at by the word
_regeneration_ we are not to understand _a moral change_. If no moral
change is effected by Baptism, then there is no change at all; for
certainly Baptism produces no physical change in the soul.

Is it no change to pass from sin to virtue, from a "child of wrath" to be
a "child of God;" from corruption to sanctification; from the condition of
heirs of death to the inheritance of heaven? If all this implies no moral
change, then these words have lost their meaning.

_Modes of baptizing._ The Baptists err in asserting that Baptism by
immersion is the only valid mode. Baptism may be validly administered in
either of three ways, viz: by _immersion_, or by plunging the candidate
into the water; by _infusion_, or by pouring the water; and by
_aspersion_, or sprinkling.

As our Lord nowhere prescribes any special form of administering the
Sacrament, the Church exercises her discretion in adopting the most
convenient mode, according to the circumstances of time and place.

For several centuries after the establishment of Christianity Baptism was
_usually_ conferred by immersion; but since the twelfth century the
practice of baptising by infusion has prevailed in the Catholic Church, as
this manner is attended with less inconvenience than Baptism by immersion.

To prove that Baptism by infusion or by sprinkling is as legitimate as by
immersion, it is only necessary to observe that, though immersion was the
more common practice in the Primitive Church, the Sacrament was frequently
administered even then by infusion and aspersion.

After St. Peter's first discourse three thousand persons were
baptized.(353) It is not likely that so many could have been immersed in
one day, especially when we consider the time occupied in instructing the
candidates.

On reading the account of the Baptism of St. Paul and the jailer the
context leaves a strong impression on the mind that both received the
Sacrament by aspersion or by infusion.

Early ecclesiastical history records a great many instances in which
Baptism was administered to _sick persons_ in their beds, to _prisoners_
in their cells, and to persons on _shipboard_. The Fathers of the Church
never called in question the validity or the legitimacy of such Baptisms.
Now, it is almost impossible to believe that candidates in such situations
could receive the rite by immersion.

We have seen, moreover, that Baptism has always been declared necessary
for salvation.