USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 29
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In 1827, when he was among the ablest and most popular preachers in Kentucky, he resigned all his charges, and moved to Missouri, settling in Calloway county. Here he labored in harmony with Longan, Suggett, Vardeman and others, till about 1843, when a separation took place among the Baptists of that
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region, on the subject of missionary operations. Mr. Boul- ware identified, himself with the Anti-missionary faction. He lived to an advanced age, and died a few years past, while on a visit to relations in Kentucky.
SILAS MERCER NOEL was the son of Theodrick Noel, a dis- tinguished Baptist preacher in the Old Dominion, in the early days of Baptist operations in that State, and was born in Hen- rico county, Va., August 13, 1783. His father gave him a good English education, after which he educated himself in the classi- cal languages, and then studied law. He emigrated to Kentucky and established himself in the practice of his profession, at Frankfort. He professed conversion, probably as early as 1810, and was baptized by William Hickman, pastor of Forks of Elk- horn church. Soon after his union with the church, he' was licensed "to exercise a preaching gift," and, about 1813, was ordained to the pastoral care of Big Spring church, in Woodford county, which was constituted that year. He con- tinued pastor of this church one year.
Mr. Noel was a man of fine culture, of broad views, of active enterprise, and enlarged public spirit. As soon as he en- tered the work of the ministry, his active mind began to inquire into the wants of the Baptists of the State. In 1813, he com- menced the publication of a religious monthly magazine, called the Gospel Herald* In the first number of this periodical, he advo- cated the establishment of a "General Committee," among the Baptists of Kentucky, in which the whole Baptist denomination in the State, might be represented. and thereby secure unity and harmony of action in promoting schemes of benevolence, especially home and foreign missions. Without entering into particulars here, it is sufficient to say, in this place, that the pro- posed "General Committee" was intended to answer similar ends to those now promoted by the General Association of Ken- tucky Baptists. The measure would have been a wise one, if the Baptists of Kentucky, had been prepared to adopt it and carry out its purposes; but they were not, and the movement had to be
* This was not, as Dr. Ford supposes, the first religious periodical pub- lished in Kentucky. I have before me a complete volume of the Kentucky Missionary, and Theological Magazine, a quarterly edited by Stark Dupuy, and published at Frankfort, Ky. The first number was issued, May, 1812.
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Silas Mercer Noel.
postponed about nineteen years. Mr. Noel, however, lived to see his measure carried into successful operation in the General As- sociation.
In 1812, Mr. Noel and Jeremiah Vardeman proposed to publish "a comprehensive History of the Baptist Society."* How far this work progressed is not known.
About 1816, Mr. Noel was appointed by Gov. Slaughter, Judge of the Circuit Court. In filling this office, he abandoned the work of the ministry, for a time. John Taylor speaks of him at this period as follows: "Mr. Noel sometime after this relin- quished the pastoral charge at Big Spring, though he preached for them sometime after this. He at length took a letter of dismission, and joined the church at Frankfort, after which being appointed circuit judge, for a season he desisted from preaching, and resumed the practice of law to which he had been bred. He forebore the sacred office of gospel minister, about two years, being very unhappy in this lapsed state. About one year past, he came forward again as a preacher, with more zeal, consistency and apparent stability than at any time of his life, before, and is now one of our first-rate Baptist preachers in Kentucky, and has lately taken the pastoral care of the Baptist church in Frankfort."; Speaking of him at a later period the same author says: "Silas M. Noel . is now a great trav- eler and one of the most successful preachers the Baptists have in Kentucky. For three years past I suppose he has baptized more people than any other man in Kentucky. His labors seem blessed in whatever direction he takes. The conversion of sinners to the Lord seems to be the greatest object of his address to men. Repentance and faith, or faith and re- pentance, connected with a godly life, is the main drift of his dis- courses, with profuse invitations to everyone to come to the Sup- per. Speculative trifles are barely found in his exhibitions.
"The high powers of Lexington, authorized to make doctors of Divinity, a year or two back saluted him with a flowing di- ploma. But it is pleasing to see that these high flying trifles do not prevent his going into thickets; or, according to his own term, while at his work, the highways and hedges, to invite the
*Min. of South Dis. Asso. of 1812.
+His. Ten. Ch's p. 186.
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poor, the halt, the blind and lame, with every other soul to seek the salvation of God .* "
In 1827, Mr. Noel accepted a call to Stamping Ground, where he labored but a short time. The next year he took charge of Great Crossing church. Here his success was remarkable. Within one year he baptized into its fellowship 359 persons. Among them were seventeen Indians from Choctaw Academy at Blue Springs. At least one of these Indians, Sampson Birch, was afterward ordained to the ministry.
During the two or three years that followed this large in- gathering at Great Crossing, the Campbellite excitement was at fever heat. The discussion partook largely of the popular feel- ing, but also brought into the arena of newspaper warfare, thé ablest men on both sides of the question. Among them Silas M. Noel stood in the front rank on the Baptist side, and while he was not the equal of William Vaughan in the pulpit, he was decidedly his superior with the pen, and, with this he entered largely into the discussions, through the press, while Vaughan was in the lead on the rostrum. Out of a membership of 558, Great Crossing lost only sixteen by the Campbellite schism.
Mr. Noel probably served some other country churches, at different periods. In 1836, he accepted a call to the church in Lexington. Here he served acceptably about three years, when he was called up higher, May 5, 1839.
In his early life, Mr. Noel was somewhat perplexed on the subject of church government, and probably inclined to the Pres- byterian, but after a few years, became fully settled in that of the Baptists. He, however, felt the need of some general or- ganization, through which the denomination, at least, over the extent of the State, could act in harmony. Hence his proposal for a general committee, in 1813. He established, in that year, the Gospel Herald, a denominational monthly Magazine, by means of which the Baptists of the State could have inter- communion of sentiments. But this was soon discontinued for want of patronage. He was very active in originating Georgetown College, especially for the educating of young preachers. He was a member and President of its Board of Trustees, was instrumental in securing the Paulding fund, and
* His. Ten. Ch's, pp. 187, 188.
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James D. Black.
subscribed $500 to the college endowment. He was a leading spirit in organizing the Kentucky Baptist State Convention, in 1832, of which he was Moderator during its existence. The Baptists of Kentucky owe much, under God, to this good and great man.
JAMES D. BLACK was the most successful pastor Stamping Ground has ever had. He was called to that position, in Jan- uary, 1838, and resigned it in March, 1867, in these words : "I hereby resign the charge of your church, which I have had for thirty years. Brethren, be careful, and do not fall out by the way." He was among the most zealous, energetic, faith- ful, and successful preachers, that ever labored among the Baptists of Kentucky.
James D. Black was born in Virginia, June 24, 1794. He came with his parents to Kentucky, in 1807. His early edu- cation was very limited. He was converted to God, at the age of about fifteen years, and was baptized into the fellowship of Dry Run church in Scott county, by Joseph Redding. He was raised up to the ministry, in Long Lick church in Scott county. He was pastor, at different times, of some sixteen churches in Kentucky, besides preaching to several in Missouri, while residing in that State. He was a student and a laborer. He went to school, and was in a grammar class with his son, E. H. Black, when he was past forty years of age, and, by the aid of a Greek grammar, learned to read the New Testament in Greek, after he was fifty.
He was laboring in a series of revivals, during a great por- tion of his ministry. He served one year as a missionary of Elkhorn Association. At the close of the year, he made the following report : "During the year, your agent has attended twenty protracted meetings, 323 have been received for bap- tism, at those meetings. He has baptized 261, himself, chiefly at the churches of his charge. He has preached 351 dis- courses, and has been engaged 121 days in actual service to this Association." He baptized about 500 in one year. Dur- ing his pastorate at Stamping Ground, he baptized over 1,000 into the fellowship of that church. He kept no account of the | number he baptized during his ministry, but said, during his last illness, he could not think he had immersed less than 5,000.
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He quitted the scenes of his labors, May 30, 1871. His last words were, "Jesus ! Oh my son, how precious." His re- mains lie beneath where stood the old pulpit which he oc- cupied so long and successfully at Stamping Ground. That he was a good man, many living witnesses testify ; that he was a great man, his works bear record.
FORKS OF LICKING church is located in Falmouth, the county seat of Pendleton, and is now called by the name of that village. It was probably gathered by Alexander Monroe, and was formed, in part, of persons who had been dismissed from Bryants church in Fayette county. The constitution was effected on the 4th Saturday in June, 1795. The church united with Elkhorn Asso- ciation, in August of the same year, at which time it reported eighteen members.
In 1802, it numbered fifty-four members, and, the next year, entered into the constitution of North Bend Association. This was just at the close of the great revival. From this period the church declined, till 1812, when it numbered only twelve members. In 1817, it took a letter of dismission, and joined Union Association, of which it still remains a member. It appears to have been under the pastoral care of Alexander Monroe, from the time of its constitution, till about 1825, when he was succeeded by Blackstone L. Abernathy. Under the ministry of the latter, it had an increase of sixty-one members, in 1827. But, in 1830, Mr. Abernathy went off with the Camp- bellites, and, of course, carried a large proportion of the mem- bers with him. In 1831, William Vaughan took charge of the remnant of the church, and ministered to it one year. Since that period it has had a large number of pastors, among whom may be named Robert Elrod, Thomas Waggoner (who was raised up to the ministry among its members), James Spillman, Gilbert Mason, Fergus German, J. R. Barbee, A. W. Mullins, George Varden, N. C. Pettit, and Robert E. Kirtley. In 1872, the church took the name of Falmouth, and, in 1880, numbered 163 members. The widely known P. S. G. Watson was licensed to preach by this church.
ALEXANDER MONROE is supposed to have been pastor of Forks of Licking church, about 30 years. He emigrated, probably from Virginia, to Kentucky, as early as 1789, at which date he united, by letter, with Bryants church in Fayette county. The following year he was encouraged to exercise his
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Otter Creek Church.
gift, and, in August, 1791, was licensed to preach. On the 17th of August, 1793, he was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, by Ambrose Dudley, John Price, and William Edmund Waller. In 1795, he moved to the Forks of Licking river, and went into the constitution of Forks of Licking church. To what other congregations he ministered, does not appear. But he was one of the most prominent ministers in North Bend Association, during its early history, having served that body as moderator six years, and preached the introductory sermon be fore it on several occasions.
OTTER CREEK church first appears on the minutes of Tates Creek Association, in 1795, and was probably constituted dur- ing that year. It was located on a small stream from which it derived its name, in Madison county. In 1796, it numbered 80 members, and, for a number of years, was a prominent church in Tates Creek Association. In 1829, it reached a membership of 124; but it was so reduced by the Campbellite schism, the following year, that it was shortly afterwards dissolved.
Of the five churches gathered in Kentucky, in 1795, Otter Creek and Blue Ash were destroyed by the Campbellite schism, while Cartwright's Creek, McConnel's Run, and Forks of Lick- ing, still exist under the names of Lebanon, Stamping Ground and Falmouth.
CHAPTER XX. .
GOOD HOPE, DEEP CREEK AND OTHER CHURCHES GATHERED IN 1796.
At the beginning of the year 1796, the gloom was still deepening over religious circles in the Ohio Valley. Religion was now at a lower ebb in Kentucky than at the darkest period of the Indian wars. During the preceding year. only eighteen persons had been baptized within the bounds of Elkhorn Asso- ciation, in which was embraced more than half the Baptists in Kentucky. Elkhorn Association made an effort this year, to re- establish union and correspondence with Tates Creek Associa- tion, which was carried into successful and permanent operation the following year. Tates Creek Association appointed two preachers to visit the destitute brethren on [upper] Green river, with their ministerial labors," and, in their circular, lament that "Zion is still in a mournful state." South Kentucky Associa- sion spitefully rejected an application for union and correspond- ence with Tates Creek Association. Salem Association was in a troublesome state of fomentation over the slavery question, on account of which she lost two churches this year.
The little new association, Tates Creek, engaged in the only work which exhibited any especial religious interest in the State, -that of sending missionaries to look after the destitute breth- ren in the new settlements, and gather them into churches, where it was expedient.
The Kentucky Legislature had passed an act in 1795, by which a preemption right to two hundred acres of land was se- cured to each actual settler in the Green river country. This in- duced a large influx of immigrants from the south-east to settle in that region. Most of the early settlers along the southern border of the State were from the Carolinas. A settlement by people from these States was made on the waters of Drakes
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Union Church.
creek, in what are now Allen and Warren counties, as early as 1795. Among these were a number of Baptists, and two or three Baptist preachers. Here the first church in that part of Ken- tucky lying south of Green river, was formed.
UNION church was located near the West Fork of Drakes creek, in Warren county. The preachers known to have settled early in that region were John Hightower, Alexander Devin and Joseph Logan. Some or all of these were probably the instruments in gathering this church. It was constituted some- time during the year 1796. Of what association it became a member, it does not appear. Mero District in the northern border of Tennessee and southern border of Kentucky, was most convenient to it. That Association was constituted in 1796. On account of internal discords, it was dissolved in 1803, and a new association, called Cumberland, was formed of the same churches, except four, which adhered to Elder Joseph Dorris, who was the cause of all the confusion. In 1806, Cumberland Association was, for the sake of convenience, divided into two fraternities. The one lying to the northward, and having about half of its churches in Kentucky, took the name of Red River Association.
When Gasper River Association was formed in 1812, Union church entered into its constitution. It remained in this body till 1820, when it entered into the constitution of Drakes Creek Association. In 1823, it numbered eighty-six members. When there was a division of the Baptists in Kentucky, on the subject of missions, Union church adhered to that part of the Association which held to anti-mission sentiments. After this it gradually diminished in number, till about the year 1855, when it dissolved.
JOHN HIGHTOWER was the first pastor of Union church. He was an able and successful preacher, and a man of tireless zeal in the cause of his Master. He and Alexander Devin and Joseph Logan were instrumental in raising up most of the early churches in that region.
Mr. Hightower was a native of South Carolina, and spent the early years of his ministry in preaching among the Baptist :: of that State. In the year 1795, he and a number of others formed a settlement on the Middle Fork of Drakes creek. in what is now Allen county. Here he spent the remainder of
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his days. As stated above, he and his fellow laborers gathered Union church in 1796. In 1798, he gathered Sulphur Spring church in Allen county, of which he became pastor. During the Great Revival, which began two years after this, his great zeal so carried him away that his feet were severely frost bit- ten. From this circumstance he was unable to walk for about a year. But as soon as he was able to sit in a chair, he made appointments for preaching at his house, and continued preach- ing with much fervor, sitting in his chair, till he was able to walk again. He was badly crippled in his feet the remainder of his life, but continued to preach with zeal and faithfulness, till the Lord took him to himself, about the year 1823.
Mr. Hightower was regarded a strong doctrinal preacher for his day. He held some loose notions about keeping the Sab- bath that did much harm. He did not wholly discard the obli- gation to keep the day holy, but he held it very lightly, and broke the Sabbath himself for very trivial causes. The effect of his teaching was such, that many, otherwise pious and devout Christians, had no conscientious scruples about fishing, hunting or attending to any pressing business, on Sunday. It appears that most of the Baptists from South Carolina, at that period, held similar views to those of Mr. Hightower. The effects on the people were very pernicious, and even to the present day, the results of this false teaching are manifest in some portions of Southern Kentucky.
ALEXANDER DEVIN was a co-laborer of Mr. Hightower in building up the first churches in Allen and Warren counties. He was also a strong doctrinal preacher, a man of fine talents, and exerted a strong influence on society.
Mr. Devin was raised in South Carolina, where he spent some years in preaching the gospel. He came to Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers on the present territory of Allen county. He labored with much usefulness, in Kentucky, some ten years, and then moved to the Wabash country in Indiana about 1805. Here, again he was a pioneer. He collected the first churches of which Wabash Association was constituted. This body was formed of five churches, in 1809. Alexander Devin and the distinguished missionary to the Indians, Isaac Mc- Coy, then a young man, were the only ministers in this frater- nity, when it was formed. Mr. Devin was the moderator of the
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Joseph Logan.
body, for some years. The following to one of his old co-la- borers in Allen county, Kentucky, can hardly fail to interest the reader:
"Dear Sir :
"These lines are to inform you that my family are in com- mon health, through the kind favor of God. I wish these lines to find you and yours in health also. We have troublesome times with the Indians. There have been about fifteen white people killed by them within a few months. A great many families have fled, and are fleeing to Kentucky for safety. I have some thought of carrying my family away, if times should continue so dangerous.
"There has been a considerable revival of religion in this territory. Numbers, I trust, God has saved by the mighty power and influence of His grace. .
" May the God of all grace protect and keep you and me, with all saints, until we meet to part no more. Wife joins me in love to you, etc., etc. ALEXANDER DEVIN."
"To Joseph Logan."
Mr. Devin was a member of the convention that formed the first State Constitution for Indiana, in 1816. He was, at that time, ofan advanced age, and, of course, has long since gone to his reward.
JOSEPH LOGAN was another of the trio of " master builders," who laid the foundation for other men to build on, among the cane-brakes of Southern Kentucky. He was intimately as- sociated with Hightower and Devin, with either of whom he could fully labor. They were strong doctrinal preachers, and he was a warm, impressive exhorter.
Joseph Logan was a native of Virginia. In young man- hood, he moved to North Carolina, and married Annie Bias. Here also he obtained hope in Christ, and was baptized. Not long after he united with the church, he moved to South Caro- lina, where he was put into the ministry, and was, for some years, pastor of a church on Pedee river. The exact time of his coming to Kentucky is not known, but he aided in gathering Bethlehem, the second church formed in Allen county. This large old church, located two miles north of Scottsville, the county seat of Allen, was constituted by John Hightower, Alex- ander Devin, and Joseph Logan, January 31, 1801, and Mr.
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Logan was immediately chosen its pastor. The church was constituted of eight members-four males and as many females. It increased to 76 members the first year, and has continued to be a strong, influential church to the present time.
Mr. Logan assisted in gathering several other churches in Allen county, among which were Trammels Fork and Middle Fork. Few men of his day exercised a more powerful influence over a congregation than did he. The "jerks " and " falling exercise," were common under his preaching. "I remember," said an aged citizen, "to have been present at a meeting on De- feated Branch. Hightower preached a long sermon, Logan fol- lowed him with an exhortation of twenty minutes, during which about twenty persons fell as dead men."
When the faithful old servant of the Cross became too feeble to stand, he would sit on a chair, or table, and preach Christ to the people, with much love and tenderness. He died of a can- cer on his breast, in October, 1812. Of his descendants, younger Logan is an acceptable preacher among the Antimissionary Baptists in Warren county.
ZACHARIAH MORRIS was raised up to the ministry, either in Union or Sulphur Spring, as there was no other church in that region of country, at the time he was brought into the ministry. He was born in a new settlement on Big Sandy river, in Virginia, January 1, 1773. He moved to Warren county, Kentucky, while a lad. When he grew up, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Dennis Durham, a Presbyterian preacher, in 1796. He was a gay, pleasure-loving young man, was regarded an excellent "fiddler," and was fond of dancing and other frivolous amusements. But about the time of the great revival, at the beginning of the century, the spirit of the Lord stopped him in his mad career, and brought him to the feet of Jesus. Here he found peace and great joy. He was baptized by John Hightower, and soon began to proclaim publicly what the Lord had done for him, and exhort sinners to repent and come to the Savior. He was soon set apart to the ministry. In his early ministry, he was very zealous in warning and exhorting sinners to repent, and the Lord crowned his labors with abundant suc- cess. In 1808, Middle Fork church was raised up in Allen county. He was in its constitution, and, in 1811, became its pastor. He served in this capacity twenty-two years. In 1843,
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Zachariah Morris.
the church split on the subject of missions. Mr. Morris procured a letter, and joined Lick Fork, an Anti-missionary church, in the same county. Of this church he became the pastor. He was also pastor of several other churches in the same region, at different periods. He had, in his earlier ministry, traveled and preached with much success. But after he became an Anti- missionary, and adopted what was popularly known as Anti- nomianism, his usefulness was measurably destroyed. His new theory was at variance, both with his feelings, and his best gifts, and, sometimes, when he warmed in his preaching, he would disregard it, and exhort the unconverted to repent and believe the gospel. He accounted for this inconsistency by saying : " It is true that I wear an iron jacket, but when I get warmed up the buttons melt off." He continued to preach to a good old age. The last time he preached, he said in his discourse : " This is the last time I shall ever preach." He rode home, and fell from his horse at the stile. He was carried to his bed, and soon became speechless. He died June 20, 1849.
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