each particular the conformity of her system of education with the purity of the Christian religion: She maintains her character as an instructor of youth in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," no less honourably than as a guide to those of riper age; and she gives unquestionable evidence of her fidelity to Him, to whose word she is obedient" as the Author and Finisher of her faith'," whilst she reposes on his merits as the only "propitiation for her sins," and the "one Mediator between God and men3;" Him, whom she reverences as her "head," no less than she adores Him as her "Saviour;" Him, to whom alone she is devoted, as "the way, the truth, and the life."

It is upon the principle of religious education, which has now been passing under review, that the institution, at this time soliciting your continued patronage, recommends itself to your support. It has indeed numerous and powerful claims upon your bounty; on account both of the many temporal evils which it contributes to prevent or remedy, and the many temporal blessings, which it bestows upon the children under its protection: the evils, on the one hand, of ignorance and licen

Heb. xii. 2. 3 1 Tim. ii. 5.

2

1 John ii. 2.

4 Eph. v. 23.

tiousness; of cold and nakedness; of idleness, beggary, and vice. On the other hand, the blessings of useful learning and salutary discipline; of decent and comfortable clothing; and of habits of industry, diligence, and moral virtue. Add to these, the provision which it supplies for the further instruction and support of the objects of its attention on their removal from the more imme

diate shelter of its hospitable care. But great as these benefits are, and they are unquestionably and incalculably great, they derive their strongest recommendation from their connection with the religious advantages, provided for these poor children. The character of these advantages, as defined in the rules and practices of the Institution, I have made it my present business to endeavour to place before you. In the spirit of the established Church, whose doctrine and discipline it professes, and in whose steps it has faithfully trodden for more than a hundred years, this Institution makes no pretension to modern liberality, falsely so called; it seeks not to detach the duties which we owe to our neighbour from those which we owe to God; it admits not of an indifference to peculiar modes of faith, or to peculiar forms of religious worship; it countenances no adulterated, no mutilated Christianity: but maintaining the indissoluble connection between the practice of Christian morality, and an attachment to the

Christian faith; and esteeming imperfect every form of worship, which is not accompanied with the observance of the Christian sacraments, and conducted by the ministration of an apostolical priesthood, it carefully imbues the minds of its youthful disciples with the principles of our Church's venerable Liturgy, and trains and habituates them to devotion within these hallowed walls.

With such claims upon your beneficence, as believers in the Gospel according to the pure profession of the national Church, this charitable Institution, agreeably to annual custom, now again presents itself to your notice. It addresses its appeal, not so much to your feelings, as to your judgment. It rests its hopes of support, not on the equivocal dictates of a vague compassion, but on your deliberate conviction of what is right. In proportion as you value the spiritual blessings, which yourselves enjoy, and as you are persuaded that the instruction here furnished is agreeable to the Gospel of Him, who is "the way, the truth, and the life," we rely upon your co-operation in ensuring those blessings, in perpetuating that instruction, to the poor children of your vicinity. Such an exercise of benevolence is most especially a Christian's duty, for it is most especially conducive to the glory of God, and to the welfare of our fellow-creatures: and I need hardly remind

you, that benevolence, animated by Christian motives and directed to Christian ends, shall in no wise go unrewarded; here by the testimony of an approving conscience; hereafter by the benediction of our blessed Redeemer, and a brighter inheritance in His Father's house.

O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that following the steps of thy holy Apostles, St. Philip and St. James, we may steadfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 1.

' Collect for St. Philip and St. James's day.

NOTE. The foregoing Sermon was first preached for the benefit of an old parochial School in St. Margaret's, Westminster, the 1st of May, 1814, being the festival of St. Philip and St. James. The Author's habit of preaching, when he conveniently could, from the service of the day, caused him to have recourse to the Gospel for a subject, which appeared particularly appropriate to the occasion of his Discourse.

DISCOURSE XII.

THE CHURCH'S RITE OF CONFIRMATION, ITS

HISTORY AND VALUE.

Address to Candidates for Confirmation.

MY YOUNG CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,

BEFORE we proceed with the solemn rite, for the administration of which we are at this time assembled, it appears to me desirable that a few words should be addressed to you upon the subject of our meeting. Your parochial ministers have doubtless already fixed it upon your attention, and pointed out the principal sources from which you may derive useful information and wholesome admonition, especially the office of Baptism in our Common Prayer Book; the Catechism, which was composed for your instruction on the occasion; and the Order of Confirmation itself. It is not from any apprehension that these