USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 45
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JAMES P. EDWARDS, not inappropriately styled the father of West Union Association, was a son of Elder Isaac Edwards, and was probably born in Harrison county, Va., previous to his father's moving to Kentucky, in 1791. Sometime previous to the year 1815, he became a member of Beech Ridge (now Salem) church in Shelby county, Ky. At the last named date, he was sent by Long Run Association, as a corresponding mes- senger to Wabash Association, in Indiana, He was licensed to exercise his gift, not far from the last named date, and soon afterwards moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he was ordained to the ministry. After preaching with great zeal and activity, in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas
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and south-western Illinois, a few years, he moved to Jonesboro, Ill. There he took charge of the churches at Jones- boro and Shiloh, both of which he gathered while living in Mis- souri. While residing at Jonesboro, he traveled and preached extensively in the west end of Kentucky, then newly settled, and gathered a number of churches.
In 1834, he moved to Ballard county, Ky., and united with Little Obion church. He entered into the constitution of West Union Association, the same year. The next year, he moved to Fulton county, and settled near Poplar Grove church. Here he labored with his usual zeal, about two years, when he moved back to his former home in Ballard county. In 1851, he mov- ed to Lovelaceville in the same county, where he spent the re- mainder of his days. He was called to his reward, about the beginning of the year 1856.
This eminent servant of Christ seems to have been raised up for the work of a pioneer missionary. Endowed with a strong practical intellect and almost superhuman powers of endurance, and fired with a burning zeal for the glory of God and the sal- vation of sinners, he paused at no surmountable obstacle, in his great work. He rode, alone, through wide, unbroken for- ests, disregarding alike the burning heat of summer and the winter's ice and snow, plunged through deep, swollen waters and defied the dangers of flood and storms, to bear the tidings of salvation to the humble tenants of rude cabins in the wilder- ness. The blessing of God attended his labors, with mighty power, and wonderful success crowned his efforts. The now venerable Willis White of Clinton, Ky., who, in his youth, was a colaborer of Mr. Edwards, names no less than 18 churches that were gathered, in western Kentucy and Tennessee, prin- cipally by his labors, besides those gathered in Illinois and oth- er States, in the early years of his ministry. He was an active and zealous missionary, up to the close of his life, and was un- der the appointment of the executive board of West Union Association, at the time of his death. He wrote his autobiogra- phy, in his last years, which is said to have contained much val- uable information regarding the early Baptists of the West. But unfortunately it was never published, and fears are enter- tained that it is now lost.
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STEPHEN RAY was born in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, May 29, 1788. His parents moved to Kentucky, in 1793, and settled in Washington county. Here he was brought up, re- ceiving a fair English education. At the age of twenty, he was made sheriff of his county, and continued in that office four years. At this time he was an Infidel of the Tom Paine school. But, by reading Buchanan's work on Asia, he was induced to read the Bible. This led to his conversion, and he united with
the Presbyterians. Having an active, inquiring mind, he inves- tigated the differences between the various religious denomina- tions around him, comparing their tenets with the Bible. He finally adopted the principles of the Baptists, and united with New Hope church, in Washington county, being baptized by Jeremiah Vardeman. Here he was licensed to preach, August 23, 1820, and was soon afterwards ordained. For a time, he engaged actively in the ministry. But, in April, 1823, he com- menced the publication of a weekly paper, at Bloomfield, under the style of "The Baptist Monitor and Political Compiler." The paper was published one year, at a loss of over $1,000. After this, Mr. Ray was known to the denomination as a writer, rather than a preacher. His style was rough, but pointed and forcible, and he wrote extensively for the periodical press, prin- cipally on controversial subjects.
In 1828, he moved to Hickman county, and settled near Clinton. Here, in 1831, he organized the first Sunday-school west of the Tennessee river. He was in the constitution of West Union Association, and, for a number of years, served it as clerk. In 1857, he moved to Texas, where he remained nine years, after which he returned to Hickman county, Ky. He continued to write extensively for the religious press, till near the close of his life. He died at the residence of his son, Judge G. W. Ray, near Owensboro, Ky., July 16, 1871, in the eighty- fourth year of his age.
DURIN ALCOCK was an early laborer among the churches of Highland Association and, afterwards, those of West Union. He was born near Newbern, N. C., September 25, 1787. In early life he moved to Muhlenburg county, Ky., where he united with Unity church, and was baptized by John Bowlin, in 1813. About two years later, he was ordained to the pastoral care of that church, and was also called to the care of Bethel church,
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in the same county. To these and other churches in that re- gion, he ministered till 1834, when he moved to Graves county. Here he united with Concord church, became its pastor, and entered with it into the constitution of West Union Associa- tion, the same year. But finding in this church a strong ele- ment opposed to missions, he moved his membership to Gum Spring in McCracken county. Here he remained a member till his death, although he had obtained a letter of dismission for the purpose of joining Mt. Olivet church. He died at his home in Graves county, September 5, 1844.
Mr. Alcock was a plain, old-fashioned preacher, of ordi- nary ability. But he was warm and zealous in his address, had the confidence of the people, and was useful in the Master's cause.
WILLIAM K. YOUNG was many years a minister in this As- sociation. He was a native of England, and spoke in the full, broad, Yorkshire brogue. He was pastor of the church at Co- lumbus, a number of years, and perhaps served, other congre- gations. He was a preacher of only moderate ability, and was not very popular among the people. Other particulars of his ministry are not known to the author.
E. A. DANIEL settled near Clinton, in Hickman county, about 1831. He professed faith in Christ and was baptized, in 1833, and entered into the constitution of Clinton church, the same year. He was soon set apart to the ministry, and labored acceptably in West Union Association about ten years. After this, it is believed, he moved west.
JAMES BONE was a useful young preacher in this Associa- tion, a few years, He appears to have been raised up to the ministry in Mississippi church in Ballard county, about 1842. He was a young preacher of fine gifts, and was an active and zealous laborer in the Master's vineyard. After preaching two or three years, he attended school, perhaps at Georgetown Col- lege, about two years. He moved to Missouri in 1848.
HENRY H. RICHARDSON was born in Stewart county, Tenn., about 1808. In early life, he professed conversion, and united with the Cumberland Presbyterians, among whom he preached several years. In 1835, he united with Ohio Baptist church in Ballard county, Ky., and was baptized by James P. Edwards. He was ordained to the ministry, in June, 1836, by Durin Al-
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cock and Lewis Goad. In this region of country, he labored with great zeal and success, about ten years, when he moved to Union county, Ill., where he has been eminently useful. He was still living, in 1882.
WILLIS WHITE, who, though far advanced in years, is still living, was in the constitution of West Union Association, and has been one of the most active and useful mininisters in that fraternity. He was born in Halifax county, N. C., February 26, 1805. He was brought to Nashville, Tennessee, in his moth- er's arms, and, in 1809, his parents settled in Caldwell county, Ky. Here he was brought up on a farm, receiving a moderate common school education. In 1824, he moved with his par- ents to Hickman county, and, after his marriage, settled in Ballard county, in 1833. During this year, he professed hope in Christ, and, on the 8th of October, was baptized into the fellowship of Mayfield Creek church, by James P. Edwards. In the Spring of 1834, he was licensed to preach, by Ohio church, and, in June, 1836, was ordained to the ministry, by Durin Al- cock and Lewis Goad, H. H. Richardson being ordained at the same time and place. The two young ministers preached much together, and, by their joint labors, gathered Sugar Creek (now Lovelaceville) church, in 1841, Mississippi church, in 1840, and Newton's Creek (now Spring Bayou), in 1842. Mr. White also aided James P. Edwards in gathering Paducah church, in 1840, Mayfield, in 1843, and Humphreys Creek, in 1844. He also labored extensively among the destitute, sometimes in the em- ployment of a missionary board, but much oftener, at his own charges. During his long ministry, he has, at different periods, been pastor of the following churches: Ohio, Sugar Creek and Newton's Creek, in McCracken county; Mayfield Creek and Liberty, in Graves; Columbus, Spring Hill and Clinton, in Hickman ; Poplar Grove and Hickman, in Fulton ; Metropolis, in Illinois, and Jackson, in Tennessee. During the last ten or twelve years, he has been school commissioner of Hickman county ; but still preaches when his strength will permit.
JOSEPH ASHBROOK exercised a brief ministry in this frater- nity. He was born in Chesterfield county, Va .; about 1800. At the age of thirty, he emigrated to Kentucky and settled in Hickman county. Three years later, he professed hope in Christ and was baptized into the fellowship of Emmaus church,
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by James P. Edwards. After exercising in public prayer and exhortation for some time, he was ordained to the ministry, in October, 1836. The good man labored acceptably in the Lord's vineyard a little more than four years, when the Master bade him come up higher, January 5, 1841.
WILLIAM E. BISHOP was a good, faithful man, and a useful member of Hopewell church in Ballard county. He was also a prominent actor in the Association, and was associated with James P. Edwards in making the famous report concerning Pa- ducah church, which was made the occasion of producing the chism in West Union Association, in 1847. Mr. Bishop was ordained to the ministry late in life, and preached only a short time. He was moderator of the Association during the three years preceding his death. The Lord called him home, about 1852.
THOMAS HENRY PORTER, an older brother of the well known Elder D. N. Porter, M. D., of Eminence, Ky., and Elder Joseph B. Porter, of Kansas, was a native of Virginia, whence he emigrated to Kentucky, and settled near Columbus in Hick- man county. He gave his membership to Hopewell church in Ballard county, where he was ordained to the ministry, about 1856, being then considerably advanced in years. He was pastor of Wolf Island church in Mississippi county, Mo., and perhaps one or two others. His preaching gifts were below mediocrity; but his deep toned piety, his sound practical judge- ment and his manifest love of his race, gave him great influence over the people, and made him a valuable servant of Christ. He preached only a few years, before the Master called him to his reward.
JOHN M. HARRINGTON. This strangely gifted, but singu- larly weak and vacillating man, was a native of New York, whence he emigrated to Metropolis, Illinois, and became pastor of the church at that village, not far from the year 1850. This church belonged to West Union Association, and Mr. Harring- ton soon became a prominent actor in that body. About 1854, he moved across the Ohio river and settled near Spring Bayou church in McCracken county, Ky. He was a brilliant and fascinating speaker, and would have been extremely popular, but for the fact that he occasionally got drunk. He was mode- rator of the Association, some five or six years. After the
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beginning of the civil War, he attached himself to the Federal army, in the capacity of a suttler, While in this position, he was accused of various disorderly acts, upon conviction of which, he was excluded from Spring Bayou church. After the close of the War, he moved to Nelson county, where his preaching was so popular that the church at Bardstown entered into nego- tiations with Spring Bayou church from which it obtained con- sent to receive him into fellowship. After this, he spent several years in preaching in Nelson and the surrounding coun- ties, and was remarkably successful, especially as an evangelist. After the death of his wife, he moved to Illinois, where also he was very successful, for a time: But charges of disorderly conduct were prefered against him, and he was again excluded from his church. After some time, he obtained admission into another church, and then moved to Kansas, where he was still preaching, when last heard from. His son, J. R. Harrington, is a respectable preacher in Nelson Association, and, if he lack's his father's brilliant genius, he has not exhibited his moral weaknesses.
ROBERT WILLIAMS was one of the ablest and most useful preachers that have labored in Western Kentucky. He was born near Petersburg, Va., Nov. 12, 1811. His parents moved to Kentucky and settled near Franklin in Simpson county, in 1813. Here he grew up to manhood, receiving barely the rudi- ments of an English education. He was converted to Christ under the ministry of Robert T. Anderson, and was baptized into the fellowship of Lake Spring church in Simpson county, in January, 1833. During the next year he was licensed to preach, and was ordained to the ministry and called to the pas- toral care of Lake Spring church, in 1835. After laboring here about two years, he moved to Robertson. county, Tenn., and took charge of Harmony church. He was also called to Greys- ville church in the same county, and to Lebanon and Mt. Zion churches, both in Todd county, Kentucky. With some changes of pastoral relation, he labored in this field twenty-one years ; and it is probable that no minister in Bethel Association did more in building up the cause of Christ, during that period. He was a hard worker, and a good student, and became a well informed and able preacher. Both willing and able to defend the doctrine he preached, he did not hesitate to engage in public
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debate, when it appeared to him that the cause of truth demand- ed it.
In 1858, he moved to McCracken county, Ky., and gave his membership to Spring Bayou church. Here he soon attain- ed the same eminence in West Union Association, that he had reached in Bethel. In this field, he was pastor of several churches, and was moderator of the Association several succes- sive years ; but he gave much of his strength to evangelizing, not only within the bounds of West Union Association, but extending his labors into Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. About 1875, he was attacked by bronchitis, from which he suffered much, during two winters, and which greatly impaired his capa- city for labor. While on a visit to his son, Prof. A. F. Willi- ams, in Elkton, Ky., he was taken ill, and, on the twelfth of May, 1877, departed to give an account of his stewardship.
E. W. BENSON was born in Robertson county, Tenn., Oct. 5, 1823. He professed faith in Christ, at the age of fifteen years, and was baptized into the fellowship of Hopewell church in his native county, by Robert T. Anderson. He was licensed to preach, in the Spring of 1842. and, the same year, entered Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tenn. In 1843, he entered Union University, at Murfreesboro'; Tenn., where he remained three years. Having finished his studies, he married Gillie S. A., daughter of Elder W. S. Baldry, and moved to northern Alabama, having been ordained to the ministry, at Murfrees- boro', in September, 1846, by J. H. Eaton, Matt. Hillsman and Bradley Kimbrough. In Alabama he took pastoral charge of Russells Creek church in Lawrence county, and some others. In 1850, he located in Maury county, Tenn., where he was chosen pastor of Carters Creek, Friendship and Rock Spring churches. To the last named he ministered nine years, teach- ing school during the same period. In 1860, he moved to McCracken county, Ky., and settled near Paducah, giving his membership to Spring Bayou church. Here, at different peri- ods, he was pastor of the churches at Spring Bayou, Salem, Providence, Newtons Creek, Antioch, Mayfield, Lovelaceville and Harmony. He was clerk of West Union Association from 1865 to 1876. Without any extraordinary natural gifts, he was a good, solid well informed preacher, and enjoyed a fair
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degree of success in the ministry. He was called to his reward Oct. 17, 1882.
Of a number of other good preachers, who have labored within the bounds of this fraternity, in the past, no particu- lars have been received. The Association is now supplied with an able and efficient corps of preachers, among whom may be named J. S. Taylor, R. W. Mahan, F. M. Sharpe, W. C. Taylor, T. H. Pettit, J. N. Hall and J. B. Moody. Of several of these active and useful ministers, some particulars are known to the author ; but the space allotted to this Association is filled, and he is forced to deny himself the privilege of giving even brief sketches of them.
THE BAPTIST GLEANER, a deservedly popular religious weekly, is published at Fulton, within the bounds of West Union Association. It is conducted by J. N. Hall and J, B. Moody, both of whom are regarded able preachers and clear, forcible writers. Mr. Moody is a native of Christian county, Ky., was educated at Bethel College, followed mercantile business in Louisville, several years, was ordained to the minis- try at Pewee Valley, preached at Pewee Valley, Lagrange, Har- rods Creek and Elk Creek churches a short time, and then took charge of the church at Paducah. After a year there, he be- came co-editor of the Baptist Gleaner. Mr. Hall was born in Henry county. Ky., Feb. 5, 1849, was raised up in Ballard Co. At the age of fourteen, he united with Cane River church, was licensed to preach, at the age of twenty, and ordained in Jannary, 1872. He taught school, farmed, and preached to some country churches, till January, 1880, when he issucd, at Fulton, Ky., the first number of the Baptist Gleaner. The paper has grown rapidly in public favor, and now has an extensive circulation in Western Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. Hall has already taken high rank as a newspaper writer. He is also endowed with excellent preaching gifts, and dev6tes himself to the ministry with great zeal and activity.
LITTLE BETHEL ASSOCIATION.
This organization originated in a split in Highland Asso- ciation. That fraternity had become so violently opposed to missions and other charitable enterprises, that it refused to fel-
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lowship any church that would suffer its members to contribute to any of the benevolent institutions of the day. On this ac- count, the following four churches withdrew from its union, in 1835 : Grave Creek, in Henderson county, Bethel, in Muhlen- burg, and Highland and Little Bethel, in Union. Messengers from these churches met at Flat Creek meeting house in Hop- kins county, on Saturday before the 2d Sunday in September, 1836. Timothy Sisk was chosen Moderator, and A. M. Henry, Clerk. The meeting then proceeded to adopt the constitution of Highland Association, adding the following article :
" 9. Whereas the benevolent institutions of the day have been made a bone of contention in Highland Association, to the destruction of the happiness of that body, which contention has led to our separation from the same, we do solemnly agree to abide by the nine articles of general union of Baptists in Ken- tucky, of 1801, leaving each church, and every individual member thereof, to his own discretion and sense of duty, to give or not to give to such things, and that this Association shall never have the right or power to intermeddle with churches or individual members thereof, in regard to them ; and further, they shall never be made a bar to fellowship in this our union." The meeting also adopted the rules of decorum of Highland Asso- ciation, and assumed the title of Little Bethel Association. The new fraternity gave as its reasons for withdrawing from High- land Association, "the violent opposition of a majority of that body to the benevolent institutions of the day." and " its re- Deated violation of the spirit and letter of its constitution : Ist, by appointing committees to determine matters which belonged exclusively to the churches, 2d, by nullifying acts of the church- es, and, 3d, by appending to its minutes of 1835, that docu- ment known in this section as Harroldson's Bull, which we consider an infringement on the rights of the churches, and which contains grossly false charges against Baptist preachers of the highest standing for piety and usefulness."
At the time of its constitution, three of the four churches composing the Association, aggregated 90 members, the sta- tistics of Grave Creek not being given. At its first anniversary | meeting, which convened at Bethel in Muhlenburg county, in 1837, three churches were received, viz .: Bethel in Henderson county, Unity in Muhlenburg, and Richland in Hopkins.
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This gave it a membership of seven churches with 163 mem- bers. Its preachers were Wm. Morrison, Richard Jones, Wil- liam Hatchett and T. L. Garrett, Timothy Sisk having died since the constitution. Garrett moved away during the year, leaving the Association only three preachers. But small and weak as was the infant fraternity, it was deeply inbued with the spirit of missions, and at once set about the work from which its churches had hitherto been restrained by the intolerance of the mother association. It passed resolutions, recommending Sun- day schools and other benevolent institutions, and, what was more to the purpose, appointed a committee to raise funds to suppprt a missionary within its bounds. The committee was successful, and the following year, Wm. Morrison was appoint- ed missionary, at a salary of $300 a year. The next year, R. Jones was employed at the same salary, and the churches were advised to hold protracted meetings, within the year. The la- bors of both the missionaries were very successful, and the As- sociation increased from seven churches with 163 members, in 1837, to 15 churches with 812 members, in 1841. Meanwhile, Highland Association had decreased, from the time of its pub- lication of Harroldson's Bull, in 1835, from 14 churches with 619 members, to 14 churches with 362 members, in 1840. The two associations occupied the same field, and Highland had the advantage in the number of its preachers. The difference in the success of the two fraternities, originated in the fact, that one used the means God had placed in its hands, while the other rejected the use of means. Little Bethel continued to sup- port its home mission, foster a Bible society in its midst, and con- tribute to Indian missions and enjoyed a high degree of prosperity.
In 1844, the Union Baptist Bible society was organized for the purpose of supplying the destitute within the bounds of the Association, with the sacred scriptures. The Anti-missionaries on the one hand, and a large Catholic population on the other, strongly opposed the operations of the society. L. W. Taliaf- ferro, one of its colporteurs, reported that the opposition was so great that he could neither sell Bibles, nor give them away. Still the society persevered in its efforts, for a number of years, and, doubtless, accomplished a good work.
In 1845, some confusion was caused by one P. F. Ogleby, who had been chosen pastor of Zion church in Union county.
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Ogleby was a stranger, and was soon suspected of being an im- postor. Disturbances in the church ensued, and several prom- inent members were excluded. Charges against Zion church were brought into the Association. After examining the case, the Association advised the church to reconsider her acts, and call a council to aid her in adjusting the difficulties. The church took the advice, and, convicting Ogleby of imposture, excluded him from her fellowship. This allayed the distress, and har- mony was restored.
In 1845, the churches, having failed to contribute sufficient means to employ a missionary, were advised to give their pas- tors such support as would enable them to perform missionary labor in their respective neighborhoods. The next year, the ministers of the body were requested to preach all they could, and make collections on the field for their support. These ar- rangements for supplying the destitute were continued three years, and were very effective , but as the burthen fell almost entirely on the preachers, a missionary was again employed, in 1848. From that period, the Association has generally had one or more missionaries employed within its bounds. This has been its principal work. It has approved foreign missions, Bible societies and Sunday schools. But, until recently, it has done 'but little in these departments of benevolence. Considering that it has had much opposition from a large Catholic popula- tion in its territory, a strong Antimission element to contend with, and a respectable Protestant population to rival, it has probably done well to exert its principal strength in its own . field. By this measure, it has enjoyed a good degree of suc- cess.
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