be the love of ease. They are not enough in earnest about the salvation of their souls to be diligent in the use of the means, and they are deterred from giving themselves up to the service of the Lord by a fear of the difficulties that lie in the way, and an unwillingness to make those efforts which are needed in order to overcome them. They may go certain lengths, like Orpah. She, as well as Ruth, lifted up her voice and wept, and joined in the profession, "Surely we will return with thee unto thy people." She was influenced so far by the example of Ruth, and her affection was called forth by the occasion, but there was neither that deep-rooted attachment to Naomi, nor that firm conviction of the truth of her religion, which led her to persevere when the temptation to return to her own people was urged upon her. And how many are there who too closely resemble her. They are led a little way by the force of example; they forsake sin for a season; they give up unholy amusements, their foolish books, their vain conversation for awhile; they make a few efforts in earnest, and shake off their

their

spiritual sloth and their love of ease, so far as to become partially reformed, and “almost" Christians; but they are influenced by passion instead of principle-by fancy instead of truth, and when the short-lived influences which actuated them are withdrawn, they relapse into their former worldliness and sin. While, then, I would press upon all my young friends the necessity of decision in religion, I would have them count the cost. I would that all who are of proper age should renew their baptismal vow at confirmation, but I would have them do it in sincerity and truth; I would have them do it so warily as well as resolutely, that there may be no desires arising hereafter for "that country from whence they have come out,"* no longing, lingering look cast behind on the city of destruction.† I warn you, then, beloved friends, against taking this step inconsiderately. The vow that you will take upon yourself is no less than to 66 renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world,

Heb. xi. 13-16.

Luke xvii. 32.

C

and all the sinful lusts of the flesh," and to "keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life." The voice of the Church, at this season of your life, re-echoes the voice of God in his Word. "Arise and depart for this is not your rest, for it is polluted, it shall destroy you even with a sore destruction." * You must forsake all evil, or it will be your ruin; but you must do it under the influence of principle, and the guidance of God's good Spirit, or you will be drawn back into perdition. You must not only draw the sword against your spiritual enemies, but throw away the scabbard; you must not only cross the stream that divides "the kingdom of Satan" from that of "God's dear Son," but break down the bridge behind you. Your watch-word to the end of your life must be "No peace with Satan-no compromise with the world-no truce with sin." And, therefore, as long as the world lieth in the wicked one-as long as Satan continues loose-as long as the law of sin warreth in your mem

*Mic. ii. 10.

bers-you must not expect to "find rest." Let not "the vain thought lodge within you,"

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"I may pass creditably through the season of preparation for the solemn rite-I may go conscientiously through the service, and then return to the same careless and easy sort of life I led before." If "rest" is what you seek, I say to you, in the words of Naomi, "Go; return." The Church of Christ is on her journey through the wilderness, and this is not her rest; she is a "Church militant here on earth," and "her warfare is" not yet "accomplished." The call to Confirmation is a marshalling of her youthful members to the battle, and to each and all will the solemn question be put in the name of the great "Captain of our salvation," "Do ye here, in the presence of God and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at your baptism?" And the answer that is expected from them is a firm, sincere, determined, "I Do."

CHAPTER II.

FURTHER DISCOURAGEMENT.

"And Naomi said,. turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband: if I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also to-night, and should also bear sons; would ye tarry till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? Nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes, that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me."-Ruth i. 11-13.

WE have seen that Naomi commenced her dissuasions, with a general caution that her daughters-in-law must not expect to find that rest in the way that they must tread with her which they would in their own mother's home. But she was not contented with simply reminding them of the advantages they were leaving behind, she proceeded to en