MINUTES
OF THE
Q34NBQQA 2EAW1OT AS8<M?M®I©Sr»
HELD AT
BAIRD'S MEETING-flOUSE, OGLETHORPE COUNTY, GA.
ON
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY,
7til, §tb, 9th and 10th of October, 1836,
WASHINGTON, GA.:
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE " CHRISTIAN INDEX."
4$ '4
18 3 6.
Library of
Emory University
'JUN 1 o 1952
MINUTES.
The introductory Sermon was delivered by Bro. James Mathews, from
Mark 16: 15. " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every
creature."
2. Read the letters from the several Churches and minuted their state.
3. Elected Bro. Jesse Mercer, Moderator, and W. H. Stokes, Clerk.
4. Received the Beaverdam Church, newly constituted in Wilkes county,
and the Salem Church in Oglethorpe, recently dismissed from the Sarepta
Association, as component members of this Body.
5. Invited orderly Ministers of our own, and other Denominations, to seats
with us, and to aid us in our deliberations.
6. Received Correspondence from the following Associations, viz.: from
the Hephzibah, a letter and minutes by Bro. Polhill ; from the Edgeiield, S.
a letter and minutes, by Bro. Hill; from the Saluda, S. G., a letter, by
Bro. A. Rice; from the Qahaba, Ala., a letter and minutes; from the Wash¬
ington, a letter and minutes, by the Brethren Smith and Lassley; from the
Central, minutes, by the Brethren Sherwood, Campbell, and Wilkes; from
the Ebenezer, a letter and minutes, by Bro. Terrell; from the Tugulo, a
letter and miautes, by the Brethren Cobb and Farmer.
7. Appointed the following Committees, viz.: On Preaching, from the
Association, Jack Lumpkin, Sanders, Irvin, and Standford, to act with a
committee of three from the Church at Baird's. On Business, Jon. Davis,
Mathews, and West. On Finance, Dr. T. Janes, Dr. R. Q. Dickinson, and
John Lamar. On the death of Ministers, Jack Lumpkin.
8. The death of Bro. Luther Rice, was announced before the Body—
whereupon it was Resolved, that we'spend a few minutes in prayer, led by
the Moderator, that this afflictive event may be sanctified to the whole Bap¬
tist Denomination. The Meeting was then adjourned, to meet Suturday
morning 9 o'clock. Prayer by Brother Hard.
Friday Morning.—The Association met—Prayer by Bro. Wilson.
#9. Called for the Report from the Committee on Business, which was
read and accepted.
10. Appointed Messengers to other Bodies with which we correspond,
and persons to write letters, viz.: To the Hephzibah Association, the Breth¬
ren Steed, Hard, and Tucker—Hard, to write ; to the Edgefield, Hard and
Blanchard—Blanchard to write; to the Saluda, Davis, Wilson, and
West—Wilson to write; to the Cahaba, Sanders to write the present year,
and Wilson a Messenger in 1837; to the Washington, J. B. Battle and
Tucker—Tucker to write; to the Central,Thornton, Johnston, Tucker and
Sanders—Thornton to write ; to the Ebenezer, Thornton, Johnston, Tuck¬
er, Davis, and Steed—Davis to write; to the Tugulo, Mathews and Calla¬
way—Mathews to write ; to the Edisto, S. C., Hard and Harriss—Dickin¬
son to write; to the Savannah River, S. C., Tucker and Tryon—Tryo.n to
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write; to the Sarepta, the Moderator, Davis and Sanders—A. Janes to
write; to the Western, Thornton, West, Johnston and W. Lumpkin—
Sherwood to write.
11. Agreed to dispense with the Circular Letter this year, and contin¬
ued Bro. J on. Davis, to furnish one for the next.
12. Fixed upon the times and places of the General Meetings as fol¬
lows :
1. District—Long Creek, Friday before 5th Sabbath in July next,
2. do. Sweet Water, do. do. 2d do. do.
3. do. Shiloh, do. do. 5th do. April.
4. do, Clark's Station, do. do. 2d do. August.
13. Considering the increasing demand made upon the liberality of
the denomination in support of Missions,
Resolved, That we will use our best exertions, at the same time pray¬
ing the blessing of God upon our efforts, to raise the sum of $5,000, dur¬
ing the next associational year, in view of the $10,000 proposed to be
raised by the Baptist Convention of Georgia, for Foreign Missions, and
the printing of the Burman Bible.
14. Considered the propriety of this body's sending a Representation
to the Convention to be held in Philadelphia, in April next, for the pur¬
pose of organizing more effectually, the American and Foreign Bible
Society. Committed this matter to the management of the Moderator.
15. Enquired into the progress of the History of the Georgia Baptist
Association. The Moderator reported, that a part of the sheets were
pressed off,—this account was satisfactory.
The Association then adjourned to meet Monday morning at 10 o'clock.
Prayer by Bro. Davis.
16. The Sabbath was wholly spent in religious exercises, in which the
Brethren Hard, Johnston and Sherwood, took a part. Bro. Johnston
delivered the Missionary Sermon; after which a collection was taken,
amounting to more than $120. A good audience were in attendance,
notwithstanding the rain, and gave a respectful attention to the word
preached. We sincerely hope they may have been benefitted,
Monday Morning.—The Association met according to adjournment-
Prayer by Bro. Rice. *
17. The Brethren, Mercer, Sanders, Davis, Callaway, Johnston,
Thornton, Lumpkin, and A. Janes, were chosen to represent this body
in the next Convention of Georgia Baptists, to be held near Ruckersville,
Elbert county, and to commence Friday before the first Sabbath in May,
1637. The Brethren Stokes and Mathews, were appointed as the alter¬
nates of any of the above, who may fail to attend..
18. Appointed the next session of this Association to be held at New-
ford, Wilkes county; to commence Friday before the second Sabbath in
October next. Bro. Tucker to preach the Introductory Sermon—-Bro.
West, his alternate. Bro. Hard, the Missionary Sermon—Bro, Thorn¬
ton, his alternate.
10. The following Queries were presented and considered:
(1.) From Newhope, Green—"Is it right for a member of a Baptist
Church, to train, or suffer his horSe to be trained for the race ground, or
to frequent the places where horses are training1?" Ans.—unanimously
and emphatically—NO!!
(2.) Found on the table—"What ought to be done with any Brother,
who lives orderly as a Baptist Brother, and has thrown his small estate
into the mercantile line, in company with those who retail spirits'?" An¬
swer—We advise, that the most effective measures be adopted by the
Church, to rescue the Brother from that connection; and, if that cannot
be done, that he be excluded.
(3.) From Warrenton Church—"Is it good order, in a Baptist Church,
to refuse their Pastor a hearing, when he has been misrepresented by a
member of the Church1?" Answer—No!
20. The Letters prepared to corresponding bodies, were called for,
read, approved, and signed.
21. At the instance of the Columbia county Female Missionary Socie¬
ty, requested Bro. Hard to preach a Missionary Sermon, before said So¬
ciety, at Appling, on the first Wednesday in June next; and that the
Clerk be his alternate.
22. Whereas, it has appeared to this Association, that our beloved
Brother, Adiel Sherwood, who has longbeeu a highly useful member
of this body, is about to take his leave of us, to labor for the interests of
the Columbian College, in the District of Columbia,
Resolved, That we entertain a lasting sense of the many important ser¬
vices rendered the body by our Brother—that, we hope he will not be
discouraged by the late afflictive dispensation of Divine Providence, in
the death of Bro. Rice; but, go forward in the prosecution ef the ardu¬
ous work before him; and, that we sincerely pray the blessing of God to
go with him, and crown him, ultimately, with complete success.
Resolved further, That we cordially commend him to the kind regards
of the Baptist Denomination at large, as a Brother beloved, and as pos¬
sessing the requisite qualifications to discharge the duties of the station
which he has been called to fill by the Trustees of the above named In¬
stitution.
-23. The report of the Committee, appointed last year, to assign rea¬
sons for our corresponding with the Central Association, was read by
Bro. Davis, the Chairman of said Committee, and, on motion, w~as ac¬
cepted. See report A.
24. Brother Lumpkin made his report upon the decease of Ministers,
which was received. See report B,
25. The Committee on Finance reported through their Chairman, Dr.
'Janes. This report was accepted. See report C.
26. RESOLUTIONS.
(1.) Resolved, To encourage, as far as we possibly can, Sabbath School
operations in all our Churches; that we interest ourselves in the circula-
6
lation of Tracts; and that we request the members of the Churches to
read the Bible through, at least once, during the associational year.
(2.) Resolved, That we deeply regret the fatally erroneous vie^s that
we understand some Baptist Churches in some of our sister Associations
have taken, in relation to the several benevolent societies of the day: and,
that we earnestly recommend to all our brethren, the prayerful reading
of the Scriptures, to see how directly such views are condemned by the
word of God.
27. Requested the Clerk to superintend the printing and distribution
of 2500 copies of these Minutes. And,- Resolved, that he have thirty
dollars for his services:
The Moderator addressed the Association affectionately; and, after
prayer by Brother Sherwood, adjourned the meeting to the time and
place above mentioned.
JESSE MERCER, Moderator,
W. H. Stokes, Clerk.
HEPOItT A.
Reasons for Corresponding with the Central Association.
It is well known tlint tit a for acr mr cling of our Body, we opened a
corrcspoiiflt m,r wilh fl e ulril itic i. We were acquainted, as
we supposed, with t)k sf nutin^ nf lint Pod; , htmI felt that there were
just grounds for expri sHiijjf lu lliem our bc-t v ishes, and cultivating a
friendly, christian internmrse u ith them. It appears that many of our
dear brethren, whom i hi^'l ly p^U'piii, have expressed a strong disap¬
probation of our course, ami stvt ral Associations have even gone so far,
as to decline farther uoiTespoiidcnct with us. This has been to us a
source of mortification arid unfeigned regret. We wish to live in peace
with our brethren, and to enjoy the advantages of their society, counsels,
■and christian correspondence. Having carefully reviewed our course in
regard to the matter under consideration, we can discover no just reason
for retracing our steps. And, yet anxious to afford our brethren all the
satisfaction in our power, we hereby submit to their consideration the
reasons which incline us to continue our correspondence with the Cen¬
tral Association.
1. The Central Association is of our faith and order. Its articles of
faith are the same, precisely with those of our own Body, and of the Oc-
mulgee and Flint River Associations. The old Churches have the same
faith, with which they lived quietly, for along time, in die Yellow River,
Ocmulgee, and Flint; and the new Churches have all been constituted
on the faith of our own Body. Now, we contend, that unity of faith and
order, constitutes one strong bond of union; and, wherever amongst the
Churches of Christ, this exists, correspondence should by no means be
refused, without the most weighty and substantial reasons.
2. We believe the Ministers of the Central Association to be pious,
evangelical men. Some of them were once connected with our Body;
and, with all of them, some of us are, more ©r less, acquainted. They
have been accused of Arminianism ; But, where is the evidence to sus¬
tain this charge? Is it in the faith of the Association to which they be¬
long? Or, in the faith of the Churches with which they are connected?
Or, in the general tenor of their preaching? Or, in their recent deliber¬
ate and solemn declaration at the Forsyth meeting? Ministers may some¬
times make unguarded expressions in their preaching, and in their mode
of illustrating some points, may not perfectly agree. But, shall we be
so uncharitable as to make a man an offender for a word, and denounce
him as unsound, because he may not agree with us in every nice shade
of thought? If this be just, then, is all ministerial fellowship forever at
an end—then, must Churches and private christians separate from each
other, and remain in sullen, dreary, and perpetual disunion. We admit,
that the Central Ministers are more practical in their preaching than some
of our brethren. They do not, in a formal manner, discuss election, pre¬
destination, and the covenant, in every sermon; though they have, again
and again, avowed their belief in them. They do not hesitate to urge
obligation upon saints and sinners; they call upon sinners to repent, and
upon saints to be holy; they urge the Churches to awake to the solemn
command of Christ, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature." If this is Arminianism, then are the Central Ministers,
Arminian; then is the Georgia Association, Arminian; then were Christ,
Paul, and all the Apostles, the greatest Arminians that ever lived.
3. The Central Association came together just as our own Association
did, in 1784. They had no regularly appointed Presbytery to constitute
them; neither had we. And, where is the scripture requiring thisl
None—and for a good reason; because, there is no scripture authority
for Associations. We would observe, however, that at the formation of
the Central Association, beside its own Ministers, there were present
three others of our faith and order, and of respectable standing, viz.;
Adiel Sherwood, I. M. Allen, and G. F. Heard, who cordially recogniz¬
ed the body as a regular Association.
4. The Central Association is engaged in the same work of faith, and
labor of love, ia which we are. This is a powerful consideration, why we
should treat them with kindness, and encourage a friendly correspond¬
ence with them. They are sustaining Ministers to labour in destitute
places; they contribute to aid the circulation of the Bible in Burmah and
other nations; and in various ways, which we believe to be in perfect ac¬
cordance with the spirit and principles of the gospel, they endeavor to
promote the cause of piety, and advance the Redeemer's kingdom in the
earth. Should we not love and esteem them for their work's sake? We
hope that our dear brethren will never give us any just cause to conclude
that they are inclined to withdraw from us, on account of our fellowship
with the Central Association in these things.
s
5. As far as we haoe an opportunity of knowing, (and this opportunity
with some of us, is by no means limited,) the Central Churches endeavor
to maintain a Godly discipline. They do not tolerate unsoundness in
faith, nor immorality in practice. Drunkenness, and other crimes, are
met immediately, and the offenders excluded. They are much united
among themselves. The annual meetings of the Association have thus
far been marked with love, peace, and Godly zeal; and, on the whole, we
think we have good reason to say, that they are as orderly a Body,- as any
with whom we have the happiness of corresponding.
OBJECTIONS.
1. The Body is made tip, mostly, of seceding Churches. This is true".
But, we contend, that mere secession from an Association, does not im¬
pair the standing of a Church. This position has never been denied by
consistent Baptists. Hear the unanimous opinion of more than fifty Min¬
isters, recently expressed at Forsyth: "Does the mere secession of a
Church from an Association, affect its character as an orderly Body? An¬
swer—No: unanimously." Many of us are intimately acquainted with
the causes which led to the secession of these Churches. We believe
them to be justifiable. The Associations had' evidently transcended' their
prerogatives, and infringed upon the internal rights of the Churches.
2. The Sharon Church is unsound and disorderly, and the Eatonton
Church was withdrawn from, by the Ocmulgee, for immorality.
Has the Sharon Church ever been properly tried, labored with, and
condemned1? We answer, No. As to faith, she has the same with which
she lived, peaceably, in the Yellow River Association. And, if the phra¬
seology of some part of it may be thought objectionable, has she not
proved her correctness by cordially uniting with the Central, on a faith
that no one objects to"? In the serious and protracted difficulty Between
her and the Flint River, it appeared to'us that the Association Bad de¬
parted from the better principles of discipline. The Committee sent to
the Church, in our judgment, interfered with the internal rights of the
Ghurch, and improperly encouraged a minority to set themselves up, in
opposition to the majority, and represent themselves in the Association.
The Association sustained the acts of that Committee, and by this act,
and some other proceedings not necessary to mention here, transcended,
as we think, her rightful powers. An able delegation from our Body,
consisting of eight brethren, examined thoroughly into all the grounds of
difficulty, and, in their views, sustained the Sharon Church, and disap¬
proved of the acts of the Association. Two Messengers from the Sarep-
ta, viz.: F. Callaway and Jeremiah Reeves, were present, and united
with the Georgia Delegation in their complaints. Indeed, the Associa¬
tion at the time, made a partial acknowledgment, by saying, "That she
might have departed from the better principles of discipline, and gone too
lar; «nd that she felt sorry that she had given cause of complaint to her
sister, the Georgia Association." Had this acknowledgment been carried
y
out in a proper spirit, it appears to us that many o£ the difficulties would
have been removed. Another circumstance, in reference to the Sharon
Church, we think will go far to defend her character. When she stood
denounced by the Association, afflicted by what she believed to be griev¬
ous wrongs, and was, at the same time, strongly solicited to unite with
the Churches which went off with Cyrus White, with which she had a
most sincere and hearty sympathy, so far as associational interference was
concerned, she steadfastly i-ejected that proposition, and maintained her
.integrity.
In regard to the Eatonton Church, the circumstances were briefly
these: Several of her members obtained letters of dismission in a disor¬
derly manner, and joined the new Salem Church. The Eatonton Church
labored with them, and endeavored to persuade them ta return; and up-'
on their obstinately refusing to do so, she finally excluded them. For this
act, and the-decision of the Church on another subject, the New Salem
Church sends a Committee to deal with the Eatonton. The difficulty
not being adjusted, is brought into the Association, and a Committee is
appointed by that Body, to aid in making peace. This Committee de¬
cides, that the letters were obtained in a disorderly manner; advises the
Eatonton Church to modify some harsh expressions in her Minutes; the
New Salem Church, to drop all her charges; the persons irregularly dis¬
missed, to return to Eatonton Church, in the spirit of the Gospel; and,
upon their so doing, that the Eatonton Church restore them to fellowship.
And they also advised, that nothing more be said between them, on the
usury question. Tiie Eatonton Church, by her Delegates, agreed to this
advice, so far as it related to the difficulties between the two Churches;
and New Salem did the same. Of course, the Eatonton Church made
no pledge to restore her excluded members; and whether she did, or did
not restore them, New Salem could not complain, for she had agreed to
drop all her charges; and Eatonton was left, in this respect, perfectly
free to exercise her own discretion. Some of the excluded persons re¬
turned, and were cordially restored; others applied, but not satisfying
the Church, were still held in exclusion. They then returned to New
Salem, and, in accordance with the advice of a Council called for the oc¬
casion, were recognized as her members. Eatonton complains—the As¬
sociation sustains New Salem—declares that Eatonton has not redeemed
her pledge, (a pledge which she had never made,)—that she required
too much acknowledgment, and sends a Committee to labor with her, for
not restoring the excluded persons referred to; and which very persons
the Association had, in the mean time, acknowledged as members of the
New Salem Church. The Church still persisting in her right to judge of
the acknowledgment of those who seek restoration to her bosom, is at
length withdrawn from by the Association, upon the charge of immorali¬
ty, for not redeeming her pledge. This is the offence of Eatonton. She
adheres to those principles winch have ever been contended for by Bap¬
tist Churches; carefully maintains her sacred rights; and yet, for this, is
10
disowned. These things are well known to our Body. Many of our
brethren have been familiar with them from first to last. We have labor¬
ed with the Ocmulgee, and have endeavored to prevent that unhappy
state of things which exists. The last time the Eatonton difficulty was
agitated in that Body, we had able brethren there, who faithfully remon¬
strated with her, for the unjustifiable course which she seemed determin¬
ed to pursue; yet', all in vain.
We are disposed to think, that the firm and decided course pursued
by Sharon and Eatonton, has been the means of throwing much light on*
the just rights of Churches and Associations, and of bringing back many
of our Baptist brethren to original principles.
3. Why should, an Association be formed in the bounds of others?.—
This has been urged as an objection to the Central. The reasons that
justified the Churches in seceding, also justified them in organizing ano¬
ther Association. Must they forever remain in an isolated state1? May
they not come together, if they choose, into some compact for their mu¬
tual edification, and for the good of the Redeemer's cause? Surely, all
the arrangements of the Churches are not to be bound down and squared
by nice geographical lines and stations! This would be making Christ's
kingdom to be of this world, in a very peculiar and earthly sense.
4. Associational correspondence involves the fellowship of the Churches
and individuals. This, we think, is a mistaken view; and if carried out
in practice to its full results, would, perhaps, prevent in a little time al!
associational correspondence whatever. If the position be strictly cor¬
rect, then, when a corresponding [Messenger goes to an Association, be- ,
fore he takes his seat, must he not ascertain whether all the Churches are
in harmony, and all the members in each Church in fellowship1? If he
should find that this is not the case, he must retire till all disorders are
rectified, and harmony is restored.
Again—discipline, implies dealing. Now, if we break off from our
brethren at once, without trying to reclaim them, we do not follow the
Saviour's admonitions. Ought not our brethren who have forsaken us in
consequence of our having opened a correspondence with the Central,
first to have pointed out our error, and' endeavored, in the spirit of the
Gospel, to win us back to duty? It is known that we had long and seri¬
ous difficulties with the Flint River and Ocmulgee Associations. We
conceived that they had greatly erred; yet, we were willing, on our part,
to continue a correspondence with them, hoping that in the end it -might
have led to a happy issue. And, we still hold ourselves ready to renew
our former intercourse, whenever they may desire, or even consent to it.
And, for argument sake, what though some of the Central Churches,
in their protracted and agitating difficulties, might, in some respects, have
departed from Gospel propriety—can we make no allowance for human
infirmity? Shall we treat them as outcasts, until they have paid the utter¬
most farthing? When we find them associated together, and endeavor¬
ing to do the best they can for the advancement of the Redeemer's king-
11
tlorn, should we not be ready to afford them all the assistance in our pow¬
er, that they might be able to strengthen the things that remain that are
ready to die? Should we not help them to "make Straight paths for their
feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but, let it rather
lie healed?"
And now, allow us, dear brethren, to inquire, should not our unhappy
contentions come to an end? Shall the sword of strife and bitter words
devour forever? It is with the deepest regret that we have found it ne¬
cessary, in this communication, to allude to past grievances. We would
gladly have buried them all in oblivion. But, we have felt obliged to say
what we have, in justification of a course which we solemnly believe to be
right, but which has brought down upon us the disapprobation of brethren
whom we love in the Lord, and caused them to withdraw that christian
correspondence which we so much valued and so much desired. We can
but hope that, to many, the reasons here presented will be satisfactory,
and have a tendency to reunite the bonds which have been severed.—
Come, brethren, let us again be friends. If we have done wrong, we
ask your forgiveness; and as to those things in which we have felt, in
time past, aggrieved by you, we are ready to say, from the heart we for¬
give. Let us no longer waste our strength in useless contention; but ex¬
pend it upon those labors which tend to peace and edification, and the ad¬
vancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in the earth. We are happy to
perceive that our ministering brethren are laboring for reconciliation
amongst themselves. Let Associations follow this bright example; let
t!he divided Churches follow, and then let all private christians follow on
in the blessed train, and then we shall be once more a happy, united, and
prosperous people, proving to ourselves and all the world, "how good
and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity."
In conclusion, we beg leave to call the attention of our brethren to a
proposition unanimously adopted at the Forsyth Ministers' Meeting. It
meets with our hearty approbation; and, we think, we are willing to act
according to its suggestions. It is as follows:
"Whereas, difficulties-of a long standing and of a complicated charac¬
ter, have disturbed the harmony of brethren and Churehes; and such dif¬
ficulties as it would be impossible to adjust by a minute investigation of
every particular; it is the the sense of this meeting, that we, and our bre¬
thren generally, throughout the State, should, as far as possible, endeavor
to forget all past afflictions, to make all those sacrifices for the sake of
peace, which are consistent with Gospel principle, and strive by friendly
and christian intercourse, by mutual confession, forbearance, and forgive¬
ness, to restore harmony to our denomination."
JONATHAN DAVIS,
ADIEL SHERWOOD,
B. M. SANDERS, > Committee.
R. Q. DICKINSON,
ABSALOM JANES, J
IV
REPORT B.
The Almighty hath been pleased the past j ear, in the course of his
wise and good, yet, to us, inscrutable providence, to take to himself some
of the labourers in his vineyard on earth, whose departure, with heart¬
felt concern, we are railed upon to notice.
Bro. Luther Rice, we have been informed at our present meeting, has
fallen asleep in the arms of Jesus, in fiouth Carolina, to awake no more
until the resurrection of the just. For many years he has not counted
his life dear, but has manifested an entire willingness to spend and be
spent, in efforts to promote the best interests of the Redeemer's kingdom
on earth. As Agent of the General Convention of our denomination in
the United States, and Founder, Patron, and untiring Agent of the Co¬
lumbian College, his unparalleled labours of love will speak, although he
is dead—and his death is regarded by the friends of the College as a loss,
not unlike the one sustained by Elisha, when Elijah was taken up into
Heaven, and the bereaved exclaimed, "My father, my father! the cha¬
riot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof."
Bro. John H. Walker, has, in the course of the past year, gone to join
the spirits of just men made perfect. He died in Walton county, and
come to his grave like a full shock of corn cometh in, in its season. His
godly zeal, ardent piety, and genuine benevolence, qualified him for much
usefulness, and constituted him a beloved brother and an efficient Minis¬
ter of the Gospel of Christ, for a series of years in this Association—and
now he is gone, his memory is most affectionately cherished, and his
works remembered by us.
Bro. Zebulon Howard, a beneficiary of the Mercer Institute, was tak¬
en to his rest in August last. His death is announced thus, in the Chris¬
tian Index, as communicated by the principal Preceptor in the Insti¬
tution :
"His pious and orderly life procured for him the entire confidence and
affections of his brethren, and the respect of all that knew him—and his
labors were becoming very popular among the Churches. But, how
mysterious are the ways of Providence! In the outset of the prom¬
ise of his usefulness, he has been suddenly called away. It may
be, to t«ach the Churches by their loss, the importance of ministerial la¬
bour, and excite their prayers for its increase. It is to us, truly, a
mournful event."
In the close of the very brief notice which we have thus taken of de¬
parted worth, we are deeply affected at the chasm which has taken place
in the Ministerial ranks. The labourer has accomplished, as an hireling,
his day—the soldier of the Cross has fallen in the field of conflict—the
watchman has dropped from the walls of Zion, as the leaf in Autumn, to
rise and publish glad tidings no more. Our departed and beloved broth¬
ers have finished their course, and fought the good fight, and now wear a
crown of glory, O, that all the living Ministers of Christ, may so run
that they, also, may obtain a like reward, and that the importunate cry of
the Church may be such, that the Lord of the harvest may send forth
more laboiirors -mtrrhis-Juirvest.
13
REPORT C.
Tlie Commitleo on Finance liave received from the Delegates of the
Churches of the Georgia Association, and from individuals, their contri¬
butions sent up, (as per list of the Churches, &c., accompanying this Re¬
port,) and make the aggregate, or total amount, as follows, viz.:
For printing Minutes of the Association, ... $108 36
" Home Missions, ----- - 227 00
" Foreign Missions, ----- . 693 12i
" Burman Bible, ------- 1004 25
" General purposes, ------ 451 9S£
From Columbia Female Missionary Society, for Burman
Bible, - - - - - - - 65 00
** A young Lady, in two pieces of gold, for Karen Bible, 10 00
" John Fowler, $1 00—from John Skinner, $5 00, 6 00
" Kiokee Church, for Mercer Institute, 5 years plan, 20 00
" G. W. Hardaway, S3 00—from a little boy, 25 cents,
for Foreign Missions, - - - - - - 3 25
Female Missionary Society of Augusta Church, for do. 49 00
" Greenwood Female Missionary Society, do. 9 62^
" Anti-Tobacconist of Rehoboth Church, do. 3 00
" Individuals of Antioch Church and Congregation Ogle¬
thorpe, for general purposes, ... - 43 50
■" Shiloh Church, for the benefit of Brother House, at
Mercer Institute,. ... - - - 30 00
" Matthew llaney, $3 00 for Foreign Missions, and 50
cents, for Burman Bible, - - - 3 50
"" Barnabas Shivers, $5 00—of E. Jones, $2 00—of
Thos. Lockett, $3 00, for Burman Bible, - - 10 00
" E. McCrary, $1 00—of H. Camp, #2 00—of M.Jones,
$2 00—of A. Jones, $2 00, for Burman Bible, - 7 00
" S.Jones, $2 00—of Bro. David, $5 00—of a Friend,
$5 00, for Burman Bible, - - - - - 12 00
" Kiokia Church,including J.Harris' subscription of #100,
at Rehoboth, for Burman Bible, - - - - 125 43
" Lewis Moore, $1 00—of a Friend, $10 00, for Mercer
Institute, - - - - - - - - 11 00
" Public collection on Sabbath, for Missionary purposes, 121 25
$ 3014 27i
j. j-. Home Foreign Burman General
tnU es' Missions. Missions. Bible, purposes.
Aberleen Church, 1 25 14 00
Antioch, Richmond,
Antioch, Oglethorpe, 4 00
Augusta, 3 00 12 00
Bethel, Crawfordville,
Bethlehem, Bethel,
Bethesda,
Baird's Meeting House,
Clark's Station,
County Line,
Damascus,
Double Branches,
Ebenezer,
EHm, -
4
00
359
00
42 00
1
50
21
50
5 00
4
00 86 00
120
50
161
00
56 06^
3
00
22 50
1
25
39
25
39
50
3
00
73
50
1
50
17 25
3
00
17
00
2
00
18
30
14
Minutes.
Ilome Foreign
Missions. Missions.
Burman
Bible.
General
Puiyoses.
Fishing Creek,
2 00
13 47$
10 50
Friendship,
1 00
7 25
20 00
Greenesborough,
2 00
100 00
jrreenwood,
3 00
23 50
Groshen,
- 1 50
28 37$
27 00
Grove, -
1 50
50
9 00
3 75
Hephzibah,
2 00
10 37$
Horeb, -
2 00
Kiokee, -
3 05
1 00
6 50
Lincolnton,
1 50
15 00
20 00
Long Creek,
2 50
Mount Zion,
1 00
13 12$
New Ford,
2 00
14 00
11 50
New Hope, Greene,
New Hope, Lincoln,
1 00
6 00
2 00
—
2 25
New Providence,
2 00
15 75
Pine Grove,
1 25
Powelton,
3 50
5 00
44 00
" * for last year,
1 50
Philips' Mill,
2 50
8 00
100 00
Rehoboth,
3 00
12 11
Salem, Taliaferro,
1 25
12 75
Salem, Lincoln,
1 50
12 75
Sardis, -
3 50
21 00
Shiloh, -
4 00
Sharon, ...
. 75
10 00
10 18|
Smyrna,
Sweet Water,
1 00
20 00
3 00
8 25
Union, Lincoln,
1 50
9 45
Union, Warren,
2 00
Warrenton,
1 56i
8 50
White Plains,
2 50
52 65
2 50
Williams' Creek,
2 00
20 00
Washington, Wilkes,
African Ch., Richmond,
3 oo :
L24 50
268 00
138 50
, 3 00
Spirit Creek, -
2 00
Beaver Dam, Wilkes,
1 00
8 50
Salem, Oglethorpe,
1 50
16 50
108 36 227 00 693 12$ 1004 25 451 98i
Paid over to A. Janes, Treasurer of
Baptist Convention, - - 2905 91$
Do. " W. H. Stokes, Clerk,
for Minutes, - - - 108 36
$ 3014 27$
THOS. G. JANES, )
JOHN LAMAR, > Financial Committee.
R. Q. DICKINSON,)
15
STATE OF THE CHIT 14CUES.
* Absentees—Ministers, in small cafitals—Licentiates, in Italic.
Churches, Counties, anil Delegates.
b3 & b fa & b y
c »». ^ c>
^ S « a a g-
a-. ^ I § §" S«
r.
first district !«."■§*
Powelton, Hancock, Malcolm Johnston, J.
W.Rabun* 1 5 16 0 0 6 137
Mount Zion, do. H. McClellan, Thos. Neel,* 5 4 1 1 40
Horeb, do. Joseph Roberts,* J. B. Battle,* 2 4 3 1 99
White Plains, Greene, S. Johnson, E. P. Jarrell, 2 7 13 3 3 143
Warrenton, Warren, P. Cody,* W. Castle-
berry,* ------ 4 8 3 155
New Providence, do. S. Hall,* H. Hite, 22 6 1 3 1 57
Long Creek, do. Wm. L. Tucker, A. Jones, 2 1 17 1 1 2 92
Williams'Creek, do. R. V.Asbury* B.Bass,* 5 3 5 3 1 98
Salem, Taliaferro, R.Gunn»*L.L. Andrews,* 6 17 48
Bethel, Crawfordville, do. Jon. Davis, Wm.
Tryon, John Chapman, Hermon Mercer*,
Daniel Meadows, J. V. Davis, - - 4 13 25 6 1 5 336
Elim,
second district.
Kiokia, Columbia, J. Harris,* C. Collins *
D. Stanford, A. Heggie, -
Pine Grove, do. A. L. Kennady, B. Bolton,*
Sharon, do. John Lamar,-E. Wellborn,*
Damascus, do. Jas. Blanchard, A. J. Hutch¬
inson, - - -
Grove, do. Jesse Clark,* Wm. Williams,*
Aberleen, do. J. Skinner, G. A. P. Whitfield,
Bethlehem, Bethel, do. G. B. Toole*, J. Cul-
breath, -
Double Branch, Lincoln, Robert Henderson,
James Howerton,* - - - -
Sweet Water, Warren, N. P. Steed, Elisha
Benson, ------
Union, do. W. Hardaway,* J. Rickitson,*
Augusia, W. J. Hard, J. W. Whitlock,*
African, do. J. Walker, J.Walton, W. Blair,
J. Thomas, -
Spirit Creek, Richmond, Robert McGhee,
New Hope, Lincoln, T. Tilry,* H. Wadsworth,*
third district.
Bethesda, Greene, V. R. Thornton, A. Janes,
R. Q,. Dickinson, C. N. Daniel,
Shiloh, do. II. English, W. Muncrief, E. H.
Macon, David Gear, -
Smyrna, do. S. Watson, S. P. Arnold,
New Hope,. Greene, H. Davenport, M. T.
Foster,*
Greenesboro', B. M. Sanders, T. G. Janes,
Philips' Mill, Wilkes, Richard Anderson,*
J. T. Hackney* -
3
3
6
1
1
1 199
3
1
1
o
o
0
1 56
4
1
2 74
9
1
4
1 45
3
3
59
5
3
1
2
61
1
3
1
69
15
7
3
1
121
2
16
6
6
1
1 110
3
1
6
2
3 55
1
15
7
9
199>
18
8
9
32
16
18 1294
2
2
15
8 323
3
8
5
1
2 66>
2
10
38
3
2 235
12
30
10
2 200-
2
20
5
1
43
1
2
5
1
1
1 30
6
8
2
86
7
8
14
5
2
4 124
8TATE OF THE ClfifJRCBlES.
* Absentees—Ministers, iu small capitals—Licentiates, in Italic.
fcs b ts & b ^
k? S S • H lv - ^
Churches, Countic.%, and Delegates.
<-*K
sc
oN
Co
s
<v
third district.
j
J*
-*!
j
a
a
&
Antioch, Oglethorpe, Jack Lumpkin, William
Jewell, Sam'l LumjVkin,* Wm. Lumjjkin, 1 3 10 3 2 20S
Baird's, do. Samuel Brook, Wm.Edmondson,
A. Greer, 1 7 20 5 1 2 178
County Line, do. JolmWynn, V.Brown, JE.
Mcadoivs, - -- -- - 390 2 161
Salem, Oglethorpe, J. Hawkins, Jos. Landrum, 5 2 11 2 2 52
fourth district.
Goshen, Lincoln, J. C. Groce, T. G. Glaze,* 3 1 25 2 1 132
Clarke's Station* Wilkes, J. Mathews, I. N.
Bolton, - - - - - - 5 18 2 2 70
Sardis, do. E. Callaway, I. T. Irvin, J.
Henderson, R, Strozier, - - - 21 30 215 224
Newford, do. Wm. Pool*, Ja.s. Pullen, jun. 4 6 13 2 2 1 119
Rehoboth, do. Wm. 1?rather, James Burditt, 2 4 18 1 1 147
Greenwood. Lincoln, S. Paschal,* J. Bently,
B. Bendy, - - - - - -14 10 3 2 172
Lincolnton, Wm. Dallas, John Zellars,* - 14 3 1 57
Salem, Lincoln, J. W. Willson, J. McCord, 3 2 2 1 82
Hephzibah, do. Joseph A. Carter,* John
Morman, - -- -- - 791 158
Fishing Creek, Wilkes, N. Wiley, M.A.Lane,* _
C. L. Bolton,* - - - - - 2 12 422 150
Washington, Jesse Mercer, W. H. Stokes, 1 15 12 2 3 62
Friendship, Wilkes, W.Curry,* Asher Lane, 1 1 55
jEbenezer, do. John Q. West, J. Ivendrick,* 2 2 16 5 1 2 76
Union, Lincoln, John Moss, John Simmons, 3 8 11 51
Be verdam, Wilkes, J. W.Jones, H. Holtzclaw, 7 21