Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-10-29
Frnm De Nsshri1ls Bnnner
The First Baptist Church Difficulties
Protest Of the Rejected Delegates

The First Baptist Church Difficulties
Protest of the Rejected Delegates
Our readers are already aware that, in conse-
uuence Of action connected with the recent trial Of
Rev. J. R. Graves in the First Baptist Church, two
sets Of delegates appeared at the recent meeting Of
the General Association st Lebanon, both claiming
to represent the First Baptist Church. The delegs
ton known as those sustaining the charges against
Mr.. Graves, was rejec ed, and they offered the fol-
lowing PROTEST, which the Association refused to
have spread upon the Minutes:
We the undersigned, Members Of the First Bap-
fist Church in the city Of Nashville, regularly ap
pointed delegates TO represent her ct this session or
the General Association feel'oonsralDed BY sense
Of duty, on our own behalf, and on behalf OF the
Church we represent, to enter this our solemn pro
test against the action of the General Association in
excluding u.s. as snoh representatives, from taking
seats 10 which we conceive ourselves rightfully en-
titled We base this protest upon the following
points, viz:
/. That said decision is not in accordance with
the Constitution Of the General AssOcia ion, but is
direct violation Of the same. See Articles and 4,
which are IS follows:
cart III ANY Association or Church, paying
FIVE dollars into the treasury Of the General Asses
ciation shall be entitled to one del' gate, aud an
additional delegate for every additional hVe dol
lars: or any one paying five dollars shall be enu
lied to tbimselfi in this body or appoint delegate
Provided that no skaH be eligible TO membership
IN The General Association WhO Is not member IN
GOOD STANDING IN some orthodox Baptist Church
cart ~ These delegates when 60 convened 10
General Association shall IN NO CASE INTERFERE
WITH TIE INTERNAL REGULATIONS OF TIE AssoCIA
TIoNs Oh CHURCHEs, nor pursue any olher objects
than those specified in the second article
q That said decision ereets the General Associs
tion into an Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, contrary to
its constitution, contrary 10 all usage her tcfre ami
verssly accepted by BaPtists, and contrary to the
word OF God.
3. That said decision establishes precedent that
the General Association is constituted appellate
body and may rightly hear and determine aPpca 8
from the decision OF churches il cases purely disop-
hnary in their character.
A That said decision strikes s fatal blow at the
very foundation Of Baptist church government, and
removes a Landmark loved and cherished by all or
dsr,loviBg Baptists; and for maintaining which mar
tVrs we're led to the stake, and oOnsecrated their
ssblocd IS the seed of the church"
s. That said dec sion disfranchises q coordinate
church regularly constituted according to the word
of God without tIia or the regular forms Of trial
6 That said decision is made without any legii
mate evidence, or upon evidence that is sEpGrts
> T. That said decision perverts the General AssO-
citation from the purposes and objects for the &C
complisbment Of which it was originally constituted
And,
s. That the General Association has no right or
power granted itether in the word Of God or under
its constitution to interfere Nth the iRteHdL Tegutu
tons Of Associations or ChuTchsS d"
These and other considerations, acting under q
prsyerful conviction Of the importance of the occs-
sion impel U.s. the represent atves of the First Bap
list Church 10 the city Of Nashville, to thus earnest
ly and solemny protest against said decision OF the
General Association. Praying the blessing Of our
Lord Jesus Christ TO rest upon you, as well as our
selves in the discharge Of every duty that shall pro-
mote His glory and the extension Of His kingdom
on earth we respectfully ask that this protest
may be entered on the minutes.
R B. c HOWELL,
L. WO, DFOLK
CHAs. K. WINSTON,
EwD. PAYsON WALTON
CHARLES FULLER,
ANsoE Nelson,
W. JONES'
s. NJ SCoTT.