CHAPTER III.
STERLING STATES HIS CASE.
At eight o"clock they gathered in the library.
"Now, Sterling," said Mr. Page, "we are all attention. Open up your Presbyterian treasures, for you have our curiosity aroused."
Sterling was anxious to bring to Dorothy"s attention the facts about his denomination. He felt confident that the history and doctrines of Presbyterianism would prove very attractive to her and lead her into his church.
"I fear I cannot do my denomination justice," he said. "It deserves an abler champion. It has had an ill.u.s.trious history and on our honor roll are such notable names as John Calvin, John Knox, Thomas Chalmers and a host of others."
"What are the doctrines of your church, Mr. Sterling?" asked Dorothy.
"We believe in G.o.d as the creator and preserver of the world, in Christ as the Savior of sinners, and in the Bible as the Word of G.o.d."
"How about those doctrines, daughter?" asked Mr. Page. "Can you accept them?"
"Of course, father. The Bible teaches them plainly."
"Good! Give us some more, Sterling."
"We believe that Christ offered himself on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of men, that he was buried, rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father. We believe in the Holy Spirit as being sent by the Father to convict men of sin and righteousness and judgment to come."
"What about that, daughter?"
"Father is pinning me down, Mr. Sterling, as we go along," she said with a smile. "I think I can accept those doctrines because the New Testament teaches them--at least that is my recollection from my reading of the New Testament."
"We believe that Christ in organizing the church gave two ordinances, baptism and the Lord"s Supper; that baptism is a sign and seal of G.o.d"s regenerating grace and that the Lord"s Supper is a memorial of his death--the bread typifying his broken body and the wine his shed blood.
We believe that Christ speaks of his church as his bride."
"Yes, I remember that."
"Sterling, you seem to be making good progress," said the father. "Do you accept the doctrines as he has announced them thus far, daughter?"
"I think so. They seem to be in accord with what I have read. I have only read the New Testament through twice."
"In mentioning our doctrines," he said, "I am not attempting a logical order, nor am I confining myself to strict theological terminology. I am giving our doctrines just as they come before my mind."
"Go ahead," said the father. "I think Dorothy will soon find herself a Presbyterian."
"I ought to have stated," continued Mr. Sterling, "that we believe that salvation comes by faith in Christ. All of the redeemed in Christ will be received by him when he shall come again and shall live with him in everlasting happiness, but the unbelievers will be banished into everlasting punishment."
"Hold on," said Mr. Page; "you don"t endorse that last awful doctrine, do you, daughter?"
"It is awful, father, but I have to endorse it, for I have read it in the Bible with my own eyes and I remember it was declared by Christ himself."
Sterling was delighted at the progress he was making. The thought of Dorothy coming into his church filled him with joy.
"Another doctrine," he said: "We believe in Christ"s words concerning the little children--"of such is the Kingdom of Heaven"--and that, as Peter said, G.o.d"s promise is unto his people and to their children and their children"s children, and as baptism is the door to the church--"
"Oh, yes," exclaimed Dorothy, "I saw a baptism once. Do I have to be baptized, too, Mr. Sterling?"
"Yes, indeed."
"That was a very interesting baptism I saw in Nebraska, where I was visiting. It was in a river and they put the people under the water."
"Oh, Miss Dorothy, that was not baptism," exclaimed Sterling, apparently horrified by her remark.
"It was not? What was it, Mr. Sterling?"
"It was merely an odd practice observed by certain curious sects. I beg that you will get that well fixed in your mind."
"Well, you know I have to learn about these things. What do you mean then by baptism?"
"Baptism is performed by having water sprinkled or poured gently upon the head of the candidate. It is a very impressive ceremony."
"That is strange, for do you know I saw in the Bible just the kind of baptism that I witnessed that day in Nebraska?"
"Oh, never. Bible baptism is by sprinkling and sprinkling alone."
"Well, I read in one or two places about people being baptized by being put under the water; that is, unless I am very much mistaken."
"Hold on," said the father. "I guess you had better clear up that point about baptism before you go any further."
"Not at all," said Sterling very earnestly; "there is nothing to clear up. It is a plain fact of history as well as of Bible teaching that baptism was done by sprinkling."
"Do the denominations differ about baptism?" asked Dorothy.
"Not worth talking about; nearly all the denominations agree that the baptism of the Bible is by sprinkling or pouring."
"Daughter, get your Bible and let"s see that pa.s.sage where you say the people were put under the water."
"I must not be too sure," she replied. "I know so little about the Book that I may have been mistaken, but I don"t think I can be."
The Bible was brought in, and as Dorothy opened it and began turning its pages she said: "One pa.s.sage was the account of the baptism of Jesus."
"What!" exclaimed Mr. Page. "Was he baptized--Jesus Christ? Well, well, that"s one on me."
"Oh, father, how can you speak so?"
"I beg your pardon, daughter. I surely did not mean to be irreverent.
But let us have that pa.s.sage telling how he was baptized. That ought to be mighty interesting."
"It is the third chapter of Matthew," said Mr. Sterling.