6. _Little children_ are baptized by us soon after their birth, before they are able to learn the Word of God. We teach them after their baptism in our homes and schools and churches. We baptize our little children because in the word _nations_ the children, too, are included. We baptize them because our Lord says: _"Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God."_ Mark 10,14. Christ bids us bring our little children to Him that He may bless them. We can do this only by means of Holy Baptism. Without baptism they are under God's wrath, and their sins are not forgiven. By baptism the Holy Ghost Himself brings them to Christ and kindles in them the true faith in Him. God becomes their Father, and they are made His children. REMEMBER:-- 1. _Holy Baptism is a sacred act instituted by God. God Himself has commanded us to baptize, that is, to apply water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. It is the water comprehended in God's command._ 2. _Baptism is the water connected with God's word. In baptism the water must be applied with these words: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." By baptism we are received into communion with the Triune God. He becomes our Father, and we are made His children._ MEMORIZE:-- _Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost._ Matt. 28,19. _Preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved._ Mark 16,15.16. _Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God._ Mark 10,14. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the external means which God has instituted for Holy Baptism? 2. What kind of water is to be used when we baptize a person? 3. In what is the water of Baptism comprehended? 4. What is meant when we say: "The water is comprehended in God's command"? 5. Recite the words of God's command. Matt. 28,19. 6. To whom did Christ give this command? 7. Who does now ordinarily administer Holy Baptism? 8. Who may and should do it in cases of necessity? 9. What does the word _baptize_ mean? 10. What is the word of God with which the water in baptism is connected? 11. What does it mean to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost? 12. What does God become to us in baptism? 13. Whom did Christ command us to baptize? 14. Whom do we generally baptize? 15. How can you prove that it is right to baptize little children? 16. What does Christ say about the little children Mark 10,14? LESSON 49. Holy Baptism What Baptism Gives, Or Profits. What does Baptism give, or profit? _It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare._ Which are such words and promises of God?