USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 35
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" His talents as a preacher, are hardly up to mediocrity ; and no man thinks less of them than himself: but his talent for exhortation is very considerable. The way that he has done so much good has not been through his great or numerous tal- ents, but by occupying such as he had in an industrious man- ner."
ROBERT SMITH was discharging the functions of a gospel minister in this church, as early as 1800, and may have been in its constitution. He had been excluded from some church, but what church, and for what purpose is unknown. He had been very active in preaching, in various parts of the state, and had brought some reproach on the Baptists. "When I first landed at Maysville, Kentucky," said the venerable and distin- guished John Bryce, "I went to a prominent merchant in the place, and asked him if he could tell me where any Baptists were, telling him I was a Baptist preacher. He replied sneer- ingly: ' so was Robert Smith.' I immediately returned to the hotel, without asking him further questions." Smith became so notorious that Elkhorn Association cautions the churches against him in her minutes of 1797. Notwithstanding this, he worked his way into Dripping Spring church, which was far out on the frontier, at that time. In 1801, he went into the constitution of a church on Mud Camp .* This church sent for helps to restore him to the ministry, but what came of it is not known. He was afterwards an active preacher in Livingston county.
ALEXANDER MCDOUGAL was a member of Dripping Spring #Now called Blue Spring.
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Alexander McDougal.
church, as early as March, 1802, at which time he was sent by that church to aid in the ordination of Jacob Lock, at Mt. Ta- bor in Barren county. How long he had been a member of that church does not appear. He may have been in its consti- tution, and the church may have been gathered by his labors. However this may be, it is known that he was active in gath- ering the early churches in the middle portion of the state. It may be said to the honor of Ireland, that quite a large number of the most zealous and useful preachers that sowed the gospel seed on the virgin soil of Kentucky, were either born in that island, or were descendants of Irish emigrants.
Alexander McDougal was born in Dublin, Ireland, in the year 1739. In his twenty-first year, he emigrated to North America, and settled in Wilmington, North Carolina. Here he was married to Hannah Done, and soon afterwards moved to Union District, South Carolina. He and his wife were both rigid Presbyterians, and evinced their attachment to their church by having their first children "christened " under its authority.
About the year 1770, he became convinced that he was still in his sins. His convictions were very pungent, and led him speedily to the cross of Christ. Here he found the Sa- vior very precious to his soul. He united with the Baptist church on Lower Tiger river. He was zealous in the cause of Christ, and soon began to exhort his neighbors to flee from the wrath of God to the Savior of sinners. Having an ardent nature, and enjoying much of the love of God in his own soul, he had a great desire for the salvation of others. At what time he was licensed to preach does not appear ; but it is sup- posed about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Being a warm supporter of the cause of Liberty, his early labors in the ministry involved him in many dangers from the fury of the tories that infested almost every portion of his adopted state. During the war, he divided his time between cultivating his farm, exhorting sinners to repent, and fighting the tories. He continued to exercise his gift until 1791, when he was or- dained to the full work of the ministry. About the close of the century, he moved to Kentucky, and settled in Barren county. Here he became a member of Dripping Spring church. After remaining here a short time, he removed to what is now LaRue county, and settled on Nolin river.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Nolin church, in LaRue county, was constituted by Rob- ert Stockton, John Murphy, and Jonathan Paddox, April 3, 1803. Mr. McDougal was called to the care of this church im- mediately after its constitution. About the same time, he be- came pastor of Severns Valley church. To these churches he gave the benefit of his ripe experience and extensive knowledge.
God sent this faithful old servant to the territory of Salem Association just at a time when he was greatly needed. A great revival, of three years' continuance, had more than quad- rupled the membership of the churches composing this frater- nity. A number of new churches had been built up. The old preachers had passed away, or grown too feeble to labor, and few young ones had been raised up. A number of young men had joined the churches, who afterwards became eminent preachers. Here, then, was a great work for a faithful and experienced minister ; nor did Mr. McDougal falter under the responsibility. Unambitious, and without ostentation, he en- tered upon his work in the new field. Here he labored faith- fully and earnestly more than thirty years. Young preachers were raised up to occupy the field, very many sinners had been brought to Christ, and the old servant's work on earth was done. At ninety-five years of age, he resigned his charges ; and on the 3rd of March 1841, aged 103 years, he left his home in LaRue county, and went to join the loved ones in the New Jeru- salem. His oldest son and A. W. LaRue, a grand-son, became Baptist preachers. The latter was widely known in Kentucky.
MT. TABOR church is located on Beaver Creek, some two miles west of Glasgow in Barren county. It was gathered by Alexander Davidson, and was constituted of seven members, by the assistance of the famous old pioneer, William Hickman, and Carter Tarrant, November 5, 1798. Alexander Davidson was chosen pastor, John Murphy was elected clerk, and John Baugh was appointed to hold meetings, in the absence of the pastor. Several churches having been formed in the Green River country, the first conference, looking to the formation of an association was held at Sinking Creek, in June 1799. The meeting agreed on the propriety of an association, and ap- pointed a second meeting to be held at Beaver Creek M. H. (Dripping Spring church) in October. This conference was "put off till the third Saturday in June," 1800, at which time
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Mount Tabor Church.
it was held at Mount Tabor church. At this time Green River Association was formed, of nine churches. These churches con- tained an aggregate membership of about 350, with eight or- dained ministers. Mt. Tabor, Mill Creek, Concord, Brush Creek, Sinks of Beaver Creek (now Dripping Spring), Sinking Creek, Church on Pittman (now Good Hope?), South Fork, and Severns Valley were the churches. It is a little remarkable that all these churches are still in existence. The preachers were John Mulky, Robert Stockton, Robert Smith, Baldwin Clifton, Alexander Davidson, Carter Tarrant, John Hightower and Isaac Denton. It is not remarkable that these have all passed away.
In December, 1799, Carter Tarrant moved from the terri- tory of Tates Creek Association, and settled within the bounds of Mount Tabor church, and immediately became a mem- ber, and the pastor of that flock, Mr. Davidson having re- signed. Under his administration, the church decides "the washing of the saints' feet a duty," calls for help "to install Bro. Tarrant as pastor," resolves "to keep a small fund in the treas- ury, and to raise it by voluntary subscription," and decides that where " dress or fashion appears sinful, the church has a right to restrict her members." Mr. Tarrant's pastorate was short, but long enough for him to sow the seeds of discord in the church, which afterwards produced an abundant crop of con- fusion. He was an enthusiastic emancipationist, and led a num- ber of the members into his views. He resigned the care of the church, in February, 1801, and returned to the Blue grass re- gion. The following meeting, Jacob Lock was ordained to the oversight of Mount Tabor church, and served in that capacity over 38 years. He was succeeded by James Brooks, who ser- ved the church till 1879, when he resigned.
During the great revival, which commenced about two years after Mount Tabor was constituted, that church received 60, by baptism, which brought its membership up to 91. In 1808, two preachers of her membership, Elijah Davidson and John Murphy, declared non-fellowship for the church, on ac- count of its tolerating slavery, and were both excluded. Mr. Davidson was afterwards restored. . In 1812, the church num- bered 160 members, in 1833, it reached 175, and in 1843, it numbered 252.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
When, in 1840, Green River Association split on the subject of missions, Mount Tabor church entered into the constitution of Liberty Association, of which it has continued a prominent member to the present time (1885). In 1878, it numbered 153 members.
ALEXANDER DAVIDSON was the first pastor of Mount Tabor church, and probably the first preacher that settled between Green and Barren rivers. He was active in gathering the first churches in that region, before any other preacher settled there, as well as afterwards. He must have been a man of considera- ble prominence, as he represented Warren county in the con- vention that formed the second constitution of Kentucky, in 1799. He was a number of years pastor of Sinking Creek church, in Warren county, which was probably gathered by his ministry. He was a laborer among the churches of this region, as late as 1823.
JACOB LOCK succeeded Carter Tarrant, in the pastoral care of Mount Tabor church. He was a man of superior preaching talents, and was, for many years, the most distinguished preacher in Green River Association, as he was afterwards in Liberty.
Jacob Lock was the son of Richard Lock, and was born in Berkly county, Va., about 1768. He was the youngest of eight sons, of whom William was killed by the Indians, in Kentucky. Jacob's education was wholly neglected in his youth. At an early age he married Margaret Jett, by whom he raised one daughter and eight sons, two of whom were born in Virginia. In 1789, he moved to Mercer county, Kentucky. Here he lived about ten years. Sometime during that period he united with a Baptist church. Moving to Barren county, he united with Mount Tabor church, by letter, on the 3rd Satur- day in June, 1800. At this time he could not read, and did not even know the alphabet. This was at the time of the great re- vival. Mr. Lock's heart was so stirred within him, that he pres- ently began to exhort sinners to repent, with great zeal and fer- vor. Illiterate as he was, his gifts appeared so profitable that the church licensed him to preach, on the 3rd Saturday in Sep- tember, 1800.
He now began to apply himself to close study, at home, as well as to active fervent exhortation, among the people. His
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Jacob Lock.
success in reaching the hearts of the people was marked, and his improvement in speaking, and in a knowledge of letters, was very rapid. He labored on through this revival, during which 60 persons united with the church, by experience and baptism. Mr. Lock was probably the most efficient laborer in this great work. At the February meeting, in 1802, Mr. Tar- rant resigned the care of the church, and took a letter of dis- mission. On the 3rd Saturday in the following month, Mr. Lock was ordained to the ministry, by Alexander Davidson and Alexander McDougal. In the following May, he was invited to administer the ordinances for the church, and in May, 1803, was regurlarly inducted into the pastoral office. He was also called to the carc of Green River (now Lonoke), Sinking creek, and Salem churches. At different periods, he was pastor of Glasgow, Mount Olive, Smith's Grove, and perhaps other churches. After Robert Stockton became too old and feeble to act as Moderator of Green River Association, Mr. Lock usually filled that position, till Liberty Association was formed, in 1840, after which he was Moderator of that body, till he became too infirm to act in that capacity. He died in great peace, January 18, 1845.
JOHN MURPHY was raised up to the ministry, in MountTabor church. He was born in Halifax county, Va., June, 25, 1752. In early life he moved to Tennessee, where he professed conver- sion, and was baptized by Isaac Barton, in 1790. He united with Bent Creek church in Green county of that territory. He settled early in Barren county, Kentucky, where, in Novem- ber, 1798, he went into the constitution of Mount Tabor church. Of this organization, he was elected the first clerk, and was an actor in the organization of Green River Association. "He was licensed to preach in 1801. The time of his ordination is not known. In 1808, he was excluded from Mount Tabor church, on account of his declaring non-fellowship with it, for tolerating slavery. "He was the first minister south of Green river," says Caster Tarrant, "who publicly opposed slavery." What be- came of him, after his exclusion from the church, does not ap- pear.
ROBINSON HUNT was brought into the ministry, at Mount Tabor. He united with this church by letter, in October, 1801, and was licensed to exercise a gift the same day. He was or-
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
dained to the work of the ministry by Alexander Davidson, Alexander McDougal, and Elijah Summars, in November, 1802. He was dismissed from Mount Tabor church the same day he was ordained. He moved to the Bluegrass region of the State. There he succeeded Ambrose Dudley in the pastoral care of David's Fork church in Fayette county. He appears to have been a young man of brilliant gifts. But he did not use them long. He died in 1808, and was succeeded in the pastoral office by the gifted Jeremiah Vardeman.
MICHAEL W. HALL, judge of one of the courts of this judicial district, a distinguished lawyer, and frequently a mem- ber of the legislature from Barren county, was long a member of Mt. Tabor church. He was a man of eminent piety, and was much esteemed by the church, and, indeed, by Green River Association, of which he was many years the efficient clerk. He died March 1, 1828.
ROBERT T. GARDNER, who was raised up in Edmonson county, it is believed, supplied Mt. Tabor church a few months, after the death of Jacob Lock. He was, at that time, a young preacher, possessed medium preaching talents, and was a good exhorter. He devoted a number of years to the work of an evangelist, in which he enjoyed a good degree of success. After this, he moved to Texas, where, for many years, he has been useful in the ministry.
JAMES BROOKS was the next pastor of this old church. He was a son of Jesse Brooks, and was born in Wythe county, Va., July 4, 1809. His parents moved, the same year, to Wayne county, Ky., where they lived ten years. In 1821, they moved to Barren county. Here James was raised up on a farm. He received only a common school education. He was married to Polly W., daughter of Ephraim Parish, December 27, 1827. This marriage was blessed with two sons and three daughters, all of whom became Baptists except one daughter who died out of the church, but trusting in Jesus.
Mr. Brooks, with his wife, obtained hope in Christ, and was baptized into the fellowship of Mt. Tabor church, by Jacob Lock, in November, 1837. He was licensed to exercise a gift on the 3d Saturday in November, 1844, and, on the 3d Saturday in April, 1845, was ordained to the ministry by Henry Emer- son, Isaac N. Brown and Azariah Hatcher. He took charge of
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Sinking Creek Church.
Little Bethel church in Barren county, the following Saturday, and preached to it fourteen years. He was called to Mt. Tabor church, the 3d Saturday in April, 1846, and served it as pastor thirty-three years. He took the care of Rock Spring church in the same county, in 1847, and ministered to it twenty-eight years. He preached to New Liberty church in Metcalf county, twenty years. He has supplied several other churches for shorter periods at different times. He was called to his reward in 1884.
None of Mr. Brooks' gifts were extraordinary [except his singing], but they were all used with extraordinary diligence, and recommended by extraordinary piety. The Green river country has produced few more valuable ministers.
SINKING CREEK church is located near a stream from which it derives its name, near the south-western corner of Barren county. It is one of the first three churches gathered in the re- gion of country lying between Green and Barren rivers. It was probably gathered by Alex. Davidson, as he was the only preacher known to have lived in that region, at so early a period. It was constituted sometime during the year 1798. The first convention that met to consider the propriety of organizing an association in this region assembled with this church, the second Saturday in June, 1799. Alex. Davidson was probably its first pastor, and had membership in it. This church was one of the nine of which Green River Association was constituted, in June, 1800. It shared largely in the great revival. Forty-two were added to its membership by experience and baptism, in 1802, and it reported that year, an aggregate membership of 142. It continued to be a strong, flourishing church till about 1840, when it split up on the question of missions. In 1845, it was reduced to fifty-five members. It declared itself opposed to be- nevolent societies in common with all the churches that re- mained in the old mother Association. In consequence of Green River Association's having opened correspondence with Liber- ty Association, which approves missions, Sinking Creek church with four others, withdrew from the former, and formed "Orig- inal Green River Association." In 1876, this old church num- bered only twenty-nine members.
AUGUSTINE CLAYTON was a preacher in this church, a short time, about 1820. He possessed small preaching gifts, but being a pioneer, he exercised some good influence among the settlers.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Mr. Clayton was born in South Carolina, about 1764. He learned to read and write and studied the science of vocal music. In early manhood he married Kate Smith, and soon afterward, with his wife joined the Methodists, and became an exhorter among them. Afterward some Baptist preachers came into the neighborhood where he lived, and established a church. Mr. Clayton and his wife, becoming convinced that they had not been scripturally baptized, now submitted to the ordinance of immersion, and united with the Baptist church. He moved to what is now Allen county, Kentucky, in 1806. He united first with Bethlehem church, and served it as pastor about a year, when he moved to Tennessee, where he remained about three years. He then moved back to Kentucky, where he spent the remainder of his life in Barren and Allen counties. He taught singing-schools and preached from house to house exhorting the people to repent and turn to the Savior. He was called to his reward about the year 1834.
JESSE MOON, although by no means a great man, was prob- ably the most distinguished preacher in Sinking Creek church, after it identified itself as an anti-missionary body. He was born in South Carolina, September 4, 1795. His mother brought him to Kentucky when he was about five years old. When he grew up, he was married to Hannah Johnson. Soon after his mar- riage he professed faith in Christ and was baptized into the fel- lowship of Big Reedy church, in Butler county. In this church he was put into the ministry. He afterward moved to Barren county, and united with Sinking Creek church. He was a preacher in this church from 1849 to 1867. He served Smiths Grove church in Warren county more than thirty years. He was moderator of Green River Association eighteen years. He moved to Missouri about 1867, where he died in 1870. His son Joseph is a preacher among the churches of Original Green River Association.
SULPHUR SPRING church was most probably gathered by John Hightower. It is located in the southwest corner of Allen county, and was constituted in 1798. It is by three years, the oldest church in that county. John Hightower was the first pastor, and served in that capacity till his death, which occurred about 1823. At this period, the church numbered fifty-three members. In 1840, it reached a membership of seventy-five.
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John Howard.
About this time the subject of missionary operations agitated the churches of this region, as well as in most parts of the State. Sulphur Spring church took a stand against missionary and other benevolent societies. Two years afterward its membership was reduced to 43. Since that time it has steadily declined. In 1877 it numbered only twenty-two members.
Sulphur Spring church probably united first with Mero District Association in Tennessee. It afterward became a mem- ber of Green River Association. In 1812, it entered into the constitution of Gasper River Association, and when Drakes Creek Association was formed in 1820, it entered into the con- stitution of that fraternity, of which it is still a member. The peculiarity of this, and other churches, composing Drakes Creek Association, is, that, within the last few years, they have dis- carded the doctrine of the resurrection.
JOHN HOWARD was an early pastor of Sulphur Spring church. He was probably the ablest preacher that has ever been connected with Drakes Creek Association. His devoted piety and faithful labors won the affection of his brethren and the confidence of the people. His influence was extensive, and he used it diligently in the cause of his beloved Master. Forty years after he left his field of labor in Allen and the adjoining coun- ties, he was held in vivid remembrance and affectionate regard.
Mr. Howard was born of Episcopalian parents, in the State of Virginia, about the year 1760. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, his father sent him and his twin brother, Thomas, to South Carolina to be out of danger. Here the spirit of the Lord overtook the young refugee, and he was over- whelmed with a sense of guilt and condemnation before God. Having been raised under Episcopalian influence, which was at that time, in Virginia, at least, a feeble expression of belief in sal- vation by works, young Howard set about trying to justify him self before God, by good deeds. But all he could do gave his conscience no relief. The more he examined himself in the light of God's law, the greater was his distress, until he was almost driven to despair. At last he threw himself on the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and was enabled to enjoy great peace. He soon afterward united with a Baptist church. At the close of the war, he went to Georgia, where he was brought into the ministry.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Soon after the beginning of the present century, he moved to Kentucky, and settled in what is now Allen county. Herehe united with Trammels Fork church, and soon afterward became its pastor. Some time after, he was chosen pastor of Sulphur Spring church, in the same county. To these churches, he preached till about 1829.
Mr. Howard was a man of good cultivation, possessed ex- cellent preaching talents, and was a faithful and skillful laborer in the cause of his Master. His preaching was a clear, strong statement of gospel truth. He was an excellent singer, and was very skillful in the use of his fine social powers. His use- fulness, both in building up the churches and in leading sinners to the Savior, was very great. His themes in the pulpit, and, indeed everywhere else, were the love of God and Christ's suffer- ing for sinners. He believed fully in the doctrine of sovereign grace, but preached earnestly that men ought to repent and turn to God.
About the year 1829, he moved to Fulton county, Illinois. Here he lived and labored about sixteen years, and then went to that city which he had been seeking from the days of his youth. Among his last words were these: "God's portion is his people, and Jacob is the lot of his inheritance."
Mr. Howard was married four times, and raised a large and respectable family. One of his sons, Emizar Howard, was a very respectable preacher in Spoon River Association in Illinois. Tilman Howard, another of his sons, was a prominent lawyer and politician in Indiana. Mr. Howard's fourth marriage was unfortunate. His wife opposed his preaching, and much im- bittered his last years.
ISAAC STEELE was many years pastor of Sulphur Spring church .* James Steele, his father, was, in early life a resident of North Carolina. He served seven years in the old Revolu- tionary War. He was in twenty-one pitched battles, and had his clothes and hair cut by several musket balls, but received no wound. He was among the early emigrants from North Carolina to what is now Allen county, Kentucky. Here he opened a farm and tilled it until his death.
Isaac Steele was born in North Carolina, in 1789, and came
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