USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 47
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BROOKEN T. TAYLOR was born and raised in Henderson county. In early life, he obtained hope in Christ and united with the church. Having been licensed to preach, he went to Georgetown College, where he completed his course, not far from 1854. He then took charge of the church at Columbia in Adair county. Here he labored with very remarkable suc- cess, about four years. From Columbia, he was called to the church at New Castle in Henry county, where he remained about two years. In 1860, he was called to Owensboro, where he labored only a short time. From this point, he moved to Henderson county, where he served several churches in Little Bethel Association. from 1862 to 1867. He also served that As- sociation as moderator, three years. 'About 1868, he moved to Missouri where he still labors.
Mr. Taylor is a man of a high order of talents and extra- ordinary preaching gifts. Few men have displayed more in- tellectual power in the pulpit, in Kentucky, or enjoyed a high- er degree of success in the ministry.
JAMES C. HOPEWELL is one of the most prominent minis- ters of this fraternity, and has usually served the Association as moderator, since 1868. He is a native of Spencer county, it is believed, but was raised up in Union county, where he contin- ued to reside until he moved to Madisonville, about 1879. He was set apart to the ministry, at Little Union church in Union county, not far from 1860, and has usually had all his time oc- cupied in the pastoral office. He is said to be an excellent and very successful preacher.
DAVID WHITTINGHILL is one of the elderly ministers of
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this Association, and is a valuable laborer among its churches. He ¿vas raised in Ohio county, where also he was put into the ministry, about 1858. He was, for a considerable period, em- ployed as a missionary. After the close of the Civil War, he located near Madisonville in Hopkins county, where he still re- sides. He is a preacher of warm zeal and great energy, and his labors have been blessed in bringing many sinners to Christ.
There are, and have been, a number of other good and use- ful preachers in this Association, of whose lives and labors no particulars have been received. Among these, the names of W. S. Morris, S. M. Martin and John O'Bryan appear to be con- spicuous.
BARREN RIVER REGULAR BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
This small body broke off from Barren River Association on account of its tolerating the Baptist State Convention and other benevolent societies. The following six churches, or rather fragments of churches, comprised the schism : Dripping Spring, Glovers Creek, Skaggs Creek, Mt. Vernon, Mt. Pisgah and Green River. These churches, which aggregated 145 mem- bers, met by their messengers, at Glovers Creek meeting house in Barren county, on the 4th Saturday in July, 1837, and or- ganized under the style of " Barren River Association of United Baptists-united upon the principles of sovereign grace." The body thus formed proceeded to claim the original constitution of Barren River Association, set forth the proof on which it based its claim, and annonnced its readiness to receive all churches, parts of churches, or individuals, who held firmly to the constitution, and were upright in practice. In accordance with a request from all the churches in the body, it declared "non-fellowship with the Baptist State Convention, missionary [societies], and all their unscriptural tributary streams and Ar- minian doctrine." It also agreed to dispense with the practice of choosing a minister, a year before, to preach the introductory sermon.
Andrew Nuckols was the principal preacher and the prime
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leader in the body. At its first meeting, the Association set forth the facts, that Mr. Nuckols had been excluded from Pleas- ant Hill church for publishing a certain pamphlet ; that he had uniformly opposed monied institutions ; that he had publicly op- posed John S. Wilson's preaching at the stand, at Glover's Creek, in 1833; that it was he who made the motion in Barren River Association, in 1835, to declare non-fellowship for the Baptist State Convention; that he opposed correspondence with Green River Association, and that, upon the testimony of Asa Young, he had a writ served upon him for interrupting a con- gregation assembled at Pleasant Hill, for public worship, in May, 1836. These statements were made to show the faith- fulness of Mr. Nuckols, and the persecutions he had suffered for righteousness' sake. The reader will be his own judge as to how much credit he deserved for the course he pursued. It may be observed that the case of prosecution was compromised with- out cost to the defendant.
In 1839, the Association agreed to be known as Regular Baptists; and, in 1851, it declared : " We do believe the doc- trine of Two-Seeds as set forth in the Bible ;" i.e. as the Bible was interpreted by Daniel Parker. The only other noticeable transaction of the body was its declaration, in 1855, of non- fellowship for the American party, popularly denominated the Know-Nothing Party, a political organization of the period.
This fraternity, as might be expected, enjoyed but a small degree of prosperity. Its greatest numerical strength was at- tained in 1847, when it numbered 8 churches, aggregating 167 members. From that period, it gradually declined, till 1878, when it numbered 3 churches, aggregating only 53 members. It is probable that it has not met since that date. From its con- stitution, in 1837, to its meeting in 1878, there were, according to its official reports, baptized into the fellowship of its church- es, 88 persons.
ANDREW NUCKOLS, the only preacher of any considerable ability that has been connected with this fraternity, was born of Baptist parents, in Goochland county, Va., April 4, 1782. He was led to Christ under the preaching of Wm. Webber, by whom he was baptized into the fellowship of Nuckols church in his native county, about the year 1800. After his marriage to Patsy, daughter of Joseph Preyer, he moved to Kentucky, and
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settled in Jefferson county, in 1804. Here he probably united with Old Beargrass church. In 1807, he moved to Barren county, and united with Mt. Pleasant church, where, after some years, he was ordained to the ministry, by John Warder and John B. Longan. He soon became pastor of Glovers Creek, Mt. Ver- non, Mt. Pisgah and Pleasant Hill churches, all in Barren county, and all belonging to Green River Association. Mr. Nuckols is said to have been an active, zealous and useful preacher, for a number of years. But having adopted Daniel Parker's Two-Seeds theory, he became strongly opposed to mis-
sions. He was a preacher of above ordinary ability, a man of tireless persistence and energy, and a partizan zealot of fierce in- tolerance. With these qualities, he became leader of an Anti- missionary party in Green River Association. In 1830, the churches in the southern part of that fraternity, where opposi- tion to missions was strongest, organized Barren River Associa- tion, Mr. Nuckols being the leader in the movement. The Baptist State Convention was organized, in 1832, and about the same time, the spirit of missions began to be developed in Barren River As- sociation. Mr. Nuckols was very active in trying to suppress
every tendency in that direction. Party spirit became rife in some of the churches, and, in 1835, Mr. Nuckols procured the passage of a resolution, by the Association, declaring "non-fel- lowship for the Baptist State Convention and all like institu- tions of the day." There was strong opposition to the passage of this resolution, and the mover feared it would be reversed the next year. Meanwhile, the leaders of both parties were ex- tremely active among the churches, in advocating their respec- tive principles. Mr. Nuckols became so excited and turbulent, that a writ was served on him for disturbing a worshiping as- sembly. The excitement ran very high, during the year. When the Association met, in 1836, there was but one messenger ab- sent, from all of the 18 churches comprising the body. The resolution of the previous session was rescinded. This act was decisive. Mr. Nuckols lost hope of bringing the Association to his views. In July of the following year, he succeeded in or- ganizing the small fraternity whose history has just been given. After this, his labors were confined to the little scattered churches of his own sect, and, it is feared, were productive of evil, rather than good. But he seemed to have an intense con-
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viction of the correctness and importance of the principles he advocated ; and he continued to preach them with unwearied zeal and activity, not only in Kentucky, but among the people of his faith, in the surrounding States, until his strength failed. He died of disease of the kidneys, April 24, 1856.
In private life, Mr. Nuckols was a man of unimpeachable moral character. His errors were those that originated in his false philosophy. His last words were : " What was the errand of Jesus in this world ?" [Then pausing a moment, he concluded:] " To save sinners."
MIDDLE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
This fraternity was located in Shelby and some of the ad- joining counties, and was constituted, on the 9th of April, 1837, of the following churches : Bethel, Beech Creek and Mt. Moriah, in Shelby county, and Pigeon Fork, in Anderson. At the first meeting of the body, Bethlehem church in Spencer county was received, and the Association then numbered five churches, ag- gregating seven hundred and four members. The principal ministers of the young fraternity were John Holland and Moses Scott, of whom something has been said elsewhere. The body enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, for a few years, and, in 1844, numbered nine churches with 1,436 members. This was the largest aggregate membership it ever attained. The anti- missionary spirit began to be developed in some of its churches, and most, or all of them were wanting in enterprise. Its minis- ters, too, were weak and inefficient, after the death of Mr. Hol- land. Bethel church withdrew from the body, and Beech Creek soon followed its example.
In 1859, the Association appointed a missionary board, con- sisting of Henry White, W. Watts and B. Harding, to en- deavor to supply the destitute portions of its territory with preaching. The board secured the services of David Bruner as missionary. But it was able to collect only $48 during the year, and the missionary was employed only thirty-two days, at a salary of $1 per day. Some attempts were made to keep up missionary operations within the bounds of the Association ; but the churches were wanting in liberality, and but little was
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accomplished. The body gradually declined in numbers, and still more in efficiency ; and, after the constitution of Shelby County Association, in 1872, it formally dissolved. It was the means, however, of accomplishing some good, while it existed. Its churches enjoyed some very precious revivals. In 1843, its eight churches reported 301 baptisms, and, in 1868, its eleven churches reported 237 baptisms. The Association numbered, in 1850, eight churches with 895 members; in 1860, twelve churches with 1,243 members, and in 1870, eight churches with 1, 109 members. During twenty-five of the first thirty-three years of its existence, there were baptized into the fellowship of its churches, 2,066 converts.
OLD CHURCHES. Of Bethel (formerly Tick Creek) and Becch Creek, some account has been given. Salem (formerly Beech Ridge) was constituted of thirty members, in 1811. It was probably gathered by Thomas Martin, who was a preacher among its members, a short time. The famous James P. Ed- wards of West Union Association was licensed to preach by this church, and John C. Freeman was raised up to the ministry among its members. Mt. Moriah was constituted of about twenty members, in 1818, or '19. It was probably gathered by Francis Davis, who went into its constitution.
WILLIAM G. HOBBS was one of the most efficient preachers in this fraternity, for a number of years. He is a native of Nel- son county, and a brother of the well known Dr. S. M. Hobbs of Mt. Washington. He took the pastoral charge of Salem and other churches in its vicinity, about 1853, and served the Association as moderator, from 1855 till 1861. Soon after the latter date, he moved into the bounds of Long Run Association, and took charge of Elk Creek, Plum Creek and other churches in that fraternity. He is a preacher of good gifts, a pleasing and attractive speaker, and has been a successful pastor. About 1872, he moved to Kansas, where he still resides.
BETHLEHEM ASSOCIATION OF REGULAR BAPTISTS.
This small body was evidently the outgrowth of the preach- ing and intriguing of the indefatigable Andrew Nuckols. In his efforts to prevent Stocktons Valley Association from following
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the example of Barren River, in tolerating the Kentucky Bap- tist Convention and other benevolent institutions, he visited the meetings of the former fraternity, and frequently spent some time among its churches. He failed to bring the Association to his views, especially on the Two-Seeds doctrine, but succeeded in producing discord in several of its churches, and attaching two or three preachers to his party. Under his advice, and the leadership of William Cross, four fragments of churches, bear- ing the names of Jordan, Clear Fork, Seventy-Six and Line Creek, met by their messengers, at Clear Fork meeting house in Clinton county, on the 17th of November, 1838, for the pur- pose of forming an association. A constitution was adopted, one article of which reads thus : "The churches composing this Association shall stand in the same relation to each other as in- dividual members do to [each other in] churches." Article 2d of the abstract of principles reads as follows : "We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as translated by King James, to be the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice." The 8th article of the same instrument, reads : "We believe the modern mission system, in all its various branches, is unscriptural; for which we are resolved to have no fellowship with either associations, churches or individuals, who do directly, or indirectly, favor them [it]."
The organization having been effected, that body assumes the title of "Bethlehem Anti-Mission Baptist Association." This, it is believed, is the only body in the State that has incor- porated the term Anti-Mission in its title. This befitting but unique name, was changed, in 1840, by substituting the term "Regular" for Anti-Mission. In 1841, the body attained a membership of six churches, aggregating seventy.seven mem- bers. The same year, it gave its reasons for having withdrawn from Stocktons Valley Association, chief among which was, that the mother fraternity had "fallen into disorder by favoring the Baptist State Convention and modern-mission system, through her correspondence with disorderly Barren River As- sociation." But no reasons for its existence could prevent its decay. It never attained an aggregate membership of one hun- dred, and, in a few years, it was finally dissolved. Its minis- ters were James Crouch, Isaac Denton (not the famous pioneer of that name,) Joel Henly, and William Cross.
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WILLIAM CROSS was the most prominent preacher in this fraternity, and, before he was led off by Andrew Nuckols, was a zealous and useful minister of Christ. He was a native of East Tennessee, it is believed, and was born September 7, 1786. At about the age of eighteen years, he moved with his widowed mother to what is now Clinton county, Ky. During the British War of 1812 to '15, he served as a soldier, for which he drew a pension in the latter years of his life. During a revival which prevailed in his neighborhood, in 1820, he professed conversion and united with Clear Fork church in Clinton county. In July, 1821, just a year after his baptism, he was licensed to preach, and was ordained to the ministry, in June, 1824. He was called to the care of Clear Fork church, and afterwards, to that of Seventy-Six and Long Bottom. In these charges, he was com- fortable and useful, till he had the misfortune to fall in with An- drew Nuckols, from whom he imbibed Parker's Two-Seeds doc- trine, and a strong aversion to missions. After this, he suc- ceeded in leading off factions from at least two of the churches to which he ministered. Of these, and other similar factions, he organized the little fraternity whose history has just been given. After the dissolution of this body, he had little scope for preaching, and the latter part of his ministry was unfruitful. But, however erratic his faith, he was highly esteemed for his simple piety, his amiability, and his upright life. He died at his home, one mile north of Albany, in October, 1876.
PAINT UNION ASSOCIATION.
This is the largest body of Baptists on the eastern bor- der of the State. In doctrine, it is in harmony with the great body of the Baptist denomination ; but in polity, it is opposed to benevolent societies as means of promoting the cause of reli- gion. It bears the name of United Baptists, believes in a ge- neral atonement, and practices feet washing as a religious ordi- nance. The following extract from the minutes of Burning Spring Association, of October, 1837, will show its origin :
"This Association, taking into consideration the bounds of their churches ; and the distance being so great, that they
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do unanimously and friendly agree to form another association, on the waters of Big Sandy, and to keep up a friendly corres- pondence with each other, and that the churches of Union, Bethel, Big Blain, Open Fork of Paint, Georges Creek, Rock- castle and Silver Creek compose that association ; and that they send letters and messengers to attend at the Union meeting house in Floyd county, Ky., on the second Saturday in April, to enter into their constitution, and make their necessary ar- rangements for that Association ; and that brethren Wm. Coffee, Benjamin Caudill, Wallace Bailey and Elijah Prater attend, there and then, to assist them in their business."
In accordance with this arrangement, the body was consti- tuted, under the style of " Union Association of United Bap- tists." Afterwards, learning that there was another association of the same name, in the State, it prefixed the word "Paint" to its title, in 1840. Of the seven churches named in its constitu- tion, Silver Creek was located in Cabell county, Va., the others in Kentucky.
This fraternity enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, from the beginning. Its first regular meeting was held at Georges Creek in Lawrence county, in September, 1838. William Wells preached the introductory sermon, and was also elected mode- rator. He filled both of these positions, three successive years. Henry Jayne, father of the well known Elder William Jayne of Flat Gap, Johnson county, was the first clerk of the body. At this meeting, the Association reported seven churches, aggre- gating 333 members. The growth of the body was so rapid that, in 1843, it numbered fourteen churches with 632 members. But, in 1848, Zion Association was constituted, and, the follow- ing year, Mates Creek Association was organized, both on its southern border ; so that, in 1850, it was reduced to ten churches, with 397 members. From this period to the present, it has enjoyed a regular, healthy growth. In 1860, it numbered thir- teen churches with 769 members, in 1870, sixteen churches with 1,055 members, and, in 1880, twenty-four churches with 1,980 members. Its statistics for five years, principally of its early history; are wanting. During the remaining thirty-nine years, from its constitution, in 1838, to its meeting, in 1881, there were baptized into the fellowship of its churches, 2,427 converts.
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BURNING SPRING church is the oldest and largest in this Association. It is located on Licking river, in Magoffin county, and was constituted of twelve members, about the year 1810, by the famous pioneer, Daniel Williams, who ministered to it until his death. Since his death, it has been served by Samuel Hannah, Ezekiel Stone, Caleb May, Wm. Coffee, Ambrose Jones, Wm. Ferguson, Benjamin Candill and C. W. Baley. Its principal growth has been attained under the ministry of Mr Baley, who has been its pastor many years. Three churches have been constituted from it, and, in 1881, it numbered 17I members.
WILLIAM WELLS appears to have been the most promi- nent leader in this Association, at the time of its constitution. He was the first moderator, and served in that capacity three years. He also preached the introductory sermon three years in succession. But nothing more is said of him. , He probably either died or moved away, about 1841.
JOHN BORDERS was in the constitution of this fraternity, and was among its most active and useful laborers. He was born of Methodist parents, in Virginia, about 1792. While a small boy, he was brought by his parents to Johnson county, Ky., where he was raised up in the mountainous wilderness. He professed conversion when young but hesitating as to what church he should join, he did not unite with any, for some years. At length he decided in favor of the Baptists, and was immersed by Samuel Hannah, for the fellowship of Georges Creek church, about the year 1827. He soon began to exercise in public prayer and exhortation, and was licensed to preach. about 1829. As he was uneducated, and not especially gifted, he improved very slowly, but he was useful as an exhorter, in which capacity he labored about ten years. Meanwhile he established a good religious reputation, and gained the confidence and affection of the people. He was ordained to the ministry, about 1839, by Samuel Hannah and Elias Cazee. He was soon called to the care of Georges Creek church, to which he ministered many years. Among the churches he raised up, before and after he was ordained, were Silver Creek, Rockcastle, Hoods Fork, Toms Creek, and Little Blain. To all of these, he ministered until they could procure pastors.
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In 1841, he succeeded Wm. Wells, both as preacher of the introductory sermon, and moderator of Paint Union Associa- tion. The latter position he filled nine successive years, and four years, at a later period. After a long and useful ministry, he died March 13th, 1879, aged eighty-seven years.
CORN WALLIS BALEY has been among the most prominent ministers of this Association, from its constitution, to the present time (1885). He is a son of Joseph Baley, and was born in Henry county,, Va., Sept. 10, 1802. When he was eighteen months old, his parents moved to Lee county, and in 1807, emigrated to Floyd county, Ky., and settled at the Big Meadows on Licking river. Here young Baley grew up to manhood. He describes his surroundings during his boyhood, as follows : "Our neighbors were mountains, rocks, and canebrakes, inha- bited by wild beasts of the forests; our clothing was taken from the gray and red buck that roamed among the hills ; our meal was beaten in a mortar, baked in the fire, and called ash-cake ; our meat was bear, venison, turkey, and wild honey. We lived happily among the canebrakes on Licking river."
In the 22d year of his age, Mr. Baley was married to Polly Patrick, and at the age of twenty-nine, was convicted of sin, under the preaching of William Adams, a Baptist, and William Cundiff, a Methodist. He had been raised under Presbyterian influence, but did not long hesitate, after his conversion, to join the Baptist church at Burning Spring in what is now Ma- goffin county, where he was baptized by Ezekiel Stone, in November, 1831. Deeply impressed with the worth of souls, he soon began to exhort sinners to repent ; and, in April, 1833, was ordained to the ministry. Soon after his ordination, he accepted a call to Burning Spring church, to which he still ministers. He wrote to the author, in December, 1881, as follows "I am now going on eighty years old. I have the charge of three churches and two other regular preaching places. I preach funeral discourses over ten counties. I have traveled through West Virginia ten times, through Kentucky, as far Frankfort, and preached at that city, Richmond, Mt. Sterling, Booneville and many other places." The great popularity of Mr. Baley is evinced in the fact that he preached the intro- ductory sermon before his Association, on at least ten occasions, within twenty-seven years. Like Caleb of old, the aged vete-
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ran of the cross was still strong for war, and was doing good service in the Master's cause, when last heard from.
JAMES PELPHRY who has been moderator of the Association, since 1870, R. H. Murray and Jeremiah Caudill are, at present, prominent preachers in the fraternity.
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