and admonition of the Lord, and to seek the Divine blessing in the performance of this sacred and important duty. Will you earnestly and faithfully seek the virtue and happiness of this child? ANS. I will. P.- Will you endeavor to instruct him [or her] in the principles of the religion of Christ, that he [or she] may be led to remember his [or her] Creator in the days of his [or her] youth? ANS.I will. P. Will you exhort him [or her] to keep God's holy commandments, and walk continually in the way of truth and duty? ANS.I will. P. May God give you strength so to do. Then, should all your efforts prove fruitless, you will not feel the guilt of negligence, or the bitterness of remorse. But should your labors be crowned with success, great will be your reward. What is the name of this child? ANS. P. — A. B., child of innocence, emblem of purity, and image of thy Maker; "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Now, in the morning of life, while yet unstained with sin, we present thee, a living offering, a lamb without blemish, to the good Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen. [If Baptism is preferred, say as follows:] P.-A. B., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, thy Creator and Preserver, and of the Son, thy Redeemer and Saviour, and of the Holy Spirit, thy Comforter and Sanctifier. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen. Let us pray. O thou God of power, of wisdom, and of love; from thee we have received our life and all its blessings. Thou art the infinite fountain of good; and all our springs of happiness are in thee. May the smiles of thy providence, and the richer gifts of thy wisdom, grace, and truth, rest upon this child now dedicated [by baptism] unto thee. We pray thee, O Lord, grant thy blessing upon thy servants, to whom thou hast intrusted this child, to be educated as thine. Be pleased to direct and guide them aright in the discharge of this important duty; and may the great Shepherd of Israel crown their labors with success. Grant Bless thou all now before thee. us the knowledge of thee, and thy grace. May we walk in all virtue and godliness, while on earth, and at last be united around thy throne, in heaven. Amen. 10* MARRIAGE CEREMONY. MINISTER.- Beloved Friends: Inasmuch as we are, at all times, dependent upon God, it is meet for us to bless him, and call upon his holy name; as in our days of trial and affliction, so also in our seasons of joy and prosperity. Let us pray. O thou God of mercy and of love; we bless thee that thou hast made us capable of enjoying the delights of society, friendship, and love. We thank thee for the holy institution of Marriage, and for all the blessings it has conveyed to the world. Be pleased, O Lord, to regard in much mercy and goodness the parties now before thee, and grant thy Divine blessing upon the union about to be solemnized. Wilt thou enable them to perform the vow, and keep the covenant into which they are about to enter; and may they long live in peace, harmony, and sincere affection. Be thou their God and guide all the days of their lives, and bring them at last to praise thee forever. Amen. - MINISTER. You will please take each other by the right hand. M. [To the man.] Do you take this woman, whom you hold by the right hand, to be your lawful wife; and do you promise, before God, to be to her a faithful and affectionate husband, until it shall please God to separate you by death? ANS.-I do. M. - [To the woman.] Do you take this man, whom you hold by the right hand, to be your lawful husband; and do you promise, before God, to be unto him a faithful and affectionate wife, until it shall please God to separate you by death? ANS. I do. M.-Inasmuch as you have thus entered into solemn covenant with each other; by the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel, and in accordance with the laws of God and man, I pronounce |