USA > Missouri > Polk County > The history of the Polk County Baptist Assciation : with history of churches, biographies, Southwest Baptist College, articles of faith, and church covenant > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01053 4284
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ELD. B. MCCORD ROBERTS.
THE HISTORY
OF THE
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Polk County Baptist Association
WITH
C
1
HISTORY OF CHURCHES,
BIOGRAPHIES, .
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST COLLEGE,
ARTICLES OF FAITH, AND
CHURCH COVENANT.
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BY
J. W. HAINES.
1897. THE BOLIVAR HERALD. BOLIVAR, MO.
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1390223
PREFACE.
The history of Polk County Association in Southwest Mis- souri will be the story:
First. Of its origin and progress as a body.
Second. Its complete identification will comprise the origin and progress of the churches whose messengers compose the as- sociation.
Third. The autobiography and illustrations of pioneer and veteran ministers who operated within its bounds, together with memoirs of many of its illustrious messengers.
Fourth. In addition to the preceding history, it is thought to be an important and necessary element in the faithful render- ing of its annals to incorporate the origin and progress of the Southwest Baptist college, which has figured largely in the pro- gress of the association and churches.
Fifth. Many other cotemporaneous facts and biographical notes, such as shall afford pleasing relief to the consideration of dry statisties, will have due mention.
If, however, any apology is due for the foisting of another book upon the attention of an indulgent public, it may be had in this quotation: "And of Zion it shall be said, This and that , man was born in her. And the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there." Ps. 87. With what profound interest do we regard the place of our nativity, the tottering steps of our infancy, and the unselfish care of those to whom we owe our present existence and prospective happiness. As in the natural, so in the spiritual world. .
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PREFACE.
Further, it is only by perpetuation in book form that the nar- ration of our origin, rise and progress will be secured. And it will be pleasing, as well as profitable, to peruse the pages that will tell from generation to generation how we have contested for the field that lies as a redeemed trophy at the foot of the cross. Yea, many a battle has been fought on the Ozark hills, and many a victory won; yet in the vale below many a warrior lies. And may we not write in memory of their valor and ask you to receive that which is written ?
THE HISTORY OF THE POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
BOOK I.
POLK COUNTY ASSOCIATION.
The Polk County Association was organized under the name of Liberty in IS40. At that time there was but little spiritual interest in this sparsely settled region. The country then was not a vast scope of dense forest and underbrush. There were large prairies and sloping hills, which afforded chasing ground for the deer, fox and wolf, that enjoyed the seclusion and safety of the lofty and craggy spurs of the Ozark range. This sport, with good venison, that seasoned the scanty diet of the honored pioneers, was more to be en- joyed by them than spiritual pursuits.
But that Spirit which was to reprove the world, and He who was to "draw all men unto Him," did their work ef- fectually, and on the 3d to the 5th of May, 1840, a conven- tion of messengers was drawn together and assembled from Enon, Providence and Turkey Creek, of Polk county, and Cedar church, of St. Clair county, and Mt. Pleasant, of Greene county. Rev. Wm. Tatum was elected moderator
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
and Bro. James Gilmore clerk. The convention at once adopted a constitution and articles of faith, after which it ad- journed to meet in regular session with the Turkey Creek church September 25, 1840.
" The Liberty Association of United Baptists" held its first annual meeting with the Turkey Creek church, Polk county, commencing September 25, 1840. Two new churches were added to the list above, making seven in all, situated in the counties of Polk, St. Clair and Greene, having a membership of 112-a small beginning, indeed, but the few are strong when the Lord of hosts is on their side.
At the second annual meeting, 1841, held at Providence church, Polk county, Sac River and Coon Creek churches were received into the association, having been recently or- ganized. Corresponding messengers were present from Spring River and Concord association. Baptist camp meet- ings were somewhat fashionable in that day. and the associa- tion agreed to hold one at the time and place of her next ses- sion. This custom grew out of the fact, in part, that very few communities were prepared to entertain the crowds that attended these meetings. The churches were requested to send up funds to the next association to support home mis- sions.
Messengers from fifteen churches assembled on the fourth Saturday in September, 1842, at Cumberland camp ground, near Providence, Polk county, and held the third annual ses- sion. A very considerable revival influence had passed over the associational field, and 138 baptisms were reported at this meeting as a part of the fruits. The aggregate membership had increased to 3SS. The following plan of missions was adopted: "Resolved, That we appoint five members of this board, to be known and styled 'The Board of Home
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
Missions,' which shall be vested with power to manage all missions in the bounds of this association, sub- ject to the following rules and regulations." There were in all eight rules, the second of which said : " The board shall in no instance incur greater expense than it has funds to meet." The board of missions consisted of E. M. Camp- bell, A. Morton, U. L. Sutherland, W. Heraldson and C. Dozenberry.
In 1843 the association met at Cedar church, in St. Clair county. This year and the last the following new churches were admitted into the union, viz: Clear Creek, Friendship, Monagau, Pisgah, Union, Blue Springs, Horse Creek, Bethlehem, Greenfield, Flag Spring, Alden and Salem. The entire membership of the association was now 614, in all 21 churches, located in Polk, Greene, Dade, St. Clair, Niangua (now Dallas), Pulaski and Camden counties.
To the session in 1844, held at Mt. Pleasant, Greene county, Coon Creek church sent a query on the subject of communion, to which the following was given: "Resolved, That the following be an answer to the query from Coon Creek church, viz: We, as a body, do not intend, with our present views, to agree to open communion with pedo-Bap- tists ; nevertheless, we advise our churches to exercise lenity toward those who may entertain a different opinion." To counteract open communion sentiments, the association re- published " Knapp's Treatise on Communion," and append- ed it to her minutes. *
From 1844 the Liberty association moved steadily on, through her ministry, planting and fostering churches, and holding regular sessions as follows: In 1845, at Mt. Zion, Polk county; 1846, at Enon, Polk county; in 1847, Sac *Duncan's History of Mo. Bap.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
River ; in 1848, at Cedar church, Cedar county ; in 1849, at Mt. Pleasant, Greene county; in 1850, at Mt. Zion, Polk county ; in 1851, at Union Creek church. Greene county ; in 1852, at Liberty, Greene county ; in 1853 at Brush Grove, Polk county ; in . 1854 at Mt. Pleasant, Hickory county, and at Enon again in 1855.
In 1846 an effort was made to unite this and Sac River association, B. Buckner, H. Akard and Wm. Tatum being appointed a committee for that purpose, but the effort failed.
Seven churches were dismissed in 1848, to form a new association, which was done, and the new fraternity was call- ed "Cedar Association."
At the meeting in 1849 it elected by private ballot Elds. S. L. Beckley and W. B. Senter as evangelists, and author- ized them to take up collections wherever they thought neces- sary. The following year was one of marked progress, eighty converts being added to the church by baptism.
The session of 1853 appointed five camp meetings with as many different churches, selecting from three to six minis- ters to attend each meeting. Glorious results followed these efforts in the way of conversions, the work continuing far be- yond the next meeting. At this session the association ap- pointed a collecting agent, with powers, privileges and duties as follows: " Resolved, That it is the duty of this associa- tion to appoint a traveling agent to travel and preach, to take up public and private collections for missionary purposes and pay over to some one appointed to settle with him; and that the said agent shall be allowed $250 for his compensation, provided he collect that much, the overplus to go into the hands of the treasurer of the association, provided there be any, for missionary purposes, and E. M. Campbell is ap- pointed said treasurer." "Eld. B. McCord Roberts was
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
elected as said traveling agent for the year 1854." " This system of traveling agents gave new life to the mission work of the association, as the contributions to her benevolent work will show. $210 were reported in the treasury at the session in 1855, the like of which had not been known before in that country. The minutes of 1855 make the following exhibit of the state of the work: Churches, 20; baptisms, 283; aggregate membership, 1,140."*
Thus the little band has grown from the feeble four to twenty churches, beside the seven dismissed to become Cedar County association. The four the mother of twenty-three in so short a period, and nearly 1,400 conversions and baptisms. In this we can see what wonderful things God can and will accomplish through willing agents.
The leading ministers and members during this period were: Eld. Wm. Tatum (who has the honor of being its first moderator), Eld. D. R. Murphy, Eld. Henry Akard, Eld. S. L. Beckley and Eld. W. B. Senter, who was the founder of the Senter church, located at Humansville, Polk county, and Eld. B. McCord Roberts. Also brethren E. M. · Campbell, A. Morton, U. L. Sutherland, W. Heraldson, C. Dozenberry, Eld. J. R. Callaway, Eld. J. E. B. Justice, James Bradley, John Crain and others. A grand army, of which but few survive in the natural life, but they have ac- complished a good work, which follows them, while " they rest from their labors" and enjoy the reward prepared for the faithful. t
We must now say farewell to the name of this illustri- ous old pioneer association, that has shone from the far dis- tance of years, long years ago, like the radiant sun at noon-
*The above quotations are from Duncan's History of Mo. Bap. +Their biographies will appear in third division.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
day, yet, as we say farewell to our time honored Liberty, we welcome her back upon broader fields of usefulness and un- der the name of Union, sweet union.
About the year 1842 " Sac River Association of United Baptists" was organized, and comprised nearly the same ter- ritory, only that of Sac River association extended further to the west, while the eastern extremities of Liberty reached to some degree east of Sac. This anti-missionary association had, in the year 1855, only nine churches and 628 members, yet many excellent ministers, whose works honor them in this generation.
We will now notice how Liberty and Sac River associa- tion united and became Union association. In the year IS55, while Liberty association was in a most thriving condition, it " took into consideration the propriety of making an over- ture of union with Sac River association, and appointed the following brethren, J. R. Callaway, J. E. B. Justice, James Bradley, John Crain and E. M. Campbell, as a committee to meet Sac River association at her next sitting and present to her consideration the following resolves :
" Be it resolved, That the said committee shall set . forth the reasons why we think Liberty and Sac River associ- ations ought to unite, making of the two one association, viz : First, that they occupy a portion of the same territory; sec- ond, that the boundary of the two is not too large for one ; third, and more than all, it will remove the appearance of a difference, when in reality there is none."
"Be it furthermore resolved, That provided Sac River association shall accede to said proposition, the said committee is hereby authorized to pronounce the union con- summated, and to propose the word 'Union' as the name of the new association."
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
This was in September. In the following month the Sac River association met and responded as follows :
" We, the Sac River association, agree to the proposi- tion made by the Liberty association, through their com- mittee, Elds. Callaway, Bradley and Justice, to unite and form one association of the two, to be called ' Union Associ- ation ;' and further, it is agreed that the churches of Sac River association be advised to send their letters and mes- sengers to Union association, to be held with the Mt. Pleas- ant church, Greene county, the fourth Saturday in Septem- ber, 1856."
Thus was consummated the organization of " Union Association."*
"In union there is strength." When the association convened in 1856 with Mt. Pleasant they had an enrollment of 35 churches and 2, 102 members, and an increase of $90 more money was spent for mission purposes than the preced- ing year, but only 200 baptisms occurred, while the previous year there were 283. But this difference does not necessarily show a deficiency in work, as sometimes the most labor shows the less results. Camp meetings had become so com- mon by this time that central locations were selected and great preparation made, such as, cabins were built in great numbers, provisions in large amounts were prepared, and ac- commodations in other ways were made by the settlers, for those who came from abroad, and often large numbers were baptized as the result. There is at present the debris of many of these preparations, and even yet an old-fashioned camp meeting is occasionally held, but substantial and neat church houses have taken the place of most of the brush ar-
*Duncan's History of Mo. Bap.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
bors and sheds, and the customs becoming more like other places.
At this time there was an able corps of ministers of natural ability, and some of profound eloquence, and it is due for us to record and remember the names of Wm. Ta- tum, D. R. Murphy, B. McCord Roberts, T. J. Kelly, Hen- ry Akard, W. B. Senter, Elijah Williams, A. C. Bradley, S. L. Beckley, W. F. Spillman, J. E. B. Justice, Burrow Buckner, J. R. Callaway, J. F. Wheeler, G. B. Mitchell, H. H. Williams, Robert Ross, Thompson Pitts.
In 1857 the Union association convened with Freedom church, Polk county. R. S. Duncan gives an account of a letter received from a community of Baptists in Kansas Ter- ritory asking that a minister visit and organize them into a church. A committee, appointed thereon, reported that the subject was "worthy of consideration and liberal patronage."
The session of 1857 continued its plan of missionary operation as was done last year. The board consisted of Bros. John Crain, Jas. P. Thompson, Jno. Slagle, Charles Bunch and E. M. Campbell, who were instructed to employ two missionaries, instead of one, and send them to the desti- tute parts of the association. Amount of funds on hand for missions, $333.20; baptisms reported, 233 ; members, 2,320.
1858, Friday before the third Sunday in October, Free- dom association was organized at the house of John Brooks, on Flint Prairie, about twenty miles northeast of Bolivar, in Polk county, and met with Mt. Zoar church. The presby- tery was composed of brethren G. B. Mitchell, J. R. Calla- way, W. F. Spillman, I. Ingram, R. S. Eaton and others. Introductory was preached by Eld. - , and Eld. R. S. Eaton was elected moderator and W. F. Spillman clerk. Committees were appointed. Elds. W. F. Spillman and G.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
B. Mitchell were elected missionaries. The association ad- journed to meet with the church at New Hope, Dallas coun- ty, September 15, 1859.
The Freedom association of United Baptists met in 1 859 with New Hope church, Dallas county, Missouri. Eld. Green Berry Mitchell was moderator, O. S. Williams clerk. Thirty churches were represented, with an aggregate mem- bership of 1,313 members. The following were the names of the churches, as appears on the minutes: Elkton, Lib- erty, Hopewell, Salem, Buffalo, Pleasant Grove, Mt. View, New Hope, Welfare, Cedar Bluff, Marshfield, Bethlehem, Mt. Zion, Mt. Olive, Pleasant Hill, Mt. Zoar, Bethel, Osage, Freedom, Pisgah, Macedonia, Prospect, Good Hope, Lebanon, Providence, Enon, Slagle Creek, Senter, Hebron, Timber Ridge.
The names of ministers were James T. Wheeler, J. Randolph, J. R. Callaway, G. B. Mitchell, Isaac Ingram, D. R. Murphy, T. Pitts, W. F. Spillman, J. Burnes, J. H. Womack, R. S. Eaton and B. McCord Roberts.
The annexed report is (to minutes) at the request of D. R. Murphy. Report of labor done in the vineyard of the Lord from the 17th of October, 1858, to the 15th of Sep- tember, 1859: Traveled about 1,645 miles, preached 130 sermons, delivered 55 exhortations, made 45 family visits, with whom I read portions of scripture, sung and prayed, and conversed on the subject of religion; instructed 125 mourners, witnessed 16 professions of religion; baptized I convert; aided in ordaining two deacons, and in the admin- istration of the Lord's Supper 5 times. Exhorted and pray- ed at the burying of 5 persons; did much labor in the way of singing and prayer. Received of churches and people,
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
in cash and other things, $16S. $20 per month, for the time I was absent from home .*
On motion the association adjourned to meet with Cedar Bluff church on Friday before the second Sabbath in Sep- tember, 1860.
The third annual meeting of the association was held according to previous adjournment with Cedar Bluff church, Greene county, commencing on Friday, September 7, 1860. The introductory sermon was preached by Eld. G. B. Mitchell from Acts S:4. B. McCord Roberts was moder- ator and A. C. Bradley clerk. Correspondence was opened with Bethel, Union and Cedar association. The following report was received from the missionary : " I have preached 17I sermons; delivered 42 exhortations; witnessed 128 pro- fessions ; baptized S7 persons; aided in constitution of 2 churches ; aided in the ordination of 4 deacons; instructed 233 mourners; aided in getting up I Sabbath school; re- ceived the following contributions from the following churches and congregations and individuals : Liberty church and congregation, $S.25 ; Slagle Creek church and congrega- tion, $5.50 ; Enon church and congregation, $22.75 ; Francis Tillery, $1.00; Isaac Clark, $1.00; Bracket Davidson, $1.00; Rush school house brethren, $3.50; Mt. Moriah church and congregation, $4.30; Wm. Wommack, 25 cts. ; Hopewell church, $5.00. I report eleven months labor.
ISAAC INGRAM."
Elds. D. R. Murphy and John W. Williams submitted the following reports as volunteer missionaries :
" Volunteer missionary report, from September 16, 1859, to September 7, 1860: Traveled about 1,420 miles ; preached 105 sermons; delivered 120 exhortations; instruct-
*Minutes of 1859, page 3.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
ed 242 mourners; witnessed 114 professions of religion ; heard 94 experiences; saw 70 persons baptized; made 60 family visits, where I read portions of scripture, prayed and conversed on the subject of religion; aided in the establish- ing of I church and in ordaining I minister and 3 deacons. Received of the friends of Jesus, $264.39. I should have done more for the cause of Christ, but I am too old to brook the storms of winter, and I was afflicted with bronchitis, and was unable to travel from March 12 to May 12. I am a mis- sionary for life, ready to receive aid from any person who may feel able and willing to give me aid.
Your public servant, D. R. MURPHY."
" State of Missouri, Greene county, this, the 6th day of August, 1860.
Report to Freedom association, labor done the last asso- ciational year: Sermons preached, 143; days labor aside from time spent in studying, 153 days; exhortations deliver- ed, 43; witnessed 107 conversions; baptized 73; aided in the ordination of 2 ministers and 6 deacons; aided in the constitution of I church, and have received in money and other things needful for the family, $170.15.
J. W. WILLIAMS."
We can see by these reports of 1860 that nothing has
. equalled it in the previous history of the association ; $477.09 given for missionary purposes, and 349 professions. How much this ought to stimulate the mission work in all genera- tions to come. The following was the plan adopted for mis- sion work for the next year :
" Resolved, That our plan of missionary labor be per- petuated, and that we appoint two missionaries to travel and preach, six months each, and that they be paid at the rate of $25 per month." Whereupon the two following were ap-
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
pointed, viz: Elds. Isaac Ingram and James Randolph. The missionaries are required to ride two months this fall, commencing from this association, and the other four next year, including the next annual meeting. Adjourned to meet with Slagle Creek on Friday before the second Sunday in September, 1861. Eld. B. McCord Roberts was chosen to preach the introductory sermon. " Received for printing of minutes, $32.65."
We are sad to say and record in this volume that the as- sociation did not convene again until 1865. It was during these years ( 1861-1865) that the civil war broke out, and swept that peaceful prosperity from every church which had been so much enjoyed previously. It was not state against state, but father against son, son against father, and churches in like manner were divided. Members of the same church who had sworn before God, and ratified the same in their baptism, that they loved God and their brethren, and would lay down their own lives for the sake of their brethren and their neighbors, could forswear themselves, and imbrue their hands in their blood, and often with fiendish delight.
Gladly would we close our eyes and shut out the re- membrance of the sanguinary contest; but the scenes are too vivid, and the mementoes too numerous, ever to be forgotten. The only hope we have of modifying and allaying the acerb- ities of internecine strife is found in the lapse of time, and the white-winged messengers, friendship, love and truth, ac- companied by the all-prevailing power of the Holy Spirit.
When peace was proclaimed in 1865 the soldiery, dis- engaged from war, turned their thoughts homeward. Again are the survivors at home, both friend and foe, in social life ; but now they meet and talk their battles o'er, no longer en- emies, but with mutual concern strive together as best they
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
can to repair the injuries inflicted upon the commonwealth. Such hungering and thirsting for the old-time religion of other days was never experienced in this land before.
This will be better illustrated by an incident occurring in Paris, Monroe county, Missouri, in the year IS68, while the general association of Missouri was in session. Eld. Jehu Robinson was called on to tell about his missionary work in Southwest Missouri. The ten minute rule had been adopted, but the old veteran went on to describe the desolate scenes in the southwest. No preaching ; no meeting houses ; no religious worship; the dwellings few and far between. He cut down trees and converted them into rude seats and a rude pulpit. He warned the people in, much after the style of a house-raising. Day and night he would preach and ex- hort, and eventually was permitted to baptize a great number of persons. In many places in the southwest there are en- during testimonials of the invincible hero. But while this was intensely interesting, and the people were enjoying the story, the moderator, David Hickman, gently hinted that the time was up; but the Elder heard nothing, on, on he went, and, indeed, he could have spent many hours in relating the trials and triumphs of pioneer work.
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But we will now take up the history again, after four years of fearful interruption. In this interval there was some effort to observe the forms of worship, and also to carry on associational work, but it was a feeble one.
On the 14th of October, 1865, Freedom association con- vened with the church at Cedar Bluff, in Greene county. Introductory sermon by Eld. L. J. Tatum; text, John 15: 12, " This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." Eight churches were enrolled, with the names of the messengers, viz:
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
Cedar Bluff-Eld. J. H. Wommack, pastor ; delegates, R. B. Wommack, Wm. Owen, C. Brown, E. Webb.
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