USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 2
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In 1813, Silas M. Noel commenced the publication, at Frankfort, of the Gospel Herald. In the first number of this Monthly, he advocated the organization of a general meeting of correspondence, somewhat similar in its objects to our present General Association. The subject was taken into consideration by Elkhorn Association. But after a year's deliberation, the proposition was rejected.
In 1814, the subject of Foreign Missions was brought be- fore the Association, for the first time. No action was taken on the subject that year. But the year following, Luther Rice,
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Elkhorn Association.
the General Agent of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, being present, the sum of $150 or $200 was collected for the Burman Mission. From that period to the present, the church- es of Elkhorn Association have been among the most liberal in contributing to Foreign Missions.
In 1816, some disturbance was caused by the circulation of a pamphlet, titled an address to the advocates of a partial gos- pel, written by Judge Henry Davage, a licensed preacher in Big Spring Church. The doctrine taught in the publication was regarded Arminian, and was especially annoying to Frank- lin Association, whose messengers refused to take seats in Elk- horn Association, till that body should take some action con- cerning it. Silas M. Noel offered the following, which, being adopted by the Association, gave general satisfaction.
"We advise the Church at Big Spring, if she is grieved by the pamphlet written by H. Davage, to treat with the author in a gospel way. And we recommend to the churches of our union to discountenance the doctrines and sentiments therein contained."
In 1827, in answer to a query from Glens Creek, the Asso- ciation advised the members in their connection "in no case to join themselves to a Masonic Lodge." The following year, they advised their members not to join any "society, the prin- ciple of which is secrecy."
In 1821, in deference to "a respectable minority of the churches," and "for the sake of peace," the Association with- drew correspondence from the Board of Foreign Missions.
Queries came from the Ist Baptist Church in Lexington, as to the validity of baptism administered by an unordained- preacher, and as to the propriety of ordaining men of color to the gospel ministry. Jeremiah Vardeman, James Fishback, John Edwards, Edmund Waller and Jacob Creath were appoin- ted a committee to consider these questions and report their conclusions to the next Association. In accordance with their report, the Association, in 1822, reaffirmed its definition of valid baptism, given in 1802, and, in answer to the second in- quiry, "they knew of no reason why free men of color may not be ordained ministers of the gospel, the gospel qualifications be- ing possessed by them."
In 1828, an extensive revival prevailed within the bounds
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History of Kentucky Babtests.
of the Association. The number of baptisms, reported that year was 1676. The numerical strength of the fraternity was increased from 2,802, to 4,346. The permanent value of this increase, however, was greatly diminished by the activity of A. Campbell's adherents, who led many of the young converts in- to the peculiar views of that leader. The leaven of Campbell- ism had already begun to work in the churches, and the revi- val was followed by the wildest confusion and disorder that the Association has ever experienced. This turbulence continued among the churches till 1830 ; when the Campbellites were for- mally excluded from the Association, and peace was restored to the churches. A sufficiently full account of these transac- tions has been given in the general history.
A constrained and irregular correspondence was kept up with Licking Association till 1836, when it appeared that some doctrines, contrary to those held by the Baptists generally, were being propagated in her churches. Elkhorn remonstrat- ed with her, and, not being able to obtain satisfaction, finally withdrew correspondence, in 1837. 1
The establishment of toll gates on the roads over which the people went to their houses of worship, being a barrier i:1 the way of the poor's attending religious meetings, the Associ- ation, in 1838, made a very carnest appeal to the Legislature to open the gates for the free passage, on Sabbath, of all persons going to or returning from public worship, on all turnpike roads in the Statc.
During the period of a score of years, from the Campbel- lite schism, Elkhorn Association had a feeble ministry, com- pared with that of former years, although she still had a few able preachers. The resolution adopted in 1839, to the follow- ing effect, was especially appropriate : That this Association has long mourned a great deficiency of ministerial labor, and has felt rebuked, when praying for more laborers, under the convic- tion that those in the field were rendered inefficient by the neg- lect of the churches to sustain them. To remedy the evil, they recommended the plan adopted by the General Association. Nothing was done this year towards carrying out the plan. But, in. 1840, Elder J. D. Black was appointed to visit the churches composing the body, and spread before them the wants of the people, The design was to induce the churches
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Elkhorn Association.
to sustain their pastors, in order that they might give their whole time to the ministry. Elder Black was also directed to vis- it the destitute places, hold protracted meetings, and otherwise promote the cause of Christ. His labors were abundantly suc- cessful. He visited every church in the Association, held 20 protracted meetings, received for baptism 323, and collected some money for missions. The Association was so much en- couraged, that it appointed two missionaries, the next year.
J. D. Black was the first missionary appointed to labor in the bounds of this association. But from that time to the pres- ent, domestic missions have been kept up within its bounds, through the various systems it has adopted.
In 1840, the following resolution was adopted by the Asso- ciation : "That in view of the apostolic admonition to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, wc recommend to all our churches, as far as they possibly can, to sustain a Sabbath school in their respective congregations." This was probably the first resolution of the kind, adopted by any association in the state. It may not be unworthy of remark, that it was offered by Elder George C. Sedwick, the father of the distinguished Sunday school missionary, Wm. S. Sedwick.
Our space will allow of no further details of the history of this ancient fraternity. From 1840 to the present, it has gener- ally been prosperous, except that it sustained a greater loss of members during the war, than any other association in the state. In 1861, its churches numbered an aggregate membership of 7,760, of whom 2,671 were white, and 5,089 were colored; in 1871, they reported only 2,505. From 1788 to 1880, there were, according to official reports, baptised into the churches of this Association 25, 138. In 1880, it numbered 28 churches and 3,063 members.
Sketches of the lives of a number of the ministers of this Association have been given elsewhere. But several other preachers who have been active laborers within its bounds, may be briefly noticed in this connection. It is regretted that a num- ber of others, equally worthy, must be omitted for want of in- formation concerning them.
GEORGE STOKES SMITH, a younger half brother of George Smith, one of the early emancipation preachers in Kentucky, was a native of Powhatan county, Virginia. He was raised up
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
to the ministry, in Powhatan church, during those times of per- secution that tried men's souls. After preaching some years, in Virginia, he came to what is now Garrard county, Kentucky, at a very early period. When John Taylor arrived in that county, in 1783, he found Mr. Smith a preacher in Gilbert's Creek church, Lewis Craig having moved to the north side of · Kentucky river, and raised up South Elkhorn church. When William Hickman moved to Kentucky, in 1784, Mr. Smith re- ceived him, with his wife and nine children, into his cabin, and entertained him till he could build a cabin to move into. Of this circumstance Mr Hickman writes to the following purport : "I had written G. S. Smith to meet us, but he failed to get the letter as soon as I expected. The night before we got in, we concluded to stop and rest. There were 500 in our company. My friend Smith rode up, inquiring for Hickman's camp. He came loaded with bread and meat. The next morning we started, and got to his cabin about an hour by sun, November 8, 1784. Wet and dirty, poor spectacles we were, but, thank God, all in common health. The Lord was with us through the whole journey [which occupied eighty-five days]. The next day, being Sunday, there was meeting at Brother Smith's; and, un- prepared as I was, I had to try to preach, though there were three other preachers present. I spoke from these words, found in the fourth Psalm: 'The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself.' I was followed by Mr Swope, a Methodist preacher. Old Brother William Marshall was there. There was a church at Gilbert's Creek, but I had no inclination to join so soon after I moved there. We lived in Brother Smith's family. Brother John Taylor came from the north side of the river, and preached at Brother Robertson's. His text was .- ' Christ is all in all.' I fed on the food; it was like the good old Virginia doctrine. Wm. Bledsoe was there. We built a cabin near Brother Smith's, where our families lived very agreeably together."
Mr. Smith labored in the region around South Elkhorn, with Hickman, Taylor, Craig and others, till Mt. Pleasant church, in Jessamine county, was raised up, in 1801. Of this church he was chosen pastor, and continued to fill that position with emin- ent success till the master took him home, about the year 1810.
Mr. Smith was raised up in the Episcopal Church, by wealthy
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Elkhorn Association.
parents, and was a citizen of considerable prominence, among the early settlers of Kentucky. He was a member, from Fay- ette county, of the convention that formed the first constitution of the state, in 1792. John Taylor, one of his co-laborers in the ministry, speaks of him as follows: "George S. Smith was a man of great respectability as a citizen, and was much of a doctrinal preacher. Simplicity and plainness attended his whole course. His preaching operated but sparingly on the passions of his hearers ; for though his voice was strong and sonorous, it lacked softness and melody. As a Gibbeonite in the house of God, he was better calculated to hew wood than to draw water."
RICHARD CAVE was one of the pioneer preachers of central Kentucky, and was very useful among the early settlers. He was the son of Captain Benjamin Cave of Orange county, Vir- ginia, where he was born not far from the year 1750. At an early age, he was led to Christ, under the preaching of the famous Samuel Harris and James Read, and united with Upper Spottsylvania church. He was set apart to the ministry, by this church, while he was quite young. After preaching a few years in his native county, he followed Lewis Craig, whose sister he had married, and his brother William Cave, who had moved the fall before, to the wilderness of Kentucky, in 1782. He settled in Garrard county, where he united with Gilbert's Creek church. This was the same church he had first joined, but now, in a new location, and bearing a new name. He re- mained at Gilbert's Creek some two years after Lewis Craig, the old pastor, had moved away, and, with George Stokes Smith, supplied the church with the ministry of the word. In the spring of 1785, he moved to Woodford county, where he went into the constitution of Clear Creek church. Here he was asso- ciated in the ministry with John Taylor, John Dupuy, James Rucker and, soon afterwards, with John Tanner and the vener- able John Sutton. He was regarded as a man of great piety, and was very zealous and useful, especially during a great revi- val that commenced under his ministry at Clear Creek, in 1800. The church received 326 by baptism, during one year, and was increased to 558 members. This was the most useful period of Mr. Cave's ministry ; for not long afterwards, he fell into the pit that has ineffaceably spotted the garments of multitudes of good men. He contracted the habit of drinking too freely.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
When reproved for this sin, he repented bitterly, and could never again be induced to taste spirituous liquors. His zeal for the cause of Christ was undiminished, but his usefulness was much impaired. Not long before his death, he arose to close the exercises of a meeting he attended, but was overpowered by a flood of tears and compelled to sit down. He died of a pro- tracted diarrhœa, in July, 1816. A few days before his de- parture, he expressed great serenity of soul, and a patient acqui- escence in the divine will. He had been a teacher of music, and was an excellent singer. A little before his last breath, he sang in a loud voice, the words :-
" O for an overcoming faith To cheer my dying hours ; To triumph o'er the monster death, And all its frightful powers."
ABSALOM BAINBRIDGE, of whose early life we have no ac- count, but who is supposed to have been a native of Maryland, was raised up to the ministry in Town Fork church, in Fayette County, Ky. He was a licensed preacher in that church as early as 1798, and three years later he was an ordained minister in the same church. Soon afterwards he became a member of Boone's Creek church, in the same county. In 1806, he preached the introductory sermon before Elkhorn Association. When Elk- horn Association split, in 1809, he adhered to the party that formed Licking Association, and was for some years a promi- nent member of the latter fraternity, acting as its Clerk, from 1814 to 1817, and preaching the introductory sermon before it, in 1813, 1815 and 1817. About the last named date, he moved to Todd county. In becoming identified with Licking Associ- ation, he had left the general union of Baptists in Kentucky. However, he succeeded in getting into West Fork church, in Todd county, this church being a member of Red River Asso- ciation, which was, at that time, in the general union. Mr. Bainbridge soon began to foment strife among the churches, about certain abstruse points of doctrine. The breach continued to widen, till the Association divided, in 1824. Bethel Associ- ation was formed of the minority, the next year. Mr. Bain- bridge is doubtless referred to among others, in the following extract, from an account of the origin of that Association, pub- lished in its minutes of 1826:
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Elkhorn Association.
"The nature and extent of the Atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, then became a matter of controversy, though not serious, until certain Baptists from the upper counties of this State, settled among us. At first, they manifested an appearance of friend- ship and fellowship towards our churches and ministers, which led us to suppose they were desirous to return into the general union again. We therefore, upon their application, received them into our churches. But, alas ! some of them, so soon as they obtained a standing among us, manifested a party spirit, which soon found its way into the Association. Things now became serious ; a want of brotherly love and Christian forbear- ance was soon manifested in the deportment of a number of preachers and lay members, especially at the Associations, held from year to year. Instead of meeting in love, for the mutual edification and comfort of each other, and to preach the glorious gospel to sinners, it became a scene of contention, which re- flected on us, as a religious society, and greatly injured the cause of God among us."
Mr. Bainbridge, of course, adhered to Red River Associ- ation, which soon left the general union, and has since continued to wither. After this, we find no further mention of Mr. Bain- bridge. He is believed to have been a man of fair abilities and a good moral character. Bnt it is feared that, on account of his contentious disposition, he did the cause of Christ more harm than good.
LEWIS CORBAN, son of William Corban, was born in Culpeper county, Va., April 4, 1754. He was raised up on his father's farm, receiving a very meagre education. His father's family were all irreligious, and he gave no attention to the interest of his soul, till he was about thirty years of age. At this time, he became deeply impressed with the importance of eternal things. After a long struggle, he obtained hope in Jesus, and was bap- tized by John Pickett, in 1786. He began immediately to speak to the people about the blessed peace he enjoyed through the Savior, and gave such evidence of a call to the ministry, as in- duced his church to have him ordained the same year. Soon after his ordination, he was called to a church over the Blue Ridge, where he continued to preach till he moved to Kentucky. In 1797, he was called to the care of Grassy Lick church, loca- ted about seven miles north-east from Mt. Sterling, Ky. During
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
the great revival of 1801-2, he baptized 127 into the fellowship of that church. Among these, were his son Samuel, and a little girl named Polly Colver only eight years old.
About 1804, he moved to Bourbon county, settled near the mouth of Pretty Run, and took charge of Stony Point church. He lived at this place about twelve years, when, having lost three sons, from disease which he supposed to have been caused by an adjacent mill-pond, he moved his residence to the lower end of the county, but still retained the care of Stony Point church. His charge enjoyed a very moderate degree of pros- perity. In 1825, it attained a membership of 69, after which, like most of the other churches in Licking Association, it grad- ually declined. Mr. Corban continued the pastor of Stony Point church till old age necessitated his resignation. Towards the close of his life, he was much afflicted with "gravel." He died from the effects of a fall, April 1, 1840.
Mr. Corban was a man of strong mind, and was well versed in the sacred Scriptures. He was very successful in his early ministry. But, becoming identified with Licking Association of Particular Baptists, the system of doctrine and practice held by that fraternity, cramped his genius and chilled his zeal, so that the remainder of his ministry was comparatively fruitless.
AMBROSE BOURNE was brought into the ministry at Marble Creek-now East Hickman-during the great revival at the be- ginning of the present century. Soon after he commenced preaching, he moved to Madison county, and gave his member- ship to Tate's Creek church. After remaining there a short time, he moved to Fayette county, where he united with Mt. Gilead church, about 1810. About 1817, he moved to Todd county and became a member of Mt. Gilead church, which he probably raised up. Under his ministry at this church, the dis- tinguished John S. Wilson was brought into the ministry. The time of Mr. Bourne's death is not known. He appears to have been a good man of quite moderate talent.
HENRY TOLER was a native of King and Queen county, Va. The date of his birth has not been ascertained. In youth, he re- ceived only a common school education. He was early con- verted, under the ministry of John Courtney. Almost imme- diately after his baptism and union with Upper College church, he began to exhort sinners to repent. His church gave him a
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Elkhorn Association.
license to exercise his gift, and he exhibited such talents as in- duced a very wealthy Baptist, known as Counsellor Carter, to tender him the means of procuring a better education. He ac- cepted the generous offer, and spent three years under the tutor- ship of Dr. Samuel Jones, in Pennsylvania. Having returned to his native county, he was soon ordained. He now gave him- self wholly to preaching. In 1783, he commenced preaching in Westmoreland county. Here he gathered Nomini church, which was constituted of 17 members, April 29, 1786. He was pastor of this church more than twenty years. When he re- signed, it numbered 875 members, and "zas the largest church in Virginia.
"The labors of Mr. Toler," says J. B. Taylor, "were not confined to Westmoreland county,. He traveled extensively in the upper counties and below the Northern Neck, as well as between the York and Rappahannock Rivers." "Few prea- chers," says Mr. Semple, " having families, have been more in- defatigable in proclaiming the gospel than Mr. Toler." After preaching in Virginia, with preeminent success, about forty years, he moved to Kentucky, about the year 1816. He settled in Woodford county, and united with Clear Creek church, which he served about four years. His superior talents caused him to be much sought after, in the new country; but he ap- pears to have been discontented and unsuccessful. About 1821, he took charge of Griers Creek church, to which also he gave his membership. He induced this church to so change its con- stitution as to take the name of Particular Baptists. This was made a condition of his serving them, as pastor. His object was to induce the church to withdraw from Franklin Association, and unite with Licking. Several members had been induced to leave Clear Creek, and join Griers Creek, without letters of dis- mission. When the vote was taken, as to whether the church would change its associational connection, it was decided not to change. The church also resumed its former name of United Baptists. This so offended Mr. Toler that he drew off a faction, constituted them a Particular Baptist church, at Versailles, and induced them to join Licking Association. This occurred in 1822. To this little church at Versailles, Mr. Toler ministered, during the brief remainder of his life. He died, February 3, 1824.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
Henry Toler was a preacher of superior abilities, and great power in the pulpit, and few men have used their gifts to better advantage than did he, while he remained in his native State. But after he came to Kentucky, he seems to have become soured in his temper. He was unsuccessful at Clear Creek, Griers Creek and Frankfort, having preached at the latter place one year. About 1820, he wrote a pamphlet titled " Union-no Union," in which he condemned Elkhorn Association, and de- fended Licking against the charge of schism, in violently break- ing off from the former fraternity. With all his fine abilities, his unspotted character and his former success, it is probable that he did more harm than good, in Kentucky.
JOHN H. FICKLIN was born in Spottsylvania county, Va., February 17, 1771. He came early, probably with his parents, to Kentucky, and settled in Scott county, near the present vil- lage of Stamping Ground. In 1791, William Hickman com- menced preaching in Mr. Ficklin's barn, and a church was soon raised up, then called McConnel's Run, but now known as Stamping Ground. Among the early converts in this settle- ment, was John H. Ficklin. Soon after his union with this church, he moved his membership to North Fork. Here he was licensed to preach, about 1805. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry, in July, 1807, by William Hickman and William Buckley, both of whom, like himself, had declared themselves on the side of the Emancipationists. Mr. Ficklin was called to the care of North Fork church, where he ministered several years. Not far from 1815, he moved his membership to Hartwood, where he remained till 1825. About this time he became, it is believed, connected with Choctaw Academy, in some capacity. This Academy, located at Blue Spring, in Scott county, was a school for educating young Indians, brought from the West for that purpose.
Mr. Ficklin had a limited education, but he possessed a strong intellect and was regarded a good preacher. His eman- cipation principles rendered him somewhat unpopular, but his piety was undoubted. No account of his latter days has been obtained, but it is probable he spent them in Illinois, as it is known that one of his sons was a respectable lawyer at Charles- ton, in that state.
JAMES FISHBACK was a native of Virginia, but the exact
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Elkhorn Association.
time of his birth has not been ascertained. His mother being an Episcopalian, he was christened by a minister of her church, in his infancy. While yet a small child, he was brought by his parents to Fayette county, Kentucky. Here, after receiving the rudiments of an education, he was sent to Transylvania, in 1793, where he finished his literary course, under Henry Toul- min, a Unitarian minister of superior ability. He then went abroad to obtain a medical education. Returning home, in the fall of 1801, he commenced the practice of medicine at Lex- ington. Although he had been raised by pious parents, and had been the subject of strong religious impressions, from his youth, he now became skeptical. He entered into an extended investigation of the Bible, which ended in a firm conviction of its truth. In 1809, he published a pamphlet, in support of the views he had arrived at. Something more than a year after this, he professed conversion and united with the Presbyterian church, of which his parents had previously become members. After a few years, he fell into doubt about the validity of his baptism. An investigation of the subject resulted in his uniting with the Baptist church at Bryant's Station, where he was baptized, by the renowned Jeremiah Vardeman, the fourth Saturday in November, 1816. He was licensed to preach the following month, and was ordained to the pastorate of the newly consti- tuted churchat Lexington, by Jeremiah Vardeman, Jacob Creath and James E. Welsh, August 22, 1817. The church at Lex- ington prospered under his ministry, till 1825, when it numbered 153 members. About this time, he began to advocate some of the doctrines of Barton W. Stone-especially the rejection of "Sectarian names " for the churches of Christ. Being unable to bring his charge to accept his new views, he drew off about 40 members, in 1827, and organized them, under the style of the church of Christ, on Mill Street. Alexander Campbell had numerous adherents in the Baptist churches around Lexington, at this period. By means of these, together with his own per- sonal influence, Dr. Fishback hoped to have his church received into Elkhorn Association. He had miscalculated, however, and its application was rejected. He now ministered to the little "church of Christ on Mill Street," about nine years. Finding that it was not prospering, and becoming weary of isolation from the general brotherhood, the little band, with its discouraged
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