Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

"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. My sisters
tried in vain to convince me that sprinkling was Bible baptism. The
Methodist minister consented to immerse the candidates if they
conscientiously preferred that method, although he intimated that sprinkling
would be equally acceptable with God.
"Finally the day was appointed for us to receive this solemn ordinance.
Although usually enjoying, at this time, a great peace, I frequently feared
that I was not a true Christian, and was harassed by perplexing doubts as to
my conversion. It was a windy day when we, twelve in number, were
baptized, walking down into the sea. The waves ran high and dashed upon
the shore, but in taking 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.
"My cousin Hannah made confession of her faith at the same time that I
did. She wished to be baptized by immersion, but her father, who was not a
Christian, would not consent to this although we urged him to do so. So she
knelt before the altar and had a few drops of water sprinkled upon her head.
As I witnessed the ceremony, my heart rejoiced that I had not submitted to
receive sprinkling for baptism, feeling confident that there was no scripture
to sustain it.
"The same day in the afternoon, I was received into the church in full
membership. A young woman, arrived at the age of maturity, stood by my
side and was also a candidate for admission to the church with myself. My
mind was peaceful and happy till I noticed the gold rings glittering upon this
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