"But he must not stop at that," the speaker went on, "there are other principles just as important, just as necessary, for him to obey. If I am in possession of enough faith to convince me that I have sinned against you, and the knowledge of this causes me sincerely to repent, I must not and cannot rest until I am satisfied I have your forgiveness for the wrong. So it is with sinning against God and His laws; He has marked out the path of repentance and it is our duty to follow that divine way until we arrive at the sacred altar of forgiveness. Sin must be forgiven before it can be wiped out, and God in His wisdom selected and placed in His Church water baptism, as spoken of last night, for this purpose. It is a means whereby man can receive forgiveness of sin." "And do you really believe that baptism brings forgiveness of sin?" queried the lawyer. "Certainly, provided, however, honest faith and sincere repentance go before it, and the ordinance is administered in the proper way by one who is endowed with divine authority; otherwise I believe it is of no avail whatever." "It seems to me you surround the principle of baptism with more safeguards than anyone else of whom I have ever heard. Why so?" "Perhaps I do, and yet it should not be the case. Every principle of the gospel should be well and carefully protected, and the failure on the part of man to do this is the main cause of so many different so-called plans of salvation existing among us today, when there should be only one true and perfect plan, as found in the days of Christ." "You are certainly giving me ample information on religious conditions. It does seem strange that there should be so many different roads, leading, as is claimed, in one direction. I declare, I never thought of that before." "Well, we will try to cover all those points before we finish. Let us examine this principle. Let us see if the idea of water baptism appears reasonable. The Lord has wisely and kindly selected this form of ordinance for the remission of sins. It was with this object in view that John advocated the principle. (Mark i: 4.) Peter promised it on the day of Pentecost. (Acts ii: 38.) Saul also received aid to arise and have his sins washed away. (Acts xxii: 16.) And so it was taught by different disciples as a means whereby God would forgive sins." "And as you have already stated, there are various modes of baptism among different sects. What is your method?"