nor the language of true religion. "Lo, children and the fruit of the womb are an heritage and gift," says David, "which cometh of the Lord." The voice of joy and gladness is heard, and cheerful faces are seen, when a new member is added to a family. Fond looks and warm welcomings await the little stranger. The thankful mother "remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world ;" and hard indeed must be that father's heart, who does not feel a glow of affection, when his helpless offspring smiles upon him. It is a remnant of our better nature,—a reminiscence of that blessing which God pronounced on his creatures when he bade them increase and replenish the earth.

To a Christian parent this joy is rational and consistent. For though he is aware that his child inherits from him a corrupt nature, he knows also of a sure remedy. Though he believes that every infant is conceived and born in sin, he knows of a fountain opened by his heavenly Father, in which the corruption of nature may be washed away; and he takes his child to the baptismal font in the firm belief, that he is using a safeguard against sin prescribed by God himself. He believes, without reservation, that, by virtue of God's promise, his child is

made,” then and there, "a member of Christ, a child of God and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven;" that the precious privileges, purchased by the blood of Christ, are signed and sealed to him; insomuch that, if his child were taken from him that moment, he would be a sure partaker of God's covenanted mercy.

Thousands and tens of thousands we doubt not are the souls of those happy infants, who, being washed in their Saviour's blood, are spared the temptations of an evil world, and early taken to their kindred paradise. For children thus snatched away in the dawn of infancy, a few natural tears are due,-a few flowers scattered on their grave. But our thoughts of regret are mixed with cheerful submission to the will of the Almighty Ruler. We exclaim with Eli, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good;" or with Job "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

Great, however, as are the benefits of Holy Baptism, they are, I fear, received by many with little thankfulness. The prevailing want of seriousness, with which the ordinance is attended, shows too plainly the absence of right

I

religious principle. The holy sacrament of Baptism, which is nothing less than grafting the child into the body of Christ, and signing and sealing a covenant with God, whereby the highest privileges are conferred, and the most solemn engagements entered into,—this holy sacrament is sometimes called "naming the child!" Sponsors are chosen without any reference to their fitness to perform their solemn duties, but such as will most honour the ceremony, or leave the child a legacy,—a legacy of woe perhaps ; and the whole affair is looked on as a mere family festival. Even when the holy ordinance is performed in the house of God, it is not unfrequently marked with levity. What then shall we say of that most indecorous habit which prevails amongst the highly respectable, but not very highly educated, persons, who constitute the middle classes in our great towns, of preferring their parlour or drawing-room to the hallowed font in God's holy temple. Whence can have arisen this most irreverent and unchurchmanlike practice? If any persons think it refined and fashionable, let me assure them they are quite mistaken. It requires a very moderate knowledge of the world to observe, that the most refined

persons are above the mere modes of fashion when inconsistent with propriety. In religious matters, nothing can be more preposterous than to consider whether a thing is fashionable or not. The question should be "Is it right? is it according to Scripture, and the ordinances of the Church?" Persons of real refinement, and unprejudiced by vulgar notions about fashion, will make this their principle.

Very different from these were the thoughts of Ridley, when he first became a father; and hung over his new-born babe and beloved wife with mixed feelings of paternal fondness, and a deep consciousness of the responsibility which had devolved upon him. His first step was to write to his friend Herbert, informing him of the birth of the infant and the safety of his sister; and requesting, that, if he could, for a short time, leave his parish, he would come to town, to fulfil his long made promise of being Godfather to his son and heir.

Scarcely a week had passed before Herbert was ushered into his friend's library in Square. After many anxious enquiries respecting his sister and her babe, and many hearty congratulations on his acquiring the honoured

title of Father, they fell into discourse on that which was uppermost in Ridley's mind,-the baptism of his child.

It was very kind of you, my dear Herbert, to attend so promptly to my request; and rather selfish in me, I must confess, to invite you to a bachelor's house; but I am anxious to consult with you about my dear infant's baptism. It

is

my desire to have the sacrament performed strictly according to the ordinance of the Church. But there are two or three points of difficulty, with regard to which I should be glad of your advice. If the child continue, by God's blessing, in as good health as he is at present, I should certainly wish that the christening should take place in the parish church.

ᎻᎬᎡᏴᎬᎡᎢ,

In that decision you cannot be wrong.

RIDLEY.

I am rather perplexed, however, by the rubrick, which directs that the baptism shall take place on the Sunday, after the second lesson, either in the morning or the evening service.

If you require it (said Herbert, smiling), I conceive that the clergyman is bound to comply with your request; or, at least, subjects