THE ALEXANDRIA CERTIFICATE.

FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Alexandria, D. C., March 24, 1843.

THE ALEXANDRIA CERTIFICATE.

DEAR BROTHER BEEBE:—While reading in the number of the present vol. of the “Signs,” the certificate, (or whatever else you may please to call it) as above referred to, certifying that the Alexandria Baptist church has not “Departed from Old Particular Baptist gospel faith,” &c., I was reminded of the course of the Gibeonites with Joshua and his camp at Gilgal, viz: “They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors; and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, rent, and bound up, and old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them: and the bread of their provisions was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal,” &c. Joshua ix. 3, 4, 5, 6. The course of the Gibeonites is in some degree with that of all others who know that it is policy to conceal their true position when they wish to avail themselves of the name or influence of those who may be, in a particular aspect, means to secure the means of securing to them a desirable object, which they never could have hoped for by an open exhibit of their character. It is certain that the certificate is not the fact. And as no assertion here is admissible without reason, I will endeavor to present a few of the many signs to my brethren why I have made it. 1st. I cannot admit that a church is in order that crosses from its members the right of investigating charges preferred by one member against another, when such charges deeply affect the moral and Christian character. 2d. I cannot admit that a church is in order or in the spirit of the gospel. At the same time, it supports a pastor “at its head” who, in more ways than one, has attempted to disparage the Christian and moral character of his professed brother ministers; yea, of those whom they now seemingly invite to preach for them, and be held their order. 3d. I cannot see or admit that a pastor is walking in the order and faith which he claims, after his having openly declared [his] [partiality] for men, who, though wearing the name of Baptist, have given their aid and influence to secure those corruptions and abominations against which have brought so much distress, distraction, and division to our little ranks. Knowing this, brethren, will you not agree with me and say that when he came among us, he was clad as the text described, the Gibeonites? Enough at present.

The certificate again. “We do hereby affectionately invite brethren of the Old School denomination, sound in the faith of the gospel, to visit and preach for us, and behold our order.” I must confess that this closing paragraph of invitation puzzles me a little to guess whose advice. What sort of Old Particular ministers can they mean? “Dark sayings!” Could I not say in truth, as Joseph said to his brethren, “Wo’ ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?” I think now I have got the key, we make, we know, allow persons the right to choose their brethren, consequently they have discarded brethren Trott, Beebe and Leachman, who are considered in the old Kehukee Association as gospel preachers.—They must therefore wish such ministers as the Rev. Mr. Adams, Seely, and others, in whose line pastor has unwisely confidence; and as his (their pastor’s) opinions and prejudices are so variable, to induce to him it seems nothing more than right to give the preference to those gentlemen. But I am in another dilemma—what do they mean by “Old School their order?” Do they wish to come up and meet these brethren to whom they have acted so unjustly and investigate the “strangled circumstances,” that justice may be done? If so, I am persuaded to heart it, and will with pleasure endeavor to smooth them in the order of the gospel; and if possible, settle this extraordinary and long delayed difference. I am ready, and they are bound to meet me before they can lay any claim to order or faith.

Brethren, have I given reason sufficient to justify my “assertion?” But, brethren, be not deceived by their equipage; theirs is a sinister motive; it has led us out. They wish to be called by our name, but to wear their own apparel, and let not that they care for our fellowship, but that by us they may be so placed as to secure an object desirable to them.

Why go to the “Signs” and to Joshua? It is not for their attachment to that despised sheet, as Joshua knows, nor for the love they have for us. But why go to Joshua? Would it not have been more in the spirit of our Lord and Master to have gone to their injured brethren and made suitable reparation for their disorder and offence? Had they done this, the world would not have been put to the humiliating knowledge of proclaiming to the world that which nobody knows nor believes but themselves. They may say that they held us in the disorder—very well, if they do, why do they court the approbation of those that do not, and who hold us as brethren, and [invite] us up and preach the gospel of our Lord to our comfort in these days of darkness and affliction? “Even darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the people.”

I will add no more at this time, and hope I shall not have again cause in a detail before I can believe, but injured and despised brethren; but let these bear in mind that until they make good and amend for their sin, they will continue to be hewers of wood and drawers of water to the

OLD SCHOOL.