Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-08-31
THE ORDINANCES.
LETTER FROM BROTHER DOWNS.

4
Friend Munay:-I have been a constant
reader of the Telegraph, since its first estab-
lishment. | am frank to say that have
been better satisfied with it since you have
conducted it than before. have felt deep
interest in its welfare and although had
felt some dissatisfied with the Telegraph )
within the last two years, yet its general
character and doctrine believe to have been
sound and good, till the appearance Of the
Journal. Since that, it has been, in some
things, more exceplionable = mostly its Sc
verity-till the last numbers, or your answers
to c.. Marsh in relation 10 prayer, and J.
Baldwin upon the ordinances.
New, Sir, am anxious TO know all can.
| want instruction. have been loaded with
errors long enough. / want to lay them
aside. Give me truth - Bible truth; and
God grant me heart TO receive it, and live
under its holy influence. But really, brother
Murray, can not see the force of your reas-
oning upon the ordinances. For if Moses
gave out commands and ordinances which
Christ condemned and put away, which had
their origin in depraved hearts, yet are there
not some other ordinances or appendages to
religion, which had their accomplishment
in Christ, and naturally came TO an end 3
Or if what you have said on this point in
No. ~ is correct, yet am unable TO see
how it has anything to do in setting aside
the ordinances of baptism and the supper
IL you would satisfy me that the ordinances
Of the Gospel rank with those you mention
on the old Jewish ritual, you must by Divine
authority show me what we are TO under
stand by Matt. iii. 18Th to 18th inclusive,
and Matt. xviii. 1870, together with par
allel passages. Now if you can, want you
should let me know through the Telegraph,
how you dispose of this scripture, to main
tain your position. Surely, you emit say
that it conflicts with Moses. Dear Brother:
| really think yon can not suppose your ar
gument good and satisfactory 10 yourself.
Sir, remember you require plain, clear, con-
elusive evidence of others, in such matters,
{for which like you the oetter.) And we
shall expect the same Of you. Let US have
it. And am happy to- say that you gener-
ally bring clear evidence 10 support your
statements, and the points of doctrine YOU
give US from time TO time. So far ;ts you
follow the Bible, may God enable me TO
follow you and do what little can TO sus-
tain you and the Telegraph,in spite of trad
ition and all seets in the world. For
believe it is the desire of my heart that the
saints may be stript Of error, and become
one in Christ. My prayer TO God is thai
your opponents may not drive you to des
peration. To God, and the word Of bis
grace, commend you. have hoped and
believed that His grace would be sufficien
for you; and will hope, although know
if it is in the power of human law and tht
human arm, you must fall.
: AS TO the Journal, have no notion o
:, parronizing that, or any other paper tina
, comes into existence as that did. Isdisap
prove of it altogether, as TO its birth an,
character too. United on the ground O
Truth and Righteousness We stand. Divid
ed by sectarianism We fall. May the Go
4 of light, truth and love guide you into al
I truth. And ify you have taken a step that
unscriptural, enable you TO retract seasona
= bly,, suitably and righteously. It you ar
: correct, may our minds be open TO convie
4 lion, and you be able to convince Us clearl
< and scripturally Of the fact. That we ma
be one i'll Christ Jesus. is the sincere desir
of an enquirer after truth.
Yours, in love, N. H. Downs.
Il Troy, VT, Aug. II, 1912.
MARKS.