The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-10-12
saeordos, Of the Baltimore Mirror, and the Baptism
.sf4srerT4.Y Of Converts.

saoerd0s, Of the Baltimore Mirror and the Baptism
,ss4 n32.i Of Converts.
10 ths Editsr Of the Morning Star:
I have seem an extract from the com
munication Of Sacerdos," given in
Review, for October, page 564.
He speaks Of many Episcopalian ministers
as being too sincere and conscientious to be
negligent in the administration of Baptism.
But the validity Of their Baptisms may be
questioned without charging them with not
beine sincere and conscientious, There 10
NO obligation among them to believe that
Baptism IL necessary for Balvation. Each
one ia free to form his own judgment;
arst, whether it ia necessary in any sense:
and secondly, in what sense and 70 what
degree, it is to be considered necessary.
Again, even those who regard 1t % abso-
lutely necessary in the Catholic eenses are
free to Judge for themselves what 10 essen
tisl for ito validity-As we often sprinkle
objects with holy Water, without taking
any special pains that the water should
touch them, 10 an Episcopalian minister
NAV, il he pleases, sincerely and conscien-
tousiy Judge, that . similar sprinkling sui.
Aces for Baptism. If he ID a little more
particular, he will take care that some
drops reach, at least, the clothes OF the
person, One more rigorous still, may
take care that it falls at least upon the
the hair. And go likewise, II he pours the
water, he may pour it only on the hair and
thus leave the validity doubtful. There
are various other ways in which sincere
and conscientious, minister of church In
which there are SO many great differ
euces of Judgment and practice, may leave
Baptism invalid or doubtful. And that
} even in Baltimore, where they are said to
be 30 careful, there is sometimes loosenesS
Of practice, weuld Judge from an account
heard good many years ago: when
dogmatic teaching, and church law were
more commonly regarded az obligatory
among Eiscopalisns, than they are now
A distinguished layman, o convert, gen.
tleman whose memory is still revered and
treasured in that city as an honor and an
example, related how he had seen Bap
r tism administered by an Episccpalian clee.
o eyman, one Who, think, was g stauncn
r High churchman. Certainly he was amongst
}. tina most esteemed Of the Episcopala1
Z ministers of the city After dipping hal
. hand In the water and takingd s outagain, %
:. asked the name Of the child. He exprasses
y come surprise ct the choice iof the nalne
= ma. several reaarks' we're interehangea
! between him, and she Relations 20 sha
!. quite an interval elapsed, during which s hi
!. hand was suspended, ana Of course TN
!. water was running OF. Then vithoas wet
ID ting his hand anew, he made . motion 9
.e sprinkling and pronounced the words.
ID il several years since hehrd this from on
he of the most esteemed Priests Of the Die
cese Of Baltimore, to whom the lay gentle
no man had related it. The Priest is stu
.e living in tho Diocese. His name and th'
=. of the gentleman who Witnessed and mai
N. rated the case can be given TO any one WI
NV has good reason to ask for it. : I will I'D
SIS. that in my missionary experience Of twe'
vas yak years, I have only met two cases,
OIL which, on examination Of all could leal
about the previous Baptism. I judged that
sod could prudently receive the persons witt
tn, out baptising them conditionally.
Ing W. X.
J Of October g., 1873.