USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 11
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cause of deep lamentation on account of the death of JESSE TRAVIS, " whose praise was in all the churches." The Carmel church joined at the extra session at Antioch. Domestic mis- sions had been vigorously prosecuted.
The introductory sermon in 1837 was preached by T. U. Wilkes, at Madison, Morgan county. Mallary, moderator, and Campbell, clerk. Besides correspondence received at former sessions, mesengers appeared from Ebenezer, Appalachee and Sarepta Associations. That venerable man, Jesse Mercer, was present, and by special invitation preached the missionary ser- mon. Rev. I. L. Brooks also preached on the Sabbath. Nothing of special interest is found in the proceedings of this session.
At Eatonton, Putnam county, in 1838, the introductory dis- course was preached by C. D. Mallary, and the missionary ser- mon by J. H. Campbell ; $126 00 collected. Sugar creek church was admitted into the union. The church had anticipated the meeting with much interest and many prayers. The Spirit was poured out copiously on the people and many were added unto the Lord. Brethren were present from the Rehoboth and Columbus, besides many other Associations. After prayerful deliberation, it was agreed to open correspondence with the Flint River Association in regard to the former difficulties of some of our churches with that body. It was reported that about $18,000 00 had been secured towards the " central pro- fessorship " in Mercer University.
Sharon church, Henry county, entertained the body in 1839, where Harmony and Salem joined, and where messengers from the Flint River Association were welcomed to seats. Corres- pondence with that body was continued, which resulted in the adjustment of all differences which had existed, and that, too, upon principles of righteousness and truth. The following year, the session was at Carmel, Newton county. The spirit of piety seems to have undergone some decay ; yet peace pre- vailed in the churches, and much domestic missionary labor was performed by C. D. Mallary and . S. E. Gardiner. Liberty and Little river churches joined. A friendly letter was received from the United Association by brethren Byars, E. Strickland and E. Dodson ; also, a similar one from Hephzibah church, in Jasper county, a member of that Association. Though no reg-
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ular correspondence was the result, yet much good grew out of the kindness and faithfulness exercised towards those brethren. " The middle wall of partition" was broken down, and a better understanding now prevails.
For several years C. D. Mallary had been moderator, but he having removed out of the bounds, J. E. Dawson was elected moderator at Ramoth, in 1841. Providence church was received into the union. Regular correspondence was now enjoyed with nine Associations : Washington, Georgia, Rock Mountain, Reho- both, Sarepta, Appalachee, Flint River, Ebenezer and Columbus. Brother John P. James, of the United Association, was in at- tendance. Rev. William Byars had become a member of Sardis church, and was a delegate in this session. Sabbath-schools and temperance engaged much attention and excited much in- terest. Only forty-seven were baptized during the Associa- tional year. In 1842, at Paran church, J. H. Campbell was elected moderator, J. E. Dawson having removed to LaGrange. Thomas U. Wilkes was elected clerk. These have been the officers of the body several years. Friendship church became a member at this session. Hearn Manual Labor School was noticed favorably, and several hundred dollars subscribed for that institution. It was agreed to hold an extra session at Providence church, Jasper county, with reference to the case. of New Hope church, whose application for membership could not be favorably entertained. Nothing was accomplished in this matter, however, by the extra session, and the church was not received. Rev. William Byars was engaged a portion of his time, as domestic missionary. Very little was now done in this cause, in comparison with past years.
Delegates from the churches assembled in 1843 at a Baptist camp-meeting near Friendship church, Greene county. Rev. I. L. Brooks was a delegate from Sugar creek church and John P. James from Sardis. After solemn prayer for " the peace of Jerusalem," it was resolved to send a conciliatory letter to the Ocmulgee Association, which now seems to be in quite a de- clining state. (Brother J. F. Hillyer, who bore this letter, met with no encouragement, and the effort has not been renewed.) The meeting was one of interest-many sinners were awakened, and several baptized into the church. Rev. Messrs Byars and
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Buckner had been employed as missionaries. The following year, 1844, the session was at Salem, Jones county. Owing to the great political excitement prevailing at the time, the state of religion throughout the country was low, and, though the sub- ject was seldom named on occasions of our religious anniver- saries, yet many of the brethren were so much engrossed with it, as to be poorly prepared for more holy services. Many ex- cellent preachers attended at Salem, but their labors seemed to be as water spilled upon the ground, which cannot be gathered again. The executive committee reported much valuable labor performed during the year, by the colporteur, brother Nelson. Several hundred dollars worth of religious books and tracts had been sold or distributed by him. Many poor families had re- ceived the Bible gratuitously.
The Association convened in 1845 at Sardis church, Butts county, and was held in connection with a camp-meeting of great interest. With most of the churches, the days of mourn- ing seem to have passed away, and times of prosperity to have returned. Cheering revival intelligence came up from many neighborhoods. It was with great rejoicings that the brethren met together, in vast numbers on this occasion. B. M. Sanders, Jonathan Davis, J. S. Callaway, James Davis, James Carter and other esteemed servants of the Lord were there. The ex- ecutive committee had been diligently engaged in promoting domestic missions, and the Lord had owned their labors. Rev Messrs. Wilkes, Phillips, Carter and Bledsoe had given themselves to the work with great zeal and untiring perseverance. Many souls had been brought " out of darkness into marvelous light.' During the session, the gospel was preached with unusual power, and the vast assembly felt that God was there. The business transacted was, much of it, of an important nature and was attended to with the utmost harmony.
Thus it may be seen, that in some ten or eleven years, th members of this body have more than doubled ; much domesti missionary labor has been performed ; thousands of dollars hav been contributed to the foreign mission and education cause several useful ministers have been ordained. While, on th other hand, those churches that oppose missions, etc., hav
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dwindled away, many churches have become extinct, and very few conversions have occurred.
REHOBOTH ASSOCIATION.
There had been a division in the Itchaconna Association on the subject of benevolent institutions, and those churches that were of the liberal party met at Benevolence church, Crawford county, and constituted the Rehoboth Association, July 27th, 1838. The names of those churches are as follows : In Upson county, Harmony, Bethesda, Antioch and Fellowship ; in Craw- ford, Elim, Benevolence and Liberty Grove ; Perry church, Houston ; Macon church, Bibb ; and Forsyth church, Monroe- ten churches in all. Among the delegates were Jacob King, Z. H. Gordon and A. T. Holmes. The visiting ministers present, and approving of the organization, were Wilson Conner, C. A. Tharp, James Perryman, Robert Fleming, and S. W. Durham.
In the dawn of its existence, the Association recognized its obligation to preach the gospel to every creature, to circulate the scriptures in all lands, to educate the ministry, and to or- ganize Sunday-schools and temperance societies. The fol- lowing ministers have been employed, first and last, as her domestic missionaries : James Steely, A. Horne, Austin Ellis, Jacob King, J. W. Stephens, A. T. Holmes, C. Peurifoy, H. Garland, M. J. Jackson, E. B. Barrett, W. Thomas, J. Thomas and W. J. Collins. Scarcely a year has intervened since its or- ganization but that it has had missionaries in its own bounds or elsewhere, preaching to the destitute.
In 1852 a colored minister, Rev. Cæsar Fraser, a native Afri- can, was sent out by this Association to preach the gospel in , his own country. In January of that year he sailed from Sa- vannah, in company with Rev. Eli Ball, of Virginia, (who was e going out on a visit of inspection to the mission stations in Af- rica,) and located near the town of Monrovia, on the St. Paul's river. In the course of the following year, the Foreign Mission Board having expressed its willingness to sustain this colored orother, the Rehoboth adopted Rev. J. S. Dennard and wife as el ner missionaries to Africa. Mrs. Dennard died within a few months after her arrival in that dark land, and her husband
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soon followed her to the grave. In 1857, Rev. T. A. Reid and wife went out to Africa as missionaries of this Association.
The efforts of this body at home and in Africa only tended to inflame the zeal of her churches, and in 1857 it was resolved to attempt to send one or more missionaries to the Indians of the West ; and to ascertain the practicability of sending others to the Jews in Constantinople or Jerusalem, and also to South America. The year following, Rev. J. S. Murrow and wife were acting as the missionaries of this body at Micco, in the Indian Territory, where they still labor for the salvation of the red men. (The first Mrs. Murrow died, but her husband found a second wife, " worthy and well qualified," in the person o Miss Burns, daughter of a missionary to the Choctaws.) Mr Murrow has proven himself a most devoted and successful mis ce h sionary. liss ti I d
Of course, a body of such intelligence and piety could no refrain from sending missionaries into the Confederate arm during the late war. Rev. E. B. Barrett was accordingly sen to the army of Virginia, and Rev. B. F. Tharp and other minis ters preached to the soldiers at other places.
In 1853, the Association resolved to take a more active par in the education of pious young men preparing for the ministry Appropriations were made for the benefit of James F. McLeo and Asa B. Marshall. A valuable library was presented each. The latter was sent to Mercer University, where h graduated with credit in 1860.
A Baptist bookstore was established by the Association a Fort Valley, A. D. Kendrick, agent, and was kept in successf operation for several years. Thus, it would seem, the bod was engaged in every good work. It may be considered tl model Association among Georgia Baptists.
That eminent and gifted man, Jacob King, was moderat( from the time of its organization until his death-twenty-for years. Since then B. F. Tharp, J. H. Clark, J. M. Wood ar Col. T. S. Sharman have presided in turn. Holmes, Wilke Landrum and Holtzclaw have filled the office of clerk. Besid these, there have been connected with the body, from time time, many choice spirits : Zack. Jordon, C. D. Mallary, J. ] Kendrick, H. C. Hornady, T. E. Langley, E. W. Warren, J. I
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Corley and many other able and efficient ministers, besides many laymen of intelligence and great moral worth.
For many years past this Association has stood aloof from all connection with the Boards of the Southern Baptist Conven- tion, preferring to manage her missions through a committee of her own. The great efficiency of her plans and success of her efforts is a strong argument in favor of her policy, which is, to have the relations between the churches and missionaries as intimate as possible.
The body is still sustaining Rev. J. S. Murrow among the Indians, who is assisted by two native preachers. Seventeen churches have been organized, an Association constituted, (in which there are about one thousand members,) meeting-houses are being built, and the condition of the "Rehoboth Indian Mission " every way encouraging.
BETHEL ASSOCIATION.
MINUTES OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BETHEL ASSOCIATION.
SATURDAY, November 23d, 1833.
The several churches dismissed from the Columbus Associa- , ion met according to appointment at Richland church, Stewart ounty, and being met by brethren Andrew Hood and Ander- on Smith, ministers of the gospel, who were appointed by the olumbus Association to constitute the several dismissed hurches into an Association, and after a sermon by brother ood, appropriate to the occasion, the brethren, Hood and mith, formed a presbytery, and invited visiting brethren in le ministry to unite with them; whereupon brother Joseph oss took a seat with the brethren, and after prayer by brother ofoseph Ross, proceeded to business and invited brother Smith the chair.
1. Called for and read letters from fourteen churches and inuted their State.
2. After an examination of the churches on the principles of e christian faith, and finding them orthodox, proceeded to P nstitute them into an Association upon the articles of faith Id to and published in the minutes of the Columbus Associa-
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tion. Prayer by brother Hood. A solemn charge given by brother Smith. The presbytery then proceeded to extend the right of fellowship to the brethren, and the brethren to each other.
3. Agreed that this Association shall be called the Bethel Association. The Association then proceeded to business.
[The following are the churches which originally constituted this Association, viz : Antioch, Stewart county ; Antioch, “Ran- dolph ; Bethlehem, Stewart; Bethlehem, Randolph; Fellow ship, Stewart; Liberty Hill, Early; Liberty, Stewart ; Mount Sinai, Randolph ; Mount Paran, Stewart ; Mount Zion, Ran- dolph ; Pataula, Randolph ; Richland, Stewart ; Spring Creek Sumter ; Smyrna, Early ; Poplar Spring, Houston.]
The minutes of the second session represent that it was held af Spring creek church, Sumter county, in connection with the firs Sabbath in September, 1834. There were twenty-one churche represented, showing a membership of five hundred and seventy nine. Some of these churches were quite weak, containing eight, ten, twelve, and fifteen members, etc. The largest church (Pataula,) contained only fifty-seven members. The names o ministers are JOHN RUSHIN, CADER A. PARKER, PETER ELDRIDGE HENRY DIKES, JAMES S. LUNSFORD, JOSHUA MERCER and TRAVI EVERITT. Thirty years thereafter, viz .: in 1864, this body, afte having dismissed a number of its churches to join other Asso ciations, contained six thousand and fifteen members, showing that it was favored by the King in Zion with an energetic min istry, and that the Lord does not despise the day of smal things. James S. Lunsford was its first moderator, and Joh W. Cowart, clerk.
The following year, 1835, twelve additional churches wer received, and the good cause seemed to be generally prosperou within the bounds of the Association. In 1837, the name ( Rev. Jonathan Davis appears as a delegate from Palmyr church, for the first time, and the following year that of hi brother, Rev. Jesse M. Davis. Nothing of importance seems t have characterized those sessions. In 1839, the name of Thomo Muse is recorded as a delegate from Macedonia church, Earl county. He does not seem to have been a preacher then, thoug he may have been such. In the minutes of that year we fin
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the following item : " Took up the subject of domestic missions in the bounds of this Association, and after many remarks, all of which were wholly favorable, Resolved, That this Association admit under her charge and take the management of domestic missions, to supply destitute regions within our bounds and around us, and that the churches and brethren be and they are hereby, invited to send up such means as they may desire to our annual sessions, and we pledge ourselves to manage and apply them according to their wishes. Under this resolution an executive committee was appointed and other steps taken to carry out its spirit. This was the first definite action of the body in favor of missions, and this only contemplated domestic missions. [It was not until years afterwards that the Associa- tion engaged systematically in Indian and foreign missions.] This, however, is some evidence of progress, as in 1837 they had refused to correspond with the Georgia Baptist State Convention by a very decided vote, and had " dropped correspondence with the Columbus Association in consequence of their corresponding with the Central Association and State Convention." This sa- vored rather strongly of anti-ism, yet it may have been some- thing else.
The session for 1840 was held at Pataula church, Randolph county. The only items of interest are, that an hour of Sab- bath forenoon was spent in prayer for Lumpkin church, (which is supposed to have been in trouble,) a report on the subject of abolition, and another on that of discipline, all breathing a good spirit and advocating correct principles. In 1841, brother Lunsford, who had presided over the body from its organiza- tion, declined a re-election, and Jonathan Davis was elected moderator. On Monday, " Resumed the subject of correspond- ence with the Convention, and, on motion, referred the case to of the consideration of the churches, recommending them to say in their next letters whether or not they are willing to become a constituent member of the Convention, and if not, say whether they are willing to open correspondence or not." A 0 committee was appointed to procure minutes and documents of lyt the Georgia Baptist Convention and of the Triennial Conven- thi tion, to examine such documents, and to report at the next d session. The death of Rev. Jesse Mercer is noticed, and reso-
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lutions on the subject adopted, among which is the following : " Resolved, That in the late death of the Rev. Jesse Mercer, not only his native State, but the christian world, has sustained a heavy bereavement." The following year, at Blakely, Early county, delegates presented themselves from the Georgia Bap- tist Convention-James Perryman, Jesse Carter and R. Q. Dickinson-" who were cordially received," and elected eight delegates to represent them in said Convention, the moderator to write a letter, etc. Domestic missions had been prosecuted with energy for several years, in connection with which a sys- tem of colportage had been adopted, funds for which had been sent up by the churches, and thus many valuable religious books had been introduced within the bounds of the Associa- tion. Light was increasing, the piety of the members im- proving, and the body advancing rapidly in influence and use- fulness. Among those who seem to have been active and leading spirits in those days may be mentioned Dr. John G. Gilbert, Jonathan Davis, Jesse M. Davis, James Mathews, James Clarke, Lewis Everingham, J. S. Lunsford, F. F. Seig, and, prominent among them all, that indefatigable worker, Thomas Muse.
In 1843, the following query seems to have excited'consider- able interest : " Is it orderly and expedient for a Baptist min- ister to baptize an individual within the bounds of a Baptist church without his becoming a member of the church ?" [This query is understood to have grown out of the fact of Mr. Luns- ford having baptized a Methodist preacher near Lumpkin, if the writer's memory is not at fault.] Much discussion ensued, and the following answer was adopted : " We believe it disor- derly and highly inexpedient. But it is not intended by the word disorderly to impute blame to those ministers who may have heretofore conscientiously indulged in this practice." Great lamentation was made this year over the death of two ministers, Woodward and the younger Key, especially over the latter, who fell a victim to disease while acting as a domestic missionary in a sickly region.
In the minutes of 1845. there is nothing of interest reported, if we may except the report of W. Maund, the domestic mis- sionary, who seems to have labored with great zeal and much
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success. The following year, at Cuthbert, the session received a visit from Rev. C. D. Mallary, " in behalf of the College at Penfield," who was most cordially welcomed, and the object for which he pleaded indorsed. The following resolutions; on other subjects, were also adopted :
1. That we recommend to the churches to deal with and reform or exclude from membership, such members as traffic in intoxicating liquors.
2. That we recommend to the ministry and churches within our bounds, to turn their attention more carefully to our black population, and to provide in the best manner possible for their spiritual interests.
3. That we recommend to our brethren generally, the memoir of brother Mercer, written and compiled by brother Mallary."
At the session for 1817, at Blakely, nothing of special interest is reported, except that eleven churches joined, nearly all of which had recently been of the Salem United Association, (that body, it is presumed, having dissolved) and that brother James Matthews was elected moderator, in place of Jonathan Davis, who had removed to Alabama. In 1848, at Bethlehem church, Stewart county, at the request of the Lumpkin church, Carlos W. Stevens was ordained to the work of the ministry ; J. H. Campbell preached the sermon, C. A. Tharp made the prayer, F. F. Seig gave the charge and W. L. Crawford extended the right hand of fellowship. At the instance of the Palmyra church, it was proposed that some action be taken in favor of " raising a fund for the education of young ministers," on which a committee was appointed, who reported favorably. In 1849, at Americus, at the request of Palmyra and Albany churches, it was agreed to attend to the ordination of E. W. Warren and T. D. Matthews, which was done on Sabbath afternoon; A. T. Holmes preached the sermon, Eli Ball led in prayer, J. H. Campbell gave the charge and W. L. Crawford the right hand of fellowship. The cause of foreign missions was urged more earnestly on the attention of the churches, though the energies of the body were mostly given to domestic missions and col- portage. In 1850, the session was held at Palmyra, Lee county, W. L. Crawford, moderator, E. W. Warren, clerk. " The ques- ion of the expediency of appointing a day of fasting and.
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prayer, that the Lord may avert the calamity that seems to threaten the perpetuity and welfare of our much loved Union, was taken up and the following resolution was offered by brother J. H. Campbell, [the author was then residing at Lumpkin] and adopted : Resolved, That in view of the alarming political agi- tation of our country, we recommend that Tuesday, the 10th day of December, next, (the day on which the State Conven- tion meets) be observed by the churches of this body as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, that the Lord may be gra- ciously pleased to guide the rulers and people of our land to wise, just and peaceful measures, to restore quiet and harmony to our borders, and make us ever to dwell under the shadow of his wings, a united and prosperous nation." (The political con- vention alluded to adopted what was subsequently known as " The Georgia Platform," which has since been recognized as one of the ablest documents ever produced in this country, and which was received by almost every Southern State as the basis of its political action.) " The following query was offered by brother James M. Clark: 'Can a church release a member from all church connection, and discharge him from church obligations, upon his own request, when there are no charges existing against said member?' The following committee was appointed to present an answer, viz .: J. H. Campbell, James M. Clark and F. F. Seig. Answer-' We answer the above query in the nega tive, for the following reasons : 1. That Christ is King in Zion and the church has no authority. from Him to release any o His subjects from their allegiance. 2. Because a person in join ing the church, by that act enters into a covenant with the Lord, and professes to receive Him as his king, as well as witl his people, and the church has no right to set aside that cove nant. 3. Because a member may desire to withdraw from th church for other reasons than a sense of his own unworthiness and because the establishment of such a principle would ope the door to numberless evils. If a member desires to witl draw, acknowledging himself in an unconverted state, tha acknowledgment furnishes ground for a charge upon which h may be excommunicated.'" The foregoing items comprise a that was done at this session, outside of the ordinary routin of business.
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