pray for grace to be sincere, when you renew the wows that were made for you in Baptism; to remember and feel your obligations, and to put in practice the good resolutions which may be then formed. But for the assistance of those young persons who feel their need of instruction, there are a few prayers at the end of this sermon proper to be used by those who are to be confirmed.

And now I would conclude this discourse by a short address to parents, and those who are entrusted with the education of youth.

To Parents and Instructors.

You have heard of the solemn vows which have been made for your children, and also of the importance of their confirming them, and the manner in which they should do it. How is it possible their young minds should be affected with these things aright, except you faithfully instruct them? To you they look, on you they depend, and from you they expect reasonably every needful aid in this important business. O consider, that their best interests, their honour, their happiness both in this world and the next, are in great measure dependent

upon you. tion at large, its truest welfare and surest safe. guard, are, as it were, placed in your hands. For if righteousnees exalteth a nation, and sin is a reproach to any people," then by you, the trainers of its youth, its character will be considerably formed.

Yea, the best interests of the na

and would consider this!

O that you were wise

Reflect on the vast

God has entrusted

importance of this charge. immortal souls to your care, and hath said, "Take them, and bring them up for me." Can you be indifferent about so serious a business? Alas! whence arises your apathy? In worldly matters, all your solicitude is excited for the welfare of your children: you are careful to watch over their temporal interests, and are peculiarly anxious about their health, and the decorations of their bodies. But ah, cruel parents! you take no pains to instil divine truth into their minds, and form them for God and heaven. You are far more anxious that every ribband be fixed in its right place, than that their immortal souls be cultivated and improved! O reflect on the danger of such neglect, both to them and to you; to them, from their being exposed, untutored, and un

armed to the assaults of Satan and the world, and the propensities of their corrupt hearts; and to you, from the awful responsibility attached to your situation and duties. But many amongst you are wholly ignorant of those truths which you should inculcate upon your children: how then can you instruct them in what you yourselves know not? O learn to furnish your own minds with all necessary truth, in order that you may be in a capacity to discharge your office to them.

It is not by precept only that you should teach them, but by example. The good effect of the most salutary instructions will be destroyed

Let your

if they are not enforced by practice. children see in you a pattern of what they should be. Let them see that you count a life of religion to be a life of wisdom and happiness. How otherwise will they be benefited by your teaching! If they see you cleaving to the world, and setting your affections upon things beneath, how can they learn the importance of loving God supremely? If they hear you taking the name of God in vain, how can they fear an oath? If they see you making light of the Sabbath, how will they sanctify it? If you are passionate, malicious,

intemperate, will not they also think lightly of these habits? Will they be truthful, if you set them an example of lying? It is inconceivable how much good may be done, if your instructions are exemplified by daily practice; but if your own tempers and habits run counter to the lessons of wisdom which they learn of you, they will infallibly be trained in an habitual disregard to the most weighty truths. In one word, let them see that you yourselves feel the obligations of your baptismal vow, and then they will be without excuse if they neglect theirs. May God impress this subject upon all our minds.

Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, &c. &c.

A

SHORT

CATECHISM

For those who are going to be Confirmed.

g. WHY do you go to be confirmed ?

A. In order to take upon myself the promises which my Godfathers and Godmothers made for me in my baptism,

Q. Why ought you to
take them upen

yourselves?

A. Because I am now come to a sufficient age, to know the difference between right and wrong; and therefore it is my duty to confirm those engagements which were made for me, at a time when I could not think or act for myself.

Q. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers promise for you at your baptism?

A. They did promise and vow three things in my name: 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,