The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-03
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS.
The Eastern Association Convenes at
Ashaway for an important Session.
ESPECIAL no rHE NEws.l


Baptist Eastern Association convened at
1890 A. NJ Thursday, June I'd, with the
First Hopkinton Baptist Church. The
first church established in this country
was the old Newport Seventh Day Bap-
tist Church, founded in 1871, which grew
until other churches were set off from it,
about 1705-0s Among these the First
Hopkinton Church was one of the earliest,
having been founded in 170S. The old
Newport Church still stands. having
passed through many trying scenes, one
of which is Of especial interest. The
commandments are erected in this old
church above the ancient pulpit, and
when the British soldiers, many years
ago, were using the city churches for bar
racks. this building was passed by be-
cause of reverence for the law OF God.
The building is now occupied as head,
quarters OF the Newport Historical
Society.
The session began with organ volun-
tary. The Rev. A. Il. Main read the
morning lesson from Hebrews 3. Prayer
was was offered by the Rev. w. c. Whit
Come to the House of Prayer" was sung
bv the congregation. The Rev. w. u:
Daland of Westerly, X. l., then preached
the Introductory sermon, taking Tor his
text Hebrews iii. :l2l3, and showed the
working OF an evil heart or unbelief. and
the necessity for all TO watch carefully
lest Satan in pleasing guise tempt them
TO unbelief Unbelief is not merely the
absence or intellectual assent, but an un-
willingness to accept the revealed truth.
Men are not usually unbelievers because
they have sought truth and she mas
evaded them. but they prefer darkness
rather than light. Acceptance OF truth
demands sacrifice; therefore they will not
The Eastern Association was called TO
order by Boothe &. Davis OF Yale Theo-
logical Seminary, recording secretary, and
the Rev. w. G. Whitford was made mod
orator pro tenn, and the Rev. IL. f. Liver
more was appointed assistant secretary.
Letters from the following churches
were read and showed n healthy condi-
tion of each: Piscataway, Pawcatuck,
Plainfield, Greenmanville,. New York,
kinton and First Westerly. The follow
ing resolution was adopted:
Resolved. That a committee Of five be APP
pointed 10 consider and report upon ways and
means of increasing the interest and profit or
the annual meetings of this association, ana
to suggest any recommendations that they
deem IL wise 10 make To the churches OF the
association or to the General Conference.
RcSOircd, That our associational delegates DE
requested To report this action TO our sister
associations.
The Rev. G. j. Crandall, pastor of this
church, then welcomed the delegates in
few graceful words. and the morning ses-
sion closed with the benediction. 49,,
The afternoon session was opened with
a half hours devotional exercise, led by
the Rev. A. Ii. Lewis of Plainfield. New
Jersey.
The reading of the letters from the
| churches of the association was here re-
sumed, and communications were heard
from the following: First and Second
Westerly, First Hopkinton, Rockville,
| Woodviile, Shiloh, Marlboro, and the
Providence of SeYenth=day Raptists---
| The moderator then appointed COM
mittees for the session.
| Reports of the treasurer, A. B. Burdick,
| of Providence, and the corresponding
secretary, Rev. J.. f.. Randolph of Hop
| kinton, were read and received.
One year ago, at the annual meeting,
| delegates to the various other assoca-
| tions were appointed, who at this point
presented letters from the associations
| and verbal reports were also given. The
Rev, q. ID. Sherman of Greenmanville,
Conn, reported from the South eastern
association held mt Salem, w. Va. The
Rev. j. G. Burdick of New York city,
brought very interesting account from
the sessions Of the Central, Western anu
Northwestern. The Rev. j. L. Davis of
Alfred Center, n. Y. sent report from
the Southwest. The Rev. Il. l.. Gardiner
of Salem, w. Va, read the Southeastern
associational letter and also presented a
verbal report of the spiritual condition OF
the churches. An encouraging account
of the s. d. B. college at Salem, showed
the wide and favorable influence of the
school throughout the State Of West
Virginia.
The Rev. A. Lawrence, of West Edme-
ston, n. Y, brought the Central Associa-
tion letter. reporting most OF the churches
supplied with pastors and in good condi-
ton. He expressed his appreciation of
the sympathetic and hearty welcome he
had received from this people during the
four years since his acceptance of the
Sabbath truth.
The Rev. X Williams, of Alfred Centre
read the letter from the Western Associa-
tion and reported many additions to the
churches, especially the building. up of
the weaker churches, and that the Sab
bath truth has been accepted by numbers
under the evangelistic labors Of the Rev.
j. l.. Huffman.
After, singing 30 Happy Day." the the
order of business was concluded by the
report from Rev. 5. X. Wheeler OF Dodge
Centre, Mimi, who represented the
Northwestern association.
IL was voted that delegates from sister
associations be welcomed to the session
and invited to deliberate with Us.
Also il was voted that the communica-
ton from the Providence association of
Seyenth-day Baptists be received al !
though not from an organized church,
and their delegates be invited to partlci-
pate with us.
The afternoon session was closed by
benediction by the Rev. w. &. Daland.
At 7;30 praise service was conducted
by Rev. j. G. Burdict of New York city.
AT 7:45 the delegate from the South
eastern association, the Rev. L. L. Gardi.
ner, preached from the text Draw nigh
unto God and he will draw nigh unto
YOU"
No man but needs more sacred nearness
TO the Divine. Each feels his separation
through sin from his God. No use To tell
men they are lost unless / can tell them a
way of escape. / hold within the lids of
this Bible a bundle of letters from the
Father. Though your sins be as scarlet
they shall be AZ wool" Seek the Lord
while he may be found" Come unto
me all ye that are weary and are heavy
laden" "Whosoever will let him take of
the water of life freely. Thus from
Isaiah to Revelation the words OF light
aud invitation shine. A radical change
is necessary in the life of man. q, turn
ye All whose lives are separated from
God need TO turn to him. When this
deep yearning for God is developed into
urOnpr action in uttar humilitv the sin