Campbell County Association is now merged with Northbend Association and is known as Northern Kentucky Baptist Association.
An Index of the Circular Letters of the
Campbell County Baptist Association
1827-1887
By Charles Hunt
This index is based solely on the Campbell County Baptist Associational Minutes, 1827-1887; and a few Circulars issued spoadically after then. Any quotes within this index are taken directly from this source only and are italicized. - Charles Hunt.
The minutes of the first meeting when the Association was formed in 1827 are missing. The Circular Letter for 1855 gives a history of the Campbell County Association. The following six articles of faith are listed in that history. Articles of Faith:
1st. That there is but one only living and true God, and that in this adorable God-Head there are three personal relations, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and these three are one.2nd. That the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice..
3rd. That by nature we are depraved, helpless, and fallen creatures.
4th. That Salvation, Regeneration, Sanctification, and Redemption are by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that the saints will finally persevere through grace to glory.
5th. That Baptism by immersion is a command of God, and should be observed by all true believers.
6th. And that the salvation of the righteous and punishment of the wicked will be eternal.
The following information is given in the introduction to Volume 1 as a quote from one of their annual meetings, but the year is not known.
"This association was constituted at Brush Creek (now Persimmon Grove) Church on September 21st, 1827, of eight churches which had been dismissed from North Bend Association. It was first called Campbell association, but in 1832 it assumed its present title. The names of the churches that entered in the constitution were Licking, Four Mile, Bank Lick, Wilmington, Brush Creek, Twelve Mile, Alexandria, and Flower Creek. 1827 - The minutes of this meeting are missing.
1828 - Circular Letter "The Causes of the Declension of Religion in Our Churches." Lewis Klette states the nature of the association's authority, "This association in addressing you, does not assume or exercise any authoritative right over you; nor do they expect to advance any new tenet, idea or doctrine." He exhorts his readers to depart from all iniquity and to seek Christian deportment in their lives.
1829 - Circular Letter Lewis Klette, "The Cause of the Declension of Religion Among the Churches." An exhortation to walk in love is demonstrated by keeping His commands.
1830 - Circular Letter William DeCourcy, Clerk, "Exhortation to Read the Scriptures and Examine Whether We Are the Servants of God or Sin." A poem is quoted that reflects his theme."Men's books with heaps of chaff are stored,
God's book doth golden grains afford;
Then leave the chaff, and spend thy pains
In gathering up the golden grains."
1831 - Circular Letter Wm. Gosney, Elder, "Exhortation to Maintain Good Works." He notes that the association has been in peace and harmony since its formation. He acknowledges that one of the churches had a gracious ingathering of souls. Then he exhorts them to maintain good works.
1832 - Circular Letter Lewis Klette, Clerk, "An Exhortation to Be Vigilant." He exhorts them to be vigilant in prayer, the Apostles' doctrine, and in the ways of the Lord during a time of gloominess and spiritual adversity.
1833 - Lewis Klette, Clerk, The minutes of the annual meeting are missing.
1834 - The minutes of the annual meeting are missing.
1835 - The minutes of the annual meeting are missing.
1836 - Circular Letter There is no record of the author. "An Exhortation to Walk Closer to God." The small additions to the churches should be lamented. An exhortation is given to walk closer to God; which, as exemplary Christians, is a powerful means to awaken sinners to repentance.
1837 - Circular Letter William J. Morin, Clerk, "Christ's Resurrection From the Dead."
1838 - Circular Letter John Bever, "The Ineffable Goodness of God."
1839 - Circular Letter - Con. Beagle, "Walk in Love." He first reviews God's Good providence over the first twelve years of the association.
1840 - James Vickers, Ordained Minister, "The Preaching of Christ." He acknowledges God's blessing upon some of the churches in that they had a conversion of many precious souls. He also speaks of the preaching of Christ and Him crucified.
1841 - William J. Morin, Clerk, The minutes from the annual meeting are missing.
1842 - Circular Letter George Graden, Elder, Alexandria Baptist Church - "Abiding in the Love of Christ." He speaks of following the commandments of Christ. He ends with an admonition to parents concerning children.
1843 - William J. Morin, Clerk, "You Can't Serve Two Masters." He begins by acknowledging the privilege of God to be born of a Christian race and not a heathen, not a Jew. Morin gives a very good admonition concerning attending God's house on the Sabbath. It strikes at the heart of the problem.
[Isaac McCoy- missionary to the Indians, preached the Itroductory Sermon at this association, from John 1:29 - "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world."]
1844 - T. Stephens, "Submission to Church Government." He introduces his subject with a description of the Savior worthy of quoting, "...our gratitude to Almighty God that he is still extending grace and mercy to poor rebellious man, and to evince to all the world, that the blessed Saviour of sinners still sits on the mediatorial seat, that the golden bells with which the garments of our High Priest are adorned are still ringing, and the King on his throne is yet holding out the golden scepter to his beloved Queen."
1845 - J. L. Brown, "Close Communion." This circular letter is an excellent presentation of sound Scriptural arguments for close communion. According to the minutes of 1845, J. L. Waller originally wrote this letter which was then presented by J. L. Brown.
1846 - William J. Morin, "Ministerial Education" outlined:
1. The importance of educating, intellectually, the rising ministry.
2. Eror is to be combated.
3. The community demands we have an educated ministry.
4. The cultivation of the heart, or active piety.
1847 - The minutes of this meeting are missing.
1848 - "The Peculiar Position of the Baptist Denomination" outlined:
I. With respect to her principles
1. The Baptists have always held and taught, that a church, built on the principles of the Word of God, must be composed of professed believers only.
2. Baptist Churches are entirely independent.
3. In Baptist Churches all offices are of the same rank.
4. Republican in principle.
5. Liberty of conscience.
6. Missionary in spirit.
II. In view of these principles we inquire what duties are imposed on us as a denomination.
1. Be fully acquainted with these principles. 2. Contend earnestly for those principles. 3. Our movements should be aggressive A. If we don't we prove recreant. B. These will give a pure church.
1849 - The minutes for this meeting are missing.
1850 - "The Work of the Ministry." The author states, "The qualification of the ministry has been the subject of our circular for the last two years." The circular for 1849 is lost, but the circular for 1848 was not on the subject of the qualifications of the ministry. I do not know the reason for this statement. This circular ends with arguments for providing financially to the support of those ministering the Word.
1851 - J. Vickers, Elder, "The Divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
1852 - A. C. McLaughlin, The Importance of Christian Watchfulness Mark 13:37.
1853 - J. W. Brown, Ordained Minister, "Scriptural Reasons Against the Use of Alcohol As A Beverage." He gives an admonition to review the prior twenty-five Circular Letters and ask ourselves how much of those holy principles have we treasured up in our hearts.
He gives the following outline:
Physical Effects
I. The Moral Effects
II. You Will Ask: WHO HATH WROUGHT THIS WOE?
I answer: Alcohol, in his various costumes; for their name is Legion.
III. NOW THE SOLEMN QUESTION COMES UP, BY WHAT POWER IS IT UPHELD?
I answer: By the laws of this most free and happy nation -- Christian America.
1854 - G. B. Chambers The Urgent Need of Evangelism
1855 - Rev. N. Pettitt, "The History of the Campbell County Association".
1856 - Thomas F.Vicars, The minutes of this meeting are missing.
1857 - "Brief Synopsis of the Leading Doctrines and Practices of Baptists" outlined:
I. Of the Scriptures
II. Of the True God
III. Of Christ
IV. Of the Holy Spirit
V. Of the Fall of Man
VI. The Way of Salvation
VII. Of Justification
VIII. The freeness of Salvation
IX. Of Regeneration
X. Of Election
XI. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
XIL Of a Gospel Church
XIII Of Baptism
XIV. Of Communion
XV. Of Public Worship
XVI. Of the Spread of the Gospel
XVII. Of the Christian Sabbath
XVIII. Of the Righteous and the Wicked
XIX. Of the World to Come
1858 - "Missions" by Elder William Stillwell. Stillwell geographically assesses the need for missions throughout the world. He presents his subject well with knowledge and passion.
1859 - "The Call to the Christian Ministry." by N C. Pettitt. Pettitt emphasizes the external character, gifts, and natural abilities and ends with brief comments on the internal aspect of the call to preach.
1860 - W. Beagle, The minutes to this meeting are missing.
1861 - "The Condition of the Church Affected by a Threatened Revolution In Our National Government." The specific question addressed by this author is whether the church and the cause of our Redeemer suffer from these things? [This is related to the Civil War.]
1862 - "Home Missionary Interest" by James Shaw. Shaw apparently was postmillennial in his escatology in that he said the following, "Is man to learn war no more? Is the lion to lie down with the lamb? Are men to beat their swords into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks? Is man, unhappy man to be made happy in the service of his God? By what influences save those of the gospel are those desirable results to be effected?"
1863 - T. W. Beagle, "The Mission of the Church" outlined:
The mission of the Church
Proper Conception and Practice of the Truth
Emulate the Deity and Earnestness of Former Christians
An Individual Denominational Interest
A Diligent and Impartial Search For Preaching Talent
Finally Liberate Your Ministers
1864 - "The Duty of Churches to Sustain Sabbath Schools." The writer effectively argues for the practice of Sabbath School (Sunday School) in the churches.
1865 - Elder J. L. Tichenor, "Ministerial Destitution." A large portion of this letter can't be read without great difficulty because of the poor quality of the copy.
1866 - W. A. Morin, "Relative Duties Existing Between the Ministry and Members in the Prosperity and Success of the Church of Christ."
1867 - "The Perseverance of the Saints" N. H. Carlisle, Ordained Minister, Carlisle quotes some verses very effectively in proving the security of the believer and his Perseverance.
1868 - C. W. Dicken, Ordained Minister, "Denominational Efficiency" or "How Can the Churches of Christ Most Successfully Accomplish Their Great Mission?" A portion of this circular letter is almost illegible.
1869 - H. E. Spilman, "The Great Importance of Missionary Work" Spilman begins with a mild rebuke that the subject of missions becomes entangled in peoples' minds with boards, agents, collections, etc.
1870 - N. C. Pettit, Elder, "History of Licking Church" "Licking Church was constituted in October, 1791, at the house of Wm. DeCoursey." Much of this Circular Letter is illegible and the date quoted above should be questioned.
1871 - N. C. Pettit, Elder, "History of the Flag Spring Church", "Flag Spring Church was constituted on the 7th of December, 1833, at the Flag Spring meeting house."
1872 - N. C. Pettit, Elder, "The First Baptist Church of Newport" "There was a Baptist Church constituted in Newport on the 8th of August, 1812, with seven members."
1873 - The minutes of 1872 designate N. C. Pettit to write the Circular Letter on the history of another Baptist Church, but what is actually found in the minutes of 1873 is an excellent Circular Letter on "The Justification of Our Practice in Administering the Lord's Supper." The author is not listed and does not appear to be Pettit.
1887 - The Letter is short and deals with a regenerate church membership and positive discipline when necessary. Written by W. C. Lattimore.
1891 - "Circular Letter - "Church Discipline", by James M. Daniel.
1894 - Circular Letter - Ye Shall Know Them by Their Fruits - Matthew 7:16, by J. E. Johnson
In the 1870s the Circular Letters change form and are histories of particular Baptist Churches within their association. There are a few exceptions in the year 1877, which gives a circular letter entitled, "A Good Example." The author is not listed.
============= [This information is from Volume 1 of 7 hand-bound volumes of the Campbell County Association Minutes, located at the Northern Kentucky Baptist Association, 3001 Riggs Avenue, Erlanger, Kentucky, 41018. This index is posted with the permission of Charles Hunt, Pastor of Pleasant View Baptist Church, Bromley, KY. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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