will be the crown of an innocent life. All therefore, who desire to live well and to die well, must be careful to preserve to the very best of their power the white garment. But if it should contract some stains, we must wash it often in the blood of the Lamb; and this is done by true contrition and penitential tears. When David had bewailed his sin for a long time, he began to hope for pardon, and giving thanks to the Lord, he confidently said: " Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow." (Psalm 1.)
The last ceremony is, to put a lighted candle into our hand; this, as we have re marked above, signifies nothing more than good works, which must be joined with a holy life. And what these good works are that men must do who are born again by Baptism in Christ, the apostle teaches us by his example, when he says, " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day." (2nd to Timothy iv. 7, 8.) Here in a few words are mentioned the " good works" which must be performed by those who are born again by baptism in Christ. They must fight manfully against the temptations of the devil, " who goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour." They must also complete the
