Unknown County GaArchives Church Records.....Georgia Baptists Ocmulgee Association Copyright Date 1874
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 26, 2005, 1:51 pm

OCMULGEE ASSOCIATION

  Was formed at Rooty creek meeting-house, November 10th, 1810, of twenty-four
churches, by a committee from the Georgia Association, consisting of Robertson,
Matthews, Shackelford, Thompson and McGinty. These twenty-four churches are not
known exactly, as the old minutes are not accessible.

  In 1812, the session is at Shoal creek, Jasper county. Joseph Baker and
William Williams, officers. Rev. F. Flournoy had heen impeached before the
Senate, and a committee was appointed to examine into the matter, who reported.
"He is still held by us an orderly Christian and faithful minister." The
circular for this year alludes to the war, and urges the exercise of true
patriotism. In 1813, six churches were dismissed to form the Ebenezer Association.

  The session for 1815 is at Fellowship, near Madison. Elijah Mosley preached
from the commission. Churches forty-one; ordained and licensed peeachers,
twenty-five; baptized, seventy-six — total, two thousand two hundred and sixty-six.

  For 1817, the session was at Elim, near Clinton. The circular, “on the sin of
drunkenness," by L. Battle, is a good production. In 1819, in answer to a query,
the body replies: "Masters should treat them (slaves) with humanity and justice,
(Ephesians, vi. 9, Colossians, iv. 1,) and we recommend the members of our
churches to watch over each other, and if any should treat them otherwise, that
they be dealt with as transgressors." This is the universal sentiment among
Christians in Georgia. F. Flournoy is appointed an agent to visit the Creek
Nation of Indians and solicit a site for a school. A committee to form a plan
for a school was appointed, as follows: E. Mosely, A. Davis, E. Talbot and Pitt
Milner.

  In, 1820, the plan for a school in the Creek Nation (to be conducted by this,
and the Georgia and Ebenezer Associations,) was adopted and spread upon the
minutes. Trustees, B. Wilson, A. Davis, B. H. Willson, W. Williams and Wilson
Lumpkin, afterwards Governor of the State. In 1821, the body votes a cordial
concurrence with the Sarepta touching "general meeting of correspondence," and
E. McGinty, J. M. Gray, and C. White appointed delegates.

  September, 1822, the session is at Mount Gilead, Jasper county. The report on
Indian reform was read: F. Flournoy had resigned as superintendent, and L.
Compere was appointed. On a proposition of the Ocmulgee Missionary Society, that
body is consolidated with the Association, and it annually elects seven
trustees. For missions in hand, $445,87 1/2. The constitution of the General
Association is taken into consideration, "examined article by article, and
unanimously approved." Five delegates appointed: J. Milner, C. White, J. M.
Gray, William Williams and A. Davis.

  Ten newly constituted churches join the session at Fellowship in 1823.
Churches, fifty-five; members, two thousand five hundred and two. Mission funds
sent up by churches, $318,18 After considering the need of preaching in the new
counties, sixteen ministers agree to spend some weeks in proclaiming the Saviour
among the new settlements.

  Murder creek church, Jasper county, entertained the session of 1824. The
mission school at Withington, in the Creek Nation, is in a prosperous
condition—forty-two pupils in it, making rapid improvement. Mission moneys sent
up, about $280. Several churches dismissed, to form Flint river and Yellow-river
Associations. The care and management of missions were transferred to the
General Association of the State, by the session of 1825. The circular for 1826
was written by Thomas Cooper, and unanimously adopted. An able production!

  The session for 1827, at Antioch, Morgan county, will never be forgotten.
Brethren Colley, Sherwood and Shannon preached on the Sabbath. Great excitement
prevailed—hundreds upon hundreds were crying for mercy—thousands were powerfully
awakened! The oldest ministers never witnessed such a scene before! Several
churches petitioned to withdraw from General Association—petitions laid over.
Opposition to missions begins to be pretty plainly developed, which wrought
great confusion and mischief afterwards.

  The revival spread from this into the Flint River and other Associations.

  Hephzibah, in Jasper county, is the place of meeting in 1828. Baptized, one
thousand seven hundred and seventy-two; total, three thousand four hundred and
fifty-five. At the session at Shiloh, the following year, the subject of
withdrawing from the General Association was again discussed. But it was not
until 1830, at Harmony, in Putnam, that this sad event took place. Contention
and division follow this step, and a mournful decline is the consequence. The
body withdraws from Bethlehem church on account of opposition to her minister,
Cyrus White. New Salem church had brought charges against Eatonton; the case is
in an unsettled state in 18-31 and 1832; and in 1833, at Elim, in Jones, the
Association withdraws from Eatonton church likewise. The sessions of those years
were exceedingly contentious. So, also, of several following years—1834 and
1835. At Concord, in Jasper, the body declares, "Non-fellowship with all
benevolent societies," or rather approves of the act as done by Mount Gilead
church. In the meantime, many churches had seceded from the body, and formed the
Central Association. Some of these were among the most flourishing and
intelligent churches in the union. In 1837, she declares the institutions of the
day "unscriptural."

  In ten years, (from 1820 to 1830,) four thousand eight hundred and nineteen
were baptized. Look at the contrast: In 1830, when she left the Convention, she
had forty-one churches and three thousand four hundred and sixty-one members.
Now, 1844, she has four ministers and nine hundred and seven members. Baptized
twenty-eight. "How are the mighty fallen!"


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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