USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 50
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5th. That the saints will finally persevere through grace to glory.
6th. That believers' baptism by immersion is necessary to receiving the Lord's supper.
7th. That the salvation of the righteous and punishment of the wicked will be eternal.
8th. That it is our duty to be tender and affectionate to each other, and study the happiness of the children of God in general ; to be engaged singly to promote the honor of God.
9th. And that the preaching Christ tasted death for every man, shall be no bar to communion.
Ioth. And that each may keep up their associational and church government as to them may seem best.
IIth. That a free correspondence and communion be kept up between the churches thus united.
Unanimously agreed to by the joint committee :
Ambrose Dudley, Robert Elkin,
John Price, Thos. J. Chilton,
Joseph Redding, Daniel Ramey,
David Barrow, Moses Bledsoe,
Samuel Johnson.
Now ensued the golden age of the Kentucky Baptists. their divisions had been healed. Universal harmony prevailed
pa Ga bu vai zea pam Bes chu 180: Grea wick Barro Carte Indian of Eas ity. ( from t membe were p
a ye ser
P h
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Socinianism.
among them, and they were in the midst of the most powerful and extensive revival of religion that had ever been witnessed by them or their fathers. On account of its extensive territory, South Kentucky Association had, in 1801, divided into two nearly equal fraternities, which took the names of North Dis- trict and South District. By this means, the name "South Kentucky Association " was buried. The distinguishing appel- latives, "Regular " and "Separate" were dropped, and all the Baptists in Kentucky took the name United Baptists.
In 1802 and in 1803, all the churches and associations in the State were in full correspondence. But during the latter year, it was made manifest that "the leaven of malice and wicked- ness" had been working secretly in two of the associations. James Garrard, who had been an active and popular politician in Virginia, was one of the early settlers in Kentucky. Here he was ordained to the ministry and became a prominent preacher in Elkhorn Association. In 1796, and again in 1800, he was elected governor. Harry Toulmin, an Englishman and a Socinian preacher, was Secretary of State during the eight years of Garrard's administration. Garrard adopted his religious sentiments, and was speedily followed by Augustine Eastin, pastor of Cooper's Run church, in Bourbon county, of which Garrard was a member. Eastin was a preacher of some talent, but "was never any credit to the cause of truth." He was vain, and aspired to imitate distinguished men. He became a zealot for Governor Garrard's religious tenets, and wrote a pamphlet to prove that Jesus Christ was inferior to the Father. Besides Coopers Run, Eastin was pastor of three other small churches, all of which became infected by his heresy. In April, 1803, Elkhorn Association held "an occasional meeting " at Great Crossing, to consider how to wrestle with this spiritual wickedness in high places. A committee, consisting of David Barrow, John Price, Ambrose Dudley, Joseph Redding and Carter Tarrant, was appointed to visit Cooper's Run, Flat Lick, Indian Creek and Union churches-all under the pastoral care of Eastin-to convince them of error on the subject of the Trin- ity. Coopers Run could not be reclaimed, and was dropped from the association at its annual meeting in August. Those members in the other churches, who could not be reclaimed, were promptly excluded by their respective churches. The
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
association appended to its minutes a pointed circular on the subject, and David Barrow soon afterwards published an able pamphlet on the doctrine of the Trinity. Thus was the Soci- nian or Arian affair promptly nipped in the bud, and speedily perished, with the loss, to the Baptists, of a governor, a preacher, a church, and a few private members. The gale soon blew over, and little other harm was done.
The trouble within the bounds of South District Association proved more serious. Its origin was with William Bledsoe and John Bailey, both preachers of superior ta'ents. Bailey appears to have been a conscientious man, and his morals were unim- peachable to the end of his life. Bledsoe, it is feared, was unscrupulous. It will be remembered that he was the preacher who brought an egg to Gilbert's Creek meeting house during a revival in 1792, and read from it: "The day of God's awful judgment is at hand." About a year after this, Bledsoe became a universalist, then a deist, and finally died a reckless horse racer. Bailey became a universalist also, or, as it was termed, a Hell- Redemptionist or Restorationist about the same time.
In 1791, South Kentucky Association, by what the Regular Baptists would have regarded an unwarrantable usurpation of power, excluded John Bailey from the ministry, and from membership. Others were excluded for the same heresy. In 1799, the Association advised the churches to restore these per- sons to their former standing, without inquiring into their private sentiments, provided their morals were good. The advice was repeated, in 1801. Acting upon this counsel, the church at Rush Branch restored Mr. Bailey to his former standing as a member and minister. South Kentucky Association, being di- vided into two similar fraternities, and the terms of general un- ion being adopted, the name, Separate Baptists, became ex- tinct. Mr. Bailey and his church were included in that divi- sion of the old fraternity, which had taken the name of South District. The old Association, though frequently applied to had refused to admit Tates Creek Association to correspond- ence.
South District Association held its first meeting at Salt River church, in 1802. With the other associations, Tates Creek made application for correspondence. Two of the churches had petitioned the Association to admit the corre
revi tion Ben Stoc Rive Sout South
re D th W of ue tin tri nit As con
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Increase of Churches.
spondence. A heated debate ensued, and the correspondence was admitted by a vote of 27 to 26. It was manifest that a strong party was opposed to admitting Tates Creek into the general union. It was soon manifested, that the same party, led by Thomas J. Chilton, were the adherents of John Bailey. It was alleged that the correspondence had been admitted by the casting of three illegal votes. However, the minority sub- mitted for the present, determining to rally all their forces the next year. In 1803, the association met at McCormacks meet- ing-house in Lincoln county. When the corresponding letter from Tates Creek Association was presented, objections were made to its reception. The subject was postponed till Mon- day, when it came up, in order, and after an excited debate, the letter was rejected. Jeremiah Vardeman and John Rice withdrew from the house, followed by a minority of the mem- bers, and organized for business, as an association. After their withdrawal, the corresponding members from Elkhorn ob- jected to John Bailey's having a seat in the body. A vote was taken on the objection, and Mr. Bailey was sustained, by a large majority.
The two parties continued, and closed up their business in regular order, each claiming the name and prerogatives of South District Association. The next year, all the associations in the State admitted the Vardeman party to correspondence, while, with equal unanimity, they rejected the correspondence of the Chilton party. Thus endorsed, the former has contin- ued in good standing with the denomination, to the present time. The latter met, two years, under the name of South Dis- trict Association of Separate Baptists; but, despairing of recog- nition, in 1806, they assumed the name of South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists. Under this name, they have continued to the present time.
The great increase in the number of churches, during the revival, made it necessary to increase the number of associa- tions. Long Run was formed, in 1803, from Salem. North Bend was formed, the same year, from Elkhorn. In 1804, Stocktons Valley and Russells Creek were set off from Green River. It has already been noticed that North District and South District Associations originated from a division of Old South Kentucky, and held their first sessions, in 1802, and
ates the orre
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2 1
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
that the present South Kentucky Association of Separate Bap- tists, originated from a revolution in South District, the follow- ing year. A small Association, called Union, was formed in the Southwestern portion of the State, in 1806, which, how- ever, was soon afterwards dissolved. Cumberland River Asso- ciation was formed from Tates Creek, in 1809.
In 1810, Licking Association was formed of several churches, and parts of churches, which broke off from Elkhorn Associa- tion, on account of dissatisfaction with the proceedings of that body. The circumstances that led to this result, were most unhappy, not only causing much bickering and heart-burning, among the Baptists throughout the territory of Elkhorn Asso- ciation, and far beyond its borders, but also retarding the prog- ress of religion, and encouraging strife and infidelity.
The circumstances appear to have been about these : Not far from the year 1805, Jacob Creath, Sen., and Thomas Lewis, the former a member and the pastor, and the latter a member of Town Fork church, near Lexington, made an ex- change of two servant girls, Creath giving his note to Lewis for the difference in the value of the slaves. Soon after the transac- tion, the girl Creath had bartered for, died, and he refused to pay the note given to Lewis. The matter was brought before the church for adjustment. Creath was probably, at that time, "the first orator in the Kentucky pulpit." Lewis was a man of eminent respectability and considerable wealth. The decision
rendered by the church, according to the recollection of Elder Thomas P. Dudley, was, that, "inasmuch as Brother Lewis is rich, and Brother Creath poor, the latter shall be excused from paying the note." This appeared, to many, an outrage upon justice. Elijah Craig, an eminently useful minister in former years, but now grown wealthy and much immersed in business, published a very bitter pamphlet, titled, " A Portrait of Jacob Creath." In this publication, fourteen charges were specified against Mr. Creath, some of them of a very grave, and others, of a frivolous character. Town Fork church called a council, from sixteen churches, to investigate these charges. Forty- two delegates assembled, in July, 1807. After an investigation of four days' continuance, the council unanimously acquitted Mr. Creath of all the charges. This decision gave much dissatisfac- tion to many of the churches, and a number of the most prom-
55I
Licking Association.
inent ministers in Elkhorn Association. Much excitement pre- vailed. Joseph Redding alleged three charges against Mr. Creath. These were taken up by the church; one of them was withdrawn by the prosecutor, and Mr. Creath was acquitted of the other two. In 1808, the church at Bryants brought threc charges against Town Fork church, for disorder, before the As- sociation, while in session at Silas. The Association acquitted the church of all the charges. This dicision again caused disap- pointment and bitter mortification. At the next meeting of the Association, at South Elkhorn, in 1809, there were no mes- sengers from the churches at Bryants, Boones Creek, East Hickman, Elk Lick, Ravens Creek, Mountain Island, Silas, Rock Bridge, Mill Creek and Flat Creek. This showed that a large and influential minority of the Association was grievously offended. The following extract from the minutes of the pro- ceedings of Bryants church, in February, 1810, exhibits still more forcibly the bitterness felt by the mal-contents : "Re- ceived a letter signed by a number of our brethren who have thought it would be most for the glory of God, and for the peace and happiness of society, under our present distress, to call a meeting on the first Tuesday in March, to meet at the Forks of Elkhorn, in order to dissolve Elkhorn Association, which was agreed to. And brethren Ambrose Dudley and Leonard Young are chosen to attend the said meeting, and let the brethren know that we chose to meet at what they call the New Elkhorn Association, at Bryants."
The meaning of this remarkable proceeding is: That a minority of Elkhorn Association proposed to meet and dissolve that body, without consulting the majority, and then meet again, and reconstitute it, according to their own plans. The nearest that they could come to finding a precedent for this ab- surd proceeding was in the case of Mero District Association in Middle Tennessee. This body, at its regular meeting, in 1803, was dissolved by an overwhelming majority, and reconstituted under the name of Cumberland Association, leaving out Joseph Dorris and the churches of which he was pastor. But in the case under consideration, a minority convened by a circular let- ter, proposed to dissolve Elkhorn Association, and to reconsti- tute it, at another " called meeting," under the same style, ap- parently for no other purpose than that of leaving out Jacob
-
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Creath and those who failed to adjudge him guilty of the mis- demeanors laid to his charge.
The circular letter, signed by seven ministers, invited the churches to meet, by messengers, at Bryants, on the second Saturday in August, 1810, the same day that the real Elkhorn Association was to meet at Clear Creek in Woodford county, "saying that if only a few from a church met them, they (the ministers who had signed the circular) would consider them the Elkhorn Association."* The old Association and the factious minority met at the same time, and both organized under the style of Elkhorn Association. The majority sent overtures to the minority, pleading for reunion and forgetfulness of all the unpleasant strifes of the past. The minority replied curtly : " You are in possession of our difficulties, until they are re- moved, we remain a distressed and grieved people." They, how- ever, agreed to take the name of Licking Association. They also expressed their conviction that it was best for the two bodies to remain separate. Thus was all hope of a reunion cut off for the present. t
"These measures were peculiarly distressing to the friends of Zion throughout an extensive circle. The ministers who promoted them were John Price, Ambrose Dudley, Joseph Redding, Lewis Corbin, Absalom Bainbridge, and some others whose influence was not so great. These ministers were among the oldest and most respectable of the State. They had long borne the burthen and heat of the day, and their names were everywhere mentioned with respect. Considering their age and experience, none could suppose they would contend for trifles, and yet it was difficult for any to discover sufficient rea- son for their dividing measures. The most active among them was John Price, a man of unpleasant temper, of great asperity of manners, and whose zeal on all occasions, has partaken too much of the nature of party spirit. Mr. Creath, against whom their united efforts were directed, is in the meridian of life, of popular talents, but not the most amiable in his manners, nor
18
*Records of the [Missionary ] church at Bryants.
tFor full particulars of this most distressing affair, the reader is re- ferred to Dr. Fishback's Defence of Elkhorn Association. Minutes of Elk- horn and Licking Associations, and Benedicts History of the Baptists, vol. 2.
Lic
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Revival of Infidelity.
concilitating in his address. He evidently, in many cases, dis- played to much of the air of triumph towards his aggrieved brethren."*
It can hardly be a matter of astonishment that a spiritual dearth soon afflicted the land. The Presbyterians were in a quar- rel, from the beginning of the revival, as to the manner of con- ducting public worship, then were rent in twain by the Newlight and Shaker schism, and were now in a bitter strife with the Cum- berland Presbyterian schism. The Methodists were wild with overwrought zeal, untempered with knowledge, which disgusted the more intelligent and influential classes of society. And with less excuse and a more trivial pretext, the Baptists of the oldest and largest association in the State were in a bitter, per- sistent quarrel over their personal differences. True, this latter reproach on a holy and peaceful religion was local, and directly affected only one association out of fifteen. But this was in the center of the State, among the oldest settlements, and where society, in the new country, was most advanced.
Infidelity, which had been so much confounded during the great revival as to be almost silenced, for the time, began to vaunt itself again. Infidel clubs were formed in most of the villages in Northern Kentucky. Infidelity became fashionable, and such men as aspired to be regarded literary, not only among the lawyers, doctors and office holders, but also among the more aspiring class of mechanics, merchants and shop keepers, united with these clubs. The late Rev. William Vaughan, D. D., then a tailor, was a member of an infidel club in 1809, at Win- chester, where he was converted to christianity the following Religious interest was at a lower ebb than in the dark period that preceded the great revival. In 1808, in Elkhorn Association, only nine persons were baptized, and, in eight ssociations, the statistics of which are before us, only twenty- wo were baptized during the year. This was the gloomiest year of the present century among the Baptists of Kentucky. The next year was but little better. But towards the close of 810, some light showers began to relieve the thirsty land, and
*For full particulars of this most distressing affair, the reader is referred Dr. Fishback's defense of Elkhorn Association, Minutes of Elkhorn and icking Associations, and Benedict's History of the Baptists, vol. 2. +His. ap., vol. 2, p. 234. 36°
is re- [ Elk- ptists
year. ea- em rity too hom e, of nor
0 h rs ng ng re age for
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
more fruitful seasons followed, to which more attention will be given in another place.
The Baptists, though, without a known exception in that period, missionary in sentiment, did little to send the gospel abroad during the decade following the beginning of the great revival. They did something in preaching the tidings of salva- tion to the Indians, as before shown. But as the revival spirit subsided, they seem to have lost sight of this work for the time. Many of their ministers were very active in preaching the gos- pel in new settlements in their own and the surrounding terri- tory, as they filled up with people from the older States, and thereby laid a good foundation for future prosperity. Many small churches were gathered on the frontiers, which afterwards became strong and efficient bodies, and aided in peopling the great West with swarms of Baptists. And, withal, it is proba ble that the Baptists in Kentucky were doing as much for the spread of the gospel, in 1810, in proportion to their resources as they are at the present time. We shall see what progres they made in increasing their numbers, up to the last name date, in due time. But as we have the means of ascertainin the strength of the other leading denominations of christians : that period, we will now devote a chapter to giving a brief ou line of their early history in Kentucky.
p1 Bu at Ric COL sign that soon The ered a
1785,1
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*Hickm ¡His. Pre
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CHAPTER XXX.
EARLY HISTORY OF OTHER SECTS THAN BAPTISTS-STATISTICS.
"The Baptists were the pioneers in Kentucky," but the Presbyterians followed hard after them. Indeed, it is by no means certain that there were not Presbyterians in the new country, as early as there were Baptists. It is certain that William Hickman met his old friend, "Mr. Morton, a good pious Presbyterian," at Harrodsburg, in the spring of 1776 .* But there was no preacher of that denomination in the country at so early a day. Having previously visited Kentucky, David Rice, in answer to a call, signed by 300 men, moved to the country, in 1783. That as many as three hundred men should sign a call for a Presbyterian minister to preach to them, proves that sect to have been numerous among the settlers. Mr. Rice soon gathered three congregations, to which he ministered. The next year, Adam Rankin, settled in Lexington, and gath- tred a congregation of which he became the pastor. In July, 785, twelve congregations were represented in a conference, held t Cane Run. Two preachers and two probationers were pres- nt. The probationers, James Crawford and Terah Templin, vere ordained the same year. In 1786, according to Dr. Da- idson:+ "The Presbyterians and Baptists had an equal num- er of congregations, viz., sixteen of each denomination. But he latter had greatly the advantage as regards preachers, boast- ig no fewer than thirty, while the Presbyterians could count nly seven. These two were, for some years, the only prom- ient sects in the country." This advantage the Baptists pos- 'ssed in the superior number of their preachers, was, doubt- ss from the fact that the Presbyterians would allow none of
*Hickman's Narrative p. 8.
+His. Pres., ch. pp. 84, 85.
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th ces res me ni ns ou
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
their members to preach without a classical education, while the Baptists permitted all to preach whom they deemed " called of God," though they understood not the simplest rules of English grammar. Had the Presbytertans adopted the same polity, it is not unlikely that they would have had equal, if not superior advantages, in this respect. They were wanting in these ad- vantages, simply because they were governed by a polity that would not allow of their use. This was amply proved by the action of the Cumberland Presbytery. When, by the advice of " Father Rice," this Presbytery inducted into the ministry pious men, who appeared to possess useful gifts, they soon had preachers enough, not only to supply their congregations, but also to send out many missionaries.
But if the Baptists had the advantage of the Presbyterians in one respect, the latter had decided advantages of them in sev- eral very important features. The Baptists had not one classic- ally educated minister in their whole rank in Kentucky. The aged David Thomas and John Gano had some advantage of ac- ademical instruction, but neither of them had ever matric- ulated at a college. All the others were illiterate men, and most of them were ignorant of the first principles of English grammar. On the other hand, all the Presbyterian preachers were classically educated, and trained in the schools of the- ology.
Humphrey Marshall, the author of the first history of Kentucky, delineates the advantages of the Presbyterians over those of the Baptists, after the following manner :
"The Presbyterians and Baptists composed a large pro- portion of the population. The first having ample claims to literature, the latter but little, either in possession, or expect- ancy, deeming learning unnecessary in expounding the Script- ures. The Presbyterians, in common with the Roman Cath- olics and Episcopalians, admit infants into their church.
"The Baptists, on the contrary, differ essentially, [from them] on these subjects. Their members must be of discreet years. Their own children are admitted into their church only upon condition of their making certain declarations of ex perienced religion, and of giving assurance of divine acceptance which but few educated people can, or will do. The result is that when a Baptist has educated his son for the higher occu
in se W M cisi not the joy was the with was o 1785. der th under its man t its he Kentuck
His
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Presbyterians.
pations in life, there are three chances to one, against his be- coming a member of his father's church. There are yet more chances against any other well educated man's becoming a member of the Baptist church in Kentucky. While the Pres- byterians receive children into their congregation, raise them up members, and educate them in their own faith and practice; for which reason they ever after remain in the same church. The consequences are not more obvious than important. Pres- byterians are found qualified for every department, civil, eccle- siastic, military, and forensic. They have, therefore, divines, lawyers, doctors, politicians, judges, governors, and legislators. Thus the [Presbyterian] society improves, ornaments and dig- nifies its members, who in their turn, reflect the honors and advantages of office on their society, promoting thus the tem- poral emolument of each, and of all. And thus also, 'they gain strength in high places, and make unto themselves friends of the mammon of this world.'"*
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