The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-26

they have come up to strength and man
hood they coalesce readily. You take, a.
an example, the Southern Baptisfs. The
are at all stages of development anC
of course they have their dissension anC
separations: but in all matters OF organ
ization for charitable, educational anC
missionary purposes, they are blending
into unity which, while voluntary, bal
all tie strength and loyalty that could
be desired. Not all the Baptists OF tn,
/ world work under the same organizs
ti"p; but they do not work against each
other. They are neighborly, homoge
neous and sympathetic. Baptists OF the
South. Baptists Oi the North and Bap-
lists Of Canada are together In heart
They have no creeds to fight over, no &c.
clesiastical superiors TO obey or rebel
against and no exactions imposed upon
them which could cause differences.
most inspiring fact now before us Il
the movement for a World Conference,
the design OF which Is To bring together
our leaders that they may learn one oil
another, that they may love one an.
other and each help the other to do the
work of the Lord better.
w. The Baptist OF the future will he
an inquirer The typical Baptist lie a
man with his Bible In his hand, h 8 soul
open towards the light and hisiace turned
upward to God. His surname Is "a lover
OF the truth" He holds nothing taat he
would not reject il he found that IL was
not true. lie il a Baptist because he be
ieves In what Baptists stand Tor, and
he would cease 60 be Baptist In any
point Of their faith u he found that they
were in error. lie believes 10 religion
that covers the whole domain OF human
life and whatever il true In nature or his-
tory or revelation, he wants to know.
lie seeks the truth becauseit Is the truth,
and he ia trammelled in his inquiries by
nothing except his faith in the Bible and
his trust in God. The man who thinks
that his opinions are infallible and his
conclusions absolutely final cannot be a
Baptist.
This explains why Baptists are last be.
coming leaders In education, in scientific
research aud 10 every movement In them.
terest OF discovery. Ii is not too much
to gay that the Baptists OF the iuture
will be up at the head of the column.
pushing forward his investigation In
every field and sphere OF knowledge.
As we approach the end OF this discus.
sion, let me say that Baptist need not
be conference.-the. but a propagan
dist he must always be- There are things
for him to stand for aud he must stand,
His colors must always fly, his spirit 81
liberty must make him courteous TO all,
tolerant toward the erring, sweet spirit
e1 always.
There are two ways OF advancing the
truth and Of attracting Others To our
rank. one by aggression. We undertake
To drive the truth into him; we hurl the
gospel at him as with intent 10 Kill; we
demand surrender or the black mark oil
heresy.
The other Is by sweet, bright, cOnta-
gious Christian life We let the truth In
US shine out and wait for the attractive
power Of the light. Doctrine, clad In
courtesy, presented with affection. The
latter is the better way. ( lie the only
way for the Haptists.
The Baptists OF the present have rea-
son TO be concerned about the Baptists
OF the future. The latter will be what
the former shall choose to make them.