Hibbard, F. G. Christian Baptism: In Two Parts. Part First - Its Subjects; Part Second - Its Mode, Obligation, Import, and Relative Order. New-York: G. Lane & P. P. Sandford, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1843. First Edition. [10550]
Full sheep, black leather title label, joints cracked, 7 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches. 328 generally clean pp., 4 pp. publisher's catalogue; lacking the last few leaves of the catalogue. Fair. Hardcover.
The book begins with a study of the Jewish "church," and the author's conclusion that the "Jewish and Christian churches substantially one and identical." From there the rite of initiation is discussed, ending with proofs that the initiatory rite of the church has been altered from circumcision to baptism. Evidence is offered from the New Testament and history. Objections to infant baptism are answered; the benefits of it are described; and the ground of it asserted - that all infants are saved and that they should, if they have one or more believing parent, be baptised.
Freeborn Garrettson Hibbard (1811-1895), American Methodist minister and Bible commentator. He was a pastor chiefly in western New York, and served as presiding elder of the Geneva District.
