Newport daily independent., 1902-05-27

| generating power of tLe Holy Spirit who washes us spiritually, and cleanses us by the application of that blood to our hearts.
 This outward washing or baptism is seal, or outward symbol or badge of the covenant of grace, and mem bership of His kingdom. It has it's uses and benefits, which we should appropriate. But it does not bring salvation in itself, any more than if I should find an Odd Fellows badge or buy it, and say that was an Odd Fellow.
 But perhaps a more interesting, and equally as important question is, the correct mode of baptism. There are two ways proposed, in the choice of which christians have for some time been divided. We as Presbyterians claim that it is the mere application of water that is the fulfillment of Christ's command in this ordinance, that the amount, or the kind, or the exact method of application is not of essen- tial import, since it is only symbolical in it's character, as Christ indicated l in like service, when he washed the feet of his disciples saying He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit"
 Peter had asked him to wash his head and his hands, and his whole body as we'll as his feet But Christ told him this was not necessary. We, with by far the larger number of other christian denominations practice the mode of sprinkling, be- cause it was in vogue at the time of Christ, undoubtedly, clearly and specifically commanded in the old testament, and it is nowhere recorded that it was revoked or annulled or abrogated in scripture nor i'll any secular writing by Christ or his apostles.
 We in christian charity acknowlege however the other mode known as immersion, merely and only because it is an application of water, unessen- tial in amount, but if others prefer to use it we do not condemn them, be- lieving that Hto his own Master each servant standeth or falleth."
 But when any one comes to us and | hot lS ;ol, h is supremely scriptural and most humanely proper and appropriate is false, and undertakes to unchurch and abrogate our faith, we repair to the Holy Scriptures as our authority and demand that they apply the divine rule in evidence of their contention. Let us then take the specific passages upon which they rely for their con tention upon this point.
 1.-THE MODE BY WHICH CHRIST HIMSELF WAS BAPTIZED. Matt. 3:13- IT; 16,17. "And Jesus when he was baptised, went up straightway out of the water, and To, the heavens were opened, and he saw the spirit of God descending like dove and lighting upon him. And To- voice from heaven etc.," Again verse II, "I in deed baptize you with water unto re : pentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire" The point of difference is as to what mode is meant in the words 'he baptized him." Notice.
 1.-John baptizes "with water;'' not Gin water"
 2.-Baptism with water, with fire, with the Holy Ghost, are all put to- gether. If the mode of each and all these is not to be the same, would not the exception have been stated?
 Let us see then the mode employed by God in these baptisms.
 The baptism of Christ with the Holy Ghost, at the hand of God the Father was from above. Of. Matt. 4:16 ''And he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending like dove and lighting on him." Do we not suppose that John the Baptist would have learned lesson concerning the mode, supposing for the sake of argument that he was not already practicing, as prophet of the old testament dis pensation, this very mode of pouring or sprinkling?
 CONTINUED TOMORROW