p. 432 | Catholic Baptism by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 16, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 27.

Catholic Baptism.

By Editor

THE following paragraph we copy from the New York Independent:—

"The Catholic Mirror thinks that the 'worst thing' we have pointed out in Catholic missionary methods is that Catholics 'baptize dying children without the knowledge of their pagan parents.' This practice the Mirror heartily approves. It thus commits itself to fraud and deception, in the administration of the saving sacrament; for we stated on Catholic authority that 'catechists baptize under the pretext of giving medicine,' and even unbelievers are hired to do this work by stealth. The practice is not only morally revolting, it is degradingly superstitious."

We indorse the sentiment of the above, but cannot discover the consistency of the Independent in this expression. In the recent discussion in the Presbyterian General Assembly on Catholic baptism the Independent warmly advocated the validity of such baptism. And that noticed above is genuine Catholic baptism. It is indorsed by "the church," and practiced by her authority. But it is rather hard on the Independent to stand committed in favor of that which is "morally revolting," and "degradingly superstitious," as a valid Christian ordinance, to be accepted in Protestant churches.