or less of the several parts, as he shall be led to by the aspect of Providence; the particular state of the congre gation 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 l'fe 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 Gorl.

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. The offerings of the Sabbath-school and of the various societies or agencies of the Church shall be reported regularly to the session of the Church for approval, and no offerings or collections shall be made by them for objects other than those connected with the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., without the approval of the session. V. 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 doctrine proposed to be handled. It is proper also that large portions of Scripture be some times 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, tc prepare their sermons with care; and not to indulge theriselves 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; carefull v 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.

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.

Of the expediency of performing this service in other places than the church, the minister shall be the judge. II. Of the administration of baptism to infants:

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.

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."

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 him in the principles of our holy religion, 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 Catechisms 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 the child; that they set an example of piety and godliness

before him, and endeavor by all the means of God's appointment to bring up their child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

Then the minister is to pray for a blessing to attend this ordinance; after which, calling the child by 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 head of the child, without adding any other ceremony; and the whole shall be concluded with prayer.

III. Of the administration of baptism to adults:

When unbaptized persons are to be admitted into the Church, they shall, in ordinary cases, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith in the presence of the congregation; and thereupon be baptized.

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 our Lord commanded His disciples to baptize believers of every nation ; that it is a sacrament wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our engrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's; that it is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church till they profess their faith in Christ and obedience to Him; that it becomes an effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in it, or in him that doth administer it, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of His Spirit in them that by faith receive it."

The minister shall then propose to the person to be baptized the following or similar questions, to wit: