The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-08-09
Augusta Baptist Association.

I'm TUESDAY evening VI laab WIeh bbe uTSl
annual meeting of the Augusta Baptist AS
ISOLATION was held at Laurel Hill Church, in
this county. In October of last year this
Association was formed at Goshen Bridge.
1t consists of twenty-three churches that
were severed from the Valley and Albemarle
Association for the purpose Of forming the
new one. Its territory embraces the coun-
ties of Rockbridge, Rockingham, Augusta,
Bath, Allegheny and Highland, and its men,
bership comprises Is ministers and 1875
members. The first meeting, which was
one of great interest and harmony, termi-
mated on Thursday last. We copy the fol-
lowing report of the proceedings from the
Vindicator::
At the appointed hour, Rev. w. A. White
scaryer, Of Harrisonburg, Moderator of the
last Association, called the meeting to or
der, when after appropriate religious exer-
cises the letters from the churches were
read.
The permanent organization was then
effected by the election OF Rev. Charles
Manly, DID,, Moderator, G.. w. Sutler,
Clerk, and J. S. Gillian, Treasurer.
A new church called Low Moor, organized
in Allegheny county, in April last, was re-
ceived into the Association.
Among the visitors and corresponding de-
legates invited to seats were Prof. Charles
L. Cooke, President of the Board OF Trus-
tees of the Minister'S Relief Fund DR.. W.
r. Vaughan, Shiloh Association Revs. S.
T. Huff and Tucker Woodson, of the Able
marie Association w. 0. Whtescarver,
Dover Association; Geo. B. Taylor, Jr.,
Rome; II. X. Ellyson, Corresponding Sec
rotary State Mission Board; DIR. Geo. B.
Steel, Treasurer General Association Thos.
]. Starke, Treasurer Ministers Relief Fund;
Rev. J. B. Hawthorne, DID,, of Alabama.
The annual sermon was preached by Rev.
Geo. B. Eager, from the text, " 1 know in
whom have believed" &c. A packed house
and a deeply interested audience were evil
dences that the preacher discussed his theme
with his accustomed ability.
The afternoon session was taken up in
miscellaneous business.
On Wednesday morning, after reading the
minutes of the previous day and transacting
some minor business. the report of the Com
mittee on State Missions was read by the
chairman, Rev. John NJ. Pitcher. It APP.
peared from the report that the Baptists had
the past year, under whose ministry 1907
persons protested faith in Christ, 1921 of
these conversions having occurred in the
Valley and Southwest portion OF the State.
Addresses on the report were made by Ii.
X. Ellyson, Rev. John NJ. Pitcher Prof.
Charles L. Cooke, Rev. Charles Manly, DID,,
and Rev. W. A. Whitcscaryer, when it was
adopted.
It was stated by one of the speakers dur
ing the discussion OF the report, that the
missionaries of the Baptist State Mission
Board, since the war, had been instrumental
in introducing over 5000 new members into
the churches in the Valley and Southwest.
Another mentioned incidentally, that the
Baptists had in Virginia 647 churches, 63. 1877
members, twenty-five district Associations,
and one general Association. Four mission
les were appointed last month in the Au-
gusta Association, snd arrangements were
being made for the appointment of five
Others to labor in Rockingham, Augusta,
Rockbridge and Bath counties.
An invitation to ministers Of other de-
nominations to take seats in the Association
was accepted by Rev. Daniel Yount, of the
United Brethren; Revs A. E. Pierce and
Rev. Mr.. Grabill, of the Methodist church !;
and Revs. Samuel Driver, j. Miller and NJ.
CARRIER, of the German Baptist church.
At the close of the morning session, Rev.
j. B. Hawthorne preached to a large au-
d;ence in the house, and at the same hour
Rev. j. NJ. Pitcher preached to an immense
crowd at the stand in the grove.
In the afternoon session, Rev. Geo. B. Ea-
ger, chairman, read the report OF the Com
mittee on Foreign Missions.
Rev. J. L. M. Curry, DID,, 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. 3. Hawthorne, who spoke most elO-
quently.
The report of the Missionary Committee
of the Association was read by VIM. II. Pey-
ton, chairman. 1t recommends the appoint
mens of General Missionary in the Asso-
citation; that pastors be appointed to hold
occasional meetings with pastorless churches,
and that each church arrange plans for syS-
tematic benefcence.
On this report brief remarks were made by
Rev. j. N. Pitcher, Rev. c. Manly DID,,
Chas. L. Cooke and others.
Adjourned until Thursday.
THURSDAY S PROCEEDINGS.
Notwithstanding the rain, the church was
again filed on Thursday morning, to listen
to the interesting discussions on the reports
which were read.
The Association resolved to hold its next
session at the Natural Bridge church, Rev.
Charles Manly, DID,, to preach the intro
ductory sermon.
VIM H. Peyton read the report OF the
Committee on the Ministers Relief Fund,
urging the importance o. making provision
for permanent fund for the relief of aged
INDECENT ministers. and the widows and or
nhans of deceased ministers,
Prof. Charles L. Cooke, President of this
Board, DIR. W. Il. Vaughan, and Thos. j.
Starke, Treasurer of the Board, addressed
the Association. A liberal collection was
taken up for this object.
Rev. Chas. Manly, DID,, read the report
on Ministerial Education. 1t was an able
argument in support of our educated minis
try. Thi-ty-three young men were aided
last year by the Baptist Education Board of
Virginia in preparing for the ministry. DR..
Curry, in his speech, said it was the best re-
port 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 aud general cduca-
ton.
Rev. J. M. Pitcher read the report Of the
Committee on Digest of Letters. From this
are represented in the Association at this
meeting. In these chr 'ches there were 19l
baptisms the past year, with total menu
bership of ,755-adding the membership OF
the churches not represented, the total is
1851 total contributions. S., 356.6S ; num-
Der of Sunday .schoels, 20; teachers, III
scholars, 1907.
In the afternoon. reports on Home Mis-
sions, Digest Of Letters, Districting the As
ISOLATION, and Sunday-schools, were pre-
scented, and afte- interesting d'scpssions
were adopted.
Resolutions of thanks for the hospitality
of the neighborhood and for the courtesy of
the C. & o. r. R., were warmly adopted.
The Moderator cong fatulated the Associa-
ton on the admirable spirit which had char
acterized 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.
lMPRoyFAfEyTs.- Col. J. Lewis Pcyton,
the popular author Of 'sThe American Cri-
Sis and other interesting works, who was
Confederate Commissioner to Europe during
the war. and who during the past wear re-