USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 66
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Especial efforts were made at this period, for the better supplying of the colored people with the preaching of the gos- pel. The slaves generally occupied the same houses of wor- ship with their masters, and enjoyed the same privileges of hear- ing the word and receiving the ordinances. But it was felt that these illiterate people needed especial religious teaching, better adapted to their capacity, than that ministered to their better educated masters. In some cases, wealthy farmers employed white preachers to minister to their slaves on Sabbath; some- times colored men would preach to their fellow slaves, and in other cases, pastors and missionaries would make special ap- pointments for their instruction. They received the word readily, and it is probable, that as large a proportion of them were church members, as of the white people, and many of them were devotedly pious.
A steady growth of the churches, during the decade under review, added to the Baptist denomination in Kentucky, an in- crease in numerical strength of about 20,000 members: So that there were in the State, in 1860, of Missionary Baptists, forty- four associations, 880 churches, and 84,403 members; of the Anti-missionary Baptists, twenty-six associations, 27 1 churches, and 10,356 members; making an aggregate of Baptists in the State, of 70 associations, 1, 151 churches, and 94,759 members. The population of the State was 1, 155,684. This gave, in round numbers, one Baptist to twelve of the population.
The Methodist Church in Kentucky, numbered fifteen dis- tricts, 173 circuits and stations, 183 preachers, and 56,815 mem- bers.
The Presbyterians in the State numbered about 10, 000 mem- bers.
The other religious sects of the State furnish no data for a reliable estimate of their numbers.
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CHAPTER XXXVIII.
EDUCATION-THE WAR AND ITS CONSEQUENCES - TRANSACTIONS OF THE DECADE ENDING WITH 1870.
The cause of religion, in the Baptist denomination in Ken- tucky, had seldom or never been more prosperous, in a healthy growth of its churches and benevolent institutions, than at the beginning of the year 1861. Nearly twenty years of almost uninterrupted prosperity in both temporal and spiritual affairs, had given the people the disposition and the means to promote the cause of Christian benevolence as they had never been able to do before. The cause of education had received especial at- tention. In 1848, just after the citizens of the commonwealth had voted to levy a tax of two cents on the one hundred dollars for common school purposes, the Baptist State Ministers Meet- ing, at their annual meeting, at Bowling Green, appointed John L. Waller, and J. M. Pendleton a "committee to report on the best plan for diffusing education in the State." The committee made the following report, which was adopted :
"WHEREAS, We consider the subject of education vastly important, involving as it does interests which are inferior only to those that are spiritual and eternal; and
WHEREAS, An overwhelming majority of the voters of the State have decided that two cents shall be levied on every hun- dred dollars worth of property for the promotion of the cause of common schools throughout the commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, It has been represented to this meeting that efforts have been made to establish sectarian schools [at the public expense] in many parts of the State, therefore
Resolved, That we feel and cherish a deep solicitude for the educational interests of the country.
Resolved, That the establishment and successful operation
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of the system of common schools would afford us the sincerest gratification.
Resolved, Further, that we heartily disapprove and con- demn the inculcation of sectarian peculiarities in schools, wheth- er Roman Catholic or Protestant, and that such a course is more inconsistent and inexcusable in Protestants than in Catholics, militating as it does, against the principles of Protestantism."
At the same period, the General Association of Kentucky Baptists,
Resolved, That this Association would be pleased to see good academies established at several important points in the State, especially in the southern part of the State."
These resolutions expressed the sentiment and feeling of the denomination, and were not fruitless. High schools were erected in the towns and villages, in different parts of the State so rapidly, that in 1855, the Executive Board of the General Association reported the following institutions, all in a flourish- ing condition: Bethel High School, located in Russellville, Georgetown Female College, Henry Female College, located at New Castle, Bethel Female College, at Hopkinsville, New Lib- erty Female College, Maysville Female College, Kentucky Fe- male College, at Shelbyville, Kentucky Female Institute, in Louisville, Eclectic Female High School, at Columbia, Glasgow Female High School and Lafayette Female College. Besides these, a number of the High Schools, both male and female located in different parts of the State were in a more or less flourishing condition. Most of these institutions were in a pros- perous condition, in 1861. During the war, they were generally suspended, and several of them were not revived after its close. Three of them, however, have continued to occupy the position of first-class schools to the present time, and demand a some- what more extended notice.
GEORGETOWN FEMALE SEMINARY is the oldest Baptist insti- tution of the kind in the State. It was established by Prof. J. E. Farnham, in-1845, and has been from the beginning, a school of high grade. It was under the principalship of Prof. Farnham from its establishment till 1865, when its commodious buildings were destroyed by fire. Prof. J. J. Rucker, then opened the school in his private residence, and gave it personal superintend- ence until he secured the services of Rev. J. B. Tharp to fill the
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Jonathan Everett Farnham.
position a brief period. In 1869, new buildings having been erected for the use of the Seminary, Prof. Rucker was again elected its principal and has occupied the position to the pres- ent time. Under his management, as well as that of Prof. Farn- ham, the school has been one of the most popular, and best pat- ronized female seminaries in the State.
JONATHAN EVERETT FARNHAM, the founder and, for twenty7 years, the Principal of Georgetown Female Seminary, was born in Massachusetts, Aug. 12, 1809. He graduated with the de- gree of A. B. at Colby University, in 1833. He filled the po- sition of tutor in the University two years. He then studied law three years at Providence, Rhode Island. Coming West, he stopped a short time in Cincinnati. In 1838, he was elected Professor of Physical Science in Georgetown College, and has continued to fill that Chair to the present time, a period of more than 44 years. In early life he professed the religion of Jesus and united with the Baptists. He has been a faithful and hon- ored church member, and has been closely identified with all the leading interests of the Baptist denomination in Kentucky, more than forty years. Being somewhat more latitudinarian in his views of church polity, than the generality of Southern Baptists, he has been led into some news-paper controversies on that sub- ject. He has generally written over the nom de plume of "Layman," by which signature he is known to the Baptists of Kentucky as a writer of no mean ability. But the strength of his abilities has been devoted to his profession. He is a man of profound and varied learning, and well deserves the title of LL. D., with which he is honored.
JAMES JEFFERSON RUCKER, a native of Randolph county Missouri, and son of Thornton Rucker, a pioneer Baptist preacher of that region, was born Jan. 27, 1828. He was raised up on his father's farm, with meager opportunities of acquiring the simplest rudiments of a common school education. At the age of nineteen, he entered a country school. From this period till the Spring of 1852, he spent his time in attending different schools, and in teaching. At the last named date, he came to Kentucky and entered Georgetown College, where he graduated with the degree of A. B., and with the honors of his class, in 1854. He then taught school in Bourbon county, till the fall of 1855, when he was chosen Principal of the Academy connected
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with Georgetown College. A vacancy occurring in the Chair of Mathematics, he was selected to fill that Chair in the College, in November, 1855. He was formally elected to that position the following June, and has continued to fill it to the present time. He has been one of the most active and efficient members of the faculty.
During the session of the Kentucky Legislature, of 1875-6, he procured, from that body, a charter for the Students' Asso- ciation of Georgetown College, the object of which was to take charge of, and increase a fund of $15,000, which he, with the aid of Prof. Dudley (now President Dudley) had raised for the purpose of endowing a chair in the College, exclusively with funds contributed by the former students. The Association is progressing with the work, and it is hoped the chair will speed- ily be endowed.
Prof. Rucker became a Baptist in early youth, and has been an active worker in the interests of his denomination. He has taken a special interest in Sunday schools, and was instrumental in organizing the Baptist Sunday School Convention of Elkhorn Association, which claims to have been the first institution of the kind in Kentucky. He was Chairman of the Sunday School Board of the General Association a number of years. In all the capacities in which he has labored, in the interest of education and religion, he has displayed much zeal, energy, and industry, with a life of spotless purity and integrity. It is hoped he will yet live many years to bless his race in the pious use of his fine abilities.
BETHEL FEMALE COLLEGE, located at Hopkinsville, was erected under the auspices of Bethel Baptist Association. The buildings cost about $30,000. It was chartered by the Kentucky Legislature, in 1854, and opened as a boarding school for girls in 1856. Dr. W. F. Hill occupied the Presidency the first year. He was succeeded by Prof. J. W. Rust, who remained in office till 1864. Dr. T. G. Keen then took charge of the Col- lege for a short time. He was succeeded by M. G. Alexander, and he by J. F. Dagg. In 1874, Prof. Rust was recalled to the Presidency, and has occupied the position to the present time. The exercises of the College were suspended two years during the War. With this exception, the Institution has been gener- erally prosperous, the average attendance of students being
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Jacob Ward Rust, A. M.
about 100. The course of instruction is designed to promote the higher education of women. It embraces the Ancient and Modern Languages, Natural Science, Mathematics, Music and Art, as well as a thorough drill in Elementary English and Belles Letters. The school is situated in the midst of a wealthy, re. fined and highly moral community, and takes rank with the first institutions of the kind in the country.
JACOB WARD RUST A. M. was born of poor parents, in Lo- gan Co. Ky , Feb. 14, 1819. He was brought up on a farm, having attended school only thirteen months, previous to the age fifteen. At this early age, he resolved to qualify himself to teach. The poverty of his parents was a great obstacle in the way of carrying out this laudable purpose. But he possessed courage, energy and extraordinary natural abilities. By close application, he made such attainments, that he commenced teaching school, in 1837, at the age of eighteen. Three years later, he became Principal of Mt. Carmel Academy, and occupied the position till 1844. By this time he had established a reputation as a su- perior teacher. Subsequently, he was placed at the head of Springfield Academy, Clarksville Female Academy and Lafay- ette Female Institute, successively. His connection with Bethel Female College has been noticed above. In 1864, he was elected President of Bethel College, over which he presided four years, with extraordinary success, when he resigned on account of fail- ing health. In 1869, he became associated with R. M. Dudley, as co-editor and part owner of the Western Recorder. He gave a high degree of satisfaction to his readers, during the two years he was connected with the paper. After severing his connection with the Western Recorder, he accepted the position of Financial Agent for the Baptist Orphan's Home, in Louisville. In 1874, he was recalled to the Presidency of Bethel Female College, as related above.
President Rust possesses extraordinary versatility of talent. He has succeeded well in every position he has occupied. He has been a good worker in the Master's vineyard, having be- come a Baptist in early life. He is a ready writer and speaker, an excellent educator, and a good financier, and, above all, he enjoys the confidence and affection of his brethren in Christ, in - a high degree.
THOMAS G. KEEN has been connected with the Baptists of
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Kentucky more than half of his ministerial life. His brief con. nection with Bethel Female College, and his long connection with the Baptist church at Hopkinsville, the seat of that Insti- tution of learning, affords an apology for placing a sketch of his life in this connection. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 4, 1815, and was educated at what is now known as Madison University. He came South in his young manhood, and is one of the few survivors of those who were present at the constitu- tion of the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in the First Baptist Church of Nashville, Tenn., in 1840, Dr. Howel being pastor at the time. In 1841, he accepted a call to the pastoral charge of the Baptist church at Hopkinsville, Ky. From Hopkinsville, he went to Maysville, in March, 1846, and preached to the church at that place one year. During that period, he succeeded in healing a grievous division in the church, caused by the impru- dence of Gilbert Mason, the former pastor. In March, 1847, Mr. Keen accepted a call to the Second Baptist Church in Louis- ville. He was pastor of this church about two years. In 1849, he took charge of the church in Mobile, Ala., and served it about six years. In 1855, he accepted a call to the First Bap- tist Church in Petersburg, Va. He served this church nine years. In 1864, he returned to Hopkinsville, Ky., and has con- tinued to serve the church in that place to the present time. * In 1848, Georgetown College conferred on him the degree of A. M. Subsequently Bethel College conferred the degree of D. D. on him. Few men wear the latter title more appropriately. He is emphatically a teacher of divinity.
As a preacher, Dr. Keen has few superiors ; and few men have been more exclusively devoted to preaching the gospel. He is naturally modest and retiring in his disposition. This renders him uneasy, and gives him a disagreeable bluntness, in deliberative assemblies, which does his real kindness of heart great injustice. The same cause has prevented his visiting his flock at their homes, which has been the grounds of much com- plaint among them. But, in company with a few congenial friends, the great preacher displays those pleasing social quali- ties which charm all who have the privilege of his society under such circumstances.
*Recently resigned.
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Bethel College.
BETHEL COLLEGE was established under the auspices of Bethel Baptist Association. It originated in a felt necessity for better educational facilities than then existed in the southern part of the State. The General Association, at its annual meet- ing, in Bowling Green, in October, 1848, "Resolved, That . this Association would be pleased to see good acade- mies established at several important points in this State, especially in the southern part of the State." The following September, Bethel Association, at its meeting in Hopkinsville, adopted a report on education, written by Samuel Baker, in which the following language occurs: "The prosperity of the Baptists as a denomination, demands that they should, equally, with other religious denominations, anticipate the moral and in- tellectual wants of the community by laying deep and broad the foundations of seminaries of learning. And much good can be accomplished by establishing institutions in which the youth shall be properly taught the principles of science and literature, and in which they shall receive sound instruction in moral and religious duties." It was resolved that this Association im- mediately take steps to erect a High School within its bounds. A call was made for a meeting to convene at Keysburg, on the 14th of the following November, " in order to raise funds for the establishment of said institution, and to locate the same."
The meeting at Keysburg failed to accomplish the end proposed, and referred the matter to the next Association. The committee on education obtained, through their agent, Elder William I. Morton, subscriptions to the enterprise, amounting to $3, 500. The next Association, which met in Russellville, in September, in 1850, determined by a unanimons vote to lo- cate the school at Russellville. The Association appointed a Board of Trustees, of which E. M. Ewing was Chairman, and J. M. Pendleton, Secretary. The first act of the Board was to appoint N. Long its financial Agent. He agreed to serve with- out compensation, and succeeded in raising nearly $8,000. Forty acres of land were secured in the suburbs of Russellville, and Mr. Long was appointed to superintend the erection, on it, of suitable buildings for the use of Bethel High School. To Bethel Association, at its meeting, in 1852, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, reported that the building was rapidly going up ; that it would cost about $15,000, and that the success of the 47
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enterprise was due chiefly to the untiring labors of Brother N. Long.
In January, 1853, B. T. Blewett, who had been Principal of the preparatory department of Georgetown College, was in- duced to take charge of Bethel High School, which, as yet, ex- isted only in prospect. At that time the grounds had been paid for, and the walls of the commodious building, which is still oc- cupied by Bethel College, had been erected and put under roof ; all at a cost of about $10,000. This had exhausted all the means which had been collected. The whole enterprise was now placed in the hands of Mr. Blewett, who, at once, gave a con- tractor his obligation for $6,000, to finish the building, and im- mediately took the field as an agent to raise the money. The field had been thoroughly canvassed before, and the agent found it difficult to induce men, who supposed they had already dis- charged their duty in this matter, to contribute a second time to the same enterprise. But he had determined to succeed, and no discouragement could damp his ardor, or check his energy. He spent twelve months in the work, devoting to it, not only the hours of daylight, but as much of the night as he could make available.
By the first of January, 1854, the building was finished and furnished, at the cost of about $8, 000 (in addition to the $ 10, 000, expended before Mr. Blewett took charge of it) for all of which the Principal, Mr. Blewett, was personally responsible, and no inconsiderable part of which he paid out of his own private funds.
On the third of January, 1854, the new building was for- mally opened, with appropriate exercises. Elder J. M. Pendle- ton delivered an address on education, on the occasion, which was subsequently published in pamphlet form. The first ses- sion of the school comprised a class of twenty-five young men. Mr. Blewett employed a competent teacher as his assistant, whose salary absorbed the entire income of the young Institution. The session closed, in June, 1854. The Principal had now labored eighteen months without a salary. He was pressed with the debts of the Institution, and his available funds were exhausted. He had staked his small private fortune on the success of the enterprise, which now appeared to him almost hopeless. How- ever, he entered the field as agent for the school, and spent
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Bethel College.
the vacation in soliciting means to relieve the Institution of debt, and students to fill its class rooms. The session, com- mencing, September, 1854, opened with an increased number of students, which gave but slight relief to the embarrassments of the Institution. Local jealousies and sectarian prejudices had arrayed against the school a formidable opposition. To recon- cile the opposition arising from local jealousy, Bethel Associa- tion had, in 1853, resolved to establish a Female High School in Hopkinsville, at a cost of $15,000. This may have appeased the jealousy of the community of which Hopkinsville was the centre, but it also diverted to the new enterprise, the means with which the Russellville school had been expected to succeed. Bethel High School continued to be heavily pressed with debt, and severely taxed the unconquerable energy of Mr. Blewett, to keep it from sinking.
In September, 1855, the school opened with 125 students. A brighter hope of success began to dawn. Creditors were, for the most part, reasonably indulgent, but a few of them sued for their claims. Three teachers were now employed, besides the Principal, and the school soon acquired a good reputation. Its prosperity, and the influence exerted on the popular mind by the superior education of its well selected teachers, induced the belief that there was need of a college, under the auspices of of the Baptists, in Southern Kentucky. Accordingly, applica- tion was made to the Legislature, and a charter was obtained, March 6, 1856, by which Bethel High School became Bethel College. Mr. Blewett, whose course, as Principal and Agent of the High School, had received the highest commendation, was made President of the college. An able corps of professors was secured to fill the chairs of Mathematics, Latin, Greek and, subsequently, of Natural Science. The college soon obtained a high degree of popular favor, which was evinced by the enroll- ment of 150 students. But prosperous as the institution was, it was soon found impossible to sustain a full corps of competent professors, from the tuition fees alone. It was determined by the Trustees, December 15, 1857, to make an effort to raise an endowment of $30,000. President Blewett was appointed agent to raise this amount. He succeeded in obtaining subscriptions, amounting to about $13,000, to be paid on condition that the whole amount should be secured. Meanwhile, H. Q. Ewing,
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who died about the year 1858, bequeathed to the college $10,- 000, unconditionally, and real estate, valued at $10,000, on condition that the $30,000 which had heen asked for, should be raised within five years. In 1859, Judge E. M. Ewing, who had previously deeded to the college 80 acres of land, lying near Chicago, donated $3,000 to the endowment fund. On the fourth of July of this year, the Secretary of the Board was directed to advertise in the Russellville Herald, that the $30,- 000 subscription had been completed, and to call for the pay- ment of all dues conditioned thereon.
In April, 1860, a Theological Department was established in the college, and Rev. W. W. Gardner was elected to fill the professorship of Biblical and Pastoral Theology. An ordinance was passed the same year, by which the sons of ministers, ac- tively engaged in the duties of their calling, were admitted to the college without tuition fees, as young men preparing for the ministry had been admitted from the beginning.
At the beginning of the year 1861, the college was in an eminently prosperous condition. It had a full and able faculty, and nearly 150 students. It possessed a cash endowment of over $40,000, besides real estate, valued at more than twice that amount. But the excitement, consequent on the political condition of the country, became so great that the young men could no longer be kept in school, and, in May of that year, the college was virtually disbanded. In the summer of 1861, President Blewett resigned, and the college buildings were used for hospital purposes till 1863. In September of this year, the college was reopened under the presidency of Rev. George Hunt. In 1864, J. W. Rust was chosen president. Under his administration the institution attained a degree of prosperity almost equal to that which it enjoyed at the beginning of the War. But failing health induced him to resign, February I, 1868. He was succeeded by Noah K. Davis. In 1872, the President's house was built, at a cost of $7,000. In 1873, Pres- ident Davis resigned to take the chair of Moral Philosophy in the University of Virginia, and the discipline of the college was committed to Prof. Leslie Waggener, Chairman of the Faculty. In 1876-7, the N. Long Hall was erected, at a cost of $20,000, for the purpose of supplying cheap board to such students as chose to avail themselves of its advantages. Professor Waggener
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