The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-18

tons for ali the success he has met with in life or
on the stage. Twelve years ago, while boy, he
performed at an amateur establishment in this
city. soon after, upaided by friends, and with an
independent spirit, he paid, by his labor, for
passage TO New Orleans. There he soon ingratiated
hinssl into the esteem Of her citizens, and by per-
severance and industry to a high rank as a
merchant. lie the warm patron Of the dra-
matte art, and bis generous impulses, We learn,
have been, for ten years past Of great service to
those who have professionally visited that city
how uDgratefully returned, in some Instances,
il is best tO forget. Some few years ago, he estab-
lshed an amateur theatre in that cty-stl carried
on with success-and there 1t that be had oppor-
tunes for some portion ofhis practice in the art. In
one Of bis visits to this city, he performed ANA
teur engagement with considerable success; and
after returning to New Orleans, closed his business
as u chant, in which he had gained an honor
able name; and, two years ago, announced his in
tentcn to make the stage his entire and study
year ago last spring, he again visited this city,
ard performed a fair engagement at the Broadway
theatre 1t was near the close of the season. but
he made a favorable impression-and excited the
hopes OF this journal and the public for brilliant
future for him. From that hour he was encouraged
in his aIduous and uphill work, and, more particu-
envous mahce--eyidences of which came directly
to our 1t was at this time, too, that the
talent exhibited by the tragedian attracted the at
tention of one Of our writer's. He had by him a
tragedy" Cacinna'-written originally for the
elder Van denhof. The production placed at
the disposal of buchanan. In twenty-four hours he
decided to appear in it., and, without suggestion
from the author and without any alteration of his
scenes, he subsequently produced it in New York
and in every principal city of the Union. This fact,
SO creditable to the tragedian, has had its weight
with because it shows tn at the artist has mind
willing and bold to grasp new characters-that does
not wrap itself in its own selfish MANTLE but wh,h
is ready to meet the dramatists of country with
generous feeling, and with prompt decision,
like anything heretofore known to the American
stage Envy may misreprerent the motives of
critics. or the merits Of artists, but critic
elevate, by fulsome praise or senseless eulogiun,
any work Of art which does not bear the test Of true
criticism, So also. individual caprice, indifference,
deracOn, or In alice, can never long stand opposed
to the object of public admira ton and esteem.
The Baptist Church In the United States
ITS Rise. Progress, and Present Condition.
This important church, which is of the largest
in the United States, may very fairly be traced
back as far as the Waldenses, for which reason, it
has been contended for by some, and denied by
others, that the Wadenses maintained Baptist
principles. But the testimonies brought forward
have been conflicting, which is accounted for by the
fact that the term Weaknesses is generic, denoting
not sect only, but all that vast body Of dssen
tients which were spread over Europe for many
centuries, differing from each other in worship,
forms, and creeds; and agreeing but in one thing
that of opposing the Church of Rome.
Amid ali the corruptons Of the Roman church, it
has been affirmed with what accuracy 1t is not our
present business to nquire) that the few dissenters
therefrem were generally 3aptists. Still, there
must have been vast NUMBER about the time of the
Reformation, who were not Baptsts for the quarrel
between the Purtans and Bsptists, we are told be-
gan in Holland, amongst the refugees who fed
there from the civil and religious prosecutions
under James the First and Charles the First and
though they settled the Baptist question,
they all returned deeply i'm ued with the principles
of elgious liberty, from their seeing the effect of
these principles in the national prosperity Of Ho
land. it is easy to perceive how the religious and
political sentiments of the two bodies would pass
ever here, and the same ideas be projected in the
other world, as it was called on this side the
Atlantic.
Blu: the first orgnation of Baptist peculiarties
in the United States, is said to have sprung up
spontaneously. One Roger Williams, a Presbyter
Of 'hc Church of England, it appears, emigrated
to the colony Of Massachusetts, early in the
eenth century. Possessing ardent love OF IL
berry, be became in sent nent, Puritan; and find
ing the church of the colony welding civil power,
he preached the idea that civil governm ents being
constitute only for secular ends, the State magis
trate had right to interfere in religious alters,
and that church established by law, could not, as
to its outward order, be true one lie opposed
the exclusiveness which confined the right Of poiti
cal suflrag, to church members, which compelled /
attendance on public worship, and required the
payment Of taxes for its support. For thus oppos-
ing The established order of things then existing
amongst the New Englanders, he was prosecuted, |
tried by the General Court convi;ted and sentenced
L. .aA he urhfa oh anta
being pronounced in the depth Of winter, he was
permitted to remain till spring, when he fed to
the indians. Among the children of the forest, he
met with hearty welcome, and received a grant
Of lands for the purpose Of founding colony, which
Sc touched the secret tanaticsm of his nature that
he called the new settlement Providence. Here,
he vas joined hy others; and in few years, was
pastor Of large church, the Governor Of a iou-
riShing colony, and the President of Rhode Island
But ne row professed Baptist opinions and there
be ng no minister Of that persuasion in New Eng
land, he caused himself to be bsptised by Hali-
nan, lay member of his church, and deputy Co
vernon Of Rhode island after which BIO in turn bap-
Used said Mailman and ten Others and thus for ned
he first Baptist church in America, in the year
leJ9. An attempt was made to establish a church
1t Boston, but il was put down by the government.
Twenty years afterwards, there was one formed at
Jold Spring. in Pennsylvania; soon afterwards one
n Philadelphia and in the year 1902, the First
Baptist Church in New York. But we need not
race further-suicient TO say tha. since the Revo-
luton, which secured equal rights and protection to
A reets, Of whatever belief, the sentiments Of the
Papt.sts have extensively prevailed through every
part Ct the Union.
The doctrines known TO be very generally held by
the Bsptists, those Of the Presbyterian church.
and derived from the same catcchisms and confes-
sions; out there has never been anything in the
shape Of CereFal Assembly or Conference, in which
the entire church could be represented. there il
grca. latitude II belief, ranging fromi Armeniansm
up to Celvansm, high Calvansm, and what is pro-
perly called Calvanism run to seed. When each
church issr Independent body ofitself with power
Of making is rules and regulations and without