USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 67
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Bethel College.
was elected President in 1877, and filled that position till 1882, when he resigned.
Bethel college is now among the most prosperous institu- tions of learning in the Mississippi Valley. The Faculty num- bers five professors and two tutors. Its buildings are commo- dious and substantial, and its grounds are ample and hand- somely adorned. It has a strong, influential patronage, and an endowment of about $200,000.
SAMUEL BAKER, who conceived and first advocated the scheme of erecting Bethel college, deserves to be held in re- membrance, in connection with that valuble institution. He was born in Sussex county, England, October 2, 1812. He received his early education in his native country, and then en- gaged in merchandising. In 1834, he came to the United States, and, settling at Upper Alton, Illinois, he entered Shurt- leff college, and spent three years in the Literary and Theolog- ical classes of that institution. He was licensed to preach, in 1834, and after finishing his collegiate course, was ordained to the full work of the ministry, at Athens, Illinois, in 1837. . He preached about two years at Cape Girardeau, Mo. In 1839, he accepted a call to Shelbyville, Kentucky, where he was pastor about two years. In 1841, he accepted a call to the church in Russellvile, Kentucky, where he remained five years. From 1846, to 1850, he served the church at Hopkinsville. In 1849, he read a report on education, before Bethel college. In 1853, he made a speech before the same association, at its meeting in Clarksville, Tennessee, in which he discussed the importance of having a Female High School, within the bounds of that Fra- ternity, in such a manner as to produce immediate action, on the part of the association, which resulted in the establishment of Bethel Female College, at Hopkinsville, Ky.
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From 1850, to 1853, Mr. Baker was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn. During this period, he re- ceived the degree of D. D. from Union University. From 1853 to 1865, he was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, N. Y. During the next seven years, he was pastor respectively of Wabash Avenue Church, Chicago, Ill., the Baptist Church at Evansville, Ind. and Hirkirmer Street Bap- tist Church, in Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1872, he was again called
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
to the Church, at Russeleville, Ky., where he still remains .*
Dr. Baker possesses a high order of talent for the pulpit. He was well educated, owns a fine library, and has an exten- sive and accurate knowledge of books.
NIMROD LONG EsQ., to whom Bethel College owes its fi- nancial prosperity more than to any other man, was born in Lo- gan Co., July 31, 1814. He received a common school educa- cation in his native county. At the age of fourteen years, he entered a dry goods store, in Russellville, as clerk. Three years later, he became a partner in the house. Soon after this, the senior partner died, and Mr. Long took his brother into the partnership. He followed merchandising, about twenty years. Since that period, he has engaged in various branches of business, as banking, dealing in tobacco, live stock and real estate, and in the manufacture of flour, in all of which, he has been abundantly successful.
Mr. Long united with the Baptists at an early age, and has exhibited the fruits of Christianity, in all the relations of life. While, by his excellent business capacity and fine energy, he has amassed a large fortune, he has, with equal diligence, used his business qualities to advance the cause of Christ. He has been Treasurer of the Church at Russellville, about forty-five years, and has so managed its resources, that it has promptly met all its financial obligations. He was the first financial agent of the Board of Trustees of Bethel High School, now Bethel College. He collected about $8.000 of the first $10.000 of the money, neccessary to its establishment. He secured its beautiful grounds, contracted for putting up its first buildings, and superintended their erection-all without compensation. As Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, he has so skillfully man- aged the funds of the College, that it now has a permanent en- ยท dowment of $200,000, being himself one of the largest contrib- utors to its funds. In 1870, he endowed the Chair of English from his own private fortune. In honor of the generous donor the Trustees gave this Chair the name of the N. Long Profes- sorship. In 1876, he conceived the idea of building a boarding hall on the College grounds, for the purpose of furnishing stu- dents with cheap board. The idea was promptly carried out,
*Resigned in 1885.
*
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Nimrod Long, Esq.
and a building, capable of accommodating one hundred young men, was erected, at a cost of $20,000, and, in honor of the philanthropic projector, is called the N. Long Hall.
Mr. Long is as diligent in all the little duties of every day Christian life, as in the larger schemes of practical benevolence. He has been a faithful deacon in his church, since 1843 ; he su -. perintends the Sunday School, and is prompt in his attendance on all the meetings of his church.
JUDGE EPHRAIM M. EWING, one of the most liberal bene- factors of Bethel College, was a son of Gen. Robert E. Ewing, an officer in the American Revolution, and was born in Da- vidson county, Tenn., Dec. 4, 1789. After obtaining a good literary education, he was trained in the law school of Transyl- vania University. He located in Russellville, Ky., and rapidly rose to eminence in his profession. After holding the office of Commonwealth's Attorney, under the distinguished Judge Broadnax, a number of years, and being a member of the Leg- islature several times, he was appointed one of the Judges of the Court of Appeals, in 1835, and, in 1843, he became Chief Justice of that Court. In 1850, he was appointed, by Gov. Crittenden, one of the Commissioners to revise the statues of Kentucky. He was Presidential elector, in 1821, and in 1833. He was a good business man, and acquired a handsome fortune. of which he made a worthy use.
Judge Ewing was a member of the Cumberland Presbyter- ian Church and was reckoned a man of sincere piety. His life well exemplified the holy religion of the Lord Jesus. He proved himself a friend to education, by his munificent dona- tions to Bethel College. He died June, 11, 1860, having sur- vived all his posterity. He raised only two children, Presley U. Ewing, and Henry Q. Ewing, both of whom adopted the profession of their father. They both united with the Baptist Church at Russellville, and the younger, at least, lived and died a most worthy member of that Fraternity.
PRESLEY UNDERWOOD EWING was the elder son of Judge E. M. Ewing, and was born in Russellville, Kentucky, Sep. I, 1822. He was educated at Center College, and graduated in the Law school of Transylvania University, in 1842. Having made a profession of religion, and united with the Baptist church, about this time, he resolved to abandon the law, and
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
devote his life to the Christian ministry. He was licensed to preach, in April, 1845, and was soon afterwards invited to be- come the pastor of the Second Baptist church in Louisville. He accepted the call; but after preaching a Sabbath or two, he re- solved to go to Germany, and spend some time in study. He returned, in 1848, but no longer in the character of a gospel preacher. He was supposed to have become skeptical on the subject of religion. He entered on a brilliant political career, and gave himself much to worldly pleasure. He was in the Ken- tucky Legislature, from 1848 to 1851. In 1851, he was elected to Congress, over Beverly L. Clark, and, in 1853, reelected without opposition. Few men in this Country have attained so high a distinction at so early an age. But, alas ! how brief were the honors, and how fleeting the pleasures, for which he exchanged the service of the living God. He died of cholera, at the Mammoth Cave, September 27, 1854.
HENRY QUINCY EWING, EsQ., the younger son of Judge E. M. Ewing, graduated in law, and made a brilliant debut at the bar. But his health failing, perhaps from too long and close confinement to study, he purchased a small farm, and divided his time between superintending its cultivation and the study of literature. He was a young man of brilliant intellect, and, being thoroughly educated, and passionately fond of books, he collected an excellent library, and made extraordinary attain- ments in general knowledge. He was a devoted Christian, and a philanthropist, in the best and highest sense of that term. He was not only a warm friend of education in general, and a liberal patron of Bethel College, but he was a valuable friend to all the students in that Institution, who aspired to useful knowledge. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the College, and his wisdom and extensive influence did much to promote the prosperity of the Institution. His extensive li- brary was open to the free use of the young men in the College, and no one of them went to him for instruction in vain. He taught, with pious enthusiasm, a large class of young men in Sabbath school. He was devotedly loved by all classes of his acquaintances, but especially by the young men of the village and the College, who felt that they were never without a friend while "Quincy Ewing" was among them. But his frail body could not long contain his great soul. He saw his end approach-
737
Benjamin T. Blewett.
ing, and calmly arranged his earthly affairs, disposing of his for- tune, as he had disposed of his time and talent, for the benefit of young men. An account of his bequest to Bethel College has been given above, in the history of that Institution. He died of dyspepsia, about the beginning of the year 1858.
BENJAMIN T. BLEWETT was born in Warren county, Ken- tucky, September 17, 1820. His early life was spent, alter. nately, on the farm and in school, until about his thirteenth year, after which he taught the younger members of his family, during the winter, and went to school during the spring and summer. Until his seventeenth year, he attended only such schools as the neighborhood afforded, having advanced in the elementary studies and given some attention to Latin. When about eighteen years old, he was admitted to the school of Joshua Pillsberry, under whose instructions he was prepared for College. In his twentieth year, he made a profession of re- ligion, united with a Baptist church, and immediately abandoned his cherished purpose to read law, and, with an earnest convic- tion that it was his duty to preach, he determined to have a collegiate education. With his father's permission, but without any manifestation of his sympathy in the undertaking, with about $400, he entered the Freshman Class in Georgetown Col- lege, in August, 1841. His money was expended at the end of his sophomore year. He then entered the academy, connected with the College, as Principal, at a salary of $350 a year, and re- tained the position two years, when he again entered the Col- lege, and graduated, in 1846. After graduating, he again took charge of the academy, receiving the tuition fees for his salary. By his indefatigable energy, the number of students in the acad- emy was greatly increased, and the position became remunera- tive. In 1848, he married Miss Hedge of Augusta, Maine, who, at that time, was a teacher in a young ladies Seminary in Georgetown. By the aid of friends, he purchased Dr. Mal- com's residence, and filled the house with boarders-college stu- dents. In January, 1853, he resigned his position in the acade- my, sold his property, and moved to Russellville, where he took charge of Bethel High School. Here he found scope for his almost miraculous energy. The position was a most difficult one. The whole enterprise was placed in his hands. The sum of $8,000, with which to complete the building, was to be raised in a field
738
History of Kentucky Baptists.
which had already been thoroughly canvassed. Students were then to be brought into the school in the face of strong opposi- tion, arising from causes before mentioned. But Mr. Blewett was equal to the emergency. He gave his note for $6,000 (perhaps the full amount of his private fortune) to secure the finishing of the building. He then entered the field to collect the means he had given his note for. A year of incessant toil so far com- pleted the work that the building, finished and furnished, was formally dedicated to learning and religion, January 3, 1854. Twenty-five students were all that could be got into the school the first session. The prospect continued gloomy another year, which was another year of unremitting toil. But the reward of diligent labor came at last. In September, 1855, the school year opened, with a hundred and twenty-five students. One year of success in conducting the High School so encourged Mr. Blewett, that he began to contemplate an effort to supply the felt want of a Baptist college in Southern Kentucky. The trustees of the
High School concurred with him. Accordingly a new charter was obtained, in March, 1856, by which Bethel High School was transformed into Bethel College, and Mr. Blewett, the Prin- cipal of the former, became President of the latter. Under his prudent and energetic management, the College was prosperous from the beginning, until May, 1861, when it was closed, tem- porarily, by the War. During this year. President Blewett, see- ing no hope of re-opening the College for some time to come, resigned his position, and went to another field oflabor.
When a few more years shall have passed away, it will be difficult for the Baptists of Southern Kentucky to realize the ex- tent to which they are indebted to President Blewett for their noble College, or the sacrifices he made to build it up. For a period of more than eight years, in the prime of his manhood, he devoted, with extraordinary singleness of purpose, his vig- orous and highly cultivated mental powers, his unsurpassed physical energies, his stoical powers of endurance, his tireless perseverance, and the whole of his small private fortune, to the building up of this invaluable Institution of learning. When he undertook the enterprise, it was only a High School in pros- pect, with unimproved grounds, the roofed walls of a school building, and an empty treasury. He left it with one of the best college buildings in the West, its broad champus and lawn
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739
Benjamin T. Blewett.
beautifully adorned, a full and efficient faculty, one hundred and fifty students, entire freedom from debt, and an endowment of $100,000. He had, indeed, a board of trustees of rare practical wisdom to direct or second his operations and plans ; but it de- volved on him to do the work. He raised the money, taught his regular classes, exercised discipline, brought his students into the College, planted the ornamental trees on the lawn with his own hands, and directed the minutia of a thousand nameless transactions, necessary to the proper conduct of a young grow- ing institution of learning. Let his name be properly honored by those who enjoy the fruits of his labor !
On leaving Russellville, in 1861, President Blewett took charge of Bracken Academy at Augusta, Kentucky. Here he spent ten years, successfully conducting a good school. In 1870, he took charge of a young ladies Academy in the sub- urbs of St. Louis, Mo. This school was built up under the auspices of the Baptists ; but it soon became embarrassed with debt, and finally became the private property of Dr. Blewett, who at the age of sixty-five, vigorous in health, and with the zeal of youth, is successfully conducting a young ladies Sem- inary. He has raised two sons and two daughters, all of whom being thoroughly educated, have adopted the profession of their father. The sons are Principals of Public Schools in St. Louis, each having thirty teachers and twelve hundred children under his care. The daughters are associated with their father and mother in conducting St. Louis Seminary.
GEORGE HUNT, second President of Bethel College, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, June 9, 1831. He was baptized into the fellowship of East Hickman church, in his native county, by R. T. Dillard, in 1844. He was educated at Georgetown College, where he graduated, in 1849. He was ordained pastor of Maysville church, in 1856, by R. T. Dil- lard, W. M. Pratt, A. W. LaRue and W. W. Gardner. He resigned his charge at Maysville, in 1858, to fill the Chair of Theology in Georgetown College, a position he occupied till 1861. He was pastor at Stamping Ground church in Scott county, from 1858, till 1862, during which time he baptized into its fellowship, 125 converts. He was elected President of Bethel College in 1862, and reorganized that Institution, after it had been suspended in consequence of the War. In 1864,
740
History of Kentucky Baptists.
he resigned the Presidency of the College, to take charge of Bethel and Salem churches, in Christian county. He minister- ed to these churches about two and a half years, baptizing about 40. He resigned the charge of these churches, to accept that of the church at Bowling Green, where he remained two years, baptizing about 25. From Bowling Green, he was call- ed to the First Baptist church in Lexington. Here he re- mained four years, and baptized something over 100. From Lexington he went to Versailles, taking charge of the church at that place and also of Hillsboro church in Woodford county. Having a growing young family, in order to supplement his in- sufficient salary, he opened a private school in Versailles, where he taught some years. In 1885, he moved to Kansas City, Mo.
Mr. Hunt is an excellent preacher, and is much esteemed for his unassuming piety and sincere devotion to the cause of Christ.
WILLIAM W. GARDNER, was born near Glasgow Junction, Barren county, Kentucky, Oct. 1, 1818. At the age of eigh- teen years, he commenced the study of medicine. In 1838, he professed religion and joined a Baptist church. The year following, he was licensed to preach, and entered Georgetown College, where he graduated in 1843. He was one of four students who organized Paulding Hall Society, and was the leading spirit in building Paulding Hall, the object of which was to secure cheap board for young men studying for the min- istry, in Georgetown College. In 1844, he took charge of the church at Shelbyville, where he was ordained to the full work of the ministry. In 1847, he accepted the pastoral charge of Mayslick church in Mason county, and ministered to it about ten years, except during a portion of the year 1851, in which he acted most efficiently as Agent of the General Association of Kentucky Baptists. From 1857 to 1869, he was pastor of the church at Russellville. During the same period, and for several years afterwards, he was Professor of Theology in Bethel College. Since his resignation of the last named posi- tion, he has been pastor for brief periods, of several churches. He is at present [1885] pastor of the church at Bardstown. In 1870, the degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Union University, and afterwards, by Georgetown College.
Dr. Gardner has been one of the most valuable men of the
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Ba tak cle
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William W. Gardner.
Baptist denomination in Kentucky. In whatever he under- takes to do, he is eminently practical. As a preacher, he is clear, direct and scriptural ; as a pastor, he is diligent, patient and laborious, and as an agent for missionary and educational enterprises, he has been uniformly successful. But his high- est excellence consists in his eminent fitness for teaching The- ology. His great life-work for his denomination [to the pres- ent time] was preformed in Bethel College. Not only have his students in Theology almost universally become ministers of much usefulness, but he added much to the reputation of the College and gave it a popularity in the denomination, which it would not have otherwise attained. His severance from that Institution may be numbered among its greatest misfortunes.
Among the writings of Dr. Gardner, his "Church Com- munion" has become a standard denominational work, and his "Missels of Truth" is a deservedly popular book.
THE CIVIL WAR breaking out, in 1861, put a sudden check on all religious and other benevolent enterprises. The Colleges and most of the Academies were closed, and their buildings were used for sick and wounded soldiers. Many of the church houses were used for the same purpose. The peo- ple of Kentucky were nearly equally divided on the political issues out of which the War grew. Almost, if not without ex- ception, every Baptist church in the State was divided on the question of secession. Some of the churches had a majority of unionists, and others a majority of secessionists. The ex- citement was so intense, that in many communities, church members of the different parties could not worship together with any degree of comfort. Many would not hear a minister whose political views differed from their own. Camparatively few people attended religious worship, and a large proportion of those who did, felt little or no interest in it. The jealousy of the political parties in the churches, prevented the exercise of discipline and, on this account, the worshipers became fur- ther demoralized. Some of the preachers [happily not a great many] became so much excited that they mounted the rostrum, and urged the young men to enlist as soldiers in one army, or the other, according to the political views of the speakers. Several preachers were arrested by the military authorities, and imprisoned for longer or shorter periods.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Many faithful and valuable pastors were forced to resign their charges, because they differed in their political views from a majority, or an influential minority, of the churches they served. Too often their places were supplied by inferior minis ters, whose mismanagement widened the breaches ; and, in some cases, permanent divisions were the unhappy results. In a few cases, the members composing the minorities were exclu- ded from the churches, usually on some frivolous pretext. But these cases were rare, and usually occurred in the more illiterate churches.
The policy almost universally agreed to, in the Baptist churches was, that their members should not be proscribed for their political opinions, or for any honorable endeavor to sustain them. Many of the churches had members in both the Federal and Confederate armies, opposed to each other in dead- ly strife, in honorable warfare. Yet, when they returned home, at the expiration of their term of service, they met each other in the house of God, as brethren in full fellowship, and were recognized as such by their churches. This principle of the noninterference with the rights of men in the exercise of their political privileges, saved the Baptists from much confusion. When the storm of excited passion, consequent on existing civil war, had subsided, the tempest-tossed churches righted up again, to use a nautical expression, and sailed on seas as calm and breakerless as those traversed before the gale arose.
The loss of property, and the heavy expenses entailed on the people, in consequence of the prevalence of war at the threshold of our homes, almost entirely cut off the contributions to the missionary operations, both at home and in the foreign fields. For the year ending May 1, 1860, the receipts of the General Association amounted to $14,099.82 ; for 1861, $8,313. 82 ; for 1862, $2, 154.02 ; and for 1863, $3,449.37. The active piety of the churches declined in almost an equal ratio. The religious prospects of the country never had been so gloomy, since the close of the war with Great Britain, in 1815. But in the midst of the deep darkness that overwhelmed the churches, God remembered his people, and visited them with a precious shower of divine grace.
In the year 1864, while the war was still raging in the Southern States, and the whole land, from the Ohio river to
th W n ti i i
743
Relation of Slaves to the Churches.
the Gulf of Mexico, was over run with roving bands of robbers, who ruthlessly plundered and murdered the people indiscrimi- nately, a most pleasing revival pervaded the churches in Ken- tucky. The ingathering of converts, though very respectable in numbers was not so large as in many former revivals. But it was a very joyous refreshing to the people of God, who had long hungered for the bread that cometh down from above. A revival also visited the Southern Army, and many of the soldiers were converted and baptized, some of whom are still valuable members of our churches.
In 1865, the War closed, and the survivors of the two great armies returned to their homes. Alas! what multitudes were. left sleeping in unknown graves in the far off sunny South. Many active and valuable church members were lost in the fearful conflict that desolated our homes, our hearts and our churches. Some that survived were sadly demoralized. A few preachers, who had gone into the army, had fallen before the temptations incident to camp life. There were apostacies at home, as well as in the armies. Many were the breaches that needed to be repaired, before the armies of the Lord would be ready to march against the enemies of the Cross of Christ. But, as in the olden time, when the broken down walls of Jeru- salem were to be rebuilt, "the people had a mind to work," so now, when wounds and dissensions in the churches needed to be healed, God afforded his people grace to perform the duty. A four years' war with its dire accompaniments, had caused men to feel their helplessness, and had humbled them; the revival 1864, had softened the hearts of Christians that had been estranged from each other, and prepared the way for a hearty reconciliation.
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