USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 42
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John Scott moved into the bounds of New Liberty church, and became its pastor immediately after his ordination, in 1802. Here he ministered 31 years. When he took the care of this church it embraced thirty-eight members; when he resigned, in 1833, it numbered one hundred and seventy-nine, and had sent
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out several colonies to form new churches. It 1803, he was called to the church now known as Ghent. Of his connection with that body, its historian says: "Brother Scott served the church, more or less through life, without compensation, and gave to it the lot of ground on which its present house stands, in the town of Ghent."
In 1825, Mr. Scott moved his residence to Carroll county, but did not change his pastoral relationship. On the occasion of this removal, New Liberty church gave him the following certificate: "That as a preacher, he has been strictly moral, just and judicious; his public ministrations of the word and ordinances have been thankfully received and much appreci- ated, having been given freely, without money or price." He was probably pastor of some other churches. Mr. Scott was 35 years old when he was ordained to the ministry, and preached the gospel about 45 years. He would receive no com- pensation for preaching, yet, being a prudent, industrious man, he acquired a considerable fortune. As far as now known, he was the first preacher that settled within the present limits of Owen county. He possessed superior preaching talents, and occupied a high position among his brethren in the ministry. He was clerk of Long Run Association from 1812 to 1815, was moderator of Concord Association four years, clerk three years, and its introductory preacher seven times. He died at his home in Carroll county about 1847.
LEWIS D. ALEXANDER was called to the care of Ghent church in 1837. He was probably the most popular and suc- cessful preacher that ever lived within the limits of Concord Association. If cloquence consists in that quality of speaking which most moves the masses towards the purpose of the ora- tor, Lewis Alexander was eloquent in an extraordinary degree. Yet it would be difficult for a critic to determine what his elo. quence consisted in. He was ignorant of the first principles of grammar, and his English was decidedly bad. He seldom, or never, seemed impassioned in his address. He was a close, lifelong student of two books. He studied the Bible without the knowledge of rules of composition or interpretation; but he turned the silken leaves of the human heart with a delicacy that disclosed to his quick comprehension its inmost secrets. When he came before an audience, he applied the teachings
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of the Bible to the wants of the people in a manner so simple that all understood and felt what he said. Even the educated forgot the rudeness of his language, and were thrillingly inter- ested in what he taught.
Mr. Alexander was born in Wilkes county, N. C., Sept. 17, 1799. In the fall of 1803, he was brought by his father, Travis Alexander, to Scott county, Kentucky. Here he was brought up by pious Baptist parents. He was strictly moral from his childhood, but did not profess conversion, till 1823. In September of that year, he was baptized, with his wife, by Jas. Suggett, into the fellowship of Stamping Ground church in Scott county. He was licensed to exercise a gift by that church, which he did, but only in public prayer and exhortation. In January, 1835, he moved to Owen county, and in March fol- lowing, united with New Liberty church. In October of the same year, this church licensed him to preach, and, in July, 1836, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, by Cor- nelius Duval, A. Suter, Wm. Morgan, John Scott, James D. Black, Mareen Duval, and Rockwood Giddings. The following year, he accepted a call to Ghent church, and served in this ca- pacity 12 years. At this time, that church numbered 46 mem- bers ; when he resigned, it numbered 169, having received by baptism, 163. In 1838, he was called to New Liberty church, of which he was a member. He preached to this church, one Sunday in the month, 24 years, during which 862 were bap- tized into its fellowship. Besides the two already named, he preached at different times to Whites Run, Emmaus, Cane Run, Salem, Owenton, Dallasburg, Carrollton, and Poplar Grove churches.
Mr. Alexander was 37 years old when he was ordained, and preached 26 years. His success was remarkable, from first to last. He died at his home in Owen county, December 20, 1862.
WILLIAM JOHNSON was pastor of Ghent church a number of years. He was a man of good attainments, was an eloquent and attractive speaker, and was much loved for his deep toned and constant piety. But he was peculiarly defective in his social powers. His preaching, like that of the gifted David E. Burns, was pleasing and attractive, rather than effective. He enjoyed but a moderate degree of success in his ministry. He came m
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from Missouri to Ghent, and, after remaining there a number of years, returned to that State again. If he is living, he is quite an old man now. It is regretted that more particulars of his life are not at hand.
CORN CREEK church is located in Trimble county, some eight or nine miles north of Bedford, the county seat. It takes its name from a small stream which flows not far from it. It was gathered by the famous old pioneer, John Taylor, and was constituted of about 20 members, in the fall of 1800. It united with Salem Association the following year. There were about fifty families [in this isolated settlement, when Mr. Taylor moved to it, in 1802. But after this, it filled up pretty rapidly, and the little church grew to a membership of 65, within less than three years. In 1803, it entered into the constitution of Long Run Association, and in 1826, went into the constitution of Sulphur Fork Association, to which it reported, the following year, 125 members. Of this fraternity, it remains a member till the present time.
From the peculiar teaching of John Taylor, on the sub- ject, Corn Creek church had no pastor, for at least 27 years from its constitution, but was ministered to, by whatever preacher, or preachers, happened to be of its membership. John Taylor was its principal preacher, from its constitution, till 1815. Philemon Vawter, George Kendal and William Buckley, also labored among its members during its history. The church dis- approved of Freemasonry, and had a good deal of confusion on that subject.
From the time this church entered into Sulphur Fork As- sociation, till. 1864, it was one of the most prosperous in that fraternity. At the latter date, it numbered 333 members. But, in 1865, the colored members separated from it, and a number of its most efficient white members were dismissed to go into the constitution of Locust church in Carroll county. Since that period, the old church appears to have withered. In 1879, it numbered 98 members.
PHILEMON VAWTER was early a preacher in this church. He was born in Orange, or Culpeper county, Va., about 1765. After he grew up and married, he moved to the Holston Valley, where he was baptized by a Mr. Kelley. From this place, he moved to Woodford county, Kentucky, and became a member
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of Clear Creek church. After remaining here several years, he moved to what is now Boone county, and united with Bullitts- burg church, in 1795. Two years after this, he was ordained a deacon, in this church, and, in June, 1800, was licensed to preach. During the great revival that commenced about this time, he was a zealous and active laborer in the Master's vine- yard. In 1804, he moved to Trimble county, and united with Corn Creek church. He was ordained to the ministry, probably in the autumn of the same year. He labored acceptably in the ministry, in Trimble county, about five years. After this, he moved to Indiana, where he died, about 1815. His preaching gifts were moderate, but he was well versed in the scriptures, and was eminent in piety, and devotion to the cause of Christ. He was much beloved by the people, and exerted all his in- fluence for good.
JESSE VAWTER had no direct connection with Corn Creek church. He was a brother of the pious and beloved Philemon Vawter, and . was some seven years his senior. He was licensed to exercise his gift by North Fork church in Franklin county, Kentucky, as early as 1803. Soon after this, he was ordained, and became pastor of that church. He joined the Baptists in Virginia, in his youth, probably twenty years before he began to preach. After preaching a short time at North Fork, he moved to Indiana, and settled near Madison, about 1810. Here he became pastor of the church at Madison. Like his brother Philemon, he was greatly beloved, and exercised an ex- traordinary influence. He was a good preacher, an easy, fluent speaker, and an excellent singer. He was a number of years moderator of Silver Creek Association. He lived to a good old age.
JOHN VAWTER was early a member of Long Lick church, in Scott county, Ky. He also moved to Indiana, and settled at Vernon. He became pastor of the church at that place, prob- ably as early as 1815. He was an excellent and honored citizen but too much engrossed with the world to be of much value as a preacher. The stoical Theodrick Boulware says of him: "He was as a man worthy, but as a preacher was not worth one cent. He was postmaster, colonel, marshall of the State, and an or- dained minister."
WILLIAM BUCKLEY became the principal preacher in Corn
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Creek church, after John Taylor left it. He was raised up to the ministry in Glens Creek church, in Woodford county, where he was licensed as early as 1805, and was ordained within the next two years. About 1816, he moved to Trimble county, and became a member of Corn Creek church. He also preached to two or three other churches in the same region. He possessed good, effective preaching gifts, and a great revival broke out un- der his ministry. During the years 1818-19, he baptized 135 persons at Corn Creek. But, not withstanding his great success, he soon became unpopular. About 1820, he moved to Living- ston county, and united with Union church. Again, after a few years, he moved to Caldwell county, and joined Old Eddy Grove church. He was for a time quite popular in Little River Asso- ciation, of which he was moderator from 1821 to 1828. He was elected to the same position again in 1833. As a preacher Mr. Buckley gave much satisfaction to his hearers. But as a man he was indolent and improvident, and consequently always very poor. Supplying the necessities of such a man, as the brethren had to supply those of Mr. Buckley, is always an aggravation, even to the most liberal. This speedily rendered him unpopu- !ar and involved the necessity of his moving from place to place, even to his old age. He was finally silenced from preaching for drunkenness.
GEORGE KENDALL was the successor of Mr. Buckley, at Corn Creek. He was raised up to the ministry in that church, and, it is believed, spent his life in its immediate neighborhood. He exercised many years, as a licentiate, refusing to be or- dained. He, however, submitted to ordination about 1827, and served the church as preacher, a number of years. He was an humble, good man, and was very well versed in the sacred scriptures, but his preaching gifts were feeble.
ARCHER SMITH was the next preacher that served Corn Creek church, and was probably the most efficient minister that has labored among that people since John Taylor left them. His education was limited and his preaching gift was barely up to mediocrity. But his gift in exhortation was very superior, and his zeal and industry in his holy calling, were probably never surpassed in Kentucky.
Archer Smith was the son of William Smith, a shoemaker, and small farmer, and native of Georgia. His mother was a sis-
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ter of Deacon Travis Alexander, of Stamping ground church, Scott county, Kentucky. He was consequently a first cousin of the famous Lewis D. Alexander of Owen county. He was born in Union District, South Carolina, January 25, 1796, and came with his parents to Scott county, Kentucky, in 1805. Here he was raised up to hard labor on a farm. In his boyhood he was barely taught to read and write. But after he grew up, he labored for means with which to prosecute his studies, and at- tended a common school about two years, but did not advance far enough to commence the study of English grammar.
His parents were irreligious, but while attending school, he lived with his uncle Travis Alexander, who and his wife, were pious Baptists. During this period, he attended religious worship at what is now Stamping Ground church. Under the preaching of Theodrick Boulware and William Hickman, he became deeply interested on the subject of religion. "For sev- eral months," said he, "I was in deep concern about my soul. I often tried to pray in secret, but feared a holy God would not hear me." On returning with his uncle and aunt from meet- ing, on one occasion, Mr. Hickman being in the company, asked who Mr. Smith was, and, if he was religious. Mr. Alexander replied that he did not know that he was, but thought he de- sired to be. Mr. Hickman immediately fell back and com- menced a conversation with him. "Young man," began Mr. Hickman, "sometime ago, I had a conversation with a young woman. I told her, if she would agree to pray for herself every day for a week, I would try to pray for her. She consented, and afterward became a Baptist. Now, I am willing to make the same bargain with you." Mr. Smith consented and carried out the contract, with much trepidation and embarrassment; for during that week, he was working with several very wicked young men.
He continued some weeks after that in great trouble. "One night," says he, "I was lying in bed, praying, till a late hour. At last, I suppose I fell into a doze of sleep. There appeared to me in the East, about where the sun would be at ten o'clock, a great multitude of bright beings, more lovely and beautiful than anything I had ever conceived. In the midst of them was Jesus Christ, far more lovely than the rest. I awoke, shouting and praising God. I felt the love of God fill
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my soul as sensibly as I feel a drink of cold water when I am thirsty. My burden of guilt and sorrow was all gone, and I felt light and full of joy and peace." This was about the year 1817. Mr. Smith soon fell into doubts as to the genuineness of his conversion, and did not at that time, unite with the church.
In January, 1818, he moved to Owen county, and on the 13th of August of that year, was married to Cynthia, daugh- ter of Hugh Conway. On the Ist Sunday of September fol- lowing, he was baptized into the fellowship of Twins church, by John Scott. He remained a private member of the church, till 1827, when he was chosen a deacon. During the year 1830, he exhorted in prayer meeting in his neighborhood. These prayer meetings resulted in thirty additions to Emmaus church, and several to Twins. In October, 1831, he was licensed to ex- ercise his gift.
Lewis D. Alexander who had also been exercising in the prayer meeting, was licensed sometime afterward. The labors of the two young preachers were inseparable from this time till 1838. In July 1836, they were both ordained to the min- istry, at the same time. They labored together with great zeal, and their labors were much blest.
In 1837 more than thirty were baptized at New Liberty, under their ministry, and the next year, seventy-two were bap- tized.
In March, 1839, Mr. Smith moved to Jefferson county, Indiana, and settled near a little village called Canaan. There was great destitution of preachers in that region, and he soon became monthly supply for six churches. He gave himself wholly to the work of the ministry with great zeal and energy, preaching, not only to the six churches of which he was pastor, but also in private residences, school houses, and groves. He labored in this field, about eight years. During this period, he constituted five churches-Mt. Zion, Rykers Ridge, Milton, Union, and Macedonia, and baptized about 650 persons, among whom were Joshua Griffith, Robert Stevenson, A. Pavy, Smith Wingate, Samuel Locke, and Isaac Semple who became Bap- tist preachers. Meanwhile, he had been so poorly sustained, that he had expended $3,000 more than his income, and was reduced to poverty.
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In 1847, Mr. Smith moved back to Kentucky, settled near LaGrange, in Oldham county, and gave his membership to Harrods Creek church, of which he soon afterwards became pastor. He was also called to the churches at Eighteen Mile in Oldham, and Sligo in Henry, retaining the care of Corn Creek church, to which he had been called two years before. He continued to give himself wholly to the work of the minis- try. But the churches were more liberal here, and his family was soon above want. In 1849, he moved to Carroll county, and became pastor of Whites Run, Sharon, Carrollton, and Cane Run churches-the latter in Henry, the others in Car- roll county. He also labored as missionary of Concord Asso- ciation, two years and two months. During this period, he delivered 388 sermons and exhortations, and baptized between 400 and 500 persons. Around Muscle Shoals on Eagle creek, in Owen county, he held several meetings, with remarkable success. At one time, he preached nine days under the shade of a large oak, and one day in the meeting house, and received 37 members. He preached four days in a school house, and baptized 26. Subsequently, he held two meetings in the same neighborhood, and received 75 members.
In 1853, he bought a farm, near Corn Creek church in Trimble county, where he made his home the remainder of his days on earth. The same year, he took charge of four churches, but, next year, gave them all up, and accepted the position of missionary in the bounds of Sulphur Fork Association. In this work, he labored two years, when he again went into the pastoral office. But whatever may have been his nominal posi- tion, he was always a missionary, from the time he was licensed to preach, till the Lord called him to his reward.
When the civil war broke out, in 1861, both of his sons en- tered the southern army. This involved him in much trouble. He was four times arrested, and three times thrust into prison. Here he contracted rheumatism, which maimed him for the re- mainder of his life. He was hindered from preaching, as much as a year, during the war, which was a great grievance to him. But as soon as he sufficiently recovered, he again entered the field of labor for his Master.
In 1868, his wife died suddenly. Coming home from a night meeting at Old Corn Creek, where she had much enjoyed the
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services, and had been actively engaged in comforting and en- couraging the mourners, she prepared supper, and sat down to the table with her family and several guests. As she passed out a cup of coffee, with a sudden spasmodic movement, she threw it over her shoulder, fell backwards, and expired in a few moments. Within an hour after she left the altar of prayer, on earth, her spirit took its flight to the altar of praise in heaven.
On the death of his wife, Mr. Smith left his home in charge of one of his sons, went to Owen county, took charge of two churches, and engaged to labor six months in the mission field. During this period, he delivered 325 sermons and exhortations, and received 134 persons for baptism. After this, he took charge of two additional churches. In 1870, he summed up his labors, at the request of a younger preacher, with the fol- lowing results : During a period of 20 years, he had averaged over a sermon a day. He had baptized over 2,000 persons, and had traveled over 50,000 miles on horseback. He raised nine daughters and two sons, all of whom he baptized with his own hands.
About 1871, Mr. Smith married his second wife. He con- tinued to labor with unabated zeal, till near the close of his earthly life. He died at his home in Trimble county, after a short illness, January 5, 1873. " They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever."
EIGHTEEN MILE church is located in Oldham county, some four miles north of LaGrange. It was gathered by the famous pioneer of that region, William Kellar, and was constituted by William Kellar, Ambrose Dudley and William Payne, September 12, 1800. Mr. Kellar was chosen its pastor, and served in that capacity till his death, which occurred, November 6, 1817. This church united with Salem Association the same year it was constituted, and re- mained in that fraternity till 1803, when it entered into the con- stitution of Long Run Association., with a membership of 82. From this time, till the death of its pastor, in 1817, its growth was slow. At that period, it numbered 110 members. But the following year, under the pastorship of William Buckley, it received 40 by baptism, and its membership was increased
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to 149. In 1829, another revival visited the church, under the ministry of John A. McGuire, and 48 were baptized increasing the membership to 193. In 1833, the church withdrew from Long Run Association, and united with Sulphur Fork, of which it is still a member. It enjoyed a revival, in 1843, under the pastorship of D. N. Porter, when 88 were baptized, giving the church a membership of 221. The next revival in this church, was under the ministry of J. S. Dawson, in 1852, at which time 61 were baptized. From its constitution, to 1854, it received by baptism, 429, and from that time to the present, it has enjoyed almost uninterrupted prosperity. It has, during its entire history, been an orderly and influential body. In 1879, it numbered 154 members, and had the venerable E. G. Berry for its pastor. W. W. Foree is its present pastor. Of William Kellar, William Buckley, Joel Hulsey and Archer Smith, pastors of this church, skethces have been given in other connections.
JOHN A. McGUIRE was among the most efficient pastors of Eighteen Mile church. He was a son of the famous pioneer preacher of Henry county, Alan McGuire, and consequently was of Irish extraction. He was born in Henry county, Ken- tucky, about the year 1800. He received but a limited Eng- lish education. He was awakened on the subject of religion, at the age of about ten years, by the pious conversation of his parents, and was soon afterwards baptized by his father, into the fellowship of East Fork church, in his native county. By this church, he was licensed to exercise his gift, in 1817. Two years later, he took a letter and joined Sulphur Fork church in the same county. Here he was ordained to the ministry in March, 1827, after having exercised as a licensed preacher, ten years. The following year, a great revival occurred under his ministry and that of J. W. Thomas, and 167 persons were bap- tized into the fellowship of Sulphur Fork church. He soon afterwards became pastor of this church. He was also called to Eighteen Mile church.
On the 2d Friday in June, 1829, Hillsboro' church, in Hen- ry county was constituted of six members, by J. W. Thomas, Abraham Bohannon, Isaiah Cornelius, and John A. McGuire. Of this church Mr. McGuire became pastor immediately after its constitution, and served it till 1845. He afterward served
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this church, from 1850, to 1852. When he left it, it number- ed 144 members. Soon after this, W. W. Foree, who was raised up to the ministry in it, took pastoral charge of it, and it has since been one of the best disciplined and most orderly and influential churches in Sulphur Fork Association. J. M. Eaton has recently been ordained to the ministry, in Hillsboro church, and gives promise of usefulness in the Master's vineyard.
Mr. McGuire was, doubtless, pastor of other churches, at different periods. He was a man of active enterprise in the ministry, and was a very successful and valuable preacher in his association. He was a leader in its missionary operations, and a courageous defender of its liberal policy. He was twice ar- raigned before Sulphur Fork church, "for his conduct in regard to the missionary system," i. e. for encouraging systematic missionary operations. A majority of his church sustained his course in both cases, but the dissatisfaction of the minority led to a rupture in the association, in 1840, and Mt. Pleasant Association of Anti-missionary Baptists wss formed of the minority.
In 1845, Mr. McGuire went to Louisiana, and remained two or three years. He then returned to Kentucky, and la- bored in his old field, till 1852, when he removed to Monroe, Louisiana, and became pastor of the church in that village. He was doubtless useful, in some degree, in his new field of labor, but in no degree approximating his usefulness in Kentucky. It is always a hazardous experiment for a preacher that has been continuously successful in one field of labor, to move to another field where he is unknown, after he passes middle life. In most cases he will find his usefulness much diminished, and he is likely to become discouraged and restless, and in many cases, he spends the evening of his life unhappily.
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