USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 52
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MORGAN BLAIR was also a useful and zealous preacher in this Association. He was born in Cumberland county, Ken- tucky, December 25, 1814. At two years old, he was taken by his parents to Russell county, where he lived the remainder of his days. At the age of 16 years, he joined Union church, and was ordained to the ministry, January 6, 1849. For nearly 20 years, he labored successfully in the Master's vineyard. He was called to his reward, December, 21, 1868.
FREEDOM ASSOCIATION.
The churches composing this organization occupy the same territory with those of the old Stocktons Valley fraternity, and are located principally in the counties of Monroe, Cumberland, and Clinton, and the adjacent border of Tennessee. This region is generally poor and mountainous, except in the immediate valley of the Cumberland River, which runs through the midst of it. The Association originated in the following manner :
In 1835, Stocktons Valley Association adopted the follow- ing item : " This Association declares an unfellowship with the practice of the Baptist Convention and all other societies, moved by money, under the garb of religion." Renox Creek and Caseys Fork churches complained of this transaction, to the next Association, as being an infringement on the rights of the churches. On hearing this complaint, at its meeting, in 1836, the Association adopted the following :
"Art. 6. The Association reconsiders and rescinds the I Ith article in the minutes of last year, declaring nonfellowship with the Baptist State Convention, etc., as having been untimely adopted. But a majority of the churches having heretofore acted upon the subject, and having declared nonfellowship with the said State Convention and all like institutions, founded upon, and moved by money, under the garb of religion, this Associa- tion does now concur with said churches."
Of course this rescinding and reasserting, in the same item, the obnoxious measure, gave no relief to the aggrieved churches. However, the subject was allowed to rest, for the present. But, in 1841, Renox Creek and Caseys Fork churches
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petitioned the Association to rescind the 6th article of its trans- actions of 1836. The following items show how this petition was rescinded.
" Art. 2. This Association says she is not willing, under existing circumstances, to rescind the 6th article of the minutes of this Association of 1836, as requested by Renox Creek and Caseys Fork churches.
"Art. 3. This Association drops Renox Creek and Ca- seys Fork churches."
The following item is recorded in the minutes of 1842 :
"This Association refused to rescind the 6th article of her minutes of 1836, at the request of Skaggs Creek church, upon which brethren John and Jesse Savage of McFarlands Creek church withdrew from the Association abruptly."
Elders John and Jesse Savage were, at that time, minister- ing to the churches at Mill Creek, Cumberland River, McFar- farlands Creek and Skaggs Creek. In these churches, the question was sprung, as to whether the brethren Savage were justifiable in withdrawing from the Association. They all de- cided in the affirmative, except Mill Creek, which was about equally divided, and which split in two parties, each claiming the name and prerogatives of Mill Creek church. In 1843, the matter was brought before Stocktons Valley Association, and the following item of business was transacted :
" Art. 1. That part of Skaggs Creek, Mill Creek, McFar- lands Creek, and Cumberland River churches, which claimed to be said churches, dropped out of this Association for justify- ing the conduct of John and Jesse Savage in abruptly with- drawing from the Association, last year, in violation of her rule."
The six churches which had been cut off from Stock- tons Valley Association, as shown above, met in convention, by their messengers, at Beech Grove meeting house, on the first Saturday in November, 1843, for the purpose of constituting themselves an Association. The names of these churches, which aggregated 216 members, were : Mill Creek, Cumber- land River, McFarlands Creek, Renox Creek, Skaggs Creek, and Caseys Fork. Thomas Scrivner preached from Acts 24 : 25, and then called the meeting to order. A resolution in favor of forming an association was adopted, and was carried into
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effect, by electing Thomas Scrivner moderator, and Rice Maxey, clerk. The organization took the name of "Freedom Associa- tion of United Baptists." A circular letter setting forth the reasons for forming an association, was appended to the minutes, and the body adjourned to meet at Renox Creek (now Salem) meeting house, on the fourth Saturday in September, 1844.
. At the time of its constitution, there were only two preach- ers in the Association, John and Jesse Savage. At its first anniversary meeting, John S. Page and Derby H. Morgan were added to the number of its ordained ministers ; and Moses B. Furguson, John G. Wright, and William B. Adkins were its licensed preachers. At this meeting, in 1844, protracted meetings were appointed to be held at seven of the eight church- es composing the body, during the ensuing year, and the minis- ters of this and the neighboring associations were requested to attend them. It was also recommended, that the several churches commence and continue to hold stated prayer meetings and that the lay members be encouraged to engage in public prayer and exhortation in these meetings.
At the meeting of 1845, the question of alien baptism was introduced, and a resolution was adopted, advising the churches, " that they had better not receive members from other denomi- nations without administering baptism." At this session, an executive board, or committee, consisting of Samuel Long, Thomas E. Bramlette, and Rice Maxey, was appointed to receive contributions from churches and individuals, and to secure the services of a suitable minister to labor among the destitute. This was the first move of this body in the direction of system- atic missionary operations. The same board was continued several years, and considerable missionary work was performed by its employe, R. T. Gardner. In 1847, the ministers of the Association subscribed 205 days' labor to be performed in the destitute portion of the field. The Association also contributed small amounts to the Kentucky and Foreign Bible Society and the Indian Mission Association. From that period, it has generally kept one or more missionaries employed, a part, or the whole of the year, and has contributed to the leading enter- prises of the denomination.
The growth of the body was steady, from the beginning. During the first nine years of its existence, it advanced from six
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churches with 216 members, to fourteen churches with 701 members. But its losses were so great, during the Civil War, that, in 1865, its twenty-one churches aggregated only 638 mebers; nor did it have any considerable increase, after this, till about 1873. But from that period, it grew quite rapidly. In 1879, it reported twenty-one churches with 1, 338 members.
This Association has, from the beginning, suffered from a paucity of preachers ; and of the few faithful ministers who have labored in its churches, no particulars have been received. But, while its preachers have been few, and generally illiterate, it has had in its churches and councils a large number of distin- guished citizens. Among these may be named Rice Maxey, Radford Maxey, Sam Bell Maxey, P. H. Leslie, Thomas E. Bramlette, and Samuel Long.
RICE MAXEY was of a large and respectable family of his name, which early settled on Cumberland river, in what is now Monroe county. This numerous family has been distin- guished for brilliant native talent, active energy, and practi- cal piety. The subject of this notice established himself in the practice of law, in Albany, Clinton county, Kentucky, where he speedily rose to the head of the bar. He was a leading member of the Baptist church, at that place, was the first clerk of Freedom Association, wrote its first circular letter, and acted as its moderator, from 1846, till his removal to Texas, not far from 1856. He avoided politics, and confin- ed himself strictly to his profession. After his removal to Texas, he was made judge of the Circuit Court in his judicial district, and rose to distinction in that office. He died. at a good old age, a few years past.
SAM. BELL MAXEY is a son of the above, and is a native of Clinton county, Ky. He moved to Texas with his father in early life, entered the arena of politics, and rapidly rose to dis- tinction. He is, at present, United States Senator from his adopted State.
SAMUEL LONG was an early and active me.nber of Freedom Association, and was chairman of its first misionary board, in which capacity he served during many years. He was a leading citizen of Clinton county, which he represented in the Kentucky legislature, from 1855, to 1857.
PRESTON H. LESLIE, who is no less distinguished for his
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unaffected piety than for his eminent statesmanship, was an effi- cient member of Freedom Association from 1844, till his re- moval from its territory. He was born in what is now Clinton county, Ky., March 8, 1819. His parents were poor, and raised a large family, in consequence of which he received a very limited education, in his youth. However, he was fond of books and subsequently became a fair scholar. At the age of 16, he was carried by his father to Louisville, and left there without money, to mike his way in life the best he could. In the city and the surrounding country, he worked as a common laborer, about two years. He then returned to his native county, and, after clerking in a dry goods store, a short time, entered the office of Rice Maxey, as a student of law. About this period, he professed conversion, and united with a Baptist church. He was admitted to the bar, in 1841, and the next year, married Miss Black, and settled in Monroe coun- ty. Here he soon attained eminence in his profession. In 1844, he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature. He was chosen to the same position, in 1850; and, in 1851, was elected to the State Senate. In 1853, he moved to a farm in Jackson county, Tennessee, and thence, after a few years, to Glasgow, Ky. Here was again elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1867. On Feb. 13, 1871, he, being Speaker of the Senate, was sworn in as Governor of the State, on the resignation of Governor Stevenson, In August of the same year, he was elected Gov- ernor of the Commonwealth, for a term of four years, which position he filled with much satisfaction to the people of the State. At the close of his term, in 1875, he returned to his home in Glasgow, where he again engaged in the practice of his profession. For the last several years, he has been Judge of the circuit court in his district, and in that position, as in every one he has ever occupied, he has given general satisfaction.
But faithful as has been this statesman and jurist, in all his civil relations, he has been more earnestly devoted to the cause of Christ. While Governor of the State, he not only attended the Sabbath ministrations of his pastor, but also the conference meetings and prayer meetings of his church, and was a regular teacher in the Sunday-school. He was Moderator of the Gen- eral Association of Kentucky Baptists while he was Governor of the State, and afterwards, till he deemed it best to decline
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the position. He has been active in the educational enterprises of the denomination, and a warm supporter of its missionary operations. All the cares and temptations of his profession and the duties and honors of office have not damped his relig- ious zeal, nor checked his honest devotion to the cause of Christ. The humble, earnest minister of the gospel, who breaks to him the bread of life, never fails to be encouraged by his prayers and his tears.
THOMAS E. BRAMLETTE was also an early member of Free- dom Association, and, for a time, acted as Clerk of that body, as well as a member of its first missionary board. He was born in Cumberland Co., Ky., Jan. 3, 1817. Receiving a fair English education, he was bred to the law, and was admitted to the bar, in 1837. He rose rapidly in his profession and in pop- ular favor. In 1841, he was elected to the State legislature. From that period, he was almost constantly in public office. In 1849, he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney, and filled the position two years. In 1852, he moved from Albany to Columbia, where he was soon ofterwards elected Judge of the Circuit Court, a position which he filled during six years. At the breaking out of the civil War, he raised a regiment of troops for the Federal Army, and received a colonel's commission. He resigned his command, in 1862, and was appointed atttor- ney for the United States Court for the district of Kentucky, and moved to the city of Louisville. In 1863, he was commis- sioned a Major General, and again entered the Army. But, while organizing his division, he was nominated for Governor of Kentucky. To this office he was elected, and filled the po- sition four years. After the expiration of his term, he resumed the practice of law in Louisville, where he departed this life, Jan. 13, 1875.
Governor Bramlette remained a member of a Baptist church till his death, and was a man of warm charitable impulses, as well as an honorable and moral citizen. But his great popular- ity turned his heart too much to the things of this world, and his religious zeal was much abated. His last public office was that of Manager of the Kentucky Public Library Lottery, a po- sition he was filling at the time of his death. How manifest is the sacred teaching: "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
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ALFORD KING was for a short time, a minister of some prominence in Freedom Association. He was born in Cum berland Co., Ky., March 31, 1806. He was fairly educated, and bred to the legal profession, which he entered in 1842. In early life, he joined the Campbellites, and remained in that con- nection, till 1856, when under the ministry of T. J. Fisher, he pro- fessed to be "born again," and united with the Baptist church at Burksville. He at once abandoned the practice of law, and was ordained to the ministry. He was a good speaker, and a fair logician. His favorite subject was the 'new birth." After preaching about four years in Kentucky, he moved to Texas, and located at Victoria. Here he distinguished himself as an able and devoted minister. He was ealled to his reward, in 1872.
NORTH CONCORD ASSOCIATION.
This Association occupies the extreme north-east corner of the State. Most of its churches are located in the counties of Knox, Whitley and Bell. Little can be known of its early history, as its records have been lost. It was constituted of churches dismissed from South Union Association, in 1843, and the next year reported eight churches with 335 members. Its growth was very slow, till after the close of the Civil War. In 1864, it reported twelve churches with 527 members, and, in 1871, eighteen churches with 640 members. Since the latter date it has been quite prosperous.
This body is fully committed to missions, educational insti- tutions and Sunday-schools. The 3d article of its constitution, as printed with the minutes of 1880, reads: "The business of this body shall be to promote Home and State missions and sup- ply destitutions ; also Bible and book colportage, Sunday- school, literary and theological schools and Colleges in south- eastern Kentucky, and to collect and preserve our denomination- al history." The Association has adopted vigorous resolutions, from time to time, in accordance with this principle, but it does not appear that much else has been accomplished in this direction, ex- pect that something has been done to supply the destitute with
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preaching. An attempt was made to build a high school within the bounds of the Association, in 1876, and a charter was pro- cured for such an institution ; but the enterprise proved a fail- ure. As early as 1872, some efforts were made to establish Sunday-schools in the churches, and a temporary interest was aroused upon that subject; but, in 1881, the committee on Sunday-schools reported that there was "no regularly organ- ized Baptist Sunday-schools" in the bounds of the Association.
In 1873, the body expressed its sentiments on the subject of alien baptism, as follows : " Resolved, That we will not re- ceive, nor fellowship churches that do receive members from other denominations without rebaptizing them." For a few years past, the churches have been very well supplied with preachers, and many of them have been greatly prospered. In 1880, the Association numbered twenty-four churches, with 1,468 members, and, in 1881, twenty-seven churches with 1,678 members.
Concord church is the oldest in this fraternity, and one of the oldest in the upper Cumberland Valley. It was gathered by Moses Foley sr., and was constituted of twelve members, in the house of Thomas Arthur, near the present village of Flat Lick, in Knox county, in 1804. Among those who entered into the constitution were Thomas Arthur sr., Sarah Arthur, Thomas Arthur jr. and Sally Arthur. Moses Foley was the first pastor, and was succeeded by Blackgrove Hopper. William Hickey, Thomas Marcy, Ebenezer Ingram, John H. Bingham, and John G. Amis, the present incumbent, have served the ·church in turn. It now (1884) numbers eighty-four members.
ISAAC S. HORN was a zealous preacher in this fraternity. He was born in Knox county, Ky., in 1819. In early life, he united with Concord church in his native county ; but was not ordained to the ministry till about 1861, when, at the call of Freedom church in Bell county, he came under the hands of John H. Bingham, John G. Amis and J. N. Madox. From that time till his death he was very active in his holy calling, and it is estimated that he baptized over 400 converts. He died of pneumonia, in the spring of 1877.
JOHN G. AMIS is one of the ablest and most enterprising ministers of this Association. He is chairman of its missionary board, takes much interest in its missionary operations, and has
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been especially active in its educational enterprises. He is pas- tor of old Concord and three other churches.
STEPHEN GOLDEN has been Moderator of the Association for a number of years past, and is a preacher of considerable ability. But he fills the office of Judge of Knox county court, and has too much of the world on him to be very efficient in the ministry.
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DAVIESS COUNTY ASSOCIATION.
This large and prosperous fraternity was constituted of the following churches, all of which had been dismissed from Goshen Association : Rock Spring (now Yelvington), Green Brier, Bethabara, Owensboro, Buck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Bells Run, Mt. Liberty and Fredonia.
In accordance with previous arrangements, messengers from the above churches met at Bethabara meeting-house, in Daviess county, November 1, 1844. Thomas Downs preached from I Pet. 2:4-5. The convention was then called to order. Thomas Downs was chosen Moderator, and G. W. Triplett, Clerk. The preliminary measures having been gone through, the convention adjourned. It met again on the following day. A constitution, articles of faith, and rules of decorum were adop- ted, and the organization, embracing nine churches with 1, 021 members, assumed the title of " Daviess County Association of United Baptists." John G. Howard was then elected Modera- or, and G. W. Triplett, Clerk. It was agreed to solicit corres- pondence with Goshen, Gasper River and Little Bethel Associ- ations, in Kentucky, and Little Pigeon, in Indiana.
This organization came into existence after the schisms and revolutions which afflicted the older fraternities had ceased. It was constituted a missionary body, and from the first favored all the benevolent operations of the denomination. At its first anniversary, in 1845, it approved the formation of a Bible so- ciety within its bounds. The Indian Mission Association was also approved, and the churches were recommended to organize auxiliary societies. A small collection was taken up for the Daviess County Indian Mission Society. This branch of chris-
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tian benevolence received the attention of the Association sev- eral years.
At its first anniversary, the Association adopted the fol- lowing : " Resolved, That, in view of the great destitution ex- isting in the bounds of this association, we request the churches to send up their contributions, next year, for the purpose of employing a missionary in our bounds." This was the initiatory step to the principal work of this body, down to the present pe- riod. The next year, William Head was appointed missionary to labor within the bounds of the Association. An executive committee was appointed to conduct the mission, and was com- posed of John G. Howard, M. J. Whayne, J. S. Ford, C. T. Noel and James Miller. This committee was the first mission- ary board of Daviess County Association, as Mr. Head was its first missionary. The report of the executive board was not printed ; but we have it from the lips of Mr. Head that the mis- sion was very successful. This system of Associational mis- sions has been kept up, with various modifications, and one or two prief interruptions, to the present time ; and has doubtless been a chief cause of the extraordinary progress of the body. Its course of procedure with reference to other benevolent in- stitutions, has been similar to that of other fraternities of the kind in the State.
At its second anniversary, in 1846, the Association took up the subject of alien baptism, and it was discussed at consid- erable length. A resolution, declaring the reception of such baptisms to be disorderly, was offered ; but was rejected on the ground that the Association possessed no ecclesiastical author- ity, and therefore, had no right to dictate any system of doc- trine or polity to the churches. The next year, three of the churches asked advice on the subject. As an advisory coun- cil, the Association had a right to give the advice asked for. It, therefore, adopted the following resolution : " Resolved, That while we disclaim all right to make laws for the government of the churches, we return as answer to Buck Creek and Station churches, that we advise the churches not to receive members from Pedobaptists or Reformers, upon their baptism." The subject was again brought before the Association, in 1871, when the following resolution was adopted: " Resolved, That this As- sociation does not consider any person baptized, unless he has
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been immersed in water in the name of the Trinity by the au- thority of a regularly organized Baptist church." In 1876, it was " Resolved, That immersion in water, under authority of a gospel church, is essential to Christian baptism, and prerequisite to membership in a gospel church; that no one has the right to recognize any organization, or body, as a gospel church, the members of which have not these qualifications;" and, "that membership and fellowship in a gospel church are essential pre- requisites to a seat at the Lord's table."
In 1852, the Association commenced raising a fund for the purpose of distributing books among the people within its bounds. This enterprise was put in operation, and the good work was prosecuted about eight years. This was doubtless a valuable work, and may, in part, at least, account for the fact that an unusually large number of people have come from other denominations to the Baptists, within the bounds of this fra- ternity.
Sunday schools did not receive the attention of this body, till 1858. At that date, A. B. Smith and K. G. Hay, were ap- pointed a committee on Sunday schools and Sunday school books. In their report, they stated that, so far as they could learn, a majority of the churches had no Sunday schools ; that they regarded such schools as among the most efficient means for accomplishing the work assigned to Christians, and advised that the Association recommend the churches to faithfully em- ploy this means. They also recommended the careful selection of such books as taught the doctrine of the denomination. Since that time, there has been a constantly increasing interest on the subject, and this has become one of the leading enterprises of the body.
During the meeting of 1858, a communication, accompanied by a contribution of $12.10, was received from the Female Home Missionary Society of Spottsville church. This ap- pears to have been the first society of the kind, organized in the Green River country. The Association passed a resolu- tion of thanks to the society, and recommended the formation of similar societies, in other churches. The next year, a slight- ly increased contribution was received from this society, and the sum of $13 was received from a similar organization, at Owens-
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