USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02303 2763
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١
A HISTORY
- OF -
KENTUCKY BAPTISTS.
FROM 1769 TO 1885.
INCLUDING
MORE THAN 800 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BY
J H SPENCER.
THE MANUSCRIPT REVISED AND CORRECTED BY
MRS. BURRILLA B. SPENCER.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
-
VOL. II.
-0-
CINCINNATI, J. R. BAUMES, 180 ELM STREET.
Copyright 1885, by J. H. SPENCER, Cincinnati.
CHAPTER I.
ELKHORN ASSOCIATION.
This is the oldest fraternity of the kind west of the Alle- ghany Mountains. Some account of its origin, and that of its early churches, has been given in the early part of this work. In the sketch to be given here, which, for want of space, must necessarily be very brief, some things will be repeated, in or- der to make the narrative more connected. When five of the six churches, of which this ancient fraternity was originally composed, contemplated the formation of an association, they held a preliminary conference, for the double purpose of con- sidering the propriety of forming such an organization, and of making an attempt to form a union with five Separate Baptist churches, of which South Kentucky Association was afterwards formed. Failing to accomplish the latter object, the confer- ence appointed a time to meet for the purpose of forming an association of Regular Baptist churches. Of these transactions, John Taylor, who was a member of both the meetings, gives the following brief occount : 1386797
"We soon began to contemplate an association. For that purpose, and partly to bring about a union with the South Kentucky Baptists, we held a conference at South Elkhorn, in June, 1785 ; but failing in the union with the South Ken- tucky Baptists, we agreed to meet as an association, at Clear Creek, October, I, 1785. Six churches, it seems, met. One of them was from Tates Creek, south side of Kentucky; there and then, Elkhorn Association was formed."
The preliminary conference was held at South Elkhorn, June 25, 1785. Five churches were represented as follows: South Elkhorn. LEWIS CRAIG, WILLIAM HICKMAN and Benj. Craig.
(7)
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Clear Creek. JOHN TAYLOR, JOHN DUPUY, JAS. RUCK-
ER. RICH'D CAVE.
Big Crossing.
William Cave and Bartlett Collins
Tates Creek. JOHN TANNER and William Jones
Gilberts Creek. GEORGE S. SMITH and JOHN PRICE.
Lewis Craig was chosen Moderator, and Richard Young, Clerk. Elijah Craig; Augustine Eastin, James Garrard and Henry Roach, being present, were invited to seats. The con- ference agreed to be governed by a majority in any matter that might come before it. The first question discussed was : "Whether the Philadelphia Confession of Faith, adopted by the Baptists, shall be strictly adhered to, as the rule of our communion, or whether a suspension thereof for the sake of society be best." It was "agreed that the said recited Confes- sion of Faith be strictly adhered to." This action decided the question as to union between the Regular and Separate Bap- tists, as the latter were stubbornly opposed to all creeds and confessions of faith. The conference, therefore, appointed a meeting for the last day of the following September, and ad- journed.
According to this appointment, mesengers from six churches met at Clear Creek, in Woodford County, on Friday at 3 o'clock, P. M. Sep. 30, 1785. A sermon was preached by William Hickman, from Exodus 23: 30. "By little and lit- tle will I drive them out from before thee, until thou be in- creased and inherit the land." The appropriateness of this text can be appreciated, only when it is remembered that the little churches, now about to form an association, were located in small, thinly populated settlements, in the midst of a vast wilderness, which teemed with millions of savages who lurked in the deep forests that surrounded the cabins of the "pale- faced" intruders, and thirsted perpetually for their blood. How trustingly those men of God leaned upon Him, who alone could save them, their wives and their little ones, from the cruel fate that threatened them every hour, day and night; and how eagerly they looked forward to the time when He should have driven the relentless foes, "by little and lit- tle," from before them, till they should have increased, and in- herited the land in peace.
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Elkhorn Association
The following is a list of the churches represented in the meeting, together with the names of their messengers :
Gilberts Creek. GEORGE S. SMITH and JOHN PRICE.
Tates Creek. JOHN TANNER, Wm. Jones and Wm. Willams.
South Elkhorn. LEWIS CRAIG, WM. HICKMAN and Benj. Craig.
Clear Creek. JOHN TAYLOR, JAMES RUCKER and JOHN DUPUY.
Big Crossing. Wm. Cave, Bartlett Collins and Robt. Johnson.
Limestone. WM. WOOD and Edward Dobbins
The day following their coming together, the messengers adopted the following
"CONSTITUTION."
"Being assembled together, and taking into our serious consideration what might be most advantageous for the glory of God, the advancement of the Kingdom of the dear Re- deemer, and the mutual comfort and happiness of the churches of Christ ; having unanimously agreed to unite in the strongest bonds of Christian love and fellowship, and in order to support and keep that union [we] do hereby adopt the Baptist Confes- sion of Faith, first put forth in the name of the seven con- gregations met together in London in the year 1643, contain- ing a system of the evangelical doctrines agreeable to the gos- pel of Christ, which we do heartily believe in and receive. But something in the third and fifth chapters in said book we do except, if construed in that light that makes God the cause or author of sin ; but we do acknowledge and believe God to be an Almighty Sovereign, wisely to govern and direct all things so as to promote His own glory. Also in chapter 3Ist con- cerning laying on of hands on persons baptized, as essential in their reception into the church, it is agreed on by us that the using or not using of that practice shall not effect our fellow- ship to each other. And, as there are a number of christian professors in this country under the Baptist name, in order to distinguish ourselves from them, we are of opinion that no ap- pellation is more suitable to our profession than that of 'Regu- lar Baptist,' which name we profess."
Thus was Elkhorn Association constituted, on Saturday,
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
October 1, 1785. William Cave was chosen Moderator. The Association decided that all matters of business should be de- termined by a majority. At the request of Gilberts Creek, the oldest church in the Association, a committee was sent to inquire into its standing. In answer to a query from Tates Creek, the churches were advised to use all tenderness to re- claim persons holding the error of conditional salvation, but if they could not be reclaimed, to exclude them. In answer to another query, it was decided, "that it is lawful for any chris- tian to bear office, either civil or military, except ministers of the gospel." Quarterly meetings were appointed to be held at Tates Creek, Big Crossing and Limestone. It was agreed that no query should hereafter be received into the Association, except it should have been debated in the church from which it originated, and inserted in the church letter.
The next meeting of the Association was held at South Elkhorn, beginning Aug. 15, 1786. John Taylor was chosen Moderator, and Richard Young, Clerk. Three new churches were received-Town Fork, Bryants Station, and Boones Creek (now Athens). A request for help was received from a number of Baptists near the Forks of Dix River. A com- mittee, consisting of Ambrose Dudley, John Tanner, Benj. Craig, and Bartlett Collins, was appointed to visit them the fourth Saturday in August.
This is the first mention made of the Forks of Dix River, in connection with the Baptists, in any accessible record. It is not improbable that this committee, the first named two of which were ministers, constituted the famous old church at the Forks of Dix River, at the time set to visit these Baptists. Asplund, who is high authority, puts down the date of its con- stitution at 1786, and is followed by Benedict. The claim that this church was constituted by Lewis Craig and others, in 1782, does not appear to be supported by any reliable authority. *
The committee which had been appointed the year before to inquire into the standing of Gilberts Creek Church, reported it dissolved. This was the church that traveled through the wilderness with Lewis Craig, in 1781. A Separate Baptist church of the same name was set up by Elder Joseph Bled- soe, near the same locality, in 1783, which remained until a
* See the sketch of Forks of Dix River ch.
II
Elkhorn Association.
very recent date. But it never had any connection with the original Gilberts Creek Church, neither was it originally, of the same denomination.
A query was presented to this Association, as to its right to deal with churches which refused to take its advice. It was decided that the Association has a right to reject such churches from a seat in the body, provided the advice was not contrary to the terms upon which the churches united in an association.
A query, as to whether a slave was properly a gospel member of the church, was decided in the affirmative. The question, as to whether a slave, who was forcibly separated from his wife, by the removal of his master a long distance, might marry again, without affecting his standing as a church member, was regarded too difficult of solution to admit of an answer at present; but the churches were advised to receive no more who had married under such circumstances.
In regard to the duty of supporting a minister, it was queried as to whether it was a debt or a liberal contribution. It was referred to the next association, when the following was substituted : "Whether it is agreeable to scripture for churches to suffer men to preach and have the care of them, that are trading and entangling themselves with the af- fairs of this life." The answer was, "that it is not agreeable to scripture, but that it is the duty of the churches to give their ministers a reasonable support."
1787. The third annual session convened at Bryants Sta- tion, Aug. 1787. Three new churches were received, Hang- ing Fork of Dix River (now New Providence), Cowpers Run (since written Coopers Run) and Marble Creek (now East Hickman). The business of the session was of small impor- tance. The manner of receiving members from churches not immediately connected with this fraternity, was laid down as follows : "All members coming from churches of our faith and order, bringing an orderly letter of dismission from said orderly church, we advise to be admitted; and all Baptists coming from churches of other order, by experience."
The subject of "feet washing" was discussed and referred to the next Association. It was agreed that the Association has no right to interfere with the internal affairs of an orderly church.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Agreed to correspond with Philadelphia and Ketocton Associations, by letter, and by delegates, when convenient. Agreed also to write a letter to Coxes Creek Association, by which was meant Salem Association.
1788. May 31. At South Elkhorn.
The corresponding messengers from Salem Association, Wm. Taylor and Joshua Carman, made some objection to the Association's tolerating the churches in using or not using the laying on of hands on persons newly baptized. The difficulty was presently reconciled by a conference on the subject, and the corresponding messengers took their seats.
QUERY-From the church at Limestone .- Whether the churches belonging to this Association, that do not comply with that solemn duty of supporting their ministry with a comfort- able living, so as to keep them from wordly incumbrance, shall be held in the fellowship of this Association ? No de- cision was had on this question. The first tabular statistics . were entered on the Minutes this year. There were II churches with 559 members.
1788, October 25. At Clear Creek.
Forks of Elkhorn and Buck Run churches were received. The only important transaction of this session was that. - It is disorderly for any of our churches to receive an excommuni- cated member from any of the churches of our denomination, without first having a written information of the charge, from the church from which he comes.
1789. May 30. At Big Crossing.
A letter was received from the General Committee of Baptists in Virginia, announcing the union of the Regular and Separate Baptists. The Association replied, and agreed to drop the name Regular, in all letters going from this Associa- tion.
Received Minutes of the United Baptist Association in Kentucky, with their delegates who were invited to seats, viz: John Bailey, Joseph Bledsoe, Wm. Bledsoe and Andrew Trib- ble, desiring to treat with us respecting a union. James Gar- rard, John Taylor, Robt. Johnson and A. Eastin were ap- pointed to confer with them. The fraternity here styled the United Baptist Association, was the old South Kentucky As- sociation of Separate Baptist, which had assumed the term
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Elkhorn Association.
"United' in their correspondence, merely to avoid giving of fense. A meeting was called by the joint committee to con- vene the second Friday in August, at Harrods Meeting-house, for the purpose of attempting to effect a union between the two associations. The meeting was held, but nothing towards a union was effected.
At this Association, the Clerk was ordered to send a copy of the Minutes, including the circular letter, to each church (in manuscript, it is presumed) for which he was to receive three shillings (fifty cents). The first Thursday in August was appointed a day of fasting and prayer, in all the churches.
1789. October 30. Boones Creek. A revival had prevailed, and 80 baptisms were reported. 1790. August 27. At Lexington.
Indian Creek Church was received. The Association opines that the office of Elder, distinct from that of a preacher is a gospel institution
1791. August 26. Coopers Run.
Mays Creek (now Mayslick), Cove Spring, Cumberland, in Tennessee, Strouds Fork and Taylors Fork churches were received.
A committee was appointed to draw up a memorial to the Convention ; to be held the following April, for the purpose of forming a State Constitution for Kentucky; requesting said Convention to take up the subject of religious liberty and per- petual slavery, in the formation of the Constitution. The committee consisted of A. Easton, James Garrard and Am- brose Dudley. The Association convened at Great Crossing, September 8th, for the purpose of hearing the report. The memorial was read and approved.
The approval of the memorial seems to have caused con- siderable excitement among the slave holding members of the churches. The Association was called together at Bryants Station, on the 26th of December of the same year, when it was ; Resolved, "That this Association disapproves of the memorial which the last Association agreed to send to the Convention, on the subject of Religious Liberty and Abolition of Slavery."
New churches received, Cedar Creek (now Crab Orchard) and Columbia, in N. W. Territory (Ohio).
The question as
History of Kentucky Baptists.
to the validity of baptism, administered by a Pedo-Baptist, on profession of faith was deferred till May, 1793, and then an- swered evasively. At the last named date, another effort was made to form a union with South Kentucky Association, which was unsuccessful, as heretofore. A result of the fail- ure was the withdrawal of four churches from that fraternity, which formed themselves into what was afterwards known as Tates Creek Association.
The spirit of missions was manifest at this meeting. The sum of £13, 125, 8d was appropriated to meet the expenses of brethren, sent on a mission to Tennessee.
1793. October 12. At South Elkhorn.
Grassy Lick and Flat Lick Churches had been received, in May, and now Springfield Church was received. A union was formed with the four churches which had recently seceded from South Kentucky Association, on the following terms, pro- posed by the seceding churches :
"We agree to receive the regular Baptist Confession of Faith ; but to prevent its exerting a tyrannical power over the consciences of any, we do not mean that every person is to be bound to the strict observance of everything therein contained, yet that it holds forth the essential truths of the gospel, and that the doctrines of salvation by Jesus Christ, and free, un- merited grace alone, ought to be believed by every christian, and maintained by every minister of the gospel. And that we do believe in the doctrines relative to the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, the sacred authority of the Scriptures, the universal depravity of human nature, the total inability of men to help themselves without the aid of divine grace, the necessity of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the justification of our persons entirely by the righteousness of Christ imputed, believer's baptism by immersion only ; and self-denial ; and that the supreme Judge by which all contro- versies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be none other than the holy Scriptures, de- livered by the Spirit, into which Scriptures, so delivered, our faith is finally resolved."
On account of some dissatisfaction expressed by some of
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Elkhorn Association.
the Elkhorn churches, this union was dissolved, in August, I794. But in 1797, it was again restored, and has remained uninterrupted to the present time. In 1797, we have the first intimation of doubt, as to the morality of selling intoxicating drinks. It comes in the form of a query from Licking Church, as follows : Whether the church is justifiable in shut- ting the door against a member of a sister church, that offers his membership, for the cause of retailing liquors according to law ? The Association answers in the negative ; but the pre- senting of the query proves that some church was unwilling to receive a liquor dealer into her fellowship, or at least, doubted the propriety of it.
1797. At Clear Creek.
New churches received : Green Creek, Tick Creek and Beaver Creek. The Association gives an opinion on the sub ject of funeral preaching, as follows : "That funeral proces- sions, attended with singing, conform too much to the anti- christian customs, and ought to be omitted in the churches of Christ. But there can be no impropriety in a servant of Christ's preaching at that time and place, for he is to be in- stant in season and out of season. Christian prudence ought to decide on the subject. But to suppose a sermon necessary to the decent burial of the dead, we"wish discountenanced."
Query from McConnels Run. Are churches bound by the Scriptures to contribute to the support of pastoral minis- ters? Answer .- God hath ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1798. At Forks of Elkhorn.
New churches received : Flower Creek and Lees Creek. And next year, Hurricane, Elk Lick, Russells Creek and Drennons Creek, (now New Castle). In 1800, Dry Creek was received, and Buck Run was reported dissolved.
1801. At South Elkhorn.
The "Great Revival" is in progress. 27 old churches and IO new ones are represented. Number of Baptisms reported, 3,011: Total membership, 4,853. The new churches were Mouth of Elkhorn, North Fork, Eagle Creek, Silas, Glens Creek, North Elkhorn, Twins, South Benson, Dry Run, and Port William.
The action of this Association, with reference to Indian
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Missions and the consummation of a happy union with South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists, has been noticed, at length, in the general history. Elkhorn, together with all other associations in the State, now took the name of "United Baptists."
Up to this period, the history of Elkhorn Association com- prises most of what we know of the early Baptists of Ken- tucky. The superior intelligence of her ministers and churches, previous to the great revival, made her the repre- sentative body of the Western Baptists. For this reason, her transactions have been given in detail, and from her history, may be learned the doctrines, practice, opinions and habits of the fathers of our Zion. After this period, although still among the most influential bodies of the kind, in the State, she divides this honor with her numerous sister associations. A more condensed account of her proceedings, from this period, will be given.
In 1802, the question as to what constitutes valid Bap- tism, which had been evaded in 1793, was brought before the Association in a different form, and answered as follows :
"Query from South Elkhorn .- What constitutes valid Baptism? Answer .- The administrator ought to have been baptized himself by immersion, legally called to preach the gospel, [and] ordained as the Scriptures dictate ; and the can- didate for baptism should make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and be baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, by dipping the whole body in water."
The difficulty concerning what is now termed Unitarianism arose in Coopers Run, Flat Lick, Indian Creek and Union churches, in 1803. For the purpose of meeting it promptly, an association was held at Great Crossing, in April of that year. A committee was sent to visit the accused churches, and the old article of faith on the subject of the Trinity was reaffirmed. The committee failed to reclaim Coopers Run church, and it was dropped from the Union, at the annual meeting of the Association, in August. That part of Flat Lick, which held to the constitution and to the divinity of Christ, was recognized as the church. The heresy seems to have spread no farther, and peace was restored in the Asso- ciation.
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Elkhorn Association.
Scarcely had the Unitarian difficulty been settled, when a more serious trouble arose, concerning slavery. Some of the most highly esteemed ministers in the Association were op- posed to that domestic institution. Among these, were Da- vid Barrow, William Hickman, George Smith and Carter Tar- rant. Their preaching on the subject gave offense to the slaveholding members of the churches. At its meeting at Bryants, in 1805, the Association recorded the following opinion : "This Association judges it improper for ministers, churches or associations to meddle with emancipation from slavery, or any other political subject ; and as such we advise ministers and churches to have nothing to do therewith, in their religious capacities."
This gave offense to the Emancipationists. Barrow, Tar rant and several other ministers, from this and other associa tions, drew off several churches and parts of churches and formed an Emancipation Association.
A great spiritual derth prevailed within the bounds of the Association, from 1806 till 1809: So that, in four years, only 52 baptisms were reported. During this period, the influences which resulted in a grievous split in the body, and the organi- zation of Licking Association, were at work. This very sad affair, which has been detailed at length elsewhere, continued to embarrass the Association a long series of years. Licking Association was formed, in 1810, and in 1811, Elkhorn, being informed that East Hickman, Stony point, Raven Creek, Rock Bridge, Brush Creek, Mill Creek, Little Huston and Flat Lick, with others, had embodied and called themselves Licking As- sociation, agreed that they no longer be called in the roll of churches.
It may be observed here that very earnest endeavors were made, from year to year, to reconcile Licking and Elkhorn Associations, and establish correspondence between them; but the efforts were unsuccessful. They received each other's mes- sengers, in 1818. But it was manifest that the apparent re- conciliation was not hearty, on the part of Licking; for, in 1820, the messengers from Elkhorn were rejected, on the grounds that the old difficulties remained untouched, and that new ones, respecting doctrines, had arisen. From that time to the present, the two fraternities, occupying the same territory,
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
have antagonized each other, much to the injury of the cause of Christ.
In 1812, a colored church, which had been gathered, at Lex- ington, by a colored man known as "Old Captain," made ap- plication for membership in the Association. The application was rejected, on the ground that the constitution of the church was irregular.
It appears that the pious old slave, under whose earnest and diligent labors this church had been gathered, had been a member of a small Separate Baptist Church, located in the east- ern part of Fayette county, or the western part of Clark, called the head of Boones Creek. After that church dissolved, about 1797, he hired the time of himself and his wife, procured a cab- in to live in, near Lexington, and devoted himself to exhorting his fellow-servants, in and about the village, to repent and turn to the Saviour. When about fifty had professed conversion and demanded baptism, he applied to the white brethren for ordin- ation. But he being a slave and wholly illiterate, the "fathers and brethren" deemed it improper to lay hands on him. However, they gave him the right hand of fellowship, and bade him go on in the good work. Thus encouraged, he bap- tized the converts that were approved, and constituted them in- to a church, under the style of the African Baptist Church in Lexington. This church prospered greatly, until it numbered about 300 members, when it applied for admission into Elkhorn Association, as stated above. The irregularity of its constitu- tion consisted in the want of the formal ordination of the preach- er who baptized its members and embodied them in a church. Such was the strictness of order, adhered to by the fathers of Elkhorn Association.
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