7. Watch and pray against all impurity in thought and deed and word. Keep from all places and company in which you are likely to be tempted. 8. Be honest and truthful in everything. Never take an advantage of the infirmity or inexperience of others. Avoid sharp practices. 9. Avoid tale-bearing. Do your best to help others by your example, your influence, your prayers. 10. Never set your heart on what GOD has not placed within your reach. Do all to the glory of GOD. C 1. Prefatory For the newly Confirmed. ONFIRMATION is to the Christian baptized into CHRIST'S Church in infancy a deliberate and conscious dedication of his life to GOD's service. So soon as he has come to "years of discretion," that is, so soon as he is capable of making a choice for himself, he chooses for himself the way of GOD, and pledges himself to keep His commandments. And having made this choice, and given this pledge, he goes forward, with GOD'S help and blessing, upon the path he has deliberately chosen. But the path is difficult, much harder, perhaps, than he had imagined it would be. His spirit soon begins to sink, and his strength to fail. "FATHER, help me!" he cries out. "I want to serve Thee truly, but I am so sinful. I want to walk in the way of my choice, but I am so weak." But, before he has cried, there comes a loving answer, "Yea, My son, I know how hard the path is, for I have trod it: I know thy sinfulness, but I have died for thy sins: I know thy weakness, but My F grace is sufficient for thee,-' arise and eat' of the food that I will give thee." In the Holy Communion there is salvation for the sinner through the Body and Blood of the Redeemer he can bring all his sins to the very foot of the Cross, and say, "The LORD JESUS died for these sins of mine: LORD, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief." There, too, he can obtain strength and support sufficient for the whole journey of life; "meat indeed," and "drink indeed." There, too, he learns more and more of the Love of GOD, which alone is his stay and support in life, his comfort in death, his hope in eternity. There, too, he learns his brotherhood with all the saints of GOD, and to live in love and charity towards all men. These are some of the privileges at once held out to the newly confirmed. Will you not joyfully praise GOD for thus supplying you with all you need, and say, "What reward shall I give unto the LORD for all the benefits He hath done unto me? I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the LORD?" If not, if you wilfully neglect this great means of grace, you are breaking your SAVIOUR'S most plain command. You have said, "I do" pledge myself to keep GOD's holy will and commandments; and the first command that meets you |