In places the photocopy in my possession is blotched,
marred, or otherwise hard to read. I have inserted in brackets [] words of
which I am unsure. Most of the time I have inserted what I believe would be the
correct word or words based on the context, in order to make the document more readable,
but which may not reflect what was actually written. If the brackets are blank,
I was uncertain of what word or words to suggest.
MINUTES OF THE BAPTIST CONVENTION
The Republic of Texas—County of Nacogdoches
Union Church, Nov. 11th, 1843
Agreeably
to the previous arrangements, the churches met through their delegates at the
Union church meeting house, for the purpose of forming a Baptist Convention.
Elder
Asa Wright preached the
introductory sermon to a large and attentive congregation, from Paul’s epistle
to the Ephesians, 2d chapter 19th verse.
After
preaching, the delegates from the different churches convened: whereupon Elder
Lemuel Herren was called to the chair, and Jas. Davenport appointed secretary.
The
letters from the different churches was called for, read and received as
follows:—
1st.
The Border baptist church of Harrison county, Texas, by her messenger, James
Davenport.
2d.
The Union baptist church, Nacogdoches county, Texas, by her messengers, Wm.
Sparks, [Ambrose Crain][iv] and
C. H. Whitaker.
3d.
The Bethel baptist church, Harrison county, Texas, by her messengers, Elder
Isaac Reid and Lemuel Herren.
4th.
From the Bethel baptist church, Sabine county, Texas, by her messengers, Elder
Asa Wright and Isaac Renfro.
5th.
From the Mount Zion baptist church, Nacogdoches county, by her messengers, B.
C. Walters, Robert Walters, and Wm. Roark.
6th.
After the letters were read and received, the convention was formed, and
declared to be organized, for the purpose of forming a Baptist association.
7th.
Whereupon a committee was appointed to draft a constitution, articles of faith,
and rules of decorum, for the government of said Baptist Association.
8th.
The following brethren were appointed in conjunction with the secretary and
chairman, viz: Elders Asa Wright and Isaac Reid, B. C. Walters, and Ambrose
Crain, and report on Monday morning.
9th. Whereupon motion, a
special committee was appointed, to arrange the preaching during the
convention, to consist of the following brethren—William Sparks, Ambrose Crain,
and C. H. Whitaker.
10th. On motion, the
convention adjourned, until 9 o’clock, a.
m. on Monday next.
11t. The [convention] met
pursuant to adjournment—Whereupon the committee were called upon to report to
the convention their labors.—Therefore, the following constitution, articles of
faith, and rules of decorum, which we, the committee, present to the
convention, for the government of the association, submitted—First:
CONSTITUTION
Constitution
of the Sabine Baptist Association
This association shall be
called the Sabine Baptist Association; which shall be composed of members duly
chosen by the different churches, who shall bear friendly letters, stating
their appointment, who shall be entitled to a seat in the association.
2d.
Any new church wishing to become a member of this association, may petition by
letter and delegates. They being found orthodox and orderly, may be admitted by
the moderator, giving the right hand of fellowship to the delegate or
delegates.
3d.
This association shall not have any authority to Lord it over God’s heritage,
nor to infringe on any of the internal rights of the church, but may give
advice in matters of difficulties; but [is] necessary to have some uniform rule
pursued. In where one church offends another, and the necessary steps of
dealing have been taken, as directed in the 18th chapter of Matthew and other
scriptures, as one member against another, and satisfaction is not obtained,
the case may be referred to the association, who may deal in the case as they
think proper.
4th.
This association may open a friendly correspondence by letter and delegates,
with any other association she think proper.
5th.
This association may withdraw from any church that may be found heterodox in
principles, or disorderly practices.
6th.
This association may appoint any member or members, with his or their consent,
to transact any business for the association.
7th.
It shall be the duty of this association to endeavor to perpetuate a union
among the churches, and to furnish them with their minutes; and for this
purpose the churches shall send their contributions, to enable them to do so.
8th.
The minutes of the association shall be read by the clerk, and corrected by the
association, if necessary, before they adjourn, and be signed by the moderator
and the clerk.
9th.
This association shall appoint a recording secretary, who shall keep a just
record of all the proceedings of the association.
10th.
This association shall adjourn to any time or place she may think proper.
11.
Each church shall state in the letter the number received since the last
association; by baptism, [letter], dismissed, restored, excommunicated, dead, and
the number in fellowship.
12.
Each church shall be entitled to representation, but no more than three [members]
from any one church.
13.
It shall be the duty of the association to inquire why any church fails to
represent herself in the association more than once.
14.
Any alteration of amendment may be made to this constitution at any time by two
thirds of the churches concurring therein.
ARTICLES OF
FAITH
1st.
Of the Scriptures, we believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely
inspired, and is a sufficient treasure of heavenly instruction. It has God for
its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for
its matter. That it wields the principles by which God will judge us; therefore
it shall remain to the end of the world, the true sentiment of Christian union,
and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall
be tried.
2d.
Of the true God—that there is one, and only one, living and true God, whose
name is Jehovah, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly
glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love
wield under the person and [function] of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct, but harmonious
offices in the great work of redemption.
3d.
Of the fall of man—that man was created in a state of holiness, under the law
of his maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy
state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint,
but choice, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law
of God, wholly given to the gratification of the world, of Satan, and of their
own sinful passions, therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without
defence or excuse.
4th.
Of the way of salvation—that the way of salvation of sinners is wholly of grace
through the mediatorial offices of the son of God, who took upon him our
nature, yet without sin; honored the law by his personal obedience, and made
atonement for our sins by his death; being raised from the dead, he is now
enthroned in heaven, and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathy
with divine perfection, is every way qualified to be a suitable, a
compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
5th.
Of justification—that the great gospel blessing which Christ of his fullness
bestows to such as believe in him, is justification; that justification consists
in the pardon of sin, and the promises of eternal life on principles of
righteousness; [that it is bestowed, not in] consideration of any works of
righteousness which we have done, but solely through solely through his
redemption and righteousness; that it brings us into a state of most blessed
peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and
eternity.
6th.
Of the freeness of salvation—that the blessings of salvation are made free to
all by the gospel, that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a
cordial and obedient faith, and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest
sinner on earth, except his voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus
Christ, which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.
7th.
Of grace in regeneration—that in order to be saved we must be regenerated, or
born again, that regeneration consists [in giving a] holy disposition to the
mind, and is effected in a manner wholly above our comprehension [or
calculation] by the power of the holy spirit, so as to secure our voluntary
obedience to the Gospel, and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruit
which we bring forth to the glory of God.
8th.
Of God’s purposes of grace—that election is the gracious purposes of God,
according to which he regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners, that being
perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means
in connexion with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s saving
goodness, being infinitely, wise, holy, and unchangeable, that it [utterly]
excludes boasting, and promotes humility, [love, prayer, praise, trust in God],
and an anticipation of his free mercy, that encourages the use of means in the
highest degree, that it is ascertained by its effects in all who do believe the
gospel, is the foundation of christian experience, and that to ascertain it
with regard to ourselves, demands and deserves our utmost diligence.
9th.
Of the perseverance of the saints—that such only are real believers as endures
to the end, and that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark
which distinguishes them from superficial professors, that a special providence
watches over their welfare, and they are kept by the power of God, through
faith, unto salvation.
10th.
Of the harmony of law and gospel—that the law of God, the eternal and
unchangeable rule of his moral government [is] holy, just, and good, and that
the inability which the scriptures ascribes to fallen man to fulfill its
precepts arises from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to
restore them through a mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one
great end of the gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment
of the visible church.
11.
Of a gospel church—that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized
believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing
the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws and exercising the gifts and
privileges invested in them by his word, that its only scriptural officers are bishops
or pastors, and Deacons, whose qualification, claims and duties are defined in
the epistle of Paul to Timothy and Titus.
12.
Of baptism and the Lord’s supper—That christian baptism is the immersion of a
believer in water, in the name of the father, son, and holy ghost, to show
forth in a solemn and a beautiful emblem of our faith in a crucified and risen saviour,
with its purifying power, that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church
relation; and to the Lord’s supper, in which the members of the church, by the
use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ,
preceded always by solemn self examination.
13.
Of the christian sabbath—That the first day of the week is the Lord’s day, or christian
Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all
secular labor and recreations, by the devoted observance of all the means of
grace, both private and public, by preparation for that rest that remaineth for
the people of God.
14th.
Of the righteous and the wicked—That there is a radical and essential
difference between the righteous and the wicked, that such only as through
faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the spirit
of our God, are truly in his esteem, while such as continue in impenitence and
unbelief in his sight are wicked, and are under the curse, and this distinction
holds among men both in life and after death.
15.
Of the world to come—That the end of this world is approaching, that at the
last day Christ will descend from heaven, and the dead raised from the grave to
final retribution, that a solemn separation will then take place, that the
wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy,
and this judgment will fix forever the final state of man in heaven or hell, or
principles of righteousness
RULES OF
DECORUM
1st. This association,
when convened, shall choose a moderator and clerk from among themselves, who
shall serve until the next association is organized.
2d.
The moderator shall take the chair at the hour appointed, and after prayer
shall proceed to business, and shall keep order, and take the sense of the
association, but in no case shall vote, unless in case of a tie, but shall have
the same privilege of speaking as that of another member, provided the chair be
filled.
3d
[But one person] shall [speak at the time] the [person thus] speaking to say[v] subject shall rise to his
feet and address the moderator by the appellation of brother, who shall not be
interrupted while speaking, unless he digress from the subject, who shall not
make any remarks on the slips and failings of any other speaker, but give his
own view of the subject, without sophistry or criticism.
4th.
No member shall speak more than three time to any one subject, without first
obtaining leave of the association.
5th.
No member shall leave the house in time of business, without leave of the
moderator.
6th.
Every motion made and seconded shall come under the consideration of the
association, unless withdrawn by the member, together with his second. After a
motion is made and seconded, no other motion shall be made until the first is
disposed of.
7th.
A majority shall rule in all matters coming before the association, except in
the reception or exclusion of churches, which shall be unanimous.
8th.
Any member who shall willingly and knowingly violate any of these foregoing
rules, shall be reproved in any way the association may think proper.
9th.
Any query may be presented to this association, and may be read by two thirds
of the members voting for the same.
10th.
All the [names] of the delegates shall be enrolled by the clerk, and called
over as often as the association may direct.
LEMUEL HERREN,
President.
JAMES
DAVENPORT, Secretary.
There
being no further business before the convention, it adjourned. The association
immediately formed.
On
motion, agreed, that the next association be held with the Border church,
Harrison county, Texas, on Saturday before the first Lord’s day, in October next—brother
L. Herren to preach the introductory sermon; brother Reed in case of failure.
On
motion, agreed, to open correspondence with the [Saline][vi]
Association; brother Davenport to write and [][vii]
the letter.
On
motion, agreed, that two hundred copies of the above minutes be printed, and
that brother A. Wright be appointed to superintend the same.
On
motion, agreed, that the thanks of this association be tendered to the
inhabitants of this vicinity for their kind [consideration] manifested to the
members of the convention and association during their continuance among them.
LEMUEL HERREN,
Moderator.
JAMES
DAVENPORT, Clerk.
[i] The two pages of photocopy
I possess suggests the minutes were printed in a broadside. There appears to be
one large page divided into three columns. I have tried to reproduce the
original as best as possible, though it is not in the same formatting.
[ii] This
transcription is made from a photocopy of a photocopy held at the library at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
[iii]
Sabine Association did not initiate correspondence with either of these
associations. However, the “United Baptist Association of Western Texas”
referred to the 1844 minutes may be the same as the “pro-missionary-society”
Union Association.
[iv] This
name is unreadable in the photocopy except for “Crai”, but information is supplied
from the Union church minutes, p. 17.
[v]
Perhaps “said” was intended.
[vi]
Difficult to read, but correspondence to the Saline Association in Arkansas is
mentioned in the 1844 minutes.
[vii] Possibly, “bear” or “send.”
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