New-York tribune., 1876-01-18
4 .B1PTIST ISSUE.
OPEN OR CLOSE COMMUNION
anlState.'

OiEN Oh iI4ONG NONhbNlpN'
An EARNEST DISCUSSION IN THE CONFERENCE OF
BAPTIST NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE RI;V. DIR.
JErFRrY-HE DECLARES HE HAS BEEN MIS-
REPRESENTED.
At the meeting of the Baptist Ministers Con-
ference OF Now-York and vicinity, held yesterday in the
Mariners Baptist Church at Oliver and Henrysts. the
invitation recently extended TO the Rev Dr. Reuben JET
frey Of the Marcy Church ia Brooklyn to read
paper before the Conference considered. At the
meeting week motion to rescind the invitation
was discussed and Committee appointed to report upon
the subject. The report submitted yesterday by them,
which wa. adopted after long discussion, consisted Of
nreanbc aud resolution setting forth that the hearing
uf tho paper would not commit the Confer
ence 10 the views expressed in IT, the invitation
be extended to DR. jeffrey to read his essay Jan. 81
The point on which the discussion Of the pr0pnety of
such an invitation lay in the belief and practice Of Dr.
Jeffrey In reference To restricted close" communion
II being urged that he an "open" communionist.
The resolution having been adopted the Rev Dr. Thomas
Armaee the Fiithaye. Baptist Church submitted the
following;
whereas The Id Article in tho Constitution of the
BAPTIST Ministers Conference of York and Nicn
its "icues ign of this Conference To be the ell
hcaion OF It's members and the promotion OF union Ot
aim and action among pastors ana churches IN all That
concerns them as disciples of Christ; :" aud
Whereas. This Conference understands the words ann
and action mere used a. intended TO conserve The prac
tlce or restricted communion, In common with every
other gushing practice OF regular BAPTIST churches
no person should participate in the Lords supper uqi
Lc has been immersed IN water upon profession OF ms
faith in Christ, - the Gospel requires; and
whereas. The recoeniton OF eel believers as
rgGtu COMMITMENTS at The Lords table sets aside ana
violate. the order the New Testament practioed in
the Apostolic churches; therefore,
H,s6lred That this Conference insists that Gospel hap
su is a uecr,,.ry aua caton Tor the Su per. dis
cards comhuuOu III the table by any ot S members
with those VINO do not possess tins qualification as IN
direct conflict with that union oi aim and action among
pastors and churche' dciined by it, Constitution rs
primary object OF this Conference, aud rs calculate TO
disturb its harmony ana impair ltS lEnuCrcc.
The resolution was the subject OF very earnest and
protraced discussion which continued for several hours.
The Row Dr. Bright OF rhe Examiner ord chronicle sup
ported IT, and the Roy. r. J. Macarthur recommended its
adoption pointed speech, n which be referred to
time when tho Rev. Dr.. jeffrey had supported restricted
communion Dr. Jeffrey IN answer said he was bound g.
retire from Conference the resolution adopted
that at conference in Cnicego somo years ago. Mr. Nae
Arthur had aided in preparing paper which advocated
freedom IN such matters; that as the pastor OF tls
Marcy Avenue Baptist Church he had acted upon
the conviction that who believed in the
Lord Jesus Christ could receive the communion. Dr.
Jeffrey further said that he believed in the order of the
church ordinances and that every person who received
the Lords supper should first be baptized, but that was
luesti0 between the person and jesus CHRIST, who, II
any oue was offended II the sacrament shor.d be taken
without previous baptism. lie declared that ho was not
an omen communicate and had never invited any to
come 70 the Iorls table who had not been baptized. lie
had been greatly misrepresented had been treated b.
his BAPTIST brethren as sort OF "mOra eper" "buC,"
said he every Of those present could take to any
heart 10 my home, TO my pulpt-ail but one, but
oould NJ Il ke him." "WhO is the him e. asked the Rev
Dr Justin ID. Fulton, in low and deliberate but en-
phatic tone Il voice You, Sir " answered Dr. jeffrey
The discussion continued by the Rev. Drs.
Armitace Bright and Fulton the one side, aud the
Rev Qrs Anderson, Thomas and jeffrey on the other
Dr Anderson and Thomas believed tIat the resolution
WAS An acknowledge OF weakness. They said the
world knew what tho Baptist ordinances were, and II
was unnecessary and wlso to make any further decer
atons one % the speakers alluded 10 the discussion
zone Of the most extraordinary exhibitions that had
been seen In q Baptist conference" After session Of
more than three hours the meeting finally adjourned
NH next Monday without action the resolutions. 1t is
believed that they will be adopted by large vote AT that
meeting