1841 Circular Letter of the Canoochie (Georgia) Association

We shall call your attention concerning the practical part of religion. Dear Brethren, have we any right, because we are born of the spirit, to sit down at ease and do nothing? We answer no. Let us now look at home and abroad at the common conduct of those who have professed to be born of the spirit. When we come to due reflection of the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, who has commanded us to pray for such things as we need, and we surely are needy creatures, and yet so neglectful of our duty to God, we are admonished in the Scriptures to grow in grace.

Brethren, our crops grow the best when they are cleaned out, and a growth in grace would be to search the Scriptures and live in the discharge of our duty that we are justly due to God; the slothful may say that the wise man Solomon recommends us not to be over much righteous. We would reasonably suppose that the Pharisees were over much righteous with all others that pretend to that which they do no possess, for we find it thus written that a Pharisee and Publican went into the temple to pray, the Pharisee stood and prayed within his own strength, no doubt, while the Publican smote on his breast saying Lord be merciful to me a sinner, and was justified rather than the other. But dear Brethren, our Saviour said except you deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple: and the wise man saith fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

And among all the gracious promises how cold and dull are we in religious practices, how many families are raised by professing parents and never heard them pray. Brethren, we ask the question, is this occasioned by sloth and pride? You are subject to say I have no gift: we are aware that all men has not the gift to preach the Gospel, but prayer being only the desire of the heart, we think all Christians should pray with their families, for a light set on a hill cannot be hid. Is this all the practical part of religion? We answer no: a pious walk and Godly conversation belongs to the Christian, and Christians belongs to them. We believe the immoral conduct of professors to be injurious to the cause of religion; therefore, in as much as we are on a short journey to the celestial city, let us all go the way that Christ told us, lest if we take any by-path or road we should miss arriving where we have professed to start to.

We are well aware that practical religion is vain in those who are in nature’s darkness—but is beneficial to the true Christian; for we believe the Christian desires to serve God while he is exercised in faith; but, in as much as we are informed that the Devil is said to be as a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour, yes and devour our peace if he can, therefore, we recommend practical actions in faith for the Christian to maintain his ground on. When we view the dull and cold state of religion, we would entreat the Brethren to awake to righteousness and sin not, be instant in season and out of season, hoping that God will revive his work of grace amongst us. It is a common phrase amongst us that if a thing is not worth asking for it is not worth having: therefore, if the blessings of God is worth having, let us ask for them in prayer and supplication at a throne of his grace, that the enemy may remain at a distance from us.

And may the Lord enable us to see what is our duty and grant us grace to enable us to do it, for Christ sake—Amen.