The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-10-19
81 be Gnqutrer.
RICHMOND. OCTOBER Is, 1910.
THE CAUSE OF
RELIGIOUS TOLERATION.

Cur city has been lately interested by the
meeting OF the Association of the Bsptsls -
ne NUMBER OF strangers who fiocked hther, the
respectahilI'y OF the sect, the simplicity of their
principles, and the enthusiasm with which their
ministers propagate their tenets gave a cert air
e&at tn theIrexcrtions and new air to the occu.
patrons OF The city. The Association met on
Friday night, tho 12.h, and dissolved on Monday
night, 9o'clock, About 800 strangers are esti-
mated to have been pfesent--the ord ancd and
licensed preachers between 80 & 40 of whom
. OF came from tie other Association districts
There were no proceedings of a genes al ia
ture, conducted under the auspices of this meet
ing -Cn sunday forenoon, tie preaching was
carried or al the Capitol, whittier flowed a tide
OF population, which the Il al of the House of
Delegates could not contain---and at the Baptist
and Methodist meeting Houses--.,y different
ministers, who interchaDged IN the afternoon. A
nguldr degree OF harmony is said to have prevail.
led amongst all the 6 lovers OF piety;' Baptists
and Methodists Il was pleasing to see this
spectacle OF concord among them I" TIE Me
thudists, CsaId Distinguished Bspt;sO acted on
tois occasion liber2 and friendly part. nos ontv
in furnishing Their mre,ihg house from first to
hsi, but IN attending the Meetings at the differ
en-, places, and IN JOINING with apparent cordi
Atty IN the religious exerci ses----for which the
Association expressed their thanks"
Tins. Association IS called the Dover Asso
Ci"toi-tDefe arc III lltla utStrict 81 churches and
s623 mem5crs, as may be seen by reference TO
Senfi'se's I" n story Of the Virginia Btptists," D
SJ-Sl---a work lttly published, and containing
.BneO Of Saptihical information, couched in th.
ciearestant simplest style.
Tue goyerErrsnt of the Baptist Church is ex
trcmely simfle and equal. There are Is Whole
ASSOCIATIONS IN the state, besides four others
which extend iiitu other states Each one has q
constitutions Independent Of the rest The gov.
eminent both OF the associations, tie Churches,
and, 'ndetd, Of the whoe s)ciety in Virginia, 8,
throughput the world, is minsnty republican
Tor the decisions are Away made by the majority
They are all IN perfect equality, except SO far
as they may be distinguished by their talents
their enthusiasm, aud their services. There are
no d'gatarles among their ministers.
The purpose Of the association is, TO advise
the Churches ~ all intricate cases OF discipline
to preserve an uniformity Of sentiments aud grin
ciPles to Cultivate an Acquaintance betweca the
churches and their members and To supply va
cant churches by the appointment of,ngighbor
ing pastors to attend them at stated periods. Ac
cOrding To- tie Dover constitution, each church
can send , del, gates and may send lss The,
are generally selected by I've votes OF the mem
bers OF tie church, and receive no peeuniar,
compensation for their servicss
Bssides these Associations, there is a more ge
neral Convention or General Me ting Of G. Or
respondenee, which has been on foot for few
years and intended to knit the several Associa
lions together II has no.. however, vet recei
yee The SANCTION Of all tl.se bodies IN Virgins.