An Interesting Question Settled.
From our earliest acquaintance with the controversy on the subject of baptism, we have heard it persistently denied that three thousand converts could have been baptized on the day of Pentecost. It is usual to say, they could not have been baptized by immersion. We do not use this form of expression, because, according to both usage and the lexicons, baptism and immersion are identical,—the first is but an anglicized form of a Greek word of which the second is a translation. We see no more propriety in saying, baptized by immersion, than in saying, baptized by baptism, or immersed by immersion. A question on this subject was recently sent to us, and noticed in our issue of March 27th; and we have expected the same question would be raised and answered till the end of time. But now comes to notice facts of occurrence which settle this vexed question, and must end the controversy. The following we copy from the New York Independent. We have always given the Independent credit for an unusual amount of candor, and the closing remarks show that it is determined to be worthy of the credit:— “There has been most marvelous and glorious religious work going on for two years in connection with the Baptist Mission among the Telugus of Ongole, India, and vicinity. In a single day, as the reports published sometime ago recorded, there were 2,222 baptized. The Rev J. H. Gunning, of Titusville, Pa., read the story in The National Baptist, and his zealous heart was stirred up thereby to write to the old and faithful Missionary Clough, at Ongole, to ask him: ‘How many men does it take to baptize 2,222 persons in one day?’ That is an important question, though we confess it had not occurred to us, on reading and publishing the account of the great ingathering. The letter reached Brother Clough; but he was so busy converting the heathen that he could not find time to answer it. But he passed it over to one of his associates, who took pains to answer it. As the question is of such vast importance, we think it our duty to give the facts in full, as given to Mr. Gunning. “‘With reference to your question: “How many men does it take to baptize 2,222 persons in one day?” I should say that depends on several things; but in the present case the simple reply is “Six.” But, lest this be too laconic, I will enlarge a little. Bear in mind that the baptistery was admirably situated for expeditious work. It was at the ford of a river, with a sort of basin on either side; and no time was lost in coming or going, as the water was sufficiently deep close up to the road. Remember, too, that the examinations and all other necessary preparatory work had been previously attended to. The people were arranged in groups according to their villages. Only two preachers baptized at one time; when those were tired, two others took their places; these, in turn, were relieved by the other two; and so on. The baptizing commenced at about 5 A. M. and continued till 10. It was resumed at 2 P. M. and completed at 6. It will thus be seen that the baptism of 2,222 converts occupied two preachers 9 hours, or about 30 seconds for each candidate. If the six preachers had all been employed at the same time, the 2,222 converts would have been baptized in just three hours! “‘That the time occupied was ample to do it “decently and in order” is proven by an actual experiment made on the 30th of June, in Ongole. On that day Brother Clough baptized 212 converts. As he entered the baptistery, he handed Mrs. Clough his watch, at which she looked, and marked that he began baptizing at 6:17, and as the last candidate rose from the water it was precisely 7:38. The average time will be seen to be 23 seconds; but no effort was made at haste.’ “From the above, it is clear that three thousand persons could very easily have been baptized by immersion by the twelve disciples in one day, if they were in good practice and had command of sufficient water for the purpose. And it should further be remembered that there is no reason why fifty other disciples should not have helped in the baptizing, if they could be allowed to occupy the pools for the purpose.” We advise every reader to save this article for reference. We are extremely well pleased that this question is at last most positively and satisfactorily settled.