Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-10-23
I12 ,-a Gems Singled

winch their ministers propagate their
Itenets, gave certain eciat to their ex-
ertions and new air to the occupati-
/ ons of the city. The Association met
on Friday night, the 18th, and dissoi-
we'd on Monday night, 9 O'Clock. a
bout 300 STRANGERS are estimated 70
have been present-the ordained ard
licensed preachers between so and 40,
of whom six or seven came from the
other Association districts.
There were no proceedings of ge-
neral nature, conducted under the aus
|pices of this meeting. On Sunday
forenoon, the preaching was carried
on atthe Capitol, whittier flowed tide
|of population, which the Hall of tho
House of Delegates could not contain
land at the Baptist and Msthodist
meeting Houses-by different minisS
tiers, who interchanged in the after.
noon. A singular degree Of. harmony
is said to have prevailed zfGongstSall {;
the 6 lovers of piety;" Baptisfs and
Methodisls. 1t was pleasing to sees
this spectacle of concord among them.
"The Methodists, (said distinguish
ed Baptist) acted on this occasion a
liberal and friendly part, not only in
furnishing their meeting house from
first TO last, but in attending the meet.
ings at the different places, aud in joins
ing with apparent cordially In the re-
|ligious exercises-for which the As.
sociation expressed their thanks"
This Association is called the Do
yer Association-there are in this
district 81 churcht and 1923 me mbers,
as may be seen by reference to Sem
Plies History of the Virginia Baptists,"
Up. 9o-91-a work lately published, and
containing mine of Baptismal infor-
nation, couched In The clearesl & sim
plest style.
The government of the Baptist
Church, is extremely simple and equal.
There are Is whole Associations in
he stare, besides four others which
extend into other states. Each one
has constitution independent of the
rest. The government both of the ASSOC
Citations, the churches, and, indeed, &c
the whole society in Virginia, and
throughout the world, isaminently re-
ublican; for the decisions are always
made by the majority. They are all
IN perfect equality, except SO far as
hey may be distinguished by their ta-
Tents, their enthusiasm, and their SER
vices. There are no dignitaries A.
mong their ministers.
The purpose of the association is,
to advise the churches in all intricate
cases of discipline TO preserve an u.
Uniformity of sentiments and principles;
20 cultivate an acquaintance between
the churches aud their members and
to supply vacant churches by the APP.
pointment oil neighboring pastors TO at
tend them at stated periods. Accord
ing to the Dover constitution, each
church can send delegates and may
send less. They are generally select
ed by the votes of the members Of the
chu ch, and receive no pecuniary CON-
'tpensation for their services.
Besides these Associations, there is
a more general Convention or General
Meeting OF Correspondence which has
been on foot for few years, and i'm
tended to knit the several Associations
together. 1t has not, however, yet re-
ceived the sanction of all these bodies
in Virginia.
The whole number of Baptists in
ihis state, is computed by MIR. Sempls
at 31,o52.
!, There was period in this state when
he Baptists and other Dissenteys were
prosecuted, and particular church
was favored and established by the
! law. But the revolution of America
, over-threw the despotism Of the church
4 las well as that of the state--as cur go
E v,rnment is Independents Of G. Bril-
: tain, so religion is independent of our
: government. Universal federation is
: established by our constitution and
q laws, as well as by the feelings of the
ie people. We have arrived at that hap-
'~ py summit, which had been viewed by
81 the sages of Europe, as ,heoreti.
=, cal Elysium, rather 10 be desired thar
enjoyed; where every man is free &c
= follow the dictates of his own consci
ence.--We have solved the problem
which had been so long sgitsted in th'
old world 1--WE have shewn how muCl