The Baltimore County union., 1880-10-23
Middle pistric. pap.ls. Association

Middle District Baptist Association.
According 20 appointment this Associnti0n held
its annual gathering with the wAverly church, on
"Wednesday and Thursday, October 9th and 9Th.
The beautiful autumn weather was particularly
favorable for the meeting. which wns improved by
a goody number Of people, notwithstanding the
cxciiements Of the political campaign aud numcr-
Gus other secular engagements 20 claim their time
and attention. But there were some absent who
ought 10 have been there for II is n sad eommcn-
tary on christians whom indifference and worldly
affairs hinder them from taking proper interest In
the church and the cause Of righteousness. As an
account Of the proceedings may be interesting TO
many Of your readers send the following:
In the absence Of the president the clerk called
the Association 10 order and Rev. Il. NJ. Barker
was elected president and d. @. Stevens clerk and
treasurer. Rev. George bradford preached the
opening sermon. Not being present I cannot
speak particularly. yet IL was well spoken Of by
some who heard II. Some preliminary business
being attended TO We adjourned for dinner and the
bounteOus hospitality provided by the ladies well
deserved the vote Of thank which they received Mt
the close of the meeting.
Wedns.day Afternoon a.-On re.assembling Rev.
John u. English addressed the Association on his
work as our state evangelist and Sunday school
missionary. The needs Of the field, the impor-
tanee Of the work and the necessity Of the CO.
operation Of the churches forcibly set forth.
Rev. DIR. Williams, Of baltimore, preached q
timely sermon from the text Matt. 5: 10. Sub
ject. "Christians shining light" maintaining the
importance and duty OF consistent exemplary
christianity In every follower Of Christ. One Of
the most interesting and instructive addresses Of
the occasion was that Of Rev. Vincent Board, q
returned missionary from the islands Of the Indian
Ocean. The laws, manners, customs, etc., etc., OF
the natives were explained and numerous ques-
tons answered eieiting much interesting and
profitable Information. While there are many
difficulties In the way Of ehri,ti.piring and eivi
liking these people. their innate idea Ola Supreme
Being aud their thirst for Information and the
practical results attending the efforts put forth
fact. uasrsntins missionary labor and say to
christian nations We hunger and thirst for the
BREAD of Life" Come over and help US.
Reports on the condition Of the churches were
given by the delegates representing the various
churches. Harmony and unity prevail within our
borders zeal aud activity in christian work was
reported by some while spiritual sloth and almost
death was the condition of others and the two
little interest IN the welfare Of the church the
part "f many members was u source Of grisfto all.
Wedns.i.y NiyLi.-Rcv. y. u. Ecrfoot. Of Bal.
timorc. preached the annual doctrinai sermon
from the text. John 1861. Subject. THE Holy
Spirits agency among Christians: Let, as n per-
sonal agent: I'd. as n comforting agent" The
discourse full Of merit and instruction. Rev.
Samuel Saunders, Of woodberry, presented the re-
port ON missions. IL was paper admirable In
spirit and subject matter, brief aud to the point.
ani facts well worthy of the serious attention Of
the churches, viz: The spirit Of missions is the
spirit Of christianity Chfist's great commission
makes II incumbent on the churches 60 send the
Gospel TO ;hc destitute: church without the
missionary spirit Is unfaithiul to its Lord and un
worthy Of the name the increasing needs demand
increased provisions TO meet them. and the
cess attending missionary labor warrent the pro-
vision 10 be made aud the call for consecratcj
men and women. an increased picty and mission
aFy spirit in the churches 60 encourage them. and
increased bencvolcncc to support them In their
ardusus, self denying labors. The report on mis-
sions was discussed with interest and profit by
several delegates.
Th1rsdoy MorRiny.-Aftcr devotional exercises
anl some preliminary business. Mr.. Saunders
preached nm excellent sermon from Psalm, iO:7.
Subject, Trust in God" The constituent quail
ties Of apropertrust in God embracing tranquility,
love. obedience and consccration with its rewards
and the exposure Of false and unworthy trusts
were faithfully proclaimed The remainder Of the
morning hour was spcn; in business Of minor inn
poTtancc.
Thursday IlfsrHonH.-Mr James Pollard pre-
sentcd the report ON education. setting forth its
value as n preparation for the more ready aud
rapid reception of the gospel. as u power TO dis
cern truth from error and as preparation for the
fuller enjoyment Of the benefits Of tho religious
press. Discussions followed on the duty ofparents
TO educate their children and 10 exercise care In
the selection Of the books and papers they read
the value Of an educated ministry, our cduea-
tonal Institutions and the benefits Of high-toncd
morality in our literature and the dcbasing in
huencc Of much Of the literature Of the present
day. Mr.. English preached sermon from the
text, Gal. LIS. Subject, Liberal Christianity"
True and false hbcraiity were scripturaily con-
sidercd: dangers Of false liberaity exposed and
Jesus enforced Rev. }. T. Craig presented tho re.
mort on temperance. The rayayes Of the evil spirit