2. We will on no account whatever make a charge for administering baptism.

     ¶ 341. Dearly beloved, inasmuch as our Savior, Christ, saith, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God; and as the holy apostle St. Peter declares that, “The promise is unto you and to your children,” therefore this child has been brought hither that he may be consecrated by this solemn ordinance to the service of his Creator, and that he may receive the sign and seal of the covenant of grace into which God is mercifully pleased to enter with all His children;

     I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will grant unto this child, that he being mace par taker of the divine nature may grow up into Christ our living head in all things, till he comes in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ; and unto these parents the needed grace that they may properly discharge all the duties they owe to this child which God has given them.

     Let us pray.

     Almighty and everlasting God, the aid of all who need, the helper of ail who flee to thee for succor, the covenant-keeping God, we thank thee that thou hast made it our privilege to dedicate our children to thy service, that they may live to thy glory, and gain everlasting life. We call upon thee for this child that he may be delivered from the power of sin and Satan, and be sanctified by the power of the Holy Ghost, and enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing. We pray thee for these parents, that they may realize how great is the responsibility resting upon them touching the proper training of those entrusted to their care; we beseech thee to grant upon them the aid of thy Holy Spirit, that both by precept and example they may so lead this child in the narrow way of life, that both parent and child may come to the everlasting kingdom, which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.

     Hear the words of the gospel written by St. Mark, in the tenth chapter, commencing with the thirteenth verse:

     They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them; but when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say, unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he cannot enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them and blessed them.

     Ques. Post thou, in the presence of God, and of these witnesses, solemnly dedicate this child to the Lord, that he may live in his service all his days?

     Ans. I do.

     Ques. Post thou, so far as thou caust, in his be half, reuounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous de sires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that, in the training of this child, thou wilt not follow nor be led by them; and so that, as far as in thee lies, thou wilt prevent him from following the same?

     Ans. I do.

     Ques. Post thou believe in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

     Ans. I do.

     Ques. Wilt thou, out of the same, diligently teach this child the statutes and commandments of the Most High; and wilt thou train him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

     Ans. I will.

     Name this child.

     N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son; and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

     Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors: and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

     ¶ 342. Pearly beloved, since all men are by nature sinners, and have nothing in themselves by which they can be delivered from the guilt and pollution of sin, and attain to that holiness without which no man can see the Lord, we invite you to join with us in fervent prayer for these persons, that they may have grace always to keep their covenant with God, and that they may continually enjoy the washing of re generation, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.

     Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succor, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead; we call upon thee for these persons; that they, coming to thy holy baptism, may by this rite truthfully testify to that inner washing through faith in the precious blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and that they may enjoy the everlasting benediction of this heavenly washing and come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord.

     Hear the words of the Savior as recorded in the gospel written by St. Matthew, in the twenty-eighth chapter, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and o the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo! I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” Amen.

     Well beloved, who here present yourselves for holy baptism, you have heard how the congregation bath prayed that God would continue his loving favor toward you and bring you unto his, eternal kingdom. And God, the covenant-keeping God, hath promised by his only begotten Son whom he yielded up for our redemption that he would grant these gracious favors. Wherefore you must promise upon your part in the presence of this congregation that you, renouncing the devil and all his works, will implicitly believe God’s holy word and obediently keep his commandments.

     Ques. Post thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal de sires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?

     Ans. I renounce them all.

     Ques. Post thou believe in God, the Father Al mighty, Maker of heaven and earth? and in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord? and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried? that he arose again on the third day? that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Al mighty, and from thence shall come again, at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

     And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, the communion of saints; the remission of sins; the resurrection of the body, and everlasting life after death?

     Ans. All this I steadfastly believe.

     Ques. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?

     Ans. This is my desire.

     Ques. Wilt thou obediently keep God’s will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?

     Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper.

     Almighty and everlasting God, author of life eternal, grant that the regenerating grace which thou hast so mercifully vouchsafed to these persons may not have been bestowed in vain. Grant also that they may enjoy that greater baptism of the Holy Ghost to the end that nil carnal affections may be destroyed in them and that every Christian grace and virtue may freely live and grow in them. Amen. Almighty God, Father of nil mankind, Eternal Son, Deliverer of thine Israel, Holy Spirit, Guide of thy people, grant that these persons may have constant victory over the world, the flesh and the devil, and that they may enjoy the fullness of thy grace and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children. We ask it through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

    N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.