Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-07-25

MISSION society, the nome mlSSlOD
Board of Southern Baptist Convention.
the baptist General Associations of
Virginia and the Virginia Baptist
State Convention in my humble opin-
ion, portion of the plan partakes of
prelatical. bishopric and presiding ell
dership. and is far from being Baptist.
PLAINLY STATED.
1 understand the sole object of a
missionary is, to preach the gospel of
Christ, to seek for the salvation of
sinners through Jesus Christ, in parts
OF the country where the gospel is not
found, Christ is not known They
has nothing TO do with the inspec-
ton of Church, interfering with
the management, control and internal
affairs of n church. The care of a
church belongs to p ,stors
Baptists: as to ch irch government
they believe that each separate and
individual church is entirely independ-
ent OF all churches, persons, aud bod
les of men either civil or ecclesiastical,
and is To be governed by its own mem
hers alone, without the aid or interfer-
ence of any other person or persons
Baptist Church Directory, pages SO
and 1871. PendletOn in his distinctive
principles of the Paptists, page 1876
says: ut follows from the doctrine
of church Independence that no church
is at liberty to interfere with the in
ternai affairs OF another. Every Bap-
fist Church is independent and pure
democracy The idea OF independ-
ence should be earnestly cherished.
while that of consolidation should be
as earnestly deprecated"
CHURCHES ARE INDEPENDENT.
Ripley in his Church Polity speak
ing of churches says; They are indie
pendent bodies, independent. in their
own appropriate sphere, of the civil
power, independent of another, indie
pendent of any human central author
ity either in an individual, or iG an
organized hoard or IN n ascent bly, -
page 90
again, church is evidently dis
tinct from all ecclesiastical and other
organizations which have not heen di-
vinely prescribed, but which mems
views of necessity or expediency have
originated. Such as associations of
churches, conventions, missionary
boards and other bodies. page 10.
All standard Baptist writer's agree
on the independence of a Baptist
Church.
The plan of cooperation makes no
distinction in the churches. strong
and feeble churches. All are under
the inspection, dictation and control
of the missionaries.
THE PASTORS POSITION.
Each pastor is placed before the
public as being competent TO take care
i Of his church. The deacons as being
unfit to manage the financial. and tenn
poral affairs of the church, and the
chuI ches as being destitute of Judi
cious judgement TO decide for them
selves, but must submit TO the dicta-
tions of the missionaries. AS Baptists
we revolt against all such yea. perish
all sid.;or cooperation that draws us
20 lay aside the Independence of q
Baptist Church.
We notice some of the objectiona-
BILE and unbaptistic features of the
plan.
LIST. The duties of the missionarie.
are: ITO organize, so far as possible
"a system of benevolence in the church.
es. )" Which churches7 The coloreC
Baptist churches of Virginia. Sucl
work in every acceptance for ever,
purpose belongs To the pastor and dea
! cons. l cannot see what missiondrl
r or anybody else outside of a churrl
: has to do with such. A system that i
: suitable and approved in one place j
I not in another, ard does not work s.
/, we'll. Witness the division of on
2 tcountry to day in financial matter, :
5 some for silver. some for gold. A sys
= tenn suitable for the missionaries. ma
e not suit pastor, deaeons and hi
1 church. 90
y MIscHIEvoUs INTERFERENCE
2nd. The missionaries, are to c,
{ operate with churches in counsellini
. and encouraging, the ordination
II and settlement as pastors, only me
e of good repute and fair attachments.
Snoh il we'll enOugh IN the face IF /