To the Churches and Brethren composing the Elkhorn Association.DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN -
A custom of long standing among Baptists, will naturally lead you to expect, that a Circular Letter will be annexed to our minutes. By perusing the minutes, you will be sufficiently advised of the state of the churches; and of the business transacted while in session. We do not intend to enter into doctrinal discussions in this letter; for we believe, in the general, we are sounder in doctrine, than in practice. We address you dear brethren, as believers in Jesus Christ; as those who have obtained like precious faith with us; as those that are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," John i, 13. Again 1 Peter i, 23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed; but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever." We address you as those who have been "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians ii, 10. First, We call the attention of our ministering brethren to a few things, as follows: You are professedly the ministers of Jesus Christ, and as such, we address you. - In the language of an Apostle we say, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" Acts xx, 28. The same Apostle, in the forementioned chapter hath said, "I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you; but have shewed you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house; testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to Timothy in the following manner: "Not to give heed to fables, and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than Godly edifying, which is in faith so do. Now the end of the commandment is clarity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling: desiring to be teachers of the law: undertanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." Timothy i, 4, 5, 6, 7. Again, "A bishop," (which is only another title for preacher, or teacher) "must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient: not a brawler, not covetuous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them who are without; lest he fall into reproach and [the] snare of the Devil." 1 Timothy iii, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7. Paul exhorts Timothy as follows in the 4th chapter of this epistle: "Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." He exorts him to meditate upon these things; to give himself wholly to them: that his profiting may appear to all. After many other lessons, we have the following in the 6th chapter, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ." - (Mark the expression: even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,) "and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evil surmisings, perverse
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disputings, of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself." And so closes the epistle in the following manner: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith." We find lessons, and exhortations of a similar character interspersed throughout Paul's second epistle to Timothy, a few of which we shall here recite without referring to chapter, and verse. "Thou therefore" said Paul, "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." "No man that wareth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." - "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned; unless he strive lawfully." The husbandman that laboreth, must first be partaker of the fruits. Here we learn, that no man can be a minister of Jesus Christ, until he is born again; or is made a partaker of the fruits; which are love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith &c. Without the above qualifications, he would be like a blind man seeking herbs to make a drink for the sick, who would as likely lay hold on the hemlock, as the balm. Our Apostle continues on with his advice to Timothy: "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord, that they strive not about words to no profit; but to the subverting of the hearers." "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." Again, "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife: and the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith, that is in Christ Jesus." "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall Judge the quick, and the dead, at his appearing, and his kingdom: preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering, and doctrine. For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. - Dear brethren, is it not a fact, much to be lamented, that with many now in the world fables are preferred to the awful, solemn truth of heaven's King. The word of God informs us, that "Whosoever dwells in love, dwells in God, and God in him." And again, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." Trusting then, dear brethren, that we have the Spirit of God in our hearts; let us read the word of God more, and the works of men less; then under the Divine influence, being girt about with the panoply of heaven; we shall be able to contend earnestly, and to purpose too, for that faith which was once delivered to the saints. - We now take the liberty of exhorting our brethren and sisters, one and all, as follows, that "The aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience; the aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness; not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good
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things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded; likewise servants, that they be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. We also exhort you, who are the heads of families, that you bring your children up, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; read the Scriptures to them; give them good advice, surround the family altar with them; for it is a shame to see how many families there are amongst us, who are entire strangers to family prayer, and some too, who justify themselves by saying, that God has not commanded us to pray in our families. Brethren, these things ought not so to be. It is also painful and mortifying, to see the great neglect on the part of members, in attending their stated meetings. How frequently do we see it the case, that churches that number from one, to three hundred, on their church lists, cannot number more than thirty, to fifty, on days of business, where the presence of every member is absolutely necessary. How discouraging to a minister of Jesus Christ, after he has travelled several miles, in order to meet his appointment at the court of the Lord, to find probably not more than twelve or fifteen members collected, and they probably conversing on politics, agriculture, or commerce. In vain he waits to hear the precious name of Jesus introduced: in vain he waits to hear one of the songs of Zion: until he arises to open worship and pitch the tune himself. How foreign this from the language of David who said: "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and enquire in his temple." Again "Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth:" "for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand: I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." - Is it possible, dear brethren, that the threatening rod of your heavenly Father, and the lashing of conscience, (which you must daily receive if Christians.) will not deter you from a neglect of duty, so dangerous to your own peace and happiness: so dishonoring to God; and so wounding to the cause of our blessed Saviour? Jesus hath said: "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will mainfest myself to him." Again, "If a man love me he will keep my words; and we will come unto him, and make our abode with hum." It certainly needs no proof that it is our duty to be punctual in our attendance, on days of business and public worship. Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one an other; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews x, 24, 25. Again, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst." An Apostle said, "Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Can we persuade ourselves that we love the children of God, when we do not seek their company, and when we do not meet with them to worship our heavenly Father. An Apostle has decided
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in this case, when he said, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments: for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous." Let us then, dear brethren, take up our cross, and march like soldiers; let us return to the Lord with full purpose of heart, let us often be found at a throne of grace, pleading for mercy, and for grace to help us in time of need; for when Zion trravaileth, she bringeth forth.Dear brethren, the subject of Intemperance, certainly demands our attentions. Look around you, and see what this foul destroyer of morals, and of civil society has been doing, and is yet doing. See the peace of families and of neighborhoods destroyed by this monster; look into your county poor house, and there you will find that two thirds of those unhappy objects of our charity, have fallen victims to that worst of vices. Look around you, and see the heart-broken mothers, with their helpless children weeping around them. Enquire for the cause; and you will find that intemperance has been the cause, of at least three cases out of four; look into your Penitentiary, and there you will find, that at least three out of four of those unhappy, and degraded beings will state, that Intemperance has been the principle cause of their misery, and ruin; go to your Hospitals, and listen to the howlings, groanings, and shrieks of the lunatic, and there intemperance can boast of her conquest. Here we would fain stop short: but truth forbids, mercy would say hold, but justice says go on. Charity would hold our pen, but faithfulnes says move on though unpleasant the task. - Cast a mournful look after the many ministers who have fallen victims to intemperance, and have left a lasting reproach on the cause of God. Open your church books, and examine those pages, so nearly allied to sacred history; there you will find those pages stained with the crime of intoxication, and drunkenness; yes, case after case, record after record, complaint after complaint: and does not all this demand our commiseration? Most certainly it does. O! dear brethren, we entreat you to rally all your energies; concentrate all your efforts, and with united heart, and vocie, enter your protest against intemperance; touch not, handle not, taste not, and the victory is yours. Go on, brethren, to perfect holiness in the fear of God, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Finally, brethren, farewell; be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love, and peace shall be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all, - Amen. WM. SUGGETT, Moderator.
URIEL B. CHAMBERS, Clerk.============= [From Elkhorn Bapitst Association Minutes, 1831. The document is from Southern Baptist Historical Library & Archives, Nashville, TN and was provided by Stephen duBarry. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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