Father.—­The children of unbelievers are “unclean” because they sustain no such relation to God.  They have not been consecrated to him by their parents’ faith in offering them to him in the ordinance of baptism, and are not interested, therefore, in the provisions or benefits of the Abrahamic covenant.  They have, moreover, no special relation to the church; no more title to its immunities, deeper interest in its regards, than the children of the heathen.  They may, indeed, when they reach a suitable age, hear the Gospel, and upon repentance and faith, be admitted to its ordinances, but they have no special claim upon its care, or right to its prayers and nurture.

Son.—­But, after all, is not this relation one of mere name or form?  Has it any positive or practical benefits?

Father.—­It is, indeed, too often disregarded, yet it is positive in its character and fraught with striking benefits.  If you will give me your attention I will state a few of the benefits which accrue to children from this relation.  You, then, my son, and all children of believing parents who have been consecrated to God in baptism, are considered as thereby belonging to Him.  You are set apart to his service, in a sense that others are not, and consequently are “holy.”  In this solemn dedication, your parents professed their faith in the triune God, and their desire that you should be his servants.  They took him to be your God according to the terms of his covenant; they desired that you might be engrafted into Christ, and claimed for you the promise of the Holy Spirit to regenerate and sanctify you.  Now this, in itself, is an unspeakable blessing.  On their part it was an act of faith and obedience.  In compliance with the divine direction, they claimed for themselves and for you a privilege which has been the birthright of the church in all ages.  They commended you in the most solemn manner to God—­the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, a covenant-keeping God, who is rich in mercy, infinite in resources, and who has promised “to be a God to thee and to thy seed after thee.”  It is an unspeakable blessing to be thus placed under his protection, to be brought within the bonds of his covenant, and to be entitled to that pledge of mercy which he has made “unto thousands of them that love him and keep his commandments.”  If it were a privilege for children to be brought to Christ to receive his blessing while he was on earth, equally is it a privilege to be brought to him now that he is exalted to the majesty on high, and “able,” as then, “to save unto the uttermost.”  Though God has a regard for all his creatures, both his word and providence assure us he has a special interest in his people.  His language is, “Jacob have I loved, and Israel have I chosen.”  His elect are those in whom he delights.  Their names are in his book of life.  “All things” are overruled for their good.  They are regarded