Newspaper Page Text
Jesus Christ. These, to the number of 5,
I have encouraged to come to ine, for hall
an hour every Saturday evening, to talk
about their sonls. Whether any of them
will in time give evidence of piety, must
be answered herealler.
Bible Class.
The Bible class is composed of persons
who have recently joined the church, and
others who arc disposed to be serious.—
The average number is from 8 to 10.—
such an exercise was much needed. Some
who attend scarcely, ever looked into the
Bible before their conversion, and some
have only just learned to read it.
Tracts.
The former method of giving away
tracts promiscuously, was given up, after a
few month’s trial. Though some were
read and did good, yet there is reason to
believe that many were not valued but torn
up as waste paper. Now ns as the supply
is short, none are given but to those who
ask for them, and are likely to read them
when given. Many of the members have
them arranged according to the subjects,
and sticht il together and in this form lend
them to inquirers. In this way they not only
find them convenient to hand to the neigh
bors,but mnkeuseofthem themselves. With
some they make tip with the Bible their on
ly stock of religious books, and 1 can assure
you they are highly valued. I have al
ready mentioned the plan of giving a tract
monthly, to each child in the Sunday
School. These have been always selected
to benefit the parents as well as the chil
dren- They have also supplied the defi
ciency ofsuitable reward books, much to
the satisfaction of the children. This has
been seen in their smiling countenances,
w hen having a tract to take home, with a
pretty picture on it.
In the recent instances of; conversion
tracts have been useful., About 8 have da
ted their firstscriousmipressidasfrom read
ing, and hearing read such tracts as the
following. “The sinner*!lireeted to the
Saviour,” with the .“SpVfniicn ofVWcleh
Preaching” by Christmas Evans, rOn the.
the depravity of truth’ by sin, and his recov
ery by the death of Christ.”—Heaven lost”
—“Unseriptural Marriage.”
fliblai.
tjefore ih<‘ English Bibles arrived from
the American Bible Society, persons had
often asked me il'T could 101 l tljt'm where
they could get n Bible, and it grieved me
to reply that 1 knew not where one could
be purchased. Since they arrived, their
wants have been supplied- ! I have sold
7 and given 0 away—lß have been sent
to Tuvoy, und some have been given away
at the mission press, ‘/.’hat it might be
generally known where niulosc could be
had, I have lied a notice at
for some months, viz. “ English Ri
bles sold here, at 3 rupees, and under.”
“Tracts from the London and American
Societies to be had here, gratis.” I lutve
also on&in Burman which begins thus—
“. The Lord Jesus Christ’s books;” then
follows a list of the tracts printed, and an
invitation to passers by, to call in and ask,
and they shall receive. These have stop
ped many to read, and have brought me in
a lew customers. When any of the Bur
man or Tailings call, my teacher w ho is a
Christian gives them instruction. Several
have called and disputed with him, but have
shown very little desire to inquire after the
truth.
Yours in the Gospel.
THOMAS SIMONS.
To Rbv. Dm. Bolt.es.
MR. BROWN TO DR. BOLLF.S.
Maulmein, Nov. 21, 1833.
Rev. and dear Sir, —In my last, letter
to you, dated Oct. 25, I informed you of
my expectation of going to Rangoon, to
supply the place of bro. Rennet. 1 have
since received a line from him, stating that
he has not concluded to go to Tuvoy. Os
course, we shall remain here, for the pres
ent, w here w e have every advantage for
acquiring the language.
1 have been out twoor three times recent
ly, with bro. Simons and Hancock, to dis
tribute tracts in several villages, a little up
the river. The people are mostly Taliugs,
(pronounced with the accent on the Inst syl
lable, and the i long) which is an unfavor
able circumstance, we having only one
Taling tract. We have found the men in
these villages divided into three nearly
equal portions; one portion that will take
tracts, another that do not want them, and
a third who cannot read. In such slavish
subjection are they to their petty chiefs,
that many ofthem dare not receive a tract till
they have ascertained w hetherthe head man
ofthe village has taken. But what is not a
little singular, those who do take, as soon
ns they have rend a little, will pronounce
those very tracts which denounce at the
cutset, all their old system of religion,
“good, very good,” w hen, at the same time
there is no reason to think they are any
the less firmly attached to i heir systems of
idolatry, than they were before. I sup
pose this apparent assent to the doctrines
contained in the tracts, arises from the uni
versal habit of deception and flattery with
which they are accustomed to speak to
those whom they regard ns their superiors.
Going out thus unable to converse much
with the people, or explain to them our ob
ject, 1 have become convinced ofthe neces
sity that those who distribute tracts should
be able also to preach and converse. Tracts
will do much to prepare the people for
preaching, and, in many instances, (espe
cially in Burma!) Proper,) we Imve reason
to believe they have been instrumental of
conversion, but they cannot be expected to
accomplish the work of evangeliz'ng the
heathen alone. A lew tracts scattered here
and there, will awaken attention; but their
testimony on the conscience of an individ
ual is soon drowned by the overwhelming
voice of priests and neighbors. Even a
bint that the white foreigners are devising
some mischiefis generally sufficient. But let
the priest exclaim, that the book is “derog
atory to Lord Gaudama,” and the people
look upon it as a book of blasphemy. A
preacher can meet their objections and ar
guments, and, by refuting the falsehoods,
that are circulating, can gam the confidence
ofthe people. We are evidently in great
need of missionaries, to go in where the
tracts have prepaped the way, and to fol
low them np with faithful & constant prea
ching.
Pray for us all, that while we are shut
out from the safeguards and Christian in
fluence of our native land, we may be kept
from falling into error.
Yours affectionately,
NATHAN BROWN.
LETTER FROM MRS. SIMONS.
We have beon favored with the following
letter for publication. It gives a vivid picture
of the fucinaliag power of Molutry.
Mavlmkjn, Oct. 10, 1833.
My dear Brother, —It is with pleasure
that I communicate to you, Horn This land
ofdurkness, & shall be happy,if I may give
you any important information respecting
the heathen, and the prospect of doing good
among them.
The great obstacle which prevents the
rapid spread ofthe gospel in those places
where it is taught, seems to me to be their
perverse and unconquerable habits of idol
atry. Paganism seems to have wound a
spell about them, which it is exceedingly dif
ficult to break. It would seem to us, that
it might be very easy to persuade them
to break ofl’serving a senseless block. But,
lilme inform yon, that the images of the
Pagans are the most dignified objects of
art they* have among them. Once in a
in .nth,"all classes of Burirwns in Maulmein,
leave their low miserable, huts, and go to
worship at the great pagoda. This is dec
orated to their tastes magnificently. Be
sides their first great illustrious image of
Gaudama, which is'thirty or forty feet in
Tength, they have around him forty'or fifty
more, some ten, some twenty feet high.—
These images have to ihe eye of a spec
tator a most imposing appearance. The
first time I saw them, a strange kind of
foiling cainc upon me, as of a trance; and
for some minutes, 1 could scarcely re
cognize my identity. I believe it to be so
in a manner with them ; for, os soon as
ihcy come within the pale of the temple
thev seem to be in a kind of dreaming cc
stacy, especially if the priest is present;
then they full down on their knees in the
|>rofoundest*ll-aW.rption, and thus re
main Ibr some minutes. 1 could hut ima
gine, that some evil genius was in their
midst, casting around them the spell of in
sanity, so different they seemed to he from
persons in their sober senses ; and, espe
cially, when we take into consideration the
fact tlmt their hopes of annihilation, which
they deem the greatest possible good, de
depend on their devotions to the worship
of Gaudama. We may suppose that when
this fatal enchantment shall come into dis
repute, that the gospel w ill soon spread in
every part of this land. But, we have still
to lament that though the harvest is plenti
ous, yet the laborers are few. Omy bro
ther, do you ever hesitate concerning your
duty to the heathen? I think, had you
seen what 1 have, you would not allow any
thing, but absolute want of’a due prepara
tion, to detain you a moment from the field.
When we look upon our beloved homes,
and all that binds us to them, our associates,
whose kindred spirits, and affectionate kind
nesses, have made them, to us, perhaps,
more dear than fathers or mothers, we sigh
and weep at the thought of parting. But,
when we arrive at our station in a heathen
country, although, when we think of home,
with all its endearing associations, it may
still melt the soul for a moment; yet there
are considerations at hand, that will ever
operate efficiently to subdue, or rather to
absorb the rising emotion, and make us
feel that we would rather be here, than
elsewhere, even though all our path should
be strewed with thorns.
C. J. SIMONS.
Liberality to the Burmnn Mission.
letter from me. Nssnrr to mu. jcdsgn.
Darwar, (India,) Oct 21, 1833.
My dear Mr. Judson, —I was much dis
appointed to find your last address con
tained no letter, nor late report of your pro
ceedings. I have read the “Cry from
Burma!),” and do myself the pleasure to
answer it, by an order for one thousand
Madras rupees, which, may it please God
to accompany with his blesssing.
Yours affectionately.
“J. NESBIT.
Indian Stations.
VALLEY TOWNS.
LE TTER FROM REV. E. JONES.
Valley Towns, July 29, 1831.
My dear and honored brother , —A few
| .lays ago, l returned from a visit to bro.
Bushy bend’s vicinity, in the District of
Amnhee. I preached there several times,
| and visited a number of the brethren, at
t heir houses. I was gratified to find among
! thorn a touchable spirit, and much attention
ito the word of truth. I trust the Lord will
j make them an abundant lile.sing to their
J benighted neighbors.
| Bro. li. returned with me to the mnun
i tains, with a view to visit our principal
j preaching places ; but he was taken sick,
; u hieh in somedergee frustrated our design,
j We had meetings at Ga’aneeye on Sutur-
I day tin i Sunday last. A large congrega
! i.ui of Indians attended. Many could not
i get into the house, but listened outside—
THE cl iffTIAK INDEX.
• >
One man was received as a cat date for
baptism. 1 expert he will b baptized
next Sabbath at Oodeluhee. L-
Yesterday, Tuesday, July 28tn; we vis
ited Long Town, (bro. B. in feeble health.)
The congregation was serious & attentive,
though our exercises were somewhat inter
rupted by a heavy fall of rain. Two full
Cherokee men gave us an interesting rela
tion of a work of grace on their minds, and
were baptized in the presence of a large
and serious company of their people.
1 intended writing more at large, and in
answer to your kind letters, but I shall
have to defer it a few days longer, as 1
wish to improve brother Bushyhead’s stay,
to visit as manv of the members as possible.
Yours most affectionately,
EVAN JONES.
The following just received, shows
that the work of grace Vt this station is advan
cing in a pleasing manner. Will not Chris
tians pray more for our TtVfian Stations'!
Valley Towns, Aug. 7, 1831,
Ret. tend Bear Sir, —A tew'difflur ago,
I had the pleasure to mention to our high
ly esteemed Treasurer, the addition ol two
full Cherokee men, to the profesaid disci
ples ofJesus. I have now the happiness
to add, that on Sabbath last, ot Oofeluhee,
1 baptized three more; one man, in aged
female, (I should think about severjy,) und j
an interesting little girl, not morenmn ten 1
or eleven. It is quite pleasing to lnd, the
younger memlrers of professing females,
following the footsteps of thejr paints, in
the ways of the Lord. The /meeting
was numerously attended, •ai’iti the word
preached appeared to affect a great portion
of the audiatice.
Among the hearers, was a man from a
distanceofabotjt 40 miles, wty>, for himself
Ai some of his neighbors, was very anxious
that we should come, and tell way
of salvation, through a dying Saviour.—
all’ourrfVailabjeiorce iirthe way ofpreach
iug v\ as so folly occupied, with existing en
gagements, that it was impracticable’ to
make an early appointment to visit them.
However; two three ofthe mcmls-rs, of ar
dent piety, concluded to jiny therrpa visit,
to converse and sing and pray with jh'ta..
A message enme also from urmthePlMß;
still more distant, where tluj peopljfriesire
to hear the gospel, anti to hear it from the
Baptists; for vv hiclr denomination,thevJiave
by some means, formed a predilection
The native brethren have come to the
conclusion that a four days’ meeting, this
fall, will, under the Divine blessing, pro
mote the cause in whichkheir affections are
enlisted. It is to commence on the 25th
of September. We earnestly solicit the
the prayers of our Christian
copious” showers oT Divine influence./ foav
Ire afforded, to cheer und bless our mtended
efforts.
Your obedient servant in the Gospel.
EVAN JONES.
Domestic
This letter was mislaid, or it would have
appered earlier.
LETTER FROM REV. J. M. H'-CK.
Rook Spring, Illinois, June 13,1 s:t4.
Enclosed is an order for twenty five dol
lars, collected alter an address in Jen hson
ville (Mo.) Lords-day, may 4th,for Tract*
and Bibles , for the Barman Mission- —
The meeting was held in the Court House,
and though it was quite rainy, the meeting
was large, of all denominations, /wild ap
penred quite interested. ,
1 have also received from a young lady,
member of the Baptist church in Cam-lion,
two strands'of gold beads, which I will
either send or dispose of, the (irst*opppitii- :
nity.
In Alton the Baptists and Presbyterians
hold their monthly concert together, and 1
made a Burman speech on Lord’s day last,
February, and proposed the peofile srfoimj
make up a collection for the Hurinna Miss
ion, at a future time. In both towns they
collected between sixty and seventy dollars
w hich was sent to the American Bible So
ciety , to aid in printing the B.blc in Cur
malt. I
I spoke on this subject the 4tli Monday
in May, at Jackson Mo. 120 miles tjoutli
of St. Ltiuis, at a missionary and protrac
ted meeting. Present twelve prea chefs. —
Some fell to wcceping, and then volunteer-’
cd to enter upotLipissfuß work, by getting
up Sabbath Schools.
The cause of Missions is evidently gain
ing ground. The doings itt the Clficin
nati meetings are operating with* tremen
dous power throughout the West.” .
1 remain, as ever, your’s in Christian
bonds.
JOHN M. PE Cry
From the Cincinnati Jo urn ah
Storkbrldge Indian mission.
The following letter will bq read ttvith
great interest by all who remember’ the
labors of President Edwards with the
Stockbridge Indians, 70 or SO years ago.
Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, )
Mississippi It in r, July It), 1-34.
My Drar Brother Bcixard, —
Now I am here, far away to the west.
I met my dear brother Kingsbury, at St.
Louis. He had been there only two lays,
when I arrived. We spent the Sunbath
there; and Monday afternoon, the 30th of
June, we left the city for this place. We
met Dr. Williamson and brother Maith, a
missionary to the Stockbridge Indi.jfe, at
the Yellow Banks, 80 miles below* litis
island. We spent a day there withlhcm
in conference, and then came to thisy ace.
I could'relate many things which en
gaged our attention, and interested} our
feelings. At present, l wish togivVyou
some account of the visit we had the
Stockbridge Indians, who came with broth
er Marsh, by the way of the Wisconsin, to
this island, in a birch bark canoe. ?h e y
came most of the way by water. Ihe
portage is short between the waters of the
lakes, and those of the Mississippi. 1 here
are four Indians in this company. They
are all professors ol religion. One of
them is an old man. T he others are young
men. They came and held a ‘talk with
the Sacs and Foxes, for the purpose of re
newing their old acquaintance and friend
ship, and also, if practicable, to produce an
impression in favor of the gospel and civil
ization. The objects are noble and good.
On Monday last, it being also the first
Monday ofthe month, we went to see them.
They were at a house more than three
miles distant, and on the main land. As
we were obliged to go bti foot, the walk
was fatiguing to brother K. who is lame.
The distance was greater than we had sup
posed. Near noon, we called at the house
of some New England people, who are
professors of religion, and where religious
meetings are ofteu attended. We sent for
the red brethren to come and nreet us there.
Soon a Her, they all came. The old man
is a native of Stock bridge, Massachusetts.
He described the situation of Ins lather’s
house ip that town. We were born within
less than a mile of each other, and wc now
met for the first time, here on these waters,
I having a common object in view, the tid-
I vaucement of the Redeemer’s kingdom
amongst the Indians* He speaks good
English. He is a man of sense, and has
a good English education. He is a deacon
in brother Marsh’s church, and is his in
terpreter. His father was the interpreter
ol President Edwards and Dr. Stephen
West, when they preached to the Stock
bridge Indians. These circumstances,
combined .with his appearance, his con
versation, and his eyes often wet with tears,
made our interview unusually solemn and
interesting. His name is John Metoxdn.
We made many inquiries of him about his
people/ And as his people is one among
whom the Head of the Church has been
pleased.to dwell for nearly one hundred
years, we listened to many of his state-,
ments with thnnkfulness for the past, and
with hg;>e as to the future, not only con-
I r J
cerniiigihal tril i mhers.
.
conditioiTCr his piWfflßTi far as he had
learned it Irorn lht*der ones, when the
missionaries first came to them. lie said
that they were poor and much scattered.
Some lived-along on the Hudson river, be
tween Seboodack and Stillwater, and some
on the Housntonick, and some between
those rivers. Their wigwams were made
of bark, and their garments of skins—
They subsistetKchioflv by hunting. The
missiMnnnes.c£rnc,aruJ made an oiler to set
up a school, to teach their young men how
to work on the land, and the young wo
men how to sew and spin. ‘They Hid not
tell us much, only a little. Thejf d*t not
let us know ujl their plans at first.
old people said they wanted time to think
about it, and talk about it. The oldpeople
said this was the’lirst odor they had ever
had of the kind, npd they did ngt see anv
harm in it. It would.jJjp tltetri no ljs.%and
they wore willing Jo try, &e. l£u; mis
sionaries wem bqck Jo Boston. Gh\|Slockt
hridge was pitched upon us the plaecYor
the school. Soon t.fie peoule began to set
tle there. My grandfatner carried my
mother from Schoodaek to Stockbridge,
on his back, and put her in school, when
she w as five years old.
1 have given you, as nearly as I can,
the impressions of the old gentleman. He
described the location of the school house,
w hich was at the first made of bark. He
pointed out the land w hich was first culti
vated, w ipe'll lies near by my father's late
farm ; a small brook only divides some of
the land from that which was my father’s.
And there was commenced this blessed
wprk of’ipercy-in behalf of the Stockbridge
tribe. This man’s mother became pious,
and lived to be 85 years of age. And her
husband was employed to interpret for
such a preacher as is now rarclv seen. 1
allude to‘President Edwards. Rev. John
Sargrant was the first missionary to this
people; qiid during 15 years'.of his minis
try, 60 Indjttns united with his church.—
After itis cfcatth, President Edwards preach
ed to them'v After him, Dr. West, and
then the son oft he firjit missionary preach--
ed to them hi their-wwjfr tirmguo. to a good
old age. 1 w hat he thought”
had preserved from dostnietion:.-
lie answered; I think aJ)Auf-that,‘l
always think ■it-'ditiiMbe’God,
he had some true.tlh'fistians tliAre.’
There are,'presep*. about 60 members
in tlieir clturSh, utiu . vnetphera'iaf-a
Temperance Society, and, only 18 persons
over six years of age, who cannot read.-
He said there were about 350 persons In
their tribe, and that of late years, their
number had increased. He said, on the
Sabbath, we haVe one sermon in English,
and another sermon interpreted to the old
people; and in the afternoon we have a
prayer meeting. On Friday, we have
another meeting. The women, also, have
:t prayer meeting. 1 inquired of him con
cerning their civil government. He told
us that they yearly chose their officers.—
Three were peace-makers, and one was a
constable. They also choose wardens,
whose business itis to preserve the obser
vance of the Sabbath, and keep people
from hunting, fishing, playing, &e.
We inquired after David Brninerd. He
spoke of him as a good man. The people
at Katineemeek thought he was a good
man. I asked him why they thought he
was a good man. He answered, he lived
with them, he worked himself, he cooked
l:is own food, he suffered with them, that
he might preach to them. They thought
he must be a good man. lie told us that
the last of Brainerd’s church and people
formed his tribe 33‘years ago. There
were four old women who were members
of his church, and knew him, and spoke
of him as a good man. They soon after
died, then the rest of them left us and went
off.
This is the most particular and fullest
account I have ever heard of the situation
of that people. He told us much more. —
We preached on the occasion, and observ
ed the monthly concert. Ihe good old
man offered the closing prayer in his own
language. His young men sung a hymn
in the same language, after the manner ol
a New England choir. It !s good to be
with such a people. W hat is now before
me, 1 know not. I may next be called to
a meeting in another world. And oh, il I
could there meet those who have rested
from their labors among the Indians of my
own native town. I might well say, “come
Lord Jesus, come quickly.”
I Trust you w ill pray for us. And when
I shall be able, I will tell you how to direct
to us. Alter our return to St. Louis, we
hope to go up the Missouri.
C. BYINGTON.
Tilr CHRISTIAN INDEX.
Tuesday, October 21, 1834.
To Correspondents.
(&- Some of our original communications
are crowded out this week. This we regret,
particularly some obituary notices, which will
pri.bnbly be expected by the friends of the de
ceased.
We have just returned from the fiftieth
session of the Georgia Association, where
we had the pleasure qf meeting a pretty
full representation from"4k churches.—
They have for the most pu^,’enjoyed sea
sons of refreshing from the Lord, and a
rich accession to their numbers. The
spirit of benevolence has also shed its soul
stirring influence among them, and over
_51.500 w ere received, in aid of the various
causes which'lhe Association have in view
to cherish. But the Minutes will soon be
published, which will jnore fully set before
lire public, all these
The editor of the Christian Index ac
....
knowledges, with pleasure, the receipt of
SI 50 from Rev. Jos. Polhill, received from
John McVVade, in addition to former con
tributions, for the Burman Mission. Five
dollars from Rsv. Jonathan Huff, received
of a widow in Washington county for do.
Also, $5 from R. T. Battle, for the print
ing of the Burman Bible*
COMfirtINICATZONS.
FOR THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
Reply to tiie Rev. XV. 11. Stokes.
NO. 11.
Dear Brother ; —J have twice read your
second both carefully and with
Tliere are several parts of it which
’demand an answer; which 1 now give>’“’
Before doing so,.however, permit me to
return my t(ranks to Father Mercerforboth
his-+>ditorial indulgence, and his paternal
remarks, as exhibited in the last numlierof
the Index. And I would also state to your
self, that if any tiring unkind escapes your
pen, I shall not. notice it, as supposing it
undesigned; arill 1 hope too, you will ex
tend to me the pie favor. There are, 1
suppose, certain protuberances on our re
spective creeds, .is contemplated by us dis
tinctively; our object is, not to destroy the
entire creed of each, — and certainly not to
injure each other; hut, to sever fmrm our
faith what we imagine to be tiie excrescen
ces of error.
You will also permit me to request all
persons who wish to have a clear view of
our controversy, to read carefully, my Lec
tures; is impossible for them to as
certain my sentiments connectedly and dis
tinctly, without such a course.
1. The first of your letter I notice is the
following: “If then it was necessary to be
thus scrupulous witli respect to the shad
-ws, how oughtXcliristian-. to be with respect
to the substanci; L Can it he possible that
lire shadows were.-pointed out, all their
circumstances minutely defined by God
himself, wliil-vrhe substance, under a bright
er dispensatrai. is left., as to some of its
ordTfrd'n'ros, to remote ‘inferences and ab
stract deductions? Surely not. Yet such
is the fact, if the doctrine of Infant baptism
be true.”
In reading tliis passage, one is impres
sed with the idea, that by the word “ sha
dows,” is meant the rites of the Jewish
Church: and that by the word “ substance ”
is meant baptism. But certainly, baptism
is as much a sign or symbol as any part
whatever of the Jewish ceremonial. And
the very reason why brother S. contends
that its introduction into the Christian church
should have been more explicit than the
Jewish ritual; is the very reason / contend
that it should have been altogether less ex
plicit. And why? Because, in the or
ganization of the Christian church, many
things of essential importance were taken
for granted. Was it necessary to re-reveal
in the New Testament what was clearly,
and definitely expressed in the old? Cer
tainly not. And even where these “shad
ows” were given, amidst all the minuteness
of the description, many tilings were not
definitely expressed, for the same reason.
The commands given to the Jews at Sinai
relative to the Sabbath, to circumcision,
and even in reference to sacrifice, as to the
rite itself, have many things in them impli
ed. And in fact, much of the difficulty we
have of understanding the Scriptures, arises
from misconceiving of what was implied,
when the sacred text was written. But
brother S. would have it, that nothing can
be implied in Scriptural Revelation; es
pecially, as to a positive ordinance!
As the the ordinance of Peedobaptism,
being supported cither by “ remote infer
ences or abstract deductions;” it is in this
paragraph, a mere assumption, and will
only be received when fairly proven.
2. I also remark on the following passa
ges: “I agree with you, that il the rite for
which you contend, has any support in the
Word of God, that support ought to be ad
duced. If it be clearly taugbt in the Bible,
the chapter and verse ought to be pointed
out, and no violence done to the law sot
Bible interpretation. It would certainly
be fair, that the ordinance of baptism
should be treated according to the rank it
holds among kindred institutions in the
house of God. It is a positive institution.”
Now, if brother S. would take that view
of this subject, which to me appears to be
the only Scriptural one, viz: tlmt Baptism
is, in the Christian church, precisely what
circumcision was in the Jewish —he will
then find in the seventeenth chapter of the
book of Genesis, precisely the evidence he
demands. Infant baptism is founded on
positive evidence. Tliere isDositive cvi.
dence in-thy tkripttires, at any
time be adduced-, chapter and verse, (fapt
baptism and circumcision arc the same ordi
nance —and there is positive evidence that
children in the Jewish church were circum
cised.
But is brrother S. not aware that all the
Positive Institutions in tire New Testament
are stated with very considerable indefi
niteness? It is so in rqjation to thapT irst
Day SaUbalL —Where is the pojjgpPe com
mand for thief t have nccy-mrfn it. It is
so in relation to\the Su|)per44*lnd as thejr,.
were eating, Jesus'fooJ\ i it, ami
i avo
said, take cut, this is nijrMipQ
took the cup, and gave thanks, and gag
it to them, saying, drink ye ail of it, for tfl
is my blood of the new testament, wlfl
is shed for many for the remission ofsifl
Mutt.; xxvi. 26—28. Here is
couftl whirl r
this ordinance. But how indefinite! What
sort of bread? Os drink? How much to be
used?- How often?. Who are to be ad
mitted to this ordinance? And is this ordi
nance to be observed in all the churches,
& to the end of time? The Catholic too,
would add, (and upon the Baptist mode of
interpretation, which is rigidly literal ) that
the Saviour certainly meant that sacremcn.
talbread & wine, were really the body and
blood of Christ*
Nor is the introduction of baptism any
more circumstantial. The first account
we have of it in the New Testament is
wiiere John was baptizing. No special ex
plication is there given of if. It is treated
as something well ar.d lonjf understood—
And in tire Gospel by ‘Matthew, where it
is first introduced into tire Christian church,
it is simply said, “ Go yp thenefort ana
teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and ofilm Son, and of
the Holy Ghost*” But how indefinite!
There is nothing here of Old Testament
exactness. Who’ are they to baptize? It
would seem at first from the passage, that
all who wore taught should be baptized.
But is this the meaning? A Baptist says,
“He that believeth. and is baptized”—is
meant. But does tire remaining clause in
Mark, “he that believeth not shall le
dapined,” also mean just what at first sight
it appears to import? This cant be so, cr
1 all children are lost, forever lost.
So, that after all brother S ! s contention
for New Testament exactness and Gospel
precision, it is absolutely certain, that not
a single ordinance in the Christian church,
has bt-en given with any thing like the par
ticularity employed in the Old Testament.
The reason is o\i\ious—JJaving more light,
not more —but less explicitness was neces
sary. And as Christ did not work mirra
cles for nothing, so he did not utter tcortjs
for nothing.
3. ou make a number of remarks cn
the advice I give to my brethren to enter
more minutely into the investigation of this
subject—you are particularly startled at
the following sentences: “the revealed ob
ligation of this ordinance standing in a
great degree on the connexion between the
Jewish polity and the Christian church; the
Old and the New Testaments; to ascertain
and exhibit those grand leading principles,
which pervade each of these systems, and
especially to show that that upon which this
institution rests is one of them; must fur
nish, from the very naftlre of the subject,
scope for the acutest intellect, and advan
tage sufficient for the most aspiring mind.
I lie collection, too, of all the revealed facts
that support this institution, and their clear
and proper arrangement, furnish likewise
a large and interesting field of inquiry.”
Now what, brother is there in these
two sentences, untimed, misplaced, unphi
losophical or unchristian? My brethren,