Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-04
baptism" 4, IS.


ings. Close Communion is not the
only distinctive principle of the
but it is one of them. They
believe it their duty to teach it to the
young, in churches, ard to explain
this distinctive principle to the
world.
However, it is a mistake to sup
pose that Baptists are the only peo-
pie who teach that the Lords supper
should be restricted. Indeed all, or
nearly all, the denominations draw
the line somewhere. If ii is to besim-
ply a matter of personal examina-
tion,' the heather, Jew and infidel
may partake of the Lords supper
with the christian. The moment
one says it is for 'professed chris
tians' that one draws line and is
close communionist' just that far.
But there are very few who would
be even 80 liberal as this, because the
term, 'professed christians includes
Unitarians, who deny the divinity of
Christ Universalists, who ignore the
plan of salvation as well as Nor
mens, Spiritualists, Swedenborgians,
etc. There are some Pedo Baptists
who are really closer in their views
on this subject than Baptists, be-
cause they profess to baptize some
people who are not fit subjects for
communion-infants.
A great majority of denomina-
lions agree that baptism is a prere-
quisite to the Lords supper, differ
ing only in whatconstitutes baptism.
Here the preacher quoted from a
number of authorities in other de
nominations showing this to be their
view.
Baptists do not invite anybody to
the Lords table. A servant has no
right to choose the guests for his
masters table. 1t is not question
Of worthiness or sympathy or love,
but of invitation from the Lord.
The disciples were commanded by
our risen Lord () to make disciples
of men, (2) to baptize them, (3)
to teach them to observe all the
things which he had commanded.
The Lords supper is one of these.
No one has a right TO change this
order, aud those only invited by
Him are entitled to seat at the ia
BILE.
The inspired disciples to whom
this commission was given followed
this order. A single instance in the
New Testament where one partook OF
the Lords supper before baptism,
and the Baptists would have to sur
render this principle, but no such in
stance can be found. The invaria-
BILE rule Was first baptism, then com
munion. Peter preached on the day
of Pentecost; the people Q) gladly
received the word,' (2) were bap
tized,' (3) were added unto the
church, and (4) Continued steadfast-
ly in the apostles doctrine and fell
lowship, and in breaking bread and
in prayer
The Lords supper follows baptism
in a very natural order symbolically
Baptism among othec things, is a sym
Dol OF the death, burial and resurrec
ton of our Lord. The Lords supper
is commemorative. If one woulc
have ceremonial privileges, let hin
first have ceremonial qualifications.
The difference between BaptistE
and other denominations on this sub
iect is substantially this: They be
lieve, from the commission, the prac
tice of inspired apostles and th'
natural order of the ordinances, tina
baptism is a prerequisite to thu
Lords supper, and so is church mem
bership, and that immersion is tn
only baptism.
The design of the ordinances is als'
matter of much importance. Herr
the preacher referred to many differ
ent views concerning the object ant
purpose of the Lords supper, thu
Baptists' holding the view that it i
strictly a memorial service to b.
held by church.
tits a veto against infant baptism
against anything but immersion a
baptism, against baptismal regenera
ton, against Romanism and all it
fragments.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The theme of Rev. A. M. Grow
denis discourse last night was 9Th
Conditions of Pardon" He preach
ed from the following text:
"Then Peter said unto them: Re
pent and be baptized every one G
you in the name of Jesus Christ 70
the remission of sins, and We sha'
receive the gift of the holy spirit, 70
the promise is unto you and to you
children, and 10 all that are afar of
even as many as the Lord your CO.
shall call. "-Acts 2: $3.50.
In this series OF sermons we ar
| IooLiuo hack TO tho faith once deliy