USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 12
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In 1803, the Association met at McCormacks, in Lincoln county. The venerable Joseph Bledsoe was chosen Moderator, and Thomas J. Chilton, Clerk. Mr Chilton also preached the introductory sermon. There were represented 24 churches, ag- gregating 1,468 members. When the corresponding letter from Tates Creek Association was presented, objections were made to its being received, and again a warm debate ensued. John Bailey, Thomas J. Chilton and Joseph Bledsoe opposing, and Jer- emiah Vardeman and John Rice favoring the reception of the cor- respondence. The motion to receive the letter was lost, by a considerable majority. Jeremiah Vardeman and John Rice im- mediately withdrew from the house, followed by their adherents, and organized the minority, under the style of South District Association. The majority also claimed the name and preroga- tives of that fraternity. The minority was received into corre- spondence, by all the associations in the State, and the majority was rejected ; after which the latter assumed the name of South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists.
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The next meeting of South District Association, of which the records have been preserved, convened at Cartwrights Creek, in what is now Marion county, on the 4th Saturday in September, 1806. There were represented 15 churches, aggre- gating 937 members. The churches were: Forks of Dix River, Gilberts Creek and Sugar Creek, in Garrard county ; Deep Creek, Stony Point, Shawnee Run and Unity, in Mercer ; Salt River, in Anderson; Rush Branch and McCormacks, in Lincoln ; Doctors Fork and Hanging Fork (now Providence), in Boyle; Pleasant Run and Buffalo Creek, in Washington; and Cartwrights Creek (now Lebanon), in Marion. The ministers of the body were Randolph Hall, James Keel, John Rice, Jere- miah Vardeman, James Rogers and Owen Owens.
The Association increased very slowly, from this period till 1817. At the latter date, a revival commenced in its churches, and continued about four years: So that, in 1820, the body comprised 21 churches, with 1,703 members. In 1812, the Association recommended the churches to furnish Jeremiah Vardeman and Silas M. Noel with such information as would aid them in accomplishing their purpose to write "a compre- hensive history of the Baptist Society." Unfortunately, this laudable purpose was never carried into effect. In 1818, one M. Smith proposed to write "a history of the Baptists in the Western Country "; the Association discouraged the enterprise, on account of Mr. Smith's supposed incompetency.
In 1820, Cartwrights Creek church inquired of the Associa- tion if baptism, administered by a sect calling themselves Christians, should be received as valid? The sect referred to comprised the followers of Barton W. Stone, and were popular- ly known as Newlights, as they still are in some of the north- western states, where they exist in considerable numbers. In Kentucky, they united with the Campbellites, soon after the origin of that sect. They practice immersion, and baptize only adult believers, but deny the Godhead of Jesus Christ. The Association answered the question from Cartwrights as follows: "We believe that all persons baptized by immersion, of good moral character, and sound in the faith, the administrator, him- self, having been baptized by immersion, regularly ordained, and in good standing in his own society, ought to be received into any Baptist church." This was doubtless intended to be an
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endorsement of alien immersion (as it is now phrased), under the restrictions specified, and, so far as known to the author, is the only instance of the kind that has occurred among the Bap- tist associations in Kentucky.
In 1821, the messengers from McCormacks church were de- nied seats in the Association, because that church had practiced open communion. But on their promising that the practice should be discontinued, they were admitted to seats, on Monday. The next year, the subject of Free Masonry was discussed in the body. The following question and answer were recorded, on the minutes of 1822: "Query, from Stony Point: Is it right for a gospel minister, or any member of the Baptist churches, compos- ing our Association, to join himself to a lodge of Free Masons? Answer. We think the subject so intimately connected with the rights of private judgment, that every person should be left to his own conscientious determination respecting it: But from the effect it has generally had on the churches, we recommend to our brethren, believing it will have a good tendency, that they, in no case, join the Masonic lodge." This answer appears not to have been satisfactory : for, in 1824, the following question and answer were recorded: "Is it right for the members of a Baptist church to join the Masonic lodge, and [the church] hold them in fellowship? Answer. No." During the same session, the fol- lowing was adopted : "Resolved, That this Association cordially recommend to the patronage of the churches the Latter Day Luminary and the Columbian Star , under the superin- tendence of the Baptist General Convention : The former, Monthly, at $ 2. per annum, the latter, Weekly, at $ 3. ".
The influence of Campbellism began to be manifest in this As- sociation, as early as 1828. Some of the churches were unsettled on the subject of creeds and confessions of faith, as the following proceedings, of that date, show: "Owing to an unfortunate difference of opinion, existing among some of our members, in regard to the terms of general union: Resolved, That this Asso- ciation still continue to cherish a high regard for that instrument, as a bond of union, and recommend to the churches an undeviat- ing regard for the precepts set forth therein ; as we believe them to be according to the Scriptures."
The religious excitement of 1827-29, did not reach the same height, among the churches of this fraternity, as in some of
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the neighboring associations. There were only about 500 bap- tized, during the revival. This brought the Association up, in 1829, to a membership of 20 churches, with 1,650 members. But the Campbellite element in the churches, was larger than the gain made by the revival ; and became so aggressive, not to say turbulent, that the Association, in 1830, adopted the following preamble and resolution :
" Whereas, Alexander Campbell's writings have exerted a destructive influence over many of the Baptist churches, in Ken- tucky ; so as to produce schisms and divisions among the breth- ren; therefore, Resolved, That this Association advise and recommend to the churches composing this body, the propriety of discountenancing the aforesaid writings, together with such preachers as propagate the disorganizing sentiments of said Alex- ander Campbell."
This resolution caused much excitement among the churches, but ultimately produced the desired effect. It separated the Baptists and Campbellites. The churches at Springfield and McCormacks were dropped from the Association, and minorities were separated from most or all of the other churches. The Association was reduced, in 1831, to 18 churches, aggregating 1, 260 members. In 1833, a revival began in the churches, and continued about two years, during which 505 were baptized. This gave the Association an aggregate membership of 1, 661, from which it did not vary a great deal for about eight years. In 1837, the Association appointed three preachers, B. Kemper, R. P. Steenbergen, and J. S. Higgins, to preach among the churches, during the succeeding ycar; and recommended the churches to sustain them. The same plan was pursued next ycar. In 1840, John S. Higgins was appointed an agent to visit the churches, and collect funds, for the spread of the gos- pel. A precious revival succeeded these active missionary operations. It commenced in 1842, and continued four years, during which the churches reported to the Association 1, 331 baptisms. The body now (1845) comprised 17 churches, with 2, 286 members.
In 1842, an attempt was made to form a union between South District and Tates Creek Associations of United Baptists, on the one part, and South Kentucky and Nolynn Associations of Separate Baptists on the other part. For this purpose, a
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convention composed of messengers from each of these four as- sociations, met at Crab Orchard, on the first Saturday in Novem- ber. The union was not consummated ; but the attempt resulted in the secession of several churches from the Separate Baptist Associations. Of these churches, South Kentucky Association of United Baptists was formed. A fuller account of the transac- tions will be given in the history of that fraternity.
From the time of the revival last spoken of, South District Association enjoyed pretty even course of prosperity, till 1860, when it numbered 26 churches, aggregating 3, 149 members. This is the largest aggregate membership the body has ever reported. The membership was much reduced during the war, by the sep- aration of the colored people from the churches. In 1867, the Association reported 20 churches, aggregating only 1,731 mem- bers. But it has steadily increased in numbers, until it has nearly regained what it lost during the war. In 1880, it num- bered 24 churches, with 2, 594 members. During 60 of the first 78 years of its existence, there were baptized into its churches, according to its official reports, 9,746 converts.
South District Association has been rather an enterprising body, from an early period in its history. It adopted something like a systematic plan of home missionary operations, as early as 1837. This was three years before either Elkhorn or Salem initiated such a measure. It very early encouraged foreign mis- sions, Bible societies and the circulation of religious period- icals, and has exhibited much of the same spirit, in each suc- ceeding generation. Although its churches occupy parts of sev- eral counties, its territory is comparatively small, and has been so since its revolutionary division, in the second year of its ex- istence. But it has very well illustrated the subject of its cir- cular letter, for 1856 .- " Cultivate a small field !"
Gov. GABRIEL SLAUGHTER was a most valuable member of South District Association. He was a native of Virginia, and was born in 1767. He emigrated to Kentucky, in his youth, and settled in Mercer county, where he followed the vocation of a farmer, the remainder of his life. He was elected to the Lower House of the Kentucky Legislature, in 1799. At the close of his term, he was elected to the State Senate, where he served eight successive years. In 1808, he was elected Lieutenant Governor, under Charles Scott, and served four years. He served in the 9
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War of 1812-15, under a colonel's commission, and commanded a regiment in the battle of New Orleans. About this period, he presided as judge of a court martial, the decision of which did not accord with the views of Gen. Jackson. On the General's ordering a reversal of the decision, Col. Slaughter peremptorily refused, saying he knew his duty and had performed it. Re- turning from the army, he was again elected Lieutenant Gover- nor, in 1816, this time, under George Madison. Gov. Madison dying, Oct. 14, of the same year, Col. Slaughter, assuming the duties of Governor, filled the office to the end of the term.
Mr. Slaughter was very early a member of Shawnee Run church, if he was not in its original constitution. He was very ac- tive and zealous in religious affairs, heartily giving his time, tal- ents and influence to the advancement of the cause of Christ. He was a messenger from his church, to the different associations with which it was connected, "more than 30 years, and for nine years, Moderator of South District Association." He died at his residence in Mercer county, in 1830.
ROBERT P. STEENBERGEN was raised up to the ministry, within the bounds of South District Association. He was licensed to exercise his gift, at Shawnee Run church, in 1833; but afterwards moved his membership to Brush Creek, where he ยท was ordained to the ministry, in 1837. He was appointed, the same year, to travel and preach within the bounds of the Association. His gifts, though by no means brilliant or extraordinary, were of a popular character, and soon attracted attention. In 1848, he was chosen pastor of Bethlehem church, in Washington county. With some brief intervals, he was pastor of this church till about 1857. At this period, he was charged with the sin of adultery. If the charge was not clearly proved, it nevertheless had the effect of virtually closing his ministry, and the evening of his life was passed under a cloud. How careful ought ministers of the gospel be, to shun the appearance of evil !
DAVID HARDISTY was a preacher of more than ordinary abil- ity, was better educated than most of his contemporaries in the Baptist ministry, and was a popular and eloquent pulpit orator. He was born in the State of Delaware, about A. D., 1773. At an early age he joined the Methodists, and soon became a trav- eling preacher among them. About the beginning of the pres-
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ent century, he was transferred to Kentucky. A few years after his removal to this State, his wife died, and, in 1808, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Hutchens, daughter of Leonard Tay- lor, of Madison county. For marrying "an unawakened per- son," he was silenced from preaching, for a term of six months. He devoted his time to studying the Bible, and comparing with its teachings, the doctrine and discipline of his church. About the time he should have been restored to the functions of his of- fice in the Methodist church, he and his wife united with the Baptist church at Stone meeting-house (Tates Creek), in Mad- ison county. They were baptized by Thomas German.
Mr. Hardisty was soon ordained, and entered the pulpit as a Baptist minister. After preaching a few years, he unfortunately fell heir to a small estate. Having been quite poor, and being encumbered with a large family of children, he became ambitious to acquire property. Mistaking himself for a business man, he moved to Lexington, and entered into a mercantile establish- ment. His business did not prosper, and he soon became em- barrassed. Meanwhile, he neglected his religious duties. He soon contracted the habit of drinking too freely, and was ex- cluded from the church. He struggled, for a time, with fickle fortune, but he finally became bankrupt. Like the Prodigal Son, he now came to himself, repented of his sins, and was restored to the church and to the ministry.
About the year 1825, he moved to Washington county, and became a member of Springfield church. He was pastor of this church, as well as that of Bethlehem, and, perhaps, two others. He was very popular among the churches, and continued to preach, with their warm approval, till 1834, when Springfield church was dropped from the Association, on account of its hav- ing adopted Campbellism. Mr. Hardisty, though he professed not to have adopted that system himself, was, like poor Tray, found in bad company, and had to suffer the consequences. However, the Association, in 1838, advised that any one of her churches might restore him. Accordingly, he was received into Bethlehem church, and became its pastor. He continued to serve this and some of its neighboring churches, till he became too feeble and blind to labor. In 1851, he lost his eyesight entirely. A few months before his death, he was brought to Bethlehem church, where he preached for the last time, to a large and tear-
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ful assembly. He died at his home in Perryville, about 1855.
RICHARD ELLIOT was one of the pioneer preachers in Wash- ington county. He was a native of Virginia, and was born about 1765. At an early age, he began his ministry as a Meth- odist preacher. During an extensive revival, which prevailed in Virginia, from 1785 to 1791, several Methodists joined the Bap- tists, in Mr. Elliot's neighborhood. Being a zealot for his church, he sent for the circuit rider to come and preach a ser-
mon on Baptism. At the next meeting of the Baptist church, Mr. Elliot and the circuit rider being present, an influential Methodist woman offered herself for membership. Being asked to give her reason for making the change, she replied, in sub- stance : "I have been in doubt concerning my baptism, for several months. But when I heard the arguments our preacher used, in his sermon, preached against the Baptists, and in de- fense of Methodism, I was fully convinced that I had never been rightly baptized." The pastor stepped up to the circuit rider, and, playfully stroking his head, said : "I have being trying to convince this woman of her error, several months; but you have accomplished it with one sermon: come and preach for us again !" This circumstance set Mr. Elliot to investigating. A few months' study convinced him that he was in error, and he decided to offer himself to the Baptist church. But wishing to be open and candid with his brethren, he went to the class-meet- ing, to inform them of his change of views, and to justify him- self by giving his reasons. He had not proceeded far in reading and explaining the scriptures, when the circuit rider cried out : " Stop that man : he will convince everybody in the house!"
Mr. Elliot soon afterwards joined the Baptists, and was set apart to the ministry. While yet comparatively a young man he emigrated to Kentucky, and settled in what is now Marion county. Here he spent the remainder of his days, laboring with his hands for a support, and preaching the gospel to the poor around him. He died, in the triumph of the Christian's hope, about the year 1835. He was a man of moderate gifts ; but pos- sessing true piety and zeal, he added his quota to the sum of evangelical labors, performed in the wilderness of the Great West.
ISAAC MONTGOMERY was born of Irish parents, in what is now Garrard county. Ky., Feb., 1780. His mother was a Baptist ;
1
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but he grew up a wild, thoughtless boy, and was especially fond of playing the fiddle and dancing. He married early; and as soon as his first child was able to walk, he took much pleasure in teaching her to dance. When he was in his 26th year, an old colored man had meeting near his home. Mr. Montgom- ery thought this an opportunity to have some rare fun. Taking his wife and children, he went to the meeting. Soon after the old man began to preach, a new class of reflections came into the mind of the pleasure seeker. "This pious old negro," soliloquized he, "is on his way to Heaven, while I am going to Hell. Then, my poor, little children! I am teaching them to
follow me. What shall I do?" An overwhelming sense of guilt and condemnation seized upon him. For several weeks, he was almost in despair. But, at last, he found peace in Jesus, and united with Forks of Dix River church. He applied himself to reading the Bible, and to prayer, as diligently as he had to " fiddling and dancing." After serving the church as a deacon, some years, he was licensed to preach.
In 1818, he moved to what is now Boyle county, and, by the hands of Joel Gordon and Joseph Whitehead, was ordained to the pastoral care of Doctors Fork church. Of this congrega- tion, he was pastor, about 20 years. He also preached much in the surrounding country. Like many others, of his day, he conscientiously refused to receive any compensation for preach- ing. His preaching gift was below mediocrity. But he was a good exhorter, and was pious, zealous aud faithful. His death, which occurred in October, 1840, was very triumphant. He said to a minister who visited him shortly before his depart- ure : " Leave off your secular business, my brother, and give yourself wholly to the gospel: it is worth everything." He called on his daughters to sing the old hymn :
"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,"
and attempted to join them. But his voice failed, and a few moments afterward he breathed his last.
STROTHER COOK is perhaps the oldest living minister in South District Association. He was born of pious Baptist parents, (his father being a deacon of New Providence church), in what is now Boyle county, Ky., March 10, 1809. He finished his education at Danville, after he joined the church. He was the subject of early religious impressions, and prayed
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much in secret, from his 13th year, till he obtained hope in Christ, at the age of 17. He deferred joining the church till his 2Ist year. He was baptized into the fellowship of Hanging Fork church (now New Providence), by John S. Higgins, in March, 1828, commenced preaching, as a licentiate, in 1833, and was ordained, in 1834. Within a year, he was pastor of Bethlehem, Hillsboro and two other churches. He preached to Unity church 24 years, and, besides those already named, he has served, for different periods, Sugar Grove, Pleasant Run, New Salem, Mt. Freedom, Union and McCormacks.
In 1838, Mr. Cook married Miss Lucy M. Jenkins, and settled near Shawnee Run church, in Mercer county, where he still lives. He has raised twelve children, ten of whom he baptized with his own hands. Burdett Kemper and John L. Smith baptized the remaining two. Mr. Cook has now been preaching the gospel fifty years. He walks erect, appears to enjoy good health, and seems to be as much interested in the cause of the Redeemer, as in the days of his youth.
NELSON C. ALSPAUGH was an acceptable preacher in South District and Tates Creek Associations, about 20 years. He was raised up to the ministry at Forks of Dix River church, where he was ordained in 1847. He moved to Indiana, about 1858, and was still preaching, when last heard from.
VIRGIL EDWIN KIRTLEY, son of Thomas Kirtley, and a de- scendant of an old Welsh family which has produced many Bap- tist preachers, not less than seven of whom have lived in Kentucky, was born in what is now Taylor county Ky., April. 9, 1818. His father having lost his property, he was brought up to hard labor In May, 1837, on a farm, and with only a few weeks' schooling.
he united with Pittmans Creek church, being baptized by John Harding. After he was converted, his desire for education was greatly increased. Accordingly he applied himself to study by firelight, at night, while he labored hard by day. This practice he kept up till he arrived at his 21st year. After this he went to school and taught school alternately, until February, 1839, when he entered Georgetown College. Here he worked his way through an attendance of fifteen months. Having been licensed to preach, at Pittmans Creek, in Jan. 1839, he was ordained at Frankfort, Dec. 25, 1841, by Wm. Vaughan, J. M. Frost and George C. Sedwick. He immediately took charge of Big Spring
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church, in Woodford county. He was also pastor of Provi- dence church, in Anderson county, and preached once a month to each of the churches at Hillsboro and Salvisa. In 1844, he took charge of the churches at Bardstown, Mill Creek and New Salem, all in Nelson county. He served these churches, till 1848, when he accepted a call to the church at Owensboro, to which he ministered two years. In 1851, he accepted an agency for the Kentucky and Foreign Bible Society. In this . position he labored four years. In March, 1854, he took the pastoral charge of the church at Danville, and served it four years, building it up from 33 to 125 members, of whom he bap- tized 80 .. On leaving Danville, he took an agency for Indian Missions, which he prosecuted only a few months, when fail- ing health forced him to desist from traveling. He then im- proved a small farm near Springfield, and remained on it during the War, preaching meanwhile, to the churches at Hillsboro, Bethlehem and Haysville, in Washington county, and Lebanon, in Marion. In 1865, he took charge of the church at Bards- town, and at the same time became Principal of the Baptist Fe- male College, at that place. After occupying these positions three years he moved to Lebanon, where he took charge of the church, and built up a female high school, of which he con- tinued Principal, five years. In 1874, he took the pastoral care of the churches at Stanford, in Lincoln county, and Hardins Creek, in Washington. In 1876, he accepted an agency for Domestic and Indian missions, and filled the position six years, closing in 1882.
Mr. Kirtley is an eminently practical man, in the prosecution of his religious enterprises, whether in the pastoral office, at the head of a denominational school, or prosecuting a financial agency. He possesses remarkable physical strength and powers of endurance; and few preachers in Kentucky have performed so much hard labor as he, and equally few, perhaps, have labored to better advantage. He has been engaged in almost every en- terprise of the Baptist denomination in Kentucky, and has been blessed with good success in them all. In the pastoral office, he thinks he has baptized over 1,000 converts. He has raised money to aid in building several church houses, as those at Portland, Crab Orchard and Bethlehem, and to repair those at Bardstown, Mill Creek, Lebanon, Haysville and Owensboro.
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