DEAR BRETHREN: - We are more and more pleased with that feature of our church government, which secures to every church connected with our denomination, the privilege of legislating for herself in all matters that relate to her individual prosperity. As an Association, we have no authority over the churches, whose delegates we are, nor do we seek any; and yet we shall be acting in strict accordance with the divine word, and with the usages of old-fashioned Baptists, if, in this circular address, we aim to stir up your minds to love and good works, by settino; before you some of the considerations by which you are called upon to make special efforts at this time, for extending the influence of our holy religion.

      1. We must seek to be well grounded in the truth ourselves. It is very easy for Christians, by contenting themselves with a superficial knowledge of the Bible, to expose themselves to the danger of being led into error, by the unblushing assertions which the enemies of the truth often make against the precious doctrines of the Bible. Error is otten plausible and specious. It aims frequently to come very near the truth and to keep most prominent those points in which it is least objectionable, while it alleges against the truth many false positions and holds the truth responsible for them. Thus the unwary are beguiled; and sometimes so gradual are the advances of error, that half its mischief is done before its existence is detected. Nothing, therefore, can save us from error, if we are not ourselves intimately acquainted with the divine word. Study it, dear brethren, with prayer to the great Head of the Church, that he will more and more open your eyes to understand it, and your hearts to receive it.

      2. We must learn to pay proper respect to those whom God has appointed to be our pastors and teachers under Christ. We are prone to extremes; in endeavoring to avoid on tire one hand, a tame submission to the opinions of our teachers, without bringing their teachings to the standard of truth, we are apt to assume an utter independence of our spiritunl instructors and set up entirely for ourselves. This, we apprehend, is the prolific source of division among us. Enjoying as we do, under our excellent constitution, both civil and ecclesiastic, the right to think for ourselves, we often forget that the word of our King prescribes for our instruction and spiritual well being. That we should be taught by men "the way of the Lord more perfectly," God gives his people pastors and teachers, for this very purpose, and stores the minds ana hearts of those he calls to this work with knowledge and love, that they may be both qualified and inclined to train up his people to be happy and useful. The prescribed order of Heaven is, that those appointed to teach shall be aided and encouraged by the disciples of Christ, and whenever we fail to look to our pastor as the medium through which the great Shepherd will supply us with wholesome food, we are in danger of being carried away by every wind of doctrine.

      3. We must cultivate a proper respect for the good old paths of ouf fathers. We would by no means advise that you should yield a superstitious reverence to that which is recommended by its antiquity alone. Whoever prefers any doctrine or practice, only because it is old, might as well have lived in the "dark ages" as in this day of increasing light and knowledge. The two extremes are equally pernicious to the Christian church. Brethren, take special care to examine what is new in religion; bring it to the Book; compare it carefully with your Christian experience. Call to mind the views of those whose piety and wisdom entitle them to your confidence. If these reject it, and especially if they can produce the "Bible" against it, you should run from it. Its plausibility and beauty render it the more dangerous, the more to be dreaded.

      4. We must be more diligent in disseminating the truth. Error is always active. No means are left untried by those who bring forward new and imposing views of religion. Teachers are multiplied and sent into every neighborhood; and often while we are folding our arms, solacing ourselves with the proverb "Truth is great and must prevail," error is rapidly acquiring influence, especially with the young and inexperienced, and ere we had supposed it could have commenced its work, it has taken root so firmly that we find it impossible to eradicate it. Let us then endeavor to intercept the progress of error, by actively dispensing the word of truth. Whether by circulating religious newspapers and tracts, or by sending far and wide the voice of the living teacher, let us keep the truth constantly before the minds of the people; it is only the truth, actively circulated, that can successfully combat error.

      5. Finally, brethren, if we wish to see our churches united and happy: if we wish to see the cause of our blessed Master advance, and the number of his faithful disciples increase and multiply, we must awake from our shimberings and put on the whole armor of God; constrained by the love of Christ, let us be willing to make any personal sacrifice which may be neeessarv for the advancement of his kingdom. Has he made us the depositories of his truth? O how weighty our responsibility! The eiernal well being of thousands, yea, of millions, depends on our faithfulness. The glory and perfection of the church, which is the body of Christ, are, under God, suspended on our Christian diligence. With the means so abundantly furnished us, of supplying the people with knowledge, and the very ends of the earth with the light of salvation, how shall we account to our Master if we suffer his cause to be overrun by the thousand errors with which the world is filled, only for want of proper diligence on our part to spread the truth? But, brethren, we hope better things of you, though we thus speak. Our confidence shall for the present be strong that you will abound more and more in the work of the Lord, and give yourselves more to his cause, who for your sakes became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich. Go on, brethren, trusting in the Lord. With his word for your guide, his spirit for your comforter, his glory for your object, you may confidently anticipate that every form of error will be overcome, and that the truth as it is in Jesus, will prevail. The peace of God be with you. Amen.

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[From the original document at Elkhorn Baptist Association, Lexington, KY; 1841, pp. 7-8. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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