CHAPTER VI
FORM FOR DEDICATION OF CHURCHES
¶ 349. [The congregation
being assembled, let an appropriate hymn be sung. Afterward, let extemporary
prayer be offered. Then shall the minister, or some one appointed, read:]
The first lesson, Psalm 84:
How amiable are thy tabernacles, 0 Lord
of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord:
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath
found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her
young, even thine altars, 0 Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed
are they that dwell -in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways
of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain
also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of
them in Zion appeareth before God. 0 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer:
give ear, 0 God of Jacob. Selah. Behold, 0 God our shield, and look upon
the face of thine anoint ed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the
tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will
give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly. 0 Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
The second lesson, Hebrews 10: 19-26:
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to
enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way,
which he bath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us
hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful
that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and
to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as
ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice
for sins.
[Then let an appropriate hymn be sung; after which the minister shall
deliver a sermon suitable to the occasion. Contributions may then be received
from the people.]
[Then let the trustees stand before the altar, and one of them, or
- some one- in their behalf, say unto the minister:]
We present unto you this building, to be
dedicated as a church for the service and worship of Almighty God.
[Then shall the minister request the congregation to stand, while
he repeats the following declaration:]
DECLARATION
Dearly beloved, it is meet and right, as
we learn from the Holy Scriptures, that houses erected for the public worship
of God should be specially set apart and dedicated to religious uses. For
such a dedication we are now assembled. With gratitude, therefore, to Almighty
God, who has signally blessed his servants In their holy enterprise of
erecting this church, we dedicate it to his service, for the reading of
the Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the Word of God, the administration
of the holy sacraments, and for all other exercises of religious worship
and service, according to the Discipline and usages of the Free Methodist
Church.
(Then let the dedicatory prayer be offered.]
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