I was asked to baptize a child of Mr. Parker’s, second Bailiff of Savannah; but Mrs. Parker told me, “Neither Mr. P. nor I will consent to its being dipped.” I answered, “If you ‘certify that’ your ‘child is weak, it will suffice’ (the rubric says) ‘to pour water upon it.”’ She replied, “Nay, the child is not weak; but I am resolved it shall not be dipped.” This argument I could not confute. So I went home; and the child was baptized by another person.
John Wesley's Journal Wednesday May 5, 1736
This cracks me up. I guess there's a time for persuasion and negotiation, and a time to leave.
