The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-10-21
For the TGxEs.
A Hsp.y 70 Friend -yee.r

= n 4<*k<y W Athoae eevs II
KsIrox. Oct. IA Mr.. Eiit,r Will
you be 30 kind - to give me space in your
columns TO reply to some inquiries Of my
friend "Joe," Tbis 10 samc~hat out Of my
line Of work, 10 di.cuss such q subject
through the columns Of q newspaper, but
since have been called upon 10 viudicsts
myself, 1 cheerfniis --A..---. so ~ ao.
now, risad .'Jes," let us agree to discuss
this matter 1ssnkly, defending the truth and
yielding To 12f,same cheerfully, remember
ing that we nJt1lE nothing personal, except
TO benefit each other.
Permit me 10 quote from yours oflast wssk
In reference tome: al am disposed to think,
however, the Rev. gentleman got o little
of in hi, zeal 10 defend his mode of bap-
tisp, (talics miue) when he stated pub
lciy tha, neither sprinkliug or pouring is
baptism"
grant that you are honest in ysur
opinion, and believe, ii you saw otherwise
you would have the candor to admit il; but
since you did not oyinos to me where ! was
"of by giving argument to the contrary,
and since have the Bibie OH my side, l am
not yet disposed TO admit that L was a "lit-
tie off"
Permit me 10 say before entering more
fully upon this discussion, tha. IL you meant
that my zeal was net prompted by sincere
convictions Of the truth, you certainly failed
TO understand me. | am far from preaching
any doctrine that l do not believe to be
taught in the Scriptures. Hence it was not
"my mode Of baptism" but the Bible mode
thai endeavored TO defend SO zealously-
for calm that immersion is the Bible mode
of baptism.
Let me quote further: "If he is right,
then what host OF ignorant people there
are in other churches, who do not sgree
with him."
am not able to say whether it is a mat
ter Of ignorance or indifference; for when We
we find that almost all of them agree that
the primitive mode of baptism was INNER
sion. will mention a few Of them here:
Testimonies of Celebrated Pedo6dptiM Scholars.
Charles Apthon, LII. D., Episcopaliau
Prof. Of Latin and Greek, Columbia Col
legs, New York: "The primary mean
ing" (of the word 6aptizo) i, dip or
immerse. Secondary, if it has any, refers
to the same leading idea. SprmkEng,
is entirely out Of the question"
Rev. George Campbell, d. D., President Of
Marischal College, Scotland, Presbyterian in
his Preliminary Dissertations on the Gospels,
| declares that the original Greek words mean
inmerss, immersion.
Revs. Thomas Chalmers, ID. D., Presbyte-
rian; Moses Stewart, ID. d.. Congregational
| ist; Martin Luther, founder of tho Great
I Uofo-mation; John Calvin, founder Of Presby-
terinnism; John Wesley, tho founder of
Methodism; Adam Clarke. y. D., the cele-
| brated Methodist exposition, with numbers of
other Pedobaptist scholars, are agreed that
| the primitive mode of baptism was made
| by immersion. This being true, would not
charge them with ignorance. But space will
| not permit me to speak further on this point
| at present.
must quote further from your letter {:
| "Mr. H. tells us that no other mode of bap-
| tism was practioed for 250 years after
| Christ
When made this assertion took history
| for my authority, and of course we must
depend upon the records of history for such
information. Sprinkiiny grew out of tho idea
Of baptismal regeneration. Men believing
the doctrine that, if any one died unbap-
tized ho would be lost. and since sick man
upon his bed could not be immersed easily,
thought that profusion Of water poured
upon him might save him. This was called
clinic baptism, and the first record of such
| baptism, indeed, the first example Of affusion,
| is given in the Ecclesiastical History of
| Eussbius. IL was the celebrated case Of
| Novatian, A. d., $50 Eusshins says of
him. being de iverod by the exorcists, he
| fell into sew sickness, and as he seemed
about to die, he received baptism by afusion,
on the bed where he lay it, indeed, we can
say such an one did receive it," Now, if
| you can find an earlier record Of this So
| called baptism shall thank you for tho infor-
nation.
But let me quote the rest, and then with
n few words close: "Now, will brother (no
excuse me, am not baptsr) will Rev. H.
tell us his authority for saying the Apostle
| Paul was Immersed, and oblige, joe"
1t is little singular that Paurs baptism
is 50 often referred to by Pcdobaptsts for
when rightly considered, fail to see where
they get any argument in favor Of sprink-
ling or pouring
"Aud why tarricst thou? Arise and
be baptized and WASH away thy sins, cllling
on tho Lord" (icIs 22:l6).
This passage seems t, be proof text,
| from which they draw conclusion that Paul
was sprink'ei. But let us see if we can
answer all the objections they may offer
against immersion, and if so we shall con-
| clude that Paul was immersed, as the very
word implies.
Let us notice first the word "Arise"
"Paul." the PedobapIists say, simply got
up and was bnptised where he stood" But
let us examine tho Greok word -1nastas,
astas.) 1t implies motion after ris-
ins. Liddeli and ScIti not only say it
means to "ariso," but to make people arise
to leave their homes" Thayer says, Those
who leave place TO so elsewhere, hence
OF those who prepare themselves for jour
ney.' Robinson-"IIc arose and followed. ="
Hence, according TO Leric"ns, Paul arose
aHa wen, TO another place aud was baptized
| Now, If there was no other word in the
sentence than ''be baptized" that would be
| sufficient TO tell what was done, since all of
the best Greek scholars ars agreed that bap-
tism means immersion. Read what Paul
says about baptism in Rom 6S. The "ve"
includes him elf.
Wash away thy sins" The word need
| for wash is i0Uo. DR.. Robinson says iouo
| signifies to wash the entire body, not
merely part Of it, like npto." Hence my
candid convictions are that Paul was i'm
mersed and l give you as my authority
the Holy Bible.
Respectfully Yours.
w. T.. G. llUMruRIEs.
. -
Mrs Lease has deserted tho p.nnia'