Towaliga Primitive Baptist 1848

Minutes of the Eleventh Annual Session of the Towaliga Primitive Baptist Association
Convened at Ramah Meeting House, Monroe County, Georgia,
On the 31st day of August 1848, and days following.


Minutes.

The Introductory Sermon was preached by Brother Joseph Godard, from John 6, 40. After 30 minutes intermission, the delegates assembled in the house --prayer by brother M. Lowrey. After reading the letters from the Churches,
chose brother William Moseley, Moderator, and brother Joel Mathews, Clerk. The Association being organized,

1. Invited ministering brethren present, of our order, to take seats with us.

2. Ramah, a newly constituted Church in Fayette county, petitioned by letter and delegates for membership in this Association and was received.

3. Appointed the following committees, viz: on preaching, brethren Lowrey, Dismukes and Mullins, on the part of the Association, and brethren Haygood and Rogers on the part of the Church, at this place; and on the arrangement of
business, brethren Trice, Moseley and A. Cleveland.

4. Appointed brethren, J. Godard, McKenney, and Dumas, a committee to examine corresponding minutes.

5. Received correspondence from sister Associations, viz: from the Yellow River, a letter and minutes by her messengers, brethren Keen and Norris; from the Ocmulgee, by her messengers, brethren Montgomery, Pounds, Hudson and Middlebrooks; from the Bulah, Ala. by her messenger, brother Freeman; from the Primitive Ebenezer, by her messengers, brethren Cooper and Evers; from the Echoconna, by her messengers, brethren Cleveland and McKinney; from the Upatoie, by her messenger, brother Roquemore; from the Primitive Western, by her messenger, brother Keith.

After prayer by bro. Norris, adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

Brother Webb of the Harmony Association, preached at the stand this afternoon, from 1 Cor. 15, 11.

Friday Morning, 10 o'clock.
Met according to adjournment -- prayer by brother Freeman.
6. Adopted the report of the arranging committee.

7. Called the roll and read the decorum.

8. Appointed brother Mullins to write the corresponding letter.

9. Appointed correspondents to sister Associations, viz:

To the Primitive Western, to convene at Emmaus Meeting House, Coweta county, 11 miles S. from Newnan, on Saturday before the 3d Sunday in next month, J. Godard, J. Mullins, T. C. Trice, A. Sutton and W. Bennett.

To the Bulah, Ala., to convene at Harmony meeting house, Chambers county, Ala., 18 miles above Columbus, on Thursday before the 3d Sunday instant, brethren Dismukes and D. Godard.

To the Yellow River, to convene at Bethel Meeting House, Newton county, 7 miles W. from Covington, on Saturday before the 4th Sunday instant, brethren M. Lowrey, R. Cleveland, A. Cleveland, J. Mullins, H. Barron, W. Bennett, M. M. Merrit and F. B. Sansom.

To the Echoconna, to convene at Providence Meeting House, Crawford county, 2 miles W. from Knoxville, on Friday before the 3d Sunday instant, brethren A. Cleveland, W. Fuller, J. Mullens, J. F. Walker, J. M. Middlebrooks and J.
McKenney.

To the Upatoie, to convene at Valley Grove Meeting House, Talbot county, 10 miles N. from Talbotton, on Thursday next, brethren T. C. Trice, D. Godard, J. F. Walker and Joel Mathews.

To the Ocmulgee, to convene at Mount Gilead Meeting House, Putnam county, 4 miles N. from the "Half Acre" on Saturday before the 2d Sunday instant, brethren M. Lowrey, J. Mullins and A. Gory.

To the Primitive Ebenezer, to convene at Mount Nebo Meeting House, Wilkinson county, 7 miles N. from Irwinton, on Thursday before the 4th Sunday instant, brethren J. Godard and J. Dickey.

10. At the request of Bulah Church, agreed to have our "Articles of Faith" printed in these minutes.

11. Whereas, Samuel W. Thaxton has in his possession, a letter of dismission from Liberty Church, Butts county, and refuses to give up the same; this is therefore to let all persons know that said Thaxton is excluded from said Church.

12. Adopted the Circular letter as prepared by brother A. Cleveland.

13. Agreed that Ramah, (Fayette county) be attached to the 4th district.

14. Appointed Union Meetings viz:
1st district, Liberty, Butts, Friday before the 5th Sunday, July,
2d do Ramah, Monroe, Friday before the 1st Sunday, May,
3d do Shoal Creek, Pike, Friday before the 1st Sunday, July,
4th do Lebanon, Henry, Friday before the 2d Sunday, July.

15. Appointed br. Wm. Dismukes to preach the next Introductory Sermon; br. Wm. Moseley in case of failure, and br. John McKenney to write the next Circular Letter.

16. Appointed the next session of this Association to convene at Harmony Meeting House, Pike county, 6 miles N. E. from Zebulon, on Thursday before the 1st Sunday in September, 1849.

After prayer by br. D. Wood, adjourned till to-morrow morning 10 o'clock.

Brother Montgomery, from the Ocmulgee Association preached at the stand in the forenoon, from Mal. 3: 16, 17 -- followed in exhortation by brother James Roquemore, from the Upatoie Association. In the afternoon by br. Cooper from
the Primitive Ebenezer, preached from Mat. 5, 20 -- followed in exhortation by br. Webb, of the Harmony Association.

Saturday Morning, 10 o'clock,

Met according to adjournment -- prayer by br. Montgomery.

17. Adopted the Corresponding Letter.

18. Resolved, That we notice with feelings of deep regret, that dispensation of Divine Providence which has taken from the walls of Zion our beloved brother Allen Ware; who departed this life on the 2d day of May last. Although we
mourn this sad bereavement, yet we bow in humble submission, believing that the judge of all the earth will do right.

19. The Committee appointed to examine corresponding minutes report that they find nothing to claim the attention of this body.

20. Called for contributions for minutes, & c. and received at the hands of the delegates $43.00, and from the former Clerk $14.37, making $57.37.

21. Ordered that the Clerk superintend the printing and distributing of 2,000 copies of these minutes, and that he retain $25.00 for his services.

[N. B. After reserving 500 copies for corresponding Associations, the number of copies due each Church, according to the money sent up, will be found in the 13th column of the table exhibiting the "State of the Churches."

22. Agreed to renew our correspondence with the Harmony Association, and appointed brethren J. Godard, B. Haygood and W. Willis, our correspondents to the next session of that body.

After prayer by br. Lowrey, adjourned to the time and place mentioned in the 16th item.
William Moseley, Moderator.
Joel Mathews, Clerk.

Brother Roquemore, from the Upatoie Association, preached in the fore-noon at the stand, from Mat. 28, 18-20 inclusive, followed in exhortation by brother Freeman, from the Bulah. In the afternoon brother A. Cleveland preached from Acts 17: 18, (latter clause) followed in exhortation by brother T. C. Trice.

Sunday. -- Brother Norris from the Yellow River Association preached in the forenoon from John 9: 35--38 inclusive, followed in exhortation by brother Roquemore, from the Upatoie. In the afternoon brother Moseley preached from
John 14: 21.

[The preaching from day to day seemed to be of that character which, while it attributes to God all the glory of man's salvation, holds man as an accountable being -- "commandeth all men every where to repent," and looks upon the true
children of God as a "peculiar people, zealous of good works;" while the preachers seemed to manifest that determination expressed by Paul in the 2d chapter and 2d verse of 1 Corinthians and many, very many, of the bearers seemed by their actions to say "men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Constitution.

Art. 1st. We believe in one true and living God; and that there are three persons in the Godhead--the FAther, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Art. 2d. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.

Art. 3d. We believe in the doctrine of eternal and particular election.

Art. 4th. We believe in the doctrine of original sin.

Art. 5th. We believe in man's impotency to recover himself from the fallen state he is in by nature, by his own free will ability.

Art. 6th. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God, only by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Art. 7th. We believe that God's elect shall be called, regenerated, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Art. 8th. We believe that the saints shall persevere in grace, and never finally fall away.

Art. 9th. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the only subjects of those ordinances and we believe that the true mode of baptism is by immersion.

Art. 10th. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and a general judgment.

Art. 11th. We believe that the punishment of the wicked will be everlasting, and the joys of the righteous to be eternal.

Art. 12th. We believe that no minister has a right to the administration of the ordinances, only such as are regularly called, and come under the imposition of hands by the Presbytery.

Art. 13. We believe that the Georgia Baptist Convention, the Missionary Bible, Tract, Sunday School Union and Temperance Societies, together with Theological Seminaries, and other kindred institutions, falsely called benevolent, are
unscriptural, unsupported by Divine Revelation, and therefore improper; and we believe that no individual who is united with, or are the advocates of all or either of them, should be held in fellowship by our Churches.

Corresponding Letter.

The Towaliga Primitive Baptist Association, to her sister Associations with whom she corresponds -- sendeth Christian Salutation:

Dear Brethren:-- It has been through a well ordered train of the providences of our Heavenly Father, that we have been permitted to assemble once more in our annual meeting. The business of our Association has been conducted in harmony
and love; while our souls have been refreshed by the coming of your messengers, while they have been enabled to preach that Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. We have great reason to believe that good will result from their labors, to the glory of God and all the food of dying men. We request a continuance of your friendly correspondence, and an interest in your prayers on our part, and upon the Israel of God every where. We close by subscribing ourselves yours in Christian fellowship and love.
William Moseley, Moderator.
Joel Mathews, Clerk.


Circular Letter.
The Messengers composing the Towaliga Primitive Baptist Association: To the Churches whom they severally represent--send Christian Salutation.

Beloved Brethren: Having been permitted by the great Head of the Church, to meet in an associate relation, and to receive as evidence of your mutual friendship, the epistles sent by your messengers, we, in return, affectionately address you by letter, according to our usual custom, praying that grace, mercy and peace from God, our Father, and Jesus Christ our Saviour, may be multiplied unto you.

The subject to which we would invite your earnest attention, and which, we believe to be of vital importance is, the support of the Gospels. And as a foundation for the following Circular, we refer you to 1 Corinthians 9:14.--"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

The world, ordain, which we find in the text signifies to appoint, to decree, to establish, to institute. We refer 1. To God's appointment. 2. To the nature of that appointment, and 3. To the objections that are made against the support of the Gospel.

1. We refer you to some of those passages which prove God's appointment, 1-Cor. 9; 13 --"Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple, and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?" Mat. 10; 9, 10. "Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass in your purses; nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet slaves; for the workman is worthy of his meat." The first verse referred to, brings to view the custom of the children of Israel and the literal Priests under the command of God; that while the priest waited at the
temple, and upon the altar, they were made partakers with the altar; and the principle is kept up to the gospel dispensation, and is referred to by the Apostle, showing the duty of the Church or spiritual Israel towards her minister, and the right that he has to partake of the temperal substance of the Church.

In the second passage which is the language of the Savior. He charges them to provide nothing for their journey, but lays it down as an established principle, that the laborer is worthy of his meat.

2. The nature of that appointment, 1 Cor. 9: 6, 7, 8, "Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or
who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?" Why is it that the Apostle asks the first question, relative to his and Barnabas' forbearing to work? Is it not because he considers the Church bound to support them and release their hands from it? The second question is, "who goeth a warfare at his own charge?" The inference we are left to draw is, that a soldier is not to go on a warfare at his own charges or expense, but the government that he is in the service of and fighting for, is bound to support him. And it would be
considered that any government that would withhold and refuse to support her soldiers that were defending her coasts and territory, would act unjustly in withholding from her soldiers their just right, and that they could not expect the smiles of Heaven to rest upon them while acting thus. If the inference be correct that it would be unjust to take a soldier's time and service without rewarding him for the same, it would be equally unjust, for a Church or Churches to have the time and service of her minister engaged in a spiritual warfare in defending her coasts and religious principles, and for the Churches
to fail to reward him for his time, trouble, expense and services.

The Apostle still carries out the idea by referring to the husbandman in planting of a vineyard, and asks the question, "Who planteth a vineyard, and eatheth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock?" The Apostle says "Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same things also? The Apostle would have his brethren to understand that it was not his views as a man only, but that the law saith the same things also. That is, that God's law makes it right, that if a man feed a flock he is entitled to eat of the milk; and if he plants a vineyard to eat of
the fruit of it. If God's law holds out the idea, what can be more reasonable than for a Minister who attends to the Lord's vineyard to eat of the fruit thereof? Or the Minister who attends the LOrd's flock to eat of the milk of it? In further support of the idea, we refer you to 1 Cor. 9; 11: "If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" This verse explains the manner which God has appointed that the Minister should live and be supported. For the further illustration of this subject, we refer you to the husbandman, who sows his seeds at the proper time,
according to the laws of nature; he plows in hope and thresheth in hope, and the promise is he shall be made to partake of his hope; or in other words, the Minister sows unto the Church spiritual things -- labors in the gospel field,
and in return he expects and has the right to reap your carnal things. And it is your duty in return, to see that he does reap your carnal things to the full extent that he sows to you. We refer you to one other passage, 1 Cor. 9;
9: "For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeath out the corn." We suppose a case. You go to your neighbor to get his ox to tread out your corn or wheat, as the case may be --
when you get him you turn him loose without feed or support; is it not reasonable to conclude that after such treatment, the ox would not visit you often, and have but little disposition to serve you? And it is equally as reasonable to suppose that the owner of the ox, when he knew of the treatment his ox had received, that he would be unwilling to let you have him anymore. We suppose that you agree that the treatment would be hard upon the ox; if so, we ask you is it not equally hard treatment to call a minister to serve you, get his time and service and then muzzle him? or withhold from him that which
you are justly bound to give him for serving you; and if so how do you think they can preach to a people that they believe are withholding their just rights from them.

Objection 1st. We, old school Baptists, have declared a non-fellowship against all those things.

Answer.--We remark that not withstanding we have declared a non-fellowship against religious speculations, yet we deny having ever declared non-fellowship against the support of the Gospel or the Gospel Ministry; but we hold it to be the duty of the people that have the time and service of the Minister to reward him for the same.

Objection 2d. We want a preacher that is obliged to preach whether he gets any thing or not.

Answer. -- We suppose then, that you will call a Minister to serve you and say to him, be ye warmed, and be ye clothed, and yet give him not wherewith to warm and clothe him.

Objection 3d. We are opposed to giving to preachers, because there is danger of spoiling them.

Answer.-- The Churches will have to alter very much from what they are now doing, if the spoil their Ministers by giving to them: but we ask you if your fears arise because there is danger of spoiling the Ministers, or because you are afraid it will touch your purse: Again: is it right to call a Minister to serve you through heats and cold -- deprived of the enjoyment around his fireside with his wife and children -- take his time and service, and all the expense attending the same, and all for the good and prosperity of the Church and glory of God: and then for you to withhold from him the temporal blessings
which God has blessed you with? It seems that the answer is easy and plain that it is not right.

We say to you in the conclusion, not to call a man that you believe that giving would spoil; for in calling such a man to serve you, you act unfaithfully, and also endanger the Church; for such a man, you must know would make merchandise
of the Church if it was in his power. Again, we recommend to you, not to call a man and leave him in a worse condition than you found him: and not to tie your Minister's hands by withholding from him that which is his just right, and
which you are bound to bestow. By withholding, you Ministers will be reduced to poverty, and subject to the frowns of the world; they will also be compelled to retire hom to attend to the necessities of their families; and the consequence will be, a famine, produced not for want of bread, but for the word of the Lord. Finally, brethren, Farewell! Let love be without disimulation; abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

William Moseley, Moderator.
Joel Mathews, Clerk.

State of the Finances.
Paid Printer $22.37 -- Clerks' Compensation $25.00...............$47.37.
Balance on hand...........................$10,00


Statistical Scale.

[Ordained Ministers' names - *; Licentiates - **; Absentees - ***:
(The following information is from a table and is listed in the following order:
District, Church, County, Delegates, Baptised, Rec'd by letter, Restored, Rec'd on conf, Dism'd by letter, Excluded, Dead, Total, Money, No. of Min'ts, Meetings, Distance in miles and direction from noted places., Pastoral supply.

1st, High Shoals, Monroe, John Mullins*, Aaron Sutton -, 1, 1, 1, -,6 , 2, -, 39, 1.50, 52, 2, 12m. N. Forsyth, John Mullins

1st, Smyrna, Monroe, Wm. Fuller*, John McKenney, -, 3, - , 2, 2, 1, -, 55, 1.50, 52, 4, 1m. S. E. Forsyth, W. C. Cleveland

1st, Sandy Creek, Butts, John Morris, Amos Gory -. 1, 2, -, -, 7, -, -, 69, 2.00, 72, 3, 7m. S. E. Jackson, Allen Cleveland

1st, Hunting Sh'ls, Monroe, Meshach Lowrey*, A. Ponder, 4, -, -, -, 2, 2, -, 41, 1.50, 52, 2, 7m. N. E. Forsyth, Meshach Lowry

1st, N. Fellowship, Monroe, Charles M. Sutton, John Webb,11, -, -, 3, -, -, 1, 57, 1.50, 52, 5m. E. High Shoals, Wm. Dismukes

1st, Ephesus -, Monroe, J. W. Simmons**, A. Middlebrooks, -, 2, -, -, -, -, 2, 39, 1.50, 52, 1, 8m. E. Forsyth, Meshach Lowry

1st, Sharon -, Monroe, Allen Wood*, Z. Hughley - -. 2, 2, -, -, -, 1, 63, 1.50, 52, 2, 14m. S. W. Forsyth, James Matthews

1st, Liberty, Butts, Green C. Thaxton, John H. Moore, -, 4, -, -, 3, 1, -, 17, 1.50, 52, 4, 6m. S. W. Jackson, John Mullins

2nd, Ramah, Monroe, Benjamin Haygood**, Benj. Rogers, 4, 1, -, -, 2, -, -, 31, 1.50, 52, 1, 10m. W. Forsyth, W. C. Cleveland

2nd, Mount Gilead, Upson, John A. Jackson, Wm. O. Smith, 1, 4, -, -, -, -, -, 30, 1.50, 52, 3, 7m. N. E. Tho'ston, Wm. M'Carra

2nd, New Hope, Upson, John Dickey**, J. M. Middlebrooks, 1, -, -, -, 3, -, 1, 33, 2.00, 72, 4, 10m. E. Tho'ston, David Wood

2nd, Shiloh - -, Pike, David Wood*, William Willis -, -, 1, -, -, -, -, -, 1, 23, 1.00, 34, 2, 3m. W. Barnesville, David Wood

2nd Emmaus -, Upson, J. F. Walker, Joel Matthews, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, 78, 3.00, 105, 2, 2m. W. Tho'ston, Wm. Moseley

2nd, Union - -, Monroe, Edmund Dumas**, W. Cole - -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, 30, 1.00, 34, 4, 5m. N. E. Barn'sv'le, Elij'h Thompson

3rd, County Line, Pike, Daniel Godard*, F. Gardner -, -, 1, -, 1, -, -, 1, 62, 1.50, 52, 3, 12m. E. Zebulon, Daniel Godard

3rd, Rose Creek, Pike, J. K. Holsey, Francis B. Sansom, -, -, -, -, 3, 1, 3, 31, 1.00, 34, 4, 6m. W. Griffin, Joseph Godard

3rd, Bulah - -, Henry, D. Lindsey, D. B. Griffin - -, -, -, -, -, 6, 1, -, 19, 1.00, 34, 3, 10m. E. Griffin

3rd, Shoal Creek, Pike, Thomas C. Trice*, H. Jones -, 1, 2, -, -, 10, -, 1, 52, 2.00, 72, 1, 8m. N.W. Zebulon, Daniel Godard

3rd, Hopeful - , Fayette, (Not represented) -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, 6m. W. Fayetteville, --

3rd, Mt. Pleasant, Henry, Joseph Godard*, D. N. Quinn -, -, 4, -, -, 9, -, 1, 29, 1.50, 52, 1, 2m. N. Griffin, Joseph Godard

3rd, Harmony -, Pike, William Dismukes*, G. Wright, 1, 2, -, -, 2, 1, -, 41, 1.50, 52, 1, 6m. N. E. Zebulon, Wm. Dismukes.

3rd, Concord, Pike, N. Ellis***, Allison Spier*** - -, 3, -, -, -, 1, -, -, 20, 1.00, 34, 2, 7m. W. Zebulon, Wm. Dismukes

4th, Beersheba -, Henry, Wm. Moseley*, Miles M. Merritt, 5, -, -, -, 3, -, -, 73, 3.00, 105, 4, 9m. S. E. McDono', Wm. Moseley

4th, Philippi -, Henry, (Not represented), -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, 8m. E. McDono',

4th, Lebanon -, Henry, James J. Davis***, L. Hand -, 2, 3, -, -, -, -, 2, 39, 1.50, 52, 2, 10m. W. McDono', Allen Cleveland

4th, Bethel, Butts, Henry Barron, W. H. Webb -, 4, 2, -, -, 6, 1, -, 35, 2.00, 72, 1, 3m. N. Jackson, Wm. Moseley

4th, Walnut Creek, Henry, A. Cleveland*, Rice Cleveland*, 1, 1, -, -, 3, 1, -, 38, 1.50, 52, 1, 5m. N. E. McDono', Allen Cleveland

4th, Hebron -, Henry, (Not represented), -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, 1.50, 52, -, 12m. W. McDono', --

4th, Ramah -, Fayette, J. Harrell, William Bennett -,-, -, -, -, -, -, -, 11, 1.50, 52, 2, 1 1/2m. S. W. Fay'v'le, --

Recapitulation -- Baptised 46, Rec'd by letter 34, Restored 1, Rec'd on conf. 6, Dismissed by letter 68, Excluded 12, Dead 13, Total 1,055, Money $43.


Additional Comments:
Transcribed by Linda Blum-Barton, Feb. 2007, from digital images provided by Allen Sullivant who is in possession of the original brochures.

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