appearing above the margin of the wilderness, whose
out-shooting beams shall occupy the centre of the field. Further, the
decoration of a demi-wreath of two palm branches (in the form of the
wreath upon the seal of the Westminster assembly of divines), placed
around the margin of the upper hemisphere of the field; and on the lower
hemisphere of the field a demi-wreath composed of a branch of oak united
with an olive branch. Further, that the words of the motto, 'Christus
Exaltus Salvatar,' shall be displayed in a semi-circle upon the upper
part of the field, on either side of the standard of the cross, and,
encompassing the whole in a bordure, the following words, in full or in
proper abbreviation thereof, 'The Seal of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.'"

The origin of the rite of Baptism as performed at the present time in
Christian churches, may be traced directly to the worship of the sun,
within which were supposed to reside the reproductive powers of Nature.
All nations have had ceremonies corresponding to our baptism and
confirmation rites, such baptism being either by fire or water. When we
remember that for ages fertility, or the power to reproduce, constituted
the idea of the Deity, we are not surprised to find that the original
signification of the rite of baptism had, and still has, in some of the
oriental countries, special reference to the child's sexual obligations.

In India, the religious rites performed upon the individual occur at
birth or soon after; at betrothal, which takes place in childhood; at
puberty; at marriage, and at death. The fact will be noticed that all
sexual (spiritual) obligations and seasons fall within the domain of
priestly supervision and surveillance. The child at baptism is dedicated
to Vesta, or Hestia, the Queen of Hearths and Homes, a divinity who is
supposed to assist him in securing the special evidence of divine favor,
namely, fruitfulness of body.

Among Hindoos and Jews, excessive reproduction was the Lord's mark of
favor. In India there has been a special hell provided for childless
women, and with Jewesses no curse was equal to barrenness.

Baptism, or the ceremony connected with the naming of children in
Christian countries, is seen to be identical with that performed in
Mexico among the Aztecs. After the lips and bosom of the infant had been
sprinkled with water, the Lord was implored to "permit the holy drops
to was