IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 V 
 
 <^ 
 
 /i 
 
 ^m 
 
 m 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 ew c\ 
 
 V ^ 
 
 1.0 
 
 2.2 
 
 I.I 
 
 1^ 
 
 ■ 40 
 
 US 
 
 1.25 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 2.0 
 
 1.8 
 
 U 1111.6 
 
 fV 
 
 iV 
 
 L1? 
 
 A 
 
 \ 
 
 *'<b 
 
 V 
 
 
 
 <> 
 
 <^% 
 
 '^^ 
 
 33 WEST M.MN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14380 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
Ar 
 
 i/i 
 
 CIHM 
 Microfiche 
 Series 
 (l\/lonographs) 
 
 ICIVIH 
 
 Collection de 
 microfiches 
 (monographies) 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
 ftAO 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Note* / Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The 
 to t 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original 
 copy available for filming. Features of this copy which 
 may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any 
 of the images in the reproduction, or which may 
 significantly change the usual method of filming, are 
 checked below. 
 
 n 
 n 
 n 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 Covers damaged/ 
 Couverture endommagee 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restauree et/ou pelliculee 
 
 Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Caites geographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 □ Bound with other material/ 
 Relie avec d'autres documents 
 
 D 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior r.iargin/ 
 
 La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distorsion le long de la marge interieure 
 
 □ Blank leaves added during restoration may appear 
 within the text. Whenever possible, these have 
 been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutees 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela etait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas ete filmees. 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il 
 lui a et6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet 
 exemplaire qui sont peut-£tre uniques du point de vue 
 bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image 
 reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification 
 dans la methode normale de f ilmage sont indiques 
 ci-dessous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 □ Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommagees 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaurees et/ou pellicultes 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 Pages decolorees, tachetees ou piquees 
 
 □ Pages detached/ 
 Pages detachees 
 
 0" 
 
 Showthroug^:,' 
 ansparence 
 
 □ Quality of print varies/ 
 Qualite inegale de I'impression 
 
 □ Continuous pagination/ 
 Pagination continue 
 
 r-iin 
 
 I I Cc 
 
 eludes index(es)/ 
 Comprend un (des) index 
 
 The 
 pos 
 oft 
 filrr 
 
 Ori{ 
 beg 
 the 
 sior 
 othi 
 first 
 sior 
 or il 
 
 The 
 shal 
 TIN 
 whi 
 
 Map 
 diff( 
 enti 
 begi 
 righ 
 reqi 
 met 
 
 Title on header taken from:/ 
 Le titre de I'en-tfite provient: 
 
 I I Pa 
 
 tie page of issue/ 
 Page de titre de la livraison 
 
 □ Caption of issue/ 
 Titre de depart di 
 
 n 
 
 depart de la livraison 
 
 Masthead/ 
 
 Gsnerique (periodiques) de la livraison 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires supplementaires; 
 
 This Item Is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est f ilme au taux de reduction indique ci-dessous. 
 
 TOX 14X 18X 
 
 22X 
 
 T 
 
 26 X 
 
 30X 
 
 12X 
 
 ^6X 
 
 XX 
 
 24 X 
 
 28X 
 
 22X 
 
The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Library 
 Dalhousie University 
 
 L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce d la 
 gdndrositd de: 
 
 Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Library 
 Dalhousie University 
 
 vue 
 
 >n 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le 
 plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et 
 de la nettotd de l'exemplaire film^, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 filmage. 
 
 Les axemplaires originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commenpant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la 
 dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second 
 plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la 
 premidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par 
 la dernidre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la 
 dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbole — »► signifie "A SUIVRE ", le 
 symbole V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre 
 film^s d des taux de reduction diff^rents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre 
 reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film^ d partir 
 de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre 
 d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mdthode. 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 32 X 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
"One Lord. One Faith. One Haptijjm. 
 
 ihf iruth ill ^ovt. 
 
 HEIN(; THE SUBSTANCE OF AN 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 DEIJVKRUn II Y 
 
 MR. J. HETGHINGTON. 
 
 AT COLl.KtU'. STREET HAPTIST CHURCH, lOROXTO, ON THI. 
 
 OCCASION OF HIS HAl'TISM BY rus PASTOR, 
 
 RKV. S. A. DYKE. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 
 
 TORONTO : 
 CHRISTIAN HELPER PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO. 
 
 1880. 
 
PKEFACE. 
 
 The following address appeared (substautiaUy) in the 
 Canadian Baptist of June 0th, 1878. Many brethren 
 have expressed to me the pleasure afforded by its per- 
 usal, and the desirableness of its being issued in pam- 
 phlet form for distribution. It is in response to this 
 that I have consented to publish it in such a form, 
 together with the brief compendium prepared by my 
 relative, Mr. Compston, during his ministry at White- 
 vale, Out. That it may be rendered useful in its mis- 
 sion is my strong desire and earnest prayer. 
 
 Q. .. o J- HEIGHINGTON. 
 
 94 Bay Stbket, 
 
 Toronto, February 11 fh, 1880. 
 
 Special terms to Pastors and others for quantities, 
 
 Is 
 
 of 
 
 Str 
 
 bel 
 
 fill 
 
 lodj 
 
 gar 
 
 and 
 
 be I 
 
 reas 
 
 clar 
 
 the 
 
 tisni 
 
 amp 
 
 deci 
 
 M 
 
 nect 
 
 unki 
 
 of n 
 
 one 
 
 the f 
 
 it wi 
 
 steili 
 
 ' swe 
 
 do n( 
 
 luanj 
 
 that 
 
 lessoi 
 
 Di 
 
 local 
 
 hopir 
 
 shore 
 
 who 1 
 
 rcjoic 
 
 associ 
 
 hurtfii 
 
^AAu$$. 
 
 in the 
 etliren 
 ;s per- 
 
 pam- 
 o this 
 
 form, 
 »y my 
 \^iiite. 
 3 mis- 
 
 )N. 
 
 1 
 
 8, 
 
 It has been thought desirable by the brethren hero that 
 I should pnbl.c!y state my reasons for leaving HuothrbZ 
 
 St eet Baptist < hnreh. Willingly do I accede to this I 
 
 fufsrd;^i'i'y"^'^i\^''^'v« -"^ wJ: fr.^m a':; J 
 
 ui study ot Gods word have been compelled to acknow 
 lodge 1 he grievous error of " Infant Sp'rinklino " to re 
 gard immersmn as the only Scriptural mode of Baptism 
 
 b bap iL'd'af cJ; t' "''^^^'^- '"^^ ^«^' '' ^'^^'r ^" "to 
 oe oaptized at.cr the same manner as our Lord but for 
 
 reasons best knovm to themselves, hesitate to openly de 
 
 Clare their convict-ons. I have therefore consente^d all 
 
 ism atT'Tha'^ '%''''' '"^ ""^^"^ ''' requesting Bap 
 . nnuV u"^' "^ ^^"^ P"'^^''' i" the hopo that my ex- 
 Sin! " "" ""' ^''^' '"^^^ '^"^ '^''^ '^ « 'ike h^appy 
 Many of you are aware that hitherto I have been con- 
 nected with the people called Methodists. I iLve nothiW 
 unkind to say of that body of Christians. It is the Z d^ 
 of my fHthers, and by the preaching of the Gosnd from 
 
 Z^T 'ft \rr't' ^^ --in/knoXi/ro 
 the tiuth. I have therefore abundant cause to look unon 
 1 with respect and sincere regard. I have met Sh mEo 
 s teihng piety within its pale.lvith its members Tive ak 
 swee counsel,' with its ministers I have laboued and 
 ;lo not hesitate to say that among chem are ?o be fou u 
 many of the "excellent of the earth." It is my opS 
 
 ^:^^ ^SiSe^^^- '"^^ -- -p= 
 
 hoping that when I meet my friends on the " golden 
 shore,' here will be amongst that vast multitude^sorae 
 who will greet uie joyously and who will be n,v " ron^™ • 
 rejoicing throughout eternity. xVevertheless, 'durinff' mv 
 association with Methodism I could not be blind t? he 
 hurtful tendency of many of its prominent doctrines and 
 
practices, and he sure I do not spoak from a superficial 
 knowledge but from a close and intimate ac»iuaintancc 
 with its workings for many years. Though 1 have prcvi 
 ously spoken of the many excellent men to be foun<i 
 amongst its adherents, it by no means follows that this is 
 the rule or that this is the outcome of its teachings. They 
 have simply lived better than their creeds— that is all. As 
 my time is limited I can but glance at some of the doc- 
 trines and practices of Methodism which to my mind ap- 
 pear to be unscriptural, and which have led me to seek 
 amongst Baptists " a more excellent way." Need I remind 
 you th'it they constantly practice the sprinkling of "un- 
 conscious babes" upon the mere profession of faith by 
 their parents or sponsors. Instances have not been want- 
 ing, where, as neither of the parents have been present h ser- 
 vant /m* 6» mi ^/c/e^ra^e-rf to bear the responsibility. This 
 they call baptism, and in this way many are allowed to 
 creep into the Churcli of God who are utter strangers to 
 religion ; worldly minded people, who destroy the vitality 
 of any church. The young are taught that by this so- 
 called baptism they were admitted into Christ's visible 
 Church in infancy, and that when they come to years of 
 discretion, the church can claim them as being virtually 
 Its property. On the mere profession of a desire " to flee 
 from the wrath to come " they are admitted into its fellow- 
 ship, to all its privileges, and are invited and encouraged 
 to partake of the Lord's Supper. How utterly is all this 
 at variance with God's Word ; yet it is useless to deny the 
 truth of these allegations. Tf the Bible teaches one thin<' 
 more definitely than another, it is, that a church is constf- 
 tutedofbaptizedbeheversonly. This naturally opensoutthe 
 question of the mode of baptism. They contend that 
 sprmkhng is the proper and Scriptural mode, but wc say, 
 point only to one place in Scripture where an adult belie- 
 ver was sprinkled. Shew us what is still more difficult 
 wliere an infant was sprinkled, and we will abandon our 
 case. If as some say, the Bible abounds with proofs of 
 infant sprinkling, if that is the Scriptural mode ot baptis- 
 ing, surely one instance may be found. We do notfask 
 much, but wo ask in VHin and why? Because if is' not 
 there. Much as Pedo-Baptist expounders have wrested 
 the words of the Bible, they have failed to supply us with 
 
a Hingle oaso of baptism by sprii.klintj, mnch los«, a rns,. „f 
 infant spnnklu,.., aiul for the ivas,.,, that it is in.possihlr 
 Itiere is not one passajje within tho covers of that I'M.nk 
 that teaches infant sprinkling. Wo will jjo farther still .ncl 
 say fear essly, there is not a single sentence from which 
 any such inference may logically and legitimately be drawn 
 ho miich has tins been felt by foamed and able commenta- 
 tors, that they have abandoned that ground entirely and 
 now attempt to defend it on the principles of convenience 
 mid expediency. Well might Henry Ward Beecher sav, 
 whoever attempts to support infant sprinkling Iroin 
 bcripture testimony builds on a foundation of ^and " On 
 the other hand if you point to any instance ot baptism in 
 the sacred record in which tho mode is referred to, wo 
 will prove beyond doubt, that it was by immersion, and 
 invariably preceded by repentance and faith in the subjects 
 ot It. Not only that, but the Greek word used to describe 
 he act IS one that will not admit of any other rendering 
 than that of total submersion in the water, exactly as you 
 will see It administered here to-night. Take our Lord's 
 example. In relating this tho inspired writer tells us 
 And Jesus when he was bapt.zed, went up straightway 
 out of the water." Take also that of the Eunuch. "And 
 they toent down both into tho water, both Philip and the 
 Aunnch am] lie baptized bin.. And when they were come 
 
 up out of the water " Now tell us for what 
 
 purpose they went down into the water and came up out 
 of the water if not to be inimersod. If it had been in- 
 tended that we should spiinklo they would havr snruikled, 
 and the divine record would have taught it. Scripturo 
 however knows no other mode of baptism than immer- 
 sion, and the performance onacted over an unconscious 
 babe is no baptism at all. This may sound harshly on the 
 ears of some, but it is none the less true. I remember 
 being rudely shocked to find that the act I had been 
 fondly trusting in as an ordinance of heaven was nothing 
 more than a commandment of man. So much has the 
 force of this evidence been felt that it is now almost uni- 
 vei-saly acknowledged that immersion was the mode in 
 winch v^nrist by his discipl.s administered baptism, that it 
 was the only way known to the Auostolic churcf«es, that it 
 was for centuries the unvarying practice of the early 
 
riinstim. Olniivli, tl.nl evn. fro,,. Motl.cdisl imlpitn I l.nvo 
 u'nrd .1 ,.ni.oun.HHl ll.al if ,.„v ..f H.om' " (.,. t.inrMo';iro.l 
 '•"plisi.i tlic3' wore |,roj)ar(-.| to administer it in citlioi- why 
 Hs tno oar.dKlatc mipjl.t elect, as tl.ongl, the ..rdinance of 
 heaven con d be varied to snitthe convenience or caprice 
 o( men ! 1 thonfrhf when T had gone tl.n.s far I hmi gon.. 
 "long way bnl as I imrsned n.y soarrh ll.e litjht on.du- 
 8 ly dawned and I found that baptism by immersion " Into 
 the name of the Fathep, Son, am, Hom- (J„08T,"was the 
 only mode of admission into the fellowship of the saints 
 and to a seat at the Lord's Tabic. To my' mind the fact 
 waB clear that n Christian Church should consist of none 
 • other than a company of believers. 1 found that my 
 baviour required of me obedience to "All" His coni- 
 mandments, not merely those to the disobedience of which 
 a penalty 18 attached, but every one of them "If ve 
 ove me, keep my commandments." I saw that my Mas- 
 ter required the obedience, not of fear, but of love. O 
 solemn, blessed truth I Never shall I forget the day when 
 t beamed m upon my soul and my mind was tixedf I de- 
 termined to follow tiis example, to submit to His com- 
 mand and be baptized. How well I remember the sorrow 
 telt at having spoken slightingly of His ordinance in 
 3ca,8 gone by when I grieved the heart of some of God's 
 
 nni '■'^ LT^'"'^ "^''^ °^ '^ «•'' »"«">• Todo-Baptists do 
 now. But they err now as I did then through ignorance, 
 not knowing the Scriptures." There is not another act 
 ot Christian duty so much held up to ridicule even by 
 those who profess to have "put on the Lord Jesus." If 
 there is one person here to-niglit who feels tempted to 
 speak sneeringly of this ordinance, I ask you not to do it 
 it not only wounds others but harms you, and what is 
 moio, grieves Him who will bring into judgment every idle 
 word you speak My first thought onVoming to this de- 
 cision was to ask a minister of my own denomination to 
 baptize me but as he himself had not been baptized that 
 wasout of the .juestion. The next thought was, can I 
 not do It quietly ? Say at some week evenh.g service; but 
 Iftf ^v '"T povvorfully and reprovingly lo my mind, 
 that my confession must be "before many witnesses." 
 1 herefore an, I here to-night. In passing let me correct 
 an Idea very prevulent witli those who dither from us, that 
 
 l( 
 
7 
 
 W 
 
 n..u tbo tnul.. It is HdniiMistcrcd to m... .i.t to ILJ , u ' 
 
 feel tlmT*' ""^ ■'"""'''• ^ •'''"" ^^^'' ^''"^ ^ ^'* •'^l'^^^'' ' 
 
 TT?I^ Saviour's obedience and bloml. 
 
 nine all my trnnsgressions from view " 
 Again, there are mnltitndos who, while confesslnff that 
 ".iner«,on ,s the only Scriptural mode of ImptiBm, reft s' 
 to be bapt,.ed. They say " if baptism is Lot a' .savi2 
 ordinance, if 1 can bo saved without it, what need for mt 
 to submit to itr I hope there is nV> one pi^sent who 
 will make use of such an nnehristian argumint. I must 
 own to a genuine contempt for snch reasoning from those 
 who claim to be followers of the Lord Jesus If we l,e- 
 
 est there. We must be prepared to do whatboever He 
 has commanded us If we wisl. to be called His diflciplcs. 
 On Saviour did not need saving, yet He was baptized at 
 His own request Are you better than your Saviour? If 
 you say baptism by immersion is not essential, you charge 
 
 ^rj^t^'''^ IT^ of snpererogation and appointing 
 an ordinance which is unnecessary and inconvenient 
 Ihus you are cauaht in your own argument. If yon 
 
 tZl t IT f "'//•^'•^ '« "° otIieT conrse for yon 
 but to be baptized, and for the same reason which He as- 
 signed when asked why He submitted to it—" Tlius it be- 
 cometh us to fulfil all righteousness." As my dmels 
 nearly gone I can but just name the -M.er points of differ- 
 ence which I have previously refer x. to. There is the 
 indiscriminate manner in which the mercy of God is 
 preached without due regard to His justice and sover- 
 eignty and he divine purpose in calling His own children. 
 A specious kind of theology has crept into our churches 
 and hymns and we are led to sing— often thoughtlessly— 
 " While the lamp (of life) holds out (o ])urn, 
 llie vilest sinner may return." 
 
 I am not so certain'about/his. It is good poetry, but 
 defective theology and the sinner-ever ready to' catch 
 like a drowning man at straws^clings to this, and pre- 
 suming upon such a cheap kind of salvation is led on to 
 delusion and destruction. There is also a doctrine whicli 
 
 teae'ies that a soul Imvmg once exercised savin'' faith 
 
 tn 
 
.TomiH hoo,| and ng))toouHiit««," and " nh<mon lliat jTOod 
 Mirt w ii,.|, shall not l„. taken away," may l.c im-tTic-vHldy 
 ••«. It \n tJniR taught in tlic lollowinjr niclHiKdiol)' lincK— 
 
 " Ail, Lord, with trembling we confess 
 A grarlous sonl may fall from grace." 
 
 ThJH is H doctrine not only dishonouring? to God, and to 
 II IN Hon m redeeming us, hut aitogothor unwarranted by 
 N.-ripture. It keeps the sonl in continual fear and doubt 
 and robs ,t entirely of confidence and peace which ought 
 to till the heart of every believer, who is assured on the 
 authority of God's word, that there is lore and power 
 onoughui the Cross of Christ to preserve him fron. fall- 
 ing, and timt the blood-bought souls of His children are 
 too precious to Him to allow Satan thus to triumph 
 Wo are His, the purchase of His dying love, and no 
 power can pluck us out of His almighty liand. 
 
 This doctrine of falling from grace gave me more pain 
 than any other. When I heard people say they had been 
 ««^rving xJod tor many years, yet could not trust Him • 
 were always in doubt whether they would be in grace or 
 out of ^race by the next meeting night, I thought this is 
 no religion f.>r me. I looked into the matter and found 
 niat such fears were utterly groundless. I found ♦hat 
 »i though my faith might waver or my confidence be 
 H laken, (Jod s divine purpose towards me could iiem- 
 •Ijango, and " He would carry me through." Since then 
 have hud jov in religion, and I am perfectly satisfied 
 nat no storm can ever shatter the Rock in which I hide 
 ^t't me refer to one so-called means of grace, viz., the 
 .-ass meeting." The tendency of this is infallibly to 
 foster pride, to lead men to trust too much to their feeling>. 
 'in( to look inward upon themsehos, instead of outwar.l 
 Hnd upward to Christ, leading them to forget that they 
 
 " Dare not trust the sweetest frame, 
 But only lean on Jesus' name. " 
 
 I wish to tread softly here. I have no desire to grieve 
 t»nt the fact that there exists such a widespread repugnance 
 «KHin8t the class meeting, particularly amongst educated 
 Hn<i sensitive minds, is sufficient to warrant these observa- 
 uohs. Ihere are thr.usands (1 have spoken with hun- 
 «reu8) who hail with delight any opportunity that will 
 
 r 
 
n 
 
 provide tliciii with a lo<ritinmtc ex(;nse tVir not Htteiuliiiji; 
 tho cjjwfi meeting. It tliis wore it hcaltlky niuans of graoe 
 there would not be this icpugnanee. 
 
 I might refer to the multiplicity of oHi(;orH in that hody, 
 to ItH unwieldy organ i/ation, its systenj of gov(!niment, 
 the want of Scriptural knowledge on the part of its mem- 
 bers, the woiHhip given to its ministers and the tendency 
 to take what they say for granted, without that private 
 study of the Word which I am sure the ministers regret 
 as much as we do. I might refer to the undue prominence 
 given to what is plausibly termed " Evangelical Truth," 
 to the chimerical doctrine of sinless perfection (commonly 
 called Christian perfection), to the negleot of that proper 
 spiiitual teaching appertaining to daily life and conduct 
 (particularly in busi.iess tiansactions), which has always 
 characlerized their pulpit ministrations, and as a conse- 
 quence spiritual feebleness is begotten, and though they 
 may boast of numbers and wealth their spiritual power in 
 the world is undoubtedly small. To conclude, I do not 
 expect to meet with a perfect church here, but as far as 
 reason and revelation can guide me I mean to go. Hence- 
 forth I say to this church, "Thy people shall be my peo- 
 ple, and t^'y God my God." I cannot let this opportunitf 
 pass without speaking of the joy I have experienced since 
 I came to this decision. I have looked forward to the 
 event of to-night with feelings of devout satisfaction. In 
 anticipating this act of duty my mind has been filled with 
 a peace and joy never before experienced, and now my 
 heart exults as already in spirit I follow my Master through 
 the solemn waters of Baptism. Let mc say to those who 
 are hesitating as to this important matter, decide now. 
 
 WFiy should not this joy be yours? That which now 
 seems to be a cross, will in the stooping to lift it be trans- 
 formed into a crown of rejoicing by the approving smile 
 of your Heavenly Father, and the assunmce of His pre- 
 sence. Devoutly and earnestly I hope that the language of 
 that noble servant of God, the Hon. and Kcv. Baptist Noel, 
 may be your own — 
 
 " We gave <»urse!yeH to Thee, () Lord, 
 Conteut to be despised 
 When we, obedient to Thy word, 
 Believed, and were baptized. " 
 
it atompcnbium of UivwthB jaeljiting to 
 
 Ht MILTON J. COMPSTON, OF HRISTOL COLLEGE, ENGLAND. 
 
 ymi a \eimn of the lun>e that is in yoti."—! Pet. iii : l.j. / 
 
 I. THE WAHUANT. 
 
 TLe Word of God Is our only rule of faith. It informs us 
 
 bat Je.us Cbrist was baptised (Matt. !3: 13 17) and cimmaXl 
 
 bis disciples to practice tbe rite. (Matt. 38: '^'^J^J ^««l"'»a"fled 
 
 11. TIIK MODE. 
 III. ITS SIGNIFICANCE. 
 
 Jesus Christ instituted t\-o ordinances, viz IJantism and 
 nrii^T.^ ' ^''^^^'- ^«^^ t^««« are symbol c ZpSi sets 
 m.r H« n' '"'"'^"l^ *^*^ «f •'''"«• *in^l death to oufold nature 
 our ming again to " newness of life," and the putting on of 
 
 Rom^oTl!"'' "'^ '"•'' ''«''*^^ '"^'^^ ^«""* I'ybaptmi unto deaths - 
 
 IV. THE SUBJEC'J'8. 
 
 • ,?&"'' Ti" T'^ i''"*'^''' "'«'•• *■'""» w«'-« baptized by the 
 '^*^f he rite h^7 \tti '" *'-''f '7^ "»*' people/;.^ to ripnt 
 its imnort P^^ H r '"V""""^*"'"? ^" unconscious chiltlren, 
 us impoit could have been noth ug short of reeeneratinn 
 There is, however, no instance in the 8criptii4 of the bStism 
 "f infants, and without a direct warrant we dare not praSSe'u! 
 
 V. OUK POSITION. 
 
 inVll^I'Iiiin""''^^'^ '"''' ««"Pt'"'e« tbat we may know our duty 
 m tins matter, we apprehend that there is but one course open 
 
 Ghmt han cotnmamled and we obey 
 
 enSl^to Xr' 1?p1J1o" "'• ^r'"'^"^^ "'• f"l^«'- i« "«•• ol^edl- 
 --- — -J--I-.- .n ,.;^ sucu a u;vu roriiis name 
 
 and person that we d^not even i;^ tS^/^^^^^ u'ls^'iSdi 
 B love and loyalty that Christians only wish" 
 
 cation Of intense .^vu auu luyauy tnai <.;nrisi 
 be and do that which is emntial to mlmtion? 
 
 to 
 
 Shall we secure 
 
11 
 
 to 
 
 ourselve« nnd be indiffcient about pleasing the Saviour? We 
 affectionately ask of our brethren who differ from us, if we dnre 
 follow any olher course tlian tliat we pursue ? An- we at lib- 
 erty to trifle with the Master's words ? Could we appear in 
 JIis presence and calmly acknowledire that we considered this 
 particular coinmand too trifling to be attended to y 
 
 '' Ye are my friends, if ye do whatmcecr I command vou "— 
 John 15: 14. •' 
 
 % 
 
 PiEDO-BAPTIST TESTIMONY. 
 
 the first 13 c«ntnne8 the almost universal practi- of baptism was 
 that we road in the New Testament, and whicl the very mean- 
 ing of the word "baptize '"-that those who were baptized 
 were plunged, submerged, immersed in the water. 
 Still in our own church as positively enjoiuef' in theoiv as it is 
 
 PnHif H^ ."'^\''\f !•' ^'^r"'"- <^''''^ «^ Common' Prayer, 
 1 ublic Baptism ) Baptism by sprinkling was rejected by the 
 whole ancient Church (except in the rare case of death-beds or ex- 
 treme necessity) as no baptism at all " 
 
 M.A., ovd Vevji lie,. J. s. Boir.on, J). J)., D.an of Chvster. 
 Commenting on Konians vi, ;j, 4, " This passage clnnot be 
 understood uuless it be borne in mind that the primitive baptism 
 was by immer.sion. ... It must be a subject of regret that the 
 general discontinuance of this oiiginal form of baptism has render- 
 of ScrMure "'''*^'"'"'' '^^''''°^'^"''^"" ^^'"^ ^«'T important passages 
 The Apostoltcid JJpistk, by Ji,r. J. //. Machiight, D.D., 
 Presbyterian).-" Christ submitted to be baptized ; that is, to b^ 
 buried under the water by John, and to be raised out of it again, 
 as an emblem of His future death, and resurrection. In like man- 
 uer, the baptism of beliGvers is emblematical of their own death 
 burial and resurrection." "«i,.., 
 
 Notes on the NmTestffmrnt, by^Rer^. John Wesley. M.A.- 
 
 Buned with Him, alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by 
 
 immersion." ' *^ ^ 
 
 Jfer. Ofonjf WhltefiM, B.A., Minister of Lady Ihmtimfdoi,\ 
 CmneMon.-la hmSermom, p. 297, " It is certain that in the 
 words of our text (Rom. vi, 3, 4), there is an allusion to their 
 manner of baptism, which was by immersion, which is what our 
 own Church allows. 
 
 Commentary on Komans, by Rev. Thon. Chalmers, D D — 
 •' The original meaning of the word baptism is immersion; and 
 though we regard it as a point of indiffftmnf.p wl.otha.. ♦!,-. ^-^; 
 nance so named be performed in this way or by sprinkiing! 'vet 
 we doubt not that the prevalent style of administration in the 
 Apostles days was by an nctual si(bmer,fin,f of the whole hodv 
 under water.