USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 4
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Dr. Seely is a man of profound learning and extensive reading. He is classed among the most critical Greek scholars in the country.
WILLIAM M. PRATT, D.D., now one of the oldest active ministers in Elkhorn Association, was born in Madison county, N. Y., January 13, 1817. He finished his education at what is now Madison University, taking a course of four years in the collegiate, and two years in the theological department, graduat- ing in 1839. He was married the day after he graduated, and within two weeks started to his field of labor at Crawfordsville, Ind. Here he conducted a female school about a year, preach- ing as he could make opportunity. After this he spent about four years in preaching and building up churches, in what was then a comparatively new country. In 1845, he moved from Indiana to Kentucky, and accepted a call to the First Baptist church in Lexington. He labored as pastor of this church, seventeen years, resigning in 1862. After this, he moved to Louisville, and, in addition to discharging the duties of Corre- "Ile has recently gone to his final reward.
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sponding Secretary of the General Association, supplied the pulpit of Bank Street church, in New Albany, and, afterwards, at different times, those of Broadway and Walnut street churches in Louisville. In 1871, he took charge of the church in Shelby- ville, where he ministered several years. Subsequently, he moved to Lexington, where he now resides. He is still (1885) actively engaged in the ministry.
Dr. Pratt is not only an excellent preacher and pastor, but he is also a superior business man. He has been a prominent actor in the benevolent enterprises of the Kentucky Baptists, and has rendered invaluable service to the denomination, in the various capacities, in which he has served it.
RICHARD M. DUDLEY, D. D., a great grandson of the famous old pioneer preacher, Ambrose Dudley, was born in Madison county, Ky., September 1, 1838. He entered Georgetown college in 1856 with a view to educating himself for the bar. In the spring of 1857 he professed religion, and was baptized by A. W. LaRue, then pastor of the Georgetown church. During his college course he became impressed that it was his duty to preach the gospel. As soon as this impression deepened into a conviction, he abandoned his purpose to study law. He con- tinued his studies at the college, but now, with a view to the gospel ministry. He graduated in 1860, and, in the spring of 1861 accepted a call to the East Baptist church in Louisville. He ministered to this church about four years, when he resigned on account of a diseased throat. In 1865, he became editor of the Western Recorder, and conducted that journal with satis- faction to the public about six years. . In 1871, he accepted a call to Davids Fork church, in Fayette county. In 1872, he ac- cepted a professorship in Georgetown college, still retaining the pastorate of Davids Fork church till 1873. At this date he ac- cepted a call to Stamping Ground church, in Scott county. In 1877, he resigned his position in the college, that he might give himself wholly to the work of the ministry. In 1878, he suc- ceeded Henry McDonald, as pastor of the church at George- town. The following year, he was elected chairman of the Faculty of Georgetown college, and, on the 9th of June, 1880, was elected president of that institution. The latter position he has filled with much satisfaction to the denomination and the general public to the present time (1885). " If I should make
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any comment at all upon my life," said he to the author, "it would be this : I have been honored by my brethern far beyond my deserts, and with each additional honor, I have been more and more painfully conscious of my unworthiness." The author takes pleasure in adding that his life long friend, Dr. Dudley, has filled well every position with which he has been intrusted.
GEORGE VARDEN, D.D. PH. D. L.L. D., was born in Nor- folk county, England, December 9, 1830. He was raised up in the church of England, but while attending an academy, he ex- perienced a change of heart, and was baptized by John Wil- liams, into the fellowship of a Baptist church. He had received a good primary education, and was licensed to preach at the age of eighteen years. Soon after this, he came to the United States. After traveling two years, he entered Georgetown col- lege, where he graduated in 1858. He immediately took charge of the church at Paris, in Bourbon county, where he still re- sides He has been pastor at different periods of the churches at Colemansville, Mayslick, Falmouth, Florence and Indian Creek. Dr. Varden has devoted himself enthusiastically to study, and is one of the leading scholars of the country. He has written extensively for the leading periodicals of the coun- try, and is well known in Europe, as well as in the land of his adoption, as a scholarly author.
THOMAS C. STACKHOUSE is of French extraction, and was born in Louisiana, July 2, 1840. Losing his parents, he came to Kentucky at the age of fifteen. He was educated at George- town college, where he graduated in 1858. He professed reli- gion while attending college, and was baptized into the fellow- ship of Georgetown church, by A. W. LaRue, in March, 1857. He was licensed to preach at Stanford, while studying theology under A. W. LaRue, March 10, 1860. He entered the theolo- gical department of Georgetown college, the following fall, and was ordained to the ministry at Mt. Gilead church, in Green county, in August, 1863, by Henry McDonald and John James. He was pastor of the churches at Mt. Gilead and Greensburg, in Green county, and Columbia, in Adair, a number of years. He took charge of the First Baptist church in Owensboro, about 1876. After preaching here several years he moved to Fayette county. He declined a call to the First Baptist church in Lex- ington on account of that church's tolerating its members in sell-
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ing whisky. He afterwards took charge of the churches at David's Fork, in Fayette county, and Winchester, in Clark county, preaching two Sundays in the month to each, which po- sition he is still occupying (1885). Mr. Stackhouse is a fine pulpit orator, and is held in high esteem by his people.
LANSING BURROWS, D.D., a son of the distinguished John L. Burrows, D.D., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April 10, 1843. He was taken by his parents to Richmond. Va., where he was brought up, and received his early education. He pro- fessed religion in the spring of 1858, and was baptized into the fellowship of the First Baptist church in Richmond. He enter- ed the Sophomore class in Wake Forest college, N. C., and finished his collegiate course in 1862. After leaving college he engaged in journalism for a time. He then came to Kentucky, and taught in a seminary at Stanford. While thus engaged, he yielded to a long felt impression to preach the gospel. He was licensed to exercise his gift, by the church at Stanford, Novem- ber 10, 1866, and was ordained to the work of the ministry, July 7, 1867. After serving the church at Stanford one year, he was called to the church at Lexington, Mo., where he minister- ed two years. He was called to the church at Bordentown, N. J., which he served from 1870 to 1876. From the latter date, till 1879, he served the North church at Newark, N. J. From thence he came to Kentucky, and took charge of the First Bap- tist church in Lexington, where he ministered much to the satis- faction of his charge till 1883, when he was called to Augusta, Ga., where he still remains.
JOHN L. SMITH has been a prominent preacher in South District and Elkhorn associations more than a quarter of a cen- tury. He was born in Garrard county, Ky., May 18, 1821. In his infancy he lost his father, and his mother was left a widow with six children and very limited possessions. Under thesc circumstances his early opportunities for acquiring education were very poor. But having a good native intellect, and being ambitious to learn he used his few opportunities to good advan- tage. He made a profession of religion and united with Forks of Dix River church, being baptized by John S. Higgins in 1839. Not long after he united with the church he was ordained to the deaconship. After serving in this capacity a short time, he was licensed to preach. Keenly feeling the need of an edu-
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
cation, he moved to Danville in 1845, where, notwithstanding he was a married man, he attended school and college six years. After finishing a theological course at the Danville Presbyterian Seminary, he was ordained to the ministry, in 1853. About this time he was brought into intimate relationship with that godly minister, A. W. LaRue, to whom, and to the example of a very pious mother, he acknowledges great indebtedness. Soon after his ordination, he was invited to the pastoral care of Shawnee Run church. This call he declined; but agreed to supply the church temporarily. In 1855, he was called to Nicholasville and Mt. Pleasant churches, in Jessamine county. The latter he served about six years. Besides these, he has been pastor, at different periods, of the churches at Mt. Vernon, Hillsboro and Clear Creek, in Woodford county; South Elk- horn and Athens, in Fayette; Winchester and Mt. Olive, in Clark, and New Providence, in Boyle. The last named he has served many years, and is still its highly esteemed pastor *. His labors have been blessed of the Lord; so that he has baptized over 1,090 persons. He was also instrumental in gathering the churches at West Point, in Boyle county, and South Elkhorn, in Fayette. His health has been declining for some years past, but he is still engaged with what strength remains to him, in the Master's service.
SALEM ASSOCIATION.
This was the second association organized in the Mississipp. Valley, and embraced the first two churches planted on the soil of Kentucky. What is known of the early settlement of Bap- tists in this region, has been related in the early part of this work. As was remarked of Elkhorn, some things already narrated, will be repeated here, in order to make the narrative somewhat connected. The following is a literal copy of the re- cord of the constitution of this ancient fraternity, made by the clerk, and transcribed by Spencer Clack, in his history of Salem Association :
"On Saturday, the twenty-ninth day of October, seventeen "He has recently resigned.
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Salem Association.
hundred and eighty-five, four Regular Baptist churches met at Cox's Creek, Nelson county, Ky., by their delegates, in order to form an association, and after a suitable sermon on the occa- sion, preached by our brother Joseph Barnett, from the first chapter of John and 17th verse, proceeded to business. Brother Joseph Barnett being chosen moderator, and brother Andrew Paul, clerk.
" I. Letters from four churches were read, viz. : Severn's Valley, constituted June eighteenth, seventeen hundred and eigthty-one. Number of members, thirty-seven. No pastor. Cedar Creek, constituted July fourth, seventeen hundred and eighty-one. Members, forty-one. Joseph Barnett, pastor. Bear Grass, constituted January, seventeen hundred and eighty- four. Members, nineteen. John Whitacre, pastor. Cox's Creek, constituted April, seventeen hundred and eighty-five. Members, twenty-six.
"II. The right of churches to associate, the nature, charac- ter and authority of an association opened by brother Barnett.
"III. The constitution, principles and character of the sev- eral churches, proposing to associate, minutely inquired into, both in regard of doctrine and discipline, and left under con- sideration till Monday morning. Adjourned till Monday morning.
"Met according to adjournment.
"IV. The report of the several delegates being read and at- tended to. Resolved, That the churches have adopted 'the Philadelphia Confession of Faith, and Treatise of Discipline,' hereto annexed, and hold ourselves in full fellowship with the Philadelphia, Ketocton and Monongalia associations, and proper measures endeavored to obtain assistance from, and correspond- ence with the same."
It is probable that they had not heard of the constitution of the Elkhorn Association, which had occurred on the first day of the same month; as a broad wilderness, traversed by blood- thirsty savages, intervened.
We cannot but observe the respect they manifested toward the churches, constantly exalting them above the association ; nor do we fail to perceive their great care that the churches ac- sociating, should be sound in faith and discipline. Elkhorn had made some exceptions to the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. but Salem adopted it entire.
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After the constitution, the association considered several items, the 9th of which embraced the following : "Resolved, That no queries be received in this association, but such as have been debated in the churches, and come inserted at the bottom of their letter." They also "Resolved, That two days of fasting and prayer be held yearly, one on the fourth Saturday in March, the other on the fourth Saturday in November, to be a day of fasting and thanksgiving."
The Second Session was held at Cedar Creek, Nelson county, September 30, 1786. No reference is made to Elkhorn Associa- tion. It was "Resolved, That the yearly meeting be held at Nolin [an arm of Severns Valley], and that all the preachers in the association attend."
The Third Session was held at Cox's Creek, Nelson county, October 6, 1787. A letter of correspondence was received from Elkhorn Association, by the hands of John Tanner, Augustine Eastin and Marias Hansbrough. Rules for the government of the Association were adopted. These rules did not difter essentially from those now in general use, except the Ioth and 22nd, which read as follows :
"IO. In order to keep up union and communion among the churches that compose our body, we are to observe the same rules of discipline, as the members of an individual church do in cases of grievances amongst her members. If one church is grieved with another, she is to send one or two select members to inform her and gain her, and if they fail to gain her, she shall call on one or two sister churches, in our body, for helps, who are to send one or two select members with her, to gain the church, causing grief, and if they fail to gain her, they are to cite her to the next association, to answer the complaint which is to be laid before the association, and they are to attend to it, be- fore they enter on the business of the arrangement; and if they cannot gain her, the association is to drop her from the union : For the churches that compose our body stand, as touching fel- lowship, related to each other, in the same point of light as the members of an individual church to each other.
"21. Corresponding messengers from other associations have a right to deliver their sentiment on any subject, and to vote as members of our body."
Some of the 29 rules from which the above are extracted,
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Salem Association.
were adopted in 1787 ; the remainder were added in 1807. It is not usual at the present time, to concede that the churches composing an association, sustain the same relation to each other, as do the individual members of a church. Yet, if an as- sociation is to make any attempt to maintain fellowship, and ex- ercise discipline among the churches, of which it is composed, it is difficult to see wherein the fathers erred, in laying down this rule. The rule permitting corresponding members to vote, was not generally adopted, by the early associations.
The Fourth Session convened at Cox's Creek, October 4, 1788, Brashears Creek, afterwards called Clear Creek, and located near the present site of Shelbyville, and Rolling Fork church, were received into the union. The association now numbered 6 churches and 188 members.
The Fifth Session met at Cox's Creek, October 3, 1789. The venerable John Gano, from Elkhorn, preached the introductory sermon, from Acts 15:6. Query : from Rolling Fork. " Is it lawful for a member of Christ's church to keep his fellow crea- ture in perpetual slavery ?" Answer : "The association judge it improper to enter into so important and critical a matter, at present." The association was much agitated on this subject, for a number of years. Two of her preachers, Joshua Carman and Josiah Dodge, became irreconcilable Emancipationists, and finally broke off from the association, and set up an Emancipation church.
During the session under review, the question as to whether the laying on of hands upon newly baptized persons, was neces- sary to fellowship, was answered in the negative.
Sixth Session, at Cox's Creek, Oct. 2, 1790. The introduct- ory sermon was preached by Augustine Eastin. Hardins Creek and White Oak Run churches were received. A revival had prevailed during the preceding year, and 112 baptisms were re- ported. It was decided that the proper time to give the right hand of fellowship was after baptism. The question as to whether giving the hand of fellowship before baptism, would be a breach of fellowship, was referred to the next association, and then withdrawn.
Seventh Session, at Cox's Creek, Sept. 30, 1791. Simpsons Creek church (now Bloomfield) was received. The churches of the association aggregated 432 members. It was Resolved, that
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
James Garrard (afterwards Governor of Kentucky, eight years), Wm. Wood, Wm. Taylor and Baldwin Clifton, comply with the request of Severns Valley church, with respect to the ministerial qualifications of Josiah Dodge. The examination being satisfac- tory, he was ordained. In answer to a request from Elkhorn Association, that this association aid them in revising the Confes- sion of Faith, they desired time to consider, and to have the ap- probation of the churches.
Eighth Session, at Cedar Creek, 1792. The church at Cheno- withs Run (now Cedar Creek, in Jefferson county) received. John Taylor and John Price were messengers from Elkhorn. The as- sociation decides that the 26th Article of the Confession of Faith, does not prohibit Christians from marrying unconverted persons, but only forbids their marrying persons of profane and debauched lives, or of heretical principles. The name of Lick Creek church appears on the minutes this year, for the first time.
Ninth Session. (place of meeting unknown) 1793. Drennins Lick Creek church (now Mt. Moriah), in Nelson County, and Mill Creek, in Jefferson county, received. The subject of slavery continues to agitate the churches.
Tenth Session, 1794. Buck Creek, afterwards called Buck & Elk, and now known as Elk Creek, and Mill Creek in Nelson county, received.
1795. Query: Has the association a right to appoint quar- terly meetings? Answer. Yes. Mill Creek, Jefferson county, inquires if it is right for professing heads of families to raise up their servants without teaching them to read the word of God, and giving them sufficient food, raiment and lodging. The as- sociation thought it improper to interpose in domestic concerns. The same church inquires if a black slave has a right to a seat in the association. The answer was: Yes, provided he be sent as a messenger from a church. Each of the two parties in Lick Creek church sent a letter to the association, claiming to be the legitimate organization. Both parties were rejected, till they should reconcile their difficulties. This, it is believed, was the first case of the kind that occurred in Kentucky. The precedent here set, has generally been followed. A reconciliation was ef- fected, before the next meeting of the association.
1796. Rolling Fork church, except three members, had withdrawn from the association, on account of its tolerating slav-
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ery. The church at Mill Creek, Jefferson county, had also with- drawn for the same reason.
1797. At Cox's Creek three new churches were received ; Beech Creek, Shelby county ; Harrods Creek, now in Oldham county, and Long Run, Jefferson county. The association ad- vises the churches to discountenance, Reuben Smith, from either preaching or administering the ordinances among them, unless he unite himself with some church. This Elder Smith had been a member of a small church called Strodes Creek in Clark county. That church had been dissolved. He had moved to what is now Spencer county, and had failed to unite with any church. He afterwards joined Elk Creek church and became its pastor.
1798. The association met at Buck & Elk (now Elk Creek.) Two new churches were received: Salt River, in what is now Anderson county, and Ridge church, whose locality is now unknown.
I799. The association met at Brashears Creek. Three new churches were received : Plum Creek, afterwards called Plum and Buck, and now known as Buck Creek, in Shelby county ; Tick Creek (now Bethel), in Shelby county, and Fourteen Mile Creek (now Charleston), in Knox county, Indiana. The churches are advised to be extremely cautious in the restoration of excommunicated ministers, to their former standing.
1800. The association met at Simpson's Creek. Two new churches were received : Six Mile (now Christiansburg), in Shelby county, and Eighteen Mile Creek, in what is now Oldham county. The church at Port William (now Carrollton), at the mouth of Kentucky River, applied for admission, but was re- jected. This church resulted from a union meeting of Baptists and Methodists, and probably adopted a hybrid confession of faith. It, however, so changed its articles of belief as to be ad- mitted into Elkhorn Association, the next year. It is now located at Ghent, in Carroll county.
At the meeting under review, the association advises the churches to dismiss, in the way they were received, members who hold the doctrine of Hell Redemption. The churches are also advised to introduce no persons into the ministry, except such as give evidence of true piety and promising gifts; that - every rational and proper means be used for the improvement of such gifts, and that, in' bringing them to ordination, the church
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should, in every case, have the assistance of at least two, but rather three ministers, esteemed for piety and abilities.
1801. The association met at Long Run meeting house, in Jefferson county. This was the first associational year of the great revival. Seventeen old churches and seven new ones met by their messengers. The following were the churches received at this meeting: Corn Creek in what is now Trimble county , Little Mount, in what is now Spencer county ; Sulphur Fork, Floyd's Fork (since dissolved) and Rock Lick, in Henry county ; Burks Branch in Shelby county, and Cane and Back Run (then in Jefferson, but now King's church, in Bullitt county). Rock Lick church, afterwards united with North Six Mile, and formed Mt. Pleasant church, in Henry county. Previous to this date, the minutes and circulars were written, one copy for each church, but, at this meeting it was agreed for the future to have them printed. How greatly have printing establishments been mul- tiplied in Kentucky in eighty-five years.
The churches are advised to be extremely cautious about re- ceiving members who have divorced their wives, or husbands, and married again, while their former companions were still liv- ing ; and not to receive such without the assistance of one or more churches. Query, from Corn Creek : "Is a Christian to take all manner of abuse from a ruffian, without making resist- ance ?" Answer: "Yes, so far as the abuse amounts to language only." It was agreed to correspond with Green River Association. The duty of deacons is defined : "To take care of temporal concerns of the church." The question as to whether it is consistent with good order for a minister to hear experiences and baptize, within the bounds of a church, with- out its consent, was postponed, and subsequently answered in the negative.
I 802. Met at Cox's Creek. The following churches were received: Salem, Hites Run, Rock Creek, Lick Branch (now Lagrange, in Oldham county), and Rolling Fork, which had seceded from the association, in 1796. "Query from Hardin's Creek : Is it advisable to receive the evidence of credible per- sons in the world, against a member who might publicly trans- gress, and yet deny it? Answer: All things considered, we think it not advisable." This bad advice was reconsidercd, and reversed, the next year. At this meeting, a correspondence
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with South District, Tates Creek and Cumberland associations, was agreed to. It was agreed that "an association is only an advisory council."
The association had now been in existence seventeen years. Its growth during the first fifteen years, was very slow indeed. It was constituted of four churches, aggregating 123 members. In 1800 it numbered seventeen small churches, the aggregate membership of which, though not definitely known, is supposed to have been about five hundred. During the next two years its increase was so great, that, in 1802 it numbered 34 churches and about 2, 500 members. It embraced in its territory nearly all the region of country, lying between the Ohio and Green rivers, west of the mouth of the Kentucky river. At the last named date, it was agreed to divide its territory, and Salt river was fixed upon as the dividing line. All the churches north of that stream were to form a new association, to be called Long Run. This reduced the mother fraternity to II churches, aggregating, in 1803, 792 members. After this date, it enjoyed a good de- gree of prosperity. The country began to be settled more rapidly, and, what was still more important to the prosperity of the churches, the long continued agitation of the slavery ques- tion had measurably ceased. The principle growth of the association, heretofore, had been in the direction of its Northern border. But now the country, to the south and west, began to fill up, and the new churches planted, were principally in those- directions. The churches represented in the association, in 1803, were Cedar Creek, Cox's Creek, Simpson's Creek, Mill Creek, Wilson's Creek and Rolling Fork, all in Nelson county ; Hardin's Creek, in Washington; Hites Run in Breckenridge ; Rock Creek, in Grayson, and Cedar Creek (since dissolved), in Bullitt.
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