONABLE WEATHER. Sec Collects and Prayers, No. 41. 11. IN TIME OF PESTILENCE. Holy and mighty Lord, who hast promised, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling," we beseech Thee to hear our cry for those who are suffering and dying [in ] under the visitation of disease. Mercifully bless the means which are used to stay the spread of sickness, strengthen those who labor to heal and comfort the afflicted, support those who are in pain and distress, speedilv restore those who have been brought low. and unto all who are beyond healing grant Thy heavenly consolation and Thy saving grace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. , r >4 M'lUAl, in TERCESSrCN-S AMD THANKSGIVINGS; 12. AFTER A GREAT DISASTER. Almighty God, who art a very present Help in time of trouble, let not the heart of Thy people fail when fear cometh, but do Thou sustain and comfort them until these calamities be overpassed; and since Thou knowest the cause and reason why this grievous disaster [of fire, flood, earthquake, shipwreck, storm, or other trouble] hath fallen upon men, so do Thou forgive our sins, heal the hurt and wounded, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are still in peril; for the sake of Thy great mercy in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 13. IN TIME OF INSURRECTIONS AND TUMULTS. almighty Lord God, who alone riddest away tyrants, and stillest the noise and tumult of the people, stir up Thy great strength, we beseech Thee, and come and help us; scatter the counsels of them that secretly devise mischief, and do Thou bring the dealings of the violent to naught; cast down the unjust from high places, and cause the unruly to cease from troubling; allay all envious and malicious passions, and subdue the haters and evil-doers, that our land may have rest before Thee, and that all the people may praise Thee, our Help and our Shield, both now and evermore. Amen. 14. IN TIME OF WAR. almighty God, supreme Ruler and Governor of all things, who art a strong tower of defense to them that fear Thee, and whose power no creature is able to resist: unto Thee do we cry in the hour of our country's need. To Thee it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to those who repent. Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech Thee, from the hands of our enemies ; abate their pride, check their malice, and con- found their devices, that we, being armed with Thy defense, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify Thee, who art the only Giver of all victory; through the merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lord God of infinite mercy, we humbly beseech Thee to look down upon the nations now engaged in war. Reckon not against Thy people their many iniquities, for from the lusts of our own hearts come wars and fighting amongst us. Look in SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS. 05 mere)' on those immediately exposed to peril, conflict, sickness, and death; comfort the prisoners, relieve the sufferings of the wounded, and show mercy to the dying. Remove in Thy good providence all causes and occasions of war, dispose the hearts of those engaged therein to moderation, and of Thy great good- ness restore peace among the nations ; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 15. IN TIME OF PEACE RESTORED. We thank Thee, most gracious God and Father, who hast put an end to the horrors of war, and delivered us from the hand of our enemies; we thank Thee for Thy mercy and truth, and glorify Thy name, and our lips do greatly rejoice; for Thou hast not regarded our sin and our iniquity, but hast dealt with us according to Thy unmerited grace, and hast heard our humble requests. Bind up, we heartily beseech Thee, and heal the wounds which war hath inflicted on our country. Plant and build again what hath been laid waste and made desolate. Especially we beseech Thee, of Thy mercy, to remember those who have been visited by the* havoc of war, and let them find Thy fatherly heart and Thy bountiful hand open towards them. Preserve and keep unto us the blessing of peace. Restrain the evil counsel of those who devise mischief continually and sow discord; bring to naught their crafty counsel, and make their knowledge foolish. Scatter Thou the people that delight in war; break the bow, and cut the spear in sunder; break the sword and the battle by Thy strong arm, that men, overwhelmed with fear and terror, may desist from the ways of violence and op- pression. Unite the hearts of the mighty ones on earth, and establish peace and concord between them, and set thereon, by the Spirit of Thy grace, the seal of permanence and of blessing. Grant that we all may dwell together in unity and peace, and 1-t all mutual offenses and hatred and ill-will be removed. But above all grant us that peace which the world can neither give nor take' away, and grant us grace . that we may be delivered from every conflict and strife, dwell in the tabernacles of peace, and, in the rest of the saints and of the blessed, praise, bless, worship, and glorify Thee, world without end. Amen. PART II Agenda I. Uapttam. 1. THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS. FIEST FORM. Dearly Beloved: [We learn from the Word of God that all men from the fall of Adam are conceived and born in sin, and so are under the wrath of God, and would be lost forever, unless delivered by our Lord Jesus Christ. This child, then, is also by nature sinful and under the wrath of God. But the Father of all mercy and grace hath promised and sent His Son Jesus Christ, who hath borne the sins of the whole world, and redeemed and saved little children, no less than others, from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation. He also commanded that little children should be brought to Him, and graciously received and blessed them. Wherefore I beseech you r out of Christian love, to intercede, for this child, to bring him to the Lord Jesus, and to ask for him the forgiveness of sin and the grace and salvation of Christ's kingdom, nowise doubting that our dear Lord favorably regardeth such work of love, and certainly heareth our prayers. And] Forasmuch as our Lord hath commanded Baptism, saying to His disciples, in the last chapter of Matthew: "Go ye. therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Gost"; and also hath given promise, in the last chapter of. Mark: "He that be- lieveth and is baptized shall be saved" : it is meet and right that. in obedience to His command, and trusting in His promise, you should bring this child to be baptized in His name. [The Exhortation to the Sponsors (see below after Mark 10) may be read at this place.] Then the Minister mav make the sipn of the cross on the child's forehead and breast, saying: Receive the sign of the holy cross, both upon the fore- head f and upon the breast f> in token that thou hast been redeemed by Christ the Crucified. Let us pray : — 60 BAPTISM. 1. Almighty and eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray Thee, bestow upon this N., here presented for Holy Baptism, Thine everlasting grace through regeneration by the Holy Ghost. Receive him, Lord, according to Thy Word and promise: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you'' ; and grant that he may obtain the everlasting blessing of this heavenly washing and come to the kingdom which Thou hast promised; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 2. Almighty and everlasting God, who according to Thy right- eous judgment didst destroy the unbelieving world by the Flood, and according to Thy great mercy didst save faithful Noah and his family , who didst drown obdurate Pharaoh with all his host in the Red Sea, and didst safely lead Thy people Israel through the midst thereof, prefiguring thereby this washing of Thy Holy Baptism ; and who, by the Baptism of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, didst sanctify and ordain Jordan and all waters for a saving flood and an abundant washing away of sin : we beseech Thee, of Thine infinite mercy, to look with favor upon this child and to bless Mm in the Spirit with true faith, that, by this salutary flood, there may be drowned and destroyed in him all that he hath inherited from Adam, and himself added thereto, and that, being separated from the number of the un- believing, he may be securely kept in the holy ark of the Chris- tian Church, and ever serve Thy name with fervent spirit and joyful hope, to the end that, together with all believers, he may be accounted worthy by Thy promise and obtain eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Hear the Holy Gospel of St. Mark, which saith : "And they brought young children to Jesus, 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." (Mark 10, 13—16.) RAI'TISM CI It also behooves you as sponsors, while confessing in this sacred act the faith of the Christian Church in the Triune God, in whose name this child is to be baptized, to bear witness pub- licly in the child's stead that by Holy Baptism as a means of grace he obtains and possesses the saving faith in the one true God. and renounces the devil and his wicked works. Moreover, after this. child has been baptized, you should at all times re- member him in your prayers, put him in mind of his Baptism, and, as much as in you lies, lend your counsel and aid (espe- cially if he should lose 7m parents), that he may be brought up in the true knowledge and fear of God, according to the teachings of the Lutheran Church, and faithfully keep the bap- tismal covenant unto the end. This, then, you intend gladly and willingly to do? Answer: Yes. May God enable you both to will and to do this charitable work, and with His grace fulfil what we are unable to do. Amen. In order to implore the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ upon this child, let us pray: Then the Minister, laving his right hand upon the head of the child, shall say, and the sponsors and all present may say tcith him: 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 and ever. Amen. The Lord preserve Thy coming in and Thy going out from this time forth and even forevermore. f Amen. Then may the Minister say to the Sponsors. I now ask you to answer, in the name and in the stead of this child, the questions which I address to him, to signify thereby that which God in and through Baptism works in him. I shall the Minister say. X Dost thou renounce the devil, and all his works, and all his ways ? Answer: Yes, I do. 62 BAPTISM. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? Answer: Yes, I do. Dost thou believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He_ rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead? Ansiver: Yes, I do. Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting? Answer: Yes, I do. Wilt thou be baptized into this Christian faith? Answer: Yes, I will. Then shall the Minister apply water three times upon the head of the child, as he names each person of the Holy Trinity: N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, f Amen. Then the Minister, laying his right hand upon the head of the child, shall say: Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath begotten thee again of water and the Spirit, and hath for- given thee all thy sins, strengthen thee with His grace unto life everlasting. Amen. Peace be with thee, f Amen. The Minister may add: Let us pray. Almighty and most merciful God and Father, we thank and praise Thee that Thou dost graciously preserve and extend Thy Church, and hast granted to this child the new birth in Holy Baptism, and made him a member of Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and an heir of Thy heavenly kingdom. We humbly beseech Thee, that, as he hath now become Thy child, Thou wouldst keep him in his baptismal grace, that, according to all Thy good pleasure, he may be faithfully brought up to lead a godly life to the praise and honor of Thy holy name, and finally, with all Thy saints, obtain the promised inheritance in heaven, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. BAPTISM. 83 SECOND FOBM. (Without Sponsors.) Doarlv Beloved: In bringing this child to Baptism, you are observing the will of the Lord, who commanded Baptism, saying in thp last chapter of Matthew: "Go ye and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." We should, indeed, value this Sacrament highlv particularly since it is the only means of grace God has given us for little children. Little children, though seemingly innocent, are bv birth and nature sinful, and without forgive- ness would be lost forever. We know that God gave His Son into death to atone for the sins of all, that whosoever beheveth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. But as little children are as yet unable to understand the Gospel, faith cannot be worked in them by telling them of Christ. We can never sufficiently thank God, therefore, that He has made Bap- tism a means whereby He works in little children with His divine -race, turning their hearts to faith, cleansing away their sins, and receiving them into His kingdom. The simple act of Baptism has such wonderful power because the Almighty God Himself works in it through His Word. "Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word." The divine Word makes Bap- tism what Paul calls it, Titus 3, "the washing of regeneration ami renewing of the Holy Ghost." For this reason Christ says in the last chapter of Mark: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." It is meet and right, therefore, that we should here, in the sight of God, administer and employ this blessed Sacrament in the fear of God, with due reverence, and with sincere devotion. Receive the sign of the holy cross, both upon the forehead t and upon the breast f, in token that thou hast been redeemed bv Christ the Crucified. Hear the holy Gospel of St. Mark, which saith : "And they brought voung 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 CA BAPTISM. child, he shall not enter therein. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them." (Mark 10, 13—16.) In order to ask this blessing of' our Lord Jesus Christ upon this child, let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God, whose promises are unto us and unto our children, we heartily beseech Thee to look upon this child with Thy tender mere}', and to renew him by Thy Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism, that he may be Thy child and an heir of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 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 and ever. Amen. Tbe Lord preserve Thy coming in and Thy going out from this time forth and even forevermore. f Amen. Let us now confess our Christian faith, into which this child is to be baptized : I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost ; Born of the Virgin Mary , Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He de- scended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in , the Holy Ghost ; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resur- rection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen. N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, f Amen. Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath begotten thee again of water and the Spirit, and hath forgiven thee all thy sins, strengthen thee with His grace unto life everlasting. Amen. BAPTISM. 65 Peace be with thee, t Amen. Lk • us pray. We thank Thee, gracious Father, that Thou hast n this child through Holy Baptism into the covenant and king- dom of Thy grace, in which we have forgiveness of sin and ever- lasting life. Grant, we beseech Thee, that, being buried with Christ in Baptism, he may be dead unto sin and made alive unto righteousness, that in the end, together with his parents and all saints, he may obtain the promised inheritance in heaven, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. EMKRGEXCY BAPTISM. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Amen. Receive the sign of the holy cross, both upon the f fore- head and the f breast, in token that thou hast been redeemed by Christ the Crucified. If there is time, the irords of the holy Gospel, as they are written in the tenth chapter of Hark, vv. 13 — 16, may be read, also a prayer followed by the Lord's Prayer, e. g. : Eternal, merciful God, we pray Thee, extend Thy goodness and mercy unto this child who now asks; open the door to him who knocks, that he may enjoy the everlasting blessing of Thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which Thou hast prepared through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Or: — Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast commanded us to bring the little children unto Thee, and promised to receive them. Gra- ciously receive this child for Thy mercy's sake. Amen. Lord's Prayer. In urgent cases the Minister may say. By the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, and firmly be- lieving His comforting promise, I baptize thee, N., in the. name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then may the Minister san the Lord's Prayer (if it was not used before) and the Creed, closing tcith: Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath begotten thee again of water and the Spirit, and hath forgiven thee all thy sins, strengthen thee with His grace unto life everlasting. Amen. Peace be with thee, f Amen. 1 in'KGY AND AGK.NUA 5 66 BAPTISM. Then may the Minister intercede for the child: Gracious Father in heaven, let Thy grace be manifested upon this child, now committed to Thee, whom Thou lovest far more than his earthly parents do. Do now unto him, we pray Thee, according to Thy good pleasure. Not our will, dear Father, but Thy will be done. If Thou wilt spare his life, grant that he may grow in grace to the glory of Thy name and the joy of his parents. If it should please Thee to remove him from this world into the heavenly home, we will still praise Thy holy name. Thou hast redeemed him, Thou faithful Lord; into Thy hands we commit his spirit. Amen. 2. CONFIRMATION OF LAY-BAPTISM. Beloved in the Lord: This child, on account of extreme illness, hath received emergency baptism. But God the Lord, in His great mercy, hath preserved his life, and we have come here to be assured by public confirmation in due Christian order, that this child hath been baptized properly, and in accordance with the Word of God, and that his Baptism was a valid, Chris- tian, saving Baptism. I therefore ask you, in the presence of God, to answer the following questions : — Hath this child been baptized? Answer: Yes. By whom was he baptized? Answer: N. baptized the child. With what was he baptized? Answer: With water. With what words was he baptized? Answer.- With the words, "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Are you sure that the words were used in accordance with Christ's command? Answer: Yes, we are sure. Who was present at the time? Answer: N. and N. were present. Do you testify that all was done as is here said? Answer: Yes. What name did the child receive in baptism ? Answer: The name N. N. BAPTISM. 1,7 When the child has r.ut been named, the Minuter tays: How shall this child be named ? Answer: It is to be named N. -V. Forasmuch, then, as you have done tins in the name ind upon the command of our Lord, you have done what was meet and right ; for little children need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who also graciously encouraged the bringing of them to Him, as we are comfortably assured in the tenth chapter Gospel according to St. Mark, where it saith : '"And they brought young children to Him that He should touch them. And His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw ir. He was much displeased and said unto them, Sutler 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." (Mark 10, 13 — L6.) From these words of the Lord Jesus we may be confident that this child also hath been received into the kingdom of grace. Let us, therefore, pray that it may be kept steadfast in the same unto eternal salvation. Tli,: Minister, laying his hand upon the head of the child, shall then say: Our Father, who art in heaven , Hallowed be Tin' 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 and ever. Amen. The almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath begotten thee again of water and the Spirit, and hath forgiven thee all thy sins, strengthen thee with His grace unto everlasting life. Amen. Peace be with thee, f Amen. Let us pray. almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we thank Thee that Thou didst receive this child into Thy favor, and beseech Thee to strengthen him by Thy Holy Spirit, that he may grow and increase in the new life to which Thou hast begotten him again. Grant unto his parents and us all, to this gg BAPTISM. end faithfully to serve Thee in this child, that, as a living member of Thy Church, he may bring forth much fruit to the praise and honor of Thy holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. If the Minister be uncertain whether the child has been baptized, he shall baptize it according to the common Form. 3. THE BAPTISM OF ADULTS. When an adult person is baptized, it is not necessary for him to receive Confirmation. There may be held an Address and a brief Examination of the person to be baptized, and then the Minister may say: Dearly Beloved : Our Lord and Savior said to Nicodemus : "Except a man be born of water and of 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." All men, from the fall of Adam, being conceived and born in sin, are under the wrath of God and must have been lost forever, had not the Father of all mercy and grace given His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ for the blotting out of our sins. In order that all men might come to. the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, He has entrusted to His Church the means of grace for our salvation, saying, in the last chapter of Matthew: "Go ye, 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 again, in the last chapter of Mark: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Whereas, then, in obedience to Christ's command, and trust- ing in His promise, after due instruction in the principal doc- trines of the Christian religion, this present person desires to be baptized, let us call upon our heavenly Father to grant him all the promised blessings of the Sacrament. almighty and everlasting God, we bless Thee for Tin- great mercy in calling this Thy servant unto faith in Thee, and we beseech Thee, remove from him all blindness of heart, and open unto him the gates of Thy mercy, that by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, the life which BAPTISM. 6!) has already been begun in him may be increased, strengthened, and confirmed, and he may be sealed unto eternal life, growing daily in grace, fighting the good fight of faith, and being stead- fast and unmovable unto the end, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord. Amen. 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: I ■'■■: Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. N., I now ask thee in the presence of God and these wit- nesses to answer the following questions: Dost thou renounce the devil, and all his works, and all his ways? Answer: I do. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? Dost thou believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell, The third day He rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead? Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints ; The forgiveness of sins ; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting? Answer : I do. Dost thou desire to be baptized into this Christian faith? Answer: I do. Wilt thou, then, continue steadfast in the true Christian faith, as it is confessed by our Evangelical Lutheran Church, and lead a godly life, even unto the end? Answer: I will, with the help of God. Then shall the person to be baptized kneel, and the Minister baptise him nith water, faying: .V.. 1 baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son. and of the Holy Ghost, f Amen. 70 CONFIRMATION. Then the Minister-, laying his right hand on the head of the person baptized, shall say: The almighty God and Father, who through the washing of Holy Baptism hath sealed in thee the new birth unto eternal life, and hath confirmed to thee the forgiveness of all thy sins unto salvation, strengthen and keep thee in His grace, and, finally, crown thee with everlasting glory. Amen. In the name of the Church of Christ, I also invite thee, as a baptized and instructed member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to participate with us in the reception of the Lord's Supper, for the strengthening of thy faith, for thy furtherance in holiness of life, and in testimony of the communion of faith. Peace be with thee, f Amen. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we give Thee hearty thanks that Thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of Thy grace and to faith in The'e; and we beseech Thee, increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. Bestow Thy Holy Spirit upon this person, that, being born again and made an heir of everlasting salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, he may con- tinue Thy servant and attain Thy promises; through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. The service may then he closed icith the singing of a Hymn and the Benediction. II. dlonfirmatum. When children have attained such a knowledge of the truths of the Christian religion as are contained in the Catechism, that, pursuant to the injunction of St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11, 28, they are able to ewamine themselves, they should no longer be kept from the Holy Supper. Before they receive the Holy Sacrament, however, they should be examined and confirmed in the presence of the as- sembled congregation. After the singing of a Hymn, the Minister may introduce the Examination by the following or other Address: Dearly Beloved: Holy Baptism is the washing of regenera- tion and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which God shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being jus- tified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Through this Sacrament God receives little CONFIRMATION. • " 1 children into His covenant and kingdom of grace, working faith in them, and making them members of Christ's Church and temples of His Holy Spirit. And as God will not suffer His faithfulness to fail, but keep His covenant and mercy, even so He says to each of His own: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." To the 'end, however, that this purpose of God may be accomplished, and children may grow in grace and Christian knowledge as they advance in years, the Lord gave command- ment, saying to parents through the Apostle Paul: "Bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and to the Church, even as unto Simon Peter: "Feed My lambs." In accordance, then, with Christ's command, children are instructed in the Christian faith. When they reach an age of discretion and understand the covenant entered into by them by the grace of God in Holy Baptism, they should daily give their hearts to God, and let their eves observe His wavs. In par- ticular, being able to examine themselves and to discern the Lord's body, they should for their furtherance in grace receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion with the Church of God. To encourage such growth in Christian knowledge and faith, the rite of Confirmation is maintained in the Church. The catechumens publicly moke profession of the true faith and pledge themselves anew to the covenant made between them and God. The Christian congregation, or Church, the dispenser of God's mysteries, having assured itself that the catechumens pos- sess such knowledge of Christian doctrine as may give warrant of their worthily eating the body and drinking the blood of Christ, invites them to receive the Holy Supper, and, with the laying on of hands, prays over them for the Holy Spirit of God, that they may grow in grace, be steadfast and unmovable in their profession, become fruitful in every good work, and in the end receive the crown of life. A number of persons have here presented themselves for Con- firmation. We shall now examine them in the chief parts of Christian doctrine, for the purpose of setting forth that they understand the faitli they are about to profess. Then shall the Catechumens be briefly examined A Humn of Invocation 0/ the Hob/ Ghost man then be suno, followed by the Sermon. 72 " CONFIRMATION. Then may the Minister address the Catechumens thus: — Dearly Beloved: When you were little children, [most of] you were received into God's covenant of grace in Holy Baptism. And now, having learned the- meaning of this covenant from your instruction in the Word of God, you are gathered here before God and this Christian congregation publicly to make pro- fession of your faith in the Triune God, and to renew your covenant with Him, to dedicate yourselves body and soul for time and for eternity to your God and Lord. [Others of you. are to make this public profession and promise and then, in obedience to Christ's command, to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.] Lift up your hearts with me, therefore, to the God of all grace, and cheerfully give answer to what, in the name of the Lord, as a minister of His holy Church, I now shall ask you. [When adults not previously baptized present themselves for Confirmation, the Minister may say: Dearly Beloved, inasmuch as you have been in- structed in Christian doctrine and are desirous of Baptism and Confirmation, I now call upon you to make the following pro- fession of faith, — beginning with question 2 below.] 1. Do you this day, in the presence of God and of this Christian congregation, renew and confirm the solemn covenant which at your Baptism you made with the Triune God? Answer: We do. 2. Do you, then, renounce the devil, and all his works, and all his ways? Answer. We do. 3. Do you believe in God the Father? Answer: Yes, we believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. 4. Do you believe in God the Son? Answer: Yes, we believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sit- teth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 5. Do you believe in God the Holy Ghost? Answer: Yes, we believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy CONFIRMATION. 73 Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins ; The resurrection of the body ; And the life everlasting. [6. Do you desire to be members of the Evangelical Lutlieran Church ? Answer: We do.] 7. Do you hold all the books of the Bible to be the in- spired Word of God, and the doctrine of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, drawn from the Bible, as you have learned to know it from Luther's Small Catechism, to be the true and cor- rect one? Answer: We do. 8. Do you also, as members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, intend to continue steadfast in the confession of this Church, and suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it? Answer: We do so intend, with the help of God. 9. Finally, do you intend faithfully to conform all your life to the rule of the divine Word, to walk as it becomcth the Gospel of Christ, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to the Triune God, even unto death? Answer: We do so intend, by the grace of God. Then shall the Minister say: Give now your hand at the Lord's altar, as a pledge of your promise, and, kneeling, receive His blessing. Then shall the Catechumens come forward, one by one, or in {/roups, as the Minister may have appointed, and, giving the Minister their right hand, kneel doten before the altar. Then shall the Minister, laying his hands upon each one separately, pronounce the Benediction, adding a Scripture-passage as a memorial of confirmation, saying: .V. N.: 1. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give thee His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace <«n', But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan. His work in vain: God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. Whatever God ordains is good. His loving thought attends me; No poisoned draught the cup can !>•• That my Physician Bends me, But medicine due; For God is true. Of doubt, then, I'll divest me, And on His goodness rest me. Whatever God ordains is good. My Life, my Light can never Intend me harm; then, to His care I give myself forever In weal or woe; For well I know, I once shall see quite clearly That God did love me dearly. 88 LESSONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND THE DYING. 2. REPENTANCE AND ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS. Lessons. Psalms 32, 51, 130, 25, 77; Matt. 9, 1—8, Luke 7, 36—50. 15, 1—10. 11—32. Sentences. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found ; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Is. 55, 6. 7. Know, therefore, and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord, thy God, and that My fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts. Jer. 2, 19. Remember, Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy loving- kindness ; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness' sake, Lord. Ps. 25, 6. 7. For the' mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee. Is. 54, 10. Surely, He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. Is. 53,4. 5. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matt. 11. 28—30. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1, 29 God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ever- lasting life. John 3, 16. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby wc must be saved. Acts 4, 1.2. God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were LESSONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND THB DYING. 89 yet sinners, Christ died for us. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Rom. 5, 8. 20. This is a faithful Baying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. 1, 15. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1, 7. Prayers. almighty God. merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities, with which I have offended Thee, and merited temporal and eternal punishment. I am heartily sorry for them, and sincerely repent of them, and I pray Thee for the sake of Thine infinite mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, and bitter sufferings and death of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being. Amen. Lord God, most merciful Father, through Christ, Thy Son, Thou hast bestowed on me Thy grace, and in Thy Word and through Thy Sacraments Thou hast assured me that, though the mountains should depart and the hills be removed, Thy kindness shall not depart from me, and the covenant of Thy peace shall not be removed. most faithful Father, I did often forget Thee and neglect Thy covenant; yet Thou didst never forget me, but graciously didst receiye me anew. I pray Thee, have mercy on me now. Comfort my heart with the assurance that in sickness and distress I am .-till Thy dear child. Grant me Christian steadfastness, that I may hear my burden and await Thy help. Thou art my God. Let this be my comfort in life and death. Amen. Lord Jesus, my dear Savior, how graciously dost Thou call those that labor and are heavy laden unto Thee to give them rest. Behold, I am one that labors and is heavy laden with sickness and misery, sin and iniquity; so, Lord, fulfil Thy promise and give me rest. Take away my pain and restlessness, and help me. Above all, refresh my poor soul with the forgiveness of sins. Take away from me the burden of my sins, and strengthen in me the faith that Thou hast redeemed me, and hast reconciled me to Holy God, so that I may partake of the everlasting rest before Thy throne. Amen. Dear God and Father, my days are in Thy hand. Do with me as it pleaseth Thee. Only be gracious unto me for Christ's sake. Thou knowest all my sins, which increase the anguish of my 90 LESSONS AND l'KAYEKS KoR THE SICK AND THE DVINO. heart, but Thou also knowest my Savior, who has atoned for my sins with His blood. Graciously accept this ransom for my sins, and give me the divine assurance through faith that Thou art gracious unto me, and that at the end I will most certainly he saved through Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen. I lay my sins on Jesus, The spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us From the accursed load. I lay my griefs on Jesus, My burdens and my cares; He from them all releases, He all my sorrows shares. Verses. Now my conscience is at ease, Now I fear no condemnation. He who grants me full release Hath atoned for my transgression; In true faith to Him I cleave — Jesus sinners doth receive!" I, a sinner, come to Thee, And acknowledge my transgres sion; Tender mercy show to me, Grant me graciously remission ; Let these words my soul relieve: "Jesus sinners doth receive!" Not the labors of my hands Can fulfil Thy Law's demands. Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone: Thou must save, and Thou alone! 3. PATIENCE UNDER SUFFERING AND TRUST IN Psalms 27, 4 Rom. 8, 18—30; 2 Cor. 1,3 GOD'S HELP. Lessons. 02, 91, 121; Matt. 7, ■11; Acts 1—10: 4, 7—18. Sentences. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in Him ; and He shall bring it to pass. Ps. 37, 5. Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. Ps. 50, 15. Why art thou cast down, my soul ? and why art thou dis- quieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God. Ps. 42, 11. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps. 73, 25. 26. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they LESSON? AND PRAYEKS FOR TFIE SICK AND THE DYING. 91 shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. Is. 40, 31. Fear thou not, for I am with thee; he not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; .yea, T will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Ls. II. 10. He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be (Matt. 24, 13) ; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continu- ing instant in prayer (Rom. 12, 12). He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, so that wo may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will nol fear. Heb. 13,5.6. Prayers. Lord, my God, Thou knowest all my troubles, nor is it hidden from Thee how restless and cast down my soul frequently is. Help me, I pray Thee, that I may also, as the psalmist, call on Thee and from the depth of my heart hope and trust in Thee. Thou, God, art my God, my Help and my Hope from my youth. With Thee nothing is impossible. Thou art able according to Thy mercy to turn my sickness.. If it is good for me, do so. I wholly trust in Thee and wait for Thee. And I shall yet praise Thee who art the health of my countenance and my God. Amen. most faithful God, I flee again unto Thee. I have none besides Thee to whom I might turn in my distress. Thou knowest my tribulations, and Thy fatherly heart has pity on me. It might perhaps appear as though now Thou hadst hidden Thy face from me, and Thy mercy might seem to have an end. And I confess that I fully deserve Thy chastisement and am not worthy of Thy help. Yet I am thy child, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Oh, there- fore, for Christ's sake, I pray Thee, have mercy on me and help me. Strengthen me through Thy Spirit, that patiently I may await the hour when it shall please Thee to deliver me from my distress either for the present life or for the life to come, according to Thy will. Hear me for Jesus' sake. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, give me at all times a patient spirit, willing and ready to wait and pray, that I may not be weary of Thy chasten- ing, but cast my care upon Thee with all cheerfulness and con- fidence, and ever hope for the besi from Thee, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost forever and ever. Amen. Lord, heavenly Father, Thou art a faithful God, and suf- 93 lessons and prayers for the sick and the i>yin< ferest not any one to be tempted .above tbat lie is able to bear: T beseecb Thee in my sickness and in my affliction and pain, that Thou wouldst not suffer the cross to be too heavy upon me. Strengthen me that I may bear it with patience, and nevermore despair of Thy mercy in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen. Verses. but suffer God to guide If Thou thee, And hope in Him through all thy ways, He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days; Who trusts in God's unchanging love Builds on the Rock that naught can move- Only be still and wait His leisure In cheerful hope with heart content, To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure And all discerning love hath sent; Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own. What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear, What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain wc bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer. I leave all things to God's direc- tion, He loveth me in weal and woe; His will is good, true His affection, With tender love his heart doth glow. My Fortress and my Rock is He: What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me. Oh! for a faith that will not shrink, Though pressed by many a foe; That will not tremble on the brink Of poverty or woe; That will not murmur nor complain Beneath the chastening rod, But in the hour of grief or pain Can lean upon its God. 4. PREPARATION FOR DEATH, AND WTIEN THE END IS AT HAND. Lessons. Ps. 90; Job 14, 1—5; 2 Cor. 5, 1—10; Phil. 1, 21—30. Sentences. There remainetn a rest for the people of God. Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest. Heb. 4, 9. 11. Verily, verily, I say unto you: He tbat hcareth My Word; and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall nol come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. John 5, 24. I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure \M» PRAYERS Fo|{ TIIK SICK AND TIIK DYING. 93 is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day. 2 Tim. 4, G— 8. Though 1 walk through the valley of the shadow <>f death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy stalf, they comfort me. Ps. 23, I. Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according t" Thy Word ; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. Luke 2, 29. 30. Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise. Luke 83, 13. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Arts ?, 59. Prayers. Thou true Savior, Jesus Christ ! Thou who art the Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, and hast washed and cleansed me in Thy blood: I beseech Thee by Thy bitter passion, and especially by what Thou didst suffer when Thy soul passed but of the body, have mercy upon my soul in the hour of its departure, and bring me to life everlasting, where Thou livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. Almighty and eternal God, dear, faithful heavenly Father, comfort me — strengthen me — spare me through Thy great mercy. Help me out of all agony and distress. Release me in Thy grace. Take me to Thee, into Thy kingdom. Into Thy hands I commit my soul. Thou hast redeemed me, Thou faithful God, through the blood of Jesus Christ, my only Lord and Savior. Amen. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Amen. Verses. Jerusalem, thou city fair and high, Would God I were in theei My longing heart fain, fain to thee would fly, It will not stay with me; Far over vale and mountain, Far over field and plain, It hastes to seek its Fountain, And quit this world of pain. .Tesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high. Bide rae, my Savior, hide, Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guid< •: oh, receive niv soul at last! other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on The Leave, ah! leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust on The» is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring, Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing. 94 LESSONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND THE DYINO. Abide with me! fast falls the even- tide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail, and com- forts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me! When soul and body languish, Oh, leave me not alone, But take away mine anguish By virtue of Thine own! Be Thou my Consolation And Shield when I must die; Remind me of Thy passion When my last hour draws nigh. When hence I must betake me, My eyes shall then behold Thee, Lord, do not Thou depart! Upon Thy cross shall dwell, Oh, nevermore forsake me My heart by faith enfold Thee. When death is at my heart! Who dieth thus dies well. When the soul is about to" depart, the minister may lay his hand on the head of the dying believer and say : Depart in peace, thou ransomed soul, in the name of God the Father Almighty, who created thee; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who redeemed thee; in the name of the Holy Ghost, who sanctified thee. Amen. 5. GRATITUDE FOR RECOVERY. Lessons. Ps. 103, 1—14; Is. 38, 9—20; John 5, 1-^14; Acts 3, 1— y. Sentences. Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most High. Ps. 50, 14. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. Ps. 145, 18. 19. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nah. 1, 7. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Is. 40, 29. 31. Prayers. Great and mighty God, who bringest down to the grave and bringest up again, we bless Thy wonderful goodness for having turned our heaviness into joy and our mourning into SONS ami PRAYERS FOR THE SICK ASH T1IF. DYING. 1)5 gladness, by restoring this <>ur brother to some degree of his former health. Blessed be Thy name that Thou didst not for- sake him in his sickness, but didst visit him with comforts from didsi support him in patience and submission to Thy will; and at last didst send him seasonable relief. Perfect, we Thee, this Thy mercy toward him, and prosper the means which shall be made use of for his cure, that, being re- stored to health of body, vigor of mind, and cheerfulness of spirit, he may be able to go to Thine house to offer Thee an oblation with great gladness, and to bless Thy holy name for all Thy goodness towards him; through Jesus Christ, our Savior, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. A men. I thank Thee, Lord, almighty God, that Thou hast visited me as a father and chastened me. Yea, Lord, I am glad that Thou hast humbled me, that I might learn Thy ways. Help now, Lord, my God, that with renewed health I may also begin a new life. Grant that I may always glorify Thy name, and that Thy praise may be continually found in my mouth. Amen. bless the Lord, my soul! Nor let His mercies lie Forgotten in unthankfulness, Anil without praises die. "lis Be forgives thy.sins; "I is Be relieves thy pain; Tis Be that heals Thy sicknesses And gives thee strength again. VERSEa God hitherto hath befn my Guide, Hath pleasures hitherto supplied, And hitherto hath helped me. The Lord hath helped me hitherto By His surpassing favor; His mercies every morn were new, His kindness did not waver. Help me in future, God of grace, Help me on each occasion; Help me in each and ev'ry place; Help me through Jesus' passion; Help ffe in life and death, God; Help me through Jesus' dying blood; Help me as Thou hast helped me! 6. AT THE SICKBED OF CHILDREN. Lessons. Ps. 23; 25, 1—7; 121; Matt. 9, 18. 23—26; Mark 10, 13—15; Titus 3, 4—7; Rev. 3, 11. 12. — Meaning of Second Article. (Catechism.) Sentences. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them* Eccl. 12, 1. 96 LESSONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND THE DYING. Fear not ; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thon art Mine. Is. 43, 1. In heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. Matt. 18, 10. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. Ps. 103, 13. Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Pet. 1, 18. 19. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 1G, 16. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord : whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Rom. 14, 7. 8. Prayers. Tender Jesus, meek and mild, Look on me, Thy loving child; Help me, if it is Thy will, To recover from all ill. Amen. Almighty and gracious God, whose mercies are over all Thy creatures, look in tender compassion, we beseech Thee, upon Thy servant N. N* who is sick. Sustain* him m the trial through which he is now passing, and sanctify it to his good. Deliver him from suffering, and, if in accordance with Thy holy will, restore him to health and strength, that he may joyfully swerve Thee in Thy Church, to the honor of Thy name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son', our Lord. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ,*vho earnest into this world as a little child, in want and suffering, look mercifully, we beseech Thee, upon the sick child for whom our prayers are desired ; in Thy great love grant htm relief from all his suffering, or else take him unto Thy- self, where pain shall be no more. Hear us for Thy mercy's sake. Amen. For a Child's Recovery from Sickness. Almighty God and heavenly Father, we give Thee humble thanks because Thou hast been graciously pleased to deliver from his bodily sickness the child in whose behalf we bless and praise Thy name. Grant, we beseech thee, gracious Father, that he, through Thy help, may both faithfully live in this world according to Thy will, and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. ME < "MMIM Verses. Jesus, II. y blood and righteousness My jewels arc, my glorious dress; In tli.-.' before my Hod Til stand \\ Inn I shall enter heaven's brighl land. Make us brave, without a fear, Make us happy, full of cl r, Sun- that Thou art always near; Hear us, holy Jesus! Jesus, from Thy throne on high, Far above the bright blue sky, Look on U9 with loving eye ; Hear us, holy Jesus! Shall I not rejoice for this? I He is mini', and I am His: And when these bright days an- past, Safely in His arms at last He will bear me home to heaven; Ah, what joys hath Jesus given! VIII. (EIjp (Eammummt of tlje £>irk. The Minister may sail: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then may the Minister say the following or some other Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, who didst give Thine only Son into death for 'our sins, and through Him didst institute the holy Sacrament of His body and blood for the strengthening of our faith: we call upon Thee in behalf of this our sick brother, who desires to receive Holy Communion for a comfort in his affliction. Enlighten him by Thy Holy Spirit, that //<■ may rightly know and willingly confess his sins. Enable him also with true faith to embrace our only Mediator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, that he may obtain both pardon and peace, and be prepared to partake worthily of Thy Holy Supper to his soul's health. Strengthen him through this salutary gift in faith towards Thee and in fervent love toward all men. Create in him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him. Cause him also to recognize in this present visitation Thy fatherly hand, that he may bear his cross in cheerful submission to Thy holy will; and do Thou deal with him according to Thine in- finite mercy as Thou alone best knowest, for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Then may the Minister read a Psalm (e. n., the 6th, 25th. 32d. S8th, Qld, 51st, list. 77th, i).un. (i•") Thus saith the Lord: Refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope for thy latter end, saith the Lord; and thy children shall come again to their own border. Mark 10, IS— 16. 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. At the Death of a Young Person. Psalm 108, 15. 16. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. Psalm 89, 5. Behold, Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before Thee. Verily, every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Job 9, 25. 26. Now my days are swifter than a post; they flee away, they see no good. They are passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. Prov. 21, 1. Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Eccl. 11, 7—10. Truly, the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun; but if a man live many years, and re- joice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the 106 THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put aAvay evil from thy flesh; for childhood and youth are vanity. James ]+, Ik. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Luke 7, 11—16. And it came to pass the day after that He went into a city called Nain ; and many of His disciples went with Him and much people. Now, when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all; and they glorified God, saying,. That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited His people. And this rumor of Him went forth throughout all Judea and throughout all the region round about. Matt 9, 18. 19. 28—26. While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler and worshiped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead; but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place; for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, He went in and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land. Matt 25, 1—18. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten vir- gins which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bride- groom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They THE BURIAL OP i HE DEAD. JO"/ that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them ; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him! Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Givi us of your oil; for our lamps arc gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom carnc; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, lord, open to us ! But he answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh. At the Death of thi: Aged. Psalm 92, 12—1',. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Loud shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to show that the Lord is upright. He is my Bock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. Prov. 10, 31. The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness. Is. J,6, J,. And even to old age I am He, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry and will deliver. . Tim. -'/. 6—S. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. 108 THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. Phil 8, 20. 21. For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. In place of the Lessons the following Exhortation may oe read: Beloved in the Lord: Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God in His good providence to call this brother out of this present life, it becometh us, before committing his body to the earth, to hear in our bereavement the admonition and comfort of God's holy Word. Thus saith the Lord: "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." There is no respect of persons; we die the common death of all men; for the wages, of sin is death. May we, then, with a deep sense of our sinfulness humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, before whom we are dust, and earnestly ponder the rapid flight of our days. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down ; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. We cannot but say with David: "Behold, Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before Thee. Verily, every man at his best estate is altogether vanity." But blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting con- solation and good hope through grace, and hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Being delivered for our offenses, He was raised again for our justification, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. He is the First-fruits of them that sleep, and saith : "I am the Resurrection and the Life : he that be- lieveth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die." There- fore in life and in death He is our comfort; for through Him the death of His own is swallowed up in victory, and by faith THE Bl'KIAL OF THE DEAD. 109 in Him we have part in His gracious promise: This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on im- mortality. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly, the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glo- rious body. Therefore we sorrow not, even as others that have no hope, but lift up our heads, knowing that our Redeemer liveth, and that the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, where no torment shall touch them. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as Christ is pure. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Therefore, beloved, let us escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, and seek now, in the day. of salvation, the one thing needful, which shall not be taken away from us. Let us fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life, whereunto we are also called. May we be found in constant readiness for the final summons, ever waiting for our Lord and purifying our souls in obeying the truth through His Spirit, that, through His power resting upon us, we may overcome the world, and be counted worthy at last to reign with Him eternally in heaven. Amen. Then shall the Minister say: Let us pray Almighty and most merciful God, who hast appointed us to endure sufferings and death with our Lord Jesus Christ be- fore we enter with Him into glory: grant us grace at all times to submit ourselves to Thy holy will, to continue steadfast in the true faith unto the end, and to find peace and joy in the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead, and of the glory of the world to come; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. For other prayers see following pages. The service may close icith a Hymn. 110 THE BURIAL OK THE DEAD. B. AT THE CHURCH. The service may begin with a Hymn. Then may the Minister say: The Lord be with you. The Congregation shall sing or say: And with thy spirit. The Minister shall say: Let us pray. 1. Almighty God, with whom do live' the spirits of those who depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faith- ful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and happiness: we give Thee hearty thanks for Thy loving-kindness to all those Thy servants, who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labors. And we beseech Thee that we, with all those who are departed in the true faith of Thy holy name, may have our perfect consum- mation and bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 2. Lord, almighty and merciful God, who through death callest us out of this wicked world, that we may not perish through continued sinning, but attain life and glory everlasting, we beseech Thee, fill our hearts with a deep sense of Thy mercy, that we may look forward with rejoicing to our departure, and willingly obey the summons to enter into Thy kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 3. almighty, everlasting God and Father, we thank Thee that Thou hast given Thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ into death for us, and through His triumphant resurrection hast given us assurance of eternal life, and we beseech Thee, comfort and raise us up with this assurance, and at last let us come unto eternal rest with Thee; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 4. Thou ever-blessed Mediator, who wast dead, but livest forever, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, and who hast knit all Thy saints in one communion THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. Ill unto life eternal, in that mystical body of which Thou art the glorious and ever-living Head: grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints who have gone before us, in the faith and fellow- ship of Thy holy Church, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for all that love Thee, from the foundation of the world. Amen. 5. holy and ever-blessed Spirit, who art one with the Father and the Son, and who dwellest in all Thy saints to comfort and quicken them: do Thou, we beseech Thee, comfort us in the prospect of death with the hope of the resurrection of the just, and abide in us, that we may ever walk in Thy truth, and in the end be found Worthy of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 6. holy and adorable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of our bodies and souls, we humbly confess our sins, and acknowledge them as the cause of our misery and death, and that on account of our sins Thou art justly displeased. Yet, through infinite mercy in Jesus Christ, we implore Thee, blot out our transgressions, wash us from our iniquity, and cleanse us from our sin. Lord God most holy, Lord God most mighty, holy and most merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Amen. 7 Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts : shut not Thy merciful ears to our prayer, but spare us, Lord most holy, God most mighty, holy and merciful Savior, Thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from Thee. But keep us in everlasting fellowship with the Church Triumphant, and let us rest together in Thy presence from our labors; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever, one God, world without end. Amen. Then shall a Scripture-lesson be read. After the Lesson a Hymn may be sung, follou-ed by the Sermon and another . Hymn. 112 THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. Then shall a Prayer oe offered, ex corde, or as follows: God the Father in heaven, have mercy upon us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us, and grant us Thy peace. Let us pray At the Death of a Child. 1. Lord, almighty, heavenly Father, who art a God of all comfort, and dost bid us mourn with the afflicted, we beseech Thee, Thou wouldst with Thy gracious Spirit comfort our brother and sister, who are mourning the loss of their beloved child. Enable them in steadfast faith and confident hope to look for the blessed day of our final redemption, when all who believe in Thee shall meet again in heavenly joy and glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 2. Almighty God, heavenly Father, who, in Thy wise and gra- cious providence, hast called out of this world the soul of this dear child, we thank Thee for Thy mercy in receiving him as Thine own in Holy Baptism and regenerating him unto the in- heritance of Thine eternal kingdom. And we beseech Thee, send forth the consolations of Thy holy Word into the hearts that mourn over his early death. Give to the afflicted parents a meek submission to Thy fatherly chastenings, that with childlike faith they may praise Thine unsearchable ways. Thou hast cut down the flower in tender bud, help them also to see Thy gracious hand in what they suffer, and to realize that what has faded from them here still blooms immortal in the heavens, and that they shall behold their child again in the joy of everlasting life. Let Thy grace abound in them, comforting them in their be- reavement, lest they sorrow beyond what is meet and right. Gra- ciously overrule this dispensation to their spiritual good, that they may be drawn into still closer communion with Thee, and the better fitted for a devoted life and a glorious immortality. Grant unto us all, while we sojourn here on earth, the aid of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may continue steadfast in faith and in Thy fear, and finally appear in Thy presence with exceeding joy; for the sake of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. TIIK BURIAL OF TMK DEAD; 1 Id At thk Death of an Adult. 1. Almighty God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise Thee that Thou hast called this our brother to the knowledge of Thy >n, kept him in the true faith, and granted him a blessed end; and we beseech Thee, help us by Thy Hoi/ Spirit rightly to know and lament our sins, and to be so strengthened in our faith in Christ that in all things we may grow up into llim who is our Head, evermore praising Thee in newness of life, and cheerfully awaiting that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. 2. most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the shadow of Thy sore judgments we come to Thee as our only Helper. Thou art the Lord, and beside Thee there is none other. Thou art a very present help in trouble. Thou hast entered this house with Thy chastenings, and hast here caused Thy sovereign power to be felt. Oh, be Thou nigh, in Thy tender compassion, with the comforts of the Holy Spirit. Bless these Thy sorrowing servants with the consolations of Thy grace, which alone can afford them help. Take them into Thy gracious keeping, and fill their bleeding hearts with the soothing balm of Thy love. Let there be light in the midst of this dark night of grief. Deliver us all, God, from the bondage of our sins, that we may be free from the fear of death, and be ready at Thy call to depart hence and be at peace. Whether we live, may we live unto the Lord, or whether we die, may we die unto the Lord. And so unite us to Christ Jesus, and work in us by the sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost, that, whether living or dying, we may be the Lord's. Amen. 3. merciful God, heavenly Father, forasmuch as it hath pleased Thee to summon another member of our congregation out of this present life, and again to remind us that our life appeareth only for a little time: we beseech Thee, gird us with the power of Thy Holy Spirit, that, amidst the vanities of this LITURGY AND AGENDA. • 8 114 THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. world, we may fight a good fight and keep the faith, thus finishing the course of our pilgrimage on earth in all holy obedience, in constant watchfulness and prayer, lest death come upon us unawares and find us unprepared. Comfort «us in the hour of death with the bitter sufferings and death of Thy Son, who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification, that we may depart this life at peace with Thee and receive the crown of righteousness; through Thy dear Son, our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. Almighty, eternal God, Thy years are throughout all genera- tions, we, however, shall perish in time; for all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. Make us to know our end and the measure of our days what it is, that we may know how frail we are, daily trim our lamps, and wait by faith for a blessed end. Suffer not the thoughts and the sting of death to make us afraid, but let us at all times look unto our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Keep us by Thy Spirit m faith and good conscience; for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. At the removal of our loved ones who die in the Lord, enable us to understand that they are blessed from henceforth, and go to Thee, where there shall be neither sorrow nor crying, neither any more pain, and where Thou shalt wipe away all tears from their eyes. Lord God, Thou beholdest all our affliction and pain, the poor commit themselves unto Thee, Thou art the Helper of the widows and the fatherless. Be pleased to appear with Thy strong comfort to all that are afflicted and distressed, and finally present them, together with the dead for whom they mourn, before Thy presence with exceeding joy. When our last hour shall come, let us, .Thy servants, depart in peace. Pre- serve us from a sudden, evil death; let us, being full of faith and rich in the fruits of righteousness, commit our spirit into Thy hands, and thus finish our course, and lay hold on eternal life. Amen. THE in RIAL "I THE DEAD. I I - 5. o Lord Cod, who hast called this our departed brother hence in the noontide of his life and labors, we humble our- selves under Thy holy will, and reverence Thy ways, although Thy judgments are unsearchable and Thy ways past finding out. For Thou thickest towards us thoughts of peace and not ot evil, and all things work together for good to them that love rhee. We thank Thee that, of Thy fatherly love, Thou didst bestow upon this our brother Thy merciful guidance, Thy faithful pro- tection, and Thy constant blessing in body and soul, even unto the end We beseech Thee to comfort, with Thy holy Word, the hearts of those who are bowed down by his death, and to strengthen them by the assurance that even through crosses and trials" Thou wouldst bless them, and dost chasten Thy children, not to deslrov them, but that they may live. Enable us all to lay to heart that our sojourning on earth is but for a little time, that we may diligently ponder, in this our day, the things which belong unto our peace. Sanctify us through Thy truth, and purify our hearts by faith, that we may not love the fleeting pleasures of this world, but, ordering our lives agreeably to Thy will seek those things that arc above, and at the last appear before Thy presence in peace and joy. Grant all this, we pray Thee, for 'the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son. Amen. 6. We thank Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, that Thou hast taken our brother away from distress, and brought him into eternal rest. dear Savior, we say with Job: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord ; and with the people in the Gospel: "He hath done all things well" Enable us to comfort ourselves with the consideration that we have not lost him, but only sent him before, now.se doubting that on the last day Thou wilt raise up with power and -rent glory the dead body here lying before us in weakness and that wo shall find one another again with Thee in eternal life May it also please Thee to grant us the grace ot I'l.y TIolv Soirit that at this burial we may call to mind how soon it is all over with men, and be found in constant and never- failing Christian readiness to follow Thee, when the hour is at hand, through the dark valley of death into Thy kingdom with exceeding joy; Thou, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, world without end. Amen. U$ THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. (At the Death of a Husband and Father.) Almighty and most merciful God, in whose hands are all the children of men, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Give us grace to live by faith in Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and to do what our hands find to do, that, when He who is our life shall appear, we also may appear with Him in glory. To Thy fatherly goodness do we commend those whom Thou hast afflicted by this dispensation of Thy providence. Let the pains of their bereavement be softened by the hopeful assurances of Thy holy Word. Cause the fruits of this their sore chastening to be righteousness and peace. Let the removal of their beloved and cherished one serve to direct their affections heavenward, that they may seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth. Be Thou a Father to the fatherless and a Helper to the widow. Remember to them Thy gracious covenant of old, and let not Thy mercy depart from them. Fulfil unto them Thy blessed promise that all things shall work together for good to them that love Thee. May they not sorrow as those who have no hope, but have abundant consolations for all their griefs, and a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory for all their sufferings in this life. These blessings, and all others which may be needful for us, and for all men, we humbly ask, in the name and for the sake of our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. (At the Death of a Christian Wife and Mother.) Eternal God, merciful Father, look graciously upon us, bowed down as we are with grief at the loss of a Christian sister, a beloved wife and mother, whom we are about to ac- company (have accompanied) to her last earthly resting-place. Teach us, Father, that Thy thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and Thy ways better than our ways, that we may sub- mit ourselves with childlike resignation to Thy inscrutable, but fatherly counsel and dispensation, and amid all grief be able to say : "Thou doest all things well." Help us call to mind the manifold mercies which from her youth Thou hast bestowed upon our departed sister, in receiving her by Holy Baptism as Thine own dear child, comforting her with the forgiveness of sins in THE M RIAL \ Thy fatherly goodness, lot not the thoughts and the sting of d.ath make us afraid, neither let us he troubled, but graciously keep us in Thy Sun in true faith and good conscience, to the end that we may lead a Christian life, prepare for a blesssed departure, and, finally, fall asleep and rest in peace and joy, until Thou dost open our graves, and, by the sound of the trumpet, call us forth again to life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 2. Almighty God, who by the death of Thy Son hast over- come sin and death, and by His resurrection hast restored inno- cence and everlasting life, to the end that we should be delivered from the dominion of the devil, and that by the power of the same resurrection our mortal bodies should be raised up from the dead unto eternal life in Thy kingdom : grant that with our whole heart we may confidently believe this, and finally, with all Thy saints, be partakers of the joyful resurrection of the just; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 3. Almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy Son hast promised us forgiveness of sin and deliverance from everlasting (hath: strengthen us, we beseech Thee, by Thy Holy Spirit, that our trust in Thy grace in Christ Jesus may daily increase, and that with sure confidence we may hold fast the blessed hope that we shall not die, but only sleep, and at the last day be raised up unto everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ. Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 4. I>ord Jesus Christ, who wilt come again in majesty to judge the quick and the dead, and call forth all who sleep in the graves, either to the resurrection of life or to the resurrec- tion of condemnation: we beseech Thee to be gracious unto us, and to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of right- eousness, that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in Thee, and, having been found acceptable in Thy sight, may, on the last day, be raised up to life everlasting and inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world. To Thee he glory and praise, world without end. Amen. \%% THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 5. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who, in Thy perfect wisdom and mercy, hast ended for Thy servants departed the voyage of this troublous life, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who are still to continue our course amidst earthly dangers, temptations, and troubles, may evermore be protected by Thy mercy, and finally come to the haven of eternal salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. G. Almighty God, who by the death of Thy Son Jesus Christ hast destroyed death, by His rest in the tomb hast sanctified the graves of Thy saints, and by His glorious resurrection hast brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, so that all who die in Him abide in joy as to their souls, and in hope as to their bodies: receive, we beseech Thee, our unfeigned thanks for that victory over death and the grave which He hath ob- tained for us and for all who sleep in Him; and keep us, who are still in the body, in everlasting fellowship with all that wait for Thee on earth, and with all that are around Thee in heaven, in union with Him who is the Resurrection and the Life, who liveth and reigneth, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever, one God, world without end. Amen. Then may follow the Lord's Prayer and the Benediction: 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 and ever. Amen. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Then may a Hymn be sung. THE ORDINATION of A MINISTER, 1 .' ', X. all? (JDr&utatum of a fHtmairr. The Form given below may be used for Ordination am! Installation. After the General Prayer, in the regular service, a Hymn of Invocation of the Holy Spirit may be sung. Then the Ordaining Minister and his assistants shall turn to the candidate for ordination, uho has presented himself before the altar, and the ordaining Minigter shall say: Dearly Beloved Brother: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said unto His disciples: "Go ye 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." (Matt. 28, 19. 20.) And when He had ascended far above all heavens, that He might fill all things, He gave unto His Church 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. (Eph. 4, 10—18.) Whereas, then, after due examination, you have been found well versed in Christian doctrine and able to teach others, and have been called to the office of the holy minstry [in this Con- gregation], it is meet and right that we should hear and ponder what God, in His holy Word, inculcates upon His ministers con- cerning the solemn responsibilities of their sacred office. Thus says St. Paul : "This is a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." (1 Tim. 3, 1.) "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (1 Cor 4, 1.) "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Tim. 2, 15.) "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." (2 Tim. 4, 2.) "Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine, in nil tilings showing thyself a pattern of good works." (Titus 2, 1.) "A bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God ; not 124 THE ORDINATION OF A MINISTER. self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1,7 — 9.) "Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful." (1 Cor. 4,-2.) "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4, 6.) The ministers of Christ, then, are ambassadors for Christ, and as such are to preach the Word and administer the holy Sacraments. They are appointed to wait upon and serve the Church, which is the bride of Jesus Christ, His body mystical; to offer before Him the prayers and supplications of His people; to feed, to instruct, to watch over, and guide the sheep and lambs of His flock, whom He hath purchased with His own blood. They are to give themselves wholly to this office, with daily meditation and study of the Scriptures, that they may be able to make full proof of their ministry, being nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, and showing them- selves patterns to others in piety and godly living. And whereas, dear Brother, thou hast accepted the call ex- tended to thee [by this Congregation], and art about to enter upon the performance of the duties pertaining to the holy office of the ministry, in accordance with the Word and will of the Lord most High, I now ask thee, in the presence of God and this Congregation: Dost thou believe the canonical books of the Old and the New Testament to be the inspired Word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practise? Answer: I do so believe. Dost thou hold and profess the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as laid down in the Symbols contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, to wit, the three Ecumenical Creeds, the Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the same, the Smalcald Articles, the Small and the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, to be the true doctrine of the Holy Scriptures? Answer: I do so hold and profess,. Art thou determined to discharge faithfully the duties of THE ORDINATION OF A MINISTER. 125 the holy ministry [in this Congregation] in full accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the said Symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church? Answer: I have so determined by the grace of God. Then the person to be ordained shall kneel, and the Ordaining Minister, laying his right hand on him, may say: I herewith acknowledge and ordain thee a called and able Minister of the Gospel, a herald of the kingdom of God, and a steward of His mysteries [and install thee as Pastor of this Congregation]. The Lord pour out upon thee the Holy Spirit for the office and work committed unto thee by thy call, that thou may est be a faithful dispenser of the means of grace: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then the assisting Ministers, in turn, may lay their right hands on the head of the neicly ordained, and pronounce some benediction, such as Josh. 1, 8; Ps. 27, 1. U; 20, 1. 2; 1 Tim. i, 16. Then shall the Ordaining Minister continue: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, who art the Chief Shepherd and the only Head of Thy Church, we pray Thee that Thou wouldst keep Thy servant in Thy holy Word and the sound doctrine therein set forth; that Thou wouldst strengthen him in the faithful performance of the duties of the ministry [in this Con- gregation], and bless his labors in Thy service, that Thy holy name may be glorified and Thy kingdom be enlarged here and hereafter ; who livest and reignest, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever, world without end. Amen. Lord God, Heavenly Father, who alone dost give and send forth able ministers of Thy Church, and for this ministry dost endue them with power from on high, we humbly beseech Thee, illumine the heart of this Thy servant, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy Holy Spirit* lead and guide him with the strength of Thy right hand, that he may faith- fully perform the ministry committed unto him, to the glory of Thy name and the edification of all believers, in the Church of Thy dear Son, through the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Merciful God, Heavenly Father, Thou hast said unto us by the mouth of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord- "The 126 THE ORDINATION OF A MINISTER. harvest, truly, is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He may send forth laborers into His harvest": upon this Thy divine command, we heartily pray Thee, give Thy Holy Spirit abundantly to this Thy ser- vant, to us, and to all who are called to the ministry of Thy Word, that we may continue faithful and steadfast against the devil, the world, and the flesh, to the end that Thy name may be hallowed, Thy kingdom increased, and Thy will accomplished. We beseech Thee also that Thou wouldst overrule and bring to naught the counsels of all Thine enemies that blaspheme Thy name, hinder Thy kingdom, and resist Thy will; and in what- soever place Thy servants declare Thy name, and labor in the Word and doctrine, establish Thou their witness and the work of their hands, to the praise of Thy most holy name, and to the salvation of many souls. Amen. Then the Ordaining Minister, and the other Ministers with him, shall say: 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 and ever. Amen. The newly ordained shall then rise, and the Ordaining Minister, giving him his right hand, shall say: Go, then, take heed unto thyself and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee an overseer, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. Feed the flock of Christ, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; not as being lord over God's heritage, but being an ensample to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. The Lord bless thee from on high, and make thee a blessing unto many, that thou may est bring forth fruit, and ' that thy fruit may remain unto eternal life. Amen. If the neivly ordained has also been installed, he shall close the service with the Benediction. THE ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF A MINISTER. 1^7 XL (T1?p ©rMnatum and JnataUatum uf a ffflimatar. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said unto His disciples* "Go ye 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 committed unto you. And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." "And when He ascended far above all heavens, that He might fill all things, He gave unto His Church 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." And whereas the Archbishop of His Church has given unto this present congregation a [another] pastor and teacher, it is meet and right that we should hear and ponder what the Lord by His Apostles inculcates upon His ministers concerning their holy office. Thus says St. Paul: "This is a true saying: If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work, and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. But lay hands suddenly on no man. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not 60on angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of hos- pitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." — And again: "A bishop 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; not a novice, lest, being puffed 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 re- proach and the snare of the devil. Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhorta- tion, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which jog THE ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF A MINISTER. was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Study !o show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." And whereas thou, dearly beloved brother in Christ, hast accepted the call extended to thee by this Congregation, and art about to enter upon the performance of the duties enjoined upon thee through such call in accordance with the Word and will of the Lord Most High, I now ask thee in the presence of Omnis- cient God and of this Congregation: Dost thou believe the canonical books of the Old and the New Testament to be the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practise? Answer: I do so believe. Dost thou hold and profess the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as laid down in the Symbols contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, especially, the three Ecumenical Creeds, the Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the same, the Smalcald Articles, the Small and the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, to be the true doctrine of the Holy Scriptures? Answer: I do so hold and profess. Art thou determined to discharge faithfully the duties of the holy ministry in this Congregation in full accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the said Symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church? Answer: I have so determined by the grace of God. The ordained will here kneel, and the ordainer, laying his hands upon him, will say: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, who art the Chief Shepherd and the only Head of Thy Church, we pray Thee that Thou wouldst keep Thy servant in Thy holy Word and the sound doctrine therein set forth; that Thou wouldst strengthen him in the faithful performance of the duties of the ministry in this Congregation, and bless his labors in Thy service, that Thy holy name may be glorified and Thy kingdom be enlarged here and hereafter, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever, world without end. Amen. THE. ORDINATION* AND INSTALLATION OF A MINISTER. 129 Hereupon the assisting ministers Kill, each in his turn, lay their hands upon the ordained and say: The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the cove- nant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Amen. or: Thus satth the Lord,, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, I am the Lord, thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way thou shouldest go. Amen. or: The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; He shall pre- serve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and even forevermore. Amen. or: Be strong and of good courage; fear not, nor be afraid; for the Lord, thy God, He it is that doth go with thee ; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Amen. or: Thus saith the Lord, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the t vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing. Amen. or: Be not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. or: Be fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. or: Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Or some other appropriate text not already embodied in this form. The ordinator icUl note continue: Go then, take heed unto thyself and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee an overseer, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with Hi3 own blood. LITURGY AND AGENDA. 9 130 THE INSTALLATION OF A PASTOR. Feed the flock of Christ, taking the oversight thereof, not by con- straint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; not as being lord over God's heritage, but being an ensample to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. The Lord bless thee from on high, and make thee a blessing unto many, that thou mayest bring forth fruit, and that thy fruit may remain unto eternal life. The Lord bless you, and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon, you, and give you peace. Amen. XII. Gtye Jttfliallatum of a $a0tor. After the Sermon, generally held by the officiating Minister, and- the singing of an appropriate Hymn, the officiating Minister and his assistants shall take up their position at the altar, the Pastor-elect before them, and on either side of him the members of the Church Council. The Officiating Minister shall say: Dear Brother: Whereas thou hast. been called as Pastor of this Congregation, and art about to assume charge of the flock of Christ in this place, it is fitting that thou shouldst bear in mind the solemn duties of thy sacred office, that thou mayest fulfil them in such manner as behooves a devout and zealous minister of the Church. As an ambassador for Christ, thou art to preach and teach the pure doctrine of the divine Word, to administer the holy Sacraments according to the institution and ordinance of Christ, to instruct the young in the way of salvation, to counsel the in- quiring, to strengthen the weak, to seek the lost, and reclaim the erring, to comfort the sorrowing, to care for the" needy, to visit the sick, to minister to the dying, and ever to have at heart, and pray for, the spiritual welfare of every soul under thy care. Thou art to give thyself to the meditation and study of the Scriptures, to administer thy office conformably to the Word of God, and to show thyself and thy household a pattern to others THE INSTALLATION OF A PASTOR. l-'-l in piety and godliness, giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed. Thus says St. Paul: "This is a true saying, If a- man desireth 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 be- havior, 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; not a novice, lest, being puffed up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are with- out, lest he fall into, reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Tim. 3, 1—7.) "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; re- prove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evan- gelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Tim. 4, 2. 5.) "Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conver sation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things ; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doc- trine ; continue in them ; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4, 12—16.) I ask thee, therefore, dear Brother, in the presence of God and this Congregation: Art thou willing and ready to take upon thee the charge of this Congregation, and to perform faithfully all the duties of thy ministry? Answer: I am. Wilt thou preach and teach the pure Word of God in ac- cordance with the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and adorn the doctrine of our Savior by a godly and holy life? Ansiver: Yes, with the help of God. 132 THE INSTALLATION OF A PASTOR. Then may the Officiating Minister say to the Congregation: Dearly Beloved: Ye have heard the solemn promise given by him whom ye have called to be your pastor. I admonish and charge you, therefore, on your part to re- ceive him in this character and office, and to be ever mindful of what the Word of God demands of you as members of his flock. Attend with all diligence the preaching of the Word, re- ceiving it, not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the Word of God. Heed his admonition, receiving with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. Aid him by your influence in instructing the young, re- membering the exhortation to bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Honor and love him, as St. Paul says: "Know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." Pray for him without ceasing, that in his labors and anxieties he may retain a cheerful spirit, and his ministry among you may be abundantly blessed. Provide also for his temporal wants; for the Lord says: "The laborer is worthy of his hire"; and St. Paul says: "Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in alL good things." Finally, remember the words of the Apostle: "Obey them that have' the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you." [I now ask you: Are ye willing to receive your Pastor as a minister of God, and to show towards him such love, honor, and fit obedience in the Lord as are due to an overseer and guide placed over you by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of souls? Then shall the members of the Church Council [and the Congregation) say: Yes, we are.] THE INSTALLATION OF A PASTOR. 133 Thi Paator-tfeci then kneels. The assisting Ministers lay their right hands on Inn head, and the Officiating Minister snys: Dear Brother: On the ground of thy call, I now, in ac- cordance with the usages of the Church, install thee as Pastor of this Congregation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, charging thee to be diligent and faithful in the performance of thy duties, as thou shalt give account of thy stewardship in the day of Christ's appearing. "Xow the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make thee perfect in every good work to do His will, working in thee that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever." Amen. Then the assisting Ministers may, in turn, say similar benedictions: (E. g., Josh. 1, 7. 8; Ps. 20, 1. 2; Ps. 27, 1. 14, Ps. 84, 7. 8; Is. 52, 7; Dan. 12, 3; 2 Cor. 2, 14—16; 2 Cor. 4, 6. 7; 1 Tim. 4, G. 7; 2 Tim. 1, 13. 14.) Then the Officiating Minister, turning to the neicly installed Pastor and taking his right hand, shall say: Go, then, and feed the flock of Christ which is entrusted to thee, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but will- ingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lord over God's heritage, but being an ensample to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. The Lord bless thee from on high, and make thee a blessing unto many, that thou mayest bring forth fruit, and that thy fruit may remain unto eternal life. Amen. 1. Lord Jesus Christ, eternal and only Son of God, who sittest at the right hand of the Father, and giveet gifts unto men, sending forth pastors and teachers for the work of the ministry and the building up of Thy spiritual body, the Church : we thank and praise Thee that Thou hast [again] provided this flock with a faithful shepherd; and we pray Thee, grant to both pastor and people Thy heavenly grace, that they may do what is well-pleasing- in Thy sight, holding faith and a good con- science, and finally, with all the elect, obtain everlasting life. Amen. 134 THE INSTALLATION OF A PASTOR. 2. Praise and adoration be unto Thee, almighty and everlasting God, the Father of mercies, that Thou hast established Thy Church on earth, that from it should go forth salvation to the souls of men to the end of days. And as Thou hast sent another laborer into this Thy harvest-field, we beseech Thee, mercifully replenish him with the gifts requisite for the faithful and suc- cessful fulfilment of his sacred office. Keep him from becoming an offense by his own shortcomings, from falling a prey to calumny and evil speaking, and from whatever might hinder his ministry. Support him with power from on high, and crown his efforts with Thy blessing. And when at length his work on earth is done, may he as a faithful servant enter into the joy of his Lord. We pray Thee also to bless this Congregation, the officers and all the members. Preserve Thine altar perpetually in the midst of them, and ever keep alive upon it Thy holy fire. May Thy Word and Sacraments be continued unto them in their purity, and the peaceful kingdom of Thy Son prosper among them, that all who worship Thee in this place may in the end find their names written in the Book of Life. Thou God of peace, sanctify us wholly, that our whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Then the Officiating Minister, and the other Ministers with him, laving on hands, shall say: 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 and ever. Amen. Then may follow a Hymn of Praise, or the Doxology, and the newly installed Pastor shall close the service with the Benediction. THE INSTALLATION OF A TEACHER. 1 XIII. Slip Jnatallatum of a (learlirr. Dear Brother: Evangelical Lutheran at a regular meeting, asking for God's guidance and acting in His fear, has duly elected and called thee to be a teacher in our school. Whereas, then, by divine guidance, thou hast recognized in this call the voice of God, and art about to enter upon the duties of thy important office, for the faithful performance whereof thou wilt be held accountable to God, I ask thee, in the presence of God and of this Congregation: Dost thou promise to discharge faithfully all the duties of thy office, according to the ability which God giveth? Answer: I do so promise, with the help of God. Then the Minister, taking the Teacher by the hand, shall say: In testimony of thy sincere intent in making this thy promise, give me thy right hand. Go, then, and faithfully perform thy work among the lambs of Christ, the children of His Church, committed to thy care. Assist me, the minister of the Word and shepherd of the whole flock, in feeding them with the Word and the sound doctrine. Assist the parents in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take heed that thou dost so, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; not as being desirous of vainglory, but in simplicity of heart, seeking only the glory of God, and being an ensample both to the children and to the whole Congregation. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. The Lord bless thee from on high, and make thee a blessing both to the school and to the Church, that thou mayest bring forth much fruit, and that thy fruit may remain unto eternal life. Amen. Then may the Minister say to the Congregation: Dearly Beloved : I heartily admonish you all through Jesus Christ, who has graciously given this teacher to our school, that you would look upon him and honor him as one sent by the Lord, faithfully assist him in the performance of his duties, and therefore send your children to school with laudable regularity. teach them to respect and obey their teacher, and diligently aid 136 THE INSTALLATION OF A TEACHER. him in the Christian training of the children. Do this for the sake of God, that His name may be glorified in our school by our children ; for the sake of . the children, that through the labors of our teacher they may be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: to the praise of the gracious God, to your joy, and to their own temporal and eternal welfare. Then may the Minister sap to the children: May Jesus, your Good Shepherd, give to you, dear chil- dren, pious and dutiful hearts to obey willingly your dear teacher, to profit diligently by his instructions, especially in the saving Word of God, and not to resist the discipline he imposes in God's name, so that your teacher's labors among you may be- come an everlasting blessing to you, and the Good Shepherd's promise for His lambs be fulfilled in you: "I give unto them eternal life." Amen. To the end that the gracious God may crown the labors of this our teacher with His blessing, Let us pray. Almighty God, Thou everlasting Fountain of all wisdom, who hast established among us a Christian school, and wouldst have all pure arts and useful knowledge to be consecrated to Thy service, we bless and magnify Thy holy name and give thanks to Thee for Thy great goodness. And we beseech Thee, vouchsafe unto us the continuance of Thy blessing, that Thy Word may dwell richly in us and our children, and Thy name be glorified among us. Grant unto this Thy servant Thy Holy Spirit, and adorn him with wisdom and power from on high, that he may lead our little ones to Thee, and in the face of numerous discouragements wait faithfully on his arduous calling. Dispose our children to godliness and obedience, and let them so profit by instruction in Thy holy Word that they may be pre- served from all ungodliness, serve Thee all their days, and finally obtain eternal life. Stir up the hearts of all parents and mem- bers of this church to regard their teacher as one sent by Thee, to aid him in the Christian training of their children, and to pray and labor for the, welfare of our school. And do Thou continue to build Thy kingdom both here and elsewhere to the end of days. Hear us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. THK INSTALLATION OF x CHURCH COUNCIL. 137 XIV. uJbr Jnatallatum of a (Uhurrh (Emmril. This chapter is to be found only in the unabridged edition of th Sec pag'ia S89 to 391. XV. Caging th? (Uornrr-^trntr of a Cljurrh. When the Corner-stone of a church is to be laid, an appropriate service shall be held at the place where the edifice is to be built. A Hymn shall be sung, and a Psalm (e. g., J6 ; til; 118) may be said respon- sively, with Gloria Patri. Then shall the Minister say: Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve: grant us, we beseech Thee, the ful- ness of Thy mercy. Prosper and bless the work which we are here undertaking, that, by Thy favor, it may promote Thy glory and the salvation of many souls ; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Then shall be read the Lesson, e.g., Gen. 28, 10 — 22; Ps.8i; 87; 122; Matt. 16, IS— 19; Eph.2,19—22; lCor.3,«—li. Then may be sung a Hymn. If there be an Address, it shall , now be made. Then may be sung another Hymn. A list of the contents of the box which is to be deposited in the corner-stone is here read, and the box placed in the stone. The contents of the box may embrace: The constitution and history of the Congregation, a Catechism, a Hymn-book, a list containing the names of the church officers, the pastor, the teacher, the building committee, the builder, etc.; moreover, Synodical reports and other Church publications; also the names of the President, the Governor of the State, the Mayor of the city at the time; and, lastly, political papers of the city or State, etc. Then, the stone having been adjusted by the builder, the Minister, taking in hand a hammer or trowel, strikes the stone three times in the name of the Trinity, saying: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. 138 LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF A CHURCH. I lay the corner-stone of an edifice to be here erected under the name of Church, and devoted to the worship of the one and only living and true God, the proclamation of His Gospel, and the ministry of His holy Sacraments in the name * of the Father, * and of the Son, * and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ, true God and man, blessed forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Then shall the Minister say: Let us now unite in the confession of our holy Chris- tian faith: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost ; Born of the Virgin Mary ; Suf- fered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell ; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resur- rection of the body ; And the life everlasting. Amen. Then shall the Minister say: Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, our heavenly Father, whom the heavens cannot contain, but whose will it is to have a house upon earth wherein prayer and praise may be continually offered to Thy name, let Thine eyes, we pray Thee, be toward this place, where we purpose to build a house of worship to the glory of Thy holy name and for the salvation of souls purchased by the blood of Thine only-begotten Son. Bless and prosper, we beseech Thee, the work which we here begin in Thy name, that in this place not only an earthly house may be erected unto Thee, but also a spiritual temple, a congregation of true be- LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF A CHURCH. 139 who, knowing and worshiping Thee, shall do Thy will, promote Thy glory, and extend Thy kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. 2. Blessed be Thy name, Lord, that it hath pleased Thee to put it into the hearts of Thy servants to begin the erection of a building, in which Thy holy name is to be worshiped, the Word of Reconciliation is to be proclaimed, and the Sacraments are to be administered. Prosper Thou them, God, in this their undertaking. Give to the members of this Congregation unity of counsel, purity of intention, and a supreme purpose to advance Thy glory in promoting the extension and interests of Thy holy Church, appointed for the salvation of mankind. Guard by Thy providence everything pertaining to the building, which is now begun in Thy fear and in reliance on Thy blessing, that it may be successfully completed. Direct the skill and animate the industry of the superintendents and workmen, and shield them from all accidents and dangers. Grant also that by the influences of Thy Holy Spirit we, with all Thy people, as lively stones, may be built up into a spiritual house and an abiding temple of Thy glory, and be prepared for that eternal city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker Thou art. Now unto Thee, who art able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Then shall all nay together: 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 Tead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from evil ; For Thine" is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Then may be sung a Hymn. Then shall the Minister pronounce the Benediction. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen. 140 THE DEDICATION OP A CHURCH. XVI. aty* Stratum of a Olljurrij. When a church is to be dedicated, the Ministers present, with the Congregation, may convene for a valedictory service, consisting of the singing of a Hymn and an Address, at the former place of worship or some other suitable place. Then the Minister, with the Congregation, may go in procession to the door of the church, bearing the Bible and sacred vessels, and singina a proces- sional Hymn,. Then the Minister may say: Let us pray. eternal God, who dwellest in the high and holy place and with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, we beseech Thee, graciously look upon us and let us enter this Thy house with Thy blessing, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. Then shall the keys be handed to the Minister by the builder or by one of the trustees of the church, and the Minister shall say: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Whereas, by the grace of God, we are permitted this day to dedicate this house of God, I herewith open the gates of this house for the preaching of the saving Word of God in accordance with the Confessions of our Church, for the adminis- tration and use of the holy Sacraments according to the insti- tution of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for offering to God's glo- rious Majesty the sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then, the door having been unlocked by the Minister and opened by a member of the Church Council, may be said responsively Ps. 2$, 100, or 122; or the Minister may say: Lift up your heads, ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to -the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The Minister, with the Congregation, shall then move slowly into the church. Having come to the chancel, the Ministers and members of the Church Council shall enter it, and deposit the Bible and sacred vessels in their places. Then shall a Hymn be sung. THK DEMCATKW Of A CHURCH. Ill Then shall the Minister say: Albeit the Most High dweUeth not in temples made with hands, but with His glory doth fill the heavens and the earth, He hath yet been pleased to reveal His gracious presence, wher- ever His holy Word and Sacraments are in use. For thus He spake through Moses (Ex. 20, 24): "In all places where I re- cord My name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee"; and, again, through Christ, His Son (Matt. 18, 20) : "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Whereas, then, this house hath been built for the manifestation of the grace of God in Word and Sac- rament, and we are for the first time gathered together here in His name, let us, therefore, hear the Word of the Lord, and by our prayer commend this place to Him, knowing that all things are sanctified by the Word of God and prayer. Then the following or other Scripture-lessons shall be read: 1 Kings 8, 1—13. £2—30; 1 Chron. 30, 1—20 ; Ps.8i; 72; 128; 158; Heb.l0,19—i5. Then shall the Minister say: Let us pra\\ 1. almighty, everlasting God, who through Thy Son, the chief Corner-stone, dost join together the believers into one edifice, and out of lively stones dost build for Thyself a spiritual temple : look with favor also upon this house, which we have built for Thy glory, to be a memorial to Thy name, a dwelling- place for Thine honor, and a house of prayer for Thy people. Accept it as Thine own forthwith, Lord, and visit it with Thy most holy presence, to the end that our* going in and our coming out may be blessed from this time forth even forever- more; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 2. Lord Jesus Christ, Thou great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, we pray Thee to take this house o # f worship and this con- gregation into Thy charge. Guard and defend this Thy flock, and cause their number to be daily increased. Here, we pray Thee, cause Thy Gospel-light to shine. Here bless Thy flock evermore with faithful shepherds, and clothe Thy ministers with righteousness. Here let the way of salvation be truly set forth, and Thy Holy Spirit attend Thy Word, to graft it inwardly in the hearts of all who hear* it, that they may know Thee, the 142 THE DEDICATION OF A SCHOOL. only true and living God, and Thy Son Jesus Christ, "whom Thou hast sent as the Savior of the world, and worship Thee in spirit and in truth. Cause the message of peace to go forth from this place even unto the distant nations and to the remote corners of the earth, that many may be called from the way of destruction, and walk in the light of Thy blessed countenance. May Thy Holy Spirit always accompany the administration of Thy holy Sacraments in this place, and with His saving in- fluence make them effectual means of grace to Thy people. May the rising generation here be faithfully instructed in sound doc- trine, that they may believe in Thee and live to Thy praise. Graciously hear the prayers which Thy children shall offer unto Thee in this place. Bless the marriages which shall here be solemnized. All that weep in affliction and bereavement comfort Thou with Thy heavenly peace. Let the blessing of harmony and peace forever rest upon this house. And finally bring us, and all who in time to come worship in this place, together with all Thy redeemed, to that city of God wherein there is no temple, and of which the Lamb is the light, there to unite in Thy praise with all the angels and the saints; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. When a Schoolhouse is to be dedicated, a brief service may be held at the proceed according to the regular Order of Service, with Holy Communion. XVII. atye irdtration of a €>rtjooL XVIII. etye leotratiott of an QDroan, XIX. GUjF-lfotraium of a Irll. XX. Stye Stratum of a Ittrial (Sromtd. XXI. Otyr irotratton of a $ arBOttao,?. THE DEDICATION OF h PABfSH-H 143 XXII. Shp Dritratum of a ftartah-iiflita?. XXIII. Qlijr SrMratum af a Suirllmn,. These chapter* art to be found <>nl