history of the baptism of the eunuch, beginning at the 23d verse, and ending with the 39th. About ten minutes he stood expounding the verses, and then taking one of the men by the hand, he led him into the water, saying as he went, See here is water, what doth hinder? If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest be baptised. When he came to a sufficient depth, he stopped, and with the utmost composure placing himself on the left hand of the man, his face being towards the man's shoulder, he put his right hand between his shoulders behind, gathering into it a little of the gown for hold: the fingers of the left hand he thrusted into the sash before, and the man putting his thumbs into that hand, he locked all together, by closing his hand. Then he deliberately said, I baptise thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: and while he uttered these words, standing wide, he gently leaned him backward, and dipped him once.*

The

*It is worthy of remark that Mr. Robinson gives a different account of the mode of immersing the body among the primitive Christians, which he describes as follows: "The administrator, whether in or out of the water, stood on the right side of the candidate, his face looking to his shoulder. candidate stood erect, and the administrator, while he pronounced the baptismal words, laid his right hand on the hind part of the head of the candidate and bowed him gently forward till he was all under water. Baptism was taken for an act of divine worship, a stooping and paying a profound homage to God. The baptised person raised himself up and walked out of

As soon as he had raised him, a person in a boat fastened there for the purpose, took hold of the man's hand, wiped his face with a napkin, and led him a few steps to another attendant, who then gave his arm, walked with him to the house, and assisted him to dress. There were many such in waiting, who, like the primitive susceptors, assisted during the whole service. The rest of the men followed the first, and were baptized in like manner. After them the women were baptized. A female friend took off at the water-side the hat and cloak. A deacon of the church led one to the administrator, and another from him; and a woman at the waterside took each as she came out of the river, and conducted her to the apartment in the house, where they dressed themselves. When all were baptized, the administrator coming up out of the river, and standing at the side, gave a short exhortation on the honour and the pleasure of obedience to Divine commands, and then with the usual benediction dismissed the assembly. About half an hour after, the men newly baptized, having dressed themselves, went

the water and another candidate followed the administrator, standing all the time erect in his place. The method hath more than antiquity to recommend it. It is so easy to the administrator, so perfect an immersion, so disengaged to the candidate, so free from giving pain to the spectators, a method so decent and expeditious, that it is a wonder it is not universally practised." History of Baptism, p. 546.

from their room into a large hall in the house, where they were presently joined by the women, who came from their apartments to the same place. Then they sent a messenger to the administrator, who was dressing in his apartment, to inform him they waited for him. He presently came, and first prayed for a few minutes, and then closed the whole by a short discourse on the blessings of civil and religious liberty, the sufficiency of Scripture, the pleasures of a good conscience, the importance of a holy life, and the prospect of a blessed immortality. This they call a public baptism."

A more private baptism takes place after a similar manner in baptisteries, which are in or near the places of worship: thus every convenience is afforded for the purpose. This, indeed, is now the most common way of administering the ordinance among the Baptists, either with the attendance of friends, or in the presence of the congregation. Such is baptism by immersion, and thus conducted, it must be pronounced significant in its nature, and impressive in its tendency. It is, however, to be wished, that the rite was on every occasion administered with equal solemnity.

The propriety of the exclusive appellation of the term Baptists to those who baptize adults by immersion, has been questioned. styled Anti-pædobaptists, validity of infant baptism.

Hence they are by many merely as opposing the An account of the man

ner in which Infant baptism is administered, should have been added, with equal circumstantiality, were it not so well known by its general practice, both in the established Church and among Dissenters.

The Rev. Joseph Ivimey in his recent History of the English Baptists (a compilation of research and information), observes, "It was in the reign of Charles the Second that an event took place among the Baptists which has been commonly, but erroneously, considered as the commencement of their history in this country. This was the formation of some churches in London, which many have sup posed to be the first in the kingdom. But, could it even be proved that there were no distinct Baptist churches till this period, it would not follow that there were no Baptists; which, however, has been confidently stated. We have shewn that persons professing similar sentiments with those of the present English Baptists, have been found in every period of the English church, and also, that as early as the year 1509, from the testimony of Dr. Some, there were many churches of this description in London and in the country. During the reign of James we have produced unexceptionable proof that there were great numbers of Baptists who suffered imprisonment in divers counties, and that a petition to the king was signed by many of their ministers. It is thought that the General Baptist Church at Canterbury has existed for 250 years, and that Joan

Boucher, who was burnt in the reign of Edward the Sixth, was a member of it. Though this is traditionary only, yet it is rendered probable from her being a Baptist, and being always called "Joan of Kent." This same author not only thus asserts the antiquity, but also delineates the character of his brethren in these words, and which, in justice to their memory, shall be transcribed-" The English Baptists were the first persons who understood the important doctrine of Christian liberty, and who zealously opposed all persecution for the sake of conscience. The sufferings which have been endured by the English Baptists on account of their religious principles, give them a claim to the gratitude of every true lover of liberty and of his country."

THE three denominations of PROTESTANT DISSENTERS have their own seminaries, where young men designed for the Christian ministry, are edu cated. Among the PRESBYTERIANS are to be reckoned the academies at York under the Rev. Mr. Wellbeloved and under the Rev. Mr. Peters, at Caermarthen in South Wales; besides six exhibitions granted by Dr. Daniel Williams, to English Presbyterian students to be educated at Glasgow. Among the INDEPENDENTS are to be mentioned the academies at Wymondley house near Hitchin, at Homerton, by Dr. Pye Smith, and at Hoxton by the