CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE ANNA ALLEN WRIGHT LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND ^ttjrWir Sxb. ixt 5tlt mm ims prst baptist ^mth^ i mt m Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restri<^tions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924008574596 "O CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 1809 OCTOBER 3rd to 5th 1909 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OGDENSBURG, N. Y.J ADDRESSES : The Century's Story of the Pioneer Camp, Rev. A. M. Prentiob The New Century and the Church, Rev. C. S. Savage, D. D. An Appreciation of Departed Members, Rev. H. W. Barnes, D. D- Baptists : Their Principle, Progress and Prospects, Rev. R. S. Mac Arthur, D. D. < 1910 The Ogdensburs Advance Company Ogdensburg, N. Y. Church Organized July 29th, ]809, with nine members. Historical Discourse at the Observance of the Centennial of the First Baptist Church, of the City of Ogdensburg, N. Y. [By REV. A. M. PRENTICE.] Presented October 3rd, 1909 Co]ossians ]:]8; "And HE is the HEAD of the body, the CHURCH." FOR CHRIST AND THE CHURCH! I love Thy kingdom, Lord, The house of Thine abode. The church the blest Redeemer saved With His own precious blood. I love Thy church, O God; Her walls before Thee stand, Dear as the apple of Thine eye. And graven on Thy hand. For her my tears shall fall; For her my prayers ascend; To her my cares and toils be given. Till tolls and cares shall end. Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways. Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise. Sure as Thy truth shall last. To Zion shall be given The brightest glories earth can yield, And brighter bliss of heaven. Very interesting figures of speech are given ia the Scriptures to set forth the CHURCH. Jesus says: "Upon this rock I will build MY CHURCH," the striking practical fig- ure of a builder with suitable materi- als rearing a substantial structure up- on an enduring foundation. Our Lord also uses the figure of the vine and the branches, Himself the true vime. His Father the husbandman, and Hils disciples the branches. The principle of abiding Lii Kim a^ the branch abides in the vine is enforced. With- out Him they are nothing; abiding in Him they bring forth fruit. This Teacher divine also calls Himself the good Shepherd, and likens His disci- ples to sheep knowing His voice and following Him. May we not note an advance in thought as we follow these figures; first, the common ma- terials of a building, without life or sensation, fashioned according to the will of the architect and builder; next, the living branches in the living vine, the sap flowing from the vine through the branches and ensuring the luscious and abundant fruit; then, the sheep, not merely things of life but creatures with some intelli- gence and even appreciation and af- fection, knowing their shepherd and following him? And may we not go a step forward as we enter into the conception of Christ and His churoh that was given to the apostle Paul as he writes to the Colossiiajns, pictur- ing Christ as "the first-bom of all creation," as the ONE before all things, and in whom all things con- s'ibt? Ohanging thie flguiPe a lirttlle hie exclaims: "And he is the head of the body, the CHURCH," and a little later. "AJnd you * * * hiath he Tecan- ciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and with- out blemish and unreproveable before Him." The CHURCH, the body of which Christ is the head — is not this a noble and inspiring figure? A body of which the head need not be ashamed! How different it was with the apostle himBslf phvsicalUy! Wilth a brain that was imperial his body, we believe, was weak and sickly. If so, with what pride did he think of the body, the chuircih that Christ would present unto His Father per- fect through His sovereign grace! Some time ago I heard of a fifted man in one of out lairge electric works who did great things in his special line, but who with his invent- ive and masterly mind was deformed in body. What a surprise to those who have heard of his works to see him in person, and mark the nainful contrast! It may be thiat amigelis so look upon the body of Christ on earth, the church. But joined to her living bead she shall grow into His beauty and strength, and at length be presented faultless before the Father. In His infinite love Christ holds fast to His church and continues His work of transformation. Let us recall the inspiring words of the apostle: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, the things which God hath prepared foi- them that love Him." Do you say, beloved, that this is ot the Church Universal? True, but why BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY not applicable also to the local church? Is it not the end of every church to be Christlifce, to awake in and with His likeness? Should it not be the joyful aim of this church of 100 years to be a model of the wis- dom, power and grace of her living Head? Let us lift before our eager eyes today this ideal, and be proudly reckoned as His body, the church. In this same letter to the Colossians Paul says: "Christ in vou the hope of glory," and again as his professed aim for them "that we may present every man perfect in Christ." Noth- ing short of this is the true aim of every chunoh amd pastor. Is it yours, beloved, as you face the new cen- tury, as with a new nastor you take up your work afresh? Mav we not get an impetus toward such an end today? What changes, what contrasts, what progress one century marks! Prom the scythe and sickle to the giant steam reaper, binder and thresher; from the plodding stage-coach to the rapid automobile; from the laboring steamboat, Fulton's Clermont plowing the Hudson at five miles an hour, to the switft, graioeful and maijestiic Maure- tania, comTiassine; the Atlantic within five days; from the old fashioned bal- loon, the plaything of the currents, to the modem airship, crossin" the Eng- lish Channel and making long flights; from the prairie schooner, the ox- cart, winding its weary way across the trackless deserts, to the trans- oontinemtal limited from ocean to ocean within a week; from the slow and uncertain mail and messenger fa- cilities of 1809 to the swift telegraph and lone distance telephone girdling the earth, and the mysterious wire- less teliegJiaplhy with ilts "C. D. Q." ifair out on the waters, and other marvel- ous achievements! Should we forget the recent discovery of tlhe North Poliei? And what men this century has known! How many eminent in vari- ous walks of life are being remember- ed because bom one hundred years ago! We may omit some worthy of mention, but we honor ourselves when we make honorable mention of Darwin, Gladstone, Holmes, Lincoln, Foe and Tennyson, who came into tJie world in the sajme year that this church was organized, and who have done no little work to advance the good of their feUow men. Turning from any list of names we look with wonder upon this century of exten- sion and progress, of expansion and enrichment. Then a federation of colonies, weak and scattered along on& coast, assuming the name of the United States. Now a united nation belting the contimieint and stre'tc-hing out into either ocean with a popula- tion tending toward ninety miUionis of souls! What a century this has been of progress in the Baptist de- nomination, from the scattered thous- ands of that date to the more than five millions of Baptist believers in the United States of today! In things educaitional, religious and missionary this has been a peri«d of advance. The outposts have been . greatly ex- tended, the churches multiplied and the heralds of the cross sent to the ends of the earth. "What hath God wrought!" may be emblazoned on the banner that loyal Baotists bear aloft as they keep step with Christian workers in the great world-winning enterprise! Is it so of us as a local church? How much are we in advance of the six men and three women who in 1809 joined together as a gospel church? How much in advance are we in vir- tue, in piety, in zeal and efficiency, in character and service? Are we bet- ter witnesses for Christ? Is this a spiritual lighthouse, with a flame that can be seen and that is showing the way to the desired harbor? May this happy anniversary bring an uplift to one and lall! The Baptist church of the town of Oswegatchie was formed on July_ 29, 1809, by six men and three women joining in Christ's name for His ser- vice. It was on tlhe Lord's day anid the meeting was opened with prayer. After articles of faith had been ap- proved and a covenant adopted these brethren and sisters were fellowship- ed by Elder Samuel Bowley of the Maisis. Missionary Society as a regular Baptist church. Four years before a Presbyterian church had been formed here with the substantial names of Ford, Davies and Hasbrouck back of it, but these nine names were evi- dently not of the prominent resi- dents of the town, and were of people more or less scattered. Mention is made of the stone school house at Black Lake, the school house at the Ridge and the court house as places of meeting, which Is evidence that the little congregation was a scattered one. It is well to have the names, which are as follows: Daniel Mc- Neil, Amasa Townshend, Samuel Ha- BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY ven, James Salisbury. Isaac Parce, TYuman Parce, Mary TowDBhend, Pol- ly Salisbury and Elizabeth Parce. Samuel Haven was chosen as clerlt. I am not aware that we have now any descendants of these members with us. The early records are very meagre, and it is evident that they were weak and scattered, for many years. In November two were bap- tized by an Elder Carr, and a gap of three years follows. Then "the breth- ren met to incite better attention to the meetings of the church and also to promote faithfulness in Christian duties." Another gap in the records. Then follows a note (about 1817) say- ing that the church for the most of the time did not .maintain its visibil- ity. We must remember that the War of 1812 came in between these peri- ods, and as Ogdensburg is a border city the effect of the war must have been to distract and to scatter. By the 12th of July, 1817, nearly eight years after their organization, they met again, we know not where, for renewing the covenant, and on the marrow had public warship amid the Lord's Supper, with Elder David Boynton of the Fairfield (Vermont) Association to officiate. A precious season it seems to have been to them, and on the following Saturday they met again, read the articles of faith and the covenant, and freely discussed the various Christian du- ties and great things of the kingdom. Next month, the brethren being call- ed away on special business, the sisters met with some others in con- ference. All honor to these sisters for keepitng tlhe appointment of the dhuiroh. Many is the time when the credit of the church is in the hands of the sisters. About this time application was made for admission into the St. Law- rence Baptist Association meeting at Russell. Having no abiding place meetings were held in the school houses and at the residences. One Elder Payne is spoken of as early as 1871, who was probably the Jonathan Payne so often mentioned afterward, and who had been deacon and also pastor at Gouverneur. We find no evidence of his having; been called as pastor here, but he presided over meetings, act- ed as delegate, and may have acted for a while as pastor. With his wife and son he united with this church by letter May 20, 1820. We infer that he rendered much helpful ser- vice to this church. It has been stated that the first pastor of this church was the Rev. Nathaniel Colver, a man of great gifts, courage and efficiency. I would be very glad if such were the case. But the fact is that he came and labored here for a while as a missionary, and was very much inter- ested in the welfare of the church, finding them in a very needy condi- tion. Mr. Colver became pastor at Fort Covington in 1821 and contin- ued there for several years, dividing his time with Malone. In view of the needs of the outlying district he seems to have been constrained to take up missionary work in this re- gion. In a Life of Nathaniel Colver by Dr. J. A. Smith of Chicago I find a mention of this work. In a report, as missionary of the Baptist North- ern Convention he says: "I have spent in your service eight Sabbaths in Hopkinton and ParishvUle, four in Ogdensburg, two in Massena, one at Hogansburg, one at Dekalb, two- in Upper Canada, making in aU eighteen; besides which mozt of the^ weeks have been spent in your ser- vice, visiting churches, preaching, vis- iting and baptizing. The number baptized in the. bounds of the Asso- ciation is 206 .... I can say that in. obeying jour command I have found It truly blessed." A letter dated at Ogdensburg: March 21, 1827, is quoted in the book, and the call to Mr. Colver to come, and help is very urgent, saying: "A number of scattered Baptists may be. found in the region round hid amongst the rubbish and who need' to be dug out. There is a small church in the town of Morristown which needs to be looked after. . . .As we look over the field we find a great many persons who have once belonged to Baptist churches, but having been long without the ordi- nances of the church are almost ready to faint .... We think it very important that this place should be supplied with the preaching of the true gospel at once." We are told that he so far yielded to this call as to spend some time here, and he writes: "I found the church in a dreadful situation, but there are many precious brethren in it and I think prospects are brightening There are some candidates waiting for bap- tism; our meetings are fuU and sol- emn, and as yet all men speak well 6 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY of the preacher." It is not strange tha/t Mr. Colver's name shouilld have become associated with the church as an early if not the first pastor. He became an eminent man In the Baptist ministry, and wais one of the organizers of the Tremont Temple church in Boston. The Bap- tist Encyclopedia says: "His minis- try here (Boston) was a remarkable one, unique in the history of the Boston pulpit, and scarcely equalled anywhere in this country at any time for boldness, energy, the mas- tery of formidable difficulties, and its hold upon popular interest." He was pastor also in Detroit, Cincinnati and Chicago, and we are assured "as a thorough -going temperance man, as one of the foremost in the anti-slav- ery ranks, he was during his life identified with radical reformers, and one of their most conspicuous cham- pions." About this time meetings were held at the school house at the Ridge and at the court house, and omi the 27th of May, 1827, Erastus Vilas, a man who proved himself an active worker and faithful friend of the church, re- lated his experience and was receiv- ed by baotism. In a short time he was chosen deacon. Before this time a young man is mentioned in the records who became a leader of prominence in the church, Joel M. Howard. He was chosen deacon at . the same time with Brother Vilas, and later was licensed, and still later was ordained to the ministry. Calvin Howard was also chosen deacon. On January 12, 1828, he made request that he and others be set apart as a ohuirch at the Narrows on Black Lake. Probablv this was the beginning of church known as the church in Mor- ristawn, mentioned in the History of St. Lawrence Co., as organized Jan- uary 23, 1828, with ten members and Clement Havens as first pastor. In 1829 Rev. J. W. Sawyer be- came pastor on condition that he should give part of his time. He was pastor also at Gouvemeur. He continued until 1834, and is con- nected with the erection of a house of worship. A lot was evidently given the church bv Mr. George Parish, a prominent resident of Ogdensburg, a man who had entertained President Monroe in 1817. On this lot a stone iDuilding was ' begun and three years were consumed in the building, very likely on account of the difficulty in getting material or that of getting the work done, the people being few and poor. They did, however, enter the lecture room, presiumaibly the baise- ment, that same year in December. At a meeting in the stone school house at Black Lake, after prayer and a sermon by Elder Sawyer, "the brethren and sisters opened their minds preparatory to communion and found an agreeable union existing In the church." They adjourned to meet at the home of Deacon Vilas. The June meeting was in the Meth- odist ohapel, the Jiily meetimg ita. the court house, where they had met from time to time since 1827; amid so they went from place to place. But at length they were to have an abid- ing place. On July 3, 1830, they had a new experience. After an in- teresting covenant meeting they pro- ceeded to the stone building in pro- cess of erection, and a corner stone was laid with appropriate religious ex- ercises. The record says: "The work was forwarded principally by the liberality of Deacon Erastus Vilas." The new lecture room was occu- pied Dec. 4, 1830. On Jainuary 1, 1831, we find it resolved that "the male members of the church consti- tute theanselves a missionary so- ciety auxiliary to the St. Lawrence Baptist Convention." This was a very creditable movement, and it seems to have done good work. On Feb. 5, 1831, Brother Joel M. Howard made a statement of his feelings in regard to his duty to preach, and then withdrew. The church, having considered the matter, encouraged him to improve his gift in preaching as opportunity offered and his health would permit, with or without pursuing a course of theol- ogy. On the 31st of October he was duly ordained to the ministry, and on November 3 he was voted a let- ter of recommendation. In appreciation of the generosity of Mr. George Parish in donating ground for our church building a vote of thanks was given on the 6th of AuKust, 1831. In October a church meeting was held in the stone school house. Brother Howard led in pray- er, and the church had an interest- ing time. On the 22d some candi- dates were received for baptism, among them a Mrs. Henry Stone. Possibly she was the Mrs. Ursula Stone, who was a member wiiein I be- came pastor, who lived with her son beyond Rensselaer Falls, and who BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY died while I was pastor, a fine Christian woman of advanced age. Mr. Stone seems to have been an ac- tive man in the church. The follow- ing entry of the baptism is interest- ing: "Were baptized in the Oswe- gatohie river by Elder J. W. Sawyer in view of a large concourse of peo- ple .... The Lord's name be praised." Another: "Dec. 18, 1831, Bro. Jo- seiph Fairbanks was baptized by El- der J. W. Sawyer. The day is ex- tremely cold, yet the season unusual- ly interesting. J. C. Lewis, clerk." On the 4th of February following, at a covenant meeting, it was resolved that the amount contributed by the Ogdensburg Male Baptist Missionary Society be appropriated to conisiti- tute Bro. J. M. Howard a life mem- ber of the St. Lawrence Balptist Mils- Bionary Convention. On Sunday, the eleventh of March, was formed the Ogdensburg Tract Society, auxiliary to the Baptist General Tract Socie- ty. Philadelphia. These notes are of value in showing us that these early disciples had the missionary spirit while they were engaged in the pressing work of building themselves a house of worship. The total mem- bersihip reported tlhait year was 52; not a large number, surely. But ■ they were alive. On April 6, 1833, the subject of Masonry was discussed, and "a. gen- eral expression of opinon made it apparent that the brethren could not fellowship the Institution in any shape." In August of 1833 the church was permitted to dedicate the completed house of worship, and what a happy occasion it must have been! There were galleries on three sides, but the house was not as long as at present. The pulipit wias in front, and the floor was inclined toward the pulpit. We regret that there seems to be no account of the sierviices of dedication, but of the blessing to them of a house of their own there can be no doubt. We do not find any mention of the occupation of the new building in the Minutes of '34, and we did not have access to any copy of '33. GreaUy to our regret aJiao Pastor Sawyer disaippeiairs with- out mention, though so much has been accompliished during the five years of his pastorate. We infer that he must have left the Associa- tion He reappears in 1849 and 1850 as pastor of the church in Gouver- neur The recorded membership this year, 1833, Is 51 with 21 of them male members. Rev. Joel M. Howard is chiosem pastor, assuming charge in January, 1834, by baptizing a candidate, though the record is that he became pastor by unanimous choice on May 10, 1834. Those of us who have heard from liv- ing witnesses of the life asoA laJbors of this faithful minister of Christ do not need to be assured of his useful service as pastor. But let us listen to some extracts from the minutes of the church so well kept by Brother J. C. Lewis, the clerk. At a covenant meeting held March 4, 1836, they "enjoyed a heavenly sitting together in Christ Prayer by Elder How- ard." On the 11th of March Bro. Porter Howard was received for bap- tism and Mrs. Wm. Gordon on experi- ence, having been previously baptiz- ed. This was the mother of Mrs. Daniel Magone, whose birthday was so often marked by a cluster of lilies in our urn on Sunday. Sev- eral were baptized on the 13th of Majrch ait the "usuaJ. place of baptism, in front of the old courthouse in the Oswegatchie river; a good season." More on April 3 "pu/blicly put on Christ by baptism; a pleasant, solemn and interesting season." We find mention of a Thursday evening meet- ing on April 7, 14, 21, held for three successive weeks for some reason. So were they in touch with the pres- ent custom. On the first of July the case came up of a sister, Mrs. Sarah Chapin, who had joined the Mormons, and after unsuccessful labor with her the church withdrew from her the hand of fellowship. In 1834 is the first mention I re- member of the Sundav School. The minutes of the Association say: "A Sabbath school somewhat flourishing is supported." Bro. J. C. Lewis was, we believe, the first superintendent. In 1836 an addition of 23 by baptism is reported with a membersihip of 88. It was evidently a good year. Pas- tor Howard was the moderator of the Association for that year. On tlhe following year hUs iieallth seems to have failed and he retires from the church, a letter of dismission being given him Sept. 1st. On this date mention is made of Elder Rice, who has evidently become pastor. At the covenant meeting, Nov. 3, 1837, he and his wife are received by letter from Montreal. Rev. W. H. Rice seems to have had a short pastorate, the record stating that on July 6, « BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 1838, he and his wife were dismissed by letter. Of his pasitorate we know but little. They lived in the Has- brouick housie on Franklini street. No baptisms are mienticmed. Brother Rice was the preacher at the Asso- ciation at Pariahvillc during the year of his pastorate, ;ind hn text was. Galatians VI: 7-8: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he aJIso reap. For he that soweth to the Besh shall of the flesh reap cor- nuption; but he that soweth to th© Spiriit shall 'tof the Spiirit neap Me everlasting." Mr. Rioe is reported as pastor at Fort C!ovington in 1841, in 1844-5 at Pots- dam, and at the Assoclational meet- ing at Richville in 1849 we note the Jfollowing: "Resolved that this As- sociation has heard with deep af- ifllction of the recent death of Elder William H. Rice, whose efficient la- ■feors of love, within the bounds of this body, are stiU fresh in our aninds, as is the remembrance of his amiable and pious wife, who. was called to the rest of the just but a short time previous to his decease, and that we render to their surviving friends, and especially their orphan children, our warmest sympathy In their deep affliction." Brother Rice had been serving as pastor at Chi- cago and went to his reward. Brother J. M. Howard returns as pastor in 1839, he and Mrs. Howard putting in their letters from the Mor- ristown church at the covenant meet- ing on July 5. The record ils "Commenced his labors with us as pastor again this spring." Covenant "meetings and preaching at Black Xiake were still at times continued. It must have been difficult for the anembers there to get down here to aservice many times, when we con- -slder what the roads were during .■much of the year. In April of 1840 "Brother Ozias Huntington and Broth- er Thomas Sayer were received and "baptized (Sunday, April 12) by Elder ■Howard. Mrs. Huntington was re- •ceived by letter from Jericho. The following minute appears for .'April 23, 1841: "Resolved, that Rev. .J. M. Howard be requested to contin- ue his services as pastor (if hia Ihealth should permit) another year, and we shall feel in duty bound to remunerate him with the sum of $300 at least." So with his poor health and small income our worthy brother continued his patient, faithful work. On the 25th of June, however, a re- quest from Elder Howard to be re- leased from pastoral duties on ac- count of ill health was granted, and while he takes part in meeting, Nov. 26, he does not seem to be in active service after December first. We note with pleasure the active part that Brother Howard took in Ihe af- fairs of the Association, writing" the circular letter, serving as clerk and on various committees, ever showing himself a worker. Another pastor was found in the person of the Rev. Gratten E. Brand. It was reported, Feb. 6, 1842, that he would come for $250, house-rent and fire-wood. We presume this was sat- isfactory to the church, for we find him acting as moderator at the busi- ness meeting, Feb. 25, but his pas- torate is a short one, closing about the first of January, 1843. The Min- utes of the Association apeak of him at Fowler in 1836 ajnd 37, severjail years before this, amid in the lartiter year as enjoying with his people a rich spiritual refreshing, fifteen be- ing added by bapti^^m. We also learn of him at Stockholm the year prev- ious to his coming here. Hence he could hardly have been a stranger, and his brief pastorate was one of blessing. Steps were taken toward revival work. Elders Clark and Dnim- an being invited to assist in holding meetings. As a result nearly fifty baptisms are recorded, some were re- stored and some added by letter. What an uplift the church must have experienced! Among those baptized were Brethren Algie, Newman and Swan, men to become active and ef- ficient workers in the church; and Mrs. Swan and Miss Miartha Sayer, afterward Mrs. Robert Johnson, were also in this company. Among the scanty records we find this entry: "Be It known that the church have enjoyed their regular covenant meetings and communion seasons during the year ending with the labors of Elder G. Brand, which closed the last of January, 1843. S. G. Reed, clerk." Short was the stay of Brother Brand, little do we know of the brethren who aided in the spe- cial meetings, but the fidelity of some who came to Christ at that time has been a blessing to the church even to this centennial yeair. Especially have the godly lives and devoted service of Deacons Newman and Swan as office bearers, the help- fulness of Brother Algie, as Janitor BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 9 usher, chorister, and in other ways; and our honored mother in Israel, Mrs. Swan, last of them all to pass over the river, saintly, robust and consecrated to the Maisteir — especial- ly have these members and their lives made the pastorate of Elder Brand one of moment in the hundred years now closing. He seems to have gone from here to Parishville, and after a short pastorate to have continued to reside there for many years. Just when he died we do not kmow, but in the Minutes of 1871 the Parishville letter says: "Death has removed three of our aged members, among whom was Rev. G-. Brand., While he was looking forward with deep interest to out four days meet- ing God took him." Another pastor is found in the per- son of Rev. Charles M. Willard of Walpole, N. H., who began labors on Sunday, May 26, 1843. The amount of salary is not stated. The reported membership in 1843 was 132, and in 1844 they report six baptisms, and in 1845 two. In September of 1844 at the meeting of the Association at Parishville Pastor Willard preached the sermon, from First John II. 17: "But he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." We note that some friction occurred in the church about this time, but seems to have subsided, a council advising the re- storation of some excluded members, which was done. Pastor Willard leaves early in 1846, he and his wife "being dismisised, Jan. 22, to go to Eastport, Me., where Brother Willard becomes pastor. We are sorry to find so little said of him and his work here, but we have heard him spoken ■of as a "noble man." Rev. Anthony Case of Malome was called as pastor, and began labor on Sunday, May 3, 1846. He had been pastor at Malone for several years, and so could not have been an entire stranger. Soon after Brotlier J. M. Howard returned from Richville, where he had been pastor, and con- tinued to reside here. A glimpse of church life is given in the following minute: "Dec. 6, Sunday. After the usual exercises of the morning and evening the brethren came around the table of the Lord and partook of the bread and wine in commemora- tion of His death and eujferings. The season was iliteresting, affecting and solemn. May it be long remembered. 3l present." After the troubles were -passed and brotherly love prevailed how sweet the scene thus presented! We infer that Brother Case proved a spiritual helper in promoting broth- erly love. The church letter in 1846 is cheerful. They speak of the Sun- day school as prosperous and as hav- ing a new library, and of the con- gregations as increasing. During the pastorate of Brother Case the vener- able brother, Jonathan Payne, died, and Pastor Case preached his funeral sermon, September 8, 1847. The in- terment was at Heuvelton, I think. Two baptisms are reported in 1847, and the church assures the Associa- tion that they "have been favored with the means of grace, and the doctrines of the gospel plainly and faithfully preached by their pastor. Elder A. Case." Letters are voted Mr. and Mrs. Case on the second of January, 1848, but we do not know where they go. March 3.1, 1848, Brother E. N. Per- sons unites by letter from Lyme, Conn. Brother Persons, father of Mrs. H. I. Proctor, became an active member of the church, and was gift- ed in exhortation and prayer. It is now six years since this brother passed away. May first, 1848, marks the call of Rev. J. M. Webb, who had been pas- tor at Gouvemeur and had done good work there. We find this note of record: "We will reward him with the sum of ?350 at least, and more if it can be reasonably obtained." Brother Webb came and was instru- mental in doing much good in the four years nearly that he served as pastor. Discipline seemed necessary and it followed, but' in August it is recorded that there was a good de- gree of harmony of feeling and on the part of some considerable mani- fest brokenness of heart. Some ap- ply for baptism. Brother James Dan- dy, Brother William Fairbum and Mrs. Mary Algife (later Mrs. Haw- kins), with a goodly number of others. Not long after the following were received: William Dixon, Miss Charlotte Vilas, John Fisher (after- ward deacon at Madrid), Henry Pair- burn, Miss Ellen Castle (Mrs. Wm. Wilcox), Samuel Utter (licensed by this church). Miss Ann J. Dandy (Mrs. Wm. Dixbo), and Mrs. Esther Dawson. Brother Adam Swan, of precious memory, was made deacon April 3, 1850, and remained so until his death August 11, 1897. A very interesting feature of church life at that time is the revival of the mis- 10 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL AKNIVEESARY Bionary spirit as manifest in sys- tematic • contributions. Monthly ser- mons on missions were followed by monthly offerings of generous pro- portions. A brother, Gordon Dough- erty, was baptized on August 25, 1850, and was licensed by the church, and Brother Samuel Utter was recom- mended, May 2, 1851, to the faculty of Madison (Colgate) University as a fit candidate for the ministry and given a license to preach. The li- cense to Brother Dougherty followed on Sept. 5. These men have both proved useful servants of the Mas- ter, Brother Dougherty being ordain- ed by this church later on, and serv- ing in various places, and now re- siding in Leamington, Ontario. Brother Utter later became pastor in this state and elsewhere and has an honored record. On June 8, '51, Brother Nathaniel Colver in passing preached for Pastor Webb in the af- ternoon and evening, also attending a good morning prayer meeting. We must view the pastorate of Brother Webb as a happy and use- ful one. I have heard him well spoken of in his work here. He closed in March of 1852. In 1850 he preached before the Association at Port Covington from Second Corin- thians 11. 16: "Who is sufficient for these things?" and that year 29 baptisms were reported, with a mem- bership of 160. I am glad to say that the sermon mentioned is printed in the Minutes of 1850, and is in the volume now in posisesislon of the As- sociation. It is good, readable ser- mon and was, no doubt, impressive when presented by this earnest man. I would like to quote from it did time permit. Next year thirteen bap- tisms are reported with a member- ship of 173. Three men are in the list of licentiates. Brethren Utter, Dougherty and one J. Cniickshank. In that banner year our church was a feeder to the coming ministry. With these young men at Hamilton it is no wonder that the pastor spoke at length before the Association in fa- vor of Madison University. May I Insert a note from the Minutes of that year, '51? The moderator was Rev. John Wilder, pastor at Canton, a man of ability and vigor. He had been made a life memiber of the American Baptist Missionary Union (our great foreign missionary society) as there was in the hands of the treasurer $160, and one hundred dol- lars constitutes one a life member. The note of interest is this: "Broth- er Beeman (pastor at Madrid, where the Association met) then proposed to raise one-half the remaining $40 necessary to constitute another life member, provided some one desiring the membership would pay the bal- ance. He was taken up by Brother J. Rhodes of Gouverneur, and the money was raised. . . .At this stage of the meeting Brother Smith, agent for the Missionary Union, rose and stated that Brother J. Ide of Potsdam (an honored aged minister) had sent to him at this meeting his watch for the Missionary Union as the only donation he could make. This was followed by remarks by Brother Webb and others relating to said Ide's pecuniary circumstances and his past labors and sacrifices for God; when it was proposed that a collec- tion be taken, the estimated value of the watch, five dollars, be paid the Union, and the balance with the watch be forwarded to Father Ide. The proposition was acceded to, and oollection taken, which in cash and pledges amounted to 47 dollars." Brother Palmer of Canton, another aged minister, was appointed to take the watch and money to Father Ide. How we would like to have witnessed the scene when these brethren met. In 1852 ten baptisms were reported, membership 184, Pastor Webb clos- ing his work here in March of 1852 and soon becoming pastor at Fort Covington, where he remained until May of 1864. Then he became pastor at Madrid, their letter to the Associa- tion saying: "Rejoice greatly in the settlement of Rev. J. N. Webb with us. Feel that it was the Liord's doing, and not ours." This shows the regard in which this good broth- er was held. He left Madrid in 1867, and we learn of his death in St. Louis, Mich., Dec. 25, 1897, some thirty years later, nearly 87 years of age, a worthy worker, entering into his rest, having served as pastor in Titusville, Pa., under the Home Mis- sion Society in Nebraska, and as pastor in Michigan and Ohio, having received the Doctorate of Divinity from Des Moines College in 1880. I am glaxJ to notiice that the ben- evolence from this church for wliat was called the Conventional year 1852 was for all objects 1120, a good show- ing, it seems to me, for those days. The Malone church exceeds ours by two dolliirs, but with a membership of 33 more. BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 11 Scanty material cripples the histor- ian at this period. A brief sketch in the History of St. Lawrence Oo., copies of Minutes and the church register afford some meagre items. AiCter an interval of about six months another pastor came. Rev. William Carpenter, in August, it is thought, of 1852, and he continued until about Jan. of 1854, The Minutes report for 1853 four baptisms and for 1854 nine, the membership being 171 and 170.. I also' found by se9.rchiing the church register that- Mrs. Nancy Per- kins joined by baptism in August, 1852, and Mrs. Isabella (George) Grant in Dec., 1853, and 1 Infer that they were baptized by Elder Carpen- ter. It should be here noted that later on Brother Carpenter becomes piastor a second time, sharing that honor with Elder Howard. From here at this time he goes to West- field, Mass. In November of 1854 Rev. Charles Elliott comes from Baldwinsville to be pastor until January of 1856, a little over one year. He was an Eng- lishman. He was made clerk of the Aseociatlon in 1855, and the following year preached before the Association at Parishville. His text was First Timothy I. 11: "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." He has been spoken of to me as a good preacher. In 1855 one bap- tism was reported, and in 1856 eleven, with a membership of 179. The ohurch letter in 1855 says: "The prospects of this church are encour- aging. Their house of worship has been enlarged, and they are favored with an efficient ministry." The re- pairs were the addition of tWientyilour feet on. the rear, the removal cf the aide galleries, the cbang'ng of the pulpit from the front lo the rear, and the leveling of ttie floor, which sloped to the front. Brother Elliott, like Brother Webb before him, goes from here to another church in this Asso- ciation, and, like him, becomes pastor at Madrid. Afteir am Interval of aibout a year amd on&Jialf a pastor is found in the person of Rev. Thomas H. Greene, who serves a little over two years, from June, 1857, to AugUiSt, 1859. It was my priv- ilege to know Brother Greene and his worthy wife in the Hudson River Aissociation North, where he served one ohurch for a long period, and ripe in years and labors there fell asleep in Jesus. It was on Christmas in 1887 that I attended his funeral from the church where he served, sipeaklng of him as the good mtnais- ter„of Jesus Christ, and bearing hia worthy wife on my arm across the wjay to the cemetery, where his dust mlngiles with that of mother earth; and- a few years later that of his - widow was laid beside his own, iand occasionally I pass that spot and read the names upon the stones and revive- the memories of their lives and labors. Twenty baptisms are re- ported for the two years of Brother - Greene's pastorate, among them those of Miss Minerva Huntington (Mrs. Kellogg), Mrs. Margar.et (Henry) Fajir- bum, Mrs. Walker, Miss Dolly How- ajrd (Mrs. W. L. Proctor), Miss Mar- tha Howard; and in the interval before his -coming those of Mr. and Mrs. John Smitbhens and Miss Rosa Grenier, well known to the old- er, members here. - Mrs. Elizabeth Bcisworth, lately deceased, was re- ceived by letter during Brother Greene's pastorate. Some of you re- member him well, by his large fig- ure and singular voice. He was a man whom I very highly esteemed, and Mrs. Greene was especially effi- cient in her church at Schodack in raising money for the Woman's Mis- sionary Society. They had also a daughter who was a valued and effi- cient helper In the First Baptist church in Albany. The Assoclational year of 1857-8 seems to have been one of general refreshing from on high, the number of baptisms reported being 235, six- teen out of the twentynthree churches being so blest and some of the small- er churches having large additions. As the first fifty years of your his- tory dose Pastor Greene is here, but about to go. On the 29th of May a call was extended to a student at Madison University, now Colgate, Brother Horace M. Carr. Brother Greene, though supplying the pulpit for a while before Brother Carr came, had gone when the latter began Ms labors here. He was ordained No- veinber 18, 1859, and with him Broth- er Gordon A. Dougherty, before men- tioned. The services were at two in the afternoon, and the scene must have been an impressive one as these two young men were set apart to the work of the ministry, each to be given many years of honored ser-vice and both still surviving. Brothei Dougherty went out from this church, of which he was a member, to serve 12 BAPTIST CENTENWUL ANNIVERSARY alt vaa-icms fields; ta.be pastor ait West Winchester, Ontario, six months, at Thurso, Quebec, and Clarence, On- tario, jointly for four years, at Can- ton, N. y., from 1863 to 1865, Hender- son for one year, Kingston, Ontario, fcxr two y«ars, St. Gearge, Ontario, for three years, Leamington, Ontario, for four yeans, and he has been re- siding there since. For a few months in 1874 he was the pulpit supply at Fort Covington. I was pleased to meet Brother Douglherty and his daughter at the Colgate Commence- ment last June, and learn the facts I have Juat given. Mr, Dougherty was at the reunion of his college class, having been graduated fifty yeare before. He was well preserved though not v«ry strong, and a pleas- ant man to meet. He cherishes warm remembrances of the fiiends of this church in former days. Blessings attended the labors of the new pastor. Brother Carr. The letter to the Association In 1860 says: "Tlhis church has been grea-tly bless- ed. ESnjoyed quite an extensive re- vival, and many have been added to their number. Are greatly interested in the Sunday school enterprise, and are exerting themselves to interest the children. Are making extensive repairs to their house of worship." New life and vigor have come to the church. On April first, 1860, the Misses Elizabeth, Harriet and Martha Sayer were baptized, the first being now Mrs. George Dawson and the last Mrs. John Carsuel. Mrs. Robert Simonds and Mrs. Norman Hyde were baptized at the same time, this being Pastor Carr's first administra- tion of the ordinance. On the 4th of May Brother William L. Prodtor joined by letter from Bur- lington, Vt. He was a young man, just past 23, and seemed to come at the opportune time. Deacon Erastus Vilas had borne the burdens of the church for many years, but was growing old and unable to serve as formerly, and now a young man of promise comes to be a timely heliper. For about two years he seems to bear no active part; then he appears on a finance committee, and a few months later is made church clerk, and so he gets fairly into the work. For over 37 years he continued a member of this church, and was iden- tified with its varied interests and shared the burdens, serving chiefly as trustee and as Sunday school su- perintendent, and often as moderator of the Association. The efficiemt in- terest of Brother William Proctor in this church Is no small factor in the progress realized. It was not long before this enterprising young man took unto himself as wife the daugh- ter of the Rev. Joel M. Howard, twice pastor and at the time resident minister. How happily and heartily this sister has wrought with her hus- band and since his decease with the church of her loved ones is a matter of joy and pride to her friends and associates in the church, and we are thankful to have her with us today. On the 28th of May, 1860, Pastor Carr baptized Brother Robert John- son, father of Mrs. William P. How- ard, and not long since deceased, and in July Mrs. Eliza V. Hawley. At the meeting of the Aissociation at Masisena in September Pastor Carr is the preacher, using John XIX. 30: "It is finished." In 1861 Pastor Can- resigns and is dismissed by letter Sept. 13. He became chaplain in the army, and afterwaird pastor im IBl- noisi, Ohio and Kamisals, abd is now rector in the Protestant Episcopal oliuirch im Parsons, Kansas, or was so when last I learned of him. I met him at Colgate, as he attended the reunion of his class at their 50th an- niversary three years ago. A short pastorate follows, that of Rev. H. C. Beals, his date of pastor- ate being Oct. 13, 1861, though the formal call is Nov. 10, at $600 and a donation. His stay is short, closing his work with the first Sunday in July, 1862. He came from Colton, and this mention of him appears in the Minutes: "Brother Beals has labored in Colton. His labors have been arduous amd self-deeyilng, resuilt- ing in completing a house of worship in every way adapted to the wants of the people." We do not know where he went from here. Rev. J. H. Walden of Massena, pro- posed to come and labor for six months and the church accepts his offer July 6, 1862. He is received by letter Nov. 3, 1862, and is dismissed Feb. 2, 1863. The church chose for deacons Brethren Newman and Hart Nov. 16 aind 23, 1862. Of Deacon Hart we know little save that he was a good man, but of Deacon Newman we have heard much, learning that h-i was a worthy and useful man. Rev. William Carpenter returns to be pastor of the church for a second time, called March 15, 1863, at a sal- ary of $500 and a donatiom. He wais BA.PTIST CBNTBNNIA.L ANNIVERSARY IS with his wife received by letter from Sterling, Mass., on May 3. He had also been pastor at Westfield, Mass. A pleasant feature of the church life at this lime is the frequency of the missionary offerings, reminding us of the custom under Elder Webb some years before. No immediate results are seen im baptisms, but im due time they appear. August 7, 1864, Mrs. James Dandy and Brother George Grant are baptized, April 2, 1865, Brother W. H. Carleton, and in July his wife and mother, in Sept. Mrs. Newman, and April, 1866, Brother WlUiam P. Howard. On April 9, 1866, they vote to purchase a parsonage. Deacon Vilas reported that the house belonging to Mrs. Van Ness had been examined by the committee and they recommended it as a parsonage. Though a vote was taken we hardly think the house was purchased. The price named was $1,550. At the meeting of the Association at Gouvemeur, Sept. 5, 1866, Pastor Carpenter preached the sermon from Matthew V. 13: "Ye are the salt of the earth," and was chosen moder- ator. The church letter says: "God has graciously come into our midst and saved some precious souls." ASboat this time Brother Benjaimi'n Alglie died. We have mad'e m«intion of tihis excellent brath'eir earlier dn this address. On Feib. 24, 1867, hils SOD Benjamin. C. was baptized. ' On April 7 the pastor amd wife were dis- misaed, and so the secaM pafitorate of Bro. Carpenter closed. Good words havie been spoken of him and we be- lieve that his miiniistry ihjere was a uiseflud ome. He had other pastorates iln this state and in Iowa, dying at Liake City, Iowa, in IflOl. The civil war had brought in high- er prices, and so we need not wonder that a lairger salary was ofifered than in former years. Brother W. L. Proc- tor, as chairman of the committee on pastor, moved a call to Rev. John D. Sweet at $1,000 per year. Mr. Sweet had given a lecture on Pompeii and made a good impressdon. He did not come, though the call was unanimous. June 2 it was resolved to ask Broth- er L. L. Wood of the Hamilton Theo- logical Seminary to become pastor at $1,000, and he accepted. He was or- dained here in connection with the sitting of the Association Sept. 11, Rev. Dr. George W. Eaton, Presi- dent of Hamilton Theological Semi- nary, was present and preached the sermon. Almost exactly two years later, at Rhinebeck, N. Y., this same good man. Dr. Eaton, was at my own ordination and made the address to the pastor. He was a warm friend of his students. I knew Pastor Wood per- sonally and held him in high regard. He was received by letter from Southboro, Mass., Sept. 7, and Mrs. Wood came from West Brighton, Mass. A day of fasting and prayer was observed October 24, on Nov. 29 Mrs. R. Li. Seaman, Mrs. Arthur Davia and Miss Catherine Leslie were re- ceived for baptism, and on Dec. 19 Brother E. S. Brownson and the Misses Julia and Adelia Johnson (the latter now Mrs. William P. Howard) were received. Another day of fast- ing and prayer was appointed, Jan.: 6, 1868, and on Jan. 12 Brethren Jo- seph Beaty and Anthony Kiab, on the 31st Brother Charles McKeever, Feb. 6, Miss Fannie Persons (Mrs. Henry I. Proctor), and Feb. 28 Miss- Fannie Sayer (Mrs. W. Moore), were received for baptism. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Butrick joined by letter from Madrid May 1 and June 5 Mrs. Marion E. Johnson by letter from Gouvemeur. Brother E. S. Brownson was chosen clerk. We make an ex- tract from the glowing letter to the next meeting of the Association, Sept. 6, 1868: "Soiils have been con- verted in our midst, and we h)av& felt to rejoice as we have been per- mitted to see a goodly number buried in baptism in the likeness of our Savior's death and resurrection. Our pastor in addition to his labors in the city, has labored more or less in the country during the year, and at one place in particular, several miles away, there has been an especial awakening, which has resulted, as we believe, in the hopeful conversion and reclaiming of more than fifty souls, quite a number of wftiom have already united wiith ue. And at this podrat a large and interesting Sundao'' school has been establisheid. Added by baptism 34, net gain 40, present niumber 154. E. S. Brawnson olleirk." Three Sunday schools were beinig sustained, one in the country. I wdish to make note of a neisolution offered by Brother W. L. Proctor before tihe Association, on whiitth only the Day membeirs were desired to vote, amd. 14 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY -whicJi was unanimously oarpled. It was as follows: "Resolived, tiiat we ihieartlly conicur in that paipt of the ordiinatiom ohia/rge to the church by Brobber DanlBls relatiing to the sup- port of pastors, and eamiestly necom- - mend that the spirit of the same to the fullest eijrtant be netsponded to by all our churches, and that we give our i>astors a more libeinail suppomt, that they may not be embarrassed im lihieir temporal wanits." I do not be- lieve any pastor ever found Brother Pirootor begrudging him hiis saliaiy or wiiahing Mm to tate lesis. Thie above m.eintiianed action was when thie As- socdiation met here and Brotiher Wood wae oidained as pastor. The Morristown churdi, fonnied some forty years before and at no time a stroi^ church, having now be- come extimct, Mrsf. Camolinie Miitchell, a member theme, was received by ex- peniemoe February 5, 1869, and hier hnjisband, Brothea- Irving Miteiueill, wais neceived on the same day for bap- tism. Mrs. Mitchell was living here when I became pastor, and I remem- ber her weli, and esteemed her as a cihidiMe Chtristian woman. I am glad that we have her gramddaughter witlh us, bearing the same name and an aictlve member, one whom I was per- mitted to baptize. On March 5, Mr. and Mrs. Joihn Barr were received for baptism, and Mrs. D. E. L. Mil- ler about the same time. The letter tc he Assoc iiatioin reports fourteen baptisms and a membership of 162, with the large amount of $2,30&.72 cf moneys raised. A bplendid showing. In EVecember Mrs. Helen Raymond united by letter, February 4 Miss AngeMne Ballard by letter, and on March 4 Miisis Marthia, Kent and Aprti 1 Miss Mary. Kelly were received for baptism. So the good work went on- But on the 14th of August, 1870, Pas- tor Wood speaks hiis faireiwell words, completing an active pastorate of neauiliy three years, ajnd having re- ceived fifityisiix by baptism. At the AissooiaitiionaJ meeting in Pani'shviille, 1869, Pastor Wood preached from .Judges VII: 21: "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and pried, and fled." I have no doulbt that the discourse was a vigorous one. Other pastorates of Brother Wood have been at Lawrence, Bostom and Peabody, Mass., and in the far west. I tlidnk he is now over a Cangnegar tiomal church in the great and growing city of Seattle. I had several letters from him while I was pastor here, and he was stiill deeply interested in .the welfare of this chupcli. On the Sunday foUowiag the fare- well of Pastor Wood the pulipit was supplied by Dr. Malicoiim McVicar, president of the Potsdam Normal iSohiooI, a strong man, educator and ppeaciher. On October 22 a oaJl was given a Brother Mattlheiws, yet noth- liinig seems to have come of it, but on December 4, 1870, Rev. H. W. Barines of Niagara Falls was called, and he accepted, beginnang Dec. 11, wiith a salary of $1,200. It was not long before tbis good bnother was permitted to bury in baf)tism those who weire .brought to OhrlHt, among them Mrs. Lizzie Butts, Bpother R. J. Aligie, Mrs. Emma Wood, Brothier Wallace Buttrick and Mis. Ezra Mc- Fadden. At a meeting of the church held March 24, 1871, resolutioniS were piasised regarding Deacon Brasitliis Vi- las, deceased. He is. spoken of as a firm friend and hearty supporter of the church during all the viigor of liiiis mainbood, laying on its altar libenal offletings of time and treasure, iden- tifying himself with its interests, leading in its business and hoping and praying for its proaperiity. Hte long and trying decUne was spoken of, amd this tribute is given: "We necogniize in his life am earnest Chnis- tian purpose, a commendable firm- ness in adherence to hiis convictions ajnd a faithfulness ajid selfisacrilficiing spirit in the execution of what he believed to be h.is Chnlstaian work." The death of Elder Grattan Brand is rei>orted to the Association at the saime meeting. A minute reads: "Af- ter reading the letter from Parislh- viSUle containing an account of the death of Rev. G. Bpanid, an aged Sather in the ministry, the ord'er of exercises was suispendied to engage tn prayer, that the event might be sianic- tifiied to the surviving ministry." A s,ermon ,iis preached before the Asso' ciatdon by Brother Barnes from James BAPTIST CENTENNIAL, ANNIVERSARY 15 II :26: "For as the body witliout the spirit is dead, so faatU withouit works is dead also." The church letter is a very cheerful one, recording the meetiings held for thirteen weeks, tihe many hopefully converted, the 34 bap- tiisms, and, besides the flourisiMing Sunday school a large and prosper- ous Mission Day and Sunidaastor is soon privi- leged to baptize. Within, a few months Miss Nellie Shaver(Mrs. W. H. Hutchison), the Misses Ida Sha- ver and Hattie CSadet, Brother WiU- liam H. Hutchison, now deacon. Miss Annie Wilcox (Mrs. WiMiam B. Ray- mond) , and Mrs. Mary E. Howard and Miss Mary I. Proctor (Mrs. Chiarles Dilli n giham) were received by baptism. The meeting of the Association, held in this church in Jumie of 1884, seems to have been one of marked interest. I give the digest of the letter from this church: "We heartily welcome the Association to our city, ohunch and homes. Tru.st our meeting may be mutually profitable. As a church we are happy and prosperous. Paster Bastow settled with uis last Septemiber. Ton have been baptized. Meetings all well attended. Good feeling prevaiQs amongst the young people. Finan- cially in perhaps a better condition than formerly. Out of debt, with money in the treasury." A cheery re- port, surely. A letter from Mission- ary Jameson in Burma was reald, wlhicih must have had a special inter- est at this time. Toward the close of the meetimg Pastor Bastow led a brief praise service, in which several brethren including Deacon Adam BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 19 Swaa partiaipated. We are told tbat "a spirit of harmony and brotherly love pervaded all the meetings, and much of the Holy Spirit's presence was experi'enoed." During the year 1885 Mrs. Nancy Irwin and Brother Allen Goodenough united by baptism. Brother W. L. Proctor was made a life member of the Missionary Union, and ait the Aasociajtional meeting at Gouverneur Pastor Bastow preached a very able and interesting doctrinal sermon from Luke XXIII: 42-43: "And he (the thief on the crosisi) said umto Jesus, 'Lord remember me whem thou com- est into thy kingdom.' And Jesus aaid unto him, 'Today shalt thou be with me In paradise'." The doctrine may have been, What and where is Paradise? Four baptisms were re- ported, prayer meetliigs well attend- ed aaid finances prosi>erous. Roll re- vised and membersihip reduced to 199. On June 28, 1885, occurred the death of Deacon William Hawkins, for thirty-one years a memiber of the cihurch, a good man, and one who was faiithfiul at the prayer meeting. The yieiar 1886 also witnessed a good num- ber of baptisms. The Misses Ella Goodenough (Mrs. Jiames Wilcox), CSarrrie Dawson, Nancy Prootor (Mrs. Walter Pratt), Louise Lockerbie and Brother J. W. Cook were received early in the year. Brother James F. Cook was made a life memiber of the Home Missioa Satoi«ty. Pastor Bastow offers his resigna- tion to take effect Novemiber 1, but before he goes numerous baptisms take place. Misses Daanre Donniell (Mns. E. A. Hyde), Louena McFaddem (Mrs'. W. J. Palmer), Grace Proc- tor (Mrs. F. D. Earl), Grace Oarleton and Kate Irwin, and Brother James E. Wilcox were receivied by biaptism. Of this company the most are with us, but death has taken Grace Carleton in her siweet, sunny youth, and Mr. amid Mrs. Wilcox fell asleep, the one soon after the other not very long ago, all dying in the faith. Brother Bastow went from this church to Natick, Mass. We have kept up the fellowship, and we are glad he can be with us at this meet- ing. In various pastorates in out state, in Natick, Mass., and in Canada, and as supply in many puilpits in various states, our honored brother has been a busy man, haviing wrought vigors oiuisly for these many years. May his bow long aibide in strength. Rev. J. T. fiarber acted as supply very acoeptalbly for a time, and then came Rev. Cornelius S. Savage from Hannibal, Mo., beginning his pastor- ate here January 9, 1887. As his .im- mediate successor I may say that I found evidences of good preaching, strong Bible teaching and faithful counseling, and I was grateoful to Pastor Savage for his efficient min- istry. The annual roll call in con- nection with the church ibulsiness meet- ing was a feature of noble benefit, deepening the interest and swelling the numbers at the meeting, and fa- cEitating the work of the church. His work as pastor was one of gird- ing and strengthening. I give in part a list of those who united with the dhurch under his ministry. Mrs. Maggie (Framk) Jcftmson, Brother Air bent C. Johnson, Mrs. Lois Mason, Mrs. Daniel B. Wilcox, the Misses An- nie Drake (Mrs. William Dunn), Lou Huntington (Mrs. Silas Stone) , Stella McFadden (Mrs. Henry H. Piaradisi) and Josephine Ohapin, and our gen- tle, motherly Mrs. Hiram Chatterton, of pleasant memory, were some of those who were baptized during 1888. The dhurch letter in 1887 makes the first mention of the Christian En- deavor Society, and we infer that it was organized either in 1886 or '87. At the meeting in 1888 Pastor Sav- age preached before the Association at Richville from Luke XIX: 42: "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." The letter says: "Our various so- cieties have been very active. We are becoming interested in missionary work, particularly our young people and children. We have gained nine by baptism." The minutes of the Woman's Missionary meeting siay: "The Ogdensburg sifters re- ported a larger membership and greater amount raised than ever be- fore, and a ftourisihing band wilth new methods of work under the leadership of Mrs. C. S. Savage." One happy feature of helipful service by Mrs. Sav- age was the winning of the young people to interest in missions. Mrs. Edward Dillinghaim united by letter November 4, 1888. And now, in 1889, come a goodly number by baptism: the Misses Mary F. Prartly because of what he was, amd of wihat he did; and partly because he was one of, the early members of the church, and was significantly connected with it for a long period. He was born in Clar- endon, Vt., Aug. 22, 1806, and prior to 1830 had moved to Ogdensburg and beoajne a member of the church, when its place of worship was a few m fill ftp from the city, and it was call- ed the Oswegatchie ohurcto, after the name of the township. Prior to 1832 its place of worship had been chang- ed, and its name changed to corres- pond with its place of worship. WhUe it was located in the country. Brother Howard served it as a licentiate pas- tor. He was ordained here in 1832, and soon after accepted a call to be- come iits pastor. The place of wor- ship, after the church building was erected, was in the basement of the church, evidently in the ipart now occupied as a furnace room. About the time of his ordination, he mar- ried Nancy Cronkhite, who served with him during his life, and surviv- ed him a few years. His death oc- oui;red in December, 1881 His first pastorate covered three years, and a suibsequent one extended the term of his pastorates to six years. Be- tween the years 1838 and 1844, he served at missionary work in the As- sociation, and he was for a brief time pastor of the Richvidte church. He was very positively interested in the welfare of aJl the churches, and in the success of the cause of Christ in the world. He was sincerely Chris- tian in his thought and spirit, and un- questioningly held the 'great Christiaffi verities. He would have been justly cailled an orthodox in theology, a 30 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY conservative in all that toeloniged to the peace and good order of society, aaiid, am evangelistic man in his minis- terial purpose. While he was radical, he was not rabid or cranky. As a man he was quiet, kindly, sympathetic and loving. As a neighibor he was kindly and helpful up to the meas- ure of his resources. He command- ed the confidence and honor of all who knew him. He was patient to- ward all men, mild in temper, quiet in his utterance, and yet very decid- ed in his convictions, without his de- cision bordering on or suggesting stubiborruness He suffered deeply when the cause of Christ, or tihe honor of the church suffered, or when he feared they might suffer. If the combination of the two words gentle and manly, maike up the word and idea of gentleman, amd he was eminently a gentleman, and we may add the prefix Christian, and call him the Christian gentleman, the very highest type of man. No name of higher significance can belong to any man. Loving friends beside his dying bod may have wondered that so good a man as he shoiild not have an easy death, and they may well also wonder at the uncomplaining pa- tience with which he bore his suffer- ings. There was abundant occasion for rejoicing at the undinuned faith with which he faced the pntire fu- ture of his fortunes. Excepting his brief residence in Ricihville, he was, for fifty-itwO' yeams a resident of Ogdenshurg and a mem- ber of this church. During my near- ly twelve years of pastoirai service over this church, eleven of which were during his life, I never knew, or from any person heard, the slight- est thing against his name as a man, or as a Christian. Surely wfs may well think of him as 'honored in heav- en, since his life among men was so en rapport with the life and spirit of hearven. He made life a preparatory and praicticing school for heavenly life. May the excellencies oi JOEL MANNINiJ HOWARD J)? many times multiplied among the people of this beautiful city. MR. AND MRS. SWAN. Adam Swan was born at Stow, Scotland, Nov. 4, 1811, and died in thds city Aug. 11, 1897. He came to Montreal, Canada, in 1837. Isabella Clapperton was ibom in or near Edinburgh, Scotland, April 12, 187.1, and died in Ogdenshurg Sept. 8, 1905. The Clappertons came to Montreal, Canada, in 1835. Adam and Isabella were married in Montreal in 1838 and came to Ogdensiburg prior to 1842, amd after six years moved into their own home, at the corner of Wasihington and Morris streets, where they spent the remainder of their days. Of their connection with the church this is to be noted namely, that they were religiousJy reared, under the teachings of the Presiby- terian church; but in Montreal, Mr. Swan saw a baptism in the Baptist church, and was impressed that he had seen the real ordinance, as pic- tured in the scriptures, and immedi- ately asked "Whait doth hinder me to be baptized?" and related his ex- periences of grace, and his hope in Christ. He frequently showed one of the "tokens" which he had recelffed from his Presbyterian pastor, showing that he had ''attended the prepara- tory lectures" and was approved for partaking the sacraments to be ad- ministered next Lord's Day. This was to him a very "close communion" practiced outside of the Baptist church, and was his frequent answer to such friends as would argue with him the question of the restricted administration of the Lord's Supper. Whether Mrs. Swan was immersed before coming to Ogdensiburg, or not, does not appear from any records given me, but in 1842, both were re- ceived as members of this church, under the pastoral care of Elder How- ard, beloved and revered. I run no hazard of being charged with misjudgment or flattery when I say that, in the matter of repre- senting what we mean by the term "good Christian people." we are not ready to place any others we know, or have known, in advance, or even exajctly akxngsaide of, Mr. and Mrs. Swan. There was in them an ex- ceedingly warm hearted and large ap- preciation of the grace in which they trusted, a whole heartedness of per- sonal committal of themselves to Christ, and a devotion to his cause, which meant also all faithful and lov- ing services to men. Their downright and deep seriousness never meant, or bordered upon, somiber luguibriou®- nees. Their joy in life was heighten- ed rather than repressed by their de- votion to Christ. Their religion was sunshine in their home, and reflected sunshine on all about them. They were sympathetic with the sorrow- ing and troubled, and put their bands under the burdens which their hearta BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 31 bore, in sympathy with othjers. They were manifestly of one mind. There was here nothing of a house divided against iits«lf. This is not siaying thiat they were copyists of ea«ih otiher, or of amy except the Maateir. Thoy were each emphatically and exactly themselves. Their faces were mir- rors of their souls, in all save the wrinkles: amd the wrinkles on their fawes weire not furrows ploughed by unwelcome care. The sunshine of love and trustfiuilneas wianmed every viadiley and glorisfied every ridge of theda: faces. Mr. Swan wals absiolulte- Tsy true heairted, auiet, but apprecia- tive; thoughtful of others and de- ligihited in aU their good fortunes. When children ctame to know him, thev tPusted !him amd -were glajd toibe about him and the simUe of apprecia- tive gladness came to hils face. lulhis qiuliet buit siuibstantial way he sougiht to serve them. They foumd his heart open amd warm. In miammer, Mns. Swan wais more positiive and demon- sitoiaAive, but never offensively or in- delioajtely so. She was ready amd gifted in speech, but mever uinidertook to "maike a eipeech" but ,had the good girace to simply tadk. And her face spoke with her voice. The dew of sorrow readily wet her eyes wben one reailly troubled came to her, or met her, amd indeed she very often went to find them, when sihe heard of tbeir grief. The tone of comfort was in hieir voice when worlds of comftjrt w«re on her lips. She was abHoluitely faith- ful in helping people to ihielp them- selves, S(piritualliy as well as material- ly. Sihe was lovinigly kind in her dealing with wandering members' of the chTJiPch, and very tender and eam- eisit with those who had never found the way of life. Many will mention her name to the Miaster, if there are mememibmmces of ithis life, ma the life beyond, rehearsed there. iShe was a model in all matters of ohurch disci- pline, using to the utmost limit of hopefuilneas all resources of educative and formative disicipline, before she assented to corrective discipline be- ing undertaken. If ithe time came for corrective disoipliae, she was kimdly firm, honoTing the chuncih and the Master iin acoompUshiing it. Had all members of the church, in its early days, been of her spirit, both the good name of the church, and the real in- terests of the members, would have been conserved. Everywhere Christ honors them that honor him. Mrs. Swan, came easily to be the most widely and carefully acquainted with the burdened, perplexed and troubled people of the church and congregation, of any member, except- ing perhajps the pastor, land not al- ways excepting him. If the poor of the city had been asked to name the one who stood first, and most help- fuiHy besdde them, in all kindly miln- isitratlons, many of them would have sadd, uniheaitaittngly, Mra. Swan. The Sunday school aflid the devo- tional services of the ohuirch, found her for many years easily the fore- most woman in the ohuinch. The far away missiionary needs of the world found her heart and hand ready, but the far away never covered out of Bjght the needs of ithe unchjristiian of this city and this country. Two inci- dents in her life indicate this decid- ed missionary interest. Her wedding ring, her nephew writes, was donated to aid foreign missionB. Once she said to me, "I like to put my hand on silk and to feel it, and I have al- ways wiamted to be dressed in a plain blajck siilk dresis once in my life, and sieverail times we have had the needed money nearly gathered and laid aside, but every time the church, or the cause has needed it, and I am still wanting the black siilk diresis." I think she died without the black silk Both Mr. and Mrs. Swan had a wairm place in their hearts for chil- dren, and having none of their own, several children of their friends, found for years together a warm place at their fireside, and at their table. They were eminently (Datherfly and motherly. Ideal cheerfulnesis and not somber sanctimoniousneas mai^k- ed these good people. We saw in them a good measurable reprodiiction of the spirit and character of the Chrilst whom they followed. There can be no question but that they dhose the good part even for this life, as well as wisely for the whole future pem'od of human existence. They have gone before, but there is no question that their works follow them. "Being dead they yet speak." The pathway of earth is clearer amd brighter for us who follow, beoauiae we can see their footprints. STEPHEN PAYNE. Amoing the early and earnest mem- bers of the church was Stephen Payne. At what date he united witlh the church, or when his connection 32 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY ceaised by death. I ciannat tell, bint of Mb characteristics thiere are dlstmot remembrances. Tlhere is no dioutot but that after his conceptloni of OhriB- tian goodnesB, he was a good mam. He was zealous In defence and ajdvo- cacy of what he Iield to he the true teachoiogs of the s<5riptuipe. He iwas positive, prompt and outspoken, a de- cided advocate of what he under- stood to be Baptist principles and docitrinee. He was quite a diligent reader of sciriptuire, very regiuiLar In attendance upon family worship, had a large number of scripture passages at .his command, was really a lliteral- isit in the interpretaitiiQn of them, land utterly uncompncmilsilag with aniyone who douibted his judgment of their meaning. He was good undoubtedly, but a very uncomfortable good man to come into touiOh with, espeoially for a class of people. He could be as easily mlsconiceived as a dhefiltnut burr, could by a child, who simply took It in his hand and attempted to see what it contained; but once opened, there was found goodness under tihe piercing exterior. He felt himself caflled to the ministry, arid received a liicense to preach, and "exercisied his gifts" consiiderably in school houses, but never became an attractive preacher. He was undoubtedly a man of convLctions, and ready to stand by them. His early life, and possibly has heredity, were unfavorable to the ac- cumuiation and culture of wlhat would be reckoned winning social manners and graces. Few of the present mem- bers of the church have personal rec- ollections of him, ibut such as have would, I am sure, give him credit for desllTiDg, and attempting after his. conception of goodness, to be a good mian. Doubtless there is no other place than heaven where such kindly jodments. are given of men who are careless of the gracious ithilngs wihich make earthly society sweet. MRS. ROSA BOYD. Mrs. Boyd was bom aciroas the seas, amd came to this coumtry, with hier huslband, to continue and complete the battle of a worthy Ufe. By care- fulnesis, steady hard .work, and econ- omy, siie undertook to meet well the demands which met her ais the .moth- er of a considerable family of .chiilr dren, and she gave herself unstinted- ly to services and saicirifioes in the fulfiUiment of her purpose, to give Iher didldrein the best advanitages afford- ed, and within her reach; to furnish them the best possable and available means for training for good citizen- ship. Her devotion to iher children was beautiful, and well appreciated by them. She was held in esteem by all classes of good people, wlho knew her, tbiough they were consideralbly remov- ed from her in social advantages. It is the mark of anything tout a sen- sible person, to make superior advan- tages, a reason for alienation from the virtuouB and hearty common peo- ple. Her children honored her by de- ferring to her wishes and judgment. This habit continued even after the children had estaiblislied .homes of their own. The Boyd rooftree shelter- ed a frank, sincere, sweetly loving, (home life. The hospitality extended there was simple and hearty, and made you conscious that they delight- ed to put their best, freely at your disposal. The memory of visits to that home is a delight, amd she is still a blessing to those who kn'ew her. WILLIAM COCHRANE. Among the men of good graices of oharawter, good and conslBtent living, winsome waiys, loving and wise neigh- borlinessi, steady and consistent ser- vice, was Williaim CJochrane, a. Scotch- man by nativity, with the mental traits of his nation, inteEectual, con- edientlouis, meditative, a lover of his Bible, and a careful student of it, a real priest m his family, mainltaining the altar of daily sacrifices of thanks- giving and prayer. He came to "be a man of decided value to his neighbor- hood, and ,to the ichundh. He was a more than usually ready speaiker, and used limitedly all his mentjal and ex- perimental resources for puiblic relig- ious services, by maintainiing devo- tional meeting® and iSunday school in hiils neighborhood. He was honored by all the people who weE knew him and who loved goodness. He was specially sympathetic anid helpful to his neighbors in times of sadness, or bereavement. He greatly aided them in these times, io lifting tlheir heants thankfully and trustingly to the good Father. He knew how to hold con- verse with, him, and how to place himself alongside of his neighbors. Hie wais eminently wholesome in his life, and valuable in ihis ChriBtdain ooumsels. His children rose up to call him blessed. CHARLES McKEEVER. Among tJhe simiple, humible, devoted men of the church, during the yeaxs of my ministry, Charles MoKeever BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 33 must be naimed. Hiis Jiome was quite distant from the city, but quite gen- erally he was at tihe mormng wonsibip, though it required a full two hours ■waik for him to reach the churxah. He was eagerly waiting for the mes- sage of truth; because he attended to it, loved it, and fed on it. In the Iiuimble place called hoime, he careful- ly muTtured and honored the good hearted, but unfontumatjely crippled wife. It was a pleasure to witness their iheajrty devotion to eacli other. I believe his sincere devotion to her, put her largely at ease, wihen vii>sitons were at the house. The spirit of a Christian home was there; and that is the great essential in making any home good. The beet eairthly home caamot be made wit'hout that sipiriit. Brother McKeever was honored by his /brethren, and always greeted glad- ly when he met them. He was not a learned man, but much better, he was a wise man. Wisdom begins with the "fear of the Lord," and grows by study of the "word of God." MRS. HAWLEY. Mrs. Hawley was a quiet, faithful, kindly disposed, very exemipliary and useful member of the church. She wais bom at WestviUe, Pramklim icouin- ty, Aug. 22, 1803, and died in Ogdens- iburg, Dec. 22, 1892, reaohing the unu- flluail age of eighty-nine yiears and four months. iFrom Westviille, the faimily moved to Madrid, and thence to Og- deashurg, reaching this city in 1846. Though hopefully a Ohiilsitiian, partly beoause of heavy household oaires and duties, which prevented regular at- tendance at church, she delayed mak- ing her open confession of feilth until 1860, when she united with the Bap- tist church. Her damghters hiad ai- reaidy become meniberis, amd doubtless in/Qjuenced meaisuirably by this fact, and certainly very conaidierably by the kindly, loving and gracaous influ- ences of Mrs. Swan, her neighbor, she made her open oon/fession of the Savior. Mns. Hawley was a pains- taikilig and devoted mother, a consislt- ent, positive, but by no means demon- strative Chirlistian. Her mother, Mrs. Mann, very aged when I came to Og- densburg, was a member of iher fam- ily, and was very tenderly cared for by her, and her daughter, Mrs. Sea- main, and was buTied from the home. A useful, kindly and loommendable dis- ciple left us to join the disKiple band above, when Mrs. Hawley died. "The memory of the Just is blessed." MRS. AARON LINTON. Several present members of the church will remember, with satiBfac- tion and pleasure Mrs. Aaron Lin- ton, niece of Mrs. Swan, yet to men- tion her name wiU awaken some feel- ings of sadness, because she was haaidicapped, and her brightness great- ly eclipsed, by such a considerable deafness, that sihe was cut off from hearing sermons, and largely from en- tering into conversation with friends. When once you had passed this bar- rier of deafness you found a bright, witty, loving nature, quite richly gift- ed, and graced with a good Chris- tiaai ciharacter. Tenderness of feeling sincerity of piety, heajrty devotion to "that which is lovely and of good re- port," a patient and cheerful sipirtt marked her. Her character found its richest field of expression in the home life. Unfortunate Dannie was special- ly an object of her care and tenderly watched over and cared for ibecause hie needed it most of aU. The songs of heaven must mean more to those who are shut out largely from the songs of earth. While there are few compensations for the impairment of one faculty, by the quickening of an- other here, can we doubt that there will be larger compensations in the life above? This certainly may be our reftige in times of trouble here, that the God whose love has^ in earth's economy, largely provided for com- pensations in the richer use and wider reach of other faculties, for defective- ness or injury to some, such as' sight, keener and more awake, for those who are deaf, and hearing and even a bodUy acuteness of sensation for those who are blind now, that the same God of love and wisdom, will provide the very best for the entire period of our existence. MRS. ERASTUS VILAS. This good woman wiH be remember- ed as a cultured, talented, earnest and outspoken Christian, generous in her resources, and in giving her per- sonal service to the church aaid to good causes in the city and in the mission of the church to the world. Her childhood home was at Sterling, Cayuga Co., and she was the daughter of Deacon Lake, one of the prominent Baptists of that section of the state. She came to Ogdensburg as the wife of Brastus Vilas, nephew of the earl- ier Deacon Erastus Vilas, foremost among the early members of this 34 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY clmncli. Erastus not only bore the name of this uncle, but was associat- ed with him in business as a tanner, ajnd finally succeeded him in the own- ership and management of the tan- nery. Mrs. Vilas was easily among the foremost, among ithe a>;ti!ve and influential ladies of the chxurch at the time of commencing my pastona/te here, and continued active and inter- esited while her strength lasted, aind prayerful for the chtinch tintil the end. She was positive, sometimes a little unwisely so, perhaps, in her oonviictions aind in outsipeaiking, bwt no one could question her sincerity anid devotion. She was mourned by a very large circle of friends, as also by all relatives, when her death oc- curred. MRS. HELEN P. RAYMOND. Among the honored and igpeatly be- loved members who have gone from our church ranks, Mrs. Helen Part- ridge Raymond is tenderly and sweet- ly remembered. She was born to Mr. and Mrs. Partridge, at Evans .Mills, Jef- ferson Co., May 30, 1830. Her mother was Judith Stowe, sister to the noted Bev. Baron Stowe, D. D., one of the etoquenit and widely efficient Baptist ministers of Boston, Mass. Helen was faithfully and tenderly cared Sov as a child, her parents acoepting very ful- ly the divinely imposied obligation to religiouisiy educate 'amd train their children. ' She began reading the Bi- ble through by course when she wias only four years old and completed the reading when she was seven years old. This Bible reading was evidently not done as a task appointed by par- ents, but nather was something in which she found interest. We need only to know the sympathetic, mod- est, yet earnestly devout spirit of her mother, to be well assured that she Bupervised this reading and enriched it with Ulusitrative and explanatory story telling, giving Helen more than ordinary insight into the siignificance of the scriiptures, and puittin^ her mind and heart early undier the miost beneficent possiible impressiions, those of religious thoughts and visionis. Quite asBUTiedly, too, we are certain that these two, the devout mother and the susceptible child, were fre- quently kneeling before Giod, and tell- ing out their gratitude, and seeking his blessing and guidianoe. It is not suipprising therefore that Helen be- came a Christian so early in life that she had no racking convictions of sin, and experienced no painful wrench when she turned trustingly to ChriBit as her Savior. The happiest, most hopefuil Christian beginnings are al- wiays made in early life. Inoculating, or budding the flruit tnee wihen it is but a tT'ig is very much better than delaying till the tree is so far grown that the savage work of cutting off limibs and engraflting it is nieceseary, and must be followied with a lifelong battle of trimming, and of plucking off the shoots of the old nature. When Helen came befome the chunch to majae her statement of expeirienoe, preparatory to being accepted for memibersMip, in answer to the ques*- tion Ofi to her oonvepslon, she had little to say, and her father said, "Helen has always been a good child." There has not always been the careful discrimination needful be- tween conversion, which is the out- ward and visibly tuming, and regen- eration which is the inward and deep- ly significant change, the meal passage from death unto life, and caUed by the radicial terms "bom again," "born from above," "a. new creation in Jesus Christ." This outward tunniing is really simply a sign or result of the deeper inward change. A simi- lar relation of outward and inward is to be noted in the matter of repent- ance. Godly sorrow is the inner turn- ing from sin in the habits and pur- poses of life is the outward. Men and see the one, God and the indlfviiduial soul alone can see the other. Paiul states the full matter in these woindis, "Godly sorrow worketh repentance." Sorrow is the tree, repentance the fruit it bears. The best proof of Mrs. Raymond's deeply significant early piety is found in the consistient, devoted, patient, loving and painstaking life which she lived, and in whicji, to the end, ahe showed forth the living of Christ in herself. Whoever well undienatood the spirit and life of Ohrist woiuld not hesitate an instant to recognize in Mr*. Raymond a life whose origin be- longed to toirth from God. Of the Master it wias said that "He was be- gotten of the Holy Spiirit," and of the Christian it is said "he is bom of the spirit," "led of the Spirit,' "Jilled with the Spirit." But for the reserve belonging to true deldeacy, s!uippresB.ing everything demonstrative and boisterous, her religious experiences and emotions might have been classed as enthusi- astic, for she was certainly very ar- BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 35 dent in her love and devotion. When Bhe was the only professed Ohri/stian in her little family, and had the joy of children about her, she regularly, from their earliest recolleotions, gath- ered them in quiet retirement for faimily worship, reading the scriptures and praying with them. When Geonge. weak and nervous from almost the day of his birth, retired to Ms rest, it was her custom to sit iby his bed- side aaid rehearse to Mm stories of Bilble characters till he was lost in the silence of blessed sleep, under the blesisang of God, and the "guar- diansMi) of angels." Her children call her blessed, and acooumt that nearly the best of heaven's good gifts was siUiOh a mother. The Partridge family left Evans Mills, for probably a short resiidenoe in Denmairk, Lewis county, and then moved to Potsdam while Helen was yet young. On Januarv 3, 1854, she was married to Dr. J. S. Raymond, and went with Mm to Algonac, Mich., where he had established, or deter- mined to esitablisli. We practice as a physiaian. The three chlldTen wer© born there. After fifteen years, how- ever, the family returned to New York state and settled in Ogdeniaburg, un- dier date of June, 1869, and here on Jan. 13th, 1898, she passed on, leav- ing husband and cMldren, and very many friends to miss and mouim her. In Mrs. Raymond were united very decided gifts, among them the artistic, and a very deeply devout and wor- shipful spirit, solid religious convic- tion®, and beautifully cultured Chris- tian graces. In spite of her consid- erably burdened domestic life, had arUstnc talents and tastes received such attention that majny pieces of fine work, with pencil and brush, re- main. Spendiag a few days in a soimmer camp, we remember with what ease and com,T)Ieteness she isketched some of the fine scenes of the St. Law- renoe river. It is not at all a mat- ter of wonder or surprise that be- tween her and numerous other good women, many of whom have also gone on before us, very warm an4 strong attaohments should have arisen. Many of us associate theiSe WasMmg- ton street names, Mrs. Linton, Haw- ley, Seaman, Swan, Proctor, Kelly, Raymond. Surely we shaJJ more de- vouitly worship God, who gave Itlhem to tMs oity, and joyfully aitioipate the reunion which knows no parting. CAPTAIN PERSONS. Among the honored members of the church, of whom only compara- tively brief mention can be made, were Captain Persons, as rugged and boisterous in spirit often, as were the lakes which he sailed, a man who with his veiy strong nature was also especially captivated with every pic- turesque and forceful figure of speech, remembered and used extra- vagant expressions (to the terrifying of children who heard him ipray some- times), which had rendered him good service, and he was undoubtedly very decidedly moved with Christian feel- ings and principles. Then there was ru'gged Mrs. Maltby, wife of the cap- tain of the shipyard business, bom in England, a woman of large mould, and positive domestic graces and vii^ tues. She was earnest of spirit, frank and faithful, rather substantial than devotional in services, but always an eager listener to truth. Mrs. Miller, wife of Captain MUler, and Mrs. Bos- ton, her da,uighter, and Jacob Boston, all well esteemed and faithful. Mrs. Greene and her daughters, Libbie and Mrs. Bronson, good, kindly, exemplary people, loving and honoring in their hearts and service the Lord Christ. Aunt AngeMne Ballard, vigorous, pos- itive, uncompromising, outspoken, highly esteemed and valuable as a member, rendering royal siervice as a caretaker for the family of her de- ceased sister, Mrs. Alden, and bring- ing forth fruit in the training and excellence of the three chdldren. Rosetta Grenier, housekeeper for her umcle, Mr. Cadier, and a motherly cousin to Louis Cadier (who after- wards became a member of the church and after a somewhat eccentric ca- reer has i>assed on to the land of si- lence). Mr. and Mrs. Stevens re- moving to New Mexico, William Close and wife, living in the country, and Mrs. Gray, cultured in spirit, sister to Mrs. Close, living in the city, and maintaining her careful Christian walk under conditions not altogether con- genial. "These all died in the faith." MR. AND MRS. OLDS. There are special reasons, of per^ sonal satisfaction, in naming Mr. and Mrs, Ansel Olds, who became mem- ers under my pastorate. First, they came with a heartiness of devotion that was delightful. Mrs. Olds was peculiarly clear and aseured in her acceptance of Christian doctrines, and in her heart-welcomfe of the Savior. 36 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY She ripwied in peirsuasion under the ordinary ministries of the word, and without special shock of experience, announced her surrender to Christ's demands. She was winning in man- ners, devout in spirit, ready in devo- tion of time and resources to the in- terests of the church, and yet diligent in business, serving in the interests of the family, and devoted to the edu- cational preparation of their daughter for her teaching life-work. She liived a decddedly beautiful Christian life, and closed it with patient enduiranoe umdier painful' disease. There was special interest in the coming in of Mr. Olds. His army life impaired in a serious way his health, and resiulit- ed in a continual weakening of his resources of vitality, bringing him finally to his chamber, and to face tihe slowly approaching "lasit enemy." After a frank consultation with Wis Phyiaioian and an expression of inter- est and concern from one of Ms friends, 1 visited him, just as a friend, to relieve the tedium and monotony of the sick room. I pledged myself to remain only ten minutes, so as not to weary him, and fojind my visit was acceptable, and on rising to leave, was asked to call a^aito. On my next visit I foimd the New Tes- tament turned face downwards, on ihis table, opened at one of the epis- tles of Paul, and said, "I see you have good company this morning, so I think I will leave you with it." "No," said he, and added, "I pre- sume I read that book a good deal more than people suspect that I do." Then he mentioned what many have never noticed, the keen sarcasm of Paul on occasion. He referred to II. Oor. 11:16-19, and onward, "Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boasit myself a little. That which I speak, I sipeak it not after the L/ond, but as it were foolishly in this confi- dence of boasiting. Seeing that many glory, I will glory also. For ye suf- fer fools g;ladly. ... I sipeak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinisio- ever amy is bold (I speak foolishly) I am bold also. Are they Hebrewa? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Aibraham? So am I. Are they the ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft." From this time on the Ice was broken between vis on religious matters, and I was free to unfold to him the Gospel, and to sihow him, as he was gliad to hiave it sho-wn, that there was a wide open door for his entrance. It "was not a hard matter to persuade him to see and accept this abundant provision ifor his salvation, and from the moment Ihe did BO, there came to him not only peace and rest, but actually return- ing bodily health, and I saw a help- ful illustration of the influence of a peaceful heart over bodily health. His pdiysiciian had said to me in our con- sultation, when I told him of my pur- pose to visit Mr. Olds, "he is just balancing between going up or going diown. A ibreeze mfilglhit send ■hlim one way or the other. He is able to generate vital force just sulificient to Ihlolld him about wlhlesne hie is, yet hie is silowly wearing out." The facts were that from the day of his really trustitig in Christ, he begam to mend and to gix>w stronger, and a few months later he appeared in cihuiich with his wife, soon made ihis public oonfeasion of Jesus, and after some few years passed peacefully to Ms reward. It is with great satisfaction that I record tlhese experiences of pastoral dealing and pastoral eerviicee. In no insitances of life has it been dearer that I was safely axui wisely lied of the spirit of God. ■Our limited and imperfect review pasitivedy contraidlidbs the ^.ying tihia/t occasionally greeted our ears in our early school boy days, when we used to read, from our Sunday 'School li- ibratty, little books of very gtood, sie- date, orderly-lived ohaldren, who were alsio sihort-llved children, a siaying wihicih expressed a practical doubt of ChTfetianity, "alii the good di'e young." We doubted the paying then, because we knew good Old granidmother, amd several old aunties, aunties to every- body, wihose wihole lives sihone With goodness, and whose armsi opened and shut art the ibiddllnig of love. One custom, quite too common, we deprecate and would gladly do some- thing to correct, naanely, that of too generally leaving the good things which it is in our hearts to say, till our friends are beyond ,the readh of our voices. Possibly there is some- thing of a salutary fear which re- strains us lest our words should be deemed flattery, with a diesire be- hind them to ,gain something for seM- gratlfioation. Possibly also lest our friends should be damaged by being puffed up with pride or vanity. They BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 37 are indeed weak friends who would be daonaged 'by a judicious statement of tlie real appreciation which, we liave of them, and a declaration of such appreciation, may be just the help they need to carry them coura- geously and Siafiely ibhrough diff iculttes or dangers. We frequently give crit- icisms of others behind their backs when it were many timeis better dif we had uttered them to their faces. A proper balance of praise and criti- oisin is always safe anid healthy. Let the Qommeinldation go ahead, amd 60 give weight to our critioism, and take the sting ouit of it. A naggiog, fault-finding spirit will always hurt and damage any but the most exalt- ed chflirajcters. Criitaioiisim maiy giive ptain but .will always profit if ilt is widely miniisitered. Let us form the habit of saying to the living the good things wihlch we treasure in our hearts. There is an iUustolaJtiv© story. Dennis had diied ajid was in his coffin. Kind hearted Pat, gathered and bound a bouquet of sweet scented flowers, and stamding beside the casket, laid tihem upon the quiet breast of his friend Baying, "There now, Dennis, smell that, WiiU ye." Let Dennis smeU the bouquet while you can see his answer- ing smUe. Flowarsi ait the fiineiral? Yies, but not latone theire, wlhile crowns of thorns may have been given be- fore. It win not harm a good friend to feel the suns-hine of your love amid thie frost-bites of eairtthly life. 38 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY THE BAPTISTS : THEIR PRINCIPLE, THEIR PROGRESS, AND THEIR PROSPECT. [By ROBERT STUART MacARTHUR.] Some of us loive tihie Baptist denom- iniaitiion with tender affeotilon. We gave heir tbe fervor of yoiuith; we give her now thie riilper knowledge and the lueartiier conviction of mature years. Sih,e is radianit in iher queemly beanity. Never did ksaiigM of heroic days show more of dhlivialiiy toward thie queen of hils hieairtt, thiaa do the knights of thie Cross among us toward the body whose name we bear. To us the Bap- tilsit denominalton is beautiful. Her martyr's crown becomes bier lofty brow; Iher prison-soiled, flame-char- red, and blood-stained roljes are luB- tiPoius BJnd glonioais. Her past is tri- umphant; her future is resplendent. Here and now, as she ie loyal to her Lord, we give her the love and loyal- ty of our true hearts. Thie Baptist wibo does not rejoice in the heroic halsitory of his great denomination musit have ignorance instead of knowl- edge in Ms head, and iced water in- stead of red blood in Ms veins. THE BAPTIST PRINCIPLE. The slogan of Baptists all through the centuries has been: "To the Law and the Testimony." When God's Word speaks Baptiists may not be siHeoit; wihem Gad's Word ds si- lent Baptiists miay not speak. "TThe New Testament the rule of faith and pnacitlce" — this is the greart Baptist Priinciple. . Thils f umdamanitali priniciplie rules oiuit human creeds as the ultimate auitihor- ity of ifaith and practice. Creeds have their uses; they may be profilt- ably studied. They ame the high- water mark to whiieh theotogicaJ. tihoug(ht has risen at any given per- iod. But creeds made by mien in one age ma communion of saints." We know that an alternative form Is suggested re- garding the descent into hell, and if that form were universally adopted, fewer ci'itlclsms would be pronounc- ed upon this ancient and co3.fessedly beautiful compend of doctrine. But It would be much better to omit this objootionablc clause. It adds nothing valuable to the thoughts expressed by the associated clauses. It is quite unnecessary to state — especially as the Scripture is douibtful on the jKvint — where our I..ord was between His crucifixion and resurrection. The last Apofrtle was hundreds of years in heaver, before this creed, in its present form, was promulgaited'. This creed was not admitted at an early age into the liturgy. It first appear' ed in public worship in the Greek church of Antioch. It was not in- troduced generally into the Roman church until the eleventh century; and from that chiuroh it passed into the Church of England. THE NICENE CREED. To the Nicene Greed more serious objection may be offered. The cir- cumstances attending its. origin tend gr&;itly to lessen the authority of its statements. In the CouncU held in 325 at Nicaiea, summoned by Con- stantine. there were three distinct parties, — the Athanasian, the Euse- bian, and the Arian. The Arian, or heretical party, was comparatively- few in numibers, and Arwis, being only a presbyter, had no seat in the conclave; its direct imfluencie was not great at any tini« in the council, but its indirect influence, through the Eu- sebian or middle party, was marked at every stage of the discussion. For a time this middle party was able to hold the orthodox, or Athanasian jjar- ty, with a firm grasp. The chief pur- pose at Constantine in calling this council w!is to establish throughout his dominions unity in forms of faith and '".'c-pLip. We all admit that there was much tlhait was grand anid imposing in the Nicfne Council. But we know also that at times this council conducted itself in a manner altogether unbe- coming a. solemn assembly of Chris- tian men met for a high and holy purpose. .Drafts of creeds were torn in pieces by the excited assembly, and th"^- "Lord of misrule" reigned oc- casionially with uninterrupted sway. 40 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY The was the doctrine of the pierson of Christ immediately disputed by the Arlans, *bhe sieini>-Aiiiiaii8 and the Eusebians. THE ATHANASIAN CREED. The so^oal'led Aithana&ian Creed, or the "Symbollum Qulcunquie," as it is often called, is known as one of the three great creeds of the church; but no imitelllgenit situdent now sup- poses that it was (prepared by Aithan- asiuS', the famous Father of the fourth century, wliose name it bears. He himsellf nowhere mentions it in any of the oldier manuscripts of his works ; neither do any of his contemporaries, or writers immediately following him. A careCul eaaonination of Its con- tents shows that it could not have toeen written by him, as it omits points whltih were viiital in bis time. It was written in iLiOtin as its orlgiinal Janguago, and Ajthanasius wrote in Greek. It is entirelly unknown in the Greek Church until about the year 1000. We do not know who was its author- probably iits authorsihip will never be known. It hias been attrib- uted to many countries, but no authoritative statement can be made. Prominent men of the Church of Eng- land, while adopting the creed as a whole, strongly disapprove of its damnatory clauses. These clauses are quite shocking in their severity atnd assumption; ,indleed, they aire little less than blasphemous. It is difficult to conceive how uninspired men dare so pronounce conden:ination ufon tliOir fellow men. Rathur ilian be obliged to recite such a creed, af- firmine that everyone who does not keep whole and undefiled, aU the ten- ets of this creed, shall, without doubt, perish everlastingly, many ezceUenit Christian men would become open in- fidels; indied, the tendency of such creed is to multiply unbelievers. The day on which this creed is recit- ed in the Anglican Church is called "damnation Sunday." The points of dispute at that time, between the Athianasians and the Arian* do not occur in this creed; thils is an omission utterly inexplic- able, were the creed com,posed by Athanasius. Its style, as already sug- eesited, is that of a Latin, and not of a Greek writer. To give it the title "Athanaisian" is a pious fraud. To name this creed after Athanasius clearly stows a purpose to deceive; this punpose is in line with that which led to the "'F\al'sie Decretals" and the "Donation of Constantitie." This creed is left out oif the sei^ viae of thie Protestant Episcopal ohulrch in America. Our Episcopal friention, the Nicene Creed was admitted, but the Aithanasian Creed was rejected. Bish- op White informs us, thai had the Athanasian Creed been retained, he would never read it in his church. Many men in the Ohiurch oif Elngland would gladly omit this creed, if they dared. It is known that rectors who do not believe it, but are obligied to recite it, in some cases simply mum- ble it. Such a procedure is both laughBJble and pitiable. LATER CREEDS. The Wesitminster Confession was thie result of- the great Puritan ex- citements of the seventeenth cen- tury. The Long Pajrliament in 1640 set itself to considier the question of the reformation of religion. On No- vember 23, 1641, "The Fteumous Re- monstrance," suggesting the calling of a synod to settle the peace and good government of the church was passed. Out of this proposal came the Westminster Assemibly. The or- dinance summoning it was Issued June 12, 1643. Among the notable divines participating in theste great deliberations were Rutherford, Gilles- pie, Henderson, Laghtfoot, Coleman and SeWen. The sittings began in 1643, and continued until February 22, 1649; and during this period of nearly six yiears, there were one thousand one hun- dred and sixty-three sessions. In 1643 the Assembly,- through the in- fluence of Dr. Lightfoot, voted by a majority of one against giving tihe BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 41 cSiioice as betiwieen baptism ot immier- eaon, and ranitism or sprinkling as baptism; and in tbe y«ar following Paifldament aanotiionied their decision and decreed tha;t spilnkliing sbould ibe legail baptism. Tbe Westminster Confession is renuarkable Cor ilts rbe- torlcaJ skill, for its soholarlor bneadith, and for its Chnistiian deivotton. Our Fnesbyterian brethTen, in my Judg- ment, ouebt not to attempt a revi»- ion of this hiistoric Oonteesion; ilt ought to be leiSt ilntact as a monu- m'ent of theological thought in Us day. List tihe Presbyiterian Church, if ilt must have a Contesslion, make a aerw one, and not attempt to remodel thifi tailistoric dooument. It ie inter- esting that it was a human parliament and not the Word of Qod which was, in. this case, the ultimiate authority regarding baptism. BaptJBts find ilt easier to interpret the New Testamient on wMch creeds are siipposed to ibe Sounded than to interpret the creeds. Creeds do not conservie arthiodoxy. The two ohunohes which havie recently had the most painful trials for hieresy are chiirchee with long and supposedly strong creeds. Baptists, without a creed in the technical sense of the term, are more nearly a tmdt In falith and practiioe than any denomination in our country to-day. Baptists thus believe that Holy Scripture is the supreme authority in religious faith and practice. Some demominatiomis as we have seen, regard creeds and counci'ls as infallible standards. Bap- tists cane nothing for the authority of "the Fathers," except their teach- ing agrees with Scripture; past fathers and grandifathem Baptists go to tbe Apostles and Christ. The best cam- paign document of tbe Baptists is the Bible — ^tbe most widely circulated ajid most authoritative book in the world. Because Baptists accept the Word of God as tbeir rule of faith, they reject so-called infant baptism. It is here boldly affirmed that there is not in the New Testament a single command for or example of infant baptism. If there were even one, it could be found. So-called infant bap- tism is purely a b'uman appointment. This fiitatemeot is fiully supported by learned commentators, church his- torians and many other scholars, al- though they are not Baptists, but wihio speak as scbolare raitiber than as Churchmen. Dr. Wall, of the Eng- Hish Church, who wrote tbe History of Infant Baptism, a wonk so able, that the assembled clergy, in convocation, gave him a vote of thanks for his learned and able defence of this cus- tom, says: "Among all the persons that are recorded as baptized by tbe apostles, there is no express mention of any infants." iLuther says: "It cannot be proved iby tbe sacred Scrip- tures, that infant ibaptism was insti- tupalian, Luth- eran, Roman and other theologians so constantly add their testimony, that one is embamassed by the rich- ness of the material available. These authorities are not Baptisits; they give their testimony not as denomina- tionalists, but as scholars. "We cannot deny that the first institution of baptism considered it im'mersion and not sprinkling."— Keckerman, German Presbyterian. "Immersion, and not sprinkling, was unquestionably the original form. This is shown by the very meaning of the wordsi baptize, baptisma and bap- tismos used to designate the rite." Dr. Philip Schaff, in Hist. Apos., Ch. p. 568. Dr. Schaff was a profes- sor in the Union Theological Semi- nary, New Yonk. Dr. Paine, profes- sor of ClLuroh HiBtory in Bangor (Maine) Seminary (Congregational- ist), on being arraigned by some of his less informed brethren for admit- ting that the primitive baptism was immersion, said: "The testimony (for immersion) is simple and deci- sive. No matter of Church history is clearer. The evidence is all one way, and all Church histooans of any re- pute agree in acoeptdng it. It is a point on which ancient, mediaeval and modem historians aJike, Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, and Calvinistic have no controversy." Dean Stanley says: "There can be no question that the original form of ibaptisom — the very meaning of the word — was com- plete immersion in the deep bajptismad waters." He also. si)eaks, as already 44 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY intimated, of immersicwi as "the primitive, apostolical, and, until the thilrteienth oentuay, the uiniversal mode of baptism, which is still retained throughout the Eastern churches, and which is stiU. in our own church (the Church of England) as positively en- joined in theory, as it is universally neglected in practice." He also adds that, "The change from immersion to sprinkling has set aside the larger part of the apostolic language reigard- ing baptism." Dr. Schaff, in addition to the quotation already made from him, says: "The baptism of Christ in the Jordan, and the iltastraAions of baptism used In the New Testa- ment, atre all in favor of immeirsion, rather than of sprinkling, as is free- ly admitted by the best exegetes. Catholics and Protestantsi, English and German. Professor Gelorge P. Fisher, of the Yale Divinity School, speaks with equal esplicitness when 'he says: "Baptism, it is now gen- erally agreed among scholars, was commonly administered toy immer- sion." All scholars are agreed that Professor Harnack, of Berlin, is one of the most brilliant, as he is one of the latest and most authoritative in- vestigators of early church history. These are his recent words : " 'Baptifze in' undoubtedly signifies immersion. No proof can be found that it signi- fies anything else in the New Testa- ment, and in the most ancient Chris- tian literature." Here is what some Catholic authorities say:. The great Bishop Bossuet of France, said: "It is a fact .most certainly avowed in the Reformation, although some wlU cavil at it, that baptism was institut- ed by immersing the whole ibody into water; that Jesus Christ received it so, and caused it to be so given by his apostles; that the (Scripture knows no other baptism than this; that an- tiquity so understood and practiced it; that the word itself dmplies it, to baptize being the same as to dip; this fact, I say, is unanimously ac- knowledged by all the divines of the Reformation, nay, by the Reformers themselves, and those even who best understood the Greek language and the ancient customs, as well of the Jews as Christians; by Luther, by Melancthon, by Calvin, by Casauibon, by Grotius, by all the resit, and late- ly even by Jurien, the most contra- dictory of all miniisters. Nay, Luther has observied that the German word signifying baptism was derived from thence, and this sacrament is named "Tauf," from profundity or depth, be- cause the baptized were deeply plung- ed into the water." (Varia. Protest, vol. 2, p. 370.) Dr. Dollinger, the distinguished Ro- man Catholic historian and theolo- gian, said: "At first Christian bap- tism commonly took place in the Jordan; of course, as the church spread more widely, alsio in private houses. Like that of St. John, it was by immersion of the whole per- son, which is the only meaning of the New Testament word. A mere pouring or sprinMing was never thought of." (First Age of Christ and Ch., p. 318.) He also says in his Church History, vol. 2, page 294: "Baptism by immersion continued to be the prevailing practice of the church as late as the fourteenlth cen- tury." (Hist. Ch., vol. 2, p. 295.) Cardinal Gibbons, the foremost Ro- man Catholic in the United States, says: "For sevenai centuries after the establishment of Christianity, bap- tism was usually conferred by immer- sion; but since the twelfth century the practice of baptizing by affusion has prevailed in the iCatholic church, as this manner is attended with less Lnoonvenience than baptism by Im- menslon." (Faith of Our Fathers, p. 2T5.) Baptism, as truly as the Lord's iSup- per, is a teaching ordinance. It de- clares in a pictorial act, the believ- er's sipiritual death, burial and res'- urrectlon. In this respect, it is a oread in a'ct. Tihe oaindiidaite for baptism, standing beside the baptis- try, not only utters his "Credo" in word, but still more significantly he expresses it in ajot. Luther caugihl; this idea, when he said: "Baptisan is a sign both of death and resurrec- tion. Being moved toy this reason, I would have those that are baptized to be altogether dipped into the water, as the word means, and the mystery signifies." iS*> great a schol- ar and noble man as Lightfoot, the late Bishop of Durham, also caught the true idea of baptism when he said: "Baptism is the grave of the old man and the birth of the new — an image of the believer's participa- tion both ih the death and in the res- umrectiton of Christ. As he sinks beneath the baptismal waters, the be- liever buries there aH Ms corrupt af- fections and past sinis; as he emerges thence, he rises regenerate, quicken- ed to new hobes and a new life." BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 45 Baptism is also prophetic of a be- liever's physical death, bmiial aad resurrection. Baptism, however, means more than siimiply the death, burial and resurrection of a believer; the most important thing taught by bapti»m is iChrisit's own death for our sins, and His resurrection for our justification. We know that the Greek language is one of the most philosophic and accurate of all languages; .it is rich in terms for the expression of vari- ous shades of thought. We may well believe that Christ and His apostles choae from tbe niich treasuiry of the Greek language the words wbieh would most adequaitely couivey theiiir divine thought to itlhemilndB of men. It was mjt thB divine ilnt&nitjon that tihie New Testament sihouM be sun enigmatical ibook. Whiy then did tlie apositles and the Ijoird use ail/ways and only tihat one word "Baptizo," to de- scribe thie act of ibaptism? Thte word ils found many times ilU' the New Teis- taonent, and no other word is ever used to desiignate the ordilnance of bajptdsm. The Greek has the word 'Couo' meamiinlg ta wai^ amd ito bajthe; but thiis word is neven aippHied' to the ordinance of ba^ism. 'Nipto' is also foumd, meaning to wash parts of the body; but this word isi never used im cammamdiing or d«scri(binig baiptism. The New Testament also has the word 'rantizo' wbiich ite used a few times, and means to sprioikle; but thisi -word is mever em.ploy\ed to describe baip- tism, for the silmiple reason that sprta- kling is not baptalsm. A word meam- ing to pour is also foiuind in various comibinations; tout it ils never used to descrilbe bajptism, ibeciause pouring is not baptism. It aJlso bias the word 'kathariizo,' a ward meanfllnjg to purify; but it is never used to signify the act of baptism. 'Why is it tihiat tWese inspired writers select aJlwaiys &0d only the word ■which, aocordinig to the consensus of -cliolars of all ages and creeds, means to dip or i'm.merse, ex- cept that the act Which they cam- flianded or diescrtilbed was a ditoing or an immersion and nothiing else? It isi not too much to say that, if Chrilst anid the apostles had wiistied to teach the ideas of ,baptlstm now bielid by Bajp- tists, Bind with all the resouroes of in- spired wisdom -and of the wondrously philosophic and accurate Greek lan- guage at tlheiir command, they wouJd have used exactly thie wands wtuiich they did use, and whiicb are now found on the pages of the New Tes- tament. It may safely ,b© said ithat if God the Son, and God thie Holy iSplPit, according to our presiemt knowledge of the languages of the world, had in- tended to teach the ideas of ibaptism now held by Baptistts, they could not have used words whicih would make thielir meaning plainer thiam the lan- guiage wbicb they employed. If they did not wish to teach the Baiptist Idea, of this ordinance, then ,thiey have employed language which, with rev- erence be it said, has misled the SJcbolars of the world in all ages of Ohuirch histony. But they did not milsiead the scholarship of the world; they did intend to teach that bap- tism was immersion and nothiing else, amd that pourimg and sprinkling are not ba^ptiBin, but a human substitute for a divine ordinance. How dare men and women make light of an ordinance so sacred ais baiptism? Tbe only time in the entire New Testament when, according to the record, aU the persoms of the Holy Trinity, were audibly or visibly piriesent was at the baiptiism of Jesuis in the Jordan. The presence of the Father was shown by His audible vdioe, the presienae of the Son was seen in His human form, and the presence of the Hoiy Sipd.ilit was indi- caited by the coming o/ the dove. God the Father expressed His appro- val of the obedience of God the Son when he said "This is my .beloved Son, in wbom I am well iwleaised." Baptists aire sometimse criticised because, it is said, they aa-e sticklers for a mode of baptdsm. Thiis is an utterly Inaccurate statement of the case. Baptists care comparatively lit- tle about the mode of bapttiism. Per- sons may .be baptized foaiwaa-d or baickward; they may kneel aind be bajptized, or they may stoop and be baptized. AU, these modes are prac- ticed in different chunchies, and to some degree alsto in thtei iGreek Church. Most Baptists, bowever, think thlait the symbol of burial and resurrection is best illustrated .by iaving the can- didate baiptlzed backward; but the mode is a matter of com.paratively little importance. What Baptists con- tend for is baptism, and not some- thing else, suiCh as pouring or sprln- kKng, or any other Ihuiman substitute for the divinely significant and pro- foundly instructive ardiinanice of baip- tism. They rightly attach great Im- portance, to its signiflcamt aymbolifem. There is no ordinaioce in the Chrils- tilan Church so sipiritually symibolic as 46 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY ba^jtiism. It mast suggestiiv&ly and- tenderly sets forth the idea of deartli, burial, and resurrection. The old man is dead, and so iisi ibuiried; but there has come a new life im Chriist, and so the new man arises, as the Apostle Paul has taught us, to walk in newness of Ulfe. It iB a thousand pities that so many of God'a dearpeo'- plle rob themaelvas, .by thieir failume to obey Chlrist's command, of the touichlngly tender and profoundly spir- itual lessonB which the ordinance iis designed to teach. iBecaus© with Bap- tilsts the New Testament is the only rule of faiith amd practilce,, thiey hold that faith must precede ibaptisim ; that only ibelievers are the subjects of bajp- tism, land that the dhuTch oomsiists of a regenerated membership. Bap- tists do not believe that baptism is essential to salvation; but they be- lieve that salvation ils essentiai to baptism. They hold that the thilef on the cross was sa-ved without baptism. The circumBtanoes of the case maide obedience to the command imposei^ ble, therefore, thie aict was. not obliga- tory upon him. It is urged that baiptiism is only a form. Yes, amd so a flag is only a form, merely a piece of buntin™ amd yet men will die for it. The United States flag is a symbod of the Union, since it has a star for eviery State. When the great conflict arose ito 1861, it was seen in a momemt that if dis- union came the flag would have to be changed. The contest therefore took the S'hape as to whether the old flag should be retaiaed. When the "Star Spangled Banmer" was sung, when the Stars and Stripes were unfurled to the breeze, it meamt that there was to be no change in that flag. That great four years' war was a war over a flag; to save the flag meant to save the Union. If the flag had beem the Frendh Tri-color, or. the iSwiss Cross, ■which could have been retained after the Nation was divided, ilt would have ibeem diffenent. But the fact that if diisuniom came the flag would have to be changed, made the soldier "filght for the flag" amd "stand for the flag" with ten-fold eamestmess. Penhaps it wouM not be too much to say that the flag saved __ the natiilcm. The flag, though a "mere form," had a marvel- ous power, for it told the wihole story of loyalty, of patriotism, and of hierodc consecration. And so the baptismal Iburlal in wa- ter, though a mere cepemony, sets forth so striikimgly the great cen- tral truth of ChdBtiaoiilty that eternal life comes through the death and resurrection of 'Chnilst; so that Bap- tists in preserving that symbol are doing a rich serviCie toi the church and the world. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. Baptists stand for the entire sep- aration of church amd state. This is now an American doctribe; once it was exclusively a Baptist doctrine. The right of soul Mlberty, Dhe right to worshiip God according to the dictates of conscience, Baptists have always mainitained. With them the Bible is the "magna chaata" of the soul, the source of civil amd relSgious liber- ty and of the individual comscience. The Baptists preceded others in de- daring the true relations of the civil and ecclesiastical bodies, not ibecause they were superior to other Christians in their understanding of civil T)rim- cifples, but because they held an ec- clesiastical tenet which was correct where others were in error. The con- demnation of the use of fbmoe in re- ligion was originally a Baptist pecu- liarity. Down- to a compairatively late date, if a man said that the civil mag- istrate should not interfere in strictly religious matters, it was known there- by that he was a Baptist. But this doctrine has now extended to all churches in our own land, and it is rapidly becominig the dootrime of all Christian countries. Baptists have had in this respect a noble miission, and right nobly have they borne its Iburdens and discharged its obliga- tions. Ouir Baptist fathers witnessed to thes© truths on the rack and at the stake. We have gijven many of our noblest souls, as martyms to the oauee of civil and relSlgious. liberty. We have stained the snows of Alpine peaks, and we have emrithed the soil in Al- pine valleys with Baptist blood. Our martypsi have given their testimomies bv giving their lives in Old England and by many forms of suffering in New Englamd. They have been Imiprieon- ed in Virginia and in other States, and evermore the iblood of the mar- tyrs has ;been the seed of the church. It was not uncommon im Vir-yinia, when Baptists were observing the ondi- ■nance of baptism, that efforts were made not only to throw riditule on the divine opdinamce, but to drown those who were thus obedient to Christ. We do not forget the brave BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 47 Irelamd and the Cuipeper jail in Viir- ginia. His preaching through the bars of that jail resulted in the con- version of many souls; and w,hen the jali was torn down a Baptist church was erected on its ruins. About one hundred and fifty years agOi, fourteen persoms were arirested near Deep River, Conin., simply for holding a Baptist meeting; they were tried, fined, and hurri'ed on foot to New London, about twenty-five miles away. They were cast imto prison and suffered many other indignities. About the same time Blisha Paine was arrested, tried, and iimprisoned for preaching Baptist doctrine in the little village of Canterbury, Coim. But he preached behind prison bars so that his captors were glad to re- lease him. Two young m'en, mem- bers of the Baptist chuirch in Canter- buTiy, were students in Yale College. While at home oa their vacation, they naturally attended their own church. For this offence they were summoned before thie college authorities on re- turning, and were reminded that the business of Yale College was not to edujcate persons whose principles and practices were subversive to the vis- iible church of Christ. The officers and tutors of the college, according to the records, November 19, 1734, ad- judged that th©se young men, Eben- ezer and John Cleaveland, had aoted contrary to the rules of the gospel and the laws of the ooJony and the college, in attending services in the Baptist Chuirdh, and that they shall be publicly admonished for their fault, and if tbev shoiiild refuse to make acknowledgment they shall be ejopel- led from t'he college. They recused to make acknowledgment and were expelled. We do not forget the persecutions endured by John Clark, Obadiah Holmes, and James Crajndall because of their advocacy of the doctrine of religious liberty and their persistent denial of infanit baptism as scriptural. When Clark stood at the whipping- post, almost under th© shadow of the State House in Boston, having refus- ed to pay his fine of twenty pounds, we are toW. that some kind-hearted person interfered and bought his re- lease with a sum of money; also the fine of five pounds was paid for James Crandall, and he was set free; but Obadiah Holme©, a man of broad learning and invincible will, upon re- fusal to pay his fine of thirty pounds, was so cruelly whipped, thirty stripes being given him, that for wieiefcs, according to Governor Jenks, he was unabte to 'have rest in his bed, eacoept upon his knees and elbows. On asking, "What law of God or men he (Clarke) had broken?" Governor Endioott replied to Clarke: "You have denied Infant baptism, and deserve death." Persecution of those who so deny is the natural result of the belief which led to the practice of infant baptism. We aigain affirm that it is a practice contrary to Scripture, even as interpreted by non- Baptist scholars, and also to the sound reason of all intelligent men who are not prejudiced by early train- ing and oae-sided education. The world will never forget Roger Wil- liam's, the founder of the state of Rhode Island, and his heroic avowal of civil and religious liberty. When the finst Continental Congress met in 1774, the first petition was for re- ligious liberty, presented by a com- mittee from Warren Baptist Associa- tion, of Rhode Island. As a result, we have in oar Constitution the words, "No religious test shall ever be re- quired as a qualification to any of- fice or pulblic trust under the United States." The first amendment, guar- anteeing religious liberty was also the work of Baptists. John Locke said, "The Baptists were the first pro- pounders of abs&lute liberty, just and true liberty, eqnal and impartial lib- erty." "Chief Justice Story, speak- ing of the Rhode Island Baptists, said, "In the code of laws establish- ed by them in Rhode Island, we read for the first time since Constanttne ascended the throne of the Caesars, the declaration that conscience should be free, and men shouid not be pun- ished for worshipping God in the way thiey were persuaded He requires." It is a well known historical fact that the charter obtained by Roger Williams, the Baptist, for" his Rhode Island colony, "Was the first legal declaration of liberty of conscience ever adopted in Europe or America." Bancroft says of Roger Williams: "He was the first person in Christendom to assert the doctrine of liberty of conscience in religion * * * * Freedom of conscience, unlimited freedom of mind, was from the first the trophy of the Baptists." John FiBke, referring to the views of Rog- er Williams, uses these words: "Such views are today quite generally adopt- ed by the more civilized portions of the Protestant world; but it is need- 48 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY leas to say that they were not the views of the seventeenth century in Massachueetts, or elsewhere." Leon- ard Bacon says of Baptist churches: "It has been claimed for these churches that, from the age of the Reformation, they have been always foremost and consiBtent in maintain- ing the truth of religious liberty. Let me not be understood as calling in question the right to so great am hanoiT." In order to maintain these doctrines, thousands of Baptists were hanged, drawn or burned at the stake. They have often given such testiimony as that of Trewoort, the Fleming, who, in England, in 1575, said of Bap- tists, "They who have the only true Gosipel doctrine and faith, iwill perse- cute no one, but will themselves be persecuted." In the cage of Baptists, it is certainly true that the iblood of the martyrs has been the seed of the church. Absolute liberty of conscience has always been a distinctive tenet of Baptists. In Switzerland, when Zwin- gli, following the example of Luther, turned from the simple faith of the New Testament and subjected the church to the stake, tlie Baptists in 1527, published the first Confession, in which Christian m«n claimed absor lute freedom for themselvies, and granted the same to all others. In Elnglamd, in 1614, John Smyth gave the first English declaration of faith, in which complete separation of church and state isi proclaiiaed as the law of Christ, and in Rhode Island in the year 1636, Roger WiWams, as has already been suggested, instituted the first government on earth on the principle of absolute freedom of be- lief and practice, not inconsastemt with good order and morals. Bap- tists were thus the first to announce the principle of religious liberty in Switzerland, in England, and in Amer- ica. It is difficult for us toi realize today that Hezekiah Smith was "warned off from God's earth" by the sheriff of Haverhill, Mass., and that thousands more men and women, of whom the world was not worthy, have suffered various forms of perse- cution, both in Old England and in New England. The Baptist idea is that baptism does not make a man a Christian; bap- tism is administered, not to make persons Christians, but because they already are Christians. This idea makes the Church consist, not of citizens, but only of a separated "num- ber. The divorce ibetween churcih and State was not merely a lucky thought of certain Baptist philosophers; it was the logical outcome of distinctive Baptist principles. PERSONAL ACCESS TO GOD. Baptists have ever tauighit that the indlviduaJ soul can directly approach God, without the intervention of church rites, ceremonies or priests. This is the distinictive characteristic of true Protestantism; it is par ex- cellence the teaching of Baptists. They have ever taught that each soui has the right of personal access to God. Baptists hold to the priest- hood of the individual ibeliever. They eimphasize Ms sole responslbiility to Christ. They affirm the right of every member to interpiret Scmptuire for himself. They teach the truth that the church consists of a regenr erated membership. This truth, rather than baptism, is a fundamental tenet of the Baptist faith. Baiptists admit to church membershio only those who give creditable evidence of being truly converted. The choiirch is thus an outgrowth of OhristianB. BAPTIST PROGRESS.. We must recognize at once that our growth has been truly wonderful. When Washington was inaugurated, the population of the thirteen states which composed the Union was three and three-quarter millions. At that time, the whole num)ber of Baptists was 50,000; then, as now, the larger number was in the South. To-day the number of Baptists is 5,115,177. There was a net gain during 1908 of 145,653. It will be most instructive to show the proportion of Baptists to the population at different periods in our history as a nation and as a de- nomination. In 1794 there was 1 Baptist to 94 of the population. In 1812 there -was 1 Baptist to 42 of the population. In 1840 there was 1 Baptist to 30 of the population. , In 1880 there was 1 Baptist to 23 of the population. In 1890 there was 1 Baptist to 21 of the t)opulatlon. In 1900 there was 1 Balntist to 19 of the population. In 1905 there was 1 Baptist to 18 of the population. In 1908 there was 1 Baptist to 17 of the population. BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 49 In 1909 there was 1 Baptist to 16 of the population. This table also is instructive: 1908 1909 47,409 275,508 34,312 48,302 294,388 4,989,524 5,115,177 32,514 32,815 1895 1905 Ordained Ministers, 27,090 32,244 Churches, 37,910 45,927 Baptisms, 205,857 240,936 Total Membership, 3,637,421 4,600,799 Sunday Schools, 22,916 28,966 Pupils in Sunday Schools, 1,500,834 2,015,672 2,241,606 2,386,000 Value of Church Property, $80,285,034 $101,476,8ffi $121,870,840 $125,214,095 Contributions to Missions, Education and Sunday School Expenses, $1,138,059 $3,223,324 $3,310,836 Total Contributions $11,672,691 $16,823,588 $22,268,892 $22,813,864 There were given for chunoh ex- penses 117,504,444.15, an increase of $110,495.06 during the year 1908; for Sunday-school expenses, $832,090.61, an increase of $66,382; for State mis- sions $819,692.56, an increase of $125,- 354.37; for home mlssioins, $705,- 628.02, an incpease of $41,554; for foreign missions, $865,585.98, an in- crease oof $45,086.58. The grand total of gifts for all denominational ob- jects is $22,813,864.28, an increase of $544,971.53. In actual gains for the year 1908, Baptists stand at the head of the list. Seventeen bodies of Methodls.ts reiport a gain of 101,696. The Luth- eran Church reports 65,172; and the Pnesibyterian Church 49,627. The Dis- ciples of Christ record am increase of 23,365. The total Presbyterian church Including twielve bodies, is a little less than 2.000,000. The Lutherans were formerly fourth on the Protes- tant Ust, but they have now reached the third place, and Presibyteriams take the fourth place. The order is: Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Presby- terian, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Conigregatlonal, United Brethren and Reformed Dutch. I have not named the religious bodies whose member- ship is less than 100,000. In the year 1870, the population of the United States was, in round fig- ures, 38,000,000; the number of Bap- tists at that time was a mUllon and a half. The population of the United (States to-day is approximately 85,- 000,000, and the total memJbership of Baptist churches, not including sev- eral bodies that are Baptists, but are not in full fellowship with us. Is 5,- 115,177. Within a period of 39 years — a' period selected simply hecauise it chances to be the length of my pas- toraite — the population of the country has doubled, with about a third added compared with 1870. .During this same period, the membiership of our Baptist churches has trebled, with a half a million over. Ours is probably the most rapidly populating country on the globe; and yet the membei^ ship of Baptist churches is increas- ing muioh more rapidly than the pop- ulation of the country. While the country doubled, the number of mem- bers in Baptist churches more than trebled. The increase in Baptist membership during the last 12 years is 1,291,135; thife is an average year- ly gain of 107,595. This growth is the more remark- able as Baptists receive few memlbers by immigration. From England and the north of Ireland, the Bplscopai church receives a very considerable num,ber year by year; the same re- mark applies to Presbyterians coming from Scotland and the north of Ire- land. The Lutherans receive very largely from Norway, Sweden, Den- mark and Germany. To ianmigration the Lutheran church is endebted for its enormous growth of the last year, giving it rank, as we have seen, above the Presbyterian church in numbers. The Roman church is in- creased by copious streams of immi- gration from many lands. If these streams were cut off, it is almost certain that the Roman church would barely hold its own in the United States. One of Its most learned priests in New York, in a public ad- dress delivered at the close of its great celebration, the spring before last, lamented that in the crowds that filled the streets, there were so few descendants of the Pilgrims and of the early settlers in North and South Carolina and other States of the Union. He expressed his sorrow that these crowds were made' up of for- eigners and their immediate descen- dants, and he urged the people of his chuirch to put forth renewed efforts to secure converts. In making these statements, this learned and eloquent priest uttered the simple truth. One writer belonging to the Roman Church, a writer of distinguished name in that church, puts the loss from that church as higlh as 17,000,- 000. Baptists have grown more during the last ten years than either the Episcopal Church or the Congrega- tional Church has grown since each 50 BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY was founded m America. These staitements are not made with the slightest feeling of unkindness to- ward these denominations; I speak simply as a statistician after study of official figures. Baptist growth is also symmetrical; it does not run) to extravagant extremes in any direction. We have grown at every point in our denominational life. This is true of missions, State, home and foreign. It is especially marked in our educa- tional work, and it is oonspLcuonsly seen in our grand total of contribu- tions, rising from a little less than $17,000,000 m 1905 to $22,813,864.28 in 1909; that is in the Year 'Book dated 1909; this book includes parts of 1908 and 1909. THE BAPTIST PROSPECT. The prospect is bright and glorious. Baptists are in line with the fore- most thought in the democracy of the hour. Every memiber of the Baptist Church has a right to interpret Chiri^'s law for himself, and to have a voice in the comdulct of the affairs of Ms church. Baptist Church govern- ment thus agrees with Republiaam civil government. We have already seen that Baptists had much to do with shaping our National Constitution. No man had greater influence in framing our fundamental law than Thomas Jefferson; and he declared that "He considered Baptist Church government the only form of pure democracy which then existed in the world," and that he "had concluded, eight or ten years before the Ameri- can revolution, that it would be the best plan of government for the Am.er- ican colonies." Baptists, more than any other denomination of Christians have the honor of securing the first amendment to the iConstitution, which declares that "Congress ishall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free ex- ercise thereof. The principle of democracy is stirring every throne in Europe; this is the meaning of the commotion in Russia, in Portugal, in Spain and even m India. Baptists are the finest exponents of Scriptural democracy the world has ever seen. This is a day of dievotion to liberty. Baptists have never persecuted, al- though they have often been perse- cuted. We have seen that many Puirii- tans had no idea of true religious lib- erty; they fled from persecution in old Engla.nd to inflict persecution In New England. Our prospects are ibright educatiom- ally. We are readhing out as never before on the lines of ibroad, varied, and consecrated learning. Our acad- eimias, oolleiges, and universities mul- tiply in nftmbers, and increase in power. We are making great im- provements in our forms of puiblLc worship; the barrenness of the past is giving place to an ornate, stately, and Scritpituiral litiuTigy. We are ex- alting the standards of political life, and urging our young men to. serve God by serving their country as sitatesmen. Baptists have no creed, in the technical sense of thaA tenm, aind yet it reimains true that there is no denomination in the United States so nearly a unit in faith and practice as the Baptist. Cases of heresy such as recently shook the Presbyterian aaid the Episcopal churches from center to circumference, notwithstanding their long and supposedly strong creeds, are an impossibility among us. Our policy is as wise practically as it is sound Scripturally. The organ- ization of the Northern Baptist Con- yention marks an era in our history. The unification of all our great de- nominational activities will now be assured as never before. The enthu- siasm of our people is now aroused as never before. Our loyalty to our Lord as Prophet, Priest, and King, was never more marked than it is to- day. Glancing over our long, check- ered, brilliant, and consecrated his- tory, we see that the past of the Bap- tist denomination is triumphant;- gaz- ing into the opening years, we see that her future is resplendent. SUMMARY. To sum up, I would say that a fun- damental prinoiplse of the Baptists, and one formerly held iby them al one is that a mian's salvation depends sole- ly on personal faith in Christ and the resultant change of imward char- a^ter, and not on baptism and other church ordinances. As a result, they affirm that faith must be personal; that no man can believe for another, no parent for a child; and that, therefore, the church is not made up of "believers and their ichildren," ex- cept so far as the children are them- selves believers. They hold that any other view of the church is without the authority of Scripture or common sense. They administer baptism only to those who profess faith in Christ and give evidence in daily life of hav- ing been converted. They administer BAPTIST CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 51 immersion, the ibaptism of tlie apos- tolic 'Church, and when this is im- practiica:ble, they let the convert die without toaiptism. If I take th« Bible ouily as my guide, I must toe a Baptist; if I discard it, and take the traditions of men, I could mot consistently stop umtil I bad reached Rome. But I am not likely to start on that downward grade. If I were not a Baptist, logieaHy I should have to be a Romanist. The Romanists are perfectly consistent, tout unscrip- tunal; grant their premises, and logi- cally you must adopt their coaclu- sions. The Baptists aire also consist- ent and at the same time scriptural; grant the Baptist premise, and yiou muist accept the Baptist comolusioa. But the Congregationalists, the Meth- odists, the Presibyterians, and the Episcopalians are not consistent. Their position is halfiRomanist, half- Baptist. They hiave no logical stand- ing-ground. There are tout two con- sistent and logical positions, one of which is held toy the Romanists and the other by Baptists. Every con- sistent, logical, and unprejudiced thinker will take one or the other. Here on the word of God, Baptists stand; theiv are consistent Protest- ants; they antedate existing denomi- national divisions'; they are truly apostolic. Baptism is the catholic and apostolic ordinance. Their posi- tion is imtpregmable. Hisitorically, Baptists are not Protestants; doctrin- alHy, they are the mbst consistent Protestants. While the Bible stands they siiall stand, and the "word of our God shall stand forever." If ever there is organic unity, it win begin at the baptistery. Every denomination in Protestant Christen- dom cand in the entire Roman and Greek Churches can agree upon bap- tism, that is immersion, as taught by our Lord and His apostles. The Greek Church, numbering quite one hundred million adherents, has ever been a stout witness on behalf of bap- tism. The Roman Church joyfully accepts it, and all the Protestant churches join hands with these two great bodies. On no BUbetitute for baptism can all the denominations agree. We are not now arguing a paint; we are simply stating an incon- trovertible fact. Do. men reallv waTit organic Christian union? Are they in earnest when they proclaim this desire? Are they willinig to follow Christ into the waters of toaptism? Are they willing to join hands with their brethren in all centuries and in all dimes? Here is the opportunity; here is the truly apostolic and catho- lic ordinance. It is said that when Ptolemy buUt the Pharos he desired to make his own name immortal, but the architect deemed it unfair that the king's name should endure while his own should perish. He, therefore, cut the king's name in plaster, but deep in the imperishable granite, he carved his own name — iSostratuis. The waves dashing against the Pharos, washed off the plaster. The king's name disappeared, but the name of Sostra- tus was seen in imperishable letters The name of Prestoyterian, Congrega- tiomalist, Methodist, or Baptist, how- ever much we love it, and however loyal we are to it now, is one day to give place to that nam© which Is above every name. Not our name, but the name of our Lord and iSaviour, our Prophet, Priest, and King, will abide, and amid the light of earth and the increasing glory of eternity, one name shall alone be read — JESUS CHRIST. Cornell University Library BX 6480.O34C39 Centennial anniversary, First Baptist Ch 3 1924 008 574 596