The Birmingham Association 1777

BREVIATES

The Messengers, thro' the goodness of God, arrived in safety. At 6 o'clock we met together as usual. Brother [John] SANDYS [d 1803 Shrewsbury] was requested to introduce the solemnity by prayer. Brother L. BUTTERWORTH was chosen MODERATOR, the Letters from the several Churches were read, and their contents considered. Many of them contained expressions of deep concern on account of the War with America; as also very fervent wishes that it may please God to restore peace and lasting friendship to them and to us. And that our liberties and our loyally may remain, according to the will of God! - One Letter strenuously recommended the necessity of inculcating the solemn duties of religion; and that of Baptism in particular, so much opposed. It was thought all lovers of Jesus should be stirred up to follow him in all his ordinances. This opportunity was closed by Brother [John] Cooper [Bratton, Wilts]

Wednesday morning at 6 o'clock we met again for prayer. Our Brethren [Joshua or Daniel] THOMAS, T. SKINNER, LOAD, SKINNER and [John] MASON [1706-1763 Cheshunt] were engaged, Brother [James] TURNER produced the Circulating Letter, which was read and approved.

The public meeting began at 10 o'clock. Brother [William] CLARKE [1732-1795] from London prayed, Brother [James] DORE preached from 1 Cor. 9. 9. For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified; Brother BEDDOME concluded the morning service. The afternoon service was introduced by Brother [John] Ash, Brother [Thomas] HILLER preached from Acts 16, 17. These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation; and the MODERATOR concluded by prayer. We met again in the evening. Brother [William] Wills [Eversholt, Beds] began in prayer, Brother [Samuel] MEDLEY [1738-1799 Liverpool] preached from Psalm 68, 20. He that is our God, is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord. belong the issues from death; and closed the whole by prayer..

The present day of the Churches: 

Added this year 

Baptized 35

Received by Letter 5

Total                40

Lost by

Death 21

Dismission 3

Total 24

Total Increase 16. 

N. B. The Church at Cirencester joined this Association and sent a Letter and Messenger.

The next Association to be at WARWICK, to meet on Tuesday in the Whitsun-week. Our Brethren BEDDOME and Ash to preach; in case of failure Brother J(ohn or James). BUTTERWORTH. Put up at the Three Tuns.

The Birmingham Association 1764

MINUTES of the ASSOCIATION.

On Monday Evening, the Messengers being met, some Time was improved in Prayer, and the Letters from the several Churches read. A private Meeting for Prayer and Conference, relative to the Affairs of the Churches, was held on Tuesday Morning. The publick Meeting was opened at 10 o'Clock by Brother John Butterworth; [1727-1803, Coventry] Brother James Butterworth [d 1794?? Bromsgrove] proceeded in Prayer; Brother Beddome preached from 2 Cor. i. 14.; Brother [John] Knight [Warwick, from Moreton in Devon then Cork] then prayed; Brother [John] Ash [c 1724-1779 Pershore] preached from Acts viii. 5, 6, 7, 8; and Brother [Philip] Jones [d 1771 Upton] concluded in Prayer, and dismissed the Assembly.

We met together the same Evening for Prayer, and to review the State of the Churches, and appointed Brother [James] Turner to draw up the Circular Letter. On Wednesday Morning the Circular Letter was read, and approved, and the Moderator [John Poynting 1719-1791, Worcester] closed the Solemnity with Prayer.

The next Association to be at Bourton on the Water; to meet on Tuesday Evening in the Whitsun Week. Brother [James] Turner [1726-1780, Birmingham] and Brother [John] M'Gowan [1726-1780, Bridgnorth] to preach, and in Case of Failure, Brothers [Isaac] Woodman [d 1777, Sutton in the Elms] or [Daniel or Joshua] Thomas. [Henley-in-Arden or Leominster]

N. B. As it hath pleased God to remove out of this World of Sin and Sorrow our beloved Brother, John Overbury, and as the Church late under his Care, is by this affecting Providence, left destitute; we earnestly entreat the Sister Associate Churches, to give them all the Assistance in their Power; not only by their Counsels and Prayers, but by sending them Supplies.