The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-09-07
Fer the Bolivar B1uetln.
Christianity

farce. Ii is all truth or the veriest hypoe-
ricy in the world; It IS designated by love-
by this all men shall know you are my dis
ciples if you have love one for another.
Christianity proper never produced dissen- |
ton; minor matters are always the cause Of /
trouble. The origin Of the revolutionary /
war Of 76 was about a little taxation, and /
our last war was about a few negroes, as a |
germ that the New England States stole from
Africa about three hundred years ago, and
when they became improbable sold them
to our Southern people and freed them by
brute force without principle. So baptism
has created more hostility than the atone
meEt among good christians and sectarians.
Liberality is the heart Of christianity. Let
every individual choose their own mode Of
baptism. 1 have no right to select any mode
for any person, according to Peter. BaP-
tism is not the putting away the filth Of the
flesh, but the answer of a good Conscience
neither has any branch of the church
right to do so, and that is one reason why l
am a Methodist; because she permits all to
read, think and act for themselves in all
church matters. Let mans own conscience
and Judgment direct him in this matter, and
let us. acquiesce in his preference.
Refusing to exchange pulpits with other
denominations has no countenance from
genuine bible christianity. Such practice
is illiberal, and without the appreciation of
God. The four prevailing denominations OF
our country can meet on common ground,
and work in reviyals with each other. Ex-
change pulpits, and rejoice without secta-
rian bigotry IN hope of heaven. hope tho
day viii come speedily when all barriers
that create distinctions and divisions be-
tween denominations as to communion and
church fellowship shall become obsolete for
ever. Then all christians can-sing the I33d
Psalm in truth and verify Behold how
good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity"
Close communion is another great OBJ
struction in the way of christian iberality.
Many honest, true hearted christians prac-
tice close communion who are opposed to
it. and they doit to maintain the law of their
church upon this subject and practice, and
1 give them credit for it, for would not live
in any church if / could not observe her
prominent rules; but no priest, or minister
or church, has any right to say who shall
take the Lords supper. But let man ex
anime himself and so let him eat Of that
bread and drink Of that cup" LIST Cor 18th
chap. 28th verse. God and eternal truth
the holy bible, has decided this matter Nc
man or set of men, nor any church, shall ST
! in Judgments to my qualifications for taking
the communion. God says let man exam
, inc himself upon this point
Exclusion in christianity is opposed t,
the laws of our country. Suppose the doc
trine and standard of any branch of tn,
n church was to assert there is no other brancl
+ but their own, no ministry, sacraments o
= ordinances ordained and set apart by Go,
a save their own. Every sensible man vii
a see at once that it Is in open violation of on
civil law upon the great subject of matri
. mony The civil law of our country say
s any accredited minister Of the gospel of an
t branch of the church of Christ is author
/ zed to perform the right of matrimony
= Church exclusion says not, and according {
p their judgment they are not married becaus
q the ceremony was not said by priest VII
belongs to the exclusive order. Cous'
= quentIy nearly 81 the people are living
is concubinage or adultery, and their ehildre
r are bastards according to the doctrines an
/ conclusions of some churches in our eoul
y try, while the civil law pronounces it a
e. legal and scripturaL
Jesus, the great teacher was opposed
l. exclusion. And John answered him, say
= ing Master, we saw one casting out devil
y in thy name, and he followeth not US, and W
lie forbid him because he followeth not Vi
a But Jesus said, forbid him not, for there
- no man which shall do miracle in my nam
IS that can lightly speak evil of me. Mari
y 9th chap 38th, seth verses.
y, IN 1 never expect to live in any church tn,
9e will not let me choose my own mode of bal
:" tism, that practices close communion, an
H. that viii not exchange pulpits with me, an
a it shall be my business through life to di
n courage all such unscripturaI practices an
ne ilhberal principles. J. H. GARRETT.
ly Bolivar, September 4, 1867.
q The