Laying a Corner-Stone.

490. FORM FOR LAYING THE CORNERSTONE OF A CHURCH.

The Minister, standing near the place where the stone is to be laid, shall say unto the Congregation,

DEARLY BELOVED, We are taught in the word of God, that, although the heaven of heavens cannot contain the Eternal One, much less the walls of temples made with hands, yet his delight is ever with the sons of men, and that wherever two or three are gathered in his name, there is he in the midst of them. And in all ages his servants have separated certain places for his worship: as Jacob erected a stone in Bethel for God's house; as Moses made a tabernacle in the desert; as Solomon builded a temple for the Lord, which he filled with the glory of his presence before all the people. We are now assembled to lay the cornerstone of a new house for the worship of

the God of our fathers. Let us not doubt that he will favorably approve our godly purpose, and let us now devoutly unite in singing his praise, and in prayer for his blessing on this our undertaking.

Let one of the hymns 959–963 be sung.
Then shall the Minister say,—

Let us pray.

Most glorious God, the heaven is thy throne and the earth is thy footstool; what house then can be builded for thee, or where is the place of thy rest? Yet, blessed be thy name, O Lord God, that it hath pleased thee to have thy habitation among the sons of men, and to dwell in the midst of the assembly of the saints upon the earth. And now, especially, we render thanks unto thy holy name that it hath pleased thee to put it into the hearts of thy servants to erect in this place a house for thỷ worship. We thank thee for thy grace which has inclined them to contribute of their substance for the glory of thy name: and we pray thee to continue thy blessing upon their pious undertaking. Amen.

May many unite with them in their

holy work, until this habitation of thy house shall be completed, and ready for. dedication to thy service, free from all debt or claim of man. Amen.

May peace and harmony prevail in the counsels of thy servants, and may no selfish or divided aims find place among them. May the work of this building be completed without hurt or accident to any person. And when thou shalt have prospered the work of their hands upon them, and this house shall be prepared. and finished for thy service, grant that all who shall enjoy the benefit of this pious work may show forth their thankfulness by making a right use of it, to the glory of thy blessed name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant that all who shall hereafter worship thee in the temple here to be builded, may so serve and please thee in all holy exercises of godliness, that in the end they may come to that temple on high, even to the holy places made. without hands, whose builder and maker is God. Amen.

Hear us, O Lord, for thou art our God in whom we trust. And when we shall cease to pray unto thee on earth, may

we, with all those who in like manner have erected such places to thy name, and with all thy saints and redeemed ones, eternally praise thee for all thy goodness vouchsafed unto us here on earth and laid up for us there in heaven. Amen.

Accept these our prayers, we beseech thee, for the sake of thy dear Son; and to thee, the only true and living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be honor, praise, and glory, for ever and ever Amen.

Then shall the Minister read the following Psacm, or the Minister and people may read it in alternate verses; the parts in italics to be read by the people.

Psalm cxxxii.

Lord, remember David, and all his afflictious:

How he sware unto the Lord and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,

Until I find out a place for the Lord,

A habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteous

ness;

And let thy saints shout for joy.

For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it;

Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

This is my rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salva tion: