Minutes of the twenty-ninth annual session of the Shelby Baptist Association (Ala.) 1880

ALAUAJU HAfllSt UIMVKItAL WUCII

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^ M:iisruTES ^

r-t^OF THE;

TWENTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY

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iIIhELBY JiAPTIST pffiSSOClATION

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(3:i^HELD WITH.:::^^^^

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- BMigsia Gbambg SMIbj Gomty, AMMm&, -

September IIth and 15th, 1880. •

Elder T. P. HOLCOMBE, Moderator.
Elder C. W. O'HARA, Secretary.

COLUMBIANA, ALABAMA:

GRAHAM & WAGNER, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.

X 1880. X

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MINUTES

TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL SESSION

f-^^ or THE^:^-.

Oil Saturday, September lltli, 1880, the Shelby Missionary
Baptist Association met with Bcthoscla Church.

Introdnctor}' Sermon was preached b\- Elder E. B. Teague.

After an intermission of one hour the delegates assemhied, and
were called to order by the former Moderator, Elder T. P.
llolconiho.

Prayer was oflerod by Elder Geo. T. Lee.

Brethren Geo. T. Leeand J. D. Martin were appointed to read,

Letters from the Cluii'chcs were I'cceived, read and the names
of the delegates enrolled.

On motion, Pctitionarj' Letters were called for, when Brethren
M. E. B. Jones, W. F. Bridges and James A. Gould presented a
letter fi'om Friendship Chuichj and Bro. G. W. Sorrell present-
ed a letter from Mars Hill Cluirclu The Churches being found
orthodox were received; the Moderator extending to the dele-
gates the right harfd of fellowship.

On motion, the Betliesda Baptist Chiircli was dropped from the
list for 12 months, owing to the Church being in disoi'(ler.

Brethren Geo. T. Lee and J. I). Martin were appointed tellers,
who, after receiving the vote, reported Elder T. P. Holennibe
re-elected Moderator, and C. W. O'Hara Secretary-.

appointed committees. "

On Arrangement of Bvsines^.— Geo. T. Jjee, J. D. Martin atid E.
B. Teague. ""

On Devotion.— M. E. B. Jones, E. W. Nolen and G. W. Parker.

On Documents. — E. B. Teague, J. H. R. Garden and J. W.
Wood.

Ok Sunday Schools.— 3. D. Marlin, C. W. O'Hain and J. \V.
Dodson.

On Finance. — J. D. Martin and ISTathanicI Thomas.

On Temperance.— J'. C. McElroy, J. H. R. Carden and Geo. '!\
Lee.

On Missions. — Geo. T. Loo, E. 1^. Teaguc and J. IL K.CardcMi.

The Committee on Devotion reported that Bro. Nathaniel
Thomas would conduet tlie ])rayer-!neeting at 9 o'clock on Sun-
day ; Elder Geo. T. Lee yjreach ihe Missionary Sermon at 11
o'clock under a))poinlment of the last session, and Eider E. 11
Teague at 3 o'clock.

Prayer was offered b}' E. B. Teague, aiter which the Associa-
tion adjourned until 9 o'clock Monday mofning.

Sunday, September 12th.
The sei'vices were conductetl in ilie order pi-escj-ibeU l)y tlie
Committee on D'^>.votion. These services wei-e attended hy large
and attentive congregations. After the i>reachiiig of the Mis-
sionary Sermon a collection was taken up for Missions, the
amount ol whicii will he found in th(i re])ort of the (-oinniillee

on Finance. —

Monday, Septembek DJTn.

Association met ]nii'suant tf) adjournment. Prayer i)\' ,1. D.
Martin.

Called the roll and dropped absentees.

The report of the Committee on (^rder of Business was read
and adopted.

Called for Correspondence. None present.

APPOINTED corresponding MESSENGERS.

To the MuVjcrry Association.— l^kXov^ 1. U. Wilks^Geo. T. Lee
and Brother M. E. B. Jones.

To the Canaan Association. — Geo. T. Lee, IL W. Bowers and
J. D. Martin.

To the Coosa' River Association. — E. B. Teague and .1. H. K.
Carden.

Tothe State Convention.— \^M(iYi^ E. B. Teague, L U. Wilks,
Geo.^T. Lee, C. W. O'Hara, and Brethren J. C. McElroy, B. W.
Cobb, H. C. Reynolds and li. W. Bowers.

The Constitution, Abstract of Principles and Bules of Deco-
rum were read.

3

On motion, appointed n committee to revise the Constitution,
viz: E. B. Teagae, J. H. R. Garden and C. W. O'Hara.

The re])ort of the Committee on Documents was read, and af-
ter some discussion by E. B. Teague, J. H. E. Carden, J. W.
Wood, J. C. McElroy and Geo. T. Lee, and the vote being taken
the report was rejected.

The repoi-t of the Committee on Sunday Schools was read, and
alter some discussion by E. B. Teague and C W. O'Hara, was
adopted. [Sec Ajipendix A.]

The re)iort ut the Committee on Temperance was read, and
atier some discussion by J. C. McEh'oy and J. H, E,. Carden, was
a(h)pted. [See Appendix B.]

Om motion, it was made the duly of the Clerk to draw up a
petition, as j-eciunnuMided by the Committee on Temperance, in
the uame^of the Association, petitioning the next Legislature of
the Slate of Alabama to incorporate the Churches in our bounds
to the distance of five miles, prohibiting the sale of spiritous
li()in)rs in said bounds, and iorward the same to the Legislature
by our Iie))resentutive, Henry Wilson.

I'lie report of the Committee on Missions was read, and by
sjjccial lequesi ot the Association, Bro. E, R. Teague spoke on
the f-ubjecl of Missions jit lai'ge, attei- which the repoi't was
a<lo.pi('d. [See Appendix (1]

On motion, ordered that the amount collected on Sabbath be
sent to \Uc Fnyo\is;\\ Mission Board.

Appiiiiitod the next session of this Association to be held with
Helena Church, commencing on Saturday before the 2nd Sabbath
in Se])lemliei-, 1881.

On motion, ai)po!ute'd I. U. Wilks to preach the Introductorv
Sermon at our next session, C W. O'JLara alternate; E. B.
Teague the Missionaiy Sermon, T. B. Dison alternate.

Inasmuch as the Association considered the Bethesda Baptist
Church in disorder, Bi'o. C. W. O'Hara asked for the advice of
the Association as to whethei- his being a member of said Church
would i-endor him incompetent to' perform his ministerial duties
or not. In answer, on motion, the Association advised that in
lier opinion neithei'"Bro. C. W. O'Hara nor W. W. Armstrong is
disqualified to perform their ministerial duties.

The report of the Committee on Finance was read and adopt-

c(l. [Sco Appendix D.]

On' motion, ordered that the Cierk have 330 copies of these
Minutes printed; reserve 30 copies for correspondence; trans-
cribe the present Minutes in the Associalion Book,-and that he
receive $8.75 for his services.

Resolved, That we tender thanks to the members of Betheada
Church and entire vicinity for their kind care and liberality in
sustaining this bod}' during its session.

After singing a hymn, while the delegates extended to each

other and the congregation the parting hand, and prayer b}- E.

B. Teague, the Association adjourned sine die.

T. P. HOLCOWIBE, Moderator.

C. W. O'IIara, Clerk.

5
[Appendix A.]

Report of Committee on Sunday Schools.

'•Seaivh tlie Scriptures;" •'Diliofeii'tly teach your children;" are injunc-
tioiis of Divine origin. Are they to be coiiliued to families exclusively ?
Hy no means. If it was so. are tliey obeyed? By no means. But as it is
not true tliat they ai'e continotl exclusively to families ; how; and by what
means are they to be complied with ? By the Church. Admitting this to
bo true, what should we expect to hear from the Churches at our aiuuial
nu'ethii;s? That there is a flourishing School in every Church. We are
gratified to iioar tliat a few Churches have tiourishing schools, but regret to
iiave to i-e[)ort that tliere is a number that have reported none. What are
the causes? Is there a want of interest in this great work ? Let us hear
the words of inspiration. ••Awake thou that sleepest." Is it because there
is a want of inaterial in the Ciiurches of whicii to make teachers and of-
ficers? If any man lack wisdom let hlin ask of God, who giveth to all men
liberally. I'tc. Are there no children in the Church surroundings? None
are so old but that there is a necessity of their learning more of God's word.
We would recommend that Christians betake themselves to a double
iiiteiest in this work, and that thej^ view it in, the light of God's truth.

We would also lecommend "Kind Words" to the patronage of the
ChuHilies. with the international lessons as therein expounded as a safe and
reliable litt-radire foi- our Sunday Scliools.

Respecttully subniitled. .1. 1), MARTIN. Chairman.

[Appendix B.]

RepoiT of Committee on Temperance.

•^UH — *■ »^

We, yoai- Comiuiiteo, beg leave to report us follows :
We would reconunend that all Church members totally abstain from
the use of srirarous liquors as a beverage. And that in all honoi-able
way>i tUey discountenance the same in their respective vicinities.

. We would further request this Association to petition the next Legisla-
ture of this State to incorporate each Chin-ch for five miles around the same
forbidding the sale of Spiritous IJquors in said bounds.

Respectfully submitted. i J, C, McELROY, Chairman.

[Appendix C.I

The Committee on Missions hriefly and respecttully report:

Tlmt tlie two grand objects of Chnroh organization, as pi'cscribetl in
tlie New Testament, appear to be : Ist. 'J'lie editication of tlie Chnrcli. 2(1.
Tlie propagation of tlie faith ; and thai tlie edification of the body itself is
snbsidiary to the extension ot the Gospel to regions beyond. In illustration
it will snlfice to refer to the Church at Antioeh, whicli, when built up to
strength, sent ont Paul and Barnabas into Asia Minoi- as Missionaries, who
under God established and confirmed many Churches as the nuclei of still
other labors.

Churches may operate in this way on a larger or smaller area, accord-
ing to means and opportunity.

Our Pastors could take up collections for the purpose of extending the
good news, say once a quarter. Our people only need opportunity to give
of their substance.

The Home Board, Foreign Board, or State Board will direct means to
their end, according to the wishes of donors; or flestitntion may be sup-
plied, in suitable cases, by the ('iuu-cli itself.

If t!ie Cluu-ches would unite to support their Pastoi-s, these Pastors
could supi)ly the regions about them, or near their liomes. If the Deacons
would just give the people, whether in the- Churches oiout ot them, the op-
portunity to contribute money, coi-n, fodder, peas, beef, wood, labor, &c.,
&c., according to their convenience, there would be little difiicnlty about
many Pastors giving themselves wholly to prayer and the ministry of the
Word. Pastoral work, in addition to p)-eaching, would then be done, and
out-of-the-way places receive the Gospel, Try it. in-ethren. A business
man of our acquaintance just stood up in the congregation and said : "All
of you please tell me what you will do for our Pastor next j-ear." And in
five minutes they called out forty-tive dollars, more than he wanted.

i'he work of Missions is going on gloriously. Some eighteen thousand
souls were baptized within the last year among the Tologoas, and, perhaps,
as many more since. India and China and Japan have the Word of God in
theii- own tonaues. and ninnber their converts, collectively, by the hund-
red tliousand. What hatli God wrought! When some of us were boys
thei-e was not a Missionary in the East. Let us fling in our drops into the
great stream, lo men they may be undistinguisliable ; God will watch
their combination into a mighty foi-ce, and see to it that the knowledge of
the Lord shall covei- the eartli as the waters cover the seas.

Kespectfuliy submitted. GEO. T. LEE. Chairman.

7
[Appendix D.]

We your Commitlce on Finance beg leave to submit the fol-
lowing report :

Amount sent up for Minutes $14 75

Amount sent up (or Associational purposes 8 75

Collected on Sundtij' for Missions 18 05

$41 55
Respectfully,

JAMES D, MARTIN, \ committee
NATHANIEL THOMAS. / 'committee.

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