The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25
THE BAPTIsTs IN TEXAS.
Some Very Peculiar Views About Baptism
Gaining Headway.
Baptism Must Precede Conversion, and Many
old Converts are Re-baptized

HIco, TEXAS, DEC. 5, 1SS6.-Our Bap-
fist brethren are having quite a commo-
ton down here in the "Lone Star" State.
Whether it will affect any other of the
fixed bodies which belong to this con-
stellation, we do moi know. There is a
party among them who teach that If per-
son has been baptized before actual con-
version, it amounts to nothing. They
contend that many are baptized and join
the church when under conviction. Such
have doubts, they are not converted, and
are not proper subjects for baptism. If
they die in this condition, hell is their
doom. But il the person will put implicit
and believe that Christ has paid the debt
of sin for him, and have no more concern
about his soul, it is evidence of genu-
inc conversion. Then the person is
proper subject for baptism. One in this
condition is now truly in grace. Conse-
quently, all who have been baptized and
belonged to the church without this
Simon-pure conversion, must be re-bap
tized or be lost.
Many are being baptized over again.
Many of the ministers who have preached
and grown gray in the work are re. bap-
tized. These men with a spurious bap-
tism, have been adding to the church
daily, such as should be saved" and "ver-
lily believed that they were doing Gods
service" Yet their baptism was spuri-
GUS, and those whom they have baptized
have died, and their souls have been
dropping into hell.
The party opposed to this contend that
the church has got to rely upon the story
of the candidate whether they have been
really converted or not. And the usage
of the church in relation to the all-impor-
tant ordinance Of baptism cannot be put
upon wheels in this way. and re-baptize
a person when they have doubts whether
they were converted. The opposing party
say, When and where shall we cease to
re-baptize? Tie person may feel that he
or she was mistaken the second time, and
SO on, and the church would have no
stopping place. For every time, from
first to last, it must rely upon the feelings
OF the candidate.
We heard ore Mr.. Taylor, preach that
the Methodists, Presbyterians, and all who
do not immense, with large portion of
the Baptist church, will surely go to hell.
This was the argument; if they have not
made trusting scape, goat of Christ, and
firmly believe, and feel that he has paid
the penalty of their sins, there is no hope
for them. Therefore, all true believers
who will be saved must take the spiritual
insolvent act in order to secure heaven.
We look upon this controversy with
much pleasure. We can discover that
good may come oat of it. 1t will cause
members of that church to think. The
new move to doubt their conversion is
good one, for they demand that when a
person is truly converted he will put I'M
doubted trust in God and take Christ as
a complete Saviour. When the mind ar
rives at that point, it lands square on the
platform of Universalism. As long as
the mind clings to the doctrine of endless
torment for any, there are doubts. But
when God is taken as he is, and Christ
for what he is, we find but one destiny
for the human world.
So we say the controversy must do
good, and truth will be evolved. 1t will
bring many to the true light, which en-
lighteneth every one that comes into the
world. JAMES Billings.