Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-08-03
Augusta Baptist Association.

FIRST ANNUAL INSTRUMENTATION
STATISTICS OF THE CHURCHES-RE-
PORTS OF COMMITTEES-ADDRES ON
MISSIONS AND OTHER CHURCH WORK.
Reported for the VINDIoAToR.l
LAUREL HILL, AUGUSTA Co., July 81, 1877.
The first annual meeting of the Augusta Bap-
fist Association convened to-day with the Law
rel Hill church, Augusta county. This body
was organized last October, at Goshen Bridge,
of twenty-three churches dismissed for the pun
pose from the Valley and Albemarle Associa
tions Its district embraces the counties of
Rockingham, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, AL.
leghany aud Highland. There are fifteen min
listers and 1916 members in the churches of the
Association.
At the appointed hour, Rev. W. A. White
scAlver, of Harrisonbufg, Moderator of the last
Association, called the meeting to order, when
after appropriate religious exercises the letters
from the churches were read.
Tn" permanent organization was then effected,
by the election of Rev. Charles Manly, D D.,
Moderator, G W. Sutler, Clerk, and j S. Gill;
liam, Treasurer.
A new church called Low Moor, organized in
Allegheny county, in April last, was received
into the Association
Among the visitors and corresponding dele
gates invited to seats, were Prof. Charles l..
Cooke, President of the Board Of Trustees of
the Ministers Relief Fund; DR.. W R. Vaughan,
Shiloh Association; Revs S. P. HUFF and
Tucker Woodson, of the Albemarle Associa-
ton W O. Whilesca!ver, Dover Association
Geo B. Taylor, Jr Rome; Fl K. Ely3on,
Corresponding Secretary State Mission Board J;
DR.. Geo. B. Steel, Treasurer General Associa-
ton; Thos. j. Starke, Treasurer Minister'S Re-
lief Fund; Rev J. B. Hawthorne, DID,, of
Alabama
The annual sermon was preached by Rev.
Geo. B. Eager, from the text 81 know in whom
| have believed" &c A packed house and a
deeply interested audience, were evidences that
the preacher discussed his theme with his ac-
customed ability
The afternoon session was taken up in mis-
cellaneous business.
On Wednesday morning, after reading the
minutes of the previous day and transacting
some minor business, the report of the commit
tee on State Missions was read by the chairman,
Rev John Pitcher. 1t appeared from the re-
port, that the Baptists had forty-two missona-
res at work in Virginia the past year, under
whose ministry 3,9o7 persons protested faith in
Christ, 1921 of these conversions having occur.
red in the Valley and South west portion of the
State
Addresses on the report were made by H. K.
Ellyson Rev. John M. Pitcher, Prof Charles L..
Cooke Rev. Charles Manly, D., md Rev W :
A. " hItescarver, when it was adopted.
1t Was stated by one of the speakers during
the discussion of the report, that the missiona-
ries OF the Baptis State Mission Board, since
the war, had been instruments tai in introducing
5000 new members into the churches in
the Valley and Southwest. Another mention
ed, incidental lily, that the Baptlsts had in Vir
ginia CAT churches, So, 1877 members twenty
two district Associations, and one gen ra AS
sociation, Four missionaries appointed
last month in the Augusta Association, and ar
rangements were being made for the appoint
ment of five others to labor in Rocking ham,
Augusta, Rockbridge and Bath counties.
An invitation to ministers of other denomi-
nations t. take seats in the Association, was &C
cepted by Rev Daniel Yount, Of the United
Bre thren; Rev. A. E. Pierce and Rev. Mr.. Ora
bill, of the Methodist church; and Revs. Sam'l
Driver, J. Miller and M. CARRIER, of the German
Baptist church.
At the close of the morning session, Rev. j..
B. Hawthorne preached to II large audience in
the house, and at the same hour Rev. ]. NJ.
Pitcher preached to an immense crowd at the
stand in the grove.
At the afternoon session, Rev. Geo. B. Eager,
chairman, read the report of the committee on
Foreign Missions.
Rev. ]. L.. NJ. Curry, y D., who arrived while
the report was being read, was called out and
delivered an able address on the subject Of the
report. He WAS followed by Rev. J. B. flaw
thorne, who spoke most eioquently.
The report of the Missionary Committee of
the Association was read by VIM. H. Peyton,
chairman. 1t recommends the appoin tment of
Il General Missionary in the Association that
pastors be appointed to hold occasional meet
ings with pastorless churches and tpat each
hOr nix 20 veto TO off
cence.
On this report brief remarks were mace by
Rev. J. NJ. Pitcher, Rev c. Manly. DID,, Chas
l.. Cooke and Others
Adjourned until Thursday.
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS
Notwithstanding the rain, the church was
again filled on Thursday morning, to listen to
the interesting discussions on the reports which
were read.
The Association resolved to hold it's next ses-
sion at the Natural Bridge church, Rev Charles
Manly, ID, to preach the introductory sermon.
VIM II. Peyton read the report of the COM
mittee on the Minister'S Relief Fund, urging
the importance of making provision for per-
manen' fund for the reliet of aged INDECENT min
listers, and the widows and orphans of deceased
ministers.
Prof. Charles L. Cocke, President of this
Board, DR.. W. X. Vaughan, and Thos. J.
Association. A liberal collection was taken up
for this object.
Rev. Chas. Manly, 3D., read the report ON
Ministerial Education. 1t was ar able argu-
ment in favor of Cur educated ministry. Thir-
ty-thtee young men were aided last year by the
Baptist Education Board of Virginia in prepar-
ing for the ministry. DR.. Curry, in h, 8 speech,
said it was the best report on the subject he had
ever heard
On the motion to adopt the report, Rev. DR..
Curry held his audience spell-bound for over
an hour, while he eloquently pleaded the cause
of ministerial and general education.
Rev. J. NJ. Pitcher read the report of the
committee or Digest Of Letters. From this re.
port, it apl cared that twenty-on churches ere
represented i'll the Association at this meeting
In these churches there l9l baptsms the
past year, with total membership of ,755-
adding the membership of the churches not re-
presented the total is 1851 total contributions;
S. 1856 63 number of Sunday schools twenty,
teachers, l47; scholars 1907.
In the afternoon reports on Home Missions
Digest of Letters, Districting the Association,
and Sunday schools, were presented, and after
interesting discussions were adopced.
Resolutions of thanks for the hospitality of
the neis hborhood and for the courtesy of the
G. Il. c. R. e., were warmly adopted.
The Moderator congratulated the Association
en- the admirable spiri. which had characterized
the session throughout, and called particular
attention to the unusually good order which
had been maintained by the large congregations
in attendance.
The Association then adjourned, with prayer
by Dr.. W. R. Vaughan.
Mrs, Lucy A. Goodwin is appointed