The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-08-08

vance. ...
Action OF the Second Baptist Church
onthe Case of Rev. J. Il. .Chambitas
xsia ResisnnfIeu IL rendered and
Accepted-Hts Views Further Ex'
p,ained-Generous Conduct OF the
Church.
The very great interest which has been
excited In this community in the case OF
Rev. j. 4. Chambllss, eliminated last sun
day morning, when it was announced thaI
the Second Baptist Church would meet on
the afternoon of that day to consider the
issue which had been made by their pastor.
All the members Of the church OF Dolh
sexes were invited to attend, and the meet
ing was, VIC are informed, the largest ever
held by this church. After appropriate
religious services, the following letter from
Mr.. Clambliss. containing his resignation,
was read to the church. The deepest emo
ton was evinced by the congregation du-
ring the reading, many eyes being suhused
with tears, and many, unable to suppress
their feelings. gave vent to them IN audible
sobs of grief:
LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
"To the Second Baptist Church, Rich
mond, Va:
Beloved Brethren,-In view Of the an
nouncement which l made to you last
Lords day concerning my opinion on the
subject of communion, [ now propose,
with your consent, to withdraw from the
sacred relation in which we have been so
happy and so greatly blessed. At the same
time feel it my duty to say that do not
offer my resignation because my conscience
| reuuires it of me, for could still serve you
without doing violence ut all to my con-
yictions, though every one of you were
fixed in opinions different from my own
upon this question Of Church order, mas
| much as do not contend that mixed COM
munion is expedicnt, although / believe
it to be lawful when it can be practiced
without violating the regulations and the
! feelings of the church with which one Is
connected. But you may Judge the case
| differently. You may deem it essential to
your prosperity to have only such pastor
| rs Gun advocate the practice Of restricted
communion as not merely eXpedient, but
positively enioned by the word OF God. l
was conScientiously impclled to inform you
| that / could not go so far. TO have con-
cealed my views would have been unjust to
you and diShonorable to myself.
And now, my dear people, cherished in
| the past, and cherished forever in my heart,
| offer you my resignation Of the pastoral
OlIce. IL you dcCept IL, pe aSsui GU 'nae dy
love for you will remain unchanged; nor
will doubt your love for Inc.
So tar as my own condition in life is con-
cerncd, ! have but one prayer, and l beg
| YOU 10 offer it in my behalf: Father, glo-
rify thy name! And for you l entreat,
and shall ever entrclt, the richest blessings
OF Gods providence and grace.
Yours i'll the Lord Jesus,
j. \. CnAMBL1ss."
FULLER EXPOSITION OF MR.. CHAMBLIss' 8
VIEWS.
A member Of the church, who had re-
ceiycd i private letter from MIR. Chambliss,
said he felt that it was due to Mr.. Chambliss
that the following extracts from that letter
SHOULD be read to the church before action
was taken on his resignation. They were
| accordingly read Us follows:
| 81 am exceedingly anxious that my po-
sition should not be misunderstood, and
then / am willing to bear all the conse-
I tquences which may follow.
/. Do not let me be considered as Occu-
pying what is commonly thought to be the
| Pedobaptist position-viz: that scrlptural
baptism il absolutely essential in every in
stance before one can lawfully partake of
the supper. II / held to this view could
never countenance communion with those
who have not been immersed.
9. Do pot let Inc be considered rs recon-
meadiu the practice of inter-communion
with our brethren Of other denominations,
or with any unbaptiZed believers for in
the existing condition OF things those who
commune together are likely to be under
stood either as agreeing upon all points OF
doctrine or as attaching very little import
ance to the doctrines about which they
differ. Judge it wise, therefore, for Il
Baptist TO restrict himself to communion
with Buptists only.
3. do hold that the inter-communion OF
believers in Christ, though some oil them
may be providentially or conscientiously
have surrendered his liberty by uniting
with strict communion church.
But the regular course of American
Baptist churches c0mpelS the observance
of restricted communion under penalties
of expulsion (although the rule Is not al
ways cnforced) and the question is asked,
how can consistently hold connection in
such O Church, and Us a pastor execute
such rule? TO this l reply
l. In eXpelling member who COM
munes with other than Baptists, think
our churches 60 further than they are re-
uuired to 90 by the word Of God albeit,
as independent voluntary associations, with
no positive law of Christ on this point to
guide them, they may have the right to
regulate the matter according to their best
Christian judgment.
9 In pursuing such course think our
churches 90 further than is necessary for
their preservation and prosperity, since If
there were no such rule there would prob
ably be no more communing with other
denominations than there is at present be-
tween Presbyterians and Methodists,
which is very little indeed.
3. Nevertheless, as do not consider N.Y.
self commanded by any law OF Christ to
commune everywhere and ut all times, and
with all Christians, nor commanded TO IN
yte all Christians to commune with Inc
wherever and whenever / commune, l can
with perfect consistency be a member and
pastor of church which restricts its men,
bers to communion with those who are of
'like faith and order, and invites no
others. Provided I am willing, for the
sake of serving God in the best manner
practicable for me, to deny myself the eX-
erci.e Of q privilege which would carry
me beyond these irmits.'
ACTION OF THE CHURCH.
After these letters had been read, the
following preamble and resolutions were
offered, and motion made to adopt them:
Whereas our pastor, Rev. j. A. Cham
bliss, gave notice to the church on last Sum
day that for the future he could not sun
dertake to maintain and defend the prac-
tice of strict communion as it now prevails
In the American Baptist churches and has
rendered his resignation as pastor OF this
church and whereas this church holds
now, as it ever has held since Its organiza-
ton that none hut baptized believers are
authorized to partake Of the Lords supper,
and that Immersion is the only scrlptural
mode of baptism; and believing that the
pastor should he faithful and fearless eX-