A suitable hymn may here be sung and then shall the minister say, Our 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 those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. The Collect. O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in him, shall not die eternally: we meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that when we shall depart this life we may rest in him; and at the general resurrection on the last day may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. SECTION VII. 183. FORM OF LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF A CHURCH. At the time and place of laying the corner-stone, let the minister cause a suitable hymn to be sung (e. g., 780, 781, or 782). Then shall the minister say, Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, thou art infinite in all thy perfections, and marvelous in all thy works. Thou hast made the world and all things therein; and seeing that thou art Lord of heaven and earth, thou dwellest not in temples made with hands: thou art a Spirit, and art worshiped in spirit and in truth, in all places of thy dominion; yet we thank thee that thou dost allow us to build houses for thy service, wherein thy people may attend upon thee without distraction. We bless thy holy name for putting it into the hearts of thy people to build a house, at this place, for thy worship. We beseech thee to inspire us with zeal, that we may both have a mind to the work, and may successfully accomplish the same. May neither adversary nor evil occurrent hinder this work; but may the good hand of our God be upon us, that in due time we may bring forth the head-stone with joy and praise. May this sanctuary, when completed, long remain a house of prayer for all people, where incense shall be offered unto thy name, and a pure offering, and thy word and ordinances shall be duly administered, accompanied by the influences of the Holy Ghost. Here may multitudes be born again, and be nurtured in knowledge and piety; so that they may be prepared, in the kingdom of thy grace, for nobler worship in the kingdom of thy glory. We are unworthy, O Lord, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord: by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, Fa ther Almighty, world without end. Amen. Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our 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 those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Then shal, the minister read, or cause to be read, the following sentences: Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, forever and ever. |