of infants has always been the practice of the
Church, notwithstanding all the Baptists allege against it.

Under the Law infants were admitted into covenant with God by
circumcision when eight days old. Gen. xvii.10, 14, so, too, when
the Jews admitted proselytes into their communion, they not only
circumcised all the males, but baptized all, male and female,
infant and adult.

Thus, when the Apostles were sent "to make proselytes of all
nations, by baptizing them" (Matt, xviii.19, should be so
translated) would they not baptize infants as well as adults,
seeing that such was the Jewish custom?

Compare John iii.5, "Except a man (Greek, except _any one_) be born
of _water_ and of the Spirit he cannot enter the _kingdom of God_,"
with Mark x.14, where our Lord says of infants that "of such is
the _kingdom of God_." If so, they must be capable of baptism, both
by water and the Spirit.

St. Peter, when speaking of baptism, said the promise was not only
to adults, but also to their _children_, Acts ii.38, 39.

Again, where there no _children_ among the whole households which
were baptized by the apostles, Acts xvi.15, 33, 1 Cor. 1.16?

The early Fathers show that children were baptized in their time,
which, in some cases, was less than a century after the Apostles
lived. Justin Martyr, for instance, writing A.D. 148 (_i_._e_., 48
years after the death of the last Apostle), speaks of persons 60
and 70 years old, who had been made disciples to Christ in their
infancy. How can infants be made disciples, but by baptism? And,
if these had been baptized in their infancy, it must have been
during the lifetime of the Apostle St. John, and of other apostolic
men.

BARNABAS' (St.) DAY. June 11th. This Apostle's name was changed
from Joses into Barnabas, which means the "Son of Consolation." He
was a highly educated man, being brought up, as St. Paul was, at
the feet of Gamaliel. He travelled with St. Paul until there was a
disagreement on the subject of Mark, the kinsman of Barnabas. After
they separated, it is probable that St. Barnabas laboured in
Cyprus. He is believed to have suffered martyrdom at Salamis by
being stoned.

BARTHOLOMEW'S (St.) DAY. August 24th. This Apostle is believed to
have been identical with Nathaniel. We are told nothing of his
labours in the Bible. He is believed to have worked in Armenia and
Lycaonia, and to have suffered martyrdom by crucifixion at
Albanople.

This day is rendered famous in