USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 9
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Tates Creek Association.
as it is, we feel it a duty which we owe to our Master, our brethren, the rising generation, and ourselves, to inform you that T. S. Bronston, Josiah Collins, J. R. Pond, F. Shoot, O. C. Steele and Samuel Willis have, in their public exhibitions, held forth some of the above and other views, which we think are inconsistent with the gospel. Now, as we are commanded to mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which we have learned, and avoid them, we enter our protest against those brethren, and all those who adhere to, and advocate any of the above views."
The convention then adjourned to meet at New Providence church, on Friday before the 3d Saturday in July, following. They met according to adjournment, and appointed to meet, as an association, the following month. Accordingly, the remnant of Tates Creek Association met at Round Top meetinghouse, in Madison county, August 28, 1830. Nine churches, aggre- gating 502 members, were represented. It was voted that this Association unanimously esteem it their duty to drop corre- spondence with any and every association, or church, where the heresy of Campbellism is tolerated.
From this time, the Association gradually increased in num- bers, till 1840, when it numbered 19 churches, with 1, 124 members. During the next two years, it was reduced, by the Antimission schism, to 10 churches. But, being in the midst of a revival, it gained more than it lost: so that, in 1843, it numbered 13 churches, with 1,234 members. Since that time, it has experienced few vicissitudes. It lost some 500 members, by the severence of the colored people from its churches, dur- ing, and after the War. Since the Antimission split, it has heartily favored the benevolent enterprises of the denomination, and contributed to their support. Since 1800, according to its official records, there have been baptized into its churches, be- sides those baptized, during seven years, of which we have no report, 9,079 converts. Of these, 1, 148 were baptized, in 1801, and 1,395 in 1828. In 1880, it embraced 20 churches, aggre- gating 1, 592 members.
Of most of the early preachers of this fraternity, biograph- ical sketches have already been given. Since these passed away, there has been a great destitution of ministers, in the body. A number of able ministers have lived, and labored
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
temporarily, within its bounds; but few preachers of note have resided permanently on its territory, since the days of the pion- eers ; and of these few, no memoirs have been preserved, except in two or three instances.
GEORGE W. BROADUS was a good minister of the Lord Jesus. He was born in Madison county, Ky., about 1808. It is believed that he was raised up to the ministry, in Viney Fork church, of which he was long pastor. He labored extensively in Estill, Madison, Lincoln, and Rockcastle counties. He suc- ceeded Moses Foley as Moderator of Tates Creek Association, in 1856, and continued in that position, a number of years. He departed this life, Sept. 1, 1871.
JOHN H. NEWTON was born in Garrard county, Ky., March 9, 1827. He was raised up by a pious Methodist mother. But being converted under the ministry of Nelson Alspaugh, he united with the Baptist church, at Scaffold Cane, in Rockcastle county, in 1858. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1859. He spent much of his time, preaching in the mountains, often laboring in connection with that noble man of God, N. B. Johnson. He was never married, and being of a very cheerful tem- perament, some of his brethren thought he indulged too much in levity. But the Lord used him to good account. He was killed by the explosion of a steam boiler, April 14, 1878.
JOHN G. POND is one of the oldest and most prominent min- isters of Tates Creek Association, of which he has been Moder- ator for some years past. It is regretted that materials for a sketch of his ministry are not at hand.
BRACKEN ASSOCIATION.
This is the eldest daughter of the Old Elkhorn fraternity, and the fifth association constituted in Kentucky. According to an arrangement made by Elkhorn Association, messengers from 8 churches met at Bracken meetinghouse, near the present site of Minerva, in Mason county, on Saturday, May 28, 1799. A sermon was preached by the venerable David Thomas. James Turner was chosen Moderator, and Donald Holmes, Clerk. After proper consideration, Bracken Association was
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Bracken Association.
constituted in due form. Five of the churches, viz: Washing- ton, Mayslick, Bracken (now Minerva), Stone Lick and Locust Creek, had been dismissed from Elkhorn Association. The ministers of the new fraternity were Lewis Craig, David Thomas, Donald Holmes and Philip Drake. William Wood, the first preacher who had settled within the present bounds of Bracken Association, had been excluded from Washington church, the year before the Association was constituted. The venerable and illustrious Lewis Craig was regarded the father of this Association.
This fraternity was small at first. At its meeting, in the fall of 1799, it reported 9 churches, with 600 members. It did not share so largely in the fruits of the "Great Revival," as did the other associations in the State. For, while the churches of Elkhorn reported, in 1801, 3,011 baptisms, and those of Tates Creek, 1, 148, those of Bracken reported only 139. The body, however, enjoyed a steady, healthful growth, till 1805, when it numbered 19 churches, with 1,865 members.
About this time the subject of slavery began to be much agitated, among its churches. Donald Holmes had established an Emancipation church in 1802, not far from Mayslick. Bracken church had also adopted Emancipation principles. In 1805, these churches, with Elders Donald Holmes, James Thompson and Joseph Morris were dropped from the Association. From this time, the Association decreased in numbers, till 1812, when it reported 15 churches, with only 600 members. This was exactly the number of members that it reported at its first regular meeting. The body became discouraged, and submitted to the churches the question, as to whether the Association should be dissolved. A majority of the churches answered in the negative, and the following year a revival commenced, which continued two years, and during which, 423 converts were baptized into the churches of the Association. About this time, that eminent man of God, Walter Warder, settled at Mayslick, and took charge of that and other churches within the bounds of the Association. A new impulse was given to the cause of religion, and within the next six years, the aggre- gate membership of the churches was more than doubled; so that, in 1821, the Association numbered 17 churches, with 1, 532 members.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
In October, 1823, Alexander Campbell held a debate on baptism, with William L. McCalla, a Presbyterian, at Washing- ton, one of the churches in Bracken Association. Mr. Camp- bell was then a member of a Baptist church ; but he had already begun to disseminate his peculiar views, through the Christian Baptist, as well as from the pulpit. His debate with McCalla gave him great popularity among the Baptists of this region, and disposed them to read his periodical with favor. As his teachings were antagonistic to Baptist principles, unhap- py disputations were gendered in the churches. The cause of religion languished, and vital piety rapidly decayed. The Asso- ciation gradually decreased in numbers, till 1827, when it reported an aggregate membership of only 1, 103. Meanwhile, many of the members, and some of the ministers, had fully em- braced the views of Mr. Campbell. Even the pious and popu- lar Walter Warder appeared to look favorably on the " Reforma- tion," and Jeremiah Vardeman, by far the most popular and successful preacher in Kentucky, so far yielded to the new system, about this time, as to baptize "for the remission of sins." And, although he did not live within the bounds of Bracken Association, he frequently labored with his intimate as- sociate, Walter Warder.
In the Winter of 1827-8, the great religious awakening be- gan, in northern Kentucky; and, within the bounds of Bracken Association, 1, 1 16 persons were baptized, within a single year. The aggregate membership of the Association was a little more than doubled. To what extent these people were formally " bap- tized for the remission of sins," does not now appear ; but it is probable that a majority of them submitted to the ordinance, on that principle. The Association was now numerically stronger than it had ever been before. But instead of that peace and harmony that ought to follow a true revival of religion, the strife and contention had increased in proportion to the growth of the Campbellite clement. The " Reformers " were largely in the majority, and were determined to conform the churches to their new doctrines. There was not a preacher in the Asso- ciation, who was not wanting, either in disposition or courage, to oppose Campbellism, boldly and openly. Even Walter Warder was either inclined to accept the "Reformation," or deemed it imprudent to oppose it.
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Bracken Association.
At this juncture, after the meeting of the Association, in the fall of 1829, William Vaughan returned from Ohio, and again settled within the bounds of Bracken Association. He was probably the ablest theologian then among the Baptists of Kentucky, not even excepting the polished and scholarly Silas M. Noel. Mr. Vaughan at once began, in a masterly manner, to expose the vaguely taught principles of the "Reformation," which had been so obscurely advocated that even Warder and Vardeman seemed not to have understood them. Mr. Vaughan soon made the differences between Baptist principles and Camp- bellism, manifest to the people. Warder joined him in exposing the heresy, and the lines were speedily drawn between the Bap- tist and Campbellite parties.
The Association met at Washington, in Mason county, the first Saturday in September, 1830. Although the Campbellites had a popular majority in the churches, a majority of the mess- engers were Baptists. Mr. Vaughan was elected Moderator. This was a test vote, and exhibited the relative strength of the respective parties, in the body. Two parties from each of Mayslick and Bethel churches, presented letters to the Associa- tion. The majority of the former and the minority of the latter were received, on the ground that their rivals had " embraced a system of things called, Reformation, thereby departing from the principles of the United Baptists, in Kentucky, and of the As- sociation." This action was decisive, and led to a formal separa- tion of the Baptists and Campbellites, in the churches compos- ing the body. As in the cases of Tates Creek, North District, and Boones Creek Associations, only a small remnant was left to the Baptists. At the close of the "revival," in 1829, Bracken Association numbered 18 churches, aggregating 2,303 members; in 1831, after the separation from the Campbellites, it numbered 16 churches, with only 890 members.
The Association was greatly reduced, but it now enjoyed internal peace, and soon began to prosper again. Its progress was slow for several years; but in 1838, its churches enjoyed a refreshing from the Lord, under the ministrations of Gilbert Mason and T. J. Fisher. There were reported to the Associa- tion 292 baptisms, that fall. From this time till 1847, the Association enjoyed a course of prosperity. At this date it numbered 16 churches, with 1,723 members. But, as if this 7
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
fraternity was destined to perpetual discord, another grievous schism occurred, at the last named date. Gilbert Mason, the most prominent preacher in the Association, and the pastor of Mayslick, Washington, Bracken, and Maysville churches, had been convicted of grave misdemeanors by a council, called for the investigation of certain charges which had been preferred against him. He refused to submit to the decision of the council, and the matter was now brought before the Association. Wash- ington church, adhering to her pastor, was dropped from the As- sociation. Five other churches sympathized with that at Washing- ton, and, in 1849, the six churches, aggregating 527 members, formed Washington Association. The two Associations continued to occupy the same territory, and rival each other, till 1856, when, Mr. Mason having returned to Virginia, they were happily re- united, under the old name of Bracken Association of United Baptists. The body continued to enjoy peace, and a good degree of prosperity, till 1862, when it numbered 26 churches, with 2,575 members. it has ever reported. This is the largest number of members It lost about 1,000 members by the severance of the colored people from its churches, at the close of the War. From that time to the present, it has moved on prosperously. In 1880 it numbered 25 churches, aggregating 2,523 members. From its constitution in 1799, to 1880, there have been baptized into the fellowship of its churches, according to its official reports, 8,917 professed believers.
This Association has been a missionary body during its entire history, and has contributed liberally to the benevolent enterprises of the denomination. Since the War, it has probably surpassed any other association in the State in its zeal, liberality and efficiency in Home missions and Sunday school enterprises. It has enjoyed the labors of a number of very able ministers, none of whom, it is believed, have been raised up to the min- istry, in its churches. Sketches of most of its prominent preachers have already been given.
PHILIP DRAKE was one of the pioneer ministers in Bracken Association. He appears to have been a preacher of respect- able gifts; but very little is now known of him. He was several times chosen to preach before the Association, at its annual meetings, and was a minister among its churches, at least as late as 1812.
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Bracken Association.
BLACKSTONE L. ABERNATHY preached a short time within the bounds of Bracken Association. He succeeded William Vaughan, in the pastoral care of Lees Creek church, about 1828. He succeeded in leading off a majority of its members to the Campbellites, with whom he was afterwards identified.
JESSE HOLTON labored some dozen or more years, within the bounds of Bracken Association. He possessed fair preaching talents, and was quite popular among the churches. He was twice Moderator of the Association, and as often preached the introductory sermon before that body. He went off with the Campbellites, in 1830.
JOHN CALLORMAN was a Methodist, in early life; but having united with the Baptists, he was set apart to the ministry, per- haps as early as 1824. In 1825, he was called to the care of Bethel church, in Flemming county, where he ministered about five years. He preached before the annual convocations of Bracken Association, in 1828 and 1830. At the latter date he was cut off with the Campbellites.
JOHN HOLLIDAY labored much longer within the bounds of Bracken Association than any other preacher, who has minis- tered among its churches. He was a grandson of the famous old pioneer preacher, Thomas Ammen, of Tates Creek Asso- ciation. He was born April 24, 1797. His father being a reckless, dissipated man, he grew up with very little education, and what was still worse, he followed the paternal example, till he was thirty years of age. He was converted under the minis- try of Robert M. Batson, and baptized into the fellowship of the church, at Millersburg, in Bourbon county, in the spring of 1828. He commenced exhorting, with great zeal, immediately. He was elected a deacon of the church, the following Septem- ber, and licensed to preach a few months later. He was ordained to the ministry, by William Vaughan and Walter War- der, January 30, 1830. Jacob Creath, jr., was present, and de- sired to take part in the ordination ; but was prohibited from doing so, on account of his Campbellite proclivities.
Mr. Holliday was called to the pastoral care of Millersburg church, in 1832, and continued to fill that position, except dur- ing two brief intervals, till 1862-a period of thirty years. Soon after his ordination, he was called to the care of Pleasant Spring church, located between Millersburg and Carlisle, to which he
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
ministered about forty years. In 1842, he gathered the church at Sharpsburg, which he served about five years. Besides those already mentioned, he was pastor, at different periods, of the churches at Two Lick and Mt. Olivet, in what is now Robertson county, Beaver Creek and Union, in Harrison, Poplar Plains, in Flemming, Irvingsville and Locust Grove, in Nicholas, and perhaps some others. His last pastorate, which he resigned in 1876, on account of failing health, was at Locust Grove. After this he labored in protracted meetings, and on other occasions, as his failing strength would permit. He died at his home in Carlisle, Oct. 7, 1881.
Mr. Holliday's gifts were scarcely above medium; but they were diligently used, and were consecrated by a warm, cheerful piety and a spotless life ; and his labors of more than fifty years, were abundantly blessed of God, to the good of his race.
FRANCIS WINTER STONE, son of Elder J. E. Stone, was born in Hawesville, Ky., July 10, 1842. He was carefully educated in his boyhood ; first in his native village, and then in an academy at Greenville, Ky. At the age of thirteen years he professed conversion, and was baptized by his father, into the fellowship of Hawesville church. After finishing his academic studies, he spent some time in reading law. In 1860 he entered George- town College, where he remained one year, and then entered the Confederate Army. When his term of service expired, he returned home, and entered the Seignior class in Bethel College, in 1864, where he graduated, in June, 1865. He had not entered college with a view to the ministry ; but while at Georgetown, he became so deeply impressed upon that subject, that he could find no rest, until he resolved to devote his life to preaching the gospel. While at Russelville, after his return from the army, he became much troubled about the condition of his soul, and was finally led to the conclusion that he had never been " born again." For some time he was deeply over- whelmed with a sense of guilt and condemnation. That he was a member of the church at Hawesville, in good standing, rather added to the anguish of his spirit, than relieved it. But at last he found great joy of soul, in trusting in Christ. He now sought and obtained membership in the church at Russell- ville, being baptized by W. W. Gardner. He began at once to exercise his gifts in exhortation and preaching. Immediately
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Bracken Association.
after he graduated, he visited Maysville, with the view of accept- ing the pastoral care of the church, at that place, and that of Washington church, in the same county. To the charge of these churches, he was ordained, at Maysville, by Cleon Keys, W. Pope Yeaman, and H. W. Mitchell, Jan. 3, 1866. He served these churches two years, and then resigned. After this, he preached, with great zeal, over several counties, extend- ing his labors into the mountain region.
On the 29th of April, 1867, Mr. Stone was married to Hattie Warder, a grand-daughter of the famous Elder Walter Warder. The marriage was a most happy one. The brilliant and godly young couple gave promise of great usefulness. But God's ways are not as our ways. Three days after the birth of their first-born (a daughter), Mr. Stone started on a preaching tour, which led him to Winchester. Here a false report of the illness of his wife caused him to hurry homewards. He pur- posed to go by stage ; but failing to make connection, he went to Cincinnati by Rail Road. Here he took passage for Mays- ville, on the steamer Magnolia. On the way a boiler exploded, and set the boat on fire. Mr. Stone was injured on the head. He said to a friend : "I would rather be drowned than burned to death." Then kneeling on the deck of the burning boat, and spending a moment in prayer, he plunged into the turbulent waters, hoping to swim to the shore. But after struggling a few moments with the furious waves, he sank to rise no more in mortal flesh. Thus passed away on the 18th of March, 1868, this gifted and consecrated young man.
HARRY W. MITCHELL, a young preacher of excellent gifts, was raised up to the ministry in Maysville church. He was born Oct. 28, 1842. He received a fair English education, and having united with the church in early life, was licensed to preach, Dec. 7, 1861. The well-known W. P. Harvey, now of Harrodsburg, was licensed to preach at the same time and place. Mr. Mitchell preached as a licentiate, with zeal and efficiency during the War. He was ordained at Maysville, by Cleon Keys, J. W. Bullock, J. M. Bent and J. M. Bennett, Feb. 23, 1865. He preached for a time, with much acceptance, at Aberdeen, Ohio. From thence he was called to the care of Stone Lick church, in Mason county, Ky. Here he was much beloved by his people. But he did not live long to min-
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
ister to their spiritual wants. He died of consumption of the lungs, July 11, 1866. "He was a noble young man," says Prof. H. M. Smith, "and a pattern of piety and devotion to the cause to which he had devoted his life."
CLEON KEYS is one of the oldest and best preachers in Bracken Association. He is a native of Virginia, and began his ministry in that State. But he has been in his present field of labor more than a quarter of a century. He is a man of fine practical judgment, and has been a leader in the enter- prises of his Association, as well as a prominent actor, in the benevolent enterprises of the denomination, in the State. Bracken Association owes much of its prosperity to his zeal, wisdom, and diligence.
JOSEPH S. FELIX, a younger brother of Rev. William H. Felix, now of Covington, Ky., was born in Woodford county, Ky., April 19, 1851. He graduated at Georgetown College, in 1871. He united with Hillsboro church, in his native county, in early life, and was baptized by Daniel Case. He was licensed to preach, by Hillsboro church, in 1871, after which he spent a year at Crozer Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the pastoral care of Augusta church, in Bracken county, in 1872, and has continued to occupy that position to the present time. He is a young man of fine gifts and acquirements, and has suceeded well in the pastoral office.
M. M. RILEY, a native of Owen county, where he was raised up to the ministry, and a graduate of Georgetown College, was called to the care of Mayslick church, in Mason county, about the year 1875, where he has continued to minister, much to the sat- isfaction of the church, to the present time .* He is a young man of excellent attainments, and is much esteemed for his deep- toned piety and devotion to the cause of Christ.
SAMUEL S. MINOR, a deacon in the church at Maysville, has long been one of the most worthy and useful members of Bracken Association. He was born in Wethersfield, Ct., March 8, 1808. He moved to Kentucky, in 1832, and settled at Maysville where he still resides. + He was baptized by Gustavus F. Smith, D. D., at Hartford, Ct., while on a visit to his parents, in 1834. He
* He has gone to Bowling Green.
+ He has recently died.
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Green River Association.
was a number of years Clerk of Bracken Association, and has been prominently connected with all its benevolent enterprises, nearly fifty years.
JUDGE JOSEPH DONIPHAN was a member of Augusta church, in Bracken Association. He was born in Augusta, in 1823, and was educated in his native village. He was admitted to the bar in 1848, and was, at different periods, Mayor of Augusta nine years. He served one term in the Kentucky Legislature, was . four years Judge of Bracken County Court, and six years, Judge of the Circuit Court, of the 9th (now 12th) judicial district. In 1871, he was elected Chancellor of Bracken, Kenton, Campbell and Pendleton counties, and held the position till his death, which occurred, May 2, 1872. He was highly esteemed for the purity of his character.
GREEN RIVER ASSOCIATION.
This was the sixth organization of the kind, constituted in Kentucky. Most of its early records are lost, and, consequent- ly, many particulars of its early history, which would doubtless be of much interest, cannot be ascertained. In 1799, there were about eight churches in what was known as the Green River country. In June of that year, a conference was held at Sinking Creek meeting house, in Barren county, for the purpose of considering the propriety of forming an association. The conclusion of the meeting was, that it was expedient for the churches to associate. An appointment was made for a meet- ing at the Sinks of Beaver Creek, to convene on the 3d Satur- day in the following October, to carry into effect the sense of the present conference. The time and place of meeting were afterwards changed. Accordingly, messengers from several churches met at Mt. Tabor meeting-house, in Barren county, on the 3d Saturday in June, 1800; and Green River Association of nine Regular Baptist churches, was constituted, in due form.
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