such a one might be swallowed up with overmuch

sorrow.

Our Lord teaches us also, that such absolution, being pronounced according to the word of God, is by Him accounted sure and firm: for Christ saith, Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them. Wherefore no one, who truly repents, ought to doubt in the least that he is assuredly received by God in mercy.

Then, addressing the Penitent, he shall say:

Now, therefore I ask thee, N. N., dost thou declare with all thy heart, before God and His Church, that thou art sincerely sorry for the sin and stubbornness for which thou hast been justly excommunicated, and dost thou desire to be restored to the communion of the Church of Christ, and promise henceforth to live in all godliness, according to the command of the Lord?

Ans. I do.

Then the Minister shall further say:

And now, in the name and by the authority of Christ and His Church, I announce to you the pardon of your sins; release you from the bond of excom munication; receive you and restore you to the fel lowship of Christ, the communion of saints, and the use of the holy Sacraments. The God of all grace, who hath had pity upon you, and who hath given you repentance unto life, confirm you therein unto the end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here the Penitent shall rise:

Seeing then, beloved brother, that God hath received you into grace, be careful to watch henceforward continually, that Satan, the world, and your flesh, may not cause you to fall again into sin. Bring forth fruits meet for repentance; and, as God has forgiven you much, love Him much, and walk before Him in newness of life.

And ye, brethren, receive this penitent with joy and tenderness; praise God for his return, and rejoice ye with the angels of heaven over this sinner who comes to-day to repentance; for he was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. Since God has forgiven and received him, let no one despise him; look no longer upon him as a stranger, but love him as a brother, and count him a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God. But let each one also profit by the example of his fall. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.

Let us return thanks unto the Lord.

O GRACIOUS GOD, our heavenly Father, we thank Thee through Jesus Christ Thy Son, that it hath pleased Thee to grant unto our brother, who is here

present, repentance unto life, and to give us occasion to rejoice over his conversion. We beseech Thee to ratify in heaven, that which we have now done in his behalf on the earth. May he be more and more assured in his heart of the pardon of his sins, that thereby he may be comforted and animated for Thy service. Restore unto him the joy of Thy salvation; and let Thy free Spirit uphold him, that he may walk in Thy ways steadfastly all the days of his life. As he has offended many by his sins, so may he edify many by his conversion. And grant us all grace, we beseech Thee, that we may learn from this example to hold sin in abhorrence, and to fear Thee. Deliver us in the hour of temptation. Suffer none of us to draw back, nor to fall into sin, and dishonor Thy Church; but help us to hold fast our profession, and abide faithful unto the end, that we may receive the crown of life. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Then the Minister addressing him, shall say:

Depart in peace.

VISITATION AND COMMUNION OF THE SICK.

VISITATION OF THE SICK.

When any one is sick, notice thereof shall be given to the Minister, ɔr, if any circumstance prevent his attendance, to one of the Elders ci The Church, who, coming to the sick person, shall carefully inquire into his spiritual state.

[If the sick person be not baptized, he shall be immediately instructed as to his duty in this respect, and urged to become obedient to the faith, and enter into covenant with God. To this end the following Scripture passages shall be read and explained to him: Matt. xxviii. 18-20; Mark xvi. 16; John iii. 5; Acts ii. 38-41; Rom. vi. 3-12; Gal. iii. 27; Col. ii. 12; Titus iii. 5; 1 Peter iii. 21. If the sick person give evidence of true repentance and faith, the Minister shall baptize him in the presence of one or more Elders of the Church.]

When the necessary examination has been made, and the proper instructions and exhortations have been given, the Minister, or Elder, shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED: Be fully persuaded that Almighty God is the Lord of life and of death, and that all His creatures are so in His hands, that without His will they cannot so much as move. Wherefore, know certainly that this is God's visitation, coming not by chance, but by His fatherly hand. Know also that He will make whatever afflictions He sends upon us in this vale of tears, if they be received in

the right spirit, and used in the right way, turn out to our advantage: for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing also, being a faithful Father.

That your present afflictions may be sanctified to you, humble yourself with continual repentance for all your sins under the mighty hand of God. Acknowledge His faithfulness and love, and endeavor to bear your sickness with true Christian patience, trusting in His mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Resign yourself wholly to His will, while you look and wait for His salvation, either in your restoration to health, or in your translation to the joys of heaven.

That you may be further instructed in regard to God's will concerning you in this your sickness, and receive such encouragement and consolation as you need, listen to those things which are written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.

Here shall be read or repeated some suitable portions of Holy Scripture. The following are given for direction and help.

I.

Affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground.

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, ir seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

I will bring them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people and they shall say, The Lord is my God.