The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-20
Infant Baptism and Original Sin.
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have noticed In your papertwo or three erusions
from the pen OF 'E. H." who seems to concern
himself very much about The insubordinate conduct
OF the Rev. Mr. Cheney. presume MIR. Cheney has
lived long enough to have discovered the absurd
application OF the word "regeneratc'' 10 infants In
BAPTISM and THAT the only virtue baptism at all
Is III its symbocal erect, and that 1t Is only
medium OF entrance into the Church. shall not
now stop to argue with "E. H. the precise amount
OF original sin an innocent babe has to cast OF
before 1t can partake OF the atonng merit oil the
second Adam, nor the simple question what con-
sttutes Church, these foreign to the question
Ii seems TO me that there Is as much, II not more,
hope Tor out or what &c. H. pleases to call
rationalism Than out OF the dark and gloomy doc
trlnc OF mysticism. II Inc clergy would only show
as much zeal and Scnacity In advocating the living
tenets Of the Church The effect would he better
with the people and they would seem to serve the
interests OF Christ more In accordance with His
teaching. suppose should repent OF my sins with
cut making 1t known by the formula OF baptism, am
! not as likely 10 be saved 'E. H. admits that
water alone Is powerlesS TO elect any spiritual
Change Is only an outward visible sign Of an
inward spiritual grace We have ''E. Ii. s" admis-
sion, then, that baptism Is only symbolic. Why,
then, cloak II IN so much MYSTERY Why make 1t
q sun 2ut non or membership TO the Church 2
Water mas cleansing and purifying influence, ana
baptism Is nothing more man The symbolicai sign
Of the inward Tact thai the person has repented OF
his sins purgcd himself OF all unclea niness; an
this he asserts III the name OF Jesus christ. The
formula has specific efficacy apart from the ideas
IL was intended and used 10 convey. have epen,ed
OF my SINS aad have hencelorth resolved TO lead a
better lie, and so declare IN the name OF Christ,
since the profession Of Ills name implies belief In
the Father and the influence which the good spirit
has eXcrted over me- ''E H. says II We LOOK at
baptism IN Scriplura sense we must believe that
the subject OF the same Is III different relation
from what ne was before. Has the mere fact Of
immersion or sprinkng placed US In different
spiritual relation or have We not, by our own act
placed ourselves In a different condition towards
God and make 1t manifest to others by the outward
sign Of baptismY Ii was only sign Of The disciples
allegiance TO their Maker. consider infants
whether baptized or not, always the subjects Of Gods
favor; and do not consider that any Of the for
mulas OF the Church can confer upon them any
additional grace or sancuty. Now, ! have no more
disposition 10 make light OF the truths OF revelation
than "E. H. lie may interpret them by the
medium OF his mystical vision by my reason.
cannot believe That rationalism has done any more
10 pull down the fabric which Christ reared an
mysticism. And ] do believe that the older the
world grows the clearer anil SIMPLER do the teach
ings OIL Christ become 70 us; for the that
dark cloud With which the Church has en,eloped
HIS truths is being dispelied more and more, and
that the people. Dy the light Of reason, have become
less inclined TO believe that their only way Of saliva.
! zion Is through Church formulas. Ii. T.