CHAPTER II.

CONFIRMATION-A POINT FROM WHICH TO LOOK BACKWARD.

T will not be needful to remind readers of this manual that the word Confirmation means an act of strengthening. The word will be found used elsewhere in the Communion Service, "Confirm and strengthen you in all goodness," and also in the 27th Article, which speaks of "Faith confirmed and grace increased." In "The Order for Confirmation" it is used in a twofold sense-viz., as an act done for us, and an act done by us. The candidates come to be confirmed, but in the same service "with their own mouth and consent they ratify and confirm the promises made for them in their baptism.”

This service of strengthening promises previously made, and of being strengthened for the fulfilment of such promises-is known as Confirmation, and has been entitled the connecting link between the sacraments of Baptism and

Holy Communion. To the former, it is the supplement or complement; to the latter, it is the introduction and way of approach. Taking our stand upon it, we may look backward to the time when by Baptism we were admitted into that spiritual society which is the Christian Church; and forward to the time when in the right use of the Lord's Supper we may be made full partakers of its highest privileges.

We will first look backward to the initial rite of baptism. Most of my readers were baptized when infants of a few weeks old, and will therefore have no recollection of that event. Nevertheless they will often have been reminded how, when unconscious babes, they were taken by their friends to the house of God; how there, certain promises having been made on their behalf, they were received in the arms of God's minister; and how they were then sprinkled or immersed in water from the font, and baptized "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." It is of the utmost importance that all candidates should understand these promises there and then made for them. For this purpose it is desirable that they should often and carefully consider their baptism as explained by the Catechism. The word covenant is frequently applied to baptism, and very properly, for our entrance into the Christian Church takes place under the circumstances of an agreement, certain privileges being conferred

upon us by God, and certain promises being undertaken by us. And, as in all ancient covenants, a new name was given to mark the solemn and momentous character of the agreement, so our Christian name was conferred upon us by God's minister in His behalf at our baptism when we entered into covenant with God and became members of His Church. The privileges conferred at that time were three, and had reference to the forgiveness of sin, the kingdom of grace, and the kingdom of glory. These three privileges of Membership, of Sonship, and of Heirship, offered generally to mankind in the gospel, were in that service visibly signed and sealed to us individually; our baptism being, as it were, the instrument or deed. Whilst these privileges were thus conferred by God's grace upon us who were born in a state of nature and of condemnation, but who were hereby brought into a new condition or state of salvation, it was essential that promises having reference to our change of character should be made by us, promises that we would live, by God's help, in a way such as befits those who are admitted into the spiritual society of the Christian Church.

These three promises were resolutions or vows of renunciation, of faith, and of obedience. viz., "First, that I should renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Secondly, that I should believe all the

articles of the Christian faith. And, thirdly, that I should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life."

It is of vital importance that we should realize that these promises were really made by the infants brought to be baptized. The question and answer in the latter part of the Catechism bring out this fact. "Question. Why, then, are infants baptized, when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them? (that is to say, repentance and faith). Answer. Because they (that is to say, the infants) promise them both by their sureties; which promise, when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform."

This statement is abundantly borne out by the Baptismal Service itself. When the minister has reminded the sponsors that Christ will most surely keep and perform His promise, he adds, "this infant must also faithfully for his part promise by you that are his sureties (until he come of age to take it upon himself), that he will renounce, etc." The demands are then made. "Dost thou in the name of this child renounce? -- believe?—Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will, etc?" Whilst the closing exhortation begins, "Inasmuch as this child has promised by you his sureties." It follows that those thus baptized cannot escape the obligation to fulfil their promises when they

come of age, whether they come publicly forward in Confirmation to avow this or not. An objection is frequently raised by young people as to the justice, or at any rate the expediency, of engagements having been contracted by them through sureties when they themselves had not the power to refuse assent, and had not the understanding to realize the nature and meaning of the promises then made. The objection is a very natural one, and will perhaps best be met by a simple parable. Many years ago it was customary for those who had held rank in the army of our sovereign and had seen service in the field to procure through the interest which they possessed commissions for their own sons. In this way an officer would have a commission made out and his boy's name inserted long before the child knew anything of arms beyond the beat of his nursery drum. When years passed and he was old enough to choose his profession, he would take up his commission and go forth to serve his sovereign, thankful indeed that his parents had lovingly cared for his interests when too young to care for himself. If moreover it were a time of war and the enemies of his country were many and strong, and his own sovereign's call for soldiers were earnest and loud, we can easily picture some noble youth fired with devotion and patriotic ardour withstanding the entreaties of friends and even the tears of a mother who