The faithful are also to be taught the duty of sponsors; for such is the negligence with which the office of sponsor is treated in the Church, that its name only remains; whilst few, if any, have the least idea of its sanctity. Let all sponsors then, at all times recollect that they are strictly bound to exercise a constant vigilance over their spiritual children, and carefully to instruct them in the maxims of a Christian life; that they may approve themselves through life, such as their sponsors promised they should be, by the solemn ceremony of becoming sponsors. On this subject, the words of St. Denis demand attention: Speak ing in the person of the sponsor, he says: " I promise, by my constant exhortations to induce this child, when he comes to a knowledge of religion, to renounce everything opposed to his Christian calling, and to profess and perform the sacred promises, which he made at the baptismal font." [1] St. Augustine also says: "I most earnestly admonish you, men and women, who have become sponsors, to consider that you stood as sureties before God, for those whose sponsors you have undertaken to become. " [2] And, indeed, it is the paramount duty of every man, who undertakes any office, to be indefatigable in the discharge of the duties which it imposes; and he, who solemnly professed to be the teacher and guardian of another, should not abandon to destitution him whom he once received under his care and protection, as long as he should have occasion for either. Speak ing of the duties of sponsors, St. Augustine comprises, in a few words, the lessons of instruction which they are bound to in culcate upon the minds of their spiritual children: " They ought," says he, " to admonish them to observe chastity, love justice, cherish charity; and, above all, they should teach them the Creed, the Lord's prayer, the ten commandments, and the rudiments of the Christian religion." [3]
Hence, it is not difficult to decide, who are inadmissible as sponsors. To those, who are unwilling to discharge its duties with fidelity, or who cannot do so with care and accuracy, this sacred trust, no doubt, should not be confided. Besides, there fore, the natural parents, who, to mark the great difference that exists between this spiritual and the carnal bringing up of youth, are not permitted to undertake this charge, heretics, Jews particularly, and infidels, are on no account to be admitted to the office of sponsor. The thoughts and cares of these enemies of the Catholic Church, are, continually, employed in darkening, by falsehood, the true faith, and subverting all Christian piety. [4]
The number of sponsors is also limited by the Council of Trent, to one male or female; or at most, to one male and one female; because a number of teachers may confuse the order of discipline and instruction; and also to prevent the multiplica-
