Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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HCf)e Alcorn of tfje (L leber intake gfcahemp for is lost, but greatest of all there is no compliance to command. Infant baptism is not essential. Jesus atoned for the sins of the world, but each man is to atone for his own individual sins. What infant has sins for which it is necessary to atone? and how could a just God send an unbaptized babe straight to hell? This is unreasonable. Did not Jesus himself say, when holding up a babe in front of the multitude, “Unless ye become as one of these ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” To him little children stood for the greatest humility and purity. In only a few instances has the Holy Ghost ever descended upon man without having previously been baptized. In these instances it was to convince the skeptical apostles that the gospel was not only for the Jews, but also for the hated Gen- tiles. Cornelius and his household were Gentiles who had ac- cepted the gospel and were ready for baptism. Peter was com- manded by God to go and preach unto them, and while preach- ing, the Holy Ghost fell upon all present. Afterward, Peter baptized them. It took these instances to convince the apostles that the gospel was for all mankind. A portion of the spirit of the Lord is given every man as soon as he is born, but the spirit of the Holy Ghost is given only through confirmation. Then its influence is not immediately felt and in some cases, never. This would not be the case if those upon whom it was bestowed, lived worthily of receiving it, for with the confirm- ation their bodies are set apart as fit tabernacles for the spirit to dwell in. Baptism for the dead is one of the grandest principles of the gospel. If it were not for this provision, what would be- come of all those who have died without having the opportunity of accepting it? Granting, as most churches do, that baptism is necessary before entering any church, is it not just as necessary that the dead who receive the gospel be baptized? Just as nec- essary. But why is the baptism carried on as a vicarious work, why not let those who accept it in heaven be baptized in heaven? Because it is an earthly ordinance which God has authorized 1-Iis servants on earth to perform, with a promise that whatso- 8]

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tCfje Scorn of tfjc ?E2Uber j take Scabcmp dom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven. ’ ’ This does away with death-bed confession. Besides, he has also said that there are still other requirements made before a man can enter the kingdom of heaven, (John 3:5;). In order for man truly to repent, he must first be convinced of the wrong, then have faith that he may overcome the wrong and that in so doing he will be saved, a recompense worth all the effort exerted. When faith and repentance have been manifested, the next step is baptism. Baptism is in itself a beautiful and suggestive symbol. After we have thrown off a life of sin, what could be more appropriate as an initiation into the new life of purity, than a death, burial and resurrection? or what could be more appropriate than to be cleansed by one of the two greatest pur- ifiers—water? Baptism by immersion is the mode intended by Jesus. When Nicodemus asked Jesus how to gain eternal life he was told that only by being born again could he in any way enter the kingdom of heaven. We also see Jesus Christ himself setting the example in this by letting John the Baptist take him down into the water and baptize him, when as John said, he had more need to be baptized of Jesus. (Matt. 3:14-15-16). For this reason we should accept baptism as an example set by Jesus and as something essential to salvation. We should also accept the manner of baptism which He accepted and taught to His disciples. Literally speaking, baptism does not wash away our sins or cleanse our bodies of evil. The importance of the ceremony is in the covenants made at this time, and if the covenants are sincere, baptism will be the immediate result. Many different ways of baptizing are practised today. Some churches believe in sprinkling. In scripture (Rom. 6:3-4-5; John 3:23; Col. 2:12): we hear it spoken of as a new life, sug- gestinga re-entrance; then “John was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was much water there.” Is much water required for sprinkling? Then the word baptism itself suggests the meaning—immersion. In sprinkling, the double significance and all that it stands [7

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tClje gcorn of tije Wtbtv italic gtabemp ever they bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever they loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. He recognizes this priesthood and honors it. There are certain relations between God and man as we here see. There are certain rights which He has over man and some of these, man can demand from God if he but put himself in a condition to receive them. God himself has said that surely He will do nothing but what He will reveal His mind to His ser- vants, the prophets. He did this in ancient times when the people needed his word no more than we do today, so why is it not just as reasonable to believe that He does reveal it today? Religion after all is nothing more than God’s will made known unto man and to the extent that we think, speak and act in conformity with His will, are we religious. —Belva Woodmansee, ’07. I slept and dreamed that life was Beauty. I awoke and found that life was Duty Was thy dream then a shadowy lie? Toil on. poor heart, unceasingly; And thou shalt find thy dreams to be A truth and noon day light to thee. —Ellen Strugxs Hooper. A good man possesses a kingdom. Whom they have injured, they also hate. No one knows what he can do till he tries. It matters not how long you live, but how well. I have often regretted my speech, never my silence. A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his leart. —Dean Swift. [9