| 812 be more likely to produce a good or peaceful conscience than obedience to the requirements of the Saviour [Savior]?
Answer.-True, we read thus, but I had supposed that baptism was done away now, and that sprinkling answered the same purpose.
Question.-If in the days of the Apostles, God required men to be buried in, or born of the water; and now will save them without that inconvenience, or by sprinkling simply, must he not have changed; and is he not a respector of persons?
Answer.-To be honest it does appear so; and I never can believe that God will change the plan of salvation, or respect any man's person, but how is it that Jesus said "these signs shall follow them that believe,-they shall speak with new tongues, cast out devils; heal the sick; take up serpents, &c." and we see none of these things in these days?
Question.-I hope you do not doubt the declaration of Christ, do you?
Answer.-Certainly not, I believe those signs did follow the apostles just as the scriptures state, but we see none of these things now.
Question.-Can it be possible that Christ designated the promise of these signs for his apostles, when he said "them that believe" addresing [addressing] himself self to his disciples, concerning those who should believe on their testimony, and be baptized by them? Or was the promise to be confined to that people only or that age, when Peter said concerning this matter, "this promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call?
Answer.-No it cannot.
Question.-Then if you do not doubt the testimony of Jesus and his apostles, must you not conclude that these signs have ceased to follow the children of men? because faith has ceased from among men.
Answer.-These are new ideas to me, I will think of them more; but am I to believe that if men would exercise faith, and attend unto the ordinances of the gospel as in the days of old, these signs would be made visible again on the earth, or would follow the believer as in the days of old?
Question.-Will not the same cause produce the same effects in all ages?
Answer.-Without doubt it will.
Question.-Why then should not these signs follow those who believe, have faith in God, and keep his commandments, just as they did in the days of Christ?
Answer.-What! and receive the Holy Ghost too, by the laying on of hands?
Question.-If God is not changed, nor the ordinances of his house, nor the plan of salvation, how can you hope to receive the Holy Ghost in any other way then they did in those days, when "on whomsoever they laid their hands they received the Holy Ghost?"
Answer.-But why have I not seen and believed these things before!
Question.-How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher; and how shall they preach except they be sent?
Answer.-I have heard a great many preachers before, but they never taught me such doctrine.
Question.-Do you not remember that Paul said that "the day of Christ should not come except there came a falling away first," a falling from the truth, and men should be given unto fables?"
Answer.-Yes, and I begin to suspect it has been so, but do you really think that sins are forgiven when men are baptized?
Question.-Does not the scriptures say so? Did not Peter say, be baptized every one of you for the remission of your sins; and did not Ananias say to Saul, arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins?
Answer.-Yes, the bible says so; but it says also calling upon the name of the Lord: now I have been upon the penitent form, and called upon the name of the Lord, as Ananias commanded, and my sins are forgiven.
Question.-Can there be a transgression where there is no law? and you say you never had this law before, therefore, you could not sin against it; but should you now reject it, how could you get clear of that sin? and where can you find any direction from scripture to erect penitent forms, or to make use of them?
Answer.-I see your propositions appear quite scriptural.
Question.-Inasmuch as you say you see, does not your sin remain?
Answer.-And may I be baptized for the remission of my sins?
Question.-Do you believe with all your heart, and are you willing to repent of all your sins and forsake them;
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