BELOVED BRETHREN IN THE LORD,
We were highly pleased and much gratified in the enjoyment of such a general representation of the churches of our body, and the kind reception we met by our sister church at Silas; and while we contemplate with undiminished pleasure the origin, design, and natural tendency of our annual meeting, whilst moving in its ligitimate channel, we are not insensible that it is liable to pervertion, and abuse, with all other institutions designed to promote happiness, exalt virtue, piety and true religion, by disseminating the principles of love, union and truth; and for the detection and expulsion of vice and error, by timely wise and salutary counsel. As these are the objects that gave rise to this association, let us guard with a zeal proportioned to its magnitude, every avenue to innovation.Ever anxious for your growth in grace, and increase in knowledge, and to be instrumental in advancing the kingdom of our Lord, the Messiah, in the world, we according to custom address you; - not as having dominion over your faith, but as helpers of your joy. And whilst custom has awakened expectation, we earnestly desire in gratifying it; to be in some good degree profitable to you. For that purpose we would make a few observations on that soul ravishing theme, THE LOVE OF GOD. On a view of which, the beloved disciple John exclaimed, "Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God!" - John iii, 1. With what energy of language does the apostle introduce this sublime subject; yet apparently under a deep conviction of the feebleness of language, and the inadequate powers of man in a state of mortality to scan and describe a subject so exalted and infinite; but limitted [sic] as his views were by natural body, they were sufficient to fill his soul with admiration at the infinite condescension of its author, with regard to the objects to which it is directed, and its effects and ultimate end; as being inconceivably great in its author and nature, without any bounds except his own sovereign will in its effects, and unlimitted in its duration. This love is so astonishingly great that he who sways the sceptre of the universe, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, did humble himself to the form of a servant and the fashion of man, and became obedient unto death - even the death of the Cross, to redeem the objects of his love; - he laid down his life for us (a), its greatness will farther appear if we consider the infinite dignity with the infinite condescension of the Son of God, who from his throne of glory descended, not to earthly greatness and the height of human felicity, but to the cross of deepest woe; who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree (b): he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities (c). Our ideas will stiil farther be enlarged by comparing the kindness of his design in comng into the world, with the treatment he received: and to enlarge and strenghten our view, let us consider and contemplate the greatness of the blessmgs that flow to us through and from a once crucified, but now risen and exalted Saviour, and compare them with our own ingratitude and disobedience; well may we say his love passeth knowledge. With regard to the beginning of this love, all that we can say is, that it was before the foundation of the world (d). In its bounds or extent, it reaches to all the wants of sinners; and to sinners of all nations, even as many as the Lord our God shall call - Acts ii, 39. As it respects its continuance or duration, Jehovah says the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee (e). This love with all its attendant blessings flows to us unremitted and unsought, and though often forfeited by our disobedience and ungrateful behaviour, yet it suffereth long and is kind. - And who are the objects of this amazing love; the inspired writers describe them in a state of nature as children of wrath, strangers and foreigners (f); eneiriies and enmity itself (g); having carnal minds, the heart deceitful, and above all things desperately wicked.
Such is the testimony of the Bible concerning man, with which the experience of the saints in all ages that we have an account of have accorded; but a farther and more pleasing description is given of them, as washed (h),
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(a) I John iii. 16. - (b) 1 Peter ii. 24. - (c) Isaiah liii. 5. - (d) John xvii. 23, 24.
(e) Isaiah liv. 10. (f) Ephesians ii. (g) Romans viii. 7. (h) Titus iii. 5.
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sanctified (i), created in Christ Jesus unto good works, changed from rebels and enemies to children and friends (k); adodpted (l) into the family of heaven. Well might the apostle exclaim, "Behold what manner of love!" And are we the subjects of this love? Is it bestowed on us? Surely then we shall adopt the language of the apostle, and unite with hiim in wonder, love, and admiration of this manner of love - this rich display of that love that is strong as death, supported by omnipotence, and directed by infinite wisdom. To such as are the happy subjects of this grace of love, there is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit: for as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (m); for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, and have been all made to drink into one spirit; end although many members, yet but one body; and therefore are brethren, having the same father, the same conflicts, the same joys, the same spiritual enemies to oppose, armour from the same armoury, strength to wield, wisdom to direct, and supplies to sustain them from the same fountain. - To such the Saviour saith "Love one another as I have loved you, by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another:" this is his great command. Who is the head of the body? The Church (n). This relation, (to which our subject has naturally led us,) differs from all others to which the name of brother or brethren is prefixed; but not contrary to, nor destructive of natural affection; that arising from natural descent and affinity of blood, or local circumstances, being subject to all the casualties of time, is of but short duration: but this having its origin in the love of God, which is infinite and eternal, and these that are the happy subjects of it being united to Christ as their elder brother, are not subject to the changes of time, the hand of death, nor the final dissolution of this terrestrial world, and all earthly things. No, these shall not destroy, but expand and perfect that bond of union between Christ the head, and the saints the members of his body. - For then they shall be with him and like him, for they shall see him as he is (o).Dearly, beloved, seeing we look for such things, let brotherly love continue (p); considering one another to provoke one another unto love and good works (q). God is love, and every one that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him - Job iv, 16. And God hath manifested his love in sending his only begotten son into the world to be the propitiation for our sins (r); redeeming us from under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons (s). This love of which we treat, is an active principle, by which every possessor of it is in a greater or less degree filled with ardent desires for the universal spread of the Gospel, for the peace and prosperity of Zion; for fellowship with the father and with his son Jesus Christ (t); and of associating, communing and communicating to and with one another, in his word, in his ordinances, and as much as may be in the common concerns of life: also, with a tender concern for the welfare of each other; and great care not to speak evil one of another, but on the contrary, a scrupulous adherence to the DIVINE INJUNCTIONS - Mathew xviii, and elsewhere. Watching over, reproving, admonishing and forgiving one another as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven us. By every Gospel means to preserve fellowship alive where it is, and if possible, revive it where it is on the decline, and restore it where it is broken; making every allowance that the Scriptures will justify for our common infirmities, not indulging ourselves in jealousies over and respecting each other; submitting one to another in the fear of God; and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and preserve your whole spirit and soul and body blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Finally brethren, farewell; be perfect, be of good.comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you (u). Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of glory with exceeding joy: to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever . . . . Amen (v).
AMBROSE DUDLEY, Moderator, CHARLES BUCK, Clerk.
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(i) Romans xv. 16 - Hebrews ii. 2, x. 14. - (no j) - (k) John xv. 15
(l) Romans viii. 15 - Galatians v. 5 - (m) Romans viii. 14, 17. - (n) Colossians i. 18.
(o) I John iii. 2 - (p) Hebrews xiii. i. - (q) Galatians v. 13. - (r) I John iv. 10.
(s) Colossians iii. 5. - (t) I John i. 2. - (u) (unclear) - (v) (unclear)============= [From Elkhorn Bapitst Association Minutes, 1810. The document is from SBHL&A, Nashville, TN and was provided by Stephen duBarry. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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