More Hardshell Absurdities

My dad, a Primitive Baptist elder, sent me a book that records the debate that was occurring among Hardshells in the early 1900's concerning "protracted meetings." Such meetings were declared against by the Hardshells in 1832 in the infamous "Black Rock Address." The declaration was against "protracted" and "revival" services that the "Arminians" were conducting with the purpose of reaching the lost. The Address attacked the tactics and methods of revivalist preachers in evangelizing the lost and also took the position that meetings that lasted more than three days were "Arminian" and unscriptural.

The topic became a hot issue in the early twentieth century because many Hardshell churches in the Mid-West were holding meetings for more than three days and some Southern Hardshells saw this as a departure from the old Baptist faith and practice. Elder W. A. Chastain of Springfield, Illinois defended having meetings for more than three days and Elder G. W. Stewart of Georgia opposed them. It is an interesting discussion and I have been taking notes for future writings on the topic. But, I would like to cite one statement made by Elder Chastain at this time.

The book is titled "Discussion on the Worship of God" and was published in the year 1916. On page 218 Elder Stewart wrote:

"I believe that one should worship the Lord just as soon as he is capacitated to do so, by being born again, all the days of his life..."

It is ironic that Stewart should say such a thing when he has, in this debate, been warned of the dangers of "Antinomianism." Does not one of the ten commandments say - "thou shalt worship the Lord thy God"? Does Chastain not believe that this applies to all men? Does he not believe that all men are obligated to keep the law whether they are able or not?  Obviously, from the above words of Chastain, he does not believe that the lost are under obligation to worship God.  What a gross error!