G

Then let the one presiding deliver him the Bible, saying :

IVE heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this Book. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men, for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Hold up the weak, bind up the brokenhearted, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost, so that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the never-fading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then let the Communion be concluded, and for the last Collect, immediately before the Benediction, be said this:

M

OST merciful Father, we beseech Thee to send down upon this Thy servant Thy heavenly blessing; and so endue him with Thy Holy Spirit, that he, preaching Thy word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke, with all patience and doctrine, but also may be, to such as believe, a wholesome example in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in humility; that faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may receive the 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. Amen.

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 and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Lord;

A FORM OF PRAYER

AT THE

Laying of the Corner-Stone

OF A CHURCH OR CHAPEL.

Al the time of the laying of the stone, the Clergy, the Wardens and Vestrymen of the Parish, and others, should go up in procession to the place where the Church or Chapel is to be erected, repeating the following Psalm :

I

PSALM CXXII.

WAS glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 2. Our feet shall stand within Thy gates, O Jerusalem.

3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.

5. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

8. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.

LORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

GL

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

CHR

Then let the Minister, standing near the Corner-stone, say,

HRISTIAN Brethren, It is decent, and proper, and agreeable to the precepts and examples of Holy Writ, that in all our doings we should beseech Almighty God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, to direct us with His most gracious favor, and to further us with His continual help. Especially, therefore, when we are now assembled to commence a house which is to be set apart to His honor and service, and in which His holy name is to be worshiped, and His word to be proclaimed by the ministry whom He hath commissioned, let us humbly and devoutly supplicate His assistance, protection, and blessing.

LET US PRAY.

STIR

TIR up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people; that they plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by Thee be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DIRECT us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favor, and

further us with Thy continual 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.

OU

UR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Then the inscription on the stone, if any, should be read, and notice may be given of deposits made therein.

Then the Corner-stone being laid in its place, let the Minister say,

UR help is in the name of the Lord;

OUR

Minister. Who hath made heaven and earth.

Minister. Except the Lord build the house, their labor is but lost that build it.

IN

Then let him, striking the stone three times with a hammer, say,

N the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. I lay the corner-stone of an edifice to be here erected by the name of Church [or Chapel], and to be devoted to the service of Almighty God. Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ; who is God over all, blessed for evermore; and in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

LORD, open Thou our lips;

Minister.

Answer. And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

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

Minister. Praise ye the Lord.

Answer. The Lord's name be praised.

Then let there be said or sung the following Hymn :

PRAISE ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise Him, O ye

servants of the Lord.

Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant.

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great

mercy.

The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.

All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

For He hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.

He maketh peace in thy borders, and fillest thee with the finest of the wheat.

He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.

O God, Thou art terrible out of Thy holy places: the God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power unto His people. Blessed be God.

LORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

GL

Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

HE law was given by Moses;

THE

Minister.

People. But grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Minister and People. Who is God over all, blessed for evermore. Amen.

Minister.

LET US PRAY.

BLESSED be Thy name, O Lord, that it hath pleased Thee to put it into

the hearts of Thy servants to commence the erection of a building in which Thy holy name is to be worshiped, and the messages of reconciliation are to be proclaimed, and the means and pledges of Thy grace and mercy administered. Prosper Thou them, O God, in this their undertaking; O prosper Thou their handy-work. Give to those who have the management of the concerns of this congregation unity of council, purity of intention, and a supreme aim at the advancement of Thy glory, in promoting the extension and interests of Thy holy Church, appointed for the salvation of mankind. Guard by Thy providence every thing which may appertain to the building

which is now begun in Thy fear, and in dependence on Thy blessing. Excite the skill and animate the industry of the superintendents and workmen. Protect them from accident and from danger. And grant that all who are in any way connected with this temple to be made with hands, may seek those influences of Thy Holy Spirit by which their souls will be made temples holy unto Thee, and prepared for that city of the living God, which is eternal in the heavens. Animate us all who are here present, O God of our salvation, with the same holy purpose; that seeking supremely Thy mercy and favor, through Thy Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in the ordinances of Thy sanctuary on earth, we may finally be admitted to unite in the praises, and to partake of the felicity, of the company of the redeemed, in the courts of the heavenly Zion. And hasten, we beseech Thee, the time when Thy Church, at unity in itself, shall serve Thee in godly quietness, and when all who profess Thy holy name may agree in the truth of Thy holy word and be one in that faithful communion with the mystical body of Thy Son, by which they will grow up unto Him in all things; and glorifying Thee in Thy Church on earth, with one heart and one mouth, be finally numbered with Thy saints in Thy Church triumphant. All which we ask through the merits of the same Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Here should follow the Address, if any be delivered on the occasion. There may also be sung a portion from the Psalms or Hymns in metre, or the Gloria in Excelsis, or some other hymn or anthem from the Liturgy, or the Holy Scriptures.

BENEDICTION.

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 amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

A Prayer to be used, with others from the Liturgy, on laying the Corner-stone of any edifice for a Literary or Charitable Institution.

ALMIGH

LMIGHTY God, without whom all our purposes are ineffectual and all our efforts vain, grant Thy presence and blessing to Thy humble servants assembled together to lay, with all solemnity, the corner-stone of an edifice to be devoted to Thy honor and the benefit of Thy creatures. Inspire our hearts with a humbling sense of our dependence upon Thee at all times and in all undertakings. May the foundation of this institution rest upon Thy favor. Open the hearts and hands of Thy people to give of their abundance for carrying the design into effect. Prosper every effort for its advancement, and every person engaged in its erection and support. May its blessings be enjoyed by many, and conveyed to the remotest generation. Above all, may it be an effectual though humble means of advancing Thy Name and praise among this people. All which we ask through the merits and for the sake of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.