Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1841-10-28
wv. B. JOHNSON, Chairman.
CIRCULAR.
The Edgefeld Baptist Assoeicsion to the

CIRCULAR.
The Edgefeld Baptist Assoeiesion 10 the
Churches ,ri.h,n her iimii,:-Stndeth
Christian Saiutation.
BELOVED BRETHREN
BY resolution iu our Minutes, you,will
see, that We have determined to resume our
former practice Of addressing you in Circu-
lar Letters; aud, in the present one, re-
quest your attention to the grounds, on
which our answer TO the following Query
from the Salem Church is predicated.
Query:-Is il consistent with Gospel or
der, that Church shall hold in her fellow
ship, a member, who is in The habitual
practice Of engaging III the party plays Of
The day?
II is to be understood, that. by these
plays, are meant, Cards, Dice. Billiards,
Ninepins. Draush's, Chess, Back Cannon,
Horse Rac!Hg, .awu playing, in its va
rinus forms, Dancing parties. costly Enter
taiumeb,s for carnal pleasure, The Theatre,
Circus, vain shows aud such like amuse.
.nenis.
IL must be admitted. that the Scripture
does hot, in so many ,cords. condemn these
amusenen,s. Their prohibition, il they
are prohibited at all, must be learnt from
The general principles and precepts Of the
word Of God. To these must The ever va
ryiue, ever multiplying inventions OF men
be brought for approval or rejection. To
the law and the testimony! lf they not
speak not according To this word. j, is be-
cause there is no ligh, in ihem." For, IAN
Scripture is given by inspiration Of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for rcproof,
for correction. for instruction in righteous
ness. that the man Of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works"
IL must, therefore. be complete code of
laws for the man Of God, to which these
plays may be safely brought, for ascertain
ing their true character.
The FIRST general principle 10 which wc
direct your attention on this subject, is this:
''Ye are not your own. For ye are bought,
with price," The conclusion, t3edueible
from This principle, is wrought into The fol-
lowing s'neral precepts. "Thereforc. Glo-
rify God in your hody and 10 your spirit,
which are Code. - {" Whetiier, therefore,
ye ear or drink. or whatsoever ye do, do all
TO: the glory OF Gud. Give none offence,
neither to the Jcas. nor tn the Gentilcs,
nor 10 the Church of God" Tha, is, throw
no stumbling block in the way Of the Jews,
or Geniiles. or the members ofthe Church,
by which they may fall. According to the
general principle just laid down, believers
are recognized. as the absolute property Of
God-a property purchased at the inc,lim-
able price Of the blood Of Coos own Son.
The bodies aad souls Of these believers are
edeemed, by this price. from the degrada-
ton Of sin and the miscries Of hell. They
are therefore bound To conform themselves
in lhnusht, in word, and III action, not only
TO the letter Of The Divine requirement, but
also 10 lis spirit. Let US, BOW, bring these
plays or amusemenrs, in these respects, Ito
the law and The testimony"
| ]. ln reference To the thoughts. " Every
thought is to be brought into captivity to
The obedience OF Christ" Let US now ask
Are any olthcsc plays or amusements fit
ted Ia promote this end Can there he one
spiritual Thought cherished in their enjoy
mcnt! Can there be one holy affection
nourshcd tlerel Can the love of God be
| ''S" bo Hot ttiCSC uuuuSC-
en,s serve, on ihecontrary. TO render The
thoughts and affections carnal, and to wea.
ken the force Of divine love il, the soul
And in proportion as they arc INDUCED in
Are not the Scriptures neglected! Is not
secret prayer restrained, and eiacuatory
prayer abandoned Can the Christian, in
these amusenrenls, lift up his heart will,
gratitude 10 God fos The pardon Of his sins,
and for grace to overcome hemi Can he
pray Lead us not into temptation, deliver
me from all evil, and rom its appearance =
No! This is impossible. Hence then are
these plays condemned and prohibited .,y
The law aud the testimony, for they promote
not The subjecliou Of every thought 10 the
obedience OF Christ, bu, the cnrnaIi,y and
dehasenent Of then, all. They bring nc
glory to God, but tend to throw stumbling
block in the way Of the Jews, the Gcntiles
and the Church Of God.
2. Ne; only is "every thought TO bs
brought into captivity to The obedience o
Christi" But "our speech is to be nlway.
with grace, seasoned with salt, that We
may know how we are TO answer every
man." For, mo corrupt communication
is allowed, ",o proceed out of our mouth
bu, tha, which is good to the use Of edify-
ing, that il may minister grace unto the
hearers" Al! " "li,hncss. foolish talking
and jcs,ins nre forbidden" Let US ash
agnin: Are any Of these amusemeuts cal
cula,ed 10 assist believers in attaining ie
such purity of speech as is hereby enjoinedl
Can they be improved by the conversation
a, such plays in the best modes Of speech
to edify souIs' Arc they in these places
schooled in the best language for minis.
,ering grace to their hearers !! Suppose
that, at the close Of one OF those lamuse.
meuts, professor should attempt to admon,
ish the company Of their sins, and exhor'
them TO repeat and turn from the error ol
their waysl Would not the terms falter
upon his lips, and the unavailing effor,
extor, the taun'ing reproof; Physician,