USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 14
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He lived to a ripe old age and at his own home in the midst of loved ones he peacefully breathed his last. You say he is dead? "No, not dead, but sleep- eth." Though numbered with the dead, he lives on in deeds of righteousness which know no death.
ELDER JAMES BARRETT.
Elder James Barrett first saw the light of day in Smith County, Tennessee, June, 1813. In his early life, and for some sixteen years after he was married, he was rude and wicked, giving no concern to re- ligion, yet law-abiding and honorable. In early life he either had no opportunities, or slighted those he did have, to secure an education, so that when he was married he could neither read nor write.
In 1831 he was married in the depth of poverty-in fact, it has been told that they married while bare- footed and with coarse homespun clothing. Let this be as it may, he and his faithful wife began life even
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with the world. He had rather a delicate body, but few men possessed as much energy and push. Being a man of a broad and comprehensive intellect, he began at once to accumulate property. Feeling it necessary in his business relations, he learned to read and write. Though a wicked man and ambitious to make money, he never turned the poor away empty, and the suffering and distressed always found a help- ing hand. Such deeds multiplied
friends among all
classes. Such was
his popularity that in 1847 Smith County sent him to the Legislature where he served them two years faithfully and ef- ficiently. We might mention be- fore passing that he served a term in the Florida war with ex-Governor Camp- bell as his captain. They were ever after fast friends.
Q
ELDER JAMES BARRETT.
During his term of service in the Legislature he embraced the Christian religion, and was baptized into the fellowship of Macedonia Church, near New Mid- dleton, April, 1848, by Elder Louis Dies. As soon as his legislative duties were performed in 1849, he re- turned home and entered the ministry with the same
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zeal which had characterized him in his business pur- suits of life. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry on Saturday before the third Sunday in March, 1850. It could hardly be said that he was a profound preacher, yet he was a soul-stirring preacher who reached the hearts of the people.
Success attended his ministry everywhere he went. He was pastor of a number of churches during his ministry. His labor and means were spent in the cause unstintedly. He gave the land and perhaps more than $2,000 in money toward the erection of two new houses of worship at his home church ( Macedonia). He served this church as pastor, without remuneration, for nineteen years-almost all his ministerial life. His first ministry and first pastorate were at Buena Vista. It was he who first unfurled the Baptist banner at this place, which resulted in the constitution of the church -he becoming their first pastor.
Perhaps no one ever wielded a more wholesome influence in their ministry than he. He poured oil on the troubled waters wherever he went. He was in- deed a father to young ministers. In him they always found a friend. "Onward to the work" were his watch- words, as long as his health would permit. On his return from an appointment at Round Lick, where he had served as pastor for a number of years, he got a fall from his horse from which he never recovered. After lingering for some time he resigned all his charges and went home to die. His sickness was lin- gering, and for many months his friends anxiously watched the slow, steady decline, till on December 3, 1873, at his own comfortable home at New Middleton, Smith County, Tennessee, his spirit loosed from its earthly moorings and went home to be with God. He
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was buried with Masonic honors, Elder J. M. Phillips conducting the religious services.
He had twelve children; two still survive him, but ten are not; the Lord took them. He is the grand- father of Elder R. N. Barrett. His faithful wife sur- vived him thirteen years, when she quietly fell on sleep. Her dust sleeps with his in the old Macedonia Church yard, while her spirit communes with his in the pres- ence of God and his angels.
Victor of the Cross, well done, Life's battle fought, the victory won.
ELDER W. F. LUCK.
Few men are better remembered by those among whom he labored than this veteran of the Cross, who received his discharge and retired to the peaceful shores of the Eden of God some years ago.
Elder William Francis Luck was born in the State of Virginia, November 27, 1801. From Virginia he came to Tennessee, settling in Wilson County, where he united with Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Octo- ber 16, 1830. We should state just here that this church, located about two miles below Statesville on Smith's Fork, was at that time known as a Separate Baptist Church and was presided over by Elder John Whitlock. They belonged to Concord Association No. 2, which returned in 1842 (see chapter on Separate Baptists), when many of their churches united again with the churches from which they had separated. He was licensed to preach by this church, June 3, 1831, and was ordained to the full work of the ministry by this same church, July 7, 1837, by Elders John Whit- lock and Elisha Bell. It would seem that God brought
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him into the ranks of the Separate Baptists at this juncture for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation. In the five years which he labored with them as an ordained minister he had so entrenched himself in their affections and confidence that much depended upon his action as to the course they pursued. He was one of the committee which drafted the articles of agreement in the council of 1842. After the union of the two Concord Associations he took a deep hold on the entire brotherhood of this section. He was very poor so far as this world's goods were concerned. He was a carpenter by trade and raised a large family of children, twelve of whom were still living at his death. His whole life was absorbed in the work of the ministry. His ministry in Tennessee lasted from 1831 to 1857. During this time he was pastor of vari- ous churches in Davidson, Wilson, Rutherford and Cannon counties. He was a yoke-fellow with Elder J. M. D. Cates, and equally as strong a Baptist and as positive in his convictions and manner of address as was Brother Cates. He also had a funny side to his nature as the following incident will show. He and Elder Cates once held a meeting in Warren County, Tenn. At the close, it fell to Brother Cates' lot to baptize a large number of converts in Rocky River. Among the number was a lady who owned a fice-dog which followed her everywhere she went, and con-
sequently was on hand at the baptizing. When Brother Cates led her into the water, the dog followed suit. As the water was beyond the dog's depth, he had to keep swimming. So when Brother Cates stopped the woman, the dog kept moving, swimming around and around. When the minister was ready to baptize the woman, unfortunately his dogship was
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just behind her, and down went the woman on the dog, carrying him to the bottom of the river. As Brother Cates led the woman to the shore, the dog was swimming hard behind them. Brother Luck, with a quizzical look, pointed at the dog and said: "Brother Cates, what are you going to do with that member?" Brother Cates, who was always equal to the emergency, replied : "I will turn him over to the Campbellites ; he didn't tell any experience."
Once when preaching at Smith's Fork Church, during a protracted effort, he had been a little bit severe on the doctrines of Pedo-Baptists, when some of them became angry and excited, and began to mut- ter in the audience. He abruptly stopped and said : "Brethren, we are going to have a good meeting, I hear the devil's pups growling." He then took up his discourse and moved on as though nothing had oc- curred.
On one occasion, when he felt an offending brother needed rebuke, he said: "Yes, the devil has had a bill of sale of you." He never failed to rebuke when he thought it necessary ; and he saw humor in almost everything. Yet he was as loving as a maiden and as tender as a mother. He wept with those who wept, and was sunshine in the home of the sorrowing. As a result of his ministry he baptized about two thou- sand converts.
He left Tennessee and moved to Missouri in 1857, and settled in Lincoln County as pastor of New Salem Church, where he remained as pastor till God called him home on December 26, 1878. The last year of his active ministry he baptized 130 into this church.
The Troy Herald said of him after his death: "He was a devoted and able defender of the faith, uniformly
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commanding the confidence and reverential respect of the membership, and the kind regard of all."
He was not a man of letters, but a master of assem- blies. An unknown minister, who attended him in his last sickness, has this to say of him: "The leading characteristic of our brother was force of character. He was not accurate in his literature; indeed, he had but little knowledge of books, except such as bear directly upon the ministry. He was not always critical and connected in his preaching, but there was force. You could feel his presence and his power from the time he rose to preach. And when he would become fully animated his power was great. He loved the Scriptures. ... He talked but little on any but re- ligious subjects, except in humor and diversion."
In connection with his pastorate at New Salem, he served several other churches, both in Missouri and Illinois.
I take this from the pen of his life-long friend, Elder J. M. D. Cates : "He, in obedience to the com- mand of God, contended earnestly for the truth, and boldly contended against false doctrines in all their shapes and forms. He was truly a bold, energetic de- fender of the truth.
"His reproofs were pointed and frequently very severe. On a certain occasion, while preaching at a camp meeting to a large audience, and with great earnestness exposing Campbellism, a lady who was of that faith curled her lip at him. He immediately stopped and said: 'Madam, if you do not repent you will curl your lips in hell.' He then proceeded with his sermon."
It could truly be said of him, that he "reproved, re- buked, with all long suffering and doctrine." "His
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life was that of the soldier, his death that of the victor." His body sleeps at New Salem Church, Lincoln Coun- ty, Missouri, while his work stands as an immortal monument of his faithful service, and his name lives on memory's pages.
PRESLEY LESTER.
Elder Presley Lester was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, February 9, 1783. In regard to his youth, but little is known. He professed faith in Christ in the fall of 1801, when he was nineteen years old. He at once felt his call to the ministry and united with Buffalo Baptist Church in Halifax County, Virginia, where he began to exercise in public the next year ; but, like many others, he shrank from duty and virtually ceased to appear in public as a speaker. Thus matters went till 1809, when he came to Ten- nessee, and cast his membership with Smith's Fork Church, near Statesville, Wilson County. In the fall of 1812, a glorious revival broke out in that church which fanned into a flame that smoldering fire in his bosom, and again he began to exercise his ministerial gifts. The church took cognizance of his gifts and on January 16, 1813, he was licensed to preach by this church. He now entered the ministry in earnest, and was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in 1815. The exact date of his ordination or the pres- bytery who officiated we have no means of knowing. He was a younger brother of the sainted Elder Joshua Lester, who was, at that time, pastor of Smith's Fork Church.
Soon after his ordination, he began preaching be- tween Statesville and Alexandria in what is now known as the Marler settlement. He soon succeeded
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in getting about him a band of brethren who became an arm of Salem Church. They worshiped under the fostering care of Salem Church till May 24, 1821, when they were constituted into an independent church known as Enon, by Elders Joshua Lester, Cantrel Bethel, Presley Lester, John Fite and William Dale. This new church numbered twenty-three members when Elder P. Lester cast his membership with this little band and became their first pastor. He remained pastor of this church till January, 1828, when he re- signed the care of this church to take charge of Phila- delphia (now Bradley's Creek), having moved into that community. He transferred his membership to Philadelphia and gave all his energies to the work at that place, which was greatly blessed. In 1830 about one hundred were added to the church. His work with this church was his crowning work. While yet in the strength of manhood he was called to his re- ward. His preaching was soul-stirring and heart- searching. His ministerial life was not nearly so long and prominent as was his brother Joshua's ; yet in his day he was regarded as a fine preacher. His last ser- mon was preached at Old Providence Church. He returned home to die. On the next day (Monday) he and his devoted wife took their beds. On Saturday following her spirit winged its way to the paradise of God. On Monday, just two days later, his spirit loosed its earthly moorings and sped away to join her in the city of God. HAPPY REUNION! But behind stood seven orphan children gazing across the mystical river. His death occurred August 26, 1839. His wife's maiden name was Sallie McAllister, and they were married June 21, 1810, soon after he came to Tennessee. For twenty-nine years they fought the
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battles of life side by side, then fell together and went away to sing the anthems of redeeming love while their dust sleeps side by side.
ELDER H. W. PICKETT, SR.
The name which stands at the head of this article is still a household word in many families. He con- tinues to live in the hearts of his friends. Elder Hugh Willoughby Pickett was born in the State of Virginia, August 7, 1796. He was removed with his parents to Tennessee in 1801, settling in Wilson
County. His life was uneventful till he en- listed in the United States army in the war of 1812. After one year's service he was discharged and returned home, and on December 4, 1820, he was married to Miss Louany Looper, a lady every way worthy to be a minister's wife. This union was blessed ELDER H. W. PICKETT. with ten children, one of whom bore his father's name, and, after his father's death, entered the ministry. He professed faith in Christ, September 25, 1821. He cast his lot with Smith's Fork Baptist Church and was baptized by Elder Joshua Lester, February 16, 1822. In less than one year from that time-January 18, 1823-he was licensed to preach, and on August 14, 1824, he was ordained to the full work of the
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gospel ministry. Just what ministers officiated in his ordination we have no means of knowing. In 1828 he was called to the care of Enon Church, situated between Statesville and Alexandria, to succeed Elder P. Lester. He transferred his membership to this church and continued to preach for them till 1843, when he was called to succeed Elder Joshua Lester at Smith's Fork, who had resigned on account of failing health. It might be remarked just here that Enon Church, in this same date, went to the anti-mission or Primitive Baptists as a body. Brother Pickett trans- ferred his membership back to Smith's Fork, where he remained till death.
Besides the above points mentioned he preached at various other places and helped to constitute a number of churches. For many years he was prominent in the work of the Association. In 1873 when the As- sociation met at Smith's Fork, he was made moderator. This was to him a surprise and he rose with the weight of more than seventy-seven years upon him and stood before his brethren and wept like a child.
As a preacher, he stood in the first rank. He was doctrinal, experimental and wonderfully eloquent. It is said he could rise to his height in fewer words than most any man. He had a voice almost like thunder, and yet there was a sweetness and a melody about it rarely heard. His life was that of the true minister, pure and spotless as can be attained by mortals here below.
At the ripe old age of nearly four-score years, full of faith and good works, he went home to God on June 24, 1875. He and his beloved wife sleep side by side in the old church yard at Smith's Fork Baptist Church. Here is where he professed religion, where
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he was baptized, where he was licensed and ordained, and where he served as pastor seventeen years. It seems befitting that he should sleep here and rise here. We no more hear the sweet melodies of his voice, as he tells of God and his grace, but his work lives, will live on through time and through eternity.
ELDER JOHN WHITLOCK.
Elder John Whitlock (better known as Uncle Jackey) was a native of Virginia. At what date he came to Tennessee we do not know. He was born January 25, 1797. On coming to Tennessee he settled near Statesville, Wilson County. He professed faith in Christ, April, 1813, joined the Baptist Church at Smith's Fork near where he lived, and was baptized by the pastor, Elder Joshua Lester. He was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry October 26, 1821, by the following presbytery, viz .: Elders Joshua Lester, John Bond, James Bond and Presley Lester.
Brother Whitlock was the father of twenty-three children. It could be truthfully said that he diligently obeyed the command to "multiply and replenish the earth."
As a preacher he possessed good ability, and stood as a staunch defender of the Baptist doctrines. One of the most noted events of his life was that in 1827 he went with the Separate Baptists and for the time being separated himself from the great body of Bap- tists, but returned in 1842. (See chapter on Separate Baptists.) While he was with the Separate Baptists he established a church at Pleasant Valley, two miles below Statesville, over which he became pastor. The latter part of his life was spent in Warren County, Tennessee, where he fell on sleep April 14, 1881, being
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more than eighty-four years of age. He died respected and beloved by all who knew him. For sixty-eight years he had walked with God, and for sixty years he had preached the "everlasting gospel." Of his family have come several preachers, among them the lamented Elder J. H. Whitlock. It was he who bap- tized and helped to ordain Elder W. F. Luck. He was also a fast friend of Elder J. M. D. Cates. He also baptized Elder S. L. Summar.
ELDER WILLIAM FLOWERS.
The subject of this sketch was born in the State of Virginia (dates not known). He also united with the church and was ordained in that State. He was ordained in Buckingham County, Virginia, September 6, 1788, by a presbytery consisting of Elders Roane Chastain, Robert Foster and James Sanders.
The date in which he came to Tennessee, we have no means of knowing. It evidently was in the early part of the nineteenth century. The first account I find of him in the State is where he officiated in the constitution of Hogan's Creek Church, June 11, 1810. He settled about three miles south of Rome, Smith County, on what is now known as the Seay Pike, where he lived till God called him home. He united with Hogan's Creek Church and became their pastor September, 1811, while they yet worshiped at the mouth of Caney Fork River. He held this position twenty-seven years. He was also pastor of Knob Spring Church from 1830 till his death in 1844. In 1837 he became one of the constituent members of l'lunkett's Creek Church. The next year he trans- ferred his membership to Knob Spring where it re- mained till his death. In his day he was one of the
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most active ministers of this section. Besides the pas- torates mentioned he did other pastoral work and was always engaged in the general work of the denomina- tion. Elder E. B. Haynie has this to say of him: ".I. was well acquainted with Elder William Flowers. Truly 'he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and much people were added to the Lord.' He was considered rather an Arminian in doctrine; his theme was, however, salvation by grace."
He came very nearly, at one time, being drawn into the meshes of Campbellism ; but when he came to him- self he "saw men as trees walking" and threw off the bewitching garb of Campbellism and lived loyal to the truth as taught by the Baptists. He was the father of eleven children, and lived to a ripe old age, dying in the full triumphs of a living faith in October, 1844. His counsel was always sought when convenient, and among the then noble ministry of this section he stood prominent. He has a large progeny in this section yet, though but few by his name. Some of the most royal Baptist blood to be found anywhere flows through their veins.
Let me remark just here by way of parenthesis, that this was a reaping time among the ministers of this section. From 1844 to 1848 there fell on sleep the following : Elders Joshua Lester, Wm. Flowers, Archamac Bass, Cantrel Bethel, William Dale, John Borum, and within a few years of these, several others.
ELDER J. H. HIGH.
The subject of this sketch was the son of William and Rebecca Dunn High. He was born in Wake County, North Carolina, March 8, 1810. His parents emigrated to Tennessee when he was but two years of
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age, and settled in Smith County, not far from Car- thage. A severe attack of fever, when he was small, left his eyesight very much impaired, from which he never recovered. His mother watched him with tender interest from day to day, only to behold the steady decline, till at last he ceased to return his mother's smiles and to take pleasure in that which was wont to amuse him in other days, and she was forced to say, with an aching heart, "My boy is blind."
The death of his father and second marriage of his mother brought many difficulties in the way of little blind Johnnie. Yet, through all these years he was jolly and cheerful, so much so, that he was called "Jolly Jack." Notwithstanding he was blind he car- ried sunshine everywhere he went, and was always a welcome visitor.
While yet in early life, the Holy spirit touched his heart and he yielded his all to God. Even before this he had showed signs of wonderful mental vigor, and now his intellect must be consecrated to God. From this time his gifts began to develop in a wonderful (legree. He was licensed to preach by Hogan's Creek Baptist Church, December 1, 1833, and was ordained by the same church to the full work of the gospel min- istry, September 6, 1834, by Elders John Harper, E. B. Haynie, E. W. Haile and William Hughs. Feeling the need of an education he went the next year to the blind institute at Boston. He was now twenty-five years of age, and his touch not having been educated when he was young, he found it very difficult to learn through the touch. Returning, he went to Richmond, depending on others to do his reading. Here he learned very rapidly and soon became the marvel of every one. He returned home, preaching in Middle
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and West Tennessee as well as some other States. He often lectured on scientific questions which were re- markable for their vigor of thought. While in West Tennessee, he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Pettus. She was a sister to the wife of Elder Peter S. Gayle and a noble Christian woman. She had thoroughly counted the cost and assumed her duties and was indeed a benediction to his life.
His language was chaste and his diction both pointed and eloquent. He held his audience as if by magic. He was enjoying a lucrative pastorate with Bethel Church in the State of Illinois, when the Civil War broke out. His mind naturally turned toward his home country, and being a Southern sympathizer, it became necessary for him to resign his charge. He now went on a lecturing tour and won to himself quite a name. In 1863 he took his little family and came back to Tennessee to die. On arriving at Memphis, Tenn., he was taken ill with congestion of the brain and on November 9, 1863, his spirit went away to the city above, where there are no blinded eyes. His spirit was taken from a country convulsed by war and confusion to the land of peace and quietude.
His eyes were blind, His coins were few, The difficulties mountain high ; Yet in them all He pushed on through, Till he reached his home on high.
ELDER E. W. HAILE.
Elder Elijah W. Haile was the son of Leman and Henrietta Haile. He was born in Mecklenburg Coun- ty, Virginia, in the date of 1807, and, in early life. he came with his parents to Tennessee, settling in
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