Actions and Resolutions of the Sangamon Association of Illinois Declaring Non-Fellowship with the Modern Mission System
"RESOLVED, that we declare non-fellowship with the modern missionary system and all its kindred institutions. Resolved, that we advise the different churches composing this association to rid themselves of the Modern Missionary System and all its kindred institutions." 1836 Minutes, when convened with Pleasant Grove Church, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
The Tenth Article of Faith, adopted at the Constitution, on October 25, 1823: "It shall be the duty of the Association to debar from a seat any United Baptist, who is a member of any missionary society." (Peck says it was adopted as a Rule of Decorum, by a majority of one vote, and the same majority then placed it among the Articles of Faith (the tenth article) which had been made unalterable without a unanimous vote. The partial minute does not record either the Articles of Faith or Rules of Decorum.
Further proof that the Sangamon Association was organized in October 1823 is found in the minutes of Illinois Association for 1824, which state that a report was received from the brethren who had been appointed to help organize a new association (Sangamon)the previous year.
John Mason Peck, discouraged by the attitude manifested by the Illinois Baptists toward the modern mission system, wrote [ca. 1823] concerning the Sangamon Association as follows: "I lately learned, much to my disappointment, that the new association up the Illinois river [the Sangamon] has made a rule to debar missionaries from a seat. Several of the friends of missions were prevented by sickness from attending at its formation, hence this untoward result. Oh, tell it not in Gath."
Peck's interpretation of what took place in the Sangamon Association (as given in Babcock) is stated as follows: "A little association had been formed; and after a hard struggle, and by a bare majority, an article was adopted of this purport: 'It shall be the duty of the association to debar from a seat any [United] Baptist who is a member of any missionary society.' By a previous act they had made their articles of faith, and provided that they could not be altered except by a unanimous vote, and then appended this little anti-mission and unscriptural rule by a majority of one to their articles of faith. At that time, and for ever after, there was a large majority of members in the churches opposed to the rule, but they could not rid the association of it, as long as one selfish, crotchety member remained."
Session of 1832, held with New Salem Church, Sangamon (now Menard)County. At this session, the Sangamon Association "Received a letter by Brethren Nathaniel Harris and Richard Black praying of a correspondence with us. The subject was taken up, but as it appeared the corrupting errors of the modern mission system, and some of its kindred institutions are making some confusion in that body, we decline opening of a correspondence with them for the present; yet believing that there are sound and precious brethren who stand united with us in opposing the above errors, we agree to send them a friendly letter, and brethren, to inform them that, So soon as they can cleanse themselves of the above errors, we are willing to open a friendly correspondence with them, and we are willing in the meantime to afford all the assistance we can. Appointed to bear the letter to Spoon River Association, brethren William Kendoll, Charles Vandeveer, John Watkins, William Armstrong, and Thomas Plasters. 11. The Constitution and rules of decorum to be entered in the Association book. 12th. The Articles of faith to be printed with the Minutes."
In 1837, when convened with Spring Creek Church, in Sangamon County: "Monday, 9 o'clock a.m., September 11th, 1837. The Association met pursuant to adjournment. 14th. Agreed to attend to the request from Springfield Church, which is, for this Association to rescind some of our Resolutions passed at her last session. 15th. On motion, and second, we drop from the Minutes of this Association the Springfield Church, for having departed from the faith and practice of this Association. 16. On motion, and second, Clary's Grove Church is dropped from the minutes of this Association for favoring the missionary principles."
Copyright c. 2002. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
