The Cirencester Association 1779

BREVIATES 

TUESDAY evening, according to appointment, the Ministers and Messengers met together, and after some time spent in prayer, Brother [William] Dore [1764-1825] was chosen Moderator; the letters from the several churches .were read, and their contents considered. The melancholy state of public affairs was taken notice of in several letters, and days of fasting and prayer recommended, as highly necessary at the present alarming crisis. This opportunity was closed by prayer.

The next morning, at six o'clock, we met again, and after spending some time in prayer, the Moderator produced the Circular Letter, which was then read, and the meeting closed by prayer

At half after ten, the public service was introduced by singing and prayer Brother [William] WILKINS prayed; Brother L[awrence] BUTTERWORTH preached from 2 Cor 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" Brother B[enjamin] FRANCIS prayed; Brother [John] POYNTON preached from Rev 1:5, 6 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." Brother [Thomas] HILLER concluded by prayer. Meeting again in the evening, half after six, Brother [Thomas] SKINNER prayed; Brother [John] STEPHENS [d 1816] preached from Luke 13:29 "And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God." and closed the solemnities of the Association with prayer.

The Present STATE of the CHURCHES. 

    Added this Year.

Baptized 38

Received by Letter 5

43

 

Lost by

Death 27

Exclusion 2

Dismission 1

30

Total Increase 13

 

As our friends at Cirencesler have been at a very considerable expence in enlarging their place of worship, and to defray which are obliged to solicit the assistance of their charitable and well disposed friends, we unanimously recommend their case as highly worthy of encouragement. The next Association to be at Worcester, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Whitsun-Week. Brother BEDDOME and Brother DORE to preach; in case of failure, Brother [Joshua?] THOMAS. Put up at the UNICORN.