MINUTES
OF THE
WMA Ml«f
HELD AT
BETHESDA, GREENE COUNTY, GA.,
On the 16th, 17th, and 19th of October, 1840.
WASHIIfiTOIV, GA.
PRINTED AT THE CHRISTIAN INDEX OFFICE.
1840.
Library of
Emory University
MIIVITES, Ac.
The Introductory Sermon was delivered by Brother John Q, West,
from 1 John iv. 19. We love him, because hefirst, loved us.
2. Read the letters from the Churches and minuted their state.
3. Elected Brother B. M. Sanders, Moderator, and W. H. Stokes,
Clerk.
4. Received the Ebenezer Church, (African) recently constituted in
Richmond county, as a constituent member of this body.
5. Appointed the following Committees, viz : On Preaching, Sher¬
wood, Holmes, Stanford and Samuel Lumpkin, from the Association,
to act with Janes, Thornton and James Peek, from the Church at Be-
thesda ; On Finance, William Peek, frvin, and Joel E.Mercer; On
Business, E. Callaway, Collins and Harris; On Nominations, William
Lumpkin, Gunn, and Asberry ; On Bro. Jesse Mercer's Communication,
Sherwood, Thornton, and Wilson.
Adjourned to Saturday morning 9 o'clock, prayer by Brother Wil¬
liams.
Saturday morning, met according to adjournment, prayer by Brother
Harris.
6. Application was made by an African Church, lately constituted in
Augusta, called "Thankful," for membership in the body; but as the
testimonials of its orthodoxy and regular standing were not so full as could
be desired, it was thought prudent to decline its reception at present.
7. Received the report of the Committee on Business.
8. Invited Ministers of our own and other orthodox denominations to
seats with us.
9. Received correspondence from other bodies as follows : From the
Edgefield Association, S. C. a letter and minutes—no messenger ; from
the Western, a letter and minutes, by brother James Davis; from the
Saluda, S. C. a letter by the hand of brother Wilson ; from the Sarepta,
a letter by brethren Baughn and B. M. David; from the Savannah Riv¬
er, S, C. a letter and minutes by brother Hurley ; from thw Hepzibah,
a letter and minutes by the brethren Tucker and Spear; from the Ca-
haba, Alabama, a letter; from the Tugulo, a letter by brother M. San¬
ders; from the Rock Mountain, a letter by brethren T. A. Gibbs and
G. W. Fuller. Received also a communication from the females of the
Powelton Church and congregation, containing a liberal contribution for
Missionary purposes.
10. Spent some time in devotional exercises, especially with refer¬
ence to the afflictions of our venerated brother Mercer and those of his
4
companion—the brethren E. Callaway, Thornton and Sherwood lead¬
ing in prayer.
11. The Committee appointed last year to visit Antioch Church in
Richmond county, reported favorably ; but as the Church is at present
destitute of preaching, referred its case to the attention of the Executive
Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention.
12. Took up the suggestion contained in the letter from the Kiokee
Church, touching the conduct of the Northern Abolitionists towards
Southern Baptists ; and after considerable discussion, the whole was re¬
ferred to a Committee consisting of brethren Janes, Stocks, Sherwood,
Sanders, Harris, Williams and Wilson, to report on Monday morning.
13. Appointed the following brethren as messengers to other bodies
with which we correspond, viz:—To the Central Association, Williams,
Sanders and West,; Williams to write; to the Washington, Daniel,
Irvin, Jackson and Asberry, Daniel to write; to the Sarepta, W. Lane,
J. N. Bolton, E. Callaway, Morman, and N. Lumpkin, E. Callaway
to write ; to the Tugulo, N. Lumpkin, Williams, and J. N. Bolton,
Lumpkin to write; to the Western, Kennedy, William Sanders, Wil¬
liam Lumpkin, Thornton, and Monerief, Kennedy to write; to the
Edgefield, Wilson, West and Gunn, Wilson to write; to the Saluda,
Harris, Wilson, B. Blanchard, and N. Lumpkin, Harris to write; to
the Edisto, Daniel, Collins, and Kennedy, Daniel to write ; to the Hep-
zibah, Carter, Irvin, Daniel and Morman, Carter to write; to the Sa¬
vannah River, Harris, Kennedy, Blanchard, and Collins, Harris to
write; to the Appalachee, Hill, William Sanders, Lane, Prather,
Stocks, and Wilson, Hill to write; to the Rock Mountain, McDaniel,
William Sanders, N. Lumpkin, Hill and Asberry, Asberry to write;
to the Flint River, Stanford, N. Lumpkin, Thornton, Wilson, and
Sanders, Sanders to write ; to the Ebenezer, Sanders, Daniel, and Ir¬
vin, Sanders to write; to the C ah aba, Sanders to write.
14. Appointed general meetings, as follows, viz :
In the 1st district, at Mount Zion, on Friday before th 5th Sabbath in
May next.
In the 2d district, at Iviokee, on Friday before the 5th Sabbath in
August.
In the 3d district, at Smyrna, on Friday before the 4th Sabbath in
July.
In the 4th district, at Newford, on Friday before the 4th Sabbath in
September.
15. The Committee on Brother Mercer's communication made their
report.—(See report letter A.)
Adjourned to Monday morning, 9 o'clock, prayer by Bro. Lumpkin.
The Sabbath wae wholly devoted to devotional exercises—preaching
by brethren Williams, Stokes and James Carter. The congregation was
5
unusually large—we had "joy, and gladness, and a feast, and a good
day /"
Monday morning, met according to adjournment, prayer by Brother
Battle.
16. The Committee on the suggestion from the Iviokee church report¬
ed. (See report letter B.)
17. Discussed at length the importance of itinerant labors among the
•churches and destitute neighborhoods—the Ministers present, ResolvedI,
That during the next year they would perform as much of such labor as
practicable, and report at the next meeting of the body.
18- Appointed the next meeting of this body to be held with the church
atEbenezer, eight miles east of Washington, Wilkes county, on Friday
before the 2d Lord's day in October, 1841.
19. The Committtee on nominations reported that brother W. P.
Steed preach the next Introductory sermon ; brother N. Lumpkin, his
alternate ; brother Daniel preach the Missionary sermon ; brother Wil¬
liams, his alternate.
20. Elected by ballot the following brethren to represent this body in
the next Baptist State Convention of Georgia, viz: Jesse Mercer, San¬
ders, E. Callaway, Stocks, Janes, Thornton, West and Stokes—Sher¬
wood and Harris, alternates.
21. Read and approved the report of the Financial Committee. (See
report letter C.)
22. Read and adopted the letters prepared to correspendingbodies.
23. Requested the Clerk to superintend the printing and distribution
of 2500 copies of these minutes, and voted him $35 as a compensation
for his trouble and expense.
24. Requested the Constitution and Decorum of the Association to be
inserted in the minutes of this year.
Adjourned to the time and place above mentioned.
B. M. SANDERS, Moderator.
W. H. Stokes, Clerk.
A P P E N D IX.
REPORT A.
The Committee on the communication from our venerable brother Jea
se Mercer, Report :
That thev recommend that his letter be published m the Minutes, as
containing satisfactory arguments on the subjects which it brings to our
notice: also that, we gratefully accept the offer of the copies of the
"History of the Georgia Association," which he generously proffers us,
and that our Moderator be constituted an agent to attend to this business.
When the proceeds shall hav,.; been collected, the Association can direct
their use as they may deem best, whereupon,
Resolved, That under the full conviction of the christian duty of spend¬
ing every Sabbath day in a religious way unto the Lord ; and under as
full a conviction of the duty of every church to meet weekly instead of
monthly for their own spiritual improvement, as well as to be a light to
tire world around them, we recommend in accordance with the affection¬
ate counsel of our much esteemed Father in the gospel, that the mem¬
bers of our several churches use their best endeavors to encourage a faith¬
ful observance of the aforesaid duties.
'Resolved also, That the generous donation of the "Christian Index''
with its office and all its furniture, by our benevolent Brother Mercer to
the Baptist Convention of this State, making said institution the property
of the denomination in the State, is gratefully acknowledged by us, to
impose upon each one of us the duty of procuring for it all the encour¬
agement and patronage we can, as well out of gratitude to the benevo¬
lent donor, as to further the laudable objects qf'his design in its bestow-
ment. AD1_EL SHERWOOD, Chairman.
Washington, (G^.) October 6th, 1840.
To the Georgia Association, at Bethesda,
Dear Brethren,—1 have cherished with fond anticipation, the hope
that I might be permitted to be with you at this your annual meeting;
but the Lord seems to have determined otherwise. If my own afflictions
would permit, (which however can hardly admit it,) those of my palsi¬
ed wife added, form a complete barrier. I think, under the prospect
which lies before me, it is very problematical whether 1 shall ever meet
with you again, in your present capacity on earth. I therefore, in this
way, wish to press upon your attention, and through you uoon the con¬
sideration of th e churches, the importance of a few particulars. We have
not yet, according to the Apostle's exhortation, gone on to perfection in
those Godly practices, which are by Jesus Christ, intended to glorify
7
God, and fill the earth with his knowledge and glory. There are two
things especially, which should be urged upon the consideration and
practice of the churches, in order to their being prepared, fully, to even
bear any competent part in the instrumentality of this great and glorious
design of mercy. The one is a more frequent and proper observance of
"the Lord's day." The Apostle (Heb. 10 : 24, 25.) condemns the
manner of some, in forsaking to assemble themselves together. Now is
it not the manner of the churches, who fail to meet together three Sun-
7 O
days out of four, to forsake the assembling of themselves together in the
sense of the Apostle 1 The churches therefore ought to be urged, yea,
provoked to this love and.good work. I shall not attempt a labored argu¬
ment to prove the change of the Sabbath to the first day of the week.—
Let it suffice, that it was changed and has been so observed, by the
churches, from-the Apostle's days till now. Our Lord left in charge
with the Apostles, to teach their disciples "all things whatsoever he had
taught them." And these Apostles have taught us that we have them for
our examples. Now how is it, that the first churches came into the uni¬
versal observance of the first day of the week as their day of public wor¬
ship ; and how is it that all christian nations have established it by law,
if it was not at first established by the authority and example of the Apos¬
tles themselves ? But there is another view of it. The Apostle (Rom.
14: 6.) commends him that esteemed one day above another, in that he
regarded it unto the Lord. Now then, as all the churches have profess¬
ed to esteem <lthe. Lord's day" above all others, the obligation is imper¬
ative to regard it unto the Lord : that is to devote it entirely to his ser¬
vice. Such works of mercy, as is stated by Christ in Mat. 12: 11. and
of necessity, as in Luke 13 : 15. are lawful to be done on the Lord's
day. But do not our churches suffer their members to start and drive
their teams to market or other particular business; or set out on con¬
templated journeys and travel on the Lord's day, in which they employ
themselves, their servants and beasts of labor as they would on any other
day ? This I take to be equal to harnessing up and going out to plough¬
ing in the field ; for he that offends in one point is guilty of all! These
things must be remedied. For if the day is not regarded unto the Lord,
it must be a profanation. I fear this guilt lies upon all our churches.
The other point to which I solicit the special notice of the Association,
is, the assembling of the churches every Lord's day (familiarly called
Sunday) for the purpose of religious worship and service. I suppose
the practice of monthly, instead of weekly meetings, grew up out of
shear necessity ; but has not this custom continued long since that neces¬
sity ceased"? Whether the churches have settled Pastors or not, they
should assemble at their own places of worship for the instruction of
their families, the raising up ©f their children in the nurture and admo¬
nition of the Lord, and the training their young men to religious habits
and usefulness.
8
Theie is one prominent feature and custom in our Lord's character,
that has been totally overlooked by the churches. It is recorded Luke
4 : 10. "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up :
and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue (or place of wor¬
ship) on the Sabbath da^, and stood up for to read.' From this it ap¬
pears, that the child Jesus, from the time when he went down with his
parents to Nazareth and was subject to them, was in the constant habit
of going every Sabbath day to the synagogue to read to the people. Why
should not our churches adopt the custom of going up to the house of
the Lord every Sunday and employing their young men in reading to the
people 1 This would tend, I apprehend, to another, and a very im¬
portant result—the settling of regular Pastors in the churches. Why
should not the churches now speedily return to the Apostolic plan, and.
the practice of the first ages % This consideration cannot be pressed up¬
on the attention of the churches with too much earnestness.
But I wish to claim the attention of the Association to a different sub¬
ject. You know that the history of the Association was undertaken by
me at the particular request of the Association, though 1 did it volunta¬
rily and at my own risque. It has been an unfortunate undertaking in¬
deed to me. I am afflicted in the fact, that, after all, it is unsaleable.—
Why this is so, I can't pretend to say. I have come to the conclusion to
give up the edition to the disposal of the Association, for their own bene¬
fit in any way they may devise.
There is a remnant of sheets (I know not how many) in the binder's
hands in Philadelphia, under the direction of brother B. R. Loxley—
100 in Savannah, in the care of brother Sweat—100 with brother Tur-
pin, in Augusta, and 200 in the hands of brother B. L. Barnes, Mi.—
some of these may be sold, but all are unaccounted for. I have also
between 200 and 300 in the office here. I hope you will accept this
gift; and adopt some method of distribution, by putting the price so low
as to induce sales, or in any way you may judge best. If money should
be raised by the books, I would suggest that it should be constituted into
an Associational Fund, for the purpose of paying the Clerk and others,
who serve the Association, &c. But I am not careful how you may see
proper to lay it out, so it will be for the public good, or in the cause of
benevolence.
And now in conclusion, I hereby individually present my christian
love and salutations to each member of your body, s».nd request an earn¬
est interest in the prayers of each and all to God for us in our low es
tate, that we may be able to submit ourselves under the mighty hand of
God, with the Spirit of the suffering Jesus.
Wishing you the presence of the Lord at your session and at all othe *
times, I am dear brethren, yours in indissoluble bonds.
JESSE MERCER.
9
REPORT B.
The Committee to wTiom was refered the subject of the address of the
Anti-Slavery brethren oft he North, Report:
That they are informed by tlv.1 brethren of ihto body who constitute a
part of the Executive Committee of the Bi j >ti^i Convention of this State,
that said Committee have taken measures i<» asi erl,iin us ea-rlv as possible,
to what extent the principles avowed in sauJ address nhrained among the
brethren -bf the Baptist Board of Foreign VI iq, ar>d in the meantime,
have required their Treasurer to withhold from .-aid Board, the funds
coming into his hand for Foreign Missions, till t!vw n.ve more fully advi¬
sed upon this subject. They also state that the Baptist Convention of the
State of Georgia at its last session, appointed a much larger delegation
than usual, with special reference to this subject. to meet the next Trien¬
nial Convention to sit in April next in the city of Baltimore,—the follow¬
ing resolutions are therefore recommended :
1» That this Association, with the most entire confidence in the pru¬
dence of the measures adopted bv said Committee and Convention, in
relation to said subject, submit to their direction the amount of funds
raised for the different benevolent objects : And,
Whereas, it appears that divers churches of this Association, would
have sent up larger amounts than they havn, (particularly for Foreign
Missions) but for the agitation of this offensive subject,
Resolved 2nd?y, That we recommend to said churches to send up as
early as practicable to the Treasurer of the Convention, all the amount
which it was in their hearts to contribute for the support of their brethren
laboring in foreign fields, with the confidence that said Committee will
-see that it shall be faithfully appropriated.
B. M. SANDERS, Chairman
REPORT C.
Th6 Financial Committee have received from the Churches composing
the Georgia Association, their contribution.-* for various objects as exhibi¬
ted in the following Table, viz :
Minutes.Do. Mis. Fo-Mis. Gen Pur. Tota?.
Aberl^en,
Antioch, Oglethorpe,
Augusta,
Beth6l, Crawford villi',
Bethlehem, Bethel,
Bethesda,
Beard's Meeting House,
Clark's Station,
Couiity Line,
Danh'a,sbiii&,
Dodble Branches,
EbeVi^z^r,
Elirft,
Fisb'irig'Creek,
FrieWdstiip,
Greensborou gh,
Goshen,
1
/>0
13
47
U 97
3
00
3 00
6
06i
6 06i
4
00
3 00
U2
30
29 jfo
1
50
1 50
3
00
21 12$
24 12*
4
00
70 00
74 00
i
00 19 90
16 00
36 90
2
00
,2 00
l
00
16
50
17 50
2
75
21 50
24 25
2
00
66 81 $
U 814
1
50
2 75
4 25
2
00
2 00
1
00 5 00
6 00
2
00
2 00
3
00
22 11
25 11
Y
00
60 25
62 25
10
Minutes. Do. Mis. Fo.Mis.
Gen. Pur.
Total•
Grove,
1 50
1 50
Hepzibah,
2 00
21 27
23 27
Horeb,
2 50
2 00
2S 25
32 75
Kiokee,
3 00
6 00
21 06*
30 06i
Lincolnton,
1 50
20 00
21 50
Long Creek,
2 00
2 00
Mount Zion,
1 00
1 00
Newford,
2 00
3 58
5 5S
New Hope, Lincoln,
1 75
6 12*
7 87*
New Providence,
2 00
2 00
Pine Grove,
1 00
23 00
24 00
Powelton,
3 00
87 12*
90 12*
Phillips' Mill,
3 00
13 37
16 37
Rehoboth,
2 00
9 98
9 98
21 96
Salem, Lincoln,
1 75
1 00
2 75
Sardis.
3 00
22 75
25 75
Shiloh,
2 50
2 50
Sharon,
50
50
Smyrna,
1 50
1 50
Sweet Water,
2 20
2 20
"Union, Warren,
2 00
9 63
11 63
Union, Lincoln,
1 00
3 25
4 25
Warren ton.
White Plains,
3 00
32 50
32 50
68 00
Williams' Creek,
2 50
36 00
38 60
Washington,
2 00
132 33
371 33
505 66
Beaverdam,
1 50
19 37*
20 87j
Salem, Oglethorpe,
1 50
1 50
African Church,
4 00
4 00
Spirit Creek,
1 50
1 50
Penfield,
3 00
91 75
94 75
Antioch, Richmond,
1 00
3 88
4 88
Ebeneeer African Ch.
1 00
1 00
Total, $107 6i 211 29 823 14 334 32$ 1475 81|
In addition to what is exhibited in the foregoing table, your Commit¬
tee have received the following amounts, to be applied to the objects un¬
der their respective heads:
TEXAS MISSION.
From Bethesda Church,
" Shilo
" Smyrna "
" Crawfordville,
From a Bister of Powelton Church,
" Penfield,
" Mount Zion,
>" a friend at Sabbath Collection,
$ 71 12*
16 06*
16 25
1 00
1 00
24 00
9 75
2 50
1141 68}
11
For the American and Foreign Bible Society.
From Bethesda Church, $ 75 00
Fifty dollars of which was subscribed by A. Janes to
I. M. Allen, 10 dollars by R. Q. Dickerson,
10 dollars by R. Asbury, and 5 dollars by J.
Battle.
From Horeb Church as subscribed to Bro. Allen, 46 00
From Washington Church as subscribed to Bro. Mc-
Lay, 10 dollars of which is from Rev. James M.
Chiles, of South Carolina, the balance to consti¬
tute him with other payments,life director of said
Society. 268 34
From Allen Rhodes of Crawfordville Church, as sub¬
scribed to I. M. Allen. 3 00
From Williams' Creek, ($15) 10 of which has been
paid to Brother Allen. 5 00
From Mount Zion Church as subscribed to Brother
Allen. 11 00
FromPowelton Church as subscribed to Br. Allen. 17 00
From Penfield as subscribed to Brother Allen. 18 00
$443 34
The American Baptist Home Missionary Society.
From Hepzibah, as subscribed to Brother Hutckins. 1 00
Foreign Missions.
From Church at Greensborough, $145 00
" at Grove, 15 35
a friend by the hand of brother Steed, 68
Church at County Line, 20 36
" at Salem, Lincoln county, 14 25
N. M. Lumpkin, for the Antioch Church, Richmond, 5 00
a friend at Sabbath collection, 2 50
$203 14
Burman Mission.
From Church at Bethlehem, Bethel, 13 95
" Females of Powelton Church and congregation, 36 00
" Church at Fishing Creek. 12 Pv/
$62 45
14 90
80 25
African Mission.
From the African Church, Augusta.
General purposes.
From Augusta Female Missi^iary Society.
From Crawfordville Chvch, one gold ring.
Burman Bible.
From a sister of Powelton Church. ^ ® •
>' J[ew Providence
$14 80
12
Foi• the Institute.
From Lewis Moore. 1 0^
For Brother Stevens.
Frctn a friend at Sabbath collection. 2 50
For Brother Simons.
Ftom a friend at Sabbath collection. 2 50
RECAPITULATION.
For Minutes (paid to Clerk, $107 6£.)
Domestic Mission, $211 JS>
Foreign Missions, 823 14
General Purposes, 414 57£
Texas Mission, 141 68$
For the American and Foreign Bible Society,, 443 34
For Missions. 203 14
Burman Mission, 62 45
African Mission, 14 90
Burman Bible, 14 80
American Baptist Home Mission Society, 1 00
For collection taken on Sabbath, 60 43
Bro. Stevens, 2 50, and Bro. Simoas,. 2 50*. 5 00
For the Institute, 1 00
$2405 75
Received of the Financial Committee,. Two Thousand Four Hundred
and Five Dollars and seventy rive Cents.
ABSALOM JANES, Treasurer.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
CHARLES M. IRVIN.
JOEL E. MERCER.
WILLIAM PEEK.
In addition to the above amounts the Clerk has received,
From John Dewberry as subscribed to Bro. Allen, $5 00
From Alex. Frazieras subscribed to Br. Huckins, 5 00
From Sister Reynolds for Foreign Missions, 3 75
From Brother Henry for do. 1 00
Constitution Bccoruui of tlie Georgia Association.
"We, the churches ofjte...,^, Q]1rjst> who have been regularly baptized
upon a profession of our faith,.a*V<!onvinced, from a series of experience,
of the necessity of a combination "f^Mn-ches ; and of maintaining a cor¬
respondence, for the preserving of a federal, un;on amongst all the church¬
es of the same faith and order.
And as we are convinced, that there are a number of Baptist churches,
who differ from us in faith and practice; and that it is itnoqssible to have
communion where there is no union, we think it our duty to set forth
a concise declaration of the faith and order, upon which we intend to as¬
sociate, which is as follows:
13
1st. We believe in one only true and living God; and that there is a
trinity of persons in the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost; and yet there ate not three Gods, but one God.
2d. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament
are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.
3d. We believe in the fall of Adam, and the imputation of his sin to-
his posterity. In the corruption of human nature, and the impotency of
man to recover himself by his own free v ill—ability.
4th. We believe in the everlasting love of God to his people, and the1
eternal election of a definite number of'the human race, to grac<-* & glory :
And that there was h. covenant oi ijrace or redemption made between the1
father and the Son, before the world began, in which their salvation is-
secure, and that they m particular are redeemed.
5th. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God, only by
the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.
6th. We believe that all those who were chosen in Christ, will be ef¬
fectually called, regenerated, converted, sanctified, and supported by the
spirit and power of God, so that they shall persevere in grace, and noS
one of them be finally lost.
7th. We believe that good works are the fruits of faith, and follow af¬
ter justification, and that they only justify us in the sight of men and an¬
gels, and are evidences of our gracious state.
8th. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a
general judgment; and the happiness of the righteous, and the punish¬
ment of the wicked will be eternal.
And as for Gospel order:
1st. We believe that the visible Church ofChrist is a congregation of
faithful persons, who have gained christian fellowship with each other,
and have given themselves up to the Lord, and to one another, and have
agreed to keep up a Godlv discipline, agreeably to the rule's of the Gospel,
2nd. We believe that Jesus Christ is the great head of his Church, and
only law giver, and that the government is with the body, and is the pri¬
vilege of each individual; and that the discipline of the church is intend¬
ed for the reclaiming of those christians, who may be disorderly, either
in principle or practice ; and must be faithfully keptup, for God's glory,
and the peace and unity of the churches.
3d. We believe that water baptism and the Lord's supper, are ordi¬
nances of the Lord, and are to be continued till his second coming. ^
4th. We believe that true believers in Jesus Christ are the o*'J
jects of baptism, and that dipping is the mode. embers have
5th. We believe that none but regular baptized chur
aright to communion at the Lord's table. , i v-.
P, ttt ] I- . • • I 1 c neaven-borii soul to be-
6th. We believe that it is the duty of eve*y . .. ? t •
, r.u • -i i rw u . .jjake a public profession ol his
coma a memkr of the v,„ .1. Cl.urch £ > anJ £ e of th(j
faith, to be legally hapuzej so as the vvMe ooure „f h,s life.
Lord s supper at every legal on" ' : \ . . i _ wp in.
rr ■ J narv of the faith and order upon v> men we in-
purpose to mention for the decorum of
our L,oLi following plan or form of ,he ch|Jrch.
Article Ut. Those members who are regularly chosen by the church
6%7 Then;nembtrs soThCl'tLllproduce" letters from their respeet-
iv<f churches? ceitifying their appointment, together with their number
14
in fellowship, those baptized, received by letter, restored, dismissed, ex¬
communicated, and dead, since the last association.
3d. The members thus chosen and convened, shall be denominated the
Georgia Baptist Association.
4th. This association shall have no power to lord it over God's heritage;
nor by which they can infringe upon any ofthe internal rights of'the churches.
5th. The association shall have a moderator and clerk, who shall be
chosen by the members present.
6th. If new churches desire to be admitted into this union, they shall
petition by letter and messengers delegates, and upon examination, if
found orthodox and orderly, shall be received by the association ; and
manifested by the moderator's giving the messenger or messengers dele¬
gates, the right hand of fellowship.
7th. No church in the union shall have a right to more than two mes¬
sengers delegates, till she shall exceed one hundred members ; and then
she shall have a right to an additional messenger delegate, for every fifty
after the first hundred.
8th. Every query sent to the association, by any chureh in the union,
shall be read and put to vote by the moderator, whether it shall be deba¬
ted ; and if there be a majority for, it shall be taken up and investigated ;
but if not, it shall be withdrawn.—Provided always, That those be first
considered which affect the union of churches.
9th. Every motion made and seconded, shall come under the observa¬
tion of the association; except it be withdrawn by the member who made it.
10th. Every member who speaks in debate shall rise from his seat,
and address the moderator; and shall not be interrupted while speaking,
except he depart from the subject.
11th. No person shall speak more than three times to the same query,
without leave of the association.
12th. There shall be no talking or whispering in the time of a public
speech, nor reflections cast upon the speaker.
13th. No member shall exempt himself from the association without
leave from the moderator.
14th. If any member shall break the Tules of this decorum, he shall be
immediately reproved by the moderator.
15th. It is the business of this association, first, to provide for the
general union of the churches; secondly, to keep up a correspondence
j^s^hose associations, of the same faith and order, that a chain of com-
mun may be preserved amongst the churches. Thirdly, to give
e c urc best advice they can in matters of difficulty ; and if the
communion s broken, between any ofthe sister churches in the
union, to enquire cause of the breach, and use their best endea¬
vors to remove the difficw. but ifthft breach cannot be healed) to with.
draw from any church orchuiW. om , sha„ Jook tQ be un.
sound in principle, or immoral W tiee/tU1 they be reclaimed.—
Fourthly to admit any ofthe brethren ministry as assistants, if
they shalljudgeit to be necessary Fifthly, w 'int a secretary to
keep a book and regularly record the proceedings \V every association,
and to see that he is satisfied for his trouble. Sixthly, iv have the min¬
utes of the association read (and corrected if need be) and srgncc| by tfog
moderator and clerk, before the association rises, and have them printed
if they think proper. Seventh, to mend this plan or form of government
at any time when the majority ofthe union shall deem it to be necessary.
Eighth, to adjourri to any time or place which they may think to be most
proper."
STATE OF THE CHURCHES.
* Absentees—Ministers, in small capitals—Licentiates, in Italic.
Powtlton, Hancock county,
Mown Zion, do. do.
Horeb, do. do.
White tlains, Greene county.
WarrenU-xi, Warren county.
New Province, do. do.
Long Creek, do. do.
Williams' Cre^k, do. do.
Bethel, Crawfo^ville, Taliaferro county
Elaro, Warren CvUnty.
Kiokee, ColumbiaCOunty.
Pine Grove, do. do.
Sharon, do. do.
Damascus, do. ^p.
Grove, do. d.
Bethlehem, Bethel, do
Aberleen, do.
Double Branch, Lincoln purity.
Sweet Water, Warren conty.
Union. do. dt
Augusta, Richmond cov^y.
Springfield, Af. do. do.
Spirit Creek, do. do.
Ebenezer, da do.
New Hope, Lincoln county.
Antioch, Richmond county.
D. G. Daniel, C. M. Irvin.
Thomas Neal, H. McLellan.
John A. Evans, Thomas Whaley.*
S. Johnson, I. Moore, McKinney Howell, A. R. Howell.*
Joseph Holmes, Samuel Hall.*
Adam Jones,* Stephen Jones.*
R. V. Asberry, Jethro Darden.
John W. Wilson, Joel E. Mercer, John Chapman, William Peek.
Radford Gunn, John C. Gunn.
Juriah Harris, C. Collins, D. Stanford.
Benjamin T. Reece, B. E. Alford.*
A. L. Kennady, D. L. Marshal], L. G. Stee:i.
Billing ton Blanchard, Benjamin Cartledge.
William Cliatt, A. L. Zachary.
G. W. Toole, W. S. Reid.
Thomas Skinner, J. C. Perrin.
S. Moseley, J. Blanchard.*
William P. Steed, Elisha Burson.*
George W. Hardaway, T. Grenade.*
Eli Mustin, John W. Whitlock.*
Jacob Walker, Jacob McKinley, Kcllog Imic.
Peter Johnson.
Isaac Birch, (colored.)
David Florence, Thomas Tillory.
Thomas Wylds.*
1
a
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Rece'd by Letter.
b
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21
11
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51
2
19
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7
7
20
2
2
205
13
2
6
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83
2
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8-5
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26
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STATE ^
%
HE CHURCHES—(Continued.)
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* Absentees Ministers, in small capitals—Licentiates, in Italics.
S'
a
sal
§
S"
Third District. Fourth District
'Bethesda, Greene county. /
Shiloh, do. da /
Smyrna, do. do. ^
Phillips' Mill, Taliaferro/ninty-
Antioch, OglethorpeA'unty.
Beard's, do. do.
County Line, do/ do.
Salem, d/ do.
Greensborough, Gr/ne county.
> Penfield, /do. do.
Goshen, Lincolnj/mty.
Clark's Station, /ilkes county.
Sardis, / do. do.
Newford, / do. do.
Rehobotb, f do. do.
Greenwood,/Lincoln county.
Lincolnto/j do. do. .
Salem, do. do.
Hepzib^, do. do.
Fiehin/ Creek, Wilkes county.
Waslmgton do. do.
Fri^aship, do. >do.
Ebenezer, do. da
Union, Lincoln county.
Beaverdam, Wilkes county.
V. R. .Thornton, A. Janes, James Peek.
William Moncrief, William Sanders, E. C. Shackelford.
Albert Williams, John E. Jackson.
Newton Cooper, William Mattox.
Samuel Lumpkin, William Jewell, William Lumpkin.
N. M. Lumpkin, Sam'l Brook, Wm. Edmondson, D. Geer, T. B. Wilson.
Anthony Edmonds, Edward Meadows.
G. E. Smyth, N. H. Smith.
B. M. Sanders, Thomas Stocks.
A. Sherwood, N. //. Hill.
Alexander Frazier, W. G. Tatum.*
I. N. Bolton, William Hubbard.
Enoch Callaway, Jesse M Jackson, G. W. Callaway.
William T. Lane,* James Pullen, Jr.
W. --W. Prather, Joseph W. Cooper.
Derinis Paschal, John L. Paschal, Felix Shank.
John Zellars, Isaac Willingham.*
John Wright,* H. Hagerman.*
Joseph A. Carter, John Moreman.
Micajah A. Lane, Thomas Anderson, C. L. Bolton.
W. H. Stokes, William H. Pope.
William Norman, Wiley Curry.
John Q,. West, William Florence.
Newel House, John Harper.
John W. Jones, Seaborn Callaway.
8
2
16
19
2
24
1
2
21
2
4
2
1
2
14
2
3
3
12
10
4
0
6
4
1
2
6
1
9
4
5
1
2
5
3
1
18
21
5
7
11
10
5
4
7
8
8
20
4
9
0
1
4
13
4
1
1
6
1
1
8
1
1
5
5
2
5
7
5
1
4
1
1
4
1
3
3
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
2
4
1
5
1
3
1
1
1
1
150
71
14«i
l&l
■m
109
48
77
70
111
43
165
129
130
15'^
41
80
62
157
87
71
59
50
34
•
Total.
484
176
371
69
50l87
6133
O*There are is the Georgia Association, besides those above named, the following ordained ministers, viz: Jesse Mercer, Otis Smith,
Wyche Jackson, William Richards, C. F. Sturgis, William J. Hard, and Dr. Robert Tolefree.