The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-09-04

Onrlsuan duties.
Brethren, even if this be, as you seem tt
think it, one of these 'least commandments,
we pray you, remember the words of tn,
Lord Jesus, how he said, "Whosoever, there
fore, shall break one of these least command
ments, and shall teach men so, he shall b.
called the least in the kingdom of heaven.
Is Infant Baptism an ordinance of God
is it his will that we should being our chill
dren into covenant engagements with him
Does he put this great honor upon US, anC
vOuchsafe to us a privilege so precious? Was
that charter of the ancient Church which
his servant Abraham, as its representative
received from his own hands, intended to bt
the charter of the Church of the living Goo
throughout all time? Is it under this same
charter that the Church now lives in the
world and is blessed of him!
Do you believe these things? Then what
ever be your views of the practical value OF
benefit of the ordinance of infant baptism,
or to whatever extent you choose to put
your wisdom against the wisdom of God and
regard it as a hfeless form, thing inopera-
tive for good or for evil, nevertheless, sim
ply as prescribed by God himself, do you not
see that, on this ground alone, you stand con-
demned before him for the neglect of it,
How can you live in such neglect of it with
out bringing upon you all the guilt of awful,
deliberate, persistent transgression?
But there is more than the wrong to your
own souls which is involved here So far as
it is possible for the destiny of one human
being to be controlled by another, you are
Iimperiling the highest spiritual interests of
your childre
You are aware that our Church utterly
repudiates that cunning deluson and lie of
Satan, "baptismal regeneration" We do
not believe in regeneration by any hocus
pocus of human manipulation. For they
that are born into the Kingdom of God, are
born not of blood, nor of the viii of the
flesh, nor of the will of man but of God"
But while rejecting the whole dogma of
sacramental grace" as most pernicious and
pestilent heresy, we believe surely that "the
promise is to US and to our children" We
believe that this promise is not mere pro-
mise of ecclesiastical franchise or privilege
but that it contemplates the richest blessings
and gifts of his grace who made it, and that
to those who have faith to plead it, and to
live under it, he will show himself not un-
mindful of "the word which is gone out of
his mouth"
Brethren we beseech you, resnember it is
not a vain thing 20 hearken to the voice of
the Lord in this matter. He will do for us,
exceeding abundantly above all that We
ask or think, if we will con6de in the word
on Which he has caused us to hope. "The
mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting upon them that fear him, and his
righteousness unto children's children; to
such as keep his covenant, and to those that
remember his commandments to do them"
Believe him boldly, and he will let you
see that his promise can never fall to the
ground. Il will establish my covenant be-
tween Me and thee, and thy seed after thee,
in their generations, for an everlasting cove
uant; to be God unto thee, and to thy seed
after thee. -
And now, brethren, in neglecting this or
dinance of the Church of God which, in the
substance of it, has come down to us through
the ages with more than the glory and the
prestige of antiquity upon it-with the sign
manual of our God and the seal of his bless
ing upon it-in neglecting it, We are bound
60 remind you, that you are doing what you
can to bar your own children from priceless
covenant blessings: You are doing what you
can to shut against them the door which in
finite grace and wisdom would open to them;
You are doing what you can to make of none
effect the tender, loving appeal, Suffer the
little children to come unto Me, and forbid
them not, for of such is the kingdom Of
heaven"
And for yourselves, you are practically
disowning the authority of the Lord that
died for you. You are putting dishOnOr
upon his wisdom. You are making light of
the glory and grace of his faithfulness and
love. You are dealing with the ordinances
of his Church as if they were nothing more
than the commandments of men: You are
degrading them to the level of human tradi-
tions and devices. You are living in the
habitual violation of solemn vows. You are
giving occasion to these who receive not the
truth of God, to count it dead thing; and
you are making yourselves stumbling blocks
in the way Of the ignorant and unwary.
Brethren, We beseech you, suffer the word
of exhOrtatiOn. Are We become your enc
mics because we tell you the truth!
The God of our fathers, the God of Abra
ham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob bless you.
The Spirit of truth dwell with you and be
in you, teaching you all things, and bringing
all things to your remembrance. The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.
A CHEERFUL VIEW OF THINGS" How
dismal you look" said a Bucket to his com
panion, as they were going to the well.