.

But if they are to be censured who are slow in having their children
baptized, what are we to think of that large body of professing Christians
who, on principle, deny Baptism to little ones till they come to the age
of discretion? What are we to think of those who set their private
opinions above Scripture, the early Fathers of the Church and the
universal practice of Christendom?

We may smile indeed at a theological opinion, no matter how novel or
erroneous it may be, so long as it does not involve any dangerous
consequences. But when it is given in a case of life and death, how
terrible is the responsibility of those who propagate doctrines so
erroneous!

The opposite practice of the Catholic and the Baptist churches, in their
treatment of the newborn infant, may be well compared to the conduct of
the true and the false mother who both claimed the child at the tribunal
of Solomon. The king exclaimed: "Divide the living child in two, and give
half to the one and half to the other." The pretended mother consented,
saying: Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. "But the woman
whose child was alive, said to the king (for her bowels were moved upon
her child): I beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not
kill it." While the Baptist church is willing that the child should die a
spiritual death, the true mother, the Catholic Church, cries out: Keep the
child, provided its spiritual life is saved, even at your hands. Let it be
clothed with the robe of innocence even by a stranger. Let it be nursed at
the breasts even of a step-mother. Better it should live without me than
perish before my face. I will still be its mother, though it know me not.

Ah! my Baptist friend, you think that Baptism is not necessary for your
child's salvation. The old Church teaches the contrary. You admit that you
may be wrong, and it is a question of life and death. Take the safe side.
Give your child the benefit of the doubt. Let it be baptized.

Baptism washes away _original sin, and also actual sins_ from the adult
who may have contracted them. The cleansing efficacy of Baptism was
clearly foreshadowed by the prophet Ezechiel in these words: "I will pour
upon you clean water, and you shall be cleansed from all your filthiness.
And I will give you a new heart and will put a new spirit within
you."(346)

When the Jews asked St. Peter what they should do to be saved the Apostle
replied: "Repent, and let everyone