Unknown County GaArchives Church Records.....Georgia Baptists Hephzibah Association Copyright Date 1874
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 26, 2005, 1:50 pm

HEPHZIBAH ASSOCIATION.

  This body was formed of churches dismissed from the Georgia in 1794. Neither
the month, nor place, nor presbytery, can be ascertained, for the records of the
Georgia and of this are both lost. The churches are in the counties of Burke,
Screven, Jefferson, Richmond, Warren, etc. In 1803, George Franklin was
moderator and Norvel Robertson, clerk. A circular from the GENERAL COMMITTEE,
formed at Powelton, was received and its measures approved. Churches,
twenty-two; baptized, three hundred and six—total, eleven hundred and
thirty-two. In 1804, Franklin, Boss and Tharpe were appointed delegates to "the
General Committee" at Powelton. In 1806 is found this query and answer:

  Q.—Where ought the saints' feet to be washed ?
  A.—In the church, after the Lord's Supper.

  Several sessions pass off in the usual manner. In 1815, C. Bateman is chosen
to itinerate in Montgomery and contiguous counties. Received a corresponding
letter from Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. Agreed to do more for domestic
missions, and a meeting is appointed at Bark Camp to organize a society for this
object. In 1816, received a letter and messengers from the "Hephzibah Mission
Society," and passed a vote wishing them prosperity. Voted $100 00 to brother
Bateman, (he afterwards became a violent anti-missionary,) for services as
domestic missionary last year, and expressed gratification at the reception of a
letter from the secretary of the General Coneral Convention.

  In 1818, the body expresses itself favorable towards the General Baptist
Convention. Expecting to engage in domestic missions and contribute a mite
towards foreign, it cannot promise aid to the Kentucky Mission Society, from
which a letter had been received. In 1819, this body resolves "to take no part
in the missionary cause." Agreed not to correspond with the Foreign Mission
Society!

  In 1823 Jordan Smith is moderator. Appropriated $86 00 to corresponding
messengers. In 1826, rejected the request of Buck-head and Brushy creek churches
to send messengers to view the order of the General Association of this State.
The decorum was altered so as to make it disorder for any brother to move for a
correspondence, either by letter or messenger, with any general association or
committee, missionary society or board! Such disorder to be reproved by the
moderator! The anti-mission party seem now to be dominant. Some of the ministers
of that party were James Granade, (excommunicated for immorality,) Jordan Smith
and John Blackstone.

  The session for 1828. was at Little Brier creek, Warren county. The missionary
party have regained the ascendancy-and Jordan Smith, James Gray and others
withdraw and form the Canoochie Association, (anti-missionary,) which holds no
correspondence with other bodies. Several churches get letters to form the
Washington Association, viz: Beulah, Darien, Bethlehem, Sisters' meeting-house,
Jackson's meeting-house, etc. In 1832, recommended the churches to take
collections for itinerants—three chosen, McCall, Maund and Polhill.

  At the session for 1834, William L. Tucker, from the Georgia Convention, is
invited to a seat. Reports from domestic missionaries received, and appointed
five more. Paid missionaries $140 00; $252 93 in hand. Ministers now in the body
are J. H. T. Kilpatrick, W. W. Maund, Joseph Polhill, 0. Smith, J. Moon, J.
Huff, M. D. Holsonback, etc.

  In 1836 the body met at Providence church, in Jefferson county. According to
previous understanding, the churches reported in favor of becoming a component
member of the Baptist State Convention by a large majority, only five voting
against this measure. In 1837 a collection was taken for Judson's Burman Bible,
amounting to $78 20. Domestic mission fund, $356 38. The body now seems to be
hearty and active in every good work. The shackles of anti-ism are broken off.

  Their progress up to 1874 is still onward!


Additional Comments:
From:

GEORGIA BAPTISTS: HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.


MACON, GA.: J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.


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