The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-01-08
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
The Herald and Classic Baptism.

Ct0SS2c bdpttSW' IL may oe vi soue III
terest to note, without any extended dis.
cussion. however, the points made in this
review by gentlemen so competent, and
so familiar with this theme, as the edi
tors of the Herald.
In the first article, the first point made
relates to the discrepancies charged by
the author of Classic Baptism Oh Bap-
tist writer's. The defence is, "they used
terms sanctioned by photographers y
while the admission is made that MIR.
Dale's criticisms may lead to more ac-
curate use of terms. The second point
is, "the irrelevancy of the discussion of
BaptO," &c. - herein is the pulsa-
trasted evidence which shows bapto to be-
long to one class of verbs, and baptizo to
quite another class; while the Baptist
theory rests upon their sameness.
In the second article, we have point
l. Baptist writer's maintain that Bap-
tizo signifies dip, plunge, immerse;; that
it is "a modal term, denoting a specific
act, and not an effect resulting from an
act; that it has the same meaning as bap-
to, except dyeing and smearing;; while
Mr.. Dale denies that baptigo expresses a
definite act, but that it demands, through
any competent act, a. Condition of en-
velopement (2) Condition effected by
any controlling influence, without enve
lopement." The issue thus sharply sta
ted, the reviewer declines to enter upon,
"leaving it to Hellenists to settle it with
him, as best they can." That is to say,
discussion of the book is formally de-
clined; for on this issue turns every page
and every sentence of the book. How
ever, the reviewer makes point 2, In as
suming to work out "a reductao ad ab-
swdum, and an argatmentum ad homa-
nem" This task having been assumed,
we hear no more of it. The article
closes with some rather wild sentences
about the New Testament and ammerse
In the third article we have:
Point L. "Baptizo does not pass to a
secondary meaning in which envelope
ment is lost, and controlling influence is
in the ascendency." The proof of this
point is a. The knowledge of every in
telligent person. (2.) Affirmation Of
usaseSinscertain cases,sof the uEnglish
In point 2 we have, "The value of a
Greek phrase" Objection is made to
Mr.. Dales statement, that baptizo cannot
prove any definite act. The reviewer
forgets his declnature to discuss that
question. But he claims that Mr.. Dale
is bound to make that word place vithiu
the Cater, somehow, because he has de-
fined it by merse. He forgets, again,
that the drift of the book is to prove,
that condition of envelopement passes
on to a condition of controlling infu-
ence; and that Classic Baptism employs
merse, Gust like the Greek word which
it represents,) to express both these con-
ditions. He forgets, farther, that cere-
monial publication, (the case in hand, }
may be controlled by "sea water" with
out merson, and therefore, the necessity
for physical development, by the nature
of the case, is taken away.
Point 3. "BaptisO I" does not usually
drown" Classic Baptism shows that
baptize does usually drown, and will al
svays, unless help comes from some other
quarter.
Point 4. "Naaman dipped seven times
without being drowned The reviewer
forgets that this is not case from the
Classics J; he, also, forgets that the He
brew word, here, represents the Greek
6apto, which we have been told was very
irrelevantly introduced into the dis
cussion; or if he translates from the
Septuagint, he still forgets that he has
turned over to the "Hellenists " to set
tie the meaning of 6aptigo.
Point 5. "BaptiSm by drinking is a
curiosity, and new mode of baptism. y
Anticipated things, long forgotten, be-
come curiosities. If the reviewer will
open Classic Baptism and read the
"goings on - in the days of Plato and
Plutarch, he will find that baptism by
drinking" was quite rife in those
times.
Point 6. "Several English terms arr
ftly employed to represent baptizo." -
But if the reviewer makes this decision
without any investigation, what becomes
of that duty devolved on " the HELEN
lists.
Point 7. "It is a non sequitur to say
that every Greek writer would sanction
the use of baptize to denote condition o
ceremonial publication effected by sprink
ling" May be so, but the reviewer VIII
declines to examine the meaning of tn
word has estopped his making any sue
assertion.
Point s. at is conceded that if 9