Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-29
From The Banner Of yesterday.
The First baptist Church Dfmc u1ties
Protest of the Rejected Delegates.

Protest of the Rejected Delegates.
Cur readers are already aware that in
! consequence of action connected with the re-
cent trial of Rev. J. Il. Graves in the First
Baptist Church, two sets. of delegates ap-
peared at the recent meeting of the General
Association at Lebanon, both claiming to re-
present the First Baptist Church. The dele
CATION known as those sustaining the charges
against Mr.. Graves, was rejected, and they
offered the following PROTEST, which the As
ISOLATION refused to have spread upon the
Minutes
We. the undersigned, members of the First
BAPTIST Church in the city of Nashville. re-
guiarly appointed delegates to represent her
at this session Of the General Association,
feel constrained by sense OF duty, on our
own behalf, and on behalf of the church we
represent, to enter this our solemn protest
against the action of the General Association
in excluding us, a. such representatives,
from taking seats to which we conceive our
selves rightfully ent tied. We base this pro-
test upon the following points viz:
l. That said decision is not in accordance
with the Constitution of the General Associa-
ton, but is a direct violation of the same.
See Articles and f. which are as follows:
art Ill ANY Association or Church, pay
Z" five dollars into the treasury of the General
- Association. shall be entitled to one delegate
and AN additional delegate for every addi-
tioHal five dollars or any one paving five
dollars shall be entitled TO lit himself in
- THIS body, or appoint delegate. Provided,
- udt no one shall be eligible 10 membership IN the
. Generd association acho as not member IN GOOD
STANDING in some orthodox Baptist church.
Art W. These delegates when so conven-
"ed in General Association shall IN NO CASE
- INTERFERE WITH THE INTERNAL REGULATIONS
CT THE ASSOCIATIONS OR CHURCHES, nor pur-
" sue any other objects than those specified in
:. the second article
2. That said decision erects the General
Association into Ecclesiastical Hierarchy,
contrary to its constitution, contrary to all
usage heretofore universally accepted by
Baptist-. aud contrary to the word of God.
3. That said decision establishes precedent
that the General Association is a constituted
| app late body, and may rightfully hear and
dct, rhine appeals from the decision of
churches in cases purely disciplinary in their
character.
A. That said decision strikes a fatal blow
at the very foundation of Baptist church
government. and removes a landmark loved
aud cherished by all order-loving Baptists I;
and for maintaining which martyrs were led
To the stake and cunsecTated their - blood as
thc seed OF the church"
>. That said decision DISTINGUISHES a coOr-
tlinate church regularly constituted accord
ing to the word of God, without trial, or the
regular forms of trial.
&. That said decision is made without any
legitimate evidence, or upon evidence that is
eIpdrte only.
I. That said decision perverts the General
Association from the purposes and objects
for the accomplishment of which it was origi-
nally constituted. And,
5. That the General Association has no
right or power granted to it, either in the
word of God, or under its constitution, to
"uaTfere tcth the uterRaL regulations Of 4ssOctd-
tons or Churches.'
These, and other considerations, acting un-
der IL prayful conviction If the importance
Of the OCCASION mpel us, the representatives
of the First Baptist Church in the city of
Nashville, to thus earnestly and solemnly
protest against said decision of the General
Association. Praying the blessing of our
Lord Jesus Christ to rest upon you. as well
as ourselves, in the discharge of every duty
that shall promote His glory and the extern
sion Of His kingdom on earth We respectful
~ ak that this, our protest, may be entered
ON the minutes.
r. b. c. HOWELL,
l.. Il. VOOLFOLK,
c. X. WINSTON.
L. p. WALTON,
4. \. FULLER,
Arson NELSON,
a. w. Z. JOKES, ~