Evening star., 1923-08-03
Traces Baptismal Rite.
Sprinkling as Mode Developed
Gradually, Says Reader.

To he Editor Of The Star:
The following question and answer
appeared few days ago in Mr.. Has
kin's column of The Star:
q. When was sprinkling first
used as a mode of baptism?-J. A. b.
"a. The rite of baptism by sprink-
ling or pouring is supposed to have
originated either in the second or the
third century and is alluded to in the
writings of Cyprian. who gave his
opinion that in the case of those who
were sick or unable to endure the
rite of immersion. it was lawful
baptism"
Mr.. Haskin's answer is literally and
historically correct, but ! would like
to enlarge somewhat upon 1t. II l
may be permitted to do so.
Cyprian's comments have often been
referred to by speakers and writers
on this subject as proof of the great
antiquity of this form of baptism.
While il is true that Cyprian not
only mentioned sprinkling but also
vigorously defended it's use when
| necessity calls for it," and while it is
also true that Cyprian was an official
of the church in the third century
| yet it does not follow that his views
represented the official attitude or
| the church at that time. AS matter
| of fact, Cyprian had been more than
a thousand years dead when sprink-
| ling was first legalized by official
| action of the church.
! The fact that his treatment OF the
subject was in the nature OF a de-
! fense would seem to indicate tnal
| sprinkling. even in the necessltous .
! upon as AN innovation and was meet,
! ing with opposition. Else why oeteho
! it at all?
1t seems to be generally conceded ID
practiced in the Church of the New
! Testament was that of dipping or the
complete submersion of the oody In
| water. The first departure from TINS
! tom which probably began to"ar q
| the end of the first century or early
in the second. OF pouring water over
the body as a substitute Tor pap
mersion was deemed impossible, as
! for instance, in cases OF sickness, or
where, al in some of the aria sec
tions of the east. lving rsior vas as
| not available Manifesuy this was
an attempt made in good faltn 10 get
| around difficult situation py ap
lproximating the act OF baptlsm s,,eh aS
I closely as clrcumstdnces III
cases would permit. 49,
! Such pouring is mentioned IN lne
| "Didache." supposed to nave oesn
| written about the beginning Oh CIs
! perfectly plain that II was regarded
| as a substitute only. and was useo
| only in cases of exceptional necessity
! Clearly there was no thought or IN
tention at that time that TINS or an
other form should ever supplanL OF
| supersede the original baptism. TINS
| was the entering tip OF a taperine
! wedge a thousand years long.
With this exception allowed IN GER
! tain eases, it was but natural ster
to substitute sprinkling in certain
! eyceptional cases, so that by the thlro
century we find Cyprian dlscuSsine
| and defending its use. although II
the midst of his discussion ne re-
! marks that il should be used witt
From this beginning the custom
| gradually expanded. the plea of ne
cessity becoming less and less
factor in the matter. as the churcr
drifted into the chaos of the dars
ages. It was not lawful. however. FOL
the officiating priest to use this form
without a special dispensation fol
| each individual case
! II was not until the year 1911 thai
this restriction was removed ant
| sprinkling was officially authorized
as "A valid baptism in all cases. Al
council of the church held a.
| Ravenna- Italy, in that year IT was
| ordained that the clergy might there
after exercise their own discretion as
10 the use of sprinkling when ad-
ministering the rite of baptism.
Under the authority thus grantee
this discretionary power has beer
exercised by the ciergy-hrst Rom az
and then Protestant-down to th'
present time.
This has ever been the course o
history Some one clothed with
little brief authority" grants an ex
ception TO an established rule, anC
the exception becomes precedent
and the precedent is followed. and i
broadens ever until il ceases TO b.
an exception.
A. j. WADSWORTH.