GOSHEN BAPTIST CHURCH 2 LINCOLN CO., GA.
story of devout men and women in the long ago who have come here to
meet with God. It could tell of great sermons, made great because they
were spiritual and came as a message direct from the Master. It could tell
of souls being born into the Kingdom, of character being formed, of ideals
and standards being inculcated into the minds of the youth which were to
bless our community, our county, our state, and leave behind an influence
that will never die. This thought should challenge all that is best within
us,
and should make this hour an inspiration to attempt and do great things for
God and for others.
In going through the records of the church we find many interesting
facts, not only as a matter of history of the church, but also of the customs
and standards of its worthy founders and builders. Many of them may seem
to some as out of date, but when we ponder them we find that they had a
great purpose, that they revealed a reverence and love for the church, for
character, and for God that we would do well to imitate, for such things
should never really go out of date.
In the antebellum days, Goshen church, along with practically all the
churches of that day, admitted both whites and blacks to its membership.
The records show that on September 12,1863, the membership was: whites
24, blacks 117.
The rules governing church discipline in its earliest days were not only
rigid, as compared with present day church discipline, but were faithfully
enforced. Character, honesty, truthfulness, loyalty, were traits its members
were required to have and live.
In 1802 the church had eleven rules which are quoted as follows:
"The rules which have been adopted for the government of the Baptist
church at the Rocky Spring & afterwards at Goshen, now known by the
name of Goshen meeting house, are as follows:
First Rule. Resolved, that all members who do not regularly attend
church meetings shall render their excuse why they did not attend at next
conference.
Second. Resolved, That any member who shall absent themselves from
their seats during conference without leave shall be liable to be reproved
by the church for their disorder.
Third. Resolved, That any member who did not attend regularly at the
times of church communion & partake thereof, shall render their reason
why they have so neglected at the next meeting.
Fourth. Resolved, That no member of this church shall be permitted to
preach or propagate any doctrine without first making application to the
church, and consent being obtained.