USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 19
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meetings, and annual meetings, and substituted in their place, protracted meetings. In 1836, the Association appointed four protracted meetings, with preachers to attend them. Three preachers were usually appointed to attend each of these meetings, which generally continued from five to eight days.
The year 1837, marked an era in the history of this Associ- ation, as well as most others in the State. The Kentucky Baptist State Convention had been dissolved, and a meeting had been called to convene in Louisville the 20th of October, for the purpose of forming a general association. Russels Creek Association appointed, as messengers to this meeting, D. S. Colgan, Wm. M. Brown, Zech. Worley, M. W. Sherrill, T. J. Fisher, R. Ball and J. D. Winston. Of these, the venerable D. S. Colgan, of Owensboro, and M. W. Sherrill, of Louisville are still living (1885.) The Association had, the year before, advised the churches to contribute to the American and Foreign Bible society, and now it commends the China Mission society, and urges a wider circulation of the Baptisi Banner. A most glorious revival pervaded the churches this year ; 456 baptisms were reported to the Association, and the revival still continued. Indeed it continued, with only an occasional depression, for almost a score of years. In 1854, this Association, so long a small and feeble body, as to numbers, had increased so greatly that it numbered 29 churches, aggregating 3,041 members, notwithstand- ing a number of churches had been dismissed to go into other associations.
During this long period of prosperity, the Association was actively engaged in all benevolent enterprises of the denomina- tion. It began so early, in the work of missions, and prosecuted it with such constancy and vigor, that the anti-mission schism, which so sorely rent the neighboring fraternities, from 1835 to 1843, had very little effect on it. Green River, Barren River, Stocktons Valley, Tates Creek and Drakes Creek, were all torn into factions, by Antinomianism, Two-Seedsism and Antimissi- onism, while Russells Creek not only sustained no loss, but enjoyed a high degree of prosperity, during the whole of this stormy period. In 1840, the letter from Mt. Gilead church con- tained the following language : "We do earnestly recommend to the Association, the adoption of some plan, or measure, by which a prcached gospel would be more generaly diffused among
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the churches in our Association, and especially among the desti- tute churches. We wish not to be dictatorial, yet we believe you might refer this subject to the consideration of the churches, and, in their united wisdom, some plan or measure might be adopted, through the blessing of God, to edify and instruct the churches, and advance the cause of the Redeemer, among us." The Association took the subject under consideration, and, after laying down the principle, in the form of a preamble, that it is the duty of the churches "to increase their efforts to promote the cause of Christ, and to act upon the important principle of doing the greatest possible amount of good at the least possible expense," and passing some vigorous resolutions, appointed an executive committee, consisting of Z. Worley, John Scott, Aaron Harding, Robert Ball, and Wm. G. Anderson. The duty of this committee was that usually discharged by missionary boards. They were to employ one or more missionaries, collect money for their support, and direct their labors. ' Four meetings for each church, were appointed to be held the ensuing year, "for the purpose of awakening a deeper interest for the spread of the gospel throughout the world, and of adopting the most efficient measures to carry out the great commission .- 'Go Ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
The following transaction of business, in 1841, will give the best idea of the objects and enterprises of the Association :
"Resolved, that the churches of this Association be request- ed to report annually to this body on the following items :
" I. On the ministry. The name of the minister, the time he serves the church, and the compensations he receives for his services.
" 2. On benevolent efforts. The amount of money contrib- uted, and the object specified to which cach sum is appropriated.
" 3. On Sabbath schools. The number of teachers, of scholars, of volumes in the library, and the number of scholars who professed religion during the last year.
" 4. On religious periodicals. The kind and number taken.
" 5. On temperance. The number of members the society consists of, meetings held, lectures delivered, and general prospects.
" 6. On tracts. The number of pages distributed, and the success of such labors."
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Under the auspices of this Association, the Green River Bible Society was organized, in 1836, and did efficient work, for a number of years.
Russells Creek Association attained the greatest numerical strength it has yet reached, about 1855. The next year Lynn Association was constituted on its north western border, by which it lost several churches. This loss had not been regained, when the war came on, which resulted in a further reduction of its membership, by the severance of its colored members from the churches. In 1861, it numbered 26 churches with 2, 187 members. During the next ten years, it lost its colored mem- bers to the number of something more than 300. Its gain was greater than its loss ; so that in 1871, it numbered 32 churches, with 2,349 members. During its session of this year, it ex- pressed its sentiments on the subject of "alien immersion" as follows : " Resolved, that the Association does not consider any person baptized, unless he has been immersed in water, in the name of the Trinity, by the authority of a regularly organized Baptist church."
The actions of this body on the various benevolent enter- prises of the denomination in the State have been similar to those of other liberal missionary bodies of the kind, and need not, therefore, be itemized here. The churches have had a pretty even course of prosperity, since the war. In 1880, the Association numbered 33 churches, aggregating 2,668 members. During 49 of the first 50 years of its existence, there were, ac- cording to its official reports, baptized for the fellowship of its churches 5,344 converts. Since 1854, the accessible records are too deficient to allow of giving exact numbers. But it is be- lieved that a fair estimate of the whole number baptized into the fellowship of its churches, from its constitution, to 1880, would be about 8, 547.
The churches of this fraternity have enjoyed the ministrations of a number of able and efficient preachers, and been blessed with the counsel and influence of many prominet citizens of the commonwealth. Of a number of these, brief sketches have been given elsewhere, and, as usual, a few names will be ap- pended here :
JONATHAN PADDOX was among the earliest preachers of Rus- sells Creek Association. He was a native of Pennsylvania, from
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whence he moved to Kentucky, before it was a state, and settled in Bourbon county. Here he united with a Separate Baptist church called Huston, by which he was licensed to preach, in 1792. About the year 1800, he moved to what is now LaRue county, and united with South Fork church. Here he labored with the old pioneers, in laying the foundation of some of the early churches of that region. He assisted Allexander McDou- gal in gathering Nolin church, in 1803; and preached some years to the church of which he was a member. In 1814, he moved to Harrison county, Indiana, and settled near Corrydon. Two years later he returned to Kentucky, and took charge of South Fork church, which had been divided on the subject of slavery, under the ministry of Thomas Whitman, their former pastor. Under the care of good old "father Paddox," the church was soon restored to harmony. But the aged minister was now becoming too feeble to labor, and, about 1820, he re- turned to his children, in Indiana, and soon afterward went to his final Rest.
Mr. Paddox possessed very moderate preaching talent; but he was truly a good man, and much beloved, and he honored his Master and made a good impression on society.
HERBERT G. WAGGONER was among the most efficient laborers within the bounds of Russells Creek Association, for a period of nearly 30 years. It is much regretted that so few particulars of his life and labors have been preserved. He was probably a native of Virginia, but of this the author is not certain. He settled in Adair county, and became a member of Zion Church (which he long served as pastor) as carly as 1805. He was an active and prominent member of Russells Creek Association, and frequently served that body as Moderator. He was called to his reward, in 1834, the same year that those other eminent soldiers of the cross, David Thurman, David L. Mansfield, David J. Kelley and James H. L. Moorman, went to join the general Assembly and Church of the first born.
JOSEPH COGDILL was among the pioneer preachers of Hart county. Very little is now known of him, except that he was a plain, humble man, who labored faithfully in the cause of Christ, and left behind him a good reputation. He appears to have succeeded Thomas Whitman, who went off with the Emancipationists, in 1808, in the pastoral care of Lynn-Camp
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(now Knox Creek) church. In this church he was a minister, as late as 1818.
JAMES SHIPP was a young preacher of excellent gifts. He was licensed to preach, in Pittmans Creek church, in 1813, and soon afterwards ordained. He was appointed, in 1815, to write the circular letter for the next year. But before the time ar- rived for the performance of this duty, the Lord called him home.
STANLEY BROWN WALKER, son of Richard Walker, a prominent citizen among the early settlers of Hardin county, was born in Virginia, Feb. 22, 1787, but was brought to Harden county, Kentucky, by his parents, when he was only a year old. Here he was brought up without ever having had the good fortune, as he expressed it, to sce the inside of a school-house, till after he was 21 years of age. At an early age, he united with Otter Creek (now Rolling Fork) church, in what is now LaRue county, of which his parents were members. Here he was licensed to preach, about 1813. His gifts were meager, and he was esteemed principally for his piety and zeal. He la- bored, in his humble zealous way, within the bounds of Russells Creek Association, without being ordained, but not without usefulness, about ten years. In 1823, he moved to Perry coun- ty, Indiana, where he labored another ten years, among the feeble young churches of Little Pigeon Association. He then moved to Clark county, Illinois, where he closed his earthly career with a third ten years of service in his Master's Vineyard. He died Jan. 28, 1843. His son, William Walker, is a very acceptable preacher, in Coles county, Illinois.
WILLIAM BUSBRIDGE was a preacher in Zion church in Adair county as early as 1812. To this church, and occasionally at other points, he preached acceptably some ten or twelve years. He preached the introductory sermon before Russells Creek As- sociation at Brush Creek in 1828. But, about 1830, a painful bodily affliction so impaired his mind that he ceased from preach- ing, although he lived several years afterward.
ZECHARIAH WORLEY was born and raised in Virginia, per- haps in Bedford county. His father, although a professed christian, was a distiller, and his son entered the still house, at the age of fifteen. Afterwards, however, the boy went to an academy, where he obtained a fair academic education. He
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was preparing to enter Washington college, when meeting with J. M. Kelly, afterwards a valuable preacher in Trigg county Ky., who told him he had been a short time at that institution, and that the young men attending it were so drunken and boisterous, that to study there was impracticable, young Worley declined going to the college. In early life, he was set apart to the ministry, and soon displayed intelligent inclination to reform the abuses that had crept into the churches, and especially that of intemperance. His observations in his father's still house had given him a strong repugnance to the use of in- toxicating drinks. In a little work, published just before his death, he draws the following picture of the period at which he began his ministry :
"A short time before the [temperance ]reformation commenced, I attended a Baptist Association. At the close of the business of the first day, I went home with a rich old brother. There were many old ministers and delegates to the Association, who also went with this brother. When we entered the house, the first salutation was decanters of brandy and whisky, loaf sugar, nutmegs, mint, etc. By the time dinner was over, at the present time, they would all have been accused of being in- toxicated, except about four of us young preachers, who re- fused to drink. The next day we learned that the same process had been carried on at every house in the neighborhood. At that time there was not an old minister in the Association, who would not drink his toddy. Many of them were men of talents and were well informed, for the times. At this Association, some eight or ten of us, young preachers, pledged ourselves that we would not preach a sermon, during the following Associational year, without saying something against drinking spirits, as a beverage ; and that we would never vote for any man, to fill office, who made, or sold ardent spirits."
From this time, Mr. Worley was a zealous, consistent advo- cate of temperance, during a period, more than 50 years. After preaching a number of years in his native State, he moved to Green co., Ky., and united with Mt. Gilead Church, about 1835. He remained in this church about two years, and then took mem- bership in Mt. Olivet. He wrote the circular letter of Russells Creek Association, in 1837, and was a messenger from that body to the convention that formed the General Association, in
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October of that year. He was a member of Russells Creek Association, about eight years, and served it as clerk, from 1840 to 1842. About the latter date, he went farther South, and probably made his home, for a time, with his brother, who was also a preacher, in the northern part of Middle Tennessee. But he was never married, and was much inclined to ramble from one locality to another. He can hardly be said to have had any fixed residence for the last forty years of his life. He died in Western Kentucky, not far from the beginning of the year 1882.
Mr. Worley's talents, though respectable, were not extraor- dinary ; nor was his influence ever very extensive. But he maintained an irreproachable religious character and was industri- ous in his holy calling. He early espoused the cause of missions, and gave his influence to all the benevolent enterprises of his denomination, during a long, active, and, we trust, not unfruitful ministry.
DAVID MILLER was born in Nelson Co. Ky., July 13, 1793. His father, Jacob Miller, was a native of Pennsylvania, and, it is believed, was of German extraction. He emigrated to Kentucky, in 1785, and settled in Nelson county. All his family were Baptists, as are most of his numerous posterity. The subject of this sketch professed religion and united with Otter Creek (now Rolling Fork) church, in what is now LaRue county, in 1809. He was licensed to preach, in November, 1835. He was now in his 43rd year, and the development of his gifts was so slow, that he was not ordained till August, 1838, at which time he was solemnly set apart to the full work of the ministry, by Johnson Graham, D. S. Colgan, Horatio Chandler and John Miller. He was soon called to the care of Middle Creek church, in LaRue county, and Good Hope church, in Taylor county. To the former he preached 20 years, in which time 71 converts were baptized into its fellowship ; the latter he served 19 years, and baptized for its membership over 100 converts. He preach- ed to several other churches, during briefer periods. Of him G. H. Hicks, one of his co-laborers, says: "Brother Miller pos- sessed only ordinary talents, but was blessed with extraordinary zeal and deep-toned piety. He was generally foremost in contributions to benevolent objects. He was an indefatigable laborer in the cause of his Master. After suffering severely
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with dyspepsia, nearly twenty years, and from dropsy, about three years, he died of a violent attack of pneumonia, March 20, 1872. His faithful wife, with whom he had lived nearly 57 years, followed him to his final rest, the 7th of May, of the same year."
JOHN MILLER, a brother of the above, was born in the same , county, Dec. 26, 1805. He received only a moderate common school education. He obtained hope in Christ during the revi- val of 1828, but being doubtful of the genuineness of his conversion, he did not make a public profession of religion, till the fall of 1829, when he was baptized into the fellowship of Otter Creek church, of which the family of his parents were members, by Johnson Graham. He was licensed to preach, Nov. 8, 1835. He at once commenced the exercise of his gift, and his progress was so satisfactory that he was ordained to the work of the ministry, on the 2nd of December, of the following year, Johnson Graham, Horatio Chandler and Wm. M. Brown, forming the presbytery. He was a man of fair talent, of excel- lent practical judgment, and of deep, earnest piety. Not far from the time of his ordination, he made the following entry in his private journal: "To Thee, O Lord, I look ; for without thee, I can do nothing. Keep me humble, and make me holy, give me an understanding of thy Word. And oh, may my ob- ject be to preach Jesus, and not myself, that I may glorify thy name, and win souls to thee, the living God. These favors I ask for Jesus' sake, unto whose name be everlasting praises : Amen." A delineation of his ministerial and christain character could not be better portrayed, than it is in this simple prayer. Every petition in it seems to have been literally answered.
Mr. Miller was, at different periods, pastor of the churches at Hardins Creek, in Washington county; Stewarts Creek, in Marion; Middle Creek, Rolling Fork and Hodgenville, in LaRue; Brush Creek, in Green; Friendship, in Taylor, and Union Band, in Nelson. He was instrumental in raising up Middle Creek and Union Band, and was a member of the latter, at the time of his death. He was a humble, pious christian, a good strong, plain preacher, a wise counselor, and an excellent disciplinarian ; and doubtless, would have exerted a much more extended influence, but for the fact of his becoming a confirmed dyspeptic, in the early part of his ministry. He frequently
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resigned the pastoral office, on account of ill health ; but would resume that relation, as soon as his health was sufficiently improved. This will account for his having been pastor of so many churches. But with all his afflictions, during a period of about 20 years, God wrought a good work by him. He bap- tized over 350 converts.
When his health became so feeble that he could no longer labor in the Lord's vineyard, he greatly desired "to depart and be with Christ," and often prayed the Lord to take him home. The good Master, at last, granted his petition. On the 15th of July, 1864, his chastened spirit left the worn out tenement of clay, and went joyfully to the presence of God who gave it. Of his sons J. Tol. Miller is an acceptable preacher in Texas, and Russ Miller is a licensed preacher, in Hardin county.
RICHARD PARKS LEWIS was born in Washington Co., Ky., Jan. 28, 1825. He was of a numerous and influential Bap- tist family. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Washington county, and were active in improving and defend- ing the State, in an early day, and no less active and influential in the cause of Christ.
The childhood of Richard P. Lewis was characterized by a mild, retiring disposition. He was fond of books, and made fair progress in learning; but he was much more fond of the beauties of nature. He had the appreciative eye of an artist ; and the gentle, pensive spirit of a poet. He had little taste for company, or boyhood sports, and was much more pleased in silent communion with the wild, romantic scenery around his boyhood home, than with the conventionalities of society. He was naturally of a devotional temperament, and, in the 15th year of his age, professed religion, and was baptized into the fellowship of Mill Creek church, in Nelson county, by F. F. Seig. He was licensed to preach, August 20, 1842. His piety was constant and earnest, but he was so timid that he would proba- bly never have undertaken to preach, but for the earnest persuasion of that eminently devoted man of God, A. W. La- Rue. After he was licensed, he commenced exercising his gift publicly, and soon gave excellent promise of usefulness. This induced his father to send him to Georgetown College, which - institution he entered, in September, 1842. "During his course at Georgetown," says Mr. LaRue, " the burden of his
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thoughts and correspondence was the glory of God and the sal- vation of sinners." He was a great favorite at college, and his mind rapidly developed, dispelling his embarrassing timidity, and bringing out his latent energies, and the strong poetical fires of his genius. He graduated, in June, 1846, and, returning to the home of his parents, entered into the great work that now appeared to absorb his whole being. He was active, both in preaching, and in promoting the intrest of Sabbath schools. " He intented to finish his studies, at Princeton, N. J., but God had designed him for another sphere." On the 27th of October, 1847, he was ordained to the ministry, by D. S. Colgan, Wm. R. Combs, and V. E. Kirtley, and immediately took charge of the churches at Columbia, in Adair county, and Mt. Gilead, in Green. He soon won the hearts of his people, and the work of the Lord prospered in his hands. But the brilliant carcer of this young disciple soon closed. On the 31st of August, 1849, he bade adieu to the scenes of toil and sorrow, and went to join the throng arrayed in white.
Softly and sweetly sleeps the youthful form ; Whose spirit chants eternal praise at home:
DANIEL SELF was an early preacher in Adair county. He was born in Culpeper co., Va., about 1785. Losing his father, in his infancy, he was carried to North Carolina, where he was raised up by a widowed mother. At the age of 15 years, he united with a Baptist church. He married and moved to Adair county, Ky., not far from 1810. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812-15. At the close of the war, he returned to his home in Kentucky, and some time afterwards, was liberated to preach. His education was very meager, indeed, but he now applied himself to improving it, so earnestly, that he finally ac- quired a fair stock of information, including some knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages. He is said to have been warm and zealous in prayer and exhortation, but dull and prosy in his attempts to elucidate a text. He did not acquire much preach- ing ability, and, it is believed, was never pastor of a church ; but he was regarded a good man, and he made a good impression on the people. About 1833, he moved to Logan county, where he died, in May, 1841. He was twice married, and raised fifteen children. John W. Self, his only son, by his second wife, is a very acceptable preacher, in Warren county.
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Russells Creek Association.
1
HENRY McDONALD, D. D. was raised up to the ministry, and labored a number of years, within the bounds of Russells Creek Association. He is a native of Ireland, was raised by devout Catholic parents, and was educated with a view to the priesthood. Being averse to becoming a priest, he ran away from his parents and came to the United States. Making his way to Greensburg, Kentucky, he entered upon the study of law, under Hon. Aaron Harding. Under the preaching of B. T. Taylor, during an extensive revival at Greensburg, young McDonald professed conversion, about 1852, and was baptized into the fellowship of Greensburg church, by Mr. Taylor. He at once abandoned the study of law, and commenced the study of theology, under the directions of John Harding. He was or- dained to the ministry, about 1854. After serving the church at Greensburg, some ten years, he accepted a call to Danville, where he ministered about twelve years. From thence he went to Cov- ington, where he remained only a few months, when he accepted a call to the church at Georgetown, where, inaddition to his pastor- al labors, he filled the chair of theology in Georgetown College. From Georgetown he was called to Richmond, Virginia, from whence he has recently gone to Georgia.
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