|
[Hassell's History page 736] "A paper purporting to be a Declaration of the Reformed Baptists in North read Carolina, dated
August 26, 1826, which was presented at last Association, and referred
to the churches to express in their letters to this Association their
views with regard to it, came up for deliberation. Upon examination, it
was found that most of the churches had given their opinions; and
after an inter- change of sentiments among the members of this body, it
was agreed that we discard all Missionary Societies, Bible Societies
and Theological Seminaries, and the practices heretofore resorted to
for their support, in begging money from the public; and if any persons
should be among us, as agents of any said societies, we hereafter
discountenance them in those practices; and if under a character of a
minister of the gospel, we will not invite them into our pulpits;
believing these societies and institutions to be the inventions of men,
and not warranted from the word of God. We further do unanimously agree
that should any of the members of our churches join the fraternity
of Masons, or, being members, continue to visit the lodges and parades,
we will not invite them to preach in our pulpits, believing them to
be guilty of such practices; and we declare non-fellowship with them
and such practices altogether."
"It was made know at this Association that some persons had
suggested that the
decision of the last Association, found in the fourteenth article of
the Minutes, concerning Missionary and bible Societies, Theological
Seminaries and Masonic Fraternities, was not correctly stated; and
whereas many members of the Association were members of the last, it
was
resolved that the article as it appeared in the minutes contained the
true spirit of the decision , and that the Association did not approve
of any alteration thereof, but advised the churches to strictly adhere
thereto"
"That they view with
regret the incorrect inferences which have been drawn from the decision
of this body in 1827; which have arisen in part from the
misrepresentation of those who were affected by that decision, arising
from the
conviction that it would ultimate in the prostration of their fondest
hopes of personal aggrandizement; and we are sorry to perceive, in the
words of the decision, that it affords the semblance of justification.
"We do deeply regret the
influence which we perceive it has had upon our sister
Associations, but we do not, we cannot, and we will not recede from
those measures in which we believe are involved the glory of God, the
happiness and prosperity of this association, and the destiny of unborn
millions. we however owe it to ourselves to make such explanations
as will present to our brethren, in clear and unambiguous terms the
attitude which this Association has assumed, and which by the help of
God she will sustain.
"We disclaim any right,
and , consequently, any intention, either directly or indirectly, of
meddling with the internal government of any Association but our own.
we do not assume to ourselves the right of saying that any member
without the bounds of our Association shall or shall not do any act.
They are accountable to their own respective Associations, or churches,
and not to us. But we do claim a right, in the bounds of this
Association, to proscribe (under the authority of the churches) such
rules and
regulations as are indispensably necessary to promote what we think
will be for the peace and harmony of the churches within our bounds;
and
to discountenance such practices among us as are calculated to
interrupt our harmony. Therefore your committee do recommend the
adoption of
the following resolution and explanation:
First. We will
not hold in our churches any member who is in the practice of visiting
the Masonic
Lodges, or who on any occasion conforms to their custom of parades; nor
will we countenance any such individual who may reside or come among
us in the character of a preacher.
Second. We will not countenance any preacher who travels within
the bounds of this Association, establishing societies for the
collection of
money, or who may be himself collecting money to support any
institution whatever. We do not attempt to circumscribe the liberty of
conscience; every person has a right to think and draw his own
conclusions. We do not attempt to suppress the liberty of speech; every
individual has a right to speak or express the convictions of his own
mind. We do not attempt to restrain the liberty of any man; he may
give his money when and to whom he pleases. We do not object to the
spread of the Bible by all fair and honorable means, but pray for its
extension by means which God may bless and own. We do not object to the
support of the ministry on the gospel plan, but earnestly recommend
it to the direct and immediate attention of al the Deacons in this
Association; whose business God has made it to se to this matter, as
well
as all the moneyed concerns of the Christian community. We do not
object to the general diffusion of intelligence and literature in the
Baptist community, but wish its extension, But we do object to the
education of men to the ministry by establishing seminaries for that
purpose, believing that preaching would thereby become a
lucrative employment; like the law, physic, etc. If any minister,
although he
be a Missionary, without the bounds of our Association, comes among us
to preach the gospel, and not to make collections, we do not reject
him."
|