trinally and practically?

go on making use of God's Word and leave the issue with him, who alone can enlighten the ignorant and them that are out the way, and make them to profit by the order of his house. The foundation for our argument is infallibility. We have the infallible authority of our infallible Jehovah to rest upon, which is a better foundation than any laid by all the professed infallible popes that ever existed; and it is easy to prove that in

But, oh,' say some, you are too strict, too bigoted, what difference can it make whether I am immersed or sprinkled ?' Simply this, I hold the Word of my Lord and Master too sacred and too dear to despise it, and allow it to be trampled on by men, because they cannot see the ordinance of Believer's Baptism as the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wait till you do; your ignorance is no reason why we should admit you to the Lord's Sup-fant sprinkling was first brought in by per; for, "if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant," is the Word of God. See 1 Cor. xiv. 38. Truly did the prophet Jeremiah say, 'Her gates are sunk in the ground. Lamentations ii. 9. But, blessed be God, there are a few in Sardis, who have not defiled their garments, who do still hold and maintain the truth as it is in Jesus, who do contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and who would sooner suffer any reproach than the commands of their Lord and Redeemer should be disobeyed, insulted, and trampled on by them; thereforeApollos,' allow no one to disturb or break the order of church fellowship and communion, as set forth in the Word of God, but withdraw from every brother who walketh disorderly.' (2 Thess. iii. 6.) Remember our Saviour said, 'He that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.' Matt. x. 38. Not one instance of infant sprinkling, nor either an unbaptized church partaking of the Lord's supper can be proved from the Word of God, and therefore, shall we to please our fellow man, who may possess somewhat of this world's goods, disobey God? I trust these few feeble remarks will enable Apollos' to give that answer his friends required.

them, therefore it is of man and not of God. Hath not God a house? And hath he not rules in his house? And is he not the God of order and not of confusion? Then let us see his infallible Word. Hath he not declared, 'If ye love me keep my commandments'? And certainly where such love is, there should follow an obedience to his will as a manifestation of that love. Disobedience is not the fruit of love. Well, what has he commanded? Go ye into all the world, teaching (i.e. discipling,) all nations, baptizing them' &c. Oh, but say some, it is not essential to salvation.' No: but it is essential to the obedience of faith, to the answer of a good conscience, and the good order of our Father's house. If ye believe in him, obey him, and manifest your faith by your works. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.' God hath not appointed two; else there would be no order in the house with two opposite ordinances. Union makes sweet harmony, which is very pleasant among brethren; but there cannot be union and faithfulness in a mixed communion. The minister if he faithfully advocates Bible Baptism, would offend the opposite party; if he held the latter, he would displease the former. Thus, the people would be divided, and dissensions would unavoidably abound; brother would frequently wound brother; and confusion in the house would be the DEAR BROTHER APOLLOS:'-Your en- result. Therefore, let him that knoweth quiry on p. 56 of March number is his Lord's will, be a doer of that will, such an one as I have oftentime desired and he shall be blessed IN his deed, not to see ably answered by ministers in for his deed. Again: the great privilege public, so as to stay if possible the pre-of church communion is a great incenjudices of many God-fearing persons who tive to observe Baptism. Is it not a are opposed to Strict Communion, and great privilege to follow the Master's have put various works into their hands footsteps? to effect that purpose, hoping that the Lord would accompany the same with his convincing power to their minds; and I believe it has not been in vain; therefore, although you cannot satisfy the minds of your friends for the present

Your's, &c. W. BALLARD.

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

"And shall my pride disdain the deed,

That's worthy of my God."

Ah, no! rather may I be found not merely following my Redeemer through the watery grave, but if essential to the

obedience of my faith, may I willingly | ward to be stated on this point, and at

part with my life's blood for his sake, says the ransomed soul, that loves the Lord, his people, and his ways. Not all the floods of Jordan, calumny of enemies, desertion of relations and friends will move the soul from obeying his Lord, when God is near and blesses him with his soul-reviving presence.

last the question is publicly propounded. And I do trust that it will be answered by some at least of the Lord's family in love, to the edification of the little ones. I say little ones, but it appears to me that the strongest require the most edification, having the least order in the church, the least sympathy, and little or no caring The mode is obvious. Christ and all for the poor of the flock. But more of his disciples did not merely go To the of this bye and bye. The question asked water, but went INTO it; consequently, by you is-whether brother Banks can did not merely come from the water, scripturally withhold from the Lord's but came up out of the same. Again: supper certain good men, they not being John went to Enon, near Salem, because baptised, or rather, I suppose, cannot see there was much water there,' which was that ordinance as needful. But I would a bad reason if a little would have done. ask these gentlemen, how came they to Again: God did not order any particu- see the necessity of the Lord's supper? lar part of the body, such as the face or And how came they to see one ordinance hands merely to be sprinkled, but the of greater importance than the other? body was to be immersed; figurative of As neither of them are required in the his burial and resurrection. (Rom. vi. 4.) salvation of a soul, and each are alike, a Well, then, Strict Communion is on gos- command from Jehovah. I say Jehovah, pel principles. Faith is a prerequisite: because the Holy Ghost has borne testiall who have not faith, have no right mony to both. I will leave greater men to it: little infants a year old, cannot than myself to decide as to the right of believe: carnal men and women cannot these men, or any others to sit down with believe, therefore, must be rejected and Baptists. But I will first treat as to the that too upon gospel principles, yet the ordinance of Baptism set forth in the weakest in faith we receive, and that New Testament, and then shew the bad not to doubtful disputations. Exhort consequences of over nicety attending then your christian friends to search both independents (so called,) and Bapthe Scriptures of truth upon this sub-tists (so termed). I myself, with many ject candidly, and make it a matter of others, are witnesses of much disorder prayer to God: avoid men's traditions, and under God's blessing, they will soon be ready to follow the Lord's command, not merely as a bounden duty, but as a high and glorious privilege. The Lord be with you, dear Apollos, and enable you to go on horting your christian brothers and sisters, in whom you see the buddings of grace, to observe all things, (not merely a part) whatsoever Christ hath commanded,' for his name's sake, and to him be all the praise.

ex

Your's in the Lord, most affectionately,

LITTLE JOHN.

and contention on this point ever since Mr. Triggs arrived from Plymouth.— But more of this presently.

Now respecting the ordinance of Believers' Baptism. John's Baptism seems the first spoken of in the gospel just at, or before Christ's public ministry. For saith Matthew, They were baptised in the river Jordan confessing their sins, (see 3rd chapter.) But John in the 11 v. of the same chapter, had a glorious peep through ceremonies, ordinances, and shadows, in the Person, Anointing, and and down-pouring of the Holy Ghost. For he saith, I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with DEAR SIR,-In the March 'Vessel', you fire.' And if you read on to the end of have asked a good, great, and all impor- the chapter you will find Christ was baptant question, about sitting down with tised of John in Jordan, and as a testiBaptists at the Lord's table. A question mony of that ordinance, Christ saith in too, that in these days could never be more answer to John's question, For thus it needed. There has long required some- becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. thing clear, scriptural, and straightfor- | And God bore testimony to it from hea

Manchester, March 4, 1848.

A WORD TO 'APOLLOS' ON BAPTISM.

AND SOMETHING BESIDE.

6

ven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son in Tabernacle, 'All are yours, ye are Christ's, whom I am well pleased.' There does and Christ is God's." My soul has it still not appear to be any sprinkling as some in remembrance, the wormwood and the would have it. For Jesus went up gall are for ever gone, and it is now peace straightway out of the water.' There and joy in the Lord. I say when Mr. T. can be no doubt as to this being as much came to Zion, the Lord was pleased, in an ordinance of the Lord, and equally as a peculiar manner, to renew those love much to be observed as the Lord's Supper. visits to me, and not only me but hunHear what he says also after his resur- dreds beside; and they can call God to rection, "And Jesus came and spake unto | record upon their soul the seasons of love them, saying, all power is given unto me and banquetting at Zion. Here begins in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore the stir as to sitting down at the ordiand teach all nations, baptising them in nance of the Lord's Supper. It began the name of the Father, and of the Son, first with the minister; we all know that and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them he was rejected to sit down with a certain to observe all things whatsoever I have people tabernacling themselves together. commanded you: and lo, I am with you I am not going to say which is right alway, even unto the end of the world." or which is wrong in this act. But go on Matt. xxviii. 3 last verses,-see also and let us see the results. A few months Mark xvi. 15 16. roll away, and Zion is full, yea, full of goodness and mercy, and people. Yet a little corner seems vacant, viz. the ordinance of Baptism.

Luke and John are silent as to Christ's charge respecting Baptism after his resurrection, as they seem too much swallowed up with the baptising of the Holy Ghost, and the glorious Person of Jesus. Yet, adds John, 'There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if written, even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.' But they all four agree that Christ was baptised with water, signifying that He should suffer for the sins of the whole elect: and is a fulfilment of that scripture which saith, that all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.' We read also, (John iii. 22, 23.) 'After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea, and there He tarried with them, and baptised. And John also was baptising in Enon, near to Salem, because there was much (not little) water there: and they came and were baptised.' I shall not enlarge upon this point, as it is clear to them that desire to see, but only add two more verses from Acts x. 46, 47, 48. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptised, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we ? And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord.' By these two verses the Lord was pleased to shew me the ordinance of baptism, and I was baptised at the Old Surrey Tabernacle, in May, 1837.-But when Mr. Triggs arrived at Zion, that God who first blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus before all the world, exceedingly blessed and comforted me from that ever to be remembered text by hundreds at the Old Surrey

Nearly twelve months elapse; a church is formed, and hundreds from one congregation either hear, join the church, or take sittings. Here begins the contention. The minister and church, whose people are gone over to Zion, prohibit them from partaking of the ordinance, because they neither hold sittings nor hear the minister; and because the Lord has ceased to bless the word to them. I ask not for asking sake, but ask to be an

swered.

Is this prohibition in the word of God? Or is it merely the church articles of man's study and invention? And I ask further what are we to do, and how are we to act, who can hear a man that is not a literal baptist, and the Lord does not bless a baptist ministry to us? Are we to lay aside altogether (although being baptised) the ordinance of the Lord's supper ?* This is the turning point in question-and a question too, requiring a little serious consideration. I know some that have not sat down to the Lord's supper for six years, and yet were baptised with me in 1838. They cannot hear to profit a baptist ministry, (Qy?)yet they will not sit down elsewere, and the particular church says, you subscribe nothing to us we cannot have you-1 say do tell us what is to be done?+ I shall reserve my thoughts at present on this head.

* We answer-Certainly not; and we fear seriously, that there is more of the workings of the flesh, than of the obedience of faith in this instance.

+"If ye love me keep my commandments."

May that Lord who can instruct now by his Holy Spirit just as satisfactorily as he did (Acts i. 3.) in his bodily presence, manifest himself to the friends of 'Apollos' as infallible in this particular as all others, this is the sincere desire of A STRICT BAPTIST.

Brighton, March 9, 1848.

We have, instead of brotherly love, what | (Acts 1. 3.) And could the Lord do any you have stated in this month's Ves- thing unnecessary ?-Oh, no!-He is insel in your thoughts on Nebuchad- fallible; therefore, what his disciples did nezzar.It is my church; and my under his direction (Acts ii., 41, 42,) was chapel; and my people; and my mini- quite necessary, and it is no less necesstry; until one is disgusted.' There is sary that we should be followers of them, no doubt, many ridiculous questions as they were of Christ, (1 Cor xi. 1, 2.) asked at church meetings and by the keeping the ordinances as they have been deacons of churches. But shall such in- delivered to the churches. consistency put aside any order at all? And have we so learned Christ as not to have a sympathy with the poor, never a collection, or inquiry, or a thought about them, in seven years? Are new chapels, collections, seat monies and presents, to be all shovelled into the lap of one or more families of ministers, and not a word said? Did the Apostles so teach and admonish? It is well that such ministers did not live in the Apostle Paul's day,for he saith, 'Give no offence in any thing that the ministry be not blamed. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.' But now the ministers must have houses their own, and chapels their own, or else they cannot stop to preach the word of eternal life.-(see James ii. 15, 16.) Trusting that some persons better qualified, will more clearly open up this point to the satisfaction of a great many, that we may walk circumspectly and not as fools, admonishing one another in the Lord.

I remain yours in covenant love, London, 2nd March, 1848.

S. SIDDERS.

A MITE FOR 'APOLLOS.'

THE NEW TESTAMENT ORDER OF THE
CHURCH OF CHRIST.

The enquiry of 'Apollos' is an important one, and though it has been often answered, there are still enquirers, thanks to our God; and all who have learnt the truth as it is in Jesus, know that they want 'precept upon precept,' before they are rooted and grounded in the truth. Short answers, if to the point, are the best, and I will be brief in attempting to reply to this, the Lord being my helper.

First.-Our God is a Father, and in his family and house on the earth, he has established household order for the observance of all his children. To ascertain what that houshold order is, we look back to the commandments of Zion's King, (Matt. xxviii. 19, 20.) and to the observance of those commands, by his apostles, in the first formation of christian churches: and what is said of the first church formed on the day of Pentecost? 'Then they that gladly received the word were baptized,' and they were added to the church. Again, at Samaria, where Philip went preaching, at the time of the persecution in Jerusalem, we read,' when they believed Philip, they were baptized, both men and women.' (Acts viii. 12.) Again, in the next chapter, we find that Feeling a love to all the Lord's people, Paul, who had the testimony of God the idea of shutting them out from so that he was a chosen vessel, as soon as he great a privilege was very cutting, and received sight, arose, and was baptized. led to a careful examination of the sub- (18v.) Again, in the following chapter, ject with earnest prayer, in searching we find Peter preaching his first sermon the scriptures. In referring to many texts to the Gentiles, and when the Holy in the Acts of the Apostles the thought Ghost fell on all them that heard the occurred, who instructed them in their word, Peter commanded them to be conduct in this matter of baptising believers before they were added to the church? Undoubtedly it was the Lord.

THE subject of strict communion is an important one, and brings to recollection the difficulties of one, who when about to join a strict Baptist church, was accused by a Podobaptist of excluding them from the Lord's table; and was questioned by him on the necessity of all persons being at the Lord's table.

baptized. (48v.) A sufficient answer to those who say, the baptism of the Holy Ghost has done away the necessity of