Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-01-16
EIA "a q G. B 4 p Eo
BRANDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY II, 1889.
For the Vermont Telegraph.

Brother Murrdy:-It is we'll known that
Intelligent and pious Baptists have long
since denied that baptism is "saving Or
finance" They have been in the habit Of
imposing that believers are the only proper
Subjects of baptism And the only difficult
" that would appear TO obtain in the ques-
lion is, as 10 what constitutes believer.
NegativelY,-Fnst, not mere assent of
he understanding to the son-ship Of Jesus
Christ; the resurrection of the dead; and !
the duty to be immersed in the name Of the
Trinity. In all cases where candidates tor
Baptism were examined, in the apostolic
age, faith 10 Christ was necessary and
indispensable prerequisite. AS an instance,
look at the case of the Eunuch-Acts viii,
T-"If thou believest with all thy heart
ihcu mayest." Here is a cheerful and
hearty consent Of all the powers of the
sOul, securing the entire obedience of the
Whole man. Faith was, in this instance,
m active principle, which is corroborated
BY the following testimony of the apostle
Rom. x, 10: "For with the heart man be-
Neveth unto righIeousness-and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation"
ZEE, also, James, ii, IA: "What doth it prof
iG my brethren, though man say he hath
faith and have not works2" "Faith with
out works is dead" Those who have faith
are justified and received as the children of
God-walk with God and have peace
For he that cometh to God must believe
hat he is, and that he is rewarder of them
hat diligently seek him."
But, Secondly,-It is not every one that
u affected in a time Of religious excitement.
There are many who apparently receive the
Word with joy, and cry hosanna to the son
a David, who nevertheless will be ready
Ia few weeks to cry, cruelty him cruelty
hin! Like Simon Magus, they assent to
iyIlhe doctrine of the Gospel, and are yet in
the gall of bitterness and bond Of iniquity
Many there are, in time of religious ex
Element, and especially children,* who arc
Yeady, from thoughtlessness, orsympathy,t &c
say, love God and his people, and desire
to be baptized.
There is, in my opinion, great danger, III
time of revival Of being too tender ant
tharitable towards some who apply 70
membership in the church. The fear o
ofending, or injuring feelings, may some
ines have an undue influence upon GU
decisions. Or it may be there is predis
position to admit members, not so nue.
because they are already christians, as il
hopes that they will be. Great care an
Vigilance should be had in the examinatio
u candidates for babtism. All person
admitted to that sacred and holy ordinance
Mould be we'll acquainted with the JOY
kalvaton-should be born again-shoul
ave some proper notions respecting tn
vine character and government-the d.
NFavity Of the heart-the person, characte
and work of Christ. They should hay
icit the evil Of sin against God, and taste
the sweets Of redeeming grace and dyir
love. Nor should there be too much re-
nee upon the judgment Of the brother wi
y the means Of promoting a revival,
way of protracted meeting,-for ha
known several instances in which they ha
cen deceived, and the church has suffer
much from their having been members.
here is great liability of such 5rothe
pnng deceived in regard to the genuinent
oi their experience. He has been W
'nem-has conversed with thcm-and til
may have learned by hearing others, TO
experience that is satisfactory TO
ennrch, and thus rest down conlented Il
they are christians, while they are DC
received hypocrites. Numbers is not
only thing that is 10 be desired. Charac
md piety are of infinitely greater inn
<ance. To have the church filled with
evils members is the greatest curse
nurch can feel. We want living stone
Is oullding-active christians. And l
sVe that much of the difficulty prevail
churches would be prevented, if Il
sulnclent carefulness in the exam
non and reception of candidates Coz !, :,
Yours, in love, AT
So far as my own ohse,v..;o ,
NC leu 10 dissent from my brother,s 49, - p.
dren are more liable to be deceived a,I' .uat
. me cnurcn, man others. They have quite as