The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-31
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"REMINISCENCES OF A PIONEER.

65M1N1oCENGEo Ut a R1ONEEh.
Among the disadvantages experienced il
new settlements where the gospel is first in
troduced, is the want of comfortable house.
in which to worship, During the first few
years of my ministry, l was obliged to change
my place Of preaching five or six times be-
fore we had permanent church of our own
In the midst of these migrations from one
part of the town to another, the Baptists
who had built log meeting house, kindly
offered us the use of it, as they had seldom
minister of their own.
Shortly after We had begun to occupy
this house, a stranger came to the place and
announced himself as professional Dentist.
He was of respectable appearance and agree
able manners. He did not even make him
self known as professor of religion for
some time. After ne had pursued his avO-
cations as dentist for few weeks, every
one was surprised when they heard it an
nOuncei, at the close of one of my dis
courses, that DR.. H., (the dentist, would
preach that afternoon in the same house in
which l had preached. Inquiry was made
as to the denomination to which he belonged,
but no one could tell. His voice was good
and his manners in the pulpit agreeable
His subject was the Resurrection of Christ,
which he treated for the most part very well
could discover nothing Objectionable ex-
cept that he represented the demoniacal
possessions mentioned in the New Testament
as diseases of the body, and the casting
them.Out by the Saviour as simply meaning
that he healed the persons of those diseases.
Most of the congregation were much pleased
with his discourse. He denied belonging to
any denomination of Christians, and said he
had no creed but the Bible He held strong
ly, however, to immersion. This fact cres-
ted an attachment between him and the
Baptists, and they invited him to occupy
their church in the forenoon, and was per-
mitted to preach occasionally in the after
noon. Of this / could not complain, as it
was their undoubted right to do so. The
novelty of his sentiments attracted large
crowds to hear him. As the 4th of July
was near at hand, he gave notice that he
would on that day deliver discourse on
Christian Union, and requested all denomi-
nations to be present. His great object on
that day was to show that creeds and con-
fessions of faith were barriers to union. He
asserted that if these were laid aside all di-
visions among Christians would disappear,
and the religious world be united in one
harmonious brotherhood. Confessions of
faith, ," said he, "either agree with the Bible
or they disagree with it. If they agree with
it, they are useless. Why not take the
Bible itself? If they disagree with it, they
ought to be discarded. Human writings
may contain error, the inspired Word can
not. Then take the Bible alone as your
creed" There are but two things" con-
tinued he, essential to constitute any one a
Christian, viz: belief that Jesus is the Son
of God, and baptism for the remission of
sins. But there are different views on bap,
tism. Some believe that sprinklng water
on a person is baptism. Others believe that
immersion is the only proper mode. Now
all admit that immersion is a proper mode
of baptism, but many do not believe that
sprinkling is. Then let all agree to practice
immersion, as all admit that it is proper
mode. And as all agree that Jesus is the
Son of God, let all be united on these two
points and say nothing about others. Then
will all divisions and sects be abolished" 4"
He then, in glowing terms, asserted that
where divisions were thus removed, objec-
tions to Christianity would cease, infdehty
would be silenced, and the millennium re-
allied.
At the conclusion of these remarks, he
proposed that all who were willing to unite
upon those terms should stand forth in front
of the pulpit while hymn was singing.
The Baptists rose in body. A Cumberland
Presbyterian preacher, several MethOdists
and one nominal Presbyterian, also took
their stand along with them.
As soon as perceived the effect that was
about to follow his remarks, | took my seat
on the pulpit steps in full view of the con-
gregation, in order that my new members
might see that had no sympathy with the
movement. l was not surprised when af-
forwards some of them told me that they
were so carried away with the plausibility OF
the statements, that had ! gone forward they
would gladly have followed me. But they