The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-25
DISTINCTIVE TRAITS.
DIR. A. J. DICKINSON PREPARING HIS
PEOPLE FOR THE CONVENTION.
A Series Of Lectures BY the Rector OF
the Central Baptist Church, on the
Principles Which Distinguish That
Denomination From Various Others.

ton to the Southern Baptist Convention,
early next month, the Rev. A. j. Dickin-
son, pastor OF the Central Baptist Church,
is delivering 10 his congregation n series Of
. lectures defining the principles and prac-
tees which distinguish that vast body Of
religionists from other denominations.
The first lecture was delivered last night
before large congregation and was in the
main, as follows
That you may form just conception Of
the people who meet with us on the 9th Of
May, it is my purpose to state briefly the
popularity OF that religious sect commonly
called Baptists, Of whom we form part.
Allow me TO say in the beginning that
wish simply to state our peculiar views
and viii enter into no polemics with those
differing from us.
wish by way OF introduction to say q
few words about what we consider author
ity, and criterion Of Truth, in matters Of
religion. We believe that the Holy
Scriptures are the only rule OF faith and
practice. That YOU may the better under
stand what we mean by this technical
phrase, ! will state II negatively We
deny any patristic authority, beyond what
is granted TO great men and scholars of all
ages. While the fathers have the advan-
tage OF being nearer tho fountain-head OF
revelation, they are subject TO the disad-
vantage of being deprived OF the results OF
the long and devout study OF that revela-
ton, which is the heritage OF modern
eA.ats 81. q hat
ity suitable 10 fallibe mon In their environ
ment, and allow no disputed question 10
be settled by their ipse dixt. Our reasons
for this position are: ~ There is no eyi.
dence that christianity IN germ commit
ted to them for development, moro than
10 pious scholars OF all ages; nor do they
claim any such authority for themselves;
nor deserve II, since they disagree very
widely among themselves. (2) Tho theory
OF patristic authority il less reasonable
than the Romanist doctrine OF the contin-
ued inspiration OF ''the Church" in all
agus
Nor do we recognize the doctrine Of the
authority OF cxpediency. We deny that
any doctrine or institution OF the New
Testament can bo changed, when In the
judgment Of fallible men II may seem OK
pedent TO do 80. Our reasons for reject
Ing this doctrine now widely held by 9th.
or denominations are ~ Tho institutions
ofihe Old Testament times were unchango-
able, aud any violation OF them was pro-
durtye OF disaster 20 the religious life Of
the lsraolites. We consider tho New
Testament institutions equally sacred In
Gods eyes and Just as wisely planned.
(2) Tho authority TO altar must be equal
TO the authority that planned. and we find
no such authority anywhere In Christen-
dom. (3l The relations between insitu.
ton and doctrine are no vital, that IL Is i'm.
possible 10 change the former without
causing the latter TO suffer. 90 The i'm.
mortality Of the divine nature prohibits
any change in Gods doctrines and insii-
tutionS (b) There Is no evidence that
the New Testament order Of things Is not
best suited TO all times aud all places.
And 40 we regard the New Testament rs
interchangeable and being given by inspira.
tion, OF the highest authority ON every
subject on which II speaks. We further
believe that the sacred writings arc best
suited 10 be and were intended for each
mans guide In religious matters; and 80
We give TO each member Bible, allowing
no prayer book, or confession, or cato
chism TO take. its place IA his daily COM
panion, and rule Of faith aud justice. This
necessarily leads TO the belief In an indi.
vidual Interpretation Of the Holy Scrip.
turcs, under the light Of the best help OBJ
tainablc. Each man must interpret his
own Bible M best lac can, and be rcspon.
tiblc for his own conclusions. We deny
the right OF any Christian 10 believe hi
bible TO say one thing aud lac do another.
And 10. acting on this principle OF an in
dividual Interpretation Of scripture, after
our own investigation we believed
what was not permitted 10 be praciiccd
and preached IN other organizations, and
what h denied In their crccds aud prac.
ticcs, and that some Of their practices were
antiscriplural and 40 We were led 10 form
an organization OF our own, whore we, aud
those believing with us, could obey what
We consider the commandments Of tho
Savior whom We love without molcstation
or embarrassment On this ground WO
claim the right TO exisl. - separate relig.
ious body.
now propose 10 state what these inter.
prCiati0nh OF Scripture are which We be-
licyo correct beyond reasonable doubt, aud
which distinguish ~ in1m other religious
tcciA ] shall only mention those which
are ~ different from other religious poo
piles that they force us 10 form separate
religious sect. You will pardon me for
bringing before you questions which ~
quirc scholarly aud accurate thinking, for
nearly every difference between our pco-
pie and others IL one Of scriptural cxegcsis
II u the results Of scholarship which give
IA right TO exist.
wish iist 10 call your attention 10 our
belief a. 10 the nature Of the Church, ~ u
y taught In thc Scriptures The word
'ccclcsia, or church, l. used In the New
Testament llb times twice Of the Assem-.
blyoi the lsraclitcs, three timcs Of Greek
assembly. and 10 times Of she Christian
church. OF these Last " u used ninciy.two
times Of "a local assembly OF Christians,
Organized Tor the maintenance Of the wor.
ship, The doctrines, the ordinances aud the
discipline Of the Gospel, united undcr a
special covenant with Christ and ono an
other. lsce any good lcxicon.) This W.
term the local visible Church, wherein re-
g., sides oil ecclesiastical authority.
The word II again used OF "the entire
body Of the elect In heaven and ON earth,
and N hguraiively called the bride Of
thrist over which be- u head. This We
term the Invisible Church. ncsidcf these
two uscs, We find no warrant Tor any other
In the New Testament or In tho early
Church history.
IL will BE- seen from this thu, we no. he.
lieye in q universal visible church consist
ing Of all the redeemed living at any ON,
time. And while The word church may b,
used ior iuch an Idea. We deny that thg
idea Is found In the New Testament. MOI
do wo believe that dcnominational
church. or 4 national church Ia IA IA.