USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > The first century of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. 1780-1880 > Part 5
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The increase of the membership required an enlargement of the board of deacons, and about the year 1858, Dr. Wm. H. Gwathmey was elected and ordained as Deacon, and a few years later brethren A. P. Fox, Wm. G. Dand- ridge, J. B. Watkins and Geo. J. Sumner, were added to the number.
For a portion of the time we were drawn into closer fellowship with each other by the terrible pressure of the war from without. Our sons and brothers were in daily, deadly peril ; and at many a funeral and over many a death
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where no home burial was possible, we mingled our tears and prayers together. We shared with each other our scant rations, and bore to- gether the fearful privations of a besieged city, and the crushing disappointments and terrible losses and horrors of the closing scenes. I re- member well when a brother whose face is now before me came into my study and presented me, as a token of the remembrance and con- sideration of the brethren from whom he had gathered it, unsolicited and unexpected by me, ten thousand dollars .. True it was Confederate money, but it was the only kind you had. Similar evidences of thoughtful kindness, in all conceivable forms I received from many. For twenty years I never had any reason to imagine that I had made a personal enemy in- this Church, or in this city outside the Church. And I am sure that no one ever evoked enmity or bitterness from my heart toward him. Par- don me for these allusions, but they are so grateful to me to recall to-day, and I should do violence to my own nature if I did not testify to the Christian magnanimity and delicate con- sideration,-far beyond my own deservings I know,-with which I was treated by this dear Church through twenty years of service. And
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I shall not be accused of vanity if I say that all the powers and capabilities God gave me were constantly and industriously devoted to the service of this Church and to the cause of its Lord and my Lord. Mistakes and errors, oh, yes ! there were many ; weakness and misjudg- ments ; sometimes impatience and dogmatism ; in preaching, often more exacting than tender, sometimes more legal flash than gospel magnet; but with all I can, upon review, honestly say there was an absorbing longing for the growth, efficiency, and spirituality of the Church, and for the conversion of souls to Christ Jesus.
During this period, the Church was twice enlarged, the last time to provide the recess for the choir and organ; the adjoining Infant Class room was built; the Lecture and Sunday School rooms were remodeled, and various alterations and refurnishings were made.
At the beginning of those twenty years, there was peace and large prosperity; then, war and disaster ; and at the close, comparative pov- erty, perplexities, disappointments, and misgiv- ings. It was a period crowded with changes in the world, in our country, in our State, City, Church, in our families, and in ourselves. For me personally it opened with a pleasant home,
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a loving wife, and little children. It closed upon a homeless, lonely man, with family dead or scattered. In every twenty years are revolu- tions. Twenty years bear us from Spring time, with its fresh enjoyments and buoyant hopes, through Summer, with its toils and heats, into Autumn, with its matured fruits and falling leaves, toward Winter, with its frosts and fires, its decays and comforts.
Well ! Spring has its cheer, Summer its cares, Autumn its chastening, and Winter its consola- tions. December is not much longer than June. And then, for trustful disciples of Jesus, the merging of Winter into the perennial Spring of God's Paradise!
When I became Pastor, in October, 1854, there were enrolled upon the Register five hun- dred and seventy-eight members. Of that num- ber only one hundred and ninety-one remained at the close of the twenty years. Three hundred and eighty-seven had gone, through death, re- moval, or discipline. A considerable number united with the new churches organized during this period, viz. Leigh Street, 1854; Pine Street, 1855 ; Manchester, 1857. Also, Sidney and Ful- ton, where this Church sustained out stations and erected buildings, and Venable Street Church.
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The Church was blessed with numerous re- vivals during these twenty years, and with steady healthful increase. The average annual additions were seventy-four. The whole num- ber of additions, fourteen hundred and seventy- nine. Of these, nine hundred and seventeen were converts baptized; four hundred and seventy-seven were introduced upon certificates from other churches; seventy, upon relation of experience; and fifteen were restored upon profession of penitence after exclusion. The whole number of diminutions during the twenty years, by removal, discipline, and death, was eleven hundred and twenty-nine. The net in- crease, three hundred and fifty; and the total in 1874, eight hundred and ninety.
The roll of the dead for the twenty years contains two hundred and seventy-seven names; enough in numbers, character, piety, and wealth to have formed a strong and effective Church. Of useful ministers united with the Church, we followed to their burial the youthful Z. Jeter, George and Wm. M. Gaskins, and the aged Henry Keeling and Henry W. Watkins. Out of the eight Deacons, who were serving the Church in 1854, five were borne to the cemetery, and their spirits to heaven. The call of their names
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will awaken a thrill of precious memories in many hearts. Jas. C. Crane, John Farrar, Archibald Thomas, James Sizer, Richard Reins. Taking them altogether, we shall not soon look upon their like again. Two of the clerks of the Church dropped their pens, and read the record of their own enrolment in the unfading book of remembrance: David R. Crane and John H. McCarthy.
Of men in business and professional life, some of whom left a broad mark for good upon their generation and upon the Church, whose lives won respect, and confidence in their reli- gion, and who being dead yet speak, were Richard C. Wortham, James C. Spotts, Royal Parrish, Charles Wortham, Geo. W. Atkinson, James H. Walthall, William Caulfield, John Watkins, John L. Smither, Josiah Dabbs, John Hillyard, Thomas Trowers, Dr. Leon Gelbardt, who gave his life in ministering to yellow fever victims in Norfolk, Dr. Owen B. Hill, Samuel and Thomas Hardgrove, William and Sidney Powers, Wilson B. Hill, Daniel Ward, John L. Ligon, John Turpin, William L. Harrison, Ju- lius A. Hobson, Frederick Butler, Thaddeus B. Starke, Thomas W. Keesee, Samuel Tyack, Thomas Leftwich, Dr. Albert G. Wortham.
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Of worthy, pious and promising young men, we may well record in such a historical sketch the names of Alphonzo Dandridge whose fune- ral was the first I attended in this city-Frank- lin Caster, John W. Potts, James E. Burnett, James W. Whitlock, and Thomas H. Butler.
Of our young members killed during the war, or who died of wounds or diseases in hos- pitals and prisons, put upon the record this list: Peyton G. Read, Robert C. Stanard, Henry Cundiffe, John H. Herring, Custis Chamber- layne, George M. Leftwich,-these two last students of Richmond College, and preparing for the ministry,-Washington Tyler, John B. Kate, George W. Smither, Howard K. Cary, Thomas C. Redmond, also a student of the College, William Frayser, Lewis C. Hendricks, Howard S. Wright, John Rogers, Christopher S. Chandler, Thomas S. Hudgens, William J. Wheeler, Columbus A. Daniels, Francis W. Savage, J. T. Iage.
Of aged women, mothers in Israel, and mid- dle-aged women, whose useful lives adorned beautifully their Christian profession, and who, in the home and in the Church, were honored and beloved, what blessed memories and affec- tions will be stirred by the simple mention of
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their names! An historical sketch could not be complete with their names left out, and some of them deserve permanent biographies, which might be read with more profit and spiritual stimulus than many that have been written. A few of you to-day can recall Charlotte Wool- dridge, Patience Pierce, Polly Mauzee, Mary Wortham, Rhoda Thomas, Winnifred Cren- shaw, Mary P. Foster, Sarah Durham, Jane Dandridge, Elizabeth H. Greenhow, Susanna Holmes, Nancy Sizer, Isabella Crane, Mary Burton, Mary Lipscombe, Julia A. McCarthy, Mattie Lee Spotts, Harriet Cary, Martha Steane, Fannie W. Leftwich, Elizabeth Dennis, Sarah C. Thompson, Elizabeth Gardner, Mary W. Apperson, Susan R. Childs, Agnes Cowie, Mary J. Rogers, Ann L. Bibb, M. E. M. Gaines, Mildred Turpin, Eleanor Johnson, Susan M. Evans, Ann H. Powel, Sarah Jane Smith, Eme- line White, Mary W. Hardgrove, Maria G. Clopton.
Then there was another group of younger women, wives and mothers, who were early called away, some of them from little children to whose care and training they seemed so ne- cessary to mortal eyes. Think of God's pre- cious gifts to the churches of such women, as
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Virginia E. Ford, Georgie Bosher, Martha T. Jones, Sarah V. Hooker, Mary C. Wortham, Olivia Bargamin, Frances Lyell, Ella Quesen- berry, Lucy Spilman, Mary W. Williams, Mar- garet L. Patterson, Jane L. Anderson, Carrie V. Ryland, Agnes W. Terrell, Edmonia Slaugh- ter, Mary T. Harris, Elizabeth & Louisa Dan- dridge, Ella J. Lipscombe and Virginia B. Smith.
We can scarcely conceive of a purer, nobler band of Christian women than these, for use- fulness on earth and for blessedness in heaven.
There was another group of unmarried wo- men, some of them were girls, whom the Lord prepared by early conversion for early transfer to heaven, as Betty Clopton, Martha Braxton, Adaline Meredith, Mattie Lee Hudgens, Eliza Gannaway, Eliza and Nannie Meredith, Susan and Margaret Farrar, Virginia Burke, Pamelia Ford, Laura Alvey, Ada B. Winfree.
This is no mere dull catalogue of names, as it may sound to some. They represent those who belong to the history of the Church, and through whose influence that history has been made. Our dead of an hundred years-a great cloud of witnesses-we may imagine as in the sanctuary to-day, looking out through shadowy veils, imperceptible to mortal vision. Upon
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seats they once filled, and faces they once loved, and results their prayers and piety helped to at- tain. How can we tell what ranges disem- bodied spirits may take? However, all this may be, there is a sense in which we listen to the voices of the dead. Influences do not die and memories of the pious dead are still means of grace to the struggling living. "They rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
Of those still living who were connected with the Church between 1833 and 1874, is a noble band of faithful and effective Christian minis- ters, whose biographies will be written when their work on earth is finished, and many of whom are winning fame and love among our Churches. We may simply record the names of John O. Turpin of King William County; James G. Council of Mathews County; Dr. Joseph R. Garlick, Alexander H. Sands, Francis C. Johnson of Georgia; Dr. Poindexter S. Hen- son of Philadelphia; Dr. W. D. Thomas of Nor- folk; W. Harrison Williams of Charlottesville; William S. Ryland of Kentucky; Dr. M. Bryan Wharton of Georgia; Isaiah T. Wallace of Hen- rico; Lansing Burrows of Lexington, Kentucky; Richard W. Norton of Tennessee; Dr. A. W.
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Read of Orange; William H. Tucker, M. D., of Louisiana; A. A. Lomax of Mississippi; John Blenner, first Pastor of the German Church in this city; James L. Vass of South Carolina; Ju- lian M. Luck, Edmund Harrison, John Hart, J. L. M. Curry, H. A. Tupper, crowning the climax.
From this long and honorable list I have omitted the names of three, who from various causes, have left the ministry of our denomina- tion. Only three of the large number have failed to illustrate and confirm the wisdom of the Church in authorizing them to preach the gospel of Christ.
To this list I have yet to add the names of six of our honored ministers, who died during my pastorate, and at whose funeral services I was called to officiate. Of three of these I have already spoken, viz: Joseph S. Walthall, Henry Keeling, and William M. Gaskins. Z. Feter George, graduated at Richmond College in 1853. He was a student for a time at the University of Virginia, preaching on Sundays in the neigh- boring county churches. In 1857, he became the first Pastor of the Manchester Church. He died in 1858, in the twenty-seventh year of his age. He was a brother of lovely spirit, earnest piety, and gave bright promise of usefulness.
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Henry Watkins had passed his three-score and ten, and had for many years been preach- ing the gospel of Christ, with little worldly compensation. His life was a beautiful illus- tration of the meekness, patience, and charity which the gospel he studied and loved devel- ops. He was Pastor of churches in Powhatan and Chesterfield, and preached steadily for some years to the Belvidere, now Pine Street, Church. He passed to his blessed home in March, 1872.
George William Keesee was born in 1831, baptized in the sixteenth year of his age. Grad- uated from Richmond College in 1851, spent two years at the University of Virginia, was Pastor first of Hicksford Church, and then of Goldsboro Church in North Carolina, where he died in 1861, in the thirtieth year of his life. He was amiable in natural disposition, and this temper was sweetened by divine grace. Of his college course, Dr. Ryland said, he could not recall a single irregularity that deserved re- proof from his teacher. As a preacher he was studious, careful, and conscientious in prepara- tion, clear and earnest in delivery. By his piety and his gentle and affable bearing he won the confidence and love of his people, and his
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memory is still tenderly cherished by them and by all who knew him.
A brief resumé, comparing the condition of the Church in 1780 and 1880, may be a fitting close to this discourse. A population of 1800, in 1780, has grown to some sixty-five thousand in 1880. One Baptist Church of fourteen mem- bers, in 1780, has swelled into nineteen-includ- ing Manchester, into twenty-one-Churches in 1880; more than one Church for every in- dividual member. Those fourteen members have increased more than a thousand fold in a century, numbering in 1880, 16,847 members, including Manchester. In 1780, there was one Baptist member to every 128 of the whole pop- ulation ; in 1880, about one to every four of the whole population. Taking all Christian evan- gelical denominations, leaving out Roman Catho- lics and Jews, instead of two feeble Churches in 1780, we have fifty Churches with 25,000 mem- bers, and instead of one, we have fifty houses of worship, the smallest of which is probably larger than St. John's was then.
In fifty years-from 1824 to 1874-there were thirty-five hundred and thirty-eight per- sons, professing conversion, baptized into the fellowship of this single Church, an average of
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over seventy a year. Probably a number equal to half of that united by certificate or letter, making some fifty-three hundred who had united with the Church during the half century. Yet, in 1874, there were only twenty-four persons who had been members in 1835. In January, 1880, there were only fifteen who were mem- bers of the Church in 1835, and two of them- Mrs. Elizabeth Bosher and Mrs. Catharine Thomas-two of Christ's saints-have since passed away.
Of the five and a half years that have passed since 1874, it is not my place particularly to speak. I need only say that the steady, pru- dent, judicious, untiring, and consecrated ser- vices of Rev. Dr. E. W. Warren have been blessed of God to the maintenance and enlarge- ment of the efficiency and intelligence of the Church; and that the fervid eloquence, and zeal, and devotion of your present pastor, Rev. Dr. J. B. Hawthorne-perhaps the most like to John Kerr, in the long line of pastors- gives promise of still more rapid increase and efficiency, than during any period of the past. May God grant that these buds of promise may ripen into abundant clusters of wholesome fruits as year after year rolls by.
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BY W. D. THOMAS.
DECEASED PASTORS.
I N reviewing the history of this Church, which, under God, has been the source of so many holy, widely-diffused, and potent influ- ences, it is eminently appropriate that special mention should be made of those who have presided over it as Pastors and Bishops, and who have already fallen on sleep. But in as- signing places, at this Centenary Celebration, for the particular mention of its Pastors and Officers, the Church does not mean to intimate that such only have been agents in the upbuild- ing of Zion. During all these hundred years of church life, holy men and women, occupying no prominent positions, holding no office, have by their prayers, by their godly living and dili- gent activities, contributed largely to its pro- gress and efficiency. It would be a joy on this occasion to make honorable mention of such humble and useful servants of our God; but it
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cannot be. Many of them are forgotten; even
their names are unknown to us. They have lived, labored, died, and in so short a time have been forgotten upon the earth. It is a sad reflection to us; but it does not trouble them. They are rejoicing, because their names were inscribed upon the imperishable roll of heaven, written in the Lamb's Book of Life. And as to their work, that abides ever upon the earth. It may be hidden out of our sight ; but it none the less has its place, and is represented in the Church of to-day. The influence of these for- gotten followers of our Lord has survived their names. By ways we know not, along paths we cannot trace, that influence has reached us, has infused itself into our life, has helped to make us. And while gratefully cherishing the memory of those who have been over us in the Lord, we also from our hearts to-day give thanks to God for the nameless and forgotten saints into whose labors we have entered.
The first Pastor of this Church was Rev. Joshua Morris. He was born in James City County; but the exact date of his birth is not known. The Church Manual of 1875 places his death in the year 1838, and at the age of seventy-seven years. If this be so, then he
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was only nineteen years old when he came to Richmond, and was already preaching in the sixteenth year of his age. Dr. Spencer, of Kentucky, says, he died in 1837, and was largely over eighty years old. This statement, we judge, is nearer the fact, since it is not probable that he began preaching at so early an age as fifteen or sixteen years. Nothing is known of his family beyond the fact, mentioned in Sem- ple's history, that "his father and uncle preached occasionally." He began his Christian life as a member of the James City Church. Whether he was baptized by Elisha Baker, the founder, or by John Goodall, the first Pastor of that Church, we cannot say. He was preaching in the year 1775 or 1776.
Mr. Semple tells us, that Elder Baker began his labors in Grafton in 1775, that "in no great while several were baptized, and Joshua Mor- ris, a young preacher of considerable gifts, from James City, watered the plants." We next trace him as residing in the bounds, and labor- ing in connection with the Boar Swamp Church -now Antioch. We do not know when he entered upon his ministry there; but while serving that Church he began also to preach in Richmond at the house of a Mr. Franklin.
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His labors were not fruitless. Some few were baptized, and he himself removing to Richmond, a Church was established under his care in 1780. Thus the little town, which had been only a preaching station of a somewhat flour- ishing country Church, rose to the dignity of having its own Church and resident Pastor. It was a feeble body of only fourteen members. Elder Morris continued to be its Pastor for six years.
We have now no records from which to judge of his preaching here or trace the pro- gress made under his ministry. The fact that the little band, worshipping at first in a private house, soon erected a small frame " meeting- house," indicates some advance, and shows at least some energy and something of a progres- sive spirit both in the Pastor and the Church.
The few brief notices of this servant of the Church make the impression that he was a minister of earnest spirit, readily embracing and diligently seeking opportunities of useful labor. He may have been without education, and there is no reason to believe that he was a brilliant preacher, since the discriminating and cautious Semple describes him as having " considerable gifts." He removed from this
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city to Kentucky in the year 1786. The im- pressions made by the few notices of his minis- try and labors in this State are deepened and elevated by his busy and useful career in Kentucky. Into this field I am enabled to fol- low him by the kindness and diligence of Dr. Burrows and of Dr. Spencer, who is now en- gaged in collecting materials for a history of the Baptists of Kentucky. Elder Morris was introduced to a Church in Jefferson, now Shel- by, County, Kentucky, by William Hickman. In speaking of one of his journeys into Shelby County, then on the frontiers of civilization, to preach for some of the settlers in the forts, Mr. Hickman says: "We crossed the river one at a time, and swam our horses by the side of the canal. We had then twenty miles to go
in the night. Sometimes it was snowing and then the moon shining. We crossed Benson nineteen times. At some fords the ice would bear us over, at other fords some steps would bear us and then we would break in. We passed a number of evacuated cabins, the own- ers of which had been killed or driven off by the Indians. About two o'clock in the morning we knocked at the fort-gate for admittance. The old gentleman was not at home and the old
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lady had all barred up. It was some time be- fore we could convince her who we were, as she was afraid of a decoy. But at last she let us in."
There was a Church of eight members at this place, called Brashear's Creek. Mr. Hickman was urged to settle among them, but could not. They asked him to recommend a preacher to them. He says : "Brother Joshua Morris had just moved to the county, and I thought he would suit them. I saw him, told him the situation of the people and their wish. I told him, if he would like a tour there, I would go with him. We both went. Soon after, he moved, and his labors were much blessed, and many a tour I took with him afterwards long circuits around."
This Church, since merged into the Shelby- ville Church, was at Bracket Owen's Fort, near the present site of Shelbyville. It was con- structed in 1785, by William Taylor and John Whitaker, on the very frontiers of civilization in that direction. Assaults by the Indians were frequent, and the farmers ploughed under arms.
In subsequent visits Mr. Hickman and his associates would be met at the Kentucky River
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by an escort of friends. Sometimes twenty or more armed brethren marched with the preach- ers as they went from station to station to preach the gospel. At this outpost the first Pastor settled with his family.
About ten miles north of Owen's Fort, on Fox Run, was another fort and settlement. Here Elder Morris preached occasionally, and on January 26, 1794, gathered the Christian immigrants and baptized converts, and, aided by Elder John Whitaker, organized the Fox Run Church of fifteen members. It is now a flourishing Church in the town of Eminence, and retains its original name. William Mar- shall, uncle of the Chief-Justice, became its first Pastor. On Elk Creek, twelve miles south of Owen's Fort, was another preaching station. Here on April 27, 1794, Elder Morris consti- tuted the Elk Creek Church, of ten members. It has become one of the famous churches of Kentucky. Dr. Spencer thinks it highly pro- bable that he was also " the chief instrument in gathering the Buck Creek and Long Run Churches in the same region, and which have ever since been influential and useful churches. Toward the close of the century Elder Morris moved northward, into what is now Carroll
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County, and gathered the Ghent Church. In 1800, April 5, in connection with William Hick- man and others, he organized the Port William Church, Carroll County, of which he became a member and Pastor, and which in later years became united with the Ghent Church. From Carroll County he moved to Nelson County and became the successor of Elder Joseph Bar- nett (formerly of Virginia) as Pastor of the Cedar Creek Church, next to the oldest Church in Kentucky. This was his home the remainder of his life. He was also Pastor of Mill Creek Church, in the same county, and for eighteen months (1801-2) supplied the pulpit of the Severns Valley Church, now Elizabeth- town. In this time he received into that Church one hundred and forty-six members, most of whom he baptized. Among them were Isaac Hodgen, who became one of the most brilliant and useful ministers of the State, and several others who also became preachers.
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