The Washington herald., 1912-08-04
Baptists and Church Unity.

1t is agreed that Rev. ]. Herman Ran
dali, Of New York, may Yet become IA
nous as the man who led Baptists OF
America from a position where they
could not, to position where they
could. enter upon unity relations with
other religious bodies. Rev. DR.. Randall
is pastor of Mount Morris Church. a
Harlem congregation Of New York City.
II is a large and influential body, and
its pastor ranks high both in city and
denomination. Young and vigorous. lib
eral and progressive. he has taken a
step that has brought him into national
notice in religious affairs.
The step Is to rule, in company with
the governing body of his church, that
members of other churches may be re-
ceived into his church by letter. Failing
possession Of a letter. those who prove
themselves to have been members of
other churches in good standing are to
be received. 1t reads like a simple ruling.
but II involves the princilal contention of
the Baptist faith. Some persons bring
ing letters may not have been immersed.
Yet. received by letter, they are mem.
bers Of a Baptist church that Is In good
standing with other Baptist churches.
The same question has been up in
Disciples OF Christie hurches for years.
- - nc" diioiAb IdptloI oHcS-
Baptists themselves, asked concerning
the matter. declare the Mount Morris
Church to be exceptional They say there
Is among Baptists of America no general
tendency to receive persons. even by let
ter, into membership save by immersion.
They admit that there are a few Bap-
fist leaders of first rank, President
Faunce of Brown University. Rev. Harry
E. Fosdick Of Montclair, Rev. Russell H.
Cornwall of Philadelphia, and others, who
put forth now and again liberal views on
the subject Of baptism. Some might not.
they say, go as far as Rev. DR.. Randall
and admit persons into full membership
in churches when they have been bap-
tized by sprinkling only. but they hold
more liberal views than some others.
They admit also that the admission of
Free Baptists. as recently done. will
have its effect, for such have always
practiced the plan now introduced by
the Mount Morris pastor and his dea-
cons.
English Baptists. while professedly i'm
mersionists, recognize as valid the form
of baptism Of all other bodies and have
always received members of other
churches on presentation of letters. The
new plan Is the introduction of English
Baptist customs into American Baptist
churches. 1t is admitted that there has
Deen a marked change within a decade,
especially within two years. on the SUBJ
ject OF admittance to the Lords Supper
of persons who have not been immersed.
That is. close communion, so-caIled, is
much less close than formerly. Baptists
everywhere are discussing the new thing.
some to criticise and condemn, here and
there one to approve.
The effect Of the change, II change it
prove. will be. as all agree. to bring Con-
gregationalists, possibly Disciples. and in
some measure Methodists and Presbyte-
rtans into closer relations. and to help on
organic church union immensely. Already
the subject of unity has come up, and
everybody says II will be helped il Bap-
lists grow less rigorous on form OF bap-
tism. Such rigor does not affect the new
ly converted They must still be i'm
mersed IL they would be Baptistst. unless,
they join another body by
sprinkling, and then gain fellowship with
Baptists by letter. The charge is made
that some may do this very thing. What
ever the outcome, Rev. DR.. Randall is
just now, in spite Of hot weather and
a most talked about Baptist.