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ing corpse excluded the possibility of doubt. If, then, I argue away the necessity of baptisin in order to the enjoyment of remission of sins under the reign of favour from these passages, I equally do so in regard to the necessity of faith in the sacrifice of Christ.

"TWO THINGS TO BE LAMENTED."

AND ONLY TWO?

"Two things to be lamented," is the heading of an article in the editorial department of the "Baptist Banner," of the 28th ultimo. When we saw the head, we became at once anxious to see the body of the article. We read it therefore, and ascertained what are the two things to be lamented among the Baptists, namely,

1. "It is to be lamented-greatly to be lamented—that some churches, and many church members, set so little value to the gospel and its ministry." "O this is a dark spot upon our escutcheon- a blight upon the church; it is lamentable!' It is so indeed, friend Buck; but this is the thing for which we long since entered our protest against the Baptists as a sect; 65 they set so little value to the gospel and its ministry." So little value indeed do they as a party set to the gospel, that we scarcely ever hear it preached among them. There is some thing they call gospel, to be sure; but it differs materially from what the apostles named so in "the beginning at Jerusalem." We are pleased that the "Banner?? has made this discovery, and that he laments over the fact that the Baptists so generally "set so little to the value of the gospel. The "Bauner" says, "It is lamentable and should be corrected!" We hope he will go about the correction in good earnest; that he will come out a reformer of abuses, "cry aloud and spare not." When, however, he shall do this, he will find himself in the wane of his popularity for the Baptists, generally more worldly-minded and penurious than any other party-having as a general rule, worse meeting-houses, worse preachers, and worse order, or rather, worse disorder, than other sects, will hold no man guiltless who shall lift up his voice against their corruptions. The "Banner" says the matter "should be corrected;" but will he do it? Will he say it shall be corrected? and will he stand foremost in the good work?

2. The second evil "to be lamented" among the Baptists is," that so many, especially young men in the ministry, should spend so many months of their precious time tra

versing the country in search of vacant churches, while sinners are perishing in every direction around them for lack of knowledge." Truly this is a lamentable affair; but the system made the vagrant hunters of vacant churches, and they did not make the system. These young men have been called of course to the ministry by the Spirit; and though it would be cruel to imagine that many of them, too lazy to work, and ashamed to beg, are out in search of wives, or of fortunes, or both; or having wives, are seeking a good place as far removed as possible from the path of self-denial; still the fact that they are out, as our friend says, seeking "vacant churches," shows that they have a greater predilection to the fleece than to the flock. This "is to be lamented," especially at a time like the present, when all men, who have any perception, can see through the gauze-covering of their motives. The editor speaks of such as religious loafers and egotists. That they are so, is "to be lamented," and that they are the legitimate children of the Baptist system, is likewise a matter to be lamented: but that the Baptist editors and leading preachers should not see that the inevitable tendency of their system is to bring about just such a state of society, is "to be lamented" most of all.- Chris. Fami. Library. A. CRIHFIELD.

At the jubilee of the Baptist missionary society held at Kettering during the last month, one of the most celebrated ministers of the denomination spoke to the following effect: "Let the Baptists and the Independents be united, and let us never magnify points wherein we differ, but rather let us dwell on the broad features in which we all agree. I should exceedingly regret if any thing should occur to occasion one discordant note; nor will I, as an individual, lift my hand in any way in proceedings of any kind that will in any degree serve to dissever and disunite the great sections of the church of Jesus Christ. Though our friends do not like to be baptized, do not let us quarrel about that: we do not like to be sprinkled, and they have as much right to think for themselves as we have" [applause and laughter].

We may remark with propriety, such were not the sentiments of the first founders of the Baptist missionary society, much less of those heralds who commenced their infallible proclamation of pardon to the guilty on the day of Pentecost. They unitedly recognized in the Son of God not only Jesus the Saviour, but also Christ the Anointed sufferer for the

sins of the guilty; and while the testimony of Moses and the prophets exhibit him in this twofold character, baptism is an institution in which is set forth Christ dying for our sins, according to the scriptures, being buried as the just penalty due to transgression, but rising again from the dead for the perfect justification of all who submit to His require

ments.

These infant sprinklers may be considered as christians by the Baptists; but their practices are nowhere to be found in the word of God. Rather than compliment them as belonging to the church of Jesus Christ, we would exhort them to repent and be baptized every one of them, for the remission of sins, and thus receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

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The sentiment of the above named "especially called minister is something like the following: "Let the obedient and the disobedient be united, and let us never magnify points wherein we differ, &c. They do not like to become obedient, and we do not like to cast them off. They have as much right to think for themselves as we have, therefore let us all become united in one body, on principles of our own invention." But what saith the Scriptures on this subject, see Matt. vii. 15–27; xv. 8, 9; 2 Thes. i. 7-10, with the parallel passages.-ED.

CO-OPERATION MEETING.

As we expect many of our beloved brethren will be anxiously looking for an answer to the proposed co-operation meeting, we have to inform them that for reasons which we need not mention, several of the elders of the church at Nottingham withhold their assent to the said meeting being held in this place. But we have the pleasure to add, that the meeting will be held in Edinburgh, as the following notice from the elders of the church there signifies. And we earnestly hope that all the congregations both in England and Scotland who can possibly send a delegate to the meeting, will do so-a delegate supplied with the necessary information as to what is the course the church whom he represents would suggest, and what are the means they can furnish towards a more enlarged and effectual proclamation of the gospel. Of course those who cannot send a delegate, will supply the necessary information by letter, addressed in time for the meeting, to any one of the brethren named in the following notice:

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Edinburgh, June 24th, 1842. DEAR BROTHER,-From the answers received to our circular of April last, we perceive that there is an almost universal desire among the brethren throughout this country, to have a consultative meeting, for the purpose of ascertaining and recommending the carrying into effect the means which are most likely to give the cause of the ancient gospel a greater prominence in this our native land, and to place the churches of the saints in a more commanding and inviting aspect; that, by holding forth the word of truth, and giving an exhibition of the unity, harmony, and love of the body of Christ, the world may be constrained to believe that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

To carry this desire into effect, then, it is proposed that the said meeting should be held in Edinburgh on the third Thursday of August, which falls to be the 18th of the month; and it is earnestly requested that all who can by any possibility attend, will exert themselves to the utmost to do so. Let it be distinctly understood, that any brother who feels sufficient interest to induce him to attend, is as much entitled to take a part in the proceeding as the messenger who may be sent by the churches; the only difference between the two, being, that the latter have their expences paid by the churches which send them, while the former must go at their own charges. Let it also be repeated, so as to leave no mistake in the apprehensions of the brethren, that this meeting is to be invested with No representative powers; its object being to collect information relative to the state of the churches; consult as to the best means of removing what is evil, supplying what is deficient, and promoting what is good, and then to RECOMMEND to the churches the result of their united deliberations for adoption; leaving it, however, open for any of the churches to refuse to act upon their advice, if it does not commend itself to their approval.

The reason why Edinburgh has been proposed as the place of meeting, is, because it is considered to be the most central, taking into account the relative situation of the various congregations; and, because it possesses facilities of communication with all parts of the country, such like as are possessed by almost no other town where a congregation of disciples obtains.

By inquiring for P. C. Gray, No. 9, North Bridge, or

James Walker, 54, Nicholson street, or William Thomson, 17, Montague street, any brother from a distance will learn particulars of the meeting. It is to be desired that all who intend being present at the meeting should send intimation beforehand to any of the brethren above named, so that arrangements may be made for their accommodation.

May the Lord by his Spirit in the brethren be present at the meeting in Edinburgh; and may the gospel be stated in all its force, simplicity, and beauty, so that many may be brought to obey in all things the claims of the Son of God. J. W.

GREAT MEETING.-The Kentucky annual meeting, at Harrodsburg, will take place, it will be remembered, on the last Friday in this month, May, 1842. Could I by any thing I could say, induce the brethren from all parts of the state, and from other states, to be present on that occasion, I would leave no effort untouched. Suffice it to say, that we are ready to receive any number, and the more the better. Come up, then, brethren, and help us at that time.*

A. CRIHFIELD.

I was

Georgetown, Ky., April 27, 1842. BROTHER CRIHFIELD,-I have just returned from a tour to Jeffersonville, opposite the city of Louisville. accompanied by our evangelist, R. C. Rice. We were most cordially met by the brethren; and the congregation being in good order and fine spirits, marched to the battle in good style. We fought and conquered. Fifty additions were the result of our efforts. Of these, from ten to twenty were Methodists; four were Baptists; and one was a Presbyteriau. Praised be the name of the Lord! The first named party got up and continued an opposition meeting all the time. But they failed in their object. I returned home by Grassey Spring, in Woodford county, where I spent three days most agreeably, with a most liberal congregation of brethren. We had two additions; one of them a Baptist. May the Lord bless you. J. T. JOHNSON.

Louisville, April 9, 1842.

ELDER CRIHFIELD,-I have just received a letter from elder T. Fanning, who was, at the date of his communication, at Columbus, Miss. Since he has left home, he has up to 30th March, baptized in Turcumba, Ala. six; at Russels

* We hope to report the result of this meeting in a future number.

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