USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I > Part 88
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1
I
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
IN the year 1783, the Rev. David Rice immigrated to Kentucky, and was the 3rd. Presbyterian minister who crossed the mountains. He gathered the scattered - Presbyterians into regular congregations, at Danville, Cane run, and the forks of Dick's river. He was followed the next year by the Rev. Adam Rankin, who gathered the church at Lexington, and the Rev. James Crawford, who set- tled at Walnut Hill. In the year 1786, the Rev. Thomas Craighead, and the Rev. Andrew McClure were added to the number. These ministers were shortly after organized into a presbytery under the name of the presbytery of Transyl. vania ; a euphonious and classical epithet for the backwoods. All the above named persons were from Virginia, except Mr. Craighead, who was of North Carolina
The presbytery of Transylvania met in the court house at Danville, on 'T'ues- day, October 17, 1786. Mr. Rice presided as moderator, by appointment of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McClure acted as clerk. The following ministers were present: Rev. David Rice, Adam Rankin, Andrew McClure, James Crawford, and Terah Templin, recently ordained by a commis- sion of Hanover presbytery. There were five ruling elders present, as repre- sentatives of as many churches, viz : Messrs. Richard Steele, David Gray, John Bovel, Joseph Reed, and Jeremiah Frame.
There were at this time twelve congregations in a more or less perfect state of organization, viz .: Cane River, Concord (Danville), the forks of Dick's run, New Providence (McAfee's station), Mount Zion (Lexington), Mount Pisgah, Salem, Walnut Hill, Hopewell, Paint Lick, Jessamine creek, Whitley's station, and Crab Orchard.
By the year 1802, the number of Presbyterians had so multiplied, as to call for the erection of a synod. Accordingly, on Tuesday, October 14, 1802, the synod of Kentucky held its first meeting, in the Presbyterian church in Lexington. Mr. Rice preached the opening sermon, and was elected moderator. Mr. Marshall was chosen clerk. The number of members present was thirty ; of whom sev- enteen were ministers, and thirteen elders. The total number of ministers within the bounds was thirty-seven. The synod was composed of the three presbyte- ries of 'Transylvania, West Lexington, and Washington in Ohio. During the sessions, Cumberland presbytery was set off from Transylvania, embracing the south-western portion of the State, and part of Tennessee. Thus it will be seen, that the territorial jurisdiction of the synod was co-extensive with the settlement of the entire region west of the mountains.
The members of the synod were as follows :
Of the presbytery of Transylvania, Ministers present, David Rice, Samuel Fin- ley, Matthew Houston, Samuel Robertson, Archibald Cameron. Elders, Andrew Wallace, James Bigham. Court Voris, (Voorhees). Ministers absent, Thomas Craighead, Terah Templin, James Balch, James McGready, William Hodge, John Bowman, William McGee. John Rankin, Samuel Donald, William Mahon, Samuel McAdow, John Howe. Jaines Vance, Jeremiah Abel.
Of the presbytery of West Lexington, Ministers present, James Crawford, Samuel Shannon, Isaac Tull, Robert Marshall. James Blythe, James Welch. Jo- seph P. How, Samuel Rannels, John Lyle, William Robinson. Elders, James Bell, Robert Maffet. Malcolm Worley, William Scott, Joseph Walker, William McConnel, Samuel Hayden, William Henry. Absent, Rev. Barton W. Stone.
Of the presbytery of Washington, Minister present. James Kemper, John P. Campbell, Richard McNeraar, John Thompson, John Dunlavy. Elders, Robert Gill, John Campbell. Ministers absent, John E. Finley, Matthew G. Wallace.
The limits of the synod were reduced, in 1814, by the erection of the synod
(457)
458
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
of Ohio; and in 1817, by the erection of the synod of Tennessee; since which time its boundaries have corresponded with those of the state. The three presbyteries just named had been formed out of Transylvania, with the con- sent of the synod of Virginia-West Lexington organizing at Lexington, April 16, 1799, and Washington Presbytery at Johnson Fork meeting-house, April 9, 1799, with a sermon from Rev. Peter Wilson.
The second meeting of the synod of Kentucky took place in Lexington, Sep- tember 6, 1803, Rev. Samuel Shannon, moderator. Attention was specially called, by petitions and other papers, to the fact that Revs. Richard MeNemar and John Thomson, of Washington Presbytery, were promulgating erroneous doctrines. That presbytery had cast under the table and practically refused to consider a petition of Mr. William Lamme and seventy-nine others incul- - pating the orthodoxy of those ministers; and the minutes showed that, although MeNemar had been convicted, upon an orderly examination, of hold- ing Arminian tenants, and lay under a vote of censure, yet the presbytery had allowed a call to be placed in his hands. Synod decided to enter on an ex- amination and trial of the two ministers; and while discussing the subject, they, with three other ministers, Robert Marshall, Barton W. Stone, and John Dunlavy, offered a protest against the action, and a declaration that they with- drew from the jurisdiction of synod. Two days after, the five seceders came personally before synod, and informed them that they had constituted them- selves into a separate presbytery, called Springfield, whereupon, in view of all that had passed, and of this rather defiant evidence of schism, synod pro- ceeded to suspend them from the office of the ministry-leaving to the pres- byteries, of which they had been members, to restore them upon satisfactory . proof of repentance. These seceders became the leaders of the Revival or New Light party; and, being already highly popular, exerted themselves to attract the multitude, and appealed to their sympathy, claiming to be perse- cuted persons. By tracts and pamphlets, and itinerant preaching of the most exciting kind, great enthusiasm was kindled; and in fifteen months they had organized regular societies on democratic principles at Cabin Creek, Flemings- burg, Concord, Cane Ridge, Indian Creek, Bethel, Paint Lick. and Shawnee Run, in Kentucky, at seven settlements in Ohio, and at quite a number in the neighboring states of Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania. After awhile, denouncing as unscriptural all such bodies as church sessions, presbyteries, synods, and general assemblies, they proposed to establish a grand communion upon the simplest fundamental principles- such as worshiping one God, acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Saviour, tak- ing the Bible for the sole confession of faith, and organizing on the New Tes- tament model-to which union of all disciples of Christ they gave the name of " The Christian Church," and would recognize no sectarian appellation.
We have not space to follow the history of the church in these remarkable times, through the revival of 1800, with its camp-meetings and bodily exercises, with the attending extravagances and disorders-through the New Light schism, with its enthusiam and almost interminable controversies, the mission of the Shakers, and the recantation of some who saw their error and turned back again to their first faith-through the Cumberland Presbyterian schism, with its catechist or exhorter difficulties, revival and anti-revival parties- through the trial of Rev. Thos. B. Craighead for Pelagianism, and its attendant controversies-nor through the era of religious controversy, when all other ex- citements seemed to be swallowed up, until the War of 1812 and its disastrous influences opened afresh the floodgate of infidelity and irreligion. It is pleas- anter to recapitulate the victories of peace and the triumphs of the cross.
As Presbyterianism grew and strengthened, and the tide of population covered the whole state, new presbyteries were formed to accommodate the numbers and the necessities of its members. We have already noted the or- ganization of Transylvania Presbytery in 1786, of West Lexington and Wash- ington presbyteries in 1799, and of the synod of Kentucky in 1802. In 1810 the synod divided Transylvania Presbytery-which complained of its exten- sive boundaries, being 280 miles on the north, and 200 miles from east to west-into three, viz. : West Tennessee, Muhlenburg, and Transylvania; and Washington Presbytery into two, viz .: Washington and Miami.
459
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The independent Cumberland Presbytery, which was organized February 4, 1810, no longer trammeled by disciplinary restrictions, grew in three years time into a synod, October 5, 1813, with three presbyteries-Cumber- land (soon changed to Nashville), Logan, and Elk. From this small begin- ning grew the powerful and numerous Cumberland Presbyterian church- whose first General Assembly was held in Princeton, Caldwell county, Ken- tucky, in May, 1829, then comprising four synods, Cumberland, Green River, Franklin, and Missouri.
In 1815 the synod of Kentucky erected three new presbyteries-Louisville, out of part of Transylvania ; Mississippi, out of part of West Tennessee : and Shiloh, out of parts of Muhlenburg and West Tennessee. After 1817 the presbyteries whose territories lay outside of the state of Kentucky, cease their > peculiar connection with the history of the church in the state.
The presbytery of Ebenezer, which comprised all of the original presbytery of Washington which lay in Kentucky and between the Ohio and Licking rivers, was organized in 1820; the presbytery of Bowling Green in 1840, and abolished in 1848; while the presbytery of Paducah, covering much of the latter territory, was organized in 1853.
The following table will show the growth of the Presbyterian church in Ken- tucky, at the period named, by presbyteries, and collectively as a synod :
Transyl- West Lex Muhlen- vania.
Louisville. Ebenezer
Bowling Green.
Paducah.
Total.
Ministers.
Members ..
Ministers.
Members ..
Ministers.
Members ..
Ministers.
Members ..
Ministers.
Members ..
Ministers.
Members ..
Ministers.
Members ..
Ministers.
Members ..
1786.
5
5
1802.
19
11
34
1803.
11
1809.
20
617
9
296
35
1,343
1820.
9
501
11 1299
4
509
10
439
5
726
1824.
11
929
8 407
9
712
10
665
8
838
1828.
11
1947
13
600
7
826
8
614
5
1451
1832.
16
2328
15,1195
7
626
12; 1186
8
1251
1834.
15
2551
21 2330
6 747
10|1214
9 1536
61
8,378
1846.
11
2127
20 1667
6 587
15| 1596
17
1284
10
787
79
8,048
1848.
16
2340
21:1631
15 1134
18! 2274
13
1481 abol
ish'd
83
8,860
1850.
15
2701
19:1790
13'1173
19| 2312
14:1610
80
9,586
1854.
15
2011
17 1535
9!
764
26|2403
15|
1390
5
362
87
8,465
1859.
18 2305
21|1675
7!
796
25| 2542
15.
1982
6
326
92
9,626
1862.
26
3004
24 1780
101
917
27|2865
16
2148
2165
8
449
116|10,900
1866.
27
2964
19|1850
9
845
29| 2823
18 2307
6
461
108
11,250
1865.
29
2861
20 1777
9
917
28 2731
22
-
4
4
23
6
430
39
46
3,551
44
5,438
58
6,589
- A number of small churches, numbering a membership of from 1200 to 1600, failed to make their report with regularity, if at all. That number should be added to the total in the table-showing the Presbyterian ministry and membership in Kentucky fully 13,000 in 1866.
In 1838, what was usually called the New School schism in the Presbyte- rian church in the United States was consummated, but in Kentucky not for- mally until in December, 1840-at which time an adjourned Convention was held in Lexington, in the Methodist church-composed of nine or ten ministers and several elders. The Convention resolved itself into a synod (the synod of Kentucky), and assumed an independent stand, but soon after joined the New School Assembly. In 1842 it embraced 11 ministers and 14 churches; and in 1846 three presbyteries-Harmony, with 6 ministers and 9 churches, Providence, with 4 ministers and 5 churches, and Green River, with 4 minis- ters and 7 churches-in all 14 ministers, 21 churches, and 954 communicants. In the year 185-, with the exception of one minister who preferred to leave
8 485
111 11,199
3,474
2 00
ington.
burg.
460
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
the state rather than join his brethren in the reunion, the entire synod, pres- byteries, ministers and members-upon terms creditable and honorable alike to all-returned to the bosom of the Old School church, and made it once more a unit in Kentucky.
It was during this New School controversy-which began to take shape about 1830, and steadily increased in bitterness, alienations of feeling, and disaffection among ministers and churches all over the Presbyterian church in the United States until 1838-that, on June 19, 1834, Rev. Robert J. Breck- inridge-who had recently exchanged the law for the ministry, and was "by this time ordained a clergyman, and become the master spirit of the Reform movement"-drafted and offered the "Act and Testimony," complaining of doctrinal errors, the relaxation of discipline, and the alarming violation of Church order, on the part of the New School. In Kentucky 17 ministers and 80 elders ultimately signed this document-97 in all-while the synod, in October, 1834, adopted the entire paper; which was adopted either entirely or substantially by four other synods and thirty presbyteries, while 357 min- isters, 1709 elders, and 14 licentiates in other states and synods appended their signatures.
The Rev. DAVID RICE (or " Father Rice," as that venerable man was familiarly known), was born in Hanover county, Va., Deceniber 20, 1733. He was con- verted under the preaching of President Edwards, and studied Theology under Rev. John Todd. In the struggle for national independence, he took a warm and zealous part, and did not esteem it unbecoming his clerical profession to harangue the people on their grievances at county meetings.
In 1783, he removed to Kentucky, and identified his fortunes with the infant colony. Besides his active duties as a minister of the gospel, and the organiza- tion of many churches, he was zealously engaged in advancing the cause of edu- cation. He was the first teacher in the Transylvania seminary, and for several years the chairman of its board of trustees; and when that seminary, after its removal to Lexington, fell under deistical influence, he took an active part in rais- ing up a rival in the Kentucky academy. The public estimation in which he was held, may be inferred from his election as a member of the convention which met in Danville in 1792, to frame a state constitution. He exerted his influence in that convention, but without success, for the insertion of an article providing for the gradual extinction of slavery in Kentucky.
Previous to Mr. Rice's arrival in Kentucky, marriages had been solemnized by the magistrates ; but after that event, the people made it a point to procure the services of a clergyman. On the 3d of June, 1784, he married a couple at Mc- Afee's station, and on the 4th, preached the funeral sermon of Mr. James M'Cann, sen., the first sermon ever preached on the banks of Salt river.
Father Rice's talents were of a plain, practical cast-not of a commanding or- der. His judgment was sound, his disposition conservative, and his deportment exemplary. He spent much time in prayer. In the pulpit, his manner was sol- emn and impressive ; in his intercourse with society, dignified and grave. His person was slender, but tall and active, and even at the age of seventy, he exhib- ited an astonishing degree of alertness. He died in Green county, on the 18th of June, 1816, in the 83d year of his age. His last words were-" Oh, when shall I be free from sin and sorrow !"*
Rev. JAMES CRAWFORD removed with his family to Kentucky in 1784. Like most of the pioneer Presbyterian ministers, he was from Virginia. He settled at Walnut Hill, where he gathered and organized a flourishing church. Although laboring under feeble health, he was zealous and active in the cause of his Mas- ter, and numerous converts were added to the church through his instrumentality. He was a plain looking man, of very grave demeanor ; not a popular preacher, but highly useful and instructive. He died in March, 1803.
The Rev. TERAH TEMPLIN, having been licensed by the Hanover (Va.) pres-
*This sketch. as well as most of those which follow, is abridged from " The History of the Presby- brian Church of Kentucky." by the Rev. Robert Davidson. D. D ..- a work eloquently and classically written, and displaying very extensive research-published at New York early in 1847.
461
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
bytery in 1780, soon after came to Kentucky, where he received ordination in 1785. He located in Washington county, on the south side of the Kentucky river, where he organized several churches, and did the work of an evangelist faithfully. He also organized several churches, and supplied destitute congrega- tions in Livingston county. He died October 6, 1818, at the advanced age of seventy-six. Faithful to the attachment of his early years, which had been pre- maturely sundered, he never married. His talents were respectable, his manner solemn and impressive, and his deportment exemplary, guileless, and unassu- ming.
The Presbyterian ministry of Kentucky was reinforced, in 1786, by the acces- sion of the Rev. THOMAS B. CRAIGHEAD, and Rev. ANDREW MCCLURE. Mr. Craighead was a native of North Carolina. Shortly after his arrival in Kentucky, he was called to the pastoral charge of the Shiloh congregation in Sumner county, Tenn. Here, being opposed to the extravagancies of the times, and sus- pected of favoring Pelagianism, he became unpopular. In 1805, a commission was appointed by the synod of Kentucky, which was directed to investigate the correctness of the report of his unsoundness. The investigation which suc- ceeded, a long and protracted one, resulted in the suspension of Mr. Craighead from the gospel ministry. He made several ineffectual efforts to have the sus- pension removed, but did not succeed until the year 1824, when he was enabled to make so good a vindication of himself, and to explain his views so much to the satisfaction of the General Assembly, that they restored him to his ministe- rial standing. Not long after this event, he departed this life in Nashville, aged about seventy years. For some time before his death, he had suffered under the combined misfortunes of poverty and blindness. Mr. Craighead was of a tall but spare figure, not less than six feet in height. He excelled as an extempora- neous orator-his eloquence being of that fervid kind which captivates and car- ries away the hearer in spite of himself. The Hon. John Breckinridge said of him, that his discourses made a more lasting impression upon his memory than those of any other man he had ever heard.
The Rev. ANDREW MCCLURE, who removed to Kentucky in company with Mr. Craighead, in 1786, organized the Salem and Paris churches ; and in 1789 took charge of the latter, where he remained till his decease in 1793, in the 39th year of his age.
In 1784, the Rev. ADAM RANKIN, of Augusta county, Va. came to Kentucky, and settled in Lexington. He immediately became the pastor of Mount Zion church, and subsequently, in conjunction, of that of Pisgah, about eight miles south-west of Lexington. In 1792, he separated from the Presbyterian church, on account of psalmody, carrying with him a majority of his congregation, and retaining possession of the church edifice in Lexington. The portion adhering to the Presbyterian communion erected a new building ; and in 1795, called the Rev. James Welch to the pastoral charge.
Eight Missioners of the Synod entered Kentucky in the following order, viz : Robert Marshall in 1791; Carey H. Allen and William Calhoon in 1792 ; John P. Campbell and Samuel Rannells in 1794; Robert Stuart and Robert Wilson in 1798 ; and John Lyle in 1800.
Rev. ROBERT MARSHALL was a native of Ireland, emigrating to Pennsylvania in his 12th year. He enlisted in the American army when sixteen years of age, and was in six general engagements in the revolutionary war, one of which was the hard-fought battle of Monmouth, where he narrowly escaped with his life, a bullet grazing his locks. He was licensed by Redstone presbytery to preach the gospel, and after his removal to Kentucky, was ordained, in 1793, pastor of Bethel and Blue spring churches. He was an active leader in the great revival of 1800, and carried away by the torrent of enthusiasm that swept over Kentucky. In 1803, he embraced the views of the New Lights, but afterwards saw his error, and, in 1811, returned to the bosom of the church. In 1812, he was reinstated in the pastoral charge of the Bethel church, where he continued till his decease in 1833, at the advanced age of 73. As a preacher, Mr. Marshall was clear,
.
462
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
logical, systematic, and adhered closely to his text. He was occasionally calm, mild and persuasive ; but more generally warm, vehement, and even startling in his language and manner, particularly when he attempted to rouse and impress his audience.
Rev. CAREY H. ALLEN, on the 11th of October, 1794, was ordained pastor of : Paint Lick and Silver creek churches. He was a mirthful, fun loving, pleasant companion, and a great wit and satirist. Sanguine and impulsive, his sallies partook occasionally of no little eccentricity. On his way to Kentucky, he put up for the night at a house where the young people had assembled to dance. The handsome stranger was invited to join them, and no denial would be taken. At length he suffered himself to be led to the floor, and to have a partner - assigned him, when all at once he called to the musician -.. Stop ! I am always in the habit," said he, " when I enter on any business that I am unaccustomed to, first to ask the blessing of God upon it. Now, as I find myself in new and unexpected circumstances, I beg permission to implore the Divine direction in the matter." Suiting the action to the word, he dropped on his knees, and poured forth a prayer in his characteristic impassioned inanner : then, springing to his feet he followed the prayer with a powerful and eloquent exhortation. Mute with - astonishment at such an unlooked-for interruption, the company stood spell- bound. They were enchained by eloquence such as they had never listened to before; the orator's burning words sank into their souls, and found an echo in their consciences : death and judgment flashed their terrors before their eyes ; and they felt how unprepared they were to meet their God. Bursting into tears, they besought him to tell them what they must do to be saved. He remained and preached in the neighborhood a few days ; and several hopeful conversions were the happy result of a measure which many would consider of questionable pro- priety, and which it must be admitted, in less skillful hands, might have proved a signal failure. Mr. Allen was a man of highly popular talents, impassioned eloquence and ardent zeal. He was remarkably fluent-his style original and forcible-and he never failed to make a powerful impression wherever he went. After a brief ministry of less than two years, he was carried off by consumption amid flattering prospects of usefulness, on the 5th of August, 1795.
The Rev. JOHN POAGE CAMPBELL, M. D., unquestionably the most brilliant in this constellation of missionaries, was born in Angusta county, Va., in 1767, and removed to Kentucky with his father when fourteen years of age. He gradu- ated at Hampden Sidney in 1790, and in 1792 was licensed to preach. Such was the esteem in which he was held, that ne was at once associated with his preceptor, (Dr. Moses Hoge), as co-pastor of Lexington, Oxford, New Mon- mouth and Timber Ridge congregations. In 1795, he took up his abode in Ken- tucky, and his first charge was the churches of Smyrna and Flemingsburg. He afterwards exercised his ministry in various places, among which were Danville, Nicholasville, Cherry Spring, Versailles, Lexington, and Chillicothe; and in 1811, he officiated as chaplain to the legislature. Dr. Campbell possessed an acute and discriminating mind ; was an accurate and well read theologian; an able polemic ; and decidedly the most talented, popular, and influential minister of his day. His pen was very prolific. His published writings were numerous and able, among them-Strictures on Stone's Letters on the Atonement-Essays on Justification-Letters to Craighead-A Sermon on Christian Baptism-The Pelagian Detected, a Reply to Craighead-An Answer to Jones, and Review of Robinson's History of Baptism, &c., &c. Dr. Campbell was married three times, and on his demise, left a family of nine children. His death occurred on the 4th of November, 1814, at the age of 47, in the vicinity of Chillicothe, Ohio.
The Rev. SAMUEL RANNELLS was born in Hampshire county, Va., December 10th, 1765. He was licensed in 1794, and the next spring visited Kentucky as one of the synod's missionaries. In 1796, he was ordained over the united churches of Paris and Stonermouth, which charge he retained for twenty-two years, until his death, March 21th, 1817, in the 52d year of his age. He was a man of etninent piety, of exemplary conduct, and of respectable talents-remark- ably gifted in prayer, and a zealous and indefatigable minister.
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