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    Yet where is the consistent Christian Minister that would refuse to join with a fellow-creature

    thus circumstanced , in solemn addresses to the Deity , lest thi ^ act should be construed into a claim of the power of granting absolution !

    If then any good reasons can be assigned for joining in a religi * ous service , soon alter the birth of a child , the objections of your correspondent do not seem surficiently important to justify its discontinuance . Allow me then

    to detain your readers a moment longer , white I mention one or two of these reasons . Let the feelings then of the parents be considered' They have given birth to a beinsr destined to live for ever .

    The mother experiences strong emotions of gratitude for relief from those pains to which on these occasions the'God of nature has subjected her . The father experiences similar emotions For the

    restoration to health of her upon whom most of his comforts in life depend . Both are impressed with the idea of the importance of the trust committed to them , and of the responsibility of their situations . In such circumstances ^ what is more natural than that

    they should call in the aid of one of whose piety they have a high opinion , and of whose union and sympathy with them they entertain not a doubt ( and such a

    person ought every Christian minister to be to his congregation , ) to express the sentiments t > f gratitude they feel , to acknowledge their responsibility , solemnly to avow their

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    resolution to endeavotfr faithfully to discharge their trust , and to supplicate the assistance of their Almighty Parent to enable them , so to do . Consider now the

    situation of the minister . When urged by such considerations , in the sight of Almighty God would he be justified in saying I will engage in no such st-rvice ? Would he be-justified in refusing to avail himself of

    the only opportunity which may perhaps ever be afforded him of giving the most important admonitions to parents , when thtir feelings are alive , and their minds

    peculiarly open to religious impressions , lest , in truth , he should be giving countenance to the doctrine of original sin !

    Lay aside the word Baptism , and you surmount every objection . It then ceases to be considered as a positive institution ; and

    the corruption of it may be prevented by the plain statement which the minister will give of the nature and object of the service * Call it then a dedication ; call it

    the tender of a child to God , and 1 feel absured that no ' Consistent Christan" can consider it as detrimental to personal religion , and to the rational exercise of the mind / ' On the contrary , it must be considered as the rnost rational

    exercise in which the mind can be engaged , and a most powerful promoter of real , vital , personal religion . I am , Sir ? your ' s , ANTI-BAPTISTES .

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    Anti-baptists justified in Bap " tizing Infants . 319

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    ~ ol , iv . 52 X

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1809, page 319, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1737/page/17/