Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 57

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Mississippi > Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II > Part 57

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officiated publicly in a marriage ceremony in 1795. This was considered a violation of the law, and an attempt was made to arrest him, but he made good his escape in company with Hamberlin and de Alvo, and they made their journey across the country to South Carolina, where they arrived in the fall of 1795. At the end of two years and a half Curtis returned, having been ordained during his stay in South Carolina. The country now passed into the hauds of the United States, the Baptists had rest and prospered greatly.

In 1800 a church was constituted in Wilkinson county, four miles from Woodville, by a part of the Ogden family and others. About the same time one was constituted on Second creek, and possibly was called New Hope. In 1805 the New Providence church, Amite county, was constituted, and Ebenezer in 1806. These five churches met, by their delegates, in September, 1806, and organized the first association and called it the Mississippi. It has had a long and honored career and still exists.

The denomination grew rapidly. In 1812 there were seventeen churches in the state with a membership of seven hundred and sixty-four. In 1836 there were one hundred and seven churches, ninety-two pastors, and four thousand eight hundred and sixty-five members. In 1860 there were five hundred and ninety-six churches, three hundred and five pastors, forty-one thousand four hundred and eighty-two members.

In 1820 the Pearl River and Union associations were organized. In 1835 there were six associations, and in 1859 there were twenty-one associations.

A Baptist state convention was organized in 1822. The sixth annual session was held October 21, 1828. After that period the convention declined and soon afterward became extinct. The present state convention was organized at Palestine church, Hinds county, in 1837. Rev. L. B. Holloway preached the introductory sermon from the words: "Thy King- dom Come." Rev. Ashley Vaughn was president. Prominent in the counsels of this meet- ing were Benjamin Whitfield, W. J. Denson, S. S. Lattimore, Ashley Vaughn, L. B. Hollo- way, Charles Felder, Lee Compere, R. G. Green, Norvel Robertson and T. S. N. King.

The call for this convention was made by the Mississippi association, at its session October, 1836. The following resolutions were passed by that body:

Resolved, that this association deem it important that the Baptists in this state should unite in convention by delegates at a proper time and place, to take into consideration the adoption of some systematic plan by which the efforts of the denomination may be united, her resources drawn out, the gospel preached to the destitute, religious information disseminated, and such other objects as may be important to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom promoted.

Resolved, that we unite in recommending a meeting consisting of delegates from churches, missionary societies, and also of individuals in good standing in the regular Baptist denom- ination, to be held in Washington, on Friday before the fourth Lord's day in December next, to consider the propriety of forming a state convention of our denomination.

The Bethel association joined in with the call from the Mississippi, and accordingly the meeting was held at Washington preliminary to the organization of thestate convention. An address was drawn up by Ashley Vaughn, S. S. Lattimore and T. S. N. King. "The pro- ceedings of these two associations," declared the address, "were in perfect accordance with the feelings and wishes of a large number of the churches and individuals belonging to the various associations in the state."

An extended editorial in the Luminary for November, 1836, disclaims for the conven- tion all right to usurp any authority whatever over churches, or associations, or individuals, and makes the following points in favor of the state convention:

What, then, are the advantages which it is supposed will accrue to the cause of Christ from the formation of a state convention ?

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1. The gospel will be more extensively and habitually preached to the destitute in the bounds of the state.

2. Feeble and destitute churches will be sought out and visited, and encouraged to "strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die."

3. A more general interest will be taken in relation to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom in foreign lands.

4. The strength and energies of the denomination in the state will be more entirely and harmoniously concentrated.

5. Religious information, generally, will be more widely disseminated, and the cause of education-particularly the religious education of youth-encouraged.

6. Christian intercourse, and Christian fellowship, and Christian union, will be greatly promoted.

The meeting was accordingly held at Washington. The constitution that was adopted is strikingly like the one the convention now has. The second article sets forth that the objects of this convention shall be to organize and digest an operative system of measures in relation to missionary exertions throughout the state of Mississippi; to promote religious edu- cation; support missionary service among the destitute, both at home and abroad; and to adopt from time to time such measures as shall be considered by the convention calculated to promote the general interest of the Redeemer's kingdom, particularly within the bounds of the state.

At this preliminary meeting at Washington, and at the first annual meeting at Palestine, the convention put itself squarely upon missionary and educational grounds. So far back as 1811, the Mississippi association had taken steps to supply the destitution in her own borders, and the convention organized upon the basis of missionary work.

At a very early period Mississippi Baptists began to move in educational matters. Their first efforts were far from successful, but they never faltered till ultimate success was reached. Dr. William Carey Crane wrote of these early efforts: "Prior to the adoption of the college at Clinton by the convention, sad failures were made. The Judson institute was located on Society ridge, Hinds county, in 1836, under the charge of Elder L. B. Holloway, but the location (so says a circular of 1841) was found so unhealthy that, after having expended a considerable amount of money, our denomination saw the necessity of removing it, and accordingly removed it to Palestine, in an opposite extreme of the same county, to which, after two years' experience, it was found that there existed not only the same objection, but another, if possible, worse-the surrounding country was too poor to support a school. It was then determined to locate and found the school at Middleton, and accordingly, under the presi- dency of Elder S. S. Latimore, and A. S. Bayley and R. Nason, professors, the institution lived a fitful life till about 1842, it declined, and the convention, in 1844, appointed a com- mittee to ascertain what connection it had with it, inasmuch as the legislature, which had chartered it, had never passed any act recognizing a conventional connection with it. Since that time it has never been spoken of in the convention. An abortive effort was made to pur- chase the Mississippi Springs property, in Hinds county, in 1847."

But at this time Mississippi college became the property of the Baptists. It was one of the oldest schools of the state. It was chartered in 1826 as Hemstead academy, and was the first school in the state that ever conferred a diploma. In 1830 its name was changed to Mississippi college; in 1842 it was transferred to the Presbyterians, and in 1850 passed into the hands of the Baptists. This was the long-hoped-for opportunity. An agent was put in the field, and by 1860 a cash endowment of $100,000 was raised, with $30,000 more pledged

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and $20,000 worth of buildings erected. Unfortunately, the whole endowment was lost by the war and the college suspended.

At this period female colleges were in successful operation at Grenada, Chulahoma, Clinton, Lexington, Hernando and Castillian Springs.

The history of Baptist newspapers in the state, preceding the war, is suggestive of wise reflection. Dr. Crane, writing in 1858, says: "The Southwestern Luminary was con- ducted by Elder A. Vaughn through the year 1837, and in February, 1838, was merged into the Mobile Monitor and Southwestern Luminary, under the care of Elder G. F. Heard. The Mississippi Baptist was commenced in Jannary, 1846, by Elder W. H. Taylor, who was asso- ciated with Elder W. C. Crane from July, 1847, to Jnly, 1848, in its editorial care. It was then placed under a committee, consisting of W. C. Crane, W. H. Taylor and L. J. Cald- well. In January, 1849, it was placed under the editorial management of the lamented Elder J. B. Hiteler, and was discontinued in April of that year. A committee, consisting of Elders I. T. Tichenor, G. W. Allen, L. J. Caldwell and G. H. Martin, edited it for a short time. In January, 1857, it was revived at Grenada, under the editorial care of Elder J. T. Freeman, and removed to Jackson. It is now spreading itself like the green bay tree, and commanding the warmest regard and cordial support of the denomination throughout the state." But, like every other institution of the state, the Mississippi Baptist was wrecked by the war.

From 1861 to 1865 the whole country was desolated by the ravages of war. The Missis- sippi Baptist suspended publication, our institutions of learning were closed, some of them never to open again; missionary work ceased, except among the soldiers, wealth gone, the churches disrupted, the Baptist denomination had scarcely more than a name to live. Worse than all of this, the war had fired the fiercest passions of the human breast, and the terrible days of reconstruction blighted and demoralized the moral and religious sentiment of the entire country. It took brave and stout hearts for leaders in those days; but the Lord did not fail for men to stand before Him. Gen. M. P. Lowry, Col. L. Ball, and a host of others, laid aside the sword and musket, declined every political preferment, and gave themselves to the moral uplifting of the state. It was an arduous work, but the results have been entirely satisfactory.

One of the first things done was to reopen Mississippi college. Not only was the endowment swept away, but a great debt in the shape of scholarships threatened the existence of the college. Dr. Walter Hillman became president, and through his management the debt was removed and the success of the institution was assured. For nearly twenty years Rev. W. S. Webb, D. D., has been the efficient president. The college now has an endow- ment of about $50,000, and the outlook is encouraging. The catalogue of 1890-91 shows eight instructors and two hundred and fifty students.

A number of flourishing female colleges have also been established. Central Female institute, now Hillman college, Dr. Walter Hillman, president; Blue Mountain Female col- lege, Dr. W. T. Lowrey, president; Starkville Female institute, Dr. T. G. Sellers, president; Shuqualak Female college, Rev. L. M. Stone, president; Lea Female college, Dr. C. H. Otkin, president, and Carrollton Female college, Rev. Z. T. Leavell, president, all have an hon- ored history. Besides these, numerous high schools have been planted in various localities, and it is likely that many more will be founded.

Following the war, as we have intimated already, there was a great missionary work to be done. The Baptists were scattered and discouraged, while the destitution was appalling. For a time every man worked on the wall over and against his own house, and did that which

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was right in his own eyes. After a time organized work was begun in associations, and the Domestic Mission board was able to do something.

In 1873 the convention met at Aberdeen, Miss. A committee consisting of T. J. Walne, C. Smith, W. H. Hardy, J. A. Hackett and E. Smith reported a plan of work as follows:

1. That this convention appoint a board on state missions, to be known as the " State Mission Board of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention."

2. This board shall be located at Hazlehurst, Copiah county, Miss., and shall be com- posed of fifteen members, who shall elect from their own number a president, two vice presi- dents, a recording secretary and a treasurer.

3. This board, when duly organized, shall have charge of the domestic mission work within the bounds of this convention, and shall be empowered and instructed to employ a corresponding secretary; to secure the closest and heartiest co-operation possible with all the churches and associations within our bounds in domestic mission work; to raise funds, employ missionaries, and supply, so far as possible, the destitution throughout the state.

Thus was the State Mission board organized, which under God did such a great and mighty work. Oxford at length became its local habitation, and Rev. T. J. Walne became corresponding secretary. He served faithfully and successfully for eleven years, when he was succeeded by Rev. L. Ball. This board strengthened the places that were ready to die, preached the gospel in many waste places, and was a powerful agency in putting the Baptists of the state in the front rank of missionary work.

In 1885 the convention again met at Aberdeen. It was felt that the work of the state must be put upon still broader basis. Accordingly the old State Mission board, which had done so grandly, was abolished, and the convention board was organized and took its place. It was declared that this board should take collections for state missions, home missions, foreign missions, Mississippi college, ministerial education and sustentation. Rev. J. B. Gambrell, who had been foremost in presenting and urging this plan, was elected corresponding secre- tary. He served two years, and resigned on account of other pressing duties. Rev. J. T. Christian, the present incumbent, was then elected. The work of this board has been suc- cessful from the start. It has now sixty missionaries in the field, and its financial report for the year just closed aggregated over $70,000 for missions and educational purposes.

A Baptist newspaper was established in Jackson in 1867 called the Christian Watchman. It lived only a few months. It was, however, not until 1877 that a successful enterprise of this kind was established. Rev. M. T. Martin began the publication, and Rev. J. B. Gam- brell became editor of the Baptist Record. This paper continues to be a great power for good. The general association had an organ called the Southern Baptist, which was merged into the Baptist Record. It now has a paper edited by Rev. N. L. Clarke, called the Mississippi Baptist. The progress of the denomination has been great. The statistics in 1891 are as follows: White and colored, ninety-seven associations, one thousand five hun- dred and eighteen ministers, two thousand five hundred and eighty-seven churches, and one hundred and ninety-one thousand four hundred and twenty-four members.

The history of the American continent for the most part, up to the present century, is practically a history of the Roman Catholic church. We have but to recall the names of Columbus, De Soto, Joliet, La Salle, Marquette and multitudes of others to remind ourselves of the fact. This is partly because state and church were united, and what the church of Rome did was credited to the state from which the instrument of the deed came, or what France, Spain, Italy and other Roman Catholic countries did were all done in the name of

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the church. Thus so intimately intertwined are the deeds of both on this continent in early days, that history of that period is history of both church and state.

This is true of the territory covered by the state of Mississippi previous to 1798, when it came under the government of the United States, where church and state were and have ever been separate. Since that time the Catholic church has not prospered in Mississippi as has other churches, and, since it is smaller, is so intimately connected with early history in general as to receive considerable mention, but especially because the facts of its career here have been so inaccessible, this sketch must be limited to scarcely more than a general description.

It is well known that De Soto had his priests along with him in 1539-42, when he crossed the present limits of the state, but it was over a hundred years later that we hear much about missionary effort among the Indians of this region by Roman Catholic missionaries. In 1682 Ricollet, Father Zenobius Membre, of La Salle's company, was probably the first to celebrate mass among the Natchez Indians. This was on March 29, 1682, as is learned from Father Membre's account of it. In 1699, when Bienville settled at Biloxi, his chaplain was De Bor- denac. In 1701 Father Joliet de Montigny visited the Natchez and Tunicas, but as he made no converts, he returned north to Quebec again. "Father Davion and Montigny arrived at Biloxi in a pirogue," says a local writer. "Father Davion had originally settled at Natchez for a year, but making no converts he went to the Tunicas, and erected a cross on the highest bluffs, where he said mass every morning. It was called Roche a Davion until 1764, when it became known as Loftus Heights, and afterward and ever since as Fort Adams. To this remote cliff, conciliating the various tribes as he traveled, the devoted priest had come bearing upon his shoulders the sacred symbols, with no hope of earthly reward, sustained only by the sublime faith that triumphs even over the terrors of death. Father Montigny had come from the posts on the Illinois to inquire for him, and to take his place if he had perished; and hearing from the Indians of the colony at Biloxi, they journeyed thither, down the Mis- sissippi, down the Mauchac, along Lakes Maurepas and Ponchartrain, through the Rigolets and along the Mississippi sound, under the burning sun and profuse dust of July, camping on the desert shores at night amid myriads of mosquitoes, with no refreshment but a cala- bash of tepid water and a little dried meat or parched corn! Ten days only they allowed themselves to commune with their countrymen, and then these devoted men set out, as they came, the one to resume his labors among the Tunicas, the other to establish a mission on the Yazoo, or river of death."

By 1722, when the colony had five thousand four hundred and twenty whites and six hundred negroes, about as much in four states as is now in the single city of Jackson, it was organized into three ecclesiastical divisions: From the mouth of the Mississippi to the mouth of the Illinois was the first, and placed in charge of the Capuchin monks; between the Illinois and Wabash was given to the Jesuit fathers; and at Biloxi, Mobile and Toulouse fort were placed the Carmelites. Thus Mississippi's present territory was under the Capuchins and Carmelites in its first organization. It was but a couple of years later that laws were passed, as a feature of the union of church and state, compelling owners to bring up their slaves in the faith of the Catholics, or, if the owners were not good Catholics themselves, their slaves should be owned by the government; amalgamation of races was forbidden also; Jews were expelled and no other religion was to be tolerated. These laws were called the Black code. Father Philibert, a Capuchin, was cure at Natchez about this time, and certainly in 1727.

For the next half century the church grew among the Indians, as well as among the

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Caucasian and Negro inhabitants, and was the only church within the present boundaries of Mississippi. Under the Spanish control of Don Gayoso, and others, later in the eighteenth century, and when Natchez was the metropolis, it bore a prominent part in public life. "The Catholic religion was the only one tolerated in the country," said an old citizen of Natchez, resident there at that date. "The priests exercised much influence, and were very generally loved. They had great power and used it very mildly. Irish priests were usually selected for Natchez, because there were so many English-speaking people. I well remem- her Father Brady-the best shot, the best rider, and the best judge of horses in the district. And Father Malone, with a wink and a joke, and a blessing and an alms for every one- welcome at every wedding, every frolic and every dinner-most exemplary in the discharge of every duty, but with a slight weakness for his national beverage on St. Patrick's day, when his patriotism would prove stronger than his head. However, in these days, and for years after, the clergy of all denominations took their morning nips and their midday toddy and were always considered the best judges of Maderia. Attempts were made by several Protestant ministers to preach but were not encouraged. The only sermon I remember to have heard during the Spanish rule was preached by an Episcopalian named Cloud. [Rev. Adam Cloud. See sketch of the Episcopal church in these volumes-Ed. ] Governor Gayoso was present and walked home with my father after the service. He expressed himself in their conversation as being individually in favor of religious toleration, 'but', he added, 'you know I have a master.' The next day Cloud was notified that he must not preach again; but, he, persisting in doing so, was shortly arrested and sent out of the country."

It was the friction of the intense Protestant and Catholic feeling against each other in those days that added to the discord of the transfer of the territory to American hands. The first governor-sergeant, native of a Puritan region, unused to the customs of Catholic countries, such as attending mass in the morning and attending picnics, and having similar pleasures in the afternoon, even contemplated seizing the Catholic church building and using it for a courthouse, and was only prevented from doing so by motives of expediency. One reason for the decrease of the church after 1798 was the removal of many Catholics in sympathy with the Spanish power beyond the boundaries of Mississippi territory.

During the present century, however, they have not decreased, but while reaching far below the numbers of the great denominations of the state, it has made substantial progress and extended all over the state. In the year 1876, they had within one of as many organ- izations as the Episcopal church, and was next in size to the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian churches. At that date there were thirty-two organizations scattered over the state, chiefly in the cities and along the gulf coast. There were nine chapels erected, and in various parishes there was a total of twenty-six priests, four of whom were not employed in parish work. They also had several flourishing institutions, one of which was a literary one for young men; for the young ladies there were five female academies; and the primary work for children was cared for in eleven parochial free schools. In their care for orphans they had provided two schools, one for each sex. The extra Catholic population at this time, including all members of Catholic families, was estimated at twelve thousand.

It is very difficult to compare churches bearing the organizing principles of this one with those of a different method of government and arrangement. The membership of the Catho- lic church includes all who are born into it as well as those who enter by conversion. Even their communicant list includes all above an age that varies between nine and eleven years, while such denominations as the Baptist church seldom have members below the age of matur- ity. Therefore, when it is stated that the Catholic church in Mississippi had eleven thousand

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three hundred and forty-eight communicants in 1890, the membership of mature age would be considerably less. This (eleven thousand three hundred and forty-eight) was the num- ber in 1890. The great mass of these are chiefly in five different counties, and the larger number in the respective counties is indicated by the order in which they are mentioned: Harrison county, with one thousand nine hundred and fifteen; Hancock, with one thousand six hundred and eighty-two; Warren, with one thousand four hundred and twenty-six; Jackson county, with one thousand one hundred and forty; Adams, with one thousand and fifty. All other counties contain less than five hundred each, the smallest number being seven in Coahoma county, and the largest, four hundred and fifty in Madison county. The total num- ber of organizations in the state is sixty-seven, the largest number, ten, being in Harrison county, and the second largest in Hancock county. There are nearly as many church edifices as organizations,. the number being sixty, the largest numbers of these in any one county being in those last mentioned, and they are capable of seating in all about thirteen thousand four hundred and forty-eight persons. The value of the property of the church in this state is $321,525, the most expensive proportions being in Natchez, Vicksburg, Meridian and the coast counties. There are but three counties in which property is not owned, where there is a Catholic population, and there are thirty-seven counties that have such population, namely: Adams, Alcorn, Bolivar, Chickasaw, Claiborne, Clarke, Clay, Coahoma, Copiah, Covington, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Leake, Lee, Leflore, Lincoln, Lowndes, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, Neshoba, Noxubee, Panola, Perry, Pike, Warren, Washington, Wilkinson, Winston, Yalobusha and Yazoo.

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 57

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314