TENNESSEE STATE RECORDS - CHURCH ASSOCIATION RECORDS - MINUTES OF THE SWEETWATER ASSOCIATION OF UNITED BAPTISTS, 1855 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Edna Clack Woodchippy@aol.com ==================================================================== MINUTES OF THE SWEETWATER ASSOCIATION OF UNITED BAPTISTS 1855 Minutes of the twenty-fifth annual session of the Sweetwater Association of United Baptists. Began and held with the Big Spring Church, McMinn county, Tennessee, Friday before the 3rd Saturday in September, and following day. Elder R. Gregory delivered a sermon introductory to business after which letters from 24 churches were read and the following statistics minuted, viz: Churches, Delegates, and Total Membership: Spring Town - S.M. Caldwell, J. Land 6 O. Frindship (sic) - M.C. Higdon 64 Goodfield - E. Ward, W.M. Rogers, A. Gwinn 59 Smyrna - Z. Rose, J.B. Cate, S.M. Wan 89 Ocoee - J. Matlock, O.C. Dennis 22 Mt. Pleasant - _______, J. Presswood, D. Shelton 21 Christianburg - G. Stephens, E. McDaniel 51 Shoal Creek - Wm. H. Newman, J. White 50 U. McMinn - John Neil, W.R. Elder, J. Burnett 32 Ocoee - S. Summy, Wm. Higgins, J. Dennis 144 NOTE: Yes, Ocoee is listed twice and the total membership is listed as 144 but looks like it could have been 44. N. Hopewell - A. Dennis, J. Miller, J.R. Witt - 24 Pisgah - P. Neil, M. Spradling, M. Jones 65 N. Friendship - Wm. Blair, S.C. Gold, A.J. Cate 30 Zion Hill - J. Simpson, J.G. Newman, W.J. Ware 26 N. Providence - Wm. Hunt, A.T. Morgan, J. Morgan 20 Big Spring - J. Huggins, E. Lane, R. Lane 51 L. Mountain - L. Ballard, G. Zimmerly, J. Gibson 36 Rogers' Creek - T.B. Waller, J. Atkinson, R. Spradling 120 Suah (sic) - J. Huff 23 Eastanallee - R. Gregory, N. Crittendon, A. Ware 18 Notchy Creek - W. Watson, T. Malone, J. Watson 46 Mt. Hebron - James Hunt, David Dunlap 17 Bethlehem - J. Branham, S. McKonky, G. Paterson 31 Citico - Clinton Millsaps, W. Jones 28 Article 1. Chose Elder R. Gregory, Moderator, and Z. Rose, principal Clerk, and A.J. Cate, assistant Clerk. 2. Received a corresponding letter from South Concort Association, Ky, by the hands of Elders Wm. A. Cooper and E. Buttram, who were received to seats with us, who presented at the same time a package of their minutes; - and that Pryor Neil write to said Association, and that E. Ward, T.B. Waller, S.M. Wan and Wm. Hunt bear the same thither. Also a friendly letter from Stockton Valley Association by mail, and that Z. Rose write to said Association. Also, a verbal message from Elejoy Association by their delegates, Elders E. Clayton and J. Branham, who were invited to seats with us, and that C.N. George write to said Association, and that T.M. Isbell and Pryor Neil bear the same thither. 3. Appointed John Neil, J.G. Newman, A. Ware, Wm. Rogers and S. Summy, together with the Big Spring Church, to arrange the preaching during the present Session of this Association. 4. Appointed E. Ward, W. Hunt, Wm. R. Elder, S.M. Wan and P. Neil, a committee to arrange the unfinished business of the Association, and that they report to-morrow at 9 (one half symbol) o'clock, a.m., and that visiting Ministers be invited to set with said committee. 5. Appointed Brethren J. Simpson and R. Spradlin a committee to receive the Churches contribution, who reported $47,65, (sic) which was handed into the hands of A.J. Cate, who is appointed treasurer for the present year. Then adjourned with prayer by Elder E. Buttram. Association met pursuant to adjournment; prayer by Moderator 1. Took up the subject of a misunderstanding in the minds of some of the brethren in the bounds of the Elijoy Association, which was decided that those brethren who were clothed with proper authority from their Churches hand in their letters, and that the residue have time to properly adjust their matters satisfactory among themselves. 2. The roll was called and delinquents marked. 3. The committee reported; which was received and committee discharged. 4. Appointed brother R. Lane to write to Ocoee Association, and that Elders J. Matlock and Wm. R. Elder bear the same thither; and that W.R. Elder write to Hiwassee, and that Elder L. Ballard and R. Gregory bear the same thither. Took up the query from Smyrna Church, viz: 5. "Is it right or expedient for any Minister of our denomination, to sell books under the patronage of the American Tract Society, yea or nay;" where upon, the following committee was appointed to draft an answer to said query, viz: S.C. Gold, L. Ballard, S. Summy, Wm. M. Rogers and Allen Ware, who returned the following, viz: ANSWER - We believe it not advisable for any brother of our order to engage in that business. 6. Took up the request of Ocoee (8 church) asking some advice relative to some difficulties existing between the two Ocoee churches or some individuals. ANSWER - We would advise the brethren composing those two bodies to meet together in the spirit of meekness and love, and try to settle those difficulties among yourselves, carefully observing the direction laid down in the gospel; and if you fail to accomplish the desired object, invite sister churches to assist you. 7. Our next Association will be held with the Smyrna Church, Polk County, Tennessee, near Benton, to commence on Friday before the 3rd Saturday in September next, and that Elder Jason Matlock preach the introductory sermon, and that Elder Z. Rose be his alternate. 8. Ordered, that we have 1500 copies of our Minutes printed, and that 50 copies be reserved for each corresponding Association, and that the rest be deposited as follows, viz: For the upper division, at Athens, McMinn county; for the Western division, at Decatur, Meigs county; and for the southern division, at Benton, Polk county; and that the clerk superintend the same, and that he have $8 for his services. 9. Corresponding letters read and ordered to be signed by the Moderator and Clerk. 10. Appointed Br. Pryor Neil to write a letter to Hiwassee Association, upon the subject of establishing a boundary line between her and Sweetwater Association. Resolved, that this Association duly appreciate the hospitality of the Big Spring Church and vicinity, during this session of our body. TABLE OF MINISTERS Churches, Ordained Ministers and Licentiates Old Friendship - M.C. Higdon, Thos. Crawford Goodfield - Ezekiel Ward Smyrna - Zachariah Rose Ocoee (8 Church) - Jason Matlock Christianburg - Wm. C. Lea Shoal Creek - (no ordained minister listed), Wm. Newman and Wm. Stephenson Union McMinn - Wm.R. Elder Ocoee - (no ordained minister listed), A. Evans, J.N. Reid and T. Kindrick New Hopewell - (no licensed minister listed), Jacob Miller Pisgah - (no licensed minister listed), Pryor Neil New Providence - William Hunt Lone Mountain - Lewis Ballard Rogers Creek - T.B. Waller Eastanallee - Robert Gregory Notchy Creek - S.M. Haun Bethlehem - Julian Branham Then adjourned, with prayer by the Moderator, to the time and place above named. Attest: Z. Rose, Robert Gregory, Moderator, A.J. Cate, Assistant Clerk. ABSTRACT OF PRINCIPLES Art. 1. We believe in one only true and living God; the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and these three are one. Art. 2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, are the word of God, and the only rule of saving knowledge. Art. 3. We believe in election, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the spirit in belief of the truth. Art. 4. We believe in the doctrine of original sin. Art. 5. We believe in man's impotency to recover himself from the fallen state he is in, by his own free-will ability. Art. 6. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Art. 7. We believe that the saints will persevere in grace, and never all finally away. Art. 8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper, are ordinances of the church of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the only proper subjects of the ordinances, and the true Apostolic mode is by immersion. Art. 9. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and general judgment. Art. 10. We believe that the punishment of the wicked will be everlasting and the joys of the righteous eternal. Art. 11. We believe that no Minister has a right to the administration of the ordinances of the church, only such as are regularly called, and come under the imposition of hands by a presbytery. Art. 12. Amendments to the above constitution may be made when deemed necessary, by the consent of two thirds of the churches composing this Association. The above abstract of principles, being unanimously agreed to by the Convention, we were then formed into an Association, to be known by the name of the "Sweetwater Association of United Baptists," and appointed our first Association to be held at Zion Hill meeting house, McMinn county, East Tennessee, to commence on the Friday before the second Saturday in September next. Elder George Snider appointed to preach the introductory sermon, and in case of failure, Elder Silas Witt to supply. The Association shall be composed of members chosen by the different churches in our union, and duly sent to represent them in the Association; and on their producing letters from their respective churches certifying their appointment, shall be entitled to a seat in the Association. Signed by order of the Convention. George Snider, Moderator Moses M'Spadden, Clerk Art. 13. The Association then adopted the following rules for the government of the Association in future. CONSTITUTION Article 1. The association shall be composed of members chosen by the respective churches in our union, and duly sent to represent them in the association, and upon their producing letters from their respective churches, certifying their appointment, shall be entitled to a seat in the association. 2. In the letters from the different churches, shall be expressed their total number, those baptised, received by letter, or dismissed, excluded, or dead, since the last association. 3. The members thus chosen and convened shall be denominated the "Sweetwater United Baptist Association." 4. The association when convened, shall be governed by a regular and proper decorum. 5. The association shall have a Moderator and Clerk, who shall be chosen by the members of the association then present. 6. New churches may be admitted into this union, which shall petition by letter and delegate; and upon examination if found orthodox and orderly, holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, they shall be received by the association, and shall be manifested by the Moderator giving the delegates the right of fellowship. 7.Every church in the union shall be entitled to a representation in this association, by letter and delegates. 8. Any query presented by any of the churches in their letter to the association shall be one time read before the association, the moderator shall put it to a vote on the propriety or impropriety of discussin or answering said query, and if there be a majority in favor of it, the association shall take it under consideration; if not, it shall be withdrawn. 9. Every motion made by a member of the association, and seconded, shall come under the consideration of the association unless it is withdrawn by the member who made it. 10. The association shall endeavor to furnish the churches with the minutes of the association; the best method for effecting the same shall be left to the discretion of future associations. 11. We think it highly necessary, that we should have an association fund for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the same, and for that purpose of raising and supporting said fund, we think it to be the duty of each church in this union, to contribute voluntarily such sums as they may think proper, and send it by their delegates to the association; all money thus received by the association, shall be deposited in the hands of a treasurer appointed by the association, who shall be accountable for all money by him received, and paid out according to the directions of the association. 12. The association agree to decide on all business in the association by a majority, except the reception of churches into our union, which shall be done by the unanimous voice of all the members present. 13. There shall be an association book kept, wherein the proceedings of every association, shall be recorded by a secretary appointed by the association for that purpose, who shall receive a compensation yearly for his services, to be paid out of the association fund. 14. The minutes of the association shall be read, (and corrected if need be) and signed by the Moderator and Clerk, before the association rises. 15. Amendments to this plan, or form of government may be made at any time, at the request of a majority of this union. 16. The association have power: - 1st. To give the churches all necessary advice in all matters of difficulty, when laid before the association by petition. Said association shall have no power to lord it over God's heritage, nor shall she have any power over the churches, neither shall she infringe on any of the internal rights of any church in this union. 2. To enquire into the cause, why any of the churches fail to represent themselves at any time in the association. 3. To appropriate the money in their fund to defray any association expense. 4. The association shall have power to withdraw from any church in this union, who shall violate the rules of this association, or deviate from the orthodox principles of religion. 5. And to admit any of the distant brethren in the ministry as assistants; who may be present at the time of their session, when it may be thought necessary. 6. And shall have power to adjourn to any future time or place, they may think most convenient for the churches. RULES OF DECORUM 1. The association shall be opened and closed by prayer. 2. One person only shall speak at the same time, who shall rise from his seat, and address the Moderator, when he is about to make his speech. 3. The person speaking, shall not be interrupted in his speech by any person except the Moderator, until he is done speaking. 4. The person speaking, shall strictly adhere to the subject under consideration, and shall in no wise either reflect on, or make any unfriendly remarks on the imperfections of the person who spoke before him; but shall fairly state the case, and convey his ideas on the subject, as concisely as possible. 5. No member of the association shall abruptly absent himself from the association, without liberty from the Moderator. 6. No person shall speak more than three times on any one subject without liberty from the Association. 7. No member, or other person, shall have the liberty of laughing during time of business in the association, nor of whispering in the time of public speaking. 8. No member of the association shall address another in any other appellation than that of brother. 9. The moderator shall not interrupt any member of this association when speaking until he is done speaking, or gives his light on the subject, unless he should violate the rules of the association. 10. The names of the members of the association, shall be enrolled, and called over by the clerk, as often as the association may require it. 11. Any member of the association who shall knowingly violate any of the rules of this association, shall be reproved by the association, as may be thought proper. The above rules, for the government of the association, and rules of decorum, and minutes of the association, was all read and received, and signed by the Moderator and Clerk. By order of the Association, George Snider, Moderator Moses McSpadden, Clerk DOINGS OF A CONVENTION Convened by special appointment, at Union McMinn church, McMinn county, E. Tennessee, on Friday before the 4th Saturday in July, 1855. On motion of Elder R. Gregory, Elder M.H. Sellers was appointed Moderator, and Samuel Burnett, Nathaniel Barnett and Z. Rose clerks, to organize for business. Whereupon The following churches, by their delegates, presented letters which were read, and the following account taken, viz: SWEETWATER, 12 CHURCH, ASSOCIATION OCOEE Church - S. Summy, Wm. Higgins and Joel Dennis; SMYRNA - Z. Rose, J.B. Cate and S.M. Wan; OLD FRIENDSHIP - Dennis Haskins; NEW FRIENDSHIP - S.C. Gold, A.J. Cate and N.B. Haney; BIG SPRING - Elijah Cate, Russell Lane and G. Cate; UNION MCMINN - John Neil, Wm.R. Elder and John Foster; ROGERS CREEK - T.B. Waller, John Atkinson and Richard Spradling; LONE MOUNTAIN - L. Ballard and David Ward; PISGAH - Pryor Neil, Hiram Gibson and Richard Curtain; NEW HOPEWELL -= Allen Dennis and Mordecai Rucker; GOODFIELD - Ezekiel Ward, James Lillard and R.E. Cate - SUAH - John Huff and Ezekiel Ward, Jr; CHRISTIANBURG - G. Stephens and Elijah McDaniel; MT. PLEASANT - David Shelton, Martin Isbell and Moses Stalcup; SHOAL CREEK - Jas. Buckner, Sr, Jas. Dennis and William Newman. SWEETWATER, 8 CHURCH, ASSOCIATION OCOEE CHURCH - A. Matlock, and O.C. Dennis; EASTANALLEE - R. Gregory, A. Ware and S.W. Thompson; ZION HILL - John Simpson, Wm. Ferguson and J.G. Newman; NEW PROVIDENCE - Wm. Hunt, C.N. George and John Morgan. HIWASSEE ASSOCIATION SHILOAH (sic)CHURCH - M.H. Sellers and J.A. Barnard; SMYRNA - R. Reid; PAINT ROCK - L.B. Johnston, Saml. Burnett and J.L. Brown; CAVE CREEK - John Deaver, D. Huffin and E.W. Brezeale; POPLAR SPRING - Wm. Eblin and Wm. Crow; CONCORD - Samuel Edgeman, Reuben Philips and J.S. Walker; SHORT CREEK - Josiah Houser, John Whitesides and M.R. Ware; FELLOWSHIP - Nathaniel Barnett, M.C. Clack and G.G. Parker; MT. PLEASANT - D. Brown, and Thos. Magis; HINDS VALLEY - A. Newport and Carter Hickey. OCOEE ASSOCIATION SALEM CHURCH - George Luttrull ELEJOY ASSOCIATION SPRING TOWN CHURCH - Isaac Smith and Calvin Jordan; GREASY CREEK - E. Clayton and Green Smith; SHILOAH - Wm. B. Sims and B.M. Sims; CITICO - no delegate; PISGAH - Peter Garrett and James Sparks; ELEJOY - Elijah Cate and Joshua Cate; NOTCHY CREEK - Wm. Watson, James Watson and S.M. Haun. The Convention being now ready for business 1st. Appointed M.H. Sellers Moderator; and Z. Rose principal clerk, and Nathaniel Barnett assistant clerk. 2ndly. On motion of Elder E. Ward, the respective associations above named, elected three of their bodies, to form a committee to propose terms of union between the 12 and 8 church associations, claiming to be the Sweetwater, viz: From HIWASSEE ASSOCIATION - Elder John Deaver, Asa Newport and Samuel Burnett; SWEETWATER 8 CHURCH ASSOCIATION - S.W. Thompson, J.G. Newman and C.N. George; SWEETWATER 12 CHURCH ASSOCIATION - Elders E. Ward, T.B. Waller and Wm. R. Elder; ELEJOY ASSOCIATION - Elder E. Clayton, E. Cate and Wm. Watson; OCOEE ASSOCIATION - Elder George Luttrell. Ordered that the Modertor and clerks be added to said committee. 3rdly. Appointed J.A. Barnard from Hiwassee Association, H. Gibson from Sweetwater 12 Church Association, A. Ware from Sweetwater 8 church Association, Calvin Jordan from Elejoy Association, together with the Union McMinn church to arrange the preaching during the sitting of this Convention. Then adjourned until 9 o'clock to-morrow. Prayer by the Moderator. Saturday, 28th July, 1855 Met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the Moderator, after which the roll was called and delinquents marked. 1st. The report of the committee was read and received - and the committee discharged - which is as follows, viz: REPORT "We, your committee, after some deliberation, propose to those brethren known as the 12 and 8 church parties, claiming to be the Sweetwater Association, the following terms of union, viz: That you stand on old principles upon which you were constituted, and that you carefully avoid all extremes in faith and practice, and that the old boundary lines between the Hiwassee and Sweetwater Associations be re-established and that you unite in one body as you existed heretofore, and that you make a special appointment most central for both bodies, * and that you convene together at your next association; and that the churches signify their assent, in the letters they send up to said association, to the above proposition. And if the above terms are acceded to, we further propose to said brethren, that the doins of this Convention, together with the old Abstract of faith, Constitution and Rules of Decorum be appended to the minutes of said Association. Elijah Clayton, John Deaver, Wm.R Elder, Asa Newport, William Watson, Chas. N. George, S.W. Thomison, Tho. B. Waller, Saml. Burnett, Ezekiel Ward, Elijah Cate, George Luttrull, J.G. Newman, Committee." *N.B. -Appointed the place to meet at Big Spring Church house, on Friday before the 3rd Saturday in September next. -- Then came to a close. Attest: Z. Rose, Clerk pr. M.H. Sellers, Moderator, Nathaniel Barnett, Assistant Clerk.