He then contrasted the teaching of the New Testament with that of the Confession of Faith, and his argument was so convincing that practically all seemed satisfied that the terms proposed by Licking were contradictory, and when the vote was taken the proposition to reject was carried almost unanimously. A prominent witness of these events said: It was John Smith that gave impulse and tone to the reformation in Bracken, as he had already done in North District, Boone’s Creek and other associations. It was decided while the Association was in session that Bracken would recommend no creed or confession of faith but the New Testament. Bracken did not, however, remain long of this mind; but went back into regular fellowship in 1830; yet not without great loss by defection to the side of those contending for the “ancient order of things”. Benedict, the Baptist historian, informs us that “the number of members was reduced from 2,200 to 900 on account of the sweeping inroads of the Reformers.” The next association to take action in 1828 was the Boone’s Creek. The letter sent out by the Association in 1827 said to the churches composing it: “We hear from some of the churches that they are endeavoring to return to ‘the ancient order of things’, and they recognize the Scriptures alone as an entire and sufficient rule of faith and practice.” During the spring and summer of 1828 there was an increase of about 870 members by immersion, many of whom had been brought in through the preaching of John Smith. The Association, composed of thirteen churches, met on the third Sunday in September. The question before it, raised in letters of two churches, was concerning an amendment to the constitution to bring it into harmony with the Word of God. The following action was taken by the Association and reported back to all the churches: We, therefore, recommend to the churches an abolition of the present constitution, and, in lieu thereof, an adoption of this resolution: Resolved, That we the Churches of Jesus Christ, believing the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and obedience given by the great Head of the Church for its government, do agree to meet annually on every third Saturday, Lord’s day, and Monday in September of each year, for the worship of God, and on such occasions voluntarily communicate the state of religion amongst us by letter and messenger. (Christian Baptist, Vol. 6. page 420.)