New Connexion of General Baptists Association Letters: Of interest in relation to Mission, Evangelism and Church Planting 1813 T. Stephenson Public Spirit in the promotion of religion. Page 16 Para 2 Public Spirit is that disposition of mind, which inclines a person to give up a portion of his own happiness for the purpose of promoting that of his fellow creature. Page 17 Para 1 public spirit demands that we use our prime exertion to make men real Christians, which must be allowed to be the most effectual means of promoting individual and general happiness. Page 17 Para 3 Among the most sucessful means of diffusing the knowledge and enjoyment of Divine Truth, is that of public preaching Argument: - Public Spirited people want to see others converted. - The best means of conversion is public preaching. - Identify and train new preachers. - Use the prayer meeting to find the new preachers. - Training needs money (suggested 1 Farthing per member) - look to the large towns for new work. - A comon fund would help. - Exhortations to giving according the means available. 1817 J. Pike Scriptural Motives for exerting ourselves rigorously to spread the Gospel among the Heathen. Page 24 Para 2 How plain is the inference from these and simmilar passages, that they who know not Jesus, are perishing in sin, without the slightest gleam of hope. Page 29 Para 3 Before we conclude, allow us Brethren, to remind you with all plainess and yet sincere affection, that inactivity will exose you to the displeasure of the most high. Argument - Scriptures about the state of those outside of the Christian Faith. Applied to the Heathen. - God sent Jesus to bring salvation - Use of guilt in motivation - Exhortation to support the Mission Society 1819 J. Bissill Public spirit and personal religion. Page 21 Para 4 Too many sincere followers of Christ are, even in Spiritual things to much under the influence of self interested motives. Page 25 Para 1 We cannot live without taking an active part in promoting the joys of heavenn in the salvation of men. Page 29 Para 2 You are bound by stronger obligations than formal oaths, to support Christianity to the utmost of your ability. Argument - Defination of Public Spirit. - Personal religion should come first, which enables public spirit to follow. - Scriptural proofs for the need to be active in faith sharing/public spirit. - Warning of the dangers of being personally religious but neglecting being public spirited. - Appeal to the lack of finance as evidence of a lack of public spiritedness. - Consideration of the charater of Christ. - Obeying civil laws is part of public spiritedness. 1821 F. Deacon Encouragement to support the home mission fund. Page 24 Para 2 It is not necessary, I concieve, that I should stimulate you to exertion by endeavouring to convince you of the value of the value of imortal souls, or that I should produce arguments to show, that it is the indispensible duty of every Christian to use his utmost efforts for the spread of the gospel. Page 25 Para 2 A Halfpenny per week from each member in the connection, would be amply sufficient to accomplish all we can at present contemplate. Argument - Summary of the change from the "Itinerant Fund" to the "Home Missionary Society", - The need of the society to support the spread of the gospel where the demands are to great for an individual church. - The need of finance. - The siblng style of relationship of the Home Missionary Society and the Overseas Missionary Society. 1825 Edward Sexton The nature and evidences of the souls conversion to God. Page 36 Para 3 - Page 37 Para 1 The conversion of the soul is therefore of God, it originates in his love, is grounded in redemption, leads to vital union with Christ, tends to conformoty to his mind and life. Argument - Summary of the need of conversion. - The Holy Spirit's role in the converting work. - The Evidences of the converted. 1. Sense of evil and sin. 2. Humility. 3. Earnest Prayer. 4. Sincere love to Jesus. 5. Strong Attachment to the Word of God. 6. Affection to the Children of God. 7. Love of collective worship. 8. Attention to thought and speach. 1826 Adam Taylor The best means of promoting unity of exertion in the Connection. Page 34 Para 1 While this increase in numbers and strength demands our warmest gratitude, we would never forget the it also calls upon us for augmented exertions that the cause of Jesus and of truth may be yet more widely extended and the great object of every Christian union be more effectually persued. Argument - Definition of "Unity of Exertion" - Over riding principle of love: - The saviour - The saved - The lost - What should be done to promote unity: 1. Think soberly of our selves and others. 2. Reflect on the necessity of all that is done with relation to the gospel. 3. Know your duties. 4. Keep your nose out of things that don't concern you. 5. Get correct information 6. Do to others as you would have them do to you. 7. Keep your eyes fixed on the cause. 1831 W. Pickering On personal religion 1832 J. G. Pike The strict observance of the Sabbath Essential to the maintenance of Personal Religion, and the prosperity of the Christian Churches. 1835 Richard Ingham Observations on the Formation of Christian Churches into Unions, Connexions or Denominations. 1839 William Pickering On the conduct churches should pursue towards excluded members 1840 J. G. Pike Christian Exertion 1841 Joseph Goadby The Promises and Offices of the Holy Spirit in the Economy of Redmption 1842 Joseph Goadby The work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of Sinners, and the training up of Beleivers for heaven.