ages, from
the days of S. Paul and the other Apostles, used Confirmation? If it
be only a ceremony, what does the Bible mean by saying that when the
Apostles laid their hands upon certain persons they received the Holy
Ghost? And remember that what the Apostles did, the Bishops, as their
descendants, have done ever since. But some men will say--why cannot
God give me grace and strength without these forms? And I answer,
simply because it is not God's pleasure; we are not to teach Him, but
to obey Him. If you read your Bible you will find that God constantly
used earthly means to provide spiritual blessings. When the people
were threatened with the destroying angel in Egypt, they were bidden to
sprinkle the blood of the Paschal Lamb on their door-posts. This was a
rite, or ceremony, but if neglected, death followed. The Israelites,
who were bitten by fiery serpents, were commanded to look on the brazen
serpent, made and lifted up by Moses. That was a ceremony, but to
disregard it meant death. When Naaman wished to be healed of his
leprosy, he was bidden to wash in Jordan seven times. That was a
ceremony, but it was the only means of his cure. There must be a
channel, a communication, between God and man through which His grace
comes. Suppose you were to come to a deep well, but had no pitcher or
other vessel to let down into it, of what use would the water be to
you? You forgot that "the well is deep, and you have nothing to draw
with." You have seen the telegraph instruments in the post office.
Well, there is plenty of electricity there to send your message for
hundreds of miles, but if there is _no wire_ the force of the
electricity is in vain.

But perhaps some men will say to me--I know certain sects who do not
believe in Confirmation. My brethren, how does that concern you? I
know certain people who never wash themselves, who never pray; but what
have they to do with us? I am speaking to believers, to Church people,
not to outsiders. I am speaking to those who are baptised into the
Church of Christ, and for whom it was promised that they should be
brought to the Bishop, to be confirmed by him. I think, then, that you
must see that it is _right_ to be confirmed, because the Church has
ordered Confirmation, and used it from the beginning; and next, that it
is good for us to be confirmed, because we are too weak of ourselves to
lead holy lives. Now let me say a word, in ending, to those who have