Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-08-26
AUDI Alteram Partem.'

Editor Spectator:
In late number of your charming
paper there appears communication from K.
Craig in which he very succnctly attempts to
enunciate and establish two Of the principal
dogmas of the Baptist creed; and very sum-
marty vaEquishes Presbyterianism for ignoring
the ore and reversing the other; these two
principles being immersion and adult baptism.
Now, my acquaintance with Mr.. Craig is of the
most casual sort, yet know enough Of him to
believe him to be a gentleman of very high
moral and Christian character and as for my
self, inasmuch as do not belong to any church,
I must be regarded as fortuitous champion of
the Presbyterian church-no other denomina-
tion having been alluded to in the article In
question.
1t is difficult to imagine why any one would
jeopardize the vast and ponderous superstruc-
ture Of the Baptist church on SO fimsy and fra
gile pedestal as the Eaglish version of the
New Testament and in making this assertion
| have no T. ars Of being regarded as either an
egotist or 81 optic, for every educated Baptist
Methodist or Presbyterian we'll knows that
whist King James cent mittee has given us
most faithful and accurate translation of the
great principles and truths recorded 10 the
Greek of tie New Testament, yet, in dealing
with the minor details they have allowed them
selves to fall into style both quaint, careless,
and unfortunate.
Before entering upon review of the terms
''go teach all nations, baptlzlng, &C., &c, y and
''they went down into the water, ADD they
came up out of the water" upon which nine
tenths of the Baptist aity found their whole
belief, will take the liberty to introduce min
iature Greek vocabulary, com prlsing such Greek
words, with their definitions. as are employed
ID the original text, together with such as |
may have occasion to use. l use the English
letters, thinking that the printer may not have
at hand the Greek type.
En--ln into, at, near, &c.
Eas-ln, into, to, towards, &c.
EG-from, out of, away from, &C.
Apo-from, out, away from, &c
BGptadzo-to immerse, sprinkle, wash, &c.
ApO6GptO-tO immerse, to dip.
AmG6Gino-tO ascend, to go up
hata6asno-to descend, to go down.
MGtheteWO-to be disciple, to teach.
DsdaskO-to teach, to learn.
AS to the particular age when baptism should
be administered, and the charge that the Pres
byterians reverse the order of the scriptural in
junction, | must say that | know of no place
from Matthew to Revelation, where the exact
age is prescribed. IL Matthew 28l9, we find
that Christ c. mmanded his disciples to ''go and
teach all nations, baptzing them in the name
of the Father, &c.. Now, the Greek verb
here translated teach is naatheteao, which
means 10 this connection to make disciples OF
them, or 'christianize' them in some places it
does mean to teach, as where the object Is to
gain knowledge Of manners, customs or phi
losophy. In the very next verse. where Christ
ahon RI
the word Teach, the verb didQsko is used. As
to the phrase 'baptizing in the name of the
Father, &C., this is simply defining in its ma
ture, indicating in what form that part OF the
outstanding process should be rendered; just
as MIR. Craig would doubtless direct his en-
plovees to go and secure the harvest, using the
reaper when practica bic, aud the sickle when
necessary [ believe that all denominations
baptize adults at the time of their conversion
provided they have not been previously bap-
tized and like Lydia and her household, who
being converted, had her whole household bap.
tized, she being responsible Tor their growth In
grace, aud pledging herself to train them 10 the
way they should go; so now the Presbyterlans
at least, baptize the infants OF such as are mem
bers of the visible church-the parents solemn
ly pledgiug themselves 10 train them IN the
| Way they should 90, and to constantly instil
into them Christian principles. Presbyterian
diyines regard the child as being In the church
from the very date OF its baptism, and look up.
on the transition to its complete regeneration
as a gradual, constant, and, In some cases, ar
| imperceptible growth in grace. Doubtless
| most ministers and psychologists would regarc
with as much favor the calm conversion OF one
who had had the constant training OF plou'
mother as they would one whose turbulent re
generation had been Effected amid the throes O
doubts, difficulties, misgivings, and reason al
most dethroned, and who had been denied th'
soothing influence OF an early and pious train
ing. [ fear that most of US are too prone tt
regard every case OF spiritual parturition as ON
! of dustocia, demanding resort to cephalotrip
sy or the Cesarean section; and as in the nat
ural SO in the spiritual birth, the new beini
can do nothing to effect its nativity, Christ be
ing the great Physician, and the only way pro
vided by which sinners can be relieved OF thei
| sins. -
In reviewing the charge of Mr.. Craig agains
the Presbyterlans of the heresy of ignoring tn
mode or manner of baptism as administered a
the time of Christ and the Apostles, at tn
very outstart will make the broad assertion
that know of not single place in the Gree