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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