The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-06
Firsf OF an Interesting Series OF
Secfarian Sermons al
Peoples Church.

We deny that the church has any legislative functions
We declare invalid all proposed the
sution of Christian liberties We suspect the
tors OF these changes Of selfish motives and charge
them with infringing the rights Of King and Of
his free subjects. We evil and evil only in every
dogma of every assembly council of theologians who
assume to be wise above what is written serious
matter thus to make void the of with the
ditons of men. Whatever the plea may be which
these changes in Bible teaching proposed, whether
on the ground of Development the ground of phi
losophy reject them ALL LET God be true and every
man liar If angel from heaven preach any other
gospel, let him be accursed." Armenianism Calvin
ism both produced under the influence of the dis
carded philosophical schools of the middle before
modern aud more enlightened philosophy had appeared
Raptiss have official binding creed but the Bible We
maintain the right of private judgment sft
Scriptures but to find out what they teach This right in
wolves the duty of searching the Scriptures The Bible
was written for plain people, and it reveals it's deepest
meaning to humble seekers after truth.
ONLY WHAT GOD ORDAINS
am Baptist in the fourth place, because Christ's
saying, Every plant which my Heavenly Father
planted shall be rooted up is settled conviction of Bap
tist people We have doubt that infant baptism will
be rooted up because it is plant which Heavenly
Father has planted We confident sprinkling
for baptism will because ordained
God. We certain that sacraments will nought
because they nowhere mentioned in the New Testa
ment We not only reject all which the enemy
has planted but cultivate carefully the plants
which Heavenly Father has planted, baptism and
breaking of bread. Baptism in the New Testament, as
every scholar admits the immersion of believer
Chrsts name The breaking of bread Savior said
is to be observed in remembrance of Him. The order
of these two rites affirmed in all the great
Christendom is first baptism and second breaking
of bread All the great denominations are in theory like
the Baptists, close communioniss and close the
munlon to those baptized Indeed other de-
nominations are closer than we for they do not
we do offer the communion to all whom they baptize,
for they withhold it from baptized infants We believe
that baptism and the administered the
administered hem the best safeguards against schism
heresy and mpurity in the church We believe that the
Christ will triumph until it is one and
that will never be one until baptism and the supper
| restored to their original use.
.. .. AND AS TO POLITY L. E.e4.
Finally, Baptist because Chrsts saying 'Tell
to the church,, expresses the Baptist the SUI
premacy of the congregation matters of government
and discipline The government of Episcopalians Pres
byterians and Methodiss ogarchy or aristocracy
rule of the many by the few, but the government
Baptist church is democracy, rule people, for
the people and by the people Baptist church an
dependent republic 1t tolerates interference
fairs by any other body There is appeal from it's
decisions. The ultimate appeal lies with the members
There is question with giving laymen an
equal representation with the clergy for they ounumbr
ths 100 to There is question us as to
female suffrage for women have twothirds of the voting
power. There is wirepullng and caucusing with us
for higher Offices for have higher Offices There is
no danger of minister lOrding it heritage"
for his position depends his good behavior We have
cumbersome machinery of government for every mat
ter settled in the local church. reporter at th, Ban
ts national meetings at Denver said that they not
interesting because there trial heresy going
on We have trials for heresy because set up no
definitions that provoke heresy We churchmen not
i'll the perverted of hierarchy but in the apostolic
sense of congregation We have priests be-
cause all priests God We diocesan
bishops, for pastor is bishop, overseer of
congregation The only apostolic succession care for
is to succeed to their faith their spirit We
receive ordination directly from God, is the sole
of grace and who needs human medium to dis
pense it. Confirmation Is human invention for which
we, followers of Gods word, have use.
NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL
Such is my answer to the question, 'Whv am a RAN
tst 1t is because follow Chriss sayings and start
ing with Ye must be born again. We begin with renewed
souls; then taking Christ master we insist on the
freedom of the soul from all constrant Again
we protest against those who make void law of God
by the traditions and additions men, and also against
those who tareS Gods. wheat Of cere-
mony that shall surely be rooted up At length we are
democracy, becaust Christ bids the church
which is the congregation of believers settle all uues-
tons of discipline. have not had time point out in
detail wherein Baptiss with other denominations
but may In word that wherever they agree with
the New Testament agree with them the other
hand, disagree with other denominations as I have
tried to show this evening only where they disagree with
the New Testament