The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-01-17
DAILY HOME READINGS.

M.-Mark l. LII. Th.-Luke i. 67SO.
Luke j. 5-23 E-Matt iii liz
W-Luke l. $3.50. S.-Luke iii l-22
S.-John l. l5-2S.
Eighteen years since last lesson of which time
we know nothing but that which is told in one verse;
And he went down with them, and came to NaZa-
reth; and was subject to them" All these years he
dwet in Nazareth, humble, obscure life hidden
from the world, and biding the will of his Father in
heaven The silence is broken by the appearance of
prophet, the forerunner of Jesus. For 426 years,
since Malachi there had been voice of prophet in
the land. And now appears john the son of Zach
arias and ELIZABETH six months older than Jesus and
his cousin.
Our lesson is taken from the opening verses of the
Gospel OF Mark. The preface is the first verse 'The
beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of
God" What is TO be told the ministry of John
the Baptist, is the beginning introduction of the
gospel, the announcement of the good tdings of the
Saviour. The full title is here given. Jesus the
human name; Christ, the official name; and Son of
God, is the divine 1t was written in the prophets
in accordance with the Old Testament prophecy The
reference is to Malachi iii. l and Isaiah xl g. 1t
was the custom of Eastern Monarchs send courers
or messengers in advance to announce their coming
and prepare the roads. So the prophets said there
would be a fOre-runner My messenger before nv
face, which shall prepare the way" John was to
prepare his way, by awakening attention and expec-
taton, and by convincing men of sin and bringing
them to repentance, opening their hearts to the
coming of their Saviour
John did baptize," r. ", John came who bap-
tized and preached repentance He proclaimed and
called all men to repentance the turning of the heart
from sin to God, and to baptism which was the out
ward and ancient symbol of their moral change 1t
was unto the remission of sins" 1t led to and Sc
cured the remission forgiveness of sins. multi
tude were baptized Sin the river of Jordan or sat
the river" which is just good a translation.
John appeared in strange and austere costume and
way OF living, representing the Old Testament proph
ct He preached, telling of one to come after him
"Nightier than ~ and of whom he should be the SER
want His superiority in this, 81 indeed have
baptized you with water but he shall baptize Won
with the Holy Ghost" Johns baptism was an out
ward rite using water a symbol, but Christs bap-
Iism was inward and spiritual, with the Holy
Ghost" renewing unto life eternal.
Jesus came and was baptized" And che saw
the heavens opened and the Spirit like dove descend
ing upon him" At once the recognition by John
the torerunner and the baptism with water are fol-
lowed by the Fathers recognition and the baptism of
the spirit Like dove" the emblem of purity
gentleness and peace 1t is said "Tbe Spirit was not
given with measure unto Him." 1t abode with him
1t anointed him to preach; and by the Spirit che
offered himself unto God"
Purpose Of Chrst's Baptism, By John-It stands
solitary and alone. But could receive it, Tn
1T there is announcement of the work of redenn-
ton and a covenant engagement bv the Son of Cod
to accomplish it. This announcement and assumD-
ton of covenant obligation the Father accepts and
declares himself "well pleased" The Holy Ghost
makes the declaration by descending upon and bap-
thing the covenanting Son for his amazing work
now assumed at Jordan, but Finished" only on Cal
vary (Dale.)
Holo aoas christ baptised?-Was it by immersion
or by sprinkling? Suppose the question was raised
How was Mr. Arthur Smith baptized in Humility
Church New York. in the year 1870? Suppose il
were shown that the form of worship of Humility
Church directed that the pastor should always bap
tie by sprinkling Suppose it were proved that
for hundred years the pastors of Humility Church
had administered baptism by sprinlling and in no
other way. Then, when the question was raised
How was Mr. Arthur Smith baptized in Humility
Chnrch2 the Inference NNonld be irresistihln L.