The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-16
MINISTER'S CONFERENCES.

THE BAPTlsrs RECOGNIZING OTHER CHURCHES
AS CHRIsTIAS-DR. CURRY on THE METH
oDIsr GENERAL CONFERENCE AT BALTIMORE.
Yesterday morning tho Baptist ministers met in con-
ference the old church in O ver street to hear very
ablc paper read by Rev. A. G. Lawson, pastor Of the
Greenwood Baptist church, Brooklyn, on the question:
.shouId Baptist Churches Give Letters 10 Members Do
string to Unite with Pcdo Baptist Churchcsyv This
question discussed few weeks ago by the Phila
delphia Baptist pastors who came to the unanimous
conclusion that the proposition should receive mega
tive answer Mr.. Lawson did not, however, follow in
the wake OF his Philadelphia conrsres He maintained
that Pedo- Baptist churches not of like
faith and order with Baptist churches, and hence no
one can be Mt one and the time Baptist and
Pcdo-Baptsl Letters therefore, f restricted to mere
certificates Of full and equal fellowship faith AMI
order never pass between such bodies, and he
answered by saying that such letters should not"
be gwen, but that 'thcy canuot be- and there Is
therefore, question TO discuss But II tho word
cttersn in this question Is restricted merely
certificates OF Christian character, Of membership
for gwen time in Baptist church, then the question
may and ought 10 be discussed. In the progress OF
the discussion Mr.. Lawson submitted the following
LETTER
that might be given such persons indicated In
the question under consideration -
TO :. .h.s in place s.ll upon che name q Lord
NY that h;. .ssn ~, member q We Greenwood sr
Sas hs1 bis or here es~ 81 20 ss ans de-
dismissed, have given him this certificate OF
Christian character and standing and his membership with
US Is hereby dissolved.
Mr. Lawson stated the objections which he knew
would be made 10 this propositon-name'y, that u Is
opposed 10 all Baptist usages that II would lessen the
value Of regular letter. that Baptist churches would
be compelled receive similar letters: that Official
interchange OF letters Will prove the high road
interchange OF fellowship Al the Lords table and that
Il would be recognition Of Pedo- Baptist
churches gospel churches These objections Mr.
Lawson answered and demonstrated the
Of the He then gave his favor ofthls
similar form Of letter dismssory FIRST that 10
will help TO retain some who might otherwise be lost
now bcsct tho Baptist churches; II ~ matter Of
courtesy member and also hrs demand OF right.
Such certificate Is simply true statement Of fact,
and certainly Baptist churches have nothing 20 lose by
telling the truth. These several points elaborated
argued by the cssayist aud subsequently DIS
cussed BY the brethren. OF whom IN Of
some such letter being given. some, however, held
firmly 10 objections presented above.
The Conference appointed delegation 10 represent
u IN the International Temperance Congress, which
meets In Philadelphia June Is, prox
AT the regular weekly meeting OF Methodist minis
tiers, held yesterday, DR.. Curry, who was fresh
from The General Conferences al baltimore. was
called out 20 speak about matters going on
In that body. There 235 clerical and 1856
lay delegates present. Very few young men or
old the majority range from forty seventy
OF age There few present who attended the
Conference OF 162S, the city, and three four
who In the Conference OF 1874, In which the
Church divided The hrst two weeks bave been de-
10 rcceptions and appointment OF committees,
but no business had yet been and reports
presented when the Doctor icit Baltimore Friday.
The address Of the BISHOP very long
York delegation did not reply 70 Dr. Lanahan when he
held up checks Of the value OF 00y stolen from he
New York Book Concern, when, Mr. Coss believes.
be (LanAhanl took them away himself whom he wAs