Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-07-06

i
ordinances had existence and will be so
Throughout eternity, after these ordinances
have become useless and have passed
away.
Perhaps [ shall be told at this point
that our love to God is to be shown and
approved by keeping all his command
ments. There is nothing more true than
this. Il is thething would always have
before me, and enjoin upon all around me.
am not one of those who allow it to be
non-essential whether we obey or disobey
the least commandment that can be clear
lily shown TO reach US and be binding on
US. Love to God forbids our disobeying
him in any thing. And we give evidence
OF our love to him no farther than we man
ifesl readiness to obey him 10 all things.
Probably no considerate person will de.
ny that these ordinances. as has already
been shown, came into use as things of
clreumstance-and not as resting on nat
ural, eternal law. was happy to find
/ such man as r. w. Cushman admitting
the truth Of this position, and to see il pub.
lIshed without any disclaimer 10 the
Christian Watchman, the organ of the
Baptist denomination for Massachusetts.
/ Well, production of these ordinances hay.
ing depended on circumstances, their con-
tsa@atson must depend on circumstances.
The question to be settled is, to know
whether we are in circumstances that
make them binding on US. Brother Bald
| wins question is, to know whether Christ
designed them to be continued beyond the
apostolic age. find nothing in the scrip.
lures going to settle that point. one way
or the other. | perceive no objection to
their being continued and used BY all who
esteem il to be their duty and their priyi-
lege to use them. This may be thought
to be leaving too much 10 the conscience
and the discretion. But does not the prac-
ice OF the church leave very much here,
after all Have they not departed wide.
~ from the primitive practice tits gen.
orally thought, believe, that in apostolic
times the supper Was eaten every week,
or al every general stated meeting. But
nov liberty is taken to exercise discretion
IN the matter. Once month-once in
two months, or six months, or twelve |
lis supposed to answer every purpose.
And convenience is consulted in regard 10
the time Of administering baptism. But
what IS more. the church has assumed the
power OF deciding who shall have baptism
and who not. Was there any thing of
this kind in primitive practice2 Show
me the evidence. / have not found il.
Everything in the case, so far as | can
see, was then left to the candidate ardtbe
administrator. Take the case of John and
Christ-PhilIip and the Eunuch-the
apostles going about from place to place. |
Take any and every instance recorded
Is there the least evidence or indication
that the candidates were required to sub |
scribe to a written creed, or to an extended !
set OF dogmas propounded to them /? To
manifest belief with all the heart that
Christ was the Son of God, and Of course
disposition TO become his follower. was
all that was required. And this, as / said
before. was settled between the candidate
and the administrator. Nothing beyond
this can be found within the lids ofthe Bi.
Die. How different the practice now.
is now taken into the hands oil
he church. tnow goes by numbers and
naJorltles. Candidates must now come
on to the bed -four pariy-must subscribe
Q this particular belief that, and the 9th.
u, which we hold ou. 10 them-and
arge part OF these dogmas depending en-.
l:ely on constructions put upon the scrip :
they can receive.b aptism or !
ne supper. Thus a profession Of belief !
Win the party. in distinctive dognas, and :
reception Of baptism at the hands of the
aay' IS made to be more than everything j
lse-more than practical love to God 4
no 10 man. As many as will subscribe f
the creed Of the party. and receive the g
arlys baptism, may go out and regulate Q
lelr conduct Upwards the If f.llo.,. :, =, Q