Note: Below the preface is the link to a 46 page PDF file containing the entirety of the Danville Document.

In Defense of Truth or Danville Church Division Investigated

IN WHICH IS PRESENTED EVIDENCE BROUGHT BEFORE, AND GATHERED BY THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE WHICH MET FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND FIFTH SUNDAY MAY, 1926

ALSO QUOTATIONS FROM LEADING BAPTISTS SHOWING THEIR POSITION ON "ABSOLUTE PREDESTINATION" AND ASSUMED AUTHORITY OF ASSOCIATIONS OVER CHURCHES

S. E. COPELAND, CLERK
R. H. PITTMAN, COMPILER

PREFACE OR WORD OF EXPLANATION

The purpose of the meeting with Mill Church, near DanviIle, Va., Friday, Saturday and 5th Sunday in May 1926 was to learn, if possible,-

(1) The cause or causes which led up to the division in Danville Church;
(2) The immediate cause of the exc1usion of Eld. J. R. Wilson and those voting with him;¬
(3) The gospel labor Danville Church bestowed upon those excluded before exclusion-if any;
(4) The action of those excluded,-did they act disorderly, and if so, did they see their error, confess their wrongs and thus seek to cure their disorder, and if so why were they not forgiven;-,
(5) If Danville Church refused to forgive, did the church refer the case to the Association for
settlement;-
(6) Did brethren involved in the Danvi1le Church trouble to go to law with brethren over church
property, and if so which party began the lawsuits?

The further purpose of the meeting was, not to extend the division, but if possible to prevent the trouble spread¬ by getting the facts in the case and putting them before the Baptists in as clear light as the time and space would admit. All peace-loving Baptists desire peace and fellowship one with another on the basis of the principles and practices clearly taught in the Bible.
The work of the Investigating Committee was a labor of love for the cause of truth. The Committee honestly endeavored, within the short time at their hand, to learn the truth,-to turn on the light,-to get the real facts. Their sessions were held openly and they welcomed information from any quarter. But they did not, and do not, undertake in any way to bind their findings or con¬clusions upon anyone. The direct evidence gathered by this Committee, and the evidence bearing on the questions involved gathered by the Committee on In¬formation, is herewith presented in this little book. It is sent you, kind reader, for your perusal. You are to render your decision as before God and not before men. May you give it a prayerful and careful study. May your desire be, not to find fault but to find the truth. And may God bless it to the good of His cause, the advance¬ment of His truth, the unifying of His people, and to the glory of His name.

"Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4: 8.)
Luray, Va., Sept., 1926. R. H. Pittman, Compiler.

Download Entire Danville Document Here (PDF) (alt+w)