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other the holy and divinely instituted relation of pastor and flock, I pronounce and declare that A. B. is hereby duly constituted and installed pastor of this church of Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The right hand of fellowship should here be extended to the newly installed pastor, by some minister previously designated for that purpose.

A brief hymn may then be sung, and a charge given to the newly installed pastor, by some minister previously designated for that purpose.

Another charge should be given to the congregation, by a minister previously designated; and the services may close by singing, prayer, and the benediction.

It is highly becoming, after the solemnity of the installation, for the heads of families of the congregation, who are then present, or at least the officers of the church, to come forward to their pastor, and give him their right hand, in token of cordial reception and affectionate regard.

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CHAPTER XIII.

BENEDICTION.

HE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

May grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, rest upon and be with us all, evermore. Amen.

Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Heb. xii. 20, 21.

Amen.

May the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that have suffered a while, make you perye fect, establish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet. v. 10

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the

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THE MINISTER'S POCKET RITUAL.

love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.-2 Cor. xiii. 14.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.-Rom. xv. 13.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.-Rom. xvi. 24.

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 2 Cor. i. 2.

PART SECOND.

SUGGESTIONS TO YOUNG MINISTERS IN REGARD TO MARRIAGES, BAPTISMS, THE VISITATION OF THE SICK, FUNERALS, &C.

CHAPTER I.

LAWS RESPECTING MARRIAGE.

THE Marriage Covenant is both a civil and religious contract; but so far as the laws of the several States are concerned, it is regarded in its civil aspects only, except so far as ministers of the gospel are recognized in its solemnization.

The local laws of the several States differ, somewhat, in minor particulars, and should therefore be understood to some extent by the ministers of each State respectively, to avoid the consummation of illegal marriages, and the consequent liability to exposure and trouble. And yet, while the laws of the several States may differ, their general requirements are the same; so that the requirements of the statute of the State of New York, for instance, may serve as a general guide in any State of the Union.

1. Marriage may be solemnized by ministers of the gospel and priests of every denomination; mayors, recorders, and aldermen, of cities; judges of county courts, and justices of the peace. But

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so far as the validity of the marriage contract is concerned, an agreement by two persons, before witnesses, to take each other as husband and wife, and living together as such, constitutes a legal marriage.

2. Ministers must marry according to the forms or customs of their denomination, but a civil magistrate can use any form he pleases, only that the parties declare in his presence, and in the presence of at least one other witness, that they take each other as husband and wife. But if a denomination have a published ritual or marriage ceremony, and yet ministers are in the habit of using any other form they please, (as is the case in the Methodist E. Church,) then to use the service which pleases the administrator best, is to marry "according to the customs" of the denomination, and is therefore in accordance with the law.

3. The full names and residences of the parties and of the witness or witnesses should be ascertained and entered in a church record kept for that purpose. Every minister should also keep a full private record of all marriages, baptisms, and funerals, at which he officiates. Such a record will become more and more valuable to him as he advances in years, and is often of the highest importance, both in civil and in criminal investigation. We advise every young minister, therefore, to keep a full private record of all the marriages he solemnizes. In fact this is required by law.

4. A certificate need not be given unless requested; but when given, the law requires that it shall specify "the names and places of residence of the parties married, and that they were known to such minister or magistrate, or were satisfactorily proved by the oath of a person known to him, to be the person described in such certificate, and that he had ascertained that they were of sufficient age to contract marriage. The name and place of

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