tions, it becomes my duty to inquire of you as to your purpose of mind and heart.

Do you, each of you, with your whole heart accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, to love and trust and obey him all the days of your life?

Ans. I do.

Is it your sincere desire, of your own free will and accord, to continue as members of the Church of Christ, in the communion of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South?

Ans. I do so desire.

Will you promise faithfully to keep its rules, to attend its services, to be loyal to its doctrines and government, and, as God shall prosper you, to support it by your means?

Ans. I do so promise.

Then shall the people stand up and, led by the minister, join in the responsive reading of the twenty-third Psalm, as followeth:

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Then the minister shall read the Epistle as followeth (2 Tim. i. 5, 6):

I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Then the minister shall say:

Hear the words of the holy Gospel as written by St. Luke (ii. 40, 42, 46, 51, 52):

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in

wisdom and stature, and in favor with God,

and man.

Then shall the minister say to the candidates:

We rejoice to recognize you as members of the Church of Christ, and we bid you welcome to all its rights and privileges; and in token of our brotherly love, we give you the right hand of fellowship, and pray that you may be numbered with his people here and with his saints in glory everlasting. Amen.

The minister and congregation together shall close by saying:

The Lord bless thee and keep thee: the Lord make his face to shine upon thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen.

Note.-Each child-candidate should be given beforehand a printed copy of this ritual, which should be made plain to his understanding by pastor and parents.

SECTION VI

9657. THE FORM OF THE RECEPTION AND RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS

The minister shall cause the candidates to be placed conveniently before the congregation, and after baptizing any who may not have been previously baptized, he shall say:

Brethren, the Church is of God, and will be preserved to the end of time, for the promotion of his worship and the due administration of his word and ordinances, the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline, the edifica

tion of believers, and the conversion of the world. All, of every age and station, stand in need of the means of grace which it alone supplies; and it invites all alike to become fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God. But as none who have arrived at years of discretion can remain within its pale, or be admitted to its communion, without assuming its obligations, it is my duty to demand of these persons present whether they are resolved to assume the same.

Then shall the minister address the candidates, as follows:

Dearly beloved, you profess to have a desire to flee from the wrath to come and to be saved from your sins, and to become a faithful servant in the kingdom of God; you seek the fellowship of the people of God, to assist you in working out your salvation; I therefore demand of you:

Do you solemnly, in the presence of God and this congregation, ratify and confirm the promise and vow of repentance, faith, and obedience, contained in the baptismal covenant?1

Ans. I do, God being my helper.

Will you be subject to the discipline of the Church, attend upon its ordinances, and support its institutions?

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

1 To be asked only of those who have been baptized heretofore.

The minister shall then say to the candidates:.

We rejoice to recognize you as members of the Church of Christ, and bid you welcome to all its privileges; and in token of our brotherly love, we give you the right hand of fellowship, and pray that you may be numbered with his people here, and with his saints in glory everlasting.

The minister shall then say to the congregation:

Brethren, I commend to your love and care these persons whom we this day recognize as members of the Church of Christ. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.

Then may follow a suitable hymn (555, 556), and the minister shall say: Let us pray.

Almighty God, we thank thee for founding thy Church, and promising that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. We bless thee for calling us to the fellowship of thy people, and for numbering us with the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. We especially praise thy name for enabling these thy servants to avouch the Lord to be their God. Help them to perform the promise and vow which they have made, to renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh; to believe the record which thou hast given of thy Son; and to walk in all thy commandments and ordinances blameless, to the end of their lives. May their communion with thy