USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 11
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In 1809, he moved to Kentucky, and settled in Barren county, about seven miles south-west from Glasgow. He gave his mem- bership to Bethlehem church, in Allen county, which was about 12 miles from his home, but, at that time, the most convenient to him. He became pastor of Bethlehem and Bethel, in Allen county, Sinking Creek, in Barren, and Smiths Grove, in Warren. To the first named, he ministered 30 years. During the last years of his life, he was much afflicted with a cancer on his face, which terminated his carthly career, May 10, 1851.
Mr. Emerson's ministerial gifts developed slowly, and he never became what is termed a brilliant preacher. But he was a close Bible student and a clear thinker, and became one of the ablest theologians in Green River Association. He was a man of grave, dignified deportment, and was much respected by all classes of people.
He raised a large family, of whom his son, Henry Emerson, became a young preacher of considerable promise, and was, for a short time, pastor of Beaver Creek church, in Barren county. But he died suddenly, in August, 1845.
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Green River Association.
WILLIAM WHOOBERRY is among the oldest and most promi- nent ministers of Green River Association. He was licensed to preach, at Big Reedy church, in Butler county, about 1845, and ordained soon afterwards. He is highly esteemed by his breth- ren, who regard him an excellent preacher. He preached the introductory sermon before his Association, ten times, in twenty- five years, and has usually been Moderator of that body, since 1868.
Many prominent citizens have been members of the churches in old Green River Association. Among these may be men- tioned the following :
JOHN HALL, an early settler in Barren county, was one of the first judges of that district, and was eminent for his piety. He " died in a most joyful manner," not far from 1810.
JUDGE MICHAEL W. HALL, a son of Judge John Hall, suc- ceeded his father on the bench. He was long an esteemed mem- ber of old Mt. Tabor church, and was clerk of Green River Association many years. He served two terms in the Kentucky Legislature. He died, much lamented, Mar. 7, 1828.
JAMES G. HARDY was a prominent citizen of Barren county, and an active, zealous church member. He served eight years in the Kentucky Legislature, and was Lieutenant Governor of the State, from 1854, to 1858. When the split occurred in Green River Association, in 1839, he adhered to the Missionary party, and became a member of Rock Spring church, in Liberty Association. Elder Samuel Hardy, now of Missouri, is a son of his.
RICHARD GARNETT, whose father was the first permanent settler in what is now Barren county, was born in Virginia, about the year 1776. He came with his parents to the wilds of the Green river country, while yet a boy. Arriving at man- hood, he married a daughter of Elder Robert Stockton. This marriage was blessed with several children, of whom William Garnett, of Chicago, and the wife of J. M. Pendleton, D. D., now of Upland, Pa., are still living. Mr. Garnett united with the Baptists, in early life, and maintained a spotless christian character till his death, which occurred, at a great old age. He was Clerk of Barren county Court, almost a half century, was in the Kentucky Legislature, during the term of 1841-2, was generally Clerk of Green River Association, from 1826, till
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1839, and served Liberty Association, in the same capacity, from its constitution, in 1840, till he was succeeded by his son- in-law, Henry Eubank, in 1853. He died, about 1869, and doubtless received a crown of righteousness.
GEORGE WRIGHT was a member of Smiths Grove church, and was a distinguished and popular citizen of Warren county. He served eight years in the Kentucky Senate. He was elected Clerk of Green River Association, in 1846, and served in that capacity, with the exception of one year, till his death, which occurred about 1883.
NORTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
North District Association resulted from a division of the Old South Kentucky fraternity, in August, 1801. Of the origin of the mother body, the minutes of North District, for 1831, say : " On the first Friday in October, 1787, at Tates Creek meeting- house, in Madison county, eleven churches, who were called Separate Baptists, were constituted an association, on the Bible, and were called South Kentucky Association." This organiza- tion continued to prosper about fifteen years, when its territory became inconveniently large, and a division was deemed expedi- ent. It held its last meeting, at the same house in which it was constituted, on the third Friday in August, and the day follow- ing, in 1801. This was the meeting at which the " terms of gen- eral union " were ratified, by this body. Her last act was to divide her territory. The line of division began at the head of Paint Lick creek, ran down that stream to its mouth, and thence down the Kentucky river to its junction with the Ohio. The churches north of this line formed the fraternity now to be con- sidercd.
North District Association held its first meeting at Unity meet- ing-house in Clark county, on the first Friday in October, 1802. Messengers were present from 24 churches, which aggregated 1,928 members. The churches were Spencer Creek, Lulbegrud, Bethel, and Sycamore, in Montgomery county; Providence, Unity, Red River, Upper Howards Creek, and East Fork, in. Clark ; Boffmans Fork, in Fayette ; Salt Lick and Bald Eagle, in
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Bath ; Mt. Pleasant, in Franklin ; Tates Creek, in Madison ; Salem, and Station Camp, in Estill; Jessamine, in Jessamine; Griers Creek, and Hopewell, in Woodford; and Locust Creek, Johnsons Fork, Brush Creek, Long Branch, and State Union, whose local- ities are unknown. The preachers in the body ; were David Scott, Robert Elkin, Leonard Turley, James Quesenberry, Joseph Craig, Isaac Crutcher, Moses Bledsoe, Mahalaleel Shakle, Charles Fin- nell, Daniel Williams, John Davis, Edward Kindred, Henry Black- grove, and James Haggard.
This Association embraced all the churches north of the line described above, from the east borders of Elkhorn and Bracken Associations, to the waters of Big Sandy river, from the time of its constitution, till Burning Spring Association was taken from it, in 1814. The churches of which it was constituted, had all been Separate Baptists, and although they had taken the name of United Baptists, this Association, like Tates Creek and South District, both of which had emanated from the same source, still kept up some customs that were not in accord with Regular Baptist usages. In 1804, Thomas J. Chilton, from a party of South District Association, which afterwards took the name of South Kentucky Association, presented to North District, charges against Jeremiah Vardeman and John Rice. As the party represented by Mr. Chilton, was not recognized by the Association, the charges were not entertained. But the next year, the same body entertained five charges against David Bar- row, the ablest preacher in their body. These charges were presented by the messengers from Bracken Association, and pertained to Mr. Barrow's sentiments on the subject of slavery. The Association, after hearing him, in his own defense, decided that his explanations and apologies were sufficient. Some of the churches, however, were determined to get rid of him; and new provisions were made for his expulsion. “ Providence and Boones Creek churches inquire how a church shall deal with a minister who propagates doctrines that are unsound or per- nicious to peace and good order ? The Association advises that a church, in such case, withdraw all the power they gave such preacher ; and [that] two preachers may suspend, or stop such preacher from preaching, until he can be tried by a council of five ministers, whose decision, in such case, ought to be obeyed, until reversed by the Association." This rule, however unbaptis-
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tic, was applied to Mr. Barrow, almost immediately after the Association adjourned. At the next meeting of the body, in 1806, the following proceedings were entered on its minutes :
"A committee or council of five ministers reported : That, agreeable to provision made last Association, for the trial of ministers, they had been dealing with brother David Barrow, for preaching the doctrine of Emancipation, to the hurt and in- jury of the brotherhood. And the Association, after consider- ing the foregoing report, and hearing what brother Barrow had to say, in justification of his conduct, on that subject, and brother Barrow manifesting no disposition to alter his mode of preaching, as to the aforesaid doctrine, they proceeded to expel him from his seat in this Association." They also "appointed a committee to deal with brother Barrow, in the church at Mt. Sterling, at their next monthly meeting, and report to next As- sociation."
Immediately after Mr. Barrow's expulsion from North Dis- trict Association, he commenced arranging for the constitution of an Emancipation association. A meeting was called to con- vene at New Hope, in Woodford county, on the 29th of Aug- ust, 1807. Eleven preachers and nineteen other messengers, were enrolled as members of the meeting. Preliminary steps were taken, for the organization of an association, which was constituted of nine churches, aggregating 190 members, the fol- lowing September. This Association, which took the name of Licking Locust, will be noticed in its appropriate place.
North District Association saw the injustice of her rash act, when it was too late to counteract its evil effects. At her an- nual meeting, in 1807: "The Association proceeded to annul and revoke the act of last Association, in expelling Elder David Barrow from his seat in the Association. But she had already lost at least three churches and two preachers by the transaction ; and they did not now choose to return. The subject of slavery continued to be agitated, in the bounds of the Association, nearly twenty years.
In 18II and 1812, an extraordinary revival prevailed within the bounds of this Association, and, within these two years, 1,078 converts were baptized into the fellowship of its churches. At the last named date, it numbered 28 churches, aggregating 2, 383 members. This was the largest membership it has ever
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North District Association.
attained. In 1814, about ten churches were dismissed to form Burning Spring Association. In 1815, the body expressed the opinion, that " buying lottery tickets is a species of gambling." The subject of foreign missions was introduced in the Associa- tion, the following year; and it agreed to correspond with the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. But on complaint of sev- eral of the churches, the correspondence was dropped, the fol- lowing year. This was the only missionary movement this old fraternity has ever made; and that consisted merely in a corre- spondence with a missionary board, during a single year. Dur- ing the same year, the Association decided that it is not "right for members of the Baptist church to sit in Free Mason lodges." In 1823, the Association was again reduced, by the dismissal of six churches, to go into the constitution of Boones Creek Asso- ciation. After this, it continued to decrease till 1827, when it numbered 19 churches, with 1, 265 members.
Campbellism took root early, in North District Association. Mr. Campbell visited Mount Sterling as early as 1824, and preached three sermons there. John Smith, commonly known as Raccoon John Smith, the most attractive preacher, and the shrewdest manager, in the Association, was speedily converted to his views. Several other preachers, of less note, soon fol- lowed him. The churches withered under the constant disputa- tions, for two or three years. But suddenly, about the close of the year 1827, a powerful religious excitement began to move the people here, as well as all over the northern part of the State. Multitudes professed conversion, and were baptized. The Campbellite preachers were by far the most active, in this work. John Smith's Biographer avers that Smith immersed most of the converts. Of course, they were "baptized for the remission of sins." This meeting has been called, not inappro- priately, "John Smith's Revival." During the two years, 1828 and 1829, the churches of North District reported 1,059 bap- tisms, while five new churches were constituted, "on the Bible." The Association now numbered 24 churches, with 2,265 members. But it was no longer a Baptist association. The Campbellites had an overwhelming majority in the Associa- tion, as well as in most of the churches. The Association went through the ordinary routine of business, in 1829, and appointed to meet, the next year, at Spencer Creek.
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Instead of attending the meeting at Spencer Creek, where they knew they would be in a hopeless minority, the Baptists called a convention, which met at Lulbegrud, in April, 1830. Only seven churches were represented. The principal business, transacted by the meeting, was the examination of the records of South Kentucky and North District Associations, to ascertain what had been the duties and customs of those bodies. The in- vestigation showed that the established customs of North District Association, had been repeatedly and flagrantly vio- lated, during the last three years. The report of the committee, appointed to make the investigation, embraces the following points :
I. South Kentucky Association, until it was divided into South and North District Associations, maintained a particular watch care over the principles and practices of the churches and preachers.
2. The terms of general union did not abridge the privi- leges of that body, or those of its offspring.
3. The constitution of North District Association makes it the duty of that body to maintain a watch care over the church- es, and to withdraw from such as act disorderly.
4. North District Association exercised a watch care over the churches and preachers, previous to 1827.
5. At the meeting, in 1827, Lulbegrud complained, in her letter, of a new mode of administering the Lord's Supper. But the Association neglected to take any notice of the offending churches.
6. Goshen church complained, in 1829, of a new formula, used in administering baptism. The Association took no notice of her complaint.
7. Lulbegrud and Canc Spring complained of disorders, in 1829. The Association refused to take cognizance of their complaint.
The report of the committee was adopted. James French was directed to take charge of the records of North District As- sociation, and hold them subject to the call of that body, which fraternity could consist only of such churches as practice the or- dinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and administer the constitution of the Association, according to precedent, and the terms of general Union. The convention then appointed a
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meeting, to convene at Goshen, 4th Saturday in June, 1830. This meeting convened according to appointment. Ten church- es were represented. Two questions, presented by the com- mittee of arrangements, were discussed and decided upon as follows :
" I. Has North District Association departed from the for- mer administration of her constitution, by abandoning the supervisorship of the churches and preachers? Taken up and answered .- They have departed.
" 2. Has a church that takes upon herself to introduce and practice usages, unknown among the churches of Elkhorn and South Kentucky Associations, at the time of their union, depart- ed from the constitution, and gone out of the union? Taken up and answered. - They have gone out of the union."
After giving their reasons for their conclusions, and transacting some other business, they conclude as follows : " In conclusion, we declare, that we withdraw from all churches that have depart- ed as before alleged, considering them in disorder,and gone out of the union. But at the same time, our fellowship is not broken with such minorities, or individual members, as are con- tent with former usages of the churches."
They append the following description of the manner in which they administer the ordinances and religious rites, in their churches :
"Ordaining Ministers :- Not less than two ordained ministers, lay their hands on the person about to be ordained, pray for him, one at a time, give him the right hand of fellowship, solemn- ly exhorting him to faithfulness and perseverance in the work to which he is now separated and set apart. A testimonial is given him, signed by the officiating ministers, stating the time of his or- dination, his name, and whatever more they think proper, to identify and recommend the brother to the confidence and ap- probation of the society.
" Ordaining Deacons :- Two ordained preachers, or more, lay their hands on him, pray for him, one at a time, giving him the right hand of fellowship, and give him an encouraging ad- dress to the due performance of his official duties.
" Constituting Churches :- Two ordained ministers, at least, attend on them who are to be constituted a church; a constitu- tion, covenant or creed, (whichever you please), being a com-
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pendium of gospel principles and duties, is unanimously as- sented to, and adopted by all included in the new constitution. The officiating ministers pray for them, and lovingly exhort, ad- vise, and admonish them, give them the right hand of fellowship, and they to one another.
" Subjects of Baptism :- All those who know, not only by education, theory, or credence of others, but by heart impres- sions also, too deep and indelible ever to be effaced ; that they are undone, ruined, and guilty before the Lord, and are without strength, or hope of deliverance from the wrath to come; save only, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
" Words of Baptism :- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
"Mode of Baptism : - The administrator, an ordained preacher, and the person to be baptized, standing in water of · suitable depth, the minister, in an audible voice, pronounces the baptismal words ; then lays the person to be baptized, back- wards into the water, until the body is covered, or overwhelmed with water; then raising the person to his or her feet.
" Manner of eating the Lord's Supper :- The administrator, an ordained preacher, standing at the table, after singing a hymn of praise, implores the blessing of the Lord [and] breaks the bread into pieces small enough to be readily taken into the mouth. The deacons receive the bread, thus broken, and laid on plates or some other like convenience, at the table, and present it to the communicants, that every one may take a piece. All being served with the bread, the administrator invokes a blessing, pours the wine into vessels of the cup kind, and the deacons bear it from the table to the communicants: a song of thanksgiving closes the solemnity."
North District Association held its first meeting, after the Campbellite schism, at Howards Upper Creek, in Clark county, on the 4th Saturday in July, 1831. It embraced II churches, with 950 members. Thomas Boone, David Chenault and James Edmonson were the only preachers left in the Association. Small as the body was then, it has never been so large since. It was acknowledged and encouraged by all the surrounding asso- ciations ; but it gradually declined in numbers. The Antimis- sionary complexion of the body was manifested by its dropping correspondence with all the neighboring associations, except
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North District Association.
Burning Spring, between the years 1837 and 1842. In 1859, it assumed the name of "Old Baptists," which it still bears. At that time, it numbered 9 churches, aggregating 337 members. It has had but little variation in numbers, from that time to the present. In 1880, it numbered 9 churches, with 417 members. From its organization, in 1802, to the Campbellite schism, in 1829, there were baptized into its churches, 4,075 members. During the 39 years of which we have reports, since the Camp- bellite schism, there have been baptized into its churches, 513 members. Its name, "Old Baptists," indicates that it is an Antimissionary body.
This Association has had but few ministers of note, especial- ly since "the fathers" passed away. Sketches of its most prominent deceased preachers have been given. A few other names are added here.
MAHALALEEL SHACKLE was in the organization of North Dis- trict Association, in 1802. From whence he came to Kentucky is unknown. He was an elderly man of very moderate gifts, it appears. He was the minister at Locust Creek church, a few years. But when David Barrow was expelled from the Associa- tion, in 1806, on account of his Emancipation principles, Mr. Shackle adhered to his party, and became a member of Licking- Locust church, and of the Association bearing that name. He continued to preach among the Emancipationists to a good oldage.
WINGATE JACKSON was regarded a useful preacher in North District Association for a number of years. He was an or- dained minister in Cane Creek church, from 1807 to 1818. About the latter date, he moved to Missouri, where he was act- tive in raising up the churches of Bethel Association, among which he was a faithful and valuable laborer, many years.
NINIAN RIDGEWAY appears to have been raised up to the ministry, in Friendship church, in Clark county. He was or- dained about 1818, in which year he moved his membership to Old Goshen church. After preaching here some four or five years, he moved to Missouri, and settled within the bounds of Salem Association. It is known that he was among the min- isters of that body as late as 1830.
ABNER D. LANDRUM spent a few years within the bounds of North District Association. His membership was at Grassy Lick, in Montgomery county, as early as 1834. During that
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
year, he was called to the care of Providence church, which he served four years. He was a preacher of considerable ability, and doubtless would have been very useful in that region, if he had remained there. He moved to Missouri, about 1839, and settled in the Boones Lick country. He was chosen pastor of Ramseys Creek, the largest church in Salt River Association. Of his labors in that region, Dr. Benedict says: "Rev. A. D. Landrum is said to have done much in this community and region in stirring up the churches in the business of ministerial support, which is but imperfectly attended to at present (1847), but was formerly almost wholly neglected."
WILLIAM RUPARD is the most prominent minister now labor. ing among the churches of North District Association. He was born in Clark county, Ky., Feb. 4, 1825. He was educated in the common schools of his native county, commenced teaching, at the age of 18, and followed that occupation about 12 years.
He made a profession of religion, about 1841, and was bap- tized into the fellowship of Goshen church, by Thomas Boone. About 1851, he commenced exercising in public prayer and ex- hortation, and was ordained to the ministry, by Thomas Boone and James Edmonson, in 1852. He immediately took charge of Log Lick and Liberty churches, for whose benefit he had been ordained. In January, 1855, he moved to Scott county, Illinois, where he labored in the ministry about a year, and baptized a number of converts. In 1856, he was called back to Kentucky to fill the place made vacant by the death of the venerable Thomas Boone. He immediately took charge of Goshen, Lulbe- grud, Liberty and Cane Spring churches, all belonging to North District Association. To these churches he has ministercd, about 33 years. Lulbegrud has not prospered ; the other three have more than doubled their membership. Besides the four churches named, Mr. Rupard has generally served two or three others, preaching to them on week days. He has also traveled and preached much in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. He was elected Clerk of North District Association, in 1852, and generally served in that capacity, till 1859. Since the latter date, he has acted as Moderator of that Association.
Mr. Rupard is a man of high respectability and of spotless christian character. He possesses fair preaching gifts, and has used them with much zeal and diligence, and with a good degree
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South District Association.
of success. It seems a pity that his fine talents and extensive in- fluence should be used against the cause of missions.
SOUTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
This fraternity was formed of the churches, located south of Paint Lick creek and Kentucky river, which had belonged to the Old South Kentucky Association. It held its first meeting at Salt River church, in what is now Anderson county, in 1802. The body, at its organization, was in correspondence with all the Baptist associations in the State, except Tates Creek. On motion to admit Tates Creek to correspondence, a heated debate arose, John Rice and Jeremiah Vardeman advocating the meas- ure with great zeal. The motion was carried by a vote of 27 for, and 26 against it. The minority submitted for the present ; but, averring that Jacob Lock and James Hill, corresponding mess- engers from Green River Association, and Joel Noel, from Tates Creek, had voted in the affirmative, and that, therefore, the motion was not legally carried, they resolved to bring the matter up at the next meeting of the body.
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