1. THE OLD ADAM IN US IS TO BE DROWNED, DESTROYED BY DAILY SORROW AND REPENTANCE, TOGETHER WITH ALL AND EVIL LUSTS. By the "old Adam in us" is meant our old sinful self, as we are by nature. For we are born into the world with a sinful heart and a natural inclination to evil. This evil nature still clings to us even after we have been "born again" into sonship with God. [Rom. 7:18-24] This old sinful self, together with the sins and lusts to which it prompts us, must be suppressed, subdued, and gradually destroyed. [Eph. 4:22+, Gal. 5:24+] We should gain the mastery over it more and more every day. We shall do this, if we daily mourn over our sinfulness, and ask God for Christ's sake to grant us forgiveness and strength. 2. THE NEW MAN SHOULD DAILY COME FORTH AND RISE, THAT SHALL LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PURITY FOREVER. By the "new man" is meant our new self,--what we have become by the work of the Holy Spirit in us. For if we have been baptized and believe, there has been implanted in us a new life. We have become new creatures, [II Cor. 5:17] who by God's grace hate sin and desire from the heart to do God's will alone. As the old man in us should daily become weaker and gradually die, so the new man in us should daily grow stronger, [Eph. 4:23, 24+, II Pet 3:18] and cause us to live in constantly increasing righteousness and purity here on earth, [Phil. 3:12+] till at last we are received into God's presence for Jesus' sake, and live before Him in perfect righteousness and purity forever. CONFIRMATION. The rite of confirmation is closely connected with the baptism of children. For the children who have been baptized are afterwards to be taught "to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded"; [Matt. 28:20] and, when they have reached an age at which they are able to examine themselves, they should be confirmed. PRECEDED BY INSTRUCTION. Confirmation is to be preceded by thorough instruction in the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion. In addition to the instruction received in the home and the Sunday-school, those who desire to be confirmed are specially instructed in the catechetical class by the pastor. Confirmation is the Church's testimony that the catechumens have received the necessary instruction to fit them for intelligent and earnest participation in the full privileges of Church membership. This instruction is the principal thing, and without it confirmation would lose its meaning. WHAT CONFIRMATION IS. In confirmation the catechumen makes no new promises, but repeats with his own lips the confession of faith and the promise of faithfulness to Christ which were made for him by his sponsor at his baptism. Thereupon the minister lays his hand upon the head of each catechumen, and the minister and congregation pray that God would give to each His Holy Spirit to keep him in the faith and to cause him to grow in holiness.