Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-02-16
VOL. XIV. NO. 22

those who are acknowledged to be- right;
but on those who turn into roads of at
lenst doub tful character. But our breth-
rem of other denominations say there are
other ways to come to the Lords supper
just as good as that observed by the Bap-
fists. But the Scriptures Of divine ruth
and the Holy Ghost direct every person
the same way, as to the subjects and ordi-
nance of Baptism. Jesus Christ in his
commission TO his Apostles. says-Mat.
xviii Is. l9, 20-"Go We therefore. and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, aud of :
the Holy Ghost: teaching them to OBJ
serve all things, whatsoever [ have COM
manded you" Has Jesus Christ COM
manded Peter to 60 down into the water.
and bury or plant those who are true dis
cples in the above sacred name, and thus
introduce them into the church, and to the
Lords supper! All christians admit, that
while Peer is thus engaged. he is obey
ing the commands of Jesus Christ.
Then we ask again does Christ
command James to sprinkle infants and
unbeIievers, and call this Baptism, and
when they believe, introduce them into
the church, and to the Lords supperR
Does he command John to sprinkle in-
fants and unbelievers, and pour water up
on some that believe and others that be-
lieve not, and call it all baptism. and thus
introduce members into the church and to
the Lords supper? And is the command
of Jesus Christ thus divided? And is
! this the way to suit the consciences and
wishes of all professors? One fact is ev-
ident-if Chrst's command is thus Ovid
ed, the responsibility of dividing his peo-
pie must rest on the division of his COM
mandment. But we can never consent
THAT the command of Jesus Christ is at all
Idiyided When he commanded his min
listers to baptize, and believers in him 10
be baptized, there is one definite thing TO
be done, and We have produced the chap
ter and verse TO show what is to be done
i. e., to go down into the water, to be bur-
led, to be planted there and come up out
of the water. The chapter and verse
never has been found, and never can be,
in the Bible, showing the command for
any thing else to be baptism; or showing
a command to administer this ordinance
E to any except in Jesus Christ. Eph. iv:
5-One Lord, one faitP one baptism
II. Let us inquire, on aOhom rests the
responsibility Of dividimg christians at the
Lords table. Consulting the consciences
: Of christians. To make this subject plain,
we will suppose that Peter, James, John
t and Andrew are four young converts. be-
longing to four different congregations.
: They are happy in each others society.
J In the conference meeting, and in the
r prayer circle they rejoice together, and
n feel a great desire that this happy union
v. may continue. At length they feel it Z
d duty to go forward and unite with I
IS church, and attend the Lords supper
1t They all express a. desire to be unitec
]. and 60 together. They meet on the sub
is ject, to see if they can be agreed. They
r. are united in the opinion, that they mus
1t be baptized, which is the first step. The
H. next thing is to determine what baptism is
" Peter says it is the immersion of believ
5 er in Christ, in water, in the name of tn
d. Father, and of the Son, and OF. the Hol
ed Ghost. James, John and Andrew. a
i'll agree that this is Gospel Baptism. and de
nv clare that their consciences would be pei
es fectly satisfied with that baptism. 70
" see there is way then, that our friend
on can 60 on united and happy and all RICH
CHI And now mark who it is that makes
Sc, division Peter saws memberships fro
re- the word of God, that Immersion is Il
Is. only water baptism, and he can not co
w. scientiousIy submit to any other way, al
nat is happy to find that his brethren are
ect we'll satisfied that he is right, in his OPT
uld ion. But James says he belongs to
sr; Congregational meeting, and he can ma
18th spriukling do. He is going next Saba
nix, to be sprinkied. and to unite with Is
the church. To this Peter objects, as ne ca
not be satisfied with spriukling; and
-, James is equally satisfied with immersi'