USA > Missouri > History of the Blue River Baptist Association of Missouri > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
ARTICLE I.
SECTION 1. £ This body shall be known by the name of the "Blue River Baptist Association, " and shall be com- posed of the acting pastors of churches, provided, a pastor represents but one church; and messengers from churches, who shall be members of the church they re- present.
SEC. 2. Each church shall be entitled to three mes- sengers, with an additional member for every fifty members.
ARTICLE II.
SEC. 1. The object of this Association shall be to promote union and harmony among the churches, and to devise and recommend such measures as are designed to
88
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
strengthen the churches, and advance the kingdom of Christ throughout the world.
ARTICLE III.
SEC. 1. The officers of this body shall be a Moderator, a Clerk, and Treasurer.
SEC. 2. . The Moderator shall preside over all the transactions of the body, and see that order and decorum is observed by every member.
SEC. 3. The Clerk shall keep the minutes of the pro- ceedings and take charge of the records and papers of the body, and conduct its correspondence.
SEC. 4. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys be- longing to the Association, keep an accurate account of the same, and the objects for which they were designed, and pay them out according to the order of the Associa- tion; and report the state of the treasury before the close of each session.
SEC. 5. The officers shall be chosen annually by bal- lot, unless otherwise ordered by a two-third vote without debate.
ARTICLE IV.
SEC. 1. Churches wishing to be received into the As- sociation may apply by letter and messenger, and upon giving satisfactory evidence of their being sound in doc- trine and correct in practice, they may be received, and as a token of the same the Moderator shall give their messengers the right hand of fellowship in behalf of the Association.
ARTICLE V.
SEC. 1. This Association shall have no power or authority over the churches in respect to their doctrine or discipline ; yet should any church become unsound in faith, or incorrect in practice, the Association shall drop
89
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
all correspondence and connection with that church; pro- vided they refuse to be counseled or advised.
ARTICLE VI.
SEC. 1. This Association shall have the right to open and hold correspondence with other Baptist Associations, or any other religious body having the same object as this Association.
ARTICLE VII.
SEC. 1. This Association shall meet annually at the place and time previously agreed upon, when an introduc- tory sermon shall be preached by a brother appointed by the body.
ARTICLE VIII.
SEC. 1. It shall be the duty of each church in the As- sociation to report by letter at the annual meeting of the body, the state of religion in the church; any change that may have taken place in the membership during the year; the time of holding their regular church meeting; the time of taking public collection for home and foreign mis- sions; with a complete account of their home work and ex- penses for the year.
ARTICLE IX.
SEC. 1. The Association accepts as the expression of the faith of the churches composing the union, the confes- sion of faith published in Pendleton's Church Manual; commonly known as Newberry Confession of Faith.
ARTICLE X.
SEC. 1. The Association shall at each annual meeting appoint five persons whose duty it shall be to direct and control the mission work of the body, which shall be called the "Home Mission Board."
SEC. 2. The Association shall at each annual meeting appoint three persons, whose duty it shall be to control
90
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
and direct the Sunday School mission work, who shall be called the "Sunday School Board."
ARTICLE XI.
SEC. 1. The constitution may be changed or amended, at any regular meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the members.
RULES OF DECORUM
Were such as are usually adopted in such bodies.
Amongst the reports from various committees at this session, we find the following:
REPORT ON OBITUARIES.
It has pleased the Great Ruler above, since our last meeting, to call from their earthly labors two of our min- istering brethren, Obadiah Tompkins and Daniel S. Meller. They have ceased from their labors and trials here. We miss them on our councils; but they have gone to receive the reward of their labors in the realms of heavenly bliss. Brother Tompkins resided outside the limits of our As- sociation, but two of our churches, Index and Wadesburg, had the benefits of his labors for some years before his death; and we are persuaded that the fruits of his labor will some day follow him to share in the heavenly rest which he now enjoys.
Brother D. S. Meller for several years resided on the western border of our Association - one of those plain, unassuming, old fashioned preachers, the value of whose labors can only be told in eternity. Many years since, when Blue River was performing more of missionary work than now, Brother Meller was employed by our Board and performed acceptable service in the western part of Jackson and Cass Counties, and in Kansas, and though he is now gone, he will not be forgotten by those who knew him then and have known him since. One by
1
91
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
one the laborers are called home .. One by one they pass to the harvest home above and are added to the blood- washed throng on the other side of the Jordan of death.
Then let the friends who yet remain,
Although we see them here no more, Press on with hope to meet again Upon that ever blissful shore. Another year perhaps will bear Our feet across the Jordan deep;
And we shall meet our brethren there, No more to toil, no more to weep.
In the list of ordained ministers we find the names of S. M. and W. M. Barker, I. O. Anderson, John Hoy, J. K. Dixon, L. M. Horn, L. M. Longfellow, J. H. Blevans, J. K. Lacy, Isaac Story, Henry Barton and -Crooks, not on the previous year's list of ministers.
Preaching at this session by Revs. Dixon, Barker, Ford and others.
In 1880 the Association met with Independence Church, September 30th.
The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. A. C. Rafferty, on the Unity of Baptism, and in compliance with a resolution of the body, it was published with the min- utes of the session, an able defense of the one baptism ; and we believe it will repay any seeker after the truth to hunt up the minutes of that session and read the brother's convincing arguments.
Jeremiah Farmer was again chosen Moderator and for the last time. F. M. Furgason, Clerk, and N. Scholl, Treasurer. And in accordance with the amended consti- tution, J. B. Wornall, T. M. James, I. W. Hayhurst, A. C. Rafferty and Daniel Belcher were appointed on the Home Mission Board. And A. C. Rafferty, F. M. Furgason and W. T. Campbell were put on the Sunday School Board.
1
92
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
Letters from thirty-three churches were read, showing a membership of 2,890. One church, Centreview, in Cass County, dissolved.
Messengers and visiting brethren from other parts in attendance were H. M. Richardson, Secretary Board of Ministerial Education; L. B. Ely, financial agent of Wm. Jewell College; D. B. Ray, editor Baptist Flag; J. W. Swift, Butler Association; G. L. Black, Liberty Associa- tion; R. S. Duncan, Secretary Foreign Missions; Dr. Pope Yeaman, Secretary General Association ; Dr. Rothwell and Prof. Emmerson, Wm. Jewell College; Prof. Lanneau, Lexington Female College.
The usual committees appointed, also one on Digest of Letters, by all of which able and sensible reports were made, and adopted by the body with but little opposition; except the one from the Committee on Denominational Literature. That committee, consisting of Yeaman, An- derson and Robinson, failed to agree and asked to be ex- cused, which was done, and another consisting of Rafferty, Blood and Jackson, was appointed; who, on the last day of the meeting, made a report which, after discussion, was adopted by a small majority. To explain this conflict of opinion on this subject, it may be stated, that for several years previous, two Baptist weekly newspapers had been published and are yet published in the city of St. Louis, viz. : the Central Baptist and the Baptist Flag. The committees on Denominational Literature had for several years in their reports recommended each of these to the patronage of the great Baptist family. Between these papers the best feelings did not exist, and in some things they were antagonistic; and each had its friends in the Association. At the preceding session at Union Church, the committee, after earnestly and especially recommend- ing the Central Baptist and also the Christian Repository
1
93
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
as household necessities, continued their report by saying, " We would also recommend the Baptist Flag so far as it is identified with the great interests of Missouri Baptists." At this session, as was said, the first committee disagreed on this question; and the second made a report without mentioning either one of those papers, as follows:
REPORT.
This is a reading age. The first duty of any people who would exercise a commanding influence is to build up and support a strong, pure literature. In this respect the Baptists have done nobly. We have in our weekly press and periodicals, and in the books and papers for Sunday Schools issued by our publication society, a literature in which every Baptist should feel a deep interest. We rec- ommend, therefore, the free patronage and use of all these publications. Baptists should be a reading people.
A. C. RAFFERTY. C. BLOOD. J. B. JACKSON.
This was not satisfactory to all and an amendment was offered by J. E. Chambliss and accepted by the committee, to this effect:
"In the Central Baptist we have a paper eminently devoted to the interests of the Baptists of this State, and therefore recommend it especially to the brotherhood."
The report thus amended was discussed until discus- sion was cut off by the previous question, and the report adopted by a vote of 31 to 23.
Amongst the additional ministers reported at this ses- sion as belonging to the Association were M. S. Atchley, Caleb Blood, W. T. Campbell, C. B. Martin, F. M. West and C. Margeau.
On the 29th of September, 1881, the Association con- vened with Freeman Church.
94
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
Jeremiah Farmer, the Moderator for so many years being detained at home by sickness, the Association was called to order by the Clerk, and on motion J. B. Wornall was appointed Moderator pro tem .; after which Rev. J. E. Chambliss preached the introductory sermon: " When ye have lifted up the son of God, then shall ye know that I am He."
Letters from the churches were read and the messen- gers' names enrolled; and before proceeding to the election of officers, the following dispatch was sent by telegraph to Brother Farmer, at Pleasant Hill:
DEAR BROTHER :
We are filled with sorrow by your illness. Your ab- sence is deeply lamented: Receive our loving sympathy. Maythe Lord bless and comfort you, and restore you to us. Your brethren of Blue River Association."
Deacon John B. Wornall, of Westport, was then elected Moderator, F. M. Furgason, Clerk, and Nelson Scholl, Treasurer.
Visiting brethren present at the meeting were G. W. Hyde, missionary General Association; W. M. Baker, Illinois; I. N. Anderson, S. W. Association, Iowa ; D. Williams, Ottawa, Kansas ; A. H. Austermel, General Association.
The following letter applying for membership in the Association was received :
THE SCANDINAVIAN BAPTIST CHURCH AT KANSAS CITY. To the Blue River Baptist Association Meeting at Freeman, September 29, 1881.
DEAR BRETHREN:
We hereby apply for admission into your body as a Baptist church of same order of faith. Our articles of faith are published by the Baptist Publishing Society.
95
1
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
Our church was organized October 10, 1871, with ten members; since that time has. had many struggles. Few, and all poor in this world's goods, unable to support a pastor until lately. Brother Aug. Johnson, missionary in Kansas, came and staid a little while now and then, and some were added to the church, and a turn in the current of the church commenced. Our present pastor, Goodman Mellis, commenced first Sunday in February last, and since that time we have had blessings poured down upon us. We are united in the bonds of peace and unity. Brother C. Seline, of Chicago, came and staid a few weeks, and a revival influence commenced ; but we have no place to meet. We have felt the need of a house of worship in order to give the gospel to our countrymen who are coming here more than ever. Kansas City is a large field for us, and much good might be done in the name of Jesus. Recently three families have come that have not their church letters yet. They will unite with us. Calvary Church has done a good thing for us in opening their house of worship when not occupied by themselves; and the General Association has given us a helping hand in the pastor's salary. We feel that we need your help, and with the Lord's help we will be self-supporting in a few years.
Dear brethren, we expect to send the gospel into the counties of Missouri, and induce others of our country- men to come to Christ.
Since the first Sunday in February we have received seven by baptism and seven by letters-fourteen additions. One excluded. Present membership thirty-three. We send a dollar for minutes. By order of the church.
FRANK DROTTS.
This request was referred to a committee, and upon their reporting favorably, the church was received into
96
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
the fellowship, and is yet one of the Baptist churches of Kansas City, gradually increasing in strength and useful- ness, and doing work for the Master amongst their coun- trymen.
Preaching Thursday evening, W. M. Barker; theme, Ingersoll and Infidelity.
Friday evening, Rev. Hyde.
Saturday, 11 A. M., J. O. Anderson, Missions.
Saturday evening, E. H. Foster, Doctrine of Repent- ance.
The usual committees and usual reports made. The report on foreign missions was as follows: "We have great reason to thank God for the success attending the labors of our missionaries in the foreign fields; and this fact, in connection with the calling of one of our own members, N. W. Halcomb, to this work, should stimulate us to en- courage them, not only by sympathy and prayer, but with our means also. We recommend that the pastors urge the interest of foreign missions upon the churches, preach- ing at least one sermon a year upon that subject, and taking a collection for the same.
" Since much of the missionary work is done by and for women, we further recommend the formation of women's mission circles, and that those engaged in the Sunday School work be urged to instill into the minds of the chil- dren a desire to have a share in this work, because we look for many of the future missionaries to come from their members. W. T. CAMPBELL.
J. W. SWIFT, E. F. ROGERS."
Action was also taken toward establishing and con- ducting a mission in Kansas City, for the purpose of en- lightening and Christianizing our own foreign and heathen population; and no doubt there were some present at that
97
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
meeting who listened to the simple request of the Scan- dinavians for admission and a helping hand to reach their countrymen in Missouri, and on the same day heard the eloquent and stirring appeals in behalf of foreign missions to foreign countries, who thought that a small part of the large sums expended annually for missions in foreign lands could be more profitably employed here at home.
At this session the Committee on Obituaries reported that thirty-three of the brothers and sisters had been called home by death during the year, saying: "This should remind us and every one in the Association of the words falling from the lips of Jesus: ' What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.' And also of the language of the apostle: 'Let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.' BAILEY SHEPARD, TOMPKINS."
Thirty-three churches, with a membership of 2,856. Thirty ordained and seven licensed preachers. J. M. Wise, of Independence, and L. Hawley, of Harrisonville, were the only ordained ministers not before connected with us. Brother Hawley is still with us; but Elder Wise remained only a short time.
The Home Mission Board for the year was made to consist of Brothers Wornall, Rafferty, James, Hayhurst and Chambliss. Sunday School Board, Campbell, Wise and Anderson.
1882.
Pursuant to adjournment the Association met with West Fork Church, on Thursday, September 28, 1882.
After prayer by J. O. Anderson, the Association was called to order by the former Moderator, J. B. Wornall. Thos. L. Powell, (great nephew of the old pioneer preacher, Joal Powell,) who had been appointed to preach the introductory sermon, being absent, as was also his al-
98
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
ternate, J. B. Jackson, by request of Association, G. L. Black preached an able and acceptable sermon; theme, " The Foundation Rock." Letters from thirty churches read. Grand River, Pleasant Grove and Pleasant View not represented. Membership of the whole body, 3,154.
An address of welcome from the church was eloquently responded to by J. O. B. Lowry, of Kansas City, and the Association organized by electing the officers of last year- Wornall, Furgason and Scholl.
Visitors present, G. L. Black, of Wm. Jewell College; W. T. Campbell, for Central Baptist; W. T. Russell and S. M. Brown, Butler Association; N. C. Alspaugh, Lafay- ette and Johnson Association; A. Whitman, Nevada As- . sociation.
A pleasing incident of the meeting occurred at this point of the proceedings. A Moderator's gavel made from the wood of the Old Bethel meeting-house - the first Protestant church west of the Mississippi River - pre- pared by Brother Wornall, was presented to the Associa- tion, in appropriate words, by Brother W. T. Campbell, and was eloquently responded to by A. C. Rafferty, and on motion of L M. Horn, was thankfully accepted by a rising vote, and joining in the hymn -.
"Blessed be the tie that binds Our Christian hearts in one."
And while singing this hymn, and looking on that little gavel, the minds of some at least in the assembly were carried back through a period of seventy-five years to the time when the tree, from which this memento was taken, was felled in the forest of Cape Girardeau by the primi- tive pioneer Baptists of Missouri-to the time when it formed a part of the only Protestant house of worship be- tween the great river and the Pacific Ocean.
99
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
The man who felled that tree, unknown ;
The men who reared that house are gone.
The house itself has fallen low,
Where God was worshiped long ago.
But in that house the seeds were sown,
From which the Baptist tree has grown;
And there those pioneers so true, Builded much better than they knew.
And may we not reasonably hope and anticipate that when another half century has passed, and the rappings of this gavel are heard in the sessions of Blue River Asso- ciation, that it will call to the minds of those who may come after us, (our children and our children's children, ) the men of the present day and the meeting of the Asso- ciation at West Fork in 1882; and also to the long-ago, when the old Bethel Church was built in 1806.
The usual committees having been appointed, preach- ing at night by Rev. J. G. Burgess.
Amongst the reports from committees at this session was one from a Committee on Prohibition -a great and growing question in the land.
REPORT:
WHEREAS, The sale and use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is producing such an alarming amount of evil in our land to-day; and
WHEREAS, We consider it our duty as a denomination, and as individual Christians, to oppose evil in all its forms; and
WHEREAS, The Bible pronounces intemperance to be such an evil that no person addicted to it can enter the kingdom of heaven; and
WHEREAS, It can be conclusively proven by statistics that our prisons and almshouses are mainly filled by the effects of intemperance, and thereby great expense is en-
100
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
tailed upon the tax-paying community of this State; therefore we believe it to be our duty, as a body, to op- pose by all legitimate means this blighting curse; and
WHEREAS, Life and property are rendered unsafe by the sale and use of intoxicating liquors, we would recom- mend to this body the expediency of earnestly petitioning the Legislature of our State to submit to the people an amendment of the constitution of our State, prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and declar- ing drunkenness a crime punishable by fine or imprison- ment, or both, in proportion to the frequency of the crime, and the evils resulting therefrom.
C. N. WESTER. A. H. DEANE. N. E. HARRELSON.
The following also gives a part of the history of the Association and its mission work in Kansas City and else- where:
REPORT OF KANSAS CITY MISSIONS.
Since entering into the mission work under your em- ploy, January 1; 1882, I have visited, in the interest of Kansas City missions, twenty one churches in the Associa- tion, and six churches in other Associations. There have been thirty-three conversions in meetings which I have conducted, and the same number of baptisms; and there have been about twenty-two conversions and baptisms in meetings where I have assisted. Have preached ninety- six sermons, and made ten talks to Sunday Schools and in children's meetings. Have received on my salary the fol- lowing amounts:
From John B. Wornall, pledged at Freeman. $50 00
From T. M. James, for Calvary Church 50 00
From N. Scholl, Treasurer. 110 75
From H. M. Givan, pledged at Freeman. 10 00
Collected on the field. 46 75
Total on salary from Blue River $267 50
101
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
Have received for the purpose of building Baptist Mission
Chapel on S. W. corner of Tenth and Lydia Avenue in Kansas City, in cash. $1,761 66
Pledges not paid ... 793 50
$2,555 16
DISBURSEMENTS.
For lot on which to build.
$1,023 00
For special tax for grading 24 00
For sidewalks.
82 99
For printing cards.
3 00
For railroad expenses
16 50
Total
$1,149 49
Leaving balance on hand. 612 17
Now concerning Blue River as a mission field; permit me to say that I have found great destitution in our bounds, and while I believe Kansas City to be the most important mission field in the State, yet there is great need of earnest mission work all over the Association. May God help us to enter more heartily into the great work committed to our hands
Your servant in the Master's work.
W. T. CAMPBELL.
The Committee on Obituaries made a lengthy report, as follows:
"In the many long years of our Associational work we seldom, if ever, had a more solemn duty to perform than that connected with this hour. For a lifetime, to name Blue River Association was to bring to our memories the labors of love of him who, for almost a quarter of a cen- tury, has been our beloved and honored Moderator.
"Jeremiah Farmer has passed away from the Associa- tions of earth to the abode of the just made perfect, there to be raised from glory to glory, and that glory ever shining as the stars in the firmament of heaven.
102
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
His works do follow him; his praise is in all the churches. He was ever ready in every good word and work. Hefelt the need of a higher education; therefore he was the un- wavering friend of our colleges, especially of William Jewell. The motive in this was ministerial education, feeling that no man who did not keep pace with the up- ward march of the true scientific literature of the nine- teenth century could hope to lead the cultured in religious thought, or be a master workman.
"Jeremiah Farmer was our first missionary, and, by his ability and winning address and great prudence, succeeded in planting Christ's cause in many destitute fields. He baptized hundreds of converts. Many of these live not only in Missouri but in other States-Texas, Oregon, Cali- fornia and other places. To know him was to love him as an able minister of Christ. In such a life is laid up treasures in heaven, treasures that fade not away. Verily he that winneth souls is wise. Oh! how appropriate for his worn out body is a pulpit grave. So his body rests under the place where once stood the pulpit of Union Church. In that pulpit he had often preached that the Lord from heaven became the quickening spirit, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. In the resurrection, his mortal body shall also be quickened by the same spirit that in time quickened and dwelt in the soul. Thus, when mortality shall put on immortality, the quickening spirit's work gives harmony to soul and body as the perfect new man in heavenly joys. This work, or new man, liveth for ever in the joy of the Lord. Amen.
"We also mourn the death of ELDER CALEB BLOOD. He possessed a strong, logical mind, imbued with a desire to drink deeply of the crystal fount of education, especially of religious love.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.