The Elkhorn Association sendeth Christian salutation to the churches composing this body.
Dear Brethren: Through the indulgence of divine goodness, we have had another association sesson, which furnishes us an opportunity of again addressing a Circular Letter to the churches. We have selected the subject of Brotherly Love, as the topic of this letter. It is assuredly, brethren, one of much importance, and cannot be too often and too earnestly urged on the disciples of the dear Redeemer; nor be too ardently and assiduously cultivated by every child of God. "A new commandment," said Jesus, "I give unto you, that ye love one another;" and he enforces it in these words "As I have loved you, see that ye also love, one another."At this distressing crisis in the Zion of God, it is, in our estimation,
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highly necessary that we strive to love one another as brethren; children of the same Father, and heirs of the same glory. The sacred volume gives us distinctly to know, that if we love not our brethren, whom we have seen, we assuredly do not love God, whom we have not seen. It teaches us that "By this we shall know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." Oh what a heavenly principle! How it assimilates the disciple to the likeness of his Lord! Brethren, if we know that HE loved us, we ought also to love one another. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor;" it is the sacred cement of the Christian community. If abounding in the heart and life, it will operate as a powerful preventative to discord, disunion, and distress amongst the dear disciples of the ever blessed Jesus. It will destroy all those forbidden and hateful passions of envy, and malice, and hatred, and those unchristian practices of evil speaking and backbiting, too often, alas! indulged in by many who profess the religion of Christ.Brotherly love will keep alive, in our hearts, a holy jealousy for the character and reputation of each other; whilst it will cause us to walk together in love as dear children, constraining us to esteem each other better than ourselves. "Bohold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity;" but without love there can be no union.
"Our stubborn sins will fight and reign,
"If love be absent there."The word of God is profuse in its commands on this interesting subject. Suffer then, dear brethren, the word of exhortation, "Let love be without dissimulation;" seeing that ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren; see that ye love one another with pure hearts fervently. It is one of the blessed fruits of the holy Spirit. By it shall all men know that we are his disciple. May the God of all Grace cause the abounding of this heaven-born and God-like principle more and more amongst the family of his Saints.
Are we asked, who are we to love as brethren? We answer, all those who evidence by their walk and conversation, that they have been born of the holy Spirit of God; and who manifest that they love our Lord Jesus Christ by keeping his commandments.
For information on the business transacted by the Association at her present session, we refer you to the minutes.
And now, dear brethren, be ye steadfast and immovable,
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always abounding in the work of the Lord: and be not carried about with every wind of doctrine; for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. Live in peace; and may the God of peace be with and bless you, with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Your brethren in gospel bonds.WILLIAM SUGGETT, Moderator. Uriel B. Chambers, Clerk. ============= [From Elkhorn Bapitst Association Minutes, 1830. The document is from SBHL&A, Nashville, TN and was provided by Stephen duBarry. — jrd]
Elkhorn Association Circular Letters
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