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LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
PRINCETON, N. J.
Purchased by the
Mrs. Robert Lenox Kennedy Church History Fund.
Divisiou^X.£>. -2/ 4" S
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KENTUCKY
BAPTIST HISTORY
1770 — 1922
By y
THE REV. WILLIAM DUDLEY NOWLIN, D.D., LL.D.
Author of "What Baptists Stand For"
"Fundamentals oj the Faith^
"God So Loved the World," etc.
V^
BAPTIST BOOK CONCERN
1922
This book is dedicated by the author to
Deacon J. W. Lam, of the First Baptist
Church, Greenville, Kentucky, who backed
his pastor financially in gathering and
preparing the material for this history.
AUTHOR'S FOREWORD
THE story of the rise, progress, trials and triiimphs
of Baptists in Kentucky is more thrilling and
remarkable than the purest fiction of the wildest
imagination. One hundred and fifty-two years ago
there was one Baptist on Kentucky soil, Elder Squire
Boone ; today there are about three hundred thousand
Baptists in the State of Kentucky. This, too, in spite
of the fact that Kentucky's fruitful soil has been the
hotbed of almost every conceivable heresy.
Kentucky has been in theological, as well as in
profane history, a "dark and bloody ground." She
has been the storm center of religious controversy,
the battle-field of jarring opinions from her earliest
history. Her preachers have been trained in a stern
school, being men of war from their youth up.
"Infidelity," "Deism," "Unitarianism," "HeU-
Redemptionism, " "Arianism," " Two-Seedism, "
"Campbellism," " Hard-shellism, " "Old Landmark-
ism," " Whittsittism, " "Gospel Missionism," suc-
ceeding and overlapping one the other, for more than
125 years have divided the Baptist forces of this state
and shorn them of much of their power. But our
brethren farther south should not complacently refer
to Kentucky Baptists as "a scrappy bunch," forget-
ting the fact that Kentucky has fought the battles for
the other states as well as for herself, and that but
for the heroic struggles in Kentucky there would of
necessity have been greater struggles in these other
states. Kentucky has served as a break-water for
the South against the flood of heresies that has swept
down from the North.
Explanation
We take the following, which is self-explanatory,
from the minutes of General Association of Baptists
in Kentucky for the year 1917 (page 70) :
5
6 Author's Foreword
"W. D. Nowlin offered the following resolu-
tion, which was unanimously adopted:
"Inasmuch as we as Baptists are making
history in Kentucky and inasmuch as it is very
important to preserve our history, therefore be it
"Resolved, That we, the General Association
of Baptists in Kentucky, in session assembled,
this, the 15th day of November, 1917, request
Prof. W. J. McGlothlin to prepare and publish
a readable history of Kentucky Baptists from
their beginning in this State to the present time. ' '
Immediately following the meeting of the General
Association, in which the above resolution was passed,
the author turned over to Professor McGlothlin such
materials as he had gathered for a history of Ken-
tucky Baptists. Professor McGlothlin expected to
prepare the history, but was later called to the presi-
dency of Furman University, which position he
accepted, and which removed him from the state. On
leaving the state he turned back to the author the
materials for the history.
From the minutes of the Georgetown session of
the General Association, 1919 (page 35), we take the
following : * ' On motion W. D. Nowlin was requested
to write a History of Kentucky Baptists, and the
Kentucky Baptist Historical Society was requested to
finance the publication."
This gives us something of the history of this
History. The original resolution called for "a read-
able history of Kentucky Baptists from their begin-
ning in this state to the present time." It has been
the aim of the author to follow this instruction. How-
ever, it has been hard sometimes to cut down the
material to a readable volume, and yet give all that
should be given to make clear a connected history of
Baptists in Kentucky from the first appearance of
Elder Squire Boone in January, 1770, to 1922.
In this history the effort has been made to give
the various movements among Kentucky Baptists in
Author's Foreword 7
their chronological order, though at times there is
considerable overlapping of these movements.
Appreciation
The appreciation of the author is here expressed
to his friends, the Rev. W. W. Landrum, D. D., the
Rev. C. M. Thompson, D. D., the Rev. W. J. McGloth-
lin, D. D., the Rev. John T. Christian, D. P., and the
Rev. J. G. Bow, D. D. for assistance and suggestions.
He also extends thanks to the following who fur-
nished old copies of papers, magazines, minutes, etc. :
Hon. H. S. Robinson, Campbellsville ; Mr. 0. C. Fogle,
Fairfield, 111.; Miss Mattie Wilson, Bardstown; Mrs.
H. A. Buchanan, Burdick, Ky. ; Mr. J. B. Whitaker,
Russellville ; the Rev. Benj. Connaway, Providence;
Don Singletary, M. D., Clinton ; J. N. Smith, Lewis-
ton, Mo. ; the Rev. C. 0. Simpson, Clay ; Mrs. F. T.
Heyser, DeLand, Fla., and the Rev. W. M. Lee, Th.
D., Cochran, Ga. To Deacon J. W. Lam of the First
Baptist Church, Greenville, Ky., a fine Christian gen-
tleman, who is interested in his denomination and its
history, and who gave his encouragement and finan-
cial support to his pastor, the author, in his arduous
task of gathering and preparing this material, is the
author greatly indebted.
Yours fraternally,
Wm. D. Nowlin.
First Baptist Church Study,
Greenville, Ky.
June 5, 1922.
INTRODUCTION
ACCORDING to the canons of enlightened criti-
cism the man behind the book needs interpreta-
tion as well as the book itself. In order to reach
this result one must take into consideration the fac-
tors that make up character. These are admitted by-
all Christians to be heredity, environment, choice and
the grace of God.
A brief sketch of the life and career of William
Dudley Nowlin is therefore appropriate if not abso-
lutely essential in this Introduction. The Nowlin
Genealogy, prepared by Professor James Edmund
Nowlin of the University of Utah, a large volume of
more than five hundred pages, traces the descent of
our author through the centuries back to Irish roy-
alty. His American forbears began life in Virginia.
From the Old Dominion they emigrated to Tennessee.
In Weakley county of that state William Dudley
Nowlin was born March 10, 1864. The home into
which he was introduced was surcharged with a Chris-
tian atmosphere. His parents, William David Now-
lin and his mother, nee Caroline Glass, were both
righteous before God and reared their son in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord. Like the over-
whelming numbers of the Baptist ministry he was
brought up on a farm and enjoyed unusual physical
development in God's great out of doors. He is the
second of nine children.
To become a Baptist, one has said in harmony
with the teachings of Jesus, one must be born again.
This new experience came to our author in his six-
teenth year and was followed by baptism and union
with the church.
At the time he received his call to the work of the
Gospel ministry Nowlin was conducting successfully
9
10 Introduction
a large drug business. His response to that call
involved financial sacrifices. Realizing his need of
more thorough training for his most responsible voca-
tion he went to the Southern Baptist Theological Sem-
inary and there completed his course in three years.
Added to this training was special study in the Uni-
versity of Chicago. Because of his studious habits,
wide reading, varied experience and philosophic tem-
per united to pastoral efficiency and unsullied devo-
tion to duty Georgetown college conferred on him the
degree of Doctor of Divinity, and Union University
the degree of Doctor of Laws.
Few among his contemporaries have disclosed a
greater variety of gifts and accomplishments than are
exhibited in the ministry of Dr. Nowlin, His pas-
torates have been held in several states, Tennessee,
Florida and Kentucky, and far beyond their borders
his influence has extended through his contributions
to the press and his evangelistic preaching. Espe-
cially is his name a household word in Kentucky in
which state his leadership in denominational affairs
has given him an enviable preeminence.
Limited space forbids an enumeration of all the
details of Dr. Nowlin 's multitudinous services to the
kingdom of God as orator, executive officer, preacher,
pastor, editor, author, and sane, sound, safe coun-
sellor in the assemblies of his brethren. Quite recently
his pen has given to the denomination a book entitled
''Fundamentals of the Faith," which, in the judg-
ment of the most competent critics among us, is des-
tined to be a text book in our Southern Baptist schools
and colleges.
Dr. Nowlin is at this time vice president of the
S. B. Convention.
The Kentucky Baptist General Association with a
due regard for character, culture and disinterested
devotion to truth, accuracy, comprehensiveness, and
fairness chose Dr. Nowlin as the one man capable of
writing a History of Kentucky Baptists. After care-
ful, painstaking, laborious and tireless effort in this
Introditction 11
direction running through several years he presents
his work to the judgment of his brethren and to all
others interested in the annals of the largest group of
Christians in this commonwealth. These pages which
follow may not be free from imperfections, to which
all historians are liable, but it is believed that on the
whole the subject matter comes up to all the require-
ments of a clear, candid and impartial presentation
of the facts as known to the writer. If history be
philosophy teaching by example it befits all Baptists
to read this work for an intelligent understanding of
how God, through our people, has worked out his pur-
poses in the spiritual activities of Kentucky Baptists.
W. W. Landbum.
Bethel College, June, 1922.
CONTENTS
CHAPTEE PAGE
I. Period op Preparation 17
Daniel Boone and his brother Sqiiire exploring
Kentucky.
Lord Dunmore's war waged by Americans and
for America.
George Eoger Clark's brilliant campaigns.
General Harrison's annihilation of the British
and Indian forces.
II. The First Preaching in Kentucky 22
Elder Squire Boone the first preacher in Ken-
tucky.
Preacher Boone marries the first couple in Ken-
tucky,
The first recorded preaching in Kentucky, by
Jno. Lythe, Episcopalian.
First Baptist Preaching on record, by Thos.
Tinsley and Wm. Hickman.
Filson says "Anabaptists were the first to pro-
mote public worship in Kentucky." First
preaching in Kentucky by Baptists.
III. The First Churches Constituted — 1781 29
Severn's Valley Constituted June 18, 1781 — First
church in Kentucky.
Cedar Creek, Nelson County, July 4, 1781 —
Second church in Kentucky.
Gilbert's Creek — Lewis Craig's church — Decem-
ber, 1781.
Long list of churches constituted between 1781
and 1791, with their locations and the names
of the preachers who constituted them.
Theodore Eoosevelt in error about Eeformed
Dutch Church in Kentucky, 1780.
Two old subscription lists — Whiskey.
IV. The First Associations Constituted — 1785.... 43
Elkhorn constituted October 1, 1785 — the first
in Kentucky.
Salem constituted October 29, 1785 — the second.
South Kentucky, May, 1788. Other associations
constituted. Summary of the seventy-six asso-
ciations in Kentucky.
13
14 Contents
CHAPTaft PAOE
V. Thb Geeat Revival of 1800 C2
This revival began in 1797 under preaching of
Presbyterians,
Marked msntal and spiritual phenomena mani-
fested.
Baptists took little part in these excesses. Good
accomplished.
VI. The Eegulab and Sepajjate Baptists in Ken-
tucky United — 1801 66
History of Eegular and Separate Baptists.
History of the Union. Terms of the Union.
The Union effective.
VII. The Emancipation Rupture — 1807 71
Agitation of the slavery question began in Ken-
tucky as early as 1789.
The slavery agitation in Virginia.
The rupture occurred 1807. Emancipation asso-
ciation formed.
Association dwindled and died. No permanent
split.
VIII. The Campbellian Split— 1830 78
Alexander Campbell landed in the United States
1809.
Campbell began his preaching in Kentucky in
1823 as a Baptist.
A definite separation between Baptists and Dis-
ciples effected 1830.
The Disciples opposed, strenuously, the separa-
tion. Division forced.
The doctrinal statement drawing the line. Camp-
beUism on the decline. Has lost its proselyt-
ing propaganda.
IX. The Anti-Mission Split — 1832 to 1842 ' 100
Early Baptists in Kentucky all missionary in
spirit and practice.
John Taylor, anti-mission leader, was one time
a missionary.
Daniel Parker and "Two-Seed" doctrine. Camp-
bell anti-missionary.
The division in various associations.
X. The Kentucky Baptist Convention — 1832 116
Kentucky Baptifit convention of few days and
full of troubles.
Constitution of the Baptist State Convention.
Baptists afraid of conventions. The convention
dies.
Has but few mourners.
Contents 15
OHAPTEK PAGK
XI. The General Association Constituted — 1837.. 124
General Association of Baptists in Kentucky
strikes a more lesponsive chord.
Constitution of General Association. Historical
table of General Association for eighty-five
years.
XII. The Gospel Mission Deflection — 1894 130
The spirit of Gospel missions.
Gospel missions in their beginning in Kentucky.
What they have accomplished.
Inconsistent claims.
XIII. The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896 142
When it began. The occasion.
Johnson's Encyclopedia article. Independent
editorials. Great disturbances.
Action of S. B. Convention. Action of Kentucky
Baptists. Doctor Whitsitt's resignation.
XIV. The Unification Program and Great Forward
Movement — 1919 155
The year 1919 a great year.
The two Baptist papers in Kentucky consolidated.
The great forward movement in all benevolent
objects. Financial reports.
XV. Kentucky Baptist Institutions 163
Western Becorder — Three editors not mentioned
by Spencer; paper not suspended from 1861
to 1863 as claimed. Georgetown College —
Chartered 1829; really dates back to 1788;
co-educational — standard. Bethel College —
1849; standard junior; list of presidents.
Bethel Woman's College — 1854; new presi-
dent; new buildings; new spirit. Louisville
Baptist Orphans Home — Cumberland College —
Baptist Ministers Aid Society — Riissell Creek
Baptist Academy — Kentucky Baptist Chil-
dren's Rome — S. B. Theological Seminary.
XVI. The Mystery of Lincoln's Eeligion Cleared Up 187
The Lincolns in Kentucky were Baptists. Lin-
colns were anti-slavery but not anti-mission.
The Little Pigeon Baptist Church, near Lin-
coln City, Indiana, where Lincoln joined after
leaving Kentucky, is now a Hardshell Baptist
Church. Abraham Lincoln's simple Baptist
faith never left him.
Lincoln and his Bible.
A man of faith and a man of prayer.
Kentucky Baptist History
1770—1922
CHAPTER I
Period op Preparation
' ' 0 memory, thou choicest blessing, on thy speedy
wing bear us back to the time when our country was
young; and thou, Description, show us the scenes
which met the vision of our heroic ancestors."
In the year 1770 we find Squire Boone, a Baptist
preacher on Kentucky soil ; and so far as records
show the only Baptist in that, then vast wilderness,
now known as Kentucky. The first settlers of Ken-
tucky beheld at the base of the great forests and rich
herbage a soil as fertile as that of the Nile valley of
Egypt, and in marked contrast with the sterile coun-
try of the settlements in the East from which they
had come. Amid these scenes of natural beauty
roamed the fleet-footed deer, the stately elk, the surly
bear, the cunning wolf, the sly fox, the crafty pan-
ther, the majestic buffalo, the graceful swan, the shy
turkey, the timid goose, the clumsy duck, and other
game without number. The flowing springs, cool and
refreshing, sprang out of the ground, and coursed
their way amid banks of grass and flowers, or under
hanging vines, to the creeks and rivers. No wonder
that Daniel Boone said that he had "found a para-
dise in the great wilds beyond the mountains."
Roosevelt says ("The Winning of the West," Vol. II,
p. 37) "Lord Dunmore's war waged by Americans for
the good of America was the opening act in the
drama whereof the closing scene was played at York-
17
2
18 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
town. It made possible the two-fold character of the
Revolutionary War, wherein on the one hand the
Americans won by conquest and colonization new
lands for their children, and on the other wrought
out their national independence of the British king.
Save for Lord Dunmore's war we could not have set-
tled beyond the mountains until after we had ended
our quarrel with our kinsfolk across the sea. It so
cowed the northern Indians that for two or three
years they made no further organized effort to check
the white advance. In consequence, the Kentucky
pioneers had only to contend with small parties of
enemies until time had been given them to become so
firmly rooted in the land that it proved impossible to
oust them."
The population, at the close of the third decade of
the nineteenth century, of all that portion of the
United States lying between the Alleghany Moun-
tains and Mississippi River was estimated at three
millions.
But sixty years before this we find Daniel Boone
and his brother Squire exploring the wilderness of
Kentucky. About the year 1778-9 a young Virginian,
George Rogers Clark, hearing of an attempt on the part
of Colonel Hamilton then in command of the British
forces at Detroit, to stir up all the western tribes of
Indians to a concerted attack upon the frontier, un-
dertook to prevent the frightful consequences which
such an attack, should it be successful, would produce.
Clark in two short and brilliant campaigns conquered
and captured Hamilton at Vincennes and concluded
his enterprise by capturing and holding all the terri-
tory north of the Ohio River and extending from the
AUeghanies to the Mississippi. The restless pioneers
yearning for the Great West inspired by the daring
of such champions as Boone and Robertson, and
encouraged by the victories of Clark to hope for rea-
sonable exemption from Indian attacks now began the
westward march. Long wagon trains and strings of
pack-horses could frequently be seen dragging their
Period of Preparation 19
tedious lengths across the mountain passes, and ere
long the rude log cabins and the well-tilled farms gave
unmistakable evidence of the presence of the hardy
and prosperous pioneer. Soon, however, the second
war with England engaged the attention of all on
both sides of the mountains, and in consequence, the
Indian depredations in the Northwest and Southwest
were poor inducements with which to lure would-be
emigrants from the other side. The conflict between
America and the mother country happily proved of
short duration, the latter acquiescing in aU the
demands which the victorious nation imposed upon
her, thereby strengthening the American feeling of
nationality and showing her power. Moreover during
the War General Harrison completely annihilated the
combined British and Indian forces in the battle of
the Thames and so presently recovered the Northwest
territory, while Andrew Jackson at the head of a few
United States regulars in a bloody campaign of six or
seven months, which was brought to a successful ter-
mination by the battle of Tallapoosa in March, 1814,
delivered a crushing blow to the Indian forces in the
Southwest. Thus from the mountains to the Missis-
sippi the settlers were again relieved of the fear of
attack from the cruel red man. Shortly before the
breaking out of the war a steamboat was launched on
the Ohio at Pittsburgh and it was not long thereafter
until the Ohio, with its tributaries, was provided with
many such vessels bearing a constantly increasing
stream of emigrants to their western homes. The suc-
cessful termination of the war which begat a feeling
of safetj^ and the introduction of steamboat travel,
which greatly facilitated means of communication,
undoubtedly had much to do with the westward
expansion which now is only necessary to recall the
fact that each year for four consecutive years, a new
state in the Mississippi valley was added to the Union.
This was a marvelous growth. The integrity of our
possessions being now assured, and immunity from
the aggressions of Indians guaranteed, the tide of
20 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
population temporarily held back, now set in again
from the East with increased volume and momentum,
and there was accordingly ushered in for "the next
fifty years a material growth without a parallel in
history." The people who came West were inclined
to be religious. Theodore Roosevelt ("Winning of the
West," Vol. I, p. 69) says in speaking of the character
of these pioneers, "At the bottom they were deeply
religious in their tendencies; and although ministers
and meeting houses were rare, yet the backwoods
cabins often contained Bibles and the mothers used
to instill into the minds of their children reverence
for Sunday."
It is a great error, however, to suppose that repre-
sentatives of the other Christian faiths were not found
among the great numbers that now poured into the
Middle West. There were many of all denominations,
especially Presbyterians, who were second to the Bap-
tists in establishing churches in Kentucky, and quite
valiantly did they bear themselves in the struggle to
improve not only their material, but the moral condi-
tions in their new homes. It is not our purpose nor
desire to derogate a tithe from the praise due to other
denominations for their contribution to the moral
enlightenment of the new territory, and yet to the
Baptists is due the credit of first proclaiming the
story of the cross in this great western wilderness.
It appears that Daniel Boone was not a Baptist,
but several members of his family were, and a brother.
Squire Boone, was a Baptist preacher before coming
to Kentucky. Many of the first settlers in Kentucky
were Baptists.
"As in Kentucky so in Ohio. The first church
organized in the Northwest territory was the Colum-
bia Baptist, whose date is January 20, 1790. The Co-
lumbia Township was then about five miles from what
is now the site of Cincinnati — the growth of the latter
city having brought Columbia within her corporate
limits. In 1889 a monument commemorative of this
event was erected on the site of the first house of wor-
Period of Preparation 21
ship built by the church. Two inscriptions recite the
date of the coming of the Baptist pioneers, the date
of organization, the name of the constituent members
and the purchase of two acres of ground as a building
lot from Maj, Benjamin Stites, who was at the head
of the first band of pioneers that settled on Ohio soil
and who later became a prominent member of this
church. ' '
The same is true of Illinois. In Illinois territory
in 1786, thirty-two years before its admission as a
state, the Lemen family had founded the first church,
organized the first association and were the leaders in
the anti-slavery movement before the days of Parker,
Phillips and Garrison who led the later ''abolition"
crusade.
In the region beyond the Mississippi the word of
the Lord sounded forth, and here again, according to
Newman, the Baptists were the first to proclaim it,
and so the above facts would seem to indicate that it
would not be difficult to prove that the Baptists were
the first to preach the Gospel in the valley of the Mis-
sissippi; and in reading the record of those days of
toil and privation it is interesting indeed to meet with
the names of those who became the noble progenitors
of sons and daughters who today in secular and relig-
ious pursuits are bearing themselves worthily and, by
their devotion to the cause for which their fathers
suffered, and for which many of them died, show that
they are not insensible to the high source from which
they sprang. The period of preparation for our Bap-
tist hosts of Kentucky was a period of heroic struggle
and grand achievements.
CHAPTER II
The First Preaching in Kentucky
There has been much misunderstanding and dif-
ference of opinion as to who did the first preaching in
Kentucky. It was maintained for quite a while by
the Baptists and some others, that Thomas Tinsley
and William Hickman, Baptist ministers, did the first
preaching in Kentucky at Harrodsburg in 1776, but
this is an error, for Collins in his "History of Ken-
tucky" says (page 501, Vol. 2) "Sunday 28, May,
divine service for the first time in Kentucky was per-
formed by the Rev. John Lythe." And again (Vol.
I, page 441) Collins says: "The Rev. John Lythe of
the Episcopal Church, or the Church of England,
came early to Kentucky. When Col. Henderson estab-
lished his proprietary government in 1775 Mr. Lythe
was a delegate from the Harrodsburg station, or set-
tlement, to the legislative assembly. The delegates
met on the 23d of May, 1775, and the assembly having
organized, divine service was performed by the Rev.
Mr. Lythe, one of the delegates from Harrodsburg."
Again in this same volume (page 515) "The first
clergyman ever in Kentucky was the Rev. John Lythe
of the Church of England who came to Harrodsburg
April, 1775. This same preacher held the first preach-
ing, or divine service, at Boonesborough on Sunday,
May 28, 1775, under the shade of a magnificent elm
tree." This was the Sunday following Henderson's
convention. Yet on page 416 of this volume (I) in
speaking of William Hickman, Sr., Collins says, "He
was the first to proclaim the unsearchable riches of
Christ in the valley of the Kentucky." Collins thus
contradicts himself. Z. F. Smith in his History of
Kentucky (Youth's edition, p. 89) says "Rev. John
Lythe, of the Church of England, conducted the first
The First Preaching in Kentucky 23
religious services known to have been held at Boones-
borough May 28, 1775." He adds, however, "There
may have been other religious services, and in other
places, even earlier than this of which history does not
give account." Now this last clause, I am sure, con-
tains the truth. According to history Squire Boone,
a Baptist preacher, was in Kentucky five years before
the Rev. John Lythe came. Cathcart in his "Bap-
tist Encyclopedia" says (Vol. I, p. 113) in speak-
ing of Squire Boone, "It is not known at what period
he united with the church or when he began to preach,
but it was previous to his removal to the West," the
date of which he gives as ' ' 1770. ' '
According to Collins' History of Kentucky (Vol.
II, p. 56) on "the 22d December, 1769" Daniel Boone
and Stuart were captured by the Indians and held by
their captors "seven days, after which they escaped
and returned to their camp which they found dis-
mantled and deserted." This would put the date of
"their return to their camp" probably December 30th
or 31st. Collins then adds, "A few days after this,
they were joined by Squire Boone, a brother of the
great pioneer." This would make the date of the
meeting of the brothers some time in January,
1770, which is in perfect accord with other state-
ments concerning Squire Boone's arrival in Ken-
tucky.
Dr. Spencer is in error when he, in his "Preface"
to his "History of Kentucky Baptists" (page 9)
speaks of giving "the history of the Baptists in Ken-
tucky, from the time that Elder Squire Boone first set
his foot on the soil of the unexplored wilderness, in
the spring of 1769, down to the year 1885," for Col-
lins' "History of Kentucky" (Vol. II, p. 711) says
"Late in the fall of 1769, Squire Boone and another
adventurer (name unknown) left the Yadkin in
search of his brother Daniel, ' ' who * ' had gone to the
wilds of Kentucky on the 1st of May preceding."
Squire Boone was probably on Kentucky soil in the
winter of 1769, but history does not record the fact.
24 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
In Daniel Boone's autobiography, dictated to John
Filson in 1784, as quoted by Collins (Vol. II, p. 711)
Daniel Boone says ' ' On May 1, 1770, Squire returned
home to the settlement by himself — for a new recruit
of horses and ammunition, leaving Daniel by himself,
without bread, salt or sugar, without company of his
fellow creatures, or even a horse or dog. On July 27,
1770, Squire met him, according to appointment, at
the old camp, ' ' with the supplies. So there is no ques-
tion about Squire Boone being in Kentucky in 1770.
John Lythe arrived in Kentucky ''April, 1775." On
page 87 Smith's History in giving an account of the
marriage of Sam Henderson and Elizabeth Calloway
(one of the girls captured by the Indians and later
rescued) says "Squire Boone, then an ordained min-
ister of the Baptist Church, performed the first cere-
mony in Kentucky." The marriage was one month
after the rescue. Collins gives the date of this mar-
riage as 1776 (Vol. I, p. 511) and says it was "per-
formed by Squire Boone a preacher of the Calvinistic
Baptist Church. ' ' This shows that Squire Boone was
an active minister of the gospel.
Now, if Squire Boone was a Baptist "Preacher
before his removal to the West, ' ' as Cathcart says, and
if he was active as a minister in Kentucky, marrying
people, as history shows, and if there were "309 Bap-
tists in Kentucky in 1774" as Asplund's Register
records (quoted by Dr. W. P. Harvey in "Life and
Times of William Hickman," p. 3) one year before
Henderson's Convention, it stands to reason that
there had been some Baptist preaching done in Ken-
tucky before Henderson's Convention of May, 1775.
The preaching of Mr. Lythe in May, 1775, is the first
of which we have any record, and we would have had
no record of this had it not taken place in connection
with this convention, of which a record was kept.
Dr. W, C. James in his "Western Baptist Theological
Institute" of Covington, Kentucky, says "Squire
Boone, a Baptist preacher, was the first man to preach
the gospel in Kentucky and perhaps in the whole
The First Preaching in Kentucky 25
West. " It is quite clear that the Rev. Squire Boone
was the first preacher in Kentucky, and as he was
here several years prior to Henderson's Convention
active as a minister we think Dr. James is eminently
correct in saying he ^'was the first to preach the gos-
pel in Kentucky. ' ' This is peculiarly true since Bap-
tists have always been a preaching people.
John Filson in his history of Kentucky, the date
of which is 1784, says on page 301 in speaking of
the "manners and customs" of the people of Ken-
tucky, "they have a diversity of manners, customs,
and religions, which may in time perhaps be modified
to one uniform." He then adds "The Anabaptists
were the first that promoted public worship in Ken-
tucky. " It is worth noticing that the Baptists as late
as 1784 were called "Anabaptists" by this historian.
This shows that the people now called Baptists were
once called Anabaptists.
To "promote public worship" evidently meant
"held preaching services," as this is the way Bap-
tists promoted public worship. One can hardly reach
any other conclusion. Daniel Boone, Levi Todd and
James Harrod, according to a signed statement, read
and revised Filson 's history, and they declare it to be
"as accurate as can possiMy be made." (page 271 —
Date, May, 1784). Here is a statement by the ear-
liest historian in Kentucky, that the Baptists first pro-
moted public worship in Kentucky, and this statement
has the endorsement of three of the earliest settlers,
who were, as they say, "well acquainted with the
country from its first settlement." Davidson in his
history of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky, page
86, referring to the pioneer Baptists of Kentucky
says : "To them belongs the credit of having been the
first to inaugurate the regular public worship of God
and the organization of churches. ' ' This should settle
the question beyond any doubt that the Baptists were
the first to conduct public worship in Kentucky, or
did the first preaching in the state, and established
the first churches.
26 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
The first record we have of Baptists preaching in
Kentucky is the preaching of the Kevs. Thomas Tins-
ley and William Hickman, which was in April, 1776,
at Harrodsburg, In "The Life and Travels of Wil-
liam Hickman" he writes "We got to Harrodsburg
the first day of April, 1776. Myself, Brother Thomas
Tinsley, my old friend, Mr. Morton, took our lodging
at Mr. John Gordon's, four miles from town.
"Mr. Tinsley was a good old preacher, Mr. Mor-
ton a good pious Presbyterian and love and friend-
ship abounded among us. We went nearly every Sun-
day to town to hear Mr. Tinsley preach. I generally
concluded his meetings. One Sunday morning sitting
at the head of a spring at this place, he laid his Bible
on my thigh and said, 'You must preach today.' He
said if I did not he would not. It set me in a tremor.
I knew he would not draw back. I took the book and
turned to the 23d chapter of Numbers and tenth
verse: 'Let me die the death of the righteous and
let my last end be like his.' " The above is from
"The Life and Times of William Hickman" as
quoted in Publication No. 1 of the Kentucky Bap-
tist Historical Society (page 6) by W. J. McGlothlin,
D.D.
Elder John Taylor in his "History of Ten
Churches" (page 48) says of William Hickman: "In
'76 he paid a visit to Kentucky and here the same
year he first began to preach." From this date we
have no trouble finding records of Baptist preaching
in the State, though as yet there is no Baptist organi-
zation on Kentucky soil.
Benedict in his History of the Baptists, (page
811) says of Kentucky: "Many of the early settlers
of this state were Baptists. Some came as early as
1775, and several Baptist ministers, among whom
were the late John Taylor, and Lewis Lunsford,
(known in Virginia as THE WONDERFUL BOY),
made a visit to this land of promise. They returned
to Virginia for a period, without constituting any
churches. The few brethren they found in the coun-
The First Preaching in Kentucky 27
try were in an unpleasant state, cold and neglectful
in religion, constantly exposed to Indian depreda-
tions, and destitute of provisions in a great measure,
except what the wild game furnished. The soil was
luxuriant, and the country enriched with all the beau-
ties of uncultivated nature. The people lived in
'stations' or forts. These ministers preached a few
times, and gave the people such advice as suited their
circumstances.
''About 1781, several Baptist preachers and many
brethren migrated to this new country. At that
period, removal from Virginia to Kentucky was a
slow and hazardous business. Two modes were
adopted, one by land, the other by water. The first
was performed on horseback, with a few bare necessa-
ries of life on pack horses, over a vast tract of moun-
tainous wilderness. Exposure to attacks from the
Indians compelled them to perform their journeying^
in caravans, with sentries stationed round their camps
at night. The other mode was to embark on the Ohio
river in a flat boat, and float dow^n with the current
to Limestone, or to Bear-grass Creek, (now Maysville
and Louisville) the two principal landings
"The Baptist emigration into this State was, in
a great degree, from Virginia. A few families came
from the Red Stone Country in Western Pennsylva
nia, and a few more from New Jersey. This denomi
nation was not only the earliest in preaching the gos-
pel and forming churches, but for numbers and
influence held the ascendency for many years. It is
still the most numerous, influential and wealthy
denomination in the state."
At the close of the American war a flood of Bap-
tists poured into Kentucky, mostly from Virginia by
whom a number of churches were constituted.
It seems to be a well established fact that the first
preaching in Kentucky was by the Baptists.
Mr. Roosevelt says: "By the time Kentucky was
settled the Baptists had begun to make headway on
the frontier, at the expense of the Presbyterians. The
28 Keniucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
rough democracy of the border welcomed a sect which
was itself essentially democratic. " (" The Winning of
the West," Vol. II, p. 113).
We think the facts clearly warrant the statement
that the Baptists did the first preaching in Kentucky.
CHAPTER III
The First Churches Constituted — 1781
''It is a well established fact in history that the
Baptists were the pioneers, of religion in Kentucky.
They came with the earliest permanent settlers, ' ' says
Collins' history.
In the year 1780 many Baptists, chiefly from Vir-
ginia removed to this state but it was not until the
summer of the following year that a church was con-
stituted.
Severn's Valley — June 18, 1781
The first church of any denomination constituted
on Kentucky soil, so far as history shows, was the
Severn's Valley Baptist church which was constituted
June 18, 1781. We learn from Spencer's History of
Kentucky Baptists (Vol. I, p. 21) : "There are facts
and circumstances connected with the early history
of the Church with Avhich the present generation is
little acquainted. When this present widespread and
favored country was but a wilderness ; when not a
human habitation was to be found between Louisville
(then called the Falls of the Ohio) and Green river,
save a few families, who had ventured to Severn's
Valley — a dense forest, and unexplored — and com-
menced a rude settlement far from the haunts of civi-
lized man ; there the lamented John Gerrard, a minis-
ter of God, came like John the Baptist, 'The Voice of
One Crying in the Wilderness,' and finding a few of
the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ like sheep with-
out a shepherd, on the 18th day of June, 1781, they
were collected together under a green sugar tree ; and
in the fear of God, in church covenant gave them-
selves to the Lord and to one another, and were con-
stituted a Baptist Church, named after Severn 's Val-
29
30 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
ley and the creek which flows through it. It has ever
borne the same name, none having dared, and it is
hoped never may, to lay impious hands upon it by
changing its venerable and venerated name — 'Sev-
ern's Valley Church.' "
From "Haycraft's History of Elizabethtown,
Kentucky, and Its Surroundings, ' ' which was written
by Samuel Haycraft and published in the Elizabeth-
town News in 1869, and published in book form in
1921, we gather the following facts concerning the
Severn 's Valley Baptist Church, which is now located
in Elizabethtown.
"On the 17th (this should be the 18th) day of
June, 1781, under the shadow of a green sugar tree,
near Haynes Station, a Baptist Church was consti-
tuted with eighteen members, by Elder William Tay-
lor and Joseph Barnett, preachers, with Elder John
Gerrard, who was ordained first pastor. The church
was called the Regular Baptist Church of Severn's
Valley. The same church still exists in Elizabeth-
town and is known by the name of the United Bap-
tist Church of Christ, called Severn's Valley, and is
now the oldest Baptist church that maintains an exis-
tence in Kentucky. All of the members and the
preacher emigrated from Virginia, and Elder Gerrard
might have been emphatically styled 'the voice of
one crying in the wilderness.'
"This man of God was only permitted to exercise
the functions of his office for nine months." (Page
14). It is supposed that he was killed by the In-
dians, as he went out hunting one day and never
returned, and as the wilderness was infested with hos-
tile Indians at that time.
We say the date should be June 18, not 17, because
the history of Salem Association written by its clerk,
Spencer Clack, in 1826 says: "On Saturday, the
29th of October, 1785, four Regular Baptist Churches
met at Cox's Creek, Nelson County, Kentucky, by
their delegates, in order to form an association, and,
after a suitable sermon on the occasion, preached by
The First Churches Constituted^l781 31
our brother, Joseph Barnett, from the first chapter of
John and 17th verse, proeeded to business. Brother
Joseph Barnett was made moderatio, and Brother
Andrew Paul, clerk.
' * I. Letters from four churches were read, viz. :
Sevems Valley, constituted June eighteen, seven hun-
dred and eighty-one, number of members, thirty-seven.
No pastor." The number of members, of course,
refers to the number when the church went into the
association — not when constituted.
Another reason why we say the date (June 17) in
Haycraf t 's history is incorrect : we find that this same
Samuel Haycraf t published a history of Severn 's Val-
ley Church in Ford's Christian Repository of April,
1857, in which he stated that "The church was con-
stituted of 18 members, June 18, 1781, under a
green sugar tree, about a half mile from the present
limit of Elizabethtown, the county seat of Hardin."
This was while Mr. Haycraft was living, and if the
date had been published incorrectly he evidently
would have said so.
Mr. Haycraft, on the next page (15) of his his-
tory, gives a very interesting account of the manners
and customs of the members of this old church, which
we here reproduce:
' ' Church going folks of the present day who make
it a point to appear in their best attire at the public
religious services might feel some curiosity to know
how our ancestors appeared on such occasions, and I
hope they will not blush at the description. I
received my impression from Jacob Vanmeter, who
was the younger Jacob Vanmeter in the original con-
stitution of the church. He died a few years since at
the advanced age of about ninety-five, having been a
Baptist about eighty-four years.
"They then had no house of worship. In the sum-
mer time they worshipped in the open air, in the win-
ter time they met in the round-log cabins with dirt
floors, as there was no mills and plank to make a floor.
A few who had aspired to be a little aristocratic split
timber and made puncheon floors.
32 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
' ' The men dressed as Indians ; leather leggins and
moccasins adorned their feet and legs. Hats made of
splinters rolled in Buffalo wool and sewed together
with deer sinews or buckskin whang ; shirts of buck-
skin and hunting shirts of the same ; some went the
whole Indian costume and wore breech-clouts. The
females wore a coarse cloth made of Buffalo wool,
underwear of dressed doe skin, sun bonnets, something
after the fashion of men's hats and the never-failing
moccasin for the feet in winter, in summer time all
went barefooted. When they met for preaching or
prayer, the men sat with their trusty rifles at their
sides, and as they had to watch as well as pray, a
faithful sentinel keeping a lookout for the lurking
Indian. But it so happened that their services were
never seriously interrupted, except on one occasion.
One of the watches came to the door hole during a
sermon and endeavored by signs and winks to apprise
the people that something was wrong — not being
exactly understood, a person within winked at the
messenger, as much as to say, 'Don't interrupt us.'
But the case being urgent, the outside man exclaimed,
'None of your winking and blinking — I tell you the
Indians are about.' That was understood, the meet-
ing was closed, and military defense organized. Now,
gentle and fair reader, I beseech you not to blush or
be ashamed of your forerunners ; they were the chosen
of God and nature 's nobility. ' '
Our present day worshipers who live in their
splendid homes and worship in their magnificent
churches will read this account of the customs of our
forefathers with absorbing interest. The following is
from "Haycraft's History of Elizabethtown and Its
Surroundings" (page 82) : ''The Baptists were the
first in order of time in this valley. Their member-
ship was scattered and covered a great deal of ground.
For the accommodation of the church the monthly
meetings were held alternately at the Valley and
Nolin. These meetings were held in open air or a
private house for many years. Old Nolin church
The First Churches Constituted — 1781 33
was constituted in 1803 by a mutual agreement. ' ' This
explains why Nolin Church is some times referred to
as the oldest church in Kentucky. Benedict in hia
"History of the Baptists," published 1848, on page
811, Chapter XXII— Kentucky, says: "The church
called Nolin is supposed to have been the first Prot-
estant religious society organized in the great West. ' '
The statement of Samuel Haycraft clears up this
point in our history, and shows that Benedict is in
error, and at the same time shows how the error
easily occurred. Several other historians followed
Benedict in this error.
In the minutes of the Green River Association, of
which Severn's Valley was now a member, for the
year 1802, meeting held at "Mill Creek Meeting
House, in Barren County, Kentucky, on Saturday
31st July 1802," has the following item: "Severns
Valley church, messengers, Jacob LaRue, Christo-
pher Miller, Geo. Helm. Baptized 125, reed by
letter 12, dismissed by letter 7, dead 2, total member-
ship 156." We call attention to this item because of
the large number of members received during the past
associational year. More than half the membership
reported had been received since the 1801 session of
the association. This, as will be remembered, was dur-
ing the "Great Revival of 1800," and following.
Another item in that same minute (1802) says:
"Letters from thirty churches were read. Twelve of
which had been constituted since last association, were
received. ' '
These two items help us to estimate the results of
the revival of 1800 and the years immediately follow-
ing.
We have given a somewhat extended account of
this church because it was the first church on Ken-
tucky soil.
Cedar Creek Church — July 4, 1781
We come now to the second church in Kentucky,
and which, but for patriotic reasons, might have been
34 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
the FIRST. This was only a few years after the
Declaration of Independence and while the Revolu-
tionary War was still continuing. This explains why
those who constituted this church waited for the
Fourth of July.
"Cedar Creek Church," says Spencer (Vol. I,
page 23), "was the second organized in Kentucky, It
was gathered by Joseph Barnett who was assisted in
its constitution by John Gerrard, July 4, 1781. It is
located in Nelson county about five miles southwest
from Bardstown. The first pastor was Joseph Bar-
nett." This church is still in existence and reports
200 members.
The next church on Kentucky soil was the Gil-
bert's Creek Church which was brought over in a
body from Virginia and located in Kentucky, Decem-
ber, 1781. Lewis Craig was the pastor of this church.
Attracted by the glowing accounts which were given
by returning explorers of the beautiful scenery, the
unexcelled productiveness, and the abundance of wild
game of the charming region beyond the mountains,
and revolting against the ecclesiastical persecution
and domination of the State Church authorities of
Virginia, the larger number of the members of this
church, having been, at their own request, constituted
into an independent church, and taking along with
them the pastor and the old church book, began their
long and tedious journey to the "foreign land." Car-
rying their women, children, and baggage on horse-
back, they travelled through the wilderness for 600
miles. Famine, cold, fatigue, and sickness impeded
their journey. The wild beast and treacherous Indian
made perilous their march. Winter, with its ice,
snow, and mud, tested their patience and tried their
strength. Many times during their journey, when a
halt was called, did they engage in religious services.
Many times did the primeval forest jof the Dark
and Bloody Ground resound with the hymns of Zion ;
the vales which formerly had reverberated with the
scream of the catamount or the war whoop of the
The First Churches Constituted — 1781 35
infuriated savage, now for the first time echoed with
the hallelujahs of the saints. The "Great Spirit,"
whom the savages ignorantly worshipped by means of
magic and incantations, was now worshipped "in
spirit and in truth." On the second Sunday in De-
cember, 1781, weary and exhausted, they arrived at
Gilbert's Creek, and there permanently located. The
church entered into the organization of Elkhorn Asso-
ciation in 1785. Dr. S. H. Ford, in the Christian
Eepository of March, 1856, (page 137), says of Craig
and his traveling charge : ' ' About the first of Decem-
ber, they passed the Cumberland Gap, .... and
on the second Lord's day in December, 1781, thej-
had arrived in Lincoln (now Garrard County) and
met as a Baptist Church of Christ at Gilbert 's Creek. ' '
Then Dr. Ford adds, "Old William Marshall preached
to them, with their pastor, the first Sunday after their
arrival." John Taylor, in a biographical sketch of
Lewis Craig, savs: "I think he moved to Kentucky
in the fall of 1781." Dr. J. B. Taylor, another of his
biographers, says : "It has already been stated that
in 1781, he removed to the "West." Dr. R. B. Semple,
in his history of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists
in Virginia, Revised and extended edition (p. 200),
says, in speaking of Craig's Church, "formerly called
Upper Spottsylvania" .... "in 1781, to the great
mortification of the remaining members, Mr. Craig,
with most of the church, moved to Kentucky. ' ' Then
in a footnote on the same page, Dr. Semple, after
naming their location in Kentucky, "Gilbert's Creek,
Lincoln (now Garrard) County," says, "They were
the third Baptist Church constituted in Kentucky,
and held their first meeting on the second Sunday in
December. ' ' This fixes the date of this church in Ken-
tucky. This church has long since ceased to exist as
an organization, though out of it came other churches.
Dr. W. M. Pratt says in "Jubilee Volume" (page
40) : "In 1781 Lewis Craig, and probably his brother
Joseph, came to Kentucky, followed, in 1786, by
another brother, Elijah, and by his brother-in-law,
36 Kentucky Baptist Eistory—1770-1922
Richard Cave, a pioneer preacher. These Craigs were
the sons of Toliver Craig, of Orange County, Virginia,
whose large family of seven sons and four daughters
were members of the church. The three sons who
came to Kentucky were effective preachers in Vir-
ginia, and were a number of times thrown in prison.
Lewis Craig, the elder of the three, was pastor of the
'migrating church' of two hundred, of Upper Spott-
sylvania, and after a long, fatiguing pilgrimage, main-
taining their organization and worship on the way,
settled on Gilbert Creek, Garrard County, October,
(this should be December — Editor) 1781. Elijah
Craig was first pastor of Big Crossing, laid out the
town of Georgetown, established the classical school
in that place, which is now the seat of Georgetown
College. These two brothers were men of strong
minds and of great influence in molding the character
of the infant churches."
The three churches above named (Severn's Valley,
Cedar Creek and Gilbert's Creek) were the only
churches in Kentucky in 1781 according to history.
Mr. Roosevelt is evidently in error when he says
("Winning the West," Vol. II, p. 254), ''Thus this
spring (1780) "a third of the congregation of a Low
Dutch Reformed Church came to Kentucky bodily to
the number of fifty heads of families, with their
wives and their children." He then adds, "The fol-
lowing year a Baptist congregation came out from
Virginia, keeping up its organization while on the
road, the preacher holding services at every long
halt." There is plenty of evidence that the Baptist
church came to Kentucky that year (1781) but no evi-
dence that a "Low Dutch Reformed Church" was
established in Kentucky in 1780. In fact, Filson after
saying "The Anabaptists were the first that promoted
public worship in Kentucky, ' ' says the only other sect
at this time maintaining worship in Kentucky is the
Presbyterians with four congregations. He says "at
present there are no other religious societies formed,
although several other sects have numerous adher-
The First Churches ConsUtutedr—1781 37
ents" (301). So Filson in 1784 knew nothing of a
"Low Dutch Reformed Church" in Kentucky, neither
do other Kentucky historians. True Mr. Roosevelt
does not say this church established itself in Ken-
tucky as a church, but that is the inference. Dr. J.
M. Cramp in his Baptist History in speaking of Ken-
tucky Baptists says: ''In 1781 the first church was
organized at Nolin, (This is the Severn's Valley
Church — Editor). That church is supposed to have
been the first Protestant religious society organized in
the Great West." The above is practically the state-
ment of all the historians.
In the year 1790 there were in Kentucky forty-
two churches, forty ordained ministers, twenty-one
licensed preachers and 3,105 members. The list of
early churches here given is by Dr. W. M. Pratt in
Jubilee Volume (page 38) :
"In 1782, Forks of Dix River was founded by
Lewis Craig. In 1783, South Elkhorn, Fayette
County, was founded by the removal of Lewis Craig,
and a large portion of his church at Gilbert's Creek
to this place, the first church north of Kentucky
River.
"In 1784, Bear Grass Church, Jefferson County,
six miles east of Louisville, was constituted by John
Whitaker, and Howard Creek (now Providence),
Clark County, by Elder Robert Elkin. (This church
really came over from Virginia in a body as a con-
stituted church, as the old records show, and has a
continuous history from its constitution in Virginia.
Thus, it is the oldest church constitution on Kentucky
soil, but not the first in Kentucky. — Nowlin.).
"In 1785, twelve churches were founded, viz.:
Limestone (now Washington), Mason County, by El-
der William Wood; Clear Creek, Woodford County,
by Elder John Taylor; Pottenger Creek, Nelson
County, by Benjamin Lynn; Cox Creek, Nelson
County, by William Taylor; Brachears (Clear
Creek), Shelby County, by Elder William Taylor and
John AVhitaker; Rush Branch, Lincoln County, by
38 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1923
Elder John Bailey; Head of Boone Creek, by Elder
Joseph Craig; Big Crossing, Scott County, by Elder
Elisha Craig ; Tates Creek, Madison County, by Elder
John Tanner; Town Fork (Lexington), by Elder
John Gano ; Bryant Station, Fayette County, by
Elder Lewis Craig; Boone Creek (Athens), by Elder
David Thompson.
"In 1786, Tate's Creek, Madison County, by Elder
Andrew Tribble.
"In 1787, Marble Creek (East Hickman), Fayette
County, by Elders William Hickman and John Price;
Cooper's Run, Bourbon County, by Elder Augustine
Eastin; New Providence, Lincoln County, by Elder
William Marshall; South Fork, Nelson County, by
Elder James S. Skaggs.
"In 1788, Huston Creek, Bourbon County, by
Elder Moses Bledsoe; Forks of Elkhorn, Franklin
County, by Elder William Hickman; Rolling Fork,
Nelson County, by Elder John Carman; Buck Run,
Franklin County, by Elders John and James Dupuy;
Shawnee Run, Mercer County, by Elder John Rice.
"In 1789, Hardin Creek, Nelson County, by Elder
Baldwin Clifton; May's Lick, Mason County, by El-
ders Wood and Garrard.
"In 1790, Indian Creek, Harrison County, by El-
der A. Eastin ; Unity, Clark County ; Hickman Creek
and Hardin Creek, Mercer County; Mount Pleasant,
Franklin County, and West Fork, Cox Creek, Nelson
County, White Oak, Nelson County.
"1791, Stony Point, Mercer County, Strode 's
Fork, Fayette County, Taylor's Fork, Green Creek,
Bourbon, Bloomfield, Nelson County; Crab Orchard,
Lincoln County; Pitman's Creek and Brush Creek,
Green County."
A number of other churches constituted within
this period are not named, as they had been dis-
banded.
Some Early Customs in Kentucky Baptist Churches
Dr. Spencer says (Vol. I, p. 485) : "Ruling Elders
were nominal officers in many of our early churches.
The First Churches Constituted — 1781 39
The name can only be appropriate when applied to
the officer it designates, in a church having a Presby-
terian form of government. In a Baptist church, the
term is a misnomer. ' ' This custom soon passed away.
The practice of the laying on of hands was com-
mon. John Taylor in his "History of Ten Churches,"
says (page 10) : "The rite of laying on of hands, on
the newly baptized, was practised by the Baptists in
those days; this practice was performed as follows:
Those upwards of fifty, stood up in one solemn line,
on the bank of the river, taking up about as many
yards as there were individuals — the males first in
line, about four ministers went together, each one laid
his right hand on the head of the dedicated person,
and one prayed for him, and after praying for three
or four of them, another proceeded till they went
through. It would appear as if that solemn dedica-
tion might be some barrier to future apostasy ; for
the prayers were with great solemnity and fervor,
and for that particular person according to their age
and circumstances."
Dr. Spencer says (Vol. I, page 486) : "Laying on
of hands was a ceremony in common use among the
early Baptists of Virginia and Kentucky, as well as
some other regions." He adds, however, "The cere-
mony has long since been discontinued among the
churches in Kentucky."
The washing of feet seems to have been a very
common ceremony among some of the early churches
of Kentucky. "Among the Regular Baptists, it was
practiced partially a few years, and then went en-
tirely out of use," says Spencer. (Vol. I, p. 486).
None of these ''early customs" are now in use
among the Baptists of Kentucky, so far as the author
knows.
We give two old subscription lists here of some
interest. The first is for pastor's salary in South
Elkhom Church, and has on it thirty-six gallons of
whiskey. The other is a facsimile of a subscription
found in minutes of the Robinson & Pitman Church —
o
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5:^ M
.S eM "t^
52 00
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' oA »J a>k
42 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
now Campbellsville Church — and containing eight
gallons of whiskey.
In contrast with the above subscription lists we
give the following which was adopted by the South
Kentucky Association No. 3 at its organization in
1845. Says Spencer (Vol. II, 580): "No church
shall be considered in good standing in this union,
that will encourage, by laxity of discipline, or other-
wise, the making and vending of ardent spirits as a
beverage, etc."
This shows the change of sentiment on the whiskey
trafSc in forty-seven years among the Qoxly Kentucky
Baptists. And as compared with the present, it strik-
ingly illustrates the great progress made in temper-
ance reform in these 124 years.
What was true of the early Baptist churches in
this country was true of churches of other denomina-
tions touching the whiskey traffic. Baptists were no
worse and no better in this particular than those of
other religious bodies of that time.
CHAPTER IV
The First Associations Constituted — 1785
It is customary with Baptists when they have a
few churches close enough together for organization
to form them into associations, and the early Baptists
of Kentucky were no exception to this rule. Within
four years and four months from the time the first
church is constituted in Kentucky we find two asso-
ciations constituted. The first of these was the Elk-
horn which was constituted October 1, 1785, and the
second was the Salem, constituted October 29, 1785.
The Elkhorn Association
Spencer says: "At the close of the year 1785
there had been constituted in Kentucky eighteen
churches." He also says "The year 1785 was one of
great interest, and much activity among the Baptists
of Kentucky. Hitherto each little church had stood
isolated from its sisters. No organization existed
through which the churches could work together in
harmony," John Taylor in his "History of Ten
Churches" (page 55) gives an account of the organi-
zation of the Elkhorn Association, After speaking of
the churches needing the aid of one another, he says:
"We soon began to contemplate an association for
that purpose and partly to bring about a union with
the South Kentucky Baptists. We held a conference
at South Elkhorn, in June, 1785, but failed in the
union with the South Kentucky Baptists ; we agreed
to meet as an association at Clear Creek October 1,
1785. Six churches it seems met, one of them was
from Tates Creek, south side of Kentucky, there and
then, Elkhorn Association was formed." They met
and had preaching at 3 P, M., September 30th and
' ' the day following their coming together the messen-
43
44 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
gers adopted the following constitution," says Spen-
cer, so formed their organization on the first day of
October, as John Taylor says.
The Elkhorn Association was constituted of six
churches, viz.: "Gilbert's Creek, Tate's Creek, South
Elkhorn, Clear Creek, Big Crossing, and Limestone.
The ministers representing these churches were El-
ders George Stokes Smith, John Price, John Tanner,
Lewis Craig, William Hickman, John Taylor, James
Rucker, John Dupuy, and William Wood. This body
was enlarged nearly every year until it comprised
thirty-eight churches extending from Columbia
Church near the mouth of Little Miami, Ohio, to Cum-
berland, Tennessee. ' ' As this is the oldest association
in the State we give a somewhat extended account of
137 years of her glorious history.
Large use is made at this point of Dr. W. M. Lee 's
"History of Elkhorn Association," presented as his
thesis for the doctor's degree at the theological semi-
nary, Louisville.
The Elkhorn Association of Baptists, the first
association of Baptist churches west of the Alleghany
Mountains, is at present composed of twenty-nine
churches, and is located in east central Kentucky, cov-
ering what is known as the strictly Blue Grass sec-
tion of the state. It includes all the Missionary
Churches in Fayette, Woodford and Scott Counties,
and some of those located in Bourbon, Grant, Frank-
lin and Jessamine. It is bounded on the south and
west by the Kentucky River, which with its pictur-
esque canons furnishes perhaps the most beautiful
and magnificent scenery to be found in Kentucky, and
on the east by the south branch of Licking River, the
divisive line between it and Union Association, which
was organized out of Elkhorn in 1813.
The original territory of Elkhorn Association was
not so delimited and circumscribed. At one time dur-
ing its history (1792-1796) it included churches as
far north as "Columbia in the Western Territory,"
now Ohio, and as far south as Tennessee County,
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 45
Cumberland Settlement." At this time it covered
perhaps 15,000 square miles. During the one hundred
and thirty-five years of its existence, the association
has included, at different times, one hundred and sev-
enteen churches. The larger number of these
churches have been dismissed from time to time to
form sister associations in correspondence with Elk-
horn ; some have been excluded on account of heresy ;
whereas some have withdrawn on account of dissatis-
faction with associational discipline. The ranks of
the following Baptist Associations have been strength-
ened by churches dismissed from Elkhorn, viz. : North
District, Licking, Bracken, Union, Franklin, Green
Kiver, Tate's Creek, and North Bend. In addition to
the above named sources of depletion, may be added
the fact that during the war the churches composed
of colored members withdrew to form associations of
their own.
In 1827, James Fishback, pastor of Lexington
Church, created a division in his church by trying to
change the name of it to the ' * Church of Christ. ' ' He
led off a minority of thirty-eight members and became
their pastor. Rev. R. T. Dillard subsequently suc-
ceeded in uniting the two factions. H. Davidge, of
the Big Spring (Versailles) Church, created some
stir by a pamphlet of the ''Reforming" type, which
he circulated. Campbell and his coadjutors won many
of the best Baptist preachers and laymen over to the
Reformation, prominent among them being Jacob
Creath, his son, Jacob, Jr., William Morton and Jere-
miah Vardeman. Many of the churches of the asso-
ciation contained members of strong Campbellite sen-
timent. Versailles, Providence, and South Elkliorn
Churches were excluded from the association in 1830
and 1831 because of their Reformed ideas. Minorities
were carried off from many of the churches. In one
year (1830-1831) the membership of the association
dropped from 4,321 to 3,201. The association entered
this period with 48 churches and 5,291 members; it
ends the period with 25 churches and 4,321 members.
46 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
During the period it has lost 35 churches by dismiis-
sion and expulsion; and has had twelve added to its
membership. During the first year of the next period
the membership will drop from 4,321 to 3,201. Yet
the Kingdom of Heaven is growing all the while, we
hope.
Most of the doctrinal controversy of the period
was instigated by the Reformers. Worship was fre-
quently disturbed by questioners and mockers, who
would either arise and interrupt the speaker or else
laugh out in meeting in scorn and derision. Large
audiences gathered to hear debates on baptism,
creeds, or missionary societies. The prevalence of
doctrinal controversy fostered doubt and infidelity and
worldliness among the unconverted. The churches
allowed heresy and disregard to church fealty to go
undisciplined.
An age of doctrinal polemics call for well equipped
defenders of the faith. The great need of the Bap-
tists was an educated ministry. Many of their
most vigorous and aggressive ministers had gone over
to the Reformers. A number of the enterprising min-
isters and laymen of the Baptist persuasion petitioned
the state legislature, in January, 1829, for a charter
incorporating a board of trustees called ''The Ken-
tucky Baptist Educational Society." This charter
was granted. The society had in view the establish-
ment of a college under the control of Kentucky
Baptists. Both Versailles and Georgetown entered
into competition to secure the location of the col-
lege. Georgetown won the prize by the gift of $6,000
and a lot of land. This, together with a gift of $20,-
000, donated by Isachar Paulding, constituted the
property of the institution for the first ten years of
its existence.
This period extends from the year of the Campbel-
lite schism to the beginning of the Civil "War. Political
affairs affect the association scarcely any at all, until
near the end of the period, when much confusion pre-
vailed on account of the gloomy forebodings of war.
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 47
The first year of this period witnessed the with-
drawal of about 1,100 members from the churches;
they followed the leaders of the current Reformation.
In 1831 the association had only 3,201 members; in
1861, at the end of the period, her members num-
bered 7,760. This period is, therefore, a period of
revivals and growth. It witnessed a growth of over
125 per cent. The first period of revivals was during
the years 1837-1843, when 3,285 members were added
to the churches. It was at this time that religious
services were first protracted to the length of a week
or more, in Kentucky. During the first four years of
this revival period. Licking Association, which
opposed the lengthy protraction of services, added to
her membership only 106 members ; during the same
time Elkhorn witnessed the addition of 1,504 mem-
bers to her churches. Elkhorn 's nest revival period
came in 1855-1861, during which time 3,144 members
were added to the churches by baptism.
Perhaps the principal cause of the recurrent revi-
vals was the ardent missionary spirit which prevailed.
The missionary activity of the period eclipses that of
any former period. All varieties of missions received
cordial and hearty support — foreign, domestic, and
Indian. Especially was this true of the latter half
of the period. During the earlier half, there was con-
siderable opposition to all benevolent enterprises and
societies. Daniel Parker, John Taylor, and Alexan-
der Campbell had sown the seeds of opposition to
organized effort that bore corrupt fruit for many
years. And the end its not yet. The progressive
leaders and missionary organizers of the sect of the
Disciples, which is rapidly crystallizing into a denom-
ination, have considerable difficulty in eradicating the
tares of the anti-organization spirit from the minds
of the less cultured, and consequently more polemical,
element of their body. The tares sown by Campbell
have proven to be as hardy as the wheat he sowed.
Beginning with the revival of 1855-1861 a greater
interest was taken in missions. Contributions grew
48 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
much larger. The larger contributions are due also,
to a considerable extent, to the improved method of
securing them. Before 1855 efforts at raising mission
money were delayed until the association met, and
collections were then taken. But beginning with the
year 1855, a plan of benevolent effort was adopted,
which yielded far better results. In 1840 and 1841,
respectively, $137 and $58.62 were raised by the old
plan for domestic missions. In 1859 and 1860,
respectively, $1,223 and $1,438 were raised for the
same object, by the new plan. The association had
urged the churches as early as 1848 to adopt this new
plan of systematic benevolence, but they had delayed
in the matter.
The General Association was organized in Louis-
ville, October 20, 1837. In 1844, Elkhorn Association
entered into full co-operation with it in all its plans.
This was a great step forward, and was not accom-
plished without opposition. The dormant energies of
Elkhorn Association were roused by her connection
with the General Association. In 1840, Elkhorn rec-
ommended that her churches support Sunday Schools
in their respective congregations. By 1845, only
three churches had Sunday Schools. These were
Mount Vernon, Lexington, and Georgetown churches.
By the end of the period, however, there were thir-
teen Sunday Schools and twenty weekly prayer-
meetings operative in the association.
Elkhorn Association is now passing through the
one hundred and thirty-seventh year of its existence.
It was born in the wild and romantic days of early
Kentucky pioneer life, its birth being preceded only
a few years by the birth of the American Republic.
It counts many associations among its children and
grandchildren. The association has today the largest
number of white members that it has had at any
time during its history. And it bids fair, in the good
providence and grace of God, to do, in the years to
come, a great and glorious work, for the advancement
in the earth of the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior,
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 49
Jesus Christ. Elkhorn at this time reports thirty-
three churches, 10,837 members.
The Salem Association
The churches which formed the Salem Association
were separated from those that went into the consti-
tution of tlie Elkhorn by a vast wilderness still
infested by wild Indians, and communication was
difficult and infrequent at the time of which we write.
Under such circumstances we are not surprised that
the churches of the more westerly settlement were
ignorant of what those on the Elkhorn were doing.
But they, as their brethren on the Elkhorn, felt the
need of an association in which they could meet at
least once a year and devise ways and means for
promoting the work of the kingdom. So according to
Spencer's History (Vol. I, page 109 f) *'0n Satur-
day, October 29, 1785, four Regular Baptist Churches
met, by their messengers, on Cox's Creek, Nelson
County, Kentucky, for the purpose of forming an
association. A sermon suitable for this occasion was
preached by Joseph Barnett, from John 2 :17.
"Joseph Barnett was chosen moderator, and An-
drew Paul, clerk.
''Letters from four churches were read and the
following facts recorded:
"Severn's Valley, constituted June 18, 1781. Mem-
bers 37, No pastor.
''Cedar Creek, constituted July 4, 1781. Members
41. Joseph Barnett, pastor.
"Bear Grass, constituted January, 1784. Members
19. John Whitaker, pastor.
"Cox's Creek, constituted April, 1785. Members
26. William Taylor, pastor.
"This was the second Regular Baptist Association
organized west of the Alleghany Mountains. It was
constituted only twenty-nine days later than Elkhorn
Association, and evidently had not heard of the exis-
tence of the latter organization. For, after adopting
the 'Philadelphia Confession of Faith, and the
4
50 Kentucky Baptist Histonj~1770-1922
treatise of Discipline thereto annexed,' they proposed
correspondence with the Philadelphia, Ketocton and
Monongahela Associations, without mentioning Elk-
horn.
* ' The fraternity thus formed assumed the name of
Salem Association of Regular Baptists, and comprised
all the Regular Baptist Churches in Kentucky, west
of Frankfort, the church on Brashears Creek having
been dispersed by the Indians. It had but three
preachers within the bounds of its immense territory,
and it received but f ew^ accessions to its ministry, till
it raised them up in its own churches. This body was
very small at the beginning, and its growth was very
slow till the great revival of 1800-3, when it received
very large accessions, and has since maintained a
prominent position among the associations of the
state."
The South Kentucky
The South Kentucky Association is the third asso-
ciation formed, and Doctor Spencer fixes the date as
May, 1788. Aspland says this association was consti-
tuted "about 1785." Other historians have followed
Asplund and said it was ' ' constituted 1785, ' ' but the
old records fix the date as 1788. The churches com-
posing this association were Separate Baptist churches
(Vol. II, p. 81). "In the minutes of the proceedings
of South Kentucky Association, at its annual meet-
ing in 1791, the following item is recorded:
" 'The association agrees to abide by the plan
upon which the churches of our union were consti-
tuted (an association), in October, 1787, and May,
1788.'
"That is, after the example of Elkhorn, they held
a preliminary meeting in October, 1787, and met again
the following May to complete the organization. The
constitution of this ancient fraternity, therefore,
properly dates from May, 1788.
"The preliminary meeting convened at Tates Creek
meeting house, in Madison County, the first Friday
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 51
in October, 1787. Eleven churches were represented."
In speaking of the "Regular" and "Separate" Bap-
tists Doctor Spencer says, "it was a distinction with-
out a difference." This distinction, however, soon
passed away as the two branches formed a union and
called themselves the "United Baptists." This asso-
ciation held its last meeting in August, 1801. This
was the meeting at which the "terms of general
union" were ratified by this body.
Tates Creek Association
The fourth association formed was the Tates
Creek, and according to Spencer (Vol. I, p. 277)
was as follows :
"In 1793 a third effort was made to form a union
between the Regular and Separate Baptists. At the
meeting of Elkhorn Association, in May of that year,
it was agreed that Ambrose Dudley, James Garrard,
John Taylor, John Price and Augustine Eastin be
appointed to visit the South Kentucky Association to
confer with them on the subject of a union between
the two bodies. Arrangements were made to have
the churches of both associations to send messengers
to a meeting to be held at Marble Creek, in Fayette
County, in July. The meeting was accordingly held.
A large majority of the messengers agreed on terms
of union. But some of the Separates opposed the
measure in such a manner as to defeat it. This so
displeased some of the churches of South Kentucky
Association that they at once declared nonfellow for
that body.
"On the 23d of the following November four
churches met, by their messengers, and formed them-
selves into an association under the style of 'Tates
Creek Association of United Baptists.' This was the
fourth association formed in Kentucky, and the first
that styled itself United Baptists. This was done in
imitation of the Baptists of Virginia, who had happily
united and assumed this title six years before.
"Tates Creek Association did not, at first, adopt
52 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
any confession of faith, but in general terms agreed
to that adopted by Elkhorn and Salem. This gave
some trouble, for, although Elkhorn entered into cor-
respondence with the new fraternity immediately, it
caused such uneasiness among some of the churches
that she was compelled to withdraw her correspon-
dence the next year. But in 1797 the correspondence
was resumed, and has continued to the present time."
Tates Creek is still a live and vigorous association.
Bracken Association
The first association constituted in Kentucky,
according to Spencer (Vol. II, p. 96), was the
Bracken, which was the eldest daughter of Elkhorn.
"According to an arrangement made by Elkhorn
Association, messengers from eight churches met at
Bracken meeting house, near the present site of
Minerva, in Mason County, on Saturday, May 28,
1799. A sermon was preached by the venerable David
Thomas. James Turner was chosen Moderator, and
Donald Homes Clerk. After proper consideration,
Bracken Association was constituted in due form.
Five of the churches, viz. : Washington, Mayslick,
Bracken (now Minerva), Stone Lick and Locust
Creek, had been dismissed from Elkhorn Association.
The ministers of the new fraternity were Lewis Craig,
David Thomas, Donald Holmes and Philip Drake.
William Wood, the first preacher who had settled
within the present bounds of Bracken Association,
had been excluded from Washington Church the year
before the association was constituted. The venerable
and illustrious Lewis Craig was regarded the father
of this association.
"This fraternity was small at first. At its meet-
ing in the fall of 1799 it reported 9 churches with
600 members. It did not share so largely in the fruits
of the "Great Revival," as did the other associations
in the state. For, while the churches of Elkhorn re-
ported, in 1801, 3,011 baptisms, and those of Tates
Creek, 1,148, those of Bracken reported only 139.
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 53
The body, however, enjoyed a steady, healthful growth
till 1805, when it numbered 19 church with 1,865
members." This association reports now 28 churches
and 2,442 members.
Green River Association
The sixth association formed in Kentucky was
known as the Green River (Spencer, Vol. II, p. 105).
' ' In 1799 there were about eight churches in what was
known as the Green River country. In June of that
year a conference was held at Sinking Creek meeting
house, in Barren Comity, for the purpose of con-
sidering the propriety of forming an association. The
conclusion of the meeting was, that it was expedient
for the churches to associate. An appointment was
made for a meeting at the Sinks of Beaver Creek,
to convene on the third Saturday in the following
October, to carry into effect the sense of the present
conference. The time and place of meeting were
afterwards changed. Accordingly, messengers from
several churches met at Mount Tabor meeting-house in
Barren County, on the third Saturday in June, 1800,
and Green River Association of nine Regular Baptist
churches was constituted in due form.
"A list of these churches is not now accessible;
but those known to have been in existence at that
time, within the territory occupied by the new fra-
ternity, were Concord, Mud Camp (now Blue Spring),
Mount Tabor, and Sinking Creek, in Barren County ;
Brush Creek (and probably Pitman's Creek), in
Green County; Sinks of Beaver Creek (now Drip-
ping Springs, in Metcalf County) ; Mill Creek, in
what is now Monroe County, and Severn's Valley,
in Hardin County. The last named had broken off
from Salem Association, some years before, on ac-
count of that body tolerating slavery; hence its con-
nection with Green River Association. It returned
to Salem Association in 1803."
Spencer's account of Green River Association
shows that he did not have the minutes until the ses-
54 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
sion of 1802, when lie gives facts and figures accord-
ing to the minutes, but the author, by the kindness
of Hon. H. S. Robinson, Campbellsville, Kentucky,
has before him the minutes for Green River Associa-
tion for the years 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1804.
These sessions are not numbered, but 1800 seems to
be the first session. Doctor Spencer may be right
when he says, "Accordingly, messengers from several
churches met at Mount Tabor meeting-house, in Bar-
ren County, on the third Saturday in June, 1800 ; and
Green River Association of nine Regular Baptist
churches was constituted in due form, ' ' but if so this
must have been only a preliminary meeting, for the
old minute of that year reads as follows :
"Minutes of the Green River Association of Baptists.
"Held at Trammel's Creek Meeting-house, in
Green County, on Saturday, November 1, 1800, and
continued by adjournment until Monday the 3rd.
Saturday, November 1, 1800. At 12 o 'clock Elder Car-
ter Tarrant delivered the introductory sermon from
Psalms 55-14. We took sweet counsel together, and
walked unto the house of God in company. After
the sermon business was opened with prayer, when
Elder Robert Stockston was chosen moderator, and
John Chandler clerk. Letters from nine churches
were read, their messengers' names enrolled, and a
list of their numbers taken, which are as follows : ' '
Here is given the list of the churches, the names of
the messengers and the number of members in each
church. The churches named are : Beaver Creek,
Brush Creek, Pitman's and Robinson Creek, Sinking
Creek, Trammel's Creek, Russell's Creek, Sinks of
Beaver Creek, Barren, and Mill Creek. Of the nine
churches they are all named for creeks but one. It
will be observed that Severn's VaUey is not in this
list. Severn's Valley first appears in the minutes of
1801. The minutes of that year report nineteen
churches, nine of which came in at that session, and
Severn's Valley is named as one of the nine. Then
at the 1803 session the minutes mention the fact that
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 55
"Severn's Valley requests a letter of dismission from
the association to join one more convenient —
granted." According to the old minutes the nine
churches of which Green River Association was con-
stituted aggregated 361 members. The preachers in
the organization, as far as known, were Alexander
Davidson, Carter Tarrant, Robert Stockton, Robert
Smith, John Mulky, Elijah Summers, Benjamin Lynn,
and probably Alexander McDougal and Baldwin
Clifton.
The association was constituted just about the
commencement of "The Great Revival," and so the
growth of the young fraternity was exceedingly
rapid. Its third annual meeting was held at Mill
Creek, in what is now Monroe County, July 31, 1802.
Robert Stockton was chosen moderator and John
Chandler clerk. Messengers were present from thirty
churches, twelve of which had been constituted since
the last session, which aggregated 1,763 members.
The numerical strength of the body multiplied more
than five-fold within two years. Benjamin Lynn, the
Daniel Boone of the Kentucky Baptists, was present
at this meeting, and was invited to a seat in the body.
Elder Jonathan Mulky was present from Holston
Association, in East Tennessee, ; Lewis Moore, from
Mero District ; Owen Owens, from Salem ; and letters
from Elkhorn, Bracken and News (N. C.). It was
"agreed to open correspondence with all the Baptist
associations in Kentucky." These were Elkhorn,
Salem, Tates Creek, Bracken, North District, South
District, and Mero District, the latter being partly in
Kentucky and partly in Tennessee. This shows that
there was a time when all the Baptists in Kentucky
were united.
According to history there were six associations
of Baptists in Kentucky in the year 1800, all of which
have been constituted within a period of fifteen years.
According to the minutes of Green River Association,
1804, that body was divided into three associations —
Green River, Russell's Creek, and Stockton's Valley.
56 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
Spencer says (Vol. II, p. 252), "When Green
River Association divided on the question of missions,
in 1840, it (the Salem church) entered with seven
other churches into the constitution of Liberty Asso-
ciation." This fixes the date when Green River
Association became anti-missionary.
The space allotted to this chapter is too limited to
give even the names and dates of constitution of all
the associations (there being at this date seventy-six
in the state). We shall give only items of special
historical interest from the others, and a summary
at the end of the chapter.
North District Association, according to history,
resulted from a division of the old South Kentucky
fraternity in August, 1801, and held its first annual
meeting at Unity meeting-house in Clark County on
the first Friday in October, 1802.
There are several very interesting items recorded
in the history of this association as given by Spencer
(Vol. 2, p. 119 ff ) . One is the question of slavery
which caused a division in the association as early as
1807, fifty-four years before the war between the
states. "The question of slavery continued to be
agitated in the bounds of the association for nearly
twenty years," says Spencer. These facts will be
brought out fully in the chapter on ''The Emancipa-
tion Rupture.' '
The next item of interest is the question of Camp-
bellism, which took root early in the association and
caused another split. "Mr. Campbell visited Mount
Sterling as early as 1824, and preached three sermons
there. John Smith, commonly known as 'Raccoon'
John Smith, the most attractive preacher and the
shrewdest manager in the association, was speedily
converted to his views. Several other preachers of
less note soon followed him. The churches withered
under the constant disputations for two or three
years. But suddenly, about the close of the year
1827, a powerful religious excitement began to move
the people here, as well as all over the northern part
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 57
of the state. Multitudes professed conversion and
were baptized. The Campbellite preachers were by-
far the most active in this work. John Smith's
biographer avers that Smith immersed most of the
converts. Of course, they were 'baptized for the re-
mission of sins.' This meeting has been called, not
inappropriately, 'John Smith's Revival.' During the
two years, 1828 and 1829, the churches of North
District reported 1,059 baptisms, while five new
churches were constituted 'on the Bible.' The asso-
ciation now numbered 24 churches with 2,265 mem-
bers. But it was no longer a Baptist association. The
Campbellites had an overwhelming majority in the
association, as well as in most of the churches. The
association went through the ordinary routine of busi-
ness in 1829, and appointed to meet the next year
at Spencer Creek.
"Instead of attending the meeting at Spencer
Creek, where they knew they would be in a hopeless
minority, the Baptists called a convention, which met
at Lulbegrud, in April, 1830. Only seven churches
were represented. The principal business transacted
by the meeting was the examination of the records
of South Kentucky and North District associations,
to ascertain what had been the duties and customs
of those bodies. The investigation showed that the
established customs of North District Association had
been repeatedly and flagrantly violated during the
last three years." The full report of the committee
appointed to make the investigation and the action
of the body will appear in a chapter on "The Camp-
bellian Split." "After giving their reasons for their
conclusions, and transacting some other business, they
conclude as follows : ' In conclusion, we declare that
we withdraw from all churches that have departed,
as before alleged, considering them in disorder and
gone out of the union. But at the same time, our
fellowship is not broken with such minorities, or in-
dividual members, as are content with former usages
of the churches' " (Spencer, Vol. 2, p. 123). This
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60 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
gives us an account of the beginning of Campbellism
in Kentucky, the end of which is not yet.
The next item of special interest is the account of
Anti-missions which practically killed the association.
"North District Association held its first meeting after
the Campbellite schism at Howard's Upper Creek,
in Clark County, on the fourth Saturday in July,
1831. It embraced 11 churches with 950 members.
Thomas Boone, David Chenault, and James Edmon-
son were the only preachers left in the association.
Small as the body was then, it has never been so large
since. It was acknowledged and encouraged by all
the surrounding associations; but it gradually de-
clined in numbers. The anti-missionary complexion
of the body was manifested by its dropping corre-
spondence with all the neighboring associations,
except Burning Spring, between the years 1837 and
1842. In 1859 it assumed the name of 'Old Baptists,'
which it still bears. At that time it numbered 9
churches, aggregating 337 members. It has had but
little variation in numbers from that time to the
present. In 1880 it numbered 9 churches with 417
members. From its organization in 1802 to the Camp-
bellite schism in 1829 there were baptized into its
churches 4,075 members. During the 39 years of
which we have reports, since the Campbellite schism,
there have been baptized into its churches 513 mem-
bers. Its name, 'Old Baptists,' indicates that it is
an anti-missionary body." (Spencer, Vol. 2, p. 124f.)
Thus the once strong North District Association
has practically died as the result of the anti-mission
spirit. What the slavery agitation and the Camp-
bellism split failed to do anti-missions accomplished.
At the close of the year 1800 there were in Ken-
tucky six associations — six churches belonging to the
Mero District Association of Tennessee and three un-
associated churches — with a total membership of about
5,119. The six associations were Elkhorn, Salem,
South Kentucky, Tate's Creek, Bracken and Green
River.
The First Associations Constituted — 1785 61
The decade follewin^ 1800 added the following
associations: North District and South District were
formed by disbanding the old South Kentucky in
1802, South Kentucky (1803), North Bend (1803),
Long Run (1803), Russell's Creek (1804), Stockton's
Valley (1805), Red River (1807), Cumberland River
(1809), Licking (1810). As Long Run is the largest
association in the state, we give here a short history
of this body. The Long Run Association was con-
stituted September 16, 1803, at Long Run Church in
Jefferson County, Kentucky. It seems that prac-
tically all of the churches that went into this constitu-
tion were from the Salem Association, and according
to a resolution adopted by that body at its nineteenth
annual session. The Long Run body was constituted
of 24 churches with a membership of 1,619. Im-
mediately following the constitution of the association
two other churches were received into their fellowship.
Long Run includes all the Baptist churches in
Louisville, and those in Jefferson County outside of
Louisville and a few outside of Jefferson County. At
the present time they report 50 churches and 16,830
members. Their total contributions for last year is
given as $427,548.08, while the valuation of church
property is given at $1,091,529. This is a great
association.
CHAPTER V
The Great Revival of 1800
In the great revivals betv^een 1797 and 1812,
especially in Kentucky, most marked mental and
spiritual phenomena appeared, such as "the Jerks,"
"The falling exercise," etc.
The first instance noted was in 1797, under the
preaching of McGready and McGree, Presbyterian
ministers. From thence it spread rapidly over Ken-
tucky and parts of Tennessee, and soon became in-
separable from the "camp meetings," then so popular
throughout the country. The following account is
taken from Anti-Missionism (17-19) by Dr. B. H.
Carroll, Jr. :
"Some fell suddenly as if struck by lightning,
while others were seized with a universal tremor the
moment before, and fell shrieking. Piercing shrieks
were uttered by many during the whole period of
prostration, intermingled with groans, cries for mercy,
and exclamations of "Glory to God!" In general
there was no complaint of pain, but of general weak-
ness during and after the paroxysms. Women would
fall while walking to and from the meeting-house,
engaged in narrating past exercises, or drop from
their horses on the road. In this condition the subject
would lie fifteen minutes or two or three hours; and
we are even told of a woman's lying, without eating
or speaking, for nine days and nights. Some were
more or less convulsed, and wrought hard in frightful
nervous agonies, the eyes rolling widely. But the
greater number were quite motionless, as if dead or
about to expire in a few moments. Some were capable
of conversing, others were not. During the syncope,
and even when conscious and talking on religious
topics, the subject was insensible of pain. Vinegar
62
The Great Revival of 1800 63
and hartshorn were applied with no perceptible
effects During the great camp meeting at Cane
Ridge, August 6, 1801, three thousand were computed
to have fallen.
"A similar affection to this was 'the jerking exer-
cise,' or as it was commonly called, 'the jerks.' In
this exercise the subject was instantaneously seized
with spasms or convulsions in every muscle, nerve and
tendon. His head was jerked 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 dislocate his neck, or dash out his
brains. His body partook of the same impulse, and
was hurried on by 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 per-
mitted gradually to exhaust itself.
"Wicked men were often taken with these strange
exercises, and many would curse the jerks while they
were under their singular operation. Some were
taken at the tavern with a glass of liquor in their
hands, which they would suddenly toss over their
heads or to a distant part of the room. Others were
taken with them at the card table, and at other places
of dissipation, and would by a violent and unaffected
jerk throw a handful of cards all over the room.
"The rolling exercise, the running exercise, the
dancing exercise, the barking exercise, the laughing
exercise, and visions and trances were frequent con-
comitants of camp meetings in Kentucky and Ten-
nessee during the great revival. These exercises were
simply such variations of the foregoing as their names
would naturally suggest." It is generally conceded
by historians that the Baptists declined to join in
general camp meetings, and were therefore but little
affected by these strange phenomena. "In 1800, in
Kentucky, the statistics compared with those of 1790
show a falling off of 100 per cent in Baptist mem-
64 Kenincky Baptist History— 1770-1922
bership in proportion to increase in population, ' ' says
Spencer. This was the ten years just prior to the
great revival. The ten years just following the re-
vival— 1800 to 1810 — show a great Baptist gain.
Doctor Spencer says, "The revival of 1800 was one
of the most wonderful events of modern times. It
appeared more like the sudden conversion of a nation
than the regeneration and reformation of indi-
viduals." After telling of the marvelous manifesta-
tions in the jerks, rolling, jumping, dancing, etc.,
Doctor Spencer says, "Doubtless there were many
people truly converted," but he adds, "it is equally
certain that great evil resulted." This, of course,
would be expected. Periods of great religious excite-
ment are often prolific of much evil.
According to Spencer Baptists took but little part
in these camp meetings where there was wild excite-
ment. In fact, he says "they joined in only one of
these union meetings so far as is known." Again he
says, "It is certain that the Baptists in Kentucky
were generally exempt from the excesses of the great
revival of 1800 that so sorely afflicted the Presby-
terians. And instead of its resulting in discord, it
healed the only schism there was among them."
(Spencer, Vol. I, p. 536.)
There were other good results. "The revival had
an especially happy effect on the Baptists in dispos-
ing them to make more effort to heal some unhappy
divisions that existed among them, and in enlarging
the spirit of missions. Hitherto their missionary
operations had been confined to sending their min-
isters to look after their destitute brethren in Ken-
tucky and in the adjacent borders of Tennessee,
Indiana, and Ohio. But in 1801, at the meeting of
Elkhorn Association, which comprised one-third of
the Baptists in the state, and probably more than
two-thirds of their wealth and influence, a request
came up from South Elkhorn Church 'to send mis-
sionaries to the Indian nations' " (Spencer, Vol. I,
p. 543). As a result of this request a committee was
The Great Revival of 1800 65
appointed to take charge of the matter, and at least
one missionary was sent out, for the records show
that "John Young was approved by the committee
and sent as a missionary to the Indians. ' '
In the account of this revival, given by Mr. Roose-
velt ("The Winning of the West," Vol. VI, p. 175),
after saying many of the so-called converts went back
into utter unbelief and sinful practices worse than
the ones they had given up, he adds, "Nevertheless,
on the whole there was an immense gain for good.
The people received a new light, and were given a
sense of moral responsibility such as they had not
previously possessed. Much of the work was done
badly, or was afterwards undone, but very much was
really accomplished."
We are very much inclined to agree with Mr.
Roosevelt at this point. While there were wild
excesses and evil results, there was much good on the
whole accomplished by this great revival. The
spiritual interest and gain in membership in our
churches indicate this.
CHAPTER VI
The Regular and Separate Baptists in Kentucky
United— 1801
Many of our people of the present time do not
understand what is meant by ''United Baptists," as
the term long since has fallen into disuse.
In the early history of Baptists in Kentucky they
were divided into "Regular Baptists" and "Separate
Baptists," which, as Doctor Spencer says, "was a
distinction without a difference, ' ' very largely. These
distinctions continued for some years, but effort after
effort was made until a union was finally effected.
I use here a part of an address by Dr. W. M.
Pratt, and published in Jubilee Volume 1887 (p. 46).
"The early Baptist churches in Kentucky had
troubles within.
"First. To secure unity between the two classes
of Baptists — the Regulars and the Separates.
"The Separate Baptists had their origin in New
England about the middle of the last century as the
result of the great revival under the ministry of
Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield. Those who
withdrew from the 'Standing Order' (Congrega-
tionalist) were called Separates or New Lights.
Among their number was Shubal Stearns, who sub-
sequently, on investigating the Scriptures, united with
the Baptists and was baptized by Elder Wait Palmer
at Tolland, Connecticut, and was ordained to the Bap-
tist ministry by Elders Palmer and Moore. He felt
impressed that his work in the ministry was to be
outside of New England, as in 1754, together with
his wife, sons, and his two brothers and their wives,
his brother-in-law, David Marshall and wife, Joseph
Breed and wife, Enos Steinson and wife, and Joseph
Polk and wife, he left for the South, and located on
Regular and Separate Baptists United — 1801 67
Sanday Creek, North Carolina, and immediately
formed a church of these members of his household-
David Marshall and Joseph R. Breed were appointed
by the infant church to assist the pastor in his
ministerial work. On his way to North Carolina he
stopped for a short time in northeast Virginia and
formed acquaintance with two churches in that region.
The spirituality of the Christian religion was then
untaught, and only in isolated instances was unknown
in that region. The most wonderful effects resulted
from the preaching of these men of God, and the
spirituality of this little church on Sandy Creek,
Guildford County, North Carolina, in the middle
of the state, and about forty miles east of the Yadkin
River, where Daniel Boone resided, at the time when
he explored Kentucky. Doctor Cathcart says, 'The
parent body in a few years had 606 members, and in
seventeen years from its origin it had branches south-
ward as far as Georgia, eastward to the sea and the
Chesapeake Bay, and northward to the waters of the
Potomac. It has become the mother, grandmother,
and great-grandmother of forty-two churches, from
which 125 ministers were sent out as licentiates or
ordained clergymen. And in after years the power
that God gave Shubal Stearns and his Sandy Creek
Church in North Carolina with resistless force
brought immense throngs to Christ and established
multitudes of Baptist churches.' (Baptist Encyclo-
pedia). Probably no one minister in America has
exerted so extensive and permanent influence. George
Whitfield was Calvinistic in his view, so was Shubal
Stearns. A peculiar feature of his church was a
refusal to formulate articles of faith. They merely
had a written Church Covenant, and took the Bible
alone as their rule of belief. He possessed the spirit
and activity of the early Methodists, and communi-
cated the same to his disciples.
"The large majority of the earlier ministers of
Kentucky were baptized by Separate Baptist minis-
ters, imbibed the spirit and pursued the course of
68 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
Shubal Stearns, traveling to distant fields of evangeli-
cal labor, organizing churches and becoming them-
selves pioneers in church enterprise. The Philadel-
phia Association was constituted 1707, and at one
time comprehended nearly all the churches from New
England to South Carolina. She was the originator
of Eaton's Academy at Hopewell, N. J., and Brown's
University in Rhode Island, and her ministers were
of considerable culture. She adopted and published
her creed in 1742. (Printed by Benjamin Franklin,
Philadelphia, 1743). This was the 'Confession of
Faith' by Baptists in London and the country in
1689. This mother of Baptist Associations in Amer-
ica exerted a most conservative and wise influence
over these newly formed churches in the South. She
commissioned her wisest men to visit the settlements,
and to give wholesome instruction to the churches and
their ministers. The churches connected immediately
with her body were called 'Regulars,' and those which
arose from this new movement were termed 'Sepa-
rates. ' As a result of this judicious course most of the
early ministers who came to Kentucky and established
churches adopted the 'Philadelphia Confession' as an
exponent of their faith. The churches south of Ken-
tucky River mostly organized on the original plat-
form of Shubal Stearns, with simply a church cove-
nant. The associations of the Regular Baptists, both
in Virginia and Kentucky, made overtures to the Sep-
arates for a union, which, after some delay, was con-
summated in Virginia, August 10, 1787, and in Ken-
tucky, partially in 1797, and fully in 1801, under the
name of 'United Baptists,' adopting in both states
the Philadelphia Confession of Faith, with certain
'explanations.' Thus the Baptists of Virginia and
Kentucky possess the two-fold elements of- Calvinistic
faith of the oldest association in America and the
holy fervor and boundless zeal of the Separates — a
most excellent combination. The two classes are so
thoroughly wedded, that for years past not only party
names dropped, but the word 'United' also, and 'Bap-
Regular and Separate Baptists United — 1801 69
tist ' alone remains to indicate our distinctive views. ' '
This shows that the union was effective. Benedict
(page 812) in speaking of "The Regulars and Sepa-
rates in Kentucky," says : "These distinctions which
we have described under the head of Virginia, the
Carolinas, etc., began early to appear in this western
region ; the parties which maintained them, were
lineal descendants of the same people in the east, and
here again we find the successors of Stearns, Marshall,
and other New England New Lights.
"The Elkhorn and South Kentucky Associations
embraced the substance of the two parties in the early
movements of the Baptists in this new region, and by
these bodies a reconciliation and union was effected
similar to those which have been described in Vir-
ginia and North Carolina.
"The meeting for this purpose was held at
Howard's Creek, N. H., in Clark County, in 1801. A.
Dudley, J. Price, J. Redding, D. Barrow, and R.
Elkin represented the Regulars; D. Ramey, Thomas
J, Chilton, M. Bledsoe, S. Johnson the Separates."
The Terms of Union: The terms of the union as
given by Benedict (page 821) are: "We, the com-
mittees of the Elkhorn and South Kentucky Asso-
ciations, do agree to unite on the following plan :
"1. That the scriptures of the Old and New Tes-
tament are the infallible word of God, and the only
rule of faith and practice.
"2, That there is one only true God, and in the
God-head or divine essence, there are Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost.
"3. That by nature we are fallen and depraved
creatures.
"4. That salvation, regeneration, sanctification,
and justification, are by the life, death, resurrection,
and ascension of Jesus Christ.
' ' 5. That the saints will finally persevere through
grace to glory.
"6. That believers' baptism, by immersion, is
necessary to receiving the Lord's Supper.
70 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
* * 7. That the salvation of the righteous and pun-
ishment of the wicked will be eternal.
"8. That it is our duty to be tender and affec-
tionate to each other, and study the happiness of the
children of God in general; to be engaged singly to
promote the honor of God.
"9. And that the preaching Christ tasted death
for every man, shall be no bar to communion.
"10. And that each may keep up their associa-
tional and church government as to them may seem
best.
"11. That a free correspondence and communion
be kept up between the churches thus united.
" tJnanimously agreed to by the joint committee.
Ambrose Dudley, Joseph Redding, Robert Elkin,
John Price, David Barrow, Daniel Ramey, Thos. J.
Chilton, Samuel Johnson, Moses Bledsoe."
Benedict says ' ' This was the last body of the Sepa-
rate Baptists which relinquishes the appellation by
which they had been distinguished about fifty years. ' '
For a short time the term "United Baptists" was
used, but it soon dropped out of use and our people
were known simply as ' ' Baptists, ' ' until the split over
the mission question, (about 1832), and then we were
called "Missionary Baptists" to distinguish us from
the Anti-missionary Baptists. However, as the Anti-
missionary Baptists have about disappeared the term
"Missionary" is not now necessary in connection with
the name "Baptists" as we are now called. Our
churches today are known simply as Baptist churches,
which is quite sufficient, since other bodies using the
name "Baptist" use some designating term as, "Free-
will," "General," "Old School," etc. Our denomi-
nation is put down in history and in statistics simply
"Baptists."
CHAPTER VII
The Emancipation Rupture — 1807
Though the agitation of the emancipation of
slaves began in 1789 in the meetings of Kentucky
Baptists the rupture did not occur until 1807. ''The
first reference to the unlawfulness of slavery, found
on the public records of Kentucky Baptists, is con-
tained in the following queries, sent from Rolling
Fork Church, in Nelson County, to Salem Association,
convened at Cox's Creek Church in the same county,
on the third of October, 1789: 'Is it lawful in the
sight of God for a member of Christ 's Church to keep
his fellow creature in perpetual slavery?' The ques-
tion was answered thus: 'The association judge it
improper to enter into so important and critical mat-
ter at present,' This answer gave no relief to the
church." ("History of Kentucky Baptists," Vol. I,
p. 183.)
The question of slavery, however, was already
agitating our brethren in Virginia. Semple's History
of Virginia Baptists, Revised Edition, (p. 102), says:
' ' The next General Committee met at William 's meet-
ing house, Goochland County, Friday, the seventh of
March, 1778." The date here evidently should be
1788, for the meeting just prior to this was 1787, and
the one just following was August, 1788, It seems
that the committee met oftener than once a year.
Doctor Semple then adds as the third item of busi-
ness, "Whether a petition should be offered to the
General Assembly, praying that the yoke of slavery
may be made more tolerable. Referred to the next
session. " It seems from the account of the next meet-
ing, which was held at Dupuy's meeting house, Au-
gust 11, 1788, the question of slavery was not taken
up, but at the next meeting held in Richmond, Au-
71
72 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
gust 8, 1789, the matter came up as follows, says Sam-
ple (p. 105) : *'The propriety of hereditary slavery
was also taken up at this session, and after some time
employed in the consideration of the subject the fol-
lowing resolution was offered by Mr. Leland and
adopted. (The Rev. John Leland-Nowlin). Resolved
that slavery is a violent deprivation of the rights of
nature and inconsistent with a republican govern-
ment, and therefore recommend it to our brethren to
make use of every legal measure to extirpate this
horrid evil from the land; and pray Almighty God
that our honorable Legislature may have it in their
power to proclaim the great Jubilee, consistent with
the principles of good policy." Then on page 393
Semple says: ''In 1787, the lawfulness of hereditary
slavery was debated in the association. They deter-
mined that hereditary slavery was a breach of the
divine law. They then appointed a committee to
bring in a plan of gradual emancipation, which was
accordingly done."
Thus it will be seen that the early Baptists in Vir-
ginia expressed opposition, in unmistakable terms, to
slavery, as early as 1787. Our Kentucky associations
were in correspondence with the Virginia associations,
both by letter and messengers, and were therefore
advised as to their actions. So it is no surprise to see
the matter coming up two years later, than the above
Virginia action, in a Kentucky association — the Sa-
lem. Elkhorn Association, at its meeting in August,
1791, says Spencer, (Vol. I, p. 184), "Appointed a
committee of three to draw up a memorial to the con-
vention to be held on the third day of April next,
requesting them to take up the subject of Religious
Liberty, and Perpetual Slavery in the formation of
the constitution of this district, and report at the
Crossing, on the eighth of September. Eastin, Gar-
rard and Dudley were the committee. At the meeting
at Great Crossings, in September of the same year,
the 'memorial on Religious Liberty and Perpetual
Slavery was read and approved.' This action of the
The Emancipation Rupture — 1807 73
association did not meet the approval of the churches.
Accordingly, the next association, which met at
Bryants, in December of the same year, and which
was probably convened, in extra session, for this
express purpose, 'Resolved that the association dis-
approve of the memorial which the last association
agreed to send to the convention, on the subject of
Religious Liberty and the Abolition of Slavery.' "
After this, it seems that the question of slavery
did not come up in the association for several years.
But the preachers were preaching on the subject and
it was being discussed in the churches. Emancipation
parties were formed in many churches, which was a
source of confusion and disturbance. The association
finally had to act on the question of the emancipation
of slaves. "Elkhorn Association, during its session at
Bryant's, in 1805, again took up the subject and
passed a resolution, that, 'This association judges it
improper for ministers, churches or associations to
meddle with emancipation from slavery, or any other
political subject, and as such, we advise ministers
and churches to have nothing to do therewith. '
"This resolution gave great offense to the emanci-
pators. They became much more active and deter-
mined in their opposition to slavery. Even the earnest
and laborious William Hickman was carried beyond
the limits of prudence. On a fast day of that same
year, he preached at Elkhorn Church, of which he
was a member, and the pastor. His text was Isa.
58 :6 : ' Is not this the fast I have chosen ? to loose the
bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and
to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every
yoke?" This sermon, says Theodrick Boulware, 'was
disingenuous and offensive. The speaker declared
non-fellowship for all slave holders. A few days
afterwards he wrote a letter to the church, declaring
his withdrawal.' Whether he went into the constitu-
tion of an emancipation church, or not, does not
appear. John Shackelford was called to the care of
Forks of Elkhorn Church for one year. Before his
74 Keniwky Baptist History— 1770-1922
time was out Mr. Hickman returned and gave satis-
faction to the church, and, when the year was out,
resumed its pastorate. " (" History of Kentucky Bap-
tists," Vol. I, p. 185).
This gives us some conception of the disturbance
in the Elkhorn Association caused by the question of
emancipation. About this same time John Sutton led
off a party from the Clear Creek Church, which
united with a faction led out of Hillsboro Church by
Carter Tarrant, and formed an emancipation church,
called New Hope, located in Woodford County, "the
first emancipation church in this part of the world,"
says John Taylor. ("History of Ten Churches,"
p. 81).
The question of slavery caused a division in the
North District Association in 1807. Spencer says,
(Vol. II, 119 f) : "In 1804, Thomas J. Chilton, from
a party of South District Association, which after-
wards took the name of South Kentucky Association,
presented to North District, charges against Jere-
miah Vardeman and John Kice. As the party repre-
sented by Mr. Chilton was not recognized by the asso-
ciation, the charges were not entertained. But the
next year, the same body entertained five charges
against David Barrow, the ablest preacher in their
body. These charges were presented by the messen-
gers from Bracken Association, and pertained to Mr.
Barrow's sentiments on the subject of slavery. The
association, after hearing him, in his own defense,
decided that his explanations and apologies were suf-
ficient. Some of the churches, however, were deter-
mined to get rid of him; and new provisions were
made for his expulsion. 'Providence and Boone's
Creek Churches inquire how a church shall deal with
a minister who propagates doctrines that' are unsound
or pernicious to peace and good order? The asso-
ciation advises that a church, in such casses, withdraw
all the power they gave such preacher; and (that)
two preachers may suspend, or stop such preacher
from preaching, until he can be tried by a council of
The EmaiicipaUon Rupture — 1807 75
five ministers, whose decision, in such case, ought to
be obeyed, until reversed by the association.' This
rule, however, unbaptistic, was applied to Mr. Bar-
row almost immeditely after the association ad-
journed. At the next meeting of the body, in 1806,
the following proceedings were entered on its min-
utes:
'* 'A committee or council of five ministers re-
ported: That, agreeable to provision made last asso-
ciation, for the trial of ministers, they had been deal-
ing with Brother David Barrow, for preaching the
doctrine of emancipation, to the hurt and injury of
the brotherhood. And the association, after consid-
ering the foregoing report, and hearing what Brother
Barrow had to say, in justification of his conduct, on
that subject, and Brother Barrow manifesting no dis-
position to alter his mode of preaching, as to the afore-
said doctrine, they proceeded to expel him from his
seat in this association, ' They also ' appointed a com-
mittee to deal with Brother Barrow, in the church
at Mount Sterling, at their next monthly meeting,
and report to next association.'
"Immediately after Mr. Barrow's expulsion from
North District Association, he commenced arranging
for the constitution of an Emancipation Association.
A meeting was called to convene at New Hope, in
Woodford County, on the twenty-ninth of August,
1807. Eleven preachers and nineteen other messen-
gers were enrolled as members of the meeting. Pre-
liminary steps were taken, for the organization of an
association, which was constituted of nine churches,
aggregiating 190 members, the following September,
This association, which took the name of Licking
Locust, will be noticed in its appropriate place.
"North District Association saw the injustice of
her rash act when it was too late to counteract its evil
effects. At her annual meeting, in 1807: 'The asso-
ciation proceeded to annul and revoke the act of last
association, in expelling Elder David Barrow from
his seat in the association. But she had already lost
76 Kentucky Baptist Hktory— 1770-1922
at least three churches and two preachers by the
transaction; and they did not now choose to return.
The subject of slavery continued to be agitated, in the
bounds of the association, nearly twenty years."
The foregoing shows that the agitation was long
and bitter in this association. We are told by Spen-
cer (Vol. I, p. 186) that ''The excitement extended
all over the settled portion of the state. Several
churches in Bracken Association fell in with the
emancipation scheme. Among these were Licking
Locust, Lawrence Creek, Gilgal and Bracken. Among
the churches that united in the movement from North
District, were Mount Sterling and Bethel. These and
a number of other churches effected an organization,
in September, 1807, under the name of ' The Baptized
Licking-Locust Association, Friends of Humanity.'
At their next meeting they resolved 'that the present
mode of associations, or confederation of churches,
was unscriptural. ' They then proceeded to form
themselves into an 'Abolition Society,' * * * jn
1816 they met at Lawrence Creek meeting house, in
Mason County, under the name of ' The Association of
Baptists, Friends of Humanity.' The following
churches were represented: Bracken, Gilgal, Law-
rence Creek, Mount Sterling, Bullskin and Bethel.
No account was received from New Hope in Wood-
ford County.
"The preaching was by Jacob Mahan, Moses Ed-
wards and Alexander. The Lord's Supper
was administered by David Barrow and Thomp-
son. There is a manifest tendency to 'open com-
munion' and other signs of decay, exhibited in the
meager journal of their proceedings. The body kept
up a feeble, withering existence till about the year
1820, when it was dissolved."
It seems from this time on the emancipation ques-
tion gave the churches in Kentucky little or no trou-
ble. We are unable to understand why the agitation
died down, and the Emancipation Association dis-
banded, unless the leaders came to realize that they
The Emancipation Rupture — 1807 77
were fighting a hopeless battle; and that their ener-
gies could be more profitably spent along other lines.
From the history we have of the emancipation
movement it accomplished little, or no good, and a
vast amount of harm. It disturbed Baptist churches
and associations in Kentucky for a period of more
than thirty years, and passed away, leaving no per-
manent breach.
CHAPTER VIII
The Campbellian Split — 1830
We have now reached an important point in Ken-
tucky Baptist History — ''The Current Reformation."
It is not the author's purpose in this chapter to
deliver a blow at Campbellism, but to give a fair
statement of an important chapter in Kentucky Bap-
tist history. As will be seen from the following facts
a definite separation has taken place between the Bap-
tists and the Disciples by the close of 1830.
Thomas Campbell left Scotland for the United
States the eighth day of April, 1807, and Alexander
Campbell, his son, together with the family, sailed for
the United States September 28, 1808, "but the vessel
in which the family had embarked being shipwrecked
off the Irish coast, the family returned to Europe and
Alexander entered the University of Glasgow Novem-
ber 8, the same year, and remained until the close of
the university session the following May, 1809 ((pp.
130 and 190), The following August, the same year,
Alexander, together with the family, again started
for the United States, and landed in New York Sep-
tember 29, 1809, and shortly after reached Washing-
ton, Pa., in time to read and approve the ' Declaration
and Address,' as the constitution of the Christian
Association was called, which was then issuing from
the press. (Mem. A. C, Vol. I, pp. 195 and 205)."
Taken from "Origin of Campbellism," page 15.
Thus in 1809 we find Alexander Campbell in the
United States. It is not the author's purpose to fol-
low Mr. Campbell in founding and developing a new
sect, but to notice his life and labors as they touch and
affect the history of Kentucky Baptists. Mr. Camp-
bell began preaching in Kentucky as early as 1823,
and by 1830 there was a definite separation between
78
The Campbellian Split— 1830 79
the Baptists and the Disciples, as they called them-
selves. The labors of Mr. Campbell were begun in
Kentucky as a Baptist, and in Baptist churches. In
this way Mr. Campbell ingratiated himself into the
favor of the Baptists before they learned that he ha^
been called to re-establish "the ancient order of
things." Spencer in his "History of Kentucky Bap-
tists" (Vol. I, p. 581) on "The Rise of Campbellism"
says:
"The Baptist denomination in Kentucky was
probably never more prosperous than in the year
1820. The churches and associations were enjoying
great peace, if we except a slight interruption of the
correspondence between Licking and Elkhorn Asso-
ciations, and the existence of the South Kentucky and
Nolyun Associations of Separate Baptists, which did
not correspond with the other associations in the state.
The spirit of missions had been greatly revived and
the churches were contributing more liberally to for-
eign missions than those of any other portion of the
United States. They had at this period a corps of
ministers who, in all the elements of success, ranked
favorably with any on the continent. Wm. C. War-
field, Wm. Warder, Isaac Hodgin, Jeremiah Varde-
man, George Waller, Silas M. Noel, Walter Warder
and Wm. Vaughan, all brought into the ministry on
the soil of Kentucky, were men of eminent ability,
piety and usefulness. Besides these, there were many
preachers of less note, who were eminent for piety,
zeal and usefulness. With these advantages, and with
a membership exceeding in numbers that of all other
denominations combined, their prospects for the fu-
ture were peculiarly hopeful.
"The general revival that was just closing had
produced no schisms or discords. Yet the enemy had
sown tares among the wheat that were destined to
yield an abundant harvest. Some bad leaven had
been introduced, which was destined to work disas-
trous consequences. The opposition to missions, theo-
logical schools, and, indeed, all benevolent societies,
80 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
had already exhibited itself. Taylor, Parker and
some others had taken the alarm, and sounded the
tocsin of war. Suspicion was excited among the
churches, and the spirit of missions began to subside,
especially among the illiterate and uninformed. While
avarice was not by any means, the primal cause of
opposition to missions and other benevolent enter-
prises, it doubtless added strength to it. Taylor was
not persistent in his opposition; Parker, Nuckols and
others were. But soon there arose another opponent
to benevolent enterprises, whose brilliancy eclipsed
all other lights, and whose influence among the Bap-
tists of Kentucky was destined to exert greater evil
among them than that of any other man of his gen-
eration. This was Alexander Campbell, then and
during the remainder of his life, a resident of Brook
County, Virginia. For a time, after he commenced
his career as editor of a popular religious periodical,
he gave his influence principally to opposing missions,
Bible and Tract Societies, and Theological Schools,
and to curtailing the influence and pecuniary support
of Christian ministers, whom he styled 'the kingdom
of the clergy, ' and to bringing into discredit the doc-
trines and practices of the principal religious sects
of the country."
In August, 1823, Mr. Campbell began the publica-
tion of a monthly paper which he called The Chris-
tian Baptist, and in October of the same year he
debated with W. L. McCalla, Presbyterian, at Wash-
ington, Mason County, Kentucky, on baptism. But to
understand the "Current Reformation" in Kentucky
we must take up the life and labors of Barton W.
Stone, and to understand Stone 's movements we must
take some notice of the great revival. From the Me-
moirs of Wm. Vaughan (121 ff) we get the following
informing account of Barton Stone's movement.
"In the year 1796 a very eloquent Presbyterian
preacher by the name of McGready immigrated to
Logan County, Kentucky, and was settled as pastor
over two churches known as Red and Muddy River.
The CampheUian Split— 1830 81
These churches were in a cold back-sliddeu condition,
and of this he writes with sadness. We quote his
own words :
" 'Our infant congregations remained in a state
of deadness and darkness from the fall, through the
winter and until the month of July, 1799. On Mon-
day the power of God seemed to fill the congregation.
The boldest, daring sinners in the county covered
their faces and wept bitterly. After the congregation
was dismissed, a large number of people remained
about the doors, unwilling to go away. Some of the
ministers proposed to me to collect the people in the
meeting house again and perform prayer with them.
The mighty power of God came among us like a
shower from the everlasting hills. God's people were
quickened and comforted ; sinners were powerfully
alarmed, and some precious souls were brought to feel
the pardoning love of Jesus. Gasper River, the fol-
lowing August, was the scene of a deep religious
interest. After the sermon the pastor gave a solemn
exhortation. The people for some time kept their
seats, while a deep solemnity prevailed throughout
the congregation. Some cried out aloud and many
fell on the ground and laid there, groaning, praying
and crying for mercy. Not long after this a deep
religious interest was awakened along the banks of
the Ohio. ' ' Further Mr. Vaughan says : " 'In July, '
says Mr. McGready, 'multitudes crowded from all
parts of the country, to see a strange work from the
distance of forty, fifty and even a hundred miles.
Whole families came in their wagons ; between twenty
and thirty wagons were brought to the place, loaded
with people and their provisions, in order to encamp
at the meeting house. Of many instances I shall men-
tion one of a little girl. I stood by her while she lay
across her mother's lap, almost in despair. I was con-
versing with her when the first gleam of light broke in
upon her mind. She started to her feet, and in an
ecstasy of joy she cried out: " 'Oh, what a sweet
Christ he is!" etc. Then turning around she ad-
9
82 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
dressed sinners and told them of the glory and will-
ingness and preciousness of Christ, and pleaded with
them to repent.'
"This was the first camp-meeting. The excitement
continued and the Methodists, always more or less
enthusiastic, joined in and fanned the flame. It ran
from settlement to settlement until the whole coun-
try was in a blaze. The people were amazed; vice
hid her head and infidelity hushed its babbling mouth.
"This religious excitement was communicated to
Northern Kentucky in the following manner ; Barton
W. Stone, who was pastor of two Presbyterian con-
gregations, in Bourbon county, and which, like many
other churches in the state, were in a condition of
great coldness and deadness, hearing of the revival in
Southern Kentucky and in Tennessee, under the
labors of James McGready and other Presbyterian
ministers, was very anxious to be among them, and
early in the spring of 1801, he went there to attend
a camp-meeting. He will give, in his own language,
a description of the scene :
" 'The scene to me was passing strange. It baf-
fled description. Many, very many, fell down as men
slain in battle, and continued for hours together in
an apparently breathless and motionless state; some-
times, for a few moments, recovering and exhibiting
symptoms of life by a groan or a piercing shriek or
by a prayer for mercy, most fervently uttered. After
lying thus for hours, they obtained deliverance. I
observed with critical attention every thing that
passed. After attending to many such cases, my con-
viction was complete that it was a good work — the
work of God — nor has my mind wavered since on the
subject.'
"Stone returned to Cane Ridge, in Bourbon, carry-
ing with him the intelligence of the wonderful revival
in Logan County. The work commenced there imme-
diately. He preached in the morning and a deep
solemnity prevailed. At night two little girls were
affected in a way precisely similar to those in Logan
The Campbellian Split— 1830 83
County, and the next morning, as Mr, Stone returned
to Cane Ridge, he was met by a prominent citizen,
shouting praise to God. He says: 'In less than
twenty minutes scores had fallen to the ground ; pale-
ness, trembling and anxiety appeared on all. They
continued on the spot till late in the night, and many
found peace in the Lord. ' The effects of this meeting
were electric. Men, women and children were in a
perfect fever with excitement, the like of which was
never known before. Following the example of the
people in Southern Kentucky, it was resolved to hold
a camp-meeting at Cane Ridge, and thus facilitate the
good work already begun. This meeting was noted
for the numbers that attended it, and the wild scenes
that were then enacted. Hear Mr. Stone again :
' ' ' This memorable meeting came on Thursday and
Friday before the third Lord's day in August, 1801.
The roads were literally crowded with wagons, car-
riages, horsemen and footmen, moving to the solemn
camp. The sight was affecting. It was judged by
military men on the ground that there were between
twenty and thirty thousand collected. Four or five
preachers were frequently speaking at the same time
at different parts of the encampment, without confu-
sion.' " Continuing Mr. Vaughan says (p. 128) :
"From this there was a division among the Pres-
byterians. Those who were opposed to the extrava-
gancies of the revivalists formed one party, and those
in favor of them the other. The differences between
these two parties were sharp and well-defined. The
excitement ran high. Crimination and recrimination
were the order of the day. Those who headed the
revival movement were Barton W. Stone, Robert Mar-
shall, John Thompson, Richard McNemar and John
Dunlevy. They abandoned the old land-marks as set
forth in their confession of faith, and their funda-
mental doctrines were 'Rational belief and war to the
death on all creeds, systems, and confessions of faith. '
McNemar, one of their leaders, has thus written:
'They adopted a very different faith, and taught as
84 Kentucky Baptist Eistory— 1770-1922
an important truth that the will of God was made
manifest to each individual who humbly sought after
it, by an inward light shone into the heart.' They
were therefore called 'New Lights.'
"Barton W. Stone, the acknowledged leader of
this party, renounced the doctrines of Calvinism and
proclaimed on every side that Christ died for all
men, and that all can be saved on the same terms.
He and his party also urged that men had the same
ability to believe as to disbelieve in Christ. These
and other doctrines which they held and proclaimed
were in direct opposition to the Confession of Faith;
but they had become so popular that the church
courts for awhile were afraid to deal with them. But
at length Richard McNemar was summoned before
the Springfield Presbytery, so called because it met
in Springfield, Ohio, and the following specifications
of heresy were preferred against him :
" '1. He reprobated the idea of sinners attempt-
ing to pray, or being exhorted thereto, before they
were believers in Christ.
" *2. He has condemned those who urge that con-
victions are necessary, or that prayer is proper in
the sinner.
" '3. He has expressly declared at several times
that Christ has purchased salvation for all the human
race without distinction.
" *4. He has expressly declared that the sinner
has power to believe Christ at any time.
" *5. That the sinner has as much power to act
faith as to act unbelief; and reprobated every idea
in contradiction thereto, held by persons of a con-
trary opinion.
" '6. He has expressly said that faith consisted
in the creature's persuading himself assuredly that
Christ died for him in particular ; that doubting and
examining into evidences of faith were inconsistent
with and contrary to the nature of faith; and in
order to establish these sentiments, he explained
away these words: 'Faith is the gift of God,' by
The Campbellian Split — 1830 85
saying that Jesus Christ is the object of faith there
meant, and not faith itself, and also these words:
'No man cometh to me except the Father who sent
me draw him,' by saying that the drawing there
meant was Christ offered in the gospel, and that the
Father knew no other drawing, or higher power than
holding up his Son in the gospel,'
''Mr. McNemar acknowledged that he held these
doctrines, except the first part of the sixth article.
The above charges will give the reader an idea of
the peculiar views at that time held by the 'New
Lights'!
"From the Springfield Presbytery, the case was
brought before the Synod at Lexington, Kentucky,
in the fall of 1803, Stone and his party seeing that
the decision of the Presbytery in regard to McNemar
would be sustained, met in council, drew up a formal
protest, presented it to the Synod, and then withdrew
from the authority of that body. After a fruitless
effort to bring these men back into the fold, they
solemnly suspended Barton W. Stone, Richard McNe-
mar, Robert Marshall, John Thompson and John
Dunlevy, and declared their pulpits vacant. These
men formed themselves into what they called the
'Springfield Presbytery.' 'From this period,' says
Stone, 'I date the commencement of that reformation
which has progressed to this day.' He wrote this
in 1843.
"Shortly after their suspension they were joined
by two other ministers, Mathew Houston and David
Purviance. In June, 1804, they issued a document
styled, ' The last will and testament of the Springfield
Presbytery,' in which they set forth a synopsis of
their doctrines, and forever dissolved the Presbytery.
They threw away all creeds and adopted the simple
name Christian, by which they wished to be desig-
nated. They urged all Christians to follow their
example, to emancipate themselves from all confes-
sions of faith and unite with them on the Bible. They
were progressive. When first started they believed
86 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
in infant baptism, and that sprinkling was the proper
act of baptism. After this they rejected the doctrine
of infant baptism and proclaimed immersion as the
only mode. And following quick upon this they pro-
mulgated the dogma of baptism for the remission of
sins.
"When they united with the reformation in 1830
their number is not known, but in 1812, according
to Doctor Benedict, they numbered 40 churches, 40
ministers and about 5000 members.
"Mr. Stone and his followers held many views in
common with Mr. Campbell; in fact they were sub-
stantially the same, and consequently he and his ad-
herents had no great difficulty in effecting with them
a fundamental union. Although they originated long
before Mr. Campbell developed his views, yet the sub-
stance of the Campbellite theory was in their doc-
trines, and the commencement of this sect may well
be called the rise of the Current Kef ormation. "
Thus it will be observed that Mr. Stone was con-
siderably in advance of Mr. Campbell in his "Refor-
mation"— Stone dating from 1803, while Campbell
joined the Baptists in 1812, and was excluded from
Baptist fellowship 1829.
The starting of the Christian Baptist gave Mr.
Campbell a great opportunity. Quoting again from
Memoirs of Wm. Vaughan (pp. 161, 162, 163) :
"Campbellism now began to assume a definite
form. All over Northern and Central Kentucky Mr.
Campbell had his adherents, and they read, as de-
voutly as Moslem ever read his Koran, the Christian
Baptist. Week after week it paid its welcome visits,
bringing light and comfort and joy. Mr. Campbell's
interpretations of scripture were regarded as infall-
ible, and they were relied upon with iinplicit confi-
dence. They had learned a new speech, no longer
speaking the language of Ashdod. They were right,
and that they knew full well, for they went by the
'book.' Half-grown boys and girls were thoroughly
imbued with the spirit of the Great Reformer, and
The Campbelliun Split— 1830 87
were ready at all times to discuss with you the pecu-
liar doctrines of the ancient gospel. The veil was
lifted, and they could explain anything in the
Bible
"The friends of Mr. Campbell were very busy in
the dissemination of their principles. From the great
leader at Bethany to the boy of fifteen summers there
was unceasing activity. Every one of them was full
of light and knowledge, and their hearts burned
within them to communicate their doctrines to others.
Whenever an opportunity presented itself, either in
public or in private, they were discussing the topics
suggested and developed in the Christian Baptist.
They were as strong as Samson, who slew a thou-
sand Philistines with the jaw-bone of an ass; they
felt that one could chase a thousand and two could
put ten thousand to flight.
"Their numbers increased, and some were found
in almost every Baptist Church in the state, at least
in Northern and Central Kentucky. The turbulent
and disaffected were drawn into their ranks, also
many amiable and excellent people, who had not
given the subject a thorough investigation, or who,
from the ambiguity of Mr, Campbell's position, were
unable to distinguish between truth and error. Camp-
bellism raged like an epidemic in many parts of the
country. The people were wild. There was strife
and discord in the churches. Bitter feelings were
engendered and hostile parties were arrayed one
against the other. The humble, pious, peace-loving
members mourned over the desolations of Zion, and
by the rivers of Babylon they sat down and wept.
Such men as Walter Warder, William Warder, Silas
M. Noel, John Taylor and John S. Wilson saw the
evils that beset our churches, but they wept and lab-
ored on. They saw the storm that was gathering —
they felt that the danger was imminent — but they
hardly knew what to do. They did not see how they
could beat back the tide that seemed to be sweeping
all before it. They appeared to be paralyzed, and
88 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
especially was this the case with Walter Warder and
Jeremiah Vardeman, They thought it would be more
prudent to modify and direct the course of the Refor-
mation than to give it a direct and decided opposi-
tion
''They prayed for the peace of Jerusalem and for
a season of refreshing from on high. They had waited
long for a blessing, and at length God heard their
prayer and the revival began. In the fall of 1827
the good work commenced. Ministers preached with
unusual fervency and power and the people listened
with deep interest, and large congregations assembled
everywhere to hear the gospel. In the following win-
ter and spring there were large additions to the
churches. The brethren were so much absorbed in
the revival, so overjoyed on account of the success
of the gospel, that the Campbellite controversy was
forgotten for a season. All over the state there was
a glorious work of grace — such a revival as had not
been witnessed since the great awakening of 1803.
The Reformers who were still in the Baptist churches
labored hard to bring over the young converts to
their peculiar views. Shortly after their conversion,
and while their hearts were warm and tender and
easy impressed, they used every effort to instill their
notions into their young minds. The older ministers
were unsuspecting and off their guard, and before
they were aware of it many had embraced the doc-
trine of Mr. Campbell. While the Presbyterians were
the sufferers in the revival of 1803, the Baptists were
the especial sufferers in the revival of 1827-28." In
the life of T. J. Fisher, (p. 56) by Spencer is this
statement: "The germ of what is now known as
Campbellism was published in a series of letters,
addressed by Robert Sandeman, of Perth, Scotland,
to Mr. Hervey, about A. D. 1757. He claimed that
'justifying faith' is 'the bare belief of the bare truth'.
His system is known in England as ' Sandemanian-
ism'. In his writings he was exceedingly bitter
against all opposing doctrines, and particularly bit-
The Campbellian Split — 1830 89
ter and sarcastic in writing against the ministers of
the Kirk of Scotland, He spent the last seven years
of his life in New England, where, after organizing
a few small societies, he died, at Danbury, Connecti-
cut, A. D. 1771. His doctrines seemed to die with
him. But near A. D. 1800, Barton W. Stone (and
others) began, in a confused manner, to hold forth
the doctrine of Sandemanianism ; but, being unsuited
for the work of a reformer, he made little progress,
until Mr. Campbell, in his rapid changes from Hyper-
calvinism to the extreme of modern Arminianism,
embraced Mr. Stone's doctrine, and added to it the
doctrine that 'baptism is essential to salvation.' "
The heart of Campbellism is given in the follow-
ing quotations. Dr. J. B. Jeter in his "Campbellism
Examined and Re-examined" (p. 193), quotes from
Campbell's "Christian System" (p. 233), the follow-
which is the very heart of Campbellism :
" 'There are three births, three kingdoms, and
three salvations. One from the womb of our first
mother, one from the water, and one from the grave.
We enter a new world on, and not before each birth.
The present animal life, at the first birth; the spir-
itual, or the life of God in our souls, at the second
birth ; and the life eternal in the presence of God, at
the third birth. And he who dreams of entering the
second kingdom, or coming under the dominion of
Jesus without the second birth, may, to complete his
error, dream of entering the kingdom of glory with-
out a resurrection from the dead.' "
Then again (page 196) Dr. Jeter quotes from
' ' Christian System ' ' as follows : " ' Whatever the
act of faith may be, it necessarily becomes the line
of discrimination between the two states before de-
scribed. On this side, and on that mankind are in
quite different states. On the one side, they are
pardoned, justified, sanctified, reconciled, adopted,
and saved; on the other, they are in a state of con-
demnation. This act is sometimes called immersion,
regeneration, conversion, ' ' Christian System, ' ' p. 193.
90 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
'These expressions,' (immersed, converted, regener-
ated), 'in the apostle's style, denote the same act,'
p, 203. 'For if immersion be equivalent to regenera-
tion, and regeneration be of the same import with
being born again, then being born again and being
immersed, are the same thing.' p. 200." Also page
194, "Campbellism Examined and Re-examined"
quoting "Christian System" p. 202. "The Holy
Spirit calls nothing personal regeneration except the
act of immersion."
It will be seen that Mr. Campbell in these state-
ments does not teach baptismal regeneration. That
is, he does not teach that regeneration takes place in
connection with the act of baptism, but that baptism
is itself regeneration. There can be no mistaking his
language here. So baptism is not the condition, nor
a condition of regeneration, but is itself regeneration,
and the Holy Spirit calls nothing else regeneration.
That's simon pure Campbellism — "Be dipped or be
damned. ' '
The separation between the Baptists and the "Re-
formers" in Baptist Churches now began. The best
account we have found of this separation is given
in the Memoirs of Wm. Vaughn (page 170 ff) as
follows :
"Alexander Campbell, when he withdrew from
the Redstone Association, united with the Mahoning
Association, of Ohio. Through his influence that body
became thoroughly imbued with the doctrines of the
Reformation, and on that account the Beaver Asso-
ciation, of Pennsylvania, in August, 1829, withdrew
from her all fellowship on the ground that she had
departed from the fundamental principles of the gos-
pel. A copy of these resolutions was sent to Rev. Silas
M. Noel, D. D., of Frankfort, Kentucky, and the
church at that place immediately sent up a request to
the Franklin Association, which was about to assem-
ble at the Forks of Elkhorn meeting-house, in Wood-
ford county, that the charges of Beaver against the
Reformers should be indorsed and published by the
The Campbellian Split— 1830 91
association. Franklin, after due consideration, not
only complied with the request, but advised all the
churches in her connection to follow the course pur-
sued by the Beaver Association and discountenance
the errors of Campbellism. These errors and corrup-
tions were set forth in the following terms :
" '1. They, the Reformers, maintain that there is
no promise of salvation without baptism.
" *2. That baptism should be administered to all
who say that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God,
without examination on any other point.
'' '3. That there is no direct operation of the
Holy Spirit on the mind prior to baptism.
'' '4. That baptism procures the remission of
sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
" '5. That the Scriptures are the only evidence
of interest in Christ.
" '6. That obedience places it in God's power to
elect to salvation.
'' '7. That no creed is necessary for the church
but the Scriptures as they stand ; and,
" '8. That all baptized persons have the right to
administer the ordinance of baptism.' "
''These resolutions were sent to the South Benson
Church, Franklin County, Kentucky, where there
was a considerable party in favor of Mr. Campbell,
and after a lengthy discussion between George Wal-
ler on the one side and Jacob Creath, Sr., on the other,
they were spread upon the records of the church. The
minority was so much incensed by this action that
they met and, with the assistance of Jacob Creath, Sr.,
and his nephew, Jacob Creath, Jr., constituted them-
selves into another church. The majority, regarding
this matter as schismatic, at their regular meeting in
February, 1830, unanimously excluded them from the
Baptist Church at South Benson.
"The work of separation had begun in earnest. A
called meeting of the North District Association was
held at Lulbegrud, Montgomery County, and Thomas
Boone was chosen moderator. A committee was ap-
92 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
pointed to examine the records, correspondence,
decisions and reports of the North District Associa-
tion from the day of its constitution, in 1802, to its
last session at Unity in 1829, and to report such
results as they might deem to be of interest to the
council. In due time the committee made the re-
quired examination and reported in substance as
follows :
" '1. That the constitution of the North District
Association makes it the duty of the association to
have a watch care over the churches and gives it the
right to withdraw from such as act disorderly.
" '2. That the association exercised this watch
care over both churches and preachers until their
session at Cane Spring, in 1827.
" *3. They find that at that association, Lulbe-
grud complained of a new mode of breaking the bread
when administering and receiving the Lord 's Supper ;
but the association neglected to notice the conduct of
such churches.
" '4. They find also that in the year of 1829,
Goshen complains to the association of new forms of
words adopted and used in the administration of bap-
tism, etc. ; and yet, though the church requested it,
no attention was paid to the request.
" *5. They find also that Cane Spring com-
plained to the association, in the same year, and no
attention was paid to her complaint.
" '6. In 1829, Lulbegrud again complains that in
consequence of changes taking place among the
churches, respecting the administering and receiving
of the Lord's Supper and other matters, she should
not commune; and yet no attention was paid to her
complaint.'
"This meeting then adjourned to meet at Goshen
on the fourth Saturday in June following. Elder
David Chenault was elected moderator and James
French, clerk. The following questions were then
raised and promptly answered.
" '1. Has North District, by abandoning the
The Camphellian Split — 1830 93
supervisorship of the churches and preachers, de-
parted from its constitution t Answered in the affirm-
ative.
" *2. Has a church, that takes upon itself the
right to introduce and practice usages, unknown
among the churches of Elkhorn and South Kentucky-
Associations at the time of their union, departed from
the constitution and gone out of the union ? Answered
in the affirmative.
** 'Our reasons,' said they, 'for deciding that
North District Association has departed from its con-
stitution are contained in the proceedings of the meet-
ing at Lulbegrud in April last. In point of doctrine
these departures from what was believed in the
churches of either Elkhorn or South Kentucky Asso-
ciation, at the time of their union, are so entire that
to attempt an illustration throughout would be too
long and tedious a writing. They even deny the
special operation of the Spirit in quickening the dead
sinner. And by way of ridicule they ask: "Where
did the Spirit hit you? Was it on the shoulder or
under the fifth rib?"
" 'As to departures from church usage, they are
so general that if any one thing in church customs, as
practiced in the churches of Elkhorn and South Ken-
tucky Associations, at the time of their union, remains
unchanged, we know not what it is. Constituting
churches, ordaining preachers, eating the Lord's Sup-
per, words of baptism, the action of putting under
the water in baptism — all are varied. Can it be
thought strange that these innovations, all beating on
the churches at once, should produce distress, con-
fusion and schisms.'
"We have not the space to give all these proceed-
ings at length, but before they adjourned, by resolu-
tion they declared themselves withdrawn from all
churches that had departed, as before alleged; but
that their fellowship was not to be considered broken
with their ministers or individual members who were
content with the former usages of the churches.
94 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
''The course pursued by the North District Asso-
ciation was soon followed by other associations.
Franklin took decided ^ound against the innovations
of the Reformers. Mr. Noel presented a circular let-
ter, from which we make the following extract :
" 'As an association we shall deem it our duty to
drop correspondence with any and every association
or church where this heresy is tolerated. Those who
say they are not Campbellites, and yet countenance
and circulate his little pamphlets, are insincere — they
are to be avoided. When they say they are perse-
cuted because they "will not swallow the Philadel-
phia Confession of Faith," you are not to believe it,
for no church has called one of them in question on
that point, so far as we know. It is not so much their
objection to this book as our objection to their con-
fession of faith that makes the difference.'
"This letter was adopted by the association and
ordered to be printed and circulated among the
churches of that body.
"Elkhorn next showed herself true to 'the faith
once delivered unto the saints.' She met on the sec-
ond Saturday in August, 1830, with the church at
Silas, Bourbon County, and, after much violent oppo-
sition on the part of the Campbellites, adopted the
following resolutions :
" '1. That the church at Versailles be dropped
from further correspondence with this association, for
non-conformity to the rules, and for receiving into
her membership a preacher, Jacob Creath, Jr., who in
faith and practice departed from her constitution,
and who has taken part in constituting minorities who
also have thus departed.'
"North District Association had split in twain,
and each party was present with letters and messen-
gers, and each one claiming to be the legitimate body.
John Smith represented the Campbellites, and Reu-
ben McDonald and others the Orthodox party.
"The question now arose: 'Which body of Bap-
tists shall be recognized by Elkhorn as the North Dis-
The Camphellian Split~1830 95
trict Association ? ' Smith fought hard for a seat, but
the association adopted the following resolutions :
" 'Whereas, it appears that two communications
from North District have been sent to this association,
showing that a split has taken place in that body ;
" ^Resolved, Therefore, that the ten churches,
which met in council at Goshen meeting house, on the
fourth Saturday in June, 1830, and in their minutes
declare that the rest of the churches have departed
from her constitution in faith and practice, be recog-
nized as the North District Association, and that our
correspondence be continued with them as heretofore. '
"Then followed the meeting of the Tate's Creek
Association, which occurred on the fourth Saturday
in August, 1830. The messengers composing this
body unanimously resolved to withdraw all fellow-
ship from every church and association that favored
the Campbellite heresy.
*' Within the Bracken Association matters had
come to a crisis. May's Lick Church was in confu-
sion. The members of this body who adhered to the
grand old doctrines of the gospel determined that
they would withdraw from the adherents of Mr.
Campbell. They accordingly drew up and published
the following resolution and protest, and thus com-
pelled every one to show his colors :
" 'Our church being in a state of painful confu-
sion, resulting from attempts by Alexander Campbell
and others to produce a reformation in society, as
they have been in the habit of calling it — among other
things denying the direct influence of the Spirit until
after baptism, contending that persons professing
faith in Christ shall be baptized, for the purpose of
actually receiving forgiveness of sins — denying and
rather, ridiculing what we call Christian experience,
in part at least, namely, a burdened heart on account
of sin, and sensible manifestation of God's pardoning
mercy by faith in the blood of Christ : Slandering the
Baptist society by saying that they are in Babylon —
against which sentiments, and many others referred
96 Kentuckij Baptist History— 1770-1932
to by them, we solemnly protest ; also against the con-
duet of the Campbells, Creaths, Smiths and others,
who, in May, undertook to administer the Supper in
our meeting house — a number of our brethren joining
in that thing without the authority of the church —
some, likely, without thinking of the wounds they
were bringing on their brethren. Our brethren, a
number of them, also, have been encouraging preachers
to occupy our meeting house that many of us believe
to be Arians, knowing they were trampling on our
feelings, which we conceive to be contrary to good
order. We have made every effort to place them and
us on ground that we can live in some degree of
peace, but in vain ; and we are now compelled to adopt
the following resolution :
" 'That all of us whose names are hereunto sub-
scribed, protesting as above named against the Refor-
mation (falsely so called), are willing and determined
to rally around the original constitution and covenant
of the church, which has never been disannulled — asso-
ciating them with the principles of the union between
the Regular and Separate Baptists — which were
adopted by the Elkhorn Association when this church
was a member of that body, and according to which
we have acted ever since, which is a fact as relates to
Baptists generally, thereby occupying precisely the
same ground we did before the confused and confus-
ing system of things that has destroyed our peace and
the peace of many other churches among us, and that
no person shall be considered a member of this church
who will refuse to acknowledge the above by subscrib-
ing their names, or causing them to be subscribed, or
who will encourage the above-named Reformers.' "
Thus the split occurred in the May 's Lick Church ;
and Bethel, within the same association, also divided.
The Bracken Association met in Washington, Mason
County, on the first Saturday in September, 1830.
This was one of great interest to both parties. The
Reformers had been so active and busy that to a
casual observer they seemed to be greatly in the ma-
The Camphellian Split— 1830 97
jority. They were very anxious to remain in the
denomination and control it. The period had now
arrived when their comparative strength could be
tested in the Bracken Association. When the ballots
for moderator were counted Mr. Vaughan was
declared elected. This was a test vote. And showed
that the strength of the denomination still adhered to
the ancient landmarks.
"Each party in the May's Lick Church presented
a letter, each claiming to be the church ; and so did
the two parties of the Bethel Church. In regard to
them the association made the following decision :
" '1. The church at May's Lick having divided,
and each party presenting letters to the Association,
claiming to be the original church;
" ^Resolved, That the majority be recognized as
such; the minority having embraced a system of
things called Reformation, thereby departing from
the principles of the United Baptists in Kentucky
and of the Association.
" '2. Two letters also having been received from
the church at Bethel, both claiming to be the original
church, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the
association that the majority of the church have de-
parted from the original principles of the United
Baptists and of this association ;
" 'Resolved, Therefore, that the minority be rec-
ognized as the church.' "
The above is a very vivid account of the struggle
through which our brethren passed in freeing the
churches from Campbellism.
In one case it is the majority that is right and in
the other it is the minority. In his history of Frank-
lin Association, Spencer says, "In 1830, the Camp-
bellite schism was consummated in this and all the
surrounding fraternities" (Vol. II, p. 291). This
fixes the date of the Campbelliau split.
' ' Raccoon ' ' John Smith, a conspicuous follower of
Mr. Campbell, and a man of unusual native ability,
made it his business to visit the association of North-
10
98 Kentucky Baptist Histori/— 1770-1922
ern and Central Kentucky and oppose with all of his
powers the separation when it was suggested.
Perhaps the reason for the strenuous opposition of
the Campbellites to being separated from the Baptists
was a feeling that they could make proselytes faster
being on the inside than they could being on the out-
side. And, too, they may have felt that by holding off
the separation for a while they would have a majority
in practically all the churches and thus exclude the
minority and take possession of the property, as they
did in a few cases where they had the majority. The
Baptists had to force the separation, and it would
have been better for their cause had they forced it
several years earlier.
Campbellism is strong as a proselyting force, but
weak as an evangelizing force. Perhaps their great
decline in membership within the last few years is
due to the fact that they have largely abandoned the
proselyting method. For the first half cntury of its
existence Campbellism was almost wholly an ecclesias-
tical parasite. They built themselves up by tearing
down others.
The Rev. W. C. Taylor, in his Biography of Elder
Alfred Taylor (p. 51) says, in speaking of "a most
fearful church trial" in Green River Church, that
"Troubles never come single-handed. The wounds of
internal dissension are not healed until that system
come along which thrives best where there is the least
vital religion. I refer to Campbellism. History
abundantly testifies to this. Where a church is at peace
and in the enjoyment of the fruits of the Holy Spirit,
Campbellism is powerless to aifect it for evil. But
let a church become involved in petty strife and dis-
sensions and there you will find the devil's prelude
for the introduction of Campbellism. Thus it was at
Green River. Satanic power having opened the way
in the previous alienation, a son of A. Campbell
enters in and proposes to complete the work of disin-
tegration and destruction so effectually begun. Here
they concentrated the Campbellite forces of the Green
The Camphellian Split— 1830 99
River country. Finding some material suited to their
building they proceeded with its erection. After their
utmost efforts to ruin the church of God at Green
River, they could only boast of having 'stolen eight
fat wethers from the Baptists.' As Paul contended
with beasts at Ephesus so did Alfred Taylor at Green
River. ' ' This is Campbellism in its beginning.
Another reason perhaps, for their declension is the
fact that the disciples of Mr. Campbell have aban-
doned practically everything that Mr. Campbell
brought in as a "Reformation." None of their edu-
cated ministers today will preach straight Campbell-
ism— "Be dipped or be damned," or "The acceptance
of one fact and the performance of one act procures
salvation," or "The act of immersion is itself regen-
eration"; nor will they ridicule the operation of the
Holy Spirit. They have also given up the name
"Christian Church" and accepted as their official
title, ' ' Disciples of Christ. ' ' They no longer have any
proselyting plea ; nor have they any excuse for their
separate existence, as they hold and teach nothing
that is not taught by others with priority in their cor-
porate existence.
CHAPTER IX
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842
Kentucky has long been known as the "dark and
bloody ground." She has been the storm center of
controversy; the battlefield of many jarring opinions
and conflicting doctrines. The anti-mission spirit
flourished for a time in Kentucky's fruitful soil. In
this chapter it is the author's purpose to give a some-
what brief account of the rise, progress and decline of
anti-missionism in Kentucky.
Dr. Albert Henry NcAvman in his "Introduction"
to "The Genesis of American Anti-missionism" by
Dr. B. H. Carroll, Jr., says, (p. 3).
"A connected and somewhat exhaustive account of
the anti-missionary movement that resulted from the
pressing of foreign mission, home mission, Sunday
school, educational, and other forms of organized
denominational work under the auspices of the Trien-
nial Convention, with Luther Rice as its chief agent,
and Judson's work in Burma as its chief inspiration,
has long been a desideratum. The strength of the
opposition throughout the South and the Southwest
to the work of the Triennial Convention during the
third and fourth decades of the nineteenth century
may be illustrated by the following facts : During the
first four or five yeai'S after the organization of the
Triennial Connvention (1814), the Baptist churches of
Tennessee were nearly all friendly to the foreign mis-
sion cause and contributed toward its funds. Within
a few years all the missionary societies that had been
formed for co-operation with the Triennial Convention
were dissolved and the association rescinded the reso-
lutions that had been passed in favor of missions and
related departments of denominational work. In
Georgia and Alabama a life-and-death struggle
100
The Anti-Mission Splii—1832 to 1842 101
between the friends of missions and co-operative work
and the malignant enemies of missions raged for
years, and the issue, apart from firm faith in the God
of missions, might well have seemed doubtful. As
late as 1845 twelve of the thirty-four Virginia asso-
ciations, including the old Ketokton, were aggress-
ively anti-missionary. Equally successful was the
anti-missionary propaganda in Kentucky. Ohio,
where Alexander Campbell's influence was great, and
the writings of Daniel Parker and John Taylor were
circulated, was an equally fruitful field for the anti-
missionary propaganda. In 1820 the Ohio Baptist
churches had contributed $547.09 for foreign missions.
From 1821 to 1828 contributions ceased entirely,
while the contributions in 1829 and 1830 were $10
and $5 respectively. The wonderful success of the
opponents of missions from 1820 to 1840 needs to be
explained, and Doctor Carroll has performed a ser-
vice of great value in bringing together from rare
sources a large amount of material illustrative of the
spirit and the methods of the opposition to organized
missionary work. He has made effective use of the
scarce writings of Daniel Parker and John Taylor,
and has demonstrated more fully than any earlier
writer the contribution of Alexander Campbell to the
anti-missionary movement." Doctor Newman's state-
ment is very comprehensive.
Early Baptists in Kentucky All Missionary in
Spirit and Practice
Those who think that the ''Old Baptists" or
"Primitive Baptists" because of their ancient sound-
ing names are the original Baptists would do well to
read history. Spencer (Vol. I, p. 570) says "Pre-
vious to 1816, there was not an Anti-mission Baptist
in Kentucky, so far as known. In every association,
where a missionary enterprise was proposed, it met
with universal favor." A long account is given by
Spencer showing that the early churches, and asso-
ciations of Kentucky sent missionaries to Tennessee,
102 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
Ohio, Indiana and to the Indians, paying them for
their services, the amount paid, in one case, being
named.
It is an interesting fact, too, that history records
that one of the men who afterwards became a leader
of the anti-mission forces, went to Tennessee as mis-
sionary in 1791, Here are the facts as given by
Spencer (Vol. I, p. 570). "In the early period of the
first churches, planted on the soil of Kentucky, mis-
sionaries were sent to the surrounding country. The
oldest church in what was then called West (now
Middle) Tennessee, was constituted by Ambrose
Dudley and John Taylor. These ministers in 1791
traveled through a wilderness, on horseback, nearly
two hundred miles, where they were constantly ex-
posed to destruction by the Indians, to establish the
Redeemer's cause in this remote settlement. John
Sutton and James Sutton were afterwards sent, in
turn, by Elkhorn Association, to minister to this
church, and the Moderator was directed to pay them
£13, 12s, 8d, for this service'.' These missionaries
were ''sent" and ''paid" for their services.
As sad as it is to record the fact, from this time
on in this chapter, we find John Taylor one of the
most successful leaders of the anti-mission forces.
The formal separation between the Missionaries
and Anti-missionaries took place within the decade
between 1832 and 1842. The anti-mission spirit was
manifested in some of the associations prior to 1830
but not one had declared itself anti-mission. The
date usually accepted as the beginning of "the split"
is 1832. Dr. W. P. Throgmorton in his debate with
Elder Lemuel Potter, Hardshell, held in Fulton, Ken-
tucky, July 1887, takes this position. (Throgmorton-
Potter Debate).
Much of this chapter is taken from Chapter III,
"The Rise of the Hardshells" in "The Genesis of
American Anti-Missionism, " by Dr. B. H. Carroll,
Jr. Doctor Carroll says, "The leaders against mis-
sions have been many. The opposition against mis-
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842 103
sions has been one, in origin, progress, argument, and
spirit, although hydra-headed in its various forms
of manifestation. It is the purpose of this chapter
to ascertain its genesis and trace and demonstrate its
unity through its varying forms. Every great move-
ment is to a large extent identified with its leaders.
The biographical method is the true one by which to
study history. We therefore present some accounts
of the three great leaders in the anti-mission crusade.
.... The three leaders were John Taylor, of Ken-
tucky; Daniel Parker, of Illinois; and Alexander
Campbell, of Virginia. Mr. Campbell has not usually
been given credit for his part in the rise and progress
of anti-missions.
John Taylor was an earnest, consecrated, self-
sacrificing and conscientious minister of the gospel,
and one time a thorough missionary, as we have
shown. No man can read the account of his conver-
sion, or the story of his efforts to evangelize Kentucky
and Tennessee for Christ, without feeling that he was
a converted and honest man. He was the victim of
the prejudices engendered by his lack of education
and his early environment. Yet all his good qualities
but served to give respectability and force to his oppo-
sition to the mission cause. It is pleasant to recall
that in his later life he was more in sympathy with
the mission movement and less timorous of the bug-
bear which he had been the first to raise. But, as
Doctor Spencer well says: "His pamphlet had gone
forth on its pernicious mission, and probably did
more to check the cause of missions, in Kentucky,
than any other publication of the period." For a
comprehension of the better side of John Taylor, one
should read his "History of Ten Churches."
Doctor Carroll says: "Daniel Parker was con-
temporary with John Taylor and claims to be the
first opponent of the Mission system. 'It makes me
shudder when I think I am the first one (that I have
any knowledge of) among the thousands of zealous
religionists of America, that have ventured to draw
104 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
the sword against the error, or to shoot at it and spare
no arrows.' But it is doubtful if this statement be
true. Taylor wrote in 1819, Parker in 1820 and his
pamphlet was republished in 1824, at which time it
was printed at Lexington, Kentucky, along with an-
other on the same topic and rehashing the same argu-
ment, addressed to Maria Creek Church. Parker was
a son of John Parker. He was born in Culpepper
County, Virginia, reared in Georgia amid extreme
poverty and ignorance, baptized in 1802, and licensed
shortly after. In 1803 he removed to Trumbull
Church in Tennessee, was ordained there in 1806, and
moved to Southeastern Illinois in 1817. He claims
to have traveled through a great many of the States
of America. In 1810, an old brother in Tennessee
advocated in a crude form the Two-Seed Doctrine.
Parker rebuked him for it, but in 1826 set forth in
pamphlet an elaboration of the same views.
'"It is not easy to explain, at least what was meant
by Mr. Parker himself, in the phrase 'Two-Seed,'
which in time became so notorious. This at least
may be said : The teaching represented by it was
that form of antinomianism which carried the doctrine
of predestination to its utmost extreme.
"The essence of God is good; the essence of evil
is the Devil. Good angels are emanations from or
particles of God; evil angels are particles of the
Devil. When God created Adam and Eve, they were
endowed with an emanation from himself or particles
of God were included in their constitution. They were
wholly good. Satan, however, diffused into them
particles of his essence by which they were corrupted.
In the beginning God had appointed that Eve should
bring forth only a certain number of offsprings; the
same provision applied to each of her daughters. But
when the particles of evil essence had been infused
by Satan, the conception of Eve and her daughters
was increased. They were now required to bear the
original number, who were styled the seed of God,
and an additional number who were called the seed
of the serpent. ' '
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842 105
This Two-Seed doctrine is a curious revival, with
some modifications of the ancient speculative philos-
ophy of Manichffius. Doctor Newman calls it a 'very-
disgusting form of Gnostic heresy.' It is easy to see
how such a heresy would cause opposition to missions ;
for the progeny of one of the seed would constitute
the body of Christ, whose salvation is provided. The
following quotation is taken from page 11 of a copy
of the first minutes of the General Association of
Baptists in Kentucky, organized at Louisville, Friday,
October 20th, 1837.
' ' The Anti-missionary spirit owes its origin to the
notorious Daniel Parker. He was the first person
called Baptist that lent a hand to the Infidel, and
Papist in opposing the proclamation of the gospel to
every creature, and the translation and circulation of
the Scriptures in all languages and among all people.
Possessing a strong native intellect, and a bold adven-
turous imagination — with a mind cast in nature's
most capacious mold, but for want of cultivation
admirably calculated to be the receptacle of notions,
the most crude, extravagant and chimerical, he
generated an Utopian scheme of theology, the tend-
ency of which was to subvert all practical religion.
The grounds of his opposition to missions were that
the devil was an eternal ' self-subsistent being' (to use
his own phrase) ; that though God created all, yet
the devil begat a part of mankind ; that those begotten
of the devil were his bona fide children, and to their
father they would and ought to go; and of course
sending them the gospel and giving them the Bible
were acts of such gross and supreme folly that no
Christian should be engaged in them. On the other
hand he taught that the remaining portion of the
human family were the actual sons of God from
eternity, and being allied to Jesus Christ ere 'the
morning stars sang together and all the sons of God
shouted for joy' by the nearest and dearest ties of
consanguinity, being no less than 'particles' of his
bodj' — bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, the
106 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
Redeemer nolens volens, take them to mansions pre-
pared for them in bliss; and hence Mr. Parker very
wisely concluded, that if such were the case, the Lord
had very little use for the Bible or Missionary Socie-
ties But there were many who embraced only
half the doctrine of Mr. Parker and though they
manifested no great apprehension for the liege sub-
jects of the Prince of Darkness, yet they expressed
great alarm lest the missionaries should help the Lord
to perform his work, and convert the souls of some in
a way God never intended they should be. They were
such staunch friends of the Lord 's doing all his work,
that they set upon and terribly assailed their mis-
sionary brethren, for fear they should by some means
assist the Lord in the salvation of his elect. In their
zeal against these ambitious strides of the missionaries,
they have occasioned great disturbance and distress —
and destroying the Peace of Zion, the progress of
religion has been greatly retarded, and the influence
and usefulness of many ministers and churches utterly
paralyzed. ' '
Doctor Carroll, of Texas, in a speech before the
Southern Baptist Convention at Hot Springs, Ark-
ansas, in 1900, compared Parker in his violence to a
wild boar rooting up the tender plants in a garden.
The following description of the person and person-
ality of Daniel Parker was written by Dr. John M.
Peck, of Home Missions fame, while Parker was still
alive and active :
"Mr. Parker is one of those singular and extra-
ordinary beings whom divine Providence permits to
arise as a scourge to his church, and a stumbling-
block in the way of religious effort. Raised on the
frontier of Georgia, (by others he is spoken of as a
native of Virginia), without education,' uncouth in
manner, slovenly in dress, dimunitive in person, un-
prepossessing in appearance, with shrivelled features
and a small piercing eye, few men for a series of years
have exercised a wider influence on the lower and less
educated class of frontier people. With a zeal and an
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842 107
enthusiasm bordering on insanity, firmness that
amounted to obstinacy, and perseverance that would
have done honor to a good cause, Daniel Parker ex-
erted himself to the utmost to induce churches to
declare non-fellowship with all Baptists who united
themselves with any of the benevolent (or as he called
them "new-fangled") societies.
"His mind we are told was of a singular and
original sort. In doctrine he was antinomian. He
believed himself inspired, and so persuaded others.
Repeatedly we have heard him when his mind seemed
to soar above his own powers, and he would discourse
for a few moments on divine attributes or on some
devotional subject, with such brilliancy of thought
and correctness of language as would astonish men of
education and talents. Then again it would seem as if
he were perfectly bewildered in a maze of abstruse
subtleties.
"Besides his itineracy among the churches, Parker
was a writer, and among other things published for
a time a periodical called the "Church Advocate."
How much a person of influence he was is showTi by
the fact that during four years, from 1822 to 1826,
he was a member of the Illinois State Senate. His
disastrous career in Illinois and Indiana came to a
close in 1833, when he removed to Texas.
"It is said of Daniel Parker, that at one time
m his earlier career he applied for appointment as
missionary, and when it was refused him, turned
against mission societies and missionary effort of
every kind. This was true at least of his coadjutor,
Wilson Thompson. Just how far Parker was influ-
enced by Taylor cannot be known ; but Wilson Thomp-
son, his coadjutor, admits to being greatly influenced
by reading Taylor's pamphlet. Recent mission
troubles in Texas may possibly be due in part to
Parker's labors after reaching that State, although we
can discover nothing of his life after he moved to
Texas. The Parkerite heresy has not vet died out,
for the census bulletin for 1893 reports the mem-
108 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
bership of this sect in the entire country at 9,932."
The third and greatest opposer to the mission
system was Alexander Campbell. In August, 1823,
he began to publish a small religious monthly, called
The Christian Baptist. After making an exten-
sive tour through some of the Western States and
finding the anti-mission leaven implanted by Parker
and Taylor already at work, he became much more
bold in his attacks so that Daniel Parker established
The Church Advocate, a periodical similar in
size, form and aim to the Christian Baptist, for
the purpose of advocating church sovereignty and
exclusiveness, in opposition to benevolent societies in
the West. There can be no doubt that in this Parker
and Campbell made common cause.
Doctor Carroll says, "While the chief root of
Parker's opposition lay in his heresy, Campbell's lay
in the fact that he considered himself a Reformer.
As he said in his preface, it would do no good to con-
vert heathens to a form of Christianity held by men
who themselves needed to be converted to New Testa-
ment Christianity. Reformers have never been mis-
sionaries, nor the reforming ages periods of mission-
ary activity in the church. This was true of the
Roman church. For three hundred years, while the
reformers were trying by means of councils to cleanse
the church in head and members, there was no mis-
sionary activity. Not until after the Reformation,
when the Council of Trent had finally put a quietus
on the reform movements, did Roman missionary
activity begin. The same was true of the Protestant
churches. As long as Europe was filled with the jan-
gling of their warring creeds, missionary effort, though
feebly attempted a few times, miserably failed. But
in the fullness of time when religious opinions had
all clarified and crystallized into settled creeds, Cary
arose to set the Christian world on fire with mission-
ary enthusiasm. Campbell, then, as a reformer could
not readily be a missionary. His mistake lay in sup-
posing the Baptists needed reformation. What they
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842 109
needed was co-operation and missionary zeal. This,
Campbell was not responsible for giving them, except
as Judas was responsible for our redemption."
Some combinations are hard to understand. We
have here the curious spectacle of the highest anti-
nomianism, represented by Parker and Taylor, and
the most extreme Arminianism, represented by Camp-
bell, combined to attack the principles of missions. So
we find that other things than politics make strange
bedfellows. The one side claimed it to be an infringe-
ment of the divine, and the other of church sover-
eignty. The Gospel Missioners of today make the
latter claim. Doctor Spencer truly says of Campbell,
that he exercised more influence over the Baptists of
Kentucky than of any other state, and that while ' ' not
the originator of opposition to missions he was its
most successful advocate." It is not our purpose to
follow Mr. ampbell into all the doctrinal and creedal
vagaries into which his reform policy led him. But
by attacking and attempting to change the very plan
of salvation itself, the only doctrine more vital than
that of missions, he finally succeeded in adding an-
other to the already large number of sects in Christ-
endom. His activity in this line was so great and its
results are so well known as to obscure his responsi-
bility for the Hardshell split. Doctor Carroll makes
the charge that "Alexander Campbell was the father
of twins, Hardshellism and Campbellism. Hardshell-
ism first gave indication of its appearance, but as in
the case of Jacob and Esau, it was supplanted in the
womb by its brother, Campbellism. Hardshellism,
though longer in taking to itself a local habitation and
a name, was the first of the two to disturb the Baptist
denomination. But here, as in the case of Parker,
many followed him (Campbell) in his opposition to
missions, who did not join him in his doctrinal vaga-
ries and who were left behind to vex the saints when
the believers in his creed, as set forth in the Christian
Baptist and the Millennial Harbinger, went out from
the Baptists to form a new denomination. The de-
110 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
nomination he founded has found it necessary in the
struggle for existence to discard all his anti-mission-
ary ideas, and to use all the methods he so unspar-
ingly burlesqued." The "Non-progressive" wing of
the Campbellites is still anti-mission in sentiment.
They are simon pure Campbellites.
As to Mr. Campbell's teaching and influence on
Missions in Kentucky, we can give no better authority
than Doctor Spencer in his "History of Kentucky
Baptists" Vol. I, pp. 593, 594).
"Mr. Campbell's opposition to theological schools
and educated ministry was equally persistent with
his endeavors to destroy Missionary and Bible socie-
ties. Of the truth of this, sufficient evidence has been
given in the extracts already quoted from his writings.
If the reader desires to investigate the subject further,
he is referred to the Christian Baptist in its original
form; not to the more recent publications under that
title.
* ' The effects of these teachings were felt as far as
the Christian Baptist was circulated, and nowhere
more than among the Baptists of Kentucky. The
preachers who had hitherto received but a small pit-
tance from their charges, were further reduced in their
resources of living. The friends of education were
discouraged in their endeavors to erect a college. The
Baptist missionary societies, that started under such
auspicious circumstances, were dwarfed, and ulti-
mately perished. The ministers were brought into dis-
repute among those who most needed the restraints
of their teachings, and practical benevolence was well
nigh destroyed in the churches, at least, so far as
any effort to spread a knowledge of the gospel was
concerned. It required the labors of thirty years to
bring the Baptist churches of Kentucky 'up to the
standard of Christian benevolence, to which they had
attained, in 1816, and a considerable fraction of them
continued their downward course, in this respect,
thirty years longer."
Doctor Spencer seems to be the first of our Baptist
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842 111
historians to recognize and credit Mr. Campbell with
the large part he played in anti-missionism.
Quoting Doctor Carroll again (pp. 157-8) "Prior
to 1830, the Licking Association of Kentucky adopted
the policy of Mr. Campbell in regard to missions, be-
nevolent societies and theological education, (The
Licking Association, however, did not declare non-
fellowship for missions until 1834. See Spencer, Vol.
II, p. 243 — Nowlin), but rejected his theology. In
the meantime, of course, Mr. Campbell had been
developing his theology in its more well-known forms
and laying the foundation for a new denomination.
In Kentucky, by 1830, there was a definite separation
between the Baptists and the Disciples, as they called
themselves. The remnant of the one-time strong
Arminian element among the Baptists had gone with
the Disciples. But the fact that this Arminianism
was made prominent prevented many of those among
the Baptists who shared Mr. Campbell's views in re-
gard to missionary operations, Bible distribution and
theological education, from joining his 'Disciples.'
These were left among the Baptists to cause yet fur-
ther division. The anti-missionaries thus left behind
were not agi*eed among themselves. The larger ele-
ment, represented by Licking, Red River and other
Associations, was decidedly antinomian in its doctrine.
This antinomian faction was itself divided on the
Two-Seeds doctrine of Parker and afterward on the
resurrection. The other division of the anti-mission-
aries followed Doctor Andrew Fuller's interpretation
of the doctrines of grace, but 'opposed all human
societies' for carrying the gospel. The number of
these anti-missionaries left was about 7,000 ; their loss
in numbers would have been seriously felt, but the
power of the church to recuperate would have been
greatly strengthened had they gone out with the rest
of Mr. Campbell's 'Disciples."' "
In the Life of Thomas J. Fisher (p. 68) Doctor
Spencer, after giving account of the inroads made by
Campbellism and anti-missionism says : ' ' This was
112 KcntucJnj Baptist History— 1770-1922
the condition of the Baptist denomination in Ken-
tucky in A. D. 1835. For a number of years weakened
and embarrassed by a heartless, inert fatalism (Hard-
shellism) on one side, and a turbulent, factious ration-
alism (Campbellism) on the other, she separated from
them both at a cost of nearly or quite one-half of her
entire membership." These losses, however, were
gains to the Baptists in the end.
The early Kentucky Baptists not only sent mis-
sionaries to the Indians, but established schools for
their children, as the following shows : ' ' The Ken-
tucky Missionary Society established a school for
Indian children near Georgetown, Kentucky, to which
they gave the name of Choctaw Academy. The school
opened with eight red children, in the spring of 1819.
The number of students increased from year to year,
till it became a large and flourishing school. In 1828,
seventeen of the Indians in this school were baptized
into Great Crossing Church, in Scott County, and of
the number, Sampson Birch and Robert Jones, became
preachers of the gospel among their people in the far
West" ("History of Kentucky Baptists," Vol. I,
p. 579).
This shows that the early Baptists in Kentucky
were favorable to both missions and education, and
not only in sentiment, but in their efforts.
' ' The decade extending from 1810 to 1820 was one
of great prosperity to the Baptists of Kentucky. There
were ten associations formed during that period,"
says Spencer (Vol. I, p. 579). This shows that the
anti-mission spirit had not yet become prevalent in
Kentucky.
In the history of the Salem Association Spencer
records the fact that "In 1818, the association ear-
nestly recommended the churches to contribute to mis-
sionary purposes, and expressed the opinion that edu-
cational societies greatly conduce to the promotion of
the Redeemer's Kingdom." (Vol. II, p. 54).
The anti-mission split in this association did not
occur until 1839, when a few churches split off and
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842 113
constituted "Otto Creek Association of Regular Bap-
tists." In Tate's Creek Association according to
Spencer (Vol. II, p. 95) the division took place in
1842.
The Licking Association became a "Hardshell,"
or anti-mission association, in 1834. Spencer in his
history of the Licking Association says (Vol. II, p.
243) : "The association still continued to increase
slowly in numbers till 1834, when it reached a mem-
bership of 32 churches, aggregating 1,483 members.
These are the largest numbers it has ever attained. It
had been made sufficiently manifest, by the transac-
tions of 1820 that the body was opposed to missions.
But now the more radical of the churches began to
clamor for a direct expression on the subject. Accord-
ingly the association in 1834 recorded its views in the
following language : ' In answer to the suggestions
made in several of the letters from our churches, we
declare non-fellowship for missionary, Bible, tract
(and) temperance societies, theological and Sabbath
schools and Baptist conventions as religious institu-
tions, believing (that) they are without divine war-
rant.' " The call from the churches for "a direct
expression" on the subject of missions shows that the
association had not jet taken a definite stand on this
question ; and the action of the association shows the
same.
At their meeting in 1820 "A circular letter from
the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions was laid on
the table, which was equivalent to withdrawing cor-
respondence from that organization" (Spencer, Vol.
II, p. 242). This action and the minutes of former
meetings show that the association had been in cor-
respondence with the Board of Foreign Missions. The
above shows that the Licking Association did not
declare itself anti-missionary until 1834, and the fol-
lowing shows that as a result of that declaration she
lost many of her churches. ' ' The church at Dry Run
withdrew from the association the same year that she
declared non-fellowship for missionary societies. In
11
114 Kentiickif Baptist History— 1770-1923
1837 East Hickman and Richland Creek withdrew ;
and in 1839, Mill Creek, Poplar Grove, White Oak
Run, North Fork and Licking Locust were dropped
from the association, for failing, two successive years,
to represent themselves." (Spencer, Vol. II, p. 244).
The division in the Highland Association took place
in 1835. The churches withdrawing at this meeting
constituted the Little Bethel Association on Saturday-
preceding the second Lord's day in September, 1836.
The author has before him an old ledger givijig the
minutes of the association from its organization in
1836 to 1866, written in a fine, clear, legible style.
In the first minutes of the association is set forth
the reason for its organization in the following :
"First. On motion and second, it was unanimously
agreed that the following preamble be inserted in
front of our minutes. To all w^hom it may concern,
be it known, that we the constituent members of the
Little Bethel Association, this day formed at Flat
Creek meeting house, Hopkins County, Kentucky,
having been heretofore members of the Highland As-
sociation, and having seen with mortification and deep
regret the violent opposition of a majority of that
body to the benevolent institutions of the day, and
that they have repeatedly violated the spirit and let-
ter of the constitution thereof within the last four
years." Here they set forth a number of items of
complaint. It will be observed that the main reason
for this separation was "the violent opposition of a
majority of that body to the Benevolent Institutions
of the day."
The Little Bethel Association is now a strong asso-
ciation with a membership of 3,403, while the High-
land, which became anti-missionary, has dwindled
away.
Of the North District Association Spencer says,
(Vol. II, p. 124) : "The anti-missionary complexion
of the body was manifested by its dropping correspon-
dence with all the neighboring associations, except
Burning Springs, between the years 1837 and 1842.
The Anti-Mission Split— 1832 to 1842 115
in 1859 it assumed the name of 'Old Baptist,' which
it still bears." The name "Old Baptist" indicates
that it is an anti-missionary body. This name, how-
ever, was not assumed until 1859.
The Baptists have rallied from these blows and
now probably outnumber all the Protestant denomi-
nations in the state combined. So far as the author
can ascertain there are but few anti-mission Baptist
churches in Kentucky today, and the few that do
exist, are weak and dying. Anti-missions is one of the
most blighting heresies that can strike a church. The
vital principle of the Christian religion seems to be,
give and live or deny and die. "There is that scat-
tereth and yet increaseth; there is that withholdeth
more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."
This has been thoroughly demonstrated by the
Missionary and Anti-missionary Baptists, not only in
Kentucky, but throughout the entire country.
Baptist Growth
According to a survey of the Baptist development
in the United States in the century from 1821 to
1921, just completed by Dr. E. P. Alldredge, Secre-
tary of Survey, Statistics and Information of the
Baptist Sunday School Board, Nashville, Tenn., the
Baptist growth during that period was 7,716,563, or
2,967 per cent. The larger part of this growth was
experienced in the South, where there are now 6,162,-
500 Baptists.
Kentucky has a total Baptist strength of 381,865,
Doctor Alldredge finds. This number is accounted
for as follows :
White Baptists co-operating with Southern Bap-
tist Convention, 261,135 ; non-co-operating white
Baptists, 30,730 ; Negro Baptists, 90,000. Of the 30,-
730 "non-co-operating Baptists" Doctor Alldredge
gives "Primitive Baptists 2,250." This seems to be
the strength of the Anti-mission Baptists in Ken-
tucky at the present time, while the white Baptists
of the state number about 300,000.
CHAPTER X
The Kentucky Baptist Convention — 1832
' ' The Kentucky Baptist Convention " is an almost
forgotten chapter in Kentucky Baptist history. It
was like man born of woman "of few days and full
of troubles."
In March of the year 1832 a number of Baptists
met in Bardstown and organized a state convention
which had a short and checkered career. Spencer
(Vol. I, page 651) says: "The whole number of dele-
gates was thirty-four. Silas M. Noel was elected
moderator, and Henry Wingate clerk. The meeting
adopted the following :
Constitution of the Kentucky Baptist State
Convention
"Art. 1. This convention shall be known by the
name of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
"2. It shall be composed of those, and those only,
who belong to or are in correspondence with the Gen-
eral Union of Baptists of Kentucky.
"3. Any church, auxiliary society or association
belonging to the Baptist connection shall be entitled
to three representatives qualified as in Article 2.
"4. The representatives of the churches, societies
and associations, when assembled in convention, shall
have no ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the churches
or associations, nor act even as an advisory council
in cases of difficulty between churches,, nor shaU they
interfere with the constitution of any church or asso-
ciation, nor with the articles of general union.
"5. The convention, when met, shall elect a
moderator, three corresponding secretaries, clerk,
treasurer, and as many other members as the con-
vention may, from time to time, think necessary;
116
The Kentucky Baptist Convention — 1832 117
who, together with said officers, shall be an executive
board; a majority may constitute a quorum for busi-
ness. During the recess of the convention, its business
shall be transacted by the executive committee, who
shall have power to fill vacancies in their own body,
and shall submit a report of their proceedings to each
annual meeting,
"6. The convention shall, annually, collect and
publish a statistical account of the churches and asso-
ciations in this state, devise and execute plans for
supplying destitute churches and neighborhoods with
the gospel of Christ, and have the power to disburse
monies, contributed by the churches and associations,
in the manner specified by the contributors, provided
special instructions are sent.
"7. All monies contributed by the churches,
associations and others to aid traveling preachers and
to advance the benevolent views and objects of the
convention generally shall be specifically appropriated
to those purposes.
* ' 8. The convention shall send forth men of tried
integrity and usefulness to preach the gospel.
''The two only remaining articles relate to the
time and place of meeting, and the amending of the
constitution. A brief circular letter was appended to
the minutes of the convention, explaining the objects
of the institution, as set forth in the constitution.
The sum of $190.6834 was placed at the disposal of
the convention, and after passing some unimportant
resolutions it adjourned to meet at New Castle the
following October.
"The only important business transacted at the
'adjourned meeting' at New Castle was the adoption
of Rules of Decorum and the report of a special
committee that had been charged with the duty of
establishing a weekly newspaper as the organ of the
convention. This duty had been discharged by the
establishment of the Cross and the Baptist Banner,
the first Baptist weekly that was published in Ken-
tucky. The first number had been issued previous
118 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
to this meeting of the convention. Uriel B. Cham-
bers was its editor, and assumed all the pecuniary
responsibility of its publication, taking the profits of
the paper as a compensation for his labors.
"The first annual meeting of the Kentucky Bap-
tist Convention was held at Lexington, beginning May
25, 1833. George Waller preacher the introductory
sermon. There were present twenty-six delegates,
representing ten auxiliary associations and three
churches. The report of the executive committee was
encouraging. Forty commissions had been issued, ten
of which had been accepted by the missionaries.
Ninety weeks of missionary labor had been performed,
and between 400 and 500 had been baptized. The
receipts of the committee during the year amounted
to $595,521/^, which was overdrawn by the mission-
aries, leaving a small indebtedness on the com-
mittee.
"The second annual meeting of the convention
began in Louisville October 18, 1834. Alfred Bennett
of New York preached the introductory sermon. Only
fifteen delegates were present. Only three churches
were represented, the other twelve delegates being
from auxiliary associations. The report of the execu-
tive committee was gloomy and discouraging. They
lament the death, from cholera, of David Thurman,
Herbert Waggener, James H. L. Moorman and David
Kelly, all friends of the convention, and the last two
in its employ as missionaries at the time of their death.
The treasurer's report showed the receipts for the
year to have been only $339.17^. It was sufficiently
manifest that the convention, which was unpopular
from the beginning, was constantly becoming more so.
The friends of the organization made strenuous efforts
to sustain it. But their efforts were in vain. It was
manifestly falling to pieces. Some of the district asso-
ciations passed resolutions against it, while others
were silent on the subject. A newspaper, called the
Baptist Banner, was started in Shelbyville, edited
by J. S. Wilson, M. D., and issued semi-monthly as a
The Kentucky Baptist Convention — 1832 119
rival of, if not in opposition to, The Cross and Baptist
Weekly Journal, the organ of the convention,
"An adjourned meeting of the convention was
held at Frankfort in January, 1835. John S. Wilson
preached the introductory sermon. Ten ministers and
seven delegates were present. It appears from the
wording of the minutes that the preachers present
were not delegates. The finances of the convention
were less satisfactory than at the previous meeting."
In addition to the account as given by Spencer,
we have a more extended account given by Dr. J, M.
Pendleton in his Jubilee address in Jubilee Volume,
page two, and following in which he says :
"Messrs. Noel and Wilson, with others, felt that
something should be done to supply the destitute parts
of the state with the preaching of the gospel. In
furtherance of this object, the Kentucky Baptist Con-
vention was organized at Bardstown in March, 1832.
Doctor Noel was chosen moderator, and the number
of messengers was only thirty-seven. Truly this was,
in one sense, 'the day of small things,' but in another
sense it was the day of great things. It was the plant-
ing of a grain of mustard seed which germinated
slowly and grew slowly in its early years, but which
has now become a tree of respectable size, and des-
tined, as we trust, at no distant day to send out its
branches so that all parts of the state may enjoy its
grateful shade.
"From the constitution adopted at Bardstown we
learn that the chief functions of the convention were
to 'devise and execute plans for supplying destitute
churches and neighborhoods with the gospel of Christ, '
'to disburse monies contributed by the churches and
associations in the manner specified by the contribu-
tors, provided special instructions are sent, and to
send forth men of tried integrity and usefulness to
preach the gospel. '
"The convention began its work with less than
two hundred dollars in its treasury, and if all the
Baptist ministers in the state had been its friends the
120 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
number would not have been much in excess of two
hundred, while the churches were not far from five
hundred, and the members not much more than thirty-
five thousand. The difSculty of bringing these com-
paratively small numbers into harmonious co-opera-
tion was much greater than most persons can now
easily imagine. Many brethren were, of course, sus-
picious of interference with the independence of the
churches, and many others knew that, as the pur-
poses of the convention could not be carried into effect
without money, the best way to keep their money was
to stand aloof. There were doctrinal differences
among ministers. Some in the upper part of the state
were probably too Calvinistic, and some in the Green
River section had Arminian proclivities. Brethren
were afraid of one another, and very jealous for the
interests of orthodoxy as held by themselves. Each
minister believed himself orthodox, and always looked
away from himself to find heterodoxy, and very often
found what he looked for. In short, the state of things
was by no means promising.
The convention having been formed at Bards-
town, adjourned to meet at New Castle in October,
1832. The convention at New Castle was not numer-
ously attended, but some choice spirits were there.
I saw Doctor Noel, a fine looking man, somewhat in-
clined to corpulency, and as competent to say a good
deal in few words as almost any man I have seen.
Dr. George W. Eaton, then of the faculty of
Georgetown College, was there and said eloquent
things. Dr. Ryland T. Dillard was present, a fine
specimen of manly beauty, and the words he spoke
were words of wisdom. A few other ministers were
there, among whom was Blackburn, of Woodford
County ; but they have all passed away. I am, so far
as I know, the only man living who was at the con-
vention at New Castle in 1832.
"In May, 1833, the annual meeting of the conven-
tion -was held in Lexington, and the introductory ser-
mon was preached by Rev. George Waller. The
The Kentucky Baptist Convention — 1832 121
attendance was small, only twenty-six messengers
present. Ninety weeks of missionary labor were re-
ported by ten missionaries who had baptized over four
hundred persons. Receipts of money during the year
amounted to nearly six hundred dollars. There was
an adjourned meeting of the convention at Russell-
ville in October of the same year, though Doctor
Spencer in his history does not refer to it. I remem-
ber well Rev. William Warder was moderator, and
the ministers present were George Waller, John S.
Wilson, William C. Warfield, Robert T. Anderson,
Daniel S. Colgan, and others. Of the laymen present
there was no better specimen of a Christian gentleman
than Dr. A. Webber, of Hopkinsville.
"The convention transacted very little business,
but passed a number of resolutions. It has ever been
easy to resolve.
"The second annual meeting of the convention
was held in Louisville, October, 1834. Rev. Alfred
Bennett, of New York, agent of the old Triennial
Convention for Foreign Missions, preached, by re-
quest, the introductory sermon. The discreditable
fact can not be denied that fifteen messengers only
were present. The receipts of the year were a little
more than half as large as those of the preceding
year. This was discouraging; but it was more dis-
couraging that such men of God as David Thurman,
Herbert Waggener, J. H. L. Moorman, and David
Kelley had fallen victims to cholera. The last two
were missionaries, and their death cast sadness and
gloom over the convention. The prayer of the
Psalmist was appropriate, 'Help, Lord, for the godly
man ceaseth.'
"The convention met, by adjournment, at Frank-
fort, in January, 1835. It was a small meeting.
There were present ten ministers and seven laymen.
A sermon introductory to business was preached by
Rev. John S. Wilson, and a committee, appointed
at the annual meeting in October, 1834, 'to devise a
more efficient plan of itinerant preaching,' made a
122 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
long report. This committee consisted of John S.
Wilson, George Waller, U. B. Chambers, John Scott,
Silas M. Noel, and Samuel Haycraft. The report is
rather a strange paper, and what it says about 'sub-
ordination and coincidence in the arrangements for
systematic labor' defies the comprehension of ordinary
mortals. It was referred to by John Stevens, editor
of the Baptist Advocate, of Cincinnati, as an 'able
report.' It was written by Wilson, and concurred in
by the other members of the committee ; and while
Wilson was exceedingly brilliant as an exhorter, he
was not very happy as a writer.
"The report recommended that the state be
divided into three parts, to be styled Eastern, Middle,
and Western, and that a 'Helping Evangelist' be
appointed for each division. There was to be in each
division what was called the 'Evangelical Band'
(probably evangelistic was meant), and this 'Band'
was to be aided by the 'Helping Evangelist,' and to
make report to him.
"The report, though it seems to have in it some
of the visionary element, was adopted by the conven-
tion, and three 'Helping Evangelists' were elected by
private ballot, namely, William C. Buck for the
eastern, George Waller for the middle, and William
C. Warfield for the western division. It is not prob-
able that these brethren accepted the places offered
them. If they did, so far as we know, they made no
report of their work. Indeed, it is almost certain
that they saw, on reflection, that they were clothed
with powers, the exercise of which would not be
agreeable to ministers or churches.
"The third annual meeting of the convention was
held in Louisville in October, 1835. It met with the
First Church, on Fifth and Green streets. It was a
time of sadness and sorrow. The pastor, the beloved
John S. Wilson, had died the preceding August, and
the church made great lamentation over him. He
was followed to his grave by a loving band of sincere
mourners. It was arranged for Doctor Noel to preach
The Kentucky Baptist Convention — 1832 123
a funeral sermon on Sunday morning of the conven-
tion. His text was Luke 12 :37 : 'Blessed are those
servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find
watching. '
"There was but little business done at this meet-
ing of the convention, and there was not much to
justify the hope that the organization would ever
accomplish a great deal. The convention, however,
held an adjourned meeting at Greensburg in May,
1836; and in the meantime the stroke of death had
fallen on William C. Warfield and Walter Warder,
whose brother William died in August following.
Thus the workers were ceasing while the work de-
manded earnest prosecution. Prospects were gloomy,
and the friends of Zion wept in secret places.
' ' If there was an annual meeting of the convention
in October, 1836, it has escaped my memory, and
Doctor Spencer makes no reference to it in his history.
This, however, does not absolutely prove that the con-
vention did not meet; for Doctor Spencer does not
mention the meeting at Louisville in October, 1835,
and the one at Greensburg in May, 1836. This shows
how difficult it is not to overlook some historical facts ;
for who could do better than the historian of Ken-
tucky Baptists has done?"
Baptists at this time were afraid of conventions.
The very name did not sound good to their ears, and
then they were afraid of ecclesiastical authority, so
the convention died and its demise was mourned by
but few.
Dr. Silas M. Noel, however, did not give up his
efforts to organize the work of the denomination in
Kentucky.
The Baptists of Kentucky owe much to the untir-
ing efforts of the Rev. Silas M. Noel, D. D., for the
organized work of the state. He, more than any
other, seemed to realize the need of a general organi-
zation for the promotion of our state work.
CHAPTER XI
The General Association Constituted — 1837
Five years after the organization of the "State
Convention" another effort was made to effect a gen-
eral organization of Baptists in Kentucky.
Dr. Silas M. Noel, who was largely responsible
for the constitution of the Baptist State Convention,
with some others, was still saying ''something must
be done." "The need of a state organization was
felt by the brethren, so a call was sent out for a
meeting in Louisville in response to which a number
of delegates and brethren from various associations
and churches met in the Baptist meeting-house in
the city of Louisville, on Friday, October 20, 1837,
for the purpose of organizing a general Association
of Baptists in Kentucky." (Spencer here gives a list
of those present.)
Following is the constitution which this body
adopted :
1st. This body shall be called the General Asso-
ciation of Baptists in Kentucky.
2d. This association shall be composed of repre-
sentatives from such Baptist churches and associations
in this state as are in regular standing.
3d. Every such church and association, contribut-
ing annually to the funds of this association, shall be
entitled to a representation.
4th. This association shall, in a special manner,
aim to promote, by every legitimate means, the pros-
perity of the cause of God in this state.
5th. It is distinctly understood that this associa-
tion shall have no ecclesiastical authority.
6th. At each meeting of this association there
shall be elected by ballot a moderator, recording secre-
tary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, and eleven
124
The General Association Constituted — 1837 125
managers, who shall constitute a board of directors
for the management of all the business of this associa-
tion during the recess of its annual meetings, and
annually report to the same their proceedings.
7th. The moderator, secretaries and treasurer
shall perform the duties usually performed by such
officers in similar associations.
8th. All associations contributing to this, and
co-operating in its designs, shall be considered aux-
iliary to it.
9th. A general agent may be appointed by the
association or board of managers, whose duty it shall
be to survey all the destitution, the means of supply,
etc., and report regularly to the board, so as to enable
them to meet the wants of the destitute. He shall
also raise funds, and in every practical way promote
the designs of the association, for which he shall re-
ceive a reasonable support.
10th. Any visiting brethren in good standing, as
such shall be entitled to sit in counsel in the annual
session of this association, but shall not have the right
to vote.
11th. The annual meetings of this association
shall be on Saturday before the third Lord's Day
in October.
12th. This constitution may be amended or
altered (the 5th article excepted) at any annual
meeting by a concurrence of two-thirds of the mem-
bers present.
Under this constitution the General Association of
Baptists of Kentucky was now fully organized by the
election of George Waller, Moderator; James E, Tyler,
recording secretary; John L. Waller, corresponding
secretary ; and Charles Quiry, treasurer. A committee
to nominate a board of managers, at least ten of whom
should be located in or near Louisville, presented the
following names, which were confirmed by the asso-
ciation: B. F. Farnsworth, Wm. Colgan, C. Vanbus-
kirk, T. R. Parent, W. C. Buck, E. A. Bennett, John
B. Whitman, J. C. Davie, W. Vaughan, G. C. Sed-
wick, and James M. Pendleton.
12G Kcniucl-u Baptist History— 1770-1922
"The association was composed of fifty-seven
members, twenty of whom were ordained preachers,
one a licensed preacher, and the remaining thirty-six
private church members. The visiting brethren
present were Elder Alfred Bennett, agent of the
Baptist Board of Foreign Missions; Elder Noah
Flood, of Missouri ; Silas Webb, M. D., of Alabama ;
Elder T, G. Keene, of Philadelphia (now Doctor
Keene, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky) ; and Elder R. B.
C. Howell, of Nashville, Tennessee.
"This was not a large meeting, yet it was one of
very great importance to the Kentucky Baptists. It
was destined to inaugurate a line of policy so different
from that which had been pursued from the planting
of the first churches in the West as to almost amount
to a revolution in the practice of the denomination
in the state." (Spencer, Vol. I, p. 666 f.)
The "General Association" struck a more recep-
tive chord than the "State Convention" had done, as
its history demonstrates.
The brethren were not so afraid of the name
Association as they were of the name Convention.
They already had district associations, and were used
to the word, so they accepted the term ' ' General Asso-
ciation." Thus Doctor Noel succeeded in getting the
state work organized. Of course there were others
who labored faithfully with Doctor Noel to effect this
organization.
When the General Association was constituted in
1837 there were 28,142 Baptists in Kentucky. Spencer
in his Jubilee Address " Jubilee Volume" (p. 22) says :
"From a membership of 45,442 comprised in 34
associations and 614 churches in 1829, the Baptists
of Kentucky had been reduced to 39,263 .members,
organized in 43 associations and 664 churches. Of
these about 11,127 were anti-missionaries, leaving only
28,142 nominal missionaries — a number less than that
of the Methodists, and hardly equaling that of the
Campbellites. While they were being swallowed up
by their prosperous and enthusiastic rival sects with-
The General Assocuition Constituted — 1837 127
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out, they were consuming themselves by perpetual
discord and strife within. The churches were in a
large measure destitute of the ministry of the word,
without which any considerable measure of prosperity
is hopeless. The whole number of preachers was esti-
mated at two hundred. *0f these,' says Mr, Buck,
* not more than one-third were employed. ' According
to this estimate there were about ten churches for
every preacher actually engaged in the work. Of
these faithful laborers, Mr. Buck says: 'There was
not one settled pastor in Kentucky, nor one minister
supported, and not one pastoral laborer except in the
Louisville church.' The preachers were compelled to
engage in some secular occupation for a support, and
as a rule could preach at most only on Saturdays and
Sundays, By this means less than half of the
churches could be supplied with Saturday and Sun-
day preaching once a month,"
The outlook that faced our brethren in 1837 when
they organized the General Association was decidedly
gloomy, but they were men of faith and courage. The
General Association of Baptists in Kentucky now has
a membership of 269,000 and 1,886 churches.
We give below the historical table of the General
Association of Baptists in Kentucky for its eighty-five
years of glorious achievements.
CHAPTER XII
The Gospel Mission Deflection — 1894*
It will be observed that the author does not say
' ' Gospel Mission Split, " but " Deflection. ' ' The split
has not yet taken place, but will come sooner or
later. Just as the "Hardshells" had to be removed
from our churches for the sake of peace and harmony,
and for the progress of the kingdom, so the "Gospel
Missioners, " which is only another name for "Hard-
shells, ' ' will have to be eliminated for the same reason.
It is not the numbers but the spirit of the "Gospel
Missioners" that will make this necessary. Their
numbers are insignificant, but the spirit of this move-
ment is bad.
They have already reached the point where they
call all of our Baptist people "liars," "thieves,"
"murderers," etc. In the Baptist Flag, the organ
* Statement of Don Singletary, M. D., Clinton, Ky.
(The author sent a copy of this manuscript to Doctor
Singletary, and asked him to read carefully the chapter on
"The Gospel Mission Deflection." Following is his answer.)
Clinton, Ky., February 7, 1922.
Elder Wm. D. Nowlin:
My Dear Brother: — I have read and re-read your manu-
script, chapter XII of Kentucky Baptist History on Gospel
Missions with much interest. I have all the West Kentucky
Association minutes now before me, and have just read and
re-read them as to the beginning of the Gospel Mission Plan
in Kentucky. They show that your history states the facts,
and is in full accord with their own statements as written and
published by themselves.
I was also present at every meeting of the association and
took part in their plan several years.
Please send me a copy of your Kentucky Baptist History
as soon as it is published.
Your friend and brother,
(Signed) Don Sinqletaey, M. D.
130
The Gospel Mission Deflection — 1894 131
of the Landmark Gospel Missioners, of April 29, 1920,
a correspondent named Calvin Gregory of Pleasant
Shade, Tennessee, in a page and a half of the vilest
abuse he could heap on the Baptists of the Southern
Baptist Convention, says: " Conventionism will stop
at nothing short of murder. It will misrepresent,
it will practice deception and fraud, it will rob the
people, it will lie, it will embezzle the funds of the
people, it is one of the greatest grafting machines
ever known among the people." And to show that
this is not simply an individual feeling of Mr.
Gregory's on reading the above slanderous charges
against the Baptists of the South, this author wrote
a note which appeared in the Baptist Flag, July 22,
1920, calling attention to these awful charges, think-
ing it would provoke an apology. Here is the note:
"One Calvin Gregory in the Flag says: 'Conven-
tionism will lie, steal, misrepresent, and will stop at
nothing short of murder.' Now, of course, what he
means by * Conventionism ' is those who are members
of the Southern Baptist Convention. For an 'ism'
cannot lie, steal, nor murder. He says they 'will not
stop short of murder.' Then if they will not stop
short of murder, they will go as far as to commit
murder. Not to stop short of murder means to com-
mit murder. Any intelligent person will admit that
this is the meaning of this language. Murder is re-
garded as the worst crime man can commit, and there-
fore receives the highest penalty — capital punishment.
No set of criminals can be worse than those who lie,
steal and murder. So, Brother Gregory says, in effect,
that those Baptists who belong to the Southern Baptist
Convention are the worst criminals on earth, and
deserve to be executed. This is the plain, legitimate
meaning of his language.
' ' May our Father richly reward his faithful saints
who are laboring earnestly and faithfully — giving
their time and money to extend his kingdom to the
uttermost parts of the earth, who suffer such slander
and persecution ; and may he forgive our enemies who
132 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
so slander us. God's richest blessings on those who
love truth and hate slander." Signed, Wm. D.
Nowlin.
But instead of an apology the editor, T. F. Moore,
answers the above in the same issue in the following
language: "Brother Gregory does not accuse you,
neither any other convention man directly, as guilty
of the things named, and yet you, with all who affiliate
with conventionism, are guilty of many, if not all, the
things charged." He not only includes this author
in person by saying ''you," but includes every mem-
ber in the Southern Baptist Convention, saying ''you,
with all who affiliate with conventionism." "You are
guilty of many, if not all." Again, in the Flag of
August 5, 1920, a writer signing himself "Elder W.
H. Moser, Clifton, Tenn., " says, referring to "the
article written by Brother Wm. D. Nowlin in the
Flag of July 22, 1920, in his comment on what Brother
Gregory said about conventionism. Now I am going
to take sides with Brother Gregory. I now make the
assertion that conventionism will do anything to carry
out its purpose." You will observe that this writer,
as well as Editor Moore, endorses all that Gregory
has said, that is, that * ' all affiliated with the Southern
Baptist Convention ' ' will ' ' lie, " " steal, " " embezzle, ' '
"rob," "deceive," "murder." In the same issue
with the above is the following by W. C. Benson,
Mangum, Okla. : * ' We heartily endorse Brother
Clark's write up with regard to Oakley. If Brother
Clark is not right with regard to this seventy-five
million drive being hatched up by the devil, we do
not know what truth means." Daniel Parker, John
Taylor and Alexander Campbell never said worse
things about the Baptists, in their fight against mis-
sions, than those above. The above are but samples
of the abuse heaped upon the Baptists by the so-called
"Gospel Missioners."
This is the reason why I say the split will come
and should come. No self-respecting people can keep
in their membership those who call them "liars,"
The Gospel Mission Deflection — 1894 133
"thieves," "embezzlers," " murderers," etc. And if
they who say those things were sincere and had any
self-respect, they would not stay in the churches with
such people. However, when they are put out they
are going to die, as did the "Hardshells" of nearly
a century ago. The same anti-mission spirit which
causes them to hate Baptists because of their mission
zeal and success will keep them from building church
houses, paying pastors and sending out and support-
ing missionaries, which ultimately means death. These
gospel missioners deny that they are opposed to mis-
sions, as such, that they only oppose mission methods.
That is exactly the plea made by Alexander Camp-
bell, John Taylor and Daniel Parker when they began
their fight against Baptist missions one hundred years
ago; but time has demonstrated the fact that the
malady was deeper than "methods." They soon went
to the logical conclusion of their position and fought
missions outright.
Gospel Missions in Its Beginning in Kentucky
This author is well informed as to the beginning
of Gospel Missions in Kentucky. During the years of
1893, 1894 and 1895 he was pastor at Hickman, Ken-
tucky. Elder J. N. Hall was then editing the Baptist
Flag at Fulton, Kentucky. At this time Mrs. C. E.
Kerr, Decatur, Georgia, was publishing a small sheet
called "The Missionary Helper," which was advocat-
ing Gospel Missions. Hall frequently quoted with
approval this paper, and finally suggested that the
West Kentucky Association, of which both of our
churches were members, adopt and support an inde-
pendent missionary, in addition to what we were doing
through the regular channels. At Spring Hill at the
meeting of the West Kentucky Association in October,
1894, the first definite action was taken towards
Gospel Missions in Kentucky.
In October, 1918, the author wrote to Dr. Don
Singletary, of Clinton, Kentucky, the moderator of
the West Kentucky Association, to know if he could
furnish minutes of the association, or information as
134 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
to the first committee appointed, consisting of Hall,
Bogard and Nowlin, to employ and look after the
support of an independent foreign missionary. On
October 26, 1918, the author received the following
letter from Doctor Singletary: "My Dear Doctor
Nowlin, your letter of inquiry came in due time, and
I am glad to be able to produce you some information.
I have attended every association of west Kentucky,
and have the minutes of every meeting. The time
was October 9 and 10, 1895, at Liberty Church. J. F.
Cargill, of Macon, Georgia, was present and preached.
J, N. Hall had invited him and tried hard to get us
to employ him. Hall read a report of Gospel Missions
and it was discussed freely, amended, and the next
morning the 10th, the whole thing was tabled as shown
in the minutes, but that report is not in the minutes
because it was tabled. Nor is the committee of Hall,
Bogard and Nowlin mentioned ; neither is Hall 's offer
to be one of one hundred to pay $5.00 each year for
an independent missionary. Yet I am sure the latter
was made and discussed. (I am sure of it, too, for
I agreed to be one of the one hundred — Nowlin.) In
these discussions my memory is, that the Gospel Mis-
sion plan was not in any way to interfere with, or to
lessen, our board work ; and that Gospel Missions and
money designated to it were to have a place in our
minutes hereafter.
"The next year at Arlington W. H. Williams read
the Gospel Mission report, and it is printed. I will
quote some of the points. 'One of the oldest mis-
sionaries in China, T. P. Crawford, is laboring under
this plan.' 'There need be no friction between the
two plans. ' ' Churches have a right to designate their
funds.' 'On this plan we now have twenty mission-
aries in the foreign field.' On this arrangement I
contributed to both plans, and increased my giving
and my increase went to Gospel Missions.
' ' In 1904 at Columbus, T. A. Cross in Gospel Mis-
sion report says: 'We have about twenty-seven mis-
sionaries in the foreign fields,' naming 'China, Peru,
The Gospel Mission Deflection — 1894 135
Mexico, Cuba, and Syria. ' In 1917 this same brother,
T. A. Cross, in Gospel Mission report, says: 'T. L.
Blalock, Tai An Fu Shantung, China, is our only
real active worker on the foreign field.' They have
lost ground rapidly and done much harm to our cause
in West Kentucky Association. About three-fourths
of our churches claim Gospel Mission plan and do
almost nothing." Signed, Don Singletary.
The author then wrote Doctor Singletary to look
in the minutes of 1894 and he would find the appoint-
ment of the committee. On November 1, 1918, Doctor
Singletary replies as follows : ' ' Dear Doctor Nowlin :
As to Gospel Missions, you are right. The previous
year at Spring Hill Church, October 10, 11, 12, 1894,
Ben M. Bogard read the report on foreign missions
in which he said, 'There are two plans — convention
plan — the other Gospel Missions which is led by T. P.
Crawford, G. P. Bostic, D. W. Herring and others.'
Further he asks that ' Our association takes a decided
advance step' and recommended that 'This associa-
tion employ a missionary as soon as arrangements can
be made; and this, too, in addition to the work we
already have on hand.' A committee was appointed
for this new plan, consisting of 'Ben M. Bogard,
W. D. Nowlin, J. N. Hall,' 'to look after the employ-
ment and support of a foreign missionary' on Gospel
Mission plan mentioned in report. This covers every
point you ask for, I think. I quote the points in
Bogard 's report as printed that cover the beginning,
but I skip many sentences not to the point. ' ' Signed,
Don Singletary.
It will be seen from the foregoing facts that
"Gospel Missions" was considered the first time in
a Baptist association in Kentucky in October, 1894,
and that the author of this history was a member of
the first committee ever appointed by a Baptist body
in Kentucky to select and look after the support of a
gospel missionary; and yet the author has, all the
while, been lined up with our organized work. The
other members of the committee, Bogard and Hall,
136 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
were also lined up with the organized work at this
time. Bogard was pastor of the Fulton Baptist
Church, a church in line with our organized work.
J. N, Hall was a member of, and a liberal contributor
to, this church and its work, including missions.
These facts show that "Gospel Missions" did not
mean then what the term means now.
What Has It Accomplished?
The Baptist Flag of Fulton, Kentucky, is the
exponent of this cult, so I shall let it speak.
Here is their Missionary Directory as published
July 29, 1920, in the Flag:
Mission Directory
FOREIGN missions
Eld. T. L. Blalock, Helton, N. C.
At present no one on China field, but will sail
with helpers the coming summer.*
HOME MISSIONS
H. A. Roshto, Pineville, La.
H. D. Clift, Maury City, Tenn.
S. W. Joyner, Hollow Rock, Tenn,
C. B. Massey, Pleasant Shade, Tenn.
Calvin Gregory, Pleasant Shade, Tenn.
A. G. Stinson, Pleasant Shade, Tenn.
GENERAL MISSIONARIES
T. F. Moore, Fulton, Ky.
J. N. Joyner, Westport, Tenn.
ORPHANAGE
Mrs. Jennie Lamas, Mariel, Cuba.
Treasurer
T. A. Cross, Bardwell, Ky.
"Those wanting to send direct to the missionary
can do so, as it is your privilege, but our treasurer,
* Note— Later the Flag reported that T. L. Blalock had
returned with helpers.
The Gospel Mission Deflection — 1894 137
T. A. Cross, sends every cent as directed, and is not
a toll station to toll your funds. We donate to him
during the year, and all should help." It will be
observed that all are urged to help pay the treasurer,
T. A. Cross.
The above shows that they have hut one foreign
missionary and he is not on the foreign field at this
writing. "Home Missionaries" are men who have
simply the "recommendation" of the Gospel Mission
Association without salary.
The following from J. A. Scarboro, one of their
leaders, taken from the Flag of November 25, 1915,
shows in what sense they are missionaries. Elder
Scarboro says:
"I am on a little farm in the piney woods of
Georgia Stripped of everything I possessed
and compelled to sell books and furniture to get here,
we came last spring and have farmed this year
All of us have labored in the field, including my
devoted wife and little children I never spent
a year in my life with a heavier burden on my
heart I was compelled to do so. At the Gen-
eral Association I was 'recommended as a missionary
to cut his own hay as he went.' Anybody can be a
missionary on that basis I could have done
state mission work, or editorial work, or any sort of
work, but nobody seemed to want me, or if they did,
they did not say so. And so I left because I had to.
And so I have spent the year, much of it in the cotton
field We have a few Landmark Baptists with
much means, and the few we have are scared half to
death if they think they will lose a hundred dollars.
It is pitiful and sickening to a man who sees oppor-
tunities and wants to do something Letters
continue to pour in, asking me to go here and there
all over the South, and seven out of ten of them say
little or nothing about expenses. God pity our people
and our cause. Why ask men to perform impossi-
bilities? If I were called upon to prescribe for the
Landmarkers, I would say, Get religion enough to
138 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
support the workers. I have read appeals and begging
for funds to support a few missionaries among them
until my very soul is sick of it. I will never beg
another Landmarker to do anything for me or any-
body else. To urge a man to go out as a missionary
and then advertise him as ready to starve for want
of a pittance out of our abundance to support him is
scandalous. Self-respecting men have no respect for
a people who will do that sort of a thing. We have
a faithful few among us, but there is an army of
people who call themselves Landmarkers who are not
worth two beans in any cause. They sadden and
sicken the heart to contemplate them. Brethren, let's
do mission work, or take that label off our name and
just say we do not believe in missions. Let's be
truthful."
This wail of the strongest man among the kickers
against God's mission work, as the Baptist churches
are doing it through their organized channels,
reiterates what has often been said, that the objections
to conventions and boards — with few exceptions — are
hypocritical excuses for doing nothing. Scarboro cer-
tainly tells the truth — turns ' ' state 's evidence. ' '
This movement is led by a bunch of disgruntled
would-be leaders, who kick the leaders and lead the
kickers.
Thus it will be seen that the ' ' General Association
of Landmark Gospel Mission Baptists of the United
States of America" has one paid missionary. The
others only have the endorsement or ''recommenda-
tion of the General Association to cut his own hay as
he goes." And Scarboro adds, "Anybody can be a
missionary on that basis." So he can.
The following from a Flag editorial February 5,
1920, is in harmony with the above. "Perhaps not
one church in all our fields is able or willing to try
it alone in sending a missionary either into the home
or the foreign field. Why not unite our forces and
funds and keep alive one or two in both fields ? ' ' The
editorial only suggests trying to "keep alive one or
The Gospel Mission Deflection — ISOi 139
two (missionaries) on both fields." It doesn't sug-
gest anything more than "keeping alive one or two"
missionaries and this clearly implies that they are
not now doing that.
T. A. Cross, in his report to the West Kentucky
Association, 1904, says, "We have about twenty-seven
missionaries in the foreign fields. ' ' In 1917 this same
brother, Cross, in his report on Gospel Missions to
the West Kentucky Association, says, "T. L. Blalock,
China, is our only real active worker on the foreign
field." In a little more than a dozen years they have
gone from twenty-seven foreign missionaries to one,
according to their own report.
This is due to the fact that in the beginning the
Gospel Missioners did not fight the organized work of
the Southern Baptist Convention, but claimed that
their work was "in addition to the organized work,"
and in this way they had the help of many loyal
Baptists such as Doctor Singletary and this writer,
who contributed to this cause to encourage many who
were doing practically nothing for missions ; but when
they began to draw the lines and fight the organized
work and vilify the Southern Baptist Convention
these withdrew their support and you see how they
dropped from twenty-seven foreign missionaries to
one. That is the progress they have made.
They have also made progress in their position on
missions. In the first report on this work, October,
1894, made by Ben M. Bogard, he says "there are two
plans — convention plan and gospel mission plan."
In 1896 W. H. Williams says, "There need be no fric-
tion between the two plans."
At the time J. N. Hall urged the appointment of
an independent missionary by the West Kentucky
Association he was contributing to the regular or-
ganized work through the Fulton Baptist Church, and
for many years after was a member of the Southern
Baptist Convention. Minutes of the Southern Baptist
Convention for 1902 (p. 4) show " J. N. Hall, Fulton,
Kentucky," a registered messenger on the financial
140 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
basis. He was a member of the General Association
of Baptists in Kentucky when he died. They have
now reached the point where, instead of saying "there
are two plans ' ' and * ' there need be no friction between
the two plans ' ' they say ' ' conventionism is one of the
greatest grafting machines ever known among the
masses," and "an unbaptistic robbing machine."
They also say "all who are affiliated with convention-
ism" are guilty of "lying," "stealing," "robbing,"
"embezzlement," "deceiving," "murdering," etc.
The attacks made by the Gospel Missioners on the
Baptists are far more vicious and bitter than those
made by the Hardshells nearly a century ago, and of
which history gives account.
The Gospel Missioners, so far as the author knows,
have no organization in Kentucky. They have an
association called "Kentucky-Tennessee Association,"
which is composed of a small following in a few west
Kentucky churches and a few in Tennessee. The
minutes of this association for September 15 and 16,
1920 (pp. 1 and 2), show twenty-seven churches rep-
resented by messengers, but a note by the clerk just
following the list says, "Not all the above named
messengers were present," so we do not know how
many churches were really represented by messengers
in this meeting.
Their general organization is "The General Asso-
ciation of Gospel Mission Landmark Baptists of the
United States of America," with headquarters at
Texarkana, Ark.-Tex. They have made several
changes in their title within the last few years.
Minutes of the meeting of December 7 to 10, 1920,
held with Nebo church. Bay Springs, Miss., says:
"The messengers of the churches composing the Bap-
tist General Association of the United States." At
this same meeting, as recorded on page 5, the word
"Missionary" was added to their title. We notice
that the words "Gospel Missioners" and "Land-
markers," made so prominent in their beginning, are
entirely eliminated from their minutes of 1920. They
The Gospel Mission Deflection — 1894 141
object to conventions, and so have an association
claiming more territory than any Baptist convention
in America. They object to a mission board, and so
have a "Mission Committee" performing all the
functions of a board. They decline to have a corre-
sponding secretary, but have a "Mission Treasurer"
to perform the duties of a corresponding secretary.
They criticize the salary paid by the convention to
their foreign mission corresponding secretary, and
yet they pay their mission treasurer far more in pro-
portion to the business done — the money handled and
missionaries supported — than the convention pays.
They claim that there is no scriptural authority for
a "Southern Baptist Convention," but that there is
scriptural authority for a "General Association of
Missionary Baptist Churches of America." It is not
the author's business to try to explain the inconsis-
tencies of these claims, but to state them. The spirit
that dominates Gospel Missions is not the spirit that
sends out missionaries and supports them.
CHAPTER XIII
The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896*
What is known as *'The Whitsitt Controversy"
began in the spring of 1896. Doctor Whitsitt wrote
an article on the Baptists for Johnson 's Encyclopedia,
in which he set forth his theory that the English Bap-
tists did not begin to baptize by immersion until 1641,
when a part of the Anabaptists, as they were then
called, began immersion. Doctor Whitsitt in this
article used language which many Baptists interpreted
to mean that immersion as a Christian ordinance was
started at that time. It is but fair to Doctor Whitsitt,
however, to say that he in the introduction to his book
"A Question in Baptist History," a book called out
by the controversy, says : * ' Immersion as a religious
rite was practiced by John the Baptist about the year
30 of our era, and was solemnly enjoined by our
Saviour upon all his ministers to the end of time. No
other observance was in use for baptism in New Testa-
ment times. The practice, though some times greatly
perverted, has yet been continued from the apostolic
age down to our own. As I understand the scriptures,
immersion is essential to Christian baptism."
* The author furnished copies of this chapter, exactly as
it stands, to three of our leading preachers and scholars who
saw the "Whitsitt controversy" from different viewpoints, ask-
ing that they read it carefully, make any suggestions, correc-
tions or additions that they thought should be made. Following
is the result:
Eeply of the Eev. W. J. McGlothlin, .D. D., Ph.D.
Hattiesburg, Miss., July 28, 1921.
Dear Dr. Nowlin:
Without access to the sources it is of course impossible for
me to pass on the accuracy of your statements. As far as I
know you have stated the facts as they occurred. While a
142
The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896 143
Here is an extract from the eueyclopedia article:
' ' The earliest organized Baptist Church belongs to the
year 1610 or 1611 Ezekiel Holliman baptized
Williams and the rest of his company. The ceremony
was most likely performed by sprinkling ; the Baptists
of England had not adopted immersion, and there is
no reason which renders it probable that Williams
was in advance of them." Doctor Henry M. King
of Rhode Island pointed out this as an attack on
the Baptists, and criticized rather sharply Doctor
Whitsitt 's position. Next Dr. J. H. Spencer, the
Kentucky Baptist historian, wrote an article which
appeared in the Western Recorder in which he
strongly dissented from Doctor Whitsitt 's position.
Dr. T. T. Eaton, editor of the Western Recorder, was
at this time in Europe, but Mrs. Joe Eaton Peck,
who had charge of the paper in the absence of her
brother, took up the matter in the Recorder and most
vigorously assailed Doctor Whitsitt 's position, main-
taining that the Baptists, under different names, had
had a continuous history, and a uniform practice on
baptism, from the beginning of the Christian era.
After the return of Doctor Eaton he took up the
controversy and became the leader of the opposition
to Doctor Whitsitt 's position. The friends of Doctor
Whitsitt (known in the controversy as "Whit-
sittites") started and used the Baptist Argus as
an organ of propaganda and defense, while the * ' Anti-
Whitsittites, " as they were called, used the Western
Recorder for the same purpose. This, of course, made
the controversy all the more bitter and personal in
reader could probably determine where your sympathies lie,
still it seems to me that you are fair and show a good spirit.
Cordially yours,
W. J. McGlothlin.
Eeply of the Eev. J. T. Christian, D. D., LL.D.
Collins, Miss., July 30, 1921.
Dear Brother Nowlin:
Your favor was forwarded to me here. I have read the
chapter. I do not know the setting of this chapter — what you
144 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
Kentucky. The disputation waxed hot and was
carried into churches, district associations, state con-
ventions and finally into the Southern Baptist Con-
vention.
Dr. H. M. Dexter maintained that the idea was not
new and pointed out that he had held substantially
this position earlier than Doctor Whitsitt. In order
to establish priority in this matter Doctor Whitsitt
claimed some anonymous editorials which appeared in
the New York Independent in 1880 as his work.
Dr. John T. Christian, who had already gotten
into the controversy, began to study the files of the
Independent and found other editorials in which this
position was set forth and in which the Baptists were
attacked very vigorously.
From internal evidence Doctor Christian decided
that Doctor Whitsitt had written all of these editorials
and so charged publicly. Doctor Whitsitt acknowl-
edged the authorship of some of the editorials, but
denied the others. There was sufficient material, how-
ever, in those which he acknowledged to create in the
minds of Baptists the most unfavorable impression.
At this point Dr. B. H. Carroll of Texas wrote an
article in which he set forth the fact that when Doctor
Whitsitt acknowledged that he wrote a part of a
series of editorials attacking the Baptists he admitted
his guilt of the whole, pointing out the fact that in
law a man who helps to plan or execute a murder —
has any part in it — is guilty of the whole — particeps
criminis.
may have written in regard to the parties concerned in other
parts of your work. I might not have said it just as you
have, but I do not care to add anything.
Yours fraternally,
John T. Christian.
Eeply of the Eev, W. W. Landrum, D. D., LL.D.
I have been impressed with the clearness and directness of
your statements. So far as I recall the facts you have stated
them fairly and impartially as they occurred.
W. W. Landeum.
The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896 145
We give here some extracts from the Independent
editorials without expressing any opinion, as it is the
business of the historian to give facts and not opinions.
From the Independent, New York, September 2, 1880 :
**The Congregationalist speaks of the well-known
immersion of Roger Williams by the unimmersed
Ezekiel Holliman. To be sure all the Baptists of
America so assume, but the editor of the Congrega-
tionalist is more accurately acquainted with the
origins of Baptist history than any of the Baptists
themselves, and we expected that its statements would
be more accurate. As we understand it, Roger Wil-
liams never was a Baptist in the modern sense — that
is, never was immersed, and the ceremony referred to
was anabaptism, rebaptism by sprinkling, and not
' Catbaptism, ' or baptism by immersion. The baptism
of Roger Williams is affirmed by Governor Winthrop
to have taken place in March, 1639. This, however,
was at least two years prior to the introduction of the
practice of immersion among the Baptists. Up to the
year 1641 all Baptists employed sprinkling and pour-
ing as the mode of baptism We are inclined to
believe that no case of immersion took place among
the American Baptists before the year 1644. It seems
likely that Roger Williams, on his return from Eng-
land in that year, brought the first reliable news con-
cerning the change which had taken place in the prac-
tice of the English Baptists, three years before, and
that it was then that the American Baptists first
resolved to accept the innovation."
This editorial was followed by another September
9, 1880, from which we quote the following : **It was
not until the year 1644, three years after the inven-
tion of immersion, that any Baptist confession pre-
scribes 'dipping or plunging the body in water as the
way and manner of dispensing the ordinance' (Lon-
don Confession of 1644, Article 40). . . . . Happily
for us, however, the above assertion is confirmed by
the authority of Edward Barber, the founder of the
rite of immersion among the Baptists."
10
146 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
Doctor Whitsitt wrote three or more articles in
which he defended his claim that "1641" was the
date of ''the invention of immersion." One in the
Examiner, April 23, 1896, one in the Religious
Herald, May 7, 1896, and in his book "A Question in
Baptist History," published September, 1896. In the
Examiner article, April 23, 1896, he says: "Dur-
ing the autumn of 1877, shortly after I had been put
in charge of the school of Church History at the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in preparing
my lectures on Baptist History, I made the discovery
that, prior to the year 1641 our Baptist people in
England were in the practice of sprinkling and pour-
ing for baptism. I kept it to myself until the year
1880, when I had the happiness to spend my summer
vacation at the British Museum. There I assured
myself, largely by researches among the King George 's
pamphlets, that my discovery was genuine, and estab-
lished it by many irrefragable proofs from contem-
porary documents. ' ' Then in this same article Doctor
Whitsitt refers to Doctor Dexter 's claim to priority
on this question in the following language: "Ap-
parently Doctor Dexter was interested by my explana-
tions and proofs, for he shortly found his way to the
British Museum where he also convinced himself that
my view was correct and my citations authentic. As
a fruit of these researches he issued, near the close of
1881, more than twelve months after my discovery
had iaeen declared in the Independent, the well-known
volume entitled 'John Smyth the Se-Baptist' wherein
he adopted my thesis, defended it by many citations,
and entirely ignored my discovery as set forth in the
Independent This discovery is my own con-
tribution to Baptist History, and when my brethren
heap reproaches upon me it is nothing but right that
I should defend my property."
A few months later Doctor Whitsitt 's book, "A
Question in Baptist History," came off the press,
from which I take the following (p. 133) : "In view
of the foregoing body of materials, I candidly con-
The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896 147
sider that my proofs are sufficient. This question has
been confirmed and strengthened by the renewed in-
vestigation which I have lately undertaken in order
to set forth these proofs. Whatever else may be true
in history, I believe it is beyond question that the
practice of adult immersion was introduced anew into
England in the year 1641."
The Baptists of the South very naturally asked the
question, * ' Why should a Baptist holding the position
which Doctor Whitsitt holds anonymously attack the
Baptist denomination?" Doctor Whitsitt 's explana-
tion was that he "wrote from a Pedobaptist stand-
point in order to provoke discussion and compel the
Baptists to study their own history." This explana-
tion might have stopped the controversy had not
Doctor Whitsitt written a number of articles and a
book, all written from a Baptist standpoint, to prove
his Independent editorials which "were written from
a Pedobaptist standpoint." It was this that stirred
the Baptists to the depths, and not Doctor Whitsitt 's
"writing from a Pedobaptist standpoint."
The controversy spread through the entire South,
and even into the North, until it was finally taken up
by the Southern Baptist Convention. The board of
trustees of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
took the following action at Wilmington, N. C, during
the sitting of the Southern Baptist Convention, and
which action was reported to the convention and
recorded in its minutes.
The Wilmington Action
The following is an exact copy from the minutes :
A communication from the Board of Trustees of the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was presented
as information by W. E. Hatcher, Virginia. Where-
upon it was ordered that the communication be
printed in the minutes of the convention. The trustees
of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,
assembled in their annual meeting at Wilmington,
N. C, May 6, 1897, desire to submit to the Baptists
148 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
of the South the following statement in regard to the
institution whose interests have been committed to
their care and management.
1. That we account this a fitting occasion to re-
affirm our cordial and thorough adherence to the
fundamental articles adopted at the time when the
seminary was established, and to assure those on
whose behalf we hold in trust and administer the
affairs of this institution of our steadfast purpose
to require hereafter, as we have in the past, that the
fundamental laws and scriptural doctrines embodied
in those articles shall be faithfully upheld by those
occupying chairs as teachers.
2. That we cannot undertake to sit in judgment
on questions in Baptist history which do not imperil
any of these principles, concerning which all Baptists
are agreed, but concerning which serious, conscien-
tious and scholarly students are not agreed. We can,
however, confidently leave to continued research
and discussion the satisfactory solution of these
questions.
3. That believing the seminary to hold an impor-
tant relation to the prosperity and usefulness of
southern Baptists, we consider it our duty, while
demanding of those in charge of the departments of
instruction the utmost patience in research and the
greatest discretion in utterance, to foster rather than
repress the spirit of earnest, reverent investigation.
4. That being fully assured that the tender affec-
tion which we cherish for this institution, founded by
our fathers and bequeathed by them to us, is shared
by the Baptists of the South, we can safely trust them
as we ask them to trust us, to guard its honor, pro-
mote its usefulness and pray for its prosperity.
Upon the adoption of the foregoing statement, the
trustees appointed a committee to notify Doctor
Whitsitt of this action, and to invite him to meet them
and to make any voluntary statement he might desire.
Whereupon Doctor Whitsitt appeared before the
board and read the following paper :
The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896 149
Wilmington, N. C, May 7, 1897.
To the Board of Trustees of the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary :
Dear Brethren : — I beg leave to return sincerest
and heartiest thanks for the noble and generous treat-
ment that you have bestowed upon me. I have only
words of affection for every member of the board.
After consulting with the committee I have the fol-
lowing to say:
1. That in regard to the articles written as edi-
torials for the Independent, I have long felt that it
was a mistake, and the generous action of the Board
of Trustees renders it easy for me to make this state-
ment. What I wrote was from a Pedobaptist stand-
point with a view to stimulating historical research,
with no thought that it would injure the Baptists,
and with no intention to disparage Baptist doctrines
or practices.
2. That the article in Johnson's Encyclopedia
has probably passed beyond my control; but it will
be very pleasing to me if I can honorably procure the
elimination from it of whatsoever is offensive to any
of my brethren.
3. Regarding the charge that I expressed a con-
viction that a kinswoman of mine ought to follow her
husband into a Pedobaptist church, that it was never
my intention to indicate a belief that the family out-
ranked the Church of God. I believe that obedience
to God's commands is above every other human duty,
and that people in every relation of life ought to
obey God rather than man.
4. That on the historical questions involved in the
discussion, I find myself out of agreement with some
honored historians; but what I have written is the
outcome of patient and honest research, and I can do
no otherwise than to reaffirm my convictions and
maintain my position. But if in the future it shall
ever be made to appear that I have erred in my
conclusions, I would promptly and cheerfully say so.
150 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
I am a searcher after truth, and will gladly hail every
helper in my work.
5. That I cannot more strongly assure the
brethren that I am a Baptist than by what I have
recently declared with regard to the abstract of prin-
ciples set forth in the Fundamental Laws of the
seminary. I am heartily in accord with my Baptist
brethren in every distinctive principle that they hold.
My heart and life are bound up with the Baptists,
and I have no higher thought on earth than to spend
my days in their fellowship and service, in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Respectfully submitted,
Wm. H. Whitsitt.
At the conclusion of the reading of the foregoing
paper the trustees joined in singing:
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word,"
during which, amid flowing tears and many expres-
sions of satisfaction and joy, the members of the board
pressed forward and gave Doctor Whitsitt the hand
of fellowship and confidence. The trustees then in-
structed B. H. Carroll of Texas and W. E. Hatcher
of Virginia to communicate to the Southern Baptist
Convention this action, and also to give it to the pub-
lic press. Please bear in mind that this statement is
made to the convention for information and not for
action.
(Taken from Proceedings of the Southern Baptist
Convention, 1897, pages 14-16.)
Dr. B. H. Carroll, Texas, not only refused to
accept the Wilmington action, but started the con-
troversy afresh. The result of the renewed contro-
versy was that the opposition to Doctor Whitsitt was
greatly augmented and that state conventions began
taking action calling for the removal of Doctor Whit-
sitt from the Theological Seminary. However, we
The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896 151
are only concerned here in so far as the matter touches
Kentucky Baptist history.
In June following the Wilmington meeting, which
was in May, the General Association of Baptists in
Kentucky met in Georgetown, during the session of
which the following action was taken:
The Georgetown Action
The resolution of J. A. Booth, special order for
this hour, is as follows :
Whereas, Dr. W. H. Whitsitt, President of the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, reaffirms his
belief in his discovery and will continue to teach it;
and,
Whereas, His course has been such as to place him
out of touch and harmony with the denomination ;
Resolved, That the trustees of the seminary from
Kentucky be requested, and they are hereby requested,
to urge, insist upon and vote for the retirement of
Doctor Whitsitt from the presidency of the institu-
tion and from the chair of Church History.
The above resolution was voted on by yeas and
nays. The yeas were 105, the nays 78, both of which
are recorded below:
(Taken from minutes of General Association of
Baptists of Kentucky, 1897, page 29.)
When the Booth resolution was called up for
action in the Georgetown meeting the ''Previous
Question" was called for and sustained, so the resolu-
tion was voted on without discussion. Just following
the Georgetown meeting. Dr. Carter Helm Jones pub-
lished a statement in the Courier Journal referring to
the above action as the "Gag-law" practice, and set-
ting forth the claim that if the friends of Doctor
Whitsitt had only had an opportunity to discuss the
matter, the action of the General Association would
have been very different. So the next year at Hop-
kinsville it was decided that the matter should be
thoroughly discussed before the vote was taken.
152 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
The Hopkinsville Action
J. S. Coleman read the following preamble and
resolutions :
Whereas, The trustees of the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary at their recent session in Nor-
folk, Va., adopted a resolution by which they decided
to retain Dr. William H. Whitsitt as President of the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and professor
of Church History; and,
Whereas, By their said resolutions the trustees
waived aside the known and officially expressed con-
victions and wishes of a great number of Baptist
bodies, among these bodies being the General Associa-
tion of Kentucky; and, by reaffirming that former
action which produced the expression of these con-
victions and wishes, declined to give them due con-
sideration; and.
Whereas, Our conviction that Doctor Whitsitt is
unfit for his present position has been strengthened
by the events of the last year. Now, therefore,
Resolved, (1) That the Southern Baptist Theo-
logical Seminary shall not be allowed to make any
report nor present any appeals of any sort whatever
to this body so long as Doctor Whitsitt shall be in
any manner connected with the institution.
(2) That if Doctor Whitsitt 's connection with the
seminary has not ceased at the time of the next ses-
sion of the Southern Baptist Convention, we urge that
body to adopt, as the only means of preserving its
unity, the resolutions proposed by Dr. B. H. Carroll,
of Texas, whereby the convention shall dissolve the
bond of connection between that body and the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. (Notice was
given by Doctor Carroll at the Norfolk convention
that he would offer a resolution at the next convention
to "dissolve the relationship between this body and
the seminary," which resolution is published in full
on pages 22 and 23 of the Southern Baptist Conven-
tion minutes for 1898.)
The Whitsitt Controversy — 1896 153
(3) That the clerk of this association be instructed
to forward a copy of these resolutions, duly signed
and certified by himself and the moderator, to the
Hon. Joshua Levering, chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the Southern Baptist Theological Semi-
nary, with the request that they be laid before the
trustees at their next meeting.
(4) That a committee of five be appointed by the
moderator to present these resolutions to the Southern
Baptist Convention at its next session.
After remarks by J. S. Coleman and others the
following motion prevailed:
"That the above resolutions be made the special
order for 2 o'clock; that the vote be taken not later
than 5 o'clock, and that the time be divided as fol-
lows: those favoring the resolution to open with one
hour, those opposing the resolution then to have an
hour and a half, and those favoring to close with a
half hour."
The above resolution was voted on by yeas and
nays. The yeas were 198, the nays 26, both of which
are recorded below:
(Taken from minutes of General Association of
Baptists of Kentucky, 1898, pages 9, 10, 11.)
(These votes with the names are recorded in the
minutes of the General Association of Baptists in
Kentucky.)
The two votes recorded above show how the senti-
ment in Kentucky was changing toward Doctor Whit-
sitt and his position.
The action of Kentucky Baptists was such as to
cause both Doctor Whitsitt and his friends to feel
that his resignation was absolutely essential to the
welfare of the seminary. Accordingly the resigna-
tion was wired by Doctor Whitsitt (as we understand
from Hopkinsville where the General Association was
in session) to Joshua Levering, Baltimore, chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the seminary. The resig-
nation was duly accepted and Doctor Whitsitt retired
from all connection with the seminary.
154 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
Thus ended the unfortunate incident, so far as
Doctor Whitsitt personally was concerned, but the
feeling engendered by the controversy did not so soon
pass away. Friends who were alienated by the con-
flict did not soon forget the animosities that were
aroused in the heat of discussion ; but the grace of
God and time heal the worst of troubles.
The principal actors in this great controversy,
which stirred the Baptists of the South to their
depths, Dr. W. H. Whitsitt and Dr. T. T. Eaton, have
both passed to their rewards more than a decade ago.
Green be the graves where sleep the heroes of faith;
forgotten be the animosities and heart burnings of
strife ; sacred be the trust committed to our memories
and bright the vision of coming ages.
CHAPTER XIV
The Unification Program and Great Forward
Movement — 1 919
From the beginning of the "Whitsitt Contro-
versy" (or shortly thereafter) to the year 1919, Ken-
tucky had two Baptist papers — The Western Recorder
and the Baptist Argus (later The Baptist World).
The very fact that these two papers had been con-
sidered the organs of the "Anti-Whitsittites" and
" Whitsittites " respectively served to perpetuate, at
least in the minds of the people, the division. The
Baptists of Kentucky, however, trying to get away
from the old controversy and unite their forces in the
state for a great forward movement, decided that the
first step necessary to this much desired end was
the consolidation of the two papers.
The Two Papers Consolidated
The following is the history of the transaction, as
recorded in the minutes of the State Board of Mis-
sions :
Called meeting of the State Board of Missions at
Broadway Church, Louisville, Ky., July 23, 1919.
Secretary O. E. Bryan presented the following
resolutions :
Whereas, The Executive Committee of the South-
ern Baptist Convention has requested a special cam-
paign in the territory of the Southern Baptist
Convention to place the denominational state papers
in all of our Baptist homes as a method of publicity
during the Seventy-five Million Campaign; and
Whereus, Kentucky Baptists have two outstanding
denominational papers, the Western Recorder and the
Baptist World ; and
Whereas, The relation between these papers seems
155
156 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
to forbid the most effective statewide simultaneous
campaign in keeping with the request of the repre-
sentatives of the Southern Baptist Convention; and
Whereas, Kentucky Baptists keenly desire to co-
operate with the Southern Baptist Convention in the
simultaneous drive for the papers, therefore, be it
Resolved, (1) That the Baptist State Board of
Missions in Kentucky endeavor to purchase the Bap-
tist papers of the state affiliated with our organized
work, and operate them under the direct control of
State Board Missions.
Resolved, (2) That it is the purpose of the State
Board to have one great denominational paper.
Resolved, (3) That a committee of five be ap-
pointed by the chairman with authority to consum-
mate the financial transactions incident to the
establishment of a single state paper subject to the
ratification of the executive board.
Resolved, (4) That we instruct this committee to
make no concession in this transaction that would em-
barrass the state board in naming the combined paper
or in electing an editor for the same.
Resolved, (5) That we instruct this committee in
co-operating with the corresponding Secretary to close
up the deals as early as possible, provided the man-
agers of these papers are willing to sell.
Resolved, (6) That this committee be instructed
that if there be any disagreement as to the value of
the properties under their consideration, that disin-
terested business men be requested to appraise the
same and that said appraisement shall be the basis for
the consummation of the transaction.
Resolved, (7) That we express our good will
toward all of these papers and hereby earnestly re-
quest their management to give due consideration to
this proposition which we believe will be for the best
interests of Kentucky Baptists and for the glory of
God.
Wm. D. Nowlin, one of the editors of the Western
Kecorder, moved the adoption of these resolutions,
and the vote was unanimous.
Program and Great Forward Movement — 1919 157
The committee for establishment of paper was com-
posed of the following brethren : 0. E. Bryan, W. M.
Stallings, W. W. Landrum, H. S. Summers and B. H.
Lovelace.
Meeting of Board, August 10, 1919
Report of the Committee
Your committee, according to instruction, opened
negotiations with the Western Recorder and the Bap-
tist World with a view to their purchase by the State
Board of Missions. After several conferences with
representatives of both papers, they called meetings
of their directors and submitted the following proposi-
tion:
FIRST, We the directors of the Baptist Book
Concern and publishers of the Western Recorder of
Louisville, Kentucky, hereby offer to the Baptist State
Board of Missions of Kentucky the Western Recorder
and its entire subscription list consisting of 10,000
subscribers, more or less; the advertising contracts
for said paper, for the sum of $20,000. It is hereby
understood and agreed to by both parties to this con-
tract that the name of the paper shall be unchanged
and shall continue to be known as ''Western
Recorder. ' '
(Signed) J. W. Porteb, Chairman of Board,
F. H. GooDRiDGE, E. C. Farmer.
SECOND : The Baptist World Publishing Com-
pany desires to make this substitute offer to your com-
mittee in lieu of the offer made your committee on
July 29, 1919.
"We will sell the paper and printing department,
which would include the subscription list and amounts
due on unpaid subscriptions to the Baptist World,
together with the linotype, printing presses and all
other machinery and appliances used in the printing
department, together with the stock of paper on hand
for the sum of $15,000.
(Signed) Baptist World Pub. Co.,
By Boyce Watkins, President. ' '
158 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
The committee communicated with News and
Truths, of Murray, Kentucky, which paper was not
for sale.
The committee also communicated with the Russell
Creek Baptist, which paper they did not consider a
state paper.
No liabilities of either paper assumed by us. The
subscription lists of each paper with all amounts due
and unpaid on same are included in said offer as well
as amounts due on advertising contracts.
It is also understood that neither the Baptist
World Publishing Company nor the Baptist Book
Concern shall own or publish a paper so long as the
State Board of Missions owns and publishes the
Western Recorder as a state organ and that the good
will of both papers is included in purchase of said
papers. While our committee was instructed to make
no concession which would embarrass us in operating
a paper for the state, certain conditions have been
practically agreed to by representatives of both papers
which we recommend as follows :
That the name Western Recorder shall be the ex-
clusive name of our state paper.
We recommend that the salary of Dr. E. B.
Hatcher for one year, or such part thereof as is un-
paid, be assumed by the state board and he shall be
retained on the new paper in such relation and for
such service as shall be agreed upon by the Board
of Managers. The items above named are mutually
conceded.
We further recommend that a Board of Managers
consisting of seven members shall be appointed by
the chairman of this board, of which Board Secretary
O. E. Bryan shall be one and C. W. Elsey, chairman
of state board, another.
We further recommend that the finances of said
paper shall be handled through the state board office
and that our corresponding secretary, 0. E. Bryan,
shall be its business manager.
As the paper is to be owned and controlled by the
Program and Great Forward Movement — 1919 159
State Board of Missions, and is to be an asset of the
same, we recommend that money for the purchase of
the paper shall be taken from the $900,000 designated
for state missions in such amounts and at such times
as it can be done without injury to other state mis-
sion items.
(Signed) 0. E. Bryan,
W. M. Stallings,
W. W. Landrum,
H. S. Summers,
B. H. Lovelace.
The foregoing resolutions were adopted and the
following Board of Managers was elected in the fol-
lowing way :
On motion the recording secretary was instructed
to cast a ballot electing each of the following seven
brethren as a member of the Board of Managers of the
Western Recorder as the state paper. Following the
instructions the secretary announced that the vote
had been so cast: 0. E. Bryan, chairman, C. W.
Elsey, C. M. Thompson, W. M. Stallings, W. W.
Landrum, W. M. Seay, and H. B. Lovelace.
The following motion was adopted : That the
Board of Managers of the state board paper be author-
ized to elect an editor for the official state paper.
Meeting of the Board of Managers of the Western
Recorder
At the Watterson Hotel, September 9, 1919
Motion was made by Doctor Landrum, seconded
by Doctor Thompson and carried unanimously, that
at the top of the editorial page of each issue of the
Western Recorder there shall appear this statement :
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
J. W. Porter Managing Editor
E. B. Hatcher News Editor
0. E. Bryan Business Manager
160 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
Meeting of Board of Managers of Western Recorder
State Mission Kooms. . . .205 E. Chestnut St.
Louisville, Kentucky, May 24, 1920.
Moved and carried:
''That it is the sense of this body that the dual
editorship of the Western Recorder cease with
September 1, 1920, and that the present editors of
the paper be notified of that fact. From that date
one man is to give his entire time to the paper, is to
be held responsible for the editorial policy and general
make-up of the paper, and that he be charged with
looking after increasing its subscription list. It is
further understood that this action is taken without
prejudice to, or committing ourselves to either of the
present incumbents.
"Motion carried that secretary be instructed to
send a copy of this action to each of the editors of
the Western Recorder."
The Rev. 0. E. Bryan, D. D., corresponding secre-
tary of State Board of Missions in Kentucky, is en-
titled to much credit for the consolidation of the two
papers and the unifying of the forces in Kentucky.
The Great Forward Movement
In May, 1919, the Southern Baptist Convention
in session in Atlanta, Georgia, put on foot the great
''Seventy-five Million Campaign." This, of course,
helps to account for the great advance shown in 1920,
for the actual campaign was not put on until after
our state meeting in Georgetown in November, 1919.
The minutes (p. 17) of the meeting in Georgetown
November, 1919, show a total of receipts by the State
Board of Missions of $455,104.61. The minutes for
the Owensboro meeting November, 1920 (p. 19) show
total receipts $1,412,165.92. This is a marvelous
advance.
The Rev. 0. E. Bryan, D. D., corresponding secre-
tary of Missions in Kentucky at this time, is entitled
to much credit for this success. He is a man of splen-
did spirit and fine executive ability. It should be
borne in mind, however, that Kentucky had already
Program and Great Forward Movement — 1919 161
developed the "Budget System," and that it was
functioning well before we put on the Seventy-five
Million Campaign.
Back of this glorious achievement there is a long
struggle that should not be overlooked. Such men as
J. W. Warder, D.D., J. G. Bow, D. D., and W. D.
Powell, D. D., rendered efficient service as correspond-
ing secretaries of our mission board.
It was the day of small things when Doctor Warder
traveled over Kentucky collecting a dollar here and
there for missions, and urging the churches to adopt
an envelope system of collecting mission money. He
did a good work in getting many of the churches to
adopt this system, which came to be known as ''The
Warder System."
Dr. J. G. Bow, than whom there is not a straighter,
cleaner man and truer Baptist, followed Doctor War-
der and put into the mission work of Kentucky a
business system which has told immensely for good.
It was through the efforts and influence of Doctor
Bow that Mr. Theodore Harris left in his will the
large sum that was left to the Baptists of Kentucky.
The Baptists of Kentucky owe Doctor Bow a much
larger debt than they will ever pay him. Few men
have been worth more to the Baptist cause in Ken-
tucky than J. G. Bow.
Following the administration of Doctor Bow came
the enthusiastic, energetic W. D. Powell. Doctor
Powell was not the systematic executive that Doctor
Bow was, nor that Doctor Bryan, his successor, was,
but he was the superior of either of them in raising
money under high pressure appeals. Here Doctor
Powell was a brilliant success. Mission contributions
grew very much under the eloquent and fiery appeals
of this mission champion.
Thus it will be seen that when Doctor Bryan came
into office he found the foundation work well done.
The systematic Bow had thoroughly systematized the
work, and the zealous Powell had fanned the mis-
sionary spirit all over the state into a flame, so that
11
162 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
Doctor Bryan 's work was largely a work of combining
and directing the forces of the state. In this he
exhibited rare ability. Doctor Bryan is one of the
greatest mission secretaries in the South. He has re-
signed his work with the State Board of Missions in
Kentucky and gone to the Home Mission Board,
Atlanta.
On September 1, 1921, Dr. C. M. Thompson, a
man of splendid ability and equipment, came from
the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, Winchester,
Kentucky, to the secretaryship of the State Board of
Missions. Doctor Thompson is making a great secre-
tary, though he is just now getting fairly started in
his new position.
CHAPTER XV
Kentucky Baptist Institutions
In this chapter we give a short history of the Ken-
tucky Baptist Institutions now existing. Space does
not allow an account of the many Baptist institutions
which rendered efficient service in Kentucky for a
time, but now extinct. The list would be long. We
will name simply The Western Baptist Theological
Institute, Covington ; Clinton College, Clinton ; The
Baptist Female Academy, Danville ; Bardstown Bap-
tist Female College ; Lynland College ; Ohio Valley
Baptist College, Sturgis; Choctaw Academy, near
Georgetown, a school for Indians ; a number of Baptist
papers, missionary and educational societies that
operated for a time and passed away.
One writer says, "There were fifteen Baptist
female schools in Kentucky at one time." The insti-
tutions herein named are given in the order of their
beginnings.
The Western Recorder
The author has had much trouble trying to get a
connected and complete account of the establishing
and developing of a Baptist paper in Kentucky.
There are conflicting accounts given by writers on the
early history of Kentucky Baptists at several points.
The author has taken the dates which seem to be most
consistent with all the facts.
It seems that the first effort to establish a Baptist
paper in Kentucky was in 1812. Elder Stark Dupuy,
according to Spencer (Vol. I, p. 347) : "In 1812
commenced the publication of the Kentucky Mis-
sionary and Theologian, he being sole editor. It was
a quarterly magazine, four numbers of which made
a volume of 244 pages." This paper was discon-
163
164 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
tinued the following February on account of the war
of 1812, according to the statement of the editor,
"Mr. Dupuy," says Spencer, "was doubtless the first
Baptist editor of a religious periodical west of the
Alleghany Mountains."
The next effort, according to history, was in 1813.
"Silas M. Noel commenced, in 1813, the publication
of. The Gospel Herald." (Spencer, Vol. I, p. 347.)
This paper, which was a monthly, was soon discon-
tinued for lack of patronage. The next Baptist news-
paper venture in Kentucky seems to date from 1826.
Our great Kentucky Baptist historian, Spencer (Vol.
I, p. 217), says: "About the beginning of the year
1826, George Waller and Spencer Clack began the
publication of a paper (at Bloomfield, Kentucky,)
called The Baptist Register. It was a semi-monthly
and proposed to 'endeavor to strip religion of every-
thing like the traditions of men, and to present the
truth in a plain and simple manner.' The name of
the paper was exchanged for that of The Baptist
Recorder, and in 1830 it was changed to a monthly.
Meanwhile the Baptist Chronicle, having been estab-
lished by Uriel B. Chambers at Frankfort, the Baptist
Recorder was soon discontinued."
Again Spencer tells us (Vol. I, p. 597), concerning
the Baptist Recorder : "Its issue was continued about
four years, when it was succeeded by the Baptist
Herald, afterwards called the Baptist Chronicle,
edited by Uriel B. Chambers, Esq., at Frankfort,
Kentucky. ' '
Just how long the Chronicle continued we have
not learned, but in 1832 we find Mr. Chambers start-
ing another paper, which indicates that the Chronicle
had been discontinued. The next effort, the fifth, to
establish a Baptist paper in Kentucky was in 1832,
according to Spencer (Vol. I, p. 652). The Baptist
State Convention started "The Cross and Baptist
Banner, the first Baptist weekly that was published
in Kentucky. The first number had been issued
previous to this meeting of the convention. Uriel B.
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 165
Chambers was its editor, and assumed all the pecu-
niary responsibility." This is all we know of this
paper. No further reference to it has been found.
The next paper seems to have been started by James
Wilson, M. D., at Shelbyville, in 1834. Doctor Spen-
cer, in speaking of Dr. John L. Waller (Vol. I,
p. 702), says: ''In 1835 he became editor of the
Baptist Banner, a bi-weekly religious newspaper,
which had been established at Shelbyville, Kentucky,
in the preceding year by James Wilson, M. D. Soon
after Mr. Waller became editor of the Baptist Banner,
The Baptist, published at Nashville, Tennessee, and
the Western Pioneer, published at Alton, Illinois,
were merged into it. The new paper took the title
of Baptist Banner and Western Pioneer. It was
moved to Louisville, where Mr. Waller continued its
chief editor until 1841, when he resigned in favor of
William C. Buck."
After the consolidation of the three papers the new
paper became the denominational organ of Kentucky,
Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri
Baptists, Under the editorship of the great Waller,
the paper had the largest circulation in its history,
except possibly during the editorship of T. T. Eaton,
D. D., LL.D., who had associated with him as business
manager Dr. W. P. Harvey, a man of unusual business
ability. The statement is made by Doctor Harvey
that "My recollection is that at one time we had a
circulation of 27,500, with an advertising income of
$15,000 per year." This record has never been dupli-
cated.
From the foregoing facts it seems that the Western
Recorder is the lineal descendant of the Baptist Ban-
ner started in Shelbyville in 1834. However, from
the date on the Western Recorder they evidently
number their volumes from the beginning of the Bap-
tist Register, Bloomfield, 1826, later the Baptist
Recorder. We find no connecting link between these
two papers, however. Doctor Eaton, at the time
editor, told the author that the Western Recorder
166 Kentuckij Baptist Historu— 1770-1922
continued the volumes of the Baptist Recorder, Bloom-
field.
An old copy of the Baptist Banner, in our posses-
sion, dated Fe'bruary 28, 1849, published at 47 Wall
Street, Louisville, Ky., is numbered Vol. XVI, No. 9,
Also an old copv of Western Recorder, which we have,
dated October ^22, 1851, is numbered Vol. XVIII,
No. 43. These numbers show that the connection
with the Bloomfield paper was made later. Of these
two old papers W. C. Buck is editor of the former,
and of the latter John L. Waller, R. L. Thurman and
A. W. LaRue are editors.
"William C. Buck continued as editor of the
Baptist Banner and Western Pioneer about nine
years," says Spencer. John L. Waller again became
editor in 1850 and remained in this position until
his death, October 10, 1854. Spencer adds, "Mean-
while the name of the paper was exchanged in 1851
for that of the Western Recorder." (Vol. I, p. 703.)
An old copy of the Recorder, dated September 27,
1854, gives John L. Waller and S. H. Ford as editors.
Then another old copy, dated December 6, 1854, gives
S. H. Ford as editor. This shows that Ford suc-
ceeded to the sole editorship on the death of Waller,
However, Ford did not continue as editor of the paper
until the fall of 1861, as generally believed.
An old copy of the Recorder, now in the hands
of the editor, dated March 3, 1858, gives Dr. J. Otis,
editor. Dr. Otis was editor until 1860. In June,
1861, S. H. Ford is named as editor again. It has
been claimed that the paper was suspended during
the Civil War.
Doctor Armitage in his history of the Baptists
(p. 884), in giving a history of the Western Recorder,
says: "During a part of the Civil War its issue was
suspended, but it was resumed in 1863."
Here again an old copy of the paper comes to our
rescue. An old Recorder, now in the hands of the
author, dated Saturday, June 28, 1862, edited by Chas.
Y. Duncan, says: "It is now four months since we
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 167
resumed the publication of the Recorder, after its tem-
porary suspension." This shows that the publication
was resumed about the last of February, 1862.
Armitage is correct when he says the paper ''was
suspended a part of the time during the Civil War, ' '
but is in error when he says its publication "was re-
sumed in 1863, ' ' as this old copy of 1862 proves. We
learn also from this old paper that Duncan (not men-
tioned by Spencer) preceded A. C. Graves as editor.
In this issue of June 28, 1862, Editor Duncan says :
"We have arrived at the time when we wish to make
some radical improvements of the Recorder. As here-
tofore announced, we wish this week 's issue to enlarge
and in every way improve it. Conscious of our own
individual inability to conduct it, we have procured
the services of Rev. S. F. Thompson, of Shelbyville,
a young man of piety, education, talent and position. ' '
This suggests that S. F. Thompson was editorial
writer for the paper for a time.
The Recorder of October, 1863, states that the
paper had been suspended for fifteen months and on
June 25, 1864, the Recorder united with the Baptist
Book Store owned by G. W. Robertson ; then in July,
1864, A. C. Graves and J. C. Waller are named as
editors. It seems that Graves continued only a short
while and Waller's name is continued as editor up to
October, 1866. R. M. Dudley is named as editor
January 12, 1867, and August 1, 1868, J. W. Rust is
associated with Dudley. June 15, 1870, W. W. Gar-
dener and L. B. Woolfolk are named as associate
editors; then in June, 1871, Dr. G. W. Varden seems
to have taken Woolfolk 's place. July 8, 1871, A. S.
Worrell and A. C. Caperton are names as co-editors.
It seems that Worrell bought the paper and sold one-
half interest to Caperton, then nothing appears in
the paper about Doctor Worrell but Caperton is named
as editor and proprietor. In October, 1887, Caperton
sold out to Harvey, McFerran Co. and Dr. Eaton be-
came editor.
Then follows the long and brilliant editorial
168 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
career of the immortal T. T. Eaton, D. D., LL.D.,
until his death, June 29, 1907, a period of nearly
twenty years. After the death of Doctor Eaton, Dr. J.
M. Weaver supplied as editor until the election of
Dr. C. M. Thompson, 1907. Doctor Thompson served
about two years. His editorial work was of a high
order. He was not a voluminous writer, but a careful
and accurate one. Dr. J. G. Bow, a man who has filled
a large place in the denominational life of the Baptists
of Kentucky, was associate editor with Doctor Thomp-
son and business manager of the Baptist Book Con-
cern, which published the Recorder.
The editorial career of J. W. Porter, D. D., LL.D.,
the brilliant and versatile, began in 1909 and con-
tinued until February, 1921. Doctor Porter exhibited
great ability as an editorial writer. This author was
associate editor with Doctor Porter several years,
which position he resigned when the paper was sold
to the State Board of Missions, August, 1919. In
February, 1921, Dr. V, I. Masters, the present in-
cumbent, became editor of the Western Recorder,
which position he is filling with conspicuous ability.
His writings are of a wide range and voluminous.
Dr. A. S. Worrell established and edited The
Baptist Sentinel, Lexington, Kentucky. Before us
at this time are several copies of this monthly
magazine. The January, 1870, number is ''Vol. I,
No. 3." This indicates that the Sentinel was
launched November, 1869. In this January issue
the editor says, "Brother D. B. Ray is now joint
proprietor and assistant of the Sentinel. ' ' We do not
know how long Doctor Worrell edited this journal,
but a copy dated November, 1870, the latest we have,
gives him as editor and D. B. Ray as assistant.
Georgetown College — 1829-
Georgetown has been an educational center almost
from the beginning of the settlement of the Missis-
sippi valley. Early in 1788, Elijah Craig, a noted
pioneer Baptist preacher of Kentucky, opened at
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 169
Georgetown, then called Lebanon, a classical school
in accordance with the following quaint advertise-
ment:
"Lebanon, December 27, 1787.
"Notice is hereby given that on Monday, 28th of
January next, a school will be opened by Messrs.
Jones and Worley, at the Royal Spring in Lebanon,
Fayette County, where a commodious house, sufficient
to contain fifty or sixty scholars, will be prepared.
They will teach the Latin and Greek languages, to-
gether with such branches of the sciences as are
usually taught in public seminaries, at twenty-five
shillings a quarter for each scholar. One-half to be
paid in cash, the other half in produce at cash prices.
There will be a vacation for a month in the Spring
and another in the Fall, at the close of each of which
it is expected that such payments as are due in cash
shall be made. For diet, washing and house room for
a year, each scholar pays three pounds in cash, or 500
weight of pork on entrance, and three pounds in cash
at the beginning of the third quarter. It is desired
that as many as can would furnish themselves with
beds; such as cannot may be provided here, to the
number of eight or ten boys, at 35s a year for each
bed. "Elijah Craig."
Little is known of the history of this school, but
in 1789 the Legislature of Kentucky, by an act found-
ing academies in the state, located one of them at
Georgetown, and gave its trustees 6,000 acres of land
for its support. As a result of this, Rittenhouse
Academy began its career. In 1829 Georgetown Col-
lege was chartered and immediately acquired the
property and became the successor of Rittenhouse
Academy. Georgetown College is the first chartered
collegiate institution of Baptists south and west of
the Alleghanies, and under its present name is fifth
among Baptist institutions in the United States. In
a real sense Georgetown College is the direct descen-
170 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
dant of the classical school above mentioned estab-
lished in Georgetown by Elijah Craig in 1787.
This school was absorbed by Rittenhouse Academy,
which was chartered, largely through the influence
of Mr. Craig, December 22, 1798, and which was
operated as a county academy until 1829.
Its quaint little two-story brick with the command-
ing cupola became the first building of Georgetown
College. This building was the only one owned by
the college until 1840 and was used regularly until
1860. If this descent is accepted, Georgetown College
in age is second to Brown University among Baptist
colleges in the United States.
The original charter in 1829, incorporated "The
Trustees of the Kentucky Baptist Education Society"
and empowered them to fill all vacancies in their
own number caused by death, resignation, neglect, or
otherwise; but by an amendment secured in 1851, the
power to fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees was
given to another corporation created for this purpose
and composed of all persons who had contributed or
who should thereafter contribute as much as one hun-
dred dollars to the funds of the college.
In 1906 the charter was again amended in such a
manner as to vest in the Baptist Education Society
of Kentucky the power of electing the trustees from
suitable nominations made by the original society.
Under this charter the college has had a continuous
history from the year of its foundation to the present.
Little by little it has grown in buildings, in means,
in teachers, and in students. The Central building,
now known as Giddings Hall, in which are most of
the lecture rooms, was erected in 1840. Pawling Hall,
erected in 1844 in recognition of the generosity of
Issachar Pawling, was remodeled and much enlarged
in 1877. The commodious building coiitaining the
chapel, library, society halls, and gymnasium, was
erected in 1894 ; and Rucker Hall, the beautiful home
for the young women of the college, was erected in
1895, and named in honor of Prof. James Jefferson
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 171
Rucker. The other buildings have been added at
various dates as the means of the college have per-
mitted.
Since its foundation many thousands of students
have been enrolled in its classes and there have been
nearly a thousand graduates. They are in every walk
of life and in many of the states of the Union. About
one hundred of them are now serving as pastors in
the State of Kentucky and some are missionaries in
foreign lands.
From the first the teachers in the college have been
men and women of earnest Christian character, fit
guides and exemplars for the students, with whose
lives they have always been in intimate contact.
Among these teachers are many whose lives are inter-
woven with the history of education in Kentucky.
The names of Rockwood Giddings, Howard Mal-
colm, Duncan R. Campbell, and Richard M. Dudley,
former presidents of the college, are known by all
who have studied Kentucky educational history, while
the memory of Prof. Jonathan E. Farnam, Prof. Dan-
forth Thomas, and Prof. James J. Rucker is cherished
with peculiar veneration on account of their many
years of consecrated service to the college by all those
who have passed under their influence.
The younger men, who have in recent years been
added to the teaching force, are most of them repre-
sentatives of old and famous universities, and all of
them specialists in their departments, but the quali-
fications especially sought after in their selection have
been Christian character and sympathetic understand-
ing of the needs and ambitions of the young.
Co-education
For the first sixty years of its history, the college
was conducted as a school for young men ; but in 1892
young women were admitted on the same terms as
men.
This step was taken in the belief that young women
would not remain satisfied with an older type of edu-
172 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
cation which had been provided for them on the
theory of their incapacity for the higher standards
required of men. The leaders of this movement in
Kentucky, among whom Prof. J. J. Kucker stands
easily first, had become convinced that young women
are as capable of first class education as young men.
The results at Georgetown College in co-education
have amply justified the experiment. The fact that
this college took the bold stand that young women
would come to demand the best in education, and that
Georgetown attempts to offer only this, has made it
noted as a home for college women who have caught
a vision of the opportunities for large service which
this country offers to the young woman who will pay
the price of thorough educational training.
Year by year the college views with increasing
satisfaction the eager submission of mature young
women to the labor required for the acquisition of a
college education. The class of young women of in-
telligence and trustworthy character who heed the
call of higher education insures the absence of those
so-called difficulties of co-education which are said
to exist in the popular mind.
Georgetown College sees its definite mission as a
standard Christian college, working under the control
of the Baptist denomination in Kentucky, and repre-
sentative of its aims and ideals. It is a college in
the true meaning of that term. It believes that the
highest reality of true and useful culture lies, not
outside of, but within the Kingdom of God; and so
its educational work is deeply religious in the con-
viction that a life of efficient and faithful human
service in obedience to Jesus Christ is the noblest
career open to man.
The college endowment is now about $480,000, but
at the end of the Seventy-five Million Campaign, if
the proceeds come in as planned and expected, the
endowment will be slightly over a million dollars.
The enrollment of students at this date is 358.
The presidents since the term of R. M. Dudley
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 173
have been in the following order: A. C. Davidson,
B. D. Gray, J. J. Taylor, Arthur Yeager, and M. B.
Adams, the present incumbent.
Bethel College— 1849
Bethel College was organized by the Bethel Asso-
ciation of Baptists of southwestern Kentucky in 1849,
under the name of "Bethel High School." The main
building was erected in 1852, and the school was
formally opened in January, 1854, under the manage-
ment of Mr. B. T. Blewitt. The school prospered and,
upon the public demand for work beyond the high
school, a new charter was obtained, and the institu-
tion entered upon its career as a college in September,
1856. Mr. Blewitt was made the president of the
new college and continued with the institution until
the summer of 1861, when the distractions of war
made it necessary to close the school.
In the winter of 1861 and 1862 the building was
used as a hospital by the Confederate forces until
the fall of Fort Donelson, in February. In Septem-
ber, 1863, the college was reopened under Kev. George
Hunt as president. The reorganization of the institu-
tion was accompanied by many discouragements. In
1864 Mr. Hunt resigned, and J. W. Rust became the
president. Under his direction the institution con-
tinued to grow in numbers and influence until 1868,
when President Rust was compelled to resign by rea-
son of poor health. He was succeeded by Noah K.
Davis. Under his direction the courses of study were
divided up into schools, each school embracing all of
the subjects contained in one line of study. Gradua-
tion was dependent upon the completion of the work
in a certain number of schools. In 1869 there was
established a Chair of English, so that Bethel was the
first American college thus to recognize the impor-
tance of this department.
During the period after the war many additions
were made to the college property and to the endow-
ment fund. In 1872 the president's house was built,
174 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
and in 1876 N. Long Hall, the college dormitory, was
erected. The endowment had steadily increased from
$40,000 in 1860 to $85,000 in 1875.
Mr. James Enlow, of Christian County, in 1869
bequeathed to Bethel College about $6,000, the income
from which, when it became available in 1872, was
used as a loan fund from which to aid young men
who were studying for the ministry in Bethel College.
The ''Ewing Professorship of Philosophy" was so
entitled in consideration of the valuable bequests of
Judge E. M. Ewing and his son, H. Q. Ewing. The
' ' N. Long Professorship of English and History ' ' was
named in honor of the constant and devoted services
as well as liberality of Mr. Nimrod Long, of Russell-
ville. The Norton brothers — George W., William F.,
and Eckstein, all of whom were natives of Russell-
ville — were liberal contributors to the funds of the
college, and in grateful recognition of this fact the
"Norton Chair of Natural Sciences" was so named.
During the administration of President Ryland
the heirs of N. Long and G. W. Norton offered to the
board of trustees the property formerly known as
the Southern Bank of Kentucky to be used as a library
and for kindred purposes.
In 1908 Bethel College became affiliated with the
Baptist Educational Society of Kentucky, which is
striving to promote the welfare of the Baptist schools
of Kentucky. The college has received considerable
financial help from this society.
As a result of the great Seventy-five Million Cam-
paign in the fall of 1919, the value of the work will
be increased by the $200,000 assigned to Bethel Col-
lege for needed buildings and endowment. The board
has recommended the construction of a new dormitory
for the exclusive use of college students and has
authorized a campaign among the former students
and friends of the school for the construction of a
memorial chapel to be dedicated to Professor James
H. Fuqua, who died in February, 1920, after intimate
association with the college since its opening in 1852.
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 175
Presidents of Bethel College
B. T. Blewitt 1854-61
College closed 1861-63
Kev. George Hunt 1863-64
J. W. Rust 1864-68
Noah K. Davis 1868-73
Leslie Waggener 1873-83
James H. Fuqua, Chairman of
Faculty 1883-87
Rev. W. S. Ryland 1889-98
Rev. E. S. Alderman 1898-02
W. H. Harrison 1903-07
James D. Garner 1907-09
F. D. Perkins 1909-13
H. G. Brownell 1913-17
Rev. R. H. Tandy 1917-18
Geo. F. Dasher 1918-
Bethel Woman's College — 1854
Bethel Female College was the culmination of a
desire of the Baptists of Hopkinsville and Bethel
association to provide an institution in which young
women could receive an education beyond that which
they could acquire in the ordinary public or private
schools. The movement for this school began to take
definite shape in 1853, when public-spirited citizens
of Christian and adjacent counties, by private con-
tributions, raised funds to buy six acres of ground in
which is now the heart of the best residence section
of the city of Hopkinsville. In 1854 a charter was
secured under the name of Bethel High School. In
1855 the cornerstone was laid and in 1857 was com-
pleted the splendid four-story building which, with
its massive columns, still remains one of the most
beautiful examples of Greek architecture to be found
in the state.
In 1858 the school was given a new charter under
the name of Bethel Female College. This charter was
afterwards repealed, but the new name was retained.
In 1890 a charter was secured legalizing the name
176 Kentucky Baptist Histonj— 1770-1922
Bethel Female College and granting to the institu-
tion the power to confer the usual college degrees.
The first principal of the institution was W. F.
Hill, elected in 1856. He was followed in 1857 by
J. W. Rust, who resigned in August, 1863, when the
school was closed for several months. T. G. Keen
re-opened the school in March, 1864, and continued
as principal until 1866. The school was then quite
prosperous. M. G. Alexander succeeded Mr. Keen
and resigned in 1868, to be succeeded by J. F. Dagg.
In 1874 Mr. Dagg was succeeded by J. W. Rust, who
remained with the college until his death in 1890.
For about a year the office of president was vacant,
but in January, 1891, T. S. McCall, of Liberty College,
was elected to the position and remained with the
school until 1896, when he was succeeded by Edmund
Harrison. After a very successful administration of
thirteen years. Doctor Harrison resigned in 1909 and
H. G. Brownell was elected to fill the vacancy. In
1914 W. S. Peterson was chosen to succeed President
Brownell, who was elected to the presidency of Bethel
College, for men, at Russellville, Kentucky. In 1908
the college became a part of the system of the Baptist
Education Society, and in 1916, under the administra-
tion of Mr. Peterson, it was decided to cease giving
the A. B. degree, to make Bethel a standard junior
college and to omit the word ''Female" from the
name, substituting ''Woman's."
During all these years the policy of the trustees
had been to lease the building and grounds to the
president, who conducted the institution as a private
enterprise. For many reasons this was unsatisfac-
tory; so in 1917, upon the resignation of President
Peterson, a new policy was adopted. Under this
policy the trustees elect all officers and teachers. They
likewise become responsible for and control all ex-
penditures.
Miss Clara Belle Thompson was chosen president
and Mrs. Eager vice-president. Under their adminis-
tration the results have been so satisfactory that the
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 177
trustees have decided to continue the present policy.
Upon Miss Thompson's resignation in the spring
of 1919, J. W. Gaines was chosen president and dur-
ing his first year the attendance increased three-fold.
The stately old building is a beautiful sight as
it stands in the center of the large campus covered
with blue grass and shaded by magnificent trees.
Year before last it was found necessary to increase
the accommodations and a new residence hall was
erected, forming a west wing to the old building.
This building contains twenty-four bedrooms equipped
with stationary washstands, with hot and cold water.
The ground floor contains a well-equipped science
laboratory and seven commodious class rooms.
Last year an east wung was added which contains
thirty bedrooms, a well-equipped infirmary, four large
music studios, twelve practice rooms and a thoroughly
modern gymnasium. A swimming pool has also been
added and the interior of the old building remodeled
and renovated, making it the most attractive portion
of the college plant.
Bethel Woman's College is a member of the co-
ordinate school system in Kentucky.
The Louisville Baptist Orphans' Homes — 1869
In the years following the Civil War, the children
orphaned thereby became a pressing problem to
Dr. George C. Lorimer and his people, the Walnut
Street Church. They did what they could, but despite
their efforts Baptist mothers were compelled to allow
their children to go into Catholic orphanage asylums.
The Catholics then solicited aid of the Baptists for
the support of their orphanages on the ground that
they were caring for Baptist orphans. This was more
than Doctor Lorimer could stand, and he cried out as
he talked with his Ladies' Aid, "There must be an
end to this. Who will kneel and pray with me, God
helping us we will build a home for these orphan
children ? ' ' All bowed and his petition as he led them
in prayer was one that had power with God and men.
178 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
The die was cast. The thing was done. The work
was at once initiated. Some three years later, on
June 30, 1869, the "Home for Helpless Children"
was opened in rented quarters at 828 West Walnut
Street. W. L. Weller of sainted memory guaranteed
the first year 's rent. God 's favor was upon the enter-
prise. His first great gift to the work was Miss Mary
HollinsAvorth, who answered the call on July 6, 1869,
and continued as the superintendent until March,
1905, when forced to retire by the infirmities of age.
The home was chartered January 29, 1870. Ground
was broken for the first wing of the present building
at First and St. Catherine Streets, March 21, 1870,
and the same was formally opened on December 19,
1870. This was made possible by the gift of the site
by Dr. J. Lawrence Smith and wife, and the first
$10,000 by three sisters — Mrs. J. Lawrence Smith,
Mrs. W. B, Caldwell, and Mrs. John Caperton. The
additional $10,000 needed was in the main raised by
Mrs. Arthur Peter and other women of the committee.
Through the efforts of Dr. W. M. Pratt, the home in
1872 was provided with the nucleus of a splendid
library for that day. A thorough canvass by Prof. J.
W. Rust in 1873 laid the interests of the home upon
the hearts of the Baptists throughout the state. As
early as 1874 the need for enlargement began to be
felt; but it was the challenging gift of Capt. W. F.
Norton and his mother of $5,000 to the building fund
on February 28, 1891, that aroused the Baptists to
quickly subscribe the $22,000 balance needed for the
erection of the central wing of the building. The
cornerstone was laid October 13, 1891, and the dedica-
tion occurred October 2, 1892. Doctors A. T. Spald-
ing, E. C. Dargan and John A. Broaddus had part
in the dedication exercises. The celebration of the
silver anniversary of the home, due June 20, 1894,
for good and sufficient reasons did not take place until
October 2d. The occasion was made much of. Dr. T.
T. Eaton gave the historical sketch. Dr. George C.
Lorimer, then pastor in Boston, was the guest of honor
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 179
and made a masterly address upon "Memories of the
past and deeds of the future." A collection for the
home netted some $4,500.
Board Presidents
From the organization of the home to the day of
his death in 1883, Dr. J. Lawrence Smith was the
president of the Board of Trustees. His brother-in-
law. Dr. W. B. Caldwell, succeeded him and served
until he "fell on sleep" in 1892. Dr. J. B. Marvin,
already the physician of the home, was the next presi-
dent. His years of service were suddenly terminated
by death on September 2, 1913. Mr. Frank Miller,
honored by the Board of Trustees as his successor,
continues the faithful and efficient presiding officer.
Superintendents
Miss Mary HoUinsworth, from July 6, 1869, to
March 31, 1905; Miss Mary E. Abercrombie, who
had been secretary and assistant to Miss HoUinsworth,
succeeded her. She resigned the work September,
1912 ; Miss Mattie Priest was the next superintendent,
and so continued until she was called up higher on
August 22, 1919, save for one year spent with her
sister on the mission field of China. Rev. 0. M. Huey
and wife took charge on November 15, 1919, as super-
intendent and assistant.
Endowment
The home has a productive endowment of $287,-
823.69, largely the bequest of Capt. W. F. Norton,
whom it was found upon his death had made the
home his principal heir. Under the will of Captain
Norton the income only from this endowment can be
used for the maintenance of the home. It is in every
way desirable that the endowment shall grow by gifts
and a place in the wills of Baptists who want what
God has entrusted to them to go on doing good after
they are gone.
12
180 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
The Orphan's Friend
The official organ of the home was established in
1872 and has proven an invaluable aid in manj^ ways.
Its monthly visit is eagerly anticipated in Baptist
homes all over the state.
Support
The income from the endowment is the first source
of support. The home is put into the budget of Ken-
tucky Baptists each year for a definite sum. The two
funds are not adequate to all of its needs.
Present Situation
The property is in good shape, the endowment
funds wisely invested, and there are in the home at
this time 130 children. Since the coming of the Rev.
0. M. Huey, the home has increased its capacity from
120 to 135. During the long and useful life of the
home, Louisville has furnished only some 16 per cent
of the inmates, but above 75 per cent of the income,
while from out in the state has come 84 per cent of
the children and 25 per cent of the revenue. The
home feels it has a strong claim upon the Baptists
all over the state. The home in all of its long history
has had but four physicians — Drs. G. W. Burton,
G. H. Cox, J. B. Marvin and R. Lindsey Irland, all
of whom have served without compensation. As a
specialist. Dr. Gaylord Hall is now rendering invalu-
able services.
Curnberland College — 1888
The first suggestion of a Baptist College at Wil-
liamsburg, Kentucky, came in 1887 from Mount Zion
Association, which met at Bethlehem that year. Late
in the same year a special session of the association
convened at Williamsburg. Rev. Green Clay Smith
was present and gave such encouragement to the move-
ment that $4,000 was subscribed. Articles of incor-
poration were also drafted ; these were approved by
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 181
the legislature April 6, 1888, and Williamsburg Insti-
tute opened its doors for students January 7, 1889.
W. J, Johnson was chosen principal of the school
and pastor of the church in 1889, apparently. Both
of these positions he held for the ensuing year, but
becoming absorbed in the task of raising money, he
yielded the presidency of the school to Prof. E. E.
Wood in the fall of 1890. Professor Wood was vir-
tually president until the spring of 1919, although
Rev. J. N. Prestridge was actually president for a
brief period.
In 1892 the trustees obtained a conditional pledge
of $10,000 from the American Baptist Education
Society, provided an additional sum of $25,000 was
raised for endowment. To secure this gift Dr. A.
Gatliff gave $10,000 of the additional amount — his
first large gift to the school. Through the unceasing
efforts of the trustees and friends from the beginning
of the enterprise unto the present the general endow-
ment has been gradually increased until it now totals
$275,000.
New buildings have been erected and additional
grounds acquired as the need arose. The principal
buildings are: Administration, Grade, Manual Train-
ing, Domestic Science, Johnson Hall for girls, Felix
Hall for boys. The entire plant is valued at $200,000.
The name of the institution was changed to Cumber-
land College in 1913.
Cumberland College is a first class "Junior Col-
lege," that is, a college that completes freshman and
sophomore work, and thus enables its graduates to
enter the junior year of standard colleges. Fifteen
units of high school work are required for entrance
to the college proper. The only degree given is that
of "Associate of Arts."
Williamsburg, the location of Cumberland College,
is in the southern part of the mountains of eastern
Kentucky, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad,
about two hundred miles south of Cincinnati, about
an equal distance from Louisville, and also about
182 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
ninety miles north of Knoxville. It is also on the
Dixie Highway. It is a place of natural beauty and
healthful surroundings.
In name and in practice the school is religious.
Not only is the Bible taught as a text-book, but in
all the work of the institution it is honored. In chapel
especially, but also in all the departments, religion is
inculcated and a spiritual atmosphere is maintained.
All pupils are required to attend chapel services
every morning, and church at least once every Sun-
day. The school is under Baptist auspices, and all
students are welcome at the Baptist Church; yet in
selecting a place of worship they are allowed to exer-
cise conscientious preferences.
The Rev. Charles William Elsey, D. D., was elected
president of the institution in May, 1921, succeeding
Prof, A. R. Evans, acting president during the term
1920-21.
The Baptist Ministers' Aid Society of Ken^
tuchy—1888
The Baptist Ministers' Aid Society of Kentucky
was organized at Eminence, Kentucky, June 21, 1888,
and incorporated April 19, 1890.
The Rev. J. S. Felix, D. D., pastor First Baptist
Church, Owensboro, was largely responsible for bring-
ing into existence this organization, and is the first
named on the board of incorporators.
The purpose of the institution as set forth in the
articles of incorporation is "to provide for disabled
Baptist ministers and missionaries, and the dependent
infant orphans of Baptist ministers and missionaries
in the State of Kentucky during the time of their
disability with a comfortable home and the necessities
of life, together with medical attendance and, in case
of death, with respectable burial." Noble purpose!
The maximum of the endowment was fixed at
$50,000. At Hopkinsville, November, 1921, the Gen-
eral Association voted to change this to $100,000, so
bequests for this purpose could be accepted. This
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 183
society has done a great work in helping to better care
for our old and dependent preachers. While the
board is still intact and carrying on the business at
Owensboro, Kentucky, our beneficiaries are being
served by the "Relief and Anuity Board" of the
Southern Baptist Convention, located at Dallas,
Texas. The Baptist Ministers' Aid Society of Ken-
tucky has proven to be a very valuable institution.
Russell Creek Baptist Academy — 1906
Situated at Campbellsville, Taylor County, Ken-
tucky. The origin of this school was at the session
of the Russell Creek Association, at Salem Church,
in September, 1900, when a committee, with H. C.
Wood as chairman, was appointed "to raise funds to
build, equip and put in operation a Baptist school,
to be known as the Baptist Academy of the Russell
Creek Association."
Under the leadership of those great Baptist lay-
men, Judge James Garnett, Sr., B. W, Penick, the
Rev. J. S. Gatton and the Rev. W. T. Underwood and
their associates, the school was incorporated under the
corporate name of the "Educational Committee of
the Russell Creek Association." In 1906 a suitable
site of ten acres of land in Campbellsville, Kentucky,
was purchased and the erection of the Administration
Building and a three-story dormitory for girls — both
brick buildings — were erected. The dormitory was
named after J. S. Stapp, who gave largely to its
erection.
In 1914 a farm of fifty-two acres near the campus
was purchased for demonstration and experimental
purposes, J. H. Kinnard of Red Lick, Kentucky, con-
tributing the purchase price. A lot adjoining the
farm has recently been bought and a six-room resi-
dence erected thereon for use of the school farmer.
In 1918 a house and lot adjoining the campus was
purchased and a large addition built thereto, making
a dormitory for the boys with thirty rooms. In 1919
another lot containing an acre of land and a two-story
184 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
dwelling with verandas and also outbuildings was con-
veyed to the school by Mr. C. L. Brady of Springfield,
Kentucky, and in the same year an addition of eight
acres of land adjoining the campus was purchased
and added to the campus, making a campus of eigh-
teen acres besides the two adjoining lots and the farm.
The girls' dormitory contains more than thirty
rooms, besides dining-rooms, kitchen and halls. The
buildings are all situated on a beautiful elevation and
are both attractive and substantial.
This school is a member of the Baptist Education
Society of Kentucky, and A-1 accredit academy, and
is so recognized by the State Department of Educa-
tion, as well as by the denomination.
The course of study extends from the primary
through four years of high school. Special courses
are given in music, art, expression, domestic science
and normal training.
The Bible is taught in every grade every day.
The aim of the academy is to be thorough in all
of its work, and not only to give an education, but
to instill into the minds and hearts of the pupils the
teachings and principles of Jesus; and to do it from
the Baptist viewpoint. The enrollment each year has
exceeded 300.
Kentucky Baptist Children's Home — 1915
For a number of years the conviction had been
growing that the Baptists of Kentucky ought to own
and control a home in which to care for orphan and
indigent children. In many sections of the state the
demand was insistent, and the matter was discussed
with earnestness in many Baptist gatherings. This
conviction finally found expression in a memorial
from the Ohio County Association to the General
Association of Baptists in Kentucky in its session at
Somerset, in November, 1914, calling for the estab-
lishment of such an institution. The memorial was
received with enthusiasm, and after much serious con-
sideration the body voted to appoint the following
committee: S. E. Tull, Paducah, Ky.; T. H. Athey,
Kentucky Baptist Institutions 185
Shelbyville, Ky. ; W. L. Brock, Lexington, Ky. ; W. M.
Stallings, Smith's Grove. Ky. ; W, W. Horner, Louis-
ville, Ky. ; Thomas D. Osborne, Louisville, Ky. ; Edw.
C. Farmer, Louisville, Ky. ; J. E, Martin, Jellieo,
Tenn. ; and S. M. McCarter, Lawrenceburg, Ky., with
full power to act in the establishment of a Kentucky
Baptist Children's Home, said committee to become
the trustees of the institution. Acting upon the in-
structions of the General Association of Baptists in
Kentucky, the beautiful and commodious property
near Glendale, Hardin County, Kentucky, formerly
Lynnland College, consisting of sixteen acres of
land and the buildings thereon, was purchased and
equipped. Elder A. B. Gardner, Beaver Dam, Ken-
tucky, was elected as the superintendent, and on June
23, 1915, the home was opened for the reception of
homeless, destitute children. Brother Gardner con-
tinued as superintendent until December 31, 1916,
when on account of failing health he was forced to
give up the work that held such a large place in his
loving heart. On October 12, 1918, he was called to
his eternal home. During his superintendency there
were 113 children received into the home, and he laid
the foundation of what is confidently expected to be
one of the greatest institutions of its kind in the
United States. In 1916 the trustees purchased 120
acres of land, known as the Walker farm, situated a
short distance from the home. On January 1, 1917,
Rev. J. W. Vallandingham, at that time pastor of
Gilead Baptist Church, Glendale, Kentucky, and a
member of the Board of Trustees was elected superin-
tendent and Mrs. Vallandingham was elected matron.
Brother and Sister Vallandingham continued the
work so ably begun by Brother Gardner. Many im-
provements were made, including a large front porch
and two large dormitories, waterworks and electric
lights were installed and plans were made for more
extensive improvements in the future. In June, 1919,
realizing that his physical condition was such that he
could no longer carry the burden, Brother Valland-
186 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
ingham tendered his resignation to the Board of
Trustees, which was reluctantly accepted, and M. Geo.
Moore, a layman, member of the First Baptist Church
of Lexington, Kentucky, who was at that time and
for seven and a half years previously superintendent
of the Pythian Home of Kentucky, located at Lex-
ington, was elected superintendent and Mrs. Moore
elected matron. Mr. and Mrs. Moore took charge on
August 14, 1919. In 1920, 173 acres of land, known
as the Monin farm, adjacent to the home on the south
side and extending to Nolin River, was purchased,
making a total of 309 acres owned by the home which,
together with improvements and personal property,
is worth approximately $140,000. From June 23,
1915, to November 1, 1921, 321 children have been
cared for, 146 of whom were in the home on the last
named date.
It will be observed that the Southern Baptist Theo-
logical Seminary is not included in this list of ''Ken-
tucky Baptist Institutions." While the seminary is
located in Louisville, Kentucky, it is not a "Ken-
tucky Institution, ' ' but a southwide institution. This
is the reason why it is not included in this chapter.
The seminary is a great and worthy institution, de-
serving the sympathy and support of our people.
CHAPTER XVI
The Mystery of Lincoln ^s Religion Cleared Up
One of the most interesting characters in all
American history is Abraham Lincoln. Born in a
one-room log cabin in the wilderness of Kentucky,
reared in the grinding poverty and hardships of the
backwoods of Indiana and Illinois, he, by dint of in-
dustry and application, became a great lawyer and
statesman, a great president and preserver of a
nation.
Every student of history is familiar with the real
humanity and depths of character of this great Amer-
ican citizen. In the study of such a character ques-
tions will arise : * * What of his ancestry ? Were they
pious, religious people ? What of his training ? What
inspired him to a great life ? ' ' The student naturally
looks for something in the dreary pioneer life of
"Honest Abe" that inspired him to nobler and
greater things beyond the horizon of his wilderness
home. In our search for this inspiration we find that
Lincoln's parents were pious, religious Baptist stock.
The Lincolns were Baptists in Kentucky and united
with a Baptist church in Indiana, where they first
settled after leaving Kentucky, as shown by the fol-
lowing :
''Lincoln City, Ind., Nov. 5, 1921.— Rolling back
the mists of a century and offering the deerskin-bound
records of Little Pigeon Baptist Church near here as
the missing link of Abraham Lincoln's religion,
Thomas B. McGregor, Assistant Attorney-General of
the State of Kentucky, has given to an appreciative
American substantial evidence that Abraham Lincoln
was reared in the simple faith of the 'hard-shelled'
Baptist Church."
"Much of the mystery of Lincoln's religion, and
187
188 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
that of his parents, for over half a century a mooted
question, has been evaporated by the finding of Mr,
McGregor in the little old deerskin book of Little
Pigeon Church.
"There is no record of Abraham Lincoln's affilia-
tion with any church denomination, but Mr. Mc-
Gregor's story of Thomas Lincoln, moderator and
pillar of the little Baptist church, proves conclusively,
Mr. McGregor says, that the Lincoln family were
Baptists.
Were Well To Do
* ' The parents of Abraham Lincoln deserve a fairer
estimate than has been allotted them by most of the
biographers of Lincoln," says Mr. McGregor, ''and
the story, as told by the records that are still to be
found in the archives of Little Pigeon Church, near
Lincoln City, Spencer County, Indiana, of the devo-
tion paid by the parents of Lincoln to him who guided
the lad of Pigeon Creek in the hour of the nation's
travail, goes far to give to them their true estimate.
In fact, they were well-to-do pioneers of their day;
of sturdy ancestral stock, owned a farm, domestic ani-
mals, tools and a family Bible ; neighborly, sacrificing
and active church-going members.
''Pigeon Creek Church was founded on June 8,
1816, the year that Thomas Lincoln and his family
moved from Kentucky and settled on Little Pigeon
Creek in what was then Warwick County, Indiana
Territory. It was then, as now, the chief church in
that vicinity. When the meeting-house was built, its
site was selected about a mile west of Thomas Lin-
coln's home, the church building today occupying
practically the same place. When Lincoln's mother
died she was buried between their home and the
church, the graveyard not having been at that time
started at the church, but when Lincoln 's sister, Sarah
Grigsby, died in 1828, she was buried at the church
burying ground, where her grave is yet to be seen,
marked by a rough stone.
Mystery of Lincoln's Religion Cleared Up 189
"This church, with its continuous existence since
1816, has only two books containing its records and
minutes, the first covering the period from 1816 to
1840. It is in this book that we find Abraham Lin-
coln's father, stepmother and sister were active mem-
bers of the hard-shell Baptist Church of Pigeon Creek,
and this book, with its deerskin cover, the hair still
remaining, not only reveals in its crude, historic way
the true religion of Lincoln's parents, but gives us
the best insight yet found to his own religious
views.
Records of Church
' ' Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks were married
by a Methodist minister by the name of Jesse Head,
but shortly afterward they were united with one of
the churches of Baptist Licking-Locust Association
of regular Baptist churches of Kentucky, and when
Nancy Lincoln died in Indiana, Abraham, by his own
efforts, had their Kentucky pastor, Elder David
Elkins, come to their wilderness home and preach his
mother's funeral.
"After Thomas Lincoln had married Sally Bush
Johnson he sent back to his Kentucky church and
obtained his letter of fellowship, and as the minutes on
June 1, 1823, show, he united with the Pigeon Creek
Church by this letter and his wife by experience.
From that date until they moved to Illinois in 1830,
their names appear frequently in the minutes of the
church proceedings, Thomas being one of the pillars of
the church acting as moderator, on committees to
investigate the conduct of brethren and sisters, and
messenger to associations, bearing the letter of Pigeon
Creek to her sister churches.
Text of Records
"The historic minute which records the affiliation
of Thomas Lincoln and his wife with this little pioneer
church follows:
"June the 7" 1823.
190 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
"The church met and after prayer proceeded to
business.
"1st Inquired for fellowship.
"2nd Invited members of sister churches to seat
with us.
"3rd Opened a dore for the Reception of Mem-
bers.
"4th Received Brother Thomas Linkon by letter
and * * * *
"7th Received Brother John "Wire by Relation
and Sister Linkhon and Thomas Carter by Ex-
perance. ' '
"Thomas Lincoln was not in such poor circum-
stances but that he always donated to the needs of
his church, ' ' said Mr. McGregor in offering the follow-
ing copy of an agreement to build a new chimney on
the meeting-house :
"We the undersigned Do agree one with another
to pay the several Somes next our names in produce
this fall to be Delivered Betwixt the first and 20
December, the produce, as follows, corn, wheat,
whiskey, soft Linnen wool or any other article a
material to do the work with, the produce will be
delivered at Wm. Barker's in good mercantile prod-
uce."
Signed with other names is :
"Thomas Lincoln, white corn, manufactured —
pounds — 24. ' '
"Thus," continued Mr. McGregor, "we have re-
vealed to us the religion of Abraham Lincoln's
parents, his sister Sarah, and of himself. He was
raised in the simple Baptist faith, which in after
years never left him.
"We have no record of Thomas LincoLn or his
wife ever uniting with any church after they moved
to Illinois in 1830."
The above was published by the daily papers, and
is taken from Judge McGregor's lecture on Lincoln.
It will be observed that Judge McGregor refers to
the "Licking Locust Association of Regular Baptists
Mystery of Lincoln's Religion Cleared Up 191
in Kentucky" as "Hardshell." The Licking Locust
Association, according to Spencer, was constituted
1807 as a result of a split on the slavery question.
This association was an "emancipation association,"
but it disappeared about 1820, according to his-
tory.
Judge McGregor, however, makes a mistake when
he concludes that the association, because anti-slavery,
was anti-mission. The churches constituting the Lick-
ing Locust Association were missionary, and all of
them that now exist are still missionary. Many of
the preachers who were known as "Emancipation
preachers" were among the most evangelistic of the
state. The Licking Locust association could not have
been a "Hardshell Association," for it passed out of
existence at least a decade before the mission split —
or before there were any Hardshell associations.
Prior to 1816, the date when the Lincolns left Ken-
tucky, there were no "Hardshells" in Kentucky. To
whatever Baptist church the Lincolns may have be-
longed in Kentucky, it was not a * ' Hardshell ' ' or Anti-
mission church, for Spencer says, "Previous to 1816
there was not an Anti-mission Baptist in Kentucky
so far as known." (Vol. I, p. 570.) Neither could
the Pigeon Creek Church, founded in 1816 in Indiana,
be a "Hardshell" church, for the split between the
Missionaries and Anti-missionaries had not taken
place, and did not occur until about 1832 and follow-
ing. John Taylor and Daniel Parker, the leaders,
later in the Hardshell movement, were yet lined up
with the Regular Baptist body, which was doing mis-
sion work in 1816.
William E. Barton, D. D., LL.D., in his "The Soul
of Abraham Lincoln," published 1920, page 36, says:
' ' Thomas Lincoln is alleged by Herndon to have been
a Free-will Baptist in Kentucky, a Presbyterian in
the latter part of his life in Indiana, and finally a
Disciple (I, 11). He does not state where he obtained
his information, but it is almost certain that he got
it from Sally Bush Lincoln on the occasion of his
192 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
visit to her in 1865, as she is the accredited source of
most of the information of this character.
"I am more than tempted to believe that either
she or Herndon was incorrect in speaking of Thomas
Lincoln's earliest affiliation as a Free-will Baptist.
There were more kinds of Baptists in heaven and on
earth than were understood in her philosophy ; and I
question whether the Free-will Baptists, who origi-
nated in New England, had by this time penetrated
to so remote a section of Kentucky. What she prob-
ably told Herndon was that he was not of the most
reactionary kind — the so-called 'Hardshell' or Anti-
mission Baptists The Scripps biography, read
and approved by Lincoln, said simply that his parents
were consistent members of the Baptist Church."
This should settle the question as to the church affilia-
tion of the Lincolns. Mr. Barton also gives evidence
to show that the Lincolns were never Presbyterians
nor Disciples. They were simply Baptists.
Another point worth noticing is the subscription
list for the building of the chimney to the church.
Next to ''corn, " "wheat" came "whiskey" on the
last. This shows that whiskey at that time was a
staple commodity in commerce. We have two other
such subscriptions. South Elkhorn and Pitman's
Creek churches both have old subscription lists for
pastor's salary and church building respectively with
whiskey as a part of the payment.
Mr. McGregor says Abraham Lincoln "had their
Kentucky pastor. Elder David Elkins, come to their
wilderness home (in Indiana) and preach his mother's
funeral." We learn from Spencer that David Elkins
was "one of the early pastors of Goodhope Church,"
and that "he labored with a good degree of success
among the churches of Russell's Creek Association,
and preached the introductory sermon before that
body in 1814." (Vol. I, p. 336.) This puts pastor
Elkins in that section of Kentucky where the Lin-
colns lived, but Elkins was never a "Hardshell."
All of these facts go to show that while the Lincolns
Mystery of Lincoln's Religion Cleared Up 193
were Baptists they were not ' ' Hardshell ' ' Baptists in
Kentucky.
In response to a letter addressed to the postmaster
at Lincoln City, Indiana, asking what kind of a Bap-
tist Church "Little Pigeon Creek" was, and if the
old records show from what Baptist Church in Ken-
tucky Thomas Lincoln's letter came, the author re-
ceived a reply from the clerk of the church, saying :
"Old Pigeon Church is a Regular Baptist Church.
Some call them Hardshells, but the right name is
Primitive Baptist. The record don't show what
church he (Thomas Lincoln) was lettered out of."
This was signed "Lewis Varner, church clerk of
Pigeon Church. Boonville, Ind., 1-4-22.". This
shows that the church is now a Hardshell church, and
this fact, perhaps, misled Mr. McGregor.
In response to a letter to Hon. Thomas B. Mc-
Gregor, the author received the following:
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Attorney General's Office
FRANKFORT, KY.
State House, Jan. 2, 1922.
Dr. William D. Nowlin, Pastor,
First Baptist Church,
Greenville, Ky.
My Dear Doctor: —
I am in receipt of your letter of the 31st ult., rela-
tive to my recent article upon the religious views of
the parents of Abraham Lincoln, and I have noted
with interest what you have to say touching upon the
history of the Hardshell Baptist Church in Kentucky.
The article you saw was doubtless taken from a
Chautauqua address that I have delivered in several
States and which was recently used in a magazine
and by the Associated Press in tabloid form.
I found the old church book of the Little Pigeon
Church more than twelve years ago, and at that time
I looked closely into the history of the Lincoln family
194 Kentucky Baptist History— 1770-1922
in Kentucky. Thomas Lincoln joined the Little
Pigeon Creek Church in Spencer County, Indiana, by
letter, and knowing the customs of the Primitive Bap-
tist Church so well, I immediately begun to look for
his church connection in Kentucky. In my search
somewhere, I ran across the fact that his anti-slavery
views were that of his church and that he was a
member of such church in either Hardin or Washing-
ton counties, Ky. In 1807 there was a dissension in
the General Union of Baptists, and those churches
refusing to give fellowship to slaveholders formed
a separate Association and it was known as "The
Baptized Licking Locust Association, Friends of
Humanity." It was of short life, however, and by
1814 it had disappeared. The home of the Lincolns
in Kentucky was in Baptist territory.
With high regards and best wishes, and thanking
you for your interest in my article, I am
Yours very truly,
Thos. B. McGregor.
It should be remembered, however, that it was not
the anti-slavery sentiment that marked a church as
"Hardshell," but the anti-mission sentiment. Many
of the early Baptists who were anti-slavery were
thoroughly missionary. The zealous, evangelistic
missionary, Wm. Hickman, was one of the "emanci-
pators," but never anti-missionary.
Mr. McGregor says Abraham Lincoln "was raised
in the simple Baptist faith, which in after years never
left him."
While there is no record of Abraham Lincoln
having ever joined a church, it is believed that he
lived and died in the simple Baptist faith of his
fathers.
Lincoln and His Bible
The following account of Lincoln and his Bible is
taken from one of our Baptist papers:
* * The Bible which fed the soul of Abraham Lincoln
in the Kentucky log cabin of his boyhood was one of
Mystery of Lincoln's Religion Cleared Up 195
the cheap little Bibles imported from England by
vote of the American Congress in 1777,
"Lincoln loved the Bible above all books, and once
paid the following tribute to it: 'I am profitably-
engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book
upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith,
and you will live and die a better man. In regard
to the great Book, I have only to say that it is the
best book which God has given to men.' "
Lincoln's addresses, speeches, and messages are
shot through and through with quotations from the
Bible. For example, take this paragraph from his
second Inaugural Address delivered March 4, 1865 :
"The Almighty has his own purposes. 'Woe unto
the world because of offenses ! for it must needs be
that offenses come ; but woe to that man by whom
the offense cometh. ' If we shall suppose that Amer-
ican Slavery is one of those offenses which in the
providence of God must needs come, but which hav-
ing continued through his appointed time, he now
wills to remove, and that he gives to both North and
South this terrible war, as the woe due to those by
whom the oft'ense come, shall we discern therein any
departure from those divine attributes which the be-
lievers in a living God always ascribe to him ? Fondly
do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty
scourge of war may pass away. Yet, if God wills
that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bond-
man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil
shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn
with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with
the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so
still it must be said, 'The judgments of the Lord are
true and righteous altogether.' "
In Mr. Barton's recent book, "The Soul of Abra-
ham Lincoln" he gives on page 86 a statement taken
from Scribner's Monthly, 1873, page 343, as follows:
"Here I relate an incident which occurred on the
4th of March, 1861, as told me by Mrs. Lincoln.
She said:
196 Kentucky Baptist History — 1770-1922
" 'Mr. Lincoln wrote the conclusion of his in-
augural address the morning it was delivered. The
family being present, he read it to them. He then
said he wished to be left alone for a short time. The
family retired to an adjoining room, but not so far
distant but that the voice of prayer could be dis-
tinctly heard. There, closeted with God alone, sur-
rounded by the enemies who were ready to take his
life, he commended his country's cause and all dear
to him to God's care and with a mind calm by com-
munion with his Father in heaven, and courage equal
to the danger, he came forth from that retirement
ready for duty.' "
Lincoln was a man of God, a man of prayer, a
man of faith. He believed unquestionably in the
eternal purposes of God, and in the infallibility of his
revealed will — the Bible.
DATE DUE
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Kentucky Baptist history, 1770.. .1922,
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