Minutes of the twenty-fifth annual session of the New River Baptist Association (Ala.) 1895

TVVENi V-FIFTH ANN I A I. SESSION

Oh t Ji

NEW RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.

Hh I-P \v I i (I

MACEDONIA CHURCH, FAYEVTL COUNTY, ALA

i-j.D. <jr. ^V\xTKAvt,Jt;E_. Moderlor, iNewionviiie, Aui.

Kld .1 . E. Oox, < lerk, Fayette, Ala.

W. H. Mklton, Treasurer. Fayette. Aia,

A. \l/NueKolj.s,Oorrespond!ni> Secretary J Fnyette. Ala.

ihe next session to be lieia witli i^ayetie Uiiurcli, Fayetie,Aia.
SatiU'dav befr>rf»tbe se'^nni] SunflaN' i»i OnfnKpr 1SQ<^

FAYETTE, ALA.:
PRINTED BY ti. J- SMITH-

1895.

W<--tti

-»*r»'^ir;

MINUTES.

The New River Baptist Association convened veith Macedonia
Church Fayette county, Ala., Oct(»ber 13. 1895. and, in the absence
of both the appointee and alternate, Eld. J. R. Barnett—from the
Sipsey Association— preached the opening sermon from 1st John
3:1 — ''Behold what manner of love/' &c.

After eatins; a full meal of the good things served on the ground
by the good women of the community, the delegates assembled in the
houst^, and, on motion Eld. Frank Wilson was elected temporary
ciiairman, who conductea the devotional exercises.

The Body was called to order, and delegates, at the request of the
Moderator, placed the church epistles on the table. Brethren VV.
B. Melton and J. E. Cox were requested by the Moderator to read
the letters, and the Clerk enrolled the names of delegates as follows:

Salem — ^V. C. Dawson.

Unity— Elds A. N. Reeves, J. S. Shirley, and bro. W. B. Shirley.

Shady Grove— Elder M. \V. Olive.

Shepherd— Elder G. W. Gravlee.

Sipsey Valley — D. T. Sava-'e and J. T. Sudduth.

Mt. Pleasant— Eld. G. H White, W. F. Nichols and Thos. Welch.

Concord--W. T. Olive and J. T. Black.

Pleaj^aut Grove — S. Steuheiis arul T. A. Palmer

Rocky Mount— R. B. Walters, A. M. Smith and J. F. Fret^man.

Elbethel -W. F. Gilpin, V. F. Jones andJ. F. Dickinson.

Fayette— Eld. J. I. MrCellum, A, M. Nuckols and J. M. Stewart,

Macedonia — Eld. J. E. Cox Simpson Litid.sey and Jno. B, Krrup.

Philadelphia— p:id. J. S. Townsead, G. \V. McGinuis and I. B.
Deavors.

Bankston -T. C. GrifMn.

Mt. Lebanon— Elder J. F. Willis and J. E. Kirkland.

Pleasant Hill — Eld. J. . Honmer, S L. Rainey and N H Roberts,

Friendshi;: — E. Jones and R. R. White.

Pilgrim Rest— Elder F. Wilson and J. H. Davis.

On permanent organizalion, bretliren J. F Ashcraft and Aiidrew
Walker were requested to act as tellers, and the delegates proceeded
to vote for perma.ient Moderator and Clerk. On the first ballot no
one was elected Moderator, not having received a majority of all tie
votes cast, but J. E Cox was elected^Clerk, and A. M. Nuckols,
Corresponding Clerk. A second ballot was cast, without the consti'>
tutional, election of a'Moderator; but, on motion, (Eld. G. \V. Gravlee
having received more voles than either o! the brethren voted for) of
Eld. A. N. Reeves, the regular order of business was suspended, Eld
G. ir. Gravlee, having received the highest vote, was by acclama^

2

tion, declared the constitutionally elected Moderator, who, after a
few appropriate remarks, appointed the following

COMMITTEES:

Oil Devotion— 'A. M. Nuckols, J. H. Newton, with the Pastor and
Deacons of Macedonia church.

On Arrangement— H\d. J. S. Shirley, James T. Sudduth and G-.
W. McGinnis.

On Documents— Eld. J. S. Townsend, T. 0. Griffin, W. F, Gilpin.

On Sabbath Schools — A. N. Reeves. F. Wilson and A. M. Smith.

On Nominations — J. M. Stewart, VV. T. Olive and J. E. Kirkland.

On Finance~D. T. Savasje, E. Jones and J. F. Freeman.

071 Literature — G. H. White, J. J. Patterson and S. L. Rainey.

On Temperance— M. ^'v. Olive, J. 1. McCollum, R. R. White and
W. C. Dawson.

On Location of Baptist College— T)y. W. A. Graham, W. G. Baker,
A. M. Nuckols, W. D. Doughty and J. P. Dickinson.

(Brother A. M. Nuckols was, by the Moderator, added to the
Board on Ministerial Education and made chairman of said Board
in place of C. W. Edmonds, who has removed from our bounds )

On Education — J. I. McCollum, A.N. Reeves, A. M. Nuckols and
S. Stephens.

Called for correspondents from «ister Associations.

Sipsey Association: Eld. J. M. Chi«m. J. F. Ashcraft, Elder J. R.
Baruett and brother J. T. Garter, with letter and package were re^
ceivedand welcomed by the Moderator.

Tuscaloosa Association: Bro. J. tJ. Mize, cordially welcomed.

Returned correspondence as follows:

To Sipsey— Eld. Frank Wilson. J. H. Davis, M. VV. Olive and
James T. Sudduth.

To the Tuscaloosa— Elds. G. H. White, M. VV. Olive and G. VV.
McGinnis.

To Yellow Greek— J. M. Stewart, Eld. J. F. Willis, Elder J. I.
McCollum and J. E. Kirkhmd.

To North River— Elds J. I. i/cCollum, J. E. Cox, J. S. Townsend.

To Harmony Grove— Elds J. S. Shirley, J. E. Cox, ^. N. Reeves
and W. J. Akins.

On motion, adjourned until Monday, ^:30 o'clock a. m.

Sabbath Doings. — The suggested Sunday School Mass Meeting at
10:30, bv Elder J. S Townsend. was greatly hinder-id for want of
time; but the dear brother, with Prots. Sartain and Crump, and Eld.
Stiff made short, but excellent speeches on the importance of Sabbath
6ciiools. At 11 o'clock Elder J. I McCollum was at his beat, 'and
preached an able, instructive sermon from 1st Corinthians. 16:22; "If
aiiv man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema

8

Maranatha." He held hundreds of eager listeners spellbound with
his timely, sweet message to the Christians, and his solemn warnings
to the wicked At the close of his sermon, a collection was taken
for estate, Home and Foreign Missions, amounting to $12.19. Elder
Stiff preached a fine sermon at 4 o'clock.

Monday, 8:30 p. m.— The delegates assembled and, in the absence
of Elder G. W. Gravlee — the Moderator — Elder A. N. Reeves was
called to the chair, who reud the 12th chapter of Romans and the
congregation joined in prayer with Elder J. S. Shirley-

The Committee on Arangements made the following report, which
was adopted, viz :

Your Committee on irranffement^ make the following report: 1.
Call for report of District Meetings. 2, Gall for report of Mi sion
Board. 3, Call for report of Committee on Education. 4, Call for
report of Committee on Ministerial Education. 5, Call for report of
Committee on Sunday ^Schools. 6, Call for report of Committee on
Documents. 7, Call for rep rt of Committee on Literature. 8, Call
for report of Committee on Nominations. 9, Call for report of
Committee on Finafice. 10, Call for Report of Trea-urer. 11,
Appoint a Treasurer. 12, Read Gorrespondiug Letter. 13, Mis-
cellaneous Business. J. S. Shirley, Chm'n.

The Moderator — G. W. Gravlee — in the chair, called for reports
from District Meetings, which were read and adopted as follows;

The next session of the First Distnct will commence with .Mace-
donia church, 4 miles south ot Fnvette, Friday before the first Sab-
bath in September, 1896. Programme; On Friday at 11 o'clock —
the opening sermon by Eid. J. nV. Hosmer; W. G. Baker, alternate
Ist Subject on Fridav after organization: What did Jesus mean by
the "Bruised Reed""and 'Smoking Flax"? Matt. 12:20, &c. G, H.
White and J. A. South. 2iid. What are the duties of the Pastors to
Churches and the Churches to theit^ Pastors? J. H. Newton and G.
W. McGinnis. 3rd. What is the Bible design of Church di.soipline?
J. E Cox and J. J, Patterson. Sermon at 11 o'clock on Sunday on
Missions by J. E. Cox. W. G. Baker, Mod'r.

J. H. Newton, Clerk.

Second District — The District met with Unity Baptist Church
of Christ, Fayette county, Ala., on Friday beh.re the 4th Sabbath in
August, 1895, and located the next session of the 2nd Dis^trict to be
held with Rocky Mount Baptist Church, Friday before the first
Sabbath in September, 1896, the introductory sermon to be preached
by Elder A. N. Reeves. Subject for Saturday morning; How can
we best indoctrinate the niembershlf) of our churches and develop
the talent of our churches.^ Opened by Elder J. F. Willis. 2wd.
Wh&i did theSavior mean when he said, ' Simonr, Satan hath desired

4

to have thee that he might sift thee as wheat"? Opened by brother
A. M. Nuckols. Srd, Did Christ die for the sins of the woild, or
for the elect, and when did election take place with man? Opened
by Elder F. Wilson, (Jt. W. Gravlee, Mod'r.

VV, B. Shirley, Clerk.

Called for Report of Mission Board. Tlie members of said Board
notbeiui^ present, a committee, on motion, composed of J. F. Willis,
W. B. Shirley and F. Wilson, was appointed by tha i/oderator to
arrange a report some time during the session of the Body.

The following reports of committees in regular order, were read,
partially discussed (for push and haste were the watch-^word — which
was wrong in the Lord's business— Clerk.) and adopted;

Your Committee on Literature recommend the Bible, The Ala**
bama Baptist; the periodicals published by the Southern Baptist
Convention for our Sunday Sciiools and for our children.

G. H. White.

Report on' ii^DUCATioN. — Education is a subject that should in-
terest all our people, and we are glad to know there'is quite an
advancement in this direction. While the'law protects us by requir-
ing all teachers to have attained to certain qualifications, botii in
morals and science, we should be very careful to know the habits of
iiie, as well as other qualifications, of those to whom we entrust the
instruction of the young. All the children of the country may receive
a liberjil education, with the advantages ihe law affords, if
parents and guardians will use the proper energy iu this direction.
To those who wish to give their children a collegiate course, we
would recommend the Howard College at East Lake, for young men,
and the Alabama Central at Tuscaloosa, and the Judson at Alarion,
lor young ladies. v\ e recommend that this Association cosi.sider the
propriety ot confering with the sister Associations who are seelcing
our co-operation iu regard to a Denominational School.

Respectfully submitted, J. I. iMcOolldm, Chm'n.

Pending tlie adoption of the above report, a motion prevailed
authorizing the Moderator lo appoint a cummiitee of five, to confer
with similar committees of the ^'orth River and Sipsey Associations,
witli a view of ascertaining the necessity and propriety of establish-
ing a Denominpiional School at a central point in the bounds of the
three Bodies. The committee; Dr. W. A. Graham, chairman. Prof.
A. M. Nuckols, Elders W. G. Baker and J. P. Dickinson, and brother
W. D. Doughty.

Report on Missions read and adopted; Your Committee on
Alissions report that, so far as they have learned, no missionary work
has been done the pnst year, in the New River Association.

.1. F. ^viijjs, Chm'n.

Ministerial Education.— Your committee would report, that
very little has beeu done on this line for want of means. Those who
pledged money have.failed to pay what they promised, last session.
Brother A. N. Reeves has received about $18.00, which he expended
at school — some two and a half months last winter.

A. M. NucKOLS.

W. B. Melton.

J. R. Gladden.

Pending the adoption of the above report, Elder G. W, Gravlee
slated tl at, about $12.00 had been placed in his hands for the edu««
cation of brother W. M. Olive. The Body instructed brother Gravlee
to turn said amouiu over to brother Olive, in the defraying of his
expenses, in the event he attended any school as a pupil.

.Sabbath School Report. — We, your Committee on Sabbath
Schools, would report as f«)ll()ws; There was a committee appointed
at the last, session of ihis B()dy, for each District of this Association,
to work up an interest in Sabbath SchooU and to hold a Sabbath
•School convention in each District, lo which we refer you for infor-
mation as regards Sabbath Schools in our midst.

Respectfully submitted, A N. Reeves, Ch'n,

On motion, the Sabbath School Committee of last year, was con^
tinned the present, mid their names and programs, requested to be
handed to the Clerk for publication in the present Minutes.

The regular order of business wassusoended, and Eld. R. A. Baker
and Col. J. H. McGuire (correspotidents of the North River Associa-
tion) were welcomed to seats.

On motion, the Body will adjourn at 11 a. m. to hear Elder J. F.
Willis preach.

Report ON Documents. — We, your Committee on Documents,
having examined all the documents placed in our hands, beg leave
to make the following report; VVe find reported — received by letter,
56; by baptism,, 54 restored, 5; dismiissed by letter, 42; excluded, 7;
died, 10; total present membership, 1,194. For Foreign Missions,
$4.00; Home Missions, $10.15; for Minules, S20.35; for Associational
purposes $8.25. We find only two or three Sunday Schools reported.
We also find that Shepherd Church asks for the next session of this
Body. Respectfully submitted, J. S. Townsend, Ch'n.

P. 8. — We recommend~that, as there are two Churches calling for
the next session ot this Body, viz: Shepherd and Fayette, that the
Body decide between them. J. S. T., Ch'n.

Treasurer's Report — Your Treasurer's report is as follows:
On hand at last Association, #34 14

Rec'd from Committee on Fin nance, Minute F., 18 80
'• " \ssociation Fund, ' 9 05

8tate iH/issions, for W.IJ. A kins, 6 75

Defraying expenses of delej^ates to Southern

Baptist (invention, 1 15— $71 79

Paid to W. J. A kins, $39 89

Paid to Zach Savme. printing yi/inutes, 18 80

Paid Zach Savai^e, services as (Merk, 9 05

Paid to W B. Crumpton, 1 00 -|68 74

Balance now on hand, 13.1.'. I n- w ask to be dij>charged.

W. F. Baker. Treasurer.

REPoR'i ON Temperance — Your Comniittee on Temperance beg
leave to report, that while Temperance has not. and perhaps never
will, accomplish all that we conld wish; and while prohibition laws
have not prohibited, in many instances, as they should, yet where we
contrast the present condition of our country with the past, we can
but see ihat great good has been and is still being accomplishrd by
cur prohibition and local option laws, W'e hear some say— and
members of the Church, too — that they favor a repeal of our prohibi-
tion Ipws, because they are violated. With tl e same propriety they
might say they oppose the law ai/ainst mnrder, because men continue
to commit murder The question foi us is, not whether the proliibi-
tion laws are violated, but whetlier or not our i^eacetul country
would be better with a grog-shop in every town and village and at
every cross-roads where tne whisky seller saw fit to liang out his
alluring sign to tempt the poor, wreck who has fallen a victim to
strong drink, and who is fighting with herculean strensjth to reiel
the temptation. We need not dwell upon the ravages, wastes,
crimes, devasted hon-es, bliglited lives, crowded prisons, etc., caused
by intemperance. That is admitted by all good and thoughtful
men. The question which confronts us is, how best to promote the
cause of temperance. We think the b. st way to accomplish this is,
hold to all the prohibition we have, and extend it where it is not;
and do all in our power as parents, as teachers, as preachers, as
Ohuiches. and as citizens, by moral suasion and education to teach
the rising generation to si un strong drink as a deadly foe. Let us
fight the monster in every conceivable way, and prove our sincerity
by a total abstinence ourselves.

Respectfully submitted, M. W. Olive, Oh'n.

Brother W. B. Melton vvas appointed Treasurer.

Elder W, G. Baker was elected delegate to the Southern Baptist

7

Oonveiitioii; and Elder J. P. Dickiusoa and Ool. VI. B "VlcOoUutn
were appointed messengers to the Stale Baptist Convention.

CORRESPONDING LETTER.

Macedonia Baptist Ohurch, Fayelte Co.,

October 14ih. 1895.
To Sister Associations with whom we Correspond, the New River
Association sendeth greeting:

Dear Brethren, — We are now in our twenty -fifth annual .session,
and we are having a haimonious and interesting meeting. \Ve
heartily welcome /our messdigers who are seated with us, and hope
to meet you by messeMgers, as shown in our minutes, at your next
session May the great Heal of the Ohurcli preside over your
deliberations, is the prayer of your sister in Christ.

A. M. NuCKoLS, Corresponding Secretary.
The next session will be held with Fayette ville church.

The follovviui^ resolutions were adopted, viz:

Resolved, That ordained Miiiisiers in tiie New River .Issociation
be recognized as dele^-^ates in our Body, with three otlier delegates
from each of our Chnrches. J.M.STEWART.

Resolved, That the Clerk have as many Minutes printed as the
fund will pay for, and liiat he have $U) for his; services; also money
enou^h to mail Minutes lo the churches J. I. McOOLLUM.

Resolved, that ihis Body tender her most hearty thanks to .Mace^
dcnia (^'hnrch and vicinity for ho^^pitaliiy sh )vvn us during this
session, J. S. SHIRLEY.

The Moderator was authorized to appoint Standinir Committees,
whose names appear in tliese Minutes — by request of the Body.

A motion to adjourn prevailed, the parting hand was given, prayer
was tifFered by Elder J. P. Dickirison, tne benediction by Elder J. S.
Shirley, and die brethren departed in peace. Harmony prevailea
during the entire sessior). (1. W. GRAVLEE, Mod'r.

J. E. COX, Clerk.

Ordained Minlsters.— W. G. Baker, J. E. Cox, G. VV. Gravlee,
J. I. McC.*llum, G. H. White, Frank Wilson, J.F.Willis, M. W.
Olive, J. P. Dickinson, A. N. Reeves, J.S.Shirley, J S. iownsend,
J. J. Patterson, J. W. Hosmer.

Licensed MrNlSTERS — G. VV. McGinnis. W. P. Jenkins, J. L.
Harbin, J. . Graham, f. J. Garrison, L C. Shirley, W. M. Olive,
G. W. Freeman.

8
( OVSTITUTION

iVU 1

Article 1. This Association sIihII be composed of members
chosen by the different churches in our union, who, on producing
letters, shall take their seats.

ART. 2. This Association shall be known by the name of the New
River Baptist Association, which shall have the privilege to enact
and carry out missionary purposes in all their beariiigs; yet so that
churches and individual members are left free, and that giving or
withholding shall not be a bar to fellowship.

Art. 3. To give churches the best advice she can in a'l matters of
difficulty, and if the union be broken between any of the sister
chnrches. t inquire into the cause of the breach and use her best
endeavors to remove the difficulty; but if the breach cannot be re-
paired, to withdraw from any church or churches which she may
look upon as being unsound in principle or immoral in practice UJitil
the same can be reclaimed.

Art. 4. The churcnes in our union shall ttansmit to every annual
session of tiie Association a written communication, specifying the
names rf their delegates, their number in fellowship, baptized, re*
ceived by Ittter, restored, dismissed, excommunicated and deceased
since the la^t sessic.n of the Association, the state of their Sabbath
Schools and prayer meetings, and the number of ordained ministers
and licensed preachers, with their postoffices, which shall be read
and minuted accordingly.

Art. 5. Every church in our uniotj shall be entitled to represent
tPlion in the following manner; Ea«:'h church shall be entitled to
send three delegates and no more. Any church failing to represent
herself asaboye prescribed, shall state her reasons at the next session.

Art. 6. The Association thus formed, a maiority ol the members
present shall choose by ballot a Moderator and Clerk, who shall
serve one year.

Art. 7. Churches may be admitted into this union who petition
by letter and delegates, and upon nomination, if found ortliodox
and rirderly, shall be received by the Association, which shall be
manifested by the Moderato? giving the right hand of fellowship.

Art. 8. Kvery query sent up to the Association by any church 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 for it, it shall be taken
up and investigated, but if not it shall be withdrawn; provided, al-
ways, that those be first considered which effect the union of the
churches.

Art. 9. Voting shall be confined exclusively to the Body in all
acts respecting their internal concerns.

Art. 10. The Association shall not adjourn any session until she

shall have finished all business on hand, except in extraordinary
cases.

Art. 11. The uiinuies ol the Association shall be read and cor*
rected, if necessary, and signed by the Moderator and Clerk before
the session rise.

Art. 12. The Association shall, in all cases, be governed by a
majority of the members present.

Art. 13. Amendments to this Constitution may be made at any
session of the Association when a majority of its members present
shall deem it necessary.

ARTICLES OF F\ITH.

1 We believe there is one only living and true \jod, and threP(
persons in the God head, the Father, the Son. and the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are
the Word of God, and the only rules of faith and practice.

,3. vVe believe in the doctrine of human depravity; that it disables
man from keeping; the law tor life, and that man's recovery and final
^^alvation depends entirely upon the provision which Christ has
made, and offered upon the condition of faith.

4. We bc-lieve in the doctrine of election through sanctification of
the Spirit and belief ol the iruth.

5. ^"> e believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God, only
by the merits of Jesus Christ.

6. U'e believe the saints shall persevere in grace, and not one of
them finally fail away.

7. We believe in the resurrection ot the dead and general judg-
ment, ajid ^hat the joys of the righteous and the punishment of the
wicked will be eternnl.

AS FOR GOSPEL ORl/ER

1. We believe that the visible church of Christ is a conjrregation
of baptized believers who have gained Chiistian fellowship with each
other, and have given themselves up to the Lord, and one another,
and have agreed to keep up a godly discipline according to the
rules of the gospel.

2. We believe that Jesus Christ is the great head of the church
and only law giver, and that the government is with the Body, and
is the privilege of each individual: and that the discipline of the
church is intended for the reclaiming of the Christian who may be

10

disorderly either in principle or uractice, and must be faithfully
kept up tor (rod's y,lory and unity of the churches.

3. We believe that baptism aad the Lord's Supper are ordinances
of Jesus Ciirist, and thjit true helievers are the only proper subjects,
and conscientiously do believe the true mode of baptism is immersion.

4. e believe ohat none have the right to administer the ordi-
nance^ but ministers of the Gospel regularly ordained to that office.

5. We believe that none but those regularly baptized have a right
to participate in the Lord's Supper.

RUi.KS OF DECORUM.

1. The .issocitttion shall be opened aid closed by prayer

2. To expedite business, committees may be appointed at the
discretion of the Association.

8 The M' deraior shall be deemed judge of order, and shall have
the right to cail to order at any time, and any brother not satisfied
with his decisi 'U on anv point of order, may appeal to the Associa-
tion, on the same day, but at no other time

4. Every motion made and seconded shall come under the consid^
eratioii of the Association, except withdrawn by him who made it.

5. Every case taken up by the .Association shall be decided or with-
drawn before another shall be offered.

6. Every [lerson who shall speak in debate shall nse from his seat
and address the Moderator, and not be inteirupted while speaking,
unless he dei)art from tfie subject, or use words of personal reflection.

7. The Moderator when addres.**ed for leave los|.eak, shall signity
the right of the applicant by naming him or otherwise.

8. No person shall speak m.ore than twice on the same subject,
without leave of the Association.

9. No member shall be tolerated in any practice which tends to in-
terrupt public speaking.

10. Any person wishing to retire, shall obtain permission from
ihe Moderator.

11. The Moderator shall give the casting vote, and shall be entitled
to the same privilege of speaking as any other member, provided he
appoint another to his seat during tlie time.

12. The appellation of Brother shall be used in our address one
to another

13. The names of delegates shall be called as often as the Asso>
elation msy direct.

14. Any member violating the above rules may be reproved as fhe
Association thinks proper, only on the day the offense shall have
occurred.

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