A baptismal service should be a solemn occasion—an occasion of great joy and satisfaction to those who participate in it. It is a service made possible as the result of someone's faithful work in soul winning.
The occasion brings special joy to the candidate. It should also bring special joy and delight to the church, for it is the occasion when a new name is added to the family records both here and in heaven. Therefore it should bring rejoicing, as it does when a child is born to a family.
There is rejoicing in heaven at such a time, for a soul is born into the kingdom. The name of the newborn is. transferred to "Father's" family record —the book of life. We are told that the angels rejoice. I have often thought that it must give Jesus just a little more joy and satisfaction than it could possibly give the angels, when He remembers the price He paid for that soul.
Baptism is purely a ceremony, but nevertheless a part of the organized program of the church. Certain preliminaries are necessary. These preparations are made by church officers duly elected to prepare for such services. The deacons have their part, and the deaconesses have their part. They should be well instructed as to their duties, so all will be in readiness in order that the service pass off with rhythm and harmony.
These officers should know how to receive the candidates when they come into the dressing rooms to prepare for going into the baptistry. Naturally some, especially timid women, are nervous. They need understanding and sympathizing sisters to attentively assist them in their preparation. -The whole experience is all so new to those who have just come into the fold, and so different from what they have been accustomed to in the churches they have just left.
This occasion should be the greatest event in their lives, and if they understand what they are about to do, it will be the greatest and the most solemn. In order to make it that, the atmosphere of the dressing room should be ideal.
Let us suppose a Bible instructor's reader is about to be baptized. Nothing will bring more comfort to the candidate than to see the familiar face of the one who has been instrumental in bringing her into the truth. It gives comfort and security to have her by her side as she awaits her turn into the water. She can give a little whispered word of encouragement to her as no one in that company of women can give, for these two have come to know and love each other through the weeks of their association in Bible study.
The deaconesses are duly elected to be present in that room on these occasions. The Bible instructor may not be a deaconess, and perhaps should not be there by right of office, but has she no right to be there? I would like to say to deaconesses that there is no one the candidate would rather see or have by her side than her Bible instructor at this time. Her soul clings to her.
The deaconesses should be taught to see how this would naturally be so, and should welcome the Bible instructor, instead of looking upon her presence as an intrusion in their affairs. To the Bible instructor it is the day of days, when her cup of joy is full ! She sees that her toil has not be-en in vain. She may have gone in the heavy rain or the hot sunshine; she may have trudged over long dusty roads on foot week after week, becoming worn and weary at times. Altogether, the work has taken a heavy toll of her very self. Now the day has come when she sees the fruit of her labors, and she is satisfied ! The crowning act of her joy would be to have the privilege of leading this precious trophy to the baptismal waters. In fact, it is her God-given right. She asks for no. other reward. And how fitting it is for the Bible, instructor to do this, since her work is of such tr. high calling in the gospel ministry. It is next to that of the minister himself. Why should she not have the right to assist on these occasions?
Often a minister asks his wife to assist him, even though she is not a deaconess. He realizes. what it means to have an understanding person its that room at such a time. Perhaps the deaconesses. are inexperienced or uninstructed for this special occasion, and he wants no hitch in the service. His wife understands his methods of procedure. If she has been actively associated with the evangelistic campaign she should be in the room. Her presence will be sweet, for perhaps she has accompanied her husband on his personal visits to the candidates' homes. Even so, it is still more fitting for the Bible instructor to lead her reader to the baptistry.
The minister should inform his Bible instructor as to what he expects of her concerning his special technique, that she may be an intelligent assistant in this most important part of his evangelistic program. If the minister senses the importance-of the place his Bible instructor fills in the work of evangelism, he will recognize that it is most fitting for the one who has done the vvork of preparation to lead the candidate to the baptistry.
