loved  the  ancient  customs  ;  and  his  prayer  for  the  benediction  of
the  font  ofl'ers  a  beautiful  devotional  commentary  upon  the  sub-
ject.    It  is  as  follow.^! : —

"  Our  Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus,  Who  was  baptized  of
John  in  Jordan,  Who  walked  upon  the  waters,  Who  converted
water  into  wine.  Who  out  of  His  precious  side  shed  forth  blood
and  water,  the  two  sacraments  of  life  unto  His  holy  Church,  and
commanded  His  disciples  to  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them
with  water  in  the  Name  of  the  Father,  of  the  Son,  and  of  tlie
Holy  Ghost :  He  bless  and  sanctify  by  His  Holy  Spirit  this
water,  that  it  may  be  instrumental  and  effective  of  grace,  of
pardon,  and  sanctification.  Hear  us,  0  most  gracious  God,  that
whosoever  shall  be  baptized  in  this  water  may  be  renewed  by
Thy  grace,  justified  by  Thy  mercy,  sanctified  by  Thy  Spirit,  pre-
served by  Thy  Providence,  and  guided  by  Thy  Word :  that  in
this  water,  springing  ft-om  the  Paradise  of  God,  the  soul  {or,
souls]  presented  unto  Thee  may  be  cleansed  and  purified,  and
that  there  may  be  added  to  Thy  Church  daily  such  as  shall  be
eaved  in  tlie  day  of  Tl)y  glorious  appearing,  O  blessed  Lord  and
Saviour  Jesus.     Amen."

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  benediction  of  the  water  for
Baptism  is  of  a  very  different  nature  fi'om  the  benediction  of  the
elements  with  our  Lord's  own  words  in  the  Holy  Eucharist.  In
the  former  case  the  blessing  simply  sets  it  apart  for  a  very  holy
use,  and  etl'eets  no  sacramental  change  in  the  clement.  Tlie  rite
is  not  (so  far  as  we  know)  of  our  Lord's  institution,  nor  did  He
ever  use  such  words  respecting  water  as  He  used  respecting  the
Eucharistio  elements.
