The Minister shall then address the Parents of the Child (or those by whom it is brought forward) in these words:

By bringing this child to be baptized, you express your earnest desire that he may be consecrated to the service of God and of Jesus Christ, and that you may have strength faithfully to perform your duty towards him as Christian Parents. You do therefore promise that you will conscientiously endeavor, by the help of God, to educate him in the Christian faith, and in the practice of all Christian virtues.

When this Covenant has been assented to, the Minister shall take the Child in his arms, and, having first asked its name, shall name it accordingly, and dip it into the water, or sprinkle water upon it, saying,

I BAPTIZE thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Then may be offered the following Prayer:

O GOD, thou beholdest the offering which thy servants have now made to thee. Wilt thou graciously regard them in that which they have done, and grant that their earnest prayers for this child's welfare may be answered. Help them fully to keep the promises which they have made, and bless them

in all their domestic relations. By their love of this child may their hearts be fixed on thee; and through their tender and watchful care may he be reared up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. May they always remember the uncertainty of life, and hold themselves ready to resign into thy hands the treasure with which thou hast intrusted them. Finally, wilt thou abundantly bless this child; uphold and guide him in the slippery paths of childhood and youth; prepare him for the temptations of life; watch over him in all times of. trial and difficulty; and so conduct him through life, that whenever thou callest him from this world, he may be accounted worthy to enter into thy kingdom of peace and love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

BAPTISM OF ADULTS.

WHEN THOSE WHO WISH TO BE BAPTIZED HAVE COME FORWARD TO THE ALTAR, THE MINISTER SHALL READ AS FOLLOWS FROM THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW :

AND Jesus came and spake to his disciples, and said, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; teaching them to do whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world.

He may then use some suitable Exhortation, or he may say,

My brethren, now that we are about to obey this command, which is with so great authority enjoined upon us, let us seek a blessing from God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then may be offered this Prayer :

ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, we give thee humble and hearty thanks, that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and to faith in thee. Increase this knowledge and confirm this faith in us evermore, that we may be enabled to mortify all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily to proceed in all virtue and godliness of living, till we come to that eternal kingdom which thou hast promised through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister address the person to be baptized, in these words:

By offering yourself to be baptized according to the holy institution of the Christian church, you solemnly profess your faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and acknowledge him as your Lord and Savior. You promise that, by the grace of God assisting you, you will give earnest heed to his commandments, and that you will steadfastly endeavor to adorn your Christian profession by the practice of every Christian virtue.

When assent has been given to this Covenant, the Minister shall baptize the person, either by immersion or sprinkling, saying,

I BAPTIZE thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Then may be offered the following Prayer:

ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast taught us through thy Son, Jesus Christ, that without true regeneration of heart, and purity of life, no man can enter into thy heavenly kingdom; grant, we beseech thee, that we, who have received this baptism of water, may also obtain that sanctification, both of our bodies and our souls, by which we may become heirs of eternal life. Send down upon this thy servant, who has now declared his faith in the name of Jesus Christ, the saving influences of thy good spirit; that he may have strength to perform the word which he has spoken before thee, and faithfully to keep the promises which he has made. Strengthen him in the hour of temptation; encourage him in all times of trial and difficulty; establish him in every good word and work; and so conduct him through life, that whenever thou callest him out of this world, he may be prepared to enter into thy kingdom of peace and love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.