not only is the curse of our original fallen nature arrested, but we receive a blessing that far exceeds. Where sin abounded, grace does now much more abound. Rejoice, therefore, ye mourning Rachels, that your children are no longer children of wrath, but members of CHRIST, children of GOD, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven.

At the same time, "rejoice with trembling." The New Birth is but the beginning of a new life. Your regenerate children will require continual spiritual nourishment. They must be most carefully brought up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. They must lead the rest of their lives according to the beginning made in Baptism. All vices must be mortified and slain within them. By the innocency of their lives and constancy of their faith even unto death, they must glorify the holy Name of HIM Who hath made and redeemed them. It is eminently your part and duty to see that your children be thus virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life. For this blessed undertaking you have every aid and encouragement from GOD; but He will not supersede your own diligent labours.

And here I am led more particularly to address the parents, fathers as well as mothers, of the children of our parish schools. Having on former occasions insisted on the importance of the religious and general education given in these schools, urging on this ground liberal almsgivings from the congregation and your richer neighbours,' I would now earnestly warn parents against thinking that when you have sent your children to school you have done your whole part towards their education. Under all circumstances, the most vital

1 First Series, Sermon XI.

parts of a child's education, are of necessity received at home. They may acquire their book-learning and the like at school; they may there learn the Creed, the LORD's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health; they may be brought somewhat under moral and religious discipline; but all this will be of little avail unless their parents at home set them the example of a godly life: unless you yourselves pray with them and for them; unless you train and correct their dispositions and manners: unless you bring them with you to Church, or at least take care not merely to send them there, but to come also yourselves; unless, in short, your own households are conducted upon the principles of order and obedience, love and gentleness, cleanliness, temperance, and modesty, frugality and thrift, virtue and religion. You cannot devolve your own responsibilities upon others.

May God give you grace not only to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, but to promote, as far as in you lies, that of your children; that your sons may grow up as young plants, and your daughters be as the polished corners of the temple; so that at the last they may flourish as trees of righteousness in the everlasting paradise; and stand as pillars in the heavenly temple, to go out no more!

H. H.

SERIES III.

SERMON XX.

BEFORE CONFIRMATION.

ECCLES. XII. 1.

REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH, WHILE THE EVIL DAYS COME NOT, NOR THE YEARS DRAW NIGH, WHEN THOU SHALT SAY, I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THEM.

THESE are the words of one who did remember GoD in youth, but forgot HIM in his old age. King Solomon began life as a servant of the LORD, but ended as a servant of idols. Of his early days we read, that "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father:" and that in Gibeon the LORD appeared to him, offering him a choice of gifts, and that Solomon chose above all, wisdom, the knowledge of God's will.

This was his youth, pious and therefore blessed; serving the LORD, and beloved of HIM. But what was his age? "It came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his GOD, as was the heart of David his father. . . . And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. . .

And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD GOD of Israel, Who had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods but he kept not that which the LORD commanded."

Here, then, we have an instance of one who knew GOD's holy will, and did it not. Solomon could deliver excellent advice, but he could not walk in it steadfast unto the end. He could point out the way to others, but his own feet turned aside out of it. And this, brethren, shows us the difficulty of acting up to our professions; of carrying through what we know to be right. Here was a man full of knowledge, enlightened by a revelation, able to frame these wise proverbs as a lamp to the feet of the Church's children, a teacher of mankind to all ages—and yet himself failing at last undergoing the wrath of GOD, for breaking the first of all His commandments.

Now we may make this a very useful thought to ourselves. And you especially, beloved brethren, who are preparing yourselves for Confirmation, take this as one lesson to be drawn from the text; how easy it is to profess, and how hard it is to be what we profess. You are soon to make a public and solemn profession "before many witnesses;" a vow of steadfast obedience. You are by your own act to renounce-what? the devil and all his works, the world and all its vanities, the flesh and all its lusts. You will come before God with a vow which cannot be divided between two masters, or part given while part is kept back. It will demand of you diligence, watchfulness, faith, fear, earnest prayer, to enable you to keep it ; and yet it is contained 1 Kings. xi. 4, 10.