USA > New Hampshire > Minutes of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention, 1878 > Part 3
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Our churches all desire "smart men" for the pastoral office ; and it is manifestly the duty of all who fill that office to be smart in a certain sense. Diligent in business and fervent in spirit all may be. Very familiar with the word of God, and close students of such books as will best aid them in its unfolding, so far as their means will allow, and still closer students in the unwritten book of human nature, they ought to wield the Sword of the Spirit with power. In this age and country, where the facilities for acquiring knowl- edge are so great, every minister of the gospel ought to be a man
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of broad and liberal Christian culture ; and if their exists the dispo- sition, there will in some way be found the means to obtain it, whether in the usual trodden paths, or in some rougher and more unfrequented way. The injunction, "Study to show thyself ap- proved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed," is not yet obsolete. Whether the field for culture be a large or a lim- ited one, it should receive the best possible husbandry. No slip- shod labor should ever be offered or accepted.
We need more enthusiasm in carrying on the work of the Con- vention. We need a zeal that will not be turned aside by petty obstacles, but weighed down by the magnitude of the enterprise, will sweep away the barriers and compel success.
Lastly, we need more faith in God. Instead of fixing our gaze constantly upon the work of our own hands, as though by our might or our power, we were to obtain the victory, we need to lift up our eyes unto the hills from whence alone cometh our help. With all our planting and watering, we are to expect that God will give the increase, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold.
In behalf of the Board,
K. S. HALL, Secretary.
REPORTS FROM ASSOCIATIONS.
MEREDITH ASSOCIATION. The Meredith Association held its eighty- ninth anniversary Sept. 11 and 12, with the church in North Conway .- The attendance was small, because of the remoteness of the place, but the meetings were felt to be of much spiritual profit. The little church wel- eomed the Association with generous hosditality, and with gladness for the Lord's favor to them during the year. Their zealous pastor, with the aid of the Associational Committee and other brethren in the State, and afterwards of Dea. S. K. Mitchell, of Haverhill, Mass., held protracted meetings early in the year, with the result, after a time, of the addition to the church of seven by baptism and three by experience, with some in- crease of the general interest.
Baptisms were reported from other churches as follows, viz : 1st Rumney, 1; Danbury, 2; North Sanbornton, 3; Baker's River, Rumney, 1; making in all for the Association, 14. Fourteen additions by letter and experience were reported, also, from five churches. Total increase for the year, 28. There were losses in 8 churches; by death, 16; by exclusion and erasure, 12; by dismission, 11; total 39. Net loss 11.
The total resident membership reported in ten churches is 626, or one less than the number reported in the same churches last year. Whole number of Sabbath School scholars reported, 850. Whole amount report- ed for benevolence, $495.75, which is $108.22 less than the amount of last year, and is distributed as follows, viz .; to Foreign Missions, $138.15; to Home Mission Society, $47.51; to the State Convention, $149.37; Bible Cause, $11.75; Miscellaneous objects, 148.97. Three students for the ministry are members of the church in Danbury.
The changes in the pastorate have been by the resignation of Rev. J. B. Breed, of the 1st Rumney church, to be succeeded by Rev I. W. Coombs, and of Rev. H. W. Dalton of the Second Sanbornton church, leaving a vacancy not yet filled.
The general tone of the letters from the churches was one of lamenta- tion for declensions and troubles and want of revival. First Sanbornton reported interesting meetings with the aid of the workers of the Y. M. C. A., but resulting in no increase of the church. Meredith expects to have meetings under the same auspices early this year.
The Baker's River church, of Rumney, reported good revival of the church by meetings held with the help of the Committee of the Association and other brethren, and gave account of the earnest, though futile efforts made during the last two years, for a reconciliation and union of the two Baptist churches in that town.
Special interest in Sunday School work was reported from Woodstock, Meredith and North Conway.
There appeared to be some hope of the church in Hebron, and a Com- mittee was again appointed to visit there and at New Hampton.
The interests of the Woman's Missionary Society were reported by Mrs. J. D. Tilton, the Associational Secretary, as feeling thedepression of the "hard times," but yet persistently sustained by some earnest helpers who will not give up so good a cause.
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A committee for protracted meetings with churches desiring them, was appointed for the year, and the principal committees for the next session were again nominated in advance.
The time of meeting was changed from the second to the first week in September, 1879, and Danbury was designated as the place.
A. V. TILTON.
DUBLIN ASSOCIATION. The sixty-ninth anniversary was held with the Baptist church at Peterborough, Sept. 5th and 6th. The weather was wet and lowery; yet a large number was present. The utmost harmony prevailed, and during the session there were excellent sermons, much singing, and good devotional meetings. The spirit of the Master pervad- ed all the deliberations. All the churches sent letters, and their material and spiritual prosperity seemed to be on the increase. Whole number baptized during the year, 33. Received by letter and experience, 20; total 53. Diminution from all causes, 55, including 14 dropped from the mem- bership of the church at Peterborough. Fitzwilliam has settled Rev. Wm. Read of Littleton, Mass., in place of Rev. S. Latham. Pottersville has settled Rev. J. W. Merrill in place of Rev. C. Newhall. Antrim has re- called Rev. E. M. Shaw, the former pastor, and Hinsdale has settled Rev. C. A. Piddock, of Claremont. The largest number baptized and received by letter during the year were in the Peterborough and Hinsdale churches. The Marlow church still continues very small and feeble. The financial depression has been more or less felt by all the churches. Rev. J. S. Her- rick, the beloved pastor of the church at Troy, is the longest settled of any minister in the Association. He has been pastor there more than fourteen years.
The churches of this Association are all holding on their way nobly .- The delegates this year seemed full of hope and courage, and determina- tion to dedicate themselves more thoroughly to the work of the Lord. This Association is blessed with a good and faithful ministry, composed of tried men. In the contributions there was a slight falling off; but con- sidering everything, the Association has great cause of rejoicing, hoping, and toiling on.
C. F. MYERS.
SALISBURY ASSOCIATION. The sixtieth session of this Association convened with the Pleasant Street Church, Concord, September 18 and 19. Its meetings were well attended and a general good feeling pervaded them all.
Thirteen of the fourteen churches comprising this Association, sent let- ters, which were usually of an encouraging nature, The churches report- ing baptisms are as follows: Hopkinton, 5; Lake Village, 3; Bow, 8; First Concord, 22; Pittsfield, 12; First Fisherville, 29; Pleasant Street, Concord, 18; First Franklin Falls, 11. Total number of additions from all sources, 261; by baptism, 108; by letter, 122; of this number 94 come from the re-union of the Main Street and First Fisherville churches; by experience, 29; by restoration, 2; decrease from all sources, 45; gain 216. Our benevolent contributions compared with those of last year show a slight decrease. All our churches, except Gilmanton and Sutton, are sup- plied with pastors. During the year the church at Bow has called to its pastorate and ordained Bro. O. W. Kimball.
The church at Suncook has lost its house of worship, not by mortgage, however, but by fire, the work of incendiarism. Its pastor, Rev. Henry W. Tate, has secured some generous subscriptions toward the work of re- building, which will be commenced at once.
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Pleasant Street, Concord, has been remodelled and enlarged. A com- mittee was appointed to aid churches within the limits of this body that might desire help in special services.
An important feature in our Associational gathering this year was the discourse showing the "growth and enlargement of the Baptist denomin- ation in New Hampshire," with personal reminiscences of its author, de- livered by Rev. E. E. Cummings, D. D., who has reached his fiftieth year of ministerial life.
Mrs. Dr. J. N. Murdock was present and gave an impetus to the Woman's Missionary work by a very practical and appropriate address.
E. C. SPINNEY.
MILFORD ASSOCIATION. The fiftieth anniversary was held Sept. 11th and 12th, with the church in Milford. Rev. A. Sherwin gave a historical address, and a copy of it was requested for publication. Revs. J. C. Foster, W. H. Eaton, D. Gage, and J. M. Coburn, who were formerly pastors in this Association, were present, and took part in a special service. Rev. P. Chamberlin, who was for many years an active member of this body, died during the year. He was a member of the church in Milford. Rev. W. R. Warner has left Lyndeborough, and is succeeded by Rev. H. G. Hubbard. Bro. J. D. Graham has left Greenville, which is at present without a pastor. Rev. F. E. Cleaves has become pastor at New Boston. The number of baptisms during the year was 144. Of these there were 57 at 1st Manchester, 34 at Nashua, and 25 at 2nd Manchester. The ad- ditions by letter and experience were 56. The diminutions were 102. Net increase, 98.
PORTSMOUTH ASSOCIATION. The fiftieth anniversary of this Associa- tion was held with the church in Dover, Sept. 18th and 19th. The meet- ings were well attended, and were marked for their harmony and spirit- uality. Letters were read from all the churches excepting Seabrook, which sent only statistics. Rev. Geo. S. Chase, of Northwood, has re- moved to Vermont, and Rev. E. L. Scott, of Brentwood, now serves as pastor at South Hampton. Three pastors have entered the Association, viz. : Rev. D. Taylor, to Northwood, Rev. J. Clement, to Chester, Rev C. Newhall, to Brentwood. One pastor has been removed by death, Rev. Horace Eaton, who for a year previous to his death in June last, had sup- plied the church in Chester, and rendered them very valuable aid in the erection of their new house of worship. At our last Association he spoke
earnestly and feelingly in behalf of this enterprise. Twelve of the fitteen churches report pastors. Two, Stratham and Newton Junction, report a stated supply. One, Seabrook, reports itself as without a minister.
There is a hopeful outlook from all the churches, except Seabrook, which has had no meetings since June, and has no prospect of services being resumed.
The church in Chester dedicated its new house of worship in August. The church in Dover has made extensive repairs, remodelling the inside and beautifying the outside of their house of worship, re-dedicating it in September This church, also, observed its 50th anniversary the day pre- vious to the convening of the Association. The church in Exeter is great- ly bereaved in thedeath of Dea J. F. Moses, who, for sixty-two years served in this office. A praying man, a true and large hearted man, a man of in- fluence in church and community has gone from earth to heaven .
The church in Great Falls, reports great trials, yet they have found them much more precious than gold, For nearly six months this church was deprived of the labors of its pastor, through sickness.
The church in Newton by advice of Council ordained in January as their
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pastor, Rev. J. H. Wells. Seven churches report baptisms. Portsmouth 20; Exeter 10; Plaistow 8; Newton 5; So. Hampton 2; Great Falls 2; Chester 1. Additions by baptisms, 48; by letter, 34; by experience, 1; total 83. Decrease: by dismission, 22; by exclusion, 4; by death, 19; total 45; net increase, 28.
The Portsmouth church has passed through a precious revival; the Ex- eter church has enjoyed a quiet, but thorough work of grace; all [the churches, save one, report services well attended, much interest in the preaching of the word, and expressions of an earnest desire for more spir- ituality and a deeper work of grace. At the close of the sessions many tender reminiscences of the past were called out, with kindly remembrance of the faithful men of God who have served this Association well, but now gone to their reward.
CHAS. A. TOWNE.
NEWPORT ASSOCIATION. This Association held its fiftieth anniversary with the church in New London, Sept. 25th and 26th. The semi-centen- nial of the Association was celebrated by appropriate exercises. Rev. S. C. Fletcher, pastor of the New London church, delivered a deeply impres- sive Historical Sermon; and very interesting reminiscences of the past fifty years were given by those interested in its work during that period. The fact that Rev. Ira Pearsons, familiarly known as Father Pearsons, who was Moderator when the Association was organized fifty years ago, was called to preside on this occasion was a striking coincidence, and deep- ly impressive. At the age of eighty-seven years, Father Pearsons retains in a remarkable manner his physical and mental powers, and he presided with great dignity and affability.
It was a privilege of no ordinary character to listen to the words of re- membrance, instruction, and good cheer, such as were expressed by Rev. Ira Pearsons, of Newport, Rev. L. Hayden, D. D., Washington, D. C., Rev. D. Gage, of Manchester, our beloved State Missionary, Rev. A. P. Mason, D. D., of Boston, who addressed us on Home Missions, and Rev. J. N. Murdock, D. D., of Boston, who gave us a thrilling account of the progress of the gospel among the heathen, and especially of the recent re- vival among the Telogocs. No little interest was felt in the fact that the Association could celebrate its semi centennial under the shadow of Colby Academy, whose high standard of intellectual culture and moral purity, has in the past so largely blessed those who have been placed under its influence, while now it is so perfect in all its appointments that it is more fully equipped to send its streams of blessings through coming genera- tions.
The churches, fourteen in number, were all, with one or two excep- tions, represented by delegates, and reported by letter. While there has been no marked revivals in any of the churches during the past year, the most of them report a good degree of interest, and an awakening confi- dence in the use of divinely appointed means for accomplishing the pur- poses of the gospel of Christ. Eight of the churches report baptismns as follows: New London, 2; Cornish, 4; Canaan, 1; Hanover, 2; East Washington, 3; Claremont, 8; Lyme, 4; Lebanon, 11; total, 35. The additions by letter were 25; by experience, S; total additions, 68. The diminutions, were : Dismissed, 42; Erased, 24; Excluded, 4; Deaths, 30; total, 100; making a net loss of 32. All the churches except Canaan, Gosh- en, and Unity, are supplied with the stated preaching of the gospel. Sev- eral of the brethren who were pastors during the current year, have closed their labors with their respective churches, viz. : Rev. H. C. Leavitt, of Newport, Rev. W. Hurlin, of Goshen, and Rev. S. S White, of Lyme. Two churches of the Association have settled pastors during the year. So. Acworth, Bro. J. D. Graham, and Lyme, Rev. E. P. Merrifield, of Ver- mont.
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The Woman's Missionary Society still holds a place in the hearts of the sisters of our churches. They report a very interesting meeting during the Association held in the chapel, which was addressed by Mrs. Dr. Mur- dock, of Boston, and Mrs. Dr. Hayden, of Washington, D. C. Their mon- ey contributions from five of the churches amount to $119.82. The other contributions, reported in the letters from the churches are nearly as fol- lows: Foreign Missions, $184.71; Home Missions, $288.50; Convention, $315.97 ; Minutes, $34.15; Miscellaneous $289.31 ; Home Objects, $5,166.50. Total for all purposes, $9.104,61.
The next meeting of the Association will be held with the church in Newport, the fourth Wednesday in Sept., 1879. Thus ends the first fifty years of this Association of christian churches, May the God of our fathers command the divine benediction upon their children, and may the fifty years to come be signalized by the gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
G. A. GLINES.
WHITE MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATION. The thirty-fifth anniversary was held with the church in North Stratford, June 12th and 13th. Was en- couraged and helped by the presence of a number of ministers from other Associations. Rev. S. A. Read has since then become pastor of the church in North Stratford. Rev. S. Dean is still pastor of the church in Lunen- burg, Vt., and the other three churches are without pastors. The total number of church members in the Association is 161.
CIRCULAR LETTER.
BY REV. G. W. KINNEY.
Brethren of the Convention and Baptists of New Hampshire .- Permit me to offer for your consideration, the following subject, with such sugges- tions thereon as my poor ability and the limits of this circular will allow- "Spiritual Power the present great need of our churches." .
No one doubts the reality of physical power and world power. Let no christian question the reality of a church power, a mighty spiritual force that dwells with and operates through the representative body of our as-
. cended Lord, to save a lost world. It is not wealth, numbers, a popular ministry, imposing architecture and forms of religious service, material prosperity &c., but a potency of spirit as aggressive and irresistible as the light. For this gift of power the Jerusalem church was enjoined by Chrfst to wait, assured that when it should be received it would prepare them for the successful conquest of the nations and remain the permanent inheri- tance of the true church to the end.
In Convention, as also throughout the year, we are constantly reminded that New Hampshire has from twenty to thirty "feeble Baptist churches," whose weak and tottering steps must be supported by the staff of pecuni- ary aid which the stronger churches are able to offer. This is well, for "their debtors they are." But the fact is "The half was never told." In- stead of a score and a half, there are in the State eighty-five Baptist Church- es that show unmistakable signs of spiritual impotency. A church may be strong in means, talents, and human standards of power, and yet be impo- tent to accomplish the purpose for which it was ordained. As Dr. Fish well says in his tract on soul-saving-"The Founder of the church has made plain its object. It is to convert the world. He came to seek and save the lost; and his word is, "As the Father hath sent me into the world, even so have I sent you into the world;" i. e. with the same purpose- soul-saving." In proof that the poverty of means about which so much is said is not the most distressing weakness among us, I will ask you to follow me while I undertake to investigate the case somewhat.
There are seven Associations in the State, having, according to the last Convention Minutes, an aggregate membership of 9,044, showing an in- crease of 1,015 in the last nine years, an annual average of 112 7-9ths,- a gain of one to about 80. Ought not eighty church members-the Lord
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being with them, to be able to gather more than one recruit a year in ex - cess of the loss by desertion and death ? But the entire gain in the State for the period named was made in three of the Associations, viz: Salis- bury, Milford and White Mountain, the other two having lost,-Meredith 35, and Portsmouth 52. The largest numerical increase is shown in the Milford, but more noteworthy is the fact that in the smallest and poorest- pardon the word-the White Mountain Association is found the largest per cent. of gain in the State on the total membership, it being full 90 per cent. greater than in the Milford.
This leads me to remark that no churches in the State exhibit so re- markable growth the nine years past as some of the weak wards of the Convention. Poor in means, they have proved rich in faith and good . fruits. Several have doubled and almost trebled their membership, and one has increased almost fourfold, and that not through any considerable increase of population, but principally by conversions and baptisms. Thus some of what are called "the feeble churches," have given proof of the possession of more real spiritual power than has been witnessed in those we call "strong."
Why this is, I will not attempt to say, but would ask whether it is pos- sible that the reason may be found in their more perfect faith and fidelity ? Conscious weakness fosters a sense of dependence, and this makes true the paradox of the Apostle, "When we are weak then are we strong." Cer- tain it is that they have commendably imitated the activity and self-denial of the early christians, and unparalleled growth has been the reward. Our stronger and self-supporting churches are doing little more than to sustain themselves and uphold a formal christianity, and find it hard to do this, in- stead of waging a vigorous and aggressive warfare against the realm of darkness, and some of our weak churches are seemingly determined to lean hard on the arm of the Convention, as long as It will carry them. The churches and ministry want more of the missionary spirit to help the weak and build up the waste places. But every church wants a whole min- ister, and is not willing to share with another the labors of a better man than it can support alone, and some ministers are unwilling to undertake to cultivate more than a single small patch in God's vineyard, and that must be a bed of roses without thorns. The Lord says to Zion, "Enlarge the
place of thy tent, * * * spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes," but Zion answers back, "the ropes are out at full length and the tent pins arc driven as hard as we can drive them."
In October, 1828, fifty years ago, the Milford Association was formed with a total membership of 720. During the ten years that followed there were baptised into its fellowship 1,177, or 457 more than it numbered at its organization.
In 1868, ten years ago, that body had a total of 1,732 members, more than twice what it had when constituted, yet in this last decade the baptisms have been 286 less than in the first, In the first period they were 160 per cent. of the original membership. In the latter they are scarcely 51 per
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cent. of the membership in 1868, a difference of 109 per cent. These are startling figures. What is their lesson ? Are our churches losing the pow- er that was given them in other days ? Was one christian fifty years ago worth more than three of the present day to win souls? We claim to have a better educated and more thoroughly fitted ministry, more efficient organization for christian work and an additional auxiliary force in the Sunday School which is regarded only second to the power of the church if, indeed, it is not sometimes placed in the first rank, yet we do not equal our fathers in efficient service in the spiritual field of battle.
At Newton, within the present limits of the Portsmouth Association, was constituted the first Baptist church in New Hampshire. There, was begun that valorous advance of our Baptist fathers in the name of the Lord and his truth, which carried the banner of "One Lord, one faith, and one baptism" in triumph over the State. Though sternly op- posed at various points, our obnoxious faith rapidly won its way, planting its churches by the side of those which were already established under State patronage and successfully contesting the exclusive claim of the pre- occupants of the town-ship parishes. The Lord gave us power to go up and possess the land when we were few, feeble and poor. Now we have become a host and have wealtlı and respectability, it is hard work to even hold our own. Indeed, going back as far as 1843 and 4, when we had 108 churches and 10,536 members, 23 more churches and nearly 1500 more mem- bers than now, it looks very much as if we had not done this. Surely, breth- ren, if we cannot hold what we have gained it is vain for us to think of acquiring more. If we cannot gather into vessels the schools of fish that are already within our nets, it is useless for us to launch out into the deep for a draught.
Why is it, with all the modern improvements and appliances calculated to equip man for greater efficiency in all branches of service, that our churches are not equal to those of half a century ago as converting agen- cies ? It would seem they ought to wield far greater power to-day per capita than then, Has the mine in which we delve become exhausted ? Has the harvest nearly all been gathered so that the sheaves are few and small? Is society so completely evangelized that there remains only "here and there a traveller on the broad road to death ?"
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