The Reverend Clarence Larkin was one of the most widely influential pop theologians of the early twentieth century: his works are the source of many of the "prophecies" and "truths" end-times Christians hold to even today. Here, in this 1887 pamphlet, Larkin summarizes the history of his particular sect of Christianity-the Baptists-by exploring: . why water is essential to baptism . the baptismal practices of the early churches . the object of baptism . why baptism is not essential to salvation . why Baptists insist on immersion in water for true baptism . the evils of infant baptism . baptism in the New Testament . and more. American Baptist pastor and author CLARENCE LARKIN (1850-1924) was born in Pennsylvania, and later set up his ministry there. He wrote extensively and popularly on a wide range of Biblical and theological matters.