Dumplin Baptist Church Minutes, 1797-1860

Part 1 of 24 Parts

Transcribed from the WPA Typescript and Submitted by Al Baumbach
Research Tip: This is posted (with extraordinary thanks to Al) as a finding aid.  It is a transcription of a transcription.
Even the most diligent transcriber is subject to error, so it is imperative that you consult the original document.

Constitution -- C. C.

July the 30th. 1797 -- Jefferson County.

About Dumplin Creek we the Baptist Church of Christ believing it to be our duty to pay a true regard to the Law of Love & gospel, ordinances Instituted & Commanded in God's holy word for the better Regulation of our Conduct towards God and each other sollemly promise by the assistance of the holy spirit the serious regard to the following particulars, first to strive together for the truth of the gospel and the purity of gospel institutions desiring for the grace of God to live and die in the faith of God's Elect, serious adhearing to the glorious Doctrines of grace such as effectual calling by the Holy Ghost, jurisdiction by the Imputed righteousness of Christ's sanctification by the Grace of God, Imparted the final perseverance of the saints in grace, water baptism by immersion to such and only such as profess their faith in Christ, professing to walk in newness of life -- 3rd -- believing that their will be a resurrection of the dead of the just and unjust and that the resurrection of the just will be to everlasting happiness.

(p.2) And the resurrection of the unjust will be to Everlasting misery. 4thly -- We promise also to take the holy scripture of the old & new testament which we believe to be the written word of God for our rule & guide & in particular with Respect to Church government, keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, bearing with one anothers weakness and not willingly suffer sin to be upon a brother but deal with him as follows for private trepasses agreeable to our lords directions in Matthew the 18th Ch. 15th, 16th, 17th verses and for public transgressions a publicsatsifaction as becometh those who give themselves up to the Lord & one another to walk in Church fellowship -- We promise to endeavour to suport the worship of God in the word and ordinances & to wach over one another in love and solomly to renounce all evil words and actions, foolish talk, jesting all lightness & behaviour, profain swearing, business, lying, malicious anger, Extortion & fraud of every kind, Covetousness, drinking and keeping evil Company and to abstain from sinful whispering, backbiting, all wilful hypocrisy & dishonesty, all excess or superfluity to the gratification of pride & also Desist from gaming, wagering, singing of Carnal songs & all Carnal Myrth, fidling, dancing & vain recreation & all sinful contentions & not wink at the disorder of any under our care but prudently use the Rod of Correction when necessary & not neglect family devotion -- We are to mind our own business and not

(p.3) Indulge Sloth nor will we go to law with each other & if God should bestow on any of us Ministerial gifts we promise not to hide them nor exercise them publicly without the approbation of the Church, we do therefore desire to give up ourselves to the Lord and one another to walk in humility in the Command & ordinances of the lord, all the days of our lives and for acceptance of the last we desire to depend entirely and alone on the virtue & spotless Righteousness of our adorable & Divine redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Names of Men.

Names of Women.

Names of Women.