Beloved Brethren in the Lord,
In our last Circular we had occasion to mention that we were visited by the scourge of war, but that it was to vindicate rights ever dear to freemen; rights for which our forefathers fought and bled, and which was obtained by the helping hand of a kind Creator. At this time we congratulate you upon the return of Peace. We delight not in shedding the blood of man, it is only justifiable in extreme necessity. - While we are prompt in declaring war as the only alternative to vindicate our rights, let us ever cherish the principles of peace with all nations. And in the mean time look to our God to direct us in all things whose counsels never has nor never will lead us astray. Dear Brethren, our God is a God of love, and as a manifestation thereof, gave up his son to suffer and die to redeem his people from the curse of the law; for when we were without strength in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. What abundant reason we have to be thankful, and to adore his great and venerable name for his goodness and tender mercies to miserable sinners. - We love him because he first loved us. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love - therefore, with loving kindness have I drawn thee." O! Brethren, recollect the happy time when you were drawn by that divine love and power of God, your affections were set on things above, your love to your brethren was manifest, a gospel evidence that you had passed from death unto life. Our Lord says, "a new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." - As a proof of our love to God, let us endeavor to keep his commandments, for this is the love of God that we keep his commandments. Our Lord has promised in the gospel, if
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you keep his comniandinents, you shall abide in his love. Be kindly affectioned one to another - with brotherly love in honor prefering one another - rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep - we are to watch over and pray for one another - we are to pray for the ministers of the gospel; brethren pray for us - we should pray in our families. In Jeremiah Chap. 10th and 25th .Verse, we read, "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name." David says "evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice." And as we are instructed to pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting, we are commanded to pray in private as well as public - pray for children, servants, neighbors, rulers and for all men - we should visit the sick and pray for them - it is lawful for us to pray for temporal blessings.Brethren let us strive together for the faith of the gospel, and not neglect the assembly of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exort one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching.
How thankful ought we to be, that our lots are cast in [a] pleasant place, while many of our brethren in the world are groaning under the iron hand of oppression. We enjoy the smiles of heaven - we enjoy religious and civil liberty - we sit under our vine and fig tree, and none to make us afraid.
Glory to God in the highest!
And glory to the Lamb!Look back dear brethren at the early settlement of this country - half a century ago scarcely a solitary saint could be found on these western waters - the wild woods rarely, if ever, witnessed one of Zion's songs - an universal gloom of heathenish darkhess covered the country: but thanks be to God, who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out the heaven with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure - weighed the mountains in a scale, and the hills in a balance. All things are possible with him - The country that was at that time a savage wild, is now elegantly cultivated fields, with the sunshine of the gospel spreading its effulgent beams over thousands of saints who shortly will meet in heaven to praise God and the Lamb.
Brethren, be ye therefore the followers of God as dear children, and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice for a sweet smelling saviour. We command [commend] you brethren to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified.
The heavenly glory where all the saints will meet with a glorious admittance in the kingdom of everlasting felicity, where we shall part no more, but join the glorious song, saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing, for ever and ever. AMEN!
___________________ On page three of the Minutes of 1815 this information was given:
=================== [From Elkhorn Bapitst Association Minutes, 1815, pp. 3-4. The document is from SBHL&A, Nashville, TN and was provided by Stephen duBarry. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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