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A Concise History of the Ketocton Baptist Association (1808)
The worldly circumstances of those, in general, that have become Baptists in this Association.
WE shall here give the reader an account of the condition of those whom the gospel, in a gelleral way, proved most effectual to. In a general way, those among us who have been wrought upon under the preaching of the gospel, and professed conversion to Christ, have been of the mediocrity, or poorer sort among the people -instances have been very few, of persons being called who were rich in this world -and we have been encouraged to believe that it gave clearer proof of the genuine quality of religion among us -for in times of the promulgation of the gospel it was the common people that heard the truth preached with gladness -when the Lord Jesus called a few disciples, and sent them to preach, wonders, were effected under their ministry, and though they were unlearned, the devils were subject to them through Christ's name. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank the Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes -even so Father, for so it seemeth good in Thy sight. When the apostle Paul wrote his first epistle to the church at Corinth, he brought to their remembrance that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble were called -but that God had chosen the poor, the weak and base things, to confound the rich, the mighty, and the wise, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Not that we suppose that poverty in itself is any qualification for embracing the gospel, or the reception of grace, neither does their being poor, lay the Almighty under obligation to bestow His grace upon them -neither do we suppose, a person being rich in this world, though surrounded with the most valuable property, can be a preventative to their conversion, if God should see fit in His good pleasure to operate on them by His unfrustrable grace.
But God is a sovereign; governs all creatures, and all events, in the dispensation of His providence -and affords to mortal man the effusion of His grace, in His own sovereign way, none can stay His hand, nor say, What hast thou done? Why it is so, is not our province to account; but that it is a fact cannot be denied, that the poor have the gospel preached unto them; by this means human pride is brought down, and all the glittering world must stand abashed.
For what is the acquired knowledge of all the arts and sciences, the ingenuity and invention of the mechanic, the wisdom of the politician, the industry, observation and improvement of the agriculturalist, the close study, enlarged discoveries, just calculations, and exalted ideas of the philosopher, in comparison of that wisdom, that comes from heaven, those divine teachings, and bright illuminations the soul receives from God?
Persons under disadvantages of poverty, destitute of education, rude and uncultivated in their manners; when such are wrought upon, their manners are reformed, the stubborn wills subdued, their hardened tempers melted down in pious grief, their dark minds enlightened, Christ becomes the object of their highest love, and foundation of their hope -their conversation sensible and intelligible on topics truly sublime; how evident that it is the Lord's work! how illustriously does His wisdom and power appear! And it has been the case among us, that by the means of such as above described, God has been pleased to carryon, and promote the interest of His spiritual kingdom, in defiance of all the rage, and combined malice of earth and hell.
The glory of God is not only conspicuous in the effectual calling, and enlightening of the poor of this world, but His manifestative glory is much more promoted by them in their manner of life, and conduct afterwards. When in a few, and very few, instances, the rich have made profession of religion -there are so many temptations to divert them from their religious duties, it is wonderful for such to be ornamental to the cause they profess: unless such have a great degree of humility at their entrance into a gospel church, they are apt to think themselves superior, and their poor brethren inferiors, and of course themselves are entitled to honor, for their sphere in life, and their better information claims it, and they are often offended if it is not allowed them. Another disadvantage, their estates are large and unwieldy, calls for so much thought, and engagedness, to carryon business to advantage, so as to improve the living, for almost anyone has got to know, that if a living is not improved it will lose. Their circumstances, being raised in the world, it naturally leads to associate with those of like circumstances; and as it is seldom, the rich have the fear of God before their eyes, the conversation turns on subjects in their nature quite trifling and light; the visit closes, and they come to a farewell; but when will you repay this visit? O, make it convenient soon! By and by the visit is returned, with the addition of several others of the quality; then must come on a genteel parade, the poor domestics are hurried until almost surfeited, credit must be supported, and what is deemed a complacent behaviour, kept up, lest they should give an offense. -Where the pride of life has been so predominant, and courting the favor of the great, many of whom are scarcely moral, and very far from everything truly religious, it is not to be expected that such professors will cut any great figure in the religious world, nor enjoy the life of religion in their own souls; for it is impossible to court popularity and the friendship of the carnal world, and enjoy communion with God at the same time.
And as it is common where persons are raised in good circumstances it is their desire their children should enjoy every advantage of advancing their fortunes; they meet with indulgence, visit and resort with those in high life, who are freed from hard labor, by having slaves to labor for them; when the children of professors mingle with others -soon they resort to balls, and every place of sport and diversion, until some have arrived at great lengths of dissipation; for where balls and sports are carried on, it diverts the mind from everything serious; it is opposite to, yea the avowed enemy of devotion; and though mirth is often plead for, there are none of its advocates would approach a ball-room provided they knew death was near, which they might do as well as be elsewhere, were there (as they say) no harm in it; besides, we have lived to see and hear of numbers who have been addicted to sport, when taken sick, and when struggling with the pale king of terrors, ever called for one of their jovial companions, with whom they used to meet at balls, to pray for them and give them some profitable counsel; but rather those of a graver cast who had always been cautioning them to abstain from such practices.
When professors of religion, suppose they gain credit by conforming to the world, they take up with a mistaken notion; our neighbors are too well informed, they know that a person that professes to be born again ought to live circumspectly; and it is bartering at sad rates to lose the comfort of religion, incur the hard thoughts and censures of the men of the world, be light in the esteem of God's people, and indulge the family in the practice that leads to greater dissipation, and all, for the mere prospect of getting worldly honor and greatness.
We do not suppose there are any of Christ's followers without having trials while in this tenement of clay; but by a comparison, between those ill middling circumstances in the world, and the rich, the poor will be found to have fewer trials, and a fairer opportunity to adorn his profession, especially where each possess grace.
The person that possesses but little worldly property, has not so much anxiety, over reaching, and striving after wealth, (as those who have got and in the way of getting) for their circumstances being such, and the means of acquiring wealth so few; they feel discouraged in the attempt, and that evil is escaped; their company is not solicited by the world, and especially those in high life, by which they often escape a great deal of light and unprofitable conversation; their little in the world is within a small circle and under their notice, and affords greater quiet to the mind; and as they are accustomed to plain and cheap clothing, it is easy procured and at a small expense, and by the by they escape a gaudy, superfluous appearance, a stream whose rapid current has swept the polite world away.
Persons thus circumstanced enjoy a life of solitude, and the opportunity is fair for self-examination and enquiry into the state and condition of their souls; whether their manner of life is worthy the Christian name, whether their conscience is freed from guilt, by any late application of the precious blood of Christ, whether their prospect is clear of the heavenly inheritance, and their title to it well founded.
Retirement being a great friend to devotion, the heart of such are much engaged at a throne of grace, imploring the increase of grace in their own souls, the advancement of spiritual knowledge, deliverance from temptations, the mortification of his inordinate affections, and that strength may be equal to his day; he forgets not to pray for Zion's prosperity, and the increase of her converts. Being freed from anxious cares, leisure time offers for the searching and perusing the Holy scriptures, that grand source whose salutary streams make glad the city of God, whose variety of doctrines afford a feast to the mind, and whose interesting lessons mark out the pathway of duty; whose opening pages bring sweet intelligence of a blessed immortality, and leads the soul to desire the possession of their final rest in the ultimate glory.
Care, in some good degree, dismissed from his mind, and his daily labor not so urgent, when there is an appointment for worship he repairs to the house of God, to be taught of His ways and to walk in His paths, accounting one day in the house of the Lord, better than a thousand elsewhere; for by experience he knows that while enquiring in the temple he has to behold the beauty of the Lord, and his soul made like the chariot of Aminadab; when duty calls he can furnish something of his worldly property, for the purposes of religion and the honor of his great Lord and Master; when necessity leads him into company he is cautious lest he act imprudent; grave, expressive of God's fear, being before his eyes. Happy the man, though poor in this world, who is rich in faith and an heir of the kingdom of heaven.
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