Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-08-02

4
and promote reverence and rsspsc, 70,
the authorities o. the Church.
4. The due sdminisirstion os tho ordin-
ance OF Baptism and the Lords Supper by
the pastors, we Judge. Is in itself proper and.
bintiog, and 'ends to promote reverence for
the Church. We therefore advise that pas
tors give due notice Of the administrators
Of The Lords Supper, that oil the people
have time and occasion To prepare for the
serious and worthy reception Of The same.
And that ~ the administration Of the solemn
ordinancs the well.ronsij red 'orms be used,
as provided for US in the Discipline; which
advice, however, is not to exclude suitable
extempUre prayer and exhortation. A COM
mon form Of expression, which Il clearly
sets forth the inward doctrine and feeling,
gives strength and unity to the body Of ths
Church, and tends 10 make US Of one heart
and OF one mind. In the same way should
due regard to the forms be had In the ad.
ministrstion Of B'ptism.
D. The connexionel principles wherby the
un " Of our Church Is manifested 70 the
world Is an element of greet power for
good. and shouli be cultivated even st the
sacrifice. II need be Of minor matters. The
judgements and ntterences Of BODY of
Chris:isns are respected very much in pro.
portion 70 their rower and position in the
world. Let Hollaud or Belgium give forth
an u'iersnce, even OF great conclusion or
truth. does Eorope or the world hear il 90
II the same nu"rsnce csme rom England or
Frsncel From this grpnt fact. which We
find smonq the kingroms OF this world, ie.
the Church learn wisd I'm ard realize that
her power 10 do good BY Influencing public
opinion on questions of moril nnd religion
ia the rstio OF her position as Church pow.
er io the earth. Let all. then. che:ish the
conventional unity oft u Crrth.
6. The political influence Of the Church
canno, be proftably excited 5y the Church
as body, out only BY individuals se ci-z ms.
Bui in using their rights ard influence 10
ci,iz'ns, we have occasion IN sdmonish all
to let their manner Of using be marked with
moderation. preserving constantly the digui-
ty and sobrety OF the Christian; and le,
your influence a. individual Christiaps be
eserted with w:sdon-and we cannot re-.
irain fram saying, that one Of the wissst
ways OF exerting your influence is to attend
the primary political meetings and give -ur
voice for good and true citizens to hold the
places Of public interest and trust. We
adj, that ss the pastors Of the churches ara
."sererated unto the Gospel Of God" % says
s.. Paul, while they ought 20 exercise their
individual rights as citizens in voting, il Is
no; meet or profitable to the pastor or the
cn in h.,
q political canvass, so as to make the i'm.
preston thst he has given himself un6u'v
to worldly affairs, and to this extent failed to
to devote himself to the holy ministery unto
which God has separated and consecratsd
him. '.ra
7. We have scarcely sny occasion 10 say
anything to yon BY way of sdmoniftfn,
ynu TO e sound in the faith From the be.
ginning until now We have held fast the
sound Of words expressing TO US the faith
once delivered to the saints. Only in two
point, has there been even q, senblunce Of
difference among us-and these regard the
well established and well-retined doctrius
Of Christian perfection, aud the subtle and
unavoidable doctrine of infsnt regeneration
hy baptism. To these the bishops have al.
luted in their Address to the General Con.
!erancN, and we accept their Statement of
these two points of doctrine, adopt Them a.
our own. and commend them TO you. Ths
bishops cav:
Our ministers are generally Wesleyan
in heir fifth ,n] prsa hing touching his
subject, and in laboring to rightly divide the
word of God. usually give TO its due promin.
ence and urgency.-We judge that in your
wisdom and pastoral love YOU my so pre-
sent mi. subject 10 the Char1h as TO cor
rect an'error there may be among US ip ,e.
gard to it, and encours ge our people to prove
in their personal experience that rhe blood
of Jesus CHRIS, clcnneth from sin-that the
very God Of peace sancrifes wholly. and pre-
serves spirit. soul and bndy blameless unto
the coming Of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ave ronfsss, also, to some opprehension
OF error On 'hs su5jee, nf infant rejsneration
creeping in amongst US. We know not that
it can be said TO reslly exist in the Church.
But we fear thst our Just zeal for the spir.
itual welfare Of childhood. and our inspiring
views Of the great benefits of the ntonement
may divert our attention from the seventh
article OF Religion IN our Decipline. viz:
"Orpional sin 10 the corruption Of the na.
ture Of every man that naturally 10 engen.
dered of the offspring Of Adam, whereby
man Is so far gone from original righteous.
ness, and Of HI. own iure inclined IS evil.
ard that continually" With these, 90 We
hope, only seeming difference Of sentiment,
In theology, cur doctrnal unity 10 up'mpsir.
ed" ,lt. i
8. Dor young men in the ministry we
gravely and earnestly adviss 10 devote their
first years in the public service of the Cos.
pc, to training their hearts and minds for
their great work. laying aside and seduously
avoiding all exciting subjects in Church or
State. Thus they will acquire a streangth
and symmetry Of mind and character, to-
gather wi readiness and facility os action,
that will enable them not only to show
themselves worthy wcrkme1 In the pulpit,
but able controversialists, shonld any occa.
sion OF Church controversy arise to them.
We are satisfied that many young men have
failed to attain. their true and possible em;n.
ence in the mines'ry because they gave too
much attention and strength in .heir earlier