The Working Christian

Meeting of the Twelve-Mile River Association.
A GOOD SERMON—LETTER READING—STATISTICS—STATE MISSIONS—"WHAT HAS BEEN OUGHT TO BE"—A BULL ON THE TRACK—AN ASSOCIATION CONTROLLED BY CHURCHES—FINANCES—PARLIAMENTARY TACTICS—LUNCH BASKETS TAKEN BY STORM—RESOLUTIONS OF PROGRESS, &C.
The Twelve Mile River Association closed its last session on Sunday, the 10th instant. The meeting was held with the Cathey's Creek Church, Transylvania County, North Carolina, in what is known as the upper valley of the French Broad, being a part of one of the grandest and loveliest spots on this globe. The introductory sermon, by Elder W. B. Singleton, from 2d Timothy, ii, 15: "Study to show thyself approved unto God," &c., contained valuable and forcible thoughts and was quite in advance of the ideas of many connected with the Association. Indeed, we believe he struck the key note which opened the minds of the delegates for the adoption of enlarged plans of operation.
While the letters were being read the attention was remarkable, considering that this performance is generally esteemed commonplace and tedious. There were, however, in the letters some things worthy of attention. At the conclusion of the reading, Elder Lamar stated that he had gathered the following facts while the letters were being read: Baptisms this year, 320; restorations, 13; total additions, 333. Sunday schools reported from 24 of the 36 churches; 11 churches report no baptisms, and 12 report no Sabbath schools. Additions by baptism last year, 79; by restoration, 21; total, 100. There have been 235 more additions this year than there were last, and the Association has now a membership of 2,751. No contributions have been reported for any object except for minutes. There are in these facts cause for devout thanksgiving to God and for shame and lamentation.
The Association engaged just here in special prayer of thanksgiving and confession.
The organization was effected by electing Elder W. B. Singleton, Moderator, and Elder J. W. Tolleson, Clerk. Visiting brethren, corresponding messengers and the Agent of State Missions were received and a time appointed to hear the latter on the subject of our mission work.
Saturday morning ushered in a day of surpassing beauty: A clear sky at 9 o'clock, bracing air, rolling mountains in every direction, and the forests painted with gorgeous colors. The delegates were assembling early and faces evinced enjoyment and a purpose to spend the day well.
At 10 o'clock the Agent of State Missions hung up his map of South Carolina, and, although he was in North Carolina, talked South Carolina missions with all his might. All seemed deeply interested, and delegates from the churches arose and pledged to go to work in their churches and raise funds for our State Board before the meeting of the Convention in November. We sincerely trust they will remember their promises and establish a worthy name for the old Twelve-Mile River.
The committee appointed to recommend an order of business reported and some of the old veterans of the Association discovered conflicts in their report with the constitution. It was argued, if not in words at least in substance, "that what has been ought to be:" and so, instead of adopting such of the report as did not conflict with the time-honored constitution, they laid the whole matter on the table.
It has been suggested by some of the members of the Association that "this constitution is a bull on the track and that it must be removed." But a serious difficulty lies in the fact that the churches, and not the Association, control the constitution. The Association must put up with the "bull on the track," for they can't change the constitution unless the churches say so. We submit this query: Is not the Association competent to change, alter or amend its own rules, constitution, &c., independently of the churches? We hold that neither the churches nor Associations ought to control each other, and we hope this constitution will be properly amended.
The Committee on Finance reported that they had received forty-one dollars, being a larger amount than had ever been reported before.
The Committee on Circular Letter reported unfavorably.
Instead of a committee on persons to preach, &c., at the next meeting, this body takes a recess and goes into a committee of the whole and ballots for persons to perform such services. This is an excellent rule, because, first, it kills time, and, secondly, the delegates can ventilate their opinions as to the one each prefers.
A proposition was made to adopt some book on Parliamentary usage, as the body had no such article to govern their proceedings. Mell's book was suggested. This caused a vigorous discussion pro and con; and although it was shown that Mell had been adopted by nine tenths of the Baptists in the State and South, older heads argued that there might be something in his book (which they had not examined) which would conflict with "our constitution." Here again the venerable constitution triumphed, and Mr. Mell was laid aside to be dissected for a year, when he will go upon trial for approval.
At this point the hour for recess came and the delegates and congregation made an attack upon lunch baskets, and their contents soon disappeared by reason of such unmerciful treatment. This mountain air sharpens appetites wonderfully!
A series of resolutions had been offered on Friday and made the special order of the day at 1 o'clock. In order that the reader shall understand the spirit of progress they contained, we give them in full:
"Whereas this Association recognizes the responsibility resting upon us to do more for the spread of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ than we have been doing in the past; and whereas the times demand more vigorous efforts to this end: therefore, be it
"Resolved, 1. That we recommend that vigorous and earnest efforts be made to raise during the next Associational year at least an average of thirty cents per member for all the members of our churches for the cause of missions.
"2. That, in view of what the State Mission Board has been doing in our bounds and proposes to do, we recommend that two-thirds of the amount we propose thus to raise be given to said Board.
"3. That we recognize our obligation to do all we can to preach the Gospel to the heathen, and we advise that one-third of the amount raised be sent to the Foreign Mission Board to sustain our missionaries in China.
"4. That a committee of three each be appointed annually to report at the succeeding meeting on the following subjects: State missions, foreign missions and education.
"5. That an Executive Committee of five members be appointed, whose duty shall be to aid and encourage the raising of funds for missions, to advise with the State Board as to the work best to be done in our midst, and to devise plans for the establishment of a Baptist high school in our midst for the education of our sons and daughters.
"6. That our churches are requested to report to the annual meetings all funds contributed for all objects, as pastors' support, missions, education, Sunday schools, church expenses, &c."
The resolutions were advocated in a stirring speech by Brother Lamar, who showed that the spirit of missions underlies the whole Christian religion and was indispensable to the fulfilling of the great command of Jesus. He urged the education and elevation of the rising generation. The crowd listened eagerly and solemnly, and, amid bedewed cheeks, the resolutions were unanimously adopted. We pray God that the pastors and delegates will go home to see them carried out; and if they are, the Twelve-Mile River will take the front rank and be one of the banner Associations of the State.
There was preaching during the meeting each day, and on Sunday Elders Reed, Lamar and Singleton preached to a large and attentive congregation.
We trust in God that this meeting will long be remembered, and that it will usher in a glorious future.
Old Fogie.
Mountain Prospect, October 12, 1875.