The Campbell County Association of Baptist[s] met at Alexandria.
Beloved Brethren in the Lord - Through the providence of God, we are about to close the business assigned us as an Association. It is with peculiar pleasure we express the satisfaction we have had, in uniting with many uf our kindred in Christ, in the work and worship of the Lord. Our interview has been in peace and harmony, which calls for our most unfeigned thanks to Almighty God; that no visible mark of his displeasure has attended our Association since its formation: while some of the Churches of whom we compose a part are complaining of their coldness and barrenness in spiritual things - one, at least has been made to rejoice in a bountiful harvest, and a gracious ingathering of precious souls to the Redeemer's Kingdom; and is with us, as with other Associations - while some churches are made to rejoice others have become too formal, and have neglected prayer and watchfulness. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God. That ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Let Zion remember that her warfare and days of mourning are not yet ended. Wherefore, brethren, let us attend to the discharging of those duties, so inseparably connected with the peace and happiness of Zion in this world. The Scriptures are an infallible guide in whatsoever condition we may be in, they delineate the whole duty of man, while we peruse the sacred pages of divine revelation. Nothing in the volume of nature, nor in the dispensation of grace more requires the attention of Christians, or affords a brighter field for meditation, than the unity of the brethren, nor gives a stronger evidence of their love to the Great Head of the Church. The Scriptures teach us by nature we are fallen and depraved creatures, haters of God, hateful and hating one another, until the enmity of our hearts is slain by the word of God, applied by his spirit. We then see our lost and helpless condition, and by faith are made reconciled to God by the death of his son, and see our sins pardoned by his blood shed on the tree of the cross: "For without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin:" and we receive the love of God, the bond of our Union with Christ and one another. By faith the gospel is a light to our path and a lamp to our feet. It shows us the duties enjoined on us by the Lawgiver of Israel; and the promises of the Gospel afford us comfort in troubles. It brings to our view the preciousness of the Redeemer of sinners. That when the believer in Jesus is brought to realize his standing in Christ, he is filled with joy and anticipates the time when he shall see him without a veil between. Therefore, brethren, we should be careful to maintain good works, that denying ourselves of all ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, in this present evil world, and not confine our religious exercises to the closet alone. But by our upright walk and holy conversation we may manifest to the world, that we are inwardly what we profess outwardly; (for only when Zion travels she shall bring forth.) Let love be without dissimulation, pray with all prayer, pray with and for one another; and in every thing give thanks: that we may be the children of God without rebuke, having our lamps trimmed and our lights burning. That when the chief shepherd shall come we may joyfully hear his voice, aud have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gate into the city.JOHN STEPHENS, Moderator. Attest, Lewis Klette, Clerk.
========= [From Campbell County Baptist Association Minutes, 1831, p. 4. The document is from the Campbell County Historical Society Library, Alexandria, KY. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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