USA > Kentucky > Historical sketches of Kentucky : embracing its history, antiquities, and natural curiosities, geographical, statistical, and geological descriptions with anecdotes of pioneer life, and more than one hundred biographical sketches of distinguished pioneers, soldiers, statesmen, jurists, lawyers, divines, etc. > Part 15
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JOHN TAYLOR was well qualified to labor as a pioneer, having learned by pre- vious hazards in Virginia, to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. When first settled in Kentucky, he itinerated for ten years with much credit to himself, and profit to the cause. He had a fine constitution and much bodily strength ; was as bold as a lion, yet mneek as a lamb. In preaching, he attempted nothing but scriptural plainness. The weapons of his warfare were wielded with much power. No man knew better than he, how to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine. When he used the rod of correction, all were made to tremble. He was very efficient as a preacher. Ilis judicious zeal, strong faith, and remarkable industry, qualified him to be useful to many souls. He was always cheerful, yet solemn, and willing to preach when reques- ted. His whole demeanor, at home and abroad, was uniformly Christian-like. The labors of his ministry extended from the Kentucky to the Ohio river. It was his custom to visit six or eight associations every year. His great skill in discipline and faithfulness in preaching endeared him to all the followers of Christ. He lived to see his children and his children's children rise up and call ban blessed. He died in his 82d year .*
JOHN GANO settled in Kentucky in 1787. He was one of the most eminent ministers in his day. He was a native of New Jersey. He spent many years as an itinerant, traveling over the United States, from New England to Georgia. He was pastor for about twenty-five years in the city of New York, and his la- bors were greatly blessed. During the revolutionary war, he was chaplain to the atiny, and by his counsels and prayers greatly encouraged the American soldiery in those times of peril which tried men's souls. Many interesting anecdotes are related of him, several of which we will quote from Benedict. One morning, while in the army and on his way to pray with the regiment, he passed by a group of officers, one of whom (who had his back towards him) was uttering his profane expressions in a most rapid manner. The officers, one after another, gave him the usual salutation. " Good morning, Doctor," said the swearing Lieutenant. " Good morning, sir," replied the chaplain ; "yon pray early this morning." "I beg your pardon, sir." "O, I cannot pardon you : carry your case to your God."
One day he was standing near some soldiers who were disputing whose turn !! was to cut some wood for the fire. One profanely said. he would be d-d if he cat it. But he was soon afterwards convinced that the task belonged to Inm. and took up the axe to perform it. Before, however, he could commence, Mr. tiano stepped up and asked for the axe. "(! no," said the soldier, " the chapl un shan't eut wond." " Yes," replied Mr. Gano, "I must." " But why ?"' asked the soldier. " The reason is," answered Mr. G., "I just heard you say that yin would be d -- d if you cut it, and I had much rather take the labor off your « hands, than that you should be made miserable forever."
While he suaided in New York, he was introduced to a young lady as the
. Lives of Virginia Baptist Ministers, p. 220.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
daughter of a very prominent citizen. "Ah !" replied he. "and I can tell a good match for her, and he is an only son." The young lady understood his meaning ; she was, not long after, united to this Son, and has, for about forty years, been an ornament to his cause.
Dr. Furman, of Charleston, S. C., who knew him intimately, says : "As a minister of Christ, he shone like a star of the first magnitude in the American churches, and moved in a widely extended field of action. For this office, God had endowed him with a large portion of grace, and with excellent gifts. He believed, and therefore spake." Having discerned the excellence of gospel truths, and the importance of eternal realities, he felt their power on his own soul, and accordingly he inculcated and urged them on the minds of his hearers with per- suasive eloquence and force. He was not deficient in doctrinal discussion, or what rhetoricians style the demonstrative character of a discourse; but he ex- celled in the pathetic-in pungent, forcible addresses to the heart and conscience. The careless and irreverent were suddenly arrested, and stood awed before him, and the insensible were made to feel. * * * He lived to a good old age ; served his generation according to the will of God ; saw his posterity multiply- ing around him ; his country independent, free, and happy ; the church of Christ. for which he felt and labored, advancing; and thus he closed his eyes in peace : his heart expanding with the sublime hope of immortality and heavenly bliss. Like John, the harbinger of our Redeemer, "he was a burning and a shining light, and many rejoiced in his light." Resembling the sun, he arose in the church with morning brightness, advanced regularly to his station of meridian splendor, and then gently declined with mild effulgence, till he disappeared, without a cloud to intercept his rays, or obscure his glory."
Such were some of the early ministers of Kentucky. They are but examples of the dispositions, and talents, and high moral worth of their companions and compeers, a sketch of whom we must omit, and who aided these to unfurl the ban- ner of the cross in the valley of the Kentucky, and to maintain it against every danger and privation. The Christians of this State may as proudly refer to their ancestors, in all that is noble and elevating in man, as may the politician. If theirs were mighty in battle and wise in counsel, ours were no less so, and in a nobler sense, because in a higher and holier enterprise.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OP THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
BACON COLLEGE.
This institution, located at Harrodsburg, Ky., was chartered by the common- wealth of Kentucky in the winter of 1836-7. Though it has not yet completed the tenth year of its existence, and has had to contend with no ordinary ditheul- ties. it has already secured an enviable reputation, and is making steady progress in gaining the confidence of the public. The course of studies is equal to that which is generally adopted in the best regulated American colleges; and the of ficers, without exception, have had long and successful experience in the busi- ness of teaching. The following is a list of the
-
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
FACULTY.
Janes Shannon, President, and Professor of Intellectual, Moral, and Political Science.
Samuel Hatch, Professor of Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Geology, &c.
Henry H. White. Professor of Mathematics and Civil Engineering.
George H. Matthews, Professor of Ancient Languages.
E. Askew, Teacher of the Preparatory Department.
During the last session, one hundred and thirteen students were received into Bacon college, from the states of Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Mis- sissippi, Lousiana, Indiana, Ohio, and New York. About the same number have already been received the present session, with a reasonable prospect of a large increase. Tuition for the college year of ten months is forty dollars, with an extra charge for fuel of one dollar each half session.
Boarding can be had in respectable families, in the town and its vicinity, at rates varying from one dollar and seventy-five cents to two dollars per week ; so that the whole cost of boarding and tuition for the college year of forty-two weeks need not exceed one hundred and fifteen dollars.
The session begins on the first Monday in September, and ends on the last Friday in June, which is the annual commencement.
Connected with the Institution, are two literary and debating societies, each of which has a respectable library. Whole number of volumes in the libraries per- taining to the college about sixteen hundred.
In Bacon college the authority of Christianity is fully recognized ; but nothing that savors in any degree of a sectarian character is either taught or required. The institution was established by the Christian churches of Kentucky, and from them it derives its principal support. Efficient aid has also been received, at various times, from men of liberal and enlightened minds, who are not mem- bers of any religious society.
At a general meeting of the Christian Churches in Kentucky, held at Harrodsburg, in May, 1834,
An agent was appointed to visit the churches, ascertain the number of members in each congregation, and collect such other information as he might deem im- portant, and report the result at the next general meeting. The following extract is taken from this
REPORT.
"I find in the state 380 congregations, with an aggregate number of 33,830 members ; average number 83 and a fraction.
" Number of additions reported for twelve months prior to receiving the report from each church, 3,678; number since reported, 200 ; total number of additions reported, 3.884. It must be remarked, however, that these additions go back as far as June Ist, 1>13 : yet, as the report is for 12 months prior to collecting the Moms from each church, my returns, with the exception of the 206, show but ine increase for one year. It must also be remarked, that many of the churches report no increase at all. owing mainly to the fact, that the information was collected hom individuals unacquainted with this item. I have no doubt, could the jn- crease have been obtained from all the churches, it would exceed four thousand.
·· Number of elders reported, 666 ; number of deacons, 676 ; number of preach- ers, evangelist and local, 195.
" Of the 350 churches, 163 meet for worship every Lord's day ; and, in many Auxces, three times on Lord's day, and several times through the week ; ox meet wenn-monthly. 6 tri-monthly, 92 monthly, and 51 did not report this item. A large majority of those that meet monthly and semi-monthly, would meet every Lord's day. but are prevented in consequence of holding houses of worship in Partnership with others.
" I down it important to state, that 136 of these churches have been organized within the last four and a half years."
As the average time that has elapsed, since the foregoing information was col- Ircled, exceeds two years, a moderate estimate of the increase to the present
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
date (Dec. 1916). will give an aggregate number of 41.186. This calculation is based upon the hypothesis, that the annual increase for the last two years hay barely equalled the ascertained increase for twelve months prior to the collection of the statistics embodied in the report. It is confidently believed that this esti- mate falls considerably below the truth.
The churches aforesaid are unanimous in repudiating human creeds and ur- scriptural names; believing that the Bible is ordained of God to be the only authoritative, as it is the only infallible rule of faith and practice ; and that all unscriptural names, and all ecclesiastical organizations, not established by the inspired Apostles, are unlawful, and, in their very nature, sectarian and divisive.
Influenced by these views, they call themselves Christians, or Disciples of Christ, and feel religiously bound to repudiate all names, that are not applied in the New Testament to those, who " have been baptized into Christ," and have thus " put on Christ." To believe what God says, and to do what he commands, they regard as the sum total of human duty ; nor do they believe that any inan is authorized to hope for an admission into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, except as he is using his best powers, day by day, to purify himself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God. When the believer obeys God's commands, then, but not till then, do they conceive, that he has a right to appropriate God's promises. Consequently, when the penitent believer confesses Christ before men, and from the heart bows to his authority, being baptized in obedience to his command, he has a right to appropriate to himself all those promises that are made to baptized believers as such ; but he has, even then. no right to hope for a continuance of the divine favor, except so far as he makes it the business of his life to know the will of God, and to do that will in all things.
For all purposes of discipline and government, they regard the individual church as the highest, and indeed the only ecclesiastical organization recognized in the New Testament. "As for associations, conferences, conventions. &c., presuming to act under the sanctions of a divine warrant. or claiming to be a court of Jesus Christ, or to decide on any matters of conscience, or to do any act or deed interfering with, or in opposition to, the perfect independence of each indi- vidual congregation, or at all legislating for the churches in any district of the country," -- they regard it as " altogether foreign to the letter and spirit-to the precepts and examples-to the law and to the testimony of the Christian books." One and all, they profess to be engaged in persevering efforts for the union of all saints, by the restoration of unsectarian Christianity in faith and practice, as it is found, pure and unpolluted, on the pages of the New Testament.
Among the host of worthies, living and dead, who have co-operated hitherto in this grand enterprise, the name of Alexander Campbell stands deservedly pre-eminent. Others may have preceded him, and no doubt did, in repudiating huraan creeds and adopting the bible as the only and all-sufficient rule of faith and practice; of amon, communion, and co-operation among the fol- lowers of the Lamb. Others may have been more successful, and no doubt were, as proclaimers of the Gospel, in making proselytes to the cause, and add- ing members to the various churches. But, as a master spirit, exciting investi- gation, overturning antiquated prejudices, enlightening the master spirits of the age, and setting them to work, cach in his own sphere, it is the deliberate opmion of a mighty hest, that, in the current reforination of the nineteenth century, Al- exander Campbell has no equal. On this subject the venerable and beloved Barton W. Stane. in 1813, and shortly before his death, remarks -. I will not say there are no foults in brother Campbell ; but that there are fewer, perhaps. in hint, than any men I know on earth ; and over these few my love would draw a veil, and hide them from view forever. I am constrained, and willingly con- strained to acknowledge hun the greatest promoter of this reformation of any m'in living. The Lord reward him !"
The writer of this article applied to President Campbell for facts and doru- ments, that might furnish the basis of a short biographical sketch, and received for reply the following information-" Averse to autobiography, and to giving a man's biography while living, I have left the task for one who may survive me."
A few leading facts, however, may be noted for the information of the reader. Alexander Campbell was born, about the year 1787 or 8, in the county of Dow p,
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
in the north of Ireland, where he spent the first fourteen years of his life, and was then removed to Scotland, the land of his fathers, to complete his educati o for the Presbyterian ministry. In 1809 he came to America with his father, EL- der Thomas Campbell, who is still living. Naturally of an independent and investigating mind, he soon became convinced that infant sprinkling is unserip- tural, and was forthwith baptized upon a profession of his faith. Prosecuting his inquiries still farther, he soon discovered that he had imbibed many other doctrines unauthorised by the Scriptures, and contrary to them. All such he relinquished without delay, having nobly resolved, that he would sacrifice every thing for the truth, but the truth for nothing.
In allusion to this part of his life, he remarks, in the conclusion of the Chris- tian Baptist-" Having been educated as Presbyterian clergymen generally are, and looking forward to the ministry as both an honorable and useful calling, all my expectations and prospects in future life were, at the age of twenty-one, iden- tified with the office of the ministry. But scarcely had I begun to make sermons, when I discovered that the religion of the New Testament was one thing, and that of any sect which I knew was another. I could not proceed. An unsuccessful effort by my father to reform the presbytery and synod to which he belonged, made me despair of reformation. I gave it up as a hopeless effort, but did not give up speaking in public assemblies upon the great articles of Christian faith and practice. In the hope, the humble hope, of erecting a single congregation, with which I could enjoy the social institutions, I labored. I had not the remotest idea of being able to do more than this ; and, therefore, betook myself to the occupa- tion of a farmer, and for a number of years attended to this profession for a sub- sistence, and labored every Lord's day to separate the truth from the traditions of men, and to persuade men to give up their fables for the truth-with but little success I labored."
In 1916 he was urged by some of the most influential Baptists in New York and Philadelphia, to settle in one of those cities, but declined-alledging in justi- fication of his course, that he did not think the church in either city would sub- mit to the primitive order of things; and rather than produce divisions among them, or adopt their order, he " would live and die in the backwoods."
In August 1823, soon after the Debate with MacCalla, he commenced the pub- lication of the " Christian Baptist," a monthly pamphlet, the design of which was " to restore a pure speech to the people of God -- to restore the ancient order of things in the Christian kingdom-to emancipate the conscience from the do- aninion of human authority in matters of religion-and to lay a foundation-an imperishable foundation, for the union of all Christians, and for their co-operation in spreading the glorious gospel throughout the world."
In the debate aforesaid, Mr. Campbell contended that " baptism was a divine institution, designed for putting the legitimate subject of it in actual possession of the remission of his sins." In January 1828, he remarks, " It was with much hesitation I presented this view of the subject at that time, because of its perfect novelty. I was then assured of its truth, and, I think, presented sufficient evi- dence of its certainty. But having thought still more closely upon the subject, and having been necessarily called to consider it more fully, as an essential part of the Christian religion, I am still better prepared to develop its import."
From the time of the debate, baptism for the remission of sins seems to have bren but little agitated, if at all publicly, till 1827. In that year Walter Scott and John Secrest began to preach in the bounds of the Mahoning association. Ohio, the apostolie doctrine of remission, recorded in Acts 2d. 38. The ettret was astounding to the advocates of the worn-out and powerless systems of hushan origin. During the last six months of the year, Elder Secrest immersed with Its own hands for the remission of sins, " five hundred and thirty persons."
The wrrer has not the means of ascertaining exactly how many were. un- mersed during the year by the pious, indefatigable, and talented Walter Scott. It is certain, however, that he converted and baptized a mighty host-more, per- Mapa, than any other uninspired man ever did in the same length of time.
The Mahoning association, at their meeting of that year, determined to em- ploy Brother Scott for the whole of his time the next twelve months, preaching and teaching in the bounds of the association. This appointment was highly commended by Bro. Campbell in the " Christian Baptist" for October following.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
The editor remarks, " Brother Walter Scott, who is now in the field, accepted of the appointment ; and few men on this continent understand the ancient order of things better than he. Ilis whole soul is in the work."
The results of this appointment, and the success of the pleadings for the ancient gospel were everywhere triumphant. Soon a host of able advocates in various parts embraced the same views, and began to propagate them with zeal and sue- cess -- especially in Kentucky and Ohio. The clergy became alarmed. The work of proscription and anathema commenced ; and, in a short time, the advo- cates of the same gospel that was preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost, and by all the apostles, were driven out of the Baptist communion, and reluc- tantly compelled to establish separate churches, that they might enjoy the lib- erty wherewith Christ had made them free. Sons, whilst they read the record, in a more enlightened and Christian age, will blush for the bigotry and intoler- ance of their sires.
At the completion of the 7th volume of the Christian Baptist, in 1830, the Ed- itor thus writes-" I had but very humble hopes, I can assure the public, the day I wrote the first essay, or the preface for this work, that I could at all succeed in gaining a patient hearing. But I have been entirely disappointed. The success attendant on this effort has produced a hope, which once I dared not entertain, that a blissful revolution can be effected. It has actually begun, and such a one as cannot fail to produce a state of society, far surpassing, in the fruits of right- eonsness, and peace, and joy, any result of any religious revolution, since the great apostacy from Christian institutions."
In 1>30, the Millennial Harbinger was begun, and has continued to be issued monthly down to the present time. These periodicals, aided by several others, and by a numerous host of zealous and indefatigable advocates, have spread the principles of this reformation with a rapidity that has perhaps no parallel in the history of the world, except the progress of primitive Christianity in the times of the apostles. Already do the " Christian Churches" in these United States number, as it is confidently believed, more than 200,000 members; and the cause is successfully pleaded, not merely in the Canadas, in England, Scotland, and Wales, but also in almost every part of the civilized world.
While A. Campbell was thus laboring in the western part of Virginia, and even before he made his appearance on the public stage, another distinguished actor, impelled by a kindred spirit, was shaking time-honored religious systems to their very center in the heart of Kentucky. I mean that much calumniated, but great and good man
BARTON WARREN STONE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Maryland on the 24th day of Decem- ber, 1772. His father dying while he was very young, his mother in 1779, with a large family of children and servants, moved into what was then called the backwoods of Virginia-Pittsylvania county, near Dan river. Here he went to school tor four or five years to an Englishman, named Sommerhays, and was by him pronounced a finished scholar. In February, 1790. he entered a noted acad- emy in Guilford, North Carolina, under the care of Dr. David Caldwell, deter- mined, as he himself says, to " acquire an education, or die in the attempt." His design at that time was to qualify himself for a barrister.
When he first entered the academy, about thirty or more of the students had embraced religion under the labors of James McGready, a Presbyterian preacher of great popularity and zeal. In about a year from this time, after a long and painful " experience," he became a member of the Presbyterian church, and turned his thoughts to the ministry.
In 1793, at the close of his academic course, he commenced the study of di- vinity under the direction of Win. Hodge, of Orange county, North Carolina. Here Witsins on the Trinity was put into his hands. The metaphysical reason- ings of this author perplexed his mind, and he laid the work aside as unprofitable and unintelligible. He heard of Dr. Watts' treatise on the Glory of Christ; sought after and obtained the work ; read it with pleasure, and embraced its views. The venerable Henry Patillo. on whom it devolved, at the next meeting of the Presbytery, to examine the candidates on the subject of theology, had
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
himself embraced Watts' views of the Trinity. As might reasonably be expected under such circumstances, the examination on this topic was short, and embra- ced no peculiarities of the system.
In April, 1796, he was licensed by the Orange Presbytery, North Carolina, and shortly afterwards directed his course westward (preaching at various points on the route), to Knoxville and Nashville, in Tennessee, and thence to Bourbon county, Kentucky, where about the close of the year 1796 he settled within the bounds of the congregations of Cane-ridge and Concord. Here he labored with great zeal, acceptance and success; about eighty members having been added to his church in a few months ! !
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