USA > New Hampshire > Minutes of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention, 1878 > Part 4
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Doubtless a variety of apologies may be offered, but I think none that will fully meet the case. Should it be said there are more churches of var- ious denominations of christians to claim the fealty of the population and share in the spoils of christian victory, I reply, instead of diminishing, this should rather increase the success of every branch of the gospel army .- Should it be said that there is a growing disregard of the Sabbath and disin- clination to attend public worship; that as stated recently in a convention, infidelity is on the increase and the church is losing her power over adult minds and must hereafter gather her recruits from the ranks of childhood and youth, then I reply this is confessing that the church is weak and fails to fulfil her mission. She has committed to her, a gospel which is the
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power of God to save every one who believes, and powerful enough to overcome unbelief in the hearts of men. Let her gird on the whole armor of God, bring up her reserve strength and charge all along the line against. the enemy. If she does, victory will perch on her banners as sure as the. Lord fights for his people.
From the N. H. Gazetteer, I learn that the leading evangelical denomi- nations in the State, other than the Baptists, had forty-eight churches less. in 1870 than in 1860. Total number of evangelical churches, including Baptist, in 1870, 517. The average of baptisms into our churches for the last nine years is three hundred and seventy-four. Allowing that all the evangelical churches are equally fortunate in accessions, we have a total annual addition to the christian population of the State of 2,244. From the same source I learn that 4,214 persons died in the State in 1870. This may be a little above or it may be below the average,-I have not the means of determining,-but it is clear that from 1,500 to 2,000 more persons die every year than are reached by the saving power of the churches. This is not a particularly encouraging fact. Our churches are full of talent, which if consecrated to the Lord and put into service for his glory, might be preach- ing and singing the gospel to sinners in every school house in the State. But here lies the great secret of the loss of power and want of suc- cess on the part of our churches. It is not that we have not money enough to support the appointments of the gospel; nor that we have not numbers sufficient to justify a more aggressive warfare ; nor is it want of in- telligence, capacity or ability on the part of the ministry or membership; but it is the utter absence of any idea of personal responsibility for the con- version of sinners from the mind of most members of our churches, and an absolute want of the spirit of consecration to the Master. Worldliness has bound hand and foot the energies of the church. Scarcely one mem- ber in twenty has any definite thought or purpose of being the instrument under God of the conversion of even one sinner, notwithstanding the re- ward promised. Ifit be taken for granted, that all in the churches are regenerate because thay have professed the fact, though it by no means insures it-it is sufficiently apparent that all are not consecrated. Not to allude to the inconsistent class, let me ask: Wherein do multitudes in our churches, who live sober an d irreproachable lives, differ from the moral and upright men of the world ? They never go after the lost sinner to. seek his salvation, nor are their voices ever heard in prayer or proclaim- ing the message of good news to lost men. Rarely do they attend the covenant and prayer meeting. On the other hand they pursue the world with as evident zeal and relish as the men who lay no claim to piety. A christian who has no yearning for souls and neglects almost every religious duty is one of the strangest anomalies the sun shines upon, yet many such there are in the churches if we are to believe their professions. Then there are many that keep up the forms of godliness wliose lives are pow- erless as spiritual agencies, so that very few actually watch for souls as
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though they were charged with the duty of looking after their eternal state.
Dr. Fish, in the tract before referred to, says, "I have seen it stated that not one in five of all professors add perceptibly to the efficiency of the churches. Then there are thousands of christians who have yet to count their first convert to Christ; yea, who have yet to make their first honest effort to save a soul." What if the whole five-fifths, or even four-fifths were to throw their activities in the direction which the commission given to the church points? The record of the acts of the apostles describes some of the results that might be expected to follow. "And at that time -the martyrdom of Stephen-there was a great persecution against the church at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except the apostles. * * * Therefore, they-the common disciples-that were scattered abroad, went everywhere preaching the word." Philip preached Christ with great success at Sama- ria, "And there was great joy in that city." A little later it is recorded, "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice, Cyprus and Antioch, preach- ing the word to none but to the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord."
How much this reads like the history of the Baptist movement in this State a century ago. The Lord is the same now, human hearts are the same, the Holy Spirit has not been recalled. He is even now con- vincing thousands of sin, who, if they could but hear the voice of the church saying to them, "Come," would enter at once the open door of grace.
Go out then, over our Granite hills, ye heralds of the cross, go out into the highways and byways, into the school districts and homes of the people, all of you who have been called to be saints, and proclaim to every rational creature the glad tidings of salvation through Christ. Men of Israel of all ranks, help, help now to make every Baptist church in the State a soul-saving power. Let each one of our over 9000 members go prayerfully, tearfully, wisely and patiently to work to save at least one soul the coming year, beginning the work at once, and we will come to our next anniversary rejoicing over such numbers saved as no past twelve months has witnessed. Do you look upon this to be a Utopian task ? Some of God's most humble archers have done far more than bring down one sin- ner in a year's time. You cannot tell but the Lord may give you more than one soul, until you try. But all doubts as to the wisdom of the un- dertaking and the possibility of success are put to silence by the word of the Lord, which declares that "He who converts a sinner from the error of his way, will save a soul from death and will hide a multitude of sins.'
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Vastly good and vastly great this work which you may do, disciple of Jesus ! Save a soul ! Hide a multitude of sins ! Covet the deed, and in the name of thy Lord attempt it, and if your faith does not fail you will succeed.
ORDAINED BAPTIST MINISTERS IN THE STATE.
Adams, P. S., Newport.
Alden, W. H , Portsmouth.
Anderson, S. H., East Washington. Barnes, L. C., Greenville. Barnes, L. M .. New Ipswich.
Merrill, J. W., Pottersville.
Mitchell, J. B., Hinsdale.
Moody, R. B., Milford.
Newhall, C., Epping,
Nichols, C. R., Bradford.
Nichols, J. H., Goffstown Center.
Nicholson. G. W., Nashua.
Pearson. Jra, Newport.
Piddock. C. A., Hinsdale.
Pepper. E., Bradford.
Poland. J. W., Goffstown Center.
Rankin, F. W. A., Sanbornton.
Read, S. A .. Coos.
Read, W., Fitzwilliam.
Richardson. D. F., Hanover.
Scott, E. L., South Hampton.
Shaw. E. M., Antrimn.
Sherwin, A .. Manchester.
Smith, E. H., Hanover.
Smith, G. B., West Plainfield.
Smith, W. B., Fisherville.
Spinney, E. C., Concord.
Stevens, L. C., Great Falls. Stewart, W. H., Exeter. Stoddard, D. H,, Great Falls.
Stowell, A. S., Salem Depot.
Streeter. H. B., Hinsdale.
Strong, J. E., Manchester.
Swaim. J. S., Claremont.
Tate, H. W., Suncook. Taylor, D., East Northwood.
Tilden, N. F., Lebanon,
Tilton, A. V., Campton Village.
Tilton, J. D ., Rumney.
Towne, C. A .. Dover.
Tueker, W . S., Hopkinton.
Upton, J., Epping.
Walker, H, O .. Deerfield Center.
Walker. W. H., Warner.
Wells. J. H., Newton.
White. S. S., South Hampton.
Whittemore, J. L., Richmond.
Wing. O., Newton Junction.
Mayhew, W. M .. Woodstock.
Merriam, F., Danbury .
Merrifield. E. P., Lyme Center.
Merriman, T. M., Meredith Village.
Barry, Royal, Carroll. Breed. J. B., Rumney Depot.
Bromley, E., Pittsfield.
Brown, Amasa, Newton.
Bunker, V. E .. North Sanbornton. Burgess, I. J., Hampton Falls.
Chase, J. N., Exeter.
Cleaves, F. E., New Boston.
Clement, Joshua, Laconia.
Coburn, J. M., Pittsfield.
Coker, J., East Weare. Coombs, I. W .. Rumney. Coombs, S., Fislierville.
Crocker, W., East Canaan.
Cummings, E. E., Coneord. Dean, L. J., East Jaffrey.
Dearborn, D. M., New Hampton.
Deming, D. P., Plainfield.
Eaton, W. H .. Keene. Eastman, T. B., North Sutton.
Emery . E. J., West Swanzey.
Fielden, J. F., Franklin Falls.
Fletcher, S. C., New London. Fuller, O. P., Plaistow. Gage, D., Manchester. Garner, W. V., Concord.
Gleason. T. C., North Conway. Glines, G. A., Cornish Flat.
Hall, K. S., Lake Village. Heald, A., Meriden. Herrick, J. S., Troy. Hooper, N., Exeter. Hopkins, A. J., Dunbarton.
Hubbard, H. G , South Lyndeboro. Hurlin, W., Antrimn. Kimball, O. W., Bow.
Kinney, G. W., Hudson Center.
Leavell, W. H., Manchester. Leavitt, H. C .. Newport. Lerned, J. H., Amherst. Libbey, W., East Wilton.
CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATIONS.
ARTICLE 1. This Association shall be composed of ministers and messengers, not ex- ceeding five to a church, who shall be members of the church which they represent, and shall be known under the name which it shall place at the head of its minutes, at the first session after the adoption of this constitution.
ART. 2. The object of this association shall be the promotion of the intimate fellow- ship of the churches, and the increase of experimental, doctrinal, and practical piety. It may open and continue correspondence with other associations and ecclesiastical bodies, as it shall judge proper; and shall have power to regulate its own concerns, and, in general, to transact any business necessary to carry out its objects. It shall meet at such time and place as shall be agreed upon by vote.
ART. 3. At the opening of each session, the clerk of the preceding year, or, in his absence, the oldest settled pastor present, shall call the meeting to order, and preside till, by a plurality of votes by ballot, which may elect, a moderator shall be chosen. The moderator shall then call for a clerk and treasurer to be chosen in the same manner; but an assistant clerk and auditors may be chosen by acclamation or other sign. The moderator shall preside at all meetings, maintain order, and nominate all committees, unless otherwise ordered. The clerk shall keep a fair and impartial record of all doings of the association, prepare them for the press, and obey all orders in respect to their disposition. The treasurer shall keep all moneys and effects of the association paid in for charitable or other purposes, and dispose of them according to the wish of the donors, or the direction of the association. At each session, immediately after the choice of officers, public worship shall be held, at the close of which a collection may be taken for the widows and children of Baptist ministers, deceased within this body.
ART. 4. Churches may be received into this association on application by letter, and furnishing satisfactory evidence of their union with us in the summary of faith and practice, as published by the New Hampshire Baptist Convention, and their willingness to conform to the rules of this body; whereupon the moderator shall give one of its messengers the right-hand of fellowship. Any church shall be at liberty to discontinue its connection with the association, by asking dismission from it, which shall be con- sidered no breach of fellowship. Any church neglecting to report to the association for two successive years, shall be visited by a committee, to ascertain its condition, and to give advice and assistance, which committee shall make a report of facts at the next session. Whilst as an association we disclaim all power over the churches, as respects their independence and discipline, we claim the right to drop any church which may become corrupt in doctrine or practice, and to publish our reasons for so doing.
ART. 5. Every church shall send, with its pastor and messengers, to the association, annually, a letter giving an account of its condition, particularly statingits statistics of membership, and whatever may relate to its internal or external affairs. It shall also forward, at the same time, its porportion of money for publishing the minutes.
ART. 6. This association shall be a missionary society, auxiliary to the New Hamp- shire Baptist Convention, through which the churches connected with it may convey their moneys or other charities to aid foreign and domestic missions, the education of young men called to the ministry, or other benevolent objects; and a portion of the time at each session may be given to these subjects.
ART. 7. Any association may propose an amendment to this constitution, and send its proposal to the other associations; and when the amendment shall have been ap- proved by a majority vote in each of two thirds of the associations, it shall be consid- ered a part of the constitution.
RULES OF ORDER.
1. Every meeting shall be opened and closed by prayer.
2. Ministers present invited to a seat with us, may speak on all subjects, but vote on none.
3. No subject shall be discussed without motion first made and seconded.
4. No person shall speak oftener than twice upon the same motion, without permis- sion of the moderator.
5. Motions made and lost shall not be recorded upon the minutes, unless so ordered.
6. If, when a motion has been made and seconded, a member objects to its discussion, the moderator shall immediately put the question, Shall this motion be discussed? If the question be negatived, the subject shall then be dismissed.
7. If any proposition or motion under debate contain two or more points, it shall be divided, at the request of any member.
8. All new and unusual matters intended for the association shall first be submitted to the committee of arrangements, and their presentation shall be subject to the decision of that committee.
9. On the opening of the business meeting, on the second day, the names of the mes- sengers from the churches shall be read, and the names of those who have not been present during the session shall be struck off, except in the case of licentiates and min- isters, whose absence shall be denoted by a mark.
10. The minutes shall be leisurely read and corrected before the close of the association.
11. The constitution, with these rules, shall be distinctly read from the chair, imme- diately after the organization of the association.
MINUTES OF ASSOCIATIONS.
MEREDITH ASSOCIATION.
FORMED 1789.
NORTH CONWAY, Sept. 11, 1878.
1. The Meredith Association met with the church in North Conway , and was called to order by the Clerk at 10 o'clock A. M.
2. Rev. F. Merriam was chosen Moderator, Rev. A. V. Tilton, Clerk and Treasurer, and Bro. C. G. Webster, Auditor.
3. Prayer was offered by Rev. D. H. Stoddard, of Great Falls.
4. The Constitution and Rules of Order were read by the Clerk.
5. The usual invitation was extended to visiting brethren. There were present Rev. J. N. Murdock, D. D., of Boston, Corresponding Secretary of the A. B. Missionary Union ; Rev. D. H. Stoddard, of the Portsmouth Association ; and Rev. J. F. Fielden, of the Salisbury.
6. The History of the church in Danbury was read by the pastor, Rev. F. Merriam, and was accepted to be placed on file.
7. Vacancies in Committees appointed last year were filled and new Committees were appointed as follows :
On Temperance-Rev. T. M. Merriman.
On State Convention-Rev. J. D. Tilton, Bro. S. H. Dow.
On State of Religion-Rev. T. C. Gleason, Dea. A. Kimball, Rev. V. E. Bunker.
On Ministerial Education-Rev. A. V. Tilton.
On Benevolence-Rev. J. F. Fielden, Breth. J. B. Huse and O. E. Brown.
On Woman's Missionary Society-Mrs. J. N. Murdock, Mrs. J. D. Tilton, Mrs. O. E. Brown.
On Arrangements for next Session-Rev. T. M. Merriman, Breth. F. Spencer and S. H. Dow.
On changing time of Annual Session-Rev. V. E. Bunker, Breth. J. B. Huse and O. E. Brown.
On Finance-Bro. S, H. Dow, Deas. A. Kimball and A. Canny.
8. At 11 o'clock suspended business to listen to the Annual Sermon, which, in the absence of both appointees, was preached by Rev. T. M. Merriman, from Luke 12: 32; Subject: "The God-given share of the Bap- tists in the Possession and the work of Acquisition of the Kingdom of
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Heaven among men." Rev. J. F. Fielden conducted the devotional ex- ercises.
9. A collection was taken for the Widows and Orphans' Fund, amount- ing to $4.03.
10. The letter from this church welcoming the Association, was then read, after which the
11. Committee of Arrangements reported orders of Exercises, substan- tially as follows in these records.
12. The letter from the First Sanbornton Church was next read, after which the meeting was adjourned with prayer by Dr. Murdock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
13. The Association met again at 2 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by Rev. J. D. Tilton.
14. The reading of the letters from the churches was resumed and com- pleted in order.
15. The first question in order for discussion having been dispensed with by vote, the next was taken up, viz: "What is the Bible Plan for raising Funds for Church Purposes ?" and was discussed earnestly, by Brethren Bunker, Dow, Fielden, Stoddard, and J. D. Tilton, until half past five o'clock, when it was referred to a committee for resolutions.
16. The ladies retired at 3 o'clock to Academy Hall, to hold a meeting in the interest of the Woman's Missionary Society, under charge of the Associational Secretary, Mrs. J. D. Tilton, and were addressed by Mrs. Dr. Murdock.
17. After prayer by the Clerk, the Association adjourned.
EVENING SESSION.
18. A prayer meeting, led by Bro. O. E. Brown, was held from half past seven to eight o'clock, after which
19. Dr. Murdock preached from Acts 13: 2-4; Subject: "The Combined Agency of the Holy Spirit and the Churches in Christian Missions." Rev, J. D. Tilton assisted in the devotional exercises.
20. Adjourned with prayer by Rev. T. M. Merriman.
THURSDAY FORENOON.
21. A prayer meeting at 9 o'clock was led by Rev. J. F. Fielden.
22. Business was resumed at 9.45, prayer being offered by Rev. V. E. Bunker.
23. The list of delegates present was read by the Clerk.
24. And it was voted that the Moderator appoint in advance the Com- mittees for the next annual session.
25. The Committee on Temperance reported by Rev. T. M. Merriman, as follows :
"Whereas, The chief hindrance to the triumph of the Temperance Re-
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form is in the licensed and unlicensed sale of intoxicating drinks; there- fore,
Resolved, That we, the representatives of the Baptist churches of this Association, declare, that, in our opinion, it is the duty of all good citizens to use all their influence to oppose all sale of spirituous liquors, as bever- ages, with all the restraints known to civil law."
After remarks, the report was adopted with the following amendment,. offered by Bro. S. H. Dow,-"Regarding the use of tobacco as destructive alike to purity, vigor and strength, we deem it the duty of all christians to abstain from its use."
26. The Committee on the State of Religion, reported by Rev. T. C. Gleason, that in view of the small number of conversions reported, with the lamentation for trials and spiritual barrenness of some of the churches,. these passages of Holy Writ are monitory, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall," and "Bring all the tithes into the store- house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open to you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing,"-and the report was adopted.
27. Voted, To dispense with a report on Ministerial Education.
28. The report on Benevolence was presented with earnest remarks by Bro. O. E. Brown, and after spirited discussion by Brethren Fielden, Stoddard, Bunker, Merriman, A. V. Tilton and S. H. Dow, was adopted as follows :
"Whereas, God never demands more than what He gives ability for, and we are to 'fear not,' believing 'it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom,' therefore,
Resolved, That it is our imperative duty to promptly respond to the de- mands of the Great Head of the church for the needs of the constantly enlarging work of christian missions."
29. The Committees on arrangements for next session united in the fol- lowing report, which, after discussion, was finally adopted, viz. :
That the place be Danbury ; the time the first week in September, 1879 ; the preacher of the Annual Sermon, Rev. T. C. Gleason, alternate Rev. I. W. Coombs; of the Doctrinal Sermon, Rev. W. M. Mayhew, alternate , Rev. J. D. Tilton.
30. At 11 o'clock Rev. A. V. Tilton preached the Doctrinal Sermon on the Perseverance of the Saints, from 2d Timothy, 2: 19, Rev. D. H. Stoddard assisting in the devotional exercises.
31. Adjourned after the sermon, with prayer by Bro. Stoddard.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
32. Met again at 2 o'clock, and opened with prayer by Rev. T. C. Glea. son.
33. The chair announced the Committees for the next annual session,. as follows :
On Arrangements-Rev. F. Merriam, Deas. Huntoon and Danforth.
On State of Religion-Revs. J. D. Tilton, T. C. Gleason, Bro. S. H .. Dow.
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On Temperance-Rev. F. W. A. Rankin, Bro. J. B. Huse, Bro. F. Spen- cer.
On State Convention-Rev. A. V. Tilton, Dea. I. Woodman, Dea. A. Kimball.
On Benevolence-Rev. V. E. Bunker, Dea. A. Canny, Dea. L. Seavey. On Woman's Missionary Society-Mrs. J. D. and A. V. Tilton, Mrs. W. M. Mayhew.
34. A Committee was also appointed to co-operate with the churches in holding special meetings when desired as follows : Revs, J. D. and A. V. Tilton, T. C. Gleason, T. M. Merriman and V. E. Bunker.
35. The Committee on Finance reported by Bro. S. H. Dow, that the contributions and the collection for the Widows and Orphans' Fund, amounting to $7, be paid to Sister B. Pierce, of North Conway; and, that the churches pay five cents per member for the Minutes. Adopted. ($7. additional was subsequently collected for Sister Pierce by Mrs. Dow of the Campton church, and forwarded.)
36. A report in regard to the delinquent churches of Hebron and New Hampton was given by Rev. J. D. Tilton, followed with remarks by Rev. V. E. Bunker, with recommendation of continued labor to procure reports and histories from these churches next year if possible. This was adopted, and Revs. J. D. Tilton and V. E. Bunker were appointed to the work.
37. The report on the work of the State Convention was presented by Rev. J. D. Tilton, with important statements in regard to the compara- tive neglect of this interest by many of the churches, and, after remarks by Rev, J. F. Fielden, was adopted as follows :
"Whereas, Several of the churches of this Association still need help in sustaining the Gospel, and,
Whereas, These, and others of our churches have been greatly aided and encouraged in years past by our State Convention ; therefore,
Resolved, That, acknowledging our debt of gratitude, we are still obli- gated to contribute as much as, or more than in time past to its funds so that the churches in our own Association and other parts of the State may be sustained, and also new churches may be planted where needed."
38. The report of the Woman's Missionary Society, by Mrs. J. D. Tilton, was received and adopted as follows: "That, although no new Circles have been formed during the year, and those already existing, have felt very much the stringency of the 'times,' yet there is an unabated interest in the hearts of many earnest women which allows no thought of discouragemen or failure."
39. At 3 o'clock a sermon was preached by Rev. J. F. Fielden, on Christ's Example in the Sacrifice of Self, Rev. J. D. Tilton assisting in the devo- tional exercises. $
40. The Minutes were read by the Clerk, and corrected,and it was voted that he condense them, at discretion, for printing.
41. The question, "How shall the piety of the Churches be increased ?" was taken up and discussed by Rev. V. E. Bunker, and then laid upon the table.
42. Voted, That the Clerk report the Association to the meeting of the State Convention, and by him
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43. To request Histories, to be read at the next session, from the churches in Hebron, Campton and Meredith.
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