The Catholic bulletin., 1916-01-15

tahitual and sanctifying grace, be-
comesa child of God, an heir Or Heav-
en-. and d member Of the Church.
Thus, we see the effects OF the ad-1
ministration of the first of the Sacra-
ments. In the case of infants. who
have not yet arrived at the use Of
reason and, therefore, have not been
liable to sin, Baptism washes away
the stain Of original sin; inparts a
new life, a supernatural life to the
soul; gives the one baptized strength
to resist temptations and grace to-
keep Gods commandments; and
makes him member of Christ's mys-
tical body. In the case Of adults. be-
sides these effects which result from
the Baptism of infants, there is also
IL complete remission of actual sins,
il the one receiving the Sacrament
have the right dispositions. For in
the Baptism Of adults more is nat
urally required from the recipient
than in the Baptism of infants. There
Is first required for the valid recep-
tion of the Sacrament a desire, either
EXPRESSED at the time, or expressed
before and never revoked, of receiv-
ing The Sacrament. Thus, one enjoy
ing the use of reason could not be
baptized against his will. We must
have the wish, at least, of receiving
the Sacrament, as Christ intended all
men should receive it. For the licit
and fruitful reception of Baptism the
recipient must also have true faith
and Supernatural sorrow for the ac-
tnal sins he may have committed be-
fore the time of his Baptism 1t is
unnecessary to remark that a person
guilty of mortal sin and refusing to
repent Of them could not obtain re-
mission of these sins by the recep-
tion Of Baptism.
Baptism is the first of the Sacra-
ments, not only in order of reception,
but in Importance as we'll. There is
probably no other doctrine of our
Faith which is as often denied or
questioned as the doctrine of the
necessity Of Baptism. And yet there
is no other doctrine of our Faith as
clearly and explicitly defined by the
words of Scripture. The Church
teaches that every human being com.
ing into the world must receive the
| first of the Sacraments, as an abso-
lutely necessary condition for saliva.
tion and entrance into Heaven. What
the Churches teaches, Christ taught
clearly and Enthusiastically. He said:
Amen, Amen, I say to thee, unless
man be. born again of water and the
Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the
Kingdom of Cod" est. John III:5.)
No truth, could be predicated more
definitely. All the unbaptized, then
children who never reached the use
of reason, as well as adults who re.
| fused or neglected to be baptized
have been debarred and will be de.
barred from the Kingdom of Heaven
We need not say in passing that those
who die, through no fault Of their
own, without Baptism are not for
THAT reason condemned to Hell. All
we know is that, according to the
words of Our Lord, they are not .ad
mitted into, Heaven.
Baptism is Internationally neces
sary for salvation. What RESPONSE
bility, then, lies upon parents or guard
| ians of children to see to it thai
those under their charge are baptized
as soon as possible after birth. Bap
tism should never be delayed longer
than ten days after the day Of birth
unless a grave cause necessitates it.
| Whenever there is danger Of i'm
minent death, the dying child should
be baptized privately by someone hay
| ing the use of reason. A Catholic
should be, chosen if possible. 1t is
better that the father or mother OF
the dying infant should not baptize
| if there be somebody else available
But there should be no hesitation to
perform private Baptism, if death
| threatens the child. Clear water
should be poured on the head of the
infant and at the same time the one
baptizing should distinctly say the
words, 4 baptize thee in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost" The water must
touch the head Of the child and not
merely wet the hair.
Because of its vital and eternal i'm.
portance and necessity, Baptism is a
Sacrament which demands our care.
| full study and attention. Let the world
think or say what it will, Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, said long ago, ''Un,
less a man be born again Of water
and the Holy GIlnsf he cannot enter