Univeralist convention

South Carolina Convention of Universalists

Trumpet and Universalist Magazine (26 January 1833): 122

South Carolina Convention.

Agreeably to adjournment, the South Carolina Convention of Universalists met at the house of George Steedman, Esq. Lexington District, on Friday, November 16, 1832, and, after uniting with Br. Linch in devout thanksgiving and prayer, proceeded to organize the Council by electing Brs. Joseph W. Summers, Moderator, and Allen Fuller, Clerk.
2. Received the credentials of the delegates, from which it appeared that the following persons were members of the Council, viz: -- Elijah Linch and Allen Fuller, ministers, and Edward Hawkins and Joseph W. Summers, from Newberry society; Robert F. Coleman, John M. Feaster, and Iley Coleman, from Fairfield society; Abel Gunter, William Holstun, and Elijah Gantt, from Lexington society.
3. Received from the delegates a statement of the condition of the several societies, which showed that there had been an increase in the number of members during the year past; and that no member had died or left either of the societies within the same period.
4. On motion of Br J. W. Summers, fomer Clerk of the Convention, appointed Brs. A. Fuller and John Quattlebom, of Lexington society, a committee to examine the records of the Convention to see if its doings have been faithfully recorded.
5. Appointed Brs. R. F. Coleman, A Fuller, and J. Quattlebom a committee to arrange the public services and to nominate a person to write a Circular Letter. The committee immediately attended to the duties assigned them, and reported the order of the services, and nominated A. Fuller to write the Circular Letter; which report was accepted.
6. It having been suggested by the delegates, both from Lexington and Fairfield, that the dissimilarity in the method of receiving and dismissing members, and in the rules of discipline in the different societies, is probably the cause which hinders some of our worthy friends from uniting with us; and that several of the members are not fully satisfied with the state of the order; the Council thereupon appointed Brs. E. Linch, A. Fuller, J. M. Feaster and E. Gantt a committee to take the subject into consideration and report to this body.
7. The Corresponding Committee appointed by the Convention at its formation in 1830, and continued by its order at its session in 1831, with a view to obtain a ministering brother to locate himself among us, Reported, That "In due tine they attended to the duty assigned them, as will be perceived by the letters of correspondence which accompany this report. About the middle of November last, (1831) Br. Allen Fuller arrived in our district, in obedience to your call. He has labored continually amongst us ever since, except a few weeks last summer, when on a tour to the State of Georgia; he has, they believe, given entire satisfaction in his professional duties, and they consequently recommend him to the patronage of the Convention. It is, however, painful for them to state that his compensation, since amongst us, has fallen short of what your committee anticipated. The amount which he receives the present year they do not precisely know." This Report was referred to a committee consisting of the following persons, viz: Brs. A. Gunter, R. F. Coleman and E. Hawkins.
The hour for public services having arrived,the Council adjourned till ten o'clock on Saturday morning.
SATURDAY. -- The Council having assembled in the house recently erected by the brethren in this place, called "Republican Meeting House," was opened with prayer by Br. Fuller.
8. The committee appointed to examine the records, Reported, That "They found the proceedings faithfullly recorded; and they moved that the thanks of the Council be tendered to Br. Summers for his fidelity in performing his duty;" which was unanimously accepted.
9. The committee appointed to take into consideration the subject of dissimilarity in the manner of receiving and dismissing members, discipline &c. Reported, That, "With a view to promote uniformity in the order and discipline in the several societies in fellowship with this body, and to encourage Christian communion, and the celebration of the Lord's Supper, this Convention recommend to the different societies the adoption of the constitution appended to this Report." The constitution then being read, the Report was unanimously adopted.
10. The committee to whom was referred the Report of the Corresponding Committee, submitted the following: -- "We cordially accept the Report of the Corresponding Committee, and approve the course they have pursued. And we further propose to the Convention that they recommend to the societies in fellowship with this body, and to the Universalist connexion, in general, throughout this State, to afford a living patronage to Br. A. Fuller, as a compensation for his ministerial services, both for his past as well as future labors;" which was unanimously adopted.
11. On the subject of forming a "General Convention of Universalists in the United States" -- Voted, in the language of the Pennsylvania Convention, That "we are decidedly in favor of forming the proposed Convention, provided the powers in it vested are only advisory."
12. Appointed Brs. A. Fuller and R. F. Coleman delegates to represent this Convention in the proposed United States Convention, in person or by letter.
13. Resolved, That as we have no paper in this vicinity devoted to our cause, it is highly desirable that the publishers of all our periodicals whose works are circulated in this and the adjoining States, should [not only insert the proceedings of this body, but] publish a notice of the meeting of this Convention six weeks, at least, before the time of its session, that the friends to our cause may have reasonable information of the time and place of its meeting. We, therefore, feel seriously aggrieved that not one of our papers, that has come to hand, has given notice of our present meeting: for which reason, we believe, our services have not been as fully attended as they would otherwise probably have been.
14. Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the societies in connexion with this body, that the ordinance of the Communion, or Lord's Supper, be administered in the several societies, as often as they shall respectively determine, as we recognize it as an express command of our Saviour. And why should we scruple at complying with an ordinance of his, that we believe obligatory on his followers?

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-gether with the aid of their dupes, which have so generally prevailed the past year, be reprobated by the Convention; and we avow a fixed determination to set our faces with firmness against all measures designed for their promotion; and we call on every erson who regards the good of mankind to do the same; because, being founded on terror, they drive many to despair, insanity and suicide; desturb the peace of neighborhoods and families; promote self-righteousness, superstition, and bigotry; and fill the professed church of Christ with time-serving hypocrites and slaves to the priesthood; besides profaning the name of God, and representing him in a most odious character.
16. Whereas various tests of fellowship for trying candidates for the ministry have been recently adopted by several associated bodies belonging to the Universalist denomination, Resolved, That this Convention sincerely deprecate the establishing of any tests of fellowship in our order but such as are found in the Scriptures, viv. [sic]: 1st. Discipleship, or possessing the spirit of Christ, which is love. 2d. Having a good report. i.e. sustaining a good moral character. And 3d. Being "apt to teach," or success in teaching. [See John xiii: 35. Rom viii: 9. Acts vi: 3 1 Tim. iii 1-7.]
17. Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to our brethren in this place for their promptitude in erecting "Republican Meeting-house," in which we are assembled, and also for the friendship and cordiality with which they have received and entertained us on the present occasion.
18. Voted, That a copy of these proceedings be forwarded to the Editors of the Magazine and Advocate for publication, and that one hundred and four, or more, extra copies of the paper in which they are published, be ordered for distribution in the different societies, a portion to be forwarded to the brethren in Abeeville District.
19. Voted, That this Convention adjourn to meet on the Friday beofre the fourth Sunday in October, 1833, at Betharbara Meeting house, near Cook's Store, in Laurens District about seventeen miles south of the Court-House, to continue in session three days. Adj.
J. W. SUMMERS, MODERATOR.
ALLEN FULLER, Clerk.

CIRCULAR LETTER

To all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sin-
cerity, the South Carolina Convention of
Universalists sendeth greetings and Christ-
ian salutations.

CHRISTIAN BRETHREN -- Enjoying uninterrupted harmony and Christian love, our session has been truly pleasant. We received satisfactory evidence that the cause of truth is progressing in this region: and although the storms of fanaticism have raged around us the year past to an unparaleled degree, yet we have the pleasure of reflecting that not one of our members has been carried away with the desolating scourge. The interest manifested by the Council to encourage uniformity in our order, and to promote a closer connexion among our brethren, we hail as an indication of increasing love for the Gospel. The Constitution which will be submitted to the several societies, by the unanimous recommendation of the Convention, is the production of the mature reflection of the several members of the committee by whom it was reported. Having notice that the subject would come before the Convention at this time, they early took it into careful consideration, and with their united aid, the form as it was presented,was drafted with the utmost preceision. The grand aim in preparing that instrument was, on the one hand, to promote the cause of Christ, and, on the other, to secure the rights of individual Christians. How far we have succeeded in effecting those objects, others will judge for themselves.
It was the cause of some reg[ret?] that the societies in Charleston and Laurens were not represented at our present session, through we have reason to believe that delegates were appointed by both. We hope the brethren in all the societies will ever feel the importance of participating in the doings of the Canvention [sic]. If Gospel order is necessary, which is very apparent, it is manifest that a system of organization must be supported; and this can be dome only by attending faithfully to the subject. And we trust that every person who has the spirit of Christ will take an interest in these matters.
Owing in part probably to the unpleasant state of the weather, our services were not as fully attended as we could have wished: but they were all listened to with interest and profound attention. On Sunday the audience was about as large as could reasonably have ben expected from the very thinly populated country in which our meeting was held, when we take into view the fact that other meetings were appointed on both sides of us, as we believe, expressly for the purpose of hindering people from attending our services. Many are yet slaves to the clergy; but we trust it will not always so continue. Truth is already exerting a vast influence, and we are confident it will ultimately prevail, and teach mankind that they possess the right to think and act for themselves, and give them the blessed hope of a world's salvation.
Brethren -- In view of the prosperity of our cause, we have abundant reason to rejoice with gratitude, and give thanks unto God for the manifold blessings he has bestowed on us. And surely these tokens of favor should stimulate us to persevering exertions to extend the influence of that Gospel that bringeth salvation to all men, by well ordered lives and conversation; avoiding even the appearance of evil; and by letting our light shine before others that they may be directed in the right way.
To every person who may read this letter, we would say, Trust in the infinite goodness of our Father in heaven, and love him because he first loved us. Recieve the Gospel of Christ, through which life and immortality are brought to light, by that faith that works by love and purifies the heart, that you may have the hope which is as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast; and let not your light be hid under a bushel. And may the grace of God lead us into all truth and bless us evermore.

By order of the Convention,
ALLEN FULLER

South Carolina Convention of Universalists (1833)

Trumpet and Universalist Magazine (14 December 1833): 100

South Carolina Convention.

      The Convention met, according to adjournment, at Bethabara Meting-house, in Laurens district, on Firday, the 25th of October, 1833; and after the religious services of the day, proceeded to organize the Council by electing Br. JACOB FEASTER, Jr., Moderator, and Br. Allen Fuller, Clerk.
      Received and read the letters of the delegates relaive to the condition of the several societies, from which it appeared, that since the last meeting of this body, one member had died, that several had been dismissed from the different societies in consequence of their removal to other parts of the country; but that no one had left either society, or been dismissed for any other cause; and that, by additions to different societies, the number of members has inclreased during the past year.
      There being several brethren present from Anderson district, and one from Abbeville district, it was Voted That two of the brethren from Anderson, and the one from Abbeville, be received as delegates in this Convention, to represent the interest of our cause in their respective regions.
      Having received information of the delegates from the several societies which have adopted the Constitution recommended by this Convention at its last session, that it appears to have had a favorable influence on the interests of our cause in their respective societies, therefore, Resolved, That we renew the recommendation of the sam, and that it be printed with these proceedings, for the benefit of our brethren in other parts, who may be inclined to form themselves into societies.
      Considering the custom of wearing mourning apparel entirely useless, very inconvenient, and extremely expensive, as a fashion of the world, and if it be regarded as a sacred observance, being designed "to be seen of men," that is, is positively inconsistent with the commands of Christ, and calculated to foster superstition, therefore, Resolved, That we commend the practice of those who make use of no particular dress on account of the death of their friends.
      Having received information from Br. L. F. W. Andrews that he is about to visit this section of the country, with a view of relocating himself in this region, and that he is desirous, in connexion with Br. Fuller, of establishing here a Universalist periodical publication, therefore, Resolved, That we highly approve of his design, and earnestly recommend to our brethren in the Southern States, and elsewhere, to extend their patronage to the proposed work; and we have a confidence that suffience support could be obtained to place such a publication on a permanent footing.
      Appointed Brs. A. Fuller, S. Chapman and Samuel Summers delegates to represent this body in "The General Convention of Universalists in the United States," at its next annual meeting.
      Voted, That the Clerk make such extracts from the proceedings of this session as are of public interest, and accompany them with a Circular Letter, and forward the same to the publisher of the Magazine and Advocate for publication; and that he obtain 104 or more copies of the paper in which they are published, for distribution.
      Voted, That the next annual meeting of this Convention be held on the Friday before the third Sunday in October, 1834, near Gen. J. B. Earl's, in Anderson district, at such place as the friends in that section shall seasonably point out; the session to continue three days.
      Adjourned, by uniting in devout thanksgiving and prayer with Br. Linch.

JACOB FEASTER, Jr., Moderator
Allen Fuller, Clerk.

DELEGATES PRESENT.

Brs. Elijah Linch and Allen Fuller, ministers, and Samuel Chapman and Wm. H. Logan, from Newberry society; Jacob Feaster, Jr., William Mintze and Henry J. Coleman, from Fairfield society; Russell Gunter and Elijah Gantt, from Lexington society; Henry J. Bryan, from Laurens society; John Williams, a member of Laurens society, residing in Abbeville; and Robert White and James Mullekin, from Anderson society.

ORDER OF PUBLIC SERVICES.

      Friday. -- Sermon by Br. A. Fuller; text Heb. vii. 6.
      Saturday. -- First sermon by Br. E. Linch, text Eccl. iii. 16, 17 -- Second sermon by James Scott; * text 2 Thes. i:7-9.
      Sunday. -- First Sermon by Br. Allen Fuller; text Rom. viii. 38, 39 -- Second sermon by Br. E. Linch; text Luke xx: 34- 36 -- Addresses by Br. A. Fuller.

CIRCULAR LETTER.

To all who rejoice at the spread of the Gospel, which bringeth salvation to all men.

      BRETHREN AND FRIENDS. - - We have again enjoyed the satisfaction of meeting in annual session with uninterrupted harmony. The doings of the Convention, we believe, were performed without a dissenting voice. And the joys of the occasion were heightened by the presence of a number of friends from the Anderson district, who had travelled about sixty miles on purpose to attend our meeting. >From those, we received a favorable account of our cause in their part of the State. -- Both Abbeville and Anderson districts were represented in our Convention, for the first time since it was formed; and delegates from every society in fellowship with the Convention, except that at Charleston, were present at our session. From every section, the intelligence received indicated that truth is progressing; and though we do not claim a rapid increase, yet we have gained in numbers in the past year, notwithstanding the dismission of several members who have moved out of the State. In the various places to which these have gone, we trust they will extend the leaven of truth, buth by precept and example; and that it will continue to spead till the whole is leavened.
      A general expression of joy was manifested at the prospect of another laborer in the Lord's vineyard is about to locate himslf in the Southern part of our country; and the design of commencing a Universalist periodical in this region was received with much pleasure, and a strong desire exhibited that such a work should be permanently established. The present is probably the most favorable time for such an understaking that has ever occured. The extraordinary political and religious excitements which completely engrossed the public mind for two years past have subsided, and left the opportunity, and with many the inclination, to examine for themselves the various systems of religion which claim to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and nothing in our opinion, would be more successful in promoting the cause of truth, than such a work as Br. Andrews proposes to publish.
      By appointing delegates to represent this body in "The General Convention of Universalists in the United States," this Convention expressed its approbation of the Constitution adopted by that body at its later session, except that part which fixes the number of delegates from each State Convention; and as it could not comply with that provision without borrowing a few clerical brethren from some distant part of the country, it is determined to disrgard it altogehter, believing that three are as competent to forward an epistle as ten would be; and if the duty devolved on one alone, we beleive it would be with more certainty attended to, than if the responsibility were divided among many.
      The public services were listened to with fixed attention, and on Sunday they were attended by a large audience. A meeting by the Batists, at the same place, of seven days continuance, had closed only the evening before our meeting commenced; and if the people had not become weary, it is manifest that a religious meeting was no novelty. And as our doctrine is very unpopular, but few attended except those who came to hear and judge for themselves. The Baptist audience, we were informed, consisted mostly of women, ours almost exclusively of men. -- We trust the day will ere long arrive when the truth shall triumph, ans even the softer sex will rejoice in the hope of life and immortality for all intelligent beings.

ALLEN FULLER,
Clerk of the Convention.

PREAMBLE AND CONSTITUTION,
Recommended by the South Carolina Convention of Universalists, at its session in 1832; and renewed at its present session, and ordered to be published with these proceedings:

For the purpose of promoting Christian fellowship and communion, and to extend the spread of the Gospel, we, whose names are underwritten, taking the Scriptures for our standard, and Christ for our Master, with a determination to the best of our ability, to obey his commands do associate ourselves together as a Christian church, by the name of , and adopt the following CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I. -- Officers

There shall be a Moderator and Clerk to this society, who may hold their offices for one year, and till others are elected in their stead: and they shall perform the duties usually devolving on such officers. And the society may, from time to time, appoint any other officers that it may deem necessary.

ART. II. -- Meetings

There shall be an annual meeting of this society holden on , for the choice of officers, and the transaction of any other business that may come before the society. And there shall be a regular meeting of the society on every day that the religious services are statedly held in the society, for the reception of members. The Moderator, Clerk, or any three members of the society, shall also have power to call a special meeting of the society whenever they may consider it necessary, by notifying the same in writing, at the usual place of meeting, fourteen days at least before the time of holding the same; and if religious services are held by the society during that time, it shall be published by the person who officiates therein.

ART. III. -- Manner of receiving members.

Any person requesting to become a member of this society, with a knowledge of the obligations of this constitution, if the society is satisfied that such person is actuated by right motives in making the request, shall immediately be received as a member. The society may also extend an invitation to any one whom it may consider a proper person to become a member of this society, who, on accepying the invitation, and signifying ascent to this Constitution, shall be received as a member. And the only ceremony required at the reception of members, shall be the extending to them the right hand of fellowship. But should any one, on being received, desire to be baptized, conscientiously believing it to be a duty, such request shall be complied with, in the manner which the person thinks is right.

ART. IV. -- Voting

Every member of this society shall be entitled to the right to vote on all questions that may come before the this society. And whenever two or more member require it, the vote shall be by ballot. And all persons who contribute towards the support of the preaching of the Gospel in this society, shall have the right to vote in the society on all questions relating to the application of the funds to which they have contributed. But the society shall always reserve to itself the right to refuse any contribution when it may think proper.

ART. V. -- The Communion.

Desiring to fellowship as Christians all who confess Christ and obey him, and believing that persons are required to judge for themselves when they are worthy to come to the Lord's table, it shall be the duty of the person who officiates at the table, as often as this society shall commemorate the death of Christ by the Communion, to give an invitation to "all members of other churches, and all other persons who esteen it a privilege to join in the Communion," to unite with us in celebrating the love to Christ. And all persons that join with us in the Communion, who are not members of any other society, shall be treated by us as members of this, so far as it related to the watch and discipline of the society. And should any person come with us to the Lord's table whom we should consider unworthy, we hereby severally engage that we will not refuse to join in the Communion on that account, believing that no injury can arise from that source to any one who is in the full exercise of Christian love; and if any of us shall refuse to commune with the society for that cause, and assign that as the reason for such refusal, it shall be considered an acknowledgment that the person so refusing is not in the exercise of a right spirit. But as we disclaim any right to judge the consciences of others, and as some may not be fully convinced of the propriety of joining in the COmmunion, we do not require any member to do so, unless it is agreeable to such member's own conscience, and we would esteem no one any the less, for declining to join in celebrating the Lord's Supper, without it should be acknowledged to have been on account of dissatisfaction with some other person.

ART. VI. -- Discipline.

Holding inviolable the rights of conscience and of private judgment, acknowledging no lord on earth, we will not submit to the dictation or control of any man, or body of men, either in faith, worship or discipline, or allow any interference in our concerns, by any one not a member of this society. And nothing shall be considered a breach of this contract but an obvious denial of Christ, or manifest disobedience of his plain commands.
But as we consider it a duty of Christians to watch over each other for good, we severally acknowledge the right of any member, who may think we walk disorderly, to admonish us in the spirit of Christian love; and should we neglect such admonition, or should we be guilty of an offence that becomes publically known, we concede to this society the right to deal with us in the manner pointed out in this article. But no complaint shall be received against a member of this society that he is actuated bt a right spirit in bringing the complaint, and that he has complied with the directions given by our Lord concerning the treatment of an offending brother, found in Matt. xviii; 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, and Luke xvii: 3, 4; except in cases of offence of public notoriety, the society may, if it so determine, cause a complaint to be made out, and acted on, without a previous private admonition. -- But when a complaint is received by the society, it shall be reduced to a definite and specific charge in writing; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the society that it is well founded, the society shall admonish the offending member in the manner deemed best calculated for the benefit of such member. And if the member should deny the charge, or persist in a course of manifest disobedience, a meeting shall be appointed for the special purpose of investigating the subject, at which time the member charged shall be cited to appear and answer to the charge; and this citation shall be communicated in writing fourteen days, at least, before the meeting, and shall contain a statement of the time and place of the meeting, a copy of the charge, and the names of all the witnesses by which it is to be proved. And at the meeting the subject shall be thoroughly examined, and the member charged shall be allowed to defend in person, and by witnesses, and counsel; the evidence, however, on either side, shall not be given under oath: -- and after a full hearing, if two-thirds of the members present so determine, the member shall be expelled; but such expulsion shall extend no farther than to cause the offender's membership to cease; and it shall not be accompanied with any harsh or unkind language.

ART. VII. -- Dismission of Members.

In case any member shall wish to be dismissed from this society, to join any other or not, the Clerk on being applied to, shall immediately give such member a discharge, and if requested, a certificate of said member's standing, and make a record of the same.

ART. VIII. -- Manner of altering or amending this Constitution.

This Constitution may be altered or amended in the following manner. The specific alteration or amendment shall be presented in writing, at a regular meeting, and if two thirds of the members present are in favor of its adoption, it shall be entered on the records of the society, and laid over to the next regular meeting, at which time, if two-thirds of all the members in the society are in favor of adopting it, in precisely the same form it was recorded, it shall become a part of this Constitution, and not otherwise. But no member shall be holden by any alteration or amendment until such member has, in some way, acknowledged assent to it.
A true copy from the records,

ALLEN FULLER, Clerk of the Convention