them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal Anglican the sick, bind up the broken, bring again the out- (continued). casts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, that you be not too remiss; so minister discipline, that you forget not mercy; that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear you may receive the never-fading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ After which the Officiating Bishop shall continue the Office of the Communion, reading the Texts while the Wardens gather the offerings of the faithful. The Nicene Creed having been said, it should not be here repeated in the Service. The newly Consecrated Bishop, after having himself communicated, is to assist the Officiating Bishop during the rest of the Office of the Communion. After the Prayer of Thanksgiving, and before the last Hymn, the following Prayer is to be said: Most Merciful Father, we beseech Thee to send down upon this Thy servant Thy heavenly blessing; and so endue him with Thy Holy Spirit, that he, preaching Thy Word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech and rebuke with all patience and doctrine, but also may be to such as believe a wholesome example, in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in charity, and in purity; that, faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may receive the crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord the Righteous Judge, Who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father, and the Holy Ghost. Ans. Amen. The Officiating Bishop. Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favour, and further Anglican us with Thy continual help; that in all our works (continued). begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy Holy Name, and finally obtain everlasting life. Mozarabic. Ans. Amen. The Officiating Bishop. Through Thy mercy, O our God, Who art blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, world without end. Ans. Amen. . OFFICE FOR THE CONSECRATION OF A CHURCH. ¶ The Deed of Conveyance or Donation of the Church [and Churchyard], with such other documents as may be requisite, shall be laid before the Bishop some time before. ¶ The Bishop shall be received at the principal entrance to the Church, by the Minister and other Clergy present properly habited, the Churchwardens, and others. At the place where the Bishop is received, a petition, signed by the Incumbent and Churchwardens or others, as the case may require, shall be delivered to him by the Minister, or some one of the persons who receive him, praying that he will Consecrate the Church [and Churchyard]. ¶ The Bishop, receiving the Petition, shall order the same to be read. Then the Bishop and the Clergy, and others attending upon him, shall proceed up the Nave, saying, or singing, as they go, the 24th Psalm; the Bishop beginning, and the Clergy and others answering by verses. The Bishop, having come to the Communion Table, and the Minister officiating to the Reading Desk: the Founder, or some proper substitute, shall present to the Bishop, sitting in his chair, the Adapted from Irish Prayerbook. Instrument or Instruments of Conveyance, Donation, or Endowment; which the Bishop shall lay upon the Holy Table. And then, standing up, and turning to the Congregation, the Bishop shall say: Dearly beloved in the Lord, forasmuch as devout and holy men, as well under the Law as under the Gospel, moved either by the secret inspiration of the Blessed Spirit, or by the express command of God, or by their own reason and sense of order and decency, have erected Houses for the public worship of God, and separated them from all profane and common uses, in order to fill the minds of those who worship in them with greater reverence for His glorious majesty, and to affect their hearts with more devotion and humility in His service; which pious works have been approved of, and graciously accepted, by our Heavenly Father; Let us not doubt but that He will also favourably approve our present purpose of setting apart this place in solemn manner for the performance of the several Offices of religious worship; and let us faithfully and devoutly pray for His blessing on this our undertaking. ¶ Then, all kneeling, he shall say: O Eternal God, mighty in power, of majesty incomprehensible, Whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of temples made with hands, and Who yet has been graciously pleased to promise Thine especial presence in whatever place even two or three of Thy faithful servants shall assemble in Thy Name to offer up their supplications and their praises to Thee; Vouchsafe, O Lord, to be present with us who are here gathered together to consecrate this place, with all humility and readiness of heart, to the honour of Thy great Name; separating it henceforth from all Adapted Then standing up, and turning to the Congrega- Regard, O Lord, the supplications of Thy servants, and grant that Thy Word, which shall be read and preached in this place may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that the people may have grace to hear and receive what shall be delivered out of Thy most holy Word, or agreeable to the same, as the means of their salvation; and that in all their words and deeds they may seek Thy glory, and the increase of Thy kingdom. Through Thy mercy, O our God, Who art blessed and dost live and govern all things: world without end. Ans. Amen. Grant, O Lord, that whosoever, in this place shall confess their sins, and pray unto Thee, and praise Thy Name, may be kept by Thy Holy Spirit from all wandering thoughts and worldly and carnal imaginations. Let their prayers and praises come up before Thee, and be accepted in Thy sight. Enlighten their understandings, purify their hearts, sanctify their spirits. And those things which they faithfully ask according to Thy will, vouchsafe to give them, to the |