Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-10-31
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.

MORAL INFLUENCE
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.
By REV. BERT TURN JILL.
Every part of the scheme of Christian
ty is intended and fitted to subserye GER
tain great moral purposes. It's doctrines,
precepts and ordinances form constituent
elements of a harmonious whole. the
great object of which is glory to Cod in
the highest, on earth peace, and good will
to men," Each of these, therefore, is ad-
apted to a specific end. While they COM
bine to produce an accordant general re-
suit, yet they form distinct and independ-
ent features of the system, wisely fitted to
produce particular moral effect.-The
doctrines of Christianity appeal to the
reason Of man, the precepts to his con-
science and the ordinances to his senses
and imagination. But they act in harmo-
ny, and are all intended to bind us to the
cross of Christ. They all emanate from
the same divine mind, are invested with
the same sacred sanction, and form, if not
equal, yet corresponding parts, in the
great spiritual superstructure of practical
Christianity.
On this ground we should expect to
| find the ordinances or ceremonial observ-
ances of the Christian Institution worthy
of their Divine Author, and we'll adapted
to exert salutary influence over the heart
and conduct. Nor are we disappointed
IN this, for Baptism and the Lords Sup
per are so Intimately associated with what
ever is great and affecting in Religion,
and so beautifully adapted to represent
some of the most Interesting facts, and i'm
portant principles in the Christian Sys-
tenn, that they possess sacred charm, fit
ted at once to cheer, to purify and bless.
do this in remembrance of me"-are
words which thrill the soul of the Christ
ian, while the bread and the wine point
him to Calvary, tell the story of the cru
cifxion, and impress upon his heart the
touching fact of union and communion
with Christi And if those who profess
the Religion of the Lamb do not become
more spiritual, grateful and happy, while
sitting around their fathers board they
may we'll doubt either as to the correct
, ness Of their views or the honesty of thei
professions. o every true Christian car
S feel what sacred solemnity and hallowec
! interest are thrown around the sacramen
tai feast, by the remembrance of Christ
dying love, and the consciousness of tina
; ineffable alliance which subsists between
the Savior and the members of his mystic
: al body.
n The same remarks will apply to thu
J., ordinance of Christian Baptism, a sym
: bolical representation of the most beauti
: full and impressive kind. 1t speaks to tn
eve, the ear and the heart; and althougl
observed but once, can never-never b
forgotten by him who feels that he hat
} been s'buried with Christ in Baptism"
d Baptism is not mere ceremony to
changed or modified as we think proper
1t is symbol appointed by God himse
to represent certain great facts and princi
Piles connected with the history of redemI
ton and the salvation of the soul. In ID
primitive ages Of the world symbols {
various kinds were used as means of con
munication between man and man. In
whole system of Egyptian hieroglyPhl(
is one Of the symbols, partly natural, an
partly arbitrary. The prophets of lsr
ell often used symbols in their prediction
of future events. Indeed the Old Test
ment Dispensation contains perfect sy
tenn of symbolical representations, {
shadows of good things to come, whlc
were appointed by God, and were to
retained unalteredtillthe coming of Chris
Nor are symbols confined 10 the Old Te
lament, we find them also in the Ne
The Book of Revelation is continue
categorical representation of future ever
consisting of the most bold and beauhf
symbols. In addition TO the symbols