77. BEFORE THE CHILD ATTAINS TO HOLY BAPTISM

Gracious and loving God, thou who art the true father of all having the name of children in heaven and on earth. In true humility of heart I appear before thee, and present my new born child. O merciful God! receive the gift which comes from thee as thy child in holy baptism, let it be thy child, screen and preserve it. Jesus, thou hast said, suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not. Behold I bring thee my child this day, give it thy Holy Ghost and let him regenerate it with the water and with spirit, let him sanctify and govern it, and fill its heart with faith and heavenly light. Let it grow to thy honor, and give me grace to rear it in thy fear and admonition. O my God, I give thee this child to be thine; heavenly father, I lay it into the arms of thy mercy; O keep and preserve it. I resign it to thee, O Jesus! Wash it with thy holy blood, conceal it in thy wounds against all the power of Satan. I commend it to thee, most precious Holy Ghost. I give it into thy keeping. Sanctify it wholly, that its spirit, body, and soul may be kept blameless to the day of Jesus Christ. THE MOTHER PREPARES FOR HER CHURCHING.

WHEN THE CHILD HAS RECEIVED THE RITE OF HOLY BAPTISM.

O God, let this day be the day of my child's covenant, bliss, and regeneration, and grant that it be always mindful thereof, and that I may often recall the day to its recollection. Let it never break this covenant, nor fall from the state of regeneration, but abide in constancy and sanctification even unto the end, when thou wilt receive it into eternal joys as thy child and heir. Ye people who have been baptized and know your God, by the name of Jesus Christ, remember well how much good was bestowed on you in holy baptism. The Mother prepares for her Churching.

EXHORTATION.

When God has safely preserved a mother for six weeks, restored her powers, protected her and her child from harm, and enabled her to take her churching, should not her mouth be full of joy, and praise God thankfully and with fervor? THE MOTHER PREPARES FOR HER CHURCHING. 97

1. She must consider how weak and feeble she lay in her bed, and also how God revived her strength, and made her able to go abroad in health and safety. 2. She must be mindful of the severe illnesses of other women in childbed, which have sometimes even proved fatal. If God enabled her to escape all this, the word of thanks must not be neglected. 3. If her child is at the same time in the enjoyment of good health she has a double reason to appreciate this great instance of the divine favor. 4. Her churching must be attended with a devout frame of mind, a grateful heart, and eloquent lips.

5. She must then offer up her prayers and thanks, praise God, commend herself and her child to God, receive the benediction, and be for ever mindful of the goodness of God thus made manifest in her. How shall I recompense the Lord for all his benefits? Yea, the Lord hath done great things in me, thereof I am glad. Gracious and powerful God! I am about to hold my churching, to thank thee in thy temple for the merciful aid THE MOTHER PREPARES FOR HER CHURCHING.

and strong assistance thou hast extended unto me. Lord God, thou hast happily delivered me, preserved my life, enabled me joyfully to look upon thy child. Thou hast preserved me for these six weeks, defended me from harm, given me back my sunken powers, and enabled me to approach thy temple in health and strength. Thank the Lord for he is of great goodness, and his mercy endureth for ever. In my trouble I called upon the Lord, and the Lord heard me and comforted me. The Lord is my power, my song, and my salvation. Lord, I thank thee for having preserved my life in labor; I thank thee for having given me back my strength; I thank thee that by thy aid I may now hold my churching, and thank thee in thy temple for all thy benefits! O Lord, accept the faint offering of praise from my lips. Give thy blessing to this my churching, increase my strength from day to day, let my child grow to thy honor. This day I bring thee a pair of turtle doves, my grateful heart, and my adoring tongue. Do not despise the offering! I bring thee the perfect sacrifice of redemption, the blood and death of Jesus in the true faith. Therewith do thou cleanse and purify me. I again offer thee my child, as I have already done in holy baptism. Be to it a father, guardian, patron, preserver and gracious God. Continue to spread the wings of thy grace THE MOTHER PREPARES FOR HER CHURCHING.

ver me and my child; let us walk before thee, and praise thy name. Grant that I may ever be mindful of this favor, so that in faith, piety, and the fear of God, I may persevere, and bring up my child therein. Give thy holy Ghost unto me and my children; let him enlighten, sanctify guide, and direct us on an even path, until I and my child shall enter into thy glory in the new

Jerusalem, where thou thyself art the light and the sun. While I live here I will praise the

Lord for ever; great good has he done unto me, more than I can tell. He has helped me everywhere, particularly at this time has he alone averted evil. Amen.

1. God has heard my prayer, and given

Gladness to my bounding heart

What I wished with anxious longing,

His great mercy did impart.

Now my mind is penetrated

With thy goodness, and elated;

He afflicts, but at the last

With delight 'tis all o'ercast.

2. God has heard my prayer, converted

All my weeping into bliss.

On this day of joy and gladness

Further sorrow comes amiss.

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All my tears are turned to laughter,

All the world is changed, as after

Nights of tempest and of storm,

Come the sunbeams, fresh and warm.

3. God has heard my prayer, in labor,

When I screamed in agony,

He turned toward me and addressed me

"I am here; rely on me,

I am here, I will deliver;

Thee disaster shall not shiver."

And when thus thy voice was heard,

I was near thee, undeterred.

4. God has heard my prayer. Come with me.

Let us all his praise proclaim;

All we need he richly giveth,

Come and bless his holy name.

He regards with gentle favor,

All who make for him endeavor,

And in trouble bids us cheer,

Saying "I am ever near"

5. God has heard my prayer; believe me

Whosoever thou mayest be,

He is sure to those that trust him,

As I now have learned to see.

He can screen and he can cover,

He can o'er our weakness hover;

He can stretch his mighty hand,

And deliver all the land.

THE GODLY MOTHER THANKS GOD.