LONG RUN ASSOCIATION.
HELD AT BETHEL MEETING HOUSE IN SEPTEMBER 1815.An introductory sermon, was delivered by brother John Taylor, from 1st. Corinthians XII Chapter and 31 Verse: "But covet earnestly the best gifts and yet shew unto you a more excellent gift."
Circular Letter
The important duty of prayerThe Long-run association of Baptists met at the Bethel Meeting house, the first Saturday in Septemher, 1815. To the churches of whom it is composed, sendeth greeting:
DEAR BRETHREN - we are favoured with another annual meeting. And from the reading of the letters from the several churches composing our body, we find, that no material change has taken place among us, as it respects religion; there has been but few additions since our last, a general complaint of coldness of affection, and barrenness in religion; O brethren, it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
We shall now address you on the important duty of prayer. the Apostle says "ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." It is manifest that the sacrifices of old, were in many instances of slain beasts, and frequently offered by unregenerate priests, upon altars, which tho' consecrated to holy use, were lifeless piles of inanimate nature - but we have a living Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the regenerate as living sacrifices; have acceptance of their persons, and services, at the throne of God, as a throne of grace.
Notice the pressing exhortation of the Apostle to this duty. "I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." This is to be done by prayer, as well as otherwise, in the same connection the Apostle urges, that we should not be slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing constant in prayer. This sufficiently proves, that prayer should be mingled with all our attemps to serve the Lord.
If we search the scriptures, pray that we may understand them, that we may retain them, that through them, as a sacred system of truth, we may be disposed to, and furnished for, every good work. If we hear the word preached, pray that we may be disposed to hear to advantage, that the minister may clearly conceive of, plainly and faithfully mainifest the truth; by commending himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Pray that the word may have free course and be glorified, that rebellious sinners may be reconciled to God - pray for the ministers the gospel, remembering that they are men of like passions with yourselvcs; be not too hasty in exposing their imperfections; put on charity, which is a sacred mantle, will not only shield you from unreasonable attacks - but will every way dispose you to act toward your ministers and other brethren in the spirit of the gospel; which, while it frowns on every species of corruption, it sympathises with, and pities the unfortunate brother.
The wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, (or wrangling as the marginal reading is) and without hypocrisy - in short, in whatsoever you do, or attempt to do, pray that you may do all to the glory of God. Prayer is either mental or ejaculatory, private or public. Solomon says there is a time for a11 things - Evening and morning are evidently proper times for public prayer, or prayer in families; notice with attention, the directions of our Lord to his disciples, "Our father, give us this day our daily bread." From which learn, first, tbat a plurality is nece5sary to the proper use of thiS prayer, which answers well to the situatlon of a family. Secondly, this prayer should be repeated day by day, as it is, give us this day, our daily bread. Bread not only for the support of the body, but the bread of life, to the support of the new man, as our needs are daily renewed. The Saviour will have us daily to renew our petitions.
This explanation answers well with the morning and evening sacrifices of old, with Joshua's resolution, that he and his house would serve the Lord. David said, evening, morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud unto the Lord, and he shall hear my voice. Daniel in spite of the decree of King Darious, would kneel upon his knees, and pray in his house three times a day. Cornelius was praying in his house, when the Angel was sent to tell him that his prayers was [sic] heard.
Dear brethren, the bounds of a letter will not admit of all the arguments, to enforce this all important, as well as soul interesting duty - do you want wives, children, servants and neighbors, to know that you love, fear, trust in, and depend upon the Lord, in a11 things; do you wish the salvation of thier [sic] souls; then let your light shine before them, that they may see and be convinced of the reality, and importance of religion, and so be prepared to glorify God in the day of visitation, Were we as much engaged in this duty as we sould, we should not have so great a reason to cry out our barenness! our barenness! - May the Lord be with, preside over, and make you abundantly fruitfu1 to his glory, and Zion's good, is the prayer of your brethren in the Lord.
________________________ [The writer did not have any paragraph marking, so some have been suppplied by the editor, hopefully to make the essay more readable.======================== [From Long Run Baptist Association, 1815, via Internet from SBTS Archives, Adam Winters, Archivist. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
More Long Run (KY) Circular Letters
Baptist History Homepage