ntitled, "The Ministration of Private Baptism of
Children in Houses," as set forth in the Prayer Book. In this
office no {31} provision is made for Sponsors. The child is to
be brought afterwards into the Church to the intent that the
congregation may be certified of the true Form of Baptism privately
before used. Then it is publicly received and the Sponsors answer
for the child and become responsible for its Christian training,
publicly before the congregation.

Baptismal Regeneration.--(See REGENERATION, also NEW BIRTH).

Baptismal Shell.--A scallop shell, either real or made of precious
metal, used by the Priest for pouring the water on the head of the
candidate in Holy Baptism.

Baptistry.--A portion of a church set apart for the administration
of Holy Baptism. Sometimes the Baptistry was erected as a separate
building or attached to a church or cathedral, specially adapted
for Baptism by immersion.

Barnabas, Feast of Saint.--A Holy Day of the Church observed on
June 11th. St. Barnabas was born at Cyprus, but was a Jew of the
tribe of Levi. His original name was Joses, but after our Lord's
Ascension he was called Barnabas, meaning the "Son of Consolation."
(Acts 4:36.) He stands out in the New Testament Scriptures as one
who is ever helpful, which may have suggested his new name; thus
he sold his land, giving the money to the Apostles in order that
the necessities of the infant Church might be met. So also he stood
sponsor, so to speak, for St. Paul, vouching for the sincerity of
his conversion. Having thus brought him to the Apostles and securing
his recognition as an Apostle we find that he was {32} associated
with St. Paul for about fourteen years in his missionary journeys.
After the separation of the Apostles nothing is recorded of St.
Barnabas, but tradition tells us that he returned to Cyprus,
spending the remainder of his life among his countrymen, and that
he suffered martyrdom, being stoned to death by the unbelieving
Jews at Salamis. St. Barnabas is said to have left an Epistle
which bears his name and which is still extant. It is regarded by
many scholars as genuine, but by many others its authenticity is
regarded as very doubtful. In ecclesiastical art St. Barnabas is
represented as holding St. Matthew's Gospel; as being stoned; as
pressing a stone to his breast; as being burned to death; with an
open book and staff; with three stones; with a fire near him.

Bartholomew, Feast of St.--Observed