"What is required of those that come to the Lord's Supper? To examine themselves, whether they repent them truly of their former sins, steadfastly purposing to lead a new life; have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of His death; and be in charity with all men."

Thus the child is to examine himself. Do I repent me truly of my former sins? What are these sins in thought, in word, in deed, measured by the Commandments, measured by the Beatitudes? What am I doing against the will of God? What am I leaving undone? Am I honestly desirous to be better? And as to my faith: do I remember the death of Christ with thanksgiving for His love and sacrifice for me? Am I loyal to Him, as a soldier is loyal to his captain, or as a knight was loyal to his quest? And am I in charity with all? Is there anyone towards whom I have a heart of hatred? Am I honestly endeavoring,

though under difficulty, to be forgiving? Am I making the place where I live more pleasant because I live there? Am I of use in the world, ministering to the needs of others?

Then self-examination rises into petition. In the spirit of penitence and aspiration, the child approaches his heavenly Father.

O Blessed Jesus, Who, for our sins, didst pour out Thy blood on the cross; give me grace never to forget Thy tender love towards us, and grant that what Thou wast then content to endure for us men and for our salvation, may be effectual to the saving of our souls. O Thou, who didst vouchsafe to take death for the sins of every man, mortify in me all things that are contrary to Thy holy will, that I may be crucified unto the world and live only unto Thee, Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, art one God, world without end. Amen.

O almighty God, Who dost put into our minds good desires and dost give us grace and strength to bring them to good effect; help me in my weakness and failure and penitence with Thy mighty power; enable me now to begin again another and better life, wherein by thought and word and deed I may please Thee; and fill my heart anew with love for Thee and for all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here, O Lord, I offer and present unto Thee myself, my soul and body, to be a reasonable, holy and living sacrifice unto Thee. Grant that I may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with Him, that He may dwell in me and I in Him; to Whom be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of Thy servants towards the attainment

of everlasting salvation; that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life we may ever be defended by Thy gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHAPTER X

THE BIBLE AND THE CHILDREN

IDE by side with the prayers of the children will go a reading of the

Bible. Because the Bible has been proved by long and abundant experience to be the supreme book of religion. There is nothing else like it in the literature of the race. And its superiority to all other books is not only on the side of theology, in its revelation of God, but on the side of emotion and of conduct, in its actual influence on life. That is, it exceeds all other reading in its relation to the determining purpose of all our training of our children in religion, the purpose to help them to be good. We look anxiously about for assistance in our great task, seeking whatever we may best bring to bear upon our sons and