6 NOVEMBER 1909, Page 33

GENERAL BAPTISTS.

To THE EDITOR OP TRY " SPECTATOR." J Sra„—In your review in the Spectator of October 23rd of the "Records of the General Baptist Churches in England" your readers are led to think that General Baptists are therein defined as those who will live in communion with those who do not practise the immersion of believers. This is an utter misconception. On p. 6 their own definition is quoted: "We believe the doctrine of Universal Redemption." This is repeated on p. 9, while on p. 21 the distinctive point is set out twice : "The salvability of all men " ; "All men can be redeemed through the universal atonement of Jesus Christ." On p. 26 the present official definition is given, and sets in the forefront the crucial doctrine : "The way of salvation is open to all." This, and this alone, is the meaning of the term "General," for all the three bodies to which it is applied. The question of communion is quite irrelevant. It would be interest- ing to Baptists to learn what you consider the "popular accepta- tion," for evidently there are great mistakes current.—I am, 53 West Cliff, Preston.