USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 43
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Hiram Johnson is among the older and more prominent ministers of this body, and has usually served it as moderator, since 1870. John W. Moran is also a prominent preacher in this Association. There are a number of other useful preachers in the body, of whom no particulars have been received.
TEN MILE ASSOCIATION.
This fraternity was constituted of churches dismissed from North Bend and Concord Associations, for the purpose. The organization was affected at Ten Mile meeting house, in Galla- tin county, on the 7th of October, 1831. The following churches were in the constitution : Ten Mile, Lick Creek, Dry Ridge, Providence, Grassy Creek, New Salem, Poplar Grove, Mt. Zion and New Bethel. These nine churches aggregated 383 members. The ministers in the organization, were David Lillard, Christian Tomlin, Joseph Crouch and A. D. Landrum. David Lillard was chosen Moderator of the meeting that form- ed the Association, and then, of the Association itself. The latter position, he filled just thirty years. J. W. McCann was the first clerk of the body.
This Association seems to have had contentions during its early years, and for the first ten years of its existence, it had a very small increase. It manifested but little enterprise, and suffered from a scarcity of ministers, until a very recent date. Indeed it has had nothing like a supply of preachers at any period of its history. In 1841, just ten years after its consti- tution, it numbered 12 churches, with only 472 members. This showed an increase of only 56 members, from its first anni- versary. But the next year, the most remarkable event in its history occurred. A most powerful work of grace pervaded its territory, and, in the fall of 1842 the 12 churches reported 752 baptisms. This increased the aggregate membership of the Association, to 1, 296; and the next year, it reported 13 churches and 1, 327 members. During this wonderful revival the scarcity of preachers was greatly felt, and the Association appointed a day of humiliation and prayer to God, that he would send more laborers into his vineyard.
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In 1845 it made its first movement in favor of missions, by appointing messengers to the General Association. In 1848, it was "Resolved to appoint a minister to ride in the bounds of this Association." But like too many other bodies of the kind, it passed many good resolutions on this subject, which were never carried into effect. It has been intimated by some of the old ministers, that David Lillard, whose influence over the Association was almost boundless, was not heartily in favor of missions ; and his constant refusal to receive any com- pensation for preaching tends to confirm this intimation. This may account for the backwardness of this nominally Missionary body, in pursuing any missionary enterprise. In 1867, the Association appointed a board to conduct its associational mis- sion. This Board appealed to the churches for means to carry on the work. Oakland church alone responded, contributing $10. The board has been kept in, existence, and some mis- sionary work has been accomplished ; but it has been very mea- ger. The Sunday-school work has not succeeded much better, although an interest, amounting, almost to enthusiasm, has been exhibited at some of the meetings of the body. The as- sociation favors the benevolent enterprises, fostered by the denomination, in the State ; but a defective education on the subject, appears to be the cause of the churches' doing so lit- tle in the great cause of christian benevolence, which they so fully indorse by resolutions.
There appears to have been little contention about doctrine and church polity, in this body. At one time, there was some disturbance about Free Masonry ; but this appears to have been quieted by the following resolution, adopted in 1846: "Resolved, That Masonry shall not be considered a test of fel- lowship." The course of the body has of late years, been peaceful, and, considering its want of enterprise, it has been moderately prosperous, since the wonderful revival of 1842. In 1850, it numbered 17 churches with 104 members, and, in 1860, 19 churches, with 1,706 members. But, at the latter date, it dismissed four churches to go into the constitution of Crittenden Association. Subsequently other churches were dis- missed, which reduced the body, in 1870 to 12 churches with 1,523 members. In 1880, it numbered 14 churches with 1,785 members, and, in 1882, the same number of churches, aggre-
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gating 1,718 members. From 1834, to its meeting in 1882, there were baptized into the fellowship of its churches, ac- cording to its official reports, 4,581.
OLD CHURCHES. Ten-Mile is the oldest church in this fra- ternity. Tradition claims that it was constituted as early as 1800. This is possible, but not very probable. It was a cus- tom of that time, for churches to unite with an association as early as an opportunity was afforded. The first occurrence of the name of this church, is on the records of North Bend As- sociation of 1806, at which date it was received into that fra- ternity. There is, however, another feature in the case that may have some bearing on the subject. The church was gathered by William Bledsoe. The only preacher of that name, known to have been among the Kentucky pioneers, had been a member of old South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists; but had become, as early as 1800, a Restorationist, or in modern phraseology, a Universalist. If this was the same man that gathered Ten-Mile church, it may be that it did not stand on orthodox Baptist ground, at first, and hence could not be ad- mitted into an association, while Bledsoe was connected with it. Be this as it may, the church was received into North Bend As- sociation, in 1806, and remained an influential member of that body, till 1831, when it entered into its present relation. For a number of years, it was the home of all the Baptists in the settlement in which it was located. Under the pastoral care of David Lillard, who served it more than forty years, it grew to be a large body, numbering, in 1856, 381 members. Since that time, it has dismissed a large portion of its membership to form other churches. In 1882, it numbered 126. Poplar Grove church, located in Owen county, was consituted of twelve mem- bers, on the second Saturday in May, 1827. It united with North Bend Association, the same fall. But, in 1829, it took a letter and joined Concord, from which it was dismissed, to go into the constitution of Ten-Mile. Tobias Wilhoit was its first pastor ; he was succeeded by Joseph Crouch, in 1830, who served it with much acceptance, about nineteen years. Its growth was slow, till 1842, during which year it received 165 by baptism. Since the death of Mr. Crouch, in 1849, it has fallen into the pernicious habit of frequently changing pastors. How- ever, it is still much the largest church in the association, Mt.
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Zion was constituted of nineteen members, on the 19th of May, 1827. David Lillard was its first pastor, and served it twenty- seven years. It united with North Bend Association, in 1828, from which it was dismissed to go into the constitution of Ten- Mile. It has enjoyed many precious revivals. In 1842, it re- ceived 109 by baptism ; in 1849, 54; in 1853, 60 ; in 1854, 80, and, in 1866, 75. In 1854, J. W. Lee succeeded Mr. Lillard as pastor, and served till 1867. Since that time it has changed pastors at short intervals. In 1882, it numbered 194 members, and was next to the largest church in the Association.
DAVID LILLARD was by far the most distinguished and influ- ential of the early preachers of Ten Mile Association. Of his birth and parentage, nothing has been preserved on any accessi- ble record. He was an early settler in what is now Grant county, where he became a member of Ten Mile church, at an early period. Here he was ordained to the ministry, in 1817, and immediately took charge of the above named church. To this congregation he ministered, forty-two years. Under his la- bors, it grew from a feeble little band to one of the largest churches on the northern border of the State, numbering, at one time, nearly 400 members. He was also pastor of Mt. Zion church, in Grant county, from its constitution, in 1827, till 1854, during which it increased from nineteen, to nearly two hundred members. Several other churches enjoyed his pastoral labors, for different periods. After an active and efficient min- istry of forty-two years, he fell asleep in Jesus, in 1861.
Mr. Lillard was a man of great energy and perseverance, a christian without a spot on his garments, and a preacher of good practical gifts. Possessing a good property, he steadfastly re- fused to receive any compensation for his ministerial labors. He was moderator of Ten-Mile Association from its constitution till his death, with the exception of one year, when he was ab- sent. He was greatly loved and honored, and few men have possessed so great an influence as he exercised over the entire Association.
JOSEPH CROUCH was, next to David Lillard, the most influ- ential and successful preacher in Ten-Mile Association, in his generation. He was born of Baptist parents, near Petersburg, Va., March 27, 1794. In his childhood, his parents moved to Green county, in East Tennessee, where he was brought up.
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He was instructed in the elements of a common school educa- tion, principally by his older brother and sister, being disabled from attending school by a fall from a horse. He professed re- ligion and united with Buffalo Ridge church, in his adopted county, at the age of fifteen years. A year later, he commenced exercising in public prayer and exhortation. At the age of nineteen, he was married to Anna Lada, and, at the age of twenty, was ordained to the ministry, by Jonathan Mulky and and his son, John Mulky. While residing in Tennessee, he served, at different times, the churches at Buffalo Ridge, Fall Branch, Beech Creek, Double Springs, Carters Station, Lees- burg, and Sinking Creek, and baptized 391 persons.
In the fall of 1829, he moved to Owen county, Ky., and united with Poplar Grove church. Campbellism was agitating the churches at that time. Mr. Crouch put two queries to Pop- lar Grove church: " I. Is salvation of God, or of man?" Answer: "Of God." "2. Is baptism regeneration?" An- swer: "Baptism is not regeneration." It was thence inferred that persons teaching salvation by works, or baptismal regener- ation, ought not to be allowed to preach in the church house,
and the church decided accordingly. In March, 1830, Mr. Crouch was called to the care of this church, and continued to serve it, till the Master bade him come up higher. He wasalso pastor, at different periods, of the churches at Dry Ridge and Mt. Zion, in Grant county ; Grassy Creek and Crooked Creek, in Pendleton ; New Bethel, in Boone; Lick Creek and Provi- dence, in Gallatin, and Long Ridge and Muscle Shoals, in Owen. In addition to his pastoral work, he labored much among the churches, especially in protracted meetings. Like his co-la- borer, David Lillard, he received no compensation for his minis- terial labors. During his ministry, of nineteen years, he bap- tized 1, 192 converts. He raised a large and respectable family, and acquired a comfortable property. The Lord took him to himself, April 30, 1849.
JOSEPH AMBROSE settled within the bounds of Ten-Mile As- sociation, and united with Ten Mile church, in 1855, He was born in Bedford county, Va., March 30, 1798. About 1808, his parents moved to Kentucky, and settled in Pulaski county. Some four years later, they moved to Clay county. Here young Am- brose, in early life, united with Elk Lick church, in what is now
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Owsley county, and was baptized by Abijah Gilbert. He was licensed to preach, about 1826, and was ordained, in February, 1827, by David Chenault and Thomas White. He soon discov- ered unusually effective gifts and great zeal in the work of the ministry. He traveled extensively over several counties, and remarkable success attended his labors. He was called to Elk Lick church, which he served seventeen years. He was also pastor of Sextons Creek and Red Bird churches, in the same county. In 1833, he moved to Estill county, where he con- tinued to labor with unabated zeal and success. He gathered the following churches, to which he ministered till they could be supplied with pastors: Mt. Gilead, in Owsley county ; Wood- wards Creek, White Oak and Clear Creek, in Estill ; Clover Bottom and White Spring, in what is now Jackson, and Drown- ing Creek, Union and Red Lick, in Madison. Clear Creek and Red Lick were gathered in neighborhoods where churches of the same names had been dissolved. Mr. Ambrose was the principal leader in organizing South Fork Association, which he served as moderator from its organization, in 1841, till 1855.
In the midst of this career of great zeal and wonderful suc- cess, he fell into the sin of adultery. The temptation was sud- den and peculiarly trying, and it was generally believed that the sin was not repeated. He immediately confessed his crime to his church, and was promptly silenced from preaching. After some time, he was restored to the ministry, and continued to preach many years, with a good degree of success. But the stain on his garment could never be wholly effaced, and his sin, like that of David, was ever before him.
After he moved to Gallatin county, he raised up Concord church, to which he ministered, with a good degree of success, for a number of years. About 1857, he was crippled by the overturning of a cart, so that he was compelled to ride on a side saddle afterwards. After this he seldom attempted to baptize, but he continued to preach, and was usually pastor of four churches, till old age necessitated his resignation. In 1870, he moved to Missouri, but his wife dying, he returned to his old field of labor in Gallatin county, the following year. He died in great triumph, having predicted the time of his death nine days before, on the 26th of March, 1881.
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With the single exception noted above, the life of Mr. Am- brose was one of eminent purity and devotion to the cause of Christ, and few men of his generation were more successful in building up that cause. His son, C. A. Ambrose, is a citizen of some prominence, and has represented Gallatin county in the State Legislature.
CARISTIAN TOMLIN, was born of German parents, in Cul- pepper county, Va., in 1781. He was converted through reading the Scriptures, there being no church or preacher near where he lived. After his conversion, he began to collect his neighbors together and read the Scriptures to them. He would also pray for them, and exhort them to repent and turn to Christ. This was about 1799 He continued to exhort and pray among his neighbors, some wo or three years, and a number was converted. Some ministers hearing of this work, came into the neighborhood, and a church of about thirty mem- bers was raised up. Mr. Tomlin was ordained to the pastoral care of this church. The first person he baptized was his mother. In 1814 he moved to Brown county, Ohio. Here he gathered a church to which he ministered, till 1817, when he moved to Pendleton county, Kentucky. Here he was an active and useful laborer in the Master's vineyard, about thirty four years. He was pastor of Grassy Creek church, about thirty years; of Dry Ridge thirty-two years ; of Short Creek, twenty-two years ; of Unity, from its constitution till his death, and of Fork Lick, several years. Most or all of these churches, he is believed to have gathered. He was a good man, and a very useful preacher, and was noted as a peace-maker among his neighbors and brethren. He died of Cholera, Aug. 5, 1851, his wife having died of the same disease, the 3Ist of July of the same year.
ASA TOMLIN, son of the above, was born in Brown county, Ohio, August 15, 1815. His parents moved to Kentucky, in 1817, where he was raised up. In 1845, he united with Mt. Zion church in Grant county, of which he is still a member. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1856, and has, usually, been pastor of three or four churches. He claims to have baptized at least 2,000 persons, and to have been the principle instru- ment in gathering about twelve churches. Although he has labored much among the poor and destitute, and has been quite
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successful, he has not succeeded in retaining the confidence of his brethren. He is said to indulge in the foolish habit of exa- geration, and to give himself much to extravagant boasting of his own achievements. In 1866, the Association passed a reso- lution, earnestly requesting Mt. Zion church " to take steps to stop him from trying to preach." The church seems not to have heeded the request, and he is still exercising the ministerial functions. It is believed that no charge has been alleged against his moral character except the one alluded to above.
THOMAS M. GRAY, labored a few years in this Association, and was held in high esteem by the people. He was born in Shelby county, Ky., in 1836. In early life he united with the church at Cedar Creek in Jefferson county. Here he was or- dained to the ministry, and chosen pastor of the church. . After serving in that capacity a short time, he went to Georgetown College, where he spent some time as a student. After return- ing from college, he married and settled near Mt, Eden, in Spencer county, about 1862. While here, he preached to Chaplin Fork church, and labored as missionary of the General Association. After the War, he moved to Glenco, in Gallatin county, and at different times, was pastor of the churches at Oakland, Ten Mile, Concord, Dry Ridge, and Paint Lick, in Ten Mile Association. He was a good man, and a preacher of average ability. He died at his home in Glenco, in September, 1872.
LAFAYETTE JOHNSON is among the most prominent and active of the living ministers of this Association, and has usually serv- edit as moderator, since 1868. He was born in Boone county, Ky., May 22, 1838, educated at Georgetown College, joined New Bethel church, in 1856, was licensed to preach, in 1858, and ordained in 1862. He has usually been pastor of four churches, and, in 1881, he had baptized about 400 persons.
CLARKS RIVER ASSOCIATION.
The history of this small Anti-missionary fraternity is inter- esting, on account of its having been the first Baptist Associa-
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tion organized in that portion of Kentucky lying west of the Tennessee river.
As early as 1823, there were twelve churches in what was known as Jackson's Purchase. Ten of these, viz: Birds Creek, Middle Fork of Obion, Beaver Dam, Hollow Rock, Ramble Creek, Walnut Fork of Obion, Spring Creek of West Sandy, Cypress Creek, Morgans Creek and Providence, were in Ten- nessee. The other two, viz : New Salem and Clarks River, were in Kentucky. In September of that year, these twelve churches, aggregating 417 members, were organized, under the style of " Western District Association." This body grew so rapidly that, in 1828, it numbered thirty churches. At this date, it divided its territory by a line running west from Tennessee river, through Parris, to Mississippi river. The southern divi- sion retained the old name. The northern division, comprising fourteen churches, aggregating 524 members, was organized under the style of "Obion Association." Of these churches, New Salem, Clarks River, East Fork of Clarks River, and Bethel were in Kentucky.
In 1830, Obion Association declared a non-fellowship for all churches that " would suffer its members to join the Masons, or frequent their lodges." This resolution elicited the fact, that some of the most prominent and efficient members of the body, among whom were Elder John Conyers and a Brother Nance, were members of the interdicted fraternity. Much disturbance ensued, and finally, seven churches withdrew from the Asso- ciation.
On Saturday before the third Sunday in November, 1831, these seven churches met, by their messengers, at New Salem meeting house, in Calloway county, Ky., and constituted Clarks River Association. These churches aggregated 227 members, and their names were as follows: Beaver Dam, Barren Fork, Bethlehem, East Fork, New Salem, New Hope, and Shiloh. The association enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, for a few
years. In 1837, it numbered fifteen churches with 508 members. This was the largest aggregate membership it ever attained, In 1845- an attempt was made to unite Obion, Soldiers Creek and Clarks River, and form, of the three, two associations. But the effort failed. From this time, Clarks River Association gradually diminished, and, in 1868, was formally dissolved.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
ORIGINAL LITLLE RIVER ASSOCIATION.
This small fraternity of Anti-missionary Baptists originated in a split of Little River Association, in 1833. There has been much disputing in regard to the causes which led to the divi- sion, and other circumstances connected with it. But the sub- ject does not appear to be of sufficient importance to justify a lengthy investigation. It is sufficient to say, that one party be- lieved in a general atonement and the lawfulness of benevolent societies, while the other rejected these positions, and refused to tolerate them. Nor is it of any importance now, to deter- mine which party was in the majority, in the Association, at the time of the split.
At the meeting of Little River Association, at Mt. Pleas- ant meeting house, in Trigg county, in 1833, the letters from some of the churches expressed a desire that the differences which had long existed in the Association, should be adjusted, or, if this could not be done, that the contending parties should separate by mutual consent. The matter was brought before the body in due form. A motion was made to determine the belief of the Association, on two points, viz. : "a general atone- ment," and the " universal operation of the Spirit." According to a statement in the circular letter of the Anti-missionary party, a majority of the messengers voted adverse to the two points of doctrine. This, however, was not a fair test of the strength of the contending parties, as Parker's Two-Seeds doc- trine, and the lawfulness of benevolent societies had been in- volved in the controversy, neither of which points were includ- ed in the motion. But the debate had been long and heated, party spirit had run high, and the members of the body were too much excited for calm deliberation. As soon as the Anti-mission- aries came to the conclusion, from the result of the vote, that they were in the majority, one of them cried out : " I motion that all those that cannot retain in fellowship those that preach and believe the doctrines of general atonement and universal operation of the Spirit, manifest it by rising to their feet, and collecting themselves together ; and [that they] organize them- selves as Little River Association, to the exclusion of those that believe the above doctrines, contray to the constitution."
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Responsive to this call, the messengers from nine churches arose, collected in one corner of the house, and organized for business. It was soon ascertained that the party had miscal- culated it strength. While messengers from nine churches had re- sponded to its call, those from eleven, rejected it. The minor party withdrew to the grove, the following day, leaving the Mis- sionary party in possession of the records and the house. Both parties claimed the name and prerogative of Little River Asso- ciation. But, subsequently, the minor organization prefixed
the word " Original " to its title. The relative strength of the two parties may be best ascertained from the statistics of the two organizations, for the following year, when the churches had settled down in their true position. In 1834, Little River As- sociation numbered 14 churches with 860 members, while the party that had split off from it, and assumed the title of Origin- al Little River Association, numbered 13 churches with 385 members.
Original Little Association was organized of the following churches : Eddy Grove, Cubb Creek, Crocketts Creek, Dry Creek, Dry Fork, Muddy Fork, South Fork of Little River, and Saline Creek in Tennessee. Cases Creek was received imme- diately after the organization. These ten churches aggregated 421 members-a much larger aggregate membership than the body has since reported. At its first anniversary meeting, the Association adopted the following item : "The missionary pro- ceeding, with the Baptist Convention and all the train of be- nevolent institutions (falsely so called), we believe to be un- scriptural and anti-christian, and to belong to the kingdom of darkness, &c." As might be expected of an organization hold- ing such sentiments, this Association gradually diminished from the beginning. It has accomplished little worth recording. In 1850, it numbered nine churches with 248 members; in 1860, eleven churches with 225 members ; in 1870, nine church- es with 203 members; in 1880, nine churches with 191 mem- bers, and, in 1881, nine churches with 198 members. From its constitution, in 1833, to its meeting, in 1881, a period of 48 years, there were baptized into the fellowship of its churches, according to its official reports, 327 persons.
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