| 310 all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.'-It really appears that this doctrine of baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, was a very favorite doctrine with the apostle. The old adage says, 'it is altogether in one's taste!' This may account for the great aversion some people entertain for John's religious opinions. To get around the apostle's way of baptizing, some of the wise men of modern times, pretend that his system was not correct; that it was not approbated of God. We would ask such to read Mat., III: 13; 'Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordon [Jordan], unto John, to be baptized of him.' It appears that Jesus recognised [recognized] John's system as being correct, the opinions of our numerous wiseacres to the contrary, notwithstanding. Mat., III: 14, 15; 'But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.' O, what a lesson is contained here for those who deal in non-essentials to learn. Here we see the Son of God-the Savior of the world-who came from the mansions of eternal glory-where he is now 'exalted at the right hand of the Father'-yielding to the waters of baptism. For what purpose? 'To fulfill all righteousness." Poor mortal man! If it was necessary for our Savior to 'fulfill all righteousness,' by being baptized, how much more binding ought it to be on you to do the same! The God of heaven never deals in non-essentials! Mat., III: 16, 17; 'And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' Oh ye wise world of ignorance and folly! read the above passages and learn wisdom therefrom! 'And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.' This we consider positive testimony that immersion is the correct mode of baptism. 'I acknowledge' says one, 'that our Savior was baptized by immersion.' You do. Then you virtually acknowledge that immersion is the only true mode of administering the ordinance.-'But I believe the apostles baptized in different ways.' Yes, sir. We will give you the privilege of believing as you please; but let us see what Paul says about it. Eph., IV: 4, 5, 6; 'There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.' All must acknowledge, if the Apostle Paul told the truth in these instructions to the Ephesian church, that there is incontrovertably [incontrovertibly] but 'one baptism.' Every person of common sense, who knows any thing at all of the nature of God, must also acknowledge, if Jesus was going to be baptized to 'fulfill all righteousness,' that he could not effect the object by being baptized incorrectly.
JUNIOR.
(To be continued.)
The following is an extract from a letter written to us by a brother in Liverpool, (Eng.,) a gentleman of high respectability. It was intended merely as a private letter: we think, however, that the following extract may not be uninteresting to many of his friends in this place.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, }
No. 20 Upper Pitt Street, }
June 17th, 1843. }
DEAR BROTHER:
I cannot conclude without adverting to my former letter, which I then penned under my then present feelings, which seemed to forebode an approaching storm-confirmatory of the testimony of the Lord's servants-'that men's hearts should fail them' &c., &c. Little did I think that the day was so near, when I was writing to you, there would be such an outbreak so soon throughout the land as what then took place-and although it did not burst into the open blaze of rebellion, yet there were such clear indications that the spark was all but kindled-that made it manifest the day was not far distant, that should such another popular commotion take place, nothing could stay it.-You will have perceived from the Star and other resources, how fearfully this town in particular has been visited by destructive fires. Scarcely does a week pass over without one taking place. Even this week has added one more to the fearful number. An extensive Soapery, near Richmond Row, has been entirely consumed. Loss about L30,000. These things, added to the general stagnation of trade and scarcity of money-the general discontent which is lingering for vent in the bosoms of an half starved and famishing population-the sudden and simultaneous movement of the Irish nation in favor of the legislative Repeal of the Union-strengthened as they are, too, by their countrymen here and elsewhere, indicate fearful things. In fact, look whatever way we may, all seem to portend a mighty change and convulsion in the political and social atmosphere: and if we look to the professing religious world, the storm seems to be gathering nearer and nearer.
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