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CHAPTER VII.

Household consecration in the apostolic 'age. Its prominence.-
Under the ministry of John, of Jesus Christ, of the apostles.
The Church obligated to regard it in the same manner...........

CHAPTER VIII.

Utility of household consecration. The state of mind essential to its acceptable performance. The distinct and solemn pledge. Its actual bearing on parental duties.......

CHAPTER IX.

Its influence on

Utility of household consecration, continued.

76

91

consecrated children. Examples. Its connection with prevailing prayer. Examples. The early conversion of children..... 100

CHAPTER X.

Utility of household consecration, continued Relation of baptized children to the Church. Influence on the prosperity of the Church. The theory, viewed in connection with the practical operation.......

CHAPTER XI.

Household consecration in its administration. The Wyandot chief.

106

The baptism...............

CHAPTER XII.

114

Practical reflections. Application of these principles to parents.... 118

CHAPTER XIII.

Practical reflections. Application of these principles to fathers.... 127

CHAPTER XIV.

Practical reflections, continued. Application of these principles

to mothers.......

CHAPTER XV.

Practical reflections. Application of these principles to consecrated children.......

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CHAPTER XVI.

Duties of the Church on the subject of household,consecration. Special consecration of children, in reference to the gospel ministry. Conclusion........

136

143

150

Address to parents, delivered in the Central Presbyterian Church, Broome-street, New-York, before the New-York Maternal Association, at their Annual Meeting, March, A. D. 1836...... 157 The prayer of Habakkuk, or consolations of the covenant........ 186

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PREFACE.

THE time has arrived when the subject of Household Consecration is to be more thoroughly studied, understood, and practised, than at any former period. An institution founded upon imperishable reasons, and animated by principles which control the destinies of our race, must, in the progress of mankind towards the ages of universal Christianity, be more fully displayed and divinely honored. The rise of Sabbath schools, Bible classes, and infant schools; the publication of books on the domestic relations; the formation of maternal associations; the his tory of revivals, as written in the biography of departed worthies, and in our own delightful experience; have conspired to arouse the Church of God to a deeper and livelier faith in the covenant of consecration.

The author has, for years, watched with intense inte. rest the operations of divine Providence and grace, in reference to this ordinance of the Church, and has become animated with the firm and joyful belief, that its power and virtue have not at all been developed in the fulness of their splendor. As this interest has led him occasionally to speak of it to others, he has been delighted to find, as if by one common influence, the minds of many devoted

ministers and Christians watching it with the same eagerness, and rejoicing in the same convictions. Under these impressions, he feels constrained to exert such influence as he may possess, to turn the attention of greater numbers to this subject.

He has, therefore, resolved to employ the press, as hitherto he has often employed the pulpit, to communicate to his fellow Christians his views and feelings respecting the consecration of households to God. In several successive chapters the divine origin of the practice of infant dedication; the fundamental and perpetual reasons of its institution; the designed application of its principles to all nations and ages; the ancient and the modern form, by which the faith of the Church in these principles has been designated; the utility of this ordinance, and its relations to all the interests of future generations, will be presented for the consideration of all Christian professors, and especially for those who already practise it. The fact, that this subject has awakened so much controversy, has made many lovers of peace among its friends averse to its frequent discussion. This aversion has operated to exclude it from the pulpit; and this exclusion from the pulpit. to cause even those who practise it to slumber over its spiritual principles and ecclesiastical importance. In this slumber many households have fearfully suffered. The rich and healthy influences of this institution of ages have neither been fully experienced, nor, when partially experienced, duly appreciated. Had this subject received attention according to its merits, instead of being considered as scarcely contained in the Scriptures, it would have been

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