Letter to the Association 1789

This is the letter to the association written by Beddome and his church officers in 1789

To the Ministers and Messengers of the several Baptist Churches designing

to meet in Association at Evesham on the Tuesday and Wednesday maj

The Church of Christ meeting at Burton on the Water holding the Doctrines

usually specified in your annual Letter wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from

God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ/

Dearly beloved Brethren
How swift the Revolutions of Time! How soon hath another Year

taken its Flight and left scarcely the shadow of a Trace behind!

Since your last annual Assembly We have gone through a Variety of Changes

with some light Afflictions and Experiences, Multitudes of Mercies met; but

alass how faint are the Impressions made, how soon how easily have they been

eras'd! Yet the same God who gave us Liberty to write then renews it now,

which we would regard as a wonderful Instance of his Patience, Longsuffering

Tenderness and Compassion, considering our neglect a??g provoking Carriage

towards him - We survive the Funeral of many of our Christian Friends,

other churches have lost their dear pastors and are yet unprovided, ours

is continued; and though aged and infirm, is not totally incapacitated and

laid aside: Other Churches have been convuls'd, and almost torn in pieces

by Divisions, Ours enjoys a considerable Measure of Peace; though that oneness

of Heart which is the great ornament of Christianity is too much wanting.

Our Number is neither diminished; nor increas'd; one being added by Baptism

and a very aged Member remov'd by Death - In a Word Luke warm as for

Barrenness, inward Darkness and that though the Children are are brought to

the Birth there is not strength to bring forth, have long bene and still are

the Subjects of our Complaint. Will you pray earnestly to God for us, and may

he hear for his Name's sake and for his Son's sake.

To draw to a Close - as we trust in this yearly Meeting you are

animated with a desire of promoting your own mutual Edification, the

Welfare of the associated Church, and the Glory of God We devoutly

wish you the divine Presence and Influence both in the publick Assembly and

your Private Conferences not being left to a jejeune and trifling Spirit, which

both often render'd such opportunities unpleasant and uninviting.

We sadly feel that a Spirit of error is creeping into some of the Churches,

and that where the Doctrines of the Gospel are not totally rejected

their Importance is not properly attended to: a Word therefore concerning

this in your circular Letter may perhaps be a Word in Season,

And now may the eternal Spirit of God, the Spirit of Life, Love, Peace and

Holiness preside in your Councils, and rule in your Hearts; preserving you

both from carnal contentions and frothy conversation; so that the messengers

of the Churches may be the Glory of Christ, thus pray

Your Brothers in Gospel Bonds

Signed at our Church Meeting May 31st 1789

Benjamin Beddome

James Ashwin

Edward Reynolds

Thomas Cresser

Wm Palmer

Rich Dolby

Joshua Perry

Wm Collett

Samuel Fox

Not knowing whether our Pastor oppress'd as

he is with Infirmities will be able to give

You his Company we have appointed our beloved

Deacon James Ashwin and Wm Palmer

our Messengers on this Occasion.

[The association was in Evesham and apparently Beddome did go. It was to be his last. He preached on Philippians 4:3].