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JOSEPH WALKER, Editor.
Y OUT ME 37 New Series “\ 01. 26.
(Hit Christian fnk*.
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POETRY.
For the Index.
The Christian’s Alphabet. —BY P.
Affectionate to old and young,
Benevolent in heart and tongue,
Courageous, cheerful, courteous,
Devout, decided, dutious,
Earnest in whatsoe’er he says,
Faithful in all his words and ways,
Gentle and good to all around,
Humble and honest always found,
Innocent not given to brawling,
Just, judicious in his calling,
Kind in word with knowledge blest,
Liberal to those distrest ;
Meek and modest in his mein,
Xobic in profession seen,
Open-War ted, never vain,
Prudent, peaceable and plain
Quiet, never given to strife.
Righteous in his walk through life,
Sincere in all he says or does,
True to neighbors, friends or foes ;
Vnmoved ’midst tempestuous squals,
Virtuous, whatsoe’er befalls:
Wise, and worthy of esteem,
Xacts like his actions seem ;
Yearning as the sinners lriend,
Zealous to his journeys’ end.
niMMIMC VTIONS. =
For the Index.
Church Report on Dancing.
Y*mr committee, to whom was re
tVrreti the subject of Plays at onr last
: : iittr- have thought proper to em
brace in their report, dancing, twisti
tication and all the popular amuse
ment -of the day, engaged in by some
<>f our church members, and to call
t lem carnal amusements. After view
ing the subject in its various lights,
we beg leave to make the following
rep rr, to-wit : That we do not believe
tiie scriptures authorize church mem
-s to engage in such amusements,
:t on the contrary, condemn them tor
ir. YVe hardly think it necessary to
enter into a labored argument to
pr.-ve that such amusements are car
nal. No one, we presume, will
c mtend that they are spiritual, but
carnal. In support of our position, we
quote some scriptures, Rom. 8, 6:7 ;
To be carnally minded is death, b -
c-i..~e the carnal mind is enmity against
G. and. Rom. 12,1:2, “ I beseech you
t erofore. brethren, by the mercies of
<>■ 1. that ye present your bodies a liv
ing sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto
(id. which is your reasonable service,
and be not conformed to this world,
but be ye transformed by the renew
ing of your minds, that ye may prove
what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God. 2 Corinth. 6tli,
11. 15, 16, 17; “Be ye not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers, for
what fellowship hath righteousness
with unrighteousness and what com
munion hath light with darkness, and
what concord hath Christ with Belial,
or what part hath he that believetli
with an Infidel, and what agreement
hath the Temple of God with Idols,
1* *r ye are the Temple of the living
God, as God hath said, I will dwell in
them and walk in them, and I will be
their God and they shall be my peo
ple, wherefore, come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing,
and I will receive you. Ist Peter 4th,
1,2, 3; “ Forasmuch then as Christ
has suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same
mind, for he that hath suffered for us
in the flesh, hath ceased from sin; that
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
he no longer should live the rest of his
time in the flesh to the lusts of men,
but to the will of God, for the time
past of our life may suffice us to have
wrought the will of the Gentiles, when
we walked in lascivousness, lusts, ex
cess of wiue, revelings, banquetings
and abominable Idolatries. Ist John
2,15 “Love not the world, if any man
love the world, the love of the Father
is not in him. Ist Thess. 5,22 ; “Ab
stain from all appearance of evil.” —
Coloss. 3,17, “and whatsoever ye do
in word or deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus. Giving thanks to God
and the Father by him.
Fearing that our report will be too
lengthy, we forbear in making any
comment on the above scriptures ; we
will, however, quote two other scrip
tures, and accompany them with some
remarks: John 14,6. “ Jesus saith
unto him I am the way, the truth and
the life, no man cometh unto the Fath
er but by me.” Coloss. 2:6; “as ye
have, therefore, received Christ Jesus
the Lord, walk ye in him.” Xow the
Saviour says, I am the way, and the
Christian professes to be in the way,
and the command is to walk therein.
If the Saviour partook of amusements
while here in this world, the Christian
has the privilege of doing so too, for
Christ is the way, walk ye in him.
Again, if the Saviour taught his Disci
ples, that they could partake of amuse
ments, then we have the warrant for
doing so, hut if he neither partook him
self nor taught liis Disciples that they
might, we have no warrant for doing
so, and we cannot find in the Xew
Testament where he or his Disciples
participated in any amusements, what
ever, therefore, we do not believe that
Christians should participate in carnal
amusements.
YYe will now notice a passage of
scripture, which is quoted by those
who favor carnal amusements : Luke
15:25 ; “Now his elder son was in the
field, and as lie came and drew nigh
to the house, he heard music and danc
ing.” We do not understand this scrip
ture to mean, that there was music and
dancing literally, it is a parable or fig
ure of the Prodigal Son, used on that
occasion by the Saviour to show to his
hearers that there was joy or rejoicing
when a sinner returned from the folly
of his ways. Again, the Psalmist Da
vid is sometimes quoted as authority
for dancing. Now, that the Psalmist
danced, no one denies ; but he lived
under a different dispensation to what
we live under, and he danced to the
praise of God, and wq would that we
could say as much for those who dance
in our day. The Psalmist did not
dance for amusement, as is done now
a-days. Dancing cost the first Baptist,
that ever lived, his head ; and that of
itself is enough to make ns think, that
it is improper. In conclusion, we will
say to those who advocate church
members’ dancing, (if there are such,)
that at this day and time, dancing gen
erally goes hand in hand with wicked
ness, and they, who participate, do not
praise God in the dance, but dance for
their own amusement.
Therefore, Resolved, That we as a
church disapprove of our members par
ticipating in carnal amusements.
And be it further Resolved, That
we disapprove of our members permit
ting such amusements to be carried on
at their houses.
James Rylee, Chairman.
The above report and resolutions
were adopted by the church at Grove
Level, Franklin county, Ga., April 17,
1858. J. E. Harper, C. C.
Southern Baptist Publication So
ciety.
No. 4.
Bro. Editor:—This Society deserves
the support of every patriot, because
of its Baptist feature. This Society is
controlled by Baptists, and is used for
the dissemination of their peculiar
principles. Now I contend that for
this reason every patriot should foster
it. For this, I will at present give but
one reason—that Baptists, and those
holding their views, though called by
other names, have been the uniform
friends of civil and religious libertv.
If we begin with the Donatists, a
sect who came out of the Catholic
church in the time of Pope Sylvester,
when the union of church and state
was completely effected in the day of
Constantine, and which formed the
germ of the ancient Waldenses, and
follow them on down to the present
Baptists of England and America, we
shall find them the only constant and
uniform advocates of civil and relig
ious liberty. The Donatists denied
the right of infants to baptism, and
contended, as modern Baptists, for
“ freedom to worship God.”
The Petrobrussians, Henricians, Ar
nold of Brescia, who contended for
“liberty, secular and sacred,” who in
fact laid the foundation for that Refor-
OF-GkAJEST OF THE BAPTIST CONVEirTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
mation of the 16th century, who re
stored the Roman republic and main
tained it for ten years, who drove four
Popes from the “ eternal city,” who
was finally apprehended, strangled in
prison, his body burned and its ashes
thrown into the Tiber, —all these held
the peculiar views of the great Bap
tist family, and put forth all their
strength in contending against the
evils of infant baptism, that “part and
pillar of Popery.”
The Waldenses, who denied that the
Pope had “power over both swords,”
would now be called Baptists.
The Mennonites, who sprang from,
and were the uncorrupted part of, the
Waldenses, contended that the magis
trate had no right to interfere in matters
of faith, aud that all were entitled to
liberty of conscience. They thus con
tended .because they considered the
church the place for believers only. —
They drew the proper distinction be
tween the chnrch and the state. They
refused government support from the
king of the Netherlands on the ground
that “it would be contrary to their
oldest and most settled principles.”—
How t different their views from those
of Luther, Calvin, Robinson, and our
original English and American teach
ers of religion and law. Luther want
ed false teachers banished. Calvin
procured the death of Servetus, be
cause he denied the divinity of Christ.
The Episcopalians and Presbyterians
of England and Scotland, each in their
time persecuted others for refusal to
conform. The same was true of the
Independents of England.
In the reign of Elizabeth (1560) the
Baptists wrote a protestation against
all persecution for conscience. In Hol
land Robinson and Smyth discussed
the principles of civil and religious
liberty, which led to their dissemina
tion in England. Then the immortal
Roger Williams received instruction
in those principles which lie avowed
and embodied in the practical work
ings of the first free government.
But, sir, I cannot pursue this sub
ject at length—l cannot follow Will
iams through his banishment, the foun
ding of a home for the oppressed of all
lands, and the successful refutation of
the generally received error, that the
sword of the magistrate can compel
faith. Whatever may be said of the
religious views of Williams, it is cer
tain that he held the main tenets of our
denomination, and furnished the first
government this earth has ever wit
nessed, in which a proper distinction
was drawn between civil and religious
liberty.
The Episcopalians of Virginia, like
the Congregationalists of New Eng
land, were opposed to religious liberty.
To the Baptists of YTrginia must ever
belong the glory of breaking down
the establishment in that colony.—
This our brother Howell lias abundant
ly proven from State documents, and
Associational and Conventional rec
ords. The contest between the Bap
tists aud Episcopacy lasted for twenty
seven years. The Baptists contended
for protection to all, toleration to none.
The first step they made was the priv
ilege of preaching to their own people
of the army, as chaplains. A pretty
privilege indeed! They then, in 1779,
attacked the Ejiiscopacy. In 1784
they procured the right of performing
the marriage ceremony. By one ef
fort after another, they broke down the
“establishment.” But in another ef
fort the great Patrick Henry had the
Episcopal church incorporated, which
was a sort of second establishment.—
In 1789 they procured the repeal of
this law; and in 1802 they procured
the sale of the church lands. In this
long conflict, the Baptists stood op
posed to the Episcopalians aided by
the Methodists, with the Presbyterians
sometimes for, sometimes against them,
and sometimes neutral.
All know the influence of Virginia
and her laws, on the formation of our
national Constitution; and no doubt
it was the influence of these efforts
that procured the fourth Article of the
Constitution: “No religious test shall
be required as a qualification for any
office or public trust under the United
States.”
This is the broad aegis under which
we all now repose—the boast of onr
nation—the glory of our race. It is
an interesting enquiry, what causes
the Baptists to be, so uniformly, the
friends of civil and religious free
dom? I answer, they take the Word
of God alone for their guide, in mat
ters of faith and discipline. In that
are certain principles which, when ob
served in the constitution of civil gov
ernments, will lead to liberty.
The first of these is freedom of con
science, or soul liberty. Admit this,
in its practical workings, and you have
the government of Roger Williams.
2. A church is not to make, but
simply to execute, the laws of Christ’s
MACON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1858.
kingdom. This teaches what legisla
tors have been slow to learn, that there
is a marked difference between the leg
islative, judicial, and executive depart
ments of a State.
3. Independence of the several
churches. A legislator, thoroughly
impressed with the importance of this
principle in religion, will well defend
the rights and forms of States in a con
federacy.
4. Popular elections. These are
abundantly taught in the transaction
of the business of apostolic churches;
and are regarded by every Baptist so
dear that, in no civil compact, will he
be satisfied till they are secured to
him. ax
5. The Bible song of
gives a sense of indivfd#*! Teepoosibil
ity. A part of the government rests
upon each member. Let this be se
cured to each, in a State, and no better
security can be given for its perma
nency and success.
6. In the Bible form of government
there are no privileged orders. Each
member is to be governed by the same
laws, of the same King; and when he
offends, is to he tried by a jury of his
peers. This is necessary in every well
regulated civil government. No man
who holds to these and kindred prin
ciples—principles that are sent by God
himself, for the guidance and salvation
of the nations—need be feared as a
law-maker or citizen. This is the rea
son why Baptists have gone before
others in apprehending the true prin
ciples of government. In England, in
our Revolution, the Baptists rejoiced
at the triumph of our forces over those
of the King. The speech of Ryland
to Hall, of Arnsbey, is familiar to all.
They rejoiced because they saw in our
success the triumph of their own cause.
Every lover of liberty is interested
in the success of these principles, from
which proceeded the model of our
present form of government. Jeffer
son saw in a Baptist church conference
the practical operation of a govern
ment adapted to the wants of this
great and constantly increasing confed
eracy. And, bro. Editor, I will again
repeat, that no lover of his couutry
need fear the spread o|.these princi
ples, but his aid and sup
port to evdry to
defend and disseminate them. And
such is the Southern, Baptists, Publi
cation, Society. H.
ii i
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
Southern Theological Convention, )
Greenville, S. C., April 30, 1858. J
A convention of delegates from the
Baptist bodies of several Southern
States for the formation of a general
Seminary, began its session in this town
to-day, at (11 o’clock, A. M. Rev. B.
Manly, D. D., president of the pre
vious convention at Louisville and Au
gusta, for this object, called the meet
ing to order, and Rev. A M. Poindex
ter led in prayer. It was then voted,
that before proceeding to business, one
hour should be spent in devotional ex
ercises. Several of the older mem
bers of the body led in prayer and
made addresses, and these exercises,
interspersed with singing and Bible
readings, occupied an hour and a half.
The convention being thus organ
ized, it was found the following were
the constituents present:
Maryland Union Baptist Associa
tion.—Rev. G. W. Samson.
Virginia Baptist General Associa
tion.—Rev. Messrs. J. B. Jeter, D. D.,
J. A. Broadus, A. M. Poindexter, B.
Manly, Jr., Thomas Cook, and brother
J. T. Randolph.
North Carolina Baptist State Con
vention.—Rev. Thomas W. Tobey, and
Rev. James McDaniel.
South Carolina Baptist State Con
vention. —Rev. W. B. Johnson, D. D.,
T. P. Lide, Rev. J. P. Boyce, Rev. I.
L. Brookes, B. Manly, D. D., A. Wal
ler, C. L. Burckmeyer, Rev. J. G. Lan
drum, Rev. Thomas Curtis, D. D., Rev.
J. M. Chiles, Refr-J. P. Tustin, Rev.
G. W. Landrum, Bev. J. C. Phelps,
Thomas Lake, Rev. E. T. Winkler.
Education Board S. C. State Con
vention. —Rev. J. Culpepper, Rev. J.
C. Phelps, Rev. R. Napier, R. G. Ed
wards.
The Board of Trustees of Furman
University.—Rev. R. Furman, Rev.
W. P. Hill, Rev. Z. Watkins, Rev. I.
Nichols, Rev. H. A. Duncan*, T. B.
Roberts, P. E. Duncan, R. G. Edwards,
C. J. Elford, and Professors J. C. Fur
man, D. D., P. C. Edwards, C. H. Jud
son, W. Royall, T. E. Hart.
Georgia Baptist State Convention.
—Prof. Wm. Williams.
Louisiana Baptist State Convention.
—Rev. G. B. Hartwell.
On motion, B. Manly, D. D., was
elected President, and Rev. G. W.
Samson, clerk of the convention.
On motion, it was voted that minis
ters present of the Baptist denomina
tion be invited to seats in the delibera
tions of the body. It was also re
solved that the hours of the session
should be from half past nine to half
past one for the morning session, and
from four to half past six o’clock, for
the afternoon.
The proceedings were then read, of
the previous meetings relative to the
object of this meeting, severally held
in Montgomery, Ala., in May 1855.
in Augusta, Georgia, in May, 1856:
at the South Carolina State Conven
tion in July, 1856 : and in Louisville,
Kentucky, in May, 1857. Letters and
verbal communications from the fol
lowing brethren, expressing their inte
rest in the object of the meeting, and
assigning the causes compelling their
absence, were presented, viz: E. Dod
son, and Rev. J. Prichard, of N. C.,
Rev.. W. C. Duncan, of New Orleans,
Lav Rev. I. T. Tichenor, Rev. H. Tal
bird,JE). -D., and Rev. S. Henderson,
of Alabama, Rev. R. B. C. Howell,
D. D., and Rev. T. J. Drane, of Tenn.,
Rev. J. B. Taylor, of Va., and Rev. J.
R. Kendrick, of So. Ca.
The following preamble and resolu
tion were offered by Prof. Boyce, and
unanimously adopted:
Whereas, This convention is design
ed to secure the co-operation of the
Baptists of all the Southern and South
Western States, in a Theological Sem
inary adapted to the wants of our de
nomination, and
Whereas, Os the States here repre
sented, the number of delegates is
very irregular, therefore,
Resolved, That on the motion of any
member of the body, the vote on all
questions involving the organization
of the institution, shall be taken by
States, each State represented to have
one vote, to be cast by the majority of
her delegates. Adjourned to 4. P. M.
The afternoon session was opened
with prayer by Rev. J. M. Chiles.
The report of the Committee on the
Plan of organization, Plan of Instruc
tion, Abstract of Principles, A., was
read by Prof. Boyce, and was referred
as the order of the day for to-morrow,
at 10 o’clock, A. M.
The Committee appointed to address
the Baptists of the South on the sub
ject of a general seminary, reported
through Dr. Jeter, chairman.
The following committees were an
nounced by the President:
1. On the Endowment to be provided
by the S. C. Baptist State Convention;
Jeter, Samson, Tobey, Williams, Ran
dolph.
2. On the completion of the Gene
ral Endowment; Poindexter, Boyce,
Samson, Williams, Tobey.
3. On the nomination of the Board of
Trustees; Boyce, B. Manly, Jr., To
bey, Williams, Broadus.
4. On the site of the seminary; Je
ter, Curtis, Poindexter, Broadus and
Williams.
The session closed with prayer by
Rev. T. Cooke. In the evening a ser
mon was preached before a large con
gregation, by Rev. A. M. Poindexter.
Second Day, May 1.
The session commenced at half past
nine o’clock, Rev. J. B. Hartwell lead
ing in prayer. The minutes being read,
Rev. R. Furman, secretary of the
Trustees of Furman Mniversity, pre
sented a communication from that
body advocating the location of the
Theological Seminary in near proxim
ity to the University, and the paper
was referred to the Committee on the
site of the Seminary.
The order of the day being taken
up, the articles on the plan of organi
zation were discussed, and sundry ar
ticles were adopted. [The portions
adopted at this and the following sess
ions, are presented entire, at a later
portion of this report, in order to view
them in their unbroken connexion.]
In the afternoon the discussion con
tinued, and the following committee
was appointed to nominate a Faculty
for the Seminary: B. Manly, Jr., To
bey, Poindexter, Samson, Williams,
Jeter and Curtis. Closed with prayer
by Rev. R. Napier. In the evening
Prof. W. Williams preached before a
large audience.
Sunday, May 2.
The order of exercises in the Baptist
church were as follows: In the morn
ing the public ordination, and designa
tion of Rev. J. B. Hartwell for the
missionary work in Shanghai, China,
took place, the sermon being preached
by Rev. Dr. Jeter; address to the can
didate by Rev. A. M. Poindexter.—
Ordaining prayer by Rev. B. Manly,
right hand of fellowship by Rev. R.
Furman, and benediction by the can
didate. In connexion with these ex
ercises, a letter from Rev. Dr. Hart
well, of La., expressing his feelings in
giving up his son to this work, was
read, which produced a deep impress
ion upon the crowded congregation.—
The interest of the whole occasion was
such that if will be long l'emembered
by those present.
In the afternoon, Rev. G. W. Sam
son preached in the Baptist church,
and in the evening a sermon was
preached by Rev. J. A. Broadus, which
was followed by the baptism of twen
ty-one candidates, twenty-three having
been baptized in the same place on the
preceding Sunday evening, and of the
forty-four thus baptized, about twen
ty-five were from the Sunday-school
and Bible classes. In the Presbyterian
church, Rev- B. Manly preached in
the morning, and Rev. A. C. Phelps
in the afternoon, and in the Methodist
church Rev. J. P. Tustin, in the eve
ning.
Fourth Day, May 3.
The morning session being opened
with prayer by Dr. Curtis, the discus
sion proceeded upon the plan of Or
ganization and Instruction, and Ab
stract of Principles, which continued
through this and the afternoon session,
which was closed with prayer by Rev.
J. McDaniell. Up to this time, the
plan of Organization and Instruction,
and about one half of the articles in
GEORGIA TELEGRAPH STEAM POWER PRESS.
the Abstract of Principles were adop
ted. In the evening a discourse was
preached in the Baptist church by
Rev. J. P. Tustin.
Fifth Day, May 4.
At half past nine o’clock, the session
was opened with prayer by Rev. I.
Nichols- In the course of the fore
noon, the remaining articles of the
Abstract of Principles were adopted,
with the modifications submitted by
committees to whom sundry articles
had been referred ; and the Report of
the Committee, as modified by the ac
tion of the Convention is here present
ed entire, without respect to the seve
ral sessions when they were separately
adopted.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
THE PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.
The Committee appointed to prepare
a Plan of Organization for the pro
posed Seminary, beg leave respectful
ly to submit the following as the re
sult of their deliberations. They claim
to have done no more than, in humble
dependance upon the assistance of God,
to have labored to mark out such
a plan as shall secure the greatest good
in the way of ministerial education for
the Baptist denomination. It is their
earnest hope, that, in passing under
the criticism of the members of this
body, many valuable thoughts will be
suggested, which will enable us to
make it more suitable to secure the end
at which we aim. To the Convention
they now submit their work, praying
for the guidance of the Spirit to rest
upon its deliberations.
The name of the Common Seminary
at Greenville, S. C., shall be “The
Southern Baptist Theological Semi
nary.”
’ FUNDAMENTAL LAWS.
In its plan of. organization these
Rules shall be fundamental :
1. A Trustee must be a member of
a regular Baptist church in the State
for which he is appointed.
2. The first Board of Trustees shall
be appointed by the Cenventiori meet
ing at Greenville at this time.
3. The Board shall be self-perpetua
ting, filling any vacancies that may oc
cur in its number, and appointing ad
ditional members according to the pro
visions of the 4th Article of the Fun
damental Laws. But the election shall
be from a nomination of not less than
three persons for each vacancy to be
filled, or new appointment to be made;
said nomination to be made by the
Southern Baptist Convention, at the
session of that body next ensuing af
ter such vacancy shall take place, or
new appointment shall be required ;
provided that should the Convention
fail to nominate, as above, then the
Board may proceed to an election
without such nomination.
4. In the appointment of the Board
of Trustees, by this Convention, and
in filling up its vacancies hereafter, the
relative numbers of the Board shall
be, eleven from South Carolina, and
one from each of the following States:
Maryland, (including with Maryland
the District of Columbia,) Virginia,
North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Al
abama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas,
Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and
Missouri; provided, that,should either
of these last named States fail to raise
within three years the sum of $5,000
for the Seminary, the appointment for
the State shall then cease, and it shall
then have no right to representation
in the Board until it shall have raised
$5,000, as aforesaid. Two members
shall be appointed for each State pay
ing into the Treasury the sum of $lO,-
000, and an additional member shall
be appointed for every additional $lO,-
000 so paid in ; provided, however, that
no State shall have more than eleven
Trustees.
5. The Excutive Committee of the
Board, in connection with its President,
shall be entrusted with the charge of
the Institution and business of the
Board—their acts however, must be
confirmed at the first stated or called
meeting of the Board at which a quo
rum is present, and shall be valid only
until such meeting. , In case of vacan
cies of Professorships, they shall be
charged with seeking out and nomina
ting professors, but shall have no pow
er to make a temporary appointment.
6. A vacancy shall be declared in
the case of any Trustee who shall have
been absent from all meetings of the
Board for three years.
7. Removal from the State for which
he is elected or exclusion from the
church of which he is a member, shall
also make vacant the oftice of a Trus
tee.
8. No Professor of the Seminary
shall be a member of the Board ot J rus
tees.
9. Every Professor of the Institution
shall member of a regular Baptist
Church'; and all persons accepting Pro
fessorships in this Seminary, shall be
considered by such acceptance, as en
gaging to teach in accordance with,
and not contrary to the Abstract of
Principles hereinafter laid down, a de
parture from which principles, on his
Eart, shall be considered ground for
is resignation, or removaUby the Trus
tees ; to wit,
I. TIIE SCRIPTURES.
The Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments were given by inspiration
of God, are the only sufficient, certain
and authoritative rule of all saving
knowledge, faith and obedience.
n. GOD.
There is but one God, the Maker,
Preserver and Ruler of all things, hav-
Number 20.
ing, in and of Himself, in all perfec
tions, and beings infinite to them all,
and to Him all creatures ow r e the high
est love, reverence and obedience.
111. the trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son
and Holy spirit, each with distinct per
sonal attributes, but without division
of nature, essence or being.
IV. PROVIDENCE.
God, from eternity, decrees or per
mits all things that come to pass, and
perpetually upholds, directs and gov
erns all creatures and all events; yet
so as not in any wise to be the author
or approver of sin, nor to destroy the
tree will and responsibility of intelli
gent creatures.
v. ELECTION.
Election is God’s eternal choice of
some persons unto everlasting life, not
because of foreseen merit in them; but
of His mere mercy in Christ; in conse
quence of which choice, they are call
ed justified and glorified.
vi. the fall of man.
God originally created man in his
own image, and free from sin, but
through the temptation of Satan, he
transgressed the command of God, and
fell from his original holiness and right
eousness, w r herebv his posterity inher
it a nature corrupt and wholly opposed
to God and his law, and under condem
nation, and as soon as they are capa
ble of moral action, became actual
transgressors.
VII. THE MEDIATOR
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son
of God, is the divinely appointed Med
iator between God and man. Having
taken upon Himself human nature, yet
without sin, he perfectly fulfilled the
law, suffered and died upon the cross
for the salvation of sinners. He was
buried and rose again the third day,
and ascended to his Father, at wdiose
right hand He ever livetli to make in
tercession for His people. He is the
only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and
King of the Church, and Sovereign of
the universe.
VIII. REGENERATION.
Regeneration is a change of heart,
wrought by the Holy Spirit, whoquick
eneth the dead in trespasses and sins,
enlightening their minds spiritually
and savingly to understand the word
of God, and renewing their whole na
ture, so that they love and practice
holiness. It is a work of God’s free
and special grace alone.
IX. REPENTANCE.
Repentance is an evangelical grace,
wherein a person being, by the Holy
Spirit, made sensible of the ‘manifold
evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it,
with godly sorrow, detestation of it,
and self-abhorrence, with a purpose
and endeavor to walk before God so as
to please Him in all things.
X. FAITH.
Saving faith is the belief on Goa’s
authority, of whatsoever is revealed in
Ilis Word, concerning Christ; accep
ting and resting upon Him alone for
justification, sanctification and eter
nal life. It is wrought in the heart by
the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied
by all other saving graces, and leads
to a life of holiness.
XI. JUSTIFICATION.
Justification is God’s gracious, and
full acquittal of sinners, who believe
in Christ, from all sin, through the sat
isfaction that Christ has made; not for
any thing wrought in them or done by
them; but on account .of the obedience
and satisfaction of Christ, they receiv
ing and resting on Him and His right
eousness by faith.
XII. SANCTIFICATION
Those who have been regenerated
are also sanctified by God’s word and
Spirit dwelling in them. This sancti
fication is progressive through the sup
ply of Divine strength, which all saints
seek to obtain, pressing after a heaven
ly life in cordial obedience to all
Christ’s commands.
XIII. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.
Those whom God hath accepted in
the Beloved and sanctified by Ilis Spir
it, will never totally nor finally fall
away from the state of grace, but shall
certainly persevere to the end; and
though they may fall, through neglect
and temptation, into sin, whereby they
grieve the Spirit, impair their graces
and comforts, bring reproach on the
Church, and temporal judgments on
themselves, yet they shall be renewed
again unto repentance and be kept by
the power of God, through faith, unto
salvation.
XIV. THE CHURCn.
The Lord Jesus is the head of the
Church, which is composed of all his
true disciples, and in Ilim is invested
supremely all power for its govern
ment, According to his commandment,
Christians are to associate themselves
into particular societies or churches;
and to each of these churches he hath
given needful authority for adminis
tering that order, discipline and wor
ship which he hath appointed. The
regular officers of a Church are Bish
ops or Elders, and Deacons.
XV. BAPTISM.
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord
Jesus, obligatory upon every believer,
wherein he is immersed in water in the
name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his
fellowship with the death and resur
rection of Christ, of remission of sins,
and of his giving himself up to God,
to live and walk in newness of life. It
is prerequisite to church fellowship,
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