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A Baptismal Service

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 31.

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A Baptismal Service

By M. Bessie De Graw

“NEARER, my God, to thee,” sang a company of teachers and students of Emmanuel Missionary College, gathered on the bluff overlooking the river near sunset on the evening of July 6. Elder Haskell, who has so long been preaching the message, stood in the center of the circle, and gave a most beautiful lesson on the subject of baptism.
“Two conditions are necessary if we would obtain the blessing of the Lord,” said Elder Haskell. “We must believe that the time has come for a special blessing, and our hearts must be open to receive that blessing. While God is with us always, there are times of special outpourings of the Spirit. ‘Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain.’ The people living in Palestine knew when to expect both the early and the latter rain. These rainy seasons were typical to them of the outpouring of God’s blessing. We likewise are to look for special blessings at stated seasons. Some people fail to know the times and seasons, and are destroyed for lack of knowledge. God would have us pray for these times.”
“The apostles passed through the Pentecostal showers. That was a special outpouring, but they could not always have the Spirit in such abundance. There are stated times when the blessing is realized. One of these special times is at baptism. At baptism the Pentecostal showers should, as it were, be renewed. Paul learned this truth at his baptism. Ananias quoted to him the prophecy showing him that God had chosen him to preach the gospel to all the world, and Paul’s baptism was a baptism of power for that work. The thought was ever with him, and he worked always with it in view. This is why Paul’s life was powerful. Whenever he made new converts, his first thought was concerning their baptism with the Spirit. It is the privilege of each one at his baptism so to consecrate himself to the service of God that God will give a special outpouring of his Spirit.”
Professor Magan administered baptism to nine young men and women. As they were buried beneath the water and rose again, a spirit of solemnity touched every heart. It was a fit beginning for the summer school, which is preparing men and women to herald the second coming of Christ.
Power is needed if this message is given to the world, and the thought filled our hearts, Lord, baptize us with the Spirit. Say unto us, as the Lord said unto Gideon, “Go in this thy might.” M. BESSIE DE GRAW.