The author is Henry Harcus,
who served the church at Westray for over forty years as member, elder, and minister.
Quite a number saw the scripturalness of the Baptist view and embraced it, while many of the careless, while they ridiculed the position taken, rejoiced over the
address as helpful in injuring the Church as they hoped. This was the first address, from the Baptist standpoint given in Orkney. It was freely discussed in the families and in the thorough-fares of the island, and it finally came to be feared that it would cause a division in the Church. It was alleged that the majority had now departed so far from the constitutional views of the Church, that a separation of the two parties was inevitable. Yet on both sides they deprecated the idea of separation. Though they differed in their views of an Ordinance of Christ, they were agreed in their love for His Person and their desire for the progress of His work and the good of their fellow-men, and they loved one another. Nothing which had transpired had shaken their confidence in each others piety, and the thought of a division was painful to both parties. It was apparent, however, after a time of painful suspense, that some decision would have to be reached. their harmony was suffering, so the members agreed to a conference on the situation after one of the Sabbath services.
It was agreeably, though reluctantly decided that they should all meet together in the tabernacle on the following Lord's Day, after which the friends who had embraced the doctrine of believer's baptism would leave, and those who held by the Church, as originally constituted, would remain in possession of the property as the legal owners of it. Though at the time this seemed the only feasible course, the friends who were to remain saw the great loss they were sustaining in the departure of the others. Robert Seater had been a pillar in the temple of the Lord. When necessary, he had ministered the Word to them with acceptance, and with his fine musical talent he had led them in praise ever since they were a Church. How could they do without him? There was no one to take his place. And then the thought of separating from those with whom they had taken sweet counsel together and gone to the house of God in company. It was sad, sad! The Baptists too had similar feelings, but what could they do? They dared not belie their conscientious convictions. However painful, they would accept the inevitable and be true to themselves and to their Lord. He who had suffered so much for them deserved that they should suffer for Him even greater privation than the loss of fellowship with some of His followers, and the use of the Tabernacle as a place of worship.
While they were musing and reflecting with downcast spirits Providence was preparing to open up their way. A little delay, brought on in a way not expected, brought developments which surprised and gratified all.
The Sabbath for their last meeting together came, and every member who could possibly come was present. Soon after the service commenced a violent wind storm arose which shook the Tabernacle to its foundations, and almost caused a panic among the congregation. It was impossible to proceed with the service; all was confusion. Heads of families were eager to get their children safely to their homes. The storm was such as had never before been experienced in the island. During the week the pastor had occasion to sprinkle the child of one of the members. On his return he took occasion to call upon two of the members whose home was on his way. The lady who responded to the knock of the door noticed that the good man was trembling from head to feet. Fearing that he was unwell she asked him the cause of his trembling, to which he replied: "I have done something today which I will never do again." Feeling surprised she asked him what he had done. He replied: "You know that I have earnestly contended that the sprinkling of unconscious infants is baptism and I have sprinkled one today; but I have just become very deeply convinced that it is a thing for which I have no Divine authority." the substance of this conversation rapidly spread through the island, and caused much comment. It was a cause of rejoicing to the friends who had embraced the New Testament idea of Baptism, and of consternation to those who held to infant sprinkling. All of them knew that Mr Tulloch was a man of conviction, and would not trifle with serious impressions. Hence the surmisings that were indulged in during the week of the bearing his change of views might have on the decision of the coming Sabbath.
The storm had prevented the actual division on the previous Sabbath, and it was now generally known that a large majority of the members had become Baptist in their views. The Lord's Day morning saw a crowded Tabernacle. Mr Tulloch conducted the whole service in the usual way, and to the surprise of some without reference to the expected division. At the close he called the membership together, and after the general congregation was dismissed he arose in his place and said: - "Brethren, I have a humble confession to make and a great favour to ask. My confession is that I have been slow and long in discovering the important truth which so many of my brethren and sisters discovered so clearly some months since. At this I really feel mortified. And now, I ask if you will forgive me for the opposition I have manifested to the doctrine I have now with you received as the truth of God. I trust you will believe me when I assure you that my opposition was in ignorance; and now, if you will forgive me will you show it by rising in your seats."
All but three stood up. When all had been seated one of the three stood up and explained that it was no ill-feeling toward pastor or people that prevented him from rising, but that he did not feel at liberty to do so seeing they had in the matter of baptism departed from their former faith. He further explained that those who continued in the faith of the Church as constituted at first could legally hold the property, but did not intend to do so. He believed they had acted conscientiously, and that they were all one in spirit, and he and those that held with him would be willing to continue as members of the Church provided the Church was willing that they should.
Mr Tulloch responded to this brother's statement by the right words and in the right spirit. He was delighted to find that while they had differed in opinion they had maintained the unity of the spirit; and that their friends who undoubtedly had the right legally to hold the property and to oust the great majority out of the church home were not only ready to forego that right but to continue in their fellowship. He expressed the conviction that all would gladly accede to their wish to be retained as members, and requested all who were of that mind to show it by standing up. The whole assembly rose in a moment. For a time they joyfully lingered in prayer and thanksgiving to God for His loving kindness in preserving them from division, and so far leading them to see alike and to preserve the unity even when there was not absolute uniformity. In the spirit of gratitude they departed to their homes.
On the following Friday evening at their fellowship meeting they consulted together as to the means to be adopted for their attending to the ordinance of baptism. At the suggestion of their pastor they finally concluded to invite his fellow-student, Rev. Edward Mackay of Thurso, to visit them for that purpose. In due time Mr Mackay came to Westray. He preached in the Tabernacle on the Lord's Day evening and the baptism was announced for the following Tuesday at the Lake of Burness.
On Tuesday forenoon a large congregation assembled at the lake. At the appointed hour Rev. Mr MacKay took his place near the candidates for Baptism and commenced a simple but impressive service. After praise and prayer the preacher, Bible in hand, proceeded to give his hearers the New Testament view of Baptism, proving each proposition with appropriate texts. He showed very clearly that the only fit subjects of Christian baptism were believers; the only mode or act to be performed was immersion, and that it was a figure of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in it the believer professed his faith in Christ and his union with Him. Another season of prayer and praise, and then the administration of the Ordinance, with solemnity on the part of the administrator and decorum on the part of the candidates and congregation. So solemn and decorous was the Ordinance that the greatest enemies of the truth could find no cause for complaint.
The first to attend to it was the pastor of the church. Mr Mackay led Rev. William Tulloch out into the water and baptised him in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Nine others followed, and there a scene was witnessed in Westray which was entirely new. Nor was it witnessed in vain. A shrub was planted that day in the summer of 1810 which grew to be a tree of considerable size. For seven years the brethren and sisters had worshipped together as a Congregational Church, but ever after they were known as the Baptist Church of Westray.