Of Baptism.

In regard to this ceremony, I propose to pursue the same course of inquiry, that I have done in relation to that of the Lord's Supper ;-first, to learn what the ceremony has been; second, what the gospel of Christ enjoins respecting it; and third, to consider its effects upon the health.

We learn from Mosheim, that "in the first century, baptism was administered, in convenient places, without the public assemblies; and by immersing the candidates wholly in water. At first, all who were engaged in propagating Christianity, administered this rite: nor can it be called in question, that whoever persuaded any person to embrace Christianity, could baptise his own disciple."

In the second century, says the same historian, “many ceremonies took their rise from the custom of the Egyptians and of almost all the eastern nations, of conveying instruction by images, actions, and sensible signs and emblems. The Christian doctors, therefore, thought it would be advantageous to the cause of Christianity, to place the truths which are necessary to be known, in order to salvation, as it were, before the eyes of the unreflecting multitude, who with difficulty contemplate abstract truths. The new converts were to be taught, that those who are born again, who are initiated by baptism, into the Christian worship, and that they ought to exhibit in their conduct the innocence of little infants therefore, milk and honey, the common food of infants, was administered to them." "Twice a year, namely, at Easter and Whitsuntide, (Paschatis et

Pentecostis diebus,) baptism was probably administered by the bishop, or by the Presbyters acting by his command and authority. The candidates for it were immersed wholly in water, with invocation of the sacred Trinity, according to the Saviour's precept, after they had repeated what they called the Creed, (Symbolum,) and had renounced all their sins and transgressions, and especially the devil and his pomp. The baptised were signed with the cross, anointed, commended to God by prayer and imposition of lands, and finally directed to taste some milk and honey."

In the third century," Baptism was publicly administered, twice a year, to candidates who had gone through a long preparation and trial, none being present as spectators, but such as had been themselves baptized. The effect of baptism was supposed to be the remission of sins and the bishop, by the imposition of hands and prayer, it was believed, conferred those gifts of the Holy Spirit which were necessary for living a holy life. None were admitted to the sacred font, until the exorcist had, by a solemn and menacing formula, declared them free from servitude to the prince of darkness and made servants of God. The persons baptized, returned home, decorated with a crown and a white robe; the first being indicative of their victory over the world and their lusts, the latter, of their acquired innocence."

Without tracing more minutely the history of this ceremony, I will merely say that baptism has prevailed as a religious rite, among all sects, whether Heathen, Jews or Mahometans, and probably originated from the necessity of frequent bathings and ablutions. It was practiced by the Jews before Christ, and every converted heathen was washed as a symbol of his purification from the

stains of his previous life. Baptism became a Christian ceremony, and, in the time of the apostles, consisted in being dipped into water, and taking a new name. The immersion of the whole body was omitted in case of the sick. After several centuries, the mode of baptism by sprinkling was resorted to in consequence of the inconvenience of immersing the whole body, in the northern climates of Europe. In the early centuries of the Christian church, the delay of baptism after conversion was not uncommon; but when St. Augustine taught that the "unbaptized were irrevocably damned,” all became anxious not to delay any longer, and also caused the baptism of children to become general. (h)

The Montanists baptize the dead, and the Roman Catholics the bells of churches, even to the present day. The Roman and Greek Catholics consecrate the water previous to baptism, though the Protestants do not; but in some countries they continue the practice of exorcism.

In the United States, most religious sects sprinkle, though the Baptists always, and some other sects occasicnally, immerse. Most sects also baptize infants, and this by the Episcopalians is called "regeneration.”

II. What are the instructions of Christ on this sub

ject?

It appears from Matt. iii. 6, 11, that John baptized with water, but he said Christ would baptize "with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Christ himself was baptiz

(h) The Roman Church, the Jansenists, and some other Christian sects, believe in the damnation of infants not baptised. This belief, no doubt, led to the following grave suggestion of Dr. Fodere in the second volume of his Medicine Legale, 1813, "Quant au bapteme, il me semble qu'il sera toujours facile de l'administrer, apres, avoir perce les membranes, par le moyen d' un seringue a injection." See other instructions on this subject in De la Motte. Trait complet des Accouchemens.

ed, but it appears to have been done in conformity with established usages; for the same reason Timothy was circumcised. Christ himself baptized no one; if he considered this a rite of so much importance, why did he not inculcate it by his example? True, he commanded his followers to go forth and preach the gospel, baptizing the converted in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. But to me, this command appears to have been given in reference to the name to be given them ;-i. e. induce men to repent and reform, and to embrace the new religious views which he every where insists upon, and to show their devotion to it in the ordinary way of that age, by taking a new name. (i)

John did not enjoin his disciples to continue his baptism, which was with water, but said Christ would come and "baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire." It is of no consequence in this inquiry, what this baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire, means; in fact, biblical critics do not agree respecting it; but it is evident it does not mean with water.

I scarcely need say to any one who reads the Scriptures, that infant baptism is not there enjoined at all; yet, as I have said, it very generally prevails, and by some is considered regeneration, though many who resort to it do not admit this. The Jansenists believed it essential to the salvation of infants, and many of the Protestant sects inclined to this opinion.

In the third place, I am to consider the effect this ceremony has upon the health.

I am aware that in warm countries, or in the warm

(1) On this subject, see an account of it, and the refutation of the opinion, that it is an institution of Christ, by Robert Barclay, in his "Apology for the Quakers."

weather of temperate climates, frequent ablution is not injurious, but useful, and in such countries, I know that the practice is unobjectionable, as regards health, when resorted to as a religious duty. But in cold climates and in cold weather, it is hazardous, as every one knows. To be immersed in cold water, and to remain in wet clothes, often for a considerable time, certainly must expose people, and particularly females and invalids, to great danger. (j) Sometimes in this country, holes are cut in the ice in rivers, to baptize in winter. Surely such a practice deserves reprehension. Some churches have a large bathing tub, and can warm the water; this course is less objectionable.

But the practice of carrying little infants to church in the cold, to be baptized, is still more reprehensible, and in many countries, is the cause of innumerable deaths. M. M. Edwards and Villerme, in 1829, addressed to the Royal Institut de France, a memoir on the Influence of Temperature on the mortality of Infants, in which they say the facts show, that many more infants die in winter than in warm weather; and they urge these facts upon the attention of ministers of religion and legislators, as proving that the exposure of infants to the cold in carrying them to be baptized, is one great cause of this increased mortality. These facts have been verified by Doct.

(j) A few facts in proof of this have come under our notice. We have known females become sick after being thus immersed in cold water.They were in good health previously, and took cold at the time, which caused disease of the lungs. One of those to whom we allude, never left the house after the immersion, and death ensued in a few months. We lately noticed an account of a female in the last stages of consumption, being baptized through a hole cut in the ice for that purpose. She died soon after.-New-York Christian Intelligencer, July 11th, 1835.