The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-12-09
FREE Will
BAPTISTS
AFFECTED.

Rev. r. B. Mcdaniel who wrote an
article in the Telegram d few days
ago, correcting a report that had
gone from certain metropolitan
newspapers relative to the relations
of the Baptists and the Free VIII
Baptists. gives the following official
recount of the conference recently
held in Brooklyn by the representa-
tives of the two bodies. This ac-
count is from the Morning Star, the
organ of the Free VIII Baptists:
seThe meeting between the Free
Baptist Committee of Twelve and
the similar committees from the
Baptists in Brooklyn, to consider the
relations between the two ,denomina-
tions, with a view to union, was
frank, cordial and sincere. DE-.
Wood, president of Newton Iheo-
logical Institution, was chosen chair
nan. and with him, resPerenting the
Baptists. we're DIR. Holyoke, of Prov
idenee. r. l.: DIR. Rhoades, OF
Brooklyn; Professor Stevens, of
Rochester Theological Seminary ];
DR.. Bullen. of New Hampshire, and
DR.. Hobart, of Crozier Theological
Seminary.
s.Tbe Free Baptists present were !:
Or. Ball, President Mauck, Profes-
cor Anthony. DIR. Lord, DIR. Ford,
Rev. n. A. Space, L, NJ Webb, Esq,
Rev. T. II. Stacy, who was chosen
N place of the late DIR. Perkins and
George I. NIosher. President Chase,
President Van AIKEN and Harry s
Myers we're present as visitors.
teThe questions that had divided
the denominations were freely dis
eussed. and a marked change in the
spirit and practice of the Baptists
on Cqlyinism and communion was
frankly acknowledged. The present
position of the two denominations on
tl,a matter Of union, so far as it was
indicated bv the appointment of
those connfttees Of conference, was
stated bv DIR. Anthony and Presl-
lent Wood respectively 1t appear
"a that neither committee had any
executive power. but could only re-
port to the bodies that appointed
4hem-the Free Baptists to the next
General Conference, and the BaP-
lists to their nationql missionary and
publication societies at their annlyer-
saries, which will be held next May
seIn stating the Free Baptist posi-
ion, DIR. Anthony took occasion to
,orrect the report that had gone out
20 the effect that the two bodies in
Massachusetts had united Each
aommitte disavowed any intention to
make or encourage local unions that
night tend to the breaking up of
either denomination.
sSThe act of some Free Baptist
ehurches in receiving to member
ship unimmersed persons was OBJ
iectionabie to the Baptists, a1d, was
declared to be only exceptional
,mong Free Baptists. The empha-I
sis among Baptists which used to be
On Calvinism and communion had
now passed to baptism. The general
practice among Baptists now is that
no invitation is given to the, coma
munion, and their deacons do not
net as police with reference to those
Who come to the table.
CATER the past had been dwelt
upon and the present had been con
sidered, a resolution was at length
unanimously adopted to the effect
that the differences that had histor-
ically pissed away, and that .in doc,
trine and church administration and
po1itv we are substantially one
Even this action was significant. II
indicatcs long stride in advance OF
thc position held by the BaPtists a
century or even a generation ago.
ond may well serve as the basis for
still moro important action by the
qational bodies to which the com
alittccs vii report, even if-no other
r1cctines of the two committee
shopld be held. But it is quite prob.
,6feethat other meetings will be held
before our general conference meets
# not before tn next Baptist annlver-
saries."