Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-05-27
VERMONT TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON, SATURDAY, MAY %. 1870. :
For the Vermont Telegraph.

"A. A. understand him to answer the
first question, | proposed, in the affirma.
tive, should be very happy 10 agree
with my brother, but an under the ne
cessity at present, of believing, that his
answer is not according to truth. "A. A.,
tells US what, in his view, constitutes oos.
pei baptism To this, SO far as it goes.
10 one can object; because the sure word
Ollnspiration can be brought in support of
1t but am compelled TO believe, that his
definition is not as extensive as It should
be-that something more than the partic.
MARS he has mentioned is necessary to
constitute gospel baptism. The particu.
lars ne has mentioned are essential. be.
cause they are found in the directions
given by Him who Instituted the ordin-
ance, and also because they areio be learn.
cd from the practice and teaching OF those
inspired disciples, who received The com.
mission to baptize directly from the mouth
oil Christ himself. Now Something more
than this is contained in those directions
co-roborated by the practice and teaching
referred to, then surely all will say, that
A. AS rules are deficient
At the present time, il is oenera,,, "A
mltied that baptism should be administer.
ed by those only who are set apart BY
the church for that purpose. Those
whom the church has called and ordained
to preach and administer the ordinance of
the supper, are considered qualified 10
b1ptlze. As baptism is now practiced it
must, ! think, be considered an act of the
church. The church takes the response.
bIIIty OF deciding who are fit subjects off
baptism, except in some particular in
Stances, where this power is delegated to
is minister, which it has chosen to act as
It's representative or agent in this thing as
veil as in many others. To be consistent
with tins course, we must believe that if /
baptism is performed in any other way
than BY the church, through its regularly
constituted agent, it cannot be valid. But t
though we may be guilty of departing
from consistent course, yet that depar-
tare may not be departure from the
truth; and ! am ready TO admit, that if this
course cannot be supported by apostolic
example, or the instructions of Christ, it
cannot be essential to the validity of bap-
ism.
We learn from Mark 81 IA, that Christ
ordained twelve, that they should be with
him, and that he might send them forth
to preach. This choice, or ordination,
was made by Christ himself perhaps be-
Cause he was then on earth, and had moi
IN any degree committed the affairs of his
kingdom 10 the church, as he afterwards
aid. Just before the ascension Of Chris,
We find he called unto him these same in
dlVlduals, whom be had ordained, with
The exception Of the traior,) and commits
sIohed them TO baptize. Now as these
took the oversight Of the church, and act
Cd as lis agents, tit being necessary from
me nature Of the case, that some individu-
ais shodld,) it would appear that they were
commissioned to perform the duties as
signed them, not in their individual capa-
sly, but as agents Of the church If so,
'nen baptism must be an act of the church,
and that By divine appointment. Isuppose
"A. A. would agrees with me, and with
almost every other person, ir believing
that baptism isthe Initiating ceremony in
10 the church If this be true, then the
acI that Christ aud his inspired apostles
gave direction, to the church, respecting
receiving and excluding members, will
amount to proof that he and they would
consider the initiating ordinance an act of
the church. 1t would be with difficulty
That the mind could be brought to believe,
without positive proof that religious
Oody, or any other, could properly Judge
OF the qualifications of its members, and
rightfully exercise the power of excom-
.municalion. and yet be allowed. in all cas-.
IS, virtually, to perform The initiating Ger.
emony. m ST. @
We find, very soon alter the ascension
Of Christ, that, at the suggestion of the
Twelve, the church selected seven Of its
humber IN oprforyo rho d,,,;,as .r.I cts...- I.