Unknown County GaArchives Church Records.....Georgia Baptists Central Association Copyright Date 1874
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CENTRAL ASSOCIATION.

  It was on an exceedingly cold day, February 1, 1834, that a few brethren, who
had suffered much in feeling for their Master's sake, met at Indian Creek
meeting-house, in Morgan county, for the purpose of constituting a new
Association. The churches which they represented had formerly been happily
connected with the Flint River and Ocmulgee Associations. They had grown with
the growth, and strengthened with the strength of those bodies. With them they
had rejoiced in prosperity and mourned in adversity. But an evil day had dawned
upon Zion in Georgia. A spirit which was wont to usurp the rights of the
churches, and to lord it over God's heritage, (originating in opposition to
benevolent societies,) had shown itself in those Associations. In vain had the
voice of age and wisdom been heard in their councils. A committee of the Flint
River Association had visited Sharon church, in Henry county, and • had claimed,
most unceremoniously, the moderator's seat, which being denied them, they
withdrew from the house and succeeded in dividing the church. At the next
session, the Association voted to receive both the majority and minority, on
certain conditions. Several churches seceded in consequence. The case of
Eatonton and New Salem churches had excited contention and division in the
Ocmulgee. The latter had received members of the former, on letters obtained in
a disorderly conference, while a minority even of that conference were objecting
to their dismission. With a full knowledge of these facts, these members were
received into New Salem, The matter disturbed the sessions of the Associations
for several years, till in 1833, at Elam church, Jones county, the body withdrew
from Eatonton church. This was immediately followed by the secession of several
churches from this Association likewise. There had been several preliminary
meetings, and now the seceding churches, on both sides of the Ocmulgee river,
thought best to constitute a distinct Association.

  The meeting was opened by singing, prayer, and reading of the scriptures by
Rev. Ira M. Allen, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was providentially
present. Brother James Fears, deacon of Indian creek church, was invited to act
as moderator, and J. H. Campbell, clerk. Rev. Adiel Sherwood, of the Georgia
Association, was also in attendance, and gave his countenance and encouragement
to the undertaking. The ministers who were members of the churches which united
in the constitution were B. H. Wilson, W. A. Callaway, J. Travis and J. H.
Campbell. As much had been said about their departure from the faith, their
Arminianism, heresy, etc., it was agreed to adopt the confession of faith of the
Georgia Association as being the oldest in the State, and embodying the views of
the churches and ministers now uniting. The name "Central" was adopted on
account of its central position in the State. The following is a list of the
clinches and delegates: ANTIOCH, J. Swanson, J. Evans, L. Hearn, J. M. Evans;
INDIAN CREEK, James Fears, John E. Dawson; EATONTON, Thomas Cooper, Jeremiah
Clark; SHARON, William Thames, B. H. Wilson, Jesse Travis; McDONOUGH, W. A.
Callaway, J. R. Campbell; PARAN, James Bulloch; SARDIS, William Lane. It was,
"Resolved, That though we felt it our duty, from a sacred regard to principle,
to secede from the Association, we are ready at all times to meet them, in order
to reconcile the differences that exist; we desire union with all our brethren
but we dare not sacrifice truth and principle for union only in name." The
ministers were comparatively young men. Yet they agreed among themselves to
abstain from controversy as much as possible, and "preach Jesus Christ and him
crucified." These were the feelings that prevailed in the constitution and first
session, and with which the delegates returned to their several churches. The
annual session was appointed at Antioch, the second Sabbath in August following.

  There was one peculiarity in the decorum of this body, which has had influence
upon its interests ever since; that is, it “recognizes and approves of
Sabbath-schools, missions, the education of ministers, Bible, temperance and
tract societies, and will give them our hearty co-operation; but fellowship will
not be disturbed with any member who does not feel it his duty to contribute to
their support." An executive committee was appointed, "to which was committed
the management of domestic missions."

  Pleasing appearances of a general revival were discovered in the course of the
spring and summer of 1834. In the neighborhood of the Indian creek church,
several conversions had occurred. In Eatonton and McDonough, many were inquiring
the way of life. It was under this state of things that the delegates from the
churches assembled at Antioch, (a place rendered memorable by the breaking out
of the great revival in 1837,) to attend their first annual session. The
introductory sermon was preached by Jesse Travis, "a man full of the Holy Ghost
and of faith." It was evident that the Lord was present to bless! Two of the
ministers spent Saturday night in prayer, with strong cries and tears! On the
Sabbath, the power of the Holy One came down on the vast assembly. Before the
meeting closed, (some ten days,) upwards of eighty were baptized into Antioch
church. Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Davis, A. Sherwood, and V. R. Thornton, favored
the occasion with their presence and labors. The work did not stop there; the
delegates and ministers carried home the good influence with them—all the
churches shared in the blessing, and hundreds were added unto the Lord. For
several months the preachers had no rest from their labors. Day and night they
were among the people, at the meeting-houses, from neighborhood to neighborhood,
and frequently from house to house, "warning every man and beseeching every man
with tears." The Milledgeville church was received at this meeting. Delegates.
Judge John G. Polhill, G. Leeves and _____ Baldwin. The executive committee were
constituted a foreign and domestic mission board. One hundred dollars were paid
Abner B. Stanley, domestic missionary: and $128,122 taken up on the Sabbath
after the missionary sermon by J. H. Campbell. Arrangements were made with Lot
Hearn, executor of Seth Hearn, to receive a legacy left by his will to foreign
and domestic missions, amounting to seventeen hundred dollars. The state of
things among the churches was so interesting, it was agreed to hold an extra
session at Sharon camp-meeting, which accordingly took place on the first
Sabbath in September following. Here it was agreed, “that we apply for admission
as a component member of the Georgia Baptist Convention." (The churches had
hitherto been united with said body through auxiliary missionary societies.)
Upwards of forty were baptized during this session. It is stated in the minutes,
that "most of our churches are experiencing the reviving influences of the
Spirit." Agreed to seek correspondence with the Georgia Association, also with
the Sarepta.

  The following year, (August, 1835,) the body met in McDonough, Henry county.
Only two ministers present at the opening of the session, (Campbell and
Callaway,) and they both members at McDonoungh. The aspect of affairs was
discouraging. Brethren Jonathan Davis and J. B. Dawson arrived, however, during
the afternoon. Christians seemed deeply engaged and many sinners appeared to be
"asking the way to Zion." Multitudes flocked in from the surrounding country,
the meeting was protracted upwards of a week, and near forty baptized! The
correspondence offered to the Georgia Association, the October previous, had
been kindly received, and brother Davis was now in attendance as a messenger
from that body. The Sarepta declined our correspondence, though many of her
wisest men were favorable to it. The Association had been received as a
component member of the Georgia Baptist Convention, much to the mortification of
its numerous enemies and opponents. The, triennial Convention had resolved to
attempt to raise $100,000 00, and the Georgia Convention had agreed to endeavor
to raise three thousand of this amount. This subject was strongly recommended to
the attention and favor of the churches. Our brethren were again exhorted (as at
the previous session,) to read through the Bible annually, which work many of
them accomplished.

  One of the missionaries of the body, Abner B. Stanley, a zealous and useful
licentiate, had been removed by death. Suitable resolutions in reference to the
afflictive and mysterious dispensation were adopted. Jesse Travis and J. H.
Campbell spent a portion of the year in domestic missionary service. Amounts for
benevolent objects, $1,317 02 1.2. Three churches joined, Madison, Clinton and
New Hope, in Henry county.

  The session for 1836 (held in Clinton, Jones county, in August,) was favored
in like manner with evidence of the divine favor and presence. Some eight or ten
were baptized. The correspondence of the body was annually enlarged. Though at
first an object of great jealousy with many good brethren, when they came to
understand the grounds upon which they had seceded from the older Associations,
they were fully justified. The fact that the body applied to several
Associations for correspondence, caused much investigation and discussion as to
the powers of Associations, the rights of churches, etc. It is believed that in
this way the Lord brought good out of evil. These subjects were far better
understood than they had been for many years, or perhaps ever in this State.
Correspondents were in attendance from the Georgia, Washington and Sunbury
Associations. Monticello and Ramoth churches joined. The time of the annual
session was changed to the fourth Sabbath in August instead of the second. The
meeting was favored with the counsels and labors of such men as Wilson Conner,
Humphrey Posey, A. Sherwood, C. D. Mallary, and others of less experience.
Directed the executive committee to appoint a delegate to the Great Bible
Convention in Philadelphia, the object of which was approved. Rev. A. Sherwood
was appointed, and represented this body in that Convention, which formed the
American and Foreign Bible Society. An extra session had been held at Antioch
the foregoing March, when it was agreed to attempt to raise $20,000 00 to endow
a professorship of languages and sacred literature in the Baptist College, then
in contemplation, to be located at Washington, Wilkes county. The site was
subsequently changed to Penfield, and the pledge of this body is very nearly
redeemed. The Georgia Convention had resolved to attempt to raise $10,000 00 for
foreign missions. This Association agreed to endeavor to raise $2,500 00 towards
that amount, and to appropriate $50 00 for tracts for gratuitous distribution by
our ministers. Rev. C. D. Mallary had moved to Milledgeville, and several had
been ordained since the constitution of the body, John E. Dawson, Henry Collins
and Thomas U. Wilkes. This was cause of rejoicing, But there was also cause of
deep lamentation on account of the death of JESSE TRAVIS, "whose praise was in
all the churches." The Carmel church joined at the extra session at Antioch.
Domestic missions had been vigorously prosecuted.

  The introductory sermon in 1837 was preached by T. U. Wilkes, at Madison,
Morgan county. Mallary, moderator, and Campbell, clerk. Besides correspondence
received at former sessions, mesengers appeared from Ebenezer, Appalachee and
Sarepta Associations. That venerable man, Jesse Mercer, was present, and by
special invitation preached the missionary sermon. Rev. I. L. Brooks also
preached on the Sabbath. Nothing of special interest is found in the proceedings
of this session.

  At Eatonton, Putnam county, in 1838, the introductory discourse was preached
by C. D. Mallary, and the missionary sermon by J. H. Campbell; $126 00
collected. Sugar creek church was admitted into the union. The church had
anticipated the meeting with much interest and many prayers. The Spirit was
poured out copiously on the people and many were added unto the Lord. Brethren
were present from the Rehoboth and Columbus, besides many other Associations.
After prayerful deliberation, it was agreed to open correspondence with the Mint
River Association in regard to the former difficulties of some of our churches
with that body. It was reported that about 118,000 00 had been secured towards
the "central professorship" in Mercer University.

  Sharon church, Henry county, entertained the body in 1839, where Harmony and
Salem joined, and where messengers from the Flint River Association were
welcomed to seats. Correspondence with that body was continued, which resulted
in the adjustment of all differences which had existed, and that, too, upon
principles of righteousness and truth. The following year, the session was at
Carmel, Newton county. The spirit of piety seems to have undergone some decay;
yet peace prevailed in the churches, and much domestic missionary labor was
performed by C. D. Mallary and S. E. Gardiner. Liberty, and Little river
churches joined. A friendly letter was received from the United Association by
brethren Byars, E. Strickland and E. Dodson; also, a similar one from Hephzibah
church, in Jasper county, a member of that Association. Though no regular
correspondence was the result, yet much good grew out of the kindness and
faithfulness exercised towards those brethren. "The middle wall of partition"
was broken down, and a better understanding now prevails.

   For several years C. D. Mallaiy had been moderator, but he having removed out
of the bounds, J. E. Dawson was elected moderator at Ramoth, in 1841. Providence
church was received into the union. Regular correspondence was now enjoyed with
nine Associations: Washington, Georgia, Rock Mountain, Rehoboth, Sarepta,
Appalachee, Flint River, Ebenezer and Columbus. Brother John P. James, of the
United Association, was in attendance. Rev. William Byars had become a member of
Sardis church, and was a delegate in this session. Sabbath-schools and
temperance engaged much attention and excited much interest. Only forty-seven
were baptized during the Associational year. In 1842, at Paran church, J. H.
Campbell was elected moderator, J. E. Dawson having removed to LaGrange. Thomas
U. Wilkes was elected clerk. These have been the officers of the body several
years. Friendship church became a member at this session. Hearn Manual Labor
School was noticed favorably, and several hundred dollars subscribed for that
institution. It was agreed to hold an extra session at Providence church, Jasper
county, with reference to the case of New Hope church, whose application for
membership could not be favorably entertained. Nothing was accomplished in this
matter, however, by the extra session, and the church was not received. Rev.
William Byars was engaged a portion of his time, as domestic missionary. Very
little was now done in this cause, in comparison with past years.

  Delegates from the churches assembled in 1843 at a Baptist camp-meeting near
Friendship church, Greene county. Rev. I. L. Brooks was a delegate from Sugar
creek church and John P. James from Sardis. After solemn prayer for "the peace
of Jerusalem," it was resolved to send a conciliatory letter to the Ocmulgee
Association, which now seems to be in quite a declining state. (Brother J. F.
Hillyer, who bore this letter, met with no encouragement, and the effort has not
been renewed.) The meeting was one of interest—many sinners were awakened, and
several baptized into the church. Rev. Messrs Byars and Buckner had been
employed as missionaries. The following year, 1844, the session was at Salem,
Jones county. Owing to the great political excitement prevailing at the time,
the state of religion throughout the country was low, and, though the subject
was seldom named on occasions of our religious anniversaries, yet many of the
brethren were so much engrossed with it, as to be poorly prepared for more holy
services. Many excellent preachers attended at Salem, but their labors seemed to
be as water spilled upon the ground, which cannot be gathered again. The
executive committee reported much valuable labor performed during the year, by
the colporteur, brother Nelson. Several hundred dollars worth of religious books
and tracts had been sold or distributed by him. Many poor families had received
the Bible gratuitously.

  The Association convened in 1845 at Sardis church, Butts county, and was held
in connection with a camp-meeting of great interest. With most of the churches,
the days of mourning seem to have passed away, and times of prosperity to have
returned. Cheering revival intelligence came up from many neighborhoods. It was
with great rejoicings that the brethren met together, in vast numbers on this
occasion. B. M. Sanders, Jonathan Davis, J. S. Callaway, James Davis, James
Carter and other esteemed servants of the Lord were there. The executive
committee had been diligently engaged in promoting domestic missions, and the
Lord had owned their labors. Rev. Messrs. Wilkes, Phillips, Garter and Bledsoe
had given themselves to the work with great zeal and untiring perseverance. Many
souls had been brought "out of darkness into marvelous light." During the
session, the gospel was preached with unusual power, and the vast assembly felt
that God was there. The business transacted was, much of it, of an important
nature, and was attended to with the utmost harmony.

  Thus it may be seen, that in some ten or eleven years, the members of this
body have more than doubled; much domestic missionary labor has been performed;
thousands of dollars have been contributed to the foreign mission and education
cause; several useful ministers have been ordained. While, on the other hand,
those churches that oppose missions, etc., have dwindled away, many churches
have become extinct, and very few conversions have occurred.


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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