give the younger Christians a knowledge of their religion, and to lead them to the practice of its duties. But I fear in too many instances, this, like the Catechism; is repeated merely by rote. The only method, in my opinion, of ascertaining whether the children who are arrived at an age to understand the Catechism, do comprehend it, and of leading them to reflection, is to vary the questionsin such a manner that the answers required must be given in their own words; an exercise of this kind will imprint on their minds as well as on their memories, the rudiments of Christianity; it will train them to the habit of thought,. and of that description of thought which E 3 which is of the greatest importance to their best interests; it will cause them to reflect upon the existence and omnipotence of the Creator, the merciful and gracious plan of man's redemption through the Divine Mediator, and the aid afforded by the Holy Spirit to enable him to overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to exert an earnest and constant endeavour to obey the precepts of the Gospel. There is another branch of the parish priest's duty, which like that I have just mentioned, demands both his public and private exertions. I mean the preparing young persons for confirmation. This like the publicly catechising the children children, is an opportunity not to be lost, of impressing upon his whole flock, old as well as young, the na ture and obligations of the Christian Covenant. Whenever there fore the Bishop gives notice of his intention to confirm the young persons in the parish who are properly qualified, the minister should make this rite, with all its attendant doctrines and duties, the subject of his discourses. But this is not all, he must use his exertion to bring the candidates for confirmation to him as early as possible, that he may learn the extent of their knowledge, and privately instruct the more ignorant. The intent and purpose of this ritė are easily explained, and most of the candidates I have examined, whose religious education had not been totally neglected, if they did not understand the nature and design of Confirmation, I have found readily to comprehend a short explanation of it. They have appeared to be sensible, they were themselves to enter into the engagements made for them at their baptism, and what these engagements were; that renouncing all sin and wickedness, they were to believe the doctrines, and obey the precepts of the Gospel. At the age for Confirmation, young persons are just entering the most important and dangerous In the period of their lives. height of youthful ardor, they are going to encounter the temptations of the world; and the thoughts and habits of a few years at this time, generally give a bias to the future conduct. Let the careful pastor by no means lose the opportunity now afforded him, of urging upon this part of his flock, the neces sity of the greatest consideration,and watchfulness; to press upon them, the observance of religious duties, and carefully to avoid the company of the dissolute, and the haunts of intemperance. And particularly let him earnestly recommend them to take the first opportunity of attending the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The too common neglect of this sacred ordinance, is, I am persuaded, greatly E 5 |