Minutes of the fifteenth annual session of the North River Baptist Association (Ala.) 1849

MINUTES

'^Alsi'ji

OF THE

FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

OF THE

NORTH RIVER

UNITED BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,

CONVENED WITH

PLEASANT GROVE CHURCH,

WALKER COUNTY, ALA.,

FROM 21sT TO 24th SEPTEMBER,

1849

TUSCALOOSA :
PRINTED BY M. D. J. SLADE.

1849.

MINUTES

RiDAY, September 21, IS^

luctory discourse was delivered by Elder Davu
drews, from the 17th chap, of John, and from the 20th to 22d ,. inclusive.

2. After a recess of an hour and a half, the delegates assembled in tlio.
meeting-house ; prayer by the Moderator,

3. Read the letters from Corresponding Churches, atid enrolled the
names of the Delegates.

4. Organized the Association by electing Elder D. W. Andrews, Mode-
rator, and T. M. Gabbert, Clerk.

5. Correspondence received as fob s, viz :

From the Bear Creek Association ; letter and minutes, by Elder Wil-
liam Phillips.

From the Chickasaw Association ; letter and minutes, but no messenger.

6. Appointed the following committees :

1st. On Arrangement : brethren J. Yerby, W. Richards, A. Dcason, H.
Yerby, and M. Rainwater, with the Moderator and Clerk.

2d. To arrang(&Preaching : brethren Stags, Orear, Bowlin, Shelby, and
W. Shepherd.

3d. On Documents : Elders B. B. Smith, J. Ray, L. B. Harbin, T. M.
Gabbert, and brother J. Shepherd. "^^ ^^ ^ w

4th. On Finance: Elders J. Rushing, A.. J. Smith, andbro. E. S. Marquis.

7. Adjourned till to-morrow 8 o'clock. Prayer by Elder Wm. Phillips.

Saturday, September 22, 1849.

8. Met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the Moderator.

9. The committee of Arrangement, made their report, which was re-
ceived, and the committee discharged.

10. Read Constitution, and Rules of Decorum.

11. Extended an invitatio^BBliurches, desirous of uniting with this
body : none came {ovwav^^"'^^^ •'

12. Called for the reports of the clerks of Presbyteries, appointed by
our last Association, for the purpose of dissolving Ebenczerand Columbia
churches. / ^ *

13. Appointed a committee of Elders William Phillips, Abner Files,
brethren John Yerby, Hogan Yerby, and Willis Richards, to examine into
the case of Ebqnezer church, and report this evening.

14. Called for the report of the committee appointed by our last Asso-
ciou, to meet the Columbus and Aberdeen Associations, for the purpose of
adjusting original difficulties, existing between the North River and Tus-
caloosa Associations; which was received, and the committee discharged.

15. Resolved, That we as an Association, unhesitatingly receive, and
adopt, the advice of the above named Council.

IG. Received appointments of District meetings, viz :
Second District. The meeting to be held with Hepsebcth church, to
commence on Friday before the third Sabbath in September, 1850 ; El-

leWc

SSb
pomt

fir Thomas M. Gabbert to preach the introductory sermon, and Elder Ab-
er Files his alternate ; also, Elder 13. B. Smith to preach a sermon on the
duty of Ministers and Deacons, on Sabbath, at 11 o'clock, and Elder Lewis
n. Harbin his alternate.

Third District. The meeting to be held with Pilgrim's Rest church,
to commence on Friday before the fourth Sabbath in September, 1850 ;
Elder Richard Walden to preach th6 introductory sermon, and Elder Joel
Rushing his alternate,.

Fourth District. The meeting to be held with Zion church, to com-
mence on Friday before the fourth Sabbath in July, 1850 ; Elcer Allen J.
Smith to preach the introductory sermon, -and Elder James Ray his alter-
nate ; also. Elder Thomas M. Gabbert to preach a sermon on the duty of
churches to ministers, on Sabbath, at 11 o'clock, and Elder Abner Files his
alternate. "W

17. Called for the Circular Letter, which was read, received, and order-
ed to be affixed to the Minutes of the present session of this body.

Appointed the next annual session of this body to be held with Sa-

church, Tuscaloosa county, to commence on Friday before the second

SSbath in September, 1850 ; and that Elder David W. Andrews be ap-

pomtedto preach the anniversary sermon^and elder B. B. Smith alternate.

19. Appointed Elder B. B. Smith to p^ach a missionary sermon at 11
o'cloolii on Sabbath, of our WMjt-Jlssociation, and Elder David W. An-
drews his alternate.

20. Appomted brother John Yerby to prepare a Circular Letter, (with
the liberty of choosing his own subject,} rndtpresent the same to the next
annual session of this body.

24. Returned correspondence as follows, viz :

To Bear Creek — Elders J. Rushing, J. Ray, and brethren R. H. Poe,
D. G. Kirklaad, and t. Gosey ; brother W. Richards to write the letter.

To Chickasaw — Elders B B. Smith, _D. W. Andrews, and brethren J.
W. McHorse, E. Chaflin, D. Davis, D. Baker, and R. H. Poe; brother J.
Yerby to write the letter.

22. On motion, adjourned for one hour.

23. Met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the moderator.

24. The committee to whom was referred the case of Ebenezer church,
beg leave to report as follows :

We believe that the Association did wrong, in the appointment of a Presbytery,
without a written petition from the churches ; and we advise her to rescind her act;
and that all previous actions of the church, or presbj'tery, shall be null and void.

All of which we respectfully submit. WM. PHILLIPS, Chairman.

25. An act of last year, which was omitted to be put in the mnutes :

Resolved, That a Presbytery be appointed of Elders Wm Phillips and Lewis B
Harbin, to dissolve Ebenezer church. *t

26. Resolved, That the Association rescind her act contained in the above resolution

27. Adjourned till 8 o'clock IVlonday morning; prayer by Elder J. H^hing.

*ni.a[

4
SABBATH.

^he Missionary Sermon was delivered by Elder William Phillips, from'
the 14th verse of the 24th chapter of MatheWj '< And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations,
and then shall the end come," — to a large and attentive congregation ; the
fruit of which shall be gathered up in the morning of eternity.
Monday morning, Sept. 24.

28. Met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by Elder B. B. Smith.

29. Called the names of the Delegates, and marked absentees.

30. The committee on Documents reported as follows :
Having received a communication from Mount Pleasant church, stating that Jo-

siah Winter, stands as an excluded minister from that church; and being informed
that he is pursuing a disorganizing course in the churches :

Resolved, That we spread him on our minutes, as excluded from our fellowship
for gross immorality.

B. B. SMITH, Chairman.

31. Resolved, That we deem it disorderly in the churches in our union to invil^^V
ministers to exercise in public with them, who have been excluded, and not restorea^^^

32. Resolved, That we alter the third artick of our Constitution, so as to r^^s
follows : IP

We declare ourselves a Missionary body on the following plan. The Association
may appoint an Executive committee, whose duly it shall be to employ a missionary
or missionaries to travel and preach the'Cf?!9p^e?W'the destitute in her bounds ; and
to enlarge their field of labor, if necessary ; and furthermore, it shall betiie duty of
said committee to appoint a treasurer, to take charge of all moneys paid over by the
several churches for the support of the Domestic Mission ; also, said treasurer shall
make a correct report, at each and every annual session of this body,, of all the mo-
neys received, expenditures, and the surplus on hand, if any ; which Report shall be
affixed to the Minutes of the Association.

33. Resolved, That we appoint an Executive committeeifc* be composed of breth-
ren Daniel G. Kirkland, Livingston Bobo, William S. Shepherd, R. H. Poe, and
Miles Rainwater.

34. Called for the reading of Corresponding Letters : read and received.

35. Resolved, That the Association advise the churches in our union, to appoint
one or more brethren to visit all the families in the neighborhood of their respective
churches, to take up collections, either by cash or subscriptions, for the suppojrt of
our Domestic Missions.

36. Resolved, That we, as an Association, highly approve of the firm and ener-
getic course pursued by brother J. R, Graves, editor of Tennessee Baptist, in the de-
fence of Baptist principles in the South, and we recommend our brethren to patron-
ize the Tennessee Baptist, and Alabama Baptist Advocate, and that a copy of this re-
solution be sent to each of the editors of the above named papers.

37. The Association adjourned until 5 o'clock.

38. M^ pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the Moderator.

39. The committee on Finance reported as follows : For printing Min-
utes $20 ; for Associational purposes, $10.

41. Resolved, That the brother Clerk have ten dollars for his services.

42. Resolved, That the brother Clerk have as many copies printed, as he can for
the mQ|ey sent.

4^Appoiutcd the following Distributing Agents : 1st District, Thomas

mcmt

J

JJ. Gabbcit ; 2d District, Lewis B. Harbin ; 3cl District, Joel Rushing f
4th District, Jacob Liiidley.

.43. Columbia church dissolved by a unanimous voice of the church.
" 44. Appointments of the Executive board for 1850 : 1st. Elders Rich-'
ard Walden and Thomas M, Gabbert to labor at Bethlehem, Salem, Li-
berty, and Pine Grove churches. 2d. Elders Joel Rushing and A. J.
Smith to labor at Mount Joy, New Hope, Pleasant Grove, Ebenezer,j||^
Fair View churches. 3d. Elders David W. Andrews and Jacob Lfndly
to labor at Hepsebeth, Union, Shepherd, and Macedonia churches. 4th.
Elders Jesse Walden and Abner Files to labor at Mount Pleasant, Pilgiim's
Rest, Camp Spring, and Pleasant' Hill churches. 5th. Elders B. B. Smith
and Lewis B. Harbin to labor at Antioch, New Prospect, and Bethet church-
es. 6th. Elders James A. Jones and James Ray to labor at Zion and
Shady Grove. All the labors to commence about the first of 7uly, 1850.
45. Appointed the next meeting of the Executive Board to be held at
Pilgrim's Rest church, on Saturday before the 4th Sabbath in March, 1850.
6. Treasurer's Report

cash collected up to this time,. . . .§70 90
Balance in hand of last year, .... 8 00
Cash collected at District meeting, 4 45
Cash collected at present session, 19 15
Balance due by subscription, 52 50

47. Refofved, That the thanks of this body are

To amount paid ^K^
Deduct amount on^

^ Smith, $.52 50

Ascription, .... 52 50

Ci

$105 00
in hand, .50 00

$155 00
due and are hereby tendered to
the members of Pleasant Grove church, and to the community in general, for the
kindness and hospitality shoWn to us during the present session.

The business having been completed, after singing and jirayer, the
brethren bade each other an affectionate farewell.

^ DAVID W. ANDREWS, Moderator.

Thomas M. Gabbert, Clerk,

The next annual session of the Bear Creek AssoCialion will be held with the Ma-
cedonia clmrch, Franklin county, Ala. ; to commence on Friday before the first Suh-
bath in September, 1850. • ■/

The n.'xt annual session of the Chickasaw Association will be held with the Ania-
ziah church, Tippah county. Miss, ; to commence on F^^lay before the 3d Sabbath ia
September, 1850. ^

C IR C UL AR. ^

Dear Brethren: — With diflidence, and a sense of my own unworthi-
ness, do I attempt to comply with the duty imposed on me, at your last
session, to write the circular letter, and permiting me to choose the sub-
ject. After serious meditation on the present languid state ;of Zion, and
the coldness manifestedby our members; and thinking that we need some-
thing to stir us up to duty, I have thought that no subjcct.^^'luld be more
suitable than 'that of Prayer. And to give the subject th?' ,«:-e it richly
deserves, I shall notice it, Ist^^Saduty; and 2dly, as a '' 'WLmi fvivi-
lege. And to do so, will refer back to the days ol jf^^o shew

in what light they viewed it. God established > . dutJA Gen.

7, and 17th. David undcrtood it as such — 1 Samuel, 7 — 2 Samuel.;
7 and 27; and so did Job; see 21st c. 15 and 42-8th — and all the prophet;|
down to Malachi speak of the duty of prayer. It would be tedious to
numerate all the instances where the ancient Saints in the discharge of tha^
duty, were met and blessed of God. Witness the Hebrew children, Dan-
iel, and Elijah, and a host of Saints of which the Bible is full and confir-
iliatory. We will next notice in what light the apostles viewed the matter;
and we are forced to admit that they too believed it was their duty; for
their Lord had set them an example, and was often found on His
knees, in that most humble posture, presenting himself before His Father.
And when we consider the importance of His mission, (sent of God) that
of the Salvation of the world, we are constrained to sanction and follow
His examples, and being presented by Him, the only lawgiver in Zion,
both by precept and example, it must necessarily follow as a duty. As
His subjects we are bound to obey all the commands which abound in the
volume of inspiration. Finding Him so often engaged in prayer to His
Heavenly Father, pleading that He would not leave nor forsake Him^
naturally conclude that we are bound to obey. If there was need ofl
praying to His Father, how much more have we need of divine aid.
has told us that "without me ye can do nothing;" and in order to pra]
ceptably before God, we must brieve that He is and that He is arew£
of them that diligently seek him: th||^iM^^b^uecessity ^^^|||ey||u|pldly
to a throne of Grace. That it is a cluty no one can doubt, foMlffnas com-
manded us to pray always, lifting holy hands without wrath or doubting.

Having alluded to the first branch of our subject, in a brief and imper-
fect manner, we now come to speak of the Second part, that it is a great
and heaven-born privilege, to approach a Throne of God's rich and free
Grace, and that boldly too. My dear Brethren, it is a great matter of as-
tonishment that we are so loath to approach that God who has been so
good and kind as to make all pravision for us ; but while we parley with
the flesh it is not so much tf be wondered at: for it is human nature; but
seeing that we have put o|Rhe old man with his deeds, and have put on
the new man which is Christ, we should no longer be subject to the flesh.
And we should consider the Apostles, who regarded it so great a duty, and
so delightful a service to God, that it seems to have grown from duty to a
privilege or blessing. Now when we consider the many difficulties and "^
dangers that we ail exposed to in this world, and that there is none to de- ™
liver us but God^ and that Christ our advocate liveth to make intercession
for us, we still wonder how it can be that we are satisfied to live so
far from Goil, who alone can drive away form us those thick clouds
which hang around and darken, and every thing that hinders a free inter-
course betv/een Him and our souls. Why should we desire to live any
longer in this cold and dying state, when we observe that all the Apostles
seemed to delight and rejoice in the service of God, and that they might be
counted x^^thy to sufler for the sake of Christ. Shall we not then, take
courag^ and rather rejoice that we have such a glorious High Priest, who
is touMed with a feeling for our infirmities, and was in all points tempted
as wcflre.

Now dear brethren, suffer a word of exhortation, which is desired to stir
up your pure minds by way of remembrance; not because you know rTbt
these things, but because you do know them. Brethren, if we desire the
precious cause of Christ to prosper among us; and I doubt not, all do, then
let me remind you of the great necessity of fervent prayer at this time, and
;U all times. But my desire is, that you should view it more as a privilege;
for though it be a duty, we may live in the discharge of that duty until*'
it will become so delightful as to esteem it one of the greatest privileges wc
have on earth, to be permitted, to approach Him in the name of Christ.
Brethren, ask yourselves the question, what would you take for these
]uecious privileges! Oh, brethren, let us strive to stir up one another to
love and good works ; let us strive to excel in every word and woi^c. Let
us, as members of the different churches, stir up our brethren and sisters, to
attend our meetings befter, and pray that God would again bless us as indays
past, wheu the candle of the Lord shone on us. Brethren, one and all*, let
us come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty; let us draw nigh
loGod, that he may draw nigh to us. Let us live much on our knees, and
iovc how good it is to live near to God, to draw the sweet consolations
is Holy Spirit, and show to all around that there is a blessed reality in
thi ■Ro1i"-inn nf Christ; and by so doing, constrain them to praise and glo-
rify > ' ': believe that God is the samo uncliangeable being ; and
thcr^BCe, we are spared and permitted to fill our place on earth, his footstool.

Br^^iw>raycr jo u .ii h needed, and too much neglected. Christ ex-
pects betterfhings of us, aftel^WTiasaone so much for us; it is not right or
reasonable that he should: may we not expect and that justly too, that he
will ask us the same important question that he did his disciples, Will ye
also go back? Brethren, let us fear that after we have preached to others, we
ourselves may be castaways; for if God spared not them that sinned; (and
neglect of duly is sin) how shall we escape if we neglect those duties.
These things ought not to be so. Whatever we find to do, let us do with
all our might. Let us choose this day whomwe will serve; for we cannot
serve two masters. --«■

I fear that we have all become too much cumbered about with the things
of this world, and by that means, have neglected more weighty matters.
VVi^iftve all eat and drank, and rose up, and gone to play. Brethren, there is
much to do, and the djay is far spent, and the night cometh when no man
can work; therefore, let us be up and a doing while it is called to day.
And now. Brethren, having spoken of the duties and privileges of prayer,
in conclusion, let me exhort you to afaitful discharge of thismost important
duty, if you wish to enjoy peace and communoin with God and each oth-
er. Pray much, and pray fervently: if you desire the prosperity of the
church, and the conversion of sinners, do not neglect to pray. If you wish
your ministers to be profitable to yon, and successful in winning souls to
Christ, pray for them too; and finally, b.iethrea, if you desire the conver-
sion of the world, we must pray, O pray unceasingly. MayWe all live
in peace and brotherly love, arid worthy of our high calling an4 at last,
with all tlic sanctified, be saved in Heaven, is the prayer of your uilt^orthy
brother in Christ. W. RICHARDS.

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