The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
1.-THE COMMUNION QUESTION.
A REPLY.

y
appears communication under the head o.
"The Communion Question which strikes
NE as most remarkable production. The
writer is doubtless anxious iOs the preya
lence Of fraternal feeling among all Chris
tians," provided always however it requires
no sacrifice or modification of his 'avoweC
principles" Now | will admit that in tht
secular business and intercourse of men
perhaps often in their religious experience
and intercourse, there are differences o.
opinion and "avowed principle to which
"the remark in the graver thoughts of q
country parson" is quite pertinent and justly
applicable, but | do not think it a correct
statement in the application soaght to be
made (of it) by your correspondent. From
my Bible learn that there are two classes
of persons in the world, viz, the disciples
and followers of the blessed Saviour, and
the reiectors or "enemies Of the Cross OF
Christ" 1t seems plain that all the true
disciples of Christ should be partakerS Of
the cup of blessing which is the Communion
of the blood of Christ, and of the bread
broken which is the Communion of the body
of Christ. Now l should really like to know
what that conscientious conviction" of che
Baptist is, which justies him in refusing
admission to "an heir of GOO" and "men
Der of the body of Christ, to sit at the
Lords Table" since he repudiates the
Methodist, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian
conclusion, which must and will remain dis
pite his disclaimer, until some more logical
reason be given, than his conscientious
conviction" that they are not worthy to sit
with him. The only cause of that IN,
wortbiness is the manner in which the rite of
baptism is administered in those churches
He says, "Again it is our habit as a peo
pie to participate in various religious services
with other Christian denominations with
whom however we cannot conscientfously
commune. Now there are two conclusions
which brethren may draw from our course.
They may say, 1t is very inconsistent in the
Baptists to join US in preaching, singing and
praying, and yet to sit with US at the Lord
Table" or they may say, the readiness which
BaptiSts show to participate with us in other
things evinces their fraternal disposition and
indicates that their course in regard to (the)
Communion is due not to an unfriendly
spirit but to a conscientious conviction,
which we will respect, even though we deem
it mistaken. Isubmit respectful but earnest
plea for the latter conclusion.
Now have no doubt that "as people"
they participate in various religious ser,
vices with many who are not members OF
any Christian denomination "with whom
however they cannot conscientiOusly COM
mune;" and / cannot see what conclusion
they expect them or US to arrive at when all
are in just the same manner excluded from
the Lords Table but that they hold US all
unworthy, though for different reasons, For
what reason and by what right do they judge
and set at nought their brethren " for whom
Christ died" since they 50 earnestly disclaim
Notwithstanding them?
1t is to be regretted that the writer did
not "make the application" in his "familial
illustration" for l am sure very many, very
sincere and moderately intelligent readers Of
the Central Presbyterian will fail to discover
the analogy between his right to exclude
Christians from Christ's Table, and Mr.
Mason's scruples about furnishing him free
pass on the Central Railroad. What ha(
he done to entitle him to pass at Mr.,
Mason hands Nothing absolutely nothing
He only requested it as courtesy. Nov
suppose he had offered to pay the established
fare, in silver or greenbacks, for the pass
does he think Mr.. Mason would have beer
justified in saying, really you must excus
me, | have a conscientious conviction
that the fare should be paid in gold; and in
deed you must respect my con8cientiou
conviction" l trow not. Ny Bible tell
me to "repent, believe and be baptised,
and l shall be saved, shall not only be en-
titled to all the rights, immunities and priv
leges of the Christian in the present world
, but shall sit at the Lords Table with tn
Lord in glory. By the grace of God | re
} pent, believe and am baptiSed, and yet you
, correspondent publicly refuses me admission
f to the Lords Table. Does he not by S
, doing plainly declare to the world, and doe
the world not sincerely believe that he has
conscientious conviction" that | am ur
5 worthy? Now as to his views as to wha
r constitutes baptism we do not, nor did W
ever ask that he should change them. W
: have been baptised according to our "cor
scientious conviction, and only claim tia
!, of the wine and bread consecrated for tn
: Sacramental Communion all true believer
$ have the right to partake, and he no rigf
to Judge of and decide their fitness or III
It worthiness by his conscience. If the hea
Q of man be changed; if he has accepted