History of the Pocatalico Association of West Virginia
For the Signs of the Times.
DEAR BROTHER BEEBE:-- Stimulated both by duty and desire, I direct to you this epistle for inspection; and if you think it worthy, may give it a place in the Signs of the Time. Being faored by brother with a volume of the Signs, together with the Circular Address of the Black Rock Meeting, I can say in truth it was as cold water to a thirsty soul, to find that there are yet a goodly number of witnesses scattered abroad on the earth, who are ready to testify that salvation is of the Lord.
I shall now proceed to give you an account of a Convention held with the Zoar Baptist Church of Christ, near the mouth of the Pocataligo, Kanawha Co., Va., on the 20th, 21st and 22nd, of November last. The Zoar Church, previous to this Convention, being a member of the Teays Valley Association, the Constitution of which says that no church shall be represented by more than two representatives. In August last, one church was represented with seven members, and from all appearance with a design to effect a correspondence with the General Association of Virginia; this they effected, and a correspondence was opened. The members of the Zoar Church having returned, brought the sorrowful news to the church; whereupon, she determined to adopt such measures as would most likely eventuate in the freedom of herself and others. Accordingly she resolved to have no correspondence with any church or association that is in favour of what is falsely called the benevolent institutions of the day. We then appointed the above named convention, six churches out of 24 sent representatives, and we formed ourselves into an Association. It may be thought that by the formation of a new Association that we had departed from our former principles, but I would only remark,that a departure from the Baptist principles on the part of the Teays Valley Association, was the moving cause of the formation of the Pocatalico Association. The departure is as follows: Whereas, they are now busily engaged in devising plan to effect the salvation of sinners, they once believed that every necessary arrangement was devised in the divine mind to effect all his purposes without the aid of any human invention. For further information relative to our convention, we refer you to its minutes. Since the convention, two other churches have connected themselves with our Association. It is also probable that many more will unite with us.
In September last, in order to learn the size of the beast that rose up a few years ago in the City of Richmond, viz., the General Association, I subscribed for a religious periodical falsely called the "Religious Herald;" and on the 29th of January I failed in receiving it according to expectation. I received, however, another in its place, falsely named "The Temperance Star." Not long after this I got hold of a Herald bearing the date of the number I lacked, containing a communication from the Rev. William C. Ligon to the Editor of the paper, relative to our declaring non-fellowship with them. I am happy to acknowledge that in the multiplicity of words, I find some little truth; although he has made some bad calculations in speaking of our Association. He states that its numerical strength is less than that of one church connected with the Teays Valley Association. The numerical strength of the six churches which met in Convention, is 179; and the largest church in Teays Valley Association, last August, was 201. Since that time there has been constituted another church out of the members of that church, consisting, as I have been informed, of between 70 and 80 members; this church was constituted in September last, previous to the holding of our convention. We hope in the future he will not expose himself by making such calculations, for he appears to speak the language of Demetrius, "Our craft is in danger." He laments that congregations cannot be collected by missionary preachers, and wishes to convey the idea that their object is to benefit the people; but he practically says that his desire is to be benefited by the people, while we are thus summoned to the bar of the public, by a set of news mongers, in order to ruin our tanding as ministers, as christians, and even as honest people. I would advise him to remember the case of Haman, and be particular that he does not share his fate; for it appears to be an established rule with him, and men of like occupation, first to try to induce, and then to hire ministers to unite with them in their occupation; if then they fail - to ruin their standing. Therefore, it would be well for Elder Ligon and his crafty gang, to be a little more particular, and smuggle up their plots better, for the gauze they have endeavored to fix over the eyes of the public, is so thin that they can see through it, which might posibly disappoint him in his expectation. Go on sir - thunder from both pulpit and press, the country rustick that your feeble artillery is leveled against, often looks at Matthew 28:20, "Lo I am with you alway, even to the end of the world Amen." If you inform the publick that I am an unlearned man - that I know but little more than the letters in the alphabet, you will not injure me; but bring to my mind the language of the Scripture - "God hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the mighty." Adieu for the present.
ELDER WILLIAM MARTIN.
March 31, 1836.
A FEW WORDS TO THE EDITOR OF THE RELIGIOUS HERALD: Dear Sir, I hope that in future you will act as an impartial editor should towards his subscribers, inasmuch as you was particularly addressing the body of which I am a member. If your design was to convince them of error you should have sent your address to me, inasmuch as I am a subscriber; but that you withheld probably for fear the errors therein contained would be discovered by me. Indeed when I looked over your address, I do not blame you for being ashamed of it; and I think if you will now take it yourself and endeavor to get your conscience from under the hot iron, it will make you blush. You state that we do not understand the design of the General Association; you represent it as a dove, as doing much good and no harm; that it has no power to do harm, but much to do good. Now, sir, we know that the General Association, in itself as a body, has not the power to lay us under obligatory laws, but are not a great many of the churches under its influence? If so, the churches have the power to brings its members under restrictions, or excommunicate them for default. But you say that you do not believe that any church in the United States has ever made such attempts; now sir, you may blush when you look at the minutes of Greenbrier Association of 1834. I will copy verbatim: "Under this view of the subject, be it therefore Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention it is the duty of every member of a church to contribute something towards the preaching of the gospel, unless it be such person or persons as the church may exempt. 2. Resolved, That any member thus refusing or neglecting to comply with a known duty, is guilty of an offence against the church, and ought to be dealt with by the same. 3. Resolved, That each church ought to raise a stipulated sum annually, to be paid in such way and by such means as the church may from time to time direct."
Now, sir, turn your eyes to your Bible and see if you can find either precept or example for such resolutions. Go to the Constitution of the General Association and see if it speaks the language of the Bible. See Art. 2: Advance the Redeemer's Kingdom and send out preachers just as though the Lord had put the whole power into the hands of poor feeble men, to first choose, then qualify, and send them out to preach the Gospel. But when they are sent by you, they are like Ahimahaz, they have seen a great tumult, they do not know what it is, neither do they care what God requires; they know very well what the General Association requires, and they are true to their trust, for if they are not, they fail to get their wages, which is the object of their labour. Art. 3: Ten dollars secures a seat in that body for one year, thirty dollars a life membership, and any person can be represented in that body if they send a man bearing the name of a Baptist to represent them; but that article is changed from what it once was, for at first any person could have a seat there whether a Baptist or not, for $10. But the article being objected to by some, it was put into the shape it now bears, thinking that it would deceive the hearts of the simple; yet the principle is the same, for any person can be represented for $10, and not without it - saying to the rich, sit thou here in a good place; and to the poor, stand thou there. To take it by the lump, you have as much to boast of as the god-makers had in the days of old; they said, it was like Elijah's God; and you say your establishment is the works of God.
You complain and say that we take away the liberty of conscience; I would answer you by an anecdote:-- A lady was dealing with a merchant, and when done, requested him to throw in some ribbon; he gave her a roll and told her to measure off the length of her conscience, and she continued measuring until she had measured off 21 yards. And, sir, I discover your conscience is long enough to misrepresent any thing and every thing that is likely to prevent a dollar from falling into your hands. Remember that at the bar of Almighty God the great stock of earthly goods you have collected under the name of benevolence, will profit you nothing; then the rights of all men will be known; and awful if the great judge should say to you, who hat required it at your hands?
Respectfully, Yours,
WILLIAM MARTIN.
March 31, 1836.
The following is an extract from the Minutes, together with a copy of the Circular of this Association:
Resolved, That we adopt the Constitution of the Teay's Valley Association as our Constitution, with this exception - that we have no correspondence, directly or indirectly, with the General Association.
Resolved, That we send Messengers to an association composed of memembers who withdrew from the Ohio Association, to examine into the constitution and regulations of said association; and if found in order, solicit a correspondence with them - and that the Clerk prepare a Letter of Correspondence, and that Elder William Biddle, and E. R. Fife bear the sme.
Resolved, That our first association be held with the Upper Falls of Cole Church, to commence on Saturday before the 3rd Lord's Day in August next, and that Bro. William Martin preach the introductory sermon.
Resolved, That we print 200 copies of our Minutes, and Bro. E. R. Fife superintend the same.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention, that every man or woman's money is their own, and that no association, or church, has any right to lay a distress upon the same.
Resolved, That we believe that every child of God is taught of God to support the Gospel, and that the church is the only proper society under heaven, to govern christians; and that all other societies assuming its powers are intrusions for sinister and lucrative views, and an insult to the Gospel.
Resolved, That we believe this money scheme is not of God, but an invention of man, is dangerous to the church, and that churches ought to be guarded against the same.
WILLIAM MARTIN, Moderator.
L. S. HOLLENBECK, Clerk.
