Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-01

ny persons laboring under embarrassment in re-
lstion to the doctrine OF baptism. Whatever
embarrassment is felt by any is produced, gen.
orally, by the insiduous, or more open, efforts
OF bap,sts to make proseytes. There would
he little or no embarrassment, if they pursued
christian course on the subject
He, moreover, SAYS that l.. ID. l., has ad-
vanced nothing new on his side Of the question.
II need only be sald that there is nothing new,
nor is there any need of new arguments /; the
old are enough. But to put down the implied
boasting OF Mr.. Hall that he has offered some-
thing new, tell him, that have read, fifty
times, all he has said, or can say on the subject
There is no originality, either in his argu-
nents, or manner; the one is dry and common
place, and the other stale. We simply oppose
assertion to assertion, when we adapt his Ian
guage TO our purpose, and reply, that "the trite
old, worn out, arguments, which have been
used thousand times in support of immersion,
have been as often fairly met, and triumphanty
refuted." am Chapman too, and can crow
as loud, and long, as Mr.. Hall. But what gan
| ask, on either side, from such contemplate
al homnem rguments--merc selfish appeals
to the feelings!
Mr.. Hall considers that, when L. ID. l.. was
penning his arguments he, possibly, had his
minds eye upon the sign ofa certain mechanic.
Possibly he had and suppose it thus read ::
"AN sorts Of tpisting and turning done here, +"
by-A Baptist.
Mr.. Hall thinks that L. has only index learn
ing, and the eel of science by the tail. Very
smart But query--Has Mr.. Hall got hold
even ofthe tail of science! To match his po-
etry, offer the following "a little learning
is dangerous thing Drink deep, or taste not
of the Perian spring"
He mentions Calvin twice, as the founder OF
the Presbyterian church. ] remark, that the
Presbyterian church is "built on the foundation
ofthe Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ him
self being the chief cornerstone" Presbyteri-
ans appeal to the scriptures to prove their reli-
gious principles. IT, however, Mr.. Hall mere
| ly meant to say that Calvin-who, at the age OF
"a, was pronounced to be the most learned man
| in Europe--was one of the chief Instruments
at the Reformation, of restoring the truth
which had long been buried under the rubbish
ofpopery, we have no objection to be called afte,
his name. And, the old Baptists glory in the
| name Of Calvansts. But alas the times arc
changed. Though there is a large number o
the Baptists who still hold to their integrity
yet, new class has arisen, who seem to have
bet little sympathy with the glorious doctrines
Of the Reformation and, as to telling wha
they do hold, besides immersion, it is out of m,
power. Itappears to me that their creed is
very convenient one, adapting tselfto all, S,
that they may win some TO the water. Bu
what can be expected Of a denomination tha
has no bond of union, but immersion--in whcl
every congregation is a complete mobocracy
and the wise and the ignorant, men, women
and children, are all rulers together! Dis
order and error are the legitimate fruits @
such government II, however, Mr.. Hall in
tended to speak dsrespectfuly of ofPresbyterians
as connected with John Calvin, would refe
him to the origin Of his denomination, in Ger
many, about 800 years since, derived fror
Muntzer, most fanatical leader of rebels. Or
| might refer him to the origin Of the Baptif
denomination in the United States, some %
years since, which was, on this wise, as take
from the excellent work of DR.. Kurtz on bar
tism. "The founders, or originators of the Bar
tist Church in the United States, viz: Roge
Williams and his disciples, were not one
them baptized in adult age"-that is, the
were baptized in infancy. He then append
, this note: "Rev. Roger Williams es'ab ishe
; the first Baptist Church in America, at PROV
dence, Rhode Island, in 1859. Mr.. William
had been Pastor Of the church Congregations
! in Salem, Massachusetts. Mr. Ezekiel IIoll
! man was deacon OF the same church. Whc
the church in Providence was organized,
zekiel Iiolyman (the deacon) re-baptized NJ
, Williams. Then Mr.. Williams re-baptize
Ezekiel IIolyman, and ten others. Accordin
r to the system of our Baptist br rethern, Meth,
Of them was baptized, nor had any right to ba
: tie others. This is the origin of the Bapti
f church in America, and Of course of its ba
: tisms. See Morton's Memorial of New En-
: land, Winthrops Journal aud Bacchus' ChurC
= History"
e Mr.. Hall quotes Calvin in their favor. I
o does say, that baptizo signifies to immerse. b
e Calvin was not immersed, and he preferr
IS sprnkling or pouring, and practised it, al
e considered it particularly proper in cool C