Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-08-25
VOL. XIII. No. 4S.

HISeius VI fiboiedtiuS myself rom the
charge of misrepresentation. [ believe
that frank and unfettered interchange of
views, upon controverted points, made in
spirit of christian affection, would effect
more in repairing the schisms in the body
of Christ than any other method.
With high esteem, -
am very respectfully yours,
]. L. BURROWS,
Pastor of SAMSON St. Baptist CHI. Phila.
Right Rev. B. B. SMITH, D. D.,
Bishop of p. E. church in Kentucky.
LEXINGTON, July %, 1841.
Rev. aid Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 18th inst. is before
me- | had seen the vehement protesta-
ton OF the Banner of the Cross some
where quoted, and it had occasioned me
very much uneasiness. | saw at once
that it had been based upon an cver-state-
mrnt Of my avowed sentiments; and I
feared Il hope the apprehension will prove
10 have been wholly unfoundcd) there had
been an ungenerous, exuting use made
of my opinions, as though they were ad-
missions reluctantly wrung from a party
overwhelmed. am quite shure that nv
real sentiments, guardedlv expressed, and
adGuced in truly mild aud christian
temper could not have given rise to such
earnest objuration and | never dreamed
that it required any stretch of fearlessness
of ma gnanimity, to avow to the world any
conclusions, to which l conceive correct
methods of investigation unayoidabIy lead
me.
Thus prefaced, you are at perfect liber-
ty to publish to the world under my prop
er 81 gnature; that, guided by the same
laws of evidence which satisfy me with
regard to the Cannon of Scripture, and
the three orders of the christian ministry,
do fully and unhesitatingly believe, that
no instance either Of Adult or Infant Bap-
tism occurred during the first three centu-
res, except by immersion, save only in
the few cases Of clinical baptism, and that
to this practice all the incidental notices of
Holy Scripture best conform.
When, however, am pressed by the
enquiry, as in this region often am, whv
have never myself been immersed? [
always reply, That l consider ministers
| EpiscopaIIy ordained alone, clearly quail
fed to administer Baptism. And further
that for the same reason on account of
which regard a succession of Episco.
pally ordained ministers essential to a per
feetly regular as well as valid ministry;
| as strong V maintain that regular sue
cession of immersers is essential to per-
fectIy regular as we'll as valid administra.
ton of Baptism. At the same time, how
ever, strongly maintain that the greatly
irregular baptism of all Western Christ
ians Tin contradistinction to that Of the
Greek and Asiatic Churches) is still per-
fectly valid.
Under the full persuasion that God in
his wise Providence has permitted the rise
OF the various sects Of Baptists, for The
purpose of ultimately restoring the primi-
tive mode Of Baptism; thatthey will new
Ell cease 10 agitate this question, though
themselves more destitute of a regular
baptism than those whom they oppose
| (inasmuch as an authorized administrator
must BE- held more important, than the
! mere mode of administration and more
over, sorely pinched by consistency in the
Implication Of correct methods of inveSti-
cation, by the advocate Of Immersion turn
ing upon me with my own weapon when
| urge him to receive the only regular
form of commission TO the ministry in
this region II am exceedingly DESTROYS
that the Episcopal Church in Kentucky.
where this controversy RACES with the
greatest and most sustained violence, may
: present herself to- perplexed yet sincere
christians, offering the only Immersion
which is perfectly regular along with the
almost sole perfectly regular commission
f 10 the ministerial Office in this region ;
and therefore l should be devoutIy CRATE
t ful if without making another schism in
: the Church, or provoking painful and IN
: profitable controversy, a messenger Of
/ messen gers could be delegated to some
branch cf the Greek or AsiaIic Churches.
who have never lost the primitive lmmer4
sion of Infants, ard Adults, and gradually.
peacefully. silently restore it, to this pure
branch of the Catholic Church in these
, ends ofthe earth. j..
Bp. of the T. E. Oh. in the State of
Kentucky.
{ Rev. J. l.. Burrows.
Pastor Of SAMSON ST. Bap. Oh. Phila.
P. S. You are dt perfect liberty 10
make what use you please of this letter.
And on my part. stating the occasion Of
lis being written, | transmit a copy of it
J by this mail, to the Banner of The Cross.
From the Christian Secretary.
PRAYER.
, Whit higher or nobler gift could have
, been conferred upon mortals, than the priv
/. Iiiege of prayingl To be permitted
| are, and demanded too, if we would be