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Dr. Jeter and the Second Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.
By T. T. Eaton
From The Baptist newspaper, 1873
[On the issue of Open Communion]
      The readers of The Baptist will remember that when Bro. Chambliss proclaimed himself open communion, while pastor of the Second Church in Richmond, Dr. Jeter advised the church to retain him as their pastor, notwithstanding the change in his views. This action brought much severe criticism upon Dr. J. from all our denominational organs, and everybody censured him greatly, and seemed surprised that he should have given such advice. I was, among others, severe upon him also, and that, too, to the full measure of my capacity for being severe, till I saw Bro. Worrell's note in the Western Recorder, stating that he had been informed of all the facts, and that he thought Dr. J. had acted as any one else would have done in like circumstances. When I was in Richmond last October, the facts were laid before me, and I heartily concur in the opinion of Bro. Worrell. I have no doubt any minister in our denomination would have done the same thing. I think it would be well to have all the circumstances published, and though there are some special reasons why they should not be given to the denomination, I do not think those reasons sufficient; yet I do not feel at liberty myself to furnish them for publication. This much I will take the responsibility of saying: Dr. Jeter was advised by all the Baptist pastors of Richmond to do as he did; so if any censure attaches to the act, it does not all belong to him. The senior editor of the Herald entertains some views which I regard as unscriptural, and it may be he has in his life done things that were wrong, but in this matter I find in him no fault at all, unless it be withholding the facts from the public, and for this there are some special reasons, which seem to him sufficient, though I confess they do not so seem to me. I rejoice that Bro. Chambliss has seen his mistake, and has returned to the gospel order. This piece would not have been written but that several brethren with whom I have talked about this matter, strongly advised me to say this much in The Baptist. They thought it would do good; if so, I shall be glad.
T. T. EATON.
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[From The Baptist newspaper, April 19, 1873. CD Edition. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]



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