Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1914-01-07
Blalock-Bailey, The Facts in the
Case.

byterian church there have bee
various views taken by differen
persons. Some have exercised low
md christian charity. Some hav
attributed the change to the lnfn
-nee of the Presbyterian minister
Some have impugned the motive
of Mr.. Blslock and assigned as
cause q want of loyalty on the par
of congregations to which be ha'
ministered fol- fifteen years. 1t i.
not true of any preacher twas no
true of Christ nor lsu') that all o
the members are f'-nrAhlr :" him
So, admitting the l&si :" b. true.
Mr.. Blalock is no e1cep in 10 ?
long established rule. Some hive
acted as though they had forsakef
the Christians God simply because
they repudiate certain doctrine
which they formerly believed. Bu'
they have not ceased to be friends
to the church of their childhood.
If person does not acknowledge
other denominations as part Of
the body of Christ, they are not
acceptable members in the Presby-
terian church, for this church has
acknowledged in writing that it is
only branch of the tree of re-
ligion. But if any one attempts to
unchurch US, it is perfectly natural
to defend ones position by assign.
ing reasons for our position. Mr.
Blalock, being an intelligent man,
and for the sake of information,
was Jealous defender of the church
of which he was a member. But the
subject of church government and
some Of the doctrines of his church
have been topics of serious consid-
Grafton for a number of years-a
fact we'll known by some of his in
innate friends. And very naturally
these topics were freely and frank
!y discussed with the Presbyterian
minister, with the hope that his
colleague might fail to answer him,
and thus allow him to become set
tied in his faith. Ever since last
spring Mr.. Blalock intimated to
me that he would be obliged 10
make change if he could get no
more light than he had then. So
that this conclusion is no recent
thing with him. And in order 10
pave the way for such q step he
long ago notified his churches to
secure another pastor. 1t could
not have been money consideration
for several reasons. First, he received
the smallest salary I ever heard
of an educated man receiving. Sec
ond, he had no better charge in
view when he made the change.
Third, he can live comfortably
without the salary. With nothing
before him he surrenders his religi-
Gus sentiments to follow his con-
victions. When be asked me what
he should do, l urged him not to
make the change if he could con.
scientiously remain, though we were
glad to have accessions. This is no
new thing under the sun; for we have
transferred ministers to other
churches. We receive in the South
ern church every year seventeen
l7) ministers flom other denomi-
nations and / have, within a few
mouths, examined two Baptist and
one Methodist minister. AS long
AZ men think they will differ and
act upon their convictions. AS to
he other members of the family, |
eve .ltioned the subject of
joining our church, | did not init
mate such q thing. All that | did
was to comply with request from
the head of the home to mail some
tracts without comment. But af
ter they Joined l did say something
in the presence Of witnesses. i
told them that one of the doctrines
of the Presbyterian church was to
love all denominations, and that
now they we're in a position to com
mune with all; that they had mol
become antibabtist, but paedobap
tist." However, Voc have no mo
nopoly on christia ,ove. We love
others and others love Us. / visited
the home often, but not to make
converts, though do not regret it,
because it will prove spiritual up
lift to all the churches, and if / did
not know this then l would be glad
to retrace my steps.
In conclusion I would say tina,
brother Blalock does not know ]
have written this statement. / am
offering no apology for either OF
us, but an explanation that will b.
n