USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > The first century of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. 1780-1880 > Part 6
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In 1816, assisted by Jeremiah Vardeman and George Waller, a glorious revival blessed his Mill Creek Church. In 1819, in connection with Moses Pierson and Isaac Taylor, he aided in constituting New Hope Church, in Washington County, ever since an efficient country Church.
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Dr. Spencer says of him: "In person, Mr. Morris was rather below medium height, of stout build, with a tendency to corpulency." In later years, he became so unwieldy from this tendency as not to be able to go far from home. He was scrupulously neat in his dress and elegantly dignified in bearing. As a preacher, he was hardly up to mediocrity. He spoke rapidly, with great energy and boldness. "He spoke as one having authority, reproved every species of immorality and sin with uncompromising faithfulness and plainness. He was a man of practical wisdom. As far as known, every church which he gathered, and every one with which he was connected (except Brashear's Creek, which was wisely merged into the Shelbyville), are still in existence, and several of them strong and influential churches."
Surely the memory of this grand old pioneer missionary and planter of our ever-green churches deserves to be cherished by the child of his youth.
Rev. John Courtney, the Second Pastor of this Church, was born in King and Queen County, in the year 1744, and was reared under Episcopal influences, his father and eldest brother being, we are told, "conspicuous and in-
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fluential members of that church." He lacked the advantages of education. Being quite young when his father died, and the estate passing legally to the eldest son, he was, it is said, "bound apprentice to the business of a carpenter." Beyond this nothing is known of his early years. He is represented as being naturally of a generous, frank, and independent spirit. The date of his conversion cannot be fixed with precision. He was probably baptized by Rev. John Young, by whom the Upper Col- lege Church-now Rehoboth, in King William County-was planted, and of which Elder Court- ney became the first Pastor. Mr. Semple tells us that this Church "prospered under his care." He is said to have taken an active part in the revolutionary struggle. Dr. Jeter ex- pressed the opinion that had he been exempt from military duty, as under the Colonial Laws he was not, it is probable his patriotism would have taken him to the field. In support of his opinion, he tells us that when more than seventy years of age, in response to a call for volunteers made by the Governor of the State under apprehension of an invasion of the city by British troops, Elder Courtney appeared on the Public Square, musket in hand. He adds:
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"The moral influence of such a spectacle must have been thrilling."
From his first field of labor, Mr. Courtney removed to Richmond and entered upon his pastorate here in the year 1788. He was already in the forty-fifth year of his age, and until his death, thirty-six years later, served the Church either as its exclusive or Senior Pastor. His labors were greatly blessed. During his pastorate the Church erected a new house of worship, and some years before his death had occasion to enlarge it.
Mr. Semple, writing of Richmond in 1809, says: "Here, although the Baptists are not the most flourishing sect, they stand upon respect- able ground; they have built, by public sub- scription, a large brick meeting-house, and probably move on, both as respects discipline and the conducting of public worship, with as much regularity as any people in the Union" __ viz., the First Union Meeting District, in Dover Association. "Their Pastor, Elder Courtney, took the care in the year 1788, and under his labors they have enjoyed peace and prosperity." According to the ideas then prevalent amongst our people and preachers, he received no stipu- lated salary. At the close of the morning ser-
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vice on Lord's Day, a hat collection was taken by Deacons at each door of the Church. The money thus collected was emptied into the hand- kerchief of the senior Deacon, wrapped up, car- ried to the Pastor's house, and put into a bowl in the cupboard. This same, much or little, was his salary. The sisters of the Church, by pre- sents, from time to time, kept him in clothing. The further needs of his family were supplied by the labor of his own hands.
He was a man without culture, but of vigo- rous mind. As a preacher, he possessed no brilliant gifts; was plain, earnest, very little, if any, above the average of the Baptist preachers of his day. He occupied a high position in the Dover Association, and sometimes presided over that body. His preaching was doctrinal and intensely Calvinistic. As remembered in his latter years, he was corpulent, with long white hair, and venerable in appearance. His voice was musical. The first Mrs. Robert Ry- land attributed her religious awakening to the impression made by hearing Father Courtney repeat, in musical, tremulous, and solemn tones, the hymn beginning "That awful day will surely come."
It is said that he lacked breadth of view, was
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unprogressive; that his religious views and plans of effort were stereotyped at the close of the Revolutionary War, and that, in his opin- ion, all subsequent changes were portentous of deterioration and ruin. He opposed Sunday Schools as a desecration of the Sabbath; the use of hymn books, in public worship, except by the preacher, because the churches had no such custom. One exception, however, to his usual opposition to things new is worthy of special notice. When female prayer-meetings first began, they excited much opposition, and ap- peal was made to old Father Courtney for his opinion. Mrs. Halsey-mother of the more widely known Mrs. John Hollins-often told how he replied that "he had never heard of praying doing anybody any harm; and for his part the sisters might pray on." On the other hand, his tenacity for things old finds a characteristic illustration in the following fact. Some of his young people were ambitious that their vene- rable Pastor should be more up to the times. On one occasion a young lady ventured to sug- - gest that his pronunciation was not altogether correct, and, as an example, told him that he said "moloncolly." Upon his asking, "What ought I to say, honey?" she answered "melan-
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choly." The good old man replied, "I like moloncolly the best." His unprogressiveness was due rather to his lack of early advantages of education than to his heart. He was neither dictatorial nor obstinate. Kind and forbearing in spirit, he learned to acquiesce in measures introduced against his will.
As a Pastor, he was discreet, diligent, and sympathetic. Even when too old and infirm to dismount from his horse he rode, cane in hand, from door to door, and calling the friends out to him would encourage, counsel, and exhort them, sometimes closing his interview with prayer on horseback in the street. His manly character, godly sincerity, consistent and de- vout life, commanded universal respect. He was free from worldly ambition. In his dress, his manners, his style of preaching, and mode of life, it was most obvious that he did not seek admiration. He was much in the habit of quoting in his sermons the couplet:
" No foot of land do I possess,
Nor cottage in this wilderness."
Some one at last gave him-not, perhaps, actually transferring by deed, but virtually a gift -a house and lot. Soon after, in preaching, he
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began to quote his favorite couplet, but stopped in the midst and corrected himself. Afterwards he saw his generous friend and returned the property, saying, he would rather have his lines than the house. Father Courtney's success was due far more to his eminent piety, sound judg- ment in pastoral work, and the exercise of wholesome discipline, than to the attractiveness and ability of his preaching.
At the time of his death the Church numbered about a thousand members, more than two- thirds of whom probably were colored people. No Pastor ever enjoyed in higher measure the confidence and affection of his people. The strongest testimony to which is the fact that when the increasing infirmities of age prevent- ed him from fully meeting the demands of the field, the Church procured an Assistant Pastor, and continued the plan for thirteen or fourteen years. He died December 18th, 1824, an old man, full of years, and meet for heaven. It cannot be doubted that chiefly to the influence and labors of Father Courtney must be attrib- uted that conservative religious spirit which has distinguished this Church through all its his- tory.
Rev. John Bryce began his labors as the as-
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sistant of Father Courtney about 1810, and continued them, with an interruption of a few months, for about twelve years. It is believed that he was born in Goochland County; this, however, is not definitely known. He was ed- ucated for the legal profession, but left the law for the pulpit. He was of commanding ap- pearance, and his hair retained its glossy black- ness until his death at the age of seventy-six years. He was a man of undoubted talent, a superior preacher, and quite an orator. The Senior Pastor entertained for him, and always manifested towards him, a fatherly affection. The warm-hearted, affectionate Assistant re- turned the affection with filial spirit. There was between them no rivalry, no jealousy. From 1823-26 Mr. Bryce resided in Fredericksburg, where he preached and practised law. Mr. Semple remonstrated with him, urging that this course would injure his usefulness and influence with his brethren. Mr. Bryce replied, that the course was necessary for the support of his family. He was never careful about his finances, and Mr. Semple said, that if he had received a thousand dollars, he would certainly spend fifteen hundred; and even if he received fifteen hundred he would as certainly spend two thousand.
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He afterwards removed to Kentucky, and engaged in the practice of law. Unfavorable reports as to the consistency of his life became prevalent. But he afterwards resumed the work of the ministry, and closed a useful life at Henderson, Kentucky, in the year 1864, at the ripe age of seventy-six.
Rev. Andrew Broaddus, of Caroline County, was the Associate of Father Courtney during the interval of about nine months mentioned above. He was the Apollos of the Virginia pulpit, and his praise is to-day in all the churches. His published memoir renders unnecessary, even if the short time of his connection with this Church warranted, a sketch of his useful career.
In 1822, Rev. Henry Keeling became Co- pastor of the Church, and after the death of Elder Courtney was really, if not nominally, its Pastor for about twelve months. He was the son of Rev. Henry Keeling, Sr., a native of Princess Ann County, who at the age of eight- een became a member of the Church in Nor- folk. Mr. Keeling was one of the early pupils in the class or school then taught in Philadel- phia by Drs. William Staughton and Irah Chase, which afterwards grew into Columbian College. His usefulness in what is now called
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distinctively pastoral work was hindered by his lack of a genial and social nature. He pre- pared his sermons with great care. His preaching was highly intellectual, without pathos, without warmth, and, in fact, "cold as frost." He resigned about the year 1825, and became the head of a flourishing School for young ladies. He was also the Editor of the "Religious Inquirer;" and became yet more widely known as the Editor of "The Baptist Preacher." In the latter years of his life he be- came the subject of damaging suspicion, which caused great pain and perplexity to his breth- ren. He died in 1870, at the age of seventy-six.
Rev. John Kerr entered upon his Richmond pastorate in March, 1825. He was born in Caswell County, North Carolina, in 1782. His father was of Scotch descent, a Baptist, and said to have been eminently pious, His moth- er, a sister of Gen. Azariah Graves, was a lady of the highest social position. She was distin- guished for great excellence .and energy of character, and as a mother was careful and wise in the rearing of her children. His early education, though not thorough and liberal, was superior to that of most of those about him. His boyhood was spent in near proximity to
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excellent schools, his parents were such as might be expected to appreciate the importance of education, and doubtless furnished him the best opportunities they could afford. His younger brothers are known to have been well educated. In early boyhood, it is said, he ac- quired readily, and that his disposition and manners made him quite a favorite. He had both in boyhood and manhood the advantage of association with the intelligent and cultured.
He was converted while teaching in the fam- ily of a relative. He attended, out of curiosity and for sport, a meeting then in progress at a Presbyterian Church, and was stricken down by the power of the truth and of the Holy Spirit. His conversion was attended with pun- gent conviction and great joy. The date of his conversion cannot be fixed, but he was bap- tized, it is said, August 12th, 1801, when nine- teen years old. He delivered a discourse on the day of his baptism. Soon afterwards he entered the ministry, and was ordained in his native county. Then he travelled extensively in his own State and in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, coming in con- tact and association with the more distinguished ministers of the time. In 1805, he was mar-
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ried to Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, and settled in Halifax County, where he preached, charming all by his eloquence, and we cannot doubt turn- ing many to righteousness.
In 1810 or 1811, he became a candidate for Congress and was defeated. He was afterward elected, and was in Congress from 1812-1816. His entrance into political life was not regarded with favor by his brethren, and exerted, as he after- wards said, an injurious spiritual influence upon himself. At one time he had almost, if not quite, decided to give himself wholly to the practice of law. A fall from his horse, by which his leg was fractured and his life imperilled, became the oc- casion of most serious reflection, and he after- wards gave himself with fresh consecration to the ministry. He continued to preach in Halifax County until 1825, but it is not possible now to record the result of his labors. Crowds attended upon his ministry, and as a preacher he was almost idolized by the people. In March, 1825, he became Pastor of this Church, and served it for eight years, His ministry
here was generally successful. Nine hundred and fifty-seven converts were baptized into the Church, and the social character of its member- ship was greatly elevated. All the enterprises
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of the denomination received the benefit of his sympathy and his magnetic fervor.
This success was not due to his pastoral work, for in this direction he was not industri- ous nor active, although of genial nature and in social intercourse attractive; nor was it in any degree due to his administrative and organiz- ing ability, for in these respects he seems to have been utterly deficient. His success was emphatically that of the preacher. He had all the advantages belonging to an imposing per- sonal appearance, to a sonorous and melodious voice, to ease, grace, and dignity of manner, and to fluency of speech. His mind moved quickly; his feelings were ardent and intense ; his im- agination was royal; his powers of description rarely, if ever, surpassed ; and his diction often majestic. Defects of method, of exegesis, of matter, and often of taste, were all forgotten under the spell of the pathos and eloquence by which he moved the hearts of men. Crowds flocked to hear him whenever he preached. All ages, all classes felt and confessed the power of the orator. He did not write his sermons, but I am able, through the kindness of Rev. E. Dodson, of North Carolina, to quote from a sermon delivered by Mr. Kerr in North
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Carolina, in 1828, at the funeral of Colonel Joseph Williams. It may help to form some idea of the eminent preacher, although we lack the preparation into which he had brought his hearers, and must miss the electric power of the speaker. Referring to the manner of the Judg- ment, Mr. Kerr said :
" We have heard of well trained armies meet- ing in deadly conflict with banners waving high. We have heard the warrior's shout, the can- non's roar, the clash of arms and clangor of trumpets, mingling with the shrieks and groans of dying thousands. But what are all these compared with the second appearance of him who once visited this world in the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death. Behold his great white throne. Behold, he cometh with clouds, with the voice of the arch- angel and the trump of God, with ten thousand of his saints and with all his glory, -with the glory of the Father and the holy angels,-with the thunders and fires of heaven's artillery playing and flashing around ยท him,-with myriads of winged reapers brand- ishing flaming sickles, ready to reap the great harvest of the earth. Behold his face, once bathed in sweat and tears and blood, now
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shining with such lustre that the sun blushes into everlasting night, and the moon bleeds, and the heavens and the earth start from their long established position and flee away, and there is found no place for them.
" We have heard of earthquakes shaking the globe and filling the world with consternation ; of volcanic mountains belching out their burn- ing lava and desolating the surrounding regions, -but what are all these compared with the last groans of an agonizing and expiring universe,- with the awful grandeur of that moment when the retiring earth shall pause in her flight, obedient to the voice of him who has the keys of death, and opening her bosom surrender her myriads of long held captives? Now we be- hold the dead, small and great, stand before God. Now we behold Adam and his last son with their intermediate connexions in order be- fore the face of him who sits upon the throne. Here Judas Iscariot and Pilate and Caiaphas shall see him upon the throne, whom they be- trayed and condemned. Here Herod and John the Baptist, and Paul and Felix, shall have their last interview. Here the blood-stained tyrant shall meet the victims of his power ; the mid- night assassin, covered with gore, shall face him
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who fell beneath his dagger; the unfeeling votary of Mammon shall stand before the widow and orphan who groaned under his iron hand. O my soul, how great the day, how grand, how awful the exhibition ! "
Many incidents have been told indicating his power over masses, and over persons of every rank in society and every degree of cultivation. Sometimes, in those days of fearless freedom, some would fairly shout under his preaching. Mr. Kerr had his own way of controlling and regulating such demonstrations. On one occasion an old shouting sister exclaimed, " I want to go home to heaven and stay in this wicked world no longer." Mr. Kerr said to her "Wait, my sister ; don't start on foot ; wait till your Heavenly Father shall send his chariot and steeds of light." In 1832, Mr. Kerr resigned his pastorate, in order to devote himself to the work of an evangelist, but was induced to continue nominally the Pastor of the Church, until towards the close of 1833. Historical fidelity requires me to add, that by this time his lack of close application and studi- ous habits was beginning to tell upon his ministry here, despite his splendid gifts as an orator.
After his removal from Richmond, he settled
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near Danville, and spent the remainder of his life chiefly in evangelistic labors, crowds always attending his preaching, and multitudes con- verted under it. He died on the 29th day of September, 1842. It is gratifying to know that, after long neglect, a monument has been recently erected to mark the grave of this great and good man.
Rev. Isaac Taylor Hinton, the successor of Mr. Kerr, was a native of the city of Oxford, England. His father was a man of culture and Pastor of the Baptist Church in Oxford. His mother was a sister of the celebrated Isaac Taylor. Two of his brothers were Baptist ministers. Mr. Hinton was well educated, chiefly by his father. In early life he was en- gaged in the printing business. In 1830, he came to this country and resided for two years in Philadelphia.
In April, 1833, he was invited to Richmond as an Assistant to Mr. Kerr, and on the 29th of December of the same year was unanimously elected sole Pastor. He was a very superior preacher ; acute, able, and instructive. This was his first pastoral charge, and he gave him- self to his work with zeal and constant industry. The Church steadily increased and improved
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under his care. He was a man of great system, of remarkable ability as an organizer. In 1835, Mr. Hinton resigned his charge, moved first to Chicago, then to St. Louis, and in 1844 to New Orleans. Here he fell a victim to the yellow fever in August, 1847, while lovingly and actively ministering to the sick and dying.
Rev. Dr. J. P. Jeter, just gone to heaven, was born on the 18th day of July, 1802, in the county of Bedford, that nursing mother of so many distinguished ministers of the gospel. He became the Pastor of this Church on the first Lord's Day of the year 1836, and was its faithful and efficient servant for more than thirteen years. During this time he baptized nearly a thousand converts, and the Church made steady and healthful progress. It was under his pastorate that this house of worship was erected, and the colored membership was organized into a separate Church.
It is impossible to estimate the extent to which the Church is indebted to these wise steps for its development and progress. The "Recollections of a Long Life," so recently writ- ten by himself, the admirable biographical sketch published immediately after his death, and the complete biography soon to be issued, render
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any detailed account of his career and services unnecessary here and now. We know that not only this Church, but all our churches, and all the enterprises of our denomination have felt the mighty influence of his counsels, his efforts, and his spirit. We know that, of all the Vir- ginia Baptist preachers, he was the most influ- ential in his own State, and the most widely known beyond it.
It would be a mournful pleasure to speak at length of such a man, whom it has been my privilege to reverence from my youth up, and by whose ministry my early spiritual life was nourished. Even if time allowed it, the much which has been said and written, and which need not be repeated here, would exclude me from such a privilege. And yet your patience will indulge me just a little to speak of him.
He was not when he assumed this pastorate, nor when he resigned it, just the man he was when he died. For he belonged to that order of men, "elect and precious," who keep on growing through a long life, and who attain the very flower of their manhood at the age when others enter their second childhood.
He was an example of the influence of Chris- tianity upon intellectual as well as moral devel-
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opment. It is true that he was well endowed by nature. He did not receive the imperial gift of genius; nor do I claim for him the capacity of profound thought; nor yet of extra- ordinary logical powers; but he undoubtedly possessed by nature unusual mental vigor and clearness of vision, while thirst for knowledge and the desire to excel characterized him from childhood. In his case, as in that of every re- generate man, his natural endowments consti- tuted the raw material out of which the spiritual man was made. But such natural gifts as his, under the sway of mere natural ambition, would never have made the Dr. Jeter, whom we know, intellectually any more than morally. The in- fluence of his personal experience of God's grace; the influence of the resolutions, the hopes, and the responsibilities of the gospel firmly believed-this it was which quickened all his powers, nerved and braced his will, directed his aspirations, helped to make constant and untiring his application, and so actually devel- oped his potentialities, and made the man.
I cannot venture to speak of his spiritual manhood; time fails us. I mention only one or two rare combinations in his character.
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