USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 39
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WILLIAM WESTON FOREE, son of William Beasley Forec, is of French Huguenot ancestry, and was born in Henry Co., Ky., Feb. 16, 1822. He was brought up on a farm, and re- ceived, in his boyhood, only such an education as the schools of his neighborhood afforded. He professed religion, and was bap- tized by John A. McGuire for the fellowship of Hillsboro church, in his native county, in August, 1840. In August, 1846, he was elected deacon ; but declining to serve, he was licensed to preach, the same day. Feeling the need of a better education, he at- tended three sessions of Georgetown College. On returning home, he engaged actively in preaching, in the northern border of Sulphur Fork Association-sometimes in company with J. B. Porter, and sometimes alone. His zeal was soon happily rewarded with an extensive revival. About 70 converts joined Covington church, within a few months, and about 20 joined the church at Liberty.
In June, 1849, he was ordained to the ministry, at Hillsboro, by E. G. Berry, John A. McGuire, S. S. Sumner, D. N. Porter, J. B. Porter, J. S. Dawson, E. B. Stratton and A. M. Ragsdale. He received the first appointment as missionary, to the destitute in Sulphur Fork Association ever made by that body, and served
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in that capacity during the years 1850 and 1851. In this work his health failed, and he went South to recuperate. On his re- turn, he was called to the pastoral care of Hillsboro church, in November, and, with the exception of one year, has continued to occupy that position, to the present time (1885). About 1853, he was called to the Simpsonville church, in Shelby county, where he preached two Sundays in the month, about five years. He has also served the following churches for the periods indi- cated : Buck Creek, one year, Clear Creek, one year, North Benson, five years, Ballardsville, three years, Mt. Pleasant, three years, LaGrange, six years, East Fork, two years, Hope- well, thirteen years, Chestnut Grove, two years, and Pleasure- ville, two years. At present, he is serving the churches at Hillsboro, Eighteen Mile, Antioch and Covington.
In addition to his pastoral work, he has performed much gratuitous missionary labor. After the death of his first wife, he " lived in the saddle," about thirteen years, preaching over a broad area of country, principally within the bounds of Sul- phur Fork Association.
THOMAS REYNOLDS was born in Warren Co., Ky., Oct. 8, I822. He professed religion at Rocky Spring, in his native county, under the preaching of Younger Witherspoon (Baptist) and John Redmond (Methodist), in 1842, and joined the Meth- obists, In 1846, he joined the Baptist church at Blue Spring in Barren county, and was baptized by R. T. Gardner. He was licensed to preach, at Knob Spring in Hart county, in 1851, and was ordained to the ministry, by Jesse Moon and William Skaggs, in 1852. After serving Knob Spring church as pastor, a few months, he moved to Trimble county, in December, 1852, In this county, he has been pastor of the churches at New Providence, Middle Creek, Poplar Ridge and Milton. He has also served the churches at Covington, Westport and Liberty, in Oldham county, and has been pastor of several churches in In- diana. About 1864, he moved to Westport where he has since resided.
J. MASON EATON first united with the church at Sligo, about 1852, but soon afterwards moved his membership to Hillsboro, near which he had been born and raised. He was licensed to preach, in 1867, and was subsequently ordained to the ministry. Feeble health has prevented his laboring very extensively in his
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holy calling. He served Liberty church a short time, and was subsequently pastor of the church at Corn Creek.
A number of other ministers have labored, during brief periods, within the bounds of this Association, among whom may be named B. T. Taylor, S. S. Sumner, W. H. Felix, J. F. Martin, A. C. Davidson, J. M. McGuire and Andrew Jackson.
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
The origin of this fraternity is somewhat singular. Elkhorn Association had been constituted on the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. In her letter to that Association, in 1824, the First church in Lexington, suggested the propriety of revising the constitution. In accordance with this suggestion, the Associa- tion appointed a committee, consisting of B. S. Chambers, James Suggett, John Edwards, Edmund Waller and Toliver Craig, " to revise the constitution of this Association and, if, in their opinion, it is necessary, to make amendments thereto, and report to the next Association." The objections to the constitution, as it stood, are not stated ; but subsequent events indicate that there was a small party in the Association, who desired that body to exercise some authority over the churches, in order to maintain a more strict discipline, and a more perfect uniformity of doctrine, among them. At the succeeding meet- ing of the Association, the committee reported in favor of leav- ing the constitution " without revision or amendment." The report was adopted. At the same time, a committee, consist- ing of John T. Johnson, James Fishback and Rhodes Smith- all mėn of ability-was appointed to prepare a circular letter, to be reported on the following Monday. The letter was on the subject of "the Nature and Power of a Baptist Association." The grounds taken were those generally held by the Baptist of the present time, and the letter was adopted by a majo- rity of " ten to one." But the minority was greatly offended, and one man left the house in high resentment, vowing that he would never again come fo Elkhorn Association. The inessen- gers of Glens Creek church, of whom were John Edwards, their minister, and Buford Twyman, a prominent member, were among the offended. On consultation, they resolved to attempt
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the formation of a new association. They laid the matter before their church, which at once adopted their views. The church sent a circular letter to fourteen other churches, inviting them to send " delegates" to her meeting house, on a given day, for the purpose of forming an association. One of these circulars were sent to North Elkhorn church, and elicited a sharp reply in print, supposed to have been written by Silas M. Noel. This, with other circumstances, stirred up considerable strife, and no small degree of ill feeling was gendered among the churches of both Franklin and Elkhorn Associations. Meanwhile, in 1826, Hillsboro, Clover Bottom and Glens Creek churches, obtained letters of dismission from Elkhorn Association ; and Salt River, Fox Creek and Goshen obtained similar letters from Franklin, but with very earnest advice not to constitute a new Association.
On the first Saturday in October, 1826, messengers from Salt River, Hillsboro, Glens Creek, Fox Creek and Griers Creek churches met at Glens Creek meeting house, in Wood- ford county. After an introductory sermon by John Penny, from Rom. 8: 32, the meeting was organized by electing John Penny, moderator, and Buford Twyman, clerk. After some discussion, the messengers from Griers Creek withdrew. Those from the other four churches, proceeded to constitute a frater- nity, under the style of "Baptist Association." They adopted the Philadelphia Confession of Faith as their constitution. This was heartily approved by the neighboring fraternities. But the preamble to their constitution was regarded unbaptistic, in that the messengers, adopting that instrument, styled themselves " the authorized delegates of the Baptist churches of Jesus Christ." . The Baptist theory has always been, and still is, that churches are constituted and vested with authority to execute the laws of Christ, the one Law-giver, by divine authority, and that they have no right to delegate authority to any other organi- zations, or persons; that associations are only human expedi- ents, and, therefore, can exercise no authority over the churches, of which they are the creatures ; that they are composed of messengers, not delegates-from the churches, and can only consult together and present the result of their deliberations to the churches by way of advice, or suggestion ; that they have authority, however, not derived from the churches, but growing out of their own organizations, to govern themselves, and to 27
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carry out such legitimate enterprises as they may inaugurate, provided such enterprises are approved by the churches, of whose messengers the associations are composed.
The new Association, despite the false theory in which it originated, was soon established on Baptist grounds, and con- ducted its operations in full accord with its neighboring fraterni- ties, with which it established and maintained a harmonious correspondence.
The four churches of which the Association was constituted, aggregated 593 members. John Penny and John Edwards were the only preachers belonging to these churches; and the latter moved to Missouri the same fall, leaving the infant fraternity with only one minister, and he more than seventy years old. At its first anniversary, the Association was enlarged by the addition of Goshen, Providence, and Clover Bottom churches ; at its second, by that of Unity, and, in 1829, by that of Little Flock. At the last named date, it advised the churches to receive no members into their fellowship, or preachers into their pulpits, who held certain specified tenets, then proclaimed by the followers of Mr. Campbell. The course of the body, in dealing with Campbellism, was similar to that pursued by the older fraternities. The advocates of the system were cut off by a resolution, adopted in 1830. By this excission, the Associa- tion lost about 150 members. But this loss was more than overcome by a revival, in 1834, during which the body was increased to ten churches with 1,093 members. The church at Lawrenceburg was received this year; and, in answer to a query from Fox Creek, the Association decided that she would not recognize the baptisms of other denominations.
As early as 1837, the Association began to be much agi- tated on the subject of missions, and, during that year, lost three churchcs. The agitation continued to increase, and, in 1838, the Association, having been reduced to seven churches with 494 members, became discouraged, and submitted to the churches the question as to the propriety of dissolving the fraternity. When the body convened at Fox Creek, in 1839, it was ascer- tained that the churches were not agreed, as to the propriety of a dissolution. The question was put to the Association, and resulted in a vote of eight for, and eleven against dissolving. Upon this, the messengers from Fox Creek, Little Flock, and
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Salt River, claiming to have been instructed by their churches, petitioned for letters of dismission. Their petitions were re- jected, on the grounds that they were not made through the letters from those churches. During the following year, these three churches formally declared their withdrawal from the Association, and at the succceding meeting of Licking Associa- tion, united with that fraternity,
When Baptist Association met at Goshen church, in Ander- son county, in 1840, it reported five churches, with only 251 members-considerably less than half the aggregate member- ship with which it had been constituted, fourteen years before. But it was now more harmonious ; and, from this period, en- joyed a slow, but healthy and permanent growth. In 1846, it recommended to the churches, a avorable consideration of the General Association ; in 18 50, it agreed to open correspondence with that body, und, in 1 852, resolved to become a missionary body, auxiliary to the General Association. From this time, it has fully cooperated with the denomination, in its general bene- volent enterprises, and has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. Its general course of conduct, in irs home misssions, Sunday- school and other local enterprises, has heen similar to that of the older fraternities of the kind, and need not, therefore be detailed. The body has had a rapid increase since the War. In 1860, it numbered twelve churches with 875 members ; in 1870, fifteen churches with 1,406 member, and, in 1882, nine- teen churches with 1,999 members. From its constitution in 1826, to 1882, exclusive of the year 1880, there have been baptized for the fellowship of its churches, 3,614.
Sketches have heen given of a number of the early ministers of this Association, in other connections. Of some others, no account has been received.
ROBERT COOK BUCKNER, a son of Elder Daniel Buckner, a younger brother of the distinguished Indian missionary, Henry F. Buckner, was born in Madisonville, Monroe Co., Tenn., Jan. 3, 1833. In his sixth year, he was brought by his parents, to Pulaski county, Ky. He became interested about the salvation of his soul, at the age of nine years; and, in his 12th year, professsd conversion, and was baptized by his father, into the fellowship of Somerset church. At the age of 17 he was licensed to preach, after which he spent two years in
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Georgetown College. At the age of about 20 years, he was chosen pastor of the church at Albany, Clinton Co., Ky. Here, at the age of 22, he married Miss Long, and soon after- wards took charge of Owensboro church. After two years he was appointed agent of the Board of Domestic Missions, and a year later, took pastoral charge of Salvisa church, in Mercer county.
In 1859, he visited Texas for the purpose of recruiting his health, after an attack of typhoid pneumonia. This visit led to his removing to Texas. His first labor in that State, was the raising of money to build a high school in Ladonia. Meanwhile, he published a small work on infant baptism, titled " The ab- sence of Divine Testimony." In 1860, he took charge of the church at Paris, Texas. In this position, he ministered till 1873, except one year, during which he was Agent of the Gen- eral Association of Texas Baptists. On the 3d of January, 1874, he began the publication of the Religious Messenger. A year later, he changed the place of publication, from Paris to Dallas, and subsequently changed the name of his paper to Texas Baptist, the publication of which he has continued to the present time (1885).
WILLIAM R. COMBS was born near Philadelphia, Pa., March 18, 1814. In 1832, he united with New Market Street church, Philadelphia. He was licensed to preach, at Fort Wayne, Ind., October 19, 1839, and ordained to the ministry, at the same church, June 19, 1842. The next year, he moved to Kentucky, and entered Georgetown College. In this institution he re- mained four years. On leaving college, he took charge of the 4th Baptist church in Louisville, to which he ministered a short time. He was subsequently pastor of the churches at Dans- ville, Harrodsburg, Frankfort, Mt. Vernon, Cane Run and Sal- visa. In 1855, he moved to Illinois, and took charge of the church at Middletown, Champaign county. To this church he ministered nine years, building it up from 20 members, to 340. From this place he moved to Missouri, and located in Butler county, about 1867. At that time there was but one church in the county, and this, the name of which was Cane Creek, num- bered only 20 members. Besides Mr. Combs, there was but one preacher in the county, and he was old and feeble. In 1877, there were 8 Baptist churches, and 7 ordained ministers, in that
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county. Mr. Combs was still living in Missouri, a few years past.
ROBERT RHODES LILLARD, a son of Gen. Christopher Lil- lard, was born in Anderson county, Kentucky, January 20, 1826. When he was eight years old, his dying mother called him to her bedside, and exhorted him to seek the Lord in the days of his youth. He promised to comply with her request, and, as he afterwards related, resolved then to be a Christian. He obtained hope in Christ, and was baptized by William Vaughan, at Lawrenceburg, July 4, 1841. In 1842, he was li- censed to preach, and immediately entered Georgetown College, where he graduated, in 1845. In October, 1846, he was or- dained to the ministry, and soon afterwards commenced the study of theology under the supervision of John L. Waller. He acquired knowledge very rapidly, and manifested unusual sprightliness in writing ; but it soon became apparent that he would not distinguish himself as a speaker. A knowledge of this probably caused him to turn his attention more especially to writing. In February, 1847, he became associated with J. L. Waller in the editorship of the Western Baptist Review. In this position, he displayed marked ability, for one so young, and rapidly distinguished himself. But he did not live long to pursue his brilliant career. He died of typhoid fever, at his residence near Craborchard, Kentucky, June 7, 1849. His death was as joyous and triumphant as his life had been conse- crated and brilliant.
R. A. NELSON was born in Hanover county, Va., June II, 1805. He was educated under his father, who was an Episcopal minister, and adopted the profession of medicine. In Septem- ber, 1838, he located at Salvisa, Mercer county, Kentucky, and established himself in the practice of his profession. In 1841, he professed conversion, and being baptized, entered into the constitution of Salvisa church. In 1856, he was ordained to the ministry. From this time till the Lord called him home, he was a valuable laborer in the Master's vineyard. Being a man of learning, and a close student, he was an instructive teacher, and an able defender of the doctrine of his church, both orally and with his pen. He died of pneumonia, April 14, 1876, in the 72d year of his age.
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S. S. PERRY is one of the oldest and most useful of the liv- ing ministers of this Association. It is much regretted that no particulars of his life and labors have been received.
CAMPBELL COUNTY ASSOCIATION.
This body was constituted at Brush Creek, on Friday, Sep. 21, 1827, of eight churches which had been dismissed from North Bend Association. It was at first called Campbell As- sociation, but, in 1831, it assumed its present title. The names of the churches that entered into the constitution, were Lick- ing, Four-Mile, Bank Lick, Wilmington, Brush Creek, Twelve- Mile, Alexandria, and Flower Creek. The ordained ministers were Robert Ware, Elam Grizzle, George Vice, William Gosney, John Stephens, George Graden, and John Taylor. After its or- ganization, the Association adopted an abstract of principles, consisting of six articles, and agreed to correspond with Brack- en, North Bend, Union, and Eagle Creek (Ohio) Associations. The eight churches of which it was constituted, aggregated only 347 members, and it was so unhappy, in consequence of a con- tinuous spirit of discord, that it increased very little, during the first twelve years of its existence. It was first annoyed by the Campbellite schism, by which it lost, between 1829 and 1833, nearly all that it had gained, from its constitution to the latter date. After that, it was paralyzed by a determined opposition to missions, on the part of a large minority of its members. In 1829, it recommended the organization of Bible societies ; but this appears to have been a mere compliment to an agent of the American Bible Society, who happened to be present. In 1830, it appointed four "yearly meetings" to be held within its bounds during the succeeding year.
In 1835, the subject of employing one or more preachers to labor among the destitute within the bounds of the Associa- tion, was discussed in the body ; and it was agreed to appoint a meeting to be held at Brush Creek, the following October, " to consider the propriety, or impropriety of setting at liberty one or two ministering brethren, to devote their time to preach- ing," within the bounds of the Association, "for which they
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shall be paid." This meeting was held, and "it was agreed to let the matter rest." Nothing more appears to have been said on the subject, till 1839, when Bank Lick church, fearing that some remains of the Missionary leaven were still fermenting in the body, sent up a query as to whether or not the Association were "missionaries in spirit," and would "support the board ?" The Association, conscious of the existence of an excitable An- timissionary element in the churches, and desiring to maintain . peace among them, answered : "We have had nothing to do with the missionary question, whether home or foreign, since the meeting at Brush Creek [in 1835] where it was agreed to let the matter rest. We are not connected with, or known as auxiliary to, the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. As to what we are in spirit, is known between us and our Master.'
In 1839, a revival pervaded the churches, and continued to prevail more than a year. The Association increased from 8 churches with 370 members, in 1838, to 10 churches with 757 members, in 1840. The revival spirit pervaded the meetings of the Association, in 1839, with such power, that a number, in attendance, professed conversion ; and, after the close of busi- ness, the members of the body indulged in a season of fervent worship and joyous devotion. A number of persons, who had been converted were baptized. For these " disorders," North Bend Association dropped correspondence with Campbell county. This act, however, was reconsidered the next year, and the correspondence was restored.
The policy pursued toward the Antimission element, for the sake of peace, did not avail. Shortly after the meeting of the Association, in 1840, the more violent of the Anti-mission- aries split off from the churches, and, uniting with larger num- bers that had severed themselves from the churches of North Bend, embodied the several factions, under the style of " Salem Association of Predestinarian Baptists."
This schism did not entirely relieve the Association of the anti missionary spirit. In 1844, the body ventured, very close- ly, to recommend the churches to acquaint themselves with the objects of the Indian Mission Association, and act as Christian duty and prudence might dictate. The same year, some " lay brethren " having written a letter to the Association, suggest- ing the propriety of employing one or more ministers to labor
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within the bounds of the Association, the churches were re- quested to send one member each, to meet at Alexandria, on a given day in the succeeding October, to consult and act as the churches might direct. This meeting appears to have re- sulted, like that held at Brush Creek, in 1835, in agreeing "to let the matter rest there." However, the spirit of the body be- gan manitestly to improve. In 1848, Georgetown College and the South Western Baptist Theological Institute were recom- mended; in 1849, a collection of $12.40 was taken up for the benefit of two aged and indigent preachers, and, in 1851, the sum of $23. 50 was contributed to the General Association.
This is the first notice of a contribution to any missionary enterprise, on the records of this fraternity. Since this period, the Association has occupied the grounds of a Missionary body, and has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. In 1850, it num- bered 14 churches with 1,047 members; in 1860, 15 churches with 1, 823 members; in 1970, 15 churches with 1,47 members; in 1880, 17 churches wiih 1,780, members, and, in 1882, 16 churches with 1,832 members. From its constitution, in 1827, to its meeting, in 1827, there were baptized for the fellowship of its churches, 5,005 converts.
OLD CHURCHES .- Licking is the oldest church in this fra- ternity. It was constituted of 8 members, at the house of Wil- liam DeCourcey, in what is now Kenton county, in October, 1794. It was first called Mouth of Licking, and joined Elkhorn Association, in 1795. It changed its name to Licking, in 1820. Flower Creek, located in Pendleton county, was constituted about 1797, and was received into Elkhorn Association, in 1798. At this time, it numbered 15 members. It was under the care of John Taylor, who was one of its members. About 1808, it was dissolved. It was afterwards reorganized, but was finally dissolved, in 1833. Twelve-Mile, located in Campbell county, was gathered during the great revival, and united with Elkhorn Association, in 1802. Bank Lick, located in Campbell county, and numbering 22 members, united with Elkhorn at the same date. Brush Creek (now called Persimmon Grove) was also gathered during the great revival at the beginning of the pres- ent century, and entered into the constitution of North Bend Association, in 1803. Wilmington, located in Kenton county,
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was constituted in 1804, and united with North Bend Associa- tion the same year. Alexandria and Four-Mile, both in Camp- bell county, were received into North Bend Association, in 1820.
JOHN STEPHENS was one of the early preachers, first in North Bend, and afterwards, in Campbell county Association. His membership was in Twelve-Mile church, where he was probably raised up to the ministry, some time previous to the year 1820. He was regarded a good, plain, and very useful preacher ; and was much consecrated to his holy calling. Being very poor, and early inured to toil and hardships, he traveled extensively on foot, and preached to the poor, in their cabins,
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