stles, unworthy of the name. He does not, like that other
Pharisee, boast of his good deeds, but only declares humbly that it is
by the Grace of God that he is what he is. Here, then, we have a test
to try whether our repentance is real or not. When we look back upon
our past sins and failures, does the memory make us sad--make us
humble? If we do not hate our old sins our repentance is not true.
And again, if the recollection of our faults does not make us _humble_,
we have not really repented. Directly we find ourselves trusting in
our own righteousness, and despising others; boasting of what we were,
and what we are; walking through the world with our head lifted up, and
talking with a stiff neck, let us be sure that we are in great danger.
Let us get to our Lord right humbly, crying with the Publican "Lord, be
merciful to me, a sinner." Learn, too, from S. Paul's words, that if
we are trying to lead holy, gentle, pure lives, it is by God's grace
that we are what we are. Not by our own sword and our own right hand
have we gotten the victory. It is God's grace and help which alone
help us to lead a holy life. Let us think, then, how that grace may be
obtained. God's grace comes to us through certain channels ordained by
God Himself, and these are, speaking generally, the Sacraments and
Ordinances of the Church, Prayer, and the study of the Bible.

Let me speak of one special means of grace to-day--Confirmation. It
may be that there are some here who are not confirmed, and are not
willing to offer themselves for that holy rite. The hindrances which
keep people from Confirmation differ with different people. There is
one class of persons which will not be confirmed because it does not
care about God, or desire to lead a holy life. A young man or woman of
this class says, I mean to have my own way; I am not going to be tied
and bound by promises and vows; I shall do what I like, whether it be
right or wrong. Such persons are, I hope and believe, uncommon. Then
there is a second class of people, which is indifferent about
Confirmation, because it does not fully understand the blessings
belonging to it. These people have probably never been taught true
Church doctrine, and so they tell us that Confirmation may be a very
good thing, but they can do very well without it. They tell us that
they know such an one who has never been confirmed, and who is a very
good man. They assure us that they do not "hold wi