In reviewing the progress of Sabbatarianism within the bounds of this Association, we find abundant reasons for encouragement. An interest hitherto unprecedented in the modern history of the Sabbath-keepers, has been awakened. Many have embraced the truth in opposition to the popular sentiments of the day, among whom are several ministers of eminent talent and piety, who may be reckoned as pillars in the cause of God. The number of churches has proportionately increased, but it must be confessed that many of them are infant bodies, utterly unable to support the pastor whose services they require, and without whose presence they can never rise to any degree of strength and usefulness. They want such pastors as the Hopkinton, the Berlin, the Piscataway, and the Shiloh Churches possessed during the first century of their existence. Men who could preach the truth for its own sake, who could share with and for their brethren—live as they did—dress as they did—and even work as they did.[42] Under such plain but substantial guidance, these churches all rose to great spiritual strength and permanence. Whatever honour belongs to him who is instrumental in gathering and organizing a church, much more is justly due to the one, who, at the expense of personal sacrifices and temporal inconveniences, adopts the spiritual infant, administers to its necessities, leads it through the green pastures and by the still waters of the heavenly pilgrimage, and finally brings it to such a degree of maturity that it is able to go alone. It is a lamentable fact, that some of these churches for the want of such leaders are even now threatened with extinction. Upon whom in such cases must the delinquency rest? SECTION VII. SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION. Most of the churches embraced in this confederacy are of recent origin. Many of them occupy highly advantageous situations in the broad, the bright, the glorious West, and give every promise of rising to future eminence and usefulness. SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW SALEM, HARRISON COUNTY, VIRGINIA. The history of this church, the oldest one in this Association, is highly interesting. It appears that in 1745, a company of Sabbath-keepers, including one John Davis, removed from Rhode Island, to a place called Square, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Here they organized a church, and sent said Davis back to Westerly to be ordained, which was done in 1746. They remained here nearly forty years, when the whole church, men, women, and children, emigrated to the place that their descendants now inhabit in Virginia. They went in wagons, drove their cattle, and the cavalcade was many days in performing their journey. Their venerable minister continued with them for many years. He was also assisted by one Jacob Davis, who was esteemed as a very amiable man and worthy minister.