Baptismal rites were practised by all nations. In Babylon and Egyptthe candidates for initiation into the Mysteries were first baptized.Tertullian in his _De Baptismo_ says that they were promised inconsequence "regeneration and the pardon of all their perjuries." TheScandinavian nations practised baptism of new-born children; and whenwe turn to Mexico and Peru we find infant baptism there as a solemnceremonial, consisting of water sprinkling, the sign of the cross, andprayers for the washing away of sin (see Humboldt's _MexicanResearches_ and Prescott's _Mexico_).