The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-08
THE BAPTISTS ADJOURN.
WHAT CONSTITUTES VALID BAP-
TIsMD THE SUBJECT DISCUSSED.


AUGUSTA, GA, Dec. THE National
Baptist Congress concluded its business
SESSIONS at 1:SO p. NJ. This afternoon
the members visited the Augusta Exposi-
ton In a body and tonight enjoyed a
banquet dinner at the Hotel Bob Air
The morning session was devoted TO
a discussion OF What constitutes valid
baptism" and developed a great differ
ence Of opinion among the members. AS
to the form, immersion in water" there
was unanimity; equally so as to the
design and the proper subject for bap-
tsm, but upon the administration OF the
ordinance there exist divergent views.
The two opinions were best set up i'm
the paper OF Rev. Il. -. Pollard OF fir-
ginia, and Rev. J. y. Moody. OF Ken
lucky, on the question whether man
who was in a Pedobaptist congregation
but demanded immersion of his preacher.
should be received upon that baptism
into the Baptist Church without re-
baptism.
Nr. Pollard, of Virginia.
Mr.. Pollard said: There are two
things which commend him-first. that
believing I'm the New Testament baptism
he dared 10 stand for II even I'm the midst
of Pedobaptlst circles and against Pedo-
baptist influence. second that when he
received more light and saw more clearly
the iUogical position he held in Pedo-
baptist fold ne got out. Is not Pedo-
baptist Church a good place FOR a Baptlst
To come from? We have no lien on I'M
mersion. There is no peculiar baptsl
baptism prerequisite TO admission 10 our
denomination other than the New lestd-
ment baptism, and baptism haElhs 'no
vital elements of New Testament DapliSHi
should be considered valid among bap-
lists. Rebaptism tends TO exagserate ue-
nomtnational differences, and since neither
the nature Of the ordinance nor the reason
for the existence of Baptist churches as
distinct denomination make the REJECTION
or alien Immersion either necessary or
exnedient. we conclude that such baptism
should be regarded as valid
The sprinklng of Infants.
Rev MIR Moody said. zone who believes
in the immersion Of believers for the pur-
nose OF showing his fellowship IA tue
death. burial, and resurrection ol J'su'
Christ. and who believes also IN cohsle-
gstional church government does "ru,b
i'm going to a Pedobaptist, VINO clalus '.'e
commission 10 sprinkle infants anu - w ~
usUrps the prerogatives OF the churches'
and teaches for doctrines the command
ments of men. He should have gone 10
them with like faith with himself 30 IN
consistent is this, the Baptists should pro-
test against II. and require the "fohs y"
be corrected. III one wants a bapy spilhA-
led. he must not come 90 me knowing my
disbelief I'm the right. II ne wants miner
sion, he should not go TO one VINO refuses
and abuses it, II the authority 10
administer is extended 10 those VINO reiuse
and abuse It, then there Is no restricuoh
under the sun. when Baptists receive such
a baptism, they endorse hagrant lhcoh-
sistency. and virtually say that man
who has not received II and does not pe-
lieve IL may 'scripturally administer IL.
From such Inconsistencies may the good
Lord deliver us"
"Blsst be he Tie That Binds"
The exercises were concluded by fine
sermon on the "Indwelling Christian" by
Rev. Carter Helm Jones. Of Louisville,
XIV. which was full of eloquence and ten
der feeling. after which Governor Northen
the President Of the Convention, and
DR.. Lansing Burrows, pastor OF the
church I'm which the Congress is held,
made remarks expressive of the pleasure
this community had experienced IN the
sessions OF the Congress, and hoping
that they would come South again.
The members then united in singing
''Rlest be the tie that binds during
which all passed in front of the officers
Of the convention and shook hands in
parting.