THE FORM

FOR

THE ADMISSION OF BAPTIZED PERSONS

TO THE TABLE OF THE LORD.

At the Service preparatory to the Lord's Supper.

"Children born within the pale of the visible Church, and dedicated to God in Baptism, are under the inspection and government of the Church; and are to be taught to read and repeat the Catechism, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. They are to be taught to pray, to abhor sin, to fear God, and to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. And when they come to years of discretion, if they be free from scandal, appear sober and steady, and to have sufficient knowledge to discern the Lord's Body, they ought to be informed it is their duty and their privilege to come to the Lord's Supper.

"The years of discretion in young Christians can not be precisely fixed. This must be left to the prudence of the Eldership. The officers of the Church are the judges of the qualifications of those to be admitted to sealing ordinances; and of the time when it is proper to admit young Christians to them. "Those who are to be admitted to sealing ordinances, shall be examined as to their knowledge and piety."

INVOCATION.

OUR help is in the Name of the Lord, who made

heaven and earth. AMEN.

PREFACE.

HUS saith the Lord that made thee, and formed

THUS

thee from the womb, which will help thee, Fear

ADMISSION OF BAPTIZED PERSONS. 165

not, O Jacob, my servant, and thou Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water-courses. One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

BRET

ADDRESS TO THE CONGREGATION.

RETHREN, we are here met for the admission of these young persons, who have been examined as to their knowledge and piety, to the Table of the Lord. They will publicly ratify in your hearing the engagements of their Baptism, and be received to the full participation of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace.

This occasion is one of solemn interest for each of them and such also let it be for each of you, Let your thoughts revert to the vows that you have taken, and the privileges that you have enjoyed, in the communion and fellowship of Christ and of His Body the Church. To this end let us with one accord seek the blessing of the Spirit of God.

PRAYER.

LMIGHTY and most Merciful God! We give

ALMIGHTY

Thee hearty thanks, that Thou hast called us to the knowledge of Thyself, in Jesus Christ our Lord; and hast vouchsafed to make us partakers of the great and precious promises of Thy holy Word. We praise Thee for the certain assurance, that these promises are unto us, and to our children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Thy grace shall call. O Merciful God, we have believed the witness of Thy Word. We have dedicated these children from their infancy to Thee. We have sought for them admission to Thy Church by Holy Baptism. We have taught them Thy saving Truth; and now that they have reached years of discretion, we come with them, to witness their willing renewal of the sacred vows that bind them to Thy Covenant. Lord, we beseech Thee, help them at this solemn hour. Work in them both to will and to do of Thy good pleasure. Make them sincere in repentance, strong in faith, stedfast in hope, and fervent in charity. Receive them into the communion of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and enable them to persevere unto the end, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Then the Minister, addressing the Candidates, says:

U that desire to be admitted to the Table of the

γου

Lord, are you so fully persuaded of the truths

of the Gospel in which you have been taught, that

you are ready to suffer all things, sooner than renounce the profession you now make ?

Answer. Yes.

Have you examined your own hearts, and are you determined to forsake sin, and to order your lives in obedience to God's law?

Answer. Yes.

Do you promise that, for the strengthening of your faith and piety, you will give yourselves to careful study and meditation upon the Word of God, and to prayer; to a regular attendance upon the assemblies of His People; and to all other means that Providence shall furnish, for the advancement of your salvation?

Answer. Yes.

Do

you then sincerely and with your whole hearts

confirm and ratify the vows of your Baptism, that bind you to renounce the world with all its vanities, to resist your evil passions, to consecrate yourselves to God, your Father, Saviour, and Sanctifier; and to live in temperance, righteousness, and holiness all your days?

Answer. Yes.

Then the Minister says:

N view of these promises, I admit you to the Table

IN

of the Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may enjoy all the privileges of the Covenant of Grace.

May you be deeply sensible of the importance and the solemnity of the engagement that you have now entered upon, and retain the impression of it throughout your lives. Remember that it is to God, your Maker, your Redeemer, and your Judge, that these promises have been made; and that upon the care you take to fulfil them, will depend your eternal blessedness. Walk worthily, then, of your high vocation. Let the light of your good works shine before men. Labour to perfect holiness, in the fear of the Lord. Seek daily the strength of God. Nourish your souls