USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 10
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Resolved, furthermore, That this Association, as a body, is en- tirely disconnected with the benevolent institutions of the day, and ever has been so, and no act of this body touching the benevolent institutions of the day has ever been had other than to advise the churches to leave all their members to act freely in relation to them, according to the dictates of their own con- sciences.
Resolved, furthermore, That it is the sense of this body that the patronizing, or the not patronizing those institutions, should be no test of fellowship.
Resolved, furthermore, That in the opinion of this body the following churches, viz: the Hillabahatchy, Hollow Spring, Fellowship, Walnut creek, Bethlehem, Providence, Mount Zion, Emmaus, Flat Shoal creek and Sardis, have departed from the principles and practice of the regular members of the Baptist denomination, by adopting a standard of fellowship and union unknown either to the denomination or to the constitution of this body, and are therefore in disorder.
Resolved, furthermore, That to show our brethren and the world at large the manifest disorder in which those churches have acted, a copy of the letter of Emmaus church to this body be incorporated in our minutes, as a specimen of the whole.
Resolved, That the above named churches, by their own acts in declaring a non-fellowship with this body and separating therefrom, because the Association refused to comply with cer- tain requisitions made in their letters, have deprived them- selves of the privileges of this body.
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The Western Association.
COPY OF A LETTER RECEIVED OF EMMAUS CHURCH, TROUP COUNTY, GEORGIA.
The Baptist Church of Christ at Emmaus to the Delegates
and Messengers composing the Western Association :
Dear Brethren : The time has arrived when, according to our former custom, we shall meet with you at another annual ses- sion as an advisory council to provide for the union of the churches ; and as it is a well known fact to every observer that wide spread divisions exist among us as a denomination, even from Maine to Mississippi, and as the gospel has no dividing tendency, we believe it is the incorporation of the benevolent (so called) institutions of the day with the churches that has caused the confusion of which we complain-we therefore think the present crisis calls aloud for something to be done that will restore Zion to her primitive simplicity and union, which we believe can only be effected by an entire separation from the present institution system and uniting upon the principles of the gospel. We therefore request the Association to take the matter into consideration and provide for the union of the churches, by becoming disconnected from those human institu- tions and all who patronize them. We, as a church, have re- solved to become disconnected from those institutions, both in an associate and church capacity, and all who support them. Now, dear brethren, if you in your judgment think we have transcended our limits, and gone into error, we call upon you to convince us from the authority of the word of God. When that is done, we will yield the point; but if you, as an Asso- ciation, refuse to grant our request, (painful as it is,) we are constrained to declare unto you that we are no longer of you, as a body, until you return to original principles and unite with us upon the gospel system. We therefore design, in the strength of the Lord, to maintain the doctrine and discipline of the primitive Baptists and unite with those of our sister churches who thus act, who hold the constitution of the Association and maintain the same.
Then follows the scale of the churches and names of delegates.
(Signed) HARTFIELD HENDON, Clerk.
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
Hebron was the place of meeting in 1839. The spirit of true christian liberality was evidently gaining ground rapidly in this body. Correspondence with several sister Associations had, on some account or other, been suspended for a time. This correspondence was resumed with the Georgia, Columbus, Sa- repta and Tallapoosa, and opened with Rehoboth and Rock Mountain. Still the body stands aloof from the Baptist Con- vention of the State. Churches, thirty ; ministers, eleven ; total, two thousand four hundred and eighty-seven.
" We, as an Association, believing it will be more advantage to the cause of Christ, and the advantage of the Redeemer's kingdom, and believing it also to be the true scriptural mode to contribute to the missionary cause through the medium of the churches, instead of through the medium of the missionary societies ; therefore,
Resolved, That it is the sense of this body, that all those brethren who desire to send up their contributions to mission- ary purposes through the medium of any society, be recom- mended to do so through their delegates, to be forwarded by this body to the destination directed by the donor, believing this to be the scriptural channel.
It was not until about 1841-'42 that the body became associ- ated with the Convention. Perhaps no Association in the State is now in a more prosperous condition.
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION.
Was constituted by Cyrus White, Barnabas Strickland, etc. at Teman, Henry county, September, 1832. The churches hac been in fellowship with the regular Baptists, but had withdrawr from the Ocmulgee and Flint River on account of some of their measures, which those churches considered oppressive. Sharon Paran, Sardis, etc., had joined in a Convention to consult on the best course to pursue, in 1830, and had adopted articles of faith But those churches were unwilling to unite in an Association with Cyrus White and other ministers identified with him, who were believed to be Arminian in their sentiments, and injudi cious in some of their measures. In 1834, Sharon, Sardis Paran and McDonough united with the Central, on the old con
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Itchaconnah Association.
fession of faith, adopted by the older Associations formed in the State.
To the articles known as " The Sharon Faith" there can be no great objection, as it is pretty much in the language of scripture. Still, those who held to it with the greatest tenacity were charged with a want of faith in principles sacred to the Baptists throughout the world. At the ministers' meeting in Forsyth, in 1836, some of the ministers of this Association would not unite with the mass of ministers from every part of the State in subscribing to the old confession above referred to. On the other hand, some of the preachers in the Ocmulgee and Flint River had wandered off into hyper-Calvinism, or fatalism ; and it would be very natural for those who were at variance with them, to run into the opposite extreme.
B. Strickland was moderator for three years, and E. Dodson clerk from its formation. In 1836 the bounds were so extensive that the body agreed to divide; those churches in Jasper, Henry, etc., retained the old name, and those in Harris and other western counties are known as the "United Chatta- hoochee Association." In 1839, William Byars was messenger from the United Association to the State Convention, with contributions for missions and other benevolent objects. For though these Associations held no correspondence with other bodies of the Baptists in the State, still they were all mission- ary in their principles, and were ever ready to contribute lib- erally of their substance for their Master's cause.
If any churches of this order are now in existence (1874,) the fact is unknown to the author.
ITCHACONNAH ASSOCIATION .*
This union was formed in the winter of 1829, at Mount Car- mel, in Crawford county, the churches, nineteen in number, having been dismissed from the Flint River in the preceding October. They are situated in Bibb, Crawford, Monroe, Hous- ton, etc. The presbytery were John Milner, William Moseley
* A creek of this name falls into the Ocmulgee within the bounds of this body, after which the Association is named. It is an Indian name, and signifies in English a " deer trap."
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
and Joseph Chipman. John Blackstone was the first moderator, and Austin Ellis, clerk. The meeting for 1832 was at Bethle- hem, Upson county. The same officers continued. Nothing of importance done. The following year the session is at Union, Bibb county. This body has stood aloof from missions; Bible societies, Sunday-schools, temperance societies, etc. Baptisms, eighty-one, thirty-three of which are at Bethesda, administered by Jacob King. Number of members, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.
The meeting for 1837 is held at Bethel church, Houston county. Churches, twenty-eight ; members, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven. " Resolved, That the systems of the day, benevolent, so called, such as Bible, missionary, temper- ance, tract societies, etc., are unscriptural, unsupported by di- vine revelation, and therefore anti-christian," etc.
A committee was appointed to organize new bodies out of churches broken off from orderly Associations on account of difference of opinion touching the benevolent institutions of the day.
This now seems to be a working body, and has its hands full of business in her endeavors to suppress missions, temperance, etc. Some of her most prominent ministers have been violent in their opposition to these things. A few of these have been called to their last account ! Jonathan Neal was moderator of this body for several years. Like all other bodies entertaining such sentiments, it is on the decline.
WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION.
The churches which formed this body were dismissed from the Hephzibah Association in October, 1828. They are located in Washington county (from which the Association derives its name,) and contiguous counties. William R. Stansell had been active in bringing about the constitution, and was the first moderator. But in two or three years he removed to Missis- sippi. Others from the Ebenezer and Georgia joined soon after its formation, so that in 1834 there were nineteen churches and one thousand one hundred and sixty-eight members-the num- ber of ministers having always been small. That year the ses-
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Houston Association.
sion was at Island creek church, Hancock county. Introduc- tory sermon by J. P. Leverett. James Barnes, moderator, and Benjamin Roberts, clerk. Agreed to correspond with the Cen- tral, (constituted that same year,) and sent corresponding mes- sengers to the Convention. Recommended the members of its churches not to engage in the traffic in ardent spirits. A mis- sion sermon is usually preached on the Sabbath of its sessions. This year the sermon was preached by J. E. Dawson, (of the Central Association,) and a collection amounting to $51 00 was taken up. The Lord was graciously present in the meeting- a powerful excitement prevailed in the congregation-the ser- vices were protracted several days and the church received considerable additions. The Island creek people will never forget this meeting.
Bethel church, Hancock county, entertains the Association in October, 1835. James Barnes, who had been moderator for some years, is about to remove to Mississippi, and a commend- atory letter is given him. After Obadiah Echols (of the Cen- tral,) had preached the mission sermon on Sunday, $71 00 are taken up for that object. Mount Olive church seceded, owing to difficulties between herself and Beulah and Shoulderbone churches, which difficulties had arisen on account of Tilman D. Oxford, the pastor of Mount Olive.
In 1838 the session was at Friendship, Greene county. Ben- jamin Roberts, moderator, J. Graybill, clerk. Received corres- pondence from the Convention and from the Georgia and Cen- tral Associations. At the suggestion of Island creek and Beu- lah churches, the body passed a resolution recommending her members to consider the propriety of uniting with the Conven- tion. A large majority of the churches are found to be in favor of such a connection, and the next year she resolves to unite with the Convention. In 1839, the session was at Darien, Washington county. The body is in a prosperous condition.
HOUSTON ASSOCIATION.
It is supposed this body takes its name from Houston county, n which most of its churches are situated. In 1830, several churches petitioned for letters of dismission from the Ebenezer 8
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
Association for the purpose of forming a new body, and breth- ren Tharp, Baker and Melton were appointed to aid in said constitution. Rev. John McKenzie seems to have had some- what to do in the affairs of this new concern, and there has been more or less of division in sentiment among its churches and ministers for a number of years. In consequence of which, it has not been as prosperous as many other Associations in the State. In 1833, it has fourteen churches, three hundred and eighty-seven members, and very few ministers.
In 1838, the body meets at Ebenezer church, Dooly county. . The circular, by J. Mckenzie, is a religious and literary curi- osity. The propriety of corresponding with the Ebenezer Asso- ciation is questioned, and the matter is referred to the churches. This question arose from the fact that a few churches had sece- ded from the Ebenezer because she would not declare non-fel- lowship with missions, etc., while the principles of that respect- able body of christians remained unchanged. On this subject of correspondence, the body disagreed in 1839, and division was the consequence. Several churches must needs withdraw. Joshua Mercer was present as a delegate from the Bethel Asso- ciation. He and A. T. Holmes, of the Rehoboth, preached on the Sabbath. Churches, eleven; baptized, one hundred and seven ; total, three hundred and forty-six.
ROCK MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATION.
This body takes its name from the Rock Mountain, in DeKalb county, in which several of the churches are located. The churches withdrew from the Yellow River Association princi- pally on account of her treatment of Monroe church, and her adoption of the non-fellowship resolutions. That venerable man of God, Luke Robinson, may be regarded as the most ac tive in gathering them into a separate connection. In July 1839, ten churches met in council and agreed to form an Asso ciation. In October following, the body was organized at Mac edonia church, DeKalb county. Two other churches join, viz. Cool Spring and Long Shoal. Visiting members present, and aiding in the constitution : C. D. Mallary, T. Phillips and Joshua in 183 S. Callaway. George Daniel, moderator, and E. Henderson from B
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Central Association.
clerk. Correspondence is opened with some eight or ten Asso- ciations.
In 1840, the session is at Salem, Newton county. Four other churches unite. Messengers from the Sarepta, Appalachee, Cen- tral, Georgia, Flint River and Chattahoochee Associations are received. Chambliss, Hendricks and Wilkes preach on the Sab- bath.
CENTRAL ASSOCIATION.
It was on an exceedingly cold day, February 1, 1834, that a few brethren, who had suffered. much in feeling for their Mas- ter's sake, met at Indian Creek meeting-house, in Morgan coun- ty, for the purpose of constituting a new Association. The churches which they represented had formerly been happily connected with the Flint River and Ocmulgee Associations. They had grown with the growth, and strengthened with the strength of those bodies. With them they had rejoiced in pros- perity and mourned in adversity. But an evil day had dawned upon Zion in Georgia. A spirit which was wont to usurp the rights of the churches, and to lord it over God's heritage, (orig- inating in opposition to benevolent societies,) had shown itself in those Associations. In vain had the voice of age and wisdom been heard in their councils. A committee of the Flint River Association had visited Sharon church, in Henry county, and had claimed, most unceremoniously, the moderator's seat, which being denied them, they withdrew from the house and suc- ceeded in dividing the church. At the next session, the Asso- ciation voted to receive both the majority and minority, on cer- tain conditions. Several churches seceded in consequence. The case of Eatonton and New Salem churches had excited conten- tion and division in the Ocmulgee. The latter had received members of the former, on letters obtained in a disorderly con- ference, while a minority even of that conference were object- ing to their dismission. With a full knowledge of these facts, these members were received into New Salem. The matter disturbed the sessions of the Associations for several years, till in 1833, at Elam church, Jones county, the body withdrew from Eatonton church. This was immediately followed by the
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
secession of several churches from this Association likewise. There had been several preliminary meetings, and now the seceding churches, on both sides of the Ocmulgee river, thought best to constitute a distinct Association.
The meeting was opened by singing, prayer, and reading of the scriptures by Rev. Ira M. Allen, of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, who was providentially present. Brother James Fears, deacon of Indian creek church, was invited to act as moderator, and J. H. Campbell, clerk. Rev. Adiel Sherwood, of the Geor- gia Association, was also in attendance, and gave his counte- nance and encouragement to the undertaking. The ministers who were members of the churches which united in the con- stitution were B. H. Wilson, W. A. Callaway, J. Travis and J. H. Campbell. As much had been said about their departure from the faith, their Arminianism, heresy, etc., it was agreed to adopt the confession of faith of the Georgia Association as being the oldest in the State, and embodying the views of the churches and ministers now uniting. The name "Central" was adopted on account of its central position in the State. The following is a list of the churches and delegates: ANTIOCH, J. Swanson, J. Evans, L. Hearn, J. M. Evans ; INDIAN CREEK, James Fears, John E. Dawson ; EATONTON, Thomas Cooper, Jeremiah Clark ; SHARON, William Thames, B. H. Wilson, Jesse Travis ; MCDONOUGH, W. A. Callaway, J. H. Campbell ; PARAN, James Bulloch ; SARDIS, William Lane. It was, "Resolved, That though we felt it our duty, from a sacred regard to principle, to secede from the Association, we are ready at all times to meet them, in order to reconcile the differences that exist; we desire union with all our brethren but we dare not sacrifice truth and prin- ciple for union only in name." The ministers were compara- tively young men. Yet they agreed among themselves to abstain from controversy as much as possible, and "preach Jesus Christ and him crucified." These were the feelings that prevailed in the constitution and first session, and with which the delegates returned to their several churches. The annual session was appointed at Antioch, the second Sabbath in August follow- ing.
There was one peculiarity in the decorum of this body, which has had influence upon its interests ever since; that is, it "rec-
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Central Association.
ognizes and approves of Sabbath-schools, missions, the educa- tion of ministers, Bible, temperance and tract societies, and will give them our hearty co-operation ; but fellowship will not be disturbed with any member who does not feel it his duty to contribute to their support." An executive committee was appointed, " to which was committed the management of do- mestic missions."
Pleasing appearances of a general revival were discovered in the course of the spring and summer of 1834. In the neighbor- hood of the Indian creek church, several conversions had oc- curred. In Eatonton and McDonough, many were inquiring the way of life. It was under this state of things that the delegates from the churches assembled at Antioch, (a place ren- dered memorable by the breaking out of the great revival in 1837,) to attend their first annual session. The introductory sermon was preached by Jesse Travis, "a man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." It was evident that the Lord was present to bless ! Two of the ministers spent Saturday night in prayer, with strong cries and tears ! On the Sabbath, the power of the Holy One came down on the vast assembly. Before the meet- ing closed, (some ten days,) upwards of eighty were baptized into Antioch church. Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Davis, A. Sher- wood, and V. R. Thornton, favored the occasion with their pres- ence and labors. The work did not stop there: the delegates and ministers carried home the good influence with them-all the churches shared in the blessing, and hundreds were added unto the Lord. For several months the preachers had no rest from their labors. Day and night they were among the peo- ple, at the meeting-houses, from neighborhood to neighborhood, and frequently from house to house, "warning every man and beseeching every man with tears." The Milledgeville church was received at this meeting. Delegates, Judge John G. Pol- hill, G. Leeves and ...... Baldwin. The executive committee were constituted a foreign and domestic mission board. One hundred dollars were paid Abner B. Stanley, domestic mission- ary, and $128,12} taken up on the Sabbath after the missionary sermon by J. H. Campbell. Arrangements were made with Lot Hearn, executor of Seth Hearn, to receive a legacy left by his will to foreign and domestic missions, amounting to seven-
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
teen hundred dollars. The state of things among the churches was so interesting, it was agreed to hold an extra session at Sharon camp-meeting, which accordingly took place on the first Sabbath in September following. Here it was agreed, " that we apply for admission as a component member of the Georgia Baptist Convention." (The churches had hitherto been united with said body through auxiliary missionary societies.) Upwards of forty were baptized during this session. It is stated in the minutes, that "most of our churches are experiencing the reviving influences of the Spirit." Agreed to seek corres- pondence with the Georgia Association, also with the Sarepta.
The following year, (August, 1835,) the body met in McDon- ough, Henry county. Only two ministers present at the open- ing of the session, (Campbell and Callaway,) and they both members at McDonough. The aspect of affairs was discour- aging. Brethren Jonathan Davis and J. E. Dawson arrived, however, during the afternoon. Christians seemed deeply en- gaged and many sinners appeared to be "asking the way to Zion." Multitudes flocked in from the surrounding country, the meeting was protracted upwards of a week, and near forty baptized! The correspondence offered to the Georgia Associa- tion, the October previous, had been kindly received, and brother Davis was now in attendance as a messenger from that body. The Sarepta declined our correspondence, though many of her wisest men were favorable to it. The Association had been received as a component member of the Georgia Baptist Convention, much to the mortification of its numerous enemies and opponents. The triennial Convention had resolved to at- tempt to raise $100,000 00, and the Georgia Convention had agreed to endeavor to raise three thousand of this amount. This subject was strongly recommended to the attention and favor of the churches. Our brethren were again exhorted (as at the previous session,) to read through the Bible annually, which work many of them accomplished.
One of the missionaries of the body, Abner B. Stanley, a zeal- ous and useful licentiate, had been removed by death. Suitable resolutions in reference to the afflictive and mysterious dispen- sation were adopted. Jesse Travis and J. H. Campbell spent a portion of the year in domestic missionary service. Amounts
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Central Association.
for benevolent objects, $1,317 02}. Three churches joined, Madison, Clinton and New Hope, in Henry county.
The session for 1836 (held in Clinton, Jones county, in Au- gust,) was favored in like manner with evidence of the divine favor and presence. Some eight or ten were baptized. The correspondence of the body was annually enlarged. Though at first an object of great jealousy with many good brethren, when they came to understand the grounds upon which they had seceded from the older Associations, they were fully justi- fied. The fact that the body applied to several Associations for correspondence, caused much investigation and discussion as to the powers of Associations, the rights of churches, etc. It is believed that in this way the Lord brought good out of evil. These subjects were far better understood than they had been for many years, or perhaps ever in this State. Correspondents were in attendance from the Georgia, Washington and Sunbury Associations. Monticello and Ramoth churches joined. The time of the annual session was changed to the fourth Sabbath in August instead of the second. The meeting was favored with the counsels and labors of such men as Wilson Conner, Humphrey Posey, A. Sherwood, C. D. Mallary, and others of less experience. Directed the executive committee to appoint a delegate to the Great Bible Convention in Philadelphia, the object of which was approved. Rev. A. Sherwood was appoint- ed, and represented this body in that Convention, which formed the American and Foreign Bible Society. An extra session had been held at Antioch the foregoing March, when it was agreed to attempt to raise $20,000 00 to endow a professorship of languages and sacred literature in the Baptist College, then in contemplation, to be located at Washington, Wilkes county. The site was subsequently changed to Penfield, and the pledge of this body is very nearly redeemed. The Georgia Convention had resolved to attempt to raise $10,000 00 for foreign missions. This Association agreed to endeavor to raise $2,500 00 towards that amount, and to appropriate $50 00 for tracts for gratuitous distribution by our ministers. Rev. C. D. Mallary had moved to Milledgeville, and several had been ordained since the con- stitution of the body, John E. Dawson, Henry Collins and Thomas U. Wilkes. This was cause of rejoicing, But there was also
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