DEAR BRETHREN: - We have had a very pleasant and interesting season during our present meeting. We have great reason to thank God for the harmony and brotherly love which have pervaded every mind present. From the letters which we have received from the various churches composing our body, it appears that death has been abroad in our land, and that several of our beloved brethren, since our last meeting, have gone to their long home. Their spirits have gone to God, and have ventured upon the blissful realities of the eternal world. How sorrowful the thought that we shall see their faces no more in this world. But we sorrow not as those who have no hope. We trust that at the appointed time we shall meet them, with all the elect of God, in heaven. Brethren, this dispensation of Divine Providence should teach us wisdom; it should teach us humility; it should teach us the instability and evanescence of all earthly things. Let us feel that we too must soon die. And O, let us strive to be ready for that solemn event. "Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh." "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."But while we have been called on thus to lament the pious dead, we have not been left comfortless. It has been a theme of rejoicing in our midst, that God has made known his power and grace in the midst of the churches. He has revived his work in the hearts of his people. He has converted many precious souls, "Praise ye the Lord." But our joy was not full - it was not perfect - when we remembered that the kingdom of Christ might have been extended still further, if the churches in their individual capacity, had lived nearer the Cross - if they had prayed more. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will 1 do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Brethren, it is a thought replete with the most serious consequences - a thought that should weigh us down in sackcloth and ashes, that the doctrines of the Cross might have gained greater conquests, but for our luke-warmness, but for our indifference to the welfare of immortal souls. Let us re¬pent for the past, and amend our lives for the future. Let us arise, not in our own strength, but in the strength of God; and, by a strict discharge of duty, vindicate ourselves from the charge of standing "in the way of sinners."
Another thing which has greatly contributed to our happiness during our meeting, is the fact, that our brethren appear to feel so deep an interest in all the benevolent objects of the day. Especially is this true in relation to the Mission cause. Several of our churches have sent up their contributions with a view of promoting that institution. While they have acted with special reference to the destitute portions of Kentucky, they have not forgotten the red man of the West, whom we have driven from the home of his fathers, and whose soil we now inhabit. The brethren are doing something to atone for past injuries. They have contributed of their substance to carry the Word of God and the living ministry amongst that long neglected people. Why should we not go on with this work? Has not God owned and blessed it as his own? If we are to judge from the amount of good, which has already resulted to the human race from the Missionary enterprise, we are compelled to answer in the affirmative. We are aware that this position is questioned by many professed Christians. But let us open our eyes to the facts in the case, and we cannot be shaken in our purpose. Look to foreign lands and you will see churches erected on ground occupied but a few years ago by heathen temples, polluted by human sacrifice. Look to foreign lands, and you will see bands of devout worshipers and hear songs of praise to the living God, where but a few years ago the widow was offered up in fire to some dumb idol, upon the funeral pile of her husband. And what has the cause of Missions done upon our own shores? It has carried the hope of immortal life to the wigwam of many perishing Indians. It has buried the tomahawk and the scalping knife. It has hushed the war-song - it has quelled the war-dance. To these have succeeded the posture of prayer, the song of praise. He that cannot see these things is blind, and cannot see afar off. And with these things before us, can we for a moment doubt the divine origin and utility of the cause of Missions. The brethren have commenced well, only let them continue. God, has done great things for us, and shall we not do something for our fellow man? God has created us, and given us wealth and every needed blessing. He has redeemed us to himself by the blood of his beloved Son; and shall we make no return of gratitude to him? Brethren, let us work "so much the more as ye see the day approaching."
F. C. M'CALLA, Clerk. J. L. WALLER, Moderator. ========== [From Elkhorn Baptist Association (KY), 1850, pp. 5-6. Copied from the original document at the Elkhorn Baptist Associational office, Lexington, KY. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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