USA > Indiana > History of Maria Creek Church compiled from the records of the church and from the minutes of Wabash and Union Associations > Part 3
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with you, and we have to say to you, this is our great grief that you hold the principle and justify the practice of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, so far as to justify your members in supporting it. This principle we view as heterodox, and the practice not justifiable by Gospel au- thority and discipline. In the third place we are grieved with you because you refused to hear the complaint of Brother Daniel Parker, a member of our body, which he offered against you for your improper course of dealing with him. In the fourth place our grief is that you still hold the charges against him that are not only improperly taken up, but by the best information that we have got, are unjust in their nature. So, dear brethren, we hope you will be disposed to remove the cause of grief and give us satisfaction. We send this by our Brethren, Thomas Kennedy, William Hearn, James Ryan, and Benjamin Parker, whom we authorize to transact our business with you in this case, and we pray the Great Head of the Church to interfere in our behalf, and preserve his body from the apparent distress and the cause of Zion from reproach. Yours in the bonds of the Gospel. Done in conference at our meeting of business, May the 12th, 1821.
WM. RYAN, Clerk."
"The members mentioned in the foregoing letter, all were present.
"The church, after hearing the above complaint, and hearing the brethren on each charge contained therein, justify her conduct in her proceeding in relation to her conduct with Elder Daniel Parker."
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"On motion the clerk directed to prepare a friendly let- ter to Lamotte Church, informing them of the decision of this church, and present the same to the church on to- morrow morning."
"Sunday morning. The clerk produced and read the following letter to Lamotte church, which, being approved was handed to Bro. Thos. Kennedy, with a request that he would lay the same before Lamotte Church."
"The Baptist church at Maria Creek, Knox Co., State of Indiana, to her Sister Church at Lamotte, Crawford Co., State of Illinois: Sendeth Christian salutation:
DEAR BRETHREN: We received your letter by the hands of your messengers, Thos. Kennedy, Wm. Hearn, James Ryan and Benjamin Parker, exhibiting charges against us in regard to our not receiving the charges which one of your members, to-wit: Daniel Parker, presented to this church against two of her members, to-wit: Brethren Joseph Chambers and Wm. Polke, for holding and sup- porting the principles and practice of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and in reply we have to observe, that Maria Creek Church have, by her correspondence to the Association, manifested and declared she approved of missionary efforts, as patronized by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and as we have, on all occasions, pub- licly announced that we approved of missions, we could not consistently receive charges against any of our indi- vidual members; and as we are still of the same opinion, we cannot make any acknowledgements in replying to the
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foregoing charge. We have given you our opinion on the second charge. In reply to your third charge we are fully persuaded that we acted correctly in our mode of proceeding in respect to our charges against Elder Daniel Parker, and of course cannot make any acknowledge-
ments. In your fourth and last charge you complain of our still holding the charges against your member, and hint that you believe them to be unjust in their nature from the best information you have. We cannot but re- gret that you had not fully informed yourselves of the na- ture of our charges against the offending brother, before you had hastily condemned us in this indirect manner, and we have to repeat to you that we believe we have acted agreeably to the discipline laid down in the Gospel; and we further say that we believe we can fully support our charges before any competent tribunal. With you we lament the difficulties that exist between us; and join with you in praying Zion's King that He will take care of His church, avert the threatening evils, and that He will show us our errors and restore harmony and union be- tween us. With these sentiments we remain yours in the bonds of the Gospel. JOSEPH CHAMBERS, Mod.
WM. POLKE, Clerk."
"July 13th, 1821. A door being opened, the members appointed by Lamotte Church presented her charges against Maria Creek Church, having called in the assist- ance of Prairie Creek and Little Village Churches. The
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charges the same as laid in at last May meeting by letter from Lamorte Church.
"After consideration of the first charge the church on motion decided that she was justifiable in refusing to hear Eider Daniel Parker's charge against Brethren Joseph Chambers and Wm. Polke.
"Second charge. The Maria Creek Church holds the principles and practice of the Board of Foreign Mis- sions. After considering the charge, the church, on mo- tion says she has no acknowledgments to make to Lamotte church as to any part of said charge.
"Third charge. We are grieved with you because you refused to hear the complaint of Brother Daniel Parker, a member of our body, offered against you for your im- proper course in dealing with him.
"The messengers from Lamotte Church withdrew the foregoing charge in consequence of Maria Creek Church having submitted the point of discipline in dispute be- tween the two churches, to the next Association, and post- poned all further proceeding thereon until the advice of the association can be obtained.
"Fourth charge. Our grief is that you still hold the charges against him (Bro. Parker) that are not only im- properly taken up, but by the best information that we have, are unjust in their nature.
"The Messengers from Lamotte Church agree to drop any further investigation of the fourth charge until after the association."
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A letter was read by the messengers from Lamotte Church proposing a reconciliation in the following words: "The Baptist Church of Christ at Lamotte to her sis- ter church at Maria Creek, Greeting:
DEAR BRETHREN: It is painful to us to anticipate any thing like a division in the Body of Christ; and when we take a view of the difficulties that are now existing be- tween us, we feel so sensibly that our brethren have departed from the order of the Gospel, that we are con- strained to believe a division must take place, unless prevented by the Head of the Church leading our minds into some way that may be agreeable to Gospel order, and meet the approbation of the union.
"Dear Brethren, we would be willing to do anything. consistent with the Gospel for the preservation of the union, and to prevent the breaches which appear to be impending; and we believe that there is a way whereby the children of God may unite in harmony in the man- agement of the affairs of His Kingdom, and that it may be found in Gospel order by a close attention thereto. You say that you think it is a duty to educate the Indians and translate the Scriptures into the languages of nations which are destitute of the light of Revelation. We also believe it is a duty, and thus far we are agreed, and we do not wish to hinder you from doing that which you and us believe to be our duty, but would willingly unite with you in a way consistent with the Gospel to accom- plish the object, and the best way that we can see to
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expedite the business is to submit it to the direction and government of the union; as it is a work that will require the united strength of the whole denomination.
"If we undertake to form plans for the union we shall be sure to err and procrastinate the work, for it is a right that does belong to the Church of Christ, whilst conduct- ed under its name, and it is an error to assume a right or authority which does not belong to us, and we can- not expect that the church will give up her right which may now be plainly seen in respect to the plan of the general convention of the missionary societies. Then for us to formulate plans would be to retard the work in- stead of facilitating it. But we are willing to unite with you heart and hand in submitting it to the direction and government of the Baptist Union, and to do all we can to accomplish the object.
"We have no doubt but there are other exertions besides translating the Bible and educating the heathen that are incumbent on Christians. Let them be attended to by the direction and under the government of the union and we have no objections, but are perfectly willing to unite therein. We think this looks like the way to preserve the union, and in this way we are willing to meet and unite with you in the work. But we cannot consent to any system or establishments that are not by the advice and under the government of the church in matters of so great a magnitude. And we do think that if you will seriously reflect on the nature of the union of Christ's Body, that
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you must see that the setting up religious institutions dis- tinct from the union, is the very way to split the union, and we trust and hope you will see that the measures we are pursuing toward you are not designed to split the union; but, we trust, are calculated to preserve the Gospel order, and the union of the Church of Christ. And now, dear brethren, if you are willing to unite with us in this way, a moment's reflection will show how the voice of the union is to be obtained; and we are willing to join you in counsel to accomplish this object. Dear Brethren, may the Lord guide all our minds into the way that is right in His sight, and restore peace and harmony to His people. is the prayer of yours in Gospel bonds. Done in conference July 7th, 1821. WM. PATRICK, Clerk."
"On motion, agreed to accede to the proposition from Lamotte Church for a reconciliation on condition that Maria Creek Church and her members individually be permitted to pursue her present Missionary pursuits until a plan can be brought into operation that may be approv- ed of by a majority of the Baptist Union, which was unanimously adopted, and agreed to by the messengers from Lamotte Church. Whereupon the clerk was, on motion, directed to prepare a letter to send to Lamotte Church, informing them of the terms on which we accede to their propositions; and for the purpose of bringing about a reconciliation."
"On the 4th of August the following letter was approv- ed by the church, and Brethren Levi Chambers, Jesse
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Hollingsworth and Wm. Polke, appointed to bear the same to Lamotte Church.
"The Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Maria Creek, Knox Co., Indiana, to her sister Church at Lamotte, Crawford Co., Illinois, sendeth Christian salutation.
"DEAR BRETHREN : We with pleasure received your letter of July the 7th, 1821, by the hands of Elder Daniel Parker and others, members of your church, appointed a committeteo bear the same and transact other business with us, containing, or amounting to terms of reconcilia- tion in respect to the unpleasant difficulties that exist be- tween us; and we truly rejoice to find that our brethren are not opposed to making use of such exertions as God in His providence may enable them to do, to aid in giv- ing the Scriptures and a knowledge of civilized life to the ignorant and wretched of all nations; provided the same can be done consistent with the Gospel, and under the direction and government of the Baptist Union. Notwithstanding we were highly gratified with these sentiments, it was with regret we found that you had so condemned the present missionary operations of the Baptist Board of Foreign Mis- sions in the United States, in which we are engaged, as pre- cluded all hopes of a reconciliation or adjustment of our difficulties previous to our abandoning our present mis- sionary pursuits; which we fully believe has been blessed of God to the extension of the visible church here on earth; is not inconsistent with the Gospel; and in no wise
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incompatible with the Baptist Union, or power, or privi- leges of the Church of Jesus Christ. But being desirous to have the unhappy difficulties existing between us adjusted as soon as practicable, and finding we only differed as to the means employed to accomplish the same ends; and be- lieving it our duty to use all reasonable means to give our brethren satisfaction, a proposal was made on the part of Maria Creek Church to your committee, who, we were in- formed by an extract from your minutes, were by you fully authorized to transact your business with us; that Maria Creek Church and her members individually should be permitted to pursue without molestation her present mis- sionary pursuits, until a plan can be so matured, approved of and carried into active operation, as shall be accepted by a majority of the churches composing the Baptist union in the United States, for the purpose of translating the Scriptures, educating the heathen and such other exer- tions as may be thought necessary, under the smiles of our God, to accomplish the great and benevolent purposes of putting the word of life into the hands of all nations un- der the sun; which proposition was unanimously accceded to by your committee; and in order to bring about as speedy and happy an intercourse as practicable, and restore that harmony which to us is so desirable, we send you this by the hands of our Brethren, Levi Chambers, Jesse Hollings- worth and Wm. Polke, as a manifestation of our Christian love and friendship; hoping we may bring the subject be- fore the churches in such a way as may unite all Christians
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in the noble work of sending the Scriptures to all the families of the earth; and that Zion's Prophet, Priest and King, may, by His Holy Spirit and Grace, guide us into all truth, is the prayer of yours in Gospel bonds.
WM. POLKE, Clerk."
"August 18th, 1821. The following letter received from Lamotte Church by the hands of Brethren, Jesse Hol- lingsworth and Levi Chambers who attended Lamotte Church at her last meeting with our letter to said church."
"We, the Baptist Church of Christ at Lamotte, to her sister church at Maria Creek, sendeth Christian salutation:
"DEAR BRETHREN: Received your letter by Brethren Jesse Hollingsworth and Levi Chambers, and we are very much gratified to hear that you are yet willing to strive for peace. But still we believe there is a misunderstanding between us as respects your limitation in your pursuits in mission- ary efforts. You stated in your letter that you were to pursue your present engagements in missionary efforts until the counsel of the union should be known
and a better plan should be carried into active operation. Our understanding of the proposition made by you was, that you should pursue your present missionary efforts until the voice of the union should be known; and then you were to relinquish or forsake such parts as they should in their wisdom deem unjustifiable. And we are sorry to say that there is another point in which we do not understand one another. We do not think we are bound to wait until the voice of the whole denomination should be known. If we should agree to
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wait until a final decision of the whole denomination, it would be in our opinion, impracticable. For if we were to give you latitude without molestation to proceed in your mission efforts until that should be the case, we are entire- ly done, and had as well say, go on until you should see cause to desist yourselves. Now, dear brethren, our opinion, in a few words, amounts to about this: We believe our association is the beginning and after we have laid our plan before the Wabash Association, and they should approve of it, so far as to submit it to the churches and they should approve of it, it will then continue its process as far as practicable. But if they should disap- prove of it, we are then done; for we have no legal way of introducing it in any other association, except the one in which we have our membership. Dear brethren, notwith- standing the seeming difficulties that appear to exist, we are willing to meet you at your September meeting, for the purpose of devising a plan upon which we can all unite, and perhaps by that time we can see some way whereby it can be submitted to other associations in legal form. And may the Lord in His infinite mercy and un- bounded wisdom, direct us in a way that shall be for the promotion of the Redeemer's Kingdom, and the salvation of our immortal souls hereafter, is the prayer of yours in Gospel bonds. Done at our meeting of business on Sat- urday, the 11th of August, 1821, and signed by order of the church. WM. PATRICK, Clerk."
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"Sept. 15th, 1821. Received the following letter from Lamotte church:
"The Church of Jesus Christ at Lamotte, Crawford Co., Illinois, to her Sister Church at Maria Creek, Knox Co., Indiana, sendeth Christian salutation:
"DEAR BRETHREN: According to our promise we have appointed our Brethren Daniel Parker, Thomas Kennedy, and Wm. Patrick, a committee to transact our business with you in the compromise which was proposed by us to you, and to which in your letter of August the 4th you manifested something of a disposition to accede; but as your propositions do not meet our views, and still hoping our difficulties may be adjusted to satisfaction, we think it necessary to state plainly to you what we wish, and what we are willing to do, and that which we think is plainly implied in our letter of compromise. First, we have let you know that we believe that translating the Scriptures, and educating the heathen are things that are laudable and right, and that we believe there are other duties which are incumbent on Christians; but as we discover there are different sentiments among the Baptists in regard to what ought to be done, we think it ought to be referred to the union to say what is right or is not right to be done. Sec. ondly, when the work is of so much magnitude as to re- quire the united strength of our brethren, we think it ought to be submitted to the union, to prescribe the plan, and the whole be conducted under the government of the union. And now, dear brethren we think we plainly stated
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what we are willing to submit to, and what we want you to submit to, and if you comply with these propositions, we feel hopeful that our difficulties may be amicably ad- justed, as we are willing to bear with you in your present missionary pursuits until the voice of the union can be known, and so far as they may be justified by the union, until a plan can be adopted and be carried into active op- eration by the union. With respect to the union, you have stated in your proposition contained in your letter, that Maria Creek Church, and her members individually, should be permitted to pursue unmolested, their present missionary efforts, until 'a plan can be matured, approved, and carried into active operation by a majority of the churches, composing the Baptist Union in America. To this proposition we cannot accede. It would be, in our opinion, to violate the principles and rules of our own union, and lest there should be some mistake, will tell you plainly; 1st, what we mean when we say, bring it to the union; 2d, the course to pursue; 3d, how far we can indulge you.
First. When we say bring it to the Union, we mean the churches composing the Wabash Association; as that is all the place that we, as churches, can come.
Second. When a plan is formed by the churches in our association, it can be formed in a way to progress by the way of our correspondence with our sister associations, and so on, and at the same time the whole procedure sub-
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ject to be changed as it progresses under the direction and government of the Baptist denomination.
Third. We are willing to indulge you where you are, until we can get the counsel of the churches in our asso- ciation, and whatever they say is right for us to do we will submit to pursue, and you submit to the same; and when a plan is formed by the counsel of the churches, and under their government, you and us be governed by the direction of the union. We then have no right to say anything more, as to your indulgence, for if the union say stop, or come out from where you are, you must obey, and if they say go on, we must submit. But as an individual church we can assure you from our present impressions, that we shall not be in favor of leaving those that are engaged in printing, or in teaching the heathen, to suffer. If they will come under our government, we would either bring them home or support them there.
"Now, Dear Brethren, we think this is a plain, a fair way, easy to be understood, and if you are disposed to meet us in this way we can rejoice in peace between us, and have authorized our committee to join with you in counsel to devise and pursue measures to bring the matter fairly and legally before the union, in order to obtain the voice thereof, and carry our desires into active operation. But if you will not accede to these propositions, we have to say with pain, we shall be under the necessity of de- sisting from an expectation of adjusting our difficulties by way of compromise.
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"May the God of all grace be with you and guide you and us unto all truth, is the prayer of yours in Gospel bonds. Signed by order of the church at her meeting of business, September 8th, 1821.
WILLIAM PATRICK, Clerk."
"Oct. 4th, 1821. Maria Creek Church sent the follow- ing response to the above letter:
"The Church of Jesus Christ at Maria Creek, Knox Co., Ind., to her sister church at Lamotte, Crawford Co., Ills., greeting:
"DEAR BRETHREN: Your letter of September 8th, 1821, was received, wherein you explain what your views of the union are, and the nature of the compromise entered into at our July meeting, between Maria Creek Church and a committee of Lamotte Church, authorized by an act of Lamotte Church, to transact her business with us. We still believe we correctly understood the terms of com- promise, and are willing to abide by the terms as under- stood by us, and which your letter of compromise will show was correct. But should you still differ with us, you can act as you think proper, as we conceive no good will result from any further attempt to settle the difficulties existing between us. May the Lord by His Spirit guide us into all truth, is the prayer of yours in Gospel bonds. Done by order of the church at special meeting of busi- ness, Thursday, October the 4th, 1821.
WM. POLKE, Clerk."
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"March 16th, 1822. Elder Daniel Parker from Lamotte Church handed in the following letter:
"The Baptist Church of Christ at Lamotte, to her sister church at Maria Creek, sendeth greetings:
DEAR BRETHREN: Although your last letter to us was calculated to discourage any further attempts to settle or compromise the difficulty between us, but still desirous to be at peace with our brethren, and not to be weary in well- doing, we therefore, on the encouragement given us by Brother Wm. Polke, we feel it our duty to make one more attempt for peace. We have taken into consideration the statement of Brother Polke in our last association, when he was remarking on the subject of missions, and as it re- spected the difficulty on that point, his statement was about in these words: 'All we want is liberty to give our mite, an Indian a Bible, a shirt or something like this.' And as he was acting by the authority of your church in the association, we are led to hope for peace, for we are unanimously agreed that you shall fully and freely have all that request, for this you can do without pursuing the course where we think the sin lies. And now, dear breth- ren, this is what will satisfy us: For you to cause your members to forsake and quit their connection with the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and on these principles we both can have our desires without interfering with each other's feelings. And for this purpose we appoint our Brethren Elder Daniel Parker, Wmn. Hearn and William Patrick to compromise with you upon the above stated
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terms, and do fully authorize them to act on our part. Signed by order of the church, March 19, 1822.
WM. PATRICK, Clerk."
To this letter Maria Creek Church returned the follow- ing answer:
"The Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Maria Creek, Knox Co., Ind., to her sister church at Lamotte, greeting:
DEAR BRETHREN: Your letter to us was received by the hands of Elder Daniel Parker, Brethren Wm. Hearn and Wm. Patrick, in which you state that one of our members, Bro. Wm. Polke, at our last Association made an obser- vation to the following amount, to-wit: 'All we want is liberty to give our mite, an Indian a Bible, a shirt or something like this,' in which explanation we are happy to say, our brother justly represented our views; and as your letter stated you were willing we should have these privileges, we were much gratified on hearing these state- ments, as we were in hopes a happy reconciliation would ensue. But on perusing your letter further wherein you state on what terms we may pursue our missionary efforts, these hopes expired. As you state that we must cause our members to forsake and quit their connection with the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and as we only make use of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions as a medium whereby to communicate our liberality, we cannot prohibit our members from their connection with the board, as we retain our sentiments on that subject heretofore expressed in our correspondence with you. And that the Lord may
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