The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-15
worIpy,r BAprfzEADYISG cHILD
Rev. DIR. searles Held That II was N"' ''
..,ti,I for the Little Ones SALVATION


The Rev Or. ". \. searles, pastor OF
the fremont Methodist Episcopal chdr'n,
one Hundred and seventy-elghth $50
and Washington avenue, has r. =
himself to some adverse CRITICISM ~ -,
fusing to baptize the fourteen-months-uiuI
daughter of DR. Walter T.. Andrews, one
Of the stewards Of the church, pecuuS'
she was dying and. the minister vo
tended. did not need II for Us saiNa, ,'
Both the parents OF the chld ana 'nen
friends who attend DR.. searies 'nuie :"
are very much incensed over MS aclloh.
The child which Is called Esteile, mas
been subject to heart trouble since lts
birth at different times has nad perlous
OF illness lasting for several weeks ar
which are usually accompanied Dy F'o~
lent commissions. Physicians VINO eN-
amined IL said il would never recover,
but that If nothing more serious developed
I'm the meanwhile IL would probably I'VE
five or six years.
Or. Andrews went up to Vermont 10
visit relatives last week on Friday the
child was seized with high fever. MIS-
Andrews sent Tor Dr. Richard Andrew,
who Is also a steward Ia the church,
and lives at one hundred and seventy
fifth and Bathgate avenue. He found
that spinal meningitis had set IN. con-
vuisiOus were frequent, and he said ne
feared the child would die I'm one Of them.
Mrs Andrews then asked the Doctor 70
ask the Rev. DR.. Scarles To call at the
house, No. 752 esat one hundred and
seventy-ffth street, to administer baptism
to the baby.
The physician conveyed her request TO
the clergyman Sunday afternoon. Or.
Scarles replied that under the circum-
stances he did not think il proper 20
baptize the child. its salvation being
assured without it, The ceremony was
not meant for dying children. he said.
and its use I'm such cases he regarded
as superfuous and of little consequence.
Mrs Andrews then telegraphed for DR..
Andrews. He arrived home On Monday
night, and on hearing of the minister's
refusal 20 baptize the child he expressed
much Indignation. A minister from West
Farms will baptize the baby to-day.
/ saw Or. Searles at the parsonage
| In llsth street yesterday afternoon "Dr.
Andrews did ask me TO baptize Or An
! nrews' baby" he said, but / explained
| TO him that IL would be an entirely UNI
necessary ceremony. Baptism IS meant
for living, not dying. children. The
! Methodist ritual provides that the child
! that the officiating clergyman shall take
| IL up an his arms and sprinkle IL with
/ water. Now, this could not be done In
this case, the baby being so M that II
could not be removed. and IL would be
| imprudent to throw any water on n. II
| being very sensitive. and the water hay
ing, besides, tendency TO give Il con-
WILSON'S.
/ NJ DIONlclDH II fidlF 10 OdlilLF 1lllS
| persons In the ritual. but ana willing 10
| baptize the baby II Mrs. Andrews insists
! on IL. III Ii would satisfy her caprice. all
| right, but the words In the form alluiing
! TO the bringing up Of the person baptiz-
| ed in the fear OF God would. under such
! circumstances. appear much Ike mock
cry. ! am sorry that any trouble has been
caused by the affair
When | saw DR. Andrews at hts Office
| In east NTH street, he was al first loath
TO discuss the case. Yes, | was away az
| the time my wife sent for DR.. Scarles,'
| he said. land / was greatly surprised 70
| learn that he had refused to perform the
ceremony II is unprecedented. in my
| recollection, for IA minister Of the Gospel
! to refuse TO DO this even for person
who does not belong TO his church. IL is
part OF his duty.
II can't see why ii should make any
| difference TO him II the child Is well or
not. None Of us know whether baptism
| Is good TO the dead or not, for no one
| who has been baptized and died has ever
come back 10 tell us. Common decancy
should have prompted him to perform
| the ceremony"
| / told DR.. Andrew that Or. Searles had
| said that he would call at his house TO-
| day. He will not get very agreeable
reception" DIR. Andrews replied.-Ne"
York Herald.