=1. Preparation for Baptism.=--The doctrine that baptism, to be acceptable, must be preceded by efficient preparation, was generally taught and understood in the days of Christ, as also in the so-called apostolic period, and the time immediately following. But this belief gradually fell away, and baptism came to be regarded as an outward form, the application of which depended little, if at all, on the candidates' appreciation, or conception of its purpose; and, as stated in the test, the Lord deemed it wise to re-announce the doctrine in the present dispensation. Concerning the former belief a few evidences are here given: "In the first ages of Christianity, men and women were baptized on a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."--_Canon Farrar._ "But as Christ enjoins them (Mark, xvi, 15-16) to teach before baptizing, and desires that none but believers shall be admitted to baptism, it would appear that baptism is not properly administered unless when it is preceded by faith."... In the apostolic age "no one is found to have been admitted to baptism without a previous profession of faith and repentance."--_Calvin._ "You are not first baptized, and then begin to receive the faith, and have a desire; but when you are to be baptized, you make known your will to the Teacher, and make a full confession of your faith with your own mouth."--_Arnobius_--a rhetorician who wrote in the latter half of the third century. "In the primitive church, instruction preceded baptism, agreeable to the order of Jesus Christ--'Go, teach all nations, baptizing them,' etc."--_Saurin_ (a French protestant; 1677-1730.) "In the first two centuries, no one was baptized, except, being instructed in the faith and acquainted with the doctrine of Christ, he was able to profess himself a believer; because of those words, 'He that believeth and is baptized.'"--_Salmasius_ (a French author; 1588-1653). =2. Historical Notes on Infant Baptism.=--"The baptism of infants, in the first two centuries after Christ, was altogether unknown.... The custom of baptizing infants did not begin before the third age after Christ was born. In the former ages no trace of it appears; and it was introduced without the command of Christ."--_Curcellaeus._