Article October 22, 1910 Issue

BAPTISM

LOUISE C. MARTIN.

THE New Testament abounds with references to baptism, and Jesus and his disciples in their preaching called the world to it, as well as to repentance. What is this baptism, one may ask, and who shall administer it?

Christian Science, penetrating the letter of the inspired Word through spiritual understanding, and interpreting the meaning of baptism in all its fulness and grandeur, says, "Our baptism is a purification from all error" (Science and Health, p. 35). It is, then, not a man-made ordinance, materially administered, but a divine process, mentally begun, and finished by the effectual working of the law of Love. In our text-book (p. 581) Mrs. Eddy gives this definition of baptism: "Purification by Spirit; submergence in Spirit." Well did John the Baptist exclaim, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." This agrees in meaning with Isaish's words: "When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning."

In the article "Pond and Purpose" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 203), Mrs. Eddy has briefly but beautifully described this metaphysical process of purification, whereby the carnal mind is laid off and the manifestations of divine Mind appear in its stead. At times, it seems to be a fiery ordeal, wherein the elements, the elementary false beliefs which go to make up so-called mortal existence, "melt with fervent heat," and the agony seems greater than we can endure. But, with St. Paul, we can joyfully cry, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us;" while, with Peter, we may "look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." This brings to light the great truth that, as we are baptized into purity, our universe is baptized with us.

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