The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-08
sPRINKLING VS.. IMMERSION.


DY. Alison Clearly Exp0unds the Pros.
bytsrisn Wow OF Baptism.
Dr.. Alison, pastor of the First Presby-
uran church, at the request Of large
number of persons. delivered the first of .
series OF discourses last night ON the sub
set Of Baptism From a Presbyterian
e,andpoint." His text was taken from
8. Matthew xxviii:19: go ye there
fore and preach the Gospel to all nations,
haptizing them," etc. The discourse in
nsnts showing the authority and reasons
for the Presbyterian church practicing
sprinkling in baptism instead Of INNER
sion, as some denominations claim should
be done. The first point DR.. Alison made
was that three-Quarters of the Christian
denominations of the world hold the
Presbyterian view. This, he said, was at
least fair presumptive argument in favor
Of the strength of the position held by the
Presbyterans. He continued:
We believe that Christ. If He had spoken spe-
aheslly in regard to the mode of baptism,
vould at least have given Us . method which
voald fit all around: this sprinkling does For
Instance. 1t would b highly dangerous to inn
nerse Q person who was on dying bed and.
Who had Just professed his faith and sought ad-
Mission 10 the church. Again, 1t would 10 very
l.1cult to find q space OF open water large
enough to immerse any one in Greenland in the
middle Of winter. Sprinkling. however. could
h accomplished BY melting some snow.
He then took up the argument along
ihe line of the Greek word "Baptixs" and
Gained that the Ana-Baptists' definitions
TO Dip" "to plunge" ''to immense.
sOuld not fit under every condition with
which the word il met in the Scriptures,
sying:
For instance, II one wishes to observe the dis
ssdant nature OF the use of their Technology,
shim put the words dip" plunge" or "im-
nsrse' IN the place of the word ''baptixe"
Wherever 1t is met with in the New Testament
he gave the following text - IN illustrations:
John the Baptist said, * baptise you with
NE. he shall baptiss you with the Holy Ghost"
Suppose We should put the words "dip,"
"piungs or "lmmerss' in the place OF the
sOrd "baptise'' In that declaration OF John, IL
vii DO obvious 70 every one of you how re-
5elaat it would sound. Imagine John speak.
lag Of Christ AZ slipping. plunging or immers.
iag with the Holy Ghost"
Dr.. Alison then went on to q conclusion
by explaining the Presbyterian position in
regard to Christ's baptism and the baptism
o. the eunuch. giving . plausible argument
against either one being immersed. He
then said:
We Presbyterians assert and think We can
clearly prove that Cornelius, the PhiIlipian
iaer. and the great apostle to the Gentiles,
Pan, were not immersed, because they were all
baptized In houses of the Orient Paul sspe-
eaiy vas referred to baptized in the bed
room of the house OF Judas. in the street called
Strait, in the city OF Damascus. where for three
esys be had been confn during an attack of
blindness ocoasiobed by his conversion on the
ssy 20 the city.
Perhaps the most telling illustration of
lie sermon was the last one, in which he
showed the consistency of the Presby-
serlans in regard to the sacrament of bap-
s sa as compared with the Lords supper.
sald he:
liany OF you will go to one of our excellent
aeads who believe in the doctrine of INNER
Sen as the only mode OF baptism and will keep
saIl'oly silent on the baptismal question and
s'S The question, "W hat Is the meaning of tho
e'eeS words deipnon karidt0nr" he will reply, ii
ne understands Greek. 1.-THE Lords Supper"
lfen say 10 him: Are you aware that this
efphon means a square mealr' II he answers.
ie'' then say: why don't you carry out this
"sS's-iy "a the Commuuion1" He will perhaps
nty; IL Is not necessary. A small piece OF
WA aud sip o. the wine are sufficient"
100 can then reply: Even assuming that the
.'5a Ia sc means literally to immense. which
iooat atias, why DO you insist upon the full
meaning Of the word which applies to the one
sacrament aud not the full meaning to the
s>nefF W. fsesbytertans claim to be consist
w. 10 ms With three-fourths vi the Christian
sharches which believe as We do, for we hold
1a' ii Is nci quantity in either case. but obeti-
ace 20 ihe command that is 70 be rendered