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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 32X 1 6 y-»^HBBf«r«iiiw>^--™«Jg^T-'-™" '■"■«■ -^r-T! THE APOSTOLIC RITE OF C<»nfinttrttton. BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF TWO SERIMONS I'llEACIIED BEFORE HIS CONGREGATION, OS SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 18G7, BY T. BEDFORD JONES, M. A., LL. D., (DUBLIN.' Missionary Pricsl of St. Albans Parish, OUawa. Price Six Pence. All i^rofits arising from the Sale of this Edition to ho devoted to the Building Fund of S. Alban's Church (Free Seat), Ottawa. OTTAWA: P K I X T K D BY O . K . D K S n A R A T S 1867. OBBHaa « ,» CON F I R jM a T I O N I THE APOSTOLIC lU TV] 01' <£,imihnu\\m\. BEINC! .ilE SUBSTANCE <>F TWO SElOIoXS i'lJEACHED. BEF'JPvE HIS ('(.tN'iPvE'iATlUX. ox s?,:NI)AV. .iAMARV -21. ISln liY T. BEDFORD .lONES, M. A., LL. D., (DUBLIN.) jlisyiciiary Prli'y.t of Si. AUh'/i.k Pfrl^h, Ollawa. Price Si'' P''ivt\ All profits arising from llie Sale of this Edition to be devoteJ to the Building Fund of S. Albaii"s diurch (Froo Seat), Ottawa. - ■ *■ OTTAWA: i> R 1 N T j: u by . )•: . d k 8 v, a u a t s , 18G7. ■1';) MY BISHOP TIIK RKillT REVEllKND JOHN PRAYERS LEWIS. D. D.. LL. D., Witli the humble h^pe that it may be useful 1)1 O (IKS K ()!•' ONTAino. Wlioi-t' the Anglo-GaHiolic (^Ihurcli. freed from State control, is being restored to primitive discipline and purity, under the wise and godly rule of its Chief I'aslor, supported by a united body of faithful Clergy, ♦ I otter this little treatise, In all respect and atleclion. Scptuagesiraa. 1B(>7. THE AI'O.sTOIJC KITE OF C O X F I R l\ A T I < > X . The (l<)ctriiH> ol' i',;!]!!!^!!!^ iiIkI Lii\ iiii; oii-orii.inil-. IKI'. vi. L'. Wf linvc come, my Bivllireii, lor llic i'\y>\ liiiic, in our new parisli, 1o a soasoii wluMillio Rite of Confirmnlion is about lo be administered. Althonii^li frt)m its frequency — a liajipy improve- ment on l)ygone Jays — people seem now somewhat better informed than hitherto of its nature and its obligations, yet it is obviously the duty of your Minister not to let so important an event in our chureh-proeei'dings j)ass by without the notice it deserves. BcMtles this, it were only what may be expected by those, who, as p;irents of families, are intcresled in the Christian ])roression of the yoimger meml)ers, who, we presume, have been l)roaght up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, as well as by the young persons themselves, some of whom may now be liesilating, and shrinking from coming forward to avo-'v their determination to Ik; for ever the servants and soldiers of the Lord Jksus Christ : it were only, I say, what may be expected from your minister that he should ex})lain the mecming' of the Ordinance, state the authority on wJtich it rests, and enforce its obligations on all icho have not yet been partakers of its benefits. To tliese points may l)e added a few remarks reoardiuii: the differences of its administration in the various branches of the Cattiolic Church. L CoNFiRMATiox is willi us a Rite in which those who have been baptized expressly and publicly dedicate themselves to the p G service of God, in ilu-ir own nain«^s ratifying tiir promises made on their behalf when presented at the baj)tismal Font. They were then admitted to membership in CiiristVs Holy Catholic Chnrch, the outward sign of His inward grace was admi- nistered, and a < s Ilegcncra- (i state of sal- itcred into for idclen, believe has enjoined, upon to renew own months ; id theniseJveii rinance. \\ is nowledginent )n'^e of j)rayer 1 sacred ofliee -it<'i and con- ■ ol' llie Great Ciod's favonr, i'^'nd His child ' continue Hi«- ■e in \i\< Holy imposition of eby confirms l)nrj)oses, in m, I must be hing a duly ! the bounden me, to repent I'e and obey God. With our Anglican church, as distinct from the Greek and Roman communions, tiie design of the Ordinance is to revive the early impressions of religion in the heart, to stir up tin; wills and strengthen the resolutions to live a godly life, and to send forth the young soldier of the cross fully armed for the strife with sin in this evil world. Do not then imagine that l)ecause you decline to come forward, you are at liberty to disobey (iod's commandments and live as you like. Do not imagine that by neglect of this Apostolic Institution you can [)artake of the benefits of Ba})tism without incurring its o])li- gations. Persevere in disregarding these, and Baptism can have no other elleet than that of rising up in judgment iigainst you, and aggravating your final condemnation. Sail you must over till,' storiuy waters of life to a haven of rest or unrest for (!ternity. As you are about being launched from the shallows of childhood into the dej)tlis of an unfathomable and treache- rous ocean, should you not at such a critical time earnestly seek the wise and loving guidance of the Church's master- builders, and rec(Mve the parting l)cnison of the Clnirch pro- 'i.)unced by her chief ollicer, — of that Churcli the very Spouse of Christ, in v/lioni dwells His Spirit, who has fostered all your j)a>i years and taught yon from infancy all (Jod's revealed truths — should you not now dutifully seek her solenm blessing and thus Ix'giu with the b<>st hope of futur(? success ;ind safety your j)erplexin!( and perilous voyn.ge " from death to life, IVoui woe to bliss?" [I. But now what are the groiuKts on /''hick Confirmntioii rest :> a. First of ;dl on the antliorllij of Hohj Script inr. In the Acts of the Ajiosties (cimp. viii) we have th*' following fact recorded : — A large number ol" pr-rsons wen; converted to Christianity in Samaria, by the preaeliing of S. Philip the s !J(!iic(;n, and iViUii Iiis li;;i;cls icccivcd ijnjiiisL;. ()n liii.s being inaflo known io iIh- Aj)o>tics ;i! •Jcru.'^alniii, tln'V iinnicdiately •■(.'lit i\%-(> ol'ilK'Jr Jiiuidicr 1(t lay llic'ir!iand> on iIr- fonvcrls, and pray ilial liicy iuii,''l!l rocrjve liic Holy (dio>l. Vcm obbCivc il. was a sj)t'cial I'linflion of AiJo.-^llc.--, >oni('l!iln'_;- above and beyond ;lie oflicc of a deacon, (o!ie (lualiiied incicly lo iinlicde new •nenibi'is,) iliis laying-on-of-liands. Again (in llic xix. cliaj).) \V!' iind tlial S. i'aul came lo Eplicsus, and i'onnd there certain liscij)!(;.--, of \vl;oui \\v. cntiiiired wheiher llicy litul rec(dved llie lloiy (iiio.'l, cvidcnily l)y ll:e laying-on-of-hands. If lliey had iiol. his intention was to eonaniinicaie th(< blessing himf-clf, having apostolic; raniv'. He sup})osed ll)ey had already been adniiited to the ciiurcM by l!ie iiiilialory rite, for yoii may •veiiieiiiber, wl:en they said in reply to his ([uesiion, thai they had not heard oi' the llo\y (jhost Iia\ing been given to I)elicvcrs in Chri>i,* he asks i]i surprise, " unto v/liai then were ye baj)- nzed:'' And (,)n learning thai il was only as disciples of S. Jolm the liapiist, he eaust.'d tiieiii iirst to be baptixed as Cliris- f.ians, and then he laid hi hands on llu^in, and they received the Holy Ghost. In both these instances, Imposition of hands is closely connected wilh haplism. Here an objection may be raised — was noi all this laying- ')n-oi-hands intendetl lo confer th{> extraordinary and miracu- Jous gifts oC ihe Holy S[)iril : True, we ;y/;///, but ihougli all these Gi^TS, the manifestation of an in-dw(dling Spirit, were in that age granted because in that age necessary, still the Gu.vd: that enlightens, the Grace thai sanclilies, the Grace that '•onsoles Ihe heart, is just as needful now a.-, in ihe days of (he A])oslles. This Grace is given as fully and as co])i()Usly now as it \\'as then ; and from the I'act that miraculous Gifts are ■ • Tlii- i> tiie Inio lucaiiir.i;' of itic ]Hi5snpo. Hcc Conybeaiu ainl Ui.iu>ou [j. 6: E. lis, Pali), and Wordsworiirs Vl. in loc. I) ()n Jhi.s being Jinmcdiately C()nvcil>, and 'oil ob.-c'ivc it vv and bovond vdllaie \\c\Y • Mix. cliaj),) ilici-c certain I received llie If they had ^sing himself, aii-eady hccn for yoH may ;)n, that they ■nto ])ellcvcrs were ye bap- >cil)le.s of S. ixed as Chris- they received !ion (tf hands this lavinii- and miracu- -U though all Spirit, were Liry, still the lie Grace tliat c days of the piously now )iis Gifts are IIo\v>oii L. cV E. •v\-i;.hh(>ld, no good reason can 1)'^ a:->igrj''d wl^y this anei(Uit iiapressive and salniarv il:tc slionid be disconiiniird, or ihat v/e should ct'asc \v, employ a mcr.ns of (iracc in ojxTalion IVom ;'.,e verv earliest drr,s of the Ciirislian Chiiieli. 'liii^ Ai)oslolic oge was indeed an age of miracles, and ('V(MTtliin<^f in the C.'iristian Ordinances ilien parlook of ti;al ciiararici i-lic. Thosi* vej'V acts, most, vital to the life- of (ind in ihe soul, were oiii[)loycd as miraculous agv-ncics. For oxiMupIc, Faith, the r>Tcat mean of our juslihcation, v\-a> to l^e to the cMrly Christians liie instrnnK.'nt of woiking miracles. Wondrous "Si.^ns''' were !,» follow them thai believed, and ;iiey did follow them. Bui burcly, it cannot be said, thai il. was to i;i:ii a-(> alone that Faith was limited, or thai iis sole use was foi- worldng i.iiracles? Why tlien is this argued of Laying-oii-of-hands ? Why should \\e supi)o.>e tlia.t beeausc this Rit(» \\"as ('inployed in communicaiing miracidou- Gifts as v/ell as oidinary but far mor(' valuable Ciraces, that tlierefore it nuist be restric:ted tu the miraculous a^c, while Faith erni)lovcd in. tlie v(>rv san^e v.'ay is by all adnntted to be necessary to the end of time .- It is right also to say, that it is more i!ia!i doubtful, //' nil tiiose on whom hands were laid, did receive extraordinary gifts. St. Paul aslcs, " Are i/// workers of miracles ? have g// the gifts of healing? cio all speak with tongues?" (1 Cor., xii. 29.) Surely this implies that, though all v/ere ili(> reci|)ients of llie graces of the lioly Spirit bostow(.'d !,y the imposition of hands, all were not endowed with the visible gifts of Miracles, of Healing, of Tongues. Those gifted v.a.Me the few among the many. And it was to exalt the ordinary graces comprised in that one word " j.ovk " or " oiahitv," that was " more excel- lent " and more lasting? than anv other "ift however desirable, €ven than faith and hoim:, that the A})ostle writes, wishing to ullay the envy or disappointment of those Christians who had i 10 received none, or only what they eon^^idered inferior visible irifts in uddilion to the onlinary inward graces, tiie eomirion and blessed rew.ird ol' all witliont excej)tion. Tiierc is, however, another ])assa.sj:e of Scripture that I would ask you to connect with the two I have already quoled. Jt !«• that wliicdi I liavi; taken for the texl, (Hebrews vi.) S. Panl here speaks of '' the principle,'^,'''' {i. e. the fundamentals, li^.e (Irst elements) of the doctrine of Christ, and he dech'.res tlx'se elementary truths to be Re|)enlanc(^ and Faith, Baj)tism and the Ijaying-on-of-hands, Resurrection of the dead and Fjernal Judgment. Now, br(;lhrcn, w(? all know how cssenlial 1o any religious system arc its iirst principles : how dependent the safety of the superstructure on the s(jlidity of the foutidation. And can we imagine that one c)l' the Iirst ])rinciple5! of the doctrine of Christ h;is become elh'te and useless, — that any part of the foun- daliiin lias been j)ur[)o5(dy tal-;en aVv'ayr Surely not. Just look at the other things with which Laying-on-of-hands is boruid u)), antl llien say if the Aiiostle speaks of wliat was ever to becnime obsolete. Wlien RKt'KNT.wcK and Faith are cast at iooji is is Ijoiind nj), ever to heetdno ;i^l :;sinii[ ol tlios;' " princijjlcs of tiic orac]''.- orCiofl," which ih^y hiul h(M.Mi laiiL^hl Jong helbrc. liiil there remains one iiiorc (ajnsidcralion, which, 1 think, will place tiie lualler ijcywnd all reasonal)le tloiibt. St. Paul, you may observe, iiR'jilio!i> si.r principles, mid hr arra/igrs these in pairs : Repentance and Faith, 15aptlsni cruf/ Lnying-on-of-hands, Ilcsnv- icction ol' the dead awl Eternal Judgment, It is obvious lliat he make^ this disjxtsii ion because of their nntlual connexion. We all know how clo>ely allied arc Jlcpcntanoc and Faith, how^ l're({ucnlly they are mentioned together in Scripture. \Vc all acknowh'dgi' that the ivcsiurecfiou is preparatory to ihc final Judgment. Is it m)i then but reasonabh; to conclude that the other pair oi principles e.ro also joineil together, because the one is closely connect(Ml with t!ie other? This being unques- tionable, there is no doiilil that llie doctrine oi" Laying-on-of- hands is identical with what we call Confirmation, for this alone of Christian ordinances is closely (connected with Baptism, this alone fuUils the A])ostle's description of a Rite not or advanced and learned disci|)les, umcli less teachers, but for the young, for " babes in Christ." And this seems to have been the very mind of the Iramers of our revised Prayer Book. For when in 1540, the Ollicc was headed simply Confirmation ; in 1604, (when the German or Genevan influence was beinsr shaken off' by our bishops,) the title was altered to "The Order of Confir- mation, or Layin"(.-o.\-oi-1Iands." b. Well, my brethren, let us suj)pose these Scriptural proofs not satisfactory, and that there is still ground for difference of opinion as to th(^. obligation of this ordinance. Is there no way of settling the diiicreiice ? We know how often there is a dis- pute about the meaning of an old legal enactment, and how then we submit the case lo the judges of the law; and how do they decide? JVot by simply interposing their own fiat or eon- u n(;ij)l('s of K'l'oro. ink, will , yon may ii/^ pail's : ]s, Il(>snr- vions llmi on no X ion. aitli, liow Wc all ) the final c lliat the eanse the g nnqnes- ing-on-of- 1, for this 1 Baptism, te not or but for the 2 been the For when ; in 1604, shaken oft' of Confir- ral proofs Ference of re no way 2 is a dis- and how id how do at or con- suiting their own feeling as to the interpretation of the words in the statute, but by enquiring into tin.' judgment of those who have aeled upon the statute v.ver sine;*' it became law. Tliey look into wliat are called j/recedc/ils^ and they decide accord- ingly- Now here is u principle of the Gospel embodied in the prac- tice and set forth in the writings of tlu; holy Apostles 1800 years ago. But after loOO or IGOO hundred years men begin, to dill'er about its aj)plication, some restrict it to the age of miracles, others regard it as a duty and ordinance incumbent on all Christians in all ages. Why not (MKiuire how it was- understood by those iumiediately following the Aj)t)stle< : Most remarkable and unanimous is the testimony of llicse kaklv Fathers as to the general ])ractice !;nd opinions of th'- primi- tive (dmrch. About SO years after St. John llourislied TKKiUM.EAN, an eminent Christian writer. He says plainly enough, that '' after Baptism succeeds La yin^-on-o/-hands, bij solemn prayer calling for and invoking t/ie Holy Spirit, vpon trhich that most blessed Spirit ivilUngly descends upon the bodiei'^ thus sanclijied and blessed.''^ S. Cyfriax, Bishop of Carthage, who lived only 40 or 50 years after him, commenting on the Acts viii. writes : " T/'ie same thing is practised among us ; they who are baptised in the church are presented to its governors, (the bishops,) that bj/ their praj/ers and Laying-on-of-hands they may obtain the Holy Ghost, and. be perfected with the seal of Christ."' In the same century and to the sameeH'ect it is mentioned by S. Ciement of Alexandria, A. D. 200, by Origen, A. D., 210, by Firmilian,. A. D. 250, by Cornelius, A. D. 260. Similar testimony is borne by the great S. Augustine and other illustrious historians of the fourth and fifth centuries. S. Jf.rome, who translated the Scriptures into the then vulgar (the latin) tongne, and died 14 in 420, wi-itrs lliat, " the custom of the ivholc Christian Church has adopted it as a 1aii\ that vhilc persons are tjaptitrd in the inferior toirns hji priests and deacons^ the Bishop travels out to them to lay his hands on them^ and imparts the Holy Spirit.'''' And again, '-'■ thr celebration of this ordinance was conferred upon the Bishops for their honor. If yon ask where, it is written., it is written in the Acts of the Apostks. But if there were no authority Jrom Scripture^ the consent of the whole irorld^ in this particular, irould be equivalent to a law!''' c. And thus down to the days of tlio Reibrrnation, with a difl'enMicc (that I shall presently explain) in its mode of" admin- istration betwet>n the Easteinand Western Churches, was Con- firmation observed. Then we find the celebrated Calvix, usually so violent in opposition to every custom, good or bad, that he believed peculiar to Rome, and who would have, if pos- sible, set down Confirmation as a suj)erstition, (for the obvious reason, thai it could be administered only by the Episcopal order, which, in his revolutionary scheme of government he was forced to forego,) we find, I say, Calvin, declaring in his comment on Hcb. chap, vi., that this one passage^ (on which wc have been dwelling,) was abundantly sufficient to prove that the rile derived its origin from the Apostles. The Reformer Beza held the same view. LuTHKR, as is well known, retained Confirmation, and this Rite is still practised by that large body of Protestants, called Lutherans, at the present day. Indeed, before receiving any civil appointment in Prussia and Denmark, it is necessary to pro- duce a certificate of Confirmation. 1 might quote the opinions of our own most learned Bishops of the IGlli and 17th centuries and many others of highest authority in the Anglican Church, but time will not permit, and I nmst bring to an end this part of the subject, by stating lo i testimony of Dr Coleman, an eminent Minister of the Congregational body, is so remarkable that I must quote his language" : "The confession of the name of Christ among us, is very lame, and will be so, until the discipline ivhirdi Christ has ordained be restored, and the Rite of Conftrmation be recovered to its first use and solemnity. It is not enough that ■ you have been baptized and had a Christian education, and have given your attendance on the public worship of Christ, but you are to say that you stand to your baptism, and take that vow upon you, and confirm and ratify all that was done by your parents in the solemn duty of devoting you to God. This is no novelty, innovation, or unnecessary solemnity, as some call every thing which does not agree with the custom of their country or Church, but it is an imitation of the ancient and apostolical order., and an establishment altogether suited to the nature of the Christian religion." 1() OiIh'T siiiiihir Irstiinony inii^'lu l-c given to iilmost any rxtt'iit' SiK'.h, my brctlnv-n, is tli<; authority ol' Ilohj Scripture In rci^anl to Confirmation. Such is the testimony ol" the Church in every a^e, and sueh are the opinions of the best-informec] men ol' her opponmls in modern chiys. How reasonable and how proper it is for those baptized in infancy to recognize the Vow made on their hehalf openly before the Church. I deem it unnecessary to j)rove. Hut this I may just observe, that if any person he admitted t(j a Society, proposed as it were by two or mornt' kriplure in the Church ^sl-inlbniKHl sonablc ani} cognize tlie cli. [ (Iccr.i , that if any wv.xv. by twi) spcctahility, 10 he nnable ship, but vol '(its ))ossible nan ot" honc/r tiiiiily, avow at hf is one y tlic Chnreii lile wc have Konie. We L' Holy Scrip- ion (Iocs not brclh](;n, and c been guilty leld innocent he mediieval s thenisedves le against the us to discard blessing on y, that many r, do not see the stupidity fi' thi'< course, and wouhi have nothing ictained or revived in the Cliiuch, however ancient, adniir.able, and useful it can l)e provcij to be, !)•■( ausc the (jhin-ch of Home or some uiodcM-n non-confoiining sect lias had tlu? v/isdoni to keep it or adopt it, whih' we have had ihr folly or the ![ii>|nr- tune to U)se it, or to neglect it for a tiiuc. HI. Enough, 1 trust, has l)een said 1o make ihc aiithoriiv on which the Uil(M'ests plain and satisfactory. Let ine now proccn! to inquire what adrantn'Jic.s may b«.' expected to follow its (iiie observance. * Fir>t of all, (ui incrvusvd s/iiipli/ of ^racc to enable young C'hristians to fulfil the engagements into which ihev have entered, — p^racv diriclhj ini/iurtfd bt/ fh'' Ilohj (/hosl. Yon may asiv, wdll th(! imposition of the Hishoi>'s hands of ilsell' sceiirc this blessing ; does the Holy Ghosi, descend at his mere will .- No, brethren, certainly not. Tuk blkssixc; is kho.m (ion, as the institution for convf-yinic it is from Flim. The Bishop is only God's insiriimeiii, :uid in hiins' If has no power lo do le-s ay more than God in His mercy will-^. \o (lonl)t the Lord's will is. that through this \{\\v oi' His own appointment (for we l)"Iieve that it is still the very ^nmc as t!ia1 j)ractise(l by the Aposiles, taught of the Lord the Head of the Church, and blesstd l)y Him) the [foly (Jliost shall descend upon His faithful servant^. No doubt it is the; Lord's will that when the Hishoi)'s hands are ])laced upon a head, beneath which throbs a heart broken anci contrite, a heart, like J^avid's, thirsting after (lod, full of faith and love rmd strong desire to be like and to be with the livinir God, then the Apostolic benediction will not be without gra- cious eflect in the soid. Ves, if God has generaUi/ promised His Holy Spirit to those that ask Jlim^ we cannot believe that observance of this Ordinance, sjiecially aj)pointed for invoking the favor and assistance of tlie Holy Ghost, will 1)0 in vain. 1 1 Jiirr. MM- -•!' >|)irilu;il vitality, and the ar-siirancr of (iod's ^M'a- rioiH IkIj) limy well iollow due compliance with this Kite. Our Ilciivciilv Father always waits to ho 'gracious, and when in His Presence, hcl'orc His A|)o>tolic ainbassador and the assoiiihlv of ClirisliaiM, wc devote ourselves, body, soul and spiril, all we have and all we are, to His service, we cannot entertain a doiihl hui that He will accept the reasonable and well-pleasing oU'erini,'. Here we iiinst have Mij)ccial cncouragc- iiipnt tor reliance on the love and prot(!ction of Him who has -aid : '' / lore Ihnii t/uil Ijir Me, and those, that seek Me early shall find Mvr (Prov. viii. 17.) Hut besides lhi>, taking lower i;round, laaij not so solemn an enn'a^eincnt exercise a salutarij injlncnce over tlic co?iduet all through life .' INIost uiKiuestiouably. When tempted to yield !o the seductions of an evil Heart, an evil World, an evil vSpirit, will not the memory of this engagement fortify against tempta- tion? Will it not constantly strenglhcu the heart to reincinber how boily and soid have been (Milistcd in the service of Christ .Jksus, our Lord, aiul all the lif(; dedicated to His glory? Will it not give tenfold force to the (jueslioii, — '' How can I do this ureal v'iekcdness and sinagahtst God ! — How can 1 sin against Jiiat (lod to Whom I bt)und myself l)y a pledge so binding and on an occasion so allecting ; — that CJod Who has been so gra- ciou-, adopting me into His family, and condesccmding to make a covenant even with me ; — that God Whose [ am and Whom 1 serve, and Whose all-seeing eye marks every deed, every word, • every thought !" My l)rethren, I know from ministerial experience, that the memory of this Ordinance has thus been a most beneficial, I •might say, a most magical monitor. Pardon my (juoting the words of a dear young friend, a parishioner of mine in bygone years, words thai I deemed worthy of preservation at the Ume : — . 11) '• I olten tliinU wlial a privilciiji' aiul fonilort it is lo be allowed lo address (Jod as our Fatlirr and as One who knows all srcrcts and motives IVoin whicii our actions spriny;; and Clirist, as a High Priest and n Saviour Who kno vs our infuiuitit^s and eau pity and support us and intereede lor us in all dafigers and necessities. Sometimes 1 think I could give up all, even lile itself, for Jksis my Saviour, VVlio, I know, is always near me, and W/iom I mt'ore I luonld serve and love all the dai/s of luy life when I was conjlrmedy Do not such words show what a deep and lasting impression is madi^ on the tender heart of a voung Christian in this sacred Ordinance? IV. And now, in closing, permit me first to address a few- words to those who have been already confirmed. My dear brethren, whether old or young, I would exhort you, at such recurring seasons, to examine how far you have kept in mind vour obliii^ations and i)romises. If these have been neglected, humble yourselves because of that negligence. Reflect on the jx'culiar guilt incurred, seek pardon through the all-atoning Hlood of Christ, and pray for the renewal of your hearts by the Holy Spirit unto obedience!. Do this, I beseech you, while through Him access may yet be had to the Father's throne of grace. And even if in some measurt; these obligations have been fulfilled, 1 would still exhort you to remember with sorrow and humility, how scanty is that measure, and to make this a season of ])rayer for grace to walk more worthily of the high vocation wherewith you are called. Oh, never fancy that you can have too much grace, never forget thataW your sulUciency is of God. Enemies still encompass you on every side, and it is only in the name of the I^ord you can destroy them. In weak- ness, remember, is your strength made perfect. Day and night in body and soul, you must commit yourselves as implicitly and unreservedly to God now, as on that solemn occasion. C) * 20 when in the presence of (lod and tlie assembled Chureli, you boldly and openly ratilied your baptismal vows, and once for all (the occasion, you know, will never come; again) prof<'ssed yourselves the loyal and iaithfnl servants and soldiers of Jesus Christ, and promised v/lth the help of the Spirit's grace, to walk in his laws, obey Ms conunands, and love Him truly all the days of yonr life. To all who have not yet been confirmed among my congre- gation, I would make an earnest request, that they would con- sider the various points to which I have to-day called attention. You, my brethren, may thus])e enabled to appreciate the nature of this Rite, its importance and its advantages. If you are shrinking timidly from the public ratification, 1 would spy a word of encouragement. The evil Spirit of Antichri.4 it is that prompts and fosters your backwardness. Let him not beguile you. God has adapted dillerent means of grace to the different stages of your progress, and if you fail to use these means, you cannot expect to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. Perhaps some of you may fancy, or others may tell you, you are tor> young for such a soleum duty. Are you too young to be assaulted by the temj)tations of the world, the /lesli or the devil.-' Will you run the risk of losing, by delay, your present lenderness of conscience, your pr(>sent hungering and thirst- ing aft<'r righteousness, and thus of having your heart more. and more alienated from God by filling it with love for the vices and the vanities of the world, — a world lying in wicked- ness } On the other hand do not imagine you are too old to derive a blessing from this ordinance. It is one of the means of grace in Christ's Holy Church, and if you are not too old to avail your- selves of other means, and obtain their advantages, why doubt that a blessing does not await attendance upon this also .- But i I rc-li, you oiicc for )rulV'8«ied vl' Jesus grace, to truly all congre- >u]d con- ittt'iition. ic nature you arc uld spy a iri.'t it is lini not [wv to the use these he Spirit, you, you young to esli or tiie nr j)r<'sent nd thirst- cart more. ,(' for the n wicked- o (leri\(^ a s of grace ivail your- vhy doubt lIso? But 21 if you arc old, and yourselves slight this Rile of Confirmation, oh, keep not l)a(dv tlie young. Think of those bless<'d words : " Sujfer the little children to come into Me, and forbid them noty Hear the command of the Saviour, " Feed my lambs,''' and S. Paul's exhortation to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.'''' Hear finally the exjilicit direction of your wise mother church : " Ve are to take care that this child he brought to the Bishop to be confirmed t)y him.'''' Oh, if you be true Christian parents and loyal churchmen who have sought in earnest prayer that you should be faithful stewards of the charge committed to you by God, you will not cherish discour- aging counsels, but you will endeavour to make your children always feel that they are indeed privileged members of Christ's Holy Catholic Church. You will remind them constantly of their responsibilities as such, and thus keep their feet in that pure and undefiled faith to which they were solemnly pledged ; day by day strengthening them with spiritual food by all private and public means of grace, so that they may be at last fit for the due reception of those holy Mysteries, the most alFecting proof of a Saviour's precious love, ordained for our great and endless comfort. Alas, too many parents expose their children to the inlluences of error both in doctrine and living, — leave them a prey to the subtile seductions of vice and infidelity, of heresy and schism, — teach them by example as well as by foolish counsel, to regard with indifference early habits of evil, so lasting, so terrible in their consequences, and to look on the glorious promises of Christ the Son of God to His Church and His children as empty delusions. But for all these things God will call them to judgment. To you, my dear young friends, who have resolved to come forward, and nobly confess before men that you are, and intend for ever more to be, the soldiers of the Cross, the faithful dis- ciples of the LoKD Jksus, it is not needful at present to say more. 1 shall have frequent opportunities of speaking to you in the classes now forming. But, my brethren, we may all of u^, people and priest, unite in ottering in In-halfof these young Christians the prayer of the holy Apostle : that " the Fatheh OF OUR Lord Jesus Chhist, of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, mail o^rant them acconlinn- to the riches of His g/uri/, to l)e strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man -—that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith, that (hey l)cinii: rooted and grounded in love, may compre- hend with all saints what is the length and breadth, and depth ami height ; and to know the love of Christ that passelh know- ledge, that they may he filed with all the fatness of God. A\o xow I NTO Him who is abi.e to do exceeding abun- DANTI-Y ABOVE AM, THAT WE ASK OH THINK, ACCORDING TO' THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US ; UnTO HiM BE GLORY IN THE Church bv C II HIST JKSUS throuhout ali^ ages, WORED WITHOUT END. AmEN.'*' '.ijl M iljfal dis- ;ay more, a in the all of uf*. ^c young : Father family in n^' to the ^is Spirit hearts by y compre- atid dcpih -elh knmv- d. \« ABUN- RDIXG TO' GLORY IX LLT:. AGES, ^c{« A P P K N 1) 1 X .• Ori'^inallv, ?'• ('-, ^^ l^"' *<-'coiid ccntnvy, Imposition ok 1Iani,'s followed at once on I>a|)tisni. This is clearly stated by all the earliest Christian writers. It was sonicnimes called "tuk Skai/" and " THE Chrism"! or '' the U.vction." Indeed it was only in media'val or modern days that the rite was named C'oNtiR- MATioN. This designation is not found in any of lh(; fn'st Greek or Latin Christian writers. The ordinary word used by the Creek Fatheis is c/t/-/6'//i eiiuivaiont to the Latin w«(7fV),>i, and refers to the grace of the Holy Spirit bestowed on the catechu- men, of which oil was the- symbol. As of old, so still our own Sovereiijns have oil poured on their heads at coronation, willt this signification, and as each new Christian is at his initi ition consecrated for ever a king and pri(.'st to Cod, so in the early church this symbol of spiritual grace and bejiedietion was designed to teach that each disciple of Christ was *' the anulnteci of the Lord." Tlui word chrivn is thai employed by the Apos- tle John in his llrst epistle, (chap. li. 20,) '' Ve have an NHctton from the IIolv One." And l)y S. Paul, (> Cor. i. 21,) " II<.' a which hath anoinlcd us is (iod, who hath also sealed iis an t the earliest Chri'-:iar. writer after the Ajjostles, TtuluUian, mentions the act of aiioint- ing as accompanying the laying-on-of-hands, and says it v.-a- of primitive discipline, [dc priHliiid disciplind,) practised by the very lirst Christians. It is tliercfon; certain that the use of an -*Tliis was preached as an intrutliiflory part ol' llie second sermon, liut is no-.v j. ;i -c^l in its present position, as Ie<-5 interliiiinj,' with llie euntmnily of t!ie discourse. \ Ciiiiscn is a composition oC oil and balm, blessed bv tlie bislmp, still rctaine.: .n t:ie administration liy both the Ciredc and Roman Commnnions. but its use has bce;i discon- tiinted iiv all lli'* relo!in»il catlioii' '.Mj.lfs. i 21 nnf^ucril was iiilioJuccd ;U a v(>ry early ))f'ri()d, and many most cininent divines, l)Otli of ancirnt and modem times, consider ;!iat lli(! iwo ))assages abovt; (juoled imply it--? existence and cmployinent in the days of, and l)y the Apostles. All, however, iliat is stated in the Acts, is, that the p^'difi of the Holy Ghost came with the simple imposition of hands, and the Reformers in oar (.'hurch adopted the view, that oil was an unnecessary adjunct. Another name generally employed for the Kite was the Seal ; it heini( the seal and consmnmation of baptismal grace, and )f th ihc scriptural autlionty lor this rests on that, passage ol me apostle's second epistle to the Corinthians already quoted, where scaling; hi/ the Spirit is joined to the anoinliHg- by God. In his letter to the Ephesians he similarly says : " In whom, after ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Pro- mise, and again in the same Epistle " The Holy Spirit of God whereby ye arc sealed unto the daV of redemption." (Ejdies. i. 13., iv. 30.) It was the opinion of the illustrious St. Augus- tine, that both these passages refer to the Laying-on-of-hands. Following ancient custom, and using still the same old Avords in their language, the Greek Church has preserved this mode of administration for which she asserts the authority of Scripture. The priest immediately after the baptism of the infant, and the prayer of thanUsgiving for Regeneration, similar to our own, anoints the child with the holy chrism, and says: *• The Seal of the Holt/ Ghost. Amen.'' Von may ask, how is it that a priest or presbyter and not a i)ishop administers confirmation, which beyond all (juestion, is a violation of the Apostolic and primitive practice. This at once brings us to the dillerenccs in the the time of its receptioii bij the baptized in the various branches of the church. In the primitive age, as I have said, and up to the ninth cen- '.■> 1 M 2J |ny most lonsidcr ICC and lowcvcr, Ghost Irmcrs in |c{!cs8ary e Seal ; ace, and e of the quoted, by God. n whom, t of Pro- it of God Ej)hes. i. t. Augus- -hands. same old L?rvcd this ithority of ■m of the >n, similar imd says : tmd not a lestion, is This at ' receplio7i ninlh cen- tury, there was no cxci'ption 1o ihc rule of \\\v whole Calholic Church, in regard to the Imposilion-of-hands I'lninedt'alcly follow- ing the baptism of a convert or a child. It was then cuislomary for almost all baptisms to take place on one of the ihree great Festivals of Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost or Whitsunday. Tile catechumens and children were assembled in souk; cathe- drai or convenient j)lace, and robed in while were baptized by the presbyters in presence of the liishop. lie llieii invoked tiie Holy Spirit and laid his hands on their heads. By degrees as missionary priests and deacons were sent forth, and gathered in converts to tlu; faith, old and yoinig had to Ix; often bap- tized where were no cathedrals and no bishops, and without wailing for the Festivals, Therefore there were two courses open in regard to the time of Confirmation. I'Vither the right to confirm uuisl be given to an inferior order or the bajitized nmst wail until the Bishop could come to lay-on-hands. The East(M-n (thurches, luiwisely and unsciiplurally, as we think, chost; the former course. They gave the presbyter authority to confirm or lay-on-hands, r(>sevving to the liishop the composition and consecration of the chrism, with which the Kite was administered. The Western churches decided to defer the reception of iIk; rite, wliicth was left, a.s Ix'fore, exclu- sively in the power and office of a liishop. Beyond all doubt this was the Apostolic and primitive usage. This is proved by the authority of Scripture", and the whole weight of early Chris- tian testimony. (See S. Jerome's statement.) Accordingly, in all the West, the two ceremonies, Bai)tism and Confirmation, once and for so louijf a time, closely united, bc'came altosfether separated, and at last the Church of Rome raised the latter to the dignity of a distinct Sacrament of equal honor with the two only " Sacraments of the Ciospeiy (Art. xxv.) Besides this innova- tion, she has abandoned th.e most Ai)os1olie part of th(> whole Hi i 26 Crromony, ihc laying-on-ol-liands, and makes use only of tie Chrism, which it is doubtful the Apostles ever employed. Here a<'ain was a })lain forsaking of well anthenticated primitive practice. To this, in all things, onr Anglican Church, at tb.c Reformation, strove to return. Indeed, there seem to have betm Iwo grcmd g-iddiug principles of the noble and wise haulers in that great movement. In all their formularies and by all their changes, they endeavoured to establish the primitive usA(iE of the Church and the edification of her children. And this v/iJI v to a few seeming inconsistencies, for it is clear that th(> usages of the people of the East in the 2nd or 3rd cen- tury would somelimes not lend to the edification of the ])eop]e of England in the IGlh or 17l!i. Our ReforuuMs, therefore, rejected the Roman view and mod<^ of Confirmation as having " grown out of a corrupt following of the Apostles," (Art. x\v.) and at llie same time refused to r(n'('rt to the ancient ))raclise of making Connrmalion an integral part or men; supple- ment of the Sacrament of Ba))tism wilh the Greek Church. She does not deny that there !■< a SacramenfrU grace l)estowed, yet she does not honor the Rite with a nam(> res(>rvetl for thos(> Iv.'o high and holy means of grace " ordained by Christ Him- self." As a Scriptural, Apostolic and ancient Ordinance of the Christian Church, slie observes it, (mt discards every adjunct that can possibly lead to superstition. She k'eeps stei> dily in view tlie edificatio!i of her m(Mubers, and puts aside all that will not teud directly to this great result. Therefore, she delays the laying-on-of-hands, not UKU'ely until seven years or so after Baptism (as in the llomiin Church) but until the child " can render an account of its faith," (Prayer Book 1G04) and is come \o years of discretion, (P. Book 1GG2), until it is in the posilion of an ahdt convert^ well instructed in the first principles of the (Christian rellirion, and after full encjulry, ■ 27 y ol" t]:e 1. Here riinitive :it, tlic vc l)(>('n (lers in II tlioir JSAGE cf his \vi]l is clear 3rd con- ' people lier(>foro, s having h" (An. ' aneionl "- snpple- icli. She we(], yel lose two St Him- rdi nance lIs every eps slea- aside all fore, slic years or the child G04) and il it is in tile (irst enciniry, resolved, of his or her own free will and accord, 1o continue in that l)l<'ssed service lo which die infant was sohnnnly pledged ii: liol^ Baptism. While die Kite is dms conij)lemental to that first Sacrament, it is also introductory to tiu; second. '•'• None are to he admitted to the Holji Commioiion u)itil thvij have been confirmed or are read// and desirous of hciasi; con- firmed.'*'' " VV(^ may consider it," as an admiral)le writer* on the subject observes, "as a Jink hetween the two Sacraments, jnst(>a(i of part of either, with a backward glance of thankful- ness and acceptance^ at the Sacrament of liaptism, and an onward glance of introduction to the Sacrament of the Lord's Su})j)er — that Sacrament which is henceforth to l)e with us It) strengthen and su[)i)oit us in the wear and tear, the burden and turmoil, the dangers and temptations of the responsible life on wliieh we are now entering." And therefore, in thesis days our Bishoj)s usually require the Lord's Supper to he ccdebrated on the very day of Confirmation ; and they earnestly hope that while in the Sacramental Presence of Christ, and with the reception of His most blessed Body and Blood, the dedication of body and soul is completed in the heart and accepted in heaven, that all the highest privileges of Christ's Holy Catholic ('hurch, the panoply from her spiritual armoury, are at the same time imparted to the young brave and faithful soldier of the Cross. So may it be to each one of them among oursidvf^s. =*J.S. Blunt. ' ~ It may prove of interest lo btate, that t lie first prayer in llic Oilice ol Confirmation is over 1,300 years old, being- found in tlie JSacranientary of tielasius (A. D. 492) Aviiencc comes also the '■' Prayer for Clergy and people" in our Mornins and Ev. Prayer, The English Church laid aside Chrism, it is thought, from the example ol Hermann, Archbishop of Cologne, a great friend of IMelancthon. Proceedings were taken against him Ibr favouring the Keformation, and he was obliged eventually to retire from liis See. The Protestant Episcopal Church in the ITnited Slates has taken the '^anie view, and follows the same practice as the Anglican. •JS in ,|,c Scand.nav.an K,. pal Ci„.rcI.o. Coniir.nafon ... ,o.nu,ec nl ou.l. nu.cl a' Id iVon. ..s prin.,.,vc charaOu. Afto,- two ....Uurios ,t was adopted by the 1 efo nned C^^ .,ic..o,nLn,ons. It i., n. these l>od,es, ad.nnistered a outthe a.e o> fourteen a lon,s U, the dice of the M.us.r. In S.-./,.., say. Mr. >«ew,and, .u lorest sLes' ''an.aa would lose his character at onee, and would be .hunned by h,s acnua.ntanee a, a hopeless reprobate, ,f he neglee.ed Confirmation or the Lord's Supper. Few oillcos can be held by ...■.•ouliruied people, or by those who are not con.mun.cants, and the lesislaturo is only the interpreter ol piiblio opinion.'; - Haptism .nust be performed on every ehild « ,thin eight days after birth, under pain ol c,va penall.es to the parents ne^^leet.ns: this rite. Conf.rn.ation takes place on exam.- nation, about the age of fourteen, at the hand, of the I\uuUter, in p.-esenee of the co.j- ..re-ation The Lo.-d's 8,.pper .uusl be continually partaken of as one indispensable quahllcalion for the enjovmeni ol civil rights and privileges. Disprove the part.c.paUoii daring the previous year in the cn^e of any individual, and his evidence in a Court of Justice is rejected." Dohn's Ecclesiastical Encyelopaxlia. See also Pratt's Letters on the Scandinavian Churches. A 1 ••'.> THE END. hoimii iiuicli ;he lleforiiied ! of fourteen, d, ill ' Forest III n lied by his ord's Supper. )iiiiiiunicants, h, under pain ;ce on exaiiii- ;e of lllC 0011- indispcnsable ( pnrlicipation in a Court of ,'s Letters on