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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 Excerpt:...after receiving instruction, and marked by the profession of the Christian faith. Hence it was administered to adults only: the catechumens of Alexandria waited three years for it.8 But the sacramental idea attached especial virtues to it; by it he who was baptized was born again in the spirit. i In ancient Italy the repast was always preceded by libations to the lVnates. 2 The Acts of the Apostles (ii. 42, and xx. 7) explain the words of Paul, 1 Cor., x. 16. 'Ignatius, ad Hum., 7; ad Smgrn., 7; Justin, Apol., i. (iti, and Ireiueus, op. at., iv. 18, and v.-. 'John, iii. o. Kavavis ri/c iv Myvirrif imcXipnaf (ii-45, ap. BiiQBen, vol. iv. pp. 451 et seq.). "Plunged in the darkness of a dense night and drifting at random on the stormy sea of the time, I strayed hither and thither," says S. Cyprian, "without knowing whither to direct my life. Divine goodness caused me to be born again in the saving water of baptism At once a serene aud pure light was shed from on high upon my soul and I became a new man."1 This efficacy of baptism dispensing with personal adherence, children were admitted to regeneration. This was a noteworthy innovation. The Master had said: Sinite venire ad me parvuhs; the Church called them and took them. Its action was extended over the beginnings of life, as it watched over the approach of death, and thus it was enabled to keep or recover, in the turbulent hours of youth, those whom it, from their birth, had "enrolled in the army of Christ, census Dei." 3 On coming out of the baptismal font the neophyte was clothed with a white robe, symbol of innocence, and he moistened his lips in a vessel of milk and honey, the sweet and pure nourishment of the body and the image of the spiritual food which the Church distr...