I remember a striking illustration. A professed sceptic on his death-bed, with whom the Rev. Dr. Moore, of Staten Island, was conversing, even at that solemn hour was laughing at religion and the Gospel of Christ. The truth which he had been scoffing at, and rebelling against all his life, had, unconsciously, become fastened on his soul, by his Pastor's constant reiterations. Our object then is to fasten truth upon the mind, without unnecessarily arraying antagonisms. Here we note an argument for the importance of catechisms, and catechetical instructions.
Conviction has a different office from instruction.
On the basis of truths impressed by instruction, our purpose is to convince the judgment and awaken the conscience. Here argument comes into play. But it ought to be argument, and not the mere appearance of it. Reason is to be appealed to and judgment invoked. Such truths are not to become footballs for logic.