The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-20
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Classic Baptism.
HOW HAS IT BEEN RECEIVED !?

This work has now been before the
public about six months. Trite as is the
general theme of Baptism, "Classic " Bap-
tism explores field never before thor
oughly examined. The results reached
change the point of view from which the
whole subject must be looked at. The
investigation is limited, strictly and wise
ly, to the fundamental idea in the word
BApTIzo and the development of that
idea under classic usage. If this point
cannot be controversially settled, no point
can be settled. Until it is settled, the
discussion of the scriptural usage must
be pointless and endless. One party or
the other will be sure to object to con-
clusions reached, and point away to the
"without form and void " of classic
usage as full of apology for their dissent.
Six months is long time in these days
for book to be before the public; quite
long enough to test its character. How
has it been received? This question
is answered, in one direction, by the
fact that a second edition has been called
for in about four months, and that repre-
sentative men in twelve different de-
nominations-Bishops, Pastors, Laymen,
Professors, Editors--and more than twenty
Colleges, Universities, and Theological
Seminaries have given to this book the
most extraordinary favor. In another
direction-Baptist ward-the book has
been received with a very ominous 81
lence. When it was first announced, be-
fore publication, Baptists gave forewarn,
ing that when it came forth they "would
take care of it" 1t has been published
six months and they have " taken
care" to let 1T alone. A caveat against
the conclusion from this silence that
the book is unanswerable " is enter
ed by a Baptist editor on the plea,
that copies were not sent to Baptists, but
they were compelled to buy them. Now,
it SO happens that 1 know of copy be-
ing received by Baptist editor some six
monts ago, who promised review of it,
but has not yet done it. l chance to
know of another copy sent to a Baptist
editor, by request, that it might be
reviewed, but after an interval of some
months the review has not come. And
it is within my knowledge that yet an
other copy was sent, months since, to an
other leading Baptist, (editor, l believe
but no review has followed This silence
is certainly no proof "that the book is
unanswerable;" but it is certainly re-
markable. The review will come some
day no doubt, and none the less marked
by the fruits of Baptist scholarship be-
cause of the unwonted delay.
But has this silence been absolutely
unbroken? Well, not absolutely. Three
Baptist papers have noticed the book.
Prominent among these is the Christ'a"
Press. This paper has fathomed all the
mysteries of the book and weighed, i'll
incest balance, the character of its au-
thor. The book is declared to be g a
superficial, worthless thing, entitled to no
respect Hearken! 0 ye Professors OF
Hebrew and Greek and Latin and An
glo Saxon, who so blunderingly indorSed
this superficial and worthless thing,
and recant your judgment. Do this the
more promptly seeing that this " Daniel
come to judgment" had never seen the
book he "blesses." And what about
the author? Oh, he knows him "lke a
book" Listen! "The author is an ig.
noramus, '-"a mere pastor, =" lives ii
small country village, upstart, =