We have not so learned Christ. But we have not learned him rightly unless we duly attend to what is set forth in his ordinance, so as to cherish the feelings of thoughtful and tender solicitude towards the infant that are naturally suggested by the fundamental tragedy of original sin. Even here on its dark side the doctrine of Christ is providing blessings for his lamb by nourishing at the root our Christian affections toward the little one. But his doctrine has a bright side as well as a dark. And it is the bright side that specially is turned upon us when an infant is baptized.
Original sin is a thing common to all infants descended from Adam by ordinary generation.
The truth specially set forth by infant baptism is that of the salvation of infants. The present question is mainly about rightly setting towards the infant the thoughts and affections of the congregation which receives him in baptism. It is a great thing to be warranted by God's word in regarding him as then and there a being susceptible of the saving grace of God. This for the congregation makes him to be a dumb pathetic sermon of salvation to the lost. But all this, duly considered, will guide them and move them in the appropriate exercise of faith and love towards the infant, praying that even now, before he enter on the tragic life of human beings unfolded into clear conscious activity, there may be reposed in him the seed of life immortal, so that all possible storms can only serve to strengthen the life which no creature can destroy.