A great deal in that extract, I undertake to say, will command the cordial assent of all who practise infant baptism, if we except the use of the term members.
It shows that, as to coming into the company of true believers, and being one of them, the only way is through repentance and faith,--a way common to the unbaptized.

The only advantage, but one which is exceedingly great and precious on the part of the believer's children, being, that they "have many privileges," and "are in a more hopeful way of attaining regenerating grace." But the term membership does not express their relation to the church before they are converted.
_Mr.B._ (After a pause.) I do not know but you are right.
Mr.C., the remaining advocate of the sermon, said, "Let me refresh your memories with the famous case quoted in Morton's New England Memorial.

He says: "'The two ministers there (Salem, 1629), being seriously studious of reformation, they considered the state of their children, together with their parents, concerning which letters did pass between Mr.Higginson (of Salem) and Mr.Brewster, the reverend elder of the church of Plymouth; and they did agree in their judgments, namely, concerning the church-membership of the children with their parents, and that baptism was a seal of their membership; only, when they were adult, they being not scandalous, they were to be examined by the church officers, and upon their approbation of their fitness, and upon the children's public and personally owning of the covenant, they were to be received unto the Lord's Supper.

Accordingly, Mr.Higginson's eldest son, being about fifteen years of age, was owned to have been received a member together with his parents, and being privately examined by the pastor, Mr.
Skelton (the other minister of Salem), about his knowledge in the principles of religion, he did present him before the church when the Lord's Supper was to be administered, and, the child then publicly and personally owning the covenant of the God of his father, he was admitted unto the Lord's Supper, it being there professedly owned, according to 1 Cor.

7:14, that the children of the church are holy unto the Lord, as well as their parents.'" Mr.R.stood up, and, with an animated look and manner, but with a very pleasant voice, said: "What, now, my good brother, did these good ministers do, with this youth, more or less than we all do for the children of our pastoral charge?
"Of what practical use was his so-called infant 'church-membership,' in addition to his being, as we all hold, a child of the covenant ?" They made no reply for a little while, till at last Mr.A.said: "Well, Br.