The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-13
Baptist Associations
 Faithfully Portrayed

But the same bond that. drew free souls into churches now drew churches into associations. Bodies of believers within reach of each other met by means of messengers In r appointed places for common purposes dear alike to all There seems to have been nothing premeditated about 1t. can find no Baptist Wesley, or Calvin, or Campbell or Dowie who planned 1t. So far as I can see, the associational Idea just grew, and 1t is truly a marvel when we remember how vast 1t is ana that 1t is as homogeneous as it Is vast.
 That jealous love for liberty clung and clings to all these groups or churches. for in their laws the prin- ciple of the independent church holds the place of chief emphasis. The churches composing the association re- serving on their part all their rights, powers and privileges, and the as- sociation disclaiming all authority over the churches and declaring its purpose to interfere in no wise with their inter- nal affairs. Advice and counsel could be sought and given. but no man or church was bound to take 1t.
 The association could make plans, but no one need adopt them except from personal choice. It could sug- gest lines of conduct and adopt schemes of cooperative action, but each church and each individual could follow or not. The individual couIj appeal from the association to the church, and, if need be, from the church to his only Caesar. the univer- sal ruler on the great white throne to whom he had direct and immediate ac- cess at any and all times.
 This sch eme of organization has not always appealed to the worldly wise. Several most excellent gentlemen have given to the world schemes of church government that to their minds very clearly surpass it. In fact, almost any of us could improve on this plan that has been justly described as rope of sand. It Is thoroughly unworthy, and for any but twice born people. 1t Is unwieldly and ineffective.
 As a matter of fact, however, 1t is admirably adapted to the needs of a re- generated folk, and like the sea whose every wave and drop is separate. 1t reaches every shore on earth, and blesses every land 1t touches. So far as can learn, 1t is the only form of Christianity, unless the Roman Catholic be another, that has adherents in every nation beneath the stars.
 Powerful Influenee.
 In the propagation of the message of freedom to an enslaveJ world these groups of neiEhboring churches called associations, have had most impor- tant part to play. for while destitute of authority they possess most powerful influence that is felt in every department of our church and in- dividual life.
 The ties that brought and bound these groups together have already been hinted at. The primary one was spiritual fellowship. Children of a common father. citizens of a common Kingdom. heirs with a common hope, sharers of a common joy springing from a sense of pain by sovereign grace forgiven, it was most natural that they, should seek each others company, interest themselves in each others welfare, rejoice in each others triumphs, and suffer in each others griefs.
 A rope of sanJ-to the eye of the worId-yes, but to him who can see into the essence of things, a golden cord stronger than brass and iron, a tie no human hand could break, nor rush of years put out of date-a law written upon the tablets of regenerate
 hearts which no earthly prince or pow CT could annul and set aside.
 Until recent years the devotional and doctrinal side of the association was its chief feature, and of this feat-