were in darkness and in the shadow of death, as millions of our fellow-creatures now are.

Q. 15. Shall we not have much to answer for in the day of judgment, if we do not improve our advantages?

A. We shall have very much to answer for. For to whom much is given, of him shall much be required. It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment, for Tyre and Sidon than for us, if we be found amongst the impenitent and ungodly.

Q. 16. What effect should the consideration of these things produce on us?

A. We should diligently examine ourselves, and pray to God for his grace, that we may be not only Christians by profession, but in deed and in truth.

Q. 17.-And ought we not to pity those who do not yet belong to the church of Christ?

A. We ought both to pity and to pray for them, and try to reclaim them from the error of their ways, and bring them to Christ.

Q

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

* QUESTION 1.-What do you mean by the word Saint ?

ANSWER. A Saint is a holy person.

* Q. 2.-When you speak of the Saints, do you mean those holy persons who belong to any particular society, or live in any particular place?

A.-No; I mean all true Christians, i. e. all true members of the Holy Catholick Church. * Q. 3.-What do you mean by communion ?

A.-Communion means society, and fellowship, or a partaking of the same things in common with another person.

then?

Q. 4.-What is the communion of Saints,

A.-The communion of Saints means, that fellowship which they have with God and with each other.

Q. 5.-How can we have fellowship with

to him for a blessing, and he is graciously pleas ed to give us a blessing.

Q. 6. Is there any thing in nature that will help us to understand this ?

A-Yes; as a son partakes of the love of his father, and the branches of a vine partake of the care of the husbandman, so the Saints enjoy the love, and care, and inspection of God.

Q. 7. And have not the Saints fellowship.

with Jesus Christ too?

A. Yes; for the Apostle says, that God hath called us unto the fellowship of his Son "Jesus Christ our Lord." See 1 Cor. 1, 9.

Q. 8. Is there any thing in nature, that

will help us to understand this?

A.-Yes: As all the branches of a vine have fellowship with the vine, and as all the members of the body, have fellowship with the head, so the Saints have fellowship with Christ.

Q. 9.-Explain this further,

A. The branches are joined to the vine, and are fed by the sap; and the members are united to the head, and live by the supply which comes from the head; so the Saints are

one

with Christ, by faith, and live by his Spirit, Jo. 15. 1, 7.

which he gives them.

Q. 10. If then the Spirit of Christ is given them, they must have the fellowship of the Holy Ghost?

A. Yes; for God teaches, and comforts, and guides, and strengthens them by his Holy Spirit, and dwells in them as in his temple.

Q. 11. This must be a very great privilege. A. It is, indeed, a great privilege and hap piness too. For "because we are sons, God

hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sou into our hearts, whereby we cry Abba, Father; so ❝ that we are no more servants, but sons; and "if sons, then heirs of God through Christ." Gal, 4. 6, 1.

Q. 12. What is the communion of Saints with each other?

A. It consists in their enjoying the same privileges, and being united together by one common spirit of love.

Q 13. Is there any thing in nature which will help us to understand this?

A. Yes; Saints are united together as chil dren of the same family, who enjoy the care and

tenderness of the same parents, and are joined together in brotherly love.

Q. 14.-Ought all Christians to be thus united?

A. Yes; we ought all to feel an interest in one another, however we may differ in opinion in some things, and however distant we may be in our situations from each other. We ought to rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Q. 15.-But do Christians thus love each other?

A. They do, in proportion as they love Christ. For he who really loves Jesus Christ, loves his brother for Christ's sake.

Q. 16-What may we learn from this?

A. That we should bear with one another, and forgive one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us. For it is shocking when children of the same family are unkind to each other, and cannot live in love.

Q. 17-Is the communion of Saints perfect in this world ?

A.-No; it will not be perfect until they meet together in heaven. "The glory which thou