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has shrunk back from it, and sought altogether to ignore it and cover it up. -This, however, it never will succeed in doing, for, we repeat it, the entire defence, meaning and import of this rite, lie precisely and only in this doctrine of infant membership. No one thing is better understood in the Christian world, by saint and sinner, than this, that baptism and membership in the church are inseparable in order and connection, and that a true member of the church is a real member of Christ's body, is in Christ. These are propositions no one controverts.

So much for the universally accepted and unalterable fundamental doctrine of infant baptism. But now look at the real, practical position of modern Protestant, evangelical Pedobaptism, with reference to this doctrine. It is an utter practical denial of this funda mental doctrine. This is the point for which we made the above quotation. This "Narrative" hesitates not to call these children "the children of the church." Is this expression designedly ambiguous? It is prudently selected to avoid a clearer, but undesirable, because obnoxious statement? Or are we to understand by it "the children in the church"-in Christ. The latter alone is clear, is candid, is logical, is doctrinally true, in this system. How then are we to understand and harmonize these subsequent expressions in the same document :-" make the way to Christ smooth to their feet; and set the door wide open to them"? "The way to Christ" Why, according to your fundamental doctrine these children, if the persons addressed "have heard and obeyed the words" of their church, are already since their baptism in Christ, because rightfully, lawfully and truly in the church. "Set the door wide open for them"! Really! Do not these same divines teach that baptism is "the door" into the church ; how then are we to understand that these children already baptized, thus already having passed through "the door," are yet to have "the door set wide open for them"? This is the great, grievous, and amazing contradic tion and inconsistency to which we designed to call attention in this article. This church, and all the others of like creed, that are called evangelical in the modern sense, have made themselves

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guilty of this same flagrant inconsistencey. Not one of them really holds and treats its baptized infants as members of the church, as in the church. This is so well known, that it requires no further discussion. To close this article, however, we propound a series of pertinent questions, that inevitably arise from the present state of infant baptism in our land, and that the Pedobaptists cannot, in candor, but feel it their religious, concientious duty to answer. They are the following:

1. If baptized infants are not members of the church, what is their religious and ecclesiastical position?

2. Does not the Holy Spirit say"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ"? Were your children baptized into Christ? If not into whom were they baptized? But if so, have they put on Christ? Why then do you yet direct parents to make "the way to Christ smooth to their feet"?

3. If these children by baptism have passed through "the door,"why yet direct to have "the door set wide open for them"?

4. Is baptism one thing to adults and another thing to infants? If so, what is the difference, and where do the Scriptures teach it?

of

5. If baptized infants are members of the church, why do you not treat them as such? Why do many of you not even when they have grown to years discretion, without any further ceremony, bring them freely to the ordinances, and subject them to the discipline of the church?

6. Why do you call upon these very persons, when grown up, to "join the church," to " be converted and come to Christ," when according to your theory they have been in the church from their infancy, and consequently in Christ?

Other questions of like nature might be added; but these may suffice. It would do very much for the progress of true evangelical Christianity in their midst, if the candid and pious Pedobaptists would really and earnestly devote themselves to the serious consideration of these questions. The utter falseness of the system of infant baptism, and especially its opposition to true, evangelical Christianity, would inevitably become manifest. The day

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of this manifestation has already come to myriads, and will come to myriads more. Nothing is more apparent than the decay of infant baptism in the Protestant world, especially where evangelical religion is ascendant.

We, and all others who believe in a true and hearty work of God by faith and repentance in the hearts and minds of men, as antecedent to baptism, to membership in the church and union with Christ, can accept with all earnestness the recommendations in the above quotation: "The careful instruction of our children," - this did the

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ancient church: "to put ourselves more and more into communication with our children; to enter into their religious life with full sympathy; to make the way to Christ smooth to their feet; to set the door wide open for them; to judge charitably of their spiritual states; and to encourage them to come forward" to baptism and "to the Lord's Supper, when we see their hearts earnestly set on Christ." To do this is our duty and our joy; and may we be enabled to abound to this blessed work in our households more and more! C. L. L.

THE items under indicate something of the difficulties of church work in America and also that labor of the right kind is notwithstanding attended with acceptable results :

PENNSYLVANIA MISSIONARY CO-OPERATION.

"The Christian Missionary Society of Western Pennsylvania has just closed its annual meeting at Allegheny. This meeting proves that Western Pennsylvania is alive to the missionary work. Á large delegation was present from the Western part of the State.

The corps of preachers in attendance was more than twenty strong. The preaching, exhortations, praying, and all the exercises and deliberations of the meeting were calculated to stir up the gifts of God, and the better fit and prepare all present for the great work of saving souls.

The Reports of the Secretaries and Treasurer show that the society is out of debt and in good working order. One evangelist has been in the field eight months-seven were employed for three months. These, together with the Corres ponding Secretary, report more than four hundred additions. Two churches have been organized. Many weak churches have been encouraged by assistance.

In the convention there was an animated discussion on the best method of calling out and educating young men for the praclamation of the gospel. A committee was appointed to select young men and direct them in this channel. Twelve hundred dollars was raised in the convention for this purpose for the coming year, and also pledged for a series of years. The committee consists of three persons, T. C. McKeever, J. King, and J. T. Philips. The funds are placed in the hands of the chairman of the committee. The committee select young men for the ministry, su

perintend their education and defray their expenses, in part or wholly, as the wants of the parties selected may demand. This was thought to be the most practical method at present. In time it was thought that a fund might be raised and the interest appropriated to this object. This will come before the brethren for action in the future. Several young men are ready to respond to the solicitations of the committee, and by this step it is hoped that a few good evangelists may be brought into the field in Pennsylvania.

Several thousand dollars are pledged for the support of evangelists the coming year.

Several evangelists were engaged. The churches are to be visited, meetings held, and the entire work is to be prosecuted with vigor. Six hundred dollars were raised towards liquidating a debt on the meeting house at Kittanning, and it is expected that the cause will be revived in that flourishing capital. The brethren have been blessed of the Lord in this State. Some of them have become wealthy in this world's goods, and they open their hearts and purses and contribute liberally Some brethren are making for the cause. subscriptions as high as a thousand dollars a piece-others contribute their mites, and thus the cause must move on. Joseph King, of Allegheny, was appointed to represent the society in the general missionary convention, to be held in Cincinnatti, Ohio, in October.

Pittsburg, Pa. Sept. 1st, 1864."

A TRIP TO MISSOURI.

"ON Monday, the first day of August, I started for Mo. The newspapers had been filled with dreadful accounts of outrages committed by armed men upon de. fenceless citizens and travellers in that State and many friends at home advised me not to undertake the trip. In St. Louis,

also, I met quite a number of friends of various political sentiments, who had fled from the interior of the State for personal safety, who assured me that my trip was full of dangers. But feeling no enmity towards any man, and having done no injury to any, I could not realize that any one was likely to injure me, so I pressed forward. When a man has a good purpose to accomplish, he ought not to be deterred from it by ordinary dangers. I often think of Paul, who pressed forward on his last journey to Jerusalem against the entreaties of all his brethren and in the face of solemn warning from the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions awaited him.

I reached Fayette, Howard Co. without accident, and remained till over Lord's day. This was the scene of my first labors as a preacher, and is still the home of my mother and the younger members of her family. Bro. T. N. Gaines, who resides near by, had an appointment for Saturday and Lord's day, but insisted upon my doing the preaching. I spoke twice each day, and on Sunday had two confessions. One of the parties was a tall, fine looking young man, whom I afterwards recognized as a former pupil of mine, who attended the first school I ever taught, some thirteen years ago.

In going from Fayette to Dover, I passed up the Mo. river to Lexington, in a steamboat heavily armed with soldiers and cannon, and barricaded about the guards and pilot house, to guard against attacks from the 'bushwhackers' on shore. We often passed close to thickly wooded banks, which the imagination might easily fill with lurking riflemen, but all was as peaceful and quiet as when, in happier days, I have passed the same spots without a thought of danger. Our boat, afraid to travel in the dark, lay all night at Brunswick. I went on shore and attended the prayer meeting, when I met with some faithful brethren and sisters whom I had known and loved in former years. The meeting was pleasant and refreshing, though even at that very hour a large number of the citizens were under arms and guarding the town from attacks by guerrillas who infested the county. Bro Wm. H. Robinson, formerly of Saline county, is now residing here, and preaching for this and some country congrega tions. He has found it extremely difficult to procure bread and meat for his family during the terrible times through which he has passed, but he still stands up to the work.

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day, and I left it on Wednesday. We had preaching three times a day, and when I left, there had been seventeen confessions. Most of these were young persons whom I had known as little children, and who had been my pupils at Dover High School which I assisted in conducting for two years. The brethren and sisters were filled with joy, and we all felt that the meeting was a green spot in the journey of life.

Bro. H. M. Bledsoe was with us a part of the time, and preached one discourse. He has suffered much during the war, in the loss of nearly all the moveable property on his farm; and even a few days before the meeting he was robbed of some of his clothing, so that he had to borrow some to wear at the meeting. But he bears all his losses, and even the gross insults which have frequently been offered him, with great resignation, maintaining that calm demeanour for which he has always been remarkable.

It was painful to me to leave the brethren in the midst of the meeting, but obligations at home were imperious. I had spent the few days of my stay very happily, and the pain of parting was almost as great as when I bade adieu to the same congregation two years and a half ago. Bro. Gaines and Bro. Haley were to continue the meeting, and I hope to hear of many more confessions.

On my way home I travelled all night in the stage from Lexington to Warrensburg. About 11 o'clock at night, the stage was stopped by a band of the much dreaded 'bushwhackers.' In about as genteel and polite a manner as such work was ever done, they took possession of the mail bags and one of the stage horses; inquired for my watch, which I had fortunately left at home; tried on my hat, which proved to be too large; searched my valise, taking out two shirts, two collars and a handkerchief; searched the trunk of a lady who was the only other passenger, taking out her husband's hat which she happened to have with her, and left us in the middle of a large prairie with only one horse to the stage. They said nothing about money, thinking, no doubt, that it was useless to talk to a preacher on that subject. We borrowed a horse from a neighbouring farmer, and finished our ride in time for the early train on the Pacific R. R.

On my way to St. Louis, I was accidentally left by the train, and lost a day of travel. This rendered it impossible for me to get home to my appointment, so I remained in St. Louis over Lord's day. I preached in the morning at the church in

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congregation on Mond-street in the upper part of the city. They meet only in the afternoon, as they occupy a house belonging to a German church who use it in the morning. I was much pleased with the appearance of life and activity which I observed among them. They are destined to do a great work in that portion of the city. Their Sunday School had 164 pupils present that day, more than 100 of whom belong to families not members of the church. The brethren at the lower church also have a good school, though not near so large in proportion to the number of members.

On the whole, the cause in St. Louis is in a more promising condition than it ever has been heretofore, and only needs the correction of a few mistakes, with some thing more of an evangelizing spirit, to insure it a glorious future. Among other good things, they have a young Female Academy in operation, under the superintendence of Bro. Antony Haines, formerly of Georgestown, Mo. He has made a fine beginning, and has a fair prospect of building up a first class female school.

I reached home in safety, to find my family well, but to learn that three mem. bers of our congregation had gone to their eternal home during my absence. They were all three prepared for the journey.

J. W. MCGARVEY."

KENTUCKY.

A well-known and deeply earnest preaching brother writes, under date of Sept. 24

"So terrible is the state of things in Kentucky that life and everything else is wholly insecure. I could not in conscience remain longer. The whole frame-work of society in the U. S. is on the verge of being wrecked."

LETTER, AND REPLY BY B. FRANKLIN.

City of Lawrence, Mass, August 15, 1864. Bro. Franklin :-Permit me to send you a few lines from this City of Looms.-It is one of the wonders of the age. Less than twenty years since the first house was built. It is now one of the busiest and one of the largest manufacturing towns in the world. Some of the factories are so large that in one building no less than three thousand hands are employed, and in others he number employed is incredibly great. The city is young and jubilant with life, yet in the midst of this great population I can find no man like-minded in matters relating to the church of Christ. The ancient order of things is a matter they treat with the greatest indifferency.

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Those that make a profession are in general Baptists and Methodists. The writer has sometimes tried to engage them in a conversation upon the order of the house of God, but they always cut the matter short by laying their hands on their heart and saying, 'If a man is all right here, it is all one about other matters.' In this isolation the Review is a great consolation to me. I in general read it through, and appreciate the editor's remarks most. The writer seems to have the root of the matter in him, holding fast the form of sound words and contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Six miles from Lawrence there is a church of the Disciples that I often visit. In my judgment they are a very attractive people, walking in brotherly love and fear of God. They are chiefly young persous, and are making great improvement by the exercise of their gifts. Their kindness to strangers and hospitality are without a parallel in all my experience. There may, however, be in some of their minds an itching after the learned and paid preacher, a device that human wisdom commends by so many arguments.

Do you in the West make a distinction betwixt the elder's office and the preacher's? If so, what canon is this distinction founded on? The eldership in the church is a plurality, and they are commanded to feed the church, to hold forth the Word of Life, to convince gainsayers, to exhort brethren. Does your paid preacher do more or less than this? or how does his office

differ from the elders?

Then, what is the meaning of those conventions we read so much of in the Review? Is there any instance in all the Christian scriptures of a meeting of delegates on church matters? The fifteenth chapter of Acts will serve no man on this head, for that was no meeting of delegates. Jones, the first editor of the British Mil. lenial Harbinger, and a writer on church history, says these clerical conventions, church courts, and such like, are all unflown the love of corruption that has inunscriptural, and the sources from which has dated the Christian church of all ages.

JAMES GRAHAM."

REPLY.

"We are a progressive people in the West. In some instances, in our progressive spirit, instead of going to the New Testament, we appeal to Dr. Popularity. Well, you know he has but little use for overseers, such as we read of in the New Testament. He inclines all the time to the one-man-power. He can hardly get his mouth in shape to say overseer, much less overseers. This official, when he comes up to the idea of Dr. Popularity, is nothing

short of Henry Ward Beecher or Spurgeon, or one trying to be such. He does the preaching and praying at the rate of a few thousands a year, or, in other words, he "performs divine service" for the people, and they have nothing to see to only the little matter of raising the money. We are not patronizing this in the West, still there are some inklings towards it.

We think Paul has made a distinction between an overseer who labors in word and teaching and one who does not. We have many good overseers who do not labor in word and teaching, who rule well and have more prudence in taking care of the flock than some of those who labor in word and teaching. Still, we need the others who teach, labor in word and teaching, and count them worthy of double honor, which some say means double pay; but we know of none who receive double pay, or more than barely single pay. We find the two officers in the church, overseers and deacons, and a description of their qualifications. We find also the office of evangelist, not as a church officer, but a public proclaimer, preacher, or missionary, to go abroad, preach to the world, turn sinners to the Lord, plant and set churches

in order.

Many of us are still trying to maintain the ground that a congregation of disciples of the Lord can meet and worship acceptably without a preacher; or that, being themselves all kings and priests, they are many of them preachers, and can worship, exhort one another, and edify themselves in love. Still, they delight to have a man of talent to come into their midst, who can present the gospel with much more clearness and force than they can themselves, for their own edification and for the conversion of the world. Where we stick to the gospel, preach and practice it as the first Christians did, the cause prospers. But where there is a departure from the pure preaching and practice, coldness, ig; norance, and indifference soon follow, and all is soon lost. There is now the greatest tendency to apostacy there has ever been among us, and there is more need than there has been for years to keep the old landmarks in view. Many are loosing sight of Jesus and the apostles. The practices of the first Christians have lost their attractions for them, and they have set their minds to work to find worldly attractions to interest both themselves and the world. They complain that the worship is dry and uninteresting. No wonder, for they have lost their faith, their love, and zeal. Of course, such worshippers cannot conduct the spiritual exercises and give them life and animation. There is no life, spirit, or animation in them. Instead of

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returning to their first love, they are contriving amusing entertainments and worldly attractions to interest and please the people. But the great heart of the brotherhood is sound. The pure and holy lives of saints, pure worship, and pure gospel have charms for them and they will hold on to the faith till the Lord comes.

Touching delegated bodies, the statement of Jones is only what is stated by Neander and Mosheim. Indeed, it only corroborates all history. Indeed, the Pope grew out of these bodies, and we have long been in doubt of them. But those ancient delegated bodies met to debate and decide difficult questions, of both discipline and doctrine. We have inclined to the opinion that where these bodies are purely missionary, having no jurisdiction over doctrines, discipline, or the independ ence of congregations, there can be no danger of running them into an ecclesias

tical court.

On one question our mind is made up. We will never aid in establishing a church court. Such bodies are dangerous and sinful, and if we cannot meet into an ecclesiastical establishment of that for missionary purposes without running kind, it would be infinitely better to abandon all such meetings. But as now advised, we think our meetings purely for missionary purposes, are invaluable and hope they may become much larger and greater."

The American churches are now passing through a period of double trial-trial by adversity and trial by prosperity. That of the first kind, arising from the dreadful national strife, demands that the heart of every true Christian be lifted up to God on their behalf. Without doubt many disciples have been wrecked on this troubled seasome have fallen by the sword, some are reduced to poverty,and others have fallen lower, having made shipwreck of faith. Still it is to us abundantly evident that the churches of the apostolic way have gone through thus far with damage very small-small, indeed, when compared with that sustained by surrounding sects-and further, that however long the storm may last, when the calm comes they will be found still more favorably to compare with their many rivals. This is said on the ground of ascertained facts. But even this trial of affliction has in it an element of prosperity-that they sustain it better than others, gives them a present power and will in the end prove an immense advantage. But prosperity has its