05 Discovers Himself a Baptist 1776

5 - DISCOVERS HIMSELF A BAPTIST 1776

THOUGH separated from the church which did not accept kindly his efforts of service, Mr. Randall did not long remain isolated. His yearnings of soul for congenial associations were soon gratified. Those of like desires for higher attainments in Christian life soon gathered about him. The very few of this class belonging to the church he had left soon followed his example and also withdrew. Those doing this clung to each other with great tenacity. Though few in numbers, and the objects of much persecution, they trusted in God and pressed forward. They also opened meetings for religious services by themselves. Among evidences of God’s approval they were favored with a gradual increase, both in numbers and Christian graces.

Notwithstanding the excitements incidental to martial surroundings, Mr. Randall began to feel strong convictions that he ought to preach the gospel. These convictions followed him wherever he went or however engaged. The time that remained to Mr. Randall, aside from the exactions of his official duties, he devoted to the study of the Bible, with special reference to the subject of baptism. He became convinced that believers are the only proper subjects of the ordinance, and that immersion is the only scriptural mode of administration. In short, he found that to be consistent with God’s word he must come out a Baptist. Though he wanted to know the truth as to this and all other matters pertaining to doctrine, it was with sadness that he made this discovery. He says:

Though it was like taking away a right hand to give up my former views on this Point, I durst not hold them where I found not a "Thus saith the Lord."

Mr. Randall’s convictions respecting the ministry, to which reference has been made, grew more and more absorbing. A quotation from his journal is illustrative:

One day while I was attending to my usual duties, and at the same time bewailing the state of the ungodly, the power of God seemed to impress me to go out and warn them. But, while pleading against this because of my insufficiency, these words came impressively to my mind, "Set them before them." On turning to my Bible, the first words that caught my eye were these: " And when he had taken the five loaves and two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them." Considering how the disciples remonstrated because they had so little, and how Christ multiplied it, my pleas were all silenced.

Soon after becoming settled on the doctrine of baptism, Mr. Randall’s own duty in the matter confronted him. He at first thought of going to Stratham and seeking, baptism at the hand of Doctor Shepard.

Then, again, he felt that he must consult, at least, his brother Trefethren on the subject. Hence he set off one evening for that purpose. 1 On the way he met the object of his visit coming to interview him on the same subject. Both were greatly surprised and overjoyed at the coincidence. They interpreted this as providential, and by it their faith was much strengthened. They concluded, however, to keep this change of views to themselves until its declaration might be made without endangering division in their company, and planned to go to some other place and receive baptism. But before an opportunity for this presented, it seemed to Mr. Randall wise to modify their plans so far as to test the sentiments of others associated with them. But here is his own story about it:

We were met in one of our private fasts, and were enjoying a blessed meeting. I thought I would attempt to ascertain the minds of all present respecting baptism, and commenced thus: " What a poor little company of speckled birds we are! We belong to no society or denomination of people. I wonder if, on inquiry, we could tell what to call ourselves. Well, if anything, I am a Baptist." "So am I," exclaimed Brother Trefethren. "So am I," "And so am I," "And so am I," came from every one present. What a surprise filled our minds! When conversing freely on the matter, we found that all at the same time had been at the same school, under the same Teacher, and had come to the same conclusions; not one having mentioned the matter to his fellow-for we had no man to teach us.

Prof. A. T. Robertson has said: " iven an open Bible, an open mind, and a conscience in good working order, and we will have a Baptist." Among many others, the experiences of John Bunyan, Adoniram Judson, Benjamin Randall, and his company of the Lord’s disciples are corroborative. In a further account of that meeting of discovery, Randall says:

How did our hearts rejoice together! We shouted and praised God for his wonderful ways, and for the increase of our union and fellowship. The desire was unanimously expressed that an administrator be sent for to baptize us all at home. But before that could be brought about, report came that Mr. William Hooper was to be ordained at Berwick, and Mr. Trefethren and I decided to attend. On leaving home we had no thought of being baptized on that occasion. But, as Mr. Hooper was to administer the ordinance to others that day, after his ordination, the impression came upon us with great power to embrace the opportunity and not wait for a more convenient season. So we were then, October 14, 1776, and there baptized, and, like the eunuch of Ethiopia, returned home rejoicing. At his baptism Mr. Randall united with the Baptist church at Berwick. Mr. Hooper soon after evinced his pastoral faithfulness by writing him a letter. The response to this, and also a letter to the church written a day later, are interesting as specimens of the general style of letter-writing in Colonial times, and as exponents of the excellent spirit that characterized Mr. Randall, and show how profoundly satisfied he was with his newly found religious home, the Baptist church.