after the desolate and poor, and of seeing that the charities of the Church are applied with proper effect to their weekly and daily wants. In this service, at the same time, they must not lose sight of the true spiritual character of their office; which, however it may be thus occupied with outward and temporal things, remains always a proper branch of the Christian Ministry, the last scope and purpose of which in all things can only be the eternal salvation of men in the world, to come. Hence it is that so much stress is laid, in the New Testament, on the character and life of those who are called to take part in this work. They must be men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, who may be able, both by word and example, to help forward the great purpose of the Gospel, making their ministrations to the bodily necessities of the poor the occasion and means of a still better benefit to their souls. St. Paul also, writing on this subject, in his first Epistle to Timothy, requires of them expressly virtues and merits of like sort with those which are needful for the office of the Ministry in its most exalted character.

And now, brethren, having well considered the nature and design of these sacred offices, to the use of which you have been called respectively by the voice of this Congregation, do you accept the call as coming to you from God, and are you willing to undertake the work and service it sets before you, in the name and for the glory of our common Lord and Master Jesus Christ?

Ans. Yes.

Do you receive the Holy Scriptures as being the inspired word of God? Do you consent to the ancient and primitive symbol commonly called the Apostles' Creed, as being a true expression of the foundation articles of the Christian Faith? And do you own the doctrines of the Heidelberg Catechism, as flowing from the Bible in the sense of the same Creed?

Ans. I do.

Do you promise to exercise your ministry, as Elders or Deacons, among this people, with faithful diligence according to what you have now declared to be the rule and measure of your faith; showing all proper regard for the lawful authority of the Church, and taking heed to your own lives, that you may adorn the gospel of God our Saviour by a walk and conversation answerable to the place you occupy in Christ's house?

Ans. I so promise, trusting in God's help.

Here those who have not been previously ordained to the office in which they are now called to serve, shall be directed to kneel; whereupon the Minister shall proceed to ordain them, laying his right hand upon each one in succession, and saying:

Take thou authority to execute the office of Elder [or, Deacon] in the Church of God; which office I now solemnly commit unto thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then shall they rise; after which the Minister shall go on immediately to install, or clothe with actual charge in the Congregation, all who are before him for this purpose, both those now ordained, and any who may have been ordained before, making use of the following

form.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the authority belonging to me in His Church, I now install you in the charge and service to which you have been called by this Congregation; and may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, rest upon you, abide with you, and strengthen you in your ministry always with all might through the Spirit, unto every good word and work. Amen.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, our heavenly Father, who hast been pleased of Thy great goodness, to call these Thy servants to office and power in Thy Church, send down upon them, we beseech Thee, the Holy Ghost; by whose most blessed inspiration alone they can be made able to fulfill the ministry now committed unto them, and to use rightly therein the gift of Thy manifold grace. Let every fruit of the Spirit appear and abound in them, to the ornament of the gospel and the glory of Thy great name. Make them wise and faithful, humble, tender, modest, and yet bold, constant, patient, and persevering in their appointed work. In all their walk and conversation may Thy precepts shine forth; that, holding the testimony of a good conscience, they may abide in Christ firm and steadfast, and show forth a good example unto all Thy flock. So may they purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end Amen.

The Congregation shall now join in singing a Doxology, after which the whole service shall be concluded with this Benediction:

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

EXCOMMUNICATION AND RESTORATION.

EXCOMMUNICATION.

[If any member give offence to the Church by open sin, he shall first be admonished by the Minister, or an Elder privately; and afterwards, if he does not amend, in the presence of one or more witnesses. The admonition may be repeated, according to the nature of the case. If this discipline fail of its end, the offender is to be suspended, or separated from the use of the sacraments, and the prayers of the Congregation requested on his behalf. Should he still persist in his errors and sins. the proper steps shall be taken for his excommunication.

If, however, the offence be one of more than ordinary heinousness, the offender may be excommunicated, after due examination of the case, without previous admonition and suspension.]

The time having been announced beforehand, and the people exhorted to intercede with God, if by any means the offender may be brought to true repentance, the solemn act of Excommunication shall take place, in presence of the assembled congregation, as follows. The Minister, standing at the altar in company with the Elders, shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD.: We have on several occasions made known to you, that N. N., a member of this church, has been leading an immoral and ungodly life [or, has been holding and teaching false doctrine-or, has been holding and teaching false doctrine and leading an immoral and ungodly life], and has thus by his sin given great offence to the Church of Christ, to the end that by your prayers to God on his behalf, he might be brought to repentance, and so be freed from the bonds of the Devil. According to