I. BAPTISM II. RECEPTION OF MEMBERS V. BURIAL OF THE DEAD VI. CONSECRATION AND ORDINATION VII. CORNER STONE AND DEDICATION CHAPTER I BAPTISM [Let every adult person, and the parents of every child to be baptized, have the choice of either sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.] [We will on no account whatever make a charge for administering Baptism.] T 460. Order for the Administration of Baptism to Infants The Minister, coming to the Font, which is to be filled with pure Water, shall use the following: DEARLY BELOVED, forasmuch as all men are con ceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that having, of his bounteous mercy, redeemed this child by the blood of his Son, he will grant that he, being baptized with water, may also be baptized with the Holy Ghost, be received into Christ's holy Church, and become a lively Member of the same. Then shall the Minister say: Let us pray. Almighty and Everlasting God, who of thy great mercy hast condescended to enter into covenant rela tions with man, wherein thou hast included children as partakers of its gracious benefits, declaring that of such is thy kingdom; and in thy ancient Church didst appoint divers baptisms, figuring thereby the renewing of the Holy Ghost; and by thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ gavest commandment to thy holy Apostles to go into all the world and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: we beseech thee, that of thine infinite mercy thou wilt look upon this child: wash him and sanctify him; that he, being saved by thy grace, may be received into Christ's holy Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so overcome the evils of this present world that finally he may attain to everlasting life, and reign with thee, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Merciful God, 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, Everliving 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, regard, we beseech thee, our supplications. Sanctify this water for this Holy Sacra |