Democratic messenger., 1911-11-11


l(RASI0R RUSSELDJ ries grew grad
ualy. First came
the theory that every child OF Adam
was born damned to eternal torture
at the hands Of fire-proof devils. and
that the only escape was through bap-
tism. But IL was claimed that baptism
cancelled only previous sins and not
subsequent ones; hence it was the Gus
tom in Constantine's time 10 put off
baptism until as near the hour OF death
as possible. Tertulian Is credited with
supporting this view.
Later came st. Augustine. advancing
the theory that only the Church would
be saved and that baptism was for the
purpose OF induction into the Church.
Naturally II followed that IL infants
died without being admitted into
the Church they would go to eternal
torture As result OF this teaching
infant baptism sprang into great pop
ularlty. which Is still maintained. At
first the infants were immersed In
water. but later under the belief that
all bishops were successors OF the
Apostles and equal In authority
Church Councils took the place of the
Word OF God. They not only sanction
ed infant baptism. which is not even
mentioned In the Bible. but addition
ally claimed that immersion was un-
necessary and that few drops OF wa
ter would induct the aged or the babe
into the Church and constitute an In.
surance against hell OF eternal tor
ture. This theory still persists 10 per.
haps greater degree than many
would imagine. Luther and his coad
tutors protested against some of the
doctrines OF the Church Of Rome. but
accepted without protest infant bap.
tism. sprinkling. etc. as necessary 10
preservation from everlasting torment.
Unbaptized Infants In Torture
Someone suggests. "Ah. we practice
infant sprinkling. but II is merely
christening. We have no thought
whatever that the gracious Heavenly
Father or His adorable Son. our Re
deemer would consign an infant to
torture. even il 1t died without be.
ing christened" DO not be too sure,
my brother Superstitions die hard.
know OF whlte-haired bishop in the
Episcopal Church who was appalled,
Mt the very suggestion that his infant
grandchid might be safe in the arms
OF Jesus without having been chris
tened"
Not only so. hut these superstitions
OF darker day are forcefully impress
ed upon the common people" by some
OF the clergy. Let me tell you of two
cases:
u, A Lutheran couple in Pennsylva-
MIA had some unpleasantness with
their pastor respecting Church dues.
This caused them to absent themselves
from Church service for several
months Meantime their babe be
came sick. The father humbled him
self to go to his pastor 10 tell him OF
his distress and his fear that the child
might die aud Of his desire TO have
It baptized. Imagine the anguish Of
the deluded parent when the pastor re-
fused and told him that the child
would 60 10 he'll and that this was his
desert as parent because or failure
TO keep in touch with his Church.
(2l The other case was that OF n
Catholic couple In Wisconsin. Their
two little girls died OF dlphtheria with.
In a few hours OF each other When
the parish priest was sent for he de.
clined to come and refused permission
to have the children buried In holy
ground" The explanation given 10
the astonished parents was that they
had neglected their duty toward the
children. that they had not been bap-
tized into the Church and consequent
ly were lost.
To n friend the bereaved father de-.
clared that he wanted to have nothing
whatever TO do with so unjust a God
who would consign his little. innocent
children TO eternal torture merely be.
cause OF his sin. his neglect. In not
having few drops OF water sprinkled
In their faces by the priest! The friend
had been nadIng my Studies In the
Scriptures" and explained TO the he.
reaved father that Church creeds aud
theories are very different from the
plain and simple teachings Of the Bl
bic. he showed him that his little
ones we're merely asleep In Jesus
waiting for the glorious resurrection
blessings Of restitution. TO be brought
to mankind AT the second coming Of
Jesus. after the completion Of the elect
Church and their change TO heavenly