VERY DEAR BRETHREN: Habit obtains wonderful influence over us: Custom becomes law.
Our fathers wrote circulars to accompany minutes of Associations; and we demand its continuance. In obedience to this demand we present to you a few thoughts; and as the first sentence of this indicates, we speak of "Habit."Our fathers met "once a month" to transact business and hear a sermon or two preached by good men who had studied their sermons while following the plough, or busy in their shops. Our fathers returned to their homes, fully satisfied that they had learned enough to last them full thirty days: and the Minister to his secular employment that he might hush the just complaints of a neglected family.
Times have materially changed; Circumstances are wonderfully different. The sickle has given place to the broad swathed Reaper; the truck Sled, to the mighty Locomotive; the log school-house with its chimney for a window, to the well built Seminary, and magnificent College; the sparsely settled community, to the neat village, and the thronged city. Universal ignorance has yielded to general intelligence bright as the rays of the morning sun. Yet with all these changes for the good of the world and the glory of God, the Habit of our fathers clings with terrible tenacity to us; and seemingly has become a law of our nature. We love to esteem them for their works' sake, but what shall we do with their habit?
With them it may have been right, and the best they could do; but with us, we know that it is impossible for our Churches to answer the demands of the world upon them. How then shall we change the custom? We propose a plan. Let it become a law in all our churches that every member having ability, shall go every Sabbath to his church; let them take their Bibles with them, and when there, spend one hour in reading and talking of its precious truths; and let the hour succeeding this be given to the children for their Sabbath School. This useful employment of our time on God's Holy day, would beget heavenly desires in our hearts, and a consequent increased anxiety for the welfare of men. While thus employed all would say: O, how pleasant it would now be to have our Pastor present to preach to us. The desire formed, would beget action, and soon we should have a settled ministry well supported by a living, active membership; and our churches would arise and shine, and be as "a city on an hill, that cannot he hid." Who will respond? What Church will first report success?
May God in infinite mercy, help us to change a habit so very hurtful for one worthy of our high calling.
============= [From Madison (IN) Baptist Association Minutes, 1865.— jrd]
Indiana Circular Letters Index
Baptist History Homepage
