Anglican Church in Corea:
Being Documents, original and translated, issued by Authority during the Episcopate of the First Bishop of the Church of England in Corea between 1889 and 1905
by C. J. Corfe, Bishop

Whilst the Enquirer, with his sponsor, is standing in the doorway of the Church the Sponsor turning to the Minister says;--

N. desires to become a Catechumen.

Minister. Whoso would enter the Church of Christ must worship only one God in Three Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; must renounce all idols and evil spirits; be chaste; sincere; temperate and diligent in working for his livelihood. He must be in charity with all men and be ready to help such as are in misfortune and need of compassion. He must say prayers every day in private and frequently go to Church to take part in public worship.

I therefore demand

Are you determined wholly to put away idols, evil spirits and sorcery and to serve and worship only one God the Creator and Preserver of heaven and earth?

I am.

Are you determined to refrain from drunkenness, cease from gluttony and wholly to put away impure actions and thoughts?

I am.

Are you determined to cease from anger and quarreling and putting away covetousness speak the truth with your neighbours?

I am.

Are you determined faithfully to learn the doctrine and daily to act in accordance with its teaching?

I am so determined.

O Almighty God Who hast revealed to mankind Thy truth, that they who are in error may be brought back into the way of righteousness, we pray Thee to look upon this Thy servant who is entering Christ's Holy Church, that he may be enabled to abstain from the deeds which are contrary to it and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

N. Since you hope, with God's help, by a careful study and practice of the Doctrine, to receive baptism and to serve Him in His Church to your life's end, I admit you as a Catechumen.

(The Minister gives him a cross and says) Receive this Cross and think often of our Lord Jesus Christ who suffered and died on the Cross for you. And further, you are henceforth to wear it and always remember to follow Christ.

"Wash you, make you clean, Saith the Lord! put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes! Cease to do evil! learn to do well."

V. After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared

R. According to this Mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Almighty God we pray Thee to behold this Catechumen that, forsaking all evil spirits and superstitions, he may, with his whole heart, believe in Thee the One God! and using all diligence to be instructed in Thy Holy Word he may have that word clearly revealed to him; and afterwards being born again in Baptism he may be freed from his sins and be filled with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift up the light of His Countenance upon you and give you His Grace. The Lord look upon you and give you His peace now and ever. Amen.

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