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ON FILIAL RESPECT.

From the Diary of a Clergyman.

men,

"AN aged man, in a state of considerable agitation, called on me, to ask my advice in regard to his daughter, and to beg of me individually to seek, and, if possible, turn her from the dangerous path on which she was entering. He had, it appeared, in the spirit of the patriarch, endeavoured to 'command his children and his household after him, that they might keep the way of the Lord;' and this girl, the youngest of the party, he had 'brought and nourished up' with peculiar care, so that truly in the language of the prophet, it might be said, she did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. She had at this period just reached the age of sixteen, and had lately been on a visit to an elder sister, whose husband was one of that unhappy class of who, though not actually an infidel, entertained very loose ideas of the religion of Christ, and who ridiculed all that had respect unto the one thing needful.' To laugh this girl out of what he considered too strict an observance of the Sabbath, and her religious principles and duties, was the object of this man; and unhappily he so far succeeded, that the poor girl began to waver, and even to doubt whether she had not attached an unnecessary importance to religion. The right principle of action, faith in her Redeemer, being thus to a certain degree undermined, the fruits of her unstableness were soon visible. On her return to her father's house, some trifling occasion gave rise to a remonstrance on his part, when she struck him: nor was this a solitary case; in three other instances, this hitherto dutiful daughter deliberately misused her affectionate and aged parent! The poor man, conscious that evil communications corrupt good manners,' bore with her unkindness, in the hope of reclaiming her, but she turned a deaf ear to him; and it was then, in the bitterness of his heart, he came to beg my advice, and to ask me to interpose as a minister, and, if possible, to save his erring child. The sufferings of this broken-hearted old man it is impossible to describe; but yet not a complaint of the

ill-treatment he had received escaped him; all his thoughts were centered in the hope of rooting out the pernicious principles which his daughter had imbibed, before they were too firmly fixed. Fortunately this young woman gave me a patient hearing, and thus I was enabled to point out to her the horror of her situation, and the misery that would await her should she be the cause of bringing down the grey hairs of her father with sorrow to the grave.' My words were not lost upon her, and I have the happiness of adding, that I was the humble instrument of reconciling the parties, and of afterwards witnessing her constant attendance in the House of God."

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A short time since, a woman in crossing one of the principal streets of the Metropolis with her child in her arms, was knocked down by a coach which was passing at a rapid rate; and the poor mother, though partly under the horses' feet, by an extraordinary presence of mind, threw the child from her, which was thus saved, while she, poor creature, was so dreadfully injured, that she did not long survive the accident. This incident, though apparently foreign to our purpose, substantiates the argument on which we would ground a few observations, viz. That the love of offspring is the grand and paramount feeling of a parent heart; and that come life, come death, the welfare of their children is the first consideration. The agonised feelings of a parent when a child is in danger, every one must have witnessed, What then must be the feelings of a parent who reflects that his children have an immortal life, when he sees one of them stand on the brink of destruction? Did our young friends think upon this, they would sympathise with the fond father above-mentioned, and would ask their hearts; if they had reason to believe that their own conduct was in any degree a cause of sorrow to their friends? Truly saith Solomon, “A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is a heaviness to his mother." A parent can bear loss of fortune, fame, and the various afflictions of life, while he can repose in the bosom of his family; but when like David, he finds "the son which came forth of his bowels" rebellious-little do those who have not yet felt the cares and anxieties of life, know the dreariness and bitterness of his heart!

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Much might be said on this subject; and at some future time

we shall probably renew it. In the mean time let our young readers, in whatever rank of life they move, listen to a word of advice ;-make your parent your friend! Should the warmth of youth lead you astray, who is there that would take so great an interest in welcoming you back? Consider the beautiful parable of the prodigal son: "He said, I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." No sooner did he come to this determination, than his father met him; and so would it almost invariably be the case, did children ingenuously confess their faults, and throw themselves on the mercy of their parents. This, it is true, is an extreme case, and has a higher application; but still, in minor offences, and in all domestic differences, it is equally applicable. Once more then, make your parent your friend, and lay open your heart to him; consult him in all difficulties; since where can you find any one who would take so great an interest in all that concerns you, or so calculated to advise you? Remember too the fifth command, that it may be well with thee in the sight of God: and when the curb of parental restraint is galling to your wayward feelings, think upon these words of the wise man, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother."

N.

ON CONFIRMATION.

THE laudable anxiety frequently manifested by heads of families, that their servants and children should rightly understand and be duly prepared for the solemn rite of confirmation, induces us to give the following questions and answers thereon, for the benefit of those persons who have never seen them; and also, that they may at all times be enabled to refer to the paper, as that published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, from whence this is taken, is on a loose sheet, and is too often, we fear, thrown aside and lost. It is our intention at

some future period, to point out some useful little books on confirmation; and also to make some extracts from some of the best writers on the subject, which we hope will be found serviceable to parents and our readers generally.

To be learned by those who are to be confirmed.

Confirmation is a rite of the church, administered to those, who having been baptised, and being now come to years of discretion, are desirous of renewing their baptismal vow.

Confirmation is administered by the bishop, who, by laying on of hands after the example of the apostles, certifies me of God's favour and gracious goodness towards me, and further prays for God's blessing upon me.

My baptismal vow, or the promise which was made in my name by my godfathers and godmothers at my baptism, was to this effect:

That I would renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh. That I would believe all the articles of the Christian faith. That I would constantly keep all the commandments of God unto the end of my life.

As to my Christian faith, I am taught in Holy Scripture to believe

That the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are three persons in one godhead.

That God the Father made the world.

That God the Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, suffered death upon the cross, to make atonement for the sins of all mankind.

That God the Holy Ghost worketh in us both to will and to do what is good.

My duty, as required in Holy Scripture, is

To love and to fear God: to worship and to obey Him. To love all mankind, and to act kindly, charitably, honestly, and justly towards them.

To repent of my sins, and to forsake them. To keep myself

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sober, chaste, pure, and humble in thought, word, and deed.

I know indeed that I am not able, of myself, to do all these things agreeably to the promise which I am about to renew. But humbly relying on the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, I promise to do so to the best of my power. I must, therefore, earnestly pray to God, to give me the assistance of his Holy Spirit. And I must likewise diligently use all the appointed means of grace. These are

Constant and earnest prayer to God, through Jesus Christ. Frequently and attentively reading and hearing the Holy Scriptures.

Religiously observing the Lord's day, particularly by attending the public service of the church.

Regularly receiving the Holy Sacrament of Christ's precious body and blood, for which I am to prepare myself after I have been confirmed by the bishop.

And I am assured, by God's holy word, that if I do all these things as a sincere Christian, to the best of my ability, I shall obtain the blessings of pardon, grace, and salvation; and I shall enjoy peace of mind, the comfort of a good conscience, and the hope of everlasting happiness, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Questions upon the foregoing paper.

What is confirmation?

By whom is confirmation administered?

What do you mean by your baptismal vow?

What was this promise?

What are you taught in Holy Scripture to believe concerning God?

What is your duty as required of you in Holy Scripture?

Are you able of yourself to do all these things, agreeably to the promise which you are about to renew?

How must you seek for the assistance, or grace of God's Holy Spirit ?