.
;t J#ILlvlf7'PS ... · . .
()J
tAe Annval Su~iMofJ/Ie Baptist Elkhorn .llssociat~on,lte,ta
iLi; . • G1'elJt Crouings, Scott county. Ky. com11tencing on Saturday. ·th6 l3tll day of .9ugust, 1831. . . Elder EP•UlQ) ALLD, commencing al 11 o'clock, after smgmg anJ p er, delivered p lotrocluctory diRcourse from the Acts of the Apos-
tles 1. chapter and 29, : 0, 81 verses.
eably to established rule, tbe lloderator of the last session, cal- W ~ U&ociation to order, aod the Clerk for la~t session, proceeded
ntad the letters, and e11ro.l the names .of the .Ucsseogers from the 81 composing the association, as follow's:
2
.
;!F
1 f 2 G 2 . 112
!1 4 1)'
-·
ll :1,471 2 l:?l !'J:?47
t- 1145
p 2 156
1 5
I
79 11 2
61~? 1 1
25
i 121 21114 I' 1 6 ;'0461
the association adjourned to the l\feeting-hou~e and proceded, by private ballot, to tbe election of Moderator and Clerk; whereupon brother Wm. Suggett was chosen Moderator, and brother Uriel B.
Chambers, Clerk.
Letters from corresponding associations were called for, received and ,·ead, and their Messengers' names enrolled as follows:
From Bmclcen. The minutes of last session of this a~sociation, in place of a letter, were received-messengers, H. Roberts,"'· J. S.
Morris,,.,.. Wm. Vaughan and Walter Warder.
Tates Creek. The minutes of the last ses~ion of this association, were receivetl, in place of a letter-messengers, C. Gentry/ Petet Tribble,,.,.. George Herndon, S. Parks, W. Chenault,,.,.. Thomas Jer- man, Jr. Samuel Kennedy, John Todd, and Joseph Miller.
Franklin. S. l\1. Noel, John Taylor, A. Cook, T. Wilhoit,"' John S. Major, and Ben. Taylor.
Salem. ~ Chambers,,.,..-letter received by mail.
South Distri~t, No letter nur messenger.
Long Rw~. Benjamin Allen,,.,.. Benjamin Dawson,,.,.. Jos. Kelly,..,.
John Corbin,,.,.. Geo. Waller,*' G. Bridges and J. Hulsey ...
Boons Creek. John Henry, J. Vallandinglmm/ A. Bush,* R. Evans and B. P. Evans.*"
Licking. The minutes of last session of this association were re- ceived in place of a letter-mt>ssengers, T. P. Dudley, Wm. Rash,:¥
n.
T. Dillard, H. C. Payne, Wm. Wigginton, J. True, W.l\I. Fer- guson, and Lewis Corbin.*North Bend. Cave Johnson and Robt. Kirtley.
Union. Minor Wino,"" Tho. Waggoner and John Deane ...
Concord. Joel Herndon, Cyrus Wingate,"lf- Archibald Smith, T. Rees,* and Jas· Roberts.
Baptist. John G. Martin, R. D. Shipp, and Charles Barnes.
Snlplter Forie. W. Alexander, J. H. Oliver/ A. Bohannon,"lf- Pe·
ter 01iver.11-
Noth District. John Williams, Reuben l\1'DanieJ,>'~- and Lewis _Ford.*'
Brethren Geo. Blackburn, and John Bryce, with the l\Iorlerator and Clerk, were appointed a committee to arrange the 4usiness of the associatiOn, and report on Monday next.
Brethren Mason Smgleton, Asa Thomson, Francis Seig, Robert Read, John I. Johnson, and J. W. Holloways were appointed a com·
mittee to write letters to corresponding associations, and report on .Monday next.
Six !llinisters, by private ballot, were appointed to preach on Sun·
day; three at the stand and three at the meeting-house to wit:-- Samuel W .. L~nd, of Cincinnn.ti, Jonathan Going, of Bo~ton, J. 1\f.
Peck. of Jlhn01s, James Suggett, of Misilouri, \Valter Warder and
'~'m. Vnnghan, ofMason county, Ky.
The Circular Letter, pr·epared by Elder James D. Black was
~lied for, and read; and on motion it was committed to a com:nitee
3
,lfbretlJren, Edmond .Waller, Jas. B. Smith, and Jas. D. Black,--fol' revision, who were d•recied to report on l\londay next.
Adjourned till Monday morning 9 o'clock.
SUHD.!I.r,
Th~ brethren ~ppointed for the purpose, preached to large as-
~emblles of attentive hearers, except Elder James Su!!;"'elt, who be~.
ing indisposed, elder R. T. Dillard.
~upplied
his place; he being next highest on the list of ballotting. Drethren, Going, Lynd, and Dil- lard, preached at the stand; and brethren, Vaughan Warder andPeck, at the Meetinghouse. ' '
The associatio~ met according to adjournment, and the business of the day was opened by singing and prayer offered by brother R.
T. Dillard. '
The Clerk proceedP.il to call the names of messengers from the ehurches, composing the association, and from corresponding asso- ciations, noting the absentees.
The report of the committee of arrangment was called for, read and unanimou~ly adopted by the association.
The committee to whom was committed the circular letter for revision, which was presented on Saturday, reported the same with•
tut amendment, and it was unanimously adopted by the association.
The committee appointed at the last session to confer with tlw church at S. Elkhorn relative to certain charges ag·ainst her as set forth in our last minutes, reported their proceedings, and after ma~
ture consideration, the association decided as follows:
Bein!r satistied, that the chnrch at S. Elkhorn has departed from the doctrine and practice of this association; and further, that they countenance persons profe,sing to be ministers of Chri~t, who ha\e proclaimed open war with our constitution, and who have hereto- fore been exclnded from our correspondence for heresy, we ffel
~urselves called upon in the perpetuation of good order, to drop saiJ church from our correspondence.
Brother Jas. B. Smith was appointed to write the circular letter for the association at her next session, and to report at that tirne .
. Next session of the a•sociation to be held at Big Spring in Wovd- forl! county, on the second Saturday in August I 832.
Brother Jas. B. Smith, and in case offailure, brother John Bryce, Was appointed to preach the introductory sermon for the association, at her next session.
Letters to corresponclin"' a•socmtions were called for, and read, anr] messengers appointed to bear them as follows: "' •
t, Bracken .. To be held at IIT~tyslick meeting-house in Mason coun-
D'
on the first Saturday in September, 1831. Messengers, J as. E Until, Jos. Chinn, Sr. and Jas. B. Smith..county, on the fourth Saturday in August 1031. l\1es;enger, l\Ia~on
Singleton
Franklin. To be held at Buck Run meeting-hou~e, on the third Friday in September 1831. Mes•engers, \Vm. Suggett, Uriel B_
Chambers, Jas. E. Duvall, George Blackhurn. Jnu. I. Joho:son, Jno.
Lancaster, Jas. B. Smith, Ja~. S•1ggett. S. True, and Gabnel Lung. ' Salem. To bt> held at Gilead mecting--hou~e. in JlaHJin conniy, on the Friday beli>re the 1st L01d'8 day in October ;831. No mes- senger.
South District. To be helrl at Hillsborough meeting-house in
Wa~hington county, on the Friday before the third Saturday in Au-
gu~t .831. 1\ies~enger, R. Read.
Long Rnn. To be belrl at 13ethel mePt ing-hou~e, Shelby county, on the first Friday in September 1831. 1\Ie:-.enger, Geo. fl\acklmrn . . Boons Creek. To be helrl at Bogg·s Fork, Fa) ette county, on the second Saturday in September 1!'31.
Licking. To be held at Poplar Grove merting hou~e, Bath coun- ty, on the second Saturday in September 1831. Mesoengers, S.
True, John Bryce, and Uriel B. Chamber~.
North Bend. To be held at Sand Hnn meetiug-hou~e, Boone coun- ty, on the third Friday in August 1831. l\1e•senger, Jas. Suggett.
Union. To be helcl at the forks of Licking, Pendleton county, on the fourth Friday in September 1831. Mes•enger~. James E. Du- vall, Robt. Head, A. Shro~pshire, J•1hn Bryce, and John I. John~on.
Conco1·d. To be helci at White's Hun, Gallatin county, on the 4th Friday in August 1831. Messengers, Hobert Read and George Blackhurn.
Baptist. To be held at Goshen meeting--house, in Andt>rson coun·
ty, on the Friday before the first Saturday in August 1832. Mes- sengers, John Lancaster, John Bryce and Geo. Blackburn.
Sulplrer Fork. To be helrl at Rock LicJ,, Hrnry county, on the fourth Friday in September 1831. No messenger.
North District. To be held at New Providence, Clarke county, on the fourth Saturday m July 1832. Messengers, John Bryce, George Blackburn.
The association then adopted the following re~olution:
R~solvcd, in future, in con~eqnencE' of members of this bocly ab- sentmg themselves, without leave. before the business of the as~oci
ation closes, that at the close of busines~, the roll be called, and those who ha\'e ab~ented themselves, without leave, be noted on the minutes as having- thus absented them~clves.
!3r?ther U r!el _R. Chambers w.,s nppointerl to superintend the pnntmg and d1str1bution of the minutes, a11d to receive contributions to rlefray th~ e~pense of the same. (See contributions, page 8.)
The aSS?Ciatr~n then, after an interchane-e of hands or fellowship, accompamcd _w1th tears of affection, while singing a couple of an thems of pra1se to God, followed by prnver, adjourned.
URJELB. CH.1JifBERS, Cl'k. WlLLJ,,l,ll SLOOE7'T, .1i.od'r.
5
CIRCl!L.JlR LETTER.
To the C.'tw·ches and B1·eth1·en composing the Elkh01·n Jlssocicttion.
DE~RLY BELOVED BRETHREN-
•· A custom of long standing amoug baptists, will naturally lead
011 to expect, that a Circular letter will be annexed to our minutes.
by
pentsing the minutes, you will be sufficiently advised of the state of the churches; and of the business transacted while in session. V·.' e do not intend to enter into doctrinal discussions in this letter; for we be- lieve, in the general, we are sounder in doctrine, than in practice.We address you dear brethren, as believers in Jesns Christ; as those who have outained like precious faith with us; as those.t!Jat are "bot·u, not of blood, nor of the will of tlte flesh, nor of tLe will of man, but of God," .lohn 1. 13. Again 1 Peter r. 2:l. "Being born again, not of cor- ruptible seed; but ofincorhtptible by the word of God which liveth all(}
abidcth forever." \Ve :uldress yon as those who haYe been "created jo CJ,rist Jesus unto ~tood works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph. u. 1(\. First, \'Ve call the attention of our ministering brethren to a few things, as follows: You are pro- fessedly the ministers of Jesus Christ, and as such. we address you.- ln the language of an Apostle we say, "Take lteed therefore unto your- selves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the chu!·ch of God, which he IJUth purchased with his own blood" Acts xx. 28. The same Apostle, in the forcmen- tioned chapter hath said, "l kept back nothing that was profitable unto you; but have shewed you, and have taught yon publicly, and from house, to lwuse; testifying both to tbe Jews, and also to the Greel>s, repentance toward God, and faith toward onr Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to Timothy in the following manner; "Not to give heed to fal>les, aod endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than Godly edifying, which is in faith so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, of faith un- feigned: from which some having swerved, have turned aside nnto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of tiJe law: understanding neitl.cr what they say, nor w!Jereof they affirm." Tim. I. 4, fi, 6, 7. Again,
"A bishop," (which is only anotltcr title for preacher, or teacbcr,)
"must be blameless, tl1e husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to tcaclt; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of lilthy lucre, but patient; not a brawler, not eo- vetnous; one tlmt ruleth well his own house, having his children in sub- jection with all gravity; (for if a man !mow not ltow to rule !tis own
house, how shall he take care of the church of God!) !\ ot a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of Ute Devil. Moreover, he must ltave a good report of them who are with- out; lest he fall into reproach and snare of the Deril." 1 Tim. HI. 2, :~.
4, _5, 6, & 7. Paul exhorts Timothy as follows in t],~ 4th chap. of tJ,j~
epibtlc; "Give attendance to reading, to exhortatwn, to doctrine."
He eA.horts him to ml)ditate upon these things; to give himself wholly to them; that his profiting may appear to all. After many other lessons, We have the follon·ing in the 6th chap. "If any man teach otherwise, an0 d consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord J csus
,, . t" ( .
1
C
,Jr~s - Jlark the expression; even the word~ of our .ord Jc>u~hnsl,) "and to the doctrine which is accorJrng to gouliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but dotwg abuut questions, ~ud strifes of '~~'or<l•, wlH'rcnf cometh onYT, strife, railings, evil sHrn•iswo·s, pencr•<-
6
ili~•mting~ of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, &Uppa' sin:,. tl1at gain is o-odLincss; fmm such withdraw thyself." And so clo- ses "the cp:>tlc in tlw followin_g _manner: "0 Tunotl•y, lre~p u,at w!Jich is committee! t•J thy trust, a-voJdwg profane and vau1 babbllngs, and op- Jlt'Sitions of scicn«?e f~!scJ:r_so called; which some profc~sing have .erred Cu'1ccrainn-tl.e faJth. '" e find lessons, and exLortatwns of a sJnular cuaracter "interspersed throughout Paul'~ second epistle to Timothy • a few of which we shall l.erc recite without refer-ring to chaptct·, antl verse. "Thou therefore" said Paul, "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesns Ul:ri>t." "1\o man that warcth entangleth him~clf with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."-"_\nd if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowu- ed; uillesq l.c striYe lawfully." 'l'he hns.,andman that lahoreth, Houst first he partaker of the fruits. Here we leat'n, that no man can be a miciqter of .le&us Cl,rist, until be is born aga.in; or is maJc a partaker of the frnits; which arc love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, gootlness, faith &c. 'Vithout tLe above qualifiCations, he would be like a blind mall seeking herbs to make a drink for U1e sicl{, wl1o would as Jikelv lay hold on tlJe hemlock, as the balm. Om· Apostle continues on with J is advice to Timothy; "Of these things put them in remem- hranec, chargiug them before the Lor·d, that they strive not about words to no profit; but to the subverting _of the hearers." "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that neeedeth not to be tt<hamed, rigLtly dividing the woril oftrutJ.. Bntsbun pr·ofanc and vain bah•tlings: fort hey will increase unto more ungodliness." Again, "But foolish and unleat·ned questions a\·oid, knowing that they do gender strife: and the servant of the Lonl must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that op- pose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of wloom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy l:lcriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, throngh faith, that is in Christ .Jesus." "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus CJ.rist, who shall Judge the quick, and the dead, at his appearing, and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; repro\'e, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering, and docll'ine. For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teach- ers having itching cars; and they shall turn away their ears from the trnth, and shall be turned unto fables.-Dear brethren, is it not a fact, much to he bmented, that with many now in the world fables are preferred to the awful, solemn tmth of heaven's King. The word of God informs us, that "\Vbosoever d1vells in love, dwells in God, and G-od io him." And again, "Know yo not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of Go~ ?\yelleth in_ you1'' Trusting then, (]car brethren, that we have the Sptnt of God m our hearts; let us rea:i the word of God more, and the works of men less; then under the Di- vine iniluence, beiug girt about with the panoply of heaven; we shall be able to. centend earnestly, and to purpose too, for that faith wl.ic!J was once delivered to the saints.-~r e now take t!Je libCJ·fy, of exbor- tiug onr brethren and sisters, one and all, as follmn, that "The aged men he sober, grave, temperate sound in faith, in ci.arity, in patieuce;
the aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holi- ness; not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good-
tlrings; that they lnay teach. the. young wome~ to be sober, to lo'c their husbands, to love their clnldren, to be dJscrcet, cl.aste. keep- ers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, tilat lbe wm·d of God be not blasphemed." Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded; likewise servants, that they be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all tbiw,.s; not answering a"'ain; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God nur ~aviour in all things. ". e also exhort y~m, who are the Leads of. f~rnilies, that you bring your chil- dren up, In the nurture and aurnomtwn of the Lord; read the Scrip- tures to them, give them good advice, surrounJ the family altar with them; for it is a shame to see bow many families there are amongst us, who are entire strangers to family prayer, and some too, who justify themselves by saying, that God has not commanded us to pray in our families. .Brethren, these things ought not so to be. It is also painful and mortifying, to sec the great neglect on the part of members, in attending their stated meetings. How frequently do we see it tl•e case, tl1at churcl.cs that number from one, to three hundred, on their church lists, cannot number more than from thirty, to fifty, on days of business, where the presence of every member is absolutely necessar).
How discouraging to a minister of Jesus Christ, 2fter he has travcllc1 evcral miles, in order to meet his appointment ai tLe court of the J,orJ; to find probably not more tltan twelve or fifteen members col- lected, and they probably conversing on politics, agriculture, or com- merce. In vain he waits to hear the precious name of J csus introdu- ced: in vain be waits to hear one of t!JC songs of Zion; until he arises to open worship and pitch the tune lumsf'lf. How furcign this from the language of David who said; "One thing have I desired ofthe Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in ·the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and enquire in his temple." Again "Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwe!leth;" for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand: I had rather be a door-lmcpcr in the house of my God, than to uwell in the tents of wickedness."-Is it possible, dear brethren, that the threatning rod of your heavenly Father, and tb~ laslnng of conscience, (which you must daily receive if Christians,) wdl not deter you from a neglect of duty, so dangerous to your own peace and happiness; so dishonoring to God; and so wounding to the cause of our blessed Saviour1 Jesus bath said "He that hath my com.
mandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and be that love~h me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will mamfest myself to him." Again, "If a man love me he will keep my Words; and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." It certainly needs no proof that it is our duty to be punctual in our at·
tendance, on days of business and puulic worship. Let us consider one another, to provoke unto Jove, and to good works: not forsaking the
a~sembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhor•
~ng one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
iii
eb. x, 24, 25. Again, "Where two or three are gathered togethe1•m.y name there am I in the midst." An Apostle said, "'Whoso look- eth Into the perfect law of liberty, and continucth therein, he being
~t ~ forgetfull,earer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blesserl
~ h1s deed." Can we persuade ourselves that we loYe the chilrlren of
?d, when we do not seek their company, and when we co not meet 'IYitb t.kem to worship our heavenly Fathed An Apostl~ has deciued
i.11 thts case when he saiJ, "fly this we knO\v that \Vc love tl1e chil.
th·en of God' 1vhen we Jove God, and keep his commandments: for thi~
1s the love drGod, that we keep his commandments; and his commanil.
ments are not grievous." Let us then, clear brethren, take up our cross, and march like soldiers; let ns return to the Lord with f~ll pur.
pose of heart, let us often "c found at a throne of grace, pleadtng for wcrcy, and for p;racc to help us in time of need; for when Zion travai.
lcth, she bringcth forth.
Dear brethren, the subject of Intemperance, certainly demands our atteutions. Look around you, and see what thrs foul destroyer of mor.
ab, and of civil society has been doing, and is yet doing. See tbe
p..:a~e <~f fam1Lies and of neighborhoods destroyed by this monster; look
ic:~<J }'l'c!r county poor house, and there you will find that two thirds of tl::.se unhappy objects of our charity, have fallen victims to that worst c· 1 ices. Look around you, and see the heart-broken mothers, with
tl1~ir helpless chrildren 1veeping around them. Enquire for the cause;
!1 · l you w 111 fintl that intemperance has been the cause, of at least tJ.rce cases out of four: look into your Penitentiary, and there you will fi!:d, that at least three out of four of those unhappy, and degraded
bein~rs will state, that Intemperance has been the principal cause of t!Jr:ir misery, and ruin; go to your Hospitals, and listen to tbe how lings, groanings, and shrieks of the lunatic, and there intemperance can hoast of her conquest. Here we would fain stop short; but truth forbids., mercy would say hold, but justice says go on. Charity would holt!
out· pen, but faithfulness says move on though unpleasant the task.- Cast a mournful look after the many ministers who ha1'e fallen vic- tims to intemperance, and have left a lasting reproach on the cause of God. Open your church books, and examine those pages, so ne;:.rly allied to sacred history; there you will find those pages stained with the crime of intoxication, and drunkenness; yes, case after case, re·
cord after record, complaint after complaint: and docs not all this demand our commiseration1 Most certainly it does. 0! dear breth·
ren, we entreat yon to rally all your energies; concentrate all your efforts, and with united heart, and voice, enter your protest against intemperance; touch not, handle not, taste not, and the victory is yotH·s. Go on, brethren, to perfect holiness in the fear of God, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
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.
111e grace of the Lord Jcsns Christ, and the love of God, and the com·
munion oftlte Holy Ghost, be with you all,-Amen.
URIEL B. CILUIBERS, Clerk.
W~L SUGGETT, JIIodcralol'.
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f'Ol\"TRTDUTIONS.-From Cleat· Creek, $1 00.-Great Crossing·s, :~ !10.-llrya.nts, 1 00.-Htamping Ground, 'l 00.-!':lilas, 0 'i5.-North Elkhorn, 1 OP.-~orth Fork, 1 01).-Davids Fork, 1 50.-:\lt. Plea·
sant, 1 50.-Long Lick, 0 !37~.-BetJ,lehem, 0 .50.-Big Spring, 0 73.
-Ucorgetown, 1 OH.-Hartwood, 0 50.-lst llap. Ch. at l,cxington, l 00.-'\JricanCh. in Lexington, 1 50.-Paris, 2 00.-Cane Run, 0 50.
-P!Nl.sant Green. 0 25.-}lountain I~iand, 0 50.
Printer's Fce:-9;:21 ]'!.;.