USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 40
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in rude school houses, and, in warm weather, in the groves, without worldly compensation, and thus laid the foundation for churches that have since been gathered. He was the first moderator of Campbell County Association, and continued to act as presiding officer of that body, with the exception of one year, till he was succeeded by James Vickers, in 1840. He con- tinned to labor till old age, and was greatly beloved by the peo- ple he had so long and faithfully served.
ELAM GRIZZLE was a native of Virginia, and was born of Baptist parents' July 23, 1778. Losing his father in early child- hood, he was committed to the care of a Baptist family of the name of Hampton, who afterwards moved to Kentucky, and settled on Elkhorn. Here young Grizzle professed religion and united with a Baptist church, in his youth. He subsequently moved with his foster parents to Gallatin county, where he uni- ted with Ten-Mile church. Having married Ann McCullum, he settled in Kenton county, where he united with Bank Lick church, about 1808. In 1817, he was ordained a deacon in that church, and, on the 9th of May, 1818, was ordained to the ministry, by Moses Vickers and others. He was soon after- wards chosen pastor of Bank Lick church, and continued to fill that position, about 25 years. He was also pastor of DeCour- ceys Creek church, from its constitution, in 1844, till about 1850. Soon after he took charge of Bank Lick, a revival oc- curred in that church, during which, with many others, he bap- tized the subsequently eloquent and popular James Vickers. He is said to have been a good, solid preacher. In his exten- sive labors in the territory of North Bend and Campbell County Associations, during a period of 44 years, he traveled mostly on
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foot. He was called to his reward, about 1862, in the 84th year of his age.
ROBERT WARE was the youngest son of deacon Isaac Ware, and was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1792. Migrating to Camp- bell county, in his youth, he professd conversion and united with Licking church, about 1812. With Uriah Edwards, he was licensed to preach, in 1821, and was ordained to the care of Licking church, in 1823. To this congregation he ministered about four years, baptizing near 40. He was not a strong doc- trinal preacher ; but he was warm and zealous in his address, and mighty in exhortation. His piety was marked, and few were more successful in winning souls to Christ. About 1827, he moved to Mississippi, where, after many years of usefulness, he finished his course.
JAMES SPILLMAN was one of the most active and useful preachers that have labored in Campbell County Association. He was born of Presbyterian parents, in Campbell Co., Ky., Oct. 29, 1796, and was christened and catechised according to the custom of his fathers. Notwithstanding his poor advantages, he succeed in acquiring a fair education, and devoted some years to reading medicine. He was the subject of carly relig- ious impressions, but did not obtain a comfortable hope in Christ, till 1817. After spending some time in close study of the Bible, he united with the Baptist church at Four-Mile, and was immersed by Christopher Wilson. He was afterwards ap- pointed to an office in the county militia, and took much pride in military parade. At one time, while exercising in drill, lightning struck his sword, and smelted a portion of its bladc.
In 1820, he entered into the constitution of a church at Alexandria, in his native county, and, in December of that year, was licensed to preach. Although he had, for several years, been strongly impressed with a sense of obligation to preach the gospel, he declined to attempt speaking in public, from a feeling of incompetency. In 1826, he was ordained to the deaconship. Some years later, an attack of illness brought him apparently near to the grave. During this illness, he made a vow, that if the Lord would raise him up he would devote the remainder of his days to preaching the gospel. As soon as he was restored to health, he commenced exercising in public. In 1832, he was married to Rachel Martin of Hamilton county, Ohio. In Oc-
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tober, 1835, he was ordained to the ministry, in the house of his mother, where the Alexandria church was accustomed to meet. About this period, great excitement on the subject of benevo- lent institutions prevailed among the churches. Mr. Spillman warmly espoused the cause of missions, and, for some years, traveled and preached almost constantly, and with convincing power, in the counties of Bourbon, Pendleton, Campbell, Ken- ton and Harrison, and in the adjacent region of Ohio. By the time this controversy had closed, in the schism of 1840, Mr. Spillman had become the leading preacher of his Association, and was regarded as such during the remainder of his ministry. He was pastor of the church in Alexandria, 25 years, of that at Licking Valley, 14 years, and, at different periods, of nearly all the churches in his association. In 1871, the encroachments of old age admonished him to retire from the pastoral office. He died of cancer, September 19, 1872.
GEORGE GRADEN was the son of a Lieutenant in the Revo- lutionary War, and is supposed to have been born in Campbell county, Ky., about 1794. He was bound to a Mr. Spillman, at about the age of six years. By his own energy and persever- ing application, he obtained a fair education and a good general reading, and became especially familiar with the sacred scrip- tures. He united with Four-Mile church, about 1812. Here he was licensed to preach, about 1822, and was ordained, about 1824. Soon after his ordination, he fell into some heretical no- tions, for which he was excluded from the church. However, he was soon restored to his church and the confidence of his brethren. After this he moved his membership from Alexan- dria to Brush Creek church, of which he was chosen pastor. He was regarded one of the ablest doctrinal preachers in his part of the State. For many years, he made it a rule annually to visit and preach to every church in his Association. He was an earnest, and sometimes a very powerful exhorter, and labored with equal zeal, in persuading men privately, to seek the Savior. He was a ripe christian, an able minister, and a zealous and faithful laborer, and through him, the churches were greatly built up, and many sinners were led to Christ.
WILLIAM GRIZZLE was a son of Elder Elam Grizzle, and was born in what is now Kenton county, Ky., March 31, 1813. He united with Bank Lick church, and was baptized by his
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father, in October, 1832. In 1846, he was licensed to exercise " a public gift," and was ordained to the ministry, by Robert Kirtley, J. A. Kirtley, Elam Grizzle, A. W. Mullins and Rob- ert Vickers, March 13, 1853. Aided by Jesse Beagle, he raised up Grants Lick church, near his home in Campbell county, and served it as pastor, the remainder of his brief ministry. He also served the church at Pleasant Ridge, for a time ; and was pastor of DeCourcey's Creek, Bowmans (now Oak Island) and Grants Lick, at the time of his death, which occurred, Novem- ber 3, 1867, Besides discharging faithfully his pastoral duties, this good, humble minister labored much among the destitute, and laid a good foundation for others to build on. During his short ministry, he baptized 1 16 persons.
JESSE BEAGLE was born in Campbell county, Ky., Oc- tober 17, 1812. In early life, he obtained hope in Christ and united with Twelve-mile church. He was ordained to the ministry, May 1, 1852 ; and, although he began to preach rather late in life, he was a valuable laborer in the Master's vineyard, about twenty-four years. Much of this time he served Campbell County Association as missionary, with much accep- tance and success. He also filled the pastoral office in some of the leading churches in that fraternity, among others, that of seeond Twelve Mile. He died February 24, 1876.
ALEXANDER WEBB MULLINS was born in what is now Ken- ton county, Ky., Dec. 5, 1822. He was baptized by James Spillman, into the fellowship of Wilmington church, about 1846. His zeal began to overflow in exhortation, soon after his bap- tism ; and he was ordained to the ministry, by James Spillman, Thomas Lummis and Martin Lummis, November 25, 1849. He was immediately invited to preach once a month at Wil- mington, and was soon afterwards called to the care of Grassy Creek and other churches, which occupied all his Sabbaths. At the same time, he engaged in holding many protracted meet- ings, with good success. He was very popular as a pastor, and, at different periods, served the churches at Willow Creek, in Bracken county (14 years), Indian Creek, in Harrison county (15 years), Union, Harris Creek, Oak Island, Short Creek, Falmouth, DeCourceys Creek, Dayton, Twelve-Mile, and Bank Lick. He gave a portion of his time, during a period of several years, to the work of a missionary, and also made
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several tours to Illinois and Missouri, during which he preached with good success. His preaching gifts were above mediocrity and his zeal and industry were extraordinary. Campbell County Association called him to preside over her councils, four successive years. In giving some account of his labors, he said : " I have baptized over one thousand persons, to the best of my judgment." After a lingering illness of about three months, he died triumphantly, September 13, 1870.
FERGIS GERMAN was born in Campbell county, Ky., Sep- tember 22, 1802. He was baptized by John Stephens, into the fellowship of Licking church, in April, 1820. He afterwards moved his membership to 2d Twelve-Mile, where he was licensed to preach, September 18, 1841, and was ordained to the ministry, January, 1843, by John Stephens, Wm. Morin and James Spillman. In July of the same year, he was called to the pastoral care of 2d Twelve-Mile church, which he served four years. He aided in gathering Harris Creek church, in Pendleton county, to which he ministered for a time. He was also pastor of Falmouth church, II years, and of Holes Creek and North Fork, shorter periods. In 1855, he moved to Jackson county, Missouri. While there, he was pastor of Lone Hill, Sibley, Union and Fishing River churches, and baptized about 400 persons. In 1863, he moved back to his native county, in Kentucky, after which he was pastor of Licking, Oak Island and Grassy Creek churches. He was missionary in North Bend Association, four years, during which he gathered Walton church, in Boone county. During another four years, he labored as missionary in Bracken Association, under the patronage of the General Association. He died in a very joyful manner, about 1879.
Mr. German was a moderate preacher ; but he was zealous, earnest and active, and enjoyed a good degree of success during his entire ministry.
HENRY E. SPILLMAN was born in Alexandria, Campbell county, Ky., July 14, 1834. At the age of thirteen years, he pro fessed faith in Christ and united with a Baptist church. On the Ioth of February, 1859, he was married to Fannie, daughter of Deacon Henry, Walker, of Dayton, Ky., in which vil- lage he made his home the remainder of his life. For some years previous to his entering the ministry, he was impressed
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with the duty of preaching the gospel. But not until his oldest daughter was brought so low that her physician said he . could do no more for her, and that she could live only a few hours longer, did the agonized father turn to the Lord with his whole heart, pleading for the life of his child, and vowing a full consecration to the cause of Christ, if God would spare her life. His prayer was heard, and his child recovered. Nor did he forget his vow. He was ordained to the ministry, in the fall of 1866. In the following January, he was called to the pastoral care of Dayton church, to which he preached, three Sabbaths in the month, about ten years, when failing health forced him to resign. During the same period, he preached, one Sabbath in the month, to Union church, in Harrison county. In both of these charges, he enjoyed a good degree of success. He was a good, strong preacher, and his people were much attached to him. After a lingering consumption of the lungs, this good and useful man exchanged his home in Dayton, for " a house not made with hands," on the 20th of August, 1878.
JAMES MONROE JOLLY is among the elderly living ministers of this Association, and has served it as Moderator, since 1867, with the exception of one year. He was born in Lewis county, Ky., December 13, 1817, and was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood, after which he acquired the trade of bricklaying. At the age of nine years, he was carried by his parents to Clermont county, Ohio, and thence, seven years later, to Campbell county, Ky. He was baptized on a profession of faith, into the fellowship of Licking church, in Februrary, 1842, Soon after he joined the church, he was licensed to preach ; but he made few attempts to speak in public, for several years. Being justice of the pesce, he gave his attention to the law, rather than to the gospel. In March, 1855, he was ordained to the ministry, at Flag Spring, in Campbell county, by Wm. J. Morin, Jesse Beagle, and James Vickers. Since his ordination, he has been pastor of the following churchces : 2d Twelve-Mile, 11 years, Flag Spring, 15 years, Persimmon Grove, 8 years, Florence, 2 years, Bank Lick, 9 years, Pleasant Ridge, 16 years, Grants Lick, 4 years, and Grants Creek (Ia.,) Grassy Creek, Demossville and Licking Valley, one year each. In 1881, he thought he had baptized at least 650 converts. His son, Wm. T. Jolly, who was educated
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at Georgetown College, commenced preaching in Indiana, in 1870 where he labored some years, and then located at Ashland, Ky.
N. C. PETTIT was for a number of years, a valuable laborer within the bounds of this fraternity, both as a preacher and an educator. He was ordained to the ministry, at 2d Twelve-Mile December 17, 1854, by James Vickers, W. J. Morin and Fergis German. He was pastor of a number of churches, at different periods, and served the Association as Clerk, from 1855 to 1874. After this, he moved to Falmouth, Ky., where he conducted a female high school. To Mr. Pettit, the author is indebted for several biographical sketches and other valuable information.
CHARLES JEFFERSON BAGBY is among the active and effi- cient ministers of this Association. He was born in Kenton county, Ky., February 20, 1840, where he grew up, receiving only a common school education. At the age of 20 years, he was baptized into the fellowship of Wilmington church, by A. W. Mullins. He was licensed to preach, in September, 1863, and ornained, in October, 1866. Since his ordination, he has been pastor of Wilmington church five years, of Concord six years, of Paint Lick two years, of Liberty four years, and of several others, for brief periods. In 1881. he was serving Wil- mington, Bank Lick, Oak Ridge and Licking Valley. At that time, he had baptized about 300 converts.
Of several other ministers who have labored efficiently in this fraternity, no definite information has been received.
BARREN RIVER ASSOCIATION.
This large and prosperous organization is the fourth daughter of the old Green River fraternity. It was constituted at Mt. Pleasant meeting house, in Barren county, on the 15th of Sep- tember, 1830, of the following 15 churches: Concord, Glovers Creek, Mt. Pleasant, Skaggs Creek, Dover, Doughtys Creek, Mt. Vernon, Pleasant Hill and Peters Creek, all in Barren county ; Bethlehem, Puncheon Camp and Mt. Gilead, in Allen county ; Fountain Run in Monroe county ; Dripping Spring, in what is now Metcalf and Liberty, in Smith county, Tenn. The or- dained ministers belonging to these churches, were Zechariah
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Emerson, George Hern, John H. Baker, Levi Roark, Joshua Welbourn, Augustine Clayton, Andrew Nuckols, Benjamin Bailey and Thomas Scrivner. At the first anniversary of the body, the 15 churches of which it was constituted, aggregated 830 mem- bers, and occupied a broad, fertile field, which needed, however, much diligent cultivation, in order to make it yield a full harvest.
This Association inherited from its mother some elements of discord which much confused and embarrassed its councils, for more than a dozen years after its constitution, during which it made no permanent progress, but rather retrograded in numbers. In 1832, it made the following record : "Proceeded to attend to the request of the churches at Glovers Creek and Mt. Vernon, with regard to state conventions, monied institutions, auxiliary societies &c., viewing them as intended to blend the church and world together, and thereby calculated to destroy the peace and harmony of the churches, and, after considerable discussion, the following advice, in answer to those two'churches, was agreed on, for the consideration of all the churches, to wit: That they search the scriptures for their guide." This was an evasion of the question; but it quieted the two churches for a couple of years. But, in 1835, the following item was transacted in the Association : "Motioned that we declare non-fellowship with the Baptist State Convention and all like institutions of the day." The motion was carried. During the succeeding year, Andrew Nuckols, who had imbibed Parker's Two-Seeds doctrine, became involved in a difficulty with Pleasant Hill church, of which he was a member, and, with his party was excluded from its fellow- ship. The excluded party laid claim to being the legitimate church, and, of course, went through the form of excluding the majority. When the Association met, in 1836, it recognized the majority at Pleasant Hill, and withdrew fellowship from Glo- vers Creek and Mt. Vernon churches, for retaining as pastor, Andrew Nuckols, whom it styled "an excluded member." Some of the churches had sent a request, in their letters, that the As- sociation would reconsider its act of the previous years, "which declared a non-fellowship with the Baptist State Convention &c." In answer to this request, the Association passed the following : "Resolved, That the act of last Association, which declares a non-fellowship with the Baptist State Convention and all like in- stitutions, ought to be, and the same is, hereby rescinded."
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In consequence of the adoption of this resolution, the fol- lowing six churches, aggregating 145 members, withdrew from the Association: Dripping Spring, Glovers Creek, Skaggs Creek, Mt. Vernon, Mt. Pisgah, and Green River. These churches afterwards embodied themselves in what has since been known as "Barren River Association of Regular Baptists." This schism did not eradicate the disturbing element from the Association. There was still a considerable party, who could not accept Parkers speculations, but who were, nevertheless, violently opposed to benevolent institutions. However there was a calm, for the present ; and God poured out a great bless- ing on the long perturbed and disordered churches. In the fall of 1837, the most powerful revival that has ever visited that region of the State, since 1801, broke out in the churches, and
prevailed for more than a year. When the Association met at Indian Creek, in 1838, a heavenly rapture pervaded all christian hearts in the vast assembly that had come together. Little at- tention was given to business, and none to strife and contention. The letters from 18 churches, which had reported, the year be- fore, only 5 baptisms, in the whole Association, and an aggre- gate membership of only 797, now reported 476 baptisms, and an aggregate membership of 1,253. Descriptive of the scene, the clerk records the following language. "During the whole time of the Association, the stand was surrounded by scores of young converts, chanting the praises of their Redeemer ; and many poor souls were inquiring the way to Zion, so that, if ever our Association held a session at which it might be said : 'The Lord has poured out a blessing which we are not able to contain,' it was certainly at this time."
Before the next meeting of the Association, the revival had, in a great measure, subsided. The hearts of the disturbing ele- ment in the body, at least had become cold, and the irritating subject of benevolent institutions was again brought before the Association. The Missionary party was in the majority, and the'following preamble and resolution were adopted : "Whereas some are taking advantage of the indirect manner in which our resolution [passed at Bethany] was worded, for remedy thereof it is hereby Resolved, by this Association, that joining any of the benevolent societies of the day, or contributing to its funds, or refusing either to join or contribute, shall not be made a bar
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to union and fellowship ; but that all shall, in this matter, be left to exercise their own free will." The Antimissionaries sub- mitted for the present, but determined to make one more at- tempt to carry their point. Every effort was made to secure a majority in the next Association. When the body convened at Peters Creek, in 1841, Thomas Scrivner, the most prominent leader of the Missionary party, was elected Moderator. The all absorbing question was brought before the meeting, by means of a remonstrance from Dripping Spring church, against the reso- lution of the previous meeting, relating to benevolent institu- tions. A motion was made to rescind the obnoxious resolution. After a long and exciting debate, the motion was put to the Association, and resulted in a vote of 24 against 24. The Moderator gave the casting vote against the motion. Imme- diately the defeated party withdrew from the house. This party met at Concord, the same fall, and constituted of 6 churches, aggregating 358 members, what they styled the "Original Bar- ren River Association of United Baptists."
The next year, some complaint was made against the authoritative language in which the famous resolution was worded. The Association agreed to modify the language, by substituting the words, "ought not to be made a bar to union," for the expression, "shall not be made a bar to union; but added: "We want it distinctly understood that we do not intend to abandon the principie of liberty asserted in the resolutions of 1840." After this the subject was not brought before the As- sociation, and the churches enjoyed liberty to contribute to mis- sionary societies, without associational censure - a liberty they did not avail themselves of, however, to any great extent, for several years after it was secured.
The first contribution to missions, made by the advice of this Asssociation, was a collection taken up by Sidney Dyer, agent for the Indian Mission Association, in 1845. The next year, the ministers were requested to visit New Hope, a weak, pastorless church, as often as possible; but no means of com- pensating them was even suggested. In 1848, a collection of $15.65 was taken up for the benefit of this church, and to this was added the surpius of the printing fund. The sum was equally divided among Thomas Scrivner, Wm. Seamans and Wm. F. Spillman, and they were directed to supply New
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Hope church with preaching, as far as practicable. These were the first missionaries employed by this fraternity. This was a small beginning; but it was a practical acknowledgement of an important principle, which thenceforth gained favor. In 1851, the Association adopted the following: "Resolved, That we, as an association, become auxiliary to the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky." There was not much money con- tributed to the General Association, by the churches of this body; but the ministers subscribed liberally to its objects, and paid their subscriptions in work. In 1853, twelve preachers re- ported to the Association, 415 day's labor, 225 baptisms, and the receipt of $57.25 from the brethren. This was an encour- aging report. The Association was moved to appoint a mis- sionary board, consisting of Jas. W. Scrivner, E. D. Winn, R. P. Collins, H. P. Gillock and Thos. Mansfield. It was made the duty of this board to receive the contributions of the churches, and to employ a missionary, or missionaries, to labor among the destitute, within the bounds of the Association. Thos. Scrivner was the first appointee. During the succeeding year, he labored 158 days, witnessed the professed conversion of 31I persons, baptized 141, and received from the board $44. 50, $10 of which he paid to an assistant. In addition to this, he spent 31 days in visiting all the churches in the Association, and preaching to them on the subject of missions. Several of the churches had employed, each, a missionary, for a longer or shorter period. These also made very encouraging reports. The board was continued till 1856, when the missionary work was referred to the individual churches, at their request. This plan was continued till 1859, when it appeared to have been inefficient, and a mis- sionary board was again appointed. But, the civil war coming on, little was accomplished. But, in 1867, an executive board was again appointed, and from that time to the present, a good work has been done in the missionary field of the Association.
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