4016 75 pv i Class _J&i4cO\M Book JZ^Sl_ CopigM COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. Zxoq IPaluable »ook6* ^♦^♦^♦-^ By Rev. M. E. Dbury, D.D. ImnDbook tor TJQorfcers* A Manual of Bible Texts and Readings for Use in Christian Work, with an introduction — "Hints to Soul Winners" — by Geo. F. Pentecost, D.D., of Brooklyn, N. Y., and an appendix — "Chapters of Pure Gold" — by C. H. Yatman, of Newark, N. J. Revised and enlarged. This handbook is composed entirely of Scripture selections, so arranged and indexed as to be of ready and practical use to Christian workers. The general topics considered are "God," "Man," "Christ," "Salvation," "The Christian Life," " Christian Work," "The Holy Spirit," "The Word of God," "Counsels to Inquirers." Under each of these topics are arranged the various subjects of practical importance in the study and use of the Word. The book is not intended to supplant the careful study of the Scriptures, but to assist and encourage it. "The best book of its kind ever issued." The handbook is pocket size, well printed, and made for use. It contains 156 pages. Flexible leather, 25 cents, net ; full morocco, gilt edges, 60 cents, net ; the same in German, 25 cents, net, all postpaid. £be pastor's Companion* A Pocket Manual of Forms, Services, and Scripture Readings for special occasions, together with a Brief Summary of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, and Suggestive Outlines for Revival and Funeral Sermons. Adapted to the use of min- isters of all evangelical denominations. This little book has been prepared in response to a wide demand for a convenient volume containing forms and services for all occasions. It is practical and useful, and will be welcomed by every active minister. A valuable feature is the section giving in concise form the rules which govern the proceedings of deliberative assemblies. Handsomely printed and bound in fine pliable leather. Postpaid, 75 cents, net. THE Pastor's Companion A POCKET MANUAL OF FORMS, SERVICES, AND SCRIPTURE READ- INGS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS, TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF SUMMARY OF RULES OF ORDER FOR DELIBERA- TIVE ASSEMBLIES, AND SUGGESTIVE OUTLINES FOR REVIVAL AND FUNERAL SERMONS Adapted to the Use of Ministers of All Evangelical denominations COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY REV. M. R. DRURY, D.D. Author of "Handbook for Workers' Dayton, Ohio W. J. Shuey, Publisher 1894 4% Copyright, 1894, By W. J. Shuey, Publisher. All rights reserved. TO MY FATHER, REV. M. S. DRURY, WHO HAS BEEN FOR NEARLY FORTY YEARS A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL; AND TO CHRISTIAN PASTORS IN ALL EVANGELICAL CHURCHES, WITH VARIED AND TAX- ING OFFICIAL DUTIES, THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. M. R. DRURY. PREFACE. There are many excellent manuals for the nse of pastors in the discharge of their official duties. Many of these are adapted to the usages of particular denomi- nations, and hence contain much not of general value. The object in the preparation of this manual has been to meet the wants of pastors generally without refer- ence to their church relations. The forms and services given are simple and practical, and yet are so varied that monotony in pastoral duties may be easily avoided. Besides the usual marriage, baptismal, and other formulas found in books of this character, there are helpful services for use at the laying of a corner-stone, the dedication of a church, the ordination of a min- ister, and the consecration of a missionary. Perhaps the part containing Scripture readings and familiar hymns for use in pastoral visitation will be found to have the largest general helpfulness. These readings and hymns cover a great variety of subjects, thus adapting them to the varied experiences and needs of individuals and families. The part devoted to rules of order for deliberative assemblies will be found to have special ready-refer- ence value, especially to young ministers. A feature not found in any of the manuals in use is that giving suggestive texts and outlines for revival and funeral sermons. This being a book for pocket use, and being carried so that it may be of help when- ever wanted, these aids will be particularly serviceable Vlll PREFACE when away from one's library or in trie absence of more comprehensive helps. Some of these outlines have been taken from the Homiletic Review, a journal of great practical excellence, and other like publica- tions, and adapted to the purposes in view. A careful study of the table of contents will suffice to show the wide scope and convenience of this work. It is intended to meet the growing demand found everywhere among the non-liturgical churches for suit- able forms for the use of pastors in making their official services orderly, instructive, and impressive. To all who have by suggestion or otherwise given aid or encouragement in the preparation of this manual, indebtedness is hereby acknowledged. Especially would the compiler gratefully acknowledge his obliga- tions to the late Rev. E. A. Starkey, A.M., whose labors as a faithful minister of the gospel closed with his death at Compton, California, September 27, 1893. Incomplete materials which he had gathered for a work less comprehensive than this one being placed at the compiler's disposal, he has freely made use of such parts as seemed most fitting. This book is now sent forth on its mission with the humble prayer that it may prove a real, helpful companion to all pastors using it. Being so distinctly scriptural in its contents, its purpose is what the pur- pose of the Bible is: "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' ' M. R. D. Dayton, Ohio, August 1, 1894. CONTENTS. Page Preface vii PART I. THE CHRISTIAN PASTOR. 1. Relations and Duties 13 2. The Mission of the Pastor 15 3. Agencies and Opportunities 17 4. Requisites to Success 18 5. Preparation and Delivery of Sermons 19 PART II. FORMS. CHAPTER I. MARRIAGE SERVICES. 1. A Brief Ceremony 21 2. Formula With a Ring 22 3. Brief Formula Without a Ring 24 CHAPTER II. BAPTISM. 1. Formula for the Baptism of Adults 25 2. Formula for the Baptism of Adults. ... 26 3. Formula for the Baptism of Children 27 4. Formula for the Baptism of Children 28 CHAPTER III. RECEPTION OF BELIEVERS INTO THE CHURCH. 1. Formula No. 1 29 2. Formula No. 2 30 CHAPTER IV. DISMISSALS FROM THE CHURCH. 1. Transfers 32 2. Certificate of Membership 33 3. Letterof Dismissal 33 ix X CONTENTS CHAPTER V. THE LORD'S SUPPER. Page 1. Service in the Church . . 33 2. Service for the Sick 35 CHAPTER VI. FUNERALS. 1. What to Say at a Funeral 36 2. Suggested Order of Service for Funeral 37 3. Service for a Child 38 4. Second Service for a Child 39 5. Service for a Young Person 41 6. Service for Middle-Aged Person 42 7. Service for an Aged Person 44 8. Service for a Devout Christian 45 9. Service for an Unbeliever 47 10. The Brevity of Life 49 11. Burial Service 50 12. Form of Committal from the Episcopal Service 52 CHAPTER VII. CORNER-STONE LAYING. 1. Formula No. 1 53 2. Formula No. 2 54 CHAPTER VIII. THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 1. Formula No. 1 55 2. Formula No. 2 60 CHAPTER IX. THE ORDINATION OF A MINISTER. An Ordination Service 62 CHAPTER X. THE CONSECRATION OF A MISSIONARY. A Consecration Service 64 CHAPTER XI. BENEDICTIONS — THE LORD'S PRAYER — THE APOSTLES' CREED. 1. Benedictions 66 2. The Lord's Prayer 67 3. The Apostles' Creed 68 CONTENTS XI PART III. SCRIPTURE READINGS AND HYMNS FOR USE IN PASTORAL VISITATION. CHAPTER I. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. Page 1. Christian Privilege and Duty 69 ( 1.) Beatitudes 69 ( 2.) Prayer 70 ( 3.) Praise 71 ( 4.) Brotherly Love 72 (5.) Watchfulness 73 (6.) Trust in God 74 2. Affliction and Sorrow 76 (1.) The Benefits of Affliction 76 ( 2.) Comfort for the Sorrowing 77 ( 3.) Prayer for Help 79 (4.) Chapters for the Afflicted 80 3. Sin and Its Antidote 81 (1.) Conviction of Sin .... 81 (2.) The Remedy for Sin 82 ( 3.) Assurance of Salvation 83 4. Life and Death 84 (1.) TheBrevityof Life 84 (2.) The Certainty of Death 85 ( 3.) Promises for the Dying Hour 87 ( 4.) Submission 88 5. The Future Life 88 ( 1.) The Resurrection 88 ( 2.) The Future Blessedness of the Righteous 90 CHAPTER II. FAMILIAR HYMNS. Standard Hymns 91 PART IV. RULES OF ORDER FOR DELIBERATIVE MEETINGS. 1. Organization 102 2. Members 102 3. Motions .103 Xll CONTENTS PART V. SUGGESTIVE OUTLINES FOR REVIVAL AND FUNERAL SERMONS. CHAPTER I, REVIVALS. page Outlines of Revival Sermons 1C6 CHAPTER II. FUNERALS. 1. The Death of Children 115 2. The Death of Young People 117 3. The Death of Christians 119 4. The Death of the Ungodly 122 5. The Death of the Aged 122 6. Miscellaneous 124 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION. PART I. THE CHRISTIAN PASTOR. I. RELATIONS AND DUTIES. The Christian pastor is the Christian preacher. The two titles indicate duties that are reciprocal. They imply simply two parts of one living organism, prop- erly conjoined and improperly separated. They ought never to be, and they cannot safely be, torn asunder. The same man can be both a pastor and a preacher, and can be better in each relation, when they are properly united, than when purposely giving his whole mind and attention exclusively or mainly to either one. The pastoral relation and its duties are clearly set forth in the Scriptures. And he gave some, apostles ; and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:11, 12.) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one 13 14 the: pastor's companion wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hos- pitality, 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 chil- dren in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (I. Tim. 3:1-7.) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before man}^ witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quick- eneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession, That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our I^ord Jesus Christ. . . . O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppo- sitions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. (I. Tim. 6: 12-14, 20, 21.) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the put- ting on of my hands. . . . Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. THE} CHRISTIAN PASTOR 1 5 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (II. Tim. 1": 6, 13, 14.) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy min- istry. 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 right- eousness, 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. (II. Tim. 4: 1-8.) 3. THE MISSION OF THE PASTOR. The pastor's mission is twofold: to glorify Jesus Christ, and to lead the souls of sinful men gratefully to receive, to accept, and to live in him, and for him, — the honor of Jesus and the salvation of souls. The pastor is the bearer of a divine message to sinful men by the authority of Jesus Christ and Tor his honor. He is to tell the world in the public congre- 1 6 the pastor's companion gation and from house to house, in season and out of season, wherever he may be, the things which God has revealed. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. (Eccl. 11:6.) Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. (Jonah 3:2.) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with 3^ou alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt. 28: 19, 20.) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17.) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made yon THE CHRISTIAN PASTOR IJ overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28.) He that goeth forth and w T eepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bring- ing his sheaves with him. (Ps. 126:6.) I,et him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:20.) They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteous- ness as the stars for ever and ever. (Dan. 12:3.) 3. AGENCIES AND OPPORTUNITIES. (1.) Pastoral Visiting. — Direct, designed, and ear- nest personal effort to carry the gospel to every house- hold and to every soul committed to the care of a minister of Christ. (2.) Providential Openings. — Times of personal sickness and domestic affliction, wedding, and other special occasions, which open the way to hearts and homes not so easily accessible otherwise. These fur- nish divinely prepared opportunities for effort and suc- cess. (3.) Social Religious Meetings. — In these the pastor learns the religious condition and necessities of the individual members of his flock. The prayer-meeting is the best church thermometer. (4.) The Care and Cultivation of Children and Young People. — The young constitute the most hope- ful field for pastoral effort. They should ever be dealt with kindly and with patience. No work yields larger or quicker returns than loving, prayerful efforts on behalf of those who are in this golden period of life. 18 the: pastor's companion 4. REQUISITES TO SUCCESS. (i.) Faithfulness. — " Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. ' ' For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. ... " Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." (Acts 20: 26, 27, 31.) (2.) Studiousness. — " Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II. Tim. 2: I5-) (3.) House-to-House Visitation. — "I kept back noth- ing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house." (Acts 20:20.) "A house-going minister makes a church-going people." — T. L. Cuyler. (4.) Biblical Preaching. — * ' Preach the word ' ' ; preach- ing "not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. ' ' ( 5 . ) Experimental Preaching. — ' ' That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." (I. John 1:3.) To preach with power the preacher must have a clear experience and enjoyment of the truth he preaches. (6.) Godly Living.- — "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16.) "Neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock." (I. Peter 5:3, R. V.) THE CHRISTIAN PASTOR 19 5. PREPARATION AND DELIVERY OF SERMONS. 1 ( i.) By reading, observation, conversation, and reflec- tion be ever accumulating thoughts, illustrations, and plans for ordinary and for special sermons. These materials should be classified in some Index Rerum, or in pigeon-holes for notes, ready for use. (2.) When desiring a subject for discourse, having asked divine illumination and guidance, glance over your line of subjects, sketches, and plans, and select one that awakens fresh interest or is especially adapted to the circumstances of the congregation. ( 3 .) By careful exegesis ascertain the meaning of the text, and, as far as possible, draw plan and illustration of discourse from the context. Arbitrary divisions betray barrenness of invention, and furnish only a mechanical and insipid variety. ( 4. ) Having reflected upon the plan, illustrations, and applications of the discourse during the early part of the week, and having chosen a time least liable to inter- ruption, and most favorable to the vigorous use of the mind, write out the discourse at a single sitting. A careful revision, with erasures and interlineations, may complete the preparation. (5.) Deliver them without notes. A sermon suffi- ciently studied needs no such helps; while their use restricts freedom, represses passion, and obstructs the eloquence of the eye, the features, and of gestures. (6.) Determine the pitch of the voice by the distance of the hearers and the compass of your vocal powers. If you pitch the voice too low, you are not heard, or your sermon is less impressive from the effort to hear. If you pitch too high, you lose the sweetness and har- mony of the voice, and weary the audience with its 'From "Pastor's Handbook," by W. W. Everts, D.D. 20 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION ranting tones. The reading of notices just before preaching will assure the right pitch. (7.) Perfect your vocabulary, study the emphasis and pronunciation of the best speakers, alwa}^s suiting the sound to the sense, and avoiding faulty diction and slang phrases. (8.) Careful reading of Scriptures and hymns adds to the effect of the sermon. (9.) The manner should vary with the subject, and glow with an appreciation of the great truths pro- claimed. A dead preacher preaching to a dead people the living words of the living God is a spectacle to appall angels. PART II. FORMS. CHAPTER I. MARRIAGE SERVICES. And God said, L,et us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creep- ing thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Gen. 1:26, 27.) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen. 2:24.) Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. (Prov. 18:22.) And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matt. 19: 5, 6.) 1. A Brief Ceremony. We are gathered together in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together N 21 22 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION and M as husband and wife. If any person present knows any just cause or impediment why these per- sons should not be joined in marriage, let the same now speak or forever keep silent. [If no impediment be alleged, then shall the min- ister say : — ] Do you, and each of you, in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, covenant to live together after God's ordinance as husband and wife, loving, honoring, and cherishing each other in sick- ness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, for- saking all others and cleaving to each other as long as you both shall live? If so, answer, "I do." Join your right hands. [The minister then, placing his right hand on the joined hands, will say: — ] Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Inasmuch as you have consented together in Chris- tian marriage in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, I pronounce you husband and wife, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. [ The ceremony should be followed by a short extem- pore prayer.] 2. Formula With a Ring. [The officiating minister shall say: — ] The institution of marriage is coeval with the family of man. God saw that it was not good for man to be alone, even in paradise, and formed and gave to him woman, that she might be a "help meet for him.' > This union, like that of the bod} r and soul, is only to be severed by the hand of death. Deeming it suf- ficient to refer you to the Holy Scriptures concerning MARRIAGE SERVICES 27, the duties you will henceforth owe to each other, I will proceed to receive your mutual plighted faith, and seal your marriage vows. A, do you take B, to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance; will you love, honor, and cherish her in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity; and will you keep yourself to her only as long as you both shall live? Answer, I will. B, do you take A, to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance; will you love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity; and will you keep yourself to him only as long as you both shall live? Answer. I will. Join your right hands. [Then let the groom repeat after the minister as follows : — ] I, A, take thee, B, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, till death do us part; and thereto I plight thee my troth. [The bride shall repeat after the minister: — ] I, B, take thee, A, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, till death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth. [Here the hands shall be loosed. A will hand the ring to B; B hand the ring to the minister; the min- ister hand the ring to the groom. The groom will put the ring on the index finger of the left hand of the bride, and holding the ring, repeat after the min- ister the following: — ] With this ring I thee do wed, and with all my worldly goods and my heart's faithful affection I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 24 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION [The minister will then place his right hand on the joined hands of the couple, and say as follows:—] Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as A and B have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and these present, and hereto have given and pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands, I pronounce them husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. [The following benediction shall be pronounced: — ] God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord, mercifully, with his favor, look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen. 3. Brief Formula Without a Ring. Marriage is among the first and greatest of God's blessings to man. It is honorable in all; and its obli- gations should be assumed seriously, reverently, and in the fear of God. As a token of your desire to be united in its sacred bonds, you may join your right hands. [To the man:—] Do you take this woman whose hand you hold to be your wife? Do you solemnly promise, before God and these witnesses, that you will love and honor, comfort and cherish her as such as long as you both shall live? If so, you will answer, "I do." [To the woman: — ] Do you take this man whose hand you hold to be BAPTISM 25 your husband? Do you solemnly promise, before God and these witnesses, that you will love and honor, comfort and cherish him as such as long as you both shall live? If so, you will answer, "I do." Inasmuch as you have thus covenanted together in holy wedlock, I pronounce you husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. [Prayer.] CHAPTER II. BAPTISM. 1. Formula for the Baptism of Adults. Our Lord commanded his apostles, saying, "Go }^e therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matt. 28:19.) On the day of Pentecost, the multitude, under the preaching of the word, "were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and. to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37, 38-) "Then they that gladly received his word were bap- tized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41.) Philip, the evangelist, went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to the people. And 26 the pastor's companion "when they believed Philip preaching the things con- cerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesns Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8: 12.) Dearly Beloved: It has pleased God, in his infinite mercy, to awaken you to a sense of your guilt and danger, and to lead you, as we humbly trust, to repent- ance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. By present- ing yourself for this holy sacrament, you declare your purpose to lead a new life, and to seek an inheritance with the righteous in the "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Do you then solemnly consecrate yourself to Christ and his service; and will }^ou endeavor henceforth to keep God's holy commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life? If so, answer, "I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper." [The minister shall then baptize the candidate, the service to be concluded with a short prayer and the benediction.] 2. Formula for the Baptism of Adults. Beloved Brethren: Having presented yourselves as applicants for the holy sacrament of baptism, your minds should be impressed with the solemnity of your duty and the richness of your privilege as signified by this ordinance. You hereby confess your belief in the cardinal doc- trines of Christianity: That there is but one true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, three in one; that this God is the Maker and Ruler of heaven and earth, through whom we receive every good and perfect gift; that only through his mercy as manifested in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, can we hope to be saved and become heirs of eternal life; and that by sincere BAPTISM 27 repentance and faith in him do we become subjects of his redeeming grace. In this baptismal covenant you are to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so as not to follow nor be led by them. Having been baptized in the faith of the church, you are to seek to live henceforth in loving obedience to God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life, God being your helper. Do you covenant so to do? Brother , upon profession of thy faith in Christ, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 3. Formula for the Baptism of Children. 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. (Mark 10:13-16.) [Addressing the parents, the minister will say: — ] In presenting this child for baptism, you not only signify your faith in the Christian religion, of which baptism is an ordinance, but also your desire that he [or she] may early know and follow the will of God, 28 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION may live and die a Christian, and attain unto ever- lasting life. In order to do this, it will be your duty as parents [or guardians] to teach him [or her] early the fear of the Lord; to watch over his [or her] education, that he [or she] be led not astrry; to direct his [or her] youthful mind to the Holy Scriptures, and his [or her] feet to the sanctuary; to restrain him [or her] from evil associates and habits; and as much as in you lies, to bring him [or her] up in the nur- ture and admonition of the L,ord. Question. Will you endeavor so to do, by the help of God? Answer. I will. [The minister shall then baptize the child, repeat- ing the full name of the same, saying: — ] I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. [All to be followed with a short prayer by the minister.] 4. Formula for the Baptism of Children. In presenting this child for baptism you signify your belief that men are born with sinful natures, and must be renewed in the likeness of God if they would enter into the kingdom of heaven; that God has provided salvation for all, so that even infants are sharers in its precious benefits, and may receive the outward signs of the inward grace of God. You covenant also as parents [or guardians] to in- struct this child in the word of God, to live before him [or her] a life of holiness and devotion to God and his truth, so that he [or she] may be led for him- self [or herself] to choose God and walk in the ways of his commandments. RECEPTION OE BELIEVERS INTO THE CHURCH 2Q, Do you covenant so to do? What is the child's name? A, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. CHAPTER III. RECEPTION OF BELIEVERS INTO THE CHURCH. 1. Formula No. 1. [When at any meeting there are persons who desire to unite with the church, the officiating minister shall call the applicants forward and address them as follows: — ] Dear Friends : We greet you as you come seeking admission into the church which our Saviour purchased with his own blood, and rejoice with you that through the grace of God you have been brought to a knowledge of the truth, and have been made partakers of his great salvation. The privileges you seek are above price, and the duties enjoined are solemn, It is proper that you publicly confess your faith and avow your purpose by answering the following questions: — Questions to Applicants. (1.) Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God, and that therein only is contained the knowledge of the way of salvation ? (2.) Have you experienced the pardon of your sins, and have you now peace with God? (3.) Are you determined by the grace of God to follow Christ, renouncing the world and all ungodli- ness, seeking to lead a life of holiness and devotion to God and his cause? (4.) Are you willing to be governed by our church discipline, and will you contribute to the support of the gospel as God prospers you? 30 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION (5.) Have you been baptized? [If the answer to this question be in the negative, then the applicant shall be required to attend to the duty as soon as practicable. [If the persons answer the above questions in the affirmative, and no lawful objections be made by any member, then the preacher shall give his right hand to such persons as members of the church, and record their names on the church book.] 2. Formula No. 2. We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. (Num. 10:29.) And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. (Ruth 1:16.) Then they that gladly received his word were bap- tized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:41, 47.) For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. (Acts 11:24.) And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. (Acts 5:14-) And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. (Acts 16:5.) [The candidates for membership now being called RECEPTION OF BELIEVERS INTO THE CHURCH 3 1 to present themselves before the altar, the minister shall address them, saying: — ] Dearly Beloved: It has pleased God, in his great mercy, to awaken you to a sense of your need of salva- tion, and to lead you, as we believe, to true repentance and faith in Christ. Of the sincerity of your purpose to lead a new life and to seek an inheritance with, the righteous beyond the grave, we have so far become satisfied as to accord to you our confidence and fellow- ship, as Christian believers, entitled to a place with us in the flock of Christ. And having already received the holy rite of baptism, you are now before this altar to-day to be formally admitted to the church, of God, which Christ has purchased with his own blood. This church is declared in the Scriptures to be the pillar and ground of the truth. It is the visible body of which Christ is the head, and of which henceforth you are to be members. It is the vineyard in which you are to be laborers; the impregnable stronghold against which even the gates of hell shall never pre- vail. In this church we trust you will endeavor to be ornaments, pillars, and shining lights, to the peace and safety of your souls, and to the glory of God, your final Judge. And now, in further evidence of your purpose to renounce the ways of sin and death, and of your willingness to take the yoke of Christ upon you, and to devote yourselves fully to his serv- ice, henceforth and forever, I ask your public assent to this solemn covenant: — Question. In the presence of God and of this assembly, do you declare the Lord Jehovah to be your God, and Jesus Christ your Redeemer and hope, in whom alone you trust for everlasting life? Answer. I do. Question. Do you, then, publicly consecrate yourself 32 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION to his service forever, promising henceforth, by the help of God, to avoid evil, to do good, to lead a humble and devout life, to keep the Sabbath day holy, to attend regularly upon the public worship of God, the sacra- ment of the ford's Supper, and the private and social means of grace; to watch over your brethren in love for their good, kindly giving and receiving admoni- tion, as occasion may require? Will you contribute of your substance, as God may give ability, for the relief of the needy and for the support and extension of Christ's kingdom in the earth? This will you endeavor to do, by the help of God? Answer. I will. [The minister will then say to the candidates: — ] I now, in behalf of this congregation, extend to you the right hand of fellowship and welcome to the church of God, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen. Note. — In many churches it is customary for members of the church to be given an opportunity to extend the right hand of fellow- ship to new members before the close of the service. This is a delight- ful custom, and furnishes an excellent opportunity for becoming acquainted with those received into the fellowship of the church. CHAPTER IV. DISMISSALS FROM THE CHURCH, i. Transfers. MEMBERS of a church may be transferred to another church of the same denomination after the following form: — This is to certify that A B is an acceptable member of the church at , and is hereby transferred at his [or her] request to the church at — — „ , Pastor* TDate, etc.] THE LORD'S SUPPER 33 2. Certificate of Membership,, This is to certify that A B is a member in good standing of the ■ church at , and is hereby recommended to the confidence and fellowship of Christians everywhere. ■ , Pastor. [Date, etc.] 3. Letter of Dismissal. This is to certify that A B has been until this date a member in good standing in the church at ■, and at request is granted this letter of dismissal. [Date, etc.] Pastor. CHAPTER V. THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1. Service in the Church. A service preparatory to the communion should always be held where at all practicable. In places it will be convenient to hold this service the Sabbath before or at the prayer-meeting preceding the day of communion. In introducing the communion, the minister may with profit read one or more of the following selec- tions, which encourage the observance of this holy sacrament: — He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our 3 34 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But 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. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa. 53: 3-6.) And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22: 14-20.) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. the: lord's supper 35 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a roan examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (I. Cor. n: 23-29.) [After the reading, the officiating minister will say:—] As many of you as truly love our Lord Jesus Christ, are now invited to draw near, and humbly receive these elements in memory of the suffering and death of your Lord and Saviour. [While communicants are gathering about the altar a suitable hymn may be sung, after which an extem- pore prayer of consecration shall be offered. Follow- ing this the elements may be administered.] 2. Service for the Sick. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14: 1-3.) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, 36 the pastor's companion Take, eat: this is my bod} 7 , which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do } T e, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (I. Cor. ii : 23-26.) [After singing an appropriate hymn let an extem- pore prayer be offered, to be followed by the admin- istration of the communion, passing the bread and wine first to all the Christians present and then to the sick person.] [Hymn and benediction.] CHAPTER VI. FUNERALS. 1. What to Say at a Funeral. This is one of the most perplexing questions a min- ister has to decide. If he knows nothing of the deceased or the circumstances, it is simplified. A gen- eral discourse, brief and pointed, with an exhibition of the Christian grounds of consolation, and the direc- tion of all present to the Throne of Grace, together with the use of such liturgical forms or appropriate extem- pore supplications as are common in the denomination to which the minister belongs, will be sufficient, and generally appropriate. But if the deceased had a bad reputation and the minister knows it, or his domestic relations were un- pleasant, what to say becomes a soul-harrowing prob- lem. Some would dispose of it by silence, by reading FUNERALS 37 a passage of Scripture, offering prayer, and pronounc- ing the benediction. In some instances this would undoubtedly be sufficient, but there are many where, if remarks are ever made, the omission of them would be so conspicuous that feelings would be wounded; silence would then be an imputation in its cruel import beyond words, and perhaps undeserved by the facts. The so-called gift for funeral discourse, which usually means simply that a preacher can be relied upon to eulogize the deceased and flatter the family pride of the mourners, is no gift at all. The minister who does it contradicts the words of Jesus and the doctrines which he himself preaches. He who, standing in the pulpit on the Sabbath, declares that those who live in sin cannot be saved, and when brought face to face with mourners who bewail the death of a friend, and deplore still more the life he lived, speaks as though the deceased had certainly ascended to glory, is a betrayer of the truth. Those who, to avoid this, are blunt and severe, or make any remark of the deceased which they would not dare to make to him if he were living, are not of the spirit of the gospel. In such cases, by wise selection of the Scripture, as well as by unusual solemnity of manner, by omission, and by the administration of consolation without re- spect to the deceased's religious life; especially by showing that no spiritual consolation can be obtained by any one who is not himself in the favor of God, or seeking his face, the truth may be honored without wounding hearts already breaking. 2. Suggested Order of Service for Funeral. i. Hymn. (Several of the hymns in this book will be found appropriate.) 2. Scripture reading. (Appropriate extracts from $8 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION the Scripture selections given in this book, or from the "Chapters for the Afflicted," may be used.) 3. Short address. 3. Prayer. 4. Prayer. 4. Hymn. 5. Hymn. >or< 5- Short address 6. Benediction. 6. 7- Hymn. Benediction. 3. Service for a Child. 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. (Job 14: 1, 2.) 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. (Ps. 103: 15, 16.) A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children, refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. (Jer. 31: 15.) And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, FUNERALS 39 while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead ? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? ThoU didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again ? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (II. Sam. 12: 15-23.) Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do alwa} T s behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. . . . Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matt. 18: 10, 14.) Second Service for a Child. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. 40 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted: and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. (Gen. 37: 34, 35-) And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head! And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: Run now, I pray thee, to meet her; and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy hus- band? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. (II. Kings 4: 18-26.) The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1: 21.) I^UNERAIvS 41 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 king- dom 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.) 5. Service for a Young Person. 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. (Job 14: 1, 2.) 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 sh all know it no more. (Ps. 103: 15,16.) Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. (Ps. 90: 5, 6.) Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. (Ps. 39: 5.) As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away; so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 42 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. (Job 7: 9, 10.) 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. (Job 9: 25, 26.) We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our } T ears are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Ps. 90: 9, 10.) Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Prov. 27: 1.) For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. (Eccl. 9: 12.) There is but a step between me and death. (I. Sam. 20: 3.) Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Eccl. 9: 10.) Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. (Ps. 39: 4.) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Ps. 90: 12.) 6. Service for Middle=Aged Person. Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: FUNERALS 43 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4: 13, 14.) They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; . . . That he should still live for ever, and not see cor- ruption. For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. (Ps. 49: 6, 7, 9, 10.) For I know that thou will bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. (Job 30: 23.) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Eccl. 12: 7.) If a man die, shall he live again ? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. (Job 14: 14, 15.) For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be con- sumed within me. (Job 19: 25-27.) There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24: 15.) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the 44 THE) PASTOR'S COMPANION dead, how say some among you that there is no res- urrection of the dead ? . . . But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become . the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. . . . For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (I. Cor. 15: 12, 20-22, 53.) 7. Service for an Aged Person. There is no man that hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. (Eccl. 8:8.) One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet: His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moist- ened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. (Job 21: 23-26.) Remember now thy Creator in the da} r s of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the }^ears draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall trem- ble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease, because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, FUNERALS 45 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long home; and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern: Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Eccl. 12: 1-7.) For all our days are passed away in thy wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Ps. 90: 9, 10.) Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. (Ps. 39: 4.) 8. Service for a Devout Christian. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Ps. 73'- 25, 26.) Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Ps. 23: 4.) 46 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants; and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. ( Ps. 34: 22.) For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. (Job 19: 25.) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8: 35, 37-39.) 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 right- eousness, 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. (II. Tim. 4: 6-8.) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, be- lieve also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: ... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14: 1-3.) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely, I FUNERALS 47 come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Rev. 22: 20.) Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23: 43.) For we know that if our earthly house of this tab- ernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (II. Cor. 5: i.) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phil. 1: 21.) And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Rev. 14: 13.) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II. Peter 1: 11.) There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. (Job 3: 17.) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matt. 25: 34.) Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. (Matt. 25: 21.) 9. Service for an Unbeliever. As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (Rom. 5: 12.) There is no man that hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of 48 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. (Eccl. 8:8.) They that trust in their wealth, and boast them- selves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; . . . That he should still live. . . . For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. (Ps. 49: 6, 7, 9, 10.) They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. (Job 24: 24.) It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Heb. 9: 27.) 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. (II. Cor. 5: 10.) The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5: 28, 29.) Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowl- edge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Eccl. 9: 10.) And if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the FUNERALS 49 north., in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. (Eccl. 11:3.) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which, is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Rev. 22: 11, 12.) Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matt. 25: 13.) And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! (Prov. 5: "-ISO Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! (Deut. 32: 29.) 10. The Brevity of Life. 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. (Job 14: 1, 2.) The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Ps. 90: 10.) 50 THE pastor's companion . Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. (I. Chron. 29: 15.) Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. (Ps. 144: 4.) For what is your life? It is even a vaponr, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4: 14.) My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle. . . . My days are swifter than a post: they flee away. . . . They are passed away as the swift ships; as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. (Job 7: 6; 9: 25, 26.) 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. (Ps. 103: 15, 16.) Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. ... Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. (Ps. 39: 4-7, 12, 13.) 11. Burial Service. [After the coffin is lowered into the grave, the min- ister, if the deceased be a child or an adult Christian, shall repeat the following: — ] FUNER AI,S 5 1 s s 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." "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, w T hat it is; that I may know how frail I am." In the midst of life we are in death; nnto whom should we seek for succor but unto thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? Our hope is in thy Son, Jesus Christ, who hath said, "I am the res- urrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle w T ere dis- solved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." "And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Inasmuch as God in his wise providence has called out of time into eternity the soul of our brother [ sister, or child], we commit his [or her] remains to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the confident hope of the general resurrection through the Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming and glory; and that this corruptible body shall be raised up and be fash- ioned like unto the glorious body of Christ, be reunited with the soul, and be received into everlasting habi- tations. Amen. [ Benediction.] 5 2 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION 12. Form of Committal from the Episcopal Service, [When they come to the grave, while the corpse is made ready to be laid into the earth, shall be sung or said: — ] Man, that is born of a woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full of miser}'. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he neeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succor, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased ? Yet, O Lord God most hoi}', O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal; suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee. [Then, while the earth shall be cast upon the body by some standing by, the minister shall say: — ] Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence, to take out of this world the soul of our deceased brother [sister, or child], we therefore commit his [or her] body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; looking for the general resurrection in the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose sec- ond coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself. CORNER-STONE RAYING 53 CHAPTER VII. CORNER=STONE LAYING. 1. Formula No. 1. Beloved: In ancient time God commanded his servant Moses to set up the tabernacle in the wilder- ness, and bestowed his blessing upon Solomon the king in erecting the temple on Mount Zion, whither the tribes came up to worship. In like manner he has moved your hearts to erect a sanctuary, where, in years to come, his people may assemble for prayer and praise. We have met together at this time to lay the corner-stone with proper religious services. Singing. Reading of Scripture (Ps. 132; I. Cor. 3: 2-23). Prayer. Singing. Sermon or address. Collection. Laying of corner-stone. [The minister, standing by the stone, shall exhibit the box to be deposited, and read the list of contents. Then the minister, assisted by the builder, shall de- posit the box and adjust the stone to its resting place. This done, the minister shall strike the stone thrice with a trowel or hammer, and say:—] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we lay this corner-stone in the foundation of a house to be erected and dedicated for the worship of God, where his word shall be preached and his worship maintained. Amen. 8. Singing. 9. Benediction. 54 THE PASTOR* S COMPANION 2. Formula No. 2» 1. Singing. 2. Scripture reading: — Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Lord our God, all this store that we have pre- pared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 1 know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH 55 thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee. (I. Chron. 29: 10-18.) 3. Prayer. 4. Singing. 5. Address. 6. Laying of corner-stone, with description of con- tents. 7. Singing. 8. Benediction. CHAPTER VIII. THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 1. Formula No. 1. i. Voluntary by the choir, or hymn by the con- gregation. 2. Call to worship. [The minister in charge shall say (congregation standing):—] O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the L/ord our Maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Ps. 95: 6, 7.) Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. . . . For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. . . . Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. . . . Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (I. Chron. 16: 23, 25, 27, 29.) 56 THE pastor's companion How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. . . . Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. . . . For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Ps. 84: i, 2, 4, 10.) 3. Hymn by the congregation. 4. Scripture reading (by the minister or some one chosen by him): — I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact to- gether: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Ps. 122.) Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. (Ps. 26:8.) THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH $J We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. (Ps. 65: 4.) 5. Prayer. 6. Hymn by the congregation. 7. Sermon. 8. Monetary offering. 9. Hymn by the congregation. 10. Service of dedication. [Then shall the minister say: — ] O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. (I. Chron. 29: 16.) This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. (Gen. 28: 17.) Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matt. 18: 20.) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. (I. Chron. 16: 36.) Blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. (Ps. 72: 19.) The Scriptures teach us that God is well pleased with those who build to him places of worship. He was pleased to manifest his presence and his glory in the tabernacle built in the wilderness and in the temple afterwards built in Jerusalem. Our Lord, during his ministry, put his approval on places of worship by attending public services on the Sabbath in the syna- gogue. It has aLso been the custom of God's people in all ages since the Christian church was established in the world to erect and consecrate houses of worship to the name of the Lord. Now that this house has been built for the worship of God, it is meet and right that at this time it be dedicated to him. Let us, therefore, 58 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION gratefully and devoutly unite in invoking the bless- ing of Almighty God, who has so signally blessed his servants in the holy enterprise of erecting this house of prayer. [Then let the minister offer the following, or an extempore, dedicatory prayer (congregation seated with bowed heads): — ] O Lord God Almighty, there is no God like thee, in the heaven, or in the earth, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants, that walk before thee with all their heart. Have respect, we beseech thee, in thy great goodness, to the prayer we this day offer, and graciously accept the dedication of this place to thy service. Hearken unto the supplications of thy people who shall call upon thee in this house, and bestow on them abundantly of thy grace, that they may serve thee with reverence and godly fear. Grant also to graciously bless all thy servants who shall preach thy word in this place, and who shall administer at this altar the holy ordinances of thy church. Bless thine own truth as it shall be preached here from time to time. May it run and be glorified. May thine own people be here built up in faith and righteousness; may the troubled and sorrowful here find comfort to their souls, and may the lost and perishing here find the forgiveness of their sins, and enter into the light and joy of full salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant, O Lord, now to come into this place, and make it henceforth thine abode. Let thine eye be open day and night toward this house, which we here consecrate to thee. May it ever be kept holy, as thou art holy, and so be a true emblem of the glorious tem- ple above, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit shall be everlasting praises. Amen. THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH 59 ii„ Charge to the trustees [trustees standing before the altar:—] Brethren Beloved: I trust you have a due appre- ciation of the relation you sustain to this house of worship, which has now been dedicated to Almighty God and to the church of Jesus Christ; also, that you have a correct understanding of the trusts imposed upon you and the obligations assumed. It is believed that you will at all times keep a vigilant eye to the safety and welfare of this church property, and see that proper order is always maintained in and about this house, of which you are the legal custodians; also, that when repairs are needed, you will attend to them promptly and with a thorough regard to the honor of God. As a bishop 1 of the church of God, I pass to you the keys of this house, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. See that nothing out of accord with this holy place shall ever be permitted to enter this sanctuary. Should a stranger pass this way, having a message from the Lord to the people, throw wide open your church doors to the man of God, receive his message, and then bid him God-speed, but send him not away empty. In all this be not narrow, but, like the church you represent, be broad, generous, liberal. And may the L,ord Almighty give you wise and understanding hearts to discern between good and evil, and to control and care for this house in the sphere in which he has called you to act, for his name's sake. Amen. 12. Doxology. 13. Benediction. 1 Or elder, as the case may be. 6o THE PASTOR'S COMPANION 2. Formula No 2* i. Scripture reading (Ps. 84; or, Isa. 62 and Ps. 122). 2. Singing*. 3. Prayer. 4. Singing. 5. Sermon. 6. Monetary offering. 7. Singing. 8. Reading (with congregation standing): — But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded I Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy serv- ant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee to-day. That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there; that thou may est hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. And hearken thou to the supplication of thy serv- ant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and . . . hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. the dedication of a church 6l When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, be- cause they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance. If there be in the land famine, if there be pesti- lence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be cater- pillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be; What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all th}^ people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house: Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men ; ) That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake; (For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house: Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for, that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name. (I. Kings 8: 27-43.) 62 the: pastor's companion We will go into his tabernacles; we will worship . at his footstool. . . . For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation; and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. (Ps. 132: 1, 13-16.) Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. (II. Chron. 6: 40, 41.) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise }^e the Lord. (Ps. 106:48.) 9. Charge to the trustees. 10. Delivery of the keys in the name of the Trin- ity to hold in trust for God and the church. 11. Doxology. 12. Benediction. CHAPTER IX. THE ORDINATION OF A MINISTER. i. On the day appointed, there shall be a suitable sermon delivered. 2. After the names of the candidates have been read aloud, the bishop or elder shall address them as follows: — TH^ ordination of a minister 63 An elder "must be blameless as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no Striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospi- tality, 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.) Question. Are you assured that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you the office of the ministry to serve God in the church of Christ to the honor and glory of his holy name? If so, an- swer, "I trust I am." Question. Do you believe the Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments? If so, answer, "I do believe them." Question. Will you apply due diligence to frame and fashion your life according to the doctrines of Christ, and to make yourself, as much as in you lies, a whole- some example to the flock of Christ? If so, answer, "I will, the Lord being my helper." Question. Will you obey them to whom the charge and government over you are committed, and follow their godly admonitions with a willing and ready mind? If so, answer, "I will endeavor, through the grace of God, to do so." 3. Then prayer is to be offered. 4. After prayer, the bishop and elders shall lay their hands upon the head of each of them, and say: — ' ' Take thou authority to execute the office of an elder in the church of God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." [Hereupon the bishop or elder shall deliver to each of them the Holy Bible, saying: — ] "Take thou authority to preach the word of God 64 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION and to administer the ordinances in the church of Christ. " 5. Then the bishop or an elder shall pray. And after prayer he shall read from Imke 12: 35-38: — ■ Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto 3^011, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 6. After this, the following benediction is to be pronounced: — ' ' The peace of God keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ' ' CHAPTER X. THE CONSECRATION OF A MISSIONARY. i. Song. 2. Scripture reading. [Isa. 62, or other appropriate selections.] 3. Prayer. 4. The introduction of the candidate. 5. Response b}^ the candidate. 6. Song. THE CONSECRATION OF A MISSIONARY 65 7. Charge to the candidate. 8. Service of consecration. [To be read by the one chosen for that purpose ( the reader and the candidate standing), as follows: — ] Dearly Beloved: You have met all the require- ments as a missionary candidate, and have received the appointment as a missionary to , and, if God wills, will soon take your departure from home and native land. In the providence of God, you are called to carry the " bread of life" to perishing heathen souls. Hear the word of God by St. Paul: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent?" You are sent, then, to teach the living Word for the salvation of souls. Question. Have you a deep, absorbing love for, and interest in, the salvation of souls? And have you felt especially called of God to missionary work? If so, answer, ' ' I trust I have. ' ' May you hear the voice, as did the great missionary to the Gentiles, "I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sancti- fied by faith that is in me." 5 66 the pastor's COMPANION Question. Are you willing to work under the direc- tion of the authorities of the Missionary Board of the Church, and will you devote your entire time and energies to their work as a missionary? If so, answer, "I will, the Lord being nry helper." Question. Do you then publicly consecrate yourself to God and to this work in the strength of Him who said, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations'' ? If so, answer, "I do." May the promise be yours, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." 9. Consecratory prayer. 10. Song — "God be with you," or "Blest be the tie that binds." 11. Benediction. CHAPTER XI. BENEDICTIONS — THE LORDS PRAYER— THE APOSTLES' CREED. 1. Benedictions. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; . . . and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Num. 6: 24-26.) Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (I. Cor. 1: 3.) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (II. Cor. 13: 14.) The peace of God, which passeth all understand- ing, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4: 7.) Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Phil. 4: 20.) BENEDICTIONS — THE LORD'S PRAYER &7 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Phil. 4: 23.) Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (II. Tim. 1:2.) Now 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 you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13: 20, 21.) Now unto him that is able to keep you from fall- ing, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24, 25.) Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 1:5, 6.) Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 5: 13.) Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 7: 12.) 2. The Lord's Prayer. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 68 the; pastor's companion bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matt. 6: 9-13.) 3. The Apostles' Creed. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Iyord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered unto Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose 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 Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life ever- lasting. Amen. PART III. SCRIPTURE READINGS AND HYMNS FOR USE IN PASTORAL VISITATION. CHAPTER I. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. I. Christian Privilege and Duty, (i.) Beatitudes. BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful: But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prOvSper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judg- ment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the wa}^ of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Ps. i.) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord i input eth 6 9 jo the pastor's companion not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Ps. 32: 1, 2.) Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delight- eth greatly in his commandments. (Ps. 112: 1.) Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust. (Ps. 40: 4.) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the king- dom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be com- forted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteous- ness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and per- secute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt. 5: 3-12.) (2.) Prayer. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil. 4: 6.) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. (Col. 4: 2.) Pray without ceasing. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS 71 In every tiling give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I. Thes. 5: 17, 18.) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. . . . I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting lip holy hands, without wrath and doubting. ( I. Tim. 2:3,8.) The Lord is nigh unto all tHem that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. (Ps. 145: 18.) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matt. 7: 7, 8.) (3.) Praise. Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. (Ps. in: 1.) Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Ps. 106: 1.) Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mer- cies. (Ps. 103: 1-4.) Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (II. Cor. 9: 15.) 72 the pastor's companion Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching- and admonishing- one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col. 3: 16.) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercry hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrec- tion of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undeflled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. (I. Peter 1:3, 4.) Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 1: 5, 6.) (4.) Brotherly Love, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my dis- ciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13: 34, 35.) But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. (I. Thes. 4:9.) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. (Rom. 12: 10.) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. (I. Peter 1: 22.) He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and scripture: selections 73 there is none occasion of stumbling in him. ( I. John 2: 10.) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (I. John 4: 20.) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. . . . Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (I. John 4: 7, 8, 11.) We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (I. John 3: 14.) Above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins. (I. Peter 4:8, R. V.) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Rom. 13: 8.) But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned. (I. Tim. 1:5, R. V.) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Gal. 5: 14.) L,et brotherly love continue. (Heb. 13: 1.) (5.) Watchfulness. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matt. 26:41.) 74 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13: 33~37-) Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12: 37.) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (I. Cor. 10: 12.) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (I. Cor. 16: 13.) (6.) Trust in God. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27: 1.) The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my de- liverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Ps. 18: 2.) Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. . . . SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS >]$ My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expec- tation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. (Ps. 62: i, 2, 5-8.) God is our reiuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be re- moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. (Ps. 46: 1-3.) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olives shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Hab. 3: 17, 18.) They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth, even for ever. (Ps. 125: 1, 2.) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jeho- vah is everlasting strength. (Isa. 26:3, 4.) j6 THE pastor's companion 2, Affliction and Sorrow. (i.) The Benefits of Affliction. Although, affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. . . . Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Al- mighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole. (Job 5:6, 7, 17, 18.) It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. . . . I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Ps. 119: 71, 75.) My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delight eth. (Prov. 3: 11, 12.) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. (Rom. 5: 3,- 4.) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II. Cor. 4: 17, 18.) SCRIPTURE SEI/ECTIONS 77 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, them am I strong. (II. Cor. 12: 10.) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4.) Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sus- tain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Ps. 55: 22.) (2.) Comfort for the Sorrowing. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14: 1-6.) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth 78 THE pastor's companion him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14: 14-18.) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, (not Iscariot,) Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14: 21-23.) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14: 27.) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they ? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS 79 fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Rev. 7: 13-17.) (3.) Prayer for Help, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the L,ord, which made heaven and earth. (Ps. 121: 1, 2.) Hear my prayer, O Iyord, give ear to my supplica- tions: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy right- ousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. . . . I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morn- ing; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. (Ps. 143: 1, 2, 6-8.) Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacri- fice. (Ps. 141: 1, 2.) Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help. (Ps. 22\ 11.) Give us help from trouble; for vain is the help of man. (Ps. 60: 11.) Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Ps. 50: 15.) 8o THE PASTOR'S COMPANION Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (Ps. 91: 14, 15.) I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. (Ps. 116: 1, 2.) (4.) Chapters for the Afflicted. II. Sam. 12: 15-23 II. Kings 4: 18-37 Job 14 - - Psalm 20 - Psalm 23 . Psalm 27 - Psalm 39 - - - Psalm 46 - Psalm 88 _ Psalm 90 - Psalm 9i - Psalm 102 - Psalm 103: 1-18 - - Psalm 116 _ Eccl. 11: 7 — 12: 14 Isaiah 53 • - Lam. 3' i-33 - Matt. 25 _ Behavior in Bereavement. Help from God. Trouble the Common Earthly Lot of Man. Trust in the Lord. The Lord Our Shepherd. Unceasing Trust in God. Prayer for Patience in Afflic- tion. God Our Refuge. Prayer in Trouble. The Prayer of Moses. The Safety of God's People. Prayer in Deep Affliction. The Pity of the Lord. Gratitude for Deliverance. Sorrow Follows Rejoicing. The Sufferings of Christ for Us. -God's Mercy in our Afflic- tions. Preparation for Christ's Com- ing. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS 8 1 Mark 5: 22-43 - The Dead Raised Up. John 11: 1-46 - Christ's Sympathy and Help. John 14 - - The Divine Comforter. John 17 - Christ's Prayer for His Disci- ples. Rom. 8: 16-39 - Trinmph Through Jesus Christ. I. Cor. 15 . The Resurrection. II. Cor. 4: 8—5: 10 Present and Future Contrast- ed. I. Thes. 4: 13—5: 11 Christ's Second Coming. I. Peter 1 . Hope for the Afflicted. Rev. 7 \ " - Coming up Through Great Affliction. Rev. 21, 22 Heaven. 3. Sin and Its Antidote. (1.) Cojiviction of Sin. Thou shalt love the I^ord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. . . . And . . . thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Mark 12: 30, 31.) All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3: 2^.) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (I. John 1:8.) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desper- ately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17: 9.) The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom. 8: 7.) To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (Jas. 4: 17.) 82 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John i: n.) Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5: 40.) There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (Isa. 57: 21.) Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. (Heb. 12: 14.) The soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezek. 18: 20.) For the wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6: 23.) (2.) The Remedy for Sin. God so loved the world, that he gave his only be- gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3: 16.) Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! (John 1: 29.) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. (I. Peter 2: 24.) 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. (Isa. 53: 5.) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. (Acts 16: 31.) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness. (I. John 1:9.) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11: 28.) Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22\ 17.) I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to re- pentance. (Luke 5: 32.) SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS 83 The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19: 10.) Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isa. 1: 18.) He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7: 25.) Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (II. Cor. 6: 2.) To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Heb. 3: 15.) Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. (Isa. 55: 6.) Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13: 24.) What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8: 37.) ( 3 . ) Assurance of Salvation. The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever. (Isa. ^2: 17.) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5: 1, 2.) Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II. Cor. 5: 17.) There is therefore now no condemnation to them o4 THE} PASTOR'S COMPANION which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. . . . The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8: i, 16, 17.) We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. (I. John 3: 14.) We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (I. John 3:2.) 4. Life and Death. (1.) The Brevity of Life. 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 pre} r . (Job 9: 25, 26.) 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. And dost thou open thine e}^es upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Seeing his da} T S are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accom- plish, as an hireling, his day. (Job 14: 1-6.) Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all gen- erations. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS 85 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and say est, Re- turn, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yester- da} T when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it fLourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. (Ps. 90: 1-6.) 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. (I. Peter 1: 24.) Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. (Ps. 39: 5.) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Ps. 90: 12.) Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matt. 25: 13.) (2.) The Certainty of Death. What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death ? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave ? (Ps. 89: 48.) There is no man that hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. (Eccl. 8: 8.) He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life. . . . 86 THE PASTOR'S companion They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. (Job 24: 22, 24.) They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; . . . That he should still live for ever, and not see corrup- tion. (Ps. 49: 6, 7, 9.) Wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. (Ps. 49: 10.) One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet: His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. (Job 21: 23-26.) One generation passeth away, and another genera- tion cometh. (Keel. 1:4.) Man goeth to his long home; and the mourners go about the streets. (Eccl. 12: 5.) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Eccl. 12: 7.) I am going the way of all the earth. (Josh. 2y. 14.) I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. (Job 30: 2^.) All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (Job 14: 14.) So teach us to number our days, that we may appty our hearts unto wisdom. (Ps. 90: 12.) SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS 87 (3.) Promises for the Dying Hour. My grace is sufficient for thee. (II. Cor. 12: 9.) As thy days, so shall thy strength be. (Deut. 33: 25.) My strength is made perfect in weakness. (II. Cor. 12:9.) If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31.) As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I com- fort you. (Isa. 66: 13.) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he rememberetli that we are dust. (Ps. 103: 13, 14.) Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they com- fort me. (Ps. 23: 4.) I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ( Heb. 13: 5.) Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matt. 28: 20.) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee. (Isa. 43: 2.) It is I; be not afraid. (Matt. 14: 27.) What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Ps. 56:30 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. (Job 13: 15.) Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7: 59.) Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23: 42.) Fear not, ... it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12: 32.) The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I. John 1: 7.) I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14: 2.) 88 THE PASTOR S COMPANION To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23- 43-) There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. (Job 3: 17.) He is faithful that promised. (Heb. 10: 23.) (4.) Su b mission. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! (Isa. 45: 9.) What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2: 10.) The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1: 21.) Be still, and know that I am God. (Ps. 46: 10.) I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. (Ps. 39: 9.) It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. (I. Sam. 3: 18.) Submit yourselves therefore to God. (J as. 4: 7.) my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matt. 26: 39.) The will of the Lord be done. (Acts 21: 14.) Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matt, 6: 10.) 5. The Future Life. ( i . ) The Resurrection . And have hope toward God, . . . that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24: 15.) Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? (Acts 26: 8.) 1 know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: scripture: selections 89 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be con- sumed within me. (Job 19: 25-27.) I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. (John 11: 25, 26.) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5: 25-29.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the L,ord 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. (Phil. 3: 20, 21.) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, 90 THK PASTOR'S companion that we which are alive and remain nnto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (I. Thes. 4: 14-18.) (2.) The Future Blessedness of the Righteous. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Ps. 116: 15.) The righteous is taken away from the evil to come. (Isa. 57: 1.) The righteous hath hope in his death. (Prov. 14: Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (Ps. $7: 37.) Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Rev. 14: 13.) Bye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have en- tered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (I. Cor. 2: 9.) It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (I. John 3: 2.) I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Ps. 17: 15.) FAMILIAR HYMNS CHAPTER II. FAMILIAR HYMNS. i. The Christian's Life Work. 1. A charge) to keep I have, A God to glorify; A never-dying- soul to save, And fit it for the sky: — 2. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill,— Oh! may it all my powers engage — To do my Master's will. 3. Arm me with jealous care, As in thy sight to live; And, oh! thy servant, Lord! prepare A strict account to give. 4. Help me to watch and pray, And on thyself rely; Assured, if I my trust betray, I shall forever die. 2. The Saviour's Tears. 1. Did Christ o'er sinners weep, And shall our cheeks be dry? Let floods of penitential grief Burst forth from ever}^ eye. 2. The Son of God in tears — The wondering angels see! Be thou astonished, O my soul! He shed those tears for thee. 3. He wept that we might weep; Each sin demands a tear; In heaven alone no sin is found, And there's no weeping there. 91 92 TH^ pastor's companion 3. The Lord's Guardianship. 1. How gentle God's commands! How kind his precepts are! Come, cast yonr burdens on the Lord, And trust his constant care. 2. His bounty will provide; His saints securely dwell; That hand which bears creation up Shall guard his children well. 3. Wh} r should this anxious load Press down 3 r our weary mind? Oh! seek your Heavenly Father's throne, And peace and comfort find. 4. His goodness stands approved, Unchanged from day to day; I '11 drop my burden at his feet, And bear a song away. 4. The Cross and the Crown. i. Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And all the world go free? No, there 's a cross for every one, And there 's a cross for me. 2. How happy are the saints above, Who once went mourning here! But now they taste unmingled love, And joy without a tear. 3. This consecrated cross I '11 bear, Till death shall set me free, And then go home my crown to wear, For there 's a crown for me. FAMILIAR HYMNS 93 5. Crown Him Lord of AIL i. All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him Lord of all. 2. Let every kindred, every tribe, On this terrestrial ball, To him all majesty ascribe, And crown him Lord of all. 3. Oh, that, with yonder sacred throng, We at his feet may fall! We '11 join the everlasting song, And crown him Lord of all. 6. Christ Incomparable. i. Majestic sweetness sits enthroned Upon the Saviour's brow; His head with radiant glories crowned, His lips with grace o'erflow. 2. No mortal can with him compare Among the sons of men; Fairer .is he than all the fair Who fill the heavenly. train. 3. He saw me plunged in deep distress, And flew to my relief; For me he bore the shameful cross, And carried all my grief. 4. To heaven, the place of his abode, He brings my weary feet; Shows me the glories of my God, And makes my joys complete. 94 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION 7. Lamenting the Absence of the Spirit. i. Oh, for a closer walk with God! A calm and heavenly frame! A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb! 2. Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest; I hate the sins that made thee mourn, And drove thee from my breast. 3. The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee. 4. So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame; So purer light shall mark the road That leads me to the Lamb. 8. Heb. 12: 6. i. I cannot always trace the way Where thou, Almighty One, dost move; But I can always, always say, That God is love, that God is love. 2. When mystery clouds my darkened path, I '11 check my dread, my doubts reprove; In this my soul sweet comfort hath, That God is love, that God is love. 3. Yes, God is love; — a thought like this Can every gloomy thought remove, And turn all tears, all woes, to bliss, For God is love, for God is love. FAMILIAR HYMNS 95 9. The Mercy=Seat. 1. From every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat; — 'T is found before the mercy -seat. 2. There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on our heads, — A place than all besides more sweet; It is the blood-bought mercy-seat. 3. There is a spot where spirits blend, Where friend holds fellowship with friend; Though sundered far, by faith they meet Around one common mercy-seat. 4. There, there, on eagle's wings we soar, And time and sense molest no more; And heaven comes down our souls to greet, And glory crowns the mercy-seat! 10. An Evening Hymn. 1. Thus far the Lord has led me on, Thus far his power prolongs my days; And every evening shall make known Some fresh memorial of his grace. 2. Much of my time has run to waste, And I, perhaps, am near my home; But he forgives my follies past, And gives me strength for days to come. 3. I lay my body down to sleep, — Peace is the pillow for my head; While well-appointed angels keep Their watchful stations round my bed. 96 TH^ pastor's companion 4. Thus, when the night of death shall come, My flesh shall rest beneath the ground, And wait thy voice to rouse my tomb, With sweet salvation in the sound. 11. Love to the Brethren. i. Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love! The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above. 2. Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, Our comforts and our cares. 3. We share our mutual woes; Our mutual burdens bear: And often for each other flows The s}^mpathizing tear. 4. When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain: But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again. 12. Rock of Ages. i. Rock of Ages, cleft for me! Let me hide myself in thee; Let the water and the blood, From thy side a healing flood, Be of sin the double cure — Save from wrath and make me pure. 2. Should my tears forever flow, Should my zeal no languor know, FAMIUAR HYMNS 97 All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and thou alone; In my hand no price I bring; Simply to thy cross I cling. . While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyelids close in death, When I rise to worlds unknown, See thee on thy judgment throne — Rock of Ages, cleft for me, L,et me hide myself in thee. 13. Looking to Jesus. 1. My faith looks up to thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine! Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, Oh, let me, from this day, Be wholly thine! 2. May thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart; My zeal inspire; As thou hast died for me, Oh! may my love to thee Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire. 3. While life's dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread, Be thou my Guide; Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow's tears away, Nor let me ever stray From thee aside. 98 THE PASTOR'S companion 4. When ends life's transient dream, When death's cold, sullen stream Shall o'er me roll, Blest Saviour! then, in love, Fear and distrust remove; Oh, bear me safe above, A ransomed soul! 14. The Only Refuge. i. Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high! Hide me, oh! my Saviour, hide, Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide, Oh, receive my soul at last! 2. Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on thee: Leave, oh! leave me not alone; Still support and comfort me: All my trust on thee is stayed; All my help from thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of thy wing. 3. Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all in thee I find; Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, Heal the sick, and lead the blind. Just and holy is thy name, I am all unrighteousness: False and full of sin I am, Thou art full of truth and grace. FAMILIAR HYMNS 99 115. The Christian Soldier. 1. Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the lyamb ? And shall I fear to own his cause, Or blush to speak his name? 2. Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas? 3. Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to God? 4. Sure I must fight if I would reign; Increase my courage, I^ord! I '11 bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by thy word. 16. Invitation Hymn. 1. Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, Weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, love, and power; He is able, He is willing, — doubt no more. 2. Now, ye needy, come and welcome; God's free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, Every grace that brings you nigh, Without money, Come to Jesus Christ and buy. IOO THE PASTOR'S COMPANION 3. Let not conscience make }T>u linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness he requireth Is to feel 3'onr need of him: This he gives you; 'T is the Spirit's glimmering beam. 4. Come, ye weary, hea\w-laden, Bruised and mangled bj r the fall; If 3'ou tarry till you 're better, You will never come at all; Not the righteous, — Sinners Jesus came to call. 17. Glorious Fountain. 1. There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins, And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains. 2. The d}ang thief rejoiced to see That fountain, in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away. 3. B'er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die. 4. Then in a nobler, sweeter song I '11 sing thy power to save, When this poor, lisping, stammering tongue Lies silent in the grave. FAMILIAR HYMNS 101 i8 e Memorial of Pr.aise. i. Come, thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above; Praise the mount — I 'm fixed upon it- — Mount of thy redeeming love. 2. Here I '11 raise mine Bbenezer, Hither by thy help I 'm come; And I hope by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wand' ring from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed his precious blood. 3. Oh, to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be! L,et thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wand' ring heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love — Here 's my heart, oh! take and seal it; Seal it for thy courts above. PART IV. RULES OF ORDER FOR DELIBERATIVE MEETINGS. 1 I. ORGANIZATION. When a number of persons come together for delib- erative purposes according to appointment, any indi- vidual may call the meeting to order, announce the arrival of the time for business, and suggest the neces- sity of organizing by the election of a chairman. The same person should put the question upon nomination for presiding officer, and declare the election. The chairman taking his seat, the meeting should proceed in like manner to complete its organization by the election of a secretary and such other officers as may be desired. The organization being completed, the assembly is ready to proceed to business. 2. MEMBERS. All members of deliberative bodies should be in their places promptly at times appointed for meet- ings. All members have equal privileges of making mo- tions and advocating or opposing any propositions that may come up for consideration, and all should vote on every question unless excused by the assembly. iNoTE. —For a fuller treatment of the subject the reader is referred to Robert's "Rules of Order," the principal authority for the state- ments herein given. 1 02 rui.es of order 103 Personal reflections in debate are always Out of order, and should never be indulged in. No member should speak twice on any question till all have spoken who desire to do so. 3. MOTIONS. Adjourn. — Motion not debatable. Cannot be amended. Can- not be reconsidered. Can be repeated only after inter- vening business. Yields only to motion to fix time to which to adjourn. Amend. — Can be amended. Amendment to an amendment cannot be amended. May be in the form of ''add- ing," "striking out," "striking- out and inserting," ' ' substituting, " " dividing. ' ' Appeal. — Tie vote sustains the decision of the chair. Cannot be amended. Not debatable when relating to inde- corum and priority of business, nor when the previous question is pending. Lie on the Table. — Purpose — to defer action. Not debatable. Cannot be amended. Vote to take from the table undebatable. Generally carries with it "everything that adheres to the subject." Motions. — Must be seconded. Cannot be discussed until stated by the chairman. Can be withdrawn by the mover if no objections are offered; otherwise, a vote must be taken upon leave to withdraw the motion. If lost, cannot be renewed at the same session, except by vote to reconsider. 104 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION Orders of the Day. — Motion for, not debatable. Cannot be amended. Need not be seconded. In order when another member has the floor. Postpone to a Definite Time. — Purpose — to defer action. Allows limited debate on the propriety of postponement. Postpone hidefin itely . — Purpose — to suppress the question. Cannot be amended. Precedence of Motio?is — The following motions are given in the order of their rank, the highest first. Each higher motion is in order while a lower one is pending. i. To fix the time to which to adjourn. 2. To adjourn (when unqualified). 3. For the orders of the day. 4. To lie on the table. 5. For the previous question. 6. To postpone to a certain time. 7. To commit. 8. To amend. 9. To postpone indefinitely. Previous Question. — Purpose — to suppress debate. Not debatable. Can- not be amended. Quorum. — A majority of the members of the assembly, when there is no other rule. Often fixed at a much smaller number. ' ' Churches seldom fix the number of a quo- rum by rule, but consider any number present at a business meeting regularly called competent to act. It RULES OF ORDER IO5 is, however, unwise to transact important business with only a small part of the church present." 1 Business may proceed without a quorum, if attention is not called to its absence. Reco?isider. — Can be made at any time, but cannot be acted upon while another question is before the assembly. Must be made by one who voted with the prevailing side. Cannot be amended. Debatable only when the motion reconsidered is debatable. Only a majority vote neces- sary. Speaking. — Right of, not lost by calls for the previous question while a member has the floor. Members may be called to order while speaking; may not speak more than once on the same question until every member desiring to speak has done so. Stispension of the Rules. — ■ All questions implying a suspension or change of the rules require a two-thirds vote. Voting. — If a ballot is required and there is but one nominee, the secretary may cast the vote of the assembly if no one objects. A vote by yeas and nays may be ordered by a ma- jority vote, or less number if there be a special rule. "It should not be used at all in a mass meeting, or in any other assembly whose members are not respon- sible to a constituency." 8 1 Hiscox. 2 Robert. PART V. SUGGESTIVE OUTLINES FOR REVIVAL AND FUNERAL SERMONS. CHAPTER I. REVIVALS, i. The Love of God. (John 3: 16.) The sum of gospel truth. I. The object of that love. Consider the condition of the world of sinners. II. The character of the love of God: (1) Tender. (2) Omnipotent. (3) Everlasting. III. The manifestation of that love — Jesus. IV. Result of accepting the love of God in Christ. V. Result of rejecting it. 2o Inexorableness of Divine Law. "No place of repentance" (Heb. 12: 17). Natural law merciless: fire, frost, lightning, and other forces of nature act uniformly. The parallel to be traced in the moral world: the truth in regard to the working of sin, and its punishments; the modifications of justice in connection with the atonement; the rela- tions of the doctrine to the retribution of eternity. 3. The Necessity and the Possibility of the New Birth. "Ye must be born again " (John 3: 7). " Whosoever will," etc. (Rev. 22: 17). 106 REVIVALS 107 Must be born again, and may be born again, are truths which should never be separated one from the other. Must without the may leads to despair. May without the must leads to presumption. We must, we can, be born again through the grace vouchsafed of Heaven. 4. No Escape. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salva- tion ?" (Heb. 2: 3.) I. Consider the great salvation: (1) It is great in its conception — none but an Infinite mind could have conceived of it. (2) It is great in its results: (a) Free- dom from condemnation; (b) Freedom from sin — sanctification possible; (c) Freedom from eternal death ; (d) It secures eternal life. (3) Its greatness appears in the price paid for it. Secure it. (4) Its greatness appears in the agencies at present employed: (a) The Word; (b) The Holy Spirit. II. The inquiry enforced: "How shall we escape, if," etc. If those living in a darker age, under the old dispensation, were punished for every transgression, much more may we expect to be, who live under the present dispensation, if we let the present opportun- ities slip. Co7tclusion. It is not necessary that we become notoriously sinful; simply to neglect is to come short of this great salvation. 5. Christ's Entreaty and the Sinner's Duty. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3: 20). Christ here speaks: — I. Of himself. (1) His presence: "At the door." 108 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION (2) His pleading "knocks," which indicate earnest seeking. (Matt. 7: y } S; Luke 11: 9, 10.) He speaks also: "If any man hear my voice." (3) His posture: Stands, waiting to be admitted. (4) His promises: "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." II. Of the sinner's duty: (1) To seek the present Christ: "Behold." (2) To hear the pleading Christ: "Hear my voice." (3) To receive the waiting Christ: "Open the door." (4) To enjoy the promises of Christ: "Sup with him." 6. Responsibility for Otir Thoughts. "Let . . . the unrighteous man [forsake] his thoughts" (Isa. 55:7). This means not only a change of plans and purposes, but of the current of thought. The skeptic and the atheist sa} r , "How can I help my thoughts?" Before God a man is blamable for his wrong thinking. God's judgment does not await overt acts. Here we see the dilemma in which sin has placed us. We are unable to control our thoughts, and yet are punishable for them ! There is a way of escape — through a new birth, a new creation. The mind of Christ formed in us will think acceptably in God's sight. 7. The Way of Salvation. (Isa. 35: 8=10.) I. It is a highway — open to all. " And an highway shall be there," etc. II. It is a clean way. "The unclean shall not pass over it." III. It is a plain way. "The wayfaring men," etc. (1) It is easy to find the way. Go to the cross. The cross stands at the entrance of the way. (2) Easy REVIVALS 109 to keep when once found. Hard for one to lose his way on a straight road. The right is simple. IV. It is a safe way. "No lion shall be there," etc. V. It is a joyful way. See last verse. 8. " Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve" ( Joshua 24: 15 ). These words have a military ring; they are the words of the soldier — "short, sharp, and decisive." Their import will appear if we consider: — I. That the service of God is a matter of choice: " Choose you." II. That the choice of God is a matter of service: ' ' Choose you . . . whom ye will serve. ' ' III. That neither the choice nor the service admits of any delay: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." 9. Christ's Converts. "Father, I will that they also whom," etc. (John 17: 24.) In this text we notice: (1) Christ's converts; (2) Their destination; (3) Their privilege. But to give a vivid impression, let us put in the personal element and look at — I. Two of Christ's converts, whose conversion seems to have been immediately effected by the Saviour's agency, — the penitent thief and St. Paul; the one in the hour of the Redeemer's agony, the other from the throne of his glory. ( 1 ) The thief, a despicable char- acter. (2) The apostle, a magnificent man; his dramatic conversion, a busy career, a measureless influence. II. Their common goal. They had a common bond of sin — one a thief, the other a murderer. They had a common hope — one expiring in physical agony and spiritual peace; the other came, finally, to the same HO THE PASTOR'S COMPANION experience, perishing by the axe, and encouraged by anticipation of his heavenly home. How little they seemed to have in common; how much they really had. III. Their glorious' meeting. "That they may behold my glory." Paul and the nameless penitent have struck happy hands and exclaimed, "By the grace of God we are what we are!" 10. The Wages of Sin and the Reward of Grace. ' * The wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our L,ord" (Rom. 6: 23). I. The masters in whose service men engage. The greater part of men surrender themselves to sin. How wretched the slaves of sin! How happy the servants of God! II. The rewards which these masters give to those that serve them. (1) Sin gives death — not only the first, but also the second death; the death which the apostle opposes to eternal life. This death has three degrees: (a) Perturbed passions and a troubled con- science in this life; (b) The separation of soul and body; (e) Everlasting dismissal from the presence of the L,ord. (2) God gives eternal life, reunion to him- self. III. The quality of these rewards. How do these masters respectively reward their servants ? ( 1 ) Sin gives death as wages. (2) God gives eternal life. 11. The Winning Power of Testimony. ' ' Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul" (Ps. 66: 16). I. What has God done for the soul? ( 1) He created, it. (Gen. 2:7.) (2) Redeemed it. (I. Pet. 1: 18, 19.) (3) Regenerated it. (Eph. 2: 1.) (4) Made it his REVIVALS III dwelling-place. (John 17: 23.) (5) Prepared a heaven for it. (John 14: 2.) II. Bearing testimony to the divine work. "I will declare," etc. Those who were cured of phys- ical infirmity declared what God had done. See Bible characters — lepers, maniac, lame man at the beautiful gate. The work in the soul made known (1) in conversion; (2) in right living; (3) in the experience meeting and in daily conversation; (4) in the dying hour; (5) in the eternal ages. 12. "But He Was a Leper" (II. Kings 5: 1). Naaman was afflicted with a horrible and loathsome and incurable disease, leprosy. ' ' But he was a leper. ' ' I. He was a type of man's utter ruin by sin. It must be written after the name of the bravest, the noblest, the wealthiest of the race, "but he was a sinner," and "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6: 23), whether committed by those of high or low degree. II. Naaman' s leprosy, like man's sin, was incur- able by any device of his own or of others. III. Naaman had to learn that recovery from lep- rosy is the gift of God, the work of sovereign grace, and not to be purchased with money. IV. Naaman had to take his place in the Jordan, which, according to Jerome, means "the stream of judgment," before he could be saved. V. Naaman went down into the river of judgment, "according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." VI. He immediately made a bold and open con- fession of the true God, and this was a wonderful thing for such a man to do. 112 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION VII. As to the principle of his future walk, he was put, not under law, but under grace. 13. " Is It Well with Thee ? " (II. Kings 4: 26.) I. We can find out when it is well with a soul by discovering when it is not well. Surely it is not well when God says, "Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him" (Isa. 3: 11). II. When it is well. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1: 12, 13). "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3: 26). "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (I. John 5: 1). lit. "Is it well with thee?" Each must settle this tremendous question with himself. "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ... So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14: 10, 12). If you have ever entered a crowded railway train at midnight, you have noticed that nearly all the passengers nodded and slept. But when the conductor entered with the bright lamp on his arm, the light was flashed into every face, and not one escaped inspection. So it will be when "the dead, small and great, stand before God" (Rev. 20: 12). There will be time enough to investigate every case, and holiness and justice and wisdom enough to decide aright, and power enough to pun- ish. Never mind others for the present, but answer the question at the foot of the cross, "Is it well with thee?" REVIVALS 113 14, First Things First. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, . . . and all these things shall be added unto you' ' (Matt. 6: 33). I. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. II. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. III. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. IV. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. V. And all these things shall be added unto you. 15. Nothing Too Hard for God. (Jer. 32: 17.) I. Jesus Christ has power over nature (Matt. 14: 26-33), disease (Mark 2: 1-12), death (John 11: 1-45). II. He is able to save sinners, even the chief of sinners. (I. Tim. 1: 15.) No case is too hard for him. (Mark 5: 1-19.) His salvation is to the uttermost. (Heb. 7: 25.) III. He is able to keep unto everlasting life. (II. Tim. 1: 12; Heb. 2: 18; II. Cor. 12: 9.) 16. "And Yet There Is Room" (Luke 14: 22). The provisions of the gospel are for the lost. (I^uke 19: 10.) Millions have accepted the gospel invitation, 1 'and yet there is room." I. Room in God's heart for all. Whosoever will may come. II. Room in God's power. He is able to save to the uttermost. III. Room in the church of Christ. The door is wide open. (Rev. 3: 8.) IV. Room in heaven. (John 14: 1-3.) There is room for all, young and old. Nothing can keep any one out but a bad heart. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse from all sin. (I. John 1:7; Rev. 7: 14, 15.) ii4 the: pastor's companion 17. Preparation to Meet God. (Amos 4: 12.) I. What? " Ye must be born again." (John 3: 7.) II. How? Receive Jesus Christ. (John 1: 11, 12.) III. When ? ' ' Behold, now is the day of salvation ' ' (II. Cor. 6: 2.) 18. Three R's of Salvation. I. Ruin by sin. II. Redemption by Christ Jesus. III. Regeneration by the Holy Ghost. 19. "Be Ye Also Ready" (Matt. 24:44). I. Be ye also ready. Being is more than doing. One must be right at heart to please God. II. Beye also ready. Religion is a personal matter. III. Be ye also ready. It is not enough that our friends are ready. IV. Be ye also ready. Ready for life, ready for service, ready for death and eternity. 20. An Appeal to Earnestness. "They made light of it" (Matt. 22: 5). The provisions of the gospel are all complete. "All things are now ready: come unto the marriage." " But they made light of it." To make light of this great matter implies : ( 1 ) Treating lightly the word of God by setting up our own opinions against the voice of Heaven. (2) A disregard of the eternal principle that character determines destiny. (3) A disregard of the cunning and malicious devices of Satan. (4) An in- sult to Christ, our best friend. (5) A simple neglect of the interests of the soul. All one has to do to be lost forever is to neglect the great salvation Christ has provided. FUNERALS 115 2.1. " The Best Robe." (Luke 15:22.) It is the robe of Christ's spotless righteousness. I. It is clean and of good quality. II. It always fits well. III. It is never out of fashion. IV. It is always becoming. V. It never wears out. VI. It does not cost anything. VII. Every one may have it. CHAPTER II. FUNERALS. 1. The Death of Children. (1.) God's Love of Little Children. " It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish' ' (Matt, 18: 14). God loves little children with tenderest, deepest, sweetest love. I. It is a love of utter unselfishness. II. It is the love of delight in them. III. It is a love of compassion tow 7 ard them. IV. God's love is the love of. trust in the almost infinite capacities of children. Surely, "it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." (2.) Some Reasons for Removal. "I shall go to him, but he shall not return tome" (II. Sam. 12: 23). WI13' take away the little one in the freshness of early dawn, leaving the home desolate, the heart sad, Il6 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION and the sweetest hopes forever withered? We may not be able fully to answer; but there are considera- tions which mitigate in some measure the overshadow- ing gloom. I. The length of a human life is not always the measure of its usefulness. II. A child's work on earth is not finished when it dies. III. It is removed from the many troubles and temp- tations incident to this mortal life. a IV. God has called it to a higher and nobler mission than any on earth. V. The assurance that godly parents shall be reunited to their children. "I shall go," etc. This is clearly taught. God is able thus to comfort us in all tribu- lations. (3.) The Shunammite and Her Son. " Is it well with the child ? And she answered, It is well" (II. Kings 4: 26). This story has soothed the spirit of many a parent, and is still fraught with consolation. The story sug- gests : — I. The Shunammite, though a godly person, was not exempt from family bereavement. II. The Shunammite, though a pious woman, was deeply grieved by the loss of her child. III. The Shunammite, amidst her affliction, betook herself to God. He is the truest source of comfort. IV. The Shunammite acquiesced in the bereaving dispensation, painful though it was. Though stricken with a deep sorrow she could yet say, ' ' It is well ' ' with the child. Fond parent, look to thy child in its glorified state, for "of such is the kingdom of heaven." FUNERALS 117 (4.) The Teaching of a Child's Death. "Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (II. Sam. 12: 23). Sickness had come to the palace. David was greatly- distressed by the event. While the sickness lasted he betook himself to prayer. He besought God both for himself, because of his great sin, and for the child. When the child died he ceased to pray, being fully re- signed to God's dealings with him. In this he showed the strength of his character and the firmness of his faith in a future life. Practical teachings: — I. The illness and death of little children may be intimately connected with the conduct and spiritual history of the parents. II. The surest solace under the affliction and death of infants is in God. III. We may cherish the most unwavering assurance of the salvation of those who die in infancy. The tone and spirit of the gospel favor the idea of their salvation. The departed child is in heaven. What a consolation! "I shall go to him." 2. T5ie Death of Young People. (1.) Sunset at Noon. "Her sun is gone down while it was yet day" (Jer. 15: 9)- Whatever may be the literal meaning of these words, they suggest a departure in mid-life. The sun going down at noon is very suggestive of the unexpectedness of the death of the young man or young woman at a time when life is full of hope and promise, and yet — I. The sun goes down by the appointment of God. "He maketh night and day" and ruleth the heavens. Il8 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION II. The sun goes down for the benefit of the human race. Darkness shows us worlds and teaches us lessons which the day never discloses. So death works for the world's good, restrains wickedness, and stimulates piety. III. The sun often goes down too soon fot us. We are not ready. Work unfinished. Joshua, Hezekiah, David. "Spare me." Voltaire, Elizabeth. IV. The sun has his natural time for setting. This setting is expected and prepared for by man. To set before would be startling and disappointing. So with human life. V. The sun goes down to rise again. After a brief interval he appears again. So with the departed dead. Those who die in Christ will appear again in golden splendor. VI. Let us be cheered by this revelation. God is the Father of lights. He does all things well, and whether the sun of our loved ones depart in the morning, at mid-day, or in the evening, it will have a glorious rising in that perfect day in which there shall be no night. (2.) The Sleeping Damsel. "The. damsel is not dead, but sleepeth" (Mark 5: 39). Death never inquires about age or goodness before he touches with his icy fingers. The girl was twelve years of age. She was probably a good, dutiful girl. Her parents rejoiced in her. Learn: — I. That youth and amiability do not shield from sickness and death. II. How valuable are godly parents to their chil- dren. III. The comforting word with which Jesus clothed the idea of death — "sleep." FUNKRAI.S 119 IV. Observe that Jesus is the resurrection. Jesus called the damsel to life again. V. Note how death quails before the touch and words of Jesus. "He took the damsel by the hand, and said." VI. Learn the fatality of sin. Sin leads to death. Give Jesus your hand now, and he will take you by the hand at the resurrection and present you to all blessed and loving ones. (3.) The Mourner' s Best News. ' 'Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11: 25). I. Think of the authority with which these words are spoken: "I am," not "I will be." II. Think upon the word "life," — that word which is always music; that word, next to the words "God in Christ," has in it the deepest meaning in the world. This life is conscious; death cannot for one moment paralyze the soul. Heaven is a conscious world into which we are passing. It is a home with pure and perpetual friendships, and without illness and without a grave. Take comfort, then; those from whom you have parted shall be your companions again. The resurrection and the life! what heart is not thrilled with the preciousness of the promise; who does not feel a deep and abiding gratitude to the Re- deemer, who brings this life. 3. The Death of Christians. (1.) Readiness for Death. "For I am now ready to be offered," etc. (II. Tim. 4: 6-8.) I20 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION I. Note each sentiment in this interesting passage. "I am now ready to be offered." This is the sweet experience of the man of God. "The time of my departure is at hand." The Christian's departure is a blessed one, no matter how early or near. "I have fought a good fight." The Christian's life is one of conflict, and yet he has a faith that overcomes the world. It is "a good fight." "I have finished my course." Like his Lord, Paul could say, "I have fin- ished the work which thou gavest me to do," — finished with unutterable joy. " I have kept the faith." Kept the faith of the gospel which purified the heart and sanctified the life which had been delivered to him. II. The prOvSpect of the future. "Crown of right- eousness." "A crown of life." "Crown of glory." "Which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me." Wonderful gift — gift of love, gift of mercy, the gift of God. "And not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." There is a crown for every overcoming Christian. Glorious hope! (2.) Death of a Believer in Jesus. "Them also which sleep in Jesus" (I. Thes. 4: 14). We are indebted to divine revelation for all the certain knowledge we possess of a future state. Note the description here given us of the death of true believers. "Them . . . which sleep in Jesus." I. They "sleep." This is expressive of the ease and readiness with which the Christian dies. II. They sleep " in Jesus." To the Christian, Jesus "is all, and in all." To him he is everything. He is his life, and in death he rests in him. He is his abiding comfort and hope in life and in death. FUNERALS 121 (3.) Faithfulness and Its Reward. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant' ' (Matt. 25: 21). I. The person described. ( 1 ) The good. That is good which is what God designed it to be. (2) Faith- ful. The "well done" is pronounced on the faithful, not the successful servant. Faithful, true to God in all things. (3) Servant. The highest conception of the ChrivStian life is that of service — doing good to others for Christ's sake. II. The reward. The souls of believers at their death enter into the joy of their Lord. (1) It is the joy which the Lord himself possesses. (2) It is the joy of victory. (3) It is the joy of perfection. (4) It is the joy of dominion. The believer shares with Christ in his dominion and in the joy of his sovereignty. What this means we do not fully know. But it includes more than tongue can tell or heart conceive — glory, honor, immortality. (4.) Gratitude for Triumph. " Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory," etc. (I. Cor. 15:57.) I. The victory. Over sin, the world, Satan, death, and the grave. II. The acquisition. It is given: "which giveth." It is given through Jesus. III. The gratitude. Surely all should be grateful for their salvation. Gratitude is best shown in the degree and quality of the fruit we bear. (5.) A Precious Death. " Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints "(Ps. 116: 15). 122 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION The death of God's people, which often wears the aspect of so terrible a calamity to us, is always precious in the sight of the Lord. This is true because: — I. Death is the final transformation; it is the last touch of the chisel of the Divine Sculptor. II. The death of a saint is precious as a climax of usefulness. III. His death is precious in the sight of the Lord because it is the door of entrance into the heavenly state. 4. The Death of the Ungodly. Preparation to Meet God. " Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12). I. Why? The heart must be right with God to insure a peaceful death. II. What ? ( 1 ) ' ' Ye must be born again. ' ' The soul must be brought into harmony with the divine will through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. (2) Temporal affairs should be arranged beforehand. The books should be balanced, the debts paid, and the wills written. III. When? Now. Why now? Because: (1) Death is sure to come. (2) The time of death is uncertain. (3) The last moment may come soon. (4) Dying will be work enough without having anything else to do. 5. The Death of the Aged. (1.) The Ripe Christian Dying. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season" (Job 5: 26). This is a beautiful comparison. The text intimates: — I. That death is inevitable. "Thou shalt come." FUNERALS 123 II. Death to the Christian is always acceptable. "Thou shalt come to thy grave." III. The Christian's death is always timely. "In a full age." The completed life is not measured by years. IV. The Christian will die with honor. l ' Like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season." "The memory of the just is blessed." (2.) The Day of the Christian's Death. "The day of death [is better] than the day of one's birth" (Eccl. 7: 1 ). This is true of the aged or young Christian because: — I. Death brings deliverance from all suffering and grief. II. The day of death is the day of final triumph over all sin. III. The day of death introduces the Christian into a state of endless reward. The day that brings such blessings is surely better than the day of the most auspicious birth. (3.) Faithful Unto Death. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2: 10). This call has a voice for all ages, and comes to us man by man. Look at the duty enjoined and the reward affixed. I. The duty enjoined. All men have not faith. Some have little, but no one such faith as he ought to have. Personal comfort, personal aggrandizement, pleasure, position, or property, tempts our fidelity. It is the high prerogative of Christian experience to re- verse all this, for the eye is opened to a higher world, as was the eye of the servant of Elisha at Dothan. 124 THE PASTOR'S COMPANION Iyife, in all its parts, is a stately, serious, austere affair. Moral forces throb in it; eternal issues wait on it. To be wrong or to do wrong should be our greatest dread. Faith recognizes the ministry of sorrow. Faith also discerns the secret and justice of sorrow. There is peril in unchecked prosperity. Faith also recognizes the solemnity and sturdiness of duty. That is a great word. It is a granite word. L,ife is charged with great duties. Faith looks without alarm and looks continuously toward death, which terminates toil. It is coming to all, we know not when. The call is, therefore, Be faithful, be faithful unto death. This duty is to be performed by continuous fidelity. II. The reward. The figure is taken from the laurel crown given at the Grecian games. To Paul, death was preferred to life, though he was willing to remain. The pagans even taught that the day of death was the birthday of eternal life. Christ brought to light these truths. He has conquered death. It is awful to die, but it is as awful to live. There is comfort in the thought that he is mine. When the lamp goes out, and the pulse ceases to beat, he will say, " To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. ■' 6. Miscellaneous. (i.) A Completed Life — Ftmeral of an Aged Minister. ' ' Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season" (Job 5: 26). In Scripture times, length of days was counted a special divine favor. It was the promised reward for obedience. Here we have in the death of our aged brother this text illustrated. He has come to the grave FUNERALS 125 in "full age"; has lived more than the allotted three- score and ten. How beautiful is the close of his life illustrated by the , figure in the text — "like as a shock of corn," etc. The shock of corn represents the com- pletion of purpose. This brother's plans of life were completed: (1) his early desire to secure a finished education; (2) to enter the ministry; (3) his plans were completed in regard to his family; (4) in regard to his preparation for heaven. We are reminded that here death has had no victory (1) over the body, (2) over the plans of life, (3) over the soul. Here is com- fort to the bereaved and instruction to all. (2.) A Greater Enemy Than Death. "Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do" (Luke 12: 4). This refers primarily to the enemies who may per- secute to death the Christian. It is equally applicable to every force that is hostile to our physical life. We are not to fear those powers whose energies are spent in bringing harm to our physical natures. Those forces which can hurt the soul are to be feared. There are gulfs which are deeper than the grave. (3.) The Presence of Death Softens or Hardens the Human Heart. "The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth" (Matt. 27: 44). "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him. . . . But the other answering rebuked him" (Luke 23:39. 4o). In one place it seems that both the thieves railed on Jesus, and in the other that only one did so. There have been several explanations. One is that by a 126 THE pastor's companion vague idiom the ''plural of class" is often put for the singular, as when we say of a man who was driving a team, "He sprang from the horses," although only the saddled horse can be meant. This is Winer's view. 1 It is supposed b}^ others that at first both mocked and joined in the demand that if he were the Messiah he should descend from the cross and save both himself and them; but that one did this because he was filled with enthusiastic hope, the other because he was in despair. The former afterward resigned all earthly hope, and turned for comfort to him whom he now accepted as the Christ; while the other, in his despair, ' ' blasphemed ' ' Jesus. ' ' Blasphemed ' ' is the word used in Luke's account. Chrysostom and others of the older harmonists held that at first both mocked; after- ward only one. There is no contradiction. It is easy to see how both the thieves at first might have railed on Jesus. They were in disgrace and anguish. It is a common trait of our human nature to believe that there are others worse than ourselves. The mob around were jeering at Jesus. It was a relief to find the tide turning from themselves to one who seemed still more obnoxious to the surrounding crowd. As the time passed and the supernatural phenomenon arose, it is easy to see that a change might have come over either or both. They represent two well-known classes of men: one grows obdurate under that which softens another. Bvery difficulty disappears if we take the passages as referring to different periods of time. (4.) The Continuity of Life. "If a man die, shall he live again?" (Job 14: 14.) ' ' Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (I/uke 23:43). x See "Grammar of New Testament Idioms," p. 175. FUNERALS 127 The first is the anxious inquiry of the human heart when brought face to face with death; the second is the assuring answer from Him who brought life and immortality to light. The mind, of itself, cannot attain to the knowledge of immortality. Christ had come from beyond the grave and spake from personal knowl- edge. Then, he had absolute power over all the forces which produced death. He had power to lay down his own life and take it again. He is the resurrection and the life. Our faith in the continuity of existence is founded on the omnipotence and omniscience of him who so loved us as to give his life for us. (5.) The Mystery in God's Providence. We find no mystery in the goodness which causes a thousand rills of enjoyment to interlace our daily path and make it bright with almost unnoticed pleas- ures; no mystery in the watchful care which keeps the golden bowl unbroken, sometimes for more than fourscore years; no mystery in the bounty that feeds and clothes us; in the love that gave us hearts to love and other hearts to return it; in the inspiration of the Almighty, that giveth understanding, hope, and spirit- ual affection. We find no mystery in all this gracious dealing, though when we think of how we have re- quited it, there is surely room for regarding it as a mystery. uO }0 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 897 347 4 1