WHY ARE YOU A BAPTIST? "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."-1 Peter iii. 15. I AM A BAPTIST-because the following texts of SCRIPTURE fully prove that believer's baptism by immersion is rightAnd were baptized of him in Jordan, cofessing their sins.... And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him."-Matt. iii. 6, 16. “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.... He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."-Mark i. 9—11; xvi. 16. "And John also was baptizing in Enon, near to Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized."-John iii. 23. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost....Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.... But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women....And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the Eunuch said, See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way rejoicing....And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized."-Acts ii. 38, 41; viii. 12, 36-39; xviii. 8. "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."Rom. vi. 4. 66 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."-Gal. iii. 27. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Col. ii. 12. From these and other parts of the Holy Scriptures, I find that this order prevailed in the days of the Apostles, -they preached, and the people heard, believed, and were baptized. This arrangement was never disturbed. Not a word do I find, or even a hint, of sprinkling or pouring as modes, or of infants as subjects, of baptism. They baptized (buried in water) "MEN and WOMEN.' I AM A BAPTIST-because the most eminent SCHOLARS Support our practice. Mr. Booth has given the names of eightytwo learned Pædobaptists, and eleven Quakers, all testifying that baptizo means immersion. Among these eminent scholars are men almost of all countries, ages, and denominations, including Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Independents, Wesleyans, and Quakers, all freely admitting that baptizo means immersion. I AM A BAPSIST-because all the standard LEXICONS of the Greek language, interpret baptizo to mean immersion. "Every language," says Dr. Carson, "must have a word for dipping, pouring, and sprinkling, which can never be confounded; and the word baptizo as definitely expresses immersion in Greek, as our word dip does in English.' Indeed, no Greek scholar would say that baptizo means sprinkling. I AM A BAPTIST-because the most approved VERSIONS of the Holy Scriptures have translated baptizo to mean immersion. Among the old versions, I might mention the Peshito Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, and others. Among modern versions I might mention the Arabic of the Propaganda of Sabat, the German of Luther, the Dutch, the Danish, and the Swedish, which translate baptizo by immersion. The British and Foreign Bible Society have aided versions in which baptizo has been translated to mean immersion. I AM A BAPTIST-because the best authenticated HISTORY fully proves that immersion was the practice of the earliest churches. Among the Syrians, Armenians, and Persians, among the Novatianists, the Cathari, the Paterines, and the Waldenses, immersion was practised. Also in Asia, in Africa, and about one-third part of Europe, comprehending Græcia, Thracia, Servia, Bulgaria, and including the Greek church, in which immersion is still practised; and who can doubt but that the Greeks fully understand their own language ? I AM A BAPTIST-because the BRITISH REFORMERS speak of baptism as immersion. The first Book of Common Prayer, appointed by the King and Parliament, in the reign of Edward VI. (1549) recommended "trine immersion" as the mode of baptism; but this was altered three years after, in the edition of 1552, to single immersion, and continues so to the present day. The Prayer Book enjoins, that the child shall be "dipped in the water," if it is well; but if weak, "it shall suffice to pour water upon it." I AM A BAPTIST-because PÆDOBAPTISTS, having forsaken the Scriptures, are divided among themselves in administering this ordinance. One pours water on the back part of the head, and calls that baptism; another washes the face, and calls that baptism; some sprinkle the brow, and signing it with the cross, call that baptism; others dip the child, and call that baptism; while some think that the child is baptized let the water fall on whatever part of its body it may; and also, because one sect of Pædobaptists, the Episcopalians, teach that infant sprinkling is the same as regeneration; and most other Pædobaptists, according to Jethro, (page 228,) teach that "this blessed privilege is their birthright," and that sprinkled infants "have been in the bosom of the church ever since they drew their first breath." When an Episcopal clergyman has sprinkled an infant, he says, "that this child is regenerate, and grafted into the body of Christ's church." And the child is taught to say, in reference to its being sprinkled, "Wherein I was made a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven." This doctrine is flatly opposed to the word of God, and operates in the most awful manner in destroying the souls of men. I AM A BAPTIST-because it is my DUTY to be obedient, and thus" fulfil all righteousness;" (Matt. iii. 15) baptism is the profession by which we "put on Christ;" (Gal. iii. 27) and "the answer of a good conscience towards God;" (1 Peter iii. 21;) and I would not be found acting like the disobedient Pharisees and Lawyers of old, who "rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him."-Luke vii. 30. I AM A BAPTIST-because, in summing up the evidence in favour of this ordinance, I find that it was appointed of God; "And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."-John i. 33. It was observed by Jesus; "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unte John, to be baptized of him."-Matt. iii. 13. It was sanctioned by the Holy Ghost; "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." -Matt. iii. 16, 17. It was commanded by Christ; “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."-Matt. xxviii. 19. It was practised by the Apostles; "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts ii. 38. It was observed by Apostolic Churches; "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."-Gal. iii. 27. But - These, I conceive, are sufficient and satisfactory reasons why I should be what is called "A BAPTIST." Of that name I am not ashamed. It has been cast out as evil, and everywhere spoken against. What of that? Our Lord was "rejected of men," and his servants must expect to "suffer reproach." the BAPTIST finds himself, after all, in good company; the Son of God is his leader, the Apostles are his guides, the excellent of the earth, in all ages, his companions. In our own land, a Milton and a Bunyan,-a Robert Hall and a John Foster,beside a host of others, bright stars of learning, eloquence, and piety, and patriots and philanthropists of the highest class. The BAPTIST stands up for the authority of the LORD JESUS, and the spirituality of his kingdom. To this authority he bows; to no other will he submit in the great matters of religion: and is he not right? By what standard shall we all be tried in that day? Ought not we to set the Lord always before our eyes, and act as in his sight, and with a view to his approbation when he shall come to approve or condemn us according to our deeds? Will not the approbation of JESUS be then worth worlds? Hear then, his voice now; and take up your cross and follow him. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." LEICESTER: BAPTIST DEPOSITORY FOR TRACTS AND SABBATH SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS. PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. F. WINKS, HIGH STREET. Catalogues Gratis, on Receipt of One Postage Stamp. THE Ramsay, Captain T. Hamlin, junr., sailed from the Clyde for Bombay in August, 1840. The Captain being a man who feared God, aimed to promote temperance and piety among the crew. During their stay at Bombay the Bethel flag was hoisted every Sabbath, and worship conducted on board by various ministers belonging to the place. The attendance of seamen from other ships was pleasing, and highly encouraging. After remaining about four weeks in Bombay, the Ramsay" sailed for Maulaming, in Burmah; and from thence to Calcutta. During these passages some favourable impressións seemed to have been produced in the minds of the crew; and on their arrival at Calcutta they conducted themselves with greater propriety than at any of the former ports: here they regularly attended the Floating Chapel. Whilst the ship was at Calcutta, the Captain paid a visit to the Baptist missionary establishment at Serampore. There he fell in with the indefatigable missionary, Dr. Judson, from Burmah, who was at Serampore with his family for the improvement of their health. As the "Ramsay" was shortly to sail for the island of Mauritius, and from thence to Maulaming, Dr. Judson's residence, Captain Hamlin kindly offered them a passage, in the hope that it would be conducive to the object they had in view. Having accepted of the offer thus generously made to him and his family, Dr. Judson felt a strong desire to be useful to the seamen in whose dangers he was about to share. He made it a matter of prayer to God, that he might be instrumental in turning some of them from the error of their ways; and before going on board, expressed a conviction, that God had heard him, and that he would answer him, in communicating his grace to some, if not to all, of the crew. After putting to sea, worship was conducted by Dr. Judson and the Captain alternately; only on the Sabbaths, the whole of the services were conducted by the missionary. Possessing all his mental vigour, and his ardent love for souls having suffered no abatement, the man of God availed himself of these opportunities, in addition to private instruction, to promote the great end he had in view, and for which he had so earnestly prayed prior to his embarking on board the "Ramsay." His manner of address was of the most touching description, and seldom failed in making the big tear roll down the weather-beaten cheeks of his hardy auditory. It soon became apparent that he was not labouring in vain, nor spending his strength for nought. Before their arrival at the |