MINUTES
OF THE
CHARLESTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,
AT ITS
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY,
HELD WITH THE
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, CHARLESTON, S. C.
NOVEMBER 1, 2, 3, 4, 1851,
TOGETHER WITH THE
CENTENNIAL SERMON,
BY THE REV. JAMES C. FURMAN.
CHARLESTON:
PRINTED BY A. J. BURKE, 40 BROAD-STREET.
1851.
MINUTES
OF THE
CHARLESTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,
AT ITS
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY,
HELD WITH THE
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, CHARLESTON, S. C.
NOVEMBER 1, 2, 3, 4, 1861,
together with the
CENTENNIAL SEBION,
BY THE REV. JAMES C. FURMAN.
CHARLESTON:
PRINTED BY A. J. BURKE, 40 BROAD-STREET.
1851.
MINUTES OF THE
CENTENNIAL SESSION
of the
CHARLESTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,
held with the first baptist church, charleston.
The Delegates to the Association, and a considerable congregation,
assembled in the Meeting House of the above Church, at 10^ b'clock, A.
M., on Saturday, the 1st of November, 1851, when, after prayer by the
Rev. H. D. Duncan, an appropriate Sermon was delivered by the Rev.
Prof. P. C. Edwards, of Furman University, from 2 Chron. xiv. 11: ."Help
us, 0 Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this
multitude. 0 Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee."
1. The names of the Delegates having been enrolled, the Association
proceeded to the election of Officers—the result of which was that the Rev.
J. R. Kendrjck was unanimously re-elected Moderator, and Rev. J. P.
Boyce, Clerk.
2. Read letters from twenty-eight Churches, and minuted the state of
each Church.
3. Visiting Ministering Brethren present were invited to take seats in
the Association, and under this invitation the names of the Rev. H. A
Williams, and the Rev. Prof. Wm. T. Brantley, both of Georgia, were en¬
rolled ; Rev. A. Sherwood, D. D. of 111., also.
4. A call was then made for the Letters and Messengers of Correspon¬
ding Bodies, whereupon a letter, and the Messengers annexed, appeared
from each of the following Associations:
From the Welsh Neck Association—Rev. J. Culpeper, Rev. J. 0. B
Dargan, and E. B. Titnmons.
From the Edisto Association—Rev. F. C. Johnson, Arthur H. Fort, and
R. G. Edwards.
From the Reedy River Association—Rev. D. Mangum, Rev. H. W.
Paslay, and B. F. Griffin.
From the Bethel Association—W. W. Gwinn.
4
Minutes of the
From the Moriah Association—L. H. Alsobrook.
From the Edgefield Association—H. A. Tupper.
From the Saluda Association—A copy of their minutes.
5. Ministering brethren of other denominations present with us were
invited to take seats, and to have their names recorded ; whereupon the
Rev. W. A. McSwain, Rev. C. H. Pritchard, and Rev. W. A. Gamewell,
presented their names, and were cordially invited to seats.
The Association then took a recess until \ past 3 o'clock, P. M.
Afternoon Session.
The Association met. Prayer by Rev. J. Culpeper.
6. The letters of those Churches not yet heard from were called for, and
letters were read from 4 other Churches—making the total number read,
32. s .
fI. Agents for various benevolent purposes, who are present with us,
were invited to present themselves to the Association as such; whereupon
the Rev. H. W. Paslay and Rev. J. Culpeper, appeared as Agents of the
Furman University; and the Rev. B. W. Whilden as an Agent of the F.
M. B. S. B. C.
8. A letter to the Committee of Invitation to the Association from the
Rev. Basil Manly, D. D., Alabama University, was then read to the Asso¬
ciation.
9. The Moderator then announced the following Committees :
1. To arrange Preaching during the Meeting—M. T. Mendenhall, James
Tupper, A. D. Cohen, J. H. Cuthbert.
2. On Queries and Requests—1ST. Graham, T. Mason, A. D. Cohen.
3. To receive Monies—John Scott, D. W. Cuttino, and J. Boykin.
4. On Minutes and Letters of Corresponding Bodies—T. Adams, H.
W. Mahoney, D. Sheppard.
5. To nominate Delegates to the State Convention—A. P. Vinson, H.
H. Wells, and W. A. James.
6. To prepare Digests of the Letters of the Churches—J. H. Cuthbert,
C. M. Breaker, and J. B. Higgins.
10. The following Messengers to Corresponding Bodies were then ap¬
pointed.
To the Edisto—J. Riley, and J. S. C. Huffman.
To the Welsh Neck—Rev. J. H. Cuthbert, Rev. J. R. Kendnck, Rev.
B. W. Whilden, and T. Mason.
To the Savannah River—George Shingler, Rev. B. W. Whilden, Rev.
Charleston Baptist Association.
5
J. R. Kendrick, Rev. C. M. Breaker, Rev. D. Slieppard, J. Riley, M. T.
Mendenhall, and B. C. Pressley.
To the Edgefield—Rev. J. P. Boyce.
To the Moriah—T. Mason.
To the Broad River—Rev. T. Adams, Rev. J. R. Kendrick.
To the Reedy River—Rev. J. B. Higgins, Rev. J. P. Boyce, Rev. T.
Adams, and M. T. Mendenhall.
To the Salem—N. Graham, Arthur H. Fort, .1. F. Marshall. W. Riley.
To the Saluda—Rev. Thomas Dawson.
To the Bethel—A. P. Vinson, and Rev. N. Graham.
To the Pee Dee— ,
11. A letter was received from the St. John's Church, requesting admis¬
sion to the Association.. Upon motion, the letter was referred to a Special
Committee, consisting of Rev. D. Sheppard, Rev. T. Adams, and Rev. 1ST.
Graham.
The Committee retired for a short time, and then reported favorably,
whereupon on motion the Church was admitted, and its delegates received-
12. A letter was received from the Female Missionary and Education
Society of 1st Baptist Church, requesting that said body should be ad¬
mitted as an auxiliary to the Association; whereupon on motion it was
admitted.
13. It was then moved that James "W. Elsey and Win. Postete, visiting-
brethren from the Sauldam Church, be invited as such to take seats among
us.
14. Rev. T. Adams offered the following Resolutions, which, on motion,
were referred to a Committee consisting of two members from the Charles¬
ton Association, and one from each other Association here represented—
which Committee were directed to report upon them, together with any
other considerations relative to the Southern Baptist.
The Resolutions are:
Resolved, That the able manner in which the Southern Baptist has been
conducted, and the noble effort of its Editors to sustain it, deserves a gen¬
erous patronage from all the Baptists in South-Carolina.
Resolved, That we learn with deep regret that although the number of
subscribers are as great as at any period of its existence, yet, from the want
of promptness in paj ing their subscriptions there is a probability of the
paper's failing.
Resolved, That to establish the Southern Baptist on permanent basis, is
an object devoutly to be desired, and therefore we pledge ourselves indi¬
vidually and collectively to make an effort to sustain the paper worthy the
Cearleston Association.
6
Minutes of the
The Committee on these Resolution are,
From the Charleston Association—Rev. T. Adams, B. C. Presslev.
From the Moriah—L. H. Alsobrook.
From the Welsh NecTc—Rev. J. O. B. Dargan.
From the Bethel—W. W. Gwinn.
From the Reedy River—Rev. D. Mangum.
From the Edgefield—Rev. II. A. Tupper.
From the Edisto—Rev. F. C. Johnson.
From the Savannah River—Rev. W. A. Scanton.
From the Saluda—
From the Salem—James C. Furman.
It was then moved that when we adjourn, we adjourn to meet on Mon¬
day morning, at 10^ o'clock.
The Association then adjourned.
On Sabbath. The services were conducted in the different Churches
of the City by the various ministering brethren present. In the 1st Baptist
Church with which the Association met, the Charity Sermon was preached
in the morning by the Rev. R. W. Fuller, from Luke ii. 14 "Good
will toward menand a collection taken up for the benevolent pur¬
poses of the Association, amounting to $16 50. Collections were also taken
up at the same time at the Wentworth Street Church for the same pur-
p fees, amounting to $14 18 ; and at the Morris street Church, amounting
to $2 53.
In the afternoon the three Churches united in the 1st Baptist with the
Association, and the visiting brethren, in partaking of the Lord's Supper,
on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Sherwood, Rev. H. D. Duncan, and Rev.
James C. Furman, presided.
At night the services were conducted by Rev. J. 0. B. Dargan in the
1st Baptist Church, Rev. W. T. Brantley, in the Wentworth street Church,
and Rev. T. Adams in the Morris street Church.
Monday, Nov. 3, 10^- A. M.
The Association met at the call of the Moderator. Prayer by Rev. D.
Mangum. The minutes of Saturday were confirmed.
Brother Cuttino, of the Georgetown Church, was invited to take a seat
with us.
Rev. James C. Furman then appeared as a messenger of the Salem As¬
sociation, and was welcomed as such; whereupon it was moved that he,
.as such, be added to the Committee on the Southern Baptist.
Charleston Baptist Association.
1
Rev, N. Graham was received as a delegate of the Congaree Church.
The following messengers were then appointed to the Salem Association,
viz : Rev. N. Graham, Arthur H. Fort, Rev. J. F. Marshall, W. Riley.
Letters and messengers of Corresponding Bodies being again called for,
the following brethren, with a copy of the minutes, appeared from the Sa¬
vannah River Association. Rev. H. Di Duncan, Rev. Isaac Nicholes, Rev.
W. A. Lawton, Rev. Thomas Dawson, and Rev. Robert W. Fuller.
A letter was then received by the hands of Brother James Tupper from
the Marion Board, which, on , motion, was referred to the Home Mission
Board of this Association.
According to request contained in the above mentioned letter, Brother
James Tupper was recognized as the Representative of that Board on this
occasion.
It was then resolved that the funds collected yesterday at the different
Churches he equally divided between Home and Foreign Missions.
A. P. Vinson, Chairman of the Committee to nominate delegates to the
Baptist State Convention, presented the names of the following persons •
Brethren J. R. Kendrick, J. Tapper, M. T. Mendenhall, J. H. Cuthbert, J.
P. Boyce, B. W. Whilden, S. Furman, John Boykin, N. Graham, W. G.
Richards, C. M. Breaker, George Parks, B. C. Pressley, H. W. Mahoney.
The following Report was received and adopted.
The Special Committee appointed at the last meeting of this Association
to visit the Four Holes Church, in reference to a communication then made
to this body, report,
That a portion of the Committee met with the Church, were received
with gratifying christian courtesy, and they are pleased to say the matter
confided to the Committee was settled to the satisfaction of the Church,
and the member specially interested.
M. T. MENDENHALL, Chairman.
The Committee to arrange preaching then announced that this evening
would be devoted to the hearing of our brethren, the Agents of the Fur-
man Institution.
The Association then took a recess until ■§• past 3 o'clock, P. M.
Afternoon Session.
Prayer by the Rev. J. Nicholes.
Dr. M. T. Mendenhall offered the following resolutions, which were unan¬
imously adopted:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be tendered to the Rev.
James C. Furman for the able and interesting historical Sermon delivered,
hy request, before this, the Centennial Session of this Body, and that he
8
Minutes of the
be respectfully requested to furnish a copy for publication in the minutes
of this meeting.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to wait on brother
Furman, and procure the address for this purpose.
ResolvSd, That the thanks of this Association are due, and are hereby
rendered to the Rev. Robert W. Fuller, for the performance of the duty
assigned him in preaching the Charity Sermon.
Under the 2d Resolution, the following Committee was appointed :
brethren Mendenhall, Mahoney and Boyce.
Brother James Tupper then presented the fallowing Resolution, which
was adopted:
Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to prepare" brief re¬
ports ©n the subjects of Foreign, Domestic, and Indian missions, Sabbath
Schools, Religious Publications, Temperance and the Bible cause, in ac¬
cordance with the ascertained condition of these various interests, and that
these reports be published in the minutes of this meeting of the Association.
The following is the Committee as appointed by the Moderator.
On Foreign Missions—B. W. Whilden.
On Domestic Missions—J. Tupper.
On Sabbatk Schools—M. T. Mendenhall.
On Publications—B. C. Pressley.
On Indian Missions—J. H. Cuthbert.
' On Temperance—A. D. Cohen.
On the Bible Cause—J. P. Boyce.
Leave of absence after to-day was granted to brethren A. P. Vinson, J.
D. Smith, and Uriah Lee.
Moved that when we adjourn, we adjourn to meet to-morrow morning
at 10 o'clock.
The Association then adjourned.
Services were conducted in the 1st Baptist Church at night, on which
occasion addresses in behalf of the Furman University were made by Rev.
James C. Furman, Rev. J. Culpeper, Rev. H. W. Paslay. Rev. J. Nicholes,
and Rev. W. T. Brantley.
Tuesday Morning, 10 o'clock.
The Association met according to adjournment. Prayer by the Rev. T.
Mason.
Rev. T. Adams, from the Committee on the minutes and letters of Cor¬
responding Bodies, reported,
The Committee to whom was referred the examination of documents
from Corresponding Bodies, beg leave to report, that they find nothing to
Charleston Baptist Association.
9
bring before you except the following: Edgefield Association meets with
the Republican Church, which is on the Western side of the District, fif¬
teen miles North of Hamburg. Time of meeting as heretofore.
Bethel Association convenes with the Calvary Church, about ten miles
North of Chesterville, on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in Sep¬
tember.
Reedy River Association meets with the Hurricane Church, twelve
miles South-East of Laurens Court-House, at the usual time.
Respectfully submitted, T. Adams.
The same Committee, according to the rule of the Association, also pre¬
sented the Corresponding Letter:
The Charleston Association to her sister Associations, with whom she
corresponds:
Dear Brethren,—Through the great kindness of our heavenly Father,
we have been permitted to meet, to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary
of our Association. We have felt, that it was good to reflect upon her
past history, and to contemplate the character of those holy and self-
denying men, who have long since passed away, and are now enjoying the
rewards of their labors. Though they are dead, they yet speak. We
have been cheered by the presence of a number of Messengers and visiting
brethren from our sister Associations. Our meeting has been harmonious
and interesting; and the presence of God, we trust, has been in our midst.
There is nothing very cheering in the letters from the Churches—in¬
deed, we have to mourn over the great destitution of Ministers within our
bounds; truly, " the harvest is great, but the laborers are few."
We regret that we failed to have Messengers at some of your meetings.
We earnestly desire to keep up that Christian intercourse which has so
long existed, and ask a continuation of correspondence.
Praying that the blessing of God may rest up»n you, we are, dear
brethren, yours in gospel bonds.
The same Committee, inasmuch as we had frequently not been repre¬
sented in bodies, with whom we correspond, reported the following resolu¬
tions, which was adopted :
Resolved, That the Clerk of the Association is specially requested to
send a copy of the Minutes to the Moderator and Clerk of each of the
Associations, with whom we correspond.
The Committee on Queries and Requests, presented the following Re¬
port;
1st, On the request from the Morris Street Bap. Church, for aid in erect¬
ing a suitable building for the worship of God, your Committee do most
earnestly recommend to the Churches of this Association, the important
claims of that small and feeble band of Disciples; and hope that a prompt
and liberal response will be made, correspondent to the abundant means
possessed by them.
The Committee would give, as their opinion, in answer to the request
2
10
Minutes of the
from the Columbia Church, to change the time of the meeting of the
Convention to May, that such a change could effect no material good.
They further recommend that the request of the Bethel Church be
granted, viz : That the next meeting of this Association be held with the
Bethel Baptist Church, seven miles South-West of the town of Sumterville.
That the Rev. D. Sheppard preach the introductory sermon, and T.
Adams, his alternate ; Rev. J. R. Kendrick, the charity sermon, and
Rev. J. H. Cuthbert, his alternate.
All of which we respectfully submit. N. Graham, Chairman.
The Committee on Monies then presented the following Report: (See
Tabular View of Moneys.)
The Committee to prepare Digests of the Letters of the Churches, re¬
port :
The Committee appointed to digest the letters from the Churches,
respectfully report the following :
1st Church, Charleston.—Gives cordial greeting to the Delegates of
her sister Churches assembled with her at the hundredth Anniversary of
the Charleston Association. They hail, with pleasure, the auspicious oc¬
casion. One hundred years ago, a little band of disciples met with this
Church, and laid the foundations of the Charleston Association. The
vine then planted amidst prayers and tears has taken deep root; " it has
sent out its boughs unto the sea, and its branches unto the rivers." The
fathers that planted and nourished it in the season of its weakness—Hart,
Pelot, Botsford, Furman and others, have long since passed away; but
God has raised up faithful successors to occupy their places, and prosecute
their noble work. From three Churches, we have increased to forty-
one—besides, sending out numerous colonies to strengthen the interests
of Zion in other regions.
During the past year, this Church has kept the ordinary tenor of its
way, maintaining its usual services, and experiencing its usual share of
trial and encouragement. Forty-five have been baptized. The two Sab¬
bath schools—one for white, the other for black, children—are both in
prosperous condition. They report, as raised for benevolent objects, to be
disbursed, as they direct, by the Association, five hundred and eighty-one
and 25-100 dollars; (thirty-five of which being contributed by the
Sabbath School for the education of an Indian boy, named J. Ryland
Kendrick.) _
They still enjoy the labors of their highly esteemed pastor, the Rev.
J. R. Kendrick.
Wentworth Street Church.—Acknowledge the goodness of God during
the past year; have enjoyed a revival in answer to the prayers of the
Church. Twenty-eight have been added to the Church by baptism, and
fifteen by letter. Have contributed two hundred and eighty-two and
12-100 to benevolent objects—besides, upwards of $300 contributed to
brother Huckins for Domestic Missions. Their Sabbath School is in a
flourishing condition, numbering 14 teachers and 110 scholars. The Rev.
J. H. Cuthbert is still their much esteemed pastor.
Charleston Baptist Association.
11
Morris Street Church.—Is in a prosperous condition, considering their
destitute situation, in point of pecuniary means. Twenty-one have been
received by baptism and by letter. Report two Sabbath Schools—one
for white, and one for black, children. Appeal to the Association for aid
in building a house of worship. Rev. A. I). Cohen has labored for them
three years without compensation ; supporting himself by the labor of his
own hands.
Zoar Church.—Complains of coldness, but hopes for better times.
Enjoys the labors of the Rev. Wm. Holmes twice a month.
Antioch Church.—Has nothing cheering to communicate. Enjoys
the labors of the Missionaries, brethren Dawson and Hinton, monthly.
Sandy Level.—Has nothing pleasing to communicate, except that they
are at peace among themselves. Five added by baptism. Supplied
monthly by the Rev. C. Felder.
Mount Olivet.—Nothing of special interest to communicate, except the
prevalence of brotherly love and a flourishing Sunday School. Rev. D.
M. Breaker, supplies them monthly. Weekly prayer meetings kept up.
R. Huxford, Sen., licensed to preach.
Amelia Township.—Complains of coldness. Three baptised. De¬
sires to obtain a pastor to preach every Sabbath. Supplied monthly by
Rev. J. S. C. Huffman.
Goose Creek.—Thankful for continued existence and the enjoyment of
religious privileges. Six baptised. Supplied twice a month by Rev.
Saml. Lynes.
High Hills.-r-Happy in being able to report a better state of things
than last year. Twenty added by baptism. Supplied monthly by Rev.
N. Graham.
Calvary.—Deeply regrets not being able to communicate the pleasing
intelligence of a revival. Peace and harmony abound. Greatly regrets
the loss, by death, of two of their valued members, viz: A. D. Rhame,
and T. D. Rhame. The Rev. H. W. Mahony, Pastor.
Four Holes.—Nothing to relate worthy of 'attention. Coldness pre¬
vails. Rev. Mr. Hinton, the missionary, preaches occasionally, and Rev.
R. J. Edwards, regularly once a month.
Mount Carmel.—Sorry that they have so little of interest to communi¬
cate. Nothing of importance has transpired during the year. Regularly
supplied by Rev. J. S. C. Huffman, once a month.
St. George's.—Nothing interesting to write—at peace among them¬
selves—have the Gospel preached monthly, by their Pastor, Rev. J. W.
Hill, and prayer meeting twice a month.
Moriah.—Numerical strength greatly reduced by emigration—a small
and feeble band—have to struggle against discouragements, yet rejoice in
some refreshing seasons, and hope for better times. Enjoy the regular
ministrations of the Gospel, by their Pastor, Rev. Wm. Holmes. Had a
Prajer Meeting and Sabbath School during the greater part of the year,
which were attended with much interest, but which have been recently
discontinued on account of sickness.
Harmony.—Brotherly love has abounded, and the utmost harmony
exists. Preaching twice a month, by Rev. John Ross.
12
Minutes of the
Santee.—Nothing special to write—in full fellowship one with another,
and attending to the means of grace. Preaching once a month, by Rev.
J. S. C. Huffman, and prayer meeting once a month. Hope for a revival.
Piedmont.—In a cold state—nothing of interest to communicate. Sup¬
plied monthly by L. P. Rollings.
Swift Creek.—But little to communicate, no important change having
occurred since last year. Health has been good; but one death out of
225 colored members. Supplied semi-monthly by Rev. S. Furman, and
prayer meeting on the intervening Sabbaths.
Colonel's Creek.—Rejoice in a good degree of prosperity—a gradual
increase—erected a comfortable house of worship 7 or 8 miles distant
from the seat of the Church, for the convenience of their brethren and
neighbors in that vicinity. Have licensed Bro. Uriah Lee to preach the
Gospel, whose gifts seem to be promising. Enjoy the continued labors of
their beloved Pastor, Jacob B. Higgins.
Orange.—Nothing of vital importance to relate—Church still small,
and but few accessions. Enjoy the labors of their Pastor, Rev. J. Fant,
once a month ; and the Missionaries, Brethren Dawson and Hinton, occa¬
sionally.
Sumterville.—Regret not being able to report any special season of
gracious visitation, yet trust the day is not far distant when God will favor
his Zion there. Enjoy the labors, semi-monthly, of their beloved Pastor,
Rev. S. Furman. Have a Sabbath School and weekly Prayer Meeting,
which, however, are not very prosperous.
Bethany.—Nothing cheering to communicate—but few additions—two
valuable and beloved members have died. The love of some has waxed
cold, and the discipline of the Church has had to be exercised against
others. Preaching twice a month by Rev. T. Mason.
St. Janies\—Nothing of importance to communicate. Brotherly love
abounds. No Pastor.
Edisto Island.—Have but little to say—at peace among themselves—
the Gospel preached usually three times a month, and the ordinances ad¬
ministered, by Bro. Sheppard. A very good feeling, at this time, and in¬
quiry among the colored members of the congregation. 43 baptized.
Beulah.—No cheering news to communicate—still enjoy the pastoral
labors of their beloved Pastor, Rev. T. Adams, every Sabbath in the month.
Have a semi-monthly Prayer Meeting, and a small, but interesting Sab¬
bath School. 47 baptised.
Bethel.—During the past year experienced some severe trials. " Not
only," say they, " has the state of religion declined among us; so that we
may well exclaim, in the language of the plaintive prophet, ' How has the
gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed,' but we have also been
under the painful necessity of excluding from our number some whom we
hoped would have been pillars in the Church." Many of the members
have emigrated to the West. With deep regret they announce the death
of their beloved Brother and Deacon, John B. Miller, who was a faithful
and efficient member. They consider their Church in a deeply declining
state. No Pastor. Sabbath School discontinued at the Church, but kept
up at different places in the neighborhood; one in particular had in at-
Charleston Baptist Association.
13
tendanee regularly about 35 children. Their Missionary Society is in a
flourishing condition. Invite the Association next year.
St. Stephen's.—Regret the sad intelligence conveyed in this report.
" Last year," say they, " our prospects were truly cheering; but alas for
us, the hour of bright hopes has fled, and now nothing remains but dark¬
ness and discord." The Rev. Thomas Dawson, Missionary of the Associ¬
ation, preaches for them once a month.
Home Branch.—Nothing cheering to communicate, vital religion is in a
declining condition. Record the death of their much-esteemed sister, Re¬
becca Park. Supplied semi-monthly by Rev. H. W. Mahoney.
Providence.—At peace and harmony among themselves. Have no re¬
gular supply, but have enjoyed the occasional labors of Rev. N. Graham,
whose labors have been much blessed, and whom they have called for the
next year.
New Hope.—Nothing of special interest to communicate—lament cold¬
ness—enjoy the labors of their Pastor, Rev. M. J. Sharp, twice a month.
Have a flourishing Sabbath School of 38 scholars.
St. John's.—A newly constituted Church—organized by Rev. C. M.
Breaker and Rev. S. Lynes, in June last. Prospects promising. Supplied
semi-monthly by Rev. D. M. Breaker. Have a Sabbath School and Prayer
Meeting.
Georgetown.—Still closed—not being able to procure a Pastor. Du¬
ring the past year have been visited by Brethren Mahoney and Cuthbert;
the latter tarried there about a week, preaching nearly every evening du¬
ring his stay, to a good and attentive congregation. A pleasant meeting
—people much gratified. Baptised 30 colored persons and 1 white. A
subsequent visit was made by Bro. C. M. Breaker, who baptised 10 more
colored persons. Lost two excellent sisters, one by removal and one by
death. Appeal to the Association for aid, in case they succeed in securing
a Pastor.
Columbia.—But little has transpired, affecting the interest of this
Church, since last year, except that they have procured the pastoral ser¬
vices of their beloved brother, the Rev. J. P. Boyce, who entered upon his
labors the first Sabbath of October.
In behalf of the Committee.
C. M. BREAKER.
The Committee on the Southern Baptist then presented the following
Report:
That they have ascertained, that after those fluctuations which usual¬
ly attend the course of such publications, the paper has now a larger
.circulation than ever before; and they believe, that its discontinuance
would not only be, but would be felt to be, a denomination^.loss.
At the same time, they have been pained to learn, that in>f< consequence
of the want of punctuality on the part of subscribers in the paying of
their dues, there is now an amount of expenditure for the support of the
paper reaching several hundred dollars, which has fallen upon brethren in
this city. To this inconvenience and burden, the Committee feel that no
Individual should be subjected; and they regard it as a peculiar hardship,
14
Minutes of the
that they should fall on those, who, in the exercise of a generous public
spirit have been gratuitously performing the onerous work of editing the
paper.
With the present list of subscribers, they have further learned, that if
the subscriptions were regularly paid, the expense of publication could be
borne, and would leave a surplus of five or six hundred dollars toward the
support of an Editor. They further learn, that the brethren to whom the
property of the paper belongs, would be willing to transfer, at a suitable
time, either to the Southern Baptist Publication Society, in case that So¬
ciety should appoint a Corresponding Secretary who might edit it, or to
the State Convention, to be published at the seat of the Furman Univer-
sity.
In view of these facts, the Committee would greatly regret the discon¬
tinuance of the publication ; and inasmuch as the only reason for discon¬
tinuance is the want of regularity as to the income of the paper, and in
the hope that this incidental evil may be corrected, they beg leave to offer
the following Resolution^ for the action of this Body.
Resolved, That this Association will nominate one member in each
Church of this Body, to act as an Agent for the Southern Baptist, for the
purpose of collecting and transmitting the dues of subscribers, and of ac¬
quiring new subscribers, with the earnest request of this Body, that each
individual so named, will perform this service as a labor of Christian love.
Resolved, further, That this resolution be transmitted to the sister As¬
sociations in the State, and that they be respectfully and earnestly re¬
quested to concur in this mode of action in behalf of the paper; and
whereas, the most of them have already held their anniversary meetings
for this year, that the said Resolutions be communicated to the State
Convention, and to such other denominational meetings as may be held
duiing the fall and spring, and that the Moderator of such Associations as
have already held their meetings for this year, be requested to do what
they can to carry out the spirit of these Resolutions.
Resolved, That the Clerk furnish a copy of these Resolutions for imme¬
diate publication in the Southern Baptist.
Under the above Resolutions, the following Brethren were appointed:
ls£, Charleston, Dr. Mendenhall
High Hills, C. C. Jackson
Georgetown, H. Cuttino
Congaree, N. Graham
Wassamasaw,
Beulah, J. Scott
Sandg Level, T. Turkett
Amelia Township, D. F. Speigner
Columbia, J. F. Marshall
Camden, Thos. Pegues
Calvary, L. F. Rhame
Piedmont, J. H. Stuckey
Bethel, Jos. M. Nettles
Goose Creek, S. Lynes
Mount Olivet, T. W. Easterling
Four Holes, James Bair
Sumterville, H. Haynesworth
Santee, Whaley
Swift Creek, Wm. Sanders.
Fellowship, J. Humphrey
Moriah, D. W. Cuttino
St. George, W. Patrick
Edisto Island, J. A. J. Rice
Bethlehem,
Bethany, A. Scarborough
Antioch, George Shingler
St. James, G. Creek, J.J. Singletary
Mount Carmel, W. Zimmerman
Wentworth Street, A. Steinbaek,
Providence, Wm. Osteen
Charleston Baptist Association.
15
Orange, John Arant
Harmony, Wm. Taylor
Black River, J. R. Whitman
Zoar, C. L. Osteen
ColoneVs Creek, J. B. Higgins
New Hope, M. J. Sharp
Edisto,
Saldam,
Home Branch, W. A. James
Morris St. Churchy C. G. Branford
St. Stephen's, D. T. Owens
St. John's, D. M. Breaker
The Rev. B. W. Whilden then offered the following Resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, in the Providence of God, our aged and esteemed Brother,
Col. J. B. Miller, Deacon of the Bethel Baptist Church, has been re¬
moved by death, therefore,
Resolved, That we have heard with deep regret of this sad event, and
pray the Great Head of the Church to sanctify it to our spiritual good.
Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with the Church of which he
was a member, with his family and friends, and offer to them the hope
which sustains us, that our loss is his gain.
On motion, it was .resolved, in view of the difficulty arising from the
similarity of the names, Domestic, and Home Missions, that the latter be
hereafter designated as the Charleston Association Mission.
On motion, Rev. A. D. Cohen was then granted an opportunity to ad¬
dress the Association, in behalf of the Morris Street Baptist Church.
The Chairman of the Home Mission Board then presented his Report.
(See Appendix.)
Dr. Mendenhall then offered the following Resolution :
In view of the extensive destitution of ministerial service in the bounds
of this Association,
Resolved, That the whole amount of funds sent up to this meeting of
the Association for Home and Domestic Missions, be appropriated to the
support of Missions in the bounds of this Body; and that the Chairman
of the Home Missionary Board inform the Board of Domestic Missions at
Marion, Ala., of this appropriation of the funds received for Domestic Mis¬
sions, in accordance with the terms of connection between the two Boards.
Upon motion of Rev. N. Graham, it was then resolved, that the sin¬
cere thanks of this Association are tendered to the Brethren, Sisters, and
others of this city, for the very kind and generous entertainment of the
Delegates and visitors attending the meeting of this Body.
It was then, on motion, resolved, that the Home Mission Board stand
as appointed last year, viz.:
James Tupper, Chairman ; Jas. H. Cuthbert, J. R. Kendrick, T. Adams,
M. T. Mendenhall, H. W. Mahoney, J. V. Lyles, Alfred Scarborough, and
J. Riley.
Moved, that 1500 copies of the Minutes be ordered to be printed, and
that $12 15, sent for general purposes, be added to that for Minutes. A
1G
Minutes of the
collection was then taken up, by which $23 85 was collected for the same
purpose.
The Committee appointed to wait on Rev. James C. Furman, report the
discharge of their duty, and his compliance with the request of the Asso¬
ciation.
The Association then afforded an opportunity to Bro. B. W. Whilden to
address the Association. After him, the Rev. F. C. Johnson gave us some
interesting facts and remarks.
The following Resolutions were then offered, and adopted :
Resolved, That this Association recognize Bro. B. W. Whilden as its
special Missionary, and that this Body will support him,
Resolved, That the funds'sent up to the present meeting for Foreign
Missions, be applied as above, and that these Resolutions be sent by the
Clerk to the Board at Richmond.
Resolved, That this Association would earnestly urge upon such of its
Churches as can hold the monthly Concert, that they invariably do so.
Resolved, That the Home and Foreign Journal be recommended to our
Churches, and that the Pastors of each Church be requested to make an
effort to introduce it into every family.
The Association then adjourned with appropriate exercises.
James P. Bovce, Clerk*
APPENDIX.
REPORT ON FOREIGN MISSIONS.
In turning to this subject, in connection with the hundredth Anniver¬
sary of our Association, our minds revert to a period in its history, when
its members—pained by the destitution immediately around them—though
they believed " the field is the world," yet felt the pressing claims of
" home," and regarded it as their duty to pay especial attention to those
who were perishing at their doors. But a brighter day has dawned. God
has thus blessed the labor of their hands, that they have been encouraged,
in connection with other Associations, to engage in laboring for the good
of the Heathen.
Within the hundred years that mark our past history, God saw fit to
call into action our energies in behalf of the Heathen, by giving to us a
"bright and shining light," in the person of the devoted Judson. The in¬
dications of Providence were too plain to be misunderstood. The Baptists
in the United States felt that a work had now devolved on them, the obli¬
gations for the performance of which, they had either not fully understood,
or but slightly appreciated.
The appeal which Judson made, was not made in vain. His brethren
responded to the call, and pledged themselves for his support. Among the
Charleston Baptist Association.
17
Heathen he lived and labored, among the Heathen, too, he died; the father
of Foreign Missions among the Baptists in America, but not until, like
(Carey) the father of Foreign Missions among the Baptists in England, he
had seen the fruit of his toils.
From the year 1814 until the year 1845, Baptists in all sections of our
country, were associated in a General Convention, in sending to the be¬
nighted " the lamp of life." During the last mentioned year, it was thought
advisable by Baptists in the Southern and South-western parts of the
Union, to form a separate organization, under the name of the " Southern
Baptist Convention."
The Foreign Mission Board, established by this Convention, have cho¬
sen for the field of their operations, China and Africa.
For China—the number of Missionaries, male and female, (including
Missionaries who are under appointment, but who have not yet reached
China,) is 14.
In addition to these, there are a few native preachers and teachers la¬
boring in connection with the Missionaries.
For Africa—the number of Missionaries, Assistants, and of Teachers,
(male and female,) is 20.
Total number of laborers in China and Africa, 34.
Although the Board liave had many discouraging circumstances with
which to contend, yet they haver also had occasion " to thank God and
take courage." The fields which they occupy are of the most promising
character. Canton and Shanghai, in China, and the stations in Liberia
and Central Africa, afford as ample ground for gospel labor, as the most
ardent could desire.
In the midst of this encouragement, however, two painful facts are at
this time before us—the decrease in the amount of funds contributed for
Foreign Missions, and the small number of Ministers who appear willing
to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ
These facts present to us a call for earnest prayer, and renewed conse¬
cration of ourselves to the service of our Redeemer.
The obligation to engage in the work of sending the Gospel to the
Heathen, is equally binding on all, for we have all assumed the same vows.
Considering the benevolent nature of the Gospel, even if there were no
direct command, it might reasonably be expected, that it was the design of
its founder, that its heavenly teachings should be universally diffused.
The language of the Saviour—"preach my Gospel to every caeaturef is
the very kind of language which we might expect to hear from the lips of
the founder of a religion, which in every part breathes forth " good will
to men"
What is to be the progress which the Gospel is destined to make,
among the nations of the earth, during the next hundred years, none of
us can tell; but of one thing we may be assured, " no weapon that is
formed against it shall prosper." Afterhave " slept with our fathers,"
its triumphs will still be advancing, and will gather new trophies until " all
flesh shall see the salvation of our God." It is true that its " weapons are
not carnal," but it is equally true, that they " are mighty through God"
to the destruction of every thing that opposes it.
3
Minutes of the
In the history of the world, " eveiy battle of the warrior is of confused
noise, and garments rolled in blood." Distress and devastation are often
associated with his greatness. Not so with the Gospel of Christ. Its vic¬
tories are bloodless victories. Its conquests take the bread from the mouth
of no orphan child, nor rend with agony the heart of any of the children
of men. As it pursues its onward march, the tear of the sorrow-stricken
mourner is wiped away, the disconsolate are made joyful, the wretched
are made happy, the immortal soul is renovated and saved. Such is the
character, and such are the conquests of the Gospel of the Son of God.
" Fly abroad, thou mighty Gospel;
"Win and conquer—never cease ;«
May thy powerful, wide dominions
Multiply, and still increase ;
Sway thy sceptre,
Saviour—all the world around."
B. W. WHILDEN.
REPORT ON DOMESTIC MISSIONS.
That to propagate the Gospel is the great duty of believers, is evi¬
dent from the nature and design of their profession. What is the lan¬
guage of those who assume the holy name of Christian ? They declare
themselves to be influenced by the spirit of Christ; to have an ardent
sympathy Avith the aims and feelings of Him who left the realms of
glory to save the lost, and laid down his life to restore a rebellious world
to God. How then can they be indifferent to the conversion of souls ?
Themselves safe in Christ, it must be the absorbing desire of their hearts
to guide the ruined children of earth to the same all-sufficient shelter.
The religion they profess is active, practical, diffusive ; full of charity and
good fruits; seeking out, like its great Exemplar, the abodes of destitu¬
tion and sorrow; instructing the ignorant; lifting up the depressed; open¬
ing wide the gate of life to the perishing, and pouring the beams of day
on those who sit in the shadow of death.
Such was the piety of the founders of this Association. Fired with a
love for souls allied to that which drew the Redeemer from the skies, they
labored earnestly to proclaim the message of salvation to all within their
reach. As early as the year 1778, missionary operations, principally with
reference to destitute Churches and settlements vvithin its bounds, were car¬
ried on by this Association. In that year the Rev. Joshua Lewis was re¬
quested to visit destitute congregations, and the Churches urged to contri¬
bute to his support; and during the twenty years next succeeding, provi¬
sion was made at each annual session of the body, for the supply of preach¬
ing to such portions of the Association as were reported to be destitute*
At the meeting in 1800, in answer to a query from the Charleston Church,
the Association recorded its serious conviction, " that while there appears to
be a general call in providence, for all the Churches of Christ to make ex¬
ertions to diffuse Gospel light and liberty among the heathen, who know
not God and our Redeemer, there is a particular call to us, to give atten¬
tion to the multitudes in our own land, who have not the Gospel preached
Charleston Baptist Association.
t o them, many of whom are careless and ignorant of the way of life."
And in the most pressing manner the Churches were called upon to give
their firm and vigorous support " to the institution under the direction of
our General Committee, by contributing liberally to the fund, and by
bringing forward all pious young men, destitute of other assistance, whom
they have reason to believe God has called to the ministry; so that they
may be prepared to enter on their work, by passing through a previous
course of useful studies and improvement."
The " General Committee" above referred to, was formed about the year
1778, from an original plan of its first President, Rev. Dr. Furman. The
object of this Committee was to form and support a fund, by means of con¬
tributions of Churches, Societies, and individuals, and to apply said fund
to assist pious young men designed for the ministry; to forward missions
at home and abroad, and generally such other religious uses as may be ap¬
proved of by the Association. This committee, which was incorporated in
1*792, has continued, from the time of its formation to the present, to carry
out the benevolent objects of its wise and pious founders. It has been in¬
strumental in furnishing not only for our own, but for heathen lands, many
faithful ministers, who, without its aid, might never have gone forth to pro¬
claim the truth as it is in Jesus. The seventy-three years which have
passed since the origin of this committee, have not been sufficient for the
development of the good results that have attended it—of the prepara¬
tion of sanctified intellect and talent for the sacred ministry—of the form¬
ation of churches—of souls converted to God—of plans for benevolent ac¬
tion. What period, short of eternity, is sufficient for the development of
all the blessings which will be revealed as the fruits of the General Com¬
mittee of the Charleston Association ?
In 1802, the Association recognizing the strong claims of the Indians
upon American christians, undertook the support of a mission to the Ca-
tawbas of our State, and until 1815, continued to supply this neglected
tribe with the word of life. Rev. John Rooker, who, under the appoint-
medt of the Association, labored with this tribe about 12 years, in one
of his last reports, says, The Indians in general continue their attention
to the preached gospel, express their belief in Christianity, and many of
them are considered reformed in their lives." A letter from the chief,
presented by this missionary, expresses a deep sense of the kindness ma¬
nifested by this body towards their nation, and a strong desire to have
the school and mission continued.
In 1817, the Association appointed a board to superintend itinerant
preaching, or home missions; which board continued up to 1847 in active
operation, employing from 2 to 5 missionaries each year, and supplying
many destitute Churches and settlements in the State with the minis¬
trations of the word. In 1847, the Association resolved to change, in
some respects, the mode of conducting its domestic missionary opera¬
tions. A board of 7 members was appointed, to which was committed
the direction of these operations within its bounds. The following year
this new board reported, that " shortly after their appointment, they ef¬
fected satisfactory arrangements with the Domestic Missionary Board, in
connection with the Southern Baptist Convention, by which they were to
20
Minutes of the
become auxiliary to tliat board, while they appointed and controlled their
own missionaries. An arrangement was also made with the Orange¬
burg Missionary Board, to co-operate with this board, and appropriate
their funds toward the payment of a missionary to be employed in that
region." The annual reports of this board, published with the minutes
of the Association, exhibit the extent and character of its operations
since its creation.
It is apparent, from what has been written, that while the Charles¬
ton Association has done much during the hundred years of its exist¬
ence, to give the Gospel to those living within its own bounds, compa¬
ratively little has been done to extend its knowledge and blessings to
more distant parts of our land. This is a sufficient reason for attempt¬
ing, not less at home, but much more than usual abroad, in the course of
the century upon which we have entered. Scores of young Churches,
occupying the most prominent points in our frontier States, utter the cry
for missionary aid; and we are confident that they deserve, and that it is
our duty to assist in bestowing it. That portion of our land which, in the
dispensation of Providence, has been made our immediate sphere of labor,
contains a population of over eleven millions. One half of this multitude
are without the adequate means of grace. Many portions are entirely
destitute. Thousands of families have not the scriptures ; regai d not the
Sabbath; have neither Sunday Schools, or meetings for prayer, and to an
alarming degree are ignorant of the way of salvation. How deplorable
is the famine of gospel privileges in Texas, California, and New Mexico!
But we are not ignorant of the disposition of those with whom, we labor,
and to whom we address ourselves. The history of past years encourages
us to repose confidence in their zeal and liberality for the cause of Christ.
According to their ability, so we believe will be their readiness to extend
the helping hand, and go with us for our whole Southern land, our God,
and truth. On such readiness depends the prosperity of our own
Churches; the encouragement of thousands of God's poor who are ask¬
ing the bread of life at our hands; and the salvation of tens of thousands
of our countrymen who are perishing in their sins.
JAMES TUPPER.
REPORT ON INDIAN MISSIONS.
We are compelled to say, that there has been a want of interest on the
part of our Association in this department of christian benevolence. No
mission seems more naturally and more powerfully to appeal to our sym¬
pathy than this. Here, on our immediate borders, embracing that vast
area of country extending from the Mississippi to the shores of the Pacific,
are crowded those numerous tribes which have been gradually receding
before the march of the white man. Here are the men whom we have
driven from their homes—whose lands and whose rights we are now peace¬
fully enjoying: they are perishing for want of the Gospel, and their con¬
dition has been made more degrading and more wretched from contact
with the very men who have deprived them of their homes and hunting
grounds. Our Missionaries picture, in most lively and affecting colors,
Charleston Baptist Association.
21
tlieir sufferings—tlieir spiritual destitution. And shall we—we who are
now occupying the land of which they were once the rightful lords—we
who have inflicted on them such almost irreparable injury—shall we be in¬
different to their condition ?
Our Association has done something, though comparatively little, for
the cause of Indian Missions. We have been sending, for several years,
about 50 dollars for this object. The mission, we trust, received fresh
impulse here from the late visit of the Rev. Mr. Ashburn, who made
throughout the State such strong and eloquent appeals in behalf of the
red man. May this be the germ of a deeper and more extensive feeling.
Contiguous to our "Western border are some 30 Indian tribes, less than
half of which are supplied by our denomination with the Gospel. This
number has been largely increased by the late additions of territorial coun¬
try in New Mexico,—thus enlarging the field of missionary enterprise, and
demanding fresh zeal and energy on the part of all who have this work at
heart. Throughout this broad belt of country, only a small portion is
pierced by the light of the Gospel, and that but dimly and partially illu¬
minated. Almost the whole of this vast section, with its crowded popula¬
tion, is immersed in the appalling darkness of spiritual midnight. Where
are the men who, with the spirit of McCoy, will come forth and pledge
themselves to carry the Gospel to the red man ? We would hail with de¬
light the indication of deeper interest on this subject throughout the land
—especially in our Association.
Our limit forbids our entering into any details. We beg leave to refer
all who are interested, (and all should be interested,) to the " History of
Indian Affairs," by the pious and lamented McCoy; to the minutes of the
American Indian Mission Association; and to the Baptist Almanac for
1851.
JAS. H. CUTHBERT.
REPORT ON THE BIBLE CAUSE.
In no branch, of benevolent operations has greater progress been made
during the century of our existence, than in the Bible Cause. A hun¬
dred years ago comparatively little had been done. The principle had in¬
deed been established by the master minds of the Reformation, that that
Revelation originally given by means of Moses, of the Prophets, and of
the Apostles, to the common people, should be so translated and spread
abroad as to be made accessible to all, and occasional efforts had indeed
been made to accomplish this result. But until the formation of the Brit¬
ish and Foreign Bible Society in the year 1804, no distinct organization
had been effected for that purpose—and many years elapsed before, by the
formation of the American Bible Society in 1817, any thing was done in
this country, save by co-operation with them. In the year 1837, in con¬
sequence of difficulties arising in this latter Society about the publication
of a foreign translation of the Bible on Baptist principles, the Baptist de¬
nomination withdrew from their former co-operation, and formed the Ame¬
rican and Foreign Bible Societies. From small beginnings, each of these
Societies have increased until the extent of their labors is almost beyond
22
Minutes of the
estimation. The number of Bibles has been almost indefinitely increased,
and the prices at which they may be bought, so reduced, as to bring them
within the reach of all. Copies have also been gratuitously distributed
wherever persons were incapable of paying for them—and efforts have
been made, and are being made, to place at least one copy of the sacred
Scriptures in every household. Nor have the labors at home been unac¬
companied by efforts abroad. These Societies are with equal zeal engaged
in translating and printing the Bible in the various languages of the
world, and are aiming at no less vast an undertaking than to translate
and print it in every dialect written or spoken in the world. Claiming
the Bible as their religion, Protestants are determined, by the help of
God, to spread that religion as well to those plunged in the darkness of
heathenism, or misguided by the teachings of the false prophet Moham¬
med, as to those to whom the Bible is closed by the dictation of priest¬
craft, or through want of means to purchase, or education to read it.
In these noble efforts, your Committee need not say that the denomi¬
nation to which we belong has been active, nor that the part taken by
this Association, in particular, has been far from insignificant. To each
of these Societies, until the rise of another having greater claims upon
us, have the contributions of its members been sent, and with each of
them, in turn, has it actively co-operated. The late action of the South¬
ern Baptist Convention in the creation of a Bible Board, will probably,
in future, prevent our co-operation with the American and Foreign Bi¬
ble Society, with which we have lately been connected. Still, in severing
this connection, it affords us matter for congratulation that, however feeble
may have been our efforts, this Association has done its part to sustain that
Society.
Judging, therefore, from the efforts made in times past, that the mem¬
bers of this Association feel a deep interest in the Bible Cause, your Com¬
mittee deem it necessary, in concluding this Report, merely to direct the
attention of this Body to the Board recently created. Through that Board
our work is to be done, and through that Board your Committee would
urge upon you to act. Let us actively co-operate with it. Let us pray
for its success. Let us assist, by whatever means are in our power; and
let us hope that, through the influences of God's spirit secured by our
prayers through the merits of Christ to these active efforts, we shall find
this noble cause prospering in our hands. Let us do what we can so to
advance it, that at the time when the second centennial anniversary of this
Association shall be celebrated, the word of God shall have been pro?
claimed to all the nations of the earth, and every man shall be reading, in
his own tongue, that blessed Revelation which the grace of God has be¬
stowed upon man.
JAMES P. BOYCE.
REPORT ON RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.
The Committee on Religious Publications has not, heretofore, directed
particular attention to this matter, so far as connected with the Charleston
Association ; and it would not now be practicable, within the limited time
Charleston Baptist Association.
23
allowed, to prepare and report to the Association such information in the
premises as would be interesting or valuable. It is to be regretted that,
as preparatory to our Centennial Anniversary, the Committees for ar¬
ranging and digesting information, on the various religious enter¬
prises of the Association, had not been appointed at our previous anni¬
versary. This course would have secured to the Association, matter for
its centennial minutes which, must have made them highly valuable to
those who are to succeed us.
So far as the Committee has been able to ascertain, the publications of
this Association have been confined chiefly to the annual publication of its
minutes, together with its circular letters, and the occasional printing and
circulation of sermons which were delivered before the Association.
But whilst this body has not, at any time, established any publication
interest of its own, it has frequently passed favorable resolutions, and ex¬
tended its contributions for the encouragement of the Bible, Tract, and other
religious Publication Societies, and in 1803, it commenced the collection of
a library of religious books, which, in 1826, was presented to the Baptist
State Convention. Until 184V, the Churches of the Association were en¬
tirely dependent for their religious books and tracts upon Northern soci¬
eties and publishing houses. The effect of this dependence has been to
centre there a more enterprising and active spirit in the various move¬
ments connected with religious education, and the diffusion of religious
knowledge, whilst our Churches have exhibited, in their sluggishness and
indifference, the evil effects of this system. It may, in fact, be assumed as
an established truth, that they only can be an active, reading people,
who take an interest in the publication of their books, tracts, and pe¬
riodicals. For this reason certain members of our Association have, from
time to time, made active and persevering efforts to establish in our bounds
a religious paper, which might be the organ of the Baptist denomination
of Our State. Others have urged the home preparation and publication of
our books and tracts. The latter enterprize may now be considered as
firmly established, since the Baptist Publication Society, constituted at Sa¬
vannah in Ma}-, 184V, has its Depository and Board with us, and is pro¬
ceeding in the work of publication with an energy highly satisfactory to its
friends. This Association, from the beginning, has felt a deep interest in
the success of that Society, and now looks to its efforts with hope and ex¬
pectation, as the dawning of a better day, when the members of our
Churches shall become more deeply interested in all the enterprizes of the
kingdom of Christ upon earth. After various failures in the attempts to-
establish in our State a denominational paper, The Southern Baptist was
started in Charleston, in 1846, and still lingers on. The Association hasr
at various times, expressed a deep interest in the success of this enter¬
prize, but has not, thus far, extended to it the full encouragement to<
which it is entitled. The continuation and liberal support of this paper,,
is regarded as necessary to the complete success of the Publication So¬
ciety. Its gospel messages, too, if sent to every family from week to week,,
would, in the end, be found to exercise an influence, in the cause of our
Lord and Saviour, greater than we ordinarily hope for. Besides, as aB
24
Minutes of the
organ of religious intelligence, it is indispensable to our common ac¬
quaintance with the movements of each other, and with the progress of
the Gospel in the Churches of our own and other States.
The Committee, therefore, whilst expressing the deep interest which
is felt by the Association in religious home publications generally, takes
occasion to urge specially upon the Churches, the claims of the paper
and of the Publication Society, regarding them as the necessary and effi¬
cient means for exciting, and keeping alive amongst us, the spirit of ac¬
tivity and well directed effort in the cause of our common Master.
Respectfully submitted,
B. C. PRESSLEY.
REPORT ON SABBATH SCHOOLS.
The position that the members of this Association occupy on this inter¬
esting occasion, could scarcely fail to impress any thoughtful mind. One
hundred years have fled since our fathers organized this body. What the
circumstances then were, and the events since, are too indelibly inscribed
on the pages of history, for any to be ignorant of them. Especially has
the last half century been distinguished by discoveries in the arts and
sciences, so as to mark it as an era in the history of the world. The ap¬
plication of steam as a locomotive power by land and sea, and to propel
almost every variety of machinery, to diminish the demand for man's phy¬
sical power, and to minister to his wants and gratifications, has been great
beyond all previous conception. Surpassingly great as was this revolu¬
tion, another agent, the magnetic telegraph, is ushered into the world
with more startling results, mocking at distance, and annihilating time by
its electric celerity. Nations and people remote as the poles are in close
proximity, and communicate instantaneously, however distant, by its more
than lightning speed. Discoveries so remarkable, and agents so wonder¬
ful, have caused changes in the political, civil, and social condition of na¬
tions and individuals, commensurate with their mighty power and all-per¬
vading influence. The man of science has taxed his ingenuity to the ut¬
most, the philanthropist has exhausted his resources, and the patriot has1
put forth his mightiest energies, to better the condition of man, to dimi¬
nish the crimes and burdens of social life. They have accomplished much,
but they have succeeded only partially. Something more was needed, to
take hold on the universal heart. The blight of that first, but ever en¬
during act of disobedience in the garden of Eden, remained. The Gos¬
pel has been extensively preached in christian and heathen lands; bibles*
have been multiplied, and made so cheap, that every one may have a
copy, and read its sacred teachings. Notwithstanding all these advan-
tages, something more was required to bring these appliances into suC-<:
cessful operation on the minds and hearts of a great portion of the rising
generation, at the period when they were most susceptible to good im¬
pressions. This desideratum was found in the Sunday School. The pious
heart of Mr. Raikes, of England, was stirred within him by the spirit of
God, in behalf of children whose spiritual interests were wholly neglected;
and conceived the project of collecting them into schools on the Sabbath
Charleston Baptist Association.
25
day, for instruction in the Scriptures. The effort was made, and that
hlessed Spirit which had prompted him to act, greatly blessed his labors.
The seal of Divine approbation having been strongly manifested in behalf
of this benevolent enterprise, the attention of Protestant Christians was
every where arrested, and the plan adopted with like success. The brief
space allowed for this article, will not allow an extensive notice of the
salutary results, which have marked Sabbath schools wherever they have
been faithfully conducted by pious teachers. In all cases in this and
other countries, they have never failed of securing the Divine blessing, as
evinced in their influence on teachers and pupils. Nor, are we surprised,
at such results. They are in strict accordance with the physical and
mental constitution of children. At an early period of life, the mind be¬
ing unoccupied, craves knowledge, and is susceptible to impressions, and
they are retained with the greatest tenacity ; hence, the importance, that
these early impressions, and the knowledge acquired, should be such, as
will mould the character for usefulness, truth and religion. Sabbath
Schools infix in the minds, of the youths taught, the great and indispen¬
sable truths and doctrines of Divine revelation, which word of trnth, is
the vehicle by which the Holy Spirit enters the heart, converts and sanc¬
tifies the soul. A very large majority ,of all the members added to
the Churches in the last quarter century, have been from those instructed
in Sabbath Schools. And these are the most intelligent and efficieut
members. From Sabbath School scholars, are nearly all the Ministers of
the Gospel. And from the same nurseries of piety, are nineteen-twen-
tieths of those self-denying men and women, who have gone out with
their hearts inflamed with the love of Christ, and yearning for the salva¬
tion of the heathen, into remote regions of the earth to labor and die,
that soul's may be saved, and Christ's name glorified. From a careful
enquiry, it has been ascertained, that of the thousands," may we not say
millions, of those who have been convicted for crimes, in this country and
Europe, not one in a thousand of them, had ever been taught in Sabbath
Schools. Do not these few facts recited, challenge our confidence, that
these nurseries of the Church are heaven-ordained for the blessing of
the nations. In a word, Sabbath Schools have been found of more ex¬
tensive and universal application, and more efficient in the correction of
public evils, than all the schemes which philosophers and political econo¬
mists have been able to devise. One of England's great statesmen said,
" Sabbath Schools have saved our manufacturing Districts." Teachers
in these schools, are usually quite as much benefitted as the children;
though it is regarded by many as a small business. We would have
such remember, that Chief Justice Marshall, continued teaching in a
Sabbath School, at the age of seventy years ; that Judge Washington,
Chancellors Walworth and Frelenghuysen, of N. Y., and President Har¬
rison, were Sabbath School teachers. To this brilliant galaxy of great
names, we might add others, equally distinguished, almost without num¬
ber, would it increase the weight of testimony in favor of the dignity and
importance of these schools. As appropriate on this point, we record the
declaration of one of our most distinguished and pious ministers, Dr.
C. D. Mallory,—" If you think this blessed work beneath your notice,
4
26
Minutes of the
your servant Gabriel stands ready at the command, to descend and per*-
form it."
The letters from the Churches, do not enable us to say, to what extent
the children are trained in these schools. From a few, we have cheering
reports, that they are successfully engaged in this noble enterprise ; and
it is much to be desired, that all the Churches would make reports, an¬
nually, of their progress in this work of faith and labor of love. Dis¬
persed, as are our Churches, over much territory, and but partially sup¬
plied with the preaching of the Gospel, Sabbath Schools are of inesti¬
mable importance ; nothing but the preaching of the word of life can
hold pre-eminence over them. Pastors and Deacons would find the re¬
sults of well organized and faithfully attended Sabbath Schools cause of
gratitude to God, if they would enter into these labors with zeal and
faith, in the Great Head of the Church, for his blessing on them. It is
devoutly to be wished, that our next Anniversary may find a flourishing
Sabbath School in every Church. That this might be done, we cite one
example. A female member of one of our Churches, recently settled in
a neighborhood, but sparsely inhabited, found no Sabbath School in
operation ; she visited the parents and children of the vicinity, and pro-,
posed, that their children should attend at her residence, each Sabbath
afternoon. On the first day, fifteen attended, and they have continued to
increase to the number of forty, who now meet regularly, though some
reside six miles from the place of meeting, and have become deeply in¬
terested in the School. Notwithstanding they have but two teachers,
the lady named, and her husband ; what has been done in this instance
might be done in all, if the work were entered on with zeal and in faith,
and dependence on the Spirit of God for his blessing. Nor should we
doubt, such results will flow from the faithful labors of Sabbath School
teachers. Our religion is adapted to the minds of children, as the very
truth fitted to enlighten, interest, and improve the human being in the
early periods of life. While it stretches beyond the grasp of the migh¬
tiest intellect, it contracts itself, so to speak, within the limits of the nar¬
rowest. It furnishes matter of inexhaustible speculation to such men as
Locke and Newton, and condescends to the ignorant and becomes the
teacher of babes. It speaks with authority in the schools of the learned,
and enters the nursery, to instil, with gentle voice, wisdom into the ears
of infancy. And Sabbath Schools, like all benevolent works, are twice
blessed; they bless the taught, and the teacher. In view of these bless¬
ed consequences, who will not eagerly seek to participate in this " work
of faith, and labor of love ?" To enlighten the souls of children to a clear,
affectionate perception of the reality, truth and greatness of religion, the sin
fulness of their nature, the satisfaction made for sin by the blood of
Christ; and as the ultimate end, the salvation of their souls and glory of
God, our Heavenly Father. M. T. MENDENHALL.
REPORT ON TEMPERANCE.
€
As early as 1807, this Association regarded the evils of intemperance
of such magnitude, as to justify its circular letter to the Churches of thf&
Charleston Baptist Association.
21
year, being wholly devoted to this subject. Although the temperance
movement was then but in its infancy-, the venerable fathers of this body
seem to have entertained views which belong to a much later and more
advanced period of the reform. They uttered truths, which the sad expe¬
rience of after years taught other men to repeat. They perceived and
placed on record the then new, but now familiar facts, that " by intempe¬
rance the mind is blunted, contracted, obscured, and rendered insuscepti¬
ble of improvement. In the suffocating fumes of alhocol, none can ex¬
pect to find, or increase intellectual light. , Habitual intoxication is a hy¬
dra, a many-headed monster; legion is the name of his filthy, ghastly off¬
spring. He devours health, character, peace, knowledge, decency, every
thing useful and dear in this life; and blasts all man's immortal hopes for
the life to come. Our holy religion warns us against this insidious foe of
all righteousness, and furnishes us with armour to resist his fiery darts."
The Association some years after declared that, " to arrest and prevent
these evils, justly claims the decided self-denying and united labors of all
christians," and recommended to the Churches composing it, and " to the
individual members of them, to abandon the use of ardent spirits as a
beverage, and by every consistent means to suppress the use of, and traffic
in them."
The efforts of these, and other early friends of temperance, to secure
these important results, by discouraging the use of ardent spirits, while
the indulgence in other intoxicating drinks was allowed, it very soon be¬
came apparent, were inadequate to the suppression of drunkenness. It
was seen that there was no good reason for the exception in favor of wine.
That it was this beverage which had seduced Noah and Lot; made Na-
dab and Abihu to offer strange fire ; caused Adab to sin, and brought the
wisdom of Solomon and his court to the folly of building a temple to
idols fast by the temple of the living God. It was discovered that the
use of wine and strong drink of every kind had been denounced by Jeho¬
vah through the mouth of Moses; had been made the theme of severe in¬
vective by Priest, Prophet, and Apostle; and had occasioned nearly one
half the calamities experienced in the world for five thousand years. It
became apparent that, if it was Wrong to drink or vend ardent spirits, so
was it wine, cider, and beer. If one formed habits of drunkenness, so did
the others. Each and all kindled the fatal appetite in equal degrees; for
when once acquired, and is dormant, its revival depended neither upon
the strength or the quantity. The slightest and weakest portion was suffi¬
cient.
The Association, recognizing these truths, urged in 1845 the practice of
total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks upon its constituent members,
and at various meetings since urged this duty upon " all pious and hu¬
mane persons." This action on the part of the Association can in no res¬
pect be regarded as inconsistent with the word of God. In the laws of
Moses—in the precepts and practice of the Prophets—in the institution of
the order of the Nazarites—in the example of our Lord and of his disci¬
ples, of John the Baptist, and of the self-denying Apostle to the»Gentiles
—and in the whole spirit of the scriptures throughout, the principle here
enjoined is clearly inculcated.
28
Minutes of the
No christian will aver that the use of inebriating liquors ever increased
his love towards his Maker; ever inspired him with a stronger relish for
his worship ; ever assisted him in calming those turbulent passions which
are the main enemies of devotion, and the subjugation of which is the,
principle duty of life. No christian, while he indulges, however mode¬
rately, in intoxicating drinks, can ever know when he is safe. In the very
hour of his imagined strength, he most frequently falls beneath the power
of the seducer. The prayer, " lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil," comprises more against the practice of drinking, that avenue
through which temptation most powerfully assails the heart of man, than
could be expressed by folios of uninspired writings, all directed against
this single vice. No christian, with the Bible before him, can fail to see
his duty to abstain for the good of others. -He cannot need to be told of
Him, who, being rich, became poor for our sakes. He may affirm his self-
command to avoid excess. Be it so; others have not, and his religion re¬
quires self-denial for their sakes. True, there are limits to this law of love.
But the sacrifice in question comes within those limits. So Paul thought.
Though an inhabitant of Palestine, the land of vines and vineyards, he
deemed it not only admissible, but " good neither to drink wine, nor any¬
thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak?
There is reason to believe that hundreds of thousands are now sober,
who, had it not been for the temperance reformation, would have been
sots; and that their families are now in ease and comfort, who would
otherwise have been in poverty, or cursed with a drunken inmate. There
is reason to believe, that thousands and tens of thousands are members of
Christian Churches, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, who, had
they continued to drink, had now, in all human probability, been without
hope and without God in the world. In view of such things, shall we be
told that temperance is only a secular concern ? That it affects only the
bodies of men, not their souls, and is a concern which relates to time only, >
not to eternity? Never was an idea farther from the truth, than that
which represents the Temperance Reformation as a matter alone of worldly
convenience, expediency, pecuniary profit, and respectability. Its princi¬
pal influence, and that which, in importance, eclipses and swallows up
every other, is upon the soul and for eternity. According to the sentiments
of a learned Judge—"As much as the soul is worth more than the body,
as much as eternity is longer than time, so much more important is its in¬
fluence on the soul than on the body, and with regard to eternity than
with regard to time. And until its influence on the character, prospect,
and destiny of the soul for eternity, shall be exhibited from the pulpit by
the ministers of Christ, and illustrated in the lives and efforts of his disci¬
ples, this instrument of death eternal will not cease to operate, nor this
citadel of Satan be demolished."
A, D. COHEN.
Charleston Baptist Association.
29
REPORT OF HOME MISSION BOARD, -
referred to in Minutes, page 15.
This Board having been enabled, by the goodness of God and the con¬
tributions of the Churches, to continue their labors through another year,
present this their fourth Report:
By the Treasurer's Account, herewith submitted, it is seen that $767 38
was received by the Board at the last meeting of the Association, and
$740 45 since that time disbursed. The liabilities of the Board for Mis¬
sionary Service, during the present fiscal year, are less by $26 93 than
the sum sent up by the Churches twelve months ago.
Owing to the small means at the disposal of the Board, they have been
able to engage the entire services of but one Missionary, and one-sixth of
the time of another. The former, Rev. Thomas Dawson, has labored in
that part of the Association known as " South Santee." The latter, Rev.
H. W. Mahoney, in a small portion of the district designated as "North
Santee." -
The quarterly reports of Brother Dawson shew his labors to have been
incessant, and not entirely in vain. Since the first of January he has
preached 159 sermons, delivered 61 evening lectures, visited and con¬
versed with 120 families, and baptized 13 persons. In his July report he
says, " It would, be a pleasure to make my quarterly report, if I had any
thing of a cheering nature to write ; but darkness and gloom appear to
hang over the whole of my field, and I am now entirely alone. Brother
Hinton, who was employed by the Orangeburg Board, has been laid up
by sickness almost the whole of the last quarter, and I fear he will not be
able to be in the field until cold weather. Brother Huffman, who supplied
several of the upper Churches, has also been unable to preach for some
time." Bro. Dawson adds, " If ever special prayer was needful, it is for
that fearfully destitute part of the Charleston Association lying South of
Santee*" The last report of this active servant of God is not more en¬
couraging. In this section there are nine Churches without regular preach¬
ing; a considerable portion of these have been, during the whole year,
almost wholly destitute, and several entirely so. The board has received,
from more than one of these Churches, the most earnest solicitations for
aid. One of them writes, " If you do not help us, and help us speedily,
we must dje." But what can the board do but shed tears as they are
compelled to listen to these affecting calls, without the means of respond¬
ing to them. With only one man to labor in all this extended field, which
might well employ six, what can we hope to effect ? The Churches are
poor, and cannot help themselves. They tell us of their children perish¬
ing for want of the bread of life, and entreat us to help them. We bring
their touching prayer to those by whom we are appointed. Brethren of
the Association, something must be done for South Santee. Ministers must
be settled among the Churches—one at least to every three or four, if we
would accomplish any thing. It is a reproach to the oldest Association in
the State, that so many of its constituent members are pining and dying
from spiritual starvation—that so many hundreds are, every year, going-
down to graves dug in sight of our homes, with as little knowledge of
30
Minutes of the
Christ and his salvation, as the millions who live, and die, and perish, in
heathen lands.
The Church at Columbia, which, during the most of the year past, has
been without regular preaching, it affords the board pleasure to state, has
succeeded in securing the valuable services of the Rev. James P. Boyce.
This most important post should be liberally sustained by the denomina¬
tion. The board cannot doubt that, under the pastoral labors of brother
Boyce, favorable accounts will soon be heard from the small, but active
body of believers, worshipping at this place.
The Morris-street Church, located in that part of Charleston formerly
known as the " Neck," has enjoyed during the year the efficient services of
the Rev. A. D. Cohen. The claims of this Church we cannot better pre¬
sent than in its own words. A letter addressed to the board, contains the
following statement and appeal.
"We need help to erect our house of worship, and for the support of
our Pastor, who has been preaching for us three years, free of charge to
us and the board, supporting himself by the labor of his own hands. This
should not be if we could help it,—and is now the case only in conse¬
quence of our being few in number, and too poor to support the minister
of the Gospel. We would say, that the field we are endeavoring to culti¬
vate is a large one, and promises success and a rich harv est. If our Church
were erected, we could confidently look forward not only to the support of
our Pastor, but great usefulness in God's vineyard, both in spreading the
Gospel in our own vicinity, and also aiding other destitute portions.. The
Lord has blessed our endeavors so far, and we are constrained to believe
he will continue and enlarge our usefulness. Dear brethren, we sincerely
hope you will consider our case prayerfully and favorably."
The condition of North Santee is almost, if not quite as lamentable, as
that of South Santee. The board have received pressing calls for imme¬
diate aid from Georgetown, Camden, Fellowship, Black River, and others,
all more or less destitute of the preached word. For all this portion of
the Association, the services of brother Mahoney, for two months, has
been all the board could supply. What is this among so many ?
Amid the congratulations and pleasing circumstances connected with
this happy season, we would fain withhold this gloomy record from the
hundredth annual page of our Association's history. But our duty, and
your expectations, brethren, require that we write the truth. Let our acts,
rather than our words, declare our gratitude to God for the past. The
aged among us cannot but desire to transmit to the coming generations
the blessings they received themselves from those who went before them.
The young of our Churches must desire, as the future inheritors of the
land, to avert, if it may be, the storm of ignorance and irreligion that
threaten the quiet graves of their fathers, and which they, still surviving,
must buffet for themselves, or be swept before its violence. We need
more prayer, more means, and more men. While some give of their
substance, and some add their counsels, and all their prayers, are there
not others who will gird themselves for a costlier offering, who are willing
to become themselves a whole burnt offering upon the altars of the Church,
and as a living sacrifice to spend and be spent in the personal labor of
bearing the Gospel to the destitute of the Charleston Association.
Charleston Baptist Association.
31
May the Lord enable us to perform these duties. Then the blood of our
perishing neighbors shall not be required at our hands. Then we will not
be chargeable with the fearful neglect of the sacred trust committed to us
by God. Then, and only then, at the decisive day, we shall not be filled
with confusion and terror, when Jesus shall demand of us an account of
our stewardship.
JAMES TUPPER, Chairman. ■
Board of Home Missions of Charleston Baptist Association in account with M. T.
MeNdenhall, Treasurer.
1850.
Oct. 30, To balance due Treasurer,
Nov. 5,
1851.
April 5,
June 18,
m U
Aug. 14,
Nov. 1,
paid Rev. Thos. Dawson, Missionary, in full to Jan'y., 1851,
DR.
$ 12 66
310 82
F. Lanneau, for Rev. Thos. Dawson, 62 68
J. H. Schreiner, for ditto, 24 67
ditto in merchandize,. , 7 22
ditto in bill, for tin, &c., 40 12
ditto this day, 100 00
George Parks & Co. for ditto, 9 35
ditto for books to distribute, 9 75
Rev. Thos. Dawson, in full of balance of salary for 1851, 163 18
balance to new account, 26 93
1850. CR.
Nov. 5, By cash received from A. 0. Smith, Treasurer General Committee of
Charleston Baptist Association, for Domestic Missions, $181 01
" " Bv cash received from do. do. for Home Missions, 466 37
1851.
Nov. 1, " monthly collections from 1st Baptist Church in Charleston to date, 120 00
$767 38
1851.
Nov. 1, By balance,
$ 26 93
M. T. MENDENHALL, Treasurer.
32
Minutes of the Charleston Baptist Association.
TABULAR VIEW OF MONEYS PAID.
CHURCHES
AND
SOCIETIES.
1. Charleston
2. High Hills
3. Georgetown
4. Congaree
5. Wassamasaw....
<5. Beulah
7. Sandy Le vel
g, Amelia Township
V). Columbia
10. Camden
11. Calvary
12. Piedmont —
13. Bethel
14. Goose Creek. ....
15. Mount Olivet
16. Four Holes
17. Sumterville
18. Santee
19. Swift Creek
20. Fellowship.
21. Moriah
22. St. George
23. Edisto Island
24. Bethlehem
25. Bethany
26. Antioch
27. St. James, G. C'k.
28. Mount Carmel...
29. Harmony
30. Providence
31. Wentworth St...
32. Orange
33. Black River
34. Zoar
35. Colonel's Creek..
36. New Hope
37. Edisto
38. Said am
39. Home Branch...
40. Morris-st.( Church.
Charleston
Col'd. People, High
Hills
St. Stephen's Ch'ch.
Colr'd. People, Con¬
garee
Col'd People,Home
Branch
Fern. Mis. and Edu¬
cation Society of 1st
Charleston Church...
St. Johns' Church..
Home Branch Mis¬
sionary Society
Bethel Miss. Soc'y..
Col'd. People, Cal¬
vary Church
Beulah Miss. Soc'y.
Public Collection..
1 97
1 00
1 00
50
3 50
15 75
20 00
-s a
0) o
si
50 00
10 00
5 00
82 00
15 40
166 25
10 00
5 25
4 10
46 00
2 00
15 00
10 00
2 35
21 50
10 00
100 87
425
6 25
2 50
20 25
31 20
25 00
46 60
1« 0.3
50 00 50 00
13 64
4 10
3 50
4 81
3 25
2 37
200 00
5 25
4 15
4 0C
27 45
2 00
5 00
54 27 39 25 132 40 529 97 14 73 50 00 74 74 504 88 12 75;74 64 10 50 1576 63 28 50
14 00
2 00
3 00
15 00
3 10
6 00
2 35
8 00
12 50
50
4 25
4 25
6 25
20 57
5 00
50 00
20 25
15 40
25 00
46 61
g £,
5
3 25
00
50 00
13 64
00
5 00
3 50
5 00 581 25
28 28
50
1 00
50
50
2 00
JOHN SCOTT, Chairman,
In addition to the above, $35 were contributed by the Ladies of Bethel Church, for the edu¬
cation of an Indian girl, named Henrietta Shuck.
CHURCHES.
MINISTERS AND DELEGATES.
as
Charleston,
High Hills,
Georgetown,
Congaree,
Wassamasaw
Beulah,
Sandy Level
Amelia Township,.,..
Columbia,
Camden,
Calvary
Piedmont,
Bethel,
Goose Creek,
Mount Olivet,
Four Holes,
Sumterville, —, —
Santee,
Swift Creek, —, —
Fellowship,'
Moriah,
St. George,
Edisto Island,
Bethlehem,
Bethany,
Antioch,
St. James, Goose Creek
Mt. Carmel,
Wentworth Street,
Providence,
Orange,
Harmony,
Black River,
Zoar,
Colonel's Creek,
New Hope,
Edisto
Saldam,'.
Home Branch,
Morris Street,
St. Stephens,
Female Miss, and Ed.
Soc. of 1st Bap. Ch. ..
Domestic Miss. Soc. of
Goose Creek
St. John's Church,
J. R. KENDRICK, W. Riley, M. T. Mendenhall
James Tupper, S. Hyde,
C. E. Jackson, .-
Letter, no delegates,
N. GRAHAM,
No letter or delegate, >
T. ADAMS, John Scott, John P. Smith, A. P Vinson
T. Turkett, R. K. Hearten,*
J. B. Prickett, D. F. Spigener,.
J. P. BOYCE, S. Blanding,* J. V. Syles, J. F.)
MARSHALL, ]
No letter or delegate,
H. W. M AHONY, L. F. Rhame, H. F. Tindale, .
E. M. Dorrity,* A. C.L. D. Belk, J. H. Stuckey, .
H. H. Wells, Joseph M. Nettles, Thos, L. Osteen,
Samuel Lynes, Jaeot J. Hough,
T. W. Easterling, J. Baylor,
J. Riley, James Bair, J. W. H. Dukes,
E. Pringle, G. W. Black,* J G Fort, H. Haynesworth
Richard S.' Whaley,
ffm. Sanders. J. Boyken, L. Boyken,
No letter or delegate,
WM. HOLMES,* A. J. Tindall, D. W. Cuttino...
James W. Hill, Wm. W Rigby, J. Smith, D. Patrick
D. SHEPPARD,
No letter or delegate,
T. MASON, A. Scarborough,*
George Shingler, J F Shuler,* J L Vogt,* F Vogt.
Samuel Balentine,* J. S. Singletary,
J. S. C. Huffman, W. Zimmerman,
JAMES H. CUTHBERT, R. Brodie, A. C. Smith \
Jos. Zealy, J. G. Milnor, W. B. Heriot, 1
Wm. Osteen,* Elias Hodge,
John Arant, Paul Patrick,*
JOHN ROSS,* Wm. Talor,* Isaac Abbott,
No letter or delegate,
Isham Vaughan, C. L. Osteen,
JACOB B. HIGGINS. William Higgins, Uriah
Lee, John O. Higgins,*
H. Owens,
No letter or delegate,
No letter or delegate,
W. A. James, B. PACK,
A. D. COHEN, C. M. BREAKER, A Dorrill, T.
W. Bolger, G. Branford,
David Owen, Peter Huxford, Jr.,
B. W. WHILDEN, B C Pressley, M T Mendenhall
No letter or delegate
D. M. BREAKER, John W. Walling,.
1739
264
794
6488 304
15
217 45
1494
257
786
1764
276
809
13
1749
27
1, 2, 3, 4,
2,4,
121
106
153
163
"72
104
111
110
255
104
109
530
113
143
37
52
363
29
21
50
13
6982
■o.S
OJ
O 2
^ ft
J. R, Kendrick ...
N. Graham,
1,2,3,4,
3
2
1,2,3, 4,
1, 3,
3
2,4
2,4
4
2,4
1,3
T. Adams
C. Felder
J. C. Huffman .
J. P. Boyce
H. W. Mahony. .
L. P. Rollings ...
2,4
1, 2, 3, 4
hS4
2,4
2,4
SUPPLIES.
George Parks .
C C Jackson...
Henry Cuttino.
Samuel Lynes,..
D. M. Breaker...
R. J. Edwards ..
Samuel Furman.
J. S. C. Huffman.
S. Furman
Wm. Holmes PW Cuttino..
James W. Hill Wm W Rigby.
D. Sheppard J A J Rice ....
CLERKS.
POST OFFICES
A P Vinson ..
MA Leggs...
D F Spigener
J V Lyles
M H Conners
John Dunn
J B Tindall......
George Lynes...
Joseph Chubb...
James Bair
H Haynesworth .
J Smith
B F Rhame.
T M ason
Dawson fcHinton.
JSC Hufftaan ...
J. H. Cuthbert ...
A Scarborough..
James Parler.. 1.
J J Singletary ...
W Zimmerman .
James Faht
John Ross .
W Osteen ..
Joshua Bair.
Wm Talor ..
f Wm. Holmes ,
J. B Higgins ..
2, 4 M J Sharp
2,4
1,1, 3, 4
1, 3
H W Mahoney ...
A D Cohen ......
Thomas Dawson ,
D M Breaker.
T Davis
JohnO Higgins'
J Elkins
Packville
A Dorrill Charleston
Peter Huxford, Jr.. Pineville
Charleston
Providence
Georgetown
Gadsden
Levee P. O., R D
St. Mathews
Columbia
Friendship
Bishopville
Privateer
Monk's Corner
Monk's Corner
Orangeburg C H
Sumterville
St. Mathews
Boykin's T. O.
Plowden's Mill
St. George's
Charleston
Mechanicsville
Vance's Ferry
Roadville
Orangeburg
Charleston
Privateer
Branch ville
Columbia
Sumterville
Columbia
At J T Marshall's
M P Walling.
Monk's Corner
Names marked thus * were absent.
84
Minutes of the
CONSTITUTION
OF THE CHARLESTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
[Adopted in 1850.]
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, two other Baptist Churches united with the Baptist Church in Charles¬
ton, on the twenty-first day of October, A. D. seventeen hundred and fifty-one, for
the promotion of the Redeemer's Kingdom, by the maintenance of love and friend¬
ship, and by mutual consultations for the peace and welfare of the Churches; which"
union was called the Charleston Baptist Association; and, whereas, other Churches
have from time to time joined said Association, so that there are now forty Churches,
constituent members thereof; and whereas, no formal written articles of confedera¬
tion of said Church is extant, the said Association does therefore adopt the following'
as its written bond of union.
1. This confederation of Churches shall be known, and called by the name of the
" Charleston Baptist Association."
2. The object of this Association shall be to promote the glory of God on the earth,
by the preaching of the Gospel of his Son Jesus Christ our Saviour, the universal
spread of the Holy Bible, the word of the true and living God, and by other appro¬
priate means.
3. This Association shall consist of Delegates from the Churches now in this union,
and such other Baptist Churches as may hereafter be received as constituent mem¬
bers thereof.
4. Eveiy Church shall be entitled to two representatives, without regard to the
number of their members respectively ; and to an additional one for every fifty mem¬
bers exceeding fifty; provided that no Church shall be entitled to more than five,
and a certificate of appointment from their respective Churches shall be evidence
that they have been so delegated.
5. The Officers of this Association shall be, a Moderator, Clerks, and if required,
a Treasurer shall be elected annually by ballot, by a majority of the members pre¬
sent, immediately after the names of the Delegates shall have been enrolled, whieh
officers shall perform all the duties, respectively, usually devolved on such officers, in
well regulated organized deliberative assemblies, and continue to exercise their res¬
pective functions, until they shall be superseded by a subsequent election.
6. The Clerks shall preserve a regular file of the Minutes of the Association from
year to year, and have it present at the meeting of the body; and when they vacate
their office, deliver the same, with all books and other papers, relative to said office,
to their successors.
V. The Association shall regard the Churches as independent bodies, in all their
internal affairs, and exercise no ecclesiastical jurisdiction, or claim any legislative or
judicial prerogative over them. Nevertheless, the Association claims authority over
its own members, the representatives of the Churches, and power to withdraw from,
and disown all Churches which may depart from the Gospel, by becoming either hete •
rodox in faith, or disorderly in practice; and should, therefore, regard all the
Churches united in the Association, with a vigilant eye for good; and may give, at
its own discretion, and in its own way, advice or information, when sought, to any
Church connected with it.
8. It shall be the duty of the Association to ascertain the general condition of its
constituent Churches, devise means to promote their harmony, and increase their spi¬
rituality and efficiency, to promote the cause of truth and righteousness.
9. The Association shall hold annual sessions, to convene on the Saturday before
the first Lord's day in November in each year, and not adjourn until all the business
Charleston Baptist Association.
35
shall have been regularly finished, except circumstances imperatively demand: The
place of meeting shall be determined at each previous meeting, and published in the
Minutes.
10. Baptist Churches not before united in an Association, or those dismissed from
other Associations, or other deliberative bodies of the faith and order of the Churches
now associated, may be admitted as members into this union, on application by a
written petition or letter, presented bv one or more messengers duly appointed by
such Church, or Churches, provided that they give satisfactory evidence that they are
orthodox in the faith, and correct in the practice of the Gospel Ordinances.
11. "When in session, the Association shall be governed by the usual rules of deco¬
rum, and such others as it may adopt for itself.
12. It shall be the duty of the Churches respectively, annually to report to the As¬
sociation their general condition, and on any special matters required, and to send up
such contributions as they maw be able, to aid the body to disseminate more widely
the truth as contained in the Holy Scriptures, and the establishment of the Redeem¬
er's Kingdom on the earth.
13. The neglect or failure of a Church to be represented by a delegate or delegates
in the Association for three consecutive years, shall be cause to withdraw from such
Church or Churches, at the discretion of the Association.
14. The Minutes of the Association shall be publicly and distinctly read, and cor¬
rected if necessary, and then signed by the Moderator and Clerks before adjourn¬
ment.
15. Amendments may be made to this Constitution at any meeting of the Associ¬
ation, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, provided the same shall have
been published in the Minutes of the preceding year.
RULES
Of the Charleston Baptist Association, for the transaction of its business.
[Adopted in 1838.]
Art. 1. The meeting of the Association shall be opened and closed, each
day of its session, with prayer by the Moderator, or by some person whom
he shall request to perform the service.
2. After prayer, the names of delegates shall be enrolled, officers shall
be elected, and when the body is organized, applications for membership
from new bodies be decided on, and if admitted, their attending delegates
shall be received by the right hand of fellowship.
3. The Minutes of the preceding day shall be read, to the end that
mistakes, if any shall have been made, may be corrected.
4. Persons invited to seats in the Association, shall have the privilege
of speaking in debate, but not of voting.
5. The members of the Association shall retain their seats, preserve si¬
lence, and refrain from conversation during the reading of the Minutes,
while the Moderator is putting a question, or when any member is speak¬
ing in debate.
6. No member shall absent himself from the meeting of the Associa¬
tion, without permission.
V. Each member, when he speaks in debate, or has any communication
to make to the Association, shall address the Moderator standing in his
place.
8. No member shall speak oftener than twice, in any one debate on
36
Minutes of the
the same day, except to explain, without permission from the Associa¬
tion.
9. Where two or more members rise nearly at the same time, to ad¬
dress the Association, the Moderator shall name the one to speak, being
the one who had first risen and addressed the Moderator. After he
shall have spoken, those who had risen with him shall be heard, in the
order of their rising, in priority of all others, should they still desire to be
heard.
10. When a member shall be called to order, he shall sit down, until
the Moderator determines whether he is in order or not. An appeal,
however, may be made from the decision of the Moderator, to the Asso¬
ciation.
11. No motion shall be debated, nor the question upon it be put, unless
it shall have been seconded; and then, if required by the Moderator, or
any member, it shall be reduced to writing, delivered in at the table, and
read before the debate begins.
12. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received, ex¬
cept to adjourn, to lay on the table, to postpone to a day certain, to com¬
mit, or to amend, which several motions shall have precedence in the
order in which they here stand arranged. Neither of these motions, with
the exception of that to adjourn, after being decided, shall be allowed
again on the same day, upon the same question.
13. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except when a ques¬
tion is actually put, and the Association is engaged in voting.
14. If the question for the debate contain several points, it may be di¬
vided, at the request of any member.
15. When the question has been once made, and the vote taken, it shall
be in order for any member in the majority, to move for its reconsideration.
16. All questions shall be put by the Moderator, and the members shall
respectively signify their assent by answering " Yea," and their dissent by
answering " No." If the Moderator, or any member, shall not be satis¬
fied that the decision expressed by the ayes or noes is certainly ascertained,
the Moderator shall request those who voted in the affirmative to rise, and
stand until they shall be counted; after these shall be seated, the Mode¬
rator shall request those who voted in the negative to rise, and stand until
they shall be counted. In the event of an equal division, the Moderator
shall have the casting vote.
17. When the Moderator shall desire to be heard in debate, or to be
temporarily absent, the chair shall be taken by some member named by
the Moderator, until he shall resume his seat.
18. The following Committees shall be appointed by the Moderator, at
the commencement of each session, viz.: a committee to arrange the
Preaching during the meeting; a committee on Queries and Requests; a
committee on Accounts; a committee on the Minutes and Letters of Cor¬
responding bodies.
19. The whole Minutes shall be read over, before the adjournment of
the Association.
Charleston Baptist Association.
37
STANDING RESOLUTIONS
of the Charleston Association.
[Extracted from the Minutes of 1831.]
Resolved, That as the Providence of God seems to designate Sunday-
Schools as one great and interesting means of promoting the interests of
piety, the Association would renew their advice and solicitation to the
Churches in their favor.
Resolved, That the Churches be requested to annex to their letters, the
state of their respective Sabbath Schools.
Resolved, That the Churches be requested to endorse on the backs of
their letters, the names of their ordained Ministers and licensed Preachers,
(whether delegates or not,) and their delegates; and also the name of the
Church.
Resolved, That whenever any delegate, or Minister of this Association,
shall he present at the session of a corresponding Association, such dele¬
gate, or Minister, presenting a copy of our last Minutes, containing his
name, shall be considered our messenger to said Association.
jResolved, That in future, the Clerk of this Association forward by mail,
as soon as convenient, a copy of our Minutes annually to the Moderators
and Clerks of all the Associations with which we correspond, to our mes¬
sengers to those Associations, and to such other persons as he may think
proper.
38
Minutes of the Charleston Baptist Association.
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE.
Monday, Nov. 3d, 1851.
1. The Committee assembled at the call of the Chairman, and -the fol¬
lowing Delegates were enrolled :
1st Church, Charleston—J. R. Kendrick,
M- T. Mendenhall, J. Tapper, B. 0.
Pressley, W. Pettigrew.
High Hills—C. C. Jackson.
Congaree—If. Graham.
Beulah—T. Adams, J. Scott, J. D. Smith,
A. P. Vinson.
Sandy Level—T. Turkett.
Amelia Township—J. P. Prickett.
Columbia—J. P. Boyce, J. F. Marshall.
Calvary—H. W. Mahoney.
Bethel—H. H. "Wells.
Mount Olivet—T. W. Easterling.
Four Holes—J. W. H. Dukes.
Sumterville—E. Pringle.
' Santee—Richard S. Whaley.
Swift Creek■—Wm. Sanders, J. Boyken.
Moriah—D. W. Cuttino.
St. George—James W. Hill.
Fdisto Island—D. Sheppard.
Mount Carmel—J. S. C. Huffman.
Bethany—T. Mason.
Zoar—Isham Vaughan.
Wentworth-st.—J. Cuthbert, A. 0. Smith,
R. Brodie, Jos. Zealy, J. G. Milnor, W.
B. Heriot.
Home Branch—W. A. James.
Morris-street—A. D. Cohen, A. Dorrill.
St. John's Church—D. M. Breaker.
Female Missionary Society of 1st Baptist
Church—B. C. Pressley, B. W. Whil-
den, M. T. Mendenhall.
Home B. Mis. Church—J. S. McFaddin.
Bethel Mis. Society—Jos. M. Nettles.
2. Elected Rev. D. Sheppard, Chairman; and James Tupper, Secretaiy.
3. Brethren B. C. Pressley and Wm. B. Heriot were appointed Audi¬
tors and Assistants of the Special Committee.
4. Letters from Home Branch Missionaiy Society and Bethel Mission¬
ary Society read, and delegates received.
5. The Treasurer's Account for last year was submitted, approved, and
is hereto appended.
6. A communication was read frpm Professor Mims, of Furman Insti¬
tution, relating to the christian deportment and diligence of Bro. J. J.
Alexander.
Resolved, That Bro. Alexander be continued at the Furman Institution,
as a Beneficiary of this Committee.
7. Resolved, That the Special Committee shall have the power of de¬
ciding upon all applications for aid in obtaining an education, during the
recess of the General Committee.
8. Resolved, That the Secretary collect, as far as he can, the past Minutes
of the General Committee, and have the same, together with the Charter
and By-Laws of the Committee, enrolled in a suitable book to be obtained
by him, and paid for by the Treasurer.
Adjourned to meet at the call of the Chairman.
Tuesday, Nov. 4th.
The Committee met at the call of the Chairman.
9. Resolved, That the judgment upon the bond of J. Dargan be placed
in the hands of B. C. Pressley, Esq., for collection.
10. Resolved, That all unfinished business be referred to the Special
Committee.
The Committee then adjourned to meet with Bethel Church, on the'
Saturday before the 1st Lord's Day in November, 1852.
D. SHEPPARD, Chairman.
James Tupper, Secretary.
DR. General Committee of Charleston Baptist Association, in account current with A. C. Smith, Treasurer. CR.
1850.
Nov. 15,
1851.
To Cash paid M. T. Mendenhall, Treasurer of
Conventiou, following sums:
for Domestic Missions, $181 01
for Foreign Missions, 451 23
for African Missions, 48 60
for Indian Missions, 63 30
for Home Missions, 466 31
for Minutes of Baptist Convention, 8 50
for Bible Society of So. Baptist Conv'n., 15 50
To Cash paid E. M. Dorrity, Beneficiary,
" do. paid for printing Minutes, as per amount
contributed,
1,234 51
62 50
44 15
Jan'y. 15, To cash remitted J. J. Alexander, Beneficiary, for
first half year,
Oct'r. 4, " cash paid M. T. Mendenhall, Treasurer, for ap¬
propriation to Convention,
" 29, " cash paid J. J. Alexander, for 2d term in pre¬
sent year,
" 29, " cash paid for Peter Horlbeck's bond,
secured by mortgage as advised by
Special Committee, $1,300 00
for interest on same, 11 09
62 50
200 00
62 50
To balance,
1,311 09
1,043 85
268 85
1850.
Nov. 15, By balance of account rendered, $ 203 83
" cash received at the Association from Churches
1851. and Societies, for various objects, 1,313 56
Aug. 1, By amount received for 2 dividends on 14 shares
Union Bank, 42 00
" amount received for 2 dividends on 3 shares »■
Planter's and Mechanic's Bank, 6 00
•' one year's interest on $100—5 per cent, stock, 35 00
Oct. 29, " cash received of 1st Baptist Church, the
amount of their bond, with interest in full, 1,114 61
Balance due Treasurer, 268 85
SPECIALTIES.
Bond of Peter Horlbeck for
Interest on same to date,
Balance of W. E. Bailey's note,
Interest on same,
Union Bank Stock, at par,
Planter's and Mechanic's Bank Stock, at par,
5 per Cent. City Stock,
3,043 85-.
1,300 00
11 09
154 41
10 81
1,311 09
165 28
100 00
15 00
100 00
■ , ^ $3,011 31
Balance of Dargan's bond, judgment against his estate, 530 00
(Errors excepted.)
Charleston, 30th Oct., 1851.
"We have examined the above account, and find it correct, and properly vouched..
$3,541 31
A. C. SMITH, Treasurer.
M. T. MENDENHALL, ) , ...
JAMES TUPPER, ^Auditors.
40
Minutes of the
HISTORY OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE,
submitted to the Association in 1834.
" The General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Association Fund,'
may be considered as having its remote origin in the following Query, sent
to the Association by the Charleston Church, in November, 1757, viz.:
" Whether there could hot be some method concluded upon, to furnish
with suitable degrees of learning those among us who appear to have pro-
3tiising gifts for the Ministry." The object was unanimously and highly
approved, and measures were immediately taken to lay the foundation of
a fund. The Rev. Oliver Hart, Pastor of the Charleston Church, was ap¬
pointed Treasurer, and the Delegates from the respective Churches bound
themselves, individually, to raise and pay over sums not less, than the fol¬
lowing, viz.: from Charleston Church £60, Ashley River £40, Euhaw
£20, Lynch's Creek £5, Catfish £3, Cashaway £5—in all £133. At the
same time, the Rev. Messrs. John Stephens, Oliver Hart, and Francis Pe-
lot, were appointed Trustees for the said fund, and the principles settled
on which it should be applied. The Churches were urged to contribute
to it; and, at that period, no Church connected with the Association omit¬
ted it. Some contributed liberally. Among the persons assisted by the
Trustees at this early period were the Rev. Messrs. Evan Pugh, A. M., Ed¬
mund Botsford, A. M., Samuel Stillman, D. D., late of Boston, and Ed¬
mund Matthews, a grand-son of the celebrated Hobbes.
In the year 1768, a new direction and impulse was given to the efforts
of the friends of religion and learning among the Churches of the Asso¬
ciation, by the formation, in Charleston, of a Society called " The Religious
SocietyAlthough the collection of a select Library, and the weekly
discussion of important topics in Theology, by that portion of the mem¬
bers who resided in Charleston, were, in part, objects of this Society, yet
its principal object was the education of Ministers; and to this its funds,
which were considerable, were chiefly directed for more than 20 years.
When this Society had been in operation 10 years, the Association,
(which had annually met in Charleston till 1778,) began to hold its ses¬
sions in the country and the Society, from its location, became an un¬
suitable medium of efforts. Some of the Churches contributed but spar¬
ingly, and others not at all, to the fund. With a view, therefore, to en¬
gage all the Churches more heartily in the scheme, it was proposed, in
1789, to place the business of Education more immediately under the
view of the Association. In the following year it was committed to Rev.
Messrs. Richard Furman, Silas Mercer, Benjamin Mosely, and Henry Hoi-
combe, to draft a set of rules for the purpose. This Committee presented,
at the same session, a general outline, providing for a General Committee
of the Churches of the- Association, consisting of one Delegate from each
Church contributing to the fund, and to meet at the same time and place
* Mr. "Wood Furman, in his valuable History of the Charleston Association, page 11,
says that the Religious Society was formed in 1755. This may allude to the origin
of the earliest efforts in favor of education. For the date of the formation of the
Religious Society, we are indebted to a manuscript of the Rev. Dr. Furman's now in
the possession of the Charleston Library Society. '
Charleston Baptist Association.
41
with the Association; and as a means of raising a fund, that each Church
so contributing, should have a charity sermon preached annually, and a
public collection taken.
This was unanimously approved, and the same Committee continued, to
bring out the plan in detail at the next session. The concurrence of the
Churches was signified by a contribution of £5*1 16s. lid. to begin the
fund with; and the subject seemed to grow in importance upon the view
of the Association, so that in 1791 they instructed the committee for fram¬
ing the rules to have a view to the incorporation of the General Commit¬
tee by Legislative act, and to its being invested with power, as a corpora¬
tion, by the Churches, " to recover and take into their possession all glebes,
or other property, belonging to Churches in this connexion, which either
are, 6r may beconje extinct, when liable to revert to the public, or become
private property, and apply the same to the interests of the Union." At
the same time resolving, that " due care ought to be taken to have the
business and powers of the Committee fully defined; and that they do
not interfere with the reserved rights and privileges of the Churches, as
independent bodies, either in things spiritual or temporal."
On this basis the rules were constructed, and published, the final adop¬
tion of them being referred until the next year: and accordingly, in No¬
vember, 1792, with the concurrence of the Association, the rules were
solemnly ratified and signed by the following persons, who had been dele¬
gated, from their Churches respectively, to form the Committee for that
year, viz.: Richard Furman, Henry Holcombe, Edmund Botsford, Alex¬
ander Scott, Bradley Rhame, Benjamin Mosely, Stephen Nixon, Isham
Gardner, and James Sweat. In the same year, on the petition of the
above named persons, the Committee was incorporated by the Legisla¬
ture.
In 1803, the mission to the Catawba Indians (which had been the sub¬
ject of inquiry for three years, and had been undertaken by the Associa¬
tion in 1802) was committed to the Special Committee ; and Wjhen the
Foreign Mission, in 1813, began to attract the attention of the Baptists in
the United States, the Special Committee, at the recommendation of the
Association, was enlarged by the appointment of a Corresponding Secre¬
tary, and two additional assistants, with a view to its becoming a centre of
union in relation to this class of benevolent efforts. This enlargement not
having been made in the constitutional way, and never strictly of force,
has been latterly dropped. The Committee, meanwhile, has continued to
receive and forward all contributions to the Foreign Mission, from whatever
quarter they may come.
Experience having shown the propriety of a revision of the Rules of the
General Committee, they were accordingly revised and published in 1833 :
and in 1834 were solemnly ratified, as will be here seen.
The following persons have been successively appointed to fill the offices
of the Committee, viz.:
Presidents.—Richard Furman, Joseph B. Cook, Basil Manly.
Secretaries.—Henry Holcombe, John Waldo, John M. Roberts, Wm.
B. Johnson, J. B. Cook, Robert Missildine, Charles D. Mallary, William
Riley, Wood Furman, Jesse Hartwell.
6
42
Minutes of the
Treasurers.—Wm. Cuttino, Thomas Screven, "Wm. Inglesby, Henry
Jones, David Adams, Josiah B. Furman, Aaron C. Smith.
Corresponding Secretaries.—Wood Furman, Josiah B. Furman, B.
Manly.
Further Particulars relating to the History of the General Committee.
[Submitted in 1835.]
Since the foregoing history was prepared, information has been received
that the formation of the General Committee was an original plan of its
first President; and was universally so considered at the time of its com¬
mencement. The Rev. Dr. Furman had been active in devising and ad¬
vocating measures for the general benefit of the Churches; to secure
which, the legal incorporation of the Association was contemplated. The
Association having sanctioned this measure, and signed a covenant drawn
up by him at their request in prosecution of it, was proceeding to its con¬
summation, by petitioning the Legislature, when the harmonious execution
of the plan was impeded by a difficulty existing in the mind of the Rev.
Mr. Botsford; who, while acting as Moderator of the meeting in Charles-
ton, in 1788, objected to the measure, as not being satisfied of its Scrip
tural propriety. From a regard to the judgment and feelings of this es
teemed friend, the business was suspended. The next year, a proposition
for raising a fund, for educating pious young Ministers, destitute of other
resources, was made, and unanimously adopted, and a general plan of ope¬
rations agreed on, which was matured and finally ratified at subsequent
meetings.
The early action of the Association in the cause of ministerial education,
appears to have been of very short duration, by reason of an accession to
the body, of a majority of Churches disaffected to that measure. The
"Religious Society" of Charleston, which was active in this liberal and
enlightened course, originated in 1755, previous to the business having
been taken up by the Association. In 1768 its rules were revised, its
plan enlarged, and the Society incorporated. By a constitutional rule, the
funds of the Society, in case of its extinction, were to be devoted to the
maintenance of the ministry of the Baptist Church in Charleston. Its
meetings having been discontinued before the formation of the General
Committee, and its design in a great measure superseded by the organ¬
ization of that body, the surviving members, about twenty years ago,
agreed to dissolve the Society, and gave up its property agreeably to the
constitutional provision.
AN ACT
to incorporate the General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Associ¬
ation Fund.
Whereas, the Rev. Richard Furman, Edmund Botsford, Alexander
Scott, Henry Holcombe, Benjamin Moseley, James Sweat, Bradley Rarae,
Charleston Baptist Association.
43
Isham Gardner, and Stephen Nixon, have, by their petition, prayed to be
incorporated, for certain pious and laudable purposes, by the name of
" The General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Association Fund."
I. Be it therefore enacted,' by the Honorable the Senate and House of
Representatives, now met and sitting in General Assembly, and by the au¬
thority of the same, That the said petitioners and their successors, ap¬
pointed, or elected, or to be appointed or elected, according to the form
and in the manner prescribed, or to be prescribed, by the rules and regu¬
lations of the said committee, shall be, and they are hereby incorporated
as a body politic and corporate, in deed and in law, by the name of " The
General'Committee for the Charleston Baptist Association Fund."
II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said
corporation, by their name aforesaid, shall have perpetual succession of
officers and members, to be appointed or elected in such manner, and ac¬
cording to such form, as may be prescribed by the rules and regulations
now existing, or hereafter to be made, for the government of the said cor¬
poration ; and that they shall have a common seal, with powers to change,
alter, and make new the said rules and regulations and common seal, as
often as they shall judge expedient.
III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said
corpoi^ion shall be able and capable in law to purchase, have, hold, take,
receiv^possess, retain, and enjoy, to itself, in perpetuity or for any term
of years, any estate, real and personal, of what kind or nature soever;
provided the same shall not produce an income exceeding one thousand
pounds sterling per annum, and to sell, alien, or otherwise dispose of the
same, as they may think proper; and by its said name to sue and be sued,
implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, in any Court of
Law or Equity in this State; and to make such rules and by-laws, (not
repugnant or contrary to the laws of the land,) as for the good order and
proper government of the said corporation, may by them be thought ne¬
cessary and expedient.
IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said
corporation shall and may have, hold, take, possess, retain, and enjoy all
such estates, real and personal, money, goods, chattels, and effects, as they
are now entitled unto. _ . .
Y. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That this Act
shall be deemed and taken as a public Act, and all Courts in this State
shall take notice thereof as such, and the same may be given in evidence
without special pleading.
In the Senate House, this twenty-first day of December, in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and in
the seventeenth year of the Independence of the United States
of America.
DAVID RAMSAY,
President of the Senate.
JACOB READ,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
44
Minutes of the
RULES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE.
[Adopted in 1834.]
I. This Committee shall be known and distinguished bj the nafne of
" The General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Association Fund."
II. The object of this Committee shall be to form and support a fun<b,
by means of the contributions of Churches and Societies, and of the sub-
scriptions, donations, bequests, &c., of individuals, and to apply said fund
to assist pious young men designed for the Gospel Ministry, and destitute
of other assistance, in obtaining education,—to forward Missions for the
spread of the Gospel at home and abroad,-—and generally such other re¬
ligious and public uses, as may be approved of by the Charleston Baptist
Association, or may be for the advancement of learning and religion.
III. The Committee shall be formed of Delegates and individuals, as
follows, viz.: Any regular Baptist Church sending the avails of a public
collection, taken up after a charity sermon of which due notice had been
given, shall be entitled to one Delegate. Any Society of persons formed
on the principles and usages of Baptists, and disposed to co-operate in
promoting the objects of the Committee, by sending the avails of their
annual subscription, shall be entitled to one Delegate. If a Chm^h, or
Society, should send more than twenty-five dollars, they shall be mtitled
to two delegates; if more than $50, to three Delegates, &c. But the
* number of Delegates from a Church, or Society, shall in no case exceed
four. Delegates shall present proper evidence of their respective appoint¬
ments to serve in the Committee.
Individuals, also, friendly to the objects of the Committee, of good moral
character, and agreeing generally with the Baptists in sentiment, (of which,
in disputed cases, a professed adherence to the Confession of Faith shall
be the test,) shall be admitted to the privileges of membership, by the pay¬
ment of five dollars annually.
This Committee shall meet annually at the same time and place with
the Association, and may likewise be members of that body: but are to
be considered as invested with a distinct power and trust, as members of
the Committee. They shall receive the collections, determine on the man¬
ner of applying the funds, according to the foregoing rule, and examine
applicants for the bounty of the fund.
The determination of all ordinary business shall be by a majority of all
the members present. But in matters out of the ordinary course, there
must be Delegates from nine Churches present, in order to do business ;
and in the majority necessary to pass a vote, there must also be a majority
of all the Delegates appointed for that meeting by the Churches of the
Charleston Baptist Association.
IV. The Committee shall be considered as a standing body, and the
election of members shall be for one year, or until a new election t
place; and if found necessary, they shall be empowered to meet occas
ally, during the term of their appointment, in the recess of the Associa¬
tion. At their annual meeting they shall chose a President, Treasurer,
and Secretary, to conduct the public business of the Committee; together
Charleston Baptist Association.
45
with two Assistants, to be either members of their body, or of the Churches
united in Association: which Assistants, with the officers, shall form a se¬
lect Committee, to transact such business as may be necessary, or which
may be committed to them, when the General Committee is not in ses¬
sion. A majority of the Special Committee shall be equal to business ;
they shall keep a book, and a regular record of their proceedings, to be
submitted to the General Committee at their annual meeting, or when
called on ; and of what shall be considered necessary business, the Gene¬
ral Committee shall always judge.
Y. The President shall preside in all meetings of the Committee, and
perform the duties of a Moderator, or Chairman. The Treasurer shall re¬
ceive and take care of- all moneys collected for the fund, and put it out on
interest, or otherwise dispose of it, as the Committee shall direct; keeping
a regular account of all moneys received or disbursed ; and for the faith¬
ful discharge of the duties of his office, shall give bond to the President
for double the value of all moneys1 or specialties lodged in his hands.
The Secretary shall keep a fair account of all transactions of the Gene¬
ral Committee.
VI. The President shall contract for the education of such persons as
are taken on the bounty of the Committee, and the expenses consequent
thereon shall be paid by the Treasurer, on the President's written order,
VII. Persons applying for the benefit of this fund, must come well re¬
commended by the Churches to which they respectively belong, and must
appear, on examination, to be truly pious, of evangelical principles, of
good natural abilities, and desirous of devoting themselves to the work of
the ministry. If more candidates apply than can be received, preference
shall be given, first, to those who are members of Churches belonging to
the Charleston Association: and secondly, to those who are most promis¬
ing. But a candidate once received, shall not be dismissed to make room
for any other, until he shall have completed the course of study which the
Committee may think proper for him.
VIII. When a person is received as above, his general course of study,
and the period to be allotted to it, shall be named by the Committee, sub¬
ject to revision and alteration, as may afterwards prove expedient: each
beneficiary shall be considered as coming under peculiar obligations to
submit to the government and direction of the Committee, while pursuing
a course of study: and he shall be liable to refund the money which shall
be laid out on his education, within four years after said education is
finished, if he does not enter on the work of the ministry, to the satisfac¬
tion of the Committee, within that time: and the Treasurer shall pay no
money out of the funds for the expenses of any beneficiary, until a bond
to this effect, duly executed, is lodged in his hands.
IX. At every annual meeting of the Committee, each student on their
bounty will be expected to give, by letter or otherwise, a general account
of his studies and progress ; and the President shall be charged with the
duty of regularly bringing to the notice of the Committee the most im¬
partial information he can obtain on the matter. All the students of this
Committee shall be considered as under their care and inspection with res¬
pect to their moral and religious conduct; and if any of them, while pur*
46
Minutes of the
suing their education, shall embrace principles subversive of the great
truths of the Gospel, or abandon themselves to a negligent, or irreligious
course of life, they shall, on proper evidence of the fact, and after suitable
endeavors to reclaim them, (should these prove ineffectual,) be dismissed.
X. As it is desirable that a power and right should be lodged in some
competent body to take possession of the property of extinct Baptist
Churches, and prevent the liability of such property to revert to individu¬
als, or to the public,—and as the Legislature of South Carolina incorpora¬
ted this Committee with the distinct understanding that the exercise of
this power and right was a part of their object, it is hereby provided that
this Committee shall accept a trust for this purpose with respect to all
Churches in the Charleston Baptist Association, which may apply to them
and invest them with suitable authority.
And in case any of the Churches in this Association shall ever become
extinct, and the property which belonged to them be liable to be diverted
from the original pious intentions of the donors thereof, the Committee
shall endeavor to obtain all such property, and shall apply it, when ob¬
tained, to the purposes of the trusts which attached to it at the time of
extinction; or if these be unknown, then to the common good of the
Churches comprehended within the Charleston Baptist Assoc:ation.
The Association shall have a concurrent vote on all this second class of
cases, provided the same be exercised at the same concurrent sitting.
XI. As inconvenience may arise from an insufficient representation, it is
hereby declared, that any three delegates duly convened at the anniversary
meeting, shall be a quorum for the transaction of all ordinary business re¬
lative to the funds, and may make such appropriations of money as are
sanctioned by the rules, and established by the common usage of the Com¬
mittee.
XII. No alterations or amendments shall be made to these rules, but
after being moved for in the Committee, at an annual meeting twelve
months before such alterations take place, and being agreed to by two-
thirds of the members.
Form of a Devise, or Bequest, to the General Committee.
" I give, devise, and bequeath to ' the General Committee for the
Charleston Baptist Association Fund,' all that (describe the property) to
be held, used, and enjoyed by them and their successors, by whatever name
they may be known, according to the principles and purposes declared in
the present, or any future charter or rules of the same. And the receipt
of the Treasurer for the time being of the said corporation, shall be a suffi¬
cient discharge to my Executors."
Form of a Devise, or Bequest, to any Church, and, in case of extinction,
to the General Committee.
" I give, devise, and bequeath to (name the Church) all that (describe
the property) to be held, used, and enjoyed by them and their successors,
Charleston Baptist Association.
47
by whatever name they may be known, according to the principles and
purposes declared in the present, or any future charter or rules of the same.
And the receipt of the Treasurer for the time being of the said corpora ¬
tion, shall be a sufficient discharge to my Executors. And if, at any time
hereafter, the said corporation shall become extinct, and in possession of
said property, then, and in that case, I give, devise, and bequeath the same
to 'the General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Association Fund,'
to be by them applied to the purposes of their Institution."
Form of a Bequest to the Board of Home Missions.
"T give unto the ' General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Asso¬
ciation Fund,' the sum of dollars, for the use of the Board
of Home Missions of said Association; and for which the receipt of the
Treasurer of said General Committee shall be a sufficient discharge."
AN
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE,
DELIVERED BEFORE THE
CHARLESTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,
AT ITS
HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY,
HELD IN CHARLESTON IN NOVEMBER, 1851.
BY JAMES C. FURMAN, A. M.
Professor Sacred Rhetoric, &c., in Furman Theological Institution
CHARLESTON:
PRINTED BY A. J. BURKE, 40 BROAD-STREET.
1851.
Charleston, 4th Nov., 1851.
Rev. James C. Fueman,
Dear Brother :
In pursuance of our appointment, we take pleasure in transmitting the subjoined
resolution to you, passed unanimously by the Charleston Baptist Association, at its
present, the Centenaiy Session of said Body, and in uniting our expression of the va¬
luable service you have rendered, by special request, to the Association and the cause
of religion, in the preparation and delivery of the " able and interesting historical ser¬
mon" before that Body, on this Anniversary.
We further solicit youi' compliance with the request in the resolution contained,
viz.:
" Resolved, that the thanks of this Association be tendered to the Reverend James
C. Furman, for the able and interesting historical sermon delivered, by request, before
this, the Centennial Session of this Body; and that he be respectfully requested to fur¬
nish a copy for publication, in the Minutes of this meeting."
We are truly and fraternally yours in christian bonds,
Dear Brethren :
I do not feel myself at liberty to decline such a request as that which you have
tendered to me in behalf of the Association, The manuscript shall therefore be at
your disposal.
With a grateful sense of the personal kindness which you have taken occasion to
express, in conveying to me the resolution of the Association; and with warm chris¬
tian regards, I am yours in our common Lord and Saviour,
Charleston, Nov. 4, 1851.
JAMES C. FURMAN.
SERMON.
Deut. 32: 7. " Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generation^."
Among the most important and interesting phenomena of the human
mind is the expectation of the future. Considered as a mere looking
forward to time to come, it is shared by man in common with irrational
creatures. Beasts, birds, and insects anticipate future days. " The stork
in the heaven knoweth her appointed season, and the turtle, and the
erane, and the swallow, observe the time of their coming.'' The winter's
hive is crowded with a thoughtful population, enjoying the fruits of their
foresight; and the cell of the ant affords equal evidence of wise provision
for future necessities. In man, however, no season, no measure of months
for years, not even the term of earthly existence, limits his anticipation.
Human hope includes an expectation which gazes toward the infinite To
" fear an end" is horrible. The soul, at all awake to its own character, is
conscious of mighty desires springing forward toward the unknown and
the endless; desires which, while eminently significant of our destiny, are
among the most vigorous and the most numerous impulsions of our na¬
ture.
Associated with this attribute of rational beings is the power to review
the past. The former, indeed, without the latter, would be a blind in¬
stinct. For competent as it may be to creative power to form beings in
no way dependent for a knowledge of the future upon the experience or
study of the past, creatures whose splendid intuition should make them in¬
stant masters of the knowledge appropriate to their own sphere,—it is cer¬
tain that the Creator has not produced such creatures in producing man.
Formed as we are, the past is in every sense necessary to the future. The
knowledge derived from the past is indispensable to the knowledge of the
future, either as affording the means of illustration, or as constituting the
material of reasoning. The past, then, is an ample store-house, whose
wards are full of precious things, and wise reflection is the master- key
wlrch unlocks the treasure.
Of the knowledge of the past, the most interesting and impressive is
that which relates to persons, and especially that which relates to indivi¬
duals. So superior is the knowledge which relates to persons, to that
which relates to things, that the latter derives the larger part of its value
from the connexion of things wilh persons. And this knowledge acquires
its highest interest, when it assumes the minute and specific character of
individual history. A true biography of any human being would, with¬
out fail, excite universal interest—a fact to which two British essayists, in
some respects very much alike, though in others very dissimilar, Johnson
and Carlyle, have, each in his own characteristic manner, adverted. We
read the Pentateuch with a deeper interest in Moses, than in the whole
college of the Seventy Elders. And in view of this fact, we may be al¬
lowed by the way to remark, that we are furnished with a striking and ef-
52
An Historical Discourse.
fective proof of the goodness of God, in employing the history of the ma*
Christ Jesus as a medium of religious instruction. We can conceive of
no work of a different form equal to The Gospels in the power to awaken
attention, to touch the heart, to stamp impressions on the memory, to affect,
indeed, all the powers and capacities of man's nature, which are affected
when that nature is subjected to the process of tuition.
Next, as we have intimated, to the knowledge of individual man, stands
the knowledge of social man. To communicate this knowledge is the great
end of history. _
Of the societies into which mankind are gathered, each class derives its
interest from various sources. Among these sources are their origin, the
ends at which they aim, the principles by which they are governed, arid,
in some cases, the personal character of their founders, and that of their
members. Societies have existed in the regions of barbarism, yet we scarce¬
ly regret the absence of records, where only the lowest wants of man's na¬
ture have been regarded, and even these in a most imperfect manner. The
most meagre annals of one generation in a Caffrarian kraal, would extin¬
guish our thirst for further knowledge of their history. Societies have ex¬
isted amid the blaze of civilization, but their objects have been trivial and
frivolous. Amusement and sport were their sole design. They have
ceased to exist, and no one regrets that their memorial is perished with
them. Other societies under the same circumstances have been formed,
which have aspired to more solid results. They have aimed to increase
and to diffuse knowledge. Under their labors colleges have arisen, libra¬
ries have been gathered, minds have been educated, and coy science drawn
from her natural retreats, has been persuaded to open her luminous pages,
and sit down to the work of teaching mankind the truth of things. Such
societies are the boast of nations—and justly so, for they are blessings to
mankind. Kingdoms and states are societies of another class : and where
they accomplish their legitimate end, secure the civil rights of the indivi¬
duals subject to their dominion. The scope of their operation is exceeding¬
ly wide, and the accomplishment of their design exceedingly important;
and these topics, viz., the character and doings of civil societies, form the
great burden of history. There is yet another class of human societies,
which lays claim to higher consideration than that which is due to any
other. It claims the peculiar sanction of a divine origin^ for, in a higher
sense than civil government, it has God for its author. Its ends are the
most exalted that any creature, or any society of creatures, can contem¬
plate ; for it embraces the glory of the Divine Being, and the greatest pos¬
sible good of the universal family of man. Its principles are the pure,
fixed, eternal verities of God's moral government; for where it is true to
itself, true to its obligations and designs, it believes nothing, does nothing,
teaches nothing, but what has been divinely taught, or divinely command¬
ed ; while the men by whose labors societies of this class may have been
gathered, and the persons embraced within them have for the most part
been among ''the excellent of the earth," characters lustrous in the eyes
of angels, because clothed with that highest beauty, the beauty of moral
worth.
Such is the true character in which a Church of Jesus Christ stands be-
An Historical Discourse.
53
fore us. And if to the Israelites, gathered into the theocratic society of
which they were members, reason and a divine command made it a duty to
review the past, to " remember the days of old," and to " consider the
years of many generations," it is surely incumbent on us to do so, in res¬
pect of the Churches of Christ; more particularly when occasions arise,
which strongly remind us of the lapse of time, and which, as they give us
an elevated stand-point, where we may pause and look back, afford us the
best preparation for our future journey.
Such an occasion is the present. In the good providence of God, the
Charleston Baptist Association is just completing its hundredth year. We
are naturally reminded of the great events in the history of human kind,
with which the scroll of this century is written within and without—the
changes of empire,—the progress of nations,—the discoveries of science,—
the improvements of art,—the establishment of the noblest republic the
world has ever seen, and the ominous cracking of its foundations,—the re¬
suscitation in Christendom of the Apostolic idea of duty to the Heathen,—
the appearance of remarkable men, of the Cincinnatus of modern history,—
of the soldier who, with the blood of nations, has written his name along with
those of Alexander, and Caesar, and Charlemagne,—and of the modern Paul,
that man of a martyr spirit, who aroused American Christianity from her
slumbers over the unrelieved agonies of perishing paganism, and seizing her
hand, conducted her timid steps to the field where she might reap honor
to her Master, and joy to herself;—who, like Moses bringing water from
the smitten rock for a thirsting multitude, has given a translated Bible to
ignorant millions—who, having actually resisted unto blood striving
against sin, and bearing in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus, like a
warrior covered with scars of honor, and never conquered, sank in the heat
of combat, "with his back to the field, and his face to the foe." and has
found a sublime repose in the most fitting cemetery which earth could af¬
ford ; where, to the eye and the ear of faith, the light of heaven illumi¬
nates the epitaph which the solemn winds unceasingly rehearse. "The
sea shall give up its dead," and " They that turn many to righteousness
shall shine as the stars for ever and ever." Such events form parts of the
magnificent picture of the last hundred years: but, though we are re¬
minded of them, yet our business does not allow us to consider them.
Like the traveller, who, from some lofty peak, has gazed with sublime emo¬
tions upon the wide amphitheatre of mountains—its thousand pinnacles
tipped with the gold of the setting sun—and then descending, has felt the
play of other, but not less grateful feelings, as he has entered a sequestered
valley, and made his way amid its quiet cottages, we pass these things by,
to attend to others, which belong to the class of the less observed of human
events.
A full review of the history of the Charleston Association would dwell
upon accounts of the men by whom it was founded, and of those by whom
its affairs have subsequently been conducted. This is an inviting field, but
we cannot enter it now. Of these men of God, whose works in other res¬
pects follow them, the written and the printed memorials are indeed imper¬
fect ; yet they constitute materials for a fuller notice than it would be prac¬
ticable, under present circumstances, to take. Our retrospect must be con-
54
An Historical Discourse.
fined to the progress of the body itself over the pathway of the past. If,
from her starting place to the stile at which she now rests, she has pursued
her course, guided by the way-marks of truth and duty—then her way will
have been as Wisdom's way, " pleasantness," and " peace-,"—the pleasant¬
ness of usefulness to men, and the peace of the divine approval.
With the Charleston Baptist Association thus before us, a question natu¬
rally arises, What is an Association ? To this question we answer : An As¬
sociation is a body made up of " delegates from Churches voluntarily ap¬
pointing such delegates to represent them, for the purpose of consulting
and acting with other Churches upon matters of common interest." There
is an early document of the Charleston Association, under the flame of A
Summary of Church Discipline, and which really served for years as the
constitution of the body, in which, respecting Associations, it is said, "such
a conjunction of Churches is not expressly commanded in Scripture; yet
it receives sufficient countenance from the light of nature, and the general
laws of society; but more especially from a precedent established by Apos¬
tolical authority, recorded Acts xv. chap."* Further, it is said, " The As¬
sociation thus formed is a respectable body, as it represents not a city, coun¬
try, or nation, but the Churches of Jesus Christ. Yet it is by no means to
be deemed a superior judicature vested with coercive power or authority
over the Churches: it presumes not to impose its sentiments on its consti¬
tuents on pain of excommunication; nor doth it anathematize those who
do not implicitly submit to its determinations," &c. " The Baptist Asso¬
ciation, therefore, arrogates no higher title than that of an Advisory Coun¬
cil, consistently with which epithet it ought ever to act, when it acts at all,
without intruding on the rights of independent congregational Churches, or
usurping authority over them : Matt, xxiii. 10-12." These views are sub¬
stantially re-affirmed in the Constitution adopted at the ninety-ninth anni¬
versary.
The references here made to " Churches," make it necessary to enquire
into the meaning of the term Church, as understood by Baptists, when ap¬
plied to an organized society upon earth. In " The Summary of Church
Discipline" we have this language " A particular Gospel Church consists
of a company of saints incorporated by a special covenant into one distinct
body, and meeting together in one place, for the enjoyment of fellowship
with each other, and with Christ their head, in all his institutions, to their
mutual edification, and the glory of God, through the Spirit." (Sum. of
Disc. p. 4.) " A Gospel-Church is not national but congregational." " A
Church *** has the *** power of government within itself, having Christ
for its head, and his law for its rule. It has the power and privilege of
choosing its own officers, Acts vi. 3, xiii. 2; exercising its own discipline,
Matt, xviii. 17 ; and of administering the word and ordinances for the edi¬
fication and comfort of its members, Acts ii. 46. All which, with every
other act of discipline, each distinct Church may exercise, without being
* It is to be regretted that this article does not define in what particulars, and
to what extent, this case is to be regarded as a precedent. There was a peculiarity
in that case which can never exist in any other, viz., the presence of Apostles.
Art Historical Discourse.
55
subject to the cognizance of any other Church, Presbytery, Synod, or Coun¬
cil, whatever : 1 Cor. v. 12, Matt, xviii. 17." Sum. of C. D. pp. 5, 6.)
These views Baptists profess to hold as the result of a strict interpreta¬
tion of the sacred records. To borrow a phrase from the vocabulary of
politics, they are strict constructionists. With them scriptural precepts
are authoritative to the very letter, except in the case where the reason of a
precept is apparent, and that reason would demand a departure from the
letter, in order to secure compliance with the spirit of a precept. Thus
they do not feel themselves bound to anoint their heads when they fast,
since this was commanded the hearers of our Lord in order that they might
avoid public notice; and the doing of it now, would invite that notice.
With this exception, they consider themselves bound to yield exact obedi¬
ence to divine commands. In like manner the form given to the Churches,
founded by the Apostles, and the conduct of those Churches under the train¬
ing of those inspired teachers, they regard as authoritative examples—the
highest style of precedents. It is no argument with them, that there is no-
section of the New Testament which treats exclusively, and at length, upon
the nature of a Church of Christ: its form, its officers, its government, its
ends. There is no one spot in nature where flowers and vegetables grow
according to scientific arrangement—and yet the classifications of botany
only reveal the plan of the Creator. The Scriptures themselves give us their
great doctrinal truths without exact method, yet none can doubt that a per¬
fect system underlies them all. In the absence of any such special treatise,
they find the inspired writers employing the word church " in the singular
number upward of fifty times, and the word churches upward of thirty
times," as denoting the idea of "a society of believers, who meet in one
place for the worship of God, and for the united observance of the ordi¬
nances of the gospel." (Crowell's Church Member's Manual, p. 35.) In
such authority as this, they, as has been said of Roger Williams, " feel the
rocky foundations of their strength."
To those who object to the principle of their interpretation, and who plead
for a laxer rule, they reply, that an Apostle commended a Church for keep¬
ing the ordinances as they had been delivered unto them.
They acknowledge no sympathy with those latitudinarian views, which
allow human notions of expediency to determine the forms of church or¬
ganizations, so that, chamelion-like, they shall vary with the varying hues-
of neighboring objects. They dare not take the stand of a great modern
master of Ecclesiastical history, Neander, who, while he admits a particu¬
lar form as given to the Churches by the Apostles, " under the direction of
the Spirit of God,"—and further admits that " it was best adapted to the
circumstances and relations of the Church at that time," and " was also
best suited to the extension of the Churches in their peculiar condition, and
for the development of the inward principles of their communion, yet as¬
sumes that, excepting the great principles of truth on which the Church
was united, every thing "is mutable:" that "forms" "may change with
every change of circumstances." " Particular forms of Church Govern¬
ment," he says, " may be more or less suited to the nature of the Chris¬
tian Church; and we may add, no one is absolutely perfect, neither are-
all alike good under all circumstances." (Colman's Prim. Ch. Introd. by
50
An Historical Discourse.
N.) Now, to Baptists, a practice pursued under the sanction of inspired
men, is the highest reason for their adopting it, provided principles taught
by the same men do not forbid their doing so.
To those who question the accuracy of their interpretation of the sa¬
cred record, they refer to the very strong corroboration of their views de¬
rived from most unquestionable sources. In reference to the earliest
Churches, Mosheim says : " Each individual Church which had a Bishop,
or Presbyter, of its own, assumed to itself the form and rights of a little
distinct republic, or commonwealth ; and with regard to its internal con¬
cerns, was wholly regulated by a code of laws, that, if they did not origi¬
nate with, had at least received the sanction of the people constituting
such Church." To the same effect says Neander: " In regard to the re¬
lations of the Presbyters to the Churches, they were appointed not to ex¬
ercise unlimited authority, but to act as the leaders and rulers of ecclesias¬
tical republics; to transact every thing in connection with the Church, not
as lords of the same, but as its servants." (C. Prim. Ch. p. 48.) Again,
we have this statement from Mosheim: " Although all the Churches were,
in this first stage of Christianity, united together in one common bond of
faith and love, and were in every respect ready to promote the interest and
welfare of each other by a reciprocal interchange of good offices, yet, with
regard to government and internal economy, every individual Church con¬
sidered itself as an independent community, none of them ever looking
beyond the circle of its own members for assistance, or recognizing any
sort of external influence, or authority. Neither in the New Testament,
nor in any ancient document whatever, do we find any thing recorded,
from which it might be inferred that any of the minor Churches were at
ail dependent on, or looked up- for direction to those of greater magnitude
or consequence. On the contrary, several things occur therein which put
it out of all doubt, that every one of them enjoyed the same rights, and
was considered as being on a footing of the most perfect equality with the
rest." (Id. pp. 48, 49.) Time would fail us to quote the other authori¬
ties which support the same view. We would only refer to two names.
The first is that of Sir Peter King, (afterward Lord High Chancellor of
England,) author of " An Inquiry into the Constitution, Discipline, Unity,
and Worship of the Primitive Church," &c. In reference to this work,
Mr. Wesley says, in his Journal: " On the road I read over Lord King's
account of the Primitive Church. In spite of the vehement prejudice of
my education, I was ready to believe that his was a fair and impartial
draught: but, if so, it would follow that Bishops and Presbyters are (es¬
sentially) of one order: and that, originally, every Christian congregation
was a Church independent on all others." This conviction, no doubt, was
the basis of that impassioned expostulation which the earnest old man
made to Dr. Coke, against his assuming prelatical distinctions.
The other name to which we refer, is that of the present Archbishop of
Dublin, to whose intellect a higher compliment can scarcely be paid than
has been paid to it, in the fact that Alexander Carson pronounces him the
ablest logician of the age. " Though there was one Lord, one faith, one
baptism for all of these," says Dr. Whately, in reference to the early
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$1
Churches, u yet they were each a distinct, independent community on
earth, united by the common principles on which they were founded by
their mutual agreement, affection, and respect; but not having any one
recognized head on earth, or acknowledging any sovereignty of one of
those societies over others . . . Each Bishop originally presided over
one entire Church." (Kingdom of Christ, pp. .110, 136.)
With this unquestionable testimony in support of the correctness of
their own opinions respecting the character of the primitive Churches, and
satisfied of the obligation to adhere to them as model institutions, the
Baptists would cling to the independence of the Churches, if they could
see no reason for preferring one form to another. Such, however, is not
the case. Beside that highest of all reasons which is found in what they
regard as the Divine appointment, they see other reasons which lie in the
very nature of Church independence, considered as a system for the pro¬
motion of holiness. Two of these reasons we must mention. The first is,
the independence of the Churches sets up an effectual barrier against the
danger of worldliness, arising from the accumulation of power in the
hands of ecclesiastical officers. Where single persons have control over
large numbers of other persons, political parties and ambitious men re¬
gard their opposition as formidable, and consequently court their favor.
If this control is the spontaneous natural result of the possession of emi¬
nent virtue, that very virtue is a guarantee against its misuse. On the
contrary, if it is an appendage of official station, it becomes a dangerous
power, since it subjects him who wields it to constant solicitations to its
misuse. To this danger, (against which the Great Head of the Church
has set up a safeguard in the independence of the Churches,) the mem¬
bers of a hierarchy are signally exposed. Ecclesiastical History, falsely so
called, made up, as it is, of accounts of provincial Churches, and state
religions,—those human improvements on a divine plan—is full of facts
which illustrate this view. It shows us scenes where, instead of piety, we
witness intrigue with its whisperings and low contrivances, and envy with
its colorless lips, and fierce anger with its glaring eye, and its quick, hot
breath—it shows us u vaulting ambition" displaying itself as zeal for the
Lord of Hosts; it shows us men absolutely, preeminently worldly—
proud, deceitful, and cruel—calling themselves the servants of Jesus
Christ—servants of the meek and lowly Jesus!
These are evils which can never exist among those who, believing, in
their simplicity, that " the foolishness of God is wiser than men," can
never be induced to surrender the independence of the Churches for any
form that human policy can suggest.
Immortal honor has settled upon the brow of the founder of Rhode
Island—the first statesman building up a government upon the acknow¬
ledged rights of conscience as the corner-stone. But the chief glory of
Roger Williams is not a political discovery—but the honest carrying out
of the Hew Testament idea of what constitutes a Church. Let the world
adopt these views, and religious persecution comes to a perpetual end. It
is some times said every sect has persecuted in its turn. The charge is
untrue. The Baptists—from a sentiment very different from denomina¬
tional pride—may glory in their ability to plead not guilty to the charge,
58
An Historical Discourse.
and in the fact that they never can persecute while they adhere to God's
word.
The other reason which we propose to mention, is the bearing of this
system of Church order upon individual character. Much is gained for
human virtue, whether in the family, the State, or the Church, when each
member is impressed with a sense of personal moral accountability. It is
important to prevent the individual's feeling himself lost in the mass. In
bodies which have their own government in their own hands, whose mem¬
bers chose their own officers, and interpret and apply their laws, this vital
sentiment—the sense of responsibility—is kept in healthful activity. And
if, on this principle, the republic is a school for the development of the
highest grade of citizen character, on the same principle, the independent
Church is the best organization for the cultivation of that type of Chris¬
tian character, which results from social influences.
Long as we have dwelt upon this topic, we cannot dismiss it without
adverting to an objection sometimes made to our theory of Church organ¬
ization. The objection is founded on the alleged weakness of independent
Churches. It is assumed that, considering Church organization as an in¬
strument of power for the accomplishment of purposes where union is ne¬
cessary to results aimed at, a number of members distributed into inde¬
pendent Churches would be weaker than the same number congregated
into one mass, and brought under the action and control of a strong cen¬
tral power. We grant that this is so in some cases. At the same time,
we do not allow that the weakness, which is thus admitted, is an argu¬
ment against the Divine origin of the plan of government in which it is
found. For on what does the weakness depend % The only real hinder-
ances to union and efficiency among Independent Churches, are ignorance
of the Scriptures, and a sickly piety—the want of light, and the want of
love. Give them light and love, and they are strong enough for all pur¬
poses. The oneness of views, and the genuine sympathies which spring
out of an enlightened piety, draw such Churches together in the prosecu¬
tion of common ends; and just in proportion as just principles prevail
among them, and right feelings sway their hearts, will their union be de¬
lightful, strong, and efficacious. No ecclesiastical body in America can
compare with the Congregationalists, in the extent of their efforts to spread
among the heathen the knowledge of salvation. Baptist Associations are
feeble bodies, hanging loosely together, and accomplishing little, only
where God's word is little studied, and true religion is low. On the other
hand, where personal piety flourishes, the same bodies are instinct with
life, bound together by a three-fold cord, and laboriously active in the
promotion of holiness, although it may be, like their Divine Exemplar,
noiselessly^ and without parade. Now we ask, whether it is not probable
beforehand that a holy God, who has given his word, and who imparts his
spirit for the promotion of holiness on earth, would, in establishing^ hu¬
man societies for the same purpose, make knowledge and holiness indis¬
pensable conditions of their success ? If, in the absence of these, inde¬
pendent Churches are weak, is that weakness any evidence that their or¬
ganization is not from God ? Nay, were they efficient, while these ele¬
ments of sacred power were wanting, would not that fact constitute just
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59
ground to fear that they were contrivances of human policy ? Does not
the very necessity for knowledge of the truth, and for love of the truth,
under which they are placed, authenticate their system as from God ? Is
not, in fine, the simple arrangement of Church independency, the Divine
handwriting renewing an ancient but most important lesson, " Not by
might nor by wisdom, nor by power: but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of
Hosts."
If the opinions which we have now expressed be just, we see that a
Church of Jesus Christ is a society of its own kind, (sui generis.) It has
no perfect types in any human society. It is subject to the will of an ab¬
solute sovereignty, yet it differs from any monarchy in the part which its
members perform in interpreting and applying the laws which govern it.
It is not a republic, for its tribunals consist not of representatives, but of
the whole body. It is not a democracy, for no vote of the largest majo¬
rity can change the constitutional code. It is, in fact, as Alexander Car¬
son, in his " Reasons for separating from the General Synod of Ulster,"
has styled it, a Ckristocracy. And this was the idea which the fathers of
the Charleston Association expressed, when they said, " An Association is
a respectable body, as it represents not a city, country, or nation, but the
Churches of Jesus Christ."
In looking back, then, upon the past history of the Charleston Associa¬
tion, the question, which justly takes precedence of all others, is, have the
inalienable rights of the Churches been respected ? Another union—a
union for secular purposes—the theory of which, in the mind of the sage
of Monticello, is said to have been a reflection of Baptist usages, has risen
in giant proportions before mankind. It is at this moment a subject of
painful study. Eyes which once delighted to gaze upon its past as glori¬
ous, and full of thrilling reminiscences, now look to its future as portent¬
ous. The mere agent, it is feared, will supplant his employers; and as
the most formidable of all tyrants is the crowned slave, sober minds begin
to apprehend the destruction of the most sacred rights,—the rights of
conscience, of property, and of life,—under an unwieldy usurpation, ren¬
dered the more odious by the value of the principles it will have trodden
down, in its ascent to power. From this scene we turn to a union not of
States, but of Churches; and we ask, how have these men, who fear God,
demeaned themselves? They have passed not three, but four quarters of a
century. In all that time, has any Church complained of a trespass on its
rights ? There has not .been a whisper of complaint. And the harmony
which subsists to-day through all your borders, is an impressive lesson on
the importance of respecting the fundamental principles of a compact—a
beautiful comment on the truth—that " the effect of righteousness is
peace."
So far as we have been able to examine the recorded doings of the As¬
sociation, there has been a tender and scrupulous regard to what belongs
to the Churches. If there' be a solitary exception, it is found in the rather
synodical tone of a resolution of 1839, in which a menace of expulsion is
made against a Church that might fail to adopt the course, in regard to
ordination, recommended by the Association the preceding year. The
spirit of this resolution is in so strong contrast with the customary spirit
60
An Historical Discourse.
of the Association, and with the spirit of former resolutions upon the very
same subject, (1791,) that we can account for its passage only on the sup¬
position of inadvertence. We feel very sure that as an act of the body it
is a dead letter. Ordinarily the body has, with modest dignity, given the
gravest counsels as respectful recommendations to the Churches.
This brings us to consider the manner in which the Association has ful¬
filled its functions as an Advisory Council. "In the multitude of coun¬
sellors there is safetyfor the same questions will appear in different as¬
pects to different minds; and even an inferior mind will sometimes aid a
stronger one to solve a difficulty, which either of them alone could not
have mastered. This is one reason for the ^alue of religious counsel.
Again. We are so constituted, that in addition to the affections—say
of reverence, admiration, love, Ac.—excited by truth itself, there are af¬
fections of a like kind produced by the character of the sources whence,
or the channels through which, the truth is derived to us. The same
words uttered by one person may offend—if uttered by another may be
heard with indifference—or if by a third person, may deeply touch our
feelings. In this fact lies the philosophy of the Divine rule for religious,
teachers, " speaking the truth in loveit being a general law, founded
on the principle of " like -producing like," that the instructor who is moved
by sincere affection for the taught, will excite a sentiment in them answer¬
ing to his own. No more interesting and promising relation between the
givers and the receivers of instruction can exist, than does exist between a
serious religious people, and their own counsellors and guides, chosen by
themselves, and imbosomed in their confidence, respect, and affection.
Now this is but the picture of a connexion between an Association and the
members of the Churches composing the union. The answers to numer¬
ous queries from the Churches, and the circular letters, (which are extant,)
show how well, in the case, before us, this relationship has been fulfilled.
Some of these queries were so easy of solution, that there
would seem to have been no special reason for putting them: but they
are honored with patient and respectful answers. Others were of a kind
which pious people, with limited means of information, might well be ex¬
pected to entertain. To these, also, apposite responses are given in the
same spirit of kind consideration. Others still, were of a kind which
would originate in minds looking acutely into moral questions, and search¬
ing diligently for the will of God—and to these, answers were returned full
of deep spiritual wisdom. A compilation of these answers—touching, as
they do, upon points of Church polity, Church discipline, Christian doc¬
trine, and Christian ethics—would be a valuable manual. It would con¬
tain the results of grave and elaborate thought upon subjects on which
many minds, without aid, find it difficult to decide. Of how much use
they were, as they were delivered to relieve the doubts of the conscien¬
tious, we may conjecture. As to the Circular Letters, we might speak of
the solid thought, and, the chaste and masculine style by which many of
them, at least, are distinguished. But we pass them by to say—what is
more relevant to our present purpose—that they are characterized by a
deep and fervent spirit of piety. He who reads them, will feel himself in
communion with men who feared God, and were pursuing His glory with
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61
a steadfast and an earnest aim. A volume of these would take their
place in that class of books which, had they the gift of speech, might say,
" We have an unction from the Holy One;"—books, in the perusal of
which, the reader is conscious that his vision is introverted, his conscience
quickened, and his best affections deeply stirred; books, which constitute
the gold and the precious stones of literature.
In Apostolic times, the members of certain Churches sent aid to others
more destitute than themselves. From particular Churches, Ministers re¬
ceived compensation for labors bestowed on others. " I robbed other
Churches," says Paul to the Corinthian Church, " taking wages of them to
do you service." And in some instances, Churches were united in these
acts of holy enterprize and kindness. Such an association certainly ex¬
isted among " the Churches of Macedonia." A " brother whose praise in
the Gospel was in all the Churches," was chosen by the Churches of Ma¬
cedonia to accompany the Apostle Paul as an almoner of their bounty.
To this brother, and to another whom he " had oftentimes proved diligent
in many things," the Apostle refers, by saying—" if our brethren be en¬
quired of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of
Christ." Has the Charleston Association been conformed to this model ?
This is our third enquiry.
There are no printed Minutes of the body extant earlier than those of
1 *775. And the original "Minutes Book," of which Dr. Manly had the
use, in the preparation of his " Discourse, containing some Fragments of
the History of the Baptist Church in Charleston, S. C."* has unfortunately
been lost. This much, however, we know, that in 1755, they entered
upon the work of Missions in the State. A noble example ! For their
numbers must have been very small—but three Churches being present at
the formation of the body; and the whole number in 17*75, after a lapse
of twenty-four years, being only nine. Like ancient Israel, prepared by
the discipline of trials for works of faith and labors of love, they seem to
have learned not to " despise the day of small things." And though be¬
holders who knew not the ground of their confidence might have said:
" What do these feeble Jews ? Even that which they build, if a fox go up,
he shall even break down their stone wall;" yet they themselves, conscious
of their true resources, would have said: " The God of Heaven, he will
prosper us; therefore, we his servants will arise and build." Providence
signally seconded their efforts. Their first "messenger" was an eminent
man of God—" as an itinerant inferior to none but Whitfield." This was
John Gano. Mr. Gano went to his grave after having labored, with dis¬
tinguished success, in the South, the North, and the West, in various capa¬
cities, as a Missionary, a Chaplain in the Army during the Revolutionary
War, and as a Pastor. He raised the standard around which baptized
believers first gathered in New-York city. Of him, a friend who loved
him " much in the Lord," but whose judgment was never betrayed by his
feelings, has said: "As a Minister of Christ, he shone as a star of the
first magnitude in the American Churches, and moved in a widely ex-
* This discourse we have used as authority for some of the statements in this
discourse.
62
An Historical Discourse.
tended field of action. For this office God had endowed him with a large
portion of grace, and with excellent gifts. He lived to a good old age ;
served his generation according to the will of God; saw his posterity mul¬
tiplying around him; his country independent, free, and happy; the
Church of Christ, for which he felt and labored, advancing; and thus he
closed his eyes in peace, his heart expanding with the sublime hope of im¬
mortality and heavenly bliss. Like John the harbinger of our Redeemer,
" he was a burning and a shining light, and many rejoiced in his light."
Resembling the sun, he rose with morning brightness, advanced regularly
to his station of meridian splendor, and then declined with mild effulgence
till he disappeared without a cloud to intercept his rays, or obscure his
glory
In the Minutes of 1775 we have this entry : " Agreed to recommend to
our Churches, to contribute to the relief of our brethren suffering under
ecclesiastical oppressions in the Massachusetts Bay. And that the money
raised be sent to the Rev. Oliver Hart, to be by him remitted to the Rev.
Isaac Bachus, for that purpose."
In the difficulties with the mother country in which Massachusetts be¬
came involved, South Carolina was the first of the Colonies to place her¬
self by her side. The Baptists of South Carolina, who joined in the first
patriot movement, no doubt lent their whole influence to the support of
Massachusetts. Has the memory of this ancient friendship perished in the
State, and in the Churches? South Carolina holds the tessara (the white
stone) which commemorates it; and the Baptists of South Carolina look
with sorrow, for Massachusetts' sake, upon the spirit which could close the
door of Baptist pulpits on a successor of Oliver Hart!
The course of action thus begun has since been continued, under some
varieties of mode, and doubtless with some variations of zeal; yet sub¬
stantially in the same spirit. Indeed, the Domestic Missionary operations
of the Savannah River, and the Welsh Neck Associations—those noble
scions of the old stock—and others which have grown out of these, are
but fruit from a common root. To the labors of evangelical charity, be¬
gun as we have seen, we may trace the maintenance of Churches while in
the feebleness of infancy, or when debilitated by other causes; the estab¬
lishment of Churches where there were none, and the effectual preaching
of the word of life to many immortal beings. " The wilderness and the
solitary place have been glad for them ; and the desert has rejoiced and
blossomed as the rose."
In 1802, the Association established its mission among the Catawba In¬
dians. This pious enterprize was continued for several years. Its good
effects were in the end destroyed by a terrible cause, which indeed was too
relentless to spare the very life of this remnant of a once «ober people.
The almost total extinction of the tribe is to be set down to the account of
white men—and to be placed in that category of multidudinous ills, the
evils of intemperance.
In 1818, Luther Rice, just returned from India, appeared at its session
held with one of the mother Churches, the Welsh Neck, and after deliver-
* Dr. Furman's Account of Rev. John Gano, in Benedict's History of the Baptists.
An Historical Discourse.
63
ing a communication in writing, addressed the body at length. The Mi¬
nutes contain a synopsis of this address. " These communications," they
add, " were received with much satisfaction." A report upon them was
made by a committee consisting of Dr. Furman, Gen. Thomas, and Rev.
J. B. Cook, and contained a plan of action—which being submitted,
" passed unanimously in the affirmative." Before this time, the Pastor of
the Charleston Church, who was in the habit of correspondence with breth¬
ren in England, had been employed in sending aid from his own Church,
to the supporters of the Baptist Mission in the East. Indeed, as early as
the year 1800, the same Church had presented a query for the considera¬
tion of the Association, in these words: " Is there not, at this time, a call
in Providence for our Churches to make the most serious exertions, in
union with other Christians of various denominations, to send the Gospel
among the heathen, or to such people who, though living in countries
where the Gospel revelation is known, do not enjoy a standing ministry,
and the regular administration of divine ordinances among them?" A
part of the answer to this query is as follows : " There appears, indeed, to
be a general call of Providence for all the Churches of Chiist to make se¬
rious exertions to diffuse Gospel light and liberty among the heathen who
know not God and our Redeemer: but ths particular call to us seems to
be, to turn our attention to that description of persons mentioned in the
latter part of the query." But now Providence opening the way, the As¬
sociation at once fell into line with the Baptists of Boston, Philadelphia,
and other places, in this movement against the gray battlements of idola¬
try. Accordingly, when the Moderator reported at the meeting of the
body in 1814, (at Beulah.) the Constitution and Address of the General
Convention held in Philadelphia for Missionary purposes, and the partici¬
pation in that meeting of himself and Judge Talmage, as Delegates ap¬
pointed by the Special Committee of the Churches, and asked for a de¬
cided and public expression of the sentiments of the Association on the
subject, they unanimously approved the measures taken, and commended
them to " the cordial and firm support" of the Churches. Since that day
she has never furled the banner thus flung to the breeze.
It is time that we bring in review the manner in which she has regarded
another object of general interest, and intimately related to those which
have engaged our attention—the Education of the Ministry.
On questions of religious duty, about which different opinions may
exist, a body like an Association will, from a principle already adverted to,
he almost certain to hold those opinions deliberately maintained by its
Ministers. The Ministers who signed the articles of associational union
in " Charlestown" in 1752, in ratification of what had been done the year
before, were John Stephens, Oliver Hart, Francis Pelot, John Brown, and
Joshua Edwards. Of Mr. Stephens it is enough to say, that as the Pas¬
tor of Ashley River Church, he was the successor of a man of learning—
the Rev. Isaac Chanler. Mr. Hart, the Pastor of the Charleston Church,
after his license to preach, had been under the tuition of Rev. Isaac Eaton,
Pastor of the Church of Hopewell, N. J.; " the first man," as says Ben¬
edict, " among the American Baptists, who set up a school for the educa¬
tion of youths for the ministry." He here had known the fellowship of
64
An Historical Discourse.
a student's life with such men as Dr. Hezekiah Smith, and Dr. James Man¬
ning, 1st President of Rhode Island College. Mr. Pelot, the Pastor of
the Euhaw Church, was a man of letters. Of Mr. Brown, and Mr. Ed¬
wards, we know that they represented a Church, (the Welsh Neck,) a re¬
markable feature of whose history, (considering them as a country Church,)
and a striking evidence of their just valuation of the ministry, is that for
more than a century they have never consented to close their doors upon
the Lord's Day. In an Association, with such men to lead the public sen¬
timent, we naturally expect to find the friends of education, notwithstand¬
ing the failure of some to appreciate its importance and its claims. In
1*756-7, some funds were gathered by the body, and aid was thus ex¬
tended to young men, among whose names are those of Pugh, Stillman,
and Botsford. This effort seems to have given way to the formation of a
society under the name of the Religious Society, which, among other ob¬
jects, contemplated education as the primary one.
In 1733, Messrs. Hart, Pelot, and Gano, " addressed the Baptist Associ¬
ations throughout America in favor of a plan of contribution for augment¬
ing the funds of Rhode Island College," and Messrs. Hart and Williams
were nominated to receive contributions for that Institution, and to trans¬
mit the same to Col. Job Bennet in Newport." The Mr. Williams here
mentioned, was the son of Rev. Robert Williams,* (of the Welsh Neck
Church,) and father of David R. Williams, formerly Governor of South
Carolina.
Causes, which we cannot now with accuracy trace, but among which
must be numbered the effects of a state of war upon the condition of re¬
ligion, seem to have diverted the attention of the Churches from the sub¬
ject of education for a series of years. The circular letter of 1785 brought
it up again, in an earnest appeal. In 1789, a proposition was submitted
to recommend a mode for forming funds in the several Churches, in order
to assist pious young men in their studies for the ministry. Accordingly,
the general outlines of a plan were submitted and adopted the following
year. Thus originated " The General Committee of the Charleston Bap¬
tist Association Fund," the Chairman of which submitted a system of rules,
which were considered at two annual meetings, and having been approved
of by the Association in 1792, were then ratified by the Committee. At
once the body entered upon this work. And from that time to the pre¬
sent, it has continued its agency in this behalf. During this period it has,
as the minister of an enlightened and far-reaching Christian kindness, ex¬
tended its helping hand to near sixty young men. To a very small por¬
tion of these, its aid consisted in the donation of books. The larger part
received the more substantial advantages of scholastic education, of greater
or of less extent. In these benefactions, young men of promise from Vir¬
ginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, have shared, in common with those
from this State. Among those from North Carolina are the names of
the Rev. Dr. Brantley, the Rev. I. L. Brooks, and the Rev. P. W.
Dowd. And it is a delightful reminiscence, on which no friend of the
* Rob. Williams is mentioned by Benedict as an instrument of great good to the
early Churches of North Carolina.
An Historical Discourse.
65
Charleston Association can dwell without grateful emotions, that upon its
list of early beneficiaries stands the name of that eminent " man of God,"
the venerable founder of Mercer University—an institution of noble pur¬
pose—in whose growing prosperity and usefulness, Fathers and Brethren
of the Charleston Association, you have a special right to rejoice.
At an early period of the history of the Baptist General Convention, the
Moderator of this Association brought before that body the claims of mi¬
nisterial education—in the same spirit of serious conviction and earnest
advocacy, with which he had presented the same subject some twenty
years previous, in the circular letter of this body. This movement had an
instantaneous effect. It stirred the Northern mind on the subject. At
the meeting of this Association in 1817, the letter from the Boston Asso¬
ciation " was read with much interest and cordial approbation." It con¬
tained "a judicious and animated address to our Churches at large, re¬
commending to them a vigorous co-operation in measures for promoting
the education of pious young men designed for the gospel ministry; and
for the erection of one Theological Seminary, or more, for this purpose."
Such a Seminary having been set on foot in Philadelphia, by the General
Convention, and Dr. Staughton appointed to office, we find the General
Committee making contributions—as much in 1820 as $500—toward its
support. When the Columbian College superseded this earlier design, it
obtained large donations within the bounds of this Association, and was
supplied with students.
In the meantime the Baptist interest in South Carolina having consi¬
derably increased, the desire was felt to erect a platform upon which the
different Associations might meet. The Minutes of 1819 contain the
following article. " Query from the Church at the High Hills of Santee:
'Would not the formation of a General Association, composed of dele¬
gates from the several Baptist Associations in South Carolina, be desirable
and advantageous to the interests of the Baptist denomination, and the
advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in general?' Answered in the
affirmative unanimously. And the Moderator, agreeably to notice and re¬
commendation contained in the letter from the Church in Charleston,
brought forward the subject in a more enlarged form, with a plan for pro¬
moting Education and Missionary interests: which was accompanied by a
serious address to our sister Associations; the spirit and design of which
were highly approved by the Association, and a committee composed of'
Dr. Furman, Dr. Roberts, and Mr. Cook, was appointed to revise the same,
fix upon a day for the proposed meeting, sign the address in behalf of this
body, and send it to the different Associations concerned." This is the
germ of " The State Convention of the Baptist Denomination in South
Carolina."
For a history of the Convention this is not the proper place. This much,
however, it behoves us to say, that to the interests of education its atten¬
tion has been mainly directed; and that to the special agency which it has
been conducting, the cause of religion and virtue is more largely indebted
than even those of its own friends who have not taken pains to enquire,
maybe aware. To its operation, the Churches of the State are indebted,
for the larger part of its most useful pastors. There is not a district in the
9
60
An Historical Discourse.
State, (unless Pickens is an exception,) which has not enjoyed, or is not
now enjoying, benefit from the labors of Ministers strengthened for their
toil by its discipline; while New York and Philadelphia, North Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, (Louisiana and Texas,)
Burmah and China, are even now served by men, who can never forget the
Academy and the Institution, which originated in the zeal of this Associa¬
tion for the glory of God. These recollections are shared by many who
are here present this day, and are fraught with sacred sympathies; and to
no other class, (if one of their number may speak for all,) is this season of
holy festivity of deeper, dearer interest, than to them.
Upon other topics connected with these "days of old," we could with
interest dwell, but our review must come to its close. It has been our de¬
lightful privilege to contemplate the doings'of good and wise men : I say
wise men—eminently wise; for they were men shaping their whole spirit,
and guiding their whole conduct, by a remarkably single regard to the
truth of God's word. Superior to human applause, because the feeling of
their nature, which might have sought it, was sublimated into a concern
for a higher approbation, the fathers of this Association, like their Divine
Master, did not strive nor cry, nor cause their voice to be heard in the
streets. With all humility of mind they served the Lord. They served
their generations according to the will of God. Their happiness this day
is not matter of conjecture, nor even of hope; for God's own hand has
written them among the blessed. They rest from their labors, and their
works do follow them.
Permit me, Brethren and Fathers, to present two reflections, suggested
by a comparison of our circumstances with theirs; the first as a lesson of
caution, and the second as an incitement to action.
In the earlier periods of the existence of the Association, the territory
which it covered was very large. Of the Churches which were represented
in the meeting of '52, the delegates from one Chureh (the Euhaw) had to
travel a distance of more than 70 miles; and those from another, in an
opposite direction, (the Welsh Neck,) passed the weary distance of 150
miles. At a later period, Churches belonging to the body were found in
the districts of Fairfield and Chester, on the waters of the Saluda, and
within the limits of Georgia and of North Carolina. The difficulties of
intercourse which then existed we can scarcely realize now. At a time
when the sight of the present beautiful capital of our State was covered
with the forest growth; when roads, which have'long since been thorough¬
fares, had not been blazed; when deep and broad swamps and streams op¬
posed formidable obstacles to the traveller's progress, and when thinly
scattered habitations gave him uncertain promise of accommodation, at¬
tendance at the meetings of the Association called into requisition the same
spirit, which made the pious Israelite in ancient times pass cheerfully
through the dry and barren valley of Boca, as though it were well watered.
These difficulties our forefathers encountered, and the endurance of them
imparted a hardiness and healthfulness to their religious spirit. We have
fallen upon other times. What was to them a toil, is to us a pastime. If
their journeys to the places of meeting were a laborious service, demand¬
ing some resoluteness to undertake it, ours are a holiday recreation which,
An Historical Discourse.
67
for its very pleasantness, we are reluctant to forego. Before them was
much land to be possessed, and the prospect nerved them to exertion: wo
are enjoying the acquired territory, and in the compound folly of pride
and unbelief, may be tempted to number Israel. To them the means of
grace were rare and valued : to us they are common, and liable to be not
duly esteemed. Their circumstances forced them upon strong faith in
God for consolation, ours entice us to enervating self-indulgence. Religion
with them flowed between deeper banks, and with a stronger current;
with us it is more diffused, and shallower. The great danger of our times,
then, is the filling into spiritual feebleness and inaction ; and hence our
lesson of caution. Permit me, therefore, Brethren, amid the solemn and
instructive recollections of this hour, to summon you to a conscientious
regard to the claims of a deep personal piety. To adopt the language of
the first religious counsel, given in those memorials of the Association
which have been preserved to us, I would say, as if speaking for the vene¬
rated dead: "Be careful to maintain the life and power of godliness in
your souls; in order to which, keep close to God in prayer."
The other reflection, with which we conclude, we offer as an incentive
to action.
In 1791, when the General Committee was organized at the Welsh
Neck, the number of Churches in the State, belonging to the Charleston
Association, was twenty-one. The number of these represented in the
Committee was nine.* The whole number of members in the Churches
was two thousand and eight. Two years previous to this time, (in 1789,)
a new Association had been formed in a section of the State then called
"fhe back parts of the State," (Min. of'89,) whose Churches, then sixteen
in number, were spoken of as "the Churches on the frontiers." This body
was the late Bethel Association, and this frontier region embraces a por¬
tion of that section of the State known as the middle country, and all of
that known as the up-country. A considerable part of the population by
which it was settled consisted of emigrants from Virginia, who had seen
and felt the oppressions of an established religion, and a secularized Clergy.
Their feelings thus produced ran to excess, so that the sentiment, which
should have spent itself upon the rapapious gatherer of tithes, was ex¬
tended to the laborers who were worthy of their hire. Intent upon con¬
demning the assumption of a false claim by others, they overlooked their
owh failure to fulfil a plain obligation. The mercenary minister was repu¬
diated, but the honor claimed by Christ for his faithful servants was with¬
held. This wrong state of opinion and practice was probably supported
by the teaching of the " Separates," as they were called, under whose
labors many of the Churches in that region were formed. Certain it is,
that throughout this interesting part of our State, there long prevailed ex¬
tensively among the Ministry and the Churches, a distrust—not yet totally
* The delegates were Rev. Messrs. Richard Furman, Henry Holcombe, Edmund
Botsford, Hon. Robert Ellison, Rev. Gabriel Gerrald, Mr. Josiah Cockfield, Col. Geo.
Hicks, Rev. Messrs. John Goldnice, and Joshua Palmer.
The Churches represented were: Charleston, Euhaw, "Welsh Heck, Ebenezer,
High Hills of Santee, Lynch's Creek, Cheraw Hill, Black Swamp, and Lower Fork
of Lynch's Creek.
69
An Historical Discourse.
effaced—of any one who might appear as the advocate of ministerial sup¬
port, or ministerial education.
Comparing this past with the present, we find the number of Baptist
Church members not less than forty thousand. Prejudices, which hung
over the Churches like mists, are rapidly rolling away. In the "frontier"
region, large assemblages of Brethren have listened, within two years past,
with candor and undisguised interest, to arguments in favor of the educa¬
tion of the rising Ministry; and at this moment there are, in the consti¬
tuency of the Convention, ten Associations.
During this period the apparatus for education has undergone changes
of form and place. The Rev. Mr. (afterward Dr.) Roberts, who had been
sent to College by the General Committee, having established a school at
the High Hills of Santee, young men were placed under his care and tu¬
ition. Subsequently, in the expectation of co-operation from Georgia, " the
Academy" was located at Edgefield Court House. This expectation failed,
for Georgia stood aloof. Again the Hills were selected as a location, and
provision was made by a subscription for five years, for the maintenance of
two instructors. Before the end of this time, many Brethren who were
sanguine of the success of manual labor as a part of the general system
of education, urged a trial of the scheme. That conscientious and labo¬
rious man of God, the late Nicholas W. Hodges, supported by Judge
O'Neall, and Rev. Mr. Manly, urged a removal. This was effected—and
an English and Classical School, with manual labor as an appendage, was
opened. The project failed : and to other losses, had to be added that of
a large building, set on fire by a singularly depraved boy, who had entered
as a scholar. The plan of more general education was thus discontinued,
and the Theological Institution stood alone. After the lapse of several
years, the thoughts and wishes of many Brethren, in different parts of the
State, found public expression; and are now embodied in the actual enter-
prize of founding a Seminary for general, as well as Theological learning,
worthy of a denomination possessing the numbers, the wealth, and the in¬
telligence, which the Baptists of South Carolina do possess. The accom¬
plishment of this design made it important, for reasons which we cannot
now specify, but which are clear and strong, to subject the institution to
another removal. And this has been effected—the last remove: the Jor¬
dan has been passed, and the tabernacle around which the tribes of our
Israel shall, in time to come, annually gather, has entered the promised
land.
These removals have been censured: we have no doubt the finger of
God has directed them. In the dealings of His Providence, he often
leads his people, like the blind, by a way which they know not. The stay
of the Institution in the place of its last sojourn, has been like the abode
of the Ark in the house of Obed Edom. Prudent and good men, who
for their own sake lament its departure, approve the change of location,
as important to its great object.
We have ventured to style the region, where it now exists, the promised
land. We have done so, because it is a region where the salubrity of the
climate, the beauty of the scenery, and the character of the population,
conspire to form one of the most eligible situations for a seat of learning.
An Historical Discourse.
69
In tbis region, from its proximity to the mountains, and its consequent
adaptedness to the production of grain, rather than of .cotton, a tendency
which exists in other parts of the State is arrested—the tendency to the
relative increase of the slave, and decrease of the while population. Be¬
sides, its numerous and beautiful streams exhale no miasma to destroy the
inmates of human habitations which may dot their margins, while they af¬
ford impelling power for machinery enough to occupy thousands upon
thousands of human beings. In this lovely region stands the town of
Greenville—a town where the gentle undulation of the surface, and the
graceful flow of its river, and the blue line of mountain in the horizon,
justify the appropriateness of a name which blends the ideas of the beauty
of spring, and of the quietness of a rural retreat. Within the limits of
this town rises a height whose base is washed by the modest river, and
upon whose slope and summit stand the venerable trees of the forest,
spared hitherto by the woodman's axe, as if an invisible hand reserving
the spot for a noble purpose, had secured it from such desecration. Upon
this height—which few seeing it would not pronounce the most beautiful
for such a purpose in the State—will rise as the Acropolis of Greenville—
if the Baptists of South Carolina are true to the spirit of their fathers—
their own University—a school for their own sons blended with a "school
of the prophets."
"If the Baptists of South Carolina are true to the spirit of their fa¬
thers !" Are we justified in making such an hypothesis ? Is it a doubt,
Brethren, which you will allow to exist? Shall not this centennial meet¬
ing be signalized by such an answer as shall go far to make the doubt an
impossibility ? Ye men of the olden time, Pelot, and Hart, and Botsford;
and thou, venerated man of God, whose name has come down to us with
theirs ! we feel the force of your example. Though dead, ye speak ; and
in the chambers of our hearts your voice to-day resounds. And the work,
which you have bequeathed to us, with the help of God we will do !
What we do, Brethren, it is important to do quickly. The population
of which we have spoken are about to undergo a great moral experiment.
That art which almost annihilates time and space, is about to place Green¬
ville iu the suburbs of the great city. The path of the iron horse is even
now being opened, and ere long the valleys will be echoing with the muf¬
fled thunder of his approach. The partridge on the wooded hill-side will
hush her note, startled by the hoarse whistle of the locomotive; and a
quiet rural people will come under the influence of modes of thought, and
modes of feeling, and modes of action, transported from a distance. Soon
busy Commerce, with tresses wet with the spray of the Atlantic, and with
Camilla-speed, will enter this hitherto quiet region, and with her beating-
heart will discourse of sudden gains and princely wealth, to those who
have heretofore learned only the calm lessons of patient Husbandry. Vice,
too. will be there, with diversified artifices to decoy, to capture, and to de¬
stroy her victims. How important, then, that we anticipate these dangers,
and that we give to Sacred Learning the opportunity to provide against
them. When an English Episcopal Society attempted Missionary labor in
South Carolina some hundred years ago, their Ministers reported that
wherever they went, the Baptists were before them. Such was the spirit
70
An Historical Discourse.
of our fathers. Let it he said of us, by all the social influences which shall
be brought to bear, upon our mountain population, wherever we went, the
Baptists were before us ! And in the sa 'C region where the Table Rock
stands in sublime grandeur, a monument of the Creator's pa>ver—and
while it stands—may institutions founded on the Bible, and a community
trained by the Bible, exist to the praise of Ilis wisdom and His grace.—
Amen.
CONTENTS.
Page
Minutes of Association, - 3.
Corresponding Letter, 9.
Report on Foreign Missions, 16.
Report on Domestic Missions, -----18.
Report on Indian Missions, - 20.
Report on the Bible Cause, 21.
Report on Religious Publications, 22.
Report on Sabbath Schools, 24.
Report on Temperance, 26.
Report of Home Mission Board, 29.
Account of Treasurer of Home Mission Board, - - - - -31.
Tabular view of Monies paid, 32.
Statistics of Churches, --33.
Constitution of Association, - - 34.
Rules of Association, 35.
Standing Resolutions of Association, 37.
Minutes of the General Committee, - - - » 38.
Account of Treasurer of General Committee, - . - - - 39.
History of General Committee, 40.
Character of General Committee, 42.
Rules of the General Committee, 44.
Forms of devise or bequest to General Committee, - - - - 46,
Centennial Sermon, 49.