Boys | Page 4

whatsoever ye do, do all to the
Glory of God."
Prayer, private and public. What I have said in a former paper holds
good now. No boy can safely neglect his morning and evening prayers
and his public worship on Sundays. Prayer should include daily
self-examination: no one can get on in the world unless he looks after
his own affairs, and reckons from time to time how he stands. So with
our daily life--we should try it day by day, and see if we are keeping
straight. Each night we should look back over the day, see what has
been wrong, what imperfect--seek pardon for the wrong, and determine,
by God's help, to amend it.
Public Worship once a Sunday, i.e. in the morning, is the duty of every
Christian: whether we go oftener is a matter of choice, but less we
cannot do without failing in our duty. Attendance at the full morning
service, i.e. the celebration of the Holy Communion, is the prayer-book
rule, whether we observe it or not.
Regular Communion is absolutely necessary. How frequently it is
advisable to come must depend upon circumstances, but speaking
generally I should say, in the words of one whose opinion carries great
weight, that "monthly Communions are the very fewest which anyone
seeking to serve God devoutly can make."
I have taken it for granted that you have been confirmed, which will
probably have taken place about the time of leaving school.
Confirmation ought to make a marked change in your life. Firstly,
because you are more directly responsible for yourself, and, secondly,
because it brings you into closer relation, for a time at least, with your
clergyman. Before your first communion the prayer book speaks to you
very distinctly about personal advice and intercourse with your parish

priest. Neither your first or any subsequent communions are to be made
unless you are satisfied as to your own fitness to come to it. If you are
in doubt you are advised to go to God's minister, lay before him those
sins that make you afraid or doubtful of coming, and seek his advice.
This is not pleasant, but it is useful. Many people speak against it, but it
is Christ's appointed way. If you feel that this will help you, go as often
as you need, and do not be stopped by any foolish remarks of people
who do not understand it, or by any thought of its being a weak and
unmanly thing to do. It requires courage, perseverance, and a true
estimate of oneself to do it, and these are not generally considered
unmanly qualities. Some of the best men, some of the bravest soldiers,
have not been ashamed of using this means of grace. Knights of old
were accustomed to confess before they went into battle. Read the life
of Henry V. of England. He was no milksop, or, as people would say
now-a- days, priest-ridden king, but he did not look upon it as an
unmanly thing. You are free to choose, or free to refuse it; only pray to
be guided aright by God's Holy Spirit to do that which shall be most to
His glory and your soul's good.
Almsgiving. Whatever money you have of your own some portion--a
tenth, if possible,--should be given to God in some way or other.
Bringing others to God. We must not be selfish in our religion--if God
has made known the truth to us we must do our best that others may
share it also. You can do much in a quiet way, not only by example:
you can get a word in where others have not a chance. Many a
youngster would gladly keep from wrong, and go on steadily, if he had
only someone to stand by him. It is not enough to be good, we must do
good, and never laugh at another for his religion. Many years ago a
thorough change was worked in a school by the courage of one little
boy. He came fresh from home, where he had been accustomed to say
his prayers. He knelt down in a school dormitory, as he had been used
to do at home, by his bedside. There was a sudden silence, the boys
were astonished. Then some began to bully and try and stop him; others
stood up for him. But the battle was won. The better minded boys saw
what cowards they had been to give up what they knew was right for
fear of chaff--one by one they gradually followed his example, and

before that lad left school it was the rule and not the exception for the
boys to say their prayers.
Fasting. People understand feasts and are ready enough to keep them,
but fasting is quite another matter. Feasts