A

NEW PRAYER BOOK

Proposals for the Revision of the Book
of Common Prayer and for Additional
Services and Prayers, drawn up by a
Group of Clergy

TOGETHER WITH A FOREWORD BY

 
WILLIAM TEMPLE, D.Litt.
BISHOP OF MANCHESTER

PART II

THE ORDERS OF MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER
BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, MARRIAGE
MINISTRY TO THE SICK
AND BURIAL

LONDON: HUMPHREY MILFORD
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
AMEN CORNER
1923

PREFACE

    THE Services which follow do not require an extended preface. In Mattins and Evensong, the intention has been to make the main structure of the service as clear as possible by printing the introduction separately and by allowing complete freedom after the Third Collect. Ways of shortening both services have been suggested, so that together with intercessions and a sermon they need not take longer than one hour. We have also felt that it was desirable to break away from the present uniform introduction, which is apt to be unreal, and have suggested alternative introductions, one of which has been influenced by the traditional exordium in the Free Churches.
    It is, we feel, an open question whether the fixed portions of Mattins and of Evensong should be alike or not. If they are to be different, then clearly the changes should be made in the less popular of the two services — in Mattins, not in Evensong. We have ventured, therefore, by way of experiment to provide a different set of versicles and responses for Mattins, and a different arrangement of the Collects.
    In the revision of the Occasional Offices, the aim has been to shorten and simplify and to introduce a more human note where we felt it was needed. It has to be remembered that many hear the Baptismal, Marriage, and Burial Offices, who are not in the habit of attending other services and are not familiar with the teaching of the Church. It is very necessary, therefore, that these services should be made as intelligible to such people as is possible.
    An office of Adult Baptism has not been drawn up. It might, with more advantage be drawn up by a group of priests on the mission field where it would be most used. A Catechism has been omitted, not because the present Catechism is thought to be adequate, but because it is more fitting that it should be revised or, alternatively, that a short and simple statement of doctrine illustrated from the New Testament for the guidance of teachers, should be drawn up, by an official body like the existing Commission on Doctrine with the assistance of teachers. We have deliberately refrained from using any of the proposed forms of Commination, and are not persuaded that they serve any really useful purpose in building up the religious life. Forms of Penitence are included m Part III.

    June, 1923.

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION

    A few corrections and alterations have been made particularly in the Baptismal Office. We take this opportunity of pointing out that we have not printed the Canticles in the Orders of Mattins and Evensong because we wish to see the Canticles printed in a body beside the Psalter. As only a small minority attend both Mattins and Evensong, it is not desirable, for example, to confine the saying of the Te Deum only to the morning,

    November, 1923.
 

SENTENCES OF THE SCRIPTURES FOR
THE OPENING OF MORNING AND
EVENING PRAYER

O WORSHIP the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
    Wherewith shall I come before God and bow myself before the most high? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.
    The hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Penitence.

    Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord; and he will have mercy upon him, and to God for he will abundantly pardon.
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

In Time of Trouble.

    Unto you that fear my Name, saith the Lord, shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. The Lord is loving unto every man and his mercy is over all his works.
    The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

THE CHRISTIAN YEAR

Advent.

    Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
    It is high time to awake out of sleep; the night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put upon us the armour of light.
    His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; and his dominion endureth throughout all ages.

Christmas.

    Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people; For unto you is born in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord..
    Herein was the love of God manifested unto us, that God hath sent us his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.

Epiphany.  

    From the rising up of the sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the nations; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name shall be great among the nations, saith the Lord.
    Christ came and preached peace to them that were far off and to them that were nigh, for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.

Lent.

    Rend your hearts and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and of great kindness.
    If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Passion-tide.

    Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me.

Easter Eve.

    Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; and he of God shall give thee thy heart's desires.

Easter.

    Christ is risen. Alleluya.
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to his great mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Ascension Day.

    Seeing that we have a great High Priest that is passed to the heavens Jesus the Son of God, let us come boldy unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
    God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, quickened us together with Christ, and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places.

Pentecost.

    The love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.
    Let us therefore love one another; for love is of God and everyone that loveth is begotten of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love.

Trinity Sunday.

    God is Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth. God is light, and if we walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship one with another. God is love, and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God in him.

All Saints' Day.

    Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours and their works do follow them.
    Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside all encumbrance and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne.

A Saint's Day.

    The righteous are had in everlasting memorial; the memory of virtue is immortal.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

The New Year or any Anniversary.

    He that sitteth upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new.
    They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.

Harvest.

    The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.

National.

    God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in time of trouble.
    O let the nations be glad and sing or joy; for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the nations upon the earth.
    The Kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So then let us follow after things which make for peace.

Evening.

    Let our prayers be set forth as incense and the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice
    The day goeth away and the shadows of evening are stretched out, but it shall come to pass at evening time there shall be light.
    The Lord who made heaven and earth bless us out of Zion.
 

INTRODUCTIONS

TO

THE ORDERS OF MORNING AND EVENING
PRAYER.

¶ In place of the Exhortation, General Confession, Absolution, Lord's Prayer, there may be said one of the following Introductions.

I

¶ When the Clergy and People are in their places the Minister shall turn to the People and say:

WE are come together in the presence of Almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to confess the unworthiness of our lives ; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of his love and show forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and not least to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
    Wherefore let us kneel together in Silence, and remember God's presence with us now.

¶ Silence.

    Minister. Let us confess our sins to God, our Father.

Minister and People.

ALMIGHTY Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word and deed, and that we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, O God, after thy great goodness; help us to overcome our faults and cleanse us from our sins; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or else the Minister may bid the People confess their sins in silence: in which case after a convenient time there may be said:

Lord, have mercy upon us :
Christ, have mercy upon us :
Lord, have mercy upon us.

¶ Then shall the Priest stand and say the Absolution.

THE Almighty and merciful God grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, renewal of life, and the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 
II

¶ When the Clergy and People are in their places there shall be said or sung :

    Minister. It is good to sing praises unto God.:
    People. Yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful       Minister. Let us serve the Lord with gladness :
    People. And come before his presence with a song.

¶ Then shall be sung a hymn, or the Venite.

¶ And after that the Minister shall say, while the People remain standing :

DRAW near unto to God and he will draw near unto you: ask and it shall be given you: seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family of heaven and earth is named, deliver us now from the vain things which have power over us, enable us to rest our souls in thee and yield them to the guidance of thy loving spirit. Make us ready to offer thee the joy that is thy gift, and worship thee with glad and thankful hearts. In the light of thy perfection help us to see our shortcomings and be sorry for our faults; and grant, we beseech thee that, strengthened by our worship together, we may serve thee and our fellow-men more faithfully in our daily life, and come at last to thine eternal kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

III

¶ For use on Festivals.

¶ When the Choir and People are in their places, the Minister standing before the Lord's Table, and facing the People shall say or sing:

          Let the people praise thee, O Lord:
People. Yea, let all the people praise thee.
Minister and People. Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya.

¶ Then shall be sung a Hymn of thanksgiving, or Psalm 100, Jubilate Deo, or Psalm 150, Laudate Dominum; on Christmas Day and Trinity Sunday Gloria in Exeelsis may be sung.

    Minister. Let us join together to worship God and to thank him for all the benefits that we have received at his hand, and especially for the blessings in which we rejoice this day.

¶ Then shall Minister and People kneel down and say the General Thanksgiving and the Lord's Prayer.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done: In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
    Minister (all standing). Praise ye the Lord.
    People. The Lord's Name be praised.

¶ Then shall be sung the Anthem and Psalm appointed for the Festival.
¶ Before and after the Anthem or Psalm may be sung the Invitatory as followeth :

¶ Thereafter shall the order of Morning Prayer (or Evening Prayer) be proceeded with as from the Lesson.
 

THE ORDER FOR MORNING PRAYER

COMMONLY CALLED MATTINS.

¶ All standing, there shall be said or sung:

    Minister. All thy works praise thee, O Lord:
    People. And thy saints give thanks unto thee.
    Minister. O let our mouths be filled with thy praise:
    People. That we may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long. .

¶ Then may be sung, Venite Exultemus Domino.

O COME let us sing unto the Lord : let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
    Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving : and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
    For the Lord is a great God : and a great King above all gods.
    In his hand are all the corners of the earth : and the strength of the hills is his also.
    The sea is his, and he made it : and his hands prepared the dry land.
    O come, let us worship, and fall down : and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
    For he is the Lord our God : and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

¶ And after it and after the Psalms and Canticles excepting Te Deum, once in every service shall be repeated:

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

The Psalms. (In order as appointed.)
*Lesson.
*Canticle.
Lesson.
Canticle or Hymn.
*The Act of Faith.

¶ All standing, there shall be said by the Minister and People, at the least on the Great Festivals, The Apostles' Creed.

WE believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    We believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen.

¶ On other days may be said or sung this Act of Faith :

WE believe that God is Spirit : and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth.
    We believe that God is Light : and if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another.
    We believe that God is Love : and that everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
    We believe that Jesus is the Son of God : and that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
    We believe that we arc children of God : and that he hath given us of his Spirit.
    We believe that if we confess our sins : he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
    We believe that he who doeth the will of God : shall abide for ever. Amen.

¶ Then may be said the Statement of the Divine Law as followeth:

    Minister. Jesus said: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment.
    People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do thy will.
    Minister. Jesus said: And the second commandment is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
    People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do thy will.
    Minister. Jesus said: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you even so do unto them.
    People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do thy will.
    Minister. Jesus said: If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
    People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to do thy will.

Or

    Minister. Blessed are the poor:
    People. For theirs is tho Kingdom of Heaven.
    Minister. Blessed are they that mourn :
    People. For they shall be comforted.
    Minister. Blessed are the meek:
    People. For they shall inherit the earth.
    Minister. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness:
    People. For they shall be filled.
    Minister. Blessed arc the merciful:
    People. For they shall obtain mercy.
    Minister. Blessed are the pure in heart:
    People. For they shall see God.
    Minister. Blessed arc the peacemakers:
    People. For they shall be called the children of God.
    Minister. Blessed are they which arc persecuted for righteousness sake:
    People. For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
    Minister. Blessed arc the dead who die in the Lord:
    People. For they rest from their labours and their works do follow them. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Minister turn to the People and say:

        The Lord be with you.
People. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray:

Minister and People. (All kneeling) :

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done: In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver ns from evil: For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Minister. O Lord, have mercy upon us :
People. And grant us thy salvation.

¶ The Collect of the Day.

¶ Then shall be said two or more of the prayers following :

Give peace in the world, O God:
That the nations may dwell in unity.

O GOD who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Teach us thy way, O Lord:
And we will walk in thy truth.

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people which call upon thee, and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Show thou us the way that we should walk in :
For we lift up our souls unto thee.

O GOD set our hearts at liberty from the service of ourselves and let it be our meat and drink to do thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then may follow such Prayers and Thanksgivings as the Minister may choose with the consent of the Ordinary.

¶ If there are no Prayers following then the Office shall be ended with the Prayer of St. Chrysostom and the Grace, as followeth :

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou will grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them: granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

THE grace of our Lord .Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.

THE ORDER FOR EVENING PRAYER

COMMONLY CALLED EVENSONG.

¶ All standing up there shall be said or sung:

    Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips:
    People. And our mouths shall shew forth thy praise.
    Minister. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit;
    People. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Minister. Praise ye the Lord:
People. The Lord's name be praised.

¶ The Psalms. (In order as appointed.)
*Lesson.
*Canticle.
Lesson.
Canticle or Hymn.
*The Act of Faith.

¶ All standing, there shall be said by the Minister and People, at the least on the Great Festivals, The Apostles' Creed.

WE believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    We believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen.

¶ On other days may be said or sung this Act of Faith :

WE believe that God is Spirit : and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth.
    We believe that God is Light : and if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another.
    We believe that God is Love : and that everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
    We believe that Jesus is the Son of God : and that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
    We believe that we arc children of God : and that he hath given us of his Spirit.
    We believe that if we confess our sins : he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
    We believe that he who doeth the will of God : shall abide for ever. Amen.

¶ Then may be said either the Statement of the Law or The Beatitudes, as in Morning Prayer (pages 136-7)

¶ And afterward shall the Minister turn towards the People and say:

        The Lord be with you.
People. And with thy spirit,
Minister. Let us pray.

Minister and People. (All kneeling)

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done: In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver ns from evil: For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Minister. O Lord, have mercy upon us :
People. And grant us thy salvation.
Minister. O Lord, save the King:
People. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister. Endue thy ministers with righteousness :
People. And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister. O Lord save thy people :
People. And bless thine inheritance.
Minister. Give peace in the world, O God:
People. That the nations may dwell in unity.
Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us :
People. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

¶ Then shall be said the Collect of the Day, and the Collect following :

Let us pray for Love.

O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth: Send thy Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee: Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

¶ Then shall be said one or both of the Evening Prayers.

O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Or this Collect may be used:

Minister. Abide with us, O Lord:
People. For it is toward evening and the day is far spent.

O LORD, our God, refresh us with quiet sleep when we are wearied with the day's work; that, being strengthened with the help which our weakness needs, we may be devoted to thee both in body and mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then may follow such Prayers and Thanksgivings as the Minister may choose; with the consent of the Ordinary.

¶ But if there be no Prayers following then the Office shall be ended with a Prayer of St. Chrysostom and the Grace as followeth:

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou will grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them: granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.

¶ The Minister at his discretion may use one of the forms of Introduction herein set forth before he begins the Order of Morning Prayer or the Order of Evening Prayer.

¶ On occasions when the Ordinary alloweth, the Minister may bid the People make confession of particular sins of which they have been corporately guilty, whether as Church, Community, or Nation.

¶ It is lawful to omit on occasions the portions marked thus *. It is desirable that if one Lesson only be read it would be taken from the New Testament; and that if the Confession of Faith be omitted Te Deum Laudamus should be one of the Canticles to be sung.

¶ The Minister may before a Lesson read a short Preface explaining the character of the passage and its context. And after every Lesson he shall say: Here endeth the Lesson, or the First or Second Lesson.

¶ The Canticle or Hymn after the Second Lesson may serve as the Introit to the Holy Communion, if there be a Celebration following; and the Priest shall, immediately it is ended, proceed at once to say the Lord's Prayer and Collect following as set forth in the Order of Holy Communion.
 

THE MINISTRATION OF PUBLIC
BAPTISM OF INFANTS

TO BE USED IN THE CHURCH.

¶ To the end that the Parents of the Child which is brought to be baptized should understand the meaning and purpose of Holy Baptism it is desirable that the following Declaration should be read and made clear to them beforehand, or else be read at the beginning of the service before the Gospel.

IT is plain that human nature as we see it in ourselves and in the whole race of mankind is not what God, our Father, intended it to be, and this sinful state into which we all are born is not pleasing to him. Neither are we able to save ourselves nor can we without God's aid fulfil the divine purpose for which he has created us.
    But God wills that all men should be saved, for God is love; and he has revealed in our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and thc Life, that true and perfect life for all mankind in which alone is found our salvation here and hereafter; and by his Holy Spirit he imparts this life to all who in the fellowship of his Church trust in his redeeming love for their salvation.
    And that our Saviour gladly receives little children is declared in the Gospel: so we believe that it is according to his will that they should be admitted members of his Church by Holy Baptism and receive power to live as sons of God, and in all things to grow up into him who is our head, even Christ.

THE INTRODUCTION.

¶ After the Minister has inquired of the Parents whether the Child be Boy or Girl, and has ascertained that the Child has not already been baptized; then shall the People stand up, and the Font be filled with Water and the Minister shall say:

HEAR the words of the Gospel written by Saint 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.

¶ After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel.

YOU hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed those that would have kept them from him; how he exhorts all men to follow their simplicity. You perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will towards them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them and blessed them. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Doubt not therefore, but earnestly believe that he loves this Child; that he approves this work of ours in bringing him to Holy Baptism; that he will embrace him with the arms of his mercy, and will give unto him the blessing of eternal life.

THE PROMISE.

¶ Then addressing the Parents and Godparents of the Child, he shall say:

YOU who have brought this Child here to be baptized must promise to do your duty by him and undertake certain things on his behalf until he comes to be confirmed.
    Will you in union with this Child renounce selfishness and cruelty, falsehood and pride which separate us from God, and those vices which degrade our human nature?
    Answer. I will.

WILL you daily endeavour to obey the will of God and to follow the example of Christ and to teach this Child to do the same ?
    Answer. I will.

¶ Then shall the Minister, Parents, and Godparents say the Apostles' Creed.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting, Amen.

DO you wish to have this Child baptized in the Christian faith and received into the universal Church of Christ?
    Answer. I do.

THE BLESSING.

Minister. The Lord be with you:
People. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Lift up your hearts:
People. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Minister. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God:
People. It is meet and right so to do.

    Minister. We give thanks unto thee, heavenly Father, for thy great love to all mankind shown forth in Jesus Christ thy Son, our Saviour; and this day we thank thee for the gift of children, and for the simplicity and beauty of their lives. Increase in us, we pray thee, the knowledge of thy love and confirm our faith in thee, that we may bring them up to know and love thee for ever. Let thy Church be so filled with the Holy Spirit that it may make disciples of all nations and baptize them into the service of thy Kingdom. And as by the Baptism of thy well-beloved Son thou didst sanctify Water to the mystical washing away of sin, so hallow now this Water, and grant that this Child now to be baptized therein may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and loving children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory now and evermore. Amen.

¶ The Minister may add the Prayers following:

GRANT that all evil desires and affections may die in this Child, 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 against the devil, the world and the flesh. Amen.

GRANT that whoever is here dedicated to thee may also be endowed with heavenly virtues and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

THE BAPTISM.

¶ Then he shall take the child into his arms and say:

    Minister. The Lord the Good Shepherd, receive thee into his holy fellowship and keep thee always in the same, that thou mayest have eternal life. Amen.

¶ Then shall he say to the Parents :

    Name this Child.

¶ And then, naming it after them, he shall pour upon it Water, saying:

N. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

¶ And still holding the Child, he shall say :

WE receive this Child into the Congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him (here he shall make a Cross upon the Child's forehead) with the sign of the Cross, in token that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified and manfully to fight under his banner against sin the world, and the devil; and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Amen.

THE THANKSGIVING.

Minister

SEEING now that this Child is born anew into the family of Christ's Church, let us givc thanks unto Almighty God and, with one accord make our prayers unto him that this Child may lead the rest of his life according to this beginning.

Minister and People.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done: In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

¶ And this Thanksgiving :

WE yield thee hearty thanks, mst merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Child with thy Holy Spirit and to incorporate him into thy holy Church, which thou hast enlightened with the glory of the Lord's Resurrection; and we beseech thee to grant that as Christ died and rose again for us, so this Child and all we who are baptized may die to sin and rise again unto righteousness; and that the spirit of sonship which thou hast given us may so dwell within the children of thy new family that they may continually offer unto thee the pure service of a Christian life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Minister. Let us pray for this Child's home and education.

HEAVENLY Father, after whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named, bless we beseech thee, the mother and father of this Child, and give to them, and to all in whose charge he may be, the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the home in which he grows up may be to him an image of thy Kingdom, and the care of his parents a likeness of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE STATEMENT OF THE PARENTS' AND GODPARENTS' DUTY.

¶ Then all standing up the Minister shall say:

YOU who have now brought this Child to be baptized into the family of Christ's Church, must remember that it is your duty to see that he be taught, so soon as he shall be able to learn, what a solemn promise has been made for him by you. And that he may know these things the better, you shall yourselves set him a good example: and shall provide that he may learn the love of God shown to us in Jesus Christ, and all things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health; and be brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life. Remembering always, that Baptism represents unto us our profession, which is to follow the example of our Saviour Christ and to be made like unto him.

¶ Then shall he add and say:

YOU are to take care that this Child be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him, so soon as he has been instructed in the faith and discipline of the Church.

¶ If the Baptism be not joined to another service the Minister shall pronounce this Blessing.

THE Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
 

1. GENERAL DIRECTIONS.

¶ The Ministers of every parish shall instruct the People that they bring their children to Baptism as soon as the mother is able to come to Church; and shall warn them that without great cause they baptize not children at home in their houses.

¶ It is desirable on occasion that Baptism should be administered on Sundays and at such times when the most number of people can come together; as well that the congregation there present may witness to the receiving of the newly baptized into the family of Christ's Church; and also that every man present may be put in remembrance of his own profession.

¶ Nevertheless Children may be baptized upon any other day.

¶ And note, that there shall be at least one Godfather and one Godmother for every Child to be baptized, and that Parents may be godparents for their own Child. No Person shall be admitted to be a Godparent who has not been baptized.

¶ If the Baptism be administered in the course of Morning or Evening Prayer, the Creed shall be omitted from these offices.

¶ If there be no Priest present it is lawful that a Deacon baptize Infants.

2. PRIVATE BAPTISM.

¶ In any case where it is not possible to bring a Child to the Church, the Priest or Deacon, or in their absence any other person, male or female, shall say the Prayer from the Form of Public Baptism beginning: The Lord, the good Shepherd; and then, the Child being named by some one who is present, the person who baptizes shall pour Water upon it saying these words:

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

¶ Then all kneeling down they shall give thanks unto God, and say the Lord's Prayer, and if there be time, the thanksgiving We yield thee hearty thanks —.

¶ It is expedient that as soon as possible the Child should be brought into the Church that the Congregation may be certified that it has been truly baptized. When the Minister of the parish after careful inquiry has made sure that the Child had been baptized with Water and In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; he shall say:

    I certify to you that according to the due Order of the Church, at such a time and in such a place this Child has been baptized (by me).

¶ The shall be said from the Baptism service, the Introduction and the promise, and (omitting the Blessing and the Baptism) the Minister shall immediately after the Promise, take the Child into his arms and say:

    We receive this Child into the congregation of Christ's flock and do sign him, and after making a Cross upon the Child's forehead, shall proceed with the sermon to the end.

3. CONDITIONAL BAPTISM.

¶ But if there be any uncertainty or doubt as to whether the Child hath been rightly and truly baptized, then let the Minister baptize it in the form before appointed for Holy Baptism, saving that, at the pouring of the Water upon the Child, he shall use this form of words:

    If thou be not already baptized, N. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

¶ The same form of Conditional Baptism shall be used in the case of any person of riper years, if there be any uncertainty or doubt as to whether he hath before been rightly and duly baptized.
 

THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION,

OR LAYING ON OF HANDS
UPON THOSE THAT ARE BAPTIZED
AND COME TO YEARS OF UNDERSTANDING.

¶ To the end that Confirmation may more surely bring to those who receive it the Blessing of God Almighty, the Church has thought good to order, That none shall be confirmed but such as have been instructed in the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, as well as the Law of Christian Life and the two Sacraments of the Gospel. This order it is right to observe, to the end that children, when they have reached years of understanding and have learned what their Godparents promised for them in Baptism, should with their own mouth find consent, openly before the Church, take these promises upon themselves; and also declare that with the help of God they will always endeavour faithfully to live according to the creed and life unto which they have pledged themselves.

¶ Upon the day appointed, all that are then to be confirmed being placed, and standing in order, before the Bishop; he (or some other Minister appointed by him) shall read this Preface following unless he shall otherwise determine.

DEARLY Beloved of the Lord, in ministering Confirmation the Church follows the example of the Apostles and the teaching of Holy Scripture. The laying on of hands with prayer is an outward sign and pledge of un inward grace which is the strengthening gift of the Holy Spirit to those who rightly receive it. And the Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians, makes plain the true nature of that gift where he says:
    If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. Let us not be vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy. peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
    And as this gift comes from God alone, we shall together pray earnestly to him, as the Apostles were wont to do, that he will pour forth his Holy Spirit upon these his children.

¶ Then shall the Bishop, addressing those about to be confirmed, say :

IN order that this congregation may be assured that it is your steadfast purpose to confess the faith of Christ crucified and to serve loyally under his banner; and that you yourselves may ever have printed in your remembrance what is your calling and how greatly you need the continual help of the Holy Spirit, the Church has thought good to order that before you receive the laying on of hands, you shall openly acknowledge yourselves bound to fulfil the Christian duties to which Holy Baptism has pledged you.

¶ Then shall the Bishop ask of them all together:

DO you here, in the presence of God and of this congregation, renounce selfishness and cruelty, falsehood and pride which separate us from God, and the vices which degrade our human nature?

Answer. I do.

WILL you daily endeavour to obey the will of God, and to follow the example of Christ all the days of your life?

Answer. I will.

WILL you endeavour to hold fast the faith of his Church and to be a loyal member of the same?

Answer. I will.

¶ Then shall all kneel down and pray in silence, and thereafter may be sung Veni Creator Spiritus or some other Hymn to the Holy Spirit, all still kneeling.

COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart:

Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love;
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight:

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace:
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son
And thee, of Both, to be but One:
That through the ages all along
This may be our endless song,

Praise to thy eternal merit.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Bishop.

Bishop. Our help is in the Name of the Lord:
Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth .
Bishop. Blessed be the Name of the Lord:
Answer. Henceforth, world without end .
Bishop. They shall go from strength to strength:
Answer. And walk before the Lord all the days of their life. Bishop. Not by might nor by power:
Answer. But by my Spirit, saith the Lord.

Bishop. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins; Strengthen them we beseech thee O Lord, with the Holy Spirit, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of faithfulness and love; and make their delight, O Lord, to be in thee both now and for ever. Amen.

¶ And all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, he shall lay his hand upon every one severally saying :

DEFEND, O Lord, this thy child with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come to thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.

¶ Here shall follow the Bishop's Address.

¶ And the Address ended there shall be said :

Bishop. The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy Spirit.
Bishop. Let us pray.

Bishop and People (all kneeling).

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done: In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

¶ And he shall add these Prayers:

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants, upon whom (after the example of thine apostles) we have now laid our hands, to assure them by this sign of thy favour and goodness towards them. Let thy Fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them. And as they have vowed to be thy servants, guide them, O Lord, into the knowledge of thy will, and help them ever to remain faithful unto thee. And when they approach thy sacred mysteries, may our Saviour Jesus Christ be made known to them in the breaking of the Bread, that their lives be made strong by his Divine Life. And this we ask for his Name's sake, who with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that, through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Bishop dismiss them with these words:

GO forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengtheen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; love all men; serve the Lord rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

¶ The Curate shall from time to make diligent inquiry whether there be any in his Parish who, having been baptized, were not Confirmed in their youth; and, if he find any .such, and think them meet to be confirmed, he shall earnestly move them to prepare themselves to seek God's grace in Confirmation.

¶ And whensoever the Bishop shall give knowledge that he will minister Confirmation, the Curate of every Parish shall either bring, or send in writing, with his hand subscribed thereunto, the names of all such persons within his Parish, as he shall think fit to be presented to the Bishop to be confirmed. And, if the Bishop approve of them, he shall confirm them in the manner set forth. that. And it is convenient that every one shall have a Godfather or a Godmother as a witness of their Confirmation.

¶ The Service shall be said from the words 'Our Help is', &c., down to the laying on of hands by the Bishop without any interruption by preaching or other instruction or by singing of any hymn or anthem

¶ The Minister ought to instruct the People that all who desire to be admitted to the Holy Communion should be confirmed or be ready and desirous to be confirmed.
 

THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE

¶ First the Banns of all that are to be married together must be published in the Church three several Sundays, when notices are wont to be published; the Curate saying after the accustomed manner:

I PUBLISH the Banns of Marriage between. N. of ——, and N. of ——. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, you are to declare it. This is the first (second or third) time of asking.

¶ And if the persons that are to be married dwell in different Parishes the Banns must be asked in both Parishes: and the Curate of one Parish shall not solemnize Marriage between them, without a Certificate of the Banns being thrice asked, from the Curate of the other Parish.

¶ If it is desired that the Marriage be solemnized in a Church other than the Parish Church of either party, then the Man and the Woman must present to the officiating Minister a Certificate that the Banns have been thrice called in their respective Parish Churches.

¶ Nor shall any be married without Banns first asked, save where Licence is had from Authority or lawful notice hath been otherwise given

¶ And if the persons to be married have obtained Licence from Authority to be married, without publication of Banns, the Curate shall not solemnize Marriage between them without production of the Licence.

¶ At the day and time appointed for the solemnization of Marriage, the persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church with their friends and neighbours; and shall stand together, the Man on the right hand, and the Woman on the left.

¶ A Hymn or Psalm may be sung as the Bride proceeds to her place.

¶ The minister addressing all present shall say:

WE are come here in the sight of God, and as a congregation of his Church, to join together this man and this woman in Christian marriage : and the seek the blessing of Almighty God upon them.
    Marriage is a holy state of life instituted of God and blessed by Christ himself. And therefore it is not by any to be taken in hand rashly or lightly, but reverently, wisely, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which it was ordained.
    It was ordained that children might be born and brought up in the love of God and to the glory of his Name.
    It was ordained that natural instincts and affections given by God might be fulfilled and perfected in the love of man and woman with mutual honour and forbearance; and that thus, in holiness and purity of living, mankind should dwell together in families according to the will of God.
    It was ordained for the lifelong companionship, help and comfort that the one ought to have for the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
    Into which holy estate these two persons come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

¶ When two or more Marriages are solemnized at the same time, all that follows down to the Psalm shall be said in each case separately. Speaking to the persons that shall be married, he shall say:

I CHARGE you both as you shall answer in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be joined together in Marriage, you do now confess it.

¶ If no reason be alleged, then shall the Minister say unto the Man:

N. WILT thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together in holy matrimony according to God's law? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live ?
    Answer. I Will.

¶ Then shall the Minister say unto the Woman

N. WILT thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together in holy matrimony according to God's law? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live ?
    Answer. I Will.

¶ Then shall they give their word to each other in this manner. The Minister shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth :

I N. take thee N. to my wedded wife, to, have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I pledge thee my word.

¶ Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman with her right hand taking the, Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister :

I N. take thee N. to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God s holy law; and thereto I pledge thee my word.

¶ Then shall they again loose their, hands: and the Man shall give unto the Minister the Ring, and, laying it upon his book the Minister taking it shall deliver it unto the Man to put upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand. And the Man holding the Ring there, and if need be taught by the Minister shall say:

WITH this ring I thee wed; With my body I thee honour, and all my worldly goods with thee I share: In the Name of God. Amen.

¶ The Woman may likewise give a Ring unto the Man after the same manner and using the same words.

¶ Then the Man and Woman shall kneel down, but the Congregation shall remain standing.

Minister. Let us pray.

O ETERNAL God, Creator and preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon this man and this woman, that living faithfully together, they may surely perform, and keep the vow and covenant between them made (of which the rings given and received are a token and pledge), and ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Minister join their right hands together and say:

    Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

FORASMUCH as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their word either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

¶ And the Priest shall add this Blessing.

GOD the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, . bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.

¶ Then the Priest shall go to the Lord's Table followed by the Man and Wife, while the People say or sing
Psalm 67 or 23, or a Hymn.

¶ The Psalm or Hymn ended, the Priest turning to the Congregation shall say, Let us pray. Then shall the Man and Wife kneel before the Lord's Table, and the Congregation shall kneel in their places; and the Priest standing at the Table shall say the Lord's Prayer, and the Man and Wife shall say it with him.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done: In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass, against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then the Priest shall say the Collect and Prayer immediately following.

O LORD God, our Father, who hast gathered all thy commandments in one, so that except we love one another as thou lovest us we cannot fulfil thy law; grant that thy Holy Spirit may lead us in the way of love, joy and peace even unto eternal life: through thy Son, who loved us and gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O LORD God of our fathers, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in thy Holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may indeed fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon them and bless them, that they obeying thy will and always being in safety under thy protection may abide in thy love unto their lives' end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ And he shall add one of these two Prayers following.

O MERCIFUL Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased; bestow, we beseech thee, upon these two persons the heritage and gift of children; and grant that they may live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children Christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or,

WE thank thee, our Father, for the happiness of thy creative love given to these thy servants, beseeching thee to unite them ever in such love and loyalty that, with thankful hearts, they may together make glad the lives of others and find their joy in thy service, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle, 1 Cor. 13. 4-7 (R.V.)
The Gospel (the people all standing), St. John 15. 9-12.

¶ And the Gospel ended there shall follow a short Address and Hymn. And thereafter the Priest shall proceed with the Order of Holy Communion as from the beginning of the Offertory.

¶ If there be no celebration of Holy Communion, the Priest shall say after the Address and Hymn this Prayer and Blessing.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast created man in thine own image and instituted marriage for the comfort and help of thy children; pour upon these thy servants the riches of thy grace, sanctify and bless them that they may please thee both in body and soul and live together in holy love unto their lives' end. Amen.

THE Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord. Lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace, both now and for evermore. Amen.

¶ It is desirable that the newly married persons should receive the Holy Communion at the time of their Marriage or at the first opportunity after their Marriage.

¶ Immediately after the service is ended the newly married persons shall go with the Priest into the vestry and there sign the marriage registers: the customary fees to Ministers and Clerk shall then be paid, if this has not been already done.
 

THE THANKSGIVING OF PARENTS
AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD

¶ It is desirable that after the birth of a child the Mother and Father, either in their home or at the church, should return thanks to God.
The Minister shall begin:

AS it has pleased Almighty God to bless you with the n gift of a child, and to bring this woman safely through her travail, let us thank Him for His goodness and pray that He will help you to guide the child's steps in the paths of righteousness, that he being baptized into Christ's Church may have fulness of life both in this world and in the world to come.

¶ Then shall be said:
PSALM 112.

BLESSED is the man that feareth the Lord : he hath great delight in his commandments.
    His seed shall be mighty upon earth : the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
    Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
    A good man is merciful and lendeth : and will guide his words with discretion.
    For he shall never be moved : and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
    He will not be afraid of any evil tidings : for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit;
    As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen

Or PSALM 116.

I AM well pleased : that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;
    That he hath inclined his ear unto me : therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
    The snares of death compassed me round about : and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
    I found trouble and heaviness, and I called upon the Name of the Lord : O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
    Gracious is the Lord and righteous : yea, our God is merciful.
    The Lord preserveth the simple : I was in misery, and he helped me.
    Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul : for the Lord hath rewarded thee.
    And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death : mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling.
    I will walk before the Lord : in the land of the living.
    What reward shall I give unto the Lord : for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?
    I will receive the cup of salvation : and call upon the Name of the Lord
    I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people : in the courts of the Lord's house, even m the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
    Glory be &c.

¶ Then the Minister shall say:

Let us say together the Lord's Prayer.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done: In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass, against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

O GOD our heavenly Father, who hast crowned the love of thy servants with the gift of a child; grant, we beseech thee, that they may show their love and thanksgiving to thee in so ordering their home, that by the example of their life and teaching they may guide the child in the way of righteousness in this life, and with him be partakers with thy saints in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, we thank thee for the skill and care of those who minister to us in times of illness, for the love which we have one for one another in our homes, for the love which embraces all thy children in this world and in the next; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE Lord Christ Himself be with you to sanctify your home to the glory of the Eternal Father. Amen.
 

A FORM OF CONFESSION AND
ABSOLUTION

¶ If there be any who, after the examination of themselves and the private confession of their sins and the General Confession used in the public services of the Church, cannot by this means attain unto an assurance of God's forgiveness, it is lawful and right that they come to the Parish Priest or to some other learned and discreet Minister of God's word, and confess their sins to God before him, that by the Ministry of God's holy word they may receive the benefit of Absolution, together with spiritual counsel, advice and comfort, in order that their conscience may be relieved and all scruple and doubtfulness removed,

¶ And every Priest in his exercising of this Ministry of Reconciliation, committed by Christ to his Church, shall be bound to observe secrecy concerning all those matters which are thus confessed before him.

¶ Nor doth the Church require of any that of necessity to the receiving of God's absolution and grace he come thus to confess before a Priest, but only that every man be honestly assured in his own conscience of his duty in this matter.

¶ And such as shall be satisfied with a General Confession ought not to be offended with those that use the secret and particular confession before a Priest; nor ought those who think it needful for themselves to confess their sins before a Priest to be offended with those that are satisfied with their humble confession to God and the General Confession of the Church; but let all alike remember in all things to follow and keep the rule of Charity, and not to judge other men's consciences, seeing that there is no warrant in God's word for so doing.

¶ At the time appointed the Penitent shall kneel down in some convenient place in the Church, and the Priest shall say unto him :

THE Lord be with thy heart and thy lips, that thou mayest rightly confess thy sins.

¶ Then shall the Penitent make particular confession of his sins, in this form or the like:

I CONFESS, to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, before the whole company of heaven and you that I have sinned, in thought word and deed through my own grievous fault; wherefore I pray God to have mercy upon me. And especially I have sinned in these ways . . .

¶ After which confession the Priest shall give such counsel and advice as may be requisite, and if he be assured of his repentance, he shall absolve the Penitent, if he humbly and heartily desire it, after thts sort:

OUR Lord Jesus Christ, who hath left power to his Church to absolve all sinners who truly repent and believe in him, of his great mercy forgive thee thine offences : And by authority committed to me, I declare that thou art absolved from all thy sins, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.