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Circular Letter
Bethel Baptist Association (KY), 1826
"The Reasons for the Late Division
of the Red River Association"
By Reuben Ross
Agreeably to your request, at the formation of our Association, we, your committee, submit the following report, bringing to view the reasons, for the late division of the former Red River Association. As the commencement of those difficulties, which led to the division, is but partially known to you, we therefore remark, that in the year, 1816, an unpleasantness was manifested, by some of our elder brethren in the ministry, towards some of our doctrinal views, namely, the calling of sinners, in our congregations, to repent of their sins, and believe the gospel; and that the invitations of the gospel, were to all, to whom it was preached.

2dly. The nature and extent of the Atonement, of the Lord Jesus Christ, then became a matter of controversy; tho' not serious, until certain [B]aptists, from the upper counties of this state, settled amongst us. At first, they manifested an appearance of friendship and fellowship towards our churches and ministers, which led us to suppose, they were desirous to return into the general Union again. We, therefore, upon their application, received them into our chruches. But, alas! some of them, so soon as they obtained a standing amongst us, manifested a party spirit, which soon found its way into our Association. Things now became serious; a want of brotherly love and christian forbearance, was soon manifested in the deportment of a number of the preachers and lay members, especially, at the Associations, from year to year. Instead, of meeting in love, for the mutual edification and comfort of each other, and to preach the glorious gospel to sinners, it became a scene of contention, which reflected on us, as a religious society, and greatly injured the cause of God against us.

This state of things continued to grow worse, until the year 1824, when the Association proposed to the churches to meet in convention, and in a brotherly and Christian spirit, to discuss those doctrinal points, at issue between us. Accordingly, 24 churches sent their delegates, who met at Union M[eeting] H[ouse] in Logan county, Ky. on the 24th day of November, 1824. After being organized, the causes of grief were called for, and the one exhibited was, "The preaching of the atonement to be general or universal in its nature. After discussing the subject, the convention, by a unanimous vote, resolved as follows: "We agree, after all that has been said on the subject of the atonement, although some little difference of sentiment exhists, to live together in peace and harmony, bearing and forbearing with each other."

When the convention thus determined to recommend to the churches, to bury all their contentious weapons, and exercise brotherly love and christain forbearance, many rejoiced at the prospect of peace and harmony among our brethren, and in our churches; - But alas! it was of short duration, for when the Association met in 1825, on reading the letters addressed to the Association by the churches, it was found, that 16 churches declared their determination, not to receive the advice of the Convention; -- nay, some of the letters breathed an uncharitable temper, in a greater degree, than had been witnessed on any former occasion. We then believed the cup of reconciliation was drained to the dregs.

In this state of things, it was proposed, (by the committee of arrangement) "That the Association divide itself into two Associations; the upper to be called Red River, and the lower to be called __________; giving each and every church, in each district, choice which Association she will join. And further, if this plan should be adopted, we recommend the Association to advise the Churches, that if any member or members should be dissatisfied, on conscientious sentiments of religion, to give them letters of dismission, to join any church in either Association." These resolutions were adopted by the Association, and it was divided accordingly; -- And as it was believed in the committee, that the dissatisfaction, which existed in the Association, was still in fellowship, it was therefore distinctly understood in the committee, that the division was not to affect fellowship which then existed. And we will here remark, that altho' we cannot approbate the conduct of those few individuals, who have long been, and who are still sowing the seeds of discord amongst us, yet we still feel the same fellowship, for the great body of the Red River Association as heretofore.

Dear Brethren, is it not abundantly evident from the scripture that Christ satisfied the holy law of God, and by virtue of that satisfaction, all the mercies that a lost world receives from God, must flow? - as is it not equally evident, that on the ground of that satisfaction, that the Gospel is to be preached to every creature? And is it not also abundantly evident, from the scriptures, that in the exhibition of the Gospel sinners are called upon to repent of their sins, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, as exhibited by our Lord and his apostles? These are the things for which, we are complained of. These doctrines we believe, and feel ourselves bound to preach. And lastly, these things we submit to [solemn?] and prayerful [consideration?] and the Lord give you understanding in all things.
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Bios of Reuben Ross

[From Bethel Baptist Association Minutes, 1826, pp. 5-6. From microfilm records at the Logan-Todd Association office, Russellville, KY. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]



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