mmuTES
OF THI
K O Jt G IA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,
MELD AT
WILLIAMS' CREEK, WARREN COUNTY, GA.,
«K tll« 18th, 13 th, &, 15 lit of Oct. 1838.
WASHINGTON, GA.',
SPrinte(l at the Office of the "Christian Index.'
1838,
Library of
Emory University
&<s»
At the request of brother West, who was appointed last year to preach
the Introductory Sermon, brother Mercer delivered that sermon from
Solomon's Song, 1:9. I have compared thee, O my love, to a company
of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
2. Read the letters from the Churches and minuted their state.
3. Elected Jesse Mercer, moderator, and W. H. Stokes, clerk.
4. Invited ministers of our own, and other evangelical denominations,
to seats in the body.
5. Appointed the following committees : On preaching, the brethren,
West, I. T. Irvin, Standford and Davant, from the Association, together
with Asberry, Darden and Torrence from the Church. On business:
Sanders, Callaway and Mathews. On finance: Thornton, C. M. Irvin
and A. E. Reeves. On nominations: J. B. Battle, Gunn and Wilson.
On the decease of Ministers: Thomas and Ataway. On education: Hard,
Miliary and Cowdrey.
Adjourned to Saturday morning, 9 o'clock, prayer by brother Steed.
Saturday morning, 9 o'clock.—Met according to adjournment, prayer
by the moderator.
6. Received the report of the committee on business.
7. Received the following correspondence from sister Associations:
From the Tugalo Association, a letter and minutes, by their messenger
brother Salmon; from the Edisto, S. C., a letter and minutes by their
messengers, Tucker and Wilkerson ; from the Cahawba, Ala. a letter and
minutes ; from the Edgefied, S. C., a letter and minutes—no delegates;
from the Savannah River, S. C. a letter and minutes by their messengers
Bradford, Brookes and Harlee; from the Hephzibah, a letter and minutes
by their messengers, Perryman and Atkins; from the Central, minutes,
but no letter, by their messengers, Mallary and Lockett; from the Appa-
latchie, minutes, but no letter, by their messengers, Hardaway and Har¬
ris; from the Washington, a letter and minutes, by the hand of brother
Roberts.
7. Voted to append the letter addressed to this body, by brother Rich¬
ardson Booker, to the minutes. (See Appendix, letter A.)
8. Appointed messengers to corresponding Associations, as follows:
To the Tugalo Association, the brethren E. Callaway, Thornton, Bolton
and Wilson—Callaway to write the letter. To the Edisto, Kennedy,
Gunn and Collins—Kennedy to write. To the Cahawba, Sanders to
write. To the Edgefield, Kennedy and Blanchard—Kennedy to write.
To the Savannah River, Hard, Steed and Collins—Hard to write. To
the Hephzibah, Steed, Holmes and Moman—Steed to write. To the
4
Central, Wilson, Hard, Thomas, Thornton and Johnston—Wilson to
write. To the Appalachie, Jack Lumpkin, Hill and Cowdrey—Hill to
write. To the Ebenezar, Jesse Battle, C. M. Irvin and Johnston—Bat¬
tle to write. To the Washington, Cowdrey, Thornton, Thomas, Holmes
and Greene—Cowdrey to write. To the Sarepta, West and Callaway—
West to write.
9. Appointed General Meetings, to be held at the following' times and
places, viz:
First District, at Elim, Warren Co., Friday before 5th Sab. in Sept. next.
Second " at Newhope, Lincoln, Co., Friday before 1st Sab. in Sept.
Third " at Salem, Oglethorpe Co., Friday before 5th Sab. in June.
Fourth " at Goshen, Lincoln Co., Friday before 3rd Sab. in July.
10. The Moderator made some statements with respect to the forth¬
coming history of the Association, which were satisfactory.
11. On the report of the committee appointed last year to visit Antioch
Church, in Richmond County, that, they found it in a very unhappy situa¬
tion, and under the imputation of great immorality in practice—Resolved:,
That, from encouragement given us in their letter, now present, the breth¬
ren, Kennedy, Collins, and other neighboring ministers, be invited to vis¬
it said Church, as often as possible the ensuing year, and labor to reclaim
the members from their errors, and to promote their future activity and
usefulness.
12. The nominating committee reported, that brother Enoch Callaway
Was appointed to preach the next Introductory sermon, and that brother
Mathews was his alternate; brother Thornton to preach the Missionary
sermon, Sanders his alternate. Concurred in.
13. Appointed the next meeting of this body to be held with the Cfourefo
at Double Branch, Lincoln County, to commence Friday before the 2nd
Lord's day in Oct. next.
14. Considered the want of ministerial labors in our own and other
countries, and the duties which such deficiency inculcates; and after a
season, spent in prayer by the body upon the subject, a committee was
appointed, consisting of brethren, Sanders, Wilson and Hard, to report
on Monday morning.
Adjourned to Monday morning, 9 o'clock. Prayer by brother Brantley.
15. The Sabbath was spent in public worship; three sermons were de¬
livered at the stand in the grove, by brethren Brookes, Hard and Brant¬
ley, to a large and attentive audience, and we trust with good effect.
Monday morning, 9 o'clock.—Met according to adjournment. Prayer
by brother Collins.
16. Received the report of the committee on the want of ministerial la¬
bors, &c. (See Appendix, letter B.)
17. Heard the report of the committee on the decease of ministers. (See
Report C.)
18. Elected the following brethren lo represent this body in the State
Convention of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia, viz: Mercer, San¬
ders, Thornton, Stokes, E. Callaway, Mathews and W'cM—Johr ston and
Hard alternate?.
19. Heard the report of the committee on education. [See Appendix,
letter D.) Upon the reception of this report, a short time was spent, by
the body, in thanksgiving to God, for the success attending the labors of
the denomination in this State, in its efforts to promote the interests of ed¬
ucation ; arid in prayer to Him, that he will yet smile more and more up¬
on such efforts.
20. Read and signed the letters of correspondence to sister Associations.
21. Heard the report of the committee on finance. (Sec Report E.)
22. Requested the clerk to superintend the printing and distribution
of 2700 copies of the minutes of this session ; and agreed that he receive
$35 for his services.
After singing and prayer, and a short address by the moderator, the
body adjourned to the time and place above mentioned.
JESSE MERCER, Moderator.
W. H. Stokes, Clerk.
RESOLUTIONS.
1. Resolved, That the present straitened circumstances of the Baptist
Board of Foreign Missions, call for more vigorous efforts on the part of
the churches composing this Association.
The above resolution was fully discussed by the body, and during the
discussion, the members individually and for themselves, subscribed more
than $1200, to be paid by the next meeting of the Association. The
ministers also, pledged themselves to use greater diligence among the
Churches to increase the contributions for Foreign Missions.
2. Resolved, That in consideration of the great importance of having a
suitable library and apparatus attached to the Mercer University, a sub¬
scription be now opened for that object, by the agent of said University,
who is with us; and that we encourage the success of his agency in our
Churches.
Upon the passage of this resolution, brother Mallary opened his sub¬
scription, and a considerable amount was subscribed. We hope the Chur¬
ches will not lose sight of this object.
REPORT A.
Hopewell, "VVilkes County, Ga., Oct. 12th, 1S38.
To the Ministers and Delegates that may compose the Georgia Association.
Brethren:—The Lord has lengthened out my unprofitable life, to see
the time come for me to send you that amount which I feel myself bound
to place in the Lord's Treasury, to send towards furnishing the heathens
r,
with the word of life. This amount is what I have been, in former days,
spending in the use of tobacco, and the more I think of this business, of
professors using tobacco and intoxicating drinks, I feel awful for them;
for I am bound to believe, that if all would quit the use of these articles, as
I have, and enjoy the same good health that I have ever since I have
quit, and pat the amount of the money to the same use, they would never
repent it in time or eternity. 1 conclude this epistle by requesting an in¬
terest in the prayers of all the brethren, for myself and wife, that the Lord
would guide and direct us in the ways that he would have us to go in.
R. BOOKER.
REPORT B.
Report of the Committee 071 the deficiency of Mi?iisterial Labor.
AVe are instructed that it hath pleased God by the foolishness of prea¬
ching, to save them that believe. If then the salvation of men be impor¬
tant, the means of effecting it, are not to be undervalued. We are more¬
over instructed, that by the ministry, the body of Christ is to be edified,
till they all come unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
such instrumentality then, is much to be prized, both for its author, and
work's sake.
The want of such instrumentality in the bounds of our Association, is
much to be deplored. Most of our churches know nothing of that contin¬
ual watch-care and pastoral labor, that their wants demand, and the scrip¬
ture teach, Most of our preachers from their secular employment, and
the division of their ministerial labors betvyeen several churches, have not
the opportunity of bestowing, but hasty and occasional service on any. For
a long interim they are left to assaults of their carnal appetite, the tempta¬
tions of the world, and the buffetings of satan—unwarned, unguarded, hy
their spiritual instructor and guide. Hence the number of aged babes in
Christ. Hence the number of half instructed christians. Hence the tar¬
dy progress of the Saviour's cause. Nor, do we hope that these afflictive
evils can be fully remedied, till every church shall have a pastor who shall
watch over them daily, and keep them on the rich pastures of his grace.
To remedy as far as possible these evils, we would most affectionately
recommend to the churches, 1. To afford to the Ministers we have, such
a support, that they may be disengaged from all secular employments, and
consecrate their time and efforts wholly to the solemn work of the Minis¬
try. 2nd. That Ministers themselves guard against the love of filthy lu¬
cre, to remember that they are working together with God in a great en¬
terprise, which calls for their undivided care and labor. 3d. We recom¬
mend that both churches and Ministei*s, attend carefully to the encourage¬
ment of all the gifts they find among them. Wherever they perceive ev¬
idence of scriptural qualifications, they should endeavor to bring them info
exercise, by affording them suitable opportunities and encouragements,
?
and rendering all necessary help. Lastly, we would recommend to all
the churches and ministers, who may be fully impressed with the impor¬
tance of the Gospel Ministry, in the great work of salvation, and who la¬
ment the deficiency of such labor in our churches, to appoint days of fast¬
ing and prayer, that God would send forth laborers into his harvest, until
every church shall have its pastor, and that the Lord would open the
hearts of his children, for their support, till all shall be able to consecrate
their time and their talent, wholly to the sacred work.
REPORT C.
The Almighty hath been pleased the past year, in the course of his
Providence, to remove from His vineyard on earth, some of the Ministers
connected with this Association. Brother Guthridge Ivy is gone. He
was esteemed a good brother, and was beloved. We believe he minister¬
ed according to his ability. But he is no more, may his death be abun¬
dantly sanctified.
Brother Jeffrey Hedding, a beneficiary of the Convention, was taken
to his rest in May last. His death was announced in the Christian Index,
and the Society to which he belonged have spoken in language not to be
misunderstood; from their intimacy with him, and from the estimation in
which he was held, this Association, in common with the denomination
may learn that they have lost a highly valuable young man. But the Lord
hath done it, and it is oiir duty as well as inclination, to take the admoni¬
tion of David, and be dumb, and open not our mouth, because it is so. O
iiiay the Lord of the harvest send forth more laborers into the field, and
ritay the churches feel it their duty to take care of them when sent.
REPORT D.
The committee appointed last year, presented to your body several
considerations, which should induce Christians, particularly Baptists, to
engage heartily in the work of literary and moral education. We hope
that the motives have been felt. We know that they have been produc¬
tive of some good effect. Last year the fate of a College was doubtful—
fond expectation in reference to one place, was blasted by divided coun¬
sel—hope deferred, had well nigh sickened the hearts of some, and this
delay had excited the discontent of others. Your body remembers the
apprehensions of many, the tears which were shed, and the prayers which
were offered. The Lord hearkened and heard—unanimity was restored
—hope was excited, and the brethren exhibited a praiseworthy liberality.
Thus were we wonderously delivered, and our hopes based upon more
favorable auspices. But God hath visited our University by the special
influence of nis Spirit, hath introduced many of the pupils into the king¬
dom of his grace, and impressed the minds of some to preach the Gospel
of his Son. May not this fact be regarded as a most gracious encourage¬
ment 1 Whilst the Lord is affording such special indications of his favor,
shall we be backward in rendering any assistance which may be necessa¬
ry for the full and permanent establishment of our Institution? The Trus¬
tees intend to make the utmost exertion to procure an able Faculty ; the
boaru of instruction will he so far organized by the commencement of next
year, as that the pupils m the Collegiate, a* well as the Academic de¬
partment, may he carried through a thorough course of study.
Some additional facilities are greatly needed ; a good library and ap¬
paratus are indispensable, and should be secured without delay. But at
present, pecuniary means are wanting. We would respectfully urge this
important subject on the attention of the Association, at its present meet¬
ing, hoping that something viKiy be done, at once, towards supply ing this
deficiency.
For the endowment of the Institution, in addition to ninety thoiisand
dollars, have been subscribed a permanent fund of about twenty thousand
dollars, which has been collected within a few years past for education
purposes. We are encouraged. The work is good, and the Lord hath
blessed it. Our University hath been consecrated by prayer to God, and
the Lord hath accepted the offering.
Let us, dear brethren, make united and prayerful effort, and give of
our smallness and of our abundance—let each one of us be an agent among
our friends, and do what we can. There is only one course ; that is on¬
ward, ©nward. And by the Divine blessing, Georgia Baptists will edu¬
cate their sons under their own vines and fig-trees.
REPORT E.
The committee on finance have received from the Churches, compO-
sing the Georgia Association, their
contributions for
various
objects, as
exhibited in the following table :
Minutes. .
Do. Miss.
F. Miss.
G. Pur.
Total.
Aberleen,
1 50
00
00
7 75
9 25
Antioch, Oglethorpe,
3 00
00
00
00
3 00
Augusta,
2 60
00
22 00
00
24 60
Bethel, Crawford ville,
4 00
00
102 27
00
106 27
Bethlehem, Bethel,
1 50
00
00
5 00
6 50
Bethesda,
3 00
00
37 40
00
40 40
Beard's M. H.
4 00
00
80 00
00
84 00
Clark Station,
1 50
00
25 37£
00
26 87i
County Line,
2 50
00
18 00
00
20 50
Damascus,
1 25
00
00
26 25
27 50
Double Branches,
3 00
00
28 80
00
31 80
Ebenezar,
1 50
00
67 75
00
69 25
Elim,
1 50
00
6 00
00
7 50
Fishing Creek,
2 00
00
00
2 85
4 S 5
Friendship,
1 00
00
00
24 31i
25 m
Greensboro,
2 00
00
70 00
00
75 00
Greenwood,
3 00
00
29 73§
00
32 731
Goshen,
1 50
00
00
00
1 50
Grove,
1 25
00
5 50
00
6 7 5
Hephzibah,
2 00
00
21 00
23 00
Horeb,
2 50
00
00
40 35
42 85
Kiokee,
2 50 1
00
00
27 00
30 50
Lincolnton,
1 50
00
00
00
1 50
Long Creek,
2 00
00
00
00
2 00
Mount Zion,
1 00
00
9 05
00
10 05
New Ford,
2 00
00
00
19 50
21 50
New Hope, Lincoln,
2 00
00
7 18
00
S 18
9
New Providence,
2
50
00
00
00
2
50
Pine Grove,
1
00
00
00
00
1
00
Powelton,
3
00
00
100 00
00
103
00
^Phillips' Mill,
2
50
00
42 20
00
44
70
Rehoboth,
2
00
00
00
26
00
28
00
87|
Salem, Lincola,
1
62i 1
00
00
20
25
22
Sardis,
3
50
00
00
16
00
19
50
Shiloh,
3
00
00
00
46
40
49
40
Sharon,
50 S
11
00
00
S
61
Smyrna,
1
00
00
S 00
00
9
00
Sweetwater,
2
50
00
00
00
2
50
Salem, Oglethorpe,
1
50
00
00
20
00
21
50
Union, Lincolnton,
1
50
00
9 42
00
10
92
Union, Warren,
2
00
00
00
00
2
00
Warrenton,
1
00
00
00
5
12|
6
12i
White Plains,
3
00
00
34 00
34
00
71
00
Williams' Creek,
2
00
00
00
26
25
38
25
Washington,
3
00 114
34
366 33
00
483
67
Antioch, Richmond,
1
25
00
00
00
1
25
Beaverdam,
1
50
00
00
13
50
15
00
African Church,
3
00
00
00
00
3
00
Spirit Creek,
2
00
00
00
00
2
00
Total, 101 97£ 124 45 1090 01i 360 53f 1676 97£
In addition to what is exhibited in the foregoing table, your committee
have received the following amounts, to be applied to the objects under
their respective heads:
For Burman Mission.
From Lincolnton Church, - 37 25
From Bethlehem Bethel, - - - - - - 20 00
From Females, Church and Congregation at Powelton, - 61 68f
From Columbia County Female Missionary Society, - 110 00
From Fishing Creek Church, ----- 17 42£
From Henderson Henry, ------- 2 -50
$248 86i
For Burman Bible, as subscribed to Elder A. McClay, Agent for the A-
merican Foreign Bible Society.
From Thomas G. Janes, 00
« Sally Handle, - - - - - - 10 00
" V. R. Thornton, ------- 150 00
" the Church at Bethesda, .... - 180 00
$150 of which to constitute V.R. Thornton a life director,
" -the Washington Church and friends, - - - 178 33
— For the same purpose, but not subscribed.
11 James Chapman, - - - - - ~ " 1 00
" Clark Station Church, ------ 25 \37f
" Grove Church, - - - - " * " 7 00
" Persons Walker, - - - - - " ~ 2 00
" Kiokia Church, - - - " " " " 29 00
" JSflW Providence, ~ ~ ~ " 13 50
" Richardson Booker, - - * " " J? ™
M Females at Horeb Church, - - - * ~ <j4 00
1©
From Long Creek Church, - - - 20 ;»o
" Goshen Church, - - - 'J,? y5
" Samuel Wright, - - ... 2 00
14 Church at Aberleen, - - - - - - 7 75
0 $747 204
For General JPuiyo.sej.
the Church and congregation at Antioch, by brother
Jack Lumpkin, .... -35 00
Cr. W. Hardaway, - - 3 00
538 00
In Table, <I>3G0 53^
Total, $398 53$
For Foreign Missions.
From Female Missionary Society Augusta, - - - 01 00
M Sundry brethren present in advance for next year 66 00^
$127 00
In Table, ^1090 01^
Total, $1217 OH
For African Mission.
From African Church at Augusta, ... 34 75
For Education.
Fr6m Thomas Locket, ... 2 00
For Mercer Institute.
" Mary Roberts, 3rd instalment, - 5 00
" L. Moore, - - -..-100
" A Friend, - ... - 10 00
$16 00
RECAPITULATION.
For Minutes, - - $101 97i
" Burman Mission, ...
" Burman. Bible, - .... 745 20|
" General Purposes, ... . 398 53|
" Foreign Missions, - - - 1217 0l£
" African Mission, - - 24 75
" Education, - - - - - - - 2 00
" Mercer Institute, - - - 16 00
Collection taken on Sabbath, .... 88 37$
And a Gold Ring, (value unknown)
Total, - - #2742 74
Add for Domestic Missions, - - 124 45
$2867 19
Which amount we have paid over to A. Janes, Treasurer of the Bap¬
tist Convention for the State of Georgia All of which is respectfully
submitted A. E. REEVES,
CHAS. M. IRVIN,
J. V/. ATTAWAY.
N. B. $35 60 of the above amount, handed to Treasurer, in uncur-
r«nt bills.
Received #10 for the same object from I. N. Bolton ciERk
ESTATE OF .®ME €ffiUM€S5ES.
-Absentees; Ministers, in small capitals; Licentiates, in Italics.
to
CHURCHES and COUNTIES.
bi
00
Powelton, Hancock count)',
Mount Zion, do.
Horeb, do.
White Plains, Greene county,
Warrenton, Warren do.
New Providence, do. do.
Long Creek, do. do.
Williams' Creek, do. do.
Bethel, Crawford ville, Taliaferro county,
Elim, Warren county,
Kiokia, Columbia,
Pine Grove, do.
Sharon, do. -
Damascus, do.
Grove, do. ...
Aberleen, do. - -
Bethlehem, Bethel, Columbia,
Double Branch, Lincoln,
Sweet Water, Warren,
Union, do.
Augusta, Richmond,
Springfield, African, Richmond.
Spirit Creek, do.
New Hope,-Lincoln,
Antioch, Richmond,
DELEGATES.
"3, 5
Malcqm Joiinsok, Charles M. Irvin, -
A. E. Reeves, M. C. Shivery, . .
Jesse B. Battle, Thos. Whaley, John A. Evans.
E. C. J. B. Thomas, I. Moore, S. Johnson,
P. Y^alker, P. Cody,
Radford Guns, S&m'l. Hall,
John Veasey, Stephen Jones, -
R. V. Asberky, J. Darden, - - -
J. W. Wilson, W. D. Cowdry, J. Peek, J. Ciiapmaa, W.
Win. Hill, B. M. Roberts, - - - - , ; . "
C. Collins, D. Standford, A. Heggie, G. A. P. Whitfield,
B. B. Wilkinson, J. J. Davis,*
A. L. Kennedy, L. Steed,* -
Billington Blanchard, Thomas Harden,
Wm. Williams, A. L. Zachery, ...
John Skinner, Joseph C. Perrin, -
A., Bagnal, Sam']. Crump,
J. Blanchard, S. Moseley,
Wbi. P. Steed, Mann Dunavant, ....
Jarues Ricketson, Timothy Granad, ....
Wm. J. Hard, Dr. Bunch,* - - - - -
Jacob Walker, Thomas Clark, Sam. Bell,
Peter Johnson,
David Florence, Jesse Walker,
jThomas Wyld,* - - - - ' •
Peek,
1
18
7
4
10
1
3
20!
0
2
0
1-
4
1
8
3
2
2
2
S
STATE OP THE CHURCHES.
* Absentees; Miaistere, in shall capitals ; Licentiates, in Italics.
'Betbesda, Greene county,
Shiloh, do.
Smyrna, do.
Philips' Mill, Taliaferro,
Antioch, Oglethorpe,
Beard's do.
County Line, do.
Salem, do.
[ Greensboro', Greene,
f Goshen, Lincoln,
Clark's Station, Wilkes,
Sardis, do.
Newford, do.
*53 Rehoboth, do.
I Greenwood, Lincoln,
Lincolnton, do.
, ^ Salem, do.
Hephzibab, do.
Pishing Creek, Wilkea,
Washington, do.
Friendship, do.
Ebenezer, do.
Union, Lincoln,
_ Beaverdam, Wilkes,
V. R. Thornton, A. Janes, C. N. Daniel,
Wm. Sanders, N. Hill, D. H. Moncrief, J. W. Ataway,
H. Irby,* D. Underwood,* .......
J. T. Hackney, Wm. Mattox, - - - -
Wm. Lumpkin, E, Gelham, Wm. Edwards,
James Davant, D. Geer, S. Brook, J. Favor, J, H. McWhorter,
V. Brown, E. Meadows,
N. H. Smith, W. Landrum,
B. M. Sanders, Lemuel Green, -
Tho, G. Glaze, J. C. Groce, - - - -
James Mathews, I, N. Bolton, -
E. Callaway, I. T. Irvin, R. Strozier, T. Favor,*
W. T. Lane,* Wm. Pool, -----
Wm. W, Prather, James Buvdett, ...
Sam'l. Paschal, D. Paschal, G. Shank, ...
John Zellers, Wm. Dallas, -
John Bentley, John Wright,
J. Carter,* John Moman, ......
H, P. Wootten, Thomas Anderson, • -
Jesse Mercer, W. H. Stokes, •
Benj. Waller, Wiley Currey, -
John Q,. West, Joseph Holmes, •
N. House,* John Harper,
jJohn W. Jones, S. Calloway, -
39
36
22
0
1811
>3
0| 5
>3
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
21
01
0| 0
^7" Besides the ordained Ministers above stated, there are connected with the churches the following:—Jack Lumpkin, Juriah Harries, M.
A. Lane, arid C. F. Sturgis.