SECTION VII.

FORM OF LAYING THE CORNER-STONE

OF A CHURCH.

At the time and place of laying the corner-stone, let the minister cause a suitable hymn to be sung (e. g. 780, 781, or 782). Then shall the minister say: Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, thou art infinite in all thy perfections, and marvelous in all thy works. Thou hast made the world and all things therein; and seeing that thou art Lord of heaven and earth, thou dwellest not in temples made with hands: thou art a Spirit, and art worshiped in spirit and in truth, in all places of thy dominion; yet we thank thee that thou dost allow us to build houses for thy service, wherein thy people may attend upon thee without distraction. We bless thy holy name for putting it

s of thy people to build s place, for thy worship. thee to inspire us with may both have a mind and may successfully acMay neither ad

vil occurrent hinder this ay the good hand of our us, that in due time we orth the head-stone with se. May this sanctuary, eted, long remain a house all people, where incense red unto thy name, and a 5, and thy word and ordibe duly administered, acby the influences of the t. Here may multitudes gain, and be nurtured in

and piety; so that they epared, in the kingdom of

kingdom of thy glory. We are unworthy, O Lord, through our manifold. sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord: by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it