Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-09-21


coEREsPoNDIsc LETTER.
Ihc DanbQry baptist Association 10 MI cor.
'feshsnains dissertations, sendcth ehrio.l.s
isvs and resi,ecf.
Beloved B,c,h.en,
AS the correspondence Of tSso indiv;
: duals is promoted and best secured by thr
true communication Of each Others sto,e
and ekpsricncc; SO, We conceive, il is with
collective bodies.
he condition of the baptists in this
slate IS widely diiferen, from the condition
OF many OF the associations with which we
srrespo"d. From the fifs; settlement Of
this state. rrigon has been considered as
principle OF sfats liSiicy, under the notion
OF an .Fb'atam9c chris,isn c7mmonzveoifh
ana The memorable revolution in l776,
HAD no constitutional ar legal effect On the
People OF Connecticut for unul this day.
we have had no specific constitution to
dissolve The firm of Moses and Aaron.
wnich many crroneously believe exists in
gospel times belveeh ruiers and ministers
secure To rs Ias. liberty OF Conscience
conilrm unlo US the right of sulTrase--de.
nae .kc powers OF goyernment--and qua
raFtce unto us and our posterity the i. -.
stnsss OF free republic. And as for any
1eSS"l security (Which indeed is variabs aid
precaricus) we have none tina, reaches our
case ~ such manner, but that (cnless
we bow TO power, which we believe the
Tod OF heaven never ordained for church
and slste) we ars exposed 10 have our pro-
perry issen from rs by force, or our bo-
dies cast Into prison, il we do not pay The
preachers, hich we never chose. never
hrar, ant. in whom we.place no confidence
rs our guides To ieagen. fhsis the truth
OF our case and all our pculions to our
leoislafure. fsr a repeal OF ihnse -..s.:. ~,
cruel, u: climate laws, have been treated
both with neglect aud contempt, aud he
Petitioners have been accused Of lnfidehty.
Bat We have louud ;.iat Jeaovqh is verify
God that regards Inc afflcled Our
churches 10 increase in numb.rs,: from
%hch considerable number is raiscd up
10 lslse Them by the hands and although
they are no, The learned and the wise of
The world, yet they are such rs God con-
dcsceads 10 bless. Lighi breaks in, and
superstition fees Before it. The rights Of
men are better understood than they for
nierly were, and we have strong hope in
God, that the Sssy is 20, very far off, when
Zion, NJ this STATE, laaviHg t5e earth 10
help hsr) vilI be freed from all legal en-
barrassinents, and be left IN The arms Of
her beloved husband and head TO protect
her from her foes. Bat should we ever
possess that freedom which many OF our
sister associations enjoy, ana for which
1--WE pray; still liberty would be bu; liille
riiors than a name, without we are deli
yered from the tyranny of satan and slave
ny oil sin. But as we hope the Lord viii
lsleiiver Us from the manaclcs OF religious
establishments, which have destroyed the
bodies ofthousands and thousands Of The
saints = SO also that he win deliver US from
The fury OF satan ssd dominion of sin,
winch have destroyed the souls Of ten
Thousand dnles ten thousand of the sim
ners of the ear.h. This, dear brethren, is
our prstef. In THE We are similar 10 cir
cuns,agCes This is a common cause
In tnis exerlion we may all unite! though
absent IN body, Gus prayers can meet be.
fore that throne Inhabited by judgment
and justice, yet Astounding 10 train and
grace.
we received your annual letters ano
messengers w'th pleasure, and wish for {
voaiiuuance Of the SAME while We, o.
our part, wlil eAdeasor, as far as IN oui
power, 10 make ike reiurns. Our meet
iug has been Serene our minds have beer
composed and eoniorted land We end i
IS not IN yain to serve the Lord.-----Flnal
~, brethren, farewell.
Signed ~ order and in behaLf effte ASA
e.GHos.
RUFUS BABCOCK, Mod-raior
ASAHRI, MORSE, Clerk.