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called Thine Angels to preside over the congregations of Thy saints, Thou ordainest others also to be fellows in their priesthood, and helpers in their work as the teachers of Thy people and the shepherds of Thy flock, although in place subordinate, and subject to their office. And like as, in the Church in the wilderness, Thou didst take of the Spirit which was upon Moses, and didst put it upon the Seventy given to aid him in the government of the multitude; and like as Thou didst give Eleazar and Ithamar to partake of their father's office, that through the ministry of all the priests the holy work of Thy sanctuary might be fulfilled; and like as, by Thy providence, Thou didst add to the Apostles of Thy Son companions, teachers of the Faith, through whose labours Thine Apostles were enabled to fill the world with the preaching of Thy Gospel, and to minister Thy holy mysteries unto Thine Elect: so hast Thou at this time also, O Lord, magnified Thy Name in pitying our infirmity, and hast added unto us these our brethren, ordaining them by Thy gracious operation and according to Thy good pleasure, that they may help in the sacred ministry of Thy Church.

Therefore we magnify and praise Thee, mighty God, &c.

In the Prayer of Oblation (after Consecration).

present to Thee our prayers. Espe cially commending unto Thee these Thy servants whom, in fulfilment of Thy call, we have now dedicated unto Thy service in the priesthood. O Thou, who art the Author of all sanctity, who alone dost truly consecrate and fully bless; Send down upon them Thy blessing, we beseech Thee; that they may keep the gift of their ministry, now committed unto

them, pure and undefiled; and persevering in love unfeigned may stand before the Lord, when He cometh to take account of His servants, unblameable and unreproveable, steadfast in faith, and filled with the Holy Ghost.

R. Amen.

¶ The newly-ordained shall receive the Communion before the other Priests, and shall be preferred in fulfilling such duties as may be required in the Administration of the Communion.

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The Communion Anthem.

EHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is:
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that
ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard:
That went down to the skirts of his garments:
As the dew of Hermon:

And as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:

For there the Lord commanded the blessing:
Even life for evermore.

¶ Additional Post-Communion Prayer.

RANT, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that the seal

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of Thy divine sacrament may be effectual to confirm and strengthen in us Thy heavenly grace; and that we, who have partaken of this life-giving meat, may always bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in us. Hear us, we beseech Thee, for the sake of the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, O Father, and with the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. R. Amen.

Form of Receiving one of the Sir

Elders of a Church.

¶ The Angel shall commence and proceed with the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

The Gloria in Excelsis shall be sung.

T The Collect.

LORD JESU CHRIST, who by the Holy Ghost ordainest over Thy people those that may feed the Church which

Thou hast purchased with Thine own blood; Send down Thy blessing, we beseech Thee, upon all who are hallowed to the priestly office, and especially upon those who bear rule in Thy house. Increase in them continually Thy spiritual gifts, replenish them with the truth of Thy holy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life; that they may stand unblameable before Thine altar, ministering Thy gospel, and sanctifying Thy people with the word of grace and the consolations of Thy good Spirit; Who livest and reignest, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. R. Amen.

The Epistle [1 Tim. v. 17-21].

The Anthem after the Epistle, as at the Ordination of Priests, (p. 173), but without Hallelujah.

The Gospel [Matt. xviii. 15–20].

¶ After the Gospel, the Elders shall come up to the Angel in the sanctuary, and the Angel shall direct the Elder who is to be received to approach. The two senior Priests, not Elders, shall present him, and they shall kneel at the foot of the sanctuary. The Angel shall direct that the letter of authority (for setting him that is to be received in the place of Elder) be read; after which he shall address him to the following effect:

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ELOVED brother,

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You have been chosen to take part in the oversight of this flock, as one of the Elders and rulers of the Church; and although we have already ascertained your willingness to take upon yourself this charge and obligation, yet for the assurance of this people I call upon you to testify and declare the same in their presence.

I therefore demand,—

Art thou willing to take upon thyself the charge and duty of one of the Six Elders of this Church? R. I am willing.

Wilt thou be merciful and just to the people committed to thy charge, and obedient and helpful to the Angel, diligent in thy duty, and faithful in thy counsel, remembering that faithful Elders are the girdle of strength unto the Angel?

R. I promise to be merciful and just, obedient and helpful, diligent and faithful.

Then the Angel shall address the Church to the
following effect:

EARLY beloved,

DEARLY

Ye have heard the vow and engagement

which our brother on his part hath taken; and I now call upon you to rise in token of your purpose to love, honour, and obey him in the Lord, as one having rule over you.

¶Then the people shall rise: after a short pause, the Angel shall say,

hearts these good resolutions, enable you severally to fulfil the same, to the glory of His holy Name, and the edifying of His Church. R. Amen.

A

Let us pray.

LMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, who for the blessing of Thy household dost appoint over them faithful and wise servants, who shall give them their meat in due season, and shall watch for their souls as they that must give account; Look down upon us in Thy tender compassion, and seal with Thy blessing the work of our hands. Grant unto this Thy servant, that he may abide faithful and steadfast, fulfilling the work of faith and labour of love which Thou givest him to do: and may all Thy people committed to his charge receive through him, as Thine ordained instrument, the grace of that ministry, which in Thy Name we commit unto him; that so we may all of Thy mercy be accepted of Thee, and finally be received to Thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, O Father, and with the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. R. Amen.

T The Angel shall then lay his hands on the head of the Elder, and shall say,

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