Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-12-20
Confirmation.


me on the subject above named; seem
ingly, desirous to have some addition
al information given to them on the
nature of this rite, as it is taught in
the P. f. Church. / mean nothing
controversial in the views propose to
give in this paper, but merely to pre-
sent our own teaching as briefly as
possible for the Information of those
persons mentioned above. and such
others as may be willing read this ar
ticle.
This is not .srite' peculiar to the
Protestant Episcopal Church. but is
recognized and held in use by other
large bodies of Christians throughout
the Christian world.
There is, however, some difference
of opinion among them as to its i'm
port and significance. With these diff
ferent views we have nothing in par
ticular to say in the present paper.
Our present purpose is to write for
the benefit and information of those
entertaining sentiments in common
with US.
Confirmation, then according to the
teaching of this church, is, we believe,
entirely spiritual rite, and is usually
termed in the New Testament, .'the
laying on of hands," which was fire.
quently practiced by the holy apostles
in the course of their ministrations.
In later years it has, too, been a very
in practice somewhat from the older
methods. By some writer's on the
subject it has been compared to a
sort of deed of covenant to which we,
as heirs of salvation, must subscribe,
when we come to years of discretion,
if we be benefited by the great scheme
of our religion; in manner as the heir
to an estate must put his hand and
seal to an agreement which had, dur
ing his minority, been entered into for
him by his guardian, if he would de-
rive the benefits which might accrue to
him therefrom. The rite of confirm
alton, though not held to be a sacra-
ment by US, because not having been
appointed or ordained by our Lord as
necessary to salvation, nor accompa-
MED with certain promises OF grace,
yet partakes of the solemnity of sac
rament; in that, that it may be made,
unquestionably, means OF grace. by a
right manner of preparing ourselves
for its reception, and through the Bish-
ops prayer for the divine blessing and
protection, which will have, undoubt-
edly, its blessed effect at the throne of
mercy. 10 this extent there is but
little variation of sentiment among
Christians, generally.
This Apostles rite is sometimes call
ed .'a Strengthening rite," from the
etymology of the original word soon
formatis," which chiefly means the
same as our English word confirm,
which is but slight difference of form,
derived therefrom.
The scriptural phrase ..laying on of
hands" grows out of the form OF i'm
parting or conferring this rite, which
was uniformly observed by the impo-
sition of the bishop or presbyter' 8
hands upon the head of the recipient
There are sufficient instances men
toned in the Holy Scriptures to war
rant us in the constant practice of this
sacred institution, and in initiating the
godly practice of the church of the
blessed Savior, throughout her entire
history. No doubt, but that such
practice is meant to continue the con-
veyance, to all baptized persons, the
manifold gifts of the ever-blessed spir-
it of God.
In Apostolic times there were very
frequently impaired to the recipients
| remarkable "miraculous gifts" when
the holy apostles laid their hands upon
the persons designed to receive the
same. But in our times these miracu-
lous gifts are less frequently impaired
vet, l am not unwilling to say that in
stances, now and then, are believed by
the ..faithful'' to occur when very re-
markable gifts are impaired.
But there still remains very extraor-
dinary gifts, Independent of the mirac-
ulous, if you will have it so. Among
these may be mentioned, 'Wisdom.
understanding, counsel, spiritual
strength, knowledge, godliness, and
holy fear.'' 1t is that all persons hop
ling to be SO highly endowed OF the
Lord, must be in proper state of heart
and mind to receive so great and rich
a blessing. The congregation, the
candidates, and the bishop who admin
listers the rite, unitedly call upon God
for the outpouring of his holy spirit,
and it is in response to the prayer OF
faith that the blessing comes through
the appointed means.
In preparation for confirmation OF
in receiving this blessing, no one il
authorized to look for any extraordi
nary or unusual sensation. but only
for grace to be given day by day a.