The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1903-06-18

RElNlSCENCES ssptst tfSiss asssiationn ri .s.


ferred the matter to the churches
with a request that they report
their views on the subject to the
next session. And this was the
end of the matter until 1885 when
an effort was made by this and the
Piedmont Association to purchase
the Piedmont Institute located at
Pickens for school purposes. A
good deal Of money was subscribed
for this purpose but not enough
to meet the demands and the pro-
ject failed. The last effort made
was last year when the trustees of
the North Greenville High School
offered TO allow us an in terest in
that property if we would build a
dormitory. This also was rejected.
In their failure to buy the prop
erty at Pickens the Baptists of this
county lost one of the greatest op.
bortunities Of their lives. We are
great people in many respects,
but the old time worn volume of
minutes show that we are especi>
ely noted for passing resolutions.
If resolutions can make a people
great or wealthy then the Baptlsts
of this county are at the head of
the list.
The "Circular Letter" was from
the beginning and is today a great
feature. and very interesting one,
Of the proceedings Of the body.
This "letter" would be prepared by
a brother appointed at the previous
session and would be dissertation
upon some religious subject. There
are several printed in the minutes
upon the subject of "Cburch Dis
cipline." The brethren in the early
years seems to have been much
concerned about discipline. They
were more careful of the conduct
and etrict IN dealing with disor-
derly brethren than we are today.
And I believe if the churches had
continued the practices of their
fathers along this line and been
more strict in receiving members
into the church es, the standard of
church membership and Of religion
would have been much higher than
it is. Don't all say Amen at once!
There have been various efforts
to divide the association, the first
Of these was at the session of 1874,
when, in pursuance Of resolution
a meeting was appointed to be
held at Salem church ON Saturday
before the fifth Sunday in Novem-
Der Of the same year, for the pur-
pose of holding consultation with
regard to forming a new associa-
ton. Nothing over came of this
movement. In 1878 Georges Creek,
Mount Carmel, Mount Pisgah,
Mount Tabor, Beaver Dam, Enon,
Flat Rock, Mountain Springs, Eas-
ley, Sloan and Liberty asked for
letters of dismisslon for the pur~
pose of organizing the Piedmont;
and after they had been granted
such letters, Capt. J. A. Griffin Of
fered the following resolution
which was adopted: "Resolved,
That we, the Twelve Mile River
Baptist Association, while regret.
ting that they see fit to absolve
their connection from us, hereby
tender them our sincere prayers for
their future happiness and prosper
ity in their new organization, hop-
ing and believing that our irropar-
able loss will be their spiritual
gain." And no doubt the Pied
mont has accomplished more in it's
now relation than it would, had
it remained with us.
Sil.ce the Piedmont was organ.
lied there still remained a feeling
that the Twelve Mile was too large.
that it could do more effective work
in two bodies than one, and from
time to time the question was
talked OF and agitate6, but not un.
til last year did it moterialize.
Then it was that four churches---
Pickens, Mountain Grove, Peters
Creek and Oolenoy drew cut and
formed the Pickens Association
The brethren Of the new organiza.
tion believe that it was the right
step to take. that the baby associa.
tion will do as much as the old has
been doing; if 80, it will be bless
ing. They are very few in numbers
now, but hope for other churches
to unite with them from the Twelve
Mile, Piedmont and North Green~
vile Associations.