BALTIMORE ASSOCIATION (Bowen)

The Baltimore Baptist Association, convened with the church at Black Rock, Baltimore co., Md., May 18th, 19th, and 20th, 1843, to sister Associations with whom she corresponds, sends Christian salutation.

Beloved in the Lord:—We have been graciously indulged by our heavenly Father with another meeting in this vale of tears, as an association of churches of our divine Redeemer, and we can truly say the Lord has been with us. The labors of your ministers among us were with power, and demonstration of the Spirit, and with much assurance. We joyfully received them as messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ.

Dear brethren, may we not, from the signs of the times, indulge the hope that the redemption of Israel is hastening rapidly on, and in that comfortable hope lift up our heads and rejoice? Our covenant God is now most assuredly sifting the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a seive: but thanks be to his holy name, not a grain shall fall to the ground. No: ye poor afflicted souls, the fiery trials which ye now endure are trying you, are but the operation of the fan which is in the hand of our dear Saviour, with which he will thoroughly purge his floor, and blow away all the chaff, but every grain of the precious wheat shall be safely gathered into your Father’s garner. God has decreed a separation of the children of the bond woman, in Abraham’s family, from the heirs of promise. Surely you cannot wish that decree revoked: then cease your lamentations, and rejoice that the counsel of God is immutable. Call to mind the precious words of God, Isa. lx. 1, “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee; for behold darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” Let us beware of seeking to be recognised by the world, for the world knoweth us not. In every instance wherein the church has sought for, or consented to a connexion with the world, it has proved a snare. When (in his own language) Andrew Fuller undertook to raise the Baptist church from the dunghill to a state of respectability in the world, he opened the flood-gates through which torrents of error, divisions and distress have been let in among our churches, rending asunder professed friends and brethren.

We gratefully acknowledge your kindness in sending your minutes and messengers to us, and we hope for a continuance of your friendly correspondence; in return for which we will endeavor, (although we are very small, and frequently constrained to inquire, By whom shall Jacob arise?) to reciprocate your favors.

Our next annual meeting will be held with the church at Upper Seneca, Montgomery co., Md., commencing on Thursday before the third Lord’s day in May, 1844.

E. J. REIS, Mod.
JAMES B. BOWEN, Clerk.