The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-01
CHILD And CHURCH
Subject Discussed by Rev. DR..
Leavitt H. Hallock.
THINKS THERE'S A LINK MISSING
Between the Baptismal Font and the
Day of Personal Con-
fessiOn.

Rev. Dr. Leavitt H. Hallock of Plym-
outh church has contributed an article to
THE Congregationalist and Christian
World'' on THE Children of the Church.
The matter recently came up before Plym-
outh society for action. The stand Of
the church on the matter is presented in
the article in which Dr.. Hallock says:
Is there not link missing in our Congre-
gational scheme of child nature? Between
the baptism at the font on Children sDay
and the confession of personal faith. what is
the church doing to vitalize the one and Sc
cure the other?
Though the church promises to pray for
the child and to aid in it's Christian nurture,
] fail to find evidence Of the fulflllment Of
that promise Indeed, it is often asked, What
is the use Of baptism, since it counts for
nothing? and growing neglect of the ordi-
nance results.
? It is not neglected In churches which be-
3ieye In baptismal regeneration. And among
our own members who have vital faith in
the eternal covenant and in baptism as its
diyinely recognized seal there Is no neglec.
or differentiation. &c.,.
{ Too often, so far as the church is concerned.
the spectacle at the font and the manuscript
entry upon the ledger embrace all the points
by which the baptized child is differentiated
d. from the unbaptized. If this condition be
general, Is 1t any wonder that this sacra-
ment is becoming discredited?
What is the remedy? Let the church re-
invest this ancient and beautiful ordinance
with it's original solemn significance. Let
it be apprehended not as a mere aesthetic
dedication--a beautiful ceremony-but 6
covenant with Jehovah primarily; and, Sec
ondly, with the church, which pledges its
prayerfu aid toward the Christian nurture
of the child.
I Recognizing this covenant as a supreme OBJ
Z legation. and this relation to the church as
vital, it should publish the list of children
, OF the church always with the list OF mem
. bers; thus the church may know for whom
it has assumed a share Of responsibility, ane
Its microscopy prayer and personal effor
may be individualized. The pastor also ant
other workers will have their efforts directed
to these baptized children objects of spe
cial endeavor in the direction Of Christian
training. The baptized child himself will not
i. this enrolment, inquire into it's significanc
, and be naturally taught concerning the GOV
enant and his coming responsibility.
Removal should not imprair this covenant
but certificate of baptism should always b
given the child, and upon his removal to som
other church note Of communication shoul
be sent to the body into which the child
transferred. &c..
This plan, Of course, involves provision TO
receiving into the same tender relation tn
children that have been baptized elsewher
when they bring certificate of their baptisr
in another body. och. &
Such recognition and such 1mpresSlng
the obligation connected with the sacramen
Will make it living reality and restore to
it's early significance and value. More an
more earnestly will the question impress itse
upon the mind of the child as time goes OF
why am / not already transferred into tn
list Of covenant members, as many of my as
sociates are?' And as some mature and b
limitation of age pass off the roll OF childre
OF the church, and SO allow the covenant
bo virtually Cancelled with the passing {
childhood, the question of stepping into tn
church by voluntary Endorsement of the cove
nant or stepping away from 1t by voluntar
annulling 1t through neglect, will often max
most effective appeal to the maturing cor
science of the baptized child.
AS covering these practical points, and a
tending to reinstate this beautiful sacrame1
in it's place of power as an element of chill
nature, suggest the adoption by our churche
OF the following simple rule, viz.
All children baptized by our church sha
be enrolled as children of the church, an
may so remain under it's loving unit
Is years of age, unless they earlier becom
covenant members or remove, to some othe
church; in the latter case, they shall b
riven a certificate of baptism and commende
to the special care of that church.
Children resident with us, but baptized else
where may be received into the same rela
ton on presenting certificate of baptism
after which their names shall be publicl
read and entered upon the roll of childre
ne rhIIrc