USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
BOONVILLE ASSOCIATION.
This small body is located in Owsley and some of the ad- joining counties. The following resolution, adopted by Irvine Association, in 1870, will explain its origin : "Resolved, That inasmuch as this Association is, in our judgement, to exten- sive in territory, we, therefore, propose a division, as follows : Beginning at Ells Branch church in Clay county, thence north- west so as to include Union and War Fork churches, thence with Brushy Mountain, so as to include Beatyville and all the churches east of said line."
In accordance with this resolution, Messengers from six- teen churches met at Beatyville in Lee county on Thursday be- fore the first Saturday in September, 1871, and organized under
635
Associations.
the style of "Booneville Association of United Regular Bap- tists." These churches were generally small, and were located in a rough, mountainous country.
Although this Association has been well supplied with preachers, and appears to have been enterprising in having the gospel preached within its bounds, it has dismissed so many of its churches, to unite with other associations, that it is numer- ically less than when it was first organized. In 1880, after dismissing seven churches, it had remaining ten churches, ag- gregating 303 members. In 1883, it reported eleven churches with 397 members.
WARREN COUNTY ASSOCIATION.
This was a small fraternity, constituted of the First Church in Bolling Green and two or three others, about 1871. The neighboring churches did not see the need of such an organiza- tion, or they failed to sympathize with the supposed cause of its origin, and it dissolved, after holding two or three meetings.
KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION.
This was a small community of Antimissionary Baptists, located in what is now Bell county. It was constituted about 1859, and, in 1860, numbered four churches with 98 members. At the latter date, it dropped correspondence with North Con- cord Association, because that fraternity "had opened corres- pondence with Mulberry Gap Association of the missionary monied stamp." As might have been expected, it held only a few more annual meetings, when it dissolved.
POWELS VALLEY ASSOCIATION.
This is a small confederacy of "Primitive Baptists," loca- ted in the south-east corner of Kentucky and the adjacent bor- der of Tennessee. The churches of which it was organized withdrew from the older fraternity of the same name, because that body declared nonfellowship for such as had been engaged
636
History of Kentucky Baptists.
in the Confederate service during the Civil War. The seced- ing churches organized under the above title, on Friday before the third Saturday in September, 1870. In 1879, the body re- ported twelve churches with 421 members. Five of these churches, aggregating 88 members, were in Kentucky.
PLEASANT RUN ASSOCIATION.
This was a small confederacy located in Jackson and Rock castle counties. It was constituted about 1871. In 1873, it reported five churches with 131 members. For some reason, it did not receive a hearty recognition from the neighboring as- sociations ; and, after dwindling a few years, it dissolved about 1877.
ROCKCASTLE ASSOCIATION.
This community is located in Rockcastle and Pulaski coun- ties, and was constituted, in 1871, of churches dismissed for that purpose from the old Cumberland River confederacy. The following fourteen churches, aggregating 764 members, were in the constitution : Liberty, Sinking Valley, Freedom, Hopewell, Friendship, Zion, Mt. Zion, Damascus, Pleasant Hill, Poplar Grove, Pine Hill, Line Creek, Union in Rockcastle, and Gum Sulphur. The ministers belonging to these churches were James Woodall, Jesse Tyre, T. W. Reynolds, J. C. Carmical, J. C. Perkins and J. A. Abbott. Union, Mt. Pisgah and Pleas- ant Grove, with Elder J. W. Jackson, were added to the Asso- ciation, in 1872. It then reported seventeen churches, seven preachers and 989 members. It adopted principles in harmony with missions and other benevolent enterprises. But like its mother fraternity, it has not been very liberal in carrying its principles into practice. In its report on missions, in 1876, it says : " We have not been living up to our duty as an associa- tion, as churches, or as Christians. The remark so often made that we are stingy, is too true. The lines between us, who profess to be Missionary Baptists and the so-called Iron Jackets, run too nearly parallel. Our religion is so damped by our be- ing asked for a little money for some deserving charity, that our
637
Associations.
hands hold tighter to a dime than our religion does to our souls." Within the last few years, there appears to have been considerable improvement in the liberality of the body, especi- ally in the home mission and Sunday-school work.
In 1875, the body passed a resolution, advising the churches to discountenance such of their members as were engaged in distilling intoxicating liquors, or keeping tippling houses, and adding : "We discountenance dram drinking by Baptists, whether at the public bar, or in the private family."
The subject of female representation in the Association was brought before the body, in 1878, in the following form : " Resolved, That, as our sisters help to bear the burdens of the church and have a vote therein, they be eligible as messengers to the Association." The resolution was debated and lost.
In 1880, the following query from Mt. Pisgah church was presented to the Association : "Is alien immersion valid bap- tism?" The answer was as follows: " Resolved, That this As- sociation advise her churches not to receive alien baptism."
This fraternity has enjoyed a moderate degree of prosper- ity. In 1880, it numbered sixteen churches with 1, 119 mem- bers, and, in 1883, nineteen churches with 1,351 members. During the first twelve years of its existence, it reported 1,095 baptisms.
JAMES WOODALL was probably the oldest minister in this Association. He was born in Pulaski county, Ky., in 1805. At the age of twenty-two years, he united with Sinking Valley church in his native county. After serving his church in the office of a deacon, a few years, he commenced preach- ing, and was ordained to the ministry, Jan. 1, 1837. He was a preacher of very moderate gifts and acquirements ; but he was earnest, laborious, patient and pious, and not a few souls were led to the Savior through his ministry. He labored prin- cipally in Pulaski, Laurel and Rockcastle counties, a portion of churches, but more generally as an unpaid missionary. The Lord called him to rest, about 1872.
JESSE TYRE is among the oldest and most prominent preach- ers in this fraternity. He was born in Scott county, Va., May 12, 1818, and was bred to the trade of a cabinet maker. He obtained hope in Christ, in 1839, and was baptized by Isaac Christman. In June, 1844, he was licensed to exercise his gift
638
History of Kentucky Baptists.
in preaching, by Zion church in his native county, and was or- dained to the ministry, Sept. 4, 1847, by John Gilbert, John Day, Wm. Tyre and Jesse B. Berry. He was in a wide field of destitution, and was soon called to the care of three old churches and a new one which he had raised up. In this field he spent five years, after his ordination, devoting two-thirds of his time to preaching, and the other third to working at his trade and on a farm, for the support of his family. In 1852, he moved to Rockcastle county, Kentucky, and gave his membership to Mt. Pleasant church. There, as in his native State, he devoted him- self actively to the ministry, giving especial attention to the prudent advocacy of the cause of missions, which was quite unpopular in his field of labor, at that period. He was soon called to the care of several churches. Since his removal to Kentucky, he has been the principal instrument in gathering Mt. Zion, Pine Hill, Flat Rock, Broadhead and Pleasant Hill churches, all of which he served as pastor, during longer or shorter periods. He has also been pastor of Hopewell, Free- dom, Flat Lick, Liberty, Double Springs and Poplar Grove churches, for different periods of time, has raised up three churches that were scattered and demoralized, and was a leading instrument in forming Rockcastle Association. It is but just to say, that he has been a very laborious and self-sacrificing min- ister, and has contributed greatly to the prosperity of the Bap- tists in his region of the State.
Of the lives and labors of several other useful ministers in this fraternity no particular information has been obtained.
SHELBY COUNTY ASSOCIATION.
This intelligent community, located principally in the county from which it takes its name, held its first annual meet- ing at Clayvillage in Shelby county, Aug. 16, 1872. It was constituted of the following churches : Buck Creek, Clayvillage, Shelbyville, Little Mount, Mt. Moriah, Mt. Vernon, Pigeon Fork, Salem, Buffalo Lick and Christiansburg. The first four had been dismissed from Long Run Association ; the next four, from Middle District, and the remaining two, from Franklin. After the organization, Indian Fork church was received ; when
639
Associations.
the new fraternity numbered eleven churches, aggregating 1,797 members.
In its letter, asking correspondence with the neighboring fraternities, it says : " As a body we encourage all causes of be- nevolence. We sustain, by our prayers, our influence, and our contributions, Sabbath-schools and Foreign, State and Domes- tic missions." The body is located in one of the richest por- tions of the State, and most of its churches are large and wealthy. Its facilities for advancing the cause of Christ are surpassed by few similar bodies in the State, and some of its churches have been quite liberal in their contributions. to the cause of benevolence ; but others have done very little to ad- vance the Redeemer's kingdom beyond their own limits.
The body adopted a constitution, in 1873, the 9th article of which refers to a matter of much practical importance to the peace and harmony of the churches. It reads as follows: "No church of this Association shall be considered as acting in good faith with sister churches, which practices receiving the exclu- ded members of a Baptist church, without first investigating the case in connection with the church in which the exclusion oc- curred."
During the same session, the body appointed George W. Gibson a missionary to teach the churches sacred music. This is probably the only instance of a Baptist association's appointing a missionary to the exclusive work of teaching music. But, as a large majority of the churches are very deficient in singing, the example of this body might be followed to great profit.
In 1876, the body expressed itself on the subject of tem- perance reform as follows: "We record the sentiment of this body as decidedly opposed to the manufacture, traffic in, and use of whatever intoxicates, except it may be for mechanical or medicinal purposes." In a resolution, adopted in 1879, it says : "No church can permit its members to engage in this traffic without ignoring the teachings of God's word, and compromis- ing its claims to be a church of Christ."
This Association has contributed to the general missionary boards, and has been quite active in the Sunday-school work, singularly enough, it has had no missionary board of its own, and, as far as its records show, it has made no special provision for the supply of the destitution within its own bounds. The
640
History of Kentucky Baptists.
only missionary it has ever appointed was what it termed "a musical missionary" as related above. Its progress in numbers has been rather slow, as compared with that of other bodies of its superior advantages. In 1872, it began with nearly 1, 800 members ; in 1880 it numbered fourteen churches with 2,096 members, and, in 1883, fifteen churches with 2,039 members. During the first twelve years of its history, it reported 1, 165 baptisms.
B. F. HUNGERFORD was the principal originator of this fra- ternity, and was its moderator during the first six years of its existence. He came West as a school teacher, and located at New Liberty in Owen county, where he was licensed to preach in October, 1856. He soon afterwards moved to Shelbyville, where he was ordained to the ministry, about 1860. Since his ordination, he has generally been pastor of several churches. Among those which he has served longest may be named Mt. Moriah, Clayvillage, Little Mount, Pigeon Fork and Elk Creek. He is still (1885) actively engaged in the ministry.
JAMES W. GOODMAN is probably the oldest minister in this fraternity. He came West in early life in the character of a school teacher and preacher, and located at Frankfort, as early as 1847. In 1850, he moved to Shelby county, and, the next year, to Georgetown. For a time he was agent of the General Association. About 1858, he located permanently at Shelby- ville, where, for some years, he conducted a female school. He has preached very little for a number of years past, and is now well advanced in life. Through life, he has sustained a character of unimpeachable integrity.
ZECHARIAH WHEAT, a distinguished jurist, was a member of this fraternity. He was born in Bourbon county, Ky., July 26, 1806. Although bred to the trade of a saddler, he com- menced the study of law, at Columbia, Ky., in 1828, and was admitted to the bar, the following year. He arose rapidly in his profession, and successively filled the positions of Common- wealth's Attorney, Judge of the Circuit Court, and Judge of the Court of Appeals. In 1861, he moved from Columbia to Shelbyville, where he spent the remainder of his days in the practice of his profession.
Judge Wheat was a Baptist from early life, a man of un- swerving integrity, and a Christian of eminent practical piety.
641
Associations.
He was faithful to his duties as a church member, and, though never formally licensed to preach, did not hesitate to fill the pul- pit, in the absence of a minister.
EAST KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION.
This small community of Separate Baptists is located in Russell and some of the adjoining counties. It was constitu- ted of six churches at Pleasant Ridge meeting house in Russell county, Oct. 27, 1876. These churches had been dismissed for the purpose from the old South Kentucky confederacy. Their names were Grave Hill, Pleasant Ridge, Beaver Creek, First Union and Pole Ridge. These six churches aggregated, in 1877, 320 members. L. B. Whiles and J. L. Weeks were the principal ministers in the body. In 1879, the Association num- bered seven churches with 342 members. During the first three years of its existence it reported thirty-two baptisms.
ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION.
This young fraternity is situated in the central region of the Kentucky mountains, its churches being located in Johnson, Lawrence, Carter and Elliot counties. It was constituted of 8 churches, which had been dismissed from Greenup Associa- tion for the purpose, at Providence meeting house in Carter county, November 10, 1876. The names of the churches were Flat Gap, Grayson, Hopewell, Liberty, Mt. Nebo, Providence, Pleasant Grove and Wolf Creek. The ministers belonging to these churches were J. Collins, Wm. Jayne, D. F. Lee, H. G. Morris, Wm. Maddox, S. Mckinney, C. A. Price, T. J. Rigg and I. Rice ; and H. Daniel and Wm. Mckinney licentiates. After the organization, the Association appointed a home mis- sion board, and committees to report on education, State mis- sions, Sunday-schools, and foreign missions. Resolutions were adopted to the following purport :
" That we solicit correspondence with, and become aux- iliary to the General Association. That we procure our re-
642
History of Kentucky Baptists.
ligious literature from Baptist depositories. That the churches report annually what they spend in the cause of benevolence. That each minister make annual reports of his labors, to this body. That the churches exercise strict discipline. That we will not receive, or hold in fellowship any church that receives alien immersions."
The next year, it was resolved to establish a high school within the bounds of the Association. This resolution was promptly carried into effect. The school was located at Flat Gap in Johnson county, a good building was erected, and the institution has been successfully conducted by Rev. William Jayne, to the present time (1885). This school has already been of great value to the region of country in which it is located.
The Association has endeavored to supply its missionary field with preaching, and something has been done in the Sun- day-school work. The churches of the body are intermingled with those of one or more Antimissionary fraternities. Many of the members of the latter churches have become convinced of the scripturalness of missions, and have united with the mis- sionary churches ; hence, Enterprise Association has increased very rapidly. It started, in 1876, with 8 churches, aggregating 291 members; in 1880, it reported 13 churches with 534 mem- bers, and, in 1883, 17 churches with 837 members. During the first 7 years of its existence, it reported 381 baptisms.
WILLIAM JAYNE is the most prominent minister in this As- sociation, and in this region of the State. He is a son of Henry Jayne, a prominent Baptist in Paint Union Association, and was born in Johnson county, Kentucky, September 23, 1843. In his youth, he received only such an education as the very inferior schools of his neighborhood could afford. At the age of nine- teen years, he united with Bethel church in his native county, and was baptized by James Pelphry. In 1862, he entered the Confederate Army, and served in the capacity of a sergeant, till the close of the War. He was in several battles, and was wounded three times, being shot once through the lungs. At the close of the War, he returned home, and was licensed to preach, in August, 1866.
He now resolved to educate himself, preparatory to the work to which the Lord had called him. Through the influence of an intelligent Baptist woman, whose husband was looking af-
643
Associations.
ter some mining interest in Eastern Kentucky, he was induced to go to the Baptist University at Chicago, which institution he entered, in January, 1867. While here, he learned of the ex- istence of Georgetown College in his native State. He entered this institution, in 1868, and remained till June, 1871. He had some tempting inducements to locate in the blue grass region of the State. But, after much deliberation and prayer, he de- cided that it was his duty to return to the mountainous region of his nativity, and spend his life in laboring for the good of the people among whom he had been reared.
In November, 1872, he was ordained to the care of Flat Gap church, near his birth place, by W. M. and H. G. Rey- nolds. After teaching school at Catlettsburg, Louisa and Pres- tonburg, he took charge of Enterprise High School, at Flat Gap, in 1878. Of this institution, he has remained the Princi- pal to the present time. He has also continued in the pastoral office of Flat Gap church, and has been moderator of Enter- prise Association, since 1877. His influence has been widely felt in his region of the State, and he has accomplished much in diffusing the spirit of education among the people, and of strengthening the cause of missions in the churches.
SAND LICK ASSOCIATION.
This small Antimissionary community is located principally in Letcher county, and is a daughter of the New Salem Asso- ciation. It was constituted at Indian Bottom meeting house, in Letcher county, in 1876, of the following churches : Cars Fork, Mallet Fork, Laurel Fork, Indian Bottom, Sand Lick, Big Cowan, Colley Creek and Big Leatherwood. Its principal preachers were Henry Day, S. C. Caudill, Ira Combs, William Smith and Felix Combs.
Notwithstanding this Association adopts the name of " Regular Baptists," it rejects the Hypercalvinistic sentiments usually held by the self-styled " Old Baptists." Three of its ar- ticles of faith read as follows :
" 12. We believe washing one anothers feet is a command ment of Christ, left on record with his disciples, and ought to be practiced by his followers. 41
644
History of Kentucky Baptists.
" 13. We believe that any doctrine, that goes to encourage, or indulge the people in their sins, or causes to settle down on anything short of saving faith in Christ for salvation, is errone- ous, and all such doctrine will be rejected by us.
" 14. None of the above named articles shall be so con- strued, as to hold with particular election and reprobation, so as to make God partial either directly, or indirectly, so as to in- jure any of the children of men."
The young fraternity started off quite prosperously. At its constitution, in 1876, it numbered 8 churches with 390 mem- bers ; in 1880, it reported II churches with 501 members.
SECOND NORTH CONCORD ASSOCIATION. 1
This small fraternity belongs to that family, formerly called " Go-betweens."
It was constituted at Salem meeting house in Russell county, Nov. 10, 1876. It was formed of the following churches, dis- missed for the purpose from South Concord: Clear Fork, Union, Pleasant Point, New Friendship, Second Union, Liberty, Salem, Clear Spring and Second Bethel. These nine churches aggregated 468 members. The preachers in the body were Wm. Roy, P. Waters, S. H. Vier, W. H. Williams, Alex. Wilson, J. F. Withers and C. L. Bradley. The Association first took the name of North Concord, but, in 1883, prefixed the term " Second" to distinguish it from an older fraternity of the same name.
The growth of the body was very slow, and it manifested nothing of the spirit of enterprise, till 1883, when it was agreed " that a Report on Sunday schools, by G. S. Wickersham, be appended to the minutes, viz : since last July, traveled 589 miles, visiting 28 1 families, made eleven Sunday school addresses, witnessed nine professions and four baptisms and attended three protracted meetings fifteen days. The next year a resolution was adopted, requesting the churches to use all laudable means to suppress the use of ardent spirits. At its meeting in 1885, the body manifested an excellent spirit, inviting the superin- tendent of missions to speak before the meeting and appointing
645
Associations.
him to preach on Sunday. The Association numbered, in 1885, nine churches, eight preachers and 592 members. Most of its churches are in Russell county.
BLACKFORD ASSOCIATION.
This flourishing community is located in Hancock, Ohio, and some of the adjoining counties. It was constituted at Bethlehem meeting house in Hancock county, on the 30th of November, 1877, of the following fourteen churches, which had been dismissed from the old Goshen confederacy, for the pur- pose : Pisgah, Mt. Pleasant, Blackford, Union, Hawesville, Bethlehem, Pleasant Grove, Zion, Lewis Port, Friendship, Mt. Eden, Sandy Creek, Pleasant Valley and Roseville. The minis- ters belonging to these churches were Martin Young, H. V. Bruner, L. C. Tichenor, J. E. Stone, Calvin Voyles, Robert T. Bruner and J. J. Keown. The next year, Panther Creek, Yelvington, Pellville, Chestnut Grove and Pleasant Ridge churches, with Elder R. R. Gabbert, were added to the Associa- tion.
One of the first acts of this Association was the appoint- ment of a missionary board, consisting of Robert T. Bruner. George W. Brown and Wm. T. Smith, the duty of which was to make provisions for supplying the destitute within the bounds of the fraternity, with preaching. The next year, the body appointed committees to report on Home Missions, Orphans' Home, State Missions, Foreign Missions, Sabbath schools and Temperance. These objects of benevolence have been fostered by the Association, to the present time. The body has enjoyed uninterrupted harmony, and a high degree of prosperity. It
began with fourteen churches, aggregating 1, 320 members. In 1880, it reported twenty-one churches with 2, 264 members, and, in 1882, twenty-four churches with 2,508 members. During the first five years of its existence, it reported 725 baptisms.
MARTIN YOUNG was the oldest minister in this body. Of his early life nothing has been learned He was an ordained minister at Cloverport, Ky,, as early as 1837, and, for many years after, was an humble preacher within the bounds of Goshen Association. He had become too old and feeble, before his
646
History of Kentucky Baptists.
church entered into the constitution of Blackford Assoctation ; but he was much beloved by the brethren for his past labors ; and his simple, unaffected piety. The Lord called him home, at a great old age, in 1882.
R. R. GABBERT filled the office of deacon in Pellville church a number of years, and was ordained to the ministry, in the spring of 1878. About one year afterwards, April 24, 1879, he committed suicide, in a fit of mental aberation, doubt- less at his home in Pellville, Hancock county. At the time of his death. he was pastor of Mt. Pleasant and Zion churches, and was held in high esteem as a citizen of integrity, a Chris- tian of earnest piety, and a pastor of excellent gifts.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.