Minister's pocket ritual

Front matter

LI BRARY OF CONGRESS. ^UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.^

MINISTER'S

A HAND-BOOK OF

Preface

In the discharge of his pastoral duties, the author of this work has often felt the need of something of the kind, especially in visiting the sick and upon funeral occasions. At one time a very large Bible would be placed before him upon a low stand, compelling him either to lean over to read from it, or to hold it up before him, however unwieldy. In other cases a small pocket-bible would be furnished, the fine print of which it was next to impossible to read in the dim light of the room. And even if a suitable book was furnished from which to read, time was often lost in looking up what was wanted, especially where it was desirable to read a variety of passages from different parts of the Bible.

So, also, in visiting the sick : we have often wished to read the Scriptures, and have not had a suitable copy at hand from which to read. And, above all, we have often wished to read or quote select passages, suited to various moral states, but have not been prepared to cite them correctly, or to look them up without delay or embarrassment.

To meet these necessities in his own case, the writer extemporized a " Pastor's Manual " of his own, by pasting a variety of Scripture lessons and select passages cut from a pica Bible, into a small book which he could carry in a side-pocket. This he used for years ; and so great was the utility of this imperfect compilation in his own case, as to lead to the preparation of the more complete manual now presented to the pubiic.

It is a prime object of the following pages, therefore, to furnish, among other things, a large variety of Scripture lessons, adapted to various occasions, printed in large type, and yet so portable as to be easily carried in the side-pocket whenever wanted.

PREFACE.

Again : the great variety of tastes in those who employ us, and the diversity of circumstances under which we officiate, call for great variety in our administration. For instance, one couple about to be married wish the full " Episcopal " service, and the administrator may not have it at hand ; or, if he has, it may be in a stout "prayer-book," or in very fine print. Others will desire a medium service, as to length, but with the " ring " brought into it ; while others will desire a medium service without the " ring," or a very brief service.

And so in regard to Baptism and the Lord's Supper : in some instances there will be plenty of time, and a somewhat full and formal service will be desirable. In other cases, either for want of time, or for other reasons, it is important that the service be brief, though at the same time appropriate. And so in regard to the visitation of the sick, and the burial of the dead : services need to be varied as circumstances are varied.

Unless, therefore, one is willing to trust wholly to extempore services, or to confine himself to one stereotyped form for all occasions, irrespective of circumstances and of special requests, the village or city pastor especially often feels the need of a convenient manual, containing a good variety of Scripture selections and forms of service, in order that he may adapt his labors to the various circumstances under which he is called to officiate. And say what we will of other gifts, adaptation is a prime element of ministerial success.

It is the design of this manual to supply all these wants. A glance at the table of contents will show its scope and completeness, and the convenient form and splendid type speak fur themselves. And while the author has not the vanity to suppose the work to be without defects, or beyond improvement, he is frank to avow his belief that it is better adapted to the wants of pastors, -all things considered, than any work of the kind that has heretofore appeared. If this is not the verdict of the ministry generally, both author and publishers will be greatly disappointed.

New Yoek, April 8, 1864.

Part First. Scripture Lessons And Forms Of Service For Various Occasions

CHAPTER I. page

Marriage Services 7

I. The full Marriage Service, [Protestant Episcopal,] 7

II. An Abridged Service, with the Ring 11

III. An Abridged Service, without the Ring 13

IV. A Brief Service with a Scripture Lesson, and without the

Ring 15

V. A very Brief Service, without the Ring or Scripture Lessons. 19

CHAPTER II. Forms of Service for Baptisms 21

I. A Full Service for the Baptism of Children 21

II. A New and Concise Service for the Baptism of Children... 24

III. A Service for the Consecration of Children without Baptism. 27

IV. A Full Service for the Baptism of Adults 32

V. A New and Brief Service for the Baptism of Adults 36

CHAPTER VI. The Visitation of the Sick 60

I. Appropriate Scripture Lessons 60

II. Select Scriptures adapted to various Moral States and Necessities 66

III. Forms of Prayer for the Sick and Dying 79

1 * 5

CONTEXTS.

CHAPTER VIL

PAGS

Scripture Lessons, appropriate for Funeral Occasions. 83

CHAPTER VIII. Burial Services 99

I. Service for the Burial of a Child 99

II. A Second Service for the Burial of a Child 102

III. For a Sudden Death, or the funeral of a Young Person. 105

IV. For an Ordinary Funeral 107

V. For the funeral of an Aged Person 110

VI. For the funeral of a Middle-aged Christian 112

VII. For the funeral of an Aged Christian 115

VIII. Death, Resurrection, and Judgment 119

IX. The full " Episcopal" Burial Service 122

Chapter IX

Service for the Laying of the Corner-Stone of a Church. 127 CHAPTER X.

Service for the Dedication of a Church 131

CHAPTER XL

Service for the Ordination of a Minister 135

CHAPTER XIX

Service for the Installation of a Minister , 144

CHAPTER XIII.

Benedictions ,.. 147

SECTION I, TJie full Marriage Service.*

IT At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the persons to be married shall come into the body of the church, or shall be ready in some proper house, with their friends and neighbors ; and there standing together, the Man on the right hand, and the Woman on the left, the minister shall say :

DEARLY beloved : We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy matrimony ; which is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men : and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly ; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not

* The service here given is that now in use in the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country, as found in the Book of Common Prayer.

lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

^[ And, also, speaking unto the persons who are to be married, he shall say :

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye w r ell assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God's word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful.

If no impediment shall be alleged, the minister shall say to the man :

M., T/i^ILT thou have this Woman to thy T T wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony ? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live ?

The man shall answer :

I will.

Then shall the minister say to the ivoman :

N., "VTTILT thou have this Man to thy m wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony ? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live '?

POCKET RITUAL.

I will.

The woman shall answer :

Then shall the minister say :

HO giveth this woman to be married to this man ?

Then shall they give their Troth to each other in this manner : The minister, receiving the woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the man ivith his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as follows :

IM., take thee, N., to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance ; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

^ Then shall they loose their hands- ; and the woman, with her right hand talcing the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the minister :

IN., take thee, M. 9 to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

^[ Then shall they again loose their hands ; and the man shall give unto the woman a ring. And the minister taking the ring shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. And the man, holding the ring there, and taught by the minister, shall say :

WITH this ring I thee do wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow : in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

^ Then, the man leaving the ring upon the woman's left hand, the minister shall say :

Let us pray.

/^\UR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven ; Give us this day our daily bread : And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name ; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

\ Then shall the minister join their right hands together, and say :

HOSE whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

^ Then shall the minister speak unto the company :

FORASMUCH as M. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their faith, each to the other, and have declared the same

POCKET RITUAL.

by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands ; I pronounce them Husband and Wife, in the name of the Father, and of-the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

r And the minister shall add this blessing, the candidates kneeling ; and the minister putting his hands upon their heads.

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you : The Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace ; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

SECTION II. An Abridged Service with the Iting

DEARLY beloved : We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy matrimony, which is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men ; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly ; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

^[ If no impediment shall be alleged, the minister shall say to the

man :

M., "VVTILT thou have this Woman to thy ▼ T wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony ? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health ; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live 1

^[ The man shall answer :

I will.

^ Then shall the minister say to the woman :

N, 3 X1TILT thou have this Man to thy T T wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony ? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health ; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live ?

If The woman shall answer :

I will.

^[ Then shall the man give unto the woman a ring. And the minister, taking the ring, shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. And the man holding the ring there, and taught by the minister, shall say :

ITH this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly good I thee endow : In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

POCKET RITUAL.

j Or, if the candidate prefer not to repeat this portion of the service, the minister may use in its place the following :

AS a token and seal of this covenant, you will now give and receive the marriage

ring.

HOSE whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

^[ Then shall (he minister speak unto the company :

FORASMUCH as M. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith, each to the other, by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining their hands ; I pronounce them Husband and Wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer.

SECTION III. A.n Abridged Service without the Ming

DEARLY beloved : We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this W oman in holy matrimony, which is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men ; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly ; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

If If no impediment shall be alleged, the minister shall say to the

man :

M., ^SX^ILT thou have this Woman to thy i T wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony ? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health ; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live ?

The man shall answer :

I will.

^f Then shall the minister say to the woman :

N., "V^TILT thou have this Man to thy ▼ T wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health ; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live ?

^f The woman shall answer :

I will.

IN further token of your assent to this covenant you will join your right hands, and those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

^f Then shall the minister speak unto the company :

FORASMUCH as M. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this com-

POCKET RITUAL.

pany, and thereto have pledged their faith, each to the other, by joining their hands; I pronounce them husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer.

Section IV

A Brief Service with a Scripture Lesson, and without the JRing.

IT The parties and witnesses standing in the presence of the minister, he may first briefly invoke the Divine blessing upon the solemnities about to occur, and shall read one or more of the following Scripture lessons :

Matt. xix. 3-6.

THE Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause ? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not rea'd, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female ; and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife : and they twain shall be one flesh ? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

IVES, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church : and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it ; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word ; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh ; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery : but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself ; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands ; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives ; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel ; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in

POCKET RITUAL.

that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,* which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands : even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord : whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Colossians hi. 18, 19.

WIVES, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

To the candidates.

YOU present yourselves in the presence of God and of these witnesses, to be joined together in holy wedlock. You are to take each the other respectively as husband and wife, for prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, poverty or riches; and to perform all the duties belonging to such relation to the end of life ! To some of those duties as laid down in the Holy Scriptures I have already called your attention; and now in token of your readiness to assume these solemn obligations, and to be united in holy wedlock, you will please join

2* your right hands, while I propose to you the marriage covenant. %

^[ To the bridegroom.

TT\0 you, A — B — declare before God and JLr these witnesses, that you have chosen this Woman, whom you hold by the hand, to be your lawful and wedded wife ? and do you promise to be to her a faithful and affectionate husband, till death shall separate you ?

Arts. — I will.

f To the bride.

DO you, C — D — avow before God and these witnesses, that you have chosen this Man, whom you hold by the hand, to be your lawful and wedded husband ? and do you promise to be to him a faithful, affectionate, and obedient wife, till death shall separate you V

Arts. — I will.

fl" The parties respectively having assented, the minister shall say :

WHAT God hath joined together let not man put asunder.

AND now, forasmuch as you have thus consented together in holy wedlock, and have signified the same before God and these witnesses by joining your hands, I pronounce you husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer.

* Pastor's Hand-Book, p. 37.

POCKET RITUAL.

Section V

A. very Brief Service without the Hing or Se-ripture Wesson,

Should a very brief ceremony be desired, the following may be used :

YOU present yourselves before God and these witnesses, to be joined together in holy wedlock. This is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, and should not be entered upon unadvisedly or lightly.

But believing that you have duly considered the solemn obligations you are about to assume, and that you are prepared to enter upon the same discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God, I shall propose to you the marriage covenant.

Q. "VYTILT thou take each the other re- T T spectively as Husband and w r ife ; to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love, cherish, honor, and keep each other in prosperity and adversity; in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, cleave each to the other, so long as you both shall live ?

Arts. — I will.

IN token of your assent to this covenant, you will join your right hands (this done) ; and what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Forasmuch as you have now consented together in holy wedlock, and have signified the same before God and these witnesses, by joining your hands, I pronounce you husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer.

POCKET RITUAL.

SECTION I. A. full Service for the Baptism of Children

J The child being brought before the altar by its parents or guardians, the minister shall address them, saying :

IN presenting this child for consecration to God and his service, you not only signify thereby your faith in the Christian religion, of which baptism is an ordinance, but also your desire that he should enjoy the benefits of early consecration to God, and of special prayer on his behalf by this church and congregation ; that, if spared to adult years, he may early know and follow the will of God ; may live and die a Christian ; and may finally attain to everlasting life in heaven.

But in order to this, it will be your duty, as his parents (or guardians), to teach him early the fear of the Lord ; to watch over his education, that he be not led astray by false doctrines; to direct his youthful mind to the Holy Scriptures, and his feet to the sanctuary; to restrain him from evil associates and habits ; and, as much as in you lieth, to " bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

Quest. — Will you endeavor so to do. by the help of God \

A '/is. — I will.

^[ Then, turning to the congregation, the minister shall say :

DEARLY beloved: Forasmuch as all men are born in sin, and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith none can enter the kingdom of God. except he be born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost. I beseech you to call upon God the Father, thro ash our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to this child that which by nature he cannot have, that he may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, and early received into Christ's holy church, and become a lively member of the same.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting; God. who of thy great mercy didst save Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by water : and also didst safely lead the children of Israel, thy people, through the Red Sea. figuring thereby this holy baptism : we beseech thee, for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt look upon this child ; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost : that he i being; delivered from thy wrath, maybe received into the ark of Christ's church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world that finally/?? may come to the land of everlasting life : there to reign with thee, world without end. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

POCKET RITUAL.

O MERCIFUL God, grant that the old Adam in this child may be so buried, that the new man maybe raised up in Kim. Amen.

Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen.

Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY, ever-living God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, and gave commandment to his disciples that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; regard, we beseech thee, the prayers of this thy congregation ; sanctify this water for this holy sacrament ; and grant that this child now to be baptized may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If Then the minister, rising, shall say :

THEY brought young children to Christ, that he should put his hands upon them and pray. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them ; but when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the 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 shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, and put his hands upon them and blessed them.

Then the minister shall take the child in his arms, and, calling its name, shall baptize it, saying :

IV., X BAPTIZE thee in the name of the JL Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The services may then be concluded by extemporaneous prayer, or the benediction.

SECTION II. A. new mid concise Service for the Baptism of Children.*

The child, being brought before the altar by its parents or guardians, the minister shall address them, saying:

IN presenting this child for consecration to God and his service, you not only signify thereby your faith in the Christian religion, of w r hich Baptism is an ordinance, but also your desire that he should enjoy the benefits of early

* This service is designed to exclude the idea of baptismal regeneration. The prayer is taken mainly from a Revised Ritual for the Methodist Episcopal Church, prepared in 1857, by a committee of the General Conference, of which Dr. McClintock was chairman, but which was never adopted or published, except for private examination.