Minutes of the Twenty-Seventh Annual Session of the Friendship Association of United Baptists of the Primitive Order

Held with Double Springs Church, Winston County, Alabama. September 16-18, 1898. Officers: C.H. Tanksley, Moderator, Pool, Ala. and P.H. Newman, Clerk, Double Springs, Ala. 1898, John M. Summers’ Excelsior Print, Looling, Ala.

The Twenty-Seventh Annual Session of the Friendship Association of United Baptists of the Primitive Order, met with Double Springs Church, Winston County Alabama, on Friday before the third Sunday in September 1898.

The Introductory Sermon was preached by Elder C. H. Tanksley, text: St. John 3rd Chapter and 14th verse.— "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:"

Recess for one hour, reassembled in the church house, prayer by Elder W. W. Clayton.

The Body was then called to order by the former Moderator, Elder C. H. Tanksley, and Brethren F. L. Hadder and P. H. Newman was appointed reading Clerks, and the letters from the various churches was called for, handed in, read and Delegates names enrolled as follows :

Union.—Not represented.
Oak Grove,—James Sullivan.
Providence.—A. J. Conner and J. B. Smith
Cool Springs.—Elder F.M. Woodley and J.B.Cagle.
Double Springs.—Elder P.H.Newman, J.P.Welborn and G.B. Dinsmore.
Enon.—Robert Beasley and Robert Butler.
Liberty.—R. A. Hooper, D. C. McVay aud J. C. Lambert.
Lebanon.—Elder W. W. Clayton, W.J. Winn and J.W. Brown.

1. Election of officers resulted in the choice of Elder C. H. Tanksley as Moderator, and Elder P. H. Newman as Clerk.

2. The Association was pronounced organized, and business was transacted as follows:

3. Called for letters of Correspondence from Sister Associations. None present.

4. Called for Petitionary letters, a letter and delegates was present from Hopewell Church, name of delegates, Elder J. H . Gilliland, and Brethren W . R. Hamner and B.W.Dover, the church was received and the Moderator extended the right hand of fellowship to her delegates.

5. Appointed a Committee on Arrangements—Elds. J.H. Gilliland, W.W. Clayton, F.M. Woodley, P.H. Newman and C.H. Tanksley.

6. Appointed a Committee to Arrange Preaching during the session of the Body—Brethren J. B. Cagle, Robert Beasley, G. B. Dinsmore, J. W. Brown, J. C. Lambert, A.J. Conner, James Sullivan and W.R. Hamner.

7. Appointed a Committee on Finance—J.B. Cagle and Robert Beasley.

8. Adjourned to meet Saturday morning at 9:30.

SECOND DAY. Saturday September 17, 1898—9:30 A.M.

The Body met according to order of adjournment, prayer by Elder J.H. Gilliland.

9. Called for report of the Committee on Arrangements, and the Committee reported that the business of the session proceed according to the order as it stands upon last years minutes, except article 8 in said rules. Report received and Committee discharged.

10. Hopewell Church was annexed to the Second District.

11. Called for Correspondence from Sister Associations. None.

12. Called for report of the District Meetings, 1st District reports that the next session will be held with Oak Grove Church, Franklin County Alabama, commencing on Friday before the 3rd Sunday in August 1899, Elder J.H. Kimbrough to preach the Introductory Sermon, Eld. W.W. Parker, alternate. 2nd District reports that the next session of that Body will convene with Enon Church, Winston County Alabama, on Friday before the first Sunday in August 1899, Elder W. W. Clayton to preach the Introductory Sermon, Elder P. H. Newman, alternate.

13. Called for Treasurer's report, and the report was submitted as follows : For the year ending Sept. 16, 1898. Received of Finance Committee Sept. 18, 1897, the sum of $10.10. Paid out for printing the Minutes, Postage and to the Clerk, as per order of the Association, the sum of $10.10. P. H.Newman, Treas.

14. Called for the report of the Committee on Finance, the Committee reported the sum of $9.85.

15. Motion in order, that the Clerk superintend the printing of the Minutes, and that he have 200 copies printed, and that he retain the surplus funds if any remain.

16. Called for the reading of the Circular Letter, and Elder Bruce Phillips who was appointed to write the letter, not being present, Elder P. H.Newman submited a letter which was read, received and ordered printed in the Minutes.

17. Elder W.W. Clayton was elected to write a Circular Letter for next session .

18. The next session of this Body will be held with Providence Church, Lawrence County Alabama, 7 miles South of Courtland, commencing on Friday before the third Sunday in September 1899, Elder J . H . Gilliland to preach the Introductory Sermon, Elder P. H. Newman, alternate.

19. Motion in order, that the Abstract of Faith and Rules of Decorum be printed in the Minutes.

20. Motion in order, that Elders W. W. Parker, W. P.Flowers and W.R.Fredrick be Published in the Minutes as standing excluded from our Body.

21. Motion in order, that the thanks of the Body be extended to the Church and to the good people of Double Springs and surrounding country for kindness and hospitality to us during our stay among them.

22. Motion in order, to extend the special thanks of Body to the generous and kind hearted people of the Northern Methodist Church, who is showing much of the Spirit of Christ, in granting to the Double Springs Church the use of their place of worship and to this Body during the present session, may the good Lord pour out a copious blessing unto these Christian people.

23. Minutes read and received, and the Body adjourned to meet at the time and place mentioned above.

P.H.Newman, Clerk. C.H.Tanksley, Mod.

CIRCULAR LETTER.

Dear Brethren of Friendship Association:

As Elder Bruce Phillips, who, the Body at last session, called upon to write a Circular Letter, is not present, I assume to present for your consideration, the following scripture: "Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility." Collossians, 2nd Chapter, 21, 22 and 23 verses.

Very Dear Brethren : I feel inadequate to the task, but, impressed with the necessity. The Apostle sets forth the danger of even handling the things which are to perish with their using, the things refered to must be used with a spiritual claim to a divine nature. I understand divine things to be the doctrine taught by the true ministers of the gospel, and to be believed by God's children and practiced by all true believers in Christ, I understand the things which we are warned not to touch, taste nor handle; to be that which the Apostle refers to—the commandments and doctrines of men—which are to perish with their using, and therefore, can not be of service to God's people. To be prepared to know the difference between the doctrine of God our Saviour, and of men, there are certain prerequisites; 1st, to know God aright, and to know Him right is to realize that our sins have been forgiven; 2nd, to be joined to a church of such like believers; 3rd, to realize with the rest of the family, that it is our pleasure to do God's will; 4th, to be possessed with a desire to join the church—the household of faith—where, with the rest of the family, we can prove to the world, that we have been with Jesus, by obedience in observing the Ordinances of the church, to wit: Baptism, the Lord's Supper and Washing the saints feet etc., the grand show commanded to be made by men in will-worship and even having a show of humility, by their works you shall know them. Dear Brethren: Obey God our Saviour and taste not; touch not; handle not; because all that, which these will-worshipers taste, touch and handle, are to perish with its using. When it goes well with you dear Brethren remember your unworthy brother at a throne of Grace. Your Brother in Tribulation;

P.H. NEWMAN.

ABSTRACT OF FAITH.

Article 1. We believe in the true and living God, the Father, Word and Holy Ghost. I John 5, 7, and St. John 1, 1, 14 and 4, 24.

2. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the words of God, and the only rule of our faith and practice. II Peter 1, 21. II Tim. 3, 16.

3. We believe in the doctrine of election by grace, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. II Tim. 1, 9. Titus 3, 5. Ephesians 2, 8-9.

4. We believe in the fall of man ; that he is incapable of recovering himself therefrom. Romans 5, 12. St. John 6, 44.

5. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 4_, 5, and 5, 1. Gallatians 2, 16.

6. We believe that God's elect will be called and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. I Peter 1_; 2. Romans 8, 29-30.

7. We believe that the saints will persevere in grace; and never fall finally away. St. John 10, 27-28. Romans 8, 35-39.

8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinance of Jesus Christ and that true believers are the only proper subjects, and that baptism is immersion in water. Matthew 3, 7, and 8, 13-17, and 26, 26-28.

9. We believe that washing the saints feet was ordained by Christ to be done by His people until His second coming. St. John 13, 4-17. I Timothy 5, 10.

10. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and a general judgment; that the punishment of the wicked and the joys of the righteous will be eternal. John 5, 28-29. Matthew 25, 31-46. I Cor. 15, Chapter.

11. We believe that no minister has a right to administer the ordinances of the church only such as have been regularly baptised, called and come under the hands of the presbytery. Matt. 28, 19-20. Jno. 15, 16. Acts 2, Chap.

12. We believe that none but regularly baptised persons have a right to commune at the Lord's Table. Luke 3, 7-8. Romans 16, 17-18. I Cor. 5, 6-11.

RULES OF DECORUM.

1. The Association shall be opened and closed by prayer.

2. A Moderator land Clerk shall be chosen by the vote of the delegates present.

3. But one person shall speak at a time, and he shall a-rise and address the Moderator.

4. No member shall be interrupted while speaking, unless he departs from the subject.

5. The person speaking shall not pass any unpleasant reflections on the one who spake before, but shall fairly state the matter so as to convey his ideas.

6. No person shall depart from the session of the Association without leave.

7. No person shall speak more than three times on the same subject without leave of the Moderator.

8. Every motion with a second, which does not conflict with the rights of the churches, shall be put to a vote, unless withdrawn by him who made it, and a majority shall decide in all cases.

9. All members shall observe order in time of public speaking.

10. The appellation of brother shall be used in our addresses to one another.

11. The names of delegates shall be enrolled, and called as often as the Association may require.

12. The Moderator shall be entitled to the same privileges of speech as any other member, provided, he appoint some other member to fill the chair while speaking, but shall not vote, unless the Association be equally divided.

13. The minutes of the Association shall be read and corrected, if need be, and signed by the Moderator and Clerk.

14. Any member violating these Rules of Decorum shall be dealt with as in other offences.

Statistical Table, 1898