TO THE FIFTH EDITION. MANY years have passed away, and many changes have taken place, since the first edition of this book was published. The Author was then working in the School which is so inseparably associated with the name of Arnold, the memory of whose death was still fresh, and vividly impressed upon the minds of all connected with Rugby. Now, that most solemn event has receded into the past the Author has himself been transferred to other scenes: the generation of boys who knew Arnold has long been dispersed. Hence it seemed needless to retain allusions in the Introduction of which the interest had ceased, or to give the book in any way a tem. porary and local character. Yet in separating it, as he has separated himself, from immediate and exclusive connection with Rugby, the Author cannot but look back, with reverent affection, to the place from which flowed all the views, now so generally professed, of raising, widening, and christianizing our public education. Old schools have now acknowledged these principles, and new schools have been founded to carry them out. Let us not forget by whose hand, and in what place, the sacred fire was, in our age, rekindled; and let us hope that it may burn there, year by year, with a brighter flame. The College, Marlborough, Prayer for a deeper Sense of Christian Duty Prayer after some particular and grievous Sin Prayer before receiving the Communion Prayer after receiving the Communion SHORT PRAYERS. INTRODUCTION. "CHRIST came to redeem all to Himself: all, I say, who are born again unto God through Him:-infants, children, boys, youths, and the old. Therefore He passed through every age, and became an infant to infants, sanctifying infants: He became a child among children, to sanctify those of this age, giving them at the same time an example of piety, of justice, and obedience; and for young men, He became a young man, to set them an example, and to sanctify them to the Lord."* These are the words of an early Christian writer, nor do I know of any more appropriate to prefix to a little book, intended to help the young to love and serve Him, who Himself *Irenæus, ii. c. 22. § 4. p. 147. B when young, set them the example of perfect. purity. So many persons seem to think religion unnatural to boyhood, that it seems necessary at the very against this fatal error. outset to protest Let us do so in the words of one who revived in England the almost forgotten truth, that a public school was designed to be the Temple of God:-"You have heard Christ's call to take up your cross and follow Him, to serve Him always, in all things, in small and great, in thought, word, and deed, there most carefully, where it costs you most pain to do it. But do not go away grieving* because you are young, and because you are at a place where temptations are many, and faithful steady service of Christ will cost you many a sacrifice. Turn not from Him, but to Him much rather, with earnest prayer that He who bore His most painful cross for you, will enable you to bear your light one for His love; that He will help you daily, as your trial will come *Mark x. 22. |