ALABAMA BAPTOT HISTORICAL SOOHTf

MINUTES OF THE 11th ANNUAL SESSION

OF THE

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Held with Pine Grove Church, Coosa County, Alabama,

commencing Thursday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m.,

closing Oct. 9, at 3 p. m.

1892.

Officers :

J. T. NELSON, Moderator.

A. H. MERRELL, Clerk.

H. J. NORRIS, Treasurer.

*■ m ■*

COLUMBIANA, ALA.:

PRESS OF THE SHELTY CHRONICLE. 1892.

MINISTERS.

ORDAINED.

Postoffice Postofflee.

J. T. Nelson. .. .Weogufka. James Morris ... Marble Valley.

W. P. Hale Shelby. C. W. Paschal. .Salter.

J. F. Watson ... .Marble Valley. Isaac Bice Verbena.

W. J. Bone Marble Valley. G. W. Crumpton. Shelby.

J. F. Bone Marble Valley. J. R. Johnson.. Deatsville.

licentiates. W. S. Cox Marble Valley. E. C. Mitchell.. Marble Valley.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

o O.

4. 5.

6.

7.

8.

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Hearing Letters from the different Churches.

Calling for Petitionary Letters from Churches wishing to unite.

Elect Moderator, Clerk and Treasurer.

Invite visiting brethren to seats.

Appoint Committees, to report during session, to arrange Preaching, on Missions, on Finance and Auditing, on Docu- ments and Requests, on Nominations, on Correspondence.

Call for Correspondence.

Have Rules of Decorum read.

Call Roll and erase absentees.

Hear Treasurer's report, and references.

Hear Circular Letters.

Return Correspondence.

Hear miscellaneous resolutions.

Give instructions about appropriations.

Hear Reports of Committees.

Make arrangements for printing minutes.

Correct minutes and adjourn.

MINUTES.

The eleventh annual session of the Weogufka Baptist Association met with Pine Grove Church, Coosa county, Alabama, commencing on the 6th and closing on the 9th of October, 1892.

The introductory sermon was preached by Bro. A. G. Rains, followed by J. F. Bone. Text, 27th verse of the 27th chapter of Matthew.

After services a recess of one hour was given for refresh- ments, when the body was called to order by the Moderator. An appropriate hymn was sung and prayer offered by Bro. L. H. Haysty.

The Moderator appointed Brethren C. W. O'Hara and L. H. Haysty to read the letters from the different churches composing the Weogufka Association.

Names of delegates were enrolled as follows (absentees marked thus *) :

CHURCHES AND DELEGATES.

Sardis — C. W. Paschal, R. M. Harris, D.T.Lewis; alternate, J. W. Wight.

Corinth — J. W. Waggoner, H. K. Clacly.

Holly Springs — W. Maharge, J. M. Stanley; alternate, *W. J. Honey cut.

New Liberty — F. A. Goolsby, *J. R. Johnson, H. Helly.

Bethlehem — *A. Z. Merrell, A. Maynard, J. W. Jones; alternate, Philip Ellison.

Pine Grove — J. R. Morris, Y. S. Morris; alternate, James Baxley.

Poplar Springs — G. W. Nobles, -J. L. Ray, J. W. Satterwhite, *C. H. Plyer; alternate, *A. F. Foshee.

Mount Moriah — W. B. Callaway, G. A. Harmon, H.J.Taylor; alternate. *H. J. Grooms.

Bay Springs — T. R. Lovett, Joshua Davis, *J. A. Davis.

Union — N. H. Henderson, J. B. Nobles, M. J. Dennis, *M. E. Palmer.

Friendship — *W. W. Lowery, T. J. Dosier, Albert Wright.

Canaan — H. J. Norris.

Weogufka — B. F. Caffey.

Mountain Springs — W. E. Barnett, *T. S. Martin, M. J. Blankin- ship.

Macedonia— J. S. Dennis, W. T. Mahan, W.T.Franklin; alter- nate, *J. T. Trawick.

Shelving Rock — James Martin.

Coosa River — Not represented.

Paint Creek — M. B. Paschal, M. B. Roberson, C. Plyer; alternate, *William Dennis.

Petitionary letters received as follows : Refuge — Represesented by C. W. Paschal. New Hopewell — Represented by L. T. Phillips, D. A. Seal.

Officers were elected as follows : J. T. Nelson, Modera- tor ; A. H. Merrell, Clerk ; H. J. Norris, Treasurer.

Visiting brethren were invited to seats with us.

Committees to report during the session were appointed as follows :

Preaching: W. B. Callaway, J. W. Jones, N. H. Henderson, with delegates from Pine Grove church.

Finance and Auditing: S. A. Deason, B. F. Caffey, R. M. Harris, D. A. Seal, W. S. Cox, T. R. Lovett.

Documents and Requests: C. W. Paschal, H. J.Taylor, Joshua Davis.

Sabbath Schools: James Morris, T. J. Dosier, W. T. Mahan.

Nominations: M. J. Dennis, G. W. Nobles, E. Barnett.

Correspondence: J. S. Dennis, A. B. Maynard, H. Clacly.

Queries: C. Plyer, H. J. Norris, W. T. Franklin.

The Committee on Arrangements reported preaching by Bro. J. Bone, followed by Bro. D. A. Seal. They preached from scripture found in 9th chapter of Mark, 22d verse. Preaching tomorrow at 11 a. m. by Bro. C. W. O'Hara, fol- lowed by Bro. J. F. Watson. They preached from scripture found in the 53d chapter of Isaiah, 2d and 3d verses.

SECOND DAY.

The hour having arrived, the body reassembled. A hymn was sung and prayer offered by Bro. C. W. Paschal.

Called for correspondence and received the following : Shelby Association, by C. VV. O'Hara and J. K. Milner, with minutes; Central Association, by A. G. Rains.

Read Rules of Decorum and adjourned for preaching.

After preaching and refreshments the body met and resumed business.

The Committee on Arragements reported preaching for tonight at early candle-lighting, by Bro. C. W. Paschal, followed by Bro. James Morris. They preached from the 16th verse of the 1st chapter of Paul's Letter to the Romans. At 11 a. m. tomorrow by D. A. Seal, followed by Bro. J. F. Watson.

uThe circular letter written by Bro. Elias Kelley was read by Bro. C. W. O'Hara and adopted.

Miscellaneous resolutions.

On motion, a committee was appointed to redistrict the Association, the committee consisting of Joshua Davis, J. F. Watson, W. B. Callaway, J. W. Satterwhite.

THIRD DAY.

Reading of first Psalm by the Moderator. Prayer by Bro. J. W. Jones.

Returned correspondents as follows :

To Shelby Association: T. R. Lovett, J. T. Nelson, A. H. Merrell, with Minutes.

To Central: W. B. Callaway. N. H. Henderson, R. M. Harris.

To Mulberry: W. G. Franklin, W. T. Mahan.

To Coosa River : James Martin.

Correspond with Town Creek by sending them one dozen Minutes.

It was resolved that a committee be appointed to look into the destitution within our bounds and make such pro- vision fur the same as the contributions from the churches

will justify. The Moderator appointed the following five brethren to constitute this committee : J. F. Watson, T. R. Lovett, H. J. Norris, C. W. Paschal, James Martin.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

Committee on Documents and Requests — Nothing to report.

Committee on Nominations report as follows: That Bro. J. F. Watson preach the introductory sermon, followed bv Jbro. J. T. Nelson, at the next meeting of this Association, and that Bro. C W. Paschal write tne circular letter. G. W. Nobles, Chn.

We, your Committee on Correspondence, recommend (1) that we correspond with our churches quarterly ; (2) that we correspond with all associations and churches which agree with us in our arti- cles of faith. We further reccommend that we pay the expenses of our delegates to and from where they are sent.

J. S. Dennis, Chairman.

Your Committee on Sabbath Schools recommend the Newr Tes- tament as our literature, although our churches, each being a sov- ereign, can choose for themselves. Jas. Morris, Chn.

I, your Treasurer, received at last session of Association $27.70: paid to the Clerk $24.65 and to H. J. Taylor $:J.05 for Sister Cran- ford, after which there was nothing left in the treasury.

Oct. 7, 1892. H. J. Norris, Treasurer.

Adopted.

Your Committee on Redistricting the Association recommend that the Coosa river be made the dividing line between the two districts, the east side to be the first district and the west side the second district. J. Davis, J. W. Satterwhite,

Wm. Callaway, J. F. Watson,

Committee.

Your Committee on Queries have no queries to report to the body. J. W. Satterwhite, Chairman.

Your Committee on Finance report as follows :

Received for Minutes $21 95 •

For Associational purposes . . . 6 90

For postage 95— $29 80

To be appropriated as follows : the Clerk to have $20 worth of minutes printed, and retain the balance for his services and to pay postage, he to supervise the printing and distribution ol the min- utes.

We as members of the Weogufka Association tender our thanks to the members of Pine Grove Church and the sur- rounding community for their kindness towards us during our stay with them.

The next Association will meet with Poplar Springs Church, Chilton county, Alabama, four miles south of Clanton, three miles north of Cooper Station, on Thursday before the second Sunday in October, 1893.

The first district meeting will be held with Sardis Church, Coosa county, on Friday betore the first Sunday in August. The second district meeting will be held with Bay Springs Church, commencing Friday before the second Sunday in August.

I hereby acknowledge as received from the Clerk of Weogufka Association $20, for which I have printed 500 Minutes of said Asso- ciation. 0. C. DuBose, Publisher Chronicle.

RESOLUTIONS.

Resolved, 1. We deny and demur any right the Alabama Con- vention has assumed over us in taxation and otherwise : we do not expect to conform to its dictation nor that of the State Board.

2. We denounce all Sab oath school literature, expositions and expositors that are inveighing against feet- washing in connection with the communion.

.!. We denounce as unscriptural and unbaptistic the non-inter- communion sentiment, and recommend to our churches communion with each other, holding to the faith first delivered.

4. We hold to that translation of the Scriptures received from our fathers in Israel, under which our churches were constituted and our ministers ordained.

5. We solicit correspondence with all associations and churches that agree with us in our articles of faith.

6. That this Association be divided into two districts : the first district to be composed of Sardis, Union, Mt. Moriah, Weogufka, Canaan, Poplar Springs, Coosa River, Macedonia and Paint Creek ; the second to be composed of Shelving Rock, Holly Springs, Mountain Springs, Pine Grove, Bethlehem, Bay Springs, Friend- ship and Corinth.

7. That our ministry supply the destitution in our bounds and on our borders.

CIRCULAR LETTER.

What are the duties of a deacon ? There are three sources from which we may get an answer to the question propounded, and by putting the information thus obtained all together we may get a correct answer. The first of these is the Inspired Word, the second is church history, and the meaning of the term deacon. Allow me to premise by saying that the institution of the office by the Holy Spirit in the churches of Jesus Christ indicates to us that there are some special duties for a deacon to perform. It is therefore import- ant that the deacon should study the word with great care and with a teachable mind, and earnestly inquire, ''Lord, what wilt thou have me do? " First, as to what scriptures teach about this office of the church. In Acts, 6th chapter seven men were set apart by the apostles, having been chosen by the churches, for the purpose of serving tables in the care of the poor. This serving tables means simply taking charge of the financial department of the church and thus relieving the ministers of the word from the responsible and troublesome duty. It is reasonable, then, for us to believe that

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one of the duties of a deacon is to take control of the money matters of the church and manage them in such a way as to entirely relieve the preachers of all trouble in the matter; and we believe another duty of the deacon here taught is to look after and care for the poor of the church and see that none suffer while the others abound. The fact that deacons were set apart or ordained, like the elders, by the laying on of hands conveys the idea of consecration, and we believe that he should even feel that it is his duty to be conse- crated to the work of the gospel in the faithful discharge of all the duties pertaining to his office. Consecration, then, is the duty of the deacon. A capacity to rule is one of the qualifications laid down by the apostles in the third chapter of First Timothy. There could be no necessity for this unless the deacon was to have the rule over the church in co-operation with the bishop and subordi- nate to him. The service of ruling and giving directions, energy and zeal to the work of the church, in conjunction with the elders, is indeed the most important and prominent duty of the deacon taught in the word of God.

Secondly, as to what is taught by church history in relation to the duties of deacons, we give the sum and substance in a few words, without undertaking to quote from this source. Among all the ancient and modern churches, the duties imposed upon deacons in accord with the word of God were in a general way to look after the interest of the churches, in the care of the poor, in the support of the ministry., in visiting the sick, and in the propagation of the gospel. And there is no doubt that in the early churches there were deaconesses, or female deacons, to care for the women in the churches wTho needed help, as when sick, and when it might be indelicate for a deacon to serve them. The Church of Rome, with all her perversions of the scriptures, has ever held the office of deacon to be for such service as indicated above, and everywhere deacons are regarded as correlative with bishop and constitute the preacher's help. It is indeed regarded as a necessary part of the ministry and essential to its success, and it is an interesting fact in this connec- tion that all the churches of this day have in them the office of dea- con or its equivalent under another name, indicating that there are important duties incumbent upon that office which cannot be well imposed upon any other in the church, and history would bear us out in the idea that deacons of olden times, like some in our day, labored in exhortation and prayer, and purchased, as says the apostle, a good degree and great boldness in the faith, and there is nothing in the New Testament opposed to the idea of a deacon thus exercising in a church.

As to the meaning of the word deacon, this, like the word bap- tize, is not an English word, and I leave that for the Greek schol- ars to explain. We conclude, then, by saying that the deacons are to have the management of the finances of the churches, exercising themselves in the matter of collecting funds and distributing the same to the best advantage for the maintenance of the gospel at home, the sending it abroad, and for the care of the poor saints. They should exercise themselves in the control of the churches and see that none bring reproach upon the cause, exhorting thp breth- ren to faith and good works, being examples to the flock. They should see that the ministry is supported by the churches, and so direct that the elders will be free, that they may give themselves wholly to the word.

Salter, Ala., Oct. 5, 1892. Elias Kelley, Sjr.

CONSTITUTION.

Article 1. This Association shall be composed of members regularly chosen by the Churches in our union, but in making appointments or assigning duties it shall be constitutional for the Association to appoint to any such duties any ordained minister, though such minister be not a delegate to this body.

Art. 2. The members so chosen shall produce letters from their respective churches certifying their appointment, together with the state of their churches since their last representation.

Art. 3. The members so chosen and convened shall be called the Weogufka Association.

Art. 4. This Association shall sit as an advisory council, and shall have no power to lord it over God's heritage nor infringe on the internal rights of the churches, but may withdraw from any church not orthodox in principle according to the Scriptures, and who shall fail to represent at an Association and shall fail to account for such failure at the next regular session.

Art. 5. Any church desiring admission into this union shall petition by letter and messengers, and if found orthodox shall be received by the Association by the Moderator giving the right hand of fellowship.

Art 6. Any church having a public gift, before proceeding to license the same should call the gifts of two or more sister churches, or experienced members, to unite with the churches in conference to examine into the nature of the gift, and upon due approval license to be granted and reported at the next Association.

Art. 7. Every church in our union whose membership shall be one hundred or under shall be entitled to three delegates, and for every thirty-three over one hundred it shall be entitled to one addi- tional delegate.

Art. 8. Xo query shall be taken into consideration in this Association except in cases of serious difficulty which cannot be settled by the churches nor messengers from other churches.

Art. 9. This Association may correspond with any Baptist benevolent institution it shall deem expedient.

Art. 10. This Association shall have a fund, supplied by the voluntary contributions of the churches, and all moneys thus con- tributed shall be transmitted from the churches by their messengers and paid over to the Committee on Finance. The committee shall be annually appointed, whose duty it shall be to receive in charge the Association funds and dispose of the same agreeably to order, and make at every session a fair and substantial report of their proceedings.

Art. 11. The officers of this Association shall be a Moderator, Clerk and Treasurer, to be elected from her own body.

Art. 12 Differences of opinion as to the benevolent institu- tions of the day shall never be made a question of fellowship in this body.

Art. 13. Amendments or alterations to this Constitution may be made at any regular session when two-thirds of the members are present.

ARTICLES OF FAITH-PROOF TEXTS.

Article 1. We believe in one true and living God — the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, three in one, 1 John, 5:7; Matthew, 3 : 15-17 ; John, 14 : 16 ; Matthew, 28 : 19.

Art. 2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God and the only rule of faith and practice. 2 Timothy, 3 : 16-17 ; 2 Peter, 1 : 19-21.

Art. 3. We believe in the doctrine of original sin, and that Adam disobeyed God, and that all mankind have inherited a sinful nature from Adam. Gen. 3:1-7; Psalms, 51:5; Romans, 5:12; Ephesians, 2 : 1.

Art. 4. We believe in man's inability to recover himself from the fallen state he is in by nature by himself alone. Zachariah, 4:6; John, 6 : 44 ; 2 Corinthians, 41 : 14 ; Romans, 7 : 7-8.

Art. 5. We believe in the doctrine of election by grace accord- ing to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Romans, 11:5; 2 Thessa- lonians, 2 ; 13 ; 1 Peter, 1 : 2.

Art. 6. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Acts, 13 : 39 ; Romans, 4 : 11, 12, 23-25 ; Galatians, 2 : 16.

Art. 7. We believe in the perseverance of the saints. Psalms, 25:23, 2-, 28; Micah, 7:8; John, 5:24 and 10:28; Romans, 8:35, 39 ; 1 Peter, 1 : 36.

Art. 8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and inasmuch as he washed his disciples' feet, we ought also to wash one another's feet; and that none but true believers are fit subjects for these ordinances. John, 1 : 33 ; Matthew, 3 : 13-17 ; Matthew, 27 : 19-20 ; Acts, 1 : 22, 3 : 41 ; 1 Corinthians, 11:23-26.

Art. 9. We believe in one Lord, one faith and one baptism — and immersion only is baptism. Ephesians, 4:5; Romans, 6:3; Colossians, 2 : 12 ; Acts, 2:3; Mark, 1 : 9.

Art. 10. We believe that no one is qualified to preach or administer the ordinances of the gospel except he be called of God, as was Aaron, is set apart by and is in good standing with the church of which he is a member, and has come under the hands of the presbytery. Mark, 3: 14; Acts, 14:23; 1 Timothy, 2:7, 5:23; Hebrews, 5: 4; John, 4:2; Acts, 3:23.

Art. 11. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and the general judgment. John, 5:28-29; Revelations, 2:12, 28; Acts, 24:15.

Art. 12. We believe the joys of the righteous and the punish- ment of the wicked will be eternal. Matthew7, 25 : 46; Revelations, 7:15; Thessalonians, 5:17; Thessalonians, 1:79; Revelations, 20 : 10, 14, 15 ; Matthew, 25 : 41, 43.

STATISTICS OF WEOGUFKA A88OCIATION, 1892.

	( 'oUNTY.	Pastor.	Clerk.	Clerk's P. 0.	Membership Last Reported.	Increase By	Decrease By	1 a c.S- CD,a J-. CD 49 "34 15	°M XI .S ♦^ 1— ji -C CD ccPh 2 4 1 1	Sunday School.	0	1 a
Church.	a 03 43	CD CD	6 u a	a u O *j as a> M	CD 1-3	a _o "m 3 0 X	— c« Q	0 0 +s 5 ° 10	u 0 C CD a -9	O cS 3 0 0 0 0 0. a 00 1- 3 If; 3	•i-H 73 CD a . c« *, 73 CD 1- *-> 0.22
Bay Springs Bethlehem	Shelby... Shelby ..	I). A. Seal J. T. Nelson	J. Davis	Shelbv	51 61 38 16 41 32 68 62 44 18 20 34 24 67 40 18 49	3 5 5 2	1 2 3	6			$ 1 50 1 50 1 00 50	.$ 1 00 50 75 40	$ 2 50 1 75 1 00
A. H. Merrell H. D. Pinson F. M. Willis	Farmer	3 6 2		1 i'	•;
Canaan	Chilton..		Mountain Creek Jumbo			1
( lorinth	Chilton. . . .	W. P. Hale ....
( ioosa River
*Friendship		J. T. Watson..	T. J. Dosier G. A. Harmon W. T. Mahan M. G. Blankinship.. Wily Boom	Marble Valley . . Moriah	1 ....	4~ 4 3	....	1	3	' 6* 2 1		30 68 59 49 18 27 30 25 77 29	3 3 2 4 1 3 2	10 10 10' 15 10'	1 00 1 50 2 00 1 00 50 1 00 1 65 1 25 1 65 1 00 25	50 50 50 1 25	1 50 1 60 2 00 1 60 65 1 50 1 75 1 25 3 00 1 10 25 2 00 75 1 50 1 00	2
Holly Springs .... Mount Moriah ....	Coosa ( ioosa Chilton. Talladega . . Autauga.. . .	J.T. Nelson ... I. Bice W. J. Bone J. T. Nelson.. . I. Bice
Mountain Springs.	Jumbo Sylacauga Marble Valley . . Quincy .	....	1	1
New Liberty	2 1	6 1 1 8 2				1 1	1 1	1
Pine ( irovc	J. T. Nelson	A. D. Duke		1 2 1	1 2
Paint Creek		James Morris. . . C. W. Paschal C. W. Paschal.. J. D. Hughes. . . D. A. Seal '.'.'.. J. R. Johnson .	M. B. Paschal J. P. McDowell Albert Kelly James Martin D. D. Bulger G. VV. Callaway .... H. L. Phillips .... T. Glen	1
Poplar Springs . . .	Chilton. Talladega Coosa Coosa Shelby Ml more	Cooper Station . . .	4 1 4	10 10	1
Shelving Rock ... .	Fayetteville Salter Weogufka
Union		10 23	1	1	2		1	60 17 30 11	2 00 75 1 00 no	50	1
Weognfka
New Hopewell. .	Shelby Springs.. .									10'
										1
		683			1	13	22	11
					23	68	5	628		95	$21 95	$5 90	$26 70	11

* Licentiates, 1.

Churches organized during year: Refuge, New Hopewell.

F^ULES OF DECORUM.

1. The Moderator, Clerk and Treasurer shall be chosen by a majority of the members of the body and shall hold their offices until another election. To be elected annually.

2. It shall be the duty of the Moderator to preside over the deliberations of the Association and keep order by enforcing the rules of decorum. He shall not be allowed to vote except in case of a tie, in which case he shall give the casting vote.

3. It shall be the duty of the Association: First, to provide for the general union of the churches, and to devise ways and means for the spread of the gospel and the promotion of our Redeemer's kingdom upon earth; second, to maintain correspond- ence with sister Associations, and thus preserve a chain of commu- nication anion-' the churches; third, to give advice to the churches in case of difficulty ; fourth, to invite visiting ministers of our faith and order to seats with us and to aid in our deliberations.

4. At each annual session there shall be appointed by the

Association an Executive Committee, consisting of , to whom

shall be referred all matters touching the spread of the gospel in our bounds, and to report thereon at the next session of the Asso- ciation.

5. There shall be appointed, as in the last preceding article, a Committee of Finance, to whom all funds sent up by the churches to the Association shall be paid, whose duty it shall be to report thereon during the session.

6. No motion shall be entertained by the Association until it shall have been seconded; it shall then betaken up and opened for debate* and finally decided, unless withdrawn by the mover.

7. Every query sent up to this Association by any one in the union shall be read and put to a vote by the Moderator whether it shall be debated, and if there be a majority in its favor it shall be taken up and investigated, but if not it shall be withdrawn : pro- vided, always, that those be first considered which may affect the union of the churches.

8. Every member who speaks shall rise from his seat and address the Moderator. He shall not be interrupted while speak- ing unless he departs from the subject.

9. No member shall speak more than three times upon the same subject, unless by leave of the Association.

10. There shall be no talking, whispering or moving about during the time of any public discussion, nor any reflection cast upon the speaker.

11. Any delegate wishing to leave the Association before its adjournment, shall be required to make the cause known, and to obtain leave of absence by vote of the body ; and if any delegate shall absent himself without leave, he shall be considered guilty of disorder, and shall be erased from the list of delegates.

12. A member violating any of these rules shall be reproved by the Moderator.

13. Thes"e Rules of Decorum shall be read at each annual session of the Association immediately after its organization.

14. These Rules of Decorum may at any regular session be altered or amended, a majority of the body concurring therein.