THE BAPTISTS IN AMER

THE BAPTISTS IN AMERICA

(The following article is taken from the 1872 issue of the Gospel Standard, the publication of the Strict and Particular Baptists of England; written in defense of Old School Baptists against false reports circulated in England among our English brethren).

Dear Brother in Christ, — I have read the “Gospel Standard” for a little more than three years, and have felt a sweet fellowship for those generally whose sentiments and experiences have been presented through its pages. At my suggestion, also, a few of my brethren took it the past year, and some more are taking it this year. The doctrine it contains is precious to them, and the experiences related in it speak to their own; and they, as well as myself, acknowledge to having been comforted and profited in reading it. We cannot but feel that those who are represented by it are one with us in the dear Saviour, though separated very widely upon the earth and under different earthly Governments. The power of grace breaks down earthly distinctions and removes national prejudices.
Within the past year or two there have appeared in the “Standard” a few intimations by correspondents that the Old School Baptists were not the church of God, and that the truth is not preached among them. This has very much surprised us, and we have felt grieved that such a mistaken view should appear in the “Standard”, and have wondered why it should be so. I think you will allow me to write a little upon this subject through your magazine. It seems to me that the cause of truth requires that I should do so.
About forty years ago, you are aware, the Baptists in this country separated, those who held to the doctrine and order of the Scriptures coming out from among those who held Arminian (Freewill – SCP) doctrine, or general atonement, and who desired to follow new and popular practices (New School). This separation took place in churches in different parts of the country a thousand miles apart at about the same time. It was the work of the Lord. In most, cases those who came out were few in comparison with the others. In derision they were at first called “Old School” by their enemies, but they accepted the name, and by it are generally known. In some places, however, they are called “Particular,” in others “Primitives,” and in others “Regular” Baptists; while those who hold the general atonement doctrine, and receive the popular institutions of men, are known as “New School,” “General,” and also “Regular” Baptists. The Old School are still few in comparison with other religious denominations, and the churches are scattered. In some parts of this large country a hundred miles separate nearest churches, though there are some of the Lord’s manifested children scattered all through the country, who often go long distances to hear the word preached and to sit down in communion with their brethren. The Old School Baptist Church is the only Church that holds the doctrines of Election, Predestination, the Preservation of the Saints through Grace to Glory, and all the precious truths of the Scripture unmixed with any worldly doctrine, and which maintains the order of the gospel. True, this doctrine may be held in the letter by those who have never been made alive; but the fact that there are hypocrites who may for a long time elude detection is no reason that we should regard with suspicion those who ‘‘contend earnestly for the faith.’’ Wherever there is a church of Christ there will necessarily be seen sound doctrine and scriptural order, and they only can “hold fast the form of sound words ‘in faith and love’” who have been taught of the Lord.
Within forty years many have gone out from the Old School Baptist Church. Some churches are still called by the name, while they eat their own bread and wear their own apparel; but the churches of Christ remain in fellowship with each other, except in some where the personal ambition or bitterness of some preacher who is an ingenious deceiver has produced an estrangement for a time between churches and brethren.
It has been my privilege to visit churches two thousand miles apart, and to hear in each the same precious doctrine of salvation by sovereign grace preached, the same sweet experience of salvation from the awful depths of sin by the precious blood of Christ told, to see the same living faith manifested, and the same order maintained. Here was the unity of the Spirit manifested between those unknown to each other in the flesh.
Upon the points of difference in doctrine between the Old School Baptists and those who have separated from and oppose them, I have seen with satisfaction that the views held by us have been expressly stated and taught in the “Standard”, and especially in some of the “Meditations” and sermons of Mr. Philpot that I have read. Such are the eternal Sonship of Christ and the eternal, vital union between Christ and the church.
In New York City there seems to have been much trouble in past years, and some divisions that have been caused by personal bitterness between members. The church there is small, and many of the Lord’s children are no doubt standing alone, or in disorderly connexions. In Middletown, N.Y., where “The Signs of the Times” is published, which is a medium of correspondence between the Old School Baptists and a paper that has been a comfort to thousands of the scattered poor of the flock for the past forty years, there is a little company opposed to us, formed of some who were excluded from the Old School Baptist Church and some who have joined with them. The one who was most prominent among them, T. T., an Englishman, has returned to the church, and I trust the others may yet see their error and return in true humility.
It has been very common for the popular Baptists to ignore the existence of the Old School when inquired of by any who are seeking a place of truth, and to represent themselves as the real old order of Baptists, sometimes calling themselves Old School. I conclude that John Tatley, who wrote the obituary of his wife published in the “Standard” for March, fell among these Baptists, from what he said of them. He certainly did not describe the real Old School Baptists. I do not know of any church of our order in the place he mentioned, nor in Peoria, Illinois, from where he wrote.
I have written briefly concerning these things, not wishing to occupy much space. I feel that the intimations to which I have alluded are wrong, and calculated to mislead. Many of the dear children of God have come from England to this country, and some have waited long, looking for kindred in Christ, until they have almost concluded there were none here. But when they have found the Old School Baptists (who are really so) they have felt a union of soul with them. In a country so wide, where churches of the same faith and order are distant from each other over three thousand miles by the most direct railroad communication, and especially in a denomination where each church is independent of every other, and fellowship between them is manifested and maintained only by a friendly correspondence and corresponding and associational meetings, it is not to be wondered at that there should be found ministers and churches that have a name to live while they are dead. We do not understand exactly how it is with you in England, how many errors are held by some called Particular Baptists; but I presume it would be incorrect to say that the truth is not preached among the Particular Baptists, though there may be many erroneous men and churches among them.
In the three churches I serve, one of which is 120 miles from my home by railroad, which I visit once a month, the Lord is granting us some sweet seasons of refreshing from His presence. I feel very poor, and have many sore trials of which I have not now space to speak; yet it pleases my dear Saviour to manifest Himself to me from time to time in wonderful loving-kindness and tender mercy, delivering my soul from the power of the enemy, and granting His blessing upon my poor labours. Many with a sound, faithful, experimental ministry, are enjoying a refreshing season at this time, while some are mourning a cold and dark state. Could you visit the dear brethren here, either at their homes, or when at their meetings they sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, I feel sure, from my acquaintance with you all through the “Standard,” that you would feel a sweet union and fellowship with them; for truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ; and that you would agree with us that it is a great mistake to say that the truth is not preached among us, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.
Your Brother in a precious Redeemer, Silas H. Durand
Herrick, Bradford County, Pa. April 11, 1872.

(It appears from the above letter, and, indeed, we know from other sources that it is so, viz., that it has been in America as it was in England. Formerly the Baptists were “one”, holding the truth firmly in its integrity. Then a party of Arminians caste separated; and these were called General Baptists, those who remained being called “Particular Baptists,” and holding strictly to close communion as well as to the doctrines. Subsequently general invitations and exhortations were introduced amongst these latter; and these again led to Arminianism, or a mixture of Arminianism and Calvinism; so that no one can tell what language the preacher speaks. It is these general invitations, &c., that have most to be watched against, as far as doctrines are concerned, in “our” churches in the present day. We rejoice to know that the real Old School Baptists in America discard these general invitations, &c., as much as we do, and will not join with any who do not.) —Gospel Standard, 1872, pages 458-461.