to it in these detracting terms: "He (Novatian) fell into a griev-
ous distemper, and it beigng supposed that he would die immediately he
received baptism (being sprinkled with water) on the bed where he lay,
(if that can be termed baptism) neither when he had escaped that sick-
ness, did he afterwards receive the other things which the canon of the
Church enjoined should be received." (Ecclesiastical History, (Eusebius)
p. 113) Even down to the close of the thirteenth century baptism by
immersion was the rule, and sprinkling and pouring the exception. Yet
the innovation thus made in the third century has worked its insiduous
way in the various divisions of Christianity until to-day a convert can
have any kind of baptism he may desire; thus have they departed from
the faith of the Apostles and are teaching for religion the commandments
of men, having "Transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken
the everlasting covenant," in fulfillment of the words of the Prophet
Isaiah. (Isaiah 24, 5)

GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

The next step in the regular order of initiation into the fold of
Christ is to secure the birth of the Spirit, or the baptism of the Holy
Ghost; this being essential to enable us to pursue an acceptable course
in the service of the Lord, that the Holy Ghost may be with us as an
abiding gift, as a light ^lamp^ to our feet and a light to our pathway through
life. The Lord in His wonderful plan for the salvation of the souls of
men has provided a way for the humble and penitent baptized believer to
secure this blessed gift. (Mark 1, 8) "I indeed have baptized you with
water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 1, 5) "For
John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy
Ghost not many days hence." Behold the promise fulfilled. (Acts 2, 2-4)
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind
and it filled all the house where they were sitting, and there appeared
unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And then^y^ were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with
other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance." But this precious
gift was not to be given until after Jesus was glorified, as shown by
the following, (John 7, 39) "—for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, be-
cause that Jesus was not yet glorified."

On that great Penticostal day the Holy Ghost was given and a glor-
ious manifestation of heavenly light appeared sitting upon each of the
Apostles who had accompanied the Savior in all His travels and had wit-
nessed His wonderful works, and by His divine favor had been made par-
takers of His holy ministry. They now received the promised blessing
in rich abundance, and a way was provided by which they might transmit
it to others who would comply with the special requirements, as shown
by the following: (Acts 8, 17) "Then laid they their hands on them and
they received the Holy Ghost." Evidently the Holy Ghost came not as the
result of the baptism nor in answer to ^the^ prayer of the Apostles, but by
the laying on of their hands. Clearly showing that this was the mode the
Lord had provided by which the Holy Ghost should be conferred upon bap-
tized believers; this again is clearly set forth in Acts 19, 5-6 "When

to it in these detracting terms: "He (Novatian) fell into a grievous distemper, and it being supposed that he would die immediately he received baptism (being sprinkled with water) on the bed where he lay, (if that can be termed baptism) neither when he had escaped that sickness, did he afterwards receive the other things which the canon of the Church enjoined should be received." (Ecclesiastical History, (Eusebius) p. 113) Even down to the close of the thirteenth century baptism by immersion was the rule, and sprinkling and pouring the exception. Yet the innovation thus made in the third century has worked its insiduous way in the various divisions of Christianity until to-day a convert can have any kind of baptism he may desire; thus have they departed from the faith of the Apostles and are teaching for religion the commandments of men, having "Transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant," in fulfillment of the words of the Prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 24, 5)

GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

The next step in the regular order of initiation into the fold of Christ is to secure the birth of the Spirit, or the baptism of the Holy Ghost; this being essential to enable us to pursue an acceptable course in the service of the Lord, that the Holy Ghost may be with us as an abiding gift, as a lamp to our feet and a light to our pathway through life. The Lord in His wonderful plan for the salvation of the souls of men has provided a way for the humble and penitent baptized believer to secure this blessed gift. (Mark 1, 8) "I indeed have baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 1, 5) "For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Behold the promise fulfilled. (Acts 2, 2-4) "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting, and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance." But this precious gift was not to be given until after Jesus was glorified, as shown by the following, (John 7, 39) "—for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified."

On that great Penticostal day the Holy Ghost was given and a glorious manifestation of heavenly light appeared sitting upon each of the Apostles who had accompanied the Savior in all His travels and had witnessed His wonderful works, and by His divine favor had been made partakers of His holy ministry. They now received the promised blessing in rich abundance, and a way was provided by which they might transmit it to others who would comply with the special requirements, as shown by the following: (Acts 8, 17) "Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost." Evidently the Holy Ghost came not as the result of the baptism nor in answer to the prayer of the Apostles, but by the laying on of their hands. Clearly showing that this was the mode the Lord had provided by which the Holy Ghost should be conferred upon baptized believers; this again is clearly set forth in Acts 19, 5-6 "When