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E
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FORM 352W 5M
The Genealogiral Spriety Library
-
No
29132
Date
March 1945
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00076 6433
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018
https://archive.org/details/historyofblueriv00rice
D. G. d. R.T. Indexod & G, 5%
HISTORY
- OF THE - MAR 5 1945
BLUE RIVER
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
- OF -
MISSOURI.
BY MARTIN RICE.
1890. GENEALOGICAL SOCIET OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIS OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
OR fhi 917.8 K
INTER-STATE PUB. Co.,
KANSAS CITY.
29138 DATE MICROFILMED 2 Que 1990
ITEM # PROJECT and G. S. ROLL # CALL #
XLIB7-102 2954 1697290
INTRODUCTION.
THE territory embraced in Blue River Baptist Asso- ciation has been the scene of most rapid and radical changes since the time at which this history opens. To one who comes for the first time to visit these crowded towns and cities, to look upon the established condition of society and of business, to worship in these churches, equipped with all their facilities for growth and work, it is almost incredible that this has all come about in the lifetime of a man still living. It is an inspiration to grasp a hand that helped lay the foundation stones, and to look into a face that has been seen in all this history. It is exceedingly fortunate that Brother Rice has been spared to write this sketch. He is a man of keen powers of observation. He has reached that point in life where events which lie in the distance are more vivid to memory than those of recent occurrence; more vivid now than when his mind had often engagements to claim attention. His cool judgment, his just discrimination, his zeal for Zion -all these have just ripened into this crowning work of his life. The history is not an imaginary sketch; it is not drawn at second hand from doubtful sources. It is the record of a miracle of divine blessing on scriptural faith and obedience. Our fathers honored God and He honored them.
It is hoped that this little history will serve to keep warm the gratitude due the men of God who planted the seed here, and that it will promote perpetual fidelity to His word among all our churches.
J. C. ARMSTRONG.
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, MISSOURI.
IT is with much reluctance, and a great degree of dif- fidence, that I attempt a performance of the task imposed upon me by a resolution passed by the last annual session of the Blue River Association, requesting Elder Jeremiah Farmer and myself to write a history of that Association; the first chapter of which is to be published with the Minutes of the next annual meeting of that body.
As it was evidently the intention of the mover of that resolution, and perhaps also of all those who voted for it, that our worthy Moderator should mainly perform that work, I was in hopes that he would do so, being so much better qualified for the task than I, or perhaps any other person, can be. But, at his desire and urgent solicitation that I should undertake the work alone, I have consented to do the best I can with the material at my command, hoping that whatever defects there may be in it, or what- ever mistakes I may make, will be by him corrected. I do this with the less reluctance, believing, as I do, that the time of our worthy minister and Moderator will be more profitably spent otherwise in the service of our Heavenly Father.
In writing the history of an individual personage, it is customary to begin with his parentage, birth, and early life. It is now about forty-one years since the first organization of Blue River Association. Her mother Association being the Fishing River Association, which is now composed of churches on the north side of the Mis- souri River, in Ray, Clay, and adjoining counties; and which is known now as an Association of Regular Bap-
4
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
tists, but was originally known as United Baptists, or simply Baptists.
We have not the date of the organization of that mother Association, nor the number or name of the churches of which it was originally formed; but at the meeting of that Association, at Big Shoal meeting-house, in Clay County, in October, 1832, the minutes show that at that time it numbered 21 churches, with 812 communi- cants.
One year afterwards -October, 1833-it met at Salem meeting-house, in Jackson County, with 25 churches, and 919 members in fellowship. At that meeting it was pro- posed and some steps taken toward the formation of a new Association, embracing the churches on the south side of the Missouri River. But the new Association was not formed until after the next meeting of the Fishing River Association, which was held at New Garden meeting- house, in Ray County, on the 22d of August, 1834, and following days.
At that meeting letters of dismission were granted to 10 churches on the south side of the Missouri, for the purpose of organizing the new Association. Nine of those churches, together with Blackwater Church, by their dele- gates, met at Little Sniabar meeting-house, on Saturday, the 11th of October, 1834, and following days; when, according to previous arrangement, Elder Moses A. Stay- ton preached a sermon introductory to business from Paul's letter to the Ephesians, 2:8: "For by grace ye ยท are saved. "
The following named churches produced their letters, which were read, and their messengers' names enrolled as follows. After which, Moses A. Stayton was chosen Moderator, and Henry Avery, Clerk. -
The Abstract of Principles are similar to those found
5
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
in the Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, and the Form of Government and the Rules of Decorum similar to those adopted by our Associations generally; they are therefore omitted.
The Association proceeded to appoint James Savage, Jackson Tandy, Joseph White, Enoch Finch, and Richard Fristoe, with the Moderator and Clerk, a committee to arrange the business of the Association, against Monday, and requested Brethren Henry Hill, Wm. Thorp and James Williams to preach on Sunday.
At this Association, it was agreed to petition Fishing River Association for correspondence.
It was also resolved among other things that each church should be entitled to four delegates in the Asso- ciation, and no more.
CHURCHES.
MESSENGERS.
MEM.
CONT.
Big Sniabar.
John Warder, Enoch Finch, John Fielder, and Ellis B. Wilson .... Robert Fristoe, Jackson Tandy, and H. Holman Jeremiah Herralson, Thos. Potts, and Abraham Brown ..
2S
85
Six Mile
31
2.00
Pleasant Grove
Gabriel Fitzhugh, Richard Fristoe,
74
2.00
Salem
Daniel King and John Davis .... Thos. Stayton and John B. Flan- nery.
53
1.50
Round Grove
Moses A. Stayton. Arthur Stayton,
Win. Brown, and Thos. A. Stay- ton, Jr
21
1.25
Little Blue.
Nathaniel Teague and Jno. Robe- son.
15
1.00
Pleasant Garden
Wm. Savage, JamesSavage, Heram
49
1.50
High Point
Savage, and Wm. B. Savage .... William Simpson, John T. Rick- etts, and Henry Avery Joseph White, Jno. Kitchens, Wm. Adams, and Urial Murry
30
1.00
Blackwater
24
1.25
-
384
$13.85
59
$1.50
Little Sniabar
Jas. Shepherd, John Sanders,
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
From the foregoing it will be seen that the Blue River Association dates its existence from the 11th of October, 1834, and commenced its career of Christian usefulness with 10 churches and 384 members or communicants.
It would be interesting, at this day, in giving a his- tory of this Association, if we could give the early his- tory of those churches in the wilderness of which it was formed, and also of the hardy pioneers who, as the van- guard of civilization and Christianity in the West, made up those churches; but our limits would not permit us, if we had the material, to do more than briefly state some of the most prominent features of that early history.
The oldest of all the churches that originally consti- tuted this Association, was Big Sniabar; and though it broke off from us many years ago, and is now what is called an anti-mission church, belonging to Mount Zion Regular Baptist Association, yet it claims a notice from the fact of its being the oldest of that sisterhood of churches that united in 1834 to form this Association, and the mother church of so many other churches now belonging to us; and from the fact also that it is claimed by some to be the oldest Baptist church in all Southwest Missouri. This claim, however, we think is not well founded, as there appears to have been an older church in Lafayette County than Big Sniabar. The oldest, we think, of all the churches in Western Missouri, was located some miles east of where Lexington now is, and some- where on Tabo Creek, and was known as Mount Vernon Church. I have been unable to learn the date of its con- stitution, or by whom constituted. It stands first on the list of churches in the minutes of Fishing River Associa- tion, the oldest association in the Western part of the State; Fishing River Church next, and Big Sniabar third. This Mount Vernon Church was dismissed from Fishing
7
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
River Association in 1834, at the same time that Big Sni- abar and other churches were, in order to constitute Blue River Association, but appears to have been in a lan- guishing condition for some years before, and we hear no more of it afterward.
From an article written by the present pastor of Big Sniabar, and published last November, that church was constituted about the year 1820, with five members - Rob- ert Smith and wife, Violet Wallace, Sally Ewing, and Sister Jennings; constituted by Elders William Thorp and Luke Williams. Little Sniabar was the next church in the order of time in the bounds of Blue River Association. It was originally an arm of Big Sniabar, but was constituted as a church by William Thorp, Luke Williams and Robert Fristoe in August, 1825. It was located about three miles west of Lexington, and there remained until 1840, when it was moved to Lexington, and is now known as the First Baptist Church in Lexington, and has long been the first and foremost church belonging to our union.
SIX MILE CHURCH,
Stands next upon the list of churches in the old minutes of Blue River, and also Fishing River Association, and we believe it is the next oldest of the churches. The date and circumstances of its constitution we have not been able to get; but as near as we can learn it was about the year 1826, near Fort- Osage, and near where the church now stands.
PLEASANT GROVE,
Near Independence, comes next, and was constituted a short time after Six Mile; perhaps in 1827.
SALEM,
Was also constituted about the same time, about five or six miles east of Independence, and near where the pres- ent New Salem Church still exists.
8
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
ROUND GROVE,
The next in order of time, was located southwest of In- dependence. United with Fishing River Association in 1832; went into Blue River in 1834, and appears to have dissolved in 1836. Little Blue, Pleasant Garden, High Point, and Blackwater were all constituted in 1832, and joined the Fishing River Association in 1833.
The ministering brethren belonging to Blue River Association, at the time of its organization, so far as we can find from the minutes, and so far as our recollection serves, were the following : Robert Fristoe, John Warder, Enoch Finch, Thomas Stayton, Moses A. Stayton, Gabriel Fitzhugh, Joseph White, John T. Ricketts, William Simp- son, Joab Powell, Henry Avery, John Jackson, Hiram Savage, Wm. B. Savage, Vincent Snelling, and Jesse Butler, some of whom were licentiates, and all of whom have died, and gone to receive their reward, except Hiram Savage, who was still living in Texas a short time since; and of the 384 members then connected with the Association, we know of but one, an aged sister, the . writer's mother, who is now a member of the Associa- tional Union. Of the ten churches originally constitut -. ing the Association, Round Grove ceased to exist in 1836. Big Sniabar, Pleasant Grove, and Pleasant Garden ser- ered their connection with the Association in 1841. Salem dissolved in 1845, owing to some internal troubles, and shortly after reorganized as New Salem, by which name it still exists as a member of the Union.
In 1835, the Association met with Six Mile Church. Introductory sermon by Elder Joseph White. Moses A. Stayton, Moderator, and Henry Avery, Clerk. The 10 original churches represented with a membership of 404. Elk Fork church, in what is now Henry County, with a membership of eleven, was received into the Association.
9
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF , MISSOURI.
Wm. Thorp, Henry Hill, and John Adkins corresponding messengers from Fishing River, were present, and by request preached on the Sabbath. At this session of the Association we find the first reference to the question of missions, which afterwards led to a division of the Asso- ciation. Elders Thomas and Moses A. Stayton asked the advice of the Association, whether they attend with the Pottowatomie Baptist Mission Church, to aid said church in ordaining a preacher agreeably to a request of that church, to which the Association answered, "No."
The meeting of the Association in 1836 was held with Blackwater Church, on the fourth Saturday in September and days following. Introductory sermon by Elder Thomas Stayton. John Warder, Moderator, and Jabez Shotwell, Clerk. Letters and messengers from 11 churches, three of which, viz. : Bethlehem, Liberty, and Hopewell ( now Harrisonville ), were new churches asking fellow- ship with the Association, which was granted. Round Grove and Elk Fork not represented.
Total membership 446. Received correspondence from Fishing River, by the hands of her messengers, Elders Hill, Thornton, Tillery and Adkins.
The number of ministerial brethren in the Association had been decreased by the death of Elders Enoch Finch and Robert Fristoe, and the removal of Hiram and Wm. B. Savage and Jesse Butler. Elijah Merrill, of Big Snia- bar, had been added to the number as a licentiate of that church.
In 1837, the Association met at Pleasant Grove on the fourth Saturday in September. Introductory sermon by Elder Joseph White. Chose Joseph Warder, Moderator, and Jabez Shotwell, Clerk. Letters from 12 churches, numbering 459 members.
The next meeting of the Association was with Pleas-
10
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
ant Garden Church. near Lone Jack, on the 3d Saturday of September, 1838. Introductory sermon by Elder Avery. John Warder Moderator, and Enoch Rice Clerk. Letters from 12 churches read, showing a total membership in the Union of 475. Three additional churches received at this session, viz. : Union, with a membership of 17, located near Pleasant Hill; Antioch, in Henry or Benton County, with 16 members; and Bethel with 10.
Present as messengers from Fishing River, Elders Wm. Rice, H. Hill, and E. Tillery. Preaching on Sab- . bath by Rice, Hill, and Tillery. Agreed to open a cor- respondence with Mount Pleasant Association, T. Adams to write corresponding letter.
The following query from Pleasant Garden Church was received, debated and answered :
Query -Shall we receive members of the Emancipat- ing Baptists without being baptized by us ?.
Answer - We advise the churches not to receive any without being baptized by an administrator of our order.
Elder William Ousley and James Richardson were this year added to the list of ministers belonging to the As- sociation.
In 1839, the meeting of the Association was with Big Sniabar Church, on the third Saturday of September. Introductory sermon by William Ousley. John Warder Moderator, Jabez Shotwell Clerk, with T. W. Mitchell Assistant. Corresponding letters from Fishing River and Mount Pleasant.
Letters and messengers from 18 churches, three of which, Mount Zion, Clear Creek, and Mount Pleasant, were petitionary for admission into the Association. Total membership in the 18 churches, 595.
The names of John Farmer, Henry Farmer, Jeremiah Farmer, Luke Williams, and Henry Bowers were added
11
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
to the number of ministers this year, and we suppose Elder Wm. Simpson had either died or removed, as his name appears no more in the minutes of the Association. The names also of Thomas and Moses A. Stayton appears. no more in the minutes. We think that Moses had died and Thomas removed.
The next meeting of the Association was with High Point Church, in the southeast corner of Johnson County, third Saturday in September, 1840. Introductory sermon by Elder James Savage. Letters from 13 churches, with 562 communicants.
Appointed John Warder, Moderator, and Enoch Rice, Clerk. Big Blue and Post Oak Churches received into the Associational Union. Correspondence received from Mount Pleasant and Fishing River Associations.
Thomas R. Rule, William White, and A. P. Williams were this year added to the number of preachers in the Association.
In 1841, the Association met with Little Blue Church, on the 3d Saturday of September and following days. Introductory sermon by Gabriel Fitzhugh. John Warder, Moderator, and Enoch Rice, Clerk. Letters from 20 churches were read, viz .: Big Sniabar, First Baptist. Church in Lexington, Six Mile, Pleasant Grove, Salem, Little Blue, High Point, Blackwater, Pleasant Garden,. Bethlehem, Liberty, Hopewell, Union, Antioch, Mount Zion, Clear Creek, Mount Pleasant, Big Blue, and Post Oak. Elk Fork had been dissolved and dropped from the list of churches in the union, and New Hope, in the west- ern part of Van Buren ( now Cass ) Co., was added to the number at this session.
Total number in fellowship in the union 1016, having nearly doubled in the last year. Letter of correspond- ence from Mount Pleasant by Thomas Campbell. P. J.
12
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
Burris appointed to answer. Also one from Fishing River by Messengers Rice, Hill, and Adkins, and J. Shotwell appointed to answer. Requested Elders Hill, Williams. White, and Jeremiah Farmer to preach on Lord's day. Lewis Franklin, of Six Mile Church, added to the list of ministering elders this year.
Antioch and Bethel Churches asked for and received letters of dismission from the union.
It was at this session of the Association, held as was said at Little Blue Church, that the division occurred by . which the Association was severed, and divided in two. known as missionary and anti-mission, or United and Regular Baptists.
As much as has been said and written in reference to this division of the Association, it may not be amiss in this short history to enter somewhat into the details of that transaction. and of what lead to the division. A writer, a few months since, in the Messenger of Peace, a paper published at Macon City, Mo., devoted to the cause and doctrines of the regular Baptists, uses the following language:
"I will now, " he says, "notice some of the first preach- ers of Blue River Association, and will have to do so mostly from memory, as I have no access to her books. I have already in a former communication given the names of some of them, (John Warder, Thos. Stayton and Robert Fristoe. ) Those not then mentioned were Enoch Finch, Moses Stay- ton, Gabriel Fitzhugh, James Savage, Hiram Savage, Joab Powell, Henry Avery, and perhaps some others who stood firm on the doctrines held and preached by the Baptists by whom this Association was organized, and are still held by the regular Baptists at this day. There were some others who were considered tender on the doctrines held by the regular Baptists, and were with the missionaries
13
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
when the separation came on. Elders White and Ricketts and a few others were with those who went with the missionary party in the split.
"This Association enjoyed peace until Elders John Far- mer, Jeremiah Farmer and Henry Farmer came amongst them and kindled a spirit of discord, which finally grew into a division. About this time, (1838,) A. P. Williams also came amongst those churches, preaching a doctrine which had not heretofore been received by these brethren.
" This state of things continued for many years, every effort to bring about a reconciliation proving abortive, until it pleased the Great Head of the Church to warm the hearts of His people by a copious display of His grace, which commenced in Virginia. The hearts of the brethren engaged warmly in the work, laying aside their sectarian prejudices - which is the common result of relig- ion felt in the soul-and, uniting under the same banner, presented an undivided front, and went on their way re- joicing under the auspicious smiles of their Heavenly Fa- ther and the approbation of a good conscience.
"The Virginia Baptists, seeing the happy results of their union, addressed letters to the Kentucky brethren, who were in a similar state of division, recommending a simi- lar plan of procedure, there being but two Associations at that time in the State. The Kentucky brethren took the matter under consideration, and in process of time followed the example of Virginia; laying down their party names and party distinctions, they formed one gen- eral union, and soon realized the happy results.
" Thus the United Baptists have moved on in great har- mony for nearly half a century. It is true that there are . in all the Associations some shades of difference on some doctrinal questions, yet none that should produce any unpleasantness. Why should brethren disagree upon
14
HISTORY OF THE BLUE RIVER
points that are by no means cardinal in faith or practice. On the doctrine of the Trinity; the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the depravity of the human heart; the neces- sity of the atonement-the only medium through which mercy can flow to perishing sinners; the influence of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of the sinner; the right- eousness of Christ imputed to the soul, and received by faith; the final perseverance of the saints; the nature and design of baptism and the Lord's Supper; also in the discipline of the churches, there is almost entire harmony of sentiment.
"It is probable that there may be some difference of opinion in relation to the extent of the atonement; but the spirit and intent of the union is that reciprocal toleration shall be exercised by the parties.
"If any of our brethren go to the highest point on the doctrine of divine decrees, predestination, etc., you, who cannot go so high, stand covenanted to bear with and es- teem them brethren. On the other hand, if any cannot see their way clear on these subjects, yet give God the glory of beginning the work of their salvation, carrying it on, and completing it, we stand pledged to hail them brethren. And why not? since, as before said, we speak the same language as to what religion is in its nature, and in its operations on the heart and life.
"Brethren, we feel great solicitude on the subject, be- lieving that there are some who would rejoice to see us thrown into anarchy and confusion. The Accuser of the brethren is ever on the alert, swelling molehills into mountains, and ever insinuating the necessity of technical niceties in doctrine, whether our practice be good or not. The artful Deceiver, when acting in concert with his allies, the world and the flesh, will even presume to dictate a conscience for brethren, saying, 'This is the way, and ye
15
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI.
shall walk therein. Not only in church relations, but in pecuniary matters, you shall not exercise sovereign con- trol, nor shall you wield it in any way so as to aid benev- olent institutions, though they may have for their object the amelioration of the condition of man.'"
" Yes, brethren, when the triumvirate of unhallowed spirits combine their wily influences, then we see coldness in religion; sometimes churches and Associations rent; secret as well as family prayer omitted, with a train of other evils, which nothing but pure and undefiled religion felt in the heart can successfully militate against.
"Dear brethren, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and run the race that is set before us, ever looking to Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let us be kind and affection- ate one towards another, always preferring one another; and when Associational or church distresses arise amongst us, let us remedy the evil by making the solemn and prayerful inquiry, " Lord is it I?" Have I been the indirect or ostensible cause of this coldness and division among brethren? And while we are thus scrutinizing our own hearts, let us, in compliance with the injunction of the Apostle, mark those who would cause divisions amongst us, and avoid them. And now, dear brethren, let us put" on the whole armor of God, that in the end of our pil- grimage here we may enjoy some of the consolations which flow from a well-ordered life. Let us fight a good fight, and keep the faith -not the faith of a sect -but the faith of the Gospel, that we may ultimately enjoy the crown that is laid up for all who in sincerity love our Lord Jesus.
JOHN WARDER, Moderator. Attest : JABEZ SHOTWELL, Clerk.
Whether this is the doctrine and the practice which characterize those who now claim to be regular Baptists
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