the dedication and the baptism. In this we
have an example from Jewish circumcision. The pious Jew took the infant
when it was but eight days old, and had it circumcised. But many Christian
parents defer the baptism of their children until late childhood, while
their vows of dedication are left in mere naked feeling and resolution,
having no sacramental force and expression; and as a consequence will grow
cold and indifferent. When parents thus delay having their children brought
within the fold of God and the bosom of the church, they presume to be
wiser than God, and oppose their own weak reason to His word and promises.

Baptism is often abused, also, by being used as a mere habit, an unmeaning
form, without a proper sense of its significance, importance, duties and
responsibilities. It is administered because others do the same,--because
customary among most church members, and because perhaps it looks like an
adherence to the outward of christianity and the church at least. When they
have thus obeyed the law of habit, and girded themselves with the formula
of parental duty, they feel they have done enough; and perhaps neither
their children nor the vows they assumed at their baptism ever after recur
to them as objects of specific duty.

But we would remind such parents, that habit is not always duty, and our
adherence to habit does not prove our sincerity and the truthfulness of our
purpose. It does not always imply "the answer of a good conscience towards
God." If having our children baptized is simple obedience to the law of
habit, it is not the performance of a parental duty, but the abuse of a
blessed privilege; there is in it all no living churchly expression of
willing vows. In this way we only reach its outward form, and we do that,
not because of its inherent worth, not because of a duty and privilege; but
because we desire to cope with others, and decorate our religion in the
popular dress of other people's habits.

Baptism is also abused by mistaking the object and design of its
administration. Why do many parents have their children baptized? Because
they wish to express their vows of dedication in that sacramental form and
way which God has appointed? Because they desire to bring them into the
fold and bosom of the church, and place them in saving relations to the
means of grace? Alas, no! but too often because they make their baptism the
mere occasion of giving them, in a formal, public way, their Chr