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catechism was all that he conceived would be required. I endeavoured to impress serious conviction upon his conscience; but could only obtain a promise, that he would turn the matter over in his mind. Some slight impressions however were made by repeated conversations. As the time drew near, I endeavoured to bring his mind to a crisis. He told me, that he was willing to be confirmed; to which I replied—' I am glad to hear it, if it be really true that you wish to confirm your baptismal vow, and really to renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh. But you must understand the meaning and seriousness of this determination. Confirmation is a promise you are going to make-or rather to renew-to God. You are

going to promise great things,—things, which, if you perform them, will make the world wonder. You are going to promise the great, holy, heart-searching God, that you will, from this time forth, for ever renounce, forsake, and abhor the devil and all his works; sin of every kind, of every degree, whatever your conscience tells you to be wrong; and that you will resist with all your might whatever temptations have hitherto overcome you. These are great things for you to promise.' 'I doubt,' (said he) 'I am not fit I had rather not go.' Not at present taking notice of his hesitation, I proceeded- You are in the world from morning to night; Satan puts every temptation in your way-sin, the neglect of God, the neglect of his word and prayer; your companions draw you as far as they can from every serious thought about your soul, your Saviour, or eternity. Now you are going to promise, that, when you meet them to-morrow, you will strive against them as far as you can; and, if they will not hear you, that you will turn away from them. This is a

part of the meaning of Confirmation. Is this your meaning?' 'I think,' (said he) I had better not go.' I do not wholly discourage you from going. If you can go without telling a falsehood, it will be a blessing to you. But to profess and promise to God in his own house what you do not mean to perform, would be the most wicked falsehood you could utter. Did you know that it meant all this?' Nothing near so much.' 'Now' (said I) I do not wish to frighten you, but it is so dreadful to go blind-folded, and ignorant of the promise you are about to make. In your business you never promise in this thoughtless way; and this is by far the most serious business you ever took in hand.' Yes indeed, I begin to see

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it is; and I think I had better give it up.' 'I do not recommend you to give it up to-night. You have not yet asked God to teach you. He is waiting for the first turn of your heart to him, if you will but seek him. Let me show you in the parable of the prodigal a picture of God's love and readiness to welcome you.' He listened with considerable attention, and at length said—I should like to go; but I think I had better not, if I am not fit.' · I think so. Only remember, that unfitness for Confirmation is unfitness for death. And how awful to be called into eternity in this state of unfitness ! How awful to be growing more unfit every day by neglecting these things! Do not despise this precious gift. It is worth all that you have in the world-it is the pearl of great price-worth ten thousand worlds, you had them to buy it.' Yes, but it is such a very strict thing.' And you must expect to find You never can be religious without a hard struggle. Could you bear what the world will say? to have all your old companions joining the laugh

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against you?' He gave me no answer, and I continued-Let me tell you, how much happier a thing it is to serve God than to run after the world : at least let me persuade you to make the trial. God has more to give you than the world; and if you will but ask him-" he giveth liberally and upbraideth not." Now have you really ever asked him?' 'I think I have prayed lately; but, I doubt, not with all my heart.' I continued my instructions at some length. His conscience was evidently under the temporary power of conviction; but he could not make up his mind to the cost. The chains of sin and Satan were too strong to be broken by such faint and unproductive convictions.

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E. F. was a child in the Sunday School, evidently under the influence of Divine grace at the period of Confirmation. Happily for herself, she was not gifted with fluency of utterance; but the little that was elicited by patient questioning bore upon it the genuine stamp of the language of the heart. • How do you feel about being confirmed, now the time is come?' 'Not, by a great deal, as I could wish.' 'I suppose you feel it a great thing to do: would you wish not to be confirmed? No-I wish to serve God.' And what good do you expect it will do 'None at all, except I go with a true heart.' · What does Confirmation mean?' The giving up of the heart to God.' 'But were you not given up to God soon after you were born?' 'Yes, when I was baptized.' Then why do you want to be confirmed?' To give up myself to God.' It will cost you a good deal there is so much to be given up first. Would you give your heart wholly to God?' 'I will try.' 'Is there nothing in the world that you love so well as God?' I do not think there is.' • But do

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think that you can ever perform these great things that you are going to promise?'Not without God's help.' But to whom does God give his help?' To them that ask him.' But what hope have you of God's help?' Because he has promised.' 'And what made God promise it to you?' Because Jesus Christ died for sinners.' Now you are going to promise to renounce all that the devil, the world, and your own wicked heart tempt you against following the word of God; which of these three do you find to be the hardest? I think I find my heart the greatest trouble.' And how do you expect to overcome ? ' By faith, by believing in Jesus Christ so as to love him.' What are the Articles of the Christian faith?' All that the Bible tells me of Jesus Christ.' • And do you really believe all that you read about him?' I hope I do, but not enough.' Do you believe in him, so as to try to seek him?' I hope I do, but not enough I wish I did.' What do you think of God's commandments: do you think you can keep them?' By God's grace I will try: I find them very comfortable.'-There was not much enlargement of mind, but sufficient to mark the guidance of the Spirit of truth. Monosyllables however, that in many instances betoken no more than a cold and unmeaning assent, in her case evidenced at once the timidity of her character, and the sincerity of her profession.

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We have only to remark the importance of sealing Confirmation engagements at the Sacramental Table; not in all cases as a necessary and immediate consequent, but as connected with a due preparation, and a competent judgment of Christian intelligence and sincerity. Nothing indeed can be more injudicious or more injurious, than the precipitation, with which

young persons, immediately after Confirmation, are hurried to the Lord's table; as if all scrutiny of the sincerity of their profession, and all intelligent preparation for that solemn ordinance, might readily be dispensed with. Where their consciences are not benumbed in formality or indifference, this rash decision of treatment has usually issued in a heartless profession of religion, characterized by indolent unavailing regret. Not indeed that we would wilfully err on the other extreme, and expect every thing to be quite satisfactory-"We wish their perfection," but we must not wait for it; nor should we debar them in almost the lowest gradation of sincerity (for what more than sincerity had the Apostles at the original institution of the ordinance?) from an ordinance, which, by fixing them in communion with the Christian church, is most helpful to their establishment in the profession of the Gospel.1

CHAPTER V.

SACRAMENTAL INSTRUCTION.

THE dispensation of the Sacraments must be considered as one of the most important parts of our Ministry. The blessings of the Gospel, which in the preaching of the Gospel are promiscuously offered to believers, are here sealed to each severally by a personal

1 The admission of the young, of a satisfactory character, to the Lord's table is sanctioned by many eminent Ministers. Most interesting details will be found in Philip Henry's Life, pp. 11, 84, 195. Comp. also Scott's Life, pp. 619, 620. For their especial use the Writer ventures to recommend a Catechism by Rev. J. Bickersteth, as eminently simple, intelligent, and spiritual.

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