New-York tribune., 1874-10-26
AN OPEN COMMUNION PLATFORM.

PLAIN-sPOKEN REVIEW OF THE LEE AVENUE BAP-
list CHURCH TROUBLEs-THE REV. J. HYATT
SMITH on THE EXPULSION OF HIS PEOPLE.
The expulsion of the Lee Avenue Baptist
Church from the Long Island Baptist Association has
attracted attention far and wide to that famous open
communion platform of the Rev. j. Hyatt Smith, from
which are poured forth nowadays sermons that bring
great crowds Had any Of the representatives OF the
Island Baptist Association been present last even
ing they would hardly have thought that Lee Avenue
as Smith calls the members OF his congregation for
short, suffering much anguish from its isolation, for
the neat little auditorium wore festive appearance
with its profusion of beautiful flowers The crowd of
people present worthy of that companion in liber-
asm Plymouth Church. for it filed the seats, extern
porzed chairs aises hall and the platform steps
The itself. which on the late act Of dis
fellowship and its results. to use the frank and
attractive title of the pastor, Out OF the synagogue
Christi delivered in tones clear and distinct
as the language and sentiments were forcble the
excellent acoustic properties of the building permitting
the sound to reach every ear and the original and
somewhat quaint style the speaker called forth
considerable expression of humor, while appreciation
was exhibited in mild though pointed applause.
The text taken from ST. Johns Episte, 9th chap
ter verses 3435 They answered and said unto him.
Thou altogether born in SINS and dost thou teach
usi And they cast him out Jesus heard that they had
cast him out and when He had found him He said unto
him. Dost thou believe on the Son OF GodP The
verses are from the weknown chapter describing the
miracle Of the bind beggar receiving his sight at the
the Saviour and the consequent action Of the
Pharisees who assumed TO settle all religious contro-
yersies, and condemned the act OF mercy because
~ IL was wrought outside Of the Jewish Church
the government OF the sanhedrm (0 because II was
performed Oh the Sabbath day. and C because 1t exhb
tied the Man of Nazareth setting the seal of HIS Mes
siahship thereby fulfilling the declaration of the
Prophet Isaiah, that when the Lord came he would
open the eyes OF the blind The pastor read the chapter
with emphasis and brief comment, remarking incident
ally that it was wonderful in present age to the
strange people had of sanhedrms and councils
aud priests, and adding, as an appropriat"
afterthought, that Taenefer a man is cast
out ,rom church council the quick ear OF Christ Will
hear the first OF his expulsion, aud be ready
20 catch him iii His arms Blessed privilege said the
CLERGYMAN warmly "tO be thrown out by the tyranny
Of council if by it am thrown into the embrace OF
Christi The brief review of this pregnant and beautl-
full narrative furnished tue requisite groundwork for
the real theme OF the and the speaker continued
as follows:
Friends in all ages of the world this moral drama.
FIRST acted years ago has been repeated on the
stage OF life 1t is being acted to-day The distinctive
feature Of the present grant IS liberation. rejoice
TO declare the sefeydent truth that the spirit liberty
everywhere present The Pope feels NJ tue VscSn
coster aud declares ITS influence The Jews feel II Ia the
synagogues today ana there Is @ g4s On lGeIe
between liberty and oppression lh tDe rIoIestanl
Church everywhere scepteIs are breaking ubu tIeIe
shall be few vast pie or ruDDlsn-brOken
scepters dshonored crowns, ana crumbng thrones OF
ecclesiastical Oppressi0u and know of no better ser
mark the triumphant march hOerahzed aud ber
aed Churchunless IL be 10 use them IN the heating OF
ovens IN which to bake bread fof open communion
The Lee Avenue Baptist Church. at whose altars
have been privileged during the past elg1t years 10
serve-k bless God for t!sands in the iul ness OF
gospel liberty. Baptist Church. knowing no baptism
but immersion, and knowing 10 rRht to baptism DRt
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ IN the matter 81 o. com
the priceless price OF HIS blood, and believing tnat
the question OF Communion at that Table aqlestlOG
which hes snSy simply soey between m 5nG ~
the Apostle, Let examine himself and SO let
him eat"
Nothing At the recent Convention held ia the
entered body clothed ali the rights OF the regular
Baptist Church. Sue entered there 10 make 10 issue
TO stand the broad platform OF Baptist independ
ence. That herself IN that Convention with
her delegates IL that body. IL would
give the speaker great Joy could he say the OF
some other churches that were there. tAmusementl !
II very sOou known that there would be
question raised upon the retention or expulsion OF
again and agsiu. 'Why did not the Lee-Ave Baptist
Church. Knowing the liability OF its expulsion modesy
retref answer. the part OF my beloved church, If
was known by son, who had ia common with nis bro
brethren, misguided, or by malice, had concluded TO
eject him from the house. whether he would waive his
We were IN Fathers house and are IA IT, aud on the
very ground that we would not withdraw from the de
The crime that were charged with-what was il .
Being loose in doctrine touching the communion ques
house that would allow man who was Baptist IL
that he believed that be had put his trust Jesus
20 sit down at the Lords table But this me
thinks we might have passed that rock brethren with
abe dear old slip just grazing little but there
fearful and that our snip Struck We
had actually united with PresOy terians and Methodiss
and Congregationahsts and EpiscopAiians ana reorm
churches IN General Assembly IN Df fOrteonss
AAasA He as4 sstsu ftsgsailt br1ed Wy vs. saIas