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FORM AND MANNER OF

ORDAINING DEACONS.

On the day appointed for the ordination, an appropriate sermon or exhortation shall be delivered. After which, one of the elders shall read aloud the names of those to be ordained deacons, who shall respectively answer and present themselves before the ministers appointed to perform the ordination.

One of the elders shall then read the following passages:

"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. iii. 8-13.

Let another of the elders say to the persons about to be ordained:

Beloved brethren, for as much as the holy scriptures command, that we should not be hasty

in laying on hands, and admitting persons to minister in the church of Christ, therefore, before we admit you to the office of deacon in the church of God, we will examine you in the presence of this congregation, and receive your answers to the following questions:

Are you fully persuaded that the holy scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation? And will you out of the same holy scriptures instruct the people, and teach and maintain, nothing as of necessity required for salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded may be proved by them?

Will you faithfully exercise yourself in the study of the holy scriptures, and call upon God by prayer for the true understanding of the same, so that you may be able, to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince gainsayers?

Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this world, that you may show yourself in all things a worthy example to the flock of Christ?

Will you diligently endeavour to teach and discipline your family according to the doctrine of the Gospel, and make them, as much as in you lieth, examples to others?

Will you strive to maintain quietness, peace and love among all christian people, and especially among them who are committed to your care?

Let us pray.

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, mercifully behold these thy servants, now set apart for the office and work of deacons in thy church. Grant so to replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve the church in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edification of thy people, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The elders present shall then lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the order of deacon, the receivers remaining on their knees, for the convenience of the ordainers.

The president pronouncing aloud the following words:

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Spirit, for the office and work of a deacon, committed unto thee by the election of thy brethren, and by the imposition of our hands..

Be thou faithful. Give heed unto reading, exhortation and doctrine; be diligent, that thy advancement in grace and knowledge, may be manifest unto all men, and that thou mayest save thyself and those that hear thee.

The president shall then deliver to every one of them the Bible in his hands, saying: We acknowledge thy authority to preach this

word, and to assist the elder in the administra tion of the ordinances in the church of God.

We charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, preach the word, be instant in season, out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Then shall the president say:

Let us pray.

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to grant unto these thy servants, now set apart to the office of deacon, thy heavenly blessing; and so indue them with thy holy spirit, that they, preaching thy word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and exhort, with all patience and long suffering; but also, may be to such as believe, wholesome examples, in doctrine, in conversation, in love, in faith, in charity, in purity; that faithfully fulfilling their course, at the last day, each may receive a crown of righteousness, laid up by the Lord, the righteous Judge, who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end.

Assist us, O Lord, in all our doings with tny most gracious favour, and further us with thy continued help, that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name; and finally, by thy mercy obtain

everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, 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 with you always. Amen.

FORM AND MANNER

OF ORDAINING ELDERS.

On the day of ordination a sermon or exhortation shall be delivered; after which one of the elders shall read aloud the names of the persons to be ordained, who shall answer respectively, and present themselves before the ministers appointed to perform the ordination,

One of the elders shall then read the following passages of Holy writ:

"And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 you alway,

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