The New York herald., 1876-01-18
OPEN VERSUS CLOSE COMMUNION.

The Baptist Pastors Conference had yesterday one
of the largest and lvelest meetings they have had
long time. 1t will be remembered, perhaps, that
Dr. jeffrey, Of Brooklyn, had been invited to read
paper before the Concrence but between the date Of
this invitation and the time for the presentation Of
his paper Dr. jeffrey had become a contributor
If not chief editor, OF the open communion
paper published in this city. This than the
Conference could stand and couple Of weeks ago the
brethren very gravely resolved to withdraw their
Invitation TO the Doctor But last week Dr. Armitage
and Others fearing for the good OF their
nomination in New York and elsewhere II such action
should stand, had the matter reopened and IL was re
ferred TO a committee TO consider and report thereon.
That committee therefore reported yesterday as fol-
lows
Whereas The hearing paper by the Conference does
opinions that may DO held or advocated BY tho reading Of
such paper; therefore.
the paper appointed to be read 5y him and
the meeting Of January be assigned for that purpose
After somo discussion unimportant verbal
changes this preamble and resolution was adopted
unanimously. But the Conference was not quite
satisfied with itself yet This looked SO like stu
tincation that something more and explicit was
necessary; and this DR.. Armtage supplied in the form
Of resolutions recitsng that the objects OF this Baptist
Pastors Conference are the edihcatlon its members
and the promotion OF union OF q common aim and
acton. But aim and actonv were not considered ox-
plcit enough, and they defined TO refer 10 re-
stricted communion further preamble declared that
any recognition OF unmmerscd believers rightful
communicate at the table OF the Lord be
taned by but Is contrary TO and violation or the
New Testament order This preamble accompa-
MED with The followng:-
Resolved That this Conferences insists Gospel bap
uen necessary qualification the supper dscards
communion at The table by Of members with tboss
who do not posess thts qualification being In direct
hct With The union Of aim aud aeton pastors and
churches defined BY is constitution the primary object OF
Conference and is calculated destroy its harmony
and i'm pair iis usefuinesa
Dr. Bright wanted the Conference 10 vote directly
this resolution, but the brethren, made more cautious
by experience, refused TO DO So but took week W
ponder and mediate upon IL Mr. MACARTHUR, who
seems 70 have stepped into Dr. Futon's shoes as
rHE cHAMrfos CLOSE conmUNOS
made nery address, in which ho Substantially invited
all his brethren who we're tainted with a suspl
con Of open communion heresy 70 leave the denolni-
nation He particularly bitter and personal tow
ard Dr. jeffrey for his frendlincAs toward the here
tics Dr. Galusha Anderson and DR. J. Il. Thomas OF
Brooklyn ielt themselves called upon not to defend
open or close communion bu, 70 repe the personal at
tack and nsnuations OF Mt Macarthur
Dr. jeffrey defended himself against the personal al
tack OF MI Macarthur The great ground OF objection
70 him here s that some years ago he attended lib
erA" Baptist Conference IN Chicago in company with
bis sstmable brother, Macarthur, who al thas
time sailed In the same boat But Mr. Macarthur
has since gone 70 the other extreme, and is now
a bitter opponent OF open communion. Dr. jeffrey
felt himself IN perfect accord Of 'am and action" with
every member OF the Conference except Dr. Fulton,
who had treated him most unchrisuanly. DR. Fulton
who sssn~A W Ne o. ths anxious seat Tor while ro-