The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-06

A REPLY TO REV. GEORGE B. TAYLOR.

A REPLY TO REV. GEORGE B. TAYLOR
The article of Mr.. Taylor, which appeared
in the Central of Nov. 8sh, is in such excel
lent spirit, that, it is impossible not to be
pleased with it, however erroneous we may
consider it. He, l am confident, under the
influence Of his own kind feeling towards the
people of God of other denominations, ha;
unWittingly given that as the feeling pervad
ing the whole Baptist Church. In the kind
est way wish to correct his error.
"Many pastors, he says, "seem to sup
pose that in declining to commune with other
denominations, we unehristianize them; but
we, without exception, earnestly disclaim
such position" To this reply.
l. If they do not unchristianize US on the
ground on which they refuse to commune
with US, they unchurch US and
?. On the same ground, not few of them
20 to the very border of Notwithstanding US.
Moreover, these positions are not unfrequent-
ly pushed to a most offensive extreme. For
example, when, some years ago, Baptist
Association met in Memphis, and the church
of Rev. DR.. S,eadman was opened for their
use, the brother who occupied it on Sunday
night, introduced the service by assigning,
in DR.. Steadman's presence, reasons why
he could not eOnseiehtiously invite the DR..
to a seat in bis own pulpit The course of
this preacher, appeared to have met with the
appreciation of majority Of his brethren.
Again, in 1865, Rev. Mr. Addison, of
Santa Clara, California, was expelled from
the Baptist Church for participating in a
sacramentalseryee, in a Presbyterian church,
by vote Of eleven co eleven, the chairman
giving the casting vote against him.
From Correspondent Of the National
Baptist in 1869, we learn that at the last
meeting Of the Missouri Baptist Association
''Rey. W. S. PJss, D. D., Of the Presbyte-
rian Church On. S. appeared, and declared
his change Of views upon the subject of Bap-
tism aud fellowship. Last evening he was
received by the Church; he was baptized this
morning. At o'clock to-day council
decided to ordain him to morrow. The coun-
Gil was composed Of such men as brother j.
L. Burrows, D. D., of Richmond, Va, Rev.
Marsena Stone, Of Granville, Ohio, and for
ty or fifty other men of note. The veteran
Rev NJ Flood, acted as Moderator, and
Rev. NJ Fox, of the Central Baptist, as
Clerk"
From this we learn that neither the valid
i.y Of the previous church membership, or
ordination Of Mr.. Post, were recognized by
the Association. Why, here in Concord,
Tennessee, where write, there is a very
worthy young man, who some two months
ago was excommunicated from Baptist
church for communing with PedObaptists.-
Here then. is a Nervousness attached to hold
ing fellowship with those whom Mr.. Taylor
tells US that "Baptists without exception do
not unchristianiEe,' as great as they attach
to drunkenness, and greater than some of
their churches attach TO it. But,
8. If they do not unchristianize US, not a
few of them 90 to the very borders of it. l
remember TO have seen in The Tennessee
Baptist, then Published in Nashville, by Rev.
J. r. Graves, an editorial, in which he gave
as ms reason for not eommuning with Pedo-
baptis,s, that they are "a part, and parcel
Of the Mother of Harlots" Although, then,
these are classed as Christians, in cOntradis
tinetion from Mohamedaus, aud dheatheu, they
are in reality, the disciples of "the Man of
Sin, but not of Jesus Christ.
Again, take the following from The Chris
tian Herald, Nashville, Tennessee, Thurs
day, September 2Sth, 1871;
"TOO GOOD TO BE LOST.
"Dear Brethren: Durng the progress of
a rec,nt revival near Jouesboro, there was
q very diverting circumstance occurred which
has am impressive moral, and is as follows
Bro. c., who was a Presbyterian, received
more hght in religion and united with the
Baptis, Church. His neighbor F., Pres
byteriau, (aud one Of the peculiar kind that
cries long and loud, "No change of church
relation virtually saying: Better stay
on the West side Of Jordan, better remain
in Sodom, than to fee to Zoar) concluded
to annoy brother c., under disguise of a joke
and addressed him thus: Friend c., l have
young colt, and ever since you were bap
tizad he has been going to the creek and ly'
ing down iu the water Bro. Q. replied
"Well, neigbbor F., it is strange indeed thai
your poor dumb brute insJiDctively obey'
Chris, while you proudly and stubbOrnly re
fuse to follow the way, the truth and tn,
life" w. T. F."
From this, it appears that those whom
Mr.. Graves considers as "a part and parce
of the Mother Of Harlots," Mr.. "W. I
F." considers citizens of "SodOm. HaV
;ng tbus clearly made ont nv case a0ains