greatly owing to young persons not presenting themselves at the Holy Table so soon as confirmed. They postpone the duty from time to time, until they turn their backs upon the Altar without compunction or consideration-or groundless fears arise or they are drawn into that course of life, which is no unreasonable or imaginary hindrance to their spiritually partaking of the body and blood of the Redeemer. But if as soon as qualifed they receive this sacrament, all these consequences will most probably be avoided they will experience the comfort, and continue in the habit of a constant attendance at the Lord's Supper. Having a knowledge of the nature of the the institution, they will not be disturbed by groundless fears; and the consideration generally induced by this act of devotion, with the blessing we may expect upon the use of an appointed means of grace, will preserve them from those sins which render them unfit to approach the Table of their Lord on earth, and will render them equally unfit to be inhabitants of his kingdom in Heaven. OF OF THE PRIVATE LABOURS OF THE PAROCHIAL CLERGY. "HE understands but little of the nature and obligations of the priestly office," says Bishop Burnet, "who thinks he has discharged it by performing the public appointments." Various certainly, and of the highest importance are the private duties of the parish priest. To visit the the sick-to pay attention to the schools where children of the lower orders are instructed-and above all, to keep up that intercourse with his parishioners which will give him an insight into their manners and habits, should form a considerable part of his occupation. The visiting the sick stands foremost amongst the private labours of the parochial minister. An inspired writer, one of the Apostles, who conversed with our Blessed Lord after His resurrection upon the things concerning His kingdom, has left a direction, that when Christians are visited with sickness, they shall send for their spiritual guides; "Is any sick among you," says St. James, "let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him." And our Church has enjoined her clergy not only to attend on such occasions, but to resort to those who are by them known to be dangerously sick (Canon 67.) The attentive pastor, therefore, will not wait till he is summoned, but on the first intimation that one of his flock is indisposed, he will consider that there his duty calls, and thither he will repair. Not will he content himself with going through the appointed offices in a perfunctory manner, with merely reading the visitation prayers, or administering the Sacrament of the Lord's |