¶ Then, while earth is cast upon the Body by some standing by, the Minister shall say, FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this world the soul of our brother departed (or, this child), we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; looking for the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose coming in glorious majesty the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the mortal bodies of those who sleep in Him shall be changed, and made like unto His own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself. Then may be said or sung: I HEARD a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Then the Minister shall offer one of the following Prayers, or some other, and shall follow it with the BENEDICTION. MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Him shall not die eternally; We humbly beseech Thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in Him; and that at the Resurrection we may be found acceptable in Thy sight, and receive that blessing which Thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and serve Thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of My Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world: grant this, we beseech Thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; We give Thee hearty thanks for that it hath pleased Thee to deliver them out of the miseries of this sinful world; beseeching Thee, that it may please Thee, of Thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the number of Thine elect, and to hasten Thy kingdom; that we, with all those that are departed in the true faith of Thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BENEDICTION. THE grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. AT THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD AT SEA. The same Order may be used; but the WORDS OF COMMITTAL shall be as follows: FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this world the soul of our brother departed (or, this child), we therefore commit his body to the deep; looking for the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose coming in glorious majesty the sea shall give up her dead; and the mortal bodies of those who sleep in Him shall be changed, and made like unto His own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself. THE ORDER FOR THE LICENSING OF CANDIDATES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. ¶Men who are seeking an entrance to the Christian Ministry, having been taken under the care of Presbytery, and having fulfilled the requirements of the Form of Government (Chap. xiv), are then to be licensed by Presbytery to preach the Gospel and so to make a competent trial of their gifts for the sacred office. At the discretion of Presbytery, the Licensing of Candidates may follow a specially appointed Service of praise, prayer, and the preaching of the Word; or it may be done, after the examination of Candidates, at a regular session of Presbytery. The appointed hour being come, the Moderator shall call the Presbytery and all present to attend with reverence the Licensure of Candidates for the Christian Ministry. Let all stand while the Moderator, or the Minister appointed, reads the following SENTENCES. PRAISE waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion: and unto Thee shall the vow be performed. Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts; we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, even of Thy holy temple. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest. Let all bow down while the Moderator, or some other Presbyter appointed, leads in Prayer, saying: LET ET us pray for the increase of the Ministry, the welfare of the Church, and the conversion of the world to Christ. Here shall follow the PRAYER, which, if so desired, may be in form as found in the TREASURY OF PRAYERS, pp. 130-133. Then the Moderator shall say: BRETHREN in Christ: God by His Holy Spirit calls men to serve Him according to the gifts bestowed upon them and to chosen servants He grants this grace that they should make known the riches of Christ by the preaching of the Gospel. Unto His Church He has given commandment not only to pray for the increase of the Ministry, but also to prove and try those who seek the sacred office, that no man be ordained suddenly, but that men of pure heart and good conduct, able to speak to edification, be found for the service of the sanctuary. Therefore it is proper that those who desire to give themselves to this Ministry should not only prepare themselves by study, prayer, and good works, but should also have opportunity to make trial of their gifts by the experience of preaching, and to approve themselves to the churches as workmen fitted rightly to divide the Word of Truth. According to the Form of Government of this Church the oversight of these matters is committed to the Presbytery, which is to examine every Candidate for the sacred office in regard to his religious experience, his motives in seeking the Ministry, and his proficiency in that knowledge which is necessary for a teacher of men. Having made this examination, and being satisfied with its result, this Presbytery of is ready to license and approve, as Probationers for the Ministry, the following Persons, [here let the Candidates be named,] who will now present themselves before their brethren. Let the Candidates stand before the Moderator while he asks the following QUESTIONS; to each of which they shall answer, saying, I do. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures? Do you promise to study the peace, unity, and purity of the Church? Do you promise to submit yourself, in the Lord, to the government of this Presbytery, or of any other Presbytery in the bounds of which you may be called? ¶ The Candidates shall remain standing, and the Moderator, calling upon all the Members of the Presbytery to rise, shall say: IN the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by that authority which He hath given to the Church for its edification, we do license you to preach the Gospel, wherever God in His providence may call you: and for this purpose, [here the Moderator may take each of the Candidates by the hand, saying to each,] may the blessing of God rest upon you, and the Spirit of Christ fill your heart. Amen. ¶ Then may be sung the following or some other Hymn : O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, The Church from her dear Master O'er all the earth to shine. It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It floateth like a banner It shineth like a beacon Above the darkling world. 'Mid mists, and rocks, and quicksands, |