Minutes of the twenty-second annual session of the Warrior River Baptist Association (Ala.) 1880

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< wenty-Second Annual. Session

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HELD WITH

White Plain Baptist Church,

BROUNTCO., ALA.

October 8th, 9th and 11th, 1880.

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O FPIOERS.

Eld. JAMES FIELDS, Moderator, ...... Brooksville, Blount, Co., Ala.

W. \ . ADAMS, Clerk, •, . . Gum Spring, "

J. D. HENDRICKS, Treasurer,

Wooten, *** " "

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ALABAMA BAPTIST PRINT,

1880. ■"';

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MINUTES.

White Plains Baptist Church, )
Blount County, Ala., Oct. 8th, 1880. j

The Warrior River Baptist Association met with the church above
named at 11 o'clock a. m.

The introductory sermon was preached by Eld. H. W. Watson,
from John 6:63. After recess, met in the house. Called Eld. V. H.
Dean to the chair. Read letters from churches, and enrolled names
of messengers. Petitionary letters from Pine Bluff, Pleasant Grove
and Bethel churches were received, and messengers invited to seats.

The body was permanently organized by electing Eld. James Fields
Moderator, W. Y. Adams, Clerk, and John D. Hendricks, Treasurer.

Welcomed Elders J. H. Hendon and M. M. Wood, correspondents
from Canaan Association, Bro J. C. Orr from Muscle and Elds. C.
A. Burns, A. Adams, D. L. James and Wm. Whaley from Sulphur
Springs. Called and corrected roll.

Appointed committees as follows : On Devotion — J. D. Hendricks,
E. K. Head, W. H. Lyons and deacons of White Plain Church ; on
Missions — H. W. Watson, A. Dorman and W. M. Cole ; on Tem-
perance— H. C. Reed, W. J. Dunn and P. J. Ellis; on Sabbath
Schools ; V. H. Dean, W. L. Casey and William Teague ; on State
of Religion — P. M. Musgrove, A. Dorman and A. R. Tennyson ; on
Finance — W. M. Cole and H. W. Head ; on Documeuts — A. Dor-
man, David Hyatt and F. K. McDonald ; on Deceased Ministers and
Deacons — W. Y. Adams, W. M. Chamble and W. H. Lyons ; on
Education — P. M. Musgrove, HTW. Watson and V. H. Dean.

Union meeting of 1st District, was appointed to meet with Mt Ta-
bor church, Friday before 5th Sabbath in July, 1881, and of the 2nd,
with Liberty church Friday before 5th Sabbath in July, 1881, Eld. A.
Dorman to preach the introductory sermon and Eld. W. Teague al-
ternate.

Appointed correspondents as follows : to Sulphur Springs, at Ar-
kadelphia — P. J. Ellis, W. Teague and John D. Hendricks; Mt. Car-
mel — W. L. Casey, W. H. Lyons and James Long ; Canaan, near
Jonesborough, Friday before 1st Sabbath in Sept., 1881 — W. Y. Ad-
ams, P. J. Ellis, P. M. Musgrove and W. M. Chamblee ; Muscle

Shoals, 4 miles east of Hartsell, Friday before the 1st Sabbath in Oc-
tober, 1881— P. M. Musgrove, H. W. Watson, H. C. Reed and R.
M. Holmes ; Cherokee, near Gaylesville, Mill Creek Church — James
Fields, W. L. Case}-, A. Dorman, W. L. Ellisonand, A. F. Whitley;
Baptist State Convention — H. W. Watson, P. M. Musgrove, W. Y.
Adams and J. D. Hendricks.

The Claims of the State Mission Board were represented by Bro. J.
H. Hendon, of Birmingham. ( )n motion, claims of said Board,
were made special order for Saturday, 1 o'clock p. m. The following
was adopted :

Resolved, That this body most heartily endorses the action of the
Baptist State Convention, concerning the desecration of the Sabbath,
at its late session at Greenville, Butler county, Alabama.

On motion adjourned to meet Saturday, 9 o'clock a. m. Prayer by
Rev. M. M. Wood.

Saturday morning met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the
Moderator. Read and adopted report on Temperance (See Appen-
dix A.) Request of American Bantist Publication Society in regard
to the "Society Leaflet," granted. Recess for preaching. Preaching
by Bro. J. H. Hendon, from John 15:4-5. Resumed business 1 o'clock
p. m. Claims of "State Mission Board" presented and objects set
forth by Bros. Hendon, Wood, Musgrove, Dean, Watson, Reed and
others. Adopted report on Missions (B). Received and adopted re-
port on Finance, (C.) Reports on State of Religion (D) and on de-
ceased Ministers and Deacons (E),. read and adopted. Adjourned to
meet Monday morning 9 o'clock.

SUNDAY MORN NG '•» O'CLOCK.

Sabbath School lecture, by Bros. H. W. Watson and M. M. Wood.
Preaching 11 o'clock by P. M." Musgrove, from Mathew 28:19-20.
Preaching 3 o'clock p. m. by J. H. Hendon, from Exodus 22:29. The
meeting was well attended and good impressions seemed to be the re-
sult of the several efforts.

Monday morning, met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by H. W.
Watson. Read and adopted circular.

Adopted reports on Sabbath Sch >o!s (F), on Documents (G), and
on Education (H). Speeches were made upon the several reports^
Speakers limited to 5 minutes. R port of Committee on aged and
infirm ministers received and adopted.

We your committee appointed a-, the last session of your body to

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look after the wants of aged a m ministers in your bounds re-

port, That owing to the death oi our beloved Bro. H. H. Mitchell,
Chairman of Committee, but little bas been done. We received at the
close of our last session of this body nine dollars ($9.00) which we di*
vided between J. M. Thomas and ). Lawrance.

Respectfully Submitted,

W. L. ELLISON, Chm'n.
The amount of cash contributed and pledges made for the various
objects during the session can be seen by referring to report on
Finance.

John D. Hendricks Chairman of Executive Committee, re-
ported, That nothing had been done in mission work during the past
associational year under the committee's directions. Elected James
Fields to preach Introductory Sermon ; H. W. Watson, Missionary
Sermon, and V. H. Dean to write circular letter. Appointed next
session of Association to meet with Pine Bluff Church, 14 miles
south of Blountsville, Friday, before 2nd Sunday in Oct., 1881. Ap-
pointed John D. Hendricks, W. L. Ellison and W. H. Lyons a com-
mittee to look after necessities of aged and infirm ministers in our
bounds, ordered that the "constitution" and "rules of order'' be spread
upon the minutes.

Executive Committee — John D. Hendricks, A. J. Phillips, E. K.
Head, W. H. Musgrove, T. K. McDonald and W. M. Cole. The
committee is directed to confer anc cooperate with the State Mission
Board, in missionary work. W. L. Ellison, T. K. McDonald and D.
Hyatt were appointed a committed to give an answer, at next session
of this body, to query sent by Mt. Babor church viz : Is it scriptual for
us to receive without rebaptism, members from Baptist churches that
will not receive our members without rebaptism ? Clerk was directed
to have five hundred copies (500) of these minutes printed.

Resolved, That we would recommend "The Alabama Babtisf', "The
Baptist" and "Kind Words" to oi\r brethren.

Resolved, That we return our thanks to God for his mercies to us
during the past year, and that he has put it into the hearts of our
brethren and friends of White Plains church and vicinity, to so hospi-
tably entertain us during the present session.

Adjourned to meet at time and place above named.
W. Y. ADAMS, Clerk, K.i 1 . JAMES FIELDS, Moderator

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APPENDICES.
— O

Temperance (A.) — Your committee on temperance beg leave to re-
port, That we find the cause of temperance gaining ground in many
of our churches. Many of our brethren are so enthusiastic on the sub-
ject, that they desire the immediate enforcement of the local option
law. They would keep the ball in motion until there be not a grog-
shop, or dram drinker in the bounds of our association. Let us see to
it that our legislative bodies are composed of men that are great ad-
vocates of temperance. Respectfully submitted,

H. C. Reed, Chm'n.

Missions (B.) — Your committee on missions would report, that the
letters from the churches do not report any amount contributed to aid
in the spread of the gospel at home or abroad. The command of Christ
is as binding now as when he uttered it ; yet this body fails to respond.
Your committee earnestly calls for your prayers and contributions in
this behalf. Our Baptist State Convention at its last session adopted
and urged a plan for state mission work, and calls for a certain amounj
from each association in the State having representation in that body.
We heartily concur in the action of that body, and urge the churche
composing this body to raise the small amount asked of them by the
Convention. We name Blountsville and Bangor, as points ha tneed bids
to enable the friends at said points to have regular preaching. They
are both centers of influence. We should hold them under our con-
trol. Another point is Cullman. The few Baptist, at this point are
struggling to gain a foot hold, and call for our aid.

Respectfully submitted,

H. W. WATSON, Chm'n.

John D. Hendricks in account as Treasurer :

To cash received for minutes $28 05

To " " " Bro. Smith, theologue at Howard College

from Canaan Association 9 25

To cash received for aid to Cullman 1 85

To " " " O. Lawrance 6 50

Cr.

By cash paid to W. Y. Adams, Clerk $28 05

By " " " J. H. Hendon, for Bro. Smith 9 25

By " " " P. M. Mnsgrove for Cullman aid 1 85

Amount of pledges for Missionary support $106 25

For Bro. Smith's support 5 00

For aid to Cullman church house 8 00

Total amount cash and pledges ($45.65) ($119.25) .... $164 90
(Pledges for the several objects, can be paid to John D. Hendricks,
who is both Chairman of the Executive Committee and Treasurer of
the Association, and he will forward to proper places. Clerk.)

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FINANCE REPORT (C.)

1st. DISTRICT
Mt. Labor . . .
White Plains . .
Cullman . . . .
Roswell Creek .
Blountsville. . .
Austin Creek . .
Gum Spring . . .
Flint Creek . . .
Antioch . . . .
2nd. DISTRICT
Rock Spring . .
Macedonia . . .
Mt. High. . . .

Carried forward $66 25

Mission

Pledges.

$10 00

6 25

10 00

10 00

5 00

Minute

Fl'NDS.

$ 1
1

1 20

5 00
10 00

5 00
5 00

1

50

2

00

1

20

1

50

1

15

$13

95

Clear Spring
Blue Spring .
Harmony. ..
Bristoes Creek
Friendship .
Liberty . .
Mt. Pleasant
Walnut Grove
Mt. Carmel
Mt. Vernon
Pine Bluff.
Pleasant Grove
Bethel

Brought forward

Mission
P.. edges.

$ 5 00

5 00

5 00

5 00

$ 40 00
66 25

Minute
Funds.

1 00

1 85

2 00
1 00

1 60
80

2 00
1 45
1 50

90

14 10
13 95

Total . . . $ 106 25 28 05
W. M. COLE, Chm'n.

State of Religion (D.) — Your committee on state of religion beg
leave to report, that from letters of the churches, it appears that the
cause of our Savior is more prosperous than, the year preceding.
Several churches have enjoyed revivals. Three new churches have
been added to our body. Let us strive to do more for our Master the
incoming year. Respectfully submitted,

P. M. MUSGROVE, Chm'n.

Deceased Ministers and Deacons (E.) — Your committee offer
the following report : Eld. J. M.Thomas, after a long and arduous ser
vice in the cause of the blessed Redeemer, fell asleep in the arms of
Jesus Sept. 23d, 1879. For several years before his death, he had
labored in this and some of the adjacent associations. He confined
his labors chiefly among the young, with whom he was very popular.
They always hailed old "Uncle Thomas" with joy.

Eld. E. P. Mitchell died at his home Oct., 1879. He had been
about 6}4 years in the ministry, but most of the time had been labor-
ing under the fell disease of which he died. He was a zealous min-
ister, laboring to adapt the gospel to the capacity of the weak.

Deacon H. H. Mitchell departed for the realms of the blest, 1880.
He was a faithful deacon, using the office well.

Deacon F. M. Hutley died Feb., 1880. He, too, used the office
well, purchasing thereby a good degree of boldness in the gospel.

Deacon N. T. Morgan died Aug. 4th, 1880. He had long been a

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member of this body, ever filling Us place in the house of God, and
ready for every good work and wor,d. We mourn over the loss of
these brethren and would extend our sympathy and prayers in the be-
half of their friends.

Brethren, let us who are left be more earnest, that we, too, may be
ready when the Master calleth.

We offer the following:

Resolved, That we will retain the memory of the virtues of our breth
ren, whose loss we deplore, and bury their faults.

Resolved, That a copy of this report be presented to the friends of
our departed brethren, as a testimony of our esteem.

W. Y. Adams, \

W. H. Lyons, V Com.

W. M. Chamblee, )

Sabbath Schools (F.) — Your committee on Sabbath Schools beg
leave to report, that from the reading of the letters from the churches,
it seems that little is being done in this department of Christian labor,
yet we acknowledge our duty to give to the young instruction in the
principles of our religion ; and where can we more effectuaally do this
great work than in Sabbath Schools ?

Who can more legibly impress on the mind of the child the neces-
sity and duty of repentance, faith and Christian growth, next to the
conscientious parent, than the faithful, earnest Sabbath School
teacher ? Brethren, let it be our motto and aim to have a Sabbath School
in every church, where not only the young but the middle aged and
the old shall meet every Sabbath day and study God's eternal word,
.as revealed in the Scriptures, that we may be more efficient in win-
ning souls to Christ. In these schools, impressions are made that \yilj
spring into eternal life ; and this of itself, when we see our children
growing up into faithful and earnest Christians, will be a reward suffi-
cient to repay us for all the sacrifices that we may make to gain this
great end. We recommed that ministers of this association lecture in
behalf of Sabbath schools in their respective churches, and that they
labor to establish schools in thg game.

Respectfully submitted,

V. H. DEAN, Chrn'n,

DocsmmiTS (G.) — Your committee on documents would report, that
Pine Bluff church asks for the next session of this body. We find also
a query from Mt, Tftbor cburch, viz: "Is it scriptual for us to receive,
without rebaptism, members from baptist churches that will not re-
reive our members without rebap

Respectfully submitted,

A. DORMAN, Chm'n,

Education (H.) — Your commi ttee on education beg leave to report,
that we cannot too strongly urge upon our people the cause of educa-
tion. The Baptists in every period of their existence, since the days of
John the Baptist, have been firm advocates and staunch supporters of
education. Political and religious liberty, have been their motto ; and

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these cannot be maintained unless the masses are kept educated. This
great trutlh urges them to take the front rank in the cause of education,
and most especially, do we urge the necessity of ministerial education.
The churces are called upon now more than ever, to look about
among themselves for young men, who have gifts suitable for
the ministry, and see to it, that they are educated and prepared for
the most noble calling known to the world. In this way, and this
alone, can we, as Christians, raise the standard of our Master to occupy
the position to which it is justly entitled. May the good Lord hasten
the time when our ministers and people shall place the proper esti-
mate upon the importance of education, and especially ministerial
education. Respectfully submitted,

P. M. MUSGROVE, Chmn'n.

ORDAINED MINISTERS.

NAMES.

POST OFFICE.

COUNTY.

James Fields,. .
J. M. Steward, .
W. C. Reed, .
P. R. Tennyson,
V. H. Dean, . .
G. B. Wade, . .
P. M. Musgrove,
J. Y. Bain, . . .
A. Dorman, . .
Wm. Teague, . .
J. T. Evans, . .
H. M. Watson, .

Brooksville,
Summit, .

Walnut Grove,

Cullman, . . .
Guntersville, .
Balm, ....
Summit, . . .
Sidney ....

LICENTIATES.

W. M. Cole,

J. C. Buckner, ....

John Cox,

W. Y. Adams, ....
W. H. Musgrove, . . .
Em. Bowerman, . . ,

(CI erks of Churches in letters to the Association, will
ministers and licentiates

Little Warrior, . .
M'M-nhree's Valley,
Blount Springs, . .
Gum Spring, . . .

Blount County.

Etowah County.

Cullman County.

Marshall

Blount

Marshall County.

Blount County.

please give names of
Clerk.)

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OOKSTITUTIOM.

Delegates from seventeen churches met at Mt. Tabor church for the purpose of
organizing a new Association, and agree to keep the rules and order according to
the following plan :

1. This Association shall be composed of members chosen by the different
churches in the union, and shall be known by the name of The Warrior River
Baptist Association.

2. Each church shall send a letter to the Association by their delegates, giving
the number baptized, received and dismissed by letter, excluded, restored and died
during the Associational year, total number in fellowship, time of monthly meeting
and contributions for minutes and other purposes.

3. This Association shall be considered merely an advisory council, claiming no
authority over the rights and privileges of individual churches It is agreed, how-
ever, that the Association shall have the right to withdraw fellowship from any
church that departs from the faith and order of the Gospel.

4. Each church shall be entitled to send three delegates to the Association, and
one additional delegate for every twenty-five (25) after the first fifty (50); and
should any church fail to represent herself, she shall state the reason in her letter
to the next meeting of the Association.

5. Any Baptist church may be admitted into this Association by sending a peti
tionary letter and delegates. If, upon examination, she is found orthodox and
orderly, the Moderator shall give her delegates the right hand of fellowship.

6. This Association shall elect annually a Moderator and Clerk from her dele-
gates. The Moderator shall preside over her deliberations, preserve order and see
that the rules of decorum are faithfully observed by the members, decide all ques-
tions of order without debate, subject to an appeal to the Association, and give the
casting vote when the Association is equally divided. The Clerk shall take
correct minutes of the proceedings of the Association, superintend their publication,
and distribute them among the churches.

7. This Association shall answer or dispose of all queries sent to the Association
by the churches, or proposed by any member of the Association, provided such
queries shall be expressed in their letters or presented to the Association in writing.

8. This Association may adopt some plan for raising funds by voluntary contri-
butions, to defray the expenses of the Association, for supplying the destitute
churches and settlements in her bounds with the preaching of the Gospel, and for
any other purpose which she may deem proper, leaving every church member free
to contribute as he shall purpose in his heart. All funds thus raised shall be pla-
ced in the hands of a Treasurer, who shall be accountable to the Association, and

j shall pny it out as the Association may direct.

9. This Association adopts the rules of '?corum and declaration of faith pub-
«-T\ ' lished in the minutes of the Muscle Shoals Association in 1S53.

10. All questions shall be decided by a majority vote, except the case mention-
ed in another section of this constitution.

11. This Association shall elect annually one of her ministers to preach an in-
troductory sermon, and one to preach on missions, and one of her members to
write a circular letter for the next session of the Association.

12. The minutes shall be read, approved, and signed by the Moderator and
n,.. Clerk, before the Association adjourns.

13. This constitution may be altered or amended by an affirmative vote of two-
thirds of the members present, provided the alteration or amendment has been
proposed at a previous annual meeting of the Association.

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I The Association shall be opened and closed by prayer.

2. But one person shall speak at a time, and he shall arise and address the
Moderator and they shall not proceed until his name is called by the officer. If
more than one member shall rise to speak at the same time, the Moderator shall
determine who shall speak first.

3. No member shall be interrupted while speaking, unless he depprt from the
subject under discussion or use words of personal reflection.

4. Every motion made and seconded shall come under the consideration of the
Association. A mover may not modify or withdraw his own motion, after discus-
sion, if any member object, without a formal vote ; nor may a mover accept an
amendment to his proposition, after discussion, without its being passed by vote,
if any member object. A mover shall reduce his proposition to writing at the
request of the Moderator or any member.

5. When a motion has been regularly announced by the Moderator, no other
motion shall be received, except to amend, to substitute, or lay upon the table
definitely or indeti litely. But a motion for adjournment sh ill always be in order,
except when a member is speaking or the house voting.

6. When a question has been taken up, after allowing time for the debate, the
Moderator shall put the question to the vote of the Association, first in the affirm-
ative and then in the negative. Those voting in the affimative shall say aye; those
in the nagative, nay. If the decision be doubtful, the members voting in the
affirmative shall first ri>e and stand to be counted, then those in the negative. The
decision thus made shall be immediately announced by the Moderator.

7. No member shall absent himself without permission from the Moderator.

8. No member shall speak more than twice upon the same subject without the
consent of the Moderator, unless it be to correct, when misunderstood.

9. The Moderator shall be allowed to speak as other members, provided he
appoint some member to fill the chair while speaking.

10. These rules may be amended at any meeting of the Association, by vote of
two-thirds of the members present.

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