■■♦«• 
 
COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON FLOWERS 
 MEMORIAL COLLECTION 
 
 TRINITY COLLEGE LIBRARY 
 DURHAM, N.C. 
 
 The Gift of _ 
 
 7). 91. J&u 
 
 Xs*-& 
 
 Dan Wl**), - J<2, /$£! 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES 
 
 INCLUDING A BRIEF TREATISE ON THE SUBJECT OF DEACONS, THEIR 
 DUTIES, ETC., WITH SOME PERSONAL MENTION 
 OF THESE OFFICERS; 
 
 BRIEF SKETCHES OF A FEW OF OUR TALENTED AND SPIRITUALLY- 
 MINDED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL" 
 TOGETHER WITH AN 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 OF MUCH USEFUL INFORMATION AND 
 MANY ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 R. H. PITTMAN 
 
 PUBLISHER ELECTROTYPES, 
 
 HERALD PUBLISHING CO. INDIANA ELECTROTYPE CO. 
 
 ANDERSON, IND. INDIANAPOLIS, IND. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1909, by R. H. Pittman, in 
 the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 SCHOOL OF RELIGION 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 
 
 When the legal dispensation with its types and shadows, its tabernacle and 
 temple ceremonies, had served the purpose for which God had ordained them, viz, 
 for the teaching and leading and pointing His chosen people to Jesus as the 
 anti-type of all types — the substance of all shadows, it was then that old things — 
 under the law — passed away, and all things — under the gospel — became new. 
 The Law being fulfilled in Christ its ceremonies were abolished and its shadows 
 became more defined as the Son of Righteousness arose with healing in His 
 wing, and in their place was established the church with its simple, spiritual 
 worship. And among the gifts our Divine Saviour obtained for His church when 
 He ascended on high, and which are to be perpetuated till the completion of her 
 members and the perfect unity of the body, is that of faithful pastors. 
 
 To treat of these pastors — those of our day and and in our own country — is 
 the chief object of this book. While the stamp of imperfection is found upon each 
 and none are more free to admit it than themselves, yet, it is doubted if a more 
 worthy, faithful and self-sacrificing body of men could be found. Without any 
 guarantee from men of a salary or maintenance, they, like the Primitive preach- 
 ers, go forward in the discharge of the duties of their high calling as they see 
 it, walking by faith and depending upon Him who does all His pleasure in the 
 army of Heaven and among the inhabitants of earth, and who has promised to 
 be with them alway, even unto the end. And as a body of believers, bearing a 
 denominational name, they stand entirely alone in defense of this faith and 
 practice of the Apostolic Church. No other denomination and perhaps all others 
 combined, can show as many pastors of the apostolic order and "missionaries" 
 laboring on the Bible plan, as the Primitive or Old School Baptist, — Men who 
 are not hired to preach, nor who can be hired to quit preaching, but whose serv- 
 ice in the Master's vineyard is a labor of love freely offered upon the altar of 
 gratitude for the glory of God and the benefit of men. 
 
 God calls such into his service. He must or none would go. The natural 
 mind runs not in that direction, and it is as true today as it has ever been that 
 "No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was 
 Aaron." The true undershepherd is chosen and called. Christ said to His 
 servants, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, 
 that ye should go and bring forth fruit." The apostles, the prophets, evangelists, 
 pastors and teachers are all gifts from the Lord— not for the eternal salvation 
 of sinners but for "the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry for 
 the edifying of the body of Christ." 
 
 And as their calling is not from men neither do they get their qualifications 
 from men. Evidently it is true, if we accept the Bible as authority on the subject, 
 that all the diplomas from all theological seminaries cannot confer upon one the 
 gift of preaching. Nor will the application of high sounding titles such as "Rev.," 
 "Rt. Rev.," "D. D.," and "LL. D." be of any assistance in the sacred work. In 
 the language of Mr. Spurgeon, "the title D. D. may mean Doctor of Damnation." 
 At any rate the world no more needs a literary ministry than it needed a literary 
 Christ. The truthfulness of this statement is evidenced by the fact that Christ 
 chose none of His Apostles, with the single exception of Paul, from the ranks oi 
 the learned, nor did he train to literary authorship nor give them one single 
 express command to labor in that way. 
 
 180582 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 The reply of Elder P. D. Gold, of North Carolina, to Wm. Hooper, D. D., LL. D. 
 a prominent New School Baptist, so fully sets forth the view of our people on 
 the question of an educated ministry that the editor quotes from it as follows: 
 
 "You say, Were there not schools of the prophets? Well, it seems to me 
 that the prophets can give as sensible an account of their call as any one can give 
 for them. Do any of them ever tell us that they were called out of any school, 
 or ever were called to go to any such a place? They spake as they were moved 
 by the Holy Ghost. But it is asked. Were not the disciples with Jesus three 
 years before they began to preach? If they are not with Him all their lives, 
 what is their preaching worth? Are the schools in the place of Jesus, or is He 
 to be found by going to them? And is that the way to get to Christ? But you 
 say, Will not human learning aid man in preaching the gospel — will it not give 
 him words and power over men's minds, and enable him to preach the gospel 
 in a more attractive form? I am free to admit the value of human learning in 
 man's earthly affairs, and heartily commend its acquisition in that sense. But 
 what does inspiration say about spiritual things and how they are spoken? 
 'Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, 
 but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.' 
 When the Lord calls a learned man (though He does not call many), that man 
 glories in becoming a fool that he may win Christ. Human learning makes no 
 part of the new man, and the saint who has human learning is just as weak and 
 dependent on God for his crumb as any other, and all are fed with the same kind 
 of food. But say you, After one is certainly called to preach, cannot the schools 
 polish him, and give him more influence over men, and enable him better to 
 command their respect, by keeping pace with human learning? Tell me, from 
 Scripture, where one ever tried it, or where it was ever authorized. How much 
 can frail man add to God's gift? How much pride do you think is necessary to 
 influence man to presume such a task? Do not the Scriptures pointedly forbid 
 the employment of worldly weapons in building up Christ's kingdom? Is the 
 minister of Christ to suit his message to proud man's taste? 'We speak wisdom 
 to them that are perfect, but not wisdom to this world.' It seems to me that 
 the Scriptures make some allusions to theological schools, though in the way of 
 alarm. 'But the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but 
 after their own lusts will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.' 
 Much as the Bible is talked of, its doctrine is not endured; but this progressive 
 age calls for theological schools that shall enlighten men to preach doctrines 
 suitable to men's lusts. Men who have devoted so much time and labor in the 
 preparation for the ministry, are worthy of positions of influence and profit. 
 The teachers come down from these schools dosed with a sort of preparation 
 from dead men's brains that will make them sick enough if God should ever 
 teach them where their dependence lies. How do these schools heap up teachers? 
 They furnish opportunities for obtaining an education, open the way to positions 
 of honor and reward, so that there is but little trouble attending the road, and 
 if money enough could be commanded it would be difficult to tell how many 
 would be heaped up; but they shall have itching ears, and shall turn away their 
 ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. The doctrines and fables of 
 men are accepted. Andrew Puller becomes' a wonderful standard. He takes 
 repentance and faith out of the covenant of grace, and puts them under the law, 
 in the sense that he makes them man's duty, and not gifts of grace. If salvation 
 comes on account of man's performance of his duty, it is of works in some sense. 
 He brings in the modern missionary enterprise, a system somewhat like the 
 popish measures for propogating their creed, but unknown to the Bible and to 
 Baptists, and is a disturber of gospel peace and order among churches. His 
 followers have departed from the truth further than he did as he refused flattering 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 titles which they accept for modesty's sake without much urging, and they do 
 not preach salvation as nearly by grace as he did, so they are waxing worse and 
 worse. As the world is to be evangelized, the tender mind of the young must be 
 converted by means of the newly invented Sunday Schools, and humanly pre- 
 pared preachers must be sent to the heathen. Some man must hold the hand 
 of the missionary while he goes down into the wells, and he must see how his 
 bread comes before he goes; and your churches combine in forming such tre- 
 mendous agencies of power as your conventions, while you all glory in the 
 fruits of your wise system. That your denomination generally indorse your 
 system is manifest and what little I write may only have the effect of influencing 
 them to fall down before their idols, and shout in louder strains, 'Great is 
 Diana of the Ephesians.' " 
 
 In setting no value upon Theological Seminaries, Colleges, etc., in qualifying 
 men for ministerial duties, the Editor, and those he represents, would not be 
 understood to oppose or undervalue human learning. On the other hand the 
 Baptists have ever been warm friends of education, and the earnest advocates 
 of civil and religious liberty, without which education, in its broad, unfettered 
 and true sense can never exist. Their loyalty almost without exception, to the 
 cause of freedom during the dark days of the Revolution, as testified to by 
 Washington himself; — their record since as law abiding citizens; as faithful 
 officers in various departments of government; as educators, philanthropists, 
 authors, etc., their support of a dozen or more religious periodicals published by 
 their own brethren and the liberal patronage and earnest support they give to 
 all non-sectarian schools from the public free school to the highest universities, 
 all go to prove their friendship for, and advocacy of, education. 
 
 But all Bible students are well aware that the world by wisdom knows not 
 God. The wisdom of this world can comprehend only the things of this world — ■ 
 cannot attain unto spiritual knowledge. The wise man is just as dependent upon 
 God for crumbs of spiritual truth as is the ignorant man. This knowledge comes 
 not by the "willings and doings" of men but by the revelation of God; and God 
 is just as able to reveal His truth to the ignorant Peter as to the learned Paul. 
 And more, we are told that while God calls some wise men into his service he 
 does not call for many, for Paul says: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that 
 not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 
 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and 
 God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which 
 are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, 
 hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that 
 are: That no flesh should glory in His presence." 
 
 Now this grand truth is not spoken for the exaltation of the ignorant, but 
 for the exaltation of God. The ignorant cannot glory in his ignorance nor the 
 wise in his wisdom but both are equally made dependent upon Him who is the 
 source of all knowledge — the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and both are 
 exhorted to "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth 
 not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." And while the ministry 
 of the Primitive or Old School Baptist Church do not make it a point to utudy 
 to show themselves approved unto man or unto the world, yet the Editor believes 
 that even though time should fail eternity will not fail to reveal the fact that 
 they do study to show themselves approved unto God. In fact, they are warned 
 by inspiration that if they seek to please men, or the world, they are no longer 
 the servants of Christ. They manifest that they are anxious to 'render unto 
 Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." 
 
 Thus there should be a separation of Church and State followed by a dis- 
 tinction between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God, and as we look 
 
 180582 
 
10 PRBF'ACE. 
 
 to the school of men to qualify us for efficient service in the kingdins of this 
 world, so we should look to the school of Christ to qualify us for efficient service 
 in His kingdom which "is not of this world." And if we are students in the 
 Master's school of experience we shall "grow in grace and in knowledge" and 
 learn from Him and His inspired Text Book that the qualifications mentioned 
 therein are for the called and fully qualified servant is that he must be "gentle, 
 humble, quiet, firm, virtuous, upright, just, sober, temperate, unselfish, not covet- 
 ous, well proved, exemplary, of good repute, sound in doctrine able and apt to 
 teach, divinely impressed with the work of the ministry, not for ambitious or 
 sordid ends, but for the good of men and the glory of God." Gal. i; Eph., 3 and 
 8:16; John 21:15-17; and 26:13-15; Mat. 10:1-6; Rom., 5:5; II Cor., 5:5-6; I Tim., 
 3:1-7 and 4:12-16; Titus, 1:6-9; Acts, 20-: 28; I Peter, 5:1-4; I Cor., 9:16). 
 
 Realizing the high and holy calling and the divine qualifications the ministry 
 of the Primitive or Old School Baptist Church, as a rule, feel their unworthiness 
 and insufficiency for these things, and are, therefore not those who seek no- 
 toriety. They shrink from, rather than desire, publicity, and the editor in the 
 preparation of this work, more than ever before has been made cognizant of this 
 trait of their character. To collect data for the biographical matter herein 
 presented required his persistent requests published in our denominational 
 papers, his personal appeals by private correspondence and the assistance of 
 many friends, among whom are mentioned: Elders Sylvester Hassell, Walter 
 Cash, F. A. Chick, J. T. Rowe, J. G. Webb, R. W. Thompson, J. T. Oliphant, F. P. 
 Brascome, J. H. Fisher, Lee Hanks, J. A. Ashbourn, B. E. Bourland, J. K. Free- 
 man, H. M. Farley, J. J. Gilbert, E. E. Lundy, G. E. Mayfield, Henry Taylor 
 and John T. Blanchard; Brethren J. W. Jones, J. G. Wiltshire and C. C. Aylett; 
 and Miss Fannie Lou Raulston, Mrs. S. J. Buckhalt, Mrs. Bettie Leggitt and Miss 
 Annie Crisp, for which the editor desires to express his sincere thanks. 
 
 Acknowledgement is also made to Elders Sylvester Hassell and George W. 
 Stewart for freely quoting from the Church History and The Two Witnesses as 
 appears in the appendix of this work. 
 
 In conclusion the editor wishes to say that his work, like himself, bears 
 many of the marks of imperfection. Within the period of its preparation he has 
 endeavored to make it fairly representative. He could not hope for more than 
 this. For to gather even the briefest information of All Primitive or Old School 
 Baptist Ministers, would be almost an impossible task. Many worthy ministers, 
 now living, would furnish no information of their lives, and their friends failed 
 to do so for them. Others delayed sendng data until too late; while on the other 
 hand the editor may have in a few instances, been taken advantage of and some 
 may appear herein who are really in disorder at home, and unworthy of repre- 
 sentation, for an investigation in all cases of the personnel of the work was next 
 to impossible. 
 
 It has been his purpose on the one hand to steer clear of any who fail to 
 adcrn the doctrine of God our Saviour with a godly walk and conversatin, and 
 also those restless, progressive spirits amcng us who seem not satisfied with the 
 order of God's house but who are clamoring for new practices unauthorized by 
 God's word and unprecedented in Baptist History and who are pressing such 
 things to the extent of division, thus manifesting they prefer innovations to the 
 fellowship of the great body of Baptists. 
 
 And on the other hand the editor has taken a broad view of those points 
 of doctrine and practices such as predestination and feet-washing, which has 
 ever, to some extent, been open questions among our people, and over which 
 there has been more a war of words than of principle; and advocates of different 
 shades of opinion on such matters are given equal representation. 
 
 The preparation of the work has imposed a vast responsibility and an 
 immense amount of labor. The manuscript was prepared amid the many duties 
 
PREFACE. 11 
 
 of a busy life and under various circumstances — sometimes on railroad trains, 
 sometimes while waiting at stations for the cars, etc., and it is therefore, desired 
 that the reader freely use "a mantle of charity" in its perusal. 
 
 The editor has labored, not only to present a useful, interesting and readable 
 book, but one that will also be unifying, edifying and beneficial to our people. 
 How well he has succeeded remains to be seen. But whatever the result, he 
 feels that the motive prompting the undertaking and prosecution of the work 
 was a pure one. A long felt desire to render an essential service to the cause 
 of truth has been the "guiding star." The humble and faithful "soldiers of the 
 Cross," who after spending their lives in obscurity and "of whom the world is 
 not worthy " should not, he feels, be forgotten. And as we love to see their 
 graves marked, let us also seek to perpetuate their memory in a more enduring 
 way than the sculptor's chisel on the marble slab, and teach our children to 
 honor their names; to reverance the God they served; and, at least, to respect 
 the principles for which they have so faithfully and unselfishly labored. 
 
 That this work may be blessed of God to His glory and the benefit of His 
 people is the earnest wish of 
 Luray, Virginia, May 27, 1909. R. H. PITTMAN. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 13 
 
 fc 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 1% 
 
 Title to this worK 5 
 
 Copyright 6 
 
 Preface 8 
 
 Special Notice 15 
 
 SKetches and Pictures of Ministers 17 
 
 (In Alphabetical Order.) 
 
 Deacons, with some personal mention of the officers 308 
 
 (In Alphabetical Order.) 
 
 Some Talented and Spiritually Minded Sisters— 323 
 "Mothers in Israel," Etc. <i n Alphabetical order.) • • • • 323 
 
 APPENDIX — CONTAINIG THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: 
 
 The Bible 342 
 
 The Full Divine Inspiration of the Bible — 343 
 
 Twelve Works of the Apostolic Church 346 
 
 Some Important Dates in Church History — 347 
 
 Denominations 349 
 
 Roman Catholic Church 354 
 
 Baptist Denominations 357 
 
 The Old School Address at the Block Rock Con- 
 vention ^60 
 
 World's Population— Religious and Otherwise — 368 
 
 Some Old Churches 369 
 
 Baptist Associations 370 
 
 Union Meetings • • 370 
 
 Our Saturday and Sunday Meeting's 371 
 
14 
 
 TABLE OP CONTENTS. 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS—CONTINUED. 
 
 Missions 3 7 
 
 Sunday Schools 378 
 
 Secret Societies 379 
 
 Modern Secret Societies 381 
 
 Instrumental Music in Churches 382 
 
 Christmas 383 
 
 One Sentence —Longest in Print — 384 
 
 Our "Christian Nation" 388 
 
 A Pen Picture of Jesus 388 
 
 Civil War Record 389 
 
 Elder John Leland's Theology 389 
 
 Sketch of John Gill 390 
 
 Sketch of Joseph Philpot 391 
 
 Soul and Spirit ■ 391 
 
 Sunday 391 
 
 The Saved— The Lost 392 
 
 Cain's Wife 392 
 
 Church Government 393 
 
 Family Worship 393 
 
 Crime Increasing'— Morals Declining' 393 
 
 The Hireling 394 
 
 The Serpent and Eve 395 
 
 Melchizedek — 396 
 
 The Negro 396 
 
 Federal Councils of the Churches of Christ — 396 
 
 Reverend 397 
 
 God is not the Author of Sin 397 
 
 "Our Funeral," with some Facts and Statistics 397 
 
 Names of 825 of our Ministers whose Sketches 
 
 do not appear in this work 400 
 
 Advertisement— Relig'ious Periodicals 405 
 
 Final Notice 406 
 
SPECIAL NOTICE. 15 
 
 SPECIAL NOTICE 
 
 The reader who may find errors in this book, whether in names, dates, places, 
 principles or practices, is requested to advise the editor of such errors, with 
 proofs of same that they may be eliminated from future editions. 
 
• 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 17 
 
 A 
 
 ELIHU R. ABERNATHY. 
 
 Abernathy, Elder Elihu R., was 
 
 bom September 2, 1838, and died July 
 9, 1903. He professed a hope in Jesus 
 September, 1877, of which hope he 
 was ready at all times to give a rea- 
 son. Upon a profession of his faith 
 he was received into the fellowship of 
 Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church, 
 Bartow County, Ga., November 2, 
 1877, and was baptized the following 
 day, and was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry February 
 2, 1889. Wjas married to Miss Malinda 
 W. George, January 14, 1862. He was 
 a faithful minister and gave evidence 
 in his life, and even on his death-bed, 
 that he had been with Jesus and had 
 learned of Him. 
 
 J. E. ADAMS. 
 
 Adams, Elder J. E., of Angier, N. C, 
 the second of thirteen children born 
 unto Joseph and Tillitha Adams, was 
 born in Cumberland County, N. C, 
 January 11, 1834. His opportunities 
 for an education were very limited, 
 yet he had a thirst for knowledge 
 which he improved and thus became 
 possessed of much general informa- 
 tion. At an early age he had serious 
 thoughts of life and death, hell and 
 heaven, and began a system of refor 
 mation in which he was, at the age 
 of twenty-five, trusting for Salvation, 
 when he was deeply convicted of his 
 lost condition by the application on 
 his mind of the words of Jesus, "Ye 
 must be born again." After this he 
 entered the army, went through three 
 years of service and returned home 
 full of thanksgiving for God's protect- 
 ing care, though still burdened with 
 the laws condemning sentence. He 
 was in much soul sorrow until 
 June 11, 1871, when God at the mid- 
 night hour spoke peace to his soul. 
 For some days he passed through a 
 season of rejoicing, but soon the 
 words of Paul were applied to his 
 mind and heart in a deep and lasting 
 manner — "Unto me who am the least 
 of all Saints, is this grace given that 
 I should preach among the Gentiles 
 the unsearchable riches of Christ." 
 This, he felt, was a call to the minis- 
 try, and gave him much trouble be- 
 cause of his feeling sense of unfitness 
 
 and unworthiness. Soon after this he 
 joined the Church at Fellowship in 
 Johnson County, and was baptized by 
 Elder Moore Stephenson. Within a 
 few months he was licensed to 
 preach, and on August 3, 1873, was 
 ordained to the full functions of the 
 Gospel, and has since been preaching 
 Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. 
 Elder Adams is an humble, faithful 
 minister, has traveled considerably 
 among the Baptists in North Carolina 
 and the Southern States, and has 
 been well received by them. 
 
 WILLIAM ADAMS. 
 
 Adams, Elder William, fell asleep 
 in the triumphs of a living faith in 
 Jesus, November 22, 1895, at his res- 
 idence in Newton County, Ga., in the 
 65th year of his age. He was a son of 
 James and Frances Adams, of Jasper 
 County, Ga. In 1849, he and 'Miss 
 Susan F. Hurst, of Newton County, 
 Ga., were united in marriage, with 
 whom he lived happily until death. In 
 1855 both of them were baptized at 
 the same time into the fellowship ot 
 Harris Spring Church, Newton Coun- 
 ty, Ga., by Elder I. Hamby, where he 
 remained an orderly and exemplary 
 member till removed by death. Soon 
 after he united with the church he 
 acted in the capacity and served the 
 church both as clerk and deacon, sat- 
 isfactorily, until he was called to or- 
 dination as a minister of Christ, in 
 1877. The presbytery was composed 
 of Elders I. Hamby, WV D. Almond, J. 
 G. Eubanks, and J. M. Gunter. He was 
 judged worthy and set apart to the 
 full work of the ministry. From that 
 time he served his own church faith- 
 fully and other churches as pastor, 
 until death, and his labors were truly 
 blessed of the Lord. It was evident he 
 had a pastoral gift. He was blessed 
 and prospered of the Lord both spirit- 
 ually and temporally; was blessed 
 with a large and devoted family and 
 useful citizens. To them were born 
 sixteen children; ten sons and four 
 daughters now living — all grown, 
 seven of whom are orderly and con- 
 sistent members of the Primitive 
 Baptist church, and we have evidence 
 to hope and believe that others of 
 them have a good hope through grace. 
 His remains were laid to rest in the 
 family cemetery, near his residence, 
 
18 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 surrounded by a host of weeping, 
 heart-stricken relatives and friends. 
 There were present Elders W. D. Al- 
 mond, F. M. McLeroy, J. F. Almond, 
 N. B. Hardy, M. F. Hurst, and John 
 D. Curtis. Elders W. D. Almond, Mc- 
 Leroy and Hurst preached appropri- 
 ate and comforting discourses from 
 the text, "Blessed and holy is he that 
 hath part in the first resurrection; 
 over such the second death hath no 
 power." 
 
 GEORGE ALBERTY. 
 
 Alberty, Elder George (1849-1906), 
 of Missouri, was an humble, faithful 
 minister. He received a hope in Christ 
 in the year 1871, and united with 
 Clear Creek church ofl Primitive Bap- 
 ists, and was baptized by Elder Wim. 
 Yeoman. From the time he united 
 with the church he was impressed 
 to preach, but did not obey, for some- 
 time, but tried to keep it to himself, 
 but his chastening was so great that 
 many nights he cried until his pillow 
 was wet with tears. He said it seemr 
 ed more than he could bear. Other 
 ministers saw his calling without him 
 telling. He went to meeting, but took 
 a back seat, but Elder W.hitely said, 
 ■"Brother George, come and preach 
 for us, you will have it to do." He 
 rose up and went to the pulpit, and as 
 be entered the pulpit this Scripture 
 came to his mind, and he quoted it, 
 "Behold what manner of love the 
 Father hath bestowed on us, that we 
 should be called the sons of God," and 
 preached about thirty minutes. He 
 felt that the Comforter was with him, 
 that it was better to obey and have 
 sweet comfort than to disobey and 
 
 suffer the chastening rod, so he ever 
 afterwards followed that rule, and 
 was a faithful soldier of the cross. He 
 was ordained to the full work of the 
 minisry in 188G. In 1895, he was 
 chosen pastor of Clear Creek and re- 
 mained her pastor until his death. The 
 last few years of his life he was pas- 
 tor of Clear Creek, Little Northfork 
 and Stalls Creek churches. 
 
 T. N. ALDERTON. 
 
 Alderton, Elder T. N., was born Oc- 
 tober 15, 1849, and died July 15, 190G. 
 While preaching at Granville Baptist 
 Church, West Virginia, he was strick- 
 en with apoplexy and was soon un- 
 conscious and sweetly fell asleep in 
 Jesus at 5:30 p. m. the same day. 
 Brother Alderton was the sen of Wil- 
 liam and Mary Alderton and was born 
 on the slope of Springcap mountain, 
 near Paw Paw, W. Va. His parents 
 were of English nationality; were 
 poor as to the natural blessings of 
 this life, and the opportunity for edu- 
 cating their children was very limit- 
 ed, so that what education our gifted 
 brother acquired was mostly from 
 reading extensively in books and pa- 
 pers. Few were better informed than 
 he. W^en he was eleven years of age 
 the Civil war spread its desruction 
 and blighting influence *>\hich made it 
 difficult to even get a paper to read. 
 So his natural privileges for an educa- 
 tion were very poor; but he was 
 blessed of the Lord with true wisdom 
 and received much instruction in the 
 school of Christ. His parents were 
 members of Little Capon Church of 
 Primitive Baptists, Hampshire Coun- 
 ty, W. Va. He was blessed of 1 the 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 19 
 
 Lord with a good hope when seven- 
 teen years of age and was received by 
 Little Capon Church on an humble 
 confession of faith in Jesus and 
 was baptized by Elder Philip 
 Mclnturff, in July, 18G7. Here 
 he remained an honored mem 
 ber until Enon church was organized, 
 which was more convenient to him, 
 where he obtained membership and 
 was chosen clerk, which office he 
 filled until after he began to preach. 
 In the twenty-second year of his 
 eventful life, December, 1871, he 
 was united in marriage to Sarah F. 
 Powell, Elder John A. Corder officiat- 
 ing. In March, 1883, his useful minis- 
 try began by an investigation of the 
 84th Psalm. In October of the same 
 year he was given license by his 
 church to preach where the Lord di- 
 rected him. And January 24, 1885, 
 Elders P. Mclnturff, J. Correll and C. 
 L. Funk ordained him to the full func- 
 tion of his calling to serve the church. 
 He was much interested concern- 
 ing the Lord's people who were 
 destitute of gospel preaching and vis- 
 ited many of said places, some an- 
 nually, Avhere they longed for his 
 coming and his words of cheer. It 
 would be difficult to find a more 
 faithful and useful man in the minis 
 try of the Primitive Baptist Church. 
 During his long service as a minister 
 he served four churches and some- 
 times had the care of five, traveled 
 on a conservative estimate three to 
 four thousand miles a year, married 
 over a hundred couples and baptized 
 many mpre. From the best informa- 
 tion I have Elder Alderton served 
 during his ministry the following 
 churches: Great Capon, Enon, Ten 
 Mile Tonaloway, Bethel, Mill Creek. 
 Little Capon, Grassy Lick and Branch 
 Mountain. 
 
 J. T. ALEXANDER. 
 
 Alexander, Elder J. T., was born in 
 Prince William County, Va., in 1836, 
 and received into the fellowship of 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at North 
 Fork, Loudoun County, Va., in 1878 
 where his membership now is. He 
 was ordained in 1882 by Elders John 
 Clark, Paul Yates, Joseph Correll, and 
 Benjamin Bridges. Elder Alexander 
 has served old Chappawomsic Church 
 since the death of Elder John Clark, 
 a quarter of a century ago. He has 
 also during his ministry, served 
 White Oak, Greenwood, Zion, and In- 
 dependent Hill churches and is an 
 
 humble, meek and faithful brother. 
 Though he has traveled some his la- 
 
 J. T. ALEXANDER 
 
 bors have been mostly 
 churches in Virginia. 
 
 confined to 
 
 BURDITT O. ALLEN. 
 
 Allen, Elder Burditt O., of Missouri, 
 was born in Madison County, Septem- 
 ber 13, 1811, and died June 24, 1873. 
 United with the Baptists 1841, and or- 
 dained 1843. He was a man of indus- 
 try, thrift and energy, though not of 
 robust health. He was a farmer, went 
 into the forest, cleared the ground, 
 cut and hewed the logs for his dwell- 
 ing, barn, and out-houses, and though 
 he served four churches regularly 
 most of his ministerial life, that did 
 not help him much in a financial way, 
 yet he was blessed of the Lord to live 
 above want, and was charitable to- 
 ward the poor. He was a good neigh- 
 bor, a valued citizen and was re- 
 spected and honored by all, though 
 many did not like his preaching be- 
 cause of the doctrine he so firmly 
 contended for. He' had no compromise 
 to make with error and contended 
 earnestly for the faith once delivered 
 unto the Saints. He died several years 
 ago, after a long term of useful ser- 
 vice, though exact dates could not be 
 obtained. 
 
 J. T. ALLEN. 
 
 Allen, Elder J. T., of Hale County, 
 Ala., was born June 16, 1821, died 
 March 19, 1885. He was highly es- 
 
20 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 teemed by Primitive Baptists, among 
 whom he traveled and preached ex- 
 tensively; and a more acceptable 
 minister, in every particular, would 
 be hard to find. His meek and humble 
 bearing in and out of the pulpit won 
 for him the sincere love and esteem 
 of his brethren and friends. Often he 
 would rise before a congregation to 
 address them with tears in his eyes, 
 indicating his sincerity and the deep 
 solemn emotions of his soul; and 
 often the congregation would be al- 
 most as deeply affected under his 
 preaching. As a citizen and neighbor 
 he was greatly beloved. Honest and 
 industrious, he was referred to by the 
 business men of Hale County as "One 
 that is as good as gold." There were 
 certain indescribable traits of char- 
 acter possessed by him that caused 
 him to be recognized as one of na- 
 ture's noblemen. He ever contended 
 for the good way, determined to know 
 nothing but Christ and Him crucified 
 in his ministry, and died in the full 
 triumph of faith, among his last 
 words being, "My hope is in God and 
 not in man." 
 
 W. D. ALMOND. 
 
 Almond, Elder W. D., was born on 
 April 21, 1821, and died November 15, 
 1903, in Rockdale County, Georgia. 
 His parents were John D. and Mary V. 
 Almond. His father was a Primitive 
 Baptist preacher and served from four 
 to six churches. Brother Almond mar- 
 ried Martha Curtis May 11, 1843, who 
 made him a faithful and loving com- 
 panion. He claimed a hope in the year 
 '38 joined the "Missionaries" in '45, 
 staid with them until '51, soon after- 
 wards joined the Primitive Baptists, 
 and in a year or two began exercising 
 in public, and was soon called to take 
 the care of four churches. He served 
 them faithfully as one that careth for 
 the sheep. One of the churches he serv- 
 ed over forty years, and baptized a 
 great many. He was very industrious, 
 and made all his supplies on his farm, 
 working with his own hands, not to be 
 an incumbrance on his brethren. He 
 was an excellent provider for his fam- 
 ily. He raised eight children, six girls 
 and two boys. One daughter died Aug- 
 ust 11, 1853. He gave each one of them 
 a home. He was strictly honest, and 
 very prompt in his promises. His 
 word was as good as the money every- 
 where he was known. He knew no 
 man after the flesh, and made many 
 enemies because he contended so 
 
 earnestly for the doctrine of election 
 and predestination. 
 
 F. M. AMBROSE. 
 
 Ambrose, Elder F. M., was born in 
 
 -, and died February 8, 1881. 
 
 He was a faithful minister and regu- 
 larly attended and preached to the 
 church at Indian Creek, and baptized 
 most of its members. While he lived 
 he missed only one of his regular 
 church meetings and that was only 
 three days before he died. During his 
 last sickness he talked a great deal 
 of his approaching dissolution and 
 said the thoughts of death brought no 
 terror to his mind, that his faith was 
 strong in God, that His promises were 
 immovable, and that his own inbred 
 corruptions which had caused him so 
 much trouble, were now an evidence 
 to him that Christ alone was the sin- 
 ner's Saviour. 
 
 J. I. AMBROSE. 
 
 Ambrose, Elder J. I., of Cresswell, 
 N. C, was born June 28, 1847; had 
 few oportunities to secure an educa- 
 tion; grew up in love with, and fol- 
 lowed willingly, the paths of sin until 
 his twenty-fifth year, when it pleased 
 the Lord to convict him, convert his 
 soul, kill him to the love of sin and 
 give him a view of Jesus as his Sa- 
 viour. He united with Concord Church 
 in 1872, was chosen deacon in 1874, 
 licensed to preach in 1880, and in 
 1884 was ordained to the ministry by 
 Elders Stephen Biggs and J. T. Rowe. 
 Elder Ambrose is, at present, pastoi 
 Oifi Concord Church. His labors have 
 been confined mostly to his home and 
 nearby churches — having never been 
 impressed to travel and preach among 
 other churches. 
 
 WILLIAM ANDERSON. 
 
 Anderson, Elder William, was born 
 in North Carolina, removed to Ten- 
 nessee early in life; united in mar- 
 riage to Miss Nancy Cheek, at the age 
 of twenty; received an experience of 
 grace in his twenty-fifth year and 
 united with the church February, 
 1828. He was ordained in 1836 in Jef- 
 ferson County, Tenn., by a presbytery 
 consisting of Elders P. A. WJtt, Henry 
 Randolph, Noah Cate and Jeremiah 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 21 
 
 Hale. In 1844 the deceased removed 
 from Tennessee to Kentucky, and in 
 1846 united with the church at Rock 
 Spring in Onsley County. His labors 
 were constant and unremitting. Thor- 
 oughly persuaded of the truth of the 
 doctrines as held by his brethren ot 
 the Old School Baptist Church, he 
 never hesitated to vindicate that 
 truth, whether men would hear or 
 forbear; but instinctively kind and 
 gentle, he never unnecessarily tram- 
 pled on, or wounded the sensibilities 
 of those who differed with him. Sal- 
 vation by grace and the mercy of 
 God shed freely upon sinners, for the 
 merit'.s sake of Christ Jesus was his 
 unfailing theme and solace. The ad- 
 vantages of a thorough education and 
 culture had not been granted to him, 
 but he was taught of the Lord, and 
 on His word he meditated day and 
 night; and thus taught, he was al- 
 ways an interesting and not unfre- 
 quently a most able preacher, build- 
 ing up those of like precious faith 
 with himself, and warning the un- j 
 godly. He died in the full triumph of 
 faith November 16, 1867. 
 
 JAMES W. ANDERSON. 
 
 Anderson. Elder James W.. of Conk- 
 ling, Ky. This useful and beloved 
 minister has the care of four churches 
 and is, by the light of Jesus in him 
 made to view himself as "the least of 
 all Saints." He was born in Buchanan 
 County, Mo., October 17, 1863; at the 
 age of five moved with his parents to 
 Kentucky and grew up on the farm 
 with but little advantages of an edu- 
 cation. At about the age of nineteen 
 
 he resolved to fit himself for profes- 
 sional life; prepared himself and be- 
 gan teaching at the age of twenty-one. 
 He was married to Miss Louie Mc- 
 Collum, of Ousley County, Ky., April 
 3, 1888. In the Autumn of 1891, he was 
 convicted of sin and made to cry for 
 mercy, and so continued for three 
 years. Wlhen at last he was blessed 
 to realize his acceptance with the 
 Beloved, and in April, 1894, asked a 
 home with the Old Baptist Church of 
 Macedonia in Ousley County, Ky., and 
 to his surprise was received into their 
 fellowship. He began exercising a 
 public gift — in 1896, and was ordain- 
 ed to the full work of the ministry in 
 1901. 
 
 S. M. ANDERSON. 
 
 Anderson, Elder S. M., of Garfield, 
 Ga., has for many years served as 
 moderator of the Upper Canoochee 
 Association and is a faithful and high- 
 ly esteemed minister. He was born in 
 Emmanuel County, Ga., in 1846, left 
 an orphan when quite young and was 
 raised at hard labor with but few ad- 
 vantages of an education. As early as 
 he can remember he had serious 
 thoughts about eternity and felt he 
 could, when he got ready, become- a 
 Christian. But his conviction for sin 
 increased and he was soon made to 
 realize his true helpless condi- 
 tion by nature, and what he must be 
 by grace to see Gcd in peace, and 
 many were the trials of his tempest- 
 tossed life. But through it all God was 
 with him, deliverance came, hope 
 sprang up in the place of despair and 
 his heart abounded in love for God 
 and his church. He united with the 
 
22 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Primitive Baptists and in a few 
 months thereafter was deeply im- 
 pressed to preach Jesus, but for years 
 struggled against it. After many 
 trials, sorrows conflicts, and re- 
 newed evidences from the Lord of 
 his call to the work he went forward 
 in the public duty and was ordained 
 by Hebron Church in 1877. Elder An- 
 derson has had the care of three or 
 four churches most all the time since 
 his ordination and has served his 
 home church — Hebron — thirty-one 
 years. He has baptized about three 
 hundred persons and his labors have 
 been blessed to the upbuilding of the 
 broken walls of Zion. 
 
 E. L, ANDERSON. 
 
 Anderson, Elder E. L., of Cave 
 Spring, Ky., This faithful minister 
 has the care of Lebanon and other 
 churches, and is also Moderator of the 
 Red River Association of Primitive 
 Baptists. 
 
 J. E. ARMSTRONG. 
 
 Armstrong, Elder J. E., was born 
 in 1808 and died December G, 1891. 
 He was indeed a father in Israel and 
 for about fifty years stood upon the 
 walls of Zion preaching the everlast- 
 ing gospel of God's dear Son. He 
 fought a good fight and finished his 
 course with joy. The editor was un- 
 able to obtain further statistics of 
 this beloved brother's life and labors 
 in the ministry. 
 
 W. C. ARNOLD. 
 
 Arnold, Elder W. C, a faithful, use- 
 ful and much beloved man of God, 
 modestly speaks of himself thus: "I 
 was born in Pike County, Ind., April 
 20, 1869. My parents were members 
 of the Primitive Baptist Church from 
 my earliest recollection. My grand- 
 father, Elder J. W. Arnold, deceased, 
 preached for the Baptists many years. 
 If not deceived I received a sweet 
 hope in Jesus June 22, 1884. Febru- 
 ary 22, 1888, I was married to Miss 
 Martha B. France. In the Spring of 
 1889, I asked for a home in the 
 church at Pleasantville, Ind., and was 
 baptized the third Sunday in April by 
 Elder John T. Oliphant, pastor of the 
 church. My wife was baptized a year 
 before. I was ordained to the full 
 
 functions of the gospel ministry, No- 
 vember 15, 1897, and have been pas- 
 tor of from two to four churches, and 
 traveled and preached where I have 
 felt the Lord directed. I am now pas- 
 tor of three churches. Our only living 
 child, a daughter, is a member of the 
 dear old church with us. Our other 
 
 W. C. ARNOLD 
 
 child, a son, is safely sleeping in 
 Jesus. Many have been my trials, but 
 God's grace has been sufficient." 
 Through all the unrest and trouble 
 in the church Brother Arnold has re- 
 mained firm and uncompromising, 
 ever contending for the Bible doc- 
 trine of salvation by grace. 
 
 JESSE A. ASHBURN. 
 
 Ashburn, Elder Jesse A., of Pilot 
 Mountain, N. C. This able minister 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 23 
 
 of the New Testament is clerk of the 
 Fisher's River Primitive Baptist As- 
 sociation of Western North Carolina, 
 and serves churches within its 
 bounds. He wrote and published in 
 1905 a History of the Fisher's River 
 Primitive Baptist Association from 
 its organization in 1832 to 1904. This 
 is an interesting work, especially to 
 the seven or eight hundred members 
 of this body, and shows careful re- 
 search upon the part of the editor. 
 Elder Ashburn is a zealous worker 
 in the Master's vineyard and a bold 
 defender of the doctrine and practice 
 of the Apostolic Church, and it is 
 with regret that the editor failed to 
 secure sufficient data from which to 
 prepare a more suitable sketch of his 
 life and labors. 
 
 W. S. AT HEY. 
 
 Athey, Elder W. S, was born Sep- 
 tember 27, 1841, and departed this life 
 August 29, 1902. He joined the New 
 School party when young, but finding 
 out his mistake later he left them and 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 at Thumb Run in Fanquier County 
 Va., in 1877. In 1878 he was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry. As long 
 as he was able to attend the churches 
 he rode through fair and stormy 
 weather to proclaim to them the un- 
 searchable riches of Christ. He was 
 married to Miss Alburtis A. Garrison 
 January 18, 1864, After fighting the 
 good fight of faith he has gone to his 
 rest to enjoy that sweet inheritance 
 to which he fell heir by the re- 
 demption of Christ. His mortal re- 
 mains were buried on the old battle 
 
 ground at Manassas, Va., at his re- 
 quest, where he fought in the famous 
 battle of Bull Run. 
 
 W. H. ATKINSON. 
 
 Atkinson, Elder W. H., of Round 
 Peak, N. O, was born in Caswell 
 County, N. O, June 12, 1853, near 
 Moons' Creek Primitive or Old School 
 Baptist Church, which was organized 
 before, and passed through, the divi- 
 sion with the Missionary or New, 
 School Baptist 1828-85. Elder Atkin- 
 son united with Union Church in Sur- 
 ry County, in 1888, began preaching 
 the same year and was ordained to 
 the gospel work in 1890. He has since 
 had the care of churches and is at 
 present serving four, and the Lord 
 has blessed his labors to the upbuild- 
 ing of the broken walls of Zion's city. 
 
 T. E. ATTEBERY. 
 
 Attebery, Elder T. E., of Elgin, Ore- 
 gon, was born in Macon County., Ills., 
 February 26, 1865. In his fourteenth 
 year of age he was convicted of sin 
 and made to feel the exceeding sin- 
 fulness of sin, and for some time 
 labored under the law in order that 
 his good works might influence the 
 Lord to save him, but he learned that 
 the law was only a ministration of 
 death and not of life. And as this 
 knowledge dawned upon him he won- 
 dered how God could save him and be- 
 just. But was taught, by faith, that 
 Christ was the end of the law for 
 righteousness to every one that be- 
 lieveth. When he was enabled to 
 claim this sweet hope, he tarried not 
 but united with Mt. Zion Church, and 
 was baptized by Elder Jesse Shields. 
 Though he, at the time of his deliv- 
 erence from the burden of sin, felt a. 
 strong desire to publish to others, the 
 Saviour he had found, yet, Jonah-like, 
 he tried to run from the Lord and 
 hide from his people; and it was not 
 until he had been taught many les- 
 sons by sad experience that he in 
 October, 1906, was ordained to the- 
 full work of the ministry. Elder Atte- 
 bery is a fellow-laborer with Elder 
 G. B. Mayfield in the far W/est, and 
 his preaching is blessed to the com- 
 fort and edification of God's humble 
 children. Though young in the minis- 
 try he is well established in the doc- 
 trine of God our Saviour and in the 
 practice of His church. 
 
24 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 A. J. ANSTIN. 
 
 Austin, Elder A. J., was born on 
 Roanoke Island, N. C, May 22, 1848, 
 and lived there till 1875, when he 
 moved to Kitty Hawk, Currituck Coun- 
 ty, N. C, and died of apoplexy at Paul 
 Gamiel's Hill Life Saving Station, six 
 miles north of Kitty Hawk, November 
 5, 1902. He married Miss Martha 
 Perry, May 25, 1869. Elder S. Hassell 
 says of him: "He was a fisherman 
 until 1878, when he was appointed by 
 the United States Government keeper 
 of the above named life saving sta- 
 tion, and remained so till his death. 
 He united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church in 1869, and was ordained to 
 the ministry in January, 1883, and 
 was called in 1884 to the pastoral 
 care of Providence Church, at Kitty 
 Hawk, and afterwards to that of Elim 
 Church, at Powell's Point, and was 
 pastor of these two churches at his 
 death. He preached the fourth Satur- 
 day and Sunday in October, 1902, at 
 Providence Church, and was taken 
 sick Monday, and died the following 
 Wednesday week. When he was a 
 school boy his teacher gave him a 
 Bible for telling the truth. He was 
 ■one oli the humblest, kindest and 
 gentlest ol men; good to the poor 
 and needy, never refusing them a 
 lavor, and loved by all who knew 
 him, and resigned in his many and 
 sore trials, to the will ol the Lord. 
 He was one ol the best Iriends I ever 
 had; helped me to pay the Church 
 History debt, and entertained me re- 
 peatedly and most brotherly at his 
 
 hospitable home. His life was a bright 
 and shining light on the northeastern 
 coast of North Carolina. He proved 
 that he was what he professed to be 
 — a child of God and a minister ol 
 Christ." He lell asleep in Jesus No- 
 vember 5, 1902. 
 
 PETER AUSMUS. 
 
 Ausmus, El'der Peter, (1811-1878), 
 was born in Powell's Valley, Tenn. 
 He received a hope in 1833 and first 
 joined the Missionary Baptists, but in 
 November, 1848 , united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church called New 
 Salem in Brown County, Ills. He was 
 ordained in 1852, and proved to be a 
 successful pastor and was much lov- 
 ed. Many yet living remember his 
 labors of love and testify to his faith- 
 ful life and noble character. 
 
 W. R. AVERY. 
 
 Avery, Elder W. R., of Strouds, 
 Ala. This able minister is noted for 
 his faithfulness to his churches and 
 his zeal in the cause of truth. Sound 
 in the faith, strictly moral and order- 
 ly, and free from foolish jesting and 
 ungodly conversation, his life is a 
 blessing to others and his influence 
 for good is great. He sets a good ex- 
 ample to believers to bear the yoke 
 of Christ without murmuring, and it 
 is regretted that data lor a more de 
 tailed sketch could not be secured. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 25 
 
 B 
 
 C. B. BALLARD. 
 
 Ballard, Elder C. B., of Hunter's 
 Springs, W. Va. This faithful minister 
 has the care of churches in the 
 hounds of the Indian Creek Associa- 
 tion and is also clerk of this body. 
 
 fourth year he fell asleep in Jesus. 
 Among his last words he said: "I am 
 going home." 
 
 RILEY BALLARD. 
 
 Ballard, Elder Riley, was born in 
 Monroe County, W. Va., February 21, 
 1838, and died March 8, 1902. Was 
 ordained deacon November 1, 1879. 
 Was with others constituted into the 
 Flat Wjoods Church, where he re- 
 mained a faithful member the remain- 
 der of his life. The church seeing his 
 qualifications and believing Mm to be 
 called of God to preach, gave him 
 license, and July 23, 1893, ordained 
 him to the full work of the ministry. 
 He was soon called to take the care 
 of the four churches nearest him, he 
 served them faithfully as one that 
 careth for the sheep, and he left all 
 the churches in a warm healthy con- 
 dition. He was appointed moderator 
 of the Indian Creek Association in 
 1901 and served this body faithfully. 
 
 WILLIAM W. BARNES. 
 
 Barnes, Elder William W, (1824- 
 1908), of North Carolina, was born in 
 Wilson County and was married to 
 Mary Eure, January 9, 1845. He had 
 long before his death been a Primi- 
 tive Baptist, uniting with the church 
 at White Oak, Wilson County, N. C. 
 He was ordained there, and was the 
 oldest Primitive Baptist preacher in 
 this country. He moved to Hyde 
 County, N. C, January, 1882, where 
 he died. Elder Barnes, was a clear, 
 sound preacher in the doctrine, and 
 in his early ministry baptized many 
 people. His churches prospered. He 
 was active and laborious as a preach- 
 er taking long trips among the 
 churches, and was well received 
 among the Baptists. In his eighty- 
 
 J. T. BARNES. 
 
 Barnes, Elder J. T., ofl Missouri, 
 was born in Boone County, Mo., Octo- 
 ber 13, 1855, and united with Little 
 Arrow Rock Church in Saline County, 
 in June, 1889, and has since had the 
 care of churches, to which he 
 preaches salvation by grace alone. 
 He is firm in the faith and practice 
 of the Apostolic Church, and the edi- 
 tor regrets a more complete sketch 
 could not be obtained. 
 
 J. A. BATES. 
 
 Bates, Elder J. A., was born in Tus- 
 caloosa County, Ala., November 1G, 
 1834, and died August 7, 1896. He ex- 
 perienced a hope in 1857, and two 
 years afterwards joined the Mission- 
 ary Baptist Church. Shortly after- 
 wards he was ordained as a minister 
 of that order and officiated as a min- 
 
26 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ister until he had lived with them 
 twenty years, in which time he be- 
 came dissatisfied and joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Bethle- 
 hem, Neshoba County, Miss., on the 
 12th of October, 1879, and in a short 
 time was called to ordination by that 
 church, and was set apart to the full 
 work of the ministry. He was sound 
 in the faith, and contended earnestly 
 for the faith once delivered to the 
 Saints; and salvation by grace was 
 his theme. He lived an orderly mem- 
 ber of the church, and was ever 
 found at his regular meetings, when 
 not providentially hindered. A good 
 man, a faithful husband, a loving 
 father, a zealous member of the 
 church, and, above all, a Christian 
 and faithful minister of Jesus. 
 
 EPHRAIM BARKER. 
 
 Barker, Elder Ephrain, of Gratiot, 
 Ohio. The editor failing to secure 
 data for a more extended sketch of 
 Elder Barker quotes the following 
 from Elder Potter's Souvenir book 
 printed 1905. He "was born October 2, 
 1829, was baptized 1858, and ordained 
 May 3, 18G8. He labors as pastor of 
 several churches and his labors and 
 counsel are highly appreciated by his 
 brethren. He has the care of about 
 four churches." 
 
 DAVID BARTLEY. 
 
 Bartley, Elder David. For a long 
 period of his eventful life Elder Bart- 
 ley was a citizen of Crawfordsville, 
 Ind. He was the ninth child and sixth 
 
 son of Elder John P. and Charity 
 Bartley and was born in Ohio April 
 26, 1827. In his seventeenth year of 
 age, he was deeply convicted of sin„ 
 but was not able to claim a personal 
 hope in the Saviour until about ten 
 years later. During this period of 
 time many were his trials, tempta- 
 tions and deliverances; much his 
 sorrow, sadness and darkness, but out 
 of it all the Lord delivered him, gave 
 him a sweet hope in Jesus and made 
 him willing to be anything in the 
 house of God; and in June, 1854, he 
 united with Conn's Creek Church and 
 in January, 1857, was ordained to the 
 gospel ministry. Elder Bartley was 
 not only a deep and instructive 
 preacher, but was an able writer on 
 spiritual subjects. He was a frequent 
 writer for the "Signs of the Times," the 
 "Monitor" and others of our periodicals 
 and also wrote and published the fol- 
 lowing books: "Early Religious Life" 
 (of himself), "Man Redeemed," anc* 
 "Mercy Deering." These writings and 
 others of like character manifest his 
 deep spiritual nature and intimate ac- 
 quaintance with the Bible — his chief 
 text-book. Elder Bartley had the care 
 of several churches, traveled and 
 preached in many states and was ex- 
 tensively known among the Baptists 
 of the United States, both as a writer 
 and preacher, and continued active in 
 the ministry almost until his death a 
 few years ago, but the editor's failure 
 to procure proper information forbids 
 an extended notice of his life and 
 labor, 
 
 J. N. BARTLETT. 
 
 Bartlett, Elder J. N., of Pennsylva- 
 nia. This faithful minister of Jesus 
 is the beloved moderator of the Juni- 
 ata Primitive Baptist Association, 
 and has the care of churches in this 
 locality. Specific information as to 
 his life and labors could not be se- 
 cured. 
 
 G. M. BARTLETT. 
 
 Bartlett, Elder G. M., of Alabama. 
 This much esteemed brother was 
 born near Salisbury, N. O, January 
 18, 1828, and while a small boy mov- 
 ed with his father to Monroe County, 
 Ga. Wlhen a man he went to Tallapoo- 
 sa County, Ala., and in 1852 was bap- 
 tized into the fellowship of Emmaus 
 Primitive Baptist Church in said 
 county by Elder John M. Duke; and 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 27 
 
 October 5th, 1875, the church at 
 Mount Gilead ordained him deacon; 
 and August 21, 1880, he was licensed 
 to preach, and in Hopewell Church, 
 Heard County, Ga., he was ordained 
 to the fullwork of the ministry Sep- 
 tember 7, 1895, by Elders R. T. 
 Speight, H. S. Burson, and W. P. Mer- 
 rell. He then moved to Cullman Coun- 
 ty, Ala., and by letter joined Fellow- 
 ship Church, where he remained a 
 faithful and orderly member till his 
 death, which occurred June 12, 1898. 
 He was a faithful and humble defend- 
 er of Primitive Baptist doctrine and 
 practice. 
 
 THOMAS BARTON. 
 
 Bartcn, Elder Thomas, of New Jer- 
 sey was born September 10, 1787, near 
 Washington city. His conviction as a 
 sinner in the sight of God was sud- 
 den almost as lightning, and also as 
 effectual. He -was in the ball-room, 
 engaged in the festivities of the 
 dance, when he was shocked and 
 astounded by a sense of the divine 
 presence and his own guilty condi- 
 tion, and all further interest in the 
 amusements of the hour was at once 
 ended. This was in early youth. And 
 to a man of his uncommonly lively 
 social disposition and flow of animal 
 spirits, the change must have been 
 indeed wonderful. But the current of 
 his whole after life was changed. His 
 own experience afforded him an 
 answer always to arguments as to 
 preaching being the means of the 
 conviction and conversion of sin- 
 ners. It was not the means in his 
 case; he had not been hearing any 
 preaching. He said he never had be- 
 
 come acquainted with an instance of 
 such pungent exercises and deep dis- 
 tress as his own. As in Paul's case, it 
 was comparable to a crucifixion; yei 
 he was always very tender and for- 
 bearing towards those whose exper- 
 ience was gradual, and who were 
 drawn mainly by the cords of love. 
 His baptism appears to have been in 
 the year 1810, and his ordination two 
 years later. Elder Barton does not ap- 
 pear to have ever been allured by the 
 flattering pretensions of the various 
 societies and institutions that were 
 gotten up as auxiliaries to the church. 
 He lived before them, saw their rise 
 and progress, and was present at the 
 Black-Rock convention in 1832 when 
 they finally were scourged out of the 
 temple. His conversational powers 
 were rather extraordinary; and an in- 
 exhaustible fund of humor, of wit, of 
 anecdote, of apt and striking meta- 
 phor seemed to be always accessable. 
 His manner of preaching was not 
 what is called declamatoiy, but rather 
 illustrative. His figures and similes 
 would oftentimes amuse, but at the 
 same time they would instruct. Their 
 effect was solemn conviction. His 
 forte seemed to be to instruct and es- 
 tablish, rather than to gather in, yet 
 to the children he was certainly one 
 of those fathers of which we have not 
 many. He was pastor of a Baptist 
 church in Washington City for a time, 
 and traveled much over rough, 
 rocky and mountainous districts in 
 Maryland and Pennsylvania, on horse- 
 back, preaching for small, destitute 
 churches, at private houses, and any 
 and all places where there was a door 
 opened. He shrank from no hardship, 
 no exposure to winter storms and 
 snows, but went everywhere, and at 
 all seasons, preaching the word. 
 Elder Barton was polished in his man- 
 ners, graceful in his appearance, with 
 considerable native eloquence about 
 him. The New School division seemed 
 disposed to claim, in part, at least to 
 persuade themselves, that he was not 
 as hard as the rest, and that they 
 would be very willing to have him 
 with them. On one occasion one of 
 their young divinity students sent him 
 a challenge to hold a public debate 
 with him. He sent him answer to 
 "Tarry at Jericho until his beard was 
 grown." At another time they appoint- 
 ed him a Director in one of their pet 
 institutions, and sent him a commis- 
 sion. He returned answer that if he 
 had any directions to give it would be 
 in the words of Jehu, 2 Kings, ix. 34: 
 "Go see now this cursed woman and 
 
28 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 bury her, for she is a king's daugh- 
 ter." The apostolic practice was his 
 model, and he was always consistent. 
 He never hired himself out to preach. 
 Although in his earlier years he was 
 surrounded with the practice of ask- 
 ing and receiving pecuniary stipula- 
 tions, even among Baptists, the price 
 of his services was never valued with 
 dollars and cents. He went forth 
 nothing doubting, and returned saying 
 that he had lacked nothing. He was 
 accustomed to saying that the Lord 
 had only promised him bread and 
 water, but that he had fared much 
 better than that. The whole period of 
 his ministry embraced nearly sixty 
 years. It might with great propriety 
 be said of him that "He finished his 
 course with joy, and the ministry that 
 he had received." It was a favorite 
 sentiment with him: "When a man's 
 ways please the Lord, he makes even 
 his enemies to be at peace with him." 
 He died peacefully, surrounded by lov- 
 ing brethren and a devoted family, in 
 the' triumphs of faith, in the eighty- 
 third year of his age. 
 
 R. BATTEL. 
 
 Battel, Elder R., of Scotts, Ark., is 
 Moderator of the Original Pine Light 
 Association and serves churches with- 
 in the bounds of this association. For 
 lack of sufficient data an extended 
 notice could not be given of Elder Bat- 
 tel's life and labors. 
 
 J. E. BATTLE. 
 
 Battle, Elder J. E. (1858-1908), was 
 born in Marion County, Ga., convicted 
 of sin in his youth, united with Shi- 
 loh church, near Prattsburg, in Tal- 
 bott County, in 1880, and was baptized 
 by Elder John Hickey. He was a trav- 
 eling salesman and seldom had the 
 privilege of association with his breth- 
 ren but had great love for them, and 
 for twenty-four years carried the bur- 
 den of an impression to preach the 
 gospel. On July 23, 1903, he was lib- 
 erated by the Church to preach, and 
 having suffered sufficiently to be 
 made willing, having learned by expe- 
 rience the lesson learned by Jonah, 
 that "Salvation is of the Lord," he 
 entered boldly into the proclamation 
 of the gospel. Soon his gift made 
 room for him, and October 10, 1905, 
 he was ordained by Elders J. M. Mur- 
 
 ray, D. F. Woodall and S. T. Bentley. 
 While his ministerial life was very 
 short, it was characterized by faith- 
 fulness in contending earnestly for the 
 doctrine of his Lord, never for a mo- 
 ment willing to compromise truth 
 with error, ever manifesting a desire 
 to know nothing among the people 
 but Jesus Christ and Him crucified 
 for salvation; claiming no honor for 
 himself, but magnifying the name of 
 the Lord. Brother Battle was a man 
 of high moral character, faithful in 
 all the relations of life, true to his 
 convictions of right None who knew 
 him doubted his integrity. They might 
 differ with him in his opinions, but 
 they were obliged to acknowledge his 
 sincerity. Merchants have often said 
 that they never called in question 
 what he told them about goods that 
 he offered for sale, nor doubted his 
 honesty. By his life of faithfulness he 
 has left to his children a rich legacy 
 and to his wife a sweet memory of 
 having been the wife of such a man 
 and the mother of his five children. 
 
 WARREN L. BATTLE. 
 
 Battle, Elder Warren L. This great- 
 ly afflicted, but gifted man was born 
 in 1822, and died at his home in 
 Lowndes County, Ga., December 21, 
 1886. He was baptized into the fellow- 
 ship of Phillipi Church, Schley Coun- 
 ty, by Elder J. R. Respess. Was or- 
 dained deacon in the Summer of 1871, 
 and moved to Geneva, Ga., in the 
 Spring of 1872, and united with the 
 Upatoie Church. In the fall of 1876 
 he moved to Orange County, Fla., and 
 he and his wife put their letters in ai 
 the constitution of Fellowship 
 Church, Mt. Enon Association, which 
 church soon after licensed him to 
 preach. He lived in Florida three 
 years, and moved back to Georgia 
 1880, and united with Cat Creek 
 Church, which church had him or- 
 dained to the gospel ministry in Sep- 
 tember, 1884. He was wonderfully 
 gifted in the spiritual meaning of the 
 written word of God, and was an un- 
 assuming preacher. He often said he 
 was not worth anything to the cause 
 as a preacher, but the brotherhood 
 throughout his acquaintance greatly 
 appreciated the gift of Brother Battle. 
 The last time he ever spoke publicly 
 he was too feeble to stand, and sat in 
 his chair and closed the services by 
 talking a short while, and many will 
 long remember the dear brother's 
 good talk. He made known to the con- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 29 
 
 gregation that his departnre was near 
 at hand; that perfect love casteth out 
 all fear, therefore he was not afraid 
 to die. He begged the saints present 
 to honor their profession by a well- 
 ordered walk and a God-like conversa- 
 tion. These few remarks in the way 
 of preaching to the people were his 
 dying testimony. He was always 
 cheerful and pleasant until within a 
 few days of his death, a faithful sol- 
 dier of Jesus — a man much beloved, 
 drank his cup of suffering patiently 
 and has been honorably discharged 
 from the warfare. 
 
 C. P. BEADLE. 
 
 Beadle, Elder C. P., of Thurston, 
 O., was born near Stilesville, Ind., Feb- 
 buary 18, 1867; received a hope in 
 Christ January 13, 1896, and united 
 with the New School or "Missionary" 
 Baptists, but soon became dissatisfied 
 with them and did not feei at home; 
 was led to leave this church and 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 December 12, 1896. He soon began 
 talking in public and was on Novem- 
 ber 17, 1900, ordained to the full func- 
 tions of the gospel and has since had 
 the care of churches, is now serving 
 three, and has traveled and preached 
 among the Baptists of five states. 
 Elder Beadle is satisfied with the doc- 
 trine and practice of Christ and his 
 apostles and wants nothing of human 
 origin in the house of God. 
 
 ADDISON BEARD. 
 
 Beard, Elder Addison, of West Vir- 
 ginia, died about the year 1898. He 
 
 was a native of Macon County, and 
 served churches in the bounds of the 
 Pocatalico Associations for about 
 twenty years. A full sketch of his life 
 and labors could not be secured. 
 
 I. P. BEAN. 
 
 Bean, Elder I. P., was born Septem- 
 ber 8, 1851, and died December 6, 
 1894. He was a faithful member of 
 the Big Creek Church and soon after 
 uniting with the church was ordained 
 to the full work of the gospel minis- 
 try. He was a faithful and exemplary 
 minister until his death. 
 
 GILBERT BEEBE. 
 
 Beebe, Elder Gilbert. There has, 
 perhaps, been few men since the days 
 of the Apostles more gifted in natural 
 and spiritual abilities than ay as Elder 
 Beebe. Bold and fearless, he fDr more 
 than sixty years, with tongue and pen, 
 faithfully defended the doctrine of sal- 
 vation alone by the grace of God, and 
 during his ministry he preached aboui 
 10,000 sermons and traveled about 
 200,000 miles,— sent forth, not in the 
 manner of modern missionaries, by 
 "Missionary Funds," but in the man- 
 ner of the Apostles and disciples, by 
 the God of grace and providence, who 
 supplied all his necessities; thus ex- 
 hibiting to this materialistic, unbeliev- 
 
30 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 in age, a life of divine faith, and di- 
 vine support. In 1832 he founded a 
 semi-monthly periodical called the 
 "Signs of the Times," which he con- 
 tinued to issue till his death. Elder 
 Beebe was born in Norwich, Conn., 
 November 25, 1800, and died May 2, 
 1SS1. At a very early age he was se- 
 riously impressed with a solemn con- 
 viction of his sinful and lost condition 
 as a sinner and the necessity of be- 
 ing born again to qualify him to see 
 the Kingdom of God. When he was 
 about seven years old he was made to 
 hope and rejoice in God as his Sa- 
 viour. At this tender age he was 
 taught that salvation was of the Lord, 
 and never afterwards had the least 
 confidence in the power of men to 
 effect or help in the salvation of sin- 
 ners. He united with the Baptist 
 Church in Norwich, Conn., when in 
 his eleventh year and was baptized 
 by Elder John Sterry, was licensed in 
 his eighteenth year and began at once 
 to travel as an itinerant preacher 
 and was soon called to the 
 service of several churches. During 
 his ministry he served the following 
 churches: the church in Norwich, Eb- 
 enezer, Ramopo, New Vernon and 
 Middletown and Wallkill in New 
 York; the Third Baptist Church in 
 Baltimore, Upper Broad Run in Vir- 
 ginia, and Shiloh in Washington, D. C. 
 Elder Beebe in his auto-biography 
 says: "The division, or separation of 
 the Missionary Baptists from the Old 
 Order, took place in 1832 — during my 
 ministry. * * * I found no occasion 
 to depart from either the faith or or- 
 der of the church of God, as organized 
 on the day of Pentecost. I cannot find 
 "by sixty years of careful and prayer- 
 ful searching of the Scriptures, that 
 those Primitive Saints who gladly re- 
 ceived the word at Pentecost, and 
 continued steadfastly in the apostles' 
 doctrine and fellowship had any re- 
 ligious organization as auxiliaries to 
 the church, existing among them. No 
 Mission Boards for converting the 
 heathen, or for evangelizing the 
 world; no Sunday Schools as nurs- 
 eries to the church; no schools of any 
 kind for teaching theology or divinity, 
 or for preparing young men for the 
 ministry." For about fifty years El- 
 der Beebe was the able editor oi the 
 "Signs of the Times,' and in his de- 
 clining years said, "My voice will soon 
 be silenced in death, my pen pass into 
 the hands of another, and I hope abler 
 writer, but the eternal truths for 
 which I have so long contended will 
 be lasting as the days of eternity; 
 and when all the deceptive and luring 
 
 doctrines and institutions of men shall 
 be exposed, and all who have trusted 
 in a refuge of lies shall bewail their 
 folly and call for the rocks and moun- 
 tains to hide them from the face of 
 Him that sitteth upon the throne, and 
 from the presence of the Lamb, those 
 who know and love the truth shall in 
 the truth rejoice forevermore." 
 
 WM. L. BEEBE. 
 
 Beebe, Elder Wm. L., son of Elder 
 Gilbert Beebe, was born October 3, 
 1829; died March 28, 1901. At the age 
 of twelve he was baptized by his 
 father into the fellowship of New Ver- 
 non Old School Baptist Church, New 
 York. Married in his twentieth year 
 to Miss Ella Welch, at Middletown, N. 
 Y., and began, about this time, to ex- 
 ercise his gift of preaching. He moved 
 to the state of Georgia before the civil 
 war, and there, for many years, served 
 churches and edited the Southern Bap- 
 tist Messenger, a periodical devoted 
 to the Old School Baptist cause. Here, 
 in 1857, he lost his wife and was mar- 
 ried to Mrs. John Hawkins, who died 
 in 1880. He was, in 1883, married the 
 third time, to Miss Tillie A. Scott of 
 Oswego, N. Y. He, in connection with 
 his brother Benton L. Beebe, edited 
 and published the "Signs of The 
 Times" from about 1881 until his 
 death, and served Ebenezer, Warwick, 
 Shoal Creek, Hollis Springs and other 
 churches, and leaves the record of 
 having discharged his duties well 
 wherever his lot has been cast. He 
 was, indeed, a devoted husoand, lov- 
 ing father and kind friend, an able 
 expounder of the Scriptures, and was 
 fearless in opposing error, and faith- 
 ful in the service of his Mhster. He 
 traveled extensively during his public 
 life of half a century and was widely 
 known among our people in the 
 United States and Canada. 
 
 SAMUEL BEENE. 
 
 Beene, Elder Samuel, was born in 
 Franklin County, Tenn., July 4, 1813, 
 and died in Jasper, Marion County, 
 Tenn., November 23, 189G. He obtain- 
 ed a hope in Chiist at the early age 
 of thirteen years, but did not unite 
 with the church till he was more than 
 thirty years of age. He united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at Swee- 
 ton's Cove, Marion County, Tenn., 
 about the year 184G, and was baptized 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 31 
 
 by Elder John P. Walker. Soon after 
 he joined the church, he was made to 
 feel that the Lord of the vineyard had 
 an important work for him to perform 
 in declaring the glorious truths of His 
 blessed gospel. Being, as he believed, 
 and as we believe, impressed of the 
 Lord to this great and responsible 
 work, he soon began to preach, and 
 his church, feeling satisfied that the 
 hand of the Lord was in the work, 
 called a presbytery consisting of Eld- 
 ers Thomas Hargis and Samuel Mc- 
 Bee, which convened July 19, 1854, 
 and, after a due consideration of his 
 gift, set him apart to the full work of 
 a gospel minister; and I here feel to 
 say, and believe that I voice the sen- 
 timent of all who knew him, that 
 there have been but few, or perhaps 
 none, who have proven more faithful 
 to the charge committed to them than 
 was our dear old father in Israel. Al- 
 most all the time during his long min- 
 isterial life, he had the care of three 
 or four churches, some of which were 
 at a considerable distance; yet the 
 weather was never too bad for him to 
 be in attendance, going through rain, 
 cold and heat, and with all the bold- 
 ness and earnestness of a true soldier, 
 ready to meet the enemy at all times 
 and places. He was one that believed 
 in practicing what he preached, and of 
 him it can be truly said by those who 
 have so often listened to his strong 
 admonitions: "He gave us good ad- 
 vice." It would be difficult to find one 
 who has been more industrious, and 
 who showed a stronger determination 
 to be self-sustaining, and while he be- 
 lieved and earnestly contended that it 
 was the duty of the church to see af- 
 ter the needs of her pastor, yet he was 
 willing, like Paul the Apostle, to labor 
 with his own hands that he might not 
 be chargeable to his brethren. 
 
 J. C. BEEMAN. 
 
 Beeman, Elder J. C, was born in 
 Green County, Penn., September 12, 
 1811, and was a son of Elder Elijah 
 Beeman. He was baptized in the fel- 
 lowship of! the Providence Church, 
 September 29, 1829, by Elder David 
 Layman, and began preaching the 
 same month. In early life he taught 
 school, but in some localities he met 
 with opposition from the patrons who [ 
 were Arminians. At one place the 
 prejudice was so strong against him 
 for being a Baptist preacher, that ht 
 was dismissed from the school. In 
 speaking of this occurrence ai oni, | 
 
 time, he said: "They very well knew 
 that if they were teaching school that 
 they would try to teach their religion, 
 and they judged that I would do the 
 same. After this I went to traveling 
 and preaching harder than ever." 
 When the division took place in 1832 
 he was on the side of the "free grace" 
 Baptists who were called Old School, 
 to distinguish them from tne Mew, oi 
 Missionary Baptists. He was also val- 
 iant for the truth when Campbellism 
 
 J. C. BEEMAN 
 
 or New-lightism struck the West with 
 its plausible story, and was always a 
 champion for salvation by grace. 
 Election was a favorite theme of his, 
 believing that God's people were 
 chosen in Christ Jesus before the 
 world began, being predestinated unto 
 the adoption of children by Jesus 
 Christ according to the good pleasure 
 of God's will. Elder Beeeman was a 
 systematic speaker, beginning his dis- 
 courses with arguments that were 
 self-evident, laying as it were, a foun- 
 dation, then using his best language 
 in connection with positive declara- 
 tions of Scripture to fill up the ser- 
 man, and when he was through he quit. 
 Very few of his day handled a text 
 with more skill. None were more at- 
 tached to the cause of truth, and popu- 
 larity held out no inducement for 
 him to leave the plain teaching of the 
 Scriptures. He would rather be with 
 a few or even alone and be right, than 
 to be in error with the multitude. It 
 is probable that he was longer in the 
 ministry than, any man of his day in 
 the state of Ohio. Commencing his 
 labors at eighteen he continued with- 
 out cessation seventy-six years; 
 preaching his last discourse on the 
 
32 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 occasion of his 94th birthday in Blan- 
 chester, Ohio, in 1905. His eventful 
 and useful life terminated October of 
 the same year in the evident triumph 
 of faith. 
 
 ELIJAH BEEMAN. 
 
 Beeman, Elder Elijah, was bcrn in 
 the state of Vermont about year 1781, 
 and was the son of Elijah Beeman, 
 captain in the Revolutionary war, who 
 immigrated from England, and was 
 no doubt related to the late Isaac 
 Beeman, minister of: the gospel, Cran- 
 brook, Kent, England, who was a Par- 
 ticular Baptist, and special friend of 
 Wm. Huntington. In early life Elder 
 Beeman left his native state for New 
 York, was married in the year 1800 
 to Miss Clarinda Mix, joined the Bap- 
 tists in early life and soon became a 
 pioneer preacher in Western Pennsyl- 
 vania, and in the wilds of what is now 
 "Wjest Virginia. He was firmly estab- 
 lished in the doctrine of Election and 
 Predestination, God's sovereignty and 
 salvation by grace. By the providence 
 of God his life was short. He died 
 October 5, 1823, in his 43rd year, 
 while on a preaching tour in Galia 
 County, Ohio. 
 
 JEFF F. BEEMAN. 
 
 Beeman, Elder Jeff. F., of Helena, 
 Okla., the son of Ariel and Catherine 
 (Barry) Beeman, was bom in Warren 
 County, O., January 24, 1845. At 
 school he was an apt scholar and was 
 especially proficiant in mathematics. 
 Before he was fifteen he had finished 
 Algebra and began the study of geom- 
 
 etry. Soon his health broke down; he 
 was reduced to a mere skeleton and 
 was given up to die. Up tc this time 
 he had — to use his own words, — been 
 "a little infidel," but now was made 
 to pray for mercy, to see the way of 
 salvation and given a sweet hope in 
 the Saviour. In this experience he was 
 made to feel that he would die, and 
 he told his mother he felt so im- 
 pressed, sent for many of his friends 
 and neighbors to come to see him die; 
 but as they would come into the room 
 he would begin to preach Jesus to 
 them. He got well without the use oi 
 medicine, which he had for years de- 
 pended upon, and like Paul "confer- 
 red not with flesh and blood," but 
 united with the church, was baptized 
 by Elder J. C. Beeman, October, 1860, 
 and began preaching Jesus a few 
 months afterwards. But soon he. be- 
 came ashamed of his forwardness, 
 concluded he was mistaken, aim toi 
 years tried to stifle the impression 
 within him to preach. This experience 
 was bitter, led him to try, Jonah like, 
 to run away, hired to a photographer, 
 traveled from place to place, landed 
 in Chicago, then St. Louis, and in 
 this aimless, restless condition, joined 
 the army, was sent to the front and 
 unhurt passed through the raging bat- 
 tles and storms of shot and shell, — ■ 
 all the time feeling a condemning con- 
 sciousness and yet a faith lhat he 
 could not be killed for God had a 
 work for him to do. And this was true, 
 for God shielded him, brought him 
 back home and, after more trials, fin- 
 ally to the church. He was ordained 
 May 9, 1878, by Elders Thos. Rose and 
 Joseph Furr, and has served several 
 churches in several states and travel- 
 ed considerably among the Baptists. 
 He has, since moving to northwestern 
 Oklahoma in 1897, organized a church 
 near him which he is serving and 
 which the Lord is blessing with some 
 additions and with peace. 
 
 J. K. BEER. 
 
 Beer, Elder J. K., born November 
 19, 1817, at Belleville, Ills., joined the 
 Primitive Baptists in the year 1832. 
 He was married to Miss Elvira White- 
 side, October 3, 1844. He joined the 
 church when he was fifteen years old 
 and was ordained to preach the gospel 
 when he was twenty-seven, and was 
 in active service as a minister of the 
 gospel for fifty years, and died when 
 he was in the ninetieth year of his 
 age, at the residence of his only liv- 
 ing daughter in Mazon, Ills. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 33 
 
 J. N. BELL. 
 
 Bell, Elder J. N., the subject of this 
 notice was born in Pittsylvania Coun- 
 ty, Va., about the year 1820, and died 
 at his home in Henry County, Va., on 
 the 11th day of July, 1892. His parents 
 dying when he was quite young, he 
 had to provide for his living, which 
 he did in a manly way, working and 
 living with other people, until he had 
 accumulated sufficient wealth to buy 
 a farm. His gift and calling was a 
 noted one, notwithstanding his liter- 
 ary education was cut short to that 
 degree that he had to spell the words 
 in the Bible in order to read, when 
 he first commenced to preach; but 
 his knowledge and understanding of 
 the Scriptures proved that he had 
 been taught in the school of Christ. 
 .He preached nearly fifty years, and 
 believing that it was by the sweat of 
 of the brow that he should eat bread, 
 he labored with his own hands for the 
 sustenance of the outer man, and was 
 a good provider for his family, and 
 like our Saviour, was a man of sorrow 
 and acquainted with grief, but he 
 bore it all with that Christian forti- 
 tude that belongs to the Saints of God. 
 As a pastor he was ever faithful, feed- 
 ing his flock with the divine food 
 which the child of God so much needs. 
 
 THOMAS BELL. 
 
 Bell, Elder Thomas, of Wampee, S. 
 C. This aged, faithful and highly es- 
 teemed minister of! Jesus has for 
 many years served as Moderator of 
 the Mill Branch Association. He has 
 been a preacher of righteousness for 
 more than a quarter of a century and 
 lives the gospel he preaches. His ser- 
 vices have been mostly confined to 
 the churhes of the Mill Branch Asso- 
 ciation, though he has traveled and 
 preached some in other states and 
 has been favorably received. The edi- 
 tor regrets that sufficient data could 
 not be secured for a more extended 
 sketch of Elder Bell's useful life and 
 labors. 
 
 HARRISON C. BELL. 
 
 Bell, Elder Harrison C, of West 
 Salem, Ills., was born in Illinois on 
 the 5th day of November, 1839, and 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 in June, 1870, and was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry in August, 1873, 
 
 and for many years he proved a faith- 
 ful and devoted pastor of churches, 
 but a full account ofi his life and la- 
 bors could not be obtained. 
 
 WILLIAM E. BELLAMY. 
 
 Bellamy, Elder William E., the sub 
 ject of this brief sketch, died at his 
 home in Halifax County, N. C, De- 
 cember 7, 1895. His membership was 
 at Rocky Swamp Church. He was or- 
 dained to the full work of the minis- 
 try and faithfully served churches un- 
 til his death, but a full sketch of his 
 life and labors could not be obtained. 
 
 W. R. BELCHER. 
 
 Belcher, Elder W. R., of Mayfield, 
 Wash., was born in Tazewell County, 
 Va., in 1852, in that portion now Mc- 
 Dowell County, W. Va. His father was 
 a wicked man and made no profession 
 until about the age of seventy. His 
 mother was a member of the Primi- 
 tive Baptist. He was raised in a back- 
 woods country with but few advan- 
 tages of an education. Four months 
 was the limit of his school days. 
 From a small boy he had serious and 
 reverential thoughts of God though 
 seldom hearing His name only when 
 taken in vain. At the age of seventeen 
 he was convicted of sin, but it was 
 about sixteen years before he united 
 with the church. During this period 
 he was at times, in much trouble and 
 darkness, and experienced the rod of 
 God. But in 1885 he was given a 
 bright hope in Jesus, united with Elk- 
 horn Church, was elected and served 
 as clerk for several years, and in 1887 
 began preaching Jesus. Three years 
 later he was ordained. During the 
 past twenty years of his ministry he 
 has served several churches, has en- 
 gaged in one or two debates with min- 
 isters of other denominations, and is 
 highly esteemed by his brethren. 
 
 JNO. N. BENBOW. 
 
 Benbow, Elder Jno. N., a native of 
 Crenshaw County, Ala., was born 
 1840, and died 1906. He joined the 
 Primitive Baptists at Harmony, Sep- 
 tember, 1875, baptized by Elder O. H. 
 P. Cook, and ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry October, 1886. 
 Elder Benbow was a man of small 
 
34 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTTST MINISTERS 
 
 pretensions, yet a profound thinkei 
 and able exponent of the holy Scrip- 
 tures and a strict disciplinarian. He 
 was a quiet and peaceable citizen, 
 honest and upright in dealing with 
 others, and, in that, his moral charac- 
 ter Avas above reproach. He was not 
 very extensively known among the 
 Baptists having traveled but little 
 among them at a distance, and hav- 
 ing been most of the time of his pub- 
 lic ministry afflicted and feeble of 
 body. 
 
 NEVILLE BENNETT. 
 
 Bennett, Elder Neville, of North 
 Carolina, died at his residence near 
 Wadesboro, Anson County, April 6, 
 1852, in his fifty-second year of age, 
 leaving a wife and twelve children, 
 with a very extensive connection and 
 a large circle of acquaintances to 
 mourn their loss. Elder Bennett was 
 a man of great perserverance and was 
 a thrifty farmer, and thus by 
 economy, prudence and honesty accu- 
 mulated a large portion of this 
 world's goods. He was distinguished 
 for his firmness and integrity both in 
 politics and in his religious senti- 
 ments. Although rich, he did not 
 seem disposed to mind high things 
 but condescended to men of low es- 
 tate. He was very much noted for his 
 readiness of mind and boldness of 
 spirit to speak his mind, or give his 
 views on any subject he understood, 
 whether it was liked or disliked, be- 
 lieved or disbelieved by many or few; 
 and in this way made manifest that 
 he loved the praise of God, more than 
 the praise of men; and this he would 
 do at all times, and on all occasions 
 when it seemed to him to be neces- 
 sary, even if he was looked upon as an 
 enemy because he told the truth. Yet, 
 he was a man of tender and conde- 
 scending feeling in a good cause, but 
 never was he known to shun the truth 
 for the sake of honor, popularity or 
 wealth. 
 
 Z. H. BENNETT. 
 
 Bennett, Elder Z. H., the subject of 
 this sketch, is a citizen of Florida, 
 and now resides near Ormond, but 
 was born in Bullock County, Ga., July 
 4, 1833. He served in the Civil war 
 and proved a faithful soldier. He is 
 now engaged in a far more glorious 
 war under Jesus as his Captain. 
 About the time he united with the 
 
 Primitive Baptists a church was or- 
 ganized in his house, out of which 
 small beginning the churches of Pil- 
 grim' Rest Association have grown. 
 Brother Bennett was soon ordained to 
 the full work of the ministry and has 
 proved a faithful soldier of the Cross. 
 He is now in his seventy-fifth year 
 and, though feeble in body, is strong 
 in mind. For about seventeen years 
 he has served as Moderator of Pil- 
 grims' Rest and other associations. 
 
 J. L. BENNETT. 
 
 Bennett, Elder J. L., of Barry, Ills. 
 The fol'owing regarding Elde.' 
 Bennett is quoted from Elder 
 Walter Cash's book 1896, for want of 
 more recent information. Elder Ben- 
 nett "was born in Bainbridge, Chenan- 
 go County, N. Y., February 1, 1824 
 and united with the Primitive Bap- 
 tists in 1840, but two years later join- 
 ed the New School Baptists, and lat- 
 er began preaching for them. In 1893 
 he united with North Fork Church of 
 Primitive Baptists, near Paris, Mo., 
 and was there ordained to the minis- 
 try, and hopes to have a home in the 
 church of Christ the remainder of his 
 days." 
 
 S, T. BENTLEY. 
 
 Bentley, Elder S. T. This gifted and 
 beloved brother is a highly respected 
 citizen of Culloden, Ga. Though we 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 35 
 
 have been unable to obtain a full 
 sketch of his life and labors, we clip 
 the following auto-biography from the 
 Primitive Monitor: " I w<w born Jan- 
 uary 11, 1845. The fear of God was 
 put into my heart while a small child 
 which has gone with me through all 
 the shifting scenes of life to the pres- 
 ent. I was reared by devout Baptist 
 parents, my father being a minister 
 in the house of God. While quite 
 •young I joined the army and served 
 over two years in the war between 
 the States. The good Lord shielded 
 me from the missiles of death and 
 permitted me to return home. I mar- 
 ried Miss Lizzie Calhoun October 28, 
 1867, who has been a helpmeet in- 
 deed in all the duties of lifie. I was 
 baptized by W. C. Cleveland into the 
 Primitive Baptist Church, August, 
 1883, and ordained to the ministry 
 December, 1885. I have been serving 
 with the ability given me from four 
 to six churches up to this time, and 
 can truthfully say, that I have never 
 let anything of a worldly nature stand 
 in the way of a ministerial duty. 
 When I look back over the past 
 twenty-five years and indeed over my 
 entire life I can see the Lord's loving 
 care in so many ways. Now as I go 
 down the hill of life I feel willing to 
 trust all to him; willing to do all that 
 he affords me health and strength to 
 do for His glory and the good of his 
 people until the time comes to lay 
 aside my armor. Then I hope to be 
 carried over the river of death to the 
 haven of peace in the city of God." 
 
 SAMUEL BENTLEY. 
 
 Bentley, Elder Samuel, of Georgia. 
 From an auto-biography of Elder 
 Bentley published in the Gospel Mes- 
 senger May, 1884, it is learned thai 
 he was born in Wilkes County, June 
 7, 181G; married Miss Sarah Carter in 
 1838, who bore him nine children and 
 was for forty-five years a faithful 
 companion. From a child he had se- 
 rious thoughts of hell and heaven, life 
 and death, and when about fifteen 
 years old was convicted of sin and 
 during many years following was 
 taught by experience the way of life 
 and salvation more perfectly. He 
 united with Ebenezer Church in 1844 
 and was baptized by Elder John Bar- 
 ker; was ordained deacon in 1845, and 
 in 1856 he was ordained to the gospel 
 work by Elders John Dickey, W. C. 
 Cleveland and J. P. Lyon. He served 
 Bethlehem Church twenty years and 
 
 had the pastoral care of several other 
 churches. Whs for several years Mod- 
 erator of the Echeconnee Association 
 and was a useful and influential min- 
 ister. 
 
 JOSEPH BIGGS. 
 
 Biggs, Elder Joseph, of North Caro- 
 lina, was born November 12, 1776, ex- 
 perienced the pardon of his sins in 
 his twenty-fifth year; joined the Meth- 
 odist first and preached for them; 
 went against conscience three years; 
 received a member of the Baptist 
 church at Skewarkey 1795 and bap- 
 tized by Elder Martin Ross; ordained 
 1796; took the pastoral care ofi Flat 
 Swamp Church, and during the years 
 1802 and 1803 baptized for that 
 church over one hundred persons, was 
 chosen clerk of the Kehukee Associa- 
 tion in 1806, and wrote the Kehukee 
 History from 1803 to 1833. He was a 
 man of great influence, a gifted 
 preacher, and for forty-eight years a 
 zealous and faithful laborer in the 
 Master's vineyard. He departed this 
 life in the full triumph of faith in 
 1844 in the seventy-eighth year of his 
 age. 
 
 R. A. BIGGS. 
 
 Biggs, Elder R. A., of Santa Anna, 
 Texas, was born in Rush County, 
 Texas, June 2, 1849. His father, B. F. 
 Biggs, was a native of Tennessee; 
 grandfather, Asa Biggs, was a native 
 of North Carolina, and an Old Bap- 
 tist minister. He grew up during the 
 civil war, without scarcely any edu- 
 cational advantages. At the age of 
 
36 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 eighteen he was convicted of sin, and 
 realized his lost condition and for two 
 years was under the burden of guilt 
 and condemnation. During this time 
 he tried in many ways to keep the law 
 and get relief, but in vain. But God 
 never brings one in this condition 
 without also taking him from, it, and 
 so his feet were taken from the mire 
 of sin, his goings established, a new 
 song put in his mouth even praises to 
 God. Jesus was revealed to him as 
 his sin bearer and he united with Or- 
 chard Gap Church in Collins County, 
 and was baptized by Eider J. E. 
 Deatherage. The impression to preach 
 which he received in his conversion 
 and before he joined the church, was 
 kept hid as much as possible, but his 
 gift was discovered and he was or- 
 dained January, 1S80, by Elders W. F. 
 Harris and F. Loder. He was soon call- 
 ed to the care of four churches and 
 served this number almost continual- 
 ly until about 1896, when his health 
 became so poor that he gave up the 
 care of all except his home church. 
 This, he serves still, and travels 
 among other churches when able. 
 December, 1908, he writes: "By the 
 grace of God I continue until this day. 
 I have never seen any use of depart- 
 ing from the 'Old Paths' or of remov- 
 ing the 'stakes our fathers have set.' 
 So have felt content to be a plain Old 
 Baptist. I aspire to nothing higher. I 
 want to live with and die in their 
 sweet fellowship, the grace of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." 
 
 G. B. BIRD. 
 
 Bird, Elder G. B., was born in Lin- 
 coln County, Wv Va., February 7, 1882. 
 United with the Old School Baptist 
 Church called Providence of the Pae- 
 atalico Association, June, 1900, and 
 was baptized the same day by Elder 
 J. H. Terry, was licensed to preach 
 in June, 1901, at the age of nineteen 
 years, and was ordained to the work 
 of the gospel ministry May, 1907. 
 Elder Bird is now (1908), clerk of 
 Providence Church, has the care of 
 one church, and is also clerk of Pac- 
 atalico Association. 
 
 JOHN BLACKSTONE. 
 
 Blackstone, Elder John, of Georgia, 
 was born in Virginia in 1780, on what 
 is called "Old Christmas Day." After 
 growing up he went to St. Augustine, | 
 
 Fla., and afterwards to Brunswick, 
 Ga., and for a time was in the mili- 
 tary service at St. Mary's. The next 
 account we have of him he was in 
 Augusta, Ga., where he became ac- 
 quainted with and married Miss Cath- 
 erine Harvey, about the year 1799. At 
 what time he was received into the 
 church among the Baptists I do not 
 know, but soon after he joined the 
 church, his mind became much 
 weighted with preaching the gospel. 
 But such was his feeling sense of un- 
 worthiness and entire unfitness for 
 such a sacred calling, that he shrank 
 from it and even said he could not, 
 and would not do it. Thinking to get 
 rid of such impressians of mind, he 
 took his little family and moved firom 
 Georgia to East Tennessee, but much 
 to his distress and surprise, the im- 
 pression increased upon him, even 
 while he was vainly striving to sup- 
 press and keep it hid from his breth- 
 ren and most intimate friends. But aft- 
 er struggling along in this state of re- 
 bellion for about three years it pleas- 
 ed God to sorely afflict him till he 
 was reduced to a mere skeleton, and 
 physicians, family and friends all 
 gave him up to die. And such were 
 the trying scenes through which he 
 passed that some things would seem 
 so incredible he has often been heard 
 to say that he did not like to talk 
 about them to others, lest they should 
 think it mere visionary, or as an idle 
 tale, and thereby shake their confi- 
 dence in his veracity. And when he 
 was brought to the point to feel that 
 he must preach or die, he took his 
 family and returned to Columbia 
 County Ga., and was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry by his home 
 church about the year 1808. From 
 about this time to 1821 his time ap- 
 pears to have been mostly employed 
 in preaching in the counties of Co- 
 lumbia, Jefferson, Warren and Burke, 
 in Georgia. In 1822 he moved to 
 Crawford County. Ga., and was soon 
 chosen as one of a committee to or- 
 ganize the county and locate the 
 county site at Knoxville, which was 
 named by him. His good sense, quick 
 perception, honesty and integrity 
 soon won for him the confidence and 
 esteem of all who knew him and 
 placed him in the front rank as a rep- 
 resentative man of his county. He was 
 a member of the first Inferior Court 
 organized in Crawford Countv, and at 
 the first election ever held in the 
 county for Representatives to the 
 General Assembly, he was chosen by 
 the people as their Senator, and so 
 well and faithfully did he represent 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 37 
 
 the interests of his constituents, and 
 discharge the duties of the responsi- 
 ble trust committed to him, that he 
 was re-elected annually for nine suc- 
 cessive years. But while Elder Black- 
 stone was faithful to the best inter- 
 ests of his State and county in the 
 legislative department, he was faith- 
 ful also to his obligations and duties 
 as a gospel minister. He assisted in 
 organizing several churches, towit: 
 Mt. Paran, Salem, Mt. Carmel, Prov- 
 idence, Abilene, Union and Old Mt. 
 Pisgah, and also assisted in organiz- 
 ing the Echeconnee Association. But 
 of the many striking incidents in the 
 life of this remarkable man, to the 
 honor of his memory let it be written, 
 that of all the Baptist ministers of 
 his day, he was one of the very first 
 to discover the corruption introduced 
 in Baptist churches and Associations 
 by "vain philosophy and the cunning- 
 craftiness of men" as manifested in 
 the "Modern 'Missionary Institutions," 
 which he regarded as being after the 
 rudiments of the world, and not after- 
 Christ.— Col., ii., 8. As a faithful 
 watchman, he sounded the alarm, and 
 told the churches what would be the 
 result. He boldly met and showed the 
 corrupt tendency of the Modern Mis- 
 sionary Institutions and Inventions, 
 and denounced them as unscriptural 
 innovations which would corrupt and 
 divide the Baptist denomination. 
 
 ALFRED BLALOCK. 
 
 Blalock, Elder Alfred. This faithful 
 soldier of the Cross was born Octo- 
 ber 30, 1831; united with Camp Creek 
 Church, August. 1853, orda'ned to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry De- 
 cember 13, 1873, by Elders A. A. Hall 
 and D. R. Moore, and was at the time 
 of his death, September 5, 1907, pas- 
 tor of Camp Creek, Flat River and 
 Stories' Creek churches, and Moder- 
 ator of the Lower Country Line As- 
 sociation. Below is a resolution, in 
 part, passed by his home church 
 which shows the high regard in which 
 he was held: "We the church at Camp 
 Creek, Durham County, N. C, assem- 
 bled in conference, this 12th day of 
 October, 1907, do hereby express our 
 grief, and fully realize what a loss 
 we have sustained in the death of our 
 beloved brother and pastor, Elder Al- 
 bert Blalock. Therefore, be it resolv- 
 ed, That as a token of friendship and 
 brotherly love, which we hope is 
 everlasting and stronger than death 
 we erect a slab or monument to his 
 
 grave, suitable to the wishes of his 
 family, and that our treasurer be in- 
 structed to pay for same out of the 
 funds belonging to the church." 
 
 ISAAC BLAKELY. 
 
 Blakely, Elder Isaac (1814-1887), of 
 Iowa, was born in McMinn County, 
 East Tennessee, and united with 
 Brush Creek Church, Jefferson Coun- 
 ty, Iowa, in the year 1844. He was or- 
 dained in Goshen Church, Putnam 
 County, Mo., about the year 1851, 
 but was living in Iowa, His member- 
 ship, at the time of his death, was in 
 Fox River Church, of which he was 
 pastor for over thirty years. He was 
 a pioneer preacher for over forty 
 years, and uncompromising in doc- 
 trine and practice, and stood high in 
 the esteem of his brethren and all 
 men. He served one term as repre- 
 sentative of his county in the Iowa 
 legislature. He died in his seventy- 
 third year, after a liSe of useful, faith- 
 ful service. 
 
 C. C. BLAND. 
 
 Bland, Elder C. C, of Ayden, N. C. 
 This zealous minister of Jesus was 
 born in North Carolina July 17, 1846, 
 raised by godly parents who taught 
 him morality; convicted of sin early 
 in life and after much exercise of 
 mind as to his sinful condition, was 
 given a hope in the Saviour; united 
 with Handcock's Church, in Pitt 
 
38 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 County, N. C, in his seventeenth 
 year, and was baptized by Elder Noah 
 Adams. He remained out of the 
 churcb some years after he had a hope 
 in the Saviour and a love for the 
 church, because he felt to be too 
 young, and so in regard to the subject 
 
 C. C. BLAND 
 
 of preaching he felt he must speak in 
 His name, yet felt too young and in 
 every way unqualified. In 1864 he 
 joined the Southern army and in all 
 the dangers of war and hardships of 
 prison life, the impression remained 
 with him that he must preach Jesus, 
 and some years later he was ordained 
 and has since been witnessing for the 
 Master, and desires to press onward 
 and finish his course with joy. 
 
 JOHN T. BLANCHARD. 
 
 Blanchard, Elder John T., of Den- 
 nis, Miss., was born in Duplin County, 
 N. C., July 31, 1844, but principally 
 
 raised in Mississippi; was brought 
 up under the Methodist discipline and 
 taught that his soul's salvation was 
 dependant upon adhering to the 
 wooings of the Holy Spirit. He went 
 through the civil war, was severely 
 wounded, and attributes his preser- 
 vation to the mercies of God. After 
 the Avar he married Miss Mattie Ward 
 whose mother was a member of the 
 Old Baptist Church, and through her 
 he heard his first gospel sermon from 
 the text, "Am I therefore become 
 your enemy because I tell you the 
 truth?" But he was at that time too 
 stubborn to own the truth. At the age 
 of twenty-seven he was convicted of 
 sin and then for three years tried the 
 effort system to its terminus and 
 found it had no balm 1 for a poor sin- 
 ner but when he had concluded to ask 
 the Lord one time more to have 
 mercy and started to the grove to 
 pray, God spoke peace to his soul in 
 the comforting words, "My grace is 
 sufficient for thee." This was his first 
 knowledge of salvation by grace. He 
 then began to go to hear the Old 
 Baptists preach and found them the 
 only people who preached his exper- 
 ience and what he read in the Bible, 
 and he united with them and was 
 baptized by Elder J. D. Hudleston in 
 1872. The next day he received im- 
 pression to preach but fought against 
 it for two years. He began preaching 
 in May, 1874, and has since had the 
 care of churches and has traveled and 
 preached in Mississippi, Arkansas, 
 Texas, Alabama, Illinois, Indian Ter- 
 ritory and Tennessee. He has baptized 
 about one thousand persons; has 
 served eleven years of his lifie in 
 civil office from justice of the peace 
 to representative, and is now serving 
 as postmaster at Dennis, Miss., and 
 has not for twenty-one years touched 
 a drop of intoxicating liquors. He has 
 the pastoral care of three churches 
 and the Lord is blessing his labors. 
 He desires to know nothing in his 
 preaching but Jesus and Him cruci- 
 fied. 
 
 J. M. BLANSETT. 
 
 Blansett, Elder J. M., of Virginia, 
 was born in Patrick County, Va., 
 March 19, 1834, at the foot of the 
 Blue Ridge mountains, about six 
 miles above Stuart, and remained 
 with his parents until he was about 
 twenty-one years of age — laboring on 
 the farm, and having but a limited 
 chance for an education, only attend- 
 ing school about three months. He 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 39 
 
 professed faith in Christ in the year 
 1856. In the year 1857 he joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at State 
 Line, which belongs to the Mayo As- 
 sociation; was licensed by the church 
 to preach in 1866, and ordained in 
 
 J. M. BLANSETT 
 
 1867. Soon after this he was called to 
 the care of several churches, and for 
 twenty years has faithfully served 
 them continually every month. For 
 many years he has served as Moder- 
 ator of the Smith River Association. 
 
 JAMES ELLIS BLANTON. 
 
 Blanton, Elder James Ellis, -was 
 born October 9, 1844, in Brooks Coun- 
 ty, Ga., moved to Tennessee with his 
 parents when a small boy, was raised 
 on a farm, received a common school 
 education, entered the Confederate 
 army at the age of eighteen, and served 
 until the close of the war; was mar- 
 ried in 1866; joined the church 1873 
 and was ordained January, 1888. He 
 has served one to four churches con- 
 tinuously since ordination; is clerk 
 of San Pedro Association and was for 
 years associate editor of the Advo- 
 cate of Truth. Elder Blanton also 
 served four terms in the State legis- 
 lature of his native state and is a 
 highly respected and honored citizen, 
 and a useful and faithful servant of the 
 church. 
 
 JAS. H. BLYTHE. 
 
 Blythe, Elder Jas. H., of Orlando, 
 Ark., was born in Fulton County, 
 Miss., August 9, 1856. His mother was 
 a Methodist for twenty-five years, and 
 
 she and his father joined the Baptists 
 in their old age, — his Bather being 
 seventy years old. Elder Blythe was 
 thirteen years old before he heard a 
 Baptist sermon, but was impressed 
 from his seventh year of age that he 
 would some day have to preach. This 
 caused him much sorrow. He tried to 
 be good while growing to manhood, 
 tried to get religion but could not suc- 
 ceed, made promises only to break 
 them. But in his twenty-first year he 
 was unexpectedly and deeply con- 
 victed of sin without free-will preach- 
 ing or mourners' bench effort. The 
 pangs of hell got hold of him. He felt 
 to be the chief of sinners and worthy 
 of eternal banishment, cursed the day 
 he was born and wished he had died 
 when young. His conscience and the 
 Bible condemned him and he was 
 made to realize his "lost condition." 
 But God delivered him out of all 
 this, revealed Jesus as the sinner's 
 Saviour, and gave him a hope in Him. 
 Many Scriptures were impressed on 
 his mind teaching him the sovereign- 
 ty of God and his duty as a believer 
 in His salvation. He was led to the 
 church, told them what great things 
 Jesus had done for him, was received, 
 baptized, and after many years of dis- 
 obedience went forward in duty and 
 was ordained in 1892 by Elders C. 
 W. Anderson, C. W. Kirk and H. Sisk, 
 and has since had the care of four 
 churches almost continually. He is 
 strong in the faith of salvation alone 
 by the merits of Jesus and desires to 
 be found contending for this old time 
 honored doctrine that shall stand 
 when the world crumbles. 
 
 R. H. BOAZ. 
 
 Boaz, Elder R. H., of Fulton, Ky., 
 This faithful soldier of Jesus serves 
 churches within the bounds of the 
 Bethel Association of Regular Old 
 School Baptists and is also Modera- 
 tor of this association. Information 
 for a more suitable notice could not 
 be obtained. 
 
 L. I. BODENHEIMER. 
 
 Bodenheimer, Elder (Dr.) L. I., of 
 North Carolina, was one of the most 
 unique characters in Central North 
 Carolina. Nature had marked him 
 well as belonging to the Old School 
 and he would be singled out in any 
 crowd as a man of extraordinary 
 parts. He was both a minister and a 
 
40 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 physician, which brought him in con- 
 tact with people in all the walks of 
 life and he always made a strong im- 
 pression on all by his marked individ- 
 uality and wonderful resources of 
 humor and narrative. Dr. Bodenhei- 
 mer was born April 6, 1831, about six 
 miles east of Salem and was reared 
 on a farm. He went to school in his 
 boyhood days only three months. He 
 
 L. I. BODENHEIMER 
 
 was married in High Point by Elder 
 Wm. Burns August 5, 1S58, where he 
 and his family lived until 1867, ex- 
 cept at intervals when he was preach- 
 ing in remote neighborhoods. He es- 
 tablished Zion's Landmark (a leading 
 paper of the Primitive Baptist 
 Church) at Salem and afterwards pub- 
 lished it at High Point. When he re- 
 turned to High Point a few years ago 
 he published another paper, The 
 Naked Truth, but was unable to give 
 his time to the business as it required, 
 so discontinued the paper and devoted 
 his time to the practice of medicine 
 and preaching as long as he was 
 strong enough. He was a minister for 
 fifty years and a physician for thirty- 
 five years, pursuing both with remark- 
 able energy. Elder Bodenheimer pub- 
 lished an interesting account of his ex- 
 perience and call to the ministry. He 
 was one of the most brilliant and able 
 ministers of his day, and many of his 
 sermons were published in the Land- 
 mark, Naked Truth, and other papers. 
 He died at a ripe old age, strong in 
 the faith he had so earnestly contend- 
 ed for in life. 
 
 STEPHEN BOLANDER. 
 
 Bolander, Elder Stephen, of Illinois, 
 was born in Felicity, Clermont County, 
 Ohio, and united with the Primitive 
 
 Baptist Church, October 20, 1856. 
 He was ordained to the minis- 
 try February 15, 1873, and was held 
 in high esteem among the churches 
 for his wise counsel, but the editor 
 could not secure data for a full sketch 
 of his life and labors. 
 
 ^% 
 
 
 
 AMBROSE C. BOOTON. 
 
 Booton, Elder Ambrose C, of Virgin- 
 ia. This eminent servant of! God 
 was born in the Shenandoah Valley, 
 January 26, 1789, and died at his 
 home in Page County, March 29, 1865, 
 in his seventy-fifth year. He was in 
 early life convicted of sin, given a 
 hope in the Saviour and united with 
 the Baptists in his sixteenth year and 
 began preaching in his eighteenth 
 year. January 1, 1814 he was ordained 
 to all the functions of the gospel min- 
 istry and for more than half a centu- 
 ry he was numbered among the ablest 
 ministers of his day. He was, by pro- 
 fession, a school teacher much of his 
 life and was noted for his strong 
 mind and retentive memory. During 
 many years prior to the division in 
 the Baptist Church about 1832, when 
 Arminian doctrines were being advo- 
 cated and new practices being intro- 
 duced Elder Booton firmly opposed 
 them, and at the time of the separa- 
 tion stood firm with the Primitive 
 party who began to be called, and still 
 are known, as the Old School Bap- 
 tists. He lived and died in the faith 
 of his fathers, and contended all 
 through his long ministry, that the 
 New Testament furnished God's peo- 
 ple with all needful doctrine and prac- 
 tice. And his preaching was not only 
 logical but also experimental, and he 
 never failed to touch the feeling of 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 41 
 
 his auditors if they were acquainted 
 with experimental religion. Personal- 
 ly, Elder Booton had few, if any, ene- 
 mies, but had to meet and contend 
 with many enemies of the doctrine he 
 preached. And though he contended 
 earnestly for the faith once delivered 
 to the saints, yet he was of an amia- 
 ble disposition and desired to speak 
 the truth in love. He was one of the 
 pioneer preachers of the Shenandoah 
 Valley and served many cnurches in 
 the western part of the state during 
 his ministry. Blessed with a strong 
 mind, a sound body, retentive memo- 
 ry, and a heart full of love for the 
 cause of Christ, his labors were nu- 
 merous, his devotion unselfish, his 
 life an influential and useful one. He 
 died in the full triumph of faith at a 
 ripe old age. 
 
 JOHN K. BOOTON. 
 
 Booton, Elder John K., son of Am- 
 brose C. Booton, was born in Page 
 County, Va., on August 19, 1823. His 
 boyhood days were spent on the Long 
 Meadow Farm, on Mill Creek. His ed- 
 ucation was received under the noted 
 teacher, philosopher and poet, Joseph 
 Salyards, at New Market. At an early 
 age he displayed ability as a speaker, I 
 having made a political address at 
 the age of eighteen, which met with 
 much commendation. The period of i 
 agitation that ushered in the Civil war j 
 found him a Colonel of militia, a 
 prominent leader in the movement for 
 secession, and an orator of great in- 
 fluence. He was the organizer of the 
 Dixie Artillery, of which he was cap- 
 tain until his election to the Confed- 
 erate Legislature. His position and his 
 fearless declarations of his convic- 
 
 tions made him especially obnoxious 
 to the Union forces, and the fact that 
 he was a lame man, with many dis- 
 tinguishing characteristics made him 
 exceptionally liable to detection; but 
 although he was forced to endure 
 many hardships, he succeeded in 
 evading every party detailed to cap- 
 ture him and came through the war 
 unscarred. The Heavenly Father had 
 willed it, however, that his talents 
 and intellect should be devoted, in 
 the maturer years of his life, neither 
 to a military nor a political career, 
 but that they should, with all his 
 earthly passions, be laid upon the 
 Master's altar. In 1850 he was mar- 
 ried to Emily Heiskell, daughter ot 
 Elder William C. Lauck. Thus the 
 son of one mighty father in Israel had 
 become the son-in-law of one no less 
 mighty; and he in his turn was or- 
 dained an elder of the Old School 
 Baptist Church in 1870. From this 
 time to the end of his days, he devot- 
 ed the most of his time to this work 
 and entered into its duties with his 
 whole heart and soul regardless of 
 worldly emolument or any consider- 
 ation other than what he deemed to 
 be his duty. His was one of those 
 cases where the ministry demanded 
 a heavy sacrifice of worldly goods and 
 ambitions, but he was never known to 
 complain. During his ministry he con- 
 stituted three churches: Alma, in 
 Page County, Cedar Creek, in Fred- 
 erick County, and Bentonville, in 
 Wjarren County, Virginia. Like his 
 father and father-in-law, he was not 
 only strong in the doctrine of his 
 church, but was appreciated as a 
 warm experimental preacher, touch- 
 ing the hearts of his hearers. He was 
 uncompromising in what he believed 
 to be the truth, often having to com- 
 bat with those whom he would have 
 liked to esteem as brothers. His long- 
 est ministerial service was at Battle 
 Run, Rappahannock County, Va., 
 where he served as pastor thirty 
 years. Besides these four named 
 churches he also served as pastor of 
 Big Spring, Thumb Run, Barrows Run 
 and Ground Vine churches. Elder Boo- 
 ton was an authority on all questions, 
 relating to the history and doctrines 
 of his church. His knowledge of! these 
 questions, so far as the Virginia Old 
 School Baptists are concerned, was 
 unequalled. The results of his studies 
 were embodied in his valuable book, 
 "The Footsteps of the Flock," pub- 
 lished a little over a year before his 
 death, and full of useful information. 
 After thirty-three years of toil in the 
 Master's vineyard, on the 19th day of 
 
42 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 December, 1903, at the age of eighty- 
 years and four months, having be- 
 stowed his last blessing on his loved 
 ones, the venerable minister of the 
 gospel fell into a quiet, tranquil and 
 painless sleep. It was his oft-express- 
 ed desire that his last days should be 
 his best, and it was his testimony that 
 this desire was granted. Just a few 
 months before his death, he made a 
 trip to North and South Carolina, 
 meeting his brethren in the faith and, 
 most of the time, preaching twice a 
 day to loving and leverent audiences. 
 On his return, he dwelt with joy upon 
 this, the last and most delightful la- 
 bor of his long ministry. The weight 
 of long years and great labors seem- 
 ed to have worn him out and merci- 
 fully brought about a painless end af- 
 ter only a few weeks' illness. No man 
 was more tender-hearted and gener- 
 ous to those whom he loved. He had 
 the courtesy and deference to others, 
 the hospitality, the wide information 
 the serene spirit rising above the 
 petty and selfish things of life, Which 
 we associate with our ideal of the 
 gentleman of the old school — qualities 
 which in him were heightened and 
 beautified by a true and humble piety. 
 
 G. W. BOSWELL. 
 
 Boswell, Elder G. W., of Wilson, N. 
 C. This devoted and zealous minister 
 is the oldest of nine children of Bun- 
 yan and Tempy Boswell, and was 
 born in Wilson County, August 28, 
 1867; convicted of sin about the year 
 1878; given a sweet hope in Jesus, the 
 following year; impressed with a de- 
 sire to unite with the church but for 
 two years delayed to do so feeling his 
 unworthiness, but was made willing, 
 
 joined Contentnea Church and was- 
 baptized by Elder Wm. Woodard Oc- 
 tober, 1890. He was soon impressed 
 with the duty of 1 preaching and on 
 this subject writes: "I prayed the 
 Lord to relieve me of that burden. 
 The more I prayed for relief the 
 heavier the burden grew. I had no ed- 
 ucation and poor understanding about 
 anything. So here I agreed to die rath- 
 er than attempt to preach, and, breth- 
 ren. I did die to this world and its 
 frowns and was made willing to be 
 God's anything. By the mercies of 
 God I continue to this day. I hope all 
 of God's humble children that read 
 this will pray that God may keep me 
 by His power until He calls me 
 home." He was ordained in 1898 
 by Elders Wm. Woodard and 
 J. F. Farmer at Scott's Church, which 
 church had almost gone down — there 
 being but two male members and a 
 few sisters that were very old. He 
 was called as pastor and there is now 
 a membership of about seventy-five. 
 He was also called to the care of 
 Contentnea, Upper-Black-Creek, and 
 Healthy Plains; also serves other 
 churches quarterly. Though young in 
 the ministry he has baptized — up to 
 November. 1908, — 212 persons, preach- 
 ed 118 funerals, married 41 couples, 
 and assisted in the ordination of sev- 
 eral deacons and one minister. Elder 
 Boswell was never married but lives 
 with his parents and works upon the 
 farm when not engaged in ministerial 
 duties; is satisfied with the doctrine 
 and practice of the apostolic church 
 and wishes to stand in the old paths. 
 
 THEODORIA BOUlWARE. 
 
 Boulware, Elder Theodoria, was born 
 in Virginia in the early years of the 
 eighteenth century, moved to Ken- 
 tucky when young; was ordained to 
 the work of the ministry in this state 
 and was one of the pioneer preachers 
 of his day. About 1827 he moved to 
 Missouri and was pastor of the church 
 in Fulton, Mo., nearly fifty years. He 
 taught school about forty years of his 
 life and was a successful educator. 
 Though he has been dead many years, 
 his fame as a gifted, faithful preacher 
 of the Old School Baptists still lives, 
 and it can be well said of him, "being 
 dead he yet speaketh." 
 
 B. E. BOURLAND. 
 
 Bourland, Elder B. E. This faithful 
 and worthy brother is a native of Mis- 
 sissippi and now lives at Satillo. He 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 43 
 
 was convicted of sin when but a youth 
 yet remained out of the church sev- 
 eral years awaiting more evidence of 
 his sonship. Soon after he united with 
 the church he was chosen clerk and 
 a few years later was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry. He is now the 
 beloved pastor of several churches 
 and Moderator of the Tombigby As- 
 sociation. 
 
 W. A. BOWDEN. 
 
 Bowden, Elder W. A., of Georgia, 
 was born in Randolph County, N. O, 
 January 26, 1811. His grandfather was 
 a minister of the Old School Presby- 
 terian order, and his mother's family 
 was of the Methodist faith. He was 
 early taught to believe that there was 
 a God who took cognizance of all he 
 did or said; and that his eternal hap- 
 piness depended upon the way he 
 spent his life here. When about six- 
 teen years old, he attended an old- 
 fashioned Methodist camp-meeting, 
 and while there became alarmed; see- 
 ing so many of his comrades seeming- 
 ly concerned about their soul's salva- 
 tion, and hearing so much preached 
 about hell and the torments of the 
 damned, became scared, and con- 
 cluded that he, too, would get re- 
 ligion; — and set in with the determin- 
 ed resolution to quit his sinful habits, 
 turned to reading the Bible, had his 
 secret place to pray, and verily believ- 
 ed that he could, and would, get good 
 enough for the Lord to love and save 
 him. But it pleased the Lord to re- 
 veal His truth to him and show him 
 the exceeding sinfulness of sin. A 
 feeling of gloom and horror seized his 
 soul. He viewed himself a poor, lost, 
 condemned sinner before a just and 
 holy God, against whom he had sin- 
 ned so long and so much. Jesus was 
 revealed to him as his Saviour. He 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church, July, 1835, and was licensed 
 the same year; was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry March, 1837, 
 and served churches as pastor forty- 
 flour successive years, was clerk of 
 Bethel Association thirty-four years, 
 and its first Moderator in her organ- 
 ization. 
 
 of that church, but at about the age 
 of twelve years was "sprinkled" by an 
 Episcopal Minister, — the subject not 
 realizing in any degree the true or in- 
 
 WILLIAM L. BOWIE. 
 
 Bowie , Elder William L. No. 837 
 Shepherd street, N. W., Washington, 
 D. C, was born in Wilmington, N. C, 
 December 7, 1879, of Presbyterian 
 parentage, and reared under the wing 
 
 WILLIAM L. BOWIE 
 
 tended meaning of the work perform- 
 ed at that time. Having been taught 
 to lead a moral life, and to go to Sun- 
 day school and church as a moral 
 duty, he took a great pride in being 
 better than other boys in the per- 
 formance of those things. Having 
 these ideals -established, he strove 
 to live up to them, in order to 
 be honored by his family and elders, 
 and to merit the favor of God as he 
 thought. At first he thought that his 
 life was pleasing to God, but then 
 day by day, he began to realize that 
 he could not live a day without sin- 
 ning. The load of sin, in the constant 
 struggle to live perfect before God, 
 began to get heavier as the days and 
 years went by, when in his eighteenth 
 year, it became unbearable longer. It 
 was on a public street in Washington 
 on a starry night in August, 1897, 
 when his soul was crying out for 
 mercy, that the burden of sin seemed 
 to be lifted from his soul. That mo- 
 ment he will never forget. He then 
 however, went on endeavoring to find 
 a home. He had never known an Old 
 Baptis/,. He finally united with the 
 Episcopal Church in Washington, D. 
 C, became a "candidate for the min- 
 istry," lay-reader, and Sunday school 
 superintendent. And he has a sympa- 
 thetic feeling for the many children of 
 God that he believes are being led by 
 false teachers. He went to board 
 with a strange family in Fauquier 
 County, Va., in the summer of 1900. 
 That family proved to be the first Old 
 Baptists he had ever met. He heard 
 
44 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 them for the first time, enjoyed 
 their preaching conversation and 
 association, and was made to feel 
 they preached the truth as it is in 
 Jesus, and by faith in Him the fet- 
 ters of the law were broken, hope 
 sprang up and he was enable to re- 
 joice in a finished salvation, professed 
 publicly this sweet hope and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Charles H. Waters into 
 the fellowship of the Old chool 
 Baptist Church of Washington, D. C, 
 in April, 1902, and in October, 1903, 
 he was ordained to the full work of 
 the gospel ministry by Elders Charles 
 H. Waters and J. A. Norton. Since 
 that time he has served Davis Church 
 in Carroll County, Md., and White 
 Oak Church in Virginia, and has labor- 
 ed some among other churches of the 
 Ketocton and Ebenezer Associations. 
 He is at present stationed in Mont- 
 gomery, Ala., being in the special ex- 
 amination service of the United 
 States Pension Bureau as Special Ex- 
 aminer, but his home is in Washing- 
 ton, D. C. On January 1, 1902, he was 
 married to Miss Maud Zirkle, and 
 they have three children to gladden 
 their hearts and brighten their home. 
 
 W. J. D. BRADFORD. . 
 
 Bradford, Elder W. J. D., of Killen, 
 Texas, The subject of this sketch 
 was born in Berrian County, Ga., 
 May 4, 1862. His father, Wim. W. 
 Bradford, was killed in the battle of 
 Cold Arbor, June 3, 18G4, and nis 
 mother, whose maiden name was 
 Mary C. Peeples, was left with four 
 young children to care for. This, with 
 other misfortunes, reduced her to 
 poverty and Elder Bradford was not 
 
 given the advantages of an education. 
 Early in life he moved to Texas and 
 in his eighteenth year was convicted 
 of sin, and for some years was bur- 
 dened with a feeling sense of con- 
 demnation. But God gave him a hope 
 in Jesus and love for His people and 
 about 1885 under the preaching of 
 Elder T. iS. Dalton who was visiting 
 churches in Texas, he united with the 
 church and was baptized by Elder J. 
 B. Downing. He was in 1895 ordained 
 deacon, and in 1903 was ordained to 
 the functions of the gospel ministry 
 by Elders A. V. Atkins, J. S. Newman, 
 W. L. Norman, E. R. Robinson and S. 
 A. Paine. Elder Bradford has since 
 had the care of three to four churches 
 and is zealous and faithful in the 
 cause. He writes: "I feel that the 
 heaviest load I have to carry is a 
 feeling sense of my own imperfec- 
 tions." 
 
 S. H. BRADY. 
 
 Brady, Elder S. H., of North Caro- 
 lina, died November 27, 1903, age 
 sixty-one years, ten months and sev- 
 enteen days. He united with Old 
 Union Church, Johnston County, N. 
 C, November, 1868, and some years 
 afterward was ordained to the minis- 
 try. He was a dutiful son, a brave sol- 
 dier, a good citizen, and was one of 
 the most humble men, ever showing 
 that lamb-like principle. When he was 
 reviled he reviled not again. He was 
 a good neighbor, never failing to do 
 any kindness that he could and for 
 any person. Nothing ever gave him 
 greater pleasure than an opportunity 
 to help one of God's little ones, show- 
 ing how he loved to be at the feet of 
 the brethren. He was seldom known to 
 miss an opportunity of meeting the 
 people of God very often using these 
 words: "One day in the house of my 
 God is better than a thousand." For 
 several years before his death he had 
 been afflicted, but bore his suffering 
 patiently and died as he had lived — 
 trusting alone in Jesus for salvation. 
 
 J. W. BRADLEY. 
 
 Bradley, Elder J. W., of Goldsberry, 
 Mo. The following information of Eld- 
 er Bradley is from Elder Walter 
 Cash's book of portraits published 
 1896, and is used for want of more 
 recent information: Elder Bradley 
 "was born in Macon County, Mo., Octo^ 
 ber 14, 1845, and united "with Brush 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 45 
 
 Creek Church, Douglas County, Mo., 
 May, 1880. He was ordained in Brush 
 Creek Church, Macon County, Mo., 
 where his membership now is, Decem- 
 
 J. W. BRADLEY 
 
 ber 7, 1890, and has since served as 
 pastor of churches, having charge of 
 three at present, to which he gives a 
 faithful attendance." 
 
 J. W. BRAGG. 
 
 The editor not being able to get 
 data from which to prepare a sketch 
 of Elder Bragg, quotes the following 
 brief notice of his life and labors from 
 Elder Potter's Souvenir Book of 1905: 
 
 "Bragg, J. W., of Newmarket, Ala. 
 was born in Madison County, Ala., on 
 the 11th day of November, 1848, and 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 in September, 1866, and was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry in Octo- 
 ber, 1869, and is now pastor of four 
 churches." 
 
 GRAY BRANNON. 
 
 Brannon, Elder Gray, was born 
 1845, and died November 22, 1896. He 
 was a great sufferer, but bore his 
 afflictions with great patience and 
 resignation to the will of Almighty 
 God. constantly praying that the 
 Lord's will be done. He was received 
 and baptized into the fellowship of 
 the Primitive Baptist Church called 
 Timber Ridge ,and was soon ordained 
 
 to the gospel ministry. Elder Brannon 
 was well esteemed among men, and 
 had a good report of them that are 
 without; was a kind and affectionate 
 husband, a loving father and a wortny 
 citizen. 
 
 E. M. BRANSON. 
 
 Branson, Eider E. M., of Zenda, 
 Kan., was born October 9, 1839, in An- 
 derson County, Tenn.; professed hope 
 in Christ in July, 1856; joined the 
 church at Hind's Creek, Union Coun- 
 ty, Tenn., in November, 1856, and was 
 baptized by Elder Isaac Gentry; com- 
 menced preaching about 1873, and 
 was ordained in 1874. He has visited 
 and preached in portions of Tennes- 
 see, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, 
 Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. This 
 good brother writes me in the follow- 
 ing language: "I have at all times 
 tried to keep myself small. I have 
 been a member of the church fifty-two 
 years and have always desired to 
 make a good member. I have never 
 believed to join something' else would 
 be of any benefit to me. I am now in 
 my sixty-ninth year of age, and if I 
 can, I want to finish my course in this 
 life, a plain, old fashioned, Baptist. I 
 have never had a charge against me 
 by any church. I know it will not be 
 long before the churches will be 
 without me and I think I can see 
 clearly that they can get along well 
 enough witnout me, but it seems like 
 I could not do without the {fellowship 
 of my brethren and sisters while I 
 live in this world." Thus, dear read- 
 er, you can see in such an humble 
 walk and Godly conversation, the 
 fruits of the doctrine of grace in the 
 heart. 
 
 WM. T. BRANSON. 
 
 Branson, Elder Wm,. T., of Reliance, 
 S. Dak., was born in Harrison County, 
 Iowa, June 25, 1866, united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Loveland 
 in 1887, was ordained in 1889, and now 
 (1908) is residing at Reliance, S. D. 
 He has served several churches in 
 Iowa and Indiana; has assisted in or- 
 ganizing three churches, has traveled 
 considerably among the Baptists, es- 
 pecially in the West and is supposed 
 by some to be the first Old School 
 Baptist minister to preach in South 
 Dakota. Elder Branson has been a 
 very useful man and has had a spe- 
 cial impression to travel in the waste 
 places to hunt up and feed the flock 
 
46 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 of God. He has gone forth in this 
 work as Phillip, Paul and others of 
 God's called servants — being impress- 
 ed by dreams, visions and otherwise, 
 
 WM. T. BRANSON 
 
 and has realized his Master's promise 
 true that He will be with His people 
 alway, even unto the end. Such are 
 God's humble, faithful servants, — the 
 only Bible 'Misionaries extant. 
 
 FRANKLIN P. BRANSCOME. 
 
 Branscome, Elder Franklin P., son 
 of John and Mary Francis (Mayberry) 
 Branscome, of Laurel Fork, Carroll 
 County, Va., was born March 14, 1SG0, 
 in the county of his present residence. 
 His father -was made a prisoner of 
 war at the battle of Missionary Ridge, 
 November, 18G3, and sent to Rock 
 
 Island prison, where he died of fever. 
 His mother was unable to educate 
 him and he entered school at the age 
 of sixteen years, not knowing any- 
 thing of letters, except the names of 
 the characters forming the Roman al- 
 phabet, and could not even spell 
 words of one syllable. He was the "big 
 boy in the little class." But notwith- 
 standing the embarrassing conditions 
 he went to work in earnest, and in a 
 most thorough manner. In the way of 
 advancement those who were far in 
 advance of him at the outset, were 
 soon passed by and left behind; and 
 he finally became their teacher. In all, 
 he attended school only four sessions 
 of three months each. He had nine 
 months vacation each year, aurmg 
 wh4ch time one or more of his text- 
 books were with him continually; 
 and every day and everywhere he was 
 drawing from them knowledge. While 
 his hands were too busy to hold an 
 open book, his mind was working over 
 what he had read and storing away, 
 for future use, the finished thoughts. 
 He did not study without an aim in 
 life, nor labor to finish a lesson as a 
 slave would to end a task; for he 
 was digging after knowledge, just as 
 the owner of a mine would delve for 
 gold, knowing that all the gold found 
 would be his own. October 5, 1881, he 
 was married to Miss Orlena E. Mar- 
 shall, daughter of, Deacon Daniel W. 
 Marshall. His wife who is a Primi- 
 tive Baptist, and his nine children, 
 who are strictly moral and honorable, 
 are all living and in good health. 
 From November, 1881, till March, 
 1893, he was engaged in the public 
 schools of Virginia as teacher. While 
 teaching he studied surveying and be- 
 came the court's surveyor, holding 
 the office for eight years. Beside this 
 he did much work under orders from 
 the United States' Court, and by it 
 was commissioned to determine and 
 settle a number of difficult contro- 
 versies. He has held the office of 
 notary public for twenty-four years, 
 and other positions of trust imposed 
 by those among whom he was born, 
 raised and lives . In 1S44, having, 
 through reigning grace, received a 
 good hope in Christ, he united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church, at Pan- 
 ther Creek. Just one year later he 
 made his first attempt to preach the 
 unsearchable riches of Christ our Re- 
 deemer. At the same time the next 
 year (1886) he was licensed to preach 
 wherever God in His providence 
 should cast his lot; and, in October, 
 1887, he was ordained to the full func- 
 tions of the gospel ministry. He is 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 47 
 
 now, and has been for a number of 
 years serving two churches as pastor, 
 and in these and other churches has 
 baptized about one hundred persons. 
 January, 1897, he founded the "Mes- 
 senger of Truth," which he has since 
 edited and published. January, 1909, 
 the paper entered upon its thirteentn 
 year. Elder Brascom's paper and 
 preaching has done much toward 
 building up and keeping the churches 
 in the unity of the faith and in the 
 bonds of peace. He is an earnest and 
 zealous abvocate for the simplicity of 
 Bible doctrine, contending that it 
 contains a precept and example of all 
 that we should believe, practice and 
 teach religiously. Practical godliness 
 is an important feature of his walk 
 and teaching. He uses no jesting, nor 
 foolishness in the pulpit; and con- 
 tends that the spirit of Jesus in the 
 preacher will humble him (the 
 preacher), and bring him into a frame 
 to speak serious words of soberness 
 and truth. He is the assistant clerk 
 of the New River Primitive Baptist 
 Association. 
 
 third year in the full triumphs of 
 faith. Data for a full sketch of his 
 useful life could not be obtained. 
 
 PETER L. BRANSTETTER. 
 
 Branstetter Elder Peter L. (1825- 
 1890), of Missouri, was born in P'^e 
 County, Ky., February 11, 1825. He 
 joined the church at the age of nine- 
 teen and was ordained to the ministry 
 in 1864. He commenced his education 
 after he was married, and became one 
 of the foremost defenders of the Prim- 
 itive Baptist church, being a very 
 forcible speaker. He died in his sixty- 
 
 A. B. BREES. 
 Brees, Elder A. B., of Spencerville, 
 O., was born in Michigan December 
 30, 1841, convicted cf sin in early life, 
 blessed with a hope in Jesus and 
 united with Fairfield Church in 1863, 
 which church had the pastoral ser- 
 vices of Elder John Fisher, a Holand 
 dutchman who came to America and 
 first united with the New School Bap- 
 tist Church and afterwards leaving 
 them and joining the Old School Bap- 
 ists in New York state. Elder Breese 
 was ordained October 8, 1869, and 
 was soon called to serve Deerfield 
 Church but in a short time moved to 
 the neighborhood of his present home 
 where he has the care of one church. 
 
 GEO. A. BRETZ. 
 
 Bretz, Elder Geo. A., of Huntington, 
 Ind., was born December 7, I860, in 
 Ionia County, Mich.., and grew up in 
 Ohio. In his youth he had much 
 thought about himself, his sins, and 
 the future state. When seventeen 
 years of age he became acquainted with 
 th Bible doctrine that he was by na- 
 ture and practice, a sinner. After near- 
 ly two years of consant soul sorrow 
 he was given a sweet hope in Jesus, 
 and a view of God's plan of salvation, 
 and in 1890 united with the church. 
 Four years later he was ordained to 
 the full work of the gospel ministry 
 and has had the care of four churches 
 most of the time since, besides travel- 
 ing considerably among other 
 
48 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 churches. Elder Bretz came from a 
 Baptist family. His grandmother was 
 a Virginian, and one of his ancestors 
 was put in prison in that state for 
 "preaching the gospel contrary to 
 law." His wife — a true companion to 
 him — united with the church when a 
 little girl about eleven years old. Eld- 
 er Bretz is a lovely man and com- 
 forting preacher, and desires to 
 know nothing in his preaching but 
 "Christ and Him crucified." He is a 
 lover of peace in Zion and content 
 with the good old way and his labor 
 has been unifying, edifying and 
 strengthening to the Lord's people. 
 He has for many years been asso- 
 ciate editor of the Primitive Monitor 
 and is a clear and fluent writer, an 
 able preacher and greatly loved by 
 the churches ofi his care. 
 
 J. B. J. BRICKEY. 
 
 Brickey, Elder J. B. J., of Georgia, 
 was born April 16, 1845, and died 
 January 25, 1905. He professed faith 
 in Christ, and joined Lhe Primitive 
 Baptist Church in Tuckaleechee Cove, 
 in 1869, and was baptized by Elder 
 Absalom A. Abbott, and came out ot 
 the water preaching; was ordained 
 to the full work of the gospel minis- 
 try October, 1871, by Elders A. A. Ab- 
 bott and Henry Franklin, as presby- 
 tery, and was soon called to the care 
 of churches and preached faithfully 
 to from two to four churches all his 
 life. At the time of his conversion the 
 Tennessee Association seemed to be 
 nearly gone down, the churches few 
 in number, and but few members in 
 the churches, and he seemed to be 
 the right man in the right place, and 
 at the right time. His labors were 
 wonderfully blessed. The churches 
 were soon built up. New churches 
 were organized under his labors, and 
 mightily grew the word of God. He 
 wrote a circular letter in 1870, show- 
 ing the difference between the mis- 
 sionaries and the old Baptists, and 
 the old Tennessee Association heart- 
 ily indorsed the letter, and printed it 
 in their minutes of that year. Soon af- 
 ter this the missionaries challenged 
 him for a debate, -which was accepted, 
 which resulted in some of those who 
 had been reared missionaries uniting 
 with our people, stating that the de- 
 bate convinced them who was right, 
 and lived and died old Baptist preach- 
 ers. He was good, gentle and kind. 
 His sermons were weighty and im- 
 pressive, and other denominations 
 
 would go for miles to hear him 
 preach. His last words were: "All is 
 bright; all is glorious; my room is 
 filled with angels, and glory," and 
 passed away without a struggle. 
 
 JOHN S. BRINSON. 
 
 Brinson, Elder John S. (1812-1883), 
 of North Carolina was the seventh 
 son of John and Susanah Brinson. He 
 was received into fellowship by the 
 church at Milton, Palmlico County, 
 (formerly Craven County.) by baptism 
 in 1851, and was licensed by said 
 church to exercise his ministerial 
 gift January, 1854. The church ap- 
 proving of his ministerial qualifica- 
 tions, he was regularly ordained to 
 the work of the gospel ministry Jan- 
 uary, 1855. After the death of Elder 
 James Griffin he was chosen pastor of 
 the church at Milton, the duties of 
 which office he faithfully discharged 
 till the day of his death. During the 
 term of his ministry he served at one 
 time as m\any as four or five churches 
 as occasional pastor, and they situated 
 120 miles apart east and west, and 
 50 miles apart north and south. As 
 to the zeal, ability, faithfulness and 
 perseverance with which he discharg- 
 ed the duties of his office those he 
 served are the most competent judges. 
 He was faithful and studied to sho-w 
 himself approved unto God, a work- 
 man that needed not to be ashamed, 
 rightly dividing the word of truth and 
 giving to each his portion in due sea- 
 son. He was considered able in the 
 ministry and gospel discipline by the 
 Baptists generally throughout the 
 eastern part of the State, and it seem- 
 ed to give him pleasure to give ad- 
 vice to his younger brethren in re- 
 gard to proper church discipline when- 
 ever asked. One thing was very no- 
 ticeable — the churches under his care 
 lived peaceably and in brotherly love, 
 disturbances of any kind seldom, ever 
 slipping in to mar their peace. 
 
 W. T. BROADWAY. 
 
 Broadway, Elder W. T., of North Car- 
 olina was born September 28, 1852; 
 convicted of sin when about thirty- 
 one years of age, and after much 
 soul sorrow was given a hope in the 
 Saviour and united with the Baptists 
 November, 1883. Soon he was burden- 
 ed with the duty of preaching Jesus 
 to others, and was, in dreams and in 
 other ways, impressed with a feeling 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 49 
 
 sense of his duty. But for about thir- 
 teen years he was disobedient and 
 received the chastenings of the Lord. 
 In August, 1896, he was licensed to 
 preach and in November the same 
 year was ordained to the full work of 
 the ministry. He was soon chosen to 
 the pastoral care of five churches, 
 viz: Salisbury church, Pine, Tom's 
 Creek, Rock Hill and Gains Grove, 
 and has proven a faithful, zealous 
 pastor. Elder Broadway is loved by 
 his people, is strong in the faith and 
 practice of the apostolic church, and 
 desires to be found contending for 
 those things that become sound doc- 
 trine and which tends to build up the 
 broken walls of Zion. 
 
 ARCHIE BROWN. 
 
 Brown, Elder Archie, of Fort 
 Branch, Ind. This gifted and zealous 
 minister, -was born in White County, 
 Ills., January 5, 1859. When quite 
 young he often thought about death 
 and eternity, and intended to get re- 
 ligion when older. He concluded it 
 would not require much of an effort 
 for he felt that he was not very bad. 
 But one evening when about fifteen 
 years of age, in the field all alone, he 
 was convicted of sin and for about 
 two years was made to feel he was 
 growing worse and worse until hell 
 seemed to be his portion, but at this 
 point of man's extremity was God's 
 opportunity. He was given a hope in 
 Jesus as his Saviour, his burden was 
 gone and a new song put in his 
 mouth even praise unto God. He loved 
 the church and desired to join but felt 
 too unworthy. He was, however, soon 
 made to feel that Jesus was his 
 
 worthiness, united with Little Wabash 
 Church, February, 1877, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder David Stewart. Four 
 years later he began preaching and 
 was in August, 1883, ordained to the 
 full functions of the gospel, since 
 which time he has had the care of 
 from one to four churches, and be- 
 sides, has traveled considerably 
 among the Baptists in many states. 
 He was also, for several years, prior 
 to Elder Lemual Potters' death, asso- 
 ciated with him in the publication of 
 the Church Advocate as joint editor 
 and proprietor, and as a writer was 
 noted for his simple, clear style. But 
 whether in the pulpit or the editor's 
 chair Elder Brown has always oppos- 
 ed the progressive spirit among our 
 people, nor has he ever been accused 
 of not preaching Jesus as a complete 
 Saviour. He concludes that if the doc- 
 trine and practice of the apostolic 
 church is perfect and we begin to pro- 
 gress along these lines, we go back- 
 ward instead of forward. He has bap- 
 tized into the fellowship of his church 
 about three hundred persons and the 
 Lord has blessed his labors to the 
 comfort, edification and instruction of 
 many. In 1879 he was married to Miss 
 Lucy Potter, a daughter of Elder Lem- 
 uel Potter, and this union has been 
 blessed with four sons. Elder Brown 
 writes: "My only hope for a better 
 place than this is in Christ, and yet 
 sometimes I feel that it is unreasona- 
 ble for a poor sinner like I am to even 
 claim a hope in the dear Saviour." 
 
 W. 
 
 BROWN. 
 
 Brown, Elder W. T., of Richmond, 
 Mo., son of Thos. A. Brown, who was 
 for over forty years deacon in New 
 
50 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Hope Church, was born October 7, 
 1847. He was blessed with good moral 
 taining, but had but few opportuni- 
 ties for receiving an education; was 
 raised on a farm and has since fol- 
 lowed this vocation when not engaged 
 in ministerial work; was married to 
 Miss Sarah E. White, December 6, 
 1866; convicted of sin in the Spring 
 of 1867, and for one and a half years 
 was made to feel the wrath and con- 
 demnation of Sinai's law; was given a 
 sweet hope in Jesus, and in July, 
 
 1869, united with the church and was 
 that day told by some of his brethren 
 that he would have to preach which 
 greatly frightened him, — his brethren 
 having discovered the gift that he had 
 before felt in his heart though endeav- 
 ordered to keep it hid. He began, in a 
 few months, to speak publicly in the 
 name of Jesus and was in November, 
 
 1870, ordained to the work of the minis- 
 try by Elders Jas. Duva 1 , Isaac Odell 
 and Allen Sisk. Elder Brown has since 
 had the care of two to four churches 
 and has traveled and preached in Illi- 
 nois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Okla- 
 homa, Texas, California, Idaho, Oregon 
 and Washington, and has been well re- 
 ceived among the Baptists. He firmly 
 believes that the preaching of the doc- 
 trine of free, sovereign, efficient and 
 effectual grace for all the elect and 
 the practice of the New Testament 
 teaching will not cause strife and di- 
 visions among the dear people of God. 
 He has fought a good fight thus far 
 and desires to finish his course along 
 the same line he has been pursuing 
 nearly forty years. 
 
 unto the saints for more than fifty 
 years, and died in the full triumphs of 
 that faith in his eighty-ninth year of 
 age. 
 
 WILLIAM BROWN. 
 
 Brown, Elder William, was born in 
 Rowan County, N. O, on the 8th day 
 of November, 1794, and died at his 
 home in Johnson County, N. O, on the 
 11th day of July, 1884. His last ser- 
 mon was preached at Cross Roads 
 Church from I John 3:1, "Behold, 
 what manner of love the Father hath 
 bestowed upon us, that we should be 
 called the sons of God: therefore the 
 world knoweth us not, because it knew 
 him not.' He was the pastor at Union, 
 Bethany and Juniper churches for 
 many years, and was faithful, being a 
 partaker of the afflictions of the gos- 
 pel, and knowing in whom he had be- 
 lieved, and was persuaded that God 
 was able to keep that which he had 
 committed unto Him against that day. 
 As a minister he was faithful and con- 
 tended for the faith once delivered 
 
 JOHN W. BROWN. 
 
 Brown, Elder John W. (1825-1875)— 
 of Onslow County, N. C, the son of 
 Im. and Olive Brown, was convicted 
 of sin in his twelfth year and several 
 years later was gTven a hope in Jesus 
 and directed to the Primitive Baptist 
 Church, which he joined; was socn 
 licensed to preach and in 1860 was 
 ordained to the gospel work. He trav- 
 eled tnrough heat and cold, day and 
 night, to preach salvation by grace to ■ 
 a dying world, and to teach man's 
 accountability to his God, and to warn 
 poor sinners to flee from the wrath 
 to come. His manner of preaching was 
 with such great power it attracted the 
 attention of old and young; so as a 
 general thing he had large congrega- 
 tions to preach to. Elder Brown first 
 married Emily Caneday, by whom he 
 had six sons. After the death of his 
 first wife he broke up house-keeping 
 and scattered his children, and re- 
 mained without a wife until 1863 
 when he was married to Eliza Hill. 
 This union was blessed with three 
 sons and one daughter. He fought a 
 good fight and finished his course 
 with joy. 
 
 JESSE BROWN. 
 
 Brown, Elder Jesse, was born in 
 Duplin County, N. C, on September 
 30, 1846, and when but a child lost 
 both father and mother by death. He 
 became greatly troublbed on account 
 of sin in 1875 and felt to be lost and 
 without hope, but about 1879 the Lord 
 appeared to him as his redeemer. 
 Then the praise of the Lord was his 
 joy and he joined the Primitive Bap- 
 tists and was baptized in 1880, and' 
 began to preach Jesus in 1886, and 
 was ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry, at Sandy Bottom, Lenoir 
 County, N. C, in 1888. He is yet in 
 the service, having care of churches 
 in North Carolina. Elder Brown is a 
 man of deep thought and an able 
 speaker. 
 
 W,M. M. BRYAN. 
 
 Bryan, Elder Wm. M., was born 
 December 30, 1842, in Georgia and 
 died at Clayton, Texas, January 17, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 51 
 
 1904. He joined Pleasant Hill Church 
 in Georgia July 26, 1873, and was or- 
 dained to the full work of the minis- 
 try at Emmaus Church in the Fellow- 
 ship Association in Alabama, 1891. 
 He moved to Eastern Texas January 
 5, 1893, and served the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church of Christ near Clayton, 
 called Mt. Moriah, as pastor until 
 death. He was a kind husband, ruling 
 over his house gently, with a Christ- 
 like spirit of love. He proved his call- 
 ing of God by ruling his house well 
 and knowing how to take care of the 
 house of God. He lived a faithful, 
 sober life, providing things honest in 
 the sight of all men. He said upon his 
 death-bed: "I am proud to die in the 
 faith I have lived in — the 'faith once 
 delivered unto the saints." 
 
 W. C. BRYAN. 
 
 Bryan, Elder W. C, was born in 
 Barber County, Ala., on August 4, 
 1838, and he fell asleep in Jesus on 
 February 28, 1901. He moved to Floyd 
 County, Ga., in 18G8, and bought a 
 farm five miles west of Rome, Ga., 
 where he lived for several years. He 
 served as justice of the peace in that 
 district many years. He received a 
 hope in Jesus when young, but from 
 a feeling of unworthiness he did not 
 join the church until June 27, 1873, 
 when he and his companion both were 
 received into the fellowship of the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Pleasant 
 Hill, Floyd County, Ga., and were 
 baptized by Elder L. C. D. Payne. 
 Elder Bryan was ordained deacon 
 November 21, 1874. He was licensed 
 to preach in 1882 and was ordained De- 
 cember 6, 1884, by Elders L. C. D. 
 Payne A. Johnson, F. M. Casog and A. 
 Maples. Since that time he has served 
 from three to five churches, and was 
 ever a pompt, faithful minister. He 
 seemed to have the cause at heart, and 
 his duty to the church always came 
 first. The following are the churches he 
 has served: Emmaus and Melville, 
 Chattanooga County, Ga. ; Pleasant 
 Hill, Midway, and Rockdale, of Floyd 
 County, Ga. ; Rocky Creek and Mt. 
 Horeb, Gordon County, Ga. ; Provi- 
 dence, Cherokee County, Ala., and 
 West Atlanta Church. He served as 
 clerk of the Euharlie Association from 
 1884 up to his death. He was also 
 elected twice to the legislature in 
 Floyd County, Ga. The positions he 
 has so faithfully filled show that he 
 was a very useful citizen. He was 
 highly esteemed and will be greatly 
 missed. 
 
 THOMAS BUCK. 
 
 Buck, Ettler Thomas, was born 
 about 1750 at what is now known as 
 Bucktown, Warren County, Va., and 
 died 18G2. He was a grandson of 
 Chas. Buck, the first of the name who 
 settled in the valley west of the Blue 
 Ridge. He entered the ministry early 
 in life, and served the Master in that 
 work the whole of a long life. He was 
 a man of strong character, a conscien- 
 tious Christian devoted to his work, 
 and was called "Father Buck" by the 
 younger generation of his locality, 
 and was one of the most prominent 
 of the ministers in his part of the 
 state. He preached for years at the 
 Old School Baptist Church at Water 
 Lick, Nineveh and Front Royal. He 
 was known and beloved through all 
 the bounds of the Ketoctan Associa- 
 tion as one who manfully "contended 
 for the faith;" and is still quoted as 
 an authority upon subjects connected 
 with the tenents of the church. 
 
 W. M. BULLARD. 
 
 Bullard, Elder W. M. This humble 
 and faithful servant of the Master, 
 was born in Macon County, Ga., Janu- 
 ary 13, 1860. His parents were poor 
 in this world's goods, and were not 
 able to give him an education. Yet he 
 was determined to educate himself, 
 and by hard study and God's blessings, 
 has made himself a well informed 
 man. At the age of fourteen he receiv- 
 ed a severe injury in the shoulder, in 
 working around some machinery. He 
 united with the Bethel Church, in 
 Phenix City, Ala., June, 1887, bap- 
 tized by Elder J. S. Boxley, and serv- 
 ed as clerk and deacon, and later was 
 ordained to the full work of the gos- 
 pel ministry, and served the church as 
 pastor. Brother Bullard was ordained 
 June, 1897, and has served from two 
 to four churches since. He is much 
 beloved by his people, and his home 
 church now numbers over a hundred 
 in fellowship. 
 
 BALAS BUNDY. 
 
 Bundy, Elder Balas, of New York, 
 was born April 15, 1828, in Otego, Ot- 
 sego County, N. Y. He received a hope 
 in Christ in 1852, and united with the 
 New School Baptist Church in Otego. A 
 few years after he became so dissatis- 
 fied with the doctrine and order of that 
 church that he with a few others, sep- 
 
52 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 a rated from it, and organized "The 
 Old School Baptist Church of Otego," 
 where the doctrine and order of the 
 gospel has been maintained ever 
 since. In 1S71 Elder Silas H. Durand 
 was called to the pastoral care of the 
 church. Balas Bundy had then been 
 exercised in regard to the work of 
 the ministry about nine yeais, and 
 had persistently resisted the impres- 
 sion. During that year his opposition 
 was overcome. Having long been dis- 
 satisfied with his baptism, regarding 
 it as not in the order of the gospel, 
 because he was not at the time in fel- 
 lowship with the one who administer- 
 ed the ordinance, he asked of the 
 church that the ordinance might be 
 administered, and he was baptized by 
 Elder Durand October 5, 1871. He was 
 
 BALAS BUNDY 
 
 ordained to the full work of the min- 
 istry May 8, 1873, and soon after ac- 
 cepted the call of the church to be 
 pastor, and remained in that relation 
 till his departure. May 29, 1899, faith- 
 fully performing his duties in the 
 church and in the world. The last 25 
 years of his life he traveled much, 
 preaching in many different churches, 
 and was well known in the eastern 
 states and Canada, There was but one 
 opinion and one voice among all the 
 lovers of truth who knew him con- 
 cerning the gift that was in him, that 
 it was most rich and precious and 
 valuable, and that it was constantly 
 stirred up and in exercise for the 
 comfort of the Lord's afflicted and 
 poor people. He seldom wrote for 
 publication, and but little privately, 
 but most precious fruit was constant- 
 ly falling from his lips, not alone 
 when in the pulpit, but wherever and 
 whenever he spoke, and it was evi- 
 
 dently "the fruit of the lips" which 
 the Lord creates. Isa. 57: 19. He was 
 very spiritually-minded, and not at all 
 given to levity in his life or conver- 
 sation. His estimation of himself and 
 his gift was very low, and he could 
 hardly dare to speak of himself as a 
 preacher. But the sweetness and rich- 
 ness of his gifts were most wonder- 
 ful to his brethren, and he was most 
 highly esteemed for his clear view of 
 doctrine and order, and his faithful- 
 ness. 
 
 H. S. BUNSON. 
 
 Bunson, Elder H. S., was born June 
 13, 1821, united with the church at 
 Opeka 1850, ordained 1866, and after 
 a quarter of a century of faithful serv- 
 ice, died at his post August 16, 1903. 
 So great was his love for the cause of 
 Christ that though a cripple from white 
 swellings and almost blind, and poor 
 in this world's goods, yet for years he 
 would often walk twenty miles through 
 any kind of weather to meet his ap- 
 pointments, and while he never spoke 
 with enticing words of man's wisdom 
 or excellence of speech; yet he was 
 an interesting speaker and often held 
 his audience for two hours. While he 
 was bold as a lion yet he was also as 
 harmless as a dove, always bowing in 
 humble submission to his brethren as 
 long as their faith and practice was 
 according to the Scripture, but would 
 fellowship no discord. He main, 
 tained a Godly walk and pious conver- 
 sation, and was well beloved as a 
 neighbor and minister. His 'ast ad- 
 monition was to contend for the faith 
 and never to yield to the enemies of 
 the church, and that he felt he had 
 fought a good fight; that he had kept 
 the faith and was ready to depart and 
 be with his Lord. 
 
 JAS. A. BURCH. 
 
 Burch, Elder Jas A., of North Caro- 
 lina, was born in Person County, N. C, 
 August 24, 1829. He professed a hope 
 in Christ and united with the Primitive 
 Baptist Church at Wheeler's, in Per- 
 son County N. C, 1856, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder A. N. Hall, who was 
 pastor of said church, and was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry on 
 December 2, 1871, by a presbytery 
 composed of Elders A. N. Hall, D. R. 
 Moore, and James S. Dameron. He 
 lived the upright life, and his fruit in 
 his daily life was such as the grace of 
 God manifests in His children. The 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 53 
 
 war between the States commenced, 
 and he volunteered March 4, 1862, was 
 elected First Lieutenant of Company A, 
 Fiftieth Regiment, North Carolina 
 Troops, and served as such to the sec- 
 ond of December, 1862. He was then 
 promoted to Captain of the same com- 
 pany and served as such until the 26th 
 of April, 1865, and surrendered with 
 the army at Greensboro, N. C. He was 
 loved by his company and preserved 
 in the Providence of God with his 
 
 22, 1895, and has since had the care 
 of churches. He is well established in 
 
 JAS. A. BURCH 
 
 command, had the respect and confi- 
 dence of his superior officers and re- 
 turned home clothed with his char- 
 acter unspotted. As a minister he was 
 faithful and his labors were blessed 
 and the churches prospered and in- 
 creased in numbers under his care. 
 He was a good peace-maker, and lab- 
 ored to keep peace in the churches. 
 He traveled much in North Carolina. 
 Tennessee, Alabama and Virginia. He 
 fought a good fight, finished his course 
 and breathed his last at home near 
 Burlington, on April 12, 1906. 
 
 PLEASANT BURGER. 
 
 Burger, Elder Pieasant, of Moulton, 
 Iowa, This faithful and useful servant 
 of God was born in Estil County, Ken- 
 tucky, April 27, 1848, and moved to 
 Iowa in 1S59. He obtained a hope and 
 joined the Missionary Baptists in 
 1884 and lived with them five years, 
 and then united with Fox River 
 Church of Primitive Baptists, Davis 
 County, Iowa. He was ordained June 
 
 PLESANT BURGER 
 
 the doctrine of grace. Data for a 
 more extended sketch could not be 
 obtained. 
 
 JAMES BURK. 
 
 Burk, Elder James, departed this 
 this life June 2, 1895. He was born in 
 Ohio, February 19, 1835, and moved 
 with his parents to Lewis County, 
 Mo., in the year 1855, and was mar- 
 ried to Miss Rebecca Hall in 1857. 
 He professed a hope in Christ in Ohio 
 and joined the Methodist Church. He 
 afterwards became dissatisfied and 
 
54 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 joined the Missionary Baptists in Mis- 
 souri, but was still dissatisfied. He 
 had never heard an Old Baptist 
 preach and knew nothing about them 
 as a people, and like a great many 
 others thought their doctrine was dan- 
 gerous. But he was so dissatisfied 
 with the people with whom he was 
 identified, he concluded that he would 
 go and hear Elder Henry Louthan at 
 a school house near by, and there for 
 the first time heard a doctrine that 
 harmonized with his experience, and 
 met a people with whom he felt he 
 could live. He afterward joined Lunies 
 Creek Church in Shelby County, Mo., 
 and lived a faithful and consistent 
 member until death. He was ordained 
 August, 1889, by Elders S. W. Sears 
 and ■ — ■ — ■ Burke, and ever after- 
 wards proved his devotion to the 
 cause of God and truth. 
 
 to those whom he believed to be God's 
 chosen people. 
 
 WM. C. BURKS. 
 
 Burks, Elder Wm. C. was born 
 March 7, 1818 and died December 3, 
 1904. When he was about seven years 
 old his father, James L. Burks moved 
 to Talbot County, Ga., where Elder 
 Burks grew to manhood, and was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sarah Weathers, daugh- 
 ter of Daniel Weathers. He united 
 with the Primitive Baptist Church 
 (Shiloh) in Tallapoosa County, Ala., 
 and was baptized by Elder James Car- 
 ter, and was soon chosen by the 
 church and set apart by ordination as 
 deacon, Elder Carter, J. J. Dickson, J. 
 M. Pearson, and W. H. Mitchell offi- 
 ciating as presbytery. From there he 
 moved to Leak County, Miss., and uni- 
 ted by letter with the church at "Pil- 
 grims Rest," and the 27th of Novem- 
 ber was ordained to exercise in all the 
 functions of the gospel ministry, Eld- 
 ers J. G. Crecelius and W. Crawford 
 acting as presbytery. In November, 
 1872, he settled in Comanche Ccunty. 
 Texas, and by the aid of W. M. Don- 
 ald constituted a church and called it 
 Shiloh, and for some time afterwards 
 was the only Primitive Baptist preach- 
 er in the county. He said he always 
 found it good to trust in the Lord and 
 do that which the Saviour commanded 
 as his duty; said it gave a peace of 
 mind the world could neither give nor 
 take away. For more than ten years 
 of his life he was not able to walk 
 without the aid of crutches, but would 
 go to church and preach to his people 
 up to within one year of his death. He 
 loved the cause for which he was fight- 
 ing and was ever an humble minister 
 
 SAMUEL BRANCH BURNETT. 
 
 Burnett, Elder Samuel Branch, of 
 Georgia, was born in Dinwiddie Coun- 
 ty, Va., 7th April, 1803. Moved to Geor- 
 gia in early life and settled on a farm 
 in Crawford County near Mt. Paran 
 Church which church he joined Octo- 
 ber, 1827. He served this chuich as 
 clerk and deacon, and was ordained to 
 the ministry November, 1838, by Eld- 
 ers Jonathan Neal, Luke J. Nowell 
 and Simon Parker. He was soon called 
 to serve Bethel, Salem, Mt. Paran 
 and Shiloh churches. He was with the 
 churches in the Missionary struggle, 
 and stood by the churches in the Ma- 
 sonic struggle. He ever tried to de- 
 fend the rights of the church, and 
 the doctrine of Gcd our Saviour. He 
 died February 5, 1887, and was one of 
 the oldest citizens in Bibb County. 
 His rectitude of life and firmness of 
 character is well known by all who 
 knew him. He was one of the oldest 
 and ablest ministers of the gospel of 
 Christ, having worn the gospel yoke 
 fifty years defending the cause of his 
 heaA r enly Master with a steadfast 
 faithfulness until called to his re- 
 ward. 
 
 MILTON WESLEY BYRAM. 
 
 Byram, Elder Milton Wesley, of 
 Iowa, was born in Dard County, O., 
 December 1, 1837, and when a child 
 moved with his parents to near Union 
 City, Ind., where he grew to manhood. 
 At the age of twenty-one he was mar- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 55 
 
 ried to Miss Mary McFarlan, who died 
 -within about ten years afterward. 
 About this time he moved to Iowa 
 and was in 1874 married to Miss Ma- 
 hala Oldham, who died the same year. 
 Soon after this he was again married 
 to Mrs. Mary I. Roberts. Early in life 
 he was convicted of sin and after ma- 
 turity united with the Baptists, was 
 soon elected as clerk of his church, 
 then ordained deacon and in 1894 was 
 ordained to the full functions of the 
 gospel ministry. He served several 
 churches as pastor and was at the 
 time of his death Moderator of Des 
 Moines River Association, and during 
 his ministry proved his love for the 
 cause of truth in word and deed. 
 
 JOSHUA CABBAGE. 
 
 Cabbage, Elder Joshua, Gentryville, 
 Ind., was born in Wlarwick County, 
 Ind., October 13, 1840. In early life he 
 was convicted of sin and given a hope 
 in the Saviour and united with Little 
 Zion Church of Old School or Piinii- 
 tive Baptists. Soon he was ordained to 
 the work of the ministry and has 
 since been preaching wherever in the 
 providence of God, his lot has been 
 cast, though his services have been 
 confined mostly within the bounds of 
 the Little Zion Association, which as- 
 sociation he has served both as clerk 
 and moderator. Elder Cabbage, though 
 nearly seventy years old, is active and 
 zealous in the cause of truth and 
 spends most of his time in traveling 
 among and preaching for churches in 
 Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ten- 
 nessee. 
 
 M. M. CANNINE. 
 
 Cannine, Elder M. M., of Crawfords- 
 ville, Ind., was bom in Montgomery 
 County, Ind., April 13, 1850. His 
 grandparents on both sides, and his 
 parents were Baptists. He cannot re- 
 member the time when the conversa- 
 tion of Christians was not pleasant to 
 his ear. In his thirteenth year he be- 
 came especially interested in the 
 things of the Kingdom' of Jesus, was 
 convicted of sin and in his sixteenth 
 year of age was given a hope in the 
 Saviour. The follow ing year — Febru- 
 ary, 1SG7 — he united with the church, 
 and soon commenced speaking in pub- 
 lic, but there arising a division in the 
 church of his membership over the 
 "two-seed-doctrine" and its kindred 
 subjects, some of these advocating 
 these doctrines opposing his ordina- 
 tion, he was not ordained until Octo- 
 ber, 1901. Elder Cannine is considered 
 sound in the doctrine and practice of 
 the apostolic church. Recently he 
 writes: "I joined the dear old church 
 in '67 and soon commenced spea'Jng 
 in public and have no reason to desert 
 the flag of my Master, although fitian 
 cial distress has tied my hands so 
 that I feel I am doing nothing for the 
 cause as I should." May God's dear 
 people not muzle the ox that tredeth 
 out the corn. 
 
 HARON CANTRELL. 
 
 Cantrell, Elder Haron. The Christ- 
 ian life of this worthy minister was 
 mostly spent in the Little Vine Asso- 
 ciation of which he was often Moder- 
 ator, though he sometimes visited 
 other associations. He was truly a 
 
56 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 father in Israel, an earnest contender 
 for truth and good order in the 
 church, and when he fell asleep it 
 
 could truly he said of him "a great 
 man has fallen in Israel." 
 
 H. C. CARD. 
 
 Card, Elder H. C, This faithful min- 
 ister lives in Montgomery, 111., and 
 is serving Old Harmony the oldest 
 church in the county, which was or 
 ganized in 1820. He was born 1841, 
 convicted of sin and made to love the 
 church in 1863, but lay out of his duty 
 until 1870 A\hen he united with the 
 church. He was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry 1896, but a full 
 sketch of his life and labors could 
 not appear for want of data. 
 
 CALVIN CARD. 
 
 Card, Elder Calvin, born 1812, died 
 1852, was the father of Elder H. C, 
 and a faithful and uncompromising 
 soldier of the Cross, and highly es- 
 teemed as a minister of the gospel. 
 He was faithful until the end and died 
 in the full assurance of the gospel he 
 had preached to others. 
 
 R. W. CARLISLE. 
 
 Carlisle, Elder R. W., was born 1805 
 and died November 3, 1890, near Good- 
 water, Coosa County, Ala., He united 
 with the Baptist church in 1830, be- 
 fore the division, and was soon there- 
 after set apart as deacon, and subse- 
 quently moved to Chambers County, 
 Alabama, and thence to Tallapoosa, 
 and was ordained to the ministry at 
 Darien Church by Elders Moses Gunn 
 and John M. Duke in 1845, and in 
 1859 he moved to Coosa County, Ala., 
 serving from three to five churches, 
 till the infirmities of age forbid his 
 continuance. For more than twenty 
 years he was moderator of either the 
 Wetumpka or Hillabee Associations. 
 Elder Carlisle was regarded as a 
 sound, consistent and able minister, 
 and after faithfully serving in that ca- 
 pacity for near fifty years, fell asleep 
 in Jesus and entered his eternal home 
 "that house not made with hands, 
 eternal in the heavens." 
 
 C. J. CARMICHAEL. 
 
 Carmichael, Elder C. J., of Liberty, 
 Ind. This aged, faithful and zealous 
 minister of the New Testament was 
 born in Monroe County, Ind., August 
 12, 1833; raised up at hard physical 
 labor and had but few opportunities 
 to obtain an education; convicted of 
 sin in his eleventh year and determin- 
 ed that he would get religion which 
 appeared so easy to do, but proved an 
 impossible task. Years passed and 
 still he would put off "getting relig- 
 ion," until one day in 1855 while plow- 
 ing he was, by God's spirit, made to 
 see his broken promise and to fall 
 upon his knees between the ploy-han- 
 dles and cry for mercy, and for about 
 two years he was a penitent, and like 
 the poor publican could only cry. 
 "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." 
 But God comforted him as He does 
 all of his mourning children and gave 
 him a hope in Jesus. He united with 
 the church, was soon impressed to 
 preach Jesus to others, but ran from 
 duty,, denied that he was so impress- 
 ed, was afflicted with loss of goods 
 and burden of mind and made to 
 pray: "Lord, not my will, but Thine 
 be done." Soon he was ordained and 
 his labors blessed of the Lord. 
 Churches were constituted, an asso- 
 ciation formed, the broken walls of 
 Zion built up and Zion's children com- 
 forted. His wife who united with the 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 57 
 
 church one month previous to him, 
 has, during their long pilgrimage to- 
 gether, proved a true helpmate — a 
 companion indeed — a devoted mother 
 in Israel, who labored hard to sup- 
 port her children and contribute to 
 the cause of truth so that they might 
 not be a burden to the church. And 
 she has been blessed to see her chil- 
 dren believe and love the same doc- 
 trine that has been so precious to her 
 and her husband. Elder Carmichael 
 has traveled in several states preach- 
 ing the sweet gospel of grace and has 
 been well received. He is humble, 
 meek and kind-hearted; but also firm, 
 unwavering and uncompromising with 
 error. A lover of peace,, fellowship and 
 good will among God's people he has 
 labored to that end, but feels that the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour and the 
 practice of the Apostolic Church 
 should not be sacrificed,, but God's 
 erring children should be labored with 
 in a gospel manner and restored 
 whenever possible. 
 
 THOMAS CARNES. 
 
 Carries, Elder Thomas, of Villa Rica, 
 Ga., is the beloved moderator of New 
 Hope Primitive Baptist Association 
 and the faithful pastor of New Hope 
 and Hopewell churches of Douglass 
 and Carroll Counties, Ga., and the 
 editor regrets that sufficient informa- 
 tion could not be obtained for an ex- 
 tended sketch of his life and labors. 
 
 THOMAS CARR. 
 
 Carr, Elder Thomas, of North Caro- 
 lina, was born in Virginia, May 17, 
 1804. Joined the Methodist Church 
 when young, became dissatisfied and 
 joined the Primitive Baptists at Old 
 Fox Creek Church, Grayson County, 
 Va., November 3, 1837. Was licensed 
 to preach August 3, 1838, and after- 
 wards ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry. He served Cross Roads, 
 Rock Creek and Zion churches and 
 adorned the profession he made. He 
 was a faithful pastor, often rode 
 through rain, hail and snow until his 
 clothes were frozen on him. Notwith- 
 standing he was a poor man, money 
 could not hire him to preach, nor 
 could money hire him to quit preach- 
 ing, for the cause of Christ was so 
 near and dear to him, that he counted 
 all natural things but dross,, that he 
 might obtain that inheritance that is 
 incorruptible and undefiled and fadeth 
 not away. He died June 21, 1876, in 
 the full triumphs of faith. 
 
 ALBERT CARTWRIGHT. 
 
 Cartwright, Elder Albert. The sub- 
 ject of this sketch was born in Hide 
 County, N. C, in 1816, and died in 
 1892. His parents were Quakers. In his 
 thirty-third year he was made to feel 
 alarmed about himself as a sinner 
 while listening to Elder John Stadler 
 preach; was brought under deep con- 
 viction, received a good hope in Jesus, 
 united with the church in 1851, and 
 was baptized by Elder George Cara- 
 wan. He was soon impressed with the 
 word of the Lord, was liberated to ex- 
 ercise his gift in 1853 and ordained in 
 1865, and was soon called to serve 
 the following churches: Mattomuskeet 
 Lake, Beulah, and Bethlehem in Hyde 
 and Tyrell Counties, N. C. Elder Cart- 
 wright was kind and considerate but 
 uncompromising when it came to 
 principles. He was well beloved by 
 his people and exerted a good influ- 
 ence in his county. 
 
 DAVID CARTER. 
 
 Carter, Elder David, of Beaufort 
 County, N. C, was born June 22, 1834, 
 and died November 27, 1908. He united 
 with the church at the Head of Pungo 
 about 1860, was baptized by Elder 
 Albin Swindell and truly adorned the 
 profession he made by a well ordered 
 Christian walk and conversation. He 
 was ordained in 1876 and was, until 
 the end of his earthly pilgrimage, a 
 faithful minister; as a man he was 
 strictly honest in dealing with his 
 fellowman, was industrious, and well 
 provided for his own house. 
 
 B. F. CASEY. 
 
 Casey, Elder B. F., of Texas. This 
 able, worthy minister died a few years 
 ago. The editor's efforts to secure 
 data from which to write a suitable 
 notice of his life and labors proved 
 fruitless. He died at his post, in the 
 churchhouse at one of his regular 
 meeting at Wylie, Texas. 
 
 W. J. CASEY. 
 
 Casey, Elder W. J. was born August 
 27, 1849 in Newton County, Ark., grew 
 up as a moral boy, was deeply con- 
 victed as a sinner in 1868, given a 
 sweet view in Jesus as his Saviour 
 and made to rejoice in his devotion, 
 united with the church in 1884, or- 
 dained to the full work of the gospel 
 ministry 1885. Elder Casey is pastor of 
 Little Hope Church, has traveled much 
 among the churches and baptized sixty 
 persons into the fellowship of the 
 church. He is the beloved moderator 
 of the Little Zion Association. 
 
58 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 JESSE E. CASEY. 
 
 Casey, Elder Jesss E. (- 
 
 -18G4), 
 
 was an able minister of the Old 
 School order and faithfully proclaimed 
 Jesus as the way, the truth and tiie 
 life for many years. He was in the 
 constitution of Mt. Gilead Church in 
 Arkansas in 1844, and was, for a num- 
 ber of years, the moderator of the 
 Buffalo Association. The editor re- 
 grets that for lack of data a full 
 sketch of his life could not be given. 
 
 A. J. CASSELL. 
 
 Cassell, Elder A. J. peacefully passed 
 away at his home near Cassell, Va. 
 on the 15th of October, 1901, and was 
 buried at old Senter Church, Henry 
 County, Va. He was eighty years old, 
 and was a preacher more than fifty 
 years. He served as moderator of the 
 Smith River Association, and pastor 
 of several churches acceptably for 
 about half a century. He had but 
 few equals in the ministry, and was 
 held in high esteem by the Baptists. 
 He was noted for his pulpit oratory and 
 loved for his faithfulness. 
 
 WALTER CASH. 
 
 Cash, Elder Walter, of St. Joseph, 
 Mo. The subject of this notice was 
 born in Linn County, Mo., September 
 2, 1856. His parents were Loyd and 
 Mary J. Cash. When a boy his father 
 moved to Linn County, Mo., in 1843, 
 and after his return from the Mexi- 
 can war, in which he was a soldier, 
 settled in Linn County. He never be- 
 came a member of the church, though 
 a firm believer in the doctrine, and a 
 
 warm supporter of the church, and for 
 many years had the Christian fellow- 
 ship of the members. Through Elder 
 Cash's boyhood days he lived a moral 
 life, having an ambition to be truly 
 a good and useful man in the world 
 When about sixteen years of age, he 
 became greatly concerned about his. 
 standing before God, was deeply con- 
 victed of sin and after vainly trying 
 to live a perfect life, was made to feel 
 and see the corruption of his heart, to 
 cry unto God for mercy and was given 
 a sweet hope in Jesus. The church 
 was viewed by him in a beautiful way. 
 May, 1873, when the church met at 
 the home of his grandfather, Elder 
 Thomas T. Burk, a true, tried servant 
 of the Lord, who kept the faith until 
 his course was finished, and the oppor- 
 tunity was announced by the pastor of 
 the church, Elder Wilson Thompson, 
 he went forward, was received and was 
 baptized by Elder Thompson. He was 
 married in 1875, to Miss Ellen P. Hard- 
 in, who was a member of the M. E. 
 Church but who, upon becoming ac- 
 quainted with the doctrine of grace, 
 asked for membership in the church. 
 She had not the privilege of being 
 baptized, however, as the Lord called 
 her home February 2, 1876. His sec- 
 ond wife was Miss Emma Bentley, to 
 whom he was married March 4, 1877. 
 She was also a member of the M. E. 
 Church South, but in May 1880 became 
 a member of West Union Church, and 
 has uncomplainingly borne the burdens 
 which fell upon her by her husband 
 giving his labors to the churches. Elder 
 Cash was licensed in January, 1877, 
 and ordained May, 1880 to the full 
 work of the ministry, and has been the 
 faithful pastor of several churches. He 
 is now pastor of West Union, Liberty 
 and Little Flock, and is editor and 
 proprietor of The Messenger of Peace. 
 Elder Cash has labored for the up- 
 building of the churches with tongue 
 and pen by trying to establish them 
 on Scriptural practice, and to this end 
 he published a work entitled, "Practi- 
 cal Suggestions for Primitive Baptists," 
 the first edition of which was issued in 
 1899. He also put out to accompany 
 this work a "Deacon's Account Book," 
 for the systematizing of the financial 
 business of the churches, and a 
 "Clerk's Record Book," so ruled as to 
 give the history of each member in 
 connection with the roll of members. 
 He also published "The Primitive Bap- 
 tist Hymnal," which contains words and 
 music that is well received among the 
 people. Elder Cash is one of our most 
 able writers and speakers and is well 
 received among the Baptists wherever 
 known. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 59 
 
 BRYANT CASH. 
 
 Cash, Elder Bryant was born May 5, 
 1867, in Chariton County, Mo. His 
 father was James Cash, son of Abram 
 Cash, who -was a son of Elder Warren 
 Cash, of Hardin County Ky. He was 
 married to Miss Dora P. Brooks, March 
 10, 1889. United with Sardis church, 
 of Primitive Baptists in Chariton 
 County, Mo., and was baptized by Elder 
 Walter Cash, on the second Sunday in 
 November, 1890. In October, 1897, he 
 moved with bis family to the Cherokee 
 Nation, Indian Territory, now the state 
 of Oklahoma, and has lived there since. 
 He heard of Prairie Valley Primitive 
 Baptists Church about forty miles from 
 his home and united with this church 
 in March, 1901, by relation as the 
 church where he had his membership 
 had gone down, and soon commenced 
 talking in public, was licensed by the 
 church in 1903, and ordained December 
 1907, by a presbytery composed of the 
 following named brethren: Elders J. 
 M. Biddy, J. J. Christian, F. M. Wisdom, 
 O. E. Odell and Deacon G. A. Carpenter. 
 His labors in the churches has been 
 confined to the bounds of Elk River 
 Association in Southern Kansas and 
 Oklahoma; and Center Creek Associa- 
 tion in Southwestern Missouri. Elder 
 Cash writes me in which he says: "I 
 realize my inability to discharge the 
 very important obligation that is laid 
 upon me as a minister. I desire so 
 much that God will bless our beloved 
 Zion, and that his children may walk 
 worthy of their calling, which is an 
 holy calling to a life of soberness, 
 holiness and virtue." 
 
 JAMES CASTLEBERRY. 
 
 Castleberry, Elder James, died at his 
 residence near Water Valley Yalla- 
 busha County, Miss.. July 19, 1885, of 
 paralysis. Brother Castleberry was 
 born and raised in Alabama, where he 
 obtained a hope in Christ and united 
 with the Primitive Baptists. Soon after 
 he became deeply impressed to preach, 
 he decided to go where (as he ex- 
 pressed it) there were but few Bap- 
 tists and a new country, and he would 
 be relieved of such impressions; ac- 
 cordingly he emigrated to Mississippi, 
 in about 1855, where he found Baptists 
 of his kind, and became so restless and 
 distressed that he began to preach, 
 and was soon ordained and traveled ( 
 and preached among the churches, 
 much to their comfort and edification. 
 He was the Moderator of the Hopewell 
 Association for several years, was 
 dearly beloved by all the brethren who 
 knew him; and especially the Bap- 
 tists of the Hopewell Association. He 
 was able in the defense of the truth; 
 humble, devoted and faithful, in all 
 his relations of life, deep in the doc- 
 trine of the gospel, lucid in all his il- 
 lustrations, and one of the best disci- 
 plinarians. He was truly an exemplary 
 man in all his daily life, so that he had 
 the confidence of all who knew him, 
 having a good report of them that are 
 without. 
 
 SAMUEL CATE. 
 
 Cate, Elder Samuel, was born in Jef- 
 ferson County, Tenn., July 5, 1830, and 
 
60 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 united with Moravia Church, near Mo- 
 ravia, Iowa February 10, 1866, where 
 he was ordained May 7, 1887. Elder 
 Cate was of a meek and quiet disposi- 
 tion and much loved among his breth- 
 ren, and it is regretted that a full 
 sketch of his life could not be given, 
 but other information could not be ob- 
 tained. He died November 24, 1894. 
 
 B. E. CAUDILL. 
 
 Caudill, Elder B. E., of Kentucky, 
 though of limited education, was a man 
 of power and influence. He was born 
 in Kentucky in 1830, united with the 
 church in 1850, ordained in 1854, and 
 lived among the churches of his native 
 state until about 1865 when he moved 
 to Allegheny County, N. C, and united 
 with Elk Creek Church by letter. He 
 began preaching within the bounds of 
 the Mountain District Association and 
 after many years of untiring zeal and 
 fruitful preaching in this and sister 
 associations, where he baptized hun- 
 dreds, he returned to his native state 
 and died in the triumphs of faith, Feb- 
 ruary 11, 1889. He was an eminent 
 servant of God. 
 
 BENJAMIN CAVE. 
 
 Cave, Elder Benjamin. This pioneer 
 preacher of Ohio was born in Culpepper 
 County, Va., June 15, 1760. His father 
 was an Englishman and emigrated to 
 America about 1730, and was a member 
 of the House of Burgess in 1756. The 
 subject of this sketch was a gallant and 
 faithful soldier in the Revolutionary 
 war and in his old age drew a pension 
 from the government in recognition of 
 his faithfulness. After the war he 
 moved to Kentucky and later to Fairfax 
 County, Ohio, united with the Baptists, 
 soon ordained a minister and organized 
 the Laurel Baptist Church in 1803, was 
 first pastor of Licking Church in 1807, 
 and served other churches in Ohio in 
 the early years of the nineteenth cen- 
 tury. He died in Ross County Ohio, at 
 a ripe old age and in the full triumph 
 of a living faith. 
 
 JAMES CAVENAUGH. 
 
 Cavenaugh, Elder James, was born 
 January 1, 1816, and died March 10, 
 1899. in Duplin County, N. C. His 
 membership was at Muddy Creek 
 Church. He was for many' years a 
 
 faithful preacher. His life was spot- 
 less, his spirit gentle and lovely, sim- 
 ple and child-like. He had no fellow- 
 ship for wrong doing, but was a lover 
 of good men, a lover of the Lord Jesus 
 and his doctrine. He was a man that 
 if you knew him you would have no 
 fear about his doing wrong. You 
 would not expect anything of him but 
 to do right, and you would not be disap- 
 pointed. He never sowed discord 
 among the brethren. He willingly 
 labored as long as he was able to serve 
 churches, going far and near, using his 
 gift to glorify the Lord and benefit his 
 brethren. 
 
 - " ' '- " '■■■ 
 
 S. F. CAYCE. 
 
 Cayce, Elder, S. F. (1850-1905) of 
 Martin, Tenn. This eminent minister 
 was born in Kentucky, joined the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church 1866, ordained, 
 1878, traveled a great deal, engaged in 
 many debates and died at his post in 
 his fifty-fifth year of age, while attend- 
 ing the Collins River Association, near 
 McMinnville, Tenn. while preaching on 
 the subject of the resurrection., he was 
 stricken and died abouc 5 p. m., the 
 same day. Before leaving home he 
 seemed to have a premonition of death. 
 He asked his son Claud, if he would 
 take up his work where he would soon 
 leave off and conduct it as he had 
 done. Elder Cayce was truly a noble and 
 useful man. He' was the founder of 
 the Primitive Baptist, and with tongue 
 and pen was an able defender of the 
 truth. Though an earnest defender of 
 the faith once delivered unto the 
 saints yet he was meek, humble, gentle, 
 tender and loving. His moral char- 
 acter was spotless, his conversation 
 chaste and his manners refined. There 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 61 
 
 were many especial acts of the citi- 
 zens of Martin, Tenn., his native town, 
 which show more strongly than any- 
 thing else could have shown the es- 
 teem, love and worth in which he was 
 held. Every business house in town 
 closed its doors; and the other denomi- 
 nations had their bells tolled. Also the 
 bells of both colleges, the Methodist 
 and Missionary Baptist, were tolled, 
 and on the doors of the Methodist 
 church mourning was placed both 
 Monday and Tuesday, and on Tues- 
 day their appointment for preaching 
 was called in, their protracted meeting 
 having begun on Monday night. These 
 acts of friendship by so many differ- 
 ent denominations and business men, 
 were a great comfort to the bereaved 
 and broken-hearted family. Remarks 
 eulogistic of the character and stand- 
 ing of Elder Cayce were made by Eld- 
 ers E. B. Simmons, J. Harvey Daily 
 M. A. Hackworth, J. V. Kirkland, G. T. 
 Mayo, all of the Primitive Baptist 
 Church; Revs. J. R. Bell, E. H. Stewart 
 and A. E. Scott of the Methodist 
 Church, and Rev. W. H. Whitson of 
 the Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. 
 James Balaam Stephens, Hon. J. O. 
 Vincent, and Miss Mayme Miller, a 
 very dear friend of the family, who 
 touched on the character and worth 
 of the deceased in a most beautiful 
 and feeling way. 
 
 C. H. CAYCE. 
 
 Cayce, Elder C. H., was born June 1, 
 1871 in Moscow, Ky. On September 
 23, 1891 he was married to Miss Lula 
 Jenkins, at her home near Martin, 
 Tenn., where he now lives. He joined 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at Green- 
 
 field, Tenn., in August 1S89, and was 
 baptized by his father, Elder S. F. 
 Cayce in September, 1889. He made 
 his first public effort in 1890, liberated 
 to exercise his gift the same year, and 
 ordained to the full work of the minis- 
 try in December, 1896. He has served 
 the following churches as pastor, Buf- 
 falo, Martin (his home church), Har- 
 mony, Blooming Grove, Union and 
 Shiloh. He has preached in every 
 county in West Tennessee except Ben- 
 ton and Lake, in 'a majority of the coun- 
 ties of Middle Tennesee, traveled ex- 
 tensively in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana.. 
 Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, 
 Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala- 
 bama, Georgia, and Florida. Some 
 years traveling as much as 10,000 miles. 
 He has had ten debates with Camp- 
 bellites two with Missionary Baptists 
 and one with the Mormons, and has 
 baptized between 200 and 300 people. 
 He began working in his father's print- 
 ing office September 1, 1886, and has 
 held every position up to editor. He 
 began editing the Primitive Baptist in 
 1905, on the death of his father and 
 has been successful with this paper, 
 the list increasing since then from 6,500 
 to 10,000 yearly subscribers. 
 
 STEPHEN CHANDLER. 
 
 Chandler, Elder Stephen, born Sep- 
 tember 15, 1808, and died 1850. He uni- 
 ted with the church in 1S2S, and began 
 preaching the same year. He faithful- 
 ly served four churches most of his 
 ministerial life. Among those he was 
 pastor of were Flat River, Ebenezer, 
 Stone's Creek and Wheelers in Pear- 
 son County, N. C. He also lived for a 
 few years in Edgecombe County. When 
 not serving his churches he taught 
 school and labored on his farm, and 
 was noted for his industry. He was a 
 gifted preacher. 
 
 W. A. CHASTAIN. 
 
 Chastain, Elder W. A., of Springfield, 
 111., was born near Campbellsburg, 
 Ind., August 12, 1877. From his ear- 
 liest recollection he had a desire to be 
 classed as a good boy. In his four- 
 teenth year he was convicted of sin, 
 made to see that all self-righteousness 
 and moral goodness was but as filthy 
 rags in God's sight when depended up- 
 on for justification and though young 
 in years he was stripped of all self- 
 dependence and given a hope in Jesus. 
 About two years later, July 1893, he 
 lunited with Old Union Church in 
 
62 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Washington County, Ind., the church 
 of his father, and was baptized by Eld- 
 er W. E. Radcliff. His mother was 
 baptized the same day and he has 
 since baptized his sister into the fel- 
 lowship of this dear old church. Soon 
 after joining he became deeply con- 
 cerned about his duty as a witness for 
 Jesus, was encouraged by his pastor, 
 
 W A. CHASTAIN 
 
 Elder Radcliff, and began preaching 
 in 1896, and was, in January, 1899, 
 ordained to the ministerial work. Elder 
 Chastain has traveled and preached 
 in many of the states and has been 
 favorably received. In 1890 he re- 
 vised and compiled the manuscripts of 
 Elder Benjamin Lampton. This book 
 is of unusual interest to all lovers of 
 Bible truth. 
 
 F. A. CHICK. 
 
 Chick, Elder F. A., of Hopewell, N. J., 
 was born in the township of Embden, 
 
 Somerset County, Maine, August 10, 
 1845. His father was Abraham Chick, 
 and his mother was Betsey Quint, a 
 sister of Elder William Quint, who was 
 pastor of the church at North Berwick, 
 Maine, for more than forty years and 
 whose sister, Mary, was the wife of 
 the late Elder William J. Purington. 
 The subject of this memoir spent the 
 early years of his life in Somerset 
 County, Maine. Prom boyhood he was 
 fond of reading and study and then 
 formed habits, which have followed 
 him all his life since. His parents were 
 anxious that he should acquire a good 
 education and did all that they could 
 to advance this object. In all the com- 
 munity in which they lived, none com- 
 manded more respect and love. They 
 were humble, honest, industrious, and 
 God fearing people. From early child- 
 hood, Elder Chick was often oppressed 
 with the knov ledge of his own sinful- 
 ness before God, and from the time of 
 about eight or nine years of age, until 
 the age of sixteen, there was but little 
 time in which he was not anxious about 
 the future of his soul. Although na- 
 turally of a happy and cheerful dispo- 
 sition when in company, he spent many 
 days and nights mourning and longing 
 for rest in the Lord. The Bible was his 
 frequet companion, and religious books 
 were much read by him. Like all who 
 have been called by grace he found ho 
 peace or rest in his own promises or 
 obedience, and at last, came to the 
 place where all hope failed, and he Was 
 in despair. It was then, after some 
 months of deep anxiety, unrelieved by 
 one ray of light, when just past his 
 sixteenth birthday, that it pleased Al- 
 mighty God to appear for his relief and 
 to reveal Jesus unto him as the one 
 perfect and spotless Saviour and His 
 redemption as a finished redemption. 
 The revelation of the t uth was clear, 
 although his rejoicing was not so great, 
 as has been the case with some. But 
 the faith begotten in his heart at that 
 time, has abided with him. One year 
 from this time, for the first time in his 
 life, it was his privilege to hear from 
 the lips of Elder William Quint, the 
 first gospel sermon that had ever fallen 
 upon his ears from the text, "Except a 
 man be born again, he cannot see the 
 kingdom of heaven." One year later, 
 at North Berwick Maine, he was bap- 
 tized in the fellowship of the church 
 by Elder Quint. In February, 1866, he 
 spoke in the way of preaching for the 
 first time from the words found in 
 Luke, Chapter 12, verse 32, at a school- 
 house in North Berwick, Maine. Since 
 that time he has been constantly en- 
 gaged in the ministry of the word and 
 was in September, 1868. ordained to 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 63 
 
 the full work of the gospel ministry by 
 Elders Philander Hartwell, W, J., Pur- 
 ington, William Quint, Hiram Camp- 
 hell, John A. Badger and J. N. Badger. 
 Immediately after his ordination he 
 was called to the care of the Ebenezer 
 Church in Baltimore City, and the 
 Black Rock and Patapsco Chu ches in 
 Baltimore County, Md. These churches 
 he served for twenty-eight years. By 
 far the larger portion of this time he 
 served the Shiloh Church in Washing- 
 ton City D. C, as a supply. In 1896, 
 the church at Hopewell, N. J., after the 
 death of their former pastor, Elde:' 
 Wm. J. Purington, called Elder Chick 
 to become their pastor. After some de- 
 liberation he accepted the call and 
 since June of that year has served 
 that church, together with the second 
 Hopewell church a few miles away. 
 November 28, 1894, Elder Chick be- 
 came one of the editors of the "Signs 
 of the Times," published at Middle- 
 town, N. Y„ the oldest among all the 
 papers published in support of the 
 Old School Baptist cause in this coun- 
 try. The preaching of the gospel has 
 been the one great desire and aim of 
 his life for more than forty years, and 
 it can be well said of him that he is an 
 able defender of the doctrines of our 
 Lord Jesus, a forciful speaker, fluent 
 writer and a lovely, useful man. 
 
 JOHN M. CHRISTIAN. 
 
 Christian, Elder, John M., of Pierce, 
 Ala., was born September 5, 1841, grew 
 up an Arminian, and went so far try- 
 ing to establish his own righteousness 
 that he thought it a sin to even drink 
 coffee. Yet the first serious impression 
 he had on religion was while in the 
 
 army, was convicted of sin while in 
 prison and after much sorrow of mind 
 was sweetly relieved and made to love 
 Jesus as his Saviour. On his return 
 home he united with the Missionary 
 Baptist church, lived with them about 
 fourteen years and labored in their 
 Sunday schools and societies. He be- 
 came convinced of the errors he was 
 teaching, left them and united with the 
 Primitive Baptists, was liberated to 
 exercise his gift and soon ordained to 
 the full work of the ministry. The Lord 
 has blessed his labors in the service of 
 his home church. Though he has been 
 greatly afflicted he remains faithful in 
 his love for the church. 
 
 ISAIAH CLABAUGH. 
 
 Clabaugh, Elder Isaiah, was born in 
 Hancock County, Ohio, November 18, 
 1841 and died September 29, 1905, pro- 
 fessed a hope in Christ and united with 
 the Friendship Church of Primitive 
 Baptists in Knox County, 111., in the 
 year 1860. Was impressed to speak in 
 public of the mercies of God to poor 
 sinners and was on May 10, 1873 (be- 
 ing then a member of the Blue River 
 Church of Page County, Neb.), ordain- 
 ed to the full work of the ministry. 
 After which he moved to the state of 
 Missouri and settled within the bounds 
 of Rock Creek Church, of which he 
 was a member and faithful pastor for 
 about 29 years. He was great'y beloved 
 by his brethren, was a noble pastor, 
 ever watchful of the interests of the 
 
64 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 church, a great pacifier in time of 
 trouble. In a word he was a man of 
 peace, ever gentle, kind, forbearing 
 and forgiving, yet firm and faithful. In 
 and out of the pulpit he was meek and 
 humble, had no desire fo ' preferment 
 above his brother ministers and was 
 free from a hateful spirit of jealousy. 
 In his ministry he knew nothing but 
 the mercy of God in the salvation of 
 sinners. He was a deep thinker, an 
 able, lovely writer and at the lime 
 of his death was on the editorial staff 
 of the Banner of Peace. 
 
 JOSEPH CLAPP. 
 
 Clapp, Elder Joseph, of Appleton. 
 Mo. Failing to secure data from which 
 to prepare a sketch of Elder Clapp, the 
 following notice from Elder Cash's 
 book is herewith given. "Elder G'.app 
 was born in Clark County, 111., Septem- 
 ber 13, 1843, and united with Provi- 
 dence Church in March, 1866. He was 
 ordained October 18, 1890, and is at 
 present, 1896, the pastor of one 
 church." 
 
 HENRY CLARK. 
 
 Clark, Elder Henry, (1791-1841), was 
 born on the western frontier of Penn- 
 sylvania, and was indebted to the exer- 
 tions of his poor but pious mother, 
 for a common education. He was bap- 
 tized in Philadelphia in 1807, and 
 called to preach the gospel for the 
 Shamokin Church, when about the age 
 
 of twenty-one years. He was afterwards 
 pastor, for some years, of the Little 
 Muncy Church; and subsequently of 
 the Loyalsock Church. In 1821, Elders 
 Smiley, Woolverton and Clark organ- 
 ized the Northumberland Particular 
 Baptist Association. Elder Clark was 
 a zealous predestinarian. He preached 
 a finished, unconditional salvation, 
 maintaining to the last an unyielding 
 opposition to the new plans of making 
 proselytes by means of money and mis- 
 sions. 
 
 JOHN CLARK. 
 
 Clark, Elder John, of Va. The sub- 
 ject of this memoir was born in 
 Orange County, Va., on Clark's Moun- 
 tain, July 4, 1804, where he spent many 
 of his younger days. Being blessed 
 with a good constitution, a strong mind 
 and great energy, he began early the 
 battle of life forming habits of in- 
 dustry which never forsook him. He 
 learned the business of millwright and 
 bridge-building, in which he became 
 a proficient. He erected tne first bridge 
 across the Rappahannock river at 
 Fredericksburg, and many other crea- 
 tions of his genius stand today to testi- 
 fy of his skill. Some years after build- 
 ing the bridge referred to, he was ap- 
 plied to to repair it, in the prosecution 
 of which he was thrown from the top 
 some twenty or thirty feet below upon 
 a pile of stone, from which he was tak- 
 en more dead than alive, but was pre- 
 served by Providence for future use- 
 fulness. The Lo"d Jesus having need 
 of him in another direction, called him 
 by his grace to a knowledge of heaven- 
 ly things. Being impressed that it was 
 his duty to make a public profession of 
 His Name, he offered himself to the 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 65 
 
 church and was baptized by Elder Dan- 
 iel Davis in 1829. He was ordained in 
 1831 by Elders R. B. Semple, L. W. Bat- 
 tle and A. H. Bennett and commenced 
 the work of the ministry with only 
 advantages of a common school educa- 
 tion, but being possessed of a fine mind 
 a retentive memory and a zeal which is 
 of God, became a good scholar, not only 
 mastering to a great extent his mother 
 tongue, but pressed his researches far 
 into the Latin, Greek and Hebrew lan- 
 guages, acquiring a large amount of 
 useful information, and aided by the 
 Holy Spirit, was enabled to stand up 
 amid opposing elements and show his 
 opinion, which always elicited respect 
 from the wise and good. Upon the 
 threshold of his Christian life he es- 
 poused the doctrine of salvation by 
 grace to the exclusion of all others. 
 He raised the standard with Jesus and 
 Him crucified inscribed upon all its 
 ample folds. By it he stood with his 
 heart and finger ever raised to this 
 motto, which embodied all that he de- 
 desired to preach. His labors in his 
 Masters' vineyard were, perhaps, more 
 abundant than any minister's in his 
 native state. Besides the ordinary 
 routine of duties when at home, he sup- 
 plied monthly, five churches, besides 
 several other preaching places, and 
 attending many funerals and mar- 
 riages. Obeying many calls to go 
 to the 'regions beyond' he took long 
 preaching tours to many of the states 
 of the union, considering himself the 
 servant of all. He commenced the pub- 
 lication of Zion's Advocate in 1853 and 
 was editor over twenty-eight years, 
 and has left behind him a vast amount 
 of solid information. He was the edi- 
 tor and compiler of the Ebenezer Hymn 
 Book, which was first published in 
 1856. Before his death he had the 
 fifth edition out. He was truly an able 
 minister of the New Testament and 
 , was looked upon by some as the lead- 
 J ing minister of the Old School Bap- 
 tist in Virginia. All these things, too 
 heavy sometimes for weaker minds, 
 never for a moment made him anything 
 else than what he really was — a meek, 
 humble and sympathizing spirit. As 
 pastor he presided over his flock with 
 dignity and affection. Their cares and 
 comforts were his. The feeble as well 
 as the strong found in him a friend and 
 father. He gave evidence that he was 
 set for the defense of the gospel and 
 faithfully did he guard the treasure 
 until he was called upon by his Lord 
 to lay down his armor. A short time 
 before his death he gave many direc- 
 tions about his earthly affairs, spoke 
 many comforting words to those 
 around , and when near the end, in 
 
 communion with his God, he was heard 
 to say, "My Father, my Saviour, my 
 precious Redeemer," many, many 
 times repeating Scripture and hymns 
 and in constant prayer. When asked 
 what he needed, said: "Rest, rest." 
 Soon his Father gave it. A stupor 
 came upon him, from which he could 
 not be aroused, and h e died in the full 
 triumph of faith, November 9, 1882. 
 
 S 
 
 WILDE C. CLEVELAND. 
 
 Cleveland, Elder Wilde C, was born 
 on April 9, 1836, in Crawford County, 
 Ga., near Mt. Carmel Primitive Bap- 
 tich Church, where he joined by exper- 
 ience and was baptised into the fellow- 
 ship of the same by his father, Elder 
 Cromwell W. Cleveland, in I860. And 
 there, also, he was ordained a minister 
 of the gospel in 1873, by Elders Samuel 
 Bentley, John Dickey, Alfred King, and 
 D. W. Simmons. He then served that 
 church and three others near around 
 as pastor for thirty odd years, or until 
 his last illness prevented. As pastor, 
 he was punctual and unselfish untiring 
 and faithful, rain or shine, if physically 
 able, he not only attended his regular 
 meetings, but also visited the sick and 
 afflicted, and ministered to those in 
 prison. Thus an example to his flocks 
 in practical godliness, he provoked 
 them to love and to good works. They 
 supplied him with all necessary carnal 
 things, which in turn doubtless made 
 his labors for them a pleasing free-will 
 offering. But his greater ability was 
 displayed in defense of our doctrine, to 
 which he brought all the powers and re- 
 sources of his mighty mind. His natur- 
 al powers of eloquence and oratory 
 made his sermons not only attractive 
 and interesting to those who differed 
 from him in doctrine, but also con- 
 
66 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 vincing, inspiring and upbuilding to the 
 believer by their sublime logical deduc- 
 tions from scriptural truths. His grand 
 yet nice distinction between law and 
 gospel — works and grace — were simply 
 wonderful, and especially was he gifted 
 in making those nice discriminations 
 on points dividing us from others, not 
 only in doctrine, but also in missionary 
 operations, not only clear but 
 without offense. He endeavored to 
 give no offense to the church nor the 
 world, so that he might gain the more. 
 If a man differed from him religiously 
 he remembered he differed from that 
 man religiously, making them equal 
 and he was ready to take what he gave. 
 So that while he would strike home 
 with all the might and boldness of his 
 strong convictions of truth as he be- 
 lieved it, he never hurt one personally, 
 for he fought principles and not per- 
 sons. And all denominations respected 
 him, as knowing him to be sincere and 
 without guile. Another admirable and 
 lovable trait in all his character, was 
 that so soon as he was convinced of er- 
 ror in belief or words spoken unadvis- 
 edly, or to the hurt of another, he not 
 only turned from it at once, but also 
 confessed it openly, and none were too 
 low for him to stoop to them in confes- 
 sion and asking pardon — if need be. 
 Thus he manifested the touching gen- 
 tleness of a guileless heart — the sweet 
 simplicity of a child. After he attained 
 to manhood and graduated at the Uni- 
 versity of Georgia, he studied law and 
 practiced it four years, and also served 
 as captain of a company and colonel of 
 a regiment. But when ordained to the 
 ministry he gave up all else to fulfill 
 this high calling — "the highest and 
 most honorab?e calling and position in 
 the world," he called it; and to which 
 he bent all his energies, making it 
 secondary to nothing, so long as he 
 lived. Surely he deserved the plaudit 
 "Well done, good and faithful servant!" 
 He died at his home at Culloden, Ga., 
 October 31, 1905. 
 
 JOHN CLINE. 
 
 Cline, Elder John, of Des Moines, 
 Iowa, was born April 8, 1830. His father 
 was a Virginian and served under 
 Washington in the war for in- 
 dependence, his mother, Elizabeth 
 McClaskey, was a native of Kentucky, 
 daughter of Col. Joseph McClaskey, 
 who was under General Jackson at 
 New Orleans. At the age of ten years 
 he was taken by his parents to hear a 
 Baptist preacher, was deeply impress- 
 ed, and made to feel if he could tell 
 
 the sweet story of Jesus like this old 
 preacher he would give all the world. 
 For the next ten years of his life he 
 served Moses — laboring to keep the 
 law perfectly, and when about twenty- 
 one, he united with the Cumberland 
 Presbyterians and felt he was all right 
 with God, was a leader at the prayer 
 meetings and hating all who did not 
 run with him, especially the Old School 
 Baptist. Like Saul he was willing to 
 persecute them even to his utmost 
 ability and verily thought he was doing 
 God's service, and like Saul was also 
 wonderfully convicted and truly con- 
 verted, and made to preach the very 
 doctrine he tried to destroy. After 
 many months of deep conviction he 
 was given a sweet hope in Jesus, united 
 with the Point Creek Church and was 
 in a few years ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry. Elder Cline is 
 now (1908) seventy-eight years old and 
 writes me"My eyes are not dim nor 
 my mental abilities abated. I desire 
 to press on preaching Jesus — Nothing 
 but Jesus." He has for eighteen years 
 lived in the city of Des Moines, where 
 he is surrounded by the stylish and 
 fashionable religion of the world, but 
 none of these things move him, nor 
 cause him to swerve from his Shep- 
 herd, and the foot-steps of the flock. 
 
 JACOB CLOUD. 
 
 Cloud, Elder Jacob, of Nevada, Mo., 
 is a useful and much beloved minister. 
 Though he has for more than thirty 
 years traveled much among Baptists 
 and faithfully served the cause of truth 
 he modestly says of himself: "I was 
 born in the state of Tennessee, July 16, 
 18S3. I came to Missouri in 1852, and 
 a year later it was my happy lot to re- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 67 
 
 ceive a precious hope in the crucified 
 Redeemer, after a long and deep con- 
 trition of heart on account of my sins. 
 Jesus, who often spoke of coming into 
 our hearts, appeared in my room, 
 bringing love and peace, and making 
 me feel free from sin and guilt, for a 
 few days thereafter. I was baptized by 
 Elder Wl H. Mahurin, of Arkansas, on 
 New Year's day, 1854, and was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry in 
 1877. Farming was my occupation till 
 1880. Since then I have traveled in ten 
 of our states and Indian Territory in 
 defense of the doctrine and order of 
 Christ's church, and my preaching has 
 been received by Bible Baptists, and a 
 few times (comparatively) I have had 
 ease of mind and the dear Master's ap- 
 proval. Of late years I have been 
 much afflicted and frail, proving that 
 the outward man must perish as the 
 years go by, but the inward man is 
 most graciously and surprisingly sus- 
 tained by the invisible power of Him 
 who created him in the image of the 
 Divine." 
 
 J. T. COATS. 
 
 Coats, Elder J. T., of Coats, N. C. 
 This humble, faithful and unassuming 
 minister, is and has been for years, 
 Moderator 1 of the Little River Primitive 
 Baptist Association. He has for many 
 years been an able minister of the 
 New Testament and is now the beloved 
 pastor of Fellowship, New Hope and 
 Mt. Zion churches. 
 
 COCKRAM. 
 
 Cockram, Elder J. D., of Woolwine, 
 Va., is a native of Floyd County and has 
 for thirteen years been preaching a 
 
 finished and complete salvation in 
 Jesus for all the elect. He was early 
 in life made to feel the exceeding sin- 
 fulness of sin and given a desire to op- 
 pose it in self and in others, and daily 
 prayed that God might deliver him 
 from gloomy despair and use him for 
 some good in the world. At or about 
 the age of twelve years he was given a 
 rest in Jesus and ceased from his own 
 labors for justification, and about this 
 time was deeply impressed to publish 
 Jesus to others. The burden of his 
 prayer was "Lord, if I must be a teach- 
 er in Israel give me wisdom; O above 
 everything give me wisdom." And 
 there was an assurance within as of a 
 voice saying, "Multiplying I will multi- 
 ply thee, and blessing I will bless thee." 
 Elder Cockram is a gifted preacher 
 and an able writer. He is editor of 
 Spiritual Law Counsel a monthly per- 
 iodical published at Bona, Virginia, 
 and has also written and published a 
 very interesting book entitled, "The 
 Celestial and Terrestrial or Spiritual 
 Law in the Natural Kingdom." 
 
 ACHILLES COFFEY. 
 
 Coffey, Elder Achilles, of Kentucky, 
 was born in Wayne County, Ky., July 
 30, 1806. In 1813 the time of the Brit- 
 ish war, his parents moved to the terri- 
 tory of Indiana, Jefferson County, and 
 settled four miles from the fort. Here 
 they suffered many privations, and for 
 many years they moved from place 
 to place, sometimes seeking more suit- 
 ble locality, some time fleeing from the 
 red men. During all this time they 
 were almost entirely destitute of any 
 means of education. And yet strange 
 as it may seem, Elder Coffey, who was 
 raised among the savages and wild 
 beasts, procured sufficient education 
 and knowledge to write a history of the 
 Baptists, which is known as "Coffey's 
 History," and is of recognized worth. 
 He made a profession of religion early 
 in youth and attached himself to the 
 Baptist Church before the division with 
 the New School or Missionary Bap- 
 tist. Believing the Bible, and the Bible 
 alone, to be the only rule of faith and 
 practice and being utterly opposed to 
 the inventions of men in the affairs of 
 religion, he stood firm on the principles 
 upon which the church was founded. 
 By his unswerving fidelity to the 
 Apostles' doctrine, he rendered much 
 service to the cause of truth. There 
 was no man that stood higher among 
 the Baptists of Southern Illinois than 
 did Elder Coffey; and not only among 
 them, but was a man of good report 
 
68 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 with them that are without. After a 
 long and useful life he fell asleep 
 March 10, 1883. 
 
 THOMAS COLE. 
 
 Cole, Elder Thomas, of Amanda, O., 
 
 was born February 15, 1828, and grew 
 up in sin and in love with it but while 
 running after the riches of the world 
 and feasting on their future posses- 
 sions, he was, one day in 1855, while 
 alone at work in the field, convicted of 
 sin and the vanities of the world. His 
 conviction was deep, his condemnation 
 clear and for about two years he labor- 
 ed under the curse and was made to 
 feel that all good works of men were 
 as filthy rags in God's sight in the mat- 
 ter of justification before Him. But 
 Jesus was revealed to him; he united 
 with the Old School Baptist Church in 
 1858 and in 1876 was ordained to gos- 
 pel ministry. He is now in his eighty- 
 first year, and though feeble in body is 
 strong in faith and desires to finish 
 his course with joy. 
 
 H. V. COLE. 
 
 Cole, Elder H. V., of Simpsons, Va., 
 was born June 7, 1853 ; reared by Chris- 
 tian parents and taught morality, truth- 
 fulness and honesy and though he often 
 had serious thoughts of hell and 
 heaven, life and death he felt he was 
 not so bad — not in much danger — in 
 fact felt his case much better than 
 some who were members of the church, 
 but God convicted him of his natural, 
 Pharisaical religion, showed him the de- 
 ceitfulness and wicked state of the nat- 
 ural heart; weaned him from self and 
 
 self-righteousness and gave him a 
 sweet hope in Jesus. He, with his 
 wife, Tempy (Lawrence) Cole, to whom 
 he was married in 1877, and who had 
 for some time had a hope, united with 
 Laurel Creek Church, October, 1894, 
 and was baptized by Elder Amos Dick- 
 erson. About one year later he began 
 
 H. V. COLE 
 
 to speak of Jesus publicly and was soon 
 after ordained, and now has the care 
 of Laurel Creek, Pine Creek, Salem 
 and Valley View Churches the last two 
 in connection with other brethren. Eld- 
 er Cole desires to preach Jesus as the 
 only Saviour of sinners and to abide 
 in the doctrine and practice of the 
 Apostles. 
 
 J. R. COLLIER. 
 
 Collier, Elder J. R., of Wealthy, 
 Texas, was born in Monroe County, 
 Miss., January 3, 1850, was baptized 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 69 
 
 into the fellowship of the Primitive 
 Baptist Church by Elder J. T. Blanch- 
 ard, at Revelee Church, Logan Coun- 
 ty, Ark., 1882, and was ordained to 
 the work of the ministry in Nacog- 
 doches County, Texas in 1890. Since 
 his ordination Elder Collier has had 
 the care of from two to four churches, 
 is a loyal, faithful servant, and is 
 satisfied with the doctrine of God our 
 Saviour and the practice of His apos- 
 tles. 
 
 A. J. COLEMAN 
 
 Coleman, Elder A. J., of Alabama, 
 was born in Abbeville District, S. C, 
 January 10, 1814, and died in Pickens 
 County, Ala., September 19, 1899. In 
 early life he moved to Georgia, where 
 he and his faithful companion, Mary 
 (Smith) Coleman, to whom he was 
 married in 1835, united with the Prim- 
 itive Baptists. Soon he moved to West 
 Alabama, was ordained to the minister- 
 ial work early in life and for about 
 fifty-five years was a faithful and per- 
 haps, 'the leading minister, among 
 Primitive Baptists in West Alabama. 
 A man of strong nature, of deep, ear- 
 nest and sincere convictions, gentle as 
 a child and bold as a lion, ready-witted 
 and humorous, as a young preacher he 
 was the idol of his brethren and friends 
 and the wonder of the multitude. He 
 was well informed in the scriptures 
 and wonderfully gifted of God in inter- 
 preting and expounding them to the 
 glory of God and the edification of all 
 lovers of truth. He informed himself 
 in the past history of the church, 
 and had a mind well stored with 
 general information, and his in- 
 terest in acquiring useful infor- 
 mation was in sharp contrast with 
 some in our day who speak disparag- 
 ingly of such things. He was well-to- 
 
 do in ante-bellum days, and always 
 took a lively interest in the welfare of 
 his country and was a staunch Demo- 
 crat, and, by solicitation, represented 
 his county fourteen years in the legis- 
 lature of Alabama, and his senatorial 
 district one session, and some have 
 said that he was the best stump speak- 
 er they ever heard. He was what men 
 called a brilliant man and in the prime 
 of his noble manhood, and the most 
 active part of his ministry people of all 
 creeds and no creeds are said to have 
 nocked in vast crowds to hear him. It 
 is said that his presentation of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus was wonderful 
 and his arraignment of error and of 
 Babylon was fearful to their devotees. 
 Some would get mad and affirm that 
 they would never hear him again; 
 nevertheless they would continue to go 
 and hear him. Satisfied with the sim- 
 plicity which is in Christ Jesus, he op- 
 posed all human merit as a means of 
 eternal salvation, and all innovation 
 upon the practice of the primitive or 
 apostolic church, and all the secret so- 
 cieties of men as a means of moral im- 
 provement. He was a little below the 
 medium in height and weight; posses- 
 sed a black, penetrating eye and a per- 
 sonal magnetism which seemed to just 
 naturally and irristibly draw men to 
 him, and to know him was to love 
 him. Humorous, witty, good-natured, 
 and at times awfully solemn, he would 
 at one time have you convulsed with 
 laughter, and at another time he would 
 have you in tears. His humorous and 
 funny tendency was doubtless a weak- 
 ness, and a fault which he often con- 
 fessed and mourned over, but it did 
 seem to be as excusable in him as any 
 one. Many a poor soul that was nearly 
 dead with the "blues," as some call 
 them, or the hysterics has been made 
 to forget them on the approach of this 
 great and good man, for he seemed to 
 carry with him a spirit of encourage- 
 ment and good cheer. He seemed ever 
 ready, and had a word for everybody 
 and every occasion. Generous almost 
 to a fault, he was ready to divide the 
 last morsel with the poor and afflicted, 
 of whatever creed or color. Having a 
 good nerve, he seemed almost a strang- 
 er to natural fear. His ministerial lab- 
 ors were confined in the main to the 
 bounds of the Buttahachie and Pil- 
 grim's Rest Associations and to those 
 in immediate correspondence with 
 them. Outside of these bounds he 
 traveled but little. The counties of 
 Fayette, Lamar, Tuscaloosa, Pickens, 
 and Greene form the region in which 
 he labored mostly, and it is quite likely 
 that that region will never know an- 
 other A. J. Coleman. He was an able 
 
70 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 write:' and contributed to the Signs of 
 the Times occasionally and the Prim- 
 itive Baptist, published at Raleigh, N. 
 C. After the death of Elder Burwell 
 Temple, about 1870, he was for a 
 number of years editor of the Primitive 
 
 Baptist. 
 
 I. F. COLEMAN. 
 
 Coleman, Elder I. F., of Riffe, 
 Wash., was ordained to the work of 
 the ministry August 20, 1904, by Eld- 
 ers R. B. Langford, I. N. Newkirk, W. 
 H. Gilmore and F. L. Riffe. He is 
 serving churches in Washington, 
 though a fuller sketch of his life and 
 labors could not be obtained. 
 
 JOHN S. COLLINS. 
 
 Collins, Elder John S., died at his 
 home in Arlington, Tarrant County, 
 Texas, January 9, 1895. He professed 
 a hope in Christ in 1857, and joined 
 the Missionary Baptist church. He 
 taught one session of school, and then 
 entered the Confederate army in 1861. 
 He was taken prisoner twice, and con- 
 fined in Rockland prison, and when 
 discharged at the close of the war had 
 been there nineteen months. He 
 preached his first sermon on January 
 1, 1867, being then with the Mission- 
 aries, and remained with them until 
 1868. He then joined the Primitive 
 Baptists at Sardis, Jackson County, 
 Ala., and was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry on October 20, 
 1873, by a presbytery composed of 
 Elders Peter 'Maples, Simeon Hanck, 
 Andrew J. Worm and John Butler. He 
 moved to Texas in 1879, and settled in 
 Anderson County, and taught school 
 and preached. He has treveled and 
 preached through Texas, and most of 
 the Southern and some of the North- 
 ern states. He was apt to teach, an 
 able defender of gospel truth, and 
 shunned not to warn the church when 
 he found the enemy approaching. He 
 was Moderator of the Trinity River 
 Association several years, and was 
 clerk at the time of his death. 
 
 C. H. COLLINS. 
 
 Collins, Elder C. H. (1836-1903), of 
 North Carolina, was one that can truth- 
 fully have applied to him the words, 
 "He fought a good fight and kept the 
 faith." He united with Cross Roads 
 Church in his twentieth year, was li- 
 censed to preach in 1870, ordained 1872, 
 and began to serve churches soon after- 
 ward, which he attended diligently, 
 ever striving to show his faith by his 
 works. He was, in 1900, elected Mod- 
 erator of the Mountain District Asso- 
 
 ciation, which position he held until 
 his death. In preaching, his theme 
 was salvation by grace, and a walk in 
 life that would adorn such a glorious 
 
 doctrine. 
 
 JOSEPH COLLINS. 
 
 Collins, Elder Joseph, was the son of 
 Joseph and Frances Collins. He was 
 born on the 15th day of September. 
 1835, entered the Civil war at an early 
 age and proved a faithful soldier, and 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church at 
 Castalia, Nash County, N. O, on the 
 6th of June, 1874, and remained a faith- 
 ful member up to his death. He was 
 baptized by Elder A. J. Moore on the 
 7th of June, 1874. The church soon 
 saw his gift and called for his ordina- 
 tion to the work of the ministry, which 
 was done on the first Sunday in May, 
 1SS9 by Elders Greenwood and B. Will- 
 iams. Elder Collins was a good and 
 kind husband, father and neighbor. Al- 
 though a man of rural habits, unedu- 
 cated, yet he was a forcible and soul 
 stirring preacher. He preached regu- 
 larly at the church at Castalia, being 
 pastor of same as long as he lived and 
 also at times at other churches, and 
 died in the full triumph of faith, Jan- 
 uary 8, 1901. 
 
 Z. J. COMPTON. 
 
 Compton, Elder Z. J., (M. D.), son of 
 
 Howard and Elizabeth Compton, was 
 born near the foot of the B'ue Ridge 
 mountains in Rappahannock County, 
 Va., January 19, 1801. Notwithstanding 
 his lack of opportunity for education 
 by reason of distance from school and 
 necessity of working on the farm from 
 early youth until twenty-one years of 
 age, he spent every moment he could 
 spare studying, and at his maturity 
 was well qualified to engage in teach- 
 ing school, which he did until he was 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 71 
 
 ready for the practice of medicine and 
 the work of the ministry. His entire 
 time as a student at school was about 
 fourteen months, and I dare say that 
 what he accomplished in that short 
 time at school as a student and whilst 
 teaching would put to shame 
 many of our present day college grad- 
 uates. He was modest and unostenta- 
 tious but thoroughly posted in what he 
 taught and practiced. He was a man 
 of a sweet disposition, beloved by all 
 who knew him, and if he had an enemy 
 at all, he was one who could not bear 
 sound doctrine. The doctrine of the 
 Old Order of Baptists he delighted in 
 and proclaimed it from the pulpit from 
 early youth until near the age of eighty- 
 six. He was not eloquent as a preacher, 
 but a well informed one and spoke with 
 great ease and was truly one that 
 needed not to be ashamed. He admin- 
 istered to the people both as a physi- 
 cian and minister whether they paid 
 him or not, and very little money was 
 given him for his long, faithful service 
 in the ministry but he never wavered 
 or faultered in duty, because others 
 were neglectful of their duty for it was 
 not for money that he preached, but 
 purely the cause of Christ. At the age 
 of twenty-six years, Dr. Compton mar- 
 ried E'iza McKay, daughter of Jere 
 miah McKay, of Page County, Va. From 
 this union fifteen children were born. 
 His wife died some ten years prior to 
 his death, and he lived to be in his 
 eighty-sixth year, and died at Benton- 
 ville, Warren County, Va., at the home 
 of his son, Dr. J. B. Compton. He 
 fought a good fight and finished his 
 course with joy. 
 
 GABRIEL CONKLIN. 
 
 Conklin, Elder Gabriel, of New Jer- 
 sey, fell asleep in Jesus, April 28, 
 1868, in the seventieth year of his 
 age. He was born in Orange County, 
 N. Y. At an early period of life his 
 mind was drawn from the vanities of 
 earth, and firmly fixed on heavenly 
 things. He was baptized in the fellow- 
 ship of the New Vernon Church, Oc- 
 tober 17, 1824, by Elder Thomas B. 
 Montange, and in June of the follow- 
 ing year was chosen deacon. July 31, 
 1830, he was licensed to preach, and 
 in 1831 was ordained to the work of 
 the gospel ministry. In March, 1832, 
 he accepted a call to serve the Brook- 
 field Church, where he continued to 
 labor until he removed to the King- 
 wood Church in New Jersey, where he 
 labored faithfully and successfully 
 for many years, until he was called to 
 lay his armor by. The peculiar and 
 prominent traits of his character were 
 
 such as develop the fruits of the 
 Spirit: love, peace, gentleness, good- 
 ness, faith, meekness, temperance and 
 brotherly kindness. In his ministry, 
 and more especially in the later years 
 of his labors, he was truly a "Boan- 
 erges," or son of thunder, in defense 
 of truth and exposition of error; and 
 
 jfm^s 
 
 GABRIEL CONKLIN 
 
 in all his course he was emphatically 
 a son of consolation to all the tried 
 and afflicted children of God. He was 
 a lover of peace and union among the 
 saints, and all who have known him 
 have awarded him the character of 
 peace-maker, in 1832, when a conven- 
 tion of Primitive and Apostolic Bap- 
 tists was held with the Black Rock 
 Church, in Baltimore County, Md., and 
 at which time and place a solemn pro- 
 test was published against all the new 
 religious innovations which were then 
 pouring into the church like a flood, 
 when a firm stand was taken to resist 
 and withdraw fellowship from all who 
 walked disorderly, Elder Conklin par- 
 ticipated, and with Beebe, Barton and 
 many others stood firm in the cause 
 of truth. He was a most beautiful 
 singer, and greatly enjoyed the simple 
 song service in the worship of God. 
 
 WM. CONRAD. 
 
 Conrad, Elder Wm. This able and 
 zealous servant of God was born m 
 Harrison County, Ky., December 6, 
 1797, united with Dry Ridge Baptist 
 Church September 20, 1820, and was 
 baptized by Elder jared Riley. He was 
 some years afterward ordained to the 
 ministerial work, and for about half 
 a century, was a faithful laborer in 
 the Master's vineyard.. Elder Conrad 
 wrote a history of his life and travels, 
 together with a concise history of 
 the following Old School Baptist 
 
72 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Churches: Williarnstown and Fork- 
 lick, Grant County, Raysfork, Scott 
 County; and Twin Creek, Harrison 
 County, Kentucky. This book contains 
 422 pages and was published in 1876. 
 In it is related many interesting inci- 
 dents of this eminent minister's 
 labors and the reader, for a full his- 
 tory of him, is referred to its pages. 
 He died about twenty years ago full 
 of years and rich in faith and trust- 
 ing in the grace of God that he had 
 so ably preached to others. 
 
 JOHN A. CONLEE. 
 
 Conlee, Elder John A., of Waverly, 
 111., was born in Sangamon County, 111., 
 February 22, 1855, and united with 
 Head of Apple Creek Church, in Mor- 
 gan County, 111., January 14, 1879. He 
 was ordained in December, 1893 and 
 now has the care of three churches, to 
 whom he gives an earnest service. This 
 brief sketch appears in Elder Cash's 
 book. The editor regrets data for a 
 full sketch could not be secured. 
 
 DANIELT. CONNER. 
 
 Conner, Elder Daniel T., was born 
 December 9, 1S43, and died January 23, 
 1895. He united with Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church at Jack's Creek, Patrick 
 County, Va., July I860, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Daniel Conner, was 
 licensed bv the church to preach in 
 June, 1883, and in April, 1S84. was 
 ordained by a presbytery of Elders G. 
 L. Tuggie and Amos Dickinson. He was 
 the South and was with Washington 
 in doctrine, and could truly say with 
 
 Paul, by the grace of God I am what 
 I am. His humility and exemplary 
 walk told all who knew him that he was 
 a subject of grace. For several of the 
 last months that he labored in his 
 Masters' vineyard he preached with 
 increased warmth and zeal and seemed 
 to be much favored with a sweet fore- 
 taste of that heavenly world which 
 he is now realizing. 
 
 JAMES CONNERS. 
 
 Conners, Elder James. This faithful 
 minister was born in Culpepper Coun- 
 ty, Va., November, 1745, and died at 
 his home near Battle Run Church, 
 June, 1832, the year of the division 
 between the Old and the New School 
 Baptists. He was a self-made man, an 
 eminent preacher, a strong defender 
 of religious liberty and fought in the 
 Revolution under General Green in 
 the South and was with Washington 
 at the surrender at Yorktown. After 
 the war, he was, for many years, pas- 
 tor of Thorntons Gap and Battle Run 
 churches. Elder Conne s opposed 
 the modern missionary schemes 
 that were being pressed upon the 
 churches in his latter days and was 
 one whose influence assisted in pre- 
 venting the Shjloh Association from 
 adopting the Arminian theory and 
 method of Missions. He was a man of 
 great mental power and firmly estab- 
 lished in the doctrine of Christ and 
 the apostles of salvation by grace. 
 
 W. J. COOPER. 
 
 Cooper, Elder W. J., of Rome, Ga., 
 is pastor of Antioch, Pleasant Hill and 
 Midway Churches of the Enharlee 
 Primitive Baptist Associations. He is 
 also the beloved Moderator of this 
 Association, and his labors are highly 
 esteemed among the churches. 
 
 JOHN A CORDER. 
 
 Corder, Elder John A. was a very 
 gifted minister of the Old School order. 
 Was ordained at Big Red Stone Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church by Elders James 
 Janway, Ruben I. Skinner and Martin 
 Robinson, December 3 1855. The late 
 Elder T. N. Alderlon wrote the follow- 
 ing relative to Elder Corder: "My 
 acquaintance with Brother Corder 
 commenced about thirteen years ago. 
 I was then in my tender youth, also in 
 grace. Since that time I have been 
 much in his company, and have re- 
 ceived more instruction and informa- 
 tion from him than from any other one 
 man, and had formed an attachment 
 for him, the full strength of which I 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 73 
 
 did not find out till he was gone. His 
 mortal remains were followed by his 
 friends to the Little Capon Church. It 
 is easier to imagine than describe the 
 feelings of the people when, at his 
 usual hour for preaching, his inanimate 
 body was carried into the house. But 
 the tongue of the orator was silent; 
 
 JOHN A. CORDER 
 
 the warrior had laid down his arms; 
 the watchman had been called down 
 from his watch-tower; he had come this 
 time to stay till the trumpet of God 
 shall call for his sleeping dust." The 
 editor is unable to obtain a more 
 complete account of this useful and 
 well beloved servant of Jesus 
 
 JAS. S. CORBITT. 
 
 Corbitt, Elder Jas. S., of Greenville, 
 N. C., fifth child and third son of a 
 family of fifteen children born unto 
 Jas. M. and Anise (Brinkley) Corbitt, 
 dates his natural birth October 27, 
 1858. At the age of twelve he was 
 
 seriously impressed with the subject 
 of his soul's salvation and was given 
 a remarkable dream that caused him 
 much concern, and which he after- 
 wards realized, at least, to some ex- 
 tent, the fulfillment of which was in- 
 structive to him in the way of salva- 
 tion. He was given other vi- 
 sions and dreams, and other ev- 
 idences of his interest in the salva- 
 tion of Jesus and of his duty to the 
 church, and having obtained a good 
 hope through grace he united with the 
 Primitive Baptists in 1880 and was in 
 1886 ordained to the gospel work by 
 Elders Wm. A. Ross and "Wim. Jones. 
 Elder Corbitt has served Blount's 
 Creek, Cross Roads and Tyson's 
 churches and has traveled and preach- 
 ed among other churches in eastern 
 North Carolina. 
 
 PETER CORN. 
 
 Corn, Eider Peter, Moderator of the 
 Pigg River Association and greatly 
 beloved by the household of faith who 
 know him, was born February 26, 1834, 
 in Patrick County, Va., reared by 
 parents of moderate circumstances, 
 labored hard when a youth and re- 
 ceived but a common school education. 
 In a sketch of his life published in 1907, 
 he says of himself: "I feel to say the 
 Lord "has blessed my efforts to live an 
 honest and upright life, though I have 
 been in great straits and did not see 
 how I could get out. I feel to say the 
 Lord always opened up a way, I today, 
 though not rich, have a sufficiency of 
 this world's goods to keep me com- 
 fortable, and if I ever wronged a man 
 out of a cent or failed to pay every 
 cent that I owed to any man and he will 
 make me sensible of the fact I will pay 
 him fourfold. I have tried to live a 
 moral and sober life, have used some 
 
74 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 spirits during life. I have never been 
 intoxicated nor have I ever gone to 
 a bar-room and bought a drink of in- 
 toxicating spirits, never have been 
 warranted or sued on any of my con- 
 tracts with my fellow man." He united 
 with the church March, 1860, and was 
 baptized by Elder Joshua Adams, and 
 in a few years was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry. Elder Corn has 
 ever been faithful to the cause of 
 truth, serving churches constantly and 
 walking worthy of his high calling. 
 Though in his seventy-fifth year at this 
 writing (1908) he is still active and full 
 of zeal, contending earnestly for the 
 faith once delivered unto the saints. 
 
 BLOUNT B. COOPER. 
 
 Cooper, Elder Blount B., was born 
 in Martin County, N. C. but the date 
 of his birth is not known to the 
 writer. He was a useful and gifted 
 minister and after a long and faithful 
 service in his Master's cause, he on 
 the 25th of January, 1854, breathed 
 his last, surrounded by his affection- 
 ate family and friends. A friend writes 
 of him as follows: "His death has 
 caused a vacuum which can be filled 
 only by him who first gave him to 
 the church. It may in truth be said of 
 brother Cooper that he mourned with 
 them that mourn and rejoiced with 
 those who were enabled to rejoice in 
 the Lord as their Redeemer. Wise in 
 counsel, courteous in his deportment, 
 inflexible in the truths of the gospel, 
 with a fruitful mind and loving heart 
 he was a father in Israel and great 
 advocate of the truth as it is in 
 
 Jesus." 
 
 JACOB CORRELL. 
 
 Cornell, Elder Jacob (1817-1883), was 
 born in the county of Montgomery, 
 Va. Professed a hope in Christ about 
 the year of 1842, and joined the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church, October, 1846, at 
 White Oak Grove. He was soon li- 
 censed and in 1S50 was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry. He was noted 
 for his faithfulness in every respect 
 and as a scriptorian his equals were 
 seldom found, his gift seemed mostly 
 to be setting forth the connections of 
 the Old and New Testament and at 
 what time prophesies were fulfilled. 
 
 some time before he died, his mind was 
 very much composed, often speaking 
 of his departure and his hope which 
 was anchored alone on Jesus. He often 
 spoke of the goodness of God, and said 
 the Lord had been abundantly good to 
 him and sustained him to a good old 
 age, brought him through many trials 
 
 JOSEPH CORRELL. 
 
 Correll, Elder Joseph, who served 
 churches in Pennsylvania and West 
 Virginia, died October 4, 1888. A full 
 sketch of his life cannot be obtained 
 by the editor. The following notice of 
 his death was written by a friend: "For 
 
 JOSEPH CORRELL 
 
 and conflicts by the way, for which 
 he desired to be thankful, and resigned 
 to the will of the God who doeth all 
 things well.' 'His funeral was at- 
 tended by a very large concourse of 
 people which came to pay the last 
 tribute of respect to a Father in Israel. 
 Elder Correll will be missed very much 
 at home and abroad, as his acquaint- 
 ance was great; but we hope our loss 
 is his gain." 
 
 Cory, Elder W. N., of Frankfort, O., 
 was born near Frankfort, June 10, 1844, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 75 
 
 raised a farmer's boy with opportun- 
 ities for a good common school educa- 
 tion and afterwards taught in the 
 schools and also attended the Lebanon 
 National Normal University. While at 
 Lebanon, he united with the West 
 Lebanon Primitive Baptist Church, 
 May 8, 1868. He dated his first serious 
 concern on religious things when a boy 
 of eleven years, and obtained a pre- 
 cious hope after many years of wilder- 
 ness travel. He was baptized by Elder 
 Samuel Williams and in June, 1886 was 
 granted liberty by the church to exer- 
 cise his gift. On October, 30, 1886, he 
 was set apart to the gospel ministry 
 by the church — Elder J. C. Reed deliv- 
 ering the ordination prayer and Elder 
 Daniel Hess the charge — Since that 
 time he has been preaching among the 
 Baptists wherever a door has been 
 opened and has baptized many precious 
 souls during his ministry. He lives on 
 a farm. His wife is a true helpmate and 
 they have raised seven children to 
 man and womanhood. Elder Cory 
 writes: "I can say that I have received 
 much kindly consideration from my 
 brethren, whom I esteem as the excell- 
 ence of the earth." 
 
 B. F. COULTER (M. D.) 
 
 Coulter, Elder B. F. (M. D.), of 
 Philadelphia, Pa., Dr. Coulter who is 
 a successful physician as well as an 
 able and zealous minister, was born 
 September 3, 1846; graduated in med- 
 icine March, 1880; convicted of sin, 
 given a hope in the Saviour and 
 in September, 1883, united with 
 Welsh Tract Old School Baptist 
 Church in New Castle County, Del- 
 aware—the oldest Old School church 
 
 year 1887. Dr. Coulter moved his mem- 
 bership to Salem Church, Philadelphia, 
 Pa., and was in the year 1905, ordained 
 to the full functions of the gospel min- 
 istry. The following year he was called 
 to the care of this church which holds 
 regular meetings every Sunday morn- 
 ing. Elder Coulter is an able defender 
 of the doctrine of God our Saviour, a 
 fluent writer and greatly loved by his 
 people. 
 
 ELIJAH S. COUNTS. 
 
 Counts, Elder Elijah S. The subject 
 of this notice, was born at Cleveland, 
 Russell County, Va., February 10, 
 1828. He professed a hope in Jesus 
 and joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Reed's Valley, Russell 
 County, Va., and was baptized bj 
 Elder J. W. Smith in 1874. He remain- 
 ed a faithful member of this church 
 till he moved his membership to Sul- 
 phur Spring Church, in Dickenscn 
 County, Va., of which church he re- 
 mained a member until his death. He 
 was licensed to preach June 1, 1876, 
 and ordained by Elders T. Grimsley, 
 S. William and M. T. Lipps, in 1880. 
 A firmer man never lived. Whatevei 
 he believed to be truth, he maintained 
 unwaveringly to the last. His object 
 was not to please men, but please 
 Him who had called him to be a sol- 
 dier. He was faithful. He stood firm 
 on the old platform contending with 
 all his ability for the doctrine and or- 
 der of the Primitive Baptists, and 
 strenuously opposing the introduction 
 of new things among the Baptists. 
 Brother Counts traveled many miles, 
 through wet and dry, heat and cold, 
 preaching the glad tidings of great 
 joy, and in his latter days was un- 
 doubtedly possessed with brighter 
 views and revelation. He was enter- 
 taining and instructive in his conver- 
 sation. He seemed to be greatly im- 
 pressed in teaching the practical duties 
 of the church and the discriminating 
 laws of Zion, and in unfolding the 
 glorious mysteries of the oracles ol 
 God's word to the edification of the 
 saints and the feeding of both the 
 sheep and the lambs. The doctrine 
 that he preached was not his, but His 
 who sent him. He sought not to please 
 men, thereby proving to be a servant 
 of God ever standing firm upon the 
 walls of Zion preaching salvation by 
 grace through Christ and that grace 
 given in Christ before the world be- 
 gan. 
 
76 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 JESSE COX. 
 
 Cox, Elder Jesse, of Tennessee. This 
 eminent minister was born July 19, 
 1793, and died August 23, 1879. He was 
 an able writer and was the author of a 
 deep, spiritual work on prophecy and 
 was an active, zea'ous preacher of the 
 Old School Baptists for more than fifty 
 years. The editor regrets a more 
 complete sketch does not appear, but 
 lack of reliable data prevents it. 
 
 W. S. CRAIG. 
 
 Craig, Elder W. S., of Cozad, Neb., 
 a very lovely and useful minister 
 modestly writes of himself as follows: 
 "I was bom May 1, 1867, in Coles 
 
 County, Ills., united with the Primitive 
 Baptists September 8, 1889, being bap- 
 tized by Elder F. M. Reeds. I was mar- 
 ried to Miss Arminta L. Reeds, August 
 26, 1891, and moved to Dawson County, 
 Neb., in March, 1896. We soon found a 
 small band of orderly Baptists and cast 
 in our lot with them. Some time after 
 this I was much troubled in mind about 
 trying to preach. This I much dreaded, 
 for I keenly felt my unworthiness and 
 unfitness for such a high calling. But 
 the more I tried to banish such feelings 
 from my mind the stronger they grew, 
 until I seemed unfit for business. Hard 
 work would not drown these feel- 
 ing and my mind seemed continu- 
 ally meditating on some portion 
 of Scripture. I was very reluc- 
 tant to try to talk publicly though 
 strongly urged to do so. But I 
 found that after trying to talk, 
 sometimes a peace of mind was given, 
 and at other times a feeling of disgust 
 with myself over such miserable fail- 
 ures. Finally the church called for my 
 ordination, though I told them that I 
 thought such a step too hasty and that 
 they should wait until I had given more 
 proof of my gift. Being overruled in 
 this matter I submitted, feeling afraid 
 to absolutely refuse. So on October 5, 
 1901, I was ordained at Loup River 
 Church, in Custer County, Neb., by 
 Elders Isaiah Waggoner, James H. 
 Ring and M. G. Mitchell. This was a 
 sad day indeed for me, and I remember 
 of twice telling the presbytery that if 
 they had the least doubt of my call, I 
 did not want them to lay hands on 
 me. I have always doubted my call, 
 since my first impressions to preach. 
 I indeed find the ministry a burden and 
 feel that I wouldly gladly lay it down, 
 if I could do so with peace of mind. 
 But in my weakness I try to proclaim 
 the glorious gospel of God's grace and 
 the wonders of his redeeming love, 
 trusting in him for ability to do so to 
 his name's praise and the comfort and 
 edification of his people." 
 
 C. T. CRANK. 
 
 Crank, Elder C. T., of North Carolina. 
 In early life he was a captain of mer- 
 chant ships on the Atlantic and was 
 noted for his honesty in all the duties 
 of life. He was born in Currituck 
 County, N. C, August 7, 1821, united 
 with the church, October. 1852, and 
 ever lived a faithful member. He was 
 appointed deacon in June, 1860, and 
 fulfilled the office in faithfulness, and 
 was, in 1867, given a liberty to exercise 
 his gift. He was ordained in 1872 and 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 77 
 
 boldly contended for the faith of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ until he fell asleep 
 in death, September 20, 1880. Elder 
 Crank was greatly beloved by all who 
 knew him for his honest deportment, 
 was a good neighbor and failed not to 
 attend to the poor and afflicted and it 
 
 C. T. CRANK 
 
 can be well said of him he has fought a 
 good fight, finished his course, kept the 
 faith and henceforth there is laid up 
 for him a crown of righteousness which 
 the righteous judge shall give all who 
 loves his appearing. 
 
 JAS. M. CREWS. 
 
 Crews, Elder Jas. M., of Kerners- 
 ville, N. C, was born in Forsyth 
 County, N. C, September 15, 1877; 
 married December 30, 1897, to Miss 
 Lou V. Mathews; obtained a hope in 
 Christ in 1892; joined the church at 
 Pine Ridge in 1900, and was baptized 
 by Elder J. W. Flinchum. He was 
 licensed November, 1903, and ordain- 
 ed to the full work of the gospel min- 
 istry August, 1904, by Elders A. M. 
 Denny and J. J. Joyce, and was soon 
 called to the care of churches which 
 he faithfully serves. 
 
 C. L. CROUSE. 
 
 Crouse, Elder C. L., of Hamburg, 
 Iowa, was born in Allegheny County, 
 N. C, April 25, 1871; received a hope 
 in the Saviour in his nineteenth year 
 of age, united with the Antioch 
 Church, January, 1891, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder J. M. Wyatt. For about 
 
 one year he had sweet communion 
 with the people of God and feasted, 
 on fat things from the Master's table, 
 but then it was that impressions to 
 speak of Jesus with such feelings of 
 unworthiness possessing his mind that 
 he determined to move whero there 
 were no Baptists. So in 1892 he turn- 
 ed his back on the people he so dearly 
 loved and for about four years roved 
 over the western states, and like the 
 dove from the Ark found no resting 
 
 C. L. CROUSE 
 
 place until he settled near Liberty 
 Church, Fremont County, Iowa, which 
 he joined by letter June, 1898. Seven 
 years later — '1905 — he was licensed to 
 preach, and in April, 1908, was ordain- 
 ed by Elders W, J. Pollard, J. H. Ring 
 and E. M. Kenney. Elder Crouse is. 
 zealous in the cause of truth and sat- 
 isfied with the Apostles' doctrine and 
 practice, desiring to add nothing to 
 or take from the perfect standard and 
 thorough furnisher of all good works. 
 
 JOHN CROY. 
 
 Croy, Elder John, was born in Bel- 
 mont County, O., September 11, 182S; 
 moved with his parents to Morgan 
 County, O., in 1830; received a hope 
 of eternal life in Christ Jesus in 18G6, 
 and, with his wife, united with Mt. 
 Olive Primitive Baptist Church, Mor- 
 gan County, O., in 1SG8; was baptized 
 by Elder Lewis Kagy, and ordained 
 to full work of the gospel ministry in 
 1871. After serving different churches 
 in different counties in Ohio until 
 1886, he then moved to Fountain 
 Head, Summer County, Tenn., where 
 he and wife united with East Station 
 
78 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Camp Church and remained a faithful 
 member until his death, which occur- 
 red near Portland, January 24, 1895. 
 He first joined the Methodist denom- 
 ination, but their preaching and prac- 
 tice were so contrary to his experi- 
 ence and understanding of the Scrip- 
 tures that he soon went to his true 
 home — the Primitive Baptists. He 
 was a faithful witness for Jesus and 
 died preaching the gospel he so much 
 loved. 
 
 F. J. CRUMBY. 
 
 Crumby, Elder F. J., of Montague 
 Valley, Tenn., was born May 29, 1847, 
 in Carter County, Tenn., professed a 
 hope in Christ the year 1869, and in 
 the same year joined the Missionary 
 Baptists, being wrongly informed by 
 one of their ministers who told him 
 that their church was the Apostolic 
 Church, but by reading his Bible he 
 found it was not the church that Christ 
 set up, that they preached salvation by 
 works and the Bible taught salvation 
 by grace. There was no Primitive 
 Baptist churches near him at that time, 
 but soon after some Primitive Baptist 
 ministers went from Virginia and or- 
 ganized a church on Stony Creek. This 
 church he joined May, 1886, at a meet- 
 ing held by Elders M. T. Lips and C. C. 
 Whitehead. He was ordained Deacon 
 in March, 1887. For many years he had 
 been impressed with the duty of 
 preaching. The church saw his gift and 
 liberated him to preach in the bounds 
 of the Washington Association, and he 
 was ordained July, 1908, by Elders H. 
 B. Miller and F. M. Salyer, Elder Crum- 
 by is pastor of Blue Spring Church 
 where he holds his membership. He 
 
 wants no new thing in the service of 
 God but desires to walk in the old path 
 marked out by Christ and His apostles. 
 
 KINCHON CRUMPLER. 
 
 Crumpler, Elder Kinchon, of North 
 Carolina. The subject of this sketch, 
 was born in 1807. About the year 1837 
 he united with the Methodist denomi- 
 nation. While there the Lord arrested 
 him by His spirit, opened his under- 
 standing, showing him the wretched 
 condition he was in by nature, and 
 the need of a perfect righteousness to 
 prepare him to stand in peace before 
 God. When he found peace in Jesus 
 he soon became dissatisfied with the 
 Methodists; and sought the compan- 
 ionship of Primitive Baptists about 
 the year 1848. In a short while there- 
 after he was liberated and soon after 
 was ordained to the full ministry of 
 the word. He became pastor of the 
 church at "Upper Black Creek, in Wil- 
 son County, N'. C, near his residence, 
 and remained pastor here while he 
 lived. He was a gifted preacher in doc- 
 trine and experience, and enjoyed the 
 full fiellowship and confidence of his 
 brethren while he lived. Though fee- 
 ble for years he was faithful in at- 
 tending preaching. He fought a good 
 fight and finished his course in peace. 
 
 I. K. CRUMPTON. 
 
 Crumpton, Elder I. K., of Alabama, 
 — This faithful man fell asleep June 
 25, 1893. The church at Mt. Olive, 
 Shelby County, Ala., which he was 
 serving at the time of his death, 
 spread upon its records the following 
 note of respect to his memory: "Where 
 in it has pleased our Heavenly Father 
 to take from our midst our beloved 
 pastor, we in deep sorrow, give 
 God the honor for the gift which in 
 him was proven by his teachings, 
 walk and worthy examples, which 
 were the highest characteristics of 
 God's love, and one of God's true and 
 purest gifts that can be bestowed 
 upon poor, frail man. In his meek, 
 humble and energetic defense of the 
 doctrine and word of God, and plan 
 of salvation for poor, mortal man, he 
 was ever untiring and unflinching to 
 the last, and we, as a church, 
 give this as our token of love for our 
 departed pastor. Though his voice is 
 forever hushed, and his presence for- 
 ever sealed from our view, yet his 
 teachings and admonitions liveth as 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 an example of character for a servant 
 of the most high God. Although his 
 warfare is over, his race run, and the 
 work given him finished, yet may we 
 be able to say, the Lord giveth and 
 the Lord taketh away, blessed be the 
 name of the Lord." 
 
 S. S. CRUMPTON. 
 
 Crumpton, Elder S. S., of Columbiana, 
 Ala., is a brother of the late Elder I. 
 K. Crumpton and has the care of 
 churches among the people with whom 
 he was born and raised. He was born 
 in Shelby County Ala., November 19, 
 1865. In his thirteenth year he re- 
 ceived a bodily injury from an over- 
 strain or lift from which he 
 has never recovered. When about 
 eighteen he was convicted for 
 sin and made to feel that "if 
 his soul were sent to hell, God's 
 righteous law approved it well." But 
 while thus burdened, hoping against 
 hope and praying for God's mercy, 
 God spoke peace to his burdened soul 
 in a manner unexpected and surprising 
 to him, and like Jacob of old, he could 
 say, "the Lord was here and I knew it 
 not." For more than a year he delayed 
 uniting with the church, but finally 
 went before Old Ebenezer, was re- 
 ceived and baptized by his brother, 
 Elder I. K. Crumpton. The year fol- 
 lowing he was licensed and seven 
 months later was ordained, and amid 
 all the trials, hardships and discour- 
 agements incident to a minister's life, 
 to which is added his afflicted bodily 
 condition, he has for the past twenty 
 years proven true and faithful in the 
 cause of Jesus. 
 
 J. Z. CUMMINGS. 
 
 Cummings, Elder J. Z., was born 
 in Chambers County, Ala., March 31, 
 1873. In youth he was taught that the 
 Primitive Baptists were a dangerous 
 people and he would not go to their 
 services. He united with the Metho- 
 odists while young and lived with 
 them several years. Never having felt 
 the gentle touch of God's finger of 
 love, he was like the greater portion 
 of the religious world, rowdy, wicked, 
 and profane. He soon became dis- 
 gusted with himself, feeling that he 
 was only playing the hypocrite in m'o- 
 Uessing religion, and for several years 
 would not attend any church. Finally 
 God's Spirit convicted him of sin, left 
 him in great darkness for a season 
 
 and then gave him a sweet hope in 
 Jesus. He united with Harmony 
 Church, Richland County, Ga., August 
 1901, liberated in January, 1905, and 
 ordained by Elders R. H. Jennings, 
 W. T. Everette and H. H. Phillips 
 May, 1905. Elder Cummings has con- 
 tinually served churches since his or- 
 dination and has been blessed in the 
 work, having many seals to his min- 
 istry. He writes me as follows: : "I am 
 the least in my Father's house. Have 
 had many seasons of rejoicing. Have 
 traveled a good many miles, and met 
 many of the dear saints. At present 
 (1907) I am in the Chatawhatchee 
 (Ala.) Association. My home church 
 is Mt. Zion. I desire to finish my 
 course with joy and die in the full 
 triumphs of a living faith. I want no 
 "new things" in God's house, feeling 
 that Apostolic practices are good 
 enough for me.' 
 
 W. R. CUMMINGS. 
 
 Cummings, Elder W. R. (M. D.), of 
 Ste'la, Patrick County, Va., was born 
 and raised in Monroe County, W. Va. 
 He was given a good hope through 
 Christ, when young, and soon after 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church of 
 Christ at the Indian Creek Church of 
 Indian Creek Association, by experi- 
 ence, and was baptized by Elder Hub- 
 bard, Moderator of that Association. 
 Sometime after his baptism, Brother 
 Cummins began to exercise a public 
 preaching gift; and the church of 
 which he was a member, seeing the 
 manifestation of a preaching gift in 
 him, set him apart for ordination, and 
 ordained him to the full functions of 
 the gospel ministry. He was about 
 seventy years of age when he died, 
 CI907) and had been preaching about 
 forty years. He began the study and 
 practice of medicine at an early age, 
 and was not only eminent as a 
 gospel minister of Christ, but was 
 also, a good physician, and not only 
 esteemed by his brethren and friends 
 as an able minister, but also as a 
 successul physician. Brother Cum- 
 mings was possessed with all the 
 graces that it takes to constitute a 
 Christian gentleman; and was pleasant 
 and entertaining in conversation, 
 amiable and inviting in disposition, lov- 
 ing and gentle in manners, having an 
 humble, meek and quiet spirit, which is 
 of great worth and more to be desired 
 than rubies. He was chaste in conver- 
 sation, honest, truthful virtuous in his 
 everyday life, and commanding in ap- 
 pearance. He was a loving husband, a 
 
80 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 good father, a good neighbor, a good 
 citizen, a good physician, a good 
 church member, and an able preacher; 
 in fact a model Christian man, beloved 
 by Primitive Baptists; beloved by the 
 people, both white and colored. And he 
 loved the Primitive Baptists most dear- 
 ly, regarding them as truly the true 
 church. He loved them because they 
 loved the doctrine of grace and the 
 ordinances of God's house (church). 
 He regarded his many friend and the 
 people generally with a great deal of 
 respect; and, in preaching, his great 
 desire was to feed the spiritual hungry 
 and to comfort the poor mourner in 
 Zion; and, in the practice of medicine, 
 to heal the sick, and cure the wounded 
 and the lame. Yea, verily, he went 
 night and day, through cold, wet and 
 heat, everywhere, wherever his lot was 
 cast, or was called to go, doing good, 
 seeking to elevate poor suffering hu- 
 
 manity. Truly many noble traits of 
 character were manifested in him. 
 
 H. M. CURRY. 
 
 Curry, Elder H. M., of Lebanon, O. 
 The name of this gifted minister and 
 able writer is familiar to many of our 
 people and the editor regrets that his 
 efforts to obtain information from 
 which to prepare a suitable sketch 
 proved fruitless. From information 
 printed in Elder Potter's little souvenir 
 book in 1895, we learn that Elder Curry 
 was educated at Lebanon, O., and is 
 now about fifty-four years of age. He 
 is a good writer, a fine speaker and a 
 strong doctrinal preacher and is will- 
 ing to speak up and contend for what 
 he believes in defiance of learned crit- 
 ics who differ from him. 
 
 D 
 
 JOHN R. DAILY. 
 
 Daily, Elder John R., of Indianap- 
 olis, Ind. This kind-hearted, affection- 
 ate and gifted preacher is a son of 
 Peter and Zelia Nettie Daily, and 
 was born, in Clinton County, Ind., 
 Mjay 21, 1854. His parents were poor 
 people, but were industrious and up- 
 right, providing well for their fam- 
 ily; were members of the Little Flock 
 Church of Regular or Primitive Bap- 
 tists and strict attendants at their 
 church services, and taking their 
 children with them to the house of 
 God. Elder Daily had poor opportuni- 
 ties to procure an education, but this 
 disadvantage did not hinder him from 
 
 gainging quite a proficiency in the 
 common school branches of learning 
 and many of the higher branches, as 
 he was very fond of books from early 
 life and made rapid progress in what- 
 ever he undertook. He entered upon 
 the profession of taching in the com- 
 mon schools at the age of eighteen, 
 which he followed for twenty-two 
 years studying hard all the while to 
 advance himself in the higher 
 branches and especially in languages. 
 After many months of conviction, he 
 obtained a hope in the Saviour on the 
 28th dav of February, 1870; joined the 
 Little Fiock Church, January 21 1871. 
 and was baptized by Elder J. T. Oli- 
 phant. From the beginning of this 
 public profession he exercised in pub- 
 lic prayer, also leading in the singing 
 service of which he was very fond. 
 He was married to Miss Mary C. 
 Laughner, in 1873, who lived only 
 eleven weeks. In September, 1874, he 
 was married the second time to Miss 
 Caroline Laymon who is still his 
 faithful companion. This union has 
 been blessed with ten children, — one 
 dying in infancy, — one — Elder O. L. 
 Daily — was killed in train wreck near 
 Washington, D. C, 1906; the others 
 all members of their parents' church. 
 Elder Daily made his first effort at 
 preaching in January, 1875; was soon 
 ordained and has since had the care 
 cf churches to which he has closely 
 and faithfully appMed himself. In 
 June, 1898, he moved to Luray, Va. 
 and took the position of editor and 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 81 
 
 publisher of Zion's Advocate, which 
 position he held eight years, at the 
 same time serving Hawksbill, Naked 
 Creek, Mt. Carmel and Alma 
 churches, and traveling extensively 
 among churches in Virginia and other 
 states. In April, 1906, he moved to 
 Indianapolis, Ind., where he now re- 
 sides, and is serving as pastor of the 
 church in that city and three others 
 near, where also in connection with 
 his sons he runs a publishing house, 
 doing job work, book printing, bind- 
 ing, etc. Elder Daily has published an 
 interesting history of himself and 
 family entitled, "Pilgrimage of a 
 Stranger." Has also published a very 
 acceptable Hymn and Tune Book that 
 has passed the ten thousand edition. 
 Elder Daily is not only a sweet singer, 
 gifted preacher, strong and forceful 
 writer, but is also an able debater, 
 and has had several discussions with 
 leading representatives of the Disci- 
 ple, Universalist and other denomina- 
 tions in which his brethren were well 
 pleased and the truths of the Old 
 School Baptist's position in doctrine 
 and practice forcibly vindicated. 
 
 OLIVER L. DAILY. 
 
 Daily, Elder Oliver L., the oldest son 
 of Elder John R. Daily, was born in 
 Clinton County, Ind., August 27, 1875. 
 He accompanied his parents to Virginia 
 when they moved there in 1898. His 
 father becoming editor and publisher 
 of Zion's Advocate, he entered the 
 office of that publication and mainly 
 conducted the mechanical part of the 
 work of that office. December, 1898, 
 he was married to Miss Mamie Camp- 
 bell, of Luray, Va. Two children were 
 born to them, Thelma Ward and John 
 Thomas. He joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church in May, 1902, and was 
 
 baptized by his father. He began 
 exercising in a public way in October, 
 
 1902, was licensed to speak in April, 
 
 1903, and was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry in December of 
 the same year. His wife died at his 
 home in Luray, of consumption Jan- 
 uary 22, 1905. In March, 1906, he was 
 married ot Mrs. Chloe Purdy, of St. 
 Louisville, Ohio. He located at Newark, 
 Ohio, put his membership into the 
 church at St. Louisville, and served 
 that church as pastor till the time of 
 his death. He, with his wife and little 
 Thelma, went on a tour of preaching 
 through West Virginia, Maryland, Penn- 
 sylvania and Virginia. He filled his last 
 appointment at Dawsonville, Md., Sun- 
 day, December SO. They took the train 
 at Boyd's Station that afternoon for 
 Washington City, and when within 
 three miles of the depot where they 
 were to get off, a train of empty freight 
 cars dashed into their train and they 
 were all three killed in the awful 
 wreck that followed. When last seen 
 by Elder C. H. Waters, who left the 
 same train this family was on at 
 Gaithersburg, he was humming an old 
 hymn and turning the leaves of his 
 Bible he loved so much to study. 
 
 J. HARVEY DAILY. 
 
 Daily, Elder J. Harvey, of Indianap- 
 olis, son of Elder John R. Daily, was 
 born in Indiana, February 17, 1881. 
 moved to Virginia with his parents in 
 1898, united with the Primitive Baptists 
 in his sixteenth year, was ordained to 
 the ministry at Luray, Va., in 1904 and 
 shortly afterwards moved to his pres- 
 ent home where he is in the printing 
 business with his father. He has the 
 care of three churches and is zealous 
 in the cause of truth; is satisfied with 
 the doctrine and practice of the Apos- 
 
82 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 tolic church as contended for hy his 
 honored father and wants no new. 
 unauthorized thing in the dear old 
 church. His churches are good to him 
 and the Lord is blessing his labors. 
 Elder Daily is equally interested with 
 his father in the Primitive Baptist 
 Hymn and Tune Book, has written 
 some hymns of merit, composed sev- 
 eral pieces of music, is a gifted singer 
 and loves the songs of Zion and the 
 simple service of our churches. 
 
 T. S. DALTON. 
 
 Dalton, Elder T. S., of Front Royal. 
 Va., was born in Robertson County, 
 Tenn, June 3, 1S46. His father— Tol- 
 bert S. Dalton — died about the time of 
 his birth, and his mother — whose 
 maiden name was Angeline Mathews 
 — was left to care for four helpless 
 children, and the subject of this 
 sketch, while growing to manhood, 
 had to labor hard to care for himself 
 and a widowed mother, and was de- 
 nied the advantages of a liberal edu- 
 cation. He was determined, however, 
 to make the best of his limited ad- 
 vantages, and when grown to man- 
 hood, went to school and, afterwards, 
 assisted in teaching to pay for his 
 tuition. During these early days of his 
 life, though in the midst of poverty. 
 he was fond of the pleasures and 
 amusements of the world and it was in 
 the height of these amusements that 
 the Lord arrested him in his wild ca- 
 reer and brought him to see that he 
 was a poor, guilty, helpless sinner. 
 He was bowed down with a great 
 burden, but God, who had begun 
 the good work, did not leave him 
 in this condition but revealed to 
 him a great Saviour. Almost 
 immediately with relief, came also 
 
 a desire to preach, — to go and tell 
 others, — of the dear Saviour he had 
 found, but against this impression he 
 fought hard and went so far as to 
 make arrangements to take his own 
 life, rather than to expose his igno- 
 rance before the world. But God or- 
 dered otherwise; he was led to ask 
 for a home in the church, baptized 
 by Elder W. W. World, and ordained 
 September, 1870, by Elders W. A. 
 Bowden, Wm, Howard, W. W> World, 
 T. F. Harrison, S. S. Nix and T. W. 
 Hutchinson. For a number of years 
 after his ordination, Elder Dalton did 
 the work of an evangelist, during 
 which time, he baptized about seven- 
 ty-five to a hundred per year. One 
 year alone he baptized over three 
 hundred persons. His travels in the 
 Master's cause has embraced twenty- 
 seven states and several territories, 
 traveling thousands of miles annually, 
 after the apostolic custom, without 
 any guarantee from any man or body 
 of men. During Elder Dalton's minis- 
 try he has lived in several states, 
 served about twenty-five churches and 
 had twenty-eight debates. In these 
 public discussions he has met some 
 of the strongest men of the Arminian 
 faith. Clear in argument, forceful in 
 expression, resourceful in defense, the 
 cause of truth has ever been upheld 
 by him. In the Civil war he was a 
 bold fighter in defense of the South- 
 ern cause, and as a soldier of Jesus 
 he has been still more zealous in de- 
 fense of the principles dear to the 
 heart of Primitive Baptists. For a 
 number of years while located in Ten- 
 nessee, he was editor and proprietor 
 of a religious periodical entitled "Her- 
 ald of Truth." In 1S90 he moved to 
 Virginia and consolidated this paper 
 with Zions Advocate and published 
 same for eight years. He is now — 
 1908 — the beloved pastor of Mill 
 Creek, Thumb Run, Happy Creek and 
 Upperville churches, and has for a 
 number of years, served as Moderator 
 of the Ketocton Association. 
 
 T. B. DALTON. 
 
 Dalton, Elder T. B., of Corinth, Miss 
 son of T. S. Dalton, Sr., and Angeline 
 Dalton, was born in Robertson County, 
 Tenn., November 22, 1842, professed a 
 hope in the Saviour in the year 1863, 
 united with the Old School Baptist 
 Church about 1875. and began preach- 
 ing at Union City, Tenn. about the year 
 1S84, was ordained a few years later 
 and has since served from one to four 
 churches. Elder Dalton is a brother 
 of T. S. Dalton of Front Royal, Va., and, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 83 
 
 like him, knows nothing in the eternal 
 salvation of sinners save Christ and 
 Him crucified. He is zealous in the 
 cause of truth and truly lives in the 
 hearts of his people among whom he 
 labors. 
 
 JAMES SAMUEL DAMERON. 
 
 Dameron, Elder James Samuel, of 
 
 North Carolina. The subject of this 
 sketch was born on September 27, 
 1836, and died November 15, 1907; 
 was married to Miss Kate Roberts, 
 1860 and was baptized into the fellow- 
 ship of the Primitive Baptist Church, 
 by Elder Wilson, May 1860. Prior to 
 that time he was a Methodist and was 
 very self-righteous. At one time he 
 threatened to punish one of his school- 
 mates at school because he disturbed 
 him during his devotional hour. He 
 would not stop and eat wild grapes 
 along the road when he was hungry if 
 he had not asked for them, but the 
 Lord showed him that all of his right- 
 eousness was as filthy rags and that he 
 must be clothed in the righteousness of 
 faith to see God in peace. In his 
 younger days he acquired a classical 
 education and after his return home 
 from the war he became a teacher and 
 many will remember him in that capac- 
 ity. He was a man of much force and 
 always did what he felt to be his duty 
 with his might. During the Civil war 
 he held some responsible positions. 
 His life was such as to command re- 
 spect from those in the church and out 
 of the church so that his friends were 
 very many. From the time of his ordi- 
 nation in the summer of 1868, he con- 
 tinued steadfastly in the apostle's 
 doctrine, comforting the mourner, 
 strengthening the weak, encouraging 
 the diffident, for more than thirty 
 years. But the servants of God, as well 
 as others, are flesh and blood. Paul 
 was at one time, nigh unto death; and 
 all of us must die and return to the 
 dust. His nervous system gave way 
 and he was deprived of his reason. His 
 last effort towards the public ministry 
 was at Lickfork on the first Sunday in 
 July, 1900. Soon after that he was 
 taken to the State hospital at Morgan- 
 ton. I have been informed that even 
 there when his mind could be diverted 
 from his nervous condition he would 
 break out in preaching the blessed 
 gospel. 
 
 County, Ga., was married to Miss 
 Mary Hodge, 1826, who bore him 
 fourteen children. After her death 
 was married to Miss Mary Denard in 
 1855, who bore him nine children. 
 He received a hope in Christ, joined 
 the Primitive Baptists in his young 
 days and was afterward set apart to 
 the deacon's office, and later was li- 
 censed to preach. It is said that he 
 was the first man in his state that 
 made a motion in church conference 
 to shut the church doors against hired 
 prachers. This was in Marshall 
 Church, Clark County, Ga., beffore the 
 Missionary trouble. He died in his 
 ninety-first year in the full triumph of 
 faith after a long life of usefulness. 
 
 1*i*V 
 
 ALFRED DANIEL. 
 
 Daniel, Elder Alfred, of Georgia, I 
 was born February 17, 1807, in Clark | 
 
 JOHN H. DANIEL. 
 
 Daniel, Elder John H. The subject 
 of this memoir was born September 
 17, 1801, in Green County, N. C, and 
 died April 16, 1S73. His parents were 
 Stephen and Huldah Daniel. His 
 mother's maiden name was Smock. 
 Elder Daniel moved from Green to 
 Edgecombe County in 1S24, and set- 
 tled near Tarboro. In 1825, he was 
 married to Miss Maniza Long. There 
 were born unto them thirteen child- 
 ren. He was one of the most active 
 and industrious men and a very suc- 
 cessful farmer. He passed through the 
 trials and vicissitudes of the late war 
 among the States, with great patience 
 and usefulness. He frequently visited 
 the Confederate camps during that 
 dreadful conflict, and administered to 
 the necessities of the soldiers, and his 
 services will long be remembered by 
 soldiers and their families. About a 
 year prior to his death he was mar- 
 
84 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ried the second time to Mrs. Susan 
 A. Jones, of South Quay, Virginia. 
 Elder Daniel was baptized by Elder 
 Thomas Dupree in 1829, and united 
 with the church at Conetoe, was or- 
 dained deacon 1831, liberated to exer- 
 cise his gifts 1833, and in 1837 was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry, 
 by Elders Thomas Dupree and Wil- 
 liam Hyman. Elder Daniel manifested 
 the same zeal and industry in the 
 church that he had in worldly mat- 
 ters. His house was a home at all 
 times for the stranger and the needy, 
 especially for his brethren in Christ. 
 He served Conehoe Spring, Green, 
 Great Swamp, Old Town Creek, Wi 1 -- 
 son, Williams, Cross Roads and other 
 churcnes during his ministry- Seldom 
 do we find a minister more useful or 
 zealous in the cause of truth, or more 
 highly esteemed than was Elder Dan- 
 iel. 
 
 G. T. DANIEL. 
 
 Daniel, Elder G. T., son of Elder John 
 H. Daniel, was born near Tarboro, N. 
 C, 1847, and died near Wilson, N. C, 
 1894. He married Mary E., daughter of 
 Calvin and Winnifred Woodard, 1871, 
 Experiencing a hope in Christ, and 
 drawn by love to the people of God, 
 Brother Daniel was baptized by Elder 
 C. B. Hassell, 1876. In 1877, he was li- 
 censed to exercise in public. Deeply 
 feeling his inability and unworthiness, 
 he put off for fourteen years his im- 
 pressions to preach; but he was at last 
 driven, by sore and manifold trials and 
 afflictions, to take up this heavy cross 
 in 1891, and he was, in August, 1893 
 ordained by Elders Win. A. Ross and S. 
 Hassell to the administration of gospel 
 ordinances. His ministry, through 
 brief, was exceedingly tender and 
 touching. His chief desire was to 
 speak to the comfort of the afflicted 
 people of God; and that desire was 
 wonderfully fulfilled. The Lord rained 
 down showers of blessings under the 
 gracious words of His servant, and it 
 was seldom, when he preached, that 
 tears of love and joy did not flow 
 from many eyes. The only revenge 
 that he wished from any one who had 
 seemed to be his enemy, was to be 
 enabled to speak to his spiritual good 
 and comfort. Elder Hassel says of 
 him: "Our wives were sisters, and few 
 persons knew him better than I; and I 
 rejoice to say that not only was he a 
 most industrious man but he was also 
 a truthful, honest, temperate, virtuous, 
 kind, gentle, humble, self-denying. God- 
 fearing and God-loving man, who had 
 
 living grace while he lived, and dying 
 grace when he came to die and whose 
 body, I believe, sleeps in Jesus, while 
 his ransomed spirit reigns with his 
 Lord in glory." 
 
 W. R. DARDEN. 
 
 Darden, Elder W. R., of Bailey, 
 Miiss., This young minister was or- 
 dained about two years ago and feels 
 that there is nothing in his life worth 
 mentioning except God's abounding 
 love and mercy toward him. and like 
 many others to whom the editor ap- 
 pealed for information relative to life 
 and labors, felt unworthy of notice, 
 or for other reasons withheld the in- 
 formation desired. 
 
 SAMUEL L. DARK. 
 
 Dark, Elder Samuel L., of Macomb, 
 111., was born in Chatham County, N. 
 C, in 1808. He was ordained Septem- 
 ber 22, 1846, and ever since has been 
 a devoted sacrificing servant of his 
 Lord and Master, his services being 
 highly appreciated by all the churches. 
 He is noted even in his old age for his 
 wonderful memory, This brief sketch 
 from Elder Cash's book, 1896. Further 
 information could not be secured. 
 
 S. E. DAVIS. 
 
 Davis, Elder S. E., of Iron City, Ga., 
 was born in Early County, Ga., January 
 1, 1S46 and died January 24, 1902. He 
 was married to Miss Zelphy Boat- 
 wright, December 23, 1869. To them 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 85 
 
 were born five daughters and one son. 
 The editor found it impossible to get a 
 full account of Elder Davis's life and 
 labors in the ministry. 
 
 JOHN A. DAVIS. 
 
 Davis, Elder John A., was born in 
 Bullock County, Ga., 12th October, 
 1812. His parents died when he was 
 young and left him to battle against 
 an unfriendly world. Many were the 
 trials ofi his youth, but the Lord 
 brought him through them all, gave 
 him a sweet hope in Jesus and he 
 united with Upper Black Creek 
 Church in the fall of 1839, and was 
 baptized by Elder Wm. Moore. He 
 commenced preaching in 1855, and 
 was ordained in 1859 by Elders John 
 G. Williams, Andrew Kicklighter and 
 Nathan Robbers, at Lower Black 
 Creek, Bryant County, Ga. He was 
 married to Drusilla Sikes, 2Sth June, 
 1840, by whom he had twelve chil- 
 dren. He married the second time to 
 Mary A. Thompson, 23rd October, 
 1881. He departed this life lGth June, 
 1887. One who knew him well, says: 
 "I do not feel able to utter half the 
 praise he was entitled to. His good 
 qualities were many, and to God be 
 all the praise for his spotless life. He 
 was a member of the church forty- 
 nine years, and a minister thirty-three 
 years; was a plain, straightforward 
 preacher of the simple gospel of 
 Christ, sound and faithful, meek and 
 sincere." 
 
 WILLIAM DAVIS. 
 
 Davis, Elder William (1798-1883) — 
 of Ashley, Mo., at the age of thirteen 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church, called Buck Creek, in Shelby 
 County, Ky., and about the year 1822 
 was ordained deacon and then minis- 
 ter; was ordained by Elders P. J. 
 Burris and others, and moved from 
 Kentucky to Missouri about 1837, and 
 served Siloam Church as pastor about 
 forty years; was never known to 
 swerve from the truth in faith or 
 practice; always ready, with Bible in 
 hand, which he called the "Jerusalem 
 Blade," to defend the glorious doc- 
 trine of the cross — salvation by grace, 
 — and that alone without works or 
 means. He was a faithful witness for 
 Jesus and after a long life of useful- 
 ness died in his eighty-sixth year, 
 August, 1883. 
 
 HENRY DAVIS. 
 
 Davis, Elder Henry (1843-1906) first 
 united with the United Baptist organi- 
 zation, but soon the Lord impressed 
 him with the feeling that he was not 
 in the Church of Christ. For quite a 
 while he was greatly troubled, was led 
 about and instructed by Him who leads 
 the blind by a way they know not. He 
 left his former connection and united 
 with the Old School Baptists where he 
 remained until his death. He was bap- 
 tized by Elder Gabriel Riffe, soon or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry and 
 was an humble, faithful soldier of 
 Jesus. 
 
 JOHN H. DAVIS. 
 
 Davis, Elder John H., of Terrall 
 County, La., born September 22, 1834, 
 and died May 12, 1888. He was mar- 
 ried to Amanda Daniel November 15, 
 1857; united with the Primitive Bap- 
 tists at Beulah Church, 1872; was 
 baptized by Elder T. K. Pursley and 
 ordained to the work of the ministry, 
 1873, by Elders W. Hubbard and J. J. 
 Davis. He was a sound, doctrinal 
 preacher — always contending for free 
 and sovereign grace. He served his 
 home church from the time of his or- 
 dination until his death and also served 
 other churches. As a man, he was high- 
 ly esteemed by the people of his com- 
 munity; was a good and loving hus- 
 band, a kind and affectionate father, 
 an humble and devoted christian. He 
 loved the truth as believed and preach- 
 ed by Primitive Baptists, and was a 
 strong believer in the doctrine of elec- 
 tion and the covenant of grace. He 
 expressed a willingness to die and be 
 with Jesus his Saviour. 
 
 COLEMAN B. DAWSON. 
 
 Dawson, Elder Coleman B. (1808- 
 1890), of Illinois. After nearly forty 
 years in the ministry, Elder Dawson 
 fell at his post in the full triumphs of 
 faith in his eighty-second year of age. 
 He was born in Stafford County, Va., 
 emigrated with his parents when about 
 nine years old to Kentucky; united 
 with the Primitive Baptists at Elk 
 Creek Church, Ky. in his fourteenth 
 year; removed to Clark County, 111., 
 and placed his membership with Con- 
 cord Church in 1834, where he Was 
 ordained as deacon in 184S; licensed 
 to preach in 1851 and ordained in 1853' 
 by Elders John Shields.Joel Vermillion 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 and Reason Martin. Until his death he 
 was in the service of churches and was 
 very faithful in the discharge of every 
 duty. His service was without proper 
 compensation, though cheerfully rend- 
 ered, and he labored very hard for the 
 support of his family. He traveled but 
 
 COLEMAN B. DAWSON 
 
 little preferring to labor among the 
 churches near home. He was highly 
 regarded by his neighbors and one who 
 did not believe his doctrine said of him 
 after his death that "his life had been 
 a sermon." 
 
 L. J. DEBERRY. 
 
 Deberry, Elder L. J., was born in 
 Edgecombe County, N. C, April 16, 
 1834. His parents were members of 
 the Methodist Church and he was 
 taught to believe their doctrine and 
 when about sixteen years of age was 
 sprinkled, received into the church 
 and remained for about eight years. 
 But God, who in the New Covenant, 
 writes His law on the mind and in the 
 heart, began to teach himl, revealed 
 to him his lost and ruined condition 
 in self and self-righteousness, gave 
 him a hope in Jesus and a desire 
 to follow Him in baptism. Not being 
 much acquainted with the Baptists he 
 was led into the Disciple Church and 
 baptized by immersion by them, but 
 soon became dissatisfied with their 
 doctrine, began a careful study of his 
 Bible, and left them in about eigh- 
 teen months. In 1870 at the Kehukee 
 Association he heard Elder St. 
 John of New York, preach, which was 
 food to his soul, was made to feel it 
 his duty to join the church but Cor 
 
 twelve years was disobedient. How 
 ever, he was made willing by God's 
 power, united with the Baptists in 
 1882, and was baptized by Elder J. W. 
 Johnson. He was soon licensed and 
 later was ordained by Elders D. W. 
 Tapping and David Carter. He is at 
 present serving the church in Bath, 
 N. C., which was organized by him; 
 is in his seventy-fifth year of age, 
 strong in the faith with a precious 
 hope of eternal life. 
 
 REMER DEKLE. 
 
 Dekle, Elder Remer, was born in 
 
 Emanuel County, Ga., February 9, 1858 
 and died January 13, 1903. He was a 
 son of John and Mary Dekle. His 
 mother was a devoted Baptist. His 
 father was not a member of any chris- 
 tian order. However, he seemed to 
 love the truth. Elder Dekle was reared 
 on the farm and was talented for that 
 occupation. After his marriage he 
 moved to Bullock County Ga., and be- 
 gan farming on a scientific plan, using 
 improved implements and being 
 economical, he made a success in life. 
 While young he loved the dancing floor 
 and many other amusements. Never- 
 theless he was moral and seemed to be 
 blessed with a pious nature. He was 
 married to Mary Jane Bowen, 1879; 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Lower Lots Creek in 1880, 
 ordained to the office of deacon in 1895, 
 and filled that office to the satisfaction 
 of his brethren. Soon after his estab- 
 lishment as deacon he began to exhort 
 his brethren, and to admonish them to 
 duty. Following on this line for some 
 time he at length expressed himself as 
 feeling to have a call to preach the 
 word. His church, having all confidence 
 in his sincerity, liberated him to exer- 
 cise his gift wherever the Spirit di- 
 rected. He was a constant visitor to 
 the churches in his neighborhood and 
 on account of his faithfulness and in- 
 tegrity he soon won the respect and 
 confidence of his brethren in all the 
 churches. He was ordained as elder 
 in 1902. The relation of his call to the 
 ministry struck the brotherhood with 
 great force, and many tears of joy were 
 shed on that memorable occasion. He 
 was faithful in his call, and earnestly 
 contended for f thQ Primitive faith, 
 begging his brethren to stand by the 
 old land-marks and live in righteaous- 
 ness. At the time of his death he was 
 serving two churches, Nevil Creek, and 
 his home church, Lower Lots Creek. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 87 
 
 MOSES HAMPTON DENMAN. 
 
 Denman, Elder Moses Hampton. 
 This faithful minister was born in 
 Franklin County, Ga., in 1802, and 
 was brought up on a farm. His pa- 
 rents taught' him honesty and indus- 
 try. He was naturally bright, intel- 
 lectually, and made good use of his 
 limited opportunities for an educa- 
 tion. Early in life he joined the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church and was soon 
 ordained to the full work of ministry. 
 About the year 1833, or '34, he moved 
 and settled near Marietta, Cobb Coun- 
 ty, Ga. About that time trouble arose 
 in the church on the Mission ques- 
 tion. He contended for the word of 
 God, "Stand ye in the ways, and see, 
 and ask for the old paths, where is 
 the good way, and walk therein, and 
 ye shall find rest for your souls," 
 Jerm. 6:16. Elder Denman proved 
 himself a valliant soldier of the cross 
 by following the "old paths" and con- 
 tending alone for the doctrine and 
 practice of the Bible. In 1850 he mov- 
 ed to Texas and settled in Bell Coun- 
 ty, where he remained until his Mast- 
 er's call to come home, February, 
 1885. Elder Denman was a faithful 
 minister for more than half a cen- 
 tury and proved his faith by his 
 works. 
 
 MOSES DEWITT DENMAN. 
 
 Denman, Elder Moses De Witt(Mj. D.), 
 son of Jackson H. and Ann W. Denman 
 was born at Lavissa, Cherokee Coun- 
 ty, Texas, August 11, 1850, and died 
 January 8, 1907. In early childhood he 
 greatly enjoyed the company and con- 
 versation of Christian people, and 
 
 was ofttn moved to tears when the 
 subject" of Jesus and His crucifixion 
 was mentioned. He was never married 
 but remained with his parents and 
 proved a dutiful son; acquired a liber- 
 al education, taught school and earn- 
 ed money with which to attend col- 
 lege and graduated with honors in the 
 medical department of the University 
 of Tennessee; located in Beel County, 
 Texas, and practiced medicine for fif- 
 teen or twenty years. In 1865 he pro- 
 fessed a hope in Christ, joined the 
 Old School Baptists at Cedar Grove 
 Church and was baptized by his 
 grandfather, Elder Moses H Denman; 
 was licensed to preach and in the lat- 
 ter part of his life gave up his chosen 
 profession in order to be free to 
 travel, speak and write of Jesus and 
 His salvation; moved to Beaver Coun- 
 ty, Oklahoma, in 1904, and soon after 
 began the publication of the Old 
 School Baptist Quarterly. He was 
 very zealous in the cause of truth 
 and on his deathbed told his brothers 
 that he wanted all his property used 
 for the benefit of the Old School Bap- 
 tists. His writings are published in 
 book form and can be had of A. W. 
 Denman, Tyrone, Oklahoma. 
 
 EDMUND DENNISON. 
 
 Dennison, Elder Edmund, of Jack- 
 sonville, W. Va., was born in Fauquier 
 County, 1799, removed to Harrison 
 County, now West Virginia, with his 
 parents, when about seven years of 
 age, and lived in Harrison County 
 until 1876, and removed thence to his 
 son's, in Lewis County, W. Va., where 
 he spent the remainder of his life. He 
 joined the Old School Baptist Church, 
 and was baptized July 4, 1829, and 
 lived a worthy, consistent member 
 among them until his death — never 
 having a single charge brought 
 against him in any way. He was 
 licensed to preach November 17, 1832, 
 and ordained soon thereafter; was 
 chosen pastor of Mount Zion Church, 
 1840, which position he filled to the 
 perfect satisfaction of all the church, 
 and was well beloved and highly re- 
 spected by all Old School Baptists as 
 far as his acquaintance reached. He 
 possessed a meek, quiet, and peace- 
 able disposition. His labors were 
 principally in West Virginia and 
 Pennsylvania. In his ministry he was 
 firm and established in the doctrines 
 of God, our Saviour, holding forth 
 Jesus Christ and him crucified, the 
 way, the truth, and the life, sound in 
 the faith and firm in support of the 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 truth, and in opposition to every false 
 way, he seemed determined to know 
 nothing among the people save Jesus 
 and him crucified. 
 
 GABRIEL DENNY. 
 
 Denny, Elder Gabriel, of Pinnacle, 
 N. O, was born December 20, 1842, 
 raised on a farm, entered the South- 
 ern army in his twentieth year, had a 
 great desire to do good from his 
 youth and felt he was getting on very 
 well with God and man. But in April, 
 1862, he was convicted of sin, shown 
 the corruption of his heart, the ex- 
 ceeding sinfulness of sin and for 
 about two years had no deliverance 
 from Mt. Sinai's fiery law. But he 
 who brought him in this condition re- 
 vealed to him that "salvation is of the 
 Lord," gave him a hope in Jesus and 
 put a new song of praise in his 
 mouth. He united with the church, 
 given a dispensation of the gospel, 
 was ordained and has since had the 
 care of churches. Elder Denny is now 
 serving Ararat, Volunteer, Rock 
 Spring and Liberty churches, is faith- 
 ful and zealous, desires to live sober- 
 ly, righteously and Godly in this pres- 
 ent world and end his pilgrimage with 
 joy. 
 
 A. M. DENNY. 
 
 Denny, Elder A. M., of Pinnacle, N. 
 C. Elder Denny is the beloved Moder- 
 ator of the Fisher's River Association 
 and has for about forty years had the 
 care of one or more churches of this 
 Association. He was born in Surry 
 County, N. G, April 19, 1847, became 
 
 subject to military duty in 18G4, 
 joined the Southern army, was captur- 
 ed by Union forces, sent to prison 
 at Camp Douglas, Chicago, and while 
 in prison, in the month of December, 
 1864, first saw the exceeding sinful- 
 ness of sin and convicted of it. On his 
 return home after the war he pro- 
 fessed a hope in Christ, joining the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Ararat, 
 and was baptized by Elder John Jones 
 in May, 1866. He made his first at- 
 tempt to preach June, 1867, and was 
 
 A. M. DENNY 
 
 in 1869 ordained by Elders Hugh 
 Jones, N. Alberty, T. J. Lawton, John 
 Jones, Wm Moran, A. Moran, H. Cain 
 and Wm. B. Gates, Elder Denny has 
 served Fisher's River Association as 
 assistant clerk seven years, clerk 
 twenty-eight years and Moderator 
 since 1905. He has married more than 
 a hundred couples, baptized many 
 persons into the fellowship of the 
 churches and is highly esteemed by 
 his people. 
 
 O. J. DENNY. 
 
 Denny, Elder O. J., son of Elder 
 Gabriel Denny, of Greensboro, N. C, 
 was born November 30, 1871; united 
 with Primitive Baptists 1893; ordain- 
 ed to the gospel ministry in 1904 by 
 the church at Pilot mountain; moved 
 to Greensboro in 1904, and became a 
 member of the church at Greensboro 
 when organized in November, 1907. 
 Elder Denny is well beloved and is 
 a promising gift to the church. He 
 modestly writes of himself: "I am 
 serving Greensboro and Deep Creek 
 churches as pastor and other ap- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 89 
 
 pointments are made as often as ex- 
 pedient. I have but little to say of my- 
 self or my accomplishments, but 
 
 O J. DENNY 
 
 much to say of the wisdom, power and 
 dominion of God. If I glory I must 
 glory in the Lord." 
 
 C. F. DENNY. 
 
 Denny, Elder C. F., of Greensboro, 
 N. C, was born in Surry County, N. 
 C, March the 14th, 1869; united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at Pilot 
 mountain, May the 29th, 1S99; was or- 
 dained to the v.ork of the ministry 
 December 26, 1904. He is now serving 
 jointly with his brother, Elder O. J. 
 Denny the church at Greensboro, N. 
 C. This church holds services every 
 Sunday. Elder Denny also has the 
 
 care of Lick Fork Church, one of the 
 oldest organizations in this part of 
 the state. He is satisfied with the doc- 
 trine and practice of the Apostolic 
 church as maintained by the great 
 body of Primitive or Old School Bap- 
 tists and wants no new, unauthorized 
 things in the church. 
 
 J. C. DENTON. 
 
 Denton, Elder J. C, of Maud, Texas, 
 was born in Paulding County, Ga., 
 Ju.y 2, 1845, was baptized into the 
 fellowship of Raman Church, in Fay- 
 ette County, by Elder Johnson Pate in 
 November, 1865, was ordained to the 
 ministry in Freestone County, Texas, 
 by Elders James Beaver, and G. YV. 
 McDonald in May, 1871. His first ser- 
 mon was preached the second Sunday 
 in March, 1869, from Heb. 4:8, 9; his 
 fortieth anniversary sermon (second 
 Sunday in March, 1909,), from 2 Tim. 
 4:1, 2; as a minister he was born in 
 the beginning of the conflict between 
 Elder Ben Parker (advocate of Par- 
 kerite Twoseedism") and Elder J. T. 
 Seely (strong opposer of said doc- 
 trine) and he (Denton) became in- 
 volved in that conflict, and in a writ- 
 ten discussion obtained such expres- 
 sions from Elder Parker as greatly 
 conduced to a definite statement of 
 said heresy and made its exposure the 
 more easy. From that time Two-Seed- 
 ism began to lose its stronghold 
 among the Primitive Baptists of 
 Texas, and is now almost extinct. In 
 1896 Elder Denton publiciy took the po- 
 sition that there is neither precedent 
 nor example in the New Testament 
 for that institution among Primitive 
 Baptists known as "organized asso- 
 ciations." And as he does not make 
 his views on this question a test of 
 fellowship, they are sustained by our 
 leading elders generally. But this is 
 not to oppose annual associational 
 meetings for the worship of God and 
 the mutual edification of the saints. 
 Elder Denton is an able writer and a 
 frequent correspondent of our relig- 
 ious papers and his conciliatory posi- 
 tion on various mooted questions have 
 been endorsed by most of our ablest 
 Elders among them such ministers as 
 Hassell, Oliphant, Thompson, Dalton. 
 Chick and Waters. Elder H. White, 
 an old associate in the ministry, was 
 long and deeply impressed that upon 
 Eider Denton would be laid the work 
 of reconciliation between divided 
 Baptists (especially in Texas), and 
 just a short while before his death 
 
90 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 visited him especially to encourage 
 him in that undertaking. This being 
 in harmony with Elder Denton's own 
 mind, he has for many months been 
 in the fie'd, and humbly and quietly 
 working in that way, and has met 
 with reasonable encouragement. A 
 door seems to have been opened unto 
 him as never before, and he humbly 
 hopes that his last work on earth may 
 be that of the peacemaker. "Blessed 
 are the peacemakers." 
 
 THOMAS DICKENS. 
 
 Dickens, Elder Thomas (1814-1908), 
 of Virginia, was born in Brayson 
 County, Va., joined the Primitive Bap- 
 tists at Laurel Fork, about 1837, was 
 baptized by Elder William Lawson, 
 and commenced preaching about 1853. 
 Was licensed in 1855 and ordained in 
 1856, by Elders William Lawson, Dan- 
 iel Conner,, Claiborne Plaster, and 
 Thomas S. Vass. He was chosen pas- 
 tor of Indian Creek, Concord, New 
 Hope, Fellowship and Panther Creek 
 churches, and labored among many 
 others; was clerk of the New River 
 Association for a long period of time, 
 and was later chosen moderator of 
 the Association. He served as moder- 
 ator until he was eighty years of age. 
 Elder Dickens was very successful in 
 the ministry, and a safe and consider- 
 ate counsellor. He preached till he 
 was ninety years of age, and was in 
 the ministry about fifty years. He 
 taught school for a number of years, 
 was once a land assessor, and a good 
 farmer. He was a great entertainer, 
 given to hospitality and a peacemak- 
 er. His favorite admonition in his old 
 age was to remember our Creator in 
 the days of our youth, before the 
 days of affliction or evil come, when 
 we will be too old and feeble to enjoy 
 meeting our brethren, or to see them 
 or to preach or to hear preaching. 
 During the Civil war and for a while 
 thereafter, he stood almost alone in 
 defense of the Primitive faith in his 
 section. After peace had smiled on 
 our land., he had great joy to see 
 many corning home to the church, 
 and the broken walls of Zion built up 
 again. He died in the ninety-fourth 
 year of his age, full of faith and hope. 
 
 AMOS DICKERSON. 
 
 Dickerson, Elder Amos, was born in 
 Floyd County, Va., May 16, 1832. He 
 is of a sturdy stock of citizenship 
 
 characterized by their industry, hon- 
 esty and unswerving integrity. His 
 early opportunities were limited so 
 that he grew to manhood with but. 
 little or no education, and with only 
 muscle and brain with which to wage 
 the battle of life. In 1850 he married 
 Miss Maxy Slusher, who, though she 
 never joined the church, was a com- 
 panion indeed,, entering with full sym- 
 pathy into the struggles of life with 
 her husband, and like thousands of 
 
 AMOS DICKERSON 
 
 Southern wives and mothers, while 
 the husband and father was in the 
 army she went to the field and by the 
 sweat of her face supplied her chil- 
 dren with bread. Elder Dickerson pro- 
 fessed a hope in Christ and joined 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at 
 White Oak Grove, Floyd County, Va., 
 in January, 1852, and was baptized by 
 Elder Owen Sumner. Early in the war 
 he enlisted in 54th Va. Regiment and 
 served his state for more than three 
 years. While thus engaged as a sol- 
 dier of his country he was being en- 
 listed as a soldier of the cross, there- 
 fore having returned from the Civil 
 strife in December, 1865, he began 
 to exercise a gift in the ministry, and 
 in 1867 he was ordained to the full 
 functions of the gospel ministry. His 
 services were soon in liberal demand 
 both to the service of churches as. 
 pastor and to preach in places be- 
 yond. In at least three places the 
 brush was cleared away, a rude stand 
 was erected and he preached the gos- 
 pel to the people, and baptized those 
 who evidenced a work off faith, and 
 churches were established at these 
 places, and for nearly forty years he 
 served from three to five churches. 
 His has been truly the work of a pas- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 91 
 
 tor. It required a travel on horseback 
 a distance of 128 miles a month to 
 serve the churches of his charge. 
 Among the many whom he has bap- 
 tized are six elders, viz: P. G. Lester, 
 David Sumner, Wm. F. Simmons, Z. 
 T. Turner, H. V. Cole and C. W. 
 Vaughn, and might well be called a 
 pastor of elders, there being as many 
 as ten who held their membership in 
 churches which he served. He also 
 was favored to baptize his aged father 
 at the age of 87. At one time he serv- 
 ed his county in the legislature for 
 six successive years. He is now in the 
 seventy-seventh year of his age and 
 in his declining years he is yet active 
 in the ministry of the word to the edi- 
 fication of the saints, and enjoys 
 abiding assurances of the confidence 
 of the brethren and of the people 
 among whom he dwells as minister 
 and citizen. 
 
 J. J. DICKSON. 
 
 Dickson, Elder J. J., was a native of 
 Georgia, but came to Alabama when 
 young, and was even then a very 
 promising and popular minister, as 
 well as an energetic and prosperous 
 farmer. He was a Baptist before the 
 division, but when the sifting came 
 was left steadfastly with the Old or- 
 der of Baptists. He was quite a con- 
 soling and comforting preacher to 
 many poor and disconsolate ones of 
 the flock of God. But with all his excel- 
 lencies and gifts by grace, he was but 
 a man of infirmity like his brethren 
 He was naturally peculiarly sensitive, 
 easily hurt in his feelings and hard to 
 get over it. And this peculiar trait ot 
 his nature soon had abundant oppor- 
 tunities for development and growth 
 by the peculiar trials he had to meet. 
 Suffice it to say that he got into trou- 
 ble both with men of the world and 
 with his church, which resulted in 
 his exclusion, and for twelve years 
 he was so completely turned over to 
 Satan that he thought all Primitive 
 Baptists were his enemies, and ac- 
 tually tried to cultivate hatred rather 
 than love for them. But eventually 
 the Lord brought him to repentance, 
 and he went to the church in Bulloch 
 County, Ala., and made full satisfac- 
 tion and was heartily restored, and 
 obtaining a letter he became a mem- 
 ber at Bethlehem, near Notasulga, 
 Macon County, Ala., and there re- 
 mained until he moved four years ago 
 to Georgia, preaching around among 
 some of the churches with whom he 
 had labored in his more youthful days 
 
 in the ministry. After about sixty 
 years in the ministry, and bearing 
 many trials and hardships, he sudden- 
 ly fell asleep in Jesus, February 28, 
 1892. 
 
 S. M. DICKEY. 
 
 Dickey, Elder S. M. (1825-1903), of 
 Virginia, was a useful man in his day 
 and generation. When the Civil war 
 broke out, he raised a company oi 
 volunteers, was elected captain, join- 
 ed the 51st Virginia Regiment, soon 
 promoted to major, and served as a 
 member of the House of Delegates. 
 He was a good soldier, honored citi- 
 zen and kind neighbor. In 1866 he was 
 convicted of sin, given a sweet hope 
 in Jesus and united with the church 
 at Saddle Creek, and was baptized by 
 Elder Wm. Halsey; was ordained as 
 deacon in 1867, and ordained to the 
 work of the ministry in 1869. His con- 
 version was wonderful and his service 
 as a minister full of zeal and love for 
 the cause of truth. He fought a good 
 fight. 
 
 JESSE DOBBS. 
 
 Dobbs, Elder Jesse, who died a few 
 years ago, was a member of the Tom- 
 bigby Association, and served 
 churches within the bounds of this 
 association most of his life. He was 
 a great sufferer from rheumatism and 
 did not travel among the churches 
 much; was sound in the faith, and be- 
 loved by his flock. A full sketch of his 
 life couM not be obtained by the editor. 
 
 WILLIAM DODD. 
 
 Dodd, Elder William (1811-1891), of 
 Ohio, was born near Rathfrieland, 
 
92 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Ireland, and became a Baptist before 
 coming to tbe United States. After 
 coming to tbis country he sought out 
 the people of his faith, and remained 
 identified with them as long as he 
 lived. He -was very firm and uncom- 
 promising on doctrine, and the editor 
 regrets that data for a complete 
 sketch of his life and labors could not 
 be obtained. 
 
 GEORGE DOUGLAS. 
 
 Douglas, Elder George, of North 
 Carolina, was noted for his piety, or- 
 derly walk and godly conversation as 
 well as for his ability as a minister of 
 the Old School order. He was born 
 1792 and when about thirty years or 
 age united with Little River Church, 
 in Ash County, N. C. was soon bur- 
 dened with a dispensation of the gos- 
 pel, and ordained in 1S2S. Some years 
 after this — about 1S34 — he was leu 
 away by the New School Baptists in 
 the division — received an appointment 
 from a Missionary Board to preach 
 one year, but during the time, he be- 
 came alarmed by seeming to lose the 
 spirit of preaching, and like the prod- 
 igal son, remembered his Father's 
 house, returned to his former church 
 relationship, made acknowledgements 
 of his error, and was restored in full 
 fellowship. He was for a long number 
 of years Moderator of the Mountain 
 District Association, and greatly be- 
 loved by his people. He died in 1874, 
 at a ripe old age, crowned with a long, 
 useful and loyal stewardship. 
 
 IRA E. DOUTHIT. 
 
 Douthit, Elder Ira E., died at his 
 home in Dorans' Cove, Jackson Coun- 
 ty, Ala,, on March 25. 1S96, at the age 
 of eighty-seven years. At the time of 
 his death his membership was with 
 the church at South Pittsburg, Tenn. 
 His ministerial work was mostly in 
 the bounds of the Sequachee Valley 
 Association. Further particulars of his 
 life and labors were not obtainable. 
 
 ADAM F. DOVE. 
 
 Dove, Elder Adam F., of Van Buren, 
 O.. was born in Rockingham County, 
 Va. March 28, 1S53. united in marriage 
 with Adaline M. Spitler in 1S77, and 
 both were baptized into the fellowship 
 
 of the Primitive Baptist Church at 
 Honey Creek, O., September, 1877, and 
 still have their names there, among 
 those who so warmly welcomed them in 
 the church more than thirty-one years 
 ago. He was ordained to the work of 
 the ministry by a council called by this 
 church in April 1892. He is now pastor 
 of four churches, all of which are very 
 dear to him and claim his earnest de- 
 sires for their good and are in peace 
 and prosperity. Elder Dove was given 
 a precious hope in Jesus in July, 1877. 
 The arrows of conviction sank deep 
 into his soul and long and severe had 
 been the struggle in a futile effort to 
 
 ADAM F. DOVE 
 
 gain the favor of God by works, but at 
 last in the darkest hour of his life 
 light penetrated his being and his soul 
 was made to praise God in the highest 
 ecstacy of joy. From then until now 
 hope has been as an anchor to his soul, 
 and as age approaches and the warn- 
 ings of his dissolution sounds in his 
 ear he still finds the remembrances of 
 Gods' mercies and his never failing 
 promises to all those who love him a 
 sure foundation upon which to rest his 
 hope of heaven. He writes: "Should 
 my days yet be many or few 'tis my 
 desire to spend them all in the service 
 of my Master and his humble follow- 
 ers." 
 
 B. J. DRIVER. 
 
 Driver, Elder B. J., of Salem, Texas, 
 is an able minister of the New Tes- 
 tnient. He is Moderator of the Duffau 
 Association of Primitive Baptists of 
 Texas, and serves Ebenezer and oth- 
 er churches of this association. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 93 
 
 J. H. DRAPER. 
 
 Draper, Elder J. H. (1846-1903), of 
 Arkansas, was born in the state of 
 Mississippi; Joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church at Big Springs, Miss., 
 in the year 1887, and after two years 
 was liberated to preach ■ the gospel. 
 In the year 1893 he moved to Drew 
 County, Ark., and was received into 
 the church at Ephesus by letter, and 
 in a short time was called to the pas- 
 toral care of the church at Antioch 
 in Bradley County, Ark., not being or- 
 dained the church at Antioch called 
 for his ordination. He then being or- 
 dained in due tinne; and in the year 
 1895 his membership was carried by 
 letter to Antioch, where he remained 
 until his death. He was faithful to his 
 charge and was, without provident- 
 ially hindered, at his post of duty, 
 thus setting a good example for oth- 
 ers. 
 
 J. D. DRAUGHN. 
 
 Draughn, Elder J. D., of Mt. Airy, N. 
 C. was born in Surry County, Decem- 
 ber 5, 1845; raised on the farm, en- 
 tered the Southern army, 1863, and 
 served until the close of the war. In 
 1870, became concerned about his sin- 
 ful condition by nature and was, the 
 following year, given a hope in the Sav- 
 iour, and united with the Baptists at 
 Stuarts Creek. Soon he was impressed 
 with the duty of preaching and was, in 
 1874, ordained by Elders John Jones, 
 T. J. Lawson, A. M. Denny and others. 
 Elder Draughn has since had the care 
 of churches, has baptized between two 
 and three hundred, gathered together 
 and organized three new churches, and 
 assisted in organization of three others 
 
 has visited churches and preached 
 among our people in many states, trav- 
 eling about nine thousand miles by 
 rail and thousands of miles by private 
 conveyances and on foot in this serv- 
 ice. He is in his sixty-fourth year and 
 desires to press forward in work of the 
 Master and to finish his course with 
 joy and in honor to his name. 
 
 L. F. DUDLEY. 
 
 Dudley, Elder L. F., of North 
 Pleasureville, Ky., is the beloved Mod- 
 erator of the Mt. Pleasant Associa- 
 tion of the Regular Baptists of Ken- 
 tucky, and the faithful pastor of 
 churches within this locality. It is re- 
 gretted that a more extended notice 
 could not be given of his life and la- 
 bors. 
 
 JAS. W. DUDLEY. 
 
 Dudley, Elder Jas. W., of Missouri, 
 was born in Fayette County, Ky., 
 June 12, 1S07, and was married to 
 Miss Virginia Russell December 15, 
 1831. He united w ith the church at 
 Bryan's, near Lexington, Ky., and was 
 baptized by Elder T. P. Dudley in the 
 year 1836. Subsequently to this, hav- 
 ing removed his residence to Rich- 
 mond, Madison County, he commenc- 
 ed his labors in the ministry in that 
 locality and on a call from the church 
 at Bethel, in the same county, he was 
 examined by a presbytery concerning 
 his call from God and qualifications 
 for the ministry, and was set apart to 
 the work thereof, and to the pastorate 
 of that church, May 24, 1845. From that 
 time until his death June 30, 1S80, he 
 was in the service of his Master, and 
 faithful till the end. 
 
94 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MLNTISTERS 
 
 AMBROSE DUDLEY. 
 
 Dudley, Elder Ambrose, of Ken- 
 tncky, was born 1753 in Virginia; re- 
 ceived a hope in Christ and joined 
 the Old Baptist Church of Christ dur- 
 ing the war of the Revolution and 
 pretty soon embarked in the gospel 
 ministry.. In the Spring of 1786 he 
 moved to Kentucky, settling near 
 Bryan's Station, Fayette County; be- 
 ing ordained to the work of the min- 
 istry before leaving Virginia. He de- 
 voted a great deal of his time to 
 preaching the gospel and his labors 
 were greatly blessed to the gathering 
 in, organizing and building up visible 
 churches till his death which occur- 
 red January 27, 1825, in his seventy- 
 third year of age. He left a family of 
 fourteen children — eleven sens and 
 three daughters — all of whom mar- 
 ried, eleven joined the church with 
 him, as also a number of their grand- 
 children and great-grandchildren. His 
 influence was great for good and he 
 was highly esteemed as a man and a 
 minister. 
 
 THOS. P. DUDLEY. 
 
 Dudley, Elder Thos. P., of Kentucky, 
 This eminent minister was born May 
 31, 1792; joined the American army 
 and was in the war of 1812, was severe- 
 ly wounded in battle January 18, 1813 
 and captured by the Indians, miracu- 
 lously saved from being tomahawked 
 by them, found favor with the chief, 
 ransomed by a British officer and by 
 many unexpected favors received from 
 strangers, arrived home, recovered, 
 and was with General Jackson in the 
 famous battle of New Orleans, January 
 
 8, 1815. Writing to his father of this 
 battle he said: "The Lord has blessed 
 us with one of the most signal victories 
 ever achieved." Previous to and dur- 
 ing the year 1818", he was under severe 
 conviction for sin, a most interesting 
 account of which is published in the 
 Primitive Monitor, February, 1907. He 
 was brought to rejoice in Christ as a 
 Saviour, and was, in March, 1820, re- 
 
 THOS. P. DUDLEY 
 
 ceived into the fellowship of the Bryan 
 Church and baptized by his father, 
 Elder Ambrose Dudley. He soon after 
 began preaching and was ordained to 
 the full functions of the gospel min- 
 istry and for more than half a century 
 was a faithful, zealous and able min- 
 ister. He died in his ninety-second 
 year of age in the full triumphs of a 
 living faith. 
 
 E. S. DUDLEY. 
 
 Dudley, Elder E. S. (1811-1891), 
 died at his home near Hutchison, Ky., 
 aged eighty years, three months and 
 ten days. The Lord blessed him with 
 a good hope through grace in early 
 life and led him to take up his cross 
 in joining the Old Baptist Church at 
 Bryan Station, Ky., 1S35. He was bap- 
 tized by his uncle, Thomas P. Dudley, 
 and remained a consistent mem- 
 ber of Bryans till the trouble 
 arose on the subject of regeneration 
 when he (with others) was dismissed 
 by certificate April, 1849, and joined 
 tne Old Baptist Church at Stony 
 Point, Burbon County, Ky., May of the 
 same year. He was ordained to the 
 gospel ministry June 20, 1854, in the 
 presence of Elders W. Lauck, of Vir- 
 ginia; S. Williams, of Ohio; Rickets, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 95 
 
 Anderson, Gossett, J. WJ. Dudley, Con- 
 rad, Stephens, Rash and John Gilbert 
 of Kentucky. He was an able, faithful 
 minister of Jesus and in his whole 
 ministry ever guarded against any 
 system of doctrine that reflected upon 
 the purity and holiness of God as op- 
 posed to sin, or that detracted from 
 the truth that the sinner was the sub- 
 ject of regeneration and salvation, 
 and that salvation was purely by the 
 
 E. S. DUDLEY 
 
 grace and mercy of God. As his end 
 grew near he became more and more 
 anxious that some one in harmony 
 with his sentiments in the gospel 
 should be round to lift up the stand- 
 ard of truth when he was called 
 home. He was enabled before his 
 death to have this prayer answered 
 when Elder J. J. Gilbert was called to 
 serve churches in his locality. 
 
 J. R. DUKES. 
 
 Dukes, Elder J. R., of Dukes, Fla., is 
 the beloved Moderator of the Suwanee 
 Association of the Primitive Baptists 
 of Florida, and the faithful pastor of 
 churches within the bounds of this 
 association. Data for a more suitable 
 notice could not be obtained. 
 
 M. W. DUMAS. 
 
 Dumas, Elder M. W., of Texas, was 
 born in Monroe County. Ga., May 6, 
 1830, and died October 6, 1908, in the 
 
 seventy-ninth year of his age. He was 
 blessed with a sweet hope in Jesus in 
 his eighteenth year and united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church. Some time 
 after this he moved to Arkansas, then 
 to Louisiana and in 1874, he moved to 
 Lampasso County, Texas, and was in 
 the constitution of Sardis church in 
 1876. Getting letters from Sardis he 
 and his wife were in the constitution 
 of Bethlehem Church in 1877, and in 
 1884, was ordained by this church. 
 Until the end of his life he was a 
 faithful soldier of the Cross and was 
 highly esteemed as a Primitive Bap- 
 tist minister. During his last illness he 
 expressed in the most convincing man- 
 ner, his full assurance of the truthful- 
 ness of the doctrine he had preached. 
 Having preached it to others in life he 
 was willing to rest upon it in death. 
 
 JAMES DUNCAN. 
 
 Duncan, Elder James, of Ripley, Tenn. 
 This able minister of the New Testa- 
 ment is Moderator of the Review Bap- 
 tist Association of Primitive Baptists 
 and is the faithful pastor of New Salem, 
 Pleasant Hill and other churches. He 
 is associate editor of the Baptist Trum- 
 pet, a lover of peace and earnest work- 
 er in the Master's vineyard. The editor 
 regrets that a more extended notice of 
 his life and labors could not appear. 
 
 R. W. DURDEN, 
 
 Durden, Elder R. W. was born in 
 Emmanuel County, Ga., January 8, 1827, 
 and died August 11, 1900. Too much 
 cannot be said for him by way of 
 commendation. He was an honorable 
 hightoned gentleman in every sense of 
 
96 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 the word, a most excellent citizen, a 
 faithful kind husband and father in 
 his family. He represented his county 
 in the Georgia legislature one term 
 with credit to himself and to the grati- 
 fication of his constituents. He was 
 married to Miss Lydia Burnett, Decem- 
 ber 21, 1852. To this union were born 
 ten children. Elder Durden joined the 
 church at Antioch in May, 1857 — some 
 time after he commenced exercising 
 in public, and was ordained to the min- 
 istry February 17, 1877, by Elders D. 
 J. Lamb and Moses Daniel. He beauti- 
 fully adorned his profession by a holy 
 walk, setting such examples before his 
 family and the people generally as are 
 worthy of imitation. As a minister he 
 was faithful to warn the unruly and un- 
 godly against ungodliness, to comfort 
 the saints and feed the flock of God 
 which He purchased with His own 
 blood. And thus he proved his faith by 
 his works, fought a good fight and fin- 
 ished his course with joy. 
 
 SILAS H. DURAND. 
 
 Durand, Elder Silas H., cf South- 
 ampton, Pa., son of Daniel and Ase- 
 nath Durand, was born in Bradford 
 County, Pa., June 5, 1S33, and was the 
 eleventh in a family of fourteen chil- 
 dren. His childhood and early youth 
 were spent on his father's farm. In 
 his eighteenth year, he began teach- 
 ing, and in 185S entered the law office 
 of Hon. H. P. Wright, of Wilesbarre, 
 Pa., for the purpose of studying law. 
 In 1860 he was admitted to the bar, 
 and entered upon what promised to 
 be a very successful business career. 
 In 1863 he united with the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in Wilkesbarre. In May, 
 1864 he received a hope of eternal 
 
 life, and was the following month re- 
 ceived into the fellowship of the Old 
 School Baptist Church of Middletown 
 and Walkill, and was baptized by 
 Elder Gilbert Beebe. After a short 
 visit at his father's home he returned 
 to Wilkesbarre, fully expecting to 
 continue the practice of his profes- 
 sion as a life work. But the things of 
 the Kingdom pressed with such 
 weight upon his mind, that he was led 
 to mention this in a letter to Elder 
 Beebe, who at once told him the 
 church had thought he had been call- 
 ed of God to preach, and were only 
 waiting for him' to know it. On Sep- 
 tember 4, 1864, he was licensed and 
 on November following he closed his 
 legal work, and in December was or- 
 dained to the full work of the minis- 
 try. His first Work was traveling 
 among the churches, doing the work 
 of an evangelist for about three years. 
 After this he served at one time six 
 churches that were widely separated 
 from each other, traveling about 16,- 
 000 miles a year in the work July 5, 
 1882, he was married to Miss Clarice 
 E. Pusey, a member of the church at 
 Hartford, • Md. April 12, 1884, he ac- 
 cepted a call to the church at South- 
 ampton, Pa., and moved there Septem- 
 ber following, where he still remains. 
 He is also pastor of a church in Salis- 
 bury, Md., and one in South River, 
 N. J. In 1867 Elder Durand published 
 "The Trial of Job," a very clear expo- 
 sition of the truth as taught in that 
 remarkable Bible narrative, and later 
 a volume of '"Meditations on Portions 
 of the Word." In connection with his 
 sister, Miss Bessie Durand, he pub- 
 lished Reminiscences and Letters of 
 Mary Parker, which became a very 
 acceptable source of revenue to her 
 in her last years, as well as a source 
 of comfort and spiritual help to the 
 large number who read it. In collabo- 
 ration with Elder P. G. Lester of 
 Floyd, Va., he edited a Hymn and 
 Tune Book for use in Primitive Bap- 
 tist Churches, which has been adopt- 
 ed by a great number of them, and 
 quite generally regarded as accepta- 
 ble. Elder Durand is a lovely man, an 
 able preacher, fluent writer and bold 
 defender of salvation by grace. He is 
 a highly esteemed gift to the church, 
 and his labor of love and devotion to 
 the cause of truth greatly appreciated 
 by his brethren. 
 
 JAMES DUVAL. 
 
 Duval, Elder James, was born in Cul- 
 pepper County, Va. March 8th, 1804, 
 and died in Missouri, April 6, 1881. He 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 97 
 
 was a devoted christian and zealous 
 defender of what he conscientiously 
 believed to be true and right. He united 
 with the Baptist Church in Vir- 
 ginia while young, and at the early age 
 of nineteen years was called of the 
 
 JAMES DUVAL 
 
 Lord to the responsible and honored 
 position of minister of the gospel, 
 which calling he pursued with great 
 diligence until his death. He was clerk 
 of Fishing River Association, a faithful 
 pastor, and a man of wholesome in- 
 fluence. 
 
 W. R. DYER. 
 
 Dyer, Elder W. R., of Arenzville, 111., 
 for more than thirty years has served 
 Indiana Creek Church which was con- 
 
 stituted about 1828. In early manhood 
 he received a hope in Christ and was 
 baptized by Elder G. W. Murphy in 
 1871; ordained 1874 by Elder G. W. 
 Murphy, John H. Myers John H. Tay- 
 lor and Brice Allsberry. Elder Dyer is 
 firm in the doctrine held dear by Bap- 
 tists, and has ever been an earnest 
 defender of the faith once delivered un- 
 to the saints. The editor regrets that 
 a fuller sketch of his life and labors 
 could not be secured in place of this 
 brief notice. 
 
 C. H. DYKES. 
 
 Dykes, Elder C. H., of Tracy City, 
 Tenn., was born August 24, 1842; uni- 
 ted with the Primitive Baptist Church, 
 November, 1867, and was ordained to 
 the gospel ministry, July 1891. Elder 
 Dykes is an humble, faithful servant 
 and before his ordination served his 
 church as clerk and deacon for about 
 thirty years. He is a member of the 
 Collins River Association. 
 
 W. 
 
 EATON. 
 
 Eaton, Elder W. T., of Cheney, Wash, 
 was born in Rockingham County, Va., 
 March 4, 1864; married to Miss Laura 
 B. Hensley, December, 1885, and both 
 united with Naked Creek Church, 
 Rockingham County, and baptized by 
 Elder Benjamin Lampton. Elder Eat- 
 on's gift was soon discovered by his 
 brethren and he soon began to speak 
 
 publicly in the name of Jesus; was 
 licensed in 1892, and in June the follow- 
 ing year ordained by Elders T. S. 
 Dalton and J. A. Norton. He was soon 
 called to the care of churches and 
 after serving from one to four churches 
 for about six years he resigned his 
 charge, moved to the state of Wash- 
 ington where he remained one year; 
 returned to Virginia and had the care 
 of churches for about four years when 
 he again moved to Washington and 
 
98 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 has since preached in school 
 houses, private houses or where 
 ever a door was opened for the procla- 
 mation of the Word. In 1906, he was in 
 the organization of a church in the 
 city of Spokane and has since served 
 
 W. T. BATON 
 
 as its pastor. Elder Eaton is well es- 
 tablished in the doctrine and practice 
 of the Apostolic church as maintained 
 by the Primitive Baptists and ably con- 
 tends for the old paths wherein is peace 
 for God's people and glory to His son. 
 
 JONATHAN EDGERTON. 
 
 Edgerton, Elder Jonathan (1835-1897) 
 This earnest and decisive man was 
 born in Wayne County, N. C, of Quaker 
 parentage, and of that persuasion, 
 holding the conditional system of sal- 
 vation for years. He was baptized 
 October, 1874 by Elder P. D. Gold, who 
 also assisted in his ordination to the 
 gospel ministry in 1877. He was for 
 years the useful moderator of the 
 Black Creek Association. In early life 
 he was a Mason of note. His princi- 
 ples and convictions were such that 
 whatever his hand found to do he did 
 it with his might. Hence he was an 
 efficient and earnest Mason. Being a 
 man of clear and quick mind, of deep 
 intuition, and of clear, honest convic- 
 tions, he was of decisive character, but 
 also prudent. He held no half-way 
 convictions, but Avas disposed to probe 
 deep into a subject, and ascertain the 
 truth. He was also fearless, manly and 
 vigorous in defending or following his 
 convictions. He was an ardent cour- 
 ageous friend of the right, and a great 
 lover of gospel peace, and of that good 
 
 behaviour that leads to it. Men that 
 love the right and perform it are not 
 troublers in Israel, nor disturbers of 
 the peace. One that knew Brother 
 Edgerton doubted not where to find 
 him, nor feared that he would turn his 
 back on the foe in the day of battle. 
 In all the relations of life he was gentle, 
 kind and faithful. How kind as a hus- 
 band, tender as a father, cheerful and 
 faithful as a brother, obliging and use- 
 ful as a neighbor, and citizen, solici- 
 tous and laboring as a pastor. His gift 
 in all the scriptures as a teacher and 
 expounder was rich and precious, and 
 few men were deeper and richer in 
 tracing out and setting forth the spirit- 
 ual meaning of the types and symbols 
 under the law, and showing their glory 
 in the gospel. What is wrapped up to 
 most minds under the curtains of the 
 tabernacle of the wilderness, was so 
 revealed to him in the vail rent and 
 open that he wondrously brought out 
 things new and old, and showed them 
 on the housetop in the noon day light 
 of the gospel. He also exhorted the 
 brethren to good living and peace. No 
 stain was found on his garments. 
 Beautiful were his feet, and bright the 
 armor he wore to the end of his faithful 
 life. 
 
 EDMUND EDWARDS. 
 
 Edwards, Elder Edmund, of North 
 Carolina, was born in Edgecombe 
 County, N, C, October 20, 1816; join- 
 ed the church at Autrey's Creek, June 
 1853, was licensed 1856, and ordained 
 1857. He had the care of four 
 churches, and was one of the most 
 remarkable ministers raised up to 
 that calling. He was illiterate and 
 made use of broken language, but was 
 one of the most spiritual men; his 
 preaching reached the hearts of) his 
 hearers, brought tears to their eyes, 
 comfort to their hearts, and convinc- 
 ed them of the mighty power of God 
 dwelling in him. His ministry was 
 short and precious to the saints. 
 
 SIMEON EDWARDS. 
 
 Edwards, Elder Simeon, died near 
 Rock M511s, Randolph County, 
 Ala., August 7, 1893. He was near 
 eighty years old, and had been an 
 able, sound and orderly gospel minis- 
 ter for more than fifty years. For the 
 last thirty years of his life he was 
 greatly afflicted. In preaching, his ar- 
 guments were predicated upon the 
 Scriptures, and in calm, clear and 
 forcible reasoning, he had but few 
 if any, equals. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 99 
 
 G. E. EDWARDS. 
 
 Edwards, Eider G. E., of Macon, 
 Mo., was born July 4, 1856, raised by 
 ■"Missionary" Baptist parents; convict- 
 ed of sin 1880, and made to feel bis 
 lost and ruined condition by nature 
 and what he must be by grace to see 
 God in peace; given a sweet hope in 
 Jesus and united with Little Zion 
 Church, Macon County, Mo., where 
 his membership still remains. He was 
 ordained to the ministry 1889, and 
 has been serving churches since. For 
 fourteen years he has been the faith- 
 ful pastor of his home church and is 
 much beloved by his brethren. 
 
 WALTER C. EDWARDS. 
 
 Edwards, Elder Walter C, of Mon- 
 roe, N. C, was born in Union County, 
 N. C, July 1, 1878; had serious 
 thoughts of life and death when a 
 mere lad. August 27, 1899, he was 
 given a hope through grace in Christ 
 and joined the church at Lawyer's 
 Spring. Anson County, N. C, June, 
 1900, and began to speak in public 
 the following August, and was or- 
 dained to the full work cf the minis- 
 try March, 1903. Elder Edwards is a 
 bold and able defender of the doctrine 
 held by the Primitive Baptists and is 
 an industrious farmer and labors for 
 hlis own living. He is of a reserved 
 disposition, but firm in what he deems 
 
 right. 
 
 S. A. ELKINS. 
 
 Elkins, Elder S. A , of Montgomery 
 City, Mo. This zealous and faithful 
 servant of God was born in Clark 
 County, Ky., November 27, 1843; 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Log Lick — near where ho 
 
 was raised — in 1865; was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry in 1872; 
 has since served four churches as pas- 
 tor most of the time; moved from 
 Kentucky to Missouri in 1881; located 
 in the bounds of the Cuivre Siloam 
 Association and has served as Mod- 
 
 S. A. ELKINS 
 
 erator of this association continuously 
 since 1890. Elder Elkins has ever 
 stood opposed to the introduction of 
 any new and unscriptural things into 
 the worship of the Primitive church 
 feeling satisfied with the old paths 
 wherein is the good way. 
 
 FRED ELMORE. 
 
 Elmore, Elder Fred, of Grinnell, 
 Iowa, united with Liberty Church, 
 
100 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Jasper County, Iowa, on the third 
 Sunday in January, 1S80. In October, 
 1884, he was ordained to the minis- 
 terial work and has since served 
 churches and preached wherever 
 providence has cast his lot. He is the 
 beloved Moderator of Mt. Pleasant 
 Association of Primitive Baptists and 
 is zealous in the cause of truth. 
 
 J. G EUBANKS. 
 
 Eubanks, Elder J. G. This able gift 
 to the church is the faithful pastor of 
 the old AVelsh Track church and oth- 
 er Old School Baptist Churches in this 
 section. He is also the beloved Moder- 
 ator of the Delaware Old School Bap- 
 tist Association and is highly esteemed 
 wherever known, and it is regretted 
 that a more suitable notice of his useful 
 life and labors could not, for lack of 
 data, appear. 
 
 C. M. EVANS. 
 
 Evans, Eider C. M., of Lexington, 
 McDowell County, W. Va., was born 
 in Virginia, August 15, 1861; raised on 
 farm with poor opportunities for an 
 education; married to Miss Elizabeth 
 Puckett, January, 1S85. had serious 
 thoughts of life and death, hell and 
 heaven from his earliest recollections 
 until the year 1888, felt that religion 
 was only a matter of reformation and 
 easy to get when he really wanted it. 
 but in February, 1888, he was deeply 
 convicted of sin and viewed himself as 
 condemned and lost. So troubled was 
 he that even his parents thought he 
 was losing his mind and advised his 
 wife to look close after him. But out of 
 
 this morning., despairing, hopeless 
 state God raised him, placed bis feet 
 on a rock, even Christ; and put a song 
 of praise and thanksgiving in his 
 mouth. He had a natural desire to 
 unite with the Campbellite church near 
 him but was, he felt, killed to this 
 desire and given a love for the Primi- 
 tive Baptists whom he had heard of. 
 So he left home and traveled many 
 miles in search of them, was directed 
 to Elder David Davis of Virginia, went 
 to his home, then to his church, was 
 received and baptized by him. Before 
 his deliverance he had a desire to 
 preach and in his prayers for mercy, 
 promised that if God would deliver him 
 from the fear of death and damnation 
 he would be obedient. After his bap- 
 tism he was again impressed with the 
 duty of preaching and reminded of his 
 promises. But Jonah-like he was dis- 
 obedient and suffered much, but was 
 taught by dreams scripture and ex- 
 perience his duty so plain that he was 
 encouraged to go forward in this public 
 duty though he was uneducated and 
 deeply felt his weakness. He was 
 licensed in 1888 and in May, 1889, was 
 ordained by Elders David Davis, Wal- 
 lace Compton and S. H. Anville. Elder 
 Evans has since had the care of 
 churches and is at present Moderator 
 of the Elk Horn Association 
 
 W. T. EVERETT. 
 
 Everett, Elder W. T., of Dawson, 
 Ga , was born October 11, 1844, ot 
 Primitive Baptist parents though in 
 youth he loved not, nor cared for 
 things pertaining to religion. His 
 father, James Everett, was a faithful 
 preacher of the Old School order. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 101 
 
 Elder Everett served through the 
 Civil war as a member of Co. E, 31st 
 Ga. Volunteers, was wounded once 
 and twice in prison. He was in 1S70 
 convicted of sin, and in the following 
 year given a sweet hope in Jesus, li- 
 censed to preach 1875, and ordained 
 in 1876. Most of the time since his 
 ordination he has served four 
 churches and has proved faithful to 
 the cause of truth. Content with the 
 Bible doctrine and practice he con- 
 tends for the good old way and wants 
 no new thing in the house of God. 
 
 JAMES EVERETT. 
 
 Everett James (1821-1887), was 
 born in Twiggs County, Ga. He was 
 reared in Houston County, and then 
 moved to Macon County, where he was 
 brought under conviction for sin and 
 received a hope in Christ in early 
 
 manhood, and was received into the 
 fellowship of Hepzibah Church, ana 
 was baptized by Elder Sampson Eng- 
 lish. In June, 1843, he was marriea 
 to Miss Sarah H. English, daughter 
 of Elder Sampson English. In 1843 he 
 moved to Stewart County, Ga. The 
 church at Harmony, in 1844, licensed 
 him to preach. He was soon called to 
 serve a church, and his ordination 
 called for, but he objected himself, 
 and asked the church to let him serve 
 as a licensed minister, which was 
 granted. But in 1819 his ordination 
 was called for again, and yet he ob- 
 jected, but subsequently moved to 
 Randolph County and put his letter 
 in at Poplar Spring Church. His ordi- 
 nation was once more called for and 
 submitting to the wishes of his breth- 
 ren a presbytery was called and he 
 was ordained to the full gospel work. 
 He was a faithful, humble, sincere, 
 unassuming, self-denying and highly 
 esteemed minister of the gospel. 
 
 R. W. FAIN. 
 
 Fain, Elder R. W. (M. D.), of Nash- 
 ville, Tenn., was born December 8, 
 1807; died February 2,1870. Dr. Fain 
 was a close friend and fel- 
 low-laborer of the late Elder 
 John M. Watson and revised 
 and greatly enlarged the second edi- 
 tion cf Dr. Watson's book entitled 
 "Old Baptist Test." He was a gifted 
 preacher, able writer skillful physician 
 and highly esteemed by his brethren as 
 a minister and by his contemporaries 
 in the medical profession. 
 
 J, W. FAIRCHILD. 
 
 Fairchild, Elder J. W., of Urbanette. 
 Ark., was born in Russell County Va., 
 February 24, 1871. When but an in- 
 fant, his parents moved to Letcher 
 County, Ky., where his mother still 
 lives, his father having fallen asleep 
 December 9, 1904. Elder Fairchild was 
 given a good hope through grace in 
 the seventeenth year of his age; was 
 baptized by Elder S. C. Caudill, and 
 received into the fellowship of Sand- 
 lick Church in Letcher County, Ky. 
 In his eighteenth year he began 
 preaching Jesus, the sinner's Saviour, 
 and was ordained to the work of the 
 ministry May 21, 1892. On August 26', 
 
 1894, he was married to Miss Lida 
 Christian, of Rowan County, Ky. In 
 July, 1896, he began the publication of 
 the Footprints of The Flock, an Old 
 School Baptist magazine, and still oc- 
 cupies the editorial chair. He has 
 lived in several different states, but 
 
 J. W. FAIRCHILD 
 
 his present home is near Green For- 
 est, Ark. Elder Fairchild is an able 
 speaker and fluent writer; is a lover 
 and laborer for peace and fellowship 
 among his Father's children who have 
 been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, 
 
102 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 regenerated by the Holy Spirit and 
 killed to the love of sin. He would say 
 to them: "Wherefore laying aside all 
 malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, 
 and envies, and all evil speakings, as,, 
 newborn babies, desire the sincere 
 milk of the word, that ye may grow 
 thereby; if so be ye have tasted that 
 the Lord is gracious." — (1 Pet. 2:1-3). 
 
 H. M. FARLEY. 
 
 Farley, Elder H. M., of Pineville, W. 
 Va., was born January 31, 1868. Early 
 in life he attended Sunday schools and 
 grew up feeling that salvation de- 
 pended upon conditions for him to 
 perform. When about seventeen years 
 old he was deeply convicted of sin 
 and made to cry unto God for mercy, 
 was given a sweet hope in Jesus, and 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church, April, 1SS5. He was soon after- 
 ward impressed with the duty of 
 preaching, was ordained, and has been 
 in the service of several churches since. 
 He is Moderator of the Elk Horn Asso- 
 ciation, and is much beloved by his 
 people. A man of sterling worth, a 
 good citizen, kind neighbor and useful 
 in the cause of truth. 
 
 J. F. FARMER. 
 
 Farmer, Elder J. F., of Wilson,, N. C, 
 son of Moses and Patience Farmer, 
 was born in Wilson County, October 24, 
 1854. His father died when he was 
 about eleven years of age. His mother 
 is still living and strong in the faith of 
 salvation alone by the grace of God. 
 His parents and grandparents were all 
 
 primitive Baptists, and as far back as 
 he can remember he has never hated 
 the Primitive Baptists. While a boy, 
 he experienced in a very satisfying 
 way, a love for the cause of truth and 
 for the people of God, and in this con- 
 nection these scriptures frequently 
 occurred to him in a very sweetly and 
 comforting way: "We know we have 
 passed from death unto life because 
 we love the brethren." "My Beloved 
 spake and said unto me, rise up my 
 love, my fair one and come away." 
 "He brought me to the banqueting 
 house and His banner over me was 
 love." Also the 208th hymn, Lloyd's 
 Collection, "Love is the golden chain 
 that binds, the happy souls above, 
 and he is an heir of heaven that finds 
 His bosom glow with love," was of 
 especial interest to him. He felt the 
 love of God shed abroad in his heart by 
 the Holy Ghost, which was given unto 
 him and with it came the blessed and 
 glorious assurance that "nothing shall 
 be able to separate us from the love of 
 God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 
 At about the age of nineteen he was 
 received into the fellowship of the 
 church at Wilson, N. C, and baptized 
 
 J. F FARMER 
 
 by his uncle, Elder William Wbodard 
 and was blessed to go on his way 
 rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. 
 "Soon after this," he writes, " I was 
 strongly impressed with a desire to do 
 something to 'shew forth the praises of 
 Him' who had called me 'out of dark- 
 ness into His marvelous light.' I began 
 to exercise but could not steadfastly 
 continue. My doubts and fears and 
 feelings of unfitness and unworthiness 
 were such an obsetcle that I would quit 
 a while. And then in that condition 
 I was not satisfied and would try again, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 103 
 
 only to fall by the way. However I 
 was ordained by a presbytery composed 
 of Elders P. D. Gold and William Wbod- 
 ard, other ministers also being pres- 
 ent." He has had the care of several 
 churches and has baptized a good many 
 but it seems specially to have fallen 
 to his lot to marry couples, and at- 
 tend funerals, and probably only a few 
 ministers have married more people 
 and attended more funerals for the 
 same length of time. Amid the trials 
 and temptations of life he feels to say 
 with the apostle, "out of them all the 
 Lord delivered me," and "by the grace 
 of God I am what I am." Elder Farmer 
 is fond of singing, and the following 
 verses especially appeals to his feel- 
 ings: 
 "Through many dangers, toils and 
 
 snares, 
 I have already come, 
 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, 
 And grace will lead me home." 
 "Thus far the Lord has led me on 
 
 Thus far His power prolongs my days, 
 And every evening shall make known, 
 Some fresh memorial of His grace." 
 His favorite scripture is: "Behold how 
 good and how pleasant it is for breth- 
 ren to dwell together in unity." 
 
 DAVID FAWLEY. 
 
 Fawley, Elder David, was born in 
 Rockingham County, Va., August 9, 
 1824, and died at his country home in 
 Kosciusko County, Ind., March 28, 
 1904. At the early age ofi fourteen 
 years he became concerned about the 
 condition of his soul before God, and 
 fourteen years later found peace in 
 the wounded side of our dear Redeem- 
 er. In 1852 he was baptized by Elder 
 A. A. Cole, and united with Union 
 Church, Miami County, Ind. Soon af- 
 ter this New Hope Church was con- 
 stituted near the place of his death, 
 and he became one of the constituent 
 members. And a little over eight years 
 ago he had his membership transfer- 
 red to Pilgrim's Rest Church. He was 
 in the constitution of this church also, 
 and suggested its name. A sweet place 
 it was for him to rest the last years 
 of his life! He began preaching in 
 1857, and was ordained in May, I860. 
 His ministry was a most useful one 
 to the scattered people of God in 
 northern Indiana. He was not a doc- 
 trinal preacher, but was thoroughly 
 established in the doctrine of our dear 
 people. He was mighty in prayer and 
 exhortation., and a sweet preacher, a 
 successful farmer, good citizen, and 
 kind neighbor. 
 
 WM. FERGUSON. 
 
 Ferguson, Elder Wm., lived in Ma- 
 rion County, Tenn., and was a mem- 
 ber of Sweeten's Cove Church. Later 
 he moved to Franklin County, Tenn , 
 and served churches there. A full re- 
 port could not be obtained of his lab- 
 ors. He died about 1880. 
 
 JOHN M. FIELD. 
 
 Field, Elder John M. (1809-1891), 
 was born in Kentucky, moved to Ma- 
 con, Ga., in 1830, and lived there un- 
 til some years ago, when he moved 
 to Florida. He was an humble, devot- 
 ed follower of our blessed Lord, and 
 from the standpoint of his convictions 
 he never swerved, either as teacher, 
 or in the private relations of life; 
 he was a faithful witness of God. He 
 talked during his illness of nothing 
 but the comforting doctrines of grace 
 and magnified the goodness of God, 
 who had provided for him a perfect 
 Saviour and spoke of his approaching 
 death as casually and coolly as 
 though he was about to take a pieas- 
 ant journey. He fought a good fight,, 
 kept the faith and had the assurance 
 that for him there was a mansion and 
 crown awaiting him, the free gift of 
 Him who had bought him with His 
 own precious blood. He met death 
 without fear or doubt, and spent his 
 last days in praising God for his 
 blessings and mercies, and in exhort- 
 ing all to seek the Lamb of God. 
 
 ELANTHAN FINCH. 
 
 Finch, Elder Elanthan (1761-1845), 
 of New York state, was a soldier in 
 the Revolutionary war and for many 
 years a minister of the Old Fashion 
 Baptists, and during the trying ordeal 
 of 1832 when the division in the Bap- 
 tist denomination occurred he re- 
 mained firm and unshaken in the 
 Apostle's doctrine and practice. 
 
 W. A. FISH. 
 
 Fish, Elder W. A., of Benton, Ills., 
 was born near Sisterville, Va., (now 
 W. Va.), June 12, 1855, convicted of 
 sin and given a hope in Jesus as his 
 sin-bearer, and united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church in Benton, Ills., 
 February 5, 1879, and was baptized by 
 
104 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Elder Josiah Harris. His gift was dis- 
 covered by the church, and he was, in 
 August, 1893, licensed to preach and 
 in October, 1900, ordained to the full 
 functions of the gospel ministry. Eld- 
 
 W. A. FISH 
 
 er Fish has the care of three 
 churches, has been Moderator of the 
 Bethel Association of Southern Illi- 
 nois for several years and is an able, 
 faithful gift and highly esteemed for 
 the truth's sake. 
 
 J. H. FISHER. 
 
 serious thoughts about death and the 
 future, and when about the age of 
 fifteen realized a sweet joy in hear- 
 ing the words, "Trust in the Lord," 
 spoken in his heart and mind, though 
 seemingly in his hearing. At the time 
 he could not call it a hope but found 
 comfort in it later. When about nine- 
 teen years of age he united with the 
 Missionary or New School Baptists, 
 attended one of their seminaries and 
 began preaching for them. But after 
 a few years he left them and united 
 with the Primitive or Old School 
 Baptists in Kentucky, and wrote a 
 very interesting book entitled, "My 
 Reasons for Leaving the Missionary 
 Baptists." Elder Fisher has published 
 twelve thousand copies of this book. 
 Has also published two thousand 
 copies of "David's Sling" — a pam- 
 phlet written by him exposing a Camp- 
 bellism; and a brief History of the 
 Baptist recently gotten out. He was 
 founder of the Primitive Baptist Re- 
 view and after some years of publica- 
 tion discontinued it or changed the 
 name to Banner of Peace. This paper 
 was recently sold to Elder J. B. Hardy 
 who combined it with the Advocate of 
 Truth. After leaving the Missionary 
 Bastists and joining the Primitive 
 Church, he was, in 1893 ordained, 
 and has since had the care of 
 churches and has traveled and preach- 
 ed in fifteen states. His home church, 
 — Mtt. Zion — near Graham, Texas, 
 which he has been serving about ten 
 years is a strong church — has a well 
 furnished, commodious stone meeting 
 house and two hundred and twenty 
 acres of farm land and parsonage. 
 From this church Elder Fisher has 
 constituted three other churches. 
 Elder Fisher is a good writer and in- 
 teresting speaker, loves the cause of 
 Christ and labors for peace among the 
 churches. 
 
 W. L. FLEENER. 
 
 Fleener, Elder W. L., of Tennyson, 
 Ind., is moderator of the Little Zion 
 Association of Regular Old School 
 Baptists of Indiana and has the care of 
 Tennyson and other churches in this 
 Association. The editor regrets that 
 a more extended notice could not -ap- 
 pear. 
 
 T. B. FISHER. 
 
 Fisher, Elder T. B., of Richmond, 
 Fisher, Elder J. H., of Graham, Mo., was born in Ray County, Mo., No- 
 Texas, was born in Texas, December vember 30, 1852, and joined Fishing 
 22, 1860. From early childhood he had I River Church in October. 1882. He was 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 105 
 
 ordained in May, 1895. He has a quiet 
 and humble spirit, desiring to serve his 
 brethren and is the pastor of two 
 churches. This brief notice is found 
 
 T. B. FISHER 
 
 in Elder Cash's book published in 1896 
 and the editor regrets that further in- 
 formation could not be obtained. 
 
 G. W. FLOYD. 
 
 Floyd, Elder G. W., of Empire, Ga. 
 
 This faithful brother is the beloved 
 moderator of tie Primitive Ebenezer 
 Association. He has the care of Union 
 and Pleasant Plains churches and is 
 highly esteemed among his people. 
 
 WM. H. FLY. 
 
 Fly, Elder Wm. H., of Xash County. 
 N. C, was born October, 1848 and died 
 January, 1906. He was received into 
 the fellowship of Pleasant Hill Church 
 and baptized by Elder John Scott, 1875. 
 He was ordained a deacon in said 
 church 1890, and in 1897 was ordained 
 to the ministry by Elders W. B. Strick- 
 land and Dorris Armstrong. He served 
 Upper Town Creek, Mill Branch and 
 Salem churches and was a gifted 
 preacher and beloved by his people. 
 
 CHARLES FORSEE. 
 
 Forsee, Elder Charles (1754-1837). 
 This venerable and faithful servant of 
 God was born in Powhatan County, Va., 
 
 received a hope in Christ, 1776, and in 
 1785 began to improve a public gift. 
 He was ordained to the work of the 
 gospel ministry, and settled as pastor 
 of the Skinquarter Church in 1799, and 
 with this church he continued to labor 
 until December, 1834, when on account 
 of the common infirmity of old age, he 
 resigned his pastoral charge and 
 waited to welcome the messenger of 
 his departure from this imperfect state 
 of being, unto that immortal and in- 
 corruptible state which God has pre- 
 pared for all those who love his ap- 
 pearing. The unbounded confidence 
 which this aged father manifested in 
 the God of his salvation, was truly as- 
 tonishing; especially when about leav- 
 ing this world. Of him it may be said 
 in truth, "He has fought the good fight 
 — has finished his course, and kept the 
 faith." The invariable theme of his 
 preaching was Jesus Christ and Him 
 crucified; and in the exhibition of this, 
 no subject was so familiar and sweet 
 as that of the sovereign discriminating, 
 immutable, invincible and eternal grace 
 of God, set forth in the eternal salva- 
 tion of all the vessels of His 
 mercy. At the first entrance 
 among the Baptists of the sys- 
 tem of modern benevolence, so call- 
 ed, Elder Forsee lifted up his voice , 
 like a trumpet; nor did he cease to 
 warn his brethren solemnly, and with 
 tears, against uniting with any relig- 
 ious society except the Church of 
 Christ, and even unto his death he 
 protested against all the God-dishon- 
 oring doctrines and institutions which 
 have at this day obtained among a 
 majority of the professors of Christ- 
 ianity. 
 
 S. R. FOSTER. 
 
 Foster, Elder S. R., of Rural Hill, 
 Ills. The following brief notice is 
 from Elder Potter's book published in 
 1895 and is inserted as further in- 
 formation could not be secured: "Eld- 
 er Foster was born in Hamilton Coun- 
 ty, Ills., on the 26th day of January, 
 1828, and joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Little Spring in 1S50, and 
 was ordained to the work of the min- 
 istry in 1862. and is now pastor of two 
 churches. Elder Foster has been a 
 hard student and is very well inform- 
 ed, and has always been faithful. 
 
 T. J. FOSTER. 
 
 Foster, Elder T. J. (1805-1899), was 
 born in Jackson County, Ga., All the 
 salvation that he hoped for was based 
 
106 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 upon the mercy and goodness of God 
 towards him. He was impressed in 
 early life with man's great responsi- 
 bility to God, and as was natural 
 strove very hard to induce God to 
 save him by his Pharisaical duties. 
 When all his efforts proved unvailing, 
 it was revealed that the Lord Jesus 
 Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the 
 saved sinner's hope. He united with 
 the church in 1828. Some years later 
 he was liberated by the Missionary 
 Church (the Baptists about that time 
 having divided on the question of mis- 
 sions and money) to preach, but as he 
 and they could not agree, he left them 
 and joined the Primitive Baptists and 
 commenced preaching. He was or- 
 dained to take charge of churches in 
 1S40 by Elder Elias Brown and James 
 Miller. In 1S49 he moved to Arkansas. 
 He \\ as a zealous Primitive Baptist. 
 In the language of one who knew 
 him: "Without a fee or earthly re- 
 ward he went from church to church 
 over a large territory, and with the 
 persistency of Paul and the fervency 
 of Peter he proclaimed the everlasting 
 gospel to dying sinners. He was 
 known far and wide as 'Uncle 
 Tommy Foster,' and was for twenty- 
 five years Moderator of the Ouachita 
 Primitive Baptist Association.' 
 
 W. H. H. FRANCIS. 
 
 Francis, Elder W. H. H. (1841-1907) 
 
 of Indiana, was one of a family of 
 twelve children. He received a hope 
 in Christ and united with the Beulah 
 Baptist Church, and was baptized by 
 Elder Pritchard the first Sunday in 
 October, 1SS5. In 1895 he was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry. The above 
 few lines relate the important events 
 in the life of this good man, but all his 
 goodness will never be told in this 
 world. He lived his profession, bridled 
 his tongue, and his religion was not in 
 vain. If there ever was a man who 
 made straight paths for his feet to walk 
 in, he was that man, and he walked in 
 the paths after they were made. His 
 conversation was spiritual- and pure. 
 He fought a good fight and finished his 
 course with joy. 
 
 A. B. FRANCIS. 
 
 Francis, Elder A. B., of Delmar, Del., 
 son of Robert H. and Susannah E. 
 Francis was born in Fauquire County. 
 Ta., May 14, 1842. When he was about 
 six years old he was under conviction — 
 
 not for some outward act of wickedness 
 but as a voice within saying: "Thou 
 art a sinner." He was made to feel 
 condemned by God's holy law. For 
 many years he labored and was heavy 
 laden, trying to work himself in favor 
 with God. In this he failed, but when 
 his case was hopless he was blessed to 
 find relief and rest in Jesus. This was 
 in 1864. He wanted to tell to others 
 what a precious Saviour he had found. 
 Thus he was impressed to preach be- 
 fore uniting with the church which he 
 did at Upper Brood Run, the church of 
 his mother's membership, in June, 1865. 
 The following year he was licensed 
 and in July, 1868, was ordained by Eld- 
 
 A. B. FRANCIS 
 
 ers Gilbert Beebee, William J. Puring- 
 ton and Robert C. Leachman. Elder 
 Francis has been in the ministry more 
 than forty years and during that time 
 has served the churches of Fryingpan 
 and Quantico in Virginia, Kingswood 
 in New Jersey, Tuscaro in Pennsylva- 
 na, and now has care of four churches 
 in the Salisbury Association and the 
 London Tract Church in Pennsylvania. 
 He was, in August, 1870, married to 
 Miss Laura Page Middleton of Virginia. 
 This union was blessed with six chil- 
 dren. After her death in 1897, he was, 
 in 1899, married to Miss Mary Frances 
 Cole of Maryland. Elder Francis is 
 Moderator of the Salisbury Old School 
 Baptist Association, is a gifted and 
 faithful minister and highly esteemed 
 by his charges. 
 
 LEWIS E. FRAZEE. 
 
 Frazee, Elder Lewis E., of Bentley, 
 Ills., was born in the state of Ohio in 
 the year 1863, and united with the 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 107 
 
 Missionary Baptists. In 1884 he united 
 with the Cherryvale Church in Kan- 
 sas, and returning to Illinois became 
 a member of Middle Creek Church 
 where he was ordained in May, 1888, 
 to the full work of the gospel minis- 
 try. He has since had the care of 
 
 fi^' 
 
 « 
 h 
 
 E 
 
 ^^^••'■^i 
 
 
 
 -'■'"-Bk 
 
 
 
 
 flliBBBII 
 
 
 
 
 LEWIS E. FRAZEE. 
 
 churches, is an able, humble minister, 
 and highly esteemed among his peo- 
 ple, and the editor regrets that his 
 efforts to obtain recent data from 
 which to prepare a more extended 
 sketch proved in vain. 
 
 JAMES FREY. 
 
 Frey, Elder James, of Pennsylvania, 
 who fell asleep in Jesus in 1841, was 
 an able minister of the New Testa- 
 ment. He was the regular pastor ol 
 the Baptist Church at Big Redstone, 
 upwards of thirty years, faithful and 
 beloved. He was a faithful husband; 
 an affectionate father; and an agree- 
 able neighbor. He served the church 
 with indefatigable industry; he ever 
 was careful to adhere strictly to the 
 instruction afforded him in the Scrip- 
 tures, and gloried in maintaining and 
 publishing the truth as it is in Christ 
 Jesus, and also in maintaining good 
 works. 
 
 JOHN E. FROST. 
 
 Frost, Elder John E., (1825-1904), 
 was nearly 79 years old when he died, 
 and had been a minister of the Primi 
 tive Baptist Church for more than 
 
 fifty years; was married to Alice D. 
 Hix, 1846, with whom he lived for 
 fifty-three years. No one knew him 
 but to love him. He traveled almost 
 all the time for nearly twenty-five 
 years, and preached the gospel; and 
 just a few days before he died he 
 said, "In life I preached salvation by 
 the grace of God, and now in death 
 the grace of God is my only hope." 
 He was a gifted preacher, good citizen 
 and kind neighbor and such a life is 
 worth more than all the world's 
 riches. - — 
 
 RICHARD FULKERSON. 
 
 Fulkerson, Elder Richard, of Illinois, 
 From Elder Potter's Sketch-book 
 published in 1895, it is learned that 
 Elder Fulkerson was born in Pope 
 County 111., on the lSth day of October, 
 1819; united with the Primitive Bap- 
 tist church in 1844 and was ordained to 
 the work of the ministry in 1848, and 
 was at that time serving three churches 
 though in the seventy-seventh year of 
 his age. Later information could not 
 be obtained by the editor. 
 
 T. J. FULLER. 
 
 Fuller, Elder T. J., of West Salem, 
 111., Efforts by the editor to obtain 
 data from which to prepare a suitable 
 sketch of Elder Fuller proved fruitless 
 and all the information obtainable is 
 that he was born in Wabash County, 
 111., July 12, 1847, joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church in November, 1882, and 
 w r as ordained to the ministry in May, 
 1891. 
 
 C. L. FUNK. 
 
 Funk, Elder C. L., of Needmore, Pa., 
 was born March 29, 1844, and in his 
 
108 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 twenty-second year of age was married 
 to Miss Annie Covalt. Two years later, 
 September, 1868, he united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church, and some 
 years after this was ordained to the 
 gospel work and now has the care of 
 five churches. In a letter to the editor 
 Elder Punk writes: "The Lord has 
 been good to me, led me in a way I 
 knew not and gave me a strong impres- 
 sion to preach his everlasting gospel. 
 But this I resisted until after a severe 
 spell of fever, much affliction, and 
 burden of mind, I was made willing, 
 and for thirtv years through poverty 
 and affliction I have been trying to 
 preach and the Lord has thus far sus- 
 tained me." Elder Funk is an humble 
 minister and loves the cause of truth 
 dearly. 
 
 J. J. FUQUA. 
 
 Fuqua, Elder J. J., of Bold Spring, 
 Tenn. This worthy minister who now 
 lacks one "mile stone" of reaching 
 four score years, was born in Hick- 
 man County, Tenn., in 1830; united 
 with the Primitive Baptist Church in 
 1S56, and was ordained in 1868. Elder 
 Fuqua says he has been living on the 
 doctrine of grace for fifty-three years; 
 
 has been trying to preach it forty-one 
 years, and by the grace of God is 
 willing to die contending for the same 
 grand principles advocated by Christ 
 and His apostles. Though almost 
 worn out in the service of his Master 
 
 J. J. FUQUA 
 
 yet he has lost none of his interest 
 in the cause of truth, and desires to 
 see the young ministry contending 
 earnestly for the faith once delivered 
 unto the saints 
 
 W. R. GALLIMORE. 
 
 Gallimore, Elder W. R., of Lexing- 
 ton, N. C. This brother of good re- 
 port, who has been preaching about 
 
 four years, was born June 12, 1853, 
 The editor regrets that a sketch of 
 his life and labors could not be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 HODGES GALLOP. 
 
 Gallop, Elder Hodges, son of 
 Willis Gallop, was born January 22, 
 1807, lived all his life in Carrituck 
 County, N. C, and died there February 
 20, 1877 in the seventieth year of his 
 age. His father was one of the 
 wealthiest men in the county, but 
 manifested no interest in religion nor 
 made any effort to bring up his son in 
 a right and proper manner. Thus the 
 subject of our sketch was reared amid 
 a sordid, selfish influence and in love 
 with sin. But God began a work in his 
 heart, and so killed him to the love of 
 sin, that even as a boy, he refused to 
 obey his father's orders to enter into 
 the dance and revelry. He was a 
 staunch friend to the Baptists in the 
 heated and excited division in Rowels 
 Point church now called Elem, in 1833, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 109 
 
 when the Fullerite element in vain 
 undertook to expell the Old Party 
 though at that time he was not a 
 member. He united with this church 
 in 1838 and it is said bought out the 
 contentious element himself in order 
 to have no further trouble Avith them. 
 In 1845 he was ordained as deacon and, 
 licensed to preach in 1850 and ordained 
 to the ministry in 1853 by Elders 
 Samuel Tatum and Caleb T. Sawyer. 
 Elder Gallop was not considered an 
 able expounder of the scripture but was 
 a good, sound practical preacher, and 
 perhaps came as near living the truth 
 he preached as any. He was one of 
 natures' noblemen, a man of good 
 judgment, kind disposition and very 
 charitable to the poor. Before he died 
 he made preparations for his departure 
 and on his death bed selected two 
 hymns to be used at his funeral. 
 
 STEPHEN GUARD. 
 
 Guard Elder Stephen (1776-1839), 
 was an able minister of the gospel, 
 was baptized by Elder William Van- 
 church at Morristown, N. J. In 1803, he 
 Home, in 1801 and united with the 
 was licensed and set apart to the work 
 of the ministry by Carpenter's Run 
 Church in this state, Elders James 
 Lee and Moses Frezee officiating. Eld- 
 er Guard was a man of uncommonly 
 strong mind, bright intellect, and gen- 
 erally decided and unmoveable in his 
 plans and purposes. He was well qual- 
 ified to fill almost any station, either 
 in church, society or government, that 
 his friends could have desired to place 
 him in, had he been so disposed; but 
 so it was with him, he desired no 
 greater honor than to be filling his 
 place in the house of God; and noth- 
 ing else seemed so near, and dear to 
 him, as the peace and happiness of his 
 brethren., and the health and prosper- 
 ity of the dear Redeemer's kingdom. 
 He was, for many years, Moderator 
 of Miami Association, and highly es- 
 teemed as a minister of Jesus. 
 
 STEPHEN I. GARDNER. 
 
 Gardner, Elder Stephen I., of Cozad, 
 Neb., was born May 1, 1861 in Rich- 
 land County, 111. Married to Miss 
 Phoebe J. Arnold, 1884. Received a 
 hope in the year of 1886 joined Little 
 Zion Church, 1888, and ordained in 
 May, 1893. Since that time he has 
 had the care of from two to four 
 churches, has baptized more than one 
 hundred members, held four debates 
 with other denominations, preached 
 
 quite a number of funerals and united 
 in marriage a large number of people. 
 Elder Gardner, his wife and their three 
 oldest children are members of Liberty 
 Church near Alma, Marion County, 111. 
 This is the strongest church in Little 
 Wabash Association, and the Primitive 
 Baptists are the leading denomination 
 in that community. Elder Gardner is 
 
 STEPHEN I. GARDENER 
 
 sound in doctrine and orderly in prac- 
 tice, is satisfied to be a plain old fash- 
 ioned Baptist and is opposed to all new 
 things that are being advocated among 
 Baptists in some places. Recently 
 Elder Gardner has moved to Cozad, 
 Neb., where he and Elder Craig con- 
 stituted Mt. Zion Church. 
 
 A. J. GARLAND. 
 
 Garland Elder A. J., of Front Royal, 
 Va., was born in Fulton County, Pa., 
 May 26, 1880; convicted of sin early 
 
110 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 in life and given a hope in the Sa- 
 viour, but these exercises of a burden- 
 ed heart for sin and the relief of that 
 burden was so gradual in its nature 
 tixat, like many others, he cannot 
 date the exact time. When about six- 
 teen years of age the preaching of the 
 gospel by the Primitive or Old School 
 Baptists became very precious to him 
 and he went before Tonoloway 
 Church, asked for a home, was receiv- 
 ed and baptized by Elder T. N. Alder- 
 ton. About two years later he was im- 
 pressed with the dutv of preaching 
 Jesus to others, but endeavored to 
 rid his mind of such impressions, and 
 to keep it to himself. The church dis- 
 covered his gift and licensed him in 
 1902 and the following year — on De- 
 cember 19th — he was ordained to the 
 full functions of the gospel ministry. 
 Three days before this he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Rosa Ashpaugh. Elder 
 Garland moved to Front Royal in 
 1904, where he has since resided and 
 has now — 1908 — the care of six 
 churches. 
 
 JAMES GARNETT. 
 
 Garnett, Elder James, the son of 
 Captain Anthony Garnett, was born 
 in Culpepper County, November 1743, 
 baptized by Elder Elijah Craig and 
 was soon ordained to the ministry. He 
 was a minister of great influence. In 
 point of morality and correct chris- 
 tian deportment, few have surpassed 
 him, and at home or abroad, in public 
 or in private he was always the same. 
 Religion was his constant theme, and 
 for nearly fifty years he was an active 
 laborer in his Master's vineyard. He 
 died in 1830, two years before the great 
 division in the Baptist Churches of 
 Virginia, but in his ministry he did not 
 advocate the many new departures that 
 caused the division. 
 
 ROBERT GARNETT. 
 
 Garnett, Elder Robert (1770-1854) 
 son of Elder James Garnett, was a 
 Virginian by birth, though he lived in 
 Kentucky many years, serving 
 churches in Boone County, and bap- 
 tizing serveral hundred persons in that 
 section before returning to Virginia. 
 He was convicted of sin and given a 
 hope in Jesus in bis eighteenth year, 
 united with Crooked Run Church, Cul- 
 pepper County, Va., January 1789, and 
 was baptized by his father. Elder Gar- 
 nett served Mill Creek Church as 
 pasto:- after the death of Elder John 
 
 Koontz. Under the separation, 1832-35 
 he identified himself with the Old 
 Baptists, and never in anywise con- 
 nected himself with the modern in- 
 ventions of New Schoolism, but both 
 publicly and privately expressed his 
 devotion to the peculiarities of doctrine 
 and practice which characterize the 
 Old School Baptists. 
 
 W. C. GARRETT. 
 
 Garrett, Eider W. C. (1822-1894), of 
 Missouri, was born in Kentucky, mov- 
 ed to Missouri when quite young and 
 settled in what is called the Piatt 
 Purchase. When in his eighteenth 
 year he became deeply concerned in 
 regard to the salvation of his soul, 
 his conviction was deep and pungent 
 until he despaired of all hope. But in 
 June, 1842, he was enabled to hope 
 in God's mercy. His deliverance from 
 the thraldom of sin and death was 
 truly wonderful. Duty was at once 
 impressed upon him to confess the 
 Saviour and to be baptized in His 
 precious name and also a burning de- 
 sire in his heart to speak of God's 
 goodness and mercy to the children 
 of men. So according to his own ac- 
 count, he at once, in company with 
 his wife went before the church call- 
 ed Bethlehem in DeKalb County, Mo., 
 and gave a relation of their hope in 
 Christ and were received and baptiz- 
 ed by Elder Jchn M. Evans. He com- 
 menced preaching very young. His 
 license bears date June, 1842, and in 
 March, 1845, he was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry. In his 
 young days he was very active and 
 energetic in the ministry, was a stout 
 man physically and possessed a won- 
 derful mind, intellectually. He states 
 in bis memoires that at the end of 
 thirty years of his ministry he had 
 traveled thirty thousand miles. His 
 labors were principally confined to 
 Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. 
 
 JOHN GILBERT. 
 
 Gilbert, Elder John, of Kentucky 
 was born on the sea coast in North 
 Carolina about the year 1857. His 
 grandmother was from Scotland and 
 grandfather from England. He served 
 in the latter part of the War 
 of the Revolution. Soon after he 
 came to Kentucky and located near 
 where Frankfort now is when there 
 was but one house there. Afterwards 
 he located in what is now Clay County, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 111 
 
 spending a great deal of his time 
 hunting as that was the most profitable 
 business then. He said he killed over 
 one thousand bear in his life making 
 his bacon out of bear meat instead of 
 hogs. He was brought to receive a 
 hope in Christ early in life and soon 
 after he joined the Baptist Church of 
 Christ and began preaching the gospel, 
 traveling all over the mountains of 
 Eastern Kentucky on horseback, 
 preaching to those people till he was 
 over one hundred years old. He died 
 March 11, 1868, making him about one 
 hundred and eleven years old at time 
 of his death. He was the grandfather 
 of Elder J. J. Gilbert and a most re- 
 markable man and zealous pioneer 
 preacher. 
 
 RICHARD M. GILBERT. 
 
 Gilbert, Elder Richard M., of Jef- 
 ferson County, Fla., was born in Mor- 
 gan County, Ga., 1825, and died Oc- 
 tober 10, 1900. He was a noble man, 
 his house was a home to the stranger, 
 and his hand ever ready to help the 
 poor and needy. The editor is unable 
 to secure data covering his useful 
 ministry. 
 
 J. J. GILBERT. 
 
 Gilbert, Elder J. J., of Winchester, 
 Ky. This faithful and able brother 
 was born in Owsley County, Ky., Jan- 
 uary 13, 1S44, brought under convic- 
 tion in early life and though a boy of 
 good morals was made to feel that he 
 was a great sinner, and was given a 
 sweet hope in Jesus the 10th day of 
 January, 1868. Of this he writes: "On 
 that morning about 8 o'clock I was rid- 
 
 ing along all alone meditating over 
 my lost condition, when all at once it 
 seemed that the whole of my life 
 was laid open before me as one dark 
 page of sin and transgression against 
 God in which I could see no good 
 thing I had ever done to merit His 
 favor. While thinking over this terri- 
 ble picture, in a moment the veil was 
 lifted and Christ was presented to 
 view as my Saviour, the chief among 
 ten thousand and all together lovely. 
 His praises poured forth from my 
 heart while tears of joy freely ran 
 down over my cheeks." He united 
 with the Baptists at Station Camp 
 Church, Estill County, Ky., April, 
 1868. From the time he received a 
 hope he was impressed with the work 
 of the ministry over which he earn- 
 estly prayed. He says: "On Monday 
 evening after fourth Sunday in De- 
 cember, 1S69, I made my first effort 
 to preach from the text, " 'This is the 
 work of God that you believe on Him 
 whom He hath sent.' " In this effort I 
 felt as perfect freedom as I ever had 
 in my life. At this time I felt a 
 strange feeling in my heart which 
 lasted about ten days. While this was 
 on I did not feel like eating or sleep- 
 ing much and preaching was as 
 easy as it was to open my mouth, and 
 the Scriptures opened up to my mind 
 so clear that I often found myself in 
 tears." He was soon ordained to the 
 gospel ministry, and has since had 
 the care of churches, has never felt 
 dissasisfied with the Old School Bap- 
 tists or regretted uniting with them 
 and wants no new thing in God's 
 house; has traveled and preached in 
 Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and 
 Maryland and has been well received. 
 
 TAYLOR J. GILBERT. 
 
 Gilbert, Elder Taylor J., of Ken- 
 tucky, was bom in Clay County, Ky., 
 October 4, 1840, and was married to 
 Mary Haggard, March 11, 1S12. Be- 
 fore he knew anything about experi- 
 mental religion he became a mem- 
 ber of the Christian or more familiar- 
 ly known as the Campbellite Church, 
 while in Idaho, about the year 1869. 
 Returning to Kentucky after receiv- 
 ing the evidence of a pardon of his 
 sins, through the atoning blood of 
 Jesus Christ, and before heaiing the 
 gospel preached, he became dissatis- 
 fied with his connection with the 
 Campbellite Church and joined the 
 Free Will Baptists; but as soon as he 
 heard the gospel as preached by the 
 Primitive Baptists, he asked and re- 
 
112 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ceived baptism at the hands of Elder 
 A. C. Newlands, of the Old Baptist 
 Church, and from that time spent the 
 remainder of his life preaching a 
 finished salvation in Jesus. About this 
 time, the Old Red Bird Association, 
 •which had been built up by his grand- 
 father, Elder John G. Gilbert, was re- 
 vived by his work, and during his 
 work in the ministry many churches 
 were organized and many persons 
 baptized into the fellowship of this 
 
 twelve, El-Bethel eight, Mt. Enon two, 
 Orange four years and has, dur- 
 ing this time traveled upwards of one 
 hundred and fifteen thousand miles, 
 perhaps half of the distance in pri- 
 vate conveyance. He has baptized 
 nearly three hundred persons, helped 
 
 TAYLOR J. GILBERT 
 
 body. He was Moderator of said As- 
 sociation until he moved to Oklahoma, 
 in March, 1902. where he very sud- 
 denly and unexpectedly died from 
 paralysis of the heart. Few in modern 
 times, have shown more zeal or de- 
 votion to the work of their Heavenly 
 Master than he or made greater sac- 
 rifice for the cause of truth. It was 
 said after his death by a minister 
 well qualified to know: "That no man 
 was ever more loved and respected 
 by the members of his churches than 
 Taylor J. Gilbert." 
 
 M. L. GILBERT. 
 
 Gilbert, E!der M. L., of Dade City, 
 Fla., was born in Kentucky, Septem- 
 ber 16, 1857. During his third year in 
 college his health failed, and the doc- 
 tors advised that he go to Florida, 
 which he did in 1881; joined the Old 
 School Baptists at Mt. Enon, Fla., 
 May, 1886; ordained to the work of 
 the ministry, March, 1889; was called 
 to the care of churches soon after 
 ward, and has served Empire and 
 Antioch each for the last nineteen 
 years; Bethel seventeen, Little Flock 
 
 M. L. GILBERT 
 
 to ordain several preachers, and four- 
 teen deacons; married seventy-eight 
 persons, and preached over two thou- 
 sand sermons. Elder Gilbert has serv- 
 ed on the editorial staff of the Prim- 
 itive Baptist and the Banner of 
 Peace and is a useful minister. 
 
 A. J. GILBERT. 
 
 Gilbert, Elder A. J., was born April 
 3, 1810, and died April 15, 1893. He 
 was an humble man and faithful sol- 
 dier of the cross. He remained with 
 the Missionaries awhile after the split 
 but soon the Lord led him to his 
 friends, the Primitive Baptists. Soon 
 after he joined the church he was set 
 apart to the work of the ministry, 
 which office he filled faithfully to the 
 end. He traveled and preached a great 
 deal among the Baptists of his state, 
 and was faithful to the end and 
 greatly loved by his people. 
 
 WILLIS E. GILL. 
 
 Gill, Elder Willis E., of Cloverdale, 
 Ind., was born .September 21, 1869, in 
 Edgar County, Ills.; united with the 
 Methodist Church at Harmcny near 
 Kansas, Ills., in 1886, and was baptiz- 
 ed by Rev. E. B. Randal. Becoming 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 113 
 
 convinced that the. doctrine of salva- 
 tion by grace as taught by the Prim- 
 itive Baptists was the doctrine of the 
 sinners and after many friendly tilts 
 soinners and after many friendly tilts 
 with the Metnodists on that subject, 
 united with the Providence Primitive 
 Baptist Church in Edgar County, 111., 
 and was baptized by Elder M. B. Mof- 
 fett of Paris, 111., in February, 1591. 
 Was ordained to the work of the min- 
 istry August 5, 1893, by the following 
 elders: Jas M. True, C. W. Kemper, 
 Wm. Luce, O. B. Gamron, M. B. Mof- 
 fett, Thos G. Drake, A. H. Patton 
 S. H. Moffett and F. M. Reeds. In 
 July, 1893, he removed to Cloverdale, 
 Ind., changing his membership to 
 
 WILLIS E. GILL 
 
 Smyrna Church near Cloverdale, 
 which at that time had a member- 
 ship of twelve but has now increased 
 to about three times that number. He 
 has the care of three churches near 
 his home; was married to Miss Lily 
 May Moffett of Kansas, March 4, 1891. 
 of Elder S. H. Moffet, March 4, 1891. 
 Two children have been born to them, 
 Jessie and Carlyle, both of whom 
 though young in years, have a deem- 
 ed preference for the dear old church 
 which their parents have tried to 
 serve. The churches under his care 
 are not bothered with any of the 
 questionable practices which do harm 
 to the precious cause of Christ. 
 
 WILLIAM GILMORE. 
 
 Gilmore, Elder William. This min- 
 ister was an able gift to the church. 
 He was a native of Maryland, moved 
 to Virginia about the year 1800 and 
 began preaching at the Ketocton 
 
 Church in London County, where the 
 Ketocton Association was formed in 
 1766. He also served New Valley, 
 North Fork and Upperville churches, 
 in Virginia, and was a fatithful pastor 
 going through heat and cold to meet 
 his appointment. As a speaker Elder 
 Gilmore was entertaining. He was 
 firm and well grounded in doctrine 
 and could not be moved by the great 
 tidal wave of Arminianism that swept 
 through the Association during the 
 first quarter of the nineteenth centu- 
 ry and culminated in a division in 
 the Baptist church, 1828-1835. 
 
 W. H. GILMORE. 
 
 Gilmore, Elder W. H., of North 
 Yakima, Wash., was born in Des- 
 Moines County, Iowa, November 4, 
 1848, but when four years old his pa- 
 rents emigrated from that state to 
 Oregon. He was taught good morals 
 and to be obedient, but in 1873, when 
 grown to manhood, there came to him 
 another Teacher, an inward and di- 
 vine one, who taught him that mor- 
 ality and obedience were not all he 
 needed. He was arrested as a way- 
 ward and thoughtless transgressor 
 against God's holy law, and made to 
 regard himself as a poor, needy sin- 
 ner. In this helpless condition, and 
 stripped of all self-confidence, he was, 
 given a hope in Jesus as a sin-bearing 
 Saviour, and in June, 1876, united 
 with the Baptists and was baptized 
 by Elder J. A. Bullock . Soon after 
 this he was impressed to preach the 
 gospel as glad tidings to helpless sin- 
 ners. Although he loved the gospel, 
 he rebelled against this impression 
 until March, 1891, when he made the 
 attempt to speak in the Lord's match- 
 less name. On May 9, 1896, he was or- 
 dained to the full work of the minis- 
 try, and has since been preaching 
 among the churches as the Lord gave 
 him liberty. Elder Gilmore is an hum- 
 ble faithful minister, is a member of 
 the Siloam Association and was at its 
 last session— June, 1908 — < chosen 
 Moderator. He is pastor of Pleasant 
 Grove Church in Yakimo County, 
 Wash., which holds three meetings 
 each month and is zealous in the 
 cause of truth. 
 
 P. D. GOLD. 
 
 Gold, Elder P. D., of Wilson, N. C. 
 The subject of this sketch was the 
 second son in a family of eleven chil- 
 dren and was born in Rutherford, now 
 
114 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Cleveland County, N. C, March 25, 1833. 
 His opportunities for an education were 
 very limited, and not being satisfied 
 with the meagre three months annual 
 school session which the county af- 
 forded, with a thirst for knowledge and 
 an undaunted ambition, he succeeded 
 after each hard day's work on his 
 father's farm, in acquiring sufficient 
 
 P. D. GOLD 
 
 education, to enable him at the age of 
 twenty, to pass an examination for 
 teacher in the public schools of his 
 county. About this time he began the 
 study of law under A. W. Burton, Esq. 
 obtained his license in 1856 and began 
 the practice of his profession at Shelby. 
 N. C. After about two years not find- 
 ing the practice of law congenial to his 
 taste and convictions, he abandoned 
 that vocation and decided to enter the 
 field of the gospel ministry. With little 
 money and owing for previous educa- 
 tion he entered Furman University, S. 
 C, where he remained for two years, 
 afterwards going to the Southern Bap- 
 tist Theological Seminary for a short 
 term, being forced to discontinue his 
 studies at the latter place through the 
 opening of the Civil war. Notwith- 
 standing the annoyance and anxiety he 
 felt because of inadequate financial 
 means during these years, he took a 
 high stand in his classes at the institu- 
 tions, although his debts, for which 
 his creditors held his personal notes, 
 had grown to the, to him, enormous 
 sum of two thousand dollars, which was 
 after the war worked out and paid by 
 himself and wife. During the war he 
 accepted the charge of a church in 
 Goldsboro N. C, and while there met 
 and was happily married to Miss Julia 
 Pipkin in 1863. About 1865 a deep 
 conviction seized this man, confronting 
 
 him with a sinful nature and therefore 
 a sinful life. The justice of God in his 
 condemnation, showing him he sinned 
 in Adam, and therefore death passed 
 upon him in Adams' disobedience, so 
 overwhelmed him in confusion that he 
 despaired of mercy and felt he was lost. 
 This wrought in him an abiding con- 
 sciousness of the sinfulness of man. In 
 this view he saw and felt the justice 
 of God in his condemnation. In that 
 dark hour the Lord Jesus, the Saviour 
 of sinners, appeared as his righteous- 
 ness, fully justifying him with the 
 words, sounding out to him as if spok- 
 en aloud : "If God give you Christ, how 
 shall he not with him freely give you all 
 things?" This caused a great change 
 in his views and conduct. From that 
 time he preached Christ Jesus as the 
 only name under heaven given among 
 men whereby we must be saved. The 
 predestination of God appeared ap- 
 pointing beforehand what he pur- 
 posed should come to pass, and the 
 electing love of God choosing before- 
 hand, and without regard to man's 
 works, the people he loved in Christ 
 Jesus, and giving them grace in Him. 
 He sought for a people who loved and 
 believed that doctrine, discarding all 
 free agency of man and rejecting all 
 self appointed means and measures of 
 man's devising. This people he found 
 known as the Primitive Baptists, and 
 was received among them and baptized 
 by Elder C. B. Hassell, at old Kehuke 
 Church, since which time he has been 
 preaching among them, -desiring to 
 know nothing among men but Jesus 
 Christ and Him crucified. He considers 
 that a man should be industrious, and 
 labor to build his section and further 
 useful enterprises. But the labor he 
 would perform in preference to all 
 other kinds is to establish the truth in 
 Christ Jesus, in an humble walk and 
 godly conversation. In 1871 he be- 
 came editor of "Zion's Landmark," 
 and for thirty-seven years it has been 
 an important and influential paper 
 among the Baptists. In the course of 
 his editorial career Elder Gold has 
 written a vast amount, but he has 
 made only one publication outside his 
 professional work. This was a small 
 religious book, being a "Treatise On 
 the Book of Joshua," which gives 
 evidence of much thought, learning 
 and power of analysis. Devoted to his 
 calling, Elder Gold has not concerned 
 himself to any great extent with sec- 
 ular matters, but his sympathies are 
 with the people to whom he ministers, 
 and he shares in their hopes and as- 
 pirations. From his earliest recollec- 
 tion he always had a purpose to lead 
 an active life and to be useful in his 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 115 
 
 day and generation, and ■with resolu- 
 tion he has pushed on in that path 
 until he has attained a position reach- 
 ed by but few in the respect and confi- 
 dence of his fellow citizens; still he 
 says that his life has not been what 
 he would desire. He is at present 
 pastor of Falls Church near Rocky 
 Mt., and the churches at Tarboro, Wil- 
 son and Durham, is Moderator of 
 Black Creek Association and travels 
 extensively among the Baptists, has 
 served as trustee of the University of 
 North Carolina, and other positions 
 
 of trust. ■ 
 
 HORACE GOLSTON. 
 
 Golston, Elder Horace, was born 
 in Marion County, Tenn., September 
 13, 1881. He received a hope in Jesus 
 when about twelve years old, but did 
 not express it publicly until about the 
 age of eighteen. He was immersed 
 into the Cumberland Presbyterian 
 Church and lived with them three 
 years. Becoming dissatisfied, he join- 
 ed the Primitive Baptist Church at 
 Cedar Springs, Marion County, Tenn., 
 on Friday before the third Sunday :n 
 August, 1902. Brother Golston was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry in 
 July, 1905, by a presbytery consisting 
 of Elders M. A. Hackworth, J. G. 
 Woodfin, and R. O. Ralston. Since that 
 time and up to the present (1907) he 
 has had charge of two or three 
 churches. Brother Golston is very 
 earnest in his convictions and labors 
 zealously for what he considers to be 
 the best interest of the cause. 
 
 JOHN E. GOODSON. 
 
 Goodson, Elder John E. (M, D.), of 
 Mo., was born December 30, 1819, at 
 Seventy-Six, Ky., and was the fourth 
 
 child of his father Samuel Goodson, 
 who came from Virginia. His grand- 
 father, Wm. Goodson was born in Vir- 
 ginia, December 25, 1859, and was a 
 lieutenant in Washington's army at 
 the close of the Revolutionary war. 
 When J. E. Goodson was seventeen 
 years old, his father moved to Mis- 
 souri. In December, 1843, he moved to 
 Buchanan County, Mo., and in 1844, 
 was baptized into El-Bethel Church by 
 Elder J. M. Evans. He moved to Carroll 
 County, Mo., in 1847 and there began 
 the practice of medicine. In 1850, he 
 was elected to the Missouri legislature 
 from Carroll County and rode on 
 horseback to attend the session. He 
 began to talk publicly on the subject 
 of religion in 1852, and in 1853 was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry. 
 He spent the years just previous to 
 and in the beginning of the Civil war 
 in Kansas and Missouri and had most 
 of his property burned or stolen. In 
 1863, he moved to Macon County, Mo., 
 and was elected to the legislature 
 from this county, serving three terms. 
 Along about this time it was propos- 
 ed to form a stock company to com- 
 mence again the publication of the 
 Regular Baptist Magazine, which had 
 suspended for want of patronage. It 
 was proposed to make Dr. Goodson 
 president of the company and Elder 
 E. H. Burnam editor. An although 
 Dr. Goodson had made a provisional 
 sale of the stock, when he discovered 
 that Elder E. H. Burnam was not in 
 accord with the principles of Prim- 
 itive Baptists he refused to have any- 
 thing more to do with the matter and 
 it fell through. In 1874 he began the 
 publication of the Messenger of 
 Peace. At this time there were but 
 three Primitive Baptist papers in the 
 United States, and none of them were 
 in the Western or Middle states. He 
 now gave up the practice of medicine 
 and devoted himself to editing the 
 Messenger of Peace. For many years 
 he was Moderator of the Yellow Creek 
 Association, and was held in the 
 highest regard, not only for his abil- 
 ity as a preacher, but for his influence 
 for peace and good order among the 
 churches. Brethren came to look to 
 him for direction because he could 
 be depended on to be temperate, and 
 always trying to soften down ex- 
 tremes, and yet maintaining sound 
 doctrine. A year before his death, 
 which occurred September 16, 1892, 
 he wrote: "I am now only waiting for 
 the call of my clear Saviour to call me 
 to my reward, let it be what it may. 
 If it be good it is all on account of 
 of what Jesus did for me, and not fbr 
 
116 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 what I have done. The nearer I ap- 
 proach the end of life the more I am 
 confirmed in the doctrine of salvation 
 by free and unmerited grace of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 J. E. GOODSON. 
 
 Goodson, Elder J. E., Jr., of Mis- 
 souri, son of Elder J. E. Goodson, was 
 born November 15, 1853, and died 
 August 19, 1890. He was married to 
 Miss Idress E. Dennison, December 
 25, 1873. United with Chariton Church 
 Macon County, Mo., in May, 1880, and 
 commenced preaching two years later 
 and was ordained to the full work of 
 the ministry in May, 1884. Soon after 
 the Messenger of Peace was establish- 
 ed by his father in 1874, he became 
 associated with his father in connec- 
 tion with the paper. After his ordina- 
 tion his time was all taken in preach- 
 ing and his office work. Churches 
 built up rapidly under his m,inistry, 
 he being a very strong defender of the 
 faith, and a man of! great personal 
 magnetism. Large congregations 
 flocked to hear him preach, and many 
 who hated his doctrine were drawn 
 to him by his evident earnestness and 
 his love toward all men. He died of 
 kidney trouble which had been prey- 
 ing upon him several years, and it is 
 safe to say that all Primitive Bap- 
 tists who had come to know him felt 
 a personal loss in his death. 
 
 J. E. GORE. 
 
 Gore, Elder J. E., of Philippi, W. Va., 
 was born in Rappahannock County, Va., 
 November 15, 1870, reared on the farm, 
 given a hope in the Saviour when about 
 twenty-two years of age, united with 
 the Old School Baptists and was soon 
 liberated to preach. Elder Gore is 
 serving three churches in the bounds 
 of the Red Stone Association. It was 
 in this Association that Alexander 
 Campbell first united with the Baptists 
 and afterwards made war upon them. 
 
 J. K. GOTCHER. 
 
 Gotcher, Elder J. K., of Texas, was 
 born 1845 and died October, 1907. He 
 was baptized by Elder Joel Lewis of 
 East Fork Church. Soon after this he 
 joined Little Flock Church, was or- 
 dained to the full work of the ministry. 
 He was an able, humble, sound, con- 
 sistent and orderly Primitive Baptist 
 minister of Christ, and when in the 
 liberty of his gift it seemed the great- 
 est pleasure of his life to preach and 
 comfort God's humble poor. His gift 
 was almost exclusively in the strong 
 doctrine of Christ and its sweet conso- 
 lations to God's believing people. It 
 was doubtless a heritage to him to 
 endure many adverse circumstances 
 in life, so was fulfilled in some measure 
 at least the sweet oracle of God, 
 "Many are the afflictions of the right- 
 eous but the Lord delivereth out of 
 them all." Psalms. He was a loving 
 husband, kind father, faithful neigh- 
 bor and a good citizen. 
 
 WM. GRAFTON. 
 
 Grafton, Elder Wm., of Forest Hill, 
 Md., a very useful and able minister, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 117 
 
 was born in 1825. He is now in his 
 eighty-third year, and the forty-eighth 
 year of his ministry, has for many years 
 served as Moderator of the Baltimore 
 Old School Baptist Association and is 
 serving the same churches he com- 
 menced with forty-eight years ago. Old 
 Hartford Church of Maryland, the 
 Rock Spring Church of Pennsylvania, 
 and Warren Church, Baltimore County, 
 Md. This is a wonderful record and a 
 mere fatihful man could hardly be 
 found. Though growing weak in body 
 his mind is clear and strong and his 
 zeal in his Master's cause unabated. 
 With the apostle he can say, " I have 
 fought a good fight," as will be testi- 
 fied to by the brethren among whom he 
 has so long labored. The usefulness of 
 such a life can never be estimated, 
 nor fully appreciated until lost to us. 
 
 T. J. GRANTHAM. 
 
 Grantham, Elder T. J., of Georgia, 
 was born February 17, 1842, and died 
 January 11, 1903. He joined the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church in 1880, and was 
 soon afterward ordained to preach. 
 He was a man of lofty ideals and pure 
 purposes; and, in all his public ca- 
 reer, which was by no means exempt 
 from trying experiences and stormy 
 passages, he was never suspected of 
 being dominated by motives un 
 worthy the religion of his risen Lord. 
 However others might differ with him 
 in matters of judgment or policy, the 
 honesty of his convictions was never 
 impeached; the loyalty of his devotion 
 to what he conceived to be right was 
 never an open question. He was a 
 man of clear and firm convictions — 
 the stuff out of which heroes and 
 martyrs are made. While profoundly 
 deferential to the opinions of others, 
 he never changed or surrendered his 
 own, except at the end of convincing 
 argument and fuller information. In 
 the matter of principle he had the 
 courage to stand alone, in his last 
 hours he said he was not afraid to 
 die by the principles he had advocat- 
 ed; and, again, he said, "I know that 
 my Redeemer liveth, and that He 
 shall stand at the latter day upon the 
 earth; and though after my skin 
 worms may destroy this body, yet in 
 my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall 
 see for myself and mine eyes shall 
 behold, and not another." And after a 
 moment's pause, he continued: "I 
 know whom I have trusted, and 
 though He slay me, yet will I trust 
 in Him." After a moment's rest, while 
 panting for breath, he added: "I have 
 
 already passed through the valley of 
 the shadow of death, and I fear no 
 evil, for Thou are with me,' and he 
 passed away like a weary child going 
 asleep in its mother's arms. 
 
 BERNARD GREENWOOD. 
 
 Greenwood, Elder Bernard was born 
 in Weener, East Friesland, Kingdom 
 (now Province) of Hanover, Germany, 
 September 24, 1827, and died in his 
 sixty-sixth year, in Wilson, N. C., Sep- 
 tember 1, 1893. His parents were mem- 
 bers of the Holland Reformed (a Pres- 
 byterian State church) and had him 
 sprinkled in infancy, and "confirmed" 
 when fourteen years of age, at which 
 time he was put to the tailor's trade in 
 his father's workshop, and attended a 
 high school two hours a day, excepting 
 Saturday and Sunday. Though dead 
 in sin, and enamored of the world, and 
 having his head full of a do and live 
 system of religion, he thought himself 
 a good christian, until at sixteen years 
 of age, he was awakened at midnight 
 with the solmen and piercing words, 
 "God is holy, what art thou?" For the 
 first time seeing himself a hell-deserv- 
 ing sinner, he wept aloud, and to his 
 brother, who was in bed with him and 
 heard him and asked him if he was 
 sick he replied, "No, John, I am such 
 an awful sinner." He betook himself 
 to the reading of the Bible, and to 
 prayers and tears and resolutions, but 
 grew worse and worse until, when 
 seeming about to sink into endless per- 
 dition, he heard the crucified Saviour 
 say to him: "Come unto me, thou 
 weary and heavy laden, and I will give 
 thee rest. I, even I, have blotted out 
 
118 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 all thy transgressions for my name's 
 sake, and thy sins and thine iniquities 
 will I remember no more." And his 
 heart replied: "I have heard of thee 
 by the hearing of the ear, but now mine 
 eye seeth thee: wherefore, O Lord I 
 abhor myself, and repent in dust and 
 ashes." Then he rejoiced with un- 
 speakable joy in God his Saviour. His 
 parents and other relatives thought 
 him greatly deluded, not being able to 
 understand his case. At the age of 
 twenty as required by the laws of his 
 country he entered the army. At 
 twenty-two he married and stayed a 
 year in the place (Nienburg) where 
 his wife's parents resided, and then re- 
 turned, with his wife and child, to 
 W'eener. A few days afterwards he 
 heard his father's foreman tell of a 
 poor, little sect of Free Grace Baptists 
 just started in their town — humble, up- 
 right, and inoffensive, but despised and 
 persecuted by all other religionists. He 
 sought their acquaintance and society, 
 and though warned by his father, that, 
 if he joined them, his customers would 
 desert him, and he would starve his 
 family, he united with them, and was 
 baptized in 1S53 in the day-time — 
 the other members having been bap- 
 tized in the night-time for fear of their 
 enemies, who would not only ridicule 
 but also assault them. Then for several 
 months he was indeed persecuted, and 
 almost starved; but, in 1854, by the 
 pecuniary assistance of his brother, 
 John, who was an infidel and then 
 living in Cincinnati, O., he and his wife 
 emigrated to America, leaving their 
 little boy most sorrowfully with his 
 own parents, for want of money needed 
 to bring him. Nearly three years after- 
 wards the child was brought to his 
 rejoicing parents by a younger brother 
 of Elder Greenwood's. They lived in 
 Cincinnati five months, and then moved 
 to Clover, Clermont County, O., where 
 in 1S56 they found a church of Old 
 School Primitive Baptists who were 
 like the F'ree Grace Baptists of Ger- 
 many in both faith and practice. Clover 
 Church licensed him to preach; and by 
 the authority of the church at Lynch- 
 burg of which he was then a member 
 Elders Brooks and Hite ordained him 
 to the ministry in 1861. In 1866 he 
 moved to Evansville, Ind., (where he 
 preached both in English and in Ger- 
 man, and baptized several, and buried 
 his only child, then nearly sixteen years 
 old) ; in 1869 to Corydon, Ind.; in 1871, 
 to Columbus, Ind., (where he lived eight 
 years in worldly prosperity but in spir- 
 itual poverty) ; and in January, 1880, 
 to Wilson, N. C, where (with the ex- 
 ception of about a .year at La Grange, 
 N. C.J he and his wife lived till the 
 
 time of his death. Elder Greenwood 
 was solemn and earnest in prayer and 
 preaching, saw and proclaimed Jesus 
 in every text, felt himself to be nothing 
 but a wretched sinner saved by grace 
 alone, went down in great depths and 
 rose to great heights in his experience, 
 and gave every particle of the glory of 
 salvation to the Lord. Few men were 
 as ready as he to quote an appropriate 
 passage of scripture on every occasion 
 in life. He had his failings, as all of us 
 have; and he would have been one of 
 the last persons in the world to claim 
 perfection in the flesh. His book en- 
 titled: "The Dealings of God with a 
 Laborer, or the Experiences of Bernard 
 Greenwood,' is' indeed an interesting 
 work. 
 
 NEELEE GREENLEE. 
 
 Greenlee, Eider Neelee, of Wlest 
 Virginia, was born 1819, and died 
 April 23, 1900. For forty-seven- years 
 he was a preacher of the gospel and 
 a strong defender of salvation by 
 grace. He was a native of Macon 
 County, and served churches within 
 the bounds of the Pocatalico Associa- 
 tion, but a full sketch of his life could 
 not be obtained. 
 
 JOHN GRIST. 
 
 Grist, Elder John, of Crocket, Tenn., 
 was born in Gibson County, Tenn., 
 December 8, 1852; had poor advant- 
 ages for obtaining an education — his 
 father dying in his youth, and his 
 mother not being able to educate him. 
 From his early boyhood days he had 
 serious thoughts about death and 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 119 
 
 eternity, and in his twenty-fifth year 
 of age was convicted of sin and shown 
 his lost condition before God. For 
 years he carried a burden and tried 
 to get relief by moving to Logan 
 County, Ark., but in vain. Not until 
 about three years later — in 1880 — 
 did he find rest in Jesus. In 1SS5 he 
 united with the Primitive Baptists 
 and amid the joys received in obedi- 
 ence he was again burdened with a call 
 to the ministerial work. Feeling he 
 had not one essential qualification 
 he resolved not to preach, but he 
 could not help thinking about preach- 
 ing when awake or from dreaming 
 about it when asleep. The church saw 
 and realized the burden of his mind 
 and licensed him in 1887, and in Jan- 
 uary, 1889, he was ordained to the full 
 work. About the year 1899 Elder 
 Grist. moved to his present home. He 
 has had the care . of churches for 
 about twenty years and is also the 
 beloved Moderator of the Forked Deer 
 Association; desires to contend for 
 the good, old way, and to finish his 
 course with joy. 
 
 W. H. GULLEDGE. 
 
 Gulledge, Elder W. H., died at his 
 home in Norcross, Ga., January 8, 
 1899; was seventy-four years, one 
 month, and four days old, and was 
 baptized into the fellowship of Nances 
 Creek Church, DeKalb County, Ga., 
 in 1857, by Elder H. D. Teet. Elder 
 Gulledge was a conssistent Primitive 
 Baptist, and was ordained and set 
 apart to the full functions of the gos- 
 pel ministry in May, 1874, by Elders 
 W. W. Carroll, E. Webb and J. T. Jor- 
 dan, and was an able expounder and 
 defender of the gospel of our Saviour, 
 Jesus Christ; a servant of the Master 
 indeed. He sacrificed health and all 
 to the cause he loved so well. 
 
 R. B. GUND. 
 
 Gund, Elder R. B., was for many 
 years Moderator of the Tombigby As- 
 sociation. He was a well beloved and 
 useful minister. The editor regrets 
 that a full sketch of his life cannot 
 be obtained. 
 
 H 
 
 GARFIELD F. HACKLER. 
 
 Hackler, Elder Garfield F., of North 
 Carolina. This eminent and devoted 
 minister of the gospel was a resident 
 of Allegheny County; he was born 
 January 1, 1834, united with Rock 
 Creek Church 1855, licensed 18G8, and 
 ordained to all the functions of the 
 gospel 1S70. His useful life closed 
 July 20, 1879. His patience was re- 
 markable, his faith in the Lord strong, 
 and so he seemed to pass over the 
 river, fearing no evil. 
 
 M. A. HACKWORTH. 
 
 Hackworth, Elder M. A., of Anderson, 
 Tenn., son of Jasper and Elizabeth 
 Gance Hackworth, was born in Jackson 
 County, Ala., on October 15, 1857. When 
 he was quite small his father moved 
 to Maricn County, Tenn., where he 
 grew to manhood. He professed a hope 
 in Christ in his twenty-first year and 
 seven years later joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church at Cedar Springs, Mar- 
 ion County, Tenn. He was married in 
 1889 to Miss Charlotte West, and or- 
 dained in 1895. Brother Hackworth is 
 
 one of the most humble, unassuming 
 and spiritually minded men and is 
 highly esteemed by our people. 
 
 A N. HALL. 
 
 Hall, Elder A. N. (1816-1900), was 
 born in Wake County, N. C. At the 
 age of twenty-four or twenty-five 
 years the Lord in His all-wise pur- 
 pose, saw fit to call him from nature 
 to grace. For thirteen months and 
 eight days he was deeply convicted 
 for his sins. His distress was so in- 
 tense as to unfit him for business, 
 and all social duties. He worked hard 
 trying to do good, fasting and praying, 
 until he ^\as a mere skeleton. After 
 he had given up all hope of forgive- 
 ness, feeling he would soon be in hell, 
 the Lord spoke words of comfort, 
 "Therefore being justified by faith 
 we have peace with God through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ." In an instant his 
 burden was gone, all was peace and 
 love; he felt that every sin was for- 
 given, a new song was in his mouth, 
 and he sang praises to God. Very soon 
 he joined the church at Mt. Lebanon, 
 and was soon called to the ministry. 
 
120 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Most of his ministerial work was done 
 in Person County until 1859, having 
 bought a farm there soon after his 
 marriage, on which he lived and kept 
 for his home the remainder of his 
 days. He then traveled a good deal 
 and preached in North Carolina and 
 Virginia. He was cnosen pastor of 
 four churches, which he served for 
 twenty years; there being then two 
 new churches built up under his min- 
 istry, he was then called by them. 
 One of these was Prospect Hill, in 
 Caswell County, the other Shiloh, 
 which is near his home. He served 
 Prospect Hill twenty^flve years. It 
 prospered under his ministry, and 
 continued to build up. He continued 
 as pastor of Shiloh as long as he 
 liveu. He made all supplies on his 
 farm, working with his own hands, 
 not to be an incumbrance on the 
 brethren. He was an excellent provid- 
 er for his family. He had abiding 
 faith in the doctrine of salvation by 
 grace, which he preached fifty-seven 
 years; his only regret was that he 
 could not preach more. He tried to 
 assure every one that this doctrine is 
 the doctrine of Christ and the Apos- 
 tles. He told several people he had 
 preached from the mountains to the 
 seashore a great many times, and had 
 asserted that if any man would take 
 the Bible and prove that what he 
 preached was not the true doctrine he 
 would retract, but not a man ever 
 made the attempt. He had many won- 
 derful experiences. His daughter 
 writes of one thus: "I will tell you 
 of a circumstance which occurred in 
 1859. He retired as well as usual one 
 night: sometime during the night we 
 were awakened by his shouts, and he 
 seemed to be so happy that it pros- 
 trated him. He told us all he would 
 soon be in heaven, and continued to 
 clap his hands and shout praises to 
 God for an hour or more. Wje really 
 thought him dying, his limbs being 
 cold. A physician was summoned 
 against his protest, but he failed to 
 diagnose the disease, as he was not 
 sick. He continued in this way for 
 two weeks. He was too weak in body 
 to sit up, but was strong in spirit, and 
 talked incessantly of heavenly things, 
 desiring to depart and be with Christ. 
 As soon as he was able to travel he 
 told us he must leave home more than 
 ever before, that God required him to 
 go and preach the word, and He 
 would take care of his family. For 
 several months he seemed to be fill- 
 ed with the Holy Ghost all the time, 
 preaching day and night. 'Many were 
 convicted and converted during his 
 
 preaching at this time, and many 
 were added to the church. Prior to 
 this time he stammered so badly that 
 it was with great difficulty he preach- 
 ed; after this his tongue was loosed, 
 and he spoke with comparative ease. 
 I feel that God fulfilled His promise 
 to him; his family have been wondei'- 
 fully blessed. We had a good com- 
 fortable home, never lacked for any 
 necessities of life, and had good edu- 
 cational advantages, all without going 
 in debt. He never incurred a debt un- 
 less he knew he could pay it." He 
 passed through his long, useful minis- 
 try without a stain on his garments. 
 
 JAMES M. HALL. 
 
 Hall, Elder James M-, of Vipers, 
 Ky., was born January 22, 1855, and 
 has lived all his life in Perry County. 
 In his twelfth year he was made to 
 realize his lost and ruined condition 
 without Jesus, professed a hope in the 
 Saviour in 1882, united with the 
 church the fO'ilowing year and was or- 
 dained in 1889. His labors have been 
 mostly confined to the churches of the 
 Sandlick Association, which body he 
 has served as clerk, though, for lack 
 of data, a fuller sketch of his life and 
 labors could not .be given. 
 
 JOHN C. HALL. 
 
 Hall, Elder John C. (1827-1901), was 
 the oldest son of William and Lucy Hall 
 and was born in Pittsylvania County, 
 Va. In about 1861 he removed to 
 Franklin County, Va., where he lived 
 up to the time of his death. As a fel- 
 low citizen he grew in favor with those 
 of his adopted county, and was en- 
 trusted with much public service which 
 he rendered faithfully and satisfactor- 
 ily. For sixteen years he was com- 
 missioner of revenue in his county, 
 and for eight years was county treasur- 
 er. He enjoyed the most implicit con- 
 fidence of all classes with which be 
 came in contact. He was held by all 
 who knew him to be truthful, honest, 
 conscientious and sincere. As a hus- 
 band, he came not behind in its re- 
 sponsibilities and duties, but loved his 
 wife, or each of them, for he was twice 
 married, and well, truly and faithfully 
 kept inviolate, to the best of his ability, 
 the pledges made to love, keep and pro- 
 tect them in sickness and in health, 
 and thus did he not only prove and 
 maintain the true relationship of the 
 husband, but that of a true minister of 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 121 
 
 the gospel and servant of churches as 
 well. As a father he seems to have 
 studied well the duties of such, and on 
 all occasions did he endeavor to faith- 
 fully and truly perform those duties. In 
 his efforts to sustain the true 1 elation 
 of a father to his children his aim 
 seems to have been to live before them 
 as he would have them to live before 
 him, and with one another. When he 
 grew up to manhood he was led into the 
 ways of Arminianism and became to 
 openly hate the way and doctrine of the 
 Primitive Baptists and was exceedingly 
 bitter against them and like a young 
 lion dared to revile them, but the Lord 
 sent an arrow into his heart, producing 
 a wound from which he never recovered 
 except as by the grace of God through 
 the blood of Jesus Christ. His convic- 
 tions were deep and pungent, his con- 
 vertion was miraculous, and his deliv- 
 erance clear and decided. He joined 
 the church at White Oak Grove, Floyd 
 County, Va., September 12, 1851, and 
 was baptized the following day by 
 Elder Owen Sumner, and having in him 
 the faith that was in Paul, and being 
 not disobedient to the heavenly vision 
 which he had seen, and which all of 
 God's called and sent servants see he 
 conferred not with flesh and blood, 
 but at the next meeting made his first 
 attempt to preach. Being ready and ac- 
 tive in business, Brother Hall was, in a 
 few years chosen clerk of the New | 
 River District Primitive Baptist Asso- 
 ciation which office he filled faithfully 
 and efficiently for about thirty years, 
 leaving it vacant by his death. He was 
 truly a pastor, and faithfully served 
 four churches for about thirty-seven 
 years, and in the last few years served 
 two others. His labors were blessed 
 to the churches. He baptized a great 
 many as seals to his ministry, and 
 therefore enjoyed the satisfaction of \ 
 knowing that his labors were not in 
 vain in the Lord. He was greatly de- | 
 voted to th cause of his Master and to 
 the churches he served. His gift was j 
 that of a father, of which Paul says 
 we have not many. His gift to know 
 and proclaim the word, to administer 
 tne ordinances, and to execute the dis- 
 cipline and maintain the order of the 
 gospel in the house of God constituted 
 him one of the ablest ministers of the 
 new testament of his day. A book 
 might be written of this good man, and 
 still something more might be said 
 worthy of him. 
 
 JOSEPH HALL. 
 
 Hall, Elder Joseph of Hilliard, Ky.. 
 was born March 29, 1864, convicted of 
 
 sin in 1876, and for nine years tried 
 many "ways and means" for relief, but 
 all in vain. Jesus, the sinners' Friend, 
 appeared to him in 1885, and he was 
 given a good hope through grace. He 
 united with Mill Stone Church, 1886, 
 and was baptized by Elder Wm. R. 
 Craft. In 1890 he was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry, and has 
 since, been serving from two to five 
 churches. Elder Hall has also served 
 as clerk of the Union Association for 
 nearly fifteen years, has married about 
 seventy-five couples, served his native 
 county in more than one public position 
 and is a useful preacher. 
 
 DRURY HALSEY. 
 
 Halsey, Elder Drury, of West Vir- 
 ginia, was the son of Robert and 
 Polly Halsey, and was born in Gray- 
 son County, Va., May 2, 1832; united 
 with the Baptists at the age of sev- 
 enteen; married to Miss Nancy Busic 
 in his nineteenth year — which union 
 was blessed with ten children; or- 
 dained in 1868 and for twenty-six 
 years was a true and faithful minis- 
 ter. In his preaching it was Jesus all 
 the way through, — a complete, all- 
 sufficient Saviour. He died in the full 
 triumphs of faith, March 3, 1894. 
 
 WM. B. HALSEY. 
 
 Halsey, Elder Drury, of West Vir- 
 Virginia. was in his youth wild, reckless 
 and without the love of God in his 
 heart but when he was about twenty 
 years old, was deeply convicted of sin 
 and made to mourn greatly on account 
 of his corrupt nature. But God who 
 quickened him into divine life, gave 
 him a view of Jesus as his sin-bearer, 
 and called him to the work of the min- 
 istry. In this he rebelled, and like 
 Jonah of old, undertook to flee from 
 the presence of the Lord, and from the 
 land of his nativity. But God was with 
 him, and he was made willing to pro- 
 claim His truth. He was ordained by 
 Fox Creek Church, 1864. His voice 
 was loud and commanding, and but 
 few ministers of his day excelled him 
 in preaching the power and glory of 
 God's salvation. 
 
 ISAAC HAMBY. 
 
 Hamby, Elder Isaac, of Conyers, Ga. 
 Information of recent date relative to 
 this faithful minister could not be ob- 
 tained but from his writing published 
 
122 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 in 1884, it is learned that he was at that 
 time in his seventy-eighth year, was 
 then and had been for eighteen years, 
 Moderator of the Yellow River Asso- 
 ciation. He was born in Jackson 
 County, Ga., September 20, 1806; united 
 with Mt. Zion Church in Rockwell 
 County, 1S29 and baptized by Elder 
 George Daniel. Soon he was deeply 
 impressed to preach the gospel of 
 grace and in 1848, was ordained to the 
 work by Elders Joel Colley, Willis C. 
 Norris and Benton Daniel. He was a 
 strong, earnest preacher, and opposed 
 with all his abilities the modern Mis- 
 sionary plan and all the institutions of 
 men as auxiliaries to the Church of 
 Christ and could well say, "I have kept 
 the faith and fought a good fight." 
 
 JAS. B. HAMILTON. 
 
 Hamilton, Jas. B. (1819-18S7), was 
 born and raised in South Carolina, 
 and moved to Georgia at the age of 
 nineteen and lived for some time in 
 Bibb County. He subsequently remov- 
 ed to Crawford County, where he 
 lived several years and from there 
 moved to Taylor County where the 
 principal portion of his life was spent. 
 He received a hope in Christ at about 
 the age of twenty-five, and joined the 
 Piimitive Baptist Church at Union, 
 Crawford County, Ga., between the 
 ages of twenty-five and thirty, and 
 was baptized by Elder Asa Bell, and 
 commenced preaching in 1835. He was 
 the husband of four wives and the 
 father of twenty-three children, thir- 
 teen of whom are living. His life was 
 one of many sore trials and afflic 
 tions, having had fouiteen deaths in 
 his family during his life — tfour wives 
 and ten children. Brother Hamilton 
 was, at his death, the oldest minister 
 belonging to the Upatoie Association. 
 He was a meek man, of gentle dispo- 
 sition, and a sincere Primitive Bap- 
 tist; and lived a spotless life, and 
 died in the love and fellowship of his 
 brethren. 
 
 1865, baptized by Elder J. C. Hume- 
 ordained 1875, and has preached ae 
 ceptably among the Baptists in sev- 
 eral states, but mostly in Illinois. 
 
 W. P. HANDCOCK. 
 
 Handcock, Elder W. P., of Eldorado, 
 111., served churches within the 
 bounds of Muddy River Association. 
 In growing up he had no advantages 
 of an education, but by close study 
 and observation has acquired much 
 information. He was convicted of sin, 
 when about twenty-four years old, 
 united with the Baptist Church in 
 
 LEE HANKS. 
 
 Hanks, Elder Lee, of Macon, Ga. was 
 born in Pittsylvania County, Va., June 
 13. 1861. His parents were not mem- 
 bers of the church, but honest, moral 
 upright people. They were poor and 
 the effects of the cruel war left them 
 quite destitute. After an illness of 
 some years, Elder Hank's father died, 
 April, 1869, and on the account of an old 
 afflicted mother, who was unable to 
 care for him his lot was cast among 
 those who cruelly treated him. He was 
 turned out as an orphan and had but 
 little opportunity of school and had to 
 work very hard, exposed to cold bare 
 of clothes and but little to eat. He 
 never was at an Old Baptist Church 
 conference until the next Saturday aft- 
 er he joined the church. He did not 
 know the Old Baptists had local organ- 
 ized churches until after he was iden- 
 tified with them. When a small boy 
 he felt deeply concerned about his fu- 
 ture destiny and often resorted to se- 
 cret places and engaged in humble 
 prayer to God for mercy. His own 
 strength and righteousness failed him. 
 and, also he felt wholly condemned to 
 die and that hell would be his awful 
 doom. After a month (May, 1877) of 
 darkness and gloom he obtained 
 a sweet hope in Jesus, but in 
 September, 1877, became so trou- 
 bled he left Bland County, Va., 
 and went to West Virginia. Among 
 strangers, begging his way as a poor 
 tramp, he hired to a Methodist in a 
 neighborhood of Old Baptists. He went 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 123 
 
 to hear these Baptists preach and it so 
 filled his soul with gratitude to God to 
 hear the sweet gospel and to see the 
 image of Jesus in the members which 
 made him feel that this is the Church 
 of God for which he had been prayer- 
 ully searching. Immediately he went 
 to them and was received and baptized 
 in the bounds of Indian Creek Associa- 
 tion, W. Va., October, 1S77, though he 
 was so poor he borrowed clothes to be 
 baptized in. Soon he felt a mighty im- 
 pression to preach and made his first 
 attempt in 1879. Soon afterward he 
 went to Georgia and was in 18S5, mar- 
 ried to Miss L. L. Edwards; studied 
 hard at night to procure an education, 
 and after a hard struggle, obtained 
 sufficient knowledge to teach school 
 which he did for some years. The min- 
 isterial labors of Elder Hanks have 
 been mostly among the Baptists in 
 Georgia, with the exception of nine 
 years he lived at Ozark, Ala, where he 
 had the care of several churches and 
 was clerk of the Choctwhatchee Asso- 
 ciation for eight years. His labors 
 have been blessed of the Lord and he 
 has baptized about five hundred be- 
 lievers into the fellowship of his 
 churches, among them his mother, wife, 
 sister, two sisters-in-law and his son, 
 has traveled and preached in twenty- 
 two states, now has the care of four 
 churches, has written an interesting 
 book entitled "Conflicts of a Poor Sin- 
 ner," is associate editor of the Gospel 
 Messenger, and editor of the Southern 
 Department of the Primitive Baptist, is 
 an interesting speaker, able writer, 
 and boldly, yet in love, contends for the 
 doctrine and practice of the Apostolic 
 Church. For his outspoken opposition 
 to Burnan, Todd and Kirkland, as dis- 
 turbers of the church, as well as for his 
 decided stand in Georgia, against the 
 introduction of instrumental music in 
 churches he has suffered much per- 
 secution, yet reviles not again, but 
 craves peace among Old Baptists upon 
 gospel principles. 
 
 W, J. HARDESTY. 
 
 Hardesty, Elder W. J., of Middle- 
 town, Mo. The editor's efforts to 
 procure data of a recent date from 
 which to prepare a suitable sketch of 
 Elder Hardesty proved in vain. The 
 following information is found in Eld- 
 er Cash's book published in 1S9G: 
 "Elder Hardesty was born in Lincoln 
 County, Mo , May 17, 1S48, and united 
 with Bryant's Creek Church in same 
 
 county, October 18, 1873. He was or- 
 dained October 23, 1S90, and for some 
 years has held himself ready to ans- 
 
 W. J. HARDESTY 
 
 wer calls for his services. He is pas- 
 tor of three churches." 
 
 L. H. HARDY. 
 
 Hardy, Elder L. H., of Reidsville, 
 N. C, was born 17th of Maich, 1853. 
 His ancestors were French Hugenouts 
 and bore the name Hardee. They 
 came to this country in its early set- 
 tlement, and many of them did valu- 
 able service in the war for Independ- 
 ence, and subsequent histoiy. The 
 
124 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 school advantages of Elder Hardy 
 were limited, and interrupted entire- 
 ly by the Civil war, which left his pa- 
 rents poor. At the age of fourteen his 
 school days ended, and he labored on 
 the farm and in the shop. During his 
 youth he had many interesting and 
 impressive dreams; and though often 
 impressed with serious thoughts and 
 duties pertaining to his eternal wel- 
 fare he tried to drive them off by 
 attending dances and other worldly 
 amusements. When about twenty 
 years of age, after being burdened 
 with a realization of inbred and prac- 
 tical sin, he was given a sweet hope 
 in Jesus, — the old song, 'Amazing 
 Grace" became very dear to him, and 
 a sweet peace rested in his heart that 
 the world could not give, nor take 
 away; and in July, 1873, he united 
 with the church at Mewborns, and 
 was soon impressed with the duty of 
 preaching. This impression became 
 so strong that he began to exercise 
 his gift in May, 1874. He was ordain- 
 ed to the full work of the ministry 
 July, 1877, by Elders Bryan WMtford 
 and Archibald Jones, and has since 
 had the care of from two to five 
 churches, some of them being built up 
 under his ministry. Elder Hardy has 
 traveled extensively and preached ac- 
 ceptably, in many states. In his early 
 ministry he sailed about fifteen hun- 
 dred miles, walked about twelve hun- 
 dred and rode in private conveyances 
 about a thousand miles annually, in 
 the service of his Master. During the 
 year 1906 he preached two hundred 
 and forty times and traveled 9,528 
 miles, and yet Primitive Baptists are 
 called anti-Missionaries, and charged 
 with being opposed to preaching the 
 gospel. This is because they, like the 
 Apostles, are willing to spend and be 
 spent in the Master's cause, going as 
 they went, without guarantee from 
 man, or boards of men for support, 
 trusting God and looking alone to 
 Him. Elder Hardy has baptized many, 
 married quite a number of couples, 
 served his people in different posi- 
 tions always to his honor and their 
 good, is an able expounder of the 
 ■\\ ord and a sweet experimental 
 preacher. He is the beloved Moderat- 
 or of the Country Line Primitive Bap- 
 tist Association. 
 
 J. B. HARDY, Jr. 
 
 Hardy, Elder J. B. Jr., of Croft, 
 Kan., was born in Crittenden County, 
 Ky., December 1G, 18C9; professed a 
 hope in Jesus quite young; joined the 
 
 Primitive Baptist Church in Barton 
 County, Kan., at the age of eighteen, 
 and was ordained to the work of the 
 ministry May 7. 1898, by orders of 
 Wolf Creek Church, Saline County, 
 111., since which time he has served 
 as pastor from two to four churches 
 until 1905, when he moved to his 
 
 J. B. HARDY, JR. 
 
 present home and accepted the care 
 of Pleasant Valley Primitive Baptist 
 Church, Kingman County, Kan. He 
 still bias the care of this church. In 
 1908 Elder Hardy became joint editor 
 with Elder J. W. Fairchild of the Foot- 
 prints of the Flock, and is an able ad- 
 vocate of the doctrine of grace. 
 
 JOHN B. HARDEE. 
 
 Hardee, Elder John B., son of Abram 
 and Polina Hardee, was born March 19, 
 1841, and died June 25 1896. In the 
 spring of 1S82, he professed a hope in 
 Christ, and was baptized the following 
 September. Soon after uniting with 
 the church, he had impressions to 
 preach, which gave him much trouble. 
 Much he suffered, feeling his unworth- 
 iness, yet like Paul he was not dis- 
 obedient to the heavenly calling. In 
 August, 1884, he was liberated by the 
 church to exercise his gift, and in 
 November, 1886, was ordained to the 
 work of the gospel ministry. He served 
 churches until his death and was a 
 faithful soldier of Jesus, a good citizen, 
 affectionate husband and good neighbor 
 
 THOS. HARGIS. 
 
 Hargis Elder Thos., was a native of 
 Marion County, Tenn. His member- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 125 
 
 ship was at Oak Grove Church on 
 Battle Creek. After a life of) useful- 
 ness he fell asleep in Jesus sometime 
 in the seventies. Further data not ob- 
 tainable. 
 
 E. W. HARLAND. 
 
 Harland, Elder E. W., of Conners- 
 ville, Ind. This beloved minister is 
 pastor of Lick Creek, Cedar Creek 
 and Eagle's Creek Churches in the 
 bounds of the White Water Associa- 
 tion of Regular Baptists of Indiana. 
 He is also the able Moderator of this 
 Association and is highly esteemed 
 as a faithful pastor. 
 
 SAMUEL D. HARLAN. 
 
 Harlan, Elder Samuel' D. (1831- 
 19u5), son of Mathew and Jemina 
 Harlan, was married to Mary Kirk- 
 patrick of Rush County 1852; united 
 with the Baptist church at Village 
 Creek, 1849, ordained to the work of 
 the ministry in 1855, and for over half 
 a century, stood firm in his Master's 
 cause, which was dearer than his 
 own life. He was ever ready to speak 
 of his hope and defend the doctrine. 
 He traveled many miles through 
 storm and heat to lift the blood-stain- 
 ed banner of King Jesus, and say, 
 "Behold the Lamb of God." He was a 
 safe counsellor, a devoted husband, a 
 kind father, an obliging neighbor, a 
 man above reproach. His Christian 
 character was the ripened fruit, the 
 growth of many years in the Masters 
 vineyard. During his life and in his 
 death he gave grand testimony of the 
 joys of heaven that awaited him. Dur- 
 ing more than three score years and 
 ten of his earthly career, he erected, 
 in his own character, to the memory 
 of his Saviour a monument, which 
 will grow the brighter, as the cease- 
 less ages register their duration upon 
 the dial of eternity. There is nothing 
 in the life of Elder Harlan, that more 
 forcibly challenges our admiration 
 and demands our imitation, than his 
 supreme devotion to the church of the 
 living God. When dark clouds hov- 
 ered over our Master's cause, He was 
 ever ready to cheer the hearts of the 
 despondent; and it can be truly said 
 of him that he died at his post, a 
 faithful, loval soldier. 
 
 MATTHEW D. HARLAN. 
 
 Harlan, Elder Matthew D., (1854- 
 1902), was a son of Samuel and Mary 
 Harlan, of Indiana. At the age of 
 
 seventeen, he received a hope in Christ 
 and joined the Primitive Baptist church 
 at East Fork, Rush County, Ind. In May, 
 1881, he was ordained as a gospel min- 
 ister. He lived for the good he mignt 
 do. He was ever ready to sacrifice self 
 for the pleasure and happiness and 
 associations, but above all, he loved 
 God and found his greatest pleasure 
 in doing his will, and in trying to lead 
 others to a throne of grace. His life is 
 a legacy to all who knew him, and was 
 such that death had no sting for him. 
 He said he had no fears of death, and 
 that he was ready and willing to go at 
 any time his Master called him. He 
 was a good neighbor, an earnest and 
 conscientious christian a faithful ser- 
 vant of his Master. 
 
 JAMES HARPER. 
 
 Harper, Elder James. (1810-1SS6), 
 of Illinois, was born in Lewis Coun- 
 ty, Ky., December 24, 1810. He was 
 ordained to the full work of the min- 
 istry on the first Saturday in August, 
 1871. He was very highly esteemed by 
 those for whom he labored, and it is 
 regretted that a full sketch of his 
 life and labors could not be obtained. 
 
 WM. H. HARRELL. 
 
 Harrell, Elder Wm. H., of Dallas, 
 Texas. The editor's efforts to secure 
 information from which to prepare a 
 suitable sketch proved fruitless and 
 he inserts the following notice of 
 Elder Harrell, which appears in Elder 
 
126 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Potter's souvenir book, published 
 1895; "Elder Harrell was born in 
 Georgia, on the 13th day of July, 1846, 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 in July, 1877, was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry in July, 1884, 
 and is now pastor of two churches. 
 He is the evangelist of Texas." 
 
 THEOPHILUS HARRIS. 
 
 Harris, Elder, Theophilus (1768-1841) 
 of Pennsylvania, was born in Wales, 
 and emigrated to this country in the 
 year 1794, and was for some time there- 
 after engaged in mercantile pursuits 
 in Alexandria; but for the last thirty 
 years of his life he was a diligent and 
 untiring laborer in the Lord's vineyard. 
 The doctrine of the cross of Christ was 
 his constant and in fact his only theme, 
 and no weather was too inclement for 
 him to attend the sanctuary, even to 
 the date of his last illness. He was a 
 zealous and powerful advocate for the 
 doctrine of particular and personal re- 
 demption through the blood and right- 
 eousness of our blessed Lord, and, 
 never yielding to the seductive allure- 
 ments of the times, he boldly and on 
 every suitable occasion denounced the 
 insidious errors of Fullerism, and 
 stood manly up, bearing testimony to 
 the truth as it is in Jesus. Nothing gave 
 him more sincere joy than to behold 
 the dear lambs of Christ renouncing the 
 deceitful and evanescent ties of this 
 world and publicly embracing the cause 
 of their Lord and Saviour. 
 
 T. F. HARRISON. 
 
 Harrison, Elder T. F., of Oak Level 
 Ky. Recent information of Elder Har- 
 rison could not be obtained, but from 
 Elder Potter's Souvenir book published, 
 1895, it is learned that he was born in 
 North Carolina, September 1, 1839; 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 church, July, 1864; was ordained to the 
 ministry, August, 1869 and was then 
 pastor of three churches. 
 
 ALDEN L. HARRISON. 
 
 Harrison, Elder Alden L., of Ply- 
 mouth, N. C., the son of Isaac and 
 Sabra E. Harrison, was born near 
 Plymouth, N. C, April 3, 1874, and is 
 the youngest of fourteen children. He 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 at Morrattock, Washington County, 
 
 N. C., in January, 1894; and was bap- 
 tized by his brother, Elder N. H. Har- 
 rison. In March, 1897, he was licensed 
 and ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry in May, 1900, by Elders N. 
 H. Harrison and M. T. Lawrence. 
 Was married December, 1898, 
 to Miss Hattie P. Lawrence, 
 
 ALDEN L. HARRISON 
 
 daughter of Elder ML T. Lawrence, 
 and great granddaughter of Elder 
 Joshua Lawrence. They have three 
 children, Emily, Thomas and Alice. 
 Elder Harrison serves the ■ church at 
 Morrattock as associate pastor and is 
 also pastor of Cross Roads Church in 
 Edgecombe County, N. C. 
 
 A. J. HARRISON. 
 
 Harrison, Elder A. J., of Columbia, 
 S. C. This worthy and humble minis- 
 ter has for many years held a gov- 
 ernment position in connection with 
 the state house at South Carolina's 
 capital; yet he has, as opportunity 
 has presented, preached among the 
 churches of the state. Elder Harrison 
 was also sent by the people of his 
 county — Hampton — to the famous 
 Constitutional Convention of 1895. He 
 is a worthy citizen, trusted officer, 
 kind neighbor and esteemed minister 
 of the Primitive or Old School Bap- 
 tist Church. 
 
 ROBERT H. HARRIS. 
 
 Harris, Elder Robert H., of Edge- 
 combe County, N. C, was born and 
 raised in Person County, N. C, and 
 moved to Edgecombe County soon af- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 127 
 
 tei- the war. He, in his youthful days, 
 united with the Methodist denomina- 
 tion, and while with them he felt sat- 
 isfied for a while until it pleased the 
 Lord to show him the exceeding sin- 
 fulness and depravity of his heart; 
 then he said he felt like the greatest 
 sin he ever committed in all his life 
 was the partaking of the Lord's sup- 
 per among them, making it appear 
 that he was a Christian when he had 
 no evidence of the fact. Soon after he 
 moved to Edgecombe County it was 
 the will of the Lord to fully open the 
 eyes of his understanding and cause 
 him to see indeed and in truth that 
 he was a vile and helpless sinner in 
 the sight of a just and holy God, and 
 he suffered very severely until he 
 was delivered by a bright and glo- 
 rious manifestation of Christ as his 
 Saviour; after which, feeling it to be 
 his duty, he offered himself to and 
 was received into the fellowship of 
 the church at Cross Roads, Edge- 
 combe County, N. C, April IS, 18GS, 
 and was baptized by Elder John W- 
 Purvis. The church soon discovered 
 that he was called to a more noble 
 work, and consequently licensed him 
 and soon afterwards he was ordained 
 as a minister. He was firm and well es- 
 tablished in doctrine and practice, 
 yet was charitable , tender hearted 
 and ever ready to forgive the erring. 
 He was a man that possessed great 
 boldness of speech in declaring the 
 truth and exposing error, both in and 
 out of the church, and for this he was 
 not esteemed by many; but he labor- 
 ed for the answer of a good con- 
 science toward his God and his puri- 
 ty from the blood cf all men. 
 
 JOSIAH HARRIS. 
 
 Harris, Elder Josiah, of DuQuoin, 111., 
 was born in the state of Illinois, on 
 May 26, 1833, joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church on Saturday before the 
 third Sunday in February, 1860, and 
 was ordained to the work of the minis- 
 try in September, 1864, This brief no- 
 tice of Elder Harris is from Elder 
 Potter's book published 1895 and the 
 editor regrets that a more suitable 
 sketch could not appear. 
 
 JOSEPH HARTLEY. 
 
 Hartley, Elder Joseph, of Kentucky, 
 was one of the pioneer preachers of his 
 day. He was born in Harden County, 
 February 28, 1800, professed a hope in 
 
 Jesus and united with the Baptists 
 during the troublesome times of the di- 
 vision between the Old and New School 
 and remained firm in the Apostle's 
 doctrine and practice, was well known 
 in Southern Illinois, Indiana and Ken- 
 tucky, moved to Oregon in the Sixties 
 and died there August 13, 1867. 
 
 PHILANDER HARTWELL. 
 
 Hartwell, Elder Philander, (1854- 
 1879), of New Jersey. As a minister of 
 the gospel, a faithful preacher of the 
 fullness of the unsearchable richness 
 of Christ, Elder Hartwell had few, if 
 any, superiors. He was peculiarly en- 
 dowed with the gifts and grace essen- 
 tial to a faithful pastor, and his labors 
 of love in the churches over which he 
 so long occupied the position of pastor 
 will long be remembered by those to 
 whom he was so dear for the truth's 
 sake. Not only was he faithful as a 
 pastor, but he was faithful as a friend, 
 and in all the relation of life his 
 character was unblemished. Elder 
 Hartwell, at the time of his death, and 
 for many years previous, was pastor 
 of Hopewell Church, Hopewell, N. J. 
 the second oldest Old School Baptist 
 Church in the United States, and the 
 bne that has, perhaps, the largest 
 membership. During his pastorate the 
 church was signally blessed, and re- 
 ceived at different times ingatherings. 
 He administered the ordinances of 
 baptism to one hundred and eighty- 
 eight persons who were added to the 
 First Hopewell Church — how many he 
 baptized into the communion of the 
 Second Hopewell or Harborton Church 
 is not known, but a considerable num- 
 ber. He married two hundred and 
 ninety-four couples, and attended about 
 three hundred funerals, within the last 
 twelve years of his life. With such a 
 life it is not strange that so many fa- 
 milies feel themselves sadly bereaved 
 — and so many sympathizing friends 
 came up to the house of mourning to 
 testify their respect to the deceased 
 and to mingle their tears with the des- 
 olated ones. Among other instances of 
 respect and sympathy may, with pro- 
 priety, be noticed, the magnificent 
 floral offering from the teachers of the 
 model School of Princeton, of which 
 Mr. A. W. Hartwell is principal, and the 
 closing of the other houses of worship 
 in the village of Hopewell, pastors and 
 congregations attending the funeral 
 services. 
 
128 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 C. B. HASSELL. 
 
 Hassell, Elder C. B., of North Caro 
 lina. For forty-five years a minister, 
 and for about twenty-five years, per- 
 haps, the leading minister of the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church in North Carolina, 
 died at his home in Williamston, N. C, 
 April 11, 1880. He was born October 
 14, 1808, sent to school at irregular in- 
 tervals from his third to his fifteenth 
 year at which time his father, Joshua 
 N. Hassell died and he was called from 
 school to support his mother, whose 
 maiden name was Martha Biggs. At 
 school he was noted for his aptness to 
 learn, his steady, moral habits and 
 serious disposition, and when in his 
 eighteenth year entered into the fol- 
 lowing five resolutions: "To abstain 
 from the use of intoxicating liquors 
 tobacco, gaming and profanity, and to 
 be strictly honest, truthful and upright > 
 in all his dealings." At an early age 
 he entered the mercantile profession 
 and followed it, quite successfully all 
 his life, and for many years he also suc- 
 cessfully filled the following positions, 
 Trustee of the Williamston Academy; 
 Founder, Secretary, Treasurer and Li- 
 brarian of the Williamston Library As- 
 sociation; Trustee and Member of the 
 Board of Examiners of the University 
 of North Carolina; Agent of the Chair- 
 man of the Board of Superintendents of 
 Common Schools of Martin County, 
 transacting all the laborious and diffi- 
 cult work of that office; Clerk and 
 Master in Equity for Martin County; 
 President of the Roanoke Steam Navi- 
 gation Company; Treasurer of Martin 
 County, only four votes in the county 
 being cast against him; was chosen 
 delegate to the State Convention, Feb- 
 ruary, 1861, and he served as delegate 
 to the important Constitutional State 
 
 Convention of 1875. He was twice mar- 
 ried; first in 1832 to Mary Davis, who 
 died in 1846. In 1849 he was married 
 to Martha Maria Jewett of Warwick 
 N. Y., the widow of Elder Daniel E. 
 Jewett. When about twenty years old 
 he was deeply convicted of sin, fled 
 to the law for refuge and after vainly 
 trying to keep the law was given a view 
 and sweet hope in Jesus and made to 
 feel that He alone was the end of the 
 law for righteousness to every one that 
 believeth, united with Skewarkey, 
 Church and was baptized by Elder Jo- 
 seph Biggs, March 1828, chosen dea- 
 con in 1833, licensed to preach in 1840, 
 and ordained in 1842 by Elders James 
 Osborn, Jos. Biggs and William Whit- 
 aker. He was immediately called to 
 the service of churches and was in 1859 
 chosen Moderator of the Kehukee Asso- 
 ciation, and was continually re-elected 
 till his death. During his ministry he 
 assisted in twenty-five ordinations, 
 baptized three hundred and thirty per- 
 sons, married ninety-six couples, 
 preached about 2100 sermons and 
 traveled many thousands of miles, 
 visiting churches and associations in 
 the United States and Canada^ never 
 charging for his labors, but going in 
 the way the apostles went, believing 
 that the Bible plan was all suffiicent 
 and the only one that glorifies God and 
 benefits man. 
 
 SYLVESTER HASSELL. 
 
 Hassell, Elder Sylvester, of Wil- 
 liamston, N. C, minister, historian, 
 teacher, is, perhaps, the best author- 
 ity on church history in North Caro- 
 lina, and stands among the foremost 
 thinkers ami writers cf the United 
 States. His ancestors came from Eng- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 129 
 
 land to North Carolina in the Eigh- 
 teenth century. His parents were Eld- 
 er C. B. Hassell and his first wife, 
 Mary Davis. He was born in Wlil- 
 liamston, N. O, on the lot where he 
 still lives, July 28, 1842; educated at 
 the Wliliiamston Academy and the 
 University of North Carolina, taking 
 a high stand at both and graduating 
 with honors. He is proficient in sev- 
 eral languages, was principal of a 
 school for young men, in Wilson N. 
 C, and professor of languages in a 
 northern college for some years. He 
 published, in 1886, the Church His- 
 tory, the most complete work of its 
 kind ever published by our people, 
 and a monument more lasting than 
 granite, to him and his father, who 
 began the work. In 1892 he became 
 associate editor of the Gospel Mes- 
 sage, and in 1S9G, its proprietor and 
 managing editor. Of the dozen or 
 more religious periodicals published 
 among our people, the Gospel Mes- 
 senger, is perhaps, the most schol- 
 arly, and is a source of extensive 
 valuable information as well as a safe 
 counsellor in doctrine and practice. 
 Elder Hassell has been twice mar- 
 ried, first to Mary Isabella Yarrell, 
 in 1869. His second wife to whom he 
 was married, in 1876, was Francis 
 Louisa Woodard. This gifted brother 
 received a hope in Christ August 17, 
 1863, was baptized by his father, Jan- 
 uary 10, 1871, and ordained August 9, 
 1874. He is the beloved pastor of 
 Skewarky and Great Swamp 
 
 Churches, and the Moderator of the 
 Old Kehukee Association. He has 
 traveled extensively in the United 
 States, and has, a few times, visited 
 Canada on preaching tours. His ser- 
 vices are much sought after, his 
 preaching not "with enticing words of 
 man's wisdom, but in demonstration 
 of the Spirit of God, and his views, on 
 various subjects greatly sought for, 
 he having, — since his becoming edit- 
 or of the Messenger, received and 
 answered thousands of letters, annu- 
 ally. A remarkable characteristic of 
 Elder Hassell, and one noted by all 
 who are associated with him, is his 
 great learning, and his great humility. 
 Though blessed with much learning, 
 he — like the great Apostle to the Gen- 
 tiles, — is not, by it, made mad, but 
 with soberness, speaks the truth in 
 love. He makes no effort to display 
 his wisdom, but manifests the sweet 
 simplicity of a child, and one can 
 hardly be with him without learning 
 some lesson of humility, love and 
 service to others. Elder Hassell is not 
 only a sweet preacher, and able writer, 
 
 but is deserving the title among Bap- 
 tists, as The Peace-Maker. A great 
 portion of his life has been spent in 
 the worthy effort to unify our people, 
 to remove offenses and establish fel- 
 lowship upon the doctrine and prac- 
 tice of Christ and the Apostles, and 
 we feel God has greatly blessed him 
 in this and that he shall possess the 
 peace-makers' reward. Recently Elder 
 R. W. Thompson writes of him: 
 "Brother Hassell is one of the most 
 humble, loving, gentle, kind and es- 
 timable men among men; yet he is 
 strong, firm, fearless and able in de- 
 fense of the truth for truth's sake, the 
 glory of God, the good and comfort 
 and peace of all the redeemed and 
 saved in the Lord, for whom he has 
 the greatest concern and the most 
 tender regard. He is considered one 
 of the ablest, wisest and safest ex- 
 ponents of the literal and spiritual 
 interpretation of the Scriptures we 
 have; holding them unmixed with the 
 doctrines and new-born theories of 
 men; zealously opposing all depar- 
 tures in doctrine or practice, defend- 
 ing the purity of the gospel church in 
 its apostolic doctrine and practice." 
 
 ABNER HAVOLDSON. 
 
 Havoldson, Elder Abner (1770-1843) 
 of Hopkins County, Ky., was an able 
 and uncompromising minister of the 
 gospel of Christ. His labors were 
 mostly confined to churches within the 
 bounds of the Highland Association. 
 
 WILLIAM HAWKINS. 
 
 Hawkins, Elder William (1826-1894), 
 of Virginia, was born in Ashe County, 
 N. C, and died at his home On Rock 
 
130 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Creek, Grayson County, Va. He was 
 in 1851 married to Miss Mary J. Mc- 
 Bride; professed a hope in Jesus in 
 1856, and joined Rock Creek Church 
 same year; was baptized by Elder 
 Enoch Reeves, ordained deacon in 1868,. 
 licensed to preach in 1870 and in 1872 
 was ordained to the ministerial work 
 by Elders George Douglas, Thomas 
 Carr, W'm. Lundy, B. E. Caudill, S. M. 
 Dicky and G. Hackler. Until his death 
 he was in the service of churches and 
 served as Moderator of the Mountain 
 Association the last two years of his 
 life. He traveled thousands of miles 
 through all kinds of weather preaching 
 the gospel of love without charge, and 
 was honored and esteemed by those 
 among whom he so faithfully labored- 
 Bold and uncompromising with error 
 he earnestly contended for the faith 
 once delivered to the saints. Salva- 
 tion by grace, and practical godliness 
 were the main themes of his preach- 
 ing. 
 
 A. B. HAWKS. 
 
 Hawks, Elder A. B., was born April 
 19, 1857, in Grayson County, Va. He 
 was married to Sylvina daughter of 
 Mark R. and Lucinda Simcox in De- 
 cember, 187S. This union was blessed 
 with five sons and three daughters, 
 all o. whom are living except one in- 
 fant which preceded him to the glory 
 land. He was known as being a very 
 moral boy in youth — professed a hope 
 in his eighteenth year and united with 
 the Methodists. He stayed with them 
 about three years but becoming dis- 
 satisfied with the doctrine they 
 preached, believing it was not in ac- 
 cord with the Scriptures, he withdrew 
 from them and joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church. Soon after uniting 
 with the church he felt impressed by 
 the Spirit to stand as a watchman 
 on the walls of Zion, but viewing his 
 weakness and unworthiness, he 
 strove against this impression for 
 some years. He was finally made to 
 yield, and with fear and trembling- 
 came before the church in August, 
 1892, and asked for liberty to speak 
 an public. His request was gladly com- 
 plied with and on the following day 
 made his first effort to proclaim the 
 glad tidings of salvation. His educa- 
 tion was so deficient that he could 
 scarcely read intelligently, yet he had 
 wonderful understanding in regard to 
 the Scriptures. The church, seeing his 
 gift, he was ordained in 1897. He was 
 soon called to take the pastoral care 
 of several churches, whicn he served 
 faithfully until his death. 
 
 W. R. HELMES. 
 
 Helms, Elder W. R., of Charlotte, 
 N. C, was born in Union County, N. 
 C, April 19, 1858, became deeply 
 convicted of sin in 1873, blessed with 
 a hope in Christ in 1874 and joined 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at 
 High Hill and baptized in 1881. He 
 began to speak in public in 1898 and 
 was ordained some three years later. 
 He was raised on the farm where he 
 has lived most of his life. Elder 
 Helmes is a modest, quiet, unassum- 
 ing, good and humble man and very 
 much beloved and speaks to the com- 
 fort of the church. 
 
 J. E. W. HENDERSON. 
 
 Henderson, Elder J. E. W., of Troy, 
 Ala., was born January 23, 1839. His 
 father, John D. Henderson, and moth- 
 er, Sarah Thompson, were natives of 
 South Carolina, and were members off 
 the Baptist Church before the divi- 
 sion in 1832. His father devoted his 
 life to hard, manual labor, but never 
 accumulated much property, and at 
 the age when children are commonly 
 put into school he was unable to af- 
 ford the subject of this sketch such 
 advantage, and he grew up to man- 
 hood without education, having spent 
 only about two months in school dur- 
 in his life. He served in the Confed- 
 erate army for a term of three years 
 and three months; and while this de- 
 prived him of the comforts of home 
 and the society of loved ones (hav- 
 ing a precious wife and three children 
 sat home), it pleased the Lord of 
 heaven and earth to visit him with 
 quickening power; and on the 11th 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 131 
 
 day of August, 1862, he felt a powerful 
 sense of his pardoning mercy which 
 left him in possession of a precious 
 hope that all will be well with him 
 beyond this vale of sorrow and afflic- 
 tion. Having obtained leave of ab- 
 sence from the army, in August, 18G3, 
 he visited his family, and attended 
 and united with the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church at Hopeful, Russell Coun- 
 tl, Ala., and was baptized by Elder L. 
 B. Porter. He was in IS 71 ordained 
 by Elders Wm. M. Mitchell and C. S. 
 Tate, at Mt. Olive Church, and 
 though now about seventy years old 
 — (1908)— yet is serving three 
 churches regularly. Elder Henderson 
 is associate editor of the Gospel Mes- 
 senger, is a fluent and able writer, a 
 gifted preacher, and fully satsified 
 with the doctrine and practice of the 
 apostolic church and wishes to apply 
 alone the principles and practices to 
 his own churches. His writings are 
 greatly enjoyed by readers of The 
 Messenger. 
 
 T. R. HENDRICKS. 
 
 Hendricks, Elder T. R., was born 
 August 4, 1836, died October 20, 1907. 
 He joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Clear Creek, Henry County, 
 Tenn., when about eighteen years old 
 and was baptized by Elder T. L. Dan- 
 iel. He soon began to talk in public 
 at school houses in the neighborhood. 
 He felt that he could not be content 
 unless he preached the gospel; so for 
 mar,y years ne was a regular attend- 
 ant at the meetings of the churches, 
 taking an active part in the services. 
 The writer does not know when he 
 was ordained to the work of the min- 
 istry; however, after his ordination 
 he served the churches at Clear 
 Creek, Bethlehem and Beaverdam as 
 pastor for a number of years. He was 
 known as an humble God-fearing man 
 who loved the truth of salvation by 
 grace. His walk was orderly, a good 
 citizen and neighbor, and very atten- 
 tive to the sick and afflicted. 
 
 W. J. HESS. 
 
 Hess, Elder W. J., was born in 
 Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, in 
 1855, In 1867, with his parents, who 
 were Old School Baptists, he mcved 
 to Oregon, settling near Portland. 
 Next he moved to Clatsop County, 
 where in May, 1877, he professed a 
 hope in Christ and was baptized in 
 
 Lewis and Clark river by Elder J. A. 
 Bullock. He was married to Miss So- 
 nora A. Flanary in 1878, and in the 
 fall of that year moved to Klickitat 
 County, Washington Territory, locat- 
 ing near Goldendale where he contin- 
 ued to live until the fall of 1900, when 
 he moved to Yakima County, his pres- 
 ent home. He was ordained to the 
 gospel ministry in October, 1902, and 
 the following November was called to 
 be pastor of Pleasant Grove Church 
 where, "by the grace and mercy of 
 God." he writes, "I continue to this 
 day teaching, in much weakness, that 
 salvation, both for time and eternity, 
 is by grace through faith from first 
 to last." 
 
 DANIEL HESS. 
 
 Hess, Elder Daniel, was born Oc- 
 tober 14, 1827, in the state of Ohio, 
 and died very suddenly in company, 
 with his wife and other friends on a 
 street car in Atlanta, Ga., December 
 3, 1905. The. life of Elder Hess as a 
 Baptist is one of the grandest dis- 
 plays of the doctrine of salvation by 
 grace that has been in modern times. 
 He was raised in the lap of luxury, 
 being very wealthy, and of course was 
 reared in the high circles of life, yet 
 the Mighty God who rules heaven and 
 earth brought him to see that he was 
 nothing but a miserable sinner, and 
 revealed Jesus Christ to him as the 
 hope of his salvation, directed him to 
 the Old Baptists when he did not 
 know there -u as such a people on 
 earth. His travels to the church and 
 his call to the ministry were wonder- 
 ful indeed. He was a great blessing 
 to the Baptists, every ready to lend 
 a helping hand to those who were in 
 need, was one of the best fireside 
 conversationalists, and always en- 
 couraging the Lord's people to the dis- 
 charge of duty by forsaking the world 
 and taking up their cross and follow- 
 ing their Lord and Master in all the 
 ordinances of the gospel. There was 
 no respect of persons with him; he 
 was the same humble, child-like Chris- 
 tian in the home of the poor that he 
 was in the stately mansion of the 
 rich. He was twice married. His first 
 wife was Miss Eliza Shattuck, of his 
 native state, who died about ten years 
 ago, while living in Columbus, Ga. A 
 few years later he married Mrs. Kate 
 Green, the widow of the late Alfred 
 Green, of Atlanta. 
 
 JOHN C. HEWITT. 
 
 Hewitt, Elder John C, of North 
 
 Carolina, was born in Jones County, 
 
132 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 in January, 1822, and united with 
 White Oak Church in Jones County, 
 in 1853, and was baptized by Elder 
 Josiah Smith; was ordained in 18G2, 
 and was a zealous and fearless 
 preacher. As a man he was sincerely 
 esteemed and loved for bis meek and 
 humble spirit and godly deportment. 
 Elder Hewitt was a member of the 
 White Oak Association, a band of 
 brethren true and humble, affection- 
 ate and kind to each other. Our min- 
 istering brethren who visit among 
 them will testify to the sincerity and 
 godliness of their character. He died 
 in 1884 in the full triumph of faith 
 he had preached to others. 
 
 WM. HICKMAN. 
 
 Hickman, Elder William H., was 
 born in Indiana on the 29th day of 
 March, 1843, and joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church in 1870, and was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry in 
 1876. For want of late information 
 this brief notice of Elder Hickman is 
 taken from Elder Potter's book pub- 
 lished in 1895. 
 
 I. D, HIGDON 
 
 Higdon, Elder I. D. (1818-1894)., was 
 born in Barren County, Ky., and 
 united with the Primitive Baptists in 
 1837. He moved to Iowa in 1840, and 
 was ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry in 18G8. He moved to Mis- 
 souri in the year 1873, where he died 
 February 23, his membership being 
 with Marion Church, Ray County, Mo. 
 His love for pure doctrine and a g'od- 
 ly life commended him to the house- 
 hold of faith, and it is regretted that 
 a full sketch of his life cannot be 
 
 given. 1 — 
 
 H. M. HIGGINBOTHAM. 
 
 Higginbotham, Elder H, M. (1806- 
 1886), of Georgia, and for thirty-four 
 years a faithful minister. His name 
 will ever fill a pleasant place in the 
 memory of the church at Providence, 
 and indeed with all lovers of the pre- 
 cious truths of the gospel who kne-w 
 him. He was a man of- unblemished 
 character; strictly honest in all his 
 dealings with his fellow man. As a 
 citizen, or good neighbor, he had no 
 superior; as a Christian, he lived 
 without a blot on his religious pro- 
 fession, and as a minister of the gos- 
 pel, he was sound, faithful and un- 
 compromising. It can truly be said cf 
 him that he was an able gospel min- 
 ister; strictly apostolic in all his 
 preaching and practice, opposing, 
 
 with all the powers of his might, the 
 new isms of the day. Fiona the day 
 he united with the church until the 
 day of his death, he stood firm in the 
 doctrine of salvation by grace, and 
 grace alone. He was a strong believer 
 and defender of the doctrine of pre- 
 destination, God's electing love, ef- 
 fectual calling and the final persever- 
 ance of the saints in grace. He ignor- 
 ed all auxiliary institutions gotten up 
 by man to aid God in the salvation of 
 poor sinners, or to add to the pro- 
 gress of the church; claiming that 
 God's plan of saving sinners was a 
 perfect plan, and that "Jesus," who 
 is the Saviour of his people, is mighty 
 and able to save, and that his Spirit, 
 grace and perfect law of liberty, 
 which He has given Zion for her 
 prosperity and happiness, is sufficient 
 and will prevail in her preservation, so 
 that the gates of hell shall never pre- 
 vail against her. And to presume to 
 add to the work of his Spirit, grace 
 and his precious rule, is high pre- 
 sumption, and a mark of the beast. A 
 volume might be written concerning 
 the faith, hope, walk and able teach- 
 ings of Elder Higginbothem, how faith- 
 fully he served churches in Alabama 
 and Georgia, but suffice it to say that 
 he was loyal to his blessed Master un- 
 to death, and as we believe is now 
 realizing in spirit immortality, while 
 his body is sweetly sleeping in Jesus. 
 
 G. E. HIGDON. 
 
 Higdon, Elder G. E., of Knoxville, 
 Tenn., was born in Wapello County, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 133 
 
 Iowa, June 12, 1850, and moved to 
 Missouri in the year 1873. He united 
 with Marion Church, Ray County, 
 Mo., on the fourth Saturday in April, 
 1886, was licensed to preach in 1891, 
 and ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry in 1893. He has the care of 
 four churches and is zealous in the 
 cause. This brief sketch from Elder 
 Cash's book published 1896, and is 
 inserted for want of data from which 
 to prepare a more complete sketch. 
 
 HENRY HILL. 
 
 Hill, Elder Henry (1805-1884), of 
 Missouri, was born in Kentucky, Jan- 
 uary 2, 1805, and joined the Primitive 
 Baptists in that state Moved to Mis- 
 souri, and he was identified with the 
 Baptists in the first settlement of the 
 country- In the year 1832, he was 
 elected clerk of Fishing River Asso- 
 ciation, and in the year 1838 became 
 Moderator of that well known body 
 of Baptists, and served in that capac- 
 ity twenty-nine years, standing firmly 
 against all innovations in doctrine and 
 
 practice. ■ — 
 
 J. M. HINDS. 
 
 Hinds, Elder J. M., of Lenoir,Tenn., 
 is a. faithful under-shepherd in the 
 Master's kingdom, has the care of 
 churches within the bounds of the 
 Hiwassee Association of Primitive 
 Baptists and is the beloved 'Modera- 
 tor of this body. 
 
 LEVI V. HITE. 
 
 Hite, Elder Levi V., of Marion, O. 
 This highly esteemed minister was 
 born in Wyandotte County, O., August 
 
 14, 1869, and reared by O'ld School 
 Baptist parents; his father being a 
 deacon in Rocky Fork Church and his 
 mother a sister of Elder L. B. Sher- 
 wood. He realized his sinful condition 
 in early life, received a hope in Christ 
 in October, 1887, united with the 
 above named church October, 1890, 
 and was baptized by Elder L. E. 
 Thomas at which time he received his 
 first impression to preach. But he 
 kept this to himself — or tried to — 
 and did not begin speaking in public 
 until September, 1898. In February, 
 1902, he was ordained by Elders A. 
 F. Dove, L. E. Thomas and A. S. 
 Shoemaker. Elder Hite is now serving 
 three churches regularly and his 
 labors have been blessed to the com- 
 fort and edification of God's humble 
 poor, and to the ingathering and build- 
 ing up of the church. He was on Octo- 
 ber 13, 1892, married to Miss Adah 
 "Williams. 
 
 D. L. HITCHCOCK. 
 
 Hitchcock, Elder D. L., of Georgia, 
 died very suddenly at Eatonton, Put- 
 nam County, Ga., October 1, 1903, in 
 his ninetieth year. He had been a 
 Primitive Baptist for about seventy- 
 five years and a faithful minister of 
 the gospel for over sixty years. To 
 say that his life has always been an 
 exemplary one, and his ministry a 
 firm, faithful, and acceptable one with 
 his brethren, does but feebly express 
 the many virtues and life of this 
 good man. He was great in goodness, 
 and gcod in greatness. His counsel 
 and advice was good and always ap- 
 preciated by all who knew him. As a 
 citizen he was a noble man. As a 
 Christian and gospel minister he was 
 a shining light; none' ever knew him 
 but to respect and love him. He was 
 for over thirty years Moderator of the 
 Ocmulgee Association, and was a 
 great gift to the church. 
 
 CHARLES HODGES. 
 
 Hodges, Elder Charles, of Missis- 
 sippi, who died about 1857, was fqr 
 many years the Moderator of the 
 Tombigby Association, and was able 
 in doctrine, exhortation and discipline. 
 He was also noted for his gift of sing- 
 ing. Further information of the life 
 and labors of this faithful minister 
 cannot be abtained, hence this brief 
 sketcn. 
 
134 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 H. C. HOGAN. 
 
 Hogan, Elder H. C, of Dickson, 
 Term. For the last twenty years Elder 
 Hogan has been preaching Jesus the 
 way, the truth and the life. He has, 
 perhaps traveled more and done more 
 evagelistic work than any other min- 
 ister of his age, among our people. He 
 was born in Obion County, Tenn., July 
 1, 1864, raised by Primitive Baptist 
 parents — his father uniting with the 
 church in his fiftieth year of age; 
 had serious thoughts about death and 
 eternity from early childhood, but 
 this did not keep him from being 
 stubborn and rough with his little 
 sisters. The first sermon that made 
 any serious impression upon him v as 
 preached by Elder T. S. Dalton, from 
 the text, "Ye must be born again." 
 This bore heavily on his mind, and 
 soon the full weight of his condem- 
 nation before God rested on him. But 
 God gave relief in Jesus and a love 
 for the dear old church, but for two 
 years he lingered outside the fold 
 feeling two young and timid as there 
 were no young people members of the 
 old church. However, when about fif- 
 teen years of age he joined Cane 
 Creek Church and was baptized by 
 Elder N. G. Phillips. He was ordain- 
 ed Dec, 1887, by Elders J. K. Stephen 
 and S. F'. Cayce. In a recent publica- 
 tion Elder Hogan says: "I served 
 churches in Middle Tennessee about 
 seven years, but have given them all 
 up now and devote all my time to 
 traveling. I am anxious to be of some 
 comfort to God's people and glorify 
 my blessed Master. I am especially 
 anxious to go to destitute places 
 
 where the gospel is not preached, as 
 the apostle says, 'in the regions be- 
 yond.' I have traveled in twenty-three 
 states, Indian Territory and District 
 of Columbia. I have traveled as many 
 as ten thousand miles in a year. I 
 pray the Lord to guide my footsteps 
 in such a way that I may never bring 
 reproach on His blessed cause." 
 
 WILLIAM HOGAN. 
 
 Hogan, Elder William, of Illinois, 
 was born March 10, 1814, and united 
 with New Salem Church, Brown 
 County, Ills., in February, 1842. He 
 was ordained in May, 1843, and died 
 September 6, 1869. From Elder Cash's 
 book, 1896. Further information of 
 Elder Hogan's life and labors could 
 not be obtained. 
 
 R. M. HOGGATT. 
 
 Hoggatt, Elder R. M., of Ashton, 
 Kan., was born in Macoupin County, 
 Ills., March 19, 1839, and received a 
 hope when he was seventeen years of 
 age. He first united with the New 
 School Baptists, but becoming dis- 
 satisfied with them joined Drywood 
 Church of Primitive Baptists in Bour- 
 bon County, Kan., in August, 1876. He 
 was ordained February 10, 1883, and 
 has served a part of the time since as 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 135 
 
 pastor of churches, but prefers to be 
 free and visit destitute places. This 
 brief sketch of Elder Hoggatt from 
 
 R. M. HOGGATT 
 
 Elder Cash's book and for want of 
 later information is inserted. 
 
 J. D. HOLLIS. 
 
 Hollis, Elder J. D., of Oklahoma, 
 was born in Troup County, Georgia, 
 October 11, 1S54; moved with his pa- 
 rents to Texas in 1857; was married 
 to Sophronia Wood November 3, 1878, 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church, Mt. Pisgah, in Hopkins Coun- 
 ty, Texas, in October, 1881; baptized 
 by Elder William Caudle; ordained to 
 the ministry in 1882 by Elders John 
 Owen, and W. W. Slaughter. He was a 
 gifted minister, and after a life of 
 usefulness and faithful service died 
 October, 1907. 
 
 R. V. HOLLEMAN. 
 
 Holleman, Elder R. V., of Wealthy, 
 Texas. The subject of this sketch was 
 born at Oak Flat, in Rush County, 
 Texas, August, 28, 1874, moved with 
 his parents to Leon County, in 1884, 
 raised on a farm with but few advant- 
 ages of an education, but by study 
 and close application acquired con- 
 siderable information and business 
 education, and is at present postmast- 
 er at his home town and also conduct- 
 
 ing a mercantile business. Elder 
 Holleman was convicted of sin when 
 about fifteen years of age, made to 
 cry for mercy and plead the publi- 
 can's prayer — ."Lord be merciful to 
 me a sinner," was given a sweet and 
 abiding hope in Jesus, united with 
 Union Primitive Baptist Church in 
 October, 1894, and baptized by Elder 
 J. C. Denton. In 1901 he was licensed 
 to preach, was in the constitution of 
 
 R. V. HOLLEMAN 
 
 Mt. Zion Church of Wealthy, Texas, in 
 1904, and was the following year or- 
 dained to the gospel ministry by Eld- 
 ers J. C. Collier and H. White. Has 
 since been serving churches and now 
 has the care of Shiloh, Mt. Zion and 
 Fellowship churches. December 15, 
 1907, he was married to Miss Eva M. 
 Gilbert — a loyal member of the 
 church with her husband, 
 
 ZEBULON HOLLIDAY. 
 
 Holliday, Elder Zebulon, of Thurs- 
 ton, O., was born in Ohio on the 22nd 
 of February,, 1839, joined the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church in 1S76, and was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry 
 in 1884. This brief notice is from Eld- 
 er Potter's book published is 1895. 
 The editor regrets that data for a full 
 sketch could not be secured. 
 
 LONNIE HOLLOWAY. 
 
 Holloway, Elder Lonnie, of Gray- 
 mont, Ga. This brother is perhaps the 
 youngest minister among our people 
 today. Born Januay 13, 1890, began 
 preaching when eighteen, and was or- 
 
136 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 dained by Rcsemary Church Novem- 
 ber 7, 1908, the following ministers 
 officiating: Elders H. Temple, S. M. 
 Anderson and H. B. Wilkison. Elder 
 Holloway was raised by Baptist pa- 
 rents, convicted of sin in his four- 
 teenth year, fled to the law for justi- 
 fication but was by the law condemn- 
 ed to eternal punishment, and that 
 justly; groped in darkness and was 
 without hope until Jesus arose with 
 healings in His wings, became his 
 sin-bearer and he was by faith, en- 
 abled to trust in His blood and plead 
 His righteousness. He was also given 
 a love for the dear old church but, 
 for several months lingered around 
 
 Baptist Association. He is also Mod- 
 erator of this association and is high- 
 ly esteemed among his people. 
 
 LONNIE HOLLOWAY 
 
 the fold, feeling too unworthy to. enter 
 therein. But in August, 1905, he was 
 received into the fellowship of the 
 Rosemary Church and baptized by 
 Elder H. Temple. Of his ministry Eld- 
 er Holloway writes: "I feel too young 
 and unworthy to engage in the sweet 
 service of God, but how glad I feel 
 and how I desire to thank and adore 
 the name of the Lord, for His mercies 
 to poor me. I am now, not quite nine- 
 teen years old, and oh, how I desire 
 that God's people will pray for me. 
 ^h, may I though young, honor the 
 high profession of God our Saviour.' 
 
 WM. HOLLINGSWORTH. 
 
 Hollingsworth, Elder Wm., of Whig- 
 ham, Ga. This faithful under-shepherd 
 has the care of Tired Creek, Pisgah, 
 Piedmont and Trinity churches in 
 
 J. W. HOLMAN. 
 
 Holman, Elder J. W., of Tennessee, 
 was born March 1, 1812, professed a 
 hope in Christ when very young, 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 of Jesus Christ at Mt. Moriah in 
 May, 1826, and remained firm in the 
 faith throughout his long and useful 
 life. He was an humble and beloved 
 member of the church near sixty-six 
 years, during which time several doc- 
 trinal troubles arose that gave much 
 distress, but none of these new things 
 moved him; he remained unshaken. 
 Freewillism, Campbellism, Missionism 
 and Two-seedism all had their rise 
 during his life in the church; but all 
 alike failed to move him from his first 
 love. Elder Holman was in the minis- 
 try over fifty years and served as 
 Moderator of Elk River Association 
 over twenty years. He ranked among 
 the ablest ministers of Middle Ten- 
 nessee. His great theme, upcn which 
 he loved to dwell, was salvation by 
 free and unmerited grace, bestowed 
 on poor sinners of Adam's race — and 
 thus a sinner saved by grace. His 
 long and faithful ministry endeared 
 him to his many brethren so greatly 
 that they will long cherish his mem- 
 ory. He was respectful and courteous 
 towards those from whom he differed, 
 yet firm and uncompromising in the 
 defense or support of the Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ. As a minister 
 his labors were wondelfully blessed 
 to the comfort of God's children. As 
 a husband he was devoted and con- 
 fiding, providing for the comforts of 
 this life bountifully, a kind and in- 
 dulgent father, good neighbor, and 
 loyal citizen. He died February 21, 
 1892. 
 
 SAMUEL HOLT. 
 
 Holt, Elder Samuel, of North Caro- 
 lina, was born 1807, united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at Yopp's Church 
 Onslow County; was received by let- 
 ter in full fellowship in Southwest 
 Church and there remained until his 
 death. Information relative to his life 
 and labors could not be obtained. 
 
 LEWIS HON. 
 
 Hon, Elder Lewis, of Illinois was 
 born in Bowman's Bend, White Coun- 
 ty, 111., 1828, and his entire life was 
 
 the bounds of the original Flint River : spent in the vicinity of his birthplace. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 131 
 
 The Hods moved to Illinois in 1812, 
 six years before the state was admit- 
 ted to the union. The parents of Eld- 
 er Hon began life under the many 
 ditticulties tnat beset the people of 
 limited means in those days, and the 
 subject of this sketch had but little 
 opportunity to acquire an education. 
 In those days hard work occupied a 
 large portion of a boy's life and the 
 boys in the Hon family were no ex- 
 ception. Consequently Elder Hon 
 
 .... :.m\?: 
 
 LEWIS HON 
 
 
 grew to rugged manhood, with an ed- 
 ucation gained chiefly by experience 
 and brief periods at the primitive 
 schools of those days. He was married 
 four times. His first wife was Miss 
 Lucinda Heart, to whom he was mar- 
 ried in 1847. They became the pa- 
 rents of two children. After a few 
 years death dissolved this union, and 
 in 1854 he was married to Miss Mary 
 Hunsinger. Fourteen children blessed 
 this union. But death claimed her, 
 and some years afterward he was 
 united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah 
 Ralls, who lived to bless his home and 
 comfort his life until 1904. His last 
 marriage, to Mrs, Mary Poole, of In- 
 diana, took place in May, 1905. Again 
 his home was honored with a devoted 
 Christian helpmate who served him 
 most tenderly and faithfully, until he 
 gently fell asleep at their beautiful 
 home in Crossville, 111., April 17, 1908, 
 at the ripe old age of seventy-nine. 
 Father Hon received a sweet assur- 
 ance of the forgiveness of sins about 
 sixty years ago, and soon after joined 
 the Little Wabash Primitive Baptist 
 Church where he remained faithful 
 till death. He was ordained July, 1870, 
 which exalted position he filled with 
 credit to himself and honor to the 
 
 cause he loved and the God who call- 
 ed him, for almost half a century. He 
 was a man of strong convictions, be- 
 ing uncompromising in defending the 
 doctrine of his church, yet kind and 
 gentle with all who opposed him. He 
 was ever at his post, not only in re- 
 ligious revivals, but in the times of 
 declination as well. But few men have 
 traveled and preached so much with 
 as little financial reward. In fact he 
 contributed much more to the cause 
 than he ever received. He was modera- 
 tor of the Skillet Fork Association 
 for many years — till failing health 
 prevented, and was pastor of his home 
 church at the time of his death. Of 
 his ten children which grew to man- 
 hood and womanhood, he baptized 
 nine, and had the assurance that the 
 other one is a subject of God's cov- 
 enant love and a firm believer in the 
 doctrine his father preached. 
 
 D. HOPPER. 
 
 Hopper, Elder D., of Jackson, Tenn., 
 was born February 4, 1852, reared 
 under the influence of the new school 
 or Missionary Baptists; obtained a 
 hope in Christ in 1869 and united with 
 the Missionaries soon after and was 
 ordained by them 1877. For twenty 
 years he labored among these people, 
 trying to teach them the sure salva- 
 tion of God's elect, even without mis- 
 sionary plans of man's devising, at 
 the same time learning more and 
 more of the history of their church, 
 and becoming more and more opposed 
 to many of its unscriptural practices, 
 until he boldly and alone, openly op- 
 posed in their association, the plans of 
 their missionarv board. But in vain 
 
138 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 did he plead with his brethren to give 
 up their unscriptural doctrine and 
 practice; and following the scriptural 
 injunction, he came out from among 
 them, and united with the Primitive, 
 or Old School Baptist in 1903 and was 
 baptized by Elder J. L. Butler. The 
 baptizing occurred about 10 o'clock a. 
 m., he was ordained at 11 a. m. and 
 preached at 11:30 a. m. to a large con- 
 course of people. It was a struggle to 
 leave a people he had so long been 
 with, who had nothing against him, 
 and he nothing against them, only the 
 doctrine and practice of God's word 
 dividing them. He, like Moses, was 
 enabled to choose to suffer affliction 
 with the people of God. Elder Hopper 
 has, since coming among us, been 
 serving churches; is an able preacher 
 and fluent writer. 
 
 JOHN W. HOPPER. 
 
 Hopper, Eider John W., of Washing- 
 ton C. H, Ohio, was born in Fay- 
 ette County, November 26, 1848; mar- 
 ried to Miss Rebecca J. Waddle, 
 April, 1871, with whom he lived hap- 
 pily for eight years when she died, 
 and he was, November, 1880, married 
 to Miss Ann Waddle. His wives were 
 sisters and both members of the 
 Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Hop- 
 pes united with Paint Creek 
 Church, December, 1877, and 
 was baptized by Elder Wal- 
 ter Yoeman. In 1879 he was 
 licensed, and May 21, 1881, was or- 
 dained by Elders Tunis Ashbrook, 
 Coiwin Reed and Walter Yoeman and 
 has since had the care of churches 
 until about three years ago when on 
 account of ill health, he declined serv- 
 
 ing as regular pastor, but travels 
 among the churches. He has served 
 as Moderator of the Scioto Associa- 
 tion and is well and favorably known 
 among the Baptists of his country. 
 In his young days Elder Hoppes 
 taught school, but since has followed 
 farming as a worldly profession and 
 has been very successful, owning now 
 about eleven hundred acres of land 
 in his native county. When asked 
 why he was so successful financially 
 he has often said he attributed it to 
 the blessings of God and to being obe- 
 dient to the Master in faithfully and 
 freely serving the churches for the 
 past twenty years. 
 
 A. HORNER. 
 
 Horenr, Elder A., of Waterloo, Ore., 
 was born in Barry County, Mo., De- 
 cember 6, 1858. After his father's 
 
 death in 1865, he with his mother, 
 moved to Oregon and settled near 
 Oregon City. November 21, 1878, he 
 was married to Miss Nancy D. Sav- 
 age. In 1881 he was convicted Of sin 
 and after about three long years of 
 darkness and thunderings of Mt. 
 Siani's law he was given a hope in 
 Jesus as the end of the law for right- 
 eousness. Being in correspondence 
 with Elder George Mayfield he travel- 
 ed, by private conveyance, seventy 
 miles to meet with Pleasant Grove 
 Church, offered himself for member- 
 ship, was received and baptized by 
 Elder James A. Bullock May, 1S84. In 
 August, 1897, he was ordained to tht; 
 full work of the ministry and has 
 since been preaching Jesus, the way, 
 the truth and the life. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 139 
 
 ASA HOWARD. 
 
 Howard, Elder Asa, of Weatherford, 
 Texas. Not being able to secure later 
 information of Elder Howard, the ed- 
 itor quotes the following from Elder 
 Cash's book published in 1896: "Elder 
 Howard, was born in Springfield, Mo., 
 February 28, 1846, and joined Clear 
 Creek Church, near Weatherford, 
 Texas, in July, 1865. He was ordained 
 in July, 1869, and has devoted much 
 of his time to preaching the gcspel." 
 
 DAVID HOUSE. 
 
 House, Elder, David, (1816-1894). 
 This gifted preacher was born in Pitt 
 County, N. C. He was the son of 
 John and Nicey House and grew up a 
 very quiet and moral boy, suffered 
 much under the conviction of sin and 
 was delivered from his burden of sin 
 and condemnation at his plow while at 
 work in the field. His deliverance was 
 very bright, and his faith in God was 
 strong and of an unfaltering nature, 
 all the days of his life afterwards. He 
 was received for baptism, 1847, to 
 the church at Great Swamp and 
 was licensed during the year to 
 the exercises of his gift, and in 
 November, 1853, was ordained to 
 the full work of the gospel ministry 
 by a presbytery consisting of Elders 
 John H. Daniel and Lanier Griffin. He 
 was a zealous and faithful minister of 
 the gospel and during his life traveled 
 as many miles, and preached as much 
 for the churches in his own country 
 
 about home as any that can be found, 
 as well as serving his own church in a 
 faithful and acceptable manner. The 
 churches that he served, although not 
 blessed with as great ingatherings as. 
 some, were blessed with sweet seasons 
 of peace and harmony under his serv- 
 ice, no doubt due in a great degree to 
 his sound and able ministry and wise 
 counsel and exhortation which he gave 
 them, coupled with the bright example 
 which he set before them, for he was 
 a living epistle of Christ known and 
 read of all men and even those who did 
 not believe the doctrine he preached 
 were constrained to say he lived his 
 religion. 
 
 JOHN C. HUBBARD. 
 
 Hubbard, Elder John C-, was one of 
 God's faithful servants who has cross- 
 ed over the river to join the saints of 
 God on the other shore. He was born 
 in Southern Virginia, January 16, 
 1824, and united with the church Au- 
 gust, 1846, and was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry September, 
 1850. Feeling that he was called to- 
 labor in another field, he and his 
 wife called for letters from Jacks 
 Creek Church at their Septembei 
 meeting 1852, and soon after 
 moved to West Virginia. The 
 next year — 1853 — he was made Moder- 
 ator of the Indian Creek Association 
 which place he filled with satis- 
 faction until 1901 when owing to his 
 afflictions he could not attend. He la- 
 bored much among the churches and 
 had the care of several, and still was 
 retained as pastor of Flat Woods and 
 New River churches until his death. 
 He traveled much through cold and 
 neat, storm and calm to declare the 
 watchman and hesitated not to give 
 the alarm when he saw the wolf com- 
 ing. He was a tender and loving shep- 
 herd, yet faithful and true, and had 
 no fellowship for the unfruitful works 
 of darkness, yet his manner of preach- 
 ing was such none could say it was 
 not true, and all lovers of truth loved 
 to hear him. He used no rough expres- 
 sions about those who differed from 
 him, but simply preached the word, 
 reproved, rebuked with all long suf- 
 fering and doctrine; in almost every 
 sermon telling his little flock how 
 they ought to live and walk as chil- 
 dren of God. He wanted to see all 
 who professed the name of Christ 
 adorn that profession by a godly walk. 
 
140 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 WM. HUBBARD. 
 
 Hubbard, Elder Wm. was born in 
 South Carolina on the 22d day of April, 
 1809. His parents, John and Mary 
 Hubbard, moved to Hall County, Ga., 
 in 1818, taking him with them, then a 
 boy nine years of age. He joined 
 the church called Liberty in Lumpkin 
 County, Ga., and was baptized by Elder 
 James Whitten, June, 1831, and soon 
 after was ordained to the ministry. 
 At the time Elder Hubbard was or- 
 dained there were no so called 'Mis- 
 sionary Baptists, but shortly after- 
 wards the great question of foreign 
 missions and the institutions of the 
 day sprang up to the dividing of the 
 Baptist denomination. And in this, 
 question which threatened the destruc- 
 tion of the church, he took the side 
 of the Primitive Church, and main- 
 tained it until death. In this great 
 controversy public sentiment and pre- 
 judice ran so high that he was threat- 
 ened by a mob; and on one occasion, 
 when threatened at Valley Grove 
 Church, in Murray County, a company 
 of young men rode up by him, when he 
 was nearing the church, with clubs in 
 their hands, and saluted him very po- 
 litely. They rode along together on 
 horseback and when they arrived at 
 the church, he hitched his horse, and 
 the young men hitched theirs close by 
 his, and all went into the church to- 
 gether, he taking the stand, and the 
 young men taking seats near by. After 
 services, a conference was held in 
 which was considerable confusion and 
 discussion on the mooted question of 
 missions. After conference the 
 meeting adjourned, and he and the 
 young men who sat by so attentively 
 rode away. Upon inquiry it was as- 
 certained that these young men had 
 heard that certain citizens, and per- 
 haps some members of the church, 
 who were favorable to the Arminian 
 cause, intended to mob him, and his 
 opinion was the Lord put it into the 
 hearts and minds of these young men 
 to protect him. This, however, was 
 unknown to him until after it had 
 happened. Though an uneducated man. 
 Elder Hubbard was one of God's min- 
 isters. He preached fifty-three years 
 in the Primitive Baptist ranks without 
 a charge against him so far as known 
 by the writer, and having been called 
 upon to fill the highest positions within 
 the gift of the churches. He was Mod- 
 erator of several Associations during 
 his ministerial career including the 
 Lpatoie, Harmony and Flint River. 
 
 J. D. HUBBELL. 
 
 Hubbell, Elder J. D., of Kelly's Cor- 
 ner, N. Y. The following is some quo- 
 tations from Hubbell's life work kept 
 and written by himself: "I was born 
 July S, 1S3G, if the family record be 
 true, which I do not doubt. When 
 near two years old I was attacked 
 with brain fever and came so near the 
 end of my days, in the sight of my 
 parents and physicians, that my grave 
 clothes were partially prepared but 
 as my days were not all then num- 
 bered, I was restored to health al- 
 though my sickness was of a nature 
 as to change the shape of my head 
 which is a little deformed yet, al- 
 though I have great reason for grati- 
 tude to my Creator for allotting me a 
 reasonable degree of earthly wisdom. 
 My Summer school education was fin- 
 ished when about twelve years old 
 and my school going finished alto- 
 gether when about nineteen years of 
 age. In the year 1855 I discovered my 
 helplessness and lost condition as a 
 sinner, and in the latter part of 1858 
 having received a hope, I united with 
 the second Old School Baptist Church 
 of Roxbury in 1859 of which I am now 
 a member. Shortly after I received a 
 hope I was impressed or inspired -with 
 the duty of preaching the gospel and 
 after a while was licensed to preach. 
 While a licentiate I traveled many 
 thousand miles over the country at- 
 tending funerals and trying in my 
 weak way to feed some of the scat- 
 tered flock. On September 13, 1872, I 
 was set apart by solemn ordination to 
 the work of the ministry having up 
 to this time attended 130 funerals, 
 trying to comfort the broken hearted 
 and having baptized seventeen." Eld- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 141 
 
 er Hubbell was one of the most pop- 
 ular and well known ministers in Del- 
 aware County, and being well known 
 along the line of the Ulster & Dela- 
 ware R. R., Greene and Schohaire 
 Counties, having traveled over the 
 counties at all times, day and night, 
 through sunshine and stormy weather, 
 prone to obey the will of his Master. 
 Having officiated at 517 funerals, 
 scores of baptisms and over 200 wed- 
 dings, goes to show the high esteem 
 and popularity in which he was held 
 by the community in which he has 
 always lived. To his enemies, while 
 they be few if any, he applied the 
 golden rule, and thus left them to their 
 own reflections. 
 
 W. P. HUDSON. 
 
 Hudson, Elder W. P., of Arkansas, 
 was born in Dickson County, Tenn., 
 May 2, 1852; moved to Texas in 1868, 
 and the following year to Washington 
 County, Ark., where he has since re- 
 sided. He was, in his seventeenth 
 year, convicted of sin, and after much 
 soul sorrow, doubts and fears was 
 given a hope in the Saviour and unit- 
 ed with the Primitive Baptists. He 
 was soon impressed with the duty of 
 preaching Jesus to others and was 
 ordained at Bethlehem Church in 1886, 
 by Elders J. S. Cowan, R. M. Wood 
 and J. R. Bolinger, since which time 
 he has endeavored to give his best 
 service to the cause, and can truly 
 say: 
 
 "I love Thy kingdom, Lord; 
 
 The house of Thine abode: 
 The church our blest Redeemer saved 
 
 With His own precious blood." 
 
 E. P. HUDSON. 
 
 Hudson, Elder E. P., of North Caro- 
 lina, was born June 27, 1822, in the 
 neighborhood of Juniper Bay, at which 
 place he was reared, and continued to 
 live till a few years past, when he 
 moved to the north side of Mattamus- 
 keet Lake. He was said to be a very 
 wild, bad boy, and remained so during 
 the early part of manhood, desecrating 
 the Sabbath by fishing and hunting 
 with gun and dogs, paying no respect 
 to religious worship, until the Lord 
 in his mercy killed in him the love of 
 the sports of the world by his Spirit 
 and caused him to cry unto him for 
 mercy, which he was pleased to grant 
 him by clothing him with his imputed 
 righteousness, which caused him ever 
 afterwards to have no confidence in 
 the works of the flesh, but to give all 
 honor and glory to the works of the 
 Spirit. He joined the church at North 
 Lake, 1876, was baptized by Elder Al- 
 bert Cartwright, some time after which 
 he felt to be called by his divine Mas- 
 ter to preach the unsearchable riches 
 of the gospel of Christ. Thus we see 
 that the Lord is able to tame the wild- 
 est and most profane of his people by 
 the inward working of his Holy Spirit. 
 
 THOMAS HUDSON. 
 
 Hudson, Elder Thomas was born 
 April 20, 1859, and died at his home in 
 Allegheny County, N. C, July 3, 1880. 
 He united with the church in his 
 seventeenth year, was licensed to 
 preach in his nineteenth year, and died 
 in his twenty-second year of age. His 
 was a short service in the Masters' 
 vineyard but noted for loyalty and 
 zeal. 
 
 JOEL HUME. 
 
 Hume, Elder Joel, of Owensville, 
 Ind., was born in Kentucky on the 13tb 
 day of June, 1807, joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church in 1831, and was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry in 
 1836. He served five churches for a 
 time, and was pastor of one at the time 
 of his death. He was a man of extra- 
 ordinary natural ability a very impres- 
 sive speaker and wonderful force of 
 character. In the prime of his life, 
 his preaching was mostly on the de- 
 fensive style, yet he baptized a great 
 many. He engaged in several oral 
 debates, two of which were published. 
 He moved to Indiana early in life, and 
 
142 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 soon after located in Posey County, 
 and most of his time for the last fifty 
 years of his life, was spent in laboring 
 for the cause of Christ among the 
 ■churches composing Salem Association 
 and for more than forty years he 
 served as Moderator for the Associa- 
 tion. He was an able minister, an hon- 
 est, sincere, uncompromising soldier 
 of the Cross, walking in the fellowship 
 of Christ and all the household of 
 faith, and who, at the time the call 
 came, was truly as the shock of corn, 
 fully ripe and ready for the Master's 
 use and who without doubt is now with 
 the Lord, resting from all his labors. 
 He died March 29, 1891, in the eighty- 
 fourth year of his age. 
 
 CYRUS HUMPHREY. 
 
 Humphrey, Elder Cyrus. This es- 
 teemed brother was born in Ohio in 
 1822 and died 1892. He was married 
 in 1844 to Miss Henrietta Baughman. 
 They raised a family of ten children. 
 Elder Humphrey was a faithful pas- 
 tor and served churches until his 
 death, and the editor regrets that he 
 cannot obtain sufficient data for an 
 extended notice of his life and labors. 
 
 S. H. HUMPHREY. 
 
 Humphrey, Elder S. H., of Gales- 
 burg, Ills., son of the late Elder Cy- 
 rus Humphrey, was born near Asto- 
 ria, Fulton County, Ills., 1850. In the 
 Spring of 1864 he became concerned 
 about his future but did not realize 
 what was the trouble until about six 
 months later, when he was brought to 
 realize that he was condemned before 
 God. In 1866 he felt the forgiveness 
 of sins and was made to rejoice in 
 hope of eternal life. Almost simulta- 
 neous in the reception of that hope 
 came impressions to tell how great 
 things the Lord had done for him, 
 and to publish the name of Jesus 
 abroad. He united with the Friend- 
 ship Church of Old School Baptists 
 1S68, and was baptized by Elder A. 
 Goforth and soon after began to exer- 
 cise in public. He was ordained to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry 
 1884, and has had the care of from 
 three to five churches for about forty 
 years. In the last fifteen years he has 
 traveled about 2,500 miles each year 
 in the interest of the churches, and 
 his services have been blessed of! the 
 Lord to the building up of the broken 
 walls of Zion. 
 
 GEO. W. HUNDLY. 
 
 Hundly, Elder Geo. W., of Swansville 
 Va., was born in Pittsylvania County, 
 Va., February 5, 1847. In childhood he 
 had thoughts of death and eternity and 
 early in life was convicted of sin, 
 received a hope in Jesus when about 
 nineteen years old and joined the Mis- 
 sionary Baptist Church. Soon became 
 dissatisfied with them and in 1872 
 joined the Primitive Baptists. He had 
 impressions to preach before he left 
 the Missionaries but could not feel to 
 endorse or preach the doctrine they 
 advocated. He was ordaind by the 
 Primitive Baptists about the year 1874 
 and has served from two to five 
 churches. He is a faithful pastor and 
 serves the flock not for the fleece, but 
 for the love he has for them. 
 
 JEREMIAH HUNSINGER. 
 
 Hunsinger, Elder Jeremiah, cf Car- 
 mi, Ills., was born in White County, 
 Ills., on the 10th day of September, 
 1S36, and joined the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Chruch in 1865, and was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry in 1888. 
 This notice of Elder Hunsinger is 
 from Elder Potter's book of 1895. The 
 editor's efforts to obtain further in- 
 formation proved fruitless. 
 
 M. F. HURST. 
 
 Hurst, Elder M. F., of Georgia, was 
 born in 1841, and died, 1902. He was 
 the son of John and Elizabeth Hurst, 
 and the youngest of thirteen children. 
 He served in the Confederate war, 
 and while there was enabled to see and 
 feel that he was a sinner, condemned 
 by God's holy law, and felt that he was 
 doomed to eternal woe and misery. 
 While he was prostrate on a bed of 
 affliction, and while friends stood 
 around him expecting to see him 
 breathe his last, Jesus was revealed 
 to him as his Saviour, the "chiefest 
 among ten thousand and altogether 
 lovely." He then revived and rejoiced 
 and told his friends he was not going 
 to die now, but would live to tell of the 
 riches of God's grace in saving sinners 
 from eternal ruin through the merits 
 of God's dear Son. In 1864 he was 
 baptized by Elder W. M. Mitchell, and 
 was in 1877, ordained to the ministry. 
 From then till the very day of his death 
 he proclaimed salvation by grace, and 
 grace alone, through the merits of 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 143 
 
 Christ. He was sound in faith and or- 
 derly in practice, ever exhorting and 
 admonishing to practical godliness, to 
 love, and to good works. 
 
 stu- 
 
 fair- 
 
 the 
 
 J. C. HURST. 
 
 Hurst, Elder J. C. (M. D.), of Roan- 
 oke, Va., and brother of Sana N. Hurst, 
 was born September 12, 18G4, in a rur- 
 al district of Pulaski County, Va., and 
 was the seventh child of Allen and 
 Nancy Hurst. He was of a 
 dious nature and acquired a 
 ly liberal education and at 
 age of nineteen began the study 
 of medicine and graduated at the 
 age of twenty-one years with honor, 
 receiving a gold medal for general 
 proficiency out of a graduating class 
 of several hundred, by the college fac- 
 ulty. He was appointed resident phys- 
 ician to Maternity Hospital, Baltimore, 
 but decilned to accept, preferring ac- 
 tive outdoor practice. In his practice, 
 in which he was very successful, he 
 mingled with various denominations 
 among which were some Old School 
 Baptists, but he had no love for them, 
 and was disposed to ridicule their ex- 
 perimental religion. On one occasion 
 he heard an Old School Baptist tell his 
 experience. He noted down what he 
 said and wrote a thesis on it as a form 
 
 of insanity which was published in a 
 medical journal. From the medical 
 profession he received a number of 
 private letters commending his article, 
 which to him was well pleasing. But 
 God had a work for him to do, and like 
 
 Paul he was made to preach to the 
 pec pie he did not love, and contend for 
 
 the experiences that he once pub- 
 lished as a species of insanity. After 
 
 deep conviction for sin and a seeking 
 of rest under the law he was given a 
 sweet hope in Jesus, went before 
 Bethel Church one cold day in January, 
 1895, asked for a home, was received 
 and baptized by Elder Isaac Webb. 
 About one year after this he was or- 
 dained to the ministry by Elders Webb, 
 Lester Wilson, Hurst and Reid and 
 baptized two into the fellowship of 
 Bethel Church the same day. Elder 
 Hurst, though practicing his profession 
 to some extent all the time since his 
 ordination has served Bethel, Pil- 
 grim's Rest, Reid Island and the 
 church at Roanoke, where in connec- 
 tion with his brother, Sam N. Hurst, 
 services are held every Sunday. He is 
 both a defender of the doctrine of his 
 Lord and Master and a feeder of the 
 sheep of His pasture, and his labors 
 have been blessed to the comfort 
 of many. 
 
 WM R. HURST. 
 
 Hurst, Elder Wm. R., of Georgia, son 
 of John and Elizabeth Hurst, was born 
 1820 and died 1861, united with the 
 Primitive Baptists, at Harris Springs 
 Newton County September 1852, and 
 was baptized by Elder Isaac Hamby, 
 and was soon afterward ordained to 
 the eospel ministry. A full sketch of 
 his life could not be obtained by the 
 editor. 
 
 WM. HUSSEY. 
 
 Hussey, Elder Wm. (1796-1875), of 
 South Carolina, convicted of sin when 
 about twenty-five years of age; united 
 with the church in 1825 and began 
 his ministry the following year. He 
 was in the division of the Baptists in 
 his early ministry and remained firm, 
 contending for the doctrine and prac- 
 tice of the apostolic church. He died 
 in the full triumphs of faith at a ripe 
 old age, and the editor regrets that 
 a full sketch of his labors could not 
 be given. 
 
 RUFUS HUTCHINS. 
 
 Hutchins, Elder Rufus, of West Vir- 
 ginia, after a brief illness died 1891, 
 at the home of Brother J. H. Boroughs 
 of North Carolina, while on a preach- 
 ing tour. A sketch of his life 
 could not be obtained. Elder P. 
 D. Gold, writes in Zion's Land- 
 mark, as fellows, relative to him: 
 "How sad it seems to us that 
 
144 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 this gifted young brother should 
 so soon be called away. But his work 
 is done. How sad too it appears to us 
 that he should be called to die away 
 from home. But he died in the har- 
 ness at his post, and as the Lord, who 
 doeth all things well, appointed." 
 
 PETER HUTCHERSON. 
 
 Hutcherson, Elder Peter (1818- 
 1899), of Stokes County, N. C, receiv- 
 ed a hope in Christ 1865, received in 
 the church at Buffalo 1873, licensed to 
 preach June, 1874, and ordained to the 
 work of the ministry February, 18S9. 
 He was faithful to his calling as long 
 as he was able to travel, all the time 
 having an orderly walk and godly 
 conversation, speaking evil of none, 
 often saying if he could not speak 
 well of a person he had rather not 
 speak at all. He was a faithful wit- 
 ness for Jesus and died in the full 
 triumphs of faith. 
 
 A, D. HUTCHISON. 
 
 Hutchinson, Elder A. D., of Paris, 
 Mo., was born in Ralls County, Mo., 
 March 17, 1841, and united with Bear 
 Creek Church, near Hannibal, in 
 April, 1863. He was ordained in July, 
 1894, and has since labored as joint 
 pastor in some of the churches with 
 Elder J. F. Sutton. This brief sketch 
 is from the pen of Elder Walter Cash, 
 who wrote of this brother in 1896. 
 
 M. H. HUTCHISON. 
 
 Hutchison, Elder M. H. was born in 
 Jasper County, Ga., November 1, 1822, 
 and died December 31, 1903. He mar- 
 ried Mary E. Parker, October 3, 1843, 
 joined the Primitive Baptist church 
 about 1850, and was a consistent and 
 faithful minister. He moved to Co- 
 manche, Texas, in 1876, and lived there 
 until his death. He was ordained to 
 the ministry and preached in Coman- 
 che, and surrounding counties for many 
 years. 
 
 JOHN L. HYLTON. 
 
 Hylton, Elder John L., of West Vir- 
 ginia, was born and raised in Floyd 
 County, Va., and professed a hope in 
 Christ and joined the church at West 
 Fork, Floyd County, Va., in August, 
 1865. He was licensed to exercise a 
 gift in the ministry in July, 1866, and 
 was ordained to the full functions of 
 the gospel ministry September, 1867, 
 by Elders Thomas L. Roberson, G. L. 
 Tuggle, Wilson H. Dodd and Amos- 
 Dickerson. After some years he re- 
 moved to Franklin County, Va., and 
 for several years served churches in 
 the bounds of the Pig River Associa- 
 tion holding his membership perhaps 
 with the church at Minerva. He re- 
 moved from there to Montgomery 
 County, Va., and then to the state of 
 Indiana and finally removed to Mon- 
 roe County, W. Va., and joined the 
 Indian Creek Church of Indian Creek 
 Association by letter, January, 1889, 
 where he remained in full fellowship 
 and highly esteemed until his depart- 
 ure from this life which took place on 
 April 10, 1906. Brother Hylton was an 
 humble man whose walks was like 
 his preaching and work in the ministry, 
 sound and orderly. He loved peace, 
 sought it and pursued it. He was a 
 poor man as to the goods of this life 
 but was rich in faith exemplifying 
 a faithful humble zeal with holy bold- 
 ness. He traveled a great deal and 
 preached as he went. Much of the 
 time he went on foot as his Master did. 
 He shared much of the afflictions of 
 this life but he murmured not, thus 
 giving us to feel that his were the 
 afflictions of the righteous out of all 
 of which the Lord delivered. 
 
 WM. HYMAN. 
 
 Hyman, Elder Wm., was a most re- 
 markable man for integrity, candor 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 145 
 
 and popularity among ail classes of 
 people, and his decease ended the line 
 of worthies who had fought the great 
 battle with the "Missionaries" and 
 gained the victory by creating peace 
 in the churches and drawing the line 
 distinctly between Old and New 
 School Baptist. He opposed to the last 
 all men-made schemes intended to 
 corrupt the gospel of Christ. He was 
 chosen Moderator of the Kehukee 
 Association in 1828, and served her 
 in that capacity until 1857, with per- 
 haps the exception of one year, mak- 
 ing a period of nearly thirty years. 
 He was remarkably efficient as Mod- 
 erator and his parting address was in- 
 deed a gem of pathos, wisdom and 
 love. After a life of great usefulness 
 he died in 1862. It can be truly said 
 
 of him that he fought a good fight 
 and kept the faith. 
 
 ^ #*» 
 
 WM. HYMAN 
 
 SOLOMAN INMAN. 
 
 In man, Elder Soloman, of Coal- 
 mount, Ind.; was born in Martin 
 County, Ind., September 21, 1856; 
 raised by religious parents who were 
 members of Salem Primitive Baptist 
 Church; had serious thoughts about 
 his- soul's salvation when a boy but 
 felt he could, at any time, turn to 
 the Lord and be saved. Therefore he 
 was not uneasy about himself. But in 
 1873 the Lord opened his eyes to see 
 his helpless, lost condition. He was 
 brought very low, even to the foot- 
 stool of mercy. But He who turned 
 his eyes to see within and discover 
 the corruption there also turned his 
 eyes to Christ to see righteousness 
 and salvation there. In 1S75 he united 
 with Salem Church. It was a season 
 or rejoicing, but of short duration. Soon 
 the burden of the gospel was pressing 
 him down, and after much striving 
 against the impression to preach he 
 was made willing, was ordained in 
 1894, and has since been preaching 
 Jesus a complete, and all-sufficient 
 Saviour. • 
 
 JAMES IRELAND. 
 
 Ireland, Eider James, was born in 
 the city of Edinburg 17'! S. emigrated 
 to America and settled in Virginia in 
 early life when he was wild, reckless 
 and had not the fear of God before his 
 
 eyes. But God who is rich in mercy 
 had determined to pluck him as a 
 brand from the burning, which He did, 
 and made him a bright and shining 
 light in His church and used him for 
 His glory and the good of His people. 
 After deep conviction for sin he was 
 led to the Cross for relief, was deliv- 
 ered of his burden and soon began to 
 publish the good news to others. Hav- 
 ing been educated a Presbyterian, he 
 was not easily convicted of the obliga- 
 tion to be baptized. But when he was 
 made to see the emblematic teaching 
 of this ordinance and the example of 
 Christ in submitting to immersion he 
 renounced sprinkling, was baptized 
 by Elder Samuel Harris and soon 
 ordained to the work of the min- 
 istry. He was one of of the pio- 
 neer preachers of Virginia, and 
 suffered much persecution from 
 the established church under the Col- 
 onial government; was put in jail in 
 Culpepper for preaching the gospel, 
 and while thus imp isoned his enemies 
 tried to suffocate him by burning brim- 
 stone, etc. He states he might speak 
 of a hundred instances of cruelty. "I 
 expected,' he says in his writings, "at 
 every court to be brought out to the 
 whipping post before the gazing multi- 
 tude; I sat down and counted the cost, 
 a'nd believed, through Christ strength- 
 ening me, I could suffer all things for 
 His sake. It appeared that their pow- 
 er did not reach so far or it would have 
 been executed. At this period, I receiv- 
 
146 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ed letters from ministers of our persua- 
 sion and from a variety of churches 
 with whom I was connected. From 
 these churches I received general in- 
 formation how singularly, letters I 
 wrote, were, under God, blessed to 
 the conversion of numbers who were 
 anxiously led to inquire into 
 the cause for which I suf- 
 fered, as well as the grounds of 
 that fortitude which bore me up under 
 these sufferings. My prison, then, was 
 a place in which I enjoyed much of the 
 divine presence; a day seldom passed 
 without some signal token of the di- 
 vine gcodness towards me, which 
 generally led me to subscribe my 
 letters in these words, " 'From my 
 palace in Culpepper.' " As a speci- 
 men of the letters written to him 
 a few of the closing lines of one 
 from Elder David Thomas will not be 
 uninteresting: "O brother, if you can, 
 by bearing the charming lovely Cross 
 of Jesus Christ, win one of the strong- 
 est of Satan's strongholds no matter 
 then how soon you die, and if you thus 
 die for Him, how would the glorious 
 armies of the martyrs above shout to 
 see Ireland coming from a prison to 
 reign with them in glory!" Elder Ire- 
 land was the pastor of the Baptist con- 
 gregations at Buckmarsh, Happy Creek 
 and Water Lick and other churches 
 
 in Frederick and Shenandoah Coun- 
 ties, Va. He labored , nearly forty 
 years in his Lord's vineyard, and 
 during a great part of the time, 
 through much infirmity of body. He 
 was always distinguished as an able 
 minister of the New Testament, right- 
 ly dividing the word of truth, giving 
 to saint and sinner their portion in due 
 season. During his last illness, which 
 confined him to his bed about three 
 months, his mind was tranquil and 
 serene. Fully sensible of his approach- 
 ing dissolution, and perfectly resigned 
 to the will of God, he endured all 
 things, as seeing Him who is invisible; 
 and having an eye to the recompense 
 of reward, patiently waited for the 
 manifestations of the sons of God. He 
 died May 5 1806. 
 
 R. J. IVIE. 
 
 Ivie, Elder R. J., of Arkansas, was 
 born in Virginia 1826, ccnvicted of sin 
 in 1840, received a hope in Christ 
 1852, and united with the church at 
 Muddy Fork, and was baptized by 
 Elder Bowers. He was ordained in 
 1885, by Elders J. F. Johnston, H. M. 
 Brazil, J. P. Rogers and Z. Wiseman, 
 and was a faithful minister. 
 
 J 
 
 J. C. JACKSON. 
 
 Jackson, Elder J. C, of Alabama, 
 was born 1820 and died 1898. Reso- 
 lutions adopted by his home church, 
 Carmel, July 16, 1898, show the high 
 esteem in which he was held, and it 
 is regretted that a full sketch of his 
 life and labors could not be obtained. 
 He was a zealous worker in the gos- 
 pel vineyard, a good neighbor and 
 model citizen. 
 
 JOHN W. JACKSON. 
 
 Jackson, Elder John W., of Edge- 
 combe County, N. C, was born July 
 10, 1835; lost his parents early in 
 life; raised by his grandfather; was 
 required to labor hard and had but 
 three months schooling; married in 
 1856 to Miss Salley A. Jackson; join- 
 ed the Southern army and served in 
 the Civil war until July, 1864, when 
 
 he returned home wounded, convicted 
 of sin and given a sweet hope in 
 Jesus about this time and a few years 
 later — (November, 1873 — united with 
 the Primitive Baptists at Pleasant Hill 
 Edgecombe County, and was baptized 
 by Elder W. W. Barnes. He was 
 soon licensed to preach, and in May, 
 1881, was ordained by Elders B. C. 
 Pitt and J. D. Scott, and has since 
 served his home church as pastor. He 
 is in his seventy-fourth year of age, 
 has been married fifty-three years, 
 which union has been blessed with 
 ten children. 
 
 P. H. JAMES. 
 
 James, Elder P. H., of Prescott, 
 Ark., is at present Moderator of the 
 Ouachita Association and has served 
 in this capacity for about twelve 
 years He is associate editor of the 
 Messenger of Peace, and has, since 
 his ordination, served two to four 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 147 
 
 churches. Bern in Arkansas 1850, rear- 
 ed by good moral parents, he was 
 nearly grown before he bad any seri- 
 ous thoughts about his future or eter- 
 nal welfare; and when made cognizant 
 of his depraved, sinful condition, like 
 many other quickened sinners thought 
 he could obtain pardon for his sins 
 by his own works, or by the law of 
 works. But instead of obtaining what 
 he sought for he felt to grow worse, 
 his burden became heavier and with 
 anguish of soul, dark despair seized 
 him. But he was not allowed to re- 
 main in this condition long. Jesus was 
 revealed to him as his Saviour, he - 
 united with the church at Fellowship 
 in 1879, and was ordained in 18S8 by 
 Elders J F. Middlebrooks, L F. Grif- 
 fin and W. J. Hull. Faithful in the 
 work he is greatly beloved by his 
 people. 
 
 JAMES JEFFERSON. 
 
 Jefferson, Elder James, of West Vir- 
 ginia. This faithful minister was born 
 in Alexandria, Va., in 1792, and died in 
 1874, in his eighty-second year of age. 
 When nineteen years old he moved to 
 West Virginia, fought in the war of ! 
 1812; returned home, was married to 
 Miss Zeniah Freeland, settled on the 
 banks of the Ohio river, the old farm 
 still being known as the Jefferson 
 homestead. Elder Jefferson was a rel- I 
 ative of the famous statesman, Thomas i 
 Jefferson. In early manhood he was ; 
 convicted of sin and baptized by Elder 
 Samuel Kendershat. Some years after 
 this he was ordained to the ministerial 
 work and was a- firm and fearless advo- 
 cate of salvation alone by grace. He 
 labored witi* Elders Trott, Beebe and 
 other old soldiers of this day, was per- 
 sonally acquainted with Alexander 
 Campbell and helped oppose him in the 
 division of 1827. Elder Jefferson built 
 up several churches, preached in school 
 houses, court houses and wherever 
 opportunity was given; was charitable 
 to the poor, a good neighbor and hon- 
 ored citizen. 
 
 J. N. JEFFERSON. 
 
 Jefferson, Elder J. N., of Mounds- 
 ville, W Va., was born March 4, 1849; 
 raised on the farm; given a high 
 school education and began teaching 
 when twenty-one years of age and fol- 
 lowed this for eight years. He united 
 with Rock Hill Church in October, 
 1889, — which church was founded by 
 his grandfather — Elder James Jeffer- 
 
 son, — was baptized by Elder T. N. 
 Alderton, began preaching in 1890, 
 and ordained in 1893 by Elders T. N. 
 Alderton, C. H. Wjaters and D. T. 
 Poynter, and has since had the care 
 of churches. Elder Jefferson is not 
 only a faithful minister but has also 
 been a useful citizen. While he is the 
 only Old School Baptist in the city, — 
 
 J. N. JEFFERSON 
 
 his home, — and his doctrine is not 
 loved, yet he has been five times 
 elected on the city council, has served 
 twelve years as magistrate and has 
 been chosen more than a dozen times 
 as administrator, is guardian of sev- 
 eral orphans, and though he is up- 
 right, honest and truthful he feels he 
 deserves no commendations for he 
 can say, like Paul, "By the grace of 
 God I am what I am." 
 
 LEGGETT JENKINS. 
 
 Jenkins, Elder Leggett. The subject 
 of this notice was born April 27, 1825, 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church, 
 1853, and soon thereafter began to 
 preach; was ordained to the full work 
 of the ministry May, 1858, which posi- 
 tion he filled with honor to the day of 
 his death which occurred at his home 
 in Lauderdale County, Ala., November 
 15 1896. He was an earnest advocate 
 of the truth, sound in the faith of God's 
 elect, and boldly declared that eternal 
 life is the gift of God, using as his first 
 text the words of our Saviour, "My 
 sheep hear My voice," etc. He dearly 
 loved the Baptist cause, and spent 
 about forty years of his life in the min- 
 istry, during which time he preached 
 a great deal, traveling principally on 
 
148 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 horseback. He was a plain, humble 
 herald of the Cross, ever ready to go 
 where duty called; lived an exemplary 
 life, both in the church and in his daily 
 walk, fulfilling the scriptural injunc- 
 tion to "provide things honest in the 
 sight cf all men." In the death of 
 Brother Jenkins, the church has lost a 
 faithful, worthy member and wise 
 counsellor; his companion a kind lov- 
 ing husband; and his children an in 
 dulgent father; and the community a 
 useful and honored citizen. 
 
 FRANK JENKINS. 
 
 Jenkins, Elder Frank, was born in 
 Culpepper County, Va., July 8, 1815; 
 moved with his parents to Kentucky 
 when a child, united with the church 
 when about nineteen years old and 
 was baptized by Elder Whitehead. He 
 was soon ordained to the ministerial 
 work and during his ministry of about 
 sixty years served several churches 
 successfully, and was for about four- 
 teen years moderator of the Salem 
 Association. Possessed of a strong 
 mind, his ideas wore clear cut and 
 well defined, an able defender of sal- 
 vation by grace, a zealous worker in 
 his Master's vineyard, he adorned the 
 doctrine he professed, and died in the 
 full triumphs of that faith March- 5, 
 1896, in his eighty-first year of age. 
 
 JOSHUA JENNINGS. 
 
 Jennings, Elder Joshua of Virginia, 
 was born in Culpepper County in 1800, 
 and when he was about twenty-one 
 years of age moved to Rockingham 
 
 County where he made his home until 
 death claimed him in 1872. He was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry 
 when about thirty years old and for 
 forty years was a bold defender of the 
 truth, serving churches within the 
 bounds of the Ketocton and Ebenezer 
 Associations. A full sketch of his life 
 and labors could not be obtained by 
 the editor. 
 
 R. H. JENNINGS. 
 
 Jennings, Elder R. H., of Dawson, 
 Ga., was born December 10, 1867, had 
 poor advantages to obtain an edu- 
 cation but made use of the few oppor- 
 tunities within his reach; felt that 
 he could, at any time, turn to the Lord 
 "close in with the overtures of mercy 
 and be saved," but it pleased God to 
 convict him of sin and show him his 
 helpless and lost condition, his cry 
 being, "Lord, have mercy on me!" 
 So cast down was he in this soul 
 trouble that he felt he must die and 
 be banished from God's presence, and 
 made some preparations for death. 
 But God delivered him out of this 
 condition, revealing Jesus to him 
 as his Friend and Redeemer. Before 
 uniting with the church, — which he 
 delayed in doing on account of a feel- 
 ing sense of his unworthiness, but 
 which he did in 1885— he felt he 
 would have to preach Jesus. He was 
 ordained to the full work of the min- 
 istry in 1889, and has since been serv- 
 ing three to five churches, has bapaiz- 
 ed about two hundred persons, married 
 ,more than three score coupleh, is 
 clerk of his home association and is 
 an humble preacher relying alone 
 upon mercy for salvation. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 149 
 
 J. M. JOHNSON. 
 
 Johnson, Elder J. M. This gifted 
 and faithful soldier of Jesus was a 
 native of Tennessee. He was horn 
 September 6, 1867, and died May 1, 
 1908. He received a hope in Jesus in 
 his twenty-third year, united with the 
 Primitive Baptists the following year 
 and preached his first sermon January, 
 1899. In his twenty-second year of 
 age, his father died and as a dutiful 
 son he gave up his own business, re- 
 mained at home and provided for a 
 widowed mother, seven sisters and one 
 brother. As he was devoted and true 
 to his father's natural family, so he 
 proved to be to the spiritual family 
 of his Heavenly Father. He loved the 
 church and served it faithfully until 
 his death and when in his last illness 
 he from time to time composed an 
 article for publication in the Primitive 
 Baptist, and with a trembling hand 
 signed it as his last words to his be- 
 loved brethren, saying at the time, 
 "If this is not the truth, I am lost; 
 but I am not afraid to risk it." In this 
 message of this godly man he set 
 forth Jesus as the way, the truth and 
 the life, the only and all sufficient 
 Saviour who completely saves all his 
 people without the loss of one; and 
 sweetly exhorts the dear children of 
 God, the believer in J'esns, to follow 
 Him and slow their faith by their 
 works and thus reap the blessings of 
 obedience. Elder Johnson was a strong 
 preacher, a good neighbor, and a faith- 
 ful laborer in his Master's vineyard. 
 
 in Washington County, Ga., June 8, 
 1812, and moved to Gadsden County, 
 Fla., 1821. In 1828 he moved to Irwin 
 (now Brooks) County, Ga., where he 
 lived until his death. He was brought 
 to a knowledge of the truth and re- 
 ceived into the fellowship of Bethle- 
 hem Church, July, 1805. He had not 
 been with the church long until they 
 saw the gift of a deacon in him, and 
 in June, 1851, he was ordained as dea- 
 con. He served the church faithfully 
 for seventeen years, and it was shown 
 that his Master required his services 
 as pastor. In 1872 he was called to the 
 care of Mt. Olive Church, Madison 
 County, Fla., and was ordained in 
 September to the full functions of 
 the gospel, by Elders Crawford Tuck- 
 er and H. G. Fuller. He was called to 
 the care of his home church 1875, 
 which charge he kept until the day 
 of his death. He was faithful to his 
 charge; he was gentle, loving, and 
 kindly affectionate towards his breth- 
 ren, and it can never be said that a 
 charge was brought against him by 
 his church; never once did he dis- 
 grace the profession, as many have 
 done, but was ever found at his post 
 contending against ungodliness and 
 disorder in the church. He kept the 
 faitn, he fought a good fight, and 
 when his hour came to depart, he 
 went to sleep without a groan, or 
 shudder, or anything to indicate suf- 
 fering. 0, blessed sleep! Discharged 
 from pain and labor, from warfare 
 and hardships, to meet a sure reward 
 for all the redeemed of God; a clear 
 record left behind and honorably 
 discharged. "Blessed are the dead 
 who die in the Lord." His kind words", 
 his godly admonition, and his pious 
 walk, will live yet many days with 
 those who were blessed to know hi.m 
 
 WILSON JOHNSON. 
 
 Johnson, Elder Wilson, of Brooks 
 County, Ga., was called from his la- 
 bors, December 17, 1893. He was born 
 
 JORDAN W. JOHNSON. 
 
 Johnson, Elder Jordan W., of Whit- 
 akers, Edgecombe County, X. C , son 
 of Aaron and Winnifred Johnson, nee 
 Walker, was born May 30, 1833. His 
 father made no profession, his moth- 
 er was a Primitive Baptist, and tried 
 to bring him up right. But he grew up 
 wild, and thoughtless, caring only for 
 the pleasures and attainments of this 
 world. He was exceedingly anxious 
 to become a good musician and to be 
 rich. But God ordered otherwise for 
 him. He was convicted of sin, felt he 
 would soon be banished into an eter- 
 nal hell for his sins, and some thought 
 he w ould lose his mind. But God de- 
 
150 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 livered him. Jesus was revealed in 
 him the hope of glory, he was made 
 to hate things he once loved and love 
 the things he, in early life, cared 
 nothing for. The church appeared 
 beautiful and he was constrained by 
 
 JORDAN W. JOHNSON 
 
 the love of God to walk under the 
 blood-stained banner of King Emman- 
 uel, and was baptized by Elder John 
 Stamper. He was soon impressed with 
 the duty of preaching Jesus, the 
 church saw the gift and licensed him 
 in 18G4, and in 1871 he was ordained 
 to the full work of the ministry by 
 Elders R. D. Hart and John Stamper. 
 Elder Johnson was soon called to the 
 care of his home church — Williams, — 
 and afterward Deep Creek and Rocky 
 Swamp. He is now — 1908 — seventyfive 
 years old, has baptized many, married 
 two hundred and sixty-eight couples, 
 worked hard as a farmer, and for 
 forty years has been a faithful soldier 
 of Jesus, preaching but one Lord, one 
 faith and one baptism, and looking 
 above to Him as his only hope for 
 time and eternity. 
 
 ELK JOHNSON. 
 
 Johnson, Elder Elk, of San Antonia, 
 Texas was born in 1838, united with 
 Beulah Primitive Baptist Church 
 in his twenty-third year and was 
 baptized by Elder William Hub- 
 bard. He attended college in Ma- 
 con, Ga., graduating with honors, 
 entered the war between the 
 states, serving as lieutenant, then pro- 
 moted to captain, and later to major. 
 On his return from the war he served 
 as clerk of the court of Moultrie 
 
 County and Colquitt County, Ga. Soon 
 after he united with the church he was 
 impressed with the duty of preaching 
 a crucified Saviour as the salvation 
 of sinners, but fought against this im- 
 pression and offered many excuses. 
 But he was made to realize with the 
 Apostle Paul, "Woe is me if I preach 
 not the gospel," and he was set apart 
 by his church to preach wherever God 
 in His providence called him. He has 
 traveled and preached in many states, 
 and finally settled in Texas. He as- 
 sisted in the organization of San Ja- 
 cinto Primitive Baptist Association in 
 October, 1873. Later he moved to 
 Southwest Texas, locating at San An- 
 
 ELK JOHNSON 
 
 tonia and was one of the pioneer 
 Primitive Baptist preachers in this 
 section. His many vicissitudes in bus- 
 iness, as a merchant, farmer and car- 
 penter has led him in many localities 
 where the gospel was never heard, 
 and upon all suitable occasions he has 
 endeavored to hold up the blood stain- 
 ed banner of Jesus. In this work he 
 has, like Paul, not built on another's 
 foundation, but seemed to prefer to 
 go "into regions beyond," to preach in 
 destitute places. 
 
 R. W. JOHNSON. 
 
 Johnson, Eider R. W., of Missouri, 
 born in Gibson County, Ind„ 1845, ex- 
 perienced a hope in Jesus when about 
 eighteen years of age, united with Big 
 Creek Church two years later, was, a 
 few years after this licensed, and after- 
 ward ordained to the full work of the 
 gospel ministry. He was a deep in- 
 vestigator, good conversationalist and 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 151 
 
 an able writer. His writings on the 
 resurrection were considered very 
 able indeed. At the age of fifty-five 
 his strong mind broke down and he 
 died in the state asylum at Fulton, 
 Mo. 
 
 S. C. JOHNSON. 
 
 Johnson, Elder S. C. (1804-1892), of 
 Lowndes County, Miss., was a faithful 
 devoted and useful minister and 
 served the church at Sulphur Spring, 
 Monroe County, Miss., and other 
 churches also for a long term of years. 
 He was an able teacher, not only by 
 word, but by example, adorning the 
 doctrine he preached with a godly 
 walk and conversation. Bold and zeal- 
 ous in the cause of his Master, yet 
 humble and sympathetic as a child, 
 his influence was for good in and out 
 of the pulpit. The editor regrets that 
 a full sketch of his life could not be 
 obtained. 
 
 J. C. JONES. 
 
 Jones, Elder J. C, of Missouri, was 
 born in Illinois, November 26, 1864. 
 Early in life he was tormented with 
 the thought that he was a sinner in 
 the sight of God, and as such could 
 never see His face in peace, and only 
 after many years of gloom and an- 
 guish of soul, this feeling of con- 
 demnation and guilt gradually passed 
 away and he found himself hoping 
 in the mercy of God, through the 
 merits of a crucified Redeemer. He 
 united with Rock Creek Church in 
 1894 and was baptized by Elder R. A. 
 
 Oliphant. Two years later he was or- 
 dained to the full work of the minis- 
 try, and has since been serving from 
 two to four churches and is a faithful 
 self-sacrificing servant of his Master. 
 Elder Jones is the beloved modtrator 
 of the Nodaway Association of Prim- 
 itive Baptists and is highly esteemed 
 among his people. 
 
 ARCHIBALD JONES. 
 
 Jones, Elder Archibald, of North 
 Carolina, was born in the county of 
 Beaufort, August 9, 1803, and died 
 June 13, 1884. He united with 
 Blount's Creek Church in 1849 and 
 was soon ordained as deacon and 
 served four years in this capacity 
 when he was ordained to the gospel 
 work and until the end of his life was 
 an able, willing and faithful pastor. 
 He was sound in doctrine and prac- 
 tice and led an exemplary life in ac- 
 cord with the doctrine he preached. 
 Was twice married, first to Miss To- 
 litha Orrell who bore him eight chil- 
 dren. After her death in 1874 he was 
 married to Mrs. Lavina t Warren) 
 Evitt. He passed away fully trusting 
 Him whom he had preached to others. 
 
 S. B. JONES. 
 
 Jones, Elder S. B., of Piano, Iowa, 
 was born in Putnam County Indiana, 
 September 1, 1828,- and moving to 
 Appanoose County, Iowa, united with 
 Providence Church on the third Satur- 
 day in November, 1870. He was or- 
 dained to the ministry in May, 1S78, 
 and has preached Jesus as a full and 
 complete Saviour. He was Moderator 
 of Hazel Creek Association for over 
 twenty years, but full particulars ef 
 his useful labors and exemplary life 
 could not be obained. 
 
 W. L. JONES. 
 
 Jones, Elder W. L., of Loveland, 
 Iowa. This faithful and zealous min- 
 ister was born in Putnam County, Ind., 
 August 25, 1830. In his nineteenth year 
 he received a hope in the Saviour, 
 united with Council Bluffs Church. 
 Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1864, 
 was ordained to the ministry April 7, 
 1866, and for more than thirty years 
 was a faithful pastor of churches. He 
 also served as moderator of the Mis- 
 
152 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 souri Valley Association and was a 
 lover of peace in the churches and 
 earnestly labored to that end. It is 
 
 W. L. JONES 
 
 regretted that recent information of 
 Elder Jones could not be obtained. 
 
 W. M. JONES. 
 
 Jones, Elder W. M., of Missouri 
 Valley, Iowa, was born in Green 
 County, Ind., in 1852, given a hope in 
 the Saviour and united with the Prim- 
 itive Baptists at Council Bluffs in 
 188G, and in 1907 the church licensed 
 him to preach wherever God in His 
 providence may cast his lot. Elder 
 Jones loves the truth as it is in 
 Jesus and desires to faithfully wit- 
 ness for Him. 
 
 ISAAC JONES. 
 
 Jones, Elder Isaac, of Maple Hill, 
 North Carolina. This gifted minister 
 who is now serving seven churches, 
 and has for many years served as 
 Moderator of the White Oak Associa- 
 tion, was born February 17, 1847, join- 
 ed the Southern army — Co. L, C7th 
 N. C, Regiment, — in his seventeenth 
 year; convicted of sin when about 
 twenty-one years of age and for three 
 years was in great darkness and 
 trouble. In 1870 he was given a hope 
 in Jesus, united with Cold Cypress 
 Creek Church and was baptized by 
 Elder A. Davis; on the following day 
 he was impressed with the duty of 
 preaching Jesus to others. Another 
 three years passed amid much trial; 
 for he felt he had none of the spirit- 
 ual qualifications of a gospel minis- 
 ter, and having no education, — preach- 
 ing seemed an impossibility. At that 
 time he could not write his name, but 
 God became mouth and wisdom to 
 him, he was soon ordained, has grown 
 in grace and knowledge, and is an 
 able speaker and bold defender of 1 the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour. Elder 
 Jones, in early life was reckless, 
 wicked and intemperate, and feels to 
 be, indeed, a miracle of grace. He is 
 zealous in the cause of truth and 
 highly esteemed among his brethren. 
 Has been married three times, is in 
 his sixty-third year of age and desires 
 to keep the faith and finish his course 
 with joy. i 
 
 J. A. T. JONES. 
 
 Jones, Elder J. A. T., of McCullers, 
 N. C. This useful and faithful minister 
 is the pastor of Middle Creek, Salem, 
 Smithfield and Willow Springs 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 153 
 
 Churches. He is also clerk of the 
 Little River Primitive Baptist Associa- 
 tion and is highly esteemed among 
 Baptists wherever known. 
 
 J. T. JORDAN. 
 
 Jordan, Elder J. T., of Lilburn, Ga., 
 This able and useful minister is the 
 beloved Moderator of the Yellow 
 River Primitive Baptist Association 
 of Georgia, and the faithful pastor of 
 the following churches of said Associa- 
 tion: Harris Springs, Sweet Water, 
 Camp Creek and Fellowship. It is with 
 regret that a suitable sketch of his 
 life and labors could not appear. 
 
 BENJAMIN M. JOWERS. 
 
 Jowers, Elder Benjamin M.„ of Cen- 
 tral, Elmore County, Ala., oldest son 
 of Elder Benjamin Jowers by his last 
 wife was born in Carroll County, Ga., 
 February 1G, 1851, raised by Christian 
 parents who taught him the way he 
 should go, but could not make him 
 love that way. Early in life he moved, 
 with his parents, to Alabama, and be- 
 came a leader of rowdy, mischievous 
 boys. But God arrested him in his 
 wild career. At nineteen he was 
 blessed with a quiet, steady girl as 
 life companion, and when about twen- 
 ty years of age was convicted of sin. 
 For sixteen years he was marching in 
 the wilderness and laboring under the 
 law, but in September, 1887, he was 
 blessed with sweet deliverance in 
 Jesus. At the same time he was also 
 impressed with the duty of preaching 
 and because of this impression, and 
 feeling he could not preach, he re- 
 mained out of the church for eight 
 years. But his love for the church was 
 so great he went forward, joined 
 Bethel Church, December 1895, and 
 determined he would live as a mem- 
 ber without preaching. His church 
 saw his gift and also saw his rebellion, 
 and when they granted him licenses 
 he arose in conference determined he 
 would object but could not speak. 
 Then and there he was made willing. 
 He was, in 1904, ordained to the full 
 ministerial work by Elders H. G. 
 
 Harris, R. B. Smith, J. R. Mauk, J. P. 
 Nobles and J. A. Nix. During his min- 
 istry he has traveled about 2,500 miles 
 a year in his buggy in the gospel ser- 
 vice, has met eighty or more Old 
 School Baptist ministers and is zeal- 
 ous in the cause of truth and finds 
 peace in performance of duty. 
 
 BENJAMIN JOWERS. 
 
 Jowers, Elder Benjamin, of Alabama 
 This eminent minister was born in 
 South Carolina, September 4, 1806, 
 united with the Baptists before the 
 great division, 1827-32 and in this sad 
 war stood firm for Bible doctrine and 
 practice and ever afterwards re- 
 mained with the Old School brethren. 
 He was licensed to preach in 1840 and 
 ordained at Shiloh Church. Randolph 
 (now Clay) County, Ala., in 1842 by 
 Elders Richard Gaudier, Wm. Morri- 
 son and John Duke, and for forty 
 eight years was actively engaged in 
 the service of churches. He served 
 as Moderator of Wetumpka Associa- 
 tion fifteen years and was highly es- 
 teemed wherever known. He was 
 married three times and had nineteen 
 children born to him — three by his 
 first wife, nine by his second and 
 seven by his third, was a remarkable 
 man, a good husband, father and 
 neighbor, well established in the doc- 
 trine of salvation by grace, and died 
 in the triumphs of faith, June 23, 1890. 
 
 JOSEPH J. JOYCE. 
 
 Joyce, Elder Joseph J., was the son 
 of Alex and Mary Joyce, was born in 
 Henry County, Va., September 26, 
 1852, and was married to Sarah E. 
 Vernon, November 3, 1870. Unto this 
 union were born five sons and eight 
 daughters. He united with the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church by experience at 
 Buffalo, in 1S70. Was baptized by 
 Elder Robert Hill and began preaching 
 in a short time. He was a great fav- 
 orite of the brethren and friends, and 
 his preaching was much appreciated 
 by all who knew him. While he did 
 not travel far from home he made 
 many sacrifices for the cause of truth. 
 
 K 
 
 MARTIN KAUFFMAN. 
 
 Kauffman, Elder Martin, of Virginia, 
 This minister lived in the latter part 
 of the seventeenth and the early years 
 of the eighteenth century, was bap- 
 
 tized by Elder John Koontz and trav- 
 eled much with that eminent servant 
 of God. It was on one of these preach- 
 ing tours that Elder Kauffman was 
 mistaken for Elder Koontz by a ruffian 
 who had been instigated by others to 
 
154 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 such methods of persecution, and 
 was severely beaten. The two were 
 stopping at a brother's home one night 
 in the Shenandoah Valley near Mill 
 Creek Church now Page County, and 
 were preparing to hold service when 
 Elder Koontz heard inquiry being 
 made for him, and suspecting mischief, 
 stepped in an adjoining room, leaving 
 Kauffman to meet the stranger. It was 
 some time before Elder Kauffman 
 could convince the barbarian that his 
 name was not Koontz. There are many 
 descendants of Elder Kauffman living 
 in Page County. 
 
 CALAWAY KECK. 
 
 Keck, Elder Calaway of Walnut 
 Hill, Va , was born March 2, 1861, in 
 Union County, Tenn., obtained a hope 
 in Jesus in his sixteenth year but lived 
 out of church for six years, when he 
 united with Big Barren Church and 
 was baptized by Elder Henry Ausmus. 
 He was ordained in 1897 and after 
 serving churches several years in his 
 native state, moved to West Virginia, 
 and is now living in the bounds of 
 Powells Valley Association. 
 
 FREDERICK W. KEENE. 
 
 Keene, Elder Frederick W. The sub- 
 ject of this notice was born in London, 
 England, March 28, 1S56, moved with 
 his parents to Montreal, Canada, in 
 his fourteenth year, united with the 
 New School Baptists in 1873 and be- 
 gan preaching for them in 1875. But 
 becoming dissatisfied with their doc- 
 trine and practices he publicly with- 
 
 drew in 1880 and in February, 1881, 
 united with the Old School Baptists, 
 was baptized by Elder Wm. L. Bebee, 
 soon ordained and has been serving 
 churches since. His home is in North 
 Berwick, Me. He is a gifted preacher, 
 a fluent writer and greatly beloved for 
 the truth's sake. In regard to his 
 christian experience he writes as fol- 
 lows, "During my boyhood days I 
 lived and walked in the lusts of the 
 flesh and shrank from nothing to grat- 
 ify my carnal appetite. But God ar- 
 rested my wild career. On the first 
 Sunday in April, 1871 I sat in a New 
 School Baptist Church in the city of 
 Montreal and the preacher gave out 
 his text, 'Boast not thyse^ of tomor- 
 row, for thou knowest not what a day 
 may bring forth.' Instantly my soul 
 was stricken, and all my vile anticipa- 
 tions were blasted, and the terrors of 
 the Almighty made me afraid. What 
 the preacher said in his sermon I 
 have not the slightest remembrance of. 
 I was a vile condemned sinner before 
 the LOrd. My sins revived, they 
 stared me in the face and I felt myself 
 a fit subject for the damnation of hell. 
 I feared that the awful curse of God 
 would be poured forth upon me 
 and perhaps before tomorrow. 
 I shall die, and I shall go 
 to hell, God will say to me, 'de- 
 part ye cursed into everlasting fire, 
 prepared for the devil, and his angels." 
 My trouble over my sins continued 
 and increased and I could see no 
 ground for hope that there could be 
 mercy for one so wicked as I. I be- 
 gan to loathe my sins, to sigh and 
 mourn over my vileness, but no relief 
 could I find. Again I attended preach- 
 ing, and the minister announced his 
 text 'God is love.' I felt, 'Can it be so?' 
 A little ray of hope shone in, and I 
 wished it might be so. But in a mom- 
 ent all was dashed away, for I felt, if 
 it be true, it could not be God loved 
 me, and I sank yet lower in despair. 
 But the Holy Spirit's still small voice- 
 said to my sin stricken heart, 'God is: 
 love,' Then indeed my heart was. 
 broken, and melted in sorrow before 
 the Lord, and with a contrite spirit, I" 
 prayed for mercy, prayed for sal- 
 vation, but the way of salvation 
 fpr a sinner like me I could not 
 see. Indeed. I thought I was add- 
 ing to my guilt to think there could be 
 pardon for such a sinner. Night came 
 and I retired to my room imploring 
 mercy, every moment I felt the Lord 
 must soon come, or I must perish.. 
 While thus crying to the Almighty 
 God, there came before me a vision of 
 Jesus on the cross, and a voice said in 
 my soul, 'Salvation is in my dear Son."- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 155 
 
 This was a gracious revelation, and 
 while I was wrapped up with this 
 sight, my heart went forth with all 
 desire to Jesus that I might know He 
 was mine, that He died for me. Then 
 I thought He looked upon me, so pity- 
 ingly and said, 'Look unto me.' O my 
 heart with all entreaty looked to him, 
 and he looked upon me, and said, 'I 
 suffered for thee.' Immediately my 
 burden was gcr.j and sweet joy and 
 peace flowed iuto my soul. I wept 
 and cried aloud for joy. This was the 
 beginning of my hope of salvation in 
 Christ, the Lamb of God. To write all 
 the experiences of my soul from that 
 sweet day till now would fill volumes. 
 I was led by the Lord soon after this 
 into the knowledge of the glorious 
 doctrine of God our Saviour." Elder 
 Keene is a faithful pastor and his 
 labors have been blessed with abund- 
 ant fruit. ■ 
 
 E. M. KEENEY. 
 
 Keencty, Elder E. M. was born De- 
 cember IS, 1862, joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church near Monroe in Jasper 
 County. Iowa, when twenty-four years 
 of age and was ordained to the work 
 of the ministry at Council Bluffs 
 Church, Loveland, Iowa, May 13, 1905. 
 The editor was unable to obtain a full 
 sketch of Elder Keeney's life and lab- 
 ors. 
 
 R, L. KEETON. 
 
 Keeton, Elder R. L., of Kellogg, 
 Iowa, was born in Kentucky, March 
 20, 1S69, moved with his mother to 
 Iowa when four years old, his father 
 having died when he was one year 
 old. He united with the Primitive 
 Baptist Church at Grinnell, Iowa, 
 
 January, 1901, and was baptized by 
 Elder R. A. Oliphant. He was soon 
 impressed with the duty of preaching 
 the gospel of Christ and was ordain- 
 ed November, 1907. He has the care 
 of churches and proves by his life 
 that he loves the cause of Jesus. 
 
 JOHN KELLY. 
 
 Kelly, Elder John, of Tennessee, 
 was one of the old, faithful preachers 
 before the division with the New School 
 Baptist. He was one of the presbytery 
 in the constitution of Union Church, 
 now known as Sweeten's Cove Church, 
 Marion County, Tenn., and was its 
 first pastor. He died at his post many 
 years ago, and the editor regrets that 
 data for a full sketch of Elder Keily's 
 life and labcrs could not be obtained. 
 
 J. W. KELLY. 
 
 Kelly, Elder J. W., of Gellwood, Flu., 
 was born May 11, 1833, received a 
 hope in Jesus in his fourteenth year, 
 united with the Primitive Baptists at 
 Baker Creek Church, Indiana, 1861, 
 was ordained at Orange Church, Fla., 
 1S92, and after a few years of labor 
 in the Master's vineyard fell asleep 
 June 19,. 1901 For the last few years 
 of his life he was a great sufferer 
 from cancer, yet never murmured nor 
 complained and died in the full tri- 
 umphs of faith. 
 
 ELLIS KELLY. 
 
 Kelly, Elder Ellis, of Kentucky, was 
 born February 22, 1829, in Grayson 
 County, Ky., and died October 2, 1904. 
 
156 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 He united with the Baptists at Pine 
 Knob Church in Grayson County, June, 
 1879, and was, by the same church, 
 ordained May 28, 1887. Elder Kelly., 
 while not highly educated was above 
 the average in intelligence, was a man 
 of good judgment and an able reason- 
 er. When convinced of a correct posi- 
 tion he was unyielding. The doctrine 
 of predestination and election, that 
 God's people were chosen in Christ 
 before the world was and would all 
 eventually be saved without the loss of 
 one, were sweet themes to him. Be- 
 fore his death he realized he must 
 soon die, and told his loved ones he 
 was not afraid to meet death, and 
 gently fell asleep in Jesus. 
 
 GEO. W. KELLY. 
 
 Kelly, Elder Geo. W. This gifted man 
 was born in North Carolina, 1794 and 
 died at his home in Floyd County, Va., 
 1878. He united with Clear Springs 
 Church in 1819, and was baptized by 
 Elder John Wilson, was ordained in 
 1833, served churches until his death 
 and was for many years Moderator of 
 Pig River 'Association. During his 
 ministry he baptized many persons and 
 married over eight hundred couples. 
 Probably no man of the nineteenth 
 century ever stood more firm in the 
 doctrine of salvation by grace. He 
 had no fellowship for the new-fangled 
 schemes introduced among the Bap- 
 tists in the present century; but when 
 these peace and union dividing here- 
 sies were troubling the church, he 
 stood firm as a rock, and when the 
 time had fully come for the church to 
 declare non-fellowship with the un- 
 scriptural and God dishonoring 
 schemes of man's devising he stood 
 firm. Elder Kelly stood on the old 
 platform and never swerved to the 
 right or left. The golden bait of popu- 
 larity had no charms for him. His 
 Master's honor and glory were upper- 
 most in his mind and next to it was the 
 union of the churches. The slanderer's 
 tongue nor the scorner's frowns did 
 not stop him for a moment. He gloried 
 not save in the cross of Jesus Christ. 
 The latter part of his ministry seemed 
 to be the brightest. The remark was 
 often made by professor and non-prof- 
 essor that as he advanced in years he 
 also advanced in the work of the min- 
 istry. He was partially blind for a 
 number of years before his death, a 
 portion of the time nearly entirely so 
 but with a guide he still went on and 
 preached the glorious gospel until his 
 final discharge came. 
 
 H. C. KER. 
 
 Ker, Elder H. C., of Middletown, N. 
 Y., was born in Quantico, Wicomico 
 County, Maryland, December 1, 1860. 
 His parents were New School Bap- 
 tists, his father being an ordained min- 
 ister of that denomination. He was 
 educated in" the public schools of his 
 native county. At home he was taught 
 the religion of nis parents, who were 
 good, kind and fatihful. When thir- 
 teen years old, the New School Bap- 
 tists held a protracted meeting in his 
 town when he with several others, 
 united with them by baptism, and 
 verily thought they were the church of 
 Gcd. In 1890, his mind became ex- 
 ercised regarding the Bible and spirit- 
 ual things. Such an experience he had 
 never had before. He began to visit 
 all denominations in reach, hoping 
 to find somewhere that which would 
 give the conscience ease and rest. 
 He found none who preached what he 
 thought the Bible taught; none ex- 
 pressed themselves as he felt, until 
 at last he found companionship among 
 the Old School Baptists, and was re- 
 ceived into the fellowship of Little 
 Creek Church, Sussex County, Del., 
 May, 1894, and was baptized by Elder 
 A. B. Francis. He felt from the day 
 of his baptism that he must declare 
 what God had done for poor sinners. 
 In June, 1896, he was licensed and in 
 November, 1897 was ordained to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry by 
 Elders A. B. Francis, E. Rittenhouse, 
 S. H. Durand, T. M. Poulson and W. W. 
 Meredith. Elder Ker has served Black 
 Rock Church, Baltimore County, Md , 
 and the Middletown and New Vernon 
 churches, located in Orange County, 
 N. Y. and the church at Woonbine, 
 Mass. He is also associate editor of 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 157 
 
 "The Signs of the Times," is modera- 
 tor of the Warwick Old School Bap- 
 tist Association, is a gifted writer and 
 preacher and much beloved b> his 
 churches. ■ — 
 
 S. KETCHUM. 
 
 Ketchum, Elder S., of McDonough 
 County, 111. The following information 
 of Elder Ketchum is found in Elder 
 Walter Cash's book published 1890; 
 "He was born in Crawford County, 
 O., January 7, 1840, and united with 
 Barren Grove Church in Henry Coun- 
 ty, August 1, 1870. He was ordained 
 the second Sunday in June, 1873, and 
 has since then served as pastor of 
 churches, having charge of two 
 churches at this time, which esteem 
 him very highly." The editor regrets 
 that later information could not be 
 obtained. — ■ 
 
 CHRISTOPHER KEYSER. 
 
 Keyser, Elder Christopher, of Vir- 
 ginia, was a native of Page County, 
 and was pastor at Hawk's Bill, 
 Smith's Creek, and other churches in 
 the Shenandoah Valley. He was con- 
 sidered a sound minister in doctrine 
 and practice and opposed all new de- 
 partures from the plain, simple teach- 
 ing of the Scripture and practice of 
 
 the apostles, — was highly esteemed 
 and faithful in the cause of truth. He 
 died about the year 1855, and the ed- 
 itor regrets that for lack of 1 informa- 
 tion a more detailed sketch of his life 
 and labors could not appear. 
 
 F. D. L. KOEN. 
 
 Koen, Elder F. D. L. was born July 
 3,1815; joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church in 1838, was ordained to the 
 ministry in 1856 died at the home of 
 his son, Elder A. P. Koen, March 18, 
 1908, in his ninety-third year. He had 
 been a member of the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church about seventy years, and 
 was held in high esteem by all who 
 knew him. 
 
 JOHN KOONTZ. 
 
 Koontz, Elder John. This eminent 
 servant of God was of German birth, 
 and labored among the Baptists of 
 Rockingham, which then included 
 Page, Culpepper, Frederick and adja- 
 cent Counties. In the present county 
 of Page there are many descendants 
 of Elder Koontz. He was baptized in 
 1768, ordained in 1776, was in the 
 constitution of Whitehouse (now 
 Mill Creek) Church in 1772, and served 
 during his forty years of ministerial 
 life many churches in the mountainous 
 part of the state and in the Shenan- 
 doah Valley, among them Mill .Creek, 
 Lost River and Brocks Gap. Elder 
 Koontz was one of the pioneer preach- 
 ers of the Shenandoah Valley and suf- 
 fered much persecution for Christ's 
 sake. But being called, qualified and 
 sustained by the hand of heaven and 
 earth he remained firm, faithful and 
 unshaken in the apostle's doctrine, 
 boldly defending salvation by grace, 
 and earnestly exhorting God's believ- 
 ing children to walk in the ordinances 
 of the Lord's house. He died in 1832, 
 between ninety and a hundred years 
 of age, and was buried in the Shuler- 
 Koontz burying grounds, located on 
 +he north side of the Shenandoah 
 River, Page County, on the present 
 home place of Deacon A. Jackson 
 Shuler. His grave is marked with a 
 simple, rough slate-rock slab, with 
 these words: "John Koontz, died 
 1832." 
 
158 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 SAMUEL J. LACKEY. 
 
 Lackey, Elder Samuel J., who in the 
 latter part of his life, moved from 
 Virginia to Colorado and died there 
 October 4, 1884, was born in Patrick 
 County, Va., May 10, 1816, united with 
 Liberty Old School Baptist Church in 
 1834, baptized by Elder John Conner, 
 married to Miss Drucilla Coon, 1834, 
 began preaching in 1847, and was or- 
 dained in 184S by Elders John Con- 
 ner, Nathaniel Thompson, Joshua 
 Adams and William Law son. He was 
 considered a very able and gifted min 
 ister and highly esteemed by his 
 brethren, contended earnestly and 
 faithfully for the faith that was once 
 delivered unto the saints, served as 
 pastor of Granam's, State Line, and 
 Liberty churches and died in the full 
 triumph of faith in the sixty-eighth 
 year of his age. , 
 
 D. J. LAMB. 
 
 Lamb, Elder D. J. was born Novem- 
 ber % 1824, in Emanuel County, Ga., 
 and died October 20, 1901. He united 
 with Canooche Church by letter from 
 Bethesda Church, Jefferson County, 
 Ga., March 6, 1869. He, however, had 
 served Canooche Church since 1861, 
 and continued to serve it and other 
 churches as a faithful pastor for many 
 years. A more faithful man and more 
 devoted to his calling would be diffi- 
 cult to find. He went and preached 
 Jesus to the people as long as his phy- 
 sical strength would admit it. He was 
 married twice, and his second wife, a 
 dear sister in Christ and several chil- 
 dren, survive him. A short time be- 
 fore his death he called his dear wife 
 and children around him and told them 
 that he was passing away from death 
 into life, and spoke encouragingly to 
 them, and endeavored to impress it 
 upon their minds that there is a living 
 God, and prayed to the Lord that the 
 next breath might be the last though 
 it was about one week afterward be- 
 fore the final end, when we verily be- 
 lieve he really did pass out of death, 
 as he said, into eternal life. He died 
 in the full triumphs of faith, trying 
 to impress upon others the reality of 
 the Christian religion that he had so 
 lcng endeavored to live and preach. 
 
 BENJAMIN LAMPTON. 
 
 Lampton, Elder Benjamin. This em- 
 inent minister was set for the defense 
 of the gospel, and was, perhaps, in 
 his day, the most able debater and 
 used the greatest array of Scripture 
 in argument, of any minister among 
 our people. "Manuscripts of Elder 
 Lampton," the title of a book pub- 
 lished by Elder W. A. Chastain, is the 
 most wonderful array of Scripture 
 quotations bearing on the subjects 
 discussed in a few of his debates, and 
 is profitable reading for all seekers 
 after truth. Elder Lampton was born 
 in Kentucky, May 10, 1825, united 
 with Crews Creek Church, in Ken- 
 tucky, in his twenty-sixth year, com- 
 menced preaching when thirty, mar- 
 ried to Miss Elizabeth Baker in 1848, 
 and to his second wife, Miss Emma 
 Brumback in 1S87, was a first cousin 
 of "Mark Twain," whose right name 
 is Samuel Lampton Clemmons, and in 
 his field of labor was as much" noted 
 for quick wit as the famous "Mark." He 
 was the youngest of three sons, lost 
 his father when four years old, raised 
 to manhood by a widowed mother 
 with limited opportunities for an edu- 
 cation and in turn cared for her in 
 his home until her death at the ad- 
 vanced age of eighty, was the pastor 
 of five churches in Kentucky and 
 Ohio, first visited Virginia in 1SS6, 
 and such a revival of religion among 
 the churches in the Valley that fol- 
 lowed will long be remembered, was 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 159 
 
 B. L. LANDERS. 
 
 Landers, Elder B. L., was born in 
 Gwinnet County, Ga ., on August 23, 
 1828, and died at his home near Em- 
 met, Ark., on 'March 1, 1905. He was 
 given a good hope through grace in 
 his early manhood, united with the 
 church and on July 29, 1871, was 
 ordained to the full functions of the 
 gospel ministry by a presbytery con- 
 sisting of Elders T. J. Foster and D. 
 B. Almond at Ephesus Church in 
 Nevada County, Ark., of which he 
 was a member and which he served 
 continuously and faithfully until his 
 death. His uprightness, and integrity 
 as a citizen, and exemplary and faith- 
 ful life as a minister gained for him 
 the esteem and respect of his fellow- 
 man, and the confidence and sincere 
 
 soon called to the pastoral care of 
 Naked Creek, Hawk's Bill and Alma 
 churches which he served until his 
 death September 4, 1890. His labors 
 were greatly blessed, and he was very 
 successful in persuading God's chil- 
 dren to do their duty, baptized over 
 two hundred people during his four 
 years' service in Virginia, and hun- 
 dreds in Kentucky and Ohio. His visit 
 to Virginia seemed to be providential; 
 he coming just as Elder E. H. Burnam 
 began to introduce his Arminian doc- 
 trine and practices among the 
 churches, and because he would not 
 follow Elder B. he was accused of 
 creating the trouble. He remained 
 firm, steadfast and immovable from 
 the dcctrine and practice of the Apos- 
 tolic church and on his deathbed 
 said: "I am now ready to be offered, 
 and the time of my departure is at 
 hand. I have fought a good fight, I 
 have finished my course, I have kept 
 the faith. And I want the world to 
 know that I have died in the faith I 
 have lived in." He rejoiced that "he 
 had a better home prepared in heaven 
 for him than he could have on earth.' 
 His only sorrow was at parting with 
 his devoted wife, and daughter, Mary, 
 but he assured them, "The Lord will 
 provide." A short time before he 
 breathed his last fleeting breath, he [ 
 feebly raised his hand, pointing 
 heavenward with his finger, and j 
 whispered, "All is well.' Not the | 
 twitch of a muscle, not one struggle 
 disturbed this dying hour, but he 
 breathed his life out sweetly, and 
 yielded his spirit to the God who gave 
 it. Thus died this righteous man. O, 
 may our death be like this." 
 
 love of the church. He was deep and 
 profound in thought yet his gift was 
 such as was adapted to the comfort 
 of babes in Christ as well as to the 
 comfort and edification of those, who 
 are of "full age." He was widely 
 known, and served several churches 
 faithfully, and acceptably; having to 
 ride long distances horseback to 
 serve them. While sick he expressed 
 no fears or horrors of death, but de- 
 sired "to depart and be with Christ." 
 His only regret was to leave his dear 
 companion. 
 
 WM. CUNNINGHAM LAUCK. 
 
 Lauck, Elder Wm. Cunningham, of 
 Virginia was born in Winchester, 
 March 24, 1805. His parents, Peter 
 and Emily Lauck were of Lutheran 
 persuasion and Elder Lauck was 
 christened and catechised into this 
 creed. In 1830 he was married to Miss 
 Eliza J. Sowers, daughter of Col. James 
 Sowers of Clark County, Va., a lady of 
 fine intellect and forceful character. 
 His education was in harmony with his 
 environment, was proficient in math- 
 ematics and English and well advanced 
 in Latin and Greek. He moved to 
 Page County, Va., in 1830 and engaged 
 in the mercantile business, was soon 
 elected clerk of the county and served 
 as such for seventeen years, giving it 
 up to devote his entire time to the min- 
 istry. His life of piety began when 
 quite young and it was on the ball 
 room flour that the Lord sent the ar- 
 row of convicticn to his soul. In Page 
 County he heard, for the first time an 
 Old School Baptist sermon by Elder 
 A. C. Booton, and on seeing the ordi- 
 nance of baptism by immersion ad- 
 ministered, was so much impressed 
 with the power of its truth and exam- 
 ple of loyalty that he, with his wife, 
 united with Mt. Carmel Church in 
 Luray and were baptized by the pas- 
 tor, Elder A. C. Booton. At the first 
 regular meeting afterward, the pastor 
 being absent, he was called upon to 
 conduct the service which he did and 
 his gift being so manifested that he 
 was soon licensed, and in 1835, he was 
 ordained to the full work of the min- 
 istry. Thus he put on the armor of 
 God when the Baptist Church was be- 
 ing torn asunder by the leaven of Ar- 
 minianism that had for more than a 
 quarter of a century been working in 
 the denomination. This alluring tide 
 of religion that swept so many minis- 
 ters into the popular current could 
 not move him. He chose rather to suf- 
 fer affliction with the people of God 
 
160 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for 
 a season. Elder Lauck was one of the 
 most able ministers of the New Testa- 
 ment in his day. His manner was im- 
 pressive, his language chaste, flowery 
 and devotional. In his early ministry 
 he served Thum Run, Gourdine Chest- 
 nut Fork, Roberson River and Battle 
 Run. Later on he gave up the most 
 distant ones and his last clays served 
 Hawk's Bill and Big Spring, but re- 
 tained Roberson River and Battle Run I 
 for forty years, faithfully serving j 
 these churches and several times each 
 month, crossing, by private convey- \ 
 ance, the Blue Ridge mountains in all 
 kinds of weather to fill his appoint- ; 
 ments. He was a kind husband and S 
 •wise father and brought up his chil- ; 
 dren in the nuture and admonition of ! 
 the Lord. Three of them — viz, — 'Mrs. 
 Emily Booton — (widow of Elder J. K. | 
 Booton) and Mrs. Lucy G. Brumback 
 of Virginia, and Mr- T. H Lauck of 
 Texas, survive him and are devoted 
 members of their father's church and 
 love the doctrine and practice so ably 
 defended by him. He fell asleep in 
 Jesus, in the full triumph of faith, 
 February 6, 1875. 
 
 JOSHUA LAWRENCE. 
 
 Lawrence, Elder Joshua was a native 
 of North Carolina. He was a great sin- 
 ner but found a great Saviour, who call- 
 ed him by His grace and made him one 
 of the ablest and boldest ministers of 
 the New Testament in modern times. 
 For more than forty years he advo- 
 cated powerfully and fearlessly, both 
 from pulpit and press, liberty of con- 
 science, the specialty, spirituality and 
 efficacy of God's salvation, and the 
 unscripturalness and corruption of all 
 the money-based religious institutions 
 of the nineteenth century notwith- 
 standing storms of slander and vitup- 
 eration, and threats against his life, 
 and, during the latter part of his life, 
 great physical debility and suffering. 
 He was p ofoundly acquainted with 
 the scripture and church history. Few 
 men could command larger audiences, 
 or so entertain the attention of hear- 
 ers. He was sometimes known, while 
 asleep, to give out a hymn, sing, pray 
 and preach a long sermon, without re- 
 membering anything of it when he 
 awoke. He was pastor of several 
 churches. His church at Tarboro ex- 
 perienced in his last days, a glorious 
 revival for which he had long prayed. 
 He was born in Edgecombe County, 
 September 10, 1778 and died in the 
 
 same county, January 23, 1843 - was 
 reared on a farm and had not the ad- 
 vantages of a liberal education, united 
 with the church in early manhood and 
 began preaching at the age of twenty- 
 three. He was a member of the Kehu- 
 kee Association which was organized 
 in 1765 and which never favored mod- 
 ern missionnsm and was present at 
 this association held at Log Chapel in 
 Martin County in the year 1803 when 
 the query in reference to missions, 
 money-based societies, etc., was intro- 
 duecd by Elder Martin Ross. The sub- 
 ject matter of this query continued to 
 be a subject of contention which he 
 opposed with all his eloquence and 
 ability until it ended in the unhappy 
 and final division among the Baptists 
 of this state in the year 1827. In this 
 division he took a bold stand in de- 
 fense of the ancient practice of the 
 Baptists and sided with what is now 
 known as the Primitive Baptists and 
 ever remained one. Though his ene- 
 mies have endeavored to injure his 
 strong and noble character and great 
 influence as a preacher and writer by 
 reporting that before he died he re- 
 nounced the doctrine he had preached, 
 yet an account of his sickness and 
 death written by Elder R D. Hart who 
 was his yoke-fellow in the gospel fully 
 denies and proves untrue such slander- 
 ous reports. On his death bed he said 
 he had never been more fully estab- 
 lished in the doctrine and practice for 
 which he had for forty years contend- 
 ed, and only wished he could have 
 preached it more. 
 
 M. T. LAWRENCE. 
 
 Lawrence, Elder M. T., of Hamilton, 
 N. C, was born in Edgecombe County, 
 N. C, July 23, 1848. He is the son of 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 161 
 
 Joshua L. and Harriett (Mays) Law- 
 .rence, and grandson of Elder Joshua 
 Lawrence, a Primitive Baptist minis- 
 ter of great ability. At an early age 
 he was convicted of sin and made to 
 feel his lost and ruined state by na- 
 ture. He felt, however, that he could 
 make peace with God by good works 
 when it was more convenient for him 
 to. do so. But in this he was mistaken. 
 His troubles on account of sin grew 
 worse — coming on him like the winds 
 and increasing in strength from a 
 gentle breeze to a gale. He was, in 
 1873, relieved of this heavy burden in 
 the same way — decreasing in a gen- 
 tle^ unobserved manner — luntil he 
 found a new hope in his heart and 
 a new song in his mouth — even 
 praises unti Jesus, love for God and 
 love for His people sprang up, and he 
 united with the church at Conoho, in 
 1873, and was baptized by Elder John 
 W. Purvis. Before he united with the 
 church he had impressions to prgach 
 Jesus, was licensed in 1878, and or- 
 dained in 1880. Is now pastor of four 
 churches near his home, is clerk of 
 the Kehukee Association, is a useful 
 man, a gifted preacher, a good neigh- 
 bor and greatly loved by his churches. 
 
 ROBT. C LEACHMAN. 
 
 Leachman, Elder Robt. C. was born 
 January 1811, and died February 19, 
 1869, at bis home in Manassas, Va. He 
 was baptized by Elder Samuel Trott 
 in the fellowship of the Bethlehem 
 Church in about the year 1837 was li- 
 censed to preach the gospel in 1838, 
 and was ordained to the work of the 
 ministry at Bethlehem in 1839. During 
 all his life, except what time he was 
 
 driven from his home during the late 
 war_ he continued to hold his residence 
 within five miles of the place of his 
 birth. Elder Gilbert Beebe wrote of 
 him: "As a minister of the gospel he 
 was truly one of Zion's sons, 'that had 
 grown up in his youth.' From the time 
 of his connection with the church of 
 God no blemish has soiled his charac- 
 ter. As an humble, devoted follower 
 of the Lamb and servant of the church, 
 no one could be more devoted or inde- 
 fatigable. Regardless of his own ease 
 or pecuniary interests, he labored 
 more abundantly than any of his con- 
 temporaries. All who were acquainted 
 with him concede that his gifts for the 
 ministry were of the very highest or- 
 der. His manner was bold and fearless 
 of man, and at the same time, he was 
 meek, humble and tender in his feel- 
 ings. His gift for argument, illustra- 
 tion and elucidation of the doctrine 
 were powerful, clear and unanswera- 
 ble, while his address was easy and re- 
 markably engaging. Thousands, even 
 of those who did not love the doc- 
 trine, were fond of hearing him and 
 respected him for his talent, while 
 they had no relish for the truth he so 
 forcibly proclaimed. 
 
 G W. LEE. 
 
 Lee, Elder G. W. (1842-1908), of 
 McKinzee, Ala., was devoted to his 
 brethren and the cause of Christ. His 
 unabating zeal and labor of love won 
 and preserved unto him the unshaken 
 confidence and esteem of his breth- 
 ren. He was a member of the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church forty-four years 
 and was for thirty-seven years the 
 pastor of his home church (Eliza- 
 beth). This speaks for his worth and 
 integrity as a Baptist and minister. 
 They loved him at his death as they 
 did in his early ministerial life. Elder 
 Lee, served in the Confederate army 
 sustaining, there, in one of its heated 
 battles, the loss of his right arm. 
 This, at the close of the war, together 
 with his poverty would have driven 
 many to despair; but his untarnished 
 character backed by unusual energy, 
 and we would confidentially add, the 
 providences of God, brought to him 
 many unexpected and unsought fav- 
 ors. There was never a man tnat 
 commanded higher respect from those 
 who knew him, and that acquaintance, 
 especially in South Alabama, was 
 very extensive. He was twice elected 
 to the state legislature, and held in 
 his life many offices of public trust to 
 
162 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 his own credit and satisfaction of his 
 constituents. His life of public trust 
 was not due to his early educational 
 advantages, but to his high traits of 
 character, for he was a self-made man 
 in that respect. While he suffered 
 many afflictions and deprivations, 
 still he was wonderfully blessed 
 through life, financially, so that he 
 ■could have, by c'ovetousness, died 
 wealthy. But his philanthropic heart 
 so filled with devotion to his fellow- 
 man and especially to his brethren, 
 brought him to his journey's end with 
 only a moderately comfortable sup- 
 port, which was all he seemed to de- 
 sire. 
 
 HORACE H. LEFFERTS. 
 
 Lefferts, Elder Horace H., of War- 
 wick, N. Y., son of Geo. W. and Sarah 
 P. Lefferts, who were members of 
 Southampton Old School Baptist 
 Church, was born in Bucks County, 
 Pa., April 23, 1879. In his seventeenth 
 year of age, while a student at the 
 West Chester State Normal School 
 preparing for the profession of teach- 
 ing, he was given a sweet hope in 
 Jesus, and four years later, December, 
 1900, united with Southampton Old 
 School Baptist Church and was bap- 
 tized by Elder F. A. Chick, the pastor, 
 Elder S. H. Durand being ill at the 
 time and thus unable to administer the 
 ordinance. He was licensed to preach 
 in April, 1902, and ordained June 5, 
 1903. In September, 1903 he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Ella Adams, daughter of 
 the late Elder William Adams, of near 
 Covington, Ga. In December, 1905, he 
 was called to the pastoral care of the 
 Old School Baptist Church at War- 
 wick, N. Y., accepted in April, 1906, 
 
 and moved there the following year 
 where he still resides. Elder Lef- 
 ferts was in September, 1908, called to 
 the pastoral care of the churches at 
 Frying Pan, Va., New Valley, Va._ and 
 Mill Creek W. Va,, all formerly served 
 by the late Elder E. V. White and now 
 (January, 1909) has under considera- 
 tion this call. He is a young, zealous 
 and gifted soldier of Jesus, satisfied 
 with the doctrine and practice of the 
 Apostolic Church and has served as 
 Moderator of the Warwick Old School 
 Baptist Association. 
 
 WM. HENRY LEGGETT. 
 
 Leggett, Elder Wi. Henry, of Scot- 
 land Neck., N. C, son of Noah and 
 Martha (Brodley) Leggett, was born 
 in Edgecombe County, N. C, Febru- 
 ary 24, 1844. His opportunities for an 
 education were limited, though by 
 close observation and the application 
 of a portion of his time to reading he 
 became a man of general information. 
 Early in life he was convicted of sin, 
 and some time afterwards was given 
 a sweet hope in Jesus, and in May, 
 1874, united with Williams Church 
 and was baptized by Elder J W. John- 
 son. The following year he was mar- 
 ried to 'Miss Bettie Pittman who has 
 proven a true companion. About the 
 year 1884 he bought, and moved on 
 a farm, near Deep Creek Church in 
 Halifax County, N C, and moved his 
 membership to this church. Soon 
 afterwards he was ordained deacon, 
 and in 1889 was ordained to the min- 
 isterial work by Elders W. F. Staton 
 and W. B. Strickland. Elder Leggett 
 is a 'meek, humble and lovely brother 
 and God has blessed his ministry to 
 the comfort of many of His people 
 
 JOHN LELAND. 
 
 Leland, Elder John (1754-1841), a 
 native of Grafton, Mass., was brought 
 under conviction for sin and also con- 
 cerned in regard to the ministry in his 
 eighteenth year, experienced a hope 
 in Christ and was baptized and began 
 to exercise in public in his twentieth 
 year, was married in his twenty-sec- 
 ond year, and, during the sixty-seven 
 years of his ministry labored with his 
 own hands, never soliciting money for 
 himself, went forth entirely undirected 
 and unsupported by missionary socie- 
 ties or funds, preached from four to 
 fourteen times a week, from Massa- 
 chusetts to South Carolina, traveling 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 163 
 
 more than a thousand miles, sometimes 
 on foot, but mostly on horseback, bap- 
 tized 1,525 persons on a creditable 
 profession of faith, only one or two of 
 whom ever attended Sunday schools, 
 faithfully preached the word unmixed 
 with the doctrines and commandments 
 of men, not for filthy lucre, but of a 
 ready mind, zealously opposed Sunday 
 schools, theological seminaries, a sal- 
 aried ministry and moneyed religious 
 
 JOHN LELAND 
 
 institutions endured great and numer- 
 ous persecutions, was an earnest advo- 
 cate of civil and religious liberty, wrote 
 about thirty pamphlets and many 
 hymns, and, it is said could never 
 preach without getting into the third 
 chapter of John and declaring the nec- 
 essity of being born again. He 
 preached in four hundred and thirty- 
 six meeting-houses, thirty-seven court 
 houses, several capitals, academies and 
 school houses, barns, tobacco houses, 
 dwelling houses and many hundreds 
 of times on stages in the open air. In 
 1835, after the division with the New 
 School Baptists, he wrote "I have been 
 preaching sixty years to convince men 
 that human powers were too degener- 
 ate to effect a change of heart by self- 
 exertion, and all the revivals of relig- 
 ion that I have seen have substantially 
 accorded with that sentiment." In 
 1832 he wrote to the Signs of the 
 Times: "In these days of novelty, we 
 are frequently addressed from the pul- 
 pit as follows: 'Professors of religion, 
 you stand in the way of God and sin- 
 ners, give up your old hope and come 
 now into the work God cannot convert 
 sinners while you are stumbling blocks 
 in the way. Sinners are stumbling 
 over you into hell. Profane sinners, I 
 call upon you to flee from the wrath, 
 
 to come, come this minute and give 
 your heart to God, or you will seal 
 your damnation. God has given you 
 the power, and will damn you if you do 
 not use it. God has done all He can, 
 and will do no more. Look not for a 
 change of heart; a change of purpose 
 is all that is necessary. "Now," says 
 Leland, "I have not so learned Christ. 
 I do not understand the scriptures in 
 that light. It is not the voice of my be- 
 loved. It sounds like the voice of a 
 stranger and I dare not follow it. The 
 missionary establishment, in its va- 
 rious departments, is a stupendous in- 
 stitution. Literary and theological 
 schools, Bible and tract societies, for- 
 eign and domestic missions, general, 
 state, county and district conventions, 
 Sunday School unions, etc., are all in- 
 cluded in it. To keep it in motion, 
 missionary boards, presidents, treasur- 
 ers, corresponding secretaries, agents, 
 printers, binders, teachers, runners, 
 collectors, mendicants, etc., are all in 
 requisition. This machinery is pro- 
 pelled by steam (money) and is not 
 run by the wind of 'Heaven. Sunday 
 schools are very fashionable and are 
 considered by many as the great lock- 
 link which unites nature and grace. ' 'In 
 183G he wrote: "Would not a new trans- 
 lation cf some passages in the New 
 Testament, according to our present 
 dialect and customs be acceptable? 
 In Matt., x, 7, read thus, 'And as ye go 
 preach to the people, your money is es- 
 sential to the salvation of sinners, and 
 therefore, form into societies, and use 
 all devisable means collect money for 
 the Lord's treasury; for the millen- 
 nium is at hand. In mark X:16 read, 
 He that has attended Sunday schools, 
 had his mind informed by tracts, con- 
 tributed to support missions, and 
 joined in societies to support benevo- 
 lent institutions, shall be saved; the 
 rest shall be damned.' I cannot in my 
 brief space, mention but a few inci- 
 dents in this great man's life, and call 
 attention to but a little of his writing, 
 but hope enough is given for the read- 
 er to clearly see where he stood in 
 the division in 1832. The New School 
 Baptists claim him, but their claims 
 are entirely without foundation. The 
 reader is referred to Hassell's History 
 pages G22-G28, and to the history of 
 his life by Miss L. F. Green, if he 
 should wish to further pursue the 
 study of Elder Leland's history. 
 
 POSEY G. LESTER. 
 
 Lester, Elder Posey G., of Floyd, 
 Va., was born in Floyd County, Va., 
 MJarch 12, 1850. He is a son of Wim. 
 
164 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 T. and Mary M. Lester. There were 
 fourteen children, nine of whom 
 grew to mature years. The moderatt 
 estate of Elder Lester's parents to- 
 gether with the ravages of the Civil 
 war greatly limited his opportunities 
 in early life, rendering his literal suc- 
 cess largely due to a persistent ap- 
 plication of his personal energies to 
 the problems of life which confronted 
 him. The inherent qualities which 
 have brought him into the literal 
 sphere of life which he occupies and 
 
 POSEY G. LESTER 
 
 maintains he regards and esteems as 
 an heritage from the life and charac- 
 ter of his mother, whose maiden name 
 was Simmons and daughter of Elder 
 Thos. W. Simmons. His early avoca- 
 tion was teaching vocal and literary 
 schools. In June, 1873, he professed a 
 hope in Christ and joined the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church at White Oak 
 Grove and was baptized by Eider 
 Amos Dickerson. In December follow- 
 ing he began to exercise his minis- 
 terial gift, and in October, 187G, was 
 ordained. For several years he travel- 
 ed locally and taught literally and 
 preached the gospel according as his 
 gift made room for him. Finally he 
 left off teaching and for several years 
 devoted his entire time in traveling 
 and preaching in more or less of twen- 
 ty-one of the states and in Ontario, 
 Canada. He has traveled as much as 
 13,000 miles in a single year for the 
 purpose of preaching Jesus, yet our 
 modern missionary friends with ap- 
 parently more zeal and less knowl- 
 edge, say we cppose missionary work. 
 We advocate and practice the Bible 
 plan. Since 18S3 Elder Lester has 
 been Associate Editor of Zion's Land- 
 mark. In 1886 he and Elder S. H. 
 
 Derand compiled and published a very 
 acceptable and sound Hymn and Tune 
 Book now extensively in use among 
 our people in many sections of the 
 country. In 1888 in his absence and 
 without solicitation from him, he 
 was nominated by the Democratic 
 party to represent the people of 
 his — the Fifth — district of Virginia, 
 in the Congress of the United States, 
 served in the Fifty-first and Fifty-sec- 
 ond Congresses. During this service he 
 preached frequently in Washington 
 and in other cities and in the 
 churches in the adjoining sections. 
 He declined to stand for the third 
 nomination, preferring to devote 
 more of his time to his minis- 
 terial work. Since 1901 Elder Lester 
 has served as clerk of the Smith's 
 River Association, is the pastor of 
 three churches and in part supplies 
 others, is an able preacher, an excel- 
 lent singer, beloved by his people, and 
 highly esteemed by the citizenship 
 among whom he has ever lived and 
 served in various positions of honor 
 and trust to wbich they have assigned 
 him. 
 
 H. M. LESTER. 
 
 Lester, Elder H. M., of West Vir- 
 ginia, was born in MicDowell County, 
 W. Va., March 10, 1830; professed a 
 hope in Jesus and united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church in his twen- 
 ty-seventh year and was baptized by 
 Elder Geo. Sizemore. Soon he was im- 
 pressed with the duty of preaching 
 Jesus, but Jonah-like, tried to flee 
 from the Lord. He moved to Ohio, 
 but not from his impression. Soon he 
 returned to his native state, but could 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 165 
 
 find no rest. He never attended 
 school but eight days and having but. 
 little education he felt that he could 
 not preach. But in the school of ex- 
 perience and in the "Whale College" 
 he became very proficient, was made 
 willing to bear the yoke, began 
 preaching and was soon ordained and 
 for forty-one years was a faithful min- 
 ister His services were mainly con- 
 fined to the churches in ihe Elk Horn 
 Association though he traveled some 
 in other sections He was a great lover 
 of peace and well versed in the Scrip- 
 tures. Salvation by grace was his 
 theme in life and his solace in death. 
 He died in the full triumph of a living 
 faith August 27, 1901. 
 
 GEO. W. LEWIS. 
 
 Lewis, Elder Geo. W.. The subject 
 of this sketch was born in Duboise 
 County, Ind., May 1, 1S47, and died at 
 French Lick, Ind., January 6, 1907. At 
 an early age he became greatly exer- 
 cised in mind and was made to see his 
 lost and ruined condition by reason 
 of sin, and finally realized a sweet 
 hope in a Redeemers' love. He united 
 with the Baptists known as the Rich- 
 land Baptists in the year 1879. He was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry 
 in 1888. Becoming dissatisfied with 
 this people, he united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptists at Bethlehem Church, at 
 French Lick, Ind., in the year 1894, of 
 which church he remained a devoted 
 member until death. He was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry in May_ 
 1897. Elder Lewis was a devoted 
 christian, a faithful minister of the 
 gospel, a kind and loving husband and 
 father, a good neighbor and a worthy 
 citizen, an humble, unpretentious man ; 
 these characteristics marked his 
 course as he journeyed through life, 
 loved respected by all with whom he 
 came in contact. He died as he lived, 
 trusting alone in the Lord. 
 
 W. W. LEWIS. 
 
 Lewis, Elder W. W., of Alabama; 
 born in Montgomery County, Ala, Au- 
 gust 10, 184G, and died February 12, 
 1895. He was a man full of vivacity, 
 and more than ordinary energy, pos- 
 sessing a jovial nature, he was al- 
 ways cheerful. After his return from 
 the war in 1865, it pleased the Lord 
 to arrest him in his sinful career, by 
 showing him the exceeding sinfulness 
 of his heart, and ultimately to reveal 
 
 Himself in the riches of His grace to 
 his great joy, and everlasting conso- 
 lation. He united with the church at 
 Bethel, Montgomery County, Ala, 
 and was baptized by Elder B. E. Mul- 
 lens of Tennessee, and in 1878 was 
 liberated by his church to preach, and 
 was soon after ordained, and at the 
 time of his death he had the care of 
 four churches, and was faithful to his 
 charges. He died suddenly and in full 
 triumph of faith. 
 
 DAVID LILLY. 
 
 Lilly, Elder David, was born in 
 Mercer County, West Virginia, April 
 14, 1S22, and died at his home near 
 Gales Creek, Washington County, 
 Ore., May 9, 1900, Brother Lilley pro- 
 fessed a hope in Christ in his early 
 manhood, and joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church called the Old Camp 
 Creek church in Mercer County, W. 
 Va., He was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry about 1S84, and 
 served churches until his death He 
 was married four times and was the 
 father of eighteen children — nine boys 
 and nine girls. He moved with his 
 family from Virginia to Wilson Coun- 
 ty, Kan, in the Fall of 1875; lived 
 there nine years; moved from Kansas 
 to Oregon in the Spring of 1884, and 
 settled near Gales Creek, in Washing- 
 ton County, where he resided until 
 death. Elder Lilley died as he lived, 
 a loving, faithful, devoted Christian, 
 earnestly contending for the faith 
 once delivered to the saints. Salva- 
 tion by grace and grace alone was his 
 theme. 
 
 LINE. 
 
 Line, Elder W. L # , of LaFountaine, 
 Ind., was born near his present home, 
 
166 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 June 14, 1851. His parents' home was 
 a home for Baptists and his earliest 
 recollections are those of hearing 
 christian people talk of their experi- 
 ences, hope in Jesus, etc. He was, in 
 his fifteenth year convicted of sin while 
 attending a revival meeting. His young 
 associates would banter each other to 
 join the church while his heart consid- 
 ered it mockery. During this period 
 he also attended Baptist meetings and 
 while he could not understand the doc- 
 trine they preached yet he was com- 
 forted when they preached experimen- 
 tally, and on February 16, 1867, under 
 the preaching of Elder John A. Thomp- 
 son he was encouraged to take up the 
 Cross. Soon he felt impressed to 
 preach the sweet gospel to others but 
 being a seventeen year old boy he felt 
 too young and otherwise unqaulified, 
 and it was May, 1878, before he was 
 ordained. He has since had the care 
 of from two to four churches. In Nov- 
 ember, 1887, he was married to Miss E. 
 A. McNaughton of Ohio, who has not 
 only been a keeper at home and a help- 
 meet in the fullest sense^ but has also 
 encouraged her husband to be faithful 
 to the churches and go at duty's call. 
 Elder Line is an able minister and 
 highly esteemed by his brethren for 
 his faithful labors in the cause of 
 truth. 
 
 M. L. LIPP. 
 
 Lipp, Elder M. L., was born in 
 North Carolina, November , 1815, mar- 
 ried to Elizabeth Davenport in 1835, 
 and in 1837 moved to Russell County, 
 Va., where he lived until his death in 
 1894. He professed a hope in Christ 
 in 1839, united with the Primitive 
 Baptist, and was in a few years or- 
 dained to the work of the gospel min- 
 istry, and during his life served sev- 
 eral churches, and traveled and 
 preached in the states of Virginia, 
 Kentucky, North Carolina and Ten- 
 nessee. In 1853 he was elected clerk of 
 court of Wise County, Virginia, and 
 served for twelve years; and in 1868 
 was elected to the legislature of Vir- 
 ginia. He was also, for several years, 
 Moderator of Stoney Creek Associa- 
 tion, and in all the positions of re- 
 sponsibility and honor in which, he 
 served he ever proved faithful to the 
 cause of truth as he understood it, 
 and left a good name upon the pages 
 of history. 
 
 WM. LIPPINCOTT. 
 
 Lippincott, Elder Wm., was born in 
 Licking County, Ohio, October 28, 1819, 
 departed this life in Columbus, O., 
 
 October 18, 1905. It can well be said 
 of him he was conscientious and al- 
 ways felt to rejoice in the sweet spirit 
 which manifests a child of God. His 
 labors among the saints were always 
 appreciated, and while he rests from 
 them, his works do follow him. The 
 gospel that he preached bore sweet 
 evidence that he neither received nor 
 learned it of man, but by revelation of 
 Jesus Christ. In its proclamation the 
 sheep and lambs were fed, and the old 
 brother will live in the memory of those 
 who believe in God and Christ. He 
 joined the Baptists in May, 1855 and 
 was baptized by Elder James Witham. 
 In January, 1870 he was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry and for thirty- 
 five years was a faithful soldier of 
 Jesus. 
 
 J. B. LITTLE. 
 
 Little, Elder J. B., of Rison, Ark., 
 was born in Union County, N. C , 
 July 16, 1835, convicted of sin and 
 saw his just condemnation under the 
 law in his seventeenth year, and for 
 several years felt to be without God 
 and without hope. But in July, 1860, 
 he was given hope in Jesus as his sin 
 bearer and afterwards united with 
 Cane Creek Church and was baptized 
 by Elder N. M. Goodrich. Elder Little 
 tells how he began preaching in the 
 following words: "We went in the 
 house, he made a little talk and sang 
 and prayed. He called on me I got up 
 and told the brethren I wanted to talk 
 a little about what Jesus came to do. 
 I did not think of anything but the 
 subject until I saw all the brethren 
 crying. The first thing I thought of 
 was now you have exposed your igno- 
 rance, disgraced the Old Baptists, 
 they are sorry for you and crying 
 about it. I closed abruptly I guess, 
 started out of the house, I wanted to 
 get out of company, when one of the 
 brethren near the door, said to me, 
 'How long did you talk?' I said, 'fif- 
 teen minutes I guess;" he said, "if 
 my watch tells the truth, you talked 
 an hour and five minutes.' I said 
 'your watch didn't tell the truth.' 
 From th-en until now I have been 
 trying to preach, and sometimes try- 
 ing to quit. Have made seemingly 
 many failures, but it don't hurt so 
 bad now as it did in my young days 
 in the ministry." Elder Little was or- 
 dained in August, 1872, has since had 
 the care of churches, and is a faithful 
 loyal servant of the Master. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 167 
 
 SINGLETON C. LITTLE. 
 
 Little, Elder Singleton C, of. Big 
 Lick, N. C, was born in Stanly Coun- 
 ty, N C, January 5, 1823, grew up to 
 manhood a good, moral man; and 
 when blest with a hope, led a most 
 pious life and joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church. Feeling his unworthi- 
 ness, he labored under the impres- 
 sions to preach for eighteen years be- 
 fore he entered upon such duty. He 
 was ordained about 18G8, and has giv- 
 en thirty-nine years of his life to the 
 service of the gospel ministry A man 
 of robust build, being well preserved 
 in health and strength till late years 
 he has attended a number of churches 
 regularly until age and infirmity set 
 in. Elder Little is an able defender of- 
 Primitive and Apostolic doctrine, be- 
 ing most convincing, eloquent and 
 dignified in his discourses He is just- 
 ly considered one of our most able 
 ministers. Before becoming infirm he 
 was for a long term of years the mod- 
 erator of the Bear Creek Association. 
 
 ISAAC LONG. 
 
 Long, Elder Isaac, of Tennessee, who 
 died in 1856, was born in the state of 
 Virginia, where it pleased the Lord to 
 call him out of nature's darkness unto 
 his marvelous light and the glorious 
 liberties of the children of God. He 
 joined the Baptist Church of Christ 
 while young and soon was called to the 
 work of the ministry and about fifty 
 years of his life was spent in preaching 
 the everlasting gospel of the Son of 
 God. His theme was free grace and 
 experimental religion. He was a faith- 
 ful herald of the Cross. 
 
 the unsearchable riches of Christ to 
 a waiting and dying world. He was 
 confined to his room about three 
 years with what doctors called nerv- 
 ous prostration, but he bore his afflic- 
 tion with great patience. When any of 
 his brethren would come to see him 
 his whole theme was God and godli- 
 ness, saying that his time was near at 
 hand and that he longed to see the 
 summons come. Elder Lord was a 
 man that stood well among his breth- 
 ren and also with the people at large, 
 and was well known for his pious 
 walk and Christian fortitude 
 
 J. W. LORD. 
 
 Lord, Elder J, W„ the subject of 
 this sketch, was born in Baldwin 
 County, Ga., August 12, 1828. When 
 he grew to manhood he moved to Ap- 
 pling County, about the year 1870, and 
 there remained until his death on 
 June 29, 1903 Elder Lord was raised 
 by 'Methodist parents, and joined the 
 Methodist Church when quite young, 
 and remained with them until about 
 the year 18G3, when he joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church, and there 
 remained a faithful member and min- 
 ister of the gospel until death He was 
 ordained to the gospel ministry in 
 1877, and went far and near preaching 
 
 HENRY LOUTHAN. 
 
 Louthan, Elder Henry, of Missouri. 
 The editor regrets that a complete 
 sketch of this worthy and highly es- 
 teemed minister could not be secured. 
 The following is taken from Elder 
 Cash's book published in 1896: "He 
 was born in Virginia and began preach- 
 ing at the age of nineteen. He moved 
 to Missouri in an early day and settled 
 in Shelby County, near Lunies Creek 
 Church. Later he moved to Palmyra, 
 Mo., and at his death endowed the 
 church at that place for the benefit of 
 future pastors. He was uncompromis- 
 ing in doctrine, ready to help the needy 
 and was held in great respect by the 
 churches. 
 
 MICHAEL LOVERIDGE. 
 
 Loveridge, Elder Michael, of Ore- 
 gon, was born in North Curry, Sum- 
 
168 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 merset Shire, England, April 17, 1803, 
 and there joined the Strict Baptists. 
 He came to Illinois and from there 
 went to the state of Oregon in 1865 
 
 ^ft&» 
 
 MICHAEL LOVERIDGE 
 
 and was there ordained the following 
 year in May. He was a lover of good 
 men and peace in the churches. He 
 died December 20, 18S0. 
 
 GEORGE LOY. 
 
 Loy, Elder George (1817-1875). The 
 
 subject of this sketch was born in 
 Hainsline County, W. Va. He was rais- 
 ed a Methodist but not being satisfied 
 with their doctrine and practice he 
 united with the Primitive Baptists 
 and was baptized by Elder John Ar- 
 nold. He commenced preaching about 
 
 the year of 1851 and was later ordain- 
 ed by Elders John Arnold and Joseph 
 Ruckman. During his long service in 
 the Master's vineyard he traveled and 
 preached in West Virginia, Pennsyl- 
 vania, Maryland and Virginia, and on 
 his visits in Virginia associated with 
 Elders Wm. Lauck, Ambrose Booton, 
 Buck, Mclntuff, Correll, Jennings and 
 others of that day. It is said Elder 
 Loy was the first Southern preacher 
 to visit the Baptists of Pennsylvania, 
 after the close of the Civil war. Dur- 
 ing the war he visited the army at 
 times, and had a son in the service. 
 During his last days the "Means" Bap- 
 tists were trying to introduce their 
 new measures in his churches and 
 one of his last wishes was that he 
 might be spared to oppose their in- 
 novations. He was noted for his mild 
 manner of preaching, for his humility 
 and meekness. 
 
 J. L. LUDWICK. 
 
 Ludwick, Elder J. L., was born 
 in Rockbridge County, Va., June 
 6, 1846, and united with the Primitive 
 Baptist Church, October 17, 1873. He 
 was ordained in March, 1880, and has 
 had the care of from two to four 
 churches ever since. He is an humble, 
 but devoted follower of the Master. 
 Further particulars of Elder Ludwick's 
 life and labors could not be obtained 
 from which to write a more detailed 
 notice. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 169 
 
 WM. LUNDY. 
 
 Lundy, Elder Wm., was born in 
 Carroll County, Va., in 1823, and died 
 
 in — i . When growing to manhood 
 
 he had not the advantages of schools, 
 hut by hard study at home he acquir- 
 ed sufficient education to become a 
 teacher in the public schools of his 
 county. In 1841 he was married to 
 Lucy Payne who, for forty-nine years 
 was a faithful companion to him .He 
 united with the Primitive Baptists in 
 1854, and when baptized, it is said, 
 came out of the water preaching 
 Jesus, and until his death was a 
 faithful, earnest and zealous preach- 
 er. When Virginia called for volun- 
 teers in 1861, he organized a compa- 
 ny and was made captain, and during 
 all the years of carnage and blood 
 shed he failed not to obey duty's call, 
 but proved a valiant soldier, and when 
 the war was over, he with renewed 
 zeal, entered upon the work of His 
 Master, and for forty-five years of 
 faithful service he traveled and 
 preached in seventeen siates, mainlj 
 the south and middle west, and in all 
 of his travels to preach the gospel he 
 went without any guarantee from men 
 but through many dangers and all 
 kinds of weather he pressed onward 
 in the simple, but uncommon faith, of 
 the apostles trusting that God would 
 direct, protect and open the heart of 
 his people to minister to his temporal 
 needs. A typical mountaineer, a 
 strong preacher, good citizen and kind 
 neighbor, faithful unto death, he end- 
 ed his course with joy, and was a con- 
 vincing example of the power of God 
 to call and qualify for the work of the 
 
 ministry. He was from 1874 until his 
 death, moderator of the Mountan As- 
 sociation 
 
 E. E, LUNDY. 
 
 Lundy, Elder E. E., of Wilmington, 
 X. O, was born in Carroll County, Va., 
 April, 1867 ; received a hope in Jesus 
 and united with the Primitive Baptists 
 in his twenty-first year and was bap- 
 tized by Elder J. R. Sparks. Two years 
 later he was licensed to preach, and 
 in 1892, was ordained and spent the 
 first ten years of his ministerial life 
 in evangelistic work, mostly in North 
 Carolina, though he has traveled and 
 preached in several states. He is now 
 pastor of (several) churches, within 
 the bounds of White Oak, Contetea 
 and Kehukee Association, and does 
 much preaching in destitute places, 
 and his labors are being blessed of 
 the Lord, and his faithful service 
 much appreciated by his churches. 
 
 M 
 
 BENJAMIN MAHON. 
 
 Marion, Elder Benjamin. The sub- 
 ject of this sketch was a faithful min- 
 ister who served churches in the 
 bounds of the Okom Association 
 most of his life, and was, for some 
 years before his death, moderator of 
 above association. He was born in 
 Virginia in 1822, moved to Fayette 
 County, 111., in 1833, and united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church in 1848, 
 was ordained in 1852, and died in 
 1903. 
 
 ISAAC MAHURIN. 
 
 Mahurin, Elder Isaac, of Linneus, 
 Mo., was born in Grayson County, 
 Kentucky, June 18, 1838, and moved to 
 Missouri in the year 1859. He united 
 with Liberty Church, Linn County, 
 Mo., in May, 1861, and has a member- 
 ship in that church at the present 
 time. He was ordained in August, 
 1876, and while not taking the care 
 of any church as pastor alone, has 
 meekly tried to serve the brethren 
 where they desired his labors. (From 
 
170 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Elder Cash's book 1896.) Further in- 
 formation could not be obtained. 
 
 B. F. MARTIN. 
 
 Martin, Elder B. F., the subject of 
 this notice was born in Henry Coun- 
 ty, Va., about the year 1855, where he 
 lived until his father moved to Smith 
 County, where he grew to manhood, 
 and married. There the Lord found 
 him as he did Jacob of old, and led 
 him about and instructed him. He 
 taught him that salvation is of the 
 Lord, and bid him publish the good 
 news to His people. About the year 
 1878, the church where he was a mem- 
 ber, seeing his call, and being satis- 
 fied with his gift, set him apart to the 
 full work of the ministry. His manner 
 of preaching was not such as to at- 
 tract the worldly minded, but to the 
 spiritually minded he was simply 
 Christ-like, humble, loving and gent'e. 
 He possessed little of this world's 
 goods, nor did he desire the applause 
 of men, but was willing to labor with 
 his own hands to minister to the 
 wants of those around him. 
 
 WILLIAM MARTIN. 
 
 Martin, Elder William (1804-1882), 
 of West Virginia, was born in Boothe 
 County, and moved with his parents 
 to Ohio when very young. He grew 
 up without advantages of an educa- 
 tion but God was pleased to call him 
 out of nature's darkness and qualify 
 him for a useful life in the ministry. 
 In early youth he was convicted cf 
 sin, given a hope in Jesus and a desire 
 to preach Him to others. But feeling 
 unworthy and unable for such a work 
 he, at the age of sixteen, left the pa- 
 rental roof, thinking to run away 
 from his trouble. But God's providen- 
 tial care followed him and directed 
 him to the church and His people to 
 whom he made known his desire; was 
 received into their fellowship, and 
 some years afterward, ordained to the 
 gospel ministry. At the age of twenty- 
 one he was married to Elizabeth 
 Hensley. As a minister his labors 
 were mostly among the churches of 
 the Feays Valley Association until the 
 mission system was introduced, which 
 brought about a split in the year 1835, 
 and Elder Martin was the only minis- 
 ter in the entire association that 
 stood firm and opposed all the inno- 
 vations of men. In November, 1835, 
 
 he met with the delegates from the 
 six churches which remained unshak- 
 en by the new wind of doctrine. These 
 withdrew from the Feays Valley As- 
 sociation on account of her disorder 
 and was organized into an associa- 
 tion which was called the Pocatalico. 
 Elder Martin served as moderator of 
 this association about forty years. He 
 began preaching at the age of eigh- 
 teen and served in the ministry for 
 sixty-one years. He was an able min- 
 ister, wrote many beautiful hymns, 
 and publisher a song-book known as 
 "Zion's Friend." 
 
 JAMES MARTINDALE. 
 
 Martindale, Elder James (1822-1885) 
 This faithful soldier of the Cross was 
 born and reared in Indiana, received a 
 common school education, united with 
 the church under the preaching of 
 Elder Wilson Thompson and was bap- 
 tized by him. He was a minister that 
 was not only loved by his own people 
 but by those "without the gate." He 
 had "a good report" from all and liv- 
 ed a life of usefulness. At the time of 
 his death he was serving four 
 churches and was moderator of the 
 Whitewater Association. 
 
 WILLIAM MARVIN. 
 
 Marvin, Elder William (1780-1854), 
 of Virginia, was extensively and fav- 
 orably known as an able and zealous 
 defender of the gospel of our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, uniform in his 
 deportment, quiet and dignified 
 among his brethren. He was privileg- 
 ed with no ordinary degree of spirit- 
 ual-mindedness; and there was given 
 him more than a superficial view of 
 the plague of his heart. During his 
 last days his mind was stayed upon 
 God, and as he felt that he was draw- 
 ing near the end of his journey, he 
 longed to depart. His desire in life 
 was that he might be like Christ, and 
 in prospect of death he rejoiced that 
 his desire was about to be realized; 
 for as the dread monster appeared 
 more plain to his view, he called to 
 his support, and the consolation of 
 those surrounding him, the following 
 among many other passages from the 
 word of God: Ps. xlii. 5 — "Why art 
 thou cast down, O my soul? and why 
 are thou disquieted within me? hope 
 thou in God: for I shall yet praise 
 him, who is the health of my counte- 
 nance, and my God." 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 171 
 
 DANIEL M. MASTERS. 
 
 Masters, Elder Daniel M. The sub- 
 ject of this sketch -u'as born in Christ- 
 ian County, 111., November 8, 1868. 
 When growing up he had serious 
 thoughts and much anxiety about his 
 future state, and his sins were re- 
 vealed to him and made to appear ex- 
 ceedingly sinful. Though, by good 
 works, he tried to get relief from his 
 burden, he was brought to the point 
 where he had to stand still and see 
 the salvation of the Lord. But He 
 who brought him to see himself a 
 vile sinner also revealed Himself to 
 him as the Saviour of sinners. This 
 was in 1889, and in 1893 he united 
 with the Primitive Baptists, and in 
 1898 was ordained a deacon. Three 
 years later he was ordained to the 
 ministry, has the care of churches, 
 and is faithful and devoted to the 
 cause of truth. 
 
 W. S. MATTHEWS. 
 
 Matthews, Elder W. S., was born in 
 Howard County, Mo., December 27, 
 1827, then moved with his parents to 
 Johnson County, from there to Platte 
 County, where he grew to manhood. 
 He professed a hope in Christ July 3, 
 1843, and was baptized in the fellow- 
 ship of Hillsborough Church the third 
 Sunday in August by Elder William 
 Simpson. He was married to Miss 
 Frances Deshazer in DeKalb County, 
 Mo., November 15, 1846, moved to 
 Kansas in 1859, and was licensed to 
 preach July 4, 1874, by the Harmony 
 Church in Nemaha County, Kan. He 
 was ordained by the same church, 
 May 8, 1875, moved to Oregon in 1879 
 
 and has attended four churches most 
 of the time since. He has been mod- 
 erator of Siloam Association for a 
 number of years, and is a faithful, 
 zealous and useful minister. 
 
 F. M. MATTOX. 
 
 Mattox, Elder F. M., of Indiana, was 
 a son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Mat- 
 tox, and was born near Hardensburg, 
 Washington County, Indiana, April 4, 
 1840. He was united in marriage to 
 Mary Adaline Wible, April 10, 1862. 
 Brother Mattox united with the Sink- 
 ing Spring Regular or Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church by experience at the 
 April meeting, 1861. He was or- 
 dained to the office of Deacon 
 at the April meeting, 1869, which 
 position he faithfully filled until set 
 apart to the work of the gospel min- 
 istry. He was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry the fifth Satur- 
 day in May, 1875, by a presbytery 
 composed of Elders Samuel McMa- 
 han, James Strickland, and Wesley 
 Poison. He was a devoted Christian, 
 a faithful minister of the gospel, an 
 humble, unpretentious man. These 
 characteristics marked the entire 
 course of his life and caused him to 
 be known as one who loved peace — a 
 peacemaker in all that the word im- 
 plies. He was an able defender of the, 
 dostrine of the Bible, and while he 
 was conservative in his deportment 
 toward men, he made no compromise 
 with error, nor sacrifice of Bible 
 truth. Elder Mattox was at the time 
 of his death and several years pre- 
 vious moderator of the Blue River 
 Association. 
 
 E. C. MAULDIN. 
 
 Mauldin, Elder E. C, of Bebb, 
 Texas, was born in Edgefield, S. C, 
 January 9, 1809, moved with his pa- 
 rents to Alabama, in his eight year, 
 and later to Tennessee. When twenty 
 years old he was married to Miss 
 Eliza Biggs, a daughter of Elder Asa 
 Biggs, united with the church 1846, 
 and ordained 1858. The work of Elder 
 Maudlin's ministerial life was spent 
 in Texas, but a sketch of his labors 
 and the date of his death could not be 
 obtained by the author. 
 
 JOHN A. MAXWELL. 
 
 Maxwell, Elder John A., was born 
 in Cumberland County, North Caroli- 
 na, September 12, 1826, and died Oc- 
 
172 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 tober 12, 1906. He united with Pied- 
 mont Church, September, 1857, and or- 
 dained to the gospel ministry Decem- 
 ber 20, 1874. His parents moved from 
 North Carolina in 1832, to Decatur 
 County, Ga., where he lived and died 
 in three miles of where he was raised. 
 Elder Maxwell was a good husband 
 and father, firm and positive in his 
 family, though not tyrannical. He was 
 established and sincere in his convic- 
 tions, and provided a handsome living 
 for his family. He was firm in all that 
 he considered just and right, unflinch- 
 ing in all that he thought pertained 
 to the faith once delivered to the 
 saints, in his practice., and ministry 
 of the gospel. 
 
 G. E. MAYFIELD. 
 
 Mayfield, Elder G. E., of Elgin, Ore., 
 was born in Washington County, Ore., 
 October 29, 184G. When an infant his 
 parents moved to Missouri, and when 
 about grown moved to Oregon. His 
 parents were Primitive Baptists and 
 raised him right but could not make 
 him love the Old School Baptist doc- 
 trine and in April, 1867, he united 
 with the Missionary Baptists. Soon 
 afterward he was thrown in company 
 with the Primitive Baptists of Clock- 
 amas County, Ore., and occasionally 
 attended their meetings, soon learned 
 that they preached his experience as 
 well as" sustaining their doctrine fully 
 by the Bible. About this date— 1867— 
 he was married to Miss Francis Ray, 
 and they both united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptists April, 1869, and were 
 
 baptized by Elder J. P. Allison. In 
 1873 he was licensed and in October, 
 1876, was ordained by Elders John 
 Stipp, Geo. Wills, M. Loveridge, J. P. 
 Allison and R. Thank. His wife died 
 in 1875, and the following year he was 
 married to Miss Amanda Westerfield. 
 In 1S78 he was in the constitution of 
 Big Spring Church, Union County, 
 Ore., and has since served this church 
 as pastor. Elder Mayfield is an hum- 
 ble, earnest and faithful minister, is 
 in his sixty-second years of age and 
 desires to press onward in the Christ- 
 ian warfare and finish his course with 
 joy. 
 
 E. A. MEADERS. 
 
 Meaders, Elder E. A. The subject of 
 this sketch was a native of Tennes- 
 see. He obtained a hope in early 
 life, and united with the Old 
 School Baptists and began preaching 
 when he was about twenty years of 
 age; emigrated to the state of Mis- 
 sissippi in 1835 when but few white 
 people lived in North Mississippi. He 
 helped to organize the Tallahatchie 
 Association and was one of her most 
 active ministers. For many years he 
 lived in the town of Oxford, Miss., 
 during which time he felt deeply im- 
 pressed of the Lord to travel and 
 preach through the Northern states 
 and Canada, which he did in 1856-'57. 
 During this trip he went to Washing- 
 ton, D. C., and while there a friend of 
 his introduced him to President Bu- 
 channan as a Baptist minister, where- 
 upon the President asked him if he 
 was a Calvanistic Baptist. Elder Mead- 
 ers calmly replied "no," giving as 
 his reason that Calvin sprinkled 
 babies and persecuted the Baptists. 
 The President replied, 'Why, I was 
 sprinkled when an infant." "Well, 
 Mr. President,' said Elder Mead- 
 ers, "If you were filthy enough 
 to need washing and they only 
 sprinkled you they left you all the 
 worse." Next morning the President 
 sent for Elder Meaders and offered 
 him the governorship of the Territory 
 of Utah, when the Elder said, "Thank 
 you, Mr. President, I cannot conde- 
 scend to accept." Elder Meaders was 
 one of the most firm, uncompromising, 
 Baptists, as well as one of the most 
 devoted and self-sacrificing ministers 
 among our people. He was an ex- 
 emplary minister without a spot upon 
 his moral character, and passed away 
 in the triumphs of faith at the age of 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 173 
 
 eighty-six, having been the Moderator 
 of the Tallahatchie and Hopewell as- 
 sociations for many years. 
 
 STANTON MEADS. 
 
 Meads, Elder Stanton. The subject 
 of this notice was a native of Pas- 
 quatank County, N. C He was born 
 in 1808, and united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptists before the division and 
 remained faithful to the cause of God, 
 not being carried about by winds of 
 doctrine. He was in 1860, ordained to 
 the work of the ministry by Elders 
 Hodges Gallop and Caleb Sawyer, and 
 was a faithful pastor until his death 
 in 1878. His son, Elder Charles 
 Meads, is faithfully walking the way 
 in which his honored father served 
 Jesus. 
 
 of poor parentage, raised on a farm 
 and had but few opportunities of an 
 education, though by dint of study 
 and close observation stored his mind 
 with much useful information. When 
 young he would have many serious 
 thoughts about his eternal welfare 
 but such thoughts would soon pass 
 out of his mind. But in 1867 God re- 
 vealed to him his sins, showed him 
 his lost condition by nature, and ere 
 long by the "still small voice" spoke 
 peace to his troubled soul by reveal- 
 ing to him Jesus as his Saviour. He 
 did not tarry, but went to the people 
 he so much loved — the Primitive Bap- 
 tists — the same year, was received 
 into the fellowship of Flatty Creek 
 Church and was baptized by Elder 
 Hodges Gallop. He was soon impress- 
 ed with the duty of preaching ana 
 was ordained to the work July, 1871, 
 by Elders Hodges Gallop and J. D. 
 Wicker, and has had the care of from 
 Church and was baptized by Elder 
 Meads is an humble, gentle and peace 
 loving man, desires to know nothing 
 but Christ and Him crucified, as the 
 salvation of siners, and is content 
 with the goodness of God's house and 
 its simple worship. 
 
 CHARLES MEADS. 
 
 Meads, Elder Charles, of Weeks- 
 viU«, N. C , was born August 6, 1843, 
 
 HENRY MEEKS. 
 
 Meeks, Elder Henry, of Meeks, Ga., 
 was born March 6, 1848, reared on 
 the farm with poor advantages of 
 schools, taught lessons of morality, 
 truthfulness and honesty by godly pa- 
 rents, entered the Southern army in 
 1864, at the age of sixteen, from which 
 he was honorably discharged at the 
 cessation of hostilities. From a boy he 
 .had serious thoughts of life, death and 
 eternity, was convicted of sin about 
 1868 and for several years was under 
 deep conviction. After he was deliv- 
 ered from his burden of guilt and 
 Jesus was revealed to him as his Sa- 
 viour, he, for some years remained 
 out of the church waiting for more 
 evidence of his acceptance, but in 
 1874 united with Providence Church, 
 was baptized by Elder Riner, and was 
 ordained to the ministry 1877. Elder 
 Meeks has served from one to four 
 churches since his ordination and 
 served his home church twenty-eight 
 years, has assisted in the constitu- 
 tion of two churches and the ordina- 
 tion of nine ministers, has baptized 
 about one hundred persons and mar- 
 ried many couples and is a useful 
 and faithful minister of the New Tes- 
 tament. 
 
174 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 WOODSON MELTON. 
 
 Melton, Elder Woodson of West Vir- 
 inia, lived and labored within the 
 hounds of the Pocatalico Associations. 
 He was a native of Mason County, 
 served the churches long and faith- 
 fully and was much beloved by his 
 people; and the editor regrets that a 
 full sketch of his life could not be pre- 
 sented. 
 
 JOHN H. MENEFEE. 
 
 Menefee, Elder John H., was a na- 
 tive of Page County Va. He was born 
 September 23, 1820 'and died March 8, 
 1897 in his seventy-seventh year of age. 
 Early in life he was convicted of sin 
 and found peace and rest alone by 
 faith in Jesus. And soon after finding 
 this pearl of great price he was im- 
 pressed to tell the "good news" to 
 others and was ordained to the gospel 
 ministry, and for forty years proved 
 a fatihful soldier of Jesus. During 
 the division of 1890 when the "Regu- 
 lar" Baptist, or more generally and 
 properly known "Burnham Baptists," 
 were cut off by the Old School Bap- 
 tists on account of their doctrine and 
 practice of human means in the salva- 
 tion of sinners, Elder Mienefee re- 
 mained with the Old School Baptists 
 and continued until the end, preaching 
 salvation alone by the sovereign, eter- 
 nal, unchangeable mercy of God. Dur- 
 ing his long, faithful service he served 
 Mill Creek, Brocks Gap and several 
 other churches of the Ebenezer Asso- 
 ciation and stood in high esteem as 
 an able minister of the gospel, but 
 a full sketch of his life could not be 
 obtained by the editor. 
 
 W. W. MEREDITH. 
 
 Meredith, Elder W. W. This gifted 
 minister was highly esteemed and 
 dearly beloved for his fatherly, kind, 
 humble and gentle manner, and fior 
 his devotion to the cause of truth. 
 He was a native of Delaware, and liv- 
 ed at Felton, at the time of his death 
 in 1906. He traveled among the Bap- 
 tists of the Northeastern, and some of 
 the Southern states, attending several 
 sessions of the Kehukee and other 
 associations in North Carolina and 
 was everywhere well received. The 
 editor regrets that a full sketch of his 
 useful, exemplary, life could not, for 
 want of data, be given. 
 
 PARROTT MEWBORN. 
 
 Mewborn, Elder Parrott, was a na- 
 tive of Lenoir County, N C. He was 
 born January 1,. 1799, united with 
 Bear Creek Church August, 1824, and 
 was baptized by Elder Lewis Whit- 
 fie'd, was soon ordained to the gospel 
 ministry and after nearly forty years 
 of faithful service in the Lord's vine- 
 yard he died April 29, 18G4. Elder 
 Mewborn had a bright experience in 
 his change from nature to grace, and 
 could truly say "the Lord hath led 
 me." He was considered a very able 
 dotrinal, experimental and prophetic- 
 ical preacher. Many important events, 
 such as the Civil war, the overthrow 
 of the Civil power of the Pope of 
 Rome, etc., were prophesied by him 
 and came to pass about the time pre- 
 dicted. For many years he was a great 
 sufferer from rheumatism. His mind 
 became deeply impressed with the 
 miraculous cures of diseases made by 
 Christ and he was given a desire to 
 earnest prayer, and faith to believe 
 that Christ would heal him. This He 
 did, and in his writings he says: 
 "There came virtue and love and fill- 
 ed my soul and I felt the good effects, 
 rose up and began to praise the Lord 
 and stood on the floor." More than 
 twenty years have passed and I thank 
 and praise the Lord that I have not 
 had the rheumatic pains? since." His 
 life was an honorable, useful one and 
 shed a good influence in the commu- 
 nity in which he lived. 
 
 GEORGE MEWBORN. 
 
 Mewborn, Elder George, the oldest 
 son of Elder Parrott Mewborn was 
 born December 26, 1824. As a boy he 
 was bright and industrious, quick to 
 learn and a great lover of books. In 
 early manhood he taught school and 
 worked as a clerk, but by experience < 
 learned that he preferred farming, at 
 which he was successful. He was, in 
 1848. married to Miss Nancy Hardy, 
 Some years later he was made to feel 
 his sinful condition by nature and 
 what he must be by grace to meet God 
 in peace, was given* hope in Jesus and 
 in 1850 united with the church at 
 Mewborn's and was baptized by his 
 father. He served his church as clerk 
 and deacon and during the latter 
 years of his life "commenced to speak 
 as a minister and bid fair to become an 
 able minister though he was never 
 ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry." He died in 1859 in his 
 thirty-fourth year of age. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 175 
 
 PARROTT MEWBORN JR. 
 
 Mewborn, Eider Parrott Jr., son of 
 Elder Parrott Mewborn, was born Au- 
 gust 21, 1834, and died April 15, 1831. 
 He served in the Civil war, and was 
 in the fall of 1865 married to Miss 
 Lany Hardy. In 18G8 he was given 
 a sweet hope in Jesus and united 
 with the church at Mewborns, Green 
 County, and was baptized by Elder 
 T. W. Wills. In 1873 he was ordained 
 to the gospel work by Elders S. Pate 
 and Thos. W. Wills. He was a good 
 disciplinarian and great lover of 
 peace. 
 
 D. A. MEWBORN. 
 
 Mewborn, Elder D. A., of Farmville, 
 N. C, was born June 14, 1840. He is a 
 son of Elder Parrott Mewborn, was 
 raised on a farm, and as a boy ac- 
 quired a love for, and habit of read- 
 ing. As advantages of school were 
 limited he found that his studious 
 habits were the foundation of his ac- 
 quisition of knowledge in future life. 
 He served as a private in the war be- 
 tween the states when not disabled, 
 and in 1867 was married to Miss P. A. 
 Dixon From a boy he had a feeling 
 that he would one day become a 
 preacher and set about to get religion 
 But in this he failed for the Lord 
 showed him his sinful nature and 
 utter helpless condition, and in Novem- 
 ber 1872, he united with the Meadow 
 Church in Green County and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Jesse Baker He was 
 in 1874, ordained as a deacon, li- 
 censed to preach in 1879, and ordained 
 to the full work in 1881 by Elders J. 
 C. Hewit, and L. H. Hardy, and is a 
 useful, faithful minister. 
 
 HENRY D. MICKEY. 
 
 Mickey, Elder Henry D., of Pinna- 
 cle, N. C., was born in Surry County, 
 N. C., April 8, 1849; was of humble 
 parentage and one ot a family of 
 twelve children. Three short sessions 
 was the limit of his school days. His 
 motherd was a Methodist and he was 
 therefore raised up in that faith, and 
 at the age of fourteen united with 
 this church but felt no conviction for 
 sin or difference in his life. Four years 
 later he moved into a neighborhood 
 where he came in contact with Primi- 
 tive Baptists. He had heard them 
 spoken of as a hard set of people hold- 
 ing to an unsound doctrine. He at- 
 tended their meetings but could not 
 understand the preaching until he 
 was, by God's spirit, taught his lost 
 and ruined condition and given a hope 
 of heaven through the atoning blood 
 of Jesus, Thus he was led to the 
 church, united with those he once 
 had no love for, was later ordained 
 to the work of the ministry and has 
 since been preaching Jesus the, way, 
 the truth and the life. 
 
 J AS. F. MILLS. 
 
 Mills, Elder Jas. F., was born in 
 
 Union County, N. C, June G, 1846, 
 on the farm where he has lived all his 
 life. In his youth he had serious 
 tt oughts of eternity and his future 
 destiny which followed him, and 
 caused him much trouble until the 
 second day of September, 1874, when 
 he was blest with a hope in Christ as 
 his Redeemer. He united with the 
 Church April, 1879, began to speak in 
 public there in May, 1888, and was 
 ordained about two years later. He 
 is a very mild and conservative min- 
 ister, has traveled some but most of 
 his labors have been within the 
 bounds of the Bear Creek Association 
 and no man stands higher in the es- 
 teem of his brethren and friends than 
 Elder Mills. His life is one of sobriety, 
 humility and willing service. He is 
 now, and has been for some fifteen 
 or more years Moderator of the Bear 
 Creek Association. 
 
 J. D. MIRACLE. 
 
 Miracle, Elder J. D. Brother Miracle 
 died February 12 1908. He was born 
 in Kentucky and went west in 1865. 
 The chief theme of his life was salva- 
 
176 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 tion by grace, and "amazing grace" he 
 constantly sang and talked. Ever re- 
 joicing in the grace of God to him he 
 shed forth the same on all around, 
 and was a kind and loving father to 
 all he met. This heaven-born kindness 
 and humility made him friends and 
 won respect from all he met. In all 
 his trials through life his love for the 
 church was uppermost, and this leav- 
 ened his entire conduct. He was twice 
 married and leaves a faithful wife and 
 twelve children, two of whom are 
 ministers of the gospel. He had lived 
 in Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, 
 and had baptized a host of believers, 
 his own mother being among the num- 
 ber. Many years shall he shine as a 
 star in the firmament of Zion, inviting 
 us on and upward. 
 
 WM. M. MITCHELL. 
 
 Mitchell, Elder Wm. M. This emi- 
 nent servant of God was a son of 
 James and Margaret Mitchell; was 
 born January 10, 1819, near Chester 
 Court House, S. C, had but poor ad- 
 vantages of education, though by 
 hard study and close application ad- 
 vanced far enough in English studies 
 to teach public school, which he fol- 
 lowed a few years in his early man- 
 hood; was convicted of sin when 
 about fifteen years old; married to 
 Miss Mary E. Taylor, June 2, 1842; 
 united with Providence Church Au- 
 gust, 1842, and was baptized by Elder 
 J. J. Dickson; was before his bap- 
 tism wonderfully impressed with thi 
 thought that he must preach — the 
 Lord leading his mind, when trying to 
 pray, to read the 12th chapter of 
 Isaiah, and at the fourth verse deeply 
 
 impressing upon his mind the words, 
 "You must preach;" preached his first 
 sermon eleven months after uniting 
 with the church — speaking about two 
 hours much to the edification of the 
 hearers; was ordained to all the func- 
 tions of the gospel ministry July, 
 1845 and after more than forty years 
 of useful, faithful and exemplary ser- 
 vice died at his home in Opelika, Ala., 
 February 26, 1901, in his eighty-third 
 year of age. Elder Mitchell was for 
 many years associate editor of the 
 Gospel Messenger, and was one of 
 the most able spiritual writers of the 
 age. Out of the many published com- 
 mendatory remarks of him I append 
 the following from the pen of that 
 sweet writer S. B. Luckett: "The 
 death of Elder Mitchell will be felt 
 all over the land, but it is for those 
 who knew him best to speak more 
 particularly of his personal worth and 
 Christian character, while we who 
 lived beyond the charm of his voice 
 and the sight of his well-ordered steps 
 are to trace his goodness, his affec- 
 tion, and his love of truth in the writ- 
 ten page, as we do in the case of 
 Paul and other pensmen of the Lord. 
 Before such spiritual excellence and 
 moral worth, such heaven-born humil- 
 ity and Christian love, the world's 
 grandeur and ostentation are a thing 
 of nought. We need not ask, who will 
 write the memorial of his life or his 
 epitaph in death. He needeth no epis- 
 tle of commendation from any, for he, 
 being dead, yet speaketh, and our edi- 
 fied and instructed hearts are the seal 
 of his ministry. The spirit of devotion 
 and love, and the incense of spiritual- 
 ity are in all his writings. His edito- 
 rial in the last Gospel Messenger 
 would be a monument to any name." 
 
 H. G. MITCHELL. 
 
 Mitchell, Elder H. G., of Nickajack, 
 Ga., is moderator of the Marietta Old 
 School Baptist Association of Georgia. 
 He has the care of Bethlehem and Mt. 
 Zion Churches in Cobb County, and 
 other churches in this section, and is 
 highly esteemed for the truth's sake. 
 Particulars of his life and labors could 
 not be secured. 
 
 THOMAS MITCHELL. 
 
 Mitchell, Elder Thomas, of Spencer 
 Ind., was born in Lawrence County, 
 Ind , August 11, 1858, became deeply 
 interested on the subject of religion 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 177 
 
 in his seventeenth year, united with 
 Spring Creek Baptist Church in his 
 twentieth year and was baptized by 
 Elder J. H. Oliphant. The work of the 
 ministry began to weigh heavily on his 
 mind, and he began preaching about 
 1895, was ordained July the following 
 
 THOMAS MITCHELL 
 
 year by Elders P. T. Oliphant and F. 
 M. Mattox, and has had, since that 
 time the care of three churches al- 
 most continuously. For about fifteen 
 years he has been clerk of the White 
 River Association and has proven a 
 faithful servant and desires to know 
 nothing, in the matter of salvation, 
 but Jesus and Him crucified. 
 
 WM. RILEY MITCHELL. 
 
 Mitchell, Elder Wm. Riley, of Mis- 
 souri. This minister was born near 
 Wilksbu: - g, X. C, and was educated 
 there and went to Middle Tennessee 
 in his young days. About the year 
 1854, he moved to Missouri and served 
 churches in this state, but data for a 
 full sketch of his life and labors could 
 not be obtained. He died about the 
 year 1875, while away from home fill- 
 ing appointments. 
 
 AMOS MIX. 
 
 Mix, Elder Amos, was born in New 
 York in the year 1759. Entered the 
 Army of the Revolution from the state 
 of New York at the commencement of 
 hostilities in 1775, at the age of six- 
 teen years and served through the 
 seven years. After General Lafayette 
 
 came to the aid of America he was one 
 of the general's regiment of picked 
 men. When he joined the Baptists 
 cannot be stated. The records of the 
 Red Stone Association of Western 
 Pennsylvania show that he was an 
 Elder in the bounds of that Association 
 as far back as 1807. Elder Mix was 
 a predestinarian and at the time of his 
 connection with the Red Stone Associa- 
 tion there were inroads being made in 
 to the Baptist doctrine, and some were 
 arvocating Arminianism, especially 
 Alexander Campbell, who joined the 
 Baptists in that country in 1812 and 
 was excluded from the stand of the 
 preachers at Big Red Stone Church, 
 Fayette County, Pa., September, 1828. 
 And he stood firm against this Armin- 
 ian doctrine and had it not been for 
 such valiant men Campbell would have 
 carried the body of the Association 
 with him. As it was however, as 
 stated by an eye witness, only one 
 elder had the fortitude to follow Camp- 
 bell who went about thirty rods to a 
 stone that projected above the ground, 
 upon which he mounted and harangued 
 the excited people for three days. A 
 few years after these events occurred 
 the "Disciples" of Alexander Campbell 
 went to the "sacred spot" and carried 
 pieces of the "foundation stone' 'away 
 as sacred relics. Elder Mix went to 
 Ohio in later years and spent the 
 remainder of his life in the bounds of 
 the Muskingum Association, and was 
 on the side of the Old School when the 
 division took place in 1832. He died 
 in Muskingum County, Ohio, in the 
 year 1846. • — 
 
 SILAS H. MOFFETT. 
 
 Moffett, Elder Silas H., of Paris, 
 111., son of Daniel and Lucinda (.Rec- 
 tor) Moffitt, who migrated from Far- 
 
178 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 quier County, Va., about 1831, was 
 born in Kentucky August 7, 1828, and 
 was Killed by the cars at Kansas, Til., 
 June 1, 190G, in tbe seventy-eigbtb 
 year of his age. He was carried to 
 Illinois by bis parents wben be was 
 three years old and lived for about 
 seventy-four years a resident of Ed- 
 gar County, 111., and helped to re- 
 claim the wilderness and wild, fertile 
 prairie, and put the land in a high 
 state of cultivation. By thrift and 
 economy he procured a reasonable 
 amount of this world's goods, and left 
 his family, all of whom are grown up, 
 in comfortable circumstances. He re- 
 ceived a hope in early life, and united 
 with the Primitive Baptist Church, 
 of which he remained a faithful mem- 
 ber for over half a century. He began 
 his public ministry in 1874, and was 
 ordained shortly afterwards,, and the 
 Lord blessed his labors to the com- 
 fort of many of the Lord's little ones. 
 He often said he was content to 
 preach about the things he under- 
 stood and let the deep and unrevealed 
 mysteries remain unmolested, as they 
 so often engendered strife when they 
 were advocated by others. As a Bible 
 student be was perhaps, as well in- 
 formed as any man of our denomina- 
 tion, for he made the Bible the man 
 of his counsel. He loved his brethren 
 and always "preached unto them 
 Jesus." He preached his last discourse 
 Sunday, May 27, at the home of Elder 
 James M. True, in Kansas, 111., fol- 
 lowing Elder J. G. Sawin; and it 
 seemed he realized that his time was 
 short, and his soul was filled with 
 holy zeal and heavenly light. The 
 evening before bis untimely -death he 
 walked the porch and sang, "The Un- 
 clouded Day." When he started to 
 town he said good-bye to his dear 
 companion three times, which were 
 tbe last words she ever heard him 
 utter, as he never regained conscious- 
 ness after being struck by the train, 
 and only lived two hours. Elder Mof- 
 fett was a faithful under-shepherd and 
 had the care of churches continuously 
 until his death, and was for a num- 
 ber of years Moderator of his home 
 association. 
 
 MITCHELL B. MOFFETT. 
 
 Moffett, Elder Mitchel B., of Paris, 
 111. The subject of this sketch was 
 born in Edgar County, 111., May 24. 
 1854, and was the second son of Elder 
 Silas H. Moffett. The country being 
 new and sparsely settled the advant- 
 
 ages of education were far from fav- 
 orable, but with a desire to acquire 
 at least the rudiments of a practical 
 education he succeeded in obtaining 
 a teacher's license and for ten years 
 taught school in the winter and farm- 
 ed in the summer. He was made to 
 realize his dependence on God for life 
 and salvation in his twentieth year, 
 realized an interest in the Saviour's 
 love and became impressed with an 
 earnest desire to proclaim the un- 
 searchable riches of Christ at the 
 
 ilia^ 
 
 
 MITCHELL B. MOFFETT 
 
 very time he received a hope in the 
 Saviour. United with the Primitive 
 Baptist Church December, 1873, and 
 made his first attempt to speak in 
 public March, 1874. But having a 
 dread of ever becoming a public 
 servant, he withstood, in a measure, 
 his impressions to preach, and tried 
 to farm and teach as above stated. 
 He was married September 9, 1874, to 
 Miss Emily K. Redman and together 
 they have battled over thirty-four 
 years, — she being in every sense of 
 the word an helpmete, both naturally 
 and spiritually. Elder Moffett has ever 
 been content to deal with the revealed 
 things in the gospel field and always 
 tried to labor for the peace of Zion, 
 and is now pastor of Concord Church 
 Clark County, 111., where he tried to 
 preach when but nineteen years old, 
 and he labored here most of the time 
 for over thirty-four years. Has also 
 the care of other churches and has 
 traveled extensively and has been 
 well received by the Primitive or Old 
 School Baptist every where he has 
 gone, and is contented to still con- 
 tinue in the good old way, satisfied 
 with the goodness of the Lord's house, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 179 
 
 even of his holy temple. He has bap- 
 tized nearly two hundred persons, 
 married about as many couples and 
 preached 2G4 funerals up to the pres- 
 ent time — 1908. 
 
 E. P. MOFFETT. 
 
 Moffett, Elder E. P., was born Sep- 
 tember 22, 1825, and died January 15, 
 1894. He was married to Miss Celia 
 Rogers, daughter of Elder Elijah 
 Rogers, September 6_ 1846, and joined 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at Sul- 
 phur Springs, Warren County, Tenn., 
 in June, 1850. Elder Moffett was an 
 able minister of the gospel. He began 
 to preach in 1854, and was sound in 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour, and 
 in the practice and order of the 
 church and was ever a gallant de- 
 fender of salvation by grace. The 
 churches of the Collins River As- 
 sociation will greatly miss him. He 
 stood high in his neighborhood as a 
 citizen, and was greatly beloved by the 
 Baptists everywhere he was known. 
 
 S. B. MOFFITT, 
 
 Moffitt, Elder S. B., of Xewburg, 
 Ohio, was born in Randolph County, N. 
 C. October, 1857, reared by godly par- 
 ents, but cai'ed nothing about the 
 church and felt he could get religion 
 Avhenever he wanted it, left home at 
 the age of seventeen and went to Iowa, 
 remaining there twelve years and was 
 married to Miss Mary E. Hill, Decem- 
 ber 22, 1878, moved to Jewell County, 
 Ky., and remained there nine years, 
 then selling out and moved to Oregon 
 
 and settled near Newburg where he 
 now resides. Before moving to Ore- 
 gon he had never heard but one or two 
 Primitive Baptist sermons, and cared 
 nothing about their doctrine until 
 shown in a dream or vision, while suf- 
 fering from an attack of typhoid fever, 
 the beauty of the church and given a 
 sweet hope in Jesus. As soon as able 
 to travel he began to hunt for the 
 Primitive Baptists and found a small 
 band by name of Gale's Creek Church 
 about thirty miles from Newburg. Eld- 
 er Moffitt and his wife joined this 
 church June, 1895, and was baptized 
 by Elder Daniel Lilly. He was or- 
 dained as deacon the same year and 
 ordained to the work of the ministry 
 in 1898, by Elders W. S. Matthews. 
 Daniel Lilly and J. M. Lawrence, has 
 the care of three churches and travels 
 considerably among the Baptists of 
 Washington and Oregon. 
 
 J. A. MONSEES. 
 
 Monsees, Elder J. A., of Macon, Ga., 
 was born August 31, 1883, in David- 
 son County, N. C., in which county 
 his father still resides. On the 9th 
 of May, 1902, an impression of the 
 magnitude of his sins and guilt seized 
 upon him with great power. With sor- 
 rowing heart and soul crushed under 
 a burden of guilt and condemnation, 
 he often sought solitude where he 
 could, secluded from the scrutiny ot 
 man, pour out his heart in silent 
 prayer to God for saving mercy — not 
 justice, until unexpectedly on the 28th 
 of August, 1903, the glorious presence 
 of Jesus shined radiently and for- 
 givingly into his soul, with the sweet 
 assurance of a glorious immortality 
 
180 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 beyond the grave. After such "re- 
 freshing from the presence of the 
 Lord" his mind, though young and 
 tender in years, was directed to the 
 Primitive Baptists, and he offered 
 himself to Pine Church, Davidson 
 County, N. C., September, 1903, was 
 received and baptized by Elder W. T. 
 Broadway. Two months later — (No- 
 vember 7, he was licensed, and in 
 November, 1904, was ordained by Eld- 
 ers J. A. Burch and W. T. Broadway, 
 After his ordination he served Big 
 Creek Church, Montgomery County, 
 and Pleasant Hill Church, Irdell Coun- 
 ty, for two years, and, also, traveled 
 quite extensively. Then for nearly 
 two years he traveled practically all 
 the time, principally in North Caror 
 lina, Georgia and Virginia, and during 
 his ministry, he has traveled and 
 preached in North Carolina, Virginia, 
 Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Ken- 
 tucky, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and 
 Texas, and has been favorably re- 
 ceived by his brethren and sustained 
 by the grace of God. His best efforts 
 and energies are being put forth in 
 the dear cause of Christ and the time 
 honored principles of our fathers — 
 desiring to know nothing for the sal- 
 vation of sinners except Jesus and 
 Him crucified, and no practice in the 
 church except the practice of Christ 
 and His Apostles. 
 
 W, M. MONSES. 
 
 Monses, Elder W. M., of Linwood, N. 
 C, is of German descent, his grand- 
 parents emigrating from Germany to 
 Missouri. He was born in Davidson 
 County, N. C, January 4, 1877, raised 
 by Baptist parents, convicted of sin 
 
 at the age of twelve years_ received a 
 hope in his twenty-fourth year, united 
 with the church at Riedsville, N.« C.,, 
 January, 1902, and baptized by Elder L. 
 H. Hardy. He was, in 1904 married to 
 Miss Mary Wallace, ordained in 1905, 
 baptized some, assisted in two ordi- 
 nations and the constitution of two 
 churches. Elder Monses has traveled 
 and preached in North Carolina, Vir- 
 ginia, Georgia and Alabama and has 
 been well received. He is satisfied 
 with the church as established by 
 Christ and maintained by the Apostles 
 and wants no new thing added or any 
 of the stakes removed. Elder Monses 
 is a brother of Elder J. A. Monses of 
 Macon, Ga. • 
 
 JOHN C MONTGOMERY. 
 
 Montgomery, Eider John C, of Illi- 
 nois. This lemarkable man died June 
 10, 1S91, after a brief illness of six 
 days. He was a useful minister of his 
 day and served Sangamon Associa- 
 tion as moderator for ten years in 
 succession. The editor failing to se- 
 cure detailed information of Elder 
 Montgomery's life and labors will 
 quote below an obituary written of 
 himself, by himself, April 8, 1901, to 
 be read at his funeral: "Elder John 
 Montgomery was born 1817 in Wash- 
 ington County, Md., was married to 
 Sarah Snider January 22, 1839, in 
 Pennsylvania, moved to Illinois Octo- 
 ber 15, 1848, and located in Sanga- 
 mon County. Joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church called Lick Creek in 
 July, 1850, and was baptized by Elder 
 Wm. Crow together with his wife. 
 Tn 1860, he moved to Christian 
 County, put letters in the Church 
 called Liberty. Liberated by the 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 181 
 
 church to exercise his gift in August 
 1875, and in July, 1876, was ordained 
 to the full work of the gospel." It may 
 be of interest to know that he also 
 had a double tombstone prepared for 
 himself and placed at his wifes grave 
 (who proceeded him to the spirit 
 world about three years), and had en- 
 graved on it: "Sinners Saved by 
 Grace." He desired to depart and died 
 in the full assurance of meeting her 
 with the Saviour. 
 
 J. A. MOORE, 
 
 Moore, Elder J. A., of Wortham, 
 Texas. This worthy brother was 
 born, January, 1870, in Lauderdale 
 County Miss., moved to Texas, with 
 his parents in 1883, received a hope in 
 Jesus in his fifteenth year and some 
 years afterwards united with the New 
 School or Missionary Baptists. Be- 
 coming dissatisfied, he, two years later, 
 left them and after years of conflict of 
 mind and trials from without, he united 
 with the Primitive Baptists at New 
 Hope Church, April, 1897. In 1900 he 
 moved to Jones County, Texas, and in 
 a short time returned to his old home, 
 and was, in October, 1905, ordained 
 at New Hope Church' by Elders S. C. 
 Kyle, AV. L. Phillips, A. F. Grafton and 
 T. J. Moore the last named being his 
 father, who baptized him and has for 
 more than thirty years been faithfully 
 serving in the cause of Jesus. Elder 
 Moore is following in the footsteps of 
 his aged father, is serving his home 
 church and two others, and has this 
 year, 1907, traveled over three thou- 
 sand miles, partly on foot, preached 
 about one hundred times and baptized 
 several into the fellowship of his 
 
 churches — ■ ■ — 
 
 ALBERT MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder Albert, who many 
 years ago died at his home in Grena- 
 da, Miss., was born, raised, and bap- 
 tized in North Carolina, and at an 
 early age in life immigrated to Missis- 
 sippi. He was, for a long term of 
 years, a very useful minister cf the 
 Primitive Baptists, serving many 
 churches during his ministry; and 
 was for many years Moderator of 
 Fountain Creek Association. For want 
 of data a suitable sketch could not be 
 prepared. 1 — 
 
 ICHABOD MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder Ichabod, a son of Wil- 
 liam Moore, was a soldier in the Mexi- 
 can war and a useful minister among 
 
 the Baptists. He was born in Wilson 
 County, N. C, April 10, 1793, convicted 
 of sin and given a sweet hope in Jesus 
 in his eighteenth year, united with the 
 Meadow Church Green County, 1821, 
 and was baptized by Elder Thomas 
 Dupree. He was, in the same year or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry by 
 Benjamin Dupree and Samuel Moore. 
 In 1832 he with others, constituted the 
 church at White Oak, Wilson County 
 and was pastor of this churh until his 
 death. Was also pastor of Toisnot, 
 - Black Creek and Tyson Churches. Eld- 
 er Moore was strong in the faith, pure 
 in life and brought up his children in 
 the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord. One of his sons, Elder A. J. 
 Moore of Whitaker, N. C, is a noted 
 minister of the Primitive Baptist 
 Church and feels he owes much to the 
 faithful life of his father. 
 
 JEREMIAH MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder Jeremiah, was born in 
 Prince William County, Va., June 7, 
 1746, united with Chappawamsick 
 Church and was baptized by Elder D. 
 Thomas. This old church was for a 
 long time served by John Clark. Her 
 present pastor is J. T. Alexander. Eld 
 er Moore was soon after baptism, or- 
 dained to preach and during his long- 
 service in the Master's vineyard, under- 
 went much persecution. Three times 
 he was arrested for preaching. Once 
 he was placed in jail in Alexandria for 
 this offence, but God was with him in 
 all of his trials, delivered him and 
 blessed his labors to the upbuilding 
 of his spiritual kingdom. He traveled 
 and preached in many northern and 
 southern states but his labors were 
 principally confined to Virginia and 
 Maryland. He died at a ripe old age 
 in the full triumph of faith 
 
 A. J. MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder A. J. This gifted and 
 successful Primitive Baptist minister 
 is a native of North Carolina and re- 
 sides at Whitakers. He was born Jan- 
 uary IS, 1837, educated at Wilson, Ox- 
 ford, and the Cniversity of North Car- 
 olina; left college in 1861 to enter the 
 Confederate service; at first joined 
 the Orange Light Infantry and when 
 this company was disbanded, he went 
 home and organized a company in 
 Pitt, Wilson and Green counties which 
 did faithful service as Co. F in First 
 Regiment until the war closed. Capt. 
 
182 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Moore was wounded in a charge be- 
 fore Battery Wagener, August, 1863, 
 was in hospital several months and 
 afterwards sent home, where he was, 
 January, 18G4, married to Miss Eliza- 
 beth Farmer to whom he had been 
 engaged for some years. Upon his re- 
 covery he returned to his post and 
 proved a faithful, fearless officer un- 
 til the fateful day at Appamattox. 
 Capt. Moore, after being under con- 
 viction for sin about seven years, 
 united with the church at Wilson, N. 
 C, 1870. baptized by Elder R. D. Hart 
 
 A. J. MOORE 
 
 and ordained by Eiders P. D. Gold and 
 B. P. Pitt, December, 1873. The fol- 
 lowing clipping from the Gospel Mes- 
 senger of 1907, written by Elder S. 
 Hassell, gives a record of Elder 
 Moore's life and labors. Elder Hassell 
 says of him: "The most gifted and 
 successful Primitive Baptist pastor 
 that I know of in the United States 
 was established in the doctrine of 
 God our Saviour before he had a hope 
 in Christ; was wounded by a bullet 
 in the elbow of his right arm during 
 the War between the States; and that 
 arm has been bent almost at a right- 
 angle ever since; has had beautiful 
 and wonderful visions in exact accord- 
 ance with the Scriptures, and that 
 have been fulfilled in his life; has 
 been a farmer and a teacher; has 
 reared one of the most gentle, upright, 
 intelligent, and useful families of nine 
 children to be found anywhere; is a 
 fine gentleman of the old school; has 
 served four churches every Saturday 
 and Sunday, except one or two, foi 
 about thirty years, going on the trains 
 and riding in his own conveyance 
 from twenty to thirty miles; is a 
 
 sweet singer; fervent in prayer; an 
 excellent doctrinal, experimental, and 
 practical preacher, speaking clearly, 
 ably, fluently, and eloquently from the 
 heart to the heart; is a burning and 
 a shining light; a sheep-finder and 
 sheep-feeder; a discerner of spirits; 
 an abie disciplinarian; is not afraid 
 of the face of clay; but is bold to 
 declare, in any presence, what he 
 believes the Scriptures teach, and is 
 uncompromising in defense of the 
 truth; is charming and liberal to his 
 ministering brethren who visit him at 
 his home and home church; preacnes 
 Christ nearly all the time both out of 
 and in the pulpit, in the family circle, 
 on the public and the private road, 
 and everywhere; has built up more 
 churches and, I believe, baptized more 
 white members than any other Prim- 
 itive Baptist preacher that I know of; 
 is honored and admired by all who 
 know him; has suffered great re- 
 proach and persecution on account of 
 his indomitable stand for truth and 
 righteousness; has been blessed of 
 the Lord with health and strength; 
 has one of the loveliest home 
 churches on earth; has served his 
 churches so constantly that he has 
 made but few and short preaching 
 tours away from them; has received 
 very little financial help from his 
 churches; has no confidence whatever 
 in modern religious inventions; never 
 sent any of his children to a Sunday 
 school; has never held a protracted 
 meeting, nor had an organ in one of 
 his churches; depends upon the pure, 
 sweet, old-fashioned gospel cf Christ 
 alone to attract the subjects of grace; 
 has been my most intimate friend for 
 about xiity years; and has been, for 
 about thirty years, the beloved and 
 faithful pastor of Kehukee Church, 
 near Scotland Neck, Halifax County, 
 N. C, the 'Mother Church of the Moth- 
 er Association of the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Associations of the United States. 
 He is no hireling, but a true under- 
 shepherd who cares for all the flock, 
 instead of scheming and laboring to 
 get their fleece for himself; he is an 
 eminently self-sacrificing and gracious 
 and gifted and successful minister of 
 Jesus Christ. He has been greatly 
 blessed of the Lord, who has made 
 him a great blessing to his family, his 
 churches, his community, and the 
 world, for which the Lord be praised. 
 If all our ministers were like him, 
 they would need no heathen or Jewish 
 or modern religious inventions to 
 maintain or increase the number of 
 their members." 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 183 
 
 JOHN H. MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder John H., was born in 
 Middletown, Tenn., June 29, 1817. He 
 moved to Illinois in early life, united 
 with the Old School Baptists in 
 Green County, Ills., in the year 
 1842, commenced preaching in No- 
 vember, 1844, and was ordained 
 to the ministry in the year 1851; 
 moved to Missouri in the year 1857, 
 and was one of the pioneer preach- 
 ers of that country. Some time dur- 
 ing the Civil war when confusion 
 and distress reigned in Missouri, he 
 went back to Illinois. He returned 
 to Missouri after the war and made 
 that his home the remainder of his 
 life and proved to be one of the most 
 self-sacrificing O. S. Baptist preach- 
 ers. He attended one church as pas- 
 tor for one year that was forty miles 
 from his home and walked the entire 
 distance both ways. He was always 
 poor in this world's goods but rich in 
 faith, as his fidelity to the cause of 
 truth asserts. One time desiring to 
 attend an association one hundred 
 miles away, and having no other way 
 of getting there, he walked the entire 
 distance. He was a man that labored 
 with his hands but was not a suc- 
 cessful manager, so that he never 
 accumulated much property. His mind 
 was ever engaged on the subject of 
 salvation by the grace of God. He was 
 never too busy to talk of the good- 
 ness of God towards poor sinners. His 
 enjoyment on earth was the company 
 of God's saints. His preaching was as 
 
 the honey in the honey-comb — ex- 
 perience and doctrine combined — full 
 of marrow and fatness. He preached 
 as long as he was able to travel. The 
 last few years of his life infirmities 
 kept him at home, and sad to state, 
 he was much neglected by his breth- 
 ren in his old days after his labor of 
 love was done. This should never be 
 the case, but our old ministers should 
 be cared for. The testimony of such 
 faithful laborers as Elder 'Moore, who 
 pass through this earth surrounded 
 with trials, troubles and disappoint- 
 ments, yet have an eye single unto 
 the glory of God, shall endure when 
 the earth and its contents are de- 
 stroyed. He died January 23, 1905, in 
 his eighty-eighth year. 
 
 SAMUEL MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder Samuel, son of David 
 and Arsena Moore, was born February 
 24, 1839, on a farm in Pitt County, N. 
 C, and lived and died there, Sunday, 
 November 6, 1904^ in his sixty-sixth 
 year. He was married December 7, 
 1865, to Nancy Ward, daughter of Luke 
 and Mahala Ward. Experiencing con- 
 viction for sin and a hope in Christ, he 
 related the exercises of his soul to the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Great 
 Swamp, in Pitt County, N. C. and was 
 received for membership and baptized 
 in July, 1871; and after exercising as a 
 licentiate for some years, he was or- 
 dained in July, 1884, to the full func- 
 tions of the gospel ministry. He was 
 pastor, for several years, of Great 
 Swamp Church and of Cross Roads 
 Church in Edgecombe County, N. C. 
 He was a humble < sincere, wise, tender, 
 faithful servant' of Christ and His, 
 
184 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 people, esteeming spiritual far above 
 natural things, and choosing rather to 
 suffer affliction with the people of 
 God than to enjoy the pleasures of 
 sin. He died of malarial fever termi- 
 nating in apoplexy; and even in his 
 unconscious moments, he would be 
 talking, singing, preaching and pray- 
 ing with his brethren. 
 
 SPENCER F. MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder Spencer F., of Hayden, 
 New Mexico, was born February 17, 
 1864, in Saline County Illinois, and 
 moved with his parents to Kansas in 
 the year 1875, where he first felt trou- 
 bled under conviction for sins and so 
 continued until April 14, 1883, when 
 he was given a good hope of salvation 
 through grace. From that happy hour 
 he has felt impressed to preach the 
 glad tidings of eternal life thrpugh 
 Christ. In 1S90 he united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at Greenwood, Col- 
 orado, and was baptized by Elder J. 
 R. Bolinger; moved to Southwest Mis- 
 souri in 1891, where he two years 
 later made his first effort to preach. 
 Since that time he has delivered more 
 than two thousand discourses. He was 
 ordained February, 1896, in Bibb Coun- 
 ty, Ala., by Elder R. F. Papasan, J. 
 D. McElroy and W. S. Brown. Elder 
 Moore has traveled thousands of 
 miles in many states preaching Jesus 
 without a money consideration. He 
 writes: "My travels among the saints 
 have been most blessed to me and I 
 will ever cherish the fond memory of 
 their kindness; and while I have en- 
 dured hardships and grief in many 
 ways, I should have cause of shame 
 to murmur, since our precious Saviour 
 
 sorrowed, and wept, and bled and 
 died, — a spotless sacrifice for the res- 
 cue and salvation of his poor lost 
 sheep." 
 
 CLAYTON MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder Clayton (1814-1881), a 
 native of Martin County, N. C, was 
 one of the ablest ministers of the New 
 Testament during the nineteenth cen- 
 tury. In 1840 he was married, and 
 joined the Methodists, and was li- 
 censed to preach, and began a circuit; 
 but, being a diligent student of the 
 Bible, he became satisfied before the 
 end of the same year, of the great 
 truths of God's sovereignty and pre- 
 destination and election, and with- 
 drew from the Methodists, and soon 
 afterwards joined the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church at Picot, of which he be- 
 came and remained pastor till his 
 death. He had a clear profound mind, 
 improved by careful reading and re- 
 flection, and was a safe counsellor, an 
 interesting speaker and well-ground- 
 ed in the doctrine of salvation by 
 grace. On his death bed, when his 
 strength was fast failing, his son, Jas. 
 E. Moore, a member of his church and 
 prominent lawyer of Wlilliamston, N. 
 C, knelt beside his bedside and asked 
 him if his Christian hope was as 
 bright and strong as ever, and receiv- 
 ed the answer: "Oh, yes, I know in 
 whom I have trusted;" and the dying 
 servant of God began to talk of the 
 reality and certainty of the Christian's 
 hope and life beyond this, and con- 
 tinued to talk until his speech became 
 inaudible, his last audible words be- 
 ing: "The counsel of peace." He then 
 quietly fell asleep in Jesus. 
 
 DAVID R. MOORE. 
 
 Moore, Elder David R, This highly 
 esteemed minister was born March 
 20, 1821, in Person County, N. C, and 
 died April 23, 1900. He was concerned 
 about his sins from his earliest recol- 
 lection. At the age of thirty years he 
 obtained a hope in Christ Jesus, went 
 before the church at Flat River, June, 
 1857, and related the dealings of the 
 Lord with his soul, and was received 
 and baptized and remained a member 
 of this church until the day of his 
 death. He was ordained November, 
 1860, and while he lived he never dis- 
 graced his holy calling. He was 
 unanimously called as pastor at Flat 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 185 
 
 River Church in November, 18G5, 
 where he remained pastor until his 
 death — an under-shepherd, going in 
 and out, preaching the word, ever 
 warning the church against evil and 
 sin, exhorting them to duty, and to 
 let brotherly love continue, contend- 
 ing for salvation by grace, and grace 
 alone, election and foreknowledge of 
 God. He was Moderator of the Coun- 
 try Line Association for a number of 
 years, which place he filled with hon- 
 or, and was a father in Israel — 'indeed, 
 a faithful witness, earnestly contend- 
 ing for the faith once delivered to the 
 saints. He was sound in doctrine, firm 
 in the faith, and bore the marks of 
 Jesus, was one of the most successful 
 and most beloved pastors in the 
 Country Line Association. The 
 churches he served were generally 
 blessed with peace, and when they 
 needed advice they sought it of their 
 pastor, and were among the most 
 prosperous churches in the associa- 
 tion. 
 
 W. B. MORGAN. 
 
 Morgan, Elder W. B., cf Lafayette, 
 Ala., was born in Randolph County, 
 June 26, 1874. His parents were Mis- 
 sionary, or New School Baptists, and 
 he was taught their doctrine and prac- 
 tice. He was raised up to hard la- 
 bor and had poor opportunities to 
 obtain an education. In his fifteenth 
 year he was convicted of sin, Two 
 years later he experienced deliverance 
 united with the New School Baptists 
 
 and was impressed with the duty of 
 preaching Jesus. But feeling too 
 young and insufficient in many ways 
 he kept this impression a secret. He 
 had heard many hard things said 
 about the Primitive or Old School 
 Baptists, but it was 1892 before he 
 heard one preach. He was at onct 
 interested. The preaching was sweet 
 to him because it was in harmony 
 with his own feelings. Though he 
 tried to remain satisfied with his own 
 people he could not. He was equally 
 unable to forget the Primitive Bap- 
 tists and found himself loving them 
 more and more, and in June, 189G, he 
 united with them, though in doing so 
 he had to meet much opposition 
 from those of his former connection, 
 even his parents opposing his course. 
 But God had a work for him to do. 
 After much drawing back on his part 
 and the afflicting rod sent upon him 
 he was made willing to preacn Jesm 
 and was ordained December, 1902. 
 Since then he has baptized his father, 
 mother, brother and sister, and more 
 than a hundred others into the fel- 
 lowship of the church. He has the 
 care of four curches and his labors 
 are being blessed of the Lord. 
 
 DANIEL M. MORGAN. 
 
 Morgan, Elder Daniel M., was born 
 in Overton County, Tenn., 1809, in 
 1827 was convinced that he was a 
 helpless sinner, in 1832 obtained a 
 hope in Christ in Franklin County, 
 Mo., in 1835 joined the Baptist Church 
 in Jackson County, Tenn., and in 1842 
 commenced to preach Jesus the truth 
 the way of life. He was an eye wit- 
 ness to many of the troubles among 
 the Baptists in consequence of the 
 efforts cf modern missionism; and 
 said in a published letter sometime 
 before his death, "In order that no 
 person may be deceived I frankly con- 
 fess myself to be one of those char- 
 acters who feel it their duty to defend 
 that unpopular doctrine called pre- 
 destination and election, contending 
 that salvation is entirely of grace, and 
 that practical godliness is the fruit 
 of the operation of God." Elder Mor- 
 gan was a bold defender of the truth 
 in Jesus as he saw it and was faith- 
 ful until the end. 
 
 A. B. MORRIS. 
 
 Morris, Elder A. B., of Oxford, 
 Miss., was born near Lexington, 
 Holmes County, Miss., in 184G, reared 
 
186 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 by Primitive Baptist parents, given a 
 common rural school education, and 
 was early exercised in mind about his 
 future destiny, and after nine years of 
 great mental distress he was given a 
 good hope in Christ as his all suf- 
 ficient and merciful Saviour. This oc- 
 curred in 1SG3. In 1866 he united with 
 the Primitive Baptists. From the time 
 he was given a hope in Christ he felt 
 deeply moved by a power he did not 
 
 JOHN M. MORROW. 
 
 Morrow, Elder John M., the subject 
 of this sketch, was born April 
 3. 1848. At the age of three years 
 his father died and he was rais- 
 ed by a widowed mother who was 
 a woman of, far more than average 
 ability, a strict disciplinarian, and 
 true Primitive Baptist. At an early 
 age he was convicted of sin and af- 
 
 A. B. MORRIS 
 
 resist and felt he could not over- 
 come to preach Jesus, and soon began 
 exercising in the church by introduc- 
 ing services and some times speaking 
 a few minutes. He was ordained in 
 1870 by Elders E. A. M,eaders, M. C. C. 
 Maples and J. Castleberry, and has 
 since had the care of four churches 
 in the bounds of the Hopewell Asso- 
 ciation. He has been a member of this 
 association thirty-nine years and has 
 attended every session, to the present, 
 and has for many years been serving 
 this association as Moderator. Elder 
 Morris has traveled and preached in 
 most of the Southern states, is a 
 strong preacher, and his labors are 
 being blessed of the Lord to the good 
 of His people. 
 
 ter much sorrow of mind was deliver- 
 ed of the burden, given a hope in 
 Jesus, and united with Sandy Branch 
 Church, Weakly County, Tenn., 1878. 
 Soon after this he moved to Texas 
 and was there ordained to the minis- 
 try. A full sketch of his labors could 
 noc be obtained. 
 
 A. G. MORTON. 
 
 Morton, Elder A. G., of Albermarle, 
 N. C., was born in Stanley County, N. 
 C, July 13, 1864, convicted of his lost 
 condition on account of sin in 1876 — 
 and was in deep grief and trouble till 
 1886, when the Lord spoke peace to 
 his troubled soul and after then he 
 had a strong desire to follow Christ in 
 baptism, and becoming established in 
 faith that the Primitive Baptists were 
 the Apostolic church of Christ he 
 joined at Jones Hill in 1887. A few 
 years after this he was ordained, and 
 is an able and sound preacher. His 
 labors are blessed much to the com- 
 fort of the church. Elder Morton is 
 physically a very delicate man, yet 
 besides serving the churches he has 
 a mercantile business and a flarm and 
 is a man of energy and industry. He 
 has never traveled very extensively, 
 perhaps on account of his secular 
 business, but is gladly received wher- 
 ever he does go. , 
 
 JOHN GREEN MURRAY. 
 
 Murray, Elder John Green (1832- 
 1899) fourth son of Elder James Mur- 
 ray, was born in Houston County, Ga.,. 
 married to Miss Ellenora Yelverton 
 in 1858; baptized at the church where 
 he was buried, by Elder John Rowe, 
 August, 1869; was liberated to preach 
 May, 1870; and ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry September, 1872, 
 Elders J. Murray, J. R. Respess and 
 John Rowe serving as the presbytery. 
 He was always ready to go where duty 
 called in sickness, in health and in cold 
 and rain, esteeming no privation too 
 great when he felt he could profit any 
 who were in need of his service. 
 When other preachers were called on 
 to go to funerals, marriages, and to 
 see the sick, or comfort some one in 
 sorrow, or to attend ordinations and 
 constitution of churches, and did not 
 feel like going, Brother Murray was 
 always looked to as a sure substi- 
 tute. Although feeble of body and poor 
 in this world's goods, nothing but a 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 187 
 
 physical impossibility turned him 
 back. He never seemed to consult his 
 own convenience or comfort but that 
 of others who needed his presence. He 
 was peculiarly gifted in explaining 
 points in his preaching by plain, sim- 
 ple illustrations, and was one of the 
 few who could bring out, and apply to 
 Christian experience, the facts of the 
 Old Testament, which are to so many 
 sealed, and without signification. Bro. 
 Murray was the Moderator of Upatoie 
 Association for many years, and a 
 faithful minister of Jesus for twenty- 
 nine years. 
 
 J. M. MURRAY. 
 
 Murray, Elder J. M., of Ellaville, Ga. 
 This able minister of the New Testa- 
 ment is the beloved Moderator of the 
 Upatoie Association of Primitive Bap- 
 tists, and the faithful pastor of Phil- 
 lipi, Good Hope and Mt. Nebo 
 churches, and the editor regrets that 
 a more complete sketch of his life and 
 labors could not appear. 
 
 M. K. MYATT. 
 
 Myatt, Elder M. K., of Clinton, Ky., 
 was born in Dickson County, Tenn., 
 
 December 29, 1838. In youth he was 
 convicted of sin and set about to bet- 
 ter his condition, and while under the 
 law, trying to establish his own right- 
 eousness, was impressed with the duty 
 of preaching, but felt determined that 
 if he ever did, he would not preach 
 the old despised doctrine of grace, but 
 the doctrine of the Methodist or Pres- 
 byterians. Soon after this God blessed 
 him with eyes to see himself as he 
 was, and he now loved this doctrine 
 but felt unworthy a place in the 
 church. He was, in 1876, made willing 
 to offer to the Baptists for member- 
 ship and was baptized into their fel- 
 lowship. Immediately after uniting 
 with the church he was deeply im- 
 pressed to preach Jesus, and after 
 drawing back and feeling the afflict- 
 ing hand of God he was made willing 
 to be anything in the church, — was 
 soon ordained and has since proven a 
 true, faithful soldier on the walls of 
 Zion. Elder Myatt is a farmer, and, 
 like Paul would not be a burden to 
 the church, but prefers to labor with 
 his own hands when not doing minis- 
 terial work. May his brethren appre- 
 ciate his labors, love him for the 
 work's sake and minister unto him of 
 their carnal things, freely. Elder 
 Myatt is associate editor of Zion's 
 Advocate. 
 
 Mc 
 
 SAMUEL McBEE. 
 
 McBee, Elder Samuel, was one of 
 the members in the organization of 
 Union Church, afterwards called 
 Sweetens Cove, Marion County, Tenn., 
 which was organized in October, 1821. 
 He was a deacon and was ordained 
 minister in 1823, was chosen pastor in 
 1824 and served in that capacity for 
 a number of years. Some time later 
 he moved to Dade County, Ga., and 
 became a member of New Providence 
 Church near Trenton. He was mar- 
 ried twice and reared a large family. 
 He was Moderator of his association, 
 Sequachee Valley, as late as 1861, and 
 died in the early '60's at a ripe old 
 age, having been born some time near 
 the close of the Revolution. Elder Mc- 
 Bee was considered by the Old Bap- 
 tists of his day an able and strong 
 defender of the doctrines of the Bible. 
 Old people who remember him praise 
 him highly as a man. It is said that 
 his wife taught him to read and write 
 
 when he began to preach, it. is related 
 of him that on one occasion some 
 learned man had heard him preach, 
 and supposing from his language that 
 he had special theological training, 
 asked him what college he had at- 
 tended. He replied, "Bush College." 
 The man said he had never heard of 
 that college and asked where it was. 
 Elder McBee replied "In the bushes 
 on my knees." 
 
 J. R, McCARTY. 
 
 McCarty, Elder J. R., of LaCross, 
 Okla. This brother received a hope in 
 the Saviour in his seventeenth year, 
 and flrom that time had an impression 
 to preach Jesus to others as the way, 
 the truth and the life. He was baptized 
 by Elder R. A. Biggs and encouraged 
 by him to go forward in duty's way. 
 Though young in the ministry he man- 
 ifested a deep interest in the peace 
 
188 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 and prosperity of Zion and contends 
 earnestly for the faith once delivered 
 unto the saints. 
 
 JAS. W. McCLANAHAN. 
 
 McClanahan, Elder Jas. W., of Lan- 
 ham, W. Va., was born August 20, 
 1S51, convicted of sin in 1880 and for 
 about two years was in darkness, but 
 in 1882 he was given a sweet hope in 
 Jesus and made to feel he would 
 never have more trouble. But in this 
 he was mistaken for he was impressed 
 with the duty of preaching Jesus to 
 others, and viewing himself so un- 
 qualified for such a calling he was 
 again in distress of mind, and for 
 eight years he fought against the 
 promptings of duty to unite with the 
 church and speak of the Saviour of 
 sinners. He joined the Baptists in 
 1890, and was baptized by Elder W. 
 A. Melton. Three years later he was 
 ordained to the gospel work. He has 
 traveled and preached in several 
 states and desires to know nothing 
 but Jesus and Him crucified for the 
 salvation of sinners. His churches are 
 being blessed of the Lord under his 
 faithful ministry. 
 
 G. B. McCLANAHAN. 
 
 McClanahan, Elder G. B., of West 
 Virginia, was born August 20, 1851, 
 united with the Old School Baptists, 
 and in 1906 was ordained to the gos- 
 
 pel ministry by Elders A. H. Ham- 
 mond, J. W. Wyatt and J. H. Terry. 
 He is able and sound in the faith. The 
 
 G. B. M CLANAHAN 
 
 editor regrets that a fuller sketch 
 could not be obtained. 
 
 JOHN McCONNELL. 
 
 McConnell, Elder John, of New York 
 City. This able minister of the New 
 Testament was born July 31, 1858, in 
 Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. Was 
 raised and educated under Methodist 
 influences, and until the age of twen- 
 ty-eight years contended for that doc- 
 trine. But the Lord became his teach- 
 er, convicted him of sin, gave him a 
 sweet hope in Jesus and a love for 
 His cause and on September 5, 1886, 
 he was baptized by Elder Wim. J. Pur- 
 ington in the fellowship of the Old 
 S'chool Baptist Church at Hopewell, 
 N. J. Several years later he was dis- 
 missed to the watchcare of the Salem 
 Church in Pniladelphia, and thence to 
 the Ebenezer Church in New York 
 city. On June 6, 1899, he was ordained 
 by the latter church to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry. The following 
 year he accepted the pastoral care of 
 that church, in which relationship he 
 still continues. Elder McConnell is a 
 faithful and earnest contender for the 
 faith once delivered unto the saints, is 
 satisfied with the order of God's house 
 and desires not to take from or add 
 thereto. He seldom travels and there- 
 fore is little known away from home, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 189 
 
 but is greatly loved by his brethren 
 and highly esteemed wherever he is 
 known, and the editor regrets that a 
 
 JOHN M'CONNELL 
 
 more extended notice of his life and 
 labors cannot appear. 
 
 J. G. McCORD. 
 
 McCord, Elder J. G., of Dothan, Ala. 
 This minister was raised under Metho- 
 dist influences, taught their doctrine 
 and felt that he could make peace 
 with God at any time and get religion 
 whenever he wanted it. But the Lord 
 opened the eyes of his understanding- 
 convicted him of sin, led him in a way 
 he knew not, gave him a view of the 
 church and a love for it. Yet he was 
 not obedient to the heavenly vision, 
 knew his Master's will but did it not 
 and was beaten with many stripes. 
 After years of disobedience he in 1871 
 united with the Primitive Baptists and 
 was baptized by Elder R. W. Carlisle. 
 In March, 1884, he was ordained by 
 Elders Joel Helm and J. J. Shields 
 and has in his preaching known noth- 
 ing but Jesus and Him crucified. He 
 is satisfied with the old church and 
 wants no new doctrine and practice 
 introduced to cause division in the 
 redeemed family. 
 
 W. J. McCORMACK. 
 
 McCormack, Elder W. J., of Dora, 
 Ala., was born in Randolph County, 
 December 23, 1847, professed a hope 
 in Christ about the year 1877, unitea 
 
 with the Missionary or New School 
 Baptists and was by them licensed to 
 preach. Becoming dissatisfied with 
 their doctrine and practice, he, in 
 about three years afterward, left them 
 and joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church, and was baptized into the fel- 
 lowship of Sardis Church 1880 by 
 Elder John M. Barton. In 1882 
 he was ordained to the full ministerial 
 work and has been serving churches 
 since. Elder McCormack has a fam- 
 ily of ten children and while trying to 
 serve the church has also wcrked 
 hard to support and rear his family, 
 proving his love for the cause by his 
 labors of faith, love and sacrifice. 
 
 H. R. McCOY. 
 
 McCoy, Elder H. R. (1828-1886), was 
 
 one of the most concise, clear, logical 
 reasoners and expounders of the Old 
 and New Testaments of his day. His 
 careful research, keen analysis, and 
 able defense of the teaching of the 
 Word of God, and was admired even 
 by those who did not agree with 
 him on the doctrine of salva- 
 tion. He was born in Henry Coun- 
 ty, Georgia, entered the Confed- 
 erate army 1862, as captain of his 
 company, was soon made major of the 
 34th Alabama Regiment, and after 
 the war served several years in the 
 legislature of his adopted state — Ala- 
 bama. He first united with the Mis- 
 sionary or New School Baptists, but 
 soon became dissatisfied with their 
 doctrine, as well as things practiced 
 by that denomination, and left them 
 and joined the Primitive Baptists and 
 was baptized by Elder J. G. Edon. In 
 May, 1858, he was ordained by Elder 
 Moses Gunn, John M. Duke and V. D. 
 Whatley, and after a life of zealous 
 work and faithful warfare finished his 
 course with joy in the triumphs of a 
 living faith. 
 
 james Mcdonald. 
 
 McDonald, Elder James This gifted 
 and faithful brother lives at Goin, 
 Tenn. He was born September 21, 
 1829, in Campbell County, moved to 
 Indiana in youth and in 1855 profess- 
 ed a hope in Christ, united with the 
 church the following year and in 1862 
 was ordained to the gospel ministry. 
 He has traveled and preached in Can- 
 ada, and the states of Indiana, Mich- 
 igan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and 
 Virginia. His first attempt to preach 
 
190 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 was August, 1860 — using Jno. 19-30 as 
 a text, — iand for the past forty-eight 
 years he has been preaching a finish- 
 ed salvation in Jesus for all the elect. 
 Elder McDonald is nearly eighty years 
 old but is a strong defender of the 
 truths of the gospel, with tongue and 
 pen. He is associate editor of the 
 "F~otprints of the Flock," and is an 
 interesting writer. 
 
 JAS. HAMILTON McDONALD. 
 
 McDonald, Elder Jas. Hamilton, of 
 Olympia, Wash., "was born in Aber- 
 deen, Scotland, November 1, 1S40, re- 
 ceived a hope in Pennsylvania in 1855, 
 united with Pisgah Church, Laclede 
 County, Mo., in 1870, and was crdain- 
 ed in 1872. He served in the Missouri 
 legislature in the session of 1874-76, 
 is a graduate of the American Medic- 
 al College, of St. Louis, Mb., and has 
 practiced his profession several years, 
 but is at present in the service of the 
 U. S. treasury department at Olympia, 
 Wash., and preaches when opportunity 
 presents." This brief sketch is from 
 Elder Cash's book, 1896, and it is with 
 regret that the editor failed to secure 
 data from which to prepare a more 
 complete sketch. 
 
 w. s. Mcdowell. 
 
 McDowell, Elder W. S., was born 
 August 2, 1S22, in the county of Hal- 
 ifax, Va., and died December 31, 1897. 
 
 When quite a young man he moved to 
 Pittsylvania County, Va., and soon 
 thereafter became a minister of the 
 Baptist Church of which he was a 
 member. Elder McDowell was an hon- 
 est farmer, labored with his own 
 hands for the support of himself and 
 those that were with him. He was a 
 preacher about forty years and was 
 an able defender of the truth and felt 
 that he was set for the defense of the 
 gospel. No doubt many thought he 
 used the sword unmercifully. He glor- 
 ied in salvation by grace and felt 
 great concern for the welfare of the 
 churches, watching closely every in- 
 vasion. He was rigil with young 
 preachers, but meant it for their 
 good and the safety of the churches. 
 He endeared himself with his breth- 
 ren by his earnest labors for their 
 good, and often admonished them to 
 be true to the cause of God and truth. 
 
 j. d. Mcelroy. 
 
 McElroy, Elder J. D., of Pearson, 
 Ala., was born January 12, 1857. Both 
 parents died when he was about four 
 years old and he was raised by his 
 grandfather, Deason. When about six- 
 teen years old he was given a hope 
 in Jesus, united with the New School 
 or Missionary Baptists, but feeling 
 this was not his home, he about three 
 years later, joined the Old School 
 Baptists, and was by them ordained to 
 the full work of the ministry and has 
 been serving four churches most of 
 the time since. He is a great lover of 
 singing and in his young manhood pre- 
 pared himself as a vocal music teach- 
 er. For most of the time during the 
 past twenty-five years he has served 
 Little Hope Association as Modera- 
 tor, has assisted in the constitution 
 of two churches and the ordination of 
 six ministers and several deacons, has 
 baptized about seventy-five persons 
 and officiated in many marriages, is 
 postmaster at his home town and 
 proprietor of a mercantile business, 
 has reared an industrious and lovely 
 family of children, and is a faithful 
 minister, but feels that he is too much 
 confined bv secular affairs. 
 
 W. J. McGEE. 
 
 McGee, Elder W. J., of Georgia. This 
 highly esteemed brother was born 
 December 5, 1816, died February 7, 
 1896. He was married to Miss Emma 
 White on September 4, 1838, and to 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 191 
 
 this union was born eleven children, 
 nine still living. These children nearly 
 all have large families which make 
 up a large number of grand and great- 
 grandchildren, number in all about 
 ninety. Elder McGee professed a hope 
 in Christ and joined the Primitive 
 Baptists in his twentieth year and was 
 ordained to the full work of the min- 
 istry by Elders A. Keeton, and I. L. 
 Pennington. This old veteran was in 
 the division of the Missionaries and 
 Old Baptist; he stood then on the 
 Primitive Baptist side and maintained 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour and 
 continued to preach and practice that 
 faith for nearly forty years without 
 ever being censured by the church 
 for any cause. Always prompt 
 in filling his appointments and being 
 so very mild in his delivery, he made 
 friends wherever it was his lot to go. 
 He was also a man that wielded a 
 great influence in the way of keeping- 
 peace and harmony among the 
 churches, and was indeed an under- 
 shepherd, sent of the Lord. 
 
 FRANK McGLADE. 
 
 McGlade, Elder Frank, of Hebron, 
 O. This gifted preacher was born in 
 Warren County, O., July G, 1853; 
 christened by a Catholic priest when 
 six years old; born again May, 1872; 
 baptized into the fellowship of the Old 
 School Baptist Church called Sugar 
 Creek, at Centerville, Montgomery 
 County, O., by Elder John A. Thomp- 
 son. Soon after this he was impressed 
 with the duty of preaching Jesus to 
 others, but rebelled. In regard to this 
 trial of his life he writes as follows: 
 
 "The Lord told me to preach but 
 I fought against it. He kept on and 
 on telling me, morning, noon and night 
 and between times. I ran away. He 
 followed me, brought me back, said 
 'preach the gospel I bid you.' He made 
 me willing, made me afraid of Him. 
 I'm afraid not to go. I believe from 
 experience that God is not only a sov- 
 ereign, but his will is absolute. His 
 will controls mine." Elder McGlade is 
 a strong doctrinal, as well as experi- 
 mental preacher. 
 
 F. M. McLEROY. 
 
 McLeroy, Elder F. M. The subject 
 of this sketch was born in Clarke, 
 now Oconee County, Georgia, Septem- 
 ber 18, 1827, and spent his whole life 
 in Clarke, with the exception of seven 
 years, six of which he lived in Walton, 
 and one in Morgan County. He was 
 raised by poor parents, and received 
 only a limited education. Until he be- 
 came of age he worked at various oc- 
 cupations, but upon reaching his ma- 
 jority, engaged in the milling business, 
 in which he spent the prime of his 
 life. From his earliest recollection he 
 had serious thoughts of lire and death, 
 but always considered that he would 
 have ample time to look after the 
 great questions of eternity when he 
 became a man, married, and settled 
 down. April, 1847, he was married to 
 Miss Sarah Jane Wise, who was, like 
 himself, at that time under conviction. 
 In three short months she died, leav- 
 ing him without a friend in earth or 
 heaven, as he expressed it. His life 
 was now most desolate. He said of 
 himself that he often retired into 
 
192 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 some secret place, and tried to pray 
 to God, and then would prostrate 
 himself to the earth, and pray the 
 Lord to forgive the sins he had com- 
 mitted in trying to pray. But he was 
 given a sweet hope in Jesus and in 
 October, 1847, united with the church 
 at Mars Hill, and was baptized by Eld- 
 er George Lumpkin. On the 9th of Sep- 
 tember, 1849, he was married to Mass 
 Lucinda Edison, who survives him. 
 Immediately after joining the church 
 he began to be impressed to proclaim 
 the glad tidings of salvation, but con- 
 tinued in doubt and hesitation for 
 about fifteen years. During this time 
 he tried in every possible way to rid 
 himself of this impression. He would 
 use various methods of excusing him- 
 self, but became reconciled, and was 
 ordained November, 1865, by Elders 
 D. Wi. Patman, W. D. Chandler, and 
 W. M. Almond. During his ministerial 
 labors he served ten churches, some 
 of them for many years, baptized about 
 200 members, assited in constituting 
 four churches, and in ordaining thir- 
 teen preachers, and thirty or more 
 deacons. According to his own state- 
 ment, which seems to me to be very 
 modest, lie traveled enough by private 
 conveyance to have circled the globe 
 three times, besides thousands of 
 miles by rail. In 1865 he was chosen 
 clerk of the Oconee Association, which 
 position he held till elected Moderator 
 about 1S85. He was Moderator of this 
 Association at his death. 
 
 PHILLIP MclNTURFF. 
 
 Mclnturff, Elder Phillip, of Virginia. 
 This faithful servant of God, son of 
 David Mclnturff, was born in Powells 
 
 Fort, Shenandoah County, Va., August 
 29, 1815, and died in West Virginia, 
 August 28, 1886. lacking one day of 
 reaching his seventy-first mile-post on 
 the road of time. Early in life he heard 
 of the strange doctrine, so-called, that 
 was being preached by Elder James 
 Ireland and determined to hear for 
 himself, crossing two mountains in 
 order to meet him. Though his father 
 became deeply concerned in religion, 
 was given a hope in Jesus and was 
 baptized by Elder Ireland yet he did 
 not until about 1845 make a public 
 profession of a hope in the Saviour, 
 when he was baptized by Elder W. C. 
 Lauck. His conviction for sin was 
 deep, his burden of guilt heavy, and so 
 cast down was he the night before he 
 was enabled to claim a hope in Jesus 
 that he fully expected to commit sui- 
 cide. But "in man's extremity is God's 
 opportunity," and when he came to the 
 end of the law expecting to find death 
 iie found Christ, and soon began to 
 publish salvation to others. Long be- 
 fore he had a change of heart or united 
 with the church he had an impression 
 to preach though he would not, at the 
 time, admit it. He began preaching in 
 1855. Was soon ordained. Elder W. 
 C. Lauck who baptized him and who 
 united him in marriage to Miss Cather- 
 ine Mauck of Page County, Va., deliv- 
 ered the ordination charge. Until he 
 became he^less he was a zealous, ac- 
 tive and able minister, going far and 
 near bearing the blood-stained banner 
 of Jesus. He crossed the Allegheny 
 mountains one hundred and thirty r -nine 
 times on preaching tours, served the 
 following churches during life: Mill 
 Creek and Hawksbill in Page County, 
 and Dry Run, Shenandoh County Va. 
 Enon, Great Cacopon and Ten Mile in 
 West Virginia; Tonoloway in Mary- 
 land ; Meadow Run, Ruff's Creek and 
 Red Stone in Pennsylvania, and trav- 
 eled considerable in the middle-western 
 states. Elder Mclntruff ,, though favored 
 with only what is now termed a "log- 
 cabin" education, was one of nature's 
 noblemen and an able defender of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus. After filling an 
 appointment in Cincinnati on one occa- 
 sion a strange gentleman sent him an 
 overcoat with the message, "Any man 
 who can preach as you did ought to 
 have a new coat," at the same time 
 concealing his name. Upon two occa- 
 sions he preached in a Methodist 
 church in Baltimore much to the grati- 
 fication and comfort of a spiritually- 
 minded Methodist friend, and to the 
 discomfort of the minister in charge. 
 Many were the combats this faithful 
 man had with Arminians. Some being 
 public discussions, and the Baptists 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 193 
 
 felt the cause of truth never suffered 
 upon such occasions. He was well es- 
 tablished in the doctrine and practice 
 of the Apostolic church, and persecu- 
 tion could not move him therefrom. He 
 was of a cheerful disposition, fond of 
 a good joke and made friends where- 
 ever he went. His memory is highly 
 esteemed among Baptists, especially 
 among Baptists of the Shenandoah 
 Valley. 
 
 samuel McMillan. 
 
 McMillan, Elder Samuei, was born 
 in Cocke County, Term., April 18, 1870, 
 reared on a farm by poor parents and 
 had but few advantages of an educa- 
 tion. He was the oldest of twelve 
 children and at the age of seventeen 
 God in his infinite wisdom touched 
 him with the finger of His love, led 
 him by a way he knew not and gave 
 him a sweet hope in Jesus. Soon he 
 proved his faith by his works, owned 
 Jesus before men, united with the 
 Primitive Baptists and a few years 
 later was ordained to the ministerial 
 work. Elder McMillan, has for about 
 eleven years been preaching Jesus 
 the way, the truth and the life, devot 
 ing about three-fourths of his time to 
 this labor of love, and is highly es- 
 teemed by these who best know him. 
 
 Millan gave to the Primitive Baptist 
 Church an evidence of conversion and 
 was baptized into the church at Em- 
 mens (Flat Creek), and two years 
 later in obedience to impressions 
 which he felt to be of divine power he 
 began preaching, which work he faith- 
 fully continued until physical disabil- 
 ity utterly prohibited his leaving his 
 home. He received his ordination in 
 Emmens Church on the first Sunday 
 in September, 1874, Elder Jacob 
 Young and J. R. Battle constituting 
 the presbytery. His life from child- 
 hood up to the year 1889 was spent in 
 Berrien County. Since that period his 
 home was in Colquitt County where, 
 as in the county of his nativity, he 
 was an honored and useful citizen. 
 About fifteen years ago he suffered a 
 stroke of paralysis which made him a 
 cripple the balance of his life, and for 
 the last twelve years his only means 
 of locomotion was an invalid's chair, 
 being unable for the last four or five 
 years of that time to even feed him- 
 self, his good wife, who still survives 
 him, performing that duty faithfully to 
 the last. It can be truthfully said that 
 Dan McMillan was conscious of no 
 element of selfishness in his religion. 
 His simple creed was to trust without 
 question an'd the heavier the rod the 
 more meekly to bow under the chast- 
 ening. 
 
 d. n. McMillan. 
 
 McMillan, Elder D. N. The subject 
 of this sketch was born near Alapaha, 
 Ga., on December 5, 1844, and died at 
 his home in Colquitt County, Febru- 
 ary 8, 1908. February, 1870, Elder Mc- 
 
 GEO. W. McNEELY. 
 
 McNeely, Elder Geo. W. (1809-1875), 
 of North Carolina. The subject of this 
 notice was born in Person County, N. 
 C, had early impressions about his fu- 
 ture state as a sinner, yet he grew up 
 in sin and in love with the vanities of 
 this world. But in the year 1828 it 
 pleased the Lord to bless the people 
 in his and adjoining counties with the 
 outpouring of His spirit and to send 
 the arrow of conviction to his heart 
 as a nail in a sure place, which caused 
 him to mourn over his wicked heart. 
 At length the Lord was pleased to re- 
 move the burden from his heart by 
 the light of his countenance and he 
 was baptized in fellowship with the 
 Church at Upper South Hyco. He was 
 soon moved upon in his feelings to 
 exhort sinners to repent of their sins 
 and seek the Lord. In the year 1830, 
 his Church believing his labors were 
 blessed of the Lord, he being quite 
 backward, the Church licensed him to 
 speak in public wherever he might be 
 led, and the Lord seemed to direct 
 him to Pittsylvania County, Va., and 
 
194 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 there his labors were blessed 
 of the Lord. He continued going there 
 monthly for four years. He was timid 
 and fearful about engaging in the min- 
 istry, and was not ordained until No- 
 vember, 1835; he was soon called to I 
 take charge of Moon's Creek Church, 
 as their pastor. In the fail of 1837, he , 
 sold out intending to move West, but j 
 visiting the Mayo Baptist Association 
 in October, and passing through the 
 neighborhood of Matrimony Church, j 
 Rockingham County, N. C, when he 
 returned home he told his beloved 
 wife that if he was called to preach, _ 
 that he had seen a peop'e he 
 must stay with awhile. So Matrimony j 
 Church called him to be their pastor. 
 He moved -to that neighborhood in 
 1838, and joined Matrimony Church 
 by letter, where he continued to labor 
 with much ability up to his death. 
 
 a. b. Mcpherson. 
 
 McPherson, Elder A. B., of Clarks- 
 ville, Ark., was born in Jackson Coun- 
 ty, Ala., August 17, 1830, and moved 
 to Arkansas in 1843, where he united 
 with the Primitive Baptists, and in 
 the year of 1867 was ordained to the 
 gospel ministry, and has since had the 
 care of churches — having served Mt. 
 Gilead in Newton County, Ark., for 
 twenty-five years. Elder McPherson, 
 has during his ministry, organized 
 seven churches, and his labors have 
 been blessed to the reviving and edi- 
 fication of others; has assisted in the 
 ordination of five ministers and sever- 
 al deacons and has baptized many be- 
 lievers into the fellowship of his 
 churches. 
 
 N 
 
 A. H. NAY. 
 
 Nay, Elder A. H., of Moulton, Iowa, 
 "'was born in Johnson County, Ind., 
 February 1, 1857. He received a hope 
 in the year 1875, and joined Bethel 
 church, of Primitive Baptists, in In- 
 diana, the same year. He is now a 
 member of Fox River Church, Davis 
 County, Iowa, which liberated him to 
 
 preach in March, 1895. He is a young 
 man of good promise." This brief 
 sketch is from Elder Cash's book, 
 1896, and for want of later information 
 is inserted. 
 
 T. M. NEAL. 
 
 Neai, Elder T. M., of Hico, Texas, 
 was born in Choctaw County, Miss., 
 August 23, 1839, moved toTyler County, 
 Texas, when about fourteen years old. 
 His father died some time before and 
 he became the main support of a wid- 
 owed mother. His opportunities for an 
 education were few. He became con- 
 cerned about his eternal welfare in 
 1868, obtained a hope in Christ in 1872 
 and united with Primitive Baptists at 
 Fellowship Church, Tyler County, 
 Texas, 1873. He was soon chosen clerk 
 of his church and served until set 
 apart to the work of the ministry in 
 1878. He has continually had the care 
 of churches since, and though suffer- 
 ing much from bodily affliction he is 
 faithful as a minister and zealous in 
 the cause of truth. He preaches sal- 
 vation alone by the grace ofl God and 
 is satisfied with the church of Christ 
 and does not feel that it can be im- 
 proved in doctrine or practice. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 195 
 
 D. J. NEAL. 
 
 Neal, Elder D. J., of Duck Hill, 
 Texas. This useful minister was bom 
 July 24, 1849, raised by Methodist pa- 
 rents and taught the principles of 
 their doctrine; convicted of sin and 
 made to feel his just condemnation 
 before God in his twenty-sixth year; 
 given a view of Jesus as the Saviour 
 of sinners and a sweet hope in Him 
 and united with the Methodist Church 
 the same year; remained with them 
 for four years, during which time he 
 read the Bible in search of the marks 
 of the Apostolic Church, and becoming 
 convinced that the Methodist denomi- 
 nation did not bear these marks and 
 that the Primitive or Old School Bap- 
 tists did, he united with the latter 
 and was baptized by Elder Simpson 
 Parks in 1879. In this he received 
 great peace of mind, but was soon 
 burdened with a dispensation of the 
 gospel and felt he must preach Jesus 
 to others who had been realized so 
 precious to him. He was ordained in 
 1884 and has since had the service 
 of churches besides preaching in des- 
 titute places. Two churches have 
 been organized under his labors and 
 are in a prosperous condition. Elder 
 Neal has also for twelve years served 
 as a justice of the peace and four 
 years as county assessor, which 
 shows the confidence placed in him 
 by his neighbors. His Godly walk and 
 conversation is edifying to others. His 
 wife. Mrs. Mattie (Taylor) Neal, is a 
 true companion. They have five liv- 
 ing children. ' 
 
 J. J. NEAL. 
 
 Neal, Elder J. J., of Clawson, Texas, 
 was born at St. Francis, Ark., June 
 
 18, 1857, and died February 17, 1904. 
 Brother Neal received a hope in 
 Christ in 1871, and united with the 
 Methodists; but some years after- 
 wards, becoming dissatisfied with 
 their doctrine and practice, he left 
 and joined the Missionary Baptists, 
 but failing to find a home with them 
 he left them, and in 1887 he united 
 with the Primitive Baptists at Little 
 Flock Church in Angelina County, 
 Texas, and was baptized the next day 
 by Elder E. J. Smith. The church soon 
 discovered that he possessed the gift 
 ofl. preaching, and therefore licensed 
 him to preach in 1890, and soon there- 
 after called for his ordination, but he 
 refused to submit until he was made 
 willing by the power and Spirit of an 
 Almighty God, when a presbytery, 
 composed of Elders Thomas Britain, 
 J. D. Mathews and Z. Oliver was call- 
 ed, and he was ordained in 1894. Elder 
 Neal, though a great sufferer from 
 a complication of diseases, was a 
 meek and humble Christian, and an 
 able and fearless defender of the doc- 
 trine of God our Saviour. 
 
 I. N. NEWKIRK. 
 
 Newkirk, Elder I. N., of Wartsburg, 
 Wash., is now in his seventy-fifth year 
 of age, but strong in the faith and 
 zealous in the cause of truth. He was 
 born May 16, 1833, united with the 
 church in early life, ordained 1866 to 
 the ministerial work and has traveled 
 thousands of miles in preaching Jesus 
 the way, the truth and the life. The 
 blood-stained banner of King Imman- 
 uel is the only flag under which he 
 desires to march that he might finish 
 
196 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 his course -with joy. Though growing 
 weak in body, Elder Newkirk is strong 
 in spirit and glories alone in the fin- 
 ished work of Jesus and preaches a 
 sure salvation for. all the elect. 
 
 undeserving sinner saved by grace 
 occasionally." 
 
 JOSEPH SYLVESTER NEWMAN. 
 
 Newman, Elder Joseph Sylvester, of 
 Glen Rose, Texas. This gifted brother 
 is an example of what the grace of 
 God in the life and heart of a wild, 
 reckless sinner does. He was born 
 September 23, 1851, and for fifteen 
 years was a cow-boy on the plains of 
 the West. At seventeen he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mirandy Siemon, convict- 
 ed of sin and received a hope in Jesus 
 aboui. 1SS0, and when he joined the 
 church in Gonzales County, Texas, 
 three years later, and was baptized by 
 Elder J. W. Baker, he could scarcely 
 read and write. Up to the present 
 time he has held about fifty public 
 discussions with representatives of 
 various denominations, and is a 
 strong debater and gifted speaker. 
 He has never studied anything in the 
 preparation of his debates except the 
 Bible, church histories and the mean- 
 ing of words. Soon after uniting with 
 the church he was made deacon, but 
 the church soon discovered his gift 
 and in 188fi he was ordained by Eld- 
 ers J. G. Curington and J. W. Baker. 
 He has since spent the most of his 
 time traveling and preaching and the 
 Lord has blessed his labors. He has 
 baptized about five hundred persons. 
 His preaching is Jesus, all the waj 
 through. In regard to his own feel- 
 ings and interest in the sure salva- 
 tion of Jesus for all his people Elder 
 Newman writes. "I want it printed 
 that generations to come may read, 
 that if I am saved it will be a poor, 
 
 WM. NEWTON. 
 
 Newton, Elder William (1819-1905), 
 was born in Harrison County, W. Va., 
 moved with his parents to Ohio when 
 a boy, united in marriage to Miss 
 Mary Ann Sisk in 1841, (nine children 
 were born to them and they lived to- 
 gether for sixty-three years), convict- 
 ed of sin and found rest in Jesus in 
 1852, united with the church called 
 Deavertown, the same year, and was 
 baptized by Elder Thos. Harper. He 
 was soon chosen deacon, and in 1871 
 was licensed and a few months later 
 ordained to the gospel ministry. 
 Though he was too feeble to travel in 
 his last years yet his zeal for the 
 Master's cause was unabated, and he 
 ever stood firm in the faith he so much 
 loved. He frequently spoke of the com- 
 fort the doctrine of God our Saviour 
 was to him, and believed that the doc- 
 trine of salvation by grace was the 
 only system that would reach a poor 
 ruined and lost sinner. On his dying 
 bed that system looked so grand and 
 sublime to him that he remarked, "Oh 
 that I could sound God's praises in 
 tones of thunder that all people might 
 know the power of His grace." He 
 died as he lived trusting in the 
 Almighty arm of the Lord for salva- 
 tion. — i 
 
 H. W. NEWTON. 
 
 Newton, Elder H. W., of Grain Val- 
 ley, Mo., "was born in McMinn County 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 197 
 
 East Tenia., December 14, 1850, and 
 moved to Missouri when three years 
 old. He united with New Garden 
 Church in Ray County, in July, 1874, 
 and was ordained in that church in 
 December, 1880, since which time he 
 has had the care of from one to four 
 churches. He has the cause of the 
 Master at heart and is careful to 
 maintain good works." This informa- 
 tion is quoted from Elder Cash's book 
 of 1896, in the absence of more re- 
 cent data. 
 
 JAS. P. NOBLE. 
 
 Noble, Eider Jas. P., of Deatsville, 
 Ala., was born March 12, 18G6. He was 
 raised by Primitive Baptist parents. 
 His father was a strict disciplinarian 
 yet he grew up a wild, wayward boy, 
 of which now he is heartily ashamed. 
 But God convicted him of sin, led him 
 to the Cross where he found relief in 
 the Crucified One. He united with the 
 church in 1893, and was ordained July, 
 1902, and has continuously had the 
 care of churches. During the few years 
 he has been preaching he has baptized 
 nearly a hundred persons and all of 
 his churches are in peace. He is de- 
 termined to know nothing in his 
 preaching but Jesus and him crucified 
 and is satisfied with the good old way 
 wherein is peace and rest. 
 
 JAMES L. NOBLITT. 
 
 Nobiitt, Elder James L., of Stam- 
 per's Creek, Ind., was born in the state 
 of Indiana, June 27, 1845, and joined 
 the Primitive Baptist Church in the 
 
 year 1875, and was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry in 1892, has 
 served Young's Creek, Pleasant Grove 
 and other churches, and is a worthy 
 minister. The editor regrets that a 
 suitable sketch of his life could not, 
 for want of further information, ap- 
 pear. 
 
 
 
 A#SJ 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 51 
 
 1M^ 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 I\ 1 
 
 ' ■ ' '■ . 
 
 
 
 '■:*;;;;# 
 
 
 E. A. NORTON. 
 
 Norton, Elder E. A., of Hampton, 
 Iowa, was born in Crawford County, 
 111 , October 8, 1840, and united with 
 Mt. Pleasant Church, Lafayette Coun- 
 ty, Wis., in October, 1856. He was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry on 
 the fourth Sunday in December, 1895, 
 but information relative to the minis- 
 terial labors of Elder Norton could not 
 be obtained. 
 
 J. W. NORTON. 
 
 Norton, Elder J. W., of Oglesby, 
 Texas, was born in Tennessee, Sep- 
 tember 14, 1833; professed a hope in 
 Christ in August, 1854; baptized in 
 October, 1S56, by Elder John B. Hud- 
 leston, and began preaching in 1865. 
 He served faithfully four years in the 
 Civil war, and was twice wounded — 
 once in the hand and once in the 
 head. Elder Norton was a brother of 
 Elder J. A. Norton of Washington, 
 D. C, and like him was noted for his 
 zeal in the Master's vineyard and 
 loyalty to the cause of truth. He 
 fought a good fight and finished his 
 course with joy April 16, 1909. Elder 
 
198 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 S. A. Paine says of him: "While I 
 would not dare claim perfection in 
 the flesh for him but I do believe that 
 in all my acquaintance with him that 
 I observed as near a perfect life as is 
 possible for man. His individual ex- 
 cellence was a great help to him in 
 faithfully and efficiently meeting the 
 duties enjoined upon him in his many 
 relations to this life. He was a man 
 (an exception to the common rule) 
 that always spoke and acted from 
 principle and not impulse, his steps 
 were always taken soberly, deliberate- 
 ly and faithfully. Never did I know his 
 zeal (which was steadfast) to culmi- 
 nate in rashness or excitement but 
 was always so tempered with his 
 strong and steady mind that it was 
 resolved into a common blessing to all 
 concerned. As a neighbor, citizen, hus- 
 band, father, brother and as a servant 
 of the Lord — in short in all his rela- 
 tions and duties of life, his ncble ex- 
 ample will live in the hearts of those 
 thus related to him, as a living me- 
 mento to his grateful memory." 
 
 A. J. NORTON. 
 
 Norton, Elder A. J., of Hampton, 
 Iowa, "was born in Kentucky, 'March 
 13, 1818, and united with the Primitive 
 Baptists March 26, 1837. He was or- 
 dained in the year 1852, and has trav- 
 eled much in many states. He has the 
 care of one church at present, though 
 nearly four score years old." This 
 notice is from Elder Cash's book 189G, 
 
 and it is with regret that full partic- 
 ulars of Elder Norton's life and labors 
 could not be obtained for this work. 
 
 J. A. NORTON. 
 
 Norton, Elder J. A., of Washington, 
 D. C, was born May 9, 1840, in Tippah 
 County, Miss., raised on a farm by his 
 parents, William and Sophia Norton, 
 who had a family of eleven children; 
 convicted of sin in early manhood and 
 later in life was given a hope in the 
 Saviour, united with the Primitive Bap- 
 tists, and was ordained in 1867 to the 
 work of the gospel ministry. In his 
 young manhood — when just twenty- 
 one years of age — he entered the 
 Southern army, and nine scars from 
 wounds attest his faithful service and 
 the great mercy and providential care 
 of a covenant-keeping and ever-reign- 
 ing God. Soon after this dreadful 
 struggle in which he laid down his 
 arms at Appomattox, C. H, Va., 1865, 
 he entered the public service of an- 
 other leader — One who has never and 
 can never, suffer defeat, and for forty- 
 two years he has been a faithful serv- 
 ant. Twenty-six years of his early min- 
 istry were spent in Mississippi and 
 Texas, in serving and constituting 
 churches. For the past sixteen years 
 his labors have been . among the 
 churches in Virginia. Elder Norton is 
 moderator of the Ketocton Associa- 
 tion, is a fellow laborer with Elders 
 Dalton and Waters, and is faithful, 
 zealous and untiring in his services 
 in the cause of truth. He feels he has 
 met with much opposition, but not so 
 much as Jesus, — has passed through 
 many perils but not as many as Paul, — 
 and desires to thank God, for living 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 199 
 
 in a period of the world's history when 
 God's children can witness for Him 
 without open persecution and can 
 worship under their own vine and fig 
 tree and none dare molest or make 
 them afraid. He is satisfied with the 
 order of God's house as he found it 
 
 nearly half a century ago, and con- 
 tends that the Scriptures thoroughly 
 furnish God's people with every good 
 word and work so that they need 
 no new doctrine or practice unau- 
 thorized in the Master's Guide-Book. 
 
 o 
 
 W. T. OAKS. 
 
 Oaks, Elder W. T., of Dry Fork, Va. 
 This minister, whose labors have 
 been confined mostly to the bounds of 
 the Stauton River Association, was 
 born January 30, 18G2, convicted of sin 
 and made to feel his lost and ruined 
 condition in his eighth year cf age, 
 delivertd from this fear and given a 
 hope in the Saviour and united with 
 the Missionary Baptist Church in 1888, 
 remained with them about seven years 
 when he united with the Primitive 
 Baptist Church in 1895, commenced 
 preaching a few years later and in 
 1903 was ordained to the gospel work 
 by Elders T. N. Walter, G. W. Hunt- 
 ley, J. P. Johnson and C. D. Bray. 
 Elder Oaks was soon called to the 
 care of the following churches, viz: 
 White Thorn, Weatherford, Banister 
 and Springfield ; has baptized about 
 fifty, married about as many couples, 
 assisted in several ordinations, etc., 
 and desires to serve the Lord's hum- 
 ble poor in such a way as to benefit 
 them and glorify God. 
 
 E. C. OAKES. 
 
 Oakes, Elder E. C, of Danville, Va., 
 was born April 27, 1872, united with 
 the church in his twenty-first year of 
 age and was baptized by Elder James 
 S. Dameron. For four years before 
 uniting with the church he had a 
 sweet hope in Jesus, but delayed tak- 
 ing up the cross, waiting and hoping 
 for more evidence that he was a child 
 of grace. Soon after his baptism he 
 was licensed to preach and in 1901 
 was ordained. About this time he 
 moved to Danville and with others 
 organized a church in that city Sep- 
 tember, 1902. He has since served 
 this church as pastor. In 1892 Elder 
 Oakes was married to Miss Rosie 
 Hines who was at that time a member 
 of the Missionary or New School Bap- 
 tist Church, but who has since been 
 baptized into the fellowship of the 
 Primitive Baptists by her husband. 
 
 F. L. OAKLEY. 
 
 Oakley, Elder F. L. (1828-1908), of 
 North Carolina, after a long and use- 
 ful life fell asleep in Jesus in his 
 eightieth year of age. He had been 
 preaching nearly fifty years and was a 
 faithful minister of Jesus and highly 
 esteemed by the churches that knew 
 him. The editor regrets that his efforts 
 to obtain data for a suitable sketch 
 proved in vain. 
 
 JOHN H. ODEN. 
 
 Oden, Elder John H. (1800-1892), of 
 Alabama, joined the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church in early manhood and was 
 a faithful minister of the gospel for 
 fifty-one years, ever contending 
 for the faith that was once deliv- 
 ered to the saints, and working 
 for the peace of the church; prompt to 
 
200 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 his duty and call as a minister, never 
 flinching from heat or cold, rain or 
 dry, and was a faithful and kind hus- 
 band, a devoted and indulgent father. 
 He was born in Talladega County, Ga., 
 and moved to Blount County, Ala., 
 with his parents in his infancy. He 
 first married Miss Clarinda Welsh, 
 and after her departure he married 
 Mrs. Harriet E. Wilson. He was wide- 
 ly known and loved by many, and left 
 a good example. He was in the split, 
 in 1827-35 and was unmovable from 
 the cause of Christ, and His Church 
 earnestly contended for the old land- 
 mark the church that Christ founded 
 upon the rock. He was for many years 
 Moderator of the Tombigby Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 ARCHIBALD ODOM. 
 
 Odom, Elder Archibald, of Georgia, 
 was born in the year 1796, and died 
 July 17, 1873, united with Bethsada 
 Church in early life and was soon or- 
 dained to the ministry. In 1837 he was 
 dismissed by letter and went into the 
 constitution of Providence Church the 
 same year remained a member 
 and preached for this and other 
 churches until his death. For about 
 fifty-five years he was a faithful ser- 
 vant in the Master's vineyard often 
 going long distances on foot or horse- 
 back through all kinds of weather to 
 fill appointments. He was a firm be- 
 liever and strong defender of the Bi- 
 ble doctrine of election, predestina- 
 tion, total depravity and final perse- 
 verence of the elect, through grace, 
 to glory. 
 
 I. L. OGLE. 
 
 Ogle, Elder I. L., of Cosby, Tenn., 
 is the beloved moderator of Nola 
 Chucky Association of Tennessee, and 
 the faithful pastor of churches within 
 the bounds of this association. 
 
 R. M. OGLE. 
 
 Ogle, Elder R. M., of Calhoun, Mo., 
 "was born in the state of Tennessee, in 
 April, 1839, and moved to Linn County, 
 Mo., in 1841. He obtained a hope in 
 the year 1869, and united with Little 
 Flock Church, Carroll County, Mo., the 
 following year. He was ordained in 
 Crooked River Church, Ray County, 
 
 Mo., December 6, 1874. He now has 
 the care of four churches and has 
 served that number for several years." 
 
 R. M. OGLE 
 
 From Eider Cash's book 1896. A fuller 
 sketch could not be prepared for this 
 work for want of information. 
 
 JOHN T. OLIPHANT. 
 
 Oliphant, Elder John T., of Fort 
 Branch, Ind., son of William and Mary 
 Olipnant, was born July 23, 1841. 
 Though he had some temporary visi- 
 tations of alarming convictions be- 
 tween tbe ages of five and eleven, yet 
 not in the way of grace but rather in 
 the works of Providence, and mostly 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 201 
 
 accompanying events of deaths of re- 
 lations or friends and would soon wear 
 off. But at the age of twelve he was 
 convicted of sin in such a manner 
 that it has followed him until this day, 
 and still causes him to hate sin and 
 love righteousness. After many 
 months of darkness, guilt and bond- 
 age he was unexpectedly blessed with 
 a sweet and joyful deliverance, united 
 with the church October, 1855, and 
 was baptized by Elder John Kinder, 
 was some years afterward licensed 
 and in August, 1SG9, was ordained to 
 the full work of the ministry. For 
 forty years Elder Oliphant has had the 
 care of churches, is a faithful witness 
 for the Master and much loved by his 
 people. He writes of himself: "My life 
 is far spent, my days are nearly num- 
 bered, and I would not boast of self, 
 but only in the great goodness and 
 grace of the Lord. Where He has cast 
 my lot, He has sustained me in min- 
 istering to saints and delivering co 
 poor perishing sinners messages of 
 mercy and salvation. I pray for the 
 peace and prosperity of Zion." 
 
 P. T. OLIPHANT. 
 
 Oliphant, Elder P. T., of Buena 
 Vista, Ind. This able minister of the 
 New Testament is from a Baptist fam- 
 ily — his ancestors as far back as he 
 can trace them were members of the 
 Primitive Baptists, and his grand- 
 father Thomas Oliphant, was a minis- 
 ter in North Carolina. The subject of 
 this notice is the son of Thomas and 
 Nancy (Carmichael) Oliphant, and 
 was born in Monroe County, Ind., De- 
 cember 3, 1848. Nothing unusual mark- 
 ed his history from infancy to man- 
 hood, not common in the life of a boy 
 raised on a farm. He was brought up 
 
 in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord and taught the way he should 
 go by his parents, and his life was a 
 moral, upright one, but true religion 
 consists in a change of heart and affec- 
 tions by the spirit of grace in regen- 
 eration, and not in a matter of moral 
 training. This he learned by the 
 Spirit's teaching and was convicted of 
 the exceeding sinfulness of sin and 
 the depravity of the carnal heart; 
 made to realize his helpless and hope- 
 less condition in himself, and to plead 
 for mercy at the throne of grace. Hope 
 sprang up, relief came, his burden 
 was gone and he was enabled to claim 
 Jesus as his Saviour and from then 
 till now has hope only in the free and 
 unmerited mercy of God and viewing 
 the end of his Christian warfare says: 
 "With this hope I am expecting to 
 meet death ere long; nor do I desire 
 another, only I pray that he who first 
 blessed me with it, will brighten it 
 more and more unto the perfect day." 
 Elder Oliphant united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church called Union at 
 Buena Vista, in his twenty-first year 
 of age, was ordained eleven years 
 later — in 1880 — and has since had the 
 care of churches. He is the author of 
 Edith Austin's Enquiry, and The Holy 
 Scriptures on Women Preachers, and 
 is an able writer, a gifted preacher 
 and highly esteemed among the 
 churches. » — 
 
 R. A. OLIPHANT. 
 
 Oliphant, Elder R. A., of Stanberry, 
 Mo., "was born in Monroe County Ind. 
 
202 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 December 25, 1842, and united with 
 Union Church, Green county, Ind., 
 March IS, 1876. He was ordained June 
 1, 1878, and has since served as pas- 
 tor of churches, having at tlr's time 
 the care of three churches." From Eld- 
 er Cash's book. Later information 
 could not be obtained for this work. 
 
 JAS. H. OLIPHANT. 
 
 Oliphant, Elder Jas. H., of/ Craw- 
 fordsville, Ind. This very clear, strong 
 and able writer, forceful and logical 
 speaker, was born in Indiana in 1846, 
 convicted of sin in 1868, and for about 
 one year was in deep distress and soul 
 sorrow. But He who enables His 
 children to look within and see their 
 own sinfulness, also in His own way 
 and time, enables them to look to 
 Jesus and see him as their sin-bearer. 
 So it was with Elder Oliphant. In the 
 year 1869 he was given a sweet hope 
 in Jesus and united with the Baptists, 
 commenced preaching in 1870, and 
 was, the same year, called to the care 
 of four churches. He has since thav 
 time continually served four churches, 
 has traveled considerably among the 
 Baptists in the middle west and east, 
 and his name is a household word 
 among our people of many sections. 
 But Elder Oliphant is most extensive- 
 ly known by his writings. Besides be- 
 ing associate editor of the Primitive 
 Monitor, Gospel Messenger and Zion's 
 Advocate, he has written and publish- 
 ed several valuable books. In 1878 he 
 
 wrote "Final Perseverance of the 
 Saints." "Principles and Practices of 
 Primitive Baptists" came from the 
 press in 1883. A few years later fol- 
 lowed able treatises on "Regenera- 
 tion," Thoughts on the Will," and 
 "Justification." He also published an 
 interesting little book of correspond- 
 ence with Elder Durand. His last 
 work is entitled "Practical Sugges- 
 tions for Common People." All these 
 works have been well received among 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists and 
 manifest the author's clear insight cl 
 the subjects handled. For force of 
 logic Elder Oliphant has few superiors 
 as a writer and speaker. Humble and 
 devoted to the cause of truth, firm 
 and uncompromising with error, kind 
 and willing to forgive, he is a minis- 
 ter of great usefulness among our peo- 
 ple and highly esteemed for the 
 truth's sake. 
 
 THOMAS OLIPHANT. 
 
 Oliphant, Elder Thomas. This faith- 
 ful minister was born in North Caro- 
 lina where he united with the Baptists 
 and for several years served four 
 churches. Later in life he moved to 
 the state of Indiana and spent the re- 
 mainder of his days in the ministry — 
 serving churches mostly within the 
 bounds of the White River Associa- 
 tion. Four of his grandsons, viz: 
 Elders J. H., J. T., R. A., and P. T. 
 Oliphant are well and favorably 
 known ministers of the Old School or- 
 der. It is regretted that sufficient 
 data for a suitable sketch of Elder 
 Thomas Oliphant's life and labors 
 could not be obtained. 
 
 E. E. OLIVER. 
 
 Oliver, Elder E. E., of Washington, 
 D. C, was born in Fairfax County, 
 Va., January 2, 1861, and raised by 
 Primitive Baptist parents. His father 
 was in the constitution of Bethel 
 Church and served the church as 
 clerk until his death. In 1878, at the 
 age of seventeen, Elder Oliver was 
 convicted of sin and made to mourn 
 on account of it. But He who began 
 the good work continued it, and in a 
 few months Jesus was revealed to him 
 as his sin-bearer and he received a 
 good hope through grace; united with 
 Bethel Church in 1879 and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Benj. Bridges. Elder 
 Onver was married to Miss Marietta 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 203 
 
 Reid in 1885, licensed to preach in 
 1890, and ordained the following year. 
 After the death of Elder T. N. Alder- 
 
 E. E. OLIVER 
 
 ton he was elected pastor of Bethel 
 Church and so continues to the pres- 
 ent time. 
 
 W. H. OSBOURN. 
 
 Osbourn, Elder W. H., of Spring- 
 dale, Ark., was born in Montgomery 
 County, Kan., in 1877; moved with his 
 father to Arkansas, when quite young, 
 raised on farm at hard labor, and had 
 poor opportunities to obtain an edu- 
 cation. About the year 1899 he enter- 
 ed school intending to study medicine, 
 but became very much concerned 
 about his soul's salvation, was deeply 
 convicted of sin and troubled in spir- 
 it. With this burden he could not ap- 
 ply himself to his studies as he de- 
 sired. But God was leading him in a 
 way he knew not, he was taught of 
 the Lord, given a sweet hope in 
 Jesus, quit school, went home to his 
 friends and told them what great 
 things the Lord had done for him, was 
 received and baptized March, 1901, 
 one month later he was licensed and 
 the following year — May,, 1902— was 
 ordained to the full work of the min- 
 istry. In March, 1902, Elder Osburn 
 was married to Miss Louisa Jane 
 Frake, who loves the same doctrine 
 and enjoys the same fellowship in 
 the church with her husband and 
 urges him to go forward in the dis- 
 charge of his ministerial duties. 
 
 WM. OSBURN. 
 
 Osburn, Elder Wm., son of James 
 and 'Mary Osburn, was born in Ken- 
 
 tucky July 12, 1834, moved to Indiana 
 with his father when a child, and was 
 married to Nancy Todd in 18G3 who 
 lived only ten months, and two years 
 later he was married to Eliza- 
 beth Wtoolery. In 1867, he with his 
 wife, moved from Indiana to Kansas, 
 and in 1878 moved to Arkansas where 
 he liA^ed until his death January 28, 
 1908. In early life he obtained a hope 
 in the Saviour but did not unite with 
 the church until 1880 when he joined 
 the Primitive Baptists at Bethlehem 
 Church, and was later,, in the organiza- 
 tion of Zion Church, where he, with 
 his son, — Elder W. H. Osborn — were 
 together ordained March, 1902, and 
 where he ever afterward faithfully 
 proclaimed Jesus the way, the truth 
 and the life. It is said that for twenty- 
 five years he did not miss but four 
 regular meetings of his church. He 
 loved the church and the fellowship 
 of his brethren, yet always felt un- 
 worthy of the love and esteem in 
 which he was held by others. 
 
 THOS. H. OWEN. 
 
 Owen, Elder Thos. H., of Suisun 
 Valley, Cal., was born in Buncombe 
 County, N. O, in the year 1797. He 
 moved to Illinois in 1816 and organiz- 
 ed the first church in Hancock Coun- 
 ty of that state. Elder Owen went to 
 California in 1S49, and settled between 
 Sacramento and San Francisco, and 
 here he preached, organized churches 
 and spent the remainder of his days, 
 dying in the year 1880. He was an 
 
204 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 able preacher and his labors were 
 blessed of the Lord to the comfort of 
 many. 
 
 WM. BRANCH OWEN. 
 
 Owen, Elder Wm. Branch, was born 
 June 29, 1825, in Halifax County, Va. 
 He was the sixth and youngest son 
 of Thomas Owen and Sallie Stewart 
 Owen. His family moved to Ruther- 
 ford County, Tenn., about the year 
 1840, and settled in this immediate 
 vicinity. He grew to manhood there 
 and about 1848 he professed a hope 
 in Jesus and joined old Cave Springs 
 C. P. Church. Some time afterward he 
 became a member of the Primitive 
 Baptist Church at Providence, near 
 Walter Hill. He was ever a faithful 
 and earnest worker for the truths in 
 which he trusted. Some years after 
 joining the church,, he was ordained 
 a minister, and never ceased to 
 preach the word as he believed it — 
 rightly dividing the word of truth and 
 fearlessly defending his convictions. 
 During his ministry he traveled 
 and preached extensively, was always 
 faithful and efficient; discharging 
 every trust committed to him. He was 
 on March 18, 1860, united in marriage 
 to Miss Bettie Norton Nance, eldest 
 daughter of Elder Josiah C. Nance, of 
 Davidson County. He died in 1902. 
 
 D. W. OWENS, M. D. 
 
 Owens, Elder D. W. (M. D.), of Hers- 
 man, 111. This gifted writer and able 
 
 Illinois in 1868, and united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Water- 
 ford, Fulton County, in November, 
 1871. In 1872 he removed to Hancock 
 County, and united with the Rock 
 Creek Church, where he was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry in June, 
 1874. In 1878, he removed to Brown 
 County, and became a member of Mt. 
 Gilead Church near Hersman. Short- 
 ly after becoming a member there, he 
 was called to the pastorate of the 
 church in connection with the late 
 Elder James Harper, who died in 
 1886; after which he was called to the 
 full pastorate, and so continues to the 
 present time. After he gave up the 
 active practice of medicine, in 1899, 
 he has had the care of other 
 churches; and has been an editorial 
 writer on the staff of the Messenger 
 of Peace for several years. For the 
 past thirty years he has attended 
 meetings two Sundays and one Satur- 
 day in each month at Mt, Gilead 
 church with but very few excepticns 
 and then only in cases when prevent- 
 ed by sickness. Faithful, firmly rooted 
 and grounded in the truth, a workman 
 needeth not be ashamed he is an 
 example to others and exerts a good 
 influence by his godly walk and con- 
 versation. 
 
 BENJ. H. OWINGS. 
 
 Owings, Elder Benjamin H., of Mad- 
 ison, Mo., was born in Simpson Coun- 
 ty, Kentucky, September 10, 1807, and 
 moved to Missouri at an early day. 
 
 preacher was born in Lewis County, | He commenced preaching in 1838, and 
 Ky., August 16, 1845. He removed to was ordained the following year. He 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 205 
 
 served the churches faithfully for half 
 a century and lived in peace with his 
 brethren. He was a member of Mt. 
 Pleasant Church, Monroe County, Mo., 
 at the time of his death, which oc- 
 curred April 12, 1888, which church 
 he had served as pastor for thirty 
 
 years. He served as Moderator of Mt. 
 Pleasant Association several years. 
 The editor regrets that data for a 
 fuller sketch of this useful minister's 
 life could not be obtained for this 
 work. 
 
 J. A. PAINE. CM. D.) 
 
 Paine, Elder J. A. (M. D.) of Dallas, 
 Texas. This earnest, zealous and use- 
 ful minister was born in 1846, in Law- 
 rence County, Tenn. He received a 
 hope in Jesus and united with the 
 church early in life, was a gallant 
 soldier in the Civil war, married Miss 
 Sarah E. Blackmore which union 
 has been blessed with seven children 
 — among them two preachers — George 
 A. (deceased), and S. A. Paine, who 
 is living and is an able gift. Dr. Paine 
 has been practicing medicine thirty- 
 eight years — twenty in Tennessee, be- 
 fore he moved to Texas, and has been 
 preaching Jesus for thirty years. He is 
 a strong preacher, a clear writer, an 
 able debater — having engaged in sev- 
 eral public debates, among them one 
 with Elder J. A. Scarboro, represent- 
 ing the Missionary or New School 
 Baptists, in which Mr. S. affirmed the 
 following proposition: — "That tbe 
 Scriptures teach that repentance to- 
 ward God and faith toward the Lord 
 Jesus Christ are conditions to be per- 
 formed by alien (dead) sinners in or- 
 der to spiritual or eternal life." Elder 
 Paine is a strong advocate of parental 
 
 teaching of children and in a letter to 
 the editor says: "We have taken 
 great pains to establish our children 
 (early) in the primitive faith and doc- 
 trine, and by the grace of God, have 
 succeeded, but have never felt it our 
 duty to try to help the Lord regener- 
 ate them. At our home we believe the 
 old primitive doctrine to be the truth, 
 and that the truth is good for our 
 children, even the letter of it will 
 never hurt them; trusting and pray- 
 ing the good Lord to give experimen- 
 tal knowledge, and then with the two 
 witnesses they are so established that 
 Arminianism will ever be a stench 
 in their nostrils." 
 
 S. A. PAINE. 
 
 Paine, Elder S. A., of Dublin, Texas, 
 son of Elder (Dr.) J. A. Paine, was 
 born April 3, 1S74. He is the third son 
 of Elder J. A. Paine; was reared to 
 his fifteenth year in middle Tennessee 
 — Wayne County. The entire family 
 emigrated to Texas in 18S9. Began 
 teaching at the age of eighteen years, 
 and for twelve years engaged in the 
 profession cf teaching, going to school 
 
206 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 a great deal during intervals. He was 
 married in his twentieth year to Miss 
 Ellen Burleson, a member of a dis 
 tinguished pioneer family of Texas; 
 received a hope in 1893; joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church in 1S97, at 
 Mt. Peak, Ellis County, Texas; was 
 liberated to preach in 1897, and or- 
 dained in August, 1S9S. Since that 
 time, when not teaching, he has been 
 very actively engaged in the ministry, 
 serving from one to four churches. 
 Elder Paine has traveled a great deal 
 for the short time engaged; has bap- 
 tized about two hundred and twenty- 
 five people, and held eighteen debates 
 with representatives of other orders 
 to the entire satisfaction of his breth- 
 ren. He is now serving four churches, 
 is satisfied with the order of God's 
 house and content to be a plain, old- 
 fashion Baptist. 
 
 T. R. PALMER. 
 
 Palmer, Elder T. R., of Pennsylva- 
 nia, was born August 27, 1833, 
 died June 21, 1905. He was baptized 
 into the fellowship of the Sidling Hill 
 Church by Elder C. L. Funk about 
 1888. It was discovered soon after 
 that he had a gift to preach and the 
 church licensed him to exercise his 
 gift, and he soon after was ordained 
 to the full work of the ministry by 
 Elders T. N. Alderton, A. J. Garland 
 and C. L. Funk. His uprightness and 
 integrity as a citizen and exemplary 
 and faithful life as a minister gained 
 for him the esteem and respect of his 
 church. He was deep and profound in 
 thought yet his gift was such as was 
 adaptable to the comfort of babes in 
 
 Christ as well as to those of full age. 
 As a soldier in the late war he was 
 valiant and faithful, and was equally 
 so in the defense of the cause of his 
 blessed Master. 
 
 JOHN PARKER. 
 
 Parker, Elder John, of Ohio. This 
 able minister of the New Testament 
 was born in Loudon County, Va., Feb- 
 ruary 5, 1810, and died in Fayette 
 County, Ohio, 'May 24, 1877, in the 
 sixty-eighth year of his age. Elder 
 Parker was a faithful and highly es- 
 teemed minister and served one 
 church in Hocking County cyer forty 
 years, and other churches almost as 
 long. He was the father of the late 
 Mary Parker — the well known spirit- 
 ual writer and patient sufferer, — bet- 
 ter known through the publication, in 
 book form, of much of her writings, 
 entitled, "Reminiscences and Letters," 
 edited by Elder S. H. Durand and his 
 daughter, Miss Bessie Durand, of 
 Southampton, Pa. The editor regrets 
 that his efforts to secure data 
 from which to prepare a suitable 
 sketch of this worthy minister's life 
 and labors proved fruitless. 
 
 JOHN W. PARKER. 
 
 Parker, Elder John W., was born in 
 the state of Georgia, December 5, 
 1831; received and baptized into the 
 fellowship of the church of the Primi- 
 tive Baptist faith and order at Pleas- 
 ant Grove, Dale County, Alabama, Oc- 
 tober 31, 1S5S; ordained to the office 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 207 
 
 of deacon, March. 10, 18C0; ordained to 
 the gospel ministry August 23, 1862, 
 by Elders Jesse Tomlin and Charles 
 S'. Pelham; departed this life in the 
 city of Birmingham, Ala.. February 4, 
 1909; and buried in the Ozark Ceme- 
 tery on the next day following. He 
 lived the life of the righteous, and 
 died in the faith of Jesus Christ and 
 in the fullest confidence, love and fel- 
 lowship of the church. The grace of 
 God richly abounded to him in the 
 fruit of the Spirit, viz.: "Love, joy, 
 peace, longsuffering, gentleness, good- 
 ness, faith, meekness, temperance, 
 against which there is no law." (Gal. 
 v:22, 23.) As a gospel minister, Broth- 
 er Parker was plain and simple, firm 
 and forceful in his presentations of 
 the doctrine of salvation by grace; 
 consistent and conservative in his 
 views and expressions with regard to 
 the discipline and order of the house 
 of God; in all he was a worthy exam- 
 ple of Christian faith and piety. 
 
 JOSEPH PARKER. 
 
 Parker, Elder Joseph, of Ohio, a 
 brother of Elder John Parker, was 
 born in Loudon County, Va., April 18, 
 1814, and died September 18, 1874. He 
 was considered an able minister and 
 after a long and faithful service died 
 in Fayette County, O., in his sixty- 
 first year of age in the full triumphs 
 of faith. Detail information of his life 
 and labors could not, by the editor, 
 be obtained. 
 
 N. V. PARKER. 
 
 Parker, Elder N. V., of Walnut, 
 Miss., was born in Tippah County, 
 Mich., in 18G8. He was left an orphan 
 at the age of twelve, convicted of sin 
 in his fourteenth year and for many 
 months felt to be without God and 
 hope in the world. But when about fif- 
 teen he was given a hope in the Sa 
 viour and also given an impression to 
 preach Jesus to others. In the twenty- 
 first year of his age he united with 
 the Primitive Baptists at Sardis 
 Church, some years later was licensed 
 and afterwards ordained to the work 
 of the ministry. Elder Parker now has 
 the care of two churches. 
 
 JOSEPH PARKER. 
 
 Parker, Elder Joseph (1805-1885), 
 was born in South Carolina. His fath- 
 
 er died before he was born; his moth- 
 er, whose maiden name was Giden, 
 died six years afterward. Consequently 
 he was left an orphan very young to 
 fight the battles of life without the 
 councils of father and mother, which 
 he by the help of the Lord was en- 
 abled to do very successfully, both 
 temporally and spiritually. In the 
 year 1820 he moved to the state of 
 Tennessee and in 1825 joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Shiloh, 
 Lincoln County,, and was baptized by 
 Elder Benjamin Walker. In 1828 he 
 married Miss Faner Howard. Unto 
 them sixteen children were born. In 
 1834 he moved to Bedford County, set- 
 tled on the head waters of Flat Creek 
 and joined this church by letter and 
 lived a devoted member till death 
 closed his life of usefulness. He was 
 ordained about the year 1861, which 
 station be filled until death, retaining 
 the confidence of his brethren and the 
 respect of all that knew him, to the 
 close of his useful life. 
 
 PETERSON K. PARR. 
 
 Parr, Elder Peterson K. (1825-1897), 
 of Franklin, Ind., was a native of 
 Tennessee, being born in Rcan Coun- 
 ty; his parents emigrated to Indiana 
 and settled in Johnson County. This 
 county was his home during the rest 
 of his life, except for one year of res- 
 idence in Indianapolis, in 1843 he 
 united with Mt. Gilead Church and 
 was a faithful member for thirteen 
 years. At the end of this time change 
 of location in the county caused him 
 to change his membership to Bethel 
 Church, of which church he was a de- 
 voted member the remainder of his life 
 In 1865 his name appears in the Cons 
 Creek Association minutes as "Clerk" 
 and "Licentiate", and his clerkship of 
 the association ' continued until his 
 death. In 1S66 he was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry at Bethel Church 
 and served this church faithfully as 
 pastor from then until his death. His 
 business life was a true index to his 
 Christianity, for his integrity was un- 
 questionable. In his younger days he 
 was one of the leading contractors of 
 the county for road construction, and 
 he served the people officially for 
 thirty years. During his sickness his 
 mind remained, not only clear, but 
 was illuminated with the light of heav- 
 en and he saw, as did John, visions of 
 the glory that awaited him. He suf- 
 fered, but with a spirit that triumphed 
 over pain. His soul was great, for the 
 
208 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Lord had richly poured out His Spirit 
 upon him, and that greatness of soul 
 was shown by his humility, he being 
 ever "less than the least." He did not 
 know how good he was, but ever pray- 
 ed. "According to Thy mercy, remem- 
 ber mo, O Lord and Saviour." With 
 a heart bathed in love and tenderness, 
 he spoke and lived — a shepherd and a 
 comforter. Not only in the church, but 
 in his home was this true, for home 
 and church were both sacred to him, 
 and to serve in either was to render 
 service to his beloved Master. 
 
 ANSEL PARRISH. 
 
 Parrish, Elder Ansel, was born the 
 7th of July, 1824. and died at his home 
 in Berrien County, Ga., the 16th of 
 January, 1S91, leaving a widow and 
 seventeen children, and eighty grand- 
 children. He was married to Molly 
 Knight December 15, 1842. Bro. Par- 
 rish was a farmer and provided well 
 for his family. He fed as many Bap- 
 tist and other people as perhaps any 
 Baptist in his state. He divided with 
 the needy, was punctual to all his con- 
 tracts, and always had a plenty. He 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 at Pleasant, in his nineteenth year, 
 and was baptized by Elder Westberry. 
 Seme time afterward it was manifested 
 in him a gift to preach, and he was 
 ordained in 1854. Bro. Parrish lived 
 a model life as a Christian and a 
 preacher, such as was worthy of imi- 
 tation, and his preaching was a great 
 comfort of the saints through- 
 out the circle of his acquaintance. He 
 was a gifted sheep-feeder, and labored 
 for the cause of truth, the good of 
 his brethren and the glory of God, 
 and died in the triumphs of faith in 
 his sixty-seventh year. 
 
 J. N. PARSONS. 
 
 Parsons, Elder J. N., of Ashland, 
 Ala. The subject of this notice was 
 born in Talladego County, Ala., July 
 29, 1853. His parents were poor in this 
 world's goods, and were unable to 
 give their son the advantages of a lib- 
 eral education. He grew up a boy 
 noted for good morals. In the yeai 
 1872 he was convicted of sin and pass- 
 ed through a season of great mental 
 darkness. It was at a prayer meeting 
 that it pleased the Lord to relieve 
 him of his burden and give him a 
 sweet hope in Jesus. He united with 
 
 the Missionary Baptists and remained 
 some years with them, became dis- 
 satisfied and convinced that they were 
 not the church of Christ, left them 
 about 1894 and was ordained a minis- 
 ter in the Primitive Baptist Church 
 seven years later. He is an humble, 
 zealous and beloved minister, and la- 
 bors for the comfort of Zion. 
 
 SHADE PATE. 
 
 Pate, Elder Shade, of North Caro- 
 lina, was born March the 10th, 1807, 
 died October 11, 1891. At the age of 
 twenty-one he united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptists at Nahunta, and was 
 baptized by Elder Haywood Ham. A 
 short time after this he was ordained 
 to the ministry, and he was pastor at 
 Nahunta when he died. He was zeal- 
 ous in the work of the ministry and 
 labored for peace and love and fellow- 
 ship among the children of God. 
 
 D. W. PATMAN. 
 
 Patman, Elder D. W. (1810-1882), of 
 Georgia, was born in Oglethorpe Coun- 
 ty, united with the Primitive Baptists 
 in early life after vainly trying to 
 "get religion at Methodists revival 
 meetings." In his experience, the Lord 
 taught him his helpless condition and 
 revealed Jesus as his only Saviour. 
 Soon after he united with the church 
 he was greatly impressed with the 
 duty of preaching Jesus to others and 
 was later in life ordained to the gos- 
 pel work, and faithfully filled this of- 
 fice until his death. Elder Patman 
 was an extraordinary man in many 
 respects and few men possessed more 
 good sense or ready wit naturally; 
 and as a minister of the gospel he 
 was an able gift, and his general 
 character for truth and honesty was 
 above suspicion. 
 
 A. W. PATTERSON. 
 
 Patterson, Elder A. W., of States- 
 boro, Ga., was born in Union County, 
 Ga., August 1, 1847, moved with his 
 parents to Baldwin County, at the age 
 of ten, thence to Wilkinson County, 
 where he lived until 1897. Since then 
 he has lived at Statesboro. From early 
 youth he felt the Lord would require 
 him to preach, and at the age of sev- 
 enteen he was deeply convicted of sin. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 209 
 
 This burden of guilt and the impres- 
 sion to preach made his condition 
 fearful, but after three years of strug- 
 gle in the wilderness of sin he found 
 peace in Jesus and united with Mt. 
 Carmel Church in Wilkinson County. 
 Then his burden of preaching became 
 heavier — his impressions stronger, 
 and after eight years of trials and 
 tears he was made willing, was or- 
 
 A. W. PATTERSON 
 
 dained to the full work of the minis- 
 try in 1S77 by Elders H. Temple, J. 
 I. Keel and James Fields; has since 
 had the care of churches and has 
 traveled and preached in Georgia 
 and portions of thirteen other states. 
 Elder Patterson faithfully sets forth 
 Jesus the way, the truth and the life 
 in his preaching and is highly esteem- 
 ed by his brethren. 
 
 ARCHIBALD PATTISON. 
 
 Pattison, Elder Archibald (1797- 
 1S52). Born in North Carolina, when 
 a young man moved to Tennessee, 
 and later to 'Missouri, united with the 
 Baptist Church 1823, ordained 1829 
 and was a gifted minister. He possess- 
 ed a gift much above mediocrity. 
 With a discriminating mind, retentive 
 memory, able reasoning faculties 
 clear, strong and melodious voice, he 
 commanded the attention of all who 
 heard him, and exerted considerable 
 influence wherever he labored — he 
 
 was well known and much beloved by 
 the brethren throughout North Mis- 
 souri, and especially will the churches 
 in Boone, Monroe, Randolph and How- 
 ard counties, in whose midst he lived 
 and labored, long delight to remember 
 him, and the faithful services he ren- 
 dered them. 
 
 ZARA PAULK. 
 
 Paulk, Elder Zara, of Georgia, who 
 died March 7, 1892, was convicted of 
 sin and brought to the knowledge of 
 the truth of salvation in Jesus in 
 1856, united with the church and was 
 soon set apart to the work of the min- 
 istry. He was an humble man, able 
 preacher, an excellent disciplinarian, 
 and possessed great Christian forti- 
 tude and forbearance. 
 
 HENRY PEEL. 
 
 Peel, Elder Henry, of North Caroli- 
 na. This highly esteemed brother was 
 born in Martin County, N. O, January 
 11, 1829, and died May 23, 1908; con- 
 victed of sin in his twenty-second 
 year and given a sweet home in Jesus, 
 and united with the church at Smith- 
 wicks Creek in October, 1852. He was 
 soon impressed with the duty of 
 preaching and in June, 1860, the 
 church seeing that he had a gift liber- 
 ated him to exercise his gift within 
 the bounds of the church, and by Sep- 
 tember of the same year his preach- 
 ing had proven so satisfactory that 
 the church gave him license to preach 
 where he might feel impressed to 
 travel. Elder Peel was ordained to ad- 
 minister all the ordinances of the 
 church March, 1864, by Elders C. B. 
 Hassell and William B. Perry. He was 
 a faithful pastor served the church 
 very zealously, laying a worthy ex- 
 ample for a gospel minister. He was 
 always on time, never waiting for the 
 congregation, saying that the appoint- 
 ed time had. come to begin the wor- 
 ship. He often exhorted the brethren 
 to do their duty. He traveled and 
 preached considerably in North Caro- 
 lina and some in Tennessee and his 
 diary shows he baptized 113 persons, 
 married 165 couples, and preached 
 350 funerals, traveling 3,240 miles for 
 the one purpose of preaching Jesus, 
 never charging anything for any of 
 his ministerial labors, holding the 
 service of Christ to be above price. 
 Like Paul he labored with his own 
 hands to support himself and those 
 depending on him. 
 
210 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 J. C. PENDER. 
 
 Pender, Elder J. C, was born in 
 Lawrence County, Ind., March 5th, 
 1825, and died at his home in Madison 
 County, Iowa, September 13, 1895. He 
 removed with his family to Iowa in 
 the year 1849, and remained until the 
 year 1865 when they moved to Arkan- 
 sas and stayed there until the year 
 1876 when he again removed to Iowa 
 where he resided until his death with 
 the exception of the last year, which 
 he spent in Missouri, returning to 
 Iowa a short time before his demise. 
 Bro. Pender united with Middle River 
 Church of Regular Predestinarian 
 Baptists in the year 1877 and was li- 
 censed to preach in 1886, in which of- 
 fice he acted until called home. He did 
 not try to attract the attention or ad- 
 miration of the world, nor did he try 
 to preach to suit any of the brethren, 
 but was always ready to feed the flock 
 with the spiritual food that was given 
 him by the great Shepherd, and was 
 faithful and greatly loved as a pastor. 
 
 J. M. PERKINS. 
 
 Perkins, Elder J. M., of Mayfield, 
 Ky. From Elder Potter's Souvenir 
 book published in 1895 it is learned 
 that Elder Perkins was born in Ken- 
 tucky on the 1st day of March, 1847, 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church in 
 1872, was ordained to the work of the 
 ministry in 1873, and is now pastor 
 of four churches. Later information 
 could not be obtained. 
 
 R. W. PETERS. 
 
 Peters, Elder R. W., son of Gershom 
 and Ann Walcutt Peters, was born 
 February 7, 1846, in Franklin County, 
 Ohio, and died October 3, 1907. After 
 spending his boyhood with his par- 
 ents, he enlisted for service in Com- 
 pany E, First Regiment, Ohio Volun- 
 teer Cavalry in the Spring of 1864, 
 and served until the close of the war. 
 He returned to Pickaway County, 0., 
 and settled on the farm where he 
 spent the remainder of his life. In 
 1874 he united with the Primitive 
 Baptist Church at Darbyville, was or- 
 dained to the ministry in 1S87, at 
 Darbyville Church in which he served 
 faithfully until declining health com- 
 pelled him to retire. During his minis- 
 try he served four churches as pastor 
 
 and was to them a kind shepherd. He 
 served two years as moderator of the 
 Scioto Association, and was faithful 
 in all things pertaining to the gospel 
 work, was a kind husband, wise fath- 
 er, good citizen and left a good name 
 to his several children and grandchild- 
 ren. 
 
 T. I. PETTUS. 
 
 Pettus, Elder T. I., of Tennessee, 
 was born November 11, 1877, and died 
 March 28, 1904, at the early age of 
 twenty-six years. He united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Wilson's 
 Creek, Triune, Tenn., in 1893, and was 
 baptized by Elder J. E. Frost. He 
 began to exercise in public some in 
 1895 and was ordained in May, 1902. 
 In 1898 he received the L. I. degree at 
 the University of Nashville and until 
 a year before his death devoted his 
 time to teaching. He spent the year 
 1903 entirely in ministerial duties. At 
 the time of his death he had charge of 
 four churches, all in prosperous condi- 
 tion, for which he often expressed his 
 humble gratitude to God. He, during 
 his short time in the ministry, had the 
 pleasure of baptizing eighty-six per- 
 sons with ages ranging from eleven 
 years to eighty-two. Brother Pettus 
 seemed to consider it his duty to visit 
 especially the weak churches and des- 
 titute places. He was an excellent pas- 
 tor looking well after the interest of 
 his churches, was a man of many 
 friends both in the church and out of 
 it. Most of his ministerial labors were 
 in the bounds of the Sequachee Val- 
 ley Association, and his churches felt 
 that they had indeed sustained a great 
 loss in his death. 
 
 ENOCH PHILLIPS. 
 
 Phillips, Elder Enoch, of Georgia, 
 was born October 12. 1828. He was 
 raised by Primitive Baptist parents 
 and grew up a moral boy. He was 
 married November 21, 1850. Shortly 
 after this time the Lord enabled 
 him to see and realize that he 
 was a guilty sinner justly condemned 
 before a just and holy God. In due 
 time he was blessed with a gcod hope 
 in the Lord Jesus Christ as his 
 Saviour. He was baptized into the 
 Primitive Baptist Church June 2, 
 1855, and lived a consistent and faith- 
 ful member of that faith until death. 
 He was ordained to the ministry July 
 15, 1865, and faithfully discharged his 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 211 
 
 duty in that capacity as long as he 
 lived, ever holding his duty to God 
 and his brethren above everything 
 else. He lived a faithful life as a 
 church member, minister, a citizen 
 and Christian gentleman. He was 
 chosen moderator of the New Hope 
 Association in 1904 and held that 
 position until his death, November 
 19, 1906. 
 
 the Master. He now has the care of 
 five churches, all in peace and love 
 and a healthy condition. 
 
 JOHN D. PHILLIPS. 
 
 Phillips, Elder John D. (1826-1899), 
 of Georgia. In 1845 he was married to 
 Miss Sarah Davis, moved to Carroll 
 County, 1856, united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church at Concord in 
 1859, and was baptized by Elder R. T. 
 Speight. He soon began to speak in 
 public, and was ordained at Piney 
 Woods Church, Havalson County, 
 1868. He was an able minister of the 
 New Testament, ever contending for 
 the faith that was once delivered un- 
 to the saints. 
 
 DAVID PHILLIPS. 
 
 Phillips, Elder David, of Walter- 
 town, Tenn. This humble and spiritu- 
 ally minded brother was born April 
 26, 1850. When about ten years of age 
 the subjects of death, hell and the 
 grave were forcibly impressed on his 
 mind; he was convicted of sin, labor- 
 ed under the law for righteousness 
 but came to the end of the law and 
 found righteousness — even Jesus, — 
 united with the Baptists, was soon or- 
 dained and for the past twenty-one 
 years has been a faithful witness for 
 
 A. B. PHILPOT. 
 
 Philpot, Elder A. B., of Philpot, Va., 
 was born in Henry County, Va., De- 
 cember 21, 1S58. He grew to manhood 
 wild and reckless, seeking the pleas- 
 ures of the world, with no fear of God 
 before his eyes; but when about nine- 
 teen years old he was convicted of sin 
 and heard his first sermon under the 
 preaching of Elder Bodenheimer. 
 But it was several years later before 
 he put on a public profession of 
 Christ, during which time he under- 
 went much burden of soul, and was 
 given many beautiful dreams teach- 
 ing him the salvation in Jesus. He 
 united with the church in 1879, and 
 was baptized by Elder Peter Corn. He 
 was soon burdened with the duty of 
 preaching Jesus to others and after 
 much conflict of mind, began to exer- 
 cise in public and was about 1883, 
 ordained by Elders P. G. Lester, Amos 
 Dickson, T. L. Roberson and Petei 
 Corn, and has since had the care of 
 churches. Elder Philpot is established 
 in the doctrine and practice of the 
 apostolic church and wants no new 
 gospel or practice in the house of God. 
 In early life he was married to Mrs. 
 Mary E. He'ms, and the Lord has 
 blessed them together. 
 
 BENNETT PITT. 
 
 Pitt, Elder Bennett, of North Caro- 
 lina. This faithful and highly con- 
 scientious servant of God was born in 
 
212 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Edgecombe County, N. C, about the 
 beginning of the nineteenth century, 
 lived in this county all his life and 
 died there about twenty years ago. 
 He was a member of Lower Town 
 Creek, was advanced to the work of 
 the gospel ministry in middle age 
 and was an acceptable preacher and 
 highly esteemed by liis churches. 
 Elder Pitt was possessed of many no- 
 ble traits of character and lived the 
 doctrine he preached to others. His 
 departure was peaceful and triumph- 
 ant. 
 
 B. C. PITT. 
 
 Pitt, Elder B. C, son of Elder Ben- 
 nett Pitt, was a native of Edgecombe 
 County, N. C. He was a blameless, 
 lovely man and a gifted preacher. His 
 membership was at Lower Town 
 Creek Church, convicted of sin in 
 early life, united with the church and 
 was soon set apart to the gospel min- 
 istry. He served churches in the 
 Kehukee Association, but his health 
 was poor and he passed away in mid- 
 dle life lamented and missed by the 
 Baptists of his association, and the 
 editor regrets that data for more ex- 
 tended sketches of the lives and la- 
 bors of both Elder B. C. Pitt and his 
 honored father could not be obtained. 
 
 WILEY PITTMAN. 
 
 Pittman, Elder Wiley. From an old 
 copy of the minutes of the Kehukee 
 Association of 1864, the editor copies 
 the following in reference to Elder 
 Pittman: "He was born on the 27th 
 of July, 1815 — in one of the most re- 
 tired spots in Edgecombe County, N. 
 C, and was raised up in the same 
 neighborhood where he was born — 
 with little or no education — and was 
 not even favored with the advantages 
 of literary associates. He was married 
 en the 4th of December, 1S3S; came be- 
 fore the church and offered for mem- 
 bership at Williams meeting house, 
 Edgecombe County, Saturday before 
 the second Sunday in November, 1842, 
 and was baptized on Friday following. 
 He commenced preaching in 1854, and 
 was ordained in 1857. He was looked 
 upon universally, where known, as a 
 very sound gospel minister, and dwelt 
 mostly on experimental preaching. He 
 was held in high esteem by persons 
 who differed with him in sentiment, 
 because of his good common sense 
 
 and meek and humble deportment. He 
 was what the world would call a poor 
 man, and was so afflicted in body as 
 to be unable to labor much on the 
 farm, but what of a support he could 
 not raise at home, was supplied by his 
 biethren and friends round about, es- 
 pecially those who made no profes- 
 sion of religion. He died November 
 22, 1861, — leaving a wife, nine child- 
 ren — five sons and four daughters — 
 the church at Williams, and a large 
 circle of friends to lament his death. 
 Elder Pittman was neither rich nor 
 great in the common acceptation of 
 the world, but was more than both; 
 a good man. He bore his protracted 
 illness with Christiain patience and 
 resignation, and well may we add in 
 conclusion "mark the perfect man, 
 and behold the upright; for the end 
 of that man is peace." The editor, who 
 is a grandson of the subject of this 
 sketch, desires only to add, that Elder 
 Pittman's limited education was a 
 heavy cross to him in the ministry. 
 Many were the excuses he offered as 
 reasons why he should not preach. 
 But none were sufficient. God uses 
 the foolish things to confound the 
 wise, and God used him for His glory 
 and the good of his people. Such a life 
 of faithful service and such a name 
 as his, is rather to be chosen than 
 great riches, and is an invaluable leg- 
 acy to his descendants. 
 
 T. R. PITTMAN. 
 
 Pittman, Elder T. R., of Havana, 
 Kan., was born in Crawford County, 
 Ohio, March 15, 1843, and was the 
 fifth of ten children born to his pa- 
 rents, who immigrated from Fulton 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 213 
 
 County, Pa. His lather, John Pittman, 
 who was a son of Benjamin Pitman, 
 was born near Hancock, Md. Almost 
 from his earliest recollection, Elder 
 Pittman had serious thoughts about 
 the subject of religion, was a fre- 
 quent reader of the Signs of the 
 Times and became somewhat ac- 
 quainted with the doctrine of the Bi- 
 ble in the letter, though knew but lit- 
 tle of the spirit. In 1862 he was, while 
 attending the Sandusky Association 
 blessed to hear his first sermon, un- 
 derstandingly. Four years later he 
 united with the church and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Lewis Seitz. In 1873 he 
 moved to his present home and was, 
 in 1900, ordained by Bethlehem 
 Church, to the gospel ministry, and 
 has since been content in preaching 
 the simple gospel of salvation by 
 grace unadulterated by the works of 
 men. He is also at present, postmaster 
 at Havana. 
 
 .:.«SP|P 
 
 r 
 
 
 R. H. PITTMAN. 
 
 Pittman, Elder R. H., of Luray, Va., 
 was born in Edgecombe County, N. O, 
 August 20, 1S70. His parents — R. E. 
 and Sarah (Pitt) Pittman, were of 
 English descent. He is the second son 
 and third child of a family of ten 
 children and was raised on a farm 
 with the usual advantages of a com- 
 mon school education. In youth he 
 possessed a thirst for knowledge and 
 an ambition to attain positions of 
 honor and usefulness. His father be- 
 ing limited in "this world's goods," 
 could not at the time give him a busi- 
 ness or collegiate education, but did 
 willingly permit him to leave home 
 for the purpose of obtaining an edu- 
 
 cation at his own expense. Feeling 
 that "where there's a will, there's a 
 way," he left his father's farm in his 
 seventeenth year of age, entered 
 school at Whitakers' Academy, where 
 he, in addition to the ordinary 
 courses, continued his study of teleg- 
 raphy begun while on the farm and 
 the following year entered business as 
 railroad agent and telegraph operator, 
 and before his twenty-first year of age 
 had, Dy close economy and strict at- 
 tention to business, paid his school 
 expenses and about five hundred dol- 
 lars to his father. This youthful suc- 
 cess is mentioned with the hope that 
 it may inspire in others self-exertion 
 and a loyal parental service, for 
 though his parents did not require 
 from him all he did for them during 
 this period, yet he felt his service 
 belonged to them while he was under 
 age, and feels he has learned by ex- 
 perience that one is never the loser, 
 but is blessed, in such service. About 
 this time he took up the study of law, 
 but soon became disinterested in law 
 and greatly interested in religion; so 
 much so, that he could not rest with 
 a clear conscience until he went be- 
 fore the Primitive Baptist Church call- 
 ed Hopeland, in North Carolina and 
 asked for a home among those dear 
 people. This was December 31, 1892, 
 and the following day amid ice and 
 snow he was baptized by Elder A. J. 
 Moore, was licensed in 1893 and or- 
 dained in 1900. In 1893 he was given a 
 year's leave-of-absence by his em- 
 ployers — the A. C. L. Ry. Co., which 
 time he spent in the University of 
 North Carolina, after which he resum- 
 ed his work with above company, at 
 Bishopville, S. C , continued with 
 them until 1906, when he resigned all 
 business connection and the care of 
 churches in South Carolina in order 
 to serve churches in Virginia, where 
 he is now located. Before his ordina- 
 tion to the ministerial work Elder 
 Pittman took an active interest in 
 the moral, intellectual and business 
 up-building of his home town, and has, 
 since taking the care of churches, 
 manifested the same interest, and 
 when not engaged in his ministerial 
 duties has labored in other callings. 
 He has in the past held several posi- 
 tions in R. R. service; served as a 
 member of the board of directors of 
 State Bank, and of various corpora- 
 tions; president of cotton seed oil 
 mill, member of legislature of South 
 Carolina (sessions 1904-05) ; presi- 
 dent literary and debating society, 
 lieutenant in home company of (S. 0.) 
 
214 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 state militia, etc.; yet feels that all 
 worldly pursuits should be subserv- 
 ant to, and sacrificed for, the work 
 of the ministry when they materially 
 conflict. In 1896 he was married to 
 Mliss Eunice Elizabeth Barnes — a true 
 and loyal companion, and they have 
 four children — Dalton, Leland, Vir- 
 ginia and Groveen, to cheer their path- 
 way and brighten their home. 
 
 JOHN PLUM. 
 
 Plum, Elder John. This faithful min- 
 ister died September 16, 1892, at his 
 home near Hannahsville, Tucker 
 County, W. Va , in his seventieth 
 year. He was born in Monongalia 
 County, W. Va., united with Eden 
 Church about the year 1854 and was 
 baptized by Elder Herbert Cool. Two 
 years later he began preaching, was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry 
 and for about thirty-six years fought 
 the good fight of faith. In his preach- 
 ing he determined to know nothing 
 save Christ and Him crucified as the 
 way of salvation, and without fear or 
 favor desired to declare the whole 
 counsel of God. The doctrine of elec- 
 tion, predestination, foreordination, 
 calling, justification and glorification 
 of all the heirs of promise was his 
 faith and the themes he loved to dwell 
 upon. 
 
 CHARLES POLKINHORN. 
 
 Polkinhorn, Elder Charles, of Vir- 
 ginia. For many years Elder Polkin- 
 horn served the Shiloh Old School 
 Baptist Church of Washington, D. C, 
 and several churches in Virginia, and 
 was considered an able, faithful and 
 devoted minister. He died, in the vi- 
 cinity of Ebenezer Church in Laudon 
 County, Va., December 22, 1836, after 
 a long and useful service in the 
 Master's kingdom. 
 
 WM. POLLARD. 
 
 Pollard, Elder Wm., was born in 
 Suffolk County, Eng., February 10, 
 1825. His parents were Baptists, and 
 firm believers in the doctrine of sov- 
 ereign grace as held by the Old 
 School Baptists of today. Wihen he 
 was about seven years of age he 
 moved with his parents to Canada, and 
 when at the age of 22 years he mar- 
 ried Mary Jamieson, and united with 
 the Baptist Church at the age of 
 
 twenty-four. About two years after 
 uniting with the church, he felt strong 
 impressions to speak publicly of the 
 things of the kingdom of God, and 
 though he struggled hard against 
 these impressions, and felt determin- 
 ed not to speak in the name of the 
 Lord ,the time came when he was 
 compelled to open his mouth and 
 preach Christ and Him crucified, as 
 the only salvation for poor, ruined 
 sinners, the church giving him liberty 
 to exercise his gift, and so comfort- 
 ing and strengthening was his preach- 
 ing, that in the year 1855 he was 
 ordained to the full work of the min- 
 istry by Elders Gilbert Beebe, Thos. 
 P. Dudley and J. F. Johnson. He was 
 soon called to the care of churches, 
 and served, among others, the 
 church at Dundas, Ont., and War- 
 wick, in N. Y. and grew in the love 
 and esteem of the church and people 
 among whom he labored so long and 
 faithfully. His preaching was clear 
 and discriminating, and had great va- 
 riety in truth. It was wonderful the 
 many new things he was given to say 
 on the old theme of salvation by 
 grace. He was never afraid to preach 
 the principle of predestination and 
 salvation by grace both for time and 
 eternity. He was a faithful, devoted 
 pastor, untiring in his labor of love 
 for the children of God; firm, stead- 
 fast and immovable in the doctrine of 
 God our Saviour; and was faithful 
 until the end and could say with the 
 Apostle Paul, "I have fought a good 
 fight; I have kept the faith." 
 
 W. J. POLLARD. 
 
 Pollard, Elder W. J., of Nebraska 
 City, Neb., son of Stephen Pollard, was 
 born in Jefferson County, Tenn. March 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 215 
 
 4, 1838. His grandfather, Jesse Pol- 
 lard was born in Culpepper County, Va. 
 and moved to east Tennessee. Elder 
 Pollard's father moved from Tennessee 
 to Missouri, in 1850, where the sub- 
 ject of this notice was reared to man- 
 hood. In 18C3 he, with his wife and 
 two children, moved to Illinois, and 
 the following year he was convicted 
 of sin, felt that condemnation must 
 be his portion, but unexpectedly Jesus 
 was revealed as his sin offering, and 
 faith in Him created joy where only 
 sorrow had before reigned. He united 
 with Little Missouri Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church in Illinois, but soon mov- 
 ed back to Missouri, and was in 1871 
 ordained to the work of the gospel 
 ministry by Elders Baley Tabb, Jas. 
 Duval, Isaac Odell, Allen Sisk and W. 
 T. Brown. Elder Pollard has been in 
 the ministry nearly forty years, has 
 served from two to six churches most 
 of the time, has baptized about four 
 hundred persons, served as modera- 
 tor of the Nottoway Association aud 
 traveled and preached in several 
 states. Though growing feeble in body 
 he is strong in the Lord and earnest- 
 ly and faithfully declares the doctrine 
 of God our Saviour. He passed 
 through the Burnam division in Mis- 
 souri, back in the '80's, opposing his 
 regeneration theory and Armenian 
 practices. He is now serving Liberty 
 Church near Nebraska City, Neb. 
 
 B. J. POLLARD. 
 
 Pollard, Elder B. J. (1803-1870), of 
 North Carolina. This useful minister 
 united with the Primitive Baptists 
 early in life, was soon thereafter or- 
 dained a minister and served churches 
 mainly in Onslow and Carteret Coun- 
 ties. Prior, and during the Civil war, 
 he served his county as justice of 
 peace. Was also, for some years, post- 
 master, and in all the relations of 
 life proved his sterling worth. As hus- 
 band, father, neighbor and citizen he 
 gave evidence of a nobility of nature 
 worthy of emulation; and as a minis- 
 ter of Jesus manifested energy, zeal 
 and an abounding love for the cause 
 of God and truth. To the young he 
 was a faithful adviser; to the poor 
 a charitable visitor; to the widow and 
 orphan a comforter and protector. He 
 died in his sixty-seventh year relying 
 in the faith he had preached to oth- 
 ers. 
 
 F. M. POPE. 
 
 Pope, Elder F. M., of Boyle City, 
 111., was born in Fayette County, Oc- 
 tober 3, 18G6, raised on the farm, mar- 
 ried to Miss Maggie M. Helford, Octo- 
 ber, 1889, convicted of sin and given 
 a sweet hope in Jesus and united 
 with the Primitive Baptists at Liberty 
 Church, August, 1903. Before uniting 
 with the church he had impressions to 
 preach Jesus, and began exercising 
 nis gift publicly July, 1904, and in 
 September was licensed to preach, 
 and in December, same year, was or- 
 dained to the ministerial work. He 
 was soon called to the care of 
 churches and has since had the care 
 of from two to four. Elder Pope has 
 traveled and preached in Illinois, Ind- 
 iana, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkan- 
 sas, and has been well received, is an 
 interesting speaker and bold defender 
 of the truth as it is in Jesus. The 
 Lord has blessed his labors, and he 
 feels satisfied with the doctrine and 
 practice of the apostolic church. 
 
 L. B. PORTER. 
 
 Porter, Elder L. B. (1814-1897), of 
 Russell County, Ala. The character of 
 this man as a citizen, a member of 
 the church and a minister of the gos- 
 pel, was above reproach. He united 
 with the Primitive Baptist Church 
 at Pleasant Plains, in Wilkinson 
 County, Ga., in 1S44, and was baptized 
 by John Evers. In 1849 he was ordain- 
 ed to the ministerial work, and until 
 his death faithfully served the church. 
 He was noted for his humility and 
 meekness, and was greatly loved by 
 
216 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 those among whom he labored. He 
 was twice married and several child- 
 ren and many grandchildren survive 
 hiim. Among his children is Elder 
 David L. Porter of Mississippi. 
 
 THOMAS POTEET. 
 
 Poteet, Elder Thomas, who died in 
 1843 was an able and faithful minister. 
 His services were mostly confined 
 within the bounds of the Baltimore 
 Association. His labors were blessed 
 to the upbuilding of the cause of 
 truth and to the edification of God's 
 children. 
 
 G. POTTER. 
 
 Potter, Elder G., was born in 
 Surry County, N. O, 1798. His pa- 
 rents were both born in England. 
 Both lived and died Primitive Bap- 
 tists. Brother Potter, while living at 
 home with his parents, was made to 
 see himself a sinner. He said: "As 
 I compared myself with God's word, 
 'sin' revived and I died to all hope 
 of salvation by my good deeds, and I 
 understood no other. As I returned 
 with my father from meeting one 
 night, just us two alone, I stopped 
 and told him I was ruined; that I 
 saw no way of my escape. I never 
 shall forget the terrible gloom that 
 was upon me that night. About mid- 
 night I got up and left the house with 
 no particular place in view and I went 
 a quarter of a mile or more and fell 
 on my face and tried to pray. And 
 I thought of the words, 'Come unto 
 me all ye that labor and are heavy 
 laden and I will give you rest.' In a 
 moment I felt sure that these words 
 applied to me and my sense of ruin 
 and guilt was gone, and I was happy 
 and rejoiced in the sweet assurance 
 that Christ was mine." After receiv- 
 ing a hope in Christ, Bro. Potter be- 
 came concerned about joining the 
 church and, being fully convinced by 
 reading the Testament and by his ex- 
 perience that the Primitive Baptist 
 was the church, he joined that church 
 and was baptized by Elder Thomas 
 Oliphant. After joining the church his 
 mind was impressed with the duty of 
 preaching the gospel of the Son of 
 God,, and was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry in 1824. 
 He died March, 1894, aged ninety-five 
 years, nine months, having served in 
 
 the ministry seventy-one years, and 
 was faithful until the end. He died as 
 he lived, trusting in God. 
 
 LEMUEL POTTER. 
 
 Potter, Elder Lemuel. This eminent 
 servant of God met the last enemy in 
 his fiity-sixth year, and was buried at 
 Poseyville, Ind., December 10, 1897. In 
 18G3 he was married to Miss Lydia 
 Jane Humphreys who bore him seven 
 children, five of whom survive. He 
 joined Providence Primitive Baptist 
 Church of Wayne County, 111., in 1863, 
 and was ordained to the work of 
 the ministry in April, 18G7. He was 
 an untiring student, and he un- 
 derstood and believed the doctrine 
 of his church and defended it 
 with a zeal and energy that has 
 never been surpassed by anyone 
 in our midst. He frequently engaged 
 in public debates, and was willing to 
 defend our people against any one op- 
 posing. He knew what he believed and 
 why, and was entirely fearless. He was 
 not an ambitious man; he was for the 
 peace to our ueople; he once said he 
 "Wanted no Potterites" to follow him; 
 he was not covetous, but was content 
 with such things as he had. He left 
 a small estate to his family. Had he 
 devoted his talent to the work ot 
 accumulating, he could have amassed 
 a fortune. His oratorical power and 
 talent would have graced the senate 
 chamber, but God gave it to our peo- 
 ple, and we enjoyed it for over a quar- 
 ter of a century. He was loved by his 
 people, and was faithful even unto 
 death. His personal character was 
 without a stain, and he was so widely 
 known and so universally beloved 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 217 
 
 that it would seem almost superfluous 
 to speak of his character or work. He 
 traveled much among the churches 
 and associations, and labored untir- 
 ingly wherever circumstances placed 
 him. He was the founder of the 
 Church Advocate, and its editor until 
 his death. As a defender and advocate 
 of the faith and doctrine of the Old 
 School or Primitive Baptists, we judge 
 none among us were his superiors. 
 His instructive autobiography in gen- 
 eral circulation among our people is 
 esteemed of great value and a record 
 that prevents the need of many words 
 here. As an author and editor, a min- 
 ister and pastor, a debator and de- 
 fender, a pulpit orator and expounder 
 of the Bible and Bible doctrine, and 
 as a Christian and high toned gen- 
 tleman, he was of the first rank 
 among our people, a bright example 
 for our imitation, that we may excel 
 in the Church of God below. 
 
 G. B. POWELL. 
 
 Powell, Elder G. B. (1838-1905), of 
 North Carolina, was the son of "Wlillie 
 and Alice Powell, united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Cedar 
 Grove, Wake County, N. C, 1866, and 
 was baptized by Elder B. Temple. He 
 was in the same year chosen clerk of 
 his church and in 1872 ordained a 
 deacon and in 1887 ordained to the gos- 
 pel ministry by Elders James Wilson 
 and John C. Hudgens. He was of a 
 family noted for kindness and hospi- 
 tality, frankness, seriousness, truth- 
 fulness and most comely demeanor, 
 and was a gifted preacher. 
 
 B. W. POWER. 
 
 Power, Elder B. W., of Hamshire 
 County W. Wa„ was born in Loudon 
 County, Va., December 26, 1836, raised 
 by parents who were members of the 
 New School Baptist Church and sent 
 to Sunday School and became a Sun- 
 day school teacher, at the age of eigh- 
 teen, became much interested in his 
 soul's salvation and united with the 
 New School Church, but becoming 
 dissatisfied left them and joined the 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists and 
 was baptized by Elder Lewis Kagy. He 
 was soon licensed to preach by Mt. 
 Olive Church, Morgan County, O., — 
 near where he was then living, — and 
 soon after he moved to his present 
 home he was ordained by Little Capon 
 Church in 1886 to the full functions of 
 
 the gospel, and has since had the care 
 of three to five churches, and is a 
 faithful minister, seldom missing an 
 appointment though in his seventy- 
 third year of age. He is also noted 
 for his frugality, industry and hospi- 
 
 B. w. POWER 
 
 tality. He served about one year in 
 the war and was in the battles of 
 Mannasas, Bull Run and Ball's Bluff 
 and was afterwards married to Miss 
 Mary F. Sullivan of Leesburg, Va., to 
 whom were born thirteen children, 
 most of whom are still living. 
 
 H. H. POULSON. 
 
 Poulson, Eider H. H. (1850-1901), of 
 Indiana, was born in Harrison Coun- 
 ty, Ind., and moved to Orange County, 
 Ind., about the year 1850. A few years 
 previous to his death he moved to the 
 French Lick Springs, in the above 
 named county. He joined the Baptist 
 Church at Sinking Spring, 1855, and 
 was ordained to the work of the gos- 
 pel ministry 1SS9. Elder Poulson was 
 given to hospitality. His kindness and 
 generosity won for him a wide circle 
 of friends. His home was a Baptist 
 home where many weary pilgrims 
 found rest and refreshment. His pas- 
 toral labors were principally confined 
 to churches near his home, where he 
 labored with due reverence and godly 
 zeal that made his labors very accept- 
 able and profitable to all that re- 
 ceived them. He was a kind husband 
 and father; a highly respected citizen. 
 
 T. M. POULSON. 
 
 Poulson, Elder T. M., of Massey.Va., 
 was bcrn January 14, 1831. His 
 parents were members of the Mis- 
 
218 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 sionary or New School Church and he 
 was taught by preceptf and example 
 the moral law. But when he was given 
 an experience of grace, which began 
 with him in early youth, he was made 
 to know that salvation was of the 
 Lord and not of men, and he discarded 
 all human agencies in the matter of 
 giving life to the dead sinner. During 
 this time he had never heard a Prim- 
 itive Baptist preach, and when some- 
 time afterwards he heard the gospel 
 preached by them he felt they were 
 his people, united with Mesongoes 
 Church, Accomack County, Va., and 
 was baptized by Elder T. Waters. He 
 began preaching in 18GS and in July, 
 1869, was ordained by Elders S. H. 
 Durand, E. Rittenhouse and G. W. 
 Staton and has since had the care of 
 from two to five churches. Elder Poul- 
 son is now in his seventy-eighth year 
 but is strong in faith, zealous in the 
 cause and still faithful to the churches 
 of his care, traveling hundreds and 
 thousands of miles a year in his ef- 
 forts to glorify God and benefit his 
 people. 
 
 J. THOMPSON POWER. 
 
 Power. Eider J. Thompson, of Lev- 
 els, W. Va., was born in Washington 
 County, O., June 17, 1871, where he 
 lived till the age of fourteen 
 when he moved with his pa- 
 rents to Hampshire County, W. Va. 
 He was raised at hard labor on his 
 father's farm and was kept so busy 
 that he had very little time for study- 
 ing or going to school, and found him- 
 self well grown with but little educa- 
 tion. He however, realized tne im- 
 portance of an education and set to 
 
 work to secure what he could and in 
 a short time he was able to pass a 
 teacher's examination and secure a 
 certificate for teaching. He taught his 
 first term of school in 1890, at the age 
 of nineteen, and contiuued teaching 
 for fifteen years, missing but one term 
 during the entire time. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sallie A. Wills in 1893, 
 and to this union has been born seven 
 sons, B. Wilson, J. Rodney, F. Ray, 
 Wallace C , Curtis G., John T., and 
 Charles Boyd. Elder Power and wife 
 united with the Little Capon Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church in October, 1906, 
 and were baptized by his father — Eld- 
 er B. W. Power. He was licensed to 
 preach in 1907, and is now serving 
 three churches, Bethel, Gt. Capon, 
 and Enon, all in West Virginia. 
 
 REES PRATHER. 
 
 Prather, Elder Rees, of West Point, 
 Ga. This zealous and humble brother 
 was born November 8, 1857, obtained 
 a well grounded hope in Christ in his 
 fifteenth year and united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Emmaus 
 Troup County, Ga. His gift was soon 
 discovered. He was licensed to preach 
 in May, 1884, and was ordained to 
 the full functions of the gospel minis- 
 try April 4, 1890. Elder Prather has, 
 since his ordination, has had the care 
 of several churches, and is dearly be- 
 hoved by the people who know him 
 
 best. 
 
 J. D. H. PRICE. 
 
 Price, Elder J. D. H., of Greencastle, 
 Mo., serves churches in the Hazel 
 Creek Association. The editor, howev- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 219 
 
 er, failed to secure data from which 
 to prepare a suitable sketch of Elder 
 Price's life and labors. 
 
 WILLIAM PRIEST. 
 
 Priest, Elder William (1808-1892), 
 of Mo. The subject of this memoir 
 was born in Fauquier County, Va., and 
 was united in marriage to Miss Sarah 
 H. Payne of the same state in Janu- 
 ary, 1830, and emigrated to Ralls 
 County, Mo., in the year of 1832, and 
 engaged in the vocation of farming. 
 In 1846, at the earnest solicitation of 
 the citizens from the counties com- 
 posing the senatorial district, he con- 
 sented to become a candidate, and 
 served them for four years with dis- 
 tinction and ability, and was the peer 
 of any of his colleagues. In February, 
 
 1852, having been made by God's 
 spirit to realize that he was a justly 
 and truly condemned sinner, and by 
 God's grace enabled to see that He 
 for Christ's sake had pardoned his 
 sins, presented himself to the Old 
 School Baptist Church called Flint 
 Hill in Ralls County, and was receiv- 
 ed into their fellowship. In February, 
 
 1853, against his strong protest, the 
 church licensed him to preach, and 
 in August of the same year he was 
 ordained by Elders William Davis, 
 Chas. L. Turner, Timothy Rogers and 
 M. Moore. He was soon called to the 
 pastoral charge of four churches, 
 which he continued to faithfully serve 
 until stricken down with his last ill- 
 ness, a period of nearly forty years. 
 He attended these churches regularly 
 unless prevented by something be- 
 
 yond human power to avoid. Much of 
 the time he traveled on horseback one 
 of the churches being a distance of 
 more than forty miles from his home, 
 but he cheerfully performed this sol- 
 emn duty to which his Maker had 
 called him, not for the sake of emolu- 
 ment or the laudation and praise of 
 mankind, but for the love and honor 
 of God, and for the comfort of his 
 people whom he so delighted to serve. 
 As an expounder of the Scriptures, 
 he stood without an equal in North- 
 east Missouri. But few ministers ever 
 possessed the faculty of retaining the 
 attention of an audience so closely. 
 In 1875, at the urgent request of the 
 citizens of Ralls and Shelby counties, 
 he consented to become a member of 
 the convention for framing a new con- 
 stitution for the state of Missouri, and 
 was unanimously elected without even 
 leaving his home to make a canvass. 
 He was an active member of the judi- 
 ciary committee, and to his mature 
 judgment and keen foresight are we 
 indebted for many wise measures in 
 our present constitution, and likewise 
 through his influence many obnoxious 
 ones were eliminated. In the year of 
 1872 the county of Ralls, having be- 
 come almost hopelessly involved 
 through the contracting of railroad 
 debts, he was chosen as Presiding 
 Judge of the county, and after serving 
 them faithfuly for four years, he 
 brought the affairs of the county out 
 of its chaotic state and placed its 
 credit on a firm basis. He retired to 
 private life and refused to again serve 
 in office, although being strongly im- 
 portuned by leading citizens from all 
 over the state to consent to become a 
 candidate for governor. During all of 
 his active public career he never for- 
 got or neglected that duty which the 
 Divine Maker had enjoined upon him 
 — to preach the unsearchable riches 
 of His grace to a dying and sinful 
 world. 
 
 JOHN F. PRIEST. 
 
 Priest, Elder John F., of Marshall, 
 Va., was born in Paris, a little village 
 in Fauquier County, Va., March 20, 
 1855, received a hope in the Saviour 
 in 1807, united with the Old School 
 Baptists at Gourdvine Church in Rap- 
 pahannock County, August, 187G, and 
 was baptized by Elder John K. Boot- 
 on. Some years later he moved his 
 membership to Barrows Run Church 
 where he was in 1902 licensed to 
 preach and in January, 1905, ordained 
 
220 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 by Elders J. A. Norton and G. W. 
 Lowe. Elder Priest now has the care 
 of two churches in the bounds of the 
 Ketocton Association. 
 
 JOHN PRITCHARD. 
 
 Pritchard, Elder John (1821-1904), 
 of Ohio. This eminent minister was 
 the oldest son of a family of sixteen 
 children and was born in Licking 
 County, 0. His parents were Guilford 
 and Jane G. (Cook) Pritchard and 
 moved from Culpepper County, Va., 
 about 1817. Elder Pritchard obtained 
 a hope in Christ in his nineteenth 
 year, united with the Lost Run (Now 
 St. Louisville) Church in 1843, was 
 licensed to preach January, 1849, and 
 ordained 1854, by Elders John Fry, 
 Minor McQueen and Amos Farmer, 
 and for fifty years proved a faithful 
 under-shepherd. He served St. Louis- 
 ville Church fifty years, Pleasant 
 Hill thirty-two, Beulah forty, Goshen 
 twenty-five and Mt. Pisgah thirty-five 
 years. For five years he served Lick- 
 ing Association as moderator and for 
 twenty-six years was moderator of the 
 Muskegum Association. He attended 
 over eight hundred funerals, married 
 over seven hundred couples and bap- 
 tized over one thousand persons, and 
 was indeed a father in Israel. In his 
 twenty-third year of age he was hap- 
 pily married to Miss Mary Coffman 
 who was indeed a true companion, and 
 survived him three years. A kind 
 neighbor, true friend, a good father, 
 affectionate husband, a good citizen 
 and faithful man of God he died in his 
 eighty-second year as he had lived — 
 trusting God and looking to him for 
 salvation. 
 
 G. W. PUCKETT. 
 
 Puckett, Elder G. W., of Elmwood, 
 La., is moderator of the Louisiana 
 Bithynia Primitive Baptist Associa- 
 tion and it is with regret that suffi- 
 cient data for an extended notice of 
 his life and labors could not be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 J. H. PUREFOY. (M. D.) 
 
 Purefoy, Elder J. H. (M. D.), of 
 
 Furman, Ala.,, was born at Snow Hill, 
 Wilcox County, Ala., September the 
 9th, 1837, and died at his residence 
 in the community of his birth, Novem- 
 ber 22, 1908. His spiritual birth dates 
 from his sixteenth year. He joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Snow 
 Hill, Ala., in his eighteenth year, 
 where his parents were members 
 many years before him. Elder Purefoy 
 began preaching when about thirty- 
 eight years old, served as pastor of 
 churches five years, and as an evan- 
 gelist about thirteen years, devoting 
 his whole time to it. He traveled and 
 preached through all the southern and 
 middle states and a portion of Canada 
 and Michigan. While serving churches 
 in pastoral work he supported himself 
 and family by his own labor, but as an 
 evangelist the voluntary contribution 
 of brethren and friends afforded him 
 and his family ample support, so that 
 they lacked nothing in temporal 
 things. His literary training was re- 
 ceived in the schools of his communi- 
 ty, and in 1859, when twenty-two 
 years of age, he graduated in medicine 
 from the Jefferson Medical College, in 
 Pennsylvania, and immediately began 
 the practice of medicine in his home 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 221 
 
 village. He enlisted in the Confederate 
 (States) Army, in 1861, and was as- 
 signed to duty as surgeon in the 44th 
 Alabama Regiment, filling his post to 
 the close of the war with perfect 
 satisfaction to all concerned. Return- 
 ing home at the close of the war 
 he resumed the practice of medicine 
 at his native village and soon became 
 one of the most popular practitioners 
 in all his section of the state, during 
 all of which time he was an active 
 church member. After a few years he 
 gave up the practice of medicine and 
 gave himself to the ministry until his 
 health broke down some twelve years 
 ago. In every relationship of life Dr. 
 Purefoy was a notable faithful man. 
 As a physician, he was prompt, wise, 
 sympathetic, and merciful. As a sol- 
 dier he was brave, loyal and kind; 
 as a husband and father, he was pas- 
 sionately fond of his family, and pro- 
 vided for them well, as a Christian 
 and member of the church, he was 
 pious, always at his post, brotherly, 
 wise in counsel, and liberal with his 
 means; as a preacher, he was sound 
 in doctrine, loyal to the book, clear in 
 statements, fervent in spirit, and 
 deeply reverent in his demeanor. 
 When Elder E. H. Burram began to 
 advocate publicly the doctrine of re- 
 generation through the written and 
 preached word, followed by his pleas 
 for toleration while at the same time 
 pressing his Armenian practices, Eld- 
 er Purefoy was one of the first to warn 
 the Baptists of the Ketocton and 
 Ebenezer Associations against these 
 things and to publicly condemn this 
 heresy. And hundreds of Baptists of 
 Virginia, who passed through the divi- 
 sion of 1890 still remember the bold 
 defense of their cause by this faithful 
 soldier and will ever honor and love 
 his memory. 
 
 WILLIAM J. PURINGTON. 
 
 character were in striking accord with 
 the doctrine he held, loved and preach- 
 ed. His labors in the ministry fully 
 sustained the confession which he 
 made unto salvation and unto his call 
 to preach the unsearchable riches of 
 Christ. He was bold in the faith, able 
 and fearless in proclaiming the sincere 
 convictions of an honest heart, and en- 
 tertained no manner of compromise for 
 what he esteemed as the fundamental 
 principles of truth. His bearing was 
 grave his manner fatherly, his pres- 
 ence was commanding, and yet endeai*- 
 ing, his conversation was instructive in 
 doctrine, in discipline, in love and in 
 good works, and his counsels were 
 pointed, timely and wholesome. He 
 possessed the sternness and inflexibil- 
 ity of man, the gentleness and ten- 
 derness of woman, and the meekness, 
 humbleness and simplicity of a little 
 child." For a number of years and at 
 the time of his death he was the be- 
 loved pastor of Hopewell Church in 
 New Jersey — now served by Elder 
 F. A. Chick. 
 
 JOSEPH L. PURINGTON. 
 
 Purington, Elder William J., of New 
 Jersey. The editor regrets that a com- 
 plete sketch of the life and labors of 
 this gifted man of God could not ap- 
 pear. However, we give below Elder 
 P. G. Lester's opinion of him which 
 was published in Zion's Landmark 
 some years ago. Elder Lester says: 
 "In his death the church has sustain- 
 ed the loss of one of the ablest minis- 
 ters of the New Testament of this 
 day and generation and perhaps any 
 other generation since the days of in- 
 inspiration. He was wonderfully gift- 
 ed of God, and was one of the few who 
 seemed to be evidently set for the 
 defense of the gospel. His life and 
 
 Purington, Elder Joseph L„ depart- 
 ed this life January 3, 1S75, aged fifty- 
 four years, four months and twenty- 
 eight days. He was ordained in Maine 
 in September, 1841. He spent several 
 years in Georgia, where he served a 
 number of churches. He moved to Al- 
 exandria, March 31, 1870, where he 
 had the pastoral care of six churches. 
 During the four years that he resided 
 in Alexandria he baptized one hun- 
 dred and twenty-four persons. The 
 circumstances of his death were pecu- 
 liar. On Tuesday evening, January 2, 
 Elder Bartley had preached in the hall 
 where the church met for worship, 
 and Elder Purington followed with 
 
222 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 some remarks, appearing much elated 
 in his mind, and remarked, as he had 
 a few days previous, that he wished, if 
 according to God's will, that he might 
 die at his post. He then read hymn 
 No. 962, Beebe's collection, which was 
 sung, and the service of the evening 
 closed. In three or four minutes he 
 complained of being very sick and 
 sat down, when with the assistance he 
 walked into another room, where he 
 passed away on Thursday. His desire 
 was granted, for he died at his post. 
 He expired in the building where he 
 had so many times preached the gos- 
 pel of the Son of God. Elder Puring- 
 ton was a gifted preacher and greatly 
 loved by those among whom he la- 
 bored. 
 
 T. K. PURSLFY. 
 
 Pursley, Elder T. K., of Georgia. 
 This A\ell known minister of Georgia 
 was born in South Carolina in 1810, 
 raised by Presbyterian parents and 
 joined their church, but rinding that 
 the doctrine preached by them did not 
 agree with his experience he became 
 dissatisfied, and after much conflict 
 of mind and sorrow of heart left his 
 former friends and united with the 
 Primitive Baptists, even against the 
 wishes of his mother. She and others 
 would try to show him that to do so 
 would be to throw himself away, for 
 said they, "these are ignorant people." 
 But God had a work for him, brought 
 him to see the truth as it is in Jesus, 
 
 and gave him a love for those who 
 contended for the doctrine and prac- 
 tice of the apostolic church. He was 
 soon licensed, and afterwards ordain- 
 ed to preach. His first attempt to pro- 
 claim Jesus, the way, the truth and 
 the life, was about 1833, near York- 
 ville, S. C. From that time until his 
 death he traveled thousands of miles 
 in different states preaching salvation 
 by grace. Sometime after his ordina- 
 tion he settled in Georgia, near An- 
 dersonville, and lived in this state the 
 balance of his earthly pilgrimage and 
 died at a ripe old age in the full tri- 
 umph of faith. 
 
 JOHN W. PURVIS. 
 
 Purvis, Elder John W., of North 
 Carolina, son of Gabriel and Galitha 
 Purvis, was born in Martin County, 
 North Carolina, August 5, 1811, and 
 died May 25, 1880. He was blessed 
 with a hope in the Saviour and united 
 with the Primitive Baptist at Conoho 
 Church, Martin County, in 1851, and 
 baptized by Elder Blount Cooper. A 
 few years later he was licensed by 
 his home church to preach and in Jan- 
 uary, 1860, was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry by Elders 
 C. B. Hassell and Martin Ross. Elder 
 Purvis proved his love for the cause 
 of God and truth by faithfully deliver- 
 ing the doctrine of God our Saviour 
 and by a godly walk and conversa- 
 tion. 
 
 Q 
 
 B. F. QUERRY. 
 
 Querry, Elder B. F., of Wilton, 
 Boone County, Mo., was born in Ray 
 
 County, Mo., November 4, 1846. 
 Though young he served in the war 
 between the states in Co. B. 13th Mo. 
 Vol. Cavalry. In 1868 he professed a 
 hope in Jesus, united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptists at States' Creek Church 
 and was baptized by Elder John Tur- 
 nage. He began preaching in 1870, and 
 in March, 1871, was ordained to the 
 gospel ministry by Elders Wm. Jones, 
 John Turnage and Anderson Jones. He 
 has since served several churches in 
 Missouri and Illinois; has done much 
 evangelistic work, and has baptized 
 about one thousand persons. He lived 
 in Raymond, HI, twenty-one years, 
 then moved to Boone County, Mo., and 
 took charge of Goshen and Rocky 
 Fork churches, and in one year's time 
 baptized in Goshen church alone over 
 one hundred persons. Elder Querry is 
 sound in the faith, able in defense, 
 and has engaged in one or two public 
 discussions; is a close Bible student, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 223 
 
 a profound reasoner, tender exhorter 
 and a wise sheep and lamb feeder. 
 Though gifted, he does not strive for 
 the mastery, but confesses himself a 
 sinner, feels to be little and desires to 
 give God all the glory. 
 
 J. M. QUILLAN. 
 
 Quillan, Elder J. M., of Jessee, Va., 
 has the care of churches in the Stony 
 Creek Association of Primitive Bap- 
 tists and is also the beloved modera- 
 tor of this body. A full sketch of his 
 life could not be obtained. 
 
 R 
 
 CHAS. W. RATCLIFF. 
 
 Ratcliff, Elder Chas. W., of Mt. Ver- 
 non, Ind. This able, humble and useful 
 minister of the New Testament was 
 born in Washington County, Septem- 
 ber 23, 1856. In his eleventh year of 
 age he united with the Primitive Bap- 
 tists at Unity Church of Washington 
 County, and in his thirty-third year of 
 age — in 1889 — he was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry. Since that 
 time Elder Ratliff has had the care of 
 from three to six churches, and is at 
 present serving four. He is highly es- 
 teemed among his brethren for his 
 faithful defense of the truth and la- 
 bors of love, and has ever stood firm 
 in the advocacy of the doctrine of God 
 our Saviour and the practices of the 
 apostolic church as maintained by the 
 Primitive or Old School Baptist. 
 
 R. O. RAULSTON. 
 
 Raulston, Elder R. O., of South 
 Pittsburg, Tenn., son of Evander M. 
 Raulston, was born on a farm in Ma- 
 rion County, Tenn., December 22, 
 
 185C. His mother, Barbara Beene, sis- 
 ter to Elder Samuel Beene, is de- 
 scended from the first settlers of 
 Tenn. Elder Raulston obtained a hope 
 when young and at the age of sixteen 
 was baptized by Elder Samuel Beene. 
 As it was a very cold day they broke 
 ice on the creek in order that he 
 might be baptized. When a young 
 man he spent two years in Texas but 
 returned home and joined Sweetens 
 Cove Church and was afterwards 
 married to Miss Rhoda Payne in 
 1881. Six children were born to 
 them, four girls and two boys. He 
 served as church clerk for a num- 
 ber of years and was ordained dea- 
 non some years before his ordina- 
 tion as elder. He has now (1908) been 
 clerk of his association, Sequachee 
 Valley, for twelve years. He was or- 
 
 R. O. RAULSTON 
 
 dained to the work of the ministry by 
 the church at South Pittsburg, Tenn., 
 in November, 1903, the presbytery 
 consisting of Elders A. J. Willis, M. A. 
 Hackworth, J. G. Woodfin, and L. I. 
 Pettus. He has never missed a meet- 
 ing of his association in about twenty- 
 six years; and before his ordination 
 
224 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 he was always in attendance at his 
 own church meetings and usually at- 
 tended the meetings of the other 
 churches within reach, often walking 
 to churches ten or fifteen miles dis- 
 tant. Since his ordination he has been 
 serving three and four churches. He 
 has followed various occupations and 
 has filled the office of justice of the 
 peace in his county for years. Elder 
 Raulston is devoted to the cause of 
 Christ, defending the purity of the 
 church in its apostolic doctrine and 
 practices. 
 
 EVANDER M'KEVER RAULSTON. 
 
 Raulston, Elder Evander McKever, 
 of Tennessee, son of James and Jane 
 Raulston, was born on Caney Fork 
 River in Middle Tennessee, September 
 1, 1818. The greater part of his life 
 Avas spent in Marion County, Tenn., 
 where he was married to Miss Bar- 
 bara Beene in 1841. He united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church in Au- 
 gust, 1846, and lived a devoted mem- 
 ber until his death which occurred 
 October 22, 1870. Elder Raulston's 
 ministerial work was very short as 
 his ordination occurred only about a 
 year before his death; and for a great 
 part of that time his rapidly failing 
 health prevented his going away from 
 home. He attended the meetings of 
 his home church, however, until he 
 was no longer strong enough to be 
 conveyed to the church. 
 
 A. L. RAY. 
 
 Ray, Elder A. L., of Baker Hill., 
 Ala., was born in Barbour County, 
 
 Ala., February 28, 1857. At the age of 
 sixteen he united with the Missionary 
 or New School Baptist Church and 
 remained with them twenty years. 
 Having become dissatisfied with their 
 doctrine and practice he united with 
 the Primitive Baptists at County Line 
 Church in August, 1897, and was in 
 October following ordained to the 
 work of the ministry. Elder Ray has, 
 since his ordination, had the care of 
 from three to four churches and has 
 by his faithful life and earnest labors, 
 proven his love for the cause of truth, 
 and can truthfully sing: 
 
 "I love thy kingdom, Lord; 
 
 The house of thine abode, 
 
 The church our blessed Redeemer 
 bought 
 
 With His own precious blood." 
 
 H. J. REDD. 
 
 Redd, Elder H. J., of Avondale, Ala., 
 was born in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., 
 November 17, 1848, raised on a farm 
 and had but few advantages of an ed- 
 ucation, or of attending the services 
 of any church — never hearing preach- 
 ing but three times before his fif- 
 teenth year — and united with the Mis- 
 sionary or New School Baptists when 
 about this age. Not feeling they were 
 his people after hearing the Primitive 
 Baptists he united with the latter 
 when twenty-two years old and was 
 baptized by Elder J. D. Chandler. In 
 1885 he was ordained to the ministry 
 by EMers W. S. Norris and J. J. 
 Akers. Moving from one locality to 
 another has made it necessary for 
 him to belong to several churches dur- 
 ing which time he has served several 
 charges and is now pastor of the 
 church at Bessimer, Ala., and has 
 served as clerk of Pilgrim's Rest As- 
 sociation for six years and clerk of 
 the Olive Association about the same 
 time. Elder Redd is a strong writer 
 and is firm in the doctrine and prac- 
 tice of the apostolic church. Though 
 for many years he has suffered much 
 bodiiy affliction yet he has desired to 
 be found in duty's pathway and feels 
 to say that God's grace has sustained 
 him amid all trials and tem'ptations of 
 his earthly pilgrimage. 
 
 J. W. REDDICK. 
 
 Reddick, Elder J. W. (1836-1895), of 
 Kentucky, was born in Sumner Coun- 
 ty, Tenn., married to Mary W. Par- 
 rish in Hopkins County, Ky., Decem- 
 ber, 1855, and in the afternoon of Sep- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 225 
 
 tember 13, 1872, while in his room at 
 home (after months of deep convic- 
 tion), while singing "All Hail the 
 Power of Jesus Name," was brought 
 from darkness unto light and made to 
 realize in the fullest sense that it was 
 the "gift of God" that he was saved, 
 and ever afterward his daily walk 
 and conversation attested the fact 
 that divine grace had wrought in his 
 inner heart and life a deep and abid- 
 ing change. He was baptized into the 
 fellowship of East Station Camp 
 Church by Elder John Petty in 
 1873. Soon thereafter he felt called 
 upon to teach the word of God and be- 
 came an able exponent of the doc- 
 trine advocated by the Primitive Bap- 
 tists. Although making no loud pre- 
 tentions,, his daily walk, his quiet 
 manifestations of brotherly kindness, 
 love for the church and love for God 
 and the cause of Christ was sufficient 
 to command the utmost confidence of 
 all who knew him. He died quietly, 
 peacefully and with a perfect resigna- 
 tion, trusting alone in Jesus for salva- 
 tion. 
 
 S. N. REDFORD. 
 
 Redford, Elder S. N., of Valley 
 Springs, Texas, was born in Washing- 
 ton County, November 20, 1872, pro- 
 fessed a hope in Christ July, 1894, and 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Valley Springs, F'ebruary, 
 1896. His gift was soon manifested to 
 the church, and he was ordained to 
 the ministerial work July, 1900, and 
 has since been spending from one- 
 third to one-half of his time in serving 
 the dear people of God. Elder Redford 
 is pastor of two churches — one at 
 
 Austin and one at Georgetown, Texas, 
 loves the cause of truth and is a zeal- 
 ous worker in his Master's vineyard. 
 
 CHARLES MELLETT REED. 
 
 Reed, Elder Charles Meilett (1846- 
 1906), son of Thomas and Sarah A. 
 Reed, was born in Hancock County, 
 Ind. The Lord in his great love and 
 mercy prepared Brother Reed for His 
 kingdom and service, and according 
 to his profession of a good hope 
 through grace he was received into 
 the fellowship of Lebanon Church of 
 Primitive Baptists, situated in Henry 
 County, Ind., July, 1864. He was or- 
 dained at Rich Hill Church, Bates 
 County, Mo., May 3, 1875, as his home 
 was then in Missouri, where many 
 years of his ministerial life were 
 spent. Brother Reed, as a minister of 
 the gospel, was highly esteemed for 
 his work's sake, an humble, true and 
 faithful preacher of God's righteous- 
 ness, brought in by Jesus Christ, and 
 imputed to sinners for their justifica- 
 tion. For this was his hope, his sal- 
 vation, his joy. He was kind and for- 
 bearing in love with his brethren and 
 sisters in the church; but in faithful- 
 ness to his adored Saviour he was 
 firm in defense of his holy teachings 
 and the honor of his bride, the church. 
 
 THOMAS REEDER. 
 
 Reeder, Elder Thomas, of Illinois, 
 This earnest and able defender of the 
 gospel as it is in Jesus died March 5, 
 1899. He was born in Indiana, Decern- 
 
226 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ber 26, 1841, united with the Primitive 
 Baptists in the state of Illinois, in the 
 year 1868. In May, 1872, he was or- 
 dained to the gospel ministry and was 
 soon called to the care of his home 
 
 THOMAS REEDER 
 
 church, and served this and other 
 churches, until his death. He was a 
 brother of Elder Nathan Reeder. Data 
 for a more complete sketch could not 
 be obtained. 
 
 NATHAN REEDER. 
 
 Reeder, Elder Nathan, of Caney, 
 Kan., was born in Illinois, September 
 2, 1845, and united with the Primitive 
 Baptist Church in 1865. In the year 
 1884 he was ordained to all the func- 
 tions of the gospel ministry and has 
 since had the care cf churches. He 
 
 has been pastor of his home church 
 for twenty-five years and is at present 
 Moderator of the Elk River Associa- 
 tion. Elder Reeder is an humble and 
 useful minister and the editor regrets 
 that data for a more extended sketch 
 cculd not be obtained. 
 
 JOHN REEDER. 
 
 Reeder, Elder John, of Eldorado, 
 111., who fell asleep in Jesus some 
 years ago, was born in Illinois, No- 
 vember 28, 1854, and united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church in 1888. 
 Soon afterwards he was chosen past- 
 or of his home church which he serv- 
 ed until his death, baptizing more 
 than fifty persons in this church in a 
 few years. He also had the care of 
 other churches, all of which he faith- 
 fully served. He was an interesting 
 speaker and earnestly contended for 
 the faith once delivered unto the 
 saints and was highly esteemed 
 among his people. 
 
 GILES REEDER. 
 
 Reeder, Elder Giles, of Winchester, 
 111., was born in Scott County, 111., No- 
 vember 19, 1848, and united with 
 Friendship Church, Winchester, 111., in 
 November, 1878, where he still has 
 membership. He was ordained March 
 21, 1891, and is a close Bible student. 
 It is with regret that a fuller sketch 
 of Elder Reeder could not be obtained 
 for this work. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 227 
 
 SIMON REEDER. 
 
 Reeder, Elder Simon, of Morris 
 City, 111., was born March 24, 1849, 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church in the twenty-second year 
 of his age, was soon licensed, 
 and in 1880 was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry. Elder 
 Reeder is moderator of Muddy River 
 Association of Regular Baptists and 
 faithfully serves churches in this as- 
 sociation, and is highly esteemed by 
 our people. 
 
 F. M. REEDS. 
 
 Reeds, Elder F. M., of Hindsboro, 
 111., was born in Edgar County, 111., 
 August 13, 1845, married to Miss An- 
 geline Lumbrick, 18G8, who has prov- 
 en a noble helpmate and who yet 
 
 walks pleasantly beside him along 
 life's pathway. He united with the 
 Primitive Baptists in 18G9, and began 
 speaking in public the same year, and 
 was ordained in 1880 at Providence 
 Church in Edgar County. Since then 
 he has had the care of churches and 
 has traveled some among the Baptists, 
 and desires to preach Jesus as an all- 
 sufficient Saviour. Bro. Reeds is an 
 humble, unassuming and useful minis- 
 ter. He is a farmer and wields a good 
 influence among the people, and has 
 served his county in several positions 
 of trust. 
 
 WILLIAM J. REEVES. 
 
 Reeves, Elder William J., of Barnes, 
 Iowa, was born in Mahaska County, 
 Iowa, June 20, 1847, and united with 
 Ebenezer Church in June, 1878. He 
 was ordained in May, 1889, and has 
 served the churches acceptably ever 
 since. The editor failed to secure data 
 from Elder Reeves for a fuller sketch 
 for this work. 
 
 ENOCH REEVES. 
 
 Reeves, Elder Enoch, was born in 
 Grayson County, Va., June 18, 1801, 
 and died on his birthday, seventy 
 years later. In his youth he was care- 
 less, thoughtless and reckless, and 
 cared nothing for religion, but the 
 Lord convicted him of sin and killed 
 him to the love of it, and led him to 
 the church, which he joined at Elk 
 Creek, about 1S3S. He was ordained 
 1841, and soon took the pastoral care 
 of churches and for about thirty years 
 he was zealous in the Master's cause, 
 going through heat and cold, wet and 
 dry, far and near, preaching the 
 sweet theme of salvation by grace. He 
 was of a frank, kind and determined 
 disposition, a great defender of truth, 
 though humble in spirit and appear- 
 ance. He was not one to be exalted in 
 prosperity or depressed in adversity, 
 but saw the hand of God, controlling 
 all things. 
 
 LUCIUS REGISTER. 
 
 Register, Elder Lucius, of Florida, 
 was born September 3, 1854, and died 
 June 5, 1901, at his home in Dover, 
 Hillsboro County. He was born in 
 Georgia and moved to Florida in early 
 manhood, married Miss Mlary Fender 
 who proved a life-long devoted com 
 
228 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 panion; was given a hope in Jesus in 
 1881, united with Mt. Enon Church 
 and was soon after licensed to preach, 
 and in 1886 was ordained by Elders T. 
 S. Evers, J. W. Futch and E. Z. Hull. 
 He was unassuming in his manners, 
 humble in his Christian walk and con- 
 versation, a safe counsellor in times 
 of trouble and as a minister had the 
 confidence of all Baptists who knew 
 him and was recognized as an able 
 gift to the church. 
 
 J. R. RESPESS. 
 
 Respess, Elder J. R., of Georgia, 
 was born in Upson County, October 2, 
 1831, and died at his home in Butler, 
 Ga., February 4, 1895. As a pupil in 
 his early school days, he was bright 
 and studious and graduated at the 
 University of Georgia, admitted to the 
 bar, with every promise of success in 
 his chosen profession of law. Some 
 years afterwards he was deeply exer- 
 cised in mind about his spiritual con- 
 dition, was given a hope in the Sav- 
 iour, united with Ebenezer Church in 
 Upson County, where he was ordained 
 by Elders J. Dickey, Cromwell Cleve- 
 land and Samuel Bentley. Elder Wl C. 
 Cleveland wrote of him: "He was 
 graduated with distinction at Franklin 
 College, the University of the state, 
 in the class of several of Georgia's 
 noted sons. He returned home, and 
 was soon admitted to the bar with the 
 intention, and ability so to do, of hew- 
 ing out for himself fame and fortune 
 in the things of this life, and soon 
 took, as a young lawyer, the front 
 rank, with every indication of a bright 
 future in his profession. But God will- 
 ed with him otherwise; He had for 
 
 him a nobler and better usefulness; 
 one in which victory is won through 
 suffering and sacrifice. But in so call- 
 ing him to a different field of labor, 
 it was at no expense of the great 
 natural abilities with which He had 
 already endowed him; in fact, through 
 the Spirit's power they were strength- 
 ened, utilized, and constantly grew, 
 thereby making his life more and 
 more useful to the children of men, 
 and adding an additional pillar in the 
 great arch of faith. Many a man pos- 
 sessed of his natural and spiritual 
 abilities, would soon have forgotten 
 his high calling, and become vain and 
 proud, especially when added to these 
 gifts, was the love and admiration of 
 all who knew him." As a minister 
 Elder W. M. Mitchel says of him: 
 "Our dear Bro. Respess was truly a 
 man of God and a powerful preacher. 
 When in the spirit of preaching it has 
 seemed to us that no Christian could 
 hear him without feeling the power 
 and sweetness of the word of God 
 burning in his heart, His preaching 
 was in great plainness and simplicity, 
 and though he was learned in the 
 schools of man, he never made any 
 attempt at excellency of speech of 
 man's wisdom. We have never known 
 a preacher who might have said more 
 truthfully, 'My speech and my preach- 
 ing is not with enticing words of 
 man's wisdom, but in demonstration 
 of the Spirit and of power." . Elder 
 Respess was the founder, and for 
 many years editor and proprietor of 
 the Gospel Messenger. Elder S. Has- 
 sell who was much associated with 
 him and who is now editor and pro- 
 prietor of this useful paper, wrote of 
 him: "In his conduct and conversa- 
 tion he seemed to breathe forth the 
 very spirit of Jesus. He wished that 
 every other preacher in the world 
 were a greater preacher than himself, 
 and every other man a better man. 
 He was willing to be trampled on by 
 the whole church if thereby the name 
 of Christ could be exalted. If his ene- 
 mies spoke evil of him, he would say, 
 'Perhaps it is so,, perhaps it is so,' — 
 and he would speak well of them; if 
 they deeply injured and wronged him, 
 he would astonish me by asribing 
 to them the most charitable motives. 
 I never knew a wiser, humbler, kind- 
 er, gentler, more unselfish, more 
 Christ-like person than dear Bro. Res- 
 pess. By great and manifold afflic- 
 tions, seasoned with Divine grace, his 
 spirit was disciplined, softened, sweet- 
 ened, and purified, and thus prepared 
 for entrance into eternal rest." 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 229 
 
 JAMES REYNOLDS. 
 
 Raynolds, Elder James (1770-1837), 
 died at his residence, in the town of 
 Hector, County of Tompkins, state of 
 New York, in the sixty-seventh year 
 of age. Elder Reynolds professed a 
 hope in Christ, when about fourteen 
 years of age; from that time until his 
 last expiring moment, we think it 
 might be said, he was a bold soldier 
 of the cross. He was among the first 
 settlers in the town of Hector, and for 
 about thirty years of his life, he 
 preached the everlasting gospel of the 
 kingdom. During most of this time he 
 was pastor of the First Baptist 
 Church of Christ, in Hector, which 
 was constituted about the time of his 
 ordination. Of this venerable servant 
 of God, we think it may be said, he 
 was not chargeable to any, but labor- 
 ed with his hands for his support, and 
 for those that were with him. He was 
 generally very punctual to attend all 
 appointments for preaching, church 
 and conference meetings, &c„ travel- 
 ing over hills, and through valleys, 
 through heat or cold, over a large 
 territory, being the only Baptist 
 preacher in this place for a number 
 of years. 
 
 W. H. RICHARDS. 
 
 Richards, Elder W. H., of Matthews, 
 Ind. Tbis noted and highly esteemed 
 minister of Jesus was born m tne 
 state of Ohio, in 1829, received a hope 
 in the Saviour in early youth but did 
 not unite with the church until his 
 twenty-third year. He was baptized by 
 Elder Win. McCormick, and was some 
 years afterward ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry and has during 
 a long and faithful ministry proven 
 his love for the cause of God and 
 truth. On March 19, 1907, was the 
 fiftieth anniversary of Elder Richards' 
 marriage to his faithful and loving 
 companion and that day was made 
 memorable to them and their hearts 
 made to rejoice by the many tokens of 
 kindness showered on them by about 
 one hundred and twenty-five of their 
 brethren, relatives and neighbors. 
 The editor failed to secure data for 
 more complete sketch of this useful 
 minister's life and labors. 
 
 JACOB RICHARDS. 
 
 Richards, Elder Jacob (1824-1904), 
 The subject of this sketch was born 
 in Muskingum County, O., and died at 
 
 his home near Matthews, Grant Coun- 
 ty, Ind. When he was nine years old 
 his parents moved from Ohio to Grant 
 County, Ind., and except three years 
 residence in Iowa, just preceding his 
 marriage, was a resident of this 
 county for seventy-one years. He was 
 married to Susan Gillispie in March 
 1845, and for more than fifty-six years 
 they traveled life's journey together, 
 sharing each others joys and bearing 
 each others trials with a fidelity and 
 devotion seldom witnessed. Brother 
 Richards united with the New Har- 
 mony Primitive Baptist Church in 
 July, 1861, and was elected church 
 clerk in September of the same year 
 and served in that capacity until he 
 was liberated to preach in 1866. He 
 was ordained 1873, and was called to 
 the pastoral care of this church Jan- 
 uary, 1874, and served it as pastor for 
 nearly thirty years. With his family 
 he was kind and generous, a devoted 
 husband, kind and patient in his af- 
 flictions. His life was above reproach 
 and a testimony of the sincerity of 
 his profession. His conversation was 
 godly, ever seeking to elevate, in 
 struct and comfort rather than amuse 
 and gratify the desires of the flesh. 
 As a minister he sought not the ap- 
 plause of men, but rather the appro- 
 bation of the Saviour. He was firmly 
 grounded in the faith of the Primitive 
 Baptists and earnestly contended for 
 the same, yet kind to all who differed 
 from him. His preaching was in dem- 
 onstration of the Spirit and in power; 
 comforting, edifying, binding together 
 in love and cementing in sweet fel- 
 lowship and union the Lord's scatter- 
 ed, doubting, tempest-tossed children. 
 His labors were attended with more 
 than ordinary success. Called from the 
 toils of farm life, as he often said, "poor 
 and ignorant" to the work of the gos- 
 pel ministry, in much fear and tremb- 
 ling and in deep humility of soul, with 
 his faith alone in God whose gentle 
 Spirit's whisperings he had heard, 
 and leaning upon the Saviour's ever- 
 lasting arms and his hand in His he 
 pressed forward, feeling that he who 
 had once put his hands to the plow 
 should not look back. And God made 
 him a blessing to His cause. Under 
 his ministry Harmony Church arose 
 from a membership of twenty to near- 
 ly a hundred, and is today one among 
 the strongest of our churches in Indi- 
 ana. With but a few exceptions the 
 present membership were all " bap- 
 tized by him. He was faithful. Preach- 
 ing for them, for nearly thirty years, 
 he never left them without a minis- 
 ter but once ,and seldom would leave 
 
230 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 them to attend other meetings. He 
 was truly a man of God. He is gone, 
 but his works will follow him. "He 
 being dead, yet speaketh." His life 
 will still be an influence for good 
 and his heavenly, comforting words 
 will follow many until they too shall 
 be called home. 
 
 W. H. RICHARDS. 
 
 Richards, Elder W. H., of Texas. 
 This eminent minister was born in 
 Johnson County, Texas, June 4, 1861. 
 His parents were strict members of 
 the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
 and he was brought up in their faith, 
 being sprinkled when quite young and 
 was outwardly taught religion in their 
 Sunday Schools. But his heart was not 
 reached, he became a cowboy on the 
 western ranches and loved the wild 
 and reckless life and the vices and 
 follies of the world. However, he was 
 not allowed to remain in love with 
 sin. God's spirit convicted him of sin 
 and killed him to the love of it. He 
 was directed to the true church, given 
 a love for the Primitive or Old School 
 Baptist and united with them in 1897 
 and was baptized by Elder R. A. 
 Biggs. He was soon set apart to the 
 gospel ministry and is a faithful and 
 able minister of the New Testament 
 His experience and call to the minis- 
 try is very interesting reading, it is 
 printed in pamphlet form by Elder J. 
 G. Webb of Tioga, Texas. 
 
 RICHARDSON. 
 
 Richardson, Elder J. W., of Peters- 
 burg, Ind., was born June 24, 1829, 
 professed a hope in Christ in his 
 
 twenty-eighth year and united with 
 the Primitive Baptists one year later, 
 and was baptized by Elder Elihu 
 Halcombe. A few years after this he 
 was licensed and in 1872 was ordained 
 to the full functions of the gospel 
 ministry, and has since had the care 
 of four churches almost continually. 
 His labors have chiefly been confined 
 to his native county, Pike, and coun- 
 ties adjoining. He has had the care 
 of his home church thirty-seven years. 
 When he became its pastor its mem- 
 bership numbered less than a dozen, 
 it now numbers three hundred and 
 fifteen. Up to the time the editor ob- 
 tained data for this notice — 1907 — 
 Elder Richardson had married 1,022 
 couples, preached 912 funerals, and 
 baptized 2,204 persons. He has, out- 
 side of his ministerial duties which 
 have been many — served his county 
 as justice of the peace eight years, 
 clerk of circuit court four years, coun- 
 ty treasurer four years and two ses- 
 sions in the state legislature. He 
 writes me, "I have been a very busy 
 man all my life." And indeed his rec- 
 ord proves it. He also writes, "When 
 I joined the old church I thought it 
 the nearest right of any church on 
 earth, and I think so yet, and hence 
 have done all I could to build it up, 
 and expect to continue to do so as 
 long as I have breath in my body." 
 Elder Richardson is nearly eighty 
 years old but has lost none of his 
 zeal for the cause of truth, makes it 
 a point never to disappoint a congre- 
 gation, has never asked for money for 
 his preaching and has not sought to 
 be what is called a great preacher. He 
 is greatly loved by his churches and 
 highly esteemed by the citizens of his 
 county. 
 
 EDWARD RIENER. 
 
 Riener, Elder Edward, of Georgia. 
 This faithful minister was born March 
 6, 1805, in Montgomery County and 
 died at the ripe old age of eighty-nine. 
 He was twice married, first to Miss 
 Bettie Meeks, and after her death to 
 Miss Emily Bower and was the father 
 of fourteen children; united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church called Prov- 
 idence in Emmanuel County in his 
 thirty-fifth year, and was baptized by 
 Elder Archibald Odom. A few years 
 after this he was ordained by Elders 
 A. Odom and William Norris and con- 
 tinued in the faithful discharge of his 
 duty as a minister of the gospel for 
 more than fifty years. As a man he 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 231 
 
 was the soul of honor; as a citizen, 
 law-abiding; as a husband, faithful; 
 as a father, indulgent; and as a minis- 
 ter, exemplary. He died as he had 
 lived, trusting alone in God's mercy 
 for salvation and praising Him for 
 His goodness. His son, Elder W. W. 
 Riener, is following in the footsteps 
 of his father. 
 
 W. R. RIGGS. 
 
 Riggs, Elder W. R., of Crab Or- 
 chard, Mo., "was born April 2, 1852. 
 and united with New Garden Church, 
 Ray County, Mo., in 1873, where his 
 membership now is. He has been 
 preaching since 18S4, and knows noth- 
 ing among the churches save Jesus 
 and Him crucified. "From Elder Cash's 
 book of 1896. Further information 
 was not obtainable. 
 
 W. S. RIGGSBY. 
 
 Ribgsgy, Elder W. S., of Mansfield, 
 Mo. From information of 1904 date it 
 is learned that Elder Riggsby was 
 moderator of the Pine Forest Associa- 
 tion of Primitive Baptists and pastor 
 of churches within the bounds of this 
 association. 
 
 EPHRIAM RITTENHOUSE. 
 
 Rittenhouse, Elder Ephriam, of Del- 
 aware, was born in the state of 
 New Jersey, December 17, 1819. 
 
 He united with the church in 
 August, 1847, and began his pub- 
 lic work, both of speaking and of 
 writing, almost immediately after- 
 ward. He was soon licensed to preach, 
 and began visiting different churches. 
 He was ordained in April, 185G. His 
 first call came from the church in 
 Wilmington, Delaware, and he began 
 serving them, regularly in April of 
 1858. During that year three othei 
 churches in the same state united in 
 the call and in March, 1859, he re- 
 moved to Delaware, to the same house 
 where he died more than forty years 
 afterward. He was never a strong, 
 healthy man, but perhaps very few of 
 our ministers have gone through more 
 hardships in serving the churches than 
 he did. One church was located thirty 
 miles away, and anoter was fifty miles 
 from his home, and for a number of 
 years he met his appointments with 
 them, usually, by means of a team, 
 driving the entire distance once each 
 month, through all kinds of weather. 
 He was also pastor for some 
 years of two churches in the Sal- 
 isbury Association, which were near- 
 ly one hundred miles from his 
 home but he visited them once a 
 
 EPHRIAM RITTENHOUSE 
 
 month. His field of labor was mainly 
 in the states of Delaware and Mary- 
 land. Although he served so many 
 churches, the members were mainly 
 poor, and he always found it neces- 
 sary to labor with his hands, energet- 
 ically, to provide for his family. Was 
 always busy and all time not other- 
 wise taken up was spent in writing. 
 He had a very large private corres- 
 pondence besides writing a great numr 
 ber of letters for publication on al- 
 most every subject that could be 
 
232 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 thought of. Very few of our ministers 
 have written so much as he did. Be- 
 ginning with letters to the Signs of 
 The Times in 1847, he continued to 
 write somewhat regularly for it for 
 over fifty years, and since 1880 he 
 wrote many letters for three ether 
 publications, and this work only ended 
 when he was obliged to lay aside his 
 pen. When his last published letter 
 appeared his sight was so far gone 
 that he was unable to read it. A broth- 
 er minister once said to him that 
 when his pen was laid by a loss would 
 be felt in the way of private corres- 
 pondence that could never be made 
 up to those within its circle; for he 
 possessed a special gift in the manner 
 of writing comforting, encouraging 
 letters, and of speaking the "word in 
 season" to those who were "inquiring 
 the way." Few such gifts have been 
 bestowed on the church, and in this 
 respect perhaps no one can fully take 
 his place in this generation. After his 
 wife's death, in 1885, he had but little 
 interest in anything outside of the 
 churches, As old age came on the 
 hardships of life bore heavily on him, 
 and I think if he had known when the 
 end was near, he would have said 
 that he was glad to have it so. An 
 entire generation grew up under his 
 ministry. He lived to see both the 
 children and the grandchildren take 
 the place of the fathers. He left seven 
 children, all of them members of the 
 church with him. He died October 22, 
 1902, and on the stone which marks 
 his resting place are the following 
 appropriate words: "I have fought a 
 good fight; I have finished my course; 
 I have kept the faith." Elder Ritten- 
 house was regarded as one of our 
 most able ministers, one whose 
 preaching was always interesting and 
 instructive, a man of good judgment 
 and wise counsel. 
 
 GEO. D. ROBERSON. 
 
 Roberson, Elder Geo. D., of Rober- 
 sonville, N. C, was bora November 
 13, 1843, and is of Scotch descent. Be- 
 ing the first born of twelve children 
 and raised on a farm he grew • up at 
 hard labor without much education 
 and imbibed, from his father, the idea 
 of self support and living at home, 
 and during his life has followed farm- 
 ing and merchandising when not en- 
 gaged in the work of the ministry- 
 Though, as a boy, he had serious im- 
 pression of death and eternity, yet not 
 
 until he had, at the age of eighteen, 
 entered the Southern army in '62 
 and realized the providential care of 
 God amid the clash of arms and the 
 carnage of death, was he brought 
 down in feeling to pray for God's con- 
 tinued mercy and care, and on his re- 
 turn home from the war he felt that 
 though he was saved from death he 
 was not saved from hell. So he tried 
 to prepare himself for heaven, — prom- 
 ised the Lord to do better and made 
 promises only to break them. But God 
 who brought him to see his needs 
 supplied them in Jesus and gave him 
 faith to look and be healded, and in 
 1869 he united with the Primitive 
 
 GEO. D. ROBERSON 
 
 Baptist at Spring Green Church, Mar- 
 tin County, N. C., and was baptized by 
 Elder C. B. Hassell. Soon he was im- 
 pressed with the duty of preaching, 
 and for four years was disobedient 
 and greatly tried. He felt he could not 
 preach — that he was committing a 
 great sin — that if it was the Lord's 
 work he was committing a sin in not 
 complying, and if it was not, he was 
 committing a sin in thinking about it. 
 But the Lord made him willing and 
 opened the way, and he was ordained 
 in 1880 by Elders A. N. Hall, R. H. 
 Harris and Levi Rogerson. Elder 
 Roberson is now serving three 
 churches, has traveled and preached 
 in eight states and has been favorably 
 received. He is an entertaining speak- 
 er, is especially gifted in dissecting 
 and explaining a subject and applying 
 the literal truths of Scripture to the 
 experience of Gods children and thus 
 bringing water from the rock. Calm, 
 deliberate and lucid in style, he is in- 
 deed a teacher in Israel sent of God 
 and the Lord has blessed his labors. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 233 
 
 THOMAS L. ROBERTSON. 
 
 Robertson, Elder Thomas L., of 
 Floyd, Va., was born in Bedford 
 County, Va., September 22, 182G. 
 When a young man he removed to 
 Floyd County, where, in 1849, he mar- 
 ried Miss Pernetta Underwood. He 
 professed a hope in Christ in 1859, 
 and joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Pine Creek Floyd County, 
 Va. In 18G1 he began to exercise a 
 gift in the ministry, and in 18G3 was 
 set apart by ordination to the full 
 functions of the gospel. He was called 
 to the pastorate of churches and serv- 
 ed in that capacity about forty years, 
 from which he has for some years 
 been retired because of infirmities 
 and old age. Elder Robertson's ser- 
 vices have been confined to the 
 churches locally, and in his active 
 days he was faithful in attendance 
 and his labors have been favored 
 with seals to his ministry. His life 
 and character have been wholesome 
 for the cause and tending towards 
 the peace and prosperity of the 
 churches of his labors. In his declin- 
 ing years he enjoys the satisfaction of 
 quiet repose in the fellowship of his 
 brethren and the confidence of the 
 people, in which his faithful compan- 
 ion fully and worthily shares. During 
 his ministry he has baptized over one 
 hundred and married over five hun- 
 dred couples. 
 
 HARVEY ROGERS. 
 
 Rogers, Eider Harvey. The subject 
 of this sketch was born in New Hav- 
 en, Conn., in 1809, and died in Canaan, 
 Wayne County, Penn., October 14, 
 1902, in his ninety-third year. In 1820 
 he with his father's family moved to 
 Wayne County, Penn., and March 18, 
 1834, he received a good hope in 
 Christ, and joined the Abington Old 
 School Baptist Church. In November 
 of the same year he commenced to 
 preach and was soon ordained and 
 continued faithful till ill health pre- 
 vented. A number of years before he 
 died he was afflicted with rheumatism 
 and had to go en crutches. He had a 
 good memory and perhaps there were 
 few that knew the Bible better than 
 he. He was firm in his belief, contend- 
 ing earnestly for the faith once deliv- 
 ered to the saints. For fifty years his 
 preaching was salvation by grace, not 
 of the works of men's inventions. He 
 stood firm in all the troubles and di- 
 visions that have taken place in the 
 churches. 
 
 J. C. ROGERS. 
 
 Rogers, Elder J. C., was born July 
 15, 1844, and died at the home of his 
 daughter, Mrs. Clara Underwood, 
 near Quitman, Ga., June 20, 1893. He 
 was baptized into the fellowship of the 
 Primitive Baptists in 1S78, and was 
 ordained a deacon in 1879, in which 
 position he served faithfully and 
 well; but soon he began to exercise 
 in public, and was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry in 1883. From 
 that time until his death, his time 
 was mostly spent among his brethren, 
 preaching Jesus and exhorting the 
 saints to love and good works. His 
 faithful service bore much fruit. His 
 churches were usually peaceful, 
 healthy and prosperous. Our people 
 knew his worth, and I hope and be- 
 lieve appreciated his labors, and they 
 now feel that in his death they have 
 lost a true and tried friend — one who 
 was always in touch with all their sor- 
 rows, and who could always offer a 
 word of comfort and cheer. When his 
 beloved wife was taken from him, 
 December, 1892, he plainly manifested 
 that every vestige of earthly comfort 
 was gone from him forever, and ex- 
 pressed a desire to follow her in 
 death. Having no small children, he 
 closed the doors of his pleasant home 
 at Calhoun, Ga., and following his im- 
 pressions traveled from church to 
 church almost continually until his 
 death. During his last illness, and 
 even while his mind was in a semi- 
 conscious state, he would talk and 
 preach about Jesus and His love. 
 
 MATTHEW ROGERS. 
 
 Rogers, Elder Matthew (1763-1843), 
 
 of Kentucky, was well known to the 
 Baptists in his day as a gifted preach- 
 er, for upwards of thirty years, during 
 which time he maintained a high 
 standing among them as an honest 
 and upright man and a Christian. His 
 hope in the Lord Jesus Christ remain- 
 ed firm and unshaken to the last. 
 
 LEVI ROGERSON. 
 
 Rogerson, Elder Levi (1819-1894), of 
 North Carolina, was born in Martin 
 County, N. C., grew up to manhood 
 without any advantages of an educa- 
 tion — going to school but three days — 
 was wild and reckless and cared not 
 
234 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 for hell or heaven. But God had a 
 work for him to do. Afflictions were 
 sent upon him. He lost his eyesight 
 and was brought down very low. But 
 God restored him and he set about to 
 reform himself, and became a Phar- 
 isee — trusting in his works. About this 
 time he became acquainted with the 
 Methodist people and fellowshipped 
 their view of self-righteousness and 
 says he would have joined them but 
 for inconvenience. But God taught 
 him his exceeding depravity, convict- 
 ed him of sin, and then took his feet 
 from its mirey clay, established his 
 goings, put a new song in his mouth, 
 even praise to the God of all grace, 
 He united with Smithwicks Church, 
 1853, and was baptized by Elder Wm. 
 Whitley. Soon he was deeply impress- 
 ed with the duty of preaching Jesus, 
 but on account of being unable to 
 read much, he felt that to become a 
 minister was a matter impossible. 
 But he was taught in the school of 
 experience, and "Whale College" and 
 by studying to be approved, became a 
 workman that needed not be ashamed. 
 He was in 1804 ordained by Elders C. 
 B. Hassell and Wm. B. Perry and to 
 the end of his useful life was a faith- 
 ful pastor of churches — preaching 
 Jesus in demonstration of the spirit 
 and power of God. 
 
 JOHN N. ROGERSON. 
 
 Rogerson, Elder John N., of Wash- 
 ington, Beaufort County, N. C, was 
 born in Martin County, N. C, January 
 16, 1850, convicted of sin and given a 
 hope in Jesus, united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptists in 1879, and was baptized 
 
 by Elder Levi Rogerson. In 1884 he 
 was licensed and two years later was 
 ordained by Elders Levi Rogerson, 
 Henry Peel and J. L. Ross. Elder Rog- 
 erson has since had the care of 
 churches and is a noble, good man. 
 His labors have been mostly confined 
 to his own churches by whom he is 
 loved and highly esteemed. The editor 
 regrets that data for a more complete 
 sketch could not be obtained. 
 
 WILLIAM A. ROSS. 
 
 Ross, Elder William A. (1822-1897), 
 of North Carolina, was born in Pitt 
 County, N. C, united with the church 
 at Great Swamp, 1849, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Lanier Griffin; was 
 licensed to exercise his gift 1851 and 
 ordained to the full work of the gos- 
 pel ministry 1853, by Elders John H. 
 Daniel and Lanier Griffin. His life was 
 one of usefulness to the church and 
 the cause of truth. He was able and 
 strong in the doctrine of the grace of 
 God and felt that he was set for the 
 defense of the gospel and shunned not 
 to declare all the counsel of God, and, 
 no doubt many thought used the 
 sword of the spirit unmercifully. He 
 was very active as a minister and 
 traveled much abroad, especially keep- 
 ing up the correspondence between 
 his own Association and Union meet- 
 ings and those of others; also labor- 
 ing extensively among the churches. 
 He was tender and devotional in feel- 
 ing and greatly enjoyed good preach- 
 ing by others. The Lord made him an 
 able minister of the New Testament 
 and he was a faithful servant until 
 the end. 
 
 L. SYLVESTER ROSS. 
 
 Ross, Elder L. Sylvester, of North 
 Carolina, was born in Beaufort Coun- 
 ty, April 15, 1833. He was the young- 
 est of five children. His father was 
 Elder Lemuel Ross who was a faithful 
 minister and pastor of/ several 
 churches. His mother's maiden name 
 was Nancy Bowen, the daughter of 
 Elder John Boven. He was brought to 
 see his sinful and lost condition when 
 about the age of sixteen and his won- 
 derful experience has been an evi- 
 dence to him of his interest in 
 Jesus and a comfort to others. He 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church 
 1882, and was baptized by Elder Al- 
 bert Cartwright. Four years later he 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 235 
 
 was ordained and continued to preach 
 until his death, serving Beulah and 
 South Mattamuskeet churches as pas- 
 tor for many years, and was an able, 
 faithful minister. He died in 1903. 
 
 J. C. ROSS. 
 
 Ross, Elder J. C., of Greenfield, 
 Tenn., was born in Hickman County, 
 Ky., January 13, 18G2. His parents 
 were devoted members of the Old 
 School Baptist Church and while they 
 taught him to do right they could not 
 teach him to hate wrong. But God be- 
 came his teacher also and killed him 
 to the love of sin, convicted him of 
 his lost and ruined condition and in 
 August, 1883, gave him a sweet hope 
 in Jesus. He did not tarry but went 
 home to his friends at Rock Spring 
 Church, Fulton County, Ky., Septem- 
 ber, 1883, was received and baptized 
 by Eider K. M. Wyatt. At the time he 
 received a hope in the Saviour he was 
 impressed to preach Him to others. 
 This desire never left him but a feel- 
 ing sense of his inability was also con- 
 tinually with him and he was not or- 
 dained until September, 1895; Elders 
 K. M. Wyatt, R. H. Boaz, J. H. Yates, 
 R. T. Helm and W. I. Cornell consti- 
 tuting the presbytery, since which 
 time Elder Ross has had the care of 
 from two to four churches. His ser- 
 vices have been blessed of the Lord 
 and he feels encouraged to press on 
 in the strength of Him who has called 
 him to the work. Feeling his attention 
 has been required among the churches 
 of his care he has not traveled much 
 among other churches. Elder Ross is 
 an humble and faithful minister and 
 desires to contend alone for the doc- 
 trine of God our Saviour and the prac- 
 tice of the apostolic church. 
 
 ROBERT ROWE. 
 
 Rowe, Elder Robert (1833-1896), 
 This dear brother and fatihful servant 
 of God, was born near Liverpool, Eng., 
 and died at his home in Andrew Coun- 
 ty, near Savannah, Mo. His parents 
 moved to Canada when he was six 
 years of age, and at the age of four- 
 teen years he moved to the state of 
 Wisconsin. He moved to Missouri at 
 the age of 23 years, obtained a hope 
 in Christ at the age of ten, joined the 
 First Nodaway Church, of the Noda- 
 way Association of Primitive Baptists 
 of Missouri, many years ago and was 
 baptized by Elder Elijah Moore. He 
 served the church as deacon for a 
 number of years, was liberated to talk 
 in public in 1882,, and ordained in 1888. 
 The Bible was his text book and few 
 men understood its teachings better 
 than he. As a minister he had a rare 
 and happy gift and his preaching 
 was highly appreciated by his breth- 
 ren. He was faithful and zealous and 
 devoted his time and talent as much 
 as was possible to the work of his 
 ministry. He was of a meek anu quiet 
 spirit, a kind and obliging neighbor. 
 As a citizen he was faithful, patriotic 
 and law abiding, as a husband he was 
 affectionate and devoted, and as a 
 father he was kind and indulgent. He 
 bore his affliction with great patience, 
 with a desire to be reconciled to the 
 will of God. He calmly and affection- 
 ately made every needful disposition 
 of his earthly estate to the best inter- 
 ests of his family, and died in the 
 triumph of a good hope, through 
 grace, of a better life. 
 
236 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 JOHN ROWE. 
 
 Rowe, Elder John (1852-1899), ol 
 North Carolina, eldest son of John T. 
 and Penlope Rowe, was born in Beau- 
 fort County, N. C. His parents were 
 members and his father a deacon in 
 the Primitive Baptist Church and he 
 early in life, manifested love for Bap- 
 tist ministers, who were frequently at 
 his father's house. He always held his 
 parents in high esteem, and though he 
 was wild and mischievous with other 
 boys, they learned that they could 
 place the most implicit confidence in 
 what he told them — that same love 
 for truth that was marked in his 
 character through life having been 
 implanted in him at that early age, 
 As soon as he could read, the Bible 
 was his favorite book, and he read it 
 much with close attention, so that it 
 was very useful to him in after life. 
 He was convicted of sin and converted 
 to the knowledge of the truth as it is 
 in Christ Jesus in early youth, joined 
 the Primitive Baptist Church in 
 1869, and was baptized by Elder I. 
 Jones. The church, seeing evidences 
 of his ministerial gift, gave him li- 
 cense to preach in 1873, and in 1875 he 
 was ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry by Elders A. Jones and B. 
 Whitford. In 1877, he was married to 
 Miss Nancy L. Hardy, and as a min- 
 ister's wife she had few equals. He 
 was early called on to serve churches 
 in pastoral relationship and different 
 churches were added to the number 
 of his charges until at the time of his 
 death he was pastor of seven 
 churches — one in the Kekukee, one 
 in the White Oak and five in the Con- 
 tentnea Associations. Two of those 
 churches were so situated as to re- 
 
 quire nearly one hundred miles travel 
 in a sail boat at each visit. Some of 
 the others were long distances from 
 him, so that it was necessary for 
 much of his time to be spent travel- 
 ing to and from those churches. All 
 those churches will certify to his great 
 faithfulness. Elder Rowe was not only 
 one of the most gifted ministers of 
 his state but was also a man of in- 
 fluence as a citizen. He served in the 
 legislature of his state with distinc- 
 tion during the sessions of 1893 and 
 '94, and in all the relations of life 
 was a true man — one of nature's no- 
 blemen. 
 
 JOSHUA T. ROWE. 
 
 Rowe, Elder Joshua T., of Balti- 
 more, Md., was born April 12, 1858, in 
 Beaufort County, N. C, convicted of 
 sin in his seventeenth year and given 
 a sweet hope in Jesus as his personal 
 saviour. He was also made to love the 
 Primitive Baptists as he had never 
 done before, though he was raised by 
 Baptist parents, and in 1876 he united 
 with the Sandy Grove Church and was 
 baptized by Elder Bryan Whitford. 
 The sweet peace of mind he received 
 at his baptism was, within a month 
 thereafter, disturbed by impressions 
 to preach. For sometime he fought 
 against this duty and suffered great 
 anguish of mind, but he was encour- 
 aged by Elders John Rowe and L. H. 
 Hardy to bear the cross and sustained 
 by God's grace, and was ordained to 
 gospel work in 1882 by Elders N. H. 
 Harrison and J. E. Adams. Elder 
 Rowe has since had the care of 
 churches continuously and has travel- 
 ed and preached among the churches 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 237 
 
 in eastern North Carolina, Delaware, 
 Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New 
 York. He is now serving the Ehenezer 
 Church in Baltimore City, the Shiloh 
 Church in Washington, D. C, and the 
 Black Rock Church in Baltimore 
 County, Md. The latter named is of his 
 toric interest, it being the church in 
 which the Baptists met in 1832 and 
 declared non-fellowship for the many 
 innovations in doctrine and practice 
 brought in by the Arminian element 
 of the denomination. Here the lines 
 were tightly drawn and the religious 
 body, until that time, bearing the 
 name of Baptist, became known as 
 New School and Old School Baptists. 
 Elder Rowe is an able minister, a 
 lover of peace, and desires to feed the 
 flock of God with the sincere milk of 
 the word, — not to strive about words 
 that genders strife but to "speak that 
 we do know and testify that we have 
 seen." He feels that the Baptists, 
 generally, among whom he has labor- 
 ed are better to him than he deserves 
 and desires to serve them better. 
 
 J. J. ROWLAND. 
 
 Rowland, Elder J. J., of Santa Fe, 
 Kan., "was born in Morgan County, 
 111., April 14, 182G. He joined Cedar 
 Creek Church, Wapello County, Iowa, 
 in May, 1861, and was ordained in 
 June, 1875. He has served actively as 
 pastor of churches for twenty-one 
 years, but has charge of but one 
 church at this time, there being but 
 
 tew Baptists near his home." This 
 sketch of Elder Rowland is from Eld- 
 er Cash's book of 1896, and later in- 
 formation could not be secured. 
 
 STEPHEN ROWLAND. 
 
 Rawland, Elder Stephen, who died 
 many years ago, was an able and 
 faithful minister of the Old School 
 Baptist Church and his memory is 
 cherished in the hearts, and his name 
 often on tne lips of many now living 
 in Arkansas. Elder Rowland moved 
 from Mississippi to Arkansas, and 
 spent most of his useful life in the 
 latter state where his labors were 
 blessed to the comfort and upbuilding 
 of Zibn's City. 
 
 MERIDY L. ROY. 
 
 Roy, Elder Meridy L., was born 
 September IS, 1805, in South Carolina. 
 His father moved to Dickson County, 
 Tenn., when he was about seven years 
 of age ,and raised him there. He was 
 married to Susan Gentry, January 10, 
 1833. He embraced religion at the age 
 of twenty years, but in a way that he 
 was not satisfied. He went on in this 
 way for some years. He attended an 
 association, and said he prayed during 
 the entire meeting for a brighter evi- 
 dence, and about the close of the 
 meeting he became satisfied. This oc- 
 curred September 21, 1835. On his 
 way home he said the impression was 
 made in him to preach. He joined the 
 church in 1837, and began to preach 
 in the Spring of 1838, and continued 
 until his death, which occurred May 1, 
 1885 — a period of forty-seven years. 
 During this long period of time he re- 
 mained firm and steadfast in the faith 
 and believed the Bible taught. He 
 earnestly contended for election pre- 
 destination and salvation by grace, 
 and never preached or advocated any- 
 thing that ever caused the least trou- 
 ble or discord in the church. He did 
 not only stand high in the esteem of 
 his brethren, but in the language of 
 Paul, had "a good report of them 
 that are without." 
 
 WILLIAM RUPARD. 
 
 Rupard, Elder William (1825-1904), 
 of Kentucky. He lived and died in a 
 few miles of where he was born. His 
 
238 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 parents were strict members of the 
 Old Baptist Church and were loved 
 and respected by all who knew them. 
 He received such education as the 
 common schools afforded at that time, 
 was given a hope in his sixteenth 
 year and joined the Old Baptist 
 Church at Goshen in 1842, and was 
 baptized by Thos. Boone. The burden 
 of the ministry was laid on him soon 
 after he became a member of the 
 church. After exercising his gift some 
 in public service he was licensed and 
 finally ordained in 1853. At the time 
 
 WILLIAM RUPARD 
 
 of his death he was pastor of Goshen, 
 Lulbegrud, Liberty and Cane Spring 
 churches. Some of them he served 
 nearly fifty years. He was moderator 
 of North District Association for 
 forty-four years and was a true and 
 faithful servant of God at home and 
 abroad, suffering many trials and pri- 
 vations. He was an orator, gifted as 
 an expounder of the Scriptures, heart- 
 searching as a minister, a feeder of 
 the sheep and lambs of God. He was 
 a firm believer in the doctrines of the 
 Bible and taught God's children to ob- 
 serve all things commanded in His 
 Word. The high esteem in which he 
 was held was attested by the large 
 gathering of brethren and sisters and 
 
 friends at his funeral. He died as he 
 had lived, trusting alone in Jesus for 
 
 salvation. • 
 
 A. H. RUPARD. 
 
 Rupard, Elder A, H., of Hedges, 
 Ky., is the faithful pastor of Liberty 
 Church and other churches of this 
 section of Kentucky, and is also the 
 moderator of the North District Asso- 
 ciation of Old Baptists. The editor 
 regrets that further information 
 could not be secured. 
 
 W. R. RUSHTON. 
 
 Rushton, Elder W. R., of Buffalo, 
 Tenn., is an able minister of the New 
 Testament, a faithful pastor of 
 churches, and the beloved moderator 
 of the W^st Tennessee Association. 
 
 W. P. RUSSELL. 
 
 Russell, Eldsr W. P., of LaFayette, 
 Tenn., was born in Macon County, 
 August 23, 1868, raised by good, pious 
 parents but who were unable to teach 
 him to love good and hate evil. As a 
 boy he was thoughtless and rude, 
 seeking only the pleasures of the 
 world. But one day when he was in 
 his seventeenth year God's spirit con- 
 victed him of sin and enabled him to 
 view himself as a poor lost sinner; 
 and after much sorrow of soul he was 
 given a hope in Jesus and united with 
 the Primitive Baptists and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Miles F. West. The im- 
 pression to tell others about the 
 wonderful Saviour he had found soon 
 began to disturb him for he felt un- 
 qualified in many ways to preach the 
 glorious gospel. Yet he could not rid 
 himself of the impression, or hide his 
 gift from the church, and was soon 
 licensed, and in 1905, was ordained to 
 the gospel ministry by Elders W. D. 
 Agee, L. F. Evans and J. B. White. He 
 has since had the care of churches 
 and is now serving Cedar Creek, 
 Friendship and Mt. View. Elder Rus- 
 sell has had one or two public debates 
 and wishes to contend for and preach 
 the truth as it is in Jesus. 
 
 W. W. SAIWMONS. 
 
 Sammons, Elder W, W. (1827-1899). 
 was born in Hardaman County, Tenn., 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church about 1855, and was ordained 
 
 to the gospel ministry five years later 
 and until the end of his life was a 
 faithful under-shepherd. His life was 
 a very exemplary one, his manner 
 was always gentlemanly, his conver- 
 sation chaste and refined, his dealing 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 239 
 
 with men open and fair and he nest. 
 He manifested a desire to suffer 
 wrong rather than do wrong, and was 
 so sympathetic in nature that he 
 could hardly refuse any favor asked 
 of him and was in hundreds of in- 
 stances taken advantage of. During 
 his life he paid over fifteen thousand 
 dollars security money alone. At the 
 close of the Civil war he had 1,500 
 hushels of corn and refused to sell it 
 for the high price of seven to ten dol- 
 lars a barrel but would reply, "You 
 can get it somewhere else if you have 
 the money, — mine is for my poor 
 neighbors and helpless widows who 
 have no money." And to them he 
 would sell on credit at a low price. 
 This is but one instance of his love, 
 consideration and sympathy for the 
 pcor. Of course it is not expected that 
 sucn a man would die rich, and this 
 was the case with him, though he 
 never suffered for needful things and 
 was rich in faith. As a minister he 
 was highly esteemed, was a good dis- 
 ciplinarian and excellent peace-maker 
 — the fruits of his labors still being 
 realized both in Tennessee and Miss- 
 issippi. Before his death he requested 
 that ihe words "A sinner saved by 
 grace" be inscribed on his tombstone. 
 His life was useful — his death tri- 
 umphant. 
 
 ALLEN SAMMONS 
 
 Sammons, Elder Allen of Hardiman 
 County, Tenn., was a gifted preacher 
 in his day. He died about fifty years 
 ago but is remembered by people now 
 living and who heard him as a min- 
 ister. One sister of Stewart County, 
 Tenn. writes the editor of his gift as 
 a minister, but no detail statement of 
 his labors can be obtained. Hence this 
 brief sketch. 
 
 CLARK SAMMONS. 
 
 Sammons, Elder Clark, of Tennes- 
 see, the grandson of the late Elder 
 Allen Sammons, a noted preacher, 
 was born April 17, 1861, convicted of 
 sin in his twenty-first year of age 
 while prostrated on the bed of afflic- 
 tion and for two years carried in his 
 heart the condemning sentence of 
 God's holy law. But on the second day 
 of July, 1882, he was given a sweet 
 hope in Jesus, united with the church 
 in 1889, and was baptized by Elder 
 W. W. Sammon. He was soon impress- 
 ed with the duty of preaching Jesus 
 
 to others, the church recognized his 
 gift and he was ordained August, 
 1894, by Elders W. W. Sammon, J. A. 
 Sammons and D. G. Cambers, and has 
 since been serving churches. He is at 
 present pastor of Mt. Tabor church in 
 Hardiman County, Tenn., and has 
 
 CLARK SAMMONS 
 
 baptized a goodly number into the fel- 
 lowship of the church. His traveling 
 among the churches has been mostly 
 confined to his native state. In 1889 
 he was married to Miss Minnie Lee 
 Neely. Seven children — six boys and 
 one girl — have joined the family circle 
 to bless the hearts of the parents. 
 
 W. L. SAPPINGTON. 
 
 Sappington, Elder W. L. (18G3-1908) 
 of Guthrie, Mo., was born in Boone 
 County, united with the New School 
 
240 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 or Missionary Baptists in early youth 
 and lived with them for twenty years. 
 But much of this time he felt that the 
 Primitive Baptists were, more than 
 any other denomination, contending 
 for the doctrine and practices of the 
 apostolic church, and in 1901 when 
 attending the Salem Association he 
 made a public confession of his error 
 and asked for a home among the peo- 
 ple who preached his experience and 
 the doctrine of a finished salvation in 
 Jesus. He was received, baptized, soon 
 licensed to preach, and in 1905 was 
 ordained by Elders H. C. Hogan, B. 
 F. Querry and Ira Turner. He was 
 soon called to the care of churches 
 which he served faithfully until his 
 death. Elder Sappington was a man of 
 ability, energy and industry, a gifted 
 preacher and useful citizen, and was 
 greatly loved by Primitive Baptists, 
 and highly esteemed as a neighbor 
 and citizen for his manly qualities and 
 sincerity of purpose. 
 
 J. T. SATTERWHITE. 
 
 Satterwhite, Elder J. T., of Opelika, 
 Ala. This gifted and much beloved 
 minister was born in Harris County, 
 Ga., May 11, 1856. At an early age he 
 became very serious about his sinful 
 state — feeling condemned before God, 
 and was brought to see that he was 
 a guilty sinner in His holy sight. Af- 
 ter a few years of perplexity of mind 
 and heart and at a time when the 
 most pressed, and the least expecting 
 a divine favor, he received peace with 
 God and a love for Him and His dear 
 people that still abides with him. He 
 had no religious training, though his 
 father was a quiet and orderly mem- 
 
 ber of the Primitive Baptist Church. 
 He joined the Missionary Baptists and 
 in a few months was sent as a messen- 
 ger to their annual association, and 
 here he saw that the works of men 
 were more talked of and depended up- 
 on than the works of God. Therefore 
 he became much dissatisfied but re- 
 mained with them several years and 
 began his public exercises there. At 
 the age of twenty he was married to 
 Miss Laura Gamniill thinking that this 
 would settle him in life and free him 
 from the weight of the ministry of 
 Christ which had been on his mind 
 since his deliverance. For a short 
 while he thought he had succeeded 
 in his desires but soon with renewed 
 force came this "woe is me if I preach 
 not the gospel of Christ." About this 
 time he with his afflicted wife and 
 two small children moved to Chamb- 
 ers County, Ala., near Mt. Pisgah 
 Church where he lived a few years in 
 rebellion against God's deep impres- 
 sions to join the church and stand in 
 His temple and speak all the words 
 of this life. Finally he joined Mt. Pis- 
 gah Church, was soon, by this church, 
 licensed and in 1882 was ordained. 
 Elder Satterwhite was soon called to 
 the service of three churches, and 
 some years later, when the late Elder 
 W. M Mitchell became very feeble, 
 was called as his assistant and at his 
 death was chosen pastor. He is faith- 
 ful to his people and greatly loved by 
 them. They have never fully support- 
 ed him in a temporal way though they 
 have been continuously and liberally 
 good to him. During his ministry he 
 has labored hard on the farm tc< bet- 
 ter enable him to meet the many ex- 
 penses in public life, many of which, 
 the members, generally, have no 
 knowledge. 
 
 ISAAC SAWIN. 
 
 Sawin, Elder Isaac, of Cedar Falls, 
 Iowa. This useful minister is a worthy 
 representative of a remarkable Bap- 
 tist family. His parents were both 
 members of the Old School order, had 
 a family of thirteen children, ten 
 growing to the age of maturity and 
 all joining the church of their parents 
 and, three of the boys — J. G., P. W. 
 and the subject of this sketch — are to- 
 day able ministers of the new Testa- 
 nient. Elder Sawin was born in Bar- 
 tholomew County, Ind., December 15, 
 1833, given a hope in the Saviotur, 
 united with Lewis Creek Church and 
 ■was baptized by Elder Asa B. Nay 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 241 
 
 January, 1854. He was soon licensed 
 to preach and in 1871 was ordained by 
 Elders Thos. Martin, Asa B. Nay, G. S. 
 Weaver, Wlllett Tyler, P. K. Parr, P. 
 W» Sawin and Harvey Wright, and 
 has since had the care of churches. 
 He has also traveled and preached in 
 several states and recently moved to 
 his present location and has care of 
 the church in his city. Elder Sawin is 
 
 ISAAC SAWIN 
 
 in the seventy-sixth year of his age, 
 and the fortieth year of his ministry — 
 he commenced preaching in 18G9 — and 
 is strong in the faith and able in the 
 defense of the doctrine and practice 
 of God our Saviour, and desires, in his 
 preaching, to know nothing but Jesus 
 and Him crucified and to finish his 
 course with joy. 
 
 JOHN G. SAWIN. 
 
 Sawin, Elder John G, of Mattoon, 
 111., was born near Edinburg, Ind., 
 
 March 1, 1838. While but a youth he 
 had many thoughts on the subject of 
 his condition and the requirements 
 necessary to fit him for heaven. That 
 there was a preliminary work for all 
 men to do in order to be saved he 
 had nc doubt whatever. He attended 
 and respected the Primitive Baptist 
 Church to which his parents belonged, 
 yet, he would never entertain the 
 idea for a moment of identifying him- 
 self with it. Such a thought was abso- 
 lutely repulsive to him. The Old Bap- 
 tists were old-fashioned and lacked 
 progressiveness. Like most, if not all, 
 other Arminians, he fully expected by 
 his own works of righteousness, to, 
 sometime, become a bright and lead- 
 ing light in the religious world. But 
 there came a time when such 
 thoughts and evil imaginations were 
 forever silenced. The hand of the 
 Lord was laid upon him, The light 
 shone out of darkness and his sinful 
 heart was laid bare. His works, on 
 which he had counted so much, be- 
 came as filthy rags. The exceeding 
 sinfulness of sin became more appar- 
 ant as the days went by. The law 
 thundered his just sentence — "The 
 soul that sins it shall die," and "by 
 the deeds of the law no flesh shall 
 be justified." All was now plain and 
 convincing. "If my soul were sent to 
 hell, thy righteous law approves it 
 well." Now he could only call upon 
 God to be merciful. And in due time 
 Go!d revealed himself as the sinner's 
 friend — the chiefest among ten thou- 
 sand, set his feet upon a rock and 
 put a new song in his mouth even 
 praise to His name, and it became to 
 him a precious privilege to be re- 
 ceived into the Primitive Baptist 
 Church. In May,' 1859, he was baptized 
 into the fellowship of the old Lewis 
 Creek Church, Shelby County, Ind., by 
 the late Elder J. G. Jackson. He was 
 soon liberated to exercise publicly 
 his gift and was in 1865 ordained to 
 the full functions of the gospel min- 
 istry and has since had the care of. 
 churches. Elder Sawin mc ved from 
 Indiana to Illinois in 1862, is now in 
 his seventy-first year of age, yet is 
 full of energy and zeal in the cause 
 of truth. He is a useful minister and 
 much loved by his people. 
 
 P. W. SAWIN. 
 
 Sawin, Elder P. W., of Shelbyville, 
 Ky., was born in Johnson County, 
 Ind., January 2, 1844, raised by Christ- 
 ian parents who brought up their chil- 
 
242 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 dren in the nurture and admonition of 
 the Lord and taught them the way to 
 go. But this was the limit of their 
 power. God alone could give their 
 children eyes to see, ears to hear and 
 hearts to! understand. This was done 
 for Elder Sawin when he was about 
 ten years of age. He was enabled to 
 look within, to see and feel the cor- 
 ruption of the natural heart and to 
 cry unto the Lord for mercy. So great 
 was his darkness and so deserving of 
 hell seemed his case that he would 
 have freely exchanged places with the 
 beasts of the field. But God, who be- 
 gins this good work continues it and 
 he was made to trust in Jesus and re- 
 
 P. W. SAWIN 
 
 joice in his salvation. He united with 
 the dear old church in his fifteenth 
 year, began his public service in his 
 eighteenth year, was soon licensed 
 and in 1868 was ordained to the full 
 work of? the ministry, and he soon 
 went on a preaching tour through 
 Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, 
 North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland 
 and Pennsylvania. Leaving home with 
 less than two dollars, he was given 
 faith to trust God and after traveling 
 more than five thousand miles, return- 
 ed home and like the apostles could 
 say he lacked ncthing, that his needs 
 were supplied and his life preserved 
 and he made more humble and grate- 
 ful for God's mercies. This was forty- 
 eight years ago, and since then Elder 
 Sawin has treveled more than one 
 hundred thousand miles by rail, and 
 many thousand by private conveyance 
 in the United States and Canada,* in 
 the service of the Master without a 
 money consideration, but for the love 
 of God and his people; and now in the 
 sixty-fifth year of his age he can feel 
 
 the Lord has sustained him and open- 
 ed the hearts of His people to minis- 
 ter to his necessities in many ways. 
 He is now serving five churches and 
 is strong in the faith, and bold in the 
 defense of the doctrine of God our 
 Saviour yet he feels to be a poor, un- 
 profitable servant, loves the fellow- 
 ship of. his brethren and desires to die 
 at Ms post of duty. Elder Sawin has 
 for many years served as moderator 
 of the Licking Association of Primi- 
 tive Baptists and is highly esteemed 
 where known. 
 
 JOEL P. SAYERS. 
 
 Sayers, Elder Joel P., of Coosa 
 County, Ala., was born in 1812, and 
 died September, 1895, in his eighty- 
 fourth year of age. For thirty years 
 he was a faithful preacher, devoted 
 to the cause of Christ and ready to 
 make any reasonable sacrifice. In his 
 preaching his theme was Jesus and 
 His sure salvation for his people. He 
 never sought to be popular with the 
 world but desired to contend for the 
 truth under all circumstances. He 
 was a good disciplinarian and for 
 many years was moderator of the 
 Wetumpka Association. His last ser- 
 mon was preached at Little Hope As- 
 sociation, and on his way home he 
 was taken sick and died in about two 
 weeks in the full triumphs of faith. 
 
 WILLIAM SEARS. 
 
 Sears, Elder William, of Calloa, Mo., 
 "was born in North Carolina, Apiil 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 243 
 
 11, 1804, and joined Silver Creek 
 Church, Randolph County, Mo., in 
 1832, and was ordained in 1834. He 
 was moderator of Yellow Creek Asso- 
 ciation for many years and was a 
 warm gospel preacher. He died Au- 
 gust 8, 1878." Further information of 
 his life and labors could not be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 S. W. SEARS 
 
 Sears, Elder S. W., of Palmyra, Mo., 
 "was born in Randolph County, Mo., 
 April 7, 1843, and united with Silver 
 Creek Church in October, 18G5. He 
 was ordained in Chariton Church, Ma- 
 con County, Mo., in which he now has 
 membership, September IS, 1880, and 
 has had the care of four churches al- 
 most ever since. He is at present the 
 moderator of Yellow Creek Associa- 
 tion.' From Elder Cash's book.. 1896. 
 Information for a full sketch for this 
 work could not be obtained. 
 
 SAMUEL SEITZ. 
 
 Seitz, Elder Samuel, of Ohio, who 
 peacefully passed away at his home 
 near Van Buren, August 15, 1899, was 
 a faithful servant, a good counsellor, 
 and a kind-hearted Christian whose 
 life Avas crowned with the grace of 
 humility and meekness, which made 
 his labors in the ministry of great 
 value to those whom he served. The 
 greater part of his life was spent in 
 
 the service of his brethren and his 
 Lord, and notwithstanding all the 
 hardships through which he passed in 
 traveling many miles through heat 
 and cold in serving churches, and in 
 clearing up a large farm, and sup 
 porting his family, he lived to a good 
 old age,, and until his last sickness 
 was remarkably strong for a man of 
 his age. Thus, after a life of constant 
 toil, a life well spent, he has gone to 
 his reward. The editor regrets that 
 full particulars of Elder Seitzs labors 
 in the ministry could not be obtained. 
 
 NATHANIEL M. SENTER. 
 
 Senter, Elder Nathaniel M. (1810- 
 1877), was born in Virginia, united 
 with the Baptists at Piney Creek 
 Church in his seventeenth year and 
 was the following year licensed, and 
 in 1838 was ordained to the gospel 
 ministry by Elders Druery Senter and 
 Solomon Stamper. Uniting with the 
 church before the division he opposed 
 the innovations that were brought in 
 and pressed upon the churches. His 
 warning voice was heard and his in- 
 fluence was felt during these days of 
 dissension, and through it all he stood 
 firm for the doctrine and practice of 
 the apostolic church. He was for many 
 years moderator of: the Mountain 
 District Association, also served the 
 Senter Association in the same ca- 
 pacity. Elder Senter was a good dis- 
 ciplinarian, an interesting speaker and 
 a faithful soldier of King Emmanuel, 
 and died in the faith of God's elect 
 with a comforting assurance of happi- 
 ness beyond. 
 
 JOHN D. SCOT - 
 
 Scott, Elder John D., of Wilson 
 County, N. C, was born about the 
 year 1833, and died July 31, 1893. He 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at White Oak in 1871 and was 
 baptized by Elder Jesse Baker, and 
 was in 1874 ordained to the gospel 
 ministry, but the editor is unable to 
 speak of his ministerial work in detail 
 or to name the churches he served. 
 He was, a few months before his 
 death, bitten by a rabid dog, from 
 which he was never entirely cured, 
 and after much suffering passed away 
 — his last words being, 'Jesus, Jesus." 
 Elder Gold, who was well acquainted 
 with him, writes, at the time of his 
 death,, as follows: "Elder Scott had 
 
244 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 his faults, and P. D. Gold lias his 
 faults too. Elder Scctt possessed to 
 me some lovely, noble traits, and his 
 death was very sad to me. I was pres- 
 ent and spoke with Elder J. S. Wood- 
 ard at his burial." 
 
 JOHN L. SCOTT. 
 
 Scott, Elder John L., of Pleasant 
 Plains,. 111., "was born in Sangamon 
 County, 111., January 1, 18G5, and 
 united with Union Church, Morgan 
 County, 111., in 1884. He was ordained 
 in the year 1893, and has had the care 
 of churches ever since. He is moder- 
 ator of Morgan Association in the 
 state of Illinois." This brief sketch is 
 from Elder Cash's book of 189G. The 
 editor failed to obtain further infor- 
 mation of Elder Scott's life and la- 
 bors. 
 
 ABNER SHANK. 
 
 Shank, Elder Abner, of Turner, Ore., 
 was born in Montgomery County, O , 
 December 27, 1810, united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church called Paint 
 Creek, in Carroll County, Ind., in Au- 
 gust, 1840, was ordained in Sharon 
 Church, Guthrie County, Iowa, in Oc- 
 tober, 1S64, and moved to the state of 
 Oregon in the year 1865. Elder Shank 
 was a true, faithful under-shepherd, 
 standing high in the affection and es- 
 teem of the Baptists of Oregon among 
 whom he earnestly labored in the 
 
 cause of truth. The editor failed to se- 
 cure proper data for a detailed notice 
 of this useful minister's labors. 
 
 LEVI B. SHERWOOD. 
 
 Sherwood, Elder Levi B., of Ohio, 
 was born in the state of Virginia Sep- 
 tember 16, 1827. He moved with his 
 parents to Ohio in early life, locating 
 in Delaware County; professed a hope 
 in Christ at the age of twelve years, 
 united with the Marlborough Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church, November, 1839, 
 and was baptized by Elder Benjamin 
 Martin. He was united in marriage to 
 Julia Ann Wornstaff, August 23, 1849. 
 To this union five children were born. 
 In June 1858, the church liberated him 
 to exercise the gift that God had 
 given, and in 1859 he was ordained to 
 the work of a gospel minister by the 
 following presbytery: Elders Jcfhn 
 Lewis, Zachariah Thomas, Eli Ash- 
 brook, Daniel Schofield, Samuel Mer- 
 ideth and S. C. Main. During his min- 
 istry he baptized two hundred and 
 sixteen persons, married two hundred 
 and fifty-six couples, attended hun- 
 dreds of funerals, served four 
 churches almost continually and left a 
 record of faithful, zealous service in 
 the Master's, vineyard. He died Au- 
 gust 22, 1890, in the triumph of that 
 living faith he had so faithfully 
 preached to others. 
 
 JOHN SHIELDS. 
 
 Shields, Elder John (1814-1873), of 
 Indiana, was born in Jennings County. 
 He was a man of deep thought, strong 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 245 
 
 intellect and good memory. For a 
 number of years he was almost blind, 
 and not being able to read on this ac- 
 count, he had to depend upon his 
 memory, and it was remarkable how 
 he could call to mind, and locate, most 
 any passage of Scripture in the Bible 
 which he needed to connect a chain 
 of thought. He began his ministerial 
 duties at Sugar Creek Church in Ed- 
 gar County, 111., in 1843, and for thirty 
 years was a faithful pastor. He was 
 a noted pulpit orator, stood well 
 amc'ng the Baptists and was favored 
 to baptize hundreds in the fellowship 
 of his churches during his ministry. 
 He traveled extensively during his 
 life. At the time of his death he was 
 a member of Providence Church 
 which was organized in 1844, and 
 which he served as pastor for many 
 years. 
 
 D. B. SHIFFIELD. 
 
 Shiffield, Elder D. B., of Fort 
 Pierce, Fla., was born March 8, 1840, 
 convicted of sin and given a hope in 
 the Saviour of sinners in youth and 
 united with the Primitive Baptists 
 November, 18G6, and was baptized by 
 Elder J. E. W. Smith. He was soon 
 impressed with the duty of preaching 
 Jesus to others, but as he had no ad- 
 vantages of an education when young, 
 and was unable to read, he felt that 
 to preach was an impossibility. His 
 wife, whose maiden name was Miss 
 Debbie Miller, — to whcm he was mar- 
 ried in 1866, soon after his return j 
 from the war, was fairly well educat- 
 ed, and became her husband's teacher, j 
 and her pupil was an apt one and 
 was soon reading the Bible with ease. J 
 
 But Jonah-like, he for many years ran 
 from duty and suffered many trials. 
 His mind was so deeply impressed 
 that there was a work for him to do 
 in South Florida, that he moved there 
 in 1870, was soon ordained, and since 
 has had the care of several churches. 
 Elder Shiffield is an experimental 
 preacher, sound in the doctrine of sal- 
 vation by grace and faithful in the 
 cause of Christ. 
 
 J. H. SHIRLEY. 
 
 Shirley, Elder J. H., of Ohio, was 
 born in Laurens District, S. C, April 
 20, 1828,— moved to Alabama 1832; 
 settled in the Indian Nation, Cham- 
 bers County, where he suffered all the 
 hardships incident to a new country; 
 was married in 1849 to Miss Martha 
 Copeland. One child was born to this 
 union, and it and its mother died in 
 1851. He received a hope in Jesus in 
 1844 and in July, 1852, joined the 
 church of Christ at Emaus in Chamb- 
 ers County, Ala., was baptized by Elder 
 J. M. Duke, and was married the sec- 
 ond time to Miss Mary A. L. Sanders 
 in 1852. To this union were born four 
 children, three of whom are still liv- 
 ing. He went through the war between 
 the states; was wounded in his right 
 arm, making him a cripple for life; 
 began preaching in 1871; was ordain- 
 ed about 1872, and for many years 
 served four churches regularly. He 
 moved to Shelby County, Ala., about 
 1890 and has since lived there. He is 
 able in the defense of the doctrine, 
 and an earnest worker in his Masters' 
 vineyard; and, the best part of it was, 
 he has walked as he talked. He is now 
 past his eightieth mile-post, and it 
 will not be long till his gray head, 
 wrinkled face, and his stooped body 
 will be changed for the grand beau- 
 ties cf youth with a goMen crown in 
 that beautiful world above. 
 
 A. S. SHOEMAKER. 
 
 Shoemaker, Elder A. S., of Ohio, 
 was born, March 9. 1S32, in Delaware 
 County, O., in what was then an al- 
 most unbroken wilderness, near where 
 he now lives. His father and mother 
 were Primitive Baptists, and were in 
 the constitution of Alum Creek 
 Church, June, 1835, now located in the 
 village of Ashley, O. His father died 
 when he was ten years of age, leaving 
 a mother with four children, of whom 
 
246 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 he was the eldest. Hence he knew 
 something of the privatichs of a fath- 
 erless boy in a new country. In early 
 life he became concerned about him- 
 self as a poor sinner. In December, 
 1852, when in his twenty-first year, af- 
 ter many hours of sorrrtw, he was 
 made to rejoice in a precious hope. 
 July 21, 1853, he was married. In De- 
 cember, 1853, he went to the church 
 of which he is now a member and was 
 baptized. His wife became a member 
 a few years later. He soon began to 
 be exercised in mind about preaching, 
 but tried to keep it hid. The church 
 
 A. S. SHOEMAKER 
 
 feeling that the Lord had blessed 
 him witn a eift, he was liberated, 
 October 8, 18G4, and after having 
 twice refused to submit to the will 
 of the church, was ordained, May 9, 
 1868. He has served churches contin- 
 uously to the present time and is now 
 serving fcur churches. His wife, who 
 was the mother of four children, de- 
 voted to her family and to the church, 
 died November 25, 1894, in the tri- 
 umph of faith. April 3, 1898, he was 
 again married, and was again blessed 
 with a loving and agreeable compan- 
 ion, with whom he was permitted to 
 live ctaly nine years and seven 
 months, when he was again bereft of 
 such endearing companionship. Elder 
 Shoemaker is an humble, faithful and 
 useful minister and highly esteemed 
 by those among whom he labors. 
 
 united with the New School Baptists 
 in June, 1870, but becoming dissatis- 
 fied with them and feeling they were 
 not contending for the faith once de- 
 livered unto the saints he united with 
 
 W. M. SHOEMAKER. 
 
 Shoemaker, Elder W. M., of Ashley, 
 O. This able and faithful "soldier of 
 the cross' was born near Ashley, Del- 
 aware County, O., November 27, 185G; 
 
 W. M. SHOEMAKER 
 
 the Old School Baptists at Alum 
 Creek Church, October 2, 187G, and 
 was baptized by Elder L. B. Sher- 
 wood. He commenced preaching in 
 1888 and was ordained December, 
 1891, and now has the care of three 
 churches. Elder Shoemaker was, in 
 August, 187G, married to Miss Lucy 
 Sherwood. He is zealous in the cause 
 of truth and highly esteemed among 
 his people. 
 
 BENJAMIN SHORT. 
 
 Short, Elder Benjamin, of West Vir- 
 ginia, son of William and Sarah Short, 
 was born in Wyoming County, W. Va., 
 December 30, 185G, and died March 
 4, 1893. Early in life it pleased the 
 Lord to show him his sinful condition 
 by nature and what he must be by 
 grace to see God in peace. Soon he 
 was given a hope in the Saviour; 
 united with the Primitive Baptists, 
 and in a few years was ordained to 
 the work of the ministry. He proved 
 faithful until the end and finished 
 his course in the triumphs of a living 
 faith. 
 
 ASA D. SHORT. 
 
 Short, Elder Asa D., of Floyd, Va., 
 son of Joseph N. and Mary Short, was 
 born in Floyd County, Va., April 17, 
 1842. His opportunities for an educa- 
 tion were very limited — his school 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 247 
 
 days altogether amounting to about 
 six months. When about twelve years 
 of age he was deeply concerned about 
 salvation, and though this interest re- 
 mained with him through all the years 
 c/f youth and early manhood and fol- 
 lowed him even amid the carnage of 
 battle — for he was a soldier in the 
 late war and realized the providential 
 care of God especially at the battle of 
 Missionary Ridge — yet he had no well 
 grcunded hope in the Saviour or a 
 fleeling sense of the forgiveness of his 
 sins until his twenty-sixth year. This 
 hope in the Saviour was preceded by 
 about two years of gloom, despond- 
 ency and a feeling that he had "sinned 
 away his day of grace" and that there 
 was no hope for him. When he was 
 delivered of this burden of condemna- 
 tion he was impressed with the duty 
 of baptism and that he must preach 
 Jesus to others. He united with the 
 Primitive Baptists April, 1868, was 
 baptized by Elder T. L. Roberson, 
 began preaching one month after- 
 wards and was ordained September, 
 1873, by Elders Daniel Conners, G. L. 
 Tuggle and W. H. Dodd. Elder Short 
 now has the care of four churches, 
 is faithful and zealous and feels ac- 
 countable to the Lord for his stew- 
 ardship. In 1866 he was married to 
 Miss Sarah C. Graham, which union 
 was blessed with ten children, six of 
 whom are now living. 
 
 A. A. SHOULTZ. 
 
 Shoultz, Elder A. A., of Owensville, 
 Ind., was born in Pike County, Febru- 
 ary 25, 1862, moved to Missouri with 
 his mother when a boy, had poor ad- 
 vantages of an education but was an 
 
 apt schclar and close observer, at- 
 tended Sunday School in youth but 
 enjoyed riding his mother's mule to 
 the Missionary Church much better 
 than he did reading the lessons. How- 
 ever their teaching seemed to be 
 about right — that we could not be sav- 
 ed withe ut being good, and we could 
 not be good without doing good, and 
 it depended altogether on what we did 
 in regard to being saved. But his 
 mother, who was a Primitive Baptist, 
 would tell him that salvation all de- 
 pended on what the Lord did for 
 sinners, and that they were saved 
 through the mercy and grace of God. 
 But he was not interested in either 
 way of salvation very much until 
 eighteen years old, when he learned 
 by experience that it would net do to 
 depend on human merit, and the plan 
 of salvation that his mother advocated 
 was the only plan that would save a 
 condemned sinner like himself. At the 
 age of twenty he moved back to In- 
 diana and lived with his uncle who 
 was a Primitive Baptist; when he 
 went with him to his meeting the 
 preacher advocated the same plan of 
 salvation that his mother taught. And 
 in spite of all the hard things he had 
 heard said against the Primitive Bap- 
 tists he loved them and their doctrine, 
 offered himself to Little Zion Church 
 in Pike County, Ind., 1882, and was 
 received and baptized by their pastor, 
 Elder J. \V. Richardson. He was soon 
 impressed to preach the gospel but 
 tried to keep it to himself. In this he 
 failed, — the church knew his secret, 
 liberated him, and in 1888 he was or- 
 dained and has since had the care of 
 churches, and is now preaching for 
 some of the churches that the late 
 Lemuel Potter served. Elder Shoultz 
 is an able, energetic and faithful min- 
 ister and has for many years served 
 as moderator of the Salem Associa- 
 tion. He is satisfied with the old fash- 
 ion church and wants no doctrine and 
 practice in his churches not taught in 
 the New Testament. 
 
 NOAH SHOWALTER. 
 
 Showalter, Elder Noah, of Illinois, 
 was born in Virginia, September 25, 
 1826, and died February 19, 1906, in 
 his seventy-ninth year of age. He unit- 
 ed with the Primitive Baptists about 
 the year 1854, was ordained deaccto 
 four years later and in 1862 was set 
 apart for the work of the gospel min- 
 istry. All this was done by the Little 
 Rock Church, Cass County, 111., and 
 
248 
 
 PRTMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 soon afterwards Elder Showalter 
 moved to Iowa and later to Kansas. 
 Later he settled in Moscow, Idaho, 
 and had the care of churches most 
 of his ministerial life and was loved 
 by those among whom he labored. 
 
 L. C SHREWSBURY. 
 
 Shrewsbury, Elder L. C, of Beckley, 
 W. Va., is the faithful pastor of 
 churches within the bounds of Indian 
 Creek Baptist Association, and has for 
 some time served as moderator of this 
 body and it is with regret that an 
 extended notice of his life and labors 
 could not appear. 
 
 ASA SIDBURRY. 
 
 Sidburry, Elder Asa (1804-1882), of 
 North Carolina. This faithful minister 
 who peacefully passed over "the river" 
 in the seventy-eighth year of his age 
 was indeed a father in Israel. His ten- 
 derness, fatherly care and wholesome 
 advice will long be remembered by 
 his churches. He was in the constitu- 
 tion of the White Oak Baptist Asso- 
 ciation, also* in the constitution of the 
 Yopps Church, which took place 
 1835, He was ordained deacon Decem- 
 ber, 1843, and he filled that office un- 
 til the Lord was pleased to call him 
 to a more noble work. He was then 
 ordained to the ministry in Septem- 
 ber, 1847, by Elders Jcsiah Smith and 
 Samuel Holt. He was then chosen 
 pastor of the Yopps Church and after 
 wards had the care of other churches 
 in the bounds of the "White Oak Asso- 
 ciation which he faithfully served un- 
 til his warfare was ended. In life he 
 was useful and highly esteemed — in 
 the hour of death, calm, resigned and 
 hcpefully triumphant;, and when his 
 friends would come to see him and 
 try to cheer him by telling him 
 they hoped he would soon get better 
 he would tell them not to hope that 
 for he did not want to get better in 
 this world, but longed to see the mo- 
 ment come that would release him 
 from this world, and he would beg 
 his weeping wife and friends not to 
 grieve after him for he would be bet- 
 ter off, and the last words he was ever 
 heard to say were, "farewell vain 
 world, I bid you adieu.' 
 
 MATTHEW SIKES. 
 
 Sikes, Elder Matthew (1825-1900), 
 of Geofrgia, was a most devoted and 
 
 able minister. He preached for a num- 
 ber of years in a section where there 
 were but few Primitive Baptist 
 Churches — using school houses and 
 churches of other orders, private 
 houses and often in the woods at 
 neighborhood gatherings. Under his 
 ministry, several churches were es- 
 tablished. He bore many burdens 
 alone and did not receive the financial 
 help from the brotherhood that was 
 due him. Nevertheless he himself was 
 faithful. In the pulpit he was eloquent 
 and convincing, and in private life 
 humble and childlike. His character 
 was clean and strong. He stood at his 
 post of duty for thirty years and few 
 persons ever showed greater self-de- 
 nial, and more fervent zeal in the 
 cause of truth. 
 
 E. B. SIMMONS. 
 
 Simmons, Elder E. B., of Hunting- 
 ton, Tenn., was born in Carroll Coun- 
 ty, Tenn.; obtained a hope in Jesus 
 when about sixteen years eld; united 
 with the Primitive Baptist Church in 
 his twentieth year and was ordained 
 to the ministry November 23, 1890. 
 He has served several churches as 
 pastor and has traveled and preached 
 in several states. Elder Simmons is 
 moderator of the Big Sandy Associa- 
 tion of Tennessee and is greatly be- 
 loved by his people. As a business 
 man and teacher he has also been 
 prominent. He taught school for twen- 
 ty-two years, merchandised for two 
 years, was one of the promoters of the 
 Dixie Telephone Company in Ten- 
 nessee and Kentucky and served as 
 its president; is also connected as di- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 249 
 
 rector and representative of other bus- 
 iness enterprises of his town and 
 state, and has the confidence of his 
 neighbors and business associates. 
 
 W. A. SIMPKINS. 
 
 Simpkins, Elder W. A., of Raleigh, 
 N. C., is a young minister of recogniz- 
 ed gifts and many admirable traits of 
 character. He has the pastoral care of 
 Mt. Gilead, the church at Raleigh and 
 other churches, and his labors in the 
 Master's kingdom have been blessed to 
 the cc'mfort, edification and instruc- 
 tion of many of God's children. Elder 
 Simpkins is also a valued correspond- 
 ent of Zion's Landmark, a lover of 
 peace and satisfied with the order of 
 God's house. 
 
 ALLEN SISK. 
 
 Sisk, Elder Allen, of Excelsior 
 Springs, Mo., was born in Cocke Coun- 
 ty, Tenn., December 9, 1833, and unit- 
 ed with the Primitive Baptist Church, 
 called New Garden, Ray County, Mo., 
 in August, 1859, where he was or- 
 dained in August, 186G. In his youth 
 he was wild and reckless, but since 
 called to follow the Lord Jesus he 
 has been a faithful soldier of the cross 
 and serves the churches acceptably. 
 E'der Sisk has for a number of years 
 been moderator of the Fishing River 
 Association and is greatly loved by 
 the churches. He is a safe, sound and 
 worthy minister. 
 
 JOHN W. SKAGGS. 
 
 Skaggs, Elder John W., of Kansas 
 City, Mo., was born in Cass County, 
 111., February 21, 1839, and grew to 
 manhood in that state, experienced 
 a hope in Christ in 1861, was married 
 to Miss Lucy C. Hawthorn in 1867, 
 moved to Kansas in the fall of 1867, 
 and united with the Primitive Baptists 
 November, 1869, and was baptized by 
 Elder A. H. Mahuron. He began speak- 
 ing in public in 1872, moved to Fort 
 Scctt in November, 1874, where his 
 wife died April 13, 1875. In July of 
 the same year he returned to Illinois, 
 united with Little Flock Church by 
 letter and was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry in 1S76. While 
 there he was married to Miss Anna 
 M. Ellis, September, 1880. Elder 
 Skaggs has served several churcnes 
 as pastor and assistant pastor and 
 has traveled considerably in the mid- 
 dle west and some of the western 
 states. 
 
 MITCHEL SLOAN. 
 
 Sloan, Elder Mitchel, of Tenn., was 
 born May 10, 1824, and died March 26, 
 1907, having passed the eighty-fourth 
 mile post. He united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church about the year of 
 1845, and was baptized by Elder Wm. 
 Tacket, in fellowship with the Old 
 Chloe Church, and began his ministry 
 soon afterwards. He contended earn- 
 estly for the faith once delivered to 
 the saints, and was not. carried about 
 by every wind of doctrine. He was 
 pastor of Raccoon, Philadelphia, and 
 Greasy Creek Churches for a number 
 of years . He was noted for his good 
 
250 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 memory, and in his extreme old age 
 was able to read fine print without 
 glasses. He died strong in the faith 
 of salvation in Jesus. 
 
 ISAAC SKELTON. 
 
 Skelton, Elder Isaac, of Loveland, 
 Iowa, was born in Putnam County, 
 Ind., December 24, 1840, and united 
 with the Old School Baptist Church 
 called Council Bluffs in Pottawatta- 
 mie County, Iowa, in 1864. He was or- 
 dained as deacon of the church in 
 1873, and was ordained as minister of 
 the gospel in 1877.. in which office he 
 was faithful. He died December 25, 
 1892. 
 
 ABNER SMITH. 
 
 Smith, Eider Abner, of Texas. This 
 faithful minister moved from Alabama 
 about the year 1832 and settled in 
 Bartrc<p County. He was one of the 
 pioneer preachers of Texas, and with 
 others, constituted Providence Church 
 about the year 1S33. He was strong in 
 the faith of God's salvation in Jesus 
 for all the seed of promise and stood 
 firm for Bible doctrine and practice in 
 the great division 1827-1835, and the 
 editor regrets that a more complete 
 sketch could not be given. 
 
 JOB SMITH. 
 
 Smith, Elder Job (1821-1906), was 
 born in Onslow County, N. C., united 
 with the Primitive Baptists at White 
 
 Oak Church 1845, began preaching 
 soon afterward and was ordained in 
 1870 by Elders John Hewett and Bry- 
 an Whitford. He was soon called to 
 the care of White Oak, Wardsville 
 and North East Churches and served 
 
 JOB SMITH 
 
 them faithfully as long as he was able 
 to travel. He was an old fashion 
 preacher and a lover of peace and 
 fellowship. Brother Smith served as 
 First Lieutenant in the North Carolina 
 militia during the Mexican war, and 
 was in all the relations of life a plain, 
 straightforward, honest man. 
 
 E. C. SMITH. 
 
 Smith, Elder E. C. (1869-1899), ot 
 North Carolina, was convicted of sin 
 in early life and united with the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church. He was, some 
 years afterwards ordained to the min- 
 istry and served churches in the east- 
 ern part of the state, but a suitable re- 
 cord of his labors cannot, for lack of 
 data, be given. 
 
 HENRY SPEAR. 
 
 Spear, Elder Henry, of Pennsylva- 
 nia, who died in 1840, was truly a fath- 
 er in Israel, and a beloved brother in 
 Christ. He had long stood on 
 the spiritual walls of the Zion of God, 
 in this militant state. For nearly half 
 a century he was an indefatigable 
 minister of the New Testament. When 
 he commenced his ministry the coun- 
 try was new and there were very few 
 Baptists on the western side of the 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 251 
 
 Allegheny mountains — nut few roads, 
 and they were over mountains and ex- 
 tensive wilds, abounding with beasts 
 of prey. All these hardships trials, 
 dangers and perils he encountered and 
 endured with the unyielding courage 
 of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He 
 sought out the residence of the poor 
 cottager of the wood; preached to 
 him Jesus Christ the only way, the 
 truth, the life and salvation, and as- 
 sisted in gathering many churches in 
 various parts of this country (most of 
 which became members of Redstone 
 Association) ; and labored constantly 
 with his hands to supply his numer- 
 ous family and friends; he fed the 
 hungry, clothed the naked, gave couch 
 to the wearry traveler; did much in 
 different ways by labor, counsel and 
 cash, to sustain and to entertain the 
 churches and brethren both at home 
 and abroad. 
 
 R. T. SPEIGHT. 
 
 Speight, Elder R. T. (1811-1900), 
 Breeman, Ga., was born in Darlington 
 District, S. C, raised by Methodist pa- 
 rents, and spent his youth in folly, 
 and as he wrote, neither hoping for 
 heaven ncr caring for hell. But God 
 who is rich in mercy cared for him 
 when he did not care for himself, 
 brought him to see and repent of his 
 sins, gave him a sweet hope in Jesus 
 and enabled him to take up the cross 
 November, 1834, and was baptized by 
 Elder Mitchell Bennett into the fellow- 
 ship of Bay Creek Church, Walton 
 Cciunty, Ga. He had impressions to 
 preach before he was baptized, but dis- 
 obeyed the heavenly call, was greatly 
 afflicted and brought very low in sor- 
 row's vale. In 1843 he agreed to sub- 
 mit to the Lord and His church, was 
 ordained by Elders Henry Haynes, 
 Moses H. Denman and Allen Pensan. 
 Elder Speight was a useful minister, 
 was in the constitution of several 
 churches, assisted in many ordination 
 exercises of elders and deacons, bap- 
 tized and married many persons, and 
 faithfully served four churches almost 
 continuously until his death. 
 
 regretted that a more extended sketch 
 of Elder Spinks' life and labors could 
 not appear. 
 
 J. D. SPINKS. 
 
 Spinks, Elder J. D., of Lawhon, La., 
 is moderator of the Louisiana Primi- 
 tive Baptist Association and the faith- 
 ful pastor of Mt. Olive and other 
 churches of this association and it is 
 
 JOHN STADLER. 
 
 Stadler, Elder John, of Caswell 
 County, N. C, died March 8, 1860. He 
 was an eminent servant of the Most 
 High God and noted for his faithful 
 stewardship. For twenty-one consec- 
 utive years he was appointed by his 
 association — the Country Line — as a 
 messenger to the Kehukee Association 
 and never failed but once to attend 
 in that pericd of time. He was a man 
 of sound judgment, wide influence 
 and good deportment, and as a minis- 
 ter, was able, firm and faithful. 
 
 C. W. STALLINGS. 
 
 Stallings, Elder C. W., of Georgia, 
 was born April 15, 1861, and died No- 
 vember 14, 1905; at eighteen years of 
 age he was married to Miss Dora 
 Howell, and they lived agreeably to- 
 gether until his death. They raised six 
 children — the youngest nine years eld 
 at the death of the father. Three 
 daughters united with the church of 
 his membership. One died in infancy. 
 There were four girls and three boys 
 in all. He united with the Methodist 
 church in his eighteenth year, and 
 lived a strict member -with them for 
 six years. He joined the Old School 
 or Primitive Baptists at Cat Creek 
 Church, in Lowndes County, Ga., in 
 1886, and was baptized by his father, 
 Elder T. W. Stallings, and in 1889 he 
 was licensed. In 1891 he was ordained 
 to the full functions of the gospel 
 ministry by Elders A. V. Simms, W. H. 
 Tomberlin, J. A. O'Steen, and T. W. 
 Stallings. And since that time he 
 spent much of his time in faithfully 
 serving the churches under his care. 
 He was sorely afflicted for fourteen 
 years; and during the last seven years 
 of his life he was carried in an invalid 
 chair, and sat down while preaching. 
 Yet, he continued faithful to the end. 
 Three of the churches he served for 
 eight years, and enly missed four con- 
 ferences during all that time. He was 
 equally as faithful to his family. For 
 two years of the latter part of his life 
 he was unable to feed himself, but 
 yet he served the Baptists and his 
 family faithfully manifesting the very 
 same love for them and for the cause 
 of Christ that he ever did. He baptized 
 about 200 members before he became 
 
252 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 unable to administer that ordinance; 
 and married many people. He assisted 
 in the constitution of six or eight 
 churches, assisted in the ordination of 
 five or six preachers and twelve dea- 
 cons, ever seeming willing to make 
 any sacrifice for the cause of Christ 
 that was needful on his part, and to 
 prove the life of an honest man. He 
 at one time turned over all he pos- 
 sessed of worldly goods to his debtors, 
 and trusted the Lord for his living, 
 proving that he was seeking God and 
 His kingdom, believing that all need- 
 ful things wculd be added to him, 
 which was proven in his case. He 
 surely fought the good fight of faith 
 and died as he had lived — trusting 
 alone in the merits of a crucified and 
 arisen Saviour. 
 
 JOHN A. STAMPER. 
 
 Stamper, Elder John A., of North 
 Carolina. Among the faithful ministry 
 of the old, time-honored Kehukee As- 
 sociation of a half century ago, stood 
 Elder John A. Stamper. Upright in 
 life, modest in appearance, chaste in 
 conversation, sound and well-grounded 
 in the doctrine of God our Saviour, he 
 was a useful man in his day and gen- 
 eration and an able minister of the 
 New Testament. He united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at Kehukee Church 
 about 1S4S, licensed to preach May, 
 1854, ordained April, 1855; was twice 
 married — first to Miss Eliza Whitaker 
 in 1823, and after her death, to Miss 
 Martha Whitehead in 1831. By the 
 first union two children were born, 
 and eight by the second. In the 
 triumphs of faith he fell asleep in 
 Jesus July 9, 1876, at a ripe old age, 
 and after an honorable and useful pil- 
 grimage. ■ 
 
 L. STARLING. 
 
 Starling, Elder L., of Luraville, Fla.. 
 is the moderator of San Pedro Prim- 
 itive Baptist Association of Florida, 
 and the faithful pastor cf churches 
 within the bounds of this association, 
 and the editor regrets that informa- 
 tion for a more extended sketch could 
 not be obtained. 
 
 JOSEPH L. STATON. 
 
 Stalon, Elder Joseph L. (1836-1891), 
 
 cf Delaware. This gifted, faithful and 
 much beloved minister was impressed 
 with the gospel ministry before he 
 united with the church. He made a 
 
 public profession of Jesus when about 
 thirty-eight years of age, was soon 
 licensed and in 1879 was ordained. 
 He was soon called to the care of 
 churches and unselfishly labored for 
 their peace and prosperity until his 
 death in his fifty-fifth year of age. As 
 a proof of his pastoral qualifications 
 there were in his churches spiritual 
 fruits and a steady growth of member- 
 ship, while no jar ever occurred nor 
 the sound of discord or dissatisfaction 
 was ever heard. It is with regret that 
 a more detailed record of Elder Sta- 
 ton's life and labors cannot be given. 
 
 W. F. STATON. 
 
 Staton, Elder W. F., of Scotland, 
 Neck, N. C, has for many years been 
 a faithful minister of churches within 
 the bounds of the old Kehukee Asso- 
 ciation, and is highly esteemed for 
 the truth's sake. Kind, tender and 
 affectionate, he is a comfort to Zion 
 and a lover of peace among her chil- 
 dren. The editor regrets that for lack 
 of sufficient information a more ex- 
 tended notice could not appear of 
 this useful minister. 
 
 JUBAL STEARNS. 
 
 Stearns, Elder Jubal. This eminent 
 servant of God was born in Boston, 
 Mass., in the year 1706. Early in life 
 he was a Pedo-Baptist but upon exam- 
 ination of the word cf God he became 
 convinced that to follow Jesus he 
 must be immersed. He was also made 
 to see the error of infant baptism, 
 renounced such practices and was 
 baptized by Elder Wait Palmer, at 
 Talland, Conn., 1751, and was ordain- 
 ed to the ministry the same year. He 
 traveled extensively and was one of 
 the pioneer preachers of Virginia and 
 North Carolina, and finally settled at 
 Guilford Court House, N. G, where he 
 was greatly blessed of the Lord. A 
 church of sixteen members was or- 
 ganized, known as Sandy Creek, 
 which soon increased in number to 
 about six hundred. The influence cf 
 this church was great and many 
 churches were soon built up from this 
 small beginning. Elder Stearns was a 
 man of small stature, with but little 
 learning, but was a gifted speaker. 
 His voice was musical, his eye pene- 
 trating and many wonderful conver- 
 sions are reported under his preach- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 253 
 
 ing. He died in the realization of a 
 Saviour's love November 20, 1771, and 
 was buried near Sandy Creek meeting 
 house. 
 
 JOHN S. STEERS. 
 
 Steers, Elder John S., of Dry Ridge, 
 Ky., was born October 30, 1868, in 
 Grant County, Ky., of Wm. H. and 
 Elizabeth (Conrad) Steers, and labor- 
 ed on the farm until he was twenty 
 years of age, attending school some 
 in the winter months. His father gave 
 him his freedom at twenty and he at- 
 tended college until he could get a 
 first-class certificate to teach school. 
 He taught school two years, then 
 went to school at Lebanon, O., from 
 which school he graduated. Since that 
 time he has farmed two j-ears, worked 
 at the carpenter's trade one year, run 
 a general store three years and for 
 the past five years has been cashier 
 of the Farmers Bank of Equity of his 
 town. He united with the Primitive 
 or Old School Baptist Church in 1886, 
 began preaching in 1890, was ordained 
 to the work of the ministry August 
 29, 1896, has traveled and preached in 
 nearly half of the states of the Unicn, 
 and has baptiztd and married a great 
 many people. E'der Steers is one of 
 the busiest of men. He is at present 
 cashier of the Farmers Bank of Equi- 
 ty, member of legislature — re-elected 
 without opposition ; president of news- 
 paper corporation, and connected with 
 other enterprises of his town. His 
 wife — who was Miss Lena A. Bracht — 
 to whom he was married in 1903, is 
 of great assistance to her husband. 
 She is quite an expert banker, and in 
 office work, can do almost anything 
 her husband can, is interested in her 
 
 husband's ministerial labors and 
 urges him to attend his appointments 
 and to also preach among the 
 churches as much as possible. They 
 bear the gospel yoke together go far 
 as she can enter into her husband's 
 labors, and to them both it is a labcs* 
 of love. 
 
 PATEN STEPHENS. 
 
 Stephens, Elder Paten, of Columbia, 
 Mo., was born in Rockingham County, 
 N. C, in the year of 1777, and united 
 with Liberty Church, in Kentucky. He 
 moved to Callaway County, Mci, about 
 the year 1820, and constituted Cedar 
 Creek Church, in whose bounds he re- 
 mained until his death, which occur- 
 red April 2, 1865. He withstood the 
 new Mission system firmly and held 
 the esteem of his brethren to the 
 end. For a number of years he was 
 moderator of the Salem Association. 
 Elder Stephens was a profound reas- 
 oner, a good orator and held the re- 
 spect of all good men who knew him. 
 
 J. K. STEPHENS. 
 
 Stephens, Elder J. K., of Ball Knob, 
 Ark., the third son of Jeremiah and 
 Emaline Stephens and brother of Dr. 
 Jas. B. and Dr. (Eld.) J. Bunyan 
 Stephens was born in Marshall Coun- 
 ty, January 5, 1838. He was a soldier 
 in the Confederate army and a mem- 
 ber of Gen. N. B. Forest's escort; pro- 
 fessed a hope in the Saviour in Sep- 
 tember, 1866, and united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at Big Flat Creek 
 Church in Williamson Ccunty, Tenn., 
 Saturday, the last day of 1866, and 
 
254 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 was baptized Sunday the first day of 
 1867, by his father, Elder Jeremiah 
 Stephens. Having- finished his course 
 in the medical college at Nashville, he 
 located in 1867, at Dukesdom, Tenn., 
 and began the practice of medicine 
 which he had to give up in 1889 on 
 account of blindness. Here he was 
 married December 6, 1868, to Miss 
 Bettie Lovelace, and was, in 1874, or- 
 dained to the work of the gospel min- 
 istry by Elders W. A. Bowden, N. W. 
 Little, R. Ross, N. G. Phillips and W. 
 P. O'Kelly. Elder Stephens has faith- 
 fully served several churches during 
 his ministry, and has traveled and 
 preached in seventeen different states, 
 but in recent years has refused to ac- 
 cept the care of churches. At present 
 he is an invalid, and has been for sev- 
 eral years, but notwithstanding the 
 many sorrows and trials he has passed 
 through — as the loss of five of his six 
 children, the loss of eyesight and the 
 giving away of health, he still feels 
 the Lord has been good to him, and, 
 like Jacob of old, is patiently waiting 
 for God's salvation. His only living 
 child — Mrs. Ella S. Moore, her hus- 
 band and their oldest son Stephen — 
 are all members of their honored fath- 
 er's church; and with this faithful 
 and pleasant family our aged brother 
 and his loyal companion are spending 
 the evening of their life. Dr. Steph- I 
 ens was a successful practitioner 
 when following his profession, has 
 been an earnest, able and faithful min- 
 ister of the New Testament, favorably | 
 received where he has traveled and j 
 preached among Baptists and is high- 
 ly esteemed at home. 
 
 EDMUND STEPHENS. 
 
 Stephens, Elder Edmund, of Erlang- 
 er, Ky. The following brief notice of 
 Elder Stephens is from Elder Potter's 
 book published 1895, and is here re- 
 produced for want of data from, which 
 to write a more extended sketch. "He 
 was born in Kentucky, on the 29 th 
 day of June, 1810, and joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church and was 
 baptized on the second Sunday in Feb- 
 ruary, 1842. He was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry in 1854. Will be 
 85 years old June 29, 1895, and is now 
 the pastor of one church, and visits 
 several others when the weather is 
 pleasant." 
 
 J. BUNYAN STEPHENS. 
 
 Stephens, Eider J. Bunyan, of Nash- 
 ville, Tenn., was born February 5, 
 
 1836, united with the Primitive Bap- 
 tist Church in 1854, was ordained to 
 the ministry August 14, 1859, and has 
 been the paster of South College 
 Street Church in Nashville, Tenn., for 
 over forty-three years. He has during 
 that time, resigned three times only 
 to be refused by the church and again 
 called to its care. And the last time 
 
 J. BUNYAN STEPHENS 
 
 he resigned he was called by the 
 church for the remainder of his nat- 
 ural life. Ever since he was ordained, 
 and for a short time before, he has, 
 in connection with his ministerial 
 work, practiced medicine; and for the 
 past twenty-five years has lectured in 
 the medical department of the Univer- 
 sity of Tennessee. Elder Stephens is 
 an able advocate of the doctrine of 
 God our Saviour as maintained by the 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists. For 
 nearly half a century he has preached 
 Jesus the way, the truth and the life; 
 nor has he seen any reason to adul- 
 terate the doctrine of grace or to 
 change the order of God's house. He is 
 satisfied with the practice of the apos- 
 tolic church. To move therefrom 
 would not be progressive but retro- 
 gressive, for their doctrine and their 
 practice is perfect and cannot, there- 
 fore, be improved. And though Elder 
 Stephens has passed his three score 
 and ten, yet he is still active and. 
 faithful to his charge; and his church, 
 is perhaps, the only one among our 
 people in the United States that has 
 services every Sunday at 11 o'clock 
 and at night. The editor regrets that 
 he could not obtain data for a more 
 extended notice of the life and labors 
 of this gifted and zealous laborer in 
 the Master's vineyard. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 255 
 
 W. A. STEWART. 
 
 Stewart, Elder W. A., of Floyd 
 County, Ky. After a life of usefulness 
 and many years of devotion to the 
 cause of truth in the gospel this be- 
 loved brother quit the shores of time 
 March 3, 1S93. He was a good citizen, 
 kind neighbor, able minister, and 
 faithful to his churches, and the editor 
 regrets that a more suitable notice of 
 his life and labors could not appear. 
 
 G. W. STEWART. 
 
 Stewart, Elder G. W., of Akron, 
 Hale County, Ala. This gifted brother 
 was born in Autaugaville, Ala., May 
 17, 1S51, and raised by Christian pa- 
 rents. His father, Jeremiah C. Stew- 
 art, was a strict member, and his 
 grandfather was an elder in the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church. Early in youth 
 Elder Stewart manifested a desire for 
 research and a spirit of self-righteous- 
 ness. In his eighteenth year he read the 
 entire Bible through, felt elated in his 
 mind and exalted in his opinion of 
 himself. He would not join any church 
 but felt he could, at any time, become 
 a Christian, which he fully intended 
 tci do before he died, but wanted to 
 wait until a more convenient season. 
 When he heard the Primitive Baptists 
 preach he was perfectly astonished at 
 what he considered their doctrine, and 
 was one of the most bitter and deter- 
 mined enemies of the doctrine of sal- 
 vation by grace. He not only did not 
 believe the doctrine but abhored it, 
 and was determined to never believe 
 it. He felt real sorry and truly asham- 
 ed for anybody to know that he had 
 
 relatives that were so weak and igno- 
 rant as to believe such doctrine. But 
 in the fall of 1871, unexpectedly to 
 himself, he was convinced of the 
 truthfulness of the doctrine, but was 
 never able to claim a hope till the 
 spring of 1873. He was as completely 
 turned about in his views and opin- 
 ions, likes and dislikes as was the 
 Apostle Paul. In 1873 he was married 
 to Miss Catharine Elmira Allen, of 
 Hale County, daughter of Elder J. T. 
 Allen, and he and wife united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at Nebo, 
 Bibb County, in 1874, and were bap- 
 tized by Elder Allen. In 1882 he was 
 licensed and in 1885 was ordained by 
 Elders R. F. Papasan, J. D. McElroy, 
 and J. T. Stewart, and has since had 
 the care of churches, having served 
 Providence, the church of his mem- 
 bership continuously since his ordina- 
 tion. Elder Stewart is a strong writer, 
 was for sometime associate editor of 
 the Gospel Messenger and has writ- 
 ter two books that have been well 
 received among Baptists, entitled, 
 "Order and Disorder," and "The Two 
 Witnesses." These books are full of 
 wholesome instruction and valuable 
 information, and shows the Biblical 
 knowledge and general information 
 possessed by their author. 
 
 J. M. STEWART. 
 
 Stewart, Elder J. M. (1839-1904), of 
 Texas. Elder Stewart was born in 
 Georgia, and in 1865 was married to 
 Miss Fannie Patillo of Marietta, Ga. 
 This union was blessed with eleven 
 children. In 1891 he moved to Texas 
 and lived in this state until his death 
 — thirteen years later. He was ordain- 
 ed ab'iut 1866 and served churches 
 both in Georgia and Texas. He was 
 an able minister. His discourses were 
 pointed, forcible, instructive and gen- 
 tle, and it is with regret that a more 
 detailed notice of Elder Stewart could 
 not be given. 
 
 BENNETT STEWART. 
 
 Stewart, Elder Bennett, of Georgia, 
 was born in Warren County, Septem- 
 ber 15, 1822, and died at his home in 
 Taylor Ccmnty, February 15, 1897, of 
 general debility of body and mind. 
 Elder Stewart was well and favorably 
 known in his section of the country, 
 having lived here about a half cen- 
 tury. He kept himself well posted on 
 all points of public interest, and, being 
 
256 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 freely communicative, his views and 
 opinions were sought generally by 
 others and highly regarded, even by 
 those who differed with him. He was 
 a man of far more than ordinary 
 mind, and "where much is given much 
 is required," and with the gift invari- 
 ably comes the responsibility. This 
 Elder Stewart sensibly felt, and he 
 therefore was never vain, but invari- 
 ably humbled, when preferred or pro- 
 moted, which favors his neighbors and 
 fellcw-eitizens delighted to confer 
 upon him. He could, indeed, be hon- 
 ored by men, because God had honor- 
 ed him. Therefore, if he was chosen 
 as literary teacher or as orator of the 
 day on occasions of interest or to rep- 
 resent his county, all were delighted, 
 himself humbled, and the expectations 
 of his friends not disappointed; for he 
 always proved himself worthy and suf- 
 ficient for the occasion. Such was his 
 unusual, exemplary life and unusual 
 usefulness. But above all, and better 
 than all, Christ was revealed to him 
 as his Saviour, and, in obedience to 
 the command of his Saviour, he unit- 
 ed with the church at Prosperity in 
 1866, and was baptized by Elder J. 
 Rowe. He was chosen clerk of the 
 church in 1867, and chosen deacon in 
 1869. But the church soon discovered 
 in him what they considered the gift 
 of teaching and comforting the saints, 
 and accordingly liberated him to ex- 
 ercise that gift as he felt impressed. 
 He was, in 1879, ordained by Elders 
 John Rowe, J. R. Respess and J. G. 
 Murray. This was an obligation 
 which made him exceedingly fear and 
 quake. Elder Stewart was abundantly 
 blessed with those special graces 
 which so much adorn the profession 
 he made — meekness, lowliness of heart 
 and mind, forbearance, brotherly kind- 
 ness, resignation to the will of God, 
 without murmuring, either at birth or 
 death, heat or cold, prosperity, or ad- 
 versity, sickness or health. 
 
 J. T. STEWART. 
 
 Stewart, Elder J. T., of Tennessee, 
 was born August 11, 1848, in Jones 
 County, Ga. In early childhood he 
 moved with his parents — Jeremiah 
 and Nancy Stewart — to Alabama, 
 where he lived until 1904, when he 
 moved to Beaver's Creek, Tenn. When 
 six or seven years of age he was made 
 to realize the solemnity and fearfu'- 
 ness of death and would often resort 
 to a certain place nearby to try to 
 pray. These feelings eventually wore 
 
 away as he became mere infatuated 
 with the world. When about fourteen 
 years old he ran away from his pa- 
 rents and joined the Confederate 
 army where he remained until the 
 close of the war. It was, while in the 
 last engagement in the early part of 
 '65 while the missiles of death were 
 flying thick and fast, that he was 
 deeply convicted of sin and made to 
 mourn on account of it. When, some- 
 time afterward, this burden was re- 
 moved he had a strong desire to 
 unite with the church, which he did 
 
 J. T. STEWART 
 
 at Providence, Hale County, Ala., in 
 1868. Soon he was made to realize 
 that there were other duties for him 
 to perform. The church discovered his 
 gift, and he was soon licensed, and 
 in 1881 was ordained by Eiders J. J. 
 Akers, H. J. Redd and C. Whitworth. 
 He has since had the care of churches 
 — a part ofi the time serving five, is 
 sound in the faith, and zealous in the 
 cause of truth. In early life he was 
 married to Miss Rebecca Tommay, 
 daughter of Elder Hiram Tommay, 
 and the Lord has blessed them to rear 
 ten children.. 
 
 JAMES STINNETT. 
 
 Stinett, Elder James, of Texas, was 
 born December 4, 1817, in Marion 
 County, Tenn., and was the son ol 
 Samuel and Elizabeth Stinnett. He 
 joined Clarks Creek Church in Hen- 
 derson County, Tenn., in 1846 and 
 was baptized by Elder James Beaver. 
 In 1865 he moved to Texas and set- 
 tled in Hopkins County. Elder Stin- 
 nett was a man of sterling character. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 257 
 
 As a husband he was faithful and 
 true; as a father he was firm, oui 
 gentle and kind; as a minister cf 
 the gospel he was bold for the truth, 
 yet so sweet, kind and gentle., and it 
 is with regret that a more complete 
 sketch of his useful life could not be 
 given. ■ — 
 
 GEORGE Y. STIPP. 
 
 Stipp, Elder George Y., of Pulaski, 
 111., was born in Warren County, O., 
 April 13, 1S26, and died October 23. 
 18S6. He was of German de- 
 scent. His grandparents settled and 
 lived in Pennsylvania and Virginia. 
 As a boy he manifested a thirst for 
 knowledge and became a prominent 
 teacher, which profession he followed 
 until about 187G. He was also a suc- 
 cessful farmer and gave much study 
 to law and became well versed in its 
 fundamentals, though he did not fol- 
 low the profession as a practitioner. 
 He was married three times — 
 first to Miss America A. Smith. 
 This union was blessed with nine 
 children. His second wife was Miss 
 Mary E. Hughes, and after her 
 death in 1871, he was in 1875, married 
 to Miss Elizabeth H. Hursey. He 
 united with Hopewell Church in Ver- 
 million County, Ind., 1870, and began 
 preaching the same year, and was or- 
 dained in 1S75 by Elders J. A. Jclm- 
 son, James Ring and Pallas McCoy, 
 and until his death was a faithful min- 
 ister. Elder Stipp was a strong debater, 
 and his willingness to defend the prin- 
 ciples of salvation and all Bible truths 
 paved the way for several religious 
 discussions, in all of which he mani- 
 fested much Biblical knowledge and 
 ability. His last discussion was held 
 at Kenney, 111., in 1886. His opponent 
 
 was W. B. F. Treat, of Bloomington, 
 Ind., of the "Disciples of Christ." Mr, 
 Treat came very highly recommended 
 by the brotherhood of his faith. The 
 subjects discussed embraced, total de- 
 pravity, the quickening" of sinners (the 
 written word the essential means), 
 baptism essential to the remission of 
 sins, and church identity. The St. 
 Joseph correspondence of the Cham- 
 paign Signal had this to say: "For the 
 past week or so the village of Ken- 
 ney, 111., has been convulsed over a 
 series of religious debates between G. 
 Y. Stipp, of Vermillion County, 111., 
 and Rev. W. B. F. Treat, of Blooming- 
 ton, Ind. This discussion ended the 
 other day, and the logic used by Mr. 
 Stipp was so overwhelmingly superior 
 to that used by his antagonist that he 
 was universally declared to be the 
 champion in the debate. The people 
 of Kenney had manifested so much in- 
 terest in the matter, that when the 
 debate closed a number of the promi- 
 nent citizens of the place, non-church- 
 members, showed their appreciation 
 of the talent of Elder Stipp by club- 
 bing together and presenting him with 
 a handsome gold-headed, ebony cane. 
 Miss Sallie Turner made the presen- 
 tation speech, in which Mx. Stipp was 
 warmly thanked for his gentlemanly 
 demeanor during the discussion, and 
 for the ability with which he handled 
 the subjects." 
 
 JOHN STIPP. 
 
 Stipp, Elder John, of Oregon, was 
 born in Berkeley County, Va., Novem- 
 
258 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ber 10, 1806, and moving to Illinois in 
 the year 1832, there united with the 
 Primitive Baptists. He removed to Or- 
 egon in 1848, and was there ordained 
 in 1853, in Siloam Church. He was a 
 good writer and was mighty in the 
 Scriptures. He died November 23, 
 1892. Further information of this use- 
 ful minister's life and labors could not 
 be obtained by the editcr. 
 
 W. B. STRICKLAND. 
 
 Strickland, Elder W. B., of Scotland 
 Neck, N. C. This worthy brother was 
 born June 16, 1848. In early manhooa 
 he was convicted of sin and in his 
 twenty-eighth year of age was given 
 a sweet hope in Jesus as his sin-bear- 
 er. During the same year — 1876 — he 
 went home to his friends at Law- 
 rence's Church, Edgecombe County 
 N. C, and told them what great things 
 the Lord had done for him, was re- 
 ceived and baptized by Elder W. F. 
 Bell. Not long after this he was bur- 
 dened with the duty of preaching 
 Jesus to others, but unlike Paul, he 
 conferred with flesh and blood, and sc 
 unworthily did he feel and so unqual- 
 ified did he deem himself for the min- 
 isterial wcrk that he endeavored to 
 keep the secret in his own bosom, 
 earnestly plead with the Lord to re 
 lieve him of the impression and felt 
 that he would rather die than try to 
 preach. But God made him willing and 
 he was, in 1889 licensed, and soon 
 thereafter ordained, and has since 
 had the care of churches. Elder 
 Strickland is highly regarded by his 
 brethren, is sound in the faith and is 
 a comforting experimental preacher. 
 
 JAMES STRICKLAND. 
 
 Strickland, Elder James, of Fort 
 Branch, Ind., was born in the state of 
 Indiana, on the 27th day of October, 
 1818; joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church, about the year 1838, and was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry 
 about the year 1845. He was very 
 zealous in the building up of churches 
 and there was a period of ten years 
 in his life that he was in a revival. 
 He baptized one thousand people dur- 
 ing his ministry, He was strong in the 
 faith of the atonement, and was a 
 man of great piety and of good gen- 
 eral information. When he died in Oc- 
 tober, 1890, he was pastor cf Fort 
 Branch Church and was greatly loved 
 by his brethren. His labors were most- 
 ly confined to the churches of the Sa- 
 lem Association where his efforts 
 were greatly blessed. 
 
 RUBEN T. STRICKLER. 
 
 Strickler, Elder Ruben T., of Luray, 
 Va. This good-natured, deserving and 
 worthy brother is the pastor of 
 Brock's Gap, Big Spring, Bentonville. 
 and Thornton's Gap churches. (The 
 last named church was, many years 
 ago, the home church of Wm. Jen- 
 nings Bryan's grandparents, and their 
 grandson, in 1896, presented the old 
 church with two chairs in memory ot 
 them.) Brother Strickler was born 
 August 9, 1854, and in early youth was 
 convicted of sin and given a sweet 
 hope in Jesus, but for many years he 
 remained out of the church awaiting 
 more evidence, and also, on account 
 of a feeling sense of unworthiness, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 259 
 
 and before his baptism had impres- 
 sions to preach. He united with the 
 church in 1879, baptized by Elder P. 
 W. Yates, licensed 1883, and was in 
 1887 ordained by Elders P. Wl Yates, 
 J. H. Menifee, Benj. Lampton and F. 
 M. Perry. Besides the above named 
 churches Elder Strickler has served 
 Hope Church in Warren and Smith's 
 Creek in Shenandoah. He is an hum- 
 ble, unassuming, faithful minister — 
 as honest as the days are long, and 
 prefers others to himself, and is a 
 great lover of peace. He has never 
 traveled much, his labors being con- 
 fined tc churches within the bounds 
 of the Ebenezer and Ketocton Associa- 
 tions. 
 
 A. J. STUART. 
 
 Stuart, Elder A. J. (1823-1895), was 
 born in Monroe County, Ga. ; moved 
 with his parents to Scott County, 
 'Miss., in 1843 and in 1846 was mar- 
 ried to Miss Elizabeth Mathews. He 
 united with the Primitive Baptists 
 at New Chappel Church 1856, and was 
 baptized by Elder J. G. Creceluis. In 
 1870 he was crdained and faithfully 
 filled this office until his death. By 
 economy and close attention to bus- 
 iness he was enabled to leave a com- 
 fortable living to those dependent 
 upon him, but better still, he left a 
 good name "which is rather to be 
 chosen than great riches." Amid all 
 trial and suffering he manifested 
 Christian fortitude and a faith in 
 God's gocdness that never wavered, 
 and died as a faithful witness of 
 Jesus. 
 
 DAVID STUART. 
 
 Stuart. Elder David (1822-1892), was 
 born in Illinois, united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church when a young 
 man and was ordained in 1863. He 
 was a faithful pastor and the editor 
 regrets that a suitable sketch of his 
 life and labors could not be obtained 
 for this work. 
 
 OWEN SUMNER. 
 
 Sumner, Elder Owen (1796-1874), 
 was a native of Floyd County, Va. Of 
 his early history the writer knows 
 nothing except that with all Adam's 
 family he was conceived in sin and 
 brought forth in iniquity, and contin- 
 ued to rcll sin under his tongue as a 
 
 sweet morsel until arrested by the 
 Spirit of God; when, he viewed him- 
 self the worst of mankind, and moan- 
 ed his condition for many days, when 
 it pleased the Lord to manifest his 
 love to him in the pardon of his sins. 
 He then was enable to rejoice with 
 joy unspeakable and full of glory. He 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at West Fork, in Floyd Coun 
 ty, Va., Sunday, March 17, 1822, and 
 was baptized by Elder Jesse Jones. 
 He lived with the church in peace and 
 enjoyed their confidence and fellow- 
 ship, and September, 1832, the church 
 licensed him to preach the gospel of 
 Christ. He went forward in the dis- 
 charge of his duty with great fear 
 and trembling, often doubting his 
 call; but, to use his own words — he 
 felt unable to preach, but could not 
 remain silent, but was often praying 
 to the Lord to direct him what to do, 
 and as the impression deepened he 
 continued to exercise his gift in the 
 ministry, not without opposition from 
 the enemies, until September 3, 1836, 
 when having made full proof of his 
 ministry and usefulness he was or- 
 dained to the full functions of the 
 ministry, and went forward in the ad- 
 ministration of the ordinances of the 
 house of God. Elder Sumner certainly 
 made full proof of his ministry. He 
 had but a limited education, but by 
 close application to study he acquired 
 considerable knowledge of books. He 
 traveled considerably, in Virginia 
 mostly, and preached Jesus and him 
 crucified, with power. Several 
 churches were built up under his min- 
 istry. He was pastor of Indian Creek, 
 New River Meadow Creek, White Oak 
 Grove and Laurel Creek churches, un- 
 til age and infirmities prevented him 
 from serving Lhem. The Lord added 
 many seals to his ministry — among 
 the number he had the pleasure of 
 seeing five or six of the members of 
 the churches which he served embark 
 in the ministry and rise to distinction 
 among the Baptists. Among them, one 
 of his sons (but his ministry was 
 short, as he died several years before 
 his father.) Elder Sumnei often spoke 
 of the young ministers as his sons in 
 the ministry, and treated them as 
 such, often encouraging them, and 
 both by precept and example, admon- 
 ishing them to be faithful and humble 
 in the discharge of their duties. He 
 did not envy them but appeared tc be 
 happy in their company, always set- 
 ting them forward and never appear- 
 ed more happy than when they were 
 enabled to preach comfortingly. He 
 was a good disciplinarian and the 
 
260 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 churches over which he was pastor 
 loved him for his firmness, He was 
 useful in his neighborhood as a peace- 
 maker and also as a physician, having 
 acquired considerable knowledge of 
 medicine, and by industry he acquired 
 a competent living and his house was 
 a home for his brethren and friends. 
 Just before his departure he said: "I 
 am waiting for my Master's time, to 
 go! I am ready when it is His pleas- 
 ure to call." In his death his wife 
 lost an affectionate companion, his 
 children a loving father, the churches 
 a wise counsellor and faithful pastor. 
 
 W. B. SUTHERLAND. 
 
 Sutherland, Elder W. B., of Tiny, 
 Va., was born near Colley, Dickenson 
 (then Buchanan) County, Va., Febru- 
 ary 24, 1861. His parents were William 
 and Sylvia (Counts) Sutherland, who 
 came as pioneers from Clinch Valley, 
 Va., over Sandy Ridge to the head- 
 waters cf Big Sandy River over fifty 
 years ago, and who are still living 
 near their old homestead. His family 
 has been long and prominently con- 
 nected with the Primitive Baptists. 
 During his- youth, he- followed the 
 usual life ofl a mountain boy, going to 
 the old "subscription" and free 
 schools for a few weeks during the 
 winter and the remainder of the time 
 doing labor on a farm. He joined the 
 Primitive Baptists at Sulphur Spring 
 Church, Dickenson County, Va , of 
 which church he is still a member, 
 was ordained in 1884 by Elders J. H. 
 Duty and Elijah S. Counts, and has 
 continued in this work unremittingly 
 and faithfully till the present day. For 
 
 several years, he has been the only 
 minister in his community, and has 
 had the care of four or more churches 
 almost continuously and is at present 
 serving the following churches: Sul- 
 phur Spring and Sand Lick in Dicken- 
 son County; Sumac Grove and Duty's 
 View, in Buchanan County; and 
 Reed's Valley, in Russell County. His 
 brethren, recognizing his talents, and 
 love for the cause elected him in 1879, 
 Moderator of the Washington Asso- 
 ciation (an organization of the Prim- 
 itive faith, formed in 1811 and em- 
 bracing some of the most prosperous 
 churches of that faith in southwest 
 Virginia), in which position he still 
 serves. Elder Sutherland's activities 
 have not been confined alone to the 
 ministry, but he has been, for several 
 years, an important figure in the pub- 
 lic life of his county, — serving several 
 terms as supervisor of his district, 
 and also a member of the Virginia 
 legislature for the session of 1895-6. 
 He is honored as a loyal citizen, es- 
 teemed as a kind neighbor and be- 
 loved as a faithful pastor and able 
 minister of the New Testament. 
 
 JOHN A. SUTTLES. 
 
 Suttles, Elder John A., of Alabama, 
 was born in Bibb County, Ala., May 
 12, 1826. He for years served his coun- 
 ty as justice of the peace, county 
 treasurer, and representative in the 
 general assembly of Alabama. He was 
 first married to Miss Rebecca E. Bent- 
 ley, and subsequently to Miss Mbllie 
 J. Carlisle. He first joined the Mis- 
 sionary Baptists in 1854, and lived a 
 consistent member with them until 
 August, 1875, when he joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Bethel in 
 Coosa County, Ala., and was baptized 
 by Elder B. Jowers. He shortly after- 
 wards moved his membership to Mt. 
 Pleasant Church, and in 1878, he was 
 ordained to the gospel ministry, the 
 presbytery consisting of Elders B. 
 Jowers, J. M. Dykes, J. M. Blackman, 
 L. C. Peters, and R. W. Carlisle. In 
 his latter days, having been stricken 
 with paralysis, he was afflicted long 
 and suffered much, but, sustained by 
 the grace of God, was perfectly re- 
 signed to His will and when the sum- 
 mons came ne passed away as calmly 
 as the evening setting sun, thus show- 
 ing to those left behind how bravely 
 and gloriously a Christian can die. 
 He was full measure in all that is re- 
 quired in constituting a good citizen, 
 an honest man, a loving father, a de- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 261 
 
 voted husband, and an humble, faith- 
 ful Christian. He exemplified by his 
 daily walk that he was ever ready to 
 conform to that which was just and 
 right, thereby gaining the confidence 
 and commanding the esteem of nearly 
 all who knew him for his strict in- 
 tegrity of character and quiet life. 
 
 JONAS F. SUTTON. 
 
 Sutton, Elder Jonas F., of Paris Mo., 
 was born in Miami County, O., June 1, 
 1837, and united with Walnut Creek 
 Church, near Crawfordsville, Ind., Feb- 
 ruary 13, 1869. He moved to Missouri in 
 the year 1870 and was ordained in Ced- 
 ar Grove Church near Paris, Mo. in De- 
 
 cember, 1888. His orderly walk, devo- 
 tion to the cause of his Master, and 
 good gift in the ministry, make him 
 useful to the churches which he serves 
 and it is with regret that data for a 
 fuller sketch of this worthy Elder's 
 life could not be obtained. 
 
 JAMES T. SWINNEY. 
 
 Swinney, Elder James T., of La- 
 F'ountain, Kan., was born in West 
 Virginia, August 24, 1832, and united 
 with Camp Creek Church in Mercer 
 County of that state in December, 
 1866. He was ordained in the year 
 1869,, and ever since has served as 
 pastor of churches. A fuller sketch of 
 his labors in the ministry could not 
 be secured. 
 
 FREDERICK SWINT. 
 
 Swint, Elder Frederick (1789-1860), 
 of Alabama, was in early life convict- 
 ed of sin, given a hope in the merito- 
 rious work of Jesus, united with the 
 Baptists and a few years later was or- 
 dained to the gospel ministry. He was 
 consdered an able preacher, sound in 
 the faith and full of hospitality, and 
 his home was always open to his 
 brethren. It vas his custom to hold 
 family prayer each night when at 
 home. He was gifted as a writer also. 
 Hymn No. 690 of Lloyd's Collection 
 is his composition. He raised a family 
 of sixteen children, was a man of gen- 
 eral information and wide^ influence 
 and died as he lived— trusting in the 
 all-sufficient atonement of Jesus for 
 salvation. 
 
 CHARLES S. TATE. 
 
 Tate, Elder Charles S. (1811-1888), 
 of Kansas. He was born in Bedford 
 County, Va , and was received into 
 the fellowship of the Baptists before 
 the division when he was about twen- 
 ty-two years old. About 1847 he moved 
 from Virginia to Alabama. Some of 
 the brethren had learned by con- 
 versing with him that he had exercis- 
 ed in preaching a little before leaving 
 Virginia, and insisted that he should 
 go into the pulpit and preach which he 
 did very satisfactorily from the text, 
 Hebrew 2.9. Soon after this he 
 
 became a member with the brethren 
 at Shawn, in Chambers County, Ala., 
 which church was then under the pas- 
 toral care of Elder Josephus Barrow. 
 Some time after this he moved and 
 became a member of the church at 
 Hephzibah, in same county, and by 
 request of sister churches for his pas- 
 toral services, he was ordained and 
 had for a time, the pastoral charge cf 
 two churches. But being poor in the 
 world and a tanner by trade, he had 
 to move about to get work, and thus 
 his ministerial work became more 
 transient and unsettled till finally he 
 settled in Kansas. Elder Tate was re- 
 
262 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 garded as a sound and consistent min- 
 ister — not only sound in doctrine, but 
 was faithful, zealous and orderly in 
 his deportment. 
 
 A. J. TAYLOR. 
 
 Taylor, Elder A. J. (1820-1904), of 
 North Caronna. This venerable minis- 
 ter of western North Carolina, died at 
 his heme in Alleghany County, in his 
 eighty-fourth year of age. He was fa- 
 miliarly known as "Andy" Taylor, and 
 was, of course, named Andrew Jack- 
 son, and he had in his makeup the 
 sturdiness and independence of Old 
 Hickory. He had not been taught in 
 the colleges of this earth, but he was 
 deeply versed in "The Book" and to 
 him "thus sayeth the Lcrd" was the 
 final arbiter of every question that af- 
 fected this life and the life beyond. 
 His Bible was his constant companion 
 in his long journeyings over this and 
 other states, where he went on yearly 
 pilgrimages preaching the gospel. He 
 lived in it and with it. It was the staff 
 of his declining years as it had been 
 the strength and stay of his robust 
 manhood. The life of Elder Taylor 
 contained lessons for the present hour 
 that need to be emphasized. He be- 
 longed to a day that gave us many 
 noble characters — a day that produced 
 men of simple faith, simple tastes, 
 unaffected piety, of plain living and 
 right thinking. An humble, uneducat- 
 ed farmer, high en the slopes of the 
 hills of Alleghany, this old patriarch 
 heard the call to preach the gospel as 
 plainly as ever one of Cod's prophets 
 of old was called to do His work. 
 Taking neither scrip nor purse, Andy 
 Taylor put aside frcm him ease, the 
 comforts of home, and for many years 
 devoted much of his life to travelling 
 and preaching wherever a flock of the 
 faithful wished to hear him preach. 
 He travelled in many counties and 
 states. He preached not with "man's 
 wisdom" but in "demonstration of the 
 spirit" and was instrumental in com- 
 forting and blessing many of God's 
 elect who sat under his ministrations. 
 The educated found help and guid- 
 ance in his plain proclamation of the 
 Word; the uneducated saw in him an 
 evangel sent to break to them the 
 Word cf Life. Elder Taylor clung to 
 the old ways and the ancient land- 
 marks, in dress, in speech, in every- 
 thing. He never felt embarrassed in 
 any presence. He would have preach- 
 ed before a king as unabashed as Paul 
 stood before Agrippa. He was the am- 
 
 bassador of his Lord and knew no 
 fear of man or bowing down in the 
 presence cf great men. He had about 
 him the spirit of the prophet who 
 said: "Thou are the man," and he 
 never preached to please man, but he 
 preached as his Master directed him, 
 and declared the whole counsels of 
 God. It was a conviction of this good 
 old man that he cught not to accept, 
 any compensation for preaching. He 
 would have felt that he had commit- 
 ted sin to receive a salary for preacn- 
 ing, and so he went about among his 
 people preaching until beyond his 
 eightieth year. He lived up to his con- 
 victions in this and in every other 
 respect. His good old wife, now bereft 
 in her humble home in the mountains, 
 was an helpmeet of the kind the 
 Bible describes. She honored her hus- 
 band because he was never "disobe- 
 dient to the heavenly vision." She 
 gloried in his independence and in his 
 services to the churches. She believed 
 it would be wrong for her husband to 
 charge for preaching. Talking one day 
 with a friend, she held up her hands 
 and said: "Do you see these olo. 
 hands? I would work them to the 
 bone before my old man should take 
 pay for preaching." She tended her 
 garden, milked her cows, and per- 
 formed the laborious duties of her 
 household in cheerfulness and in hap- 
 piness looking forward joyously to the 
 time when her husband should return 
 from his annual preaching tours, to. 
 the delights of home, made doubly 
 dear tc both by the consciousness 
 that the separation had been ordered 
 of God, as was every act of their 
 lives. How beautiful is such faith in a 
 world where materialism threatens to 
 crowd out faith in God and lessen 
 faith in man. 
 
 HENRY TAYLOR. 
 
 Taylor, Elder Henry, of Monroe, N. 
 C, was born May 27, 1851, in Wash- 
 ington County, Va. His parents were 
 members of the Primitive Baptist, but 
 he, in his seventeenth year, united 
 with the New School, or Missionary 
 Baptists and lived with them four 
 years. About this time he was deeply 
 impressed to preach Jesus and be- 
 came a close student of the Bible. 
 What he learned there of doctrine and 
 practice was so different to that of his 
 brethren that he left their church and 
 united with the Primitive Baptists at 
 Tumbling Creek Washington Co., Va., 
 1874, and was baptized by Elder C. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 263 
 
 Hopkins. He began preaching the 
 same year and was in 1876 ordained 
 by Elders John Wallace, Chas. Hop- 
 kins, J. T. Stinson and Thos. Grimsley, 
 and has since had the care of churches 
 or been traveling and preaching. He 
 has traveled thousands of miles, most- 
 
 HENRY TAYLOR 
 
 ly in Virginia, Tennessee, North Caro- 
 lina, and South Carolina. He is, at 
 present, serving the following 
 churches: High Hill, Union Grove, 
 Crooked Creek and Liberty, all of 
 Union County. Elder Taylor is zealous 
 and faithful and the Lord Is blessing 
 his labors. 
 
 T. J. TAYLOR. 
 
 Taylor, Elder T. J., of Eaglesville, 
 Tenn. This able minister is moderator 
 of the Cumberland Association of 
 Primitive Baptists and the faithful pas- 
 tor of churches within the bounds of 
 this association. 
 
 W. J. TAYLOR. 
 
 Taylor, Elder, W. J., of Garfield, 
 Ark. This faithful minister was con- 
 victed of sin when about seventeen 
 years old, and for several years was 
 greatly burdened on account of it. 
 But God, at a time unexpected to him, 
 relieved him of this burden and gave 
 him, by revelation, a sweet hope in 
 Jesus. Soon after this he united with 
 the Primitive Baptists and was bap- 
 tized by Elder J. Good. Almost im- 
 mediately a desire to tell others of 
 Jesus came in his heart, which could 
 never be satisfied until he went for- 
 
 ward in this duty. He was soon or- 
 dained to the work and has since prov- 
 en his faith by his works. Has travel- 
 ed and preached much among the 
 
 W. J. TAYLOR 
 
 churches of his section, has baptized a 
 goodly number into the fellowship of 
 the Baptists and at present has the 
 care of four churches. 
 
 BURWELL TEMPLE. 
 
 Temple, Elder Burwell, of Johnson 
 County, N. C, whc died July 27, 1873, 
 was a well beloved minister of many 
 Christian virtues. He served the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church at Salem, John- 
 son County, and other churches in 
 that section and was an humble, faith- 
 ful minister, but data for a more suit- 
 able sketch of his life and labors 
 could not be obtained. 
 
 JOHN TERRY. 
 
 Terry, Elder John, of Hurricane 
 County, W. Va., was born in Floyd 
 County, Va., December 1, 1844. Moved 
 with his parents to West Virginia 
 about the year 1850, joined the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church in 1870, began 
 preaching in 1879, ordained 1885, and 
 has since had the care of churches. 
 He is at present pastor of two 
 churches and is moderator of the Poc- 
 atalico Association. He is an able 
 preacher, is sound in the doctrine of 
 the Bible and is highly esteemed by 
 his brethren. 
 
264 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 WILLIAM THORP. 
 
 Thorp, Elder William (1772-1853), 
 was one of the noted pioneer ministers 
 who smoothed the rugged paths of the 
 Baptists in the western wilds of Mis- 
 souri. He is said to have constituted 
 the first church and organized the first 
 Association in upper Missouri. He 
 was born in Virginia, of Scotch-Irish 
 parents who immigrated from the old 
 country. From Virginia he moved to 
 Kentucky in 1786 when a boy and in 
 1809 moved to Missouri and died in 
 Clay County after a long, useful and 
 faithful life in the Master's vineyard. 
 
 ERASMUS DARWIN THOMAS 
 
 Thomas, Elder Erasmus Darwin of 
 Danville, Ind., who after about half a 
 century of service as minister in the 
 Master's vineyard, passed from this 
 scene of action a few years ago in the 
 full triumph of the Christian's faith. 
 Elder Thomas was born in Fayette 
 County, Ind., November 13, 1821, united 
 with the Primitive Baptists, October 
 27, 1849, and was, the following day, 
 baptized into the fellowship of Will- 
 iam's Creek Church by Elder John 
 Sparks. Two years later he was li- 
 censed to preach and on May 14, 1852 
 was ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry. During his long career in 
 the ministry he was able, active and 
 zealous in the cause of truth, was a 
 bold defender of the faith, and order 
 of God's house as maintained by the 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists, and 
 his labors were blessed to the instruc- 
 tion, comfort and edification of many 
 of God's children. His name was a 
 household word, among the churches 
 
 of the Danville Association of which 
 he was so long the beloved Moderator 
 as well as among other churches and 
 associations that knew his gift and felt 
 his good influence. Detail information 
 of his useful life and labors could not 
 be obtained. 
 
 E. D. THOMAS. 
 
 Thomas, Elder E. D. (1821-1896), of 
 Indiana, was born in Fayette County. 
 He was the son of David F. and 
 Phoebe Thcmas who emigrated from 
 New York state in a very early day. 
 In early manhood he was married to 
 Mary G. Thompson, the daughter of 
 Wilson Thompson, who has a national 
 reputation as a minister of the gcspel 
 in the Baptist Church. He received a 
 hope in Christ at about the age of 
 twenty, but did not unite with the 
 church until nine years afterward. He 
 began speaking in public in a short 
 time after joining the church and was 
 ordained to the full work of the gos- 
 pel ministry at the age of thirty 
 years. Although he travelled consid- 
 erably, yet his greatest work was pas- 
 toring churches. He served four 
 churches almost constantly during his 
 entire ministerial life. One very re- 
 markable event of his life was, that 
 he served two churches for over forty 
 years each. At the time of his death 
 he was on his forty-fourth year as 
 paster of Big Run Church, ten miles 
 southeast of Indianapolis, and on his 
 forty-third year as pastor at Danville. 
 He left each church with a member- 
 ship of nearly one hundred. He died 
 at his home near Danville, Ind., at the 
 age of seventy-five, having served his 
 Master faithfully for nearly half a 
 century. 
 
 E. W. THOMAS. 
 
 Thomas, Elder E. W., of Danville, 
 Ind.. was born in Marion County Ind., 
 October 13, 1859, and is the sixth son 
 and eighth child of Elder E. D. Thom- 
 as. He was first made to seriously 
 consider himself as a sinner at the 
 age of sixteen, after four or five 
 months of sorrow and trouble over his 
 condition, in which time his soul was 
 brought to trust in the Lord's sweet 
 mercy through Jesus Christ. With a 
 great love for Christ, His cause and 
 His people, he in 1876 offered himself 
 to the dear old church at Mt. Pleas- 
 ant, where' he still lives and enjoys 
 the fellowship of the Lord's precious 
 people, and was baptized by his fath- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 265 
 
 er. At about the age of twenty-four he 
 became much impressed in mind 
 about preaching the gospel of God's 
 grace, but objections of various kinds 
 kept him silent until the winter of 
 1888-9. His first attempt to preach was 
 the second Sunday night of F'ebruary, 
 1889, using the text, "This is the 
 stone that was set at naught of you 
 builders," etc., Acts 4:11. He was or- 
 dained in 1S90, by Elders E. D. Thom- 
 as, J. H. Oliphant and John R. Daily, 
 and has since been continuously en- 
 gaged in serving churches as pastor, 
 ■ — having the care of four churches 
 during his entire ministry except the 
 first year when he served two. Elder 
 Thomas has served his home church 
 continuously since his ordination, and 
 is loved by his people. 
 
 J. MARSHALL THOMAS. 
 
 Thomas Elder J. Marshall, of Orrs- 
 burg, Mo. The editor receiving no in- 
 formation from which to write a sketch 
 of Elder Thomas will quote the fol- 
 lowing from Elder Cash's book of 
 Portraits of 1896. "He was born in 
 Danville, Ind., February 24, 1867 and 
 united with Mt. Pleasant Church, 
 Hendricks County, Ind., in February, 
 1888. He was ordained July 4, 1896, 
 in W'est Union Church, Orrsburg, Mo. 
 where his membership now is." 
 
 WILLIAM THOMAS. 
 
 Thomas, Elder William (1821-1893), 
 of Texas, the son of John C. and Sarah 
 
 Thomas, was born in Jones County, 
 Miss. He was raised by Baptist par- 
 ents, professed a hope in Jesus in his 
 eighteenth year and united with the 
 Methodists. But on a careful study 
 of the Bible he found he could not har- 
 monize their doctrine and practice 
 with his experience and the Bible, and 
 in 1841 left his former brethren and 
 united with the Primitive Baptists at 
 Salem Church in Jasper County, Miss., 
 and was baptized by Elder E. Y. Ter- 
 rell. From the time he obtained a 
 hope, he had impressions to preach 
 Jesus the Saviour of sinners; so after 
 moving to Arkansas, he soon com- 
 menced the exercises of his gift; and 
 in 1849 he was liberated to preach; 
 and in 1857 was ordained by Elders 
 Othniel, Weaver and E. Y. Terrell. 
 In 1865 he moved to Milan County, 
 Tex., and was in the constitution of 
 New Providence Church. In January, 
 1867, he bought land and opened a 
 farm on Knob Creek in Bell County, 
 and .ioined Little Flock Church, which 
 church he continued to serve until his 
 decease. As a minister he was sound 
 in doctrine, uncompromising with er- 
 ror, eloquent in his defense of truth, 
 and unswerving in the discharge of 
 duty, as a pastor he had few equals; 
 and God truly blessed his labors with 
 Little Flock Church, which he served 
 for over twenty-five years. There has 
 been dismissed from this church mem- 
 bers to constitute three churches, and 
 hundreds have moved away, carrying 
 letters and the church now numbers 
 over eighty. He was loved by all that 
 knew him. The church especially was 
 made to mourn for his presence, his 
 council and his loving admonitions and 
 his words of comfort. He died as he 
 had lived, trusting alone in Jerms for 
 peace and happiness hereafter. 
 
 Z. G. THOMAS. 
 
 Thomas, Elder Z. G, (1833-1882), of 
 Louisiana, was born in Barbour 
 County, Ala. His parents moved from 
 Alabama to Georgia, and then to Ar- 
 kansas and remained one year and 
 moved to Bienville Parish, La., where 
 he spent the remainder of his life, ex- 
 cept three years which he spent in 
 the Civil war. He was married to M. 
 A. Page, 1858, and there were born to 
 them twelve children. He united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church at New 
 Providence in the fall of 1861, and 
 was baptized by Elder T. J. Foster, 
 and was ordained to the ministry in 
 the spring of 1877, by Elders H. B. 
 Howard, Z. Thomas and J. J. White, 
 
266 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 which place he filled to the glory and 
 honor of his glorious King whom he 
 trusted in and loved so well to speak 
 of until death removed him. He was 
 chosen moderator of the Louisiana 
 Primitive Baptist Association in the 
 fall of 1879, and served in this posi- 
 tion to the satisfaction and comfort 
 of the association until death. He was 
 of a mild temperament, a good, kind 
 man; had many friends and was loved 
 by them all. He was an able and earn- 
 est contender for the doctrine of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and 
 was a dear and precious gift to the 
 church, and the church loved him as 
 such. His labors in the Master's vine- 
 yard were blessed to the good of the 
 church and the glory of God and he 
 passed away in the full triumphs of 
 faith in the fifty-sixth year of his 
 earthly pilgrimage. 
 
 ZACHARIAH THOMAS. 
 
 Thomas, Elder Zachariah (1817-1885) 
 was born in Licking County, Ohio, 
 moved to Morrow County, Ohio when 
 quite young, where, when fifteen years 
 of age, he was called by grace from 
 "darkness to light," and "from the 
 power of Satan to God." He was in 
 great distress of mind until he Avas 
 led to see Christ as the "end of the 
 law for righteousness to every one that 
 believeth." In 1840, he was married 
 to Elizabeth S. Bruce and they settled 
 on a farm near Chesterville, Ohio, in 
 1841, where they remained until 1859. 
 In April, 1846, thev united with Mt. 
 Pisgah Church in Morrow Coiftity, and . 
 were baptized by his father Elder 
 John D. Thomas. Shortly afterwards 
 he became exercised about preaching, 
 and the church liberated him in the 
 winter of 1847. His father dying in 
 April, 1849, left the church without a 
 pastor. In June following, he was or- 
 dained to the full work of the ministry, 
 and was called to the care of Mt. Pis- 
 gah church which he retained as long 
 as he remained in Ohio. He was also 
 pastor of the Alum Creek Church, at 
 Ashley, and the Salem Church near 
 Johnsville. In 1860, he moved to Lick- 
 ing County, and became pastor of the 
 Licking and Friendship Churches, 
 while retaining charge of Mt. Pisgah 
 and Salem. In 1865 he moved to North- 
 ern Indiana., locating near Albion, 
 Noble County. Here he was instru- 
 mental in the organization of two 
 churches, Mt. Salem and Elkhart 
 which he visited as pastor as long as 
 he could travel. He preached his last 
 
 sermon at Elkhart in May, 1884, at 
 which time he baptized three young 
 sisters. Elder Thomas was greatly 
 beloved by all who knew him. As a. 
 minister he was faithful and zealous, 
 in discourse systematic and logical, 
 always presenting some things for 
 meditation and causing his hearers to 
 feel that the time had not been spent 
 in vain. 
 
 WILSON THOMPSON. 
 
 Thompson, Elder Wilson (1788- 
 1866), a native of Hillsborough, Ky., 
 is regarded as the ablest Primitive 
 Baptist minister that ever lived in the 
 United States. He was of an old Bap- 
 tist family, of English, Welsh, Scotch, 
 Irish and German descent. He had re- 
 ligious impressions from his earliest 
 recollections; and, during the first 
 twelve years of his life, without any 
 instruction from any person or book, 
 he became a thorough graduate in Ar- 
 ruinian, Pharisical or natural relig- 
 ion — "getting religion" himself by his 
 own resolutions and exertions, idol- 
 izing "the Sabbath," attaining perfec- 
 tion in the flesh, assured that he was 
 bound for heaven, despising the peo- 
 ple of God, as far below himself in 
 religious knowledge and attainments; 
 then "falling from grace," "taking his 
 fill of sin," then afterwards terrified 
 anew by natural convictions, going to 
 work again with more zeal than ever 
 to ingratiate himself into the favor of 
 God, repenting and praying more, and 
 doing more good works until he felt 
 he was sinless and resolved he never 
 would commit another sin. He rested 
 in the pursuasion of his own right- 
 eousness, with which he believed God 
 was well pleased. While in his thir- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 267 
 
 teenth year he went to see Elder 
 James Lee baptize some candidates, 
 among others, a small slender girl, 
 named Mary Grigg, who afterward 
 became Elder Thompson's wife; and, 
 while this girl was being led into the 
 water, suddenly all nature seemed to 
 him to be overspread with a dark, 
 heavy, angry, threatening gloom, and 
 he felt like one forsaken of God and 
 man, the most loathsome and guilty 
 wretch that ever lived on earth, utter- 
 ly corrupt without and within, and 
 justly exposed to the everlasting 
 wrath of an infinitely holy God. He 
 left the company and the water in 
 despair, and sought a deep ravine in 
 the wood, expecting there to die 
 'alone. For three days and nights he 
 continued in such gloom that he did 
 not seem to have one hopeful thought 
 of his salvation, and, while his heart 
 was all the time pleading for mercy, 
 if mercy were, possible,, he did not dare 
 to make a formal prayer, because feel- 
 ing it impossible for a holy God to 
 pardon such a sinner as himself. Still 
 he would seek the woods, fall on his 
 knees, close his eyes, and make con- 
 fession of his sinfulness and of God's 
 justice in his condemnation. While 
 thus engaged, on the fourth day, he 
 was startled three times by the sud- 
 den appearance of a glittering bright- 
 ness, visible only when his eyes were 
 closed, and each time increasing in 
 brilliancy, so that at last in amaze- 
 ment he sprang to his feet, opened his 
 eyes, and saw all nature glittering 
 with the glory of God. He was com- 
 pletely captivated with the scene, the 
 gloom and the burden of sin were 
 gone; but he soon began to be trou- 
 bled because his trouble had left him, 
 and never once thought of this being 
 conversion. After many seasons of re- 
 joicings, doubts and fears, he. in 1881, 
 united with the church called the 
 "Mouth of Hicking," and was baptized 
 by Elder Jas. Lee. When raised from 
 the water he felt a strong desire to 
 speak of the glorious plan of salva- 
 tion, but, remaining silent in lan- 
 guage, he burst into tears and came 
 out of the water weaping like a child. 
 For many years he resisted the im- 
 pressions to preach, feeling he would 
 rather die than expose his ignorance 
 in this public way. He was so troubled 
 in mind and lost so much sleep and 
 appetite that his parents feared he 
 would commit suicide and had him to 
 sleep in the room with them. One 
 night after all had retired, and the 
 fire had burned down, a shadowv form 
 seemed to approach him, bend over 
 
 him, and say, "I know your trouble, 
 and your great desire to know what 
 you should do; and I have come to 
 tell you. Read the sixth and tenth 
 chapters of Matthew, and to every 
 sentence, answer, 'I am the man," and 
 you will soon come to know your 
 duty." This was done and said three 
 times. He believed that the appear- 
 ance was not literal, but a vision 
 (Acts 2:17-18), He was soon licensed 
 to preach. His first text, February, 
 1810, was John x: 2, 3; and was or- 
 dained January, 1812, by Elders 
 Stephen Stilley and John Tanner. He 
 was about this time led to the then 
 Territory of Missouri where he bap- 
 tized some four or five hundred per- 
 sons. From Missouri he moved to Leb- 
 anon, O., and in 1834 moved to Fay- 
 ette County, Ind., and became pastor 
 of churches in the White Water Asso- 
 ciation. During the year of 1843 there 
 were two hundred and forty-seven per- 
 sons that joined the churches of this 
 association. While residing in Indi- 
 ana he made extensive tours of 
 preaching in New York, New Jersey, 
 Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ken- 
 tucky. Virginia, North Carolina and 
 Georgia; and his ministerial gifts and 
 Christian virtues shone with starry 
 brilliancy. Elder Thompson was the 
 author of several books and pam- 
 phlets, among them "Simple Truth," 
 "Triumph of Truth," "An Address to 
 the Baptists of the United States," in 
 1850, and his "Autobiography." He 
 was a strong writer, able debater and 
 powerful pulpit orator. Few more in- 
 teresting books are to be found in hu- 
 man literature than Elder Thompsons' 
 autobiography, which may be pur- 
 chased from Elder R. W. Thompson, 
 Greenfield, Ind. 
 
 G. M. THOMPSON. 
 
 Thompson, Elder G. M., was born 
 Apri 1 20, 1811, in Cape Girardeau Coun- 
 ty. Mo. His father, Elder Wilson 
 Thompson, was one of the greatest 
 preachers of the age in which he lived 
 and like his gifted son, his fame lives 
 after him, for his name is known and 
 honored wherever the Primitive Bap- 
 tists are found. While the subject of 
 this sketch was yet a babe his father 
 removed from Missouri to the state of 
 Kentucky, and after a short residence 
 there, he moved to Ohio, where he 
 spent his youth. From Ohio he moved 
 to Fayette County, Ind., where he lived 
 and labored the most of his life. When 
 a mere boy, but seventeen years of age, 
 
268 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Mr. Thompson joined the Baptist 
 Church and began preaching, and from 
 that time until death smote him with 
 his harness on, he never rested from 
 his toil. Indeed, it was said of him 
 many years ago by one who knew 
 whereof he spoke, that "Elder Grigg 
 M. Thompson has traveled more miles 
 and preached more sermons than any 
 minister living or dead." No doubt 
 that statement spoke the truth, for 
 during sixty years in storm and snow, 
 in good or ill health, he devotedly fol- 
 lowed where duty led, often preaching 
 twice a day for months at a time, and 
 
 room, the tired hands were folded 
 for the long rest, the great heart flut- 
 tered and grew still and from the sad- 
 dened and silent room "two angels 
 issued where but one went in." 
 
 G. M. THOMPSON 
 
 the numbers baptized by him into the 
 church, if gathered together would, 
 indeed be a mighty host marshaled for 
 the army of the Peaceful King. He 
 labored not only in the pulpit, but 
 also with the pen. He has published 
 several books all filled with the faith 
 that possessed his soul. That he was 
 loved, respected and honored in his 
 own community, but weakly expresses 
 the feeling of his neighbors. He was 
 a strong man in every sense of the 
 word, and his pure and reproachless 
 life is an example worthy of imitation. 
 He died as he had lived. At the very 
 last, while speechless friends were 
 hovering about his bed, he spoke and 
 said: "Turn me, turn me." Some one 
 proposed to help turn his body in the 
 bed. but he quickly interrupted say- 
 ing, "No, no; turn me to the Cross 
 of Christ!" These were the last 
 words he ever spoke. The death angel 
 entered the darkened and silenced 
 
 JOHN M. THOMPSON. 
 
 Thompson, Elder John M., of Green- 
 field, Ind., was born in Fayette County, 
 Ind., September 1, 1844, of an old noted 
 family of Irish, Scotch and English 
 descent. His father, James Thomp- 
 son, was among the first settlers 
 on the Indiana Reserve, fifteen miles 
 northeast of Intianapolis, when the 
 country was almost an unbroken 
 forest. His devoted mother, Eliz- 
 abeth McCarty Thompson, died when 
 he was in his thirteenth year. The 
 opportunities of an education were 
 limited but what he lacked in 
 this, he made up by improving the 
 few he possessed. While working on 
 his father's farm, he also applied him- 
 self to study spare moments, and was 
 soon able to enter college at Harts- 
 ville, Ind., where he was soon quali- 
 fied to teach and followed this profes- 
 sion for some years. When about 
 twenty years old he was convicted of 
 sin. His Arminian sky became cloud- 
 ed, until his self-righteousness was in 
 his sight, as "filthy rags." Being with- 
 out hope he wept and piteously begged 
 for mercy until his soul was delivered 
 by the gift of faith in Christ as his 
 righteousness, sanctification and re- 
 demption. A few months later, he was 
 baptized by Elder P. K. Parr, and was 
 in 1874 ordained to the work of the 
 ministry. Elder Thompson is a strong 
 preacher and gifted teacher in Israel 
 and has been wonderfully blessed to 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 269 
 
 enlighten the pure in heart, who have 
 been deceived by false teachers. He 
 has traveled and preached in, per- 
 haps a dozen states, and several terri- 
 tories devoting his life to pastoral and 
 evangelical work, preaching the gospel 
 without charge, condemning the greed 
 for filthy lucre which actuates the 
 ministers of anti-Christ, and yet has 
 faithfully advocated spiritual giving 
 and receiving. Brother Thompson is 
 also a fluent, interesting writer. For 
 many years he has been associate edi- 
 tor of the Primitive Monator and edi- 
 tor of the Youth's Guardian Friend, a 
 child's paper, published at Greenfield 
 Ind. He has also engaged in eight pub- 
 lic debates in answer to challenges 
 from Universalists, Adventists, Meth- 
 odist and Campbellites, and those who j 
 have listened to his arguments have 
 felt that the banner of truth has not, 
 by him, been allowed to trail in the 
 dust. 
 
 ROBERT W. THOMPSON. 
 
 Thompson, Elder Robert W., of 
 Greenfield, Ind. The subject of this 
 sketch was born in Fayette County, 
 Ind., October 11, 1842. He is the 
 grandson of Elder Wilson Thompson 
 who was a pioneer Old School Bap- 
 tist minister of Kentucky, Ohio and 
 Indiana. His parents, James L. and 
 Elizabeth Thompson, moved to How- 
 ard County, Ind., in 1850, while the 
 country was yet new. The public 
 schools of that day afforded but little 
 opportunity to obtain even an ordi- 
 nary education. He was reared on the 
 
 farm and was inured to hard labor. 
 He was married to Miss Sarah E. 
 Hodson August 22, 1SG7. To them 
 were born four children, two sons 
 and two daughters. At about the age 
 of twelve years he was suddenly 
 brought under conviction for sin, but 
 was gradually led to trust in Christ 
 for salvation. In the meantime sin 
 generally seemed to have the mas- 
 tery. September 16, 1871, he and his 
 wife united with Providence Church 
 and were baptized the next day by 
 Elder Jesse G. Jackson. He was or- 
 dained a deacon in this church, wtiich 
 position he filled till liberate to ex- 
 ercise a gift in public speaking April 
 18, 1874. He was ordained to the work 
 of the gospel ministry October 21, 
 1876. Elder Thompson has since serv- 
 ed four churches most of the time; 
 has had five public debates; three of 
 them with ministers of the Soulsleep- 
 er denomination and two with minis- 
 ters of the Campbellite denomination. 
 He has traveled and preached in the 
 states of Delaware, New Jersey, Penn- 
 sylvania, New York; Washington, D. 
 C, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, 
 North Carolina, South Carolina, Geor- 
 gia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, 
 Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and 
 Kansas. In 1886, he left the farm and 
 moved to Greenfield, Ind., his present 
 home, and with Deacon D. H. Goble 
 (deceased), started the publication of 
 the Primitive Monitor in the interest 
 of the Primitive Baptists. Since June, 
 1892, Elder Thompson has had full 
 control of this popular magazine. He 
 is an humble, kind and lovely man, 
 tender and sympathetic, yet firm and 
 uncompromising with error. A gifted 
 speaker and able writer— his influence 
 for good is great; his love for the 
 cause of truth sincere, and his labors 
 in the Master's vineyard unselfishly 
 zealous. Elder Thompson is modera- 
 tor of the White Water Association. 
 
 JESSE W. THORNTON. 
 
 Thornton, Elder Jesse W. of North 
 Yakima, Wash., was born in DeKalb 
 County, Mo., January 6, 1850; receiv- 
 ed a hope in Christ when ten years 
 old; united with the Old School Bap- 
 tist Church at Oak Creek, Oregon, 
 January, 1893; was ordained to the 
 full work of the ministry September 
 6, 1902, by Elders W. S, Matthews 
 and G. R. Girard. He was a son of 
 Deacon John Thornton of Salem 
 Church, DeKalb County, Mo., and 
 
270 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 grandson of Elder Jesse Todd who 
 was for a long time pastor of the 
 same church. The editor regrets that 
 
 JESSE W. THORNTON 
 
 data for a more detailed sketch of 
 Elder Thornton's life and labors could 
 not be obtained. 
 
 ELMORE C. THRASH. 
 
 Thrash, Elder Elmore C, of Geor- 
 gia, is a plain, social, orderly and 
 useful Primitive Baptist, and a sound, 
 able and instructive gospel preacher, 
 desiring more to minister to the poor 
 and destitute churches and communi- 
 ties, than to have the regular pastoral 
 charge of any church. He has been 
 many years in the ministry and is 
 now about seventy years of age. The 
 editor's efforts to secure data for a 
 more suitable sketch proved fruitless. 
 We can only add that Elder Thrash is 
 not only big in heart and sympathy, 
 but also in physique. His altitude is 
 six feet four inches. 
 
 D. M. THRASH. 
 
 Thrash, Elder D. M., of Rock Creek, 
 Ark., is the faithful pastor of Pleasant 
 Grove, and other churches within the 
 bounds of the South Arkansas Primi- 
 tive Baptist Association and the be- 
 loved moderator of that body. 
 
 A. L. THURSTON. 
 
 Thurston, Elder A. L. (1830-1898), 
 of Ohio, the son of Isaac and Marga- 
 ret Lee Thurston, was born in Butler 
 County, O. He was married to Girzilla 
 
 Thurston, December, 1850, and prov- 
 ed to her a faithful companion until 
 he fell asleep in Jesus in his sixty- 
 eighth year of age. Elder Thurston be- 
 came a member of the Indian Creek 
 Baptist Church near his early home, 
 in 1853; was licensed to preach in 
 1857, and ordained in 1858. His home, 
 during the greater portion of his life, 
 was in Franklin County, Ind., and his 
 ministerial labors were principally in 
 that county, though he often, in his 
 early life, visited and preached for 
 the churches in adjoining counties in 
 Indiana, and also, in Ohio and Ken- 
 tucky. When he moved to Indiana he 
 united with Big Cedar Grove Church, 
 
 A. L. THURSTON 
 
 one of the oldest Baptist churches in 
 Franklin County. Almost his first ef- 
 forts in speaking were at that church, 
 which he afterward serve year after 
 year as pastor, from 1861 till his 
 death. He made no attempt to be a 
 great preacher, but he was a faithful 
 pastor, always at his post; and when, 
 near the close of his life, his health 
 failed so he could not stand and 
 speak, he sometimes sat in his chair 
 and talked to his brethren, telling 
 them "the old, old story" that is ever 
 new, of God's love and mercy to sin- 
 ful man. 
 
 EPPE TILLERY. 
 
 Tillery, Elder Eppe, of Missouri, who 
 died many years ago, was one of the 
 pioneer preachers of northwest Mis- 
 souri, and served several years as 
 Moderator of Nodaway Association. 
 Information from which to prepare a 
 suitable sketch of this faithful and use- 
 ful minister's life could not be secured. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 271 
 
 J. N. TIPTON. 
 
 Tipton, Elder J. N., of Georgia, was 
 born in Decatur County, united with 
 the Primitive Baptists in 1877 and 
 was baptize by Elder J. T. Everett 
 unto the fellowship of the Olive Grove 
 Church of Decatur County. His youth- 
 ful training was under the Free Will 
 Baptist discipline, a religion that he 
 persistently tried to believe, but when 
 his eyes had been opened, as it were, 
 by revelation, he saw plainly, as set 
 forth in the Scriptures, that none 
 could come unto the Saviour except 
 the Father draw them. Soon after he 
 united with the church he was or- 
 dained and called to the care of Olive 
 Grove church, where he ably expound- 
 ed the Scriptures to his hearers for 
 about ten years prior to his death. 
 He bore his afflictions with untiring 
 patience. His mind grew faint pertain- 
 ing to things of this world before his 
 parting hour, but the great Jehovah 
 he never forgot, constantly asking His 
 mercy and protection on his dear 
 household, at the same time asking 
 forgiveness in behalf of some who 
 had in years past been his persecut- 
 ors, as he felt without a cause, thus 
 manifesting the forgiving spirit of his 
 ■divine Master. 
 
 JESSE TODD. 
 
 Todd, Elder Jesse, (1792-1865),of 
 TJeKalb County Mo., was born in 
 South Carolina, and united with Vina 
 Fork Church in Kentucky when about 
 grown. Moving to Missouri he first 
 settled in Howard County, and in De- 
 Kalb in the year 1839, where he was in 
 the constitution of the first church in 
 the county — Bethlehem Church — in De- 
 cember, 1842. He was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry August 6. 1845, 
 and served Bethlehem Church as past- 
 or about thirty years, and was a faith- 
 ful servant in the Master's vineyard. 
 The editor regrets that, for want of re- 
 liable information, a detailed sketch 
 of Elder Todd's life and labors could 
 not be given. 
 
 JESSE TOMLIN. 
 
 Tomlion, Elder Jesse (1798-1879), of 
 Dale County, Ala. The subject of this 
 notice was born in South Carolina, 
 was removed by his parents, at the age 
 of nine years to Georgia, where he 
 was reared to manhood, passing 
 through childhood and youth with the 
 
 praise of the community for his un- 
 flinching morality and strong resolu- 
 tions for truth and justice. He obtain- 
 ed an evidence of being born of the 
 Spirit at about the age of twenty-five 
 years, joined the Baptist Church, and 
 a few years after was appointed dea- 
 con. Not many years later he was or- 
 dained to the work of the gospel min- 
 istry in which he labored faithfully 
 and efficiently half a century, being 
 exceedingly well versed in the scrip- 
 tures, in doctrine sound and uncom- 
 promising, and serving from five to 
 seven churches a portion of the time. 
 He was accounted by his brethren as 
 an uncommonly able disciplinarian, 
 being mild and gentle in his manner. 
 He was much loved by the brother- 
 hood, and highly respected by all who 
 knew him, was very tender and in- 
 structive to young Christians, and es- 
 pecially helpful to young ministers. 
 
 SAMUEL TROTT. 
 
 Trott, Elder Samuel (1783-1866), of 
 Virginia, was born in New Hampshire, 
 and was baptized into the fellowship 
 of the Baptist Church in Morristown, 
 N. J., in 1810 by Elder Parkinson of 
 New York. He began preaching the 
 following year and was ordained at 
 'Morristown in 1812. He took a most 
 important part in the division of the 
 Old School from the New School Bap- 
 tists and firmly opposed all depar- 
 tures from the doctrine and practice 
 of the apostolic church. For a time he 
 preached in Kentucky. During the 
 last many years of his life he lived in 
 or near Fairfax, Va., traveling on 
 horseback, serving a number of 
 churches in Virginia, and visiting the 
 Black Rock Church and other 
 
272 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 churches of the Baltimore Associa- 
 tion. Elder Gilbert Beebe wrote of 
 him: "We have been personally ac- 
 quainted with our dear brother about 
 forty-five years, and from our earliest 
 acquaintance have looked up to him 
 as to a father for consel and instruc- 
 tion, which he has been enabled to 
 give. We have always found him 
 ready to speak a seasonable word to 
 us when occasion required. Like 
 David and Jonathan we have loved 
 each other; facing the same toes, 
 bearing the same testimony, engaged 
 in the same conflicts and participating 
 in the same victories, suffering the 
 same reproaches, encountering the 
 same persecutions for the truth's 
 sake; is it strange, now that he is 
 taken from us, that we should ex- 
 claim, as did Elisha, when he saw 
 Elijah taken up to heaven in a fiery 
 chariot: 'My father! my father! the 
 chariot of Israel and the horsemen 
 thereof.' " Elder R. C. Leachman 
 wrote of him: "He has been actively 
 engaged in the ministry for more than 
 sixty years. It was not with him as, 
 alas! it is with too mony, a work of 
 convenience, or of secondary iniport- 
 anace, but was regarded as the great 
 and leading business of his life. 
 Through sunshine and storm, winter 
 and summer, he was faithful to his 
 appointments, and seemed to be al- 
 ways laden with gospel treasure. No 
 man seemed to feel more sensibly his 
 dependance upon God, and none seem- 
 ed to be more constantly furnished 
 unto every good word and work. To a 
 naturally strong and logical mind he 
 added a liberal education, and a rich 
 endowment of spiritual gifts rarely 
 found combined in the same individ- 
 ual. We have traveled many thousand 
 miles together, and I have heard him 
 preach more discourses than I have 
 any other man, and I think I can truly 
 say that I never heard him preach 
 that he did not say something I had 
 never heard him say before." 
 
 JAMES M. TRUE. 
 
 True, Elder James M. (1823-1908). 
 This highly esteemed and well known 
 minister of the gospel of Christ was 
 born in Kentucky united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church at Little 
 Bethel, near Mattoon, 111., and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Threlkild, in March, 
 1843. He was for many years, engaged 
 in mercantile pursuits in Mattoon, 111., 
 where he was married to Miss Nancy 
 B. Threldild, September 21, 1843. Six 
 
 children were born to them, four dying 
 in infancy, and one Alvira Ellen, at 
 twenty years of age. One daughter, 
 Mrs. Lillie A. Hayes, survives him. 
 His wife having died at Seward, Neb., 
 in 1890, he was again married to Mrs. 
 Candace Mariam Kester, at Kansas, 
 111., June 1, 1891. At the beginning of 
 the Civil war in 1861, he organized a 
 company, of which he was commis- 
 sioned captain June 20 1861, and it 
 was known as Company E., Thirty- 
 eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He 
 was promoted to colonel in June, 1862, 
 and placed in command of the Sixty- 
 second Illinois Infantry. He held this 
 rank until March 6, 1865, when he was 
 promoted to the rank of brigadier gen- 
 eral, and was discharged May 1, 1865. 
 He was appointed United States consul 
 to Kingston, Canada.. February 20, 
 1874; the appointment being acknow- 
 ledged by Queen Victoria April 6, 1874. 
 He served in this capacity for four 
 years. He was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry October 
 18, 1879 in West Liberty Church, Des- 
 Moines County, Iowa. Elder True was 
 an able expounder of the word; and 
 uncompromising in doctrinal positions, 
 but mild and humble in his presenta- 
 tion of the truth. He was truly a noble 
 man, respected alike by friend and foe 
 for his steadfastness and unswerving 
 honesty in whatsoever he deemed to 
 be right, and loved by all who were fav- 
 ored with an intimate acquaintance 
 with him. He hath done what he 
 could; always contending for the right, 
 as he was enabled to see it; and he 
 died rejoicing in the faith of the Son 
 of God as his blessed and only Saviour. 
 
 RUSSELL TUCKER. 
 
 Tucker, Elder Russell (1820-1883), 
 was a native of Nash County, N. C. 
 When about twenty years of age he 
 experienced a hope in Christ, and was 
 baptized by Elder Thomas Crocker in- 
 to the fellowship cf the church at 
 Peach Tree. After speaking as a licen- 
 tiate several years, he was, in 1860, 
 ordained to the ministry by Elders 
 John H. Daniels and Robt. D. Hart. 
 He served Peach Tree, Sandy Grove, 
 Hickory Rock and Castalia churches; 
 was a good farmer, a kind neighbor, 
 an excellent citizen, industrious, eco- 
 nomical and liberal, a diligent student 
 cf the Scriptures, and a plain and 
 earnest preacher of Christ and Him 
 crucified as the only and all-sufficient 
 Saviour of sinners. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 273 
 
 A. P. TUCKER. 
 
 Tucker, Elder A. P., of .Maultrie, 
 Ga , was born January 12, 1859. He is 
 the twentieth child of his father — 
 Elder Henry C. Tucker, who was mar- 
 ried three times and was the father of 
 thirty-one children. Elder Tucker was 
 married in 1878, united with the Prim- 
 itive Baptist at Bethsada Church in 
 Colquitt County, Ga., in 1885, and was 
 in 1891, ordained after serving- 
 churches as a licensed preacher for 
 about twc years. Since his ordination 
 he has had the care of churches, 
 sometimes serving as many as six. 
 Has baptized a great number of per- 
 sons, assisted in the ordination oi 
 several ministers and deacons ana 
 aided in the constitution of six or 
 eight churches. He writes the editoi 
 that he has failed to record the num- 
 ber of couples he has married, but 
 a great many, he remembers of six- 
 teen in three months; the oldest, the 
 groom seventy-four and bride sixty- 
 four; the youngest groom sixteen and 
 bride fourteen; the two oldest per- 
 sons baptized eighty-one and eigthy- 
 five, and the youngest thirteen years 
 of age. Elder Tucker is full of zeal 
 in the cause of truth and desires to 
 be found faithfully contending for the 
 faith once delivered unto the saints. 
 
 GREENVILLE L. TUGGLE. 
 
 Tuggle, Greenville L. (1834-1885), 
 was born in Partick County, Va., uni- 
 ted with the Primitive Baptist Church 
 at Jack's Creek, Patrick County in 
 May 1854, and baptized by Elder Dan- 
 iel Conner, and remained an orderly 
 
 member of this church until death. 
 Elder Tuggle was in 1858, licensed by 
 the church to preach wherever God 
 might cast his lot and in August, 1859, 
 he was ordained by Elders Joshua 
 Adams, Daniel Conner and Claiborne 
 Plaster to the administering of ordi- 
 nances. He was the pastor of two 
 churches at the time of his death. The 
 church at West Fork, Floyd County, 
 Va., he had served as their faithful 
 pastor some twenty-four or twenty-five 
 years; he had served the church at 
 Jack's Creek, Patrick County, Va., 
 near eight years with much faithful- 
 ness and promptitude. He was a gift- 
 ed minister of the gospel of the Son 
 of God, and also straight forward in 
 what he believed to be in accordance 
 with the word of God and turned 
 neither to the right or left to court 
 the favor or applause of any, and 
 thereby made some enemies, and suf- 
 fered much persecution for truth's 
 sake though he seemed to bear it with 
 much patience and Christian forti- 
 tude, and was often made to rejoice 
 that he was counted worthy to suffer 
 shame for Christ's sake. He was faith- 
 ful until the end and peacefully pass- 
 ed over the river of death in full as- 
 surance of rest beyond. The following 
 acostic was written in his memory, 
 and appears among the records of 
 Elder Tuggles' church: 
 Gone, gone is our brother, so noble 
 
 and true, 
 Respected by many, fondly loved by a 
 
 few; 
 Even now we are weeping, though 
 
 tears are in vain; 
 Even now he is sleeping that sleep 
 
 which is gain. 
 No winter, no sorrow, no persecution 
 
 there — 
 Light not of the sun shines eternally 
 
 fair. 
 Tossed often in tempest and comfort- 
 ers gone, 
 
 "Unwavering for truth he went valiant- 
 ly on 
 Giving courage to the drooping and 
 
 cheer to the faint, 
 God alone knows the goodness of this 
 
 heaven-born saint; 
 Loving and tender, yet shunning ap- 
 plause, 
 Enduring to the end in his blessed 
 Lord's cause. 
 
 IRA TURNER. 
 
 Turner, Elder Ira, of Missouri, was 
 born in Gibson County, Ind., Novem- 
 ber 30, 1843, and was the youngest of 
 a family of twelve children. He was 
 raised up under the religious in flu- 
 
274 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ence of the Unitarians — sometimes 
 called New Lights, but when about 
 fifteen years old he united with the 
 Free Will Baptists. Within a few 
 months he learned that if his relig- 
 ious experience was true that he was 
 in the wrong place for it wculd not 
 fit with their doctrine of salvation. 
 About this time he was persuaded by 
 a friend to go into an Old School Bap- 
 tist meeting house where he for the 
 first time heard a Baptist sermon 
 preached by Elder Jcel Hume. He was 
 greatly comforted, felt he had found 
 his people, and in October of the 
 same year — 1860 — asked for a home 
 among them, was received at Salem 
 Church, Ind., and baptized by Elder 
 Hume. In 1868 he moved to the fron- 
 tier of Kansas and there, during the 
 same year, he made his first attempt 
 to preach Jesus to others. Soon two 
 
 IRA TURNER 
 
 churches were organized, called Little 
 Zion and Rich Valley, and in 1871 he 
 was ordained by Elders Ezekiel Field- 
 ler, M. F. Hedges, and W. W. Polk. 
 Since his ordination Elder Turner has 
 served churches in Indiana, Illinois, 
 and Missouri, and traveled and 
 preached in many states. His knowl- 
 edge of vocal music was excellent, his 
 preaching was ncted for its variety 
 and success attended his labors. In 
 1889 he was called to the care of 
 churches in Boone County, Mo., and 
 though these churches, and others in 
 the Salem Association, were at the 
 time weak, they have since built up 
 until this is the strongest association, 
 
 numerically, in Misscuri, — some of 
 the churches numbering from one to 
 two hundred in membership. Elder 
 Turner is at present, moderator of 
 this association,, is an able presiding 
 officer, a gifted preacher and loves 
 the Baptists and the doctrine dear to 
 them. For about forty years he has 
 contended earnestly for the doctrine 
 and practice of the Apostolic Church 
 and is satisfied with the good old way 
 wherein is rest and peace. 
 
 FRANKLIN M. TURNER. 
 
 Turner, Elder Franklin M., of Han- 
 nibal, Mo, was born July 16, 1837, and 
 united with Bear Creek Church, near 
 Hannibal, November 7, 1863. He was 
 crdained September 5, 1868, and 
 preached acceptably for the churches 
 until his death. His high standing 
 among men was attested by the fact 
 that he was sent to represent his 
 county in the legislature. He died 
 February 8, 1879. The editor's efforts 
 to obtain data from which to prepare 
 a more suitable sketch of Elder Tur- 
 ner, proved in vain. 
 
 E. B. TURNER. 
 
 Turner, Elder E. B., of Virginia, 
 who died several years ago, was born 
 in Henry County, Va., August 14, 
 1801; raised by Christian parents; 
 convicted of sin in his twenty-fourth 
 year while witnessing the baptism of 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 275 
 
 some persons; went to the law for 
 righteousness and under this school- 
 master learned the exceeding sinful- 
 ness of sin and that the wages of sin 
 is death; was led to the cross and 
 found in Jesus a complete Saviour; 
 united with the Baptists at Town 
 Creek Church, Henry County, Va., and 
 was baptized by Elder Wilson Turner. 
 Soon after uniting with the church he 
 was elected clerk, and later deacon, 
 but the church discovered in him the 
 ministerial gift and he was licensed, 
 and a few months after this he was 
 ordained by Elders Kelly, Walker, 
 Winter and Martin. Elder Turner, was 
 until his death a faithful pastor of 
 churches and for a long time was 
 moderator of the Pig River Associa- 
 tion. In his eighty-fourth year 
 Elder Turner wrote: "I can now say 
 that during my pilgrimage, and partic- 
 ularly in my ministerial labors, I have 
 tried to be faithful in trying to pro- 
 mote the peace and happiness of the 
 church I have not turned to the right 
 or tc the left.. I have not shunned, as 
 was said by the eminent apostle Paul, 
 to declare the whole counsel as far as 
 God in His providence has enabled 
 me to do, regardless of the frowns of 
 mortal man; for when I arise befcre 
 a congregation, and stand as it were 
 between the living and the dead, and 
 if I am what I profess to be, as a 
 mouth for God, and in His immediate 
 presence, I do not feel that I have a 
 foe to punish or a friend to reward. 
 I have ever felt that error should be 
 exposed and truth made manifest 
 from preaching the word as it is in 
 Jesus. Timothy was commanded to 
 preach the word, which has ever been 
 unpopular with the world cf mankind 
 at large, and especially with the relig- 
 ious world. I feel that my time is 
 short that I am to remain here on 
 earth to fight against the enemies of 
 truth, but my great desire is that I 
 may be found in the discharge of my 
 duty, that I may have a conscience 
 void of cffence toward God and man, 
 that I may, through divine grace, be 
 enabled when I lay down in death, to 
 say I have fought a good fight." Elder 
 Turner served as justice of the peace 
 of his native county twenty years, 
 also served as school commissioner, 
 county assessor, member of the board 
 of supervisors, and member of the 
 state legislature. In old age he wrote 
 in regard to this work. "I am now old 
 and most worn out, and I can say that 
 a great deal of my labcr and time has 
 been given to the public, but I do not 
 regret it, nor anything I could do for 
 
 my fellow-man; there is a sphere in 
 life for all men to occupy, and he who 
 lives alone fcr himself is but little use 
 to society." 
 
 Z. T. TURNER. 
 
 Turner, Elder Z. T. of Figsboro Va., 
 son of Elder E. B. Turner, was born 
 January 20, 1874. Though he was rear- 
 ed by christian parents and taught to 
 be honest and truthful, and treat all 
 people with kindness, yet all the train- 
 ing given by men could not kill him to 
 the love of sin and the pleasures of the 
 world. God's spirit alone could do 
 this, and for him, this was done in his 
 thirty-third year of age. Being deep- 
 ly convicted of sin his burden of guilt 
 was heavy, but the same God who be- 
 gins the good work, completes it; he 
 was given a sweet hope in Jesus as 
 his sin-bearer, and a love for the Bap- 
 tists with whom he united in 1881 and 
 was baptized by Elder Amos Dicker- 
 son. Having a dispensation of the 
 gospel committed unto him he was 
 soon impressed with the duty of 
 preaching, and though for sometime 
 he was disobedient, yet he could get 
 no relief of mind until he went for- 
 ward in the public service. He was, 
 in 1886, ordained by Elders S. Peter 
 Corn. W. S. Minter, W. S. McDowell, 
 G. B. Lee and E. B. Turner, and on the 
 following day baptized his wife and 
 four others, and has since had the care 
 of churches, has baptized a great many 
 persons into the fellowship of his 
 churches, united several hundred cou- 
 ples in marriage, is clerk of the Pig 
 River Association, and is a faithful, 
 zealous minister and desires to be 
 found in duty's pathway. Elder Turner 
 has been blessed with two good wives ; 
 
276 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 he was first married to Miss Nannie A. 
 Jamison, and after her death thirteen 
 years later, he was married to Miss 
 Hattie S. Cook, who enters fully unto 
 her husband's labors in the Master's 
 vineyard. 
 
 CHARLES L. TURNER. 
 
 Turner, Elder Charles L., of Hanni- 
 bal, Mo., was born in Albemarle Coun- 
 ty. Va., June 30, 1792. He was one of 
 the pioneer preachers of Missouri, and 
 was in the constitution of Bear Creek 
 Church, near Hannibal, which occurred 
 August 5, 1821. He was ordained to 
 the full work of the ministry Novem- 
 ber 19, 1834, and was a strong defender 
 of the faith. He died November 21, 
 1864. The editor regrets that data for 
 a more conplete sketch of this worthy 
 minister could not be obtained for this 
 work. 
 
 WILLIAM TURNIDGE. 
 
 Turnidge, Elder William, of Missou- 
 ri, was a faithful minister of Jesus 
 who lived before the division of 1832. 
 He died sometime in the fifties and 
 was considered a gifted expounder of 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour, and 
 it is with regret that the editor could 
 not secure sufficient information for 
 a detailed sketch. 
 
 VINCENT J. TURNIDGE. 
 
 Turnidge, Elder Vincent J., of Sheri- 
 dan, Ore., was born in Missouri. He 
 was raised by Old School Baptists. 
 His father, John Turnidge, was a 
 
 Avorthy minister for many years and 
 some of the most pleasant memories 
 of Elder Vincent J. Turnidge are the 
 recollection of his departed father's 
 life and labors as a minister, — his 
 praying for God's protection for his 
 family singing the songs of Zion, etc. 
 But his father's teaching could not 
 make a Baptist of him. He grew up 
 depending upon his supposed good 
 works for salvation, feeling that at 
 any time he chose he could perform 
 the conditions that would make him a 
 child of God. But he was prone to put 
 off beginning the good work. When 
 about seventeen years old, he entered 
 the army and suffered much pro- 
 vation. It was while recovering from 
 a very low, unconscious condition in a 
 hospital that he was made to fully real- 
 ize his lost and ruined condition, was 
 deeply convicted of sin and felt that 
 hell was his portion. But God deliv- 
 ered him of this great burden of sin. 
 Whi'e praying the publican's prayer 
 he was given a sweet hope in Jesus,, 
 recovered from his illness, went home 
 and in August, 1865, united with Log 
 Creek Church and was baptized by 
 Elder Isaac Odell. Two years later 
 he moved to Lawrence County, Mo., 
 and was in the constitution of Stall's 
 Creek Church about 1868. Soon after 
 this he was by this church ordained to 
 the gospel ministry by Elders John 
 Turnidge, A. J. Derniel, Wm. Jones 
 and George Anderson. In 1874 he 
 moved to Polk County, Ore. and was 
 one of the constituent members of 
 Fellowship Church organized about 
 this time, and has served this and 
 other churches for about twenty-five 
 years. He desires to be found faith- 
 ful and to know nothing but Jesus and 
 Him crucified in the salvation of sin- 
 
 JAMES TURNIDGE. 
 
 Turnidge, Elder James, .of .Idaho, 
 was born in Missouri, licensed to 
 preach by Stalls Creek Church in 
 Lawrence County, about the year 
 1870, moved to Texas sometime after- 
 wards and was, in this state, ordained 
 by Elders William Price and D. Eth- 
 redge. Later he moved to Oregon and 
 some years after this moved to Idaho 
 and has the care of churches but the 
 editor failed to get data for a proper 
 sketch. 
 
 JOHN TURNIDGE. 
 
 Turnidge, Elder John (1816-1886), of 
 Oregon, was for forty-four years a 
 minister of the Old School or Primi- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 277 
 
 tive Baptist Church and boldly and 
 fearlessly contended for the faith once 
 delivered unto the saints. His labors 
 were mostly among the churches in 
 Missouri but in the latter part of his 
 life he moved to Oregon where he lab- 
 ored until his death. He was, in his old 
 age, strong in the faith he had preach- 
 ed in his youth and died with a sweet 
 assurance of salvation in Jesus. 
 
 J. C. TURNIDGE. 
 
 Turnidge, Elder J. C., of Weiser, 
 Idaho, son of Elder John Turnidge. 
 was born in Ray County, Mo., in 1849, 
 convicted of sin in his seventeenth 
 year and after much soul sorrow and 
 many days of labor under 'Moses he 
 was enable by faith to come to Jesus 
 for rest, and found a home in the dear 
 old church his father sc much loved 
 and so earnestly labored for. He was 
 soon licensed to preach and about this 
 time moved to Texas and was or- 
 dained at Orchard Gap Church in Col- 
 lins County, by Elders W. N. Price 
 
 and Harris. Some years later 
 
 he moved to Idaho and has since 
 served churches in this state and in 
 Washington and Oregon. He has as- 
 sisted in the organization of churches 
 in the Siloam Association, has baptiz- 
 ed about one hundred persons, is in 
 the sixtieth year of his age and feels 
 his race is nearly run, but is faithful 
 to the churches of his care, strong in 
 the Lord and well established in His 
 doctrine and feels that the fiaith he 
 has preached to others will sustain 
 him in the hour of death. 
 
 G. N. TUSING. 
 
 Tusing, Elder G. N., of Ohio, was 
 born in Franklin County, O., Decem- 
 
 ber 6 ,1821, and died May 27, 1905. He 
 was united in marriage with Elizabeth 
 Harman February 18, 1847, and they 
 journeyed together and shared with 
 each other the joys and sorrows of 
 this life for over 58 years. This union 
 was blessed with four sons and tive 
 daughters. One brother of the deceas- 
 ed, Elder Samuel C. Tusing, of New 
 Lexington, O., also survives him. 
 There are also thirty grandchildren 
 and twenty-three great-grandchildren 
 Elder Tusing was baptized and united 
 with Friendship Baptist Church at 
 Reynoldsburg, O., December 7, 1851. 
 He was ordained to the ministry by 
 this same church December 10, 1853, 
 and he was ccntinuously engaged in 
 the ministry for more than fifty-one 
 years. It can be said of him that few 
 men came nearer than he in gaining 
 the universal love and esteem of his 
 brethren. He fully appreciated that 
 his departure was speedily approach- 
 ing and he calmly awaited the final 
 summons. He frequently remarked 
 that his work was done and that he 
 was ready to go. God had blessed him 
 through a long life and in the lan- 
 guage of the Psalmist, had satisfied 
 him. He retained fully his faculties to 
 the end, and died as he had lived — 
 fully trusting in Jesus. His life was 
 useful, his end peaceful, his death 
 easy. 
 
 JOHN TYLER. 
 
 Tyler, Elder John of Texas, died 
 April 30, 1885. He was a highly es- 
 teemed and faithful minister of Jesus 
 for about fifty-eight years. Sound in 
 doctrine and practice, beloved by all 
 of the household of faith that knew 
 him, he died in the full triumphs of 
 that faith he had so earnestly preached 
 to others. The editor regrets that a 
 more complete sketch could not ap- 
 pear. 
 
 DANIEL TYSON. 
 
 Tyson, Elder Daniel of Georgia, fell 
 as'eep in the triumphs of a living faith 
 in Jesus October 15, 1895, at his resi- 
 dence in Emanuel County, in the sev- 
 enty-first year of his age. He was a 
 son of Noah and Elizabeth Tyson, of 
 Washington County, Ga. Was united 
 in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Neal 
 January 6 1846, with whom he lived 
 happily until his death. In 1868 he 
 was baptized into the fellowship of 
 Sardis Church, Emanuel County, Ga., 
 by Elder Archibald Odom, where he 
 
278 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 remained an orderly and exemplary 
 member until his death. Soon after 
 he joined the church he was elected 
 clerk, and served in that capacity satis- 
 factorily until he was ordained in the 
 year 1873 as a minister of Christ. The 
 
 Presbytery was composed of Elders 
 Archie Odom and Edward Rhyner. He 
 proved to be an able minister of the 
 gospel of Christ until his death. Was 
 well versed in the scriptures and 
 sound in doctrine. 
 
 u 
 
 MARTIN URNER. 
 
 Urner, Elder Martin, of Virginia, 
 died the 6th day of March, 1888, in the 
 seventy-fifth year of his age. No lin- 
 gering sigh escaped his breast, no 
 longing eye was turned to the tempor- 
 al treasures of this life, but with a 
 happy smile and conscious to the last 
 he bid adieu tc this world and loved 
 ones to enjoy a happy fruition in the 
 eternity of God. Elder Urner was well 
 
 known by all the churches of the Ke- 
 tockton and Ebenezer Associations. 
 He had a dignified, Christian deport- 
 ment, a smile and warm word for all. 
 His sermcns showed thought and de- 
 veloped a systematic training of the 
 mind. He desired to know nothing in 
 his preaching but Jesus and Him 
 crucified for the salvation of sinners, 
 and nothing but Scripture as a fur- 
 nisher to God's people for all good 
 wcrks. 
 
 V 
 
 D. M. VAIL. 
 
 Vail, Elder D. M., of Waverly, Pa., 
 the son of Daniel S. and Margery E. 
 Vail was born September 1, 1845; at- 
 tended country school about six 
 months a year from about seven to 
 fifteen years of age. He had some 
 knowledge cf his sinful condition be- 
 fore God when only about seven years 
 old and for twenty-one years he la- 
 bored under the law, and was made 
 to know that he was a lost and ruined 
 sinner. At about twenty-one years cf 
 age he received a hope in God's rich 
 mercy and grace; soon after this he 
 
 united with the Old School Baptist 
 Church called Cheming, in Cheming 
 County, N. Y., Elder S. H. Durand be- 
 ing pastor. For some time he was 
 very contented and happy,- but socn 
 he was very much impressed to de- 
 clare in public what wonderful things 
 the Lord had done for him, and in 
 October, 1878, he was ordained by 
 Elders Win. L. Beebe, Gilbert Beebe, 
 Balas Bundy and Silas H. Durand. 
 Very soon after he was called to serve 
 several churches, is still serving some 
 cf his first churches, and at present 
 has the care of ten churches. He has 
 travelled and preached in fifteen 
 states and Canada, and is well and 
 favorably known. Elder Vail writes: 
 "I have never felt that my services 
 were of much, if any, benefit to my 
 brethren, but I love them, and they 
 love me, and that, I feel, more than 
 compensate me for my services. I 
 have never desired the pastoral care 
 of a church, as I have never felt quali- 
 fied for the office and it has been with 
 great reluctance that I have consent- 
 ed. Have never received a stated sal- 
 ary, but each member bands me what 
 is in their heart to give, and the 
 needs of myself and family — have 
 raised eight children — have always 
 been supplied by their gifts with what 
 I have myself earned." Elder Vail is 
 one of our most faithful pastors and 
 is most highly esteemed wherever he 
 goes. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 279 
 
 MATTHIAS MOUNT VAN CLEAVE. 
 
 Van Cleave, Elder Matthias Mount, 
 of Crawfordsville, Ind., was born in 
 Shelby County, Ky., November 26, 
 1810; moved with his parents to Indi- 
 ana in 1824 when the country was al- 
 most a wilderness; united with Union 
 Church in 1828, and was some years 
 afterwards ordained to the minister- 
 ial work, and for nearly fifty years 
 proved a faithful and devoted minis- 
 ter. He died at his home October 2G, 
 1898, in his eighty-seventh year of 
 age. As a man he was almost univer- 
 sally esteemed, and had the commu- 
 nity been asked tc select its most 
 affectionate, kindest-hearted man, its 
 most faithful and devoted believer in 
 God, "Uncle Mattie Van Cleave" 
 v/ould have been the choice. His life 
 was a blessing — his end was peace. 
 The church was very dear to him. As 
 a nurse cherisheth her children, so did 
 he live and labor and pray for the 
 welfare of Zion. Elder Van Cleave 
 was also an able, comforting writer. 
 The following letter written by him 
 about two years before his death and 
 printed in the Gospel Messenger, I 
 feel, will be read with interest 
 "Brethren of the South, and of Every 
 Land where this may Come — I send 
 you Greeting in the Lord: Grace, 
 mercy and peace be multiplied tc you. 
 What is there to compare with the 
 love of Christ Jesus our Lord? It has 
 been my support and joy for three- 
 score years; I trust it will be my re- 
 joicing in the world everlasting. The 
 Lord was gocd to me in my youth; 
 now he is everything, and in heaven 
 he will be all in all. I remember the 
 day of youth, when I have often gone 
 on foot to the meetings fourteen miles 
 
 away, sometimes walking, sometimes 
 running, and feeling that my heart 
 was already there. Nc time is so dear 
 to memory as that spent in trying to 
 serve God; no friends have been so 
 dear as my companions in the church. 
 It gladdens my heart, Bro. Respess, 
 to know that you have been under my 
 roof; that we have clasped hands and 
 eaten bread together; and so of Bro. 
 Hassell, and Bro. Durand, and many 
 more of whom the world is not 
 worthy. Thank God we are bound to- 
 gether in the one hope of our calling. 
 One destiny remains for us; one 
 eternal rest, where sin and tears will 
 have no remembrance. The crossing 
 of Jordan is not far distant; ere I 
 touch its brim, I would love to record 
 the mercy of my God. Have I not, like 
 gocd old Jacob, seen the vision of a 
 ladder reaching up to heaven? Like 
 him I would set up a stone for a pil- 
 lar and pour oil upon it for a memo- 
 rial to Him who has said, 'Behold I 
 am with thee, and will keep thee in 
 all places whither thou goest.' But 
 who can tell of the Lord's wonderful 
 works? I can say with David, If I 
 would speak of them, they are more 
 than can be numbered. Words are 
 weak and language fails. You, whose 
 hearts have sometimes been as the 
 Lord's banqueting house, have the 
 witness wdthin yourselves. You know 
 that the God of Jerusalem rideth upon 
 the heaven in thy help, and in his 
 excellency on the sky. Blessed be the 
 Lord, in his name we will set up our 
 banners. He has been with us in 
 many dark and secret hours, in joys 
 and sorrows, in sunshine and storm. 
 He has given His people grace; He 
 lives to give them glory. Readers cf 
 the Messenger that can say with me, 
 The time of old age has come, have 
 you ever seen the righteous forsaken, 
 or his seed begging bread? Have you 
 ever found a hope like the good hcpe 
 of grace? Have' you ever repented the 
 profession you have made? I com- 
 mend you to the God of all grace. 
 With cne voice let us praise Him for 
 the precious things of heaven, for the 
 dew, and the deep that coucheth be- 
 neath, for the good will of him that 
 dwelt in the bush. The Lord's pres- 
 ence be with you evermore. A dear 
 farewell. — M. M. Van Cleave." 
 
 PERRY VANDEVER. 
 
 Vandever, Elder Perry, of Lola, 111., 
 "was born in the state of Indiana in 
 1844, and joined the Primitive Baptist 
 Church in 1867 and was ordained to 
 the work of the ministry in 1885, and is 
 
280 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 now pastor of four churches." This 
 brief notice of Elder Vandever was 
 copied from Elder Patten's Souvenir 
 book of 1895, and is herein published, 
 all efforts of the editor to secure data 
 for a more extended notice proved 
 fruitless. 
 
 ISAAC NEWTON VAN METER 
 
 Van Meter, Elder Isaac Newton 
 (1816-1894), of Illinois. This gifted 
 minister of Jesus, was born in Gray- 
 son County, Ky., and was, in 1839, 
 married to Miss Lucinda Lawson. To 
 them were born eleven children. He 
 received a hope in Jesus in 1833 united 
 with the Primitive Baptists soon after, 
 and soon began preaching. After 
 spending about twenty years serving 
 churches in Kentucky he moved to 
 Illinois. He was not long among 
 strangers, for he soon found the little 
 band of brethren and sisters located at 
 Greenbush, in the Spoon River Asso- 
 ciation, called New Hope, and com- 
 menced preaching for them, putting in 
 his letter, and continued the double 
 relation of member and pastor to the 
 day of his death. He has been promi- 
 nent and influential in the meetings of 
 the Spoon River Association almost 
 from the time of his coming into her 
 bounds, either serving as clerk or 
 Moderator, and invariably giving the 
 best of satisfaction in either capacity. 
 As a man and a christian I think it can 
 truthfully be said that he was as near 
 as it is possible for man to be; vigi- 
 lant, sober, of good behavior, given to 
 hospitality, apt to teach, not given 
 
 to wine no striker, not greedy of filthy 
 lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not 
 covetous, one that ruled his own 
 house well, having his children in sub- 
 jection, with all gravity. As a pastor 
 his undivided time was given to the 
 work, and but very few were the times 
 that his churches were disappointed 
 by a failure on his part. His gift In 
 preaching and expounding the script- 
 ures covered the entire range of the 
 gospel, including doctrine, christian 
 experience and practical godliness, 
 often closing his solemn sermon with 
 an impressive exhortation to his 
 brethren and sisters in Christ to walk 
 worthy of the vocation wherewith they 
 were called. As a writer his corre- 
 spondence and communications pub- 
 lished in the Signs of the Times and 
 other Baptist periodicals, and read 
 throughout the United States and 
 Canada, as well as his book called 
 "Walks About Zion," and also his 
 Pocket Hymns, all attest the high or- 
 der of his ability in the field of litera- 
 ture. His experience in verse writ- 
 ten by himself is so full of the Spirit's 
 teaching that it is herewith appended: 
 
 "In eighteen hundred thirty-three, 
 It pleased the Lord to let me see 
 The dangerous state that I was in, 
 All covered with a cloak of sin. 
 
 He taught me first that I was blind 
 And always was to sin inclined, 
 Also that I had always stood, 
 Opposed to God and what was good. 
 
 I then was filled with many fears, 
 For I have spent full eighteen years 
 In sin and folly, and could see 
 No way for my recovery. 
 
 I viewed the terror of the Lord 
 And thought that he my soul abhorred; 
 He seemed to frown me from his face 
 And say: 'With me you have no place.' 
 
 I thought while in this state of mind, 
 I was the worst of all mankind, 
 I would have changed my doleful case 
 With any one of Adam's race. 
 
 I viewed the Christian's happy state, 
 With a desire to be his mate; 
 Yet felt ashamed to show my face, 
 And rather sought some secret place. 
 
 I felt like I was one alone, 
 That like me surely there was none; 
 No friend on earth nor yet in heaven, 
 Nor hope that I should be forgiven. 
 
 But wondrous and almighty grace! 
 The Lord unveiled his smiling face 
 And had me come to Him and live 
 And said, 'I freely all forgive.' 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 281 
 
 It was August, the last day, 
 That he removed ray guilt away, 
 And spoke with such a charming voice, 
 That all within me did rejoice. 
 
 His glorious face I did behold, 
 With such a joy as can't be told; 
 The whole creation seemed to be 
 Praising the Lord in harmony. 
 
 Oh, Wondrous love, amazing grace! 
 1 never shall forget the place 
 Where God revealed his love to me 
 And set my soul at liberty. 
 
 What is this world with all its fame, 
 Compared with Jesus' precious name! 
 What are its vain and transient toys, 
 Compared with God's eternal joys! 
 
 O Lord, since thou hast been so kind 
 And gracious as to change my mind, 
 Since thou hast been so good to me, 
 May I forsake the world for thee! 
 
 WILEY A. VIA. 
 
 Via, Elder Wiley A. (1843-1902), of 
 Virginia, was born in Franklin Coun- 
 
 ty, and after a useful life died in the 
 same county. He joined the Primitive 
 Baptist Church called Long Branch, 
 in 1865, and was baptized by Elder 
 T. L. Roberson. He was chosen dea- 
 con in 1870 and licensed to preach in 
 1873, and was the following year, or- 
 dained by Elders G. L, Tuggle, I. L. 
 Robinson, W. R. Radford and Asa D. 
 Short. In 1878 he was elected clerk cf 
 Smith's River Association and served 
 as clerk until his death, was a good 
 man, a comforting preacher anu ad- 
 mired for the Christian virtues he 
 possessed. He had a noble heart and 
 was much given to hospitality. At the 
 time of his death he was serving two 
 churches. He alsc proved to be a 
 faithful soldier in the war between 
 the states, and remained in the army 
 till the surrender. He also served his 
 county as a constable, commissioner 
 of the revenue, land assessor and 
 school trustee. Much more could be 
 said concerning this good man, but 
 all that we could say would add noth- 
 ing in the minds of those who were 
 acquainted with him. 
 
 w 
 
 ISAIAH WAGGONER. 
 
 Waggoner, Elder Isaiah, of Clarks, 
 Neb., "was born in Moultrie County, 
 111., August 17, 1835, united with Linn 
 Creek Church in March, 18G3, and 
 moving to Missouri, was licensed to 
 preach in Liberty Church, Linn Coun- 
 
 ty, Mo., in 1871, and was ordained in 
 Blue River Church, Saline County, 
 Mo., May 10, 1873. He now has a mem- 
 bership with the Baptists in Nebras- 
 ka, where he lives." Efforts to secure 
 ftirther data proved fruitless. 
 
 JAMES WAGENER. 
 
 Wagener, Elder James, of Dechard, 
 Tenn., "was born in Franklin County, 
 Tenn., December 25, 1821; convicted 
 cf sin in his nineteenth year and after 
 deep conviction was given a hope in 
 the perfect work of Jesus, but linger- 
 ed outside the church in the neglect 
 of duty for about fourteen years. In 
 1854 he united with Old Macedonia 
 Church and was baptized by Elder 
 John P. Walker. The following year 
 he was crdained by Elders Elijah 
 Turner, I. E. Douthit and Richard 
 Fain." Further information of Elder 
 Wagener's life and labors could not 
 be obtained. 
 
 THOMAS B. WALDRIP. 
 
 Waldrip, Elder Thomas B., of Miss- 
 issippi, died at his home in Lafayette 
 County. November IS, 1889. He was 
 
282 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 born June 15, 1848 and married to 
 Blanche H. Woolen, December 16, 1869, 
 Elder Waldrip was in many respects a 
 very remarkable man. He had few of 
 the opportunities that his native abil- 
 ity entitled him to, but by earnest and 
 persistent effort he acquired such a 
 degree of intelligence, and gained the 
 confidence of the people to such a de- 
 gree that they required him to serve 
 three terms as magistrate, and then 
 sent him two consecutive terms to the 
 legislature, and probably would have 
 continued him longer in that or some 
 other positions but he declined, say- 
 ing: "I have delayed long enough, I 
 must get about my Master's busi- 
 ness." Brother Waldrip was received 
 into the church and baptized Novem- 
 ber, 1880, licensed in the spring of 
 1884, but was opposed to being or- 
 dained and stoutly refused to submit 
 until the church demanded that he 
 should be set apart to the ministry, 
 wh'ch was done in September, 1888, 
 which position he filled to the great 
 satisfaction of his brethren and sis- 
 ters for only a little over one year. 
 This reminds us that the way of the 
 Lord is past finding out. 
 
 E. W. WALKER. 
 
 Walker, Elder E. W. (1836-1901), of 
 
 Tennessee, was born in Warren 
 County, Tenn , and was married to 
 Miss Mary Mead, of Lincoln County, 
 Tenn., 1867. He had an impressive ex- 
 perience of grace while at school, but 
 did not join the church till after the 
 Civil war cf the sixties in which he 
 performed an important and faithful 
 part on the Confederate side. His first 
 union with the church was at Con- 
 cord, which he joined in December, 
 18G7, and was baptized by Elder Jno. 
 E. Frost. He was one of the seventeen 
 members who organized the church 
 at Buckeye in 1871, and was abcut 
 this time -ordained to the ministry. 
 Thence to the day of his death, with 
 a short interval, he was pastor of that 
 church. Elder Walker was great in all 
 the attributes of character that en- 
 noble a citizen of this world. But 
 greater in devotion to the welfare cf 
 spiritual Israel, the Zion of the Lord, 
 and the doctrinal truths that distin- 
 guished her from the religious socie- 
 ties of the world. Few of the servants 
 of the Lord had a deeper insight into 
 the fundamental doctrines of Christ 
 than he. He gave strict heed to Paul's 
 injunction to Timothy, "Give attend- 
 ance to reading, to exhortation, to 
 
 doctrine." Great doctrinal truths en- 
 gaged his mind with eager interest, 
 and yet he often dwelt on the import- 
 ance of exhortation, and exhorted to 
 the performance of the practical 
 duties of church membership and the 
 duties of ordinary citizenship. 
 
 J. N. WALLACE. 
 
 Wallace, Elder J. N., of Providence, 
 
 Ky., was born in Henry County, 
 Tenn, November 8, 1862; raised by 
 Primitive Baptist parents, received a 
 hope in Jesus in his twelfth year, 
 united with Union Church at the age 
 of nineteen and baptized by Elder J. 
 G. Webb. Two years later he began 
 preaching, and was in April, 1883 or- 
 dained to the full work of the minis- 
 try since which time he has had the 
 care of four churches almost contin- 
 uously and has traveled and preached 
 in several states. He now serves 
 Union, Stcney Point, Flat Creek, and 
 the church at Providence, where he 
 now resides. In 1884 he was married 
 to Miss Annie Gibson, is highly es- 
 teemed by his brethren and faithful 
 in the discharge of his duties as a 
 servant in the Master's vineyard. For 
 some years he has served as modera- 
 tor of the Highland Association of 
 Regular Baptists. 
 
 THOMAS N. WALTON. 
 
 Walton, Elder Thomas N., of Dan- 
 ville, Va., was born on top of the 
 White Oak Mountains in Pittsylvania 
 County, Va., in 1853'. From the time 
 he was about four years of age until 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 283 
 
 nineteen tie had distressing thoughts 
 of death. But in his nineteenth year 
 God convicted him of sin and after 
 much distress of mind and vain ef- 
 forts to satisfy the law was brought to 
 the footstool of mercy and found 
 Christ the sinners' friend as his advo- 
 cate with the Father. He united with 
 Mt. Arrarat Church in 1874 and was 
 
 THOMAS N. WALTON 
 
 baptized by Elder J. S. Dameron. His 
 gift was scon discovered by the 
 church, and he was, in 1880 ordained 
 by Elders W. S. McDowell and W. S. 
 Minter. Since then he has had the 
 care of churches and has traveled and 
 preached considerably among his 
 brethren and is held in high esteem. 
 For about twenty years he has been 
 the beloved moderator of the Staun- 
 ton River Association. 
 
 JAMES M. WARD. 
 
 Ward, Elder James M. of Illinois, was 
 born in Mason county, W. Va., No- 
 vember 15, 1813. His mother died 
 when he was but a small child and 
 his father when he was eight years 
 old. He lived in Virginia until he was 
 fourteen years old and went from 
 there to Illinois, residing there until 
 he enlisted in the Black Hawk war in 
 1832, serving his time and re-enlist- 
 ing. Soon after that war he went to 
 Dubuque, Iowa. In the year 1855 he 
 moved to Missouri, locating in Harri- 
 son County; he lived there ten years 
 and then moved to Davies County, 
 where he lived until his death. In 
 1841 he united with the Old School 
 Predestinarian Baptist Church, was 
 licensed to preach by this church in 
 
 1853, and was ordained to preach in 
 the year 1SGG. He has served Sugar 
 Creek Church in Davies County for 
 almost fifty years. He died February 
 6, 1905, at the age of ninety-one. He 
 is survived by a wife and nine chil- 
 dren, twenty-four grandchildren and 
 eighteen great-grandchildren. The 
 daily life of Elder Ward was such as 
 to win for him the respect and esteem 
 of all classes: his memory will be re- 
 vered by many, his kind deeds and 
 worthy acts cherished, and his noble 
 life will long be an inspiration to 
 those with whom he came in contact. 
 
 B. R. WARREN. 
 
 Warren, Elder B. R., .of .Bentley, 
 111., "was born in Bourbon County, Ky., 
 January 10, 1816. He united with 
 Todd's Creek Church, Piatt County, 
 Missouri, and was ordained in Clear 
 Creek Church, near Kearney, Mo., on 
 the second Saturday in August, 1850, 
 and has since served as pastor of 
 churches. His faith is strong in salva- 
 tion by grace, and he awaits in hope 
 his release from this world." This 
 brief sketch is from Elder Cash's 
 book of 1896, and further information 
 could not be secured. 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN. 
 
 Warren, Elder William, of Kearney, 
 Mo., was born in Bourbon County, 
 Ky., May 14, -822, and moving to Mis- 
 souri united with Clear Creek Church 
 
284 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 of Primitive Baptists in July, 1847. He 
 was ordained in August, 1865. In his 
 old age he still loves the doctrine of 
 grace. Detail information relative to 
 his labors could not be obtained. 
 
 PLUMMER WATERS. 
 
 Waters, Elder Plummer (1787-1865), 
 of Maryland. This able, faithful and 
 greatly beloved minister was in the 
 service of churches in his native state 
 for nearly half a century. Early in 
 life he was made to feel the exceeding 
 sinfulness of sin, was given a view of 
 Jesus as his sin bearer, united with 
 the Old School Baptists and was bap- 
 tized by Elder William Wilson. Elder 
 Waters was noted for his faithfulness, 
 his zeal in, and love for, the cause of 
 truth, given to hospitality and kindly 
 disposed he was greatly loved by 
 those who best knew him, and wield- 
 ed a great influence for good in his 
 community. 
 
 CHAS. H. WATERS, (M. D.) 
 
 Waters, Elder Chas. H., of Wash- 
 ington, D. C. This good natured, 
 cheerful and hospitable man, gifted 
 preacher, able writer and teacher and 
 successful physician, was born of 
 Samuel and Mary Waters in Hancock 
 County, Md., July 1, 1849. The early 
 years of his life were spent in teach- 
 ing. From the school room as teacher 
 he went to college as a medical stu- 
 dent, graduated in medicine at the 
 University of Maryland in 1871, began 
 the practice of his profession in Mont- 
 gomery County, Md., and was the 
 
 same year married to Miss Ella Yates, 
 a daughter of Elder P. W. Yates. The 
 following year — 1872 — he and his wife 
 united with Columbia Church and 
 were baptized by Elder Yates. The 
 gift to the church in Bro. Waters was 
 soon discovered, he began preaching 
 in 1878, and in 1880, was ordained by 
 Elders P. W. Yates and L. B. Wynne. 
 Having a large family and wishing to 
 educate them well he established, in 
 1886, the "Fairview Seminary," a 
 school of high reputation and moral 
 standing, in which many Baptist girls 
 as well as girls not of Baptist persua- 
 sion, were educated. Among the girls 
 from our own people as patrons of 
 this high-class and popular school 
 might be mentioned the daughters of 
 Elders J. J. Gilbert of Kentucky, J. H. 
 Purefoy of Alabama, M. T. Lawrence 
 of North Carolina, T. N. Alderton of 
 West Virginia, and T. S. Dalton of 
 Virginia. The work of this seminary 
 was terminated after eighteen years 
 of usefulness when the furniture and 
 building were destroyed by fire. At 
 present Dr. Waters is practicing med- 
 icine in Washington City and has the 
 pastoral care of the Washington City 
 Church, and the Seneca and Columbia 
 Churches in Maryland. He is also 
 editor of Zion's Advocate. His life is 
 a busy and useful one, and he is 
 greatly loved for his faithfulness to 
 the cause of truth, his liberality to the 
 poor and for his kind, cheerful and 
 sympathetic nature. 
 
 JOHN H. WATSON (M. D.) 
 
 Watson, Elder John M. (1798-1866). 
 was eminent as a minister, writer and 
 physician. He was a man of liberal 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 285 
 
 education, of great moral worth, of 
 deep piety, of extensive influence, and 
 of profound research. Such was his 
 conscientious feelings in regard to 
 Christian duty, and such his continual 
 watchfulness in reference to his con- 
 duct, that from the time of his union 
 with the church to the day of his 
 death, a period of at least forty years, 
 not a blot or stain has been known to 
 attach to his character as a Christian. 
 He was the son of Peter and Eliza- 
 beth Watson; was born in Rocking- 
 ham County, N. C; at the age of ten 
 moved with his widowed mother to 
 Williamson County, Tenn, where he 
 attended the public schools, and in a 
 few years was placed in the office of 
 Dr. Housack of New York City. In duo 
 time he graduated from the College 
 of Physicians and Surgeons of New 
 York, returned home with honors and 
 was the recipient of many other hon- 
 ors at the hands of his home people. 
 These honors were too much for him. 
 He took to drink, and was thrown. He 
 arose, but drank on and was again 
 thrown, became a common drunkard 
 —had delirium tremens, recovered, 
 and drank again, and was again 
 thrown., and became a poor, shivering 
 inebriate. But God took his feet from 
 the mire and clay and established his 
 goings. He was reclaimed by Divine 
 grace, from the paths of vice and 
 ruin, experienced a deep sense of ob- 
 ligation which he was under to the 
 Almighty; received a hope in Jesus 
 for the pardon of sin, "conferred not 
 with flesh and blood," but immediate- 
 ly went forth in the direction of 
 Christian duty. After a prayerful and 
 diligent study of the holy Scriptures, 
 he to the astonishment of his many 
 friends, united with the Primitive or 
 Old School Baptists at Wilson's Creek 
 Church in Williamson County, Tenn., 
 believing that these people held the 
 pure doctrine of faith "once delivered 
 to the saints," together with the prim- 
 itive order of Christianity. He was 
 soon after ordained to the ministerial 
 work. He preached his first sermon 
 from the text, "The Scripture," — his 
 second from, "Thus saith the Lord," 
 and from that moment until he was 
 no longer able to stand in the pulpit, 
 he preached the gospel of Christ, and 
 became the leading minister of the 
 old order of Baptists in Tennessee. 
 Dr. Watson was also famous in other 
 lines. As a physician and surgeon he 
 had no equal in the state. As a teach- 
 er of his specialty in the University of 
 Nashville he had no equal in our 
 country. In his lectures he never 
 
 strove to be eloquent, but clear, com- 
 pact and fcrceful, and every student 
 pronounced him at once a master 
 teacher. As a writer he was precise, 
 painstaking, clear and fluent. His con- 
 tributions to the Nashville Journal of 
 Medicine yielded extracts to the 
 standards of systematic medicine, and 
 his religious writings, especially the 
 "Old Baptist Test" — a book that has 
 passed through two editions, — show 
 the deep spiritual nature, the loving 
 heart and the strong and trained mind 
 of the writer. And there could not be 
 found, perhaps, a more liberal man 
 than Dr. Watson. His liberality was 
 the subject of discussion among his 
 neighbors after his death and it was 
 agreed by his neighbors that he had 
 given away in absolute dollars, an 
 amount exceeding one hundred thou- 
 sand. To the poor he was the kindest 
 of men. Only in eternity will it be 
 known what he did for them. Just be- 
 fore his death he wrote: "My physi- 
 cians are doubtful of my recovery.* * 
 Now, I may say, apparently in the 
 shadow of death, I have no recanta- 
 tions to make about the doctrine for 
 which I have so long contended, and 
 trust that it will stand the test of 
 death. My prayer is, that I may die 
 with this blessed doctrine as much 
 impressed upon my heart, as it was 
 while trying to preach it. O! Lord, let 
 the pulpit and the death-bed be the 
 same to me in that respect." And so it 
 was. In the full triumphs of faith he 
 crossed the river cf death, his last 
 words being, — "I am going in peace." 
 
 C. M. WEAVER. 
 
 Weaver, Elder C. M., of Ewing, III. 
 The editor failing to secure data of a 
 more recent date from which to pre- 
 pare a notice of Elder Weaver, quotes 
 the following from EMer Potter's book 
 of 1895. "He was born in Jackson 
 County, III., on the fifteenth day of 
 February, 1867, and joined the Prim- 
 itive Baptist Church in 1S88, and was 
 ordained to the work of the ministry 
 in 1892, and is now the pastor of three 
 churches." 
 
 THOMAS WEAVER. 
 
 Weaver, Elder Thomas of Fountain 
 City, Tenn., at present and for thir- 
 teen years past, the beloved modera- 
 tor of Powell's Valley Association and 
 associate editor of the Primitive Bap- 
 tist, was born in Campbell County, 
 
286 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 Term.. May 23, 1845, received a hope 
 in Jesus in his twenty-third year of 
 age and one year later united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at Mossy Springs 
 Church in Union County, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Wm. Bridges. He was 
 soon licensed to preach and in 1871 
 was ordained by Elders Wm. Williams 
 and William Bridges, since which 
 time he has continuously had the care 
 of churches and is at present serving 
 
 THOMAS WEAVER 
 
 three. Elder Weaver has, during his 
 thirty-eight years of service in the 
 Master's vineyard baptized many be- 
 lievers into the fellowship of the 
 church, served in the constitution of 
 several churches, assisted in the ordi- 
 nation of many deacons and elders and 
 has traveled and preached among the 
 Baptists in several states. He is a 
 worthy and highly esteemed minister. 
 
 J. G. WEBB. 
 
 Webb, Elder J. G., of Tioga, Texas, 
 This fearless, bold and self-sacrificing 
 minister and editor was born in West 
 Tennessee, March 9, 1849. Joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church in 1874; was 
 ordained in 1878; has served from one 
 to five churches since his ordination; 
 has baptized about six hundred per- 
 sons; assisted in the constitution of 
 many churches and in the ordination 
 of quite a number of ministers and 
 deacons and has married a great many 
 people; has traveled a great deal; 
 preached in about ten states and two 
 territories; engaged in about thirty 
 religious discussions and has been en- 
 gaged in the publication of the Bap- 
 tist Trumpet for fifteen years. He has 
 
 never belonged to any society or or- 
 ganization in life except the church; 
 has always opposed members of the 
 church affiliating with secret orders 
 and the use of instrumental music in 
 the church as a part of worship and 
 has always been outspoken in his re- 
 ligious views. He is now serving 
 three churches, his home church num- 
 bering about one hundred and thirty, 
 has never had a doctrinal difference 
 among his churches and has been 
 greatly blessed in his labors as pastor. 
 The Lord has also blessed him with 
 unusual good health through life, with 
 
 J. G. WEBB 
 
 a true and loyal companion and six de- 
 voted children. His time and his tal- 
 ent have been given freely to the serv- 
 ice of the Baptists in the cause of God 
 and truth and now as he nears the end 
 of his race he has no regrets. Though 
 worldly advantages have been neg- 
 lected and he is what is called a poor 
 man yet no charge has ever been pre- 
 ferred against him and such a good 
 name is rather to be chosen than 
 great riches. He says: "The Baptists 
 have been good to me, and I hope to 
 die in their fellowship." How much 
 better it is to be able to choose to suf- 
 fer affliction with the people than to 
 enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. 
 
 T. L. WEBB. 
 
 Webb, Elder T. L., of Ingram, Tex., 
 the son of Elder J. G. Webb of Tioga, 
 Tex., was born in Tennessee, January 
 15, 1S74; received a hope in Christ at 
 the age of fifteen, united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at Harmony 
 Church in Fannin Ccunty, Tex., July, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 287 
 
 1900, was baptized by Elder J. W. 
 Herriage, and ordained to the work 
 of the ministry April 26, 1902, by the 
 following presbytery: Elders J. W. 
 Herriage, J. G. W>ebb, J. W. Segler, R. 
 C. Taylor, M. L. Barrett, P. D. Aus- 
 mus and Willie L. Barrett. He is one 
 of the editors of the Baptist Trumpet, 
 
 T. L. WEBB 
 
 published at Tioga, Tex., with which 
 he has been connected for many 
 years. Elder W.ebb is a fluent writer, 
 convincing speaker and an able de 
 fender of the cause of Jesus. His ser- 
 vices are being blessed to the comfort 
 of many of God's children. 
 
 DANIEL SMITH WEBB. 
 
 Webb, Elder Daniel Smith, of Hills- 
 ville, Va., son of Elder Isaac and Ma- 
 lesia Jane Webb, was born in Carroll 
 County, Va., March 5, 1855. The sec- 
 ond Sunday morning in June, 1867, he 
 was riding along horseback thinking 
 that some day he would be a rich 
 man, and at a very old age would get 
 religion. Suddenly a very dark object 
 appeared coming directly at him, with 
 a glittering sharp point in front of it, 
 and like lightning it thrust through 
 him and a voice said, "Already too 
 late." He began to pray, was deeply 
 convicted of sin and for Ave years 
 lamented his condition, and sought 
 the mercy of God, in tears and with 
 groanings which cannot be uttered 
 One night in June, 1872, while on his 
 bed death seized him. He tried to call 
 his father but could not speak, and 
 felt doomed to the dark pit of destruc- 
 tion. With his last breath he prayed, 
 "Lord, save me." He heard the sweet- 
 
 est sound of music and looking up 
 saw a white cord letting down from 
 heaven and a bud on the end just 
 ready to open. The bud entered into 
 his bosom and took him out of the 
 world. He saw the world a black ball 
 and God fanned it out of existence 
 with one fan of his hand. He then 
 said, "Surely, God can be just and 
 forgive sins for He with one fan of 
 his hand can blot this earth out, and 
 now, O Lord, may I return to my 
 body, tnat I may tell to others what 
 a dear Saviour I have found." In this 
 vision he returned to his body and 
 felt free from sin and that he would 
 never have any more sorrow. In Sep- 
 tember, 1873, he married Miss Mary 
 Ellen Edwards, a God-given compan- 
 ion, and in 1875 both joined the 
 Primitive Baptist Church. One night 
 he dreamed he was under a white 
 cloud and a white hand and arm put 
 through and the neck of a phial pro- 
 truded out of the palm of the hand 
 and annointed him to go and preach, 
 and his wife dreamed the same thing. 
 Later he dreamed of preaching and 
 baptizing the young and old, the rich 
 and poor and hearing the Lord's peo- 
 ple shouting, and his wife dreamed 
 the same thing at the same time. 
 Again he dreamed that ten elders met 
 at Harmony Church and ordained him 
 to preach, and said, "Go, and as you 
 go, preach." And he sprang out of bed 
 and exclaimed, "Lord, I'll go," and his 
 wife saw the same vision and told it 
 to him. Confirmed cf the heavenly 
 calling, he began preaching in 1886, 
 was ordained in 1887, by the same ten 
 elders that he and his wife saw in the 
 dream four years before. He has often 
 times been warned in dreams of dan- 
 gers coming to the church, and many 
 times has dreamed of ingatherings at 
 certain churches, and of certain noble 
 people joining, and has lived to see 
 these dreams fulfilled. Elder Webb's 
 service in the ministry has been bless- 
 ed of the Lord. He has baptized about 
 seven hundred persons into the fellow- 
 ship of the Baptist Church and in the 
 evening of life writes: "Faith in God 
 is my only staff, hope in Christ my 
 greatest riches and the fellowship cf 
 the brethren my sweetest pleasure." 
 His good wife died February 6, 1908, 
 leaving himself, eight sons and three 
 daughters as sorrowing members of 
 the broken family. 
 
 ISAAC WEBB. 
 
 Webb, Elder Isaac, of Hillsville, Va. 
 This gifted and useful man is the sixth 
 son of John and Hannah Webb and 
 
288 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 was born in Grayson County, Va., No- 
 vember 26, 1833. Was taugbt by his 
 mother, who Avas a member of the Bap- 
 tist Church before his birth, to read 
 the Bible, at the tender age of seven, 
 and he has read it through ten times 
 since, and is fully established in its 
 teachings. When a little boy eight 
 years of age, he dreamed of seeing and 
 conversing with Jesus, and from time 
 to time afterward was taught in 
 visions and dreams to view his lost 
 condition, his salvation in Jesus, his 
 
 ISAAC WEBB 
 
 duty toward the church and his call to 
 the ministry, but was for a long time 
 disobedient. In his eighteenth year he 
 was married to Miss Melissa J. Martin 
 and their children, grand children and 
 great grand children and their families 
 now number about one hundred and 
 sixty-five. He and his wife united 
 with Fellowship Church in 1857. In 
 1865 on his return from the war, where 
 he voluntarily went to keep from 
 preaching, he was licensed, and three 
 years later was ordained to the minis- 
 terial work. Elder Webb has contin- 
 ually since his ordination, had the care 
 of churches and is at present pastor 
 of four, and Moderator of the New 
 River Association. He has been in the 
 ministry about forty-three years and 
 during this period has traveled many 
 miles preaching the gospel of Christ, 
 has baptized many persons, married 
 many couples and is highly esteemed 
 among his people. He has also, in his 
 past busy life, taught twenty-five 
 schools, served twelve years as county 
 treasurer, fifteen years as military offi- 
 cer, two terms in the legislature and 
 judge under part of two legislative ap- 
 pointments. He and his faithful wife 
 have lived to see all their children but 
 
 one, with their companions and sev- 
 eral grand children, members of the 
 Primitive Baptist Church. Their faith- 
 ful labors have been blessed. God is 
 still their refuge and though growing 
 feeble in body they are strong in the 
 Lord and are waiting the summons, 
 "Child, your Father calls, come home." 
 
 Q. D. WEEKS. 
 
 Weeks, Elder Q. D., of Willis, Va., 
 was born October 31, 1852, married to 
 Miss Eliza E. Hylton in 1874, convicted 
 of sin and given a hope in Jesus and 
 united with the Primitive Baptists at 
 West Fork Church, Floyd County, Va., 
 began preaching in 1880 and was four 
 years later ordained to the gospel 
 work. He has served as pastor of the 
 following churches, West Fork, twenty- 
 two years, Indiana Creek, fourteen 
 years, Panther's Creek, twelve years, 
 Greasy Creek and Corners ten years, 
 and was baptized into the fellowship 
 of his churches about one hundred 
 and sixty persons. He is at present, 
 and has been for several years 
 past, clerk of the Swiss River Associa- 
 tion, and his desire is to honor God 
 and be of service to his people. He 
 prefers his brethren before himself 
 and is greatly loved by them. 
 
 JOHN WELSH. 
 
 Welsh, Elder John, of Maryland, 
 was one of the pioneer Baptist 
 preachers in the early part of the 
 eighteenth century. He united with 
 the Baptists long before the division 
 and was baptized by Elder Louis 
 Richards. For a long time he served 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 289 
 
 as pastor of Hammond's Branch 
 Church in Howards County, and oth- 
 er churches in Maryland, and was 
 considered an able and faithful min- 
 ister. 
 
 I. A. WETHERINGTON. 
 
 Wetherington, Eider I. A., of Lake 
 Park, Ga., is the faithful and beloved 
 moderator of Union Association of 
 Old Line Primitive Baptists, and has 
 the care of Antioch, Olive Leaf, Unity 
 and Wayfare churches. Elder Weth- 
 erington is an able minister of the 
 New Testament and desires to take 
 nothing from, or add to, this blessed 
 book, in doctrine or practice. 
 
 V. D. WHATLEY. 
 
 Whatley, Elder V. D. (1809-1866), of 
 Georgia, was the son of Robert What- 
 ley, a native Georgian. He was born 
 in Green County, and fourteen years 
 thereafter the family moved to Monroe 
 County, Ga., but in common with many 
 children of that day, had no opportun- 
 ities of school education, except two 
 or three months. Being, however, a 
 youth of promise, and a brilliant intel- 
 lect, good morals and untiring energy 
 and industry, he utilized his limited 
 opportunities so well that in after 
 years his education, information and 
 general, knowledge of men and things 
 was far above an average of many of 
 his young associates; and when at the 
 age of eighteen or twenty, he became 
 deeply concerned about his soul's sal- 
 vation, and carefully read the Bible, 
 he greatly and rapidly improved in 
 reading, and to the end of his mortal 
 pilgrimage on earth, tne Bible was the 
 book of books with him. His convic- 
 tions for sin were deep and pungent, 
 but after many days and nights of 
 mourning, supplications and prayers, 
 he obtained mercy at about the age of 
 twenty-one, and in 1831, he was re- 
 ceived into the fellowship of the Bap- 
 tist Church at County Line, Pike 
 County, Ga., He had become convers- 
 ant with the scriptures and learned 
 discipline and gospel order so that his 
 views and advice were often valuable 
 to his brethren in all cases of church 
 troubles, even before he had com- 
 menced preaching. His general Chris- 
 tian character, his deep concern for 
 the church of God, and the fruitfulness 
 of his mind in spiritual things had 
 long impressed the minds of his 
 brethren that God had called him 
 to the work of the ministry. In 
 a few years, his gift was appar- 
 ent to the church, and after preach- 
 
 ing for a time to the satisfaction and 
 comfort of Christians, his ordination 
 was called for, and July 9, 1852, a pres- 
 bytery consisting of Elders Josephus 
 Barrow, Emanuel Brittain, Moses 
 Gunn and James Mayfield, convened 
 with the church at Beulah, Troup 
 County, Ga., of which Brother Whatly 
 was then a member and after careful 
 examination in the usual manner, sol- 
 emnly set him to go forth and preach 
 the gospel and officiate in all the func- 
 tions of the gospel ministry "wherever 
 God in Providence should cast his lot." 
 He faithfully served many churches 
 during his ministry and for some years 
 before his death by unanimous choice 
 of the Beulah Association, he served 
 that body as Moderator. In the "Trib- 
 ute of Respect," written by his friend 
 and neighbor, Dr. John B. Goss, a 
 Missionary Baptist, I find the follow- 
 ing: "When his brethren and friends 
 visited him during his sickness he 
 seemed revived, and to the utmost of 
 his strength would pour forth his soul 
 in thanksgiving to his heavenly Father 
 for the grace that had been given him." 
 * * "He seemed to be satisfied that 
 he had discharged his duty as a min- 
 ister to the best of his ability, and 
 felt that "he had declared the whole 
 counsel of God, with one exception, 
 and that was the duty of churches to 
 their minister. He regretted that he 
 had neglected even that, for he ex- 
 pressed himself fully convinced that it 
 wps as much the duty of the minister 
 to instruct the church in that obliga- 
 tion as in any other cardinal point of 
 the gospel." Elder Whatley was truly 
 a great and good man, an able, faithful 
 and useful minister of the gospel. And 
 though he did not have as great a var- 
 iety in his preaching as some are fav- 
 ored with, he always had the respect- 
 ful attention of his congregations, 
 even where he preached for many 
 years. In preaching his whole soul 
 seemed to become fired with earnest 
 zeal. He was meek and humble man- 
 ly, grave and dignified in his address, 
 never condescending to indulge in low 
 slang or to tell carnal anecdotes, 
 whether in the pulpit or out of it. It 
 was often said of him that he was 
 "always preaching," by his good Chris- 
 tian and ministerial deportment at 
 home and abroad, in the pulpit or out 
 of it. And his very appearance was 
 calculated to strike one with reverence 
 for him as a man of God. 
 
 A. B. WHATLEY. 
 
 Whatley, Elder A. B., of Greenville, 
 Ga. This able and zealous brother was 
 born September 24, 1847, in Talapoosa 
 
290 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 County, Ala. The following fall his 
 father moved with his family and set- 
 tled in Troup County, Ga., where he 
 was reared to manhood. His father — 
 Vachel D. Whatley — was a devout 
 Christian, a strict member of the 
 Primitive Baptist Church and an able 
 minister of the gospel. None in his 
 day stood higher in the love and fel- 
 lowship of the dear old Baptists than 
 he did, and his son has followed in 
 the footsteps of his honored father. 
 His mother — Mrs. Mary B.Phillip — was 
 a great and good woman serving the 
 Lord and dying in His love. In July, 
 1867, if not deceived, Elder Whatley 
 obtained a precious hope in God 
 
 A. B. WHATLEY 
 
 through the Lord Jesus Christ. The 
 following September he was received 
 and baptized into the fellowship cf 
 Beulah Church, Troup County, Ga. In 
 the year 18GS he was ordained to the 
 office of deacon. During the year 1869 
 he commenced preaching and was or- 
 dained to all the functions of the 
 gospel ministry November 18, 1870. 
 Since his ordination he has served 
 four churches each year with the ex- 
 ception of two or three years; has 
 baptized a great many, aided in the 
 ordination cf a number of elders and 
 deacons and helped to constitute two 
 churches. He is now in his sixty-sec- 
 ond year of age as a man, forty-sec- 
 ond as a believer in Christ, and 
 thirty-ninth as an ordained minister, 
 and feels his race is nearly run, but 
 desires to be found laboring in the 
 Master's vineyard and to prove his 
 faith by his works that he might end 
 his course with joy. 
 
 WM. J. WHEELER. 
 
 Wheeler, Elder Wm. J., of Salem, 
 111., was born February 21, 1835, in 
 Princeton, Gibson County, Ind. He re- 
 mained there until he was twelve 
 years old, when he moved with his 
 father (Dr. John Wheeler) to Wayne 
 County, 111., where he remained until 
 he was seventeen years old, when he 
 moved to Sangamon County, 111. In 
 1856 he was married to Miss Harriet 
 Sanders, and to them were born 
 eleven children. Elder Wheeler joined 
 the church of Christ called Horse 
 Creek, in July, 1855, was ordained to 
 the full work of the gospel ministry 
 June 20, 1874, and was truly a good 
 man and an able minister. He was a 
 gifted singer, and altogether one 
 of the most useful preachers in Illi- 
 nois. Many of the true saints will long 
 remember his sweet scngs of Zion, 
 and his clear, soft voice as he preach- 
 ed Christ Jesus the only way of life 
 eternal. But that voice is now still in 
 death, nevermore to sound a warning 
 note of the enemy, nor encourage the 
 saints here on earth, but awaits the 
 second coming of our blessed Redeem- 
 er, when he with all the blood-bought 
 millions will awake to sing the song 
 of Moses and the Lamb with immortal 
 tongues forever and ever. 
 
 JAMES W. WHEELER. 
 
 Wheeler, Elder James W., of Caney, 
 Ky.,, has the care of churches within 
 the bounds of the Burning Spring As- 
 sociation of Regular Old School Bap- 
 tists and is the beloved moderator 
 of his body. Farther information 
 could not be obtained. 
 
 J. S. WHITE. 
 
 White, Elder J. S. (1813-1884), cf 
 Texas, was born in the state of S. C-, 
 Union district, moved to Georgia and 
 in his twenty-ninth year, united with 
 the church in Dade County, and was 
 baptized by Elder Samuel McBee. He 
 was ordained to the ministry about 
 two years later and earnestly con- 
 tended for the faith throughout his 
 ministerial life of about forty years. 
 Elder White moved to the state of 
 Texas, in the year 1859, where he was 
 exposed to the savages, and many 
 hardships, but he was always found 
 discharging his duty to God, and will 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 291 
 
 long be remembered fcr his earnest 
 defense of the truth, his orderly walk 
 and godly conversation, and for his 
 brotherly kindness and charity. 
 
 ELIJAH VIERS WHITE. 
 
 White, Elder Elijah Viers, of Lees- 
 burg, Va. This eminent minister and 
 gallant leader was born in Montgom- 
 ery Ccunty, Md., near Poolesville, on 
 August 29, 1832. His education was 
 obtained at Lima Seminary, Livings- 
 ton County, N. Y., and at Granville 
 College, O. During the Kansas trou- 
 bles, in 1855, he went to that territory 
 and joining a company from Missouri 
 tcok an active part in the campaign. 
 He afterward returned to Maryland 
 and in 1857 moved to Loudon Coun- 
 ty, Va. He was baptized April 15, 
 186G, by Elder Joseph Furr, ordained 
 the third Sunday in August, 1877, and 
 at the death of Elder Furr was made 
 pastor of New Valley, Mill Creek and 
 Frying Pan, (Va.) churches, and served 
 these churches faithfully through heat 
 and cold, sunshine and rain until his 
 death. As a soldier Col. White served 
 with conspicuous gallantry through- 
 out the Civil war. Starting as a cor- 
 poral, he rose by his daring and abil- 
 ity to commander cf a battalion of 
 the Thirty-fifth Virginia Cavalry. At 
 the battle of Balls Bluff near Less- 
 burg, October, 1861, he rendered great 
 service and was promoted to the rank 
 of major to raise a battalion kncwn in 
 history as White's Battalion, subject 
 to the orders of the Secretary of War. 
 After the formation of his command 
 and until the end of the war he acted 
 independently with General Ewell, 
 General Stewart and General Lee, and 
 on several battlefields was seriously 
 wounded. After the war Colonel 
 White engaged in the mercantile busi- 
 ness, and for many years was treas- 
 urer and sheriff of Loudon County. 
 He was twice married. In 1902 he was 
 elected president of the People's Na- 
 tional Bank of Leesburg, a position 
 which he held up to the time of his 
 death. As a minister he was faithful 
 toi his churches, uncompromising with 
 error and an able defender of salva- 
 tion by grace. He loved to talk of 
 Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, and his 
 labor was a labor of love, and espec- 
 ially was he gifted to speak words of 
 comfort and cheer to poor, bereaved 
 ones. He had a large circle of friends 
 which was attested by the large con- 
 course of sorrowing relatives, neigh- 
 bors and comrades in arms — estimat- 
 
 ed at a thousand or twelve hundred — 
 that attended the funeral service. He 
 died as he had lived, an upright, sin- 
 cere and honorable man, and in the 
 sweet hcpe of victory through Jesus. 
 
 JOHN WHITE. 
 
 White, Elder John, of Walker, Mo. 
 The editor failing to secure data from 
 which to prepare a more detailed 
 sketch cf this worthy minister, gives 
 the following information from Elder 
 Cash's Book of Portraits published 
 189G: "Elder John White was born in 
 Kentucky, December 9, 1835, and 
 united with Eagle Creek Church, 
 Bcone County, Ind., in 18G0, where he 
 commenced preaching and was or- 
 dained in 1897. He now has the pas- 
 toral care of Bethel Church, Bates 
 County, Mo., and is moderator of Pan- 
 ther Creek Association." 
 
 HEDLEY WHITE. 
 
 White, Elder Hedley, of Texas, who 
 departed this life February 2G, 1909, 
 was born in East Tennessee January 
 5, 1833, moved with his parents to Ar- 
 kansas in his eighteenth year of age, 
 and about one year later moved to 
 Leon County.. Texas, where, with the 
 exception of a few years he spent the 
 remainder of his life. In early man- 
 hood Elder White received a hope in 
 Jesus and united with the new school 
 or Missionary Baptists and lived with 
 
292 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 them for about fourteen years, but 
 becoming dissatisfied with their doc- 
 trine and practice, and bemg convinc- 
 ed that the Primitive Baptist Church 
 ■was the true, apostolic church in doc- 
 trine and practice he united with 
 them in the year of 1880, and was 
 baptized by Elder Joe Taylor, and re- 
 mained an honored member of that 
 church until death. He began preach- 
 ing in 1880, and until his death 
 preached Jesus as a sufficient Saviour 
 for sinners, and has been a great 
 blessing to the Baptists of his 
 section. He was plain and unas- 
 suming in all of his dealings; went 
 through cold and heat to serve his 
 brethren without money and price 
 strained only by the love of God 
 shed abroad in his heart for his breth- 
 ren and fellow travelers. His home 
 has been indeed a home for his breth 
 ten. "He is dead, but still speaketb." 
 
 KING M. WHITE. 
 
 White. Elder King M. of North Car- 
 olina, the son of Calvin and Mary 
 White— was born in Martin County. 
 August 28. 1861, and died August 21, 
 1904. In lSsij he was married to Miss 
 Lindy Taylor. To this union were 
 bcrn nine children. After being deep- 
 ly convicted of sin and given a hope 
 in Jesus he united with the church at 
 Hamilton. N. C. in 1891, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder M. T. Lawrence. Soon 
 afterward the church discovered his 
 gift and be was licensed to preach 
 and in 1900 he was ordained to tbe 
 ministerial work by Elders M. T. Law- 
 rence. G. D. Rcbinson and Samuel 
 Moore. Ever afterwards he proved 
 "diligent in business, fervent in spirit, 
 serving the Lord." and was an up- 
 right, sincere, humble, godly and use- 
 ful man. He grew more and more ac- 
 ceptable in his brief but earnest min- 
 istry, and it was sad to his brethren 
 and loved ones to give him up almcst 
 in the prime of life. But God does all 
 things well. — He is too wise to err. 
 too good to be unkind. 
 
 JOHN A. WHITELEY. 
 
 Wh.teley. Elder John A., of Avilla. 
 Mo., was born in Pulaski County. Ky.. 
 April 4, 1818. and was the twelfth of 
 fifteen children born to Thos. and 
 Winifred Whiteley, both of whom 
 were honored members of the Old 
 School Baptist Church, and his father 
 
 a faitniul minister. While witnessing 
 the baptism of twelve candidates by 
 his father he was, in his fifteenth 
 year, convicted of sin. For many years 
 he was under deep conviction and 
 sought the Lord in tears and sorrow, 
 was given a sweet bope in the Sa- 
 viour, and united with the Primitive 
 Baptists at Little Flock Churcn, in 
 Fulton County. 111., and was baptized 
 by Elder Thos. H. Owens, and when 
 he came from the water it was with 
 difficulty he kept from preaching, and 
 trom that time on. for ten years, he 
 fcught against the impression made 
 on his mind at his baptism. But in 
 1858 he was ordained by Hopewell 
 Church. Wayne County, Iowa, by Eld- 
 ers Isaiah Guyman. John Martin and 
 Samuel Wilkes, and was soon called 
 to the care of four churches. During 
 his long term of faithful service in the 
 Master"s vineyard he has had the care 
 of seveial churches and has served as 
 moderator of Silvain and Western 
 associations in Iowa, and Center 
 Creek Association in Missouri. 
 
 EBENEZER WICKES. 
 
 Wickes, Elder Ebenezer (1772-1837) 
 of New Baltimore, N. Y., was for 
 more than thirty years a faithful and 
 zealous minister of tbe Old School 
 order and in the division of 1832 
 could not be led off by the New School 
 party. Upon his death bed he express- 
 ed a full, clear and triumphant hope 
 in Jesus, and exhorted his brethren 
 to stand fast in the faith of the gos- 
 pel and practice of the apostles. 
 
 WILLIAM R. WIGGINTON. 
 
 Wigginton, Elder William R. (1819- 
 1908), of Missouri, was perhaps at his 
 death the oldest Primitive Baptist in 
 Missouri. He was, at the time of his 
 death a member of Liberty Church 
 situated in Linn County, Mb.; was or- 
 dained by the authority of Mt. Tabor 
 Church, Boone County. Mo , May, 
 1848, by Elders Thos. P. Stephens, 
 Peter Kempar. Franklin Jenkins and 
 Benj. Wren. He was pastor of the 
 First Baptist Church at Mexico, Mo., 
 and for several years preached at 
 many churches in Monroe. Boone, 
 Adrian. Callaway and Montgomery 
 counties. Mo., and during his minis- 
 try baptized several hundred persons 
 and officiated at nearly cne thousand 
 marriages. He preached the first ser- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 293 
 
 mon ever heard in Centralia, speaking 
 from the old North Missouri railway 
 platform shortly after the railroad 
 was built into the town. 
 
 JOHN WILLEFORD. 
 
 Willeford, Eider John, of Greenville, 
 111., was born in Bond County, 111., 
 March 3, 185G, and united with the 
 Primitive Baptist Church called Mt. 
 Nebo, in June, 1876, and was baptized 
 by Elder A. J. Willeford. Since served 
 this and other churches. He was 
 licensed to preach in April, 1892, and 
 ordained to the full work of the gos- 
 pel ministry December, 1903, by Eld- 
 ers J. A. Conlee, D. M. Masters, win. 
 E. Wright and Samuel H. Wright. He 
 was chosen pastor of his (Mt. Nebo) 
 church the third of January, 1904, 
 and is still serving his church in that 
 capacity. Elder Willeford is a faith- 
 ful and useful servant and is much 
 loved by his people. 
 
 M. B. WILLEFORD. 
 
 Willeford, Elder M. B., of Rocky 
 Mount, N. C, was born in Nash Coun- 
 ty, N. C, October 20, 1844. He was re- 
 garded as a good boy in his youth and 
 has sustained this opinion through 
 manhood's years. Before grown he en- 
 tered the Southern army, served more 
 than two years and was with Lee at 
 Appomattox at the surrender. In 1866 
 he was married to Miss Jurutha A. 
 Whitley and though she had the mis- 
 fortune of losing one arm in a fire 
 caused by igniting and explosion of 
 kerosene oil soon after thev were 
 
 married, yet by a strong will and 
 willing mind, she has been indeed a 
 helpmate to her husband. To them 
 have been born eleven children, six of 
 whom are now living, have families, 
 and are a source of honor and pleas- 
 ure to their aged parents. Brother 
 Williford united with the Falls 
 Church in 1875, and was baptized by 
 Elder P. D. Gold. He was soon chosen 
 clerk, and in 1880 was ordained dea- 
 con. A little later was licensed to 
 preach and in 1896 was ordained to 
 the ministerial work. He was in the 
 
 M. B. WILLEFORD 
 
 constitution of the church at Nash- 
 ville and has since served this church 
 as pastor. Has also served Peach 
 Tree, Castalia, Sappony and other 
 churches much to the satisfaction of 
 his charges. Though Elder Williford 
 has been a great sufferer from bodily 
 disease he has manifested much love 
 and zeal in the cause of God and has 
 often been heard to say that he had 
 rather die than not be able to preach 
 Jesus. During a recent illness when 
 his life was thought to be nearing its 
 close he said, ''If I live it will be en- 
 couraging; if I die it will be more so." 
 Thus in faith does he continue to run, 
 with patience, the race of life. 
 
 P. W. WILLIARD. 
 
 irilliard, Elder P. W., of High Point, 
 N. C. is an humble, faithful and 
 worthy minister. He was born in 
 North Carolina in 1S4S. professed a 
 hope in Jesus in 1871 in his twenty- 
 third year, but did not unite with the 
 church until about sixteen years later. 
 During this time he passed through 
 
294 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 much sorrow, trials and conflicts of 
 mind, but his best excuse for living 
 out of the church was his feeling of un- 
 fitness and unworthiness for member- 
 ship. But God enabled him to apply, 
 by faith, the fitness and worthiness of 
 Christ, and he went before the church 
 at Abbott's Creek in 1887, was re- 
 ceived and baptized by Elder L. I. 
 Bodenheimer. On the following day 
 he was impressed with the words in 
 bis soul, "Go preach my gospel," which 
 
 P. W. WILLIARD 
 
 followed him until he obeyed the heav- 
 enly call. This was a great trial to 
 him. He felt so unqualified, having 
 but little education and of a timid dis- 
 position, but he was made to feel "woe 
 is me, if I preach not the gospel," was 
 ordained to the gospel work and for 
 twenty years has had the care of 
 churches. He is satisfied with the 
 goodness of God's house and wants no 
 new thing in the church and is much 
 loved for his faithfulness, meekness 
 and kind disposition. 
 
 J. R. WILLIS. 
 
 Willis, Elder J. R., of Center, Miss., 
 is a faithful pastor of churches with- 
 in the bounds of the Bethany Associa- 
 tion of Primitive Baptists. He is also 
 moderate r of this association and is 
 highly esteemed among the churches, 
 
 E. K. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder E. K., of Belva, N. 
 C. This aged minister who has for 
 thirty-five years been preaching 
 Jesus the way, the truth and the life, 
 
 was convicted of sin in early life and 
 united with the Missionary Baptist 
 Church in Kentucky, and when it be- 
 came known that he had impressions 
 to preach, they wanted to send him 
 to college fcur years to prepare him 
 for the service, and he agreed to go, 
 but on his way back to his old home 
 in North Carolina, in order to make 
 all necessary arrangements for enter- 
 ing college he became convinced that 
 the Lord, and not theological institu- 
 tions, qualified men for this sacred 
 work. So he did not return to Ken- 
 tucky to take his degree in theology, 
 but was taught a more Gcd honoring 
 one in the school of Christian expe- 
 rience, found the true church, united 
 with it and became a preacher of the 
 Primitive or Old School order. He de- 
 sires to be found contending alone for 
 salvation by grace, and is satisfied 
 with the order of God's house. 
 
 STEPHEN R. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder Stephen R., of Hor- 
 ton Station, III., "was born in Ken- 
 tucky, in the year 1820. He received a 
 hope in 1841 and joined Mount Pleas- 
 ant Church, White County, 111., and 
 was ordained in Pike County, same 
 state, in 1857. He has had continuous 
 pastoral care of two churches since 
 his ordination, and of others for 
 shcrter periods. He stands very high, 
 indeed, in tbe affections of the Lord's 
 people." From Elder Cash's book 1896. 
 Efforts to secure further information 
 proved fruitless. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 295 
 
 G. B. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder G. B., of Texas, was 
 born in Middle Tennessee February 
 27, 1849, and died November 28, 1902. 
 His parents moved while he was an 
 infant to the state of Arkansas, and 
 there it was that he grew to manhood. 
 He remained in Arkansas till the Fall 
 of 1884, when he moved with his fam- 
 ily to Hill County, Texas, in which 
 state he remained until his death. In 
 the spring of 1886 he united with the 
 Old chool or Primitive Baptist Church 
 called Pleasant Valley, in Limestone 
 County, Tex., being baptized by Elder 
 M. M. Gibson. The church liberated 
 him to exercise his gift when and 
 where God in His providence might 
 cast his lot, and so favorable was the 
 impression he made with the brethren 
 that in December, 1890, he was ordain- 
 ed to the full functions of the gospel 
 ministry. At the same meeting the 
 Pleasant Valley Church called him to 
 the care of the church, and he served 
 them to their comfort and satisfaction 
 until he became so weak from dis- 
 ease he could not serve longer. He 
 was a loving husband, a kind and in- 
 dulgent father and highly esteemed 
 as a citizen. 
 
 Mt. Hope Church, and was in 1879 
 liberated by that body to preach, and 
 was ordained in 1881. He served faith- 
 fully as pastor of Mt. Hope and Salem 
 churches until the time of his death. 
 
 BENJ. F. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder Benjamin F. (1831- 
 188G), of Indiana, was a man of rare 
 qualities for gentleness, sobriety and 
 meek Christian devotion. To know 
 him was to love him; and he was 
 most beloved by those that knew him 
 best. His honesty was a remarkable 
 trait belonging to him, and was never 
 called in question. His evenness ef 
 temper, quiet disposition and smooth 
 gentle deportment, were indeed an ex- 
 ample to all men. And his family, 
 brethren and friends may well, and 
 will often look back upon his life with 
 pleasure and comfort as being a les- 
 son and lamp to their feet; and be 
 made happier and better by trying to 
 imitate the good example he set be- 
 fore them. We do not forget that 
 Jesus alone is the only perfect exam- 
 ple in the world; yet some bear about 
 this body mere of his express image 
 and person than others. And so it 
 seemed to be with Elder Williams. 
 Much of this spirit seemed to be al- 
 lotted to him. Brother Williams joined 
 the church at Salem in January about 
 1871, was baptized by Elder Bartley, 
 was prominent in the constituting cf 
 
 J. ELLIS WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder J. Ellis, of Bloom- 
 
 ington, N. C. This humble and faith- 
 ful brother was born in Union Coun- 
 ty, N. C, April 24, 1858. In his four- 
 teenth year he was convicted of sin 
 and was in distress until May, 1882, 
 when he was given a hope of eterna 1 
 life in Christ and two years later 
 jioned the church at Crooked Creek. 
 He began to exercise his ministerial 
 gift publicly in 1891 and was ordained 
 to full work of the ministry in April, 
 1894. Has preached at all the nineteen 
 churches in Bear Creek Association, 
 and has had the care most of his min- 
 istry of all the churches he could 
 serve Saturday and Sunday and then 
 some that he visited on week days. 
 He is a man of deep sympathy, a 
 warm and feeling speaker, an humble 
 servant, and manifested his willing- 
 ness to be used at all times for the 
 good of the cause of truth. The 
 churches of his care being mostly in 
 Stanley County he moved among 
 them, and his services seem to be ap- 
 preciated. Though poor, he is a man 
 of strict integrity, is energetic and la- 
 bors with his own hands on the farm 
 during a portion of his time. 
 
 SAMUEL WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder Samuel (1868-1808) 
 late of Urbana, O., was born in the 
 city of Philadelphia, Penn.; was mar- 
 
296 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 ried in Green County, O., to Miss 
 Mary Rogers, April 29, 1828, realized 
 a hope in Christ, September, 1833, 
 united with the Beaver Creek Church, 
 September, 1833, baptized by Elder 
 Thomas Price, licensed to preach by 
 the Beaver Creek Church in 1834, and 
 removed to the vicinity of the Nettle 
 Creek Church, Champaign County, O., 
 of which church he became a member 
 and in which he was ordained by Eld- 
 er Joseph Morris, which church he 
 also served as pastor for thirty-four 
 years. He also, during his ministry, 
 pastor of the following 
 Middle Run, Sugar Creek, 
 West Lebanon, Bethel, 
 Clear Creek, Mt. Pleasant and Rey- 
 noldsburg churches. He baptized in 
 all, 491 persons, married 221 couples, 
 and preached 6,4GS sermons. He had 
 a number of public debates, in which 
 he was usually victorious. Elder Wil- 
 liams was a minister of brilliant tal- 
 ents. He was blessed with an unusual 
 memory, a clear and harmonious 
 voice, untiring energy, and was a bold 
 defender of truth. His theme was 
 Christ crucified, as the only hope for 
 perishing sinners. 
 
 served as 
 churches: 
 Tapscott, 
 
 THOS. C. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder Thos. C, son of 
 Samuel and Mary Williams, was born 
 in Lebanon, O., May 10, 1848, and 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church in April, 1871. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Laura Liddil, October 20, 
 18G9. He was ordained by the Nettle 
 Creek Church (of which he is still a 
 member) April 17, 188G, and has been 
 constantly in the ministry since. 
 He is the pastor of four churches, all 
 
 of which are in peace and contending 
 earnestly for the primitive faith, Eld- 
 er Williams is an able, conservative 
 and highly esteemed minister of Jesus 
 who is satisfied with the doctrine ci 
 grace and the simple service of the 
 apostolic church. 
 
 W. B. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder W. B. of Elm City, 
 N. O, has been preaching nearly fifty 
 years. His membership is at Upper 
 Town Creek Church. His character is 
 bright and excellent, his gift much 
 admired. He has been active and use- 
 ful as a gospel minister, and though 
 crippled in body and old in years, he 
 is still preaching Jesus the way, the 
 truth and the life, desiring to die at 
 his post and finish his course with 
 joy. ■ 
 
 H. M. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Williams, Elder H. M., of Charlotte, 
 N. C, was born in Union County, N. 
 C, June 7, 1854, and became deeply 
 convicted of sin in 1879, and remained 
 under the cloud of condemnation until 
 March, 1881, when he felt that Christ 
 spoke peace to his troubled soul. He 
 united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church at Crooked Creek, in 1882, be- 
 gan preaching in October, 1899, and 
 was ordained in August, 1903. He is a 
 kind, humble and industrious man, 
 and loves the cause of God and truth. 
 
 J. O. WILSON. 
 
 Wilson, Elder J, O. (1840-1S71), of 
 Maryland. This able gift to the church 
 was in early life convicted of sin, 
 given a sweet hope in Jesus, united 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 297 
 
 with the Old School Baptists and was 
 baptized by Elder Plummer Waters. 
 He was soon after ordained to the 
 ministerial work and for about ten 
 years faithfully served several 
 churches in Maryland. Elder Wilson 
 was greatly beloved and his death so 
 early in life was a great loss and sad 
 bereavement to his family, friends 
 and churches. 
 
 WILLIAM WILSON. 
 
 Wilson, Elder William, of Maryland, 
 was an uncle of Elder J. O. Wilson 
 and lived in Hartford County, Md., 
 and served churches there prior to 
 1865. He was baptized by Elder Jchn 
 Welsh, soon after ordained and was 
 regarded as a faithful minister, sound 
 in the doctrine and practice of the 
 apostolic church; and it is with regret 
 that data for a more extended sketch 
 could not be obtained. 
 
 JOSEPH WILSON. 
 
 Wilson, Elder James, of North Car- 
 died June 5, 189G. He was born Octo- 
 ber 3, 1819; married to Mary Lee De- 
 cember 1, 1843. Unto them were born 
 seven children. He joined the church 
 first Saturday in 1847, at old Lower 
 Mill Creek Church, Bulloch County, 
 Ga.„ that was constituted in 1826. 
 He was ordained the first Sunday 
 in August, 1863, to the work of the 
 ministry. Elders Andrew Kickliter 
 and John G. Williams being the 
 presbytery. Elder Wihon was a 
 faithful minister and practical worker 
 in the cause of Christ. Notwith- 
 standing the troubles that existed 
 among the several churches, he stood 
 firm in the cause of Christ. His last 
 sermon was delivered at his church 
 six days before he died. He was 
 faithful unto death and died in the 
 full triumphs of faith. 
 
 JAMES WILSON. 
 
 Wilson, Elder James, of North Car- 
 olina, died at his home on the evening 
 of February 21, 1895, in his eighty- 
 ninth year of age. He was born Sep- 
 tember 8, 1807, convicted of sin early 
 in life and after much sorrow of mind 
 on account cf his conviction for sin, 
 was given a sweet hope in the Saviour 
 a,nd united with the Primitive Baptist 
 Church. Soon his gift was made mani- 
 fest to the church of his membership, 
 
 viz: Mill Creek, in Sampson County, 
 N. C. — and he was, in 1829, ordained 
 to the ministerial work by Elders 
 John Crumpler and George Brcwn. 
 For sixty-six years he was a faithful 
 watchman upon the walls of Zion. His 
 service extended to many churches 
 and his labors in the Master's vine- 
 yard were earnest, sincere and from 
 pure love for the cause of God and 
 truth. Sound in the faith, practical in 
 preaching, — setting an example of a 
 godly walk and conversation, his in- 
 fluence for good was extensive. After 
 a very long life of usefulness he died 
 in the full triumphs of faith in Jesus. 
 
 L. M. WIMBERLY. 
 
 Wimberly, Elder L. M., of Georgia. 
 Information from which to edit a de- 
 tailed sketch of Elder Wimberly's life 
 and labors could net be obtained, but 
 from resolutions adopted by Emmaus 
 Church January, 1902, it is learned 
 that he died about this date The res- 
 olution further recites "That in the 
 death of our beloved pastor, we feel 
 that our loss is well nigh irrepara- 
 ble; that Elder Wimberly has been 
 cur faithful pastor the past twenty- 
 two years, and we feel and believe 
 that he has ably led and fed the flock 
 of God, which He purchased with His 
 own blood, ever ready and willing to 
 earnestly contend for the faith once 
 delivered to the saints, never compro- 
 mising Avith error, but defending the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour in meek- 
 ness and firmness, with godly rever- 
 ence and fear. Let us follow the ex- 
 ample of our beloved pastor. When 
 storms of persecution arose, he stood 
 far above the raging waves, and ceas- 
 ed not to declare all the counsel of 
 God in meekness, love and brotherly 
 kindness, which is so characteristic 
 of the humble under-shepherd of the 
 Z : on of our God. Truly, we believe 
 that a great man in Israel has fallen. 
 Then, dear brethren, let us emulate 
 the example left us by our worthy 
 departed brother in his love, patience, 
 humility, and Christian forbearance, 
 and godly reverence; also, his strict 
 honesty and uprightness, both in pub- 
 lic and private matters, whether as 
 neighbor, friend or citizen, thereby 
 setting aside the reproach of this vain 
 and gainsaying world." 
 
 W. C. WISDOM. 
 
 Wisdom, Elder W. C. (1825-1901), 
 of Missouri. This eminent minister 
 was born in Lawrence County, Tenn., 
 
298 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 and with his parents moved tc Mis- 
 souri and settled in Dallas County, near 
 Louisburg, in 1836, Where he resided 
 until death with the exception of 
 three years, when he resided in Buf- 
 falo, the county seat of Dallas Coun- 
 ty. He was married to Elizabeth Conn, 
 December 12, 1850, with whom he 
 lived a happy married life for over 
 fifty years. He professed a hope 
 in Christ in 18G8, and united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church in 
 1S70, was licensed tc preach in 1873 
 and was ordained in 1874, and shortly 
 after was chosen pastor of Round 
 Prairie Church which he served as a 
 true and faithful servant until death. 
 He was also moderator of Ozark As- 
 sociation for twenty-one years, which 
 he served to the entire satisfacticn of 
 all the churches. He was held in the 
 highest esteem by all who knew him, 
 and in his younger days was solicited 
 by his many friends to make the race 
 for representative of Dallas County 
 to the General Assembly, but refused 
 saying that he had a higher calling 
 than that of a legislator. He was a 
 noble, pleasant man, always having a 
 cheering word for the sorrowing soul, 
 and in his death Dallas County 
 lost one of her best citizens, the com- 
 munity a good neighbor, his wife a 
 loyal husband, his children an indulg- 
 ent father and the church a loving 
 and faithful pastor. 
 
 THOS. WOLVERTON. 
 
 Wciverton, Elder Thos. This emi- 
 nent servant of Jesus was born in 
 Patrick County, Va., January 6, 1785, 
 convicted of sin early in life and in his 
 sixteenth year united with the Bap- 
 tists and was baptized into their fel- 
 lowship. The church soon discovered 
 his gift and he was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry in. 1810, and for 
 about a half of a century he was a 
 faithful servant of Jesus. During his 
 ministry there were many disturb- 
 ances in the church but throughout 
 them all he continued steadfast in the 
 ancient faith and ranked among its 
 ablest defenders. 
 
 AARON WOOD. 
 
 Wood, Elder Aaron (1823-1895), of 
 Iowa, was born in Fayette County, 
 Ind., was three times married, united 
 with the Primitive Baptists in 1842, 
 and in after years manifesting a gift 
 of the Spirit, was ordained to the full 
 functions of the gospel ministry in 
 1865, and for about thirty years 
 
 was one of the Lord's faithful watch- 
 men on the walls of Zion, proclaiming 
 the unsearchable riches of the gospel 
 of the Lord Jesus, with such ability 
 and understanding as pleased our God 
 to give him, and although he was a 
 man of much meekness and humility, 
 and often keenly felt his weakness 
 and imperfections, yet he did not shun 
 his duty in declaring the word of 
 truth and of being a faithful guardian 
 C'f the flock "over which the Holy 
 Ghost had made him overseer," great- 
 ly to the comfort and edification of 
 the dear children of God. He was a 
 beloved member of Ebenezer Church, 
 Mahaska County, Iowa, and had been 
 for many years prior to his death. He 
 had been afflicted for one or two of 
 the last years,, his eyesight being 
 nearly gone, yet he bore it all with 
 patience, often speaking of the time 
 of his departure being near, and that 
 he felt as though all would be well. 
 And so it proved at the close of his 
 eventful voyage on life's tempestuous 
 sea — his life going sweetly and peace- 
 fully out, in full triumph of redeem- 
 ing grace. — 
 
 JOHN WOOD. 
 
 Wood, Elder John, of Illinois, who 
 died at his home in Montgomery 
 County, March 6, 1883, was a faithful 
 and beloved minister of the Kaskaskia 
 Association. He was for many years 
 pastor of Little Flock and other 
 churches of this assocition and was an 
 able defender of the doctrine and prac- 
 tice of the Apostolic church as main- 
 tained by the Old School or Primitive 
 Baptist. — 
 
 WILLIAM WOODARD. 
 
 Woodard, Elder William, of Wilson, 
 N. C, the third chiM of Win, and 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 299 
 
 Elizabeth Woodard, was born in Wil- 
 son County, N. O, November 6, 1830; 
 raised on the farm where he was 
 taught to labor with his own hands; 
 was married to Miss Martha Round- 
 tree at the age of twenty with whom 
 he lived very happily for many years. 
 This union was blessed with several 
 children that have grown to maturity 
 and become prominent in county and 
 state; ex-Governor Aycock married 
 twice into this family. Some years af- 
 ter Elder Woodard's wife's death he 
 was married the second time to 
 Mrs. Elinor (Woodal) Lassiter and 
 feels the Lord has blessed him 
 with two faithful and loving com- 
 panions. Elder Woodard's true Chris- 
 tian experience began when about 
 forty years of age. Of this he 
 writes: "The commandment came, 
 sin revived, and I died; and I can truly 
 say it was a hard death, for I had 
 loved the world and the things in it. 
 I saw plainly that I was justly con- 
 demned before my God and realizing 
 this my knees bowed, and with my 
 mouth confession was made to God. I 
 was thus kept under the law shut up 
 unto the faith, which was afterwards 
 revealed. It came to me in this way: 
 After giving up all hope that the Lord 
 could be just and save such a sinner as 
 I was. I retired one night in May, 1870 
 feeling that I was without God and 
 without hope in the world. I awoke 
 next morning in a new world with 
 this blessed scripture in my mind; 
 'Wherefore, seeing we also are com- 
 passed about with so great a cloud of 
 witnesses let us lay aside every 
 weight, and the sin which doth so 
 easily beset us, and let us run with pa- 
 tience the race that is set before us 
 looking unto Jesus,' the author and 
 finisher of our faith. I then had joy 
 inexpressible and full of glory. The 
 same morning as I went to wash my 
 face these words came into my mind, 
 with such power that my tongue gave 
 utterance to them; 'Why tarriest thou? 
 Arise and be baptized and wash away 
 thy sins, calling on the name of the 
 Lord.' Immediately after breakfast I 
 opened mv Bible and began reading 
 the 33rd chapter of Ezekiel. When I 
 read the seventh verse, which reads 
 as follows: 'So thou, O son of man, I 
 have set thee a watchman unto the 
 house of Israel, therefore thou shalt 
 hear the word at my mouth and warn 
 them from me.' I felt the 'anguage was 
 for me. I closed the book and wept 
 aloud. There was preaching the same 
 day at Wilson. I went to the meeting, 
 heard the preaching and felt that I 
 understood as I never had before, and 
 with the scripture, 'Why tarriest thou, 
 
 arise and be baptized, etc' so forcibly 
 in my mind that I dared not leave the 
 house until I had talked to the church." 
 This he did, was received, baptized 
 and, soon ordained as deacon. But the 
 Lord had called him to other wok. He 
 felt it before uniting with the church, 
 though he did not relate this part of 
 his experience to her and was made 
 to feel that, Ananias and Sapphira- 
 like, he had kept back a part of the 
 price, and so great became his trouble 
 about preaching Jesus that he lost all 
 pleasure in his farm and his home, and 
 could get very little comfort even from 
 the preaching of others. In this con- 
 nection he writes: "With these 
 thoughts in my mind, and with the 
 godly admonitions from my dear wife, 
 who followed me to the door one day 
 as I left for preaching with these sol- 
 emn words, 'For the Lord's sake and 
 for my sake, the sake of your children, 
 and for your own sake, go to the church 
 and tell them you have got to preach, 
 the Lord has shown me that he has 
 called you and you will be no comfort 
 to me or anyone else until you comply 
 with this duty.' When conference was 
 opened one person came forward and 
 while telling her experience the 
 thought was revolving in my mind 
 constantly 'Will you tell yours, also?' 
 and I asked the question in my mind, 
 'What shall I tell?' The answer came, 
 'Read the 33rd chapter of Ezk.' I 
 asked permission to read, which was 
 granted. When I was done reading, I 
 told the brethren of some of the great 
 trials and conflicts through whichl had 
 passed and they gave me permission 
 to exercise my gift without any limit." 
 A few months after this he was ordain- 
 ed by Elders B. T. Pitt and P. D. Gold, 
 was immediately called to the care 
 of Aycocks and Healthy Plain 
 Churches, and later to the care of oth- 
 ers, some of which he has served for 
 more than twenty years. Elder Wood- 
 ard is a spiritually minded man, a 
 noted "fire-side preacher," an able gift 
 to the church, kind, hospitable and en- 
 tertaining and his labors have been 
 greatly blessed to the edification com- 
 fort and instruction of many of God's 
 children. 
 
 JAMES S. WOODARD. 
 
 Woodard, Elder James, S., of Wil- 
 son, was born February 22, 1833, in 
 Edgecombe (now Wilson) County, N. 
 C. His parents were William and 
 Elizabeth Woodard. In August, 1870, 
 he was arrested by the Spirit of God 
 and made to realize himself a sinner. 
 About December, 1870, all his sins 
 
300 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 were arrayed against him and it was 
 the most horrible spectacle he ever 
 beheld. About ten days afterwards all 
 his sins seemed to be one great sin. 
 He had not before believed in a hell, 
 but now he knew that there was not 
 only a hell, but a hell for him, and he 
 could see no way of escape. In this 
 condition he lost everything and 
 stretched himself out on his bed to 
 die, when so terrible did his condi- 
 tion become that he lost all bis phys- 
 ical strength, and his sufferings were 
 so great that he became unconscious 
 for a short time and unable to life his 
 hand, or turn over in bed. He was 
 aroused from this stupor by the fol- 
 lowing language: "If I had not gone 
 away, the Comforter had not come." 
 Then came with great power and au- 
 thority the following words: "My 
 sheep hear my voice, I know them, 
 they follow me and I give unto them 
 eternal life, and they shall never per- 
 ish." While he blessed, thanked and 
 praised God for his great deliverance, 
 so completely exhausted was he from 
 this experience, that he soon fell 
 asleep anout 2 o clock a. m. He awoke 
 eariy in the morning feeling that "Old 
 things were passed away, and all 
 things were new, and all things are of 
 God." From this time he began to 
 speak, privately, of the glories 01 
 God's Kingdom, and talk of His pow- 
 er. He soon became impressed with 
 baptism. Wherever he went, and 
 whatever he did, awake or asleep, 
 baptism, was always before him, Be- 
 ing made willing in the day of God's 
 power he was baptized March 14, 
 1871, in which ordinance he received 
 the answer of a good conscience to- 
 wards God,, and went on i±±6 way re- 
 joicing for several months, when he 
 was strongly impressed with the great 
 sacredness of the pulpit and solemni- 
 ty of preaching. He saw that he must 
 try to preach or die, yet felt that it 
 was impossible for him to preach. Of 
 this he writes: "However, I blundered 
 along in a very incoherent way tor 
 some months feeling that all my ef- 
 forts were only miserable failures, 
 and that if the brethren saw it as I 
 did they would stop me from preach- 
 ing. In six or eight months the church 
 proposed to ordain me, but I objected 
 and continued to object to ordination 
 when proposed by them until they 
 told me that further objection would 
 be an act of rebellion, whereupon I 
 submitted, with great reluctance. I 
 still think the church made a mistake 
 in this matter. I cannct too strongly 
 urge upon the brethren everywhere 
 
 the importance of ordaining men to 
 the ministry, and it should never be 
 done until after they have sufficiently 
 proven themselves worthy, which in 
 my opinion would take eight or ten 
 years." Elder Woodard is now in the 
 seventy-sixth year of his age, strong 
 in the faith and unmoved from the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour and the 
 practice of the Apostolic Church. He 
 has always undervalued his preach- 
 ing, for he is one of our ablest preach- 
 ers, especially in the doctrine — the 
 strong meat of the gospel. He has al- 
 ways lived in Wilson County, where 
 he enjoys the esteem and respect of 
 his brethren. His labors have been 
 mostly confined to churcnes of Wilson 
 and adjoining counties. 
 
 JAMES G. WOODFIN. 
 
 Woodfin, Elder James G., of Tennes- 
 see was born at Boiivar, Hardeman 
 County, Tenn., November 20, 1847. He 
 is a son of Cicero and Mary Crawford 
 Woodfin, both of whom died leaving 
 him an orphan when he was very small. 
 He was married in 1866 to Miss Mary 
 Clark. About the same year he ob- 
 tained a hope and united with the 
 Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
 After living with them twelve years he 
 joined the Primitive Baptist Church in 
 1878, and was baptized by Elder J. E. 
 Frost. He was ordained to the work 
 of the ministry in June, 1885. Not a 
 great while afterwards Elder Woodfin 
 moved to South Pittsburg, Tenn., 
 where he has since resided. His wife 
 died in February, 1904, leaving her 
 husband, and six children, all of whom 
 are grown. Elder Woodfin is an able 
 and zealous defender of the doctrine 
 of the Bible. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 301 
 
 DAVIS S. WOODY. 
 
 Woody, Elder Davis S., of Osage 
 County, Mo., was born in Franklin 
 County, Va., July 10, 1S12, and mov- 
 ing to Missouri, united with Little 
 Hope Church in May, 184G. He was 
 in the constitution of Little Maries 
 Church and was there licensed to 
 preach February 11, 1865, and October 
 24, 1868, was ordained. He was a 
 sound Baptist and faithful to his 
 charge. He died September 21, 1878. 
 
 BERRYMAN WREN. 
 
 Wren, Elder Berryman, of Missouri, 
 was born in 1796, in Rutherford Coun- 
 ty, N. C; emigrated to Warren Coun- 
 ty, Ky., in 1812; was baptized by Eld- 
 er Zechariah Morris in 1816; removed 
 to Boone County, Mo., in 1819; was 
 licensed to preach the gospel in 1812, 
 and in 1823 was oidained to the work 
 of the ministry by Elders David Doyle 
 and John Greenalgh. Compared with 
 many others, he was inferior to them 
 in intellectual power, but far surpass- 
 ed them as a faithful and successful 
 pastor. What he lacked of the natural 
 was more than afforded in the spirit- 
 ual. Deeply imbued with the love of 
 'God, the spiritual interests of the 
 church were firmly imbedded in his 
 affections; and to serve them, ht 
 made every sacrifice which a devoted 
 spirit and the circumstances of his 
 life would permit. 
 
 HARVEY WRIGHT. 
 
 Wright, Elder Harvey (1820-1906) 
 was born in Centerville, Montgomery 
 County, Ohio, and died at his home in 
 Rush County, Indiana. With very lim- 
 ited opportunity for schools, he ac- 
 quired a fair education. By his par- 
 ents he was trained to industry, virtue 
 and truth, and thereby escaped the 
 vices and immoralities so prevalent 
 among young men. From the time he 
 was thirteen years of age, intoxicating 
 drinks were banished from his father's 
 house, and the influence of himself and 
 his elder brother did much to induce 
 other young men to like abstinence. 
 In the parental home, he was always 
 patient, forbearing and considerate to- 
 ward his younger brothers and his sis- 
 ter. He was never given to a violent 
 temper. He was careful to abstain 
 from temptation or any appearance of 
 evil. Throughout life, none could 
 doubt his sincerity and his uprightness 
 
 of purpose and of life. His early asso- 
 ciations were with the Methodists, the 
 Disciples and the Baptists, and with 
 the last named (the Primitive Bap- 
 tists) his lot was cast. He joined Fay- 
 ette Church at Xulltown, on the west 
 branch of Whitewater river, in 1850. 
 Soon after he joined the church he 
 was pressed by the call of God and the 
 urgency of his brethren into the minis- 
 try, and June 3, 1854, he was solemnly 
 ordained as an elder in the church of 
 God, by the laying on of the hands of 
 the Presbytery, of which Elder Wilson 
 Thompson was one. His ministry, 
 counting from his first public efforts, 
 embraced a period of fifty-six years, of 
 which time, he was a regular ordained 
 minister for full fifty-two years. In 
 this time he was (mostly for long 
 terms) pastor of Fairfield, Pleasant 
 Run, East Fork of Flat Rock, Little 
 Salt Creek, Shiloh, Blue River, Lick 
 Creek, and perhaps other churches. 
 He also at times visited churches and 
 associations in other parts of Indiana, 
 Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland 
 Delaware, New York, New Jersey, 
 Georgia and Alabama. His wonder- 
 ful memory o f the words of Holy 
 Writ, his ready command of good 
 and accurate language, his earnestness 
 and solemnity his sonorous voice, and 
 his personal magnetism combined with 
 his fine intellect made him an impres- 
 sive and powerful preacher. Those of 
 other denominations of Christians, 
 differing from some of his doctrine, 
 were unanimous in their admiration of 
 him as a preacher. Though Elder 
 Wright, was ever a successful finan- 
 cier, yet it was by the hardest labor 
 and closest economy that he arose to 
 a comfortable competence. It was in 
 no sense by sharp trad-e or speculation 
 that his fine farm and comfortable 
 means came into his possession. To 
 him and to his wife these came by 
 labor and good management. His 
 three brothers were all preachers, 
 though the oldest died in his twenty- 
 fourth year, before he had entered, 
 according to his convictions, the pub- 
 lic ministry. Among his ancestors 
 were some of the distinguished preach- 
 ers of New England, of whom may be 
 named, Joshua Moody of Boston, Lau- 
 rel Williams of Massachusetts, and 
 John Russell of Hadley. His father 
 Dan Wright, was a native of Vermont, 
 and was descended wholly from old 
 New England families of the Puritans. 
 The Wrights were from Kelvedon, in 
 Essex County, in England, and are 
 traced back in regular line to the year 
 1500. Deacon Samuel Wright was ft 
 Springfield, Mass., as early as 1637. 
 Elder Wright's mother was of English 
 
302 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 and Holland-Dutch descent, among the 
 earliest settlers in Newton and other 
 portions of Long Island, and New 
 York. They were of the Presbyterian 
 and Dutch Reformed church. But Eld- 
 er Wright seemed to care but little for 
 the history of his ancestors, which he 
 barely if ever, mentioned. He gloried 
 only in his acceptance with the Lord. 
 He lived for Christ and his church. 
 He patiently endured till life's painful 
 close. He sleeps in Jesus. 
 
 THOS. J. WRIGHT. 
 
 Wright, Elder Thos. J. (1803-1867), 
 of Troy, Mo., was born in Clark Coun- 
 ty, Ky., moved to Missouri in 1820 
 and settled in Lincoln County. For a 
 quarter of a century he served the 
 churches faithfully and was highly es- 
 teemed, and it is with regret that in- 
 formation regarding his life and 
 labors from which to prepare a suita- 
 ble sketch could not be obtained. 
 
 GEORGE WRIGHT (M. D.). 
 
 Wright, Elder George, of Indiana, 
 son of Elder Harvey and Delilah 
 Wright, was born April 28, 1S50, and 
 died September 9, 1903. He was mar- 
 ried to Margaret McBride, October 
 16, 1870. He was a worthy and es- 
 teemed member and Elder in the 
 Primitive Baptist Church. As a minis- 
 ter of the gcspel of Christ, he was 
 firm and true, devoted and earnest, 
 but gentle and kind to all, which great- 
 ly endeared him to his brethren and 
 
 many warm friends. For the last few 
 years he devoted himself almost en- 
 tirely to his ministerial duties and 
 calling, forsaking a good profession to 
 do so, as he had for many years de- 
 voted his time and energies to the- 
 honorable medical profession. The 
 news of his death was a shock to 
 many. Only about two weeks before 
 he attended the Cons Creek Associa- 
 tion, Johnson County,, Indiana, and 
 preached much to the comfort and 
 satisfaction of his brethren and sis- 
 ters in Christ. 
 
 LUCIEN B. WRIGHT. 
 
 Wright, Elder Lucien B. (1834-1883) 
 of Mississippi, was born in Owen 
 County, Ky., united with the Primi- 
 tive Baptists in his seventeenth year 
 and was baptized by Elder J. M. Theo- 
 bald. He was a useful and able min- 
 ister and was endowed by nature with 
 a clear and vigorous intellect, warm 
 heart and diligent spirit. As a citizen 
 he was popular and held in high es- 
 teem; in the pulpit he was an able 
 and tender-hearted preacher; in the 
 home circle, he was a devoted hus- 
 band and father. 
 
 P. M. WRIGHT. 
 
 Wright, Elder P. M. (1830-1888), of 
 Virginia, was a resident of Bedford 
 County, the latter part of his life. In 
 early manhood he was convicted of 
 sin and felt the killing sentence of 
 the law. But by faith Jesus was re- 
 vealed to him as his sin-bearer and 
 perfect law-keeper. He united with 
 Lynnville Church in 1857, and was 
 baptized by Elder Bachary Angel. In 
 1877 he was seriously exercised in 
 mind on the subject of preaching 
 Jesus to others and the following 
 year was ordained to the ministerial 
 work. Though crippled by rheumatism 
 and leaning upon his cane he went 
 forth far and near in service to the 
 churches. He suffered much physical 
 pain but was willing in tr.e day of 
 God's power to labor, to cry aloud and 
 spare not, every feeling that the gos- 
 pel dispensation was laid upon him 
 and that woe was he if he preached 
 not the gospel. In April, 1887, he 
 preached his last sermon after which 
 he was not able to leave his home. 
 He bore his sufferings patiently, con- 
 stantly looking for the summons 
 many weeks before it came. He loved 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 303 
 
 to talk of the goodness of God and 
 was ever ready to give a reason of 
 the hope that was within him. 
 
 W. E. WRIGHT. 
 
 Wright, Elder W. E„ of Fillmore, 111. 
 was born in Bond County, August 1, 
 1871, and raised by Missionary Bap- 
 tist parents. About the age of twelve 
 he was convicted of sin, and though 
 trying to grow better felt that he grew 
 worse until Jesus was revealed to him 
 as his friend. This gave him much joy 
 and soon afterward he united with the 
 Missionary Baptists and lived with 
 them about three years. When about 
 seventeen years old he heard his first 
 Primitive Baptist sermon and was so 
 comforted and edified that he could 
 not rest contented in mind until he of- 
 fered to the church, was received and 
 baptized into their fellowship. For 
 a while he felt free from trouble, but 
 soon he was deeply impressed to 
 preach and after years of resisting 
 and trying to run away from duty he 
 was made willing, was licensed by 
 Mt. Zion Church and in 1903 was or- 
 dained to the gospel work. He has 
 since had the care of churches, loves 
 the old order of Baptist and believes 
 the doctrine they advocate to be the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour. 
 
 J. W. WYATT. 
 
 Wyatt, Elder J. W., of Grumpier, N. 
 C, was born in Allegheny County N. 
 C, April 17, 1878, the eldest of nine 
 •children. His father was a Primitive 
 Baptist but his mother was a strict 
 Methodist and he was named John 
 
 Wesley in honor of the founder of 
 Methodism. Early in life, he moved 
 with his parents to West Virginia, re- 
 turned to North Carolina in 1890; con- 
 victed of sin in 1892 and after much 
 sorrow of heart was given a view of 
 Jesus as his righteousness. Of this 
 period of his life he writes: "I thought 
 I ought to join the church, so I came 
 in contact with the Fullerites, or Mis- 
 sionaries, and in the year 1893, I joined 
 them, as they were the most popular 
 people, as I thought, in my community, 
 and from their misrepresentations I 
 soon became biased toward the Primi- 
 tive Baptists and cultivated all the ha- 
 tred I could against them. In the fall 
 of 1894, September 17, I was married 
 to Miss B. J. Brown who was a Primi- 
 tive Baptist in belief, but had not yet 
 joined the church. In September, 1895, 
 our first son was born. As I beheld 
 my little son I thought and said many 
 times that I would rather know that 
 he would be bitten by an adder and 
 die from the bite and never see man- 
 hood than to believe that old Augus- 
 tine and Calvanistic doctrine of elec- 
 tion and predestination advocated by 
 the Primitive Baptists. I became in- 
 terested in reading the Bible to confute 
 and help extinguish it from the face 
 of the earth, if I could. As I read I 
 would mark the scriptures that I 
 thought to be against it, yet I knew 
 nothing of what I read. So as I re-read 
 I found I had marked the wrong verse 
 every time, and instead of condemning 
 the dear old Baptists, I and my doc- 
 trine were the fellows that were con- 
 demned. Then I was in trouble that 
 no tongue could express and I said for 
 the first time: 'O Lord, show me the 
 right way. for the foundation I am on 
 is a sandy one.' I saw the mystery of 
 iniquity unfolding itself in all that I 
 had thought to be right, and here for 
 the first time I saw the dear old church 
 in her splendor and her glory all repre- 
 sented in Christ, her great conquering 
 King. Realizing my many hardsayings 
 and my unfitness to be identified 
 with them, filled me with feel- 
 ings of uneasiness and a burning de- 
 sire within to offer myself to the dear 
 old church." He was led to the church, 
 Pond Mountain, in the Senter Associa- 
 tion, where he and wife united in 1896 
 and was baptized by Elder J. M. Wyatt. 
 During the same year he was liberated 
 to exercise his gift publicly and in 1904 
 was ordained by Elders W. L. Sim- 
 mons, J. W. Lilly, B. V. Jessie and 
 Ward Keeton. Since his ordination he 
 has had the care of churches and has 
 traA^eled and preached extensively 
 among the Baptists in the United 
 States and has been well received. 
 
304 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 L. B. WYNNE. 
 
 Wynne, Elder L. B. (1815-1883), of 
 Washington City, was born in Ken- 
 tucky. At fifteen years of age he re- 
 moved with his father and mother to 
 Illinois. He resided for many years 
 in and near Petersburg^ — then known 
 as Salem — a place which the name cf 
 the late President Lincoln has ren- 
 dered historic. Mr. Lincoln, as many 
 still living will testify, was one of his 
 earliest, warmest and most intimate 
 friends, notwithstanding differences 
 in their political opinions. Hon. Steph- 
 en A. Douglas, the famous statesman 
 and orator, Hon. Thos. L. Harris, 
 member of the House of Representa- 
 tives from Illinois, and Hon. David 
 Davis are among the many prominent 
 men whose friendship and esteem he 
 enjoyed. He resided in Illinois until 
 the autumn of 1S5G, when he moved 
 to Washington and obtained an ap- 
 pointment in the Treasury Depart- 
 partment. Until within a few months 
 
 before his death he held a position in 
 this department. For about twenty 
 years before his death the subject of 
 religion, in which he had always felt 
 a profound and reverent interest, be- 
 came the most absorbing topic of his 
 thoughts and studies, and the doc- 
 trines of the gospel of Christ became 
 the guiding principles of his life. Both 
 his earlier and later associations led 
 him to the old Primitive Baptist 
 Church. In the spring of 1872 he was 
 baptized by Elder P. W. Yates, and 
 became a member of Bethel Church, 
 Fairfax County, Va. It was not long 
 before his powers as a teacher, his 
 vast acquisitions as a Biblical stu- 
 dent, and his fluent and forcible ex- 
 pression were understood and valued, 
 and in the spring of 1873 he was or- 
 dained an elder in the church. From 
 this time until the fall of 1881 he 
 preached almost constantly in many 
 of the churches in the counties ot 
 Fairfax, Loudon, Fauquier,, Warren, 
 Stafford, Page and Rappahannock in 
 Virginia, and in Montgomery and oth- 
 er counties of Maryland. His accurate 
 memory, his knowledge of the sub- 
 jects treated, his clear method, his 
 command of language, and his intense 
 earnestness and fervor will be vividly 
 remembered by all who have heard 
 him. Elder Wynne's career is a type 
 of many, in the struggles of a bright, 
 vigorous and buoyant mind, seeking 
 for knowledge and light, amidst the 
 heart-sickening difficulties thrown 
 around him by poverty and domestic 
 afflictions, in a newly settled state, 
 and in a period of our country's histo- 
 ry when even a meager education was 
 not easily to be obtained. But no 
 trials ever weakened his hopefulness 
 and perseverance or lessened his love 
 and justice towards his fellow-man, 
 or undermined his faith in a Provi- 
 dence which will surely turn all that 
 seems evil into greater good. 
 
 Y 
 
 PAUL W. YATES. 
 
 Yates, Elder Paul W., of Virginia 
 was born in Rappahannock County 
 Va., August G, 1S20, and died at his 
 home in Page County, January 19, 
 1892, in his seventy-first year of age 
 He was a son of Paul Yates who fcr 
 several years was deacon in Thorn- 
 ton's Gap Church; and a grandson of 
 Charles Yates, a pioneer Baptist min- 
 
 ister in the seventeenth century. 
 Early in life he was married to Miss 
 Ann Apperson. She lived only six 
 years, leaving two daughters. Some 
 years later he was married the second 
 time to Miss Lettie Winn. To this 
 union were born several children. He 
 was, in the year 185G, baptized by 
 Elder Ambrose C. Boston, and at once 
 began telling the glad tidings of sal- 
 vation by grace, and grace alone, for 
 no man ever more earnestly cntend- 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 30c 
 
 ed against all the "preconceived opin- 
 ions" of men, concerning an offered 
 salvation, nor, more boldly declared 
 a secured, provided and certain salva- 
 tion, through Jesus Christ, for the 
 comfort of his "father's cnildren." He 
 was ordained in 1860 by Elders A. C. 
 Booton, W. C Lauvck and F. M. Per- 
 ry. He entered at once into the de- 
 fense of truth against socalled "benev- 
 olent institutions," human means in 
 regeneration, then, being vigorously 
 pushed by Arminian Baptists, and 
 with more than ordinary pulpit pow- 
 
 PAUL W. YATES 
 
 ers and oratory, contended for New 
 Testament practice as well as doc- 
 trine. When the "Implantation, no 
 change, non-resurection theory of re- 
 generation," threatened to bury the 
 church in Virginia, beneath the debris 
 of mystic materialism, he stood firmly 
 declaring the regeneration of the soul 
 by the Spirit of God, in time, and the 
 resurrection cf the body at the com- 
 ing of the Lord by the same spirit. 
 Four years before his death he was 
 stricken down with disease, and for 
 months he seemed to have lost all 
 physical energy, and to a great extent 
 his mental powers sympathized with 
 his physical, but when a second time 
 Arminianism in the shape of gcspel 
 regeneration insinuated itself into the 
 church, as by a miracle his strength 
 returned, and those who received and 
 loved his strong meat, in years past 
 were once more fed in the same mas- 
 terly manner upon that food the taste 
 of which Arminians in the church or 
 cut of it, can not enjoy. He continued 
 preaching with this wonderful power 
 up to a few weeks before his death, 
 and looked forward to the rest in the 
 
 tomb for his suffering body, and to 
 the presence with his Lord to be en- 
 joyed by his released spirit, with anx- 
 ious longing. He was for a long period 
 of time pastor of 'Mill Creek Church, 
 also served Hawks Bill, Big Spring, 
 Thornton's Gap, Naked Creek and oth- 
 er churches in the Shenandoah Valley 
 and churches in counties east of the 
 Blue Ridge mountain, and baptized 
 hundreds of persons into the fellow- 
 ship of the church. He had an unusu- 
 ally strong, mellow voice and could 
 be heard at a great distance, was a 
 strong man physically and mentally 
 and was prepared by the grace of God 
 for a great work, which he faithfully 
 followed to the close of life — travel- 
 ing thousands of miles annually, over 
 mountains, through heat and cold, 
 bearing the precious tiding of a fin- 
 ished salvation in Jesus for all His 
 people. His name is fondly cherished 
 as his memory lives in the hearts of 
 hundreds yet living who sit under the 
 proclamation of the gospel as ably 
 preached by him. 
 
 WALTER YEOMAN. 
 
 Yoeman, Elder Walter, of Jefferson- 
 ville, 0„ was born in Fayette County, 
 O., January 31, 1838, and united in 
 marriage to Maria F. Lee, December 
 15, 1862. Elder Yeoman, with his wife, 
 united with the Paint Creek Church 
 of Primitive Baptists March, 1864, and 
 was baptized by Elder A. J. Yeoman. 
 He was in 1868 licensed to preach 
 wherever God in His providence cast 
 his lot, and was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry in December, 
 1864, by Elders A. J. Yeoman and D. 
 
306 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR ODD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 G. Barker. He has had the constant 
 care cf churches and at the present 
 time is pastor of three; has assisted 
 in the organization of a church in his 
 county and assisted largely in erect- 
 ing the church house on his land in 
 18S0, and has since had the care of 
 said church. He also assisted in the 
 organization oi Mt. Pleasant and Har- 
 mony churches, has aided in the ordi- 
 nation of seven ministers and has 
 baptized about one hundred and mar- 
 ried two hundred couples. He has 
 served the Sciota Baptist Association 
 as moderator for the last two years 
 
 and is held in high esteem by his 
 brethren. 
 
 JACOB YOUNG. 
 
 Young, Elder Jacob, of Georgia, who 
 died May 26, 1891, was a minister that 
 was highly esteemed and whose mem- 
 ory lives in the minds and hearts ol 
 hundreds of his friends and brethren. 
 And it is regretted that sufficient in- 
 formation could not be gathered from 
 which tc prepare a detailed sketch 
 of his useful life and faithful labors 
 in tne Master's vineyard. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS 
 
 307 
 
 SUPPLEMENT 
 
 C. B. DENNY. 
 
 Denny, Elder C. B., of Pinnacle, N. 
 C. This faithful and highly esteemed 
 minister was born January 23, 184G, 
 convicted of sin early in life, given a 
 hope in the Saviour of sinners in the 
 year 1864, and two years later united 
 with the Pimitive Baptists; was or- 
 dained to the full functions of the gos- 
 pel ministry in 1886, and has since his 
 ordination, had the care of churches 
 within the bounds of the Fisher's 
 River Association. Elder Denny has 
 not only been faithful as a minister, 
 but has taken an active interest in 
 the upbuilding of his county generally. 
 For a number of years he taught 
 school, faithfully served in the south- 
 ern army through the Civil war, rep- 
 resented his county in the state leg- 
 islature, and served his people in oth- 
 er positions of trust. He was married 
 early in life and has a family of nine 
 living children, all grown, and one an 
 ordained minister of the church of his 
 honored father. 
 
 M. G. HARBOUR. 
 
 Harbour, Elder M. G., of Pinnacle, 
 N. C., is the beloved moderator of the 
 Fisher's River Association, having 
 served this body as moderator for 
 twenty years. He was also instru- 
 mental in, and associated with, Elders 
 J. A. Ashbourn, C. B. Denny, and oth- 
 ers, in the publication of the History 
 of Fisher's River Association, and is 
 highly esteemed among his people. 
 Though old in years his interest in the 
 cause of truth is unabated, and the 
 editor regrets that data for a suitable 
 sketch of his useful life and unselfish 
 labors in the Master's kingdom could 
 not be obtained. 
 
 JAMES H. LATHAM. 
 
 Latham, Elder James H., of North 
 North Carolina, the subject of this 
 sketch, was born on January 14, 1855, 
 and died November 28, 1908. About 
 1880 he was married to Miss Mary L. 
 Respass, by which union was born 
 unto him twelve children, four dead 
 and eight living. His mother died 
 when he was five weeks old and his 
 father when he was three years old. 
 At the death of his father his uncle, 
 Henry Latham, took charge of and 
 raised him. Brother Latham was con- 
 nected with one of the best families 
 of Beaufort and Washington Coun- 
 ties, Mr. Charles Latham, the father 
 of Major L. C. Latham, the brilliant 
 lawyer and congressman, being his 
 uncle. Elder Latham united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at White Plains 
 Church in February, 1878, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder N. H. Harrison. Soon 
 after this he was licensed and in Aug- 
 ust, 1882, was ordained to the gospel 
 ministry by Elders N. H. Harrison and 
 D. W. Tapping, and was a living epistle 
 of Christ and a bold defender of the 
 doctrine of electing grace, and would 
 not compromise that doctrine with the 
 best friend on earth. 
 
308 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 DEACONS 
 
 WITH SOME PERSONAL MENTION OF THESE 
 OFFICERS 
 
 The word diakonos or deacon, means attendant, one who waits upon 
 guests at a table, a servant. In the militant church of God upon earth we 
 have the table of the Lord where we meet and partake of the emblems of 
 the broken body and shed blood of our Saviour. We also have the table of 
 the poor, for "the poor ye have with you always," and as the great head of 
 the church, while on earth in human form, went about doing good and was 
 not forgetful of the poor and needy, so His followers should do likewise. 
 And then there is the table of the pastor. Not that the pastor is to be look- 
 ed upon as an object of charity and treated as a pauper, but as a fellcw- 
 laborer in the Kingdom of Jesus he should be treated as a son and not 
 even as a hired-servant. "They which preach the gospel should live of the 
 gospel." "Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the 
 corn." "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we 
 shall reap your carnal things?" "Who goeth a warfare anytime at his own 
 charge? Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or 
 whc feedeth a flock and eateth not the milk of the flock?" The Word of 
 God is very clear on the duties of God's people. About one-fourth, per- 
 haps, tells how we becrme God's children, and about three-fourths tell 
 how, as God's children, we should live. And we cannot serve God accepta- 
 bly only as we serve our fellow-creatures in this world. The deaconship 
 was established for service. The first deacons were elected at Jerusalem by 
 the church of that city, and this was done at the request of the Apostles. 
 Acts vi: 1-6. The "twelve" were no doubt inspired in this matter, and 
 therefore in each true church there is a class of men whose special duty it is 
 to serve tables — to collect and administer the funds of the church as need- 
 ed. 
 
 The qualifications of deacons are laid down in Acts vi, 3; I Tim. iii, 
 8-13. Their duties are particularly suggested in Acts, vi:2; I Cor. x:21; 
 ix, 9-14; Gal. ii, 10; I Cor. v 7-11; vi, 1-5; I Tim., iii: 4-12. Now, there is a 
 necessity for deacons or they would not have been established in the 
 Apostolic church. And being established they should be maintained. The dis- 
 continuance to a great degree of the office of the deaconship in the churches, 
 and the little attention paid to this matter by the ministry and laity generally 
 even when the office is maintained, has no doubt seriously crippled the 
 work of the ministry and counteracted the good influence of the church. 
 It is the judgment of our people generally, I believe, that our deacons, as 
 a rule, are only deacons in name. This is not anymore, and perhaps not as 
 much, chargeable to the deaccn as to the pastor and the church. The pas- 
 tor, no doubt, often refrains from preaching practical duties to his congre- 
 gation for fear of being charged with advocating Arminianism, or preach- 
 ing for money, while many of our members will, from a spirit of covetous- 
 ness, argue against expenses and oppose asisting the poor and helping the 
 ministry. And thus between the two the deacon will, unless possessed with 
 a good degree of bcldness, be too timid to tell the brethren their duty, and 
 the church goes along in an unequal burden bearing way, for under such 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 309 
 
 crrcumtances, the expenses of what is done for the poor or the pastor is 
 usually borne by the deacons themselves and a few faithful members 
 The late Elder J. H. Purefoy once said, "The Baptists are the most 
 wil'iing people in the world; a few being willing to do all that is done and 
 the others perfectly willing to let them dc it." Brethren, this is good as 
 far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. "We should be as one lovely, 
 loyal family, the strong bearing the burdens of the weak and the weak 
 casting in their mite, for there is something for all to do, and all can do 
 something. And as to the matter of giving our carnal things we are not 
 at a loss to know how much to give, for we have two rules laid down in the 
 New Testament telling us hew much to give even to the fraction of a 
 cent, viz: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him 
 give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 
 Cor., ix:7; and "As the Lord hath prospered him." 1 Cor. xvi:2. 
 
 Then let us be honest with ourselves, honest with the church and 
 honest with our God, and more faithfully assist and encourage our dea- 
 cons. They occupy a place in the church next to the minister and should 
 be his helper in looking after the internal affairs of the church and relieve 
 him of financial matters so that he may do well his pastoral duties. In the 
 following pages the editor gives brief sketches of the lives and labors of a 
 few of our worthy deacons, thousands, equally as worthy are not mentioned, 
 and no discourtesy, to any, is intended. A fair representation of our deacons 
 in a work of this kind would be almost impossible and would no better serve 
 the purpose of the editor, name'y, to stimulate more zeal in the deaconship, to 
 encourage the church to untie their hands, and to give my readers some var- 
 iety of subject matter in this publication. In this conection I wish to say that 
 I believe there is no better book among our people to read in connection with 
 the Bible on the subject of deaconship than "Practical Suggestions for Prim- 
 itive Baptists" by Elder Walter Cash, and the editor earnestly recemmends 
 the perusal of this work by our people. 
 
310 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 M. D. and J. H. ALLSBROOK. 
 
 Allsbrook, N. D. and J. H., of Scot- 
 land Neck, N. C. These were brethren 
 in the flesh and in the spirit, and dea- 
 cons of the old Kehukee Church in 
 North Carolina — the mcther of the 
 Kehukee Association, the oldest Prim- 
 itive Baptist Association in the world. 
 M. D. 'Allsbrook, though aged, is still 
 active and zealous in all duties of the 
 
 church, — J. H. Allsbrook died in 1907. 
 Both were of the highest moral charac- 
 ter and most noble Christian virtues 
 and as deacons filled the office well, 
 purchased to themselves a good degree, 
 and great boldness in the faith which 
 is in Christ Jesus; were men of good 
 judgment and gravity, not double- 
 tongued, given to much wine or 
 greedy of filthy lucre, but given to 
 hospitality, lovers of good things, 
 workers for peace and holding the 
 mystery of faith in a pure conscience. 
 
 B 
 
 H. D. BARNES. 
 
 Barnes, H. D., of Wbitakers, N. O, 
 was born in Wilson County, N. C, 
 November 27, 1842, united with the 
 Primitive Baptists at Moore's meeting 
 house in 1S75 and was baptized by 
 Elder A. J. Moore, went into the con- 
 stitution of the church at Toisnot in 
 1S84, and was, in 1891, ordained to the 
 office of deacon. It' can be well said 
 of him that he is not double-tongued, 
 not given to much wine, not greedy 
 of filthy lucre, and holds the mystery 
 of the faith in a pure conscience. He 
 is firmly established in the doctrine 
 of Gcd's sovereignty and special prov- 
 idence over his people, and has often 
 been heard to say that he could not 
 die before his time comes, — that the 
 "Yankees" tried their best to kill him 
 and failed. He entered the Southern 
 army at its beginning at the age cf 
 nineteen and proved a brave soldier 
 until its close. During one day's fight 
 -^May 5, 1862— at the battle of Wil- 
 liamsburg he was wounded four times. 
 Twice he was captured and sent to 
 Northern prisons — remaining in one, 
 — Point Lookout, two winters with 
 scarcely enough food to keep soul and 
 body together and poorly clad, yet 
 God brought him through it all and, 
 by faith, has established him in the 
 spiritual kingdom of Jesus under 
 whose banner he desires to march 
 and fight the fight of faith, until his 
 Master calls him hence. , 
 
 N. R. BENNETT. 
 
 Bennett. N. R., united with Concord 
 Church, Clark County, 111., in 1885, 
 
 and was in 1896 ordained to the office 
 of deaccn. He has rarely missed a 
 meeting of his church and is one of 
 the most forward to look after the ex- 
 penses of the church, the needs of the 
 poor and welfare of his pastor. Kind, 
 generous and open-hearted he is al- 
 ways ready to help in time of need. 
 When finding a case where immedi- 
 ate assistance is needed he does not 
 wait for his church to act, but does 
 so himself and reports his labors to 
 the church. Thus it is made more ap- 
 parent that the churches should keep 
 a fund in the hands of the deacons 
 for emergency purposes. Upon one oc- 
 casion this worthy brother assumed an 
 expense of over one hundred dollars 
 for trained nurse service for a worthy 
 sick sister. At another time, when a 
 brother died and left a family — a 
 worthy sister and four small children 
 — with a mortgage on their little 
 farm, he was one of the leaders and 
 largest contributors in paying off this 
 mortgage for this widow that she and 
 her children might have their home 
 unincumbered. These cases are but a 
 few of the opportunities of a similar 
 nature that come into the experience 
 of most every deacon for doing good 
 to others, and may our churches untie 
 the hands of their deacons and en- 
 courage them in their labors. God will 
 abundantly bless his people in such 
 
 service. 
 
 THOMAS BEAVERS. 
 
 Beavers, Thomas, who after a life 
 of usefulness died many years ago in 
 the triumphs of a living faith was an 
 eminent deacon of his countv His 
 membership was at Lebanon Church, 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL, BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 311 
 
 Henry County, Ind. He was held in 
 high esteem by all good citizens and 
 was loved much by all Primitive Bap- 
 tists who knew him. He endeavored 
 to discharge in all faithfulness the sa- 
 cred trust his church committed to 
 his hands, and informed himself con- 
 cerning the requirements of God in 
 His Holy Word pertaining to the 
 duties of his office. He found also the 
 excellent work published -by Elder 
 Walter Cash of St. Joseph, Mo., 
 "Practical Suggestions for Primitive 
 Baptists" a valuable aid. 
 
 Brother Beavers Recorded the 
 names of all the members of his 
 church in a book, expressly for the 
 purpose of keeping a correct account 
 or record of all funds received and 
 from whom received, and of all dis- 
 bursements and to whom. At the close 
 of each year he read to the church 
 the whole amount received, but not 
 from whom he had received it, and 
 the amount disbursed and to whcm. 
 
 The church heartily approves of 
 this Bible system and supplies the 
 deacons with funds so that they are 
 ready for any emergency to meet the 
 needs of poor members, to care for 
 the pastor, for visiting ministers and 
 to defray other necessary expenses. 
 
 OSCAR BEAVERS. 
 
 Beavers, Oscar. This brother serves 
 as one of the deacons of Lebanon 
 Church, Henry County, Ind., and like 
 his eminent predecessor — -Thomas 
 Beavers — stakes especial interest in 
 the work which is continued in the 
 safe scriptural line. The work has 
 been carried on quietly and satisfac- 
 torily, and it is seldom that there is 
 the mention of money in the church 
 business. No one is required to give 
 only as they want to give and believe 
 the Lord requires of them according 
 as He has blessed them. This church 
 is cne of our most faithful and en- 
 
 deavors to follow the apostolic in- 
 structions to "do all things decently 
 and in order." 
 
 W. C. BOWMAN. 
 
 Bowman, W. C. (deceased), was a 
 worthy man and filled the office of 
 deacon well. He was a native of Hen- 
 ry County, Ind., and was a member of 
 Lebanon Church and was faithful un- 
 til death and when called hence could 
 well say, "I have kept the faith," etc. 
 
 W. J. BRAMLETT. 
 
 Bramlett, W. J., of Bishopville, S. C. 
 This worthy deacon was a member of 
 the Methodists for about sixteen years 
 before uniting with the Primitive Bap- 
 tists at Hopeland Church, Whit- 
 akers, N. C, in 1893, where he 
 was baptized by Elder A. J. Moore. 
 He was the main support in the erec- 
 tion of a church building in his homb 
 town and was ordained deaccn in said 
 church in 1900. While with his former 
 friends — the Methodists — he was an 
 active worker and a steward in their 
 church and since uniting with the 
 Baptists has been no less active in 
 support of the principles of grace. His 
 experience has been deep and heart- 
 felt, h-'s change and views on the plan 
 of salvation complete and yet the dec- 
 trine preached and maintained by the 
 Primitive Baptists has not led him 
 either to inactivity or licentiousness — 
 (as is sometimes charged against the 
 doctrine of grace), but he seems to 
 take no less interest in the cause of 
 truth; is well established in the dec- 
 trine and practice of the church, for- 
 ward to look after the sick and the 
 needy, good to his pastor and liberal 
 with traveling ministers. Diligent in 
 business and the soul of honor he has 
 a gcod report of them that are with- 
 out, and bolds the mystery of faith 
 in a pure conscience. 
 
 BENJ. F. COFFMAN. 
 
 Coffman, Benj. F. Bro. Coffman is a 
 native of Rockingham County, Va. His 
 membership is at Naked Creek 
 Church, where also his wife, two of 
 his sens, two daughters, and several 
 grandchildren are members with him. 
 Firm in the faith, strong in doc- 
 trine, practical in his religion, he has 
 
 for many years been a leader in the 
 work of deacon. He has also rendered 
 valued service in other positions. In 
 the division of 1890 when the "means" 
 or "Burnham Baptists" were excluded 
 by the Ebenezer Association, Deacon 
 Coffman served as Moderator of that 
 body. He is noted fcr firm, faithful 
 dealing with friend or foe, for his 
 cheerful disposition and his unbound- 
 
312 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 ed hospitality. During a recent session 
 of his association he entertained 
 more than a hundred persons at his 
 own home and then seemed to feel 
 
 he was not doing much for the cause this course. 
 
 he so much loved. He desires to see 
 each member of his church filling 
 their place and doing their duty and 
 by word and deed exhorts them in 
 
 M. V. GANDER. 
 
 Gander, M. V., whose residence Is 
 in Page County, Va., and whose mem- 
 bership is at Mill Creek Church, near 
 Luray, is one of our most active and 
 useful deacons, and a leader in his 
 church in all movements for the good 
 of the cause dear to the hearts of 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists. His 
 greatest pleasure seems to be in the 
 service of the church and in attend- 
 ance upon her public worship; his 
 greatest consolation is in the doctrine 
 of grace and his life is such as adorns 
 that doctrine with a godly walk and 
 conversation. He has a "good report 
 of them which are without," is a 
 prominent citizen, a director of one of 
 the National Banks of the county, and 
 exerts an extended influence for good. 
 Brother Gander desires to see each 
 member of his church living in peace 
 and harmony, obeying the laws of 
 their King, treating their pastor right 
 and manifesting their faith by their 
 good works. 
 
 as a member of the church did well 
 his duty with liberality and cheerful- 
 ness. He was born in Rush County, 
 Ind., November 13, 1838, and died Sep- 
 tember 30, 1905. 
 
 D. H. GOBLE. 
 
 Goble, D, H., of Greenfield, Ind., 
 united with Little Blue River Church 
 in early manhood but for the last 
 twenty-nine years of his life he was 
 a member of Shiloh Church in Green- 
 field, and was the main support in the 
 erection of the present house of wor- 
 ship on East North street. He was for 
 many years deacon and was a faithful 
 man of God and held in high esteem 
 wherever known. His Christian life 
 was influential in impressing the sub- 
 lime fact, that true religion is the 
 greatest good in this life and an un- 
 failing support in death. He was a 
 strong advocate of education and on 
 moving to Greenfield he purchased 
 the Home and School Visitor, a month- 
 ly magazine, and later enlarged it and 
 placed it in the public schools, where 
 it has held a place ever since; and in 
 1886 he and Elder R. W. Thompson 
 founded the Primitive Monitor. In all 
 the relations of life, Brother Goble 
 was honest, faithful and upright and 
 
 JOHN W. GROVE. 
 
 Grove, John W., of Luray, Va. This 
 earnest, liberal deacon was born De- 
 cember 16, 1844, brought up in the 
 mercantile business by his father and 
 has since successfully followed this 
 profession; joined the Cavalry (35th 
 Battalion) at the age of eighteen and 
 until the close of the war followed 
 that dashing leader — Col. E. V. White, 
 and other Southern leaders; united 
 with Mt. Carmel Church in 1867 and 
 was a few years thereafter elected 
 deacon which office he has since faith- 
 fully filled. Brother Grove has also 
 served his church as clerk almost con- 
 tinuously since his membership and 
 for many years was clerk of the Ebe- 
 nezer Association. During the period 
 about 1887-1890— when Elder E. H. 
 Burnham and others were introducing 
 Arminian doctrine and practices in 
 Mt. Carmel church and finally suc- 
 ceeded in leading off a portion of the 
 membership, he took a firm stand 
 against these innovations from which 
 he has never receded. He wields a 
 good influence in church and state, 
 is director of the oldest National Bank 
 in the county, and is an active busi- 
 ness man generally. As a deacon he 
 is grave, not double-tongued, not 
 greedy of filthy lucre, looks after the 
 business affairs of the church in a 
 quiet, orderly way, suggests to others 
 their duties and then takes the lead 
 himself in personal sacrifice for the 
 cause of truth. The poor of the church 
 and his pastor's needs are, by him, 
 not neglected. Vigilant, sober and giv- 
 en to hospitality he uses the office of 
 deacon well. 
 
 JOHN G. GOOCH. 
 
 Gooch, John G., of McNairy County, 
 Tenn., was deacon and clerk of Moss 
 Creek Church about forty years and 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 313 
 
 clerk of his association about the 
 same length of time; was justice or 
 the peace in his county for fifty-five 
 years and chairman of the county 
 court for forty-five years. In court and 
 in church his mature judgment was 
 unexcelled. This love for the cause of 
 truth and desire for the upbuilding of 
 the Redeemer's Kingdom was the 
 ruling purpose in his life. Well-ground- 
 ed in doctrine, strong in faith and able 
 
 in argument his vindication of God's 
 sovereignty was indeed forcible, and 
 Arminianism could not be successful- 
 ly maintained before his onsloughts of 
 Bible quotations. He was ever in his 
 place at church, unless providentially 
 hindered, good to the poor and needy, 
 careful to look after his pastor's 
 needs, and fed more people at his hos- 
 pitable table than any man of his 
 county. 
 
 H 
 
 ALLEN HAMILTON. 
 
 Hamilton, Allen is a worthy deacon 
 of the church at Hunting Quarters, 
 Carteret County, N. C. He united with 
 this church in 1S78 and was baptized 
 by Elder L. H. Hardy, and was soon 
 afterward ordained deacon which of- 
 fice he has since faithfully filled. He 
 is now in his old age but still has the 
 same fervent love for his pastor and 
 for the peace and prosperity of the 
 church that he, as deacon, has ever 
 manifested. It is his delight to make 
 any possible sacrifice for the good of 
 the cause, and yet for his faithfulness 
 he has been persecuted. Thus he has 
 witnessed the truth of the Lord's 
 words, "If ye will live godly in Christ 
 Jesus you shall suffer persecution." 
 His occupation, like that of many of 
 our Lord's disciples, is that of fisher- 
 man. He lives near nature and na- 
 ture's God, and loves Him, his cause 
 and his people. 
 
 well ordered iife, and using the office 
 of deacon well has purchased to him- 
 self boldness in the faith which is in 
 Christ Jesus. 
 
 J. F. HEARD. 
 
 Heard, J. F., of Macon, Ga., is a dea- 
 con indeed and faithfully walks in the 
 discharge of his duty. Devoted to the 
 cause of Christ his service to the 
 church is one of sacred privilege and 
 heartfelt pleasure. He loves the peace 
 and fellowship cf the church and 
 seeks to maintain it by gospel order 
 and wholesome discipline and by a 
 
 JOSEPH HELMS. 
 
 Helms, Joseph, born September 30, 
 1837, died January 15, 1909, married 
 to Malissa A. Helms, 1859, and to this 
 union were born fourteen children; 
 united with Conners Grove Primitive 
 Baptist Church near Willis, Va., 1884, 
 and was chosen deacon in 1S90. Dea- 
 con Helms was a faithful servant, reg- 
 ular attendant at public worship and 
 manifested much love for the Baptists 
 and the cause they represent. He was, 
 financially, in good circumstances and 
 was blessed with a mind to regard the 
 poor. And many have been the recip- 
 ients of his charity. As a member and 
 deacon of the church, he was always 
 ready to do his part; and, when neces- 
 sary, more than his part, in raising 
 any funds needed in the church. After 
 others had given what they felt to 
 give, he would often ask, "How much 
 do you lack?" and then would supply 
 all that was needed. In the building 
 of the house for worship, he put in a 
 great deal of time and money; and all 
 that he did seemed to be willingly 
 and cheerfully done. He was an affec- 
 tionate husband and father; a good 
 neighbor and a faithful member of 
 the church; and as such, he is greatly 
 missed in the family circle, in the 
 church, and in the community. 
 
 B. D. JONES, Sr. 
 
 Jones, B. D., Sr., who is new about 
 eighty-seven years old, is a member 
 and deacon of Morris Hill Church in 
 Georgia, and has been an earnest, 
 zealous laborer in the office of deacon. 
 
 He has labored for the peace and 
 prosperity of Zion, has tried to lock 
 after the needy and to have his pastor 
 properly treated by his church, and 
 though his race is nearly run he will 
 long live in the memory of those who 
 knew him and love the cause so dear 
 
314 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 to his heart. B. D. Jones, Jr., is also 
 one of the worthy deacons of this 
 church and is also clerk of the Har- 
 mony Association. He loves the dear 
 old church and earnestly labors for 
 her prosperity. 
 
 J. S. JOWERS. 
 
 Jowers, J. S., of Electric, Ga., has 
 his heart in the work of the deacon. 
 
 His greatest pleasure seems to be in- 
 laboring among God's children, look- 
 ing after the welfare of the church, 
 assisting the needy, helping bear the 
 pastor's burden, and encouraging oth- 
 ers in the Christian's warfare. He is- 
 a man of keen discernment and native 
 wisdom and is gifted in exhortation 
 and prayer, much to the comfort and 
 edification of the church. 
 
 K 
 
 J. C. KILLEBREW. 
 
 Killebrew, J. C., an honorable man, 
 useful citizen and good disciplinarian 
 is cne of the worthy deacons of Harts- 
 field Church of Hartsville, Ga. In the 
 labors of the deaconship he is ably as- I house of God. 
 
 sisted by Deacon James Bryant of the 
 same church, and their labors of love- 
 and sacrifice for the cause of truth 
 are many. They are good to the poor, 
 and to their pastor and maintain a 
 strict but loving discipline in the 
 
 ELIJAH LEIGH. 
 
 Leigh, Elijah, of Hopewell, N. J., 
 was on December 29, 1908, eighty-one 
 years of age. He was born near 
 Princeton, N. J., and has always 
 lived within three miles of his birth- 
 place. He has lived in Princeton about 
 forty years, and was baptized in the 
 fellowship of the first Hopewell 
 Church by Elder Philander Hartwell, 
 about fifty years ago. Not very long 
 afterward he was chosen one of the 
 deacons of the church, and has also 
 been clerk of the church for about 
 thirty years. Though living nine miles 
 from the place of meeting, there were 
 very few times, until the past two 
 years, that his place in the meetings 
 of the church was vacant and then 
 only when providentially hindered, 
 and has, during all these years, faith- 
 fullly looked after the affairs of his 
 church. When in the prime of life an 
 opening in business in the city of 
 Trenton was offered him which prom- 
 ised much in the way of success in 
 this life, and of gain. Of course it ap- 
 peared desirable, as it would be only 
 following an honorable ambition to 
 enter into it. But he investigated the 
 matter, and found soon that the bus- 
 iness was such as would tie him in 
 a large measure, and hinder him in 
 his church privileges so that he would 
 
 be compelled to miss the monthly- 
 church meetings on Saturday, very 
 often at least, and at once he felt to 
 say in his mind, "I must not tie my- 
 self in that way. My duty to my God 
 must come first." And so, he sacri- 
 ficed willingly this opening into world- 
 ly success, and has often said he 
 never regretted his decision. In this- 
 spirit he has lived to old age, and 
 commands the warmest regard of all 
 who knew him. He has been widely 
 known among the Eastern and North- 
 ern Associations, and most visitors to 
 our Eastern Associations, have felt 
 cheered by his warm welcome and 
 personal kindness to them. He has 
 been a man of peace among his breth- 
 ren, and in the church, being willing 
 to sacrifice his own rights and feel- 
 ings, rather than give occasion for 
 controversy and strife. He has always 
 taken pains to be informed regarding 
 the situation of his pastor, and to min- 
 ister liberally to him out of his own 
 means, ever since he became a mem- 
 ber of the cnurch. He has not acquir- 
 ed riches., but by industry and frugal- 
 ity, he has acquired a competency, 
 and has no need to worry about a sup- 
 port in his old age and feebleness. 
 Brother Leigh has never married, but 
 has made his home with married 
 brothers and sisters, since his father's 
 home was broken up. His whole life 
 has been a blessing to his family, to 
 his acquaintances, to the church of his 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACOXS 
 
 315 
 
 membership, and to all the brethren 
 who have known and associated with 
 him. 
 
 him, — is noted for her liberality, kind- 
 ness and abiding interest in her pas- 
 tor and the welfare of her church. 
 
 JOHN M. LOGAN. 
 
 Logan, John M. The following facts 
 are gathered from the life of this 
 highly respected and truly worthy 
 brother: "He was born in Rush Coun- 
 ty, Ind., January 20, 1830. In his twen- 
 ty-first year he was happily united in 
 marriage to Mary Posten, daughter of 
 Elder Elias Posten. In 1856 he moved 
 to Wabash County, Ind., where he and 
 his wife lent their energies in 
 strengthening the great common- 
 wealth of Wabash County. They, to- 
 gether with the assistance and aid of 
 others, spent their energies in build- 
 ing for the future generations a her- 
 itage of which we sons of the younger 
 may justly feel proud. He and his wife 
 wisely decided that they wanted a 
 home among the Primitive Baptists 
 and were baptized by the late Elder 
 John Sparks He was finally chosen a 
 deacon of this church and afterward 
 chcsen church clerk also. Seldom did 
 he fail to be at his post of duty." He 
 departed this life October 22, 1907, in 
 the seventy-eighth year of his age. 
 Deacon Logan was a man loved for 
 his noble manliness and Christian 
 character, for his devotion to the 
 cause of truth and zeal in his labors 
 in the Master's Kingdom. 
 
 JOHN F. LONG (M. D.). 
 
 Long, Dr. John F. This deacon, in 
 name and in deed, lives in Page Coun- 
 ty, Va., near Luray. He was born Sep- 
 tember 7, 1849, graduated at Rich- 
 mond Medical College 1873 united 
 with Hawksbill Church 1886 under the 
 preaching of Elder Benjamin Lamp- 
 ten where he was soon made deacon 
 and still holds his membership. Dr. 
 Long is well established in the doc- 
 trine of the Bible and the practice of 
 the Apostolic Church and ably de- 
 fends them on all suitable occasion , 
 has served his church and the Eben- 
 ezer Association as clerk, is a popu- 
 lar practicing physician, a director of 
 one of the county's National Banks, 
 runs a store and a farm, yet rarely, 
 fails to attend every meeting of his 
 church. His wife — Susan (Kite) I on°; 
 — is not only a woman of unusual en- 
 ergy and business qualifications but 
 enters fully into the work of the 
 church with her husband and, like 
 
 PHILLIP LONG. 
 
 Long Phillip, was for many years a 
 faithful deacon of Mill Creek Church 
 in Page County, Va. Strong in the doc- 
 trine of God our Saviour and well es- 
 tablished in the practices of the 
 church he was a "Father in Israel" to 
 many, and earnestly contended for the 
 faith once delivered unto the Saints. 
 After an active and useful life 
 he died several years ago at a ripe 
 old age in the full triumph of faith, 
 and there are now living in P,\ge 
 County six of his children., — all, ex- 
 cept one, members of the same 
 church of their honored father. For a 
 notice of the daughters of Deacon 
 Long see chapter "Spiritual Writers, — 
 Mothers in Israel " etc., in another 
 pcrtion of this book. 
 
 SAMUEL B. LUCKETT. 
 
 Luckett, Samuel B., of Crawfords- 
 ville, Ind., has as near all the quali- 
 fications of a deacon as, perhaps, any 
 among our people. He was, in April, 
 1909, eighty-one years old and has 
 been a member of the Primitive Bap- 
 tist many years. His life has been a 
 useful and worthy one in all of its 
 details and all who know him well 
 love him for his sterling worth. His 
 ability as a writer has been admired 
 by our people for many years and his 
 articles in our papers are always read 
 with interest, pleasure and profit. He 
 has served his church as deacon for 
 
316 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 many years and has filled that office 
 well. His chief study has been the 
 good of the church and his chief pleas- 
 ure has been in doing service in its 
 interest. He has sought to find out 
 and meet the expenses of the church 
 and has ever shown a deep interest 
 in his pastor's welfare in inquiring 
 after his needs and seeking to have 
 him rightly treated by the church. 
 Well-grounded in the doctrine of God 
 our Saviour and firmly established in 
 
 the practices of the Apostolic church 
 he has been immovable therefrom, but 
 has contended ably and earnestly for 
 the faith once delivered unto the 
 saints. As a faithful "Father in Isra- 
 el" he speaks the truth in love, hold- 
 ing the mystery of the faith in a pure 
 conscience. Brother Luckett's name is 
 a household word among thousands of 
 Baptists and he lives in the hearts of 
 our people. 
 
 M 
 
 A. B. MEDLAN. 
 
 Median, A. B., of Young County, 
 Texas, now in his eighty-third year of 
 age, was born in Alabama, January 8, 
 1825, moved to his present home in 
 Texas while a young man, united with 
 the Primitive Baptist Church in 1879 
 and was ordained deacon in Mt. Zion 
 Church in 1881. His untiring interest 
 in the things of the Lord's Kingdom 
 has been more than is usually found 
 in our deacons. In 1882 he built and 
 donated a substantial stone meeting- 
 house to Mt. Zion Church which the 
 church has since occupied. And in 
 1899 he presented this same church 
 with a two hundred acre farm which 
 is to be used for the benefit of the 
 
 pastor in charge according to the 
 terms of the will. Brother Median has 
 not only led an active life in the 
 church but was the first treasurer cf 
 his county and has been a successful 
 farmer and stock raiser. Vigilant, 
 faithful, and zealous in the cause of 
 truth he never — unless providentially 
 hindered, — misses his church meet- 
 ings. Given to hospitality, kind to the 
 poor and tender in his feelings, much 
 has been the work of charity done by 
 this good brother and his faithful 
 wife. Firmly established in the doc- 
 trine of grace he feels he can never 
 do enough to express his gratitude 
 for what he hopes the Lord has done 
 for him, and thus he proves his faith 
 by his works. 
 
 Mc 
 
 e. h. Mcdonald. 
 
 McDonald, E. H., of Rectortown, 
 Va., whose membership is at Thum 
 Run Church, Fauquier County, Va., 
 has filled the office of deacon well. 
 Diligent in business he has also been 
 prompt in attending the meetings of 
 bis church — leaving home with thresh- 
 ers in the field in order to fill his seat 
 at church on Saturday. He has also 
 been careful to attend the needs of 
 the poor of the flock, and ever mind- 
 ful of the ministers, especially his 
 pastor. Brother McDonald is given to 
 hospitality, not double-tongued, not 
 given to much wine, not greedy of 
 filthy lucre, holding the mystery of 
 the faith in a pure conscience. His 
 life has been above reoroach. 
 
 JOSEPH McGEE. 
 
 McGee, Joseph. This faithful deacon 
 lives at Macon, Ga. He is careful to 
 
 maintain order in God's house, to Icok 
 after the poor and needy and to in- 
 quire after and supply the needs of 
 his pastor. Well-grounded in the doc- 
 trine of grace he is immovable there- 
 from. And satisfied with the simple 
 practice cf the Apostolic church he 
 wants to see it maintained. He is giv- 
 en to hospitality and is a leader in 
 burden-bearing in the cause of Christ. 
 
 G. H. McGINTY. 
 
 McGinty, G. H., of Opelika, Ga., is a 
 gifted deacon. He is faithful in the 
 discharge of his duties for his heart 
 is in the work. And not only is he 
 careful in the service of tables — lit- 
 erally — not forgetting the poor or neg- 
 lecting his pastor, but is able in pray- 
 er and exhortation and the Lord has 
 blessed his services to the good of 
 others and strengthening of the 
 church. 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 317 
 
 N 
 
 G. F. NEWTON. 
 
 Newton, G. F., of Moultrie, Ga., was 
 a faithful deacon and ever ready to ex- 
 tend a helping hand. His services to 
 the poor and his interest in the wel- 
 fare of his pastor has occupied much 
 of his time. Grave, not double-tongued, 
 not given to much wine, not greedy of 
 filthy lucre; holding the mystery of 
 the faith in a pure conscience, he pur- 
 chased to him "a good degree, and 
 great boldness in the faith which is 
 in Christ Jesus." 
 
 J. W;. NEWTON. 
 
 Newton, J. W. This brother is a dea- 
 con not in name only but in heart and 
 in deed. He is a servant of Smyrna 
 Church and also assistant clerk of the 
 Ocm-ulgee Association. Though a man 
 of wealth he is not puffed up, but 
 humble, kind, loving, and faithful; 
 good to the poor, to the ministry gen- 
 erally, and to his pastor especially. 
 He is firm in the faith and practice of 
 the church and contends earnestly for 
 the old landmarks. By using the office 
 of deacon well he has purchased to 
 himself "a good degree, and great 
 boldness in the faith which is in 
 Christ Jesus," and holds the mystery 
 of that faith in a pure conscience. 
 
 NORMAN, R. J., J. S., W. H. H., J. J., 
 M. C., AND J. B. 
 
 Constitute one of the most remark- 
 able and noted families in the state of 
 Georgia. 
 
 Richard J., was born in the year 
 1836, was married to Miss Farley Till- 
 man in 1860, served as a soldier and 
 officer in the war between the states, 
 bearing the rank of a Lieutenant, and 
 has, since the war served his native 
 county both as treasurer and as sher- 
 iff for a number of years. He was bap- 
 tized into the fellowship of Sardis 
 Church in 1874, and was in the con- 
 stitution of Pleasant Grove Church in 
 1884, where his membership yet re- 
 mains. 
 
 Joel S., was born in the year 1838; 
 married to Miss Annie Dukes, daugh- 
 ter of Elder Matthew Dukes, in the 
 year 1860. Was a soldier in the war 
 between the states, participated in the 
 
 battle at Knoxville, Tenn., where he 
 received a severe wound and from 
 which he has ever since been a cen- 
 stant sufferer. Was received into the 
 fellowship of Sardis Church in the 
 year 1866 and baptized by Elder H. 
 Fuller; was. soon after chosen to the 
 office of deacon, which positi n he 
 continues to fill to the satisfaction of 
 all his brethren. He was in the consti- 
 tution of Pleasat Grove Church in 
 January, 1884, and still has his mem- 
 bership at this church. 
 
 William, H. H., was born in the year 
 1840; married to Miss America Strick- 
 land in the year 1864. Was a soldier 
 in the war between the states, losing a 
 leg in the battle of Gettysburg. Has 
 held the office of tax receiver of Col- 
 quitt County for several terms. Was 
 received into the fellowship of Pleas- 
 ant Grove Church in 1890 and baptiz- 
 ed by Elder R. H Barwick, where he 
 remains a faithful member. 
 
 Joseph J., born in Lowndes County, 
 Ga., March 6, 1833, and was married 
 to Miss Mary Strickland, April 12, 
 1865. To this union were born ten 
 children, eight sons and two daugh- 
 ters, all surviving. He served as a sol- 
 dier in the war between the states 
 from 1861 to '65, on the side of the 
 Confederacy though he bitterly oppos- 
 ed the ordinance of secession and felt 
 there was no just cause for such a 
 cruel war. He served his county in the 
 capacity of tax receiver, sheriff and 
 deputy sheriff for many years. Was a 
 kind and accommodating neighbor, 
 ever ready to visit the sick and dis- 
 tressed and do all in his power to 
 soothe their troubles. Was received 
 and baptized into the fellowship of 
 Pleasant Grove Church in June, 1903, 
 and often expressed regret for re- 
 maining out of the church so long af- 
 ter having a good hope through grace. 
 He sweetly fell asleep in Jesus De- 
 cember 16, 1908. 
 
 Moses, C., was born August 18, 
 1823. Was married to Eliza Godwin 
 in 1844. This union was blessed with 
 sixteen children, twelve of which are 
 still living. He was received and bap- 
 tized into the fellowship of Sardis 
 Church fifty years ago and was in 
 the constitution of Pleasant Grove 
 Church January, 1884, where his 
 membership together with that of 
 his devoted wife has since remained. 
 Brother Norman is indeed a "Father 
 in Israel," and like Jacob of old leans 
 
318 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 R. J. NORMAN 
 
 (72) 
 J. J. NORMAN 
 
 (76) 
 
 J. S. NORMAN 
 
 (67) 
 M. C. NORMAN 
 (85) 
 
 W. H. H. NORMAN 
 
 (67) 
 J. B. NORMAN 
 
 (87) 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 319 
 
 upon his staff and worships the God 
 of his fathers in spirit and in truth, 
 having no confidence in the flesh. 
 
 Jeremiah B., the oldest of the six 
 Norman brothers, patriarchs of Col- 
 quitt County, was born in Liberty 
 County, Ga., on December 10, 1821. 
 He was the second oldest of twelve 
 children born to James M. and Ruth 
 Norman, who emigrated from North 
 Carolina to Georgia in the year 1819. 
 In 1827 his parents moved from Lib- 
 erty to now Colquitt (but then Lown- 
 des County). He was married to Miss 
 Sarah Ann Handley in the year 1842. 
 
 To this union were born twelve chil- 
 dren, seven sons and five daughters. 
 When Colquitt County was formed 
 1856, he was chosen as her first rep- 
 resentative in the General Assembly. 
 He afterwards served several terms 
 in both the Senate and House and 
 was also judge of the Inferior court 
 for a number of years. He was re- 
 ceived and baptized into the fellow- 
 ship of Pleasant Grove Church about 
 fifteen years ago, where he remained 
 a faithful member until called to his 
 reward on December 23, 1908. 
 
 o 
 
 W. C. OWINGS. 
 
 Owings, W. C, of Callao, Mo., was 
 born in Randolph County, Mo. Octo- 
 ber 15, 1S35, but has resided near 
 Callao, Mo., since 1854. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary Jane Rose, Decem- 
 ber 16, 1855 (see notice of her else- 
 where i in this work), united with 
 Chariton Church in 1865, was ordain- 
 ed as deacon in 1883, and has always 
 been forward in all undertakings of 
 the church, taking the lead in activity 
 and in bearing the burdens. He has 
 not only been a regular attendant 
 upon the meetings of his church but 
 has annually visited other churches 
 
 and associations, and his influence for 
 good is felt far and near. The good 
 of the cause and how to assist in 
 that which would advance that cause 
 is his chief concern. Service to 
 others is to him, not only a privilege 
 but a pleasure, and the open hospital- 
 ity of his home is proverbial. 
 
 S. W. OUTTERBRIDGE. 
 
 Outterbridge, S. W., of Roberson- 
 ville, N. C, is one of our most worthy 
 and honored deacons. Born January 
 23, 1825, his life of eighty-four years 
 has been active and useful. For half 
 a century he has taught school, stand- 
 ing high in this profession; served 
 two terms in the state legislature and 
 two and a half years in the Confed- 
 erate army. In 1868, he and his faith- 
 ful companion, who is now in her 
 seventy-fourth year of age, were bap- 
 tized by Elder C. B. Hassell into the 
 fellowship of Spring Green Church in 
 Martin County. The regular (month- 
 ly) meeting of this church — Novem- 
 ber, 1908 — was the fortieth anniver- 
 sary of their membership. During his 
 long term of service as deacon, Broth- 
 er Outterbridge has endeavored to 
 look after the poor and needy of the 
 church and the needs of the pastor, 
 is a lover of peace and of good men, 
 vigilant, sober and of good behavior 
 in church and state and highly es- 
 teemed among the people with whom 
 he has labored in various capacities. 
 
 G. PRITCHETT. 
 
 Pritchett, G., senior deacon in Mor- 
 ris Hill Church, Georgia, is about 
 eighty-one years of age and has been 
 a member of the Primitive Baptist 
 
 I Church about sixty years, and a dea- 
 | con for many years. He has always 
 been faithful to attend hsi church 
 meetings and if any reports were cir- 
 culated against any member he would 
 investigate same and try to settle 
 
320 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 troubles by gospel proceedings before 
 bringing them before the church. His 
 great desire was to keep order in the 
 church and to look after the necessi- 
 ties of the poor and the pastor. Firm 
 
 in the faith, strong in character, 
 zealous in the cause of truth his in- 
 fluence for good was extensive and 
 his labors blessed of the Lord. 
 
 A. J. SHULER. 
 
 Shuler, A. J., of Stanley, Va. This 
 faithful man has used the office of 
 deacon well. Born in 1831, February 
 2nd, he is now in his seventy-eighth 
 year of age, yet is active for his age 
 and has lost none of his interest in, 
 and zeal for the cause of truth. Bap- 
 tized in 1868 by Elder W. C. Lauck, 
 united with Hawksbill Church, in 
 Page County, Va., dismissed by letter 
 in 1875 to go into the constitution of 
 a church at Alma, Page County, 
 where he was made her first deacon 
 and has since served in this capacity, 
 much to the satisfaction of her mem- 
 bership, which now numbers about 
 seventy-five. Brother Shuler has been 
 married three times, has several chil- 
 dren, many grandchildren, and is a 
 man of extended influence and useful- 
 ness. Strong in the doctrine of God 
 our Saviour and satisfied with the 
 practice of the Apostolic church he 
 wants no new things in God's house. 
 He loves the cause of truth, labors for 
 the prosperity of Zion, is not forget- 
 ful of the poor or of his pastor but 
 does his duty freely and urges others 
 to do likewise. 
 
 PHILEMON STOUT. 
 
 Stout, Philemon, of Sangamon 
 County, 111., was born April 19. 1822, 
 near Lexington, Ky., united with Sa- 
 lem Sugar Creek in 1843, and was 
 baptized by Elder Aaron Vandever. 
 He was chosen clerk of his church 
 the same year and served as clerk 
 until he was ordained deacon in 1884, 
 since which time he has proved a 
 faithful deacon, holding the mystery 
 of the faith in a pure conscience, and 
 purchased to himself a good degree, 
 and great boldness in the faith. And 
 now in his eighty-seventh year of 
 age he is spending the evening of 
 his life in peacefulness and quietude, 
 strong in the faith of "salvation by 
 
 grace." : 
 
 J. J. SUTTON. 
 
 Sutton, J. J., of Sillmore, Ga., is 
 as a deacon, faithfully laboring in the 
 Master's vineyard. Having the cause 
 at heart he finds pleasure in the 
 work and feels that the neglect of 
 duty by others does not excuse him. 
 Vigilant, sober and of good behavior, 
 not double-tongued, but open-hearted 
 and faithful and given to hospitality 
 he is highly esteemed for the works' 
 sake and loved for his usefulness in 
 and zeal for, the cause of Christ. 
 
 WM. THIGPEN. 
 
 Thigpen, Wm., of Tarboro, N. C. 
 Deacon Thigpen was one of nature's 
 noblemen. Born October 11, 1799, and 
 died June 3, 1886, and uniting with 
 the church before the division in the 
 Baptist. Church he lived in a time that 
 tried one's faith. For more than half 
 a century he was a member of the 
 Primitive Baptists and a faithful dea- 
 con for a quarter of a century or 
 more. As long as able to attend his 
 church he was an active, vigilant 
 member, genial and loving in his 
 manners and open-hearted and cha- 
 ritable to the poor. His house was a 
 welcome home for Baptists and his 
 
 greatest pleasure seemed to be in the 
 worship of God and the service of 
 others, and he left an impress upon 
 the community in which he lived as 
 a law-abiding, God-fearing man, a 
 good neighbor and a faithful, consist- 
 ent member of the church he profess- 
 ed to love. He was indeed a "Father 
 in Israel" and used the office of dea- 
 con well, was a student of the Bible 
 and an excellent disciplinarian. 
 
 MICAJAH G. THOMAS. 
 
 Thomas, Micajah G , of North Car- 
 olina, was born in 1809, and died in 
 1863. He was for many years clerk 
 
PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 321 
 
 and deacon of Flat River Church and 
 was highly esteemed for his faithful 
 service in the Master's vineyard and 
 his love for the cause of truth. 
 Though he passed away nearly half 
 a century ago yet his memory is still 
 cherished by those who remember his 
 life and character. 
 
 BRYANT THOMPSON. 
 
 Thompson, Bryant, of Gainsville, 
 Texas. This faithful deacon was born 
 in Wilson County, N. C, February 10, 
 1837, married to Sarah A. Creech in 
 1867, and both joined the Primitive 
 Baptist at Healthy Plains Church of 
 the Black Creek Association. About 
 the year 1889 they moved to Cooke 
 County, Texas, and united, by letters, 
 with Walnut Spring Church, which 
 church ordained Brother Thompson 
 to the office of deacon in 1890. This 
 position he has since held, and ear- 
 nestly labors for the welfare of Zion 
 and the good of the cause. 
 
 W. C. TREVATHAN. 
 
 Trevathan, W. C. This lovely broth- 
 er died at his home in Rocky Mt, 
 
 N. C, June 18, 1908, at the ripe old 
 age of nearly eighty years. Since 
 early manhood he had been a devout 
 member of the Primitive Baptist 
 Church. So loyal and zealous was he 
 in his young days that he felt like al- 
 most non-fellowshipping a brother for 
 sleeping in church, but in his old age 
 he fell into this weakness and would 
 employ various methods to overcome 
 his drowsiness. For many years he 
 was a deacon of the church at the 
 Falls of Tar River, and was one who 
 loved peace and earnestly labored for 
 it. When he learned there was a trou- 
 ble brewing he would lay down ordi- 
 nary matters and visit the parties, so 
 that, if possible the trouble might be 
 settled before it entered the church; 
 but if it could not be he would see 
 that it came in the church in the 
 right way. He was faithful in telling 
 others of their faults and of confess- 
 ing his own; a lover of good men, 
 not covetous, but sought to honor 
 Jesus and benefit his people. He went 
 far and near to hear preaching, re- 
 membered the poor, did not forget the 
 needs of his pastor and proved him- 
 self an excellent deacon. Such a name 
 is rather to be chosen than great 
 riches. 
 
 V 
 
 W. W. VICK. 
 
 Vick, W. W. This worthy deacon is 
 a member of the church at Williams, 
 Edgecombe County, N. C, and is high- 
 ly esteemed for his amiable disposi- 
 tion, moral character and many 
 Christian virtues. Kind and gentle, 
 and patient yet firm and steadfast in 
 the faith and practice of the church 
 he desires to see order in the house 
 of God and labors for peace and fel- 
 lowship on gospel grounds. Not dou- 
 ble-tongued, nor given to much wine, 
 
 nor greedy of filthy lucre he holds the 
 mystery of the faith in a pure con- 
 science and is willing to spend and 
 be spent in the cause of truth, though 
 his church, as hundreds of others, do 
 not fully untie the hands of her dea- 
 cons that they might more freely and 
 fully enter into the work of the dea- 
 conship. Brother Vick has a good re- 
 port without and people outside the 
 church, as well as his own brethren, 
 have the utmost confidence in him, 
 and thus his influence for good is ex- 
 tended and his usefulness manifest. 
 
 w 
 
 F. B. WILDER. 
 
 Wilder, F. B., of Griffin, Ga., is a 
 most faithful deacon, ever ready to 
 look after the poor, and his pastor, 
 and to see that each infirm member 
 is provided with a way to attend the 
 worship of God. Given to hospitality 
 in a great degree his home is ever 
 open to his brethren and his attention 
 and service to them is proverbial. In 
 the conferences of his church he is 
 
 fully awake to the needs of the 
 church and a leader in bearing the 
 expenses of same. Brother Wilder is 
 also gifted in prayer, and this is a 
 great help to the church and encour- 
 aging to the pastor. A deacon, who 
 will at the time of service say, "Come 
 in, brethren, let us begin the worship 
 of God," and who will, if the minis- 
 ter is not present, read God's Word, 
 talk of His goodness and publicly 
 pray for a continuation of His bless- 
 
322 
 
 PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST DEACONS 
 
 ings is worth much to the cause of 
 God and truth. And such service so 
 much needful in the minister's ab- 
 sence, is not out of place in his pres- 
 ence, but is beneficial to the cause 
 and edifying to the body and may our 
 deacons be encouraged in public 
 prayer and exhortation. 
 
 CALVIN WOODARD. 
 
 Woodard, Calvin (1827-1887), of 
 Wilson, N. C, was a most indus- 
 trious, humble, truthful, honest, tem- 
 perate, moral, self-controlled, fearless, 
 gentle, kind and self-denying man. 
 People outside as well as inside of 
 
 the church had the greatest confi- 
 dence in him. He was a most earnest 
 opponent of the use of alcoholic 
 drinks. He tenderly sympathized with 
 and generously ministered of his 
 worldly substance to the needy and 
 the afflicted, making his house the 
 home of many destitute and suffering 
 ones and taking care of his aged pas- 
 tor the last four and a half years of 
 his own life. His Bible and his 
 church, the preaching of the word, 
 the singing of spiritual songs, the 
 company of his brethren, and the 
 name and cause of Christ were ex- 
 ceedingly precious to him. Such a 
 Christian life as Deacon Woodard is 
 an unanswerable refutation of all the 
 infidelity in the world. He feared God 
 and had nothing else to fear. 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 323 
 
 TALENTED AND SPIRITUALLY-MINDED SISTERS 
 AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL" 
 
 "Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted 
 unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as 
 also saith the law, And if any will learn let them ask their husbands at 
 home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." 1 Cor. xiv: 
 34-35. 
 
 "Let the women learn in silence with all subjection; but I suffer not a 
 woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in si- 
 lence." 1 Tim. ii: 11-12. 
 
 The Primitive or Old School Baptist believing the above Scripture, are 
 not advocates of the modern practice of women preaching. This practice 
 originated, not with Christ and His Apostles, but with George Fox, the 
 founder of the Quakers, or "Society of Friends" who lived in the seven- 
 teenth century. 
 
 But while women are not, by God's word, permitted to teach pub- 
 licly in the church, yet all speaking is not prohibited; they may speak their 
 experiences to the church, give an account of the work of God on their 
 souls, speak to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and speak 
 as evidence in any church case. They may also teach privately their chil- 
 dren (Eph., vi:l-3; Col. iii, 20), teach other women (Titus ii, 3-5), and teach 
 men also (Acts, xviii, 26 and xxi, 9). But to exceed the limits of God's 
 Word and assume the position of preachers or public teachers is con- 
 trary to natural modesty and bashfulness of the sex, is a shame to them- 
 selves, a disgrace to the church, and betrays uncommon pride and vanity, 
 and unnatural boldness and confidence. 
 
 And the editor is confident that each of the sisters mentioned in the 
 following pages, could they speak on the subject, would express the above 
 sentiment, for they shrink from publicity, have sought no public position 
 in the church, nor personal mention in the pages of this book. On the contrary 
 the editor met with much difficulty in obtaining sufficient data for the fol- 
 lowing notices. All had to be earnestly requested, some urged, and others 
 never did give their consent for this publicity, and it was only by the per- 
 sistent efforts of the editor and the assistance of friends that these few 
 sketches are presented, which gives the reader but a faint glimpse of the 
 influence, loyalty, and faithfulness of our noble women in the noble cause 
 of God and truth. It has been well said that she is "the power behind the 
 throne," "the unseen hand that controls the affairs of men," "the last at 
 the tomb and the first at the resurrection;" and, may this brief men- 
 tion of her be blessed of the Lord to the comfort of many, the good of the 
 cause ami the glory of His name, 
 
324 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 MRS. BETTIE ALESHIRE. 
 
 Aleshire, Mrs. Bettie. This worthy 
 sister and faithful "Mother in Israel," 
 on March 6, 1909, passed her seventy- 
 fourth mile-post on the road of time. 
 She has lived in Page County, Va., all 
 her life, united with Mill Creek 
 Church nearly half a century ago and 
 has ever lived a life consistent with 
 her godly profession. Sister Aleshire 
 is noted for her faithfulness to her 
 church and pastor, her cheerful dis- 
 position and true hospitality. Nor 
 does she forget the minister's wife in 
 
 her contributions, but delights in 
 sending "something extra" for her 
 purse and own use. She loves the doc- 
 trine of grace. It has been a comfort 
 to her upon the tempestuous sea of 
 time and she has a sweet hope that 
 it will safely land her in the blest 
 haven of rest. Among her living chil- 
 dren the following are members of 
 the church with her: J. B. Aleshire, 
 deacon of Mill Creek Church, Mrs. J. 
 Lee Burner, Mrs. A. Shirley and Mrs. 
 J. L. Yowell, all of Page County, Va., 
 and especially noted for their hospi- 
 tality and love' for the doctrine of 
 grace. 
 
 B 
 
 MRS. S. ELLA BAKER. 
 
 Baker, Mrs. S. Ella, of Buckeyes- 
 town, Md., whose membership is at 
 Seneca Church, is indeed a faithful 
 and worthy sister and great friend to 
 the cause of truth. She has done 
 much in building up churches, assist- 
 ing our ministers and helping the 
 poor and needy. But like most of our 
 sisters she would not consent to fur- 
 nish any information of her life and 
 service in the Master's vineyard, and 
 the editor had to gather information 
 "here and there." It is not our pur- 
 pose to deal in eulogy but when we 
 have among us such true, faithful and 
 unselfish member as Sister Baker 
 whose donations of hundreds of dol- 
 lars to the building of church houses 
 and the good of the cause has been 
 so beneficial and highly appreciated 
 by the Baptists of the Ketocton and 
 Ebenezer associations, we want others 
 to know of it also. And not only does 
 our sister find pleasure in helping in 
 the cause of truth in a financial way, 
 but also in attending the pub'ic 
 worship of the churches and associ- 
 ations and in visiting among those of 
 like precious faith with her. 
 
 CATHERINE REBECCA BARTLEY. 
 
 Bartley, Catherine Rebecca, died at 
 midnight, August 6, 1905, at the home 
 of her sister, Mrs. Dorcas Luckett, 
 
 Corydon, Ind. Her long life of years 
 were filled with kind and loving 
 deeds, and an example of zeal and de- 
 votion to the cause of God. Sister 
 Bartley's parents (Adam and Nancy 
 Douglass) were devoted Baptists, bap- 
 tized by Elder Booten in Shenandoah 
 County, Va. They moved to Harrison 
 Countv, Ind., in 1834, where their 
 seven children grew to be worthy 
 men and women. Ground had been 
 given from the farm they bought for 
 a cemetery and meeting-house, and 
 old Goshen was among the first 
 churches built in Indiana. Sheltowie, 
 a gravel-bedded stream, made one 
 boundary line, and in its clear waters 
 many were baptized in bygone days. 
 Sister Bartley united with the church 
 at the age of nineteen and was bap- 
 tized by Elder Jas. Armstrong. She 
 was married in early life to Joel Bart- 
 ley, but many years of widowhood 
 came to her after his death. Her 
 home was near the old meeting-house, 
 and it is difficult to say which home 
 was most dear to her. Her striking 
 traits of character were kindness of 
 heart in word and deed. Her disposi- 
 tion was most cheerful and her devo- 
 tion to truth like gold tried in the 
 fire. She belonged to that great army 
 of Christian women, who, hidden from 
 the world, work out the problem of 
 life, as taught by the Holy Spirit. A 
 great man has said. "They also serve 
 who only stand and wait." What then 
 shall we say of one who runs in the 
 way of holiness, whose speech is full 
 of thanksgiving and praise, and whose 
 every act is a deed of love? 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 
 
 325 
 
 MRS. I. W. BASS. 
 
 Bass, Mrs. I. W. Sister Dellia Bass 
 was born in Nash County, N. C, in 
 1842, was married to W. ML Daugh- 
 teredge in her seventeenth year and 
 is the mother of thirteen children, 
 eight of whom are now living and a 
 consolation to her in her old age. She, 
 with her first husband, united with 
 the Primitive Baptists at the Palls of 
 Tar River in 1874. He died in 1894, 
 and she was in 1897 married to Bro. I. 
 W. Bass also a member of the same 
 church. Sister Bass is a kind, affec- 
 tionate and industrious woman, a 
 strong believer in the doctrine of 
 grace, a firm friend to the Baptists 
 and the cause they represent. Her 
 home is indeed a "Home for Bap- 
 tists" and she and her husband at a 
 recent session of the Kehukee Asso- 
 ciation entertained about eighty 
 guests. It can be truly said of her 
 that she is spiritually minded. It is 
 her meat and her drink to talk about 
 the goodness and mercy of God to 
 poor sinners, to attend the assembly 
 of the saints and serve her brethren 
 and sisters of the household of faith. 
 
 MRS. EMILY BOOTON. 
 
 Booton, Mrs. Emily, a life-time resi- 
 dent of Luray, Va., is now in the 
 seventy-fifth year of her age, yet 
 bright, cheerful and active with una- 
 bated energy, determination and zeal. 
 Possessed with a natural conversa- 
 tional gift, a mind well stored with 
 information and a retentative mem- 
 ory, she is entertaining and instruc- 
 tive in her conversation, and is what 
 is termed "good company." She is a 
 
 daughter of Elder Wm. C. Lauck and 
 widow of Elder John K. Booton, was 
 baptized by her father into the fel- 
 lowship of Mt. Carmel Old School 
 Baptist church in Luray in the twen- 
 ty-fourth year of her age and has 
 since lived a faithful and consistent 
 life. Three children — Mrs. Henry Ben- 
 son of Maryland, Mrs. Mattie Grayson 
 of Philadelphia, and Prof. John H. 
 Booton, of Luray, Va. all mem- 
 bers of her church, — live to com- 
 fort her in the evening of life. Like 
 her eminent father, Sister Booton has 
 a distaste for photographic notoriety 
 and no picture of her could be ob- 
 tained. She is well informed on the 
 doctrine and practice of the church, 
 and, within the period of her recol- 
 lection, is an authority on the subject, 
 from an Old School Baptist stand- 
 point. Recently, while testifying in 
 the Mt. Carmel Church case occa- 
 sioned by an attempt of the "Bur- 
 nam Party" to possess this property, 
 she was being questioned in regard to 
 Sunday schools, and brought out the 
 point of parental teaching in a very 
 clear manner. To the inquiry, that as 
 Baptists opposed Sunday schools if 
 they also opposed teaching children 
 the Bible, she replied: "No, but on 
 the contrary advocated it; that it was 
 the custom of her father and her hus- 
 band to read the Bible and discuss 
 its teaching in their families; that 
 the children of Baptists usually knew 
 as much about the Bible as other 
 children, and that her little seven- 
 year-old girl, on being asked what 
 was she, quickly replied, "Old School 
 Baptist, because I believe 'by grace 
 are ye saved through faith.' " Sister 
 Booton loves the cause of truth and 
 is highly esteemed among her people. 
 
 MRS. LUCY G. BRUMBACK. 
 
 Brumback, Mrs. Lucy G. This gift^ 
 ed sister is the youngest daughter of 
 the late Elder Wm. C. Lauck, and 
 was born in 1849, baptized in her sev- 
 enteenth year by her father into the 
 fellowship of Mt. Carmel Church, Lu- 
 ray, Va., and about the year 1888 mov- 
 ed her membership from this church 
 because of the Sunday school intro- 
 duced within her walls by Elder E. H. 
 Burnam — which, with other Arminian 
 practices and the doctrine of gospel 
 regeneration led to a split in the 
 church in 1890. Sister Brumback then 
 united with Hawksbill Church near 
 her home where her membership has 
 since remained and where her husband 
 — Bro. E. T. Brumback — is a worthy 
 
326 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 deacon, and where four out of five 
 living children are members of the 
 same church with her. Her home is at 
 the foot of the Blue Ridge mountain 
 in Page County, and is a home noted 
 for its hospitality, and she is well 
 known to many readers of Zion's Ad- 
 vocate, Gospel 'Messenger, Primitive 
 Monitor and other of our papers as 
 the "Mountain Home" writer. But 
 while she is a gifted writer and well 
 
 MRS. LUCY G. BRUMBACK 
 
 grounded in, and ably defends, the 
 doctrine and practice of the Apos- 
 tolic church as maintained by the 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists, yet 
 she is most noted for her lovely 
 Christian character, works of charity 
 and zeal and faithfulness in the 
 cause of truth. Love is the prominent 
 element of her character — love to 
 God, His people and His truth. And 
 this love is not in word only, but in 
 deed. To make sacrifices for others 
 seems to be her chief delight, and 
 many are the lives that have been 
 brightened — many the hearts that 
 have been comforted by her ministra- 
 tions. She delights to see her church 
 alive to its duty, the poor not neglect- 
 ed, the pastor's hands upheld and his 
 family cared for; and in such labors 
 of love she is a leading spirit. Her 
 example of faithfulness is proverbial, 
 for though unable to hear any part of 
 public worship on account of almost 
 total deafness, caused, evidently by 
 some catarrhal affection of the head, 
 yet she never misses a meeting of her 
 church unless providentially hinder- 
 ed. She says the Lord is so good to 
 her that she does not want to neglect 
 her duty and though she cannot hear, 
 she can see. And her pastor is confi- 
 dent that she feels, as well as sees, 
 
 for often while he is trying to describe 
 the goodness of God and the glories of 
 His salvation has he observed tears 
 of rejoicing trickling down her cheek. 
 Her religion is a real, living, every- 
 day principle that bears the good 
 fruit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, 
 gentleness, goodness, faith, meeknefcs, 
 temperance, and is a living rebuke to 
 a form of godliness which denies the 
 power thereof. 
 
 MRS. LUCIE C. BUCK. 
 
 Buck, Mrs. Lucie C, was the neice 
 of Elder Thomas Buck, who was for 
 many years pastor of "Waterlick and 
 Happy Creek churches in Warren 
 County, Va. She united with the Hap- 
 py Creek Church in 1SG7, and during 
 her long life was devoted to the 
 cause, and zealous in all good works, 
 and was rightly termed by her pastor 
 "A Mother in Israel." In 1872 she was 
 married to Dr. Samuel Buck who was 
 also a member of the church to which 
 she belonged. After his death in 1874 
 she resided with a brother in Front 
 Royal where she enjoyed the privilege 
 of attending worship at her church, 
 until several years before her death 
 when ill health prevented her attend- 
 ance. She suffered greatly with her 
 eyes, and had several operations per- 
 formed for cataract, and two years 
 before her death had a stroke of par- 
 alysis, but bore her suffering with un- 
 failing patience and submission until 
 a second stroke of paralysis in 1904 
 ended a long and useful life. Her 
 chief characteristics were loyalty to 
 her church, her family and friends. 
 She was generosity itself, and ever 
 ready to assist in all good works, and 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 327 
 
 many hours were spent at the bedside 
 of the sick and suffering. She longed 
 for her release when affliction ended 
 her activities, but awaited with pa- 
 tience the summons of her "Father and 
 her God" and to receive the verdict 
 of "well clone, good and faithful ser- 
 vant." Just before her death — which 
 
 occurred May 6, 1904, — she roused 
 from an unconscious state, her face 
 became radiant as if she saw a heav- 
 enly vision and looking upward and 
 raising her arm she exclaimed, "Up, 
 up," and sweetly fell asleep in that 
 faith in Jesus that had sustained her 
 amid all the trials of life. 
 
 MRS. RUTH F. COX. 
 
 Cox, Mrs. Ruth F., of Richmond, 
 Mo. This worthy sister is not only 
 well known to many readers as a 
 writer of prose on spiritual subjects 
 but has also written several poems. 
 While the editor's limited space will 
 not permit him to publish them here 
 yet he gives below one of her bright- 
 est, which is on the subject of 
 
 Heavenly Recognition. 
 
 Shall we know as we are known, 
 When we meet around the Throne? 
 
 In that world so bright and fair, 
 Shall we know each other there? 
 
 Shall we meet with those we love, 
 In that happy home above? 
 Shall we greet them, face to face, 
 In one long and sweet embrace? 
 
 Shall we know a mother, dear, 
 Whom we long have mourned for 
 
 here? 
 Or shall the earthly ties that bind, 
 In the grave be left behind? 
 
 'Tis enough, enough for me, 
 If I my blessed Lord shall see; 
 And He bids me enter in 
 Ever more to dwell with Him. 
 
 D 
 
 MISS BESSIE DURAND. 
 
 Durand, Miss Bessie, of Southamp- 
 ton, Pa., was born March 30, 1828, in 
 Herrick, Bradford County, Pa. She 
 was the eighth of a family of four- 
 teen children, of whom Elder Silas H. 
 
 Durand was the eleventh. These two 
 are the only survivors of that family. 
 Their home has been for the past 
 twenty-four years at Southampton, 
 Pa., and is indeed a home for Baptists 
 and noted for true hospitality. She 
 received a hope in Christ in 1852, and 
 was baptized in the fellowship of the 
 Old School Baptist Church at Vaughn 
 Hill, Pa., in April, 1853. Somte years 
 afterward she wrote her experience 
 to Elder Gilbert Beebe, asking him 
 not to publish it. At his urgent re- 
 quest, however, she consented to its 
 publication, and it appeared in the 
 "Signs of the Times" of April 1, 1864. 
 It was unusually interesting, as very 
 many have testified. During the last 
 forty-four years she has written con- 
 siderably for the "Signs," and her 
 writings have comforted many of the 
 dear family of God. She has also had 
 a wide private correspondence. She 
 was associated with her brother in 
 the publication of a very interesting 
 little book entitled Reminiscences and 
 Letters of Mary Parker, and is indeed 
 a talented, humble and highly es- 
 teemed Baptist and a gifted writer on 
 spiritual subjects. 
 
328 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 MISS LOUISA A. EDWARDS. 
 
 Edwards, Miss Louisa A., of Palk- 
 ton, N. C. This worthy sister is a 
 member of Lawyer Spring Church and 
 was baptized by Elder Isaac Jones May, 
 
 1893. From her earliest recollec- 
 tion she has serious thoughts about 
 eternal things and as a child, found 
 more pleasure sitting at the feet ot 
 old people and listening at them talk, 
 than she did playing with other chil- 
 dren. Especially was she anxious to 
 hear the subject of religion discussed. 
 She is unable to tell when she was 
 first convicted of sins but when about 
 thirteen years of age the burden of 
 conviction was very heavy and so 
 downcast was she that she feared she 
 had some serious heart trouble or was 
 losing her mind. But the Lord was 
 her teacher and led her about and in- 
 structed her, impressed on her ten- 
 der mind sweet promises of Scipture, 
 gave her a hope in the Saviour and 
 an ear to hear the joyful sound of the 
 gospel trumpet. She has found much 
 comfort in the church and has been 
 a comfort to many others, by her 
 spiritual conversation, and private 
 and public correspondence. To read- 
 ers of "Zion's Landmark" she is es- 
 pecially well known by her published 
 writings. 
 
 NANCY CAROLINE FARTHING. 
 
 "Farthing, Mrs. Nancy Caroline. This 
 faithful, loving, noble sister was born 
 February 26, 1825, near where the 
 town of Durham now stands, and died 
 February 26, 1908, making her eighty- 
 three years old the day she fell 
 asleep. She was married to brother 
 William Farthing February 12, 1843, 
 received into the fellowship of the 
 church at Eno near her home in 1848, 
 baptized by Elder George Coggins, 
 and remained a member at Eno while 
 she lived. Her home was a home for 
 Primitive Baptists and many others 
 who loved good behavior. She and her 
 husband were industrious and frugal, 
 conscientious and loving in their 
 lives. Hers was a meek and quiet 
 spirit which is of great price in the 
 sight of God. In all her life she was 
 meek and humble, faithful and gentle 
 and greatly beloved by her people. 
 Elder P. D. Gold says of her: "If she 
 had faults they were hid under the 
 mantle of charity so I did not see 
 them. Of her virtues she possessed 
 the full number. * * * Her conversa- 
 tion was gifted and rich in Bible ex- 
 
 pressions of its holy principles. Her 
 desire was to be reconciled to the will 
 of the Lord God and her Lord, and 
 she peacefully fell asleep in the rest 
 of those asleep in Jesus. Surviving 
 her there are two sons and two 
 daughters, all noble and loving peo- 
 ple, and faithful children rising up to 
 call their mother blessed. She set 
 such a noble example of friendship 
 and faithfulness in her relations of 
 life, and her children are much devot- 
 ed to each other. I have spent many 
 hours in that family, but have never 
 seen an act of any one of them to- 
 wards another one but that of great 
 kindness, nor have I ever heard from 
 the lips of any of them any expression 
 but that of kindness to all the others. 
 Brother G. C. Farthing, the oldest liv- 
 ing member of the family, has been a 
 member of the church at Durham 
 many years, and is well known by our 
 people as one of the most prompt, 
 faithful and useful members of the 
 Primitive Baptists, and one of the 
 most devoted sons to his mother I 
 have ever seen. Indeed .all of them 
 loved to obey and honor her while 
 she lived, and love her memory after 
 she is gone." 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 
 
 329 
 
 KATE R. FORBES. 
 
 Forbes, Mrs. Kate R., of Kansas 
 City, Mo. The name of this sister is 
 often seen attached to articles pub- 
 lished in the "Signs of the Times," 
 "The Messenger of Peace," and other 
 of our religious periodicals. She was 
 born in Halifax County, N. C, Febru- 
 
 ary 12, 1842, moved with her father 
 to "West Tennessee, when about ton 
 years of age and later in life moved 
 to Missouri. When about the age of 
 twenty-one she united with the New 
 School or Missionary Baptists, but 
 soon became dissatisfied with them 
 and became so much impressed with 
 the scripture, "Come out from among 
 them and be ye separate," etc., that 
 she wrote for her name to be erased 
 from the church book, feeling that 
 she would never belong to another 
 church. But the God of Providence 
 led her to hear of the Primitive Bap- 
 tists. She visited them, was charmed 
 with the doctrine of grace and experi- 
 mental religion as preached by them, 
 united with LaFountaine Church in 
 Wilson County, Kan., and was bap- 
 tized by Elder J. T. Swinney. Her 
 membership is now with the church 
 in Kansas City, Mo., of which Elder 
 W. T. Brown is pastor. Sister Forbes 
 is a highly esteemed Baptist, has 
 been a widow for over twenty years 
 but has the sweet hope and consola- 
 tion that Jesus is her Husband and 
 that He will be with her in life and 
 save her in death. Her writings have 
 been a consolation and comfort to 
 many. 
 
 MRS. M. I. GAFFORD. 
 
 Gafford, Mrs. M. I., of Mexia, Tex., 
 was born in Monroe County, Ala, 
 March 7, 1863, moved to Florida with 
 her mother when quite small, and some 
 years later moved to Texas. She re- 
 
 ceived a hope in the Saviour when 
 about twelve years old. Several years 
 afterward she united with the New 
 School or Missionary Baptists, and 
 lived with them for seventeen years, 
 but becoming dissatisfied with their 
 doctrine and practice she united with 
 the Primitive Baptists about six years 
 ago and was baptized by Elder T. J. 
 Moore. Her experience from nature 
 to grace is full and convincing and 
 her published writings to the "Prim- 
 itive Baptist," and "The Baptist 
 Trumpet" have been of great comfort 
 to many. She is well grounded in the 
 doctrine of salvation by grace and 
 desires to live, and to see others liv- 
 ing, in such a way as to adorn that 
 doctrine, as becometh the children of 
 light. The old church is a blessed 
 home to her and the cause of truth 
 as contended for by Primitive Bap- 
 tists is dear to her heart and she feels 
 to say like Ruth of old: "Entreat me 
 not to leave thee, or to return from 
 following after thee, for whither thou 
 goest, I will go; and where thou lodg- 
 est I will lodge: thy people shall be 
 my people, and thy God my God." 
 
330 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 H 
 
 MRS. TEMESIA ANN HARDY. 
 
 Mardy, Mrs. Temesia Ann (1822- 
 1904), of North Carolina, was one of 
 the most industrious and faithful 
 women of her day and generation. 
 She was a daughter of Elder Parrott 
 Mewborn and the oldest of a family 
 of ten children, was convicted of sin 
 and killed to the love of it and the 
 fashions of the world, while sitting at 
 a loom weaving a fine dress for her- 
 self, and so sudden, deep and lasting 
 was the impression made on her mind 
 that she left her work immediately 
 took off the ornaments from her 
 dresses, and the remainder of her life 
 plain and neat dresses, and a meek 
 and quiet spirit were her adornings. 
 Being blessed of the Lord with a good 
 hope through grace she was baptized 
 by her father into the fellowship of 
 Bear Creek Church in the twenty- 
 fourth year of her age, and ever af- 
 terwards proved her faith by her 
 works. She was twice married, first 
 to Lemuel M. Hardy and after his 
 death to his brother Benj. G. Hardy, 
 both deacons and clerks of the church 
 at Mewborns; and, into the duties of 
 her husbands, as deacons, she fully 
 entered and was, perhaps, as much as 
 any one of her day, a spiritual deacon- 
 ess. Her zeal was wonderful, her con- 
 stitution and capacity for labor re- 
 markable, her faith strong and un- 
 wavering, and her feeling of unworth- 
 iness and thankfulness to God for in- 
 numerable blessings were constantly 
 being manifested. As an example of 
 
 her gratitude it is said she did not 
 wish to eat a meal without thanks 
 being returned to God in a public 
 way, and if no gentleman was present 
 to do so she herself would. Sister 
 Hardy was the mother of five chil- 
 dren — Elder L. H. Hardy of Reids- 
 ville, N. C, being one and to whom 
 she was very much attached. 
 
 MRS. M. M. HASSELL. 
 
 Hassell, Mrs. M. M. This eminent 
 woman whose full maiden name was 
 Martha Maria Worcester, was a 
 daughter of Leonard and Rebecca 
 Worcester and was born in Greenfield, 
 New Hampshire, July 17, 1815, and 
 died in Williamston, N. C, October 
 5, 1897. She was twice married, first 
 to Elder Daniel E. Jewett of New 
 York, who died in 1845, and four 
 years later to Elder C. B. Hassell 
 whose death occurred in 1880. Elder 
 Sylvester Hassell, the well-known his- 
 torian and minister, was a step-son of 
 the subject of this sketch and gives 
 the following pen picture of her: "In 
 her twelfth year, mother experienced 
 conviction for sin and a hope of sal- 
 vation through the atoning death of 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, and she was 
 baptized into the fellowship of the 
 Baptist Church, of which she was a 
 member more than seventy years; 
 and all the days of her long pilgrim- 
 age she proved the reality of her con- 
 version, and adorned her Christian 
 profession with a most godly walk 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 
 
 331 
 
 and conversation. She was blessed of 
 the Lord with a fine intellect, and with 
 the purest spirit. Her character was of 
 the highest order — it was Christ-like. 
 She was richly endowed with the 
 Spirit of Christ, and manifested, in a 
 pre-eminent manner, the graces of 
 that Spirit. She loved the Lord and 
 His holy law and precious gospel, His 
 blessed Word and house and ordi- 
 nances, and His dear people. She had 
 a special and tender sympathy for 
 ministers of the gospel in all their 
 labors and trials, both of her hus- 
 bands having been ministers. She had 
 a deep and growing desire for the 
 gospel peace and union and fellowship 
 of all the people of God. She had an 
 extensive religious correspondence 
 and many of her humble and lovely 
 spiritual letters were published in our 
 periodicals. She was a true mother in 
 Israel, beloved and revered all over 
 the United States. She spoke evil of 
 no one, and did harm to none, but 
 wished to benefit every one. She was 
 the most spiritual-minded person I 
 ever knew. She lived in the presence 
 of God and in the light of eternity. 
 She surpassed all other human beings 
 of my acquaintance in the gift of 
 prayer. My dear father always had 
 family prayer morning and night; 
 and once every week he called on 
 mother to lead, which she did in the 
 most solemn, reverent, and thrilling 
 manner I ever heard — it was to me a 
 heaven below to listen to her humble, 
 tender, and fervent voice ascending to 
 the throne of the Divine Majesty. 
 And, after father's death, I have often 
 heard her in her lonely chamber, at 
 the dead hours of night, pour forth 
 her earnest supplications to God for 
 His mercies to herself and others. My 
 own mother, who died when I was 
 four years old, could not have treated 
 me more lovingly and tenderly. She 
 was always a ministering angel to me 
 in affliction and bereavement. Her 
 sympathy was active and profound; 
 her counsel was heavenly. Her words 
 often seemed to me as the words of 
 God — they were in such harmony 
 with the Scriptures and the teachings 
 of the Divine Spirit. My intimate ac- 
 quaintance with her for forty-eight 
 years has been one of the very dear- 
 est and richest priviliges of my life, 
 for which I can never feel thankful 
 enough to the Lord; and words seem 
 
 too poor to express the painfulness of 
 my bereavement in her death. But it 
 is the deepest desire of my heart to 
 say, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord 
 hath taken away; blessed be the 
 name of the Lord.' " 
 
 MISS MARY F. HYMAN. 
 
 Hyman, Miss Mary F., was the 
 daughter of Elder Wm. Hyman and 
 was born in Edgecombe County, N. C., 
 November 15, 1822, and died February 
 11, 1908. When about thirty years of 
 age she was blessed with a good hope 
 in Jesus and united with the church 
 at Cross Roads, Edgecombe County, 
 N. C, and was baptized by Elder Eli 
 McCaskey. Ever afterwards she led a 
 life consistent with the laws of her 
 King and was an active servant in 
 the Master's vineyard. Going about 
 doing good, and attending on the pub- 
 lic service of her church seemed her 
 chief delight. Salvation by grace was 
 the theme most dear to her heart, and 
 "How Firm a Foundation Ye Saints 
 of the Lord" was- her favorite song. 
 Kind-hearted and industrious, zealous 
 and faithful, she was indeed a "Moth- 
 er in Israel," — an example to others 
 worthy of emulation. In her last ill- 
 ness she said, "I am only waiting on 
 the Lord to take me home " and 
 peacefully fell asleep. 
 
332 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 T 
 
 MRS. M. J. LEE. 
 
 Lee, Mrs. M. J., of Elgin, Ore., is 
 widely and favorably known in Ore- 
 gon and Washington by her efficient 
 school work in those states. She be- 
 gan teaching in the public schools oi 
 Oregon at the age of fourteen and 
 besides her active work in the school 
 room has written to an extent in lit- 
 erature and in work connected with 
 the progress of state schools. She is 
 also well known among Baptists, 
 especially those residing on the Pa- 
 cific coast, and like her mother — Mrs. 
 S. J. Cummins (now in her eighty- 
 first year of age) — is a frequent con- 
 tributor to the columns of the "Signs 
 of the Times." Sister Lee in early life 
 lived near Salem, Marion County, 
 Ore., where she was accustomed to 
 attend the Siloam Church where Eld- 
 ers J. Stipp, Ezra Stout and other 
 able defenders of the truth preached 
 regularly, and at the early age of 
 seven years felt the weight of con- 
 demnation for sin and a desire for"the 
 true light that must shine into the 
 benighted soul ere it can know God 
 truly and worship Him in spirit and 
 in truth. Some years later she was 
 given a hope in the Saviour and found 
 a home in the dear old church where 
 she has also found much comfort and 
 has been a comfort to many others. 
 She was in 1882, married to William 
 Lucas Lee of Crawfordsville, Ind., 
 whose death occurred in 189S since 
 which time she has followed the pro- 
 fession of teaching. One son in col- 
 
 lege and a married daughter consti- 
 tute the living members of this 
 worthy sister's family. 
 
 MRS. SUSAN H. LIONBERGER. 
 
 Lionberger, Mrs. Susan H., who on 
 March 1, 1909, died in the full tri- 
 umph of Uiat faith that had for about 
 a half a century been such a consola- 
 tion to her, had just passed her 
 seventieth mile-post on the road of 
 time and had been a member of 
 Hawksbill Church of Old School Bap- 
 tist faith for more than thirty-five 
 years. Her husband, Samuel Lionber- 
 ger — who died about twenty years 
 ago — was a worthy deacon of the 
 above church and it was their desire 
 and their efforts (which proved not 
 in vain) to bring up their children 
 in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord and to teach them, by precept 
 and example, the way they should go. 
 It was their custom to take their 
 children to church with them and 
 their faithfulness in this was noted 
 by many. And out of a family of ten 
 children the following eight united 
 with the dear old church of their pa- 
 rents: W. H. Lionberger (a deacon of 
 Hawksbille Church) Mrs. Lizzie Var- 
 ner, Mrs. Annie Long, Mrs. Sadie 
 Biedler, Mrs. Mattie Hershberger (all 
 of Page County, Va.), Mrs. Ollie Hite 
 and Mrs. Allie Grove (who moved 
 west many years ago) and Mrs. — ■ — 
 Spitler, deceased. The two other chil- 
 dren, while not professors of religion, 
 are firm friends of the church of their 
 parents, and all are prominent and 
 highly esteemed citizens. The memo- 
 ry of their indulgent, tender-hearted 
 and faithful mother will ever be one of 
 the sweetest oasis in the desert of life. 
 
 LONG,— SISTERS. 
 
 Mrs. Sallie A. Brubaker, — iMrs. 
 Susan M. Long, Mrs. Barbara Eliz- 
 abeth Brubaker, and Mrs. Mary Carrie 
 Long, whose faces appear in the 
 above groupe in consecutive order 
 reading from from top — left to right — 
 are sisters, and daughters of the 
 late Phillip Long, deacon in Mill 
 Creek Church, near Luray, Va. This 
 family is a prominent one in Page 
 County and prominent in the church 
 of their honored father's membership, 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 333 
 
 and so similar are the important 
 points of interest in their lives that 
 it is difficult to speak of them sepa- 
 rately. All were baptized into the fel- 
 lowship of the same church many 
 years ago and have since lived con- 
 sistent and faithful members. They 
 love the cause of truth as maintained 
 by the Primitive or Old School Bap- 
 tists and are liberal in their donations, 
 and unselfish in their hospitality. The 
 editor's attention was called to this 
 trait of hospitality during his first 
 visit to the Ebenezer Association sev- 
 eral years ago when it was announced 
 
 to the poor, to the ministry and for 
 the building of church houses, etc. 
 And while all of them are highly es- 
 teemed for their kindness, and use- 
 fulness in the Master's Kingdom, Sis- 
 ter Elizabeth (Bettie), Brubaker de- 
 serves special mention. She has in- 
 deed been of great assistance, con- 
 solation and comfort to scores of fam- 
 ilies. Possessed of a cheerful disposi- 
 tion as well as a kind heart she not 
 only "fed the hungry and clothed the 
 naked" but carried sunshine into the 
 homes of suffering and sorrow. Her 
 laithful saddle-horse and the cheerful, 
 
 1 2 
 
 (Mrs.) Sallie A. Brubaker (Mrs.) Susan M. Long- 
 3 4 
 
 (Mrs.) Barbara Elizabeth Brubaker (Mrs.) Mary Carrie Long 
 
 on the Association grounds by the 
 moderator — Elder J. R. Daily, "that 
 Mrs. Sue Long was prepared to sleep 
 forty visitors at her home and would 
 feed as many as would go." This was, 
 he thought, doing exceedingly well 
 for a widow woman, and some years 
 later, when some friends of his, but 
 were expecting about forty delegates 
 members of a different denomination, 
 in town and were meeting with dif- 
 ficulty in securing homes for the vis- 
 itors, he found pleasure in relating 
 the above evidence of "Baptist hos- 
 pitality," in Old Virginia. This sister 
 is also noted for liberal contributions 
 
 tender-hearted and sympathetic rider 
 is well known in Page County, and 
 while she is now in her seventy-third 
 year of age and is not able to do the 
 work of charity she once did yet she 
 has lost none of her interest in such 
 work, nor has her love for the cause 
 of truth grown cold. The influence of 
 such a life can never be told. All of 
 these estimable ladies are, and have 
 been for many years, widows, except 
 Mrs. Carrie Long, whose husband- 
 Isaac N. Long, though not a member 
 of the church, is a loyal friend to the 
 Baptists and loves the cause they rep 
 resent. 
 
334 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 MRS. MATTIE LUPER. 
 
 Luper, Mrs. Mattie. This sister 
 whose home is at Sharpsburg, N. C, 
 is the daughter of Levi and Martha 
 Walston and was born May 15, 186S. 
 Early in life she was deeply convicted 
 of sin and for many years labored un- 
 
 der its burden, but -when about six- 
 teen years of age was given a sweet 
 hope in Jesus and in 1888 was bap- 
 tized into the fellowship of Mill 
 Branch Church by Elder B. C. Pitt, 
 and has since lived a life consistent 
 with the profession she made. At the 
 age of nineteen she was married to 
 Joseph Calvin Luper — a worthy dea- 
 con in Mill Branch Church — with 
 whom she happily lived until his 
 death in 1900. Being bereft of a lov- 
 ing husband and with six small chil- 
 dren to provide for she was greatly 
 cast down and has since spent many 
 lonely hours, but in all her sorrow, 
 has had the promise of Jesus to never 
 leave nor forsake, verified in her life. 
 He has been a husband to the widow, 
 a father to the fatherless and a 
 friend that sticketh closer than a 
 brother and she feels she can never 
 praise God enough for His goodness. 
 Sister Luper is highly esteemed for 
 her faithfulness and is a gifted writ- 
 er, and her published letters in the 
 columns of "Zion's Landmark" have 
 been of much comfort to many of 
 God's care-worn and sorrow-stricken 
 children. 
 
 M 
 
 MRS. BETTIE MEDLAN. 
 
 Median, Mrs. Bettie, wife of deacon 
 A. B. Median of Graham, Texas, has 
 not been noted for her writings but 
 is well known for her active work in 
 helping the poor, providing for the 
 expenses of the church, and especially 
 for helping our needy ministers on 
 their way. To present the minister 
 with a suit of clothes, to send food 
 and clothing to the needy, and to visit 
 the sick were matters of common oc- 
 currence with her, and labors of love 
 from which she seemed to derive the 
 most of life's pleasure. Sister Med- 
 ian was reared in East Tennessee and 
 North Alabama. In early life she was 
 married to a Mr. Willis and after his 
 death moved to Texas where she soon 
 married, and was ever afterward, the 
 congenial and loyal companion of 
 Brother A. B. Median. 
 
 MRS. SUSAN MOYER. 
 
 Moyer, Mrs. Susan, widow of Joseph 
 Moyer who died about ten years ago, 
 lives near Luray, Va., and is in the 
 eighty-fourth year of her age. For 
 over sixty years she has been an ac- 
 tive and zealous member of the Old 
 School Baptist Church, and in her o!d 
 age has lost none of her interest in, 
 and love for, the cause of truth, and 
 attends the meetings of her church 
 when not providentially hindered. In 
 her family of eight living children, 
 two — Milton V., and M. Lee Moyer — 
 are deacons in the Mt. Carmel Old 
 School Baptist Church in Luray, — one 
 other son is a member of tne same 
 church, and three others are strong 
 believers in the doctrine of grace that 
 has been so dearly loved by their hon- 
 ored mother and such a consolation 
 to her for more than three score years. 
 Truly her life of patience and faithful 
 service in her sphere sheds a whole- 
 some influence in the lives of her 
 children and friends. 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 335 
 
 o 
 
 MRS. MARY JANE (ROSE) OWINGS 
 
 Owings, IVlrs. Mary Jane (Rose), 
 wife of deacon W. C. Owings of Cal- 
 lao, 'Mo., has been an active worker in 
 the church with her husband. She 
 united with Chariton Church in 18G5 
 with her husband and twenty-two oth- 
 ers who joined at this meeting which 
 continued more than a week. Sister 
 Owings has been a frequent writer in 
 the columns of the "Messenger of 
 Peace," signing herself "Mrs. M. J. 
 Owings," but that for which she is 
 best known is the active interest she 
 has taken in the work of the church. 
 When anything had to be done she 
 and her husband moved right along 
 until it was accomplished. If the 
 church needed repairs, the grounds 
 needed improving, etc., Sister Owings 
 was especially noted for gathering 
 funds for such purposes. Nor did she 
 allow the needy of the church or the 
 ministry to go uncared for. Her life 
 was a busy and useful one, yet hum- 
 ble and unassuming. Jesus who was 
 meek and lowly in heart, and yet 
 went about doing good was her ex- 
 ample, and nobly did she follow Him. 
 
 MRS. LUCRETIA A. OLIVER. 
 
 Oliver, Mrs. Lucretia A., of Ken- 
 more, Va., was born in Prince Wil- 
 liam County, Va., January 19, 1846, 
 and was baptized into the fellowship 
 of Old Chappawamsic Church by 
 Elder Benj. Lampton in 18G9, but is 
 now a member of Bethel Church in 
 Fairfax County, Va. Sister Oliver is 
 the widow of the late Louis A. Oliver, 
 so well and favorably known for his 
 zeal and love for the cause of truth, 
 and is a woman of wonderful energy. 
 The mercantile business and the 
 farming interest of her husband has 
 
 not, under her management, been suf- 
 fered to lag, but has been kept up in 
 a business like way. Nor has she 
 shown less love for, and interest in, 
 the dear old church and its kindred 
 interests. The helping of the deserv- 
 ing poor, the assisting of the ministry, 
 
 MRS. LUCRETIA A. OLIVER 
 
 the upbuilding of churches, the enter- 
 taining of the household of faith are 
 duties in which she finds pleasure. 
 And as an example of her hospitality 
 it is said of her that, some years ago 
 when the entertaining of a coming 
 session of the Ketocton Association 
 was being discussed and seemingly 
 considered a big undertaking she ex- 
 pressed her desire that the associa- 
 tion be held at her home church and 
 her willingness, if need be, to assume 
 the entertaining of it herself. Such 
 love for the cause of truth and unself- 
 ish labor in the master's vineyard as 
 many of our sisters in Virginia and 
 other states have manifested is worthy 
 of emulation and is highly appreciated 
 by all true Primitive Baptists. 
 
 MRS. R. ANNA PHILLIPS. 
 
 Phillips, Mrs. R. Anna, of Walden, 
 Ga., was born March 27, 1833, in Mer- 
 iwether County, Ga., where she lived 
 until married September, 1851. A short 
 time after her marriage she united 
 with the Missionary or New School 
 
 Baptist Church with whom she re- 
 mained about eight years and then 
 joined the Primitive or Old School 
 Baptist Church. This was a great 
 trial of her life and about the year 
 1875 she wrote "Her Experience and 
 Reasons for Leaving the Missionary 
 and Uniting With the Primitive Bap- 
 tist," a very interesting book. The 
 
336 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 first edition of 3,000 copies were, in 
 a few months, entirely exhausted. Af- 
 ter much solicitation, on the part of 
 her brethren she was induced to re- 
 
 MRS. R. ANNA PHILLIPS 
 
 vise and enlarge this work, and it 
 was, in 1901, published under the title 
 of "Led By a Way I Knew Not." This 
 very valuable and instructive book 
 
 can be had by ordering from the au- 
 thor, at Wialden, Ga. Sister Phillips, 
 for many years, was corresponding 
 editress of "Zion's Landmark," pub- 
 lished by Elder P. D. Gold, at Wilson, 
 N. C. She is well and favorably known 
 in the United States, as a deep, in- 
 structive, spiritual writer, and those 
 who know her best love her most. 
 Truly she is a teacher sent of the 
 Lord. One well acquainted with this 
 gifted sisters writes of her as follows: 
 "Physically, she is failing and must 
 soon pass to her reward, as she is 
 now in her seventy-fifth year; mes- 
 tally, She is as bright and interesting 
 as in her young life; spiritually, she 
 is one of God's beautiful gifts to .bis, 
 humble poor; personally, she is plain 
 and unassuming in dress and man- 
 ners, and brethren and sisters who 
 have read her writings and feel that 
 they would be embarrassed to meet 
 her, wil 1 . find the reverse is true, and 
 that, instead, they are charmed and 
 at ease in her presence. In her early 
 life, fortune smiled upon her to that 
 extent that she did not want for any 
 of the things that money could buy; 
 but in this, the late evening of her 
 life, she is bereft of husband and 
 property, but still possesses the love 
 of the Lord and his people. 
 
 R 
 
 MRS. S. E. REDDICK. 
 
 Reddick, Mrs. S. E., of Knightstown, 
 Ind., was born in Raysville, Ind., May 
 2, 1842; married in her twenty-third 
 year of age, and three months later 
 united with the M. E. Church. Soon 
 she became much interested in the 
 study of God's word. New light seem- 
 ed to dawn upon its pages unsealing 
 
 to her many of its hidden mysteries, 
 and revealing unto her that salvation 
 was of the Lord. She was made to 
 feel, that in her, dwelt no good thing, 
 and that unless God undertook her 
 case she must forever perish. She 
 could no longer trust in a conditional 
 plan of salvation, and therefore felt 
 she could not conscientiously remain 
 in the M. E. Church, and after fifteen 
 years with this people, united with 
 the Primitive Baptists at Blue River 
 Church in Rush County, Ind., and was 
 baptized by Elder Samuel Narlan. To- 
 leave her dear husband's church and 
 her many friends therein was indeed 
 a trial of her faith, but God was with 
 her through it all and has given her 
 many sweet seasons of rejoicing and 
 a conscience void of offense toward 
 God and man as she humbly tried to 
 follow in the Master's footsteps. Sis- 
 ter Reddick is one of our most gifted 
 and spiritually minded Baptists and' 
 her writings, as published in our re- 
 ligious papers, have been of much 
 comfort and instruction to many of 
 God's humble poor. She loves the dear 
 old church, its comforting doctrine — ■ 
 its simple practice and labors for its 
 peace and prosperity. 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 
 
 337 
 
 MRS. CAROLINE SAWIN. 
 
 Sawin, Mrs. Caroline. This precious 
 sister, fell asleep October 19, 1905, in 
 the ninety-seventh year of her age, 
 at the home of her son— Elder P. W. 
 Sawin, Shelbyville, Ky. She was the 
 daughter of Longstreet and Charity 
 Harvey; was born in Seneca County, 
 N. Y. ; married to James H. Sawin 
 1826, with whom she lived happily un- 
 til his death in 1872, a period of forty- 
 six years,^-was the mother of thir- 
 teen children — ten living to the age 
 of maturity and all uniting with the 
 Old School . Baptist Church — the 
 church she and her husband united 
 with in 1830. She also had the pleas- 
 ure of seeing three of her boys — viz: 
 Elders Isaac Sawin of Iowa,; J. G. Sa- 
 win, of Illinois, and P. Wj. Sawin o? 
 Kentucky, — ordained as ministers of 
 the gospel and serving churches of 
 the Old School Baptist order. Hers 
 was as eventful life, frought with 
 many changing events during her 
 ninety-seven years of earthly pilgrim- 
 age. Few homes in Indiana, if any, 
 entertained more of the household of 
 faith than hers. Elders Wilson Thomp- 
 son, J. P. Johnson, Benj. Jones Mc- 
 Querry, and many other ministers 
 were accustomed to preach in the Sa- 
 win home where large congregations 
 assembled, and it was a pleasure to 
 her to be at the feet of her brethren. 
 Hers was a service of love, because 
 her faith was not a vain one, nor her 
 profession false. She had the sweet 
 assurance of a living faith that 
 strengthened her for the conflict of 
 life and enabled her to meet death 
 fearlessly. In her old age she often 
 spoke of the weariness of the body, 
 but never murmured nor complained, 
 desiring to depart, and be at rest, 
 yet willing to wait the Lord's time. 
 Her's was a useful, consecrated and 
 faithful life. 
 
 MRS. SUSIE SMUCK. 
 
 Smuck, Mrs. Susie, is a faithful 
 member of Brock's Gap Church, Rock- 
 ingham County, Va. From early child- 
 hood she had serious impressions in 
 regard to her future welfare, but 
 these impressions were of short dura- 
 tion, only lasting long enough to in- 
 cite to promises soon to be forgotten. 
 But when about twenty-six years of 
 
 age she was deeply convicted of sin, 
 led about and instructed by the 
 Spirit's teaching, given a hope in the 
 Saviour, a love for the doctrine of 
 grace and for the Old School Baptist, 
 united with them and was baptized 
 by Elder J. H. Menefee. Though in 
 age she is nearly three score years 
 and ten, yet her love fior the church 
 has not grown cold nor has she lost 
 her interest in her labors of love in 
 the Master's vineyard. Strong in the 
 faith and well established in the doc- 
 trine of grace she is patiently await- 
 ing the Master's call and desires to 
 be found faithful when that sum- 
 mons comes, and is depending, for sal- 
 vation, upon the promises of grace 
 contained in the Bible — which book 
 she has read through about twenty- 
 six times. 
 
 MRS. MAGGIE STEGALL. 
 
 Stegall, Mrs. Maggie, of Crawley, 
 Texas, an interesting writer and an 
 occasional correspondent to the col- 
 umns of our religious papers is a 
 daughter of A. J. and M. J. McWhis- 
 ter and was born March 2, 1S72. Early 
 in life she became troubled about her 
 condition as a sinner which was a 
 continual burden until about the age 
 of twenty-one when Jesus was re- 
 vealed to her as the chiefest among 
 ten thousand a,nd One altogether love- 
 ly. But for a long time she could not 
 claim this as a hope and qualifica- 
 tion for membership into the church, 
 and therefore waited for more evi- 
 dence and a brighter experience, 
 which never came, and when she did 
 unite with Antioch Church, Hunt 
 County, Texas, in 1895, she was made 
 to depend upon her same little hope. 
 This one truth she fully realized, 
 however, that, whereas she was once 
 blind she now could see. She was bap- 
 tized by Elder J. W Herriage and is 
 now a member of the church in Fort 
 Worth, Texas, and is highly esteemed 
 for her many Christian qualities. 
 
 MRS. LOUISA PRICE STOUT. 
 
 Stout, Mrs. Louisa Price. This much 
 beloved and well known Baptist was 
 born near Richmond, Ky., August 9, 
 1825, and died August 19, 1903, in the 
 seventy-eighth year of her age. She 
 
338 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 was the wife of deacon Philemon 
 Stout, and their home in Sangamon 
 County, 111., was known far and near 
 for its generous hospitality and kind- 
 ly Christian spirit. In her last days 
 Sister Stout was a great sufferer but 
 bore her trials with remarkable Chris- 
 tian fortitude. On the Rock of Ages 
 she was firmly planted. Her faith was 
 of that inflexible and unwavering kind 
 that has always been a boon to suf- 
 fering Christian martyrs. It was her 
 strong tower, and no influence could 
 shake it. As her sufferings increased 
 the more intense her faith became, 
 bringing with it a constant desire to 
 depart and be with Christ, which was 
 far better. This faith she had rejoiced 
 in and professed some fifty years 
 before her death when she offered 
 herself to Bethel Church, in Menard 
 County, was received and baptized 
 by the late Elder William Crow. After 
 her marriage she moved her mem- 
 bership to Salem, Sugar Creek 
 Church, where she lived an exemplary 
 Christian life, and became in the 
 truest sense one of the mothers in 
 Israel, always filling her seat in the 
 assembly of the saints except for 
 truly providential reasons. She was 
 ardent in her devotion to the doctrine 
 of grace as held and preached by the 
 Old School Baptists. No modern ism 
 found lodgment in her soul. Hypoc- 
 risy she could not endure, and any- 
 thing that possessed even a sugges- 
 tion of self-laudation, was despicable 
 in her sight; she claimed no honor for 
 self. In herself she saw no good. Hum- 
 bleness and meekness was ever con- 
 spicuous in her walk and conversa- 
 tion. Previous to her death, which 
 she knew was near at hand, she, in a 
 calm and undisturbed manner, ex- 
 pressed her wishes to the family who 
 were gathered around her bed. One 
 wish was that the minister or minis- 
 ters who should officiate at her fu- 
 neral would refrain from any effusive 
 neral would refrain from any effusive 
 past life. Her life had been an open 
 book, and was before the people. 
 
 MRS. BETTIE C. STRICKLER. 
 
 Strickler, Mrs. Bettie C, of Hutchin- 
 son Kan. This sister, who many years 
 ago united with Alma Church while a 
 resident of Page County, Va., has 
 never in her far-off home forgotten the 
 spiritual kindred left behind. The 
 spot is ever dear to her because of 
 the sweet doctrine of grace there pro- 
 claimed and the simple spiritual wor- 
 ship maintained within her walls. 
 
 Many years ago she was firmly planted 
 on the Rock of Ages and though widely 
 separated from the household of faith 
 and rarely favored to hear the procla- 
 mation of the gospel dear to her heart 
 yet her faith is inflexible and unwav- 
 ering. Jesus is with her. His prom- 
 ises to never leave nor forsake her 
 have been verified and as she realizes 
 the goodness of God to her and reads 
 in the Bible, of His dealings with His 
 people in ages gone by, and in her re- 
 ligious papers of His continued bless- 
 ings to them, she is made to rejoice in 
 spirit and to praise His matchless 
 name. Her faith is strong, her love 
 for her church manifest, her profes- 
 sional life a consistent one and her 
 daily walk and conversation such as 
 to adorn the doctrine of God our Sav- 
 
 
 MRS. CATHARINE CARPENTER 
 SWARTOUT. 
 
 Swartout, Mrs. Catharine Carpen- 
 ter, of Cement City, Mich., familiarly 
 known among the readers of many of 
 our religious papers as "Kate Swart- 
 out," was born in Michigan, March 
 13, 1841, heard her first gospel ser- 
 mon at the age of seventeen, marrieu 
 at twenty-one, and united with the 
 church at the age of thirty-six. From 
 her earliest youth she manifested a 
 thirst for knowledge. At the age of Fix 
 could read the newspapers and re- 
 cite long poems, was apt in school 
 and a great reader at home. Of this 
 period of her life she writes: "I had 
 read everything I could get except 
 father's hymn-book and his religious 
 paper. So I tried them but could sec 
 but little in them. The hymns would 
 not carry out my voice and make it 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 339 
 
 sound so grandly as the stirring 
 pieces I had learned. I write this be- 
 cause I little thought at that time 
 that out publications and the oldest 
 hymns would be so sweet and sacred 
 as they have been to me." Sister 
 Swartout is one of our most spiritual 
 writers as those who have followed 
 her pen well know. Speaking of how 
 she began writing for publication she 
 says: "I had been requested to write 
 my religious exercise in private cor- 
 respondence which I did, and by re- 
 quest it was published in "The Signs 
 of the Times" before I was baptized, 
 and from that I was encouraged to 
 write more, and other editors sent 
 me papers asking me to write for 
 them, and so through all these years 
 I have been trying to tell the deal- 
 ings of the Lord with the poorest and 
 feeblest of all the flock. My letters 
 have always seemed to reach the 
 'afflicted and poor,' and after my high 
 
 imaginations have been cast down 
 and all my worldly aspirations and 
 prospects laid low, I have come to 
 feel I had rather be of some little 
 comfort to one of the least of those 
 whom the Master calls 'brethren' than 
 to please all the great, the rich and 
 proud of this world.' " Though for 
 many years she has been so afflicted 
 with inflammatory rheumatism that 
 she cannot attend her meetings yet 
 her love for the dear Master, His 
 truth and His people has never grown 
 cold and in her affliction she has 
 proven the faithfulness of God's prom- 
 ises to be with her even down to 
 old age. She and her husband are 
 lovingly and peacefully walking the 
 uneven road of life, and having no 
 children, are like children to each 
 other in their tenderness and affec- 
 tion, and both patiently waiting for 
 the summons, "child, your Father 
 calls, come home." 
 
 w 
 
 MRS. SUSAN WALLACE. 
 
 Wallace, Mrs. Susan. This worthy 
 sister's writings in the columns of the 
 Baptist Trumpet have been a comfort 
 to many of God's humble poor. Her 
 home is at Itasca, Texas. Her parents 
 were Jeptha and Isabel Dean. She 
 was born in Alabama, September 28, 
 1863. Convicted of sin when about 
 fifteen years of age, united with the 
 Old School Baptists four years later 
 and has since lived a life consistent 
 with her profession. And while she 
 deeply feels her unworthiness to live 
 in the dear church of Jesus, yet she 
 earnestly desires a home there the re- 
 
 maining days of her pilgrimage and 
 like Ruth, feels in her heart to say, 
 "Intreat me not to leave thee," etc. 
 She is well established in the doctrine 
 of grace and fully satisfied with the 
 order of God's house. Through much 
 afflicted for the past eight years yet 
 she is resigned to the providential 
 dealings of God and desires to run 
 with patience the race of life and be 
 found faithful until the end. 
 
 MRS 
 
 WILLIFORD. 
 
 Williford, Mrs. M. B., whose maiden 
 name was Drucilla Whitley, is the wife 
 of Elder Williford of Rock Mount, N. 
 
3-40 
 
 TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 C. She united with. Pleasant Hill 
 Church when about thirty years of age 
 and has indeed been blessed with many 
 marks of the child of God. Some time 
 before taking up the Cross in a pub- 
 lic maner she was dreadfully burned 
 by the explosion of a lamp which set 
 her clothing on fire and before they 
 could be extinguished she was so deep- 
 ly burned that her arm had to be am- 
 putated and her life was despaired of. 
 And through it all she was one of the 
 greatest yet most patient sufferers. 
 And being a woman of wonderful en- 
 ergy she has since her recovery, led 
 an active and useful life, attending her 
 household duties and doing much of 
 the sewing for her family with but 
 one hand. Sister Williford is also noted 
 for her faithfulness to the cause of 
 truth, sympathetic nature and for her 
 deeds of charity. The doctrine of Sal- 
 vation by grace is the theme of her 
 soul and she is indeed well qualified 
 for the position of a minister's wife. 
 
 MRS. MARY J. WROE. 
 
 Wroe, Mrs. Mary J., a daughter of 
 Mr. and Mrs. John S. Weedon, was 
 born in Prince William County, Va., 
 in May, 1830, and quite early in life 
 was married to Mr. A. D. Wroe who 
 died in 1882. Like many other famil- 
 ies in the "Old Dominion" who lived 
 on the border line of the Confederacy 
 and the "battle ground of the war," 
 the beginning of this cruel struggle 
 found them with a competency and 
 left them almost penniless. But al- 
 though this dear sister was called upon 
 to give up home, and husband and five 
 out of seven children yet she feels re- 
 signed to providential dealings and 
 finds daily many evidences of God's 
 love and care for which she can never 
 be thankful enough. Early in youth 
 she felt the need of a Saviour and 
 some years later was made to feel that 
 she was "without hope and without 
 God in the world." But He who brought 
 her in this condition did not leave her 
 there, (as he never does the truly con- 
 victed sinner), but gave her a sweet 
 hope in the dear Saviour and a love 
 for His church and people. This love 
 she publicly confessed in 1867 and was 
 baptized by the late Elder John Clark, 
 since which time Sister Wroe has 
 adorned the doctrine of God our Sav- 
 iour with a godly walk and conversa- 
 tion. Though she has for many years 
 made her home at Springfield, S. C. 
 with her loyal and affectionate daugh- 
 ter, Mrs. Mims, and her husband, and 
 rarely has an opportunity of hearing 
 the Primitive or Old School Baptist 
 
 ministers preach; yet she makes no 
 compromise with error, is well 
 grounded in the doctrine of grace and 
 faithful in the cause of her Master, 
 and though nearly four score years 
 old is bright, active and cheerful for 
 her advanced age. 
 
 MRS. BETTIE Z. WHITLEY. 
 
 Whitley, Mrs. Bettie Z. The name 
 of this sister is familiar to readers of 
 the "Gospel Messenger," "Zion's 
 Landmark," Primitive Monitor" and 
 other of our papers. Her home is in 
 Washington, N. C. She is a daughter 
 of Kenneth Thigpen and Annie L. 
 Lane and was born August 30, 1857. 
 Her parents died when she was a 
 child which made a deep impression 
 on her tender mind. About the age 
 of sixteen years she was killed to 
 the love of sin but it was two years 
 before Jesus, the sin-bearer of His 
 people, relieved her of its burden. 
 Having brought her to the Red Sea, 
 experimentally, she was made to 
 stand still and see the salvation of 
 the Lord ere she was permitted to 
 pass over dry shod. She united with 
 the church in 1885 and has since been 
 an active, zealous and warm-hearted 
 member, showing her faith by her 
 works and manifesting love for the 
 cause of truth by a faithful attend- 
 ance upon the public worship of the 
 church and a life consistent with her 
 profession. Sister Whitley was, in 
 1875, married to Mr. W. B. Whitley, 
 which union has been blessed with 
 eleven children. Her writings are 
 noted for experimental tracing of the 
 Lord's dealing with His people and 
 many are the pilgrims who have, by 
 them, been comforted and encouraged 
 on their journey. 
 
TALENTED SISTERS AND "MOTHERS IN ISRAEL." 
 
 341 
 
 Y 
 
 MRS. REBECCA JANE YORK. 
 
 York, Mrs. Rebecca Jane (1829- 
 1895) the beloved wife of Deacon 
 David M. York of Meriweather Coun- 
 ty, Ga., was among the great and 
 good women who have passed away 
 into a better existence. Possibly none 
 have ever excelled our deceased sis- 
 ter in point of moral worth, integrity 
 
 of heart, and almost unceasing devo- 
 tion to the principle of righteousness. 
 She was a model woman, a loving 
 wife, a kind and tender mother, a 
 good neighbor, but best of all she 
 spent a long life in the vineyard of 
 the blessed Master. What a beautiful 
 life was hers! and what a triumphant 
 death, falling sweetly asleep in the 
 arms of Him who loved her, and gave 
 Himself for her. 
 
342 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 (List of Subjects) 
 
 The Bible 
 
 The Bible contains 66 books — 1,189 
 chapters — 31,114 verses The name 
 Lord is found 6,062 times in the Old 
 Testament. The name God, 2,725 times. 
 The name Jesus occurs 925 times, in 
 the New Testament, and the name 
 Christ, 555 times. The word Selah, is 
 found 74 times in the Bible. The word 
 Eternity, in only one place. 
 
 There are in the Old Testament 
 607,207 words: in the New Testament, 
 179,476; which numbers, added togeth- 
 er, make 786,683. In this enumeration 
 the titles of books and contents of 
 chapters are excluded. The head-pieces, 
 however, prefixed to 115 of the Psalms, 
 and the 22 words in the 119th Psalm, 
 are included. The number was found 
 out by counting one by one, pointing 
 every 100, and then adding up: which 
 countings employed me 130 hours, and 
 yet, after all the pains and care taken, 
 some mistakes have been made; but it 
 is believed but small. 
 
 The Bible seems to be self-divided 
 into six parts, viz: 
 
 1. The Law of Moses beginning 
 with Genesis, and ending with Deuter- 
 onomy; it contains 5 books, 187 chap- 
 ters, 5,853 verses, 155,767 words. 
 
 2. The History of the Jews, begin- 
 ginning with Joshua, and ending with 
 Esther, containing 12 books, 249 chap- 
 ters, 7024 verses, 203,303 words. 
 
 3. A Book of Poems, beginning with 
 Job and ending with Solomon's songs, 
 including 5 books, 243 chapters, 4,794 
 verses, 84,358 words. 
 
 4. The Prophecies of Sixteen Pro- 
 phets, beginning with Isaiah and end- 
 ing with Malachi, containing, 17 books, 
 250 chapters, 5491 verses, 163,780 
 words. 
 
 5. The Evangelical Part, containing 
 the history of Christ and the Apostles, 
 embracing 5 books, 117 chapters, 
 4785 verses, 107,093 words. 
 
 6. The Epistolary Writings of Paul, 
 Peter, James, Jude and John, together 
 with the book of Revelations, compris- 
 ing 22 books, 143 chapters, 3171 verses, 
 72,383 words. A total of 66 books, 1189 
 chapters, 31,118 verses, 786,683 words. 
 
 The middle chapter in the Bible is 
 the 117th Psalm. The middle of the 
 verses is between the 102nd and 103rd 
 Psalms. The middle word is in the 
 60th Psalm, the 4th verse: "To them 
 that fear thee." 
 
 The double asservation, verily, ver- 
 ily, is found twenty-five times in John's 
 gospel, and no where else. The words 
 Lord, God, are not found in Esther, nor 
 Solomon's song; so, likewise., the 
 names, Jesus, Christ are not in the 
 third epistle of John. The word bap- 
 tism, with its relatives, is found one 
 hundred times in the New Testament. 
 
 The Bible was more than sixteen 
 hundred years in writing. It contains 
 a history of the worlds whole age; 
 partly in narrative, and partly in pro- 
 phecy; yea, more, it assures us of some 
 things which took place before the 
 mountains were made, or the hills 
 brought forth: it also reveals unto us 
 many things that will take place after 
 the world, and all its works are burnt 
 up; and yet the whole of it can be read 
 over in sixty hours. It is written in a 
 style that no man on earth can imitate; 
 which will forever keep it from being 
 incorporated with human composition. 
 
 The Bible is in its parts, historical, 
 poetical allegorical, prophetic, recep- 
 tive and promissory. It claims the 
 merit of being a revelation from God 
 unto man. Of revelation, there are 
 two kinds; oral, and written. 
 
 Oral revelation was first. In this, 
 God revealed his will unto men; but 
 as letters were not in use, men had no 
 way of preserving those revelations, 
 but by their memories; these records 
 were so treacherous, that the revela- 
 tions were greatly mutilated and per- 
 verted. It is from this source, how- 
 ever, that those nations, who are desti- 
 tute of written revelation, got their be- 
 lief of the future existence of depart- 
 ed souls; for I can see nothing in all 
 the pages of nature, that proves that 
 men have immortal souls, but what 
 equally proves the same of beasts. 
 
 Whether the use of letters was 
 taught at once, or whether the science 
 was gradual, the result is equally 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 343 
 
 amazing; that with twenty-six letters, 
 all the thoughts of the human heart 
 can be expressed. After letters came 
 in use, the Almighty directed the 
 hands of men to write down those reve- 
 lations of his will, which he made 
 
 known unto them; and such writings 
 are called written revelations. These 
 writings, collected together in one 
 book, form the Bible, or Holy Scrip- 
 ture. 
 
 ELDER JOHN LELAND. 
 
 The Full and Divine Inspiration of the Old 
 and New Testament Scriptures 
 
 It is estimated that there are now 
 in the world four hundred million 
 copies of the Bible — enough to fur- 
 nish every human family with a copy; 
 that these Bibles are in nearly four 
 hundred languages, the tongues of 
 nine-tenths of the human race; and 
 that two hundred thousand different 
 books have been written for the pur- 
 pose of defending, expounding, and 
 illustrating the Holy Scriptures. Noth- 
 ing short of an infinity of wisdom and 
 an eternity of time could worthily set 
 forth and demonstrate the divine in- 
 spiration of the Old and New Testa- 
 ment Scriptures; but I will try to 
 compress in the briefest possible 
 space the fresh reflections with 
 which, I hope, the Lord has favored 
 me on this most important subject. 
 I will give Twelve Infallible Proofs 
 of the Divine Inspiration of the Scrip- 
 tures — the first Six being addressed 
 to the reason, and capable of being 
 understood by all men, and the last 
 Six being addressed to the heart, and 
 capable of being spiritually appreciat- 
 ed only by the children of God; and 
 in each group of six the first Three 
 Proofs are of an indirect, and the 
 last Three of a direct, character — 
 the connection between the members 
 of the same sub-group of three being 
 indicated by the use of the same itali- 
 cized adjective or phrase at the be- 
 ginning of each paragraph. 
 
 1. The utter darkness of all hu- 
 man minds, both ancient and modern, 
 in regard to spiritual and eternal 
 realities, the origin, the government, 
 and the destiny of the human race, 
 unless those minds have been illumi- 
 nated by the truths of the Holy 
 Scriptures. The wisest natural men 
 only guess and dream and hope and 
 h fear in regard to the insoluble prob- 
 lem of human life — what preceded 
 and what will succeed the brief period 
 of present human existence; and the 
 awful question grows darker the 
 nearer they approach the grave, and 
 beyond its gloomy portals they see 
 in the dying hour nothing but the 
 blackness of darkness forever. It is 
 
 now apparent that all true light on 
 these momentous subjects appearing 
 in the literature of the ancient heath- 
 en world, whether of Rome, or 
 Greece, or Egypt, or Babylonia, or 
 Persia, or India, or China, was de- 
 rived from the divine revelations in 
 the Old Testament Scriptures. 
 
 2. The utter falsity of all the theo- 
 ries of so-called philosophers, scien- 
 tists, and critics, invented to dis- 
 credit the statements of the Holy 
 Scriptures. There have been thou- 
 sands of such theories, but, like the 
 Midianitish enemies of Israel, they 
 have, in the wise and righetous prov- 
 idence of God, slain each other; and 
 today the discordant infidel specula- 
 tions of the enemies of truth form a 
 perfect Babel, their tongues being 
 confounded tjy the High and Holy 
 One that intiabiteth eternity. "Proud, 
 positive, dogmatizing, they pretend to 
 know everything, but prove nothing, 
 and ridicule each other — every one of 
 them preferring his own error to the 
 truth discovered by another. They 
 would fain palm upon us the unintel- 
 ligible systems that they have erect- 
 ed in their own heads, while they 
 trample under foot all that the wisest 
 and best men revere." According to 
 the most eminent living professors of 
 the sciences of astronomy, geology, 
 chemistry, botany zoology, physiology, 
 archaeology, ethnology and philology, 
 all the discoveries of those sciences 
 confirm and illustrate the wonderful 
 truths of the Holy Scriptures — the 
 Mosaic record of creation, in the ex- 
 act order therein detailed; chaos, 
 light, the individualization of the 
 earth, the separation of the water 
 from the land, the vegetable king- 
 dom, the clear shining of the heaven- 
 ly bodies, fish, reptiles, birds, mam- 
 mals, and, last of all, man, for whom 
 the world was made; the first appear- 
 ance of man on earth within less than 
 ten thousand years ago; the deriva- 
 tion of the human race from one pair; 
 their primitive innocence and subse- 
 quent fall and degeneration, attended 
 by a deterioration of climate and an 
 
344 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 irruption of thistles and weeds; the 
 high intellectuality and longevity and 
 rapidly advancing civilization of the 
 antediluvians; their professed belief 
 in God and immortality; the Sethites 
 and the Cainites, and the Nephilim 
 or Giants (their skeletons from seven 
 to ten feet long), the descendants of 
 the intermarried Sethites and Cain- 
 ites; the increasing corruption of the 
 race; the deluge that swept them all 
 away, except one righteous family; 
 the repeopling of the earth from that 
 family, the confusion of tongues and 
 the dispersion of the nations; and the 
 leading facts in the lives of the patri- 
 archs and in the history of the Israel- 
 ites, as recorded in the Old Testa- 
 ment, and in the lives of Christ and 
 His apostles, and in the history of 
 the Christian Church as recorded in 
 the New Testament. More than two 
 thousand mistakes have been proved 
 to be in the writiDgs of Herodotus, 
 "the Father of Profane History," but 
 not one single mistake has been 
 proved to be in the writings of Moses 
 or the other inspired authors of the 
 Holy Scriptures. The few slight ap- 
 parent discrepancies and errors, pa- 
 raded and magnified by the so-called 
 "higher critics" who occupy profes- 
 sorships in the theological seminaries 
 of Europe and America were satisfac- 
 torily explained to men of common 
 sense and common honesty hundreds 
 of years ago. The wild, vague, pre- 
 tentious ignorant speculation of these 
 disguised infidels in regard to the au- 
 thorship and dates of the books and 
 the different parts of the books of the 
 Bible are not only self-contradictory, 
 but are opposed to the teachings of all 
 true history and archaeology, as well 
 as of all common sense; and a 
 hundred of their eight hundred theo- 
 ries die every year; and the most radi- 
 cal of these destructives admit that ev- 
 ery particle of the Old Testament was 
 written at least a hundred years before 
 the beginning of the Christian Era. 
 Satan in the subtle serpent in the 
 Garden of Eden, was the first "higher 
 critic," when he said to Eve: "Yea hath 
 God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree 
 in the garden?" thus casting doubt 
 upon the word of God. The Highest 
 Critics — Jesus Christ and the Holy 
 Spirit — put the stamp of their Divine 
 authority on the Scriptures of eter- 
 nal truth. The Old Testament was 
 "Our Saviour's Bible," and was al- 
 ways referred to by Him, with the 
 greatest reverence, as the infallible, 
 the literally and perfectly true testi- 
 mony of God; and more than two 
 thousand times in the Scriptures did 
 the Holy Spirit move the writers to 
 
 say that not only their thoughts, but 
 their words, were God-breathed or in- 
 spired of God. 
 
 3. *The utter insincerity of the ene- 
 mies of the Scriptures, who, the more 
 fully and clearly the natural light of 
 these truths shines upon the world, 
 the more stubbornly and tightly close 
 their eyes and refuse to see it. The 
 attendant immoralities of the leading 
 infidels of the world are too shocking 
 to be detailed in these fair pages; 
 and the unutterable pandemonium to 
 which their teachings would reduce 
 human society is portrayed, for the 
 warning of all subsequent genera- 
 tions, in the diabolical scenes of the 
 French Atheistical Revolution at the 
 close of the eighteenth century. 
 
 4. The absolute certainty that this 
 apparently illimitable and incompre- 
 hensible universe had an Adequate 
 First Cause, and that that First 
 Cause was the God of the Bible — 
 one omnipresent, eternal, sovereign, 
 infinitely holy, merciful, wise, pow- 
 erful, unchangeable, personal Spirit, 
 who, for the manifestation of His 
 glory, called all things and all other 
 persons into being out of nothing, and 
 who sustains and governs them and 
 will reign in glory over every one of 
 them forever and forevermore. The 
 very first verse of the Bible, read in 
 the light of true science, demons- 
 trates the fundamental falsehood of 
 all heathenism and infidelity, and the 
 fundamental truth of the Holy Scrip- 
 tures. "In the beginning God created 
 the he'avens and the earth." The He- 
 brew word Bara, translated created, 
 means to make out of nothing; and 
 so atoms, the imperceptible and in- 
 finitesimally small particles of which 
 matter is composed — the little invis- 
 ible gods of infidelity — have, in their 
 perfectly exact combining weights 
 and volumes, all the qualities of 
 manufactured articles, thus demon- 
 strating that matter is not eternal 
 (though all heathenism and infidelity 
 say it is), but was made by an Eter- 
 nal Living Spirit, who also must have 
 made all other spirits and all other 
 living beings. And the Trinity, or 
 Three-Oneness, of the Creator, every- 
 where set forth in the Scriptures, is 
 also everywhere set forth in the uni- 
 verse which He created — in law, 
 power, and manifestation. 
 
 5. The absolute certainty that, as 
 the miracles of God's creation, out of 
 nothing, of matter, life, and mind, 
 took place as recorded in the first 
 chapter of Genesis, and in geology, so 
 God could, by a simple volition or 
 command, perform the fifty other mir- 
 acles recorded in the Old Testament 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 345 
 
 and the forty recorded in the New 
 Testament, in attestation of His ex- 
 istence and character and of the Di- 
 vine commission of His prophets and 
 apostles. The disproof of the theory of 
 spontaneous generation has beheaded 
 the doctrine of an atheistic evolution 
 of the universe, in support of which 
 lying vanity not one established fact 
 can be adduced, according to the con- 
 current testimony of the whole scien- 
 tific world. The insane imaginations 
 of Charles Darwin in regard to the 
 transmutations of species are as false 
 and incredible as the Metamorphoses 
 of Ovid or the lying wonders of the 
 Arabian Nights. In all the ages of the 
 earth's history, the five hundred thou- 
 sand different species of plants and 
 animals have been "as fixed as the 
 Sphinx that slumbers on the Egypt- 
 ian sands;" the resemblance between 
 them has been the result, not of 
 physical descent, but of the unity of 
 plan in the Creative Mind. 
 
 6. The absolute certainty that, as 
 God's foreknowledge and predestina- 
 tion and prophecy of the coming of 
 man shine all throught he first twen- 
 ty-five verses of Genesis and all 
 through the geological ages, so God 
 foreknew and predestinated and in- 
 spired His servants to prophesy, as 
 related in the Scriptures, not only 
 the destruction of the enemies of Is- 
 rael, the Canaanites, Ammonites, 
 Moabites, Edomites, Philistines, Nin- 
 eveh, Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, Greece, 
 and Rome, but also the coming of the 
 Son of God as the Son of Man, the 
 time and place of His birth, His Di- 
 vine-Human nature, His life, teach- 
 ings, miracles, sufferings, death, res- 
 urrection, and ascension; the setting- 
 up and history of His kingdom; the 
 destruction of Jerusalem and the dis- 
 persion of the Jews for their rejec- 
 tion and murder of their 'Messiah; 
 the treading-down of Jerusalem by 
 the Gentiles, as is now the case; and 
 also the great unfulfilled events of 
 the eternal future — the restoration of 
 the Jews to faith in Christ, if not to 
 their own land; the ingathering of 
 the Gentiles, the almost universal 
 apostasy, the second personal coming 
 of Christ, the resurrection of the 
 dead, the final judgment, the everlast- 
 ing salvation of the children of God 
 in heaven, and the everlasting damna- 
 tion of His wicked enemies in hell. 
 History shows that hundreds of the 
 prophesies of the Scriptures have 
 been circumstantially fulfilled. Noth- 
 ing but ungodly ignorance denies it. 
 No other book but the Bible pretends 
 to base its claims upon prophecy, 
 
 which is a perpetual miracle that all 
 intelligent men can see. 
 
 7. The thorough conviction that 
 the first human pair did not make 
 themselves nor spring from brutes, 
 but were created by such a Being as 
 the Bible represents God to be, and 
 that He made them sinless and ac- 
 countable creatures, and constituted 
 them the rulers, under Him, of the, 
 world, and placed them under a right- 
 ous law which they, without any com- 
 pulsion from Him, wilfully transgress- 
 ed and thereby involved themselves 
 and all their unborn posterity in a con- 
 dition of sin and death, just as the 
 Scriptures declare. 
 
 8. The thorough conviction that, 
 as is set forth in the Scriptures, the 
 only man that ever lived a perfectly 
 holy life on earth was the Messiah, 
 the Christ, the Son of God, the Son 
 of the Virgin Mary, Jesus of Naza- 
 reth, who was born, and lived, and 
 taught, and suffered, and bled, and 
 died, and rose again, and ascended to 
 heaven, in exact accordance with the 
 three hundred and thirty-three Old 
 Testament prophecies of Him for four 
 thousand years; and that He is the 
 only possible Saviour of sinful men, 
 and will save His people from their 
 sins, having atoned for their sins by 
 His death, and having justified His 
 people by His resurrection; that He 
 will give them eternal life and will 
 save them in both soul and body for- 
 ever. 
 
 9. The thorough conviction that, as 
 the Scriptures repesent, natural men 
 are dead in trespass and sins, and 
 need to be quickened by the Spirit of 
 God into a divine, a new, and a holy 
 life, in order to realize their lost and 
 helpless condition, and to cause them 
 to cry unto God for mercy, and to 
 bring them to believe in Jesus as 
 their Saviour, and to enable them to 
 understand the spiritual meaning of 
 the Scriptures and the dealings of 
 God with them in His providence, and 
 to keep them by His power through 
 faith unto the fullness of the glo- 
 rious salvation which is to be reveal- 
 ed to them in the last time. 
 
 10. The deep feeling that we our- 
 selves are vile, inexcusable sinners, 
 as represented in the Scriptures; that 
 we have sinned, all our lives long, in 
 thought, and word, and deed, against 
 a Most Holy and Merciful God, the 
 being who made and has kept us 
 alive and has bestowed innumerable 
 blessings upon us; and that He might 
 most justly consign us at once to 
 hopeless and endless perdition. 
 
 11. The deep feeling that, if we 
 are saved, it must be by the exercise 
 
346 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 of God's entirely free mercy; if we 
 are ever accepted of Him, it must be 
 alone in the perfect righteousness of 
 His incarnate, crucified, risen, and 
 glorified Son; and that we do believe 
 that the spotless Son of God, the 
 meek and lowly Lamb, did, for the 
 eternal, amazing love that He felt for 
 us — poor, hell-deserving sinners — 
 leave the courts of heavenly glory, 
 and was born of a woman in the 
 greatest humility, and lived an earth- 
 ly life of the deepest poverty and 
 reproach and sorrow and persecution, 
 and prayed and groaned and wept 
 and bled and died, in unspeakable 
 shame and agony, for us, and rose 
 and ascended and intercedes for us 
 at the right hand of the Divine Maj- 
 esty, and will bless us, both in time 
 and in eternity, with His everlasting 
 salvation, in accordance with the 
 Scriptures of eternal truth. 
 
 12. The deep feeling that, as de- 
 clared in the Scriptures, no power 
 less than the Holy Spirit of the Liv- 
 ing God could have quickened us from 
 death of sin, convicted us of our 
 ruined condition and revealed to us 
 the salvation of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and caused us, from the 
 depths of our souls, to hate the sins 
 that slew our Saviour, and to love, 
 incomparably above all others, the 
 dear Lord who gave Himself for us, 
 and to love His Written Word far 
 above all other books, and His pre- 
 cious children above all other people, 
 
 and His holy Law and blessed Gos- 
 pel, and to desire, from a principle of 
 love, to benefit our fellow-creatures, 
 and to glorify God by willing obedi- 
 ence to all His commandments and 
 cheerful submission to all His dis- 
 pensations. Holy life and light and 
 love are the inner essence of God and 
 of His salvation. They are the pro- 
 duction of His Holy Spirit in His peo- 
 ple. When perfectly developed in a 
 creature, they will assimilate him to 
 God and make him perfectly happy; 
 and when perfectly prevalent, ac- 
 cording to God's promise, on the new 
 earth, wherein shall dwell righteous- 
 ness, they will banish sin and its 
 curse forever, and transform the 
 world into a heavenly paradise. Such 
 is the crowning and unanswerable 
 proof of the full divine inspiration of 
 the Scriptures of the Old and New 
 Testaments which set forth these 
 glorious truths. 
 
 No other book or document of hu- 
 man literature bears these marks of 
 divine authority; and, therefore, 
 Primitive Baptists consider the Old 
 and New Testaments the only infalli- 
 ble rule of faith and practice. "All 
 flesh is grass, and all the goodliness 
 thereof is as the flower of the field; 
 the grass withereth, the flower fadeth, 
 but the word of our God shall stand 
 forever." Isaiah xl. 6-8; 1- Peter i. 
 24, 25. 
 
 SYLVESTER HASSELL. 
 
 Twelve Marks of the Apostolic Church 
 
 1st. Mark. The apostolic church con- 
 sisted only of those persons who had 
 been convicted of sin by the Holy 
 Ghost, and who had given signs of 
 repentence towards God, and faith in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of 
 God. 
 
 2nd Mark. True baptism, — the im- 
 mersion, of believers in water, in the 
 name of the Father, the Son and the 
 Holy Ghost. 
 
 3rd. Mark. The members being- 
 baptized believers, came frequently 
 around the Lord's table, to commem- 
 orate the sufferings and death of 
 their precious Redeemer, by partak- I 
 ing of the common bread to repre- 
 sent His broken body, and common 
 wine, to represent His shed blood for 
 them. 
 
 4th. Mark. The maintenance of '' 
 strict discipline. 
 
 5th Mark. The independent or con- j 
 
 gregation polity or government of 
 each local church, subject only to the 
 Headship of Christ; all the local 
 apostolic churches being united by no 
 outward bond of force, but by an in- 
 ward bond of love. 
 
 6th Mark. The religious liberty, 
 soul-freedom, a complete separation 
 of church and state, the entire inde- 
 pendence of each church from all 
 state control, so far as regards the 
 membership, ministry, organization, 
 faith, worship and discipline of the 
 church. 
 
 7th Mark. With a few exceptions, 
 the members were generally poor, 
 obscure, unlearned, afflicted, despis- 
 ed and persecuted. 
 
 8th Mark. The fraternal equality, 
 the essential priesthood, of all the 
 members, in accordance with which 
 fact they choose to office among them 
 those of their number whom they per- 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL, INFORMATION 
 
 347 
 
 cieve to be already qualified thereunto 
 by the spirit of God — there being but 
 two classes of offcers, bishops, or 
 elders, or pastors, and deacons; the 
 fraternal equality of all the members 
 involving the eternal equality of the 
 ministry. 
 
 9th Mark. Possession of an humble, 
 God-called and God-qualified ministry. 
 
 10th Mark. That while the minis- 
 try received voluntary help from the 
 churches, they were not salaried, but 
 labored themselves, more or less, for 
 their own support. 
 
 11th Mark. The sending out of the 
 divinely called and qualified ministry 
 by the Holy Spirit in themselves and 
 in the churches, their going forth, 
 withersoever the Lord directed them, 
 in simple dependence upon Him, and 
 their preaching the gospel to every 
 creature, whether Jew or Gentile, and 
 especially shepherding the lambs 
 and sheep of Christ. 
 
 12th Mark. That it— the church- 
 
 was absolutely the only divinely rec- 
 ognized religious organization in the 
 world. 
 
 These marks, as applied to the 
 apostolic church, are fully sustained 
 by the New Testament, and for proot 
 the reader is referred to the standard 
 of faith and practice — The Bible, — and 
 as a help to this investigation see 
 ninth chapter of Hassell's History. 
 
 Question: Is there a church today 
 that bears these marks? Measure 
 the denominations around you and 
 answer the question in your own con- 
 science, and if you should conclude 
 that there is such a church and that 
 the Primitive or Old School Baptist 
 is that visible church then may you 
 walk with us, choose rather to suffer 
 affliction with the people of God than 
 to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a sea- 
 son. Better be like Noah and his fami- 
 ly, a few with the Lord and dwell in 
 the Ark of safety, than run with the 
 world and perish with wicked. 
 
 Some Important Dates in Church History, 
 From the Latest and Highest Authorities 
 
 By Church History I mean the his- 
 tory of both the true and false 
 Church. 
 
 B. C. 
 
 4. Birth of Christ four years be- 
 fore the beginning of the so-called 
 "Christian Ere," according to the 
 belief of most scholars. 
 A. D. 
 
 26. Baptism of Christ. 
 29. Crucifixion', Resurrection, and 
 
 Ascension of Christ. 
 70. Destruction of Jerusalem by the 
 Roman General Titus. Cessation 
 cf the Temple service, the sac- 
 rificial system, and of the instru- 
 mental music in the public wor- 
 ship of God among the Jews. 
 100. Close of the Apostolic Age, 
 since which time no new doctrine 
 or practice has been revealed by 
 God to man. 
 242. Manichaeus, of Babylon, bor- 
 rows, from Zoroaster (600 B. C) 
 the idea of an Eternal Devil. 
 252. Birth of Catholicism in the 
 brain of Cyprian of Carthage in 
 North Africa. 
 256. First known instance of infant 
 
 "baptism," in North Africa. 
 313. Edict of Milan, by Constantine 
 and Licinius, for general religious 
 toleration. 
 
 321. Sunday made a legal holiday, 
 and salaries paid to Catholic 
 clergy by Constantine. 
 
 325. Council of Nice, whose decrees 
 were, by the Roman Emperor 
 Constantine, pronounced inspired: 
 he thus united Church and State, 
 and soon began the cruel and 
 bloody persecution of non-Catho- 
 lics which continued through the 
 Dark Ages and for more than fif- 
 teen hundred years, as long as 
 tl>e Catholics had control of civil 
 governments. 
 
 410. Beginning of Pelagianism (so- 
 called from Pelagius, a British 
 monk), a system professing 
 Christianity, and yet maintaining 
 the heathen doctrine of salvation 
 by works. 
 
 420. Semi-Pelagianism; John Cas- 
 sian, of France, maintains that 
 man is saved by works and grace 
 combined. 
 
 440. Leo I., surnamed The Great, 
 chosen bishop of Rome, the first 
 real Pope. 
 
 570. Birth of Mohammed. 
 
 602. Supremacy of the bishop of 
 Rome acknowledged by Phorcas, 
 emperor of the East. 
 
 610. Mohammed begins the propaga- 
 tion of his false religion. 
 
348 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL, INFORMATION 
 
 622. Flight of Mohammed from Mec- 
 ca to Medina in Arabia — the be- 
 ginning of the Mohammedan Era. 
 632. Death of Mohammed. 
 642. Theodosius, pope of Rome, the 
 
 first called "sovereign pontiff." 
 666. The organ introduced by Pope 
 Vitalian I. into the Roman Catho- 
 lic Church. 
 755. Beginning of the temporal pow- 
 er of the Pope. 
 831. The false doctrine of transub- 
 stantiation, that the bread and 
 wine in the Lord's Supper are 
 by the prayers of the priest, 
 changed into the real body and 
 blood of Christ, invented by Pas- 
 chasius Radbert, of France. 
 881-936. Papal Pornocracy, or rule 
 of Adulterous Popes; and from 
 1484 to 1503. 
 988. The Greek Catholic religion in- 
 troduced into Russia. 
 
 1054. The Roman Catholic Pope and 
 the Greek Catholic Patriarch of 
 Constantinople excommunicate 
 each other. 
 
 1074. Roman Catholic clergy forbid- 
 den to marry by Pope Gregory 
 VII. 
 
 1080. The Anti-Pope Clement III. set 
 up by the Emperor Henry IV. 
 
 1170. Peter Waldo begins preaching 
 at Lyons. 
 
 1200. The Roman Caiholic priests be- 
 gin to withhold the cup or wine 
 from the laity in communion. 
 
 1248. Spanish Inquisition founded. 
 
 1311. The Roman Catholic Council of 
 Ravenna, Italy, first authorizes 
 sprinkling or pouring for baptism. 
 
 1341. First passage of Turks into Eu- 
 rope. 
 
 1380. WJycliffe's English New Testa- 
 ment completed. 
 
 1384. Wycliffe's English. Bible com- 
 pleted; death of Wycliffe. 
 
 1457. The Moravian Church founded 
 in Bohemia. 
 
 1517. Sale of Indulgences authorized 
 by Pope Leo X. Tetzel in Ger- 
 many. Luther's Theses published. 
 
 1521. Luther excommunicated. Luther 
 at the Diet of Worms; carried 
 off to the Castle of W.artburg. 
 Death of Leo X. 
 
 1526. Birth of Lutheranism (separa- 
 tion from her Romish mother) at 
 the Diet of Spires. 
 
 1530. The Augsburg Confession of the 
 Lutheran Church. 
 
 1534. Birth of Episcopalianism (sepa- 
 ration from her Romish mother) 
 by the Act of the British Parlia- 
 ment. Luther's Bible completed. 
 
 1546. The King's Primer, first sketch 
 of the Book of Common Prayer. 
 
 1559. English (Episcopal) Book of 
 Common Prayer first used. 
 
 1560. Birth of Presbyterianism (sep- 
 aration from her Romish mother) 
 by Act of the Scottish Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 1563. The Thirty-nine Articles of the 
 (Episcopal- Church of England. 
 Canons and Decrees of the Rom- 
 an Catholic Council at Trent. 
 
 1610. The Five Arminian Articles 
 adopted by the Remonstrants of 
 Holland, maintaining that man is 
 saved by grace and works com- 
 bined. 
 
 1611. The Auhtroized or King James 
 Version of the Bible. 
 
 1612. Edward Wightman, a Baptist, 
 the last man burned in England 
 for his religion. 
 
 1622. The First Misionary Society 
 (Congregatio de Propaganda 
 Fide) organized by Pope Gregory 
 XV. 
 
 1638. The Solemn League and Cove- 
 nant of the Scots. 
 
 1647. The (Presbyterian) Westmin- 
 ster Confession of Faith. George 
 Fox (Quaker) begins to preach. 
 
 1651. First (Welsh) Baptist Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 1653. First English Baptist Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 1655. Rise of women "preachers" 
 among the Quakers or "Friends." 
 
 1658. The (Congregationalist) Savoy 
 Declaration of Faith. 
 
 1675. The confession of the society of 
 Friends (Quakers). 
 
 1689. The London Baptist Confes- 
 sion of Faith (agreeing in doc- 
 trine with the previous English 
 Baptist Confessions of 1643, 1644, 
 1656, 1677, and 1688). 
 
 1698. First Protestant Missionary So- 
 ciety founded by the Episcopal 
 (English) Church — "Society for 
 the Propagation of the Gospel in 
 Foreign Parts." 
 
 1701. The Welsh Tract Church, the 
 oldest Old School Baptist Church 
 in America, was formed in Wales 
 and emigrated to Delaware, 
 where it still exists — the only 
 church that emigrated in a body 
 from Europe to America. 
 
 1707. The First Baptist Association 
 (the Philadelphia) formed jn 
 America. 
 
 1715. The First Hopewell Church, the 
 second oldest Old School Baptist 
 Church in America, formed at 
 Hopewell, New Jersey; it is still 
 one of our largest churches. 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 349 
 
 1739. The Methodist Society, as it 
 was called by its founder, organ- 
 ized in the Episcopal Church by 
 John Wesley, who said that he 
 lived and died in the faith of the 
 Church of England (or Episcopal 
 Church). 
 
 1742. Kehukee Church formed in 
 Halifax County, N. C. 
 
 1765. The Kehukee (the oldest Old 
 School or Primitive Baptist) As- 
 sociation formed in Eastern 
 North Carolina. 
 
 1781. Sunday Schools originated by 
 Robert Raikes, an Episcopalian, 
 of Gloucester, England. 
 
 1784. The twenty-five Methodist Ar- 
 ticles of Religion drawn up by 
 John Wesley. 
 
 1792. First Baptist Missionary Socie- 
 ty founded at Kettering, England. 
 
 1799. The first Protracted and Camp 
 Meetings started together by a 
 Methodist minister, John McGee, 
 on the banks of the Red River 
 in Kentucky. 
 
 1814. American Baptist Missionary 
 
 Union formed. 
 1816. American Bible Society formed. 
 
 1826. American Tract Society formed. 
 
 1827. The Kehukee Association op- 
 poses all human religious institu- 
 tions. 
 
 1832. The Black Rock Convention, in 
 Maryland, does the same. 
 
 1830. Mormon Church founded by 
 Joseph Smith, of New York. 
 
 1854. Dogma of the Immaculate Con- 
 ception of the Virgin Mary pro- 
 claimed at Rome. 
 
 1870 Infallibility of the Pope voted 
 by the Vatican Council July 18; 
 loss of temporal power by the 
 Pope September 20. 
 
 1907. The union of all the Protest- 
 ant Churches (including the New 
 School Baptists) in China, at 
 Shanghai, April 25, in one church 
 called "The United Protestant 
 Church of China." 
 
 S. HAS SELL, 
 In Gospel Messenger. 
 
 Denominations 
 
 The religious world is divided into 
 denominations, each of which is dis- 
 criminated by sentiments peculiar to 
 itself. I will mention some of these 
 denominations and give, briefly, the 
 leading tenets, as I understand them. 
 — (See separate articles on Roman 
 Catholocism and Baptist Denomina- 
 tion). 
 
 ATHEIST. 
 
 The Atheist does not believe in the 
 existence of a God. He attributes- sur- 
 rounding nature and all its astonish- 
 ing phenomena to chance. 
 
 DEIST. 
 
 The Deist believes in a God, but 
 rejects the Bible. 
 
 JUDAISM. 
 
 Judaism is the religious doctrines 
 and rites of the Jews, who are the 
 descendants of Abraham, and the 
 complete system is 1 contained in the 
 five books of Moses. The Old Testa- 
 ment is their Book, while they reject 
 the New Testament and Jesus Christ, 
 and still look for the Messiah. 
 
 CHRISTIANITY. 
 
 Christianity, in its broad sense, is 
 the belief of Jesus Christ as the Son 
 of God, and is divided into many 
 sects respecting Him and His mis- 
 sion on earth. Some of these sects 
 are: — 
 
 TRINITARIANS. 
 
 Trinitarians believe the doctrine of 
 a Trinity, by which is generally un- 
 derstood, that there are three distinct 
 persons in one individual Godhead — 
 the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 ARIANS. 
 
 The Arians derive their name from 
 Arians, who lived in the third century. 
 They deny the divinity of Christ, but 
 claim that He was the first and 
 noblest of all beings that God created. 
 
 NECESSARIANS. 
 
 This doctrine is that all actions, 
 both good and bad, are strictly nec- 
 essary — thus every circumstance can- 
 not be otherwise than it is through- 
 out the creation of God. 
 
350 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 MATERIALIST. 
 
 The belief of the Materialist is that 
 man is no more than what we now 
 see of him; that the soul is not a 
 principle independent of the body, 
 but that it results from the organiza- 
 tion of the brain; though in a manner 
 which will not admit of explanation. 
 They believe in a resurrection, but 
 deny any intermediate consciousness 
 between death and the resurrection. 
 
 SOCINIANS. 
 
 This sect takes its name from 
 Faustus Socinus, who died in Poland, 
 1604. They assert that Christ had no 
 existence until born of the Virgin 
 Mary; and that, being a man like 
 ourselves, though endowed with a 
 large portion of divine wisdom, the 
 only object of his mission was to 
 teach the efficacy of repentance with- 
 out an atonement, as a medium of 
 divine favor, — to exhibit an example 
 for our immitation, — to seal his doc- 
 trine with his blood, and, in the 
 resurrection from the dead, to indi- 
 cate the certainty of our resurrection 
 at the last day. 
 
 ANTINOMIANS. 
 
 The Antinomian derives his name 
 from two Greek words, anti, against, 
 and nomos, a law; his favorite tenet 
 being, that the law is not a rule of 
 life to believers. This doctrine car- 
 ries the imputed righteousness of 
 Christ, and salvation by faith without 
 works, to such an extent, as to in- 
 jure, if not wholly destroy, obligation 
 to moral obedience. This doctrine is 
 clearly traceable to the period of the 
 Reformation, and its promulgator was 
 John Agricola, originally a disciple of 
 Luther. The Papist, in their disputs 
 with the Protestants, carried the 
 merit of good works to an extrava- 
 gant length; and this induced some 
 of their opponents to run into the op- 
 posite extreme. 
 
 LUTHERANS. 
 
 The Lutherans, of all protestants, 
 are those who differ least from the 
 Romish Church, (as they affirm that 
 the body and blood of Christ are ma- 
 terially present in the sacrament of 
 the Lord's Supper, though in an in- 
 comprehensible manner). They also, to 
 some extent, maintain the use of 
 images in churches, the distinguish- 
 
 ing vestments of the clergy, the pri- 
 vate confession of sins, the use of 
 wafers in the administration of the 
 Lord's Supper, the form of exorcism 
 in the celebration of baptism, etc.; 
 though in the past century the doc- 
 trine and practice of Luther has been 
 greatly modified. 
 
 EPISCOPALIANS, OR CHURCH OF 
 ENGLAND. 
 
 The Episcopalians, in the modern 
 acceptation of the term, belong more 
 especially to the Church of England 
 and derives this title from Episcopus, 
 the Latin word for Bishop. They in- 
 sist on the divine origin of their bish- 
 ops and other church officers, and on 
 the alliance between church and 
 state. However, there is difference of 
 opinion among their most learned 
 scholars on these subjects. This 
 church broke off from the Romish 
 church in Luther's time, and is gov- 
 erned in England, by the King, who 
 is supreme head; by two arch-bishops, 
 and twenty-four bishops. 
 
 DISSENTERS OR PURITANS. 
 
 Dissenters from the Church of Eng- 
 land made their first appearance in 
 Queen Elizabeth's time, about 16G2, — 
 when, on account of the extraordinary 
 purity which they proposed in relig- 
 ious worship and conduct, they were 
 reproached with the name of Puri- 
 tans. Their form of worship is simi- 
 lar to that of the mother church, 
 though more simple. 
 
 KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 
 
 The members of the Kirk of Scot- 
 land, are strictly speaking, the Pres- 
 byterians of Great Britain. Their 
 mode of church government was 
 brought thither from Geneva by John 
 Knox, the celebrated Scotch reform- 
 er, who has been styled the apostle 
 of Scotland for the same reason that 
 Luther was called the apostle of Ger- 
 many. , 
 
 CALVINISM. 
 
 This term is applied to those be- 
 lieving in the doctrine advocated by 
 John Calvin who was born in Nogen. 
 in Picardy, in 1509, was "professor of 
 Divinity" at Geneva in 1536, and was 
 noted for his genius, learning and elo- 
 quence. The five principal points of 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 351 
 
 Calvinism are: (1), that all mankind 
 are totally depraved in consequence 
 of the fall of Adam; (2), that God has 
 chosen a certain number of the fallen 
 race in Christ unto everlasting glory, 
 before the foundation of the world, 
 according to His immutable purpose, 
 and of his free grace and love, with- 
 out the exercise of faith, good works 
 or any condition performed by the 
 creature; and that the rest of man- 
 kind he was pleased to pass by, and 
 ordain to eternal death to the praise 
 of his justice; (3), that Jesus Christ 
 by His death and suffering, made 
 atonement for the sins of the elect 
 only; (4), that all whom God predes- 
 tinated unto life, He is pleased to ef- 
 fectually call by His Spirit; (5), that 
 those called and sanctified by His 
 Spirit, shall never finally fall from a 
 state of grace. These five points are 
 directly opposed to Arminianism. Pres- 
 byterians, Lutherns, Episcopalians, 
 and many other denominations hold 
 to some or all of these points of doc- 
 trine in their aticles of faith, but gen- 
 erally deny them in their pulpits. 
 
 ARMINIANS. 
 
 Arminians favor the doctrine of 
 James Arminius, "a professor of Di- 
 vinity" at Leydon, who lived in the 
 sixteenth century. This doctrine is 
 the opposite of Calvinism and is based 
 on man's free will. Its cardinal points 
 are: Christ by His death made an 
 atonement for all mankind, subject to 
 the condition of a belief in Him fol- 
 lowed by good works; that men are 
 not totally depraved or helpless sin- 
 ners; that the grace and calling of 
 God can be resisted, and accomplishes 
 nothing without man's acceptance of 
 his own free will; that even those 
 who accept salvation and become 
 united to Christ by faith, may fall 
 from grace and be finally lost; that 
 God has an equal regard for all, and 
 sent His Son to die for the sins of 
 all the race of men and if any are 
 saved it depends upon the voluntary 
 exercise of faith and the performing 
 of conditions; — in a word, that God 
 is doing all He can do to save the 
 world. All denominations of the pres- 
 ent day, except the Old School or 
 Primitive Baptists — advocate Armin- 
 ism in some of its alluring and plaus- 
 ible forms. 
 
 SECEEDERS. 
 
 Dissenters from the Kirk, or 
 Church of Scotland, called themselves 
 
 Seceeders. They are rigid Calvanists 
 in doctrine, and rather austere in 
 their manners and discipline. 
 
 INDEPENDENTS. 
 
 The first Independent or Congrega- 
 tional church in England was estab- 
 lished by a Mr. ' Jacob in the year 
 1616; though a John Robinson is usu- 
 ally given the credit of having been 
 the founder of the sect. They are Dis- 
 senters, somewhat Calvanistic in doc- 
 trine, and in church government, be- 
 lieve every congregation is independ- 
 ent of every other, hence their name 
 Independents. 
 
 PAEDO-BAPTIST. 
 
 This word is derived from the Greek 
 word Pais, which signifies child or 
 infant, and Bapto, to baptize; and is 
 applied to all denominations who bap- 
 tize infants. Baptizers of infants, of 
 whatever name, are known as Paedo- 
 Baptist. 
 
 DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, OR CAMP- 
 BELLITES. 
 
 Alexander Campbell (1788-1866), 
 was the founder of this denomina- 
 tion. He was born in Ireland, came 
 to America with his father in' 1807, 
 was a minister of the "Seceeder 
 Church of Scotland," afterwards re- 
 nounced his former connection and 
 joined the Baptist, and was baptized 
 by Elder Loos, a Baptist minister in 
 1812; joined the Red-Stone Baptist 
 Association of Pennsylvania, in 1813, 
 and the Mahoning Association in 1823. 
 For preaching doctrine and contend- 
 ing for practices not fellowshipped by 
 Baptists, he and his followers, were 
 in 1S27, cut off by the Baptist 
 churches, formed a separate body and 
 called themselves Disciples of Christ. 
 In doctrine, they are extreme Armin- 
 ians; minimize the work of the Holy 
 Spirit and maximize the work of man, 
 and make immersion essential to sal- 
 vation. Sometimes they call them- 
 selves Christian Baptists. 
 
 QUAKERS OR FRIENDS. 
 
 This sect had its origin in England 
 about the middle of the seventeenth 
 century. George Fox, who was born 
 in 1624, was the founder. He received 
 his religious instruction in the Church 
 of England. Friends is the name by 
 
352 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 which they call their church; Quakers 
 is an epithet applied to them by way 
 of contempt, on account of the fact 
 that their voices in speaking were 
 very tremulous, and because they 
 shook and quaked prodigiously in 
 their meetings, in consequence of 
 their religious terrors and conscien- 
 tious fears. They were greatly perse- 
 cuted until the time of James the 
 Second. William Penn was the most 
 distinguished Quaker in America, 
 Pennsylvania being named for him. 
 
 METHODIST. 
 
 This denomination owes its origin 
 to John Wesley who was born in Eng- 
 land, in 1703 though it was evidently 
 not his purpose to found a denomina- 
 tion for in the last year of his life — 
 1791 — he published a letter in which 
 he wrote: "I live and die a member of 
 the Church of England, and no one 
 who regards my judgment or advice 
 will ever separate from it." He de- 
 signed only to found a "society" in 
 the Anglican communion; and he de- 
 clared he wished the name of "Meth- 
 odist," might never be mentioned 
 more but be buried in eternal obliv- 
 ion." After his death his "Evangelical 
 Societies" seceeded from the Chnrch 
 of England and became a separarte 
 denomination, and this denomination 
 has divided until there are seven- 
 teen bodies of Methodists. The name 
 "Methodist" was first applied to Wes- 
 ley and his followers, by their ene- 
 mies, in consequence of their method 
 — their orderly and composed demean- 
 or. The American Cyclopedia says the 
 essence of the doctrine of Methodism 
 is, "that the salvation of each human 
 being depends solely on his own free 
 action." 
 
 PRESBYTERIANS. 
 
 Presbyterians sprung from the 
 Church of Scotland and was chiefly 
 founded by John Knox, who was born 
 in 1505, though John Calvin is usual- 
 ly considered the founder. The first 
 Presbyterian church in the United 
 States was formed in Philadelphia by 
 immigrants from Scotland about the 
 close of the seventeenth century. In 
 doctrine, Presbyterians are Calvan- 
 istic, holding in their articles of faith, 
 to the doctrine of God's foreordina- 
 tion, election, predestination, holy 
 calling, justification and final glorifica- 
 tion of a portion of the human race, 
 but, in this age, rarely preach it in 
 their pulpits. Arminianism is the 
 
 tendency. They — like the Methodists, 
 Lutherans, and many other denomina- 
 tions — baptize infants and practice 
 sprinkling for baptism. They have di- 
 vided into twelve parties, among 
 which are the Old School, the New 
 School, Reformed, . Cumberland, and 
 others. 
 
 MORMONS, OR LATTER DAY 
 SAINTS. 
 
 This sect was founded by Joseph 
 Smith, who was born in Sharon, Vt., 
 in December, 1S05. He pretended that 
 in September, 1823, he was favored 
 with a divine vision; that an angel 
 from heaven informed him he was 
 chosen by Christ to proclaim a new 
 religion; that the end of the world 
 was almost here, and that he (Smith) 
 was appointed to be the herald and 
 forerunner; that certain golden 
 plates, containing a new revelation 
 was buried at a certain place under 
 ground, and that he was commission- 
 ed to obtain, read, and interpret them, 
 and proclaim their contents to the 
 world. The result is the Book of Mor- 
 mon, or Mormon Bible. Prophet Smith 
 was, in 1843, arrested and confined in 
 Carthage (111.) jail on the charge of 
 destroying an anti-Mormon newspa- 
 per office, and of treason against the 
 state of Illinois; and before his trial 
 an infuriated mob attacked the jail, 
 and Smith, in attempting to escape 
 through a window was struck by 
 many balls from fire-arms, and fell 
 to the ground a corpse. Being driven 
 from Illinois the Mormons settled in 
 the Great Salt Lake Valley, Utah, 
 Brigham Young became their leader 
 after Smith death. Among other 
 false doctrines they advocate and 
 practice is that of polygamy — a plu- 
 rality of wives. 
 
 UNIVERSALISTS. 
 
 As an organization this denomina- 
 tion came into existence about the 
 beginning of the ninteenth century, 
 but the real doctrine of Universalism 
 is not new. Origen, who lived in the 
 third century advocated it, and so has 
 others, connected with different de- 
 nominations from that time on. Uni- 
 versalists believe that Christ died for 
 all, and that all shall be brought to a 
 participation of His death and be 
 saved. 
 
 SABBATARIANS. 
 
 The Sabbatarians, as a sect, arouse 
 in England about 1G50. They believe 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 353 
 
 in keeping the seventh day as the 
 Sabbath or day of worship, instead of 
 the first. They are known also as 
 Seventh-day Baptists. Adventists also, 
 generally hold this view. 
 
 MORAVIANS, OR UNITED BRETH- 
 REN. 
 
 This sect is supposed to have arisen 
 under Nicholas Lewis, a German No- 
 bleman who died in 1760. They were 
 called Moravians, because the first 
 converts to this system were some 
 Moravian families, but they called 
 themselves United Brethren. John 
 Huss, the Bohemian reformer, is 
 sometimes called the founder of the 
 denomination. Their doctrinal belief 
 has always been very undefined and 
 unsettled. 
 
 ADVENTISTS, OR MILLERITES. 
 
 This sect originated about 1833, by 
 William Miller, of New York. Their 
 most conspicuous doctrine is the ap- 
 pointed time for the end of the world. 
 Special dates for the conflagration of 
 the universe have been named by 
 them, , first in 1843, and from time to 
 time since. They are also sometimes 
 called Sabbatarians and contend that 
 Saturday, and not Sunday, should be 
 the day for our especial worship of 
 God. They have divided into six 
 bodies, and are Arminian in doctrine. 
 
 DUNKERS, OR GERMAN BAPTIST. 
 
 The Dunkers (or Tunkers as some- 
 times called), originated with Conrad 
 Peysel, a German Baptist about 1724, 
 who becoming weary of the world re- 
 tired to an agreeable solitude, within 
 about fifty miles of Philadelphia, fol- 
 lowed by some of like temperament 
 and others from curiosity, who form- 
 ed themselves into a kind of com- 
 monwealth, or colony of German Bap- 
 tists. They practiced triune baptism 
 (dipping or immersing, three times 
 face foremost), and are peculiar in 
 dress and the way they wear their 
 hair, beard and head dress. Their ob- 
 servation of the Lord's Supper con- 
 sists of a full meal of beef, mutton, 
 bread, etc., better known as love- 
 feast, at which time they usuany prac- 
 tice feet-washing. They are generally 
 Arminian in doctrine, and have divid- 
 ed into four distinct parties. 
 
 "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE", OR EDDY- 
 ISM. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy — born 
 1821 — is the founded of this doctrine 
 in its modern form. This doctrine 
 seems to teach that sin, sickness and 
 death, are woes that only seem to ex- 
 ist, — that all the trouble with the hu- 
 man race is "mental errors,"— a mat- 
 ter of pessimistic imagination that 
 can be cured by believing as they 
 teach. The doctrine was first promul- 
 gated by Mrs. Eddy in 1866. 
 
 SPIRITUALISM. 
 
 iSpiritualists believe in the actual 
 and open intercourse or communica- 
 tion between the inhabitants of earth 
 and those who have passed to the 
 spirit world. Modern Spiritualism had 
 its rise in the year 1848, in what is 
 known as the "Fox Family," in the 
 western part of the state of New 
 York. "Mediums," or persons special- 
 ly qualified, are necessary, through 
 whom the spirit's manifestations are 
 received by rapping, audible sound, 
 etc. They have no regular denomina- 
 tional organization, nor written creed. 
 They do not generally regard the 
 Bible as a book of inspiration, and 
 differ widely on many points of the- 
 ology. 
 
 CONFUCIUSISM. 
 
 This is the religion of China. Con- 
 fucius was the founder. He was a 
 philosopher who lived about 500 B. C, 
 and his followers today are estimated 
 at about 80,000 000 people. The Ency- 
 clopedia of Religious Knowledge says 
 this religion "consists in a deep in- 
 ward veneration for the god or king 
 of heaven, and in the practice of every 
 moral virtue. They have neither tem- 
 ples nor priests, nor any settled form 
 of external worship, every one adores 
 the Supreme Being in the way he likes 
 best." 
 
 SHINTOISM. 
 
 This form of religion prevails in 
 Japan and parts of China, is said to 
 have been originally very pure in its 
 doctrine and of great antiquity. Shinto 
 died many years B. C. His followers 
 are estimated at 14,000,000. 
 
 PAGANISM. 
 
 This term is applied to those who 
 worship and adore idols and false 
 
354 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 gods. At one time or another, Pagan- 
 ism has existed over all inhabitable 
 parts of the earth. About three-fifths 
 of the world's population today are 
 Pagans. At different periods and by 
 different nations, almost everything 
 known to man, whether animate or in- 
 animate, have been objects of wor- 
 ship. 
 
 PANTHEISM. 
 
 The Pantheist believes that the uni- 
 verse is God. Instead of believing as 
 the Atheist, that there is no God, the 
 advocates of this system, believe, all 
 is God. They make no distinction be- 
 tween nature and God, but say Nature 
 is the body of God. 
 
 MOHAMMEDANISM. 
 
 Mohammedans derive their name 
 and doctrine from Mohammed or gen- 
 erally called Mahomet, who was 
 born in Arabia in the sixth century. 
 Their religion is contained in the Ko- 
 ran, their bible. Mahomet pretended 
 to receive revelation from God, and de- 
 clared God sent him in the world, not 
 only to teach his will, but to compel 
 mankind to embrace it. The followers 
 of Mahomet are estimated at 200,000,- 
 000. 
 
 BRAHMAISM. 
 
 The Brahminical religion is of great 
 antiquity and spreads over the greater 
 part of India. Brahma, its founder, 
 is regarded by the Hindoos as the 
 father of legislators. By some he 
 is regarded as the almighty creator, 
 preserver and destroyer. About 175,- 
 000,000 of the world's population are 
 worshipers of Brahma. 
 
 BUDDHISM. 
 
 This system of religion holds sway 
 in Eastern Asia and embraces about a 
 third of the human race, or between 
 350,000 000 and 450,000,000 people. It 
 teaches that, at distant intervals, a 
 Buddha, or diety, appears on earth to 
 restore the people from a .state of ig- 
 norance and decay. Four Buddahas 
 have thus appeared in the world, the 
 last one by name of Gaudama, died 543 
 B. C. Another is looked for. Relics 
 and images are worshiped until an- 
 other Buddha comes. 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 As to the origin of Roman Catholi- 
 cism, Elder Sylvester Hassell, author 
 of Hassell's Church History, editor of 
 The Gospel Messenger and moderator 
 of the Kehukee Association, which was 
 organized in 1765, and is the oldest 
 Primitive Baptist Association in the 
 United States, has this to say: 
 
 "Thasicus Caccilius Cyprianus, us- 
 ually called Cyprian, born in Africa 
 about A. D. 200, styled 'Bishop of Car- 
 thage,' from A. D. 248 to 258, beheaded 
 by the pagan Roman Emperor Valer- 
 ian September 14, 258, was the father 
 or founder of Roman Catholicism, rep- 
 senting 'the Bishops as the successors 
 of the Apostles, the chair of Peter as 
 the center of episcopal unity, and the 
 Church at Rome the root of all;' and 
 yet Cyprian conceded only an ideal 
 precedence to the 'Bishop of Rome, 
 for he accused the Roman Bishop 
 Stephen of error and abuse of power. 
 The first pope, in the real sense of the 
 word, was Leo I, (A. D. 440-461), who 
 ambitious'' y and energetically sought 
 to transform the 'church' into an eccle- 
 siastical monarchy, with himself at 
 the head; and yet the 28th canon of the 
 Council of Chalcedon (A. D. 451), ac- 
 knowledged by Rome to be Ecumeni- 
 cal, elevated the 'Bishop' of Constanti- 
 nople to official equality with the pope. 
 The Scriptures nowhere say that Peter 
 ever went to Rome, or that he was to 
 be head of the other Apostles (Christ 
 is the only Head of His church), much 
 less that Peter was to have a success- 
 or who was to be the head of the 
 church on earth." 
 
 Tnis denomination, sometimes called 
 Papist, are so dominated from their 
 leading tenet, the infallibility and su- 
 premacy of the Pope. The Latin word 
 for Pope is Papa, signifying father. 
 By the infallibility of the Pope, is un- 
 derstood that the Pope cannot err in 
 ecclesiastical matters; and by his su- 
 premacy is meant his authority over all 
 churches, and sometimes over all 
 princes, or civil powers of the earth. 
 
 The history of the past paints a dark 
 and bloody picture of Roman Catholi- 
 cism. 
 
 "The Church of Rome," says Mr. W. 
 E. H. Lecky, "has caused more wars, 
 has shed more innocent blood and in- 
 flicted more unmerited suffering, than 
 any other institution that has ever 
 existed among mankind. 
 
 "In addition to the Jesuit Catholic 
 atrocities of this century already 
 enumerated with some particulars, 
 they massacred 400 Protestants at 
 Grossoto, in Lombardy, July the nine- 
 teenth, 1620; are said to have des- 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 355 
 
 troyed 400,000 Protestants in Ireland 
 in 1641 in outright murder, and cold 
 and hunger and drowning; cruelly ex- 
 iled 500 families of Waldenses in Pied- 
 mont in 1601; most diabolically tor- 
 tured, outraged and massacred 6,000 
 of the same poor people in 1655; and 
 partly butchered and partly imprison- 
 ed most foully and banished most in- 
 humanly 12,000 of these inoffensive 
 people of God in 1686, thousands of 
 them being led like sheep to the 
 slaughter because they would not bow 
 down to the corrupting idolatries of 
 Rome. 
 
 "It is estimated that the Roman 
 Catholic Church has murdered fifty 
 millions of the human family, and that 
 their martyr blood would fill a channe 1 . 
 ten feet deep, ten feet wide and twenty- 
 five miles long." 
 
 The Doctrinal Code of the Church. 
 
 The formulary of faith is the creed 
 of Pius IV., issued after the Council of 
 Trent with some additions after that 
 of the Vatican. It is as follows: 
 
 "I, N. N., with a firm faith believe 
 and profess all and every one of those 
 things which are contained in that 
 creed, which the holy Roman Church 
 maketh use of." 
 
 Then follows the Nicene creed: 
 
 'I most steadfastly admit and em- 
 brace apostolical and ecclesiastical 
 traditions, and all other observances 
 and constitutions of the same church. 
 
 "I also admit the holy Scriptures, ac- 
 cording to that sense which our holy 
 mother the church has held and does 
 hold, to which it belongs to judge of 
 the true sense and interpretation of 
 the Scriptures; neither will 1 ever 
 take and interpret them otherwise 
 than according to the unanimous con- 
 sent of the fathers. 
 
 "I also confess that there are truly 
 and properly seven sacraments of the 
 new law, instituted by Jesus Christ 
 our Lord, and necessary for the sal- 
 vation of mankind, though not all for 
 every one — to-wit, baptism, confirma- 
 tion, the eucharist penance; and that 
 they confer grace, and that of these, 
 baptism, confirmation, and. orders can 
 not be reiterated without sacrilege. I 
 also receive and admit the received 
 and approved ceremonies of the Cath- 
 olic Church, used in the solemn ad- 
 ministration of the aforesaid sacra- 
 ments. 
 
 "I embrace and receive all and every 
 one of the things which have been 
 defined and declared in the holy Coun- 
 cil of Trent, concerning original sin 
 and justification. 
 
 I profess likewise, that in tne mass 
 (communion service) there is offered 
 
 to God a true proper, and propitiatory 
 sacrifice for the living and the dead; 
 and that in the most holy sacrament 
 of the eucharist (Lord's supper) there 
 is truly, really, and substantially the 
 body and blood, together with the soul 
 and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ; 
 and that there is made a conversion 
 of the whole substance of the bread 
 into the body, and of the whole sub- 
 stance of the wine into the blood, 
 which conversion the Catholic Church 
 calls transubstantiation. I also con- 
 fess that under each kind Christ is 
 whole and entire, and a true sacra- 
 ment is received. 
 
 "I firmly hold that there is a purga- 
 tory, and that the souls therein de- 
 tained are helped by the sufferings of 
 the faithful. 
 
 "Likewise that the saints reigning 
 with Christ are to be honored and in- 
 vocated, and that they offer up prayers 
 to God for us, and that their relics 
 ought to be venerated. 
 
 "I most firmly assert that the images 
 of Christ, of the Mother of God, and 
 also of the saints, ought to be had and 
 retained, and that due honor and ven- 
 eration are to be given to them. 
 
 "I also affirm that the power of in- 
 dulgences was left by Christ to the 
 Church, and that the use of them is 
 most welcome to Christian people. 
 
 "I acknowledge the holy Catholic 
 Apostolic Roman Church for the moth- 
 er and mistress of all churches, and I 
 promise true obedience to the Bishop 
 of Rome, successor to St. Peter, 
 prince of the apostles and vicar of 
 Jesus Christ on earth. 
 
 "I also undoubtedly receive and pro- 
 fess all other things delivered, defined, 
 and declared by the Sacred Canons 
 and General Councils, and particuarly 
 by the Holy Council of Trent, and de- 
 livered, defined and declared by the 
 General Council of the Vatican; espe- 
 cially concerning the Primacy of the 
 Roman Pontiff and his infallible teach- 
 ing authority; and I also condemn, re- 
 ject, and anathematize all things con- 
 trary thereto, and all heresies whatso- 
 ever condemned, rejected and anathe- 
 matized by ^he church. 
 
 "This true Catholic Faith, out of 
 which none can be saved, I now truly 
 profess and truly hold. And I, N — . 
 promise to hold and profess the same 
 whole and entire, with God's assist- 
 ance, to the end of my life. Amen." 
 
 Catholicism and a free republican 
 form of government are at variance. 
 Freedom of conscience and Catholic 
 doctrine will not mix, and it is un- 
 doubtedly the purpose of Roman Ca- 
 tholicism to possess and dominate this 
 country. 
 
356 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 Bishop Gilmour, Cleveland, O., says 
 in his Lenten Letter, March, 1873: 
 "Nationalities must be subordinate to 
 religion. We must learn that we are 
 Catholics first and citizens next." 
 
 The St. Louis Globe says: "It is 
 the duty of every Catholic to vote for 
 the Catholic candidate — Catholics must 
 use the ballot to promote the cause 
 of the Church." 
 
 "The Catholic World of New York, 
 says: "The Catholic Church numbers 
 one-third of the population, and if its 
 membership shall increase for the 
 next thirty years as it has in the thirty 
 years past, in 1900 Rome will have a 
 majority and possess this country and 
 keep it. There is ere long to be a 
 state religion in this country, and that 
 religion is to be Roman Catholic. The 
 Roman Catholic is to wield his vote 
 for the purpose of securing Catholic 
 ascendency in this country." 
 
 "In reply to McGee, editor of Free- 
 man's Journal, the bishops and priests 
 said: "We are determined, like you, 
 to take possession of the United States 
 and rule them. Let us, then, multiply 
 our votes; let us call our poor but 
 faithful Irish Catholics from every 
 corner of the world and gather them 
 unto the very hearts of those proud 
 citadels which the Yankees are so rap- 
 idly building up." 
 
 The Rambler, a Catholic paper, says: 
 "Religious liberty, in a sense of a liber- 
 ty possessed by every man to chose 
 his own religion, is one of the most 
 wicked delusions ever poised upon this 
 age by the father of all deceit." 
 
 "The Roman Catholic Church fur- 
 ther declares that freedom of worship, 
 as guaranteed by our Constitution, is 
 a heresy and totally false." 
 
 "Archbishop Ryan, in a recent ser- 
 mon in Philadelphia, said: The church 
 tolerates heretics when she is obliged 
 to do so, but she hates them with a 
 deadly hatred, and uses all her power 
 to annihilate them. Our enemies know 
 how she treated heretics in the middle 
 ages and how she treats them today 
 when she has the power. We no more 
 think of denying these historic facts 
 than we do of blaming the Holy God 
 and the princes of the church for what 
 they have thought fit to do." 
 
 "Bishop O'Conner, of Pittsburg, said: 
 Religious liberty is merely endured un- 
 til the opposite can be carried into ef- 
 fect without peril to the Catholic 
 world." 
 
 Father Hecker said: "The day will 
 come when Roman Catholics will take 
 this country and build their institu- 
 tions over the grave of Protestantism, 
 and then religious liberty is at an 
 end." 
 
 If the claim should be made that 
 these are all ancient facts and authori- 
 ties, and that the Catholics of today 
 do not hold such views, our answer is 
 at hand. Rome does not change, and 
 the very latest writers of Rome make 
 this claim. 
 
 Pius IX, says: "The Church has the 
 right to avail itself of force, and to 
 use the temporal power for that pur- 
 pose." (Pius IX, Encyclical, 24.) 
 
 M. Louis Venillot, a prominent 
 French Catholic, says: "When there 
 is a Protestant majority we claim re- 
 ligious liberty because such is their 
 principle; but when we are in major- 
 ity we refuse it because that is ours." 
 
 The Watchman, St. Louis, says: 
 "Protestantism! We would draw and 
 quarter it. We would impale it and 
 hang it up for crow's nests. We would 
 tear it with pinchers and fire it with 
 hot irons. We would fill it with molten 
 lead, and sink it in hell fire a hundred 
 fathoms deep." 
 
 "Roman Catholics hold all marriages 
 to be illegal which are not celebrated 
 by Roman Catholic authority and 
 hence that all such people are nothing 
 but a set of adulterers, illegitimates 
 and bastards. 
 
 They hold our public schools to be 
 so many nurseries of hell. 
 
 The fact is the Roman Catholic 
 Church in its policy is very shrewd, 
 and when that policy requires it they 
 will excel all others in deeds of char- 
 ity, kindness and benevolence, abiding 
 with the poor, distressed, forsaken and 
 afflicted when all others have fled 
 away; on the other hand when that 
 policy requires it they will excel the 
 devil himself if possible, in deeds of 
 inhumanity and heartless cruelty." 
 
 Lafayette, who was born a Roman- 
 ist, says: "If the liberties of the Am- 
 erican people are ever destroyed, they 
 will fall by the hands of the Romanish 
 clergy." 
 
 Gladstone, the grand old man, says: 
 "Rome requires a convert who joins 
 her to forfeit his moral and men- 
 tal freedom, and to place his loyalty 
 and civil duty at the mercy of an- 
 other." 
 
 Abraham Lincoln, said: "As long 
 as God gives me a heart to feel, a 
 brain to think, or a hand to execute 
 my will, I devote it against that power 
 which has attempted to use the ma- 
 chinery of the courts to destroy the 
 rights and character of an American 
 citizen. But there is a thing which 
 is very certain; it is, that if the Am- 
 erican people could learn what I know 
 of the fierce hatred of the generality 
 of the priests of Rome against our in- 
 stitutions, our schools, our most sa- 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 357 
 
 cred rights, and our so dearly bought 
 liberties, they would drive them away, 
 tomorrow, from among us, or would 
 shoot them as traitors." 
 
 For more information on Catholi- 
 
 cism the reader is referred to "Ameri- 
 canism or Romanism which?" by John 
 T. Christian; Hassell's History of the 
 Church, and "The Two Witnesses," 
 by Elder George W. Stewart. 
 
 Baptist Denomination 
 
 The Baptists are especially distin- 
 guished from most other denomina- 
 tions respecting the mode and sub- 
 jects of baptism. They contend that 
 the ordinance should be administered 
 to believers only, and by immersion 
 only. The Baptist denomination was 
 founded by Jesus during his earthly 
 ministry. He was the chief corner-stone 
 and upon Him was builded the Apos- 
 tles and their doctrine and practice. 
 All needful and necessary instruction 
 is given in the four Gospels, and the 
 only standard teaching of His ministry 
 is the Acts of the Apostles and the in- 
 spired Epistles. For about three cen- 
 turies after Christ the Church Univer- 
 sal was no doubt composed of Bap- 
 tist communities. During succeeding 
 centuries the baptism of unconscious 
 babes, and sprinkling for baptism was 
 introduced, and though the church was 
 corrupted by the doctrine and com- 
 mandments of men, yet a careful study 
 of the most learned and accurate his- 
 torians proves the following facts: 
 "1. For three centuries Christian 
 congregations subsisted as do the Bap- 
 tists of today. 2. They were called 
 baptized (Baptists) churches. 3. 
 They have continued in regular un- 
 broken succession from the Apostles' 
 day to the present century. 4. They 
 have preserved the truth of Christ in 
 its purity. 5. That Novatian was not 
 the founder of the Novatian churches. 
 6. The Apostates at Rome abandoned 
 the true principles of the church, and 
 separated from those who persistently 
 adhered to those pure principles. 7. 
 The numerous churches maintaining 
 the principles of the apostolic church, 
 stood with the strict party at Rome 
 in opposition to heretical apostates. 
 8. They remained in separate, inde- 
 pendent bodies. 9. That those who 
 preserved the truth were called Bap- 
 tists, Novatians, Waldenses, etc." 
 
 See Moshiem's History, Jones's His- 
 tory, Encyclopedia Britannica, Ency- 
 clopedia of Religious Knowledge, 
 What the World Believes Hassell's 
 History, Theodosia Ernest, The Two 
 Witnesses, etc. 
 
 The following diagram of Church 
 
 History traces step by step the foot- 
 steps of the flock. 
 
 td 
 A. D. 
 
 80 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 
 300 
 
 400 
 
 500 
 
 600 
 
 700 
 
 800 
 
 900 
 
 1000 
 
 1100 
 
 1200 
 
 1300 
 
 1400 
 
 1500 
 
 1600 
 
 1700 
 
 1800 
 
 1900 
 
 Called Christians. 
 
 {Cathari or Puritans, 
 Novationists, 
 Donatists, 
 Anabaptist. 
 
 Called 
 
 Called 
 
 Called <^ 
 
 Puritans. 
 
 Novationists, 
 
 Paulicians, 
 
 Acephali, 
 
 Paternines and 
 
 Anabaptists. 
 
 Paternines, 
 
 Paulicians, 
 
 Petrobrussians, 
 
 Henricians, 
 
 Arnoldists. 
 
 Albigenses and Vandois, 
 
 Lollards and 
 
 Anabaptists. 
 
 Lollards. 
 
 Waldenses, 
 
 Msnnonites. 
 
 Anabaptists and 
 
 Baptists, 
 
 Hardshells, 
 
 Anti-Missionary Baptists 
 
 Old School Baptists, 
 
 Primitive Baptists. 
 
 This Diagram is taken from Theodosia 
 Ernest and will be quite helpful in pre- 
 
358 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 senting at a glance the names by which 
 Baptists have been distinguished in dif- 
 ferent ages and countries from the days 
 of the apostles to the present time. 
 
 The four last designations are added 
 to the above list of names because 
 they justly belonged there. Two of 
 these names, Hardshells and anti- 
 missionaries, they never assumed nor 
 acknowledged as just, because they 
 were applied to them by way of re- 
 proach and contempt. In England the 
 Baptists are divided into the General, 
 who are Arminian, and the Particular 
 Baptists, — who are Calvanistic in doc- 
 trine. 
 
 In the United States there was but 
 one denomination of Baptists until 
 about 1828-'32, though for more than 
 a quarter of a century previously 
 there had been, from time to time, 
 discord and contention in the denom- 
 ination over questions involving doc- 
 trine and practice. There was in the 
 "Baptist Family" an element Armin- 
 ian in doctrine that contended for the 
 introduction of Missionary Societies, 
 Sunday schools, Theological Semina- 
 ries, a Salaried Ministry, etc., etc. 
 There was also an element "'alvan- 
 istic in doctrine that opposed all de- 
 partures from Baptist faith and prac- 
 tice. The advocates of the free-will 
 theory seemed to lay much stress on 
 human reason and policy; the pre- 
 destinarian advocates much stress on 
 divine instruction and principle. Thus 
 the contention continued until the 
 open rupture and declarations of non- 
 fellowship against Arminianism, mod- 
 ern missionism, Sunday schools,, etc., 
 by the Kehukee Association in 1827, 
 and by the convention of Baptists 
 held with Black Rock Church, Balti- 
 more, Md., in 1832, known as the 
 Black Rock convention. The Arminian- 
 element having brought in and advo- 
 cated the new doctrine and practices 
 were known and recognized as the 
 new party; the Calvanistic element 
 who opposed the doctrine and prac- 
 tices new to Baptists were known and 
 recognized as the old party. Both 
 parties contended, of course, that 
 they were the original church, and 
 yet both could not be. And thus 
 among our own people, as well as 
 among other denominations have 
 arisen cases of this character where- 
 in the highest courts of this, and oth- 
 er countries, have been asked to de- 
 termine who was the original party: 
 and I believe it has become a settled 
 axiom in law "that those, whether a 
 minority or majority of the congre- 
 gation, who are adhering to the doc- 
 
 trine professed by the congregation, 
 and the form of worship in practice 
 before the division is the original 
 party." Another Supreme jurist puts 
 it this way: "The title to church 
 property oj. a divided congregation is 
 in the part of it which is acting in 
 harmony with its own law; and the 
 ecclesiastical laws, usages, customs 
 and principles which were accepted 
 among them before the dispute began 
 are the standard for determining 
 which party is right." 
 
 This being true, it can easily be 
 seen by the unbiased and intelligent 
 reader that those in this dispute ad- 
 hering to the predestination idea, or 
 Calvanistic doctrine, and opposing the 
 introduction of all institutions of hu- 
 man origin in the church was the old, 
 original party and they assumed the 
 title of Primitive or Old School Bap- 
 tists. The new party was distinguish- 
 ed by the titles '"Missionary Baptist," 
 New School, and General Baptist. 
 
 About this time — 1827 — 'Alexander 
 Campbell — (see notice on Disciples of 
 Christ or Campbellites), was also ex- 
 cluded by the Red Stone Baptist Asso- 
 ciation of Pa., and became the founder 
 of a new denomination. A quarter of a 
 century ago history repeated itself, 
 though to a limited degree, and the 
 Primitive of Old School Baptists of 
 Virginia, Indiana and some other 
 states realized the fulfillment of the 
 apostles' phophecy when he said: 
 
 "For I know this, that after my de- 
 parting shall grievous wolves enter 
 in among you, not sparing the flock. 
 
 "Also of your own selves shall men 
 states realized the fulfillment of the 
 draw away disciples after them." — 
 Acts, 20:29-30. 
 
 The time had come when they 
 would not endure sound doctrine, but 
 after their own lusts began to heap to 
 themselves teachers having itching 
 ears, and to turn their ears from the 
 truth (2 Tim., 4:3-4) . Regeneration 
 of God's people through the preached 
 word became a "bone of contention." 
 "Means and Instrumentalities," of hu- 
 man origin, were - urged ; Sunday 
 schools organized in Old School Bap- 
 tist churches, and various efforts 
 made to "get the Old Baptists out of 
 the ruts," and to make them "like the 
 nations around them." This led to a 
 division in 1889-'90, when E. H. Bur- 
 nam and those following his leader- 
 ship were excluded by the Primitive 
 or Old School Baptists; since which 
 time they have usually called them- 
 selves Regular Baptists, but some- 
 times Old School Baptists. They are 
 locally known as "Burnamites" or 
 "Burnam Baptists." 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 359 
 
 But Christ says, "There needs must 
 divisions come, but woe unto him by 
 whom they come," and in this connec- 
 tion I will adopt the language, on a 
 similar subject, by Elder G. W|. Stew- 
 art, author of The Two Witnesses: 
 "I wish to say to my brethren every- 
 where: 'Be firm, gentle, patient, kind 
 and loyal to your God and to your 
 country and to each other. Having 
 been placed upon the Rock, there, 
 with Bible in hand, you should stand, 
 content with the beauty, simplicity, 
 and sublime excellency of the doc- 
 trine and practice of the Church of 
 Christ as exhibited in the apostolic 
 churches and as exemplified in your 
 own history in the ages of the past, 
 and try to so live in this world as to 
 merit and receive the noble character 
 ascribed to you by the drummer and 
 others in another chapter, remember- 
 ing that one of the noblest banners you 
 can raise in this skeptical age is an 
 honest and a blameless life among 
 men, and if in thus living, you 
 should suffer reproach you should 
 only rejoice that you are accounted 
 worthy to suffer for Jesus' sake. 
 
 "Must you be carried to the skies, 
 On flowery beds of ease, 
 While others fought to win the prize, 
 And sailed through bloody seas?" 
 
 Baptists have ever been loyal ad- 
 vocates of civil and religious liberty. 
 Cathcart in his Baptist Encyclopedia 
 says: "Had it not been for the Vir- 
 ginia Baptists it is probable that the 
 mother of Presidents would have sid- 
 ed with Great Britain in the Revolu- 
 tionary war." 
 
 George "Washington in his reply to 
 a "committee of Virginia Baptist 
 churches," which expressed to him 
 grave doubts about the security of re- 
 ligious liberty under the constitution 
 of the United States, just adopted, 
 said: "I recollect with satisfaction 
 that the religious society of which 
 you are members has been throughout 
 America, uniformly and almost unan- 
 imously, the firm friends of civil lib- 
 erty, and the persevering" promoters 
 of our glorious Revolution." (Writings 
 of George Washington, Sparks, Vol. 
 12; page 154-155. Boston). 
 
 As the position of our people is 
 usually misunderstood (especially on 
 the subjects of preaching the gospel, 
 Sunday schools, the ministry, etc.), 
 and often woefully misrepresented 
 we feel that it would not be out of 
 place to conclude this subject with 
 an article from the Western Record- 
 er, published at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 
 17, 1904. The Western Recorder is a 
 New School or "Missionary" Baptist 
 
 paper, and the following is perhaps 
 the clearest, fullest, and fairest state- 
 ment of our position by a member of 
 another religious body. The writer 
 says: 
 
 "A sister wishes me to say what the 
 difference is between the Hardshell 
 and the Missionary Baptists. In ans- 
 wering this question I shall tell what 
 some intelligent friends of mine twen- 
 ty years ago told me was their be- 
 lief. It is only just and fair to let per- 
 sons state their own opinions and not 
 to insist on taking as their beliefs 
 what their opponents say of them. (2). 
 I insist on that very ardently when 
 Pedobaptists undertake to tell Bap- 
 tist views and justice requires us to 
 treat others as we demand that we 
 shall be treated. 
 
 "These friends were much opposed 
 to Boards, but they insisted they be- 
 lieved in preaching the gospel every- 
 where. Their idea was that the Holy 
 Spirit called every preacher, and I 
 think, though I am not sure, every 
 Christian to the place in the world He 
 wished him to live. If the Spirit call- 
 ed one of the church to go to South 
 America, he ought to tell the church 
 he felt called to go and ask for their 
 prayers. If any of the other members 
 chose to aid him with their means, it 
 was well. If the Spirit did not impress 
 any others with this as a duty to let 
 him go, settle down on the field and 
 go on with the business he knew 
 best for his own support. The Spirit 
 called Paul to Corinth. Paul went, 
 made tents for a living and preached 
 as he had opportunity. Paul allowed 
 the Phillippi church to help support 
 him in his work, but he took no col- 
 lections for his own support. The col- 
 lections he took were for the poor 
 saints, not for the pay of preachers at 
 home or abroad. 
 
 3. "They were opposed to stated sal- 
 aries for pastors, but they believed the 
 laborer was worthy of his pay (4) 
 and ought to be paid. Every church 
 ought to give its pastor a good living, 
 but to pledge a definite sum was to 
 make the pastor a hireling. They 
 were wrong, of course, for hirelings 
 are not made thus. But it is unjust to 
 say 'they opposed paying preachers, 
 and in fact I never knew a Hardshell 
 preacher to suffer for the necessaries 
 of life even down to extreme old age. 
 
 "They opposed Sunday schools and 
 for three reasons. One was that the 
 result would be children would not be 
 taken to church and it would not be 
 many years before a generation would 
 grow up which would not go to church 
 because they had not been trained to 
 go from their youth. Another was 
 
360 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 that in the Sunday schools they knew 
 the teachers were mostly young girls 
 and God had not given the instruction 
 of children unto their hands. The 
 third, and this tliey emphasized, was 
 that God had laid the duty of train- 
 ing children upon the parents, and es 
 pecially upon the fathers. These 
 could not shift their responsibility up- 
 on Sunday school teachers. The result 
 would be that soon large numbers of 
 children would receive no religious 
 instruction at all at home, the hour 
 in Sunday school could not supply 
 the place and a generation would 
 grow up painfully ignorant of the 
 Bible and of its doctrines. I combat- 
 ted that view zealously twenty years 
 ago, but now I am afraid there was 
 more truth in their warnings than I 
 was willing to admit at that time. If 
 young men and maidens of his ac- 
 quaintance who went to Sunday 
 school for years 'What is regenera- 
 tion?' 'What is justification?' or sim- 
 ilar questions about the great vital 
 doctrines. 
 
 5. "It was charged that they did not 
 believe in an educated ministry. But 
 they did believe in educated minis- 
 ters, but not in educating ministers. 
 They did not think any educational 
 test should be required and believed 
 in ordaining unlearned men if it was 
 clear to the churches that they were 
 apt to teach and God had called them. 
 They thought that when the Holy 
 Spirit needed a highly educated man 
 He could call one already educated 
 as He called Paul. When he needed 
 one who was not learned in the 
 schools, He would call fishermen from 
 their nets and tax-gatherers from the 
 receipt of custom. They did not be- 
 lieve that God would call boys in 
 
 their teens into the ministry, at least 
 but very rarely, for they did not limit 
 God, nor young men under twenty- 
 five often. They reasoned that what 
 was said of bishops and elders' chil- 
 dren indicated that those called to be 
 preachers would, as a rule, be men 
 old enough to have children of some 
 age. 
 
 If God wished an uneducated man in 
 the ministry, he called one; if He 
 wished an educated man he called one 
 already educated. He would not — 
 with rare exceptions, perhaps — .call 
 boys, and then have the churches edu- 
 cate them. The men whom He had 
 elected for educated pastors by His 
 Providence and by the Holy Spirit's 
 influence on their minds He would 
 cause to seek for an education them- 
 selves and after (6) they were edu- 
 cated, He would call them. They said 
 to educate men for the ministry 
 would be to pauperize them, to make 
 them look upon the ministry as a pro- 
 fession, and, what was worse, to 
 cause ambitious young fellows desir- 
 ous of getting an education cheap, to 
 claim to be called when they were 
 not. They said God had positively for- 
 bidden churches to have novices for 
 pastors, and they saw nothing in the 
 Bible to indicate that God called men 
 to the ministry long before they were 
 to begin. I will not take time to tell 
 my answer to that. I am not under- 
 taking now to show where the Hard- 
 shells are wrong, for the sister only 
 asked me to state fairly what they 
 believed. These were the main points 
 of difference between the two denom- 
 inations, and these axe positions oc- 
 cupied by some well educated Hard- 
 shells. Doctrinally they hold to the 
 old Philadelphia Confession of Faith 
 as strongly as we do." 
 
 The Old School Address at Black Rock 
 Convention 
 
 The first great decisive stand made 
 by American Baptists against human 
 inventions and worldly institutions as 
 being necessary for the propogation of 
 the gospel and the salvation of men 
 was taken by the churches of the Kehu- 
 kee Association at Kehukee, Halifax 
 County, N. C. Monday, October 8, 1827 
 the messengers from the thirty-five 
 churches then composing the Associa- 
 tion unanimously discarding and non- 
 fellowshipping all Missionary and Bible 
 Societies and Theological Seminaries 
 and all members of Secret Societies. 
 
 The next great decisive stand made 
 by American Baptists against those 
 unscriptural innovations was taken 
 September 28th and 29th, 1832, at a 
 convention held at Black Rock, Bal- 
 timore County, Md., in accordance 
 with a call in a circular prepared and 
 published by elders and brethren at 
 the preceding session of the Balti- 
 more Association. The Old School Ad- 
 dress made by these elders and breth- 
 ren is no doubt, the wisest and most 
 moderate, most complete and satis- 
 factory statement ever made, in so 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 361 
 
 short a compass, of the distinctive 
 principles of the Primitive or Old 
 School Baptists. Below is the address 
 in full: 
 
 THE ORIGINAL OLD SCHOOL 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 Brethren: — It constitutes it a new 
 era in the history of the Baptists, 
 when those who would follow the 
 Lord fully, and who therefore mani- 
 fest a solicitude to be, in all things 
 pertaining to religion, conformed to 
 the Pattern showed in the Mount, are 
 by Baptists charged with antinomian- 
 ism, inertness, stupidity, etc., for re- 
 fusing to go beyond the word of God. 
 But such is the case with us. 
 
 Brethren, we would not shun re- 
 proach, nor seek an exemption from 
 persecution, but we would affection- 
 ately entreat those Baptists who re- 
 vile us themselves, or who side with 
 such as do, to pause, and consider 
 how far they have departed from the 
 principles of the ancient Baptists, and 
 how that in reproaching us, they stig- 
 matize the memory of those whom 
 they have been used to honor as emi- 
 nent and useful servants of Christ; 
 and of those who have borne the 
 brunt of the persecutions levelled 
 against the Baptists in former ages. 
 For it is a well known fact, that it 
 was in ages past, a uniform and dis- 
 tinguishing trait in the character of 
 the Baptists, that they required a 
 Thus saith the Lord, that is, direct 
 authority from the word of God, for 
 the order and practices, as well as the 
 doctrine they received in religion. 
 
 It is true, that many things to 
 which we object as departures from 
 the order established by the Great 
 Head of the church, through the min- 
 istry of the Apostles, are by others 
 considered to be connected with the 
 very essence of religion, and absolute- 
 ly necessary to the prosperity of 
 Christ kingdom. They attach great 
 value to them because human 
 wisdom suggests their importance. We 
 allow the Head of the church alone 
 to judge for us; we therefore esteem 
 those things to be of no use to the 
 cause of Christ which He has not 
 Himself instituted. 
 
 We will notice severally, the claims 
 of the principle of these modern in- 
 ventions, and state some of our ob- 
 jections to them, for your candid con- 
 sideration. 
 
 We commence with Tract Societies. 
 These claim to be extensively useful. 
 Tracts claim their thousands convert- 
 ed. They claim the prerogative of car- 
 rying the news of salvation into holes 
 
 and corners, where the gospel would 
 otherwise never come; ot going as on 
 tne wings of the wind, carrying salva- 
 tion in their train; and they claim 
 each to contain gospel enough, should 
 it go where the gospel has never 
 come, to lead a soul to the knowledge 
 of Christ. The nature and extent of 
 these, and the like claims, made in 
 favor of tracts by their advocates, 
 constitute a good reason why we 
 should reject them. These claims rep- 
 resent tracts as possessing in these 
 respects, a superiority over the Bible, 
 and over the intitution of the gospel 
 ministry, which is charging the great 
 I AM with a deficiency of wisdom. 
 Yea, they charge God with folly; for 
 why has He given us the extensive 
 revelation contained in the Bible, and 
 given the Holy Spirit to take of the 
 things of Christ and shew them to us, 
 if a little tract of four pages can lead 
 a soul to the knowledge of Christ? 
 But let us consider the more rational 
 claims presented by others, in favor 
 of tracts; as they constitute a con- 
 venient way of disseminating religious 
 instruction among the more indigent 
 and thoughtless classes of society. 
 Admitting the propriety of this claim, 
 could it be kept separated from the 
 other pretensions, still can we sub- 
 mit to the distribution of tracts be- 
 coming an order of our churches, or 
 our Associations, without countenanc- 
 ing the prevalent idea that tracts have 
 become an instituted means approved 
 of God, for the conversion of sinners; 
 and hence that the distribution of 
 them, is a religious act, and on a 
 footing with supporting the gospel 
 ministry? 
 
 If we were to admit that tracts may 
 have occasionally been made instru- 
 mental by the Holy Ghost for impart- 
 ing instruction and comfort to inquir- 
 ing minds, it would by no means imply 
 that tracts are an instituted means 
 of salvation, to speak after the man- 
 ner of the popular religionists, or that 
 they should be placed on a foot- 
 ing with the Bible, and the preach- 
 ed gospel, in respect to imparting the 
 knowledge of salvation. 
 
 Again, we readily admit the pro- 
 priety of an individual's publishing 
 and distributing, or of several individ- 
 uals uniting to publish and distribute 
 what they wish circulated, whether in 
 the form of tracts or otherwise; but 
 still we cannot admit the propriety of 
 uniting with, or upon the plans of the 
 existing Tract Societies, even laying 
 aside the idea of their being attempt- 
 ed to be palmed upon us as religious 
 institutions; because that upon the 
 plan of these societies, those who 
 
362 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 unite with them pay their money for 
 publishing and distributing, they 
 know not what, under the name of 
 religious truth; and what is worse, 
 they submit to have sent into their 
 families, weekly or monthly, and to 
 circulate among their neighbors, any- 
 thing and everything for religious 
 reading, which the agent or publish- 
 ing committee may see fit to publish. 
 ■ — They thus become accustomed to 
 receive everything as good, which 
 comes under the name of religion, 
 whether it be according to the word 
 of God or not; and are trained to the 
 habit of letting others judge for them 
 in matters of religion, and are there- 
 fore fast preparing to become the 
 dupes of priestcraft. Can any con- 
 scientious follower of the Lamb sub- 
 mit to such plans? If others can, we 
 cannot. 
 
 Sunday Schools come next under 
 consideration. These assume the same 
 hig"h stand as do Tract Societies. They 
 claim the honor of converting their 
 tens of thousands; of leading the ten- 
 der minds of children to the knowl- 
 edge of Jesus; of being as properly 
 the instituted means of bringing chil- 
 dren to the knowledge of salvation, 
 as is the preaching of the gospel, that 
 of bringing adults to the same knowl- 
 edge, etc. Such arrogant pretentions 
 we reel bound to oppose. First, be- 
 cause these as well as the pretentions 
 of the Tract Society are grounded up- 
 on the notion that conversion or re- 
 generation is produced by impressions 
 made upon the natural mind, by 
 means of religious sentiments instill- 
 ed into it; and if the Holy Ghost is 
 allowed to be at all concerned in the 
 thing, it is in a way which implies 
 His being somehow blended with the 
 instruction, or necessarily attendent- 
 upon it; all of which we know 
 to be wrong. 
 
 Secondly: Because such schools 
 never were established by the Apos- 
 tles, nor commanded by Christ. There 
 were children in the days of the Apos- 
 tles. The Apostles possessed as great 
 a desire for the salvation of souls, as 
 much love to the cause of Christ, and 
 knew as well what God would own for 
 bringing persons to the knowledge ol 
 salvation, as any do at this day. "We 
 therefore must believe that if these 
 schools were of God, we should find 
 some account of them in the New 
 Testament. 
 
 Thirdly: We have exemplified, in 
 the case of the Pharisees, the evil 
 consequences of instructing children, 
 in the letter of the Scripture, under 
 the notion that this institution con- 
 stitutes a saving acquaintance with 
 
 the word of God. We see in that in- 
 stance it only made hypocrites of the 
 Jews; and as the Scriptures declare 
 that Christ's words are spirit and life, 
 and that the natural man receives not 
 the things of the Spirit of God, we can 
 not believe it will have any better ef- 
 fect on the children of our day. 
 
 The Scriptures enjoin upon parents 
 to bring up their children in the nur- 
 ture and admonition of the Lord, but 
 this, instead of countenancing, for- 
 bids the idea of parents entrusting 
 the religious education of their chil- 
 dren to giddy, unregenerated young 
 persons, who know no better than to 
 build them up in the belief that they 
 are learning the religion of Christ, 
 and to confirm them in their natural 
 notions of their own goodness. 
 
 But while we thus stand opposed 
 to the plan and use of these Sunday 
 Schools and to the Sunday School 
 Union, in every point, we wish it to 
 be distinctly understood ,that we con- 
 sider Sunday Schools, for the purpose 
 of teaching poor children to read, 
 whereby they may be enabled to read 
 the Scriptures for themselves, in 
 neighborhoods where there is an oc- 
 casion for them, and when properly 
 conducted without that ostentation 
 so commonly connected with them, to 
 be useful, and benevolent institutions 
 worthy of the patronage of all friends 
 of civil liberty. 
 
 We pass to the consideration of the 
 Bible Society. We are aware, breth- 
 ren, that this institution presents it- 
 self to the mind of the Christian as 
 supported by the most plausible pre- 
 text. The idea of giving the Bible 
 without note or comment, to those 
 who are unable to procure it for 
 themselves, is, in itself considered, 
 calculated to meet the approbation 
 of all who know the importance of 
 the sacred Scriptures. But under this 
 auspicious guise, we see reared in 
 the case of the American Bible Socie- 
 ty, an institution as foreign from any 
 thing which the gospel of Christ ^alls 
 for, as are the kingdoms of this world 
 from the kingdom of Christ. We see 
 a combination formed, in which are 
 united the man of the world, the 
 vaunting professor, and the humble 
 follower of Jesus; the leading char- 
 acters in politics, the dignitaries in 
 church, and from them some of every 
 grade, down to the poor servant girl, 
 wbo can snatch from her hard earned 
 wages, fifty cents a year for the priv- 
 ilege of being a member. We see 
 united in this combination, all parties 
 in politics, and all sects in religion; 
 and the distinctive difference of the 
 one, and the sectarian barriers of the 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 3t>3 
 
 other, in part thrown aside to form 
 the union. At the head of this vast 
 body we see placed a few leading 
 cha.acters, who have in their hands 
 the management of its enormous 
 printing establishment, and its im- 
 mense funds; and the control of its 
 powerful influence by means of 
 agents and auxiliaries to every part 
 of the United States. We behold its 
 anniversary meetings converted into 
 a great religious parade, and forming 
 a theatre for the orator who is am- 
 bitious for preferment, either in the 
 pulpit, in the legislative hall, or at 
 the bar, to display his eloquence, and 
 elicit the cheers of the grave assemb- 
 lage. Now, brethren, to justify our 
 opposition to the Bible Society, it is 
 not necessary for us to say tnat any 
 of its members have manifested a 
 disposition to employ its power for 
 the subversion of our liberties. It is 
 enough for us to say, 
 
 First, That such a monstrous com- 
 bination, concentrating so much 
 power in the hands of a few individ- 
 uals, could never be necessary for 
 supplying the destitute with Bibles. 
 Individual printing establishments 
 would readily be extended so as to 
 supply Bibles to any amount, and in 
 any language that might be called for, 
 and at as cheap a rate, as they have 
 ever been sold by the Bible Society. 
 
 Secondly, That the humble follow- 
 ers of Jesus could accomplish their 
 benevolent wishes, for supplying the 
 needy with Bibles, with more effect 
 and more to their satisfaction, by 
 managing the purchase and distribu- 
 tion of them for themselves. And such 
 will never seek popular applause by 
 having their liberality trumped 
 abroad through the medium of the 
 Bible Society. 
 
 Thirdly, That the Bible Society, 
 whether we consider it in its money- 
 ed foundation for membership, and 
 directorship, its hoarding up of funds, 
 in its blending together all distinc- 
 tions between the church and the 
 world, or in its concentration of pow- 
 er in an institution never contemplat- 
 ed by the Lord Jesus as connected 
 with His kingdom; therefore not a 
 command concerning it is given in 
 the decree published, nor a sketch of 
 it drawn in the pattern shewed 
 
 Fourthly, That its vast combination 
 of worldly power and influence lodg- 
 ed in the hands of a few, renders it a 
 dangerous engine against the liber- 
 ties, both civil and religious, of our 
 country, should it come under the 
 control of those disposed so to em- 
 ploy it. The above remarks apply 
 with equal force to the other great 
 
 national institutions, as the Ameri- 
 can Tract Society, Sunday School 
 Union, etc etc. 
 
 We will now call your attention to 
 the subject of missions. Previously to 
 stating our objections to the mission 
 plans, we will meet some of the false 
 charges brought against us relative 
 to this subject, by a simple and une- 
 quivocal declaration, that we do re- 
 gard as of the first importance, the 
 command given of Christ, primarily 
 to His Apostles, and through them to 
 the ministers of every age, to "Go 
 into all the world and preach the 
 gospel to every creature," and do feel 
 an earnest desire to be found acting 
 in obedience thereunto, as the provi- 
 dence of God dictates our way, and 
 opens a door of utterance for us. We 
 also believe it to be the duty of in- 
 dividuals and churches, to contribute 
 acocrding to their abilities, for the 
 support, not only of their pastors, 
 but also of those who go preaching 
 the gospel among the destitute; but 
 we at the same time contend, that 
 we have no right to depart from the 
 order which the Master Himself has 
 seen fit to lay down, relative to the 
 ministration of the word. We there- 
 fore cannot fellowship the plans for 
 spreading the gospel, generally adopt- 
 ed at this day under the name of 
 Missions, because we consider these 
 plans throughout, a subversion of the 
 order marked out in the New Tes- 
 tament. 
 
 1st. In reference to the medium by 
 which the gospel minister is to be 
 sent forth to labor in the field. — 
 Agreeably to the prophecy going be- 
 fore, that "out of Zion shall go forth 
 the law, and the word of the Lord 
 from Jerusalem," the Lord has man- 
 ifestly established the order, that the 
 ministers should be sent forth by the 
 churches; but the mission plan is to 
 send them out by a mission society. 
 The gospel society or church, is com- 
 posed of baptized believers; the poor 
 are placed on an equal footing with 
 the rich, and money is of no consid- 
 eration, with regard to membership 
 or church privileges. Not so with mis- 
 sion societies: They are so organized 
 that the unregenerate, the enemies 
 of the cross of Christ, have equal 
 privileges as to membership, etc.. 
 with the people of God, and money 
 is the principal consideration; a cer- 
 tain sum entitles to membership, a 
 larger sum to life membership, a 
 still larger to directorship, etc., so 
 that their constitutions, contrary to 
 the direction of James, are partial, 
 saying to the rich man, Sit thou here, 
 and to the poor, Stand thou there. 
 
364 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL, INFORMATION 
 
 In Christ's kingdom, all His subjects 
 are sons, and have equal rights, and 
 an equal voice, as well in calling per- 
 sons into the ministry as other 
 things. — But the mission administra- 
 tion is all lodged in the hands of a 
 few, who are distinguished from the 
 rest by great swelling titles, as Pres- 
 idents, Vice Presidents, etc. Again, 
 each gospel church acts as the inde- 
 pendent kingdom of Christ in calling 
 and sending forth its members into 
 the ministry. Very different from 
 this is the mission order. — The mis- 
 sion community being so arranged 
 that from the little Mite Society, on 
 to the State Conventions, and from 
 them on to the Triennial Convention 
 and General Board, there is formed 
 a general amalgamation, and a con- 
 centration of power in the hands of 
 a dozen dignitaries, who with some 
 exceptions have the control of all the 
 funds designed for supporting minis- 
 ters among the destitute, at home and 
 abroad, and the sovereign authority 
 to designate who from among the 
 professed ministers of Christ, shall 
 be supported from these funds, and 
 also to assign them the field of their 
 labors; yea, the authority to appoint 
 females, and schoolmasters, and 
 printers, and farmers, as such, to be 
 solemnly set apart by prayer and the 
 imposition of hands, as missionaries 
 of the cross, and to be supported from 
 these funds. 
 
 2nd. In reference to ministerial sup- 
 port. — The gospel order is to extend 
 support to them that preach the gos- 
 pel. But the mission plan is to hire 
 persons to preach. The gospel order 
 is not to prefer one before another, 
 and to do nothing by partiality. See 
 1 Tim. v. 17-21. But the mission 
 boards exclude all from a participa- 
 tion in the benefits of their funds, 
 who do not come under their direc- 
 tion and own their authority, how- 
 ever regularly they might have been 
 set apart according to gospel order 
 to the work of the ministry, and how- 
 ever zealously they may be laboring 
 to preach the gospel among the des- 
 titute. And what is more, these 
 boards, by their auxiliaries and 
 agents, to scour every hole and cor^ 
 ner, to scrape up money for their 
 funds, that the people think they 
 have nothing left to give a preacher 
 who may come among them alone up- 
 on the authority of Christ, and the 
 fellowship of the church. 
 
 Formerly not only did preachers 
 generally feel themselves bound to 
 devote a part of their time to travel- 
 ling and preaching among the desti- 
 tute but the people also, among 
 
 whom they came dispensing the word 
 of life, felt themselves bound to con- 
 tribute something to meet their ex- 
 penses. These were the days when 
 Christian affection flowed freely. 
 Then the hearts of the preachers 
 flowed out towards the people, and 
 the affections of the people were 
 manifested towards the preachers 
 who visited them. There was then 
 more preaching of the gospel among 
 the people at large, according to the 
 number of Baptists, than has ever 
 been since the rage of missions com- 
 menced. How different are things now 
 from what they were in those by-gone 
 days! Now, generally speaking, per- 
 sons who are novices in the gospel, 
 however learned they may profess to 
 be in the sciences, have taken the 
 field in the place of those, who hav- 
 ing been taught in the school of 
 Christ, were capacitated to adminis- 
 ter consolation to God's afflicted peo- 
 ple. The missionary, instead of go- 
 ing into such neighborhoods as 
 Christ's ministers used to visit, 
 where they would be most likely to 
 have an opportunity of administering 
 food to the poor of the flock, seeks 
 the most populous villages and towns, 
 where he can attract the most atten- 
 tion, and do the most to promote the 
 cause of missions and other popular 
 institutions. His leading motive, judg- 
 ing from his movements, is not love 
 to souls, but love of fame; hence his 
 anxiety to have something to publish 
 of what he has done; and hence his 
 anxiety to constitute churches, even 
 taking disaffected, disorderly, and, as 
 has been the case, excluded persons, 
 to form a church, in the absence of 
 better materials; and the people, in- 
 stead of glowing with affection for 
 the preacher, as such, feel burdened 
 with the whole system of mendican- 
 cy, but have not resolution to shake 
 off their oppression, because it is 
 represented so deistical to withhold, 
 and so popular to give. 
 
 Brethren, we cheerfully acknowl- 
 edge that there have been some hon- 
 orable exceptions to the cnaracter we 
 have here drawn of the modern mis- 
 sionary, and some societies have ex- 
 isted under the name of mission so- 
 cieties, which were in some import- 
 ant points exceptions from the above 
 drawn sketch. But on a general scale, 
 we believe we have given a correct 
 view of the mission plans and opera- 
 tions, and of the effects which have 
 resulted from them, and our hearts 
 really sicken at the state of things. 
 How can we therefore forbear to ex- 
 press our disapprobation of the sys- 
 tem that has produced it? 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 365 
 
 Colleges and Theological Schools, 
 
 next claim our attention. In speaking 
 of colleges, we wish to be distinctly 
 understood, that it is not to colleges, 
 or collegial education, as such, that 
 we have any objection. We would 
 cheerfully afford our children such an 
 education, did circumstances warrant 
 the measure. But we object, in the 
 first place, to sectarian colleges, as 
 such. The idea of a Baptist college 
 and of a Presbyterian college, etc., 
 necessarily implies that our distinct 
 views of church government, of gos- 
 pel doctrine, and gospel ordinances, 
 are connected with human ordinances, 
 a principle which we cannot admit; 
 for we believe the kingdom of Christ 
 to be altogether a kingdom not of 
 this world. In the second place, we 
 object to the notion of attaching pro- 
 fessorships of divinity to colleges; 
 because this evidently implies that 
 the revelation which God has made 
 of himself is a human science, on c. 
 footing with mathematics, philosophy, 
 law, etc., which is contrary to the 
 gospel tenor of revelation, and in- 
 deed from the very idea itself of a 
 revelation. — We perhaps need not 
 add, that we have, for the same rea- 
 sons, strong objections to colleges 
 conferring the degress of Doctor of 
 Divinity, and to preachers receiving 
 it. Thirdly, we decidedly object to 
 persons, after professing to have been 
 called to the Lord to preach His gos- 
 pel, going to a college or academy to 
 fit themselves for that service. 1st 
 Because we believe that Christ pos- 
 sessed perfect knowledge of His own 
 purposes, and of the proper instru- 
 ments by which to accomplish them. 
 If He had occasion for a, man of 
 science, He, having power over all 
 flesh, will so order it that the indi- 
 vidual shall obtain the requisite learn- 
 ing before He calls him to His ser- 
 vice, as was the case with Saul of 
 Tarsus, and others since; and thus 
 avoid subjecting Himself to the im- 
 putation of weakness. For should 
 Christ call a person to labor in the 
 gospel field, who was unqualified for 
 the work assigned him, it would 
 manifest Him to be deficient in 
 knowledge, relative to the proper in- 
 struments to employ, or defective in 
 power to provide them. 2. Because we 
 believe that the Lord calls no man 
 to preach His gospel, till He has 
 made him experimentally acquainted 
 with that gospel, and endowed him 
 with the proper measure of gifts suit- 
 ing the gifts He designs him to oc- 
 cupy; and the person giving himself 
 up in obedience to the voice of Christ, 
 will find himself learning in Christ's 
 
 own school. But when a person pro- 
 fessedly called of Christ to the gos- 
 pel ministry, concludes that, in order 
 to be useful, he must first go and 
 obtain an academical education, he 
 must judge that human science is of 
 more importance in the ministry 
 than that knowledge or those gifts 
 which God imparts to His servants. — 
 To act consistently then with his own 
 principles, he will place his chief 
 dependence for usefulness on his 
 scientific knowledge, and aim mostly 
 to display this in his preaching. This 
 person, therefore, will pursue a very 
 different course in his preaching than 
 that marked out by the great Apostle 
 to the Gentiles, who determined to 
 know nothing among the people, save 
 Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 
 
 As to Theological schools, we shall 
 at present content ourselves with 
 saying that they are a reflection upon 
 the faithfulness of the Holy Ghost, 
 who is engaged, according to the 
 promise of the Great Head of the 
 church, to lead the disciples into all 
 truth. (See John xvi. 13.) Also that 
 in every age, from the school at Alex- 
 andria down to this day they have 
 been a real pest to the church of 
 Christ. Of this we could produce 
 abundant proof, did the limits of our 
 address admit their insertion. 
 
 Now T&e pass to the last item 
 which we think it necessary particu- 
 larly to notice, viz.: Four days, or 
 protracted meetings. Before stating 
 our objections to these, however, we 
 would observe that we consider the 
 example worthy to be imitated wnicn 
 the Apostles set, of embracing every 
 opportunity, consistent with proprie- 
 ty, for preaching the gospel wnerever 
 they meet with an assembly, whether 
 in a Jewish synagogue on the seventh 
 day, or in a Christian assembly on 
 the first day of the week. And the 
 exhortation to be instant in season 
 and out of season we would gladly 
 accept. Therefore, whenever circum- 
 stances call a congregation together 
 from day to day, as at an Association 
 or the like, we would embrace the op- 
 portunity of preaching the gospel to 
 them from time to time, so often as 
 they shall come together. But to the 
 principles and plans of protracted 
 meetings (distinguishingly so-called), 
 we do decidedly object. The principle 
 of these meetings we can not fellow- 
 ship. Regeneration, we believe, is ex- 
 clusively the work of the Holy Ghost, 
 performed by His divine power, at 
 His own sovereign pleasure, accord- 
 ing to the provisions of the everlast- 
 ing covenant. But these meetings are 
 got up either for the purpose of in- 
 
366 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 ducing the Holy Spirit to regenerate 
 multitudes, who would otherwise not 
 be converted, or to convert them 
 themselves by the machinery of these 
 meetings, or rather to bring them in- 
 to their churches by means of excit- 
 ing their animal feelings, without any 
 regard to their being born again. 
 Whichever of these may be consider- 
 ed the true ground upon which these 
 meetings are founded, we are at a 
 loss to know how any person, who 
 has known what it is to be born again 
 can countenance them. 
 
 The plans of these meetings are 
 equally as objectionable. For, in the 
 first place, all doctrinal preaching, or 
 in other words, all illustrations of 
 God*s plan of salvation is excluded 
 professedly from these meetings. 
 Hence they would make believers ot 
 their converts without presenting any 
 fixed truths to their minds to be- 
 lieve. Whereas God has chosen His 
 people to salvation, through sancitifi- 
 cation of the Spirit, and belief of the 
 truth. 2 Thess. ii. 13. 
 
 Secondly, The leaders of these 
 meetings fix standards by which to 
 decide of persons' repentance and de- 
 sire of salvation, which the word of 
 God nowhere warrants; such as ris- 
 ing off their seats, coming to anxious 
 seats, or going to a certain place, etc. 
 Whereas the New Testament has giv- 
 en us a standard from which we 
 have no right to depart, viz., that of 
 bringing forth fruits meet for re- 
 pentance. 
 
 Thirdly, They lead the people to 
 depend on mediators other than the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, to obtain peace for 
 them, by offering themselves as inter- 
 cessors, whereas the Scriptures ac- 
 knowledge but the one God and one 
 Mediator. 
 
 Some may be ready to enquire 
 whether protracted meetings, as such, 
 may not with propriety be held, pro- 
 vided they be held without excluding 
 doctrinal preaching or introducing 
 any of these new plans. However 
 others may judge and act, we cannot 
 approve of such meetings for the fol- 
 lowing reasons: 
 
 1st. Because by appointing and 
 holding a protracted meeting, as 
 such, although we may not carry it to 
 the same excess to which others do, 
 yet as most people will make no dis- 
 tinction between it and those meet- 
 ings, where all the borrowed machin- 
 ery from Methodist camp meetings is 
 introduced, we shall generally be 
 considered as countenancing those 
 meetings. 
 
 2nd. Because the motives we could 
 
 have for conforming to the custom of 
 holding these newly invented meet- 
 ings, are such as we think can not 
 bear the test. For we must be in- 
 duced thus to conform to the reign- 
 ing custom, either in order to shun 
 the reproach generally attached to 
 those who will not conform to what 
 is popular, or to try the experiment 
 whether our holding a four days' 
 meeting will not induce the Holy 
 Ghost to produce a revival among us, 
 commensurate with the strange fire 
 kindled by others; or else we must 
 be led to this plan, from having im- 
 bibed the notion that the Holy Ghost 
 is, somehow, so the creature of hu- 
 man feelings, that He is led to re- 
 generate persons, by our getting their 
 animal feelings excited; and there- 
 fore, that in the same proportion, as 
 we can by any measure, get the feel- 
 ings of the people aroused, there will 
 be a revival of religion. This latter 
 motive can scarcely be supposed to 
 have place with any who would not 
 go the whole length of every popular 
 measure. But first. We do not believe 
 it becoming a follower of Jesus, to 
 seek an exemption from reproach by 
 conforming to the schemes of men. 
 2nd. We believe the Holy Ghost to 
 be too " sacred a Being to be trifled 
 with, by trying experiments upon 
 Him. And, 3rd. We believe the Holy 
 Ghost to be God. We would as soon 
 expect that the Father would be in- 
 duced to predestinate persons to the 
 adoption of children, by their feel- 
 ings being excited, and the Son be 
 induced to redeem them, as that the 
 Holy Ghost would be thus induced to 
 quicken them. These Three are One. 
 The purposes of the Father, the re- 
 demption of the Son, and the regen- 
 erating power of the Holy Ghost, 
 must run in perfect accordance, and 
 commensurate, one with the other. 
 
 Brethren, we have thus laid before 
 you some of our objections to the 
 popular schemes in religion, and the 
 reasons why we cannot fellowship 
 them. Ponder these things well. 
 Weigh them in the balances of the 
 sanctuary; and then say whether 
 they are not such as justify us in 
 standing aloof from those plans of 
 men. and those would-be religious so- 
 cieties, which are bound together, not 
 by the fellowship of the gospel, but 
 by certain moneyed stipulations. If 
 you can not withdraw yourselves 
 from those things which the word of 
 God does not warrant, still allow us 
 the privilege to obey God rather than 
 man. 
 
 There is, brethren, one radical dif- 
 ference between us and those who 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 367 
 
 advocate these various institutions 
 which we have noticed, to which we 
 wish to call your attention. It is this: 
 They declare the gospel to be a sys- 
 tem of means; these means it ap- 
 pears they believe to be of Human 
 contrivance, and they act according- 
 ly. But we believe the gospel dispen- 
 sation to embrace a system of faith 
 and obedience, and we would act ac- 
 cording to our belief. Wle believe, for 
 instance, that the seasons of declen- 
 sion, of darkness, of persecution, etc., 
 to which the church of Christ is at 
 times subject, are designed by the 
 wise Dispenser of all events — not for 
 calling forth the inventive geniuses 
 of men to remove the difficulties, but 
 for trying the faith of 'God's people 
 in His wisdom, power and faithful- 
 ness to sustain His church. On Him, 
 therefore, would we repose our trust, 
 and wait for his hour of deliver- 
 ance, rather than rely upon an arm of 
 flesh. Are we called to the ministry, 
 although we may feel our own insuf- 
 ficiency for the work, as sensibly as 
 do others, yet we would go forward 
 in the path of duty marked out, be- 
 lieving that God is able to accomplish 
 His purposes by such instruments as 
 He chooses; that He "hath chosen 
 the foolish things of the world to con- 
 found the wise, and the weak things 
 of the world to confound the mighty; 
 and base things, etc., hath God chos- 
 en, that no flesh should glory in His 
 presence." Though we may not enjoy 
 the satisfaction of seeing multitudes 
 flocking to Jesus under our ministry, 
 yet instead of going in to Hagar, to 
 accomplish the promises of God, or 
 of resorting to any of the contriv- 
 ances of men to make up the defi- 
 ciency, we would still be content to 
 preach the word, and would be in- 
 stant in season and out of season; 
 knowing it has pleased God, not by 
 the wisdom of men, but by the fool- 
 ishness of preaching to save them 
 that believe. — And that His word will 
 not return unto Him void, but it shall 
 accomplish that which He pleases, 
 and prosper in the thing whereunto 
 He sent it. Faith in God, instead Q$ 
 leading us to contrive ways to ac- 
 complish His purposes, leads us to in- 
 quire what He hath required at our 
 hands, and to be satisfied with doing 
 that as we find it pointed out in His 
 word; for we know that His pur- 
 pose shall stand, and He will do ail 
 His pleasure. Jesus says, Ye believe 
 in God, believe also in Me. We be- 
 lieve in the power of God to accom- 
 plish His purposes, however con- 
 trary things may appear to work to 
 your expectations. So believe in My 
 
 power to accomplish the great work 
 of 1 saving My people. In a word, as 
 the dispensation ot God by the nand 
 of Moses, in bringing Israel out of 
 Egypt and leading them through the 
 wilderness, was from first to last cal- 
 culated to try Israel's faith in God — 
 so is the dispensation ot Goo by His 
 Son, in bringing His spiritual Israel 
 to be a people to Himself. 
 
 There being, then, this radical dif- 
 ference between us and the patrons 
 of these modern institutions, the 
 question which has long since been 
 put forth, presents itself afresh for 
 our consideration, in all its force, 
 "Can two walk together except they 
 be agreed?" We believe that many 
 who love our Lord Jesus Christ, are 
 engaged in promoting those institu- 
 tions which they acknowledge to be 
 of modern origin; and they are pro- 
 moting them too as religious institu- 
 tions; whereas, if they would reflect 
 a little on the origin and nature of 
 the Christian religion, they must be, 
 liive us, convinced that this religion 
 must remain unchangeably the same 
 at this day as we find it delivered in 
 the New Testament. Hence that any 
 thing, however highly it may be es- 
 teemed among men, which is not 
 found in the New Testament, has no 
 just claim to be acknowledged as be- 
 longing to the religion or religious 
 institutions of Christ. 
 
 With all who love our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, in truth, and walk according 
 to Apostolic traditions, and gospel 
 order, we would gladly meet in 
 church relation, and unite in the wor- 
 ship and service of God, as He Him- 
 self has ordered them. But if they 
 will persist in bringing those institu- 
 tions for which they can show us no 
 example in the New Testament, into 
 the churches or Associations, and :n 
 making them the order thereof, we 
 shall for conscience' sake, be com- 
 pelled to withdraw from the disorder- 
 ly walk of such church, Association, 
 or individuals, that we may not suffer 
 our names to pass as sanctioning 
 those things for which we have no 
 fellowship. And if persons who would 
 pass for preachers, will come to us. 
 bringing the messages of men, etc., 
 a gospel which they have learned in 
 the schools instead of that gospel 
 which Christ Himself commits unto 
 His servants, and which is not learn- 
 ed of men; they must not be sur- 
 prised that we cannot acknowledge 
 them as ministers of Christ. 
 
 Now, brethren, addressing our- 
 selves to you who profess to be, in 
 principle, Particular Baptists, of the 
 "Old School," but who are practicing 
 
368 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 such things as you have learned only 
 from a New School, it is for you to 
 say, not us, whether we can longer 
 walk in union with you. We regret, 
 and so do you, to see brethren pro- 
 fessing the same faith, severing 
 apart. But if you will compel us either 
 to sanction the traditions and inven- 
 tions of men, as of religious obligation, 
 or to separate from you the sin lieth at 
 your door. If you meet us in churches 
 to attend only to the order of Christ's 
 house as laid down by Himself, and 
 in Associations upon the ancient prin- 
 ciples of Baptist Associations, i. e., 
 as an Association of churches for 
 keeping up a brotherly correspond- 
 ence one with the other, that they 
 may strengthen each other in the 
 good ways of the Lord, instead of 
 turning the Association into a kind of 
 legislative body, formed for the pur- 
 pose of contriving plans to help along 
 the work of Christ, and for imposing 
 those contrivances as burdens upon 
 the churches, by resolutions, etc., as 
 is the manner of some, we can still 
 go on with you in peace and fellow- 
 ship. 
 
 Thus, brethren, our appeal is be- 
 fore you. Treat it with contempt if 
 you can despise the cause for which 
 we contend, i. e., conformity to the 
 word of God. But indulge us, we be- 
 seech you, so far at least, as at our 
 request to sit down and carefully 
 count the cost on both sides, and see 
 whether this shunning reproach by 
 conforming to men's notions, will not 
 in the end be a much more expensive 
 course, than to meet reproach at 
 once, by honoring Jesus as your only 
 King, choosing rather to suffer afflic- 
 tion with the people of God, than to 
 enjoy the pleasures of sin for a sea- 
 son. And rebellion, you know, is as 
 the sin of witchcraft. 
 
 'May the Lord lead you to judge 
 and act upon this subject as you will 
 wish you had done, when you come to 
 see the whole mass of human inven- 
 tions in connection with the Man of 
 Sin, driven away like the chaff of the 
 summer threshing floor, and that 
 stone which was cut out without 
 hands alone filling the earth. We sub- 
 scribe ourselves your servants for 
 Jesus' sake. 
 
 World's Population— Religious and 
 Otherwise 
 
 The population of the world in 1885 
 was supposed to be 1,500,000,000, and 
 the numbers of those professing the 
 different religions are reckoned as 
 follows: 
 
 Christians ,. . 410,000,000 
 
 Jews 7,000,000 
 
 Mohammedans 200,000.000 
 
 Brahminists 175,000,000 
 
 Buddhists 340,000,000 
 
 Taoists 60,000,000 
 
 Confucionists 80,000,000 
 
 Shintoists 14.000.000 
 
 Other Pagans 214,000,000 
 
 1,500,000,000 
 The 410,000,000 nominal Christian 
 population, is divided as follows: 
 
 Roman Catholics 200.000,000 
 
 Greek Catholics 90.000,000 
 
 Protestant 120,000,000 
 
 410,000,000 
 And the 120.000,000 Protestants are 
 subdivided as follows: 
 
 Lutherans i 43.000,000 
 
 Episcopalians 20,000.000 
 
 Presbyterians 10.000.000 
 
 Congregationalist 4,000.000 
 
 Baptist (including Disciples) 16,000,000 
 
 Methodist 20,000,000 
 
 Other minor sects 5,000,000 
 
 120,000,000 
 
 Of this 120,000.000 Protestants of 
 the world about 20,200,000 reside in 
 the United States of America and 
 were, according to the United States 
 Government census report in 1890, 
 divided as follows: 
 
 Adventists (6 bodies) 60,491 
 
 *Baptists (13 bodies) 3,712,468 
 
 Brethren, River (3 bodies) . . . 3,427 
 Brethren, Plymouth (4 bodies) 6 661 
 
 Catholics (7 bodies) 6,257,871 
 
 Catholic Apostolic 1,394 
 
 Chinese temples, 47. 
 
 Christadelphians 1,277 
 
 Christians (2 bodies) 103,722 
 
 Christian Missionary Ass'n . . 754 
 
 Christian Scientists 8,724 
 
 Christian Union 18,214 
 
 Church of God (Winebrenner- 
 
 ian) 22,511 
 
 Church Triumphant (Schwe- 
 
 infurth) 384 
 
 Church of New Jerusalem... 7,095 
 Communistic Societies (S 
 
 bodies) 4,049 
 
 Congregationalists 512,771 
 
 Disciples of Christ 641,051 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 369 
 
 Dunkards (4 bodies) 73,795 
 
 Evangelical Association .... 133,313 
 
 Friends (4 bodies) 107,208 
 
 Friends of the Temple 340 
 
 German Evangelical Protest- 
 ants 36,156 
 
 German Evangelical Synod.. 187,432 
 Jewish Congregations (2 
 
 bodies) 130,496 
 
 Latter-day Saints (Mormons), 
 
 (2 bodies) 166,125 
 
 Lutherans and independent 
 
 congregations (16 bodies) .1,231,072 
 
 Mennonites (12 bodies) 41,541 
 
 Methodists 17 bodies) 4,589,284 
 
 Moravians 11,781 
 
 Presbyterians (12 bodies) .. .1,278,332 
 
 Protestant Episcopal (2 
 
 bodies) 540,509 
 
 Reformed (3 bodies) 309,458 
 
 Salvation Army 8,742 
 
 Schwenkfeldians 306 
 
 Social Brethren 913 
 
 Society Ethical Culture 1,064 
 
 Spiritualists 45,030 
 
 Theosophical Society 695 
 
 United Brethren (2 bodies) . 225,281 
 
 Unitarians 67,749 
 
 Universalists 49,194 
 
 Independent Congregations.. 14,126 
 
 Total number 20,212,805 
 
 *For statistics of Primitive or Old 
 School Baptists per states, see arti- 
 cle "Our Funeral — Some Facts and 
 Statistics" in this work. 
 
 Some Old Churches 
 
 The Welsh Tract Church, whose 
 meeting house is two miles from 
 Newark, in New Castle County, Del., 
 is the oldest Old School Baptist Church 
 in the United States, and the only 
 American Baptist Church that was 
 regularly organized in Europe before 
 emigrating to this country. It was 
 constituted in the spring of 1701, by 
 sixteen Baptists in the counties of I 
 Pembroke and Caermarthen, in South 
 Wales, with Thos. Griffith, one of I 
 their number, as their pastor. They 
 landed at Philadelphia September 8, 
 1701. The house of worship they built 
 stood until 1746, and was then suc- 
 ceeded by the present substantial 
 stone house of worship. 
 
 The second oldest Old School Baptist 
 Church, is Hopewell, in a village 
 of the same name, in Mercer 
 County, N. J. This church was or- 
 ganized in 1715 and through all the 
 succeeding years has stood firm on 
 the fundamental principles of doc- 
 trine and practice of the apostolic 
 church. Elder John Gano, who was 
 a chaplain in Washington's army 
 during the revolutionary struggle, and 
 who, it is claimed by some — (though 
 without any substantial proof), — bap- 
 tized Washington in the Potomac 
 river during the war, was a member 
 of this church. Elder F. A. Chick is 
 the present pastor. 
 
 The third oldest church of the 
 Primitive or Old School order is 
 
 Kehukee, located in Halifax County, 
 N. C, which is considered the mother 
 of the Kehukee Association, and 
 was constituted in 1742. Elder A. J. 
 Moore is present pastor. 
 
 Mill Creek Church in Page County, 
 Va., was, according to Simple's His- 
 tory, organized in 1743, and has ever 
 remained true to the doctrine of 
 grace and the practice of the apostol- 
 ic church in opposition to modern 
 missions, Sunday schools, etc. Elder 
 T. S. Dalton, is at present, pastor 
 with a membership of eighty-five. 
 
 Southampton Church, in Bucks 
 County, Pa., was constituted in 1746 
 and is perhaps the fifth oldest church 
 of apostolic faith and order and is 
 now served by Elder Silas H. Durand. 
 
 Among other old churches in Vir- 
 ginia should be mentioned Thumb 
 Run (1772, Elder T. S. Dalton, pres- 
 ent pastor) ; Happy Creek (1783, Eld- 
 er T. S. Dalton, present pastor), 
 Water Lick (1787, Elder A. J. Gar- 
 land, present pastor) ; North Fork, 
 (1787, Elder J. A. Norton, present 
 pastor) ; Goose Creek (1775, Elder A. 
 J. Garland, present pastor) and Chap- 
 pawamsick (1767, Elder J. T. Alexan- 
 der, present pastor). 
 
370 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 Baptist Associations 
 
 These are annual meetings for the 
 worship of God — for singing, prayer, 
 preaching, and to hear from sister 
 churches of the same faith and or- 
 der how they are getting along. We 
 think there is scriptural authority for 
 a meeting of this kind. It is neces- 
 sary that the gospel be preached and 
 this would be an opportune time for 
 doing so. Besides, we are commanded 
 not to "forsake the assembling of our- 
 selves together, as the manner of 
 some is; but exhort one another; and 
 so much the more, as ye see the day 
 approaching;" Heb. x, 25. The apostle 
 well knew the tendency of human na- 
 ture,, the vain enticements of this 
 sinful world, the craftiness of Satan, 
 our enemy, who deceived our first 
 parents with a lie, and who would 
 deceive us with the same. Let us not 
 despise his admonition, but heed it. 
 
 Elder Hassell, in his church histo- 
 ry refers to the ancient custom of tne 
 Jews, who were required to appear 
 together before the Lord, at the Tab- 
 ernacle, or temple, and make an of- 
 fering with a joyful heart, and he 
 says: "God's object was to promote, 
 in this way, the religious zeal and 
 knowledge and union of His covenant 
 people, to bring them frequently to- 
 gether in loving brotherly fellowship 
 for the worship of God — the very 
 same object that is now beautifully 
 and pleasantly subserved by the fre-. 
 quent assemblies of the people of God 
 in their quarterly, yearly, union, cor- 
 responding, and associational meet- 
 ings. "Hassell's Church History, p. 94. 
 The name by which you may call a 
 thing in no sense changes it nature 
 or character. Our associational meet- 
 ings are for the identical purpose 
 here assigned, and are conducted to 
 the same end. 
 
 The first Baptist Association was 
 formed in Wales, in 1649. — Gospel 
 Messenger, vol. 28, p. 126, April, 1906. 
 This date places the organization of 
 the first Baptist association too far 
 
 back by one hundred and forty-three 
 years for it to have been of Mission- 
 ary Baptist origin. 
 
 The government of our churches by 
 associations would be wrong, hurtful, 
 and unscriptural. Primitive Baptist 
 churches will not submit to sucn an un- 
 unscripturai system. A sound gospel 
 church of good standing may or may 
 not belong to an association without af- 
 fecting her standing in the least. Any 
 general meeting of the saints — yearly 
 meeting and associations — should on- 
 ly be for the worship of God, mutual ed- 
 ification and promotion of brotherly 
 love. There may be some things con- 
 nected with the business part of our 
 associations that could be better at- 
 tended to some other way — by the 
 church with which the association 
 convenes. This is now practiced by 
 some of our sound and orderly 
 churches and gives entire satisfaction. 
 But to condemn the purpose of such 
 general meeting for the worship of 
 God is wrong, and only tends to en- 
 gender strife, confusion, and divi- 
 sion. Let us stand fast in the liberty 
 wherewith Christ has made us free, 
 and be not misled by any man in 
 these restless times." — R. W. Thmp- 
 son in Primitive Monitor. 
 
 There were, in 1885, 231 Primitive 
 or Old School Baptist Associations in 
 the United States distributed as fol- 
 lows: 23 in Alabama, 10 in Arkansas, 
 1 in California, 1 in Delaware, 3 in 
 Florida, 21 in Georgia, 22 in Illinois, 
 19 in Indiana, 6 in Iowa, 5 in Kansas, 
 12 in Kentucky, 4 in Louisiana, 2 in 
 Maine, 2 in Maryland, 11 in Mississippi, 
 16 in Missouri, 1 in New Jersey, 2 in 
 New York, 19 in North Carolina, 14 in 
 Ohio, 1 in Oregon, 4 in Pennsylvania, 
 3 in South Carolina, 8 in Tennessee, 
 9 in Texas, 7 in Virginia, 4 in West 
 Virginia, 1 in Wisconsin, — total 231. 
 
 The Kehukee (of North Carolina), 
 the oldest Primitive Baptist Associa- 
 tion was organized in 1765; the Ke- 
 tocton (of Virginia), in 1766, and the 
 Red Stone (of Pennsylvania), in 1776. 
 
 Union Meetings 
 
 "The most innocent, delightful, and 
 edifying general meetings that I 
 know of are such union meetings as 
 we have in Eastern North Carolina. 
 These union meetings are composed 
 of from half a dozen to two dozen 
 
 churches, and generally meet on 
 every fifth Sunday, with one or two 
 days preceding, — thus occurring four 
 or five times a year. They have no 
 connection at all with Associations. 
 They do not exercise the slightest 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 371 
 
 authority over the churches or over 
 other unions or associations. In the 
 brief conference held on Friday or 
 Saturday, the pastor of the church 
 with which the union convenes is the 
 moderator; and he and the clerk of 
 the umon and two members of that 
 church appointed by the moderator 
 form a committee to decide which of 
 the ministers present shall preacn, 
 and on what day; and the conference 
 decides where the next union shall 
 be held — the churches that desire the 
 next session petitioning for it, and 
 the conference generally giving it to 
 the church that has the oldest peti- 
 tion. Sometimes a messenger or two 
 is received from another union, and 
 sometimes a member or two who vol- 
 unteers to go is appointed a messen- 
 
 ger to another union, though this 
 seems unnecessary. No other busi- 
 ness is done. The minutes of the 
 meeting are not published. There are 
 not such crowds as at associations. 
 Tne time is pleasantly and profitably 
 occupied in conversation, singing, 
 praying, and preaching. Sometimes 
 we are favored with the presence 
 of ministers from other unions and 
 other states. The services close with 
 communion on Sunday. There are no 
 controversies, jars, or discords; but 
 all is humility and love and peace and 
 joy in the Lord. These union meet- 
 ings are little heavens on earth. I 
 would be glad to attend one every 
 day of my life." 
 
 SYLVESTER HASSELL, 
 In Gospel Messenger. 
 
 Our Saturday and Sunday Meetings 
 
 Q. Are there any special reasons 
 why our churches uniformly set 
 apart, for meeting days, one Satur- 
 day and Sunday of each month? How 
 long has it been so? Is it the custom 
 in European countries? A. The 
 custom seems to have originated 
 among the Apostles after the resur- 
 rection of Christ. They still met with 
 the Jews in their synagogues on the 
 Jewish Sabbath, which was Saturday, 
 in order to preach to the Jews; and 
 they then began to meet also on Sun- 
 day, the first day of the week, called 
 the Lord's Day, because Christ rose 
 
 from the dead on that day. One rea- 
 son why the Baptists have kept up 
 the practice is because, having more 
 churches than pastors, and tne pas- 
 tor, coming from a distance and be- 
 ing able to be with the churcn only 
 one Sunday in the month, preaches 
 for the church two days instead of 
 one. Where a minister preaches for 
 the same church every Sunday, it is 
 not customary to hold a meeting on 
 Saturday, unless it be an experience 
 or business meeting. I do not think 
 that Saturday meetings are usual in 
 European countries. — S. Hassell in 
 Gospel Messenger. 
 
 Missions 
 
 With regard to the Bible plan of 
 missions, Primitive or Old School 
 Baptists are missionaries; with re- 
 gard to the modern mission plan they 
 are anti-missionaries. 
 
 Following is the Bible plan, and it 
 is perfect in all of its details though 
 men may say it is not: 
 
 "These twelve Jesus sent forth, 
 and commanded them, saying, Go not 
 into the way of the Gentiles, and in- 
 to any city of Samaritans enter ye 
 not: 
 
 "But go rather to the lost sheep of 
 the house of Israel. 
 
 "And as ye go, preach, saying, The 
 kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
 
 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, 
 raise the dead, cast out devils; freely 
 ye have received, freely give. 
 
 "Provide neither gold, nor silver, 
 nor brass in your purses; 
 
 "Nor scrip for your journey, neith- 
 er two coats, neither shoes, nor yet 
 staves: for the workman is worthy of 
 his meat. 
 
 "And into whatsoever city or town 
 ye shall enter, inquire who in it is 
 worthy; and there abide till ye go 
 thence. 
 
 "And when ye come into a house, 
 salute it. 
 
 "And if the house be worthy, let 
 your peace come upon it; but if it be 
 not worthy, let your peace return to 
 you. 
 
 "And whosoever shall not receive 
 you, nor hear your words, when ye 
 depart out of that house, or city, 
 
372 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 shake off the dust of your feet." — 
 Matt. 10: 5-14. 
 
 "Then the eleven disciples went 
 away into Galilee, into a mountain 
 where Jesus had appointed them. 
 
 "And when they saw him, they wor- 
 shipped him: but some doubted. 
 
 "And Jesus came and spake unto 
 them, saying, All power is given un- 
 to me in heaven and earth. 
 
 "Go ye therefore, and teach all na- 
 tions, baptizing them in the name of 
 the Father, and the Son, and of the 
 Holy Ghost: 
 
 "Teaching them to observe all 
 things whatsover I have commanded 
 you; and, lo, I am with you alway, 
 even unto the end of the world. 
 Amen."— Matt. 28:16-20. 
 
 Thus we see that the Bible plan is 
 Jesus sends, while the modern plan 
 is the church, boards or societies 
 send. The Bible plan is Jesus calls, 
 qualitfies and sustains his ministering 
 servants. The modern plan with its 
 worldly allurements and "zeal with- 
 out knowledge" no doubt call's many, 
 certainly undertakes by its theological 
 schools to qualify them, and must of 
 necessity sustain them with "gold and 
 silver" to keep them in the field, for 
 those among whom they labor will 
 not do it. The Bible plan is that the 
 minister should make no charge for 
 his labor, for "freely ye have receiv- 
 ed, freely give." The modern plan is 
 "at great expense ye have received 
 (your training, etc.), therefore charge 
 fat salaries for your service." The 
 Bible plan is that the minister is to 
 reap "carnal things" from those to 
 whom he sows "spiritual things," — 
 therefore "go trusting Jesus." The 
 modern plan is trust not Jesus, but 
 trust the missionary boards, societies 
 and churches and reap from them for 
 your sowing among "the heathen." 
 The Bible plan is that as you go if 
 they received you "abide there," and 
 if they "shall not receive you, nor 
 hear your words" * * * "depart 
 out of that house." The modern plan 
 is "if they will not receive you, stand 
 your ground, contend with them, and 
 we will call upon 'Our Christian Na- 
 tions' to protect you with their stand- 
 ing armies and war vessels." One is 
 a divine plan — a religion of love, that 
 looks to Jesus for guidance and the 
 God of heaven for protection; the 
 other a human plan, — a religion of 
 force, that looks to men for guidance 
 and rulers of the earth for protection. 
 The "Macedonian cry" to the serv- 
 ants of God, was "Come over and 
 help us;" the "heathen" cry to mod- 
 ern missionaries is, "Let us alone." 
 The one is the reasonable system of 
 
 teaching those whom the Lord has 
 made alive "to observe all things 
 whatsoever I have commanded you;" 
 the other the unreasonable system of 
 teaching the dead to have life and to 
 observe many of the commandments 
 of men. The one is "for the perfect- 
 ing of the saints," and "for the edify- 
 ing of the body of Christ;' the other 
 for the making of saints and the add- 
 ing to the body of Christ. The Bible 
 plan is right, — the conflicting modern 
 plan is wrong, and Primitive or Old 
 School Baptists, regardless of the 
 taunts and revilings of men, prefer to 
 trust God's plan of faithful marching 
 and blowing of the ram's horn for the 
 razing of the walls of Jericho than to 
 trust to all the gunboats and batter- 
 ing rams of Christendom. 
 
 And our ministers, though few in 
 number (as comfared to those who 
 call us anti-missionaries), poor in 
 purse, and destitute of classical train- 
 ing have proven themselves the most 
 active, zealous and faithful Scriptural 
 missionaries of modern times. One 
 well qualified to speak for them has 
 said: "Not trained in theological 
 schools or courses, not sent out by 
 any human authority, not furnished 
 beforehand with ample funds, not 
 making any charge for their services, 
 they go forth like the twelve and the 
 seventy, depending upon the faithful- 
 ness of the God of Israel, and, in 
 their preaching tours, travel tens of 
 thousands and hundreds of thousands 
 of miles, speaking, in general, the un- 
 adulterated truth as it is in Jesus to 
 all having ears to hear, wherever and 
 whenever opportunity is afforded; 
 and I have never heard from them 
 any other testimony than that, when 
 they returned, like the twelve and 
 the seventy, they lacked nothing. The 
 impressions upon their minds to leave 
 their homes at certain times, and go 
 in certain directions, are often prov- 
 ed to be of the Lord by the wonder- 
 ful spiritual results of their journeys. 
 Taking the oversight of the flock of 
 God, not for filthy lucre, but of a 
 ready mind, neither as being lords 
 over God's heritage, but being en- 
 samples to the flock, they labored in 
 the Divine cause without any stipulat- 
 ed salary; and the most of them, like 
 Paul, reflect the unworldly disinter- 
 estedness of the chiefest of the Apos- 
 tles by engaging in some secular em- 
 ployment in order to minister to their 
 temporal necessities, and not be bur- 
 densome to their churches, many of 
 which are small and poor. Those who 
 give themselves wholly to the work 
 of the ministry prove also the genu- 
 ineness of their faith and their super- 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 373 
 
 iority to mercenary motives by set- 
 ting no price for their services, by 
 laboring faithfully and constantly in 
 the cause of their heavenly Master, 
 and by leaving the question of the 
 support of themselves and families 
 With Him." 
 
 ■But what is the origin of "modern 
 missionisms?" J. A. Scorboro a prom- 
 inent New School or "Missionary" 
 Baptist but opposed to the present 
 board-system of his denomination, 
 says: "The first mission board was 
 organized by the British Parliament 
 on July 27, 1649; the act was entitled, 
 'A Corporation for Promoting and 
 Propagating the Gospel of Jesus 
 Christ in New England.' The govern- 
 ment appointed a president, treasurer 
 and fourteen assistants, and gave the 
 corporation power to 'acquire lands, 
 goods and money.' 'The Lord Protec- 
 tor,' Cromwell, directed the first sub- 
 scription, Charles II. re-issued the 
 charter in 1662, the number of mem- 
 bers was fixed at forty-five and the 
 complete constitution made by the 
 Parliament. This is the first mission 
 board recorded in history. It origi- 
 nated in no church, but in the Brit- 
 ish Parliament. This was one hundred 
 and forty-three years before the Bap- 
 tists organized their society in Eng- 
 land. (See Encyclopedia of Missions, 
 vol. 2, p. 167.) This board was or- 
 ganized in response to the request of 
 John Elliot, then a missionary among 
 the Indians in New England. It still 
 exists and is engaged in mission work 
 among the Indians of Canada and 
 British America. 
 
 "The next society and board was 
 organized by the English Episcopa- 
 lians and chartered by "William III., 
 in 1701. He named the officials and 
 fixed a life tenure for certain eccle- 
 siastics. Like the first, it came from 
 a recommendation of Parliament and 
 received its authority from the King, 
 and though it is Episcopal in doctrine 
 it is political in organization, and of 
 cou se, since the Episcopal Church is 
 governed by the British crown 
 through its bishops, no local church 
 had or has any voice in it. At first it 
 worked only among British subjects, 
 but later extended its work to others. 
 This was ninety-one years before 
 English Baptists organized a society. 
 
 The next was at North Olsler, Den- 
 mark, in June, 1721, form of church 
 government not stated. 
 
 The fourth was by the Moravians 
 at Hernhutt, 1732. Their government 
 is Episcopal. This was sixty years 
 before the first Baptist society. 
 
 The fifth was by English Baptists 
 In 1792 at Kittering, England. It was 
 
 formed voluntarily, and de facto, by 
 twelve preachers, who assembled for 
 that purpose at a private house, during 
 the session of a Baptist association at 
 Kettering. The formation of a mission 
 society was a cherished ambition of 
 Cary. Neither he nor the other 
 preachers seem to have thought of 
 asking the churches, as churches to 
 undertake the work. He made his 
 plea before the association, and then 
 the twelve went to a private house, 
 organized, adopted resolutions, etc. 
 The association probably, and the lo- 
 cal churches certainly, had nothing to 
 do with it. 
 
 Then sixth, the Congregationalists 
 of America in 1810, and seventh 
 American Baptists in 1814." 
 
 For proof see Encyclopedia of Mis- 
 sions. 
 
 Elder Sylvester Hassell, doubtless 
 one of the purest and best informed 
 men in the United States, in Gospel 
 Messenger for April, 1904, says: 
 
 "The latest and highest authorities 
 (such as the last editions of the En- 
 cyclopedia Britannica, and Johnson's 
 Universal Encyclopedia, and the New 
 International Encyclopedia in 17 vol- 
 umes, now being published by Dodd, 
 Mead & Co., 372 Fifth Avenue, New 
 York, under the supervision of D. C. 
 Gilman, former president of Johns 
 Hopkins University, Baltimore, and 
 now president of the Carnegie Insti- 
 tution, Washington, D. C., and Prof. 
 H. T. Peck, of Columbia University, 
 New York, and Prof. F. M. Colby, of 
 New York University) declare that 
 there have been three distinct periods 
 of missions: First, Early or Individ- 
 ual Missions, in which the apostles 
 and other individuals, as they felt di- 
 rected of the Lord, travelled and 
 preached the gospel in different coun- 
 tries — 'this Early Period lasting to 
 about 700 A. D. Second, Mediaeval or 
 Church Missions, in which the pro- 
 fessing churches sent out ministers 
 to preach Lo other nations — this Me- 
 diaeval Period lasting from about 700 
 to about 1500 A. D. Third, M|odern or 
 Society Missions (from about 1500 A. 
 D. to the present time), in which 
 Catholic. Protestant, and Baptist So- 
 cieties have, for a money considera- 
 tion, sent out their ministers to 
 preach in their own and foreign coun- 
 tries. Because Primitive Baptists still 
 adhere to the principles and methods 
 of early, apostolic, and individual mis- 
 sions, their ministers looking to the 
 Lord, and not to man, for direction 
 and support, they are (as Jesus and 
 His apostles were) derided, despised, 
 and villified by worldly religionists." 
 
374 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 We have seen that the modern 
 missionary system is of human origin, 
 but what of its results. Ordinarily one 
 has no information on this subject 
 except from some enthusiastic advo- 
 cate or employe of the system, and 
 such reports are expected to be glow- 
 ing. Following are some reports of a 
 different character: 
 
 "Mr. W. F. Bainbridge, who for ten 
 years was pastor of the large 'Mis- 
 sionary' 'Baptist Church' at Provi- 
 dence, Rhode Island, and who, with 
 his wife and son, and "provided with 
 cordial credentials from secretaries 
 of all the leading Foreign Missionary 
 Societies of America,' during the 
 years of 1879-1881 made a universal 
 survey of the foreign mission field, 
 traveling 50,000 miles and visiting 
 more than a thousand missionaries, 
 and upon his return published a book 
 entitled "Around the World Tour of 
 Christian Missions." It is declared by 
 leading, able and most extensively 
 circulated religious periodicals of dif- 
 ferent denominations in the United 
 States that 'no work on the subject 
 so complete and reliable has ever 
 been published in America or Eu- 
 rope;' that 'the information contain- 
 ed in it is full, fresh and timely;' and 
 that 'it is unquestionably the most 
 valuable contribution thus far made 
 to the standard literature of Christian 
 Missions.' 
 
 "Mr. Bainbridge represents that he 
 found the heathens less roguish than 
 professed Christians; that, while he 
 never lost a dollar's worth of goods 
 during his sojourn of a year and 
 three-quarters in heathen lands, he 
 was ashamed to say that the steal- 
 ings out of his baggage in Europe in 
 less than a year amounted to several 
 hundred dollars. And yet he says 
 that there was scarcely a night when 
 the heathens could not have stolen 
 something from him, but they did not, 
 even when he was paying his heathen 
 servants but twenty-five cents a day, 
 and when no foreign consular power 
 was near for intimidation in the in- 
 terest of honesty. No wonder the 
 Chinese think it expedient for them 
 to establish missions in so-called 
 Christian lands. 
 
 "Mr. Bainbridge conveys to us the 
 painful information that professed 
 Christians are disseminating mate- 
 rialism in Japan, universalism in 
 China, and infidelity in India. * * * 
 He thinks that foreign missionaries 
 receive on an average a thousand 
 dollars per year — some getting con- 
 siderably more than this — * * * and 
 that they have good residences and 
 
 many household comforts." "India is 
 admitted to be the most important 
 and most vigorously cultivated Prot- 
 estant mission field of today. It was 
 the first foreign field selected and 
 worked by Mr. Fuller's society, and, 
 therefore, has been the longest work- 
 ed and ought to show the grandest re- 
 sults. "A tree is to be judged by its 
 fruit, causes by their effects," says 
 Mr. Bainbridge. We accept this re- 
 mark as being both reasonable and 
 Scriptural. "Missions are everywhere 
 the mother of schools, and at least 
 twelve thousand schools, with four 
 hundred thousand pupils, owe their 
 origin and support to missionary so- 
 cieties." Mr. Bainbridge testifies that 
 these schools in India teach science 
 mainly, and that evangelization is a 
 very subordinate object; and he says 
 that out of fifty young men educated 
 by many of these mission schools, all 
 but two or three graduate as infidels 
 and scoffers at all religion; that the 
 literary demands of India are great 
 and growing, and are being met by 
 vast quantities of vile native produc- 
 tions, and by enormous translations 
 from European skepticism, rational- 
 ism, and materialism." See Hassell's 
 Church History. 
 
 M. Elisee Reclus, the French geog- 
 rapher in his work on the "Earth 
 and Its Inhabitants," speaking of the 
 converts of the missionaries in India, 
 says: "In the seaports they are mis- 
 trusted by the traders, who prefer to 
 employ natives that have preserved 
 the religion of their forefathers." 
 
 Some facts recently presented by 
 Canon Taylor in an article entitled 
 "The Great Missionary Failure," in 
 the Fortnightly Review, suggests the 
 inquiry whether it would not be ad- 
 visable to spend the money that is 
 appropriated to the support of For-. 
 eign Missions in making converts 
 and strengmening the churches in 
 Christian countries. Canon Taylor is 
 a distinguished clergyman of the 
 Church of England, and it cannot be 
 said that in presenting facts, showing 
 the failure of Foreign Missions, he 
 was influenced by a desire to acquire 
 notoriety. 
 
 It is estimated that the non-Christ- 
 ian population of those parts of Asia 
 and Africa, of the people of which 
 something definite is known, is more 
 than 920.000,000. The natural increase 
 of this population by excess of births 
 over deaths is about 11,000,000 annu- 
 ally. Dr. Maclear, who is the chief 
 of a training school for Missionaries, 
 estimates the yearly increase of na- 
 tive Christians, dup to the efforts of 
 missionaries, at 60,000. According 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 375 
 
 to these figures, it would take 183 
 years to convert to Christianity a 
 single year's increase of the non- 
 Christian population. Canon Taylor 
 says: in spite of our advance, in- 
 stead of overtaking the work, the 
 work is overtaking us. It is like the 
 tortoise racing with the railway train, 
 the longer the race continues the far- 
 ther the tortoise is left behind." 
 
 But how much money is spent an- 
 nually in maintaining Foreign Mis- 
 sions? According to Canon Taylor, 
 the Protestants alone spend $10,000,- 
 000. The number of American and 
 European missionaries is about 6,000, 
 and of native missionaries about 30,- 
 000. If the non-Christian population 
 were to remain stationary, and con- 
 verts were to be made at the present 
 rate, it would take hundreds of thou- 
 sands of years to convert the world, 
 even if there were no relapses; but 
 the non-Christian population does not 
 remain stationary, and, as above 
 shown, it would take 200 years to 
 convert the increase for a single year. 
 Canon Taylor gives some figures 
 which apply to India alone. In that 
 country the Roman Catholics convert 
 to Christianity each year about 21,272, 
 and the Protestants about 1,311. At 
 this rate it would require sixty-four 
 years to make as many converts to 
 Christianity as would equal in num- 
 ber to one year's increase in the non- 
 Christian population. 
 
 In China the missionaries make 
 very little progress. The Church Mis- 
 sionary Society baptized last year 167. 
 How small is this number out of a 
 population of 382,000,000, having an 
 annual increase of over 4,580,000! At 
 this rate, even if the population re- 
 mained stationary, the Society would 
 not be able to convert China to 
 Christianity in less than 1,680,000 
 years. 
 
 It is costly business making con- 
 verts in China. The cost of making 
 the 167 converts last year was $75,- 
 000. In Northern India $170,000 was 
 spent in making 173 converts, and 
 715 agents were employed. In Egypt, 
 Russia, Palestine and Arabia, the 
 Church Missionary Society had 119 
 agents in its employment during the 
 last two years, and spent $117,000 
 without making a single convert. The 
 fact must be kept in mind that where 
 converts are made there are many 
 relapses — so many, in fact, that it is 
 difficult in many places to estimate, 
 with any degree of accuracy, the pro- 
 gress that the missions are making. 
 Canon Taylor deals not only with 
 the number of the converts, but also 
 
 the quality of them, and the quality 
 of a very large percentage of tneni is 
 bad. The native African pastors and 
 teachers are reported to be "more or 
 less bad men." 
 
 These are only a few of the tacts 
 furnished by Canon Taylor, but they 
 are sufficient to give an idea of tiie 
 work of Foreign Missions. — Savannah 
 News. 
 
 Washington Post: Lieut. Wood, U. 
 S. N., of the United States Coast and 
 Geodetic Survey, now stationed in 
 this city, has had excellent opportuni- 
 ties to observe the work of American 
 missionaries stationed in China and 
 Corea, having made a trip to those 
 countries in 1884 on board the Tren- 
 ton. 
 
 "It is not extravagant to say," he 
 said to a Post reporter yesterday, 
 "that the work of the missionaries in 
 China and Corea has been absolutely 
 without any result, except to hold 
 them up to ridicule' of the natives. It 
 has been before stated, and I concur 
 in the belief, that there is not a Chi- 
 nese convert to Christianity of sound 
 mind today within the entire extent 
 of China." 
 
 "What about the lists of converts 
 we hear of in this country?" he was 
 asked. 
 
 "They are merely the menials em- 
 ployed about the quarters of the mis- 
 sionaries, who for a salary of $4 per 
 month, become converts. But when 
 they are discharged, there is no fur- 
 ther evidence of their 'change of 
 mind.' The missionaries do not mix 
 with the natives to any considerable 
 extent, and many of their meetings 
 are not only in English, but with the 
 missionaries themselves as an audi- 
 ence. As for a nobleman of Corea or 
 a mandarin of China ever acknowl- 
 edge the Christian faith, such a thing 
 was never heard of.' 
 
 "How do the missionaries bring 
 themselves into ridicule?" 
 
 'As a matter of fact, they are look- 
 ed upon about as is the Salvation 
 Army in America, only to a degree 
 ten times as great." — Gospel Messen- 
 ger. 
 
 "Certificate to Heaven for Land. 
 (From the Topeka Telegram). United 
 States Senator Burton arrived here 
 Tuesday night preparatory to enter- 
 ing the state campaign. He has just 
 returned from Hawaii, where he went 
 as one of a senatorial investigating 
 committee. 'The Hawaiians are fine 
 people,' he said tonight, 'but they are 
 in hard lines just at present. Their 
 condition is the result of the work 
 of the Boston missionaries. A num- 
 ber of missionaries have been Over 
 
376 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 there recently, and have given many 
 of the natives certificates guaranteed 
 to admit them to heaven in exchange 
 for their lands. A number of the 
 more ignorant natives have been 
 swindled in this way. Those who have 
 learned their mistake are naturally a 
 trifle suspicious Of all Americans." — 
 Atlanta Constitution. 
 
 Perhaps the reader is interested to 
 know how much it costs to "make 
 such Christians." 
 
 "Mr. Bainbridge reckons the actual 
 pecuniary cost of each home convert 
 at $550, and of each foreign convert 
 at $320 or less. Others calculate that 
 each foreign conversion costs $1,000, 
 but that each home conversion costs 
 more." 
 
 "A recent number of the New York 
 Examiner" (a publication which 
 claims to be the leading "Mission- 
 ary" Baptist paper of the world) says 
 that, during the year 1884, it cost 
 $592.03 to make a Pagan an Episco- 
 palian; $248.14 a Congregationalist; 
 $234.91, a Presbyterian; $117.91, a 
 Methodist; $72.88, a Campbellite; and 
 only $37.05, a Baptist; so that the 
 average cost of Protestant conversions 
 being $203.91, the conversion of Pa- 
 gans into Baptists cost but one-sixth 
 of the average." — Hassell's Church 
 History. 
 
 "Thomas Pritchard, D. D., puts the 
 average cost of converts in the mis- 
 sion fields at 90 cents, and the aver- 
 age cost of each convert in Christian 
 lands at $6.30." 
 
 Another, speaking of some of their 
 converts, said: "These 40 children of 
 God have cost us in cash just four dol- 
 lars a piece. Who, in the face of all 
 this, is not willing to give four dollars 
 to save a soul from eternal damna- 
 tion? Certainly no one. Oh! brethren, 
 just think, only four dollars for a 
 ticket from earth to heaven. 
 
 "There will be no other opportunity 
 for us to save lost souls, by giving 
 our money to missions, after the 
 present opportunity is past. It is a 
 dreadful thing to misuse the Lord's 
 trust funds, and to know in eternity 
 that souls are in perdition who might 
 have been in heaven if we had done 
 what we could, and faithfully used 
 what was in our hands." — A. J. Gor- 
 don, in Texas Baptist and Herald, 
 Aug. 23, 1894. 
 
 Mr. R. B. Cook, a missionary Bap- 
 tist Historian, says: "Instead of fall- 
 ing behind, we ought henceforth to 
 lead all other denominations in our 
 contributions for saving perishing 
 souls." 
 
 "A few years ago the New York 
 
 World published a cartoon on the 
 (Missionary) system in two pictures. 
 In the first the corresponding secre- 
 tary (of a missionary board) appeared 
 in his office surrounded by his help- 
 ers. Salaries were given: Secretary, 
 $5,000; assistant secretary, $2,500; 
 bookkeeper, $1,500; stenographer, 
 $1,000; negro janitor, $500; treasurer, 
 $500, and so on. In the next appeared 
 the missionary, long, lean, cadaver- 
 ous; he had just landed among sav- 
 ages, grip labelled: "Salary $150." In 
 a pot on the fire were the bones of a 
 man, and a group of savages were 
 feeling the arms and legs of the newly 
 arrived missionary to find out if he 
 was fat enough to eat. Egh! too poor 
 is their verdict. It hit the mark indeed, 
 as was proven by the howl from cor- 
 responding secretaries in the relig- 
 ious press." — J. A. Scarboo. 
 
 The Boston Investigator says: "We 
 never had any doubt but what there 
 were some who supported religion 
 from the best motives ; but we believe 
 that many support it with about the 
 same object in view that the multi- 
 tudes had when they followed Jesus, 
 namely, 'for the loaves and fishes.' 
 This making a trade of religion is a 
 shocking evil. We find tract societies 
 established, charitable institutions set 
 on foot, -new plans devised to melior- 
 ate our condition, new buildings erect- 
 ed, new laws devised, new improve- 
 ments suggested, and when we follow 
 them up and see them organized, we 
 shall find the pious, humane and to- 
 tally disinterested projectors filling 
 the lucrative places of presidents, 
 scribes, agents, clerks, printers, etc., — 
 a son here, a brother there, and relig- 
 ion is made to answer the purpose of 
 private gain, under the suspicious pre- 
 text of public good. As an instance in 
 point, the 'Missionary House' in this 
 city pays four secretaries a salary of 
 six thousand dollars yearly; and out of 
 more than ten thousand dollars raised 
 the last year by the Foreign Evangel- 
 ical Society, not less than six thous- 
 and were expended in agencies, etc. 
 This is the principles upon which relig- 
 ious teachers, as a class, conduct their 
 performances. They labor for money 
 just as much as a mechanic who 
 builds a house of worship. The only 
 difference is, tHe 'missionaries' are not 
 half as honest as the mechanic, inas- 
 much as they pretend not to work for 
 money, which in fact amounts to a 
 system of cheating, or as they say 
 in law, 'obtaining goods under false 
 pretenses.' 
 
 " 'Society requires reform, there is 
 no doubt, but it cannot be effected by 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 377 
 
 these money-making, pious schemes, it 
 must be done by precept and ex- 
 ample, by justice, generosity, mild 
 persuasion, disinterested benevol- 
 ence, unmitigated love and kind- 
 ness, and not got up under the 
 shape of contributions for 'mission- 
 aries,' tract societies, etc. 
 
 " 'On every side we see new 
 schemes to obtain money for religious 
 purposes — converting the heathen, 
 sending 'missionaries' abroad, build- 
 ing churches, holding religious fairs, 
 buying up theatres for the purpose of 
 private speculation, establishing pious 
 newspapers, etc. 
 
 " 'These sums, which could be con- 
 verted to objects of charity, to feed 
 the hungry, and clothe the naked, are 
 taken from those who cannot afford 
 to spare them, to constitute a fund 
 which is to be expended under the 
 superintendence of certain men. 
 The annual amount raised for such 
 purpose in this country is immense, 
 and we are feeling the force of it, not 
 in substantial and wholesome reforms, 
 but in the meddling interference with 
 private concerns — invading the sancti- 
 ty of domestic retirement, and at- 
 tempting to hold public opinion and 
 public will in a thraldom almost as 
 oppressive as the Inquisition itself. 
 We are told that this is all for real 
 goodness and sincere piety; and he 
 who objects to it is no friend of be- 
 nevolence and true religion. Let us 
 beware of fanaticism, of bigotry and 
 intolerance; they are the curses of 
 human society, and always assume 
 some plausible shape to deceive and 
 beguile. Men do not always practice 
 as they preach; and when we see 
 profit introduced under the panoply of 
 spiritual guides, we can see no 
 grounds for believing that a system of 
 religion which thus encourages hy- 
 pocrisy is of any utility in promoting 
 human happiness.' " — Hassell's Church 
 History. 
 
 "In 1900 the Chinese undertook to 
 expel all foreigners, including mis- 
 sionaries, from China. The combined 
 navies and armies of five world pow- 
 ers assembled at Taku, dismantled 
 the Chinese forts, marched on and 
 •captured Pekin, the capital, blew up 
 the walls, looted the Chinese treasury, 
 butchered Chinese, forced the Chi- 
 nese government to protect the mis- 
 sionaries and are maintaining Protest- 
 ant, Romish and Baptist missions in 
 China with smokeless powder and dy- 
 namite. 
 
 "The evidence is that all the mis- 
 sion boards, including Baptist, de- 
 manded the protection of their mis- 
 
 sionaries by their respective govern- 
 ments, secured it and the missiona- 
 ries are there now only because the 
 Chinese fear war if they expel them. 
 
 "We heard a secretary of a Baptist 
 board say: 'A thirteen-inch gun is a 
 good missionary,' and boasted that 
 God's cause would ultimately succeed 
 because it was 'backed by the com- 
 bined armies and navies of civiliza- 
 tion.' 
 
 "The point is that this system of 
 missions invokes temporal political 
 powers to sustain it; that it is in re- 
 ngio-political alliance with the mili- 
 tary powers of the world and depend- 
 ent upon them for protection and suc- 
 cess. 
 
 "Wait a moment — we are not argu- 
 ing, but stating facts. 
 
 How does Cortez, the Roman-Span- 
 ish fanatic and brigand Christianize 
 (?) MJexico and Peru? With sword 
 and fire, the gospel of force. Did he 
 Christianize or Romanize them? Ro- 
 manized them, tore away the idols of 
 the native system and erected the 
 idols of Romanism in their stead, 
 changed the name, but not the spirit 
 of the religious institution, put their 
 necks under the yoke of Spanish des- 
 potism and made it next to impossible 
 to preach the gospel of love and sal- 
 vation to them. 
 
 "The gospel of force is not the gos- 
 pel of Christ; the 'thirteen-inch gun' 
 method is not the method of the 
 King of Peace. Nations may be Ro- 
 manized, but they cannot be Christ- 
 ianized by force. It destroys confi- 
 dence in the Christian religion among 
 heathens when efforts are made to 
 blast it in with dynamite, shoot it in 
 with thirteen-inch guns and trade it 
 it with mean whisky. Kow would you 
 like to see a ship loaded with whisky, 
 idols, Mauser rifles and missionaries 
 start out on a mission tour. That is 
 the way it is done. State and church 
 form an alliance, the state for trade 
 and territory, the church for ecclesias- 
 tical conquest, and when the church 
 cannot convert the heathen it begs 
 the state to shoot the rascals, and the 
 state shoots them. 
 
 "Poor John Chinaman cannot see 
 the difference between them when 
 both succeed the same way and by 
 the same means, and hence he con- 
 cludes that mission work is but the 
 skirmish line of commerce and mili- 
 tary oppression. 
 
 "This was the method of Rome Pa- 
 gan, as it is of Rome Papal, Protest- 
 ants Romanized and Baptists Pagan- 
 ized and Romanized. Mexico and Peru 
 were not Christianized by it, nor wih 
 China or any other nation be. 
 
378 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 "After forcing China to agree to 
 pay an indemnity of three hundred 
 and thirty-three million dollars, ($333,- 
 000,000), 'to prohibit Chinese mem- 
 bership in anti-foreign societies under 
 pain of death; to abolish government 
 examinations for five years in cities 
 where foreigners had been massacred, 
 and to order the dismissal of govern- 
 ors who should hereafter permit anti- 
 foreign agitation the fleets of the com- 
 bined world-powers withdrew. In view 
 of these facts no one should longer 
 doubt that the modern missionary 
 system is unscriptural and has the 
 characteristics of anti-Christ and the 
 marks of the 'beast;' for it has the 
 dollar ($) mark (greed) religion, 
 (false of course), tyranny and world- 
 power, all of which is contrary or in 
 opposition to the religion of Jesus." 
 
 "In the Atlanta Constitution for 
 January 5, 1903, under caption of 
 'Chinese groan under the Indemnity,' 
 I find the following: 'It is said at the 
 State department that probably never 
 in the history of the department has 
 there been so many heavy claims pre- 
 sented to the attention of a settle- 
 ment commission as those coming 
 from missionaries as a result of the 
 Boxer uprising. The commission has 
 cut into these with a ruthless hand. 
 In one case a claim was submitted 
 amounting to $250,000 for mission 
 property destroyed. Reliable affidavits 
 show that $100,000 was a generous 
 estimate for the property. In individ- 
 ual cases missionaries put in claims 
 
 for jewelry and articles of luxury.' It 
 was a violation of the principles of 
 the gospel for them to demand any- 
 thing by force, but it appears in this 
 case that three-fifths of the claim 
 made by the missionaries was an ab- 
 solute fraud. And mind you that this 
 statement is made by the friends of 
 the missionaries, their own country- 
 men." — G. W. Stewart. 
 
 Frank L. Stanton in Atlanta Con- 
 stitution in negro dialect portrays the 
 unfortunate "heathen" as follows: 
 
 "De preacher say: 'De heathens' — 
 'Dey drinks a bitter cup!' 
 We filled a jug wid sperrets, 
 En de preacher dinked it up. 
 
 De preacher say: 'Dem heathens' — 
 Dey never dine or sup! ., 
 We kotched dem six fat possums, 
 En de preacher eat dem up. 
 
 En den he say: 'De heathens 
 Will freeze fo' winter gone! 
 We raise a wagon load er cloze, 
 En de preacher put dem on. 
 
 En den he low: 'Dem heathens 
 Want lots er money too.' 
 But lak' a flash hes scoop de cash, 
 En say : 'My salary due ! ' 
 
 En now we say what time we pray, 
 
 In sight o' sich a teacher; 
 
 'Please he'p de heathen folks, good 
 
 Lawd, 
 But save 'em frum de preacher!' " 
 
 Sunday Schools 
 
 The Patriarchs, by Divine direc- 
 tion, taught religious truths to their 
 own children, and the prophets and 
 tne apostles gave religious instruction 
 to all, both old and young, who were 
 prepared to receive it. But the ten- 
 dency of modern times has been to 
 belittle the instruction of God's word, 
 to shun the responsibility of parental 
 teaching and home influence, and to 
 shift that responsibility upon the 
 shoulders of others. Hence, the Sun- 
 day school, where children are sup- 
 posedly taught Christianity on Sun- 
 days as they are taught geography or 
 arithmetic on other week days. 
 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists 
 oppose Sunday Schools in their 
 churches. So did Christ and His Apos- 
 tles. We think them unnecessary 
 since Christ and the apostles estab- 
 lished none. There were children in 
 the apostles' day and these godly men 
 
 had as much regard for them, loved 
 them as well and knew far better the 
 needs of children than men of mod- 
 ern times. Paul said; "And ye, fath- 
 ers, provoke not your children to 
 wrath: but bring them up in nurture 
 and admonition of the Lord." — Ephe- 
 sians 6:4. 
 
 Solomon said: "Train up a child in 
 the way he should go, and when he 
 is old, he will not depart from it. — 
 Proverbs 22:6. 
 
 Is it not the parent's duty to do 
 this? Certainly it is not by God's 
 word made the^ duty of any, to send 
 their children to Sunday Schools, 
 where as a rule, women are teachers. 
 To the contrary Paul said: "But I suf- 
 fer not a woman to teach, nor to 
 usurp authority over the man, but to 
 be in silence. " — 1 Tim. 2:12. 
 
 The Church was set up by Christ. 
 He is our King, and as such has 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 3n 
 
 given His subjects the Bible as their 
 law, in which they are "thoroughly 
 furnished unto all good works."— 
 2 Tim. 3:16. 
 
 /But as to the origin of Sunday 
 Schools it is generally admitted that 
 Robert Raikes, of Glochester, Eng., 
 was the founder. In 1781 he hired 
 teachers to instruct some poor chil- 
 dren in Glochester in reading and in 
 the catechisms on Sunday. 
 
 Advocates of this modern institu- 
 tion have expressed themselves as 
 follows as to its object: 
 
 "The ultimate object of the Sunday 
 School is the salvation of the chil- 
 dren." 
 
 "The Sunday School ends in the 
 church, and the church in salvation." 
 "The Sunday School is the nursey 
 of the church." 
 
 "The Sunday School is the lite-boat 
 of ship Zion." 
 
 "Jt is one of the strong arms of th^ 
 church; the right hand that grasps 
 and wields the sword of the Spirit to 
 cut down error and slay sin." 
 
 Following are a few examples of 
 the teaching in Sunday Schools: 
 
 "Wall you not give Him (Jesus) 
 your heart and your fresh young life 
 today, and love and serve Him all the 
 rest of your days?" — Id. 
 
 "Two worlds are interested in you. 
 Christ is thinking upon you and so is 
 Satan." — The Teacher, May, 1904, 
 School Baptist. 
 
 "Our Motto Text tells us — who can 
 say it? 'Tis: 'We will have a reward' 
 — we will be blessed — we will not be 
 punished and sent away like the un- 
 faithful man, but we will have a home 
 with Jesus in heaven forever, if we 
 will watch and be careful to do as 
 He tells us we must do. Let us ask 
 Him to help us this week." — Id. 
 
 "What God wants to do is to save 
 us. He can do that only as we come 
 to Him with acknowledgment of the 
 truth."— Id. 
 
 "You boys and girls can begin to 
 love Him and remember Him, as well 
 now as when you are older. Let us 
 ask Jesus to take our love and to keep 
 us remembering Him always.'. — Id' 
 
 Does not such teaching foster pride, 
 self-conceit, vanity, presumption, and 
 creature worship? The prevalent idea 
 
 is "Be a good little boy, be a good 
 little girl, and you will get to heaven," 
 which is in direct opposition to the 
 plain teaching of God's word. 
 
 Each denomination, to be consist- 
 ent, must teach its peculiar doctrine 
 and practice. The following is taken 
 from the International Sunday School 
 Lesson on Acts 8, and is an example 
 of such teaching by those who oppose 
 immersion: 
 
 "Acts 8, Vs. 38. 'Went down both in- 
 to (or to ) the water.' — As Both Philip 
 and the eunuch went down into the 
 water, this did not constitute baptism. 
 He baptized him.- — Probably by 
 sprinkling or pouring water from the 
 stream upon his head." 
 
 Everyone, except a hater of the 
 light and of the example of Jesus, 
 must see that such teaching is a plain 
 perversion of Scripture. 
 
 Much could be said as to the result 
 of such teaching but the following 
 statement from Mr. C. L. Clinton 
 briefly expresses the truth on the sub- 
 ject: 
 
 "There was never a time in the his- 
 tory of the world, perhaps, when 
 there were as many Sunday School 
 teachers and scholars, and as many 
 young people's societies, and yet 
 never a time when there was more 
 practical infidelity among these very 
 young people, or more worldliness or 
 hardness of heart." 
 
 Thus it is seen that some of the 
 advocates of Sunday Schools admit 
 that it is a failure in producing the 
 good fruits of practical godliness and 
 reverence for holy things. And many 
 ministers of various denominations 
 say that it is becoming less attractive, 
 and one prominent D. D. of New York 
 City recently declared that something 
 else must be looked for in the future 
 to take the place of Sunday Schools. 
 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists 
 want no school — religiously — but the 
 school of Christ, no teacher but the 
 Holy Spirit and His called and quali- 
 fied servants, and look for no more 
 potent influence for good than the 
 church Jesus set up nearly two thou- 
 sand years ago, the Christian home, 
 and a civil government that guaran- 
 tees religious liberty and freedom of 
 conscience. 
 
 Secret Societies 
 
 Primitive or Old School Baptists 
 oppose secret institutions of the 
 world; so did Jesus. He said: "I 
 spake openly to the world; I ever 
 taught in the synagogue, and in the 
 temple, whither the Jews always re- 
 
 sort; and in secret have I said noth- 
 ing."— Jno. 18:20. 
 
 They believe good works should 
 shine out before men and not be shut 
 up within a lodge, that God, and not 
 the institutions of men, be glorified, 
 
380 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 for thus the Master taught when he 
 said: "Let your light so shine before 
 men that they may see your good 
 works, and glorify your Father which 
 is in heaven." — 'Matt. 5:16. 
 
 They have no fellowship with the 
 unfruitful works of darkness, nor did 
 Paul: "Have no fellowship with the 
 unfruitful works of darkness, but 
 rather reprove them. For it is a 
 shame even to speak of those things 
 which are done of them in secret." — 
 Eph. 5:11, 12. 
 
 Nor do they think it right for be- 
 lievers to be unequally yoked togeth- 
 er with unbelievers, neither did Paul: 
 "Be not unequally yoked together 
 with unbelievers: for what fellowship 
 hath righteousness with unrighteous- 
 ness? and what communion hath light 
 with darkness?" — 2 Cor. 6:14. 
 
 There is one secret society spoken 
 of in the New Testament, but in the 
 way of condemnation for it was or- 
 ganized for no good purpose as the 
 following show: 
 
 "For there lie in wait for him of 
 them more than forty men, which 
 have bound themselves with an oath, 
 that they will neither eat nor drink 
 till they have killed him." — Acts 
 23:21. 
 
 Nor are the Primitive Baptists all 
 who have in the past, and are still 
 opposing secret institutions. "John 
 Quincy Adams denounced the bloody 
 oaths of Masonry and James Madi- 
 son, another President of the United 
 States, also publicly protested against 
 them. * * * The great Lincoln and 
 the Silent Soldier of the Republic 
 were not members of secret societies. 
 The great merchants, the great schol- 
 ars, the great preachers, the great 
 evangelists, the great philanthronists 
 of our country have never been 
 known as lodge people. Where they 
 have spoken on the subject they have 
 condemned the principle of secret as- 
 sociation just as Jesus did." 
 
 "I preside over no lodge, nor have 
 I been in one more than once or twice 
 during the last thirty years." — (George 
 Washington. 
 
 "In my opinion the imposition of 
 such obligations as Freemasonry re- 
 quires should be prohibited by law." — 
 Daniel Webster. 
 
 "I do not see how any Christian, 
 most of all a Christian minister, can 
 go into these secret lodges with un- 
 believers. * * * Do no evil that good 
 may come. You can never reform any- 
 thing by unequally voking yourself 
 with ungodly men." — D. L. Moody. 
 
 "Secret societies are not needed for 
 any good purpose, and may be used 
 
 for any bad purpose whatsoever. In 
 my opinion such societies should be 
 prohibited by law." — Wendell Phillips. 
 "Masonic oaths are a conspiracy 
 against God and man. They are not re- 
 pented of while they are adhered to. 
 refusing to renounce is adhering. Ad- 
 herence makes them partakers of oth- 
 er men's sins. To laugh about the ab- 
 duction of Morgan is laughing about 
 murder." — Charles G. Finney. 
 
 "A more perfect agent for devising 
 and executing conspiracies against 
 church and state could scarcely have 
 been conceived." — Charles Francis 
 Adams. 
 
 "We will not tolerate our members 
 uniting with the Masonic or other infi- 
 del societies." — Augustant Lutheran 
 Synod. 
 
 "The German Evangelical Lutheran 
 Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other 
 states recognize lodgism as diamet- 
 rically opposed to the Christian relig- 
 ion. The very essence of the Christian 
 religion is the doctrine of salvation 
 by the grace of God, through faith in 
 Christ's vicarious atonement; the re- 
 ligion of the lodge is salvation by 
 man's own efforts. These two are in- 
 compatible." — Franz Pieper, D. D., 
 President Concordia Lutheran Col- 
 lege, President German Evangelical 
 Synod of Missouri. 
 
 "I do not see how an intelligent, 
 consecrated Christian can belong to a 
 secret order. It is express disobedi- 
 ence to God's plain command, 2 Cor. 
 6:14. I do not believe it possible for a 
 man to be an intelligent Christian and 
 an intelligent Mason at the same 
 time." — Rev. R. A. Torrey, Superin- 
 tendent Moody Bible Institute, Chica- 
 go, and World-renowned Evangelist. 
 
 "I have no sympathy with secret, 
 oath-bound societies. The Scripture 
 clearly teaches that Christians should 
 not enter into an alliance with ungod- 
 ly men. 'Shouldest thou help the un- 
 godly, and love them that hate the 
 Lord?' 2 Cor. 19:2."— W. G. Moore- 
 head, D. D., Professor in United 
 Presbyterian Theological Seminary. 
 
 "He who begins by halving his 
 heart between God and mammon will 
 end by being whole-hearted for the 
 world and faint-hearted for Christ. 
 Therefore we urge upon Christians 
 the duty of separation — separation 
 from associations that are secret, that 
 they may live an open life of devo- 
 tion to Christ; separation from socie- 
 ties that assess a tax on time which 
 is already mortgaged for its full value 
 to the Lord. We are affirming what a 
 wide experience has taught us in this 
 matter. We have never known a good 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 38L 
 
 lodgeman who was a good church- 
 man." — A. J. Gordon, D. D., late pastor 
 Clarendon Street Baptist Church, Bos- 
 ton. 
 
 The above quotations are from a re- 
 
 cent publicaion by Chas. A. Blanch- 
 ard. Elder S. Hassell in the Gospel 
 Messenger for May, 1903, has the fol- 
 lowing article on the subject which 
 will, no doubt, be read with interest: 
 
 "Modern Secret Societies" 
 
 "The above is the title of a little 
 book of 320 pages, just Written by 
 Charles A. Blanchard, President of 
 Wheaton College, Wheaton, 111., and 
 President of the National Christian 
 Association (opposed to secret socie- 
 ties), and published and sold for sev- 
 enty-five cents, postpaid, by the Na- 
 tional Christian Association, 221 Wifest 
 Madison street, Chicago, Illinois. In 
 thirty short chapters the auhor, a 
 Congregational minister, after thirty 
 years of study of the subject, shows 
 (from the public ceremonies and the 
 published literature of Modern Secret 
 Societies, from the testimony of hon- 
 orable and reliable men who have 
 been compelled by Divine grace to 
 withdraw from them, and also from 
 the teachings of the Scriptures), the 
 heathenish origin, nature, motives, 
 ceremonies, oaths, tendencies, accom- 
 paniments, and results of tnese in- 
 stitutions and instruments of Satan. 
 Nine-tenths of their own members do 
 not understand their real character 
 and design. Tens of thousands of 
 their members have left them in dis- 
 gust, and they themselves say that 
 forty per cent leave them every year. 
 They are not only Pharisaic, but they 
 are pagan religious, contemptuously 
 ignoring the two greatest facts in hu- 
 man history, sin and redemption from 
 sin by the atoning death of the Son 
 of God. They, like all other works of 
 Satan, seek darkness rather than 
 light (John 3:19-21). Like all false 
 religions, they have altars, and 
 creeds, and baptisms, and prayers, 
 and hymns, and professions of rever- 
 ence and morality and charity, and 
 burials, and resurrections; and some 
 of them have brutal initiations, inde- 
 cent and frightful ceremonies, bloody 
 oaths, and mock and even real mur- 
 ders. They cause perjured testimony 
 and the perversion and defeat of jus- 
 tice in the courts. They foster confi- 
 dence in men, instead of confidence in 
 God. They have fine buildings and re- 
 galia, blasphemous titles, and impos- 
 ing rituals, and pay large salaries to 
 their high officials, and they give 
 back, to their afflicted members or 
 their families but a small proportion 
 
 of what is paid to them. They will 
 not receive into membership the most 
 needy, who can not pay their dues; 
 and, if their members become too 
 poor and needy to pay their dues, 
 they help those members or their fam- 
 lies no more. They are substitutes for 
 Christianity, and as opposite as they 
 can be to the spirit of true Christian- 
 ity. The best men,* as a class, will 
 have nothing to do with them; or, if 
 they are, in their youth, inveigled 
 into them, they leave them in after 
 years. In the large cities, the worst of 
 men abound in them, and their mid- 
 night meetings become schools of vice 
 in every form. In different countries 
 they pretend to agree with the relig- 
 ions of those countries — Christianity, 
 Judaism, Mohammedanism, Buddh- 
 ism, Brahminism — anything to cap- 
 ture members. The ancient heathen 
 world was filled with. them, and so is 
 the modern heathen world. They belie 
 the fundamental truths of the Bible, 
 that men are sinners, and indispensa- 
 bly need regeneration by the Spirit 
 of God, and redemption of the Son of 
 God, repentance toward God and faith 
 in the Lord Jesus Christ, love of God 
 above all other beings and love of all 
 our fellowmen as we love ourselves. 
 The most of the members of Secret 
 Societies either do not belong to any 
 professedly Christian church, or care 
 but little for it, thinking that the 
 lodge is a good enough church for 
 them. Satan, the arch-enemy of God 
 and man, the great deceiver of the 
 human race, thus transforms himself 
 into an angel of light, and deludes 
 millions to their eternal ruin. The 
 pretensions of Modern Secret Socie- 
 ties to great antiquity is, to all in- 
 formed people, perfectly ridiculous. 
 The Society of Jesuits, the oldest, 
 worst, and most powerful of all Mod- 
 ern Secret Societies, "a naked sword 
 whose hilt is at Rome and whose 
 point is everywhere," and whose Gen- 
 eral is called "the Black Pope," and 
 which was the mightiest agent used 
 by the Roman Catholic Pope in keep- 
 ing the Protestant Reformation out 
 of Southern Europe, was founded in 
 Italy by Ignatius Loyola in 1537; and, 
 for its corrupt intrigues in politics, 
 
382 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL, INFORMATION 
 
 the Society has been banished from 
 the most civilized countries, but it is 
 allowed to exist in the United States. 
 The next oldest Modern Secret Socie- 
 ty is Masonry, founded in the Apple 
 Tree Tavern in London in 1717, which 
 first had only one degree, but wishing 
 to get more money out of its dupes, 
 and buy more liquor, and have more 
 fun, increased the number of degrees 
 to over a thousand. The Odd Fellows, 
 the next oldest, was founded in Lon- 
 don in 1745. Mr. Blanchard tells not 
 only about these, but also about other 
 Modern Secret Societies — Temper- 
 ance, Insurance, Industrial, Patriotic, 
 and College Secret Societies; and he 
 presents, in the smallest space, the 
 most important and reliable informa- 
 tion in regard to them. 
 
 It appears that secret societies of 
 various sorts are so common and of 
 such power now that a laboring man 
 cannot go into any ofi the industrial 
 centres and labor peacefully and suc- 
 cessfully without uniting with some 
 one of those secret orders, and some 
 of our brethren living in such places 
 plead this as an excuse for joining a 
 
 secret order; but our churches should 
 stand firm on this question and utter- 
 ly repudiate, as they have in the past, 
 all such secret orders, and after a 
 brother has been duly instructed, 
 warned and admonished in regard to 
 these things, if he will not heed he 
 should be excommunicated; for in- 
 stead of the prevalence and power of 
 secret orders being a justifiable ex- 
 cuse or reason for uniting with them 
 it is rather a strong reason why they 
 should not be tolerated by the 
 churches, for it shows that such so- 
 cieties are dangerous to our liberties 
 and social order. A brother is not 
 obliged to live in such places to make 
 an honest support — he can go to the 
 country, to the farm, if need be, and 
 there live independent of such socie- 
 ties. The strongest obligations that 
 we are under in this world are those 
 that we are under to our blessed Sav- 
 iour and our brethren,, and those obli- 
 gations require us to avoid all such 
 things, and we should discharge our 
 obligations in this particular, though 
 we lose financially, and though we 
 have to flee from one part of the 
 country to another to do so." 
 
 Instrumental Music in Churches 
 
 Among the legal ceremonies under 
 the temple service instrumental 
 music is found, but not among the 
 churches of Christ and His Apostles. 
 Under ceremonial law we also find 
 many forms and customs, many types 
 and shadows, many priests with 
 priestly robes, many sacrifices, fes- 
 tivals, tithings, etc.; and finding them 
 there let us wisely leave them there. 
 Had they been needed in the gospel 
 church Christ would have brought 
 them over. Since He did not, they are 
 not needed, and should remain where 
 He left them. And this applies as 
 strongly to instrumental music as to 
 other temple services and legal cere- 
 monies. (Acts 15; Heb. 9:10; 10:1-9; 
 Rom. 10:4.) 
 
 Recently some of our churches in 
 Georgia have introduced the organ in 
 their service which has caused con- 
 fusion, bitterness, strife and will evi- 
 dently lead to permanent division un- 
 less abandoned. The plea for musical 
 instruments in the churches is based 
 upon the fact that it is not condemned 
 in the New Testament. Neither are 
 Sunday Schools, Missionary Societies 
 Secret Societies, Christmas Trees, 
 Cake-Walks, and various other things 
 tolerated and practiced by Arminian 
 
 churches condemned in plain terms 
 in the New Testament; and the same 
 reasoning or fellowship that would 
 allow the introduction of instrumental 
 music would also allow the introduc- 
 tion of any other thing not plainly 
 condemned. Christ established His 
 church and thoroughly furnished her 
 with all good works and useful things, 
 and the only safe rule by which to 
 measure the service of God's house, 
 to glorify Him, and benefit His peo- 
 ple is that the things needful for the 
 church of Christ were placed in the 
 church by Christ and His Apostles 
 and the absence of a thing is its di- 
 vine disapproval and everlasting con- 
 demnation. 
 
 On being asked "When and by 
 whom was instrumental music first 
 introduced in Christian worship," Eld- 
 er Sylvester Hassell, an authority on 
 church history replied: 
 
 "Cain built the first city, and named 
 it Enoch after his son; and Jubal, a 
 descendant of Cain, invented the first 
 musical instruments, the harp and the 
 organ (Gen. 4:17, 21). Musical instru- 
 ments were used in the tabernacle 
 and temple service, as well as by the 
 'companies of prophets,' and David, 
 and Elisha. The apostolic churches 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 383 
 
 used no musical instruments. The 
 flute was first used at Alexandria, in 
 Egypt, about 190 A. D., but the harp 
 was soon substituted for it; but in- 
 struments were very little used in 
 church worship before the fifth cen- 
 tury, and towards the close of the 
 sixth century they were prohibited by 
 Pope Gregory. The organ, which was 
 already used in theatres, seemed to 
 have been first used in public wor- 
 ship by Pope Vitalian (G58-672); but 
 organs were never regarded with fav- 
 or by the Greek Catholics, and they 
 were for hundreds of years vehement- 
 ly opposed in the Roman Catholic and 
 Protestant churches. In Scotland the 
 Protestants, except a few Episcopa- 
 lians, still refuse to use the organ in 
 public worship. The Scriptural objec- 
 tions of Primitive Baptists to the use 
 of unchristian choirs and of musical 
 instruments in public worship are the 
 total absence of any precept or exam- 
 ple of their use in the apostolic 
 churches; and the fact that the Apos- 
 tle Paul requires us to sing praise to 
 the Lord with grace and melody in 
 our hearts; unchristian choirs have 
 no grace in their hearts, so that their 
 pretended praises to God are but 
 mockeries; and dead musical instru- 
 ments have neither grace nor hearts." 
 iHe again says: "In the Roman 
 Catholic Centennial, April 28th, 1908, 
 in 'St. Patrick's Cathedral,' in New 
 York City, 'Cardinal Gibbons' glori- 
 fied, among other human vanities, 
 
 'the peal of the organ and the chant 
 of the choir.' Some of the Protestant 
 daughters of Rome use a full orches- 
 tra in their meetings." 
 
 Again in reference to the organ and 
 other departures: "These new things, 
 unknown in the. New Testament and 
 among the Baptists for eighteen hun- 
 dred years, have been rigidly, cruelly, 
 and distressingly pressed upon the 
 Primitive Baptists of Georgia, to a 
 deep, wide-spreading, and, unless 
 they are abandoned, to an apparently 
 permanent division among our peo- 
 ple; the introducers and promoters of 
 these inventions preferring them to 
 the fellowship of their brethren who 
 stand in the good old way of the 
 Apostles and our Baptist predeces- 
 sors. These innovations have not been 
 so persistently, unfeelingly, and dis- 
 astrously pressed anywhere else 
 among our people." 
 
 Elder J. H. Oliphant in a recent 
 publication wisely and truthfully 
 says: "I regret to see that in some 
 places our people are inclined to this 
 worldly practice. It is easier for us 
 to keep such things (organs), out 
 than it is to get them out after they 
 once secure a footing among us. If 
 we begin by fellowshipping these 
 things in others, while we don't want 
 them ourselves, we may expect this 
 to be all they will ask at the present, 
 but they will press them more by and 
 by. I believe it is best and safest to 
 insist on these things being kept out." 
 
 Christmas 
 
 Not even the year, much less the 
 exact month and day when Christ 
 was born, is stated in the Scriptures 
 or known to mortals. For some wise 
 purpose, it was, by chronologists, lost 
 sight of. It most probably occurred a 
 few months before the death of Herod 
 the Great, four years before the com- 
 mon Christian era, in the year of 
 Rome 750, and in the year of the 
 world 4,000. Learned men have inves- 
 tigated this point, but with all their 
 research have not been able to fix the 
 precise day, month or year. The 6th 
 of January, was in the second and 
 third centuries thought to have been 
 the day; but it was decided by the 
 Catholics in the fourth and fifth cen- 
 turies that the 25th of December was 
 
 the day. Even the early Christians 
 were divided on this subject and, of 
 course, it must be a matter of uncer- 
 tainty to all succeeding generations. 
 In view of this uncertainty, how 
 groundless and puerile appears the 
 custom of the Romish and English, as 
 well as other communions, in holding 
 sacred the twenty-fifth day of Decem- 
 ber (new style) as the day of Christ's 
 nativity, and adorning their houses of 
 worship with flowers and evergreens 
 as a part of their religious devotion 
 on that day." Fallen humanity is 
 prone to the worship of "days, and 
 months, and times, and years," and 
 God has, no doubt, purposely hid the 
 exact time of His Son's advent into 
 the world. Let us worship God alone 
 and esteem every day as a gift from 
 the Lord. 
 
384 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 One Sentence— Longest in Print 
 
 The following long but replete sen- 
 tence on the chaotic nineteenth cen- 
 tury is from the pen of that learned, 
 able and accurate historian — 'Elder 
 Sylvester Hassell — and may be found 
 on pages 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 
 586, and 587, of the Church History 
 by C. B. and S. Hassell. It is such a 
 rare literary gem and gives such a 
 correct birdseye view of the past hun- 
 dred years, that the editor felt dis- 
 posed to give it space, trusting that 
 the reader may be benefited by its 
 perusal. 
 
 "The nineteenth is the century of 
 the rise and fall of Napoleon Bona- 
 parte, in a long series of bloody and 
 demoralizing European wars; the dis- 
 memberment of the Turkish Empire 
 by the Greek Revolution, and of the 
 Spanish Empire by that of Mexico 
 and South America; the repeated rev- 
 olutions in France; the War of 1812 
 between England and the United 
 States; the Wiar between the United 
 States and Mexico; the War between 
 the Northern and Southern States of 
 the American Union; the unification 
 of Germany, and that of Italy; the 
 numerous wars of England (the most 
 wa'like, self-aggrandizing, wealthy 
 and powerful nation of modern 
 times), for the maintenance and in- 
 crease of her empire and claims, 
 among which contests should be par- 
 ticularized her wars in 1839-1842, to 
 force the impious opium trade, and 
 missions incidentally, upon China — in 
 1840, with her allies, to conquer Syria 
 for the Turks from a rebellious vas- 
 sal, just as England has repeatedly 
 upheld the Turks in their frightful 
 and wholesale massacres of "Christ- 
 ians" in the Turkish Empire and 
 Asiatic provinces — in 1854-6, in con- 
 nection with France and Sardinia, to 
 defend Turkey from Russia — in 1857, 
 to preserve her dominion in India 
 from the Sepoy rebellion — iin 1857- 
 1860, to open China better to trade 
 and missions — and in 1882, to take 
 possession of Egypt, and foreclose, at 
 the mouth of cannon and rifle, her 
 mortgage on that abject and impov- 
 erished people, and to defend ber 
 shares in the Suez Canal and hei 
 shortest route to India; the course of 
 England, during recent years, in forc- 
 ing, by her fleets and treaties, the 
 wretched liquor traffic upon India, 
 Siam, Madagascar, Griqualand, etc., 
 degrading the heathens far below 
 their former condition, in order to in- 
 crease her revenue; the apparent and 
 
 temporary recognition, by the Euro- 
 pean nations of a special and merciful 
 and Almighty Providence in staying 
 the victorious career of Napoleon 
 Bonaparte, followed by their speedy 
 relapse into infidelity; the almost 
 universal emancipation of slaves 
 and the very extensive liberation of 
 civilized peoples from political op- 
 pression; the improvement of the 
 manners of general society — less open 
 indecency, intemperance, profanity 
 and dueling; the milder character of 
 legislation; the increase of charities 
 and asylums for the afflicted and un- 
 fortunate; the great extension of pop- 
 ular education; the unprecedented 
 progress of scientific discoveries and 
 practical inventions, lightening physic- 
 al labor, and multiplying the conveni- 
 ences, comforts and luxuries of life; 
 the discovery and mining of gold in 
 California and Australia; the estab- 
 lishment of manufactures, and great 
 increase of commerce, and excessive 
 devotion to business and money-get- 
 ting; the rapid increase of wealth, 
 and pauperism, and demoralization, 
 and, in most civilized countries, of 
 recent crime; morbid sympathy for 
 and condoning of wrong-doing; the 
 general prevalence of quackery, puff- 
 ery and dishonesty; unparalleled adul- 
 terations of foods and drinks and 
 medicines; the increased licentious- 
 ness of theatrical performances; the 
 great increase of gambling in old and 
 new forms, including speculation in 
 grain and cotton futures; the gradual 
 but steady decay of the appreciation 
 of the life-long sacredness of the mar- 
 riage relation, the relaxation of the 
 laws of divorce, and the alarming 
 multiplication of divorces and of, "con- 
 secutive polygamy" (the New Eng- 
 land States of the Union occupying a 
 miserable pre-eminence, and Protest- 
 ant countries far surpassing Roman 
 Catholic countries, in this corrupting 
 disregard of the Divine law of mar- 
 riage) ; the increasing frequency of 
 obfoetation and foeticide, in place of 
 infanticide practiced by the Pagans; 
 the recent increasing corruption of 
 the daily press, in the large cities, and 
 of the use of the telegraph, expiating 
 upon all the details of crime, and 
 thus he'ping to make crime epidem- 
 ic; the infidel tendency of a large 
 body of periodical literature and of 
 science falsely so called; the impur- 
 ity and corrupting influence of much 
 of modern art; the fact that the na- 
 tions of Europe spend, on an average, 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 385 
 
 four and a half times more for war 
 than for education — that England 
 spends about twenty dollars per year 
 for every man, woman and child, for 
 spiritous liquors, and that the United 
 States spends about seventeen dol- 
 lars annually per capita for the 
 same purpose, while spending for 
 each inhabitant only about one dol- 
 lar annually for religion and about 
 two dollars for education; the great 
 increase of insanity and idiocy; the 
 disruption of the Roman Catholic 
 communion (the Old Catholics, in Eu- 
 rope, seceding in 1870 — 'the Episco- 
 palian (the Reformed branch, in the 
 United States, going off in 1873) — the 
 Presbyterian (the Cumberland or Ar- 
 minian Presbyterians, in the western 
 and southwestern States of the Union, 
 withdrawing from their Calvanistic 
 brethren in 1810; the Free Church 
 in Scotland, from the Established 
 Church, in 1843; the New School, in 
 the United States, separating from 
 the Old School in 1837, but re-uniting 
 in 1869; and the Southern separating 
 from the Northern in 1861)— the Bap- 
 tist (the Old School, in the United 
 States, separating from the New 
 School in 1828-42; and the New 
 School separating into Northern and 
 Southern in 1845; the Strict Baptists, 
 in England, separating from the Par- 
 ticular Baptists in 1835) — the Metho- 
 dist (dividing into about a dozen 
 sects; and, in the United States, sep- 
 arating into Northern and Southern 
 in 1844) — and the Society of Friends 
 (some Quakers, in Ireland, becoming 
 heterodox in 1813; and the Hicksite, 
 in the United States, withdrawing 
 from the old Orthodox Quakers in 
 1827) ; a very extensive decay of 
 their ancient faith among Jews, Brah- 
 mins, Buddhists, Mohammedans and 
 Protestants (the latter almost univer- 
 sally abandoning their original Cal- 
 vinism for Catholic Arminianism, and 
 many going off even into Pelagianism 
 and Universalism) ; the decayed and 
 deadened condition of Greek Cathol- 
 icism; the vigorous revival and blas- 
 phemous culmination of Roman Ca- 
 tholicism (Ultramontanism), regain- 
 ing a significance and influence such 
 as it had not had for centuries (the 
 deadly wound being healed), in the 
 re-establishment of Jesuitism and the 
 Inquisition (1814) — jthe murder of two 
 hundred female and nearfy two thou- 
 sand male Protestants in Southern 
 France (1815)— the re-invigoration of 
 the Propaganda Society (1817) — the 
 founding of the Lyons Propagation 
 Society (1822) and of numerous Col- 
 leges and Theological Seminaries — • 
 
 the renewed ardor of a large number 
 of old Catholic Societies — the pur- 
 chase, by the 'Society for the Holy 
 Childhood of Jesus,' of about 400,000 
 Chinese orphan children, at about 
 three cents apiece, in order to bring 
 up and 'baptize' them in the Catholic 
 communion, and the purchase of nu- 
 merous pretended conversions from 
 the lower classes of Protestants in 
 Europe — the gathering in of thou- 
 sands from the Episcopalians in Eng- 
 land, and the very rapid increase of 
 their numbers, in the United States, 
 from immigration — the sending out of 
 three thousand priests on foreign mis- 
 sion work, disseminating, among the 
 heathens, the most corrupting Jesuit- 
 ical casuistry and idolatry in the 
 name of Christianity, and, at times, 
 especially in remote islands, the most 
 shameless French licentiousness, 
 worse than that previously practiced 
 by the heathens themselves — the at- 
 firmation, by Pope Pius IX., in 1854, 
 of the sinlessness (Immaculate con- 
 ception) o£ the Virgin Mary, 'the 
 Mother of God, and the Queen of 
 Heaven' (thus still more than ever 
 justifying and encouraging the in- 
 creasing Roman Catholic Mariolatry, 
 or idolatrous worship of Mary, to 
 whom are addressed numerous pray- 
 ers, beseeching her to persuade or 
 command her son Jesus to grant the 
 petitions of the suppliants) — the is- 
 suance by the same pope, in 1864, of 
 the "Syllabus of Errors," cfaiming 
 still the 'Church's' power to use tem- 
 poral force, and denouncing non-Cath- 
 olic schools and the separation of 
 Church and State — the declaration of 
 the Vatican Council, July 18th, 1870, 
 in the midst of a terrific tempest of 
 black clouds and incessant lightning 
 flash and thunder peal, of the Infalli- 
 bility of the Pope (thus making him 
 God on earth, the iast Supreme Judge 
 of the human race in all questions of 
 faith and morals, from whose decision 
 no one can deviate without loss of sal- 
 vation — see 2 Thess. ii. 3, 4), follow- 
 ed, in speedy Divine retribution, the 
 very next day, July 19th, 1870, by the 
 declaration of war against Germany 
 by Napoleon III., the political support- 
 er of the papacy, which contest in 
 two months destroyed the Empire of 
 France and the temporal power of the 
 pope — and the Encyclical Letter of 
 Pope Leo XIII., Nov. 1st, 1885, 'De 
 Civitatum Gubernatione Christiana' 
 (Concerning the Christian Govern- 
 ment of States), enjoining upon all 
 Catholics to devote all their energies 
 to influence and control the politics of 
 the world, and to remodel all States 
 and Constitutions upon Catholic prin- 
 
386 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 ciples (and thus carry the world back 
 to the midnight of the Dark Ages, 
 and to the essentially political, as 
 well as to the essentially formal, le- 
 gal, ceremonial and conditional, re- 
 ligion of Pagan Rome, and to unspir- 
 itualize and corrupt Christ's profess- 
 ing kingdom by making it a kingdom 
 of this world) ; the appearance of 
 fresh proof that God has a people 
 even in Roman Catholicism, or Mys- 
 tical Babylon (out of whose fellow- 
 ship He calls them to come, Revela- 
 tion xviii. 4), in the existence of true 
 spiritual religion among a few Catho- 
 lics of South Germany, leading them 
 to feel the worthlessness of empty 
 pomp and ceremony, the sinfulness 
 and helpfulness of man, his absolute 
 dependence on the mercy of God, and 
 need of an inward union with Christ 
 through repentance and faith, provok- 
 ing far more bitter hatred and perse- 
 cution than even infidelity provokes 
 from the bigoted followers of the 
 pope — >and in the existence of similar 
 humble spirituality, looking beyond 
 all creatures to God, and lovingly 
 serving and spontaneously and cheer- 
 fully praising Him in the midst of 
 life-long privations and sufferings, 
 among some of the aged, poor and 
 ignorant Catholics of Ireland, griev- 
 ously oppressed by their English 
 lords; the remarkable outpouring ot 
 the Divine Spirit, in the first years 
 of the century, upon England and the 
 United States, and large ingatherings 
 into the Protestant communions; the 
 vast increase of the profession, in 
 recent years, without the evident pos- 
 session, of Christianity (more mem- 
 bers having been added to the 
 'churches' in this century, chiefly 
 since 1850, than their entire number 
 of members at its beginning), espec- 
 ially the deceiving and gathering in 
 of large numbers of the young, par- 
 ticularly young females, by Sunday 
 Schools, and by preaching loose doc- 
 trine or no doctrine, and by other 
 myriad human means and machinery 
 (often conducted by so-called 'evange- 
 lists' at a stipulated price of from 
 $25 to $200 per week), protracted and 
 distracted meetings, perversions of 
 Scripture, fabulous stories, anxious 
 seats, mourners' benches, affecting 
 tunes, sobs, sighs, groans, convul- 
 sions, human resolutions, hand-shak- 
 ing, etc., etc., etc., the secularization 
 or worldly assimilation of the pro- 
 fessing 'church;' the substitution of 
 money-based societies for the church 
 of God, and of human learning and 
 human boards for the Spirit of God; 
 the old characteristically and essen- 
 tially Jesuitical principle of systemat- 
 
 ically indoctrinating the minds of the 
 young with false religion, sifting 
 nearly the whole juvenile population 
 through the 'Sabbath School,' substi- 
 tuting the feeble and humanly-devised 
 influence of the 'Sabbath School' teach- 
 er for the potent and scripturally-en- 
 joined influence of the home and the 
 church, and resulting, in a large pro- 
 portion of instances, according to the 
 most recent and extensive and relia- 
 ble investigations, in filling the 
 youthful mind with irreverent relig- 
 ionism and hatred of the Bible and 
 the church; the establishing or get- 
 ting control of seminaries, colleges 
 and universities for the same pros- 
 elyting purposes, (Protestants, in this 
 as in numerous other matters, merely 
 copying the old Catholic methods) ; 
 the vile character of much of the fic- 
 tion found in 'Sabbath School' libra- 
 ries; theatrical preaching, greeted 
 with laughter and applause; the great 
 increase of hireling 'shepherds,' who, 
 instead of feeding the flock, feed 
 themselves upon the flock, caring not 
 for the sheep (whom they hasten to 
 leave at any time for a larger price 
 elsewhere), and lording it over the 
 flock for filthy lucre's sake (Ezek. 
 xxiv; John x; Acts xx. 33-35; 1 Peter 
 v. 2,3) ; the multiplication of almost 
 all species of worldly amusements in 
 connection with the so-called 
 'churches,' for the entertainment and 
 retention of the young members who, 
 having no spiritual life, cannot par- 
 take of spiritual food, and for the 
 raising of money for pretended relig- 
 ious purposes — such as strawberry 
 and ice-cream festivals, oyster sup- 
 pers, concerts, burlesque hymns, 
 comic songs, amateur theatricals, 
 Sunday School excursions, and pic- 
 nics, and banners, and emblems, Christ- 
 mas trees, Easter cards, charity balls, 
 and 'church fairs, (with their rafflings 
 or gamblings), rightly termed 
 'abysses of horrors,' mingling trade 
 with sham charity, obtaining money un- 
 der false pretenses, teaching the selfish 
 and thoughtless patrons how to be 'be- 
 nevolent without benevolence charita- 
 ble without charity, devout without de- 
 votion, how to give without giving and 
 to be paid for 'doing good,' — thus at- 
 tempting to serve God and mammon, 
 and turning what is claimed to be 
 God's house of prayer into a house 
 of merchandise and a den of thieves, 
 and loudly calling for the Master's 
 scourge to cleanse the temple of its 
 defilements (Jews, Catholics and Pro- 
 testants, all practicing these abomi- 
 nations) ; the increasing tendency, as 
 in the latter part of the Dark Ages 
 under the teachings of the Pope of 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 387 
 
 Rome, to reduce all the command- 
 ments to one, Give Gold, as tnougn 
 this were the one thing needful, and 
 everything else were of no value, for 
 the salvation of the soul; the almost 
 universal tendency of people to try 
 to pull the mote out of other peo- 
 ple's eyes, and not to think of the 
 beam in their own eyes — to busy 
 themselves chiefly with the means 
 and ways morally improving others, 
 without beginning with their own 
 moral improvement, resulting in ex- 
 travagances and abortions; the ■ex- 
 huming and deciphering of the an- 
 cient monumental records of Egypt, 
 Assyria and Babylonia, all tending to 
 illustrate and confirm, in the most 
 wonderful manner, the exact truth- 
 fulness of the Old Testament Scrip- 
 tures, at a time when such a confirm- 
 ation seems most needed by an un- 
 believing world; many new transla- 
 tions of the Scriptures into the lan- 
 guages of both civilized and uncivil- 
 ized peoples; the union of the Luther- 
 an and the Reformed 'Church,' in 
 Prussia, at the command of the king, 
 into the 'Evangelical Church,' and the 
 revival of 'Old Lutheranism' there; 
 the Tractarian or Anglo-Catholic 
 movement in the 'Church of England,' 
 resulting in Ritualism, Romanism and 
 Skepticism; the formation of the 
 Broad-Church (in addition to the 
 High-Church and the low-Church) 
 party, in the 'Church of England' — 
 'so broad that you cannot see across 
 it,' says Mr. John Gadsby, of London 
 — ''the Church of England,' says Mr. 
 A. V. G. Allen, of Cambridge, Mass., 
 'thus remaining open to all the tides 
 of thought and spiritual life which 
 have swept over the nation, and thus 
 able to retain in its folds those whom 
 no other form of organized Christian- 
 ity could tolerate;' the appearance, 
 in 1860, of the rationalistic 'Essays 
 and Reviews,' written by seven Ox- 
 ford Episcopalian teachers, and, in 
 1862, of 'Bishop' Colenso's 'Investiga- 
 tions of the Penteteuch and Joshua,' 
 assailing the authenticity and credi- 
 bility of those Scriptures with the an- 
 tiquated or surrendered arguments 
 long current in Germany, and the ac- 
 quittal of the charge of heresy, both 
 of the Essayists and of Colenso, by 
 the Privy Council, the highest eccle- 
 siastical court in England; the dises- 
 tablishment of the Episcopal Church' 
 in Ireland in 1869, with its prospec- 
 tive disestablishment in England also, 
 before the lapse of many years; the 
 reunion, in 1846, of Lutherans, Epis- 
 copalians, Presbyterians, Congrega- 
 tionaiists, New' School Baptists. Meth- 
 odists, Moravians, and other Trinita- 
 
 rian Protestants, of all countries, in 
 an 'Evangelical .Alliance' (signifi- 
 cantly apostrophized by Krummacher, 
 in his address of welcome, 'O heart- 
 stirring mirage!'), on a doctrinal 
 basis of Nine Articles, the chief ob- 
 ject avowed being to oppose the pro- 
 gress of the papacy and of more than 
 half-papish Puseyism; the union of 
 nearly all Protestants in other Socie- 
 ties, Associations, Diets, Councils, 
 Committees and Conferences; the or- 
 ganization and operation of large 
 numbers of Bible, Tract, Missionary, 
 Abstinence and Relief Societies, and 
 of the so-called 'Salvation Army,' with 
 its eccentricities, profanities and de- 
 lusions; the gathering of about two 
 million communicants into the Pro- 
 testant 'churches' from heathen 
 lands; the continued home and for- 
 eign missionary zeal of the Mora- 
 vians, which began in 1732, — 'accom- 
 plishing,' it is said, 'the most extra- 
 ordinary results with the fewest 
 means,' trusting in the providence of 
 God, choosing the poor and humble 
 fields (not of India and China, but) 
 of Greenland, Labrador, the West 
 Indies, South Africa and Australia, 
 and heroically doing rough work 
 which others would not touch; the 
 obliteration of almost all distinctions 
 between the various Protestant 
 'churches;' the cloaking of the shal- 
 lowest unbelief under the popular as- 
 sertions that there should be no doc- 
 trine, no creed, no church, but per- 
 fect liberty in all these matters; the 
 notion that self-styled sincerity, no 
 matter what one believes, any relig- 
 ion or no religion, is all that is nec- 
 essary for salvation; the doubt, sup- 
 pression or denial, by the most of 
 Protestants, of many of the vital 
 truths of Christianity; a diminished 
 sense of sin, and a fainter conviction 
 of the indispensability of the atoning 
 blood of the Son of God and of the 
 regenerating power of the Spirit of 
 God; the Pharisaic principle of trans- 
 forming religion from a saving inward 
 reality into a vain-glorious outward 
 show; the general contempt ^nd 
 abuse of revealed religion; a disbelief 
 in the special providence of God ex- 
 tending to all the events of human 
 life; a disbelief in the literal, verbal, 
 plenary inspiration of the Scriptures 
 — this species of infidelity permeat- 
 ing, more or less, nearly all the Pro- 
 testant 'churches,' unblushingly avow- 
 ed by their most recent and authori- 
 tative writers, and in reality degrad- 
 ing the Scriptures to the level of all 
 other books, containing a mixture of 
 t r uths and errors, which it is left 
 for the reader to discriminate, ac- 
 
388 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 cepting what he pleases, and rejecting 
 what he pleases; the stigmatizing of 
 those who adhere to the old unpopu- 
 lar doctrinal truths proclaimed by the 
 prophets and by Christ and His Apos- 
 tles, as being ' a hundred years be- 
 hind the times,' and as applying the 
 principles of the cold understanding 
 to the language of emotion and imag- 
 ination, and too literally deducing 
 doctrines from bold types and meta- 
 phors, while at the same time the ob- 
 jectors admit that the old system of 
 doctrine is made out fairly and log- 
 ically enough, but too rigidly, from 
 the language of the Scriptures; the 
 steadfast and immovabi'e adherence 
 of 'a very small remnant according to 
 the election of grace' to original 
 apostolic principles and practices 
 (Isaiah i. 9; Rom. xi. 5), in the face 
 of continual blasts of unpopularity, 
 ridicule, slander, contempt and perse- 
 cution (Matt. v. 10-12; Rom. iii. 8; 
 Acts xxviii. 22) — only those who have 
 eyes to see being able to dfsccrn the 
 unworldly and spiritual motives of 
 these despised and calumniated ser- 
 vants of the Most High God; the rise 
 (or revival) of Universalism, Unitar- 
 ianism, Naturalism, Anti-Supernatur- 
 alism, Unspiritualism, Uncloctrinal- 
 ism, Superficial ism, Moralism, Philos- 
 ophism, Transcendentalism, Pagan- 
 ism, Pantheism, Humanitarianism, 
 
 Liberalism, Neologism, Campbellism, 
 Iivingism, Darbyism, Puseyism, Mor- 
 monism, Millerism, Winebrennerian- 
 lsm, Two-Seedism, Psychopannych- 
 ism, Non-Resurrectionism, Annihila- 
 tionism, Universal Restorationism, 
 Pseudo-Spiritualism, Utilitarianism, 
 Rationalism, Pelagianism, Scientism, 
 Agnosticism, Omniscienceism, Pre- 
 sumptuousism, Stoicism, Materialism, 
 Evolutionism, Fatalism, Atheism, Op- 
 timism, Pessimism., Socialism, Com- 
 munism, Libertinism, Red Republi- 
 canism, Internationalism, Nihilism, 
 Destructionism, Dynamitism, Atrocic- 
 ism and Anarchism." * 
 
 The following foot-note is given by 
 the author as explanation for this one 
 long sentence. 
 
 * To economize space, as I am per- 
 mitted to make but the briefest allu- 
 sion to the most of these matters, I 
 have presented, in this one long sen- 
 tence, the most faithful photograph 
 that I am able to draw of the chaotic 
 nineteenth century. Wlhile there are, 
 in the picture, many bright scenes, 
 there are far more numerous spots 
 and vistas of darkness. The best in- 
 formed and most candid observers 
 unite in declaring that, after all our 
 progress, this is still a very sinful 
 and miserable world, and man's only 
 well-grounded hope is in God. 
 
 Our "Christian" Nation 
 
 According to recent statistics the 
 people of the United States, during 
 the year 1907, spent $7,500,000 for 
 Foreign Missions; $11,000,000 for 
 Chewing Gum; $27,500,000 for Drugs; 
 $60,500,000 for Jewelry; $80,000,000 
 for Millinery; $178,000,000 for Confec- 
 tionary; $749,500,000 for Tobacco; $1,- 
 744,447,672 for Alcoholic Liquors. 
 That is to say, our wealthy "Christ- 
 ian" nation, nearly all of whose citi- 
 zens profess to believe that the for- 
 eign heathen are perishing eternally 
 a hundred thousand a day, for the 
 lack of the preached gospel, give only 
 $7,500,000 a year for Foreign Mis- 
 sions (less than ten cents apiece) for 
 saving the poor foreign heathens from 
 torment; while they spend half again 
 as much for Chewing Gum, nearly 
 
 four times as much for Drugs, eight 
 times as much for Jewelry, nearly 
 eleven times as much for Millinery, 
 nearly twenty-four times as much for 
 Confectionery, about a hundred times 
 as much for Tobacco, and, what is by 
 far the worst of all, two hundred and 
 thirty-two times as much for Alco- 
 holic Liquors! Judged by these fig- 
 ures, the great majority of our peo- 
 ple, instead of being Christians — 
 spiritual, humble, and wise, are them- 
 selves heathens — carnal, proud, and 
 foolish. Few people on earth are more 
 in need of the preaching of the free, 
 pure, spiritual, divine, almighty, ever- 
 lasting, saving gospel of the Son of 
 God than the people of the United 
 States. — S'. Hassell in Gospel Messen- 
 ger. 
 
 A Pen Picture of Jesus 
 
 Jesus Christ is the heart of the 
 Bible; He is the Shiloh in Genesis; 
 the I Am in Exodus; the Star and 
 Sceptre in Numbers; the Rock of 
 Deuteronomy; the Captain of the 
 
 Lord's Host in Joshua, and the Re- 
 deemer in Job. He is David's Lord 
 and Shepherd; in the Song of Songs 
 He is the Beloved; in Isaiah He is the 
 "Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God,. 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 389 
 
 the Everlasting Father, and the 
 Prince of Peace,, In Jeremiah He is 
 the Lord our Righteousness, In Dan- 
 iel He is the Messiah; in Zachariah 
 He is the Branch; in Haggai He is 
 the Desire of all Nations; in Malachi 
 He is the Messenger of the Covenant 
 and the Sun of Righteousness; and 
 in the book of Revelation He is the 
 Alpha and Omega and also the Morn- 
 ing Star. 
 
 I summon thee, O execreable Judas. 
 Behold him flinging down the thirty 
 pieces of silver before the chief 
 priests and elders. Hear him speak 
 in his agony of soul: "I have sinned 
 in that I have betrayed the innocent 
 blood." 1 summon thee, O Pontius Pi- 
 late, with thy immortality of shame 
 in the creeds of the ages. The Roman 
 procurator washes his hands. Strange 
 sight! He speaks: "I am innocent of 
 the blood of this just person." He 
 speaks again: "I find no fault in this 
 man." I summon John, the heroic Bap- 
 tist. Hear his testimony: "Behold the 
 Lamb of God, who taketh away the 
 sin of the world." O loving and divine 
 John, the Evangelist, what thinkest 
 thou of the Christ? "He is the Vine, 
 the Way, the Truth, the Light, and 
 the Word, and the Word was God." 
 I summon thee, O matchless Paul. 
 What is thy testimony? "He is the 
 image of the invisible God.' ' ' The 
 blessed and only Potentate, the King 
 of kings, the Lord of lords." I sum- 
 mon thee, Apostle Peter, once confes- 
 sor, then denier, but afterwards pen- 
 itent witness and heroic martyr. What 
 is thy testimony? "He is the Christ, 
 
 the Son of the living God." I summon 
 thee, O once doubting but always 
 brave Thomas. Hear the testimony of 
 this witness as he falls at the Mast- 
 er's feet and exclaims, "My Lord and 
 My God." 
 
 I summon thee, O Gladstone, nob- 
 lest of statesmen, uncrowned king of 
 the world, thou who didst come in 
 contact with the throbbing life of the 
 world, of politics, letters, and relig- 
 ions. What sayest thou concerning 
 humanity's greatest need? "I am ask- 
 ed what a man should chiefly look to 
 in his progress through life, as to the 
 power that is to sustain him under 
 trials and enable him manfully to con- 
 front his afflictions. The older I grow, 
 the more confirmed I am in the be- 
 lief that Jesus Christ is the only hope 
 of humanity." 
 
 I summon thyself, O thou Christ 
 of God, thou holiest of the holy, thou 
 who art God of very God. What sayest 
 thou of thyself? "Before Abraham was 
 I am." "I and my Father are one." 
 "He that hath seen me, hath seen the 
 Father." 
 
 O men and women in our churches, 
 I ask you all in His own glorious 
 name and in His own solemn words, 
 "What think ye of Christ?' "I be- 
 seech you in the name of Him before 
 whose bar all must stand, that each 
 one of you now fall at Jesus's feet, 
 and utter with Thomas, out of peni- 
 tent and believing hearts, this con- 
 fession of faith and love, "My Lord 
 and my God!" — R. S. MacArthur, in 
 The Christian Herald. 
 
 Civil War Record 
 
 The old Kehukee Association held 
 its regular session during the four 
 years of Civil war between the states, 
 and as soon as hostilities ceased 
 Northern and Southern brethren 
 mingled together as usual. There was 
 no strife, discord, or ill feeling, either 
 before the war, during its continuance 
 
 or at its close, between Northern and 
 Southern Old School or Primitive 
 Baptists; while "Missionary" Bap- 
 tists, Pree-Will Baptists, Disciples, 
 Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Metho- 
 dists, both Episcopal and Protestant, 
 etc., etc., were torn asunder by the 
 questions of war, and indulged in se- 
 vere denunciations of each other. 
 
 Elder John Leland's Theology 
 
 Our New School Baptist brethren 
 claim Elder Leland as a representa- 
 tive of their doctrine and practice as 
 they do most every other minister of 
 prominence of the Baptist denomina- 
 tion who lived and labored before the 
 
 division of ^827-32. But Elder Leland 
 not only stood with the Old School 
 brethren in doctrine— as appears from 
 his statement below, — but also in 
 practice in opposition to the Modern 
 Missionary system, Sunday Schools, 
 
390 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 Boards, Societies, etc., as appears 
 from his published writings. See Life 
 of Leland, Hassell's Church History, 
 and sketch of his life in this work. 
 
 "A word of experience. In the years 
 1772-73, etc., when my mind was so 
 solemnly impressed with eternal real- 
 ities, as to turn me from the power 
 of Satan, unto the living God; wheth- 
 er from the Bible I read the preach- 
 ing I heard, the teachings of the 
 Holy Spirit, or some other cause, 1 
 did as firmly believe the following ar- 
 ticles, as I believed that Jesus Christ 
 was the Saviour of sinners. 
 
 1. That all men were guilty sin- 
 ners, and that God would be just and 
 clear, if he damned them all. 
 
 2. That Christ did, before the 
 foundation of the world, predestinate 
 a certain number of the human family 
 for his bride, to bring to grace and 
 glory. 
 
 3. That Jesus died for sinners, and 
 for his elect sheep only. 
 
 4. That those for whom he did not 
 die, had no cause to complain, as the 
 law under which they were placed 
 was altogether reasonable. 
 
 5. That Christ would always call 
 
 his elect to him while on earth, be- 
 fore they died. 
 
 G. That those whom he predesti- 
 nated, redeemed and called, he would 
 keep by his power, and bring them 
 safe to glory. 
 
 7. That there would be a general 
 resurrection, both of the just and the 
 unjust. 
 
 8. That, following the resurrection, 
 judgment would commence, when the 
 righteous sheep would be placed on 
 the right hand of Christ, and admitted 
 into life eternal; and the wicked on 
 the left hand, doomed to everlasting 
 fire. 
 
 In the belief of those articles, and 
 what was collateral therewith, I be- 
 gan my ministerial career in 1774, 
 with but very little thought how many 
 and weighty the consequences of 
 these premises were. But, now, after 
 an experiment of fifty-seven years, 
 and after going over the ground thou- 
 sands of times, with all the research 
 and candor in my power, I dare not 
 pull up stakes and make a new start. 
 Many uncertainties arise in my mind, 
 many questions spring up thai I can- 
 not answer; but, every other system 
 that I explore, has greater difficulties, 
 and worse conclusions." 
 
 John Gill 
 
 Gill, John (1697-1771), of London, 
 Eng., was perhaps the most learned, 
 able, sound, upright and humble Bap- 
 tist minister since the days of Paul. 
 He was the author of a complete crit- 
 ical commentary on the Old and New 
 Testaments, and of a complete Body 
 of Divinity, and was the only man that 
 ever hunted and drove out Arminian- 
 ism from the explanation of every 
 verse in the Bible — from the beginning 
 of Genesis to the end of Revelation. 
 Wm. Cathcart, author of the "Baptist 
 Encyclopedia" — a New School work, 
 says that Gill "Knew more of the 
 Bible than any one else with whose 
 writings he was acquainted; that he 
 was a man of great humility, and one 
 of the purest men that ever lived; 
 that, in his 'Body of Divinity,' the 
 grand old doctrines of grace, taken 
 unadulterated from the Divine foun- 
 tain, presented in the phraseology and 
 with the illustrations of an intellectu- 
 al giant, and commended by a wealth 
 of sanctified Biblical learning on"y 
 once in several ages permitted to 
 mortals, sweeps all opposition before 
 them, and leaves no place for the 
 
 blighted harvests, the seed of which 
 was planted by James Arminius in 
 modern times." How sad to think 
 that the great body of New School 
 Baptists of today have repudiated 
 Gills' works, turned a deaf ear to the 
 plain teachings of the Holy Scriptures 
 and become the devoted apostles of 
 James Arminius! Will they not reap 
 the "blighted harvests" that Cathcart 
 says is the fruits of Arminianism? But 
 this New School author further says, 
 "In this work (Gills' writings), eter- 
 nal and personal election to a holy 
 life, particular redemption from all 
 guilt, resistless grace in regeneration, 
 final perseverance from sin and the 
 wicked one, till the believer enters 
 paradise, and the other doctrines of 
 the Christian System, are expounded 
 and defended by one of the greatest 
 teachers in Israel ever called to the 
 work of instruction by the Spirit of 
 Jehovah." Yet how soon is this great 
 teacher in Israel set aside for the car- 
 nal reasoning, flesh pleasing, pride 
 fostering, God debasing and man-ex- 
 alting doctrines of James Arminius? 
 And how absurd and inconsistent for 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 391 
 
 the New School denomination to claim 
 John Gill and many other Bible Bap- 
 tists when they deny through the 
 press and in the pulpit the doctrine 
 they contended for? Only a short 
 time after the bones of this wonder- 
 fully gifted servant of God had been 
 laid in the grave, Andrew Fuller be- 
 gan to ponder upon the expediency of 
 making a change in Baptist tactics, 
 
 and after years of heated controversy 
 with his brethren led the majority of 
 those professing the Baptist name in- 
 to the Arminian camp. I have given 
 these few points in the life of Gill to 
 show that he preached the same doc- 
 trine and contended for the same 
 practice that the Primitive or Old 
 School Baptists are the only expo- 
 nents of today. 
 
 Joseph Charles Philpot 
 
 Philpot, Joseph Charles (1802-'69), 
 was descended by both parents from 
 Huguenot or French Calvanistic fam- 
 ilies. His health was always delicate. 
 He was a distinguished graduate and 
 feilow of Worcester College, Oxford 
 University. In 1872 while acting as a 
 private teacher in a wealthy family in 
 Ireland the Lord sent upon him griev- 
 ous afflictions and poured upon him 
 the spirit of grace and supplications, 
 taught him his sinfulness and blessed 
 hina with a hope in Christ. Becoming 
 satisfied of the great errors of the 
 Established Church of England, he 
 seceded and left his income from the 
 "church" and resigned his university 
 fellowship, giving up every worldly ad- 
 vantage for conscience sake. He 
 went out like Abraham of old "not 
 
 knowing whither he went." About six 
 months after he found his people and 
 was baptized by Mr. John Wiarburton 
 into the fellowship of the Strict Bap- 
 tist Church at Allington. He was the 
 editor of "The Gospel Standard" from 
 1849 to 1869, a very laborious and re- 
 sponsible position, that Monthly Mag- 
 azine having a circulation of about 
 10,000 copies. He was a strong scrip- 
 tural advocate of the eternal sonship 
 of! Christ, of the three oneness of 
 Jehovah and of the doctrine of pre- 
 destination. "I fully believe" says he, 
 "that the entrance of sin into the 
 world and death by sin was accord- 
 ing to the permissive will of God, for 
 without, it could not have entered, 
 but not appointed as God appoints 
 good, for reason as we may this would 
 make God the author of sin." 
 
 Soul and Spirit 
 
 "Q. Are the soul and the spirit the 
 same? A. The same words in the 
 original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures 
 are rendered, in the King James ver- 
 sion, soul, spirit, mind, heart, under- 
 standing, etc., and they are generally 
 used to denote the immaterial think- 
 ing principle which man derived di- 
 rectly from God (as distinguished 
 from the body that was made out of 
 the dust of the earth), and which re- 
 turns directly to God at death for pri- 
 vate, immediate judgment (Gen. ii. 7; 
 Eccles. xii. 7, 14; Matt. x. 28; Luke 
 xxiii. 46). Only in two passages of the 
 Scriptures (1 Thess. v. 23 and Heb. 
 
 iv. 12) is the Greek word psuche 
 (rendered soul) distinguished from 
 pneuma (rendered spirit) ; and when 
 they are distinguished, psuche (soul) 
 denotes the natural, animal, carnal, 
 fleshy, outer, lower qualities or oper- 
 ations, and pneuma (spirit) denotes 
 the moral, spiritual, inner, higher 
 qualities or operations, of the one, 
 indivisible mind, or immaterial, 
 thinking principle of a human being 
 — the distinction resembling that be- 
 tween 'the joint and marrow' (which 
 are parts of the same body), and be- 
 tween 'thoughts and intents' of the 
 same heart (Heb iv. 12)." — S. Hassell 
 in Gospel Message. 
 
 Sunday 
 
 Christ particularly honored the 
 first day of the week, Sunday, not 
 only by rising from the dead on that 
 day, but also by repeatedly visiting 
 His discip'es, after his resurrection, on 
 that day (John 20: 19, 26). The Apos- 
 
 tles too, it would seem, habitually as- 
 sembled on that day .Acts 20: 7; Cor. 
 16: 1, 2; Acts 2: 1). The day of Pen- 
 tecost was the first day of the week, 
 because it was the fiftieth day after 
 the resurrection of Christ, which 
 
392 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 took place on the first day of the 
 week. Without any formal command- 
 ment in the New Testament, but no 
 doubt by Divine arrangement (Eph. 
 1: 10-13), ever since the resurrection 
 of Christ, the Christian Church, de- 
 lighting to honor their Lord, has ob- 
 served the Lord's day, the first day 
 of the week, as the Sabbath, or Holy 
 Convocation Day of the New Dispen- 
 sation; but Christian forbearance on 
 this subject is included in Rom. 14: 5, 
 6, and Col. 2: 16, 17. 
 
 In remembrance of Christ's resur- 
 rection the ancient church, like the 
 apostolic church, observed the first 
 day of the week (or Sunday) as a day 
 of sacred joy and thanksgiving, of 
 public worship of! God, and of collec- 
 tions for the poor; but neither the 
 
 ancient nor the apostolic church ever 
 called that day the Sabbath. In the 
 year 321 Constantine appointed the 
 first day of the week, which he called 
 "the venerable day of the Sun,' in 
 reference both to the Roman sun-god, 
 Apollo, and to Christ, the Sun of 
 righteousness, as, in some respects, 
 a day of rest. He forbade the sitting 
 of courts and military exercises, and 
 all secular labor in towns on that 
 day; but allowed agricultural labor in 
 the country. 
 
 Under Moses — the law dispensation, 
 labor is first. Under Christ — the gos- 
 pel dispensation — grace is first. Christ 
 deserves the first of all things, even 
 the first day of the week for special 
 public worship of His matchless name. 
 
 The Saved— The Lost 
 
 "Q. Why did God create a part of 
 mankind to be saved and the other 
 part to be lost and to be severely 
 and eternally punished? A. The 
 Scriptures do not say that He did, 
 nor have 1 ever heard a Primitive 
 Baptist say so. The Scriptures de- 
 clare that God created man in His 
 own image, very good and upright 
 (Gen. i. 27, 31; Eccles. vii. 29); and 
 that the Creator, who is righteous in 
 all His ways and holy in all His works 
 does not compel or even tempt His 
 creatures to sin (Psalm cxlv. 17; 
 James i. 13) ; and that Adam b the 
 federal head and representative of his 
 race (Rom. v. 12-19; 1 Cor. xv. 22), 
 was not deceived by Satan in his 
 transgression of God's law, but 
 knowingly and deliberately disobeyed 
 the divine commandment, thus involv- 
 ing all his posterity in a state of sin 
 and condemnation (1 Tim. li. 14; 
 Gen. iii. 6: 17-19; Rom. v. 12-19); and 
 that all flesh corrupt their own way 
 upon the earth (Gen. vi. 12; Isa. liii. 
 6), and sin against the light of! na- 
 ture, reason, and conscience, and are 
 therefore inexcusable (Rom. i. 18-32: 
 ii. 1-16), and are guilty before God 
 (Rom. iii. 9-20), so that salvation can 
 only be of God.'s sovereign, free, and 
 unmerited grace (Rom. iii. 21-31; v. 
 
 20, 21; vi. 23), which He has a per- 
 fect right to give to His own loved 
 and chosen people, while He has an 
 equal right to leave others to go in 
 their sins and justly to perish and be 
 punished forever because of their own 
 inexcusable sins (Rom. viii.; ix. ; 
 Eph. ii.; Rev. xxi., xxii.). Every hu- 
 man being will be finally and right- 
 eously judged according to the deeds 
 done in the body (Matt. xxv. 31-46; 
 John v. 27-29; Rom. ii. 1-16; 2 Cor. v. 
 10; Rev. xx. 11-15; xxii. 14, 15); and 
 all whose names are not found writ- 
 ten in the Lamb's Book of Life, not 
 redeemed by His blood nor renewed 
 by His Spirit nor conformed to His 
 image nor living soberly, righteously, 
 and godly, as Christ did, in this pres- 
 ent world, will be justly cast into the 
 lake of fire, which is the second and 
 everlasting death, while those like 
 Christ will, by His grace and by vir- 
 tue of His perfect righteousness im- 
 puted to them, joyously enter into 
 the heavenly and eternal city, the im- 
 mediate and manifest presence of the 
 Holy and Living God, where all the 
 holy angels and glorified saints will 
 forever dwell (Rev. xx. 14, 15; xxi. 
 27; xxii. 1-15; Rom. viii.; Eph. i. 2; 
 Thess. i.; ii.; 1 Pet. i., ii.; 1 Cor. 1.; 
 Titus ii., iii.). — S. Hassell in Gospel 
 Messenger. 
 
 Cain's Wife 
 
 "Q. Who was Cain's wife (Gen. iv. 
 16, 17)? A. A daughter of Adam, 
 who lived 930 years, and who had sons 
 and daughters (Gen. v:4-5). The very 
 word Adam means Man or human 
 
 being, and is so rendered 362 times 
 in the Old Testament. If there had 
 been men before Adam, God would 
 not have said, 'Let us make man in 
 our image (Gen. i. 26) ; and it would 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 393 
 
 not have been true that, before He 
 made Adam, 'there was not a man to 
 till the ground' (Gen. ii. 5). Paul says 
 that Adam was 'the first man (1 Cor. 
 xv. 45, 47) ; and that in Adam all men 
 sinned and died (Rom. v. 12-21). Even 
 Abraham's wife Sarah was his half- 
 sister, the daughter of his father 
 though not of his mother (Gen. xx. 
 
 12). Afterwards, when the human 
 race was more numerous, the mar- 
 riage of near relations was forbidden 
 by God (Lev. xviii). Nothing is known 
 of the land of Nod, where Cain settled, 
 except that it was east of Eden; it 
 may have been only a few miles from 
 Eden."— rS. Hassell in Gospel Messen- 
 ger. 
 
 Church Government 
 
 The so-called Christian churches, 
 both Catholics and Protestants, are 
 governed by three principal, or gen- 
 eral forms of church government, 
 viz: 
 
 Bishops: — The Catholic, Episco- 
 palian, Greek church, and Methodist 
 are governed by Bishops. 
 
 Presbyteries, Synods or General As- 
 semblies: — The Presbyterians hold to 
 this form of government; while the 
 
 Lutherans are governed by a combina- 
 tion of the Presbyterian and the Epis- 
 copal form. 
 
 Congregational: — Congregationalism, 
 Baptist and many other sects hold to 
 this form. They maintain that each 
 congregation or society of Christians 
 is, and should be, independent of all 
 others in its ecclesiastical power, and 
 should be bound to each other only 
 by the cords of love and fellowship. 
 
 Family Worsihp 
 
 "Q. Ought worship to be kept up 
 in our families, as among God's peo- 
 ple in olden times? A. The decline 
 of family religion is one of the sad- 
 dest marks of these last, evil, and 
 perilous times. True religion is for 
 the individual, the family, and the 
 community, as well as for the church. 
 It is not simply for public use on one 
 or two days of the week. It is the 
 spiritual life of its possessor, and 
 should be manifested continually in 
 our dealings with God, and with our 
 
 families, and with our fellow men. 
 The children of the resurrection 
 should live evermore as in the holy 
 and loving presence of their Heavenly 
 Father, for the benefit of their fami- 
 lies, and others, and for eternity. 
 Family worship is of far more im- 
 portance than Sunday Schools, theo- 
 logical seminaries, and protracted 
 meetings. Its neglect among the peo- 
 ple of God is a sure sign of their 
 growing worldliness, covetousness, 
 and carnality. — S. Hassell in Gospel 
 Messenger. 
 
 Crime Increasing — Morals Declining 
 
 (From The Two Witnesses by 
 , Stewart.) 
 
 Some years ago Mr. Geo. F. Ellis, 
 an aged, well-informed and highly re- 
 spected minister of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, South, who was lo- 
 cated in Greensboro, Hale County, 
 Ala., wrote the following, which was 
 published in the Greensboro Watch- 
 man: 
 
 "WHAT CAN BE THE CAUSE? 
 
 "It is often asked, Is the world 
 growing better? The answer is found 
 in the painful record of the past and 
 present, so far as this country is con- 
 cerned. Petty larceny, grand larceny, 
 
 burglary, arson, highway robbery, 
 manslaughter, murder in its different 
 degrees, are rife everywhere. The 
 estimate on human life was never* so 
 low. These crimes are not, as many 
 suppose, confined to railroads and 
 mining districts. They are committed 
 everywhere, and with more immunity 
 than ever before. 
 
 "The multiplication of crime can 
 not be accounted for simply on the 
 ground that the population is vastly 
 increased, and modes of communica- 
 tion are more rapid. Take both of 
 these factors into the account, and 
 still to any intelligent and thoughtful 
 mind, the increase of crime is more 
 than commensurate with the potency 
 
394 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 of the causes mentioned. This is a 
 subject of terrible significance, and it 
 is time that the press, the pulpit and 
 the law-makers of this land were con- 
 sidering the matter with pungent 
 earnestness." — Geo. F. Ellis. 
 
 C. L. Chilton, who has already been 
 quoted, in a private letter to me says: 
 
 "For my part, I do not think there 
 is any doubt as to the general deter- 
 ioration of morals in this country, 
 viewed from every standpoint. The 
 consumption of! whiskey, and conse- 
 quent drunkenness, has wonderfully 
 increased. Suicides, homicides, and 
 the general increase of crime. Di- 
 vorces wonderfully increased; also 
 prostitution of white females." 
 
 "In Dodd, Mead & Co.'s New 'Inter- 
 national Encyclopedia,' just publish- 
 ed, it is said in volume V., pages 443- 
 446, under the caption 'Criminology': 
 'The question whether crime is in- 
 creasing has been very widely dis- 
 cussed, pro and con; there appears to 
 be a general opinion among experts 
 that it is increasing. Certainly crim- 
 inal statistics everywhere seem to 
 bear out this view, with the possible 
 exception of England; and even there 
 Mr. W. D. Morrison maintains, in his 
 book on 'Crime and Its Causes,' the 
 total volume is on the increase. Ac- 
 cording to the eleventh census of the 
 United States (the census of 1890), 
 it appears that the criminal class in 
 our country has increased from 1 in 
 3,500 of the population in 1850, to 1 
 in 786.5 in 1890, or 445 per cent, while 
 the total population has increased but 
 170 per cen t m the same period." 
 
 Hassell, in his Church History, page 
 642, says: 
 
 It is certain that in the United States 
 since 1850 crime has greatly increased. 
 
 The ninth census gives these figures: 
 Prison- Ration to Pop- 
 Year., ers. ulation. 
 
 1850 6,737 1 out of 3,442 
 
 1860 19,086 1 out of 1,647 
 
 1870 32,901 1 out of 1,172 
 
 "And the tenth census gives the 
 following: 
 1880 59,255 1 out of 860 
 
 "The tenth census strangely dou- 
 bles the number of prisoners for 1850 
 and 1860. Thus, according to the fig- 
 ures in the ninth census, crime in- 
 creased in the United States, from 
 1850 to 1880, four times — and, accord- 
 ing to the figures in the tenth census, 
 two times — as fast as the population; 
 and it is very remarkable and a very 
 lamentable fact, that during the same 
 period, from. 1850 to 1880, the profes- 
 sion, without the evident possession 
 of Protestant Christianity, increased 
 from 3,529,000 to 10,065,000— almost 
 in a three-fold proportion; while the 
 Catholic population increased from 
 1,614,000 to 6,367,330— almost in a 
 fourfold proportion. The increase of 
 crime is attributed to the eight mill- 
 ion foreign immigrants that came into 
 this country from 1850 to 1880 and to 
 the Civil war in 1861-64; but the 
 tenth census makes crime somewhat 
 less in 1870 than in 1860, though 
 much greater in 1880; and it is known 
 that murders, for instance, have ter- 
 ribly increased in the last four years, 
 from 1,266 in 1881 to 3,337 in 1884; 
 and, notwithstanding the fact that 
 nearly all the youthful population is 
 now sifted through the Sunday 
 School, the age of criminals is grow- 
 ing constantly less." 
 
 It would appear from the foregoing 
 that, speaking paradoxically, the bet- 
 ter people get the worse they are. 
 
 The Hireling 
 
 fc (Joh., 10, 12, 13.) 
 
 "I live with the lonely, and move with 
 the throng; 
 
 I stay with the weak, and abide with 
 the strong; 
 
 I advocate morals and love of the 
 state, 
 
 Whether with the humble, or among 
 the great; 
 
 I sanction the Bible and all it con- 
 tains, 
 
 With all its great beauty and sancti- 
 fied strains; 
 
 While, to tell the truth, I must frank- 
 ly confess, 
 
 I do its doctrines most heartily detest. 
 
 "I have my great system, down to a 
 science, 
 
 On which I depend with greatest re- 
 liance, 
 
 I'm full of plans and schemes and 
 means without end, 
 
 To fleece, gull and delude the children 
 of men: 
 
 If one scheme should fail, I then try 
 another, 
 
 And care not which so the money 1 
 gather; 
 
 Hence you see, I must study the min- 
 istry 
 
 Well, to succeed in my work of 
 iniquity. 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 395 
 
 "I tell the people that they ought to 
 
 pay tithes, 
 And prove it by resting, and, brethren 
 
 most wise, 
 For upon this one thing I am fully 
 
 bent, 
 To get from the good people, at least 
 
 the tenth: , 
 Of course I want more, but must keep 
 
 things polished, 
 And never let them know tithe laws 
 
 were abolished 
 By Christ the High Priest, and the 
 
 sinner's best friend. 
 And of law; for righteousness, the 
 
 last great End. 
 
 "In the name of the gospel I preach 
 
 the law, 
 And few of the people ever see the 
 
 flaw. 
 I quote the Bible, but ring, twist and 
 
 pervert, 
 And this is the way, I the people sub- 
 vert. 
 I quote part of a verse and leave the 
 
 rest out, 
 And deceive the people by appearing 
 
 devout, 
 And teach them that salvation is just 
 
 with man, 
 While the Lortl will save all of them, 
 
 if He can. 
 
 I preach that which all men, by na- 
 ture, believe, 
 
 And this, all such people most gladly 
 receive; 
 
 For this I know, and have it on my 
 docket, 
 
 I must please man to get into his 
 pocket. 
 
 I boast of our number, wealth and 
 refinement; 
 
 Of our wisdom, and religious ad- 
 vancement; 
 
 And of all people, most heartily dis- 
 dain 
 
 Those strange persons that dare God's 
 truth to maintain. 
 
 Above all things, I most fear true ex- 
 planation, 
 
 Honest inquiry and investigation, 
 
 Which I shun, keep down and the 
 people deceive, 
 
 By "all is right that they honestly 
 believe:" 
 
 Thus I delude many, the aged and the 
 youth, 
 
 And cause them to hate him that tells 
 
 them the truth; 
 And you see, with feigned love, zeal 
 
 and a frown, 
 Lead them to believe he is running 
 
 them down. 
 
 I beg for myself in the name of the 
 
 Lord, 
 And by many such schemes, the money 
 
 I hoard, 
 As I have found out by means of good 
 
 merit, 
 The way to get gain, in on the Lord's 
 
 credit. 
 I criticise folks, for their love of the 
 
 pelf, 
 But the main thing I want is money 
 
 for self, 
 Though it worries me much, and taxes 
 
 my might, 
 To keep with the people, this thing 
 
 out of sight. 
 
 It is more blessed to give than to 
 
 receive, 
 For this the Lord said, and quickly 
 
 they believe. 
 They do the giving and I the receiv- 
 ing, 
 So I get money out their believing. 
 This is the truth, and I want you to 
 
 keep it, 
 And not let the people into my 
 
 secret; 
 But if it gets out, I will give it the 
 
 lie, 
 And, in truth, for money the louder 
 
 I'll cry." 
 
 The Serpant and Eve 
 
 "Q. Wno was the serpent that be- 
 guiled Eve in the Garden of Eden? 
 Was he an ape or some being in the 
 shape of a man? A. Not only the 
 primary meaning of the word render- 
 ed 'serpent' in Gen. iii. (the hisser), 
 but a'so the curse pronounced upon 
 him by the Lord in Gen. iii. 14, 15, 
 and the language of the Apostle Paul 
 in 2 Cor. xi. 3, and that of the Apos- 
 tle John in Rev. xii. 9 and xx. 2 prove 
 that it was a literal serpent that 
 
 tempted Eve; and the language of 
 John in these two passages of Reve- 
 lation and that of Christ in John viii. 
 44, prove that the Devil possessed the 
 body of the serpent and was the real 
 tempter, just as he possessed the 
 bodies of men and of swine during 
 Christ's ministry on earth. Through- 
 out the East a serpent is considered 
 an emblem of the Devil, because of 
 its stealthiness, horriblesness, poison 
 and malignity. — S. Hassell in Gospel 
 Messenger. , 
 
396 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 Melchizedek 
 
 "Q. Who was Melchizedek? A. 
 Melchizedek is mentioned in Gen. 
 17-20, Psalms ex. 4, and Heb. vii. 1-3, 
 and seems alluded to in Zech. vi. 1-3. 
 He was an actual person, the type of 
 Christ, a priest of the Most High God, 
 and king of righteousness, also king 
 of Salem or peace. Salem was an 
 early name of Jerusalem; and a later 
 king of Jerusalem (then called Jebus) 
 was, in the time of Joshua (x. 1) 
 Adonizedek, whose name means lord 
 for righteousness. In the cruciform 
 tablets recently discovered at Tel el- 
 Amarna, in Upper Egypt, it is shown 
 that salem or Jerusalem was a very 
 ancient city and had a temple of the 
 Most High God, and that its ruler was 
 a priest king. In the oldest translation 
 of the New Testament, the Syriac 
 version made in the second century, 
 
 the third verse of the seventh chap- 
 ter of Hebrews reads as follows: 
 
 "Of whom neither his father nor 
 his mother are written in the genealo- 
 gies; nor the commencement of his 
 days, nor the end of his life; but, 
 after the likeness of the Son of God, 
 his priesthood remaineth forever." In 
 the mystery of his person, and in be- 
 ing both a king and a priest, and in 
 having no predecessor or successor, 
 no known beginning or end in his 
 priestiy office, and in being king of 
 righteousness and peace and of Jeru- 
 salem, and in being superior to Abra- 
 ham (Abraham paying him tithes) 
 and in bringing forth bread and wine 
 (emblems of the Lord's supper) to 
 Abraham, and in blessing Abraham, 
 he was like Christ. — S. Hassell in Gos- 
 pel Messenger. 
 
 The Negro 
 
 "Q. Should a person who denies 
 that a negro has a soul be appointed 
 by a church to the deaconship, or or- 
 dained by a presbytery, or retained in 
 that office by a church? A. He 
 should not; for he is not sound in the 
 faith (1 Tim. 3:8-13). The weak and 
 wicked falsehood that negroes have 
 no souls and are not, therefore, hu- 
 
 man beings, would, if fully carried 
 out, release them from accountability 
 for crime, and would justify the other 
 varieties of the human race in treat- 
 ing them as beasts; and this despica- 
 ble falsehood is a contradiction of 
 some of the clearest statements of 
 the Scriptures, such as Psalms 68: 
 31; Acts 8:26-40; 17: 26; Rev. 5:9 — 
 S. Hassell in Gospel Messenger. 
 
 "Federal Council of the Churches 
 of Christ" 
 
 During December, 1908, there met 
 in Philadelphia four hundred dele- 
 gates of thirty-two Protestant denorni- 
 inations, representing eighteen mill- 
 ions of communicant church members 
 and a family constituency of more 
 than half the population of the United 
 States, with the purpose of cooper- 
 ating for speedy evangelization and 
 salvation of the world. The following 
 denominations were represented: — 
 "The various Baptist churches, the 
 Christian connection, the Congrega- 
 tional churches, Church of the Disci- 
 ples, Evangelical Association, Evan- 
 gelical German Synod, Society of 
 Friends, Evangelical Lutheran Church 
 the Mennonites, Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, North, Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, South, and both African fel- 
 lowships of Methodists, Methodist 
 Protestant Church, Moravian Church, 
 
 the Presbyterian churches, Protestant 
 Episcopal, Primitive Methodist, Re- 
 formed churches, Reformed Presbyte- 
 rian Church, Seventh-Day Baptists, 
 United Brethren, United Evangelical 
 Church, United Presbyterian Church, 
 and Welsh Presbyterian Church." 
 
 This union movement of all the 
 Protestant churches is on a line with 
 a similar movement of all those 
 churches at Shanghai, China, April 
 25, 1907, under the title of "The 
 United Protestant Church of China." 
 The object is the combination of all 
 their money and efforts in the Home 
 and F'oreign Mission Fields for hast- 
 ening the Christianization of the hu- 
 man race. 
 
 The Primitive or Old School Baptist 
 churches, knowing that salvation is 
 of the Lord, have nothing to do with 
 this grand Protestant federation (Jo- 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 397 
 
 nah 2:9; Matt. 1:21). They can not 
 compromise one particle or divine, 
 unchanging, and eternal truth (Psalm 
 117:2; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Jude 3); and 
 maintaining tha J Truth in all its in- 
 tegrity, they feel that they must keep 
 separate from the world (Lev. 20: 
 24, 26; 2 Cor. 6:14-18), "do justly, 
 love mercy, and walk humbly with 
 their God" (Micah 6:8), "live soberly, 
 righteously, and godly in this present 
 world*' (Titus 2:12), proclaim without 
 money or price, by their ministry and 
 
 by their lives, the loving and holy gos- 
 pel of the Son of God to all who have 
 ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts 
 to understand (Isa. 53, 54, 55, 61; 
 Matt. 10:8; 11:28-30; 28: 18-20; Rev. 
 3.22; 22:17), glorify God by obedi- 
 ence and submission to Him (Luke 
 2:14), and, "as they have opportunity, 
 do good unto all men, especially unto 
 them who are of the household of 
 faith." (Gal. 6:10).— 'S. Hassell in Gos- 
 pel Messenger. 
 
 Reverend 
 
 The term "Reverend," has, in mod- 
 ern times, taken the place of the New 
 Testament term Elder. Primitive or 
 Old School Baptist are about the 
 only people who hold to the term 
 Elder for distinguishing the Pastor. 
 They do not want any high-sounding- 
 titles applied to them. To apply rev- 
 erend to men appears to them bigot- 
 ry, pride and a species of robbery. 
 This word is used but one time in 
 the Bible (Psalms 111. 9.), and then 
 in connection with the Lord's name 
 
 only. And when inspiration says 
 "Holy and reverend is his (God's) 
 name;" to change it and say, "Holy 
 and Reverend" is the preacher, is 
 robbing God of His name, to satisfy 
 man's vanity. As well say, "Holy Mr. 
 Smith," as say "Reverend Mr. Smith." 
 Protestants have borrowed this and 
 many other unscriptural customs from 
 the Catholics. May God enable us to 
 reverence Him, and like Elihu (Job 
 32:21, 22), not give flattering titles 
 to men. 
 
 God is Not Author of Sin 
 
 I cannot conceive of a more horri- 
 ble falsehood, or a more abominable 
 blasphemy, than the declaration that 
 God is the author of sin. It is not 
 Christianity, but it is fatalistic, pan- 
 theistic, heathenish, diabolical philos- 
 ophy. There is no more sense than 
 there is truth in saying that sin is a 
 creature of God. Sin is the transgres- 
 sion of the law of God, and therefore 
 not a creature, but the act of a crea- 
 ture. God created man in His own 
 image, and therefore without sin. The 
 evil which God creates in His holy 
 providence is not sin, but the dark- 
 ness and suffering which are the 
 righteous punishment of sin. Not by 
 God, but by man, sin entered into the 
 world, and death by sin (Rom. v. 12). 
 God is infinitely, essentially, un- 
 
 changeably, and eternally holy, "the 
 Sun of Righteousness," "the Father 
 of. lights," "in whom is no darkness at 
 all," "of purer eyes than to behold 
 iniquity," and cannot be tempted 
 with evil, neither tempted He any 
 man," much less does He compel any 
 creature to sin. Sin is the rebellion 
 of the creature against the Creator, 
 and is described as "the abominable 
 thing which God hates" (Jer xliv. 4), 
 and which, if unrepented of and unfor- 
 saken and unatoned for, He will punish 
 with everlasting tire (Matt, iii, 12, xxv, 
 41-48; Rev. xx: 15). Not for a moment 
 will a faithful Church of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ tolerate, in any of its 
 members, the blackest of all false- 
 hoods and blasphemies, that God is 
 the author of sin. — S. Hassell in Gos- 
 pel Messenger. 
 
 "Our FuneraP 
 
 It is falsely said, by those who have 
 been charitably preaching our funeral 
 for the last fifty years, that the num- 
 ber of Primitive Baptists is decreas- 
 ing, and all will soon be dead and 
 gone. Their number increased in the 
 
 nineteenth century, in about the 
 same proportion as the population. In 
 1800 there were about 10,000 when 
 the entire population of the United 
 States was about 5,000,000; and in 
 1880 there were about 100,000, when 
 
398 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 the entire population was about 50,- 
 000,000. It is a remarkable coinci- 
 dence that this proportion — about one 
 in 500 — was about the same as that 
 of 7,000 who had not bowed the knee 
 to the image of Baal, in Elijah's time, 
 to the entire population of the king- 
 dom of Israel of about 3,500,000. We 
 had in — 1880 — in round numbers, 
 about 1,500 Elders, 3,000 churches, 
 240 associations, and 100,000 members 
 
 in the United States. "We have now — 
 1906 — about 125,000 com m unicants. 
 Our statistics cannot be correctly 
 gathered as many of our ministers 
 are averse to giving out statistics, it 
 appearing to them to be done from a 
 spirit of pride. The census report of 
 1896 gives the statistics of the Prim- 
 itive Baptists in the United States as 
 follows : 
 
 Organiza- 
 State. tions. 
 
 Alabama 360 
 
 Arkansas 121 
 
 Delaware 6 
 
 District of Columbia , 2 
 
 Florida 67 
 
 Georgia 483 
 
 Illinois 160 
 
 Indiana 144 
 
 Iowa 34 
 
 Kansas , 19 
 
 Kentucky 225 
 
 Louisiana 43 
 
 Maine 3 
 
 Maryland 16 
 
 Massachusetts 1 
 
 Mississippi 109 
 
 Missouri 129 
 
 Nebraska 2 
 
 New Jersey 4 
 
 New York 31 
 
 North Carolina 311 
 
 Ohio 139 
 
 Pennsylvania 15 
 
 South Carolina . 23 
 
 Tennessee 316 
 
 Texas 159 
 
 Virginia 234 
 
 West Virginia 65 
 
 Wisconsin 4 
 
 Totals 3,222 
 
 Church 
 
 Value Church 
 
 Communi- 
 
 Officers. 
 
 Property. 
 
 cants. 
 
 325 
 
 $125,364 
 
 14,903 
 
 93 
 
 29,032 
 
 2,994 
 
 7 
 
 19,000 
 
 183 
 34 
 
 65 
 
 27,525 
 
 1,997 
 
 475 
 
 210,455 
 
 18,535 
 
 132 
 
 93,100 
 
 5,301 
 
 128 
 
 123,550 
 
 7,078 
 
 15 
 
 9,950 
 
 853 
 
 7 
 
 10,100 
 
 438 
 
 208 
 
 151,425 
 
 10,665 
 
 42 
 
 18,955 
 
 1,602 
 
 3 
 
 3,300 
 
 137 
 
 15 
 
 27,950 
 
 373 
 
 1 
 
 5,500 
 
 10 
 
 104 
 
 38,600 
 
 3,259 
 
 93 
 
 33,975 
 
 3,763 
 
 1 
 
 800 
 
 40 
 
 4 
 
 3,000 
 
 258 
 
 26 
 
 84,000 
 
 1,019 
 
 294 
 
 129,698 
 
 11,740 
 
 138 
 
 123,190 
 
 4,252 
 
 10 
 
 14,100 
 
 313 
 
 23 
 
 7,050 
 
 531 
 
 290 
 
 147,455 
 
 13,972 
 
 91 
 
 34,575 
 
 4,201 
 
 191 
 
 93,205 
 
 9,950 
 
 64 
 
 24,700 
 
 2,777 
 
 4 
 
 4,500 
 
 128 
 
 2,849 
 
 $1,649,827 
 
 121.347 
 
 But it can be truthfully said that 
 the number of our communicants does 
 not represent our strength in senti- 
 ment and belief. There are thousands 
 of people who will join no other 
 church because they believe our doc- 
 trine, and will not join our church 
 because of a feeling in themselves ofi 
 unworthiness, unfitness, etc., and 
 again, children of Primitive Baptists 
 are not brought up in the church as 
 children of many denominations are, 
 but are taught lessons of morality, 
 truthfulness and honesty; and that to 
 avoid hypocrisy a change of heart 
 and a belief of the truth must pre- 
 cede a profession of religion. Thus 
 our numbers are not swelled with 
 professors in name only who have 
 not been killed to the love of sin; and 
 
 it is safe to assume that there are 
 many more people who believe the 
 truths we preach and practice than 
 we ourselves sometimes suppose, or 
 our enemies will admit. 
 
 These facts and figures are given — 
 not in a proud or boastful spirit — but 
 as a matter of defence against the 
 many false prophecies and misrepre- 
 sentations of our people. Our doctrine 
 of grace excludes boasting and we 
 have nothing to boast of but the 
 wonderful works of God. And so far 
 as numbers are concerned we know 
 that God's manifest people have al- 
 ways been few in number. It was said 
 of God's ancient people: "The Lord 
 did not set his love upon you, nor 
 choose you, because ye were more in 
 number than any people; for ye were 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 399 
 
 the fewest of all people." Deut. 7:7. 
 And again, "Fear not, little flock; for 
 it is your Father's good pleasure to 
 give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32. 
 He who goes to the Bible for his relig- 
 ious faith cannot expect the majority 
 
 to be right. The majority was not 
 right in the days of Noah — in the be- 
 ginning of the Christian era, — nor need 
 we expect them to be on the side of 
 truth when Christ shall again come. 
 
400 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 Names of About Eight Hundred of Our 
 
 Ministers Whose Sketches Do 
 
 Not Appear in This Work 
 
 A. 
 
 Adams, Noah. 
 Anderson,, C. W. 
 Atkins, A. V. 
 Abbott, Absalom A. 
 Adams, Joshua. 
 Alberty, N. 
 Allsberry, Brice. 
 Anville, S. H. 
 Ashbrook, Tunis. 
 Ambrose, James. 
 Arnold, John. 
 Ausraus, Henry. 
 Almon, D. B. 
 Allison, J. P. 
 Almon, W. D. 
 Akers, J. J. , 
 
 Agee, W. D. 
 Ashbrook, Eli. 
 Anderson, George. 
 Angel, Bachary. 
 Alexander, H. H. 
 Alderman, E. D. 
 Ambrose, J. J. 
 Armstrong, J. D. 
 Allen, L. C. 
 Abernathy, B. L. 
 Abernathy, J. T. 
 Almand, J. F. 
 Almand, W. T. 
 Agee, H. F. 
 Abbott, W. G. 
 Abbott, J. H. 
 Abbott, D. J. 
 Adams, J. A. 
 Adams, B. A. 
 Arnett,. Reuben. 
 
 B. 
 
 Biggs, Stephen. 
 Burnson, H. S. 
 Barker, John. 
 Biggs, Asa. 
 Boxley, J. S. 
 Biddy, J. J. 
 Badger, John A. 
 Badger, J. N. 
 Bennett, A. H. 
 Battle, L. W. 
 Butler, John. 
 Bowden, W. A. 
 Brown, Elias. 
 Bullock, J. A. 
 Bell.. Asa. 
 Bell, W. F. 
 
 Butler, J. L. 
 Bennett, Phillemon. 
 Bowen, John. 
 Bennett, Moses. 
 Beaver, James. 
 Bolinger, J. R. 
 Brazil, H. M. 
 Biggs, Asa. 
 Baker, Jessie. 
 Byrd, J. J. 
 Baker, Thos. 
 Brown, W. S. 
 Barton,, John M. 
 Battle, J. R. 
 Britian, Thos. 
 Baker, J. W. 
 Bray, C. D. 
 Bogwell, L. E. 
 Bodine, W. H. 
 Beene, Samuel. 
 Bowen, John. 
 Boone, Thomas. 
 Bennett, Mitchell. 
 Bowden, W., A. • 
 Bridges, Wm. 
 Barrett, M. L. 
 Barrett, Willie L. 
 Bell, W. R. i 
 Barrow, Josephus. 
 Brittain, Emanuel. 
 Brown, George. 
 Barker, D. G. 
 Best, J. D. 
 Battle, J. E. 
 Brumlow, W. E. 
 Burtram, J. M. 
 Bogwell, J. M. 
 Burson, G. W. 
 Bright, T. J. 
 Bray, B. R. 
 Brooks, W. D. 
 Blanton, J. E. 
 Bird, N. B. 
 Bryan, Gardner. 
 Brown, C. C. 
 Boucher, J. H. 
 Boyd, J. L. 
 Buchanan, L. T. 
 Brown, J. B. 
 Blankenship, E. D. 
 Bryant, R. A. 
 Ballard, C. P. 
 Boothe, G. W. 
 Britton, J. «. 
 Beard, A. P. 
 Barker, J. L. 
 
 Bartlett, E. B. 
 Bell, J. D. 
 Badger, J. N. 
 Bartley, M. 
 Bond. C. W. 
 
 Curtis, John D. 
 Cate, Noah. 
 Cook, O. H. P. 
 Casog, F. M. 
 Canter, J. 
 Crecelius, J. G. 
 Crawford,, "Wi. 
 Carawan, George. 
 Carpenter, G. A. 
 Campbell, Hiram. 
 Cleveland, C. C. 
 Conner, Daniel. 
 Carter, David. 
 Compton, Wallace. 
 Cole, A. A. 
 Carroll, W. W\. 
 Croft, Wm. R. 
 Colley, Joel. 
 Carr, Thos. 
 Caudle, Wm. 
 Cherry, Jonathan. 
 Carraway., Green. 
 Caudill, S. C. 
 Cowan, J. S. 
 Candler, Richard. 
 Connor, John. 
 Crow, Wm. 
 Castleberry, J. 
 Carlisle, R. W. 
 Chandler, WI. D. 
 Curington, J. G. 
 Cool, Herbert. 
 Chandler, J. D. 
 Cleveland. Cromwell. 
 Cornell,. W. I. 
 Cambers, D. G. 
 Counts, S. 
 Crow, Wm. 
 Crocker, Thomas. 
 Crumpler, John. 
 Coggins, George. 
 Clayton, J. T. 
 Chandler, T. B. 
 Carnes, Thos. 
 Cook, T. A. 
 Cooper, W. J. 
 Cowart, W. H. 
 Cbitty, J. A. 
 Cowan, J. S. 
 
APPENDIX A NO USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 401 
 
 Creel, J. M. 
 Campbell, Wi. W t 
 Compton, M. L. 
 Childers, J. J. 
 Carter, David. 
 Cadwell, B. C. 
 Camp, B. M. 
 Cook, J. H. 
 Cook, R. L. 
 Chapman, G. R. 
 Coleman, J. W. 
 Chandler, Z. I. 
 Campbell.. G. W. 
 Covington, H. J. 
 Cashion, W. A. 
 Chilton, W. B. 
 Corum, L. R. 
 Collins, J. F. 
 CaWe, Jas A. 
 Crawford, W<. R. 
 Capps, Isaac. 
 Darnell, W. I. 
 Cubbage, B. E. 
 
 Duke, Jno. M. 
 Dickey, John. 
 Deatherage, J. E. 
 Downing, J. B. 
 Dupree, Thomas. 
 Davis., J. J. 
 Daniel, Moses. 
 Davis, David. 
 Drake, Thos. G. 
 Daniel, George. 
 Daniel, Benton. 
 Daniel, T. L. 
 Doyle, David. 
 Dodd, W. H. 
 Duke, John. 
 Dickson, J. J. 
 Dupree, Benj. 
 Dobbs, Joseph. 
 Dobbs, Wm. 
 Davis, Wm. 
 Dickey, J. 
 Duty, J. H. 
 Dyles, J. M. 
 Dukes, Matthew. 
 Doolin, J. M. 
 Derviel, A. J. 
 Douthit, I. E. 
 Davis, G. G. 
 Daniel, W. R. 
 Daily,. J. T. 
 Denton, J. B. 
 Duncan, S. B. 
 Dowdell, John. 
 Dody, C. G. 
 Deardoff, John R. 
 Dabley, Jasper. 
 Dyer, Geo. F. 
 Dail, Nelson. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eubanks, J. G. 
 English, Sampson. 
 
 Evans, John M. 
 Ewell, James. 
 Edon, J. G. 
 Evers, T. S. 
 Evans, L. F. 
 Everett, J. T. 
 Etheridge, D. 
 Eubank, B. F. 
 Estes, C. W. 
 Eshee, J. 
 Edwards, Geo. 
 
 Furr, Joseph. 
 Fisher, John. 
 Franklin, Henry. 
 Flinchum, J. Wl 
 Fuller, H. G. 
 Foster, T. J. 
 Feeds, Jas. 
 Fry, John. 
 Farmer, Amos. 
 Fulch, J. W. 
 Fiedler, Ezekiel. 
 Furr,, Joseph. 
 Fraley, Isaac. 
 Fleener, W. L. 
 Fastner, S. R. 
 Furgerson, W. T. 
 Fritts, W. A. 
 Faqua, J. M. 
 Fyffe, W. H. 
 
 G. 
 
 Girard, G. R. 
 Guyman, Isaiah. 
 Gibson, M. M. 
 Goodwin, W. H. 
 Galloway, C. P. 
 Guthrey, Isham. 
 Gore, G. W. 
 Gammon,, Wi. H. 
 Griffith, W. D. 
 Grimsley, T. 
 Gilbert, S. H. 
 Gardner, W. Z. 
 Galston, H. L. 
 Gwaltney, H. J. 
 Gower, D. S. 
 Garreth, J. J. 
 Graves, A. L. 
 Gilliland, Isaac. 
 Griffith, J. M. 
 Goodman, J. M. 
 Groover, R. J. 
 Guard, S. W. 
 Gunter., J. M,. 
 Gentry, Isaac. 
 Griffin, James. 
 Grimsley, T. 
 Gates, Wm. B. 
 Gamron, O. B. 
 Griffin, Lanier. 
 Greenlaugh, John. 
 Goforth, A. 
 Griffin, L. F. 
 
 Grafton, A. F. 
 Gotcher, J. H. 
 Gunn, Moses. 
 Grimsley, Thos. 
 Good, Joseph. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hassell,, J. V. 
 Helton, H. D. S. 
 Haney, J. A. 
 Howard, Riley. 
 Hill, W. B. 
 Hay, W. H. 
 Hill, S. A. 
 Howard, H. B. 
 Hedges, M. F. 
 Herrioge, J. "Wj. 
 Hull, W. C. 
 Harris,, V. R. 
 Hubbard, W. H. 
 Hamrick, W. R. 
 Hembree, A. 
 Holland, J. E. 
 Hamrick, R. S. 
 Hamrick, N. A. 
 Hatch, B. R. 
 Harill, E. J. 
 Hall, J. H. 
 Henson, J. M. 
 Hodges, E. J. 
 Hollingsworth, A. 
 Hollingsworth, S. J. 
 Holland, E. S. Wi. 
 Hall„ J. B. 
 Hogarth, E. A. 
 Harrelson, B. H. 
 Hunt, M. M. 
 Hess, Wto. 
 Hanaker, Robt. 
 Hembree, O. F. 
 Harwood, W. J. 
 Harris, M. A. 
 Hardesty, Wm. 
 Hardesty, B. F. 
 Handcock, W. P. 
 Hardy, N. B. 
 Hunt, J. H. 
 Hylton, Jacob. 
 Hanover., J. C. 
 Hanover, J. B. 
 Henson, Newt. 
 Human, B. H. 
 Hardy, M. B. 
 Hale, Jeremiah. 
 Harris, W. F. 
 Hall. A. A. 
 Hudleston, J. D. 
 Hauck, Simeon. 
 Harrison, T. F. 
 Hutchinson. T. W. 
 Hubbard Wm. 
 Halsey, Wm. 
 Harris. Joshua. 
 Hunt, Henry. 
 Hickey, John. 
 Hudleston, John B. 
 Hull, W. J. 
 
402 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 Hart, R. D. 
 Hanes, H. G. 
 Hill, Robert. 
 Hewit, J. C. 
 Harrell, R. W. 
 Honk, A. J. 
 Honk, H. P. 
 Harper, Thos. 
 Hammond, A. H. 
 Helm, Joel. 
 Hartley, G. W: 
 Ham, Heyard. 
 Harper, James. 
 Hudgens, John C. 
 Hull, E. Z. 
 Halcombe, Elihu. 
 Helm, R. T. 
 Holt, Samuel. 
 Haynes, Henry. 
 Hopkins, Chas. 
 
 I. 
 
 Isom, Reuben. 
 
 J. 
 
 Jenkins, Franklin. 
 Jessie, B. V. 
 Jewett, Daniel E. 
 James, R. A. 
 Jordan, T. 
 Jackson, Wi. H. 
 Jones, J. R. 
 Johnson, A. D. 
 Johnson, J. H. 
 Jordan, T. J. 
 Jordan, A. J. 
 Jackson, G. M. 
 Jones, W. C. 
 Joiner, E. J. 
 Jones, J. C. 
 Jeffers, W. S. 
 Jones, S. B. 
 Johnson, A. 
 Janway, James. 
 Jones, Hugh. 
 Jones, John. 
 Jordan, J. T. 
 Jones, Archibald. 
 Joyner„ Benj. 
 Jones, William. 
 Johnson, J. F. 
 Johnson, P. G. 
 Johnson, J. p. 
 Jones, Anderson. 
 Jones, B. 
 Johnson, J. A. 
 
 K. 
 
 Kemper, Peter. 
 Kickliter, Andrew. 
 Keeton, Ward. 
 King, J. R. 
 Kilgore, W. S. 
 Knight,. A. A. 
 Kerr, E. L. 
 
 Kitts, A. M,. 
 Kagy, Lewis. 
 Kirk, C. W. 
 King, Alfred. 
 Kenny, E. M. 
 Kagy, Lewis. 
 Kemper, C. W. 
 Kindershat, Samuel. 
 Koen, A. P. 
 Kyle, S. C. 
 Keetor, A. 
 Kinder,, John. 
 Keel, J. I. 
 
 Lee, James. 
 Lee, G. B. 
 Lilly, J. W. 
 Loving, J. R. 
 Lackey, J. E. 
 Lomox, J. W. 
 Langstown, A. B. 
 Langdon, M. J. 
 Latham, Jas. H. 
 Leonard, W. H. 
 Levi, Gilbert. 
 Livsey, J. M. 
 Laws,. R. B. 
 Lamon, Samuel. 
 Long, J. B. 
 Lord, J. F. 
 Lovett, Jno. 
 Lawson, J. M. 
 Luther, A. J. 
 Lyon, J. P. 
 Loder, F. 
 Louthan, Harry. 
 Lipps, M. T. 
 Lawson, T. J. 
 Lawson, Win. 
 Luce,, Wm. 
 Lancaster, Wm. 
 Lilly, Daniel. 
 Lawrence, J. M. 
 Lynn, Wm. 
 Lion, W. A. 
 Lumpkin, Geo. 
 Logow, Wm. 
 Lewis, John. 
 Little, N. W. 
 
 M. 
 
 Minter, W. S. 
 Mayfield, James. 
 Martin, John. 
 Masters,. D. M. 
 Morris, Joseph. 
 McKasky, Eli. 
 Marcum, H. C. 
 McDonald, Wm. 
 Martin, G. W. 
 Moneyham, D. M. 
 Marshall, D. W. M. 
 Merrell, W. P. 
 McGarity, J. C. 
 Moore, Wm. 
 Meadro, B. F. 
 
 McCauly, J. S. 
 McCoy, Melvin. 
 Meads,, John S. 
 Mizzell, A. D. 
 McMillin, W. 
 Moon, Isaac N. 
 Manor, G. A. 
 Maxey, S. A. 
 Melton, C. C. 
 Mathews, D. M. 
 Moss, J. F. 
 McGee, John. 
 McKinny, B. B. 
 Massey, Chas. 
 McLain, B. A. 
 Moon, J.W . 
 Moody„ Wm. 
 Mellott, J. C. 
 Meredith, W. W. 
 Merrell, W. P. 
 McBee, Samuel. 
 Moore, D. R. 
 Maples, A. 
 Mayo, G. T. 
 Mahurin, W. 'H. 
 Maples, Peter. 
 Montange, Thos. B. 
 Miller, H. B. 
 Martin, H. B. 
 Martin, Reason. 
 Moran,, Wm. 
 Moran, A. 
 Myers, John H. 
 Murphy, G. W. 
 Miller, James. 
 McDonald, G. W. 
 Middlebrook, J. F.' 
 Morrison, Wm. 
 Mauk, J. R. 
 Mullens, B. E. 
 McMahan, Samuel. 
 Moore, T. A. 
 Murray, Geo. 
 Maples, M. C. C. 
 Meadows,, E. A. 
 Melton, A. W. 
 Murry, J. 
 Mathews, J. D. 
 Murray, J. Mj. 
 Moore, M. 
 McQueen, Minor. 
 McConnell, Wm. 
 Moore, Elijah. 
 Martin, Thomas. 
 Martin. Benjamin. 
 Meredith. Samuel. 
 Main, S" C. 
 MabUron. A. H. 
 McCoy., Pallas. 
 
 Osborn, W. H. 
 Osborn, Wm. 
 O'Neal, J. D. 
 Owens, John. 
 Ogle, I. L. 
 Olis, John. 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 403 
 
 Odell, Isaac. 
 Odell, O. E. 
 Osborn, James. 
 Owen, John. 
 Oliver, Z. 
 O'Steen, J. A. 
 O'Kelly, W. P. 
 
 Polk., W. W, 
 Price, "William. 
 Posten, Elias. 
 Peterson, T. 
 Page, B. 
 Phillips, H. H. 
 Phillips, S. H. 
 Parrish, H. W. 
 Peden, J. O. 
 Poe, J. W. 
 Parker, N. V. 
 Pennington, S. E. 
 Presley, J. C. 
 Prater, W. J. 
 Pead,. W. H. 
 Prewett, G. W. 
 Pirkle, E. J. 
 Plybon, S. O. 
 Peel, J. W. 
 Pope, J. A. 
 Paine, L. C. D. 
 Parker, Simon. 
 Phillips, H. H. 
 Pursley, T. K. 
 Plaster, Clairborne. 
 Patton, A. H. 
 Phillips, N. G. 
 Pelam, Chas. S. 
 Poynter, D. T. 
 Polsom, Wesley. 
 Poate, S. 
 Phillips, W. L. 
 Pettus, S. L. 
 Pope, W- C. 
 Pope, J. A. 
 Papasan, R. F. 
 Pennington, I. L. 
 Patman, D. W. 
 Parks, Simpson. 
 Perry, Wm. B. 
 Porder, David I. 
 Pensan, Allen, 
 palmer,, Wait. 
 Peters, L. C. 
 
 Richards, Louis. 
 Riner, W> W. 
 Rustin, J. L. 
 Robinson, E. R. 
 Reagan, A. H. 
 Reaves, James. 
 Ross, John L. 
 Rowe, J. W. 
 Ross, C. L. 
 Ruffner, L. T. 
 Roberts, S. C. 
 
 Robberts, Nathan. 
 Riffle, Gabriel. 
 Reed, Corwin. 
 Read, Jessie. 
 Riley, Jared . 
 Ruckman, Joseph. 
 Rogers, J. P. 
 Rowe, John of Ga. 
 Rogers, Timothy. 
 Riener, W. W. 
 Ross, Lemuel. 
 Roberson, T. L. 
 Ross, R. 
 Ring, James. 
 Reeves, M. C. 
 Roberts,, J. H. 
 Rushton, W. R. 
 Reynolds, S. H. 
 Rhoden, W. R. 
 Randolph, Henry. 
 Rose, Thos. 
 Robinson, E. R. 
 Robinson, Martin. 
 Ring, Jas. H. 
 
 S. 
 
 Sparks, John. 
 Stilley, Stephen. 
 Stephens, Thos. P. 
 Simmons,, W. L. 
 Stipp, J. 
 Stout, Ezra. 
 Stanford, J. W. 
 Samford, T. I. 
 Smith, M. W. 
 Starling, L. 
 Strickland, W^ P. 
 Smith, W. K. 
 Spinks, J. D. 
 Stinnett, J. S. 
 Salyer, F. M. 
 Stout, C. 
 Sheffield, D. B. 
 Spence, J. B. 
 Stinson, J. T. 
 Skeen, J. 
 Shelton, J. S. 
 Shaw, John A. 
 Sharp, G. M. 
 Stuckey, C. F. 
 Stultz, B. L. 
 Shields, W v H. 
 Simmons, W. L. 
 Struble, J. M. 
 Spencer, J. W. 
 Smith, W. D. 
 Stacy, Greenville. 
 Skogg, J. H. 
 Skogg, P. J. 
 Skogg, Thomas. 
 Starling, B. L. 
 Stevenson, Moore. 
 Speight, R. T. 
 Sterry, John. 
 Sisk, H. 
 Stewart, David. 
 Sisk, Allen. 
 
 Stoaler, John. 
 Swindel„ Albin, 
 Smiley, A. 
 Simmons, D. W. 
 Skinner, Ruben I. 
 Smith, J. W. 
 Sumner, Owen. 
 Sumner, David. 
 Simmons, Wm. L. 
 Sawyer, Caleb T. 
 Smith, Josiah. 
 Slaughter, W. W. 
 Sherwood, Jordan. 
 Seely, J. T. 
 Stamper, John. 
 Smith,, R. B. 
 Simmons, Thos. W. 
 Sizemore, Geo. 
 Sparks, J. R. 
 Simpson, Wm. 
 Sammons, Jas. 
 Shields, J. J. 
 Seitz, Lewis. 
 Staton, G. W. 
 Sammons, J. A. 
 Senter, Drewery. 
 Stamper, Solomon. 
 Schofield, Daniel. 
 Smith,, J. E. W. 
 Stallings, T. W, 
 Stephens, Jeremiah. 
 Stinson, J. T. 
 
 Terrell, Elf, 
 Thomas, John D. 
 Tanner, John. 
 Tucker, Henry C. 
 Taylor, R. C. 
 Theobald. J. M. 
 Thrash, D. M. 
 Tucker, B. T. 
 Tomberlin, I. A. 
 Tolbert, H. R. 
 Turner.. W, C. 
 Twilford, M. D. 
 Tapping, D. Wu 
 Taylor, J. W. 
 Thomas, H. C. 
 Tyler, J. W. 
 Taylor, J. A. 
 Tincher, S. P. 
 Taylor, John H. 
 Tatum, Samuel. 
 Teet, H. D. 
 Temple, H. 
 Thomas, L. E. 
 Thomas, D. 
 Tomlin, Jessie. 
 Tucker, Crawford. 
 Thompson, Nathaniel. 
 Thank, R. 
 Tabb, Baley. 
 Turner, Chas. L. 
 Turnage, John. 
 Tyler, Willett. 
 Thomas, Zachariah. 
 
404 
 
 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 Tacket, Wjm. 
 Tomberlin, W. H. 
 Tommay, Hiram. 
 
 V. 
 
 Vermillion, Joel. 
 Vass, Thos. S. 
 Vaughan, C. W. 
 Van Home, Wm. 
 Vinson, McCallister. 
 Verell, E. Mi. 
 Vickers, W. R. 
 Vickers, Thos. 
 Van, Bush. 
 
 W. 
 
 Witt, P. A. 
 Wisdom, F .'M. 
 Wolverton, A. 
 Worm, A. J. 
 Williams, S. 
 Whitehead, C. C. 
 World, W. W. 
 Williams, John G. 
 Webb, E. 
 Whitford, Bryan. 
 Whitaker, Wm. 
 
 White, H. 
 Wilkinson, H. B. 
 Whitten, James. 
 Ward, Luke. 
 Wood, R. M. 
 Wiseman, Z. 
 Witham, James. 
 Wicker, J. D. 
 Whitfield, Lewis. 
 Wills, Thos. W. 
 Wood, R. T. 
 Wann, A. J. 
 Walter, T. N. 
 Woodall, D. F. 
 Waters, T. 
 Whitley, Wm. 
 Whitford, Bryan. 
 West, Miles F. 
 White, J. B. 
 Weaver, G. S. 
 Whitworth, C. 
 Wallace, John. 
 Walters, S. T. 
 Weaver, Othniel. 
 White, J. J. 
 Walker, John P. 
 Wilkes, Samuel. 
 Wright, Samuel H. 
 
 Welsh, Thomas. 
 Wyatt, J. M. 
 Williams, J. M. 
 Wingate, B. R. 
 Ward, E. S. 
 Williams, J. J. 
 Walton, J. C. 
 Wallis, G. H. 
 Walden, W. T. 
 Wright, W. S. 
 White, V. B. 
 White, W. D. 
 Webb„ A. J. 
 West, W. W, 
 Waddle, Geo. 
 White, F. M. 
 Wood, D. T. 
 Wilson, John. 
 Wheeler, John R. 
 Wheeler, J. W. 
 Williams, M. A. 
 
 Yoeman, A. J. 
 Yoeman, Wm. 
 Young, Jacob. 
 Yates, J. H. 
 Young, M. E. 
 
APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 405 
 
 Publish bg out ptoph in tlje fofrttB? of tljr infinite 
 of (Boh, our &amoitr ano tljr prarttr? of tlj? 
 Apostoltr (UJjurrlj as maintain^ bg 
 
 Jlrimttitt? or (§lft ^rtjoni lapiist 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1878. 
 
 Published Monthly $1 per year- 
 Six copies a year for $5. 
 
 The Gospel Messenger. 
 
 Sylvester Hassell, Editor and Proprie- 
 tor, Williamston, N. C. 
 MOTTO: "Speaking the Truth in Love." 
 
 Conducted for the dissemina- 
 tion of pure, Scriptural 
 and eternal truth. 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1832. 
 
 Published Semi-Monthly at 
 per year. 
 
 The Signs of the Times. 
 
 F. A. Chick, Hopewell, N. J., and 
 H. C. Ker, Middletown. N. Y., Editors. 
 
 The oldest Old-School Baptist 
 paper in the United 
 States. 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1885. 
 
 Published Monthly at $1 per 
 year. 
 
 The Primitive Monitor. 
 
 R. W. Thompson, Editor and Proprie- 
 tor, Greenfield, Ind. 
 
 Motto— "On Earth Peace, 
 Good- Will Toward Men." 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1854. 
 
 By Elder John Clark. Pub- 
 lished Monthly by Mr. 
 J. G. Wiltshire 
 
 Zion's Advocate. 
 
 Dr. C. H. Waters, Editor, Washing, 
 ton, D. C. 
 
 The second oldest Primitive or 
 Old School Baptist pa- 
 per in the U. S. 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1867. 
 
 Published Semi-Monthly at 
 $1.50 per year. 
 
 Zion's Landmark. 
 
 P. D. Gold, Editor, Wilson, N. C. 
 
 Motto — "Ask for the Old Paths where 
 is the Good Way." 
 
 Ably edited for past 40 years 
 by Elder Gold, who is doubtless 
 the oldest continuously active 
 editor among our people. 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1897. 
 
 Published Monthly at $1 per 
 
 The Messenger of Truth. 
 
 F. P. Brascome, Editor and Proprietor, 
 Laurel Fork, Va. 
 
 Motto— "Thy word is a lamp 
 
 unto my feet, and a light 
 
 unto my path." 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1886. 
 
 By Elder S. F. Cayce. 
 
 Published weekly at $1 per 
 
 year. 
 
 The Primitive Baptist. 
 
 C. H. Cayce, Editor, and Proprietor. 
 Martin, Tenn, 
 
 Lee Hanks, Editor Southern 
 
 Department, Macon, Ga. 
 
 Motto— "On Earth Peace, 
 
 Good Will Toward Men." 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1874. 
 
 Published Semi-Monthly, at 
 $1.25 per year. 
 
 The Messenger of Peace. 
 
 Walter Cash, Editor and Proprietrr. 
 
 St. Joseph, Mo. . 
 Essentials Maintained. Hurtful wars 
 
 guarded against. 
 
 Motto— "Glory to God in the 
 Highest, and on Earth 
 Peace, Good-Will 
 Toward Man." 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1891, 
 
 Published Weekly at $1 per 
 year. 
 
 The Baptist Trumpet. 
 
 J. G. Webb, Editor and Proprietor. 
 
 Tioga. Texas. 
 
 Hew to the line. 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1898. 
 
 Published Monthly at $1 per 
 
 year. Fifty cents in 
 
 clubs of five. 
 
 Foot Prints of the Flock. 
 
 J. W. Fairchild, Editor and Proprietor. 
 Urbanette, Ark. 
 
 Motto— "For if the Trumpet 
 give an uncertain sound 
 who shall prepare him- 
 self to the battle." 
 
 Motto— "If thou know not 
 O thou fairest among, wo- 
 men, go thy way by the foot- 
 steps of the flock." 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1907. 
 
 Published monthly at $1 per 
 year. 
 
 Spiritual Law Counsel. 
 
 J. D. Cockram. Woolwine, Va,, and 
 Dr. J. C. Hurst, Roanoke, Va., 
 Editors. 
 
 Motto— "For the law of the 
 Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus 
 hath made me free from the 
 law of sin and death." 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1900 
 
 Published Monthly at Fifty 
 Cents a year. 
 
 The Youth's Guardian Friend. 
 
 O. F. Cayce, Editor, Martin, Tenn. 
 
 Designed to promote Morality. 
 Especially Beneficial to the young. 
 
 An Educational Magazine of 
 
 Pure Morals for Home 
 
 and School. 
 
 g 
 
408 APPENDIX AND USEFUL INFORMATION 
 
 FINAL NOTICE. 
 
 TTENTion is directed to the list printed elsewhere in these 
 pages, containing the names of some of our ministers 
 whose sketches, for want of sufficient information, could not 
 appear. There are many more, of course, but those men- 
 tioned came directly under the notice of the Editor in the 
 preparation of this work. 
 
 Now if the reader is interested in this work of Biography 
 and would like to see it extended kindly send the Editor 
 obituaries, sketches, or any reliable information of any minis- 
 ter whose name appears in the aVove referred to list, or of any 
 other Primitive or Old School Baptist Minister in the United 
 States, in order that such ministers may be properly repre- 
 sented in a possible enlarged edition of this work. 
 
 R. H. PITTMAN, 
 
 Luray, Virginia. 
 
Date Due 
 
 «u 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 [> V" > Vif 
 MAR 9 m 
 
 
 
 
 MAY 9 
 
 
 
 
 'APfl 5 t 
 
 
 
 
 JUN 14 
 
 
 
 
 DEC 07 
 
 
 
 
 mm 
 
 1999 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Library Bureau Cat.no. 1 137 
 
.6 P689 180532 
 
 SCHOOt. OF RELIGION