The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-11-17

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tial to the very existence of the family.
1t must continue, as it has continued, until
the Church is presented to Himself with
out spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.
All other associations are not of God.
Thus far, then. in reference to the fami-
" or Church of Col. And we come to
the point before us, How are VIC to he ad
mittcd into it The word of God, the
ltw Of this household, furnishes tha an
swcr. 1t is 10y baptism. This is the ini-
tia,ory rite. 1t is the only door of en-
trance. No amount of personal holiness
it it can be ever acquired ONT orthis fam
iIv) or Inward experiences, or rapturcs, can
make us members of the Church ofChrist.
We must enter through the door which
its Divine Head las opened, and we must
enter 10y receiving from those whom lie
has constituted us his earthly representa-
tivcS, the right to enter. And this right,
aS we have observed, is baptism. In this
ordinance, every child is made new crea-
ture in Christ Jesus. They are born A.
gain, born of water and the Spirit as the
Word of God and the Church declare,
they are regcncratcd. In the words of the
CatechiSm, they are made members of
Christ, children ofGod, and inheritors of
the kingdom of heaven. And there are
no previ us qualifications required. AS
Christ died for all, so are all invited to
come unto this family. The benefits of
Ills mission to this earth have no limita-
tions. They have not been provided for u
few more highly-favored than others tLcy
are us wide and far-reaching us his own
love. Hence all children enter into this
houshold on the same conditions, enjoy
the same privileges, and have title TO the
same rewards. They are all made chill
dren of God IN Christ Jesus. The only
condition prescribed, for n full participa-
ton Of all its benefits in this world and
the world to come, is personal holiness :;
without this every privilege will be useless,
and very eanticipation of happiness vain
and frurtlcss. And to guard against fail
ures, the spirit Of God issgiven to every
child in baptism 'cithOut any exception, not
only to begin, but to carry on and com
plcIe the great work OF lhr.r salvation. II
the agency hc not used, rs have obscrv-
ed, every hope Of happiness and reward
will be forfeited, hut still the relationship
thus created will remain. 1t can never be
shaken oft in this world, however unwor-
thy the members of this family may be-
comc-they will still remain children of
God. The Prodiyal WIS still the son oi
his father when most degraded; and our
own children, when they forget all Our
kind a'lmonitioi, and plunge into the ex-
ccsseS and lollics of the world, still remain
our children. llsnce the necessity for the
conversion OF all the members of the
Church of Cool, who neglect their baptis-
nal cnga SclncnLs and fall into sn. They
must return rs the pro lisal returned, con-
Tossing their siu>, and with sincere and
honest determination To lead holy and
devoted lives. And the great prompting
motive to callsc them thus to return is
that they are the children of God, that
lIehas I'eca male Their Father through
Christ IcsuS. The Head of his family ON
carh. There can, therefore never be a
second regeneration, or new birth, but
there may be many conversions.
In reference to adults, the terms ofmcm.
bcrsliip arc widely ii!lercnt. Here there
is actual sin in connexion with the sad
inherilancc Of fallen nature Hence,
there must ie precious quail i6cations.
And the Word of God and the family of
God demand them. And these are re-
pentancc, faith, and obediance, or in other
words, conversion. But this is not regell-
Grafton or the new birth. 1t is true il is
accomplished 10y the influence Of the Spirit
but only those general influences which,
are given to prepare the children Of men,
asdistinguished from the special influences
OF His grace impaired in baptism. They
prepare the way for the FIRE accomplish
ment Of that mighty change viii II makes
them new creatures in Christ. They are
thus qnickcned into life and made ready
10 be born and this can only be accom-
plished in holy baptism. And the same
condition is prescribed for the free partici-
patton of all the blessings connected will,
the household Of faith, in this world and
the next, as are demanded of those who
-" admitted into it in the early periods
OF lifc,--personal holiness, without which
no man can see God. But Whatever NAV