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MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIAL 1010a
(ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2)
FEATURES OF OUR
FAITH,
POSITION
AND
PRACTICES
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS
Intended primarily for Candidates for Confirmation.
{---'
^-J
BY
C DAVIDSON, M. A.
J.
Rector ofPetcrborwgh.
T.
Introductory
In everyparish many persons ofmatureyears will be
found who, while ready to present themselves for Con-
firmation, areprevented by circumstancesfrom attending
the preparatory Classes. For them the following in-
structions are designed, though they may possibly also be
found helpful to others.
One ofthe great incidental blessings of Confirmation
is the opportunity thereby afforded ofdefinite teaching in
regard to the 'Catholic Faith^ the practices ofpersonal
Religion, and theposition ofthe Church.
Where such information can be given, the fortunate
recipients should have a clear understanding henceforth
oftheir Belief, Position, and Duty, and be equippedfor
all emergencies.
For this purpose our Churchsetsforth her Catechism ;
and while olderpersons cannot be expected lo learn it by
rote, they should certainly invest—igate the differentgreat
Truths expounded therein, viz.: The Christian Cove-
nant,Christian Dutv Christian Creed, Christian Prayer,
and Christian Sacraments. An attempt to deal prac-
t—ically with these points is made in the folloiving pages,
which shouldbe readslozviyandthoughtfully, the scrip-
tural references being carefully examined.
(©ONPII^MATION
Confirmation means the act of making firm—of
strengthening.
It is this in two respects (i) God confirming us by
:
His Holy Spirit, the Comforter or Strengthencr : (2)
we confirming the promises made at Baptism. Of
these the first is the more important and the only
Scriptural part : let us consider it.
THE GIFT OF CONFIRMATION
Read Acts viii. 5-18. Notice here that a Deacon
preaches Christ: people believe and are baptised (v. 12).
But this is not enough (v. 16), so the Deacon stands
aside, and Apostles (i.e. Bishops) confirm by means of
the laying on ofhands* and prayer (v. 15-17). Result,
the Holy Ghost is given, (v. 17).
Another Confirmation. See Acts xix. 1-6. Same
outward means used, same result follows (v, 6). But
we have no instance ofConfirmationbeingadministered
by any but members of the highest order in the Ministry.
See also Hebrews vi. 1-2, where confirmation is
placed among the " principles ofthe doctrine ofChrist."
—
•Note All through the Bible the lay! g on of hands is used in
connection with the conveyance of different blessings. See
Gen. xLViil. 9, 14; Num. xxvil. 18; Mk. x. 16, etc.
3
How can we reasonably accept the other five " founda-
tions " enumerated here (Repentance, Faith, Baptisms,
etc.) and reject Confirmation ?
Jee also Ephesians i. 13.
Why should we desire in Confirmation to receive the
Holy Ghost? See what He does—Jno. xvi. 7-14;
XIV. 26; Acts I. 4-8 ; Romans viii. 26-2—7 ; Gal. v. 22.
He comes first visibly into the Church Acts 11 1-4
;
is given afterwards in Confirmation, Acts viii. 19.
See our Lord's promise, Lk. xi. 13. At Confirma-
tion, in addition to the prayer ofthe Divinely appointed
officer, the prayers of the whole congregation are con-
centrated upon us. Then, if ever, must we receive the
promised Gift. Our Father who knows and loves us
offers us this Divine help in Confirmation, coming
down to suppor* guide and cheer us. Is it not a
responsibility to reject this Heavenly Visitor, as if we
did not want God's companionship, and could do with-
out His help?
THE RATIFICATION
The second part of Confirmation (coming first in
the service) is the ratification of our Baptismal vows.
See Bishop's question " Do ye here ratifying, etc."
. . .
This is a minor and incidental feature, added at the
Reformation to Confirmation, which (as in the Bible
4
narratives) would be complete without it. Still, it is a
serious question, and requires thoughtful consideration.
Baptism involved a Covenant between God and us
with promises on both sides. Our promises were made
provisionally on our behalf. Now it is for us to ratify
these—to 'put our own signature' to the covenant.
Examine these promises
(a) Renunciation of the World, Flesh and Devil.
—
The point at issue is this are we content to drift along
through life, driven hither and thither by different
impulses of these evil powers, or are we resolved to
—
make a determined resistance to them to • renounce '
and give up what is wrong, as bidden by John Baptist
(Matt, III), and after example of our Lord (Matt, iv.)?
(b) Our second promise—to believe all the articles
of t. e Christian Faith. (See p. 8.) God has laid
down a certain path ofdefinite religious Faith—are we
resolved to walk in it ?
(c) Thirdly we promised to obey God's holy will and
commandments. See the Ten Commandments(Exodus
xx), the Sermon on the Mount (S. Matt, v., vi., vii.)
etc., etc. In the Bible and through the promptings of
conscience we are pointed to a definite path of duty
to God above and man below. Are we resolved to
walk in this path ? Whether we accept it or no, it ts
our duty and high privilege. Only in obedience to
5
God's Holy Will and Commandments can we live a
true and beautiful life.
THE PRIVILEGES OF BAPTISM
In Baptism we were made members ofChrist (i Cor.
XII. 12, 27). (b) Children of God (Gal. in. 26, 27),
(c) Inheritors oftheKingdom ofHeaven (Rom.viiii7.)
What does this mean ? That God, instead of letting
—
us wander in darkness, placed us in the light instead
of giving us a bad start with all against us, gave us
a good one with much to help us that He adopted
— :
us into His Family The Church, and allowed us to
grow up amid the blessed influences of the Divine
Home And although 've may have not appreciated
—
or used these privileges although we may have gone
We
into a • far country,' we need not despair. still
belong to the Divine Family, and can say " I will arise
and go to my Father."
It is one thing, however, to learn of our inheritance,
and quite another thing to take actual possession of it.
The Father has placed us in His Family, but if we
would dwell there we must wear the white dress of the
Family and share in its high and beautiful and holy
life. We must help to maintain the family honour,
and to fight the family battles. God calls us now at
Confirmation from an unthinking and careless or in-
dolent life t mderstand our true position, enjoy its
6
