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FORM OF PRAYER TO BE USED AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF St Peter's Church, COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE. SEPTEMBER 5th A. D. 1860.
The Bishop with the Clergy, the Wardens and Vestrymen of the Parish shall go up, in procession, to the place where the Church is to be erected, repeating the following
Psalm. 1. I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the house of the Lord. 2. Our feet shall stand in thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3. Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity in itself. 4. For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5. For there is the seat of Judgment, even the seat of the house of David. 6. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. 7. Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces. 8. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will wish thee prosperity. 9. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do thee good. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
The Bishop, standing near the corner-stone, shall say: Christian Brethren, - It is decent, and proper, and agreeable to the precepts and examples of Holy Writ, that in all our doings we should beseech Almighty God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, to direct us with his most gracious favor, and to further us with his continual help. Especially therefore, when we are now assembled to commence a house which is to be set apart to his honor and service, and in which his holy name is to be worshipped, and his word and sacraments to be proclaimed and celebrated, by the ministry whom he hath commissioned, let us humbly and devoutly supplicate his assistance, protection, and blessing.
Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. AMEN.
Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Direct 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 is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. AMEN.
Then notice shall be given of deposites made in the stone.
Then the corner-stone being laid in its place, the Bishop shall say: Our help is in the name of the Lord; ANS. Who hath made heaven and earth. BP. Except the Lord build the house, their labor is but lost that build it.
Then the Bishop, striking the stone three times with a hammer, shall say: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. I lay the cornerstone of an edifice to be here erected by the name of ST. PETER'S CHURCH, and to be devoted to the service of Almighty God, in its doctrines, ministry, liturgy, rites, and usages.
Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ; who is God over all, blessed for evermore; and in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. AMEN.
BP. O Lord, open thou our lips; ANS. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. BP. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; ANS. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. BP. Praise ye the Lord. ANS. The Lord's name be praised.
