Excerpt from A Discourse on Christian Union: Delivered at the Installation of Rev. Adin Ballou, as Pastor of the First Church and Society in Mendon, May 3, 1832

Your candid and patient attention is therefore solicited to a free and full discussion of the great subject of christian union.

I. What then is not necessary for the existence of christian union? Many things which have been generally considered essential. Some of the most important particulars I will now mention.

1. It is not necessary for the existence of christian union that you should adopt the same views on the subject of water baptism. For in the first place, your Saviour has given no definite directions concerning either the mode or subjects of this ordinance. He has made no mention either of sprinkling or pouring or immersion. He has no where excluded either men or women or children from his kingdom. He has not described either the rank or qualifications of the persons who may perform the service. All that he considered essential in this positive institution is contained in the following commission to his apostles. "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing men into the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit." By the word baptize, he undoubtedly means the outward application of water, as an expressive sign of admission to his school of religion, nothing more nor less than this, as I trust every disinterested critic will acknowledge. By all nations, he surely intends the various individuals, of whatever sex or age or character, who constitute the inhabitants of the several countries of the earth. As there are no divinely appointed successors to the inspired apostles, every preacher of the gospel has an equal right to initiate learners in the appointed way.

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