of sense

and as soon as we come to the years and discretion, we ought to do it ourselves, if we wish to be considered christians; for if we do not renew and ratify this vow and dedication, we show by our conduct, that we are not agreed, and do not consent to the vows and promises, which they made for us -that we will not be bound by that covenant with God-that we do not wish to be follow. ers of Jesus, nor members of the christian church. He therefore, who wishes, that his baptismal vow should stand, should, in our humble opinion, voluntarily and publicly come forward and renew, ratify and confirm the same, either before the congregation at large, or before the proper officers of the church.

The promises made by your parents and sponsors, (saith Dr. Abercrombie in his lectures on the episcopal catechism) that you should embrace and perform your part of. this covenant, are to be assumed by you in this holy ordinance of confirmation, when you arrive at an age capable of understanding its.nature.

The holy rite of confirmation, it is believ ed, is derived from the practice of the apostles, and was customary in the primitive church. The following passages show that it was practised by the apostles: Acts viii. 14,-Acts xix. 6-Heb. vi. 2. In this last passage, Paul considers confirmation, or the laying on of hands, as one of the fundamental rites of the church.

The authorities of the Fathers of the church are the following:

Tertullian, who lived about eighty years after St. John, tells us, that after baptism succeeds the laying on of hands, and by prayer calling for the Holy Ghost. De Bapt. ch. 8. St. Cyprian, who lived about sixty years after Tertullian, when speaking of the Samaritan converts and of confirmation, adds: The same thing is practised among us, that they who are baptised, are presented to the governors of the church, that by their prayers and imposition of hands, they may obtain the Holy Ghost, and be perfected with the seal of Christ. Ep. 73.

St. Jerome, speaking of confirmation, says, "If you ask where it is written, we answer, it is written in the acts of the apostles; but if there were no scripture authority for it, yet the consent of all the world in this particular is instead of a command." Dial advers. Lucif.

The Jews had a ceremony similar to our rite of confirmation; for they brought their children before the congregation, when they were thirteen years old-they were then examined as to the general principles of their religion, solemnly took upon themselves the observation of the law, and were declared sons of the precept. Buxtorf Synag. Jud. ch. 7

Even among the heathens, the dictates of reason or the light of nature, prescribed a similar institution: Among the Persians and the Athenians, &c. the youth at a certain age, were required to take a solemn oath, to des pise all filthy lucre, bodily pleasure and vain glory, and to be emulous of virtue, to honor their parents, to speak the truth, to do good, and to defend and reverence the religion in which they were born.

From these authorities, our church hath been induced to retain this rite of confirmation. However, we do not consider it a sacrament, because it was not ordained by Christ himself, but we do consider it an useful and edifying custom, from which many can date the beginning of their real conversion to God.

In this, the following named churches agree with us: The Church of the United Brethren-the Episcopal Church-the German and Holland Reformed Churches-and the Reformed Church of Swisserland.

CHAP. VI.

OF ADMISSION OF MEMBERS TO THE COMMUNION.

Such only should be admitted to the communion, who have attended a course of lectures on the catechism, and who have been confirmed; however, as some adults have

npt the time to attend these lectures, the vestry may nevertheless admit them, if, upon examination, they are found to have a com petent knowledge of the essential doctrines of religion, and appear to be sober, steady and anxious to dedicate themselves to the service of the Lord.

CHAP. VII.

OF FESTIVAL DAYS.

There is no day under the Gospel commanded to be kept holy, except the Lord's day, which is the christian sabbath. Nevertheless, the Lutheran church considers it use. ful to celebrate such days, as were signalised by the glorious and important events, that proclaim the celestial mission of the Saviour, and the divine authority of his holy religion. Mosheim vol. 4.