CONFIRMATION PAPERS. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE TRACT COMMITTEE. LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, 26, ST. GEORGE'S PLACE, HYDE PARK CORNer, s.w. NEW YORK: E. & J. B. YOUNG AND CO. 16. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, THE ONLY RULE OF FAITH. 17. THE CHURCH, THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. 18. THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION, No. I. INTRODUCTORY PAPER. 1. What is the meaning of the word "Confirmation"? A.-It has two meanings (1.) strengthening (or establishing), and (2.) ratifying. 2. What do you mean by "ratifying"? -- A.-To approve by our own act that which has been done for us by others. 3. Why is the Rite of Confirmation so called? A.-Because (1.) it is a means by which the baptized are strengthened and established by the grace of the Holy Ghost, and (2.) it is the occasion when the baptized confirm or ratify the promises made for them at their Baptism. 4. Is this ordinance known by any other name? A.-"The laying on of hands upon those that are baptized, and come to years of discretion." 5. What does the Confirmation Service say is the object of "the laying on of hands "? A.-"To certify them (that is, the candidates) of God's favour and gracious goodness towards them." 6. Give examples of "the laying on of hands" from the Holy Scriptures. A.-Genesis xlviii. 14; Numbers xxvii. 22, 23; Mark x. 16. 7. Had the Jews any ceremony similar to Confirmation? A. Yes; they brought their children at the age of thirteen to the temple, or synagogue, to be examined in their knowledge of the law, and to dedicate them to the service of God. 8. Have we reason to suppose that our Blessed Lord observed this custom? A.-Luke ii. 41-46. 9. Have we any sanction for Confirmation in the New Testament? A. (1.) St. Peter and St. John laid their hands on the Samaritan converts, who had been baptized by Philip. (Acts viii. 14-17.) (2.) St. Paul confirmed the Ephesian disciples of John the Baptist, as soon as they were baptized into the Christian Church. (Acts xix. 1-6.) 10. What was the result in both these cases? A.-Miraculous gifts accompanied the celebration of the rite. 11. Are such gifts now conveyed by the laying on of hands? A.-No; they were then bestowed for a special purpose; and as soon as that purpose had been served, they appear to have been withdrawn from the Church; but the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit (Gal. v. 22, 23) are still bestowed in the ordinance of Confirmation when rightly received, and are as much needed now as ever. 12.-Show that the cessation of miraculous gifts does not alter the value of Confirmation? A. The fact that miraculous gifts are not now conveyed by the imposition of hands no more interferes with the value of the rite, than the |