Then the Minister presiding shall say God, our Heavenly Father, who hath called thee to the Holy Ministry, and to take the oversight of this Church, enlighten thee with His Holy Spirit. strengthen thee with His hand; and so govern thee in thy Ministry, that thou mayest decently and fruitfully walk therein, to the glory of His Name, and to the advancement of the Kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ. AMEN. The Church having been requested to arise, the Minister Presiding shall say: Inasmuch, Beloved Brethren and Members of this Church, as this most solemn procedure of investing our brother with the charge and oversight of you, involves, as well, obligations and duties on your part toward him : I ask of you before God and our Lord Jesus Christ: 1. Do you hereby receive, in the Name of the Lord, His servant, our brother, to be your Minister? 2. Do you promise to receive the word of truth from his lips with meekness and love; and to submit to him in the due discharge of his Holy Office? 3. Do you promise to give him all proper love and obedience in the Lord; to encourage and help him in his holy work; and to labor with him in faith and prayer, for the honor of Christ and the welfare of men? 4. Do you engage to continue to him, while he remains your Minister, competent worldly maintenance, as you have promised, and whatever else the honor of religion and his comfort among you may require? To which they shall give answer audibly: Then the Minister Presiding shall exhort the installed Minister and Congrega tion in the following manner : TAKE heed, therefore, beloved brother, and fellow-servant in Christ, unto yourself and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseer, to feed the Church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood: love Christ, and feed His sheep, taking the oversight of them not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lord over God's heritage, but as an example to the flock. Be an example of believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee; meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all: take heed to thy doctrine, and continue steadfast therein. Bear patiently all hardship, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. And you likewise, beloved Christians, receive this your Minister in the Lord, with all gladness, 'and hold such in reputation. Remember that God Himself, through him, speaketh unto you and beseecheth you. Receive the Word, which he, according to the Scripture, shall preach unto you, not as the word of man, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God." Let the feet of those that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things, be beautiful and pleasant unto you. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. If you do these things, it shall come to pass, that the peace of God shall enter into your houses, and that you who receive this man in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward, and through his preaching, believing in Christ, you shall through Christ inherit life eternal. Since no man is of himself fit for any of these hings, let us call upon God with thanksgiving: PRAYER. MERCIFUL FATHER, we thank Thee that it pleaseth Thee, by the ministry of men, to gather a Church to Thyself unto life eternal, from amongst the lost children of men. We bless Thee for so graciously providing the Church in this place with a faithful Minister. We beseech Thee to qualify him daily more and more by the Holy Spirit, for the ministry to which Thou hast ordained and called him. Enlighten his understanding to comprehend Thy Holy Word, and give him utterance, that he may boldly open his mouth, to make known and dispense the mysteries of the gospel. Endue him with wisdom and valor, to rule the people aright over whom he is set, and to preserve them in Christian peace; to the end that Thy Church, under his administration and by his good example, may increase in number and in virtue. Grant him courage to bear the difficulties and troubles which he may meet with in his ministry, that being strengthened by the comfort of Thy Spirit, he may remain steadfast to the end, and be received with all faithful servants into the joy of his Master. Give Thy grace also to this people and Church, that they may becomingly deport themselves towards this their Minister; that they may acknowledge him to be sent of Thee; that they may receive his doctrine with all reverence, and submit themselves to his exhortations: to the end that they may by his word, believing in Christ, be made partakers of eternal life. Hear us, O Father, through Thy Beloved Son, who hath thus taught us to pray; OUR FATHER WHO 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, FOR EVER. AMEN. |