The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-11-08
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE COMMUNION QUESTION.

Dear DIR. Brown,-l have admired the
spirit in which you and DR.. Jeter have dis
cussed the Communion question. have no
wish to participate in the discussion. 1t has,
however, occurred to me, anxious, as | am,
for the prevalence of fraternal feeling among
all Christians, and enjoying warm personal
friendship with many Presbyterians, readers
of your paper, to pen few words which
you may call apologetic and deprecatory.
1t is a remark in the "Graver thoughts of
a Country Parson," that we should never
attempt to fasten on others what we regard
as logical conclusions from their avowed
principles, if they disavow those conclsions.
| think this correct sentiment, and | would
ask nothing more than its application to
Baptists in the matter of Communion. Many
persons seem tosuppose that, in declining to
commune with other denominations, we un-
christianize them. But we, without excep-
ton, earnestly disclaim such position. 1
publish this over my own name, and [ am
not afraid that single Baptist, from Maine
to Texas, will challenge it. Now VII.
wish to urge is that our Pedobaptist breth-
rem shall give US the benefit of our dis.
claimer. Let them, if they please, condemn
our logic, but let them not ascribe to US
conclusion which We repudiate.
Again: it is our habit, as a people, to
participate in various religious services with
other Christian denominations, with whom,
however, we cannot conScientiously com.
mune. Now there are two conclusions which
brethren may draw from our course. They
may say "It is very inconsistent in the Bap-
fists, to join us in preaching and singing and
praying, and yet refuse to sit with us at the
Lords table," Or they may say "The
readiness which Baptists show to participate
with us in other things evinces their frater-
nal disposition and indicates that their course
in regard to Communion is due not to an
unfriendly spirit, but to conscientious con-
viction, which we will respect, even though
we deem it mistaken" submit respect
full but earnest plea for the latter conclusion.
What say you, my dear brother?
Allow me to present familiar illustra-
tion. For some years, Mr.. N. B. Hill, then
of Richmond, was in the habit of sending
me pass over the Central Rail Road of
which he was Director At last, he wrote
me that, having other and nearer claimants,
he could no longer continue the favor, and
that mnst apply to my own townsman, Mr..
G.. R. Mason, who was also Director. /
did so, but to my Surprize, Mr.. M. mem
Der of my church and warm personal
friend, declined to grant my request, on the
ground that, in his judgment, he had no
right, as Director, to give such pass. Now
ought l, under these circumstances, to have
concluded either that the latter gentleman
felt less kindly to me than the former, or
that he assumed to be better man? Surely
not. The only legitimate conclusion, as il
seems to me was that here were two mer
who might be equally good and equally my
friends but who differed as to their right tc
extend to me certain courtesy.
Moreover, the kindness of Mr.. Mason tc
me in other things, instead of afording me
the ground of reproaching him with incon
sstency in not extending this particular
courtesy, should have been considered evi
dence that his declinature, in the case, was
due, as he defined it to be, not to want O
friendship, but to want of ability with hi
views of a Directors right
I need not make the application, and
am sure the intelligent readers of your pape
will not make my parable ego on all fours.
I will add that what 1 here preach, I hav
for years practiced in another, but precisel.
analogous case. With certain esteemed AM
beloved Episcopal ministers, ever enjoye'
the most pleasing relations, exchanging
various fraternal courtesies, and participat
ing in various religious services, though thei
views of duty stood as much in the way o
pulpit, as my views did in the way of Sacra
/ mental Communion.
In conclusion, let me say for myself, an
I also believe in this l am a Representative
Baptist, that l would rejoice to commun
> with every one who loves the Lord Jesu