This ceremony is wholly without Scriptural foundation. We have previously shown the true object and mode of baptism, and who are proper candidates. We asked a mother recently, whose babe had just been “christened,” as she termed it, by a Methodist preacher, “What benefit has your child derived from this ceremony?” Her answer was like this: “None at all, but I had it done because others do it.” And so it is with many other traditions and customs of men. Many a parent has their babe “christened” merely because it is a custom, or the preacher has said so, never searching the Word of God to know the reason why. Had she searched the Word of the Lord to know something of this doctrine she never would have found the object of her search. As we look upon the “christening” of an infant we are reminded more of heathendom than of the kingdom of grace. The word “christen” we have not been able to find in the Bible. Nowhere since the ordinance of baptism was instituted have we a commandment to baptize infants, and nowhere in all the evangelistic work of the apostles is there an instance of infant baptism recorded. If it is as important as some teach, even the child’s eternal destiny depending upon it, do you not think there would have been some plain commandment in the teaching of Jesus and his apostles to that end? One command would be sufficient, but we have none. Infant baptism originated in the confusions of the apostasy. John refused to baptize some because they bore no fruit of repentance. Repentance, therefore, must precede baptism. This was plainly taught by Peter. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus.” Acts 2:38. A little child can not repent, and needs no repentance. Does baptizing an infant prepare it for heaven? If so, give one text as proof. If an unbaptized infant dies, will it be damned? If so, give one text as proof. Does baptism make the child any more religiously inclined, and will it not go into sin the same as unbaptized children? Give one text showing what is effected by infant baptism. Thousands are having their children baptized, and they do not know the reason why any more than that it is a custom. Thus we behold the meaninglessness, looseness, and carelessness of professed Christians. Just doing things because others do them. They have no conviction from God nor the Bible. God wants us to be able to give a Scriptural reason for all we do in our form of worship.