Minutes of the Jefferson Baptist Association — 1869

Twenty-first Annual Session

Held With the Apple Grove Church Ashe County, N.C.,

September 10th, 11th and 12th, 1870
J. Eller, Clerk, Jefferson, N.C.

[Note, there are inconsistencies of dates in this document. The information is presented as in the original minutes, however 1869 would appear to be the proper date. Also note that it appears that some division in this association had taken place since the 1868 Association. – Jeff Weaver, 1999]

Proceedings

Apple Grove, Ashe County, N.C.
Friday, September 10, 1869

The Jefferson Baptist Association met, pursuant to adjournment, with the Baptist Church at Apple Grove, at the above date.

The introductory sermon was preached by Elder J. Blevins, from Jeremiah 5:22

After a short recess, the Association was called to order by J. Blevins, Moderator. Prayer by the Moderator.

Letters from five churches read and their messengers’ names enrolled.

On motion, proceeded to the election of officers, Elders Hollar and Howel appointed tellers, which resulted in the choice of Elder J. Blevins, Moderator, and Br. J. Eller, Clerk and Treasurer.

Read Rules of Order and invited correspondents from sister Associations: Elders I. Hollar and W. Dowell and Brn. J. T. Privett and H. C. Edmund from the Brier Creek Association; and Elder S. Blackman and Br. P. McCarter, accepted seats as transient members from the Lebanon Association.

The Moderator then appointed the following Committees:

On Devotional Exercise, Brn. A. Barker and Levi Barker with the delegates from Apple Grove Church.

On Arrangements, Brn. D. Sheets, D. Blevins, Sr., and J. Green, with the Moderator and Clerk and Correspondents.

On Finance: Brn. I. M. Carter, and David Blevins

On the State of the Churches, Brn. T. M. Duncan and A. Pennington

On Missions, Elder S. Blackman and Jas. Blevins

On Resolutions, Elders I. Hollar and W. Dowel

The Committee on Devotional Exercises, report preaching for to-night, Bro. Privett and Elder Howel; and to-morrow, at the stand, Elder Blackman, at 11 o’clock; and Elder Hollar to conclude.

On motion, adjourned until tomorrow morning, 9 o’clock; and that a half hour he spent in devotional exercise.

Prayer by Elder Blackman.

Saturday Morning, September 11, 1869.

Met pursuant to adjournment, Services conducted by Elder A. Johnson. Then the Moderator called the Association to order.

1. Read the report from the Committee on Arrangements, which was adopted.
2. On motion extended an invitation to correspondents from sister Associations, when Elder A. Johnson and Br. M. Camel from the United Baptist Association accepted seats with the Association; and Br. W. Ross, from the Lebanon, as a visiting member.
3. On motion, called on correspondents to sister Associations to report: The messengers to the Brier Creek attended that body and were kindly received. The messengers to the Yadkin and United Baptist Associations all failed to attend; and, after a sharp reproof from the Moderator, were excused. Elder J. Blevins reported that he attended the Lebanon with a letter. The Association did not take cognizance of the grievance between Landmark and Antioch churches but recognized Antioch church as a legitimate member of its body; and that they receive him, with a letter from the Jefferson, in christian fellowship.
4. The committee to procure the Minutes of the Jefferson Association, reported that the Minutes had been procured–Report adopted.
5. On motion, the Clerk was requested to have the Minutes of the Jefferson Association, from its formation till the present time, bound into a book.
6. On motion, appointed messengers to sister Associations: To Brier Creek (pending the appointment, Elder Hollar presented a letter from Br. John Jennings, from the Brier Creek, asking for an agency to ride and distribute books in the Jefferson Association for the next year, agreed to.) Authorized the messengers from the Jefferson to act in concert with a committee from the Brier Creek, on that subject. Messengers to consist of J. Green, T. M. Duncan, I. M. Carter, E. Blevins, A. Barker, and Edward Blevins. To the United Baptist, Elder J. Blevins, Brn. J. Eller, I. Edmonson, A. Pennington, W. P. Lewis, T. M. Duncan, D. Tucker and I. M. Carter– To the Lebanon, Brn. J. Blevins and A. Pennington.
7. On motion agreed to invite the churches belonging to the United Baptist and the Lebanon, situated between the Blue Ridge and the Iron Mountains to meet with us in Convention to consider the propriety of organizing into a larger and stronger Association, upon Missionary principles; and after some very lovely remarks from Elder Hollar and Johnson, it was agreed to meet with the Baptist Chapel Church, eleven miles north of Jefferson to convene on Friday before the second Sabbath in June 1870. Elder Hollar to preach the introductory sermon and Elder Johnson his alternate.
8. On motion, called on the Treasurer, who reported– Report read and adopted. See report at letter A.

9. Elders Dowel and Hollar to preach tonight, at Br. E. Blevins’ and Elder Johnson at Br. D. Tucker’s. Then, on motion, took a recess for thirty minutes.

   Afternoon Session.

   At 1 o’clock P.M. the Association was called to order and resumed its business.

10. On motion, called on the Committee on Finance: Report read and adopted. See report letter B.
11. The Committee on the State of the Churches, submitted their report, which was read and adopted. See report at letter C.
12. The Committee on Resolutions made their report, which was read and adopted. See report at letter D. Pending the adopting of this report, there were some glowing and lovely remarks made by Elder Holler, Br. McCarter and others.
13. The Committee on Missions presented their report, which was read and adopted. See report at letter E.
14. On motion, appointed the next annual session of this body to be held with the Landmark Church 8 miles North of Jefferson, to commence on Friday before the 4th Sabbath in August 1870.
15. On motion, appointed Elder W. Dowell to preach the annual sermon; and Br. L. Barker his alternate.
16. On motion, appointed the Clerk to superintend the printing of the Minutes, and that he have 150 copies printed and be allowed $4.00 for his services.
17. For Sabbath: Elder Dowell to preach at 10 o’clock, A.M.; at 11 o’clock Elder Hollar to preach; and Elder Johnson to conclude at 2 o’clock P.M.
18. On motion, adjourned to meet at time and place appointed. Services concluded by Elder Hollar.

J. Blevins, Moderator

J. Eller, Clerk

A