REFLECTIONS AGAINST THE BAPTISTS REFUTED.

SERMON,

DELIVERED AT THE

DEDICATION OF THE BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE

IN

NEW-BEDFORD, OCT. 22, 1829.

BY DANIEL SHARP,

PASTOR OF THE CHARLES-ST. BAPTIST CHURCH, BOSTON.

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.

Boston:

PRINTED BY LINCOLN & EDMANDS, WASHINGTON-STREET.

SERMON.

ACTS xxviii. 22.

BUT WE DESIRE TO HEAR OF THEE, WHAT THOU THINKEST : FOR AS CONCERNING THIS SECT, WE KNOW THAT EVERY WHERE IT IS SPOKEN AGAINST.

NO wise man thinks it necessary to refute every insinuation which may be made to his disadvantage. Conscious of the rectitude of his motives, and of the habitual correctness of his deportment, he will trust to the impression which his conduct leaves on the community, in preference to personal explanations. Nor will he, pursuing a course which his conscience dictates to be right, be diverted from it by unkind remarks. If, indeed, some grave and weighty charges should be alleged, which may destroy his good name, or bring into disrepute principles which are dear to him, then he will consider himself called upon to defend his reputation, and to show that his sentiments have been unjustly as

sailed.

We see in the case of an individual the wisdom of such a procedure. And we believe its adoption by a church, or a denomination of Christians, is equally proper. It is generally best to be heedless of indefinite censures; and to show by pureness, by knowledge, by Christian charity, and by faith unfeigned, that our good is evil spoken of, and that the censures which are cast upon us, are undeserved. Should it appear, however, that by misconception or misrepresentation our doctrines and practice are likely to be neglected, or treated with contempt, then we owe it not only to our blessed Master, but to ourselves, to exhibit our views of them clearly and explicitly, that if others will traduce either them or us, they may be left without excuse. But in doing this, we should avoid all bitterness and invective. We should "speak forth the words of truth and soberness, and in a spirit of meekness, and by manifestation of the truth, commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

We have regretted extremely, that very mistaken opinions have prevailed, and that very incorrect statements have frequently been made, concerning the sentiments which distinguish us as a Denomination. We have been accused of attaching an unreasonable importance to the ordinance of baptism, and of inflicting a great injury on our children by withholding from them a rite which would introduce them to a participation of covenant blessings, and render more certain their receiving that religious instruction, which would make them wise unto salvation.

It is probable that many have given currency to these accusations without due consideration. They have relied too implicitly on the representations of others without making suitable inquiries for themselves. Perhaps many, without being conscious of it, have been influenced by the prejudices of early education, and have too readily taken for granted, that all the unfavourable reports they have heard of us were true. So strong have been their antipathies, that they have been unwilling to listen to an impartial and full disclosure of our views : And a few, it is to be feared, in their opposition have been actuated by less worthy considerations.

If incorrect impressions of our denominational views, involved no other consequences than what might be deemed personal, namely, some reflection on our ignorance, credulity, or bigotry, we might go on, unmindful of the censure, having the testimony of a good conscience in the sight of God; but so far as these impressions cause any to slight an institution appointed by the Saviour, a regard for his authority should induce us to remove them if possible, by a candid exposition of our sentiments.

The Dedication of this neat and commodious House to the public worship of Almighty God, seems to be a suitable occasion for the discharge of a duty which we think we owe to ourselves and to the cause of truth. I trust, my friends, that you feel the same magnanimity which the "chief of the Jews" displayed, when Paul requested permission to explain to them the principles for which he was bound with a chain. They replied with a spirit worthy of Rome in its best days: "We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against." Be assured, my hearers, that it is not my intention