Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-02-18
CIRCULAR.
TO the Baptist Churches and
Ministers i'm the state Of
Mississippi.
county.


DEAR BRETHREN: The Board of the
Baptist State Convention of Mississippi,
have deemed il proper to avail themselves
OF this method to communicate with GU,
with reference TO the interests which you
have committed 10 their oversight, as the
servants of the churches. If any apology
we're deemed necessary, they doubt not a
satisfactory one would be found ia the pre-
sent exigencies with which we are sur
rounded. On looking aLont, on every
side, over our common country, and the
world, they behold the ''fields uhtte already
TO harvest. And he that reapeth secuIeth
wages and gatherelh fruit unto lIic eter-
nal"
In addressing you this circular, the first
beet that presents Itself Is tae religious
destiution in our own state, as, perhaps,
first of all demanding christian effort
and christian sympathy. There are,
in our own state, many FEEBLE churches
but occasionally, and at long periods
supplied with the preached gospel,
which require our attention and aid; and
there is also within our own BORDERS a large
amount Of territory totally unocru lied by
us, where are muItitudes furnishing for the
Bread of Life, and great numbers Of pre-
cious souls rushing unwurned down 10 The
pa es Of Eternal dca>h. There are, also,
many rising towns and villages in our state,
destined to lecome, ere long, the strong
holds of influence for good or for Ill, and
| at present unoccupieI with churches OF our
faith, or occupied with those TOO feeble 10
support preaching as the eyigency of the
case demands. 1t has seemed 10 the Board
that by no means sufficient regard has
been had to the great importance OF these
points, either in consideration OF The great
number of minds accessible over whom
conSecrated influence may be thrown, or
in consideration of the important influence
these places are destined to exert upon al
the surrounding country. We cannot be
ignorant of the fact that, with reference to
the country round about they are to be re-
garded as the spring fountains of influence.
Brethren, shall they become polson-toun-
tains whence shall flow out the tides of mo-
raj death, or shall they become fountains
of holiness sending forth their crystal wa
ters OF life.
The Board leg also TO remind you OF
our auxiliary relation, in the great cause
Of christian effort, to the American Baptist
Home Mission Society. We have hithcr-
to in our connexIon with this Society teen
rather the benefciaries, than the benetac-
tors or auriHarjeS The parent Society
feels a great and almost crushing weight
Of responsibility imposed upon her. While
the older states are enabled to supply their
own destitulion directly from their primary
orga nizations, and also TO contribute I'M
porlant aid to the parent society, yet the
cry of destitution comes up to her ears on
every hand-from the cities and villages
rising up in our new states. and as yet al
most unbessed with the gospel--trom oul
lone border set emcnts IN the star west
and fom the forest sired men," the
struggling remnant of a crushed race
The wall of want comes up also from Tex
: as, our 6rother-iand, and, from innumera
BILE considerations, dear 10 American
-, hearts. On every wind the Macedonian
cry is borne up, ''COME OVER AND HELP US,
: but the parent society, from the inadequa
, CIV of hes means, can, at The present time
=. do little more than to answer with her tears
y With these facts before you, brethren, vii
YOU not remember the. injunction of tn,
= Apostle, "But to do good and to cOmmuni
cate, forget not; FOR WITH SUCH sAcRIFT
- CEs COP Is WELL PLEASED" and the Divin
testimony, at is more blessed TO GRE thai
. to receire."
1t We need not remind you Of your dui
IS 10 the distant and perishing heather. Ca
e any christian enter his closet and utter III
g prayer, "LET THY KINGDOM COME" an
10 not remember the injunction of the blesse
e Saviour, go ye into all the world an
d preach the gospel TO eveay creature. Ii
r, That believeth and is baptised shall be say
n ed; hut he that believelh not shall lie dan
$, ned and also the exposition Of tn
to Apostle, "How shall they believe in hi
o, of whom they have not heard! and hO
4 shall they hear without a preacher2 an
,r hOp shall they preach except they
er SEMI"
Al Brethren, our duty is Lefore us; al
:. a all we not make greater effOrtsP Ia
We at reai.y in1lr G eater sacrifice