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TO CONGRATULATE THE MORIAH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION ON THE OCCASION OF ITS TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO WISH ITS MEMBERS GOD'S BEST AS THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE THE LORD.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Moriah Baptist Association is celebrating its two hundredth anniversary in 2015; and
Whereas, formed in 1815, the Moriah Baptist Association was composed of nine churches, with the Reverend George Pope serving as founding moderator (1815-1818). The territory embraced by the association was the Lancaster District of South Carolina and the Anson District of North Carolina. While no record of the place of meeting or of the origin of the name exists, it is supposed that the name came from the biblical account of Abraham's testing on Mount Moriah; and
Whereas, for a long time, the Moriah Association played no prominent part in South Carolina Baptist State Convention affairs, the state convention having been organized in 1821. Finally, however, in 1843, Moriah joined the convention; and
Whereas, although it began with a broader area of membership, by 1928 the Moriah Association served only Lancaster County. To this day, the association continues to serve within the boundaries of this county; and
Whereas, the annual meetings of the association were generally a three- to four-day affair, beginning on Thursday or Friday and lasting until Sunday or Monday. The Sunday session was held with the host church, and the overflow crowds worshipped at neighboring churches. On several occasions, overflow meetings were held in Presbyterian and Methodist churches; and
Whereas, discussions at the annual meetings were entered into wholeheartedly by almost everyone, and participation was very lively. Among the favorite topics for debate and discussion were education (ministerial, public school, and Christian education), missions, benevolence (the orphanage, hospital, and disabled ministers), the Lord's Day, public morals, and queries on various subjects. A typical query: "Has a member of our faith and order the privilege of placing his membership where he pleases, or is he in duty bound to place his membership in the nearest church to his place of residence?" The answer in 1834: "We believe that any candidate for membership in the Baptist church has a right to offer for membership where he pleases"; and
Whereas, today, the Moriah Baptist Association serves more than fifty Southern Baptist churches, which network together, one in unity, seeking to reach out with the love of Jesus, beginning in their county and extending to all parts of the earth; and
Whereas, truly the Lord has blessed the association, presently led by David Williams as moderator, and has enabled it to survive the past, serve the present age, and forge new pathways for the future. Standing on the faith and strength of its early pastors and church members, the Moriah Baptist Association "press [es] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14); and
Whereas, the Moriah Baptist Association has been a beacon of light in this great State for two hundred years, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage in many more years of service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the Moriah Baptist Association on the occasion of its two hundredth anniversary and wish its members God's best as they continue to serve the Lord.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the Moriah Baptist Association.
This web page was last updated on May 26, 2015 at 12:53 PM