committed to the judgment and fidelity of the officiating pastor to insist chiefly on such parts, or to take in more or less of the several parts, as he shall be led to by the aspect of Providence; the particular state of the congregation in which he officiates; or the disposition and exercise of his own heart at the time. But we think it necessary to observe, that although we do not approve, as is well known, of confining ministers to set or fixed forms of prayer for public worship; yet it is the indispensable duty of every minister, previously to his entering on his office, to prepare and qualify himself for this part of his duty, as well as for preaching. He ought, by a thorough acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, by reading the best writers on the subject, by meditation, and by a life of communion with God in secret, to endeavor to acquire both the spirit and the gift of prayer. Not only so, but when he is to enter on particular acts of worship, he should endeavor to compose his spirit, and to digest his thoughts for prayer, that it may be performed with dignity and propriety, as well as to the profit of those who join in it; and that he may not disgrace that important service by mean, irregular, or extravagant effusions.

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE WORSHIP OF GOD BY OFFERINGS.

I. IN order that every member of the congregation may be trained to give of his substance systematically, and as the Lord has prospered him, to promote the preaching of the Gospel in all the world and to every creature, according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is proper and very desirable that an opportunity be given for offerings by the congregations in this behalf every Lord's Day, and that, in accordance with the Scriptures, the bringing of such offerings be performed as a solemn act of worship to almighty Gol.

II. The proper order, both as to the particular service of the day and the place in such service for receiving the offerings, may be left to the discretion of the minister and session of the church; but that it may be a separate and specific act of worship, the minister should either precede or immediately follow the same with a brief prayer, invoking the blessing of God upon it and devoting the offerings to his service.

III. The offerings received may be apportioned among the Boards of the Church and among other benevolent and Christian objects, under the supervision of the church session, in such proportion and on such general plan as may from time to time be determined; but the specific designation by the giver of any offering to any cause or causes shall always be respected and the will of the donor carefully carried out.

IV. It is the duty of every minister to cultivate the grace of liberal giving in his congregation, that every member thereof may offer according to his ability, whether it be much or little.

CHAPTER VII.

OF THE PREACHING OF THE WORD.

I. THE preaching of the Word being an institution of God for the salvation of men, great attention should be paid to the manner of performing it. Every minister ought to give diligent application to it; and endeavor to prove himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

II. The subject of a sermon should be some verse or verses of Scripture: and its object, to explain, defend and apply some part of the system of divine truth; or, to point out the nature, and state the bounds and obligation, of some duty. A text should not be merely a motto, but should fairly contain the loctrine proposed to be handled.

It is proper also that large portions of Scripture be sometimes expounded, and particularly improved, for the instruction of the people in the meaning and use of the Sacred Oracles.

III. The method of preaching requires much study, meditation, and prayer. Ministers ought, in general, to prepare their sermons with care; and not to indulge themselves in loose, extemporary harangues; nor to serve God with that which cost them naught. They ought, however, to keep to the simplicity of the gospel: expressing themselves in language agreeable to Scripture, and level to the understanding of the meanest of their hearers; carefully avoiding ostentation, either of parts or learning. They ought also to adorn, by their lives, the doctrine which they teach; and to be examples to the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

IV. As one primary design of public ordinances is to pay social acts of homage to the most high God, ministers ought to be careful not to make their sermons so long as to interfere with or exclude the more important duties of prayer and praise; but preserve a just proportion between the several parts of public worship.

V. The sermon being ended, the minister is to pray, and return thanks to almighty God: then let a psalm be sung, and the assembly dismissed with the apostolic benediction.

VI. It is expedient that no person be introduced to preach in any of the churches under our care, unless by the consent of the pastor or church session.

CHAPTER VIII.

OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM.

I. BAPTISM is not to be unnecessarily delayed; nor to be administered, in any case, by any private person; but

by a minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the mysteries of God.

II. It is usually to be administered in the church, in the presence of the congregation; and it is convenient that it be performed immediately after sermon.

III. After previous notice is given to the minister, the child to be baptized is to be presented, by one or both the parents, signifying their desire that the child may be baptized.

IV. Before Baptism, let the minister use some words of instruction, respecting the institution, nature, use, and ends of this ordinance; showing,

"That it is instituted by Christ; that it is a seal of the righteousness of faith that the seed of the faithful have 'no less a right to this ordinance, under the gospel, than "the seed of Abraham to circumcision, under the Old 'Testament; that Christ commanded all nations to be 'baptized; that he blessed little children, declaring that "of such is the kingdom of heaven; that children are "federally holy, and therefore ought to be baptized; that we are, by nature, sinful, guilty, and polluted, and have need of cleansing by the blood of Christ, and by the sanctifying influences of the Spirit of God."

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The minister is also to exhort the parents to the careful performance of their duty: requiring,

"That they teach the child to read the Word of God; that they instruct it in the principles of our holy relig"ion, as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament; an excellent summary of which we have in "the Confession of Faith of this Church, and in the Larger "and Shorter Catechismis of the Westminster Assembly, "which are to be recommended to them, as adopted by "this Church, for their direction and assistance, in the discharge of this important duty; that they pray with and "for it; that they set an example of piety and godliness "before it, and endeavor, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring up their child in the nurture and "admonition of the Lord."

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V. Then the minister is to pray for a blessing to attend this ordinance; after which, calling the child by its name, he shall say,

"I baptize thee, in the name of the Father, and of the "Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

As he pronounces these words, he is to baptize the child with water, by pouring or sprinkling it on the face of the child, without adding any other ceremony: and the whole shall be concluded with prayer.

Although it is proper that Baptism be administered in the presence of the congregation: yet there may be cases when it will be expedient to administer this ordinance in private houses; of which the minister is to be the judge.

CHAPTER IX.

OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

I. THE Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; but how often, may be determined by the minister and eldership of each congregation, as they may judge most for edification.

II. The ignorant and scandalous are not to be admitted to the Lord's Supper.

III. It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it; that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

IV. When the sermon is ended, the minister shall show, "That this is an ordinance of Christ; by reading the "words of institution, either from one of the evangelists, or from 1 Cor. xi. chapter; which, as to him may appear expedient, he may explain and apply; that it is to be "observed in remembrance of Christ, to show forth his