III. Baptist Association Stresses Expectancy of Latter Days

Even the formal minutes and addresses of the annual meetings of some of the local Baptist associations glowed with the warmth of second advent expectancy, and stressed the latter days in the light of prophecy. For example, there was the meeting of the Stonington Baptist Association held at Montville, Connecticut, October 15 and 16, 1805. Here the assembled elders appointed Elder ^{9In those times, the term “elder,” was commonly applied to “an official of the church, who takes part in its management;” an officer exercising governmental functions, with or without teaching functions. (Craigie and Hulbert, A Dictionary of American English, vol. 2, p. 867; see also Century Dictionary, vol. 5, p. 1864.) It was a common term in Colonial New England, employee by such men as Robinson, Winthrop, Roger Williams, and Cotton Mather in. their writings. In the early nineteenth century, “elder” was still used by various denominations as designating a minister or preacher. Among Presbyterians it was technically applied to a teaching elder, whereas in the Congregational Church it was more the ruling elder, aside from the pastor and teacher, and thus connected with government and discipline. Among the Baptists it was used more particularly to designate evangelists and missionaries, and among the American Methodists, “elder” was a general term still used for any clergyman in the early nineteenth century. (See William D. Williamson, The History of the State of Maine, vol. 2, pp. 696, 697.) As the title “Reverend” was introduced it drew heavy fire from some, especially by ministers of the Christian Connection. This was long before the Mormons arose, also appropriating the term.}” Abel Palmer to write the “Corresponding Letter,” and Elder Nehemiah Dodge the “Circular Letter.” After approval, these were then sent by special messenger or by post to the New York, Philadelphia, Danbury, and half a dozen other local associations (Warren, Sturbridge, Layden, Oswego, Ransaleorville, and Shaftsbury), and to the Groton Baptist Conference ^{10Minutes of the Stonington Babtist [Baptist] Association, held at Montville, October If 15 and 16, 1805, pp. 4, 5.}. These, be it noted, were the group statements of an assembly of ministers, not the expression of an individual, and hence carried unusual weight.PFF4 87.2

1. STONINGTON MESSAGE COUCHED IN PROPHETIC PHRASING.

The “Circular Letter,” sent to the neighboring associations, is addressed to “all that love His appearing,” and expressly declares that “we live in a day wherein Iniquity is abounding and the love of Many waxing cold,” with delusive doctrines abounding, and “Sin and abominations increasing in the Earth. “Further,PFF4 88.1

“it likewise appears to be a day when great National struggles in the world which is predicted in Scripture that should take place in the last days; previous to the second coming of the SON of MAN. As distress of Nations, with perplexity, men’s Hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth ^{11Ibid., p. 5.}PFF4 88.2

The “brethren” are admonished not to be “discouraged or dismayed” but to endure “until the Judgment day,” when Christ sends His angels to gather the elect from one end of heaven to the other. Despite judgments and great adversity, there will, nevertheless, be “large accessions made to the Redeemer’s Kingdom.” And in the Letter of Conveyance the word is: “Whilst on one hand the painted hypocrite marked with the veil of State Religion, attempts to wrest the government of the church from the hand of Christ,” the “open infidel, the licentious and profane on the other; are despising the Laws of God, and the faith of the gospel.” They are admonished to stand with “lamps trimmed and burning, as men waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So the advent hope burned brightly in the hearts of many, as based on the prophetic assurances of Scripture ^{12Ibid., pp. 7, 8.}PFF4 88.3

2. ASSOCIATION SAYS PROPHETIC ANGEL HAS BEGUN FLIGHT.

The Minutes of the Meredith Baptist Association, “holden “at Rumney, New Hampshire, in 1817—with the term “elder “for its ordained ministry likewise employed twenty times in the eight-page report—contains this interesting expression, characteristic of the times, authorized by the association and signed by Joseph Wheat, as moderator: “The missionary angel [of Revelation 14:6, 7] has begun to fly in the midst of heaven, carrying the gospel of peace to the dark corners of the earth ^{13Minutes of the Meredith Baptist Association, Holden at Rumney, New-Hampshire, Sept. 10 and 11, 1817, p. 8.}PFF4 88.4

This new application of the flying angel now begins to appear again and again in the writings of prophetic students and expositors of all groups. It becomes, in fact, a common view.PFF4 89.1