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THE CEREMONY OF 
 
 / 
 
 \'6 
 
 CONFIRMATION 
 
 Ab I'RACTISED BY 
 
 Eitt isn0lf»ti ®fmrcD, 
 
 TRIKD BY 
 
 THE WORD OF GOD: 
 
 » ! 
 
 ■<S 
 
 ' ;. I 
 
 IN \ 
 
 !»., f. ' 
 
 '■f'^ 
 
 ..'>. 
 
 .^V^* 
 
 LETTER TO THE R E V. J. G. G E U D E S, 
 
 EPISCOPAL MINISTEK, UAM1LT0^, 
 
 BY DAVID DYER, 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER 
 
 TORONTO ; 
 
 E. L E » S L I E <k, IS O IN S. 
 
 ItiUe. 
 
THE CEREMONY OF 
 
 CONFIRMATION, 
 
 &c. Ac. &c. 
 
 renlure o la ,. quo.tion the existence of a scriptural authority 
 ?or ho «rem„„y of confirmation, as practised in the church 
 of w hlch^^ou are a n.inlster. Yet a paranwunt sense of July 
 conTpelsn^e to address son-o thoughts to you jn releronce to 
 it hroush the medlun. of the press ; especially as ll e cere- 
 1 n/ha! been so lately attended to in this >o«n. "l-ere. .. 
 Ihe providence of God, we are respectively called to exorcise 
 
 ""HatylT.ldeed.should I havofelt.to Have been relieved of 
 this dmy by the non-existence of this rite in the Church o 
 Eni-land. It is, however, not only ^a»hoi, but much zea 
 ^Sd in bribing forward candidate, f«; •';. »"f ,^V"b 
 Imnnriaitce is attached lo Is celebration, ihat till it has Deci> 
 •uCded 0, no one, however eminently pious and devoted to 
 God is «»o«ed to obey the Saviour's command, by par- 
 
 •'%;V,'7ee^:2rori'Wo..l:-'.i»>- 
 
 srnt7cor::L^'z;rro::':s^ 
 
 wScoincSLswilh .he word of God, -an intention 1 know 
 
 ''t^i^ooHi^rTrtrdofine c„nfirmat-.n to b^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 on of hands, for the conveyance of the "» ^ ^^«''' " ■j^'^.^,^ 
 which iiersons, arriv, d at years of discretion, "f «' »^» "" 
 
 porfoinianco of the baptismal v""' ""'f,";',^ ,■",„! u* 
 
 lr,i.nsars " Now, sir, let us examine whollier Ihis soluiiniiy 
 
 m anvsanction in the word of God : for .»js Jehovah, 'to 
 
 has any »»""'»" ,„.,..„„ jj ,i,ey speak not according to lliia 
 
 the law and 10 tno testimony, u "'<-j i • ;, 
 
 word, it is bicaoso there Is no light in them. H.'" 1 '"h '« 
 
 ^lata. wo look through the Holy Scripture., we do not find a 
 that as wo looR . K j ^^^ ^.^^^^^ conininnded or 
 
 "".fclTlTi'e-' Ci^.-.: who alone ha. » /-.b!"-- -t", 
 L., and enforce observance, m hi. Church. T""' "'=™» 
 plk:..ly acknowledged in iho aSlli article of Ihe Ei.gli.!. 
 
 J 
 
 1 
 
 ^ 
 
 % 
 
; 
 
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 Church; which says: "Those five commonly called sacrnmwH 
 fin the Romish Church,) confirmation, penance, «rders, ma- 
 Irimony. and extreme unction, arc nol to he counted sncra- 
 ments of the Gospel ; being such as have gto^^' n partli,- oj the 
 corrupt following of the Apostles; partly are state* ot lile 
 allowed in the Swiptures, hut yet have not like naiiue ot 
 Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper; for ihat 
 they are not any visible sign or ceremony ordained by God. 
 That this rite was not ordained by Christ, is ■ position rvhich 
 will not, then, bo questioned ; hut do you suppose ihat i it 
 really possessed the importance ascribed to it by the Lnglislt 
 Church, which leaches us that it conveys the Holy Ghost, and 
 that its observance is essential to the proper participation ct 
 the Lord's Supper, the Saviour would lit^ve passed it by in 
 silence? Such a supposition would bo contrary to his us^ual 
 pracli.e, for he gave explicit directions respecting the profes- 
 sion of his name, and the qualification for admission to h.s 
 
 Church. , . , f 
 
 I'erhaps you will say, though there may be nc evidence ot 
 this ceremony being instituted by Jesus Ch:ist, yet i* is clear 
 that the word confirm is of. n used in the New Irstament, 
 especiallv in the Acts of the Apostles. This I admit, and 
 answer, "that it is found as frequently in the Oiu. Isaiah 
 employs it, saying, '» Strengii.eii yo the weak hands, and 
 confirm the feeble knees; say to them tlKit are ol a fearlul 
 heart, be strong, fear not." Noiwitl.standing this, I. suppose 
 vou will agree with me that confirmjlion termed no part at 
 tho Jewish Ritual. Judging, therefore, from the wh^ie tenor 
 of Scripture, there can be notliing adduced in iavor ot this 
 rit« from tho frequent use of ihc word confirm, lur wo every 
 where find that its meaning as given by Cruuen (no mean 
 authority) is correct, namely, "to st.ei.othon, settle, or estab- 
 lish. to give an assurance of the iri.th or certmnfy of any 
 thing." Confirmation is the work of the tloly Spirit ; hcnco 
 said Peter, "The God of all grace conhrm and strengthen 
 you." He confirmelh as th« author and eflkient cause ot 
 iirength; tho word, ordinances, and ministers, conhrm as 
 instruments or helps. To I'num.rato passtigos is unnecessary ; 
 if you will examine fully, ywu uill, I b.;lieve, perceive that 
 thorc U nothi:;g in the freiiucnt use of the word conhrm, to 
 favor the ceremoif; under consideration. 
 
 I will ni»w proceed to iho i xaminafion (d' those [)assagcs 
 which arc usually adduced in piuof of the M:ripuiial auihoniy 
 for the performance of this ceremony, though I fee that it 
 must be apoarent to its advocat<v|, notwiihsianding the im- 
 portance w'liich they attacli to it. tif t there is good rea-.on to 
 Inspect a mismn- eption of the Apostles' words and actions in 
 this particular, from tho fact that Jesus Clnislneiilu^^r snd nor 
 did nny (hing io onforco or sancliaQ such a nlc. l-s't .:**. us 
 examine \h<^ pnssnges which are said t(» show its authenli^Hiy. 
 
I bcliovo ilie iiiincipal passage is Acts 8, 14-17. N»«; 
 Ivlun The Anos !os wl icb w. rt. at Jerusntein, heard ll..it Sa- 
 nar h haJ r -ceired the word of God, they sent unto tliein 
 p': aifd J^n: who, «he„ .'1-y -^ "SLtrry^/aTVct 
 for .h,..n,. that they •''•'gl'>.7--;X^;i^y ^ ' \^/t 
 ij had fallen upon "-'-f , 'f ■^•;: Ji^'^. Ln i,U upon 
 
 :d':xXri^o'r.«t^^^^^^^^^ «'l-^ 
 
 :„1 as llraUnVthe sick-casting out u„o,eansp,„ts-^^^^^^^^ 
 
 in other tongues, &c.; g.fts which S'" »"'''« '°'^;_;';;»^ 
 whom we read in the eighteenth verse, wished to purcndse 
 vi.l "no,«v that h„ might gratify his earn.l, selfish and anr- 
 bit ous dcXe . You will p'rceive that the only tlnng in this 
 nasaectha bears any similarity to the ceremony of confirm- 
 ation is the laying on of hand^ which act affords no precedent, 
 dectio'n justification for the practice of your Bishops m 
 
 -.KoTsult, unless they, like the Apoa.esliav^te power 
 of imnariinff miraculous gifts; but though they proless to uo 
 1 eg tinii successors of those divinely -l''-^"-- -;• 
 vet they do not pret.nd that by the laying on of hand», they 
 ca. bestow si^lit to the blind-hearing to the deal-strength 
 ?o he weak-life to the dead-or ability to speak w'l' »< '" 
 tonVuer if so, it would be generous, huniano and highly 
 Snc I'l fo liem occasionally to visit the abodes ol the 
 St eased infirm, and dving, together with <>- -leges and 
 schools beslowinr their miraculous endowments, .md com- 
 :^^^Z ha py recipients of these "n nnat.on «wors 
 ,0 go forth on similar beneficial errands. Ult 'h.^ J <-l-"» 
 all power of this kind. Such being the case, 1 w-'^'' ; ^^_ 
 vou in the language of a>. excellent winer, "since they make 
 rVret'nsions to , ho effects which followed the layiug on ot 
 "he Apostles' hands, why do we see them with such solemn 
 lip practice the ceremony 1 1 1 is replie.l tlia they profe s, 
 i; fh. administration of this rite, to communicate only lui 
 ordinarv gifts of the spirit ; as an t piscopal.an writer ha, 
 ^llt n,ed»i»«!y Ihe ordinunj gif::>! Then why do they pio- 
 iL HI communicate the oriinary inlluencs ol the sp'nt end 
 what are Hiesol v-hv, sud, n, are ..■.finitely more supe. oi - 
 nfin tolv more suhli- iie and vahiahle than those which nre 
 d nated rMraordinar^. The enlightening ""f -;;;;''f>,.;"8 
 
 ;„rt„., „f ,h„ sniril-tho cifts of spiritual light, ttid life, 
 
 a.,dlove,'and holiness, infinitely exceed in value, an ubihiy to 
 
 ■ UUdulpb. 
 
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I 
 
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 speak with tongues, a f.iiili that can r 'move moiintnins, a 
 power to cast out devils, to lionl .ill manner of disoases, or 
 even to raise the dead. It is to be remembered, however, 
 that when it is said that by the laying on of the Apostles' 
 hands, the Holy Ghost was given, we arc not to understand, 
 the illuminating and sanctifying graces of the Holy Ghost; 
 these the Apostles never did, nor never could dispense; but 
 the extraordinary gifts of tho Holy Ghost, and a power to 
 work miracles. The case then stands thus between tha 
 Apostles and the Bishops: the Apostles imparted gifts by tho 
 laying on of Irands which modern Bishops do not pretend to 
 bestow ; and modern Bishops by the same act profess to im- 
 
 t;art gifts which the Apostles did not presume to bestow. 
 Jlessed Episcopacy indeed, if it carries with it such gifts! 
 But how foolish and wild is the claim, if neither Scripiuro 
 nor reason lend it the least support I And why should tho 
 world be amused, and infidels have such occasion to scoff, by 
 tbe use of a solemn ceremony, for the conferring of those gifts 
 which no mort'd man ever had power to bestow? The age is 
 critical and discerning; for the honor of the Christian name, 
 therefore, and the digniiy of Christian Bishops, all claiiris 
 not founded on Scripture or reason, and all offices and rites 
 not evidently supported by them, s-hould bo entirely and 
 promptly relinquished." t 
 
 But should you reject my assumption in reference to this 
 passage, I am suro the following forcible remarks from that 
 excellent Episcopalian Commentator, the Rev. T, Scott, on 
 it, will con>mand your attention. He says : '• The rife of 
 confirmation as practised by many Christian Churches, has 
 often been stated to be a continuation of this Apostolical im- 
 position of hands, for the confirmation of new converts, by 
 the Holy Ghost thus given to thum. But it is fir from being 
 evident that this was dor e universally by the Apostles, or those 
 who immediately succeeded them. However, as miracjdous 
 powers rather than sanctifying grace were then conferred, 
 unless such gifts were now connected with that obsf^rvanec, 
 tlic parcllel must fail. To advance this observance into a 
 sacrament, and even above a sacrninenf, (as it is, when the 
 Holy Ghost is supposed to be conferred by the imposition of 
 hands, nud tho use of tho Apostles' words) puts tho subject in a 
 very different li|-ht : doubtless it was nt first thus magnified to 
 rxalt the Eimcnpidordcr^ to whom the administration of it was 
 confined, as if iliey were properly intrusted with Apostolical 
 authority. Bf as miracles are out of tho question, to follow 
 the Aiiostlos in faith, humility, diligence, in preaching in 
 season and o-u of season, piety, self-denial, ^fcc, i=i the only 
 adequate meiiiod of magnifying either the cUnical or Episco- 
 
 put UUICU. JinshrViili^ «5 tftt.i rhuurt to gtrttr ttCfy rfcMftCrgtff, It, 
 
 t Sibrec. 
 
nui,t 0. allowed to be an e.i/, and il ought «iilK,r to bo attend- 
 
 t^<\ to in anollier manner, or 7iot at all. <• i- .. 
 
 ' B?, ,1« Hdvocuios of Episcopal conf,rn.»Uou finding a 
 
 .nmcullv from the absence of ll.e word confirm m the passage 
 
 fove' '.o™a. have endeavored ,o e..ric».e .hen.se vesf^m 
 
 it bvunhinir this with other passages m the fou.teenm ana 
 
 ftfte'/n,;; chapters of the Ac.s'of <he Apos. es But th.s e, 
 
 not in the least re eve them; ior, first, the phrase My"'g 
 
 \a"ds'' is not found in either of the cl-pter. ; yet jh.s ^ou 
 
 regard as essential to the due administration ol the r te. 
 
 Secondly, there is no Scriptural authority to justify the con- 
 
 nect' n what is said in one chapter of confinning, and « 1 at 
 
 r2in another of laying on of the ApostlesMiands ^ ho 
 
 two acts were different in their nature-diffcent in the man- 
 
 r of their performance-and diOerent in the emb. designed 
 
 h^J^la ter being for the imparta.ion of miraculous powers, and 
 
 ; (brmer for^hc establiil.ment of ,^»-^»;^'— V'lf 'the ufh 
 Del • and, thirdly, you will see by the 22nd verse o( the 14 h 
 chpter, that the Apostles confirmed the believers by preach- 
 io/and exhortation: - confirming the souls of the disciples 
 (the word and inserted in the passage is in italics, herefoo 
 not in thV3 original) exhorting them to continue in the tab, 
 and that they nius't through much tribulation enter ,nto tho 
 kin'^dom of God." You will perceive that this connecting 
 link cannot be sustained; and that there is not.nng here to 
 upport this rite. Do you not feel tl.at it's strange tha 
 .ood men who teach the will of God, should thus «n.t« and 
 confound passages that are essentially different, and thereby 
 mislead those who depend on their instructions. 
 
 I now come to notice another passage that is tirged in sup- 
 port of this ceremony-Hebrews 6. 2. but though you 
 will see that the phrase laying on of hands is hero employed, 
 yet, unhappily for the advocatci of this ceremony, there is 
 no mention made of the word confirm. With this fact hetorc 
 us, I would ask you, what justifies Episcopal writers and 
 speakers in appropriating this text to the support ot this rito 
 as practised in their Church? It certainly is not the connexion 
 of the text, for there is not tho most distant reference made 
 to any such observance :— nor is it the juvenile state in religion 
 of the Hebrews at that time, at "first principles, for Apos- 
 tolical confirmation was identified with advancement, establish- 
 ment, and "perfection" in religion -.—neither is it the opinioii 
 of commentators, for those i^puerally agree with the Kev. 1. 
 Scott, in siiying, that the laying on of hands refers to the 
 miraculous gifts conferred by the Apostles on tho disciples, in 
 y^fpctiiijon of the truth of iho gospel. 
 
 Thus, sir, I think it has been clearly proved, that tlils cere- 
 mony, which is deemed by the Episcopal Churcii of such worth 
 and utility, without observing which, no one may appr«ach 
 tho table of tho Lord, is not of Christ's ordaining— that il r; 
 
4- 
 
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 at variance wiih the Scriptural meaning of ihe word confirm 
 — and thai ii is aUogether different from Apostolic confirma- 
 tion. Ii will not be sufficient in answer to all lliis to say, 
 '* that the opinions of the fathers favor it," — that "in the ser- 
 vice you use a prayer which was compiled fifteen hundred 
 years ago," or "that it is practised by all the 7iatioHal Churches 
 on thb continent of Europe." To this I would reply in the 
 words of Jesus, " What is written in the law, how readest 
 thou r' and in the words of the 25th article of your Church, 
 above quoted, all this h *^ of the corrupt following of Iht 
 ApostlesJ*^ The enforcement of this ceremony by the English 
 Church, bears a strong resemblance to the conduct of the 
 Jewish Pharisees, who taught for doctrines the commandments 
 of men ; who bound heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and 
 laid them on men's shoulders; who were eager to make 
 proselytes; and zealous to pay tithe of mint, and anise and 
 cummin ; but w'lo omitted the weightier matters of the law 
 judgment, mcicy, and faith ; for you make an ordinance of 
 Jesus Christ secondary to this rite of human institution. 
 
 I am, sir, prepared further to assert, that this ceremony is 
 not only unauilwiised by the word of God, but that its several 
 parts are opposed thereto. Notice : 
 
 1st. The persons empowered by the English Church to 
 perform it. We find from Episcopal writers on this subject, 
 and the universal practice of your Church, that the privilege 
 to perform this ceremony is confined to "superior or govern- 
 ing officers;" that it is restricted to Diocesan Bishops; 
 "whose peculiar and incommunicable prerogative it is, and who, 
 H3 they possess the sole honor, so have the whole charge." 
 Why it is thus confined we are no where told ; certainly this 
 does not accord with the word of God ; for there we find that 
 confirming the believers was not the particular duty of any 
 peculiar order of ministers, whether Apostles, Bishops, or 
 Evangelists, but that it was one important branch of ministerial 
 service. This you will see confirmed by Acts 15. 32.: 
 " And Judas and Silas being also prophets themselves, ex- 
 horted them with many words, and confirmed them." They 
 are, it is true, spoken of as "prophets," and as " chief men 
 among the brothern," but it is evident they were not Apostles, 
 no» Bisl'ops, (that is pastors of Churches ir. a Scriptural sense) 
 but lltuy were prominent members of the Church at Jerusa- 
 lem, who were "apt to teach," and, therefore, may be called 
 Evangelists, or Missionaries, or itinerant Ministers. 
 
 I know, that in support of this peculiar prerogative, it has 
 been said, '* that Peter and John were sent to confirm the 
 Christians at Samaria, because that Philip, who was there, 
 could not do it, he being only in Deacon's orders." But 
 wUtru di> wo find authority for this asserl'on i for Philip ap- 
 pears to have been equally eminent with Judas and Silas. 
 Is it in the 3d chapter of the Acts, which contains the nurra- 
 
.ive t No — there is not a word to this efl'ect in if. Is it in 
 Philip's want of ability to teach or work miracles] No, for 
 the same chapter tells us that he " preached Christ unto" the 
 people ; and that tlvy with one accord gave h<;ed unto those 
 things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles 
 which he did ; for unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, 
 came out of many that were possessed with them ; and many 
 taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. Where, 
 then, is the proof of Philip's inability to confirm the Sa- 
 maritan believers? I confess I cannot find a reason, and, 
 therefore, will cheerfully leavo it to the fertii ■ minds of those 
 who advanced, or who favor, this gratuitous a^.^ertion. 
 
 The exclusive assumption of this office by Diocesan 
 Bishops, originated, first, in the mistaken supposition, that 
 confirming the btlievers in the faith of the gospe' was identi- 
 cal with the bestowment of miraculous emlowmonts ; and, 
 secondly, in the flagrant error that ihey having descended in 
 a regular lino of succession from the Apostles, have an exclu- 
 sive right to perform this act of confirmation, as a parellel 
 to the Apostolic act of bestowing miraculous gifts. Notwith- 
 standing they acknowledge their inability to impart the favors 
 the Apostles gave; why, then, we may jistly ask, make such 
 high professions'? Why exact from young and thoughtless 
 candidates such solemn vows 1 — vows which they never can 
 perform. Why not take the simple rule of Scripture for a 
 guide, and abandon wholly, and at once, what is so utterly 
 destitute of heavenly origin, and scriptural utility ? To 
 continuo it, shows a prejudice which is i nbec^ming an 
 enlightened Christian mind, and a spiritual community. 
 
 We will now proceed in the examination of this ceremony 
 by the word of God, and notice it — 
 
 II. With reference to its Recipients. They are usually 
 children or young parsons; your Rubric says: " So soon as 
 children are come to a competent a»e, they shall be brought 
 to the Bishop; and every one shall have a Godfather or God- 
 mother as a witness of their confirmation." Those, I find, 
 are considered as transgressors, either on the pa: t of their 
 sponsors or themselves, who neglect the observance of this 
 ceremony till they corns to riper years, unless they have been 
 so situated as to prevent their attending to it. But children 
 were not those who were confirmed by the Apostles — children 
 wore not those on whom they laid their hands — they did not 
 impart mii'aculous endowmnnts unto childien ; and the pro- 
 bability is that they were not generally young persons, but 
 such as had arrived at years of maturity. They are described 
 as " the people," thoy are called *' men and women ; the 
 brethren, disfiple?," who hud previously i'nifod themnelveqin 
 Christian Churches ; for it is said that Paul with Silas, went 
 through Syria and Ciliciii, confirming the Churches. Thus, 
 you sec, tho'ie whom the Apostles confi.nied were not the 
 
lIiou"hllcss, giddy, wnd profano, but iiMtividiials who had 
 given ovldence of a change of hi rt — who hf:d solemnly "lul 
 prayerfully assumed the Christian nunie — who had, In view 
 of persecution, imprisoniuont and death, vo- -ntaiily givesj 
 ihemsclvcs to God and to his Church — ihey were individuals 
 who evinced the sincerity of thv.ir profes ions, by previously 
 living-, not to themselves, but to God, by "purging themselves 
 of all ungodliness Jind wordly lusts, and living sobt rly, and 
 righteously, and Godly, in this present evil world." 
 
 Those primitive disciples were confirmed, not once only, at 
 the triennial visitation of a Bishop, as :s the case in the church 
 of England, but repeatedly ; yea, whenever they attended 
 the faithful preaching of the word. They were confirmed 
 not with the view of admitting them to a participation of the 
 Lord's Supper, for these privileges they previously enjoyed^ 
 but it was by establishing them in the faith and hope of the 
 Qospfel — by further enlightening their nwnds in the knowledge 
 of Christ — by comforting their htarts with his love, and 
 supporting their confidence in his promises— to prepare them 
 for the sacrifice of their friends and their possessions — for the 
 bearing of reproach — for the enduring of great fights of 
 affliction — and, if need bo, for the surrendering of their iifo 
 for Christ's name sake. 
 
 These, sir, were the persons, and this the design, of Apos- 
 tolic confirmation ; but how different, in both respecs, is the 
 observance practised in the English Church ! I would not be 
 uncharitable, but suffer me to ask, =r not the most of those 
 who submit to this ceremony now, uesiitute of vital godliness, 
 ignorant of spiritual illumination, and insensible of the inward 
 satisfying pleasures which personal piety affords ? Are they 
 not walking contrary to the spirit, in accordance with the 
 flesh, and arc carnally minded, which is death t Would they, 
 if times of persecution came, "endure hardship as good soldieis 
 of Jesus Christ," " take joyfully the spoiling of their goods," 
 and "rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer shame for tho 
 name of Christ 1' Sutjli diti the recipients of Apostolic 
 confirmation. 
 
 The qualification required of the recipients for tl c Episco- 
 pal confirmiition, Is ability to ^^say^ in their mother tongue, 
 the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments,'* 
 and also to " answer to the other questions of this short 
 Catechism." This h the sum total of what is ie(piired of 
 candidates for the modern cereinotiy, in which they are de- 
 clared by the Bishop to be, "Regenerated by water and the 
 Holy Ghost,'* and by which they are quali^ed to partake of 
 the ordinance of tho Lord's Supper. 
 
 You will notic?':; that tho Rul>ric does not require in can- 
 diuutes scriptural knowledge. There is not a word said 
 respecting their acquaintance with the word of God, or their 
 diligence in studying it; and there is the same profound si- 
 
10 
 
 Iciv:; ru,'aHiii4 seiiptmc?, tliN fmly sMfficieiU guicli- in faitli 
 and prictico, tliro igli^nt llio Cal3cliism and Confirnmtion 
 ^S^;rvice ; aid il h not prosunud or oxpocted, lliat tliOfC 
 young p5,r,so!H even p )ssoss a copy of tlio sacred book. 
 Human ompositions, in this Coiifirmation Service, supplant 
 Divine, and a kiiowlo li*o of the former, to the almost entire 
 excliiiio'J of the latter, i< reprosJented, and youn;j persons are 
 ta iglit t ) b:;li(;vo it, quite sntBcient to introduce tlioni to a 
 "state of salvition," — ;iifficient t> justify the Bishop, by 
 laying hish:ind> upon th(.'ir heads, to certify them by that sign 
 of Gjd's "fivor a-id gracious goodness" ^«/<icM/ar/y touards 
 Mem — snlTicient toontiile them to all the privileges of tho 
 Church of Go I on eirih, and to encourage their hope of ever- 
 lasting life in heaven. This hears a strict resemblance lo the 
 piesciiption of tiio Romis'i Chun-h, but not to ihc practice 
 of the Apostles of the Saviour. They " reasoned with the 
 people out of the Sciiptures ;" they "constantly persuat'cd 
 them concerning Josus, both out of the law and the prophets." 
 Evftry thing they did had its sanction in, and coincided with, 
 the mind of the Holy Ghost. Their motto and their exhorta- 
 tion was, " Search the Scriptures." Their object in con- 
 firmation was t«) establish the believers in the faith and 
 knowledge of the Siri|)tures ; and one of the chief character- 
 isiics of the recipients (.^ Apostolic confirmation was, "that 
 they received the word with all readiness of mind, and 
 starched ih Scriptures daily whether these things were so," 
 fi)r they were anxious to possess a Divine reason for their 
 piaciice, and the hope that was in thorn. 
 
 Again, you will observe, that the qtialification for Elpiscopal 
 conrirmation does not umsist in faith ; that inward spiritual 
 principle "which is of ihe operation of the Holy Ghost; 
 wliich works by love and purifies the heart," and which the 
 Scripiires teach us is the essential characteristic of all true 
 disciples^ " without which it is impossible to please God." 
 Though this ceremony is considei'.d by your church so im- 
 portant, and its attendant blessings '^o great and precious, 
 yet tie preparation for it is not the conversion of the heart to 
 God, tho personal possession of " the spirit of Christ," but 
 the mere ropetiiiun in their " mother tongue of the Creed, 
 tho Lord's Prayer, and tho ten Commandments," and ability (o 
 answer " Jie other questions of this short catechism." Such 
 u qualification for the admission unto Christian privileges, is 
 utterly at variuncu with the will of Christ, who enforced the 
 necessity of a change of heart, and the profession of a saving 
 faith. It is opposed to tliat which, by tho Apostles, was uni- 
 versally demanded of the primitive disciples. Those whom the 
 Apostolic guides admilind to the Church, are described us 
 ** saints," as " believers," as " holy brethren," as *• the cir- 
 ciinuiition who worship God in the ij 'rit" as " tho followers 
 of God," and as " tho temples ok .ne Holy Ghost ;" they 
 
 ♦ 
 
4 
 i 
 
 ♦ 
 
 pro 
 sav« 
 
 iVssfd t'ui!li, and conscqucnlly, were 
 
 " such as should te 
 
 II 
 
 rhU is the feaiuic vrhereby they, and mII true 
 
 d in ihc LorH," and 
 
 chris.ians are known, '' «hat they believed in the Lor.1, n 
 without this faiihin candidates fo. this ceremony wow, it will 
 be in vain that they have repcat.-d the Creed, the Lord 8 
 Praver, and the Episcopal Caiechism^it wdl be ,n vjun that 
 a Bishop's hand lu.s been laid upon their heads— it will he 
 uttcrlu in vain that he has ceiiified " by that sign of God s 
 ' r.ious fivor . nd goodness," for the Scriptures declare il:at 
 it is fuith in Christ that justifies from sin— that faith gives us 
 peace wiih God— ihat faith overcomes the world-that it is 
 faith which cl.eers in death— and that it is l^hh which will 
 brin-^ a glorious lesurrecion to eternal life. The Lord Jesus 
 Chiist, the [lead of the Church, has said, " he that bclieveth 
 on the Son halh everlasting life ; and he that ht-lieveth not 
 the Stn shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on 
 
 ^"I'must request you again to observe, that the qualification 
 required of candidates for Episcopal confirmation, does not 
 consist of holiness of life. I know that the qu. stion is pub- 
 licly pro|)Osed to all, not indioidnalh/, but collectively, at 
 the same time, " whether tlu-y renew the vows made in their 
 name at their baptism," and they, all at ouce, answer in the 
 ainrmative, and the service proceeds on the assumption that 
 thoY arc all sincere, though there is no evidence supplied ol 
 sincerity and integrity of In-art. Perhaps you will reply, they 
 "are examined and approved." True ; but what is necessary 
 for that approval 1 simply the repetition of the lessons enu- 
 merated in your Rubric, to do which would not cost many 
 boys half a day's attention ; and in some instances, uoiiity 
 even for this is not required. But may no this, and mud, 
 more, be done by those who arc entirely destitute of sp.riiunl 
 lifo, who would delight in a visit to the ball-room, the thcairr, 
 « the card-table, and the race-course, while they xvould neglect 
 Christian duties, and a call to social prayer? How different 
 to the qualification required by Jesus Christ, who said, not 
 every one who saitli Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom ot 
 Heaven ; but he that dueth the will of my father who is m 
 heaven." "Whosoever doth not bear his cross and conio 
 after me, cannot bo my disciple." ^'Whosoever shall do thc^ 
 will of (Hod, the same is my brother, and sister and moil.er. 
 Jesus spako of Christians as " the light of the woild, as the 
 ••salt of the earth," and as the witnesM-s of himself before a 
 crooktul and perverse generation. Such are the qnalificaliuua 
 which you e/o w«< require of candidates for Episcopal con- 
 firmation, but which aro essential to spiritual happiness, and 
 n.«fnlnc.M. A few woids shall now suffice in the examina- 
 tion of what you do require. Eirsi— The candidates lof 
 Episcopal confirmation, arc to say they bi liovo im the artxcUi 
 of the Christian faith; those, if I rightly judge, ore not the 
 
fliirly-iii.io {nticlcs oftlic Eiiulisli cliiircli ; nor iIk; tuiniaiHen- 
 till ai'iii.les of f.iiili as recorded in the Scriptures^ liul lliosw 
 which are ronfainod in what is cofnnionly called tho Apostles' 
 Creed, ot which an rxcciient writer has justly siiid, " As a 
 summary of Chi isliun doctrine, it is extremely indt finite and 
 imperfect. It n*aiiita<ns a deep dead silence on the important 
 and fundwrnenlal doctvincs of the inspiration ot the Holy 
 S>criptures, original sin, iIm atonement, justificaiion by faith, 
 and the nature and necessity of good works. The life, death, 
 and resurrection of Jesus Christ, are mc>rely spoken of as 
 historical fa< ts, without the slightest alhisiou lo the design cyf 
 those facts." Yet the bare repetition of this creed, and the 
 acknowledgement of a belief^//*/, is the chi« f part of what is 
 required by the Church of England to constitute an individual 
 a true believer in Christ. 
 
 Willi regafd to this Creed, it is but proper to observe, that 
 it has long been acknowledged, even by Episcopalians t!iem- 
 selves, to be a forgery. Lord King observes in his enquiry, 
 (p. 57,) " As for that Creed which is commonly called the 
 Apostles^ Creed, all learned persons are now agreed that it 
 never was composed by theiM, nor was it known wiihin the 
 first tlir€e liundred ^enrs after Christ." This, indeed, must 
 be apparent to every candid mind, were it not acknowledged, 
 from its remarkable deficiency in Scripture doctrine. 
 
 But do you suppose that this Creed, which candidates arc re- 
 quired to say, ami express a belief of, is ever seriously iliouglit of 
 by a majority of ihem? • cannot; for if so, tln'y would not 
 lUiike such an (Mupialified ainrmalion, saying, '* All this 1 
 Steadfastly believe." I thus speak, because I could n^t my- 
 self; for the phrase in it *'!ie descended into hell," is exceed- 
 ingly objectionable, and is gi oundi^d on u total misap[ lication 
 of the Psalmisl"'s words, as used by Peter, in reference to the 
 burial of Jesus Christ. The idea conveyed by iho expres- 
 sion is, that after Christ was dead and buriiul ho descended 
 into the place of everlasting torment; an assoriiun which no 
 part of Scripture will sid)sii»iiliare, and for which your best 
 Epis'ropali.m writers give no vali<l rra'ion. Yet thi.* your 
 Church requires children un<l young persons both to say and 
 beliovo, previous to their cumplianco with a plain command 
 uf Jesus Christ. 
 
 But in addition to this Creed, tbc ciindidates for EpLiCopnl 
 confirmation are nupiired to re) eui the Lord'-s prayer, tlio 
 ten CommundrntMits, and to answer the other qiieslions of the 
 short Episcopal Catochism — w Catecliism in which the bifibly 
 erroneous doctrine of baptismal r( generation is taught — a 
 Catei hism which is not to be compiled lo ibn Assendily'ti, 
 
 fir iijiy nf f)r, WilttH^H * iUul i'tMli'.i'!'! !!i!' ivlili'l! HflXler llilfi 
 
 said "iheie are omitted in this Catechism some of the essiMi- 
 tiul attributes of God, wiihuut wliicli be cannot bo rightly 
 known ; as aloo (be doctrine of maiiN fHll ; the person, odtca, 
 
 ■I 
 
 1 
 
13 
 
 :+ntl propenios ot ilio Redeemer are very insufli. iently opened ; 
 there is vo mention of the llohj Srripfnrrs\x\ it, and ilie doc- 
 uine of liie covenani ol" grace is very defertively expressed ; 
 }Hid ^^^ is tiie dtvctriiie tl" sanctification, and otiier parts of th{.^ 
 work of tlie Ilolv Spirit." 'Mf," s;»ys -^n eminent Lpisco- 
 pa ian writer, *' iU« Caleciiism is considered in the liglii ot a 
 summary oft' o necessary erudition of a Clunclimun, it nmsl 
 te acknowledged tlial it is very dtfeciive." * 
 
 Such H the qualification liiat the English Church requires 
 the candidates for confuniation and communion to possess. 
 You perceive how much opposed it is to that which ' irist 
 required— to that which \*as demanded hy the Apostles— 
 how utleilv insutikientit is in the sight of God as a test ol 
 personal religion, of inward spiritualiiic— and how inadequat«j 
 it is as a safe-guard against that deceitful foe, those carnal 
 vanities, and sinful lusts, whic)i the C'hunh, nothwhhstanding, 
 makes those children and young persons promise to nnuunce. 
 \a'X us proceed in this examination, to notice, III 1 he 
 promises that candi<lates for Episcopal confirmation are re- 
 quired to nnke. They are required to \o\\ that they do 
 ^♦renounce the devil and all his works; the vain pomp and 
 glorv of this world, with all covetous desires of the same, and 
 the carnal desires of the flesh ; and that they will neither 
 follow nor he led hy them ;" that they "helieve all^tiie articles 
 of the Christian faith," and will ''obediently keep God's holy 
 will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days 
 of their life." Such is the piomi^e which the English CImrch 
 exacts, and what Christian is there, who does not shudder at 
 the thought of children or y«)Ut>g pors^jns, who arc generally 
 unacquainted with the "plague of their own hearts/' with the 
 •' deceitfulness of sin," with the " evil of the world," and wilb 
 " the devices of Satan," making such a solemn public pledge 1 
 Ilowdineront is the spirit which thfl promise made in this 
 confirmation service breathes, to that whith David, " the man 
 nfier God's own heait," possessed, when he exclaimed, "who 
 can understiind his errors 1 cleanse thou mo from secret 
 fatilis;" " hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps 
 slip not ;" " keep mc as the apple of the eyc^ hide mo undor 
 the shadow of thy wings." 1 am free to confess that with my 
 consciousness ol the infirmlti(;s of human mituri-, and the ex- 
 lent of personal corruptimi, I should tremble at making such 
 n pronviso as tho English Church exacts of those youthful 
 cancKidales for conlirmiiiion. In the form rciptired I could 
 not do it ; for it appears to me to encotirage 8clf-dependance» 
 igiMinmrc of man's inability, and neglect of the Holy Spirit's 
 aid. This is not in accordance with the word of God, for 
 lltoro, in immediate connoclion with tho exhortation "work out 
 your salvation with foar and trembling," wo find i'm kind 
 
 * Rev. A. Cox, A. M., PiopohuIh li>r a "UBvi^c^l Liturffy»" 
 
14 
 
 assurance, "/or it is Gofi that woikeili in you to will and to 
 do of his good pleiisiiro." 
 
 You iiiiiy say, in answer to this, that the Bishop in the 
 churj^o ho yives, reminds those youtljfui candidates of the 
 source of their ability to fulfil theii vows; to .vhich it is just 
 to reply, th;»t ther.j is nothing to obligu the Bishop to give 
 them a iharga — that it is quite optional with hin^ to speak to 
 tiiem of this or not — and that should ho do so, it would in no 
 way justify the cjcaction of such a pleJg*, or if exacted, the 
 omission in such a solemn n)aticr, of suc!i an all important 
 truth. 
 
 Thu English Church inflexibty requires this solentn pledge 
 of every c.mdid.ite for confumation ; but as it is, notwithstand- 
 ing its high assumptions, still subject to a trial by the word of 
 God, sufier me to ask you, what is there in the Scriptures to 
 warrant its obliging those children nnd young persons to make 
 so grave a vow? Did Jesus require such a pledge of his dis- 
 ciples ? No; he sitid to them, "tullow me," and they immedi- 
 ately arose from their various avocations "and followed him." 
 Did he command his disciples to exact such a promise from 
 those who believed their words? No; the essential qualifi- 
 cations ho enjoined them to seek were repentance and faith. 
 But did th ; Apostles require such a vow 1 We have no proof 
 that they did ; we do not read that the early disciples, pledged, 
 promised, or vowed, as a prerequisite for confirmation, or 
 Christian fellowship, but that " they believed." Their piety 
 was not of a restrained national character, but was the free, 
 voluntary, and unrestrained expression of the heart towards 
 God. They " first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to his 
 people, acLordint,' to his word." Here, again, you find a va- 
 riance between this episcopal ccrcuMony and the word of God ; 
 and the enforcenn nt of this confirtnation pledco, under these 
 circumstances, is most erroneous : for it implies that human 
 beings have a right to legislate in matters of religion. It 
 donins God's exclusive right to rule ; and in eflect says, that 
 mortals understand tiio wants of human, and the requirements 
 of the divine nutiMO, a» woU as he. It denotes that man has 
 u right to bind tlio conscience, nnd control the heart. But 
 religions obedience is only acceptable to God as it is render d 
 in a voluntary compliance with his exclusive law. 
 
 How short-sighted is this human legislation ! What benefit 
 can result from the exaction of this public vow 1 If the sub- 
 jects of episcof)al Cv)nfiimation aio sincere and devoted Chrit^ 
 tians, their own inward principles will necessarily lead thoni 
 to this rosistanc*! of evil, and practice of virtue; for they will 
 hate the former and love the latter. But if they are not th« 
 true disciples of the Saviour, those vows will novor make 
 them so ; or IndHcn them " to follow after righteousness in 
 the f'jar of the Lord:" " hecnuso the carnal mind is enmity 
 against God ; it is not subject to the law of God, neiihor 
 
 # 
 
 j 
 
 t 
 
 ^ 
 
15 
 
 
 ♦ 
 
 indeed can be." How offensive tlien must iliis be iti tliC 
 sight of God! How contrttiy to the spiiituaiity of ivligion ! 
 and how injurious to the interests of Christ's kingdom ! 
 
 Tliis vow having been mnde, tlie Bisiiop lays Itis hand n\}un 
 the heads of those cliildren and young persons, and (distress- 
 ing to affirm) without any knowledge of tlieir previous char- 
 acter — without any genuine n>ark of personal religion, thus 
 addresses the heart-searching Jehovah concerning them : — 
 " Almighty and everlasting God^ who hast vouchsafed to 
 regenerate these thy servants hy water and the Holy Ghost^ 
 and hast given unto them forgv^eness of all their sins''^ ! ! ! 
 And lest this should not suffice, he ceriifies them, as he layx 
 his hand upon their heads, " by that sign of God*s favor and 
 gracious goodness towards them.'* He does this, notwith- 
 standing the 25ih article of the English church says, (hat this 
 observance has " not any visible sign or ceremony ordained 
 of God;" but has grown of the corrupt following of the 
 Apostles. He does ii in the abserco of scriptural authority 
 or evidence of the persons being in a state of grace. 
 
 Do not be surprised at my use of earnest hingunge in speak- 
 ing of this act; for the nature of religion, and the interests 
 of immortal souls, fully justify me in it. What, I would ask, 
 is the declaration, under such circumstances, and concerning 
 many of those children and young persons, that ** they are 
 regenerated and forgiven," but lying not to men but God I — 
 What is the positive certification in this solemn manner of 
 God's favor and gracious goodness towards them, but offen- 
 sive presumption in a mortal man ? — and what is its influence 
 on the subjects of this ceremony, but " daubing them with 
 untempered mortar 1" What but deceiving souls ? Let the 
 word of God decide the cnse. 
 
 The consequences arising from the performance of this 
 ceremony are most dangenMis. ** Ignorant persons who are 
 taught to consider a Bisliop as a successor of the Apostles, an 
 ambassador of Christ, a specia! minister of God, who have 
 too good an opinion of such a man to think he «\ould declare 
 u falsehood, when they hear him solemnly affirm that they 
 ore fully justified, pardoned, regenerated, and interested in 
 God's favor, of course conclude that their state is safe, even 
 while they continue in their sins ! — and as full remission of 
 sins, and the bl<;ssings of salvation are to be obtained on such 
 easy terms, can we be surprised when we see many flocking 
 10 accept those favors ?" No pious minister of the gospel can 
 be ignorant of the fact, that men are "prone to deceive t!»em- 
 selves with false hopes, and to substitute good purposes, pro- 
 
 vows. 
 
 ill lliti ninrn nf 
 
 ■ "I 
 
 ./I i.^i:. 
 
 !ea*!ons^ and 
 
 ness of life. This is one of the chief niudrnnces to their be- 
 coming truly pious and devoted to iUA ; and as the oflice of 
 confirmation plainly and directly tends to nurture these falio 
 hopes, therefore, so fnr fiom its conducing to holmiss of con- 
 
16 
 
 (luol, it greatly teiids to promote that self-dece[)tion, wliicli is 
 fiital to the souls of men." 
 
 The whole of this ceremony appears to me to bo directly 
 opposed to that spiiitual devotion which God seeketh, and 
 which Christ enjoinod, when he said, " God is a Spirit, and 
 they liial worship hiin arust worship him in spirit and in truth." 
 It is true thiit there are the solemn forms — that there are the 
 attitudes of devoiion — that t'lere is the afTecting langu ige of 
 supplication and thanksgiving ; but, for the most pitrt, I fear 
 there is a destitution of corresponding spiritual emotions in the 
 heart. Such worship is forcibly described by the mouth of 
 the prophet Is liah, 29, 13— " Wherefore the Lord said, 
 this people draw near me with their mouth, and widi their 
 lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from mo, 
 and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men." — 
 Such worship, saiih God, " my soul hateth." 
 
 Now, sir, 1 conclude: — I hope that in this examination of 
 Episcopal confirmrttiun, by the word of God, I have not said 
 any thing, or made use of any term, that can be justly offen- 
 sive — that is in the least derogatory to a Christian minister, 
 or contrary to the word of God. I h ive purs*icd the exami- 
 nation freely,, and spoken plainly ; but the plainest expressions 
 are extracted from the word of God ; to which we bo»h pro- 
 fess unqualified subjection ; — and " whether the continuance of 
 this ceremony, in its present form of administration, be either 
 for the honor of the' administrator, or the benefit of the 
 church, I, with all humility, leave to the consideration of those, 
 who.ti, I thank God, it more immediately concerns than my- 
 self;" but who, with the writer, are to be faithful in the house 
 of God — to watch for souls as those who must give an account 
 to the Great Shepherd, who will shortly come ; before whom 
 it will be aq uwful thing to have immortal souls required at 
 our hundsi 
 
 I am, Reverend Sir, 
 
 Most respectfully, 
 
 And obediently your*«, 
 
 DAVID DYER. 
 
 I 
 
 PAI.I.AniUM PRINTINO OfPICR, 
 YOUK BTREtir, TOaONTO.