General Meeting - An Invitation

Dear Brethren: Realizing as we do that there are sad contentions and distressing divisions among the sons and daughters of our beloved Zion in many parts of our country, and that there seems to be a growing tendency to raise contentions and divisions over still smaller matters, which we believe grows out of lack of fellowship and brotherly confidence among our people in general, and that this foolish and unholy practice has been persisted in, and taken advantage of, by many who seem not to care for the cause, to such an extent as to threaten the peace and prosperity of our holy Zion, and that the church of God cannot prosper, or even exist, without fellowship, we deem it of the greatest importance that those who love our cause and are mourning over her sad situation, should humbly and prayerfully take steps to avert these distressing divisions, and as much as possible restore fellowship, and more happily and spiritually unite our brethren.

We have conferred with many of our ablest and most prudent brethren, and they all agree that it would be eminently proper for those upon whom the welfare of our denomination greatly depends to come together in some convenient place, in solemn and prayerful counsel, and labor for more peaceful fellowship among our people, and advise them against those declarations of non-fellowship so frequently raised in justification of strange and non-scriptural points of doctrine, and as much as possible unite our people upon the plain teachings of the Bible, and save the flock from those unmerciful shepherds who seem to realize more pleasure in gratifying their own ambition than in benefiting the cause of God.

In order to effect this glorious end we earnestly and prayerfully petition all our brethren of the Primitive Baptist faith, who desire to labor for the peace, union, and fellowship of the whole body, and are willing to be as forbearing as the Scriptures demand with erring brethren.

If there be any who harbor in their hearts a cruel spirit of murder, and are seeking opportunity to destroy some brethren, and to give vent to such carnal desires, this invitation does not extend to them. But we do most cordially and earnestly petition all our leading brethren, both of the ministry and laity, who long for peace, union and prosperity of the whole body of Primitive Baptists, and are willing to labor to this end, to meet with us on the 27th of October, 1900, and let us consider those things that are of importance for the churches we represent. We earnestly ask all to come with their hearts full of earnest, solemn, and fervent prayer to Almighty God for his Holy Spirit to guide us in a godly council, for the welfare of our beloved Zion. The object of this meeting is not to compromise with any error, nor legislate for the kingdom of Christ, but to humbly advise our people against those things that are destroying the fellowship of many dear children of God, and labor for love and forbearance among our brethren, that we may avert those frequent declarations of non- fellowship that are dividing our people into warring factions, and leading many of the uninformed into destruction, where they are lost to our cause.

Done and signed by order of the church, while in conference, on Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in July, 1900.

J. V. & R. S. KIRKLAND, Pastors.

J. H. CAYCE, Church Clerk.