The New York herald., 1877-03-05
A CHANGE OF FAITH.


THE REV. EMORY ,. HAYNES LEAVES THE
METHODIST CHURCH AND JOINS THE BAPTIST
coMMUNIoN-HIs RxAsoNs FOR SO DOING.
The services at tho Fith Baptist church yes
terday morning were more than usually interesting,
owing the fact that the Rev. Emory Haynes, who
was for nine years Methodst minister, was 10 be re-
ce,ved into the Baptist Communion and be baptized
by immersion DR.. Thomas Armitage. the pastor OF
the church, performed the ceremony. In bis prayer
he especially alluded 10 the convert, and prayed
earnestly for him and for The church that be had left
Previous administering the ceremony the Reverend
Doctor stated how Mr. Haynes came 10 him aud
sought his assistance on the great question that
he was trying TO solve. They had several inter-
views. beginning In December last and con-
tinuing up to February 10, when Mr.. Haynes finally
concluded that ho must leave his church and be
baptized in the Baptist faith. The struggle in his mind
was severe and long, but February % he placed his
resignation Methodist minister IN the hand OF the
presiding elder OF his district and received tender and
warm hearted letter OF dismissal This letter he took
TO Dr. Armitage. Yesterday week Mr. Haynes preached
his farewell sermon to his old congregation OF the Sev
enth street Methodist Episcopal church, Brooklyn and
yesterday he became n Baptist On Wednesday even-
lug last he appeared before the Fifth Baptist
church and gave account OF his conversion TO the
Baptist faith.
The ceremony OF Baptism was administered yester-
day. contrary to the usual custom in Baptist churches,
before the When the Doctor led the young
convertsnto the water nc said to him:-"My precious
brother in the ministry, at just about your age your
Master and mine led down into the River Jordan
to DO baptized. There Is only one way'to follow His
example-that 49, by protesting sincere belief in Him.
Dost thou, my BROTHER believe with all thy heart in
the Lord Jesusy" Mr.. Haynes bowed his head in as
sent, and DR.. Armtage contnued:-"Upon this avowal
OF thy faith, baptize thee in the name Of the Father
and Of the Son, and OF the Holy Spirit Amen Tho
choir then sang the hymn, 'Shall We Meet Beyond the
Rver? and the Doctor and his young brother LETT the
water. In few minutes the Doctor reappcared in the
pulpit and began his Sermon choosing for his text tho
twenty of the chapter OF the
Acts-we desire 10 hear Of thee what thou thinkcst
for concerning this sect We know that everywhere
it Is spoken against" !"
The substance OF the sermon Is as ioows:-There 10
religious sect that has had so much undeserved
obloquy cast upon II, and been so constantly and
widely msrcpresented as tho Baptist. We have tho
unenviabe distinction OF beng everywhere spoken
against deny that we enjoy this, but II makes US
the more ANXIOUS be understood by others There
three principles upon which the Baptist church
tounds its al.h. Those first, that the Bible Is the
practice. In consequence, we have no creed, cato
cnsm or decrcas We prefer to 60 back OF the creed
directly that upon which tho crced itself is
founded. We have. no respect for traditions. II we
cannot nnd warrant tor. them In the Bible,
ranted We have no use for them. The second great
principle Is that hold that God has given every
man the right interpret the Scriptures for himself
We do not mean by this that ut liberty TO
think not to think, to obey or not to obey just
they please rha, Is not the right Of private Juag'
their prejudice. Tho right to investigate does not
carry with II the right 10 doubt or disobey The third
great example s that hold that man is RESPONSE
bic to God and God only Tor his faith and
practice far as the infction OF any pun
ishment on the part OF man is concerned. This
We call soul liberty. . freedom which We have
obtained at great price, We have been more mis-
on account OF the Of Lords
supper than any other OF our practices Our vicws
on this are:-First-The supper Is to be received only
by those who have been converted and have been bap
tized, but we havo different view from others 10
what is baptism, We holding that baptism can only DO
by immersion alter regeneration. Sscond-we hold
per itself then it baptism. Both OF equal
Importance and solomnity Both are symboliral, but
nor savo the sa
alone is the true test OF Christian character
THE EVENING SERVICE
The hurch in the evening filled to repletiou
even the platform and pulpit steps being crowded.
After the preliminary services were over Mr Haynes
came forward, and having announced his text-"I.et
every be fully persuaded IN his own mind
plunged Al into his reasons Tor changing his
Sss1a Sosn made in NV couyc,ion Of re,ruos truth
they do not appertan SO much to the vitalitics
OF Christianity as yoI might Imagine, Tor all sects
converted, only ono way to DO saved The earliest
point OF divergence in my mind was point OF church
government. Mr. Haynes here conrasted the Baptist
form OF government with others, and gave his adho-
TO the former He alluded TO ttincracy and gave
his reasons opposing it. He then came 10 what he
called the ''thraldom of doctrine which swept away
all the minor conside erators OF church government"
and considered infant baptism and gave his reasons
at considerable length for opposing It, From
this he proceeded to adult baptism, regeneration and
baptism by immersion considering each separately and
illustrating the several positions that be assumed by
copous references from the Testament In concluding
Mr. Haynes said, ii do not wish to be controversial or
arraign those with whom / have walked long in
Christ's name. utterly dscaim all such intention.
am only preacher Of the Gospel. l come 10 you,
dear brethren, a stranger. know not where my loi
will be cast, but II God will give me place will try