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Pastoral Ministry
There should be no undue haste to receive the ordinance. Let both par-
ents and children count the cost. In consenting to the baptism of their
children, parents sacredly pledge themselves to be faithful stewards
over these children, to guide them in their character building. They
pledge themselves to guard with special interest these lambs of the
flock, that they may not dishonor the faith they profess.—
Testimonies
for the Church 6:93
.
Baptismal Service
Baptism is an occasion for educating those who witness it—
The one who administers the ordinance of baptism should seek to
make it an occasion of solemn, sacred influence upon all spectators.
Every ordinance of the church should be so conducted as to be uplifting
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in its influence. Nothing is to be made common or cheap, or placed
on a level with common things. Our churches need to be educated
to greater respect and reverence for the sacred service of God. As
ministers conduct the services connected with God’s worship, so they
are educating and training the people. Little acts that educate and
train and discipline the soul for eternity are of vast consequence in the
uplifting and sanctifying of the church.—
Evangelism, 314
.
Robes should be well constructed—The robes should be made
of substantial material, of some dark color that water will not injure,
and they should be weighted at the bottom. Let them be neat, well-
shaped garments, made after an approved pattern. There should be
no attempt at ornamentation, no ruffling or trimming. All display,
whether of trimming or ornaments, is wholly out of place. When the
candidates have a sense of the meaning of the ordinance, they will have
no desire for personal adornment. Yet there should be nothing shabby
or unseemly, for this is an offense to God. Everything connected
with this holy ordinance should reveal as perfect a preparation as
possible.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:98
.
Each church should have its own baptismal robes—It is not
well for one church to depend upon borrowing robes from another.
Often when the robes are needed, they are not to be found; some
borrower has neglected to return them. Every church should provide
for its own necessities in this line. Let a fund be raised for this purpose.