In addition to the Minutes heretofore stated and the circular letter as hereafter stated, the Association deems it proper to annex an address to the churches on the subject of division hinted at in several of their letters.
To the Churches composing the Elkhorn Association. DEAR BRETHREN,
Although our minutes will shew you a statement of our business, and will give you pleasure in. noticing the additions to some of the churches, yet it is with sorrow we are compelled to state in those minutes the absence of 14 churches - we suppose they have been influenced in this, by a printed circular, addressed to the churches in our union under the signature of 7 of our ministering brethren, who have been so unhappy as to differ with a large majority of the Association, as to the constitutionality of our proceedings in the administration of the government. - Painful as it is, dear brethren, to differ with members whose judgement we desire to respect, or to declare their statements unfounded, yet a duty we owe to ourselves, and to corresponding societies at large, compel us to declare, that the charges contained in that letter cannot be maintained as just; and that we are willing at any time, to meet those charges at the bar of investigation, which can be done by the aid of our corresponding Associations, where each of them could by private ballot select 5 of their most upright and judicious members, who are as little merged in the dispute as possible, which members so selected to meet at a convenient time and place, and so many of them as should so attend should take under consideration the constitutionality of our proceedings, and report their opinion and advice to each party. But, dear brethren, conscious as we felt of our innocence, yet to comply with a wish expressed by many, and to satisfy all who doubted the sincerity of our professions for peace, and to do all in our power to conciliate and remove difficulties; on the first day of our meeting, you will see in the minutes, we sent a letter by several brethren who we conceived most likely to win them to friendship, in the following words: -
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The Elkhorn Association met at Clear Creek, the 2nd Saturday in August, 1810 - to sundry Brethren expected to meet at Bryan's at the request of 7 ministers viz: Joseph Redding, &c. - as addressed in a printed circular to the different Churches composing the Elkhorn Association.DEAR BRETHREN,
IT is matter ofsorrow to us that a difference respecting the constitution and government of the Association has taken place between you and us, which has ternunated in such serious consequences, to the peace and happiness of society. - We can assure youi brethren, that it never was our wish wantonly to hurt the feelings of any of our brethren; we are sorry that such a thing should have taken place, and as we believe that men in the flesh are imperfect beings, we are willing to cast into the sea of forgetfulness as much as possible, our former difficulties; and bear and forbear, and endeavor to live in future in that state of brotherly love which our great head and leader, Jersus Christ, has prescribed in his holy word. If you accede to this proposition you can make it manifest in that way which you may prescribe, and if not, let us know what you are willing to do. We have sent our beloved brethren, John Taylor, George Waller, Gabriel Slaughter, James Sugget and James Johnson, to bear this our letter, hoping it may have a salutary effect. And may the Lord bless you, is the prayer of your's &c.ROBERT JOHNSON, Mod'r. CHARLES BUCK Cl'k. During the stay of our brethren, whom we sent to bear the above letter, every heart beat high with the hope that our brethren, who had convened at Bryan's, would consider the consequences of a division and would reach forth to meet us the hand of peace and brotherly affection: but, dear brethren, we cannot describe to you our mortification and disappointment when on the return of our messengers we received the following answer:
TO THE MESSENGERS OF SEVERAL CHURCHES, MET AT CLEAR CREEK. BRETHREN, WE received your letter by the hands of brethren John Taylor, George Waller, Gabriel Slaughter, James Sugget and James Johnson; we have observed, the terms proposed, and can by no means accede thereto. You are in possession of our difficulties, until they are removed we remain a distressed and grieved people. As you required of us to say what we are willing to do; - if you will in your minutes say, in answer to those difficulties, that you have in the heat of temptation and jealousy, given us just cause of grief, then in that case we are willing to say on our part, that although we are not conscious that in any of our public acts we have given you any just cause of offence.
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yet our feelings have been hurt, and we have spoken rashly and unadvisedly for which we have been and still are sorry. Taking all things into consideration we are of opinion it wjll be for the hapiness of each, to continue as we are, at resent in two Associations; as for the rules and constitution of the Elkhorn Association you have no reason to conclude but that we are at least as warmly attached to them as you are, and wish through grace to support the same. As for names we are not tenacious, we are willing to be known by the name of the 'Licking Association.' May happiness and peace attend you.AMBROSE DUDLEY, Mod'r. JOHN PRICE, C'lk. Upon reading the above, every countenance (before bright with expectation) was awfully eclipsed with a cloud of sorrow and disappointment.
From this view of things, dear brethren, you may at once see the sad alternative to which we were brought; nothing would give satisfaction but a confession of those things which we cannot in conscience think ourselves guilty; we want the fellowship of our brethren, but cannot purchase it at the expence of truth and our respectability.
We hope, dear brethren, that you will in all your deportment keep the great object of peace in view; remember that you are the children of the prince of peace, of whom it was said when he was reviled he reviled not again. We therefore recommend the great example of our Lord as the model of your imitation in all things, and may the Lord bless you with such a portion of his grace as may enable you to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called.
ROBERT JOHNSON, Mod'r, CHARLES BUCK, C'lk.
CIRCULAR LETTER. DEAR BRETHREN IN THE LORD,
THE time of our annual meeting has again commenced, and we have had the pleasure of meeting a number of our brethren in Christ; what we have done our minutes will shew, and as it is expected that we should say something to you by way of advice, we address you on the important duty of prayer. Prayer has two constituent parts; 1 st a petition to God for mercies; 2nd, an acknowledgement that we are sinners; for we have this example in scripture, "God be merciful to me a sinner." A petition to God for mercy, and then the acknowledgment, "a sinner." Prayer we understand to be the going forth of the desire of the heart to God, under a sense of our entire dependence
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upon him, for every thing that we need, or can enjoy, either in this life or that which is to come, and may be performed, either mentally or vocally.With regard to mental Prayer, you will find it to have been practiced in the days of old, 2d. Samuel 7th. 27th. "Therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee, and now O Lord God, &c. - Genesis 24. 45. Before I had done speaking in my heart."
With regard to vocal prayer, read the following scriptures: Psalms 55. 17, "Evening, morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud and he shall hear my voice" - Psalms 5. 2. "Harken unto the voice of my cry, my king and my God, for unto thee will I pray." Psalms 5. 3. "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee." From the above passages it seems as if the Psalmist had an idea of praying to God in, and for his family; for if he designed private prayer why would he lift up his voice and let his cry be heard if there was no one to hear but his God? Dear brethren, it is to be lamented that the duty of prayer is too much neglected by the professors of religion - it is no wonder that many of your children have no thought nor care about divine things, when there is precept without example. Dear parents do you exhort your children to the duty of religion? surely you do. O brethren do you not know that precept is good; but better with good example? therefore let us call our children together and pray with and for them, and our servants too, and by so doing convince them that we are concerned for their precious souls. O may these things sink deep into your hearts! As soon may our animal lives be preserved without air, as the life and sweets of religion to be in lively exercise in the soul without prayer. As prayer to God through Christ is the channel through which blessings are conveyed to his children, let us then be often found at a throne of grace in prayer. Are any among you afflicted? let them pray; are any tempted? let them pray; we ask and receive not, because we ask amiss; when we pray there are three things necessary, 1st. Faith that we may receive, Mark 11. 24. "Therefore I say unto you what things soever ye desire when ye pray; believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them." This shews the necessity of faith. 2d. Watchfulness, Matthew 26. 14. "watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation." And again says Christ, "what I say unto you I say unto all, watch." There are two things implied in watching, 1st. A readiness to receive the promise: 2d. That we have enemies to watch against, the world, the flesh, and the devil. These are potent enemies to fight against: but if you are found in your duty you need not fear, for greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world: be of good cheer, says Christ, I have overcome the world. And thirdly, there is another thing which is very necessary in prayer, which is, the spirit of forgiveness, Mark 11. 25. "When ye stand praying, forgive if you have aught against
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any; that your father also which is in Heaven, may forgive you your trespasses." If we wish forgiveness we must forgive one another; read Matthew 6. 14. "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will forgive you: verse 15. "But if ye forgive not men their trespassed, neither will your father forgive your trespasses." From the scriptures we learn that, we must forgive, if we wish to be forgiven. Precious brethren, has the Lord forgiven us a thousand talents; and can we not forgive one? O brethren! have we forgotten how deeply we had involved ourselves in sin and transgression; and did not the Lord come to our relief, and freely forgive us the whole debt? him that is forgiven much will love much; and we believe will also forgive much. So, dear brethren, whether vocal of mental, in private, or publick, let us pray the Lord to bless us with praying hearts and watchful spirits, and never fail to pray for the ministers of the Gospel, that they may have the same spirit in them that was in Christ, that when they are reviled that they revile not again. Wherefore laying aside all malice, guile, and hypocrisy, envyings and evil speakings, &c. Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering forbearing and forgiving one another: if any have a quarrel against any, as God for Christ's sake forgave you, so also do ye: and above all things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness. Let us also brethren, be engaged in prayer for the prosperity of Zion, the downfall of error and the spread of the Redeemer's Kingdom in the world. Let us pray that brotherly love may continue; and that God's people may be of one heart and one soul, all seeing eye to eye as the heart of one man, speaking the same things to the glory of God. Let us pray the Lord to revive his work among us, that we may see another day of the son of man: O that the Lord would say to Zion, arise and shine for thy light is come; and the glory of God is risen on thee. O brethren, if this were the case we should soon get clear of these difficulties in society, we should learn to esteem each other better than ourselves; and escape that direful temptation who shall be greatest; it would also be a happy means of conciliating differences and promoting brotherly love, which forgives injuries, and is the bond of union, and cement of all blissful society, and never fails to give glory to God. And then we should go with pleasure up to the house of worship; then we should be like a band of brothers all having one thing in view, the glory of God and the good of souls. Precious brethren, are you not concerned about your children and ungodly neighbors? O let us bear their case before the Lord in our prayer, that God would bless them with eyes to see, and ears to hear, and hearts to understand, that we may hear them telling what God has done for their precious souls, then we shall see father and son, mother and daughter all engaged in worshipping the great God - then our houses would be houses of prayer.============= [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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