THE

CHURCHING OF WOMEN.

CHAPTER I.

SUPPOSE a Mother to open these pages, she will appropriately begin by directing her attention to that service, which more immediately applies to herself in her maternal character; and which the Church has provided as a fit form of "Thanksgiving after Childbirth." The service is so admirably adapted to its purpose, that it may profitably be pondered, not only by those who have experienced recent deliverance from the fear of death, but by those also over whom is impending the danger, to acknowledge the divine mercy in delivering from which, the thanksgiving is appointed. For it is the part of sound wisdom and true courage, to prepare for any inevitable trial of our faith and constancy; knowing, as we all do from experience, that the weightier sorrows of life become more oppressive when they fall unexpectedly, and even its lighter trials come with a power not their

own, when aided by surprise'. They, therefore, whose trial as a Mother may be approaching, will find this service an excellent preparative, under God's blessing, for so regulating their feelings, that they may await the event with a holy calm, and a sure trust in the love of their heavenly Father: no doubt of his watchful care adding to their pains; no doubt of his sure presence aggravating their peril. The holy communing to which their meditations lead them, will tend to remove apprehension, strengthen faith, and confirm hope; for it will bear them to the mercy-seat of the ever-present and all powerful Jehovah, who, supreme over all, ruleth all things for our final good. What danger can weaken the faith; what afflictions subdue the spirit which relies on such a God!

But perhaps the reader is some happy Mother, even now about to offer up her "thanksgiving for safe deliverance from the great pain and peril of childbirth." Let us then meditate together upon the service provided by the Church for an occasion so joyful.

1 How true this is, the sin of Peter in denying his Lord is a very instructive proof. The mere fact of being charged by an unarmed female domestic, with being a follower of Christ, would in itself appear a very inadequate cause to produce the effect which followed it. The courage of the Apostle had been tested a few hours previously, and he then, in a most determined spirit had drawn his sword, and risked his life in defence of his Master. Yet that courage quailed, and that spirit sank, when an apparently light trial of his fidelity occurred. Surprise gave it success. He had prepared his mind to meet death. Of contempt, as being to nobler minds worse than death, he had not thought; and throughout, his confidence had been in himself; therefore he fell. So must it ever be with all those who lean to their own understanding, and make not the Lord their stay, and prepare not to meet Him always: whether in life, in death, or in judgment.

The service opens with an address which cannot fail to elevate and cheer the soul; leading the worshipper to give honour where honour is due, for deliverance from her late dangers; and in memory of the past, stilling every rising fear, and allaying every troublous apprehension for the future. Deliverance has been Vouchsafed of the mercy of the Lord!

And is

not his mercy infinite? Your heart overflows with a gladness which bursts forth in grateful praise and thanksgiving. Buoyant with joy at this escape from extremity of peril, your soul longeth to enter the courts of the Lord, and there show forth all his praise, who hath done so great things for you. It is a welcome relief to your overflowing feelings of gratitude to give expression to them. Faith, thus cheered by the merciful goodness of God, instantly gains accession of strength for the fulfilment of your new duties. You, as a Mother, feel this truth. As you clasp the smiling infant to your breast, and remember how evidently it was of God's goodness that you were delivered from the great pain and peril of its birth, you prepare to fulfil all the consequent maternal duties, meet all the anxieties which must attend its future years, watch its welfare, soul and body, unweariedly, firmly, cheerfully; for the same God you know is at hand, to be with you still. He who has been graciously pleased to deliver you and your child from the first danger, is at hand to guard you both through future peril. Cease not then to draw nigh to Him; He will then never be far from thee and to feel the continued presence of a good and merciful God, is to feel that you have alway with you a very present help in the needful time of trouble. Happy the Mother, who, blessed in the birth of her

child, sanctifieth the blessing by receiving it as at the hand of a good God! Thine is no half gratitude. Thy whole soul is thankful. There is no hiding the feeling within the heart! You are anxious to show forth the praise of your God in the great congregation. And here the Church proffers her ready aid. In order that the praises offered may, as we humbly trust, be acceptable before the throne of grace, she directs your part of the service to begin with "Psalms of Thanksgiving"-words of holy inspiration; and most aptly chosen, indicative as they are of that reverence with which, even in our gladness, we should approach the Lord our Maker: thus remembering the apostolical injunction to those whose hearts are filled with joy 2.

Of the two Psalms appointed for this service, each, whilst it supplies the fit language of pious praise, is highly monitory. The one displays very beautifully the feelings of a heart glowing with a vivid recollection of mercies, whilst it impresses most powerfully the necessity of proving by a holy obedience, a grateful sense of the source whence those mercies flowed. The other, by avowing that as all blessings, so the special blessing now vouchsafed is the free gift of a gracious God, leads the mind to a humble but happy dependence upon the giver, to bless the gift. As in the first, there is mingled with the language of thanksgiving the language of a holy obedience, and the soul is animated to exertion on the noble principle of gratitude" What reward shall I give unto the Lord?

-so in the second, being reminded that children are to be received as the gift of God, you are led to feel,

2 James v. 13.

in its full weight, the responsibility which lies upon you rightly to use the gift. You feel your obligation so to train your dear infant in the fear and love of God, that when all the families of the earth shall finally be gathered together for judgment, you may find that none of those loved ones whom God hath given to your nurture here, lose their inheritance hereafter, but rejoice with you and others, the saints in light, when you present them before the throne, as "the children which God hath given you'."

2 Isaiah viii. 18. "Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion." We learn from St. Paul's application of this passage, Heb. viii. 18. that it is to be understood as the triumphant language of the Messiah, who, having conquered sin and death, presented himself before the throne of his Father, justly claiming, for the reward of victory, the souls whom He had redeemed. He is pictured as arraying his faithful in the presence of their reconciled Father. He declares them dear to Him as children, beings of a like nature and of like privileges, and inheritors of his kingdom-" Behold I and the children which God hath given me." Did the hope of these fruits of victory cheer Him during the toils of his warfare—when, having trodden the winepress alone, He returned with dyed garments from Bozrah ?-So you may, surely, with a humble yet hopeful mind, cheer yourself under the difficulties and anxious watchfulness for the souls of your children entrusted to your care. You may joyfully look to that blessed hour, when you also, in rendering up your account, present, safe through faith in Christ Jesus, the souls committed to your charge. What a motive for perseverance now in your maternal duties, is the glorious prospect of this maternal reward then. O! may He, whose grace is here strength to thee, and wisdom, and comfort, hereafter receive to Himself thee and thine, and welcome both thyself and thy children as his own!