Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-07-28
VERMONT TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON, SATURDAY, JULY "a, 1874.
For the Vermont Telesraph.
i X TIE NDED CONyMUN MON.

J bIOtHeE murray -
understand that some Baptist church
es have adopted the practice of inviting to
their communion table such persons as have
been immersed, who still belong TO churches
of other denominations; and to avoid, as
may be supposed, the inconvenience of de-
Tending what is called open communion,
they call it extended communion. Now all
our churches, presume, are not prepared
to adopt this practice without some further
examination. for one would wish to pro,
pose some questions on the subject, for my
further satisfaction, and perhaps the salts
faction Of Others. And
ISL Would such churches receive all to
communion who have been immersed, OF
whatever denomination; or would you make
discrimination and if the latter, where
would you draw the discriminating line :?
I'd. What propliety is there in receiving
a person 10 our communion, while we deny
the body or church to which he belongs?
Sd. 1t so happens that many persons
who have been excluded from the Baptist
church, (and of course have been baptized,
have united with churches Of other demon
nations. Would you invite such to the
communion?
4rh. 1t may be that persons who have
been immersed aud have joined churches Of
other denominations are unsound in the
faith, or hereical IN principle; and it i2 GER
tain that they are SO if they, understand
themselves, and the Baptists are sound III
their doctrine Would you make INNER
sion the aIl-imporlant and only essential
term of christian or church fellowship? il
so, would you not verify what our opponents
have often said Of Us, and which we have
as often denied, viz: That we make all oul
religion consist in going into the water?
5th II a member Of Baptist church
should make it his practice to go TO the
communion table Of the various denomina
tons in our land, proc!aiming abroad tina
he disagreed with the church 10 which he
belonged, on the subject of communion, &c.
would gu still hold him in good standing
IL you would, why not the whole church &C
wiz him-and then why maintain a separ
ate Baptist church at all? Or is that RICH
lin members of other bodies, which woult
be breach Of fellowship in members Of
our own?
9Th. 1t may be, and often is the cas-
that persons who have been baptized an
belong to churches of other orders are I'm
moral in their lives; and the4 church t
which such persons belong are remiss ii
discipline: will you extend your commun
ion beyond the reach of your care and dis
cipline? And further-such churches ma
hold TO rules of discipline very wide from
what we hold TO be scriptural-as is tn
|, case with Presbyterians and Methodists.
s7th. IL such individuals as are allude
10 above are in fellowship with Baptis
churches, and the churches are. in fellow
ship with thelns why not join in full: an
if not in fellowship, what is it but hYpocri
Isy to practically profess it by aParticipatio
together OF the communion Of the body an
blood Of Christ?
9Th. is il not often The case that Will
Eone, two or three may be brought torwar
Ewho belong TO other orders, number
|. the most substantial members OF the chure
are driven from the communion table,
al least their feelings are greatly wounded
1t is certain that the practice alluded
e, above has caused and will cause division
our churches. But if The truth requires
il can not be helped. The truth must
maintained, regardless Of Consequences
But,mafk them which cause divisions an
offenses contrary to- hc doctrine which J
have learned. 1.-THE Baptist church do n
maintain the purity of Gospel order ar
ordinances, know not what will becon
Of il, for it seems certain that no other d
nomination will. Great and weighty r
sponsibility rests therefore on the Bapti
bchurches, to keep the ordinances as thu
are delivered to US in the scriptures, as W.
as 10 maintain purity in all other respec
lAnda special share Of this responsible
0pon her ministers who are set Tor
ds|elise Of the Gospel May il never