POTRT127: Democracies Primitive and Pure (Democratic Religion)

Democratic Religion: Freedom, Authority, and Church Discipline in the Baptist South (1795-1900) by Gregory A. Wills   Jesse Mercer (Biographical Article) Gospel Discipline (Jesse Mercer) Mr. Mercer's Opinions on Various Subjects Connected with Church Discipline, &c. "That you may be able in this declining day, to possess your vessel in sanctification and honor before him, who has called you into his marvellous [sic] light, and in that light shine before others for his praise; we would awaken you to, and exhort you to be promptly active in the execution of discipline -- discipline, without which there can be no union, order, peace or fellowship in the church; no, nor church itself -- discipline, which, in its right use, is the church's ecclesiastical life -- bond of union and peace -- spring of order and fellowship -- and great source of harmony and love."