The
Alabama Baptist
CoN\Ti:NTION
1823-1842
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^ MINUTES
BAPTIvST STATE CONVENTION.
Saturday, November 8, 1834.
The Baptist State Convention of Alabama, convened accord- inp: to appointment, with tlie chnrch, at Salem meeting-house, near Greensborough. Introductory Sermon delivered by Bro- ther A. G. M'Craw, from Rom. 10th, 17th, " So then, faith Cometh by hearing, and hearinjx by the word of God," and the Convention opened by pra>er from Brother Robert ^farsh.
Tiic President, Hosea Holcombe, was called to the Chair, and A. J. Holcombe appointed Sucretary, pro tern.
DELnCATES.
Fwin Canaan Association — Hosea Holcombe,
Thomas W. Armstrong-,
Henry Cox,
W. J. Holcombe, and ,. .- ^
O. H. Peterson. Tuscaloosa Counly Society — Robert Marsh,
Thomas W. Cox,
Geori:;c W. Baines, and
l\oi)ert S. Foster. Perry County Sac it ty E. I). King,
A. W. Jackson. Annual Subscribers, who appeared and took their seats in the Convention, were Brethren Thomas Chiles, Sen.
John W. Wilson, Daniel P. Bester, Joel Lipscomb, Wiley J. Croom, R. S. Foster, J. L. Goree, Jesse H. Croom, J. W. Baines.
W. H. Lawrence, John May, Jeremiah Sanders, Mathies Dennis, George Hopper, Charles Crow, W. Ford, A. J. Holcombe, A. G. M'Craw,
A
John Doiiiiis, AV. B. P. C.aiucs, Greene Huckabv, Levin B. Lain, Edmond Prince, James H. Devotee, David Buck, W. T. Hendon, Asa Wright,
Jaine^ 1{. !lau,t!;ar»l. Harris Tinker, W. J. Cole, Alfred C'aliway, Jesse Shivers, Alva Woods, A. X'. Horton, S. I). WorthiMt;ton, C. W. Hraiue.
A. B. ]M'\Vhortcr,
The Convention then proceeded to the eltction o( oHicer: whereupon, Hosea IIolcomi)e was dulv re-eiceied Proid.nl ; Charles Crow, and Joseph Rvan, Vice-Presidtnts; John W. Wilson, Recording- Secretary; Daniel P. Beslor, Corresptnul- inp Secretarv, and A. G. M'Craw, Treastucr.
The lollowiiirr committees were appointed, to wit:
A Committee to arrange the Preachiiiu: duriui;- the meetlnij; — Brethren Sanders, Foster, Horton, Chiles, Croom, Huckahy and Prince.
On Domestic Missions — Brethren tlie Pre>ident, ?.I'Craw and Bcstor.
Foreign Missions — Brcdn-en Bestor, AVilson and Tinker.
(In the Agency — Brethren Crow, iJotor, Marsh, J. H. Croom, Goree, Sanders aiul Horton.
On Nomination — Jirethren Alva J. Ilolcomhe, Ford, Deinil?; and Jackson.
On Arranging the Business of the Contention — The Presi- dent, Recording Secretarv, J. Ford, Crow, Tinker, Goree and Ford.
A Conmiittee to act In conjunction witii the Connnittee ap- pointed by the Trustees — Brethren M'Craw, JJestor, Lain, Prince, Sanders and Crow.
A Connnittee to new-model the Constitution — Brethren Bes- tor, Horton and M'Craw.
The Committee apj)ointed to arrange the preaching (hu'Ing the meeting, made the loUowing report, Cor preaching on the Sahhath, to wit: Brelliren J)cvotee and Bestor, to preach the Missionary Sermon, Worthington and INIarsh to conclude, Jkc.
The Convention then adjourned till Momlay morning, !» o'clock.
MoM>AV, NoVJ-.MlJKIi Ml. Met pursuant lo adjomnmcnl. Prayer. (Vom ijir IVoiilnu
Tlic several Cominillors made iluir reports ;v> lollinv-.. lo \\'n • the committee on Location, that uas nppoimed hy the I5<.;ir»l of Trustees at their mectiut; in Tnscah«)sa ; that thcv hail pur- chased a farm one mile east of (ircenshorou^h, containini: oii./ acres, for which they ai^reed to pa;, six tlumsand three litiiuh-ed and ninety dollars.
A Couimittee, consisting;- of liretiiren M;»y, Sanders and Tin- ker, then rejiorted that they had conferred with Urotlier IJulcli- ens, from whonithe Committee on Location had purchased the aforesaid farm, and receixed l()r answer, that ))oss('ssi()n coidd he ohtained 1)V the fifteenth of February, jirovidcd the first pay- ment was made hv the (irst of said month.
The Cominittec on ?>omination n p.irled the p, .-sons tjie\ nominated, who will C(ni;po-;e the !>oard of Directors, toi^^ellier wit!i the oliicers elected at this meetinu'.
The Committee thai was :;pp(;imed to act in conjnnclit^n witli iho CoinViiiiie.-^ on !i'^.cr.tl(n;, !)V ';rc;*':er Hector, their chair- man, nK'.iIe the foliowlr.^- r; p;.;-!. U: v, ;(:
"•That the school shcuild consist of a ilterary and tneol<\i:icaf depr.rlineii'i, and that hoth shonhi co into op'ia;;(/ii as mx.ii as practlcalile. Tt) this end, it is r!(, aired tiiat some jjjiildincs should he erected for the accommodation of sttu!;-n:s. Vein- coiD.nittee simi-i^est, coiisifh'i'int:^ the state of the school \'v.v,i\, the projjrietv of en^ctin?! some temporarary huihrmus' until Viv.v aiul means enable the convention to erect j)ei:nanei:t oi-.cs.
It is belie\('d by your counnittee, that the i^r;nci])ai of ilic school should be the Professor of Tlieolouy, and tlrat no jx-r-on should be selected u.itil one eniinently (ptalilied can i»e j)rocnre(l. It is also believed that a TheoloLrlcal (dass can lie made up so soon as that dei)artment can po;sil)|y be rcaily to jjo into opera- tion.
Vour committee l)<'lie\e it to i)e of n.r,(ii imi)()ri:;;:ce tliat the Literary department should t;o into oj)eration early in the cou;- iiiy year: they therefore s uiLit:'esi to the convention, the j)ropriet\ ol"se!ectiuL;' teachers who will be prej):u-{Hl to teach, so soon a> buildini;s can be erected for the reception of students. In the selection of such teachers yo;;r committee iielieve it to be of nmch imporianc(^ that on<' sliould be jirocured, v.ho li:;s had some e\j)erience in teaching- id a uiamial labor institution fi.r the ol)vi(uis reason of avoiding- the mi.-iakes ncces>arii\ com;-?rt- ed with ine\perienee, and for the purpove of j)iiitinLV liie maunaJ labour |)lan into immediate and ^ucce-sfiil op; ration. It I- lielieved b\ your committre ilia'. ;i Profe^xi
r(ile^>or oi Ji;iii-
i-iui^t'S iuul a I'rofosjor ol' Mutlioinutics could Hud iniine- diiite cmployaicnt, and that if the students become too nu- merous lor these ])rofessors to attend to Eng^Hsh literature, then one should be selected exclusively for that purpose. Your committee consider it of much importance that a suitable superintendant be procured to manage the Farn), and to board the Students, and that such person, if possible, be one who is acquainted with the business. In conclusion, your committee conj^ratulate the convention upcm the favorable ojiinion enter- icrtained by this couunimity, of the prospects of this institution, believing that such opinion is eminently calculated to give success aiul patronage to the school. All which is respectluily submitted.
The above report was then received and adojited.
Resolved, This bod> shall be composed of members of the Baptist church only, to \\\t: Such as are delegated by the aux- iliary societies, together with all other members of our church, who shall authorise their names to be jccordcd, and shall be an amuial subscriber to any of the j)articular objects t)f this conven- tion.
The Conmiittce on the Agency made tlie followijig re])ort, which was read and adopted, to w it :
Your conunittee, to whom was relerred the sul)ject of tiie Agency of this Convention, submit the (()llo\\ing rej)«)rt :
Your conmiittee are not in pos>ession of the knt)W ledge of what has been done by agents hilherto engaged lor this conven- lion. IJelieving, however, that >uc\\ knowledge will be laid before tills body, \our committee deem it unnecessary to cull the attention of the com ention to that subject.
As the school funds are mnv expended in the purchase of a suitable jjlantation for the operations of the institution, vourcom- jiiittee consider it indispensible for its future prosperity that suit- able persons be in the constant employment of the convention in procuring funds for the school, ami, in disseminating correct in- formation relative to the iM>titution and the convention.
Such persons, your committee tliiid;, should bew(>ll informed, and accejitable preachers, who cannot be discouraged, who gain strength from opposition, and who (eeling that the great cause of their Divine Master is connected with their etlbrts, are zeal- ous in the work, industrious in their business, and believe they .>hall linally triumph.
Your conmiittee suggest the propriety of calling- upon all jireachcr; connected with thi$ convcntioii^ to engaar- to act a*
ac;ents, ikuins ^ certain nnniber of woiUs, an«l that ilie\ ivpori iheir proceedings ami success at the next annual luomiui:-. All of which is respectlully submitted.
Brother Hosca Holcombe, the ridinp^ atcent of this convention made the following report, to wii : That he had in the c»>\irso «f the ensuing year spent 140 days, and travelled 1700 miles, preached 85 sermons, delivered 48 addresses, obtained subscri|)- tioiis for the Manual Labor Institution to the amomit of $1521) 'JlJ- collected of the same, with J. M. ScoUs, l?57 12A; im)1- lected for Foreign Missions, S?31 G2^ ; for Domestic Missions,
$65 ?J.
Resolved, That the amount of !^G5 25, collected by IJrotlier Holcombe for Domestic Missions, be retained by him.
Whereas it appeared that JJrother A. G. M'Craw had ren- dered important services to the convenlioji, for whiefi lie in:i(l.> no cliai'^e, be it resolved, that the thanks of this body be tend* red him for his disinterested devotion to the cause of the convention.
Resolved, That the committee appointed by the trustees, l>e authorised to lay out a plan for the campus of the institmlon, and tli.-u this committee con)mcnce erecting one story frame buildings, with two rooms, for dormitories, and that they conti- nue to erect as necessity and means increase. Kesohed, Tl»:if \ Brother Bcstor be requested to deliver lectures on Theology uu- ' til a permanent Professor be jiro«iM-ed.
Brother Hosea Holcombe and S. 1). \V()rthington uere ap- pointed riding agents of the convention for ojie year.
Resolved, That the expenses of the agents be d<'frayed by the money in their hands, and an account kept and rejxMt made i<» ihc next meeting of this body.
Ministering Brethren, by re(jne>t of the con\enti<)»i, eame for- ward and volunteered their services to act as agents for the sainr. to wit: A. G. M'Craw, D. P. Bestor, Robert Marsli, James H. Devotee, and John W. Wilson.
Resolved, That Brethren A. S. Bailey and Piatt StouM<hC he requested to act as the agents of this convention in the cit\ of Mobile and other places.
Report of the Corresponding Secretary, to wit: Brother President — In compliance with a resolution adopted at the last anniversary of the Baptist State Convention, 1 beg leave to submit the following report :
P.1BLE SOCIETY. The American Bible Society was organised in the ciiy of New-York on the 11th of May, in the vear ISIG. h «a.- die
tli.'siji;n oT iu tsluhHslnm'iU to coiict'iitraio (In- i-xcrliiHis oi' t|,(, ihiMi evisliiij^ local societies, aiul hy coinMiiiMi; tlit: unity or«'n;„i with cconoMiv of incfiiis to promoU", more «\\t»'iisively, tlic rircii- l;itioii of llii3 Holy Scriiiturcs, in distiiict anticipjition of tii(> r'ti- tiu'ti wants of tills conntry, inisiiif,;- rtoni the extent ol"tt'rriioi-y an.l the increase of population, and the "dreadful c-on>ef|uences •which ensue from a peoj)le's out-i;rowinn the kiiowjedi^e of eter- nal lile," was the institution founded. Nor "as it e\])ected thai its beneficial ellerts would be conlined to this country; but that It would endeavor, In connexion with the labors of Kiinhcd insti- tutions in ot'.u-r lands, to scatter the word of" lid' into all vhe des- titute regions of die ejrth.
Such wore the views \\hic)i led to tin* loruiali(»n of the Anieri- can Bible Society; and experience has shov.n the wisdoin of the nieasinvs adopt 'd. In fojutecn \ears of its operatiojis, and from com])arati'.e'y an humble sphere ol" exej-ilon, it has ui-isen to take a vi(.'W of the '.v ants, and res(d\i'd to suj)pl\ all /amilies destitute of the J5cripture>, within the limits of the coiuitr\. To this institution have the hands of multitiules, fj-om ever\ (juartei', been extended iijr the bread of eteiiial lil'e. \\ itii tlu- -.ild <leri\cd from its auxiliai'ies, it has already j)ut in circulation in several languai^es, moi'e than one millicjii ol" JJibles and Te:^tanients. Till-: A.MI:KI('A.\ rSl .\J).VY SC'IKJiJi- UM<>.\. lvej)orts Irom auxiliaries Jor the present year ar«! so few and imperli'Ct, that any estimate of the number of schools, teachers and scholars comiec'.ed with it, woidd be vai!,ue aiul entirely un- satisfactory. Rejjorts ha\e been recei\ed from only 222 ol" tin; 10B2 auxiliaries. These sho.v an increase of 827 schools, ID.Od teachers, aiul 4, 93(3 scholars, anil irhe a total ot 1 (->,<) i;> schools, aS,202 teachers and .0'JO,7.}4 scholars.
The number of societies and schools admitted to the relation of auxiliaries during the past _)ear is 150.
This statement, however, gives but a very partial view of the extent of the s\ stem of Sunday Schoid instruction in this coun- try, e\ en so far as numbers are eonceriied ; /or besides hun- dre<ls of schools which are independent of the Union and of all foreign organisation whate\er, tlicre are other associations with which a lart^e number of teachers and pupils are con- nected, and these would j)robably swell the nuniljer in Sunday schools in the United Stales to nearly one million.
The I^ondon Sunday School Union re|)orts in May, 183J, 11,275 schools, 128,784 teachers and 1,158,345 scholars. A ^^oodtlegree of proiires- has been made in ihecsiablishiiioiit
of schools in the Valley of the Mississippi. The number form- ed within the last year, according to the reports of agents and missionaries, is about five hundred, and the number visited and revived exceeds one thousand.
TEMPERANCE.
In the report present-ed to tlie recent arjuial meeting of the American Temperance Society, the following gratifying facts are stated : ]More tiian 200,000 members were added to the temperance societies the past year ; more than 7,000 temperance societies formed ; present whole number of members in the coun- try, 1,250,000 ; more than 3,000 distilleries have been stopj)cd ; more than 7,000 merchants have ceased to sell ardent spirits ; more than 8,000 drunkards have abandoned the use of all that intoxicates; in onej)lace, ha\'ing a population of 3,000, more than 30 have been reformed : if tlie same proportion wore car- ried tlirough the United States, 130,000 drunkards would be reformed^ more than 1,000 vessels are navigated without ar- dent spirits.
In Ireland, Scotland, and England, the temperance cause continues to prosper. In Sweden numerous temperance socie- ties iia\e been formed; a periodical is published. The Crown Prince has presided at a temperance society. An able Swiss wai- ter has published a volume of 21G pages, in which he states that in a population of about three millions, they have 180,000 dis- tilleries and consume annually 45,078,470 gallons of distilled liquor, at an expense of 52,177,036 dollars. This quantity, says the writer, passes annually down Swedish throats, of a drink of which the first physicians and physiologists of all countries declare that it contains not a single particle of nutritious sub- stance.
BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY. The operations of this society, though of reci?nt origin, and its funds limited, have been very considerable. From a late report of die society, we learn that 83 missionaries and ministers have been employed ; that it has aided in 55 years preaching directly, while 145 years more have been supported by other societies in the denominations of kindred character and many of them auxil- iary to the society ; in the formation of 3 associations and plant- ing of 40 churches, the hopeful conversion of 2000 souls, and the baptism of 1600 persons; besides the establishmeat of 40 Sunday schools, the distribution of thousands of Bibles and of Tracts, and the general promotion of the cause of Christ and human happiness. While all true Christians will rejoice in B
10
what good has been done, it is ohvloiis tliat the operations of the society ought to be increased.
THE AMERICAN BAPTIST UOARD OF rOREUi.N MISSION'S.
It appears from the last annual report, that the hoard hus 21 Missionary stations, connected with which are about UO laborers, either as missionaries or assistants. The number of cliurches is 14, which include at least 1300 members. The number known to have been baptised the past year, at the dillerent stations, ex- ceeds 200.
During the past year no vacancy has been made in the board by death, and God has mercifully preserved the life of every agent, and, with two exceptions, every missionary in their em- ployment; a fact that calls for our devoutcst acknowledgments to the Lord of the harvest, and enforces the duty of such in- creased devotedncss to his service as shall correspond with the magnitude of our daily accuuudatiug obligations.
From the time of Brother liennett's return from Bengal, iu March, 1832, to the close of tlie \rar, t«\o presses were kept in operation, and during that period there were printed 3,000 co- pies of the New Testament, in a volume of (JiO jiages ; 3,000 of the Karen Spelling-book, prepared by Brother \\'a(le ; 21,000 of important Tracts in Bnrmah; 3,000 of a Tract in Taling; 3,000 of the same in Karen ; making in die whole 2,388,000 pages. From Jan. 1, 1833, to July 1, 1'our presses were in opera- tion under the direction of lirotlier Cutter, and there were ju-iiiled 00,700 copies of dllFereiit Tracts; 10,000 copu'S of Brotiier Boardman's Digest, a work of 20 1 }jages ; 1 0,000 coj)les of Liikc and John, stitched together ; making in all 3,840,000 pages. The total number of p.iires pnnicd iVom M.ucW IG, 1 S3i, to July 1, 1833, were G,22S,0U0. At tlie latent dates, the Psaluis liad been commenced and worked olV as far as tlie 2Uli, and prepa- rations were making to undertake die entire Old Testament, which is ready for the press.
The receij)ts for the past year amount to 03,5.51 dollars, ex- ceeding the receipts of the preceding year bv lt;,Oo I (lollar> ; of this sum 7,500 dollars were contributed bv the American Bible Society, "to aid in die distribution of the Bible in Burniali," and 4,000 dollars by the American Tract Society. The moral worth of these tokens of enlarged liberality, is beyond all esti- mate ; for while tliey indicate an interest and a coiiYidence in the operations of the Board, they exhibit that cadiollc and fraternal disposition to co-operate in every evangelical enterprise, which brightly foretokeu> the comim- of the Messiah's kiii-dom. We
u
oainiot doubt that inslitutions coinJuclcd as tliesc are, upon the broad priuci|)les of Christian benevolence, will continue to enjoy the favor of Heaven, and receive the liberal benefactions of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
KOB'T S. FOSTER, Cars. Scc'i/.
Resolved, That Brother D. P. Bestor be appointed to draft rules of decorum, for the ref:;ul;iLtion of this couNention, and report the same at its next nieetinj^-.
Resolved, That the following Bivthren be Incorporated and requested to act in conjunction with those already aj)poiuted as Trustees of the Alabama Institute of Literature and industry, to wit : Abncr lilocker and J. Ij. Towns, of the county of Frank- lin ; W. Leifih, of Lawrence ; J. Lane, of Morgan ; Alc\. Tra- vis, of Conecuh; A. B. ^M'Whorter, and J. Ciindrat, of INIont- u:omcrv; W- R- Harilson and J. Browning, of I^owndes; (r. W. J3rame, Charles Crow, and E. I>. King, of IVrry ; Samuel ^Valker, of M:Hlison ; Jeremiah Tiu-ker, of Limestone; W. H. Lawrence, D. B. Bestor, and J(.>hn ^V. AN ilson, ol'Creene; Jesse FT. Croom and Thomas Riuugold, of]\Iarengo; Solomon Per- kens, of Wilcox ; anil Asa AVright, of Sunucr.
Resolved, That the Corre>j)on(ling Secretary keep an account of pt)stage and other exjienses, and report the same to the next ine(;ting of this c()n\(ntion.
Resolved, That Brother CJ. H. Heard be appointed and re- (juested to act as a niissionarv I'or this convention in the cif^ of Mobile.
The convention then adjourned until to-morrow, 9 o'clock.
Ti Ksn.w, NoVEMIiF.R 11.
INb't pursUitnC to adjournment. ^Meeting ttj)ened by prayer by Brother Devotee.
Resolved, That the next Uieeting of the Board of Directors be at Salem nieeting-lumse, near (ireensborough, the Saturday before the 2d Sabbath in May next; and that the meeting of said Board be permanent at the aforesaid place.
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BOAKU OF DIRECTORS. 3rotliei* Hosea Holconibe, Presidtnl.
Joseph Ryan, ) y.^^ Presidents. Charles Crow, ) John VV. Wilson, Secretary. Daniel P. Bestor, Corresponding Secretary. A. G. M'Craw, Treasurer. 1
John Dennis, William Ford, Jeremiah Sanders, Jesse II. Croom, W. H. Hinton, Georg^c Everit, T. W. Cox, and William H. Lawrence,
> Directors.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Foreign Missions, Domestic Missions, Education Fund,
Amount of Subscriptions for the Ma- nual Labor Institution, . .
8152 IGjij 12G 02 287 14^1
^5(j5 32^ money on hand.
Total,
7000 00
1565 32'{\
Resolved, That Broilier A. C Horton be appointed \o uritc the next Circular Letter, and make clioicc of the subject.
Resolved, That Brother Bestor write a short Circular, to be attached to the present Minutes, and 500 additional copies be struck, to be sent to die different churches and associations throughout this State.
Resolved, That Brother Wilson superintend the printinc: of the Circular and Minutes, with authority to have 1000 copies struck off, and to draw upon the Treasurer for the amount of the expenses incident thereto, and after deducting a proportionable share of the Foreign Mission funds for the purpose above men- tioned, die Treasurer is hereby directed to send on the balance
Un ted ^iT""'"' '^ '^' ^'"''"^ ^'P'^^' Convention of the
1.3
Appointed Brellircii Daiiifl l\ Bcstor, Hosoa llolooinl)o, S. D. VVorthingtoii, and Jolm W. Wilson, agents for distiibutli.g
the Minutes. . , , . ,
Resolved, That all money not appropriated by the donor, shall be applied to the Education Fund and Domestic Missions. Resolved, That eighty dollars of the money collected on Sab- bath be applied to the Institution fund, and the remainder to Domestic Missions.
Resolved, That Brethren Bestor, Holcombc and Tinker, be appointed to revise and report a Constitution at the next meeting
of this body.
Resolved, That the next meeting of this Convention be held with the Church at Oakmulgee meeting-house. Perry county, on the Saturday before the 2d Sabbath in November next, and Brother James H. Devotee to preach the Introductory Sermon, and Brother D. P. Bestor to preach die Missionary Sermon on Sabbath.
Resolved, That the agents of the convention be instructed to aid in the collection of money subscribed, and pay the same to the Treasurer.
The Sabbath was employed in religious everciscs, part of the morning taken up in singing. After which, preaching com- menced at the stand in the grove, by the brethern appointed, to wit : Devotee, Bestor and Worthington. The congregation was solemn, and unusually large ; and to judge from appear- ances, and power with which the brethren preached, we would hope much good was done. Oh, that Almighty God may grant the gathering of the fruits many days hence !
Resolved, That the thanks of tiiis Convention be tendered to the inhabitants of Greensborough and its vicinity, for their hos- pitality to this Convention.
The Convention then adjourned sifie die.
HOSEA HOLCOMBE, President. John VV. Wilson, Secretary.
^Vhc Ahibama Baptist State Comcntiou, to i/air Denomination thnn(s:hout the State.
Dear Brethren, — ^Ve arc now closing- our annual meet- ing, which has been distinguished Cor unit\ of/ieling, steadiness of purpose, and zeal in j)ronioting the glorv of" C'lirist's kinrr. doni. Intelligence Is borne from everv (jnartcr, of the success of morality, of Foreign ami Domestic ^lissions, and ot' the cause of our dear Redeemer, llendions turn from their idols, and now glory in the cross of Christ. Salvation thrcueh a Kedecincr's blood is successfully jjroclaimcd where (he church is not yet planted. AVc rejoice, that in this great and ele\ated work we are pcrniitted to engage, and that the Lord, in gi\ing it success seals it with the approbation of llea\eii.
It has been a faNorite object of die coiiveniion, to put in oprra- tion a Theological and Literary .Manual Labor iii<titutiun, wliere our pious youth could be instructed in the way of the Lord mure perfectly, and where all co(dd tread the path oj" science and taste, without the dangers of being drawn a.^ide b\ ijie seduc- tions of indolence.
The convention are now gratified in a/inouncing to you, that through the hberality of many, they have been eiuibled to pur- chase an eligible situation, for that pur})ose, in Greene county, combining all the advantages calculated to give success and ele^ vation to the school. The money already subscribed covers the expense of the purchase. It is\i()w recjuisite that an addi- tional sum be procured ii)r the erection of buildings, the pur- chase of apparatus-, and other needful expenses.
We have appointed our beloved Brethren Hosea Holconibe and S. D. Worthington, as agents of this convention, whom we recommend to your Christian a/fection and favour. We esteem them (aithful and chosen ministers. They will explain to you more lully the motives and objects of our convention.
It is the wise appointment of our God, that some men should be ordained to preach the Word, and administrr the Ordinances. Hearing is more successful than reading. When the under- standnig is enlightened, and the heart is warni.'d with Divine truth the countenance, the gesture, and the voice proclaim the U(»rd, and God adds lo these means his aid and teaches us that these arc the channd^ in which hi^ spiritual blessings flow-
15
That cvangollcal prcaclicr.«^ may be multiplied is one of the liluJi obU'Cts of this convention. , , ,. .
AVe desire to combine tlic n)telbgence, the moral and religions ' stren"-tli of our denomination. AVe know tiiat if the Gospel be bid Tt is hid to those who are lost. We know no motive by whiVh we are actuated e.xcopt a desire to proclaim the mercy of our God, and to promote the salvation of immortal souls. 'J'bere •are manv in our State, and more beyond it, to whom the sj)iri- tual bcuutv and glory of the (Josjiel is not revealed. AVe be- lieve that tiie church should seek not only to be fair as the moon, and clear a> the sun, but by united ellbrt, sl;oid<l march forward with the strcujiith of a consjuering army ; that to acconi])lisli this, our schools must be lice from bluotry, our pious youth must learn until they are aj)t to tea«b, ni:d our jieojile mu.st sus- tain the ministry, while they bear the l)anner (sf our .Sa\iour, stamped with his cross, a)id stained wlib his blood.
We do not teach that every herald of llie cross must conio up to some standard of education. \N(' know, that illiterate men, fraught with grace, proclaim, with success, the merits of Christ. \\'e wish, however, to multiply those who can trans- late the original Scriptures; tliox-whocan enter the field of controversy with (he Athei>t, and gathering up the scattered rays of ideal (wcellency, ean show tliat they are the attributes of the Heing in whom he lives and moves and exists; those who, ascending the heights of science with the Deist, c.\u wafi him oil* from the sublime of matter to the sublime of mind, enabling him to converse with new scenes of excellency; goodness, and sj)len- dour, and teaching him that there is a liigher elevation for the immortal sj)irlt, than to be enthroned oji the riches of a visible universe. Seeing the excellency of character re(|uired and co- pied out by Revelation, we wish to produce in the minds of others a kiiKjred excellence.
Brethren, we beseech you, bv th(! meekness of Christ, to exa- mine our conduct and motives with impartialitv, and to come up to the help of the l..,rd against the mightv. Lot us aid in car- rying the news of salvation to the sinful iamilv of Adam. l>et us be enga-ed in dillusing useful knowledge and divi.ie truth. J-^et irs wuh our hearts and our hands, with unity of purpose au,i ellort, combme our strength in this Stale, in* the InMi and Y'y ^;^"«c o( know!edg(>. of niorals, of pietv and of Eternal blessednes.
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SAMFORD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
1 1 00266058 Special Collections
GENERAL BX 1823-41"
6470.1 .A4
Alabama Baptist State
Convention.
Annual
X ROOM USE ONLY
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