North Carolina Newspapers

voc r CP HJJo J II 1 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY A COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS FOE THE METHODIST EFIS COPAL CHUECH, SOUTH. BUFUS T. HEFLIN, Editor. iTALETGlTrTirUll S D A Y . A P It I L 28, 1 859. $1.50 a year, in advance. VOL. IV XO. 17. 0 A ORIGINAL. For the N. C. '"hris'ian Ad.ueate. Our Village. Bro Heflin. The village of Jackson, about which I desire to say some tilings, is situated in Craven county near the head of navigation on Bay River. In the past, not more than eighteen months ago. it was apparently given up to wickedness, and was almost a Sodom. The people, for the most part, had not the fear of God. and were taken captive by the devil at his will. Vice flourished like the rank weeds I y the rivulet, and overpowered every good im pression. Intemperance waved its black banner over willing votaries, who were allured into its kindred vices. Home, rr.t-lion.p was ncilectea, and its foun tains of happiness were pol'uted. The kingdom of Satan prevailed h tri umph ; his forces were marshalled, and he held the field with victory upon his iron brow. But Religion came in its humility, and in the mighty power of God ; and Jackson is redeemed. Our village no longer sits in the shadow of death, and mourns under the bondage of sin ; but in the dwellings and in the streets there is joy and peace. Light, glorious light has sprung up in our midst, and the darkness has fled. Her people have seen and felt the great salvation of the Lord of hosts ; the dead are alive, the lost are found, and we have a continued feast of holy love. And the Lord is still carrying on the good work ; many precious souls have been born of the Spirit ; others are stepping into th troubled waters that they may be healed May the Lord continue with us until the last sinner shall be converted. Blessed be God for the glorious change already ac complished in our village ! The dancing saloon has become the prayer room where God's people enjoy his presence. Intem perance has lowered its banner, and Tem perance has lifted an ther, inscribed " Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men." The card table has upon it the Bible ; and around it gather, not the votaries of chance, but the worshippers of God. Could you be with us, Bro. Heflin, you would see how the bread you cast upon the waters when you were with us before, has come again in a harvest of souls The revival which began when you dedicated our church last July, was a bh ssing to man souls. And now the Lord has met with us again, and verified his promise to his people. 1 have never witnessed such a time before, ia this region of country. Our church. Mount Vernon, is much strengthened, and her members are all thorough, working Methodist". Baptismal regeneration, and the works of the law by which no man can lie justi. fiod, seem to be letting go their hold upon error, and coining up to th help of the Lord against the mighty. The meeting has been kept up for twenty evenings, aud is yet going on. Our beloved brother Moore has been with us a part of the time, preaching acceptably and with success. Lp to this time, this last meeting has re sulted in the accession fifteen members to the chuich, among whom are the most in fluential men and women belonging to our village. Nearly all our citizens are mem bers of the church: and while we dare not boast, yet "glorying in the Lord," we cannot avoid contrasting the present con dition of Jackson, with what it was a year or two ago. For the happy change, be all the power and glory ascribed to God alone. And niaj' He ever continue to bless and preserve our village. T. P. C. For the N. C. Christian Advocate. Tlie Itecord of Crime. Bro. Heflix. It has doubtless long since occurred to your mind, that at cer tain times, certain crimes seem to become common, and even popular. One species of crime seems to predominate for a season, and then subside and give place for anoth er, which also in its turn is succeeded by another. Sometimes murder prevails on every band then suicide then robbery or something else. Now, does not the publication of one crime induce the commission of more of the same sort ? Doe not one suicide pro duce a kind of diabolical desperation in the mind of some one, who otherwise would not have thouget of self destruction, and induce him to do the same thing ? I have often thought the publication of such things had much to do with those spasms which seem periodically to afflict and horrify hu man society. If this be so. the press should be very cautious how it throws off" intelli gence of this kind for the public mind. The history of the world, from its ear liest records to t!ie present, is the history of carnage and blood a record of crime ! The reader's mind becomes familiarized with crime, and loses that horror at crime which instinctively impresses the mind of one less familier with the record of blood. How much the rwords of the past have to do with the crimes of the present day, we know not. but perhaps no little. The ob ject of many things written and published is to do good, and in some instances does good, but does not the evil preponderate? An ! is the publication of crime, not after all, a mistake ? Frequent y the deeds r f the most mis erable marauders are pnblished to the world To the writer there seems to be no conceivable go d in it; but much evil. Some years ago there was published a sketch of the life of Monroe Edwards, the great Texian forg, r. Many of his plans f deception were given his use of chemi cils, for effacing the records of no'ex, bonds. &e., and fur inserting whatever he chose. , . About the same time the life of Jno. A. Murrell, also appeared, with the develop ment of many of his villainous plans. This was doubt less a fine treat for many a young man and was read with much relish. And in this taoney loving age, many of these plans have probably been stored away, by one, and another for future use. These plans, with a little variation and amend ment, may easily be brought into requi sition again, and applied to new purposes. As such, these develop ments of former plans of wickedness are a legacy bequeathed to all such as may in cline to pursue a similar eourse. This last case is especially encouraging to such. Here is the history of the man and his crimes together with the assertion, that he became penitent, sought and obtained pardon, and finally died in peace and tri umph. Thu9 the plans devised by them, are not suffered to die with them, and they, tho' dead yet speak through the press,giv ing incouragement to those earning after them, both as to success in their pursuits of villainy ; and then of final happiness in a future state. Now should not these pub lications be regarded, and dealt with as other incendiary documents? We incline to the belief that such a course would lead to the improvement of public morals, and that there should be no record of crime. Perhaps there would be found fewer railroad and steam boat accidents, fewer murders, suicides and robberies if all these things were kept out of the news papers. . . For the N. C. Christian Advocate. Bis!:op Early's Letter. Bro. Heflix : I read with no ordinary degree of interest, Bishop Early's letter, published in the Advorate of 31st ult., in regard to the education of an interesting Indian youth, by the name of John Te hooniber Talbot, who is now at school, and is making rapid improvement in his studies; and also belives that he is called of God to the ministry. The good Bishop makes his appeal to N. C- and Va., especially in behalf of the Indian youth, while money coming from other sources will be cheerfully ac cepted by him. There should be no hesi tancy on our part, in responding to the Bishop's call. North Carolina Methodists have great hearts which are wont to beat in unkon with the calls for aid in advanc ing the cause of the Redeemer upon earth. But it is a notorious fact that we have a grca deal upc n our hands the present year. Our China mission is to be cared for, and the varions enterprises of the church with in our borders. Our ministers and agents will have their hands and hearts filled with the business affairs of the church; lut with all the work we have to do,-we must do something for the Indian youth introduced to our notice by our venerable Bishop. Suppose, Mr. Editor, yem invite the Bish op to come over and spend two or three weeks within our borders, and present the cause of the Indian boy to our people. If he would consent to come and preach some of his red hot and old fashioned sermons, such as he is capable of preaching, and then ca 1 upon our good brothers and sis ters for assistance, I have no doubt but that he would realize, by ocular demon stration, that North Caroliua Methodists, appreciate such calls as he has made for his Indian boy. We should like to see the good Bishop among us insist upon his coming. But if circumstances prevent his coming to N. C, any time during the pres ent Conference year, we request of him to state how much money he would have us raise for the object which he proposes. When the Bishop informs us, then let us raise the amount and send it to him. He relies upon tho benevolence of the church to carry out his great scheme. Let the members of the church look at this subject in its proper ight. and there will be a will ingness to do as God lias commanded and prospered. Christians can do a great deal of good with their money. Oh, that they may ever heed the lesson taught, " Make to yourselves friends of the Mammon of un righteousness that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations. " How blissful will be the reception of the christian into th land of fadeless beauty by those who are gone before him, who were the beneficiaries of his benevolence while on earth. This thought should stir us to action, should excite us to the faithful performance of our duty. JOSIAII. Bladeu co., N. C, April 12, 1859. For the N. C. Christian Advocate. The Missionary Cause. The time is fast approaching when our ministers, one and all, should present this cause to the consideration of their respect ive charges. One f the most noble insti tutions of the church, as all will acknowl edge this to be, should by no means be neglected. Let every minister set opart some month, early in the year, as the spe cial time to attend to this blessed cause. One great evil among us is, that we put off this work uatil the close oVe year, as if we, as faithful ministers of Jesus, were afraid to present this cause to our people ; or as if we lacked confidence in its impor tance ourselves. Perhaps some put it off I as long as possible, for fear of being called beggars, or for some other reason of no more moment. WA. we should discharge our duty faithfully, let others say what they please. And thus we will gain the approbation of the pious and intelligent portion of the church and country, togeth er with the approbation of God. There is not a more glorious feature of our church than this. The true missionary spirit was the very means of handing the gospel down to us ; without it, we would still have been without God and without hope in the world. Shall we now close our hearts and our purses, and say, "this glorious gospel car shall move no farther ! " Can we do it and still enjoy the favor of God ? IJould he not remove the candle-stL-k from our midst ? Then let sermons be preached, and this cause be fully presented to every congregation. If this is done and our peo ple be made clearly to understand it. they will give. While on the other hand, if it is not presented and explained, they will not give. They must know what they are giving for. A mere statement will not do ; they demand the proof ; and also to see that their pastor has his heart in the work. God will bless our efforts and open the hearts of our people. TV. Cross Roads, April, 1859. For the N. C. Christian Advocate. Explanatory. Bro. Heflix : In your issue of the 24th of March, I notice an article headed "What do ou think?" over the signature of "TV." I presumehemust have had reference to a parly or hill in this county from the ini tial and circumstances connected therewith. Under such impressions, therefore, I wish to correct the errors, and state what is so. 1st. That the house is not owned entirely by Methodists. 2nd. That no official mem ber gave his consent then or previously for such purpose. In conclusion, I will merely suggest to " TV. " that it would be nothing more than justice done to those concerned to be a lit tle more cautious in giving publicity to things unless hi- is sure they are true. By giving the above a place in your pa per, you will oblige JUSTICE. Hyde co., April, 1859. For the N. C. Christian Advocate. L.et Truth Prevail. It is a lamentable fact, though too true, that there are almost, if not altogether, as man' parties in religion as there are in government or politics ; and nearly every one of these church parties has established a college, bearing its own peculiar name. In this State, we have an institution which is called a University. The different churches, as it were, take different shares in this establishment It must not be for gotten, that some branches of the christian church, take no part at all in it, for the sarse reason that poor hungry Sam didn't eat his breakfast. It is the opinion of the writer, that in the walls of a University, there should be no sects in religion, or if there is, the Christian denominations should alike be represented therein. For, when two students, of apparently the same tal ent, and of the tame acquirements, are about to take their leave of their Alma Muter, after four years toilsome study, and their merits are to be decided upon by the entire faculty, if one of these students should happen to belong to the predomi nating sect in the above named body, the decision is known without being told. These are not mere assertions, but real, living facts, and speak " trumpet tongued" against sectarianism among a people, who call themselves the followers of Him, whose mission upon earth, was " peace and good will toward men. " The immediate corol lary, to be deduced from the above facts, is that a Methodist or Baptist student stands no chance for a just degree of hon or, in a Presbyterian college ; or, in other words, honor is not accorded to whom hon or is due. STUDENT. Common Sense. The argument most apt and ample, For common winds, is the example. For the N. C. Jhristian Advocate. A Precions Jewel. There is nothing wh'eh seems to adorn and beautify earth so much as religious chil dren property instructed in the things of God. It is making Zion a nursery on earth, which will be transplanted in the fair fields of endless light and glory. For the culti vation of such tender plants, how li'tle in terest is taken; they are allowed to grow up among briars and brambles, exposed to a 1 the wiles of the wicked oie. Parents should consider it a great ind glorious honor to be engaged in trail, ng children for the Lord. Such fc-vnirg is not only preparing them for usefulness and Iiappi ness here3ut is fitting tlem for the bright world of glory. Children are the objects of our Saviour's care ; he watches all their tottering steps, hears all their little stammering words, un derstands all their thoughts; and " when father and mother forsake them, then the Lord will take them up. " Youth is the time when the strongest impressions are made upon the mind, eith er for good or evil. How important then that good impressions should always be made, impressions of a moral and religious character! Teach a child wronsc and it knows nothing but wrong ; teach it right and it knows nothing but right. Thus saith Solomon, " Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." When and where should this training be attended to ? At early childhood, and around the parents' knees. The great hurry of business ought not to cause these lessons to be neglected. There is nothing that appears more angel like, than to hear little children readily an swering a l the questions asked them in our catechisms, aud bowing at the parents' knee, repeating the Lord's prayer. Now, in accents of lo e and joy, may the parents say : " Children our kind protection claim, And God will well approve, When infants learn to lisp His name. And their Creator love. " Spring Garden. T... For the N. C. Christian Advocate. The Beatify of Consistency. "We wish to return frpiu our bacjksli dings and do our first works over again, that the Holy Spirit may again descend up on us, and rouse us from this moral stupor, this spiritual death. " Icox. N. (7. Presby erian. March 5, 1859. You may learn the history of my sub ject, by reference to an article upon the first page of the newspaper from which my text is taken. Icox, wishing to beg some money to have windows made in a certain " Barbecue church, " addressed a commu nication to the Editors of the N. C. Pres byterian, setting forth that said church is an hundred years old, and that it has been "more than fifty years since the' have been blessed with a revival. In fact, the first part of the article is a kind of lament over the death pall of "Barbecue chunh." What caused " this spiritual death " the writer does not determine whether it was hizin ss on the part of tho laity, or ,o much ehvntio i on the part of the ministry seemed to perplex Icox. At any rate, he wished the membership to go to work, and the ministry to be brought down to the capacity of the people. To accomplish these two objects.he sent his "Barbecue church" communication to the press, in which, the words of my text occur. The leading doctrine of my text is this : Persons, after having been converted to God, may lose all their religion and after wards may be renewed ; and consequently the back-slider's ease is not "hopeless." Let me remind the reader that '.'Icon" wrote what he knew, and testified to what he had seen, and gave old Barbecue as a monumental witness of what he said ; and that he wrote for the Orgax of Presbyte rianism in North Carolina. With these things before you, I may proceed to an in vestigation of my subject. I. Persons who have been converted may lose all their religion. This doctrine is set forth in the- text with so much clearness, and so fully corroborated by ' Dr. Pear son" in his interesting conversation with his " Cousin , John, " as almost to super sede the necessity of a single remark. However, notice, 1st. The members at " Barbecue church," are members of the Presbyterian Church. 2nd. The session, composed of the pastor and ruling e!djrs, sat in judgment upon their religious expe rience, pronouncsd it genuine, that they had been " effectually called," and-were of the "elect," and surely they knew, for they had pried into the "secret councils of God." 3rd. The members of old Barbe cue have backslidden from their christian experience. Query. What goes with their " effectual calling ?" The word "backsli dings" was too indefinite for " Icon," and he explains, 1. They had reached the point of " moral stupor." 2. They had gone beyond mere "backsliding," had reached aud passed another point in their retro gressing experience, that of " moral stu por," and had advanced to the very lowest depths of ruin, that of "spiritual death. " This surely completes the grand climax of backsliding. If " Icon" had rested his case when he reached the wdrd " backsli dings, " he would have presented that re lict of ancient Presbyterianism in an un enviable aspect, for he would have shown that they had lost their religion, ceased to be "effectually called," and were no more of the " elect" deplorable ! What a gloo my spectacle for the christian to contem plate. " Ichabod" -written upon the win dowless walls of "Barbecue church," the glorious Shekinah. like the fabled Peri, has returned to its native abode; and for "more tbnrv fifty yenr " that church hns remain- ed beneath the dark pall, and within the incubus grasp of " spiritual death, ' and none to help her none to plead her cause, lest tlie peculiar doctrine of" once in grace always in grace." should be brought into oontempt by themselves. Let them thank God for raising up " Icon. " II. Persons hot hiv lost all their re ligion may he reclaimed and saved. The N. C. Presbyterian of Feb. 26, has a se lected article on its fourth page, headed, " Calvinists and Arminians, " which gives an account of one Rev. Abel Pearson, D. D. " concerning a somebody that the Cal vinist D. D.. gloried in calling " Cousin John, " a very definite and illustrious per sonage; to be "Cousin" to Dr. P., was : surely honor enough for one " John ;'' and I doubt not their declared consanguinity, for they were reasonably weak, according to the story ; that if " Cousin John'' ever lost his religion it was a "hopeless case'' with him. By what means do you sup pose the Dr. convinced his "Cousin John?'' You would not guss in a thousand years. I will tell you; the Dr. said, "Whatapity." Is not that profound theology for a learned Doctor of Divinity, But the "tree is known by its fruits. " -The learned and profound Doctor is known by his argu ment. And the N. C. Presbyterian en dorses that same. But to my subject. After having lost "J I of their religion they may be reclaimed and saved. " Icon" says, " We wish ti return from our back slidings. " 1st They "wish," where did the wish originate ? Does God mock that ancient relict of Scotch devotion to Pres byterianism ? If they vish to ref.'im tbut J wish is the legitimate result of the Holy Spirit, and is the Spirit of truth and can not lie. 2nd. They " wish to return from their backslidings," but if it is a hopeless c se they cannot do so. 3rd. "That the Holy Spirit may agaiu descend upon us. '' Here the means of returning from th ir backslidings are presented ,do our first works over again. " If the works are performed the end will be accomplished, work and receive wages. That is clever, " Icon, " when a poor Methodist, " Cousin John,'' hist his religion Dr. Pearson said, " what a pity, " and consigned his dear "Cousin John' over to a "hopeless " doom, but when "Barbecue' has been spirit-iallif dead "more than fifty years" she may re turn with a little effort, " doing their first works over again." Which number of the N. C. Presbyte rian are we to believe, that of Feb. 26, or that of March 5 ? Will the learned editor of that paper inform the public which has run off from the-track, Icon or Dr. Pear son? But perhaps both are orthodox, the object of the one is to kiH the Methodist, that of the other is the salvation of the elet. Backsliding makes it a hopeless case with a Methodist, lut Presbyterians may be " spiritually deal more than fifty years, " and yet be reclaimed. Truly "consistency is a jewel," but rarely worn in certain ca ses. Jlj plication. This same Presbyterian newspaper is taken by Methodists who subscribe for no Methodist paper. How is this? Can it be that Methodists will, "of their own free will and accord," select a newspaper, whose object is to bring their church into contempt, and place it in the hands of their children, and give them no paper to counteract its baneful influence ? Is it right for us to yield quietly to such things ? If the Presbyterians wish to preach the " unconditional final perseverance of the saints," let them do it, but why slur the Methodists? Now, I would say to all such learned wiseacres as Dr. Pearson and his endorsers, better employ your learned powers about something else, and leave tho people of God to promote the cause of Christ. Now be still. AMINTS. Aspen Grove, N. C. Daniel Websterss Poetry. A " lady who knows ," has given tho Journal of Commerce from memory the following lines, which.she says, were writ ten by Daniel Webster for a lady who had requested his aut igraph on the same page with that of La Fayette : Dear Lady, I a litle fear 'Tis dangerous to be writing here ; His hand, who bade our eagle fly, Trust his young wings and mount the sky. Who bade across the Atlantic wide Loud cannons roar new navies ride, Has traced in lines of trembling age His autograph upon this page. Higher than the eagle soars, Louder than the cannon roars, His name shall through the earth be sounding. And o'er the wave of time be bounding! While thousands obscure as I, Cling to his skirts, he still shall fly And spring to immortality ! If by his name I write my own. He'll take me where I am not known; The cold salute will meet my ear " Pray, stranger ! How did you come here? ' SELECTIONS. From the Boston Recorder Questions on Strict Communion. The questions which follow are from a Baptist friend of ours, who is earne-t and zealous in favor of confining the privileges of the Lord's table to those who have been batpized by immersion. The srgument for his conclusion is well put, and present ed with unusual strength in this series of questions. The very pith of the subject is here given in a fow words. Whether our answers are as satisfactory to others as to us, each reader will judge for himself Recorder. Messrs. Editors: Our acquaintance thus far has taught me to love and respect you as Christians and gentlemen. I have read your articles and those of your cor respondents, on the subject of communion at the Lord's table, with much interest, and hope that the knowledge of our Sa viour's will in this matter may be attained as the result of this discussion. Hoping myself to be, in a great measure, uninflu enced by passion, prejudice or creeds, I propose the following interrogations for your impartial consideration. 1. Is it proper fr any one to commune at the Lord's table before baptism ? 2. On whom does the responsibility of deciding what is Bible baptism rest? 3. What then must I do if my judg ment and conscience teach me that my Christian brother or myself has not been baptized ? 4. In God's positive instructions does he not require the same of every inan that he requires of me f 5. In disregarding ttj owfor of Cod's house as I understand it to be revealed, would ne t my judgment and conscience be ar witness against me 1 6 Is it consistent for me to treat a Christian brother as baptized until I have the evidence that he has attended to the duty ? 7. Is it proper to withhold from my Christian brother church membership, and yet invite to the Lord's Supper. 8. There is more than one author who asserts that sprinkling is Bible baptism, and immersion is of heathen origin : can such brethren consistently commune at the LcrJ's table with the Baptists ? 9. If we believe baptism to be a prere quisite to celebrate the Lord's Supper, do we not acknowledge ' h it all whom we in vite to commune have been baptized, let the mode or element be whatsoever it may; whether it be immersion, pouring, sprink ling, or applying moistened fingers upon the brow ; and whether one or more ele ment, as used by the Catholics, be applied, oil, salt, or holy water; and may we not add, snow or sand 10. Have we not reason to fear that much of the excitement on the subject of communion is begotten by sectarian, rath er than Christian, feeling? 11. Is it not remarkable that while bo much importance is placed upon denomina tions communing together at the Lord's table, so few embrace the opportunity where it is offered ? 12 Is it not Christian charity to con cede the same rights and privileges to oth ers that ve claim to ourselves ? 13. Can a well-balanced Christian mind respect those who act consistently with their own professed religious principles for the sake of accommodating any class of persons, however much they may be be loved ? I present you briefly my views of the distinction between Church and Christian fellowship. Church fellowship implies fellowship or sanction of church order. Christian fel lowship includes fellowship or evidence of Christian character. The former may exist without the latter necessarily. The latter may exist without the former. A Baptist. ANSWER TO THE ABOVE QCESTIOXS. 1. It is not proper for any one to com mune before baptism. 2. Tlie responsibility of deciding what is baptism, rests with the person to be baptized, and with the minister baptizing so far forth as to gorern each one's own acts in the case. 3. If my conscience teach mo that I have not been baptized, while I am fit sub ject for baptism, I must be baptized. And if my conscience teach me that my brother Las not been baptized, while his own cos- science teaches bim that he has, I must respect the action of his conscience in tte case, and not claim jurisdiction for my con science in the proper' sphere of his. So I must treat him as a professing Christian brother, notwithstanding what I consider a defect in his baptism. 4. In God's positive institutions, he re quires of every man what he requires of me, if my circumstances and the light which I hatre received be the same. And he requires every man to settle his own judgment, or be fully persuaded in hU own mind, and answer a good conscience before God as to what the Bible teaches concerning baptism. 6. If I am satisfied that my Christian brother has received vh t hi i own con science decides to be baptism, I must treat him as one who has answered all the claims that I hava upon him in the matter of fel lowship as to his own baptism. 7. Church membership is not a thing to be giveu or withheld as Christian fellow ship is. If I refuse to invite to occasional communion a professing Christian who dif fers fr m me in some important principles not fundamental and not such as prove him not to be a Christian, I exclude from Christian fellowship one of the members f the body of Christ. But if in entering into Church Relations and Covenant, I am careful to join in that Covenant only those who agree with me in nil the important principles, fit to be upheld in a Church Covenant. I do not, in that provUion, ex clude any one from communion, or from Christian fellowship. For that church, whenever it spreads tho table of the Lord, invit2s to his table all professing Christians, and makes .it a cardinal principle, to hold Christian fellowshio with all 6uch. But in the particular work of sustaining its ministry, and building on its own founda tions, it takes the liberty to separate from Christians not agreeing with it, as Paul and Barnabas separated from each other. Here, in the example of Paul and Barna bas, separating and working in different fields, when not able to agree together, we have the example for conducting tho work of individual churches, separately from those real Christians who do not agrc with us. This, while it separates no Christian from the table of the Lord which we spread, build the kingdom of Christ only with those with whom we are agreed. 8. Make the mutual repellance even stronger. Suppose one asserts that immcr siem is of hea h ;n o igin, that the other i serts that baby sprinkling is of Popish ori gin ; if they are Christians, we see no hin drance to their communion, for they can agree that each one has answered his own conscience before God. " Who are thou that judgest another man's servant ? To his own master he standcth or falleth." Yoa believe that the other's baby sprinkling was a Popish invention ; he sees in it an ordinance of God, and you, remembering that every one of us must give account of himself to God, leave him to judge in that matter, on his own responsibility, accor ding to that word, " Let not him that eateth, despise him that cateth not, and let not Liiu which eateth not, judge him that eateth, f r God hath received him." 9. Principles are not tested by incon gruous or impossible suppositions. The question is not now about communing with Papists or Mohammedans, but with per sons making a fair and credible profession of evangelical Christianity. And no such persons would substitute snow, sand or oil, as the element of baptism. And then oar invitation to communion is not our appro val of one's mode of baptism, but only our concession that in the matter of baptism, he has acted as a conscientious, though it may be, a mistaken, Christian. 10. Yea. 11. Yea. 12. Yea. 13. Nay. Now as to the definitions in the conclud ing paragraph, we have simply this tossy, that they put asunder what God had joined together. The question is, whether a church has a right to exclude from the ta ble of the Lord, any members of the body of Christ any who cm aiy, "We aie members of the body, his flch, and his bones "whether the fact of one's being a Christian, is not his title of admission to the Christian's main ordinance, by whom soever held whether it be not a practical contradiction to acknowledge one as a broth er in Christ, and then shut him out from the Father's table? This question has been best answered by Paul in this, "Why dost thou judge thy brother, and why dost thou set at naught thy brother; for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ?" Besides, we find no instances in the New Testament, where a distinction is made, so as to make one kind of fellowship to be a sanction of one's church order. We find in the divine document no fellowship among Christians, but Christian fellowship and that fellowship is made to be a common participation in Christian privile ges, Christian love, and Christian ordinan ces. We know of no instacoe where the term imports " sanction of church order." And to ua the distinction teems arbitrary and unwarranted.