STEPHEN Bo WEEKS CLASS OF 1886; PH.D. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY OIF THE HJNHVERSiniY OF NDMH CAMMA HIE WEEKS COUECTlIdDN ©F This book must not be taken from the Library building. 30i,) 1 .'3JftJ MAY 17 tti/k Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/historyoftennessOOsmil /J S S €> C £ a C C c Hii *t «w jrj- s>~ • /« 7 / r/j > * %zrmzzz>zz ¥$oz? !Bap*i2*'2&25deialioi2, NORTH CAROLINA. FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO THE YEAR 1892. Introduced by Early Sketches OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, Closing with TWENTY-FOUR LIFE SKETCHES AND A MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLEMENT, All by ELDER JNO. S. SMILEY. BEYSON CITY, N. ('.: ''Times" Job Print. 1 893. /?// J /£«? ^ 4racticed a pure gospel to the people and relied on the spirit of God o guide men to duty, and you find Baptists in the true sense. Bap- tists have also been strict in Baptism, believing that none have a right id the Lord's table but such as 'have 'been baptised by immersion up- i® a v pT*oiession of faith. /Another burning feature by which to track ;he Baptists is by the blood of their martyrs. They would not shed €ood to propagate their faith, but their blood has often been shed to nake them conform to state religions. Even after the reformation when it was expected that .christians should be free in matters of religion, the poor Baptists suffered much 3y those who should have been their friends. State Church under Protestant was as dictatorial and cruel when t interfered in religion, prescribing modes of worship, as that of the Catholic. But printing gives rapid strides to truth and the dark clouds and Dloody days of persecution must go. The wilderness of America during the seventeenth century becomes ibiri asylum for the church, but even here Baptists are visited by fines ind imprisonments. (4 Chapter II. AMERICAS? CHURCHES AND ASSOCIATIONS. We omitted following, in detail, "the names of the churches and noted preachers in the Old World in order to abridge this work, but will now take up a tew names of the American beginnings in detail. The first church formed in Deleware was Welch Tract, with sixteen members, all Baptists, who emigrated in a body from Wales in 1701 Thomas Griffeth, one of these emigrants, became pastor of this church The first church in Massachusetts was Swansea, organized in 1663. The first church formed in Connecticut wasCroton in 1705, through the! labors of Valentine Wightman. The first in New Hampshire is claimed 1 to be that at Dover in 1838 by Hanserd Knolleys. In Vermont a church was formed at Shaftsbury in 1768. The first church in South! Carolina was constituted of William Scraven, a Baptist Minister and Deacon Humphry Church wood and eight others, fleeing from perse- cution in Maine. They formed a church in Charleston of which Mr. Scraven became pastor. In Pennsylvania the Baptist were first or- ganized at Cold Springs, near Bristol in Backs caunty. Lower Dub- lin church, the mother of Philadelphia churches, was formed at Pen- nepek in 1688. Elias Keach was their first minister, who was the son of the famous Benjamin Keach of London. The Philadelphia Association was formed in 1707, consisting at first, of but five churches, viz: Lower Dublin, Piscataway, Middletown, Cohan sey and Welsh Tract. Baptist churches have held and they do hold the independence of each individual ehurch as the highest authority, an authority from whose dtcisions there can be no appeal. Under the New Testament model and Laws of Jesus Christ, each local church, be thev many or few. oniv a dozen, or thousands of members associated or covenanted together in the faith of the gospel, and taking the New Testament as their law and Christ as their head, have the right to a bishop or bishops, or pastors to watch over and feed them, and to make decisions in the settlement of church troubles and exerereises of christian privi leges that no Council, Association, Synod, Assembly, Conference or Diocese can set set aside*. Parity in church government, instead ol'episeopaey, is what Baptists hold to and practice; so when the churches became numerous enough, alter carefully guarding against the assumption of ecclesiastical power, and avoiding ail interference with the affairs of individual churches, formed a Yearly Meeting, consisting of messengers and ministers from -the different churches, and exercised a brotherly supervision over the -Baptist cause and oftenjie vised, by such union of churches, liberal -' things on its behalf By such annual gatherings christian friendships was renewed and extended; important questions of doctrine and practice were discussed, and advice given in difficult cases; weak and destitute churches were assisted; and plans forthe wider diffusion ofgospel truth were originated. Such a gathering as here explained finally grew into the Philadel- phia Association at the. time afore stated, the first in "America. From Welsh Tract church, a minister by the name of Paul Palmer constituted the first church in North Carolina, at Perquimang about the year 1727. But to the labors of Shuball Stearns and his com- panions, from the year 1854, must be attributed, under God, the ex- tensive spread of Baptist views and practices, and the remarkable re- vival of religion by which the eighteenth century wa^ distinguished. Elder Stearns settled at Sandy Creek, North Carolina, in 1755, where a church by the name of Sandy Creek was soon organized consisting of sixteen members. This church soon increased to 606 members and may be justly styled the Mother of all the churches now included in the Southern Baptist Convention. Soon other churches were or- ganized and in 1758 Sandy Creek Association was organized, being the third Baptist Association in America. Daniel Marshall, the brother-in-law of Mr. Stearns was one oi the most successful preachers of his time. He went on preaching tours in different states or colonies and other zealous men of God pierced the wilderness, the Lord attended the word spoken, and men and women were converted and churches built, until at the end of seven- teen years after Sand} 7 Creek church was formed, she had become the mother and grand-mother of forty-two churches, planting the Baptist . banner eastward to the sea, westward to the Mississippi river, north to the Potomac and south to Georgia. BAPTIST CHURCHES AND ASSOCIATIONS IN WESTERN N C. Baptist operations eommenced in Western North Carolina with the commencement of the Nineteenth century, so to speak. Associated with the beginnings here are the names of the following- Baptist ministers : Thomas Snelsoii, Thomas Justice, Sion Blythe, Benjamin King, Humphry Posey and Stephen Morgan. The first churches were Little Quay, Locust Field, New Found, Caney River, French Broad and Cane Creek. The first three churches, named h'ere formerly belonged to the Hol- ston Association, Tennessee, and the latter three belonged to Broad River Association, South Carolina. In 1807, these six churches with- drew trom the mother bodies and formed French Bioad Association- Touching the origin or age of the churches forming the French Broad Association, we have no account given except that oi' Locust Field which was organized in 1808. The Holston Association, from which came Little Tvey, Locust Field and New Found churches was really a daughter of the Sandy Creek Association. A body of ministers and churches formed a semi-annual Conference in 1781 and acted under the supervision of Sandy Creek Association until 1786, when, on account of remoteness from the mother body they formed the Holston Association. This body owed it's origin largely to Sandy Creek and a few ministers from Virginia. Rev. Tidai ice Lane was in the Baptist colony from N. C. The three churches, Cove Creek, Caney River and French Broad, ■oui Rroad River Association, South Carolina, doubtless received their rigin from the churches which had spread abroad from Sanely Creek, I C, and Charleston. Booth Carolina, and those old original commu- nes or churches and Associations from England and Wales, either irectly or indirectly. Thus with the ministers and churches named l|e French Broad Association had its origin. EPuckaseige Association was organized of churches from French Sroad at Cullowhee church in 1829. The oldest churches wereTiOCUst Kd, Cullowhee, ^cotts Creek. Waynesville, Savannah, Cowee and Bkiiklin. Coming farther west there is the VaUoy Association or- mnized in 1839, first known as Nottey river etc. Valley rClver church, M think, was a member of the Valley Association, however a few ifruroh.es in Cherokee and some in Ga. formed said Association, j So |e term it that the Tennessee River Association is a great-grand- ||iughter of French Broad on a part of the Tennessee river churches Hid a grand-daughter in part. No evil is done to the matter of our ijstory if it be recorded that Tennessee River as it now stands is truly ^daughter of Tuckasiege Association. (8 Charter III. MT. ZION CHURCH, 1829., .First Baptist efforts in the territory now included in Tennessee River Baptist Association began with the year 1829 which is noted as the time in which Mount Zion Baptist church was formed a few hun- dred yards from the Arneechee ford of Ocona Lufty, on the north- west side of the river. This church was built by Elders Humphry, Posey and Adam Corn, and beyond a doubt, the first Baptist effort in the present limits of The Tennessee River Baptist Association. Local convenience for the people and brethren on Ocona Lufty. and for the people and brethren at Shoal Creek made it necessary for this church to divide after a few years, and in April or May 1836, the division was effected for I he purpose of organizing Shoal Creek and Lufty, which soon followed. Thus the name of Mt. Zion disappears and her membership lives in Shoal Creek and Lufty. Some of the older Becks, Conn rs, Mingus, etc., were of the first membership in this old church. It was in this church that Elder Samuel Gibson was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry in 1834 by David ' Elder and Adam Corn. He was haptised into this church by Adam Corn in Ocona Lufty in 1830 and represented the church when it be- longed to French Broad Association. BRUSH CEEEK CHURCH, 1832. Brush creek was organized in December 1832, with eighteen mem- bers, viz. Joseph Sherrill and David Elder as Deacons, Thomas Hedgecock, Nathan DeHart, Nathan Tabor, George Loudermilk, Ute Sherrill, Susanah Truitt, Mary Edwards, Martha liedgeoock, Isabella Shoap, Nancy A. Hightower, Mary Truitt, Margaret Welch, Susanah Elder, Kli-abeih Burns and Han ah, a colored woman. Elder Humphrey Posey. Robert ByCrs and Peter Keykendall were ' the presbytery who constituted this church. Brush Creek was admitted as a member of Tuckasi.ege Association where it remained until Sept. 1866 when it joined Friendship Associ- ation. This church has been the honored mother and grand-mother Mothers notably, Cold Spring, and oth«fs Ft has had the honor of being the pioneer body ' of Baptists on Tennessee Paver in all the jputh west part of what is now Swain count)'. Here we find the worthy pioneer Baptists on Tennessee River in all tin- southwest part of what is now Swain county. Mere we find the worthy pioneer Baptists Tabors, Levi Truitt, DeHarts, and ThomVssons, Soloriion Truitt, John DeKart and J. M. Thomasson were made deacons. "David Elder, Allen Amnions and J. R. Edwards made ministers. Elders Humphrey Posey, Robert Byers and Peter Key- Kendall were the presbytery who constituted Brush Creek church. Posey was the first pastor oi Brush ("'reek church, being chosen Jan. fea-3. li'Fty church, 1836j Lufty Baptist church was constituted June 6, 1836, by A.dam Lorn and David Elder as presbytery, at the house of Dr. John Mingus on the west prong of the river, Lufty, with the following members: Robert Collins and Ephraim Mingus, Deacons, Jacob Mingus Abre- lam Mingus, Jacob Mingus, S'r. -John Beck, Jacob Beck, Samuel Beck, tamuel Conner and John Watson, and females, Sophia Mingus, Sarah Mingus, Rebecca Mingus, Elizabeth Collins, Jane Beck, Nancy Beck, Cyntha Beck, Susanah Watson, Nancy Conner, Massy Conner and Elizabeth Stillweil. . This church made application and was received into Tuckaseige Baptist Association in the session held with Cowee church in August 1836, Robert Collins and Jacob Mingus being the first delegation to the Association. Lufty church has been the birth place of some of the most noted preachers and members of Western North Carolina. Elder C. B. Mingus was born and reared, converted to the Lord, and commenced I (10) preaching here. A very interesting career has been given to Luftj church and many precious names have been added to this churcr among the departed and survivors whose names are doubtless in th book of life. The greatest conflict she ever had to endure was tin rent in her membership, caused by the so-called preaching of bm Sain Castile about the year 1873. Our soul heaves a melanchollv >si h when we think of this schism in this dear old church. Motcj s , then twenty-five of her members were lead oft into Castleism and had! to be excluded. This trouble gave rise to bitter feelings among neigh- bors that has never, nor will ever be healed on time's side of eternity, leaders in this struggle for the Master's cause against the corruption of he Castile doctrine were the zealous Elders W. H.Conner, and l>e con H. J. Beck by whose efforts, by the blessing of Godf the church i rid of Castile and his followers. CITEOAH BAPTIST CtU r R('U, 1848. heoah church was organized July 18th 1848, by Elders LaiJj Bruce and James Kimsey, travelling missionaries under the auspices of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. This church wa organized with eighteen members of whom John Hyde and Thomas A unions were made Deacons. As Cheoah was the first Baptist church in the valley of the same name, it became the nucleus of Baptist operations for more than half of what is now Graham county, N. C , and is either the mother or gr md-mother of several of the neighboring churches. The labors of Bruce and Kimsey in this valley are hallowed by many precious names; John Hyde, Thomas Amnions, Jacob Davis, william Davis, William Carpenter and others who have been distin- guished Baptist christians of great moral worth. Tup Cheoah church was a member of Tuckasiege Association until August 1871, when it was dismissed to become a member of a new Association, organized in October 1861. We presume that Yellow Creek, Sweet Water, and Love Oak churches are daughters of Cheoah church. TENNESSEE RIVEK CITTRCH. Tennessee River Baptist church was organized with ten members, in ! 1 1 ) the year 1885, by Elders ^ames Kinzey and DaYvid' Ehkr, \:i.C .■ ',]..> name of Steeoah, and contained in it members residing in the-Stecoah Valley an well as members along Chamber's Creek and Tennesson liiver. This church" was also a member of Tuekasiege Association. The church roll of the first members cannot be given, but wo call to memory some precious names among the pioneer Baptists of the settlement in which tht Tennessee River is located, and men who have been prominent in her past membership; viz: Joseph Welch, Pendleton Crisp, John Chambers, John Hyde and others. The Welcbs. Crisp and Chambers have long since slej ■ with their fathers but old brother John Hyde, holding the office ot beacon, and whose name is found on the roll of Lufty church, as well as that of Cheoah is still (Jan. 29, 1891) living at over 95 years of age in the Cheoah valley, but Bro. Hyde has been blind lor many years, li^ was a man strong in the faith and a soui-bracer to young christians. We well remember some sweet impressions made upon the writers mind by this dear old father in Isreal. STIVOAII (IH'HCH, 185*0. A loss of the first part of the church record prevents our giving the names of the members and presbytery who organized the Steeoah Baptist church but according to account given by brother W. D. Crisp, one of her most prominent members, this church wasformed in theyear 18oC, ' under the name of New Prospect, which name it retained until it was changed to its present name. It joined the Tuckasiege Association, where it remained until dismissed to go into the organization ot the Friendship Baptist Association. This church has had an honorable career in our Baptist ranks. It was the homeof the venerable John L. Crisp, where he labored as a member and a worthy minister of the gospel until death. Simson Crisp and others of the Crisp name have lived and died here. Deacon J , C. Owensby was an honored Deacon of Steeoah church, who died in his 47th year. Old brother A. Taylor, on 1 ) of the most intelligent and best informed Baptists had. his membership in Stecoah (12) chureb for several years, and was a very prominent man in the affairs of the churches of his country, COLD SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH. Cold Spring Baptist church was constituted May 2nd 1851, by El- ders I. T. S. Sherrill, Samuel Gibson and Allen Amnions, with the following members, viz; John DeHart and M. Hedgecock, Deacons, Nathan DeHart. Hilary Scott, A. W. Davis, Elizabeth Hedgecock, Katherine DeHart and Mira Davis. •This church was built chiefly of members from Brush Creek church Although so small a beginning, this church was increased at its next or second meeting by the following named members: B. H. Elder and wife, Nancy A., Martha Hedgecock, John D. Brenle and wife, Charlott, Jessee Smiley and wile, Elizabeth, John Jenkins Martin DeHart. Sarah Scott and Katherine Scott, all by letters, mak- ing the total membership nineteen for the organic period. The church joined the Tuckaseige Association in Aug. 1851, John DeHart, M. Hedgecock and B. H. Elder being the delegates to that body. The first pastors were Samuel Gibson, I. T. S. Sherrill, Allen Am- nions and Jacob Mingus all called to serve the first year, three months each in rotation — Elder Jacob Mingus to serve the first quarter. Cold Spring church, for several y^ars, numbered in her membership, Elder I. T. S. Sherrill, who served her several years as pastor, or bishop, his service as early as 1855, Elders Gibson and Arumons, heretofore named, have served as bishops, divers years. The eloquent Merit Rickman served this church a. tew terms prior to 18(50, by whose service the young church was ably led. Elder A. A. Justice whose pastoral service commenced with the church during the late Rebclion of the States served longer than any other man. By the untiring labors of Elder Justice, the church has had some of the most precious meetings and ingatherings to its membership. A noted revival was held by Justice in August, 1865, which greatly built-up the church. The greatest revival of religion., ever known in the church amd •oi.nrmnity were the series that tool; place. during jibe months of (18) July and August 1876, during which more than forty were added to the church of Baptism and about thirty by letter. The preaching en the August occasion was done by Elders Richard Evans and James Salts of Sevier county, Tennessee, whose labors were continued two sermons a day for about ten days. Elder Justice was pastor at this time and aided, as did Elder ,!. M. Smiley. Ot the churches, Valley River, Valley town, and Murphy of Chero- kee county, and Nantahala ot Macon county, being tour ol the six churches which participated in the organization of the Friendship Association at Valley town, in October 1861, we know but little of their history antedating the Association; and, consequently, as they have all four withdrawn from the body and belong to other Associa- tions — we will not, (owing to lack of information,) tax these pages by endeavoring to follow them from their organizations, as we have the other churches which existed in the present bounds of Tennessee River Association, being the counties of Swain and Graham and Tel- lico church in Macon county, and prior to the formation of the Asso- ciation, in 1861, but will,, with this passing notice, say that the above named churches formed an important basis upon which the present Association, known as Tennessee River, has been built. In the pages following the account of the organization of the Asso- ciation will be found noted incidents of the churches and noble breth- 3 ren who have left us and joined other Associations. (14 Chapter IV, 1861. ORGANIZATION OF FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. Having gone through a brief narrative of the churches and Baptist h%fccry, in the territory of the Association, previous to its existence we now co xmicle the organization and endeavor to follow the chain of events as they have transpired since the churches formed into an Association. The Convention, for such was the first meeting called, consisting of delegates from six churches, viz: Valley River — Elders Mark May Wiley Philips, and brethren James Whitaker. Sen. and James Whit- aker, Jr. Valley Town — Elder James Kimsey and brethren L. Gosnel and W. A. Parker. Nantahala — Ml. ). Lunsford. Cheoah — W. B. Wiggins. Murphy— -I. L. -Johnson. Fort Lindsey — A. A. Justice, eleven delegates in all, met with Val- ley Town church on Valley River, in Cherokee county, N. C, Oct. 25 and 26, 1861, and organized the Friendship Baptist Association. Adopting Articles of Faith and Killers of Decorum for the guidance of the Association, were among the most important transactions of this first session. The infant body opened correspondence with other Associations adjoin g its territory. No statistical table was published ; therefore, the number of mem- bers in the churches cannot be given. As the little body was coeval with, the war or Secession, but little could be expected till th.it strug- gle was over. According to the official announcement of Moderator, James Rim- sey, and the Clerk, Mark May, the meeting of this eonvedtioo actually organized the Friendship Baptist Association with but four churches; Valley River, Valley Town. Murphy and Cheoah ; but as before stated A. 4- Justice, from Fort Lindsey, and brother Lindsford from Nanta- hala, participated in the Convention, as it was called, I We are satisfied, however, that Nantahala church, near the flats of Nantahala, was truly a constituent in ember of the organization, but as to Fort Lindsey, we think it died, and was never again represented in the Association. * If a vestage of that church lives at the present time, it is in the per- son oi old brother 5 Aaron Miller and probably wo or three other members in subsequent organizations or churches called Nantahala |nd Wesser Creek, which names appear farther on in this work. To show how Baptists, and especially those fathers of our Associaa- tion, held in regard to the faith of the Baptists, and how they hold in regard to the powers and duties of Associations, we here insert, in full and verbatim, The Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum which m the Constitution of the Association which they adopted at the first meeting at Valley Town. ARTICLES OK FA'TII." 1. "We believe in one only living and true God, and that there are three persons in the Godhead : the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and that these three are one. I 2. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God and the only true rule of word and practice. 3. We believe in the doctrine of original sin. | 4. We believe in man's incompetency to recover himself from the fallen state he is in by nature, and that justification in the sight of God is only obtained by the righteousness of -jesus Christ. - 5. We believe in the doctrine of election through sanctification of the Spirit and belie ' of the truth. 6. We believe that saints shall persevere in grace, and that none of them shall ever fall avvae and be lost. ■C *U^ A r . ., .1 ., „ ,1 .. i '- Arv' 7. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and a general ju merit, and that the punishment ot the wicked and joys of the right- eous shall be eternal. 8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances instituted by Christ, and that true believers are the only proper sub- jects thereof. 9. We believe the only true mode of Baptism is Immersion. 10. We believe that none have a right to administer the ordinances but Ministers of the Gospel regularly ordained to that office. RULES OF DECORUM. 1 The Association shall be composed of male members chosen by the churches which they represent, who shall produce certificates of their appointment, accompanied with a statement of the number in their respective churches, of those Baptised, received by letter, dismissed, excluded, restored and dead, during the previous year, with the whole number in fellowship. 2 The members thus convened shall have no power to Lord it over God's Heritage, nor shall they infringe on any of the internal rights of any church in the Union. 3 The Association shall have a Moderator and Clerk, (which last shall also be Treasurer), who shall be chosen by the suffrage of the members present, and shall continue in office until a new appoint- ment is made. 4 The Moderator shall preserve order, and call to its observance at anytime. He shall have the privilege of leaving his seat, provided the chair be filled, and of engaging in debate. 5 The Clerk shall minute the proceedings of the Association ; pre- pare them tor the press ; keep a file of the printed minutes present at each session, for the use of the body, and deliver them over to his successor. He shall also take charge of the money and other property belonging to the Association and dispose ot them as the body shall direct. (') in the decision of any question. a majority of votes shall deter- (17) mine the point. 7. The Association shall always he opened and closed by prayer. 8. Each member of the Association will be expected to he in his place at the hour of meeting, on each day of the session, and remain until the dismission of the body, 9. Any member wishing to speak shall rise from his seat and ad- dress the Moderator; he shall attend close to his subject; shall make no remarks on the slips or blunders o! any who spoke before him. If two or more rise at the same time, the Moderator shall name {he one to speak first. 10. No member shall absent himself, in time of business, without leave from the Moderator. 11. No member shall speak more than three times on the same sub- ject without leave. 12. We admit of no other title than Brother when engagofl! in busi- ness. 13. Every motion made and seconded shall come under the consid- eration of the Association, except it be withdrawn by the mover, 14. Corresponding messengers will be considered as members of _this body, and entitled to the privileges of the same. 15. Ministering brethren present not belonging to this Association, may be invited to seats, but not to vote. 16. Every query sent by any church in our Union shall be attended to. if it appears in the church letter, ami the Association shall answer it if considered agreeable to good order. 17. The Association has power to withdraw from any church which deviates from the orthodox principles of the Gospel or fellow- ships disorder. 18. The minutes shall be read, and ( orrectected if need be. and signed by the Moderator and Clerk before the Association rises. 19. Any church wishing to be admitted into this Association may petition by letter and delegates, and if orthodox and orderly, shall be received, and their reception made manifest by the Moderator giving them the right hand ami inviting them to seats. (18) 20. The Association may appoint any member or members, by and with their consent, as committees, or otherwise, to transact any busi- ness which they may think proper. 21. This Association will appreciate and encourage a sound min- istry while she will cry down an unsound and disorderly one. 22. This Association shall not send help to any church in our Union by authority of an Association, but advise churches to apply to sister churches for help if necessary. 23. The Association may adjourn at any time which they may think proper. Amendments to this plan or form of government may be made at any time by a majority of the Association, npon the con- clusion of the whole: We assume no higher power or authority than the Advisory council." The first session of the Association was held with Valley Town church and transacted its business, we suppose, according to the ap- pointment made by the organizing convention, which was to take place on Friday before the second Sunday in October, 1862. We think Elder James Kimsey was Moderator, and from a report of a special committee made to the Association at its session in 1864, we know that brother A. Taylor w T as Clerk. As the minutes of this session were never printed, we have but a meagre knowledge of the history for the year 1862. We see by subsequent account of this matter that the failure to have the minutes printed for 1862, was attributable to brother Taylor, the Clerk. It is proper to say that two churches were admitted into the Asso- ciation at the session of 1862, viz : New Hope, in Clay county, N. C, and New Prospect, subsequently named Stecoah, in Cherokee county. N. C. As to the progress of the churches for this year, we cannot speak, as there are no statistics given in the minutes. T n 1863 the Association was to have met with New Prospect church, ami according toaccount given in the minutes for 1864, Valley River. Valley Town, New Hope and Oheo&h, through their delegates, (19) got together, but in consequence of hostile parties of men raiding and plundering the country about New Prospect, it was decided not to enter into the business of an Association. It was at this session, the failure of which we have shown; that Cold Spring Baptist church was to join the young Association, as ap- pears from the records of said church. A. W. Davis and J. M. Smiley were elected delegates to hear the petition for admission, but the min- utes of the Association do not show that Cold Spring ever joined. Again, the name of Stecoah appears in the minutes, or first statis- tical table ever printed, being that, of 1865, but when and where it joined the Friendship Association is not shown in the minutes, but we think it likely that this church which was afterward named Tenn- essee River, as will be seen further on, joined or was to have joined the Association, in 1863, at New Brospeet church, hut the failure to hold the Association that year, has cause of loss of th ' account of those two churches joining the body. The Association met in 1864 with Valley River church on Satur- day, Oct. 8th, and was in session three days. Elder James Kimsev preached the Introductory from Thess. 5th chapt, A delegation from a few of the churches assembled and organized the body by appointing James Whitaker Sr.. Moderator, and Charles N. George, Clerk. This session did but litttie business. Appointing its accustomed correspondence to sister Associations, adopting a most excellent cir- cular letter written by James Whitaker, Sr., o;. the subject 'of the Christian warfare, setting forth a preamble or report showing the failure of the session of 1868 and failure to get tin- minutes printed tor 1862, and instructing brother George to hunt up said manuscript and money which he failed to find, was about all the business, done tins session save appointing the time, place, and preacher lor the Associa- tion in 1865, which was to convene at New Hope church in (lav countv, North Carolina. As there is no statistical table for this year we can say but little tor the progress qf the body, but we infer that the number .if churches (20) participating ill the Association for 1864 and those which had become connected with the young body up to this time, as the minutes tor 1865 lead us to believe, there were Valley liiver, Valley Town, Oheoah, New Hope, Murphy, Nantahala, New Prospect, Cold Spring and Ste- coah, with a total membership not exceeding two hundred and fifty. The great Secession war had prostrated, and demoralized the whole country, so that churches suffered from its distressing consequences and Zion languished throughout our bounds. The Whitakers, Eider Kimsey and a few other old brethren and sisters who were not called to the front in the struggle, remained at their post at home and watched and prayed for Zion and the welfare of the country, but revivals were few and small. (21 Chapter V. The fourth, or rather the fifth session, counting the meeting which organized the body, was held with New Hope church, .Clay county, N. C, September 8th and 9th, 1865. The Introductory was preached by Elder James Kimsey. J?rnes Whitaker Si\, was the Moderator and J. A. Kimsey Clerk. The great Secession war was ended, but the prostrate condition of the country, caused by the evils following such troubles was felt in every institution, churches as well as all others. Mail Facilities were sjach that but little could be learned or communicated save what passed orally from person to person and the whole southern country was one sad spectacle of poverty and rum ; consequently, there was but little money to start with, to begin anew to revive, upon the ruins of this much devasted country, the noble schools and churches which had suffered so much by the shock of war. The Friendship Association held this fifth session with only live of her nine churches represented, viz: Valley River, James Whitaker Sr. ami James Whitaker Jr., Elder W. Philips. Cheoah — C. N George and William Deaver. Valley Town — Brother Taylor, Rider Kimsey and J. A. Kimsey. New Hope — Isaac Watts, and two more brethren. Garrison and Watts. Murphy — James Johnson/ twelve delegates. • * There was neither delegates or reports from Xantahala, New Pros- pect, Cold Spring and Stecoah churches. Elder E. Hedden, Hiawassee Association, Eld. J. B. Parham and brethren Isaac F lemming and A. IT. Hampton from Nantahala River were present as corresponding messengers. (22) As to the usual business transactions of the body, they consisted, ot organization after reading letters from the churches, receiving corres- pondence to other Associations and send corresponding letters. Appoint Introductory preacher and time and place for succeeding session, hear and consider reports of cominittes, etc. The Association for 1865, made its first attempt to oiganize Sunday schools by appointing a committee on the subject and passing a reso- lution instructing the churches to organize Bundiy schools where they could get suitable teachers. The contribution for minutes, being $8 52, was the only financial report. There had been three baptisms in Valley River during the Assoeia- tional year, one by letter was received in each of the churches, Gheoah and Valley Town, three restored into the fellowship of Valley River. •One death in Cheoah and one death in Murphy with a standing- total membership in the rive churches represented of 128. Taking those four churches not represented in 1865 and the whole member- ship cannot be safely estimated at exceeding three hundred. Thus with three ministeis, viz : James Kimsev. Mark May and Wiley Philips and this small membership scattered over part of Cher- okee, Clay and Macon counties, N. C, did the Friendship Baptist Association emerge from the distracting war times. In the year 1866 a brighter day of prosperity and growth dawned upon the Association. The annual session was held with Valley River church 7th and Nth of September 1866 James YVhitaker Sr., was Moderator, and .1. A. Kinisey, (Jerk. Elder J. B. Parbam, of Notolah Association had been appointed td jbreacfy the Introductory sermon, which place he filled with one oi the best oi efforts. At this session every church was represented by dele- gates, except Murphy, and it sent a letter and statistics. Thirty-four delegates were present, Brush ('reek church from Tuck as iege Associ- ation was recieved by letter, adding Allen Amnions and A. A. Jus- tice 1«> the list of ordained ministers iwx] seventV-five members. (23; Panther Creek church organized in 1866 by Elders was recieved with its delegates, Louis Medlin and son, L. M. Medlin, adding a membership of thirteen. Peaceful Traveller, an Indian church newly organized with a mem- bership of sixteen, was also recieved and Elder John Shell, their preacher, was added to the list of ministers. This later church was * also dismissed in a body to go to the Indian Territory which th@y subsequently did. There had been fifty-three persons baptized during the year, two in Valley River church, one in Murphy, thirty-one in Cold Spring, six in Stecoah and one in Peaceful Traveller. Twenty had been recieved by tetter in all the churches; seventeen excluded, six restored, thirty-three dismissed and one died, total mem- bership tour hundred and five. The usual committees for this sixth session were Arrangements, Preaching, Finance and Sunday schools. Correspondence were recieved from tliawassee Association by Elder E. Hedden. from Notiv Association by Elder J. B. Parham and from Tuckasige Association Elders Samuel Gibson and A. A. .Justice, and correspondence was appointed in return to those bodies. An attempt was made to have the life and writings of James Whit- aker, Sr., published in book form by appointing a joint committee on this business to act in concert with a committee from Hiawassee Asso- ciation. Friendship committee— Elders James Kimsey and C. X, (leofge and James Whitaker, Jr. A favorable report ol the committee was made at a future session and a biographer or writer engaged but so far as we are informed th ■ work was never published. As it was customary for the Associations to have Circular etttjrs written to be printed in their minutes, it fell to the lot of did brother James Whitaker, Sr., this year on the subject of "Brotherly Love. ' Noble effort, indeed, did he make and closed his letter with the fol- lowing rhyme which was hi* own production ; (24) ,k 'Tis love that rules the Christian's heart, Both near at home, and far apart, The body thus of Christ they are And members in particular. Then if a brother should transgress, A secret dealing God will bless, Go to Him and his faults make known, Between Himself and thee alone. And if he hear thee, well and good, His siri is washed in .Jesus' blood, Your brother thus restored to you, Your love to Him should still be true. But if he should neglect to hear, Distressing thought for yon to bear, Co see your labor prove in vain, Your brother in his sins remain. But mind the rule our Lord has sent, The second time he may repent, And if he does forgive him then, As God foigives the sons of men. Take with you, one or two beside, And pray the Lord to be your guide, And tell him in a loving strain. The place you think his sins -remain. Perhaps the two you take along, May be the means to show hi* wrong. Then joyful if the Lord should bless,. Your brother with discerning grace. But if he still unfeeling prove, Let faithfulness he joined with love, For in the Gospel field we Know, One other step does plainly show, The Church, that body, sacred place, Must hear your much distressing case. Likewise a full decision give, That everv child of God mav live. r2t» But if the church he will not hear. He's in his sins, but you are clear; Then unto thee, let him remain, And heathen and a publican." KThe session for 1866, ended in love and prosperity. Eider Kimsey Was made to express his joy at the thought of the added strength in ministers and members. The following is the list of churches with delegations as sent to this session which was held with Valley River church: Valley River — W. Philips, James Whitaker, Si\, and James Whita- ler, Jr. Cheoah — Wm. Deaver, Jacob Davis, W. Sumpter, and CX N Geprge* Valley Town— James Kimsey and J. A. Kimsey. Nantahala— M. May, G. W. Yonce, M. Lunsford and J. Fonts, New Hope — Isaac Watts. New Prospect — John Hyde, J. C, Owensby, J, L. Crisp and 3VL B t Crisp. Murphy — By letter. Cold Spring — John DeHart, J. S. Smiley and M. Qoekerham, Stecoah— P. Crisp, 11 L. Sawyer, Robert Crisp. Brush Creek -A. Amnions, A, A. Justice, H, Manly, i), Wall and H. McHan. Panther Creek— L. Medlin and P. M, Medliil, Peaceful Traveler— John Shell, G. F. Morris and D, M. Morris. The Association year, 1867, Was not characterized by any verv no- table events, and there was a fall off in the total membership from 405 to 377. Peaceful Traveler church had gone to Indian Territory, ;> t td no church had joined the Association, This year the Association met with Cold Spring chtireh, then in Macon county, N. C, and was in session three days, commencing Friday, Sept. 6th. Xjie venerable James Ivimsev pleached the tntrodltctev fm>m '2 Tim. 4: and latter clans;- of 7 verse. (26) Elder Kimsey was Moderator and his son, Joseph A. Kimsey, Cle Only nineteen messengers were present at this session. From Vail River church, James Whitaker, Jr., and B. F. Adams : from Cheod C. N. George, William Deaver, William Sumpter, and G. W. Hoopf from Valley Town, James Kimsey and J. A. Kimsey; from Nantji hala, M. Barnes ; from New Prospect, J. C. Owenby ; from Cold Spriq! John DeHart, John Earls and M. Cockerham ; from Stecoah, Pend 1 ton Crisp; from Brush Greek, A. Amnions, J. M, Thomasson, J. Edwards and S. J. Freeman ; from Panther Creek, Louis Medlin a J. L. Proctor, and from Murphy and New Hope no delegates. N Hope church was never again represented and was lost to the Assj dation, but from what cause we are not informed. 1'wentv-six had been added to the churches by baptism, viz : ^ Valley River, two; Cheoah, four; Nantahala, fourteen; Cold Sprinj one; Brush Creek, four; Panther Creek, one. In all the churches were received by letter, 32 dismissed, 13 excluded, 2 restored, and fo died during the year. Only three committees were appointed at this session. On Arrang ments— - Elder A. Amnions, James Whitaker, Jr., C. N. George an«| Moderator and Clerk. Preaching— John Dehart, Wm. Deaver and I.. Medlin. Finance-— William Sumpter and J. M. Thomasson. Nothing was raised for any object, except twenty dollars for prin ing the minutes of the Association, Corresponding Messengers wh visited inthe little Association 1867, Elders Samuel Gibson, Merit Rickman, and brethren P. G, Green, W P. Allison, from Tuckaseig Association, and Elder E. A, Deweeee. from Liberty Association., Correspondence was appointed t<» the several Associations, Tuck seige» Hiwassee, Liberty and Notley. Union Meetings were appointe one in each of three Union Districts into which the Association ha been divided. These meetings were for the discussion of Ministeria and Deacons* duties and other points of doctrine and qhurch discip line Two Queries were fceai up io the Association, which were answers] (27) in the negative. • A query from New Prospect church in these words : "Is it Bible order for a church to call a supply out ot her bounds, when she has an ordained minister in her own church ? " Query from Valley River : "Is it good order for churches in our Union to receive members under their watch-care and then grant said members letters of dismission ? " The body received a favorable report from the Book Committee on the Life and Writings of James Whi taker, Sen* s and appointed two Agents to raise funds for the publication of the work. Thus the workings of the churches and Association, for 1867, passed into history, as nothing more of importance took place except the adoption of a Circular Letter by James Whitaker, Sen., taking ground that Moses was translated instead of dying. The year 1868, had been more prosperous than the year previous, The Association met in its seventh anniversary with New Prospect church. Elder Kimsey was Moderator and James Whitaker, Jr., Clerk. EVler A. Ammohs preached the Introductory from Eph. 4:4. MESSENGERS OR DELEGATES, Valley River— James Whitaker. Jr., Hyatt, E. E. Sharp. Cheoah— Jacob Davis. Joshua Gibson. William Carpenter, G, W, Hooper, William Davis. Valley Town — -Rev, James Kimsey. Nantahala — 'Rev. Mark May, M. Barnes. Joseph Stepp, New Prospect— J. L. Crisp, J, C. Owensby. W\ A. Crisp, Cold Spring — J. M, Smiley. Stecoah— P. Criso. Brush Creek- Elder Allen Amnions. H, Manley, X). Wail, W. R, Simonds, -I. M. Thoma^son. Panther Creek— VV. Proctor, L. Medlin, J. (\ Proctor, Alarka— R. M'. Roberts. J, T, CJpton, Bu ffalo— Colonawbeska, Elam, ("Indians,) Murphy church was not represented. Akvku church had been organ used in Feb. 1 868, by Elders Samuel (28) Gibson and Meritt Rickman with nine members, and was recieved into the Association at the session of 1868, which commenced October 3rd, and Buffalo, and Indian church was recieved by letter from Hiawassee Association, Nantahala church was dismissed from the Association by which it sustained a loss of forty-four members and one of its ablest ministers, viz : M. May. But three standing committees wsre appointed at this session. Arrangements — Elder A. Amnions, J. M. Smiley, J. L. Crisp. Preaching — J. Davis, D. Wall, Ute Hyatt, J. L. Crisp, J. C. Owensby. Finance — J. M- Thomasson and William Carpenter. Merritt Rickman, Samuel Gibson, W. Dew r eese, P. R. Rickman and »T. D, Franks were received as messengers from Tuckaseige Associa- tion, and Berry Chastain as a messenger from Hiwassee Association, S. M. McCurley from Notley and M. S. Hall from Liberty. Frater- j nal relations w T ere reciprocated by appointing messengers to all the above named Baptist Associations. Appointing Union Meetings. \ adopting a Circular letter by James Whitaker, Sr., on the subject of j "Brotherly Love," recommending churches to hold prayer meeting, adopting a resolution to patronize Tuckaseige Baptist High School at Holly Spring in Macon Co., N. C, and a report of the Book Committee, report on Finance and some other matters were about all that engag* ed the attention of the session. The Book Committee 1 -; report Was still favorable as to the Life and Writings of old brother Whitaker, but the funds, owing to hard times, had not been raised to print it, but a compiler of the book, M R. Ramsey, EJsq., had been engaged, and with this the matter or^publish- ing Father Whitaker's Life and Writings ended, so far as the Associa- tion was concerned. Twenty members had been added to Valley River church by bap- tism, and twenty-nine by ba$)ti^m in all the churches of the Associa- tion. Twenty*five received by Letter, twenty-seven diss'missed, nine- if--; ex jluded, four restored, and '^v,v died, during tha year, leaving ■\ total mtuiibershi p o1 465, Nothing on thy subject of -Sunday schools oi Missions had been at- . < 29) tempted, and no ministers had been ordained, and with the loss of Elder May, the ordained ministers were James Kimsey, Allen Am- nions and Wiley Philips, according to our best information. The Association met with V alley River church in its Eighth Ses- sion and was in session four days, commencing Oct. 1st. Elder Kimsey preached the Introductory from Ezra 8 :9 James Whitaker. Sr., James Whitaker, Jr., James McBrayer and Ute Hyatt, from Valley River ; J. Davis, Wm. Guntei\ C. Hudson, L. Farr and brother Brooks, from Cheoah ; James Kimsey, Valley Town ; J. R. Lindsay, Murphy; J. M. Smiley, Cold Spring; John Hyde, Tennessee River; R. M. Roberts, Alarka ; A Ammons, Brash Creek ; William Proctor. Panther Creek ; Cullowheskee, Tetoheske, Buffalo, constituted the delegation. New Prospect was not represented. James Kimsey was Moderator and James Whitaker, Jr., Clerk. An able minister by the name of James Underwood from Ellijay As- sociation, G:a., was present as a Transient minister, and rendered valuable aid to the body. Correspondence from Tuckaseige Associa- tion, Elder Joshua Ammons and his son John Ammons, and Elders Alfred and Jesse Corn from Hiwassee. This session widened the scope of its work by appointing more committees than usual, viz : a committee on Deceased Members arid a committee on Sunday Schools. Elder James McBrayer, of Valley River ehurch, had moved into the bounds, and R. M. Roberts, of Alarka church, had been ordained in the month of June, increasing the list of ministers. The Associa- tion reduced the number of Union Meeting Districts to two. The name of Stecoah church had been changed during the year to T'-:inessee River. "The custom of writing Corresponding Letters to sister Associations was kept up. James Whitaker, Sr., had been the writer of the Circular Letter. This year it was on the subject the ''Office and work of the Holy 'Spirit," but it was short, the writer confessing it to be too deep for his pen. The churches were advised at this session to endeavor to (W) create a Church Fund to pay their preacher and other incidental ex- penses of the churches. An earnest report on Sunday Schools was made by the committee, Elders Underwocod and A. Corn, urging the churches to look well to this branch oi Christian duty, and recommend the people to purchase Sunday School books from the American Baptist Publication Society. Nothing bad been done, prior to this, in the Association, or if so no reports of Sunday Schools were made by the churches to the body. The name of the Association was changed to Tennessee River. Death had removed five ot the members from the church militant. Sister Elizabeth Howell, 94 years of age and a member 78 years, had gone from Valley River. Also Charles N. George, 78 years of age, had passed away. Sister Sarah J. Kimsey, wife oi Elder Kimsey and one of the model women, had gone. Cheoah church had been blessed wi|h a most glorious revival, and forty-three members were added to it by baptism. This work, under God, was the result of a protracted meeting held with this church of 18 days during October., 1868, by Elder A. Amnions, assisted by J. M. Smiley, a licentiate. Elder Amnions baptized thirty -three of these converts in twenty-five minutes. Fifty-three had been baptized in all the churches, 52 received by letter, 43 dismissed, 19 excluded, 4 restored and 5 died, leaving the total membership of the Association 420. Eighteen dollars for printing minutes made up the finance. I *1 1 Chapter VI. The Association is now known as Valley River. With the year, 1870, a new era seems to have dawned upon the Association. The body met this year, Sept. 2nd with Cheoah church. Elder A. Ammons preached the Introductory from 1st Cor. 16:13, The death of Moderator Kimsey, made the Chair vacant at the open- ing of this sesion and A. Ammons was called to the Moderatorship for the first time. Jamss Whitaker, Jr , was again chosen Clerk, Ten churches were represented in this Council. New Hope still appears on the roll of churches, but without representation. MESSENGERS FROM THE CHURCHES, Elders Wiley Philips and James MeBrayer, and James Whitaker, Jr. and Ute Hyatt, from Valley River : G, W, Hooper, Clinton Hud- eon, Jacob Davis, William Carpenter, Cheoah ; M, Saunders from Murphy; J. M. Smiley, J. S. Smiley, Cold Spring; John Hyde. David Welch, Tennessee River ; Elder R. M, Roberts, Alarka; A, Ammons, D. Wall, J. R. Edwards, Brush Creek; B, L. Morgan, M. Bradshaw, Panther Creek ; J. L. Crisp, J, C. Owensby, R. H. Owens- by, W. A. Crisp, Stecoah, which church had been changed in name from New Prospect to the present one in order to more definitely locate its situation. Buffalo was represented by Arquetake, Jesse Dickageeska. Valley Town church was not represented. MESSENGERS FROM ASSOCIATIONS. Elder Jesse Corn, J, R. Harrison. J, Taylor, W. M. Robinson, Hiawassee Association ; J„ B, Gibson, Tuckaseige Association, BUSINESS COMMITTEES. Arrangements— J essee Corn, Ute Hyatt, I). Wall, Preaching— J. L. Crisp, J. Davis, Ute Hyatt. Changes, a term used instead of Deceased Members, upon which i\ Hudson, J. C. Owensby and M. Launders were put as committee, I J. Corn, W. Philips,' R. M. Roberts— Sunday schools. I Nine members had died during the year. The venerable James Kimsey, one of the giant men of the Association had closed his earth- ly career and Manos Morgan, 77 years old, of Panther Creek, and seven Indians of Buffalo church. Sabbath schools had taken a hope- ful rise as there bad been several among the churches during theyear, As usual, correspondence with other Associations was kept up, The Circular Letter, subject "Relative Duties of Churches and Ministers Pastors of Churches," was an able paper by James Whitaker, Sr, Also a sketch of the Life of James Kimsey was written by Father Whitaker to appear elsewhere. (Til ' (32 ) Transient Ministers, I. T. Sherrill and Alfred Corn were present and did the Sunday preaching, Elder Sherrili making an unusually iivi good effort carrying off the congregation. fibi The year 1870, was not noted for a large number of baptisms, there being only 28 in all the churches, the Indian church having baptized 10; Valley River comes next with 8 baptisms. ko Total membership in all the churches, 483, a net gain of 63 during b the year. The year 1870 closed out with the following ministers: A. Ammons, of Brush Creek, R. M. Roberts, of Alarka, Wiley Phil- f. ips and James McBrayer, of Valley River, Elier Ratler, (Indian,) the ordained ministers. Licentiates were J. M. Smiley, of Cold Spring, G. W. Hooper, of Cheoah and John James. The tenth Anniversary, embracing the history of the Association |fl 1 891 met with Brush Creek church, Swain county, X. C, Sept. 1st. lar Introductory sermon by R. M. Roberts trom 2nd Cor. 6 :1. line The name of the Association having been changed from Friendship if I to Valley River, in 1869, now entered upon its second session under \f the new name. Allen Ammons was Moderator and James Whitaker Jr. Clerk. Every church was represented, except Valley Town and it }oa sent in a letter and statistics. Messengers of the churches present were R. M. Roberts, John Wig- n gins, T. L. Passmore, Joseph Mason, P. II. Mason, Alarka church ; A ei Ammons, B. McHan, D. Wall, J. W. DeHart, Brush Creek church ; Tahqutchee, H. Rath bone, Isaac Cheoah, Tahchanochutee, Indiana from Buffalo; G. W. Hooper. J, Sherrill, J. Davis, Thomas Am- mons, Cheoah; J. M. Smiley. J. M. Thbtaasson, John Earls, John DeHart, J. S. Panther, L. L. Thomasson, Cold Spring; Jesse Corn J, R. Lindsay. William Sumpter, Murphy ; W. Proctor, L. M. Med- th Tin, B. L Morgan, Panther Creek ; J. L. Crisp. W. D. Crisp, M A Crisp. D. A. Taylor, Stecoah church; John Hyde, David Welch, W. L F. Whiteside. P. Crisp, Tennessee River church; J. M. McBrayer, (33) V. Philips, Ute Hyatt, H. P. Adams, James Whitaker, Jr., Valley liver. Messengers from sister Associations were M. May, Samuel ribson, P. G. Green, J. D. Franks, H. J. Beck, J,. M. Forester from 'uckaseige. David Owl from Liberty, and corresponding letters fere received from Hiwassee and Notley Associations. The several ommittees were Jesse Corn, Ute Hyatt and J. D. Franks. — Arrange- nents. Jacob Davis, B. Mclian, W. Sumpter — Preaching. E. M. Roberts, J. L. Crisp, L. M. MedHn — Sunday schools. W. Philips, J. M. Thomasson, G. W. Hooper. Changes, J. M Smiley, William Proctor— To write Corresponding Letters. J. R. Lindsay, J. M. Thomasson, Pendleton Crisp — Finance. Correspondence was kept up with other Associations. Transient ministers present were I. T. S. Sherrill, holding a Letter )f Dismission and A. A, Justice from Tuckasiege Association. Oircu- ar Letter by James Whitaker on ''Ordinances of the Church" adopted md he continued to write a letter next year. Struck out the subject )f Union meetings by which this very useful custom among the churches, which had previously been kept up in the Association, was liscontinued for a time. Murphy church was dismissed to join Duck- ;own Association. The Collage Visitor, a Baptist paper published by Elder N. Bowen was reccomiu ended by resolution, and the churches, by resolution, were advised to hold three Communion Sei/c- per annum. The year 1871, had been quite prosperous. Jesse Corn had moved into the bounds adding one more to the list of ordained ministers. Eighty- one persons had been baptized, some having been baptized in every church of the Association. Fifteen baptisms in Alarka, sixteen in Buffalo, fourteen in Cheoah, seventeen in Cold Springy indicated where the principal revivals had been held. D^ath iiad removed the note worthy Deacon of Stecoah,J. C. Owen- by, who died in June at the age of 47 years, having lived a consistent member of the church 19 years. Nine others had obeved the sum- (34) mons of death. Received by letter 34 ; Dismissed 47 ; Excluded 21 ; Restored 5. Total 577, net gain 94 during the yer/r. Finance for printing minutes $14.75, quite small we see. The dismission of Murphy church at the session of 1871 took on j ordained ministers from the Association, Jesse Corn, but during the] year 1872, or between the sessions of 1871 and 1872, the body had gained three more ministers. J. M. Smiley had been ordained in < July, and I. T. S. Sherrill and Young Ammons had become members' of the body. The Indian church had a minister by the name of Young Wolf and the ministers previously belonging were, A. Am-, mons, R. M. Roberts, James McBrayer and Wiley Philips. Licentiates — G. W. Hooper, B. L. Morgan, J. R. Edwards, John Hurst and J. T. Foster. Holly Spring and Forney's Creek churches had been organized and Refuge, a name given to an old church known as Deep Creek which had been revived, was also added to the Association. Holly Spring had been built 03' the labors of R. M. Roberts, by' ; taking greater part of Alarka membership in connection with a num-i ber of new converts in the neighborhood of Kirkland's Creek and a few others. In fact, Alarka was the mother ol Holly Spring, but in truth it must be recorded that the life of the daughter was the death of the mother. Holly Spring was organized October 7, 1871 by Elders J. M. Smiley and R. M. Roberts with twenty members to which sev- eral more were soon added by letter, etc. A good pioneer work had been done in the new settlement of For-] ney's Creek by Elder J. M. Smiley where he had labored for perhaps three years before his ordination, and in February 1872, Elders A. A. Justice and ■). M. Smiley constituted a church which was named For- ney's Creek, the name it still bears. Strange to say that even with the gain of those three churches J , Refuge. Holly Spring and Forney's Creek, there was a fall off of 44 irj membership of the Association, the total being 533 members. There had been but thirty-rhree baptized in the whole Association, (35) ■ Panther Creek leading with the Dumber of *>n by baptism. Cold Spring with eight baptisms comes next. Buffalo and Tennessee River five baptisms each ; Forney's Creek thr^e, and Valley River two bap- tisms. Fifty had been added to all the churches by letter, seven restored, sixty dismissed, ten excluded and five died The Association met in the eleventh anniversary with Tennessee River church, August 30th 1872. Introductory by Elder W Philips from Rev. 15; and latter clause of third verse. A. Amnions was Moderator and John S. Smiley, Clerk. Messengers from the churches were A, Amnions, J. R. Edwards, T. L. Wikle, Brush Creek ; Corn Silk, J. Cheah, Long Bear, John Tah- quit-chee, Buffalo ; G. W. Hooper, J. Davis, J. G. Brooks, L. FaT, W. Davis, \V. Carpenter, Cheoah ; J. M. Srn*'ey, J. S. Sm"'ey, L. L. Thomasson, N. J. Howard, J. A. Lequire, Cold Spring; Young Am- mons, W. Proctor, J. W. Bradshaw / W. Mashburn, Panther Creek ; M A Crisp, W . D. Crisp, J. L. Ciisp. Stecoah ; John Hyde, David Welch, W. F. Whiteside, P. Crisp, Tennessee River; W. Philip-, James McBrayer, R. A. Bradley, Valley River. Letter sent from Valley Town. James Baird, A Watkins, W. H. Cathey, Refuge; W, J. Kimsey, S. M. B Whiteside, J, I. Foster, Holly Spring; John Hurst and James Buchanan, Forney's Creek. Messengers from Associations were P. R. Rickman, J. D. Franks and H. J. Beck, Tuckaseige ; David Owl from Notley and Revs. T, A. Ballard, Jesse Corn from Duektown. Committees were T. A. Bell. J. M. McBrayer, H. J. Beck — Arrange- ments. .1. Davis, -I. L. Crisp — -Preaching. T. A. Bell, -I. D. Franks, W. Carpenter— Sunday Schools. VV. Philips, J. G. Brooks. I. 1. Foster- Obituaries and Changes. W D. Crisp and W. Carpenter — To write Corresponding Letters. W. H. Cathey and William Davis — Finance. J. M. Smiley, W. Philips, 3. G. Brooks — Ministers Names and Ad- dresses. (36) The first missionary effort wab made at this session. The move in this direction had its origin in the report ot the Sunday School Committee who reccommended the appointment of a Sunday School missionary to preach in the bounds of the Association. The choice of a missionary fell on Elder A. Ammons and an Executive Committee was appointed to fix his salary and settle with him quarterly. Notably among the five deaths reported was sister Elizabeth Smiley who died October 7th 1871, in the 75th year of her age, having lived a consistent member of the Baptist church for fifty years. She be- longed to Cold Spring at the time of her death. Sister Mary Whitaker, wife of James Whitaker, Sr., of Valley River, had died March 20th 1872, at the advanced age of 93 years and 9 days, having been a member of the Baptist church for 66 years. Old Father James Whitaker, Sr., had fallen from the ranks of his Valley River brethren, Nov. 2nd 1871, at the advanced age of 92 years and seven months. Samuel Castile who by his peculiar doctrine had sown schism in some churches was denounced as an imposter. Also John H. Mor- gan was noticed as a false minister. Castile will be noticed farther on in this work. (37) Chapter VII, 1873. Sad day for some of the Baptist churches, that Sam Castile ever pretended to preach in this part of the land. As stated in regard to Lufty church, grievous troubles had arisen by Castile's cause. Some people went so far as to believe CastiJe a kind of Second Christ. The evil seeds sown by him greatly injured Lufty church and two or three others in the Tuckaseige Association. He made several efforts in the Valley River, but fortunately for the good cause of truth, none of the Valley River churches, belonging to the Association at the time,, were led off by Castile. The bold and faithful Allen Amnions met Castile atCheoah church on one occasion and so discomfitted him that he never again visited the bounds of the Association. Castile's evil influence, extended by his person, cover from February or March, 1872, to 1874 or 1875. Castile gathered disciples and several followed him from place to place, bat it is with due credit to the Baptist ministers that it may truly be said that none of them fell in with Castile, mighty as he pre- tended to be. The Associational year, 1873, was rather a stand still in the ranks of the churches. The roll of Churches in the Association contained thirteen, but Alarka was dead and Forney's Creek was not represented. Valley Town church had died and been resurrected and joined the Association under the new name of Second Valley River. This church after entertaining the Association well, asked for a let- ter of dismission and joined the Ducktown Association, thus leaving but one church (Valley River) in Cherokee Co. in our bounds. While the churches had not gained much, they had held their CSS) ground. There had bean ten baptisms in all the churches, five in Cheoah, one in Panther Creek, one in Valley River and three in Sec- ond Valle}' River. Forty-six received by letter, four restored, thirty-one dismissed' fifteen excluded and eight died during the year, leaving a total, ex- clusive of Forney's Creek, of 532, was the rusult of the year. The Missionary, Elder A. Ammons, had labored 159 days; traveled 725 miles ; preached 180 sermons; delivered 55 lectures on Sunday Schools ; organized 9 Sunday Schools, and was paid $92.45, leaving $66.55 due him at the end of the year, M. Ghormley had moved into the Association and joined Cheoh as an ordained minister from Tennessee, making the number of ordained preachers eight. The Licentiates numbered seven The meeting of the Twelfth Session was small in attendance-. From Brash Creek — A. Ammons, J. R. Edwards; Buffalo — Corn Silk, Te4al-e-toga; Michael Ghormley, G. W. Hooper. W. Carpenter, L. Farr, W. B. Wiggins— Cheoah ; I. T. S. Sherrill, J. M. Smiley, N. J. Howard, A. H. Welch, J. P, Panther, J. S. Smiley— Cold Spring; J. L. Crisp — Stacoah; John Hyde and John M. Crisp- Tennessee River; Wiley Philips, Ute Hyatt, D. S. Puett and James Whitaker, Jr.— Valley River; W. J. Kimsey— Holly Spring. Panther Creek and Deep Creek, the latter church formerly called Refuge, were represented bv letters. Messengers from sister Associations were Rev. T. A. Hig- don from Ducktown, and J. L. Haynes and J. C. Sanderson from Hiwassee. The body met with Second Valley church, September 5. Introduc- tory by Elder J. M. Smiley from Titus 2:14, A. Amnions was Mod- erator and John S. Smiley, Clerk. The committees were T. A. Hig- don, M. Ghormley, Ute Hyatt — Arrangements. James Whitaker, L. Fair, J. A. Kimsey — Preaching. M. Ghormly, W. Philips, J. M. Smiley— Sunday Schools. G. W. Hooper, A. H. Welch — Change-. William Carpenter, to write Corresponding Letters to sister Associa- tions. Wiley Philips, N. N. Hyatt — Finance. Correspondence with sister Associations was appointed as usual. (89) At this session, the body made its first cry out against Intemper* ance by appointing a Committe on Temperance, Elders T. A. Higdon, M, Ghormley and J. L. Haynes, being the committee. Strong grounds were taken in regard to abstaining from all appearance of evil, and the churches advised to execute the law of Jesus Christ and to keep themselves unspotted from the world. Of course, it is not to be un- derstood that the churches endorsed drunkenness prior to this meet- ing, but the first Association move, speaking out against the evil, was made here. A Query was sent to the Association by Second Valley River church as follows : "Where is the Scriptural attachment of the word "Rev*" to Minis- ters' names? or, what rank does it confer?" The committe on this, viz: T. A* Higdon and G. W. Hooper, answered this : "There is no Scriptural authority for the word "Rev." to Ministers' names; but it is a term expressing veneration, and does not improperly represent a divine teacher in word and doctrine." Four White and four Indian members died during the year. Wil- liam Crisp, Si , of Stecoah church, Jacob Davis, of Cheoah, B. L. Sawyer, of Tennessee River, and Elizabeth Jones, of Cold Spring. Peahaps no man, not a minister, was missed more than brother Jacob Davis, of Cheoah, except James Whitaker, Sr., of Valley River church. No mission work was attempted for the ensuing year of 1874, and the body closed its labors to meet the next year, 1874. with Cold Spring church. Nothing in the way of finance had been raised save a small minute fund. The Association met in its thirteenth annual session with Cola Spring church, Sept. 4th. 1874. A Amnions preached the Introduc- tory from Eph. 4:1-5. Messengers trom the churches were A. Ammons, J. M. Thomasson, William Giant. J. M. Edw ? ards and J. S, Tabor from Brush Creek. Joshua Gibson, William Carpenter, John R. Davis and W. C. Morgan from Cheoah. J. M. Smilev. I. T. S. Sherrill, Lu L. Thomasson, A. (40) W. Davis, S. D. Davis, and E. M. Welch from Cold Spring. Youn Amnions, J. L. Proctor, B. L. Morgan and William Proctor lro Panther Creeks J. L. Crisp front Stecoah. David Welch, J. H. M Crisp from Tennessee River. James Whitaker, W. Philips and Rl W. Adams from Valley River. R. M. Roberts, W. H. Cathey, an< William Whiteside from Holly Spring. Wesley Williams, T. . B Chambers, J. B. Hoyie and W. B. Cole from Foineys Creek. Buffah and Deep Creek were not represented. Indian Creek church joinec at this session and its messengers were, W. J. Kimsey, E. N. Bumgar ner and James Baird. Indian Creek, a new church in a pioneer settlement was built up by God's blessing, by the labors of Elder J. M. Smiley. This churclj was constituted in February, 1874, by Elders J. M. Smiley and Wes ley Williams. Elder Williams had, but a short time before this come into the' country and joined Forney's Creek church. Indian Creek church commenced with eighteen members. Messengers from sister Associations were W. H. Truitt from Hi was see; Eider E. I). Brendle, J. D. Franks and J. S. Conner from TueM aseige. A. Amnions was Moderator and J. M. Thomasson, Clerk. Th Committees were W Williams, E. D. Brendle, W. H. Cathey and * D. Fran ks — A rrangemen ts. Joshua Gibson, A. W. Davis, and James Whitaker — Preaching. W. Philips, William Proctor and W. B. Cole — Sunday Schools. R M. Roberts, T. B. Chambers, R. W. Adams — Changes. Corresponding Letter*— W. Carpenter and T. B. Chambers. I Finance— J. M. Smiley and L. L. Thomasson. There had been but two Sunday schools in operation during th year and those were in the new churches of Forney's Creek and I dian Creek, each having one school each with three teachers and thirt pupils. . I. L. Proctor, of Panther Creek, and J. L. Crisp, <>t Stecoah, h been ordained to tlv£''ministrv, which with the coming in of Eld< Williams from West Florida Baptist Association increased the ordai (41) ed ministers to nine. Alarka church had been dissolved by a presbytery during the year. Brother Pendleton Crisp, of Tennessee River; J. E. Chambers and Caroline Jenkins and Elisabeth Sumpter, of Stecoah, and Sarah Breedlove, of Brush Creek had died and passed away since last Asso- ciation. This query from Valley River church, "Is there any scriptural authority for churches to authorize a deacon to administer the ordi- nance of baptism ; and is such baptism valid ?" * The query was answered, "No." At this session, on Sunday, the first collection for missions was taken to be applied to Home Mission purposes — collection $8.00, and a delegation collection of $2, making $10. This was the first step for representation in the Western North Carolina Baptist Convention, Elders A. Amnions and W. Williams being chosen as the first dele- gation from the Association to that body. Elder John Amnions, of French Broad Baptist Association was present as a transient minister and rendered valuable assistance on Sunday and Monday. Thirty-six had keen baptzed, 19 of them being in Forney's Creek where a pre- cious rrvival had been held, 18 received by letter, 4 restored, 43 dis- missed, 22 excluded $nd five died, leaving the total membership of the Association at 451, exclusive of the churches of Buflklo and Deep Creek from which there wene.no reports to this session. The year 1875 was more prosperous than the preceding one. There had been forty-eight baptisms, Brush Creek leading the van in the number baptized. Thirteen baptisms in Brush Creek church, ten in Tennessee River, seven in Holly Spring, five in Cold Spring, three in Forney's Creek, six in Indian Creek, two in Stecoah and two in Buffalo. Sixteen had been excluded and five restored. There had been con- siderable changes in the churches by receiving and dismissing by let- ter, but we will not enter into detail of these. Death had removed eight members from the shores of time. Sister (42) ' Mary Amnions, of Panther Creek, Jasper Kirnsey, Indian Creek, Nancy Loven, Stecoah, Sister Memette, Valley River, and William Davis, of Cheoah, who was a very notable brother. Three of the Cherokees had died. The ministerial list had been increased by the ordination of three ministers : B. L. Morgan, of Panther Creek, W. C. Morgan, of Che- oah, and an Indian brother, Armstrong Cornsilk. Elders R. M. Roberts, of Holly Spring, and M. Ghormley, of Che- oah, were holding letters of dismission, for what reasons no* known. Two new churches had been organized during the year: Wesser Creek and Traveling Zion, the former with twenty-four members and the latter with seventeen. Wesser Creek was organized by Elders presbytery, and Traveling Zion by Elders Crisp and Proctor, so we suppose. This little body was dis- missed and moved in a body to Kansas. It was short lived and its pastor, J* L. Proctor, and the other members were scattered, some joining western churches and some returning, in a few years, to this country again. The most notable of those who returned were old Louis Medlin and wife, Jane, William Proctor and son, J. L. Proctor. The total membership of the Association for 1875 was five hundred and sixty-one, which showed a solid advance in strength. Elder Wesley Williams had served as missionary of the Association for 1874 which was not accounted for in the records of that year. He had served in the same capacity lor 1875 with the following results : Travelled 180 days, 1150 miles, preached 145 sermons, received 36 persons into the church, aided in ordaining three Deacons and one minister, for which he had been paid $138. Only one Sunday school was reported to the Association and that was from Cold Spring church with four officers and teachers and 110 students. Valley River, as was obtained from delegates had had two Sunday schools and Indian ('reek one. It was a practice in some of the Sunday schools in those years to commit verses of Scripture to memory. The school at Panther Creek traveled 120 miles, baptized 36, witnessed >52 conversions, preached 31 sermons and made 20 exhortations. Elder C. M. Greene was now a member of the Association, being a messenger from Cheoah church. J\ R. Edwards^ of Brush Greek, and J. P. Edwards, of Tuskeegee, had been ordained to the ministry. Sabbath schools had been on the increase in- the bounclsv but sev- eral of the churches had not participated in the work, The baptisms and other statistics of the churches cannot be given for lack ol the table for this year. The world of immortality had taken possession of eleven members during the year. Isaac Rowen, Elisabeth Rodgers, and Mary Milsaps, of Cheoah, Sarah Buchanan. Margaret Buchanan, and Sarah Hagle, of Forney's Creek, Martin Whiteside, of Holly Spring, Melviney Whiteside and Nancy Marcus, of Tennessee River, Cam ine tody, of Steeoah, Deacon W: H. Cathey, of ('old Spring, wer^sleeping the death sleep. The Education Board, A. Amnions, William Carpenter, James Beard and W, II, Cathey. appointed the last year reported progress on a school house for the Association High School at Steeoah church. John S. Smiley, Historian, sent in his resignation and T, A. Car- penter was appointed to succeed him. A query wax sent to the Asso- ciation by Valley River church as follow* ; "What ought to be done with a Deacon who neither possesses the qualifications, nor practices ithe duties, oi a Deacon as laid down in the new Testament?'' The substance of the answer to this qaaery was, admonish him to read Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus, and if such Deacons will not try to inform themselves in regard to their duties,, let them be put out of office and others appointed in ^heir places. A Committee was appointed at this session to separate the Oonsti- J tution and Rules of Order, viz : C. Ml Green, W. D. Crisp and T. A, I Carpenter, and by resolution Mill's Parliamentary Practice was adop-«j ted as our Rules of order on points of parliamentary usage for ourj future guidance, thus obviating the necessity for these items under f what had hitherto been called Rules of Decorum. Union Districts were instructed to appoint Union Meetings at suit- able places, and to get up subjects of importance for the benefit of young ministers. Brother T. C. Bry son, from Tuckaseige, Elder E Kimsey, J. H. Johnsou, .). A. Kimsey and Willis Parker. Hiwassee were Corresponding Messengers present at this session. The church roll numbered fifteen with the addition of Red Marble, a new church which had been organized during the yeai at Red Mar- ble Gap in Cherokee county, which presented a petition by R. 1VJ. Wright and was admitted into the Association The body was now fast gaining strength and influence among the sisterhood of Baptist Associations. Brush Creek, had baptized twenty, Cheoah three, Cold I Spring four, Holly Spring fourteen, Indian Creek five,. Panther Creefcl two, Tennessee River five, Valley River sixteen, Tuskeegeo two and Buffalo one. making sixty-two in all. Thirty-six were received by letter, sixty-eight dismissed, twenty-six excluded and nine restored and eight died during the year. Precious revivals had been held in Brush Creek, Holly Spring and Valley River, judging by their mem- bers baptized. The total membership of the churches was 797, exclusive of Deep Creek and Red Marble whose reports were not sent up to the Associa- tion. John P. Panther, of Cold Spring, had been ordained to the ministry in July. Three Missionaries, viz : A. Amnions, P. G. Green and Charles M. Green had been in the field. Amnions had baptized sev- enteen, preached 15 sermons and traveled sixty miles. P. G. Greeu had preached thirty sermons, made twenty exhortations, witnessed forty-seven conversions and baptized twenty-four,, traveled 100 miles, labored fifty days and collected $14.50, ('. M. Green had labored fif- teen days. William Bradshaw, of Forne} r 's Creek, Esther Welch, of Brush Creek, Mary Collett and Jesse Taylor, of Valley River, Caro- line Penley, of Stecoah, and Young Wolf and Obediah, of Buffalo. made up the list of the dead for the year. Brother Jesse Taylor was 94 years of age when he died and had been a consistent member of ; the church for 65 years. The High School of the Association had been in a very satisfactory session from the 4th of February till the 25th of June, averaging over 29 daily attendants. The teaching had been done by brother W. L. Dean and V. E. Grant, of Macon county, the former as principal at a salary of $25 per month, and the latter assistant a* a salary of $20per month. Such was the interest taken in the school undertaking that Elder A.. .Amnions was put into the field to raise funds for its support. The Biblical Recorder, Raleigh, Baptist, Memphis, and Kind Words, were all reccommended to the people as good religious papers. The Historian, T. A. Carpenter, had nothing to report to the body only the failure of the churches to co-operate with him in getting up facts of history of the Association. The Sunday school work had languished, and but little had been done in this work. A Sunday collection of $7.66 for missions was taken for the Association missionaries. An effort was made by Elder C. M. Green to have the Association to organize a Sunday School Con- vention which move was set for the November following. The Asso- ciation met in its eighteenth session with Brush Creek church Oct. 4th. C. M. Green preached the Introductory from Math. 11 : 11, A Am- nions was Moderator and W. D. Crisp, Clerk. Corresponding Messen- gers from Tuckaseige Assoociation at this session .were Elders E. P. Brendle, A. A. Justice. .1. S. Woodard, I. T. S. Sherrill and brethren W. L. Dean, T. C. Bryson, S. M. Welch, Philip Dills. D. S. Dills, John Amnions, J. W • Rickman, J. 1) Franks, R, A. Hall, M. L. Riekman and others. W) Chapter IX. -1880. From some cause not fully known to the writer. Deep Creek no^j disappears from the list of churches, but Yellow Creek, a new church, presented a letter and petition and was received, still keeping up the list of churches to fifteen as follows: Brush Creek, J. 8. Woodward, pastor; Cheoah, W. C. Morgan, pas- tor ; Cold Spring, pastor blank ; Forney's Creek, no pastor ; Holly Spring, J. M. Smiley, pastor; Indian Creek, no pastor; Nantahala,j B. L. Morgan, pastor; Panther Creek, Y. Ammons, pastor; Red Mar-? ca: ble, W. Philips, pastor; Stecoah, P. G. Green, pastor; Tennessee River, no pastor ; Tuskeega, P. G. Green and J. P. Edwards, pastors: Valley River, C. M. Green, pastor: Yellow Creek, John Canaut, pas- tor, The note worthy old church. Valley* River, asked for a letter of j ! dismission at this session to join the Duck town" Association and so by i its loss to this body the church roll was reduced to fourteen churches. | At this same session, following the dismission of Valley Riverl church, the Association had no further reason to retain the name, | Valley River, by which it had been known since 1869, and conse- quently, changed the name to Tennessee River, as a more appropri- ate one to locate its situation, By the dismission of Valley River, the territory of tke Association was now eotifined to Swain and Graham counties, N, C, with the sin- gle exception of Red Marble church, which was in Cherokee county. The list of ordained ministers had been reduced, though Elder I. T. S, Sherrili had again become a member of the body by joining Indian Oreete eburch. (IS) .: Elder Allen Ammon?, who had bo faithfully served the Association as Moderator in regular succession, for ten sessions, had died July 2nd, 1880. The loss of Elder Amnions was deeply felt throughout the Association. While we mourned the loss of Ammons, not- without hope of our loss being his eternal gain, we were chagrined at the dis- graceful conduct of Elder R. M. Roberts, of Tennessee River church. Roberts, with a letter of dismission from said church, left his worthy wife, Nettie, and eloped from the country with another woman. Tennessee River went through the act of excluding Roberts, hut the church was powerless to recover his church letter, so after an bom-. ©rable membership of about 15 or so years in the Baptist church, and a useful career ot over ten rears in the ministry, Elder Roberts step- ped down to degredation and ruin, shamefully staining his life by. dishonoring his high ministerial rank and the precious cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like a sudden and treacherous outburst of a vol- cano may surprise and startle the inhabitants of its environs, so did the man Roberts shock his brethren and sisters in Zion. We weep as we pen this event and can only say. "God be merciiul to the sin- ner, for he is in thy just hands to be rewarded according to -his works." The worthy Elder W. Philips was dismissed with Valley River church, leaving the list of ordained ministers, up to this year, as fol- lows: W.O. Morgan. G. W. Hooper, the latter who had been ordained in Cheoah church during the year, J. R. Edwards, J. P. Edwards, J. P. Panther, J. M. Smiley, B. L. Morgan, I. T. S SJherrill, Y. Ammons, P. G. Green and J. M. Salts. Only five Sunday schools had been in operation during the year. There had been sixty-six baptized in ten of the churches, Yellow Creek having twenty-one, the greatest number of any Thirty had been excluded and seven restored and ten died in all the churches. The aged, sweet singer, William R. Simonds, of Brush Creek, was among the number of the dead. He was about 75 years old and had taught the young to sing the sweet songs of Zion tor 52 years as a teacher of vocal music. William Owens and Margaret Gibby, of Cold Spring, Mary and (64) • Dinah Truitt, of Valley River, Mary Calhoun, of Tuskeega, and three Indians, of Buffalo, had all died. One very striking feature of the year, 1880, was the work of the Missionary, Elder P. G. Green, who had labored 115 days, traveled 500 miles, preached 106 sermons, made 28 exhortations, witnessed 66 professions, baptized 53 persons, received 8 by letter, attended the ordination of 4 Deacons, attended 11 prayer meetings, orgaaized 2 Sunday schools and only received $15.50 for all this work. Over $20 was raised among the delegates at this meeting to help brother Green. At this session, was finally amended the Constitution, and it ap- peared in the minutes under the heading "Constitution of the Tennessee River Baptist Association." It is a very short instru- ment, containing only ten articles which we will give in 'vl Miscella- neous Supplement" The Rules of Decorum, or Rules of Order had been previously com- mitted to the system of Mell's Parliamentary Practice, thus obviating the necessity for so many Decorum rules attached to theConstitution. The Association met in its nineteenth Anniversary with Tennessee River church, Thursday, Sept. 2nd. Elder William C. Morgan preached the Introductory from Rom. 1:16. Elder P. G. Green was Moderator and W. D. Crisp, Clerk. As the new Constitution provided for the offices of Treasurer and Historian, those places were filled by choosing Joel L. Crisp, for the former and T. A. Carpenter for the latter. , Elder J. S. Woodard, G. W. Landersmilk and J. A. Franks were Messengers from Tuckaseige Association and rendered valuable aid to the Tennessee River Association. So ends the events of the vear 1880. * Notwithstanding the dismission of Valley River church, the Asso- ciation, in 1881, was rapidly approaching a higher degree of intelli- gence, strength and development. The twentieth Session met with (56) 'old Spring church, Sept. 1st. The Introductory sermon was preaeh- d by Elder I T. S. Sherrill from Math. 18 : 10. J. M. Smiley was Moderator and W. D. Crisp, Clerk. Nothing is hown touching the Treasurer and Historian. Tallulah, Maple Spring and Hazel Creek, three new churches had >een constituted, and presented letters and messengers and were re- eived into the Association at this session. Messengers from Tncka- eige Association as follows : Elder John S. smiley, A. A. Justice, . D. Franks, J. A. Franks, D. K. Collins, J. M. Welch and A. W. 'armer. A beautiful sketch of the life of Elder A. Amnions was ead and adopted and will appear in Biographical Department. A lament was made in the education report because the High School at Stecoah was doing nothing at present, but advice was given Br people to patronize Judson College. Strong grounds w 7 ere taken n favor of patronizing the Bapiid Tde.H-oye, an able Baptist paper mblished by Elder N. Bowen in Henderson ville, N. C, and also the rgan of the Western N. C. Baptist Convention. The Mission work had been carried on part of the time the past fear by Elder W. C. Morgan with results as follows : Days labored 57; miles travelled 387; sermons preached 45; exhor- ations 7; conversions witnessed 33; baptized 16 persons; assisted in >rdaining 3 ministers and 4 deacons; constituted 1 church and 4 >unday*Schools,*and had been paid $21.25. There had been but five Bundav schools in the bounds. It was at this session that the first efforts were made toward aiding Foreign Missions This was at the instance of Elder P. G. Green. Sabbath collection was ordeied to be applied to this purpose. The collection was $8.34, Elders P. G. Green and 1. T. S. Sherrill vere chosen delegates to the Wes + ern N. C. Baptist Convention. There had been baptisms in ten of the churches numbering in all 2. Tt seemed that revivals had been held in Cheoah and Tahlulah hurches as 18 had been baptized in the former and 16 in the latter. ' Stecoah also had baptized 17 persons. Nineteen had been excluded (») ' and five restored. Ten had died and the total, exclusive of Buffalo and Nantahala was 705. The devoted wife of Elder J. P. Panther, Charlotte E, James Buch- anan, of Forney's Creek, and some others, had died. The reports of the various Committees and the speeches following those of Mission Education, Periodicals etc. indicated a forward movement. (57) Chapter X, 1882-'83. The Association met in the twenty-first annual session with Cheoah Baptist church Sept. 8th. Introductory sermon by James Salts from Isaiah 2 : 2. Elder J. S. Woodard was Moderator and W. 1). Crisp, Clerk. Elder J M. Smiley had been in the field as Association Missionary with the following results : Labored 141 days, traveled 700 miles, preached 158 sermons, baptized 89 persons, witnessed 49 conversions, delivered 11 exhortations, assisted in organizing one church, organ- ized three Sunday schools, aided in ordaining one minister and three deacons and was paid for this service $14.05. Added to this mission fund was $8 more for Elder Smiley \s work. The Association High School which had been dormant for two or three years was to be revived again with the location to be made at Cold Spring, out the effort iailed and nothing was accomplished in the High School line. The Sunday school work for the year 1882 had been mere progress- ive than it had in any preceding year, as there had been sixteen successful schools in the bounds. The cause of religious periodicals was urged by the committee on that subject, and the Blue Ridge Bnpfisf, published by Elders D. B. Nelson and J. E. Carter, at $1 a year in Hendersonville, N. C, was .recommended, as well as the Biblical Recorder. Members hod died during the year to the number of fourteen : William Dellart and Mary J Freeman, of Maple Spring, Elizabeth Eranklin, of Holly Spring, Jason Sherrill, of Cheoah, and 9 more whose names are not given, Three new churches had beeu organized, viz : Santeetlah, Double Branch, and Bone Valley, which churches joined the Association at this session, increasing the list of churches to twenty. Elder J. L. Proctor who had previously gone west with Travelling Zion church had returned to this country and was a member of Hazel Oreek church. Fourteen of the churches had had one hundred and twelve baptisms, a greater number being in Hazel Creek than any of the others, but several of the churches had been blessed with good ingatherings in this way. Sixty-one were received by letter, sixty-seven dismissed, excluded thirteen, and restored sixteen and the total membership was now 850. The first Foreign Mission aid was given at the session of 1882, being $8, which was ordered through the Treasury of The Western Bapt st Convention to the Foreign Board at Richmond, Va,, with instructions to be paid to Rev. M. T. Yeats in China, Queries were answered as follows : "Is it right fur a pastor to advise his church to appoint a committee to labor with a sister church ?" Answer— 'He has the right," "Has that church the right to declare a non-fell nvship against that church which would not hear the committee?" Answer — "In our judgment she has the right." The Association met with Forney's Creek church August 25, 1888. Introductory by Elder P. (I. Green from Mark 18:35. J. S. Woodaid was Moderator, and John S. Smiley, Clerk. This year was one of marked prosperity. Two churches were added to the body at this session, Charleston by letter from Tuekaseige Association, and Mount Zion, a new church organized April 28. 1883, by Elders J. E. Morgan, J. M. Smiley, -I. P. Panther and P>. L. Morgan, with twenty members from Cold Spring church. Charleston church had its origin chiefly from Holly Spring, but some of its constituent members were from Cold Spring church and perhaps a few from the old Beep Creek members. This church was organized in the old Court House, Dec. 1877, by Elder E 1). Brendle, (*9) W. H. Conner and J. M. Smiley, and joined the Tuckaseige Baptist Association in the session held at , August, 1878. By his membership being with this church since the spring of 1.878, the writer had been identified with Tuckaseige for five years. The writer had been ordained to the ministry, Dec. 18, 1881, in Charleston church by Elders E. D. Brendle A. A. Justice, W. H. Con- ner, J. M. Smiley, and J. M. Salts as presbytery. By Charleston church becoming a member of Tennessee River As- sociation, the writer and J. M. Smiley were added to the list ®f. or- dained ministers which now numbered fourteen, viz: J. M. Smiley I. S. Smiley, I. T. S. Sherrill, J. E. Morgan, J. P. Panther, J. R. Ed- wards, J. S. Woodard, Young Amnions, B, L. Morgan, J P. Edwards, P. G. Green. W. C. Morgan, G. W. Hooper, and F. M. Morgan. Elder J. L. Proctor had been excluded from Hazel Creek church on charge of adultery, in .inly, 1888. The proof of Proctor's guilt was that he left his lawful wife and left the country with another woman; thus another one of the most shameful and sickening acts of disgrace was perpetrated by a man holding the high rank of a minister of Ihrist, The Licentiates were -I. M. Earles, Jno. Womack, J. A. Amnion-, \ S. DeHart, J. M. Hickman, H. B. Grant and -Usse Hall. Elder John F. Morgan, chosen missionary at Gheoah, in 1882, had occupied the field in the Association with an unusual degree ot suc- cess. Morgan had .labored 225 days, traveled 520 miles, preached 300 sermons, made 65 exhortations, witnessed 188 conversions, bap- tized 167 persons, aided in organizing one church and ordaining four deacons and had been paid $149.25. There had been 181 baptisms in sixteen of the churches. Forney's Creek church had baptized 53 persons, Cold Spring 84, Mt. Zion 1.8, Cheoah 14, and Double Branch 14. In fact there had been gracious revivals in a majority of the churches. Seventy-three had been re- reived by letter, seventy- three dismissed, twenty-three excluded, re- stated 15 and 11 had died in all the churches with the great total in the Association of eleven hundred members which was a net gain (90) during the year of 250 members. Som« internal troubles in Tallin lah church, caused, we suppose, by the preaching of a man by the name of Walker, resulted in that church's absence from the session of 1883, by which 45 members are not reported in our aggregate. Tal- lulah finally went down and is never again represented in the coun- cils of our Association. The Sunday School work had been successful and the importance of this cause was steadily and certainly taking hold of the churches, as there had been twenty Sunday schools in operation during the year. The cause of Education, Temperance and Missions received a deep- er impulse at this session, and very warm committee reports on these several subjects followed by enthusiastic speeches on this occasion led the* brethren to believe themselves under obligations to do more for the increase oi religious knowledge in this Association, and to labor more for the spread of the gospel in other lands. Brother W. M. Tay- lor had by request written a very forcible Circular Letter for the Asso- ciation on the Duties of Churches to their Ministers, which we think had a good effect on its readers as it was adopted and printed in the minutes at this session. Brother J. C. Sorrells was elected Historian of the Association and some sketches of Elder A. Amnion's pastoral labors with Cowee church turned over to Brother Sorrells, but as he tailed to make any future report this sketch was lost and nothing else accomplished by Brother Sorrells toward getting up the Associa- tion hisitory. A stronger co-operation with the Western N. ('. Convention was determined upon, and as some funds for missions had been raised, Elders •). S. Woadard, J. K. Morgan and brother Joel L. Crisp were delegated to said. Convention. Elders C, P. Weston, of Maine, A. A. Justice, W, W, Keid and P. Ii. RickmaU) of Tuckaseige, S. F. Payne, of New Found, and J, G. Pulliani, oi 1'unooine County Associations Wert; present and partici- pated in the work o! the Association. Correspondence was kept up with Tuckaseige and other Associations. W) Chapter XI. Every church in Tennessee River Association, except Tallulah. was represented. This sesssion was held with Charleston church, com- mencing on Thursday, Aug. 22, 1884. J. S. Woodard preached the Introductory from Phil. 2:14. J. S. Woodard was chosen Moderator and John Sj Smiley, Clerk. The year 1884 was also a year of prosperity in the Association. Alarka, a new church with members from Cold Spring, had been or- ganized April 26, 1884, by Elders J. E. Morgan, J. M. Smiley and J. S. Smiley as 'presbytery. And Tellico, also a new church with mem- bers from Burningtown church and others in which was the noted Elder A. A. Justice, was organised by Elder Justice and August 2. 1884. These two presented letters and petitions and were added to the Association, making the number ol churches twenty-four. The Association was favored with th<- presence of Elders E. D. Brendle. W. H. Conner, A. H. Sims and J. H. Queen and brethren J. D. Franks, H. J, Beck, P. C. Wild, G. E. Davis, J. B. Gibson, W. H. Queen, T. C. Bryson, J. E. Hurst and H. D. Welch, of Tuckaseige Association, and J. G. Pulliam, of Buncombe county, and T. C. Buch- anan and M. L. Rickman, of Central Association, N. C, and Elder James Salts, of Little River Association, Tennessee, the latter named brother, having moved out of our bounds. A good Sunday collection for missions was made amounting to 1240, twelve dollars of which was paid to Elder J. E.Morgan, Associa- te n Missionary, and twelve dollars forwarded to Richmond for Mexi- can missions. «* Elder J. E. Morgan had been kept in the field as Association Mis (*2) sionary, but he he had aot been so successful as he had the previous year. He had labored 225 days, traveled 275 miles, preached 200 sermons, witnessed 71 con versiorffi, baptized 66 persons, aided in organizing two churches; amount received for said labor $100. There had been baptisms in fifteen of the churches* twenty-eight in Tus- keega, 23 in Htecoah, 14 in Tennessee River and 10 in Bone Valley, these churches having the largest ingatherings in this way. Forty- two had been excluded, twenty-six restored and fourteen died during the year in ail the churches. The total membership was now 1267. Elder Young Ammons, of Panther Creek church, wag numbered with the dead and thirteen others whose names are not given, were gone from earth. All the churches had been b.essed with faithful pastors and to the labors of these in connection with Elder Morgan, the Missionary, the Lord had given the increase and a healthy growth of the Association. The minute fund was $20.05, and all receipts and disbursements which had found their way into the Treasury were $44.45, according to the report of the Treasurer, Joel U Crisp. Brother J. C. Sorrells had served the Western Convention as Sun- day School Missionary and Colporteur in the bounds, but we received no report of his work. J. P. Panther and J. M, Earls were appointed delegates to the Western Baptist Convention by this session. The churches nearly all reported the salaries of their pastors which run from 7 to fifty-eight dollars. The twenty fourth annual session met with Double Branch church, Aug. 20, 1885. Introductory by Elder •). P. Panther, Neh.4:6. Elder A. A. Justice was Moderator and W. 1). Crisp, Clerk. Every church was represented but Red Marble. Three new churches were received into the Association, viz: Pleas- ant Grove, being a part of Forney's Creek, was constituted November 22, 1884, by Elder« J, M. Smiley and John E. Morgan, Welch Cove, constituted October 25, 1384, by Elders J. M. Smiley ■re*) ; and John Pickney Panther ; Chamber's Creek organized Feb. 21st, 1885, by Elders J. M. Smiley and L. M. Medlin, with members from Forneys Creek and Tennessee River. This year four ministers were ordained, Elder J. M. Earles, of Cold Spring, L. M. Medlin, of Bone Valley, J. A. Ammons, of Maple Spring, and C, T. Calhoun, of Double Branch. By the foregoing, the list of churches was run up to twenty-seven and the list >f ordained ministers increased to eighteen. Elder J. P. Panther had occupied the field as Association Mission* ary with th« following results: labored 250 days, travelled 1,500 miles, preached 275 sermons, made 200 exhortations, witnessed 28 conver- sions, baptized 25. organized three Sunday Schools and received on the field $80. f The bod y now attempted greater efforts in the mission work by creating an Association Mission Board which consisted of Elders VV\ C. Morgan, L. M. Medlin and brethren J. W. Breedlove, J. C. Sorrells and J. H. Sentell and $138 were pledged toward the mission work for the next year. There had been but forty-three baptisms in ten of the churches : 14 in Cold Spring, 7 in Cheoah, 9 in Panther Creek, the churches having th - greater number baptized. The changes by letter had been greater than usual and the exc'usiotis were 51 and the restorations only four. Sixteen had died and the total membership in all the churches outside of Buffalo, Red Marble and Tallulah was 1169. Numbered among the sixteen deaths were Elder J. P, Edwards, ol Tuskeegee, William Carpenter, of Cheoah, and Samuel Monteith, ol Forney's Creek. While these three named were not more pr cious in the sight of the Lord than the other thirteen who had died, they were more greatly missed and mourned by the Association because ol their notoriety and rank in the church. Most of the churches had been engaged in the noble Christian work of Sunday Schools. Only thirteen of the churches reported their pastor's salaries which ranged from $1 to $100. Elder W.W. Reid, of Tuck aseige Association, and J. E. Carter, editor, of the Blue Ridge Baptist, were present and participated in the session. Foreign missions, Temperance, and Education and Periodicals re- ceived enthusiastic encouragement and all the Sunday collection was divided equally hetween Mexican and Chinese missions. Committees were appointed to prepare sketches of Elders Young Ammons and J. P. Edwards, deceased, but.no report was ever made. («) Chapter XII, 1886. The period of organising churches in the territory or even the neces- sity for such was now at an end and a very prudent step had been taken by Tennessee River and Double Branch in the work of consoli- dation by which Double Branch is merged into her mother organiza- tion, Tennessee River church, making one strong church instead j.of two week ones. * The work of ordaining ministers had out-stripped any preceding year in our history. Will Pruitt, of Cheoah ; H. B. Took, of Bone Valley ; R. H. Crisp, of Tennessee River; W. A. Marcus, of Tuskeega, and J. H. Sentell, ot Double Branch or Ten n esse? River churches had all been ordained and Kider G. W. Orr rnd J. H. Queen had moved into the Associa- tion, thus swelling the list of ordained ministers to twenty-three. The Mission Board of the Association had had Elder J. E. Morgan in the field as missionary, but he had labored only forty-four days and been paid $14. Fifty-three days labor had been rendered in the mission work by Elders J. M. Earles, J. P. Panther. L. M. Medlin and T. S. DeHart. Connected with this work were 46 conversions and 22 baptisms. It seemed that the new 7 and untried machinerv of a Mission' Bon rd had not met with the neeessary co-operation by the churches ami pastors, notwithstanding the worthy service of such in- strument. We think, however, that much of the failure ol the mission work in the Association for 1886, was attributable to Elder Morgan's ser- vices in sections of country out of the bounds. Brush Creek, Nanta- hala and Tallulah were not represented by messengers, but the total membership at the end of the year was 1260, exclusive of those three churches and if those churches were taken into the count there were at least 1830 members in the Association. One hundred and ten had been baptized in the bounds, Alarka 1, Buffalo 2, Cheoah 17, Cold Spring 3, Holly Spring 10, Hazel Creek 1, Indian Creek 19, Mt. Zion 8, Panther Creek 5, Santeetlah 11, Tuskeega 3 ? Tennessee River 11, and Welch Cove 19. Dismissed by letter, 93 and received by letter 81. Excluded forty and restored seven. Seventeen had died during the year, among whom were Elder I. T. S. Sherrill and John Kilby, 'of Indian Creek; Jane Dellart, of Cold Spring ; Matilda Hooper, of Cheoah, and sister Elenor Ammons, of Panther Creek ; these were much missed from the earthly sanctuary on account of their ages and long service in the Master's kingdom in the world. Elder P. C Green who had labored so successfully as Missionary and pastor in the bounds of the Association for a period of nine years had been excluded from Stecoah church on a charge equivalent to fornication, and, as a consequence, the Association loses a most popu- lar preacher whose work shown a good degree of success; but oh ! how mortified were the brethren and sisters generally to see the sudden downfall of such a man stained with immortal death to his Christian and ministerial character and usefulness! The Association met with PantherCreek church, Aug. 22nd. Elder L. M. Medlin preached the Introductory lrom Neh. 6:3. Eider A. A. Justice was Moderator, L. M. Medlin, Clerk; .1. M. Earls, Treasurer, and John S. Smiley, Historian, A standing order oii business was made at this session by which the committee of Arrangements were dispensed with. The order will be found in ihe appendix. The Association met in its twenty-sixth session with Indian Creek church, Thursday, August 25th, 1887. Elder A. A. Justice preached the Introductory from Math. 17:20. Elder John M. Earls presided and \V. 1>. Crisp Clerked. («7) A smaller delegation than usual from the churches, being eleven or twelve churches without messengers, but much territory and efficient strength were added at this session bv the joining of Lufty church by letter from Tuckaseige Association through her messengers. W. H. ijueen and H. K. Gass. W. H. Queen was chosen Treasurer and Jno S. Smiley was contin- ued Historian. The Association Mission Board had had Elder A. A. Justice in the field for one hundred and twenty days during the year, and had col- lected and paid him $86.45, which was supplemented by the Associa tion among the messengers to $100, the amount stipulated by the Board, but what the result of Elder Justice's labors was is not given. There had been seventy-two baptisms in nine of the churcru^ rep- resented, but so inaccurate and missing are the statistics given on ac- count oi so many of the churches not reporting and with the statis- tics credited to the wrong church, that we shall not attempt any more on that line for the year 1887. The Association again took its mission work into hand and Elder J. A. Amnions was elected for the next > year and be given the field for his salary, by which act the Association Board of Missions was prac- tical I v discontinued. Elder J. M. Earls, the retiring Tjeasurer, reported $8 received by Km last year and the same disbursed to Elder Justice. Missions, Temperance and all kinds of denominal work, such as are gen rally committed to Asssociations, received warm endorsement by the body, and on Sunday $12.00 for Foreign Missions were collect- ed. By receipts for mission purposes at the rate of $5 per seat, eight messengers or delegates were appointed to go to the W. N.. B. Conven- tion, viz : J. H. Sentell, L. M. Medlin, J. S. Woodard, J. S. Smiley, S. B. Ginson, W. D. Crisp, T. M Buchanan and J. H. Queen. Elder John E. Morgan, the successful Evangelist, had moved out of the Association and became a member of Burn ingtown church in Tuckaseige Association. Elders W. W. Reid and G. W. Crawford, of Tuckaseige Association, were present as Corresponding Messengers. Corsesponding Messen- gers were appointed to sister Associations by a motion, authorizing any member of this Associotion who may be present at others to re- port as Messengers. The method of writing Corresponding letters had been discontinued for several years, which is an error in practice with- out a doubt jrom the good reason that a Christian Salutation from a sister body or church is in accord with Apostolic usage. These Corre- sponding letters are official certificates of the standing ot those ap- pointed to bear such fraternal greetings and relationship and the writing of such letters should be resumed by all Associations. ' By a vote, Cold Spring church was chosen as a site for the revival of the Association High School and a Board of School Trustees, to wit. H. G. Beck, J. A. Franks. S. B. Gibson, J. S. Woodard, J. S. Smiley, J. A. Amnions, L. M. Medlin and J. A. Buchanan, of Swain county, and W. D. Crisp, W. M. Taylor and W. C. Morgan, of Graham county, were appointed to endeavor to put the School in operation. Several oi the churches were not represented at the last session, ow- ing, it was said, to a severe epidemic in Bryson City at the time of the Association, but when the body met at Stecoah church, August 28, 1888, there were about 100 messengers from the churches and all the churches were represented but Brush ('reek, Nantahala, Red Mar- ble and Hazel Creek. A disagreement or dissatisfaction on the part of the members for- merly known as Double Branch, led to a dissolution of the act of con- solidation with Tennessee River church, by which Double Branch took up its former organization ami record and enrolls as a church. Red Marble, so long without representation in the Association, had been somewhat revived, as we have been informed, and inconsistently lett the Association without leave, and a* a consequence was dropped from the church roll. Pleasant Grove church, by mutual agreement with its mother, Fornev's Creek, had been meiged into one body by the old name, and so Pleasant Grove disappeared from the church roll or' the Association. m Lone Oak on Cheoah, Bethabara on Lufty, Fakview, formerly of Double Branch, and Land's Creek had all been constituted during the year and were admitted into the Association at this session. Bethabara was organized Oct 22nd, 1887, by Elders J. M. Smiley and J. H. Queen, of members from Shoal Creek and Indian Creek churches. Welch Cove church had changed its name to Eagle Creek. The Association year 1888 had been a vear of prosperity, as there Jiad been 140 baptisms in twenty-one -nf the churches, Charleston church under the successful preaching of its new pastor, Rev. G. H. Church, having baptized twenty, the largest numberin any one of the churches. Thirty-three had been excluded and eleven restored in all the churches. Receiving,and dismissing by letter had gone on very ex* tensively, and sixteen members had passed into the Spirit world, and the total membership was 1,558. Elder G. Ji. Qfrurch had moved into the bounds irom Transylvania County Association. Elder O. P. Williams had been ordained, ihus greatly strengthening the ministry of Tennessee River Association. The Trustees appointed at last session to start a school had employ ed Prof. J. S Hill, ot Elk Park, Mitchell county, and had run a sue- cessful session of school 1or 70 days, commencing Jan. 23. The school enrolled 95 pupils and averaged 4f>. M^ Hill's salary was $50 a month. V. M. ( aler had also been emploved to run another session at a salary of $85 per -month. Mr. Qalers school eovered a period of about 7 months in connection with the free public school which finally closed the school effort for the time being. Both schools resulted in good to our people. The Sunday school work had been kept up, there being twenty schools in the bounds. A Ministers' Council had beenWganized dur- ing the session at Stecoah, but the organization was noftkept up. For a number of years the Union Meetings had been assembling and transacting business by their own appointments from fifth Sunday to (70) fifth Sunday under the name, "Tennessee River Union, " but without reports to the Association, so we know very little of their history. It was very gratifying to note the zealous mission, temperance and education spirit of the session 1888. Good collections were made for missions and education, amounting in pledges and cash to $110.04. The Association mission was suspended at Jiis session and a Col- porteur appointed to travel and sell books and furnish Scriptures and religions literature to the destitute, — Elder T. S. DeHart being chosen for the place. The twenty -seven tb anniversary was presided over by Elder J. A. Ammons, L. M. Medlin was Clerk, .). S. Smiley Historian and W. 11, Queen was Treasurer. Elder J. A. Amnions iiad occupied the Held as Missionary and had labored 139 days; travelled 900 miles; preached 126 sermons; made 23 exhortations; witnessed 41 conversions; baptized 28 persons; was paid on the tie d, $123. Elder G. H.' Church preached the Iiftroduetory. The twenty-eighth session met with Lufty church Thursday, Aug. 22. John S. S.niley preached the Introductory from 1st Pet. 2:5. A. A. Justice was Moderator, E. ('. Monteith, Clerk, \V. H. Queen, Treas- urer, and .John S. Smiley, Historian. Ten of the thirty churches, composing the Association, were not represented at this session, but a more spsriled and enjoyable session had never been, Love seemed to rule the session and the subjects engaging the work of the Associa- tion received enthusiastic efforts by ail. Messengers returned to their homes praising the good Association which they had attended. Elders A. H. Sims, M, L Hickman and T. C. Buchanan were pres- ent as Corresponding Messengers from Tuekase ge Association and gave valuable aid in the deliberations of this session. Elder M.-Rodgtrs had been ordained sonic time previous to this session and witrjthe addition of his name the list oi ordained minis- ters now numhefed twenty-three. The Baptist Orphan-Age of the Raptisf state Convention of North (71) Carolina, received attention at this meeting for the first time and $8.50 was raised to aid the Orphanage. Foreign Missions received warm attention and over $80 in pledges and cash were raised tor said purpose. Elder T. S. DeHart had occupied the field as Colporteur 71 days; travelled 1,010 miles; preached 36 sermons; made 34 addresses; made 181 religious visits; attended 30 prayer meetings; witnessed 82 profess- ions and 20 baptisms; sold 21 Bibles and 57 Testaments; sold 96 other books; value of boots sold, $63.15; organized 6 Sunday schools and collected on the field on salary $8.00. J. S. Smiley. J. S. Wocdard, J. H. Queen, Wm. Pruitt, J. M. Smi- ley, A. A. Justice, H. J. Heck and VV. D. Crisp were made Messengers to the Western North Carolina Baptist. Convention, The School at Cold Spring had been run seven and a half months under Mr. V. M. Caler as teacher, but as there was no suitable house and the co-operation- being discouraging no attempt was made to run another session. A committee was appointed to build a house and about $400 previously subscribed toward that purpose, but from vari- ous dibCouragements#iothing was done, and so there the Association School rests, in quiet repose. Seventy persons had been baptized during the yeai in fourteen of the churches. J. H. Sen tell had been ordained to the ministry.' Sweet Water church had been constituted and joined the Association, Sister Elizabeth Crisp", of Stecoah, who had been a devoted member of the church for forty years had died July. 20, Gemima Aldredge, of Panther Creek, Catharine Woody, ot Forney's Creek, H. V. Guilders, of Bethabara* and some others not named, had all died during the year. Elder G. H. Church had been prevented from attending tins session Ion account of the death of his daughter, Laura. One singular feature of the session of 1889 was that, no church had invited the Association for the next year, and as a consequence some •of the delegations had to assume the responsibility of inviting the next session to meet with their church, and the lot tell t<> the Cold Spring delegation, which invitation was accepted by the Association. The Treasurer's report for 1889, shows $14.90 for foreign missions; $7.10 for ministerial education. The minute turd was ortlv 118. 85. m) Chapter XI11, 1890. The twenty-ninth Anniversary of the Assoolation met with (old Spring chnrch August 21st, 1890 with ninety-nine messengers from twenty-four of her twenty-eight churches. Eagle Creek and Land's Creek disappeared irom the church roll as being considered dead churches. The Introductory sermon was preached by Elder J. A. Amnions, the Alternate of Elder William Pruitt, from Math. 28:19, 20. Elder J. S. Woodard was Moderator, E. C. Monteith, Clerk, S. B. Gibson, Treasurer, and J no. S; Smiley, Historian. This session was one of love and harmony throughout and was noted for the punctuality oi the messengers and congregations. All the subjects engaging the attention of the Association received patient and faithful consideration, so much so that it brought forth the eulogies of Rev. D. B. Nelson, Editor of the Ashevilh» Baptist, as he wa* present as a visitor and witnessed the deliberations of the body. Round Hill church, newly constituted of members from Mt. Zion church, by a presbytery of Elders J. M. Smiley and T. S. Delia it, was admitted at this session. There had been twenty-seven Sunday schools, all the churches hav- ing Sunday schools except Cheoah, Alarka, Hazel Creek, Round Hill and Sauleetlah. There had been eighty-seven baptized in seventeen of the churches, those having the largest numbers bapMzed being Lone Oak with fif- teen, and Steooah with twenty. All the ehurehes had been well sup- plied with pastors except Alarka, which is standing as dead or asleep. There had been seventeen deaths during the year, viz: Laura N. Church, Kvyson City; Daniel and Elijah (Jibbv, Cold Spring; J. A. (73) Ihilders, Bethabara* Mary Smith, Tellico; Alfred Crisp, Stecoah; Mary Jrisp,, N. J. Bradshaw and Cass-ie Hogue, Panther Creek; Laura La- icy, Bone Valley; James B. Tabor, Blush Creek; Sarah Skeeska, Eliz- abeth Axe, Buffalo; Nancy Bumgarner and M. J. Stevenson, Indian Jreek; Israel Carver and Lavada Mathis, Lufty; A valine Carringer, >anteetlah; Win. Anthony, Chamber's Creek. Samuel Jordan, of Cheoah. had been ordained t© the ministry. Cider a. B. Thomas had labored in Graham county eight months as nissionary under the appointment of the Mission Board of the W. N. /. C. with success. The Tennessee River Union was dissolved and wo unions made, viz . Swam County Union an d ; Graham County Jnion to which the Mission work was committed. The thirtieth Anniversary of the Association met with Cheoah hurch. As Elder G. 11. Church, the appointee to preach the Intr<- luctory, was not present, the Alternate, Elder J. H. Queen, performed he task from Rom. 1:16. Elder J. S. VVoodard was continued Moder- itor and E. C. Monteith, Clerk. W. H. Queen was Treasurer and (no S. Smiley, Historian. The year 1891 had been a prosperous one, and the lift' and zeal of ;he churches brought out a fair list of messengers tothissession of the Association.* Twenty-five out of the thirty churches were represented, ind one new church had 'been organized, by the name Antioch out of members from Indian Creek -church. Thisyoungchurch was represented jy brethren .lames Clme and W. M.Clark. Elders G. H. Church and T. .J. Brock were the presbytery 'that constituted Antioch. * At this session, Rev. John Amirioiis, Corresponding Secretary of ,he Convention and Rev. J. A. Speignt, editor of the Asheville Bap- bt, were present and took an -active part in the deliberations. There aad been 121 persons baptized in 18 of the churches. Brush Creek. Maple Spring, Indian Creek. Lufty and Sweet Water, had precious in- gatherings to a greater extent than the others* Death had taken nineteen members from all the churches. Among Btase gone were Deacon .!. M. Thomasson, who died in March 1891 a (74) the advanced age of about 85 years, and Elder J. M. Smiley at the age of over 70 years died July 12th. 1891. Elders L. M. Medlin and J. P. Panther had moved out of the bounds of the Association ; the first named had settled in Jackson county, N C A standstill in the growth of the Sunday School cause were the re- sults of the year. Twenty -two schools, numbering 1280 pupils had been in operation, a fall oil of 5 schools from the previous year. The Association had doue nothing in the line of Home Missions but continued its friendly co-operation with the mission work of the world. The session for 1892, met with Forney's Creek church, Aug. 25th. and was in session four days. The usual committees were appointed after the organization of the session was ejected. Elder VVoodard was Moderator and brother A. J. Hall, Cierk. Six out of the 30 churches were not represented, but a very large delegation attended. Jesse R.Starnes, president of J udson College andliev. J # A. Speight, editor of the Asheville Baptist were present. A lorward movement in good works had resulted in a hundred and twenty-seven additions by baptism, but more exclusions than usuai in all the chuichea aggregating thirty -six. Fourteen churches had been blessed with revivals and nineteen had reported baptisms. Tw en ty -seven Sunday Schools numbering, 1232 students had been in operation. Several of the pastors kad been active in the revival work. Elder J. M. Earles, with the pastor, G. H. Church, of Bryso City en urch. Uad baptized 19. Elder Justice at Maple Spring had baptized 23. Elders Woodard and Pruitt and most o\' the pastors had good success in their charges. No Associational Missionary had been in the field for the year. Nineteen dear brethren and sisters had died out of ten of the church* e*. Brother J. (.'•; IToloway, of Cheoah was among the number of the deceased. Rock Spring, an Indian church, newly constituted, joined the Asso- ciation, but Fair View church had been consolidated with Double Branch and so disappeared from the church roll; so the church roll (7*) ending with August, 1892, stands as follows: Antioch, Aiarka, Brush Creek, Buffalo, Bone Valley, Bethabara, Bryson City, Cheoah, Cold Spring, Chambers Creek, Double Branch, Forney's Creek, Plolly Spring, Hazel Creek, Indian Creek, Lufty, Lone Oak, Maple Spring, Mt. Zion, Nantahala, Panther Creek, Round Hill, Rock Spring, Ste- coah, Santeetlah, Sweet Water, Tuskeega, Tennessee River, Teliico, Qeilow Creek, all numbering a total or about 1000 mambers in Swain county and about six hundred in Graham, But little had been done for missions, but the State Baptist Orphanage had been aided). An attempt was made to revive the Association High School by locating it at Bayson City, but it failed. An effort was made to start a High School by the joint co-operation ot Tuckaseige, Tennessee River and Western N. C. Associations by committees appointed in August at the sessions which is vet an experiment to result in success we hope. Four ministers had been ordained J. W. Justice, of Teliico, in December 1891 ; H. H. Hyde, of Mt. Zion ; H. A. Cunningham, of Cold Spring in May 1892, and W. C. Hamrick, of Nantahala in June, 1892, List of ministers and officers as follows: OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THEIR P05T0FFJ, 1861, with six small churches on Valley River at Valley Town church now known as Second Valley River. Once had Murphy, Valley River, Red Marble, Second Valley River in Cherokee county. The As- sociation was known as Friendship until 1868 when the name was changed to Valley River which name it retained until 1880 when it was changed to Tennessee River. The little body gathered eastward and now covers only Swain and Graham counties with the exception of Tellico in Macon. Organized with not exceeding 300 members and now numbers 1,600. ADDITION. Statistics of churches gained in the Association sinee October, 1861- In organization, 6. New churches organized, f>2. Received bv letter, 4. Total, 42. DIMINUTION. Dismissed by tetter, 4. Dissolved, etc., 8. Total loss, 12. Present Roll of Churches, 30. (7T) m MINISTERIAL CHANGES. Minister* in organization of Association, 3. Ministers added by letter, 7* Ministers ordained, 3-3, Ministers excluded, 8. Ministers died, 8. Present number of ordained Ministers, SO. Licentiates, * • i-4-f 9. Total number, 39. (T8) OOOC3CQCOOOOO0»O0COXC»CX:C»0COOO0OCO0OCOCO»(Xa'0OOCO0O0QC'3O » a oc x oo oo oc x a oo » m vi -i «-iJ05 0'a*wtOMOccoovi05C;i*»MK;M x r > r i i i -i c >-r'£--EBSB > £ §■■■§•».« gpsp ^ 2ilsB ; i,r?I^^Wc§>^ -i rr - X ^ ^ ^ ?H *-iX-i €-| 4-, Jh S_| - - - =J 3 a $ 5 .x x x gj x x x x " * r \ ' r ^ 2 . x s „. B. 5. B« p. .2 3 2 **" p* p" ^" p' E 5 o «5 H '^ vji c£ =i ;r ~ S 2 1 3 2 3 •■< § » » 9 h~ t-, 4h Jh «- -«g »-c hO ho j> ^ ^ ^ ^ __ X X : -- ^ X [£ ~ ?> fe-Qi-Cpk.-*.^ >>■ ST C 1 O > - -- C* !rl r^ i^ X '^ ^ Jl C 5 >-• rv- ~ := i. Y p a ii *-5 -s „. - o -" M « « ST (79) HISTORICAL TABLE CONTINUED. B 39 P3 H3 > o> O/t-2 9 o *-> m 03 2fffl| H3 03 "3 o aim Sunday School Pupils j r. h 1865 iS 3 5 3 1 2' 128 |$ 8 52 1866 53 20 6 33 17 1] 405 l' 20 13 1867 26 38 2 32 13 4 377 ! 22 00 1868 30 25 4 27 19 4 465 1 17 80 1869 53 52 4 43 19 5 420 1 18 00 1870 28 27 4 26 6 8 485 1 23 10 1871 81 50 5 47 21 10 577 14 75 1872 33 7 60 10 5 533 19 30 1873 10 u'46 4 31 15 81 532 14 >0 1874 36 18 4 43 22 5 457 ! 12 00 1875 48 27 5 51 16 8j 561 | 13 20 1876 53 38 12 34 9 9 532 3 350! 9 30 1877 162 40 13 67 17 11 701 l 11 00 1878 | S6 40 12 60 16 Hi 740 10 50 1879 "62 36 9 68 26 8' 797 j 25 00 18 66 29 7 40 30 l.»: S24 5 ! n 70 1881 72 28 5 84 19 10! 705 7 i 42 25 1882 112 61 16 67 13 14 850 16 ! 40 90 1883 181 73 15 73 23 111101 20 4501184 85 1884 156 90 26 113 42 14 1267 T8 7591144 55 1885 43 67 4 130 53 1(5 1200 15 [102 Ou 1886 110 81 7 93 40 21 1260 15 ! 76 45 1887 72 56 6 77 24 5I1300 18 |125 00 1888 139 143 11 154 33 15 1278 21 | 1889 K 72 85 21 85 44 7 1167 18 11611 57 55 1890 ' 87 71 21 84 1 34 20 1380 26 1SS9! 56 00 Totals 1824 1280 233 1602 581 242 1400 26 1339 LIFE SKETCHES OF O^T-e^ar T-rore^zxty !DicdL Se^r^rasLnts OF THE Baptist Church in Western North Carolina, WHOSE WOKK f HAS BEEN DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH TENNESSEE RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION m %ldzf Humphrey Vozzy. Humphrey Posey was born in Henry county, Virginia, Jam 12th, 1780, when he was about five years old, his father removed Burke county, N. C, where young Posey spent his childhood, mother taught him when but a child, having no spelling book spell and read, and by the time he was seven years old, he had : the New Testament through several times without having gone school more than twenty days. His parents moved to Greenville, 8. C, and when he wasabout en teen years old he commenced teaching what he called an Field School." in the spring of 1799, he went into Union Distric follow the* same occupation. On the 28th day of January, 1800, he married to Miss Lettie J and taught school that year in the same community, and in 1 removed to Greenville again. On the 10th day of June, 1802, P( joined the Baptist ehureh. He vtfas licensed to preach in 1803, an< 1804 moved to Buncombe county, N» C. Cane Creek church was tablished J 0th day of May, 1806, and Posey was ordained to the n istry on the same day. Elder Posey was appointed Missionary to Cherokee Indians, Nov. 24th, 1817. After leaving tins work he mo to Macon county, N. C, and settled three miles below Franklin i Tennessee river. Here Posey dwelt for many years until 1842, vt\ he moved to Murray county. Ga., where his wife died. Prom Murray he moved to Newman, Ga,, where he formed his toid marriage to a widow, Jane Stokes. But we wish to note Pos work in X. ('., while he lived in Macon county. > About the year 1X29, he with Adam Corn, organized Mt. Ziou 1 tist church, near ArneecheFord on Oconee Lufty, and in Dec. 1832, he and other? as presbytery organized Brush Creek Baptist church on Tennessee river, about 15 miles below where Posey lived. In the latter church Posey was pastor for 1833, being the first pastor of this young organisation. From these two churches have mostly sprung all the churches of Tennessee River Association. Posey would ride from his home on Saturday mornings to Brush church meetings by 11 o'clock a. m , to preach and find a shelter for his horse and corn and fodder at the church to feed the horse, all the sample ot the noble hospitality of those days, which was set by a noble good old brother of those days, Levi Truitt by name. Posey's name is famous through- out Western N. C, as one of the first pioneers in the Lord's king- dom here. In 1842, Posey, as before stated moved to Georgia, and was present at tho organization of the Georgia Baptist Convention. Though he only lived about four years in his last adopted state, ke endeared himself to them with whom he met and filled a very useful career there. Such was the esteem of the life and labors of Posey that a good Georgia brother wrote and published his life in book form. But with all che good and useful qualities of Posey, he like others had to die and pass away, and so on the 28th of December, 184(5, he died beloved and full of good works in his 66th year and in the ministry forty years, having taken part in the organization of the Baptists of Western N. 0. m the French Broad Association, 1807. remaining h^re long to see them planted in all these western counties, and also aid- ing in the State organization of Baptists in Ga. Truly Posey labored and sowed and thousands of Christians have entered into his labors, many of whom have gone the way of all the earth, and many others, with hoary locks, are now, by reason of age, standing near the eternal home of the blessed, waiting the summons to y;o home. mm Elder *Dat>id Elder. David Elder, the son of William Elder, was born about 1790. He was raised a poor boy and obtained his living by farming. He pro- cured such an education as fitted him to read, write, etc. He was married to Susan Hyde, a good woman to help in the race of life. By this marriage there were five sons and six daughters. Three of the sons, William, Benjamin and John becoming Baptist preachers, the latter named becoming one of the most noted preachers in Texas where his father, David, finally settled about 1851. Where David Elder joined the church at first, we cannot say, but we find his name in the organization of Brush church as a Deacon as early as Dec. 1832. His impressions lead him into the ministry and he was ordained to that work in Brush Creek July meeting 1834, by Elders Humphrey Posey, Joshua Hall; Joshua Amnions and a brother Styles. From this tim« forth Elder was very active in Brush Creek, Lufty and Tennessee River churches He served Lufty church from its organization, 1836 tol842 in succession. He, in company with Elder James Kimsey aided in constituting Tennessee River in 1835. Bro. KUler aided in ordaining Elder Samuel Gibson in Mt. Zion church on Lufty soon alter his own ordination So we may consider Elder the first ordained preacher in the bounds of Tennessee River Association and Elder Gibson the second one. Elder's timidity was very great at first. As an instance of such we give an incident of it. His first effort toward public life was to write out a prayer to be used by himself. This experiment did not tit him (85> after putting it to a prayerful test and so one day, while in the silent woods where he had been at his devotions, he made a grave among the leaves and hnried his written prayer to be used no more. In 1846 and 1847. brother Elder was the instrument under the Lord Jesus, aided by Elder Allen Ammons, who was then a Licentiate in conducting a precious revival o:: religion which extended its influ- ence all over what is now Swain comity, he. at the time, residing in about one mile of the present church of Cold Spring. Brother Elder, like many other North Carolinians have done, in 1877 moved to Texas with most of his family, where he soon became missionary and preached until his death, about the year 1854. He was a sound gospel preacher, giving his churches and people good doctrine. He was also a good friend of education and missions. (86) Hide? Samuel Gibson. Samuel Gibson was born in Burke county, N. C, on the 15th day of August, 1794. He was the second son of Joseph and Gemiraa Gibson. /In his youthful days he had serious impressions in regard to the importance of the soul and the christian religion, which impressions kept him from joining some of the youthful follies of his day, such as dancing, cock-fighting, swearing, etc. He was noted for his truthfulness and honesty, Tbwe was noth- ing hidden in his character, as he always spoke his sentiments and belief without any deceit or intention to be misunderstood He enlisted in the service of his country in the war with Britain on the 9th of Deeember, 1813, and served faithfully until his discharge May 22nd, 1818. He loved the union and throughout the war between the states he claimed and expressed his feelings and love for the ''Stars and Stripe**, 1 ' notwithstanding his defendants wereal) fighting under the "Stars and Bars." He was married to Eliza Jane Black in Burke county in February, 1818, in whom he found a perfect help-mate until in April, 1866, when death removed her to a better home. lie was subsequently married *c> Charity White, a good Christian wornau^ who gave him much comfort in hiss last days and who died soon after her husband. We turn to notice his early piety and his conversion to Christianity. Me prolessed faith in the blood of Jesus hi the year 1880, and joined I he Mt Zion Baptist church, a church on the Oconee Lufty river, aud (87) arhich then belonged to the French Broad Association, and was bap- tized in said river, by Elder Adam Corn. Elder Gibson was ordained to the Gospel ministry in the Mt. Zion Baptist church, in what is now Swain county, by Elders William rlaynes and David Elder, as Presbytery, in the year 1S34, He was a zealous and faithful minister to ths time of his death jfhich occurred in Macon county, N. C, on the 16th day of June, 1878. The subject of this memoir was a strong advocate of the eaust of remperance, and if an extremist on any one point it was that 01 Temperance. - Elder Gibson's education was limited though being, perhaps over ;he ordinary scholarship of his day. He served as magistrate in the ounty of Haywood for many years, was punctual to his business mgagements. He would never disappoint a congregation or a church, but always met his appointments. The days of this venerable servant ot (rod were spent financially in the counties of N. C» west of the Balsam mountains when 1 his footprints were often made and his voice of gospel-teaching was heard for more than forty years. His heart and jioul abounded in the principles of charity, and although not what the world calls wealthy, he lived free from want and was liberal to pie needy. His rule of domestic life was to follow the pursuits of husbandry or tillage of the earth about four days in each week and attend his ministerial engagements the other three. He delighted to labor with his hands and did so until afflicted beyond ability to do so. His ministry was spent mostly in Haywood, Macon, Cherokee Jackson and Swain counties, he dwelling in That is now Swain for about twenty years. His membership was in Cowee Baptist church from 1851 or 1852 until his death. ; His zeal for piety and the good cause of Truth did not abate with the advancement of age, but with a spirit somewhat akin to the Leaders of ancient Israal, vix: Moses, Joshua, David and Solomon he desired to deliver his farewell warnings and councils to the chin es. From 1866 to 1876, he traveled around among the churo which had been the scenes of his youthful labors and preached, as termed them, his farewell sermons. Heat of summer and cold winter and the high mountains of Cowee and their neighbori ranges were traversed to make these farewell pilgrimages to the de churches he loved so well. He believed that the call to the Ministi was the impressions of God's Holy Spirit upon the man, feeling it | be his duty to preach and teach men to repent and live Godly lives i this present world in order to gain that which is to come throug the atoning merits of Jesus Christ. (88 IClder Jamez Kimzeg. .Rev. James Kimzey, late Moderator of the Valley River Baptist Association, died on Tuesday evening, April 12th, 1870, at his own house, in Towns county, Georgia, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, and in the midst oi his usefulness as a minister of the Gospel. Elder Kimzey was, perhaps, the most successful preacher io all the mountain country oi North Carolina and Georgia. He was one of the few that continued at his post throughout the late war in the vStates. He was the son of Thomas and Nancy Kimzey. Was born in Hav- wood county, N, O, December 23rd. 1803. He joined the Baptist church in Franklin, was baptized in the Tennessee river by Uev. H. Posey, September 6th, J 830, and commenced preaching shortly after as a licentiate in that church. Was ordained afterwards by Eiders 11. Posey, J. Hail, G. F, Oaler and B. Stiles. He continued a faithful, zealous, and much respected minister of the Gospel for near forty years. . The eircu instances of his dying bed me so remarkable that a slight sketch will be noticed here, On Monday, the 11th of April, his condition showed plainly to the bystanders that he could not last long. This being suggested to him by a friond, lie summoned all his -remaining strength, and in the lull possession of all the faculties of his mind, commenced exhorting the* crowd of bystanders around his dying bed; and with but m^raarptary intervals, continued his exhorting until Tuesday in the afternoon, when his breathing stopped, and he sank down in death without a ;-;igh or a groan, remarking that his work was. done. \ Well might Balaam say: "Let me die the death of. the righteous, and let my last end belike his.-' Num. .23:10. Eider Kiu.aev's inner- (9Q> al was conducted by Elders E. Heddeu and A. Corn. Heddeu opened the services, and read for his text Heb. 11:4. "He being dead yet speaketh." A. Corn followed on the same words. And the services . closed by saying "our brother has gone to rest, and his works will fol- low him." Rev. 14. The good works of brother Kirazey may never be fully known in this life. "He often went forth weeping, but would return rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Pas. 12:6. He traveled and preached much as a missionary, mostly on his own expense; and all the while having the pastoral care ot one or more churches, which he attended monthly with great exactness. His pulpits were seldom left empty on preaching days. He was married to the daughter of Matthew and Kesine Russell, of the Presbyterian order, consequently their daughter would be raised under the rules and discipline of that church, which eminently fitted her for the duties of subsequent life. She was born in Pickens district, S. i'\, in the year 1804, was married to James Kinzey in 1824 — were both baptized in Tennessee river, by Rev. H. Posey, and received into the Baptist church in Franklin. There seems to have been a blessing concealed in this marriage not then perceivable, but was afterwards fully developed in their qualifications for usefulness in future life— he as a minister of Jesus, and she as a suitable and faithful tompanion and h«lp meet in all his gloomy fore- bodings incident to ministerial life. Like an angei nf peace, she was always ready to administer to his necessities, and to keep the bright side always turned towards him. In many ot his missionary travels she accompanied him, sometimes for weeks, or even months, at a time. Over mountains, and across rivers, her face, like an angel of light, was there to cheer and encour- age him In the duties of his calling as a minister of Jesus. And if he traveled alone, which he often did, she was always ready at the door on his return with a hearty "How have you done?" But after toil- ing in this way, for near forty years, sometimes happy, but often cast down, affiliated and distressed, this angel of peace sickened and died I and is now, We trust, wearing that triumphant crown that is prepared for all the taithful in Christ Jesus. The spot where her body lies is holy ground, sacred, precious, and will keep sacred the blest deposit until Christ shall bid it r*se. But the surviuing partner is left alone to meet and buffet the storms of life, with no bosom friend to tell his sorrows to — none but Jesus, the friend, of sinners; to tell his troubles to ! But still he faltered not. His preaching seemed, if possible, to possess more power and influence as he grew older. Revivals sprang up in nearly all the churches' and settlements where he preached — many joined the churches under his care, and were baptized by him. We might name some of them. The brother Hills — Noah and Wade — and brother Heddens— -Elisha and Jefterson — names that adorn the pages of our history as much as any others, were raised up under his preaching, and were baptized by him. He was not what the world calls rich nor learned, but having a competency, he was like one we read of. "Mighty in the Scriptures/' Acts 18:24. He never took notes, nor wrote even the skeleton of a sermon. All his discourses were delivered with feeling and force of argument, as well as Scripture— almost irresistable ! And when he indulged in exhortation, which he often did, he had no superior. His words were delivered with a force of feeling that must be felt by all his hearers. He was generous to a fault. He wrs affable and kind in his intercourse with mankind generally, and in return was beloved by all. He was a kind and indulgent parent, and a loving compan- ion. He left nine children living, four boys and five girls. He was twice married. His second wife was a Baptist by proiession, and the widow of Samuel Cathey, Esq., of Towns county, Georgia, Dut he is gone ! — has left a disconsolate widow and many frieads, to mourn his unexpected departure. He has finished his work, as said in his last words. u My work is done/" His breathing stopped, and he sank down in death without a sigh or groan, and now, we trust, be yond the reach of trouble ! — has joined that dear departed companion of his, who had reached those blissful regions but a few years beiore., James Whitakee, Sr. i -•'(9*) tie eU k ilaml fames ISLhitoker, Sr. H pda James Whitaker, Sen., was the son of Joshua and Mary Whitaker^ Was born April 3, 1779, in Rowan county, N. C, near the place whe«L f Lexington now stands, (now Davidson county) and was theyounges of four brothers and two sisters, of poor -parents, and was a Farme by occupation. His chance for an education was very limited, neve having gone to school after his tenth year. His parents were ol the High Church party, and according to their rules had him sprinklec when he was quite young; but this, according to his own statement had but little weight on his mind. In September 1800, Bro. Whita- ker married Polly Walker, daughter of Howard Walker, and shortly after moved to Buncombe county, N. C, then a newly settled county. Bro. Whitaker joined the'Church on French Broad, May the 3rd or •5th, 1806, and on the 10th of the same Month became a consistent! '.member *$ the Cane Creek Church, and was ordained Deacon, and elected Clerk and Treasurer at the same time. Bro. Whitaker, has!, been Clerk and Deacon in all the Churches to which he has ever be* L long '<], and has clerked for all the Associations where his lot has been cast. A great portion of his life has been spent in serving the public, both in Church and State, he wrote a great.deal, both secular and re- ligious, both for the press and otherwise. Bro. Whitaker, having lost his first wife, when quite old, married Mary McBrayer, widow of James McBrayer, a highly respectable old lady, and a member of the baptist Church, with whom he spent Ins remaining daya <>ii earth in * comparative tranquility. Something over four years. before 1 lis death 'he got a fall, from tin 1 effects of which he novel* recovered, having to walk on eruLehe* the balance erf his days, during which time he did >nr:i'. m '' ithf |i Ion rifd lb neve soul im (98) Be else than talk, read arid write, the latter of whieh he did a groat sal of, and his writings are now on file in his desk. Bro. Whitaker is spent a long life of usefulness, both to Church and State, and in L£ death the Church has lost one of her main props, as he was a faith- .1 and consistent Baptist to the day of his death. Bro. Whitaker ad a good head, and a wonderfully strong mind, which he retained to great extent to the la-t, and his general health was good ; but, on ionday before his death, his strength failed him so that he required sistance, and for the four days that v he lived he suffered a great deal; 'tit he had some happy seasons, he slept about half his time; but heu not asleep nor suffering too much, he was talking words of en- imragement to Christians, warning sinners, and pronouncing bless- igs on all his friends. A few hours before his death he told the writer f these lines that he was passing from lite to death, and from death o life again. He clasped his hands and shouted . "Glory ! Glory ! ! Hory ! ! ! " He then said he saw his happy home in Heaven, and ried to describe it. On being asked if he was happy, he exclaimed, 0, yes, happy, happy!" He said he saw that beautiful crown of lever-fading glory prepared for him, the beauties of which he said be :ould not deseribeand at 50 minutes past 4 o'clock on Thursday eve- ling, the fourth day of his confinement, he calmty passed away ; but ve believe that our loss is his eternal gain. In view of these things, et us- all try to be prepared to meet our Father and brethren in a setter land than this. James Whitaker, Jun. er. m: Elder John %. ®risp. We having been appointed by the church of Stecoah, now attempt to write a brief biographical sketch of the Rev. John L. Crisp. "The pulpit is the most favorable arena for the cultivation and display of eloquence which the usages and institutions of modern times present." The inherent dignity and importance of the subjects which he is call- ed upon to discuss ; the responsibility he is under for the truth cr falsehood of the doctrines which he inculcates, the immense influence ex- erted by Christianity upon the laws, literature and social economy of the community ; the long array of impressive historical associations, which are connected with the past tortunes and vicissitudes of the most ancient, and potent of ail existing institutions; the fact that the preacher is supposed to be a man of spotless character; all these rea- sons and many more that might be enumerated, often render the pulpit the throne of eloquence. But it is a fact to be lamented, that the preachers of our mountain country are generally without much education, andjmve to labor under very limited circumstances. The subject of our present memoir was a man of noted piety, of firm Bap- tist principles earnestly contending for the Mih once for all delivered to the saints. Brother Crisp, the son of Micager and Mary Crisp was born May the 25th A. D. 1818, in Burke county, now Caldwell, was married to Percy Hogue in 1837. On Sept, the 8th, A. 0. 1848, he was received by baptism into the fellowship of the" Valley River Church, the ordinance being administered by the Rev. .Tames Kimsey. and in the year 1844 was dismissed by letter and became a member o. the Stecoah Church, now Tennessee River, at the time of its constitution and remained a member of that church until the constitution of the (95). ; New Prospect church now Stecoah. Bro. John L, Crisp was ordained to the work of the ministry, September the 27th, A. D. 1873, by Rev. Allen Amnions and M. Ghormley, Bro. Crisp remained a member of the Stecoah Church up to the time of his death. He departed this life May the first A. D. 1876, age 57 years 11 months and 6 days. The cause of his death is supposed to have been Paralysis* He survived only about 11 hours after he was stricken, being speechless most of the time, communicating to the satisfaction of all, by signs that he was going to change this time world for an heavenly. During the meeting protracted from the sermon in his memory there were over fifty accessions to the church. He was a devoted and faithful member and did much to advance the Master's kingdom. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to the indigent and helpless. His oblig- ing and benevolent disposition gained for him the good will of all who knew him. It may be said that he lived an exemplary life. We leel sad to think he will no more meet with us in laying plans to advance the Redeemer's kingdom and to win souls for Christ; never- theless we kindly submit to the will of our King and Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. When the family draw their chairs around the fireside, during the chilly winds of autumn, which sigh through the trees, they behold a vacant seat never more to be filled; the loved and cherished one who has "passed over the river" and now resting under the trees of life in the land of sweet deliveianee. "There remaineth therefore a rest tor the people of God," We extend to the bereft wife, sons and daughters our heart felt sympathies, and hope they will fight the good fight, and run with patience the race that is set before them so that they may be able to meet the departed one be- yond the skies. T. A. Carpenter, Joel L. Crisp. W: 'Elder 35,Hen 2Hmmoss. Eld. Allen Amnions was born in Buncombe County, N. pi. Sept. 1819. He emigrated with his parents, Ephraim and Nancy Ammons, to Macon Co., N. C. His parents being among the first to settle this county, was not able to give him the advantage of an early education, no regular schools being established, so that the high character that he acquired as a preacher was due under God, to his deep piety, sound sense and unceasing effortsto educate himself in the work to which he was called. He professed faith in Christ in his 17th ypar and was baptized by Elder Humphrey Posey into the fellowshipof Franklin Baptist church. He was married Feb. 22nd, 1840, to Miss Cyntha, daughter of Manuel and Margaret Ross. Eld. Ammons lived in different localities of this county for some three or four years. Tn his 24th year he furnished strong evidence of his Divine call to the work of the Ministry and preached his first sermon in Bro. Ben net Crisp's house, some of the oldest brethren and sisters of this (Stecoah) vicinity remember his first sermon. He "conferred not with flesh and blood," but consulted only .the Master of the Vineyard and at his bidding he went. He identified himself with Brush Creek Baptist church, Macon Co., N. C, and his membership remained with said church till the Master called him from his work. Eldtr Ammons was ordained, June 3rd, 184X. to the full work of the ministry by Elders 8. Gibson and 8. Jabcob Mingus, and from that time till now his name has been a household word among the Baptists of this entire section of country. Asa preacher, Elder Am- mons had but few equals. He was always sound in doctrine, and his (97) vrmons wore especially noticeable lor their deep solemnity and the ■foestness with which they were delivered. The hearts of his hear- I were moved by his tender and earnest persuasions, while their rinds were enlightened fry his clear logic. There are hundreds o\ jen and women throughout this country who can remember a great art of many of his sermons, his style was so impressive. While he as a man of strong will and of remarkable fnmness, when he came > talk for his Master, it was with eyes overflowing ana with words l|rnpassion ate tenderness. As a preacher, his loss is greatly felt in lis. the Tennessee River Association, For several successive years e saw him fill the Moderators chair in this Association. As a man nd a citizen, he was upright in his conduct, and his religion was his uide. As a christian, he possessed strong faith, and in fact, his en- re life and teachings go to furnish conclusive proof of his true and snuine Christianity. As a husband and father, none can ever know is worth save the bereft widow and children, whoso hearts are made polate by his death. He kept no record of the number he baptized (as we can find) but f e are satisfied he baptized more than one thousand parsons during is ministry. He was engaged in the Masters work about thirty-two ears. He labored as pastor and missionary and ever seemed to sub- lit himself to the demand ami call of the Master. Me left the com- Rs of home and became Captain of the 30th N. C. Regiment, sub- acting himself to the hardships of camp and soldier life for about hive years, lie was an industrious minded man and while preachi- ng thirty-two years, nearly at his own expenses, managed to secure a espectable legacy for his wife and children. His death was very sud- |m, his suffering great, though he was in his proper mind and mani- sted great patience, and met the summons with perfect submission. Vhen asked by his son, if he would have a Doctor sent for, he calmly eplied, the Lord is my Doctor, and in a few minutes his body slept Ijnd his soul had gone to God who gave it. He was stricken with Paralysis at his residence in SA'ain Co., N. C, "uly 2nd, 1880, and died in about three hours after he received the troke. His remains lie in the tomb within less than one fourth of a &ile of his residence, to await the call on the resurrection morn. W. D. Crisp, Chm'n. i98- Elder WlzzIzq CTilliams. Wesley Williams, when a little helpless infant, was found at the Well of a man by the name of Williams in Pickens district, South Carolina, in the year 1835. Mr. Williams, Pharaoh's daughter-like, took the subject of our sketch and raised him as his' own son, and it was from his adopted parent that Wesley Williams received his name. Elder Williams never had the satisfaction of knowing any blood re- lation. He was given a limited common School education. Like many of his age and time, he was a soldier in the war ot Secession in which he received injuries which never healed sulficientlv to permit him to ride on horseback. He was in the noted "Blow Up" at Petersburg, Va., it we mistake not, which was the closing scene of his military life. We have no account of Elder Williams' religious life prior to his being licensed to preach the gospel, which was done by Concord Bap- tist church, Henry county, Alabama, Jan. 16th, 1864, only a short time after he joined the church. He wo exhilarating was the mountain climate of Western North Carolina, in contrast with what our brother had endured in Florida, that he finally concluded to locate here, and so he united with Forney's Creek church, of Tennessee River Baptist Association, by a leiter from a church of West Florida Baptist Association, in April 1874. Not willing to be alone, our subject sought for a helpmate, which 'he soon found in the person of Miss Salinda Jane Crawford, to whom he was united in matrimony, April 30th, 1874, and settled as a citizen of Swain county, N. C, in the neighborhood of Forney's Creek, where he lived until he ended his lite work. Here, in his new field of labor, he was chosen Association Mission • arv at the session of the Association in 1874 and again in 1875, in which place he labored acceptably until his death. March 25th. 1876.. He also filled the place of pastor in Forney's ('reek, Cold Spring, and Tennessee River churches, during his brief career here. The last ser- mon he preached was at Forney's Creek church, Saturday, March 11th. 1876. On the 14th of March "76, he was taken very sick with a fever and alter severe suffering for 11 days, which he endured with Christ- f ian paiienee, he fell asleep, March 25th, 1874. Thus ended the life of this beloved servant of God, at the age of forty one years, and in the thirteenth year of his Christian pilgrimage. His winning disposition and pious zeal made him popular and re- spected , and his loss to the church, Association and citizenship was mourned by many. Elder Williams was about 5 ft. 7 in. high, slightly gray eyes and rather dark flaxen hair, his weight being about 140 or 150 pounds. He was interred in the graveyard in sight of Tuckaseige river about one and one half miles below the mouth of Forney's Creek. flOOf Side? Joshua 1?oi?it - x He was a man of disease for several years which combined with the nfirmities" 61 age kept him from attending church for let* tew years >rior to his death, but with all these he Was patient to the last when le calmly fell asleep in Jesus, March 16th, 189f,-at the ageof 81 years, ) months and 28 days'.' " ' '■"■■"* •'*• :'.— • • f.tO«) Elder Jesse IBadison Smiley. Elder J. M. Smiley, son of Jesse and Elizabeth L. Smiley, was born in Rutherford county, N. C., Nov. 19th, 1820, being the second of three sons and ten daughters and third child of the family. His father, Jesse Smiley, was raised an orphan bov, whose parents died when he was only old enough to recollect the death, in conse* quence of which he was bound to a man by the name of Smith. By this the exact time of his birth was lost, but he was born in Dinwidie county, Va., about the year 1781. Smith was a hard, unieeling master who treated the orphan boy like a negro by whom he received no schooling and as a result Jesse Smiley was an unlettered man. He lived with Smith until 15 years of age when he left him to shift for himself. He married twice, his first wife dying without children. His sec- ond wife, Elizabeth Harrison, was born in Brunswick county, Va., June 8th, 1796, and she was the pious Baptist and devoted Christian mother of him who heads this sketch. Jesse Srailev, the father, was also a Baptist, and although not taught in letters, he had a vivid memory, sound judgment and industrious habits, obtaining his liv- ing by farming. He was a poor man, but he owned a home, kept his family free from want, and gave all his children that lived to be grown, an edu- cation sufficient to read, write, and some of them obtained to a knowl- edge of Arithmetic and Grammar. Such os the foregoing, was the parentage o1 Elder J. M. Smiley, whose life and labors we now wish to narate. He attended the schools of the old lr>£ school house three months and seventeen days in the (107) ubseription schools of the time which was all the schooling he ever weived, but by his aptness and attention to his studies he learned to •ead, write and calculate through the four rules of Arithmetic. He fo. lowed the occupation of farming as the principal one, but he ?yas also a mechanic and could perform several kinds of mechanism. He was united in holy matrimony to Annie Brendle, daughter of fohn D. and Lottie Brendle, Dec. 3rd, 1842. His wile, Annie, was born July 13th, 1827, and had been given but ittle schooling, barely enough to read print; but she loved the help >f good books and was a devoted wife and mother, just such as a poor minister needs to see over his household. The result of this wedding was six eons and seven daughters. Elder Smiley was converted in his fourteenth year during a pro- tracted spell of sickness, but he did not make a public profession there, nor did he profess until after a severe stroke of sickness in his family, in July 1855, when the good Lord called away two of his chil- dren by death. This sad affliction set him to seeking for the evidence of his salvation which took place under the ministry of Elder Merritt Rickman in October, 1855. He joined the Baptist church at Cold Spring in March, 1850, and was baptized by Elder Samuel Gibson in Alarka on the farm of Nath- an DeHart. He was soon chosen Clerk of Cold Spring church, in which he labored for about seven years. He put off what he often felt to be his duty, that of preaching, for the long years, before he made his first effort, which effort was made in the house of his father- in-law on one Sunday evening in Dec, 1866. His first text was "Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light," Eph. 5:14. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in Cold Spring Baptist church in July 1871, by Elders M, Rickman, A. A. Justice, W, H. Conner and P. Ft. Rickman. Elder Smiley labored in the ministry about seven years before he Was ordained. His life work in the cause of Christ has been confined principally to Swain county, N. C, where he has labored at a great sacrifice of his time as pastor in Cold Spring,' 'Holly Spring, Forney's Creek, In- dian Creek, Tennessee -River and perhaps some other churches, and as Missionary of the Tennessee River Association from Autumn of 1881 to 1882, one year. * Elder Smiley's rule -Was to visit the destitute and preach, and in this way he was instrumental under Go'd • in prepar- ing a people for building Forney's Greek and Indian' Creek churches'. He held protracted meetings in several other places and in- all has as- sisted in organizing ten churches,' all in the bounds of Teimessee River Association, and four ministers and several deacons. ' ■"'"'-■ -"••' •' He has baptized many, and many more have been cori verted under'- his preaching. ■• '■'•■ '•'-••• •" Elder Smiley has been a close Bible student and few.'-' excelled him in a knowledge of the Bible. Most o2 his 'preaching has'been'done at his own charges; in fact he often refused remuneration in his' early ministry, to his hurt, We think. '• •..•,■.■ . • '•.;.' His health and strength b%ve«-'1^t3ei^%lire than to offer public prayer, sometimes. In September, 1847, he moved to Macon county, where he subsequently married Margaret T,. Shoap, daughter of Jacob and Isabella Shoap. of Burningtown. He hoped that the impressions- to preach would leave him but they did not. r n 18o2, be engaged in the work of selling books and distributing tracts as a colporteur of the American Tract and Bible Society which business he followed with success until March, 1860, when he was compelled to stop this business on account of the death of his dear wife who had been one of the most faithful companions in the world. Thus our subject was left with three children and no good wife to (Ill) longer guide his house, a stroke whieh he deeply realized i< r years* He formed, after a time, a second marriage tu Mary Si moods, in whom he found another worthy companion true to his interests. By both marriages the Lord lias given our brother five sons and three daughters. He put off the duty of preaching until in 1862, when the church, Fort Lindsay, considered his gift and licensed him to preach, and at the expiration of three months, under the announcement of his pas- tor, William K. Adams, our brother made his first eiiort to preach whicli was from Isaaih 1:5,6. The Lord blessed the sermon which was followed by twenty-five persons asking prayers as seekers and twelve or fifteen professing faith in Christ. On the solicitations of Brush Creek, Cold Spring and other church- es, Elder Justice was set forwaid for ordination, hy his home church, Fort Lindsay, and in November, 1862, he was solemnly ordained to the full functions of the gospel ministry by Elders Samuel Gibson and Allen Amnions as the presbytery. Thus he was enstaUed and entered upon a most useful career in the Lord's work as an under shepherd as the little Hocks at Cold Spring, Brush Creek. Stecoah, Liberty, Cartoogagha\ 7 e and many other places can testily. He has aided in organizing several churches and ordaining several deacons and ministers. He has spent much of his time in visiting destitute sections and by such aided in preparing the way for church organization. He has generally had charge of from one to four churches at? pastor which labors have generally been prosperous. He has twice filled the exalt- ed station of Moderator of his Association, Tennessee River, and one year he filled the place of Association missionary, He is now 68 years old, but bis iove and zeal for his Master's work still prompts him onward in the good work, and it is hoped, thoughfenfeebled by the weight of years, that many more years will be spared to him by his Lord to serve the church. If 2) "Life 2>ke£eh of "Elizabzih (Srizp. Elizabeth Crisp, daughter of George Holloway, a Methodist minis.* ter, was born in Burke county, N. C., February, 15th, 1787, and is- now living at the advanced age of 103 years. She wa? raised up under Methodist influence, as we see, and be- came a member of that denomination in her fifteenth year, which is the beginning period of her religion's life- She was married to Bennett Crisp in her twenty-fourth vear bv whom she raised five sons and three daughters. Pendleton, John Bennett, George Crisp and Robert Crisp are her sons Her posterity has increased, and now she enjoys the pleasure of having seen her children and children's children to the fifth genera- tion i Old as mother Crisp is, she has her proper mind and can talk with good judgement. She could see to thread a sewing needle when more than 100 years old, and was enabled to sew. But one of the most remarkable incidents of tier life is, that she after spending her long life in the Methodist church until April — 1891, win n she joined the Tennessee River Baptist church and was baptised by Rider Robert Crisp, her grandson. In her statement to the brethren and church, when she joined she gaid she was not satisfied to die until baptized like her Lord. "I have done this," said she. 'to please my Lord and lnvselt/' a is "Beacon |ohn 'Beltfari John DeHart, son of Nathan and Catherine DeHart, was born in Burke county, N. C., Nov. 26th, 1804. His parents moved to Tennesseee about the time: of his first recol- lection, where they dwelt a short time, and from there they moved and finally settled in Wayne Co., Kentucky, on a creek called, John- son's Fork, where our subject was brought up to the occupation o; farming. Like so many of his day aud generation, he was deprived of an ed- ucation on account of the meagre chances afforded him in youth, and so he had to brave life's battles without book knowledge, Truthful, honest sober and industrious, he grew up among a fan> ily of several children, ot whom he was the elder, and made a man of strong judgement, active eriort, and determination. He was married to .lane Roberts, a woman wen fitted by her fine womanly qualities to make our subject a good wife, which marriage took place Oct. 18, 1823. His noble consort had some education and could read the Bible which was the guide of the couple in subsequent life. In October, 1828, our subject, with his wife and two children, Lydia and Martin, moved to Macon county, N. C, and located the first year on the Hal: farm opposite the mouth of Co wee. From this place, he moved to a farm on the west bank of Tennessee river, now the farm of his grandson, A. J. Freeman, a short distance from Brush Creek church, where he resided nine years on State's land. While here, he became well acquainted with several oi the noted Cherokee Indians, who were his neighbors, dwelling along the Nanta- (114) hala river, as they had not yet been removed by the United States. Uchella, the Chief, Old Charlie and Sal were Mr. DeHart's nearest neighbors in those^pioneer days, and to the honor of those simple children of these mountains, they respected their white neighbor's live stock, always furnishing him information as to its whereabouts and sometimes, as a neighborly act, would bring it hometothe owner. Few families t,-f the whites dwelt in what is now Swain county a£ that early day, and it fell to the lot of our subject to aid in opening the first public road down Tennessee river about the year 1830. It was the good fortune of our subje«t to listen to the preaching of Humphrey Posey, G. F. Caler and others at this earlv day, and it was Posey's and Caler's preaching that fastened conviction for sin on his mind : but not until the loss of a dear child by drowning in Ten- nessee river, did he fully see his deep depravity and need of salvation. Thus convicted, he wrestled with the Lord and found peace to his soul, on his knees, on the bank of the river, in secret. He confessed Christ in baptism at the hands of Elder G. F. Caler, thus becoming a member of Brush Creek church, 1834. He was ordained a Deacon in Brush Creek 183—, and was in the organization of Cold Spring Baptist church in May, 1851. Like most new converts, our subject was made to doubt his regen- eration, at first, but the Savior gave him an an- wer of peace, after praying and inquiring about the matter in these words which seemed almost like a dream : "I will be with thee in the sixth trouble and will not forsake thee in the seventh:" this, made him happy and strengthened his faith. About the year 1838. he bought the Toe Sherrill place on Alarka, for $860.25, where he soon settled and prospered as a dutiful Chris- tian and citizen. He was a member ot the Board of Education and Warden of the Poor in Macon for seven or eight years. Only three families resided above Brother Deilart on Alarka, at the time of his settlement here, viz: Ute Sherrill, Dock Wiggins and a Pendlev. Here on Alarka, thirteen children eight males and five 'females, including those born elsewhere, completed his large and in- dustrious family, (115 i # In -July 3rd, 1886, God took his kind helpmate home, and our Brother was left alone. Again in Aug. 2oih, 1887, he formed a second marriage to Jane Owen, a respectable widow lady of the Methodist persuasion, to whom is accorded the lot of consoling our Brother in his advanced years. The life habits of our dear brother in Israel are such as are well worthy of notice here. He was blessed with several thousand dollars worth of property, which he has, as a tru • parent, equally disposed of among his children, save a little he still holds for himself and wife, so he intends no waste in lawsuits. The writer has known him for forty years and can truthfully and with pleasure say that Bro. John DeHart is and has been truly good to the poor, and very liberal to the support of the gospel and church of which he is a member* He has refused a dollar a bushel for his corn offered by speculators and let his poor laborers have it at seventy-five cents per bushel. His promises were sure to be fulfilled to the letter, and his over- flowing honor in giving weights and measures in disposing of meat and grain or whicn, through a provident life of industry and economy by the blessing of God, he always had plenty of, is worthy of men- tion and imitation, And his hospitality abounded, j;o that his home Was the refreshing place tor many of the saints and others of his fellowmen and women. As our brother approached the latter part of his 88th year, he took | careful review of his past life and to use his own words, said, "I feel that 1 have wronged no one, and have done some good in the world." He said that he Was resting on that hope he gained on Ten» nessee river so long ago, and if saved it is the mercy of God, and not for anything good that I have done. \ He was heard say at the burial of one of his children that he had often prayed at that graveyaid for the salvation of his children. He, in Dec. 1892, a few days before his death, had his coffin made, believing that the time of his departure was near. He walked and could attend to business near the house on Friday 23rd of Dec, but at night was taken very ill and on Sunday night, Dec. 25th, 1892, he calmly fell asleep to await the sound of Gabriel's trump, beloved and mourned. '116'. . w lder ISerriitf l^iekman. Merritt Kickman was born in Buncombe county, N. C, east of Fair View, August 6, 1812. He was married to Miss Sarah Sitton, Jan. 29, 1828, in his sixteenth year. He had not the advantage oi schools and to his beloved wife was accorded the honor of teaching him to read. He made advancement in his studies and prepared himself thus for his life work and became what is termed a ''Self-made man," of whom his country and wife may justly be proud and thankful. He was converted and joined the Baptist church at Cane Creek and was baptized by Elder Robert Jordan in the county of his birth. He was subsequently licensed to preach by Mills River Baptist church, Sept. 24, 1836, in which he was ordained Aug. 27, 1837 by Elders Robert Jordan, David Blythe, James Blythe, Jacob Cantrell and Matthew Capps. For about eighteen years Eider Rickman filled a prominent place in churches included in French Broad or Salem Baptist Associations He preached some in Rutherford county and once attended the Baptist State Convention of N. C: at Raleigh, as a delegate. About the year 1854, he disposed of his property in Henderson county, N. C, pur J chased a splendid farm on Cowce creek in Macon county, where he soon became one of Macon's model citizens and one of Tuekasen-e Association's leading ministers, for a period of about twenty years. Here, in his latter field of life and labors, his church membership was in Cow.ee Baptist church, where he was nastor about all th« j time dur- ing his residence in Macon. He wns pastor of Bnrningtown, Frank-' lin, Coweta, Savanah and perhaps others in Macon and Jackson ' and of Brush Creek andCold fcpring in what is now Swain county. He once went and attended a church in Haywood county. His influence and power for good w T as felt all over these western counties. Such was his zeal, activity and success that he became Moderator and Missionary in Tuckaseige Association, which he filled with great efficiency to the rionor of his high calling and that of his denomination. His home influence and example with his family were excellent, and his industry in manual labor on his farm was, we know, a good model for his church and people. He raised a large family of chil- dren ol whom two sons, Josiah and Riley became ministers. He had plenty of this world's goods, and taught by precept and example, his people ,c To provide things honest in the sight of all men." Elder Rickman, by his natural gifts which he cultivated and by which he acquired great ability in public -peaking, made him un- usually entertaining to his audiences. His bright face, flashing eye, noble voice, rapid but distinct utter- ance and telling gestures, all accompanied with the spirit in melting tenderness, made Rickman one of the greatest pulpit orators of the mountains. ' He delivered a sermon to the Western Baptist Convention, in Waynesville; in 1872, that a competent judge said exceeded the ser mon of one of the most noted ministers in N. C. But a disease, known as bronchitis, began its work upon this de- voted servant, and his hitherto wonderful lungs-gradually gave way. He was afflicted for several months, during which time he grew weaker and weaker during the summer of 1874. During his latter weeks of suffering he reviewed his life carefully, examininghis preach- ing, and. was heard remark that he felt that he had preached the truth. He lingered and grew lower and lower until Oct. 3rd, 1874, when he bade adieu to earth and weeping friends and passed to the Spirit world, and his body wis buried near his church he loved so well, to await the second coming of his Redeemer. U 18; %lder TOark IBBaj. Elder Mark May, son of Fredrick and Nellie May, was born in Yadkin county, N. C, Dec. 7th, 1812. He was married to Belinda Rearman at the agi 1 of twenty -fr-ur years. Professed faith in Christ in his twenty-seventh year, and joined the Cross Roads Baptist church, Yadkin county, and was baptized by Elder Barton Rabey, and or- dained to the ministry shortly afterwards. His qualifications for the ministry were very limited ; but he applied himself to the study ol Theology, in which he made great advancement. The first seventeen years of hi* gospel ministry, he spent in Yad- kin and adjoining counties in the pastorate and missionary work. He traveled and labored for three successive years as missionary, and at the same time was pastor of four churches. In his report to the Yadkin Association, in 1847, we find that he labored 320 (lavs ; trav- eled 2534 miles ; preached 269 sermons; baptized 185 persons; re- ceived as a compensation $147.77. We also find that during one other year of his labors that he bap- tized three hundred persons. This was in the forty-fourth year of his age. About this time he moved to the western part of the State, where he lived and labored the remainder of his life except two years in Tennessee. Duriug his ministry in Western North Carolina, he was admired as a doctrinal preacher, having but few if any equals. He often visited Conventions, Associations, and Union meetings, where he many times charmed his hearers by his eloquent presenta- tion of the truth as it is in Jesus. His home for many years was in Macon county, where he was a Ui0) pattern of industry as a minister and citizen, and his name is familiar md dear to hundreds of acquaintances and brethren and sisters- It is estimated that he baptized fifteen hundred persons during his ninistry in Western North Carolina. He was the first Clerk of the Friendship Baptist Association, now Tennessee River, as he was a member of that body for a few years. In connection with Elder F. M. Morgan, he was engaged in a pro- racted meeting with his home church (Briar Town.) His last ser- non was preached on Thursday before his death ; text Ruth 1:16. This sermon was one of his best efforts. On Saturday, on his way to :hurch, he was taken very ill, when kind friends took him home. For eight hours he suffered and talked. "God be near me," he aid, "My only hope is in the blood of Jesus." "My preaching is lone. I was born to die, and perhaps as well now as any time," and ifter bidding all farewell, he died, aged 73 years, and in the ministry 16 years. ■ 120; irred Au , this co irth Su Mis ie? and ' Our sui bt,wi lis indoc Elder E. D. Brendle was born in Burke county, N. C, June 30th L ne th 1814. He was brought up of Dutch parentage on a farm. He ancjL no t' the Brendle family resided for many years in Haywood county, N. GjL^]h Xlder ILliaz %, brendle. He was given a common school education and taught school some it his early youth. Our subject was converted and joined the Scotti^ (•reek Baptist church in what is now Jackson county, N. C, Sept. 9th 1845. Here Elder Brendle' was ordained a Deacon, May 22nd, 1847 and subsequently ordained to the ministry of the gospel, Nov. 26th j L ca tj | 1853. He was chosen pastor of Scotts Creek church at the time o his ordination. Elder Brendle was married to Celinda V. Plott, daughter of Heimhj^j and Lyclia Plott, Nov. 4th, 1838. His wife was born in Haywood Ly county, N. C, June 6th, 1815. She was converted in the 22nd yeai of her age and joined the Waynesville Baptist church and was bapl tized in Richland Creek in 1837. So Elder Brendle had a gooc () j] christian companion with whom to battle for the Master. The} raised 7 children, s-on and daughters. L| Elder Brendle served many of the Jackson county churches as pas*,^*: tor and was Moderator of the Tuckasiege Association for several ses- sions. As to the number of churches he aided in organizing, thj number of preachers he helped ordain and persons who were baptized by him we are not informed, but his work in these particulars abount in Hayw r ood, Macon, Jackson and Swain counties. Bryeon Citj church was largely the work of Eider Brendle aided by others. He was pastor of Charleston church Irom the tirst, for four or five years. Our subject saw sad trouble in the loss of his first wife, which oc mt the g pre ield by i He lnv ucatioi Hewa ircliard ■ He m an feff! (121; urred Aug. 7th, 1851, leaving him with a family of small children. n this condifion of bereavement, Elder Brendle remained until the Durth Sunday in May, 185t5, when he was again united in matrimo- ly to Miss'Talitha Paris, a christian woman oi good, agreeable quali- ies and with whom jfye-gpent-his remaining da>&s oruearth. Our subject was a warm-hearted, industrious minister of Jesus hrjst, who loved his calling, striding to understand his duty, and by is indomitable energy he acquired a good store of information in ivine things which he was fully able to deal out to his hearers in a Vay not to be gainsayed. His discourses were plain and were gener- Uy delivered with strong emotion when he warmed up in dealing Q >ut the gospel of our greal salvation. He was a strong Baptist and k'ften preached forcible sermons on the controverted doctrinal points leld by Baptists. He loved his country and neighborhood and was a warm friend of ducation which he faithfully advocated. He was a hard worker, when at home, and r made the farm and rchard yield to his comfort. The Lord blessed our dear brother by rhich he procured a handsome living for himself and a good start or his children 1 He was very liberal in working for and contributing to the Lord's Pjause and his house was the^home of the stranger and the Christian )ilgrim. He was humble and visited the poor. He was charitable and kind md so filled his allotted time on earth suffering affliction for consid- rable time before his death, which took place, December 17, 1886. J no. S. Smiley. 122, %. IBingus. Rev. C. B. Mingus was the son of Ephrairn and Sophia Mingus. He was born in Haywood county, N. C, on Raven's Fork of Ocone Lufty, Sept. 25th, 1823, where he was raised, educated, converted to the Lord and commenced preaching the gospel. Our subject had a severe struggle to get loose from sin, his unbelief was so strong. But conviction deepened and he died to the loye of sin and was made alive in Christ, and forthwith began to preach Christ. He first joined the Methodists but remained in that connec- tion but a short time. He joined the Lufty Baptist church on Satur- day before the third Sunday in May, 1846, and was baptized by Elder Jacob Mingus, on the third Sunday in May 1846. Brother Mingus remained in Lufty church, -vhere he had commenc- ed preaching, until the third Sunday in Sept. 1848, when he removed his membership to Locust Field, near the ford of Pigeon river. He married Miss M. J. Osborne July 21st, 1858, who died July 21st. 1859, without children. In his latter locality, brother Mingus was destined to do a great work for the Lord. He was ordained June 12th, 1847, by . Elders Wm. Haynes, Thomas Henson. Josh Ammons and Jno. Haynes. Here he served the churches as pastor for which place he was well qualified, and for a long time was the only Baptist preacher in Hay- wood county. Many ot the noble churches of that county and some of her best Baptist preacheis are the outgrowth of Elder Mingus' labors. Elder Mingus served his Association, Tuckaseige, as Moderator for several sessions., and was very popular with his people. He lost his first wife and married Miss Rebecca A. Young, March l«5) 6th, 1864. who kindly and faithfully aided our brother to raise his dear ehildremand encourage him in his Master's work, for sister Min gus is truly one of the best women in Western North Carolina. Seven children make up the family. Our brother was slow to lay hands on men for ordination, believing, as he expressed hims If, that it was. not necessary to ordain Eiders or Bishops until some church actually needed and demanded their labors as such. Brother Mingus faithfully served Bryson City church two years, being succeeded by Elder G. H. Church in Feb., 1890, a few months before his death. He was in bad health for twenty years, and for that length of time had been expecting his demise. He was sound, able and faithful as a preacher to the close of life, when he met death as a christian at 7:40 p m , April 4th, 1800. U2ns, ministers, and has served as pastor about six years, but it se sms that most ot Irs reJ'gions usefulness is yet to come, if come it ever docs. He was Clerk of Cold Spring church a few vears and was also Clerk ol Tennessee River Baptist Association in 1872 and 1873, and filled the same again, in 1883 and 1884. He has served as messenger to the Western North Carolina Baptist Convention for six years at ditier- ent periods, commencing his first service thus at Cowee in Septem- ber 1876. He loves the Baptist institutions, churches, Associations, schools and pei'odicals, and always labors for their upbuilding and encourrgement from his scanty purse, pen and tongue. He is also deeply impressed with missionary sentiments, believing it to be the high privilege and duty of the church and ministry to support the gospel at home and send it abroad so as to bring the lost sinner and heathen to Christ. He was chosen the first historian of his Associa- tion in 1876, and has labored in getting up this volume for abuvt nine years at intervals, having commenced the work in January 1877. As teach«r of schools, the writer commenced in August, 1867, and taught a few weeks, followed in teaching a few weeks in 1868. Bu it was not until ^wain county was organised that his teaching car took permanent shape, He commenced teaching in Charlf ston D trict in the first public schools of Swain county, N, \;(\, Oc»\ 9, 1371, and has taught in different public schools of the county for sixteen years. He taught a school in Rabun, fla., in 1875. Summing up his school lists of different pupils they run to about six or seven hun- dred. Without solicitation on his part, the Wilier w?s chc ;en County Examiner by the Board >f Education of Swain county, N. C, in July,t 1878, took the United States census in Nantahala township in June] 1880, and was chosen the first County Superintendent of Public In- struction of Swain county, June 6, 1881, to which place he, always without soliciting on hie part, his worthy county authorities upon whon* the election devolved, five times chose him in succession. The 1 i (131) work of the sujjerintendency has been blessed in his hands, but it was not executed without some severe trials and arduous duties. He has instruct 1 about 200 teachers, or students for such, in eight Teachers' Institutes and examin J about the same number of teachers and vis- ited the public schools of the county seven years, traveled more than 1,400 miles on such duti- -, and addressed and encouraged about 400 pupiR The educational lite of the writer is interwoven with the history ot Swain county, N. C, from its existence, being now twenty years, ten of which he served as Examiner, County Superintendent and Secreta- ly of the Board of Education, and while he realizes his weakness and shortcomings, he can but feel some degree oi pride in his educational history, and humbly hopes that upon the humble foundation he has thus been enabled to lay for the dear children of his county, that a far brighter day and greater degiee of prosperity may dawn upon the succeeding schools and those entrusted with their guidance. (1H2> REVIEW OP TWELVE MINISTERS' LIVES IN WESTELN NC.KTH CAROLINA Humphrey Posey, aged 66 years, in the ministry 42 years; David Elder, aged about 56 years, in the ministry about 20 years; James Kimzey, aged 66 years, in the ministry 40 years; Samuel Gibson, aged 83 years, in the ministry 44 years; Merritt Rickman, aged 62 years, in the ministry 38 years; Allen Ammons, aged 60 years, in the ministry 34 years; I T. S. Sherrill, aged 74 years, in the ministry 44 years; C. B. Mingus, aged 66 years, in the ministry 44 years; E. D. Brendle, aged 72 years, in the ministry 33 years; Mark May, aged 73 years, in the ministry 46 years; W. H. Conner, aged 60 years, in the ministry 30 years; J. M. Smiley, aged 60 years, in the ministry 25 years ; The average ages of the above named brethren, without using th< fractional parts, was 63 years; average terms in the ministry during life, 36 years ; average ages at commencement in the ministry was 2' years. By the foregoing, we conclude that the average life of a minister ii about sixty and the average term in the ministry is about thirty fiv< vears. / UK mih Ik tVlli (.133) Miscellaneous Supplement, "DISTINCTIVE BAPTIST MARKS," "ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 1)F A CHURCH;" "BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONS— WHAT THEY ARE," CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION AND OF W. ST. C. CONVENTION, SOUTHERN B. . ONVENTION, DELIBER- ATIVE ASSEMBLY GUIDE* ETC. DISTINCTIVE BAPTIST MARKS*. 1. The Bible is the sole aud sufficient rule in all matters of religion — to the exclusion of human traditions. 2. A regenerate membership — to the exclusion of irresponsible chil- dren and confessedly unsaved persons fro in our churches. 8. Each church is an independent body, owning Christ only as Head and with only executive powers— to the exclusion of all human authorities, ecclesiastical powers in ''Councils," •'Synods," and the Ike, and of all human legislation. 4. The eqira ity of the members — to the exclusion of all grades, distinctions and dignities, which are the creations of human pride. 5. The equality of the ministry — to the exclusion of all human masteries and chief ministers and clerical orders introduced by Rom" and her copyists. 6. The ordinances, in number order, subject, administrator and symbolism, kept as delivered in solemn charge by Christ and his -Apostles. u«4; ESSffiJiT-IAL ELEMENTS OF A CHURCH. I. Scriptural Origin.— By Christ himself while on earth Dan 241 Matt. 3.2; 16:18, and 18:17. II. Scriptural Polity.— Not Presbyterial nor Episcopal, but a pure Democracy, Government in the hands of the people, and not of a privileged class. Matt. 18:17; Acts 1:26; 6: 1-8; 15:22, and chapters U* 5 and 6 of 1. Cor. II „ A III. Scriptural Membership— Terms of: 1, Regeneration, evidenced by repentance and frith; and 2, Baptism, immersion in water by an authorized administrator. Mk. 16:15 ; John 3:8 -and 5; Acts 8:35 and Acts 16. ^ IV. Scriptural Officers —1. The Spiritual Ministrv, variously call- ed Bishops, Elders, etc., and 2. The Temporal Ministry. Deacons No grades in the Ministry. 1. Pet. 5:1; 1. Tim. 3:1, Acts 20:17 and 28. Qualifications for only these two classes of officers given by Paul in Tim. and Titus. V. Scriptural Ordinances. -Immersion, in water, of a believer b v the authority of a Gospel Church. Matt. 3:13— end, and Acts 8:35— end, and Rom. 6:3-5. Lord's Supper, as a memento of the manner of Christ's death, approachable only by members of Gospel Churches as above described, section III Luke 22:19 and 20; Matt 28-19 and 20; Acts 2:37—42 and 1. Cor. 11:23-26. VI. Scriptural Doctrines. -All Scriptural doctrines.— All Scriptur- al doctrines included, and all human traditions excluded Rev 22-18 and 19; Mk. 7:7 and 1313; 11. Tim. 3:16. Heb, 13:9 and 11. T 3 : 16. Heb. 13:9 and 11. Tim. 1:13, "^ Scriptural History.— Continuous from the davs of the Apost'es Dan. 2:44; Matt. 16:18. Testimony of Pedodiaptists confirms the same. A Wilderness Epoch. Rev. 12:14. Not -Apostolic Succes- sion, " or any succession at all, strictly speaking but merely this • That the cardinal principles and practices of Baptists are of New Tes- tament origin and that they have never been extinct at any period of by in the Christian era. (Uft) BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONS.-— WHAT THEY A HE. Baptist Associations are Baptist brotherhoods of churches organized for tne purpose of united efforts in the work of extending the Redeem- er's kingdom in the world. They are also Advisory Councils to advise for the general good of the cause among the churches whose servants they are, but thev have no coercive power, and consequently can pass no laws binding upon the churches. Associations are creatures of the churches, made up of messengers chosen from each in such numbers as the churches may choose, and should always consist of ail the ministers belonging to the churches, especially, and the deacons and others whom the churches may think suitable counceliors. Churches may or may not send messengers to an Association as each church is an independent body accountable to no one but Christ, but when good advice is given by an Association churches should regard it. Associations have no-power to hear ap- peals from the churches as no appeal can lie taken irom a church, so also, in regard to ordaining ministers, receiving, dismissing and dis- ciplining members of the church, they have no power further than to advise in such cases A Baptist Association ha- tin- right to encour- age good order and sound doctrine and to withdraw irom churches which deviate from these. The Author, constitution of tennessee riveu association. Article 1. 'This association shall, be called the Tennessee River As- sociation. Art. 2. The association shall be composed of male members chosen by the respective churches in our union, duly sent to represent them in the Association, and upon their producing certificates from their respective churches, certifying their appointment, their churches hav- ing complied with this constitution, they shall be entitled to seats in the body. art. 8. In the certificates shall be expressed the number baptized, (136j received by letter, restored, dismissed, excluded and died since last Association. Also the number of teachers and pupiis in Sunday schools, the time of prayer meeting, amount of., their pastor's salary, his name, their postoffice, the number of ordained ministers and licentiates, the contribution, the total number oi members. Art. 4. This Association shall have no power to lord it over God's heritage, nor shall it infringe upon any of the internal rights of any church in the union ; but this shall not be construed to prevent the Association from encouraging a sound*- and able ministry, or dis- couraging an ignorant, unsound and disorderly one. Art. 5. This Association snail have a moderator, clerk, historian and treasurer ; the moderator and clerk to be elected by absolute majorities. Historian and Treasurer m any way the body may direct. Art. 6. This Association shall have the right to determine what churches shall be admitted as members of the body. Art. 7. This Association shall have the right to withdraw her fel- lowship from any church for not complying with her constitution, or for violating the orthodox principles of the gospel. Ai t. 8. The moderator shall always have the Articles of Faith, Constitution and Rules of Decorum at the meetings oi' the body. Art. 9. This constitution may be altered or amended by a two- thirds vote of the members present. ORDER OF BUSINESS. THURSDAY. 1. Singing, prayer and introductory, recess. 2. Singing and prayer, call to order, appoint leading clerk 3. Call roll of churches and enroll delegates. 4. Elect officers. 5. Appoint committees, as follows : 1. Religious Exercises. 2. Obituaries and Changes. 3. Time and Place, Introductory, etc. (137) 4. Temperance. 5. Home Missions. 6. Foreign Missions. 7. Conventional Missions. 8. Education, 9. Sunday Schools. 10. Periodicals. 11. Finance. 42. Minister's Names and Addresses. 13. Miscellany. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 1. Singing or reading and prayer. 2. Call roll, read minutes, etc. 3. Call for correspondents. 4. (;all for report of committees in order. 5. Call for report of historian. 6. Call for report of treasurer. 7. Arrange Sabbath preaching, collection, etc. 8. Appoint delegates to Western Baptist Convention. 9. Instruct clerks as to the minutes, etc. 10. Miscellany, resolutions, etc. 11. Read minutes and closing exercises, CONSTITUTION OF THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA BAP~ TIST CONVENTION. ARTICLE 1. This body shall be called, the Western North Carolina Baptist Con- vention, and shall hold its meetings annually and at such times and places as shall be appointed at previQus meeting. ARTICLE II. The object of this Convention shall be: The distribution of the Holy Scriptures among the destitute ; the sustentation of Home, For- eign and Conventional Missions and Church! building; the education of the poor young men, called of God to the Gospel ministry; the U38) fostering of Baptist institutions ol learning within its bounds ; Sab- bath-schools ; the dissemination of religious literature and temper- ance. ARTICLE ill. The funds appropriated for these objects shall be kept distinct from each other and faithfully applied according to the desire of the <_-on- tributors. article [V. By paying into the treasury, annually, the sum of $5, any Baptist church, association, society, or individual, shall be entitled to one representative, who is a member in good standing of a Baptist church, and tor the sum of $30 the representative shall be constituted a life member. ARTICLE V. I This body shall annually elect, by ballot, a President, 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and Histor- ian. Provided, however, that all officers after the President, may be elected viva voce. All Officers shall remain in office till their success- ors are chosen. ARTICLE vi . It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Convention, sign all orders; and in the absence of the President, this duty shall devolve on one of the Vice Presidents, according to the order ol appointment. The Secretary shall preserve a faithful record of all the proceedings of the body, and conduct the correspond- ence therefor, The treasurer shall give bond and approved security for the faithful discharge of his duty, and shall hold all the funds of the Convention subject to its orders, and shall submit an annual re- port of all his receipts and expenditures, the same to be audited and published in the minutes. The Historian shall keep a complete file of the minutes of this body, and shall record, in a book kept for the purpose, fkets, historical, liiographical, and incidental, and whatever is likely to be of special use to the future Historian, and shall read his record annually in open -Convention,, which when approved, shall be considered authentic history. A l TirLK VII. This body shall at each annual meeting, appoint the following Boards: A Board of Conventional and Sunday School Missions of 23 members 10 of Whom shall reside in Asheviliej 7 of whom shall constitute a quorum to transact business, located at Asheville ; a Boaid oi Ministerial Education of 11 members, 3 of whom, shall con- stitute a quorum to transact business located at Asheville to whom shall be committed the respective departments of the Convention's work during its recess. These Boards shall each present to the annual meeting of the Convention a well digested report of the work in charge. ARTICLE VIII. •This body, through Us proper officers, will co-operate with the boards of the Southern Baptist Convention in tin* prosecution of its common work, AJniei.K IX, This Convention may employ any agency by whirl) the objects contemplated in its organization may be accomplished, AJiTtCLE \, Any alteration may be made in this Constitution by a vote of two-thirds of its members present at any annual meeting. ARTICLE XI. This body shall be governed by v'Mell's Manual of Parliamentary Practice," ARTICLE Xii, Whenever the. minutes of the C0nv.en.ti9n are printed- j^.ccpy of this Constitution shall be printed therein. ARTICLE XIII. The Bscal year of this Convention shall close on this the;. 15th day of October, and the Secretary's and Treasurer-^ reports shall bear date iccordinglv. - (140) CONSTITUTION. We, the delegates from missionary societies, churches and other re- ligious bodies of the Baptist denomination in various parts of the United States, met in convention in the city oi Augusta, Georgia, for the purpose of carrying into effect the benevolent intentions of our constituents, by organizing a plan for eliciting, combining and direct- ing the energies of the whole denomination in one sacred effort for the propagation of the gospel, agree to the following rules or funda- mental principles : Art. I. This body shall be styled the "Southern Baptist Conven- tion.' Art. II. It shall be the design of this Convention to promote for- eign and domestic missions, and other important objects connected with the Redeemer's kingdom, and to combine for this purpose such portions of the Baptist denomination in the United States as may de- sire a general organization for Christian benevolence, which shall fully respect the independence and equal rights of the churches. Art. III. The Convention shall consist (1) of brethren who con- tribute funds, or are delegated by Baptist bodies contributing funds for the regular work of the Convention, on the basis of one delegate for every S250 actually paid into the treasuries of the Boaids during fiscal year, ending the 30th day of April next preceding the meeting of the Convention j (2) of on -t representative from each of the \ District Associations which co-operate with this Convention, provided^that such representative be formally elected by his District Association and his election certified to the Secretaries of the Convention, either in writing or by a- copy of the printed Minutes; and (8) of one represent, ative for every $500 collected and expended conjointly with either of the Boaids of this Convention, by any State Convention or General \ tl0! Association. • Art. IV. The officers of this Convention shall be a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, an Auditor, who shall in event of the death or disability of the Treasurer, act as such officer, and two Secre-IU?! tun'* p Ae pan] carry wine Bom per, p( pi olijei com rill; laws A all i jjist) it si also tot tot illlV iiia; (141) laries, who shall be elected at each annual meeting, and hold their offices until a new election ; and the officers of the Convention shall be, 'each by virtue of his office, members of the several Boards, Art. V. The Convention shall elect at each annual meeting as many Boards of Managers as in its judgement will be necessary for carrying out the benevolent objects it may determine to promote — all which Boards may continue in office until a new election. Each Board shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretaries, Treas- urer, Auditor, and fifteen other members, seven of whom, including one or more of the officers, shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. To each Board shall be committed, during the recess of the Convention the entire management of all the aftairs relating to the 1 objects with whose interest it shall be charged, all of which manage- I ment shall be in strict accordance with the constitutional provisions ; adopted by this Convention, and such other instructions as may be given from time to time. Each Board shall have power to make such I compensation to its Secretaries and Treasurer as it may think right, fill the vacancies occurring in its own body, and enact its own By- laws. Art. VI. The Treasurer of each Board shall faithfully account for all moneys received by him, keep a regular entry oi all receipts and disbursements, and make report of them to the Convention whenever it shall be in session, and to his Board as often as required. He shall I also, on entering upon the duties of his office, give competent security to the President oi the Board for all the stock and funds committed to his care. His books shall be open at all times to tne inspection of f any member of the Convention and of his Board. No moneys shall be paid out of any of the treasuries of the Board but by an order from that Board from whose treasury the money is to be drawn, which order shall be signed by the presiding officer. Art. VII. The Corresponding Secretary of the several Boards shall maintain intercourse by letter with such individuals or public bodies ; as the interest of their respective bodies may require. Copies or all (142) such communications, wifb i their answers, if any, shall be kept by them on file. Art. VIII. The Recording Secretaries of the several Boards shall keep a fair record of their proceedings, and of such other documents as may be committed to them for the purpose. Art. IX. Ail the officers, Boards, Missionaries and Agents appoint- ed by the Convention, or by any of its Boards, shall be members of some regular church in the union with the churches composing this Convention. Art. X. Missionaries appointed by any of the Boards of this Con- vention must, previous to their appointment, furnish evidence of gen- uine piety, fervent zeal in their Master's cause, and talents which fit them for the service for which they offer themselves. Aj\t. XI. The bodies and individuals composing this Convention shall have the right to specify the object or objects to which their contributions shall be applied. But when no such specification is made, the Convention will make the appropriation at its own discre- tion. Art. XII. The Convention shall hold its meetings annually, but extra meetings may be called by the President, with the approbation of any one of the Boards of Managers. A majority of the attending delegates shall not be necessary to form a quorum for the transaction of business. The President, or in the event of his death, any oi the Vice-Presidents of the Convention, may, at the request of two ol its Boards, postpone ">r alter the place of meeting of the Convention, when it may be deemed by him inexpedient to convene at the time or place appointed. Art. XII L Any alterations which experience shall dictate may be made in these Articles by a vote of two-thirds of the members pres- ent at any annual meeting of the Convention. BY-LAWS. Impressed with the obligation resting on the Convention to endeav- or more energetically and systematically to elicit, combine and direct am the energies of the whole denomination in one sacred effort for the propagation oi the gospel, we adopt the following By-laws: 1. That the Boards of the Convention be directed to form the closest possible connection with State Boards, where such exist, in such way as shall be mutually agreeable, and in other cases to secure such agen- cy as each of the Boards may deem best, in both cases providing for necessary expenses incurred. 2. That the Secretaries of the Boards of the Convention be instruct- ed to secure frequent distribution of information relating to their work by means of newspapers, tracts, leaflets and otherwise, as may be found expedient among the mass of the people. 3. That the committee on the nomination of New Boards be in- stiucted to nominate, as Vice-Presidents of Boards, men known to be identified with the interests of the Convention, and of their own State Boards, and unless special reasons exist to the contrary, men who make effort to attend the sessions of the Convention. These Vice- Presidents shall be expected to co-operate with the Boards, both giv- ing and receiving suggestions as to the work to be done, and they also shall be -expected to present at the next session of the Convention, a report in writing of what they had been requested to do, and of the way in which they have complied with these requests, with any sug- gestions they may have to offer as to the condition and needs of their ^respective fields. It shall be the duty of each Secretary, in due time, to furntsh tin- \ ice-Presidents of his Board with suitable blanks for ?such reports, and to call their attention to this article, and to make pny proper efiort to secure the due preparation of these reports. In ■case any Vice-Prasident appointed is unable or unwilling to comply nvith the requests herein mentioned, it shall be the duty of the Board Hf possible, to find some person who can, and request him to do so ■ land furthermore, the Vice-President for each State shall be desired ;as speedily as possible, to prepare a roll of the associations, churches and Sunday schools in that State, to be used for the distribution of .information, and to ascertain as far as possible which of the churches and Sunday-schools are contributing to the funds of the Board and (144; the annual amounts, and to make systematic effort each year to in- crease the number and amount of such contributions. 4. The Boards shall report at each session of the Convention what special efforts they have been able to make toward carrying out the object of these By-laws. 5. Immediately after the reading ot the reports of the Boards, each year, a committee of five shall be appointed, to whom shall be refer- red so much of these reports as pertains to the carrying out of th^ By- laws, and also the reports of the Vice-Presidents. 6. That these By-laws may be altered at any tune by a majority vote, except on the last day of the Convention. (145) DELIBERATIVE ASSEMBLY GUIDE, BY REV. JOHN S. SMILEY, i Swain, N. C, ALL IN A NUT SHELL. ADAPTED TO ALL in Mass Ntg'attiigs, Churches, Associations, Soslotsas, Legislative Bodies, otc. PARLIAMENTARY. PARLIAMEMTARY RULES, GOVERNING- DELIBERATE VE BODIES IN GENERAL. 1. Deliberative bodies are organized assemblies of persons con- vened to act upon questions legally presented to them according to the principles and forms sanctioned by usage. 2. In deliberative bodies the members are on an equalitv, and the officers are but the instruments and agents of them. There are two classes of deliberative bodies. 1. Permanent, 2. Oc- casional. Permanent deliberative bodies have no constituencies, but main- tain the relation at will, or for life ; such as churches, Idcfd societies the House of Peers in England, etc. Occasional deliberative bodies have constituencies, such as District Associations, Conventions, State Legislatures and the House of Rep- resentatives in the Congress of the United States, political meetings, t?tc. (146; All deliberative bodies must have a presiding and recording officer. Presiding officers have differ -lit cities in English and' American! Parliamentary Law, according to the customs of the kinds of bodies over which they preside. Piesident is the title of the presiding officer of the U. S. Senate, and some of the State Senates, and Speaker is the title of the presiding officer in thr House of iiepresentatives of the U. S., and of the several States. Moderator is the title of the presiding officer oi a baptist chuich, Union Meeting, Association, Synods and Assemblies of the Presbyter- ians and of a Town Meeting in Massachusetts. President of some Baptist Conventions is the title of the presiding officer and Bishop, the presiding officer in a Methodist Conference, an Episcopal Diocese, etc. Chairman, is used sometimes in mass meet- ings and always in Committees and very often in that of County Boards, Boards of Missions, etc. QUALIFICATIONS OF A PRESIDING OFFICER. The presiding officer of an assembly should well understand par- liamentaiy law and be fully able to preside so as to reflect credit on himself and his assembly. He should seldom if ever engage in debate as a partisan on a general question. His duties are to keep the assembly in working order to giibmit such questions for decision as may properly come before the body in order, and to decide points of order and rule the members to the same. But to succeed well and sustain the proper respect of members, the presiding officer should, on most principal questions, act the part of a disinterested umpire. When the hour fixed for the meeting of the assembly arrives, the presiding officer should take the chair, or seat intended for the chair, and call the body to order, and call the atteniion of the body to the business before it. The recording officer of an assembly should be well able to com- mit to writing the proceedings as they are transacted. He should be a ready pensman, quick of perception and be fully able to keep a true mi an U47) minute or journal of the body. He should always furnish the chair- men of committees, belonging to the assembly for which he is record- ing, with a list of their colleagues, as they are appointed. The record- ing officer of deliberative bodies is either called Clerk or Secretary. The title is that of Clerk in legislative assemblies, churches, Union meetings, Associations, etc.. and Secretary in religious and political conventions and some other societies. In the absence of special rules to the contrary, it is the duty of the Clerk, or Secretary of former session to call his assembly, upon the opening ol a new session, in case the former presiding officer or officers are absent to order and occupy the chair until a presiding officer may be provided : In such cases a ehairman-protempore is chosen to act for the time until properly organized. PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS OF DE LIBERA 4'IVE BODIES. The members of a deliberative body are upon an equality and each have a right to occupy the floor in debate. To obtain the floor to make a motion or introduce a resolution, or to speak upon any ques- tion, a member must first get the recognition of the presiding officer by rising to his feet and addressing the presiding officer with the proper title. If two or more rise at the same time, the chair must name the one to speak first. In all discussions, it is the duties of members to follow or keep to the subject and to avoid personalities, or an irritable manner of speech. Any member may keep the floor so long as he keeps in the bounds of reason or observes good order. ORDER OF DEBATE. It is not in order to make a speech when there is no question legit* imately before the assembly. The way to get questions before an assembly is by motion 01 reso- lution which must always have a second and no question is debata- ble until stated by the presiding officer after which it is open to all members equally alike for discission. (148; HOW A VOTE IS TAKEN UPON A QUESTION- The presiding officer rises and after stating the question says: ''All in favor of the motion, (or resolution) say Aye;" when the Ayes have been taken he reverses the vote by saying, "All who are opposed to it say, "No," after which he announces the result of the vote by saying, "It has carried, 1 or "It has. failed," as the case may be, and the vote is with the voice. In cases of election of officers of deliberative bodies, (especially permanent officers,) the vote should always be by ballot. o: CONIZATION. Organization of constituent deliberative bodies, when first brought into existence and before they have officers existing and also where former officers are absent whose duty it is to call them to order and serve in official capacity until permanent organization is effected, may be organized in this way : The assembly or meeting having met at the appointed time and plaee it becomes the right and duty of any member to rise and move the appointment )f some one to preside until permanent organization is completed, which motion having been seconded should immediately be put to the house by the mover, and if the motion thus made car- ries, then it is the duty of the person thus selected to take the chair at once and preside. All other temporary officers, especially a clerk or secretary, must also be provided, and so it is the duty of the person now presiding to call the attention of the body to that fact and let them be chosen in the same way as the temporary presiding officer was chosen. The usual exercises in opening and organizing constituent delibera- tive bodies, is the opening address introductory to the work, devotion, etc., after which the members are called upon for credentials. The best method to insure accurate work is for the chair to appoint read- ing clerks to read papers from the bodies represented in the order named, which when completed to the satisfaction of the body brings on the election of permanent officers as the next step; and the election C14-9J) of the presiding and recording officers should always be by ballot and the persons elected shouid ieceive a majority of all the votes cast belore declared elected. A deliberative assembly is not completely organized until its ap- propriate committees are appointed. Any number of standing com- mittees may be provided lor by an assembly and to these certain lead- ing questions or business may be assigned upon which it is their duty to consider and report to their assemblies in the best way. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. The appointment of committees, when not otherwise ordered by the assembly, devolves upon the presiding officer every time; and when a committee is raised by order of the assembly, if the order does not include the number and the persons of whom it is to consist, it is the prerogative of the presiding officer to fill the blanks without fur- ther hesitation. A wise discretion must be used ite appointing committees, from the fact that they are the business head! and motive machinery of an assembly. Committees usually consist of an indefinite number of persons, gen- erally exceeding two, but they should never consist of less than three, and seldom exceed three persons; and no person should be assigned s to duty on more than one committee at the same time. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. Sometimes it becomes necessarv for an assembly to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider measures of such pressing importance as not to be satisfactorily considered and matured other- wise. When it is desired to become a committee of the whole, some. mem- ber moves that the assembly do now resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, and this motion being sustained by a second is put to the house by the presiding officer which when carried requires the presid- ing officer to call some one to the chair to preside over the Committee of the Whole and the assembly now considers the matter in hand un- (150; til satisfactory progress is reached, when it is the duty of some one to move that the committee of the whole do rise and report progress to the assembly. It this motion prevails, the presiding officer oi the body assumes duties at the point where he left oft when the body went into the Committee of the Whole. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. When a deliberative assembly expresses itself upon any question, it is done in the form of motions and resolutions, and but one princi- pal question can be legally brought before an assembly at the same time; consequently, the presiding officer should- rule out any other separate or independent motion or resolution, until the one under consideration is disposed of. The following are all the kinds of motions and questions usually resorted to in parliamentary law. Every question has what is teimed a principal motion, and the fol- lowing subsiding motions may be made during the consideration of a main proposition : 1. To lie on the-4able ; 2. Indefinite postponement ; 3. Previous question ; 4. Definite postponement ; 5. Amendments : 6. Commitment. And to these we add the motion to reeonsider, but this motion can not be moved by any one unless he voted in the affirmative and it is made only to bring up again, for reconsideration, a question that has been passed upon. There are certain other questions which sometimes arise during the proceedings of an assembly which must be decided at once as they always affect the deliberations of an assembly ; these are called Inci- dental Questions. They are : 1. Questions of order ; 2. Reading papers ; (151) 3. Withdrawal of a motion ; 4. Suspension of a rule. There are also other questions which supercede any other principal motion or any of its appendages and may interrupt these atan} r stage :>f the proceedings, and the questions which thus supercede are called Privileged Questions. They are : 1. Orders of the day ; 2. Questions of privilege : 3. Adjournment. The following motions are not dehatahle and must always be de- ided without debate : 1. The previous question ; 8. The main question, when the previous question has been sec- onded by the house ; 3. To lie on the tabic : f ^ 4. Definite postponement ; 5. Motions to read papers; 6. Motions to suspend the rules; 7. Motions to adjourn. Motions which supercede or supplant others, motion to lie on the table takes precedence of ail other subsiary questions, but it is sub- ordinate to all three of the privileged questions. How motions accumulate sometimes, b} r superceding and suspend- ing one another for the time : (1) There is a principal motion pend- ing ; (2) a motion is made to amend ; (3) another motion is made to amend the amendment; (4) a proposition is made to commit; (5) a point of order is raised ; (6) a question of privilege is raised ; (7) a motion is made to adjourn. The proper mode of proceeding in such cases is to put the question first on the motiou to adjourn. If that be decided in the negative, then settle the question of privilege; decide the point ^f order; then put the question on the motion to commit. If the assembly refuse to commit, the questions are to be taken on the amendments in re- (152) verse %rder, and finally on the principal motion amended or un- amended. THE EFFECTS OF SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS WHEN CARRIED. To lie on the table ranks all subsidiary questions and when car- ried it removes from the assembly the principal motion with all its appendages for the time. When a motion to take from the table prevails, it revives the prin- cipal motion with all other appendages attached to it in the exact form it was in before it was tabled. To postpone to a time definite is subordinate to lie on the table but it is of the same grade with ail the other subsidiary motions, ex- cept to amend to which it is superior, and cannot be suppressed by them. Postponement to a time definite when carried in the affirma- tive, makes the question a privileged one for that time. . If decided in the negative it leaves tin; question before the assembly as it was before the motion to postpone was made; and it cannot be moved a second time. It is susceptible of amendment. It is not in order to speak to the merits of a question when postponement is under con- sideration, but simply to speak on the time to which the postpone- ment proposed is in order. MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS. To cut off discussion and bring on a- direct vote, the previous ques- tion is used. When a member calls for the previous question, the presiding officer says : "Shall the call for /the previous question be seconded?" If this carrief in the affirmative, the second step and question by tne chair is, "Shall the main question be now put?" Third and lastly, "Shall the principal motion be adopted by the house?" The previous question has supremacy-over a motion to amend, but is subordinate to lie on the table. It is of the same grade with the other subsidiary questions, viz : to postpone and to commit, and when either of them is pending it is not in order to move it. To evade a direct vote on the merits of a question, indefinite post- ponement is used, an4 when it prevails, the proposition thus post- poned cannot be renewed during the session. COMMITMENT. It is in order to comiait to a standing e >mmiUee or a select com- mittee, but if the motion to commit comes up m two forms the vote is taken on committing to the stand. ng .committee first. Commit- ment is of the same grade as postponement and previous question. APPEALS FROM THE DECISIONS OF THE CHAIR. Any member may appeal to the house from the decision of the presiding officer on points bt order and the chair shah immediately take a vote on the question which vote shall settle the dispute. POWERS AND DITTIES OF DELIBERATIVE BODIES WITH REGARD TO EN- FO! CING O^DER. Every assembly must have good discipline in order to maintain its dignity and to succeed successfully with its business : thus it be- comes the duty of every officer and member to conform to thj estab- lished rules or moral right and usages of business, ft is the duty of presiding officers to reprove tor disorder and in cases of persistent violation on the pr,rt of fTmember, it is his duty to call the attention of the assembly to the fact, naming the offender and the offense, and the house should take the case in hand and deal with the offense ac- cording to the merits or demerits of the case. But in case of punish- ment for disorder in deliberative bodies, no penalty can be inflicted by them further than to unseat and deprive the guilty parties of the privileges oi the assembly. Any member may raise a question of order, calling the attention of the chair to it,- and when stated the chair accepts or regrets accord- ing to his judgment in the ease. AMENDMENTS. This is the form of question when it is desired to alter a principal proposition, and every amendment is itself subject to amendment, but there is a limit to these kind of questions beyond which we can- (154j not go. We cannot amend an amended amendment. Putting questions to a vote when motions to amend are to be voted upon are on this wise: First the question on the amendment to the amendment, when there are such pending; Second on the amend- ment as amended, and finally on the principal proposition as amend- ed, but if all the amendments be voted down then the question will be standing in original form to be voted on. There are three ways to effect amendments, viz : (1) by adding words ; (2) by striking out; (3) by striking out and inserting words. Reconsideration, when it carries, brings the question to be recon- sidered before the assembly as it was before voted upon. A motion to reconsider can only be made by those who voted in the affirma- tive on the proposition desired to be opened tor consideration again. ADJOURNMENT. A motion simply to adjourn, without specifying time, supercedes all other questions, and must be put ):xy the chair, but it can be voted -down if the body is not ready for it. ROLL CALL, THE QUORUM AND READING MINUTES. Roll cairis the first thing alter devotion before a deliberative body should proceed to transacting its reguhr business, and should be always ordered by the presiding officer and called by the recording officer, at once, unless the assembly interfere and order ft her wise for the time. A quorum is a number in a deliberative body to transact business or compel the attendance of absentees. The question of quorum may be fixed, as it often is in parliaments, Legislatures, etc., and often in Boards, but in Baptist assemblies it is not fixed further than to say that the quorum is a majority of the members present. The question of quorum is not raised in Baptist churches, the number assembling, on the time set by the church may transact business legally and no one has the right to complain if he was not present. READING THE MINUTES OR JOURNAL. This follows roll call when the quorum has been settled and should be performed every morning upon opening the session and the min- utes should be passed upon by the body and corrected if need be. CIRCULAR LETTER. TO THE (.'HUiU'HEo tVMPOSl^O THE FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION: Loving Brethren: Having foiie through the business of our meet- ing, we now address you a short epistle upon the Christian Warfare. This war may be traced in its incipient stages to the first moving of the spirit upon the mind of the sinner, and as conviction increases the war also increases. And the opinion that they con do something [ themselves to better their condition, with a reeling f pride, and '■■ shame is the great barrier to their conversion, and many like the Israleites of old, after leaving Egyptian Bondage, and traveling only three days journey into the wilderness, began to dispair and long for ' the flesh pots of Egypt, and even for the leeks and garlick ; and how ; many in our day, do return to a servitude of sin, and bondage to the world, and satan ? liut the sinner having traveled.^ perhaps forty \ days in the wilderness, in sore conflict with the enemy, but having obtained a hope, and enlisted in the war, Satan having lost a subject, doubles all his forces to barrage and destroy the young soldier of the ; cross, and in this stage of the Christians life, not having learned the wars of Canaan, they are often brought low and kept back from duty, "and often to doubt the reality of their conviction. But having over* I come these temptations and united with the people of God, they are J then prepared, and armed for the war, and as this war is not carnal, but spiritual, the weapons also must be spiritual, and they are mighty says the apostle, through God, to the pulling clown of strongholds. Truth must be had as a guide, righteousness as a breastplate, and the feet shod with peace, and above all, have the shield of Faith, by which you are to pairy, or quench the fiery darts of the wicked, take also the helmed of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, and being thus armed, be ready at ail times to face the enemy. But mind you, your armor is for defence, and therefore the christian should never through pride, or vain glory, challenge the enemy. Peter the disciple done that, and see the consequences, he denied his No do (156) Lord in the presence of a wicked world, who Were thirsting for hi life, crying crucify him/ crucify him/ Let this then, dear ehristha he a warning to .you, least as Peter did, you should also deny you Savior, in companies of the wicked, and before the world, and rcirien her the carnal mind is not changed, and -it is through the overture of the mind that access can be had for Satan to tempt the child oAiritu 1 God. Seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling — any pleas'ura Stfc'uri ble feelings the mind can enjoy, comes through some one, or more o j pg wai the five senses ; so also is every ieeling of disgust or displeasures Many persons after conversion flatter themselves that the war is overlives the battle fought and won, they see a clear and cloudless sky, no even dreaming of a, tempest close at hand. But remember the lane 1 , of Canaan was promised Israel, but they had to fight and conquer t< obtain possession of it. and not only so,*but they had perpetual wai to keep possession of it ; and you notice there were nations left tc prove them, to teach them how to fight, those that had not learned all the wars of Canaan. Namely five lords of the Philistians, corres- ponding to the five senses of the body, and there were three othei nations also to prove them, the most formidable of all the Cananitcs. the Sidonian's, and the Levites. These may correspond to the three great sources of evil, spoken oi by the apostle John — the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life. These were left tola prove Israel, to know whether they would keep the command menti? of God, or not. So are our enemies, they are to prove us, and the most formidable are the three above named, or you may have it, the world, the flesh, and Satan. — The lusts of the fresh, and of the eye with the pride of life, are truly formidable to the christian ; and the christian should never be off his guard, for at every indulgence, or un- guarded moment, you may be led astray before y^ou are aware ; the lusts of the flesh, or of the eye, or the pride of life, may assail you, and you may be drawn into the snares of vice and Jolly. And re- member, Ire can U tbi &umei' *Uh ply ptcb arii try y. t iiagt the J tat fa k an- 1 the. Am il (157) "Pride, accursed pride, that sin by God abhorred, Do what we will it haunts us still, and keeps us from the Lord; This moment, while 1 write, I feel its power within, My heart it draws, to seek.applause, and mixe; all with sin." No .doubt the desire of every christian is to- do the will of God.— |ut the nations were left to prove Israel naturally, are to prove us birituallyfand in some of their various forms .are forever haunting 8 ,he christian, and therefore it is like the wars of Canaan, an uneeas- no' warefare. The good that we would do we do not, and that we JLould not do, that wedo. So then, with the mind the christian Jferves the law of God, but with the flesh the law of bin. Here then, ..r.vve can see the great conflict, or warfare in which every christian is jagaj/ed, and we hear the apostle saying he had besought the Lord lor these things to be removed. But the answer was, My grace is ai sufficient for thee, and the war had still to go on, and the enemy ] Lough often put to flight, yet complete victory never can be obtain- fid while flesh remains. Then christian, you should see to it, be ever ready for the conflict, keep your armor bright and firm upon the watch tower, guard every avenue of the soul, for you)- enemy as a fearing Hon, is roving about seeking whom he may devour, and will fry you once and again, and always at the least guarded point. It try vou uuv.^ »■■«'•* *■-& — > - , Las thus that Satan tempted our mother Eve m the garden, the lan- guage of the serpent at once excited her desires. No doubt to confirm |be deception, the serpent would suggest that it was eating that fruit, that enabled him to converse with her. ! what a bait was here ff id to that Sinless soul ! The fruit doubtless had a pleasant scent. irp ne lupt of the flesh and of the eye, with the;,pride of Hie, all assailed fher No wonder she fell beguiled by the serpent, or Satan, who, we are informed, had the boldness to tempt our Lord by offering him all the kingdoms ot the world if he would fall down and worship him. \nd to resist the enemy successfully, every avenue of the soul must be guarded with diligence, as apart from the five senses of the body, fio temptation can assail the christian. \nd for our encouragement, we are told to consider him that had (15s endured such contradictions of Sinners against himself; least you be worried and faint in your minds, you should call to remembrance the former days, in which after you were illuminated you endured a great fight of affliction, while you were made a gazing stuck by re- proaches and afflictions, and partly while you become companions of them that were so used. Cast not therefore, away your confidence, for it hath great recompense of reward. And you have great need of the grace of patience, that after you have served the Lord, and finish- ed your trials here, you may receive the promises; and forget not the exhortation which saith unto you, as unto children, my son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint under his rebuke, for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and seourgeth every child that he receiveth. And remember, if you are without chastisement where- of all christians are partakers, then are you bastards and not sons. Here is encouragement, dear christian, ponder over your past exper- ience, remember the wormwood, and the gall, keep them still in re- membrance with an humble reliance upon God, and he will give you a well grounded hope. Resist the devil and he ivill flee from you, and in all forget not to pray. The poet says that, "Satan trembles when he sees, the humblest saint upon his knees/ And Bunyan in hi? Christian, on one occasion found his armor fail, even his sword that had so lately put Apollion to flight, was laid aside, and he betook himself to all prayer, the only channel through which God has ever promised deliverance to man. A few words to young converts. You have past through the file of conviction for sin. in which your trials have been many and great, but you have been delivered, your feet taken out of the mire and clay and placed upon a rock, and think it not strange that Satan should attack you somewhat differently from what he has heretofore done. He will suggest to you that all is delusion or deception, or indeed it may. be hypocrisy, and if you were a christian you would know it t and not be harrassed with doubts as you are, with many more such doubts as these and 'shame perhaps will give you many a crimsoned cheek, and tell you not to expose yourself before the world as you do, am Nay, shame is bold enough to try to keep you from the church, and pride will represent to your mind that it is degrading for a person of your standing to be amongst those groaning and whining old fogies, you never can enjoy yourself, nor the company of your equals ; you have nothing to tell the church, and you would hate not to be received. A christian knows it, and can tell how the Lord suet with them by the- way, and spoke peace to their troubled mind. But all is dark with you. the time has past when yon might have got re- ligion, but now alas! tod late, These are some of the trials the young Christian often has to meet with, and by which their advance in the divine life is much re- tarded. But the aged Christian, who has breasted the storm for many years, and is still marching on to victory, can look on calm and tranquil — can meet the conflict with becoming fortitude; and while the young Christians are badly beset with trials and temptations on every hand; and although their own may be very great, yet they have learned by long experience; that it is through much tribulation and patience they are to inherit the promises. And we are author* ized to say in the language of Job, That the righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. And though often cast down, bruised and mangled by the fall, yet the assurance of victory is a sufficient stimulant to the war-worn sol- dier of the Cross, who at the end of his pilgrimage, will be hailed with "well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." Written by James Whttaker, Sen, MESSENGERS, MESSENGERS FROM THE CHURCHES ERoM 1876 TO 1890. 1876— A. Ammcms, J. M. Thomasson, S. J. Freeman, J, S. Tabor. M. Ghormley, W. C. Morgan, G. W, Hooper, William Carpenter, J, M. Smiley, I. T. S. Sherrill, W. H, Cathey. L. L. Thomasson, J. P, Grant, M. DeHart, J, S. Smiley, Young Amnions, B. L, Morgan. W, D. Crisp, T. H. Cody, John Hyde, David Welch, W. F. Whiteside, J. H- M. Crisp, James Whitakcr, R. W. Adams, R. M. Roberts, J. B. Hyde, W. B Cole, A. J. Parris, T. B. Chambers, E. N. Bumgarner, H. Durham, J. R. Bradshaw, Jasper Truitt, Armstrong Cornsilk, and Jacob Che ah. 1877— A. Amnions, I. R. Edwards, J. M. Welch, J. M. Thomasson, James Dicke Geeska, Armstrong Cornsjjk, W. C. Morgan, G. W. Hooper, J. Carringer, II. P. Hyde,' J. M. Davis, William Carpenter, C. George, T. A. Carpenter, J. M. Smiley, James Salts. W. PL Cathey, J. M. Earls, J. P. Panther, J. S. Smiley, N. J. Howard, Heniy Ramsey, Andrew Watkins, A. Wiggins, E. N. Bumgarner, James Beard, Young Amnions, William Mashburn, M. Bradshaw, T. Y. Ammons, R. M. Roberts, B. J. Delozier, John Hyde, W. F. Whiteside, J. Crisp, P. G. Green, W. D. Crisp, J. L. Crisp, D. A. Taylor, S. A. Crisp, M. A.Crisp, W. Phillips, James Whitaker, R. W. Adams, H. P. Adams, Allen Freeman, J. P Edwards, A. V. Calhoun and Clingman Sawyer. 1878 — A. Ammons, J. R. Edwards, C.\M. Green, W. C. Morgan, T. A. Carpenter, J. M. Davis, G. W. Hooper, F. M.Morgan, H. A. Cun- ningham, J. PI. M. Whiteside, T. B. Chambers, W. B. Cole, D. White- side, A. Wiggins, James Beard, B. L. Morgan, Y. Ammons, James Proctor, J. M. W T elch, P. G. Green, J. L. Crisp, W. D. Crisp, H. W. Crisp, W. Phillips, David Adams, R. A. Biadley, B. F. Adams, James Whitaker, R W. Adams, Daniel McCoy, W. L. Welch, A. V Calhoun. 1879 — A. Ammons, J. R. Edwards, A. H. Welch, S. J. Freeman, H. M. McHan, C. M. Green, W. C. Morgan, G. W. Hooper, William Pruitt, Van Marcus, Sidney Rose, T. A. Carpenter, William Carped* ter, T. C. Buchanan, J. J. Monteith, J. L. Woody, W. B. Cole, J. P. Panther, J. M. Smiley, S. D. Davis, L. L. Thomasson, M. DeHart, J. A. Buchanan, H. A Cunningham, J: M. Ea&ls, D. Whiteside"; J Whiteside, J. C. Melton, E. N. Bumgarner, A. W. Parris, Young Am- mons, B. 1- Morgan, J. A. Ammons, T. Y. Ammons, J. L. Hogue, J. A. Welch, W. A. Marcus, R. H. Crisp, Joseph Whiteside, P. G. Green, Joel L. Crisp, W. D. Crisp, T. H. Cody, H. W. Crisp, Wiley Phillips, James Whitaker, R. W. Adams, Allen Freeman, J. W. Truitt, W. A. (161; porsey^ P. Jenkins, Ah-qua-takih, Armstrong Corn si Is and Richard Wright. 1880 — J W. Breenlobr, S. J. Freeman, J. M. Welch, W. G. Morgan, G. W. Hooper, T. S. Carpenter, William Carpenter, William Pruitt, PL P. Hyde, J. W. Holland, J. P. Panther, L. L. Thomasson, J, S. Gibby, L. T. Green, H. A. Cunningham, J. A. Buchanan, J. M. R 4 Smiley, J. A. Thomasson, J. B. Hoyle, T. B. Chambers, J. C. Mon teith, A. J. Monteith, J. R. Buchanan, J. M. Smiley, Davis White- side,* J. Whiteside, Wm. Kirkland, F. P. Hutching, I. T. S. Sherrill, Jas Beard, E. N. Bumgarner, J. M. Ciine, Y. Amnions, B. L. Morgan, J L. Hogue, H. Marcus, T. Y. Amraons, A. J, Amnions, T. J. Cal- houn, J. W. Crisp. H. 13. Pioctor, Nathan Pilkaton, W. F. Whiteside, P. A. Calhoun, P. G. Green, Joel L. -'Jrisp, W. D.Crisp, S. M. Edwards, 1). A. Taylor, A. M. Edward*. L. A. Bradley, Jasper Truitt, J. P. Ed- wards, W. A. Dorsey, John Jenkins, Allen Farmer, P, Jenkins, M. D. Sawyer, Wm. Welch, R. Wright, Jacob Cheer, H. Millsaps, D. Williams. 1881— J. R. Edwards, A.H.Welch, J. M. Collins, William Carpenter, J. A. Hyde, William Pruitt, G. W. Oar, M. DeHart, M.S. Davis, H. A. Cunningham, J. A, Buchanan, A. W. Davis, Noah Birchfield, P. H, Mason, 3. M. Earls, 8. D. Davis, James Salts, W. B. Cole, A. J, Mon- teith, J. R. Buchanan, J. M. Smiley, D. S. Colley, Henry Franklin, E. N. J. Whiteside, A. Wiggins, I, T. S. Sherrill, J. P. Panther, E. n! Bumgarner, A. J. Parris, J. R. Bradshaw, B. L. Morgan, J. F, Hogue, D. Pendley, A. L. Weatherman, Richard Wright, P. G. Green, Joel L. Crisp, W. li.. Crisp, A. M, Edwards. T. J. Calhoun, P. A Calhoun, J. P. Edwards, F. H. Calhoun, M. 8. Sherrill, Wilson Carpenter, T, B. Plyde, T. J. George, D. J. Rogers, S. J. Freeman, J. W. Breedlove, R. H. Freeman, T. S. DeHart, J. A. Amnions, T. L. Wikle, L. M. Mediin and James Proctor. 1882— J. R. Edwards, M. L. Amnions, A. L. McHan, W. C. Mor- gan, G. W. Hooper, J. E. Morgan, J. W. Holland, Wm. Carpenter, Wm. Pfoitt, L. A. Crisp, G. W. Ore, H. P, Hyde, W. S. Thomasson, H, A, Cunningham, L. L. Thomasson, M. DeHart, H, Ramsey, B. L, Davis, J. M. Earles, James Salts, J. B. Hoyle, J. 0. Monteith, E. C. Monteith, J. M. Smiley, A. Wiggins, E. N. Bumgarncr, A. W. Parris, John Kimsey, Y Amnions, J. L. Hogue. D. Marcus, F. M. Morgan, A L. Weatherman, P. G. G.reen, W. D. Crisp, M, A. Crisp, S. M. Ed- wards, Joel L. Crisp, i). A, Taylor, J. P. Edwards, I. C. Brooks, John Jenkins, W. L t Welch, P. C. Sawyer, John B. Cable, P. A. Calhoun, W. A. Marcus, J. B. Carringer, W. M. Taylor, Hampton Millsaps, Armstrong Cornsilk, Ah-qua-tee-gi, Jacob Orter, Ute Sherrill, S. L. Carpenter, T. J. Amnions, T. B. Hyde. M. S. Sherrill, J. S. Woodard, S. J. Freeman, John W\ Breedlove, James Clampitt, T. N. Freeman, J. L. Proctor, J. D. Proctor, James Proctor, J. R. Bradshaw, B. J. Welch, John Grant, A. L. Adams, T. J. Calhoun, R. A. Crisp, A. J. Willocks, L. M. Medlin, J. C. Hall, E. Wilson and J. F. Hall. 1883— J. R. Edwards, H. M. McHan, M. L. Amnions. Arquetake, L. M. Medlin, J. C. Hail, J. R. Cook, James Russell, Carson Holloway, T. J. Amnions, T. B. Hyde, J, P. Panther, J. M. Earls, E. P. Gibson, J. A. Buchanan, Davis Whiteside, L. L. Thomasson, H. A. Cunning- ham, J. M. Welch, T. J. Calhoun, C. r . Calhoun, A. J. Willocks, F. H. Calhoun, John C. Calhoun, T. W. Calhoun, W. I. Calhoun, E. C. Monteith, J. B. Hoyle, W. B. Cole, A. J. Parris, S. M. Crawford, J. M. Parris, S. W. Monteith, A. J. Monteith, PL L. Potts, T. S. Monteith, S. A. Monteith, W. R, Monteith, W. M. Anthony, J. B. Hoyle, J. C. Sorrells, D. S. Colley, John Wiggins, J. M. Cline, J. B. Beard, A. W. Parris, E. N. Bumgarner, J. S. Woodard, J. A. Amnions, J. W. Breed- love D. Davis, J. C. Clampitt, T. N. Freeman, R. T. Cunningham, I. D. Proctor, W. M. Welch, G. W. W r elch, James Proctor, J. L. Hogue, D. W. Hogue, James Welch, D. Marcus, John Marcus, J. A. Amnions, L. Medlin, F. M. Morgan, P. G. Green, W. D Crisp, Joel L. Crisp, E. L. Crisp, W. J. Brooks, J. P. Edwards, W. L. Welch, J. C. Edwards, J. H. M. Crisp, John B. Cable, G. W. Crisp, W. A. Marcus, James M. Hyde, J. M. Rickman, Hampton Millsaps, Vance Grant, W. M. Taylor, John P. Grant, J. B. Fuller, W . S. P. Roberts, Wm. Green, j. M. Smiley, J. S. Smiley, J. A. Franks, J. D. Jenkins, N. j- Howard, J. H, Sitton and John Woody. 163) 1884.— J. R. Edwards, A. U. Welch, H. M. McHan, A. J,. McHan, William McHan, Armstrong Cornsiik, Obediah Lan-tah, L. Medlm, L. M. Medlin, William Carpenter, T. A. Carpenter, Thomas Rogers, D. J. Rogers, T. B. Hyde, H. P. Hyde, Miller Davis, J. S. Smiley, J. M. Earls, H. Cunningham, L. L.*Thomasson, Z. V. Welch, J. A, Bu- chanan, T. J. Davis, J. S. Gibby, J, M. Smiley, J, M. Welch, D. K. Collins, N. J. Howard, J. H. Sitton, James Kirkland, C. I. Calhoun, A. V. Calhoun, A. J. Willocks, J. H. Sentell, E. C. Monteith, J. 0, Monteith, A. C. Hemphill, D, S. Colley, J. C. Melton, A. Wiggins, J. P, Panther, A. W. Parris, J. B. Beard, W. M. Shuler, J. M. Cline, J. S. Woodard, J. A. Ammons, S. J. Freeman, T. N. Freeman, J. W, Breediove, L. C. Smith, W. L. Proctor, A. M. Grant, A. J. Jones, John Higdon, H. J. Hogue. D. C. Pendley, F. M. Morgan, P. G. Green, W. D. Crisp, J. L. Crisp, A. H. Walker, W. G. Cable, D. A. Taylor, A. M. Ed wards, A. L. Adams, C. F. Sawyer, W. D, Sawyer, J. A. Holder, W. L. Welch, Phillip Jenkins, James Woodard, Hampton Millsaps, W. M. Taylor, J. E. Morgan, P. H. Mason, W. C. Hamrick, W. M, Brendle, E. P. Gibson, A. A. Justice-and Samuel Ramsey, 1885— J. R. Edwards, L. M. Medlin, J. C. Hail, H. B v Cook, L. Med- lin, W, 0. Morgan, J. A. Hyde, Georg-3 Crisp, William Pruitt, Carson Halloway, John Rogers, J. S. Smiley, J. M. Earls, W. A. Cunningham, L. L. Thomasson, Martin DeHart, D. Whiteside, H. H. Hyde, J. A. Franks, J. M. Earls, J. C. Sorrells T. M. Buchanan, Charles Jenkins, J. P. Panther, C. I. Calhoun, J. H. Sentell, W. A. Dorsey, W, I. Cal- houn, Z. V. Calhoun, William Nichols, M. V. York, J. C. Crisp. D. S. Colley, J. R. Bradshaw, B. J. Welch, A. W. Parris, J. B. Beard, Wil- liam Green, A. J. Green, J. A. Ammons, A. A. Wall, J. N. Truitt, J, L. Hogue, J. A. Ammons, John Marcus, N. M. Pilkaton, T. Y, Am- mons, P. G. Green, W. D.Crisp, D. A. Taylor, S M. Edwards, A. M, Edwards, Jenkins, A. L. Adams, C. F. Sawyer, Isaac Elliott, W. L. Welch, S. L. Cable, W. D. Sawyer, J. G. Brooks, J. W. Crisp, G. W. Crisp, I. C. Brooks, W. T. Crisp, J. H. M. Crisp, R. H. Crisp, A, A. justice, W. M. Taylor, Z V. Gunter, John Gibson, W, I, McClure, J. E UG4; Morgan, A. j. Parris, W. B. Cole, E. C. Monteith, G. B. Payne and S. D. Payne. 1886— Armstrong Cornsilk, Jake Cheoah, Tar-que-tee, Lan-tah, L. L. Medlin, PI. B. Cook, Lewis Medlin, W. C. 2d organ, William Pruitt, G. W. Hooper, G. W. Orr, PI. P. Hyde, J. S. Smiley, J. M. Earls, H. A. Cunningham, L. L. Thomasson, J. Buchanan, M. DeHart, N. J. Hcward, John Gibson, John Lester, J. U. Whiteside, D. Whiteside, J. J. Bowers, A. Wiggins, J. R Bradshavv, James Proctor, J. H. Queen, J. A. Keenan, W. H. Clark, J. B. Beard, J. S. Woodard, J. W. Breed- love, D. Gutty, W. L. Proctor, D. E. Marcus, J. W. Bradsbaw, T. Y. Amnions, J L. Hogue, H. J. Hogue, W. B. Cole, A. J. Parris, E. C. Monteith, M. A. Crisp. W. D. Crisp, Bartley Orr, C. F. Sawyer, W. D. Sawyer, J. P. Panther, C. I. Calhoun, R. H. Crisp, W. II. Marcus, J. H. Sentell, I. C. Brooks, A. J. Willocks, T. S. Calhoun, J. S. Panther, A. A, Justice, B. W. Justice, W. P. Denton, G. B. Payne, J. C. Gun- t f r 1887— L. M. Medlin, H. M. Cook, J. C. Holloway, J. M. Earls, J. S. Smiley. J. A. Buchanan, L. L. Thomasson,. T. Jeffie Davis, S. B. Gib- son, J. P. Gibson, W. H. Davis, T. Buchanan, Charles Jenkins, N. F. Snider, J. A.Eranks, J. M. Welch, John Gibson, D. Whiteside, A. Wiggins J. R. Buchanan, J. A. Keenan, William Shuler, David Franklin, J. K. Clark, E. N. Bumgarner, A. W. Parris, T. D. Watson, S. G. Shuler, John Kimsey, J. S. Woodard, J. A. Ammons, J. C. Clampitt, J. T. Cunningham, J. M. Smiley, J. A. Cathey, W. D. Crisp, J. H. Sentell, Thomas Calhoun, A. A. Justice, W. P. Denton, W. H. Queen, H. K. Gass. 1888 — E. P. Gibson, Tah-quittee-hee, Jacob Cheer. L. M. Medlin, P. A. Cable, PL M. Cook, J. M. Medlin, M. M. Laney, L. Medlin, Wil- liam Pruitt, G, W. Hooper, J. J. Colvard, Samuel Jordan, J. M. Davis, W. M. Taylor, J, S. Hyde, T. J. Ammons, J. S. Smiley, J. M. Earls, H. A. Cunningham, M. DeHart, W. H. Davis, J. U. Whiteside, J. S. Gibby, S, B. Gibson, Henry Ramsey, G. H, Church, J. M. Welch, J. A. Franks, T. M. Crawford, J. S, Elmore. John Thomas, J. P. Panther, W. R. Monteith, John Hyde, C. I. Calhoun, T. J. Calhoun, John (165) Jenkins. James VVoodard, A. V. Calhoun, A. C. Hoffman, G. B. Payne, W. B. Cole, E. C. Monteith, J. M. Hyde, D. Whiteside, E. N. J. Whiteside, J. H. Queen, A. W. Parris, J. F. A. Keenan, J. A, Am- nions, T. N. Freeman, VV. H. Queen, H. K. Class, \lJen Beck, J. A, Cathey, S. Hogue, T. Y. Amnions, L). E. Marcus, H, Hog ue, J. Mar- cus, J. VV. Welch, M. A Crisp, D. A. Taylor, S. M. Edwards, A. H, Walker, L. C. Smith, J. C. Edwards, W. D. Crisp, W. M. Barnes, Win. Jenkins, F. M. Carringer, W. A. Marcus, 0. F. Sawyer, P. CV Brooks, S. L. Cable, W. J. Welch, R. PL Crisp, M.Rogers, J. W. Crisp, J. M. Crisp, A, J. Willocks, A. A. Justice, 8. T. Ramsey, J. R. Ander- son and J. L. Smith. 1889— J, M. Collins, A. L. McHan, J. R. Kimzey, T. D, Watson, A, P. Childers, AdamConseen, William Pruitt, J. M. Smiley, J. S. Smiley, T. S. DeHart, W. H. Davis, L» Frisbee, J. A. Buchanan, J. A, Franks, E. C. Monteith, J. C. Calhoun, D. S. Colley, A. Wiggins, J. H. Queen, J. B. Beard, A. W. Parris, H; K. Gass,J. S. Woodard' J, W. Breedlove, J. C. Clampett, J. P. Panther, J. P, Grant, L. M. Medlin, T. Y. Am- nions, W. D. Crisp, A. A, Justice, W. P. Denton, H J, Beck. J. M. Mathis, J. S. Conner, W. H. Queen, S. L. Beck, W, E. Queen, A, L. Adams, W. B. Gibson, D. K. Blanton, S, P. Harwood and J, W. Rog- ers. 1890^-G. L. Tabor, A. W. Wall, A. L. McHan, Andrew Orter, Adam Conseen, T, I). Watson, J. K. Kimsey, J. A, Childers, G> H, Church, J. M. Welch, J. A. Franks, J. S. Elmore, T. M. Crawford, M. J. Beek, Robert Moody, J. M. Da vis, T. J, Amnions, T. L„ Rogers J no. S. Smiley, J. M. Smiley, J. M. Earls, T. S. DeHart, H> A. Cun- ningham, W« L. Panther, J. P. Gibson, W» H. Davis, J. A. Buchanan, F. P. Hutchins, W. R. Monteith, John Gibson, B. F, Fowler, T. J. Calhoun, A. V. Calhoun, John Jenkins, I. B> Elliott, W. B. Cole, J, C. Monteith, A. C. Hoyle, John Lester, A. J. Monteith, E v C\ Mon- teith, T. W. Calhoun, P. A, J, B. Styles, J. C. Calhoun, D. Whiteside, W. S. Whiteside, A, Wiggins, I). S.. Colley, Joseph Colley, H, K. Gass, John Wiggins, W, H, Clark, J, H. Queen, H. J. Beck, W, H Queen, VV. E. Queen, J. H. Beck, I, V. Hooper, J. 8. Woodard, J. A. Amnions, J. C. Clampett, H. M. Dellart, T. L. Wikle, R. T. Cunning- ham, H. H. Hyde, J. P. Grant, G. W. Grant, C. M. Brendle, J. R. Edwards, Calvin Hunnicutt, L. M. Medlin, T. Y. Amnions, N. M. Pilkaton, J. M. Medlin, J. W. Welch, A. B. Thomas, M. A. Crisp, A. H. Walker, S. M. Edwards, J. R. Stratton, P. P. Harwood, Sen., J. P. Panther, I. C* Brooks, M. Rogers, John Crisp, A. J. Wiilocks, A. A. Justice, B. W. Justice, J. W. Justice, Joseph Morgan, H. C. Burnett, John Anderson. J. B. Fuller, A. J. Green, W. C. Hamrick and S. M. Evans. THE END. (167) ; : H vou want to stUl -A. House, Lot, ox xTaxxrv Place it with Times Land Agency, If you want to sell IXlira.^xa.1 ox Timber Lands, Place it with Times Land Agency. y6) We have correspondence with capitalists North, East, South and West, and will offer for sale, at legitimate prices, any property entrusted to us, R. H. PENDER, ) T T w. m. taylor! j Land Agency > Bryson City, N. C. (168; R. H. PENDER, Editor and Proprietor. A Weekly newspaper devoted to the interests of Bryson City, Swain County, and North Carolina. Democratic in politics. Fearless in advocating; the rights of the people. Strives to be unbiased, fair and just in all things. Published at Bryson City, N. C, where we have an el^ation of 1,750 feet above the sea. Bracing mountain air, purest water in the world. Unsurpassed Mineral and Timber resources. Within a day's ride, over steel rails, oi the principal cities of the State. A young manufacturing town of 600 inhabitants. Job printing, We have a first-class job printing outfit and will give prompt and careful attention to all orders, either in person or by mail We carry at all times a complete line of stationery at "bottom rock" prices; also job printing material and will print anything from a Postal Card- to a Newspaper, U H. PkndeRj Bryson City, N. C, ( 169) L. LEE MARR. J. H. DeHARL, IB1S13, S®lSmMS 9 Blip, AMI §SJkWJ»! FULL LINE GENTS* UNDERWEAR. READY-MADE CLOTHING Ladies and Gentlemen Shoes and Slippers and Foot wear in great variety, sold at close figures for cash. Plain and Fancy Groceries of the best quality. FREE DELIVERY, Orders from a distance mill receive proper attention. IBan? 2s BeHar*, Bryson (My, N. (J. When vou go there tell them you saw their "ad" in this book. (170) mmmm m > HjPlR.D"\x7jPlKE. hardware, TINWARE, IRONWARE, Guns, Pistols, Cartridges and jpLn-i ignition, SUGAR, COFFEE, MEAT. FLOUR, CANNED GOODS, Shoes, Slippers, Tobacco, Snuff, Doors, Sash and Grlass. HEa.me:ss, Bridles, Saddles and Le:atlne:r Goods J. H. Ditmore, Bryson Oity , 2XT. O. , (171) A. !¥l. Fry, K. i-'ewby, BRYSOjY city. .TV- G WATCHES, CLOCKS; Repairing of all kind promptly and neatly done. J. M. WELCH, Depot Comer, Bryson City, N. C. 172) V fc M < CO tn £ ► \- \- CO > * h- o C ! 1 c ' 1 £ 1 4 1 1 O n * ^ .. H O o > K 03 00 o p Q co" w o o o CO Q O O o o < a < X Q < o O H <3 5 o *^ O K CO o O Hi