1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

Master's example while he himself neglected it? Do those who nowquestion the "necessity" of this symbol, command others to thusfollow the Master's footprints and fulfill all righteousness?But we have never presented this question as one of "necessity," butas one of joyful privilege to all who really see its force and arereally buried with Christ. To treat it as compulsory is the veryopposite of its spirit. That which is compulsory is not a sacrifice.Hence the propriety of this being presented both by the Lord and byus as a privilege.Another letter inquires whether the fact of the Lord's presence doesnot in some manner relieve them from the necessity of performingthis symbol. We answer here, that so long as the sacrifice is inprocess, it is certainly proper as it ever was for those who havenever done so to symbolize that sacrifice. When the sacrifice is overand the whole "body" glorified with the head, there will be neitheropportunity nor propriety for either the actual drinking of the "cup"of Christ's sufferings and being "buried" with him, nor will therethen be propriety in drinking the symbolic "cup" (wine) orperforming the symbolic baptism, in water.No; there is no necessity laid upon you to be baptized, eitheractually or symbolically; neither is there necessity that you shouldbe of Christ's Bride and joint heir; neither is there necessity that youmust sit with him in the throne and share his crown of glory andhonor and immortality. The Lord will find a sufficient number tocomplete the "little flock" without forcing or urging anyone. But ifyou are in the race at all, "take heed, let no man take thy crown."See that you have the spirit of sacrifice burning within you and youwill not seek what you can avoid, but cry "Lord what will thou haveme to do." As in the beginning, so it must be now: "They thatgladly received his word were baptized." Acts 2:41.R761 : page 3====================COMING BY-AND-BY.A better day is coming, a morning promised long,When truth and right with holy might, shall overthrow the wrong;When Christ the Lord will listen to every plaintive sigh,And stretch his hand o'er sea and land, with justice by and by.The boast of haughty tyrants no more shall fill the air,But aged and youth shall love the truth and speed it everywhere;No more from want and sorrow shall come the hopeless cry,But war shall cease, and perfect peace will flourish by and by.The tidal wave is coming, the year of jubilee,With shout and song it sweeps along, like billows of the sea;The jubilee of nations shall ring through earth and sky,The dawn of grace draws on apace, 'tis coming by and by.