Some time ago the question was raised:
What did Ellen G. White mean when she described the ‘critical examination’ and ‘close questioning’ of baptismal candidates?
In the process of finding out, several quotes from Mrs. White on the subject, as well as contemporary pioneer reports of early Advent baptisms and examinations were collected.
These are shared below in two distinct sections; the first comprising an incomprehensive set of Testimonies regarding baptismal preparation in general, the second comprising examples and Reports of actual baptisms and examinations that took place in the era.
Testimonies
“The principles of righteousness must be implanted in the soul. The faith must grasp the power of Jesus Christ, else there is no safety. Licentious practices are getting to be as common as in the days before the flood. Not one should be buried with Christ by baptism unless they are critically examined whether they have ceased to sin, whether they have fixed moral principles, whether they know what sin is, whether they have moral defilement which God abhors. Find out by close questioning if these persons are really ceasing to sin, if with David they can say, I hate sin with a perfect hatred.” –Letter 26d, 1887, p. 6. (To “Brother Covert and those who hold responsible positions in the Indiana Conference,” September 27, 1887.)
6MR 165
“The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether those who profess to be converted are simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord’s side to come out from the world and be separate and touch not the unclean thing. When they give evidence that they fully understand their position, they are to be accepted. But when they show that they are following the customs and fashions and sentiments of the world, they are to be faithfully dealt with. If they feel no burden to change their course of action, they should not be retained as members of the church. The Lord wants those who compose His church to be true, faithful stewards of the grace of Christ.”
TM 128
“Our churches are becoming enfeebled by receiving for doctrines the commandments of men. Many are received into the church who are not converted. Men, women, and children are allowed to take part in the solemn rite of baptism without being fully instructed in regard to the meaning of His ordinance. Participation in this ordinance means much, and our ministers should be careful to give each candidate plain instruction in regard to its meaning and its solemnity. Our church members see that there are differences of opinion among the leading men, and they themselves enter into controversy regarding the subjects under dispute. Christ calls for unity. But He does not call for us to unify on wrong practices.”
17MR 306
“The preparation for baptism is a matter that needs to be carefully considered. The new converts to the truth should be faithfully instructed in the plain, “Thus saith the Lord.” The word of the Lord is to be read and explained to them point by point.
6MR 155-158
All who enter upon the new life should understand, prior to their baptism, that the Lord requires the undivided affections. . . The practicing of the truth is essential. The bearing of fruit testifies to the character of the tree. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. The line of demarkation will be plain and distinct between those who love God and keep his commandments and those who love him not and disregard his precepts. There is need of a thorough conversion to the truth. We are not only to say, I believe, but to practice the truth. . .
There is need of a much more thorough preparation of the candidates for baptism than has been given them. Satan does not want any one to see the necessity of an entire surrender to God. When the soul fails to make this surrender, sin is not forsaken; appetites and passions are striving for the mastery; temptations confuse the senses, so that true conversion may not take place. Whenever one renounces sin, which is the transgression of the law, his life will be brought into conformity to the law, into perfect obedience. This conformity to the mind and will of Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Before baptism there should be a thorough inquiry as to the experience of the candidate. Let this inquiry be made, not in a cold and distant way, but kindly, tenderly, pointing the new converts to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. Bring the requirement of the gospel to bear upon the candidates for baptism. Christ is represented as bearing the griefs and sorrows caused by sin, and he does this, not only as our sympathizing friend, but as our substitute. Therefore our sins of selfishness, of unamiable temper, of indolence, of wrong habits and practices, are to be positively and firmly put away. The one who breaks with Satan is to give no place to his temptations.
. . . All need to understand the process of conversion. The fruit is seen in the changed life. True repentance will be shown to be sincere by producing fruit in good works. None can depend upon their profession of faith as proof that they have a saving connection with Christ. It is by conformity to the will of God in our words, our deportment, our character that we prove our connection with him. We cannot depend on any other one to do our work for us. . . One of the points upon which those newly come to the faith will need faithful instruction is the subject of dress. In the examination of candidates for baptism this subject should not be lost sight of.”
“The steps to be taken in conversion are repentance, faith, baptism. Christ as the Head of humanity was to take the same steps that we are required to take. Although sinless, He was our example in fulfilling all the requirements for the redemption of the sinful race. He bore the sins of the whole world. His baptism was to embrace the whole sinful world who by repentance and faith would be pardoned. . .
15LtMs, Ms 57, 1900
Man was brought again into favor with God by the washing of regeneration. The washing was the burial with Christ in the water in the likeness of His death, representing that all who repent of the transgression of the law of God receive purification, cleansing, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
“Many who profess religion have not the genuine article. There is not revealed in their lives the fruits of a genuine conversion. The same old habits, the same jealousies and evil surmisings and evil speaking, the same faultfinding and criticism, and selfishness and covetousness, is seen. With such attributes, how can the church prosper? The Holy Spirit is ever working to bring the human agencies in harmony with God. Without genuine conversion, not one soul will enter the city of the King of glory.
14LtMs, Lt 134, 1899
My burden is that ministers of the gospel shall preach the truth as to what constitutes true conversion. They are not to lead down into the water souls who are not converted. The church is becoming composed of men and women who have never realized how sinful sin is. The Lord have mercy upon the churches. All the ministerial labor in the world will never convert a soul from the error of his ways, unless the power and grace of God shall work within, cleansing the heart from all the defiling, degrading influences of sin.”
“Candidates who have grown to manhood and womanhood should understand their duty better than do the younger ones; but the pastor of the church has a duty to do for these souls. Have they wrong habits and practices? It is the duty of the pastor to have special meetings with them. Give them Bible readings, converse and pray with them, and plainly show the claims of the Lord upon them. Read to them the teaching of the Bible in regard to conversion. Show what is the fruit of conversion, the evidence that they love God. Show that true conversion is a change of heart, of thoughts and purposes. Evil habits are to be given up. The sins of evil-speaking, of jealousy, of disobedience, are to be put away. A warfare must be waged against every evil trait of character. Then the believing one can understandingly take to himself the promise: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you.’ Matthew 7:7.”
6T 95
“We have great need to search the Scriptures that we may be representatives of Christ, and act our part as laborers together with God to build up the church in the most holy faith. There is not enough careful, prayerful, painstaking investigation in accepting members into the church. We cannot follow the example of the world, or allow their criticisms to sway us from the path of duty. They will blame us if we refuse to admit certain persons into church fellowship, and on the other hand, they condemn the church for its unworthy members. They will say, The church is no better than the world; for its members deceive and cheat and bear false witness; so the world’s say so in this matter of who shall be admitted into church fellowship, should have no weight with us. There is one thing that we have no right to do, and that is to judge another man’s heart or impugn his motives. But when a person presents himself as a candidate for church membership, we are to examine the fruit of his life, and leave the responsibility of his motive with himself. But great care should be exercised in accepting members into the church; for Satan has his specious devices through which he purposes to crowd false brethren into the church, through whom he can work more successfully to weaken the cause of God.”
Ellen G. White, Review and Herald January 10, 1893
“The accession of members who have not been renewed in heart and reformed in life is a source of weakness to the church. This fact is often ignored. Some ministers and churches are so desirous of securing an increase of numbers that they do not bear faithful testimony against unchristian habits and practices. Those who accept the truth are not taught that they cannot safely be worldlings in conduct while they are Christians in name. Heretofore they were Satan’s subjects; henceforth they are to be subjects of Christ. The life must testify to the change of leaders. Public opinion favors a profession of Christianity. Little self-denial or self-sacrifice is required in order to put on a form of godliness and to have one’s name enrolled upon the church book. Hence many join the church without first becoming united to Christ. In this Satan triumphs. Such converts are his most efficient agents.”
5T 172
Reports
“Soon after our return from the camp meeting, I, with several others, was taken into the church on probation. My mind was very much exercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see but one mode of baptism authorized by the Scriptures, and that was immersion. Some of my Methodist sisters tried in vain to convince me that sprinkling was Bible baptism.
CET 20
Finally the time was appointed for us to receive this solemn ordinance. It was a windy day when we, twelve in number, went down into the sea to be baptized. The waves ran high and dashed upon the shore, but as I took up this heavy cross, my peace was like a river. When I arose from the water, my strength was nearly gone, for the power of the Lord rested upon me. I felt that henceforth I was not of this world, but had risen from the watery grave into a newness of life.”
“The serious impressions did not leave the children when the meetings ended. Those who could, assembled together at the house of Brother Bates and solicited prayers for themselves; they prayed and sought God earnestly, and some felt the assurance there that Jesus spoke peace to their troubled hearts. They had one or two meetings of this description, which were attended with the blessing of God.
Nearly all felt the evidence that God for Christ’s sake had forgiven their sins. My husband spoke upon the subject of baptism. These children wished to be baptized. They each arose and with tears and sobs gave their broken testimony that they wished to be Christians and overcome the temptations of the enemy and at last stand upon Mount Zion. I believe angels of God bore these short, broken testimonies to heaven and that they were recorded in the book of God’s remembrance.
We did not feel like requiring these lambs of the flock to wait six months or one year before being baptized, to see if they would be faithful to their profession. We did not think it right for them to wait one week, but that it was their privilege to be baptized after they repented and believed.
Tuesday ten young females assembled at the water to receive the ordinance of baptism. It was a happy yet a solemn sight to see so many of the young ready to take upon themselves the baptismal vow.
One dear child we deeply sympathized with. Through a constitutional difficulty she had never been able even to witness one baptized. But while she, with her young companions, sought the Lord, she decided that she must be baptized. She came with her young companions to the water, but her difficulty returned. She could not look upon the water or see any of her young friends baptized. All had been baptized but her, and she could not be prevailed upon to go into the water. We felt that Satan was opposed to the good work begun with her, and wished to hinder it, and that she must go forward. Her parents, with us, felt that if she left the water unbaptized she would never have strength to follow the example of her Saviour. We all were anxious that she might obtain a victory there.
I put the robe upon her and urged her to go into the water. She hesitated. We looked up in faith to God. My husband on one side and myself upon the other, and her father entreating her, we tried to encourage her along, yet her peculiar dread of water caused her to shrink. We persuaded her to move to the edge of the water and have her hands and head wet. She complied. There was a united looking up to God that Satan might not prevail. Her head and hands were wet, and then she moved forward while the administrator several times repeated these words, “In the name of the Lord, move forward.” Calmly she went into the water and was buried in the likeness of Christ’s death. Calmly she came up out of the water, having followed the divine command, and we all felt rejoiced that we had not consented to let the child go. We had obtained a victory and thwarted the enemy.
The next morning she came to the house of Brother Day, where we tarried. Her countenance was lighted up. She expressed her joy that we had not left her to her fears, but urged her forward. We rejoiced with her that she had obtained so precious a victory.
Our meetings continued the next day, and as a result five young men bore their testimony and expressed their desire to be baptized; again we repaired to the water. It was an interesting sight to see these young men, all about the same age and size, as they stood side by side professing their faith in Christ, and taking the solemn vow upon them to leave sin and the world and from henceforth [to] tread the narrow path to heaven. Among those baptized was the son of Brother Harper, who so recently lost his mother. Both father and mother had felt the deepest interest for their children. They were very anxious that they might be converted and love the truth. We could unite heartily with the boy as he came out of the water.”
1LtMs, Ms 9, 1862
“I came upon the ground very weak, but have labored much harder than it seemed possible when I came. Sabbath after speaking I invited those who desired to seek the Lord to come forward; about one hundred responded. I also spoke twice on Sunday. Monday morning resumed our labor for those who had been invited forward. Candidates for baptism were examined, and twenty-six were baptized in the beautiful lake. One poor paralytic, a young man, who had lost the use of his limbs; he was taken in the arms of Brn. Olsen and Decker and buried with Christ in baptism and came out of the water, his countenance lighted up with beams of the Sun of righteousness.”
Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times July 3, 1879
“I spoke again to those present and addressed my remarks especially to the young. We then called for all to come forward who wished to be Christians and all who had not the evidence of their acceptance with God and who desired the prayers of the servants of God. Two hundred responded to the call and separated themselves from the congregation. This was a most interesting occasion. Angels of God seemed to be under the tent, and heaven seemed very near. After a season of prayer, those who came forward went into a family tent, and special labor was put forth for them. We again met at the stand for candidates to be examined for baptism. Thirty-nine were accepted, and the crowd moved toward the water. Rowboats and steamers filled with people lingered to witness the ordinance. The banks rise from the river about sixty feet. People were congregated on this steep embankment and on the ridge of the bank, and perfect order and respectful attention were preserved till the whole thirty-nine were baptized, and the crowd dispersed in as respectful a manner as though they had attended a funeral.“
3LtMs, Lt 10a, 1877
“Elder Corliss came to see me for counsel. Two intelligent young men, one twenty, the other twenty-eight, have just been released from the prison at Jackson, Michigan. They have served out their sentence for a term of four years for horse-stealing. The younger stated that his career of crime commenced in reading the published life of Jesse James. It had an influence upon him that was almost irresistible to follow his criminal course. He was completely infatuated and taken captive by Satan. Thus two men went into horse-stealing. They were arrested in their crime, were condemned, and sentenced. Then came their awakening. Shamed and penitent, they began to look to the Lord for help and strength to endure their just sentence.
They were truly converted in the prison, and they worked over hours, earned money, and sent for Signs of the Times, Review and Herald, and Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation, and then they studied. Other prisoners also had access to these publications, and some accepted the truth. After their release they came straight to Battle Creek and solicited baptism. Then they were going back to the place of their sin and crime and show their repentance and what the Lord had wrought for their souls. There were some objections raised to baptizing them, and my advice was by all means not to forbid water that these should be baptized, but with joy and rejoicing perform the rite of baptism, thanking the Lord that these sheep which had been lost were found.”
6LtMs, Ms 24, 1889
“Monday morning I spoke to the brethren from the third chapter of Malachi. We then called for those to come forward who wanted to be Christians and who had not the evidence of their acceptance with God. About thirty responded. Some were seeking the Lord for the first time, and some who were members of other churches were taking their position upon the Sabbath. We gave all an opportunity to speak, and the free Spirit of the Lord was in our meeting. After prayer had been offered for those who had come forward, candidates for baptism were examined. Six were baptized.“
4T 304
“My husband is now examining candidates for baptism. Eight came forward for prayers. Yesterday afternoon I spoke to a crowd of about five hundred, and then called forward sinners and backsliders. Quite a number presented themselves for the ordinance of baptism. About thirty go forth in obedience of baptism. About thirty go forth in obedience to Christ, to be buried with Him in baptism.”
2LtMs, Lt 42, 1875
“At 1 p.m. Sr. W. occupied one hour and a half, dwelling considerably on the health reform from a Bible standpoint. . . Monday morning the meeting commenced with a good interest. The good work progressed till two o’clock P.M., when by request of Brother White, six long seats near the pulpit were vacated, and then filled with those who during these meetings had decided to make a new start for the kingdom. Then those who felt it their duty to be baptized were requested to arise upon their feet, and forty-two arose, twenty-seven of whom were not church members, but mostly individuals who at these meetings had become deeply convicted that they should make a full surrender of themselves to the Lord
A.C. Bourdeau, Review and Herald January 21, 1868
These were examined one by one, and received into the church by vote as candidates for baptism; and just before the setting of the sun, when the thermometer stood at 20 degrees below zero, we went down to the branch nearly one mile from the meetinghouse, where I stepped down from the ice into a clear stream of water, and baptized eleven, among whom were my aged and respected father and mother. This was a solemn yet a blessed scene to nearly all the beholders. It is expected that quite a number of the candidates will be baptized in this place next Sabbath.“
“Third-day morning at 5 A. M. the brethren assembled in the large tent, to examine candidates for baptism. About thirty presented themselves as subjects. This was a deeply interesting season. There was the aged man of eighty, the middle aged, young men, young women, and children who had not reached their teens. The brief relation of experiences constituted a deeply interesting part of the whole good meeting. None needed urging. All promptly responded when called. Our aged Bro. Garret, who has observed, the Sabbath about ten years, but had not united with the church, feeling that he was not worthy, finally came forward. He stated that he had never attended such a good meeting before; that he never before had the evidence that his sins were forgiven. Now be felt assured that his sins were all forgiven. His decided testimony sent a thrill through the congregation.”
James White, Review and Herald June 28, 1870
“Baptism being called for, those wishing the ordinance were requested to rise up. A number arose. In the afternoon the congregation was assembled to examine candidates for baptism. About twenty-five were received, among whom were Bro. and Sr. Lee. The crowd at the water was very large and attentive.”
James White, Review and Herald July 5, 1870
“Thither the missionary and teachers made their way. The church was packed with natives sitting on the floor. A hymn was sung, and, though out of harmony, their voices were sweet. One and another then offered prayer, after which, many (the husband in all cases sitting by his wife) presented themselves as candidates for baptism. Having been carefully examined, many were approved, and, later in the day, baptized and organized into a Christian church. At each of three stations, on as many islets, the same scene was enacted. All this, at the close of the second year’s labor, by men and women themselves born and bred in heathenism!”
‘Micronesia’ report, author unknown; Review and Herald May 27, 1890
“WE have still further words of encouragement to offer concerning the work in progress in this place. The meeting on Sabbath, the 19th, was noticed last week. First-day evening, following, was mostly spent in the examination of candidates for baptism; and on Monday morning forty-four went forward in this solemn and impressive ordinance, Twenty-eight of these, mostly young, here for the first time took upon themselves the name of Christ, and the public profession of his service. Sixteen were baptized by Bro. White, and twenty-eight by Brn. Andrews and Loughborough. This exceeded any former instance of the kind we have enjoyed in this place, not only in the number of candidates, but in the interest and solemnity that seemed to attach to the occasion.”
Uriah Smith, Review and Herald October 29, 1867
“The day having arrived on which baptism is to be administered, the church should assemble at its regular place of worship. If a minister is present, it is customary to have a sermon delivered either directly upon the subject of baptism, or some other topic adapted for the occasion. The other exercises being over, the minister or elder, as the case may be, should invite the candidate to take a position in front of the congregation.
W. H. Littlejohn, ‘Church Manual’ series, article on Baptism, Review and Herald August 21, 1883
At this point it will be proper for the administrator of the ordinance to address to the candidate such remarks as will be calculated to impress him and the people with the solemn character of the ordinance which is about to be administered. When these remarks are ended, the candidate should be requested to rise and give expression to his determination to devote himself thereafter to the service of God, and relate briefly his experience in the Christian life. He should then be questioned respecting his adoption of the fundamental principles of the Seventh-day Adventist faith, and his desire to unite with the church. If his examination prove to be satisfactory in every respect, the reading of the covenant is the next thing in order. The candidate having assented to it, it would be proper for some one to move that he be admitted into the church upon baptism. This motion having been seconded and carried, the minister or elder ought, in behalf of the church, to extend to him the hand of fellowship. . .
After the meeting for the examination of candidates is closed, the minister or elder should invite the candidates for baptism to meet him at a stated place before going to the water. When they are assembled, he can see to it that they are properly arrayed for baptism, and give them such instruction as he may think proper. . .
No person should be baptized until it is first ascertained that he expects to unite with some particular church.”