BAPTISTS, FREE-WILL, had their origin in a discussion which arose (1779) among B. in New Hampshire on the doctrines of Calvin, during which Benjamin Randall, one of Whitefield's converts, was called to account for preaching a general atonement mid the ability of sinners to accept Christ. Having united with a church which agreed with his views, he was ordained at New Durham (1780), and, in connection with others of like faith, labored with zeal and success in preaching and establishing churches. They wished to be known simply as Baptists, but their opponents called them "free-willers," and both names havina been combined, the denomination has adopted "Free-will Bap tists" as their distinctive appellation. Their government, like that of the regular Bap tists, is congregational, and they hold that scriptural baptism is the immersion of believers. Their peculiar doctrinal views are the general extent of the atonement, the free offer of salvationAo all men, the freedom of the will (involving ability to accept or refuse Christ), and the right of true believers to participate in the Lord's supper. By this last tenet they rank as "open communionists.' In 1784, the first quarterly meeting was organized among them; in 1792, the first yearly meeting, composed of delegates from the quarterly meetings; in 1827, a general conference was formed, which now meets triennially. In 1841, the Free-communion Baptists, a denomination which had arisen in
the 18th c. in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and owed its Origin to Whitefield's preach ing, united with them. The whole body have uniformly held anti-slavery views, and, a few years before the war of the rebellion, withdrew fellowship from 4000 members in North Carolina because they were slave-holders; and, for the same reason, declined to receive 12,000 members in Kentucky who sent delegates to their general conference. At the fifth conference (1S31), the subject of foot-washing having been discussed, liberty was given to the churches to retain or give up the ordinance, as each might prefer. Many of them have since chosen to give it up. They have flourishing literary institu tions in several states; among which are Bates college at Lewiston, Me.; Hillsdale col lege, Mich.; a theological seminary at New Hampton, N. II.; and a printing establish ment at the same place They have about 1500 churches, 1800 ministers, and 75,000 members, most of whom are iu the northern states and Canada.