C.

WILL

ILL you be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word; and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole within your charge, as need shall require and occasion shall be given?

C.

Ans. I will, the Lord being my helper.

WILL You

prayers,

and

ILL you be diligent in in reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to a knowledge of the same, laying aside the study of the world. and the flesh?

Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper.

C.

WILL You

be

diligent to frame and to fashion yourself (and your family) according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make (both) yourself (and them), as much as in you lieth, (a) wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ?

Ans. I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper.

C.

WILL

VILL you maintain and set forward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love, among all Christian people, and especially among them that are, or shall be, committed to your charge?

Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.

Here, the candidate kneeling at the altar, the chairman and other ministers present shall lay their hands severally upon the head of the person to be ordained, the chairman saying:

THE

HE Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a minister in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands. And be thou

a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of His holy sacraments; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

A copy of the Holy Scriptures may then be delivered into his hands, the chairman saying,

TAK

NAKE thou authority to preach the word of God, and to administer the holy sacraments in the congregation.

Then let the following prayer be offered:

ALMIGHTY God and heavenly Father,

who of thine infinite mercy hast sent abroad into the world apostles, prophets, evangelists, doctors, and pastors, by whose labor and ministry to gather together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy name: for these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call this thy servant here present to the same office and ministry appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks; we praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant unto all who, either here or elsewhere, call upon thy name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for these, and all other benefits of His death; and that we by the gracious aid of thy Holy Spirit may daily increase in the knowledge of Christ and of thy

holy ways, and may go forward in righteousness and holiness to the end of life.. So that as well by this thy minister, as by them over whom he shall be appointed to minister, thy holy name may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit world without end. Amen.

The right hand of fellowship to the Christian ministry should here be extended to the candidate, by some minister previously designated for this duty, and the service may close with this benediction:

THE

HE 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 among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Q.

CHAPTER XII.

SERVICE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A PASTOR.

Whenever a minister and a church have entered into a mutual engagement that he shall become their pastor, and desire that such pastoral relation should be formally and publicly recognized, the council or Presbytery being convened and organized, the chairman should state to the congregation the object of the meeting, and the evidence presented to him that both the pastor and congregotion desire the proposed services to be held, and the pastoral relation between them to be formally and publicly recognized.

A religious service should then be held, consisting of singing, prayer, the reading of the Scriptures, singing, and a sermon by some one previously appointed thereto.

The sermon being ended, the chairman should address himself to the minister to be installed, proposing to him the following ques

tions.

RE you now willing publicly to take the charge of this congregation as their pastor, as when you first accepted their invitation?

Ans.-I am.

Q. Do you conscientiously believe and deD%

clare, as far as you know your own heart, that in taking upon you this charge you are influenced by a sincere desire to promote the glory of God, and the good of His Church? Ans. I do.

Q. Do you solemnly promise that, by the

assistance of the grace of God, you will endeavor faithfully to discharge all the du

ties of a pastor to this congregation; and will be careful to maintain a deportment. in all respects becoming a minister of the Gospel of Christ?

Ans. I do so promise, and will endeavor so to do, by the help of God.

Turning to the congregation, the chairman shall enquire:

Do you, the people of this congregation, still profess your readiness to receive A. B, as your pastor, and is it your desire that he should be so recognized, and publicly installed over you as such?

Will you receive the word of truth from his mouth, with meekness and love, and submit to him in the due exercise of the discipline of Christ?

Do you promise to encourage him in his arduous labor, and to assist his endeavors for your instruction and spiritual edification?

And do you engage to continue to him, while he is your pastor, that competent worldly maintenance which you have promised, and whatever else you may see needful for the honor of religion, and his usefulness and comfort among you?

If you are ready thus to profess and covenant, as in the presence of God, you will now do so, one and all, by raising your right hands. The people having thus answered the questions, the chairman shall

INA

say:

NASMUCH then as you, the minister and congregation here present, have thus publicly entered into covenant to sustain to each