PROCEEDINGS.

FRIDAY, SEPT 30, 1859.

The Green River Association assembled this day at the Baptist M. H., Collumbus, Polk county, N C, according to the adjournment from Mt. Lebanon.

The introductory sermon was preached by Elder J C Grayson.

The Association was organized by the former Moderator.

Read the letters from the churches, and minuted their standing.

Elected Elder J C Grayson, Moderator, and A J Cansler, Clerk.

Called for correspondence from sister Associations, and received from

Broad River: Elders W Hill and T B Justice.

Tyger River: D Hillyard, J S Rogers, E Alverson, T J Earl and S B Williams

Salem: Elders J A Stradley and N Bowen.

King's Mountain: Elders JJ Suttle and A A McSwain. J R Logan, A Padgett

On motion, Elders B E Rollins, R Whitesides, R 0 Ledbetter, with the Moderator and Clerk, were appointed the Committee of Arrangements.

On motion, adjourned till Saturday morning, 10 o'clock. Prayer by Elder Joseph Suttle.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER, 1st.

The Association met according to adjournment. Prayer by the Moderator.

The report of the committee of Arrangement read and adopted.

Read the Constitution and Rules of Decorum.

Invited transient ministers: P R Elam and B R Doggett accepted.

The following committee on Finance, J G Fortune, J M Hamelton and John Morris, was appointed.

The committee on Correspondence, via: J U Whitesides, D Feagans and R 0 Ledbetter.

Query from Bill's Creek: "Is it consistent with the word of God and Baptist usage, for a brother to go to law with a brother?"

Answer: That in matters of ordinary transactions it is not unscriptural, nor contrary to Baptist usage; but in all matters pertaining to fellowship it is.

Query from Bill's Creek church: "Is it in accordance with the spirit of the resolution of the Association, passed 1857, for members of our churches to have their grain and fruit distilled]"

Answer: It was the intention of this body, when said resolution was passed, to rid herself of all members engaged in distilling, directly or indirectly; therefore we say that it is not in accordance with said resolution, nor out desire at this lime, for any member or members to aid in carrying on this nefarious practice in any way.

A Query from Head of 1st Broad Church: "What course should a Regular

Baptist church pursue, in the reception of a member, who has been baptized by a Primitive Baptist minister!

Answer: If the administrator has been ordained by a regular Presbytery, and was in good standing when he left the Regular Baptist church—and continued so, we consider the baptism valid,

Query from Head of 1st Broad Church: "Should the evidence of a wife be taken in favor of or against her husband, both being members of the Baptist church."

Answer: That we do not consider that the relation of husband and wife, scripturally speaking, debars her from giving her testimony for or against her husband—church membership is an individual matter.

Resolved, That we advise all our churches to establish Sabbath Schools, and that they purchase Baptist books, from the Depository Agent, at Hendersonville. North Carolina.

Resolved, That we advise our brethren to subscribe for the Telescope, at Hendersonville; the Recorder, at Raleigh, and Tennessee Baptist, at Nashville, Tennessee.

Whereas, there has been a grievous difficulty existing between brethren. Graves and Howell, in the First Baptist Church at Nashville, Tennessee, in which difficulty we feel that Brother Graves has been unscripturally treated:

Resolved, That we extend to brother Graves and his church our hearty condolence in their distressing condition.

Resolved, That we return 10 Brother Graves our thanks for his able defense of gospel truth.

The next Union Meeting will be held at Harmony Grove, to commence on Friday before the 4th Sabbath in July next; ministers to attend, via: AJ Cansler, B E Rollins, A Padgett, L McCurry and J C Grayson.

Elected Elder B E Rollins to write the r ext Circular Letter—subject, necessity and utility of colportage.

Elected Elder A. J Cansler to preach the Introductory to the next Association, B E Rollints, alternate.

That the next session of this body meet at Cooper's Gap M II, Polk county, on Friday before the 1st Sabbath in October 18GO.

Appointed the folio wing correspondents to sister Associations, viz:

Broad River: A Pauget, A J Cansler and J M Hamilton.

Salem: B E Rollins, J R Bowman and John Whiteside.

'Tiger River: A Padgett, B Page, JWilkey, W Foster and A Brice.

King'a Mountain: N Bowen, A J Cansler, D P Gold, W Harrill, L McCurry and J C Qfitysoa.

On motion, adjourned to 9 o'clock, Monday morning. Prayer by Elder B E Rollins.

SABBATH, OCTOBER, 2.

Exercises were held in the Baptist M H, and in the Court House at the same time. At the former place Brother J A Stnidley opened the services of the day- was followed by Elder W Hill. In the evening Elder J Suttle preached, and closed the day's exercises,

At the latter place the exercises were opened by Elder J C Grayson, followed by Elder N Bowen. In the evening the exercises were closed by a sermon from Elder B E Rollins The attendance at both places was very large and attentive. It is fondly hoped that the seed sown will bring forth fruit abundantly.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3.

The Association met according to adjournment. Prayer by Eld. J A Stradley.

The Circular Letter prepared by Elder J C Grayson was read, adopted and ordered to be printed.

The Association is divided into three Districts, as follows :

1. DISTRICT: Sandy Spring, Green's Creek, Columbus, Green River, Silver Creek, Rock Spring, Cooper's Gap and Pleasant Hill.—8

2. DISTRICT: Montford's Cove, Mountain Creek, Bill's Creek, Round Hill, Bethel, Cane Creek, Harmony Grove and Dysartsville.—8.

3. DISTRICT: Shiloah, Mt. Pleasant, Sulphur Spring, Cool Spring, Mt. Vernon. Mt. Lebanon, Mt. Zion, Zion Hill and Head of 1st Broad.—9

Resolved, That each church, with fifty members or less, be entitled to two delegates and their ordained ministers, in this body, and an additional one for every fifty members.

The petition of L C Pope, an aggrieved member from Mt. Lebanon Church, was read, and on motion was placed on the table

Elected the following delegates to the Western Baptist Convention, via : J C Grayson, A J Cansler, B E Rollins, A Padgett and A O Lynch.

The money collected on Sabbath was $25 50—was ordered to go to Home Missions—and that the Clerk forward it to bro. Ammons, one of the Convention's late Missionaries.

The Committe of Finance report $30 60, for Minutes.

Report of the Book Board was read and adopted.

Resolved, That the books belonging to this body, now in the hands of the Treasurer of the Book Board, be placed in the hands of the Depository Agent of the Western Baptist Convention; after settling the dues coining to our Treasurer, and that the said Agent sell said books, and pay the note due to Graves, Marks & Co., at Nashville, Term., for a part of said books.

Resolved, That the Clerk superintend the printing of the Minutes, and have eight dollars for his services, and have as many printed as he can for the remainder of the money.

Resolved, That the thanks of this body are due, and are hereby tendered to the members and friends of the Baptist Church at Columbus, for hospitality manifested in maintenance of this body, during the present session.

On motion, adjourned to the time and place before mentioned. Prayer by Elder W Hill

J. C. GRAYSON, mod.

Alex. J. Cansler, clerk.

Report of the Committee of the Book Concern.

Brethren: At your request we proceed to receive the Books that were in the hands of bro. J U Whitesides, former Agent. We also sent the balance of the money, with a note made by five of your committee to the South Western Publising House. We have received said books, and they are now in the hands of our Agent. We have not been able to sell them; they are at your disposal. We would advise that said books be placed in the hands of the Agent of the Western Baptist Convention, to be sold by a Colporteur, under the control of said Convention.

Respectfully submitted,

A. J. CANSLER, ChnVc.

CIRCULAR LETTER.

dear brethren.—Agreeably to an appointment of this body at its last session, we now address you on Acts 19,1—7. "And while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus; ."and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And ho said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized! And they said, unto John's baptism. Then said .Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.'1

We suppose the object of the Association in presenting this passage of Scripture as the subject of a Circular, was:

1st. To ascertain whether the twelve disciples, found by Paul at Ephesus. were re-baptized, or not; and

2d. What was the baptism of the Holy Ghost! When did it commence'; and does it now continue!

The limits of a Circular Letter will only permit us to give an outline -of what we conceive is the meaning of this passage of Scripture. Perhaps no

part of the word of God has been more earnestly contested than this. And it must be admitted that the controversy is important. To decide this question, it is especially necessary to notice what Paul said and what he did.— He said, in the4th and 5th verses, that John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they (the people) heard this, (from John,) they were baptized (by John) in the name of the Lord Jesus. And in the 6th verse, we are told what Paul did. He laid his hands upon them, &c. This illustration is clear, from the fact that John taught the people to believe in Christ Jesus who was to come; and baptized his disciples in the name of Jesus Christ, as this passage declares. But it' Paul, or any of the apostles had baptized these twelve disciples at Ephesus, hour any of them would, no doubt, have baptized them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. For, according to Chronology, it was in the year 57, when Paul came to Ephesus, nearly 24 years after Christ gave the commission to baptize in the name of the Trinity. This circumstance of itself, <s sufficient to prove that these twelve disciples were not baptized. Paul in these verses was confirming the baptism of John, and showing that these twelve disciples should not be re-baptized, and that the statement was made by Paul for the express purpose of showing that the baptism which they had received, was valid and all sufficient. Accordingly, he first reminded them that John's was a baptism unto repentance, which was known to be exactly true with regard to apostolic baptism. He then assured them that John's baptism required faith in Christ, which was known to be another distinguishing property of the baptism of the apostles. See Acts 20,21. It is hence undeniable, that the remarks of the apostle, so far as they went, tended directly to confirm the identity of the baptism of John, and that of the apostles. There is then no way of avoiding the conclusion, either that Paul aimed to show the sufficiency of John's baptism, or lie did that which it was not his intention to do. From these considerations, it appears obvious, that the whole misunderstanding about this passage has proceeded from the supposition that the declaration of Paul ended with the 4th verse, and that the 5th in the original language of Luke. Only let it be understood, as we think we have satisfactorily shown, that Paul's remarks continued through the 5th verse, for the purpose of giving a complete description of the baptism of John, and all is intelligible and conclusive,

It is thought by some, that these twelve disciples were re-baptized, because they knew only the baptism of John, and John's was not the Christian baptism. But they do not get such an idea from the New Testament. For Christ said, "the law and the prophets were until John; since that time, the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." Luke 16, 10. This is, no doubt, the kingdom which Daniel said "the God of heaven would set. up" Dan. 2, 44, which John preached. This fact is clear from Mark 1,1—5, where he calls John's preaching and baptism, ''the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, &c., which proves to a demonstration, that John's was the Christian baptism. It is further confirmed, from the fact, that when Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea, and there he tarried with them, and baptized. John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there

was much water there, and they came and were baptized, John 3: 22,23, which shows that the baptism of John and the baptism of Christ were the same. But it is said these twelve disciples were ignorant of the Holy Ghost. And it is not known whether they were baptized by John or some of his disciples. To which we reply, that we have no account in the Scriptures, of John's disciples baptizing any. Therefore it is preposterous to say they were baptized by John's disciples.

We would further ask, were John and Andrew and the other disciples, who went from John to Jesus, re-baptized? There is no reason to suppose so, and every reason to the contrary. Why were they not re-baptized?— Was it because these disciples knew the glorification and exaltation of Christ in his resurrection and ascension, and of the gifts of the Holy Ghost as a consequence of the exaltation of Christ? We suppose not. No fact appears more clear from the Scriptures, than that for a considerable time, the immediate disciples of the Savior were utterly ignorant of the nature of the principles and doctrine, and kingdom which our Savior was then building up in Judea, and ever to the day our Savior was crucified, they understood not the doctrine of the resurrection and ascension, nor of the gift of the Holy Ghost; yet in; held their baptism valid.

These twelve were ignorant of the Holy Ghost, it is true; but Paul recognizes them as disciples, which is in accordance with the commission given the apostles, Mat. 28: 20,—"Go ye therefore and teach (disciple) all nations," &c. The word teach here means to make disciples before they baptised them. Not like the Pedo-baptists, baptize them first, and then make them disciples, or let them go unmade, as they choose. He also recognizes them as believers. which is in accordance with Mark 16: 16, "He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved." But what did they believe? They believed the Gospel.— For it was not necessary for Paul to preach the gospel; neither did he teach them anything about the gift of the Holy Ghost; if he did, the sacred historian is silent; he only explained to them the nature of John's baptism. If these twelve disciples were ignorant of the Holy Ghost, and were re-baptized, as the pedo-baptists would have it, then baptism for validity or invalidity, depends upon the amount of knowledge a person may possess, and not faith!!! Did the Eunuch know anything about the Holy Ghost? He was baptized by Phillip, but the record does not show that he received the Holy Ghost. Now if Paul iu his travels had met the Eunuch in Ethiopia, and asked him the question put to the twelve disciples at Ephesus, in all probability, he would have given a similar answer, "I have not heard that there be any Holy Ghost.'' Philip preached Jesus, the Eunuch believed, and that was enough, "he baptized him," and the Eunuch went on his way rejoicing. So the twelve disciples at Ephesus believed on Jesus, who was to come: and were baptized by John. Therefore we come to the conclusion, that these twelve disciples were not re-baptized. Neither is there any other Scripture that proves the re-baptism of any of John's disciples. And the assertion that these twelve, or any of John's disciples were re-baptized, we regard as a Pedo-baptist trick, to invalidate John's baptism, and divert the minds of the people from the clear preaching of John, that no person ought to be baptized, unless he bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ, and that immersion...

...only, is Christian baptism. See Mat. 3, 8. Acts 19, 4.—Mark 1, 5—9. But brethren, let us remember the admonition of Paul, Gal. "J: 9. "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received. let him be accursed."

2d!y. What is the baptism of the Holy Ghost? when did it commence! and does it now continue? These are questions often asked, and quite a variety of sentiment entertained concerning them. In the investigation of these questions, the Bible alone can shed light on our pathway. Let us to the law, then, and the testimony. Let us search the Scriptures, and see what the Lord has taught upon the subject. Mat. 3, 11. John says, "I indeed baptize yon with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me, shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." See, also, Mark 1, 8. In Acts 1,5, we read that Jesus said, "for John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be" baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence." Verse 8, "but ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Acts 2,1. —1. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a. rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.— And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance." Verse 38, "repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 8, 15—17. 'Who (the Apostles Peter and John) when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost, for as yet he was fallen on none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." Acts 10, 44—47. "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word, and they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost, for they heard them speak with tongue1' and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we.' Acts 19, 1—6. Paul found certain disciples at Ephesus.—"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them: and they spake with tongues and prophesied." These are all the principal passages in the New Testament which mention that remarkable and extraordinary, bestowment of the Holy Ghost. We submit a few remarks upon these passages.

1. The baptism of the Spirit, was not the gift of miracles. The prophets wrought miracles, and yet they were not baptized in the Spirit. The apostles before this Pentecostal day, performed many miracles, they healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, and cast out devils. And yet during the time of the Savior's sojourn on earth, the apostles were not baptized in the Spirit.

2. No one was ever baptized in the Holy Ghost, until the day of Pentecost, as recorded in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. John the Baptist predicted that the Savior should baptize his people with the Holy Ghost Jesus promised his disciples, just before his ascension, that lie would baptize

them in the Holy Ghost, "not many days hence." And Peter declares, on the day of Pentecost, that the prophecy of Joel was fulfilled in what the people then saw and heard. It had never been fulfilled till that time: the end of the ages had come: Jesus had ascended up on high: He had sat down, on the throne of mediation, and the Spirit of God, as foretold by the prophet, was shed forth. If the baptism of the Spirit had been previously bestowed; if it had existed before "the last days," then Joel did not prophecy of its then coming, and Peter was mistaken in his interpretation of the Scriptures. If it existed before, or in the days of John the Baptist, why did John tell the people that Jesus would bestow it"? And why did Jesus promise his disciples, as a peculiar and extraordinary gift, that he would baptize them in the Holy Spirit; but we presume that this position will not he disputed.

5. The baptism of the Holy Ghost was peculiar to the apostolic age, and ceased with it. We see that those baptized in the Holy Spirit, all spake with tongues. The apostles on the day of Pentecost. So did the house of Cornelius. And so did the twelve disciples at Ephesus. Thus in every case where the effects of the baptism of the Holy Spirit are mentioned, its recipients are represented as speaking with tongues. On two occasions, and on but two. was this gift bestowed miraculously, or direct from heaven; that is, on the day of Pentecost, on the Jows, and on the Gentiles, when the gospel was first preached to them in the house of Cornelius. The power to confer it ordinarily was given to the apostles alone, and they exercised it by the; imposition of hands. Philip did not possess this power, else why did he not impart the Holy Ghost to those he baptized in Samaria] Paul was an Apostle, and hence he laid his hands on the twelve disciples at Ephesus, and they received the Holy Ghost. There is no intimation of its being thus imparted by any except apostles; and there is no evidence of its ever being given otherwise than by imposition of their hands, except the two instances named.— And as we have shown that all who were baptized in the Holy Spirit spake; with tongues, (and speaking with tongues ceased with the apostles,) it is a clear case that the baptism of the Holy Spirit ceased with the apostles. But if any one says that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is continued till now, call on him for the proof, that is, to speak with tongues he has never learned, and if he fails to do it; brand him as an impostor.

The peculiarity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as already stated, was the gift of tongues. In this alone was it distinguished from the spiritual bestowment of other ages. John, Elizabeth and Zechariah were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and yet we are not justified in calling it the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. No man previous to Pentecost, had ever spoken with tongues by the Holy Spirit. The command of the Savior to the apostles was, "to go and teach all nations,"—"to preach the gospel to every creature.'' They were unprepared to discharge the duties of their commission. Hence they v/ere told to remain in Jerusalem until they were ''endued with power from on high." They remained there until the day of Pentecost, then they were baptized in the Holy Ghost, and immediately in the different tongues, or languages of the earth, they commenced proclaiming the way of life and salvation. This supernatural gift was necessary, not only for the confirmation of the gospel, but under the circumstances then surrounding the infant state of the church.

Through this baptism of the Holy Ghost, the apostles became more knowing and had a greater understanding of the mysteries of the gospel, and were better qualified to preach it to people of all nations and languages.

In conclusion, we remark, that inasmuch as the baptism of the Holy 'Ghost had ceased, those who pray for it, pray as improperly, as if they were to ask God to give them power to work miracles, and grant them inspiration. They ask amiss, and therefore their prayers arc never answered. The Spirit is not now shed forth, as on the disciples in the beginning. No one now, as persons were then, is put entirely under its influences—-Milled with the Holy Ghost."

We think we have shown, beyond successful contradiction,

1. That the twelve disciples found by Paul at Ephesus. were not re-baptised but that Paul there confirms John's baptism.

2. That the baptism of the Holy Ghost, enabled the apostles and others to speak with tongues, and to have a correct understanding of the Scriptures and

3. That it ceased with the apostles *

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

" See Dr. Gill's Exposition of Acts 19,1—7. Also T. Meredith on Acts 9, 4—6.Churches.