Editor's note: This Compendium has columns for the information included [Year, Where met, Minister and Clerk, etc.]. The information included here is in the far-right column. It does not have entries for every year. — jrd
Miscellaneous Matters listed in "A Compendium of the Minutes of the Warren Baptist Association [New England] from its Formation in 1767 to the year 1825." 1767 — Sentiments and Confession of Faith of Philadelphia Association adopted. — Warren, Haverhill, Bellingham and Middleborough churches represented.
1770 — Gave testimony against human laws to support the gospel Ministry.
1773 — Recommended to every member of the Association to pay 6d. sterling, for 3 years towards a fund for R. I. College.
1774 — Vote passed to present petition to the General Assembly of Massachusetts, concerning religious liberty.
1775 — Further proceedings relative to religious liberty.
1777 — Advice asked by the church in Charleston, concerning universal salvation, answered — "We look upon it to be a damnable heresy." Ware church drop'd.
1781 — Further proceedings concerning religious liberty.
Restoration — doctrine [of— jrd] rejected and fellowship withdrawn from all who avow it.1782 — The church at Harwich having requested advice as to the best mode of proceeding, in case any church should deviate from the faith and order of the gospel, as held by these churches: — Voted, we are of opinion, that in such case, the neighbouring churches ought to inform deviating church of their uneasiness, and desire a candid hearing: if this is denied, or, if it be granted, and satisfaction is not obtained, they should withdraw fellowship from said church, and give information to the next Association — who have a right to drop such church from this body; though we disclaim all power and jurisdiction over the churches. — Association refused to interfere in respect to the difficulties subsisting between Elder Barstow and the church at Sutton.
1785 — Query from church at South-Brimfield: Does a brother offend, who acts as an Attorney against another brother. Answer — No.
Voted, That the principles of this Association render it inconsistent to receive any letter from an excommunicated person against the church.1787 — Recommended to the brethren to discountenance the Slave Trade.
1788 — Ashfield church dropped for disorderly conduct.
Church at Grafton dropped on account of universal salvation.1792 — Colerain, Rehoboth, Southington and 1st Newport churches dismissed.
1793 — Church at Leverett dismissed.
Query from church at Providence, concerning covetousness — Answered — "Whenever any member of a church can be proved of it, he is a proper subject of admonition."1794 — Church at Richmond dismissed.
1799 — Church at Royalston dismissed.
Query from church at Randolph — "Is it according to gospel rule to administer baptism to a member of a Congregational church, who proposes still to continue with them?" Answer — "We believe it is according to gospel rule, to baptize a believer who requests it, although a Pedo-Baptists communion. However, we think it is inconsistent fro such person to continue in such communion, and that it is the duty of the administrator to teach him all thngs commanded, as far as possible."1800 — Church at Hardwick dismissed.
1801 — The following churches dismissed, to form another Association, viz. 1st Sutton, Leichester, Charl[s]ton, 1st Woodstock, Sturbridge, South-Brimfield, Belchertown and Wilbraham.
1802 — Queries from Londonderry church: 1st, "Whether it is proper to deal with a brother in the manner prescribed in Matthew xviii, 15-18, who publicly injures a person not a church member." Answered in the affirmative —
2d, "Whether a church holding to the doctrines of unconditional election, total moral depravity, perseverance of saints, &c. can consistenly commune with a person who denies them? Answered in the negative.
Queries from the church at Newport: 1st, "Is pre-ordination a scriptural distinction?" 2d. "Is it consistent to deny the final perseverance of the saints, and deny predestination?" Answer. It is inconsistent. 3d. "How are professors to be treated who hold to the one and reject the other?" Answer. Labor with them in tenderness — at the same time supporting the authority of the church.1804 — Query from church at Chelmsford — explanation of Luke xvii. 3, 4: If he turn, &c. Ans. "He must give evidence of contrition of heart, to entitle him to forgiveness."
Query from church at Charlestown: "when a church has deposed their Pastor, can they consistently join him, at his request, in a mutual council?" Ans. "It is not inconsistent to unite in such council."1805 — Query from Rehoboth church: "Is a licentiate in the ministry authorized to baptize as well as teach?" Ans. "No: Nor to preach until he receive the imposition of the hands of the Presbytery; but his gifts may be improved."
1809 — Query from 1st church, Middleborough: "Is it consistent for a church to receive to her communion or fellowship, a person who has been excluded from a sister church, and at the same time hold the church in visible fellowship from which such member has been excluded?" And. "No."
1810 — N. B. The Chelmsford churches having difficulties, which the Association could not reconcile, it was voted to drop both of them from our minutes, until they can become reconciled to each other.
1811 — The following churches were dismissed to form Boston Association, viz. 2d. Boston, Haverhill, Harvard, Newton, Woburn, Rowly, Weston, Hollis, Danvers, New-Boston (N.H.), Charlestown Beverly, Reading, Malden, Weare (N.H.), Salem, Nottingham West, African (Boston), Ipswich, Newburyport, 3d. Boston, Glocester, Dunstable, Marblehead — 24.
Queries — from 1st Middleborough: "Is it consistent with the Gospel of Christ, for churches and religious societies to be incorporated by civil law?" Ans. — "That though the kingdom of Christ is not of this world, we see no reason why the disciples of Christ may not, like other men, have the benefit of civil law, either for the protection of property, or the fulfillment of voluntary obligation.
From Grafton church: "Is it in conformity to the rules of the Association, or agreeable to the word of God, for one Elder to constitute a church, when a church is voted to be set apart by a Council, as a separate church?" Ans. "We know of no rule for such a case. A church is constituted, not by an Elder, but by its members."
From Barnstable — respecting John xiii. 15: "If the washing of feet was given as an example by our Divine Redeemer, how can we justify ourselves in not imitating that example?" Ans. "We do not think that the example suggested, can, like Baptism, or the Lord's Supper, be a standing ordinance in the house of God."
1815 — Church at Somerset dismissed.
1816 — Query, from 1st church Middleborough: "Ought a society to be consulted in the choice and settlement of a Minister?" Ans. "Yes."
2d. church in Sutton dropped.1819 — Voted to receive the letter signed by L. Briggs and C. Shaw, as from the 1st Baptist church in Bristol.
The churches of Worshester, Bellingham, Grafton and Holden were dismissed, to form, with other chruches,a new Association.1820 — Church at Northbridge dismissed.
1822 — 3d Middleborough, Barnstable, Harwich, Caarver, Marshfield, 4th Middleborough, Kingston, Plymouth, Pembroke and Hanson dismissed, to form Old Colony Association.
1823 — Canton, 1st Middleborough and Hanover churches dismissed.
1824 — 3d church Providence dropped.
=========== [From "A Compendium of the Minutes of the Warren Baptist Association from its Formation in 1767 to the year 1825, Inclusive," pp. 3-13. David Benedict was the Secretary and William Gammell, clerk of the association. This document is from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Library, Louisville, KY. — jrd]
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