The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-19
WATER baptism.

AiEh baGl1sM
The case Of DR.. Dougan Clark win
probably give a new life to vexed theO-
logical question which has probably
caused as much trouble in the world as
any known point of difference between
sects, but one which for some years past
has almost dropped out of sight. Vol
umes have been written on baptism. Men
have fought over ii, have been executed
for their views of it, have been excom-
municated for heresy on account of their
belief as to it, Usually it has been a
question Of form Of administration of the
water. The society Of friends, as the
"quakers" are properly known. made the
radical step of dscarding water baptism
entirely and holding that baptism of the
spirit was the all-sufficient compliance
with the teachings of Christ and the
apostles.
The principal sprictural texts on which
this doctrine is founded are this teach
ing of John the Baptist and its several
applications:
Then cometh one mightier than 1 after
me. the latchet Of whose shoes / am not
worthy to stoop down and unlOose. l
indeed have baptized you with water;
but He shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost.
If this teaching Of John stood alone it
would not have 50 great weight, but it
grows in Importance when we find it re-
peated by the apostles. as in this verse
from the first chapter Of Acts, preceding
the day Of Pentecost:
For John truly baptized with water;
but ye shall be baptized with the Holy
Ghost not many days hence.
Or even more strongly in the practical
application by Paul at Corlnth:
And he said unto them, Unto what then
were We baptized? And they said, Unto
Johns baptism.
Then said Paul. John verify baptized
with the baptism of repentance, saying
unto the people that they should believe
on Him which should come after him,
that is, on Jesus Christ.
When they heard this they were bap-
tiZed in the name Of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon
them the Holy Ghost came on them; and
they spake with tongues and prophesied.
Coupled with these statements as to
the distinction between the baptism of
water and the baptism Of the Holy Ghost
is used this passage from Ephesians:
There Is one body, and one Spirit, even
as We are called in one hope Of your
calling;
one Lord, one faith. one baptism,
One God and Father Of ALL who Is
above all. and through all. aid i'm you all.
Which baptism is then the true and
necessary one? This argument Is very
plausible and yet 1t is we'll known that
many quakers have qualms Of conscience
on the question Of baptism, and many
have exercised their privilege OF accept
ing the rite. Consistency would appear
to justify the removal of DR. Clark from
the office Of expounding the doctrines OF
the church, and yet It Is certain that his
action Will have a wide effect in the
church, and 1t is doubtful If he can be
church has been cutting away from old
ideas more rapidly than the society OF
friends in the last twenty years Twenty
years ago congregational singing was UNI
known in their meetings. No one sang
unless moved by the spirit" and not
more than one was moved at the same
time. Now congregational singing is COM
mon. The representative meeting Of the
western yearly meeting of friends, a few
days ago, was opened by singing IAN
hail the power of Jesus name"
But while this Is progression In one
sense, it may be questioned IL it be not
retrogresslon in another. The tendency
of modern Christianity is toward spiritual
religion. Forms and customs are being
held less and less in esteem. The quaker
church has been peculiarly one of spirit