Form of Receiving Members Into the Church

Dearly beloved, I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant unto these persons his most mighty protection in this world, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Almighty and everlasting God, we give thee hearty thanks, that thou hast been pleased to incline these thy servants to seek forgiveness of sins and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Strengthen them continually, O Lord, by thy merciful help, and with the comforts of thy Holy Spirit. Plentifully endue them with the spirit of wisdom and understanding—of knowledge and true godliness; and may they abound more and more in all usefulness and holy living, until called to reign with thee in thy everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Well-beloved, you have heard how the Congregation hath prayed that God the Father would vouchsafe to give you his heavenly grace and benediction. Wherefore, it behooveth you to declare your purpose, in view of the solemn covenant you are now entering upon, and to answer, as in the presence of God, the questions that follow:

Question. Do you earnestly desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from your sins?
Answer. I do, the Lord being my helper. Amen.

Question. Do you renounce the world, with all its vanities, together with all sinful practices, so that you will not follow or be led by them?
Answer. I solemnly renounce them all, the Lord being my helper. Amen.

Question. Do you promise to conform to the usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South?
Answer. I do, the Lord being my helper. Amen.

Question. And will you diligently and prayerfully strive to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life?
Answer. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being my helper. Amen.

Question. Have you been baptized?
Answer. I have.

Forasmuch as you have taken upon yourselves these solemn vows, I now pronounce you members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and I do hereby commend you to her confidence and Christian fellowship, and to the gracious protection and guidance of God.

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we make our humble supplication for these thy servants, who have given themselves in holy consecration to thee and thy Church. Guide them, O Lord, by thy Holy Spirit, defend them by thy grace, and lead them into all knowledge and obedience of thy will. Sanctify and govern both their minds and hearts, and bring them finally to reign with thee in thy everlasting kingdom, through him who hath loved us and washed us in his own blood; who, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is worthy to receive all honor and glory, both now and for ever. Amen.