The New York herald., 1876-01-02
THE GREAT REVIVAL OF 1734-42.
THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION AND THE GROWTH


OF SOUL LIBERTY THE OUTCOME
The Rev. Dr. Lincoln, of Newton, Mass, contributes
to the Examiner this week interesting article in
dcang how the Baptsts first came into being in New
England outgrowth of tho separatsts. And in his
sketch he gives the following concerning the great
vival under whitfield Edwards the Tennens and others
which over period of about eight years.
The great revival OF 1734-42 under the preaching OF
Edwards and whtcheid and the Tcnnents, introduced
a new order of things, and prepared the way Tor the
separation OF the Puritan element from the Arminan
or Unitarian element, with which 1t closely
equivocaL IL denounced vigorously the half way
covenant, and asserted tho absolute need OF tho
of of" Cl,Sr Church membership bh As ~ the psTs work
went on and converts multiplied the peace
OF the churches was disturbed, and parties
| formed in sharp antagonism Some ministers and
churches, led by Dr. Chauncy opposed the revival
outbreak of fanatcism, fatal TO tho quiet and good
| order of the churches. A second party under the
guidance OF Edwards, adored tho wonderful grace of
God displayed in revivng the churches and converting
Sinners hoped through the working OF the Spirit
to restore the churches the original standard or
purity. They did not favor any separation OF regene
rate from uprercncrate members by the organization of
| new churches but aimed to change the whole lump by
the eaven. third arty were called Separatists
because they thought it plain duty for the gody
come out from the ungodly, there could be no true
union between Christ and BelaL As the Pilgrims had
separated from the English Establishment 10 form
churches distinct from tho world, this party held
tha true Christians were false TO Christ If they con-
tinued in church with those who gave evidence
of tho birth Astrong body Of Separatist churches
! sprang up composed partly Of new converts and
partly Of older Christians, whose spiritual instincts
| were quckcned by the revival. - The Separa-
fists called to suiler for hcir faith II
breach o, the civil law 10 form church without
the of magistrates IL wiful rebellion TO
! withdraw from the regular worship and listen
| educated prophets Fines and imprsonmcnts multi
piled magistrates and general courts sought crush
the heresy; but persecution II unity and
force and tho movement gathered power which decd
| control The germ OF Baptist churches lay this
movement The Separatists aimed 10 estab-
lsh spiritual churches made OF truo believers only.
They recognized to be subversion of New Testament
law admit unrencwed persons 10 church membership
and TO the Supper. But the question Immediately
suggested, Does not the law hold for both ord
nanccs? II Of regeneration bars against the Sup
per does not bar against baptism! IL infants
entitled to baptism why they not entitled TO the
Supper as members OF the church careful study OF
the New Testament followed many OF the Separa-
lists compelled 20 give up infant baptism des
tute Of divine warrant and OF harmony with spirit
ual church. Others clung tenacously to infant bap-
tism and gradually recedcd toward the old regime