The daily sentinel., 1914-05-20
REV. LANE TELLS
BAPTIST ATTITUDE
Grand Junction. Colo,
May 10, 1914.

May 10, 1914.
The Daily Sentinel:
In an article published in last
nights Sentinel you quote me as say
Ing that l expressed decided opposf-
tion to the church union idea unless
all churches accepted the Baptist
faith. Allow me to say that whoever
wrote the article misrepresented what
| | said.
No interview has been sought with
me on this matter. other than a cas-
usl conversation had with Mr.. Moor
head. In that conversation did not
oppose the union of the churches
which are discussing the matter in
this city. That is none of my busi-
ness, and for that matter 1t is not the
business OF any one, except the mem
bers OF the churches concerned.
But made 1t clear that there was
only one basis of union upon which
Baptists could consistently unite and
that was the basis OF the truth.
Every denomination is supposed to
stand for certain principles which
ldifferentiate them from all others and
Justify their separate existence. Now,
unless the churches representing
these denominations have broken
away from their denominational
principles and the denominations
themselves have changed their be-
liefs as to those principles they can
not consistently unite without sacri-
ficing the principles for which they
have stood. Now, | hold that, IL the
principles held by a church are not of
sufficient Importance to Justify its
separate existence, the sooner the
organization is abandoned the better.
But II these principles are sufficient
to Justify their separate existence
then union with another church not
holding these principles cannot be
affected without the sacrifice OF
principle.
The clamor for church union at
the expense of truth comes from
those who either do not know what
they believe or else believe very little
in what they say they believe.
The basis upon which all stable
character as we'll as all stable insti-
tutions are built is principle For
principle men have sacrificed their
all. and for policy men have sacrificed
their principles. Policy is influenc-
ing men and institutions today more
than principle. That Is the saddening
and disheartening thing about the
church life of today. Too many Join
the churches, not for the principles
they advocate. but for motives that
cannot stand the test of truth. Pol
Icy should have no place in the life
of man when it must be pursued at
the expense of principle That is an
iron-clad rule OF every true man. The
man who is true to his convictions
Will never stoop to compromise. What
is true of men should be true of or
ganization. Men concede it in the
realm of politics, why not then in
the realm OF religion?
But whether 1t be true OF others It
Is true of Baptists. They have stood
for principle since the days OF the
apostles. When the whole world
Catholic and Protestant alike
was against them. they never waver-
ed. Even though the adherence to
principle meant the dungeon, rack
and sword. Had they compromised
their principles many OF the priceless
privileges we enjoy under our con-
stitution would have been denied us
or purchased at an awful price. The
first amendment to the constitution
OF the United States, guaranteeing
freedom OF worship. freedom OF
speech and freedom OF the press and
the rights of the people peacably to
assemble and petition the government
for redress of grievances was Sc
cured by the protest OF the Baptist
general committee of Virginia in
1873. after years OF persecution and
imprisonment for worshipping God
after the dictates OF their own con-
science.
The mission of Baptists is not fin
ished; the principles for which their
forefathers fought and died are not
universally received as yet These
principles Justify their separate exist
ence. To compromise them for any
reason would be cowardice. All loyal
and true Baptists will endorse the
words of one of its great preachers:
Sprung directly from Christ and
His apostles and descended through a
long line of martys, Baptists have a
duty to perform In vindicating the old
faith which they must no shirk.
Our obligation to Christ and a proper
regard for the highest interests of the
race alike urge us to stand fast by the
old landmarks of the gospel faith. We
have no terms of compromise to Of
fer, and there are none we can ac-
cept. Our orders have been received
from the captain of our salvation it
only remains for us to obey them
/ and insist to the last that others do
the same. Just as long as men
preach baptismal regeneration we
will preach against 1t. II men will
insist on unregenerate church men,
berships, We are bound to oppose
them. We will not even agree to the
substitution of sprinkling or pouring
for gospel baptism. Nor will we take
infants instead of believers as proper
subjects of baptism
We will have no personal feelings
In our advocacy of the truth, but in
love we will speak the truth fully,
plainly, constantly, till under God ii
prevails over all the world"
EDWARD G. LANE,