USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 36
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ROBEET W. JANUARY was called to the ministry, and labor- ed a short time with zeal and success, within the limits of Bethel Association. He was born in Fayette county, Ky., in 1798. At about the age of twenty-one years, he was married to Harriet Postlewait, in Lexington. He made a profession of religion, in early life, and united with the Cumberland Presby- terian church. By this community, he was set apart to the
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ministry, and labored under its auspices a number of years. About the year 1838, his views on the subject of Baptism under- went a change, and he united with the Baptist church at Union, in Logan county. Here he was ordained to the ministry, the same year, by James Lamb and Dudley Robinson. He was appointed missionary within the bounds of Bethel Association, in 1840, and was the first who filled that position, under the appointment of a local board. He labored in that capacity a little less than six months, and reported to the board, that he had ridden 1, 833 miles, preached 196 sermons, delivered seventy one exhortations and six temperance lectures, organized six temperance societies, aided in constituting two churches and witnessed 160 conversions-surely he must have wasted but little time.
In 1841, he moved to Davidson county, Tenn., and, two years later, to the adjoining county of Rutherford. "For the first ten years after Elder January removed to Tennessee," says Dr. Hillsman, in Borum's Sketches, " he was one of the most active, zealous, and useful ministers in Concord Association, both as an evangelist and a pastor." During this period he claimed to have discovered a remedy for cancer, and commenced treating patients for that direful disease. In this practice he gained considerable notoriety. But his medical practice interfered with his ministry, and, about the year 1856, he desisted from preach- ing altogether. In 1863, he moved to Gibson county, Tenn., where he died, May 19, 1866.
WILLIAM I. MORTON was born in Virginia, about the year 1792. After obtaining a fair English education, by his own exertions, he emigrated to Kentucky, and located in Russell- ville as a lawyer. In 1818, he was elected to the Legislature, from Logan county, and was returned to an extra session of that body, in 1822. Having been seriously impressed on the subject of religion for some time previous to his second election, he obtained hope in Christ while at the State Capital. He hesi- tated for a time as to what denomination he would unite with. But on his return from Frankfort, he found William Warder and Jeremiah Vardeman holding a meeting at Russellville, and, a few days afterwards, united with the Baptist church. From the time of his conversion, he was impressed with a sense of duty to preach the gospel. But having a growing family to support, he
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felt the need of continuing the practice of law. He consented, however, to accept the deaconship, and was an active and liberal officer. Having been raised under Pedobaptist influence, he was, for a time, in favor of open communion, and, at one period, gave his pastor considerable trouble by introducing the subject in the church, and engaging several members in advocating his views. This error in faith, however, passed away with his youth, and he became a consistent Baptist. After a long strug- gle with his conscience, he yielded to his convictions of duty, and submitted to ordination, in 1848. He was immediately called to the pastoral care of Friendship church, located some twelve miles cast of Russellville, to which congregation he ministered with acceptance, several years. He was also efficient as the missionary of Bethel Association, some years, and being a man of great energy, he labored with so much zeal and activity that his health was so impaired as to disqualify him for preaching. He then accepted the judgeship of Logan county, as a means of supporting his family. This position he filled to the time of his death, which occurred, from inflammation of the stomach and bowels, March 16, 1860.
W. D. PANNELL was born in Todd county, Ky., in 1823. At the age of 20 years, he obtained hope in Christ, and was or- dained to the ministry, in 1845. He was a good, faithful preacher of moderate ability, and labored some 27 years, in Todd, Muhlenberg and Hopkins counties. He lived above re- proach, and his influence was consecrated to the cause of Christ. He was called to his final reward, Apr. 1, 1872.
SHANDY A. HOLLAND. Few men have been more warmly loved while living, or sincerely lamented when dead, than this meek and consecrated servant of Christ. He was born in Warren Co., Ky., Dec. 10. 1815. At the age of 23 years, he professed faith in Christ, and was baptized into the fellowship of Salem church, in Christian county, by Robert Rutherford. Of this church he remained a member, except during one brief interval, until his death. After serving his church as deacon, for a short time, he was licensed to preach, in November, 1845. This involved him in great anxiety. Feeling that he had no right to decline this duty, imposed by his church, and yet. deeming himself unqualified to discharge it, he would often spend a whole night in weeping and pleading with God for di-
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rection and assistance. But the church was constantly more strongly convinced that he was called of God to preach the gos- pel. On the 3rd of August, 1847, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, by Reuben Ross, Samuel Baker, Robert Williams, R. T. Anderson, Elisha Vaughan and R. W. Nixon. The pastoral charges to which he was called, were the churches at Concord and South Union, in Christian county, Mt. Zion in T'odd county, and Graysville. These relations were pleasant to the pastor, and profitable to the churches. In addition to his pastoral labors, Mr. Holland devoted much time to preach- ing, gratuitously, to the destitute. As he was eminently pros- perous in his secular business, he devoted whatever he received for his ministerial labors, to objects of christian benevolence. He was a business man of superior capacity, and without seem- ing to neglect his ministerial duties, he acquired an ample for- tune. But his worldly possessions and his business talents were consecrated to the cause of Christ. He was active in all the benevolent enterprises of his association, and contributed liber- ally to their support. He finished his earthly course, June 13, 1872.
JAMES LAMB is among the oldest living ministers of Bethel Association. He was born of Baptist parents, in Madison Co., Ky., Dec. 1, 1809. From the age of four years, he was raised on a farm in Warren county, receiving only a very limited com- mon school education. After he had arrived at manhood, and for a time after his marriage, he attended a grammar school at Russellville, conducted by John C. French. In 1829, he ob- tained hope in Christ, while on a visit in Illinois. On his re- turn, he joined a small church near South Union, in Logan county, and was baptized by Richard Shackleford. This or- ganization soon dissolved, and he united with Liberty church, then under the care of Philip Warden. Here he was licensed to preach, about 1832, and ordained, in May, 1835, by D. L. Mansfield, Robert Rutherford, L. H. Milikin, Reuben Ross, W. C. Warfield and Robert Williams. He soon afterwards ac- cepted a call to Union church in Logan county, to which he al- so gave his membership. To this congregation he ministercd 20 years. He was pastor at Keysburg, 16 years; at Allens ville, 20 years ; at Elkton, 2 years ; at Dripping Spring (which he gathered), 5 years; at Mt. Pleasant, 10 years ; at Antioch, 4
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years, at Clear Fork, 4 years ; at Whippoorwill, 7 years ; and at Edgars Creek, several years. He served as misssonary of Bethel Association, two years, and gave a portion of his time to that work, afterwards. He also gathered Tabor church, in Todd county. The reader will see that Mr. Lamb's has been a busy life, in the cause of his Master. In early life, he was married to Miss. Warder, a neice of Elders William and Walter Warder, who is still living, and who has proved herself every way worthy of that illustrious name.
W. B. Walker, S. P. Forgy, J. U. Spurlin, J. B. Evans, G. W. Featherstone, F. C. Plaster, L. J. Crutcher and a number of other living ministers of this fraternity, besides a number who have gone to their reward, deserve notice in this place. But the author is compelled to omit fuller mention, for want of definite information.
ANTHONY NEW was a prominent member of Red River, and, afterwards, of Bethel Association. He was one of the most distinguished citizens of Southern Kentucky, and served three terms in the U. S. Congress, between 1811 and 1823. He was a very early settler in what is now Todd county, and was a member of West Fork of Red River church. In 1810, he was chosen Moderator of Red River Associaton, and served in that capacity on at least five subsequent occasions. After the con- stitution of Elkhorn church, he held membership in that organ- ization, and represented it in Bethel Association. The author has not ascertained the time of his death.
JOHN PRICE CAMPBELL was born in Orange county, Va., in 1789. He received a good education for the times, and, in 1815, emigrated to Kentucky, and settled in Christian county. He devoted himself to farming, dealing in agricultural products -especially tobacco-and to the duties of various offices of pub- lic trust. In 1826, he was sent to the Kentucky Legislature, and, in 1855, represented his district in the U. S. Congress. He was also President of the Branch Bank of Kentucky at Hopkins- ville, about 20 years. He was an excellent business man, and accumulated a fine estate. He was first sent as a messenger from Hopkinsville church to Bethel Association, in 1840. During that session, he offered the first resolution in favor of employ- ing a missionary within the bounds of the Association. The resolution was adopted, a missionary was employed, and the 25
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results were most happy. From this period till his death, he was a wise and liberal supporter of missions, education, and other benevolent schemes of his church and Association. He died, in 1867
JOHN PENDLETON emigrated from Spottsylvania county, Vir- ginia, to Christian county, Kentucky, in 1812. He entered in- to the constitution of Bethel church, which he served long, both as clerk and deacon. He was a man of enlarged views, and was far in advance of the Baptists in Red River Association, of which he was a member about twelve years. He entered with his church into the constitution of Bethel Association, and was a very prominent member of that body, during what may be called its formative period, serving it as clerk, a number of years. Being an earnest and enlightened advocate of missions and the support of the ministry, he contributed no small part in giving direction to the counsels of Bethel Association, in these matters. As a citizen, he occupied a prominent position in his county, which honored him with a seat in the State Legislature, in 1833. He died, in 1833. Among his children, were the dis- tinguished J. M. Pendleton, D.D., William H. Pendleton, long a deacon of the church at Hopkinsville, and a most valuable church member, and Cyrus N. Pendleton, a prominent lawyer and politician of Christian county, and a member of Bethel church.
Many other distinguished citizens were early members of this fraternity, and, indeed, it has embraced many of the most influential men in its territory, from its constitution, to the pres- ent time.
SOUTH CONCORD ASSOCIATION.
This fraternity is located in Wayne and some of the adjoin- ing counties. It was constituted of II churches, at Big Sink- ing meeting house in Wayne county, on the 4th Saturday in October, 1825. The following churches all of which had been dismissed from Cumberland River Association were in the con- stitution : Big Sinking, Otter Creek, Cedar Sinking, Stephens Creek, Pleasant Point, New Salem, New Hope, White Oak,
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Monticello, Bethel and Concord. These churches aggregated 462 members. The leading ministers of the body were Mathew Floyd, Richard Barrier, William Smith, Henry Tuggle and Thomas Hansford. The Association adopted "the principles of general union," and assumed the name of Concord Association. In 1828, the style of the body was amended by adding the words: " of United Baptists," and, having learned that there was an older association in the State, of the same name, the body farther amended its title, in 1830, by prefixing the word, "South."
The Association met on its first anniversary, at Bethel meeting house in Wayne county, on the 2d Saturday in October, 1826. The introductory sermon was delivered by Thomas Hansford, from Matt. 10:18. Matthew Floyd was chosen Mod- erator, and John Dick, Clerk. The former was elected to the same position 17 successive years, and the latter, 15 successive years. Beaver Creek and Jordan churches were received into the union. Correspondence was received from Cumberland River, Stocktons Valley and South Union Associations. The Articles of Faith of Cumberland River Association were adopted, and ordered to be printed with the minutes. Three "general meetings," afterwards called "section meetings,"
were appointed to be held respectively at Monticello, White Oak and Big Sinking meeting houses, within the ensuing year ; and ministers were appointed to attend them, and preach to the people who should assemble. These gatherings, sometimes called " union meetings," sometimes, "quarterly meetings," and occasionally, though not very appropriately, "annual meetings," were appointed by most of the Associations, in the early years of the denomination, in Kentucky. They proved very beneficial, as they drew large congregations of people to- gether, to whom the best ministers that could be procured, preached the gospel. They were especially important in the Association now under consideration, as they constituted the nearest approach to missionary operations that it has ever made.
The Campbellite schism affected this fraternity seriously. In 1830, the Association passed a resolution of the following purport : " Whereas Alexander Campbell and his followers have spread discord among our churches, Resolved, That we ad- vise the churches which we represent, and the members thereof
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to stand fast in the doctrine they have received, and to reject all that is contrary to it, together with all those preachers who deny the agency of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners, al- lowing them to preach neither in their meeting houses, nor their dwellings ; that our churches be not split and devoured as are some others." This advice, however salutary in principle, did not stop the progress of the heresy. The following year, " Raccoon" John Smith, who had been raised in that part of the State, a shrewd and artful man-if his biographer does not greatly misrepresent him-and a most infatuated follower of Mr. Campbell, visited several points within the bounds of this Asso- ciation, and disseminated his new tenets with much effect. He spent eight days at Monticello, where the aged Thomas Hans- ford and others embraced the new doctrines. The numerical loss to the Association was probably not far from 100-nearly, one-fourth of its aggregate membership. In 1832, it numbered 13 churches with 386 members.
During the next ten years, the Association made fair pro- gress; so that, in 1842, it numbered 17 churches with 1, 892 members. But, in consequence of some of its correspondents' having endorsed the "mission system," and some of its own churches being somewhat inclined in the same direction, it had resolved, in 1841, to rid itself of all the confusion growing out of this state of affairs, by suspending correspondence with all the neighboring fraternities. This gave umbrage to some of its churches; and, in 1842, Big Sinking, Cedar Sinking, New Sa- lem, White Oak, Welfare, Big Creek and Pleasant Grove churches demanded that the Association should either resume the suspended correspondence, or grant them letters of dismis- sion. It chose the latter alternative ; and these churches, after- wards formed South Cumberland River Association. This re- reduced South Concord, in 1843, to II churches with 572 mem- bers. A season of great barrenness followed, and, in 1846, there was but one baptism reported in the whole Association. From this period till 1860, the body had a slow; regular increase, and, at the last named date, numbered 15 churches with 801 members. The next two years it failed to meet, on account of the confusion consequent upon the War. Since the close of the War, a more liberal spirit has prevailed among its churches. Hitherto it had rejected all correspondence with churches and
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associations that favored what it termed the "mission system." But, in 1865, it adopted the following resolutions :
That we present to the Baptist churches [the following] terms of union ; ... ... ... and that we invite them to unite with us upon the same, having little doubt that it will result in good.
"Ist. That we reaffirm the great truth that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, and the only rule for christian faith and practice.
"2d. That the church is the highest ecclesiastical authority known to men on earth, and that a Baptist Association is a delegated body-an advisory council, and, in our opinion, should not lord it over God's heritage.
"3d. That the system of church government set forth in the New Testament, by Jesus Christ, the great head and law- giver of the church, and exemplified by the apostles, is suffi- ciently plain for the spread of the gospel, and should be com- plied with by every Baptist church."
The 3d resolution is intended to declare the sufficiency of the churches to carry out the commission to "teach all nations," without the use of such human expedients as missionary and Bible societies. However, the neighboring associations, re- serving the privilege of putting their own construction on the language, accepted the terms, and the result has proved salutary. Immediately after the adoption of these resolutions, the most extensive revival ever enjoyed in this fraternity, prevailed among the churches ; and, in 1866, they reported 363 baptisms. The Association enjoyed a good degree of prosperity from this period till 1876, when it numbered 24 churches with 1, 554 members. At the last named date, it dismissed 10 churches to form 2d North Concord Association. In 1882, it numbered 16 churches, aggregating 1,017 members. During 50 of the first 57 years of its existence, there were baptized into the fellowship of its churches, 2,683 converts.
This body has discussed few queries, and few points in doc- trine or church polity. In 1843, it advised that to follow, or not follow, foot washing should be no bar to fellowship ; in 1860, it counseled the churches not to receive Pedo-baptist immer- sions, and, in 1871, resolved to maintain the union of the great Baptist family, inviolate. It also agreed, in 1877, to cooperate with Stockton Valley Association in establishing a high school.
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The Coopers, who were of German extraction, and whose name was originally written Keifer, have been prominent in this Association, during its entire history. They were early settlers in Wayne county, where at least three of them were Revolution- ary pensioners.
GEORGE FREDERICK COOPER (or Kiefer), according to a family tradition, came with Daniel Boone to Kentucky, in 1775, and was with that distinguished pioneer when he recaptured his daughter and the Misses Calloway, from the Indians, in July of the following year. He afterwards served four years in the War of the Revolution. At the close of the War, he returned to Kentucky, and settled, first, in Mercer county ; but after- wards, moved to Wayne county and located on Beaver Ceeek, where he spent the remainder of a long and virtuous life.
HENRY COOPER, son of the above, was born in Kentucky, in 1791. At an early age, he professed religion and joined Beaver Creek church, in Wayne county. After some years, he was licensed to exercise his gift, and, in due time, was ordained to the ministry. He is said to have been a young preacher of excellent promise. But he was not allowed to remain long in. the harvest field. The Lord called him home, June 1, 1826. Some of his children are still prominent members of Beaver Creek church.
WILLIAM ARMSTRONG COOPER, son of Elder Henry Cooper, was born in Wayne county, Ky., May 4, 1813. He was brought up on a farm, and received only such an education as the schools of his neighborhood could afford. But possessing superior natural gifts, he acquired a good stock of knowledge by his own unaided efforts. At the age of 20 years, he pro- fessed hope in Christ, and was baptized into the fellowship of Beaver Creek church, by Matthew Floyd. A year later, he was married to Sallie Cooper. He was licensed to exercise his gift, about 1835, and was ordained to the pastoral care of Bea- ver Creek church, about 1840. To this congregation he has continued to minister to the present time. He has also served the churches at Seventy-Six, Clear Fork, Bethel, and 2d New Hope and Friendship, during longer or shorter periods. He is regarded a preacher of superior ability, and the esteem in which he is held by his brethern, is evinced in the fact that he has been elected moderator of South Concord Association at least
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19 times, has served it as clerk, two years, and preached the introductory sermon before it on at least 18 occasions. During the year 1876, he baptized 450 persons, and he supposes he has baptized, in all, something over 2,000 converts.
RICHARD BARRIER (popularly pronounced Byers,) was of German extraction, and was born in Spartensburg district, S. C., in 1768. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1801, and be- gan his labors, in. Kentucky, among the churches of Cumber- . land River Association. As early as 1812-how much earlier is not known, he was the minister of Big Sinking church, in Wayne county. With this church, he entered into the consti- tution of South Concord Association, in 1825. He labored among the churches of this fraternity, till his strength failed, from old age. He possessed good practical sense, was a fine humorist, and was much esteemed, both as a citizen and a preacher. After a successful ministry of more than 50 years, he left the walks of men, July 1, 1854.
HENRY TUGGLE was a prominent preacher in this Associa- tion. He was a native of Virginia, and was born, in 1799. During the great revival of 1801, he obtained hope in Christ, and united with a Baptist church. Where he was set apart to the ministry, or where his early labors were performed, does not appear, but he was an ordained preacher, at Bethel church in Wayne county in 1822. Soon after this, he became a mem- ber of New Hope, and with that church, entered into the con- stitution of South Concord Association, in 1825. About 1840, he moved his membership to Pleasant Point, in Pulaski county, where he finished his course, July 4, 1856.
Mr. Tuggle was regarded a good preacher, in his genera- tion. His labors were blessed of the Lord, and he was held in high esteem by the people among whom he labored. He was moderator of South Concord Association, from 1842 to 1846.
TANDY JAMES labored acceptably in this Association, sev- eral years. Of his early life, nothing is known to the author. He was an ordained minister when he settled in Pulaski, county, about 1842. Here he united with Zion church, to which, with others, he ministered, some 15 years. He was a quiet, order- ly man of moderate preaching talents and good practical judge- ment, and his labors were useful. The master called him home, in March, 1857.
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MOSES H. WILSON was born Nov. 1, 1807, and was raised up in Russell county, Ky. At the age of 25 years, he professed faith in the Redeemer and united with Friendship church, in his native county. In this church, he was ordained to the min- istry, and soon afterwards entered into the constitution of Wel- fare church, in the same county. Again he went into the con- stitution of a new church, which took the name of Clear Fork, and was also located in Russell county. To this congregation he ministered, from its constitution, till the Lord called him home, Jan. 17, 1862. He was not a preacher of brilliant gifts ; but he was a man of unswerving integrity, and was justly esteemed, both as a citizen, and as a religious teacher.
NEW SALEM ASSOCIATION.
This small fraternity is located in the counties of Letcher, Floyd, Perry, Breathitt and Pike, in the extreme eastern border of the State. It was constituted, in 1825, of the following churches: New Salem, Mud, Sand Lick, Stone Coal, Union, Owen Fork, Raccoon, and Louisa Fork, all of which had prob- ably been dismissed from Burning Spring Association. Their ag- gregate membership has not been ascertained. The country in which they are located, is rough and mountainous, and is thinly populated, even at the present time ; and the Association has made but little progress. In 1843, a revival prevailed among its churches, and its aggregate membership was nearly doubled, within two or three years. In 1844, it numbered 14 churches with 758 members. But, during the next ten years, it gradually declined; and, in 1854, it numbered only 13 churches with 465 members. It again enjoyed a season of prosperity, and, in 1859, reached a membership of 20 churches and 614 members. But, at this date, it dismissed 9 churches, aggregating 284 members, to form Union Association. After the War, it increased so rapidly, that, in 1873, it reported 18 churches with 834 mem- bers, the largest aggregate membership it has ever attained. But this prosperity seemed to make it arrogant and presumptive. It had previously dropped the term " United," from its title, and now styled itself " Regular Baptists." The following proceed- ings will sufficiently explain both the attitude of the body, in
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