bears to the believing act of the parents, and to their solemn prayers on the occasion, in both of which the child is interested, as well as in that solemn engagement of the parents, which the rite necessarily implies, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Dr. Schaff remarks: "The ultimate authority for infant baptism in the bosom of a regular Christian community, and under a sufficient guarantee of pious education--for only on these terms do we advocate it--lies in the universal import of Christ's person and work, which extends as far as humanity itself. Christ is not only able, but willing, to save mankind of all classes, in all circumstances, of both sexes, and at all stages of life, and, consequently, to provide for all these the necessary means of grace. [Com. Gal. iii, 28.] A Christ able and willing to save none but adults would be no such Christ as the Gospel presents. In the significant parallel, Rom. v, 12, sq., the apostle earnestly presses the point that the reign of righteousness and life is, in its Divine intent and intrinsic efficacy, fully as comprehensive as the reign of sin and death, to which children, among the rest, are subject; nay, far more comprehensive and availing; and that the blessing and gain by the second Adam far outweighs the curse and the loss by the first. When the Lord, after solemnly declaring that all power is given to him in heaven and earth, commands his apostles to make all nations disciples by baptism and instruction, there is not the least reason for limiting this to those of maturer age. Or, do nations consist only of men, and not of youth also, and of children? According to Psalm cxvii, 1, 'all nations,' and according to Psalm cl, 6, 'every thing that hath breath should praise the Lord;' and that these include babes and sucklings is explicitly told us in Psalm viii, 2, and Matt. xxi, 16. With this is closely connected the beautiful idea, already clearly brought out by Irenæus, the disciple of Polycarp, and the faithful medium of the apostolic tradition descending from John's field of labor--the idea that Jesus Christ became a child for children, for youth a youth, for men a man; and by thus entering into the various conditions and stages of our earthly existence, sanctified every period of life, infancy as well as manhood. The Baptist view robs the Savior's infancy of its profound and cheering significance." 1. BAPTISM A CHRISTIAN DUTY. ACTS II, 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.