The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-02-17

Attest
ALSO, the root idea of Romanism
is not only not truly catholic but
makes Christian union forever impos-
sible, for Rome cannot enter into fra
ternal relations till the lamb is safely
inside the lion!
''AIso. this idea of catholic would
bring the whole world into unity by
keeping it in ignorance of the Bible
It expressly forbids the reading of the
Bible and forbids its members to az
tend Protestant churches where they
might hear it.
'T respectfully submit to you that
there is such a thing as being Catholic
in name only, while the spirit Is BIT
ter, narrow. sectarian, and tyrranicaI.
Is there any wonder that this spirit
has caused war, and irruptions in
many countries, and stirred up the ha-
tired of vast massed of people? 1t is
not the people who are objects of ami
mostly, for many of them are of the
same bone and flesh with protestants,
but it is the system to which they be-
long.
There are some other protestant
denominations which do not fellowship
their brethren of other faiths, by ex-
change of courtesies or in any way
recognizing them as Christian They
also want union of lion and lamb, by
getting the lamb securely inside the
lion. But in the main, protestants are
hated only by Romanists-and by each
other (?).
cut it is not so much about the Ro-
manists or any other that we are con-
cerned, but about our own denomina-
ton. Let us measure
Baptists by Same Standard.
Far be it from me to claim per-
lection, or TO defend our faults and de-
fects. We have some Baptists so
straight up that they lean over back
wards, and some so narrow that they
cannot carry two ideas together, and
others so broad that they are exceed
ingly thin, and many so crooked that
they make Interrogation points! But
ours is a great and an ancient de-
nomination, of which we are fairly in
significant part, and Of its main cur
rents alone I speak.
'Baptists admit the saved of every
name to constitute the church which
is the general assembly in heaven and
on earth, the only real invisible or Wis
ible church there is. These may he
scattered amongst all denominations,
or they may be thickest where truth
is best loved, but however they get
saved, they become members Of that
true Catholic church.
BaDtists Hold Universal Commission.
This we admit to be the great COM
mission, and under. this banner we
with fire and sword but with the
Fl a ming torch Of nnfiOh+onincr
and our missions stretch from the
sands of Africa to the frozen deserts
of Siberia! Baptists are actually en-
gagged in carrying out the commission,
; as you can find out by looking at his
tory. What was it came to America
and sowed the seeds of freedom? Who
covered the hills of New England with
the teachings of the world? Who I'LL
ed the fertile plains and valleys OF
Virginia with the energizing truth of
religious freedom?
Appealing to Increasing Numbers.
Tn Romanist lands our gospel is
as welcome as in our own, for in
Italy and South America people are
awakening rapidly to what we offer. In
Orthodox Russia the principles of
Baptists are being eagerly grasped as
a remedy for the terrible burdens Of
the autocracy. In China what have
we witnessed: The whole of that great
empire turned democratic? Where did
| it get that Ieaven? Is there no sig
nificance in the fact that Baptists
have been sacrificing heavily to send
men there for hundred years?
Stand For Broad and Liberal Culture.
Our denomination is truly demo-
cratic. We trust the people. 1t is
essentially non sectarian and can CO.
| operate consistently with all, even
with Rome, for the salvation of the
world, for all men are regarded as
/ brothers, and we call no man father
on earth. We hold many things in
common with other denominations but
you may best understand our claims,
/ If mention some of our distinctive
| tenets or principles. These justify US
! in separateness, though all true Bap-
| lists would welcome unity upon the
basis of truth, viz:
81. Obedience to Scriptures as a
ground of faith. We think it best to
make all things according to pattern.
young apprentice was gwen an iron
| bar with holes at regular intervals and
told to make as.many as he could. At
| first he followed the model and his
work was good. but then he began to
copy from copies, and alas, some of
his work was so unlike the first model
| that it was unacceptable,
"Faithfulness to Scripture can alone
can save professionalism, and up this
alone can we ever hope for Christian
union.
"2. Baptists contend for religious
| liberty, by which We mean a right to
worship as we please, and the compe-
tency of every converted soul to so
interpret as to lead him to God, with
out any mediation except that OF
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This
| has been secured in its fullest, rich
est state in America. This means
much, for one is free nowhere else.
The state taxes him and circum-
scribes him with laws he did not
make. In society he is bound by laws.
There are some autocratic natures
that love authority, and so incline to
monarchy. Such will never love us,
nor understand the glory of our prin-
ciples. With us it is no mere profess
sion toward democracy. In autccratic