THE MODE AND SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM. FOUR SABBATH EVENING LECTURES ON THE MODE AND SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM, PREACHED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1834. BEFORE THE CHURCH AND CONGREGATION TO WHICH THE AUTHOR MINISTERS. BY ORIN FOWLER, A. M., Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Fall River, Mass. So shall he sprinkle many nations.-ISAIAH. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.-PAUL. If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE CHURCH. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM PEIRCE, NO. 9 CORNHILL. 1835. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, BY ORIN FOWLER, In the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts. BOSTON: Webster & Southard, Printers, 882 F787m 1835 copy 2 LETTER TO THE AUTHOR. Fall River, Jan. 5, 1835. DEAR SIR, The undersigned were appointed a Committee of the church to convey to you the following resolutions: "1. Resolved, That in the opinion of the church, the series of Lectures recently delivered by our Pastor, on the mode and subjects of Baptism, contain a plain and just exhibition of the truth on these subjects; and having been, as we believe, kind and forbearing towards our brethren in Christ who differ from us on these points of Christian duty, we most heartily approve of the spirit manifested, and the sentiments and arguments therein set forth. "2. Resolved, That as in our opinion, the publication of these Lectures would be the instrument of good in allaying unkind and unholy feelings-in correcting erroneous impressions, and in establishing the truth; therefore, our Pastor be requested to furnish a copy for publication." We will only add as these resolutions express our own sentiments and desires, we hope your convictions of duty to the cause of Christ, will lead you to consent to the request of the church. Very respectfully, we are your brethren in Christ, DAVID ANTHONY, DAVID OLNEY, DEAR BRETHREN, SYLVESTER C. ALLEN, Committee of the WILLIAM SHAW, MATTHEW C. DURFEE. Church, Fall River. REPLY. Jan. 10, 1835. Your Note of the 5th inst. communicating the resolutions and wishes of the church, and your own sentiments and desires, that I will consent to furnish a copy of my Sabbath Evening Lectures on Baptism for publication, is before me. -as also the fact that abler treatises The responsibility connected with printing are already before the public, furnish strong reasons for refusing my consent: but on the other hand, the hope that these Lectures may be read by some who will thus become more thoroughly acquainted with important Bible truth, together with a strong reluctance to withhold from the church what they seem sincerely A copy shall be in to desire, have decided me to comply with their request. readiness for the press as soon as they can be transcribed. Affectionately your friend and servant in the Gospel, O. FOWLER. |