Preface

The following Lectures were not originally intended for the press; but, in compliance with the wish of some of those who listened to them, the author has been induced to publish them. It is only with the hope that they may tend to advance a pure Christianity, that they are now given to the public.

The author regards it as one of the auspicious signs of the times, that greater attention is beginning to be given, by Baptist writers, to the great principles involved in the action of our denomination, rather than to a revival of the philological question, which the scholarship of the world has long ago decided in our favor. The more these principles are exhibited and developed, the more they will gain the approbation of all who sincerely love "the truth as it is in Jesus."

This course appears the more necessary and desirable, from the fact that Baptist principles have been extensively misrepresented, and much misunderstood. It seems important, too, from the fact that many persons have united with the denomination, from a conviction that our practice, in reference to the mode and subjects of baptism, is strictly Scriptural, while they have not clearly comprehended all that is involved in our position and peculiarities.

These Lectures were presented to, and are published for, Protestants. They tend to show that Protestantism itself needs to be reformed—that it is sadly defective as an instrument of attack upon the errors of Rome, and the evils of the Papacy. How conclusively this is done, the reader must decide. The presentation of these defects has not been a work in which the author has delighted or rejoiced, except as he has been led to hope that their exposure might lead to their abandonment.

Toward those who bear a resemblance to Christ in their moral features, he cherishes sincere affection; and the firm belief that the great majority of the professed disciples of Christ in the Protestant churches in this country, bear such resemblance, encourages him to look for success in seeking to advance scriptural views of Gospel ordinances.

With the sincere prayer that their publication may aid in bringing "all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," to the only platform of Christian union—Bible truth—these Lectures are commended to the candid consideration of the reader, and to the blessing of God.

Preface 1876

The following Lectures have a peculiar history. They were originally delivered to the Baptist Church in Caldwell, N. J., in the ordinary course of pastoral labors in that place, and were not then intended for the press. At the urgent request of those who heard them, the author was induced to give them to the public. They were delivered from meager notes, and from these, as his "copy," the author, himself a practical printer, set up the types of the first edition, which was published in 1858. As much of the matter was thus extemporized, at the "case," the entire book was never written. The late excellent Spencer H. Cone then pastor of the First Baptist Church of New York city, read the proofs, and so well pleased was he with the work, that he ordered the first fifty copies for his own church, recommending it from his pulpit as well as by the notice which appears among the "Recommendations."

Several editions were printed during the few following years, and the work was widely circulated through the country, and seems to have given a new phase to the baptismal controversy, by directing attention to the great principles which underlie the action of the Baptist denomination. It shows that these principles, though based on God's Word, are constantly violated by Protestant Paedobaptists, though they profess to be governed by that Word. Not a few of these have been led, by the perusal of previous editions, to see the utter inconsistency of Paedobaptism with the principles of the New Testament, and have renounced it, and united with the Baptist denomination. Among these, several highly honored and useful brethren, now in the ministry of the denomination, might be named.

The occurrence of our National Centennial seemed to the author an appropriate time to issue a revised and enlarged edition, especially as some years have elapsed since the plates of the first editions were destroyed, and during all that time applications have been made for the work, which could not be supplied.

To the advocacy and propagation of the principles here presented, our country owes all it possesses of true greatness. American principles are, essentially, Baptist principles, and this is owing to the fact that Baptist principles have impressed themselves upon the nation, as the only principles consistent with a government divorced from ecclesiastical control, and recognizing the universal right to civil and religious liberty.

And to the recognition and prevalence of these principles, the evangelical Paedobaptist churches of our land owe their spirituality and moral power, in spite of the inconsistency of infant baptism, the legitimate and baneful fruits of which are nipped in the bud by the influence of Baptist churches.

With the earnest prayer that the present edition may be as useful, at least, as previous ones, in leading Christians of every name to the knowledge and practice of Bible truth, the work is commended to the blessing of God, and the candid consideration of the reader.

John Quincy Adams
Newburgh, NY, 1876