USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 11
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Church Sketches
house for the Lord. It might be well to say that this work was begun and fostered by Elder James Bond, who is often spoken of as the father of this church.
CARTHAGE.
This church is situated in the town of Carthage, the county seat of Smith County, Tennessee. They were gathered through the ministry of Elder A. D. Phillips and were constituted an independent church July 16, 1881, by Elders J. W. Bowen and A. D. Phillips. They numbered at the constitution seven- teen members, including the name of Elder E. B. Haynie. They adopted the Confession of Faith and Church Covenant common to the Baptists of this sec- tion.
PASTORS : Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 1881-85; El- der William Shelton, 1885-86; Elder W. H. Smith, 1886-88; Elder N. R. Sanborn, 1889-92; Elder R. B. Mahony, 1892-95; Elder Rutherford Brett, 1895-99: Elder T. T. Thompson, 1899-00; Elder G. W. Sher- man, 1900-01.
CLERKS: W. D. Gold, 1881-83 ; L. A. Ligon, 1883, to the present.
DEACONS: James Piper, 1881 : T. J. Fisher, Sr., 1881 ; H. M. Hale, 1893: W. D. Gold, 1893; W. V. Lee, 1893 ; L. A. Ligon, 1893.
This is one of the most efficient churches in this section in point of work. They number at present seventy-nine, and embrace many of the leading citizens of the town, including seven of the leading lawyers and judges. They have a neat house of worship cen- trally located. They were admitted into the fellowship of Salem Association in September, 1881, when con- vened with the Falling Creek Church. They repre-
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sented in that body until 1888, when they became a constituent member of New Salem Association, in which body they continue to represent.
NEW HOME.
The history of this church, properly speaking, dates back to a beginning more than half a century ago. It is the fruit of the missionary enterprise conducted by the venerable Elder Jesse Johnson. In 1849 a church was gathered and legally constituted by Elders Jesse Johnson and Louis Dies in a schoolhouse known as the "Fodder House." The church was called Mine Lick after a creek by that name on the head waters of which this church was located. This church was situ- ated some eight miles west of Cookeville in Putnam County on the table lands of Cumberland Mountain. She united with Salem Association in 1849, when con- vened with Bethel Church, representing a constituency of twenty members. She represented in this body till 1852, when she became a constituent member of John- son Association.
PASTORS of this old church were as follows: Elders Louis Dies, D. M. Lee, Joel J. James, Lon Bennett, Jas. H. Nelson, Elijah Hickey, Jesse Brown, J. M. Stewart and Phineas Bozarth. The dates of their service are not known.
CLERKS: Thomas Cate, D. C. Crawford, Harrison Stewart and B. Thomas.
DEACONS : Thomas Cooper, William Crawford, Caleb Richardson, Humphries J. Allison, W. A. Brown and R. D. Brown.
This church ordained Elder J. M. Stewart to the full work of the gospel ministry August 7, 1871.
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Church Sketches
This church kept up regular meeting until about 1887, when they ceased to meet at the old meeting place. In May, 1873, a church was constituted out of eight of her members some four miles west of the old location, and given the name of
HOPEWELL.
This church was constituted by Elders Jesse Brown and J. M. Stewart and Deacon Caleb Richardson.
PASTORS : Elder J. M. Stewart, 1873-83 ; Elder Ed- win Kelley, 1883-89; Elder J. D. Howell, 1889-92; Elder Edwin Kelley, 1892-94; Elder Samuel Howell, 1894-98; Elder Riley Green, 1898-99; Elder R. A. Sutton, 1899-01 ; Elder Edwin Kelley, 1901 to the present.
CLERKS: W. B. Wells, 1873-78; E. L. Thompson, 1878 to the present.
DEACONS: Moses Whitehead, 1873; W. B. Wells, and E. L. Thompson.
This church, at present, has a membership of 71.
In 1871 a church was constituted by Elders Elijah Hickey and J. M. Stewart on the waters of Big Indian Creek out of members drawn from the old Mine Lick Church. This church was first known as Indian Creek, but was afterward changed to
PHILADELPHIA.
PASTORS : Elders J. M. Stewart, P. Bozarth and A. J. Waller. O. Butler served as church clerk and Wil- liam Hoggard as deacon.
This church also ceased to meet regularly, and in July, 1898, Elder J. M. Stewart held a series of meet- ings in the town of Boma, a station on a new railroad. This was midway between the old mother, Mine Lick
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Church, and Philadelphia. The members of these two churches were brought together and constituted into a church known as
NEW HOME,
with seventeen members, by Elders J. M. Stewart and R. A. Sutton. Elder J. M. Stewart was chosen pastor and B. H. Brown clerk, which positions they still hold. W. A. Brown, F. P. Whitehead and R. D. Brown came into the organization as deacons.
This church has had a prosperous history so far. They have seventy-one members and have erected a neat house of worship and are moving forward in every good work. They connected themselves with Salem Association in 1898, where they still represent.
CANEY FORK SEMINARY.
This church is situated in Smith County, Tennessee, on the north side of Caney Fork River, a short distance below Trousdale's Ferry.
The church was constituted in the seventies by El- ders James Barrett, J. W. Bowen, T. A. Hudson and D. N. Jarrard. She united with Salem Association as a newly constituted church in 1879, with twenty-six members. This church is an offspring of New Salem Church, which stands a few miles north on Snow Creek. They were gathered through the ministry of Elders James Barrett and D. N. Jarrard. They ex- isted a while and kept up regular services as an arm of the mother church. As such Elder D. N. Jarrard served them, becoming their first pastor.
PASTORS: Elder D. N. Jarrard, 1875-79; Elder Z. A. Lyon, 1879-81 ; Elder T. A. Hudson, 1882-84; Elder G. M. Hunt, 1884-85; Elder W. B. Wooten,
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Church Sketches
1885-86; Elder Z. A. Lyon, 1887-90; Elder S. B. Whitlock, 1890-91 ; Elder James Bellar, 1891-94; El- der M. W. Russell, 1894-97 ; Elder S. F. Hallum, 1897- 98; Elder M. W. Russell, 1898, to the present, 1901.
CLERKS: John Luck, 1875-78; James Welch, 1879- 85 ; A. J. Armistead, 1885-9' ; P. L. Vaden, 1891-95; T. W. Cooper, 1895-97; P. L. Vaden, 1897-00; R. A. Vanderpool, 1900-01.
DEACONS: William Vaden, 1875 ; Patrick Hubbard, 1875 : John Luck, 1875: T. W. Cooper, 1881 ; James Welch, 1881 ; F. G. Perkins, .1881 ; John Gibbs, 1885 ; P. L. Vaden, 1885 ; A. J. Armistead, 1885.
This church has occupied an important field and done a good work, though they have never become a strong church. They number at present sixty-eight members. For some time they worshiped in a school building, but have recently constructed a neat house of worship. They have had a hard pull, but have proved true to their trust. They represented in Salem Asso- ciation from 1879-89, when they united with New Salem Association, in which they continue to represent.
NEW SALEM.
This church is situated on the waters of Snow Creek in the fork of Cumberland and Caney Fork rivers, Smith County, Tennessee, some seven miles east of Carthage. This church is an offspring of Hogan's Creek and Peyton's Creek churches. It is the outgrowth of the ministry of Elder E. B. Haynie. By invitation he went into the community preaching at different times and holding a series of meetings and receiving members under the watch care of Peyton's Creek Church, when it was deemed advisable to con- stitute them, with others, into an independent church.
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For the lack of records we are unable to ascertain the exact date of the organization. It must have taken place in the latter part of 1849 or the early part of 1850. The first public record we have of this church is May II, 1850, when she became a constituent mem- ber of Enon Association. This church at that time was a newly constituted church. They were con- stituted by Elders E. B. Haynie, Daniel Smith and E. W. Haile. Elder E. B. Haynie was the first pastor and continued for about twenty-five years. The fol- lowing brethren have served as pastors, but the dates are not known, viz .: Elder James Barrett, Elder L. D. Smith, Elder T. J. Hudson, Elder S. S. Hale, Elder J. W. Bowen, Elder W. M. Kuykendall, Elder J. F. McNabb, Elder M. W. Russell, Elder N. R. Sanborn, Elder W. H. Smith, Elder Rutherford Brett, Elder T. T. Thompson, and Elder G. W. Sherman.
CLERKS : The following brethren have served as clerk, viz .: Robert Knight, T. W. Cooper, W. W Vaden and B. J. Vaden, Jr.
DEACONS : We note the following deacons, viz .: Harrison Lee, B. J. Vaden, Sr., Louis Franklin, S. S. High, T. W. Cooper, Samuel Lee and H. B. C. Vaden.
This church from the best records we can gather seems to have been organized with thirty-six members. For a number of years they grew and became a strong church, but for some years past they seemingly have been on the back-ground. At last report they num- bered only thirty members. They have a good house of worship and occupy an important field. They have had a hard struggle-they have had to encounter much opposition to Baptist principles. It is to be hoped that they will yet rise and put on their strength. They first became a constituent member of Enon Associa-
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Church Sketches
tion. They continued to represent in this body until 1870, when they took a letter of dismission, and united with Salem Association in 1871, when convened with Providence Church, Warren County, Tennessee. They represented in this body till 1888, when they became a constituent member of New Salem Association, in which they continue to represent. The meager data have rendered this sketch very difficult.
NEW UNION, NO. 2.
This church is now extinct. But as reference to it will frequently be found in these pages, we give a brief statement of its history. This church was located one and a half miles south of Alexandria, DeKalb County, Tennessee, on Helton Creek, near the turn- pike. They were constituted about 1870, mostly of members coming from New Hope Church. They united with Salem Association at that date, bringing a membership of sixty-one. The church grew rapidly and was fast becoming one of the strongest churches in the Association. Internal dissensions, however, arose and a formal rupture was the result. This rup- ture occurred about 1876. The majority was led by their pastor, Elder J. R. Bowman, and it resulted in him and his party being dropped from the Association, and the minority being recognized as New Union Church. The majority held the house, and the minor- ity dissolved. Elder Bowman led his party into the Freewill Baptists, and then deserted them and joined the Cumberland Presbyterians where, a few years after, he died. His deserted flock soon went to noth- ing, part of them returning to the Baptist fold.
CHAPTER VI.
BIOGRAPHIES OF DECEASED MINISTERS.
ELDER JOHN BOND.
This man of God first looked out upon the light of this world in Anson County, North Carolina, February 23, 1787. His father moved from the North State to South Carolina when young Bond was only three years of age, and removed to Wilson County, Ten- nessee, in the year 1806. Young Bond's conversion dates back, however, to 1802, when in the State of South Carolina he gave his heart to God and received the peace which passeth all understanding. Soon after his conversion he came to Paget's Creek Baptist Church, and related what the Lord had done for him, and on Wednesday after the third Sunday in July, 1802, Elder Thomas Green led him down into the waters of old Tiger River and buried him with his Lord in baptism.
On moving to Tennessee he became a member of Smith's Fork Baptist Church, Statesville, Tenn., and was doubtless one of the constituent members, as the church was constituted the same year ( 1806) that the Bond family arrived, He remained a member of Smith's Fork Church (beginning his ministry with her ) till 1815, when Union Church (Old Hurricane) was constituted as a branch from Smith's Fork. Elder Bond went into the new church and became her first
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Biographies of Deceased Ministers
clerk. It seems that he was only a licensed minister at this time, but was regularly ordained by Union Church A. D., 1820, by a presbytery consisting of Elders Joshua Lester and David Gordon. He served this church as pastor thirty-nine years, almost his entire ministerial life, for which it is said he received only $11.
As a man, he is described as being of medium height, slender in build, with a very intellectual bearing. As a minister, he was rarely excelled, and his counsel was sought far and near. For many years before he died he was known as "Father Bond," and to sit at his feet was regarded as an inestimable privilege, while all vied with each other to do him honor. He was a Baptist of the strictest sort, and a strong Calvinist. In his day his name stood along with Graves, Howell, Marshall, Whitsitt, Wiseman, Pickett and others. He was a leader in his time in all denominational work. He was well to do in this world's goods, owning at one time 1,300 acres of fine land with a number of slaves. He gave liberally to the cause.
He never aspired to authorship, but in 1859, at the request of Concord Association, he consented to have the "History of Concord Association," which he had compiled, published, and was tendered $50 for his services by the Association.
In 1808 he was married to Miss Sallie Cummings, by whom he had ten children born. Most of these preceded him to the better land. He died as he had lived, full of faith and good works. On March 2, 1861, just as our beloved country was being hurled into a cruel Civil War, God released his spirit and he went home to the God of peace.
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History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
ELDER JAMES BOND.
The subject of this sketch was also a native of North Carolina, and an elder brother of Elder John Bond, being born in 1784. Early in life he went with his parents to South Carolina. When he was eighteen years of age he gave his heart to God and united with a Baptist Church in the South State. Soon after- ward he came to Tennessee, settling on Fall Creek in Wilson County, and united with what was then Big Cedar Lick Church (now Mt. Olivet), Leeville, Tenn., eight miles west of Lebanon. In 1807 he united with Smith's Fork Church near Statesville, under the pas- toral care of Elder Joshua Lester. He served as deacon of this church, and was possibly licensed to exercise his gifts publicly while a member of this church. In 1815 he became a constituent member of Union Church, better known as Hurricane. In 1818 he entered regularly into the ministry and was or- dained by Union Church, A. D. 1820, by a presbytery consisting of Elders Joshua Lester and David Gordon. He soon established a preaching place on the head waters of Fall Creek, which resulted in the establish- ment of Falling Creek Church in May, 1822. He be- came pastor of this church and remained so till his death, a period of thirty years. It might be said that this church stands as a monument to his memory. We might remark that he entered into the constitution of Falling Creek Church and remained a member as long as he lived. He was a fine preacher, and a great coun- selor, and excelled as a pastor. He was twice modera- tor of Salem Association. He held the gavel in the division of 1837, and the success of that session per- haps was largely due to his coolness and discretion. He has a large and honored posterity, though we
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cannot give the details concerning his family. He fell on sleep September, 1852, and his spirit went home to God. He was a brother of blessed memory.
ELDER JOHN BORUM.
Elder John Borum was a native of Virginia and was born in Nottoway County, December 15, 1775. His father's name was Richard Borum. He professed faith in Christ in 1788, very early in life, and from the very first became active in the service. He, how- ever, did not enter the ministry till much later in life.
He emigrated with his father to Tennessee in the latter part of 1805 and settled in Wilson County. He united with Round Lick Baptist Church April 4, 1807, when this church was located in Smith County near Grant. He was ordained to the ministry by this church August 5, 1810. He at once entered actively upon the work which lay so near his heart. He was indeed a man of God, leaving his impress on the entire country near where he lived. The number of churches he served is not known. Not long after he began the ministry he established a preaching point near Big Spring, Wilson County, which was soon made an arm of Round Lick Church. On Saturday before the fourth Sunday in July, 1820, he and Thomas Durham, the pastor of Round Lick Church, constituted this arm into an independent church and Elder Borum became pastor and remained so as long as he lived- for twenty-four years. He also cast his membership with this new church, of which he died an honored member as well as pastor. He was in the constitution of both Concord and Salem Associations. He was also a member of Salem Association in 1837, when the
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division over the mission question occurred. As a preacher he possessed many points of excellence. It is said that few were ever able to sit under his ministry and restrain their tears.
He was low of stature, strongly built and bald- headed. In 1813 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Bratten. This union was blessed with twelve children, ten of whom, seven sons and three daughters, lived to raise families. He had one son and one grandson who were ministers. He and Elder Cantrel Bethel mar- ried sisters.
The Borum family as far back as it can be traced has been Baptists, coming to the new world as such.
A very touching tribute to his memory is found in the minutes of Salem Association for 1844, from which we take the following: "No man, perhaps, ever gave greater evidence of love to God and the souls of men, than Elder John Borum. But he is gone to enjoy that rest that remains to the people of God; while his usefulness and worth live, and are cherished in the memory of all who were acquainted with him."
He went home to glory June 26, 1844. His funeral service was held by Elders E. W. Haile and E. B. Haynie in old Cedar Creek meeting house in the pres- ence of a vast throng of sorrowing friends. The Scriptures used as texts on this occasion were Psa. 23 : 4 and 2 Tim. 4: 6, 7, 8. Thus rounded up a life of nearly three score and ten years. His body was laid under a large mulberry tree near where he had lived; while his spirit winged its way to mansions of glory. Noble servant, glorious end !
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Biographies of Deceased Ministers
ELDER WILLIAM BORUM.
The subject of this sketch was a son of Elder John and Elizabeth (Bratten) Borum. He was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, May 24, 1828. His father was very strict in his family discipline, which had much to do in shaping the future life of this eminently useful man. He professed faith in Christ, December 27, 1843, during a series of meetings conducted by his aged father and Elder Archamac Bass in the old Cedar Creek Church. He found peace while on the road home from church and that night, to use his own words, he gave himself to the church, soul and body. On the next day he was buried in the pure waters of Big Spring, Wilson County, Tennessee, by Elder Archamac Bass. The Lord laid his hand on him for the ministry as soon as he was converted ; but poverty and lack of education caused him to defer taking up the work for some length of time. His uncle, Richard Borum, realizing the situation, supplied the means and gave him a good English education, mostly in "Marion Collegiate Institute," which was under the direction of Salem Association. He was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry on the fourth Sunday in June, 1855, by Cedar Creek Church, Elders Richard Lyon, W. N. Suite, James Barrett and Wm. Barton acting as presbytery.
He was clerk of Salem Association for four years- from 1856 to 1859.
Feeling that he could do more good by going to a new country, he moved to the State of Arkansas in the fall of 1859, and settled in Sevier County, where he did a fine work.
He was twice married-first to Miss Sarah Haile, the only daughter of Elder W. H. Haile, August 28,
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1853, and second to Miss Ione Jackson. He was a fine student and gathered quite a library. In doctrine -to use his own language-he was of the "firmest landmark type."
He fell on sleep February 12, 1879, at his home in Sevier County, Arkansas, at fifty-one years of age. He fell of that dread disease, consumption, leaving behind a wife and six children. His last moments were peaceful. When standing down in death's waters he exclaimed : "It is strange that the good Lord should make one feel so happy in death."
A very tender tribute is found to the memory of this brother in The Baptist for April 12, 1879. He has many relatives still living in this section. A worthy son of a worthy sire.
ELDER J. C. BRIEN.
This brother was of Irish extraction-the son of Elisha and Elizabeth Brien. He was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, October 19, 1824. He was mar- ried to Miss Nancy A. Horne, August 31, 1842. She was a godly woman and was instrumental in leading him to Christ. He made a public profession of the Christian religion October, 1842, and in December fol- lowing he united with Cedar Grove Baptist Church, five miles north of Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennes- see, and was baptized by Elder E. W. Haile. He hesi- tated many years before entering the ministry. He was finally ordained by New Hope Church, DeKalb County, 'T'ennessee, Elders N. Hays, Henry Fite and Henry Bass acting as a presbytery. His ordination occurred January, 1859. From this time till his death, a period of twenty-nine years, his ministry was very active. He kept no diary and I have no means of
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Biographies of Deceased Ministers
knowing the amount of his labors. I am sure it would almost be fabulous for the length of time he was in the work. He did a great deal of work in destitute sections and organized quite a number of churches. He, perhaps, baptized not less than 2,000 persons. He carried with him a good degree of Irish wit. He was the father of seven children, one of whom is a minister. He fell while away from home on a preaching tour. The following was writ- ten by Elder J. T. Oakley and pub- lished in the min- utes of Salem As- sociation for 1888: "Elder J. C. Brien was the next to lay down his armor and enter the rest that remains for the people of God. . .. Brother Brien traveled and preached more, per- haps, than any one ELDER J. C. BRIEN. man in the Associa- Brother Brien had
tion during his active ministry. serious faults (which he was free to acknowledge), yet he accomplished a great deal of good. In the great day of eternity hundreds will walk the golden streets, the result of our brother's ministry. We can say he fell at his post. He was on his way to fill an appointment at Peyton's Creek, in Smith County, when he was taken ill. From the beginning of his
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illness he believed it was unto death. He died a triumphant death in the presence of his companion and friends. His funeral was preached by the writer in the presence of a large concourse of friends and fel- low citizens. May the God of peace deal tenderly with his weeping companion.
"Brother, farewell, life's battles fought, The victory won-enter thy rest."
The summons came February 22, 1888. He died of hernia at the age of sixty-four years. His zeal in the ministry never abated till the day of his death. He had but little of this world's goods, but had two brothers who were leading lawyers, one of whom gave him a home in the town of Smithville, the only one he was ever permitted to own. He was generous to a fault. He would give the last cent of money, or the last morsel to eat to a friend in need. He died in great pain but died rejoicing, telling those about him that he had no fears, all was well.
ELDER CANTREL BETHEL.
The subject of this sketch was born in the State of Maryland, December 17, 1779. Very early in life he, with a colony, emigrated to Tennessee and settled near where the town of Liberty now stands, then Smith County, but now DeKalb County, Tennessee. The coming of this colony marked the establishing of the first town in Tennessee between Nashville and the Cumberland Mountain. The location of Liberty took place about the close of the eighteenth century. Among the names included in this colony are the Brat- tens, Whaleys, Evans, Dales and Givans. They were soon joined by the Fites, Turneys, Turners and Over-
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alls. Young Bethel found a helpmeet in the person of a Miss Bratten. I am not advised as to her given name, or the date of the marriage, or the number of children born unto them. Among them, however, was the talented Elder L. H. Bethel.
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