Smyrna times., 1869-07-14
For the Smyrna Times.l
ORIGIN OF BAPTESTS,o -

In former number OF the ZINES, l claimed
that the Baptism of John was not the Christ.
ian Baptism; and that the followers Of John
the BIptist were not even PrOtestants. In do
ing this | referred to the origin of the Baptists
as sect. To the the main point, the baptism
OF JOhn-your correspondent, .. f. Elippo,
does not attempt to reply, which makes it un-
necessary Ill me to continue the argument He
does, however, challenge the correctness of our
position in regard to the origin of the sect. He
quotes from the best authority he can find
the learned MOnshem, who says, "the true
origin OF the sect is hidden in the DEPTHS of
antiquity; and still further, he quotes from
the baptist ltsttOr, which says of Monsheim,
that amid the scenes of Apostolic labor, in
the purest ages of the church, he traced their
ertStence 6ut not their Origin." He traced their
existence to the Waldenses of Germany, in the
beginning OF the sixteenth century where they
were found in their purity, advocating, and
taxing up arms to enforce polygamy. FlippO
says he IS not ashamed of his connection with
them. We never said he was. Judging from
the number OF clergymen that have been dealt
with Tor seduction, ETC., during the past few
years, there are more than he, that are 'tnot
ashamed, etc, of the Waldenses' baptists.
we are pleased with the beautiful apostro-
phe OF the, VtSitor about the scenes of the
Jordan and the Pentecost; we love to dwell
6e9lnnlng, not of the Baptist sect. bnt of
Christianity. Flippo must recolIect that when
the risen Saviour met HIS disciples, he BREATH
ed upon them the true baptism, and being
hlled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost
they went forth on the day of Pentecost
John and his disciples had nothing to do with
the scenes of the Pentecost. John had not
been honored with an apostleship. Johns
apostles continued to follow John, after our
Saviour had commenced his ministry; and
there are reasonable doubts, whether John
ever did have the full measure of faith in
Jesus, TOR after he was put in prison, and lust
before his death, he sent two of his oacn dis
clpies to inquire of Jesus, if he was really the
true Messiah, or whether another was to fol-
low: IT Our John, the Baptist preach
er. claimed by Flippo, had been a true wor.
shipper he would have joined his forces with
Jesus OF Nazareth; but, no! We hear of two
OF John disciples that went to Jesus. What
became of the others All, probably there is
the connecting link between John and the
Waldenses We do have historical record of
sect that fourished for a time along the
shores of the Jordan, who called themselves
Christians of st. John, who baptised accord.
Ing to Johns baptism, but who denied the
lrlhlty. Here may be the true origin of the
sect; who can tell? We Go not wish Ia
Our
John" he was a Jew, one of Gods pecnIiar
people, and he died a Jew, for he was not be.
headed for any heresy. When Jesus testified
OF the prophesy of John he laid great stress on
the words, that =" the least in the Kingdom of
Heaven was greater than he"
The ministrations on the day of Pentecost
were by the disciples appointed and ordained
OF Christ, and not by those of John the Ban
tIst. The great leader on that occasion was
Peter; and if Peter had done as the Baptists
do now,-put on gum elastic suit and dipped
each sS one with the appropriate ceremony, and
allowing twelve hours day, and one to each
minute, 1t would have kept him standing in
the water constantly over four days If a
Baptist minister could do so in those days
they could do it now, for the cause is lust as
holy and just as necessary.
Peter, it is true, was an extraordinary Amos
tie. 1t was he who built the first church in
Rome, IN the year s, and from that dav to this.
both its history and tradition are we'll aut6en-
tlcated. There is no lack of evidence: while
Monsheim s depths of antiquity" have not
even a tradition.
-, ,FllppO makes a fling at Wesley and Calvin
we do not know that either of these gentle.
men have anything to do with the controversy
p III of Norfnlk