some yoke of the Jewish law, a freedom from the yoke of Satan and the bondage of sin and corruption; the being translated out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God. And it is called the glorious liberty of the children of God, the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free; not a liberty to be independent and to do as we please, but such a liberty as children enjoy under a kind and considerate parent; such a liberty as is in accordance with the duty of honouring and obeying those who are set over us either by the laws of God or man ; a duty plainly revealed to us in the Bible.

And now, my dear parishioners, let me in conclusion earnestly exhort you to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Do endeavour to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called. Let no one persuade you for any cause to side with those who break into parties and cause divisions. Let no offence, however justly taken, not even against your pastor himself, lead you to do this. Your pastor has his treasure in an earthen vessel. He may be in the wrong, as you may be in the wrong; why run the risk of offending God because he has offended you? If he has done you wrong, he will have to answer for it before the judgment

but

seat of Christ, and he needs your prayers; you will not do so great an injury to your own soul as to forsake Christ's Church and join yourselves to a sect because an unworthy minister has given you cause for provocation. You will not do such dishonour to your Lord as to make your own feelings of anger and disappointment a reason for setting at nought the earnest exhortations of Himself and His Apostles.

Again, be humble and meek, and strict over yourselves; but kind and compassionate towards others. Never let your most ardent zeal for the unity of Christ's Church betray you into harsh expressions against those who differ from you. Remember it is God's cause, not yours; beware then how you would advocate His cause with weapons that He Himself would not use. Beware of ridicule; beware of calling men by party names, there is no more sure way to make men persevere in their errors; and be assured that if you do, you are thereby convinced of being no true Christian yourself.

Wishing you heartily farewell,

I am, my dear parishioners,

Your faithful Friend and Pastor.

JOHN HENRY PARKER, OXFORD AND LONDON.

A PLAIN CATECHISM ON CONFIRMATION.

1. MEANING OF CONFIRMATION.

2. THE SCRIPTURE WARRANT FOR CONFIRMATION.

3. THE BENEFIT OF CONFIRMATION.

4. THE DUTIES WHICH CONFIRMATION BRINGS WITH IT.

If you are looking forward to Confirmation, you should make sure that you know your Catechism thoroughly by heart. You will also do well to read the Confirmation-Service carefully over, several times. You will find it in the Prayer-Book, immediately following the Catechism.

1. Meaning of Confirmation.

Q. WHAT is Confirmation?

A. It is a sacred rite of the Church, to which persons are admitted who have been baptized, and are desirous of becoming partakers of the Lord's Supper.

Q. What does Confirmation mean?

A. It implies perfecting, ratifying,—renewing, strengthening. There is a confirming of many things in Confirmation. The grace given in Holy Baptism is thereby confirmed and renewed. The solemn promise and vow which was then made is confirmed and ratified. The good work

which was then begun in the soul, is confirmed and perfected. The Christian himself is confirmed and strengthened.

Q. Is Confirmation a Sacrament?

A. No, not a Sacrament; for we do not read in Scripture that it was ordained by Christ Himself; but it is connected with a Sacrament,namely, with the Sacrament of Baptism.

Q. You say that Confirmation was not ordained by Christ Himself. On what Scripture warrant then does it rest?

A. It rests on the practice of the Apostles of Christ; and it has been observed in the Church throughout all the world, from the beginning until now.

Q. How is Confirmation spoken of in Scripture ?

A. It is called the laying on of hands,—which is the other name for it in the Prayer-Book.

2. The Scripture warrant for Confirmation. Q. In what places of Scripture do you find this rite clearly spoken of?

A. In the three following places especially :(I.) Acтs viii. 5. "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7. 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.

8. And there was great joy in that city . . . 12. But when they believed Philip preaching

the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

14. Now when the Apostles which were at Jeru

salem heard that Samaria had received the

word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.

15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy

Ghost:

16. (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."

(II.) Acts xix. 1. "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having