There has been too much thoughtlessness about

the whole concern.

One man asks another to

stand, and he says, "yes," without considering what he undertakes; and the parent in asking him to stand as often fails to consider whether his friend is fit for the task or is likely really to do his part. On both sides there is want of seriousness. Men ask in a careless way, and in a careless way men do what they are asked.

But if you really love your little one, if you really wish him to be a true servant of Christ, and to be rightly started on the blessed way of Christ, then weigh the matter well between yourselves; look round and see who are likely to be godly god-parents, who are likely to undertake the work in a solemn and Christian spirit, not treating it as a form, but purposing in their hearts to watch over the child for whom they stand. stand. Look round and see what friends you have who lead sober serious lives; ask them; these are the god-parents to choose; these will love your child; these will be your little one's real friends; these will earnestly pray for it when it is baptized; these will continue to pray for it day by day; and if God should please to take both father and mother from the world before your child has passed its child

ish years, it will not perish for lack of knowledge; it will be cared for as regards the things of the life to come; it will be instructed in Christian duty and in the Christian faith: it will have those who in spiritual things will endeavour to take your place and to lead your child on the way to everlasting life.

It may be hard to find religious friends; but still do your best; get the best you can; get those who have most thought about the things of God. Remember that the choice of godparents, like the other acts of life, is one for which you will have to give account before the judgment-seat of Christ; remember that you may wound your own souls by choosing either in a greedy or a careless spirit; remember also you may wound your child's soul; you may act as its enemies by neglecting to secure those who are most likely to care for its everlasting good. Choose then carefully; choose seriously; choose the holy and the good; and may God for Christ's sake guide you and bless you in the choice.

ADVICE TO GOD-PARENTS.

It is a good Christian act to be the god-parent of a child, when it is undertaken in a good Christian spirit. Whatever we do for little children will shine with bright letters in God's book. Our blessed Saviour shewed the most tender love towards children, and has committed them very tenderly to our care. To stand as a god-parent to some little child, and to fulfil the office faithfully, and with a willing heart, is one way of doing your Saviour's will. In such a case you offer to befriend the child who cannot yet underyour love; you bring it to Christ in His holy House; you consecrate it to His service; you ask God to make it His child by adoption grace; you undertake that it shall know both what to believe, and what to do, in order to be saved; you engage to watch over it in its tender years, to see that it should be rightly trained;

stand

and

ish years, it will not perish for lack of knowledge; it will be cared for as regards the things of the life to come; it will be instructed in Christian duty and in the Christian faith: it will have those who in spiritual things will endeavour to take your place and to lead your child on the way to everlasting life.

It may be hard to find religious friends; but still do your best; get the best you can; get those who have most thought about the things of God. Remember that the choice of godparents, like the other acts of life, is one for which you will have to give account before the judgment-seat of Christ; remember that you may wound your own souls by choosing either in a greedy or a careless spirit; remember also you may wound your child's soul; you may act as its enemies by neglecting to secure those who are most likely to care for its everlasting good. Choose then carefully; choose seriously; choose the holy and the good; and may God for Christ's sake guide you and bless you in the choice.

ADVICE TO GOD-PARENTS.

It is a good Christian act to be the god-parent of a child, when it is undertaken in a good Christian spirit. Whatever we do for little children will shine with bright letters in God's book. Our blessed Saviour shewed the most tender love towards children, and has committed them very tenderly to our care. To stand as a god-parent to some little child, and to fulfil the office faithfully, and with a willing heart, is one way of doing your Saviour's will. In such a case you offer to befriend the child who cannot yet understand your love; you bring it to Christ in His holy House; you consecrate it to His service; you ask God to make it His child by adoption. and grace; you undertake that it shall know both what to believe, and what to do, in order to be saved; you engage to watch over it in its tender years, to see that it should be rightly trained;