Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-05-28

THE BAPTIST GENERAL ASSOCIATION.-The
Baptist General Association, of Virginia. is pure
ly missionary benevolent body, with no leg
islative or judicial authority; every Baptist
church being absolutely independent. The tie
uniting these churches in such an organization is
a common interest in the objects to promote
Any Baptist of Virginia may be member by
the annual payment of $40, either by himself or
by the church or society delegating him-no dis
tinction being made between ministers and lay
nen; indeed, of late years, the highest offices
are quite as often held by the latter.
TIL g body was originated in 1928, the Baptists
of the State having, before that time, had what
was known as General Meeting of Correspon-
dence. the objects of which was fraternal inter
course and consultation as to the interests of re-
lieion. The en- tire objects Of the General Asso-
citation. when formed, was ito propagate the
GOSPEL throughout the State" Subsequently,
there sprung up societies for Foreign Missions
Ministerial Education, Sunday Schools, etc., all
of which were coordinate with the General As
sociation: sill held their anniversaries at the
same place and in the same week, and were, for
the most'part. composed of the same individuals;
and all of these meetings together constituted
what was Familiarity known as the June meet
ings."
In 1856, however, matters were much simpli-
fed by consolidating all these societies into one
with the title of General Association-the vari-
Gus objects being committed to Boards, such as
the State Mission Board, Education Board, &C.
These Boards report at the annual meeting; and
it is the hearing and discussing these reports, and
directing their policy that constitutes the primer
pal business of the body.
Before the war, as many as four Or five hundred
delegates and visitors would attend these meet
ings AT the meeting held in our own town in
1860, probably the latter number was in atten-
dance Since the war, the attendance has not
been so large.
During the past year, several OF the oldest and
most loved and honored of the ministers of this
body have died, among whom are Daniel Witt
L. w. Allen, A. NJ. Poindexter, and James B.
Taylor, (the father of the Pastor of the Baptist
church of this place. These deaths have plunged
the Baptist denomination OF Virginia In mourn
inq and no doubt they will be ofton referred to
i'm the meeting, But large number of young
sad vigorous men are stepping forward to take
| their places, and carry on the cause for which
their fathers so nobly lived and died. while a
few venerable men of the olden time. such as
Fife and Broaddus and Jeter, still remain to
counsel and to lead
A prominent matter before the Baptists of Vir-
pinia for some years, has been that OF Systemat-
ic ,Yenefcience; and great progress has been
made in training the churches to give stately,
ond at frequent intervals, to the various objects
| Of benevolence This subject will doubtless be
discussed. An effort will also be made to raise
yirginia's quota 5000 to build $4,000 chap
| al in Rome Then the reports of what has been
done by the State Mission Board in the way Of
organizing Baptist churches; by the s. S Board
of their work; and the Education Board, con-
corning the young ministers at Richmond and at
the Theological Seminary, will, doubtless, be in,
taresting. while in connection with these sub
iects. addresses will be made. All the meetings
will be open to the public, and the evenings will
! probably be devoted to mass-meetings. which
will be peculiarly interesting.
| Fopr AoNpoE Va May 22.-The most vic.