The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-27
THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.

fed with the position he now held He also told
me that he had been to see our old frieno
Osborne Tally and Miss Polly, and read several
passages OF Scripture i'll their hearing Among
others, he read the first chapter OF JOB. When
he came to the verse enumeraung the wealth of
JOB and uttered the words, Ills substance also
seven thousand Sheep he was interrupted
by the sharp, catchy voice of Miss Polly, saying:
Stop there, Mr.. Moore, stopl How many sheep
did you say that man had?" To which he replied
Seven thousand" Good gracious' she eJacu-
lated, Il wish L had some OF the WOOL" Poor
man, she found it hard to get all the wool she
needed for her work, and her mind naturally turn
ed to carnal things. 1t may be, however, that
some grain OF saving truth found Judgment IN her
heart through this good mans instrumentaty
which, watered by the Divine Spirit, sprang up
and brought forth fruit in her everlasting saliva
ton. Who knows?
Before leaving the incident of this sermon | de-
sire to say that have quarrel with our Baptist
brethren on the Mode of Baptism" While firm
ly convinced that the weight of Scripture truth
iavors baptism by effusion, regard this OF
the non-essentias in religion, as Baptsts also
themselves do when they acknowledge Metho-
dists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians as Chris
tians and brethren in common faith and heirs OF
salvation My total divergence from them is OF,
their practice of CLOSE communion by which
they exclude all non-immersed believers from the
sacrament of the Lords Supper and from fellow
ship in their churches. For this they have, so
far l see absolutely no scriptural authori-
ty, and it only be defended as a remnant of
the dark ages to which they adhere in a spirit ut
tery at variance with the doctrine of the great
Apostle, Charity suffereth long and is kind chart
ty envieth not itself, is not puffed up" Those
great leaders of religious thought i'll England,
Robert aHll and Charles Sturgeon, got far be-
yond this narrow horizon, and it is hoped that
this great body of Christian people in America
will break off the shackles which bind them to the
unintellgent and unOving past and come into
tull accord with the Christian sentiment of the
twentieth century and into communion with all
who call Jesus Lord and direct their lives by his
word.
Not long since l spent Sabbath at Carroll c.
H., Va. The only Christian service was held at
the Methodist Church and it was communion Sun
day Ihither my feet tended at the appointed
hour. l heard excellent Sermon and all the
exercises instructive and edifyng. L felt
that l was among brethren. An invitation to
commune was given not only to Methodsts but
to all protesting Christians and to ministers of
sister churches. 1t blessed opportunity to
affiliate with brethren i'll a common faith, and |
think l can truthfully say that | never enjoyed or
prOhted more by any such season throughout my
long lite. l came away refreshed, strengthened
and better fitted for the work and service of God.
Now, suppose that had been Baptist COM
munion' No cheering and fraternal invitation to
participate in the worship of my God would have
been given No recognition of my Christian or
ministerial standing would have been accorded,
but | would have been treated 5 a paGah from
their fold and would have come away 'dishearten-
ed, distressed, mortified.
Which is right? which Christian? Which is il,
accord with the instincts of our common humani-
ty, with the teaching of reason with the explicit
commands of Gods Word? The answer to an un-
preJudiced mind, it seems to me, is not far seek
ALAS, for the rarity
OF Christian charity