Services for special occasions arranged for Free Baptist ministers

Preface To The Fourth Ed It 10 X

This fourth edition of Special Services has been revised by the author for the use of Free Baptist ministers, and has been approved by a special committee, consisting of Prof. J. A. Howe. D. D., Rev. C. F. Penney, D. D., and Mr. A. L. Freeman, publisher of the Morning Star Publishing House.

When the first edition was issued, in 1886. the author teas just making the acquaintance of the denomination, for which closer association has developed a warm affection. If the changes to adapt the book to the needs of the brethren meet with approved, that fact ivill amply justify the present effort. Fraternally .

MARTYN SUMMERBELL.

Lewi st on. Me., Nov. 1, 1894.

Introduction To The First Edition

This little work is issued at the earnest solicitation of brethren in the ministry, who have long desired, a handbook adapted to their wants. Instruction in Pastoral Theology properly belongs to the class room, and business forms and denominational statistics can be readily found, elsewhere. What the pastor requires at a special service is a manual which covers the exigencies of public ministration. To meet these, attention has been given to the following points:

Introduction

1. To combine orderly procedure with the fullest freedom of extemporaneous delivery, the page being so arranged as to permit omissions of portions of the printed service at pleasure, with no loss of continuity of thought.

2. To bring into convenient form a generous supply of Scriptural Lessons for Funerals and. the Sick-room. Ministers of all denominations have wearied of the narrow range of Scripture teaching usually furnished. The ground covered by the following selections is wide, and their sen timent h op efu I .

3. To place these lessons in the natural order of use in the progress of the service, and provide for easy reference by a system of double titles at the head of the page.

4. To supply tabular references for Scripture Lessons to be used, at Ordinations, etc., where the special service is held in church.

5. To arrange the service for Baptisms, Ordinations and. Dedications in harmony with the spirit of brotherly fellowship which characterizes the Christian Church.

Aside from these particular features it may be said of all services, and especially of the Marriage Services, of which the author has written three, that an attempt has been made to secure freshness and adaptation to present tastes, while retaining all that is essential of time-honored forms.

Some fifteen years ago the author was importuned by representative ministers to provide a service for the Consecration of Children. This form has been widely approved, and after revision is printed for use as occasion requires.

Grateful for the favorable reception accorded to this enterprise in advance of publication, and hoping that our younger ministers, whom twelve years'' teaching in the chair of Pastoral Theology has rendered very dear, may find here some helpful suggestions for promoting the dignity of worship, our little book is sent upon its mission by

THE AUTHOR.

Fall River, Mass., Jan. 16. 1886.

TABLE OF CONTEXTS.

Marriage Services :

brief service. 7

service with scripture lessons. 8

principal service. with ring or without, 11

protestant episcopal service. 15

Organization of a Church. 19

Order of Business at Church Meetings, 20

Church Covenant. 21

Christian Baptism. 23

Reception of Members, 27

Communion Service :

GENERAL. 29

for the sick, 31

Laying the Corner Stone of a Church, 37

Ordination of a Deacon. 41

Ordination of Ministers. 44

Installation of a Minister, 47