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REPRESENTING THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF 2X2 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET
To The Church Without a Name, The Truth, Two By Twos
THE FERMANAGH TIMES
NOTE: This newspaper is no longer being published.
1907 The Fermanagh Times, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland (no longer in business)
1907, Mar. 7, British Library advises none published for this date (letter of 5/25/95)
1907, Mar 14, Pg 2 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, Mar 21, Pg 7 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, Mar 28, Pg ? - Correspondence:
The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, Apr 4, Pg 6 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, Apr 11, Pg 7 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, Apr 18, Pg 7 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, Apr 25, Pg 7 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrims at Ballycassidy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, May 2, Pg 3 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrim Controversy-Question of Infant Baptism
1907, May 9 - (no article printed)
May 16, 1907, Pg 2 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrim Controversy-Question of Infant Baptism
May 23, 1907, Pg 3 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrim Controversy-Question of Infant Baptism
May 30, 1907, Pg 6 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrim Controversy-Question of Infant Baptism
June 6, 1907, Pg 7 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrim Controversy-Question of Infant Baptism
June 13, 1907, Pg 6 - Correspondence:
The Pilgrim Controversy-Question of Infant Baptism
June 20, 1907, Pg ? - Correspondence:
The Pilgrim Controversy-Question of Infant Baptism
(Ended with: "This controversy is now closed.")
March 14, 1907, p. 2
We in no way identify ourselves with the sentiments expressed by our various correspondents
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Sir
--I will not attempt to follow Mr. West in his mud throwing.
I have been taught "to keep my tongue from evil-speaking, lying and slandering,"
and I know from observation a ball once started from top of the Hill of
Rectitude accumulates in volume and increases in rapidity so quickly that
long before it reaches the bottom it becomes highly destructive.
In my letter I appealed solely to God's word. I did not sneer or call anyone out of their (sic) name. I considered the subject too sacred to write for the gallery. These letters are written with the earnest prayer, that they may add light to some at least who are less advantageously situated.
I asked Mr. West "how could baptism and belief be simultaneous?" This he has not answered, why your readers can judge. That my interpretation was right is further proved. See John iii, 5. "Jesus answered, except a man be born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven, "clearly placing baptism first. Mr. West should adopt our Lord's command, Matt vii, 1-2.
"Baptismal regeneration" is not the point at issue. Where did Mr. West get the phrase? I am sure it will be a revelation to both clerics and laymen if he would kindly give the information. The same may be said of "baby sprinkling." Things must be in a desperate way when imaginations has to be brought to the rescue.
Matthew xxviii, 19, does not read as Mr. West puts it, but reads "Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," clearly proving that the rite of baptism made disciples, and was administered when under tuition. Will Mr. West tell us the meaning of disciple?
I really, Mr. Editor, had to rub my eyes, when reading Mr. West's
historical reference, to
make sure I was making no mistake. Were it not for the seriousness
of the question at issue, his attempts are laughable. It may be news to
him to hear that infant baptism was not questioned for the first 1,100
years. The question was then raised by Peter de Bruvs, who taught that
infants could not be saved, and therefore, should not be baptized, and
he based his argument on latter part of Mark xvi, 16. Just the verse Mr.
West makes the foundation of his propaganda. Does he believe the same?
But infant baptism was not really attacked until the year 1521, when One
Storch a German draper founded the sect of Anabaptists.
Probably Mr. West heard some one talk of Tertullian who some time about the beginning of the third century advised the delay of infant baptism because he thought that baptism washes away all sins previously committed. It ought therefore, he said, to be delayed as long as possible. Is this Mr. West's reason? Thus for 1,000 years infant baptism was recognized throughout christendom.
What text in Scripture gives us the true meaning and application of baptism? In several places it has a truly distinct meaning. Thus in Luke xi, 38, it means to pour upon. In Matt iii, 2, it means to cleanse. In I Cor x, 1-2, it means to initiate into discipleship, while in Isaiah xxi, 4 it is used in the sense to frighten. In all these places the word baptism is in the original. Where does it mean to immerse or dip? Give a single text in which the word "embapto" is used. You can't!
Mark i, 5, They were baptized of him in the River Jordan, but not under the river as Mr. West would make us believe. Would they not be in the river if they only wet the soles of their feet, Acts viii, 36, "and they both went into the river, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him there." Did they both go under the water, they must if into means under. The word is "eis" and you can't find a single instance in the Bible where it is translated under. In Matt iv, 6, the devil asked our Lord for an unnecessary exhibition of his power. His answer was "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." In Mark i, 10 the word "straightway" is used, in verse 12 "immediately," so that no time elapsed between one act and the other. Would not this imply that our Lord committed an act which He already had condemned if he went the journey in dripping clothes? But fortunately there is no necessity for any surmising as the Greek word is "apo" and reads "When He was baptized He came straightway from the river" (RV).
Baptism as practiced by the pilgrims is no type of our Lord's death and burial, for he was buried above ground not under.
Moses was not sent but fled to the land of Midian--Ex ii, 15--and was 40 years in the service of the Priest of Midian, whose advice and teaching was afterwards followed--Ex xviii, 13. Elijah spoke only as personally directed by God. John Baptist spent 30 years in the wilderness--Luke i, 80. The fishermen of Galilee were three years under the direct tuition of our Lord before they were sent. The same may be said of the others. Paul was one of the best educated of the Jews. There is not a single instance of God using Ignorance for the furtherance of His Kingdom. To sum up I have proved
1--Mr. West would make our Lord contradict Himself.
2--Would make our Lord commit an act He Himself condemned.
3--He falsely quotes history.
4--Mr. West, for the purpose of raising dusts, coins phrases.
5--That in no part of the Bible does the word immersion occur.
6--That all God's ambassadors in both Old and New Testament received
special training for their work.
7--That the texts quoted by Mr. West implies that baptism was
administered by water being poured on the recipient.
The subject under discussion was--Dipping cannot be proved from Scripture. To this I will confine myself in future until settled. I am then ready to prove infant baptism to be in accordance with Bible teaching. That there is no such thing as believer's baptism. That Anabaptists deny original sin. That they believe part are destined to be saved and part lost. That the creed of the Pilgrims is a mixture of Truth and Error, and, therefore, dangerous. But one thing at a time.
AMICUS VERITATIS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Crocknacrieve,
4th March, 1907.
Sir--
I observe by your notes in last week's issue that you have held
over some letters on the above controversy.
Under the circumstances I will not trouble you with a reply to Mr. Ward and my numerous critics till next week's issue, when (D V) I will reply.
-- Your obedient servant, JOHN WEST.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Dear Sir
--I have with very great pleasure indeed, read a thoroughly conciliatory
letter that you published last week from the able pen of Mr. W. J. Maye,
re the West theological controversy, and to which I might be permitted
to add that I am surprised at Mr. West--a gentleman of great zeal and undoubted
ability--wasting thought and argument on a few clerics who are evidently
jealous of the divine prerogative, and fearful that their craft might be
endangered--vide (sic) Acts xix, 25
- Respectfully yours, A T ELLIOTT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Sir
--I did not reply to Mr. Ward last week knowing that you had
other letters re the above crushed out for want of space. I now beg to
thank you for your courtesy in sending me a proof of the letter of
"Amicus Veritatis." This letter, with Mr. Ward's may be taken as their
reply to mine of February 16, in which I gave full Scriptural proof of
my argument that--
(1)--Infant Baptism has no place in the Scriptures.
(2)--That it is really the foundation alone for the absurd theory of
Baptismal Regeneration.
(3)--That both are contrary to the Word of God and contrary to every
command of our Lord and His apostles.
(4)--That Believer's Baptism was taught, practiced, and preached by
Jesus, John the Baptist, and all the New Testament preachers.
Neither of your correspondents attempt to answer me, both prefer to descend to personalities and to avoid the issue. I have long since learned that abuse is not argument, and that to try to twist the truth of God to prove an unscriptural, absurd, and nonsensical doctrine or practice always defeats its own ends. When reading both replies one must be struck with their sameness and their disregard for plain Scriptural truth. I therefore have come to the conclusion that both must have graduated at the same theological seminary because both seem past masters in the art of proving white black and black white. I did not, however, consider Mr. Ward capable of so deliberately misrepresenting my interview with him in the Schoolhouse. Many persons then present have, since reading his letter, expressed surprise and astonishment at his utter disregard for facts.
However, Mr. Editor, I'm not sorry I went to the Schoolhouse to hear his lecture. I'm glad because a few people have got to see--through this controversy--that the plan laid down and lived out by Jesus should never have been altered by men.
How little regard men who profess to be teachers of the people have for the truth as it is in Jesus, who would dare to attempt to prove (1) infant sprinkling Scriptural. (2) that Baptism comes before belief, that (3) it takes the place of circumcision as the new covenant, etc. How truly we may say with Paul, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places--Eph vi, 12. I notice Mr. Ward refers to the three households mentioned in the New Testament as having been baptized, stating that they must have contained babies; to say the least of it, this is a slender thread to hang such a far-reaching doctrine upon. When we must bring supposition to the rescue at every corner---it shows how hard up we must be for proof. The Holy Spirit, however, does not leave us in the dark in these three cases, for if we read carefully, we find (1) the Philippian jailor's whole household believed--Acts xvi. 24. (2) The house of Stephanus addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, Cor xvi, 15--babes don't generally minister, they need to be ministered unto. (3) The house of Lydia--We are told there were brethren in the house of Lydia who were comforted by Paul and Silas. Now if there were babes in these households (1) they were believing ones, (2) they were capable of ministering (3) and of being comforted, and, therefore, all proper subject for baptism.
Both correspondents argue that baptism should come before belief, and seek to give us proof from the New Testament by retranslating certain passages from its original. I must, however, prefer the common translation given in the authorized and revised versions to either Mr. Ward's or A V's. I always understood that these translations engaged the attention of the best scholars in the world for generations, and I, therefore accept their rendering with thanks in preference.
The following writers will, I have no doubt, be accepted as authorities on this subject, which all go to prove that infant baptism had its origin long after the days of Jesus and the apostles of His time.
Luther--It cannot be proved that infant baptism was initiated by Christ, or by the first Christians after Christ.
Calvin--It is nowhere expressed by the evangelists that infants were baptized.
Erasmus--It is nowhere in the apostles' writings that they baptized children.
Jeremy Taylor--It is against the perpetual analogy of Christ's doctrine to baptize infants.
The Oxford (Church of England) Helps to Study of the Bible gives the following definition of Baptism--"A symbolic rite practised by John the Baptist and adopted by the Christian Church with the sanction of our Lord. Signifying repentance from sin and the entrance upon a new life of holiness. The word means immersion or submersion, and this, no doubt, was the original mode of baptism."
Dean Stanley, Dean of Westminster--It was an entire submersion in deep water.
After all it is hardly necessary to give these proofs; it is sufficient to know that there is no instance from Genesis to Revelations of a baby being sprinkled, and it is not likely that God would leave us in the dark on a question of such vital importance. It is also an absurd and ridiculous argument to say that when we are not forbidden to do it, it may or should be done. With regard to the wretched and senseless theory that baptism comes before belief; it's an insult to the intelligence of your readers to use such an argument. Every example given in the New Testament goes to prove without doubt and without exception that belief comes first; for instance, observe how careful Philip was that the Eunuch believed before he went down into the water. It's pure waste of time to argue this question, and sand throwing to blind us to what is really behind it all. Mr. Ward has let the fat into the fire by his references to the covenant, and his telling us that unsprinkled babies are outside that covenant. I admire the skill with which he tries to coat this pill. However, murder will out, and he might just as well have said that in the case of death babies outside this imaginary covenant must perish. Here we have a Protestant clergyman--at the beginning of the 20th century, subscribing to this most awful doctrine, that unless some priest--be he Protestant or Catholic--sprinkles water in the face of the unconscious little innocent, it must suffer the pains of eternal death. Such a doctrine at once places the Priest as the Saviour and God as the monster--I must here tell another secret. In the year of Grace 1907, a Protestant priest baptized an abortion who had only a few minutes to live in the enlightened County of Fermanagh--Lucky job the priest was so near!! Had this infant died without him it would have been denied the right of Christian burial--a right freely accorded to all baptized persons be they drunkards, thieves or libertines--no questions are asked as to their faith or morals so far as I ever heard--provided they have been baptized as babies wherein they were made members of Christ, children of God, and inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven. Who is it that has not asked himself the question as he stood beside the open grave of the impenitent drunkard, or blasphemer--is there such a thing as genuine religion at all, when he heard the "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure, and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life "recited in the most solemn tones of the funeral dirge!
We have, however, to go to old mother Babylon herself to get this doctrine openly taught and strictly carried out to its logical conclusion. We are told that at childbirth, where it is a question of save either the mother or the babe, it is enjoined that the child's life must be saved in order that it may be baptized. The mother of course being baptized already is a fit subject for the Kingdom of Heaven-- therefore her life would not be such a loss as the soul of the child. (See M'Carthy's Priest and People in Ireland, page 414.) The mother is, therefore, murdered in order that this doctrine may be strictly and impartially carried out.
The devil is never so angry as when his pet theory (as old as you like) is touched upon. This doctrine must be as precious to him as the apple of his eye, else he would not fight so wickedly in it defence.
Ordinary intelligence might tell us that where God is silent on any point of doctrine it's not our business to be prying into it. God has never told us anything as to the future state of the child who dies in infancy, or the imbecile, hence we should be content to leave these things in His hands. Should we not rather fear and tremble at the thought of how the cunning, craftiness, and slight of men for some ends of their own, have distorted His plain word, and doctrine, and thereby have deceived and damned millions of our fellow-creatures.
Mr. Ward tells us that baptism takes the place of circumcision, because the Lord's Supper succeeded the Passover. Have you no further proof, Mr. Ward. I doubt if you can prove this. I don't believe it. There is no proof from the Word that this is so; if so, where? As a proof that it did not take the place of circumcision we find that Timothy was circumcised long after baptism--Acts xvi, 3. We find also "The apostles, elders and brethren" of the Church at Jerusalem had to come together to consider the question of circumcision being forced upon converted Gentiles. If Baptism took the place of circumcision that would have been Paul's opportunity for saying so, but not a word was said about baptism during the whole controversy. Of course Mr. Ward had to come along later and make the discovery. A Jewish man child received circumcision as a sign he entered the family by natural birth. It was God's covenant with Abraham that he would make the Jews a great nation--and related only to earthly greatness, hence it was for males only--Gen xvii, 10. We find the new covenant at Hebrews viii, 10, and is spiritual, Behold I will make a new covenant with my people; I will put my laws in their hearts, and on their minds I will write them; I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people. Both male and female can enter the new covenant. Both covenants are mentioned in Jeremiah xxxi, 31-34. It was the seed of Abraham that were circumcised. It's the seed of God, born from above, through the preaching of the Gospel by apostolic ministry that were baptized by immersion. Circumcision was outward to teach the need of true circumcision of the heart--Jer iv, 4. In conclusion, let me point out to Mr. Ward that apostolic authority never came through Church Synod or Sanhedrin. I know he claims this mystic prerogative; let me tell him, however, the Bishop of Rome would say "you went out from us because you were not of us." Then his claim of apostolic ancestry would fall through. I will tell him when he tells me who sent John the Dipper. Jesus the Dipper, Peter and Paul, all dippers--all of whom were denied and cast out as evil by the clergy of the day, and who were continually questioning their authority to cast out devils, etc. and trying to hinder them on every hand. Let me tell Mr. Ward there were practically nothing but dippers for the first four centuries until the mystery of iniquity developed itself, and the devil succeeded in deceiving almost all Christendom by setting up a way other than God's way. However, there has (sic) always been a few dippers outside the ecclesiastical camp, and will while Jesus, the Chief Dipper, sits at God's right hand and reigns in the hearts of honest man (sic). A word for Mr. Maye--I did not begin this controversy. I cannot, however, keep silent when it is sought to teach error for truth much as I dislike the task. And if Mr. Maye would begin and stand for truth he would soon find himself where I am and perhaps worse. Read, Gal i, 8-9; 3 John i, 10, 11; Isa ix, 15, 16. I am sorry for the necessity of this letter.
--Your obedient servant, JOHN WEST.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Dear Sir--
I do not intend to enter into the above controversy on either side. However, in the interests of truth I must say I am astonished at the statements made by Mr. Ward in your last week's issue with regard to what happened in Ballycassidy Schoolhouse on the night Mr. John West was there.
The words quoted by Mr. West in his letter of 7th Feby, re his question to Mr. Ward, were quite correct in every particular, and the words quoted by Mr. Ward in your last issue are entirely wrong and misleading. I may say I took particular notice of the words used on both sides, and I was so thoroughly ashamed and disgusted with the unscriptural arguments and the nonsense talked by Mr. Ward that I left the meeting determined to never again subscribe to a Church that permits and sanctions such a doctrine. I stated so openly in the meeting before leaving. I may say I was a subscriber to the Church of Ireland up to that night, and I can now rejoice that I got my eyes opened in some measure to what is false and traditional and what is in accordance with the Word of God.
WILLIAM GLENN.
A service was held by the Pilgrims at the part of the river running through Francis Reid's farm at Dongary, between Fivemiletown and Brookeborough, on Sunday evening. Between four and five hundred people had assembled.
After a few short addresses delivered, amid cheering and boohing, eighteen converts were baptized.
A force of police from Fivemiletown and Brookeborough were in attendance.
A large meeting was afterwards held in the Hall at Derrymavogie.
We in no way identify ourselves with the sentiments expressed by our various correspondents
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Glasgow, March 16.
Dear Sir--
A cutting out of Fermanagh Times was posted to me this morning, containing last letter of "Amicus Veritatis." I notice in it he quotes-- John iii, 5, to prove that baptism in water should precede belief. This is misleading as the passage "Except a man be born of water and of the spirit" does not refer to baptism at all.
Jesus himself, in the next chapter, explains to the woman at the well what he meant by being born of water. She made the same mistake as Amicus Veritatis, and thought that Jesus referred to physical water. Jesus corrected her and showed her he spoke of the spiritual water alluded to in John vii, 38, words which flow from the midst of the prophet, or believer, through whom God speaks. If any honest reader will compare John iii, 5, with John iv, 10 to 34; John vii, 38, he can easily see that Jesus refers to spiritual and not physical water.
Amicus Veritatis rightly quotes Matt xxviii, 19--"Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them," &c, but he wrongly infers what he states, viz that the rite of baptism makes disciples. Jesus Christ's command according to passage quoted was--1st, make disciples; 2nd, baptize; 3rd, teach them all things whatsoever I have commanded you. A V then asks Mr. West to tell him the meaning of disciple. I will tell him in the words of Jesus, who when great multitudes came to hear him, turned and said unto them "Whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath he cannot be my disciple." See Luke xiv, 33, R.V. Clearly from this we learn that there must be a conscious letting go claim to all we possess, so that he whose we are by right may have us and our possessions before we can become Christ's disciples. Those who have unprejudiced minds can see that unconscious babes cannot become disciples of Jesus, and are in no sense responsible for their acts until they arrive at the age when they can refuse or comply with Christ's conditions of discipleship mentioned in Luke xiv, 25 to 34.
Amicus Veritatis alludes to the edu-cation of Paul fitting him to be a preacher, but seems to forget that Paul's education by the theological professor, Gamaliel, made him like Amicus Veritatis, an opponent of the destitute ministry of Jesus. It was not until he got converted and became one of those destitute preachers that he was right. It was a wonderful miracle that one belonging to the college--bred clerical class of that day could get converted and become poor enough and low enough to be a sent one of Jesus. It was the educated preachers of Christ's day that opposed him, while the common people heard him gladly.
I shall close by quoting Paul's words to the Corinthians--"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty: and base things of the world, and things which are despised, had God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things which are: that no flesh should glory in His presence"; or, as the Twentieth Century transla-tion puts it, God hath chosen the world's nobodys to set to naught the somebodys. I Cor i, 27 to 29.
--Yours faithfully, EDWARD COONEY
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Sir--
Mr. John West has expressed himself at great length in last week's issue concerning his ideas on matters Theological. But he has failed to produce any evidence in support of his statement respecting the runaway cleric. Thoughtful people will draw their own conclusions from this failure.
He now mentions Calvin, Erasmus, Luther, Jeremy Taylor, and Dean Stanley as being Anabaptists. Whether they were so or not does not affect the question of baptism. But he brings no evidence in support of the assumption.
From a controversial point of view the proper course would be to ask him to quote chapter and verse from the writings of those distinguished men to show that they rejected infant Baptism. But this request might lead to "old wives fables." So I think it will be instructive to Church folk and non--church folk alike to take the first named writer, John Calvin, of Geneva--practically the founder of the Presbyterian form of religion, and see what he says on the subject of infant baptism, and its accompaniment, regeneration. The writings of Calvin are so voluminous that touching them alone is quite enough, and the others may "stand by" for future research if necessary.
The following extracts are from the real Calvin, now before me, and not from any imaginary Calvin of local creation:--"Calvin's Tracts, vol. ii, page 113 (Edinburgh, Calvin's Translation Society), from his original French and Latin, by Henry Beveridge."
It is particularly necessary to know that infants are to be brought for baptism either on the Lord's Day at the time of catechizing, or at public service on other days, that as baptism is a kind of formal adoption into the Church, so it may be per-formed in the presence and under the eye of the congregation.
Our help is in the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Amen.
Do you offer this infant for baptism?
Answer--We do, indeed.
Minister--Our Lord demonstrates in what poverty and wretchedness we are all born by telling us that we must be born again. For, if our nature requires to be renewed in order to gain admission to the Kingdom of God, it is a sign that it is altogether perverted and cursed. By this then, he admonishes us to humble ourselves . . . and seek for His grace, by which all the perverseness and malediction of our first nature may be abolished.
Page 114. But, when he has demonstrated our wretchedness, He, in like manner, consoles us by His energy, promising to regenerate us by His Holy Spirit to a new life, which forms a kind of entrance into His kingdom.
This regeneration consists of two parts. First, we renounce ourselves...Secondly, we therefore follow the light of God, seeking to be agreeable to Him, and obey His good pleasure, as He manifests it by His word, and conducts us to it by His Holy Spirit.
All these graces are bestowed upon us when He is pleased to incorporate us into His Church by baptism; for in this Sacrament he attests the remission of our sins. And he has ordained the symbol of water to figure to us, that as by this element, bodily defilements are cleansed, so he is pleased to wash and purify our souls. Moreover, he employs it to represent our renovation, which consists, as had been said in the mortification of our flesh, and in the spiritual life which it produces in us.
Page 115--By declaring that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them (little children), laying hands on them and recommending them to God, his Father, he clearly teaches that we must not exclude them from his Church. Following this rule, then, we will receive this child into his Church, in order that it may become a partaker of the blessings which God has promised to believers. (A Rubrio)
At all events we have a form of baptism, such as Jesus Christ instituted, the Apostles kept and followed and the Church put in practice, and there is nothing for which we can be blamed, unless it be for not being wiser than God himself.
From these extracts from Calvin's Office of Infant Baptism prepared by him for the Church in Geneva, his teaching can be plainly seen.
That he held and taught Infant Baptism, and Baptismal Regeneration as necessary accompaniment is beyond doubt, and so did the Reformers. Most severely, Calvin denounced the Anabaptists, and yet Mr. John West thinks Calvin is on his side.
It is wonderful how delusions are cherished once men forsake the sober faith and practice of the Church
--I am, sir, A CHURCHMAN.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Dear Sir
It (sic) said that in the multitude of counsellors there is safety, but in the multitude of controversial letters there is very often gross confusion.
The points in debate on the above subject can be reduced to a very narrow issue, but I fear your readers are rather bewildered than informed by all that has been written.
A writer, who signs himself "Amicus Veritatis" in your least issue quotes John iii, 5, to prove that baptism should precede belief. But neither the word baptism, nor the idea of baptism is to be found in the text. Christian baptism was not then instituted. The word "water" in the text is used as in many other passages both in the Old and New Testament, as symbolic of the Spirit. The verse if correctly translated would read-- "Except a man be born of water, namely the Spirit, &c."
A similar faulty translation represents our Lord as riding into Jerusalem on two asses. The passage should be rendered--" Behold thy King cometh unto thee riding upon an ass," namely, a colt the foal of an ass.
Any Greek scholar will know that the Greek word translated by "and" in the above passages must, in many instances, be translated by such words as "even" or "namely."
The same writer informs us as "news" that infant baptism was not questioned for the first eleven hundred years! Well, if he reckons from the foundation of the world he is probably correct, but if he calculates from the commencement of the Christian Era, then it is "news" indeed, but it is not history. And until he informs himself a little on Church History we will leave him to his romancing.
As for the supposed connection of circumcision and baptism there is not a single text of Scrip-ture which would establish the assumption, the two rites are wholly distinct and dissimilar. Circumcision was not instituted as a rite for introducing the recipient into the Jewish Church, it was practised before the organization of the Jewish Church. It was rather national than Ecclesiastical. A master was obliged to circumcise his heathen manservants (sic), but there was no obligation expressed or implied which required those heathen servants to abandon their heathen worship.
If Mr. Ward could produce evidence either from Scripture or from Apostolic practice to prove that baptism is the Scriptural and Christian successor to circumcision, then he would prove that the teaching and ritual of the Irish Church, and of all Anglican Churches, were entirely unscriptural and wrong.
We have now the issue narrowed to a very small compass. Mr. West is in perfect harmony with the teaching of the New Testament and with the teaching and ritual of the Irish Church, and of all branches of the Anglican Church, in stating that faith should precede baptism, and that faith is an essential qualification for baptism, the sole remaining point in dispute being the mode of administration.
Mr. West, I understand, asserts that immer-sion is the only mode admissible, but the question is--Has he Scripture or reason for this assertion? Any Greek scholar will know that the word which we translate to baptism, does not always in the New Testament imply immersion. I need not give instances, nor do the classic writers always use the word in that restricted sense.
Now as there is no Scripture warrant for making immersion essential, can Mr. West furnish us with a good reason?
No one can say that to baptize by immersion is wrong, but to assert that no other mode is valid is a different thing.
In fact what is the essential difference between sprinkling and immersion? Simply this that immersion is an enlarged form of sprinkling, nothing more. In sprinkling a portion of the body is brought into contact with the water, in immersion a larger portion of the body is reached, but if a person be immersed twenty times in succession, there will still remain many parts of the surface of the body untouched by the water. Sprinkling is therefore quite as valid as immersion, and the gain of immersion is a matter only of arithmetic!
In conclusion it will be seen that Mr. West, strange to say, has developed into an extreme Ritualist of the most ultra type.
The essence of ritualism consists in attaching undue importance to rites and ceremonies--where the spirit is lost in the letter.
Mr. West's idea of Christian baptism makes it depend upon the quantity of water used. The small vessel which contains enough for sprinkling does not, in his estimation, convey this grace which is only to be found in the caldron, and with all the exclusiveness characteristic of the Ritualistic bigot, he would exclude from the benefits of Christian Church the Quakers, who use no form of baptism; and he would deny the benefits of baptism to the thousands of Laplanders and inhabitants of northern regions, who could not possibly melt as much snow as would make an immersing bath.
His Christianity is only for temperate and torrid regions.
The Apostle John saw nearly two thousand years ago heaven opened, and around the throne he saw gathered an innumerable host from every nation and kindred and tongue, who had never so much as heard of either sprinkling or immersion.
--Yours etc. SCRUTATOR.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
March 16, 1907.
Sir--
Mr. John West has no one to blame only himself for starting this controversy, which it appears will continue should the courteous editor of the FERMANAGH TIMES afford him space to do so. I think he should be played out, as his letters are full of empty verbiage. The doctrine of baptism is either too big for a gentleman of his calibre, who admits he knows neither Latin or Greek, in which the New Testament was originally written. In fact Mr. West reminds the writer of what the venerable Wesley said to a young man who came to ask him questions in theology. Do you know Greek, said Mr. Wesley to this pedant. His answer was no. Do you know Latin, said Mr. Wesley? I do not was his reply; then said Wesley you had better mount my carriage and sit in the box with my coachman. Mr. West's ideas of Christian baptism are simply ridiculous, in fact, in his last letter bordering on blasphemy. I ask again, what business had John West to try to disturb the good feeling existing between the pastor and the congregation. He testifies plainly his object. He brought his henchman with him, a Christian of many sects like himself. Mr. Wm Glen says he was disgusted and took such nausea as to leave in a pout when the Rev T. Ward condescended to reply to his impertinent, ungrammatical interrogator. It happened well. Mr. Ward has since left the parish. As Mr. Glen's support might financially have compelled him to do so, he (sic) Mr. West, is joyful in finding that this controversy has been carried on in a spirit of love. I cannot imagine for a moment that love prompted him to rush into the Schoolroom in Ballycassidy to interrupt the proceedings. I would ask him to read a passage bearing on this point in Acts 8 chapter, wherein we are told that when Peter and John, two of the most eminent of the Apostles, came down to Samaria to witness the great revival affected by Philip the Evangelist, did Peter enter into any compromise with Simon the Sorcerer who wanted to give him money for obtaining power to work miracles. Did he on that occasion enter into any argument with him? Only by intimating to him in unmistakable language his abhorrence of his guilt saying to him "thou has neither part or lot in this matter," although Simon had been baptized. Well might the poet say:
If Mr. West had continued in connexion (sic) with his own Church, and Mr. Glen followed in his wake there would be no necessity for having to defend Christian baptism; nor should he have had for want of a better argument to incriminate a minister of the Gospel for giving a name to a dying child. The Apostle says, let all things be done decently and in order, and I think every true Christian will admit that calling a baby William or Mary would neither be sinful or improper. Hoping, sir, this controversy will terminate after all in preventing the professed followers of Christ from departing from the faith.
--I am, sir, yours truly, CORRESPONDENT
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Sir--
The greater part of Mr. West's letter, in last week's issue of your popular journal, is tuned to the refrain, "Thank God I am not as other men are, not even as poor, A V," but as I have never tried to analyse the motives which actuated any individual in their private or public capacity, I must on the present occasion decline the bait with thanks.
However, when I come to weigh his letter on the balance of accuracy, I find it sadly deficient, the false statements, inaccuracies and inconsistencies far outweighing the truth, and is highly suggestive of a mind ill at ease.
1st, for his false statements: I did NOT retranslate a single passage. I accepted the authorized version. I took the text he himself quoted, Mark xvii, 16--the text upon which the Pilgrims build their fabric--and I showed him the construction of that text in plain English implied baptism first, and I proved this to be the correct meaning from another of our Lord's directions, John iii, 5, where water is placed first, and remember both are our Lord's quotations. I also told him this was more clear in the original if he took the trouble to enquire from anyone who knew. If this was not so I further asked him to explain how baptism and belief could be simultaneous. This he has passed by.
Again, I asked him to give me one single text from Genesis to Revelation where the word baptize (embapto) means to immerse. Another failure.
I ask him again, remembering our Lord was perfect man, to explain the words "immediately" and "straightway," in Mark i, 10, 12. Silence again.
I further asked him if the word "into" in Acts viii, 38, means under, to give any other instance where the Greek "eis" is so translated. Remember it occurs frequently in same chapter. If Mr. West's ideas were correct, it would follow that both baptizor and baptized went under the water. Let him tell his own child to go into the room, will it look for some way to get under the floor? A schoolboy of 12 would feel ashamed of such reasoning. All this Mr. West has passed over, probably a little light is beginning to dawn.
Is not all this silence plain admission of his inability to prove dipping from Scripture. But let us go a little further. On the day of Pentecost 3,000 were baptized. How could they be dipped in one day by the small number of Apostles? Where could they be dipped? Anyone who has read anything worth knows the Brook Cedron is nothing but a dry river bed at that season. Again take Acts x, 47, Peter said--" Can anyone forbid water that these should not be baptized." Unmistakably showing that water was brought to the individual, not the individual to the water. The Philippian gaoler is another case in point. We are told, Acts xvi, 33, "He was baptized he and his straightway"--and at night. Will Mr. West make us believe that gaols in those days were supplied with modern comforts. Anyone knowing the strict exclusiveness of eastern habits--if it were only from the leaflets distributed by the different missionary societies--would know that baptism of women by immersion was--more so then than now--an impossibility. In I Cor, x, 2, we read, "And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." In Exod xiv, 22, we are told they passed over on dry ground, and in verse 28 that the Egyptians who were immersed were drowned. How were they baptized? Do not all those prove, beyond doubt, that baptism was not by immersion, but that it was administered by water being poured on the individual?
Now for his inaccuracies. 1st, He tells us the Philippian gaoler's whole house believed. Now, we are NOT told any such thing. Here is what we are told. Acts xvi, 33 (R V), he rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed God. No believer mentioned but himself. 2nd, He says the house of Stephanus addicted themselves to the ministry of the Saints. Not a bit of it. Hear what the Bible says, I Cor i, 16, "And I baptized the house of Stephanus." What Mr. West refers to is in I Cor xvi, 16, where there is not a single word about baptism not even in the chapter. 3rd, He says there were brethren in house of Lydia, who were comforted by Paul and Silas. Readers please open your Bibles at Acts xvi, 14-15, and you will find the following words--" And a certain woman...whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things that were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized and her household, she besought us saying: If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord come into my house." Not a word about brethren. Shame, Mr. West, even you are in a corner. Verse 40 simply tells us that the brethren met at Lydia's house after Paul got out of prison. His quotations being wrong, it follows that his deductions are wrong also.
Just a look at his inconsistencies. 1st--In his last letter he told us infant baptism was introduced in the third century; now he says in the fourth century. What an historian! Yet Paul tells us infants were baptized 1500 years before the birth of Christ, unless Mr. West can prove there were no infants in that great Jewish multitude which came up out of Egypt. I Cor x, 1-2. The Bible tells us there were little ones with them. See Exod x, 9, 10, 24, 2nd--He told us in his last letter that after his conversion he could not remain in the Irish Church. Now he accepts the doctrine of men in communion with that Church. 3rd--He says circumcision related only to earthly greatness. Yet a little further on he says circumcision was outward to teach the need of true circumcision of the heart. Please reconcile these two. Again, he says it was a sign he entered the family by natural birth. Was the name of his family impressed on his flesh? Of what use then was the family genealogy? Whose family was Abraham circumcised into? How about Ishmael? If, as he says, circumcision only admitted to political privileges, how was it that uncircumcision excluded from religious privileges. See Exod xii, 48. When you answer these, Mr. West, there are more waiting upon you. Answer these, Mr. West, there are more waiting upon you.
Mr. West, the Reformers not only admitted infant baptism, but they practiced it. If you read a little further on you will find that they are proving there was no necessity for our Lord to initiate a rite that had already been in existence--that his silence sanctioned it. Please read on. Anyone asserting the Reformers and Jeremy Taylor did not both preach and practice infant baptism is guilty of a deliberate falsehood.
Now let us see what the Bible says about the admission of infants.
In Rom xi, 17-24, we are distinctly told that the Church of the New Testament is a continuation and enlargement of the Church of the Old Testament. Children were capable of being brought into covenant with God in the Church of the Old Testament. See Deut xxix, 10-11-12. If children were less privileged in the New, would not our Lord have said so. If they were admitted then, why exclude now? St. Paul tells us distinctly that Baptism has taken the place of circumcision. In Col ii, 11-12, he says "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body the sins of the flesh. By the circumcision of Christ buried with Him by baptism." Again, Rom iv, 8-11, we are told the sign of circumcision is the seal of the righteousness based on faith. If the Jewish child was circumcised, although he could not exercise that faith, why exclude the Christian's child? In Acts ii, 38-39, Peter tells us the promise is to their children. See also Gal iii, 16.
Now for a few of the early Christian writers.
Irenaeus, born in the year 97 A D, the disciple of St. John, says (Book iii, chap 22) Christ came to save all by Himself, all who are baptized to God, infants and little ones, etc.
Justin Martyr, who wrote about the year 140 (Apol 1 Chap xv) says many men and women, 60 and 70 years, who were made disciples from their childhood continue uncorrupted. (These would be baptized about 70 A D)
Origen, in the Second Century, writing says "Infants are baptized, etc." (Homily on Luke chap xiv).
Again the Council of Carthage in the year 253 A D, discussed the question "whether infants should be baptized on the eighth day or earlier."
Now take Peter's declaration on the day of Pentecost--Acts ii, 38-39--the evidences of the early Christian writers, and Mr. West's own admission, do they not prove beyond dispute that infant baptism was always administered? But more again. If sprinkling and baptismal regeneration is taught by the Church of Rome I know not. Mr. West may. He had already admitted a wide experience.
AMICUS VERITATIS.
We in no way identify ourselves with the sentiments expressed by our various correspondents
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Sir,--
Mr. Cooney's definition of a disciple comes at a very opportune moment. He quotes the words of Jesus "Whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath he cannot be my disciple. "See Luke xiv, 33, R.V. Mr. West is the "Pilgrim's" champion about Ballycassidy. Let us test him by this definition. Has Mr. West renounced "all that he hath"? Is this the same Mr. West who has been instructed by the Go Council to do what he declares is blasphemy. If so has Mr. West renounced that snug, well-paid situation. If he cannot answer yes to both these questions, either Mr. Cooney is misinterpreting Scripture, or Mr. West is a hypocrite and not a disciple. I shall be glad if Mr. West clears his position next week.
Then Mr. Cooney tells us "Amicus Veritatis" rightly quotes Matt xxviii, 19, but wrongly infers, &c, and then he, himself, turns round and rightly quotes 1st Cor i, 27 to 30, but wrongly infers that it is only foolish or uneducated men that God uses in his work. The entire teaching of Scripture from Genesis to Revelations is against such an inference. Paul, writing to these same people says, "Lest no man think me a fool"--2 Cor ii, 16. Paul does not contradict himself, so the inference is bound to be wrong. But Mr. Cooney can settle the matter by giving me a single passage in which Paul says he was hindered after his conversion by his education.
Was God displeased when Solomon asked for Wisdom? No. "The speech pleased the Lord"--1st Kings iii, 10. This same Solomon says---"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction "--Prov i, 7. Now, if Mr. Cooney still infers that the passage he quoted only refers to every day education, these other passages label him a fool for he apparently despises wisdom and instruction. But we see the farce of Cooneyism when Mr. Cooney despises all theological learning, at the same time that Mr. West is calling up the shades of these same theologians to prove his pet theory. Poor Mr. West! You must not rely on such authorities according to your leader, Mr. Cooney.
This sect would make us believe they are consistent and living according to the letter of the New Testament. They will not accept inferences; they must have definite commands.
Where then, I would like to ask, is the command given to raise money to buy timber and also to build a church house like the one at Ballinamallard?
Where is the command to use instrumental music, as I can prove some of the Go-preachers have done, and which Mr. Cooney upholds? Where is the command to pass over the inspired Psalms, and use instead the unscriptural Go-preachers' hymns.
In face of Paul's repeated declaration that he "suffered not a woman to speak in the Church." Where is the command for sending forth women tramp preachers?
Where even is the definite command to change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday? And amongst this sect's organization where do we find the ordained deacons to correspond with Acts vi, 6, or the ordained elders to correspond with Acts xiv, 23?
When Mr. Cooney gives me a definite command for each of these from the New Testament, I will be able to give him the same for Infant Baptism and an educated ministry.
I leave "Amicus Veritatis" to deal with Mr. Cooney's references to baptism, and whether these "unconscious babes," which Mr. Cooney says, "are in no means responsible for their acts, "are not fit subjects for baptism. I wonder would Mr. Cooney say he is "in no means responsible" for an act committed by Adam when Mr. Cooney was still unconscious.
I think these questions of mine will test the consistency or inconsistency of Mr. Cooney and this entire sect, and prove whether or not they are only labouring this one point to suit their own purpose, viz--Stir up bad feeling in the Churches. Therefore I trust you will find space for this letter.
Thanking you in anticipation.
--Yours faithfully, CORRAGARRY. 26 March, '07
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Sir,--
My last letter evidently touched the spot. It's wonderful the effect the plain unwatered Word of God has always had on those who seek to pervert His way. What a howl, what a storm of abuse, from Churchman--Cor and A V, but still no proof for their infant regeneration, no hole to creep into in either the old or the New Testament. All seek to misrepresent my statements in previous letters, and it's impossible to answer them all in a letter like this. I must, however, with your kind permission try and prevent them from misquoting Scripture and twisting my arguments. Now, I did not refer in my last quotations to what Luther and others "PRACTISED" I and A V were honest enough to admit that infant sprinkling was neither taught, nor practised by Jesus and the 12 apostles. I have nothing to do with what these authorities themselves practised and taught? I stand by the truth of God, and what Jesus and the Apostles both SAID and DID. To Scrutator, I do not attach a superstitious or ritualistic importance to Baptism in any form, as I have already stated. I now repeat that the ceremony is meaningless unless preceded by genuine repentance towards God and saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ to baptise under any other conditions is solemn mockery. The fundamental conditions, always have and always will be genuine repentance and faith. Where these conditions are fulfilled I dare not subscribe to any other creed than "Burial with Christ in baptism, and like as He was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, the person baptized might rise to walk with him in newness of Life"--Rom vi, 4; Col ii, 12. Typical of our Lord's death, burial, and resurrection, I maintain that no true Apostle or prophet dare put before his converts any other conditions that Peter put before his on the day of Pentecost. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost--Acts ii, 38. How dare any one be he Quaker, Salvationist or Methodist tamper with this truth of God--this Divine plan laid before the foundation of the world. No man that fears the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to follow him at all costs dare do so. He that saith I know him and keepeth not His com-mandments is a liar and the truth is not in him--1 John ii, 4. The verse the promise is to you and your children and to those that are afar off &c. has nothing whatever to do with the lie of baptismal regeneration. It simply means that the promise is perpetual and that future generations and all humanity may be saved and receive the Holy Ghost if they fulfil the same conditions. They must repent and be baptized. How blind carnally-minded reasoners are to the meaning of the simple truth, and how the Devil seeks to darken counsel with words.--Rev ix, 2.
We are asked to believe that it would be impossible to baptize 3,000 on the day of Pentecost. I wonder who told them? If they used the form that John used when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan it would not, as a simple sum in arithmetic will show. According to this plan one baptizer would do at least 20 in an hour; 120 would at that rate do 3,000 in less than an hour and a half. If they used the Anglican Church form, let us see how long it would take. There are in this ritual five collects, eleven prayers, eight questions, fifteen [--??--], the Lord's prayer, the Creed, the sign of the cross, a thanksgiving for the infant's regeneration and numerous other items. If the priest was good at the intoning business it would take at least half-an-hour. These Ritualists believe that none but the twelve had "authority." Take them at their word and give them a ten hour day--it would mean 12 days hard work and 230 still unbaptized, and, remember, no time for a smoke or a game of hockey. I wonder where those 3,000 got godfathers and godmothers. Perhaps A V can tell us. I don't know Greek.
To proceed I notice "Correspondent" shuts his little heaven against all who don't know Latin and Greek, even Wesley's coachman, who sat on the box. Had Wesley been a true prophet he would have had neither carriage nor coachman. The disciple is not greater than his Lord. What a conception this narrow-minded individual must have of our great God when he thinks that in order to know His truth we have got to learn the Dead Languages. Does he not know that God's ideal was--in the first Adam---a gardener--and the second Adam (Christ)--a carpenter. Leave your Latin and Greek Mr. Cor and read your Bible: perhaps it does not suit you to walk in the light of God's truth. So we leave you in the [-----] candle light of the [----].
Re Amicus Veritatis, I did not particularly notice A V's letter in your previous issue, because when I glanced it over I could see he was hopelessly blind to the truth as it is in Jesus. Evidently he considers I slighted him; however, when he reads E. Cooney's and Scrutator's in your last it may begin to dawn upon him that his light is darkness. It would be wasted time to follow him through his muddle of misquoted and misapplied texts; he evidently has something on his brain about baptism and belief being simultaneous. I never said so, nor does the Scriptures--Belief always first, A V. The meaning of "Immediately" and "straightforward" would do you no good. All your reasonings are silly. You should learn to avoid profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called. I Tim vi, 20. Don't attempt to twist my quotations, Mr. A V. Any person who reads what the Scriptures say about the three households baptized by Paul can see that my conclusions are quite correct. I say it's unfair and contemptible conduct on your part to try to twist my quotations as you did. To follow your reasonings about circumcision is laughable; do you not know that circumcision was an earthly covenant made with faithful Abraham and his seed, and had nothing to do with salvation. The persons who would urge that Paul said baptism took the place of circumcision is guilty of a deliberate falsehood. Col ii, 11-12 proves that the putting away of sin by faith in Christ is necessary before being buried with Him in baptism and nothing more--another proof against infant regeneration.
Your quotations and questions prove you to be either ignorant of the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures, or, what's worse, putting forth what you know to be untrue, for the purpose of perverting truth. Away with such men and unprincipled practice; it's unworthy of this controversy. Take care Mr. A V you may wrest the Scriptures to your own destruction. I never said there were no baby sprinklers before the 4th century. I know there have been false prophets since the beginning. What I sought to prove was that the true apostolic ministry after the Matt x pattern had the pre-eminence during the first few centuries. We find in I John iv, 1 that even then false prophets had gone forth. Paul was troubled with them. Writing to the Galatians he says, "I marvel you are soon removed from the faith," and tells them "that though he or an angel from heaven came and preached any other doctrine to them let him be accursed," and emphasizes it by repetition--Gal i, 6, 8. What a warning to baby regenerators and all preachers after Matt 23 pattern "who teach their own tradition for the truth of God, despise every precept of our Lord, and go after the desire of their own hearts, giving heed to fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth."--Titus i, 13 14.
It has been the Devil's purpose in every age to set aside God's plan. In the garden he preaches to Eve under a nom-de-plume, and tells her that God did not mean what He said--Gen iii, 1--and succeeded in deceiving her. We find after the flood the people building a way to heaven other than God's way.--Gen xi, 3, 5. But God found them out and confused their language. Typical of the 600 sects of today, all building ways of their own and all ignoring God's simple plan of salvation. What a weight of ceremony and tradition hangs around the different ways planned by the god of this world's preachers. What a multitude of consecrated buildings made of hands--spires, clocks, fonts and graveyards--and how few consecrated human temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in.
Paul tells us that as the Devil succeeded in deceiving the bride of the first Adam, he may suc-ceed in deceiving the bride of the second Adam by corrupting the simplicity that is in Christ.--II Cor xi, 2-3. After all why waste so much time over infant regeneration? Is not theological teaching responsible for far more departures from the divine plan? Does it not teach that poor means rich; hungry means well-fed; half-clad soft clothing; no certain dwelling, a rectory or a manse? Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Get a Sustentation Fund, an Auxiliary Fund, a Centenary Fund, a Twentieth Century Fund, a Superannuation Fund, a Widows Fund, a Childrens Fund, a Poor Parish Fund, an Education Fund, get brewers and distillers money---the price of lost souls ruined by their traffic--get all you can, no matter where it comes from. You know we must obey Matt x, and we must be independent of God and man. Go means squat and let the millions die without Christ. Suffer means reign; weep means laugh; no reputation means leaders of fashion and politics; Bishop means a gentleman in a palace with a seat in the House of Lords, salary ,15,000 a year down instead of a working man saved and baptized, and spending his spare time and money for the salvation of others.
"Woe to them for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Cora," Jude i, 11. What gainsaying of God's truth. What awful greed. Funds and collections, bazaars and lotteries---all in the name of the meekest man that ever lived---Christ Jesus. Horrifying! Reader, what road are you travelling. Don't be deceived by the preachers of the stained-glass window Jesus. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Jesus Christ is God's pattern man for all men and every age. God never changes; man's heart is just the same. The Devil the same. The Scribe and Pharisee the same as always. They will try and tell you that Jesus is not the pattern for to-day. Remember, "many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-christ...whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God"--2 John i, 7, 9.
"If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house neither bid him Godspeed"--2 John i, 10.
Fellowman, you must be born again. Born of God. You were born into the natural that you might be born into the spiritual. Unless you are a partaker of the Divine nature and conformed in heart and life to the image of His Son--where God is you never can go. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
--Your obedient servant, JOHN WEST
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FERMANAGH TIMES
Sir--
The Nonconformists who have adopted the theory of Infant Baptism are in great straits for an argument when they can find nothing in the New Testament to support their views, save the assumption that in the households who were baptized by the Apostles there were infants.
In the instance of the Philippian jailer, the household "believed," and in the case of Cornelius, that Centurion told Peter that all who were assembled at his house were hearers, and therefore adults, and we read that while they heard the preaching of Peter the Holy Spirit fell on them all, and they spake with tongues--all this was prior to their being baptized.
The argument therefor derived from baptized households must be assumed against infant baptism, as we have not a single instance of an infant being baptized to set against those households of believers exclusively.
The argument from circumcision is quite as illusive, the oft quoted text Col ii, 11 is most unfortunate for the case. "The circumcision of Christ" there mentioned is expressly stated to be made "without hands" and cannot therefore be baptism, which in no case whether by sprinkling or immersion, is administered without hands.
If the Apostle teaches us that "the circumcision of Christ" is baptism, then he teaches that baptism is salvation, for in that circumcision of Christ he tells us there is the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, or in other words, there is the renewal of our moral nature.
"The circumcision of Christ" is spiritual regeneration, which is an operation wrought not by human hands or human agency, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Buried with Christ in baptism comes after that circumcision without hands as it is placed secondary in the order of the passage above referred to. Now the fact that the Anglican Churches require repentance and faith as the essential conditions or qualifications for baptism in all cases whether the persons to be baptized are infants or adults is strong proof that these conditions have been required in unbroken procession from apostolic times. Whatever we may think of "apostolic succession" as far as the ministry is concerned there is no room for doubt that apostolic practice and ritual in substance have come down through all succeeding ages.
We have for instance in the New Testament the Apostles requiring a profession of faith from all persons who were candidates for baptism--we have all branches of the Anglican Churches today requiring the same conditions whether those persons are infants or adults--we can through the history of these churches trace up the selfsame conditions to the early centuries, and thus we have the best reasons for concluding that the baptism of believers and of believers only has been the unbroken theory and practice of the church from apostolic times to the present. Now the fact that infants are baptized in the Anglican Churches, but not as infants, but as adults is additional proof that the baptism of believers and believers only was the practice in apostolic times.
If infants had been considered by the Apostles or their successors eligible for baptism they would have been received and baptized as infants; it would have seemed absurd for an Apostle to have required an infant to make a profession of repentance and faith, and if at whatever subsequent time infants were admitted to the rite, they had been considered eligible for baptism, they would have been received and would have been baptized as infants but they were not considered eligible. The qualifications for baptism which had so long been as a headline for the direction of the Church could not be altered and thus the plan of sponsorship was adopted, by means of which the infant could be brought into the Church as an adult and as a believing adult.
It was assumed on the part of the infant that it would repent and believe on reaching the years of understanding, and on that assumption it was admitted to baptism. Thus the rite of confirmation is the supplement of baptism and strictly speaking the rite of baptism according to the Anglican teaching on the subject is not completed until the act of confirmation has taken place.
--Yours faithfully, SCRUTATOR
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