The Elders and Brethren composing the Boston Baptist Association, to the several Churches which they represent, send christian salutation. Beloved Brethren,
On the return of another anniversary season, we feel a pleasure in being permitted to address you. Mindful of that divine injunction, "to do good and communicate, forget not," we wish to
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awaken your attention to a subject, the importance of which, perhaps, has not been sufficiently appreciated. The subject to which we allude, is the advantages, which might result, through the blessing of God, from an increase of religious knowledge in our Churches.
There are many sources from which this knowledge may be derived, but we shall content ourselves by referring you to a few of the most important. It may be obtained from the Holy Scriptures, from approved works on doctrinal, practical, and experimental divinity, from Ecclesiastical History, and from the various religious, periodical Publications of the present day.
How necessary is a familiar acquaintance with the Bible. We acknowledge no other standard but the scriptures, whence to draw our principles, and the rules by which our practice should be governed; but how can these principles or these rules be well understood, unless we faithfully and prayerfully study the sacred oracles which contain them? When our opinions are attacked, when called upon to shew a "thus saith the Lord" for what we believe, we should be able, with a christian temper, manfully to wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, in our defence. And, especially, when we see error, under the specious and imposing mask of liberality of sentiment, gaining ground amongst us, and threatening the subversion of the pure principles of the Gospel, how necessary is it we should be clad in that heavenly armour which the Bible affords, that we may "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints."
The Bible is that more sure word of prophecy which possesses a paramount claim to our attention; yet there are few, who may not find leisure and opportunity to acquire useful knowledge from other sources. Is it said that it is unnecessary to extend our reading beyond the scriptures? With almost equal reason it might be urged, the stated preaching of the Gospel is unnecessary, and on this principle, our pulpits and places of publick worship might be deserted. The christian world owes much to the theological researches of a Scott, Edwards, Newton, Doddridge, Gill, Fuller, Booth, and a Gale, beside many others, both within and without the pale of our own denomination. But of what use are their writings, however excellent, if never read? By perusing the standard works of eminently pious men upon doctrinal, practical and experimental subjects, we may become more established in doctrine, confirmed in our practice, and comforted in our experience. In this way, a pleasing light may be often retlected upon dark and intricate passages of scripture; and thus our scriptural knowledge be improved and our devotion enkindled.
What a valuable fund of knowledge may be secured from Ecclesiastical History! On its pages, as upon a map, we may trace the gradual prosperity of the Church in the different ages of the world, may learn the conflicts she has endured, the enemies she has encountered, and the wonderful interpositions of divine Providence in her favour. We avail ourselves of the present
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opportunity of again calling your attention to the formation of religious libraries, a measure, which has been urgently recommended by this Association. Let such libraries, consisting of judiciously selected books, be generally established; and let our brethren become deeply irmpressed with a belief of the neccesity of more information, and zealously seek to obtain it, and we feel persuaded that much good would be realized, and a reformation effected in our churches both salutary and permanent.
The number of magazines and periodical publications designed to exbibit the progress of truth, has, within a few years, greatly multiplied. From these we may form, generally a correct idea of the means employed in the world for the spread of tbe Gospel, and of the success with which those means are accompanied, while, in the acquisition of such intelligence, much joy would be felt, and a missionary spirit excited in our own breasts. But it is an undeniable fact, that too many of our brethren deprive themselves of that pleasure and profit, which at a trifling expense, they might, in this way, obtain; and are thus contented to remain in ignorance of the great things which God is doing in the earth for the advancement of his glory. Does the conversion of one sinner heighten the joy of angels, and increase the rapture of the Redeemed in heaven? How inexcusable then are we, to show such indifference to the triumphs of the Redeemer's cross in the world! Without designing any invidious distinction, we would recommend to your patronage, brethren, the Massachusetts Baptist Magazine and the Christian Watchman, as among the interesting and useful publications now extant. We believe yon will discharge, not only an important duty to yourselves, but to the interests of religion, by endeavouring more generally to extend their circulation.
Permit me to urge the necessity of an increase of religious knowledge from the above-mentioned sources combined by a few additional considerations. Knowledge, divine, as well as human, expands the mind and increases our capacity for enjoyment. The enlightened christian lives, as it were, in a different world from that of others. To him creation glows with a more attractive charm. He gazes with delight upon the landscape arrayed in vernal beauty. His eye, with pleasure, traces the meandering stream, wanders over the waving glories of the forest, and feasts itself upon the flower-woven carpet beneath his feet; while his ear is regaled with the wild and varied notes which burst from every grove! He looks abroad upon the heavens, surveys the sun exulting in the majesty of his strength, or the moon walking forth in her brightness, and all those sparkling fires which light up the firmament, and his soul kindles into admiration, while witnessing the sublimity of the scene! Amid the assemblage of all that is beautiful or sublime in nature, he sees the Creator's wisdom, power and goodness displayed: he rises in his contemplation to Him, who directs, with equal ease, the revolutions of innumerable worlds, and paints with different hues an insect's wing!
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An increase of religious Information would furnish us with interesting topics for conversation in our social interviews. It would prove, on most occasions, an effectual antidote against the poison of slander, a measure of which, is too often infused into the conversation of professed christians. Slander possesses the cruelty of the tiger, the cunning of the fox, and the venom or the serpent. She lives upon the murdered reputation of others, and is never more happy, than when she sees her victims multiplying around her. Would we guard against the most distant approaches towards this baneful and desolating Spirit, let us provide ourselves with the materials of useful knowledge, and seek the things, "whereby one may edify another."
Our ability for usefulness will be increased in proportion to our knowledge. To glorify God and to do good in the world are objects at which we should ever aim. Among the benevolent institutions now established, those which are formed to promote the education of pious young men called of God to the ministry, doubtless, merit a conspicuous place. Several of our churches have already evinced a spirit of expansive generosity in the promotion of this desirable object. But why is it necessary that the minister of Christ should be a scribe well instructed? Is it not because, in the present improved state of society, he may be thus qualified for more extensive usefulness? For the same reason, in a subordinate sense, at least, it is important that every private member of a church should be well informed. All have something to do in the erection of that spiritual temple, the top-stone of which, will hereafter be brought forth with shoutings of grace, grace unto it. Let each one, then, be prepared for the particular station and work assigned him.
If religions information were more widely diffused, a spirit of active benevolence would be more generally manifested in support of the gospel among ourselves, in promoting the educatlon of young men designed for the ministry, and in maintaining the cause of missions both at home and abroad. Illiberality in relation to these objects, indicates not only a want of vital religion, but a state of ignorance in its professors. In the lapse of more than eighteen hundred years, Christianity has not become wholly divested of some of those dark shades which ignorance, corruption, or bigotry has cast around her. But we hope the time is not far distant, when she will emerge from the ephemeral mists in which she is involved, and again appear in all her primitive glory and celestial beauty! We rejoice that many of our churches are convinced of the necessity of providing a competent support for their pastors, that they may give themselves wholly to their work. But it is an obvious fact, that, while some have done well, many are greatly deficient in their duty, not to their pastors only, but to themselves. Yet more, perhaps, err from the want of correct and enlightened views upon this subject, than from corruption of principle. We feel strengthened in this belief, by comparing those churches, in
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which a disposition to withhold is too apparent, with those whose views and practice are more in correspondence with the gospel. The value of any blessing is best appreciated by those who have experienced it. To our enlightened brethren, then, we must especially look for efficient aid in bringing forth to publick view those promising young men, whom Providence designs for usefulness in the church; and from them the most liberal donations may be expected in aid of foreign and domestic missions.
We conclude, dear brethren, by reminding you of the encouragement which is now given us for increasing exertions in the good cause. Our venerable fathers who bore the burden and heat of the day are now at rest; but by the example they exhibited, and the conflicts they maintained, they admonish us, in this more auspicious day of the church, to go forward. From the Mount of Eternal Glory they seem to say unto us, with an importunity too sacred to be disregarded, "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." It is a time which eminently calls for that fervent, unaffected zeal, which characterized the saints in former days. We may hail, perhaps, the dawn of the millennial sun, which is fast rising to its meridian brightness. The blessed gospel, grand and lucid in its career, is on its march, causing the desert to rejoice and the wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose. Zion is breaking forth on every side into singing! Let our devout and humble prayers ascend to the Most High, that he would still greatly enlarge her borders; that with each revolving year, the combined and well directed efforts of her friends may coutinue to increase, until the knowledge of the Lord shall become co-extensive with the earth. ========== [From Boston Baptist Association Minutes, 1824, pp. 14-18. This document is from a microfilm copy at Southern Baptist Seminary Library, Louisville, KY. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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