The Standard Manual for Baptist ChurchesHiscox, Edward T. (Edward Thurston)
Religion
The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches
Hiscox, Edward T. (Edward Thurston)
Baptists -- Doctrines; Baptists -- Government
THE INDEPENDENT, one of the most widely circulated, and perhaps the
most influential Pedobaptist paper in the country, in an editorial,
says: "Leading writers of all denominations declare that converts must
be baptized before they can be invited to the communion table. This is
the position generally taken. But Baptists regarding sprinkling as a
nullity--no baptism at all--look upon Presbyterians, Methodists, and
others, as unbaptized persons." "The other churches cannot urge the
Baptists to become open communionists till they themselves take the
position that all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, the unbaptized as
well as the baptized, may be invited to the communion table."
_Editorial, July, 1879._
THE CONGREGATIONALIST, the organ of the New England Congregational
Churches, in an editorial, says: "Congregationalists have uniformly,
until here and there an exception has arisen of late years, required
baptism and church-membership as the prerequisite of a seat at the
table of the Lord. It is a part of the false 'liberality' which now
prevails in certain quarters, to welcome everybody 'who thinks he loves
Christ' to commune in His body and blood. Such a course is the first
step in breaking down that distinction between the church and the
world, which our Saviour emphasized; and it seems to us it is an unwise
and mistaken act for which no Scriptural warrant exists." _Editorial,
July 9, 1879._
THE OBSERVER, of New York, the oldest and leading Presbyterian journal
of this country, said: "It is not a want of charity which compels the
Baptist to restrict his invitation. He has no hesitation in admitting
the personal piety of his unimmersed brethren. Presbyterians do not
invite the unbaptized, however pious they may be. It is not
uncharitable. It is not bigotry on the part of Baptists to confine
their communion to those whom they consider the baptized."
THE INTERIOR, of Chicago, the organ of Western Presbyterians, said:
"The difference between our Baptist brethren and ourselves is an
important difference. We agree with them, however, in saying that
unbaptized persons should not partake of the Lord's Supper. Their view
compels them to think that we are not baptized, and shuts them up to
close communion. Close communion is, in our judgment, a more defensible
position than open communion, which is justified on the ground that
baptism is not a prerequisite to the Lord's Supper. To charge Baptists
with bigotry because they abide by the logical consequences of their
system is absurd."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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