ON SEPARATING FROM THE NEW SCHOOL BAPTISTS

This is another example of the many separations that happened among the Baptists over the rise of missionary societies. - ed.

Brother Beebe:- In this day that tries men's souls, among other things, the thought of separating from the New School Baptists appears to be very perplexing to many who seem to believe and practice the truth; but we believe it to be the duty of such of God's people as are willing to be governed by the Bible, to come out and be separate from that mixed multitude, and shall offer some reasons why we believe so. 

First. They are not in union; and how can two walk together unless they are agreed? It is true that there is some difference in the views of the best of men, and we need not expect a complete union while in this imperfect state, but must bear with each other's infirmities. All this may be done and yet walk together in love and as brethren. But among the Baptists, where separation has not taken place, there are sentiments and practices as contrary to each other as light is to darkness; and of such a nature that when one is defended the other is irritated: so that there cannot be that harmony that becomes a church of Christ. Second. 

There is no hope of a reformation of the New School party. Those who look for it will most assuredly be disappointed; for ever since they were first let into the Baptist churches, they have been waxing worse and worse; and now in most cases, they have become strong by multitudes brought in by their inventions. And let those who have tried them answer what effect labor, entreaties, or tears have had where they have been able to carry their points by fair means or foul. 

Third. One that is born of the Spirit cannot live in the New School churches; for if they try to walk with them, they find nothing for their heavenly minds to feed upon, but have sorrow upon sorrow, are wounded and grieved, and not comforted. The teaching they hear is either without much sense at all, or it is a compound of opposite sentiments, boasting of their contrivances, begging for money, praising the good free will of sinners, or all of them together. They speak of the world and the world heareth them: they feed themselves, but they feed not the flock: the most of the companies they associate with are entirely ignorant of the Christian experience, and unless they talk of some man or means, what good they have done or what they are determined to do, have but little to say about religion any way: so that they are foreigners and strangers to each other while they profess to be of the same household. They are accounted as cold-hearted, as dead weights in Zion, as standing in the way of sinners, &c., for adhering to the word of God, by the young Ishmaels who mock at the seed of promise, and the stout-hearted who despise the day of small things. 

They hear the doctrine which they prize above rubies ridiculed, mangled, and treated with contempt, by those who speak evil of things they understand not, intruding into things they have not seen, vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind. They see the rudeness of many of their men-made converts when they get into light and airy company, who are still retained in their churches; together with the foppery of their young dandies called preachers, their delusion which they call to worship, &c., &c. All of which is to a way-worn saint, who is a stranger and pilgrim in the world, like singing songs to a heavy heart. 

Fourth. While with the New School, they give their influence to things that they do not believe to be right. It is well known that there is one great combination among them called UNION, and whoever belongs to any one branch of that combination virtually fellowships the whole concern. This is understood by all; and they (i.e., the New School) often boast of having such an old godly professor or such an old-fashioned minister among them. It is well known, too, that one bible christian will give more credit to their cause than all the proselytes they ever have made at any one protracted meeting; especially if they can get a gospel minister warped off to their interest (there is Elder Alfred Bennett who has been more injurious to the cause of Christ than five hundred like Judson and Kendrick ever could be). Those too that remain with the New School, according as their influence may be, are by their example preventing others from coming out from them. 

Fifth. They are wounded unnecessarily. As long as real saints continue with the New School they are the first to receive, as intended expressly for themselves, all that is spoken or written for the purpose of exposing and bringing to light the hidden things of dishonesty, practiced by many of their leaders; and the impropriety of Christians following of them or walking with inexperienced persons who have been forced in among them. Therefore instead of being offended or grieved with those that love them for their faithfulness, they should see and feel too that all that is done by way of exposing the craft and deception of the times and defending the truth, is designed expressly for their benefit and comfort too, that they might see and believe. Sixth. The New School Baptists are not what the Baptists once were. This will appear beyond all contradiction if we compare the Articles of Faith held by the old Baptists with the preaching and practice of the new: for although the New School have got the name, and in most cases the Articles of Faith, yet they have no more use for them than the Philistines had for the Ark of the Lord, and are no more entitled to them than the Philistines were to that because the Lord suffered it to fall into their hands; for the belief, the preaching, and the practice of the New School Baptists are no more like such articles than works are like grace. Therefore it is not those who are pleased with the New School maneuvering that we address: we wish them to stay where they are until they are enabled to love the truth and hate every false way: but to such as are what the Baptists once were, we would say, 

The Old School Baptists are the people you are in union with. If you do not believe it, compare the belief, preaching, and practice of the Old School with the Articles of Faith of the Baptists thirty or forty years ago, and you will be convinced. There is no middle ground either between the Old School and the New. It is well enough known that the cause of separation between the Old and New School was, the Old believed that the salvation of sinners depended alone on the sovereign pleasure of God and that it was their duty to obey God's word and nothing else in things of religion. The New believed that the salvation of sinners depended upon their own works, or on the works of others, more or less, according to whom we copy from; and that they had found a better way to serve God and save the world than to follow God's word. Now then, if you believe in salvation by grace, you are Old School; if you believe the word of God and practice accordingly, you are Old School. If you believe the inventions of men, in whole or in part, you are New School. There is no halfway work about it. Seventh. Those who do not believe as the New School do, and still remain with them or stand alone, deprive themselves of many comforts that it is their duty and privilege to enjoy. If they go to hear New School preaching, they go with a heavy heart and return with a heavier one: if they remain at home, they feel to say, The enemy hath persecuted my soul, &c. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. They feel like sheep having no shepherd. Let those who are in that situation answer whether I am correct or not. But I must stop, for I have neither time nor room to write anymore. Firmly and mainly, God hath commanded us to come out of Babylon, to withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly. Now whether it be right to obey God, or man, judge ye. 

A. CALVERT (Elder Alpheus Calvert)

Signs of the Times, June 1, 1839, Vol. 7.11

P. S. Brother Beebe, a manager of protracted meetings in this country called on his congregation to vote the devil out of the village by standing up. All arose but a middle-ground preacher and a little boy that sat by his side. The boy probably neglected to rise because the cruel-hearted minister refused to. What a pity now all the good people in that dear place must be tempted by the devil, nobody knows how long!