To the Churches Severally Whom we Represent in this Association.VERY DEAR BRETHREN,
It is according to the will of God in his indulgent mercy, fatherly care and protection of us, that we are again permitted to meet acccording to our appointment in another annual interview, and we have had in a good degree, a very comfortable meeting, harmony, peace and love, as heretofore, prevailed, for which, with humble gratitude we desire to thank and praise the Lord. From the information received, we have to regret that, religion is in a very low state. The cause of which, we are led to believe, is among ourselves. Let us examine for a moment: Have we attended to the duties that are required of us in the Gospel, or are they utterly neglected? if not, from whence then this state of lukewarmnness, it not from a deviation of the precepts
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of Christ which is the great and principal cause of our present state of gloominess and spiritual adversity? Tho' we do not expect while in the world to be free from trials, troubles, and tribulations; yet while we are under weight and pressure, we are apt too often to forget the good tilings that God has done for us in seasons past. But remember dear brethren, that the Lord has been very bountiful to us; let the consideration of it invigorate our minds, and arouse us to prayer, thankfulness and praise; and to exhort one another to provoke unto love and good works; and not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. For salvation is still of the Lord, and we who trust in him shall not be ashamed. For it is the Lord and he alone that gives the witness of the Spirit of all truth, that we may be enabled to live by experience of the hope that is within us. Yet the Lord may be pleased to send some painful visitation of his providence on us; though we may be the very objects of his care. This is in order to bring us to a sense of ourselves, and is of ultimate good to our souls, being designed by our heavenly father to make us partakers of his holiness, and to be qualified by grace, and prepared to be received into manssions [sic] of everlasting rest. Thus human life is momentary, and is a state of probation in wnich we are to prepare for heaven and eternal-happiness, or sink into wretchedness, woe, and despair. For the Lord will save them that love him; but the wicked he will destroy. We should therefore, be vigilent, and closely adhere to the docinne of the Apostles, and continue steadfastly in the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us draw near to him in the full assurance of faith, with a pure heart, having it sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. And to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, (for he is faithful that promised,) and to consider one another to admonish them in the Lord to be sober and watch unto prayer. And awake from sin unto righteousness and sin not. For should we sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there being no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for of judgment, and a fiery indignation which shall devour the adversary. Then it behoves us to abide and continue in the ways of the Lord, for his ways are pleasant and all his paths are peace which lead to the wells of salvation and gates of endless joy. And you that drink of this water shall never thirst, but it shall be in you a well of water springing up unto eternal life.Now dear brethren, let each Church and every individual member with their Bibles in their hands and Christ in their hearts, be firmly united in fervent prayer to God for the continuance of his mercy, love, and goodness; and to be actively engaged in the Christian duties which are so forcibly enjoined on us in the Holy Scriptures, that we may be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation: and he [be] pleased to revive his works among us. Now may the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Sbepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be the glory for ever, Amen.
JOHN STEPHENS, Moderator. Attest, LEWIS KLETTE, Clerk.
========= [From Campbell County Baptist Association Minutes, 1832, pp. 3-4. The document is from the Campbell County Historical Society Library, Alexandria, KY. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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