USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
J. H. FELTS was one of the best pastors in Gasper River Association. He was born in Logan Co., Dec. 1, 1806. At about the age of 24, he united with Center church, and was set apart to the ministry, some two or three years later. In 1837, he accepted a call to the care of Antioch church, in Todd county, where he continued to serve till 1853. During this period, the church increased from 40 to 76 members. With the exception of the year 1857, he was pastor of Rock Spring church, from 1845, till 1871. This body was also prosperous, and grew up, under his ministry, from 42 to 108 members. He was pastor of Center church, in 1842, and in 1862, but how much of the inter-
265
Gasper River Association.
vening period he served that congregation, does not appear. He also served Sandy Creek, Stony Point, and, perhaps, other churches, for longer or shorter periods. He was not what is de- nominated a brilliant preacher ; but he possessed a clear knowl- edge of Bible doctrine, was steadfast in the faith, and was a good, practical religious teacher. In addition to these qualities, and more valuable than they all, he lived a godly life, and bequeathed to his survivors a spotless christian character. He died of , pneumonia, April, 1, 1880.
LEWIS FORTNER had a share in laying the foundation of the early churches in Gasper River Association. He was in the ministry, and was the preacher in Dan River church, in Patrick county, Virginia, as early as 1790. He moved to Logan county Ky., at an early period, and was probably instrumental in gath- ering Center church, which was constituted by Lewis Moore and Edward Turner, in 1810, and appears to have been its first pas- tor. In this capacity he ministered till 1815, after which we have no account of him. He was an old man, and probably finished his course, about that time.
WILLIAM TATUM was a prominent minister in Gasper River Association, for more than twenty years. He was probably the best writer, in that body, of his day, and his success, and stabil- ity in office, prove him to have been a good pastor. He suc- ceeded Benjamin Talbot as Moderator of the Association, in 1830, and served in that capacity, till 1837. Whether he was raised up to the ministry in Center church, in Logan county, or moved from some other field of labor, has not been ascertained ; but he was a member of that organization, as early as 1814, and succeeded Lewis Fortner in its pastoral care, in 1816. This church he served, without intermission, twenty-one years. Mt. Pleasant church, in the same county, which he aided in constitu- ting, April 20, 1822, enjoyed his pastoral labors, from 1828, till 1836. He also preached a number of years for Nelson Creek church, in Muhlenburg county. In 1836, he resigned all his charges, and, next year, closed his services in this Association.
JACOB BOWER was an humble minister in this body, at an early period. His membership was at old Hazle Creek church, as early as 1815. He afterwards became a member of Antioch church, in Todd county, which he probably gathered in 1819, and of which he was pastor, from its constitution, till he was
266
History of Kentucky Baptists.
succeeded by William Tatum, in 1829. He was also the first pastor of Mt. Pleasant church, in Logan county, which he aided in constituting, April 20, 1822, and of which he also became a member, about 1827. There also, he was succeeded in the pas- toral office, by William Tatum, in 1828, He was a short time pastor of Stony Point church, in Logan county, where he was succeeded by Philip Warden, in 1830. This is the last account we have of him. He appears to have been active and useful in the ministry.
RICHARD H. MILLER, a son of Andrew Miller, and an older brother of the well known Dr. A, B. Miller, and Dr. A. J. Mil- ler, was a native of LaRue county, but was carried by his par- ents to Ohio county where he grew to manhood with but few educational advantages. He was converted in early life, and was baptized into the fellowship of Mt. Zion church, in Ohio county. In this church he was raised up to the ministry, and, in 1856, succeeded his brother, A. B. Miller, in its pastoral charge. He was also pastor at Cool Spring, and, perhaps, of some churches, in Goshen Association. He was a warm, animated preacher, and "labored with great zeal and good success." The Lord was pleased to take him away in the prime of life.
JAMES F. ALSTIN* is one of the oldest, as well as one of the most distinguished of the living ministers of this Associa- tion, and is regarded one of the most eloquent pulpit orators in the Green River country. He was baptized at Beaver Dam, by Alfred Taylor. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1845, and the same year, took pastoral charge of Salem church, in Butler county. He has since been pastor, at different periods, of Beaver Dam, Nelson Creek, Pond Run, Mt. Carmel, Providence and other churches. He was clerk of his Association eight years, and has generally been Moderator, since 1866.
Besides those already named, a number of other distinguished preachers have been raised up to the ministry, in this old frater- nity : as J. M. Bennett and K. G. Hay, of Illinois, A. B. Miller D. D. of Evansville, Ind., A. J, Miller D. D. of Henderson county, J. S. Taylor, of Clinton, W. C. Taylor of Mayfield and others.
* Died Oct., 4, 1883, in his 64th year.
1
267
Union Association No. 2.
UNION ASSOCIATION NO. 2.
This small fraternity was constituted in 1813, of the follow- ing churches, which had been dismissed from Elkhorn for the purpose the same year : Union, Indian Creek, Beaver Creek, North Fork of Licking and Mouth of Ravens Creek. These five churches aggregated only 216 members, and Isaac Munson appears to have been the only minister who went into the or- ganization. The records of the body have been lost, and very little of its early history can now be known. Three years after its consitution, its churches aggregated 340 members, and, in 1820, it comprised 13 churches with 613 members. In 1827, it enjoyed an extensive revival among its churches. But, in 1830, and for several years after, it was so much depleted by the campbellite schism, that in 1838, it numbered only 6 churches with an aggregate membership of 197. From this time, it had a steady growth, till 1860, when it numbered 16 churches with 1,089 members. It sustained a small loss during the War, but has since enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. In 1880, it numbered 17 churches with 1,297 members, and, in 1882, it had increased to 18 churches with 1, 55 1 members.
INDIAN CREEK, in Harrison county, is the oldest church in this body. It was constituted in 1790, and united with Elkhorn Association, the same year, to which it reported 8 members, Thomas Hubbard and Wm. Cromwell being its messengers. In 1803, Augustine Eastin led off a party of this church into Unitarianism. The body has never been large. In 1880, it numbered 42 members.
FALMOUTH, formerly called Forks of Licking, is the next oldest church in the body. It was constituted in 1792, and united with Elkhorn Association the same year. Alexander Monroe is supposed to have been its first pastor, serving it till 1825. B. L. Abernathy served it the next four years, and led off a party of its members with the Campbellites. In 1880, it numbered 163.
ISAAC MUNSON was the first preacher in Union Association. He was probably in the constitution of Indian Creek church,
268
History of Kentucky Baptists.
which he first represented in Elkhorn Association, in 1792, and of which he appears to have been pastor till his death, which occurred in 1852. Of this church he was a member at least 62 years.
JOHN TAYLOR (not the historian) was early a minister in this Association. He was a member and the pastor of Flower Creek church, in Pendleton county. This church was constitu- ted, about 1798, and dissolved, in 1833. Mr. Taylor was re- garded a good man, and was useful among the pioneers of that region.
J. R. BARBEE has been one of the most active and useful ministers in Union Association, for a number of years. He was raised up to the ministry, in Mt. Pleasant church, in Jessa- mine county, which church he represented in Elkhorn Associa- tion, from 1845, till 1851. In 1852, he united with Silas church in Bourbon county, where he remained eight years. He then moved within the boundary of Union Association. Of this body, he was Moderator, from 1866, to 1873. He has been pastor of a number of churches, and has performed much mis- sionary labor. He is still actively engaged in the ministry. His son, J. N. Barbee, late of Mt. Olivet, in Robertson county, but now living in Kansas, was one of the most active and useful preachers in that portion of the State.
Of a number of other ministers, in Union Association, no account has been received.
LITTLE RIVER ASSOCIATION.
This was, in 1880, the largest fraternity of white Baptists in Kentucky. It originated in a division of Red River Association, for the sake of convenience. At the annual meeting of that body, held at Muddy Fork of Little River, at what is now the village of Cerulean Springs, in Trigg county, on Saturday before the 2nd Lords Day in August, 1813, the following items of bus- iness were transacted :
" 24. Agreed to divide this Association into two distinct associations, beginning the line of boundary at the church on Spring Creek of the West Fork, passing northwardly, so as to
269
Little River Association.
included West Fork of Red River, Barren Spring, Goshen, Long Creek, Ebenezer and Center, with all the churches lying east and south of said line, which still remains the Red River Bap- tist Association.
"25. Appointed Elders Sugg Fort, Ashur Shelton, Jesse Ford, John Bobbit and Bro. Anthony New, to help the lower district form themselves into an association, to be called Little River Baptist Association."
According to the Latter Day Luminary, the organization was effected the same year ; but at what time or place has not been ascertained.
The new organization embraced the following 18 churches, as nearly as can be ascertained : Blooming Grove, Big Creek, Cubb Creek, Cypress, Dry Creek, Dry Fork of Eddy Creek, Eddy Grove, Flat Creek, Muddy Fork of Little River, New Hope, New Bethel, Providence, Salem, Sinking Fork of Little River, Saline Creek, Terzah and Unity. These churches aggre- gated 1,029 members. Among the ordained ministers of the body were Josiah Horn, John Wall, Dudley Williams, Thomas McLean, Henry Darnall, Fielding Wolf, M. B. Roland, Daniel Brown, James Rucker, Colden Williams, John Dorris and Thom- as Ross. Among the licensed preachers were F. Yarbrough, Wm Bradley, Thomas Evans, John Stone and Reuben Owens.
The earliest records of the body are lost. The first minutes, of which a fragment has been preserved, are those of 1817. At this time, the Association numbered 32 churches, 16 ordain- ed ministers, and 1,859 members. This year, two questions were answered as follows: "We think it improper to continue any person in fellowship, who has a living wife or husband, and marries, in any case." " We think it a bar to fellowship for one of our society to join a Masonic lodge." It was resolved to "correspond with Bethel Association, in Missouri Territory." The churches were warned against one Nathan Arnett, preten- ding to be a Baptist preacher.
" A circular letter . . . from the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions was handed in and read." Whereupon it was " Re- solved, that this Association recommend to the churches to set apart the Ist Monday in each month to unite in the general con- cert of prayer meetings, for the purpose of imploring the bless- ing of Almighty God on missionary efforts."
270
History of Kentucky Baptists.
In 1818, the Association met at Grave Creek, in Henderson county. Thomas Ross was reelected Moderator. Isaac McCoy missionary to the Indians, preached the introductory sermon. "Query from Salem church : What shall be done in the recep- tion of a member, dismissed from a church not in our faith and order, but he having faith in his baptism? Ans. We advise the church to receive him on a profession of his faith in Christ, and baptize him agreeably to our order."
The Association speaks hopefully of Indian missions, and re- solves to form a society for the purpose of promoting them.
In 1819, the Association declines to answer a question as to the propriety of educating young men, called to preach the gos- pel, alledging a want of information on the subject.
In 1820, Union (Livingston county,) Elk Creek, Clarks River and Deer Creek churches were received into the body. The Association still declines to express an opinion as to the propriety of the educational enterprise which had been inaugur- ated at Philadelphia. This year, about 15 churches were dis- missed to form Highland Association.
In 1821, Walnut Fork of Obion, and Birds Creek churches were admitted into the body.
Up to this period, the Association had warmly favored mis- sionary operations. But now the leaven of the mother frater- nity became manifest. It is probable that a majority of the Association was still in favor of missions and theological educa- tion ; but the antimissionary element had become so determined in their opposition, that the body was threatened with schism. To avoid this, it was deemed prudent to yield to their demand. Accordingly the Association dropped correspondence with the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions and two neighboring Asso- ciations,
From this period, till 1829, the transactions of the body were unimportant. In 1823, several churches were dismissed to go into the constitution of Western District Association.
As early as 1827, the tenets of Alexander Campbell began to agitate some of the churches of the body, and that year, a cir- cular letter, strongly commending the propriety of having a con- fession of faith, or a declaration, in current language, of what we understand the Scriptures to teach, was appended to the minutes of the Association. In 1829, several churches remon-
27I
Little River Association.
strated against having an abstract of principles printed with the minutes. This brought the subject before the Association. After some discussion, it was "ordered that our constitution, ab- stract of principles and rules of decorum be annexed to the minutes." This prompt resistance to Campbellism nipped it in the bud : so that, even to the present day, that heresy has ob- tained but little foothold, within the bounds of Little River As- sociation. It is also observable that the revival, which pre- vailed so extensively in other parts of the State, in 1827, and the following two years, and which was conducted principally by the followers of Mr. Campbell, did not reach the territory of this Association. The loss sustained by the churches of this fraternity, by the Campbellite schism, was inconsiderable.
There was, however, another element of discord in the body, which could not be eliminated, at so small a cost. For more than a decade, the Antimission party had been conciliated by concessions to their demands. But the Missionary, party at last, began to weary of their domineering. It now needed only a suitable occasion to array the parties against each other, in open contest. Such an occasion was soon presented. In 1832, a motion was made to drop correspondence with Red River As- sociation, which was avowedly an Antimissionary body. A lengthy discussion ensued, and the motion finally prevailed. No further progress towards a division of the Association was mani- fested at this session; but the matter was discussed among the churches, during the ensuing year.
The memorable session of 1833, convened at Mt. Pleasant, in Trigg county, Wm. Buckley, an Antimissionary, was elected Moderator. Letters from several of the churches remonstrated against the doctrine of general atonement, which was generally held by the advocates of missions, and usually opposed by the Antimissionaries. The subject of the remonstrances was taken up. The following extract from the minutes of the proceedings will show how the matter was disposed of:
"After various efforts by the dissatisfied party to extort prop- ositions on which the Association might divide in a friendly manner, we constantly affirmed we had no such propositions to offer ; but closely to adhere to the principles of general union. And after various propositions and motions, the following mo- tion was offered by Eld. Mansfield, to-wit: 'I move that the
272
History of Kentucky Baptists.
question be taken whether the Association will support the principles of the United Baptists ; or will they usurp dominion over the consciences of men.' The question being taken, the result was twenty-six in favor of the general union-it being a majority of the Association. We then proposed that we would live together in peace and in brotherly love, upon the principles of general union, allowing the brethren on either side to enter- tain their own views relative to our own confession of faith, which they refused by rending themselves from us, and the Moderator resigned his office by saying: 'Brethren, I resign my office as Moderator of Little River Asociation.' The mes- sengers from the following churches withdrew from the Union; viz: Cubb Creek, Dry Creek, Dry Fork, Eddy Grove, Muddy Fork, Crocketts Creek, Sinking Fork, Salem Creek, and Ten- nessee. Charles Pope immediately returned, and was recognized as the delegate from Sinking Fork church." The churches withdrawing had 409 members. Those remaining, 791. The Antimissionary party organized under the style of the "Origi- nal Little River Baptist Association." The next year, (1834), it numbered 10 churches, aggregating 385 members, while the old organization numbered 14 churches, aggregating 860 members.
Disenthralled from the internal embarrassment which had hitherto forbidden all enterprise, the Association dropped corre- spondence with Highland and Muddy River (Ill.) Antimis- sionary fraternities, and petitioned for correspondence with Bethel Association, which had been a Missionary body from its constitution. It also "Resolved, That we recommend . the churches to encourage itinerant preaching by contributions etc."
In 1836, the following query from West Union church, with the answer, was recorded: "Shall we receive a member in full membership, who has been immersed by a Pedobaptist ? Ans : We think not."
In 1837, after deploring the destitution of preaching within the bounds of the Association, it was recommended that some minister devote all his time to supplying this destitution, and that each church, or congregation to which he ministered, con- tribute ten dollars a year to his support. This plan being reject- ed by a large majority of the churches, it was recommended the following year, that the churches sustain their ministers, "not
273
Little River Association.
only to enable them to preach to their churches, but also to destitute neighborhoods."
From this period, the body exhibited a commendable zeal for missions, both at home and abroad, and the Association increased in numbers, very rapidly. It had required seven years to regain what it lost by the split of 1833. In 1840, it numbered only 17 churches, with 1, 117 members. But in 1841, the first extensive revival pervaded its churches, and continued to prevail, with only an occasional depression, until it was checked by the beginning of the Civil War, twenty years later. In 1850, it numbered 34 churches, with 2,865 members; and in 1860, it reported 48 churches, with 3,998 members. Meanwhile it came up abreast with the leading fraternities of the State, in the spirit of zeal for the Master's cause, and in the advocacy of all the be- nevolent enterprises of the day; although it collected and expended less money than some of the older and more wealthy associations.
The War put but a brief check on the progress of this pros- perous and harmonious fraternity. It lost, perhaps, something more than 1,000 members, by the severance of the colored members from its churches; but the deficiency was soon made up by the large numbers baptized by its zealous and indefatiga- ble pastors and missionaries. In 1870, it numbered 51 churches with 4, 198 members ; in 1880, 57 churches with 4,944 members, and in 1882, 58 churches, with 5,339 members. In 63 of the first 67 years of its existence, it reported 13,693 baptisms. In 1883, it dismissed 15 churches, aggregating 1,425 members, to form Ohio River Association.
Most of the early ministers of this body were formerly mem- bers of the old Red River fraternity, and were generally hyper- calvinistic and anti-missionary, in their sentiments. None of them were men of much ability; but they were usually pious and zealous, and the Lord wrought by them a good work. As they passed away, the Lord raised up men of a more tolerant spirit, who built on the foundation they had laid. During the entire history of the body, it has had but few ministers of extraordinary gift, or acquirements ; yet it is probable that no fraternity of the kind, in the State, has had a more harmonious or efficient ministry. But their works speak more to their praise than could any human eulogy.
274
History of Kentucky Baptists.
Eddy Grove, was the first church organized within the bounds of this Association. It was constituted, in 1799, and was loca- ted in Caldwell county, some two or three miles south-east of Princeton. Among the early settlers of this region, most of whom emigrated from South Carolina, were three plain old preachers of the names of Daniel Brown, Edmund Bearden and Reuben Roland. These men preached in the cabins of the settlers till a sufficient number of Baptists was collected to form a small church, which they constituted, at the time specified above. Daniel Brown was the first pastor of the church. He was succeeded by the venerable James Rucker, who was an carly co-laborer of the Craigs, Taylor, Hickman and others, in Woodford and the adjoining counties, and had moved to Caldwell county, about 1800. He was succeeded by his son-in-law, John Tanner, who afterwards settled near New Madrid, in Missouri. Wm. Buckley, of whom some account has been given elsewhere, served the church, after Mr. Tanner, until he was silenced from preaching, for intemperate drinking. In 1833, the church divided, and the majority, united with Original Little River Association. In 1837, it changed its name to Equality. In 1841, it divided again, and the minority was reorganized by the Association. It finally dissolved, in 1850.
Salem, located two and a half miles west of the village of that name, in Livingston county, was the second oldest church in this Association. It was constituted of 17 members (accord- ing to tradition, by Edmund Bearden, Daniel Brown and Rob- ert Smith), June 22, 1805. There was some hesitation as to whether it would unite with Union Association, or that of Red River. It finally decided in favor of the latter, which it joined, in 1808. Daniel Brown is supposed to have been its first pastor. Wm. Buckley served it for a time, and was succeeded by J. W. Mansfield. Willis Champion, who was raised up to the minis- try in its membership, served it as pastor many years. From its membership were constituted Union church, in Crittenden county, and Friendship [Gum Spring], between Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. From these have sprung many churches, on both sides of Cumberland river.
EDMUND BEARDEN was one of the first preachers that settled in the present territory of Little River Association, if he were not the very first. He was an ordained preacher in a church on
275
Little River Association.
Reedy river, in Greenville District, S. C. as early as 1790. Soon after this date, he moved to what is now Caldwell county, Ky., and settled near the present site of Princeton. He ap- pears to have been active in preaching among the settlers in a large area of territory. With the aid of Reuben Roland and. Daniel Brown, he constituted Eddy Grove church, near his ·home, in 1799. In 1805, he, with the aid of Daniel Brown and Robert Smith, constituted Salem church in Livingston county. These two churches became the mothers of a numerous offspring. It is not known that Mr. Bearden was pastor of any church in the new country ; nor have we any account of him, after the per- formance of the above labors.
DANIEL BROWN was one of the early settlers of what is now Caldwell county, and is believed to have emigrated from South Carolina. He aided in gathering Eddy Grove church, in 1799, and Salem church, in Livingston county, in 1805. His mem- bership was at Eddy Grove, and he is believed to have been the first pastor of that, and also of Salem church. He was in the constitution of Red River Association, in 1807, and preached the introductory sermon before that body, in 1811. He was also in the constitution of Little River Association, in 1813, and labored among its churches some three years. About 1816, he emigrated to Alabama.
JOSIAH HORN was an early settler in what is now Stewart county, Tenn. He was a member, and perhaps the pastor, of Blooming Grove church, in that county. This church was con- stituted, in 1805, and was probably gathered by Mr. Horn. He was in the constitution of Red River Association, in 1807, and preached the introductory sermon before that body in 1810. In 1813, he entered into the organization of Little River Associa- tion. In this body he held a respectable position, till 1830, when his name disappears from the records. He appears to have been a good and useful preacher of moderate, though re- spectable gifts.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.