Beloved Brethren, With this letter we send you our Christian saluations, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ. Our sister churches in general met at this place according to agreement; and we have the pleasure to find that they are in peace among themselves; though obliged to complain of, and mourn over the low state of religion. -- Yet, blessed be God, this is not universally the case: From some of the churches we have good tidings. The Lord hath not forsaken them; but has visited them with the outpouring of his Spirit. In consequence of which there has been an ingathering of souls: Additions of such, we trust, as shall be saved. In this twofold view of things, we are called to mourn with those who mourn, and to rejoice with those who do rejoice.
It is the advice of your brethren now met in association, To stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free: Be careful not to imbibe and nourish a spirit of bondage. Endeavor to walk with God as did Enoch, and to promote vital piety at all times; labor that your light may shine before men, that they seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in heaven. Encourage promising and useful gifts amongst you; and guard against those strangers who appear under the character of ministers of Christ, but bring no credentials with them; for many deceivers are gone out into the world. And as it is a day of great affliction, when our civil rights are invaded, and our religious privileges also in danger, we have concluded to recommend to you also in danger, we have concluded to recommend to you four days in the course of the ensuing year for fasting and prayer. The first on Friday before the last Lord's day in November. -- The second on Friday before the last Lord's day in February. -- The third on Friday before the last Lord's day in May. -- The fourth on Friday before the last Lord's day in August. Now wishing you much of the divine presence, and a spirit of grace and supplication, so much needed in this day of great calamity, we subscribe, Yours in the fellowship of the gospel, JOHN GANO, Moderator, HEZEKIAH SMITH, Clerk. ============ [From Warren Baptist Association Minutes, 1774, pp. 7-8. The grammar and spelling are unchanged; "f"s are changed to "s"s for easier reading. The author is not given. Taken from a microfilm copy at The SBTS Library, Louisville, KY. - Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
American Circular Letters
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