with Thy Church here on earth; Mercifully grant that all evil may be far from this place whereon we are about to build a house for Thy honor and worship. Bless this ground now to be broken for this holy purpose, and let Thy benediction rest upon all materials to be used here, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Almighty God, who hast taught us that whatsoever we do whether in word or in deed we shall do it in the Name of Thy Blessed Son Jesus Christ; Mercifully receive us coming to Thee in His Name. Hear our prayers and vouchsafe to bless, consecrate and hallow this ground, upon which we purpose to build a Church to Thy glory and for Thy worship, and grant that all who shall serve at Thy Altar therein, and they who shall in it receive the ministry of The Word and Sacraments according to Thine ordinance, may love Thee with all their heart and mind and soul and strength, and, fortified by Thy gifts, may serve Thee faithfully unto their life's end, through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Bishop standing at the site of the Altar of the Church, remove the first shovel of earth, saying:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I break the ground for this Church, and may the Lord bring our undertaking to a prosperous end. Amen.

The Rector and other Clergy or Church Officers present may also remove earth, each one as he does so saying:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then shall be said

PSALM 122. Lætatus sum.

I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord.

2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates: O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity in itself.

4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.

5 For there is the seat of judgment: even the seat of the house of David.

6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7 Peace be within thy walls and plenteousness within thy palaces.

8 For my brethren and companions' sakes: I will wish thee prosperity.

9 Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God : I will seek to do thee good.

Glory be.

Let us pray.

1. The Collect of the Saint whose name the Church will bear.

2. Accept, we pray Thee, O Lord, the service of this day. Let Thy continued blessing rest upon the work now begun. Put it into the hearts of Thy servants to give liberally for the building and maintenance of this Church (of Saint -). Watch over all those who shall take part in the work, that they may be preserved from all danger and accident. Give us all thankful hearts that we may ever praise Thee for all Thy goodness to us, through Thy Son our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God for ever and ever. Amen.

Then may be sung a Hymn of thanksgiving during which shall be collected the offerings made by those present for the building.

The Te Deum Laudamus may then be sung.

The Benediction.

NOTE. If the Bishop be not present the service shall be taken by the Rector of the Parish.

If so desired the first shovel of earth may be moved by the donor of the Church or other layman, the Rector and Clergy following as appointed.

II.

THE ORDER FOR

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OR CORNERSTONE OF A CHURCH

While the Bishop, or Priest by him appointed, with the Clergy and Choir, shall proceed to the place where the Foundation Stone is to be laid, a Hymn may be sung.

All things being disposed in order for the Laying of the Stone, the Bishop shall say:

Dearly beloved in the Lord, we are gathered together here to lay the Foundation Stone of a building which we humbly trust may in due time be consecrated as a House of God.

And first, let us praise God's Holy Name for the mercy and goodness with which He has so far prospered our work; and let us further devoutly pray that He will, of His good Providence, bless all who in any way help forward its completion; that He will protect from danger those who may be engaged in the building and that He will send His blessing upon our undertaking.

:

Let us pray.

We yield Thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, for that Thou hast blessed and forwarded the work of our hands hitherto accept the praises that we offer unto Thee from true and grateful hearts, that rejoicing in Thy goodness we may be accepted of Thee, and this holy place may be filled from its beginning with the spirit of thankfulness and loving homage, to Thy

honor and glory, who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen.

Then shall be read the Lesson.

Ezra iii. 10-11; or Zech. iv. 6-10; or 1 Cor. iii. 10-15.

Then shall be said or sung:

V. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious:
R. For His mercy endureth for ever.

V. O give thanks unto the God of all gods:

R. For His mercy endureth for ever.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to

the Holy Ghost.

:

R. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious: for His mercy endureth for ever.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father.

V. Behold I lay in Sion a chief Cornerstone, elect, precious:

R. And he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

V. The Stone which the builders refused:

R. Is become the Headstone of the corner.

V. This is the Lord's doing:

R. And it is marvellous in our eyes.

V. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid:

R. Which is Jesus Christ.