BAPTISM.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.—Matthew, xxviii. 19.
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.—Ephesians, iv. 5.
Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.—Colossians, ii. 12.
The like figure whereunto, even Baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.—I. Peter, iii. 21.
Then who shall believe
Baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign
Of washing them from guilt of sin, to life
Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befal,
For death like that which the Redeemer died.
Milton.
Since Lord to Thee
A narrow way and little gate
Is all the passage; on my infancy
Thou didst lay hold, and antedate
My faith in me.
O let me still
Write Thee, great God, and me, a child:
Let me be soft and supple to Thy will,
Small to myself, to others mild,
Be-hither ill.
George Herbert.
Baptized as for the dead, He rose
With prayer from Jordan’s hallowed flood:
Ere long by persecuting foes,
To be baptized in His own blood:
The Father’s voice proclaimed the Son,
The Spirit witnessed;—these are one.
James Montgomery.
Thus, made partakers of Thy love,
The Baptism of the Spirit ours,
Our grateful hearts shall rise above,
Renewed in purposes and powers;
And songs of joy again shall ring
Triumphant through the arch of heaven;—
The glorious song which angels sing,
Exulting over souls forgiven!
W. H. Burleigh.
The heir of Heaven, henceforth I dread not Death!
In Christ I live, in Christ I draw the breath
Of the true life. Let Sea, and Earth, and Sky,
Wage war against me: on my front I show
The mighty Master’s seal! In vain they try
To end my life, who can but end its woe.
Coleridge.
Ere Christ ascended to his throne,
He issued forth his great command—
Go preach the gospel to the world,
And spread my name to every land.
To men declare their sinful state,
The methods of my grace explain;
He that believes, and is baptized,
Shall everlasting life obtain.
Dear Saviour, we thy will obey,
Not of constraint, but with delight;
Hither thy servants come to-day,
To honour thine appointed rite.
Descend again, celestial Dove,
On these dear followers of the Lord;
Exalted head of all the Church,
Thy promised aid to them afford.
Let faith, assisted now by signs,
The mysteries of thy love explore;
And washed, in thy redeeming blood,
Let them depart, and sin no more.
Beddome.
The cross of Christ! The cross of Christ!
While yet my days were few,
’Twas traced upon my infant brow,
Fresh with life’s morning dew;
In token that in after years,
Strong in its power and might,
I should beside Christ’s followers stand,
Under His banners fight.
Matilda F. Dana.