CHURCH POLITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 14

CHURCH POLITY.

Sir, —Tho profession of faith is one thing, but it is quite another to carry it out in all sincerity. Hence the sad slate of all thoso who refuse to sec and acknowledge that immersion is the only true Scriptural form of membership of Christ's Church. If ft bo true, as Mr. Wilson says, that 20 Baptist churches hold the same view as the Presbyterian Church, then they aro not true Baptists, as they would have to subscribe to infant sprinkling or baptism—of which there is not one word in Holy Scripture to uphold such a rite, which is purely heathen—and thus throw away the chief plank of the Baptist Church's doctrine. Baptist (Once Anglican).

Sir, —The Rev. A. S. Wilson wants a really genial church. Ha would leave the sacraments (or one of them) to tho private idea. Ho lias no patience with St. Matthew, who leaves them in tho custody of the Church But he does not go very far. Let him screw his courage to tho "sticking point. There was (or is) a church in Wellington which set _ a shining example to tlicso who desire greater breadth than the narrow testaments offer. Under the heading of membership, tho simple regulation ran:— "The subscription of two and six a year entitles to membership in this church." Incidentally, having an admiration for Dale of Birmingham, I notice that the saying which our local church reformer quotes was thrown out of his own church door, and with Dale's own reluctant approval (vido his "Life"). Phi.

Sir, —It was pleasing to see by the letter of the Rev. Isaac Jolly that the great historic Presbyterian Church did not regard baptism as the initiatory rite into church membership. That is to say, they would receive into ,their fellowship Christians of other denominations on the ground that the Great Lord Himself had received them. This is a very fine gesture—and surely a sign that there is a rapid breaking down of the bitter barriers of sectarianism. The sooner the better. The Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland, even since its inception, has refused to bind itself to the deadening dogma that baptism was the initiatory rite. Baptist individuals can, and some do, hold this view, but that is only their personal opinion. As a union the Baptists of would not dare issue such a decree. While it is true a majority of Christian Churches regard baptism as the initiatory rite, this cannot be said of the Baptist Union in the Old Country, or here in New Zealand. In America, however, other counsels have prevailed-, and there what is known as "close membership" prevails. There, too, they insist on immersed believers only being allowed to partake of the Lord's Supper—a practice which is known as "close communion." The American Baptists have still some distance to travel. In New Zealand, on the other hand, the Baptist Union, also since its inception, has been catholic and Christian enough to regard as full constituent members of the union churches that have repudiated the theory that "baptism was the initiatory rite." .The voluntary principle in religion—so dear to the heart of all Baptists—made it so that they could do no other. Robert Hall, possibly one of the greatest Baptist preachers of all time, warned his own Baptist people 100 years ago that they should tremble at the thought of making a little Baptist assembly more difficult of access than" the abode of the Divine Majesty—and of investing every little Baptist preacher with the prerogative of rejjelling from his communion a Leighton;' a Brainerd or a Howe, whom the Lord of Glory would welcome into His presence. Referring to this rejection from their fellowship of godly men. he suggested that transubstantiation presented nothing more revolting to the dictates of common sense. In fact, so doing made it more difficult for a man to become a member of a Baptist church than it was to be saved. This was, of course, 100 years ago. A more liberal view obtains in the Old Country to-day. For this all lovers of Christian unity are grateful.

John Broadjiead.