The General Book Agent of the Church having frequent application for pamphlets setting forth our views on various doctrinal subjects, it has been thought advisable to issue the following sermon, delivered by Elder WINEBRENNER, in August, 1830, in convenient form for general circulation. Elder WINEBRENNER, during his life, published three sermons, at least, on the subject of Christian baptism, one of which is bound in his volume of Doctrinal and Practical Sermons; but neither of the other two have an equal historical interest with the one here presented to the public. It is fitting, too, that upon this great subject Elder WINEBRENNER should continue to be the leading exponent of our doctrine. He is pre-eminently our representative man among the fathers of the Church, and his views on Church doctrines are perhaps more generally sought after by the membership, and more eagerly read, than those of any other of our ministers. On all points in controversy in the Christian world, his views are also as thoroughly, if not more thoroughly, in accord with those of the body generally, and more fully reflect the faith of the Church than those of any other individual representative man. It is hoped, therefore, that a more general sale of a sermon on baptism from his pen can be effected, and that in this wise we can secure a wider dissemination of this kind of literature among our own people. The increase of our literature is specially desirable, as it will be a means of securing increased stability in doctrine and practice in the membership, and will also serve to promote a more correct knowledge of our views among the people at large.

      As a representative man, and especially as the instrument under God of formally organizing the Church of God in the present century, the writings of Elder WINEBRENNER are inquired for by all those who seek an acquaintance with our views, doctrines and polity. We also present to them in this form a sermon on baptism that has some special intrinsic merit, aside from the fact that it is a correct exposition of faith. The sermon is one of unusual scope, embracing within its reasonable limits almost every feature of the great issue which it discusses. It was evidently written under the conscious responsibility of a teacher in Israel, and not under the promptings of a controversial spirit. It therefore sets forth in plain but unequivocal terms the Bible doctrine relative to the Author, the Rule, the Administrators, the Form, the Design, the Benefits, the Subjects and the Mode of Christian baptism. The spirit in which it is written cannot fail to commend it to all honest inquirers after the truth.

      Since the delivery of this sermon, in the year 1830, great progress has been made with reference to the doctrine of baptism. Then the baptismal [3] controversy had but fairly begun in this section of the country, Elder WINEBRENNER having been himself immersed but a short before the delivery of this sermon.

      Pedobaptist Churches predominated everywhere and the people needed instruction on many points included in the general subject of baptism, upon which they are now more fully informed. And yet the action (or mode, as it is somewhat improperly called) and subjects of baptism now so completely overshadow every other feature of the question, that it may be feared that the design, the benefits and other points discussed in this sermon are too much overlooked. This sermon gives all these subordinate points proper and yet brief consideration, and will thus serve to impress the unquestioned truths of the Bible relative to them upon all its readers.

      While controversy has its evils, and is justly deprecated, it is yet a greater evil that devout inquirers after the truth should be misled. Error must be met and exposed by the light of truth, and in the spirit of Christ, so that those who see it may be induced to abandon it. The forms of positive Christian duties, especially, as well as the essence, should constitute a subject of diligent inquiry. Baptism is a moral Christian duty, but the law of baptism is a positive law, and hence has its form, which is essential to the validity of the act. And if God has judged it of sufficient importance to deliver this positive command to his Church, each member should feel an interest in determining the precise meaning of the command. Both the duty itself and the form of obedience being of great importance, the responsibility of teaching Christians the right way rests upon all the ministers of the Gospel. It is from such motives, and not from a disposition to indulge in controversy, that the sermon of Elder W. was originally prepared and preached; and its republication now, we feel convinced, will be a service to the cause of truth.

      We have made no material alterations in revising the sermon for publication, believing it best to give it to the public as written by its author. Many of the authorities quoted are not so familiar at this time to the majority of readers, but their testimony, added to that of more recent writers, who are so generally quoted, will serve to strengthen rather than weaken the argument. Some of the views which the sermon combats are also now either not held by our opponents, or receive no prominence in their teachings; but we did not therefore feel disposed to expunge them. The work is offered to the Church and to the public generally, in the assured confidence, and with the devout prayer, that it may effect good. It is not that me love to keep prominent a question whose history is marked with bitter controversy that we add this able sermon to its literature, but solely that we may see men led to abandon the commandments and ordinances of men by having shown them "the form of the house * * * all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof; and all the laws thereof."

C. H. FORNEY.      

      Church Advocate Office, Lancaster, Pa., Feb. 22, 1873. [4]

[CBS iii-iv]