A meeting of Particular Baptists of the Old School convened agreeable to a previous appointment at the Black Rock meeting-house, Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday 28th September, 1832.
The introductory sermon was preached by Elder Samuel Trott, of Delaware, from Daniel ii 34, 35: "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands," &c.
The meeting was then called to order by Elder John Healy, of Baltimore.
Prayer by Elder Thomas Barton, of Pennsylvania.
Elder Wm. Gilmore, of Virginia, was elected Moderator, and Elder Gabriel Conklin, Clerk.
A brief statement of the object for which the meeting had been called was made by the Moderator, and thereupon it was:
Resolved, That a committee of seven brethren, viz.: Trott, Healy, Poteet, Barton and Beebe, together with the Moderator and Clerk, be appointed to prepare an Address expressive of the views of this meeting, touching the object for which it was convened.
Brethren Scott, Cole, Ensor and Shaw, were appointed to make the necessary arrangements for preaching during this meeting.
Prayer by brother Trott.
Adjourned to 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
SATURDAY MORNING, 9 o'clock
Met, pursuant to adjournment.
Prayer by Brother Choat.
The committee appointed to prepare an Address, submitted the following, which was unanimously adopted.
Black Rock Address
We acknowledge with pleasure the reception of an affectionate letter from the Muskingum Association, expressive of their warm attachment to the ancient order of the Baptist Church; and also an interesting epistle from our venerable brother, John Leland, disclaiming any connection with the popular schemes of the day.
The following resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz.:
Resolved, That our next meeting be held with the church of Pleasant Valley, Washington Co., Md., on the Monday after the third Lord's day in May, 1833, at the close of the business of the Baltimore Association.
Resolved, That we cordially invite our ministering and other brethren from all parts of the United States, who accord with our views as expressed in our address, to attend our next meeting. Also, that we recommend our address to the consideration of such Baptist Churches as profess to adhere to the ancient faith and order of the Particular Baptists requesting those of them who are disposed to unite with us in the stand which we have taken to give us an expression thereof by messenger or otherwise.
Resolved, That brother Henry Moon be our messenger to the Muskingum Association, and that brother Gilmore write them an affectionate letter on our behalf.
Resolved, That we consider the receiving persons into Baptist Churches upon any ground whatever short of an evidence of their having been born from above, to be a subversion of the ancient principles of the Baptists, of the apostolic example, and of the declaration of the Master that His kingdom is not of this world. Therefore we will not administer baptism to any without receiving the specified change; and we beseech the churches of our faith and order to guard against persons getting in among them through the excitement of their animal feelings, with as much caution as they would watch against receiving persons upon the ground of their receiving baptism as regeneration.
Resolved, That brother Healy superintend the printing of our Minutes, and that he be authorized to print 500 copies.
Resolved, That brethren Samuel Trott, Newark, New Castle Co., Del., Wm. Gilmore, Leesburgh, Loudon Co., Va., Thomas Poteet, Golden, Baltimore Co., Md., Edward Choat, Golden, Baltimore Co., Md., Eli Scott, Golden, Baltimore Co., Md., John Healy, Baltimore City, Md., Thomas Barton, Strakers Ville, Pa., Gilbert Beebe, New Vernon, Orange Co., N.Y., Stephen W. Wolford, Washington City, D.C., Gabriel Conklin, Slate Hill, Orange Co., N.Y., be a Committee of Correspondence.
We beg leave to recommend to the patronage of our brethren a paper published by our brother Gilbert Beebe, entitled "The Signs of the Times."
As some have misunderstood certain expressions in the latter part of his Prospectus relative to the popular institutions of the day, we would say that the views of the editor are such as are expressed in the Address published by us.
We desire at the close of our meeting to acknowledge the kind hand of God, which has been manifested in bringing us together, and permitting us to sit and consult together in harmony and fellowship, and for the affectionate manner in which we have been received by our brethren and friends in this vicinity.
After an affectionate address and prayer by the Moderator, the meeting was adjourned to the time and place above mentioned.
Wm. Gilmore, Moderator Gabriel Conklin, Clerk
We, the undersigned, do hereunto set our names, as cordially uniting in all the proceedings of this meeting.
Elders: John Healy, Wm. Gilmore, Edward Choat, Samuel Trott, Thomas Poteet, Thomas Barton, Edward J. Rees, Gilbert Beebe, Gabriel Conklin, Henry Moon. William Wilson*, James B. Bowen.*
Brethren: Abraham Cole, Sen., Lewis R. Cole, Samuel Shawl, Luke Enson, Shadrick Bond, John Ensor, Richard English, Edward Norwood, Joseph Perigoy, Joseph Mattem.
*Elders Wilson and Bowen were not present at the meeting, but having examined the Minutes and Address, have authorized the insertion of their names.
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John 10:15 (KJV)