THE FAMILY ALTAR

"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of

God." John 3:3.

These solemn words of the Savior to Nicodemus apply to us

also. They ought to arouse in every one of us the question : Am

I born again, and can I therefore begin this new day as a re-

generated and beloved child of God ? One thing is sure : We were

all born again when we were baptized in the name of the Triune

God. For Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water

comprehended in God's command and connected with God's word.

It is the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost,

as St. Paul writes, Titus, chapter third ; and therefore Baptism

works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and

gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and

promises of God declare. But do we still believe the gracious

words and promises God has given us in our baptism? Do we

really believe what Jesus says to Nicodemus, namely, that we are

born of water and of the Spirit ? Are we still what we were made

in Baptism — children of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ?

Our best answer to this heart-searching question will be the prayer :

0 Thou Triune God, my Creator, Eedeemer, and Comforter, I must

humbly confess before Thee this morning that I have often broken

my baptismal vow in thought, word, and deed. Yet by Thy un-

merited grace I can truthfully say that I desire nothing more

earnestly than to be and remain Thy beloved and obedient child

in time and eternity. Trusting in Thy unfailing promise, which

assured me at my baptism that Thy kindness and the covenant

of Thy peace should not depart from me, I come before Thee

with my humble prayer mercifully to forgive me my backsliding,

for the sake of my Savior, Jesus Christ, whose holy blood cleanses

from all sin. 0 grant me Thy Holy Spirit that I may daily

crucify my sinful flesh and the lusts thereof and walk in right-

eousness and holiness before Thee. Strengthen my weak faith

and keep me faithful to my baptismal vow until the end, for

Jesus' sake. Amen.

Baptized into Thy name most holy,

0 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

1 claim a place, though weak and lowly,

Among Thy seed, Thy chosen host;

Buried with Christ, and dead to sin,

Thy Spirit now shall live within.