New-York tribune., 1878-02-04

Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. y. H.
Tiffany preached upon the tests of selfdenal. The
Rev. L. ID. Bevan. at the Brick Presbyterian Church,
spoke upon perfect communion with Christ. The
Rev. DR.. Armitage, at the Fifth Avenue Baptist
Church. considered the ripening of Gods harvest.
THE CHURCH'S WELCOME TO CHILDREN.
The H. Rylanee, d. d. at ST. 4aT%s ChvTeH fro''
esdnt Episeopau.
The Rev. DR.. J. II. Rylance preached, yes
terday morning. at Marks Church protestant Eps-
eopaD from st. Mark K IA "surer little children to
come INTO Me- and forbid them for OF such is the
Kingdom of Heaven" Upon this bref of Scrip
ture the speaker said the Church rested the authority
10 bapize children. 1t put forth elaborate plea for
its yndication 1t simply cited the fact that Jesus wei
coined little children and blessed them. The Baptist
views OIL this question held by many who did not
believe in the Baptist creed He continued. in part
am not partial to poemca discussions but the sub
ieet presents difficulties 10 many and deeu II worthy
OF consideration The leading argument Of those who
deny the right OF infant baptism is drawn from the 81
lence OF the New Testament this subject Neither
Christ nor His disciples left injunction TO baptze
children But must be remembered that the Hebrews
had express commands about the training Of children
and their induction into the Church. Hebrew mother
would consider her ead If 1t had not under
gone the provisions laid down by the law of Moses.
II any radical change had been made in these customs,
every Jewish household would have risen against 1t.
The gosnels would have brised with accounts OF the
discussion the dseiples could not have preached in
any synagogue il such change iad occurred. The
abortion baptism anticipated 10y OF the Ttes
Of circumcision Not do find any ordef fer re-
scuding that ordinance. The silence of the New
Testament shows that il welcomed little children as
warmly as the laws Of Moses did 1900 years before.
But the avOrte argument that lt,ic children are
cuded from baptism Dy the provisions OF the creed ~
asmuch they cannot repent toward God ana believe III
Christ. This is acccptedby thousands conclusive But
If cOncedc the premise Where Will the lOg.c carry
youi It You to acknowledge that children are
consigned eternal perdOn. They have no pl@ce IN
the Church II they I'll for The Church, they
not t for Heaven Yet there those who accept ts
remOrseess conclusion for a nature saturated with
theology is apt to become cruel 1t would 20 hard with
an infant lie he consigned 10 the tender
cies of wranglng theo'OgiaDs But Christ comes ana
says "Sufter little children TO cOIne unto Me-"
The Gospels. II should be remembered were preached
mainly to the children regarded bound up
with the faith of parents Hence, there great
adults only. Justin Martyr. Irenaus and Orgen all men
ton the part that chdten Ook religious rites In Gc
inscriptions tomb stones, they called HdcS he
faithful. And yet IN the face OF this The preachers u To-
day say children have right Oi entry into tie Kingdom
OF GO. The right OF baptism is pot retrospective Dut
prospective not salvation for death, but conservation
for e. Many bsied i'll their alter the truth
about this theme by who don't know what they
talking about The sphere OF the Churcn Is 10
heartily into the family. f the Church
ects children, hers VIII he the task OF SSyphIs VIII
roll the stone 10 the summit of the hl in each genera
tOh, only it to the bottom again, because OF
her failure TO teach the children TIE true way
To this end was baptism ordained The Christian Church
too often carries 10 the font perfume OlIy, ana btpsA
too often Is considered to end there. Rather does IL
sss in the welfare OF an immortal soul.