Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-04-01
[communicated.l

18th read Lver the signature Of "Christiau"
q very hattering Gin sgfne respectsl account OF
meeting held BY the Diariples IN Freerort, con-
dectrd BY VIM. DoNilns, and as thcrs are some
etatemcnts iu said oommu nj ca,ien irreconcilable
with the facts, though the discrepancy, oi
course Is unintentional on the part of Christian.
Will you be kind enougl, ~ allow me space ~
your columns for corrvcIion.
The writer has chosen very sgnincaht name
over which to write, and as philanthropy, to say
nothing of Christianity, demands of me to os-
TEEN the writer as possessing the character of
which the name "ChrisliAn" is significant, until
otherwise demonstrated, have therefore sought
~ reconcile the statements made in his article
with the facts, but confess, that IN the task there
are apparent, IL not insurmUuntabIe difficulties
But wishing to place the most charitable con-
struction possible upon said statements, have
reasoned thus,
|. "Chrstian" was either present or absent
during the sessions Of said meeting.
2. But "Christiau" could not have bcen
present. for then he would have been better in-
formed, aud being u "Christian" could not have
made the statement referred to, for Il is incom
patible with Christianity to "bear false witness
against thy neiglbor."
8. Therefore. our only conclusion is that
"Christian" Is not a resideat NJ Freeport nor its
vicinity, and was not in attendance at the meet
ing referred to, but received his Information
through others much less conscientious than
himself. and who staggered not at the violation
OF the ninth commandment " the Decalogue.
Hence Il becomes a very pleasureabe duty
for me to disabuse the mind Of "Chrstian" aud
his readers, by placing before them the truth as
itis.
|. "ChristiAn" states that the result Of the
meeting was the accession Of about one hun
drsd nKd my to the church. Now, while we did
really enjoy rich feast. and truly felt that we
had "scasous Of refreshing from the presence Of
the Lord" vet the number of additions fall far
h..tn afa h.;V h,,I
2. The candidates. "Christian" says they
we're "mostly women AMI children" or the
twenty accessiuns ten were heads Of families,
seven young ladies', one Young man about ~
years of age, and two "ehildrcn," boy uni a
girl, the youngest at least about fourteen years
of age. IL WINS truly affecting 60 see even
"women aud children" who had been taught Ia
know aud love their Saviour desire to become
obedient unto "the faith oncl delivered to the
| saints"
These "cliidren" are mcmbots Of our excel
lent Sunday school, which numbers at least two
hundred per cent Of the aggregate OF tue other
| Sunday schouls Of our place.
3. Prerequisites of Baptism "Christian"
informs the readers of the Journal that the only
thing to DO dome to iit the candidate for baptism
| is to SAY yes" to the Elders question: "Do you
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son OF G d?"
| feel like expressing my thanks to "Chris-
| tian" for an'r'ling me so favorable an opportu-
nifty Of correcting the oft-repsated assertion
that the Disciples teach that Nothing is re.
| quired but Baptism" and that "the efficacy is in
'0ater 10 wash away all our sins"
| feel very conilent that had Christian
been present an listened to the dscourses ad-
| dressed BY Mr.. Dowling to the very large aud
attentive audiences, which, with unabated in
terest. attended TO the close Of the meeting, he
| i"Christian") would have ceme IN a far different
conclusion from the one spread before your
readers in the article to the editor Of the Journal
! Those who wero present will we'll rcmember
that Mr. Bowling endeavored to show
| !. The Holy Scriptures are our only infallibe
rule Of faith and practice, as taught by Paul.
Soc Tim. 5: 1917.
2. On Lords day morning Mr. D. made a
special eff'rt To set forth the Scriptural Tcsti-
amy in demonstration Of the Divinity and con.
sequent anthnrity of Jesus Christ the son of
the living God"
8. In the evening Of the anne day Mr.. d.
discoursed upon the Missions Of the New Testa-
ment, and especially the commission of Jesus Ia
the Apostles when he commissioned them tn
"Go preach the Gospel to every creature" "Gu
teach all nrtons," &c. See Mat. 23: l9. 20 and
Mark Is: 1918.
From these and Kindred scriptures Mr. d.
drew the conclusion that from the record of ito
teachings of these inspired ambassadors for
Chris, we must learn what tue Lord requires ol
us In order tn salvation.
4. In subsequent di courses Mr.. d. demon.
|
converted or tara 10 tie Lard. Arguing that
Scriptural Conversion comprehends much more
than is usually aseribed to II, claiming that con-
version includes,
lst. A change Of heart (or affectons). This
being produced by faith in Jesus Christ, which
faith comes by hearing the Word Of God. Hence
the Saviour said tn the Apostles, Go preach
the Gospel" Peter says, Acts Is: o, "Pur,ry
ing their hearts by faith" This, | wish to in
form "Christian," was taught as pre- requisite
tn baptism.
2d. Conversion includes a change ot life
This is produced By repentance Nr. ID. argued
that repentance is sorrow for sin but 1t i
more. SAYS Mr.. D.. alt is a resolution 10 for
sake sin; yea. more an actual turning away
, from sin, or, "a crasing to do evil and learn
ing to do we'll" All Of which Mr.. u. alousl.
contended was necessary to ft the candidate 70
scripturut baptism.
3D. Conversion includes change Of state
which is effected BY baplisn, or "beinE born q
water" having already been "begotten by III
spirit" through the word See | Pet. 1: q
} "Beng born again, not Of corrnptible seed, bu
Of incOrruptible, by the word of God" jaime
!, l:1S, "0f Ills own will b,ga' lie US with tn
I word Of truth"
: 4ih. Then such as believed ir Cn,ist or trus
5 ed him as a Divine Saviour and who were de
termined to forsake all their gins, were invite
; to come forward and confess their faith in Iesu
! and ''be buried with the Lord in baptism"
5th. A finh point in the discnurses refcrrc
TO WAS an effort by Mr. ID. u show. especial
a IN his exhortatiIn to his brethren that thong
the heart may be changed by faith, the life b
repent ,nce, and the state bv baptism, yet, unle'
| we continue in the Christian life, nT as Pete
SAYS, add to your faith virtue, knowledge
we will fail 10 enter into the everlasting kin.
q dom Of nar Lord aud Saviour. See II Pet,
l chapter.
> Such were ths teachings of Mr.. Bowling. n
| only during the meeting but during the who