Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-10-31

- .,cs anu un Tie resolution. -
The 18th Article of our Minutes. 1856, thus
records the action of. the Association rs unani-
nous :-Whcreas, strenuous exertions, though
Intellectual, were made by minority, to record
their names in opposition to the resolution, re-
garding it as radically wrong, because it made
the Abstract OF Principles the basis of action,
instead Of the New Testament, and because it
was an assumption of powers by. the Associa-
ton, which the Churches never had, and never
ought to confer on IN ecclesiastical body.
The Standing Spring Church, in her letter to
the Association, suys: = 1--WE have
taken two members into our Union, from the
Church known as. the Campbellites, upon letters
of Recommendation, without experience or re-
baptism. y These members have been
received without any alterations of rules or
nrinciples, and have come under the government
of our Church as regular Baptist. We
hope you will, in your advisory council, decide
for. US, whether or not we can sustain ourselves
In what we have dono, so as TO remain Baptists,
and promote, the Redeemers kingdom on earth,
rs this should be our chief aim." .-,
The matter was referred 10 n Select Commit
tee, who made the following report, which the
Association adopted, (by majority. g.:
(Article 18th, Minutes, 1860 q i y.
e Whereas, it has been brought to the notice of
the Association, by the Standing Spring Church
that thew have received members into their fel-
'owship from, and opened communion with the
Campbeltcs, in violation of our Abstract OF
Principles therefore,
RESOLVED, That we recommend the Association
to admonish said Church, and advise her to
rescind her act.
A. K. DURHAM, Church CON-.
On the afternoon of Saturday, q motion was
made to strike out the 18th Article of the Alb
stract of Principles: This amended motion was
discussed with much ability by Elders ]. j.
Brantly. and WIN. B. Johnson, D. D., and Hon
JB. O'Neall, all in favour of striking out the
Abstract of Principles. The argument was
drawn from the fact, that the Association had
giyen this Abstract of Principles all the authori.
ty of law, and had arraigned before her, and
Judged and punished two of the Churches fol
violating it. They maintained that tho only
legitimate use, and only excuse for an Abstract
Of Principles, was to exhibit to The world the
doctrines generally held by the denomination
without compelling conformity of belief on the
part ofthe Churches; to each and altof the doc.
trines it might contain. 1t would be better to
rive it up altogether, and take the Bible alone
than that the Churches should thus suffer from
it's peryersion. The speakers pointed out witt
much force the tendency of power, to accnmu
late in the hands of rulers; and the danger o.
encroachments by ecclesiastical bodies, and o
concessions by the Churches. Some, Of TN
points were controyerted by some Of the breth
rem, but no effort was made to answer the argu
ment in detail To terminate the matter,
was moved by Elder A.. K. Durham, to refer th
whole matter to the Churches, for their decision
which disposition would have been entirely sat
isfactory to the minority but his motion wa
amended, to ".postpone indefinitely" whicl
amendment prevailed.
Thus the hopes Of getting the matter brough
fairly before the Churches, being again cut OF
few Of the minority agreed upon Protest
which they designed to present to the Associa
ton, and invite all to sign, who concurred in tn
views and sentiments therein contained. IN
Protest was drawn up, and presented, on Mon
day. by Elder D. ]. Pearce, who asked leave
read it, and have it entered on the face of tn
Minutes. The Association refused to hear
read. A few of us, nevertheless, attached ou
signatures and regarding the principles at issu
Of much consequence to our denomination, " y,
ask of you tho courtesy Of giving it publLclt