07-Order For Ordination Deacons

ORDER FOR THE ORDINATION OF DEACONS.

[ The Deacons elect standing before the congregation, the minister shall say:], AND in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the He brews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the multitude; and they 68 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. 59 chose Stephen, a man lull of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch; whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Acts 6:1-6

Likewise, Paul teaches Timothy that the Deacons must be grave, not double-tongued, lot given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a Deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave; not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a Deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The members of this church, being met together with invocation of the Holy Ghost, have chosen these persons to the office of Deacon.

Before they are set apart to this sacred of 60 MANUAL OF FORMS. lice let them and the people whom they are to serve make answer to the following questions, Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

Dr you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures? Do you approve of the government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in these United States? Do you accept the office of Deacon in this congregation, and promise faithfully to per form all the duties thereof? Do you promise to study the peace, unity and purity of the Church?

[ The Deacons having answered these questions in the affirmative, the minister shall address to (he members of the church the follmmny question:\ Do you, the members of this church, ac knowledge and receive these brethren as Deacons, and do you promise to yield them all that honor, encouragement and co-operation in the Lord to which their office, ac cording to the word of God and the constitution of this church, entitles them?

ORDINATION OF DEACONS. 61 [ The members shall assent by holding up their right hands.

[Then (the Deacons elect devoutly kneeling) the minista thatt ordain them.], PKAYEB, Lord Jesus, who, although thou wert rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through thy poverty might become rich, set apart and consecrate these thy servants to the office of Deacon. Give them thine own spirit of sympathy with all human needs and suffering, and of holy, self-denying ser vice in behalf of those who suffer and are in want. Guide them in their ministry of love until their work on earth is done; then grant that they may inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for them before the foundation of the world. AMEN.

CHARGE, 1 charge you, brethren now ordained Deacons, and you, brethren into whose service and ministry of Christian benevolence they have entered, that you so study the Holy Scriptures as to learn thoroughly the purpose of Christ and your own duty with regard to the poor of the flock. As he represented us before God on the cross and in so he has appointed the poor t 62 MANUAL OF FORMS. represent himself in our offices of sympathy and benevolent service on earth. Then shall the King say unto them on the right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was ahungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me hi; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Give all diligence, brethren, that you may worthily discharge this most sacred duty, and that you may attain to this most to be desired of all the benedictions of our loving Lord.

PRAYER.

Almighty God, who by thy divine providence hast appointed various offices in thy Church, and didst inspire thy disciples in the first age to choose to the office of Deacon Stephen the first martyr, mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the like office and administration. Replenish them OEDINAT10IS OF DEACONS. 63

BO with the truth of thy doctrine, with zeal for thy glory and with holy sympathy for the poor of thy flock, and so adorn them with innocency of life, that both by word, by example and by benevolent ministrations they may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy Name and the edification of thy Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. AMEN.