Resolutions of Thumb Run Church,
near Marshall, Fauquier County, Virginia
Amissville, Va., May 28, 1890.
DEAR BROTHER WILTSHIRE: - I have been requested by our church, to send you the following resolutions, to be published in the ADVOCATE, to let our dear brethren in Christ, "who were chosen in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love," &c., know our position in regard to the heresies, which have been introduced among us, and which Elder C. L. Yates tried hard to force upon us, by begging and imploring the members of old Thumb Run, to put their foot on these resolutions and vote against them, for, says he, if you adopt them, it will be the worst thing you ever did; but, notwithstanding all this, there were enough members in old Thumb Run, "who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and whose desire is to follow the Lord rather than Baal, to hold the church in defence of the Apostolic faith, which ever has been, and ever will be, vindicated by the true church of Christ." The true church never has, and I trust never will be, so eager to vie in lusuriance with the different creeds of the day, as to bring in man-made innovation, to add to God's dear flock; for it is not of him that willeth nor him that runneth, but God that showeth mercy. Brethren C. H. Waters and T. N. Alderton have been called, alternately, to the pastorate care of our church, and we hope the Lord will enable them to comply with our request, and come among us laden with the precious truths of our blessed Lord, knowing nothing among men, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the only Saviour of lost and ruined sinners. Finally, brethren, pray for me, that I may not err from the right way. Your poor and unworthy brother,
S. P. McDONALD.
RESOLUTIONS OF THUMB RUN PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH. -
The Thumb Run Primitive Baptist Church, in church meeting assembled, this 10th day of May, 1890, declare that,
WHEREAS, The Scriptures positively teach, that God is the only Creator, Law-giver, and Saviour, and by Him all things exist, and by Him only, that natural men are dead to Spiritual things, that the Gospel is to natural men foolishness, and the savor of death unto death; that to living saints only, it is the power of God, and,
WHEREAS, These same unscriptural institutions, which caused a division in the church of Christ, near fifty years ago, have again been renewed by a party claiming to be Primitive Baptists; such as, Sunday-schools, Foreign Missions, Female Missionaries, &c., which have never been tolerated or practiced by the old Primitive Baptist Churches; and there being no command in the sacred Scriptures for the above named heresies, be it
RESOLVED, That we the members of Thumb Run Church do hereby declare non-fellowship for all these innovations, as above named, and moreover, we do earnestly beseech our dear brethren and sisters to stand firm on the Old Baptist faith and practice, and principles, as upheld by our loved Elders John Clark, William C. Lauck, A. Booton, and others, whose memory should be dear to all who love the truth, to the end that peace may again bless the Zion of our God, and that fellowship may be restored upon the foundation of truth, and we pledge ourselves to abide by God's Holy Word and the things that are clearly taught therein as Christian duties.
Done by order of Thumb Run Church, May 10, 1890.
S. P. McDONALD, CHURCH CLERK.
Copied from "Zion's Advocate," 1890, pp. 154-155.
