Article October 9, 1909 Issue

BAPTISM

WILLIAM HOLMAN JENNINGS.

Few dogmas have made more discord in the theological realm than have the different doctrines concerning baptism. Among my earliest recollections of religious discussions was the question. What is the right form of baptism? Already my good mother had taken the precaution of having me baptized (sprinkled) when an infant. By this sign I was supposed to be among the elect, but later our brethren in other denominations disputed the point so successfully that, to "make assurance double sure," I had a reverend friend immerse me. (A distinguished lecturer on Palestine says that over there they practice both immersion and sprinkling. After the immersion, water is sprinkled on the head, symbolizing the descent of the Spirit.) After having been thus "buried" in baptism. I did not seem any nearer to God; though there was a sense of having obeyed what was thought to be command of the Master.

What was the matter? Why after the symbolic act of being buried with Jesus in baptism, did I not arise, as did he, into a more spiritual state of consciousness? If I could have met the apostle Paul then, he might well have asked me, as he did certain disciples at Ephesus. "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And I would have been compelled, like them, to answer in the negative. Clearly, then, a mere baptism in water or with water was not sufficient to give either more spirituality or a greater sense of safety or salvation, We must turn away from matter and material symbols of baptism to the real baptism in Spirit, as is so clearly explained in our text book. In Science and Health (p.35), Mrs. Eddy has written: "Our baptism is a purification from all error." Again (p. 581), we find this definition of baptism: "Purification by Spirit. submergence in Spirit," Here, at last, is again revealed the baptism spoken of by John, who said of the Christ, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." If God is Spirit, and God is everywhere therefore " we live, and move. and have our being" in Spirit; that is, we are forever submerged in Spirit.

If one is immersed in water, one must be lifted out at once, for water is not the natural element in which mortals live; but to be submerged in Spirit is to be wholly in or within Spirit, as the eternal element and substance which fills the universe. This then is surely the true baptismal concept, "submergence in Spirit;" not the loss or absorption of man's individuality,but rather the individualization of the infinite idea in and through man. In this baptismal burial of error, this resurrection or ascension of purified sense into conscious identity with Spirit, we are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

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