Baptism and Church Membership
271
After faithful labor, if you are satisfied that your children under-
stand the meaning of conversion and baptism, and are truly converted,
let them be baptized. But, I repeat, first of all prepare yourselves to
act as faithful shepherds in guiding their inexperienced feet in the
narrow way of obedience. God must work in the parents that they may
give to their children a right example, in love, courtesy, and Christian
humility, and in an entire giving up of self to Christ. If you consent to
[311]
the baptism of your children and then leave them to do as they choose,
feeling no special duty to keep their feet in the straight path, you your-
selves are responsible if they lose faith and courage and interest in the
truth.—
Testimonies For The Church 6:93-95
(1900).
Preparing Young People for Baptism—Candidates who have
grown to manhood and womanhood should understand their duty better
than do the younger ones; but the pastor of the church has a duty to do
for these souls. Have they wrong habits and practices? It is the duty
of the pastor to have special meetings with them. Give them Bible
readings, converse and pray with them, and plainly show the claims of
the Lord upon them. Read to them the teaching of the Bible in regard
to conversion. Show what is the fruit of conversion, the evidence that
they love God. Show that true conversion is a change of heart, of
thoughts and purposes. Evil habits are to be given up. The sins of
evil-speaking, of jealousy, of disobedience, are to be put away. A
warfare must be waged against every evil trait of character. Then the
believing one can understandingly take to himself the promise, “Ask,
and it shall be given you.”
Matthew 7:7
.—
Testimonies For The Church
6:95
(1900).
Examination of Candidates—The test of discipleship is not
brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present
themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether they are
simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, or whether they are
taking their stand on the Lord’s side, to come out from the world and
be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. Before baptism, there
should be a thorough inquiry as to the experience of the candidates.
Let this inquiry be made, not in a cold and distant way, but kindly,
[312]
tenderly, pointing the new converts to the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sin of the world. Bring the requirements of the gospel to bear
upon the candidates for baptism.