USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 7
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* For the particulars of the life and labor of this great pulpit orator, sce the author's Life of Thomas Jefferson Fisher.
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Salem Association.
S. L. Helm, the eighth child and fourth son of George and Rebecca Helm, and a younger brother of the late Governor John L. Helm, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, May 16, 1816. His father having died in Texas, whither he had gone on a busi- ness speculation, which involved the loss of most of his estate, while his son Squire was a small boy, the latter was raised on a farm by a widowed mother, and had few educational advantages. At the age of seventeen years, he was apprenticed to a tanner, and at the end of three and a half years, went into the business of tanning on his own account.
In the summer of 1814, he professed conversion and was baptized by Jacob Rogers, into the fellowship of Severns Val- ley church, the first organization of the kind that existed in Kentucky, and of which his parents and grand parents had all been members. By that church he was licensed to preach, December 31, 1836. The following year, he was a member of the convention that formed the General Association of Ken- tucky Baptists. About the time he was licensed to preach, he entered the school of Robert Hewett, at Elizabethtown, where he received most of his schooling. Having been invited to take charge of Mt. Pleasant church, at Brandenburg, he was or- dained in that church by William Vaughan, John L. Burrows and F. F. Seig, April 7, 1838. In May, 1843, he took charge of the church at Mayslick, in Mason county. He preached there seven years and baptized over three hundred. In 1850 he accepted a call to Sharpsburg, preaching half his time to that church, and devoting the other half to the labors of a mission- ary. He took charge of the church at Owensboro, January I, 1852. Here he labored till August, 1854, when he accepted a call to East church, in Louisville, which he served one year, acting as Secretary of the American Indian Mission Associa- tion, during the same period. He baptized something over 100 that year. In August, 1854, he accepted a call to the church at Covington, where he ministered five years, during which about 250 were added to the church. Between 1859 and 1866 he served for different periods, the churches at Waco and Tates creek, in Madison county, Davids Fork and Bryants, in Fay- ette county, and Silas, in Bourbon county. In 1867, he ac- cepted the position of State Evangelist, under the General Asso- ciation. He labored in that capacity till 1869, when he again
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took charge of East church in Louisville. Here he ministered about six years, receiving into the church about 250 members.
After this, he acted as financial agent for the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home, at Louisville, about six months. In July, 1875, he took charge of the church at Nicholasville, from whence he was called to Maysville in May, 1877. After serving the church at this place two years, he moved to Breck- enridge county, where he bought a farm and arranged a very beautiful cottage home, in which, as he avers, to spend the evening of his earthly life. Meanwhile he is pastor of the churches at Stephensport, Hawesville and Goshen, preaching to the first named, twice a month and supplying one mission station.
Dr. Helm is a clear, strong, direct speaker, and few preach- ers in the State exercise so great an influence over a popular audience. His life has been a very active one in the Master's vineyard; and his strong, healthy, robust appearance, gives hope that he will yet render valuable service, for many years to come.
WILLIAM LARUE MORRIS, a son of Judge John Morris, whose father was a native of Ireland, was born at Elizabeth- town, Hardin county Kentucky, January 10, 1821. He re- ceived a good English education. In his youth, he was very fond of vain amusements, and especially of dancing. But about the time he arrived at manhood, the Holy Spirit found way to his heart, and suddenly cut short his career of giddy pleasure.
Thomas J. Fisher was holding a protracted meeting at Eliza- bethtown, during Christmas week. As this was usually a time of festivity, young Morris, with other lovers of frolic, averred that the meeting was an invasion of his social privileges, and resolved not to attend it. There was to be a great frolic some miles in the country, and, despite the entreaties of a pious young cousin, Mr. Morris mounted his horse, and started to attend it. He rode on gaily enough at first. But soon strange thoughts began to crowd into his mind, and singular feelings crept over him. He rode more slowly, and finally stopped. The question as to whether he should go on to the frolic, or turn back to the meeting, agitated him fearfully. After a few moments he came to a singular conclusion. "I will turn my horse directly across the road," soliloquized he, "and let him go which ever way he will." Naturally enough the horse turned
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toward home. He now pushed on eagerly until he reached the meeting house in time to hear the sermon. After a few days, he professed hope in Christ and was baptized by T. J. Fisher, and united with Severns Valley church, of which his parents were members. About this time he commenced the study of . law. There was, from the first, a perplexing contest in his mind. He was strongly impressed with the duty of preaching the gospel. But there appeared to him many obstacles, and he continued his studies. In due time he entered upon the practice of law. He met with unexpected success, and fair prospects of a brilliant career opened up before him.
On the first of May, 1845, he was married to Grace N. daughter of Thomas Brown, a merchant of Hodgenville. In this town he established himself as a lawyer. His honesty, candor, strict integrity and fine qualifications soon won the con- fidence of all, and a large share of public patronage. But the struggle with his conscience grew constantly stronger, till his soul became darkened with harrowing doubts, and he resolved to quit the church, under the impression that he was destitute of divine grace. He communicated his intentions to Samuel Haycraft, who was a member of the same church, and who suc- ceeded in persuading him to abandon his rash design. He now began to take a more active part in public worship. He en- gaged frequently in public prayer and exhortation, and finally, in 1850, he accepted a license to preach. In January, 1851, he was ordained to the pastoral care of Hodgenville church, by John Duncan, Robert L. Thurman and others, and immedi- ately gave himself wholly to the work of the ministry. Soon after his ordination, he accepted the pastoral care of Gilead and Severns Valley churches, in Hardin county.
There was at this time, a small congregation of Separate Baptists, now called Big Spring church, six miles west of Hod- genville. This church had been constituted November 16, 1816, by the distinguished pioneer preachers, Thomas J. Chilton and William Summers. It became a large and flourishing church under the care of Mr. Chilton, when its name was changed from Middle Creek to Republican. In 1843, its name was again exchanged for that of Big Spring. After the death of Mr. Chilton, the church dwindled away till it became small and feeble. In this condition they invited Mr. Morris to preach
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among them. He accepted the invitation, and, after a few months, induced them to accept the terms of general union, and take the name of the United Baptists. The church was re- ceived into Salem Association, and Mr. Morris became its pas- tor. He preached for this church about fifteen years, during which it became one of the largest and most influential congregations in the Association. Besides the churches named above, Mr. Morris was, at different times, pastor of Rolling Fork and Union Band, in Nelson county, Bethel, in Hardin, Campbellville, in Taylor, and Bewleyville in Breckenridge. As a pastor he was gener- ally successful, and was much beloved by his people.
In the spring of 1866, he was appointed one of the General Evangelists for the State, by the executive Board of the General Association. He resigned his pastoral charges to accept this position. But a few weeks afterwards he was attacked with dis- ease of the heart, which rendered him unable to preach. His health being slightly improved, he attended the General Associa- tion at Henderson in May, 1867, and was elected clerk of that body. From Henderson he went to the "Western District" of Kentucky, on a visit, and while there, was elected pastor of the church at Mayfield. Hc accepted the call, and returned to Hodgenville to take his family to his new field of labor. But while prepar- ing to move, he took a relapse of his disease, and was confined ยท to his bed to rise no more in mortal flesh. He talked freely of his approaching departure, and was calm and resigned. During his illness, he never appeared to be troubled with any doubts of his acceptance with God. About three days before his depart- ure, he spoke to Elder Robert Enlows, with great composure, in about the following words :
"There is a great similarity between your case when you seemed so near the grave, and mine, now. I have felt an indif- ference about myself several days. I have felt much for my family, for the brethren and for poor sinners without hope. But I know in whom I hope. I have made many slips and failures, and my work has been very imperfect; but I trust not in these. I think the promises of God are sure words. I have made many sacrifices, as we call them, and have had some suc- cess in the ministry. I suppose I have baptized more than a thousand persons and have witnessed the baptism of as many more, under my ministry. But I expect nothing for all this.
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My hope is all in the grace of God, through Jesus Christ." On the 13th of June, 1867, he answered to the Master's call to come up higher.
Mr. Morris was, in his time, what David Thurman had been in the preceding generation-indisputably the ablest preacher in Salem Association. His timidity was so great that his real ability was unknown to any except those who heard him among his acquaintances. He invariably "made a failure" when he attempted to preach before strange ministers. He was a close student possessed a large and varied fund of knowledge, and was a good consistent theologian. When surrounded by no embarrassing circumstances, he was one of the most eloquent and finished orators in the Kentucky pulpit. But his crowning excellence was his deep-toned piety and eminent spirituality. " He seemed to live nearer to God," says an acquaintance, "than any man I ever knew. I have seen him, for three or four days at a time so overwhelmed with a sense of the divine goodness, and filled so unutterably full of love and tenderness, that he could not preach or pray publicly, or sleep at night."
ROBERT LIVINGSTON THURMAN, son of that excellent minis- ter of Christ, David Thurman, was born in Washington county, Kentucky, November 19, 1815. He was taken by his parents to what is now LaRue county, while he was a small child. Here he was raised upon a farm. He was converted to Christ at the early age of thirteen years, and was baptized by his father into the fellowship of Nolin church. He finished his education at Georgetown College, where he graduated in 1842. He was ordained pastor of Severns Valley church, in Elizabethtown, July 25, 1843. He served this church about seven years, con- ducting a female seminary about half of that time. In January, 1850, he was appointed agent for Indian Missions, and in May following, became one of the editors of the Baptist Banner, pub- lished at Louisville. In 1851 he accepted an agency for George- town College, which he prosecuted about four years. In 1855, he accepted a call to the pastoral care of the Baptist church in Austin, Texas. He remained in that position only a few months during which time he collected funds to erect a house of worship for that church. In October of the same year, he was appointed agent of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Con- vention, for the State of Kentucky. He prosecuted this agency
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
with satisfactory success, until 1861, when he resigned on ac- count of the war. He was then appointed Superintendent of theExecutive Board of the General Association. In 1868, he resumed the Foreign Mission agency for Kentucky, and has pros- ecuted it with a good degree of success, to the present time (1885).
Mr. Thurman has been an enthusiastic advocate of missions from his youth, and has been justly styled "the prince of agents." The cause of missions, both foreign and domestic, owes much to his unflagging zeal and tireless energy.
ROBERT M. ENLOWS was born and raised in LaRue county. It is much regretted that so little data for a sketch of his life is accessible, as he was one of the best preachers of Salem Asso- ciation, in his generation. He received a fair English education and possessed a strong native intellect, but was recklessly wicked in his youth. He was converted under the ministry of William L. Morris, by whom he was baptized about 1855. He was ordained to the ministry at Pleasant Grove church, about 1858. He was not what would be called a brilliant young preacher. But he was a good student and made rapid progress, both in the acquisition of knowledge and the power of his min- istry. He was held in high esteem, no less for the excellence of his religious character, than for his fine abilities. He died of consumption of the lungs, about 1869.
Of the living ministers of this old fraternity, very little can be said here, for want of space.
JACOB TOL. MILLER, now of Texas, was for a number of years, a very useful preacher among the churches of this Asso- ciation. He is a son of the late Elder John Miller of Russells Creek Association. He has been preaching nearly thirty years. He was pastor of Gilead church, in Hardin county, from 1857, to 1867, and baptized into its fellowship 122 converts. He was also pastor of several other churches in the same Association. He moved to Texas, on account of the failure of his health.
JAMES H. JENKINS was ordained at Nolin church, in 1857, and is still a member of that body. He is not regarded a brilliant preacher ; but he is well versed in the Scriptures, and his sermons are sound and practical. His piety is of the best and most practical type, and he exercises a strong influence, out of the pulpit, as well as in it. One of his neighbors, being
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asked why there was so little quarreling and litigation in his neighborhood, replied : "Jimmie and Ben Jenkins live among us."
ISAAC W. BRUNER is among the most prominent ministers in this Association. He has been pastor of Hodgenville church about fourteen years, and Moderator of Salem Associa- tion, since 1879. He is probably about forty-five years of age. He has recently (1885) accepted a call to Simpsonville and Smithfield churches, the former in Shelby, and the latter, in Henry county.
WILLIAM HENRY WILLIAMS was raised up within the bounds of Salem Association. He was converted in early life, and joined the Presbyterians. A few years later, he united with the Baptists, and was afterwards put into the ministry. He has been preaching some twenty years. He has been pastor of a number of prominent churches, in different parts of the State, and is extremely popular, both as a preacher and a pastor. But he has a restless disposition, and no inducement has been able to keep him long in any one place. He is at present, serving some country churches in Hardin county.
JAMES H. FULLILOVE is a young minister of fine ability, both as a preacher and a writer. He was licensed to preach, at Rudes Creek, in September, 1872, and ordained at the same church, November 7, 1873. He has occupied the pastoral of- fice, in different churches, since he was ordained.
There are several other valuable young preachers in this Association, of whose lives and labors no particulars are known to the author.
Of the many prominent citizens, who belonged to the churches of this Association, during its early history, the fol- lowing names may be recorded here: General Henry Crist, of pioneer fame, was a member of Cox's Creek church. General Joseph Lewis of the same church, was Clerk of the Association many years. Abner King, Sr., was also a prominent citizen, and a valuable member of that church, as is his son, Abner King, at the present time. Thomas Hubbard of Mill Creek church, in Nelson county, was an enterprising church member, and was Moderator of the Association, from 1819 to 1827. To these may be added the names of Samuel Mckay, of Bloom- field, Elijah Wiggington of Little Union, and the Vanmeters, Haycrafts, Helms, LaRues and Robert Hodgen, of Hardin
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
county. The memory of John LaRue is perpetuated in the county named in his honor, and that of Robert Hodgen, in the name of its county seat.
SOUTH KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SEPARATE BAPTISTS.
The origin and early history of this fraternity are difficult to trace. For, although we have such records as it kept, those records are extremely obscure and defective. . The original re- cords, from the constitution of the Association to 1794, were not kept in any permanent form. But during the meeting of the body, at the date named, Joseph Bledsoe and Moses Bled- soe were appointed a committee "to collect the records of the Association, from its constitution to the present, and enter them in a book." This duty was performed. The book was prc- sented to the body, in 1795, and the report of the Committee was received. This book, or a literal transcription of it, is still preserved ; and from it, we learn what may be known of the origin and early proceedings of the body. The book is in the possession of Elder William Rupard, of Clark county. There is also another book of records, dating back to 1791, in the hands of Elder L. B. Whiles, of Pulaski county.
John Asplund, in his Register of 1790, makes a mistake of two years, as to the age of this organization. His account of it is as follows :
SOUTH KENTUCKY DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
"This association was constituted about 1785. Adopted no articles of faith, only the Bible; they hold to general provision. Correspond only with the general committee, by letter, and some- times delegates. Their annual association is held on the second Thursday in October, and besides this, they have two oc- casional associations in May and August, hold three days."
Dr. Benedict and Dr. S. H. Ford have followed Asplund, and popular writers and speakers, on the subject, have followed them, and thus perpetuated the mistake, to the present time. Dr. B. Manley. Jr., in his Annals of Elkhorn Association, follows Dr. Ford, giving not only the alleged time of the constitution of South Kentucky Association, but the names of the churches, of
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South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists.
which it is alleged to have been constituted. There appears to be no higher authority for this, than Dr. Ford's inference, which, however plausible, is not conclusive, but tends rather, to confirm, in the popular mind, the mistake of Asplund; if indeed, his in- definite statement amounts to a mistake. It is observable that Asplund says. - "This association was constituted about 1785," showing that he was not confident, as to the date. On the same page (51) of this Register, he says, of the old Salem Fraternity. -"This association was constituted about 1789." Since we have the records of that body, stating definitely that it was constituted, of four churches, (the names of which are given), at Cox's Creek, in Nelson county, on Monday, October 31, 1785, we see that he made a mistake of four years, notwithstanding he was within its bounds, only five years after its constitution. It is needful there- fore, in order to be exact, in these dates, to appeal from the his- torians of the time, to the official records.
In the minutes of the proceedings of South Kentucky Asso- ciation, at its annual meeting, in 1791, the following item is re- corded :
"The association agrees to abide by the plan upon which the churches of our union were constituted (an association), in Octo- ber, 1787, and May, 1788."
That is; after the example of Elkhorn, they held a prelimi- nary meeting, in October, 1787, and met again the following May, to complete the organization. The constitution of this ancient fraternity therefore, properly dates from May, 1788.
The preliminary meeting convened at Tates Creek meet- ing house, in Madison county, the first Friday in October, 1787. Eleven churches were represented. The names of the churches are not recorded in the book now in existence. It will be kept in remembrance however, that this book contains the records only in the condensed form of the report of the committee, as stated before. The Separate Baptist churches in Kentucky, which are shown by the best authorities now extant, to have existed at this period, were Head of Boones Creek, and Second Boones Creek, afterwards called Boffman's Fork, and finally known as Bogg's Fork, both in Fayette county; Howard's Creek, now called Providence, in what is now Clark county ; Forks of Dix River and Gilbert's Creek in what is now Garrard County; Rush Branch, in Lincoln county ; Tates Creek, in
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Madison county, and Lick Creek, afterwards called Buffalo, and Pottengers Creek, in Nelson county. The other two were probably Huston's Creek, in Bourbon county, and Nolin, since called South Fork, in what is. now LaRue county. This was one church more than was embraced in Elkhorn Association, at that period, and five more than was embraced in Salem. But the aggregate number of their membership cannot be known.
The following business, if such it might be called, was trans- acted at this primary meeting :
I. "Declared that they thought all ministerial difficulties should be settled by a company of ministers, and that, if any minister was supposed to preach any unsound doctrine, two min- isters might suspend or stop him from preaching, until he could be tried by a sufficient number of ministers ; and it was provided also, that the churches should have power to cite any one, sus- pected of preaching unsound doctrine, before the ministers, in order for trial."
2. "They also defined what power there was in a gospel church, viz .: To receive into her communion, and expel from it, such members as she may choose, according to gospel disci- pline ; also to choose their own pastor, or refuse him, when it shall appear that he is no longer their pastor ; also to excommuni- cate him for immoral conduct, as any other member."
1788. The place of meeting is not known. Query : "Wheth- er the washing of saints' feet is a duty, enjoined on Christians ? Ans. It is.". Agree to write a circular letter, and have it printed. Query : "Is there any officer in the church besides Bishop and Deacon ? Agreed, there is." The other officer implied to be in the church, is supposed to be that of Elder. Query: "Whether members should sit in the church to do business together, when irreconciled ? Agreed, they ought not."
1789. "Agree to write a letter to Elkhorn Association, re- specting a union between the two associations in the country. But the Elkhorn Association answered, that as long as so great a diversity of sentiment prevailed, with regard to the Bible, a union that would be for their mutual happiness, could scarcely be hoped for."
1790. This year we have no official records. But Asplunds Register records the names of the following churches, in addition to those named above, as belonging to the Association, at this
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South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists.
period : Unity, in Clark county; Hickmans Creek and Jessamines Creek, in Fayette county ; Head of Beech Fork, Head of Salt River and Shawnee Run, in Mercer county; 2d Hardins Creek and West Fork of Cox's Creek, in Nelson county ; and 2d Forks of Elkhorn, now called Mt. Pleasant, in Franklin county.
The association, at this time, embraced 19 churches, aggrega- ting 1, 31I members. Elkhorn embraced 13 churches, with 1, 365 members and Salem contained 8 churches, with 404 members.
1791. Met at Rush Branch, in Lincoln county. Agreed to pay Wm. Bledsoe the balance promised him for attending the General committee, at Richmond, Va.
At this session, the association first began to be disturbed by the doctrine of restoration from Hell, or "Hell Redemption." John Bailey had been propagating the heresy; and Wm. Bled- soe embraced it, soon afterwards. The association took action on the subject, as follows :
"Query. Whether the association will hold a member in so- ciety, that propagates the doctrine of Restoration from Hell? Agreed they could not." Two were neutral, and John Bailey was in the affirmative. "Proof was given to the association that John Bailey held and propagated Redemption from Hell." A presbytery, consisting of James Smith, Joseph Bledsoe, Andrew Tribble, Robert Elkin, and Thomas Ammen, was appointed to examine John Bailey, and demand of him his credentials if they thought fit. James Smith, one of the committee, was accused of saying that he believed that all men, for whom Christ died, would be saved. The accusation was proved. But upon examination of him, the association agreed that he did not teach Redemption from Hell. At this juncture, the body saw fit to "agree to abide by the plan, upon which the churches of our union were consti- tuted, in October, 1787, and May, 1788. It was queried whether the ministers have the keys of the church and rule the same ? The answer was in the negative. The committee reports that John Bailey is no more of us, as a minister or a member. It was declared that the association would not fellowship any person, who propagates the doctrine of eternal justification. Several petitions were presented, in answer to which, presbyteries were appointed, to ordain preachers and constitute churches.
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