USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 16
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In addition to the above facts, there seems to be a legitimate inference that he came to this State a preacher of mature years and died with the weight of years upon him.
His life was full of good works and the fruits of righteousness. We long to know more of this brother, but the veil is drawn and our visions are shut out. In the resurrection we shall see him face to face, and "know as we are known."
ELDER R. W. JANUARY.
The subject of this sketch was a native of the Blue- grass State. He was born in Fayette County, Ken- tucky, A. D. 1798. While quite young he professed the Christian religion and united with the Cumberland Presbyterians. He also entered the ministry in that denomination. It was about the year 1828 that his views were changed on the doctrines and he sought
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membership in a Baptist church. He was ordained by Union Baptist Church, in Logan County, Kentucky, the same year; the Presbytery consisted of Elders J. Lamb and D. Robinson. He resided in Russellville until 1840, when he moved to Tennessee and settled in Davidson County. He remained here until 1843, when he removed to Rutherford County. From 1840 to 1850 he was one of the most active ministers in this part of the State ; and, while he was a member of Con- cord Association, yet his ministry was so interwoven with the work of Salem Association that it became a part and parcel of it. He was a yoke-fellow and co- laborer of Elders J. M. D. Cates, P. T. Henderson, W. F. Luck, A. Bass, and others. He was a man of great zeal, and always had some special theme to ad- vocate. He sometimes carried a point to extremes. At one time he espoused the temperance cause and pushed it with all his being. He served as a mis- sionary of the general Association for some time. He was a fine evangelist. In doctrine, he was somewhat Arminian.
He was married in 1819 to Miss Harriet Postlewait, of Lexington, Ky., by whom he had several children born. A number of his posterity, including a daughter (Mrs. S. J. Ferguson), are at present members of the little Baptist church at Milton, Tenn., where this humble author has the privilege of being pastor. Stauncher Baptists cannot be found anywhere.
He became a successful cancer doctor in the latter part of his life. Being occupied in a large measure with his practice, he was not so active in the ministry during his last days. He moved to Gibson County, West Tennessee, in 1863, where he soon after died.
He did considerable writing for the public press,
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especially on the subject of temperance. He pub- lished an elaborate tract on the subjects of Election and Predestination. His memory still lingers in the minds of many of the older people.
ELDER J. J. MARTIN.
This minister of the gospel was a native of Ten- nessee, born in Wilson County, March 24, 1811. He was a son of Jacob Martin, who emi- grated to this State from South Carolina in the early part of the century. He was brought up on a farm and, I am sor- ry to say, became very wicked and dissipated, and took but little interest in mental culture. He was regenerated about the time he en- ELDER J. J. MARTIN. tered mature man- hood, though it was not until some years after that he made a public pro- fession. In his twenty-fourth year, he was first mar- ried to Miss Martha A. Vaughan. In the next year (1835) he made a public profession and united with old Providence Church, and was baptized by Elder David Clark. He was shortly after ordained to the deaconship in this church; but this was a time when all our churches were in a stir over the mission ques- tion. This church was situated in Rutherford County,
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between Lascassas and Murfreesboro. A large ma- jority was on the anti-mission side, which left only a small minority, composed of Brother Martin and a few others. After consultation they thought it best to disband and go to other churches. Brother Martin united with Bradley's Creek Church. This occurred about 1837; and hard was he pressed to bear the gos- pel message, but he faltered-feeling his inability. But at last he determined to prepare himself and en- ter the work. He entered school and remained till he was competent to teach. He then began teaching and trying to preach. His first attempt at preaching, as related by himself to this author, was as follows : Soon after going into a certain community to teach school, it was noised abroad that he expected to enter the ministry. He soon received an invitation to make an appointment to preach at the private residence of one of the leading families in the community ; and he himself to be the guest of the family for the night. He made elaborate preparations, and felt within him- self that he was fully equal to the task. The hour arrived and he was greeted with a large audience of eager and curious listeners. He became bewildered, lost control of himself and his notes, and it would be hard to describe the miserable effort he made. Preach- ing was over and a bountiful supper was in waiting, and Elder Martin, as they called him, was seated at the head of the table and asked to return thanks. By this time he had forgotten his ceremony of "grace" and what he said he knew not. By this time matters were desperate. Their plates were helped, and he said when he came to himself he was sitting playing in his gravy with his fingers. Here the curtain must fall.
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He was licensed to preach in 1844, and ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in 1845, by the following Presbytery, viz .: Elders Joseph H. Eaton, John Bond, James Bond, John Selvidge, R. W. Jan- uary and Thomas Fuqua.
He soon lost his wife and two children by death and was married a second time, February, 1849, to Mrs. Elizabeth Winsett. This union never gave him any children, and he died without an offspring living.
Brother Martin was a fine preacher, being one of the best sermonizers in Salem Association. His man- ner of address was not altogether as pleasing as some, and he was not as critical in his investigations ; yet he easily ranked among the leading ministers of Middle Tennessee.
He was a fine writer and wrote a great deal for the religious press. He was a long time associate editor with Elder J. M. D. Cates of the Baptist Messenger. He had a good English education and used good language in his preaching. In manners he was chaste and dignified; in appearance he was portly and com- manding. He was six feet and two inches tall and weighed more than two hundred pounds, and would attract attention in any company. He was com- panionable and always seemed as a father to the young ministers.
While he was pastor of other churches, yet his main pastorates were Auburn and Bradley's Creek. He was a member, during his ministerial life, of both Concord and Salem Associations, and was prominent in both these bodies.
His wife preceded him to the better land and his last days were somewhat lonely, having buried her who had so long been his companion.
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He died at his brother's home, in the village of Las- cassas, September 21, 1892, in full triumph of a living faith. Services were held at his funeral by a life-long friend, Elder A. J. Brandon. Elders J. M. D. Cates and L. H. Bethel were his constant companions in the ministry. They were yoke-fellows almost through their entire ministry. He was ripe in years, experience and grace when he laid his armor by. He died a member of Auburn Church.
Sleep on, dear saint of God, Till the last loud trump shall sound, Then come forth to thy reward And up to thy mansion bound.
ELDER HENRY BASS.
Few men have been more conspicuous in the church life among the Baptists of this section than Elder Henry Bass. He was the son of Ezekiel Bass, who was the first settler in the community where Water- town now stands. He came to this State, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, from the State of North Carolina. He made his way from that State to this in a crude conveyance composed of a tar-wheel cart drawn by one horse. The trip was long and perilous, and little did he know of the heritage he was to open up to future generations. At last, worn and fatigued, he struck camp one mile north of where Watertown now stands and eight miles, at that time, from the nearest settlement. He built a rude log cabin on the bank of Round Lick Creek and applied to it that en- dearing title of "home." He was soon joined by two brothers, from whom have sprung the large genera- tion of Basses. The hills and valleys were then
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covered with cane, and the turkey roamed at will, while the deer were wont to gambol in the sun's morn- ing rays, and the finny tribe in every brook presented a tempting scene to the angler.
Such were the surroundings when this cabin first furnished shelter for this child, whose life was to be so long and eventful. He was born April 8, 1812.
ELDER HENRY BASS.
The surroundings of his youth gave him a rustic air, which followed him through life. His education was very limited so far as letters were concerned, yet he had an education which was paramount to any re- ceived from text-books. He studied nature's book and received instructions from nature's God.
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When he was nineteen years old he was mightily convicted of sin. For twelve months he struggled with those impressions, attending meetings far and near for a radius of twenty-five miles. But it was not until May, 1832, that he found peace by believing in Jesus. While plowing in the field one day the Lord spoke peace to his troubled soul. But, feeling his un- worthiness, he delayed attaching himself to the church till September, 1841, when he united with Round Lick Church and was baptized by Elder John Wise- man. He was elected deacon in June, 1843. In Sep- tember, 1854, he was licensed to preach. He oper- ated as a licensed minister two years, when he was ordained in August, 1856, by the following Presby- tery, viz .: Elders E. B. Haynie, John Bond, John Phillips and John Wiseman.
His ministry was pushed with that same energy which characterized him through life. Most all his ministry was in destitute sections. He was never pas- tor of a church he did not organize. The following churches were mainly organized through his minis- try : Providence, Beech Grove, Sycamore Fork, Mount Pleasant and Poplar Hill. He preached for most of them years after they were organized. He received very little for his ministry, working with his own hands for a support, while he preached the gospel to the poor. The following, taken from the minutes of Salem Association for 1896, will give some estimate of the esteem in which he was held by his brethren :
"We, the brethren composing the Salem Association, now in session with Sycamore Fork Baptist Church, Cannon County, Tennessee, with the brothers and sisters in attendance: To Elder Henry Bass, greetings.
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"It is with profound gratitude to God that we ex- tend to you this greeting. It makes it all the more befitting, because that twenty-five years ago this church with which we are assembled was organized under your ministry. In a quarter of a century this church has grown from the little nucleus gathered by you under God to be the strongest church in the As- sociation. It stands to-day as a mighty army, battling for God and truth, and worshiping in a large new house, while many of those you gathered at the be- ginning have fought their battles, conquered the last enemy, and gone home to glory.
"Well do we remember, as an Association, when you and your fellows, Elders Cates, Martin, Bethel, Bowen, Barrett, Brien, McNabb, Jarrard, Suite, Hunt, and Dies, held the helm and guided the work of this Association. But they have been gathered to the Father-land, while you alone remain till the shadows are a little longer grown. It would have been a pro- found pleasure to have greeted you at this sitting of this body, but the touches of time remind us that many of us shall see your face no more till we shall greet you in that sainted throng in the Father's home."
He was large and strong, and could undergo untold fatigue. As a preacher, he was not great, but his piety, zeal and consecration made him abundantly useful, and many will rise up in the coming glory to call him blessed. He, perhaps, did more preaching, as well as other service, for Round Lick Church than any other one man.
He was married the first time to Miss Sinah Phil- lips, November 4, 1830. This union was blessed with five children, three of whom still remain. She died October 21, 1886. He was again married, to Mrs.
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Adaline Greer, March 26, 1889, who still survives him. He fell on sleep September 22, 1898, in his eighty- seventh year. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Henry." He was a brother of Elder A. Bass. Two things he was especially noted for-as a temperance worker and his liberal hospitality. He had a fine farm near Watertown, and a good living ; and I would not exaggerate to say that he fed another good living away to his guests. Few men honored their calling more than he. All hail to those who love the cause more than riches or honor.
His dust sleeps one mile west of Watertown in the old family graveyard.
ELDER LOUIS DIES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Smith County. Tennessee, July 30, 1815. There were a number of brothers by the name, all large, sinewy men, and were great fighters back in the days when physical manhood was might. The entire family moved to the northern part of Wilson County, settling in the community where old Athens Church now stands. They all, I believe, without exception, became mem- bers of the church, and zealous, consecrated Christian workers. Elder Louis Dies professed faith in Christ November II, 1843, and was baptized by Elder E. W. Haile into the fellowship of Athens Church on the twenty-second day of the same month.
He at once became a consecrated Christian worker and soon began to exercise in public. He was or- dained to the full work of the gospel ministry July 3, 1846, by Athens Church, the following serving as Presbytery : Elders J. A. Bullard, W. C. Bransford, E. W. Haile and Jesse Johnson. Much of the earlier
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part of his ministry was spent in connection with Elder Jesse Johnson and others in evangelizing the country east of the Caney Fork River. He finally moved his headquarters to Wolf Creek, and cast his membership in this church. For some years he radiated from this point in this work.
Often during these years was he in the home of this author's father, and although we never met him but once, the often ref- erence to him in this home makes his memory hallowed with many sacred re- flections. Many and varied were his ex- periences during these years, many. of which, if spread upon these pages, would be discredited. On one occasion, af- ter spending the night at one of these mountain homes, on going to breakfast ELDER LOUIS DIES. next morning he left his watch hanging on a nail where he had placed it the night before. As soon as he was out, some small boys spied it and went for it. Their eyes had never beheld a thing like that before, and when they heard the ticking inside they supposed something live must be in there, and pro- ceeded to the hammer and "tended to it." When Brother Dies returned, he seemingly had pieces enough
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for several watches. On another occasion, he had an appointment to preach at nightfall in a crude pio- neer school building. One old-fashioned grease lamp must serve for light. Among his auditors were an old lady and, perhaps, a granddaughter, of the most rustic type. While Brother Dies was lining his hymn (as our fathers were wont to do) the old lady decided she must smoke, and proceeded to load up her stone- ware pipe and delivered it to the young lady to light from the lamp in the hand of the minister. She went to Brother Dies, taking the lamp and puffing away till the pipe was lighted, delivered the lamp back and re- turned to the dame in the rear of the house. The pipe went out, and the same process was repeated, and it went out again ; then the young lady said, "Give it to me, I will light it." But the old lady replied, "Never mind, the backer is wet anyhow."
Among the older people his name still lingers in this section, and eternity alone will reveal the good done by him in this difficult field. He lived to see many thriving churches built up in this territory. When he closed his mission work in this section he returned to his old home in Wilson County, and en- gaged in pastoral and evangelistic work among the churches. Among the churches he served we men- tion : Athens, Knob Spring, Plunkett's Creek, Hogan's Creek, Macedonia, Buena Vista, and many others.
As a preacher, he ranked well in his day. His edu- cation was limited, but he was well versed in the Bible, and was experimental and sympathetic. It is said he never preached without weeping. His audi- ences were usually bathed in tears.
He was never married and always lived with some one, until a short time before he died he bought ten
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acres of land some two miles east of Athens Church, and secured a family to live with him. He passed through the gate into the city of God May 30, 1879. This author stood, not long since, in the humble cabin where he died. He felt somehow that he stood on holy ground. His body lies in an unmarked grave, in the old unattended grave yard where Elder Jesse Johnson lies, some two miles north of Taylorsville, in Wilson County, Tennessee. I went in search of his grave but it could not be found, but when the trump shall sound he will come forth from his dusty bed to walk the golden streets of the city of God.
ELDER WILLIAM N. SUITE.
The subject of this sketch was born October 21, 1821. When young, his mother was left a widow, and the support of the family rested upon him and a brother ; so he grew up with but little education. He was: a mechanic by trade and was indeed a fine workman. He professed faith in Christ and united with Knob Spring Baptist Church in 1842, and was most probably baptized by Elder E. W. Haile. He shortly afterward moved his membership to Plunkett's Creek, where he was ordained ELDER WM. N. SUITE. to the full work of the gospel ministry on Saturday before the second Sunday in April, 1850, by Elders James Barrett, Joseph Payne and Jesse Johnson. He re- mained with this church a few years, when he trans-
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ferred his membership to Rome where he died. Brother Suite was a fine preacher. He was doctrinal, and in style dispassionate and'composed. He was an example of piety. He was not an orator, but spoke in a pointed, matter of fact way which gave much force to his preaching.
He was one of the sweetest spirited men I ever knew. He was small of stature and had a delicate constitution, never strong, yet he never complained at his lot. Withal his zeal and energy enabled him to do an immense amount of labor, both manual and minis- terial. His pastoral work was mainly at Knob Spring, Rome, Plunkett's Creek and Hogan's Creek.
He was married to Miss Mary Jane Duncan, Sep- tember 9, 1852. Of those we knew, four daughters and a son were the result of this union. And we have often thought this was a model home.
Brother Suite never attained a wide notoriety in the denomination at large, never wrote a great deal. He was content to be about the Master's business within his own sphere. He died of consumption and his illness was of long duration. It was our privilege to visit him during his last illness and hear him tell of his hopes of heaven. His sun sank in a cloudless sky, and with joy he reached the end. He was scarce- ly three-score years old when he passed under the wave. He fell on sleep February 20, 1881. Services were conducted by Elder J. T. Oakley and his body laid away by sorrowing friends to await the resurrec- tion.
ELDER J. H. WHITLOCK.
This much lamented young brother was born October 26, 1869, in Warren County, Tennessee. He came of a family from which have sprung a number
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of preachers. His parents were poor, but he managed to secure a good English education, and part of his earlier life was spent in teaching public schools. He professed faith in Christ in August, 1888, and cast his lot with the brethren of Charles' Creek Baptist Church in September following and was baptized by Elder J. K. P. Whitlock, an uncle of his. It might be well
ELDER J. H. WHITLOCK.
to remark just here that this church was what was once known as "Separate Baptist." (See chapter on Separate Baptists. ) Soon after uniting with the church, he removed to Texas, but the Lord laid his hand heavily on him, and he returned to Tennessee and entered the ministry. He preached his first ser- mon on Saturday before the first Sunday in No-
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vember, 1891. He was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry soon after, date not known.
His ministerial life was not destined to be long- but eventful. It will be no disparagement to others when we say that be was the readiest man in the Bible of his age and experience we ever knew. He bade fair to be a leader in thought wherever.he went. It would beggar language to describe the gifts with which God had endowed him. He had several oral discussions, some of them with men of ability, and the ease with which he handled an adversary was amazing.
He was always kind, gentle and courteous and easily won his way to the hearts of all with whom he came in contact. He was sound in doctrine and loved the truth with an undying love. He was small of stature and of a very nervous temperament ; his hair black, with keen black eyes, and an unusually large forehead. As a speaker, he was pointed and forceful, with an invincible logic which always carried convic- tion of the truth of the statement. When he entered the ministry he burned the bridges behind him and gave all he had and was to the service of the Lord. He cast his lot with the Baptist saints at Alexandria, Tenn., in the spring of 1900, but was not permitted to remain with them long.
He was married to Miss Willie Elizabeth Jernigan, December 16, 1895. Of this union two children, a son and daughter, were born, but the elder, the son, preceded the father to the better land three days.
Brother Whitlock was a very close student and a good writer. He was author of a tract, exposing the fallacies of Campbellism, which manifested consider- able ability, though written soon after entering the ministry.
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While he did some pastoral work, yet the most of his ministerial work was as an evangelist and extended to some three or four States.
He died in the town of Alexandria, August 13, 1900. Services were held at the Baptist Church by his pastor, Elder T. J. Eastes, after which he was followed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends to the Old Salem Cemetery at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee, where he was laid beside his little son to await the resurrec- tion.
His death, at the age of thirty, and when less than nine years of his ministry had been performed, is one of the mysteries human wisdom cannot solve. Like a meteor, he passed before our vision and was gone. Almost dazed by his brilliancy, we stand in bewilder- ment and wonder why it is so. It seems natural, and the heart responds an amen to the gathering of the well-ripened sheaves ; but why this brother in the very bloom of life, and with such a future before him, should fall before the sickle is something we mortals may not know till we shall go hence. But we can assure our hearts that an all wise God is guiding for good, and, "when the mists have cleared away" we shall see how "all things were working together for good."
ELDER A. J. M'NABB.
Elder Andrew Jackson McNabb was of Scottish de- scent. He was the son of Andrew and Elizabeth McNabb. He was born in Roane County, East Ten- nessee, November 10, 1811. In regard to his early life but little is known except that he grew up as most boys of his day with but little advantages. He gave his heart to God while young and united with old Prospect Baptist Church in East Tennessee, in 1828,
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and was baptized by Elder Moony. The Lord soon laid his hand upon him for the ministry, and he was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by Prospect Church in the year 1831, by a presbytery consisting of Elders - Moony, Richard H. Talia- ferro and Harden Taliaferro. A short while before his ordination, a circumstance occurred which had much to do with his future life. In the community there lived a Presbyterian girl by the name of Frances Owen Christian. She was prohibited by her stepmother from at- tending Baptist wor- ship. One day she accidentally attended a service at Old Pros- pect Baptist Church and witnessed the baptizing of some happy converts. This did its work, and she began to read the Bible to know her duty. (It might be ₦ remarked here that her stepmother had never allowed her to ELDER A. J. M'NABB, AT 40. attend school a day in her life, she learning to read at home.) She soon decided to join the despised Baptists, but her clothes were locked up until the rigors of a severe winter were on, and the streams were all frozen over. Thinking no one would attempt baptism in such weather, her clothes for a change were un- locked. Fortunately it was at the time of Old Prospect
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