9

DEC. p

Vouchsafe, O Lord,

in

If the collection shall be sufficient to relieve the house from debt (there being no fitness in offering to God a house that belongs to earthly creditors), one of the Trustees or Building Committee, addressing the officiating minister, shall say:

Brother, in behalf of the church and congregation here assembled, I now present you this house to be dedicated to the worship of Almighty God.

The minister, addressing the audience, shall say:

Dearly Beloved: The Holy Scriptures teach us that God is well pleased with the erection of temples to his Holy Name; and that houses thus built for his holy worship should be especially set apart and dedicated to his service. Moses dedicated the tabernacle in the wilderness, and Solomon dedicated the temple upon Mount Zion. In like manner, devout men have been wont to consecrate houses to the worship and praise of God in all ages of the Christian

Church; and for such a dedication we are now assembled.

The congregation shall rise, and the minister shall say:

Now, to Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we, the ministers of his altar, and people of his fold, do most solemnly dedicate this House, as was intended, to be henceforth set apart and used for God's holy worship, in becoming ministrations of the Word and ordinances, and in sacred offices of prayer, thanksgiving and praise; and we devoutly pray that the Divine presence may always abide in this consecrated place, and the Divine benediction may ever rest on all who shall assemble to worship here.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The service shall then be concluded with the Doxology and the Benediction.

Selection 1

PSALMS I., XV.

I BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

7 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

8 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

9 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

10 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

11 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Selection 2

PSALMS II, XLV., 6, 7.

I WHY do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh the LORD shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. II Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

13 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

14 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Selection 3

PSALMS IV., V., 3-7, 12.

I HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will love vanity, and seek after leasing? ye

3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

9 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

10 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

II The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

12 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

13 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

14 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Selection 4

PSALMS VIII., CXI., 2-8.

1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field,

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

10 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

II His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

12 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

13 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

14 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

15 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments

are sure.

16 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.