Baptists
a Protestant denomination based on the belief that immersion is the only Scriptural mode of baptism, and that those only are proper subjects There are at present three principal bodies of Regular Baptists, the Northern, the Southern, and the Colored, all of whom agree in doctrinal and ecclesiastical principles, but each has its own associations, State Conventions and general missionary and other associations. In 1845 a controversy concerning slavery, caused a division between the Baptists in the Northern and those in the Southern States, after which the Northern Baptists continued to support the Home Mission Society and the American Baptist Missionary Union, on an anti-slavery basis. The Southern Division is the largest branch of white for this ceremony who are converted Baptists. After the division of 1845 the and profess personal faith in Christ. Southern churches established the South- They thus reject both infant baptism and baptism by sprinkling or pouring of water as invalid. There are, however, other sects, including the Mennonites, the Christians, the Disciples of Christ, etc., who accept the prominent principles of the Baptists in whole or in part, and yet are not classified with them, owing to some minor differences.
The Baptists first appeared in Switzerland, in 1523, and soon spread to Germany, Holland, and other continental countries, whence they were driven to England by persecution on account of their rejection of infant baptism. The first regularly organized church was Arminian, and was established in 1610 or 1611. A Calvinistic Baptist Church was founded about 1633. Those holding Arminian views received the name of General Baptists, and those holding Calvinistic views, the name of Particular Baptists.
The Baptists in the United States spring historically from the English and Welsh Baptists; but the first Baptist Church was organized by Roger Williams, who was a minister in the ern Baptist Convention, which holds annual meetings. It is composed of representatives from associations, other organizations, and from the churches.
The Colored Baptists compose the largest body of Regular Baptists, those being included who have separate churches, State Conventions, and associations. The Colored Baptists of the North are generally members of churches belonging to white associations. In 1866 the first State Convention of Colored Baptists was organized in North Carolina. Besides these associations there are the American National Convention, which deliberates upon questions of general concern; the Consolidated American Missionary Convention, the General Association of the Western States and Territories, the New England Missionary Convention, and the Foreign Missionary Convention of the United States.
Besides the three large divisions of Baptists, there are several smaller ones:
The Six Principle Baptists, Seventh Day Baptists, Free Will Baptists, Original Free Will Baptists, General Baptists, BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION 415 BARBADOES Separate Baptists, United Baptists, bank, daily, weekly, and monthly pe- Baptist Church of Christ, Primitive riodicals. Pop. (1910) 6,324; (1920) Baptists, Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Bap- 5,538.
Will Baptists joined the Regular Bap- Will Baptists joined the Regular Baptists in 1911.
All Baptist denominations are congregational in polity. Each church, under its officers of pastor and deacons, manages its own affairs. There are Associations and State Conventions, composed of pastors and delegates from the churches, but none of these bodies have any ecclesiastical authority. Councils, consisting of ministers and laymen, may be called to advise churches, to ordain ministers, or to recognize new churches at the invitation of individual churches.
Statistics of the Churches. The following table gives a summary of the various Baptist Churches in the United States:
North..
South..
Colored.
Other (14 bodies) Organiza- Members Ministers tions 8,178 1,227,448 8,631 23,692 2,711,591 15,946 21,754 3,018,341 19,423 5,156 279,270 4,992 The total membership of the Baptist Church in 1920 was estimated as follows: United States and Canada, 7,600,- 000; British Isles, 408,000; elsewhere, 1,000,000; world total, 9,008,000.
BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION OF AMERICA, an association representing numerous young people's societies connected with the Baptist Churches in all the States and in Canada, organized in June, 1891, in Chicago, Ill., which place has since been its headquarters and the place of publication of its tions are held yearly. a tions are held yearly.
Christ's time, who was imprisoned and and murder. It was a custom of the Roman government, for the sake of and murder. It was a custom of the Jewish prisoner, whom they might choose conciliating the Jews, to release one thus to release Jesus, but the Jews deat the yearly Passover. Pilate desired thus to release Jesus, but the Jews de- Sauk co., Wis.; on the Baraboo river and the Chicago and Northwestern railroad; 40 miles N. W. of Madison. It is in an agricultural region; has important manufacturing interests, which are proin an agricultural region; has important a noted fruit center; and has National