Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-10-26
CONTROVERSIAL.

have appeared sooner, but for having fall
len into concealment, soon after its arrival,
where it has remained, in spite Of diligent
search, until the present
We had somewhat against the commu-
nication of Baptist Minister of Rutland
County. We have as much against this,
which, however, as we strong ly desire to
have the matter dropped now, we will not
trouble our readers with, but leave them
to dispose of the whole for themselves
For the Telegraph.
Mr.. EDITOR The communication Of
a Baptist Minister of Rutland County in
your paper of August l8, 1886, deserves
a passing notice. There are two things
in his remarks which regret. The first
is a fragrant misrepresentation which is
laid upon it. 1t is found in the following
sentence: IL have not leisure to notice all
the articles to which we are told all the
Baptists in Caledonia County have sub
scribed.' Now where and by whom was
a Baptist Minister of Rutland County
told that all the BaptiSts in Caledonia
County had subscribed to the articles of
faith adopted by the Union Doctrinal
Conference! Surel y not by that Confer
ence. Such fact is no here intimated
in the communication on which he re-
marks. This error must have arisen
from the very careless manner in which
he examined the articles of the Confer
ence on which he so unhesitatingl passes
the sentence Of reprobation. | canno: fox
a moment believe that any Baptist Minis
ter in Rutland County would Iesignedly
make so glaring misrepresentation. |
am the more persuaded Of this as he has
misquo' ed the very article on which he
comments.
Second, regret that spirit Of snccring,
sour, bigoted egotism should pervade the
entire article. Very different indeed are
the sentiments and the spirit expressed in
letter from another Baptist Minister
lately a very acceptable pastor of one Of
the churches IN Rutland County, dated
Aug. Is, 1886, and addressed to one of
the committee of the Conference From
which, though designed only for private
use, the following is extracted L" | am
glad that you and brother n have kept
up the spirit of perseverance in the pro-
motion of\iberal views and | rejoice that
you have been so successful in your en-
deavorS to unite those who believe and
have been blpt!2ed. You have my sym
pathies, my prayers and my cordial good
will.' 1.-The Lord deliver me hence
forth from those who love to wear the iron
jacket of bigoted exclusiveness and who
arc striving to paddle along to heaven in
the shallow whitening stream of sectarian
SoUrness'
A Baptist Minister of Rutland County
remarks: " hope the Baptists in Yer
mont have more Biblical knowledge and
more logical accuteness than to admit that
the doctrine Of the article is proved by the
scripture which is quoted to prove ii"
Article: All actual transgressors who
ever have been or will be saved, were
chosen in Christ before the foundation of
the world. This choice is based on their
torcseen compliance with the conditions of
salvation, under the influence OF the spirit,
and Of these means of grace which they
enjoy in common with others.
Now it was not supposed by the Con-
ference that any one passage shows all
that is taught in the Bible in regard to the
doctrine of election. Several things are
expressed in the article. The first is that
the choice was made in Christ before the
foundation of the world. Eph. |: 4, and
5, were quoted to prove it. According as
he hath chosen Us in him beforethe foun-
dation of the world. And does it not
prove the point?
Another point declared in the article is
that this choice is bassed on their foreseen
compliance with the conditions of saliva
ton under the influence of the spirit, &C.
The passages in which the Conference
supposed this sentiment to be more dis
tinctIy taught than in any other, Minis
ter has wholly passed over unnoticed.-
! They were 2 Thess. ii Is, because
God hath from the beginning chosen you
unto salvation, through sdnctifcation OF
the spirit and belief ofthe TRUTH" Pc
ter IL: 2, Elect according to tie fore
knotc'edge Of God the father, through
sanct!fcatlon Of the spirit unto obedience
and sprlnkling of the blood ofJesus Christ
Now does not the latter passage clearly
declare the election to have been made in
accordance with the tore-kuowledge OF
God? i. e. in accordance with what God
t0resaw concerning them2 And does
not the first of these declare that it was
through g belief Of the TRUTH" one Of the
conditions of salvation? And does moi
the latter passage teach the same doctrine
That it was through qualification Of tht
spirit unto obedience, J. e. through thai
measure of the spirits influence which
results in obedience. And is not 0tedi
eHes to God a condition of satUdtioa 3
, WHY Baptist Minister omittedthese mas