The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-22
COLUMBUS BAPTIsTs.

COLUMBUS BAPTISTS.
Statement from Mr.. Small on the Question of
the Reported PROSECUTING at that Place.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
1t is evident that your journal has become the
voluntary forum for the discussion of matter
that has been brought into puliic controversy by
Rev. C. E. Dobbs. of Columbus, Miss. generous
ly abetted by Rev Reuben Jeffrey. OF this city.
/, therefore, ask some space by your courtesy
for statement both personal and germane to
the issue.
The preamble and resolutions from the Baptist
Church in Columbus, Miss, published by you
this morning. demand of Rev. Sam Jones his au-
thority for the statements in his recent card con-
corning certain efforts at PROSECUTING during our
Columbus revival meeting in April.
1 beg to say that was in the main his author
ity for the details of his statement l reported
them to him as they came to me from the lips
of converts themselves. They approached me,
some of them in alarm of mind and with tears
in their eyes, asking me if they must be i'm
rnersed in order to be saved" I was questioned
as to the mode in which was myself baptized,
and whether it was absolutely necessary" that
one should be immersed to enter the kingdom OF
God. In another instance was told by young
convert that "a Baptist" told her whoever was
not immersed would be in danger of damnation,
and had likened other modes Of baptism to
partaking of the Lords supper unworthily.
| was myself approached by a lady worker In the
meetings who with Bible in hand, sought to con
vince me that it was my duty to preach ike
Peter on repentance and baptism" and the
latter lat her suggestionl ought to be by INNER
sion; to which | only answered that L adopted
the words of Paul. For Christ sent me DOT to
baptize, but to preach the gospel"
From personal notes at hand, can only recall
a few of the persons who were led into confusion
by this undertow of contention on the subject OF
baptism; and if could recall them all, 1t would
not be necessary to parade their names In the
public prints to establish the truth that there
existed such current of proselytism under the
surface of the meeting in Columbus. l affirm,
with all the sanctity Of my recognized RESPONSE
bility to God, that am not mistaken In the tes
timony to my own eyes and ears In the tears
persons and appeals of those who were In dis
tress of mind and conscience upon this subject
I assert there was reasonable cause" for the
indignation which took shape in the words of
Mr.. JONES' the true import Of which he has fully
explained; and, in yet fuller demonstration of
the warrant for my assertion, shall present for
your personal inspection and perusal the origi-
nal of the following letter from the clergyman
who is the author, also, of the remarkable 'pre-
amble and resolutions" you printed today:
COLUMBUS, Miss. April %, 1886.
Dear Brother SMALL was very much interested in
your preaching and THAI of Brother Jones 10 this city,
bors in our midst 1t is not known yet how many
will join the different churches. trust two hundred
at least viii connect themselves with the several
the meetings who do not reside In our city. They
will join their ohur ches at home. The doors of the
Baptist Church win be opened tomorrow. learn
twenty-five perspns have indicated their inten
there WILL an tSini '1 be mors to follows 1n
sp sS have mot yet nsss
friend, Rev. Dr. J. W. NJ. Williams. pastor of the
First Baptist Church in Baltimore will be glad to in
in gospel baptism. As he will doubtless attend your
meetings, be kind enough to present to him my pro-
speakable Joy to learn that he has baptized my friend
Sam Small into the fellowship of his church.
Brother Small, do honestly think you ought to be
Baptist not merely because your mother belonged
mother br' was ' Msthodist-s " 81, but because
the plain teaching Of Christ and His apostles makes
scholarship Of the world as you know, has unani
mously agreed that the Greek word "baptizo" means
Ito immense, and that 1t never has any other mean.
ing, either in classic sacred Greek. The command
of Jesus therefore, makes it imperative every be-
levng person to be Immersed" into the name of the
Father. and of the Son. and of the Holy Spirit.
ought to be baptized Brother Jones is Metaodist,
and If you should become Baptist,
the two great denomi ,n:s prin,
be represented in your joint abors and influence
would thus be augmented The Baptists of this
millions reside in the South am not going into any
argument on the subject of baptism trouble you
with the testimony of the exicons the concessions
of the most eminent pedo-baptists to the proper
import Of baptizo," but will ask you to read the
third chapter of Matthew this subject and also the
FIRST of Mark the second of Acts and also the eighth
and sixteenth chapters of that book. the sixth of
Romans, and the second chapter of Oollossians.
And my prayer is that you may be guided into all
truth and that your labors may be abundant blessed
wherever you may go. Yours, fraternaly and truly,
THos. Q. TEAsDALE.
The contents of the above letter, and of the
''whereases and resolves" by Rev Dr. Teas
dale, are at such patent variance as to reduce me
to confusion in any effort to reconcile them.
The preamble, etc., so grossly misquote and per-
vert the terms of Mr.. Jones's card, as read by
me and published by you, that one may we'll hes
itate to trust the clearest language to the wrest-
ing spirit apparent throughout them. The man
ner in which the expression some of our
brethren of the Baptist faith" is made to cover
''ths Baptsts of this city and the millions of
immerslonists throughout the country" is feat
that distances the traditional bulps hide device
of Romulus, and might well demand the ''uncon-
ditional surrender" Of the multpicatory powers
of Houdin and Hermann. the magicians
The above letter is Tin black and white" and
I canddly submit It, side by side with the
preamble and resolutions to the interpreta-
tion of just public. My training and expert
ence in the courts Of law, at least justify me in
believing they would be found probable cause
for the indictment to which ''ths church at Column
bus opposes a demurrer. petito principii, and
then fires it brutum fulmen at the mirage of O
man of straw
The body of the Baptists in COLUMBUS did
great and effective service for the Master in our
meetings, for which the glory was unto God and
the visible reward unto them. May our Father
bless them In the garner of that season. May
He, ALSO charitably cover the manifest surprise
of many people in Indiana over the unwonted
zeal of our dear Brother Dobbs In the defense of
the aancfifv of at last of tho hnlsr