Smyrna times., 1869-06-09
lFor the smyrna TiEles."I
Reply to Argus.---IsaptisTi1.
DOVER, DEL, June 6, ,


Dear V.. Editor - To every sore apply a
plaster" is an axiom admitted in philosophy
as well as physic hence Argus will see the
wisdom of my administering to the lnhrmIty OF
his last article.
Truth can never suffer by candid investiga-
cations; and | can in sincerity say, that my
aim is truth; and it Argus, or Stars, or dHu
one else, can overthrow me on this platform, L
desire he may triumph.
Argus charges me with the crime of misap-
plying truth as it relates to EPH: /. .. "Une
Lord, one faith, one baptism" As [ did lot
quote this passage in my last article, and as
Argus letter is not reply to my notice Of "A
Prodigy in Camden but of positions taken
before, in my discussion with Stars, | take it
for granted that Stars has turned me over to
the Camden Hero. Very we'll | feel myself
fully competent to cope with the new General
SO the water war begins afreSh.
AS to EPH. 4. s., accept Argus intcrprcta-
tion as correct. lie says the text quoted
does refer to there being but one baptism in
cOntradlstlnctiOn to many-tO there being but
one to be practiSed by the Christian Church "
This, | also, believe. And | will add that
am willing to take the New Testament and
read all of the passages referring to the ordi-
nance of baptism, and signify my assent by
saying . believe with aH my heart that this
is true just as it Is written Is Argus will
ing to abide the test? Then, we shall see who
mlsapples and pervcrts the truth.
But Argus says, that our rule Of intcrprcta-
ton will make the Zone faith" Baptist faith.
Well, what if it does The question with him
ought to be, are the Baptists right? To settle
this question he ought to bring their faith and
practice to the test of the New Testament. If
they agree, land they certainly do, he ought
to be willing to follow the truth, if It IS found
on the side of those against whom he has such
an inyeterate prejudice. Argus, in this re-
spect, reminds me very much Of a good old
lady, who, when cOrnered by her Baptist op-
ponent exclaimed, "Well, if the Baptsts are
right, / dom t lcdHt To EuOC Hr'
Argus says, there is no evidence to prove
that the nDie Of baptism was ever discussed
by the Christian church Of that day" Ger
talnIy not. There was but one made Hcn-hut
one mode now. The apostles and disciples
feared their risen Lord too much, and loved
him too ardenty to alter one Of his positive in
stitution<. They kept the ordinances as they
were delivered, and joyiully followed the ex
ample of Jesus in Jordan.
The Jews and heathens had their divers
washings and baptisms. HEB. 9: TO- So they
had; but what were these? LEV. IL. 32-6,
2S also l5-5, I, s. 10, II. See also LEV. Is
10. Now, let us hear the testimony of Jewish
nhbbis themselves on this point. RABBI
MAIMoNInEs, says: Whenever in the law
washing of the flesh or clothes is mentioned.
1t means nothing else than dipping the whole
body in laver \ bed that is wholly dcfed
/ It he dip 1t part by part, is pure. If he dip
the bed in pool although its feet are plunged
IN the thick clay at the bottom of the pool, it
is clean, &c. Rabbi Salmon, Schneckenberger.
Spencer, Starck, Natablus and Grotius-all ex
Founders OF the Jewish Law, testify that these
divers washings (diaphioroir Baptismais) were
divers lmmer>iOnS
Argus next looks for the uirtue of baptism
in Peter, 3 q. This passage explains the
Baptist view to our entire satisfaction. 1t as
socrates the idea Of resurrection with The Or
dlnance of Baptism, and upsets Wesley
theory OF baptlsmal regeneration. Shall
quote Wesley III my next letter? Bap;ists re.
gard Baptism as command of their risen
Saviour, to be oteyed by Jeiiercrs: and they
baptise none until they give evidence OF saving
faith in Christ.
Argus adds: The most ancient translation
OF the Testament was into the Syrac language.
In that version the word bdDt0 is Translated
sprinkle, giving that construction the prefer
ente over all other renderingS of the original
text. Argus ought to know, Mr. Editor. that
this is not correct, because Bapto is Greek.
ID this word Is not found in the .Su.ac | m
guage. Then again if this r,re correct it
"ONiN hOC dho"Cl lHC purpose OF Argus. Tor
Bdpto is not the word used in the Greek Tes
lament to denote the ordinance of baptism.
The word of Japti-o-and never Japto. This
word 6npto, IS out of the question, no matter
what its Specification may be
There were six translations of the Bible
made during the first 300 years from the birth
of Christ. These were the PcShito, Syriac,
Coptc, Sahadlc, Barmuric and the first and
second Latin The Syrac, Sahadic and first
Latin, We're in the second century,
In the Syriac translation the word used to
denote baptism is-anlad-and NOT Japto, and
this word in the Syriac language means in,mcrse.
Twill add and challenge cont1 Addiction and proof
that every one Of the tranSlatons Of the Bible,
made into the various languages during the
first 800 years after Christ, either gives the
word baptize itself, or translates it by word
which means to lnenlerSe, and nerey to sprinkle
or to pour.
| will attend to Argus side issues" next
week. or, IN separate article in this issue, if
you have the space to spare.
Sincerely, LONE STAR.