The Washington herald., 1910-03-14
EPISCOPAL BISHOP
ADMINISTERS RITES
Right Rev. Harding Confirms
Glasses at Two Churches.
FIFTY CANDIDATES ADMITTED
In Groups OF Dozen They Go tn Rail
and Renew BaptismaI Vows, Ae-
cording TO Ritual Of Chureh-The
Bishop Gives short Sermon Urging
Moral and Spiritual support.

Right Rev Alfred H Harding. Bishop
of the Protestant Episcopal DiQcese of
the District. officiated at two chancels
yesterday in the holy rite of conhrma-
ton. admitting fifty candidates to the
shelter of the church.
A class of twenty-five was confirmed
at the morning service at st. Johns
Church. Last night a like number en-
tered st. Thomas Church.
Rev. DR.. C. Ernest Smith presented the
class at st. Thomas, and Rev. DR.. Roland
Cotton Smith brought the candidates at
ST. Johns to the chaneei. Bishop Glib
son confirmed a class OF twenty-five
at Christ Episcopal Church, Alexandria.
In the morning.
Their baptism Renewed.
'Oh, Praise Ye the Lord, All Ye Ma
tons" was the confirmation hymn at St.
Thomas. In groups of a dozen the can
didates walked to the rail and renewed
their baptismal vows. After the cere-
mony Bishop Harding gave a short ser
mon.
He said the way IS open through entry
into the church for a better life and q
broader horizon to each of those who
stood before him, and advised them TO
| take every advantage toward moral and
spiritual support that the church holds
out.
Rev. Or. Smith added few words Of
kindly advice, and the service ended with
! the usual ceremony OF prayer and music.
ST. Thomas was crowded during the con-
frmation.
At St Johns in the morning one of
| the largest congregations Of the winter
( attended. During the singing of the
hymn. 20 Jesus. Have Promised to
Serve Thee 10 the End" the twenty-five
candidates, consisting OF men. women.
boys, and girls came forward TO the
cnancel rail The rector of the church.
Rev. Roland Cotton Smith. presented the
candidates to the bishop.
Answer I'm Affirmative.
After the bishop had read the Biblical
authority for confirmation. he asked the
candidates II they were willing to renew
! their solemn baptismal vows. and each
one answered in the affirmative,
/ The bishop then laid his hands on the
/ head of each person.
After prayers and benediction the bishop
gave the customary personal talk to the
/ candidates. He said in part:
/ Among the happiest experiences OF a
bishops life IS the privilege of praying
for his children and laying his hands
/ upon them in blessing, after the example
Of the holy apostles. God gave you the
new life in holy baptism, 10 most OF you
| when you were unconscious Of what He
was doing for you. just as you were IN
conscious Of the natural life that He gave
you when He brought you into this world
Your Christian life began by His mighty
power before you were able 10 know
anything about it.
Confirmation Not End.
You will find, just as surely as you are
here. that 1t is a real battle, that to-day
tomorrow. and every day you VIII have
a conflict TO endure You will have temp
tations You viii not be changed this
morning by a miraculous gift into per
lection. You are beginning again. and ]
want TO emphasize that thought, that
confirmation is not the end of the Chris
tian life. and that the Christian life is
Just taking a new, fresh beginning. You
win have temptations. you will have
doubts. In the course Of life sorrOws and
trials are inevitable"
Bishop Harding also preached the ser
mon to the congregation, his text being
the twelfth verse Of the first chapter
Of st. PauPs Second Epistle to Timothy
Il know whom I have believed. and an
persuaded that He is able to keep that
which have committed unto Him against
that day
/ Bishop Harding called attention to the
fact that there were only two weeks left
| in the solemn season OF Lent, and urged
all those who had not been keeping It e
make a beginning.