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will make the world wonder. going to promise the great, holy, heartsearching God, that you will, from this time forth, for ever renounce, forsake and abhor the devil and all his works; sin of every kind, of every degree, whatever your conscience tells you to be wrong; and that you will resist with all your might whatever temptations have hitherto overcome you. These are great things for you to promise." "I doubt, (said he) I am not fit: I had rather not go." Not at present taking any notice of his hesitation, I proceeded,-" You are in the world from morning to night; Satan puts every temptation in your way -sin, the neglect of God, the neglect of his word, and prayer; your companions draw you as far as they can from every serious thought about your soul, your Saviour, or eternity. Now you are going to promise, that when you meet them tomorrow, you will strive against them as far as you can; and if they will not hear you, that you will turn away from them. This is a part of the meaning of Confirmation. Is this your meaning?" "I think I had better not go," "I do not wholly discourage you from going. If you can go without telling a falsehood, it will be a blessing to you. But to profess and promise to God in his own house what you do not mean to perform, would be the most

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wicked falsehood you could utter. Did you know that it meant all this?" "Nothing near so much." "Now," said I, "I do not wish to frighten you, but it is so dreadful to go blindfolded and not think what you are about, before you promise. In your business you never make promises in this thoughtless way, -and this is by far the most serious business you ever took in hand.' "Yes, indeed, I begin to see it is; and I think I had better give it up.' "I do not advise you to give it up to-night. have not yet asked God to teach you. He is waiting for the first turn of your heart to him, if you will but seek him. Let me show you in the parable of the prodigal a picture of God's love and readiness to welcome you." He listened with great attention, and at length said, "I should like to go; but I think I had better not, if I am not fit." "I think so. Only remember, that unfitness for Confirmation is unfitness for death. And how awful to be called into eternity in this state of unfitness! How awful to be growing more unfit every day by neglecting these things! Do not despise this precious gift. It is worth all that you have in the world-the pearl of great price worth ten thousand worlds, if you had them to buy it." Yes, but

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it is such a very strict thing." you must expect to find it so.

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never can be religious without a hard struggle. Could you bear what the world will say? to have all your old companions joining the laugh against you?" He gave me no answer, and I continued-"Do let me tell you how much happier a thing it is to serve God than to run after the world: at least let me persuade you to make the trial. God has more to give you, than the world; and if you will but ask him- he giveth liberally and upbraideth not.' Now have you really ever asked him ?" "I think I have prayed lately; but, I doubt, not with all my heart." tinued my instructions at some length. His conscience was clearly convinced for the time, but he could not make up his mind to the cost. The chains of sin and Satan were too strong to be broken by such faint and fruitless convictions.

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E. F. was a child in the Sundayschool, evidently under the power of divine grace at the period of Confirmation. Happily for herself, she was not gifted with fluency of utterance; but the little that was brought out by questioning her patiently, appeared to be in truth the language of the heart." How do you feel about being confirmed, now the time is come?" Not by a grea deal as I could wish. "I suppose you feel it a great thing to do: would you

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wish not to be confirmed?" "No-I wish to serve God." "And what good do you expect it will do you?"

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at all, except I go with a true heart." "What does Confirmation mean?" "The giving up of the heart to God." "But were you not given up to God soon after you were born ?” "Yes, when I was baptized." "Then why do you want to be confirmed ?” "To give up myself to God." "It will cost you a great deal: there is so much to be given up first. Would you give your heart wholly to God?" "I will try." "Is there nothing in the world that you love so well as God?" "I do not think there is.' "But do you think that you can ever perform these great things that "Not you are going to promise?" without God's help.' "But to whom does God give his help ?" "To them that ask him.' "But what hope have you of God's help ?” "Because he has promised." And what made God pro mise it to you?" "Because Jesus Christ died for sinners." "Now you are going to promise to renounce all that the devil, the world, and your own wicked heart tempt you against following the word of God: which of these three do you find to be the hardest?" "I think I find my heart the greatest trouble." "And how do you expect to overcome it?" "By faith

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by believing in Jesus Christ so as to love him." "What are the articles of the Christian faith?” "All that the Bible tells me of Jesus Christ." "And do you really believe all that you read about him?" 66 I hope I do, but not enough." "Do you believe in him so as to try to seek him?" "I hope I do, but not enough I wish I did.” "What do you think of God's commandments: do you think you can keep them?" By God's grace I will try: I find them very comfortable." -There was not much' enlargement of mind, but enough to shew the guidance of the Spirit of truth. Monosyllables, however, which often shew no more than a cold and unmeaning assent, in her case displayed at once the timidity of her character, and the sincerity of her profession.

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A late traveller at the Cape of Good Hope, says, in a letter to a friend; "Having learned that there was to be a sale of cattle, farm-stock, &c. by auction, we halted our waggon for the purpose of procuring fresh oxen. Among the stock of the farm was a female slave and her three children. The farmers examined them, as if they had been so many head of cattle. They were sold separately, and to different purchasers. The

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