The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-09-27
ing Sketch.

The Religious, VA of Richmond, contained
recently the following editorial item:
"CHANGE OF Vizws,-Rev. John James, of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, has recently been
baptized by Rev. Il. w. Dodge, and become
member of the EboLezer Baptist church. Loudoun
county, Va The church has also licensed him to
preach. AS the readers of the Christian AdUocate,
of this city, must be little tired of seeing so
much about brother Chambliss' new departure, it
might be well for that paper to devote some space
to brother James change of views.
To this the Christian Advocate replies by giving
an interesting sketch of Brother James" his
tory AS it appliessabstantially to cases occurring
now and then among all Christian denominations,
it may be read with instruction as we'll as amuse.
meut 1t would bea good thing for our Baptist
brethren, as well as Presbyterians, Methodsts and
Episcopalians, not to make too much ado about
nomqds. Brother James history is as follows:
Being thus called to enlighten our readers
about Bro James change Of views, we will do
so. We once knew young Mr.. James, of Lou
don, and we learn that the HeraldS Bro. James
is the same man, but oh, how changedp
We will say first that he was brave soldier in
the late war, and fought like man for his rights
and his country. He entered the ministry after
He went to one of the FIRST big camp meetings held
at the North, where he was powerfully impressed
by what be saw and heard, and imbibed some very
peculiar views on various points of Christian doc
trine One Of his strange notions was that he was
great sinner Tor having fought against the Yam
kees-a matter that ought not to have disturbed
his conscience a moment. He became so greatly
enlightened that he regarded our Church as crop
ing in the dark, and at length he joined little sect
bow-shot beyond brother Inskip, and claim
a state of grace higher than specification, which
they call fitness. When in this state Of full
ness they claim to be able to heal the sick, give
sight to the blind, and strengthen cripples? We
have heard that Bro. James tried the virtue Of
'fulness' in his own case Being somewhat indis-
posed, he shut himself up in his room refused all
food and medicine and after some days came out
well man. Hav nioyed the proof OF the new
-thsagyy j. j. rs pc 55iels; taught that y
was wrong to use medca remedies, and that the
PRAYER Of faith would cure all diseases. We learn
that since his union with the Baptist Church his
singular ideas occasionally crop out. At one time
he suddenly disappeared from his home, and none
of his friends knew where he had gone. In his
room was found a note stating that he was going
into the wilderness like his Master to fast forty
days and nights; but two or three days after he re-
appeared giving his reason for not carrying out
his original purpose the anxiety his absence would
cause his friends. The family of Bro. James are
all Baptists, and as far as we know very good PEG
pie. He became Methodist, and after connect
ing himself with the Church, said to leading
minister that the only thing he regretted in his re-
lgous life was allowing himself to be baptized by
immersion to crafty his frends-because he did
not believe the mode to be scrptural. He was re-
immersed by his Baptist brethren when they took
him in. We have now told our readers about
Bro. James, II the Herald has any more spent
wave cases he will please let us know, and we will
try to attend to them We hope Bro James will
now settle down permanently and become useful
man"