CHAPTER II. THE BAPTISTS. THERE are numerous bodies of Christians who are called Baptists. While they differ on other points they all agree on these that (1) the only proper subjects of Christian baptism are those who have been converted and profess personal faith in Christ; and that (2) the only Scriptural baptism is immersion. They therefore reject infant baptism as invalid, and sprinkling or pouring as unscriptural. There are certain denominations which accept these principles in whole or in part-the Disciples of Christ, the Christians, the Mennonites, and others—but they are not Baptists in name, and are not counted as such in any strict classification. The Disciples of Christ accept the two principles above stated, but also hold that it is only through baptism that "divine assurance of remission of sins and acceptance with God" is received. The Christians generally believe in immersion for believers, but do not refuse to tolerate pouring or sprinkling; while the Mennonites baptize usually by pouring. The Baptists appear in history as early as the first quarter of the sixteenth century. Beginning in Switzerland in 1523, they soon took root in Germany, Holland, and other countries on the Continent, whence they found their way to England, driven thence by the persecution which their rejection of infant baptism occasioned. Persons who had been baptized in infancy, on professing conversion and applying for admission to Baptist churches were baptized again. Hence the persecuted people were often called Anabaptists. The first Baptist churches in England were organized before the middle of the seventeenth century. The American Baptists did not spring historically from the English Baptists. They trace their origin to Roger Williams, a minister of the Church of England, who came over to Massachusetts, whence he was driven because he did not conform to Congregationalism, which was the established religion of that province. He became the founder of the colony of Rhode Island, which, by the charter secured by him in 1644, was declared free to all forms of religion. Five years previously Mr. Williams had become a convert to Baptist principles, and had been immersed by one of the members of his Church, Ezekiel Holliman, whom he in turn immersed, with ten others. Of these he organized a Baptist church in Providence. Of course there were Baptists among the immigrants who came across the sea in the seventeenth century and later, and Baptist churches became numerous in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, and other States before the close of the eighteenth century. The Baptists are variously divided. The Regular Baptists, who constitute the great majority in this country, exist in three bodies, Northern, Southern, and Colored. They are Calvinistic in doctrine. The Freewill Baptists, existing in two bodies, together with the General Baptists and others, are Arminian in doctrine. The Primitive or Old-School Baptists, of which there are two or three branches, are strongly Calvinistic. They also oppose Sunday-schools, missionary societies, and other "human institutions." Baptist churches are defined as "bodies of baptized believers, with pastors and deacons, covenanted together for religious worship and religious work." All Baptist denominations are Congregational in polity, with, perhaps, the exception of the Original Freewill Baptists. Each church manages its own affairs. There are associations and similar organizations, composed of ministers and representatives of the churches, but they have no ecclesiastical power. There are also State conventions, variously constituted of representatives of associations, of other organizations, and of churches. Associations and conventions are chiefly concerned with the general interests of the churches, such as missions, Sunday-schools, education, etc. Men are ordained to the pastorate by councils consisting of ministers and representatives of neighboring churches. Councils also "recognize" new churches, and advise churches whenever requested so to do in cases of difficulty. Deacons are officers of the church, charged with the care of the poor, the visitation of the sick, and similar duties. The following is a complete list of the various Baptist bodies: There are three bodies of Regular Baptists, the Northern, Southern, and Colored. They are not separate by virtue of doctrinal or ecclesiastical differences; but each, |