The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1869-03-17
WHO PITS upTirE BARS, .
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charged with putting up CHARS around
the communion table, against their
brethren Of other denoniinatiotions;
and close communion" is urged as a
standing warning to all young con-
verts against uniting with the Church.
Bat It is believed that these asper-
sions upon a Christian people, nun
bering over one million Of the United
States, are unjust; and their position
in regard to communion TO be scrip
turnl and SnA Which they cannot re-
linouish without abandoning import
aat christian principles. The charge
ofplacing obstacles in the way of "Free
communion" lies elsewhere than to the
Baptist Church.
To make this subject more plain, we
viii suppose the case of four young
converts, Peter, James, John and An
drew; and belonging to four different
congregations. They are happy in
each Others society; they rejoice togeth-
or in the conference aud prayer meet
ing, aud there would seem to be no
reason why their happy union aud iel-
lowship should not continue.
Atlength from the study Of Gods
word, they are, all convinced Of their
duty to unite With the church, and
partake of the Lords Supper. And
naturally enough they all desire to
continue together.
'ss They meet to consult on the subject
and to see ifthey canbc agreed. They
are at once united in the conviction
that they must first be Baptized; bap
.tism being n prerequisite to church
fellowship aud communion. They
have next to determine from the scrip
lures what baptism Is. Peter says it
is on emersion of a believer in water
in the name Of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit; being "buried with
Christ by baptism into DEATH" James
John and Andrew agree that this is
gospel baptism; and that their con-
usciences would be perfectly satisfied
with it; in fact they have sometimes
: fst that nothing short Of this would
fully satisfy them, L
You sec then that there is way in
which our young friends can continue
united and happy, in the path ofduty,
: and the conscience of each thoroughly
nv rest. Now mark you who it is
that causes division: so.s
. Peter says that lleunderstands, from
the example of the Savior, His in
structions to the disciples, and the
practice of the apostles, that immersion
is the only water baptism; SO that lie
isreioiced that they are all agreed as to
what constitutes baptism. aaa
q But James says, that, as he belongs
70 a congregational society and can
make sprinkling do, he is, going, ext
Sunday, to unite with the church in
that way; and he hopes Peter viii not
be so strait laced in matters which are
not of saving efficacy, as to put any
bar to their con,muning together. To
this Peter objects, as he cannot accept
of sprinkling, and as James is satisfied
With immersion, there ought to be no
break in the union; and, as to its not
being of any saving eiiiciency,it is the
command Of the SAVIOUR, and that
lis sufficient. But James is'lixel; he is
sprinkled, and goes to the Lords
Supper that way. ylago ~
Johnacknowledgcs thatimmersion is
Gospel baptism, but as he belongs to
the Methodist congregation he intends
TO have water poured upon him, and
make that answer for his baptism.
Peter plainly protests against pouring
for baptism, as unscripiural; and, as
immersion is equally good in Johns
opinion, Peter entreats him not to put
up this bar 10 their communion. But
John has water poured on him, in the
name of the Trinity and unites with
the Methodists.
Now Peter and Andrew remain;
and as Andrew has Free, Will Baptist
.proclivitics, they are both agreed in
that nothing but immersion will an
.swer consciences. But Andrew says
innsmuch as he believes James aud
Peter are honest, and sprinkling and
pouring satisfies their conscienccs, he
shall invite them to the Lords table
with him. TO this Peter replies that
these brethren could conscientiously
have come with him, being all satisfied
with immersion and acknowledging
baptism prerequisite to communion,
but they turned about from him, and
puts up a bar which effectually shut:
him out from the Lords table with
them. Furthermore Peter could Just as
we'll fellowship the sprinkling Of
James and the pouring of John, al
the communion table Of the Congrega.
stionalists, or Methodists, asio fellow
ship the same at the Lords Supper il
the Free.Will Baptist Church.
Il And as to their honesty, it canno
make particle Of difference, asa pos
tive command or ordinance cannot b'
Judged by the honestyaof the parties
but by the terms of the command.
The inspired word and not tn
Christians conscience, must be tn
guide 10 this matter; and the errors o
Christians are errors still, howeve
honest they may be. Sincerity cal
never make anything short ofimmer
sion valid baptism, any more than
can make the worship Of "thc virgin
T.acceptableto God. q
sasAftsr all, Andrew says he shall in