ABDK Ong·baani

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Organization of the
First Garo Baptist Association of Garo Christian Churches

birth-of-abdk“IN response to out call, delegates and other members the several churches assembled in the Gowalpara Chapel on Saturday, two o’clock, P.M., April 3, 1875. After statement of the object of the meeting, articles of association were read and adopted.

It was then voted to organize into the First Baptist Association of Garo Christian Churches.

The organization was then effected under the articles of the association by electing as moderator of the Association, Rev. T. J. Keith; as scribe, Sri Atula, school teacher; as treasurer, Sri Fokira, pastor at Rungjulie.

The organization having been effected, letters and delegates were called for; when eight churches responded by letter, and forty-three delegated were enrolled.
The Association then adjourned to meet in the evening at seven o’clock.

The evening session was opened with singing, reading the Scriptures, and prayer.

The following business was then transacted:—

  1. Voted, That this Association will endeavor to support a preacher as our own missionary to the heathen during the following year.
    Voted, that Brother Chakin be the first missionary of the Association, and that the Association will raise the amount of his salary at Rs 10 ($5) per month.
  2. Voted, that the Association deem it expedient to consider the propriety of ordaining to work of the gospel ministry our brother Gungram; and that, on the following Lord’s Day morning, we will proceed to his examination with that purpose.

Association then adjourned after singing and prayer.

At the Sunday-morning session, the examination of Brother Gungram was proceeded with.

After hearing an interesting statement of his Christian experience, of his views of the work of the Christian ministry, together with some account of his views of Christian doctrine, it was unanimously voted to ordain him, and that the ordination service be held at one o’clock, P.M., of this day.

At one, P.M., the Association met as per appointment, when the ordination services proceeded according to the resolutions of the morning session: viz.,:—

  1. Singing, and reading Scriptures, by Brother Chakin.
  2. Sermon by Brother Rungkhu.
  3. Prayer of ordination, Brother Ramkhe.
  4. Laying-on of hands, by Brother Mason, Phillips, Keith, Rungkhu, and Ramkhe.
  5. Charge to candidate, by Rev. T.J. Keith.
  6. Benediction, by Brother Gungram.

After all which, the Association adjourned, to meet in the evening for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

The evening session was a very pleasant one, — about sixty-five partaking of the elements. A collection was taken, amounting to Rs. 14-12, to be appropriated to the preacher’s salary.

The Association then adjourned to meet with the Nisangram Church on Saturday before the first Sabbath in January, 1876.

Te Deum Laudamus
—T.J.K
Gowalpara, Assam,
April 8, 1875

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