In The Master's Service

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THE OLD BAPTIST TEST

Elder John M. Watson

Are we unwilling to suffer the frowns of men, the sayings of a blind world, or the loss of any thing for the TRUTH'S sake? May not TRUTH yet clothe herself in a vesture dipped in blood! Shall we, or shall we not, identify ourselves with those who have died, rather than acknowledge human authority in religious things? This was the final test with many primitive Christians; and how great and fearful is it when compared to a few reproachful sayings and the loss of a little popular favor. What are our worldly interests? Are they greater than those of primitive Christians? Are our names greater than those which were in early christian times cast out as evil? Are our characters purer than those which were then traduced? Are our homes dearer to us than were theirs? Are our lives holier than those which were then destroyed? Shall we then for a moment hesitate to decide between the cause of Gospel truth and our interests of this kind?

Does it not seem that our very calling - Paul called upon the Corinthians to look at their calling - is well calculated to exclude these worldly interests from the Church and ministry. And he that hath an eye to see it, may see it in the Apostolic declaration, not many wise men, not many mighty nor noble are called. So that there is not much of the world's might, power or influence to lose, or to rise up in the heart in opposition to faithful preaching; not much of its nobility brought into the Church in the way of temptation, nor much of its wisdom, which the scriptures call ignorance of God, to get in the way of the Hidden Wisdom which God ordained for the guidance and glory of His spriritual Israel.

There are some who would have outward fellowship for Gospel truths, were they popular among the multitude or spoken in high places, but cannot endure them when faithfully declared by the "foolish," the "weak," the "base" and those who "are not." They then persecute and flee from it, forgetting verily, that Christ is of God made unto such teachers, wisdom, righteousness, sanctifi- cation and redemption. Thus endowed with spiritual qualifications for preaching the Gospel, they go forth, and are rejected by the worldly wise, but approved by all those, unto whom Christ has in like manner been made of God wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Hence, the fellowship of real Christians for the truths of the Gospel let them be spoken by whomsoever.

Brethren, while we thus, in degree, compare ourselves with the Corinthians, and claim Church fellowship with them in our doctrine, and experimental knowledge of Christ, let us earnestly strive to imitate them in practical christianity, being ever mindful that practical godliness is the best earthly test, without which, none of us dare compare our Church state or ourselves with primitive Christians.

Finally, while there is much to discourage US, both in our Churches and in the world, there is much to encourage us in the Bible. Are not our discouragements like those of which primitive Christians com-plained? Can any be exempt from them in this world? Every Christian's heart must answer,"No!" Brother Albert Moore has written out some comfortable things on this subject, which I hope he will gather up, enlarge, and publish in pamphlet form. Just such a pamphlet is much needed at this time; for we fear many are almost ready to faint by the way, not fully knowing their kindred relation to primitive Chris- tians in all these discouraging particulars. So that, if our very discouragements strengthen our bond of union with early Christians, they should be brought to view for the comfort and relief of present ones. Therefore, we hope Brother Moore will do his duty in this affair.

In taking leave of these "other sheep," the Corinthians, and passing from them to the Galatians, I feel assured that I have made out an Old Baptist identification with them, in their doctrine, experimental knowledge of truth, and their practical duties, in degree, at least; the differences between us are in degree, and not in the things themselves. Reader, compare our doctrine with theirs, the experimen-tal truths for which we contend, with theirs; the duties which we enjoin with theirs; our baptism with theirs; our ministry with theirs - in principle; the source of our faith with that of theirs; and our lack of perfection with that of theirs; and then decide, recollecting all the while that this claim of ours is not to be decided in the light of that wisdom which knows not God; nor in the strength of that human judgment which does not conceive of these spiritual things; but the decision must be made according to the revealed things which the Apostle wrote concerning these Corinthians.