The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-06

THE BAPrISTS,

lar Le,,cr-rhc Letters iron the ChurObes-
se % ~Ssrmon. ~ ~. ,-.-.,- -
bled this morning in the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Chesnut street. above Eighteenth. The opening
devotional exercises were led by Rev w. II. H.
Marsh. The Moderator, Rev. Charles Keysen took
the chair at on O'Clock, and called the Association
to order. Tne minutes were read and approved.
The reading OF the letters from the several
churches was resumed. The letter from the Union
Colored Church gives the membership OF last year as
994. The present membership is 932. This church
has 62 scholars in the sunday school,
The Glen Run Church of Pennngtonvie gives the
present membership as 2O9. The membership last
year was qO3. The Sunday has 100 scholars
aud eight teachers. There are 800 volumes In the
Sunday school library. This church has been with
out regular pastor during the year.
The Newtown Square Chnrch gives the following
membership, 1O5 number of scholars in the sunday
school, 100; number OF teachers, IL; number Of
The First Baptist Church OF Easton Pa, gives
statistics as last year, So pre-.
ee npmbeT Of Yon%es T IN brSly aS Id Schools
AT 10 O'Clock the reading of the letters was sus-
pended TO allow for the special order of the day for
was read bv its author, Rev. MIR. Spencer, of Rox-
borO. The subject Of the letter was
Laxity In Religious Belief.
The following is an abstract OF the letter.
What is the position of churches and of Gods
& y sa sSs and
which their importance demSndsY God honorod BY a
Rs a
apDs the GS nSS % ees od
The careful and honest observer of facts confess
live in that is excessively libsralau age that
the ceremonies of religion preference religion itself
Human tastes and desires are ed before the Thus
the motive power IN many hearts Under the gar6 OF
agreement by concealment Forms and ceremonies with
and parade while doctrines e@snStns S9't the
throne and practices appointed by the Lord of life and
Many Of the essential doctrines and practices Of
Take for example, the subject of church unity How
many constantly asking Why All Ey%nsecai churches
is because the sorppra conditions owing to sxity in
bered there are certain great Biblical truths to be ac-
5 as to S be and % s0r
be accepted absolutely the only Of faith
FeSy the ordinances and doctrines Of the Gospel must
s1SiitS Of worship must be observed aao S5s How
much OF ioose0sss there is in the reception
quarters even to unbefef They areregarded BY many in
who m as % va
points the transition is very easy to the defense Of senti
ssnta unity IN things m mot ss esssenta liberty in al
doctrine doc or which is npt essent,a Has
gard to His statements that of them important
and and some OF them are no Nothing thai emanates from
our our head and without whose notiee not even sparrow
which is not essential any ID" vi p'"''pio
The transtio from this sentiment so false to another
equally prevalent is not difficult refer to the motto
IT makes no difference what you believe 50 long YOU
theI from the truth 1t does make difference before
believe.
Of right Because the heahen think they tnat
does not make them 80 MEG "a seced by pseadiee,
t believe He ha, not left this matter human caprice
neurrins His certain displeasure Yet how many viii
take nde5 o this bsr Thsp to
The change from laxity in belief to nconsistency in
sydspes Of ths former Men will act fslgCusy only
rsas M 6S
higher than the faith which promps it, water wil
eyed his neighbOr 70 be in danger from terrible disease
IT'S r sS %
Immortal souls affected with the terrible malady sin,
the e Of Sr G This R proof sq
sin, retribution, and redemption ''''''''
The incoossencies Of processing Chrsians among
have belief in all the teachings Of the Bible they
@ s1s% a. e es
oose mansens Nor viii the
tee be consistent without an qnfaterng
IN seeking to correct this laxity, 10 demanding
fringemen on liberty of conscience and the right OF pr
so% liberty i' IS oSsrcR
to its integrity and does Of churches
"a b % 9Sf b and contrary
that reason The hand Of fellowship IS witSdraTn
sci. nee IS not trsmmeied the liberty o. toe Church or
tions SaSe lights and liberties as well as hs
oeS not i the the Ss r City OF nd
Judgment Here then the proofs laxiy in religious
Injurious 70 His cause. How shall be remsdedy As
for more unwaverng and sublime belief, Let our
the ia oS oSe sef
exat the claims OF Jesus and elevate in preaching
As baptized churches of the dear Redeem for the
than man. let take stand the old laudm lrts aud
seek to remedy the prevalent hHy in religious belief by
OF our Divine Lord
The letter was adopted by the association and was
ordered to be printed in the minutes.
The reading OF the church letters was then re-
sumed.
The Twelfth Baptist Church OF Philadelphia re-
ports as folows:-Present membership, 242 men,
Oership last year, 2l3. Number OF scholars in Sun
day-schOol, 240; number of teachers 20; number OF
The Berean Church, West Phladel pAia, reports as
follows present membership, 2hs: membership
last year, 2l9. Number Of scholars in Sunday
school, 2S5; number OF teachers 10; numoer OF vol
umes in library, 500
The Princess street Baptist Church Of Alexandra,
Va, reports as follOws:-Number OF scholars in
school. 200: number OF teachers. 10; numper OF
volumes in library, 200. The membership Is not
The First Colored Church OF Washington, D. c.,
reports as fOll0ws:-Presentm membership, 4t2; men,
bership last year, $780, number OF scholars In school,
13o; number OF teachers, 8; number OF volumes in
The report OF the Board of Trustees of the Asso-
citation was presented and read. This report shows
the balance IN the treasury for general expenses 20
he S97O4 The amount Of the building fund is
8629 81. s4t0 have been loaned TO the Fourth
Colored Church Of Washington, according to the
conditions OF the fund The Honey well school fund
is ncrr asing aud the funds securely invested.
The FleischmaD memorial fund has been examined
and found 70 be In good condition The commit
tee having charge OF this fund have performed their
duties with great pains and accuracy. The Board
of Trustees recommend tsat Mr.. William Parker
be finally and honorably discharged from the duties
The association then proceeded to an election TO
I'LL vacancies In It's Board OF Trustees The election
resulted Gin the choice or Rev. David Spencer and
w. w. Keen, ESQ; An election was also held to NIL