Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1836, by F. E. MISCA, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. THIS little book was written by a female who has consecrated her soul and body, and all the living that she hath, to the cause of her Redeemer. It is one of her personal efforts for the spiritual good of our German population, especially that portion of it which inhabits the mountains of Western Pennsylvania. To their improvement she has devoted years of toil, and all her pecuniary means. For them she has sought the benevolent aid of the Christian public, in weary pilgrimages of solicitation. And now she appears to be about to see the particular object of her exertions accomplished, in securing to them, in the region of her residence, the preached Gospel and the establishment of schools. In accordance with the wishes of her friends, and in hopes that its sale and circulation will promote this great business of her life, as all its proceeds will be devoted to it, this translation of her treatise is given to the public. Special reasons have constrained the Translator to make this version more literal than he could have wished; but still he confidently expects that it will be read with some pleasure, and greater profit. From it may be seen the character of that religion which the Author desires to inculcate among the immigrant population, a religion eminently conservative, and expressly adapted by its Founder, to maintaining peaceful and well ordered communities, as well as to the redemption of sinful beings. In the course of his duty, the Translator thinks he has seen the main-spring of all the self-denials and self-sacrifices of its writer, in the spiritual and deep experience of the 'love of Jesus,' which is developed and enforced in this treatise. It may not be needless to say, that Confirmation is a rite practised by the Lutheran, and many other churches, and intended for the completion of baptism. It is an assumption of the obligations implied in the baptismal vow, and entered into by the parents or sponsors in behalf of the subject of it. In the Lutheran church it is administered with great solemnity, and only after a certain course of Christian instruction, and a public and audible affirmation of the great doctrines and duties of religion. It is initiatory to Church communion, and is equivalent to a profession of religion among the Presbyterians and Congregationalists of America. Malden, Mass. June 2, 1836. A. W. M'CLURE. |