Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-04-07
For the Vermont Telegraph.
FOURTEEN REASONS FOR NOT BEING A
. -. PEDO BAPTIST. -. -
Gol..I.,I
Concluded.

Take another illustration. A Presbv-
erianminister is suspected of Arminian-
ism. He is brought before the Presby-
terry, and suspended from the ministry.
He appeals to the Synod-that sustains
the act of Presbytery. He now appeals
to the General Assembly. Here, though |
the accused is talented, pious and sue
cessful minister, yet as the charge against
him is sustained, neither his talents, nor
his piety, nor his success as a minister,
avail any thing. 10 word, he is depos.
ed from the ministry, and excluded from
| the Church He unites with the Metho.
dists-reurns in the character of Meth
odist minister, and takes his seat at the
Lords table with the very brethren who
gave him no peace until he was excluded
from the Church.
Again, suppose Presbyterian minis
ter to embrace the views Of the Baptists,
as to the subjects and acts Of baptism, but
in every other respect remains a Presby-
tcrian. and wishes to continue minister of
the denomination. You see he could not
be to lerated. Though as holy as Payson,
and successful as Whitefeld, unless he
(, withdraw from the denomination, he
must be excluded. In vain he pleads the
true and conceded meaning of baptizo,
and in vain too be says he can find Meth
er precep: or example in the Bible for in
FAINT baptism: yet the unanimous voice is,
exclude him. Now let the same excluded
minister unite with the Baptists. and be-
cause he does not commune with the very
/ Church which excluded him, he is accus-
ed of dividing the Church of Christ, upon
mere inference. Of attaching undue im2or-
lance to a mere mode of an ordinance-of
exalting compliance with external ordi-
nances above uniform and consistent piety.
# In fine, he is now charged with superstl-
d ton and bigotry.
d, Once more. A minister. among the
m Melhodists is convicted of preaching Gal
ii viaism; unless he Withdraw from them
re according 10 their discipline, he must be
!" excluded. Yet, upon uniting with {
- Calvinislic Church, he is in full fellow.
nd ship a: the Lords supper. Now as
an cannot unite in excluding to-day those,
or invite Tomorrow, to the table ofmy divine
at Lord, without any confession on their part
On cannot be Pedo-baptist.
ne V. dare not sustain practice which
;, renders me grossly inconsistent with my
self 1t IS consistent for me TO FELLOWSHIP
~ my brethren of other Churches as Christ
cd ians, because have evidence they hav
Nv been born again. 1t is consistent for m
nd TO fellowship their ministry, because
list have evidence that they have been Gale
ird TO the work. But when they ask me 1
nd fellowship them as baptized Christian
lex every principle of the gospel requires n
: to say, brethren, give me as much ev
~ dence of your baptism as ct your exper
IA mental piety and call to the ministry, ar
eed your request shall be granted. Iconsid
10 it privilege to fellowship you so far
nan you follow Christ. But can 90 no ia
an, Their Show me that you have been ba
tized, and | will gladly recognize you
'"e sustaining that relation. But as you 7
o"v fuse to submit 10 this ordinance ofthe go
~ pei, and as Hove the order of Gods hous
a, cannot be Pado-baptist. ....
,ird VI. L dare not sanction practice wh
low is opposed so the enlightened conscieE
the of.he young convert. and TO many throut
car their whole lives, even TO their dyI
'ant hour. A very great portion OF you
. converls are solemnly impressed, that c
~ immersion is baptism. And were
and "o' ior the 10 Searled eHorls OIL eioio'
her tsis, converts would move, Ell masse,
,ank- tue place where there'is much water.
!. nor speak from my own experience and
o II. tservalIon--frOm what l have seen W
count my own eyes, and heard with my O
!, for ears. Now why all this? Why /
general impression even in Pedo-bap
'ered families, in favor Of immersion2 I
"a answer is obvious; because it is writ
W, as with sunbeam upon the sacred pa
-, ], Hence the most powerful efforts are o
vn;s. too weak to persuade a lad of slxtt