Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-03

HA%/l//X
HETH WHITSlTT.
have written for the public since it was
made known. In his History or the
Baptist Churches in the United States
Dr. Newman says OF the baptism Of John
Smyth: IT Is almost certain that the
rite was administered by affusion and
not by immersion. The same is conceded
Of splllsburys church, organized in Lon
don on the 18th Of September, 1893 (His-
tory D. s0. It is granted, he says, that
contemporary testimony is unanimous in
favor OF the view that immersion was
practced by Roger Williams but Or.
Newman shows admirable discretion in
Omitting 90 cite the passages.
"In an article that may be seen In the
Southern Baptist Convention Teacher for
the current month OF April, Professor
II. C. Vedder adds his eminent authority
to the view maintained by me. He says:
'Baptists did not always practice i'm
mersion exclusively; both the Anabap-
lists Of the Continent and the early
English Baptists practiced sprinkling and
pouring for a time as well as immersion
Gradually they came to believe that the
only baptism the New Testament knows
is immersion. Thus it will be seen that
the three most eminent masters OF Bap-
tist history In our century accept my dis
covery. In fact, II has now become a
universal possession among scholars-a
commonplace in this department. /
feel we'll repaid for the many reproaches
1 have endured for making and main
tanning this discovery"
In conclusion DIR. Whtsitt declares:
Il do not claim to be infallible and
yet in other instances where have open-
ed new way I have found recognition
and approval by the foremost authorities
OF our times. ] have hopes that these
will all stand with me on this ground
likewise. Years may eaDse before that
result shall be declared, but am accus-
toned 10 wait"
DR.. Whitstt has been Professor OF
Church History I'm the seminary for many
years; IS one OF the most devout and
scholarly men OF the denomination and
Is beioyed-almost ld0lized, indeed-bv the
great host Of seminary students. scat
tered far and wide. He is a painstaking.
conscientious. and laborious student.
1T MAY BE TAKEN UP.
The interesting question now is whether
this matter will come before the
Southern Baptist Convention. which
meets in Chattanooga the latter part OF
this week; or, II not whether the Board
OF Trustees OF the seminary will take II
up The trustees, who represent all Of
the Southern States. will meet In Chat
tanooga the day before the convention
assemblies. There IS a division OF oDin-
ion az 20 what course. II any. they will
pursue. It Is generally thought that
the subject viii be discussed among the
denominatonal leaders, whether any ac-
ton IS taken or not
Rev. Dr. l.. r. ThornhiH. OF Nanches-
ter, when asked yesterday for an ex-
preston OF opinion touching DR. whit
Sits position, said he preferred not
10 do so just now, as he had not given
the subject sufficient attention TO Justify
him IN doing so. He doubted whether
the Board OF Trustees OF the seminary.
OF which body he is a member would
see iit to take the matter UP yet awhile.
Nor did he think II likely that the con-
Vention would express any opinion.
though perhaps some allusion would be
made 70 DR.. WhItsitts statement.
CONVENTION NOT LIKELY TO ACT.
Rev. Dr. W W. Landrum. responding
to the Dispatch's request for statement,
said: THE convention will not likely
notice Professor Whitsitt's remarkable
deliyerance. He was chosen president
OF the seminary after he had long oc-
cupied the Chair Of Ecclesiastical History.
not by the convention, but by a board
Of trustees. The trustees. who represent
the States embraced in the territory
Of the convention, are the only body who
can remove the president. At the same
time. a resolution OF the convention
condemning Professor Whitsitt's teach
4 ~ \
TO express itself In that way, would have
great influence with the trustees. The
trustees may take action in the matter
Of the presidents startling discovery, but
I am, by no means. sure Of It. My Vir-
ginia colleagues on the Board Of Trustees
are Rev Dr. Dunaway, Of Frederlcks-
burg; Rev. Dr. Thornhil, OF Manches-
ter, and Rev. Or. Hatcher, OF this city.
We have had no conference, and / have
no means of predicting what they may
conclude 70 do.
WAS PUBLICLY IMMERSED.
'I am sure that have not the slightest
disposition 10 censure President Whitsltt.
As at present advised. 1 feel unable to ac-
cept his conclusion. l believe unqua,ifiedly
the statement OF the Encyclopedia Brit
tannica. Volume NXIN.. ninth edition,
page 5T, which says: In 1899 he Roger
Williams) was publicly immersed, and be-
came pastor OF the First Baptist church.
OF Providence. r. T. All books on Church
history that / know anything about and
all teachers OF Church history OF every
denomination. SO far as 1 am Informed.
except President Whitsitt. declare Roger
Williams a Baptist and such by a regular
baptism, as Baptists understand baptism.
"Of course, Professor Whitsitt may be
right, all other historical experts 20 the
contrary, Notwithstanding. Discoveries
are possible in history as Well as In
science. II Professor Whitsitt shall prove