New-York tribune., 1874-10-21
THE GREAT BAPTIST CONTROVERSY.

THE QUESTION OF OPEN COMMUNION BEFORE THE
LONG ISLAND BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
The eighth annual meeting OF the Long
Island Baptist Association. which began its session
terday In the Gethsemane Baptist Church wllouehby
ave. Brooklyn, regarded with great deal OF interest
by the members Of tho Baptist Church. At the last
meeting resolution passed to the effect that, 1t
had been currently reported that the Leeave. Baptist
Church had departed the faith and practice Of the
Baptist Church. committee OF FIVE should be appointed
to inquire into the matter and report at the meeting
this year. The departure from the faith referred to Is
the position taken by the church and s PASTOR the Rev.
j. Hyatt Smith, upon the subject Of close communion,
which they deprecate believing that members Of good
standing In any evangelical church should be permitted
to unite with them at the communion table,
The meeting yesterday morning was opened with
prayer offered by the Rev. Hiram Hutchins, pastor Of
the Bedford-ave. Chnrch and sermon delivered
by the Rev. w. T. Dixon, pastor OF the COncOrdst.
(colored) Baptist Church. A b. Capwe of the Strong
place Baptist Church then elected Moderator, the
Rev. A. g. Lawson, Clerk. and James BouRhton,
Treasurer At the afternoon session the Rev. j. Hyatt
Smith and the delegation from the Leeave. Church
cupied the front the pulpit expecting to hear
the report Of the Committee appointed last The
Moderator called for the reports from the various
churches and each placed In file until that Of the
Lee-ave Church called for, when dozen persons
sprung to their feet. The Moderator recognized Mr..
hhucTSOu VI CuurcH, WHO ODJtCJeu
the reading Of the report until the Committee had
ported. He made motion to that effect, but pre-
vailed upon by the Rev. Galusha Anderson of the
Strong Place Church to withdraw It, that the report
might first be read, when 1t could be received or re-
jected. The letter then read. After speaking Of
the spiritual condition Of affairs and the increase in
membership the attitude OF the Church in regard to the
Communion Service is defined at considerable length
Among other things after citing the ordinances Of the
Church, the report says:
At the last meeting OF the Association a committee
appointed investigate certain in regard
and practice OF the churches or the Association. We
have In courtesy to the Association, met with that
trust satisfactorily. We have stipulated with them
that the full facts in the case should be lard before the
its own Judgment, rather than from the simple report
Of the conclusions Of the Committee.
inviting none. We find that the Savior commanded His
disciples to parake in remembrance OF Him. II any
Sedged disciple, ieeng TINS ho5nnca 70 ~ @
the table, do not refuse him. for we remen-
Der that the Master has said art thou that luag'
eth faleh." Nevertheless, we clam that no Church
in the denomination teaches more Thoroughly or per-
sstently the doctrine OF Scriptrra baptism Every cam
ddate for Church membership closely upon
this point ard we have been Obliged to decline TO receive
who erwIse would have been desirable acces-
siOns We claim that this Is practically the attitude OF
great majority OF the churches comprising this Asso-
cation We canuOt cOnscientiousy repnlse from the
Lords table man whose heart Is acknowledged 10 be
right in the sight OF God although his head may be
wrong respecting the Significance mode OF one OF the
ordinances This Is the and substance OF our Of
fense III ofense it bel We have no harsh words for
those feel competent cOnscien0usy to decide this
question and pariicpatioD but we cannot under
do it, and claim that there Is no Baptist con-
fes,on OF faith which makes 1t obligatory upon us to do
IT, IL true that in confessions the right 10 II Is
denled in practice 1t is left to the churches to en-
force Or not.
We earnestly desire to do "those thkgs which make
for and Church are % ready 9 to make and
cples deIract from our just dignity. Nevertheless
we come to you not as supp ants for 1t would be be-
meath the dignity Of Church Of God to assume that
sake, and your SAKE not to disown what God has SO
signally owned.
The Rev. Mr. Anderson moved that the report be re-
ferred to the Committee who considering the sub
ect Of the standing the Church. with the request that
report be mado this morning to the Conference The
motion was adopted. Sunday school exercises were
held n the church last evening.