For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Then the elder, if he see it expedient, may offer an extemporaneous prayer; and afterward shall let the people depart with this blessing:

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

If the elder be straitened for time, he may omit any part of the service except the prayer of consecration.

Let those who have scruples concerning the receiving of the communion kneeling, be permitted to receive it either standing or sitting; but no person shall be admitted to the Lord's Supper among us who is guilty of any practice for which we would exclude a member of our Church.

SECTION II

¶653. THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO INFANTS The minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled with pure water, shall use the following, or some other suitable exhortation.

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men, though fallen in Adam, are born into this world in Christ the Redeemer, heirs of life eternal and subjects of the saving grace of the Holy Spirit; and that our Saviour Christ saith, Suffer the

little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God; I beseech you to call upon God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will so grant unto this child, now to be baptized, the continual replenishing of his grace, that he may ever remain in the fellowship of God's holy Church, by faith that is in Jesus Christ.

Then the minister shall say:
Let us pray.

Almighty, ever-living God, we beseech thee for thine infinite mercies that thou wilt look upon this child, sanctify him ever with the Holy Ghost; that, abiding safe in the ark of Christ's holy Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, he may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with thee, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in this child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him. Amen.

Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen.

Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

Almighty, ever-living God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, and gave commandment to his disciples that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation, and grant that this child, now to be baptized, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Then shall the people stand up; and the minister shall say: Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. Mark, in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse.

They brought young children to Christ, 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.

Then the minister, addressing the parents, or others presenting the child, shall say:

In bringing this child unto holy baptism, you do accept it as your bounden duty to live before him the life that becometh the gospel, to teach him to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all carnal desires of the flesh, so that he may not follow or be led by them; to know the Holy Scriptures that are able to make him wise unto salvation through faith that is in Jesus Christ, and obediently to keep God's holy will and commandments all the days of his life.

When he hath reached the age of discretion, he being willing thereto, and showing evidence of living faith in Christ, it will become your duty to bring him before the congregation, that he may there ratify and make his own the act of dedication which you this day perform on his behalf.1

Do you solemnly assume these obligations? Ans. We do, God being our helper.

1The following may be used instead of the address above:

In causing this child to be brought by baptism into the Church of Christ, it is your duty to teach him 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 that he may not follow or be led by them; to believe all the articles of the Christian faith; and obediently to keep God's holy will and commandments all the days of his life.

Then the minister shall take the child into his hands, if convenient, and say to the friends of the child:

Name this child.

And then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or pour water upon it (or, if desired, immerse it in water), saying:

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

The minister may, at his discretion, lay hands on the subject, accompanying the act with a suitable invocation, and then, all kneeling, close with extemporaneous devotions and the Lord's Prayer:

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

SECTION III

9654. THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The people shall stand up, and the minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled with pure water, shall say:

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. Matthew, in the twenty-eighth chapter, beginning at the sixteenth verse.

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is