THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION: ITS History, Doctrines, and Ordinances; ITS POLITY, PERSECUTIONS, AND MARTYRS;, FACTS AND STATIS- BY D C. HAYNES. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JOHN DOWLING, D.D. "And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."-1 PET. iii. 15. "Prove all things: hold fast that which is good."-1 THESS. v. 21. NEW YORK: SHELDON, BLAKEMAN & CO. PORTLAND, ME.: MERRILL & WHITMAN. 1856. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by SHELDON, BLAKEMAN & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. PHILADELPHIA : STEREOTYPED BY GEORGE CHARLES, No. 9 Sansom Street. PREFACE. THE object of this book is to furnish for the people generally, the information necessary to a correct judgment of the Church of Christ. It is an effort to bring to the masses, what belongs to them as much as to scholars, to whom it has, to a great extent, been confined. With this view, the author has labored to press into one small volume, matter found in no one work, small or large; and, as far as it has been published, is scattered over several volumes, pamphlets, and papers. The different topics are, of course, treated with great brevity; but it is hoped sufficiently at length to secure the above-named object. It is believed that numerous church members even, have but very imperfect information on a subject of vital interest to them. Such a state of things is incompatible with their happiness and usefulness. We live at a time, when all the disciples of Christ should be eminent in their Christian profession. While we are particularly desirous to reach church members generally, it is hoped our effort will not prove unacceptable to pastors and deacons, who will find here what they need to enable them to act promptly and intelligently in ordinary church matters. It is hoped, also, it will be found a convenient medium of information for those who are inquiring for the truth, anxious to know where among numerous denominations it lies. The author has seen the time when he would have deemed invaluable a single volume, which he could place in the hands of those needing "much in a little," who could hardly be expected to seek through many volumes, pamphlets, and papers, what is here embraced. It is no exaggeration to say, that the cases are numerous in which persons of other churches, and those who have not become members of any church, are looking towards Baptists for a home. They desire facts, and only need them to make a decision. Here they are. It is worthy of remark that a reliable man, who is distinguished for his accumulation of facts, has said: "the number of members received into the Baptist churches for some years past, from other denominations, exceeds 2000 annually; and that the number of ministers, so received, by change of conviction, is equal to one for every week in the year." This is a church emigration unheard of except in this direction. It is a pleasing fact of the times, that the primitive state of religion is attracting attention. The nearer we approach the Son of God, His will, the more sure we may be of correctness and success. This volume has originated in a desire to aid, in some humble manner, such a result. If any suppose it leads too decidedly in a Baptist direction for such a profession, or to be of general interest, we have only to say, we believe it to be the result of the force of truth, and have presumed that others have no more regard for a mere sect than ourselves, and are as willing to receive the truth, wherever it may be found. Philadelphia, Jan., 1856. D. C. H. 1. The importance of investigations in Church History. 2. Misrepresenta- tions of Baptists by Historians-Prof. Hase and his translators-Statistics. The probability of the truth of the position that the Baptist church is the primitive church, from the opinions of intelligent men, Baptists and others, who have paid particular attention to the subject. 1. Orchard. 2. Dr. Brown. 3. Prof. Duncan. 4. Drs. Ypeig and Dermont. 5. Writers The argument for the primitive character of the Baptist church from the history of baptism. 1. The origin of the church and the history of baptism for the first century; testimony of the learned as to the mode and subjects of baptism during this period. 2. The history of Baptism from the first century onward beyond the times when Baptist churches, subsequent to New Testament Baptists, arose; the mode of baptism; Prof. Stewart on the early fathers; Dr. Sears on Chrysostom and Winner; the time and origin of sprinkling; the subjects of baptism; Pedobaptist materials for Baptist arguments; Dr. Woods on infant baptism; Chevalier Bunson and Hyppolytus and his age; Prof. Knowles on the origin of infant baptism; the time when it was introduced.................................. |