Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-04-07

that converts are so generally inclined to
immersion, that we dare not directl y al
tack them on this point. We learn, too,
that they have great love for Christians.
Hence, though we seldom practice open
communion, we have found we can draw
off converts from the Baptists, by making
loud and repeated pretensions to love and
open communion.
Convert. thought that sectarianism,
instead of genuine charity and sincere re-
gard for the pure ordinances of the Bible,
was at the bottom of all this. Therefore,
| am resolved to be a Baptist.
Deacon. But do you not believe that
those who advocate open communion love
others more ferventIy than the Baptists
do?
Convert. No: am inclined to believe
there is no denomination that possesses
more genuine and fervent charity for 9TH
er denominations, than the Baptists. And
can truly say have never seen any
good results from open communion.
Melhodists remain Melhodists still. They
preach, talk and pray as much against
Ca!yinism AS though they made no pre-
tensions to open communion. The same
may be said Of Presbyterians, Congrega.
tionalists, as to Arminianism, &C., there
fore, | shall never advocate open commu-
Mon until see very differen fruits among
its friends. If it should break down all
partition walls, and unite into one harmo-
: NOUS brotherhood, the whole Pedo-bap-
fist world, then | should think more IA
vorably of it than now do. But frank.
| ly aGmit am prejudiced against il, be-
cause wherever | have resided, its advo
Gates were more divided, and had more
hard feelings between themselves than
with the Baptists. For instance, deacon,
will you not admit that your Church has
+ had as much or more difficulty with the
Episcopal Church, than you have hac
with the Baptists, or than the Baptist.
have had with the Episcopalians? There
fore, until open communion breaks down
partition walls between its protested friends
| shall not think of leaving the Baptst
7 10 unite with an open communion Church
, especially one that is open in name ant
| close in practice.
Deacon. l acknowledge we have hal
n more difficulty with the other denomina
+ tons than with the Baptists. Indeed, I'm
o til recently, we have lived on the mos
# friendly terms with them. Our ministe
exchanged pulpits with theirs, and tn
/. harmony was of a most delightful charac
d ter.
Convert Why then do you and other
e speak to young converts, as though clos
=. communion was the only partition wa
which divides Christians. AS have a
- ready said, until you evince to me ths
" open communion has cast the beam
sectarianism, bigo:ry, and superstition, 0,
> of the eyes of its advocates, shall be re
solved to join the Baptsts.
81 Deacon. But do think the Baptis
- are more sectarian than our society, Their
~ fore, wish you to unite with US.
:" Convert. Thought as you did before
" experienced religion, bat now l am col
vinced that no society possesses so lit
" sectarianism as do the Baptists. For ne
~ withstanding Pe1o-bapiists say the mo-
of baptism is perfectly Indifferent
p, they are just as well pleased with imme
: sion as sprinkling or pouring-and ado
that immersion is the classical ard prim
u ry meaning of baptizo, and make gre
U.s. pretensions to union, yet they are caret
ny TO keep up every bar, not only at hon
u but introduce all their sectarian peculii
i've tiles among the heather. As thou
IN what they denominate mere non-essenia
ISIS was sufficient to Justify all these sectari
!. feelings and divisions among Christial
ear Every vein in the Christian heart is op
not to Stake the thirst for non-essentials, n.
IN essentials, the annis, mint, and cummin
rid These are the brethren who oppt
pen sectarianism, and wish to break down
partition walls. If they were sincere
lat. their professions, why, when the Bapt
fly had translated the Bible into many of