BELOVED BRETHREN: The letters from the several Churches composing this association furnish us with the following particulars, that deserve your attention.Laughery Church, speaks of being in a cold and languishing condition, but seems conscious that this arises from a remission in duty; and expresses a fervent desire that the Lord would revive her, and solicits the prayers of the Brethren.
Indian Creek Church, laments the reign of coldness and barrenness among her members; but rejoices in the conscious enjoyment of peace. She regrets that she is not regularly blessed with the preached Gospel, owing to the long illness of Elder Banta; and seems to fear that she may lose his labors entirely. She requests preaching brethren to visit her.
Bear Creek Church, informs us, that she is called to mourn the loss of Elder Watts and Daughters, who preached for her in succession; and who have both been called to their everlasting reward. She earnestly requests ministering brethren to visit her, and preach for her. She also mourns the declension of religion; and solicits the prayers of the brethren, that the Lord would preserve her as a church, and revive her by his spirit.
Long Run Church, gives us but a short account of her condition; but says she enjoys the blessings of peace.
Grants Creek Church, says she is brought very low; scarcely able to maintain her visibility; has become languid and cold, yet cherishes the hope that the Lord will yet remember her in mercy.
Brushy Fork Church, rejoices in the enjoyment of peace, and a cheering degree of prosperity; and also in having her members preserved, amidst the ravages of sickness and death, and her union undisturbed by the schisms that mar the peace of religious society.
Aurora Church calls upon the brethren to rejoice with her, for the great goodness of the Lord, in raising her from a languishing condition, to a state of joy and prosperity -- gladdening the hearts of his children, and turning the hearts of sinners to seek and find the blessings of his salvation. The number of her members has been doubled within a few months. Her members cordially unite in the cause of missions, Bible societies, Sunday schools, Tract and Temperance societies.
White Water Church, mourns the languishing state of Zion, and the prevalence of error, vice and immorality in our land; calls upon the brethren to remember her, and pray for her, that she may be preserved in the faith of the Gospel.
Middle Fork Church, holds the language: "Our situation at present is cold and barren; our harps are on the willows, and we are left to lament and to say, 'oh that it was with us as in months past, when the candle of the Lord shined on our heads.'"
Rising Sun Church, tells us that, though she is in a sorrowful condition, mourning the absence of her heavenly bridegroom, yet she rejoices to hear of the prosperity of other churches; and feels a longing anxiety that the Lord would grant her a season of refreshing from his presence.
Ebenezer Church, expresses strong emotions of gratitude, to the giver of all blessings, for the privilege of having the association to meet at her place of worship, and fervently desires that the brethren may meet, and continue together in brotherly love; and feel the power and love of God resting upon them. And while she sees that the Lord has granted prosperity to other churches, can exultingly say, what hat God wrought for us?
Sparta Church, pours forth the fulness [sic] of her feelings in mingled emotions of joy and sorrow -- joy because that God, in his goodness, has awakened sinner in her borders, and brought them to love and glorify his name -- sorrow on account of the death of her beloved Pastor, Elder Daughters, in the midst of his usefulness.
Franklin Church, lets us know that she has been happily revived. Her letter, though short, breathes in thanksgiving to God for his goodness, and calls upon the brethren to unite with her, in prayer to God, that he would continue, and extend his work, not only in her bounds, but throughout the world.
Salem Church, laments that she cannot witness a more general prevalence of true and undefiled religion; yet feels that she remains firm and undivided while erroneous principles are prevalent around her; and clings to the doctrine of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, as the only justification of the saints, in the sight of God.
Bethel Church, enjoys peace and the blessings of a preached gospel, but regrets that she does not enjoy a revival of religion.
Manchester Church, although mourning her own coldness, and the prevalence of religion around her; and the ravages of the king of terrors in her borders, yet feels herself supported in her afflictions by the precious promises of the gospel; and rejoices in the prosperity of other Churches. She has agreed to raise $25 this year to aid the cause of missions.
Mount Pleasant Church, has given us but a few particulars of her condition; but says the enemy of souls has sowed the seeds of discord among her members; and says with earnestness, "brethren pray for us."
Jefferson Church, mourns over her coldness, yet rejoices that the Lord is doing wonders of mercy in other places. She has also to mourn the death of Elder Wilson, one of her ministers.
Switzerland Church, expresses herself as having sat down by the cold streams of Babylon, with her harps on the willows and requests the prayers of the brethren, that the Lord would revive her drooping spirits. She repeats her desires saying: "pray for us, and come and help us."
Lawrenceburg Church, complains that she has had a dark, and gloomy season, and but for her confidence in the great head of the church, she would have despaired; but considering his unbounded perfections, and gracious promises, she takes courage, in the prospect of a better day.
From this view of the state of our churches, we feel ourselves called upon to redouble our diligence. Many of our churches are destitute of a regular gospel ministry, we should therefore cherish and sustain the ministers we already have, that they may give themselves wholly to the work; and we should pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers, that the whole length and breadth of the vineyard may be cultivated. We should also strive, by all the means in our power, to promote vital piety, brotherly love, and holy zeal, that all our churches may prosper, and the name of our Heavenly Father be glorified.
N. B. The meeting continued for two days after the close of the association; during which time fourteen individuals were received by the Ebenezer Church for baptism; thirteen of whom were baptized.
============= [Taken from Laughery Baptist Association Minutes (IN), 1834, pp. 3-4. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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