Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-11-01

tons and committees or boards, as
being unscriptural and a modern in
novation.
If this is true, it is the most seri-
Gus objection Of all. Let us see:
The great commission was first given
by our Lord, according to the best
authorities, such as Broadus' "Har-
mony Of the Gospels" to a gathering
Of over five hundred of His followers,
who met Him by appointment Oh a
mountain in Judea. Ct. Cor. 15:5-S;
Matt. 2S:10-1S.) This gathering
was certainly convention of the dis
ciples Of that day. Later, the Com
mission was repeated to the eleven
Apostles mark 1914; Acts 1:2S),
who were to be leaders in carrying
on the work. When Paul and Barn
abas were sent out as missionaries
to the Genttles from Antiosh, IT, Is
clearly stated that the Holy Spirit
commanded certain teachers and pro-
phets, some Of whose names are
given, to send them forth; and they
were set apart and sent out by this
band Of brethren at Antioch. After
months Of missionary work, when
they went to Jerusalem to tell of
their missionary labors, they report
ed not to the church as a whole, but
to committee or board OF the breth-
ren. tActs l5:2-6) Paul expressly
says that he laid before them the
gospel which he preached among the
Gentiles, but privately to them
which were of reputation" When
1t was decided among the Gentle
churches to send relief to the poor
saints in Jerusalem" the whole mat
ter was managed by a committee of
brethren, under the general manage
ment Of Paul. What word Of Scrip
ture indicates that these methods
were abolished? Throughout their
history Baptists have carried on their
benevolent and missionary work
through associations or conventions
and committees or boards. Are not
those brethren who would change this
method unscriptural in their ideas
and seeking to introduce modern in
nOvations?
The truth is that the great COM
mission is given to Christians indi-
vidually and to churches only as they
are composed OF individuals. If my
church should decide as church to
do no missionary work, that would
not release me as a member Of that
church from any individual RESPONSE
bility. No church, no priest. no sac
and its Lord. Among Baptists all
this talk of church authority in mis-
Sions or anything else that would
bring church between an individual
and the Lord Jesus Christ is rank
hcrcsy. This is the fundamental cr-
ror OF EpiscoDacy and Romanism 1t
is my privilege, and under all circum-
stances it is my duty, to cooperate
with my church or my association OF
my convention, but must never lose
sight of my individual obligation to
40 all can to give the gospel to all
men. This truth needs to be under
stood, accepted and emphasized more
fully.
Another series OF objections is
sometimes raised by the critics Of
missions who take the case Of some
erratic or irresponsible missionary,
or some representative of the Roman
Catholic hierarchy, and charge up to
all the missionaries the wrong deeds
or the foolish actions Of these stray,
black sheep. Any just man can see
at glance the folly of such a method
Of Judgment.
These instances are sufficient TO
snow that any bubble of objection,
however plausible it may seem, can
be easily pricked by the point Of
ruth. The board Is constantly pub