The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-24
American BuptlsE Eradication Society
Meetings.


Meetings.
( The meeting Saturday afternoon at 4
O'Clock was held In the Grace Street Baptist
church, and was presided over by Rev. DR..
W. u. Hatcher.
The first address was made by Rev. DR..
Henry Mcdonald, OF the Second Baptist
church, on 'tRelations OF Roman Cathol-
cism and the Baptists-Tneir Contrasted
Faiths and Our Line OF Duty" Introduc-
ing bis theme with a pleasing incident Of
Catholic priest who once said that the Bap-
lists were "born Protestant heretlcs ever
since the days OF the apostles" he proceeded
to state and illustrate some OF the points of
manists.
1. He maintained that, Roman Catholic
faithfooks to the Church as the source OF all
authority and power-that al!s piritual bless
ings come through the Church; that saliva
tion is through the Church. ard only in the
Church. Against this, he insisted, the
Baptists hold that each poor sinnermav come
to the cross for himself, and trust in Jesus
for himself, and be saved for himself, with
out the Intervention OF either priest or sur
plice. The Baptists hold to simple faith in
Christ rs against the doctrine OF faith in the
Church.
9. He claimed as another contrast OF view
that while the Baptists hold that q Church
is body Of baptized believers voluntarily
associated fopothcr, tho Roman Catnolcs 10
hereditary church-membershin that all
should be in the Church and are brought in
By infant baptism that they grow up in the
Church and die in the Church. The Bap-
fists hold that each man must believe for
himsclf-the Catholics in a religion which
may be performed by proxy.
8. Heinsisted that the two hold antagonist
ic standards OF faith-the Baptists maintain
ing that the Bible is the only rule of faith
and standard OF practice, while Romanists
hold that the authority OF the Church is OF
equal authority with that OF the Bible. The
BaptiSts hold that every individual must in
terpret the Scriptures for himself, while the
Catholics hold that be must allow the Church
10 give the Interpretation.
4. The two. he held, are directly antago-
nislic in their views of Church govern
ment-the BaptiSts believing in the congre-
gationa form OF Church government Qhat
each church is an independent rcpubiic),
while the RomanistS hold to q consolidated
Church, whose head is IN "inIallibIe Pope"
5. He argued that they differ as wide as
the poles on their methods OF evangelical
ton. The Roman Church has been in its
past history, and in It's very fundamental
doctrines, prosecuting Church, which be-
lieves in either rcclaiming or burning hero
tics; and he insisted that it was mere
dodein. Of the issue to say that the Church
does not and never did persecutc, but SIM
ply "turns over heretics to the civil atl-
thority."
On the other hand, the day that Baptist
would raise finger to perSecute any man
Il In 81
mental principles and ceases to be Baptist.
For himself, he would shoulder his musket
and fight mob which should aSsail Cath
olic cathedral or attempt in any way to in.
terfere with their right 70 worship God ac-
cordinc to the dictates OF their own con-
science.
As to the duty Of American Baptlsts, nc
insisted that they should yield TO no false
ideas OF "charlty." bur, catching the spIrl'
OF that scriptural charity which re!olcett
| in the TRUTH" should firmly, though kindly,
preach and disseminate their doctrines. lie
hailed the work Of this American Baptist
| Publication Society as one which Should
command the hearty sympathies OF the Bap
fists of the whole country. He hailed the
prnting-preSs as our great civilizcr, ant
the distribution Of the Bible as the grca
weapon Of tie truth. He wanted colport
age and our Sunday-School work vigorously
pushed. He drew vivid and eloquent pic
turc OF the field which now spreads out be-
fore the Baptists of America. and OF tht
bonds Of fraternity which bind them togo
ther. and closed with touching incident
which brought tears to many eyes.
| DR.. McDonalds address was able, elo
uuent, and pathetic, and made profound
impression on all who heard it.
Rev. DR.. c. II. Corey, president OF the
Richmond Institute, then made an admira
bic address on "The Special Needs OF this
Work Among the Freedmen" He spoke
! of the power OF the Bible and Of eyangeli
cal truth to antagoniZe socialism, commu
nism, and kindred errors, and TO reduce
the grand army OF trampS. He especially
urged the need Of this work among the
freedmen Of the South. He gave All en-
cecdngly interesting account OF the worn
among the coored people Of the South. lie
bore willing testimony to the sympathy anc
active cooperation he had received fl ON his
white brethren since he had been in Ken
monG.
DR.. Corey's speech made an excellent I'M
preston. and was warmly endorsed by Drs
Sumner, Mcdonald, and Warren.
NIGHT SESSION.
Rev. Dr.. George J. Johnson gave Bible
reading on :. Baptism" in which he collated
the passages OF Scripture which are CLAIMED
to teach the views held by Baptists.
Professor II. FL. Harris being detained BY
sickness, DR.. w. E. Hatcher read the papel
on "Southcrn Baptists-Their Characters
tics and Duties" The paper was charac
tcrized by Professor Harris's clear dlscrllnl
nation and decided ability.
Rev. DR.. G. w. Anderson, OF Philadcl
pha made ali exceedingly interesting ad
dress on "The Baptists of Europe and tn
Publication Society,""
CORRECTION.
By some singular careleSsncSs the reportc
left out a part Of the report OF Fridays pro
ceedings, and thus omitted the first part o
Rev. J. n. Craig's admirable speech, ant
ran the latter part OF it into that of DR.
Dunaway, thus making tl'!s native OF Ian
caster county, Va, 10 have been born "
the land OF Burns"
HELPING THE SOCTH.-In his speech II
behalf of the American Baptist Publication
Society OH Saturday. Rev. A. Z. Dickinson
said: "Whcn l was collecting money 9
build the Fulton Baptist church, OF TIL
city, and lacked but five hundred dollars,
went TO the meeting Of this Society, hell
in Boston. and as soon as l stated the Gag
the President OF the Society, William BUCK
nell. said Put me down for one hundred
| 20 bor Saj6 tho