1862, July 1 Rev. Wan. F. Server Entered according to the act of Congress in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Columbia, April 21, 1846. The proceeds of this work are for the use of the Society for the education of pious young men for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church. I. Reasons for putting forth the treatise. False views of the II. Scriptural view of circumcision and baptism. Both of them III. The view taken of this substantiated by high authorities- IV. Views of the Church as set forth in her baptismal offices, 40 V. Errors and extravagances into which some have fallen on - VI. The view advocated in this treatise agreeable to the senti- 75 85 96 VII. On sponsors and the interrogatories in baptism VIII. Practical improvement of the foregoing, with prayers and meditation before and after the baptism of children APPENDIX. On the kind of sermons which the Church contem- plates when she directs the sponsors to "call upon their they grow up are to be regarded and addressed by minis- ters, according to some modern writers-Gresley, Paget, Faber, Newman, &c.; how, according to the Scriptures, the Homilies, and writings of the Reformers. Extracts from the Homilies; from the Articles; from King Ed- PREFACE. Some apology is due for the great imperfections of style, and the needless repetitions sometimes occurring in the following treatise. That apology is to be found in the feeble health of the writer and the brief time allowed for the execution of the task. He was unable even to copy his first draught of it with a view to improvement and condensation. For the correctness of the views presented, and the documents adduced, he does not plead any apology, as they have been well considered and examined. The tract has assumed far more of the argumentative, and even controversial form, than the author desired, and has been extended much beyond his original design. The circumstances of the times seemed to render this necessary. Should life be spared, and ability granted, the author may see fit, at some future period, to reduce the treatise on baptism to a much smaller form, giving it a more practical and devotional character, for the use of parents and sponsors. THE FONT AND THE PULPIT. CHAPTER I. The following treatise has been designed, and even promised by its author, for some years, and its execution only prevented by duties which left no leisure for it. Amongst the departments of the pastoral office, none have been more deeply interesting to him, during a ministry of no short duration, than the performance of baptism, especially where children were the subjects. Never has he felt himself to be more the minister of. Christ, than when taking little children in his arms, and in compliance, as he verily believes, with the will of God, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. He has felt himself called upon, oftentimes, both in private and public, to take great pains, and use many words, in endeavoring to present what he deemed correct views of the ordinance, and to impress the minds of all present at its performance, with a deep conviction of its important bearing on the interests of true religion. This was especially called for at the time of the first efforts to resuscitate the church of Virginia, by reason of the contempt and neglect into which the ordinance had fallen, through its lamentable profanation. With many it was the mere giving of a name to the child by an authorized minister, just as persons were given in marriage by the same. Both of these ceremonies were often performed at the same time and place, not, however, the time and place of prayer, but amidst scenes of levity and dissipation, illy according with an ordinance of Heaven for the religious benefit of a poor child of sin and death. The sponsors, also, who were called in to the aid of parents in the performance of their most solemn trust, were frequently the most lightminded of the company, who had, perhaps, never spent a serious thought on their own baptismal vows, or been even reminded of the same. It is not to be wondered at, that an institution, so abused as this was, should not only sink into contempt with some, but even cease to be observed by many, unto whom plausible arguments against its very use were earnestly addressed. To the later ministers of the Episcopal church in Virginia, there has, in this respect, been left a sad inheritance by their predecessors in office. Through the blessing of God, however, they have succeeded in effecting a great change in the sentiments and conduct of the members of the church. But few of the children now born within the pale of our communion are ever withheld from this gracious privilege; though it is to be feared that here, as elsewhere, many are brought to it without those earnest desires, those just views, and that assured confidence of God's blessing, which ought to be in the hearts of all who present them. The author has long thought that a simple treatise, having for its title that placed at the head of this, and for its object the better preparation of parents and sponsors for the pious performance of their part in the solemn transaction, might be prepared somewhat after the manner of treatises for the communion, not merely setting forth right views of the ordinance, and removing prejudices, but containing some meditations, or prayers, to be used before and after the solemn service. If a man should always examine himself before he presume to partake of the Lord's Supper, lest he should do it unworthily; if he should prepare himself for days beforehand, that he may come piously and joyously to that feast which is so often spread before him; surely, in relation to this solemn act, to be performed but once, there ought to be some especial previous consideration on the part of those permitted to present their children to the Lord in baptism. It may be, that a want of due preparation and proper qualifications on the part of those presenting, may not a little hinder the future efficacy of this sacrament. On the part of adults receiving it, previous fasting and prayer are enjoined by the Church, in order to their better observance of it; and as those who bring children to it are required to make such solemn promises in their name, and at the close of the service are so earnestly enjoined to perform a faithful part in training the baptized ones for Heaven, it is plain that they should. |