Beloved Brethren, THROUGH the kind providence of Almighty God we have met and enjoyed a peaceful interview: experiencing the benign influence of the gospel spirit, in the exercise of a tender, reciprocal affection, and in union and fellowship with each other in the doctrines and ordinances of our Redeemer.
By the letters received from you, we have been furnished with information, which excites both joy and grief -- Joy that there are evidences of Divine power and grace being in operation in some degree among us; grief, that so many of our churches still continue in a languishing state.
Having, on a former occasion, set before you the probable causes of declension among us, and pointed out the means we ought to use for regaining a healthful, vigorous state in religion, we shall not now recapitulate what was stated on those subjects, nor the arguments by which they were enforced; but we entreat you to take a serious review of them, with an honest intention to improve them practically to the important purpose for which they were advanced. Let us take heed, dear brethren, lest we be involved in the guilt and condemnation of those who shun the light, or misimprove and neglect known truths -- the known, and interesting truths of God. O! Let it be our care to drink deep into the gospel spirit; to cultivate genuine piety and devotion; and to exercise and manifest that wisdom, prudence, purity, justice and benevolence, which the gospel inspires.
It is an important point in religion, to strike the proper line, both in judgment and practice, between Christian; zeal and wild enthusiasm; and between the moderation that is directed by wisdom, and indifferency, or luke-warmness of spirit. Let it be our earnest care to choose the happy medium which truth and duty point out in these eases, and in every other where we are liable to run into dangerous and hurtful extremes: that we may walk humbly and faithfully with God, prudently and uprightly with men, and do honor to the religion of our Divine Lord and Master.
As the Christian stands by faith, in that liberty of the gospel with which Christ has made him free; so he should walk by faith: looking daily to his exalted Saviour for supplies of grace-contemplating the glories of Immanuel -- considering the obligations he is brought under to Divine love -- living on the promises -- rising above the world to God, and realizing the invisible glories of the eternal state, to which, as an expectant, he is hastening. So may, we endure amid the temptations and afflictions of the present life, as seeing him who is invisible.
No principle of Divine truth should more deeply affect the heart, or have a more governing influence on the life of the christian, than that which manifests our dependence on the gracious aid of the Holy Spirit for all holy tempers, gifts and qualifications, to fit us for the service of God; and to give us success in our sincere, humble endeavors, to promote the Divine glory & the interests of our Redeemer's kingdom. How earnestly should we pray for this gracious aid? Flow carefully should we guard against offending and grieving this blessed Spirit who is the source of our spiritual life? Walk then, dear brethren, humbly with God. "Remember the rock from whence ye were hewn, and the hole of the pit from hence ye were digged:" Remember your depraved, guilty and lost state by nature; remember the vileness and guilt you contracted by actual transgression; and what obligations you are brought under by pardoning renewing and sanctifying grace: And if any of you have been raised from obscurity, poverty, weakness, or distress, to honorable affluent and happy situations in life, civil, social or religious, fail not to make your humble and greatful acknowledgement to that beneficent Author of all good, whose unmerited goodness and mercy have afforded you these benefits!
We would remind you, once more, of the greatness of the blessings, we as a nation enjoy; by the continuance of peace, of civil and religious liberty, and by the prosperity of agriculture, commerce, arts and sciences among us: And that in the present year, the body of our citizens have enjoyed a large share of health At least, this is generally true of those, who inhabit these southern states; and of the citizens of several cities in the northern, where pestilential disease had on former years ravaged in the most awful and destructive manner. Baltimore, indeed, is an affecting exception; but for the benefit so generally afforded, our praise should be rendered with grateful hearts.
Let it not be forgotten, that firm attachment to the constitution, laws and government of our country, is an important duty: Especially while they are evidently the honored means, employed by heaven; to secure and diffuse so much happiness among our citizens, as we at this time enjoy. To pray for the good of our country, and to seek its peace, is at once our duty and happiness. This promotion of the public welfare, is not to be effected by indulging the turbulent spirit of party, by extreme jealousy exercised over the conduct of the responsible magistrates and officers who are invested with public trusts, or by heated declamation; but by dispassionately listening to the dictates of truth and wisdom, by firm adherence to the principles of rational liberty; by subjection to the laws, and by a tender, patriotic concern for the good of the whole nation, on liberal principles.
Since our last anniversary meeting, God in his sovereign and righteous Providence, has taken to the world of spirits, that great and excellent man, general George Washington, who had long stood, under God, the principal guardian of the liberties and happiness of his country.
While we unite with the churches, throughout the United States, and the, citizens at large, to shed the tear of sorrow, and of gratitude over his tomb, and to honor his memory; let us also keep in honored and lasting remembrance, those sage counsels which in the fulness of an affectionate heart, he addressed to the people of America, respecting their most essential, national interests.
Let the relative duties be strictly regarded among us, according to the plain doctrines of Christ, and the bright examples of primitive Christianity: That as parents and children, husbands and wives, brethren and sisters, masters and servants, we may walk worthy of the gospel, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. The libertinism and infidelity which abound in this age, are so dangerous, that great care should be taken by religious parents, to guard the minds of their children against the fatal influence of those evils. Much attention, therefore, should be bestowed on the education of children, and government of families; to preserve good morals, to inculcate the principles of true piety, to Have our Offspring truly brought op in the nature and admonition of the Lord and our families governed in his fear.
The scriptural doctrine on the station and duties of servants, is clear and decided. It requires of them faithfulness, submission, quietude and obedience; in respect of the wise and sovereign order of God's providence, which has placed them in that situation; and it directs them to perform their duty on conscientious principles, "As to the Lord and not to men." The scriptures also give assurance, that this faithfulness will meet with the peculiar approbation and gracious reward of Heaven; but that a contrary conduct will provoke the Divine displeasure. On the other hand the sacred oracles; as fully declare under the high and awful sanctions of Divine authority, the obligations of masters to rule their servants with justice and moderation; to afford them a reasonable portion of the comforts, as well as necessaries of life; and to regard with seriousness their religious interests, as of persons who are placed by the Divine government under their care and direction. As these truths are clearly stated in the word of God, so they appear, in the present state of things among us, and at all times, to be best adapted to promote the general good, not only of the community at large, but of that bed, of persons who are in a state of servitude. Rather, therefore, than advocate the speculative, abstract opinions, or attempt the innovations in practice, which on this subject have been advanced and planned by others; let us adhere to these scriptural principles, and perform these duties, so clearly laid down in the volume of inspiration. On these we may and ought to insist.
Thus, dear brethren, we have with all simplicity, and candor, presented to your view, some important considerations of truth and duty, to which we request your various attention. We conclude, with our best wishes for your true happiness; and remain, Your's affectionately, in gospel bonds. =============== [From the Charleston Baptist Association Minutes, 1800, via Wood Furman A. M., A History of the Charleston Association of Baptist Churches, pp. 91-94. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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