Is it a thing incredible with you, sir, that God should remit sins through baptism? It is with difficulty that I can persuade myself that you are so distrustful of the power or wisdom of God! You read and expound the scriptures from Sabbath to Sabbath. You certainly believe that Naaman's leprosy was washed away by water-baptism in Jordan; you also must believe that men were healed of mortal diseases, by simply looking at a brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness. Do you not believe that the walls of Jericho fell down under the simple blast of the rams' horns? and that the simple touch of the hem of a garment, or of handkerchiefs, was attended with healing virtue to them that believed? Why were the learned and devout Judaic churches surprised that Peter should proclaim to thousands--"be baptized for the _remission_ of your sins?" and, on another occasion, even _command_ Cornelius, as pious and devout a believer as yourself, to be baptized in order that he might be "_saved_"--telling the churches in a general circular epistle, that baptism would _save_ them as much as water _saved_ Noah? Why should those same churches withdraw fellowship from Paul because he believed Annanias, saying to him, "arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins," even as your church have disfellowshipped me, because I believe as Paul did, and obey the same gospel which he preached, with all its miraculous gifts, blessings, and priesthood? The secret and solution of the whole surprise of the Judaic and modern churches are, that _both_ overlook the efficacious _simplicity_ of Christ's ordinances, and know not the "power of God," by which a mere look, touch, baptismal rite, or the imposition of a hand, may secure blessings rich as heaven--power as great as Gabriel's--knowledge as high as the throne of God--and life and felicity as endless as eternity! Greatly blessed, sir, is that man commissioned immediately from the heavens to administer baptism unto repentance for _remission_ of sins; and blessed are they who receive remission of sins from the hands of those who act in "Christ's stead." Hence the grateful acknowledgements of David, repeated by Paul--"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Men who obey the gospel are as well satisfied that their sins are forgiven through baptism, as you, sir, would be satisfied of the validity and legality of a deed, signed and sealed by his excellency the chief magistrate of your State. They rejoice in the same, without ambiguity or fear of being deceived. The spirit of bondage and fear (which is in sectarian churches) does no longer wither up their hope, and blight the joy of their acceptance with God.