Smyrna times., 1869-07-07
For the Smyrna Times.I
ORIGIN OF RAPTFSTS-

When the learned MOnsheim, after tracing
tne origin OF every sect, came to the Anabap-
lists, or NlennOnites, that laborious investipa-
tor paused and said
! The true origin of this sect is hidden in
the depths or antiquity; and it is of conse.
quence extremely difficult to be ascertained"
Never was truer statement penned. All
up the stream OF ecclesiastical history he had
tracked them--up to its main spring he had
gone, and found them there. Amid the scenes
OF apostolic labor, in the purest ages of the
Church, he traced their eristencp INT not hc;r
GGr'gm' Further up into the light of inspired
history he would not pass. Their origin was
hidden IN those remote depths of antinuitv
1t could be found in the Epstles and Acts Of
the Apostles and in the testimony of ,Tesus
But here he would not seek for their origin
ana SO he proclaimed that it was lost. 1t is
not ma IN those remote depths. 1t stands
I9rth IN unadorned simplicity OIL the shores of
the Jordan, amid the scenes of the PentecoSt
and the cities of Greece, while the New TeSts
ment filings food of historic light over the
whole subject. Here, then, is our ancestry-
OF whom we are prOud-the origin of our de-
nomlnatl0n-tOr which we are grateful
On the shores of the Jordan, thronged with
the wondering citizens of Jerusalem, and the
ga herring multitudes of Judea, the harbinger
OF the Messiah announced the setting up of
the Kingdom of Jesus-the institution of the
Church OF Christ. The last of the prophets
ana the hr3t of the heralds of the Gospel. like
the star OF morning, shining clear and radiant
from the bright sky, and then fading awav in
the cloudleSs splendOr of the orb of dav-in
the beginning Of the gospel of Jesus Christ
came John, baptlslng in the wilderness. That
was the brginninq. '''V
Amid the multitudes stood Jesus. Behold
the Lamb of God! exclaimed the enraptured
herald OF the kingdom. And then in those
waters, cnnsecrated by thousand sacred asso-
cations, Jesus was baptised, while from the
parting heavens came the approving voice of
IHe In rather, and the amounting symbol of the
lioly Ghost Thus it was, and there il was
that our denomination had its origin. Nor can
learning nor ingenuity fix another spot nor
another period "0'
BdPttStS the flag that floats over Won is
that OF Jesus On[y; the principles that govern
you have the authority of Jesus OnH tbn
ordinances which distinguish You have the ex.
ample OF Jesus OnLy; and the founder of vour
Churches Idnd Is Jesus Only.-Baptia Visitor, Nor.
. The above, Mr.. Editor, is satisfactory ro.
tutatlon OF the following extract from the let.
"ter " Vi IL; OF Norfolk, In a late issue of your
paper lie says, " We hear of them, (tbe
baptlsts) for the first time as a few scattering
NTefma0V.
about the 18th and 10th centuries. without f2I',
lowers or church Organzation," &c. The man
no doubt, intended to be correct, and Is as ac'
curate IN statement as men generally are who
prefer trgdttt0n rather than the facts Of God'O
W ord. We are not ashamed of our connec.
hon with the Waldenses nor are weashamed
1t our connection with John. He was rood
man" filled with the Holy Ghost from his his
n95heF;s 5 c womb" This is more than % can 'l be-
said OF John. Wesley or John Calvin, ~ His IL
M 2r 5achlng was in the power and spirit of Elijah
;se truths should put persons on their guard
ganSt g.I those who speak lightly of the ministry
u the hrSt Baptist that so they may Justify their
@ 'wn conduct in rejecting or neglecting his the
my water baptism that is from heaven. Our
.phn had one peculiar honor, above ali Others,
1e baptised esus Christ, our Lord. He went ' to
3 eb,aptIst minister for this service. The sight f
ms baptism was at that time well pleasing e
Q all IN heaven, and to all on earth who, with s.
ohn, were walking in the way of righteous. O
ess. 10 all baptised believers. the same. ft
Iere 1t repeated now, would be "Well pleas
~ but to the most of those who call them
ewes Christians it would be offensive-among n
ne offended, doubt not would be found C
Argus, and Stars, and H. a
a.. ... Sincerely. o. F. FLIpPo. is