Confused, Overwhelmed

CLASSIC BAPTISM

9. I, knowing the youth to have been mersed.

[(Conant’s translation) “And I, perceiving that the youth was OVERWHELMED (BAPTIZED), wishing to give him a respite,” etc. (Speaking of young Cleinias, confounded with the sophistical questions and subtilties...). ex. 135, p 65. Plato, Euthydemus, of the Disputer, ch. VII.]

P 334; Cleinias, a young man, in company with some sophists, was hopelessly embarrassed by a series of subtle questions addressed to him. And, on this foundation shall we sketch a picture of a youth exposed to rolling billows (sea-waves) and sweeping torrents?...If usage like this does not prove an absolute departure from water immersion, both in fact and figure, what can prove it? To baptism, thus exhibited, there is but one idea to be attached; it is that of bewilderment. And this case shows the greatness of the error, when a figure is attempted in bringing water envelopment, or any specific influence flowing from it into the foreground of the picture. What has “bewilderment” to do with immersion in water or suffocation? Understood to express, generally, controlling influence, it has a facile adaptation to any case, of whatever nature, marked by such influence. One bewildered by questions or drunk with wine is equally a baptized man. They are brought into a new condition of being.

23. You have no spare time, but are mersed (baptized).

[(Conant’s translation) “...But if one asks your judgment of any of the greater matters, you are not at leisure but are OVERWHELMED (BAPTIZED), and the multitude of other affairs holds you in subjection; as if those affairs, of which you speak, give place to wine-cups, but grudge to some their safety! ex. 124, p 60. Libanius, Memorial to the King.]

P 304 Classic Baptism; Such free and absolute use of the word is highly indicative of its being not merely a satellite in the world of letters, shining only with borrowed light, but a fixed star, having light of its own. If we are unable to affix a specific character to the general import of the word as thus absolutely used...still we know beyond controversy that some controlling influence is referred to.

24. Mersed (baptized) either by diseases or arts of the wizards.

[(Conant’s translation) “But when he does not continue [happy], WHELMED (BAPTIZED) either with diseases, or with arts of Magians? ex. 137, p 66. Plotinus, Ennead I. IV. Happiness, 9.]

P 304 Classic Baptism; “Whelmed either with diseases or with arts of magians” (Conant). Why not in diseases and in magical arts as well as “in sleep”? The former is as suitable to represent the element of mersion as the latter. But neither of them should do so. It is the agency, the source of the influence only that is spoken of. And what appearance of water is there in this statement? How shall it be introduced? What part belongs to “diseases and wizard arts” in the picture? Does the unhappy man lie down on the sea-shore while diseases and incantations, converted into billows, roll over him?...(Controlling influence again clearly seen.)

26. That we, mersed (baptized) by the affairs of life.

[(Conant’s translation) “Such is the manner of the good Genius; that we, WHELMED (BAPTIZED) by worldly affairs,... should ourselves struggle out, and should persevere, endeavoring by our own resolution to save ourselves and gain the haven. ex. 103, p 51. Plutarch, Genius of Socrates, XXIII.]

P 306 Classic Baptism; Rhetorical figure carries the mind back to the circumstances out of which the secondary use sprang (destructive mersion of a ship). Therefore, to insist on introducing shipwreck, struggle, swimming and reaching a harbor into every conversational use of the word would be as stilted and mistaken as to put on state dress to go out and do a day’s ploughing.

28. But is mersed (baptized) by those which are excessive.

[(Conant’s translation) “...For as plants are nourished by a moderate amount of water, but are choked by too much, in the same manner a soul grows by proportionate labor, but is OVERWHELMED (BAPTIZED) by such as are excessive. ex. 134, pp 64-5. Plutarch, Education of Children, XIII.]

P 308 Classic Baptism; It is impossible to figure “mersed” as a dipping in water without making Plutarch one of the saddest of blunderers...”Plants are nourished by water in measure but are choked by excess.” We cannot consent to an interpretation of “mersed” which casts shame on this accomplished Greek writer. If he affirms that the influence of moderate labor is healthy growth, then he affirms that the influence of excessive labor is unhealthy decay. Moderate labor is within the power, under the control, and made subordinate by the soul, to its advantage; immoderate labor is beyond the power, not subject to the control of the soul, but subordinates the soul to itself and injures or destroys it. To express such controlling influence Plutarch employs the term in question...