El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-22
NEW YORK BAPTIST MINISTER RULES
INDIRECTIONOF GREATER GHURCH UNITY
Admits Members to the Chrch by Letter. Even Though
They Have Never Been Emersed-May Be Means OF
Revoutionizing Practices of Baptist Church IN
Relation to Other Denominations.

It is agreed that the Rev. DR.. ]. Her
man Randall, of New York. may vet
become famous as the man who led
Baptists of America from one position
where they could not, to another no.
sitipn where they can, enter upon re-
latfons with other religious bodies
The Rev. Dr. Randall is pastor of Mt
Morris church, a Harlem conversation
of New York city. It is a large and
influential body, and its pastor ranks
high both in city and denomination
Young and vigorous, liberal and pro-
gressive, 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 thai
members of other churches may be re-
ceived into his church by letter. Fail
ing possession of a letter, those who
prove themselves to have been mem
bers of other churches in good stand
ing are to be received. It reads like
a simple ruling. but it involved the
principal contention of the Baptist
faith. Some persons bringing letters
may not have been immersed. Yet,
received by letter, they are members
of a Baptist church that is in good
standing with other Baptist churches.
The same question has been up in Dis
ciples of Christ churches for years. 1t
is fairly new among Baptist ones.
Baptists themselves, asked concern
ing the matter, declare the Mt Morris
there is among Baptists of America
no general tendency to receive persons,
even by letter, into membership save
by immersion. They admit that there
are a few Baptist leaders of first rank,
president Faunce, OF Brown univer-
sity; the Rev. DR.. Harry E. Fosdick, of
Montclair; the Rev. DR.. 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 Tar as the
Rev. DR.. Randall and admit persons
into full membership in churches when
they had been baptized by sprinkling
only, but they hold more liberal views
than some others. They admit also
recently done. will have its effect. for
such have always practiced the plan
now introduced by the Mt. Morris pas
tor and his deacOns.
English Baptists, while prOfessedly
immersionists. recognize as valid the
form of baptism of all other bodies
and have always received members OF
other churches on presentation OF let
tiers. The new plan is the introduction
of English Baptist customs into Amer1-
can Baptist churches Whether II viii
become general remains to be seem II
is admitted that there has been marked
change within a decade, especially
two years last past, on the subject OF
admittance to the LOrds supper OF
persons who have not been immersed
That is. close communion SOcalled Is
much less close than formerly. Bap-
lists everywhere are discussing the
new thing, some to criticize and con-
denim. here and there one TO approve
The effect of the change, if change
it prove, will be, as all agree, to bring
egationalists, possibly disciples.
and in some measure Methodists and
Presbyterians into close relations, and
to help on organic church union i'm
mensely. Already the subject OF unity
has come up, and everybody says IL
will be helped If Baptists grow less
rigorous on form OF Baptism Such
rigor does not affect the newly con-
verted. They must still be immersed II
they would be Baptists. unless per
chance 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.
Whatever the outcome, the Rev Dr.
Randall is Just now. in spite OF hot
weather and vacations, a most talked
about Baptist.