BREVIATES
TUESDAY afternoon three O'Clock the ministers and messengers being met the association was opened in prayer by brother Clark. Brother C[aleb] Evans was chosen moderator, the letters from the Churches were read, minutes taken. Brother [James] Newton desired to draw up The General Letter and the meeting closed in prayer by our brother Satteridge. At seven in the evening met again when brother Rowles engaged in prayer and brother Francis preached from Phil i 27 Striving together for the faith of the Gospel. Wednesday morning met at six O'Clock to improve time in prayer. Our brethren [Thomas] Ferrabee, Burchell, S Evan and Pitts engaged. The General Letter was then read approved and signed, several matters considered and the meeting closed in prayer by our brother Philips. At ten O'Clock the public meeting began when our brethren [Joseph] Sprague and [John] Kingdon engaged in prayer. Our brother C[aleb] Evans preached from Matthew v 13 Ye are the salt of the earth and our brother H[ugh] Evans concluded in prayer. At three O'Clock in the afternoon met again when our brethren [James] Newton and J[ohn] Gillard engaged in prayer. Brother [Robert] Day preached from 2 Cor v 14 The love of Christ constraineth us and brother Tommas concluded in prayer. The ministers and messengers then attended to several things which required their consideration after which the association was closed in prayer by the moderator. It was unanimously agreed
1 To recommend it to all the Churches in this connection to observe a solemn day of humiliation and prayer particularly on account of the present unhappy situation of affairs with respect to America in the second week in August and other ways of the same nature as may be most convenient to the respective Churches.
2 To patronize and encourage the spread of Dr Stennett's most excellent answer to Mr Addington on the subject of Baptism and the translation of Mons. Saurin's masterly Discourses by the Rev Mr [Robert] Robinson of Cambridge. Subscriptions for the latter are received by the Baptist Ministers in Bristol, the former may be had of Mr Buckland or Mr Keith in London. The Subscription for Saurin is One Guinea.
3 To do all we can to encourage the establishment of an Association Fund according to the letter lately circulated for that purpose.
4 To appoint our brethren Messrs H[ugh] Evans, J[ohn] Tommas, C[aleb] Evans and J[ames] Newton trustees of the said intended fund to either of whom those Churches or liberal individuals who may be disposed to favor the undertaking are desired to transmit their contributions.
5 That it is expected that all those Churches who may hope for any assistance from this fund contribute something towards it,
6 Earnestly to encourage parents and ministers to catechise children
7 To hold the next association at Kingsbridge, Devon the Wednesday and Thursday in the Whitson week, our brethren Messrs [John] Kingdon and S[amuel] Dunscombe to preach the sermons and in case of failure of either our brother John Gillard. The association to begin on the Wednesday at three O'Clock in the afternoon precisely.
In the associated Churches the last year there were
Baptized 97
Received by letter 9
-------------------106
Dead 51
Dismissed to other Churches 4
Excluded 7
----------------------7
Increase 44
No comments:
Post a Comment