Show CHURCH THEOLOGY CLASS about one thousand and fifty students had assemble at the appointed time and place on sunday when instructor james E asked all who were prepared to take as active part to occupy seats beats in front opening prayer was offered by elder H P richards richarda it was stated that answers to written questions of which a large number dumber had been received would be postponed because of lack ot of time while others had been answered privately in the review which followed faith as an a gift of god and repentance were topics of the instructor in further considers tiou of the fourth article of faith then introduced the subject of baptism lecturing on 1 I 1 its special purpose 2 fit candidates candida tem for this ordinance baptism the abe third principle and first essential ordinance of the gospel was appointed of god as a means of obtaining remission of sins mine it is but reasonable that the lord should dask ask for some outward sign of the reforma tion experienced by an earnest repent ant sinner and what could be more typical of on in than filth which so appropriately ift represented to be washed away with water no symbolizing that we ars ar acquainted with to is so perfect thew the practice is also time honored for we aft read in the writings writing ii of moses pearl of great price of the baptism of father adam baptism is not merely an outward sign of an inward grace but a deep eternal meaning underlies this ordinance Is it was only an outward form the bordin his bis grace might have dispensed with it in special cases but we find none such not even 13 pt it well beloved son was exempt froin thus all N history of early days ot of christianity scriptural and otherwise records that remission of sins sine was once generally regarded as the object of baptism this is declared the special purpose ot of this thi ordinance by book of mormon and modern prophets but not V ti redeem man from the effects of the fall candidates for bartlem must be bapa ble of exercising faith and of repenting because baptism to is of no avail u unless preceded by faith and repentance infant baptism baptis la is pronounced not only of no avail but bob aai an abomination in the sight eight of god see doc and cov section 20 age of eight years has been established by revelation as aa the time for the baptism of children who must be proper properly lv instructed or their sins will be upon the be bead of their parents before an adjournment was taken the members of the abe class were advised by instruction from the he presidency of the stake not to neglect attending th sacrament meeting at the tabernacle because ot of the theology class clan but aft W remember their duty to meet tog together etheal often to renew their covenants betom before the lord benediction by elder reuben dark clark |