shalt have prospered the work of their hands upon them, and this house shall be prepared and finished for thy service, grant that all who shall enjoy the benefit of this pious work may show forth their thankfulness by making a right use of it, to the glory of thy blessed name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant that all who shall hereafter worship thee in the temple here to be builded, may so serve and please thee in all holy exercises of godliness, that in the end they may come to that temple on high, even to the holy places made without hands, whose builder and maker is God. Amen.

Hear us, O Lord, for thou art our God in whom we trust. And when we shall cease to pray unto thee on earth, may we, with all those who in like manner have erected such places to thy name, and with all thy saints and redeemed ones, eternally praise thee for all thy goodness vouchsafed unto us here on earth and laid up for us there in heaven. Amen.

Accept these our prayers, we beseech thee, for the sake of thy dear Son; and to thee, the only true and living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be honor, praise, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

335

Then shall the Minister read the following Psalm, or the Minister and People may read it in alternate verses; the parts in italics to be read by the People.

Psalm cxxxii.

Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids,

Until I find out a place for the Lord,

A habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness;
And let thy saints shout for joy.

For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it;

Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired

it for his habitation.

This is my rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

I will abundantly bless her provision :

I will satisfy her poor with bread.

I will also clothe her priests with salvation :
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
There will I make the horn of David to bud:
I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
His enemies will I clothe with shame:
But upon himself shall his crown flourish.

The Lesson. 1 Corinthians iii, 9-23.

For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall

suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive him

self. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Then shall follow the Sermon, or an Address suitable to the occasion, after which the Contributions of the People shall be received.

Then shall the Minister, standing by the Stone, exhibit to the Congregation a box to be placed in an excavation of the Stone. It may contain a copy of the Bible, the Hymn Book, the Discipline, the Church Almanac for the year, Church Periodicals of recent date, the names of the Pastor, Trustees, and Building Committee of the Church, with such other documents as may be desired. A list of these may be read, after which the Minister may deposit the box in the Stone and cover it: and the Stone shall be laid and adjusted by the Minister, assisted by the Builder.

Then shall the Minister say:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we lay this Corner-Stone for the foundation of a house to be builded and consecrated to the service of Almighty God, according to the Order and Usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Amen.

The service may conclude with extemporary Prayer, the Lord's Prayer, and the Benediction.

¶ 562. FORM FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. The Congregation being assembled in the Church, the Minister shall say,

DEARLY BELOVED: The Scriptures teach us that God is well pleased with those who build temples to his name. We have heard how he filled the temple of Solomon with his glory, and how in the second temple he manifested himself still more gloriously. And the Gospel approves and commends the Centurion who built a synagogue for the people. Let us not doubt that he will also favorably approve our purpose of dedicating this place in solemn manner, for the performance of the several offices of religious worship; and let us now devoutly join in praise to his name, that this godly undertaking hath been so far completed, and in prayer for his further blessing upon all who have been engaged therein, and upon all who shall hereafter worship his name in this place. Let one of the Hymns 856-871 he sung; afterward let extemporary Prayer be offered, the Congregation all kneeling.