USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > The first century of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. 1780-1880 > Part 4
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Peter Nelson, who for forty years was an honored and successful Teacher in this city, was a graduate of William and Mary College, ordained to the Priesthood in the Episcopal Church, in which he was a minister for twenty years, and after critical investigation he changed his views and church relations, having been baptized by Rev. Andrew Broaddus in 1808 or I 809. He died February 15, 1827, as his physi- cian said, "like a philosopher and a Christian."
Four years before the death of Elder Court- ney, viz, in 1820, the Second Baptist Church was organized, seventeen of the members of this Church, with some others, covenanting together in the constitution. There was some friction and alienation connected with this movement- precisely what about we have forgotten if we ever knew. Conscientious Christians will differ about measures and minor doctrines sometimes, but God thwarts the Devil's schemes, and makes
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them subserve his own ultimate purposes. The Second Church was foreordained of God, has greatly strengthened and widened the influences for good in this community, and has had a most honorable and successful history. Rev. David Roper, for a time a member of this Church, who served them as Pastor, while occupied at the same time in responsible clerkships, in the city, lived but seven years in this relation, pass- ing to his eternal rest in 1827. He was succeeded by the faithful, laborious, and ever honored and beloved James B. Taylor, under whose wise ministration the Church steadily grew in power and holy influence.
In 1824, a fresh and vigorous impulse was given to the interests and prosperity of the Church by the induction of Rev. John Kerr into the pastoral office. From his distant home Mr. Kerr traveled to Richmond, probably on horse- back, or by some still primitive stage coach, for as yet there was no passenger railroad in the world. The great excitement of the year in Richmond was the visit of La Fayette, one of the helpful heroes of the Revolution, a General at twenty years of age, now a veteran of sixty- seven. The old soldiers and their children gathered here from all parts of the State, and
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the enthusiasm of the reception was wild and exultant.
The contrast between John Courtney and John Kerr was very marked. The one was old and feeble ; the other, in the vigor of a healthful manhood, forty-two years old. The one was plain and unassuming; the other, brilliant, eloquent, and aggressive. The one slow, the other rapid, of speech. The one perseveringly plodding; the other, exultantly soaring. The one carrying steadily an oil filled lamp; the other waving a flashing flambeau. The one shining like a quiet star; the other blazing like a refulgent sun. The one opalescent; the other electrical. I suppose few men have ever been given to the pulpit with more genuine native power of attractive and graceful oratory than John Kerr. There have, doubtless, been many, more logical and learned, but few who could so hold, sway and electrify an audience. There have been many who could construct and com- pose more systematic and finished sermons, but few who could produce such effects upon a congregation. Mr. Kerr's pastorate was the era of increase. During his ministry of eight years, more than twelve hundred converts were baptized and added to the membership of the
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Church. There were eight hundred members when John Courtney died, there were sixteen hundred and forty-four in 1832, notwithstanding the secession of eighty white members in the Campbellite controversy, which culminated in that year. Mr. Kerr took a decided and promi- nent part in the discussions which originated in Alexander Campbell's new expositions of gospel doctrines, and which, to a limited extent, divided the Churches in Eastern Virginia, but more widely and disastrously in Kentucky and the West. He was the writer of what are reproach- fully branded as "the Dover Decrees," which rendered necessary formal separation from the Reformers, as then called by themselves.
The names of the earliest Deacons and Officers of the Church, and of many of its members, can not now be recalled ; but as we trace the exist- ing records, into the first third of the present century, up to the close of Mr. Kerr's pastorate, we find as Deacons : Robert Hyde, Anthony R. Thornton, Zachary Lewis, Charles H. Hyde, Onan Ellyson, and Peter Nelson. Clerks : H. C. Thompson, Madison Walthall, and Thomas J. Glenn. Treasurers: M. Walthall, A. R. Thorn- ton, J. P. Tyler, and Peter Winston, a devout, zealous, and efficient officer of the Church, who
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died in July, 1841. Trustees : David Roper, Robert McKim, and William Dabney.
We also find the names of Joseph Starke, Peter Winston, F. I. Lewis, B. W. Walthall, James Sizer, Richard Reins, Archibald Thomas, James C. Crane, who, in using the office of Deacon well, " purchased to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus ;" " also of honorable women who believed and served, not a few." Names not to be forgotten, and for whose godly life and service this church owes thanks to the lov- ing Lord this day, are such as Miss Virginia Ratcliffe, Miss Polly Mauzee, Mrs. Elizabeth Walthall, Mrs. Jane F. Reins, Mrs. R. C. Wortham, Mrs. Peter Winston, Mrs. Winifred Crenshaw, Mrs. Gabriella Bosher, Mrs. M. T. Starke, Miss Emma Williams, Miss Bettie Hill- yard, Mrs. Mary E. Hillyard, Mrs. Catharine Thomas, Mrs. Elizabeth Bosher, and a long list of others, who loved the church and served their generation well.
The names, too, of many of the earlier breth- ren, who, while not in official position, were yet prominent in the counsels of the Church, liberal in its support, and of good repute in the com- munity for integrity and piety, ought to be re-
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membered by us in such a grateful memorial. I can only mention a few who were members of the church previous to 1835. There were such men as S. H. Walthall, William Bosher, Thos. B. Norvell, Royal Parrish, Geo. W. Atkinson, Wm. Tyree, Thomas and Samuel Hardgrove, Richard C. Wortham, Richard Turpin, Stephen Childrey, Jno. L. Turpin, John Watkins, Jas. H. Temple, Wilson B. Hill, Jesse Williams, Spots- wood M. Dandridge, and many others of equal worth, though not, perhaps, of equal promi- nence. Of some of these godly men, interesting and instructive memoirs might be written, had we materials and time.
In comparing the Register of 1835, when the number of white members was three hundred and thirty-three, with the Register of 1880, I find the names of thirteen, who for the forty-five years and more, have lived in fellowship of the church. Three hundred and twenty are gone ; a very few may be still elsewhere living; all the rest are dead, and most of them, we have good reasons for believing, are with the Lord.
The ministers who were connected with the Church during this period were Rev. John C. Harrison, who was for many years Pastor of the Bordentown Church, N. J. He was a bro-
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ther in good repute, of fair abilities, indus- trious and wholly given to his work, and quite prominent in the counsels of the denomination.
Barnard Phillips was a very good, plain, un- educated brother, mostly engaged in secular employments, and preaching occasionally.
Jeremiah B. Porter was an earnest, some- what boisterous preacher, of fair natural abili- ties, but with little culture.
William Southwood was an Englishman, for a time a student of Cambridge University, and minister of two churches in England before he came to this country. He was an intelligent, conscientious man, well read, a student firm in his convictions, very rigid in his views of church discipline and of Christian character, and with more of force than tenderness in his ministra- tions. He was six years Pastor in Petersburg, and afterward of St. Stephen's, in King and Queen, where he died in 1850, in the sixty-sixth year of his age.
Joseph Starke, baptized in 1831, served a few years as a Deacon, active and zealous; was dis- missed with others to organize the New Bridge Church, and was there called into the ministry, and was an acceptable and honored Pastor of churches in Hanover County.
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Jacob Marshall (if I am not mistaken in the man) was a lad who was a member of the same Presbyterian Church with myself in Philadelphia, when we were both boys, he several years the elder. I remember hearing that he had gone South, united with a Baptist Church, and entered the ministry. He was baptized here in 1835. He was a young man of more than ordinary ability, and preached in North Carolina and Georgia. I have often heard favorably of his services, but am not able to trace his career.
Jacob T. Tinsley was temporarily a member of this Church, while a student at the Baptist Seminary, previous to the removal of that insti- tution into the city and its merging into Rich- mond College.
John O. Turpin still lives, the honored and beloved Pastor of Sharon and Beulah Churches, in King William County. Robert D. Davenport, baptized 1831, was a printer, employed in the office of the "Richmond Enquirer," married Miss Mary Frances, daughter of Rev. David Roper, was set apart at the same time as Rev. J. L. Shuck, as Missionary and Superintendent of printing in Siam. He sailed with Mr. Shuck and party in September, 1835. At Bangkok he remained nine years, engaged mainly in
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printing translations of the Scriptures, both in Siamese and Chinese. He returned in 1845, and died of disease contracted in the East, No- vember 24th, 1849, aged 39 years. He was more useful in his peculiar calling than in the active ministry.
Joseph S. Walthall, baptized in 1831, was a student with Edward Baptist, then of the Bap- tist Seminary, and afterward graduated at Co- lumbian College, Washington. After his grad- uation he preached in Columbus, Mississippi, was Tutor in Richmond College, Pastor at Newbern, N. C., and Associate Editor of the " Biblical Recorder," at Raleigh. He returned to Virginia at the breaking out of the war, was in declining health for several years, yet preach- ing frequently and acceptably, and died in this city, May 20th, 1870. He was an instructive and studious preacher, and an earnest and godly disciple of Christ.
A. Paul Repiton became an able and influen- tial minister of Christ, Pastor for many years in Wilmington, N. C. The closing years of his life were spent in Norfolk and vicinity, where he was Pastor, and where he died in the faith of the Lord Jesus.
Addison Hall was temporarily a member of
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this Church. His name and good fame are associated with his efficient work as Pastor in Lancaster and Northumberland Counties.
It is not yet time-and we trust the time is still remote-to sketch the life and services of Rev. Dr. Ryland, so long the laborious and conscientious President of Richmond College, and Pastor of the First African Church, and for many years a beloved member of this Church.
Rev. Isaac Taylor Hinton, in 1833, became the successor, after having been for a few months the assistant, of Mr. Kerr. Mr. Hinton had his own peculiar gifts, which admirably fitted in to the needs of the Church at this juncture. He was especially an organizer, constant and untiring in his sacred work, and the great mass of material gathered during the ministry of Mr. Kerr seemed just then to require such talents as he possessed, and as his eloquent predeces- sor had not possessed. The members were now arranged in six districts, each under the oversight of a Deacon, the blacks with Deacons of their own color. The first register of the Church was prepared and printed; various societies for missionary and benevolent purposes were formed. It was the period of organization. The number of white members, in 1835, was
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three hundred and thirty-three. About one hundred and sixty were baptized during Mr. Hinton's ministry of two years. During this period the Third-now Grace Street-Church was constituted, with thirty-three members, most of them from the Second Church. Rev. Henry Keeling was largely instrumental in gathering these disciples, and in ministering to them while erecting their first humble edifice. During Mr. Hinton's ministry the present site of Richmond College was purchased, and the Virginia Baptist Seminary removed to occupy it. Mr. Hinton was prominent in these aggressive enterprises.
In January, 1836, Rev. J. B. Feter became the Pastor of the Church. It is not for me to speak especially of his character or life. In my judgment-and I have had opportunities for knowing him well, as I was in familiar commu- nication with him for twenty years, and for a time we lived together under the same roof- he was the most perfect Christian gentleman and minister I have ever known. Carlyle says: "If in any sphere of man's life, then in the moral sphere, as the inmost and most vital of all, it is good that there be wholeness, and that there be unconsciousness which is the evidence of this." Dr. Jeter was a
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whole man, intellectually and morally. His characteristics were symmetrical, rounded, har- monious. There was no development of capa- bilities and aptitudes in any one direction, at the cost of dwarfing and shrivelling in any other directions. His was not a one-sided, nor a many-sided, but an all-sided, intellect and heart. In any one direction he had superiors; but taking all his faculties and graces in their aggre- gate, and there was a completeness and union of character, the like of which is seldom found. And with this was the unconsciousness of which Carlyle speaks. Genius is ever a secret to itself. In fact, unity, agreement, is always silent or soft-voiced, it is only discord that loudly proclaims itself. So long as the several ele- ments of Life, all fitly adjusted, can pour forth their movement like harmonious tuned strings, it is a melody and unison. Life from its mys- terious fountain flows out, as in celestial music and diapason; like that other music of the spheres, "which never jars harshly upon listen- ing ears." He never exhibited, I do not believe he ever felt, any vain consciousness of his own abilities or attainments. Simple and unassert- ing as a child; contemplative and thorough as a philosopher. To one other characteristic of
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Dr. Jeter, I may be pardoned for alluding. He never became an old man. Seventy eight years had not withered the freshness nor weak- ened the vigor of his intellectual or spiritual faculties. He kept growing on till he died, and we believe he keeps on growing still. He fell, not as an old oak, whose heart is decayed, and whose sluggish sap can transmit life only to a few stunted leaves; but he fell like a stately palm, in healthful growth, with leafage green and luxuriant, and with wholesome fruit-clus- ters in bud, and in bloom, and in ripeness, in all successive stages of development.
Now the names of the older Deacons have disappeared from the published Register, only Archibald Thomas, James Sizer, and Richard Reins remaining ; while James C. Crane, John Farrar, Christopher Walthall, John Stanard, and Robert H. Bosher occupy the places of the de- parted. The labors of Dr. Jeter were blessed in the steady increase and edification of the Church. Its members were instructed, en- couraged to every good word and work; the moral power and influence of the body over the community, and by benevolent liberality over the State and the world, was augmented.
Dr. Jeter baptized ten hundred and seventy-
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eight converts into the fellowship of the Church during his pastorate of thirteen and a half years. Gracious and extensive revivals especially blessed five of these years, in each of which over one hundred, and in one of which-1837- two hundred and seventy-two, additions were received. When he entered upon his pastor- ship there were three hundred and thirty-three white members ; when he resigned there were five hundred and sixty-two. During his minis- try, from 1836 to 1849, Dr. Jeter became the prominent representative minister of the Bap- tists of Virginia, in connection with our general work in State and Foreign Missions, in Bible and Publication Societies, in Educational Insti- tutions. The charter for Richmond College was secured and the Institution organized ; and the edifice in which we now worship was erected. This building, commenced in 1839, was com- pleted and dedicated October, 1841, at a cost of about $40,000. The erection of this building led to the separation of the white and colored members and the organization of the First African Baptist Church, which continued to occupy the old structure, and which was set apart under the pastoral supervision of Rev. Dr. Ryland, then President of Richmond Col-
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lege. Seventeen hundred and eight colored members remained in the old house, while three hundred and eighty-seven white members re- moved to the new. During the first year a precious revival, in which the Pastor was aided by Rev. Mr. Robards of New York, added one hundred and sixty-seven by baptism to the Church in its new home. This raised the total, at the close of 1842, to five hundred and thirty- three. There were now four organized churches in Richmond, viz: First, Second, Third,-now Grace Street,-and the First African. In 1846, the Second African Church was constituted under the special superintendence of the Second White Church: and in the same year the Man- chester African Church.
The ministers that were members of this Church during the period of Dr. Jeter's ministry who have passed from earth were :
Duncan R. Campbell, D. D. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1814, and educated at the University of Edinburgh. He entered the Presbyterian ministry, became Pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Scotland, and was for some time an Evangelist in the City of London. He came to this country in 1842, was baptized by Dr. Jeter, and became a member of this
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Church. A new body was organized called the Fourth Church, which met in the frame house on Franklin Street, at the corner of Twenty-first Street, where Mr. Campbell preached some six months. He was subsequently Pastor of Mound Bluff and Vernon Churches in Missis- sippi. The climate being unfavorable to his health, he removed to Kentucky and became Pastor of the Georgetown Church, then Profes- sor of Hebrew and Biblical Interpretation in the Theological Seminary at Covington, and in 1852 was elected President of Georgetown College. This position he held until vacated by his promotion to his higher heavenly sphere. He was a very laborious and zealous minister of Christ, preaching constantly to churches in the vicinity of Covington and Georgetown. His duties in the school did not hinder his fill- ing every Lord's Day with more direct preach- ing to the people.
The influence of his intellectual and evangel- istic labors still blesses the region in which he was best known, and for the ages to come his works will follow him.
Rev. Eli Ball, who removed from New Eng- land to Virginia in 1823, and became Pastor of the Church in Lynchburg, came to Richmond
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about 1826, and became a member of this Church. He was especially an active and zeal- ous agent of our Missionary Boards and of Columbian College. He traveled through all the Southern states, pleading for these evangel- izing agencies and successfully forwarding their . interests. In 1852, at the request of the For- eign Mission Board, he visited the African colony of Liberia, to survey and suggest mea- sures for the prosecution of our missions there. In his funeral sermon, Dr. Jeter said of him : " Doubtless, Eli Ball will long be remembered by Virginia Baptists as one of their soundest, best, and most useful proclaimers of the glorious gospel." He died in 1853, in the seventy-sev- enth year of his age.
Rev. Samuel C. Clopton was the first appointed Missionary of the Southern Board to China. He was a student of Columbian College and of the Newton Theological Seminary, and for a time a Tutor in Richmond College. In June, 1846, with the daughter of Rev. Miles Turpin as his wife, he embarked for Canton, China. But he had only time to enter upon preparation for his great work. The Lord called him home on the 7th of July, 1847, in the thirty-second year of his age. He gave bright promise of
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usefulness in his fervent piety and devout con- secration to Christ. But God's ways are wisest. His son, born in China and bearing his name, has taken up the sword of the Spirit that dropped from his dying hand. "Instead of the fathers shall be the children."
William Moncure Gaskins, brother of Mrs. Sarah Jeter, was one of the most promising, talented, and pious of the young ministers of the Church. Hearing him in public prayer, one said : "That man must pray much in se- cret." He became the Pastor of several churches near Halifax Court House.
Edward Kingsford, D. D., temporarily con- nected with this Church, and afterward Pastor of Grace Street Church, was a very intelligent and able preacher of the word.
Varay S. Gaskill, baptized in 1846, and li- censed afterward, was sent by the Church as a student to Furman Institute, in South Carolina. I have learned nothing of his subsequent career.
Jesse Witt, whose biography is sketched in Dr. Taylor's Virginia Baptist Ministers, was for a time in membership here, probably while agent of our General Association. He was a minister of large influence and usefulness, and died in Texas in 1858.
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In 1850, Rev. Basil Manly, jr., succeeded Dr. Jeter in the pastoral office. As he is liv- ing still, it is not yet time to enroll his name among those who have finished their course and won their crown. May that time be still remote in the future, that he may accumulate yet richer stores in the service of Christ's churches for the pen of a coming biographer. I may only say that he came to this pastoral charge, shortly after quitting the Princeton Theo- logical Seminary; that by his urbanity, unos- tentatious piety, devotion to his work, earnest and able expositions and enforcements of divine truth, he won the confidence and the hearts of the people. As President of the Female Insti- tute of this city, he drew a larger number of pupils to its halls than have ever thronged them since, and by whom he is remembered with grateful and loving reverence. As Presi- dent of Georgetown College, and twice as Pro- fessor in our Southern Theological Seminary, he has by his administrative, practical ability and tact, and by his broad and accurate schol- arship, contributed much to the efficiency, thor- oughness, and prosperity of these institutions. Indefatigable in study and work, amiable and conciliatory in spirit, devoutly interested in
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every measure that promises good to the king- dom of Christ, he deserves what he has gained, a place in the front rank with the leaders who are most honored, trusted, and loved, in our Southern Israel. During the four years of his pastorate, one hundred and thirty-four were added by baptism to the membership of the Church, and the number increased from five hundred and forty, in 1850, to six hundred and thirty-seven in 1854, when a colony of over one hundred was dismissed, to organize the Leigh Street Church, on Church Hill.
Rev. Reuben Ford-the son of him who bore the same name, and was of illustrious fame among the early champions of religious liberty- was among those thus dismissed, and became the first Pastor of the Leigh Street Church. He was a godly, earnest minister of Christ, and closed his earthly ministry as Pastor in Nash- ville, Tennessee.
In October, 1854, having been honored with an invitation from the Church, I was received as its Pastor. The number of members, diminished just previous to my coming by the constitution of the Leigh Street Church, was five hundred and eighty-four. For twenty years and three months this relation to you was continued. I
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have many reasons for profound gratitude and praise to God for the blessings bestowed upon me during this period of my life. I never re- ceived from the Church anything but uniform kindness and hearty co-operation in every good work. As far as was possible with so numer- ous a society, I deemed myself the personal friend of every member, and regarded every member as a personal friend to me. We had no wranglings, no discords, no perturbed or boisterous church meetings. Nothing ever. seriously disturbed the peaceful harmony of the Church. The unity and brotherly confidence and regard were as nearly perfect as I have ever known.
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