Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-04-09
MISCELLANEOUS,
From the Biblical Recorder. -.
Bnptis. Bonrd Of Foreign Missions,
AND THE ALABAMA CONVENTION.
BOSTON Dec. II, 1914.

were passed by the =" Baptist State Con-
venlion Of Alabama And as there is a
demand for distinct and explicit answers
from our Board, 10 The Inquiries and pro-
positions which you have been pleased 10
make, we have given TO them our delber-
ate and candid attention.
Before proceeding 10 answer them, al
low US to express our profound regret,
that. they were addressed to US. They
were pot necessary. We have never as a
Board either done, or omitted 10 do any
thing, which requires the explanation and
avowals that your Resolutions demand ,
They also place US in the new and trying
position of being compelled to answer hyp.
olhe,ical questions, aud to discuss. prnci-
pies; or OF seeming TO be evasive and timid,
aud not, daring TO give you The informa-
ton and satisfaction which you desire.-
If, therefore,, in answering with entire
frankness your inquiries and demands. we
should express opinions which may be un.
satisfactory or disPleasipg to you, our plea
| mast be, that.a necessity was laid upon
k1s. We had no other alternative, without
being wanting apparently, in that manly
openness which ought to characterize the
correspondence of Christian brethren.
Iu your first Resolution, you say, that
when one party 10 voluntary compact.
between Christian brethren is not willing
TO acknowledge the entire social equality
of the other, as 20 all the privileges aud
benefits Of the union, nor even 10 refrain
from impeachment and annoyance, united
efforts between such parties, even in the
sacred cause of Christian benevolence,
cease TO be agreeable, useful, or proper
as a Board we have The high conscious.
ness, 10 act 10 accordance therewi,h. We
have never called in question your social
equality as TO all The privileges aud bene.
fits Of the Foreign Missionary Union Nor
have we ever employed our official iuAu
euce in impeaching or annoying you.-
Should we ever do this, '.our united ef-
forts, as you justly say, would cease 10
be agreeable, useful, or. proper .,..
In, your second Resolution, you, de
mand the disIiucl and explicit avowal,
that shareholders are eligible and entitled
10 all the privileges and irnmunities which
lie Constitution Of The Baptist General
Convention permits, and grants TO lis
members. We would not deprive either
Of any Of the immunilies OF the mutual
contract. In regard, however, 10 any
agency, mission, or other appointment, no
STAKEHOLDER or non. 81 avenolder however
large his subscriptions 10 Foreign Mis-.
sionS, or those of The Church with which
he is connected, is on that account entitled
10 be appointed 10 any agency or a mis-
sion. The appointing power, for wise
and good reasons, has beeu confided 10 the
Acting Board,' they holding themselves
accountable 10 The Convention for the dis
Greet and faithful discharge of this trust.
Should you say, tile ABOVE remarks
are not sufficiently explicit, We wish dis
linctly to know, whether the board would
or would not appoint STAKEHOLDER as
missionary i-belore directly replying, we
would say, that in the thirty years IN
which the Board has existed, no slave.
holder, to our knowledge has applied to be
missionary. And, as we send out no
domeslics or servants, such an event as
missionary taking slaves with him were
it morally right, could not, in accordance
with all our past arrangements or present
plans, possibly occur. If, however, any
one should offer himself as a missionary
having slaves, and should insist on retain
ing them as bis property, we could not ap-
point him. One thing is certain, we Gun
never be party to any arrangement which
would imply appreciation of slavery. 49,.
In your third resolution, you say, that,
whenever the competency or fitness Of an
individual 70 receive an appointment is
under discussion, if any question arise af-
fecling his morals, or his standing in lel-
lowship as a Christian, such question
should not be disposed of to the grief Of
the party without ultimate appeal TO the
particular church of which such an indi.
vidual is member, as being the only body
ON earth, authorized by the Scriptures, or
competent 10 consider and decide this class
of cases.
Tn regard to our Board, there is no point
on which we are more unanimously agreed,
than that Of the independence Of Church
es We dsclaim all and every pretension
TO interfere with the discipline of any
church. We fellowship no one. New
ertheless, were person 10 offer himself as
a candidate for missionary service, al,ho'
commended by his church as 10 good stand
ing, we should feel it our duty to open our
eyes on any facts 10 the disadvantage Of
his moral and religious character which
might come under our observation. And
while we should not feel that it was our
province 10 excommunicate, or discipline
candidate of doubtful character, yet we
should be unworthy of our trust, if we did
not, although he were member Of
church, reject his application. 1t is for
the Board to determine ON The prudential,
moral, religious, and theological fitness of
each one who offers himself as a mission.
ary; it is for the church Of which such an
one is member, to decide whether be be
fit person to belong to their body.
The other resolutions, which were pass
ed in yourrccent Convention, regard more