On this page

• Text (2)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    Yet where is the consistent Christian Minister that would refuse to join with a fellow-creature

    thus circumstanced , in solemn addresses to the Deity , lest thi ^ act should be construed into a claim of the power of granting absolution !

    If then any good reasons can be assigned for joining in a religi * ous service , soon alter the birth of a child , the objections of your correspondent do not seem surficiently important to justify its discontinuance . Allow me then

    to detain your readers a moment longer , white I mention one or two of these reasons . Let the feelings then of the parents be considered' They have given birth to a beinsr destined to live for ever .

    The mother experiences strong emotions of gratitude for relief from those pains to which on these occasions the'God of nature has subjected her . The father experiences similar emotions For the

    restoration to health of her upon whom most of his comforts in life depend . Both are impressed with the idea of the importance of the trust committed to them , and of the responsibility of their situations . In such circumstances ^ what is more natural than that

    they should call in the aid of one of whose piety they have a high opinion , and of whose union and sympathy with them they entertain not a doubt ( and such a

    person ought every Christian minister to be to his congregation , ) to express the sentiments t > f gratitude they feel , to acknowledge their responsibility , solemnly to avow their

    Untitled Article

    resolution to endeavotfr faithfully to discharge their trust , and to supplicate the assistance of their Almighty Parent to enable them , so to do . Consider now the

    situation of the minister . When urged by such considerations , in the sight of Almighty God would he be justified in saying I will engage in no such st-rvice ? Would he be-justified in refusing to avail himself of

    the only opportunity which may perhaps ever be afforded him of giving the most important admonitions to parents , when thtir feelings are alive , and their minds

    peculiarly open to religious impressions , lest , in truth , he should be giving countenance to the doctrine of original sin !

    Lay aside the word Baptism , and you surmount every objection . It then ceases to be considered as a positive institution ; and

    the corruption of it may be prevented by the plain statement which the minister will give of the nature and object of the service * Call it then a dedication ; call it

    the tender of a child to God , and 1 feel absured that no ' Consistent Christan" can consider it as detrimental to personal religion , and to the rational exercise of the mind / ' On the contrary , it must be considered as the rnost rational

    exercise in which the mind can be engaged , and a most powerful promoter of real , vital , personal religion . I am , Sir ? your ' s , ANTI-BAPTISTES .

    Untitled Article

    Anti-baptists justified in Bap " tizing Infants . 319

    Untitled Article

    ~ ol , iv . 52 X

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1809, page 319, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1737/page/17/