History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations, Part 35

Author: Grime, J. H. (John Harvey), 1851-1941
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Nashville, Tenn. : Baptist and Reflector
Number of Pages: 596


USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 35


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"A very few churches observed the washing of feet ; but this was placed among the things indifferent, and was never made a bar to fellowship."


Again on pages 845, 847, he says :


"AS TO FEET WASHING :- This appears to be an open question among Baptists, some approving and others disapproving. ... Some of the Kehukee churches have never observed it at all; others have occasionally observed it upon motion of some one in conference. . . . Others observe it annually and con- nect it with the Lord's Supper."


"It would be a sad day for the church, were the observance or non-observance of this rite ever to be set up as a bar to fellowship. So far, from this to


554 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists


the present time, it has been customary with the churches in the Kehukee Association to excuse any or all who did not feel disposed to unite with them on such occasions."


Elder Hassel is a member of Kehukee Association and can speak advisedly. This Association is the fourth oldest Association in the United States, being constituted 1765. They are at present reckoned among the Primitive Baptists. The above statements apply to them both before and since the mission con- troversy.


What is true of Kehukee, is also true of Concord and Salem Associations with their offsprings. In 1812 Concord Association met with Hopewell Church, Sumner County, and during the session the query from Bethel Church was presented: "How and in what manner shall the brethren attend to washing one- another's feet ?"


To this question the Association replied :


"We do not view it as a public ordinance, neverthe- less, we leave brethren to act at discretion."


By reference to church records we find that the churches of Salem Association, both before and since the division on missions, have occasionally engaged in it. There was a time when all the churches of John- son Association, an offspring of Salem Association, followed washing feet in church capacity. Some of the churches of Enon Association, another offspring of Salem, have always, and do yet follow the custom. Other churches are divided on the question, and some of the members engage in it while the others retire, or sit as silent spectators. Allow me to say again that this is a matter about which Baptists have never quarreled, leaving each one free to do as he or she may choose.


CHAPTER XVII.


GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.


In the study of the early history of the Baptists of this section, we have observed many things that would be of interest to the reader. In the first place, these early Baptists of this section were indeed a peculiar people. They never affiliated with other denomina- tions. Their coming was contemporaneous with the beginning of the great revival which swept the entire country, yet these sturdy old Baptists faltered not. They preached their doctrines unflinchingly. In the main, the ministry was limited in point of education, but for a stock of Bible knowledge and preaching power they were a tower of strength. It could truly be said that "there were giants in those days." In doctrine they were deep water Landmark Baptists. They were all Calvinists-some hyper, others mild Calvinists.


In the main, they rejected all secret societies and would discipline their members for affiliating with them. They were decidedly more strict in their dis- cipline, according to their rules of good behavior, than the churches of to-day. They would not tolerate drunkenness among their members, but they would tolerate the manufacture, sale and moderate use of spirituous liquors. Even the ministry, many of them, indulged in dram drinking.


When a church came together in a business meet- ing the first thing in order was to inquire after the


555


556 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists


fellowship or peace of the church. If the peace of the church had been disturbed or the fellowship of the church broken, by the conduct of any of the members, this was first set right and then they were ready to transact business for the Lord. They required all their members to attend their services or give a justi- fiable cause for their absence. They would frequently walk for many miles to attend meeting. It was noth- ing uncommon for women and men to walk from three to eight miles to an evening service and return the same night, and this after a hard day's work. In warm weather, the women would carry their shoes, or perchance, their husbands, or "sweethearts" would carry them for them until they were near the church house, when they would sit down and brush the dust from their broad, brown feet and don their shoes and stockings and go into the assembly to worship. You ask what the men did? Some of them wore their "brogans" for they had no other sort, some carried them like the women, while others had none at all, and worshiped with their feet bare. This author once baptized a sweet little girl in her bare feet. She was the daughter of a brother minister, whose churches paid him but very little, and he was too poor to fur- nish her a pair of stockings. There were few dry eyes when I led her ashore and the man of God took his scantily clothed child in his arms and pointing heavenward said: "Home, sweet home." The father has since gone home.


Churches in the early part of the century did not hold protracted meetings after the order that they are held now. Their revivals would sometimes continue for a whole year with conversions at every monthly service. In such times as this they would continue


557


General Observations


three or four days at a time preaching the word and holding midweek prayer meetings between the serv- ices. In this way a whole community would be swept by a revival spirit.


The next phase of church life was the introduction of the "camp meeting." In this the Baptists were not the leaders, but fell in with it in a measure. This de- veloped some remarkable phenomena. The most re- markable was the "jerks" in its various forms. This did not materially affect the Baptists of Middle Ten- nessee, but was confined mainly to Methodists and Presbyterians and what were called "New Lights " In East Tennessee and Kentucky the Baptists were common victims, with others, of this peculiar mal- ady. It was a nervous affection and the victims in times of religious excitement "would be instantane- ously seized with spasms or convulsions in every muscle, nerve and tendon. His head was jerked or thrown from side to side with such rapidity that it was impossible to distinguish his visage, and the most lively fears were entertained lest he should dislo- cate his neck, or dash out his brains. His body par- took of the same impulse and was hurried on by like jerks over every obstacle, fallen trunks of trees, or, in a church, over pews and benches, apparently to the most imminent danger of being bruised and mangled. It was useless to attempt to restrain or hold him, and the paroxysm was permitted gradually to exhaust it- self."


This strange affection was circumscribed by neither sex or age, but perhaps was more common among young women. I have often heard an eye-witness de- scribe these exercises. Young ladies with long hair would be seized with the "jerks" and their old-fash-


558 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists


ioned tucking combs, which were common in those days, would hit the ceiling overhead, or perchance the roofing, in the absence of a loft, and in their contor- tions and nervous gymnastics their hair would strike the floor before and behind and sometimes would crack like a wagoner's whip.


This strange exercise was involuntary and irresisti- ble, and was often communicated from one to an- other. When one in an audience would be seized with it, others who were accustomed to it would flee, but would often be taken before they could get away.


Often those who stood high in society and opposed it most bitterly would be forced to show themselves in this extra gymnastic performance. Neither was it confined altogether to professed Christians, though it had its origin there. When it first reached Middle Tennessee, it is related that the news reached a cer- tain town that a congregation in the rural districts were affected with the "jerks." Forthwith a com- pany of fashionable young people, of both sexes, ar- ranged to visit the place and witness the performance, anticipating a time of great sport. But to their utter consternation, while looking on the strange contor- tions of the unfortunates, one by one they were seized with the spasm until the whole of their crowd had unwillingly become a spectacle for others and returned to town to make known their unpleasant experience. J. H. Spencer, in his History Kentucky Baptists, Vol. I, page 517, relates the following :


"A Presbyterian minister heard that a congrega- tion of his brethren, which he highly esteemed, had got to jerking. He went to persuade them out of the frantic exercise, but in conversing with them he got the jerks himself. On his return home, his people


559


General Observations


assembled to hear the result of his visit. Whil. he was describing how people appeared with the jerks, he was suddenly taken with them and the whole as- sembly soon caught the distemper."


From the "jerks" came the "rolling exercise," the "running exercise," the "dancing exercise," the "bark- ing exercise" and the "laughing exercise." "Visions and trances" were also common in "camp meeting" days. And even in this author's time visible traces of these peculiar phenomena could be distinguished. Especially was this true in his early boyhood days in the great revival which swept over the mountain counties. If he should record all his experiences in these pages they would be called in question.


At last we have reached the end. For two years this author has lived among the dead. He has held constant communion with those gone before. Often in his dreams he has been permitted to assemble with the fathers in their simple and soul-stirring service. He feels that the study of these Baptist heroes has made him both a stronger Baptist and a better man, and he looks forward with a buoyant hope when he shall meet them in the sweet by and by.


And now to my brethren and sisters in the Lord: I can but pray that the same God which upheld our fathers may support you along your pilgrim way, till we, too, shall be gathered with the fathers. So I bid you an affectionate farewell.


INDEX.


ASSOCIATIONS.


Page


Page


Caney Fork


537


Kehukee. 3


Charleston


2


Mero District 6


Concord .


6


New Salem 31


Concord No. 2 10


Philadelphia 3


Cumberland


6


Round Lick


18


Duck River 540, 542


Salem 13


Elk River 539, 540


Stockton's Valley 537


Enon .


297


Stone's River. 11


Freedom


538


Union


93,


94


Green River 537


Wiseman


303


Johnson


20, 183


BIOGRAPHIES OF DECEASED MINISTERS AND DEACONS.


Ashlock, J. M .. 411


Evans, James


265


Alvis, J. B. 425


Eastes. J. J. 295


Bond, John


158


Fite, John. 177


Bond, James


160


Flowers, William. 209


Borum, John.


161


Fite, Henry 264


Borum, William 163


Fox, J. B.


285


Bethel, Cantrel. 166


Glover, Washington 536


Bransford, W. C 169


Grimmet, W. H. 253


Bass, Archamac 176


Green, N. M.


273


Barrett, James.


197


Grime, John 282


Bethel, L. H. 214


Bowen, J. W 222


High, J. H


210


Haile, E. W.


212


Henderson, P. T


255


Brown, Leaden.


272


Burford, Daniel 409


217


Cathcart, M. A


260


Cooper, T. R. 278


Casey, Hiram. 388


Harper, John


269


Cartwright, E. G 426


Hooker, Thomas


290


Durham, Thomas. 184


Haile, W. H 390


Durham, Levi A 185


Harris, G. C.


417


Dale, William 186


Johnson, Jesse.


181


Dies, Louis.


238


Jones, John.


228


Drury, W. S


420


-


January, R. W


229


561


Haynie, E. B 195


Bass, Henry . 234


Bennett, Lou 269


Hunt, J. W 257


Hearn, J. R


259


Cates, J. M. D


Hays, N 262


Hancock, J. T 266


Hickey, Elijah


267


19


Brien, J. C. 164


Graves, W. H 535


562


Index


BIOGRAPHIES OF DECEASED MINISTERS AND DEACONS-CONTINUED.


Page


Page


Jarrard, D. N 279


Stevenson, Moore. 170


James, Susan 293


Suite, W. N. 241


Jackson, Andrew. 414


Stewart, Jesse 275


Johnson, Thomas D 427


Smith, Nicholas 291


Lester, Joshua 173


Smith, Daniel. 382


Lyon, Richard. 189


Smithwick, L. A 385


Luck, W. F


200


Smith, Malcom. 387


Lester, Presley 204


Summar, S. L. 403


Lyon, Z. A. 251


Simmons, William 410


Maddox, Elijah 227


Smith, D. W. 420


Martin, J. J. 231


Tomlynson, H. Y 190


McNabb, A. J 245


Talley, S. C. 405


Meacham, A. W 271


Wiseman, John 191


Martin, William 396


Whitlock, John 208


Moony, Patrick, 408


Whitlock, J. H. 242


Minick, L. A 413


Williams, Williamson 250


Morris, James 415


Whitlock, S. B 252


Owen, Growner 412


Webb, A. C. 277


Odum, S. C .. 267


Wiseman, Jonathan 392


Pickett, H. W 206


Wiseman, J. J. 394


Phillips, John 249


White, Joshua. 408


Parker, Daniel. 400


Phipps, William


407


Rucks, Josiah 179


Robinson, William 288


-


CHURCH SKETCHES.


Athens


47


Commerce. 81


Alexandria


83


Cedar Grove 127


Auburn. 114


Cookeville 135


Antioch 368


Carthage. 151


Boston 1


Caney Fork Seminary 154


Bradley's Creek 38


Coruin Hill 335


Brush Creek 51


Cedar Bluff. 366


Big Spring. 95


Corinth. 377


Buena Vista 97


Cornwell's Chapel 378


Barren Fork 121


Dowelltown. 89


Barton's Creek. 129


Dry Creek. 125


Bethel


133


Defeated Creek 320


Boiling Spring 137


Day's X Roads 327


Beech Grove. 142


Dixon's Creek 354


Bledsoe Creek 350


Enon . 365


Betheny 358


Ebenezer. 372


Bellwood 369


Falling Creek. 148


Cedar Creek. 43


Friendship. 314


Cooper's Chapel 69


Green Vale


117


Weathered, John 429


Wilks, John 430


Young, Thomas 286


563


Index


CHURCH SKETCHES-CONTINUED.


Page


Page


Good Will. 317


Plunkett's 108


Hogan's Creek. 105


Pistole's 137


Hopewell, No. 2. 153


Patmos. 147


Hopewell, No. 1. 329


Philadelphia 153


Hillsdale 374


Pleasant Valley 349


Peyton's Creek.


360


Hickman's Creek 56


Indian Creek 145


Knob Spring 45


100


Ramah. 78


Lebanon


102


Lancaster


132


Rock Bridge. 340


Liberty ..


338


Rocky Mound. 352


Long Creek.


343


Russell Hill 371


Lafayette 362


Salem. 60


Liberty Hill 378


35


Shop Spring. 80


Mt. Zion. 112


Snow's Hill 88


Marion. 118


Mt. Pleasant .. 146


Shiloh.


116


Macedonia, No. 1. 110


Macedonia, No. 2 316


Mt. Vernon. 324


Shady Grove. 325


Mt. Tabor. 336


Second Creek 345


Spring Creek, No. 2 347


Sweet Home.


353


Smith's Chapel


364


Sycamore Valley


373


Sycamore Fork 67


Union, No. 1. 76


Union, No. 2. 341


Wharton Spring


87


Woodbury


90


Wolf Creek. 144


Welsh Tract. 2


Welsh Neck.


2


Zion


328


DIRECTORY OF LIVING MINISTERS.


Allen, L. L 433


Alsup, S. T. 434


Atnip, G. H. 434


Agee, J. H. 435


Brandon, A. J. 527


Anderson, J. H.


436


Bingham, S. F 446


Brien, A. J. 438


Bailey, J. W 438


Buie, W. L. 440


Bryan, E. S. 441


Brett, Rutherford 442


122


Siloam


309


Mt. Olivet, No. 2. 346


Meadorville


379


Mt. Hope. 381


New Hope .. 63


New Macedonia. 93


New Union, No. 1 .. 147


New Home


152


New Salem


155


New Union, No. 2. 157


New Harmony 312


Oak Grove ..


319


Prosperity


66


Providence


85


Poplar Hill 101


Round Lick.


40


Rome.


50


Linwood.


Riddleton. 131


Smith's Fork. 71


Mt. Olivet, No. 1.


Spring Creek, No. 1 100


Smithville


Pleasant Grove. 367


Hartsville . 380


Clark, W. P. D 443


Carney, P. W.


444


564


Index


DIRECTORY OF LIVING MINISTERS-CONTINUED.


Page


Page


Carr, J. J. 445


Phillips, J. M. 485


Cunningham, J. W 520


Patton, J. W 486


Davis, R. B 446


Pardue, J. S.


Patterson, John 487


Porter, J. J. 528


Davis, J. H. 449


Eastes, T. J. 449


Eastes, H. M


451


Raikes, W. E 494


Fuqua, Gus.


526


Rice, J. S .. 495


Freeman, J. Y. 452


Ramsey, C. E. 496


Fitzpatrick, S. N. 453


Ramsey, M. B 496


Ramsey, G. W. 498


Gilliam, J. P 456


Rushing, R. A. 532


Grime, J. H. 457


Simmons, C. N 499


Grimmet, M. H 534


Smith, L. D. 499


Howell, J. D. 459


Sanders, V. A 502


Howell, Samuel 460


Smith, W. H. 503


Hallum, S. F 461


Smith, Don Q 505


Hudson, T. A 461


Smith, E. L. 506


Hale, S. S .. 462


Stinson, J. R. 507


Hawkins, J. L 463


Stone, J. A. 508


Ham, T. J. 523


Sherman, G. W 508


Harper, Jr., John. 522


Swann, J. H. 509


Hawkins, S. R. G. . . 522


Stewart, J. M 510


Smith, Forrest 533


Keaton, R. K


464


Taylor, D. C. 511


Knight, J. M. 465


Tedder, J. B. 512


Kelley, Edwin 465


Thompson, T. T 512


Vantrease, T. H 513


Knight, J. A.


467


Vance, D. B. 514


Lambert, J. F


468


Wauford, W. E


515


Lannom, B. T 469


469


McNabb, J. F. 470


Watson, W. J. 517


Martin, M. P. . 471


McPherson, W. C. 472


Moody, J. B. 473


Matthews, T. W 474


McQueen, J. W 475


Morris, D. E 476


Malone, A ... 477


Neville, Frank. 478


Osborn, M. J 478


Ogle, G. A 479


Ogle, Seigle B. 481


Oakley, J. T. 481


Oakley, J. H 483


CHRISTIAN BAPTISTS. 550


FEET WASHING 552


GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 555


PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS 547


SEPARATE BAPTISTS 539


JERKS . .


557


TWO-SEEDISM


401


Waller, A. J. 516


Massey, C. B


Wooten, M. B. 516


Waters, James 518


Wilks, W. M. S 519


Williams, J. M 525


Washburn, John 530


Davenport, Jas. 448


489


Dyer, J. J. . 448


Russell, M. W 490


Robinson, S 492


Fletcher, J. B 455


Johnson, A. E. 524


Kuykendall, W. M 466


ILLUSTRATIONS.


Page


Page


Agee, J. H 435


Lyon, Richard. 189


Alexandria Church 84


McNabb, A. J. 246


Anderson, J. H. 437


Martin, J. J. 231


Bailey, J. W 439


Martin, William 397


Baird, Jesse. 57


Moody, J. B


473


Baptismal Scene 124


Oakley, J. H


484


Barrett, James 198


Oakley, J. T 482,


483


Bass, Henry 235


Ogle, G. A.


480


Bethel, L. H. 215


223


Patterson, John


490


Brien, J. C. 165


Phillips, John 249


Phillips, J. M 485


Carney, P. W 445


Cates, J. M. D 218


Cathcart, M. A. 261


Cunningham, J. W 521


Davis, R. B. 447


Dies, Louis.


239


Eastes, J. J.


295


Eastes, T. J ..


450


Fitzpatrick, S. N


454


Fletcher, J. B


455


Freeman, J. Y 452


Gilliam, J. P 457


Green, N. M


274


Grime, John. 282


Grime, J. H .. (Frontispiece)


Grimmet, M. H 535


Grimmet, W. H.


253


Haile, E. W 213


Hale, S. S.


462


Harris, Giles C 418


Haynie, E. B 196


Hearn, J. R. 259


Henderson, P. T 256


Hunt, J. W.


257


James, Mary Susan 294


Jarrard, D. N 279


Summar, S. L. 403


Washburn, John 530


Wauford, W. E 515


Weathered, John 429


Whitlock, J. H 243


Wilks, John. 431


Wilks, W. M. S 520


Wiseman, J. J. 395


Wiseman, Jonathan


393


Young, Thomas


287


565


Simmons, C. N 498


Smith, Daniel. 383


Smith, David B 72


Smith, D. W. 421


Smith, Don Q 505


Smith, E. L 507


Smith, L. D. 500


Smith, Nicholas


291


Smith, W. H 504


Suite, W. N. 241


Robinson, Stephen 492


Robinson, William 289


Russell, M. W.


491


Pardue, J. S.


488


Bowen, J. W


Buie, W. L. 441


Pickett, H. W 206


Raikes, W. E. 494


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