The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-23

IF it should be said that the same
sources of error existed twenty-five years
ago, reply, not to the same extent. and
for two reasons /. it is easier TO secure
from small number of men, punctual
attention to duty on the part of each,
than from a large number: 2. in this
case, the difficulties are greatly enhan-
ced by the multiplicity of feeble churches,
situated at distance from the centre OF
operation, and often destitute of the reg
ular ministrations of the Gospel. With
the great expansion of the area covered
by the church, the number of churches
and Presbyteries of this class, has In
creased with proportionate rapidity.
l would not be understood as denying
that there has been a decline amongst us
with respect to the baptism of children.
wish I.could say that this is the only
ordinance of the Gospel in which de-
cline is manifested. | fear the evil is a
general one, both as it respects the ex-
tent of country over which it has spread,
and the range of christian duties and
graces which it has invaded. Infant
Baptism has declined in the Presbyterian
church, Just as vital godliness, love for
Christ and conservation to His service,
have declined; but, so far as any trust
worthy evidence has yet shown, not any
more palpably or widely; 1 believe not
as much so.
When began writing it was not my
intention to give more than passing
notice to the statements made in the ar
ticle referred to, but to speak of certain
evils, as l conceive them to be, which l
find existing in some of our churches.
and which are calculated to favor the
impression that the ordinance of Infant
Baptism is not cherished and honored
among US as it was among our fathers.
1 1 am acquainted with a church,
large and influential church-in which
the names of children baptized are not
recorded on the church register. The
only record made or kept of them, is
that the Pastor may happen to preserve
for his personal uses. Of course, in
cases where the ordinance is administer
ed in the absence of the pastor, or dur
ing an interregnum of the pastorate, no
record whatever is made; and if the
Pastor should be out of the way when
the report to the Presbytery is prepared,
no report of baptism is made to that
BODY. But still more serious aspect of
the subject is, the children baptized are
not recognized as members of the church;
their connection with it is ignored for
surely we are not to suppose Church
Session would fail to keep roll of the
members of the church. There should
be register carefully kept by the Clerk
of the Session. not only for the children
baptized in that church, but also, for
those received into the congregation by
the removal of their parents within its
bounds and when parents are dismissed
from a church, their children should be
dismissed with them, and proper entry
be made of the fact.
2. The growing frequency of private
baptisms is another of these evils. The
very circumstances attending the ordi-
nance when in private, tend to increase
the liability to neglect to record and re-
port the baptisms but, what is of great
er consequence, they tend to destroy the
solemuity of the ordinance itself, and, by
so far. to detract from the impression it
ought to make on the hearts of the pa
rents concerned in it. Such is the
writer's experience, and such the testi-
mony of many ministers with whom he
has conversed on the subject. 1t is diff
ficult for the minister to feel, and no
doubt as difficult for others to feel, that
baptism so performed is not very much
more than giving the child name, or
complying with some merely social u.s.
age. There are circumstances in which
it is proper to administer the ordinance
in the family residence. To these cases,
when the necessity for them is stringent,
the remarks here made are not intended
to apply. But how has it come about
that such cases have so multiplied OF
late years? How that they are so much
more numerous in some congregations
than others of equal size ? Has pride
or Incidence nothing to do In creating
the alleged necessity for such departures
from the established order of the church
Have Pastors in no case yielded their
principles rather than risk the displea'
sure of certain select members of their
congregations Be the case what ii
NAV, the practice, as existing in some
places, is an evil that needs correction
It brings dishonor on the ordinance
making it a thing blythe way, not of the
house of God and of public concern tc
the church.
8. Another form of the same evil