1832 Baltimore Baptist Ass. Circular

Circular of the "Ministers and Messengers of the Baltimore Baptist Association, convened, according to appointment, at the Warren Church Meeting-House, on the 17th day of May, 1832.--to the several Churches they represent, send Christian Salutation. (see here - emphasis mine)

"As an Association, we have hitherto held fast to our principles, and to that form of sound words, which were formally adopted when we were constituted: nevertheless, it has been slanderously reported, and some have affirmed, that we have embraced the principles and the spirit of Antinomianism, soon after our last Anniversary Meeting in the city of Frederick, an article in the shape of a report found its way into the periodical print called the Religious Herald, in which we find the following remarkable words:

Many of the ministering brethren in this (Baltimore) Association do not believe that it is their duty to address the unconverted, or exhort sinners to repentance; they pass by them altogether. The great theme of their sermons is, the many valuable and glorious privileges of the Elect; who, according to their doctrine, believe against their will, and are kept in the way of righteousness without effort.

This article, in which our doctrine and practice are most palpably misrepresented, was soon after republished in the Christian Index accompanied with reflections of no friendly character, by a writer under the signature C.S.A.

Being thus summoned to the bar of the public by the officious meddlings of the above class of news-mongers, we shall, in self defence, and with a view of undeceiving a religious public, in this our circular epistle notice the several allegations embodied in the above report, under the following specifications:

1st. that many of our ministering brethren do not believe it to be their duty to address the unconverted, or exhort sinners to repentance.

They do, however, constantly preacheth the necessity of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that both evangelical faith and repentance are the gifts of God, the produce of his blessed Spirit. Our ministers address the unconverted as sinners dead in trespasses and in sins; they prophesy to them as unto dry bones; they proclaim the truths of the Gospel, leaving the event with God, depending upon the influence of his Spirit to crown their labors with success, nor can they be led to entertain any other opinion."