Minutes of the Flint River Association,
Convened at Sardis Meeting
House, Pike County,
October 20, 21, 22 & 23, 1827
1.
The Introductory sermon was preached by brother John Blackston, according to appointment,
from 3d c. vi verse, Songs of Solomon. "Who is this that cometh out of the
wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh, frankincense, and all powders
of the merchant"... After sermon, business was opened by singing and prayer.
2. Read the letters from the churches and minuted their state.
The Association then proceeded to the election of moderator and clerk, when
brethren
Robert McGinty was elected moderator, and John Miller clerk.
3.
Brother John M. Gray was elected to preach the next introductory sermon, and in
case of failure, brother Jonathan Neil, and brother Jacob King was elected to write
the next circular letter.
4. Appointed the brethren, Mosely,
Milner, Blackstone and King, with the church at this place, to arrange the preaching
from day to day, during the
Association, who reported that the brethren,
Grenade, Callaway and Henderson were to preach in the order of their names on Sabbath
day.
5. Appointed the brethren Eden Taylor, Jonathan Neil and
John Hambrick to arrange the business to come before the Association.
6.
The Association adjourned until Monday morning 9 o'clock; closed by prayer.
7.
The brethren who were appointed to occupy the stand on the Sabbath day, (on account
of the inclemency of the weather) preached in the order of their names, in the meeting
house, to a crowded audience, while numbers attended without doors, anxious to hear
the word of life, other ministering brethren attended at four different places in
the neighborhood, and preached to and exhorted large and attentive congregations,
with much zeal and ability.
8. Monday morning -- The association
met according to adjournment, and opened by singing and prayer by the moderator.
9. Received and read the report of the committee appointed to
arrange the business to come before the association. Invited ministering brethren
to a
seat with us.
10. Called for letters of correspondence,
when a letter and minutes from the Yellow River Association was rec'd by their messengers,
the Rev. T. J. Hand and B. H. Wilson; a letter and minutes was received from the
Sarepta, by their messenger Travis Everett; from the Ocmulgee, a letter and minutes
by the Rev. brethren, Henderson, Callaway and Montgomery; from the Georgia, by their
messenger the Rev. brother Walker, with minutes of last year; letter from the Chattahoochie
by their messenger Abram Myres, who were invited to a seat with us.
11.
Called for letters from newly constituted churches, when the following churches
were received into this association by their delegates: Fellowship, Upson County;
Fellowship, Houston; Roe's Creek, Pike; Good Hope, Upson; Macon, Bibb; Salem, Fayette;
Mt. Olive, Pike; Sharon, Monroe.
12. Resolved, that we correspond
with our sister associations: the Georgia, to which the brethren John Milner and
Cooper go as messengers; to the Yellow river the brethren, Stamper, James Reaves
and John Keeth; to the Ocmulgee, the brethren Lowry and Wm. Henderson; to the Ebenezer,
the brethren Neil Gray and Bowden; to the Sarepta, the brethren Strickland and Orr;
to the Hepzibah, Neil, Blackstone and Cummings; to the Chattahoochie, brethren,
Gordon, King, John Reaves and Byars.
13. Appointed brother Austin
Ellis to write the corresponding letter.
14. General meetings
- 1st district, Friday before 2d Sunday in April, at Hunting Shoal; 2d district,
Friday before 1st Sunday in July, Flat creek,
Fayette; 3d district, Friday
before the last Sunday in June, Zebulon, Pike; 4th district, 5th Sunday in March,
at Union, Crawford county.
15. This day the ministering brethren,
Walker, Montgomery and Mosely, occupied the stand, in the order of their names,
with the most happy effect--the Lord was with both preachers and people.
16.
Tuesday--met according to adjournment and opened by singing and prayer.
17.
The Circular Letter was called for, read, amended and received.
18.
The corresponding letter was called for, read and received.
19.
Ordered, that the clerk superintend the printing and distribution of 2000 minutes,
and be allowed $25 for his services and that all charges be paid out of the Association
Fund.
20. Resolved, That we set apart the 4th day of July as
a day of thanksgiving for the churches of this association; and request other churches
to meet for that purpose.
21. Resolved, that Friday before the
last Sabbath in January and July be a day of Fasting, humiliation and prayer to
God to revive his work among us; and that the brethren meet in their churches and
abstain from nourishment on those days.
22. On motion made and
seconded -- that as this association has grown to a considerable extent, we recommend
the churches to consider ?? the propriety of forming a new one, and that it be attended
to at the next meeting of this body.
26. Quere -- What shall
be don3e with "members holding letters of final dismission and will not give
them up? We recommend that members holding letters of final dismission, be amenable
to the church in whose vicinity he may reside.
27. Resolved,
That our next Association be held at Shiloh, Washington Academy, Bibb county, on
Saturday before the third Sabbath in October, 1828.
Robert McGinty,
Moderator.
John Miller, Clerk.
State of The Churches.
Ordained Preacher's names - *, Licensed Preacher's names - **, Those marked
thus (***) were absent.
(Information below is from a table and
is listed in the following order:
Church, County, Names of Delegates,
Baptiz., Recei'd, Dism'd, Reso'd, Excom., Dead, Total, Meet'g Sunday, Money
1.
Indian Creek, Henry, George Lewis, Joshua Stephens, 1, 5, 6, -, 1, 2, 38, -, 1.50
2. Temao, Henry, Barnabas Strickland, Hugh Longino, 18, 5, 15, 1, 1, 3,
59, 3, 2.00
3. Flint River, Fayette, Robert M. Sims, Thomas Glenn,
10, 11, 1, -, -, -, 79, 3, 3.00
4. Whitewater, Fayette, James Head*, Gilbert
Gay, 12, 11, 5, -, 1, 1, 56, -, 1.75
5. Padanaram,
Henry, Wm. Mosely* (***), Elisha Rogers, 16, 10, 7, -, 2, 1, 59, 2, 3.00
6. Bethesda, Upson, Jeptha F. Walker, John Thomas, 22, 9, 9, 1, 1, -,
75, 4, 3.00
7. Sardis, Butts, James Reaves*, James Carter, 2, 4, 11, -,
2, -, 65, -, 1.50
8. Ramah, Henry, Thomas C. Russell,
Jacob Sykes, 32, 11, 7, -, 3, -, 66, 1, 2.00
9. Paron, Monroe,
John Morris, Moses White*, 3, 3, -, -, 1, 2, 38, 1, 1.75
10. Shiloh, Bibb,
Rene Fitzpatrick, Benjamin B. Lamar, 1, 6, 3, -, -, -, 29, -, 1.50
11.
Mt. Pleasant, Monroe, John W. Cooper*, Henry Greer, 8, 8, 9, -, 1, -, 63, - , 2.50
12. New Providence, Monroe, Rob't McGinty*, Eden Taylor*, 2, 2, 2, -,
1, 1, 51, 1, 1.62
13. Whatley's m h, Monroe, Thomas Bloodworth, Crede
Caldwell, -, 1, 2, 3, -, -, 26, 3, 1.50
14. Holy Grove, Monroe, William
Henderson**, John James, 1, 12, 24, -, -, 1, 53, 4, 2.00
15. Concord,
Jasper, Asa Edwards, James L. Burks, -, 6, 18, 2, 1, 1, 78, 4, 1.33
16.
Ebenezer, Upson, Zac'h Gordon*, Henry Bell, 5, 4, 16, -, -, -, 45, 2, 2.00
17.
Mount Paran, Crawford, John Blackston*, Wm. Bowden, 17, 15, 3, -, -, -, 84, -, 2.50
18. Antioch, Upson, Henry Garland, Leonard Sims, 6, 6, 4, -, -, 1, 38,
3, 1.50
19. Union, Crawford, Henry Dykes ***, Hiram Powell, 23, 9, 7,
-, -, -, 50, 3, 1.50
20. Hopeful, Fayette, Stephen Liles, Thomas H. Cliett,
7, 1, 2, 1, 1, -, 42, -, 1.00
21. Bethel, Butts, John Brown, John M. Mitchell,
8, 16, 6, -, 4, 1, 95, -, 3.00
22. Smyrna, Butts, John Reaves*, Leonard
Reese, 4, 5, 8, 1, 1, -, 58, -, 1.50
23. Macedonia, Butts, Samuel Leek,
Wm. Byars**, 3, 7, -, -, -, -, 18, -, 1.00
24. Mount Carmel, Crawford,
Ephraim Whittington, John Williams, 12, 12, -, -, - , -, 30, 3, 1.50
25.
Mount Pisgah, Monroe, Gray Cummings, Jona Neel*, 4, 5, 9, -, 1, -, 54, -, 2.00
26. Flat Creek, Fayette, John T. Davis, Samuel Persons, James Pelham,
9, 17, 2, -, -, -, 30, 1, 1.00
27. Flat Rock, Pike, Enoch Ember, Bluford
Groce, 1, 11, 3, -, -, -, 31, -, 1.50
28. Deep Creek, Fayette, Absalom
Tranthram, Matthias Turner***, -, 4, 7, -, -, 1, 26, -, 1.00
29. Phillippi, Henry, Barney Kinard, Ephraim Cox, 2,
3, 3, -, 2, 1, 20, -, 1.50
30. Bulah, Pike, Levi Martin, Israel
Martin, 1, 2, 5, -, -, -, 23, 3, 1.50
31. Armagideon, Pike, Andrew Battle,
Wm. V. White***, 6, 7, 11, -, -, -, 32, 1, 1.50
32. Zebulon, Pike, Sion
R. Ballard, Spencer Stamper**, 1, 9, 11, -, -, -, 31, - , 1.50
33. Towaliga,
Butts, Hugh Hammell, Sam'l Bellah, 2, 5, 1, -, 1, -, 32, 4, 1.00
34. Hunting
Shoal, Monroe, John Keith**, Meshac Lowly*, 11, 25, 2, -, -, 2, 64, 2, 2.50
35.
Forsyth, Monroe, Pitt Milner*, John Miller, 6, 7, 11, -, 2, -, 72, 1, 2.00
36.
Rocky Creek, Monroe, Jos. Chipman*, John M. Gray*, -, 3, 5, -, -, -, 49, 4, 2.00
37. New Hope, Upson, John Hambrick*, Thomas Johnson, 15, 7, 3, -, 1, -,
50, -, 2.00
38. Sardis, Pike, John Milner*, Henry L. Jones, 8, 16, 1,
-, 2, -, 68, 2, 2.50
39. Bethlehem, Upson, Jacob King*, No letter, -,
-, -, -, -, -, -, -, 2.50
40. Sandy Creek, Butts, Stephen Baily, 2, 4,
3, 1, -, -, 48, 3, 3.00
41. Fellowship, Upson, Allen J. Sims, James Birdson,
23, 9, -, -, 1, -, 43, 2, 1.50
42. Fellowship, Houston, Allanson Culpepper,
John Gilbert, 1, 1, -, -, -, -, 13, -, 1.00
43. Roes Creek, Pike, Daniel
Orr, Matthew Orr, 22, 8, -, -, -, -, 42, -, 1.00
44. Good Hope, Upson,
Mathew Calwell, Jesse Newby, 4, 10, -, -, -, -, 25, 4, 1.00
45. Macon,
Bibb, B. B. Buchanan*, Austin Ellis, 9, 11, -, -, -, -, 23, 1, 1.50
46.
Salem, Fayette, J. F. Tharp, Jacob Mercer, 21, 12, -, -, -, -, 44, -, 1.50
47. Mount Olive, Pike, James C. Holmes, Rigdon Heath, 3, 3, -,
-, 1, -, 16, -, 1.00
48. Sharon, Monroe, Philemon Lacy, Benjamin Story,
-, -, -, -, -, -, 13, -, 1.00
Circular.
The Flint
River Baptist Association, to the several Churches composing the same, send greeting.
Dearly beloved Brethren--Through the mercy of an all wise Providence,
the time has again rolled round, for us to comply with the duty of love and Christian
regard we owe to you. In compliance therefore, we deem it necessary to address you
from some subject, that may be calculated to benefit you, by assisting you while
on your journey through this vale of tears. And we know of none that is better calculated,
than the wisdom of God, our relationship to him as his creatures; and the particular
requisition he has made of us as creatures under obligation to obey.
1st.
The wisdom of God. God is represented in his word as being a source of infinite
wisdom. Prov. VIII and 22d verse. The Lord possest me in the beginning of his way,
before his works of old. Acts XV, 88th, known unto God are all his works from the
beginning of the world. 2d Peter, 3d and 8th, but beloved be not ignorant of this
one things, that one day is, with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years
as one day, -- and in many other places in the sacred volume he is spoken of as
a God of infinite wisdom: and it is equally certain that the human family was created
by him, and stand related to him as creatures, and not as his son; and of course
are under obligations to obey any requisition which he in wisdom thought proper
to make. For it is impossible for such wisdom to mistake, or to make a requisition
that was not advantageous for us to obey: and in one of the ten commandments we
find the following words, viz. thou shalt not covet. There is no doubt that the
wisdom of God saw that the enemy of the redeemer would endeavor to implant in the
heart of the human family the same principle for which he was hurled from the upper
world of light and glory. Therefore as a just God and Sovereign he tells our parents
and us also that we should not desire any thing unless it be upon the strictest
principles of justice. But alas, it appears that the enemy infused his miserable
principle into our old mother's breast, and induced her to believe a lie, and to
try to become as Gods, and by those means it has found its way into the hearts of
all her offspring, and spread its baneful effects over universal nature. But notwithstanding
all this, the law like its giver, stands the same; unchangeable; and whether we
as men and women, in a religious
or irreligious state are disposed to
comply or not, the law remains the same; and curses the offender for covetting,
as well as for killing: and it is this
principle in opposition to God
that is causing so many of our daughters to fall out with the shapes that an all
wise God has given them; and to set about the work of altering them, by roping themselves
in whalebone and white oak; -- which, like the project of their old mother, is fast
tending to the most fatal effects; by producing lingering diseases, destroying the
sweetness of temper, impairing the mind, disqualifying them for society, and in
a word, as in the first case, producing death: and as it were, hurrying their immortal
souls to an awful hell. It is this principle that causes our sons often in imitation
of men called great, in order to become great too, to betake themselves to the intoxicating
bowl, to the gambling rooms, and ultimately to the chambers of death, perhaps in
the most ignominious way. O youth! remember, the fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom; and to be great is to be wise and not covet. It is covetousness, and
not appetite that produces appetite in thousands of our fellow men for the inflammatory
liquor that ultimately causes them to become a pest to society, a nuisance to their
family, friends and connexions, which subjects them to every vice, and ultimately
brings them to want and disgrace; and in some degree to become the murderers of
themselves and relatives. It is
this principle in opposition to God's
law that has caused many a son of Adam to take unjustly his neighbor's property;
defile his bed; debauch his daughter and take his life, either for his rightful
property, or in a duel, under the false name of bravery or a mistaken notion of
honor; for we know there is neither bravery nor honor in the violation of a just
and righteous requisition; and more especially, where that requisition is from an
all wise God, the creator of heaven and earth. We might go on to enumerate the fatal
consequences of disobeying God's requisition, but we flatter ourselves enough has
been said already, to exhibit the deformity of that brat of hell; and more especially,
when we recollect, that we are addressing the followers of the Redeemer; and for
a man or woman to be a Christian, he or she must be reconciled to God, and of course
to his law: and from this consideration, we might conclude that not one of the church
of Christ would suffer himself to be justly charged with a non-compliance with its
requisition, which is so much spoken against in the word of God as you may see Exodus
XVIII, 21st, v. Prov. XXVIII, 16, Isaiah, LVII, 27, Jeremiah VI, 13, Luke XII, 13(?),
Ephes. v. 3(?), Col. III, 5, Heb. XIII, 5th, II Peter, 2d, 3d, Mic. II, 2, 1st Cor.
XIV, 39, Acts XX, 33, 1st
Tim. VI. 10, Prov. XXIst, 26, Heb. II, 9, Ps.X,
5, Luke XVI, 14, 1st Cor. v, 11, VI, 10. But alas! we fear, that many, even Christian,
as well as nominal professors are to be found indulging this passion, notwithstanding
they are told to set their affections on things above, and not on things below.
How often on the day of conference do we learn with pain that some of the brethren
have omitted the assembling themselves together, because they had to attend to some
of their domestic concerns, which, perhaps, were of a trifling nature. We sometimes
see others whom God has blessed with no small share of the things of this world,
(which brings them under obligations to comply with the requisition which says, "as
you would that men should do to you, do ye also to them,") reading to find
a lot of land that lies near Mr. or brother A. or B. and when found, away to the
owner, -- not that they wish to cultivate it, or to accommodate their neighbor,
whom God has commanded them to love as they do themselves; but because they wish
to make fifty or one hundred dollars off of him, thereby oppressing him, and taking
from his family their faithful earnings, to gratify a covetous nature. But like
Adam, to excuse himself, he will say, if I had not done it, somebody would. Because
others swear, must we
do so too? Brother C. has got a horse, and he is
very anxious to raise some colts; he is pushing about to get a mare; he accomplishes
his design and now wants a horse for the waggon: and if his creature has got a bad
eye or some defect or quality that would injure his valuation should it be discovered,
he supposes he commits no crime when he trades said horse to his neighbor for one
that will better answer his purpose; although he has kept the defects of his horse
concealed from the knowledge of his neighbor. Oh brethren, these things should not
be practiced among you. Nor are these all the symptoms of covetousness; for God
certainly does not send his judgements upon the earth for the purpose of giving
a chance for his creatures to bear the necessities of each other, but for their
wickedness; and yet brother D. will ask under such circumstances one dollar per
bushel for corn, when if the Lord had sent seasons, he would take fifty cents, his
debts notwithstanding. Say any thing to him about it and he will tell you, he that
does not provide for them of his own house, has denied the faith and its worse than
an infidel: when at the same time, his house is provided with an abundance; and
notwithstanding the purchaser might be a friend and neighbor, a poor man withal,
and with a large family to maintain, having none to help him, and must give him
his price: and though you tell him that the law and the prophets says, "as
you would that men should do unto you, do ye also unto them." He will tell
you a long tale about what he has had to give--that a man has a right to get as
much as he can for his produce--and that he would be willing to give that and more
too rather than suffer--that any thing is worth whatever it will bring--that he
wants his money back--what he had to give when he came to this country. Excellent
accountant! turn every thing to your advantage. If thy neighbor steals, wilt thou
do so too? Shall the innocent suffer for the guilty at the hands of a man called
a Christian? O: brethren Jesus says, "if thy enemy hunger, feed him; and if
he thirst give him drink:" and in as much as ye did it unto one of the least
of these men brethren, ye did it unto me." -- Brother E. is a very steady fine
man; but if there is a house to build to worship God in, he has bought a negro,
or built himself a house; and it has so completely taken his change that he cannot
help much. But if Mr. Unfortunate's land that joins him should be sold on the next
sheriff sale day, he will muster up enough to buy that, instead of lending him the
money to redeem it. As to his wife and children, they must do the best they can.
And yet perhaps he scorns the idea of covetousness as much as any member in the
church. Oh! brethren, remember that God will hear the cries of the distressed; and
has said, vengeance is mine, and I will repay saith the Lord. And if they children
forsake my law, &c. I will visit their transgressions with the rod, and their
iniquities with stripes; and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God. Nor are these all the symptoms of that miserable and unlawful passion;
for we recollect not long since that brother Deacon presented a subscription to
raise funds in order to support the gospel, and urged the necessity of contributing
from the following considerations: that their minister was a poor man and had a
large family to support; and that more than half his time was spent in attending
churches and preaching the gospel; and that he had not a moment to spend in reading,
to improve his mind, that it might thereby be more fraught with those things that
are calculated to benefit him and his congregations: and that the redeemer sent
the disciples to loose the colt or which he intended to ride; that the
labourer is worthy of his hire; that you shall not muzzle the ox that treadeth out
the corn, &c. Brother F. sat with his head hung down; but conference being over
and on his way home, brother F.broke silence. Well brother G. what do you think
of this way of having subscriptions for the support of the gospel? Said G. I think
it is well enough: for I fear that many of the brethren think too little with respect
to that duty. Ah! said F, I am as willing to support the gospel as any one, but
I have made a promise against signing; but when I get something to spare, I can
hand it to him: and I think that charity begins at home. Neither do I like the idea
of giving a preacher so much. 'Twill spoil him. I want a man that is obliged to
preach any how. Said G. ah! my brother, you ought to know that the family of our
minister feels as near to him as ours to us; and God has said, that certain people
should experience a famine, not for the want of bread or water, but for the want
of hearing of the word; and I fear that we shall experience that famine. Brothers
H. and I. it appears, were clear of that besetting sin, which seems to have gotten
such a seat in the hearts of the human family. Indeed, this is almost all the sin
in which professors can indulge themselves and retain an honorable standing in the
church. And we would not venture to say that it is so, because it is a better sin
than others, for which hundreds have been excluded; for it certainly is the mother
sin of all the rest: and it is only because it is so congenial with our natures--because
it goes unpunished--and because we so often hear all the powers of oratory used
in defence of its cause:and good were it for some of
those if it could
not be found in them: but alas! we fear it is deeply rooted in their hearts: for
although they are very liberal to the missionary cause,
in building meeting
houses, and supporting the gospel, & c. yet if you will visit their houses and
plantations, you will see H's servants almost naked,
while their skins
appear of an ash colour; indicating that they have not eaten an ounce of meat in
the course of months; notwithstanding they are told to give to them, that which
is equal and just. As for I, you will see him busily employed in calculating interest
at unlawful per cent which he is about to retain out of the amount that his poor
distressed neighbor wishes to get, in order to get his wife and children from being
turned out of doors. I. tells his neighbor that he will let him have it at the moderate
rate of 25 per cent. By taking out and retaining the interest, it will amount to
something like 31 per cent: and if at 16, to about 25 per cent. Oh! my brethren,
is this the way to do justice, and to love our neighbor as ourselves? and is it
not certain, that if we were in their situation, we would much rather get it at
8 percent? and is it not going contrary to the direction of an inspired man of God? "Be
subject to the higher powers:" and is it not setting an example for others
to disobey the laws of their country? And has not David made the enquiry for the
man that should abide in thy tabernacle, who shall dwell in thy holy hill? and answered,
he that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taken reward against the innocent,
he that doeth these things shall never be moved, Ps. XV, 5. We are told to give
no occasion to the adversary; and is it not the fact that we are reproached on that
ground? We certainly know that it offends our brethren, and of course the redeemer:
and he has said it were better for that man, that a mill stone was hanged around
his neck, and cast into the sea, than to offend one of these little ones: and the
apostle says if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no more meat while the
world standeth. And if this be an offence which it certainly is; does it not cause
or lead our brethren in the same practice? are we not called the salt of the earth?
and has not the world
in a legislative capacity said, that is justice
3 per cent was enough? Now my brethren, if we act worse, or as bad as the world,
wherewith shall it be
salted? O! unfortunate brother, you may employ all
your oratory in defence of your cause, but the word of God is against you; and it
will appear a violation of God's law at last; and in vain may you say, brother let
me pick out the mote out of thine eye, while the beam remains in thy own. And as
for some of the liberal brethren it might seem that they are surely free from this
besetting passion. Why? because they are doing all they can to get a Theological
Seminary erected for the purpose of educating the poor, young and illiterate minister
of the gospel. They tell us this is necessary. Why? because other denominations
have their Seminaries,and we shall be under par, and not able to plead our cause
against error. Notwithstanding there is no precedent of this kind in the gospel
of Christ, yet like Israel, we must have a king, to be like the other nations of
the earth. And beside all this, they say, at this Seminary, every child may enjoy
the advantage of education. Now we believe it is not because they are unable to
effect this themselves that they tell you so; but because they are wealthy, and
unwilling to part with their wealth; and wish you that are poor to help them. After
all, it will be impossible for your children to enjoy the benefits, because you
have not the means to support them in such a course. Theirs, that are already rich,
will enjoy directly, if not exclusively, all the benefits. And for a further proof
that they are in possession of this passion, it will only be necessary for you to
look around them; where you may see, hundreds of unfortunate widows and orphans,
and not one word is said about them; unless God should be pleased to call one of
them to the ministry. We do believe while things go on in this way, they strain
at a gnat and swallow a camel. We might say much more here, but lest we leave out
a more important part of the subject, we proceed.
Surely, says
one, if any people are clear of this evil it must be the minister. Ah! we wish it
was so; but we fear it will not be found to be the
case; for when we see
a man so very anxious for ordination, without much thought of the importance of
the work -- of the care of churches -- and whether they are qualified for that important
work or not, we are made to fear they covet a great name. And when we hear others
complaining because they were not appointed to preach on certain days, we fear they
wish to be though, or called great; notwithstanding the Redeemer has said, he that
is least amongst you shall be greatest. And when we hear them complain of their
small compensation, we are made to fear sometimes, that they love money too well
notwithstanding they are not be greedy of filthy lucre-- 1st Tim. 3, 3d. Again,
when we see one, instead of laboring with his own hands, if necessary, endeavoring
to adopt some rules that will almost compel people to contribute notwithstanding,
the Lord requires duly, a free-will offering; and said to Moses, "He that can
give freely with his heart, &c. and every man according as he purposeth in his
heart; so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful
giver--2d Cor. 9. vii. When we see a minister act thus, we are really made to fear,
that he goes for the fleece and not for the flock, and that the 34th of Ezekiel
will well apply to him. Now my brethren, I beseech you in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you endeavor to comply with the command of God, and live free, if possible
from that most besetting sin, being well
assured that our station is an
important one, that our children are looking to us for an example with their natures
inclined to depart from the transgression of God's holy law, it will be consistent
with their nature, and oh! where will they stop? Let us reprove, rebuke, exhort,
and so much the more, as we see the day approaching, not only our children, but
our neighbors, and one another -- to provoke one another to love and to good works.
Finally, brethren, farewell - - be perfect -- be of good comfort, be of one mind,
live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Let
charity and perfect love,
In all our actions glow,
Then faith
and hope shall soar above,
And more of Jesus know.
Robert
McGinty, Moderator.
John Miller, Clerk.
The
Flint River Association convened at Sardis, Pike county, on the 20th Oct. to the
sister Associations with whom she corresponds, sendeth Christian salutation.
Dear
Brethren -- The present year presents an epoch in our ecclesiastical history, which
affords abundant reason for rejoicing to the friends of the
Mesiah's kingdom.
From many sections of our state, and more particularly from several of the Associations
with whom we correspond, we have pleasing intelligence and it is with no small degree
of joy, mingled with gratitude, that we, in turn, inform you that God is blessing
and carrying on his work in this quarter of his vineyard, in a very wonderful degree.
During the present session of this body, not withstanding the inclemency of the
weather on the Sabbath, the congregation has been large, and hun????? and delightful.
The churches composing this body are pretty generally re????? and several newly
constituted ones added. During our deliberations, ??? ???? been regarded, order
preserved, and we bless God, that unanimity ?????? We have nothing more of a special
nature to add, only we af-?????? ???? a continuation of your brotherly correspondence,
and beg you will ??? ???? of our Christian regard. We remain yours in the best of
bonds,
Robert McGinty.
John Miller Clerk.
Received
of John Miller $33 for printing 2000 of these minutes.
Rose & Slade,
(Messenger Office.)
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