nor is elected for the sake of the
{79} governed. It is so with spiritual elections. The Jews were
"elect"; but it was for the sake of the Gentiles--"that the Gentiles,
through them, might be brought in". The Blessed Virgin was "elect";
but it was that "all generations might call her blessed". The Church
is "elect," but it is for the sake of the world,--that it, too, might
be "brought in". No election ends with itself. The Baptized are
"elect," but not for their own sakes; not to be a privileged class,
save to enjoy the privilege of bringing others in. They are "chosen
out" of the world for the sake of those left in the world. This is
their obligation; it is the law of their adopted country, the kingdom
into which they have, "by spiritual regeneration," been "born again".

All this, and much more, Baptism does. How does it do it?

(III) HOW DOES IT DO IT?

This new Birth! How is it accomplished? Nobody knows. How Baptism
causes all that it effects, is as yet unrevealed. The Holy Ghost moves
upon the face of the waters, but His operation is overshadowed. Here,
we are in the realm of faith. Faith is belief in that which is out of
{80} sight. It is belief in the unseen, not in the non-existent. We
hope for that we see not.[18] The _mode_ of the operation of the Holy
Ghost in Baptism is hidden: the result alone is revealed. In this, as
in many another mystery, "We wait for light".[19]

[1] See Service for the "Private Baptism of Children".

[2] Service for the Ordination of Deacons.

[3] From an old word, Gossip or _Godsib_, i.e. God relation.

[4] Cf. Rom. vi. 4; Eph. v. 26.

[5] _Trine_ Immersion, i.e. dipping the candidate thrice, or thrice
pouring water upon him, dates from the earliest ages, but exceptional
cases have occurred where a single immersion has been held valid.

[6] From _Chrisma_, sacred oil--first the oil with which a child was
anointed at Baptism, and then the robe with which the child was covered
after Baptism and Unction, and hence the child itself was called a
_Chrisome-child_, i.e. a child wearing the Chrisome robe.

[7] In the 1549 Prayer Book, the Prayer at the Anointing in the
Baptismal Service ran: "Almighty God, Who hath regenerated thee by
water and the Holy Ghost, and hath given unto thee the remission of all
thy sins, He vouchsafe to anoint thee with the Unction of His Holy
Spirit, and bring thee to the inheritance of everlasting life. _Amen_."

[8] St.