THE
MINUTES
OF THE
FORTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE-
■ir "D IB ©' H rJX
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
JtteLO IN THE
MEETING-HOUSE OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, AT REHOBOTTF, "
WILKES COUNTY,
Oil the 11th, l£$li, ami 14th of October,
So
.
WASHINGTON, Ga.
PRINTED BIT W. A. MERCER, AT THE OFFICE OF THE NEWS,
AND CHRISTIAN INDEX.
1833.
Library of
Emory University
* y % r* ■*** ^ ^
** b t > ^
JUN 10 1952
201TUTES, feC.
1st. The Introductory sermon was delivered by Br. Juriali Harris, fr«n
2nd Cor. v Chap. 20th verse. " Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be yo
reconciled to God."
2nd. Read letters from the Churches, and minuted their state.
3d. Elected Bro. Jesse Mercer Moderator, and Bro, B. M. Sanders
Clerk.
4th. Received in membership the Antioch Church; constituted in Rich*
mond county.
5th. Called for Corresponding Letters.—Received a Letter and Minutew
from the Savannah River Association; a Letter and Minutes from the Wasiu
ington ; a Letter and Minutos from the Yellow River, by their Messenger,
Bro. J. Reeves ; a Letter and Minutes from the Ocmulgee ; a Letter ao4
Minutes from the Sarepta, by their Messengers, Bro, J. Davis, and Bro. 1\
Matthews ; a Letter and Minutes from the Western, by their Messenger, Bro,
Benjamin Holmes ; a Letter from the Cahaba ; a Letter and Minutes from
the Hepzibah ; a Letter and Minutes from the Saluda, by their Messengers,
Bro. W. McGee, and Bro. J. Boroughs,
Cth. Invited all visiting ministers present, in good standing, to seats with
us.
7th. Appointed the following Committees, viz : Brn. Jt II. Walker, E.
Callowav, A. Janes and W. Lumpkin, from the A^sociaton, with R. Book¬
er, J. Burdet, and W. Jackson from the Church, to arrange preaching. Brr),
T. G. Janes, John Mercer, and John Lamar a Financial Committee, and
Bi n. J. Davis, J. Matthews and A. Sherwood, to arrange business, and Bro.
Harris and Mallarv to examine the Minutes of Corresponding associations.
8th. Read interesting communications from the Augusta, and Columbia
county Female Missionary Societies, with liberal Contributions.
9!h Took up a querc "from the Augusta African Church, "What mu&t be
done when a husband or wife is removed by their owner to such a distance,
^ readers th"ir reunion quite hoprU-r. and they r^k leave to wiUrry a»aiur'
I 4 J
Answer,. The same quere was answered in our session at Greenwood,
which we repeat, "We advise that the case should be diligently investigat¬
ed, and all the circumstances duly weighed. If the separation should ap¬
pear to be such as to preclude a reasonable probability of reunion, and if
• the parties themselves have been no way instrumental in causing it,—
then we think a remarriage should be allowed, and on no other condition."
10. Read the report of the Executive Committee, to the last Convention,
as found in the minutes.
Adjourned until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
11th Saturday; met according to adjournment—prayer by the Moderator;
called the roll and read the minutes of yesterday.
12th. Called for the report of the Committee to arrange business, which
was read and adopted,
13th The committee appointed to examine the Minutes, reported, that
they find cause to rejoice with the Savannah River Association, in the in¬
creased addition to her churches the last year.
14th Appointed Brn. W. L. Tucker, and J. B. Battle, Messengers to Eb-
enezer; and Bro. John Mercer to write the letter. Brn. Harris, Sherwood
and Thornton Messengers to the Tugalo, and Bro. Sherwood to write. Brn.
Harris and Taylor to the Saluda, and Br." Rabun to write. Brn. Walker
jand Gunn to the Yellow River, and Bro. A. Janes to write. Bro. Mallary
to the Savannah River, and also to write the letter. Brn. Perryman, Har¬
ris, Tucker, Walker, and Johnson to the Ilcpzibah, and Bro. Harris to
write* Brn« S. G. Jenkins, R. Gunn, D. Carrington and J. Lumpkin to
the Sarepta, and Bro. Dickinson to write. Brn. Roberts, and Carter to the
Washington, and Bro. Johnston to write. Brn. Taylor, and Martin, to the
Edgefield, and Bro. Jesse Davis to write. Brn. Sherwood, Mowman, and
Johnston to the Western, and Bro. Thornton to wiite the letter. Bro. Sher¬
wood to write to the Cahaba.
15th. Called for the report of the last year's delegation to the Flint riv¬
er Association, to settle the difference between this body and said Associa¬
tion. Which report was made as follows :
V Eight of your Messengers attended said Association according to ap¬
pointment, and were received by the Association; and on the reading of our
letter, we were requested to make out in the most plain and specific manner
possible, all the complaints which we had against them—in compliance with
gaid request, we presented our complaints in the following form :
I. We complain of a breach of orderly discipline in your justifying a
minority of a Church, composing a part of your body, over the majority of
•aid Church, before the case was examined into before the Churches,or be¬
fore labor used to reconcile the parties. The dealing of the Association with
.TVsman Chiych, we present as a specification of this error, and appeal to
JON BlijHite.?.
t 3 ]
II. Our second complaint is against the Association for encouraging dis¬
order and division in a Church, not of their body. Our specification of this
complaint is the justifying the acts of the Sharcn Ccmmitlfc, who encour¬
aged a minority of the Sharon Church to set themselves up in opposition to
the majority, and represent themselves in the Aht/jciation.
III. Our third complaint is, your of]lring to receive into your body,
churches in disunion, and so promoting a principle of disregard to fellow¬
ship and union between the churches. Our specification of this complaint .is,
the tendering of admission to both the minority and majority of Sharon
Church.
IV. Our fourth complaint is, your receiving members into your asso¬
ciation by majority only, over the head of the minority.—This manifests
disregard to fellowship. Our specification of this complaint is, the receiv¬
ing the minority of the Sharon Cbiwb, over llio hc°d of a pr,rt of your
body.
V. Our fifth complaint is, of a depai tine from an acknowledged prin¬
ciple of good order in all deliberative bodies, " that an original body can
not explain the acts of its cc-mniiltce." Our specification is, the act of your
body in attempting to explain the procfrdings of your Sharon committee.
To which complaints our Messengers added the following affirmations on
behalf of our association—viz: " That there was no design on the part of
our association, to hurt any Brother's feelings by any hai&h- expressions in
our last year's letter, but only to state our grievances in plain terms ; and
that the Georgia association had no complaint of any shape whatever
against the articles of faith of the Flint River Association ; but that in these
we most heartily agreed with them; and moreover, that we had no connex¬
ion of any sort with any of those churches that had separated from them."
The complaints aforesaid were preferred for adjustment, to a committee of
three, from said associaticn, to unite with as hiany of our delegation, and an
attendant member from the Sarepta Association, which had expressed simi*
lar complaints to ours. The following article was finally agreed upon by
said committee, which was united in by all our messengers in attendance, and
also by said Association:
"The joint Committee, from the Georgia delegation and the Flint River
Association, to whom was referred the difficulties between the said bodies, re¬
port;—That the cases of the Teman and Sharon Churches have been under
their serious, and they hope prayerful consideration. The Flint River As¬
sociation, by their Committee, have made many explanations in justification,
of the course she has pursued in relation to her unhappy difficulties, and yet
believes she pursued strictly the spirit bf lier Constitution : the' Georgia dele¬
gation Committee entertain a different view of the cases, and think that-the
Flint River Association ought to have pursued a different course, but never¬
theless axe willing to admit that? under all the circumstance^ she may haya
r © ]
endeavored to do the best she could: the Flint River Association confines
that she may have departed from the better principles of discipline, and goue
too far, and feels sorry that she has given cause of complaint to her sister the
Georgia Association: the delegation of the Georgia Association regret the
hasty and unfavorable decision which she made in relation to the acts of her
sister, fi'om the view of her Minutes alone, and particularly that her expres¬
sions of complaint in her last year's letter, which she has now withdrawn, had
not been in more mild and conciliatory terms.
The Committee therefore recommend mutual forbearance and a continu-
ance of that Christian communication, that has heretofore existed between
those bodies.
B. M. SANDERS,
JACK LUMPKIN,
THOMAS STOCKS,
WILLIAM MOSELY,
J. SI CALLOWAY,
ELIAS BEALL.
"On the said arrangement between your Messengers and said association
you will observe, that in . compliance with the request of said association,
your Messengers withdrew the letter sent by them containing our complaints
and presented them in the form stated above, in the most inoffensive terms
of which they were capable. You will also observe that, while your meg-
sengers differed widely, to the last, from the said association, in relation to
the acts of her discipline complained of, yet from an acknowledgement on
her part, " that she may have departed from the better principles of discip,
line, and gone too far, and feels sorry that she has given cause of complaint
to her sister, the Georgia Association," that your messengers united with
said association in the propriety of mutual forbearance and a. further con¬
tinuance of our former Christian communications. By the foregoing ac¬
knowledgements of said association, corroborated by her act recorded in the
16th article of her minutes of said session, your messengers were strongly
encouraged to hope, that all the grounds of our complaints would speedily be
removed, but are extremely sorry to add that, some of the acts of her Com-
.mitfee appointed in said ifith~2.i'Upl'"' Imve very much disappointed our ex¬
pectations, and that should they be sanctioned by said association, we fear
that a profitable continuance of further Christian intercourse will be altogeth¬
er hopeless, as it will evince a continuance of entire disregard of those prin¬
ciples of discipline, for which we have been so long contending, and which
we hold most sacred. ^
Resolved, that said Report be laid over for consideration until Monday.
16th. Called for the report of the delegation to the Ocmulgee Associa¬
tion which was made by a minority of said delegation as follows.
The joint Committee to whom was referred the matter of difference ex¬
isting between the- Ocmulgee and Georgia Associations, after the mosi
minute investigation of the whole subject, Report—
[ '7 ]
''That they have not been so happy as to agree perfectly in their recollec*
(ion of some of the minor subjects of consideration and difference-; yet in the'
exercise of that Christian charity which hopeth all things, they have agreed
not to sutler those points on which they do not fully agree, to be a hindrance
to their communion and christian fellowship. They also, in the spirit of mu¬
tual concession, agreed to the following general particulars : The Ocmul-
gee Association admits, on a retrospect of those troublous times which
gave rise to the difficulty now under consideration that her proceedings were
informal or defective, when compared with the strict letter of her decorum,
and that the usage of Baptist-Associations, in ordinary cases, may have been
departed from. Yet she entirely disavows any intention in those proceed¬
ings, to lay a precedent for ordinary cases, or to claim a right to interfere
with the internal concerns of the churches, or lord it over God's heritage.
The Georgia Association, by her delegation, admits, that the explanation
made by her sister, the Ocmulgee, has greatly lessened the difficulty, whichr
seemed once to exist; they are also frank to admit, that the extreme peculi¬
arities of the case which her sister had to adjust, greatly lessen the charge of
blame, and that she believes it was never designed by her sister to depart
from the spirit of her constitution or decorum, and if there are any appa¬
rent departures from the spirit or Tetter of her constitution or decorum, it
was her province to determine what course she should pursue, seeing the
case was one which she was most interested in, and best acquainted with.
Upon the foregoing premises, we the delegates from the aforesaid bodies,
have come to an amicable adjustment of all the difficulties between us.
Signed, Sept. 8,1833.
JAMES HENDERSON, ) - Ocmul- 1 JACK LUMPKIN, ) Geor.
OBADIAH ECHOLS, } gee JONATHAN DAVIS, } gia
JASON GRIER, ) Com. | V. R. THORNTON, ) Com.
Resolved, that said Report be laid over for consideration until Monday.
17th. Appointed the following General Meetings, v?z:—-
1st- A-t Crawfordville, orv-Friday-before the 5th Lord's day in August.
2nd. " Double Branches, on Friday before the 5th Lord's day in June.
3rd.. " Beards on Friday before the 4th Lord's day in July.
4th. " Ebenezer, on Friday before the 5th Lord's day in March.
18th Appointed brethren, Mercer, Armstrong, J. Lumpkin, Sherwood,
Johnathah Davis, Thornton, Sanders and Harris to represent this body in
the Baptist Convention for the State of Georgia to be held at Indian Creek,
Morgan county, on Friday before the 2d Lord's day, in May next.
19th Appointed brother Thornton to preach the next introductory ser¬
mon, and brother Matthews his alternate. Brother Mallary to preach the
Mission Sermon, and brother Mercer his alternate.
20th The Circular Letter was called for, read and adopted, and brother
Harris was appointed to write the next.
L » J
2Ts.t Appointed tlie next Association to be at White Flains, Greetia
County, on Friday before the 2nd Lord's clTy in October next.
22nd Granted the petition of Smyrna church to be removed from the
first to the third district.
23d Resolved, that we regard the publication of the "Christian Index"
at Washington, by our much esteemed brother, J. Meecek, as an impor¬
tant means in the diffusion of knowledge and piety. We commend it, most
cordially, to the patronage of the Baptist friends in our own and other states;
believing it to be essentially calculated to promote the edification of the
churches, and the improvement of the public mipd.
24th Resolved, That the Sacred commandment " remember the Sab¬
bath day, to keep it holy," be recommended to our brethren for more seri¬
ous consideration than we fear many of us have given it; and that they reli¬
giously determine how far labor, visiting, and carnal amusements are con¬
sistent with said commandment.
25th Resolved, That we again recommend tor all file ^brethren, the
importance of establishing and keeping up Sabbath Schools. In proof of
their value we have testimony, that hundreds of both parents and children
have been awakened and converted thro' the instrumentality of those excel¬
lent institutions. We also append an extract from the letter of the church
at Clark's Station, " We are aware that an idea has prevailed that Sunday
Schools cannot flourish in the country ; but the experience of five years has
taught us a different lesson; for our school is as flourishing this year as in any
previous one. We believe them to be good institutions, and that it only re¬
quires the energy of the brethren to keep them op."
26. Resolved, That we recommend the formation of "Bible "Classes in the
churches and congregations, connected with this body ; and that we regard
it of great importance that our ministering and lay brethren apply themselves
more diligently ,to the prayerful and habitual reading and study of the Holy
Scriptures. We recortiincnd to our brethren to read them through at least
once in a we trrrcvt fliat rarh member of this body will endeavor
to comply with this recommendation, which they now make.
27. Resolved, That we regard the circulation of religious tracts, „as an
important means of doing good; the Baptist General Tract Society is wor¬
thy of our confidence and support; and that we learn with pleasure, that a
branch auxilliary to the parent society, has been established at Augusta, from
-which, supplies of tracts'can be obtained, and to which, societies auxilliary
can be formed.* Adjourned until Monday morning, 9 o'clock.
Sabbath morning; exercises commenced with an interesting sermon by
brother Stokes, who was followed by brother Jonathan Davis—after whose
discourse, a collection was taken for missions, amounting to the liberal sum
* Bro. Eli Muslin is the Agent for the Auxilliary Tract Society in Augusta.
[ 9 ]
of $ 168 40. In the afternoon, brother Mallary preached an able $hd ef¬
fecting discourse; followed by exhortations by the brethren Hyllier and Jas.
Davis. The exercises, tho' interesting, did not seem to make that deep im¬
pression on the extensive audience as from their importance and solemnity
we might have hoped. *
Monday morning ; met according to adjournment; prayer by brothe*
Magee.
28th Took up the report of the Messengers to the Ocmulgee Associa¬
tion, upon which it was resolved, That although said arrangement was
made by a minority of the delegation, to whom it was confided, and altho'
it contains expressions, which may be construed into sentiments, with
which we can by no means concur, yet, with the explanations made by sai4
delegates, before this body, and appreciating as we do, their motives and
opinions, we agree to adopt said arrangement. Resolved, furthermore,
that said arrangement is not considered as having reference to any other
acts of said Association, except those arising from the case of the Bethle¬
hem church.
Whereas, there are serious differences still existing in the minds of many
of the members of this body, in relation to several acts of discipline as well
as sentiments expressed on that subject, in the minutes of the three last ses¬
sions of the Ocmulgee Association, which matters are entirely untouched in
the late arrangement with that body, made by a minority of our delegation;—
Resolved, That we discontinue our correspondence with said Association,
for the present year, and appoint a committee, to take into consideration the
said several acts and sentiments, and present their views of the same in a
digested and matured form, to the next meeting of this body; and that the
brethren Mercer, Mallary, Sherwood, Sanders and A. Janes, be that com*-
mittee.. ... , -
29th Received and agreed to the Report of the committee oij Finarict,
which is as follows :— . '
f , "The Committee on Finance "have received from the Delegates of the
Churches of the Georgia Association, and from individuals, their contribu¬
tions sent up (as per list of the churches accompanying this report,) and
report the aggregate, or total amount, as follows, viz:—
Received, for printing Minutes of Association, - - - - 8106 50
" " General Purposes 398 70
" " Foreign Missions - -- -- -- - 299 5?
" " Domestic Do. - - - -- -- -- 167 07.
. " . " Education 134
Amount taken by Public Collection on Sabbath, for Missions 168 40
to $1214 25*
[ 10 ]
The amount for printing Minutes, paid over to the Clerk,
B. M. Sanders, $ 100 50
Balance paid to Treasurer, James Armstrong, ... 1107 75^
$ 1214 25*
All of which we respectfully submit,
THOMAS G. JANES. )
JOHN LAMAR, > Committee.
. • JOHN MERCER, )
October 14, 1835.
30th Read and adopted the letters to corresponding Associations.
3lst Took, up the report of the delegates to the Flint River Associa¬
tion, which was received and agreed to. Appointed brethren Davis, Thorn¬
ton and Dickinson, Messengers to said Association, and adopted a letter to
be born by them.
32d One Hundred Dollars were reported to have been received by broth¬
er Mercer, from the estate of J. P. Marshall, our former Clerk, which was
ordered to be placed to the Permanent Fund, for 1 he education of young
preachers.
33d Resolved to print three thousand copies of. these Minutes, and that
the Clerk be directed, to contract for the printing and distribution of the same,
34th Resolved, That the Moderator be requested to preach a sermon
annually, at such time and place as he may appoint, having reference
especially to the benefit of ministers; which shall be published in the
Christian Index,
35th Read and approved the Minutes, and adjourned;—after singing and
prayer by the brother Moderator.
JESSE UIERCER, modekatok-
B. 2*1. SAHTDERS, clerk.
{ 11 }
L District
Powelton,
Mouut Zion,
Horeb,
White Plains
Warrenton,
Long Creek,
Williams' cr.
Elim,
Salem,
Bethel,
r
2. District.
Kiokee,
<•.
Pine Grove,
Sharon,
Damascus,
Qrove,.-
Aberleen,
Bethlehem,
D. Branches,
Sweet water,
Union,
Augusta,
Antioch,
A Mesh Ch.
Spirit Creek, do
New Hope, Lincoln
3. District
Bethesda,\ Greene
R. Battle, C. Battle, J, W. Rabun,| 2 3 5
T. Neal, P.H. Drake, 1111
J. Roberts, J. B. Battle,* 4
, I. Moore,* S. Johnse&i.J. Simms, 29 612
i W. Castleberry,* P. Cody, ■ 16 4
W. L. Tucker, J. M. C. Hall 6 4 9
J. Darden, R. V. Asbury, 3 5 6
B. M. Roberts, D. Pate, 2 6 9
• R. Gunn, A. Funderburk, 2 7 4
J.Davis,M. Johnson, D.Meadows,
H. Mercer, W. Peek, A. Gresham, 4f 8 24
Columb J. Harris, D. Stanford, W. Jones,
' J. Cartledge, 4
do A. L. Kened-y, B. M. Sanders, 1
do J. Lamar, L. G. Steed, 1
do E. Cartledge, J. Cartledge, „
do S. Newman, A. L. Zachary, 4 3
do S. Jones, J-.* Skinner, 4 6
do S. Crump, W. Merewether, 1
Lincoln R. Davie, D. Kinder,-. .. 2 3
Warren E. Perryman, J: Lankston, 12 3
do«' G. W.'Hardeway, S. Newman, 1
Richmd C. D. Mallary, E. Martin, 1
do H. Robinson, T. Wylde,* .
do J.WAi.KER,J.Waltoiv/.j2r>;£&ow777i
S. Beall, • 5711
R. McGee, 35 3
F. S. Taylor, J. H. ^itile. .. 5
do
Shiloh,
Smyrna,
New Hope,
Greensboro-,
Philips' Mill,
Antioch,
Bairds M. H do
County Line,
4. District.
Goshen,
CI. Station,
Sardis,
I
Ncwford,
Rfihoboth,
Greenwood,
Union,
do
A. Janes, J, Mercer, R. Q. Dickin¬
son, R. Newsom, S. Morris. 31027
S. G. Jenkins, Bradshaw,*
W. Geer, W. Moncrief, 215 4010
V. *R. Thornton, J. M'Clellon,* 5 5 9 3
W. Terrel,* H. B. Watts,* 2 3
A. Sherwood, T. G. Janes. 1 815 2
J. Davant, -R," Anderson, 6 7 7 1
J.. LcsftkiN,* W. Lumpkin, S.
Lumpkin, W. Jewel,
J. Briscoe, J. H. Leftwich E
Edmerson. 1 212
E. Meadows,* J. Winn, 31012
Lincoln N. Wright, W. H. Moreman,
Wilkes J. Matthews, J. M. Davis,
do E. Callaway, D. Carrington,
I. T. Irvin, R. Strosier,
F. McCiendon, H. Montgomery
W. Jackson. J. W. Cooper,
J. II. Walker. -J. Bentley,
IJ. Simmon9. N. House,
14
310
2
3
321321
14
73
330
224350
1621
43
105
$.c.
400
100
250
152250
61
121
130
175
250
250
77193
175
500
156
150
15tf
60150
66
53
77
99
61
123
15(T
150
20$
:30b
225
300.
1710Q
18 '
13-
368
300
200!
39150
3278
6248
68
32
40^
400
150
1,25
99trOO;
3131
3 228
11165
141
250
128
68
233
93
400
250
300
150,
150
300.
[250
146300
135200
54
isa
[ 12 ]
Lincolnton,
Fishing Cr.
Salem,
Washington,
Hephzibah,
Friendship,
Ebenezer,
Lincoln! A. Johnson, J. Zellars,
1
2
1
52
150
Wilkes
J. Armstrong, M. A. Lane,
W. Lane,
3
3
10
3
1
1
173
200
Lincoln
J. Wright, E. Garrett,
3
1
2
61
150
Wilkes
J. Mercer, J. Carter,
9
2
56
200
Lincoln
J. Mourman, E. Ross,
1
10
4
1
59
200
Wilkes
G. Oglesby, W. Walton,
4
1
46
lt)0
do
J. Q. West. W. Cornelison,
3
6
4
3| 1
2
104
200
N. B. The names of Ordained Ministers are in small capitals—of Licen¬
tiates, in Italic—those not present, are marked thus. *
churches.
home
foreign
school
general
missions.
missions.
fund.
purposes
Powelton,
$10,00
10,00
66
66
Mount Zion,
3,90
3,90
66
66
Horeb,
2,12"
2,12
66
66
White Plains, -
6,25
6,25
66
66
Warrenton,
66
66
66
7,97
Williams' Creek,
8,25
8,25
66
66
Salem, Taliaferro, -
66
7,00
66
66
Crawfordville,
25,00
25,00
66
50,00
Kiokee, • •
'7,75
2,50
12,00
<1
Pine Grove,
a
»
20,00
9,68g
Sharon,
66
66
66
13,37*
Damascus
2,00
66
46
8,00
Grove,
25
9,06
.66
25
Aberleen,
2,25
2,25
66
1,50
Bethlehem,
66
21,00
66
66
Double Branches,
66
66
66
8,66
Sweet Water,
3 50
3,50
66
66
Union, Warren,
66
66
66
14,16
Augusta,
66
66
66
22,3d
Antioch, Richmond,
66
6i
66
1,62
Newhope, Lincoln,
66
66
66
2,50-
Bethesda,
66
6i
66
58,00
Shiloh,
66
66
66
18,50
66
Smyrna,
10,10
10,00
66
Newhope, Greene,
1,87
1,87
66
C6
Greensborough,
Phillips' Mill,
66
1,00
66
16,00.
66
66
12,50
30,00
Antioch, Oglethorpe,
66
66
66
10,00-
Baird's M. House,
2,56
2,50
co
©
•*
££
County Line,
66
66
66
12,00
Goshen,
66
66
a
6,50
Clarke's Station,
<6
u
11,50
[ .*3 ]
HOME FOREIGN
MISSIONS. MISSIONS.
SCHOOL GENERAL
FUND. PURPOSES.
in snuff,
CHURCHES.
Sardis,
Newford,
Rehoboth
Greenwood
Union, Lincoln,
Lincolnton,
Fishing Creek,
Salem, Lincoln,
Washington,
Hephzibah,
Friendship,
Ebenezer,
J. W. Battle,
R. Booker,—saving
Col. Curry,
Elijah Jones,
John Yeasey,
A. L.-Zachary
Received from a friend, by the hands of Bro. Jesse Mercer, $ 20 for the
education of young Ministers and $20 for Foreign Missions, and $ 10 from
John \V. Butler, for the School Fund—all included in the return from the
Washington Church From Sister Dolly Shorter $2, John Chaprjaan $,1
and Theophilus Allen $1, all for the Burman Mission and included in the
return from the Crawfbrdville Church From a sister of the Sharon church
one finger ring, a pair of ear rings and a bead barrel, for the E>ur. Mission.
From a Female of tl>e Crawfordville congregation, one finger ring for
Foreign Missions. From the Columbia Female Missionary Society
$ 60 25 cents. From the Augusta Baptist Fe i/iale Missionary Society,
$ 73. From Kiokee church, $ 25 upon the five year plan, for Perma¬
nent Fund. From the Sisters at Mount Zion, six dollars for Burman
Mission.
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Pear Brethren :
We live at an important period in the history of Christ's Church, and
if we act well our part, we shall not lose sight of its growing prospects.
In the course of a few years, within the limits of these United States, the
interest of Christ's visible kingdom has been greatly improved, and improv¬
ed too, it would seem as the means of grace have been brought to'bear up.
on the moral condition of the world.
The rise and progress of what is called the Benevolent operations of the
day, have, through the blessing of God, effected much, yet, much re¬
mains to. be done.
1 We pretend not to say that professors now, possess more ardent piety,
than did the professors who occupied the ground some 20 or 30 years ago,
which we now occupy. The amount of piety now, may be greater, but,
be that as it may, it will be obvious to any one, who will compare the pas¬
sing with the past moral history of our country generally, that there is
more disinterested benevolence, and less crime and doubtless, had the
means of grace, as now employed by a portion of the professed followers
of Jesus, received the happy co-operation and prayers of all who are band¬
ed together by associational ties, the amount at least, of moral good done,
would have been greatly augmented. As some of the Associations may
have honestly come to the conclusion, that it was not duty, to put forth
their energies, to the work of reform, and to employ the means of grace
in a manner more diffusive, say by means of Bible, Tract, and Missionary
Societies, &c.; but felt satisfied with the order of things as they found them*
so also, some of the members, who have a place in the churches compos¬
ing this association, may have concluded.
To all such, as brethren in Christ, we have a word. To you brethren
we say, that we know no just reason, why everv head, and heart, and'
hand, consecrated to the service of Jesus, ought not so to be employed in
the great work of evangelizing the world, as though Jesus were personally
present,—think you because he is now "in heaven at the right hand of the
majesty on high, angels, authorities and powers, being made subject to him,"
that he sees not, that he takes not cognizance of the actings and doipgs of
'the children of men?
■ As an incentive to action, let it be remembered, that the waters of Tibe¬
rias, whilst Christ was in the flesh at the city of Capernaum, concealed not
from his view, the movements of a fish bearing about in its mouth money
enough to pay the tribute demanded of himself and Peter. Matt, xvii ch.
27th verse.
Again, Christ and his apostles taught their hearers, that the kingdom of
grace, like the natural kingdom, is a kingdom of means. That as the nat¬
ural kingdom supplies the natural wants of the human family, through"
fixed channels, through which only the spiritual wants of the world, or the
wants of any member of the human family could be fully met.
The question of the Saviour recorded in Matt, vii ch. 16.th verse, asked,
(not for infovmnl ion) is big with meaning, "Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of ihisllos''"
[ 1* ]
On more occasions than one, Paul testified that faith is the gift of God,
but on a certain occasion utters the affecting, interrogatory, "How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed, and how shall they
Relieve in him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear with¬
out a preacher? Rom. x. 14.
Thus Paul was careful to let his auditors know that the preacher had not
power to convert the souls of them that heard him, but that the word preach-
pd through the accompanying influences of the Ho'y Spirit, was the only
medium, through which by Heaven's appointment, those sitting in rude na¬
ture's darkness could attain to faith in the Son of God, and inherit the prom¬
ises ; and his course as a minister of the Gospel of Christ was to all during
his day, a faithful and living commentary on this sentiment-
Man, as a creature of God, is sustained in this world during his pilgrim*
age by the power of God, yet he lives not unless he cats and drinks and
sleeps and inhales the atmospheric air; and though we are taught to believe
that the Gospel preached and believed issues in salvation, yet we arc not
taught that any spiritually live, and live to purpose, who exemplify not the
precepts of the Gospel in their lives; but that those only who keep the com¬
mandments of the Saviour, as taught in his word, having first and last a
willing mind, can find scriptural authority for believing it is " God which
worketh in them to will and to do of his good pleasure;" (Phil. 2. 13.) and
that they shall be "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation,
ready to be revealed in the last time," 1 Pet. i. 5. Think you the scripture
saith in vain, " he that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life ev¬
erlasting?"
Finally, brethren, let it be the settled purpose of our hearts, to yield the
obedience of faith mentioned in the Gospel, as exemplified in the lives of the
apostles, which certainly implies something more than merely to reverence
the institutions of Christ, so far as to submit to Gospel ordinances, and
then by inaction to seek rest and peace and comfort in his church : if to
enjoy these richly in this life, and at the hour of death, be the wish of our
fiearts, it is necessary that we walk according to our strength, as did the
Apostles and primitive Christians; they felt, and felt keenly too, for souls
perishing, and exerted themselves to save a perishing world, as though suc¬
cess depended upon their efforts.—And Brethren, are we not under the high¬
est possible obligation, so to live and so to act ?
Did we not in covenant bind oursel ves in the sight of angels and men, to
yield to Christ " the obedience of faith?" Ah ! who are they that have
forgotten the solemnities of that day on which they were " baptized into
Jesus Christ," or have forgotten that on that day it was the deliberate pur¬
pose of the heart, and the solemn determination of the soul, publicly made,
thenceforward and forever to be the Lord's, and ever, whilst in this world,
through the grace of God, to render the members of the Body " instru^
ments of righteousness unto God?"—Nor has this bond, by which the soul
was then bound, been cancelled, but by us acknowledged and approved, on
each occasion, that the hand received into it, the emblem of the Lord's
Body, or that the tongue has been moistened with the emblem of his blood.
May these considerations dwell in our minds at home and abroad, and
excite us to a lively activity in the cause ol Christ, " while (with us) it is
Hay, for the night cometh when no man can work."
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