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SKETCHES, 
 
 HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BROAD RIVER AND KING'S MOUNTAIN 
 
 Baptist A-Ssociations, 
 
 FROM 
 
 1800 to 1882. 
 
 BY 
 
 ode-a^goust john :r_ logan. 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 &K INTRODUCTORY SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR, 
 
 BY 
 
 R. Ij. Ryburn, Esq. 
 
 Shelby, N. C. 
 
 Babington, Roberts & Co. 
 
 1887, 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1887 by 
 
 L. M. Logan, 
 In the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 
 
PREFACE. iii 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 It has long been the desire of many of the mem- 
 bers both of the Broad River and King's Mountain 
 Associations to have collated in a small volume the 
 principal acts or records of the two bodies from the 
 time of their formation up to the present period ; and 
 heretofore, both have had published synoptical his- i 
 
 torical accounts; but of such meagre and circumscrib- 
 
 i 
 ed measure as to prevent the attainment of the very 
 
 object intended in the undertaking. It was certainly 
 impossible for any writer, it matters not how great 
 his skill in condensation or brevity of style to force 
 into a work of fifty or sixty pages the bare substance of 
 the annual doings of a body more than three-fourths 
 of a century in age. Nothing in the way of detail 
 could be given; mere mention only of the acts, and of 
 the principal actors, could be given; who, during that 
 long period of time were conspicuously connected with 
 the business matters of the two Associations. ■ 
 
 Having now before us an unbroken file of the 
 Minutes of both of these bodies; and with them the 
 oft repeated encouragement of numbers of the breth- 
 ren of both; to try our hand on a work of this char- 
 acter; we have therefore, after due reflection upon the 
 subject, and invoking the guidance of Him who never 
 errs, concluded to submit to the inspection of the 
 public the following pages, and while we entertain no 
 doubt that the brethren of both the Associations will 
 eagerly peruse the same, we however ask of them 
 while, 
 
 To our motives they may feel ever kind, 
 Yet to our errors be a little blind. 
 
iv PREFACE. 
 
 Many of the abstruse scriptural difficulties which 
 formerly agitated the minds of our pioneer brethren, 
 and sometimes caused divisions and distractions in 
 churches will appear properly solved, while many of 
 the Circular Letters upon very important subjects of 
 vital interest to the churches then, (and in many in- 
 stances of equally as much to the churches now) will 
 appear reproduced and be placed in a state of preser- 
 vation, safe from the threatening gulf of oblivion. 
 While, too, some slight knowledge of many of the 
 pioneer ministers who figured in the early days of the 
 Broad River are exhumed and preserved. What a 
 pity that a work of this kind had not been sooner 
 thought of. It is now impossible to get the needed 
 information respecting many of the worthy pioneer 
 ministers who struggled hard with theenemy of souls 
 in the early days of the Association, and therefore, 
 the accounts will appear but scanty indeed. The dates 
 of church organization has been very loosely pre- 
 served in the Broad River and King's Monntain Asso- 
 ciation, so much so that it has been a deal of trouble 
 to the writer to ascertain and set forth the true dates 
 of the presbyteries, and of whom composed, when 
 churches were constituted. Hoping that some good 
 will be realized from our attempt in compiling a hand 
 book for convenient and easy reference to matters 
 pertaining mostly to -the Baptist family residing within 
 the bounds of Broad River and King's Mountain, we 
 therefore, submit it for what it may be worth, praying 
 
 the blessing of God upon it. 
 
 J. R. LOGAN. 
 December 31, 1882. 
 
CONTENTS. v 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Introductory Sketch of the Author by R. L. Ryburn. 
 
 . . CHAPTER I 1-10 
 
 Broad River Baptist Association— Its location— Origin of name- 
 Resources — The great revival from 1799 to 1803. 
 
 CHAPTER II 10-80 
 
 Notices of the Annual sessions to 1851 inclusive— No published Jour- 
 nal of the organization. (1800.) 
 
 Session of 1801. — Queries sent up from the churches— Remarks — 
 •System of the Broad River Baptist Association. 
 
 Session of 1802.— Coming Ministers, Jacob Crocker, Joshua Richards 
 and Joroyal Barnett. 
 
 Session of 1808.— Drury Dobbins and Berryman Hicks— Remarks- 
 Queries. 
 
 Session of 1804.— Remarks— Queries acted on— Remarks on same. 
 
 Session of 1805.— Messengers— Remarks on Correspondence — Organ- 
 ization — Queries Answered. 
 
 Session of 1806.— Organization— Members Dismissed— Remarks Rel- 
 ative to Elder Humphrey Posey— Queries Answered— Fast Day 
 — Remarks on the Declension of Religion. 
 
 Session of 1807.— Formation of the French Broad Association— Query 
 answered— James Biackwell ex-communicated— Elder Perniin- 
 ter Morgan. 
 
 Seession of 1808.— Remarks on the declension of religion— Queries 
 answered— RemarKs. 
 
 Session of 1809.— A large number of queries answered— Elder Daniel 
 Hoyle. 
 
 Session of 1810.— Remarks on Drury Dobbins as presiding officer— 
 Queries answered— Union meetings to arrange the sessions es- 
 tablished. 
 
 Session of 1811.— Queries— Remarks on the Query answered in the 
 negative by the Author. Is it right to hold members in fellow- 
 ship who belong to and frequent Masonic Lodges? also remarks 
 on the same by M. C. Barnett— Query on Matrimony answered — 
 Fast day — Elder David Benedict, the historian. 
 
 Session of 1812. — Queries reconsidered and answered— Two impostors 
 published, Ledford Paine and Samuel T. Council. 
 
 Session of 1813. — Remarks on the revival of the past year conducted 
 by Drury Dobbins and Berryman Hick — Queries answered — 
 Baptist general meeting, Drury Dobbins and Ambrose Carlton 
 appointed delegates — Remarks on the same — Seven impostors 
 published, to-wit : Samuel Whitney, W. Davis, Jesse Hazael, 
 John McCreary, W. Thomas, John Williams and Dan'l Brown. 
 Remarks on the same— Death of .Elder Julius Holland. 
 
vi CONTENTS. 
 
 Session of 1814.— Held at Goucher Creek— Introductory sermon by 
 Ambrose Carlton— Elder Wm. King. 
 
 Session of 1815. — Baptist Board for missions — Remarks — Demise of 
 Elder George Brewton. 
 
 Session of 1816. — Elder Luther Rice, agent for missions — Ruhamah 
 and Zion Churches admitted — Queries answered — Remarks on 
 Election — A superanuuated minister, Ambrose Carlton. 
 
 Session of 1817. — Query on alien immersion answered— The conver- 
 sion of the Heathen, Elder Luther Rice— Elder Hosea Holcombe. 
 
 Session of 1818. — Queries answered— Petition to district the Associa- 
 tion — An imposter Mitchel Austin— Elder Wm. King— Re- 
 marks. 
 
 Session of 1819. — Elder Jacob Crocker— Queries answered — Mission- 
 ary operations — Kehukee Association. 
 
 Session of 1820. — Elder Thomas Bomar— New Prospect. Washing- 
 ton, Cross Roads and Macedonia Churches admitted— Queries 
 answered — Remarks. 
 
 Session of 1821.— Elder Samuel Gibson — Baptist Board of Missions — 
 Corresponding Messengers. 
 
 Session of 1822. — Camp's Creek church admitted — Charleston Asso- 
 ciation — Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. 
 
 Session of 1823.— Queries answered— Remarks on same — Elder Jacob 
 Crocker. 
 
 Session of 1824.— Elder Fields Bradshaw— State Line church admit- 
 ted — Query from Cedar Springs church evasively answered — 
 South Carolina State Convention— Demise of Deacons Wm. Lan- 
 caster and Wm. Davidson. 
 
 Session of 1825.— Elder Joel Black well— Ebenezer church admitted 
 — Head of Euoree and Pacolet churches dismissed — An impostor 
 John Roberts— Messengers, to wit : Elders Humphrey Posey, 
 Reuben Coffee, Nathan Berry and Sam'l Gibson. 
 
 Session of 182ft. — Mt. Ararat and Bill's Creek churches admitted- 
 Bible Societies— Messengers, to- wit: Elders Thomas Goodwin, 
 Larkin Stepp, Stephen Mangum, Reuben Coffee, Elias Mitchell, 
 T. S. Green, W. Alexander and L. Rector. 
 
 Session of 1827.— New Bethany aDd Mt. Zion churches admitted- 
 Treating Candidates and Drain-drinking — Catawba River Asso- 
 ciation— Remarks on Prince Alcohol. 
 
 Session of 1828.— North Catawba, Smyrna and Double Springs dis- 
 missed — Query answered — Impostors, to-wit: Wm. King, D. 
 A. Bulcom, Doctor Miller, John Smith, Mark Andrews, Ran- 
 dolph Mabry, Leonard Prather and Elisha Revels— Remarks 
 on the same. 
 
 Session of 1829— Query answered— False Teachers, Jesse Dinson 
 and Jeremiah Canuon — Remarks. 
 
 Session of 183J.— Query from Macedonia church— Elder Jonathan 
 Guthrie— Sabbath Schools and Slaves— Demise of Elder Thos. 
 Bomar. 
 
 Session of 1831.— High Shoals Church admitted— Queries answered— 
 Macedonia committee report— Remarks on Elder Jonathan 
 Guthrie. 
 
 Session of 1832.— Queries answered— Pamphlet entitled Emancipa- 
 tion of Slaves rejected— Remarks on the same. 
 
 Session of 1833.— Queries answered— Tyger River Association Re- 
 marks— Dr. Saui'el Wait— Fast Day. 
 
CONTENTS. vii 
 
 Session of 1S34.— Shiloh church admitted — James M. Webb's first 
 appearance— Demise of Elder James Lewis— East days and 
 remarks on the same. 
 
 Session of 1835. — Resolution denouncing the circulation of certain 
 incendiary pamphlets in the intent of the Abolition of Slavery 
 — Remarks on some disorderly preachers viz. Richard Johnson, 
 R. Hendrine, Samuel Thompson and Jesse Denson— Remarks 
 on the same. 
 
 Session of 1836. — S. G. Hamilton— Personal remarks of Author— Re' 
 marks and extracts from circular letter prepared by Elder Ber* 
 ryman Hicks on the nature of Popery, and its probable tendency 
 in the United States of America. 
 
 Session of 1837, — The demise of deacon Wm. Underwood. 
 
 Session of 1838. — The demise Elders Joel Blackwell and John Padgett 
 
 Session of 1839. — Query from Green River church— Salem Associati on 
 
 Session of 1840.— Zion Hill church admitted — Dr. Felix Littlejohn 
 made his first appearance — Participants in the revival. 
 
 Session of 1841. — Elder R. P. Logan made his first appearance— Re- 
 marks relative to Elder James M. Webb — A petition from Cross 
 Roads church— Remarks on same. 
 
 Session of 1842.— Corinth, Capernaum, Bethlehem, Sulphur Springs 
 and Unity churches admitted— Elders Jas. D. Crowder and M, 
 C. Barnett made their first appearance — Green River Association. 
 
 Session of 1843 —The demise of Elder Zechariah Blackwell— Elder 
 Wade Hill and Thomas Dixon made their first appearance. 
 
 Session of 1844. — Upper Fair Forest and Pacolet churches admitted 
 —Query from Providence church. Tabled remarks on the same 
 — Elder Jno. G. Kendrick made his first appearance. 
 
 Session of 1845. — Double Springs church admitted — Domestic Mis- 
 sion field rejected— Elders Drury Scruggs and M. C. Barnett 
 volunteers — Remarks on Temperance and Missions— Cj,uery 
 answered— E. M. Chaffin published— Remarks on said Chaffin— 
 Demise of Elder Jas. D. Crowder. 
 
 Session of 1846 — Gilead chureh admitted — Remarks on the adoption 
 of circular letter prepared by W. Hill on Domestic missions, also 
 M. C. Barnetts' account of same — Standing delegates — Demise of 
 Elder Joshua Richards. 
 
 Session of 1847. — Shelby and Ephesus churches admitted — Queries 
 answered — Catawba Valley mission — Fast day — Memorial ser- 
 mon of Drury Dobbins by Elder J. M. Webb— Remarks by the 
 Author and Elder M. C. Barnett— Obituary notice of Drury 
 Dobbins— The Author's and M. C. Barnett's account of a con- 
 troversy between Drury Dobbins and J. M. Webb et. al. on the 
 question of the Union meetings regulating the sessions of the 
 Association. 
 
 Session of 1848.— Boiling Springs Mt. Sinai and Bethel churches ad- 
 mitted — A revival of religion —Queries from Philadelphia and 
 Cedar spring's churches in relation to representative answered — 
 Remarks on same by the Author— A disorderly minister J. Q. 
 Barber. 
 
 Session of 1849.— Salem and Mt. Pleasant churches admitted— A 
 petition to dissolve Bethel church rejected — Missionary report of 
 Elder W. Hill— Sabbath Schools. 
 
trifi CONTENTS. 
 
 Session of 1850. — Broad River church admitteoS^Elders T. Dixon 
 and J. Buttle made Licentiates — B. E. and G. W. Rollins made 
 their first appearance as ministers. 
 
 Session of 1851. — Beaverdam and Pleasant Hill churches admitted — 
 Letters of dismission granted churches to form the King's Mt. 
 Association— Ignoring the wandering Pilgrim — Remarks or* 
 same. 
 
 CHAPTER III 80-158. 
 
 Notices of the sessions from 1851 to 1882. 
 
 Session of 1852. — Elder W. Hill domestic missionary for York Dist.,. 
 S. C. — Wm. Roberts depository for missionary fund — Long Creek 
 church dismissed. 
 
 Session of 1853. — Enon church admitted — Broad River Missionary 
 Society — Resolution of thanks to Thomas Curtis, D. L\, for mis- 
 sionary labors at Yorkville, S. C. — Resolution against distilling 
 and vending ardent spirits— Resolution favoring Sabbath schools. 
 
 Session of 1854. — Union church admitted — Furman University- 
 Remarks on Sabbath schools. 
 
 Session of 1855.— Rutherfordton church admitted — Queries from 
 Cedar Springs answered — Resolution on Temperance — Resolu- 
 tion of thanks to the Methodists of Shelby N. C. — Reports on 
 Sabbath schools— Remarks on same. 
 
 Session of 1856. — Holly Springs church admitted— Query on the 
 annual call of Pastor answered — Dissolution of the Broad River 
 Missionary Society and the Association becomes a Missionary 
 body— -Rutherfordton church assisted — Report of committee on 
 corresponding minutes— Remarks on Sabbath schools. 
 
 Session of 1857. — Mt. Lebanon church admitted — Report on Sabbath 
 schools — Remarks on same — Report on Finance— Report of Ex- 
 ecutive Board of Missions — Remarks and resolution on same — 
 Elder L. M. Berry agent of Domestic and Indian Missions. 
 
 Session of 1858. — Executive Board of Missions— Report on Finance 
 — Report of Executive Board— Sabbath schools. 
 
 Session of 1859.— Mt. Zion church admitted— Report on Sabbath 
 schools-^Elder Thos. Curtis D. D. perished in the flames of the 
 ill-fated steamer "North Carolina" — Report on obituaries — Re- 
 port of the Executive Board of Missions — Remarks on same. 
 
 Session of lb60. — Sardis church admitted — Distinguished visitors, E. 
 A. Crawly D. D., J. O. B. Dargan D. D., W. B. Carson and J. 
 E. Rae — Query from Goucher creek answered — Synoptical his- 
 tory of the Association — Remarks on same — Report on Sabbath 
 schools by Toliver Davis — Distillers of ardent spirits — Operations- 
 of the Executive Board. 
 
 Session of 1861.— Report of Treasurer of Executive Board — Demise 
 of Elders F. W. Littlejohu, M. Mullinax and J. Suttle and Bro. 
 J. W. Cooper— Resolution endorsing Secession — Remarks on the 
 same. 
 
 Session of 18<i2.— Elders W. H. Mcintosh and W. D. Rice— Report of 
 Executive Board —Deceased brethren J. G. Mullinax, E. H. 
 Smith and C. P. Petty — Resolution requesting prayer for the 
 Confederate Soldiers. 
 
 Session of 1863. — Shelby church admitted — Request of State Line 
 church granted — Query about Confederate deserters answered 
 — Operations of the Missionary Board — Remarks — Demise of 
 Deacons James Spears, M. S. Kendrick and A. Bonner. 
 
CONTENTS. i x 
 
 Session of 1864. — New Prospect and Buffalo churches admited — 
 Salem church dismissed — Report of committee sent to State 
 Line church in regard to Drury Scruggs — Action of the Associa- 
 tion in reference to D. Scruggs and the State Line church — Re- 
 marks on same — Domestic Missionary Board — Demise of Deacons 
 Win. Ezell, M. T. Pope, Wm. Spears" and Wm. Moore. 
 
 Session of 18135. — Report on Sabbath schools — Voluntary Missionary 
 labor by T. R. Gaines and T. J. Campbell— The Board of Mis- 
 sions dispensed with the present year — Demise of Deacons Jos. 
 Guytou and L. Ferguson — Friendship, the oldest church in the 
 Association — Report of committee on Associational correspond- 
 ence. 
 
 Session of 1866. — York ville church admitted — Distinguished visitors — 
 Change in the action of State Convention and remarks on same — 
 Demise of Col. James Jeffries, Toliver Davis, Philip Watkins and 
 Wm. Roberts — Report of committee on colored people and re- 
 marks on same — Report of committee on correspondence. 
 
 S ession of 1867. — Ordination of L. C. Ezell and remarks on the same 
 — History of the Associatian — Report of Executive Board. 
 
 Session of 186S. — J. C. Furman D. D., J. C. Landrum, S. Drummond 
 and T. W. Smith — Denominational courtesy extended to Revs. 
 A. A. James and C. S. Baird — Associational History — York As- 
 sociation — Report of Executive Board and remarks on same — A 
 standing delegation — A doubting disciple— Mt. Lebanon church 
 dismissed — Fast day. 
 
 Session of 1869.— Visitors— T. H. Pope, W. T. Walters D. D., W. D. 
 Elkin and T. H. Smith — Associational History — Plead Stone for 
 Z. Blackwell and remarks on same— Sardis "church — Standing 
 delegation again and remarks on same — Executive Board. 
 
 Session of 1870— Visitors, Elders J. K. Mendenhall D. D., E. A. 
 Poe, G. W. Rollins, R. P. Logan, N. B. Cobb, B. G. Covington, 
 and J. F. Morall D. D. — Resolution respecting Furman Univer- 
 sity and remarks on same— Sabbath schools— Report of commit- 
 tee on Obituaries — Inquiry respecting Associational History — 
 Rutherfordton church dismissed— Report of Executive Board of 
 Missions. 
 
 Session of 1871. — Pleasant Grove and Brown's Chapel church ad- 
 mitted—Visitors, Elders M. V. B. Lank-ford, T. H. Smith, T. R. 
 Gaines and J. L. Vass — Elder M. C. Barnett's report in relation 
 to the history of the Association — Report on Temperance — De- 
 mise of Joseph Mullinax — Gravestones for Z. Blackwell again — 
 A colored Missionary Baptist Association — Shelby, New Prospect 
 and Capernaum churches dismissed — Report of committee on 
 Domestic and Indian Missions — Report of Executive Board and 
 remarks on same. 
 
 Session of 1872. — Sandy Springs church admitted— Palmetto Orphan 
 Home— Resolution on Systematic Beneficence — Report on for- 
 eign Missions — Executive Board of Missions — Demise of Elder 
 J. G. Kendriek and Deacon E. A. Byers — Mt. Zion church dis- 
 missed. 
 
 Session of 1873.— Reportof committee on Headstones for Z. Blackwell 
 — Report of Executive Board of Missions— Demise of M. C. Bar- 
 nett and Deacons Thompson Robbs and A. Lovelace, J. M. 
 Byars and Caroline Moorehead, Antioch church dismissed. 
 
 Session of 1874.— Visitors, J. B. Patrick and Elders G. S. Anderson 
 and Wm. Williams D. D. — Report of committee on Tombstones 
 for Z. Blackw T ell— Report of Executive Board— Demise of Elder 
 Wm, Curtis L. L. D. and Deacon James Ezell — Resolution in 
 favor of J. E. Burgess. 
 
x CONTENTS. 
 
 Session of 1S75. — Abington creek church admitted — Report of Exec- 
 utive Board of Missions — Retailing Ardent Spirits — Spartanburg 
 Association — Demise of Deacon John Byars. 
 
 Session of 1876. — Messengers, Elders J. G. Landrum and J. S. Ezell 
 — Report of Executive Board of Missions and Remarks on same — 
 Demise of Deacons Edward Lipscomb and L. C. Cements. 
 
 Session of 1877. — Mt. Joy church admitted — Resolution in regard to 
 the employment of an Evangelist and Remarks on same — Demise 
 of Elder A. Padgett and Isaac Peeler. 
 
 Session of 1878. — Cowpens church admitted — The State Board repu- 
 diBted — Report of Executive Board of Missions — Demise of Dea- 
 cons Absalom Ward, Jefferson Mabry and A. Aiken. 
 
 Session of 1879 —Grassy Pond, Cherokee C'k, New Pleasant, Pleasant 
 Grove and Bivingsville churches admitted — Elder A. W. Lamar 
 --Resolution on missionary work — Demise of Elders J. Lee and 
 W. Hill, and deacon Williams of New Prospect. 
 
 Session of 1880. — Beaverdam church admitted — Elder W. H. Strick- 
 land cor. sec. State Mission Board — Report of Executive Board 
 of Missions and remarks on same — Demise of deacon Woodward 
 Allen, James K. Finch and Robert White. 
 
 Session of 1881. — Clifton church admitted — Messengers Elders W. 
 L. Brown, J. L. Vass, Charles Manly, D. D., J. G. Landrum, 
 Prof. J. B. Patrick and R. O. Sams — Cooper Limestone Institute, 
 Greenville Military Institute, Furman University, Greenville 
 Female College, Baptist Courier and remarks on same — The peo- 
 ple suffering greatly from drought — Prayer for the President of 
 the United States — State missions — Report of Executive Board — 
 The last address by Elder J. G. Landrum before the Broad River 
 Association — Demise of Eli Bryant, W. L. Brown and J. F. 
 Clary — Reflections by the author. 
 
 Session of 1882. — Nazareth church admitted— Elders Griffith, Pitman , 
 Foster and others — Remarks on the session by the author. 
 
 CHAPTER IV 158-244 
 
 Organization of the King's Mountain Baptist Association — Boundary 
 of the Association — Summary of proceedings — Corresponding- 
 Letter. 
 
 Session of 1852. — High Shoal and Mt. Vernon churches admitted — 
 Corresponding bodies represented Broad River, Green River and 
 Catawba — Fast day appointed. 
 
 Session of 1853. — Mt. Paron, Corinth and Big Spring Churches ad- 
 mitted — Temperance resolution — Change of Constitution — Elders 
 Dove Pannell and Joseph Suttle were appointed Missionaries. 
 
 Session of 1854. — Sandy Plains, New Prospect, Bethlehem and Long 
 Creek churches admitted — Bogus delegates — Queries answered — 
 Preamble and Resolutions in regard to Ebenezer church and Re- 
 marks on same — Report of Elders Dove Pannell and Joseph Sut- 
 tle Missionaries to Catawba Valley. 
 
 Session of 1855. — Olivet, St. John's and Lebanon churches admitted 
 — Missionary Board, J. R. Logan, F. S. Ramsour and W. K. 
 Green — Free will offerings — Committee of inquiry relative to 
 High Shoal church — Report on Sabbath Schools. 
 
 Session of 1856. -Shelby, Concord and Thesalonica churches admit- 
 
 . ted — Report of R. P. Logan and remarks on same — Resolutions on 
 
 Temperance — Gaming and Dancing — Report on Sabbath schools 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to visit High Shoal church — 
 
 Elder R. P. Logan again employed as Missionary. 
 
CONTENTS. xi 
 
 Session of 1S57. — Elder L. M. Berry agent of Domestic and Indian 
 Mission Board of Southern Baptist Convention — Resolution 
 against inviting Pedo Baptist Ministers — Resolution on the dis- 
 mission of members and Remarks on same. 
 
 Session of 1858. — Rejection of Shelby church and Remarks on same — 
 Resolution of sympathy for J R. Graves, editor of the' 'Tennessee 
 Baptist" — Funds for Missions. 
 
 Session of 1859. — Lincolnton church admitted — Elder L. M. Berry 
 made his first appearance as a delegate — Shelby church dis- 
 missed — Report on Temperance and Resolution and Remarks on 
 same — Report of committee on state of religion — Revision of the 
 Constitution and Remarks on same. 
 
 Session of 1860. — The seceding Session on the subject of Temperance 
 — Zion Hill church admitted — Preamble and Resolutions and re- 
 marks on same — Revised Constitution of the King's Mountain 
 Baptist Association. 
 
 Session of 1861 — Bethel church admitted— Another preamble and 
 resolution on temperance — Report of com. sent to Walls' church 
 — Letter to corresponding bodies — Demise of Elder Joseph Sut' 
 tie and deacon Win. Covington— Resolution on humiliation 
 and prayer. 
 
 Session of 1862. — Report of Elders Lewis McCurry and L. M. Berry 
 as Missionaries to the Catawba Valley — Intent of the Temper- 
 ance resolution — Preamble and resolution against specluators and 
 remarks on same — Objects of Associational work — Buffalo, New 
 Prospect and St. John's churches dismissed — Fast days — Demise 
 of Solomon Baker. 
 
 Session of 1863. — Sabbath collection — Resolution on change of session 
 — Notice as published by the Broad River Association of Elder 
 Drury Scruggs and remarks on same 
 
 Session of 1864. — Elder J. K. Howell from Central Association — 
 Elder G. M. Webb appointed Sabbath school Missionary — Cor- 
 responding letter. 
 
 Session of 1865. — Queries answered — Baptist church and Sunday 
 school mesenger and remarks on same — G. M. Webb's report as 
 S. S. agent — Reports on Domestic Missions, Temperance and 
 moral aspects — State of the country and remarks on same — Re- 
 port of committee on obituaries. 
 
 Session of 1866. —Elder D. Pannell's memorial touching matters of 
 grievance from brethren composing theso-called "Constitutional 
 King's Mountain Baptist Association" — Preamble and resolution 
 by J. H. Yarboro — Committee on conference — Publication of 
 minutes defered — Elder John S. Ezell appointed to 
 preach introductory sermon to the proceedings of Convention — 
 Query from Lincolnton church answered — Circular letter by J. 
 R. Logan — Journal of the convention that united the two wings 
 of the King's Mountain Association. 
 
 Session of 1867. — Re-districting the Association — Query answered — 
 Resolution of R. Poston requesting the churches to send up free 
 will offerings for Missions. 
 
 Session of 1868.— Visitors, Elders J. S. Ezell, E. Allison, J. J. Jones 
 and brethren W T m. Walker, Miles T. Walker and J. H. Mills- 
 Oct. 29th 1868 set apart as a day of Humiliation and prayer — 
 Objects of Associational work. 
 
 Session of 1869.— The payment of just debts— Wake Forest benefi- 
 ciaries — A bequest by J. J. Hicks— Baptist State Convention — 
 Demise of Deacon Daniel Hamrick. 
 
 B 
 
xii CONTESTS. 
 
 Session of 1870. — Report of committee on Missions — Brethren J. A. 
 Roberts, E. J. Lovelace and J. C. Lattiniore appointed a Mis- 
 sionary Board. 
 
 Session of 1871. — Capernaum, Shelby and New Prospect churches 
 admitted — Change in abstract of" principles — Report of the com- 
 mittee on state of religion — Demise of Deacon Samuel Hart-ill. 
 
 Session of 1S72. — Mt. Zion church admitted — Corinth church dis- 
 missed — Report of committee on Missions — Newton J. Long and 
 his body guard of United States cavalry and remarks on same — 
 Report on Temperance — Report of committee on obituaries — 
 Systematic beneficence — Demise of Elder M. C. Barnett. 
 
 Session of 187.S. — Antioch church admitted — Report of Missions by 
 J. D. Hufbam — Bethel church (Iredell) dismissed — Fast day — 
 Committee to revise constitution . 
 
 Session of 1874. — New Hope church admitted — Report of committee 
 on revision of constitution tabled and remarks on same— Report 
 on Education by R. H. Bridges — Demise of L. R. Rollins a 
 ' young minister. 
 
 Session of 1875.— Buffalo church again admitted — Objects of Assoei- 
 ational Work — Elder J. B. Richardson — Lincolnton church dis- 
 missed — Query from Double Springs answered. 
 
 Session of 1876. — (Queries from Zoar church answered — Sunday ser- 
 vices conducted by Elders J. B. Richardson, A. L. Stough and 
 G. M. Webb. 
 
 Session of 1877. — Gastonia church admitted — Distinguished visitors 
 —Report on missions by G. M. Webb — Report on Temperance by 
 A. L. Stough — Resolution by Bro. R. E. Porter endorsing the 
 King's Mountain Female Seminary — Report of committee on 
 Female College and Remarks on same — Olivet church dismissed. 
 
 Session of 1878. — Report of Board of Associational Missions— Board 
 of Missions discontinued and B. H. Bridges made Associational 
 Treasurer— Queries from Wall's and Pleasant Hill churches 
 answered — Remarks on query from Pleasant Hill — Report on 
 Education by J. A. White— King's Mountain Female College 
 again and remarks on same — Demise of Deacon Jno. Kendrick. 
 
 Session of 1879. — Pleasant Grove and State Line churches admitted — 
 Eiders H. Hatcher and T, H. Pritchard D. D.— Demise of Elder 
 W. Hill and brethren James Poston (licentiate) Deacons A. S, 
 Elam, Henderson Roberts and W. R. Roberts. 
 
 Session of 1SS0. — Long creek and Dallas churches admitted — Mes- 
 engers, Elders J. C. Grayson, Lewis McCurry, H. Hatcher. T. 
 Harrison and J. M. Williams — Demise of Deacon G. Herndon. 
 
 Session of 1881. — Visitors, Elders J. B. Boone, W. L. Brown and 
 Prof. H. W. Reinhardt — Report on Education by H. W. Rein- 
 hard t— Report on Sabbath schools by A. A. McSwain — Report 
 on Foreign Missions by A. L. Stough — Report on State Missions 
 by W. A. Nelson — Report on Home and Indian Missions by P. 
 R. Elam — A. L. Stough appointed missionary- -Report on reli- 
 gious Literature by B. H. Bridges — Resolution of T. D. Latti- 
 more and remarks on same — Report on obituaries by J. R. Logan 
 
 Session of 1882. — Ross' Grove, Zion Hill, Loenard's Fork, Shady 
 Grove and Fair View churches admitted— Report of committee 
 on State Missions — Report of A. L. Stough as missionary — De- 
 mise of Elder R. P. Logan and Deacons "Abraham Hardin and 
 George Ham rick. 
 
■CONTENTS. 
 
 xm 
 
 CHAPTER V 245 to 248 
 
 Summary of the Journalistic part of the work. 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Abernethv, A- 249 
 
 Allen, W (Deacon) 254 
 
 Barnett, J 255 
 
 Barnett, M C 255 
 
 Berry, L M 262 
 
 Bonner, B 287. 
 
 Blackwell, Z 268 
 
 Blackwell, J 269 
 
 Boniar, T 271 
 
 Brewton, G 273 
 
 Blackwell, Jno 273 
 
 Brown, W L 274 
 
 Burgess, T 274 
 
 Burgess, J E 275 
 
 Bridges, J M 276 
 
 Byers, J 276 
 
 Blythe, S j 276 
 
 Bankstone, J 277 
 
 Biadshaw, F 277. 
 
 Camp, J 277 
 
 Carlton, A 278 
 
 •Cantrell, 1 279 
 
 Crocker, J 279 
 
 Causler, A J 282 
 
 Campbell, T J 287 
 
 Carlton, T 288 
 
 Carpenter, D 288 
 
 Carter, J G 289 
 
 Cobb, N B 296 
 
 Chaffin, E M : 297 
 
 Curtis, W (L. L. D.) 29S 
 
 Curtis, T (D. D.) 304 
 
 Crowder, J D 338 
 
 Craig, T... 339 
 
 Crow, A 339 
 
 Cockerham , W 339 
 
 Carroll, H W (licentiate) 339 
 
 Dalton, J 340 
 
 Davidson, A J ...3->0 
 
 Dixon, T 341 
 
 Dixon, AC 345 
 
 Doyale, D 346 
 
 Dobbins, D 346 
 
 Durham, J 369 
 
 Durham, C 370 
 
 Elam, P R ..370 
 
 Ezell, J S 371 
 
 Ezell, L C 381 
 
 Forest, D 381 
 
 Forest, W M .' 382 
 
 Gaines, TR 382 
 
 Gibson, S 386 
 
 Gold, P D 389 
 
 Grayson, J C 390 
 
 Grogan, T 395 
 
 Guthrie, J 396 
 
 Hamilton, S G 396 
 
 Hamrick, GP 403 
 
 Harrill, W 404 
 
 Harris, J L 404 
 
 Harguess, A. 
 
 404 
 
 Holland, J 405 
 
 Hannon, W 405 
 
 Henderson, H 405 
 
 Hicks, B 406 
 
 Hill, W 418 
 
 Hilderbrau, A 427 
 
 Holcombe, H 427 
 
 Huett. J 428 
 
 Hollvheld, J ...42S 
 
 Hovle, J A 429 
 
 Hall, J 429 
 
 Irvin, A C 430 
 
 Jackson, N 431 
 
 Jones, J J.... >. 431 
 
 Justice, T B 432 
 
 Kendrick,JG 433 
 
 King, W 436 
 
 Kuykendall, J 438 
 
 Kirby, B T 439 
 
 Landrum, J G 439 
 
 Lankford, \V 460 
 
 Lemons, I ; ....460 
 
 Lewis, J 461 
 
 Lewis, J W 462 
 
 Lee, J 467 
 
 Leatherman, J F 46S 
 
 Lee, J K 468 
 
 Littleiohn. b" VV 468 
 
 Lindsey, W 469 
 
 Lyon. J 469 
 
 Lancaster, W D 470 
 
 Logan, R P 470 
 
 McDougald, H 471 
 
 McBee,"E 472 
 
 Mallary, RD 472 
 
 McCraw, J M 472 
 
 McSwain, W 473 
 
 Morgan. P 473 
 
 McKissiek, 1 474 
 
 Martin, W 474 
 
 Moore, H 474 
 
 McSwain, A A 475 
 
 Moorehead, W G 480 
 
 McSwain, S H 4S0 
 
 Morgan, S 481 
 
 Mullinax. M 481 
 
 Moss, N H ....481 
 
 Mulinax, T H 482 
 
 Muliiuo, P S 482 
 
 Nelson, W A 483 
 
 Owens, M C , 4S3 
 
XlV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Pannell, M 484 
 
 Padgett, J 484 
 
 Padgett, A 485 
 
 Padgett, W B 486 
 
 Poston, F H 487 
 
 I Pannell, D 487 
 
 Phillips, G 491 
 
 Posey, H 49a 
 
 Poston, R 493 
 
 Pursley, T K 496 
 
 Quinn, H (licentiate) 497 
 
 Rainwaters, J 500 
 
 Ranisour. P 500 
 
 Rice, T S 504 
 
 Richards, J 504 
 
 Rollins, G W 506 
 
 Rollins, B E 510 
 
 Ruppe, J 511 
 
 Shad wick L 513 
 
 Stough, A L ..513 
 
 Styers, J P 515 
 
 Suttle, J 515 
 
 Tate, W T 524 
 
 Taylor, T J 525 
 
 Turner, J 527 
 
 Tollison, J 527 
 
 Underwood, E J 52S 
 
 West, J 528 
 
 Weathers, T 528 
 
 Webb, J M . 528 
 
 Webb, A 540 
 
 - Whitten, J (licentiate) 541 
 
 Webb, G M 542 
 
 Wilkie, G 547 
 
 Williams, J M 548 
 
 Wilkie, W 549 
 
 Wilkie, J 550 
 
 White, W 550 
 
 Williams, M 550 
 
 Wray, D 551 
 
 White, J A 551 
 
 Yorboro, J H 552 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES OF THE BROAD RIVER ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Abingdon Creek 556 
 
 Arrowood 557 
 
 Bethesda , 557 
 
 Bivingsville 558 
 
 Beaverdam 558 
 
 Brown's Chapel 558 
 
 Buck Creek 559 
 
 Camp's Creek 560 
 
 Cedar Springs 561 
 
 Cherokee Creek .562 
 
 Clifton 562 
 
 Corinth 563 
 
 Cowpens 563 
 
 El Bethel 564 
 
 Friendship 565 
 
 Gilead 566 
 
 Goucher Creek 566 
 
 Grassy Pond 567 
 
 Macedonia 568 
 
 Mt. Ararat , 569 
 
 Mt. Joy 570 
 
 New Pleasant 570 
 
 Pacolet 571 
 
 Pacolet No. 2 572 
 
 Piedmont 572 
 
 Providence 572 
 
 Sandy Springs 573 
 
 State Line 574 
 
 Unity 575 
 
 Zion Hill 575 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES OF THE KINGS'S MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Antioch 576 
 
 Beaverdam 578 
 
 Bethel 578 
 
 Bethlehem 579 
 
 Big Springs 580 
 
 Boiling Spring 581 
 
 Buffalo 582 
 
 Capernaum 584 
 
 Concord 585 
 
 Dallas 585 
 
 Double Springs 586 
 
 Fair View 587 
 
 Gaston ia 587 
 
 High Shoals 588 
 
 Leonard's Fork 589 
 
 Long Creek 589 
 
 Mt. Harmony 590 
 
 Mt. Paron 591 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 591 
 
 Mt. Sinai 592 
 
 Mt. Vernon 593 
 
 New Bethel 593 
 
 New Hope 594 
 
 New Prospect 595 
 
 Pleasant Grove 596 
 
 Pleasant Hill 596 
 
 Ross' Grove 59d 
 
 Sandy Ruu 599 
 
 Shadv Grove 600 
 
 Shelby 601 
 
 State Line 6U2 
 
 Walls 602 
 
 Zion 603 
 
 Zoar 603 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR xv 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR, 
 JOHN R. LOGAN. 
 
 ' " Stillest streams 
 Oft water fairest meadows, and the bird 
 That flutters least is lemgest on the wing. " 
 
 "Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls 
 wisdom. " — Coleridge. 
 
 '• From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are 
 able to make thee wise unto salvation. " — 2. Tim. i 15. 
 
 "Grown ripe in years and old in piety. " — Prior. 
 The author of this valuable church history, John Ran- 
 dolph Logan, was born on April 10th, 1811, in the county of 
 York, South Carolina. Amid very humble surroundings 
 he first saw the light, and his early childhood gave little 
 promise of that long career of usefulness and honor which 
 was his. Of his early trials, of the difficulties with which 
 he had to contend, of the disadvantages under which he 
 labored, and of the manner in which even in those early days 
 he rose superior to all obstacles and to his surroundings, but 
 little is known. When and where, and under whose train- 
 ing he began to develope those sterling traits of character 
 which made him a conspicuous figure throughout his entire 
 lifetime cannot now be ascertained. We find him, however, 
 when he had first arrived at his majority filling a position of 
 trust and confidence in his own county and state, and from 
 this time up to his death his life was brimful of useful service 
 both in church and in state. 
 
 John R. Logan as soon as he had come of age acquired 
 a knowledge of surveying, and for more than fifty years he 
 was more or less actively engaged in this business. Perhaps 
 there is no incident in his life more characteristic of the man 
 than this one which happened in his early manhood. Abra- 
 ham Hardin, a surveyor of the old time, became interested 
 in him and recognized in him a young man of more than 
 average abilitv. He saw that he w 7 as ambitious to learn, full 
 of energy and dogged perseverence, and willing to make any 
 sacrifice to secure mental improvement. He accordingly de- 
 cided to teach him the art of surveying, and he found him 
 
x-vi BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR 
 
 from the very first an apt pupil. After Mr. Hardin had 
 perfected young Logan's training, he was accosted by the- ' 
 latter one day who inquired what his charges for the services 
 he had rendered him were. Mr. Hardin- refused to accept 
 anything, saying it had been a pleasure to him to instruct 
 and thus to assist so worthy a young man. But young Logan 
 was not satisfied with this, and despite all Mr. Hardin's re- 
 monstrances, he secured a mattock, joined the other hands- 
 in the newground, and did for Mr. Hardin as many days 
 faithful grubbing as he had spent in teaching him. What a 
 flood of light this incident throws upon the character of the- 
 man ! How does the simple recital of it open up to our 
 vision his whole inner nature ! Is it any wonder that one 
 in whom the sense of gratitude was thus embodied should 
 have through all his days worn u the white flower of a blame- 
 less life"?" 
 
 We are not surprised to find thai? as a surveyor John 
 R. Logan's services were in great demand. There are few 
 homesteads in Cleveland county that have not been run ofF 
 by him, and one now in the examination of titles constantly 
 meets with his old plats and surveys. This work is done 
 with great neatness and cleverness. The drawings evidence a 
 skilled and experienced hand, and the whole mechanical execu- 
 tion of his plats is of the first order. Surveying in those early 
 days in which John R. Logan acquired it was a much more 
 lucrative and honorable profession than now. It was an art 
 that the common people could hot easily comprehend, and a 
 surveyor was regarded with a kind of awe, and looked up to 
 as a superior both mentally and socially. Whatever may 
 have induced John R. Logan to adopt this calling, it is cer- 
 tain that throughout his life it was a source of profit as well 
 as much pleasure to him. 
 
 But to speak of John R. Logan as a surveyor by profes- 
 sion is perhaps misleading. He engaged in many kinds of 
 work, always doing whatever his hands found to do and 
 doing it well. As a voung man he taught school in York 
 county. He was an acting Justice of the Peace there also for 
 several years, but when he moved over the line into Cleve- 
 land county, (then Rutherford) which he did in the year 1836, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. xvii 
 
 ho located on a farm. And during the whole forty-eight 
 years in which he lived in this the county of his adaption, 
 he owned and suceesfully operated a farm. Surveying may, 
 therefore, be said to have been more of a diversion, while 
 farming was the serious business of his life. lie was not 
 afraid of toil, but worked with his own hands, and counted 
 honest labor honorable. Few men have done the untiring- 
 manual labor that John R. Logan did without dropping into 
 a narrow groove, loosing interest in public affairs, and sadly 
 neglecting the wants of their higher natures. But he, while 
 he knew not what idleness was, always took a deep interest 
 in public affairs, rendering valuable public service himself 
 oftentimes, and more he never allowed his mental needs 
 and spiritual wants to be neglected, but was all through lite 
 a close student and an active church worker. 
 
 John R. Logan filled a number of positions of public; 
 trust here, and he always filled_them with great acceptability 
 to the people. Shortly after coming into North Carolina he 
 was appointed deputy sheriff under Charles Blanton, and he 
 held this position for some time. He was County Superin • 
 tendent of Public Instruction during the entire term of office 
 of that great father of common school education in North 
 Carolina, Calvin II. Wiley, and Cleveland county has had 
 no more active and energetic educational worker than he 
 made during the years of this service. Then he was for a 
 number of years county surveyor. Before the war and in the 
 days when the good old-fashioned county courts were in 
 vogue, John R. Logan was almost constantly a member of 
 ours, and not unfrequently he was its chairman. He was in 
 sympathy with the nullification movement in his native state 
 and was a staunch advocate of states' rights. His views on 
 these were never changed. And after the war he was for 
 several years county commissioner, an office the most honor- 
 able in the gift of the county. Besides he was for three terms 
 a member of the state legislature. In the years 1860-'61 his 
 compeer was Abraham G. Walters^ in 1862-'63 David Beam, 
 and in 1865-'66 Capt. J. "W. Gidney. As a legislator he was 
 faithful to his constituents' everv interest — a hard-workino;, 
 conscientious, and intelligent representative. There were 
 *C 
 
xviii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 doubtless other positions of public trust held by him, but 
 these will suffice. These show the esteem and confidence in 
 which he was held by his people, and these carry with them 
 their own eulogy. John R. Logan was a self-made man. He 
 had no early educational advantages, and yet despite this 
 tact he won honors which do not come to every man. Had 
 he l>een broadened and developed by a liberal education, he 
 would have taken high rank. As it was, by dint of his own 
 energy and by setting before himself only high ideals, he 
 added honor to himself and left a gracious memory to his 
 children. 
 
 But while John R. Logan rendered valuable public 
 service in his day, still it was perhaps in church that he did 
 the most lasting good. He was baptized into the fellowship 
 of the Antioch Baptist church of York county, South Caroli- 
 na, August 4th, 1833. Three years later he came to Cleve- 
 land, and he're he joined the Broad River Association at 
 Zion church, and at that session was made its reading clerk. 
 For a number of years he was clerk of this body, and when 
 the King's Mountain Association was organized he was con- 
 tinued in this position during man}- years. When Zoar Bap- 
 tist church was dedicated in 1838, he was made a deacon, and 
 was for years one of the pillars of this church. He was ever 
 zealous in church work. While he had deep denominational 
 convictions, he was in no wise narrow and sectarian, but 
 when his own church duties would permit was often times 
 found worshipping with congregations ofa different religious 
 faith from himself. He came into this section when his 
 church as an organized religious body, was in its forma- 
 tion period, and his fine executive abilities and his sturdy 
 common sense were invaluable to it. It is regrettable that 
 some older hand — some fellow-worker in those important 
 labors could not have performed this task, and done him that 
 completer justice than I may hope to do, and that he so em- 
 inently deserves. But need much be said about the religious 
 side of his life ? Is not this work itself a sufficient commen- 
 tary upon it? Who but a devout christian — who but an 
 active church woiker— would have undertaken and completed 
 so laborious a task ? Its every page breathes of his religious 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. xix 
 
 fervor, and its every line tells the story of his christian walk 
 and conversation. Few laymen womd have been found with 
 the consecration to undertake such a work. But it has been 
 done with a faithful and painstaking hand. To a peculiar 
 fitness for the task by reason of his intimate connection with 
 these early churches, the author has brought an appreciation 
 ■of the euhrch's early struggles, and a love for its cause that 
 are most rare. And to him the church owes a lasting debt 
 -of gratitude. 
 
 But after all it is John R. Logan, the man, that is most 
 interesting. Important as his public service was, invaluable 
 ■as his labors for the church were, we turn aside from these 
 to admire him as a man. In person he was not a striking 
 figure, and yet he was such a man as would attract attention 
 in any crowd. His head was large and well shaped and his 
 prominent forehead indicated great intellectual force. He 
 had in his early days an erect carriage and was withal a 
 handsome figure. But it is his character more than his per- 
 son tb.at attracts us. He was a full-rounded christian gen- 
 tleman. In all his associations he was characterized by a 
 gentle dignity, an unconscious grace, and a tender sympathy 
 for his fellows that marked him as one of nature's noblemen. 
 He was twice married. In the year 1836 he married Sarah P. 
 Jackson, daughter of David Jackson, of York county, S. C, 
 and from this union there were six sons and four daughters 
 born to him. His first wife having died, he again married, 
 and this in the } T ear 1870 to II. E. Allison, daughter of Hugh 
 Allison, of the same county and state from which he took 
 his first wife. The children of this marriage were two 
 daughters and one son. It will be seen that he was the 
 father of a large family, and it is in the domestic circle that 
 his graces of character are best studied. As a father he was 
 loving and affectionate, but never demonstrative. He called 
 forth the highest respect from his children. They regarded 
 him as a friend as well as a father, and confided in him to a 
 degree that children rarelv do. He endeavored to brino- up 
 his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and 
 required a rigid observance of the Sabbath from them. Two 
 of his sons died as brave christian soldiers in the war, and of 
 
XX BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 those that are now living all are leading useful and honors- 
 ble lives. His was a smooth, even disposition. He was 
 never meddlesome, quarrelsome, or fractions,, but when 
 aroused had all the determination and combativeness one 
 could ask. He could never brook imposition whether prac- 
 ticed upon himself or upon others. This aroused all the 
 wrath of his nature and put him in arms at once. He was 
 a kind and accommodating neighbor, always a friend in need,, 
 and a strong arm of sympathy in distress. He was noted for 
 his hospitality and the fathers of the church always made his 
 home a stopping place, for they always found the latch 
 strings on the outside. He was in his element with these. 
 Nothing was more pleasant to him than to go over his well 
 stocked library and with them to discuss books and religious 
 tenents. And doubtless it was a mutual pleasure., 
 
 But why go on to particularize ? Justinian summed up 
 all law and good living in the following maxim : "Live 
 honestly, do no harm, and render to each man his own." 
 John R. Logan filled up to the full measure of this both ir> 
 the letter and in the spirit. When it is said he was a chris- 
 tian gentleman, all has been said that could be said. His 
 life was fall of fragrance as the lives of good men always are. 
 His was a character that must havehadits influence for good 
 on all with whom he came in contact. His is a memory 
 that is well worth preserving. His is a name of which 
 his children, his county, and his church may well be 
 proud. 
 
 On April 14th, 1884, while at work on his farm John 
 R. Logan was stricken with apoplexy and died. "Grown 
 ripe in years and old in piety," he drifted out on the dark and 
 unknown sea that rolls around all the world. JSTo, not upon 
 an unknown sea, for his faith was sure and his hope was un- 
 wavering. Like a full ripe shock of grain he was garnered, 
 and at the age of seventy-three he slept the sleep of the 
 righteous, lying down in peace and in honor. May this brief 
 glance at his life lead the reader to a desire for that fuller and 
 better acquaintance with him, which will come from a caretu^ 
 perusal of this work. 
 
THE 
 
 RIVER BAPTIST 
 
 IATION. 
 
 -O — O- 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ITS LOCALITY— ORIGIN OF NAME-RESOURCES-THE GREAT REVIVAL 
 
 FROM 1799 TO 1803. 
 
 This body was originally composed of churches situate 
 mostly on the waters of Main Broad River; from which cir- 
 cumstance it derives its name. The Broad River, which was 
 no doubt so-called by the aboriginal inhabitants of the sur- 
 rounding country, is a magnificent stream, having its source 
 in the famous Alleghany Blue Ridge, which separates the 
 waters that flow through the Carolinas and Georgia, from 
 those of Tennessee and Kentucky. This notable river has 
 many tributaries, and as some of the churches composing 
 the Association derive their names from them, it will there- 
 fore not be amiss to mention some of the most prominent. 
 We first notice the Green River, and Mountain Creek; then 
 the Second Broad, with its tributaries, Bill's Creek, Cane 
 Creek, Robison's and Cathey's; then as tributaries of First 
 Broad River, Sandy Run, Beaverdam and Brushy Creek; and 
 after crossing the First Broad — Boren's River, Main Buffalo, 
 Muddy Fork of Buffalo, King's Creek and Bullock's Creek, 
 which all empty into Main Broad from, the North side. On 
 the South side are Ashworth's Creek, Camp's, Sarratt's, 
 Cherokee, Thickety and Goucher's Creeks. The Pacolets, 
 (North Prong and Lawson's Fork) Tiger, Enoree and the 
 
 Saluda, with their tributaries all run into Main Broad River. 
 1 
 
2 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The Fren ch Broad with its branches, the Doe and Wau- 
 tauga, have their sources in the same dividing: rid^e of the 
 Alleghanies, as have also theJSTolachucky and Holston. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The Broad River Association when first organized in 
 1800, consisted of fourteen churches, dismissed by letter from 
 the Bethel Association, to-wit: Tiger River, Boiling Spring, 
 Green's Creek, Goucher Creek, Sandy Run, Buffalo, Green 
 River, Cedar Springs, French Broad, Mountain Creek, Bill's 
 Creek, State Line, Buck Creek and Long Creek to which 
 were added Silver Creek and Caney River, new constitutions, 
 making a body of sixteen in all. These churches were sit- 
 uated in the north-west corner of South Carolina, and in 
 the adjoining parts of North Carolina. The original area 
 extending as it then did over the Blue Ridge to the French 
 Broad, must have exceeded over three thousand square 
 miles. A large portion of this territory is fertile and partic- 
 ularly on the water courses well adapted to the growth of the 
 cereals; while the uplands or ridge portion is now greatly in 
 demand for the production of cotton and the various fruits 
 indigenous to the climate or country. Everything consid- 
 ered, soil, climate, water power, society and many other ad- 
 vantages generally desired but too tedious to enumerate, 
 render this one of the most desirable places to locate in that 
 we have any knowledge of. In point of substantial wealth 
 as a community it has few superiors. 
 
 CONTEMPLATED TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Before the era of steam or rairoads had dawned upon 
 this country, an enterprising companj' had anticipated the 
 practicability of navigating the Broad River with small craft 
 as high up as the present Ellis' Ferry, and had actually with 
 a view to an improvement of that kind, laid off and disposed 
 of the lots preparatory to the erection of a town on the East 
 side of the River, opposite said ferry, which in honor of 
 Aaron Burr they named Burrtown. But the perfidy ot Burr, 
 which soon after developed itself, and the' subsequent agita- 
 tion and success of steam power in the shape of railroad con- 
 veniences arrested the progress of this internal improvement 
 measure and it was abandoned; and at the present time when 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 3 
 
 we have three railroads traversing the bounds of the old 
 Broad River Association there no longer exists a necessity 
 for such an enterprise. Better for that the River remain 
 without any disturbing restrictions upon the manufacturing 
 enterprises that seek to utilize its fine propelling power. 
 We now have the Air Line running through the Associa- 
 tional territory, crossing Broad River near the Cherokee 
 Ford, and the Carolina Central from Wilmington terminat- 
 ing at the town of Shelby which as located is running nearly 
 centrally (as far as it goes) through the Associational territory; 
 while the Chester & Lenoir Harrow Gau«;e, is diaro-ino- its 
 way from Yorkville to Hickory via Gastonia and Dallas, 
 running through the Eastern part of our Associational 
 boundary. So that our transportation facilities if not the very 
 best are certainly verv ffood. 
 
 BOUNDARY OP THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Our Associational boundary includes the historic peak 
 of King's Mountain, Wofford's Iron Works on Pacolet, near to 
 where Bivingsville is now situated. Cowpens and the cele- 
 brated Cedar Spring: at all of which noted places the Scotch 
 Irish Whigs of the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia battlino- 
 for equal rights and religious privileges, met and confronted 
 the British foe and made a successful oblation of their blood 
 for the independence we now enjoy. Of this we shall here- 
 after have more to say. 
 
 AGE OR RANK. 
 
 The Broad River is the third oldest Association in the 
 State of North Carolina, counting from the Charleston, which 
 wis formed in 1751 of four churches only. The Congaree, 
 including the upper portion of the State, had been formed 
 in 1771, but by reason of a species of tampering by the bodv 
 with the internal discipline of the churches, infrinsrino- on 
 their independency, in a few years it was entirely broken up 
 and disbanded. The Bethel, then grew up out of the ruins 
 of the Congaree, and the same churches under new auspices 
 increased and flourished, sending out branches in different 
 directions. In 1789 several of those which had formerly 
 been constituent members of the Congaree, uniting with 
 others that had been raised up since it was dissolved, formed 
 
4 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 the Bethel Association, the mother of the Broad River hody. 
 
 Here we may with propriety dwell for a moment, and 
 ask, in the language of the historian, Elder M. C. Barnett, 
 "If all the ministers, associations, churches and membership 
 of which this Association was the mother had been made to 
 pass before their eyes in the next hundred years after their 
 first meeting, would it not have been a great tax upon their 
 credulity to have admitted that such results could be realized 
 in so short a period of time — almost within the life time of 
 one man ? " In the language of another, "We are led here 
 to view the ^reat current of human affairs as moving; on 
 without our consent, and without our control. What an 
 idea does it give of our insignificance and entire dependence 
 upon God ! But though our influence in counteracting the 
 events of time be very small, yet their influence with us is 
 great. We are either the better or the worse for the times 
 that have gone over us and may be so to eternity. The 
 vicissitudes that pass over us during a single human life and 
 the impressions they leave behind them are subjects which if 
 realized, would overwhelm the mind." 
 
 When however, by the vicissitudes of events in the times 
 that are passing over us, the results are more favorable than 
 we could have anticipated, we are struck with a joyful 
 surprise. 
 
 THE RISE OF THE BETHEL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The Bethel Association as stated, organized in 1789; 
 occupying the same ground that the Congaree formerly did, 
 and indeed seems to have been the same people under a dif- 
 ferent name. In 1803, three vears after the formation of 
 the Broad Biver, they appear to have enjoyed a great revival 
 of religion. According to the statements of Elder Benedict 
 the historian, 1,411 persons were baptized in the several 
 churches of which it was then composed, making a total 
 membership of 3,518 at that time; notwithstanding the 
 Broad Biver and Saluda Biver bodies had been cut off from 
 it. And we are informed by the same historian, that in the 
 Spring of 1802, the powerful work which prevailed at that 
 time throughout this country, began to be experienced by the 
 churches in our own (Broad Biver) Association, and contin- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 5 
 
 tied more or less for three successive years, in which the 
 body received an addition by baptism of 1,296 members, 
 which increased the whole membership of the churches in 
 union to upwards of 2,000, which compared with the statis- 
 tical reports of the body made at the session of 1801, of 959 
 members, was truly a handsome increase for that space of 
 time. 
 
 THE GREAT REVIVAL. 
 
 Between the years 1799 and 1803, there was in most 
 parts of the country, particularly in the West, embracing 
 especially what is now Kentucky and Tennessee, (with the 
 Carolines in a more limited degree) a remarkable outpour- 
 ing of the Divine Spirit among the different denominations. 
 Great multitudes became the subjects of religious concern 
 and were hopefully converted to God. While religious frenzy 
 or wild fanaticism, the out croppings of satanical influence 
 and self delusion was alike prevalent among the masses of 
 the people; then greatly demoralized by the war of the Rev- 
 olution. In 1776 the declaration of Independence had been 
 made by the Colonies, and thereby the yoke of British rule 
 thrown off. The struffffle of seven lone; years for the mas- 
 tery had been prosecuted with violence and bloodshed; the 
 issue proving in the end a glorious success. JSTot with stand- 
 ing this our liberty and independence was a dear achievement. 
 Everything excepting honor probably had been sacrificed on 
 the altar of freedom. The masses who had borne the heat 
 (yea and cold) burthens of the da}', came out of the struggle 
 in great destitution, and what is of more infinite consequence, 
 so morally wrecked as to be little better than a new nation 
 of infidels — so demoralizing had the war proven itself to be 
 to the soldiery. Hence the great necessity for those, en- 
 trusted with the publication of the everlasting gospel of peace 
 and salvation to at once set about the work of evangelization. 
 The heralds of the Cross of Christ seems to have taken in 
 the situation, and went every where in the highways and 
 hedges preaching the word, and the Lord added daily to the 
 churches such as should be saved. So strange was the work- 
 ing of the great revival of that day and time, that we, at the 
 risk of being prolix and tedious, lay before our readers a few 
 
6 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 extracts from the historian Benedict, bearing on this subject. 
 After speaking particularly of the beginning of it in Ken- 
 tucky, the historian says: 
 
 "It spread fast in different directions, and in a short time almost 
 every part of the State was affected by its influence. It was eon»- 
 puted that about ten thousand were baptized and added to the Bap- 
 tist churches in the course of two or three years. This great work 
 progressed among the Baptists in a much more regular manner than 
 people abroad have generally supposed. They were indeed zealously 
 affected, and much engaged. Many of their ministers baptized in a 
 number of neighboring churches from two to four hundred each. 
 And two of them baptized about five hundred each in the course 
 of the work. But throughout the whole they preserved a good de- 
 gree of decorum and order. Those camp meetings, those great pa- 
 rades, and sacramental seasons, those extraordinary exercises of 
 falling down, rolling, shouting, jerking, dancing, barking, &c. r 
 were but little known among the Baptists, nor encouraged by them. 
 But generally speaking they were among the Presbyterians and 
 Methodists, and in the end by a seceding party from them both, 
 which denominated themselves Christians, but which were gener- 
 ally distinguished by their opposers by the name of New Lights and 
 Schismatics. These strange expressions of zeal, which have made 
 so much noise abroad, came in at the close of the revival, and were 
 in the judgment of many, the chaff of the work. There was a pre- 
 cious ingathering of souls among the Presbyterians and Methodists, 
 at which they rejoiced; but when the work arose to an enthusiastic 
 height, many different opinions were expressed respecting it. The 
 Methodists had no scruples of its being genuine; but among the 
 Presbyterians some doubted, some opposed, but a considerable num- 
 ber overleaped all the bounds of formality, fanned the flame as fire 
 from heaven, bid up camp meetings, and sacramental seasons, and 
 finally ran religious frenzy into its wildest shapes. * * * 
 
 "In these meetings there assembled, in the opinion of spectators, 
 from four to ten or twelve thousand, and at one of them eight hun- 
 dred fell down under religious impressions. The falling down exer- 
 cise needs no description, as it is presumed every reader will 
 understand what is meant by it. There was also in these meetings, 
 what was called the rolling exercise, which consisted in a person's 
 being cast down in a violent manner, turned over swiftly .like a log, 
 &c. These rolling diciples often met with mud in their way, and 
 got up from their devotions in a sorrowful plight. Dancing was a 
 very common practice; many pleaded they could not help it, and 
 others justified themselves from David's dancing before the ark, and 
 other passages of Scripture. The most singular exercise of all was 
 the jerks. 'Nothing in nature could better represent this strange 
 and unaccountable operation, than for one to goad another, alter- 
 nately on every side, with a piece of red-hot iron. The exercise 
 commonly began in the head, which would fly backward and for- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 7 
 
 ward, and from' side to side, with a quick jolt, which the person 
 would naturally labor to suppress, but in vain; and the more hestag- 
 gered, the more rapidly his twitches increased. He must necessarily 
 go as he was stimulated, whether with a violent dash on the ground 
 and bounce from place to place like a foot ball, or hop round with 
 head, limbs and trunk, twitching and jolting in every direction, as if 
 they must inevitably fly asunder. And how such could escape 
 without injury, was no small wonder to spectators. By this strange 
 operation, the human frame was commonly so transformed and dis- 
 figured, as to lose every trace of its natural appearance. Sometimes 
 the head would be twitched right and left, to a half round, with 
 .such velocity that not a feature could be discovered, but the face ap- 
 peared as much behind as before, and in the quick progressive jerk, 
 it wold seem as if the person was transmuted into some other species 
 of creature. Head dresses were of but little account among the 
 female jerkers. Even handkerchiefs bound tight round the head 
 would be flirted off almost with the first twitch, and the hair put 
 into the utmost confusion, &c.' 
 
 THE JERKS, A NERVOUS AFFECTION. 
 
 "There was something altogether unaccountable in this jerking 
 exercise. At first it was experienced only by those under religious 
 concern, but in the end it became a nervous affection, which was 
 sympathetically communicated from one to another. A Presbyterian 
 minister heard that a congregation of his brethren, which he highly 
 esteemed, had got to jerking. He went to persuade them out of the 
 frantic exercise, but in conversing with them he got the jerks him- 
 self. On his return home, his people assembled to hear the result of 
 his visit. While he was describing how people appeared with the 
 jerks, he was suddenly taken with them, and the whole assembly 
 soon caught the distemper. 
 
 "Wicked men were often taken with these strange exercises, 
 and many would curse the jerks, while they were under their singu- 
 lar operation. Some were taken at the tavern with a glass of liquor 
 in their hands, which they would suddenly toss over their heads, or 
 to a distant part of the room. Others were taken with them at the 
 card table, and at other places of dissipation, and would, by a violent 
 and unaffected jerk, throw a handful of cards all over the room. 
 
 TRUTHFUL, PERSONS SUSTAIN THESE STATEMENTS. 
 
 "These accounts were taken from people of unquestionable ve- 
 racity, and no doubt can be entertained of their correctness. These 
 jerking exercises were rather a curse than a blessing. None were 
 benefitted by them. They left sinners without reformation, and 
 Christians without advantage. Some had periodical fits of them 
 seven or eight years after they were first taken, and I know not as 
 they have got over jerking yet. 
 
 THE BARKING EXERCISE. 
 
 "There was among these enthusiastic people one more exercise of 
 a most degrading nature called the barks, which frequently accom- 
 panied the jerks. Many persons of considerable distinction, in spite 
 
8 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 of all the efforts of nature, as it was said, were forced to personate 
 that animal, whose name, appropriated to a human creature, is 
 counted the most vulgar stigma. These people would take the posi- 
 tion of a canine beast, move about on all-fours, growl, snap the teeth, 
 and bark in so personating a manner, as to set the eyes and ears of 
 the spectators at variance. Some might be forced to these degrading 
 exercises, but it is certain that many turned dogs in a voluntary 
 manner. A minister in the lower part of Kentucky informed me 
 that it was common to hear people barking like a flock of Spaniels 
 on their way to meeting. There they would start up suddenly in a 
 fit of barking, rush out, roam around, and in a short time come 
 barking and foaming back. Butenough has been said of these frantic 
 scenes. The above accounts are not fabulous tales, but they are real 
 and melancholy facts. In the upper counties of Kentucky where the 
 revival was the greatest among the Baptist they were not at all 
 affected with these delirious exercises. In the Green River 
 country and in E.ist Tennessee, they prevailed considerably amongst 
 them. With the Methodists they prevailed generally. The Presby- 
 terians were divided respecting them. Some opposed while others 
 encouraged them. Some of these exercises seemed really forced 
 upon the subjects of them by some invisible power, whether good or 
 bad the reader must judge for himself; but dancing, barking, 
 rolling, shouting, and soon, were undoubtedly, for the most part, 
 works of choice and imitation, which were hypocritically played off 
 by a set of deluded, mistaken people. Where these fantastic exer- 
 cises were opposed, they were the least prevalent. Those ministers 
 who encouraged them, had enough of them to attend to. 
 
 THIS FANATICISM DID NOT PREVAIL. 
 
 "In West Tennessee the Baptists were not troubled with these 
 works of delusion, but they prevailed here among the Presbyterians 
 and Methodists, and some who came from other parts attempted to 
 introduce them in the Baptist meetings. A Baptist Minister by the 
 name of Mr. Connico, was once preaching where one of the jerkers 
 began his motions. The preacher made a pause, and with a loud 
 and solemn tone, said, 'In the name of the Lord, I command all un- 
 welcome spirits to leave this place.' The jerker immediately became 
 still, and the report was spread abroad that Mr. Connico cast out 
 devils. 
 
 "On the whole it appears there was in 1799, and for two or three 
 years succeeding that period, a precious work of grace. Towards 
 the close of it a set of men arose who attempted to carry the work 
 further than the Lord had done; and among them were exhibited 
 those astonishing scenes of fanaticism we have described. Some of 
 the promoters of these scenes became convinced of their delusion 
 and returned to a sober course of piety; but many went off into 
 errors of different kinds, and not a few of them became Shaking 
 Quakers." 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 9 
 
 RESULTS OF THE PREVAILING FANATICISM. 
 
 We notice in the minutes of the Association that from 
 1803 to 1808 there were two hundred and eie , nt\-five mem- 
 bers excluded from the churches, owing do doubt in a 
 measure to the fanatical state of feeling which pervaded the 
 whole country during that period. The circumstance, how- 
 ever, demonstrated the fact that the churches used a com- 
 mendable and praiseworthy degree of diligence in separating 
 the chaff from the wheat. 
 
 INTEMPERANCE. 
 
 About the time the Broad River Association was organ- 
 ized in 1800 the demon of intemperance is said to have held 
 high carnival throughout the entire bounds of the body and 
 many ot the members of churches were claimed, by him as 
 special devotees, and it is only too true when we say they 
 were often found worshipping at his filthy shrines. Our 
 fathers had gallantly succeeded in removing from their 
 shoulders the shackles of British tyranny; but now alas ! 
 they had to encounter and grapple with a foe more vicious 
 and demoralizing. The Broad River Association at its first 
 session in 1801 at Green's Creek, commenced a defensive 
 movement by requiring their venerable presiding officer 
 Elder Thomas Burgess, to issue an address or Circular Letter 
 to the several churches in union in the name of the Associa- 
 tion warning them to be on the alert and to beware of the 
 seducing and dangerous effects of this now popular demon. 
 In that address the Moderator exhorts the brethren to ''keep 
 their bodies in subjection, watch against unlawful desires, 
 and oppose within themselves, all unlawful appetites and 
 refrain from shameful and outbreaking practices, &c." We 
 conclude this chapter now, and in the next will commence a 
 brief notice of the acts and doings of the Association from 
 the time of its organization to the formation of the King's 
 Mountain body in 1851. 
 
 2 
 
10 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 NOTICES OF THE ANNUAL SESSIONS TO 1851 INCLUSIVE — NO PUB- 
 LISHED JOURNAL OF THE CONVENTION. 
 
 We stated in our first chapter that the Broad River 
 Baptist Association was organized in 1800. We got that 
 information from Elder Benedict, the historian. We have 
 failed in our researches to find an}- record of the proceedings 
 had at the convention that organized the Association, and 
 consequently, we have to avail ourselves of tradition, which is 
 ver}' uncertain and unreliable testimony. Tradition, how- 
 ever, has it, that the convention which organized the Asso- 
 ciation, was held at Sandy Run Church, in what is now 
 Cleveland (formerly Rutherford) County, North Carolina. 
 It seems to be admitted by all of the oldest people with whom 
 we have conversed, that this is true. 
 
 The fourteen churches named in the first chapter of 
 this work, which Elder Benedict savs were dismissed from 
 the Bethel Association for the purpose of forming the Broad 
 River body, were doubtless supplemented by two others, to 
 wit : Silver Creek, of Burke County, and Caney River, then 
 of Buncombe County, which were probably new churches, 
 and joined in the Associational organization; because at the 
 session of 1801 at Green's Creek, they were constituent mem- 
 bers of the body as the minutes show. We will then com- 
 mence our notices with sixteen, instead of fourteen churches 
 in the body at its first meeting in ]801. Having now a full 
 and complete file of the minutes, we will for the benefit of 
 the future historian, and the gratification of a large Baptist 
 posterity, embrace the opportunity now offered us of ferret- 
 ing out from old musty records now before us, some inci- 
 dents connected with the early history of the churches 
 forming the Broad River and King's Mountain Associations, 
 which, we doubt not, will be interesting and profitable to the 
 descendants of the pioneer fathers who guided the helm of 
 religious affairs in the times that have passed away. There 
 appears to have been at this period of the Association a lack 
 of permanent stability on the part of the membership of the 
 several churches. — Emigration seems to have been the order 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 11 
 
 of the day and great numbers were removing beyond the 
 mountains into the Western States and Territories. 
 
 THE ASSOCIATION MET IN 1801 
 
 At Green's Creek Church, Rutherford County, North 
 Carolina, and organized for business bv electing: Elder 
 Thomas Burgess Moderator, and Brother Wm. Lancaster, 
 (a layman) Clerk. Elder Burgess was a member of Boiling 
 Springs Church, * Spartanburg County, S. C. He, with 
 Elders Joseph Camp, Ambrose Carlton, Perminter Morgan, 
 John Blackwell, Joel Blaekwell, Thomas Justice, Isaac Can- 
 trell, David Forest, Abram Hargness, etc., appear to have 
 been the most prominent ministers of that time. A number 
 of others during this period and soon after, were raised up; 
 most of whom continued to be successful laborers in the Lord's 
 vineyard, to the end of their lives. While a corresponding 
 number of impostors, claiming to be gospel ministers, were 
 going to and fro, through the bounds of the Association, 
 deceiving and being deceived, until through the vigilance of 
 the brethren, they were advertised, exposed and put down 
 from preaching. We intend to give brief notices in this 
 work, of the Lord's ministers, and also those of Satan. Many 
 of the good and meritorious, who had no motive, other than 
 God's glory, and the good of souls, will be noticed somewhat 
 in detail, as we may be able to collect historical materials. 
 A fitting tribute of respect is due to those who stood as sen- 
 tinels on the watch tower and endured affliction while doino- 
 the work of an Evangelist, and who otherwise made full 
 proof of their ministry before a gainsaying world. All such 
 having fought the good fight of faith and finished their course 
 with joy are not only entitled to the crown of righteousness 
 which the righteous Judge will certainly give them; but 
 having proved ensamples to the flock under their watchcare, 
 are also entitled to the plaudits of their brethren who yet 
 survive them. "A good -name is better than precious oint- 
 ment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth." A 
 few words must suffice in reference to the old pioneer min- 
 isters of 1800. It does not appear from any record that we 
 
 * Afterwards dissolved and revived again in 1S34. 
 
12 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 can find that any of them were distinguished for literary ac- 
 quirements; they however, were men of very respectable 
 talents, who were remarkably zealous and successful in the 
 most noble and benevolent employment on earth: the winning 
 of souls to Christ. It may well be said that these pioneer 
 and uneducated ministers must be studied and their striking 
 modes and measures of success, as among the most useful of 
 the past; their industry and courage in the work; their disin- 
 terestedness and fidelity; their patience and perseverance; 
 their hard lives that resulted in furnishing them with hard 
 acquirements. How many of them could read men so as to 
 shame and put to flight half the readers of books, when they 
 became their opponents! How many attained a most touch- 
 ing pathos; ah irresistible eloquence; a surprising aptitude of 
 selecting right words, that fell like mill-stones, as some one 
 has said, true practical rhetoric. How many were good ex- 
 positors and sound divines ! We might in tins connection 
 mention some names that would be apppropriate, but with- 
 hold them now in this place. 
 
 There were enrolled at this session nineteen churches 
 with an aggregate membership of nine hundred and fifty- 
 nine, truly this was "the day of small things." 
 
 The Association convened on Saturday and had the in- 
 troductory sermon preached on Monday thereafter. This 
 rule appears to have been observed through a series of twelve 
 vears or more 
 
 QUERIES SENT UP FROM THE CHURCHES. 
 
 The follollowing queries engaged the attention of the 
 body at this session : 
 
 1. Can we hold a member in fellowship who has been 
 convicted by the civil laws ,and received corporal punishment 
 upon his denying the charge ? Answer : We cannot. 
 
 2. Does the word of God give any toleration to men to 
 put away their wives for any cause and marry others? 
 (This query was postponed until the next session of the 
 body.) 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 It will be seen by the foregoing action of the body, that 
 Associations are recognized by the churches as Advising 
 
BROAD RIVEB BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 13 
 
 Councils, which can only reflect the light or assembled w-is- 
 doin of the several churches brought to a focus or advising 
 point. In that sense they are supposed to be more capable 
 of solving satisfactorily the many mooted or complicated ques- 
 tions that spring up in the separate churches, which after 
 being investigated by them first, and failing to arrive at satis- 
 factory decisions, may be laid before the Association, merely 
 for advice. Under our system of church government, an 
 Association Avill in no case presume to arrogate to itself the 
 right to settle church difficulties, onlv by <nvino- advice when 
 called on. Nor would independent Baptist churches, ever 
 yield submission to such an assumption of power on the part 
 of an Association, if they should at any time Atempt to im- 
 pose their edicts upon the churches any other way than in 
 the shape of advice. Great respect, however, is generally 
 shown to Associations, for advice given when solicited, and 
 difficulties are often removed through' the solicited agency of 
 the Associations. These remarks are made more for the 
 benefit of those who are not of our order, who often wish to 
 know something of our system of church government, than 
 for those who are Baptists, and know these things as well as 
 we do. 
 
 Our system is purely democratic, the ministry having no 
 more voice or weight in the government of the church, than 
 the laity. So far as the vote goes, they arc at* par — equal 
 peers. And generally we think our svstem works well. The 
 laity are generally- jealous of their rights and liberties, wheth- 
 er they be civil or religious, and therefore adhere rigidly to 
 this system. While the ministry are equally regardful of 
 their privileges, and very seldom ever manifest a disposition 
 "to lord it over the churches." It is therefore satisfactory 
 to them also. 
 
 Subjoined is the system of the Broad River Association : 
 
 SYSTEM OF BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 As the communion of saints, so the communion of churches 
 is a desirable blessiug ; to obtain and promote which, ought 
 to be the study and endeavors of all the people of God. Al- 
 though churches formed on the gospel plan are independent 
 of each other with regard to power, yet not so strictly speak- 
 
U BEOAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ino- with regard to communion. For as saints in general 
 have an indispensable right to share in each other's gifts and 
 graces, so have churches in this joint capacity. It is a gen- 
 eral rule "to do good and communicate, forget not." Heb. xiii. 
 16, which is applicable in a practical manner to churches as 
 such. In order more amply to obtain this blessing of com- 
 munion, there ought to be a coalescing or uniting of several 
 churches into one body, so far as their local situation and 
 other circumstances will admit. But as it is impracticable 
 for all the individual members, thus to associate and coalesce 
 together, the churches should each, respectively, choose and 
 delegate some of the most able, pious and judicious from 
 among themselves, and particularly their ministers, to con- 
 vene at such times and places as may be thought most con- 
 ducive to the great end proposed, to act as their representa- 
 tives in the general assembly. Their expenses ought to be 
 defrayed by the churches who send them. 
 
 These delegates, at their first meeting are, in a formal 
 manner, to enter into covenant with each other as the repre- 
 sentatives of the churches for the promoting of Christ's cause 
 in general, and the interest of the churches they represent in 
 particular. They should then form their plan of operations, 
 and fix on the most proper place and time for meeting in 
 future. 
 
 Although such a conjunction of churches is not expressly 
 commanded in Scripture, yet it receives sufficient counte- 
 nance and authority from the light of nature and the general 
 laws of society, but more especially from a precedent estab- 
 lished by the Apostolical authority, recorded Acts xvthchap. 
 
 An association thus formed is a reputable body, as it rep- 
 resents not a city, country or nation, but the Churches of Jesus 
 Christ. It is by no means to be deemed a superior judicature, 
 vested with coercive power or authority over churches. It 
 presumes not to impose its sentiments on its constituents, 
 under pain of excommunication. Nor doth it anathematize 
 those who do not implicitly submit to its determination, 
 which would be nothing less than spiritual tyranny, and bet- 
 ter comport with the arbitrary spirit of Popish councils than 
 with that meekness which distinguishes the true disciples and 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 15 
 
 humble followers of the lowly, yet adored Jesus. The apos- 
 tles, elders, and brethren who composed the first christian 
 councils, presumed not to impose their conclusions on the 
 church in such a lordly manner, but preferred their determi- 
 nations with tl lis modest prologue. It seemed good to the 
 Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden 
 than these necessary things. Acts xv. 28. 
 
 The Baptist Association arrogates no higher title than 
 that of an Advisor)/ Council; consistent with which epithet 
 it ought ever to act, when it acts at all, without intruding on 
 the rights of independent congregational churches, or usurp- 
 ing authority over them. Matt, xxiii. 10, 12. Nevertheless 
 the association hath a natural and inalienable right to judge 
 for itself what churches shall be admitted into confederacy 
 with it, and to withdraw from all acts of communion and 
 fellowship with any church so admitted, provided such church 
 obstinately persists in holding corrupt principles, or indulg- 
 ing vicious practices, notwithstanding all proper endeavors 
 have been used to reclaim it. (Eph. v. 7; Rev. xviii. 4.) An 
 association when transacting business should proceed in the 
 following manner: 
 
 1st. Always begin and end each session by prayer. 
 
 2d. Admit none as messengers, but such as come re- 
 commended by letters, well authenticated from the churches 
 to which they belong, or from whence they came. 
 
 3d. When a church petitions by letter for admission, if 
 approved of, the moderator is to inform the messengers that 
 their request is granted, and desire them to take seats. 
 
 4th. All who have anything to offer, are to rise and ad- 
 dress the moderator. 
 
 5th. While one is speaking the rest are to be silent, yet 
 all have an equal right to speak in turn. 
 
 6th. No partiality or respect of persons is to be shown. 
 
 7th. Every matter should be canvassed with gravity, 
 modesty, and a sincere aim after troth. 
 
 8th. When all are not agreed, the matter may be put 
 to a vote, and a majority determine. 
 
 9th. All queries regularly sent by the churches, should 
 be answered if possible. 
 
13 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 10th. Any mutter proposed relative to the general good 
 of the churches, should be seriously attended to. 
 
 11th. Every transaction should be conformable to the 
 revealed will of God. 
 
 12th. A Circular Letter should be written and se,nt to 
 all the churches in confederation, containing such instruction, 
 information and advice as may be thought most suit-able, and 
 with which should be sent the transactions of the associa- 
 tion. 
 
 The benefits a rising from an association and communion 
 of churches are many; in general, it tends to the maintaining 
 of the truth, order and discipline of the Gospel. 
 
 1st. By it the churches may have such doubts as arise 
 among them cleared, which will prevent disputes. 
 
 2d. Thev will be furnished with salutary counsel. Prov. 
 xl. 14. 
 
 3d. The churches will be more closely united in promo- 
 tins: the cause and interest of Christ. 
 
 4th. A member who is aggrieved through partiality, or 
 any other wrongs received from the church, may have an 
 opportunity of ap plying for redress. 
 
 5th. A ijodlv and sound ministry will be encouraged, 
 while a ministry that is unsound and ungodly, will be dis- 
 countenanced. 
 
 6th. There will be a reciprocal communication of their 
 ofifts. Phil. iv. 15. 
 
 7th. Ministers may alternate^ be sent out to preach the 
 Gospel to them that are destitute. Gal. ii. 9. 
 
 8th. A large party may draw off from the church by 
 means of an intruding minister or otherwise; and the ag- 
 grieved may have no way of obtaining redress but from the 
 association. 
 
 9th. A church may become heretical, with which its 
 godly members. can no longer communicate, yet cannot ob- 
 tain any relief but by the association. 
 
 10th. Contentions may arise between sister churches 
 which the association is most likely to remove. 
 
 11th. The churches may have candidates for the minis- 
 try properly tried by the association. These and other ad- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 17 
 
 vantages arising from an association must induce every godly 
 church to desire union with such a body. But should any 
 stand off, it would argue much self-sufficiency, and little or 
 no desire after the unity of the Spirit or mutual edification. 
 
 ABSTRACT OF PRINCIPLES. 
 
 1. We believe in one only true and living God, the Father, Son 
 and Holy Ghost, three in one. 
 
 2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments 
 are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice. 
 
 3. We believe in the doctrine of original sin. 
 
 4. We believe in man's im potency to recover himself from the 
 fallen state he is in by nature, by his own free will and holiness. 
 
 £. We believe in the doctrine of Election through sanctification 
 of the Spirit and belief of the truth. 
 
 6. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God, only 
 by the merits of Jesus Christ. 
 
 7. We believe the saints shall persevere in grace, and not finally 
 fall away. 
 
 8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordi- 
 nances of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the only proper 
 subjects, and conscientiously do believe the true mode is immersion. 
 
 9. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and general judg- 
 ment. 
 
 10. We believe that the joys of the righteous and the punishment 
 of the wicked will be eternal. 
 
 11. We believe that no minister has aright to the administra- 
 tion of the ordinances, only such as has been called of God, as was 
 Aaron, and regularly baptized and approved of by the Church, and 
 come under the imposition of hands by the Presbytery. 
 
 12. We believe that none but believers have a right to the ordi 
 nances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 
 
 The session of 1802 was held with the church at Goucher 
 Creek, Spartanburg county, S. C. Elder Perminter Morgan 
 by appointment preached the introductory sermon. 
 
 New Salem Church was admitted into the union, making 
 20 in all. Membership 1480. 
 
 INCREASE OF MEMBERS. 
 
 477 members are reported by the several churches as 
 having been baptized since the last session. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Here we discover some of the fruits of the great revival 
 mentioned in our first chapter, which is always pleasant to 
 notice, but we find another item calculated to mar our feel- 
 ings, to-wit: 
 
18 BROAD EIVEE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 John Williams, a disorderly minister, is published in the 
 minutes of this session, and the churches cautioned to beware 
 of him. Then immediately afterward the following appears: 
 "We recommend to the several churches in our union to 
 call on ministerial helps' hereafter before licensing young 
 preachers." Doubtless Williams was a reckless, fast boy, 
 and palmed himself off on a weak, unsuspecting church which 
 was incapable of ascertaining his true spiritual status. The 
 advice given by the Association then may be considered very 
 
 proper now, and should be appreciated and acted out by the 
 churches. 
 
 COMING MINISTERS. 
 
 Elders Jacob Crocker, Joshua Richards and Jaroyal Bur- 
 nett, afterwards conspicuous ministers, entered their first ap- 
 pearance in the Association at this session. They will be 
 noticed hereafter. Elder Joseph Camp was chosen Modera- 
 tor and Wm. Lancaster the Clerk. The postponed query of 
 last session was again postponed, and Elder Joseph Camp was 
 appointed to discuss the whole matter in'a Circular Letter to 
 the churches. 
 
 ON THE DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MATRIMONY. 
 
 This theme, occupying the attention of the body so 
 much, and the apparent difficulty to get a proper solution of 
 the matter by the body, induces us to suppose that there was 
 at that time great laxity in reference to the strict observance 
 of matrimonial relations. We have learned from elderly 
 persons that such was the case, and that society at that day 
 and time was not very refined in many things. 
 
 The session of 1803 was held at New Salem Church, 
 Rutherford county, N". C. The introductory sermon was de- 
 livered before the body by Elder Thomas Burgess, of Boiling 
 Springs. 
 
 Seven new churches were admitted at this session, ma- 
 king 27 in the union, with a total membership of 2084. There 
 had been baptized since last session 686 persons. More of 
 the proceeds of the great revival. 
 
 Elder Perminter Morgan was elected Moderator, andBro. 
 Wm. Lancaster Clerk. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 19 
 
 TWO PROMINENT MINISTERS. 
 
 Elder Drury Dobbins, afterwards a very conspicuous 
 member of this body, made his first appearance in the Asso- 
 ciation as an ordained minister and delegate from Sandy 
 Run Church. Berryman Hicks, as a lay delegate from State 
 Line Church, was in this session. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 We suppose the present session of the Association, is 
 the first one ever attended officially by Elder Drury Dobbins, 
 as the minutes of the two previous sessions make no men- 
 tion of him. Tradition has it that he was in the organization 
 of the Association, and his biographer, D. Scruggs, states as 
 much, but if he was a member of the body that organized 
 the Association, it is certainly strange he did not attend the 
 next two sessions at Green Creek and Buck Creek. It is 
 true he might have failed through indisposition or some other 
 cause unknown to us. But we incline to date his Associa- 
 tional career from this session. 
 
 queries . 
 The time of this session was partly taken up with the 
 discussion of and answering of the following queries : 
 
 1. "What shall be done with a member who refuses to 
 fellowship his church for holding in fellowship a sister 
 church for acting discretionally ', contrary to his views in re- 
 ceiving members ?" 
 
 Answer — "We advise the church to use her vested 
 rights aoreeablv to our constitution."' 
 
 2. "Does the word of God tolerate a brother to marry 
 his wife's sister's daughter after the decease of his wife ? " 
 
 Answer — "The word of God does not forbid it, but 
 churches are advised for prudential reasons not to encourage 
 the practice." 
 
 We suppose the solutions of the foregoing queries were 
 satisfactory to all the parties concerned, and amicably (?) 
 received. 
 
 The circular letter addressed to the churches this year, on 
 the doctrines of grace was written by Elder Perminter 
 Morgan, of French Broad. 
 
20 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 A brief but very comprehensive letter, breathing strong 
 anti-arminian sentiments. 
 
 The session of 1884 convened with Sandy Run Church, 
 Rutherford (now Cleveland) county, North Carolina. 
 
 Elder Ambrose Carlton delivered the sermon introduc- 
 tory to the business of the session. 
 
 Elder Perminter Morgan was re-elected Moderator and 
 Bro. Wm. Lancaster, Clerk. 
 
 Two more churches were admitted into the body making 
 twenty-nine in all. Baptized since last session 133. Total 
 membership, 2000. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 It appears from the Church letters that 224 members 
 had been dismissed since the last meeting of the Association. 
 This was of course by reason of the tide of emigration that 
 was then carrying so many to the Western States. 
 
 At this meeting there was little business transacted be- 
 yond the usual routine of Associational work. The follow- 
 ing emeries were acted on, viz : 
 
 1. "Will the Scriptures tolerate us to hold a member in fellow- 
 ship who communes with Pe-clobaptists ? " "Answer. No." 
 
 2. "Is it consistent with good order for a church to refuse dismis- 
 sion to a member (minister) who lives within the bounds of another 
 church of the same faith and order ? " Answer. "We do not think 
 it is." 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 About this period there was doubtless a good deal of 
 trouble in keeping matters straight in the churches, and in 
 order to assist in an object so desirable, Elder Joseph Camp 
 had been appointed to prepare a Circular Letter on Church 
 Discipline,, which was read and adopted by the body at this 
 meeting. 
 
 The session of 1805 was held at French Broad Church, 
 in Buncombe countv, N. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder Jacob Crocker. 
 
 According to the returns there were 29 churches in 
 union, as reported last year. Baptisms 6 ; dismissions 124. 
 Total membership 1794, — showing a decrease in membership 
 of 207 since last session. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 21 
 
 MESSENGERS. 
 
 At the last session correspondence was opened with the 
 Bethel, Saluda River and Mountain Associations, which was 
 reciprocated by an interchange of messengers at this session 
 from those bodies, 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 We would here remark that associational correspond- 
 ence in the way of interchange is very different now-a-days 
 from what it was then. It was no unusual thing for three 
 or four messengers, with a package of their minutes, to be 
 received from the different Associations with whom we cor- 
 responded, at every annual meeting. And truly such asso- 
 ciational comity and friendly interchange should at all times 
 be highly appreciated. It enables us to know the religious 
 .status of our brethren abroad, and* through such brotherly 
 interchange we obtained a knowledge of matters of ffreat 
 importance and abiding interest to ourselves as christians. 
 The times have changed greatly. We now scarcely ever re- 
 alize our expectations and desires in regard to these things. 
 We sometimes receive a messenger or two, but scarcely ever 
 anything in the shape of documents, whereby we can learn 
 anything of the progress of those we love. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 Elder Ambrose Carlton, of Smyrna, was elected Mode- 
 rator and Bro. Wm. Lancaster Clerk. The body being thus 
 organized, the Rev. Mr. Newton, of the Presbyterian order, 
 being present, was invited to a seat within the pale of the 
 body, who politely and kindly accepted. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The following queries which had been sent up by the 
 churches were then taken up, discussed, and answered, viz : 
 
 1. "What are the official duties of a deacon in their fullest ex- 
 tent?" Answer — "We think a deacon's official duties apply to every 
 thing in the shape of discipline in the house of God, except the ad- 
 ministration of ordinances." 
 
 2. "What measures should be taken with a member who has 
 been ordained a deacon, and afterwards appears unfit to fill the place 
 according to the Scriptural requirements?" Answer — "We think a 
 deacon may forfeit his office to serve in the house of God by a disor- 
 derly walk." 
 
 3. "Does the Association hold with polygamy?" Answer— 
 "No." 
 
22 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 
 
 Remarks. — (Joe Smith's party had not then been organized.) 
 4. ''If a minister has been guilty of heinous and scandalous 
 crimes and been expelled from the church, is it right to restore such 
 an one to the ministry without the approbation of the sister churches 
 in the Association ?" Answer — "No," 
 
 The annual Circular Letter to the churches in union 
 was prepared by Elder Ambrose Carlton, the Moderator of 
 the body, on The Advocacy of the Son of God, — a document 
 worthy of preservation. 
 
 The session of 1806 was held at Cedar Spring Church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder Perminter Morgan, of French Broad. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Elder Per- 
 minter Morgan, Moderator, and Bro. Wm. Lancaster, Clerk. 
 
 MEMBERS DISMISSED. 
 
 The reports from the churches show that 131 members 
 were dismissed since the last meeting of the body. One new 
 church admitted. making 30 in all. Total membership 1666. 
 A decrease of 128 since last session. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 This year is to be remembered in our history for giving 
 to us first as an Association, and afterwards to the churches 
 of this State, and our neighboring State of Georgia the min- 
 isterial labors of that excellent and successful preacher of the 
 Gospel, Elder Humphrey Posey, of whom with others we 
 shall speak in another place in this work. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The following queries occupied the attention of the body 
 
 at this session : 
 
 1. "Is it expedient to retain in fellowship persons of color, though 
 free, who shall intermarry with the whites?" Answer — "No." 
 
 2. "What are the ordinances of a Gospel church that deacons are 
 prohibited from acting in ?" The query was not answered by the 
 body, but was adopted as a subject for the next year's Circular Letter 
 to the churches. 
 
 The Circular Letter prepared by Elder Perminter Mor- 
 gan, on the Constitution of a Gospel Church and the door of ad- 
 mission thereto, was read and adopted by the body. 
 
 FAST DAY. 
 
 On motion, the Association agreed to set apart the first 
 day of January as a day of fasting and prayer, for a revival 
 of religion. 
 
BROAD BIVEB BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 23 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 It seems as if there was a great declension about this time 
 in matters of religion. The love of many had waxed cold. 
 
 The session of 1807 met at Green's Creek Church, Ruth- 
 erford county, N. C. The introductory sermon was deliv- 
 ered by Elder Drury Dobbins, of Sandy Run. 
 
 FORMATION OF FRENCH BROAD ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Three churches were dismissed to unite with others in 
 forming the French Broad Association. 
 
 The body organized this year by electing Elder Jacob 
 Crocker as Moderator and Bro. Wm. Lancaster as Clerk. 
 
 From the reports of the churches there were 27 churches 
 in union with a membership of 1645, after the dismissal of 
 the churches first named. 
 
 QUERY. 
 
 The following query came up for consideration, viz : 
 "Shall a church, aggrieved with a sister church, take her under 
 dealing and be justified by the Word of God?" Answer— "We be- 
 lieve that if one church grieves another, that the aggrieved might 
 very properly labor with the aggressor, agreeably to the 18th chapter 
 of Matthew." 
 
 MINISTER EXCOMMUNICATED. 
 
 "We notice that James Blaekwell, licensed to preach by 
 this body, became disorderly and was excommunicated by 
 the church and published in the minutes of this session. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches, prepared by Elder 
 Ambrose Carlton, on the duties of deacons, was read and 
 adopted by the body, and is an able and judicious production. 
 
 The formation of the French Broad Association took 
 from the Broad River the venerable Perminter Morgan, who 
 became a member of the new body, and probably never 
 crossed the mountains again to attend another session of his 
 mother association. We have met him since at Antioch, in 
 the person of his son, Stephen Morgan, of "Big Ivy," who 
 too, since 1829, has also finished his course and passed away. 
 
 The session of 1808 was again at Sandy Run Church, 
 Rutherford county, K C. Elder Moses Holland, of the Sa- 
 luda River body, preached the introductory sermon. Churches 
 in union, 27; membership of the churches, 1311. A sad 
 decrease of 334 members ! 
 
24 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 It is obvious from reading the Minutes that the Broad 
 River Association for a few years past was experiencing a 
 sad state of declension — from what particular cause we are 
 unable to say. It is hardly supposed that emigration was 
 the cause of all of it. We are rather inclined to think the 
 body had not been properly at work in the cause of the Mas- 
 ter. We can discover among the constituency of the body 
 nothing of a practical or religious nature, beyond a doting 
 over questions, which engender little else than strife or vain 
 glory. And here at this session we find more of the same 
 sort. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 It is now wanted to know, 1st. "If a church has a right to deal 
 with a sister church, agreeably to 18th Matthew,— in taking the third 
 step, who must she tell it to?" The Association answers, by direct- 
 ing them to tell it to the Association. We suppose that answer suf- 
 ficed at least for a while. 
 
 2. ,- How shall we receive members into our churches agreeably 
 to order from a church that has been dissolved or become extinct?" 
 Answer— "By convening a presbytery from other churches, who 
 may grant to such members letters of dismission." 
 
 3. "What shall be done with members who move out of the 
 bounds of a church without obtaining letters of dismission from the 
 same?" Answer— "We think that members who absent themselves 
 willingly by removal or otherwise, should be excommunicated." 
 
 4. "How far is an agreement in religious sentiments essential to 
 christian union and communion?" Answer— "We agree to make 
 this a subject for the next Circular Letter." 
 
 We notice that Elder Ambrose Carlton was elected 
 Moderator, and Bro. Wm. Lancaster, Clerk at this session. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder William King, of head of Enoree, on the Union and 
 Utility of an Association. A brief but very explanatory and 
 practical document. In the notice of Elder King the letter 
 is given in full in this work. 
 
 The session of 1809 was held at Buffalo Church, York 
 county, S. C. We find from Minutes 27 churches in the 
 union, with a membership of 1275, — a decrease of 36 since 
 last year. 
 
 The body was organized by electing Elder Jacob Crocker 
 Moderator, and Bro. Wm. Lancaster, Clerk. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 25 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 At this session there were more queries sent up than 
 usual, which seems to have occupied the principal time of 
 
 the Association. 
 
 1. "What shall be required of a member or members who have 
 been excommunicated from a church which has become extinct ? " 
 
 Answer. "Make application to the nearest church for restoration." 
 
 2. "Is it agreeable to Scripture that there should be any more 
 Elders in a Church besides the pastor or minister and deacon?" 
 
 This query was postponed until the next session of the Associa- 
 tion and thechurches advised to give the matter the strictest attention 
 in order that a Scriptural answer may be arrived at. 
 
 3. "Is it agreeable to Scripture that marriages should be solemn- 
 ized on the Sabbath day ?" 
 
 Answer— "We do not find that it is directly forbidden in the 
 word of God, yet we think the practice should not be encouraged, 
 inasmuch as it is sometimes attended with bad consequences." 
 
 4. "What is proper to be done when a woman relates an experi- 
 ence of grace satisfactory to the church, and wishes to comply with 
 her baptismal duties, but her husband refuses his assent?" 
 
 Answer. "We recommend that such person wait patiently, ho- 
 ping that God in His providence may make a way for her to come 
 into the church by the husband's consent." 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder - 
 David Iloyle, of New Salem, which was adopted as an answer 
 to the postponed query of last session. We will give this 
 letter complete in the sketch of Elder David Hoyle in an- 
 other part of this work, to which the reader is referred. 
 
 The session of 1810 was held at Head of Tyger River 
 Church, Greenville county, S. C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered by Elder George Brewton, of Friendship. 
 
 Two new churches were admitted into the Confederacy, 
 making 9 in all. Membership 1259. Decrease 16. The 
 body was organized by the election of Elder Drury Dobbins, 
 of Sandy Run, as Moderator, and Bro. William Lancaster as 
 Clerk. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Elder Drury Dobbins at this session was a little over 
 thirty-four years of age, had been preaching as an ordained 
 minister near ten }-ears, and was in the bloom and vigor of 
 manhood. We can fig-lire in our imagination the dignified 
 appearance of the then presiding officer, his sparkling, 
 black, penetrating eyes, and bland, pleasant face, and exte- 
 4 
 
26 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 rior generally of a prepossessing nature — contributing doubt- 
 less more to the government of the body than did his knowl- 
 edge of parliamentary tactics, although his rulings and 
 decisions may have been faultless for aught we know, and 
 we doubt not they were. His general outline or physique 
 was a sufficient assurance to a close observer that he was no 
 ordinary man, and his presence was felt and respected by all 
 with whom he was associated. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The postponed query from last session to this : 
 
 1. "Is it agreeable to Scripture that there should be any more 
 Elders in a church besides the pastor or minister and deacons?^ 
 
 Answer. "That there are but two officers — ministers or elders 
 and deacons." 
 
 2. "Is the laying on of hands onlay members an ordinance of 
 the Gospel ? Secondly, if it is, who are the proper administrators 
 of the ordinance?" 
 
 Answer. "To the first part 'yes ;' to the second, the minister of 
 the Gospel only." 
 
 Union meetings were first introduced at this session, to 
 arrange the sessions of the bodv. 
 
 The session of 1811 was held at Concord Church, in 
 Rutherford County, N". C. The number of churches repre- 
 sented at this session was 26. Some had become extinct, 
 and a committee was appointed to dismiss or letter the mem- 
 bers to other churches. Total membership 1802; a decrease 
 since last session of 77 members. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Jeroj-al Bar- 
 nett as Moderator, and Bro. Win. Lancaster as Clerk. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The churches sent up the following queries, which occu- 
 pied nearly all the time of the session, viz : 
 
 1. "By what authority do Christian cburches, without a Gospel 
 minister, sit in council to determine or judge of the fitness of subjects 
 for baptism ; or to whom does that prerogative properly belong?" 
 
 Tins query was postponed until the next session. 
 
 2. "Is it agreeable to Gospel order for ministers of the Gospel to 
 accej>t of secular offices, such as justices of the peace, etc?" 
 
 Answer. "We do not find any precedent in the Scriptures to jus- 
 tify it. We therefore recommend that ministers decline the exercise 
 of such appointments." 
 
 3. "What shall members do who petition a church for member- 
 ship, when the church to which they formerly belonged has been 
 disbanded or become extinct?" 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 27 
 
 Answer. "Such members should first apply to a presbytery for 
 letters of dismission, before asking- for admission into any other 
 church." 
 
 4. 'Is it right to hold members in fellowship who belong to and 
 frequent Masonic Lodges?" 
 
 Answer. "No." 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 We are not aware of the extent and nature of the dis- 
 cussion had on this last mentioned query, as there was no 
 report made of it, but we suppose the debate took a pretty 
 wide range, and for aught we know was a little tinctured 
 with acrimony. Bro. William Lancaster, of Cedar Springs 
 Church, was a Free Mason, and had been the Clerk of the 
 Association from the time of its organization up to the pres- 
 ent session, and, withal, was a very good and useful man, 
 both to the Church and the State. A JSexo England preju- 
 dice probably had been .introduced into the South by minis- 
 ters and newspapers from that section of the country against 
 the time-honored institution of Masonry, which prejudice 
 had already been developing its mischievous consequences 
 on a goodly number of Pedo-Baptist churches, and a few 
 Baptist churches were also disturbed thereby. We are nat- 
 urally led to inquire, if the Broad River brethren had just 
 made the discovery that Bro. Lancaster was a Free Mason? 
 He had been their clerk for eleven vears, and not a word 
 was said about the matter until now this query, as a fire- 
 brand is brought before the bodv to evolve a vote of censure 
 against him, which, of course, was so considered by hirn 
 (Lancaster;) for notwithstanding he continued fully in the 
 confidence of his church, and was for many years thereafter 
 (until the session of 1823) a representative of Cedar Springs 
 Church, yet he never served again as clerk of the body. 
 
 Elder M. C. Barnett, who wrote a synoptical history of 
 the Broad River Association, speaking of this matter, says : 
 "This was one of those officious meddlings of Associations with 
 subjects that do not belong to them, and which, let the decision be 
 any way it will, is impracticable to be carried out. For example, 
 William Lancaster, who had been the clerk of the Association for 
 ten years at least, successively, was a member of the fraternity of 
 Free Masons ; and I have it from tradition (in the absence of Min- 
 utes) that he was continued clerk of the Association for several years 
 after this. [In this Elder Barnett was misinformed.] He was an 
 
28 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 active deacon in the Cedar Springs Church to the day of his death 
 which occurred in 1824. That church would have been ashamed to' 
 have thought of excluding the best deacon it had only because he 
 was a Free Mason, and to carry out the advice of the Association." 
 
 We concur fully with Elder Barnett's remarks as to the 
 policy of the matter, but he was certainly mistaken in saying 
 that Bro. Lancaster served as clerk any more after the action 
 taken on the query. The Minutes show that he served from 
 the session of 1801 (and probably from the organization of 
 the Association in 1800, for there was no record kept) until 
 this very year 1811, when the query was discussed and an- 
 swered. He never was clerk of the body afterwards. The 
 Minutes show that Elder Berryman Hicks succeeded him in 
 the clerkship in 1812. 
 
 QUERY. 
 
 "Is it right for any member of our .union of churches to solemn- 
 ize the rites of matrimony between parties when either of them have 
 a living husband or wife?" 
 
 Answer. "No." 
 
 FAST DAY. 
 
 The body agrees to set apart Easter Sunday next as a 
 day of fasting and prayer, to implore the mercy and blessings 
 of the Lord on our nation, and for the visitation of His gra- 
 cious Spirit among the several churches of our union. 
 
 BAPTIST HISTORY. 
 
 An item approbatory of the undertaking of Elder David 
 Benedict, of Rhode Island, to write and publish a History of 
 the Baptists of America, was adopted at this session. 
 
 The session of 1812 was held at Friendship Church, in 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder Zachariah Blaekwell, of State Line. 
 There were 25 churches iu union; total membership 1272. 
 An increase since the last session of 150 members. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Elder George 
 Brewton as Moderator, and Elder Berrvman Hicks as Clerk. 
 
 PETITION TO RECONSIDER. 
 
 A petition was sent up asking for a reconsideration ot 
 the queries of 1807-'08, and also of the answer, "agreeable 
 to the 18th Matthew," and compare them with the articles 
 or rules of the Association where it reads: "We claim no 
 
BROAD RIVEB BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 29 
 
 higher power than an advisory council." The body decided 
 by a vote that the former answer shall stand, and that the 
 Association meant nothing more than to withdraw from a 
 disorderly church. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The following queries were sent up from the churches 
 and answered by the body, as follows : 
 
 1. '-What is a Church?" 
 
 Answer. "We believe a Gospel church consists of an indefinite 
 number of saints joined together by consent, yet we think not com- 
 plete without a minister." 
 
 2. "How shall a minister be silenced in his ministerial office by 
 the church ?" 
 
 Answer. "By laying him under the censure of the church, and 
 then call in ministerial helps to aid in deposing him." 
 
 3. "Is it right, according to the Word of God, to constitute 
 churches where there is no minister belonging to the members pro* 
 posed to be constituted ?" 
 
 Answer. "Yes." 
 
 WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING. 
 
 Two imposters by the names of Ledford Paine and 
 Samuel T. Council, claiming to be Baptist preachers in order, 
 appear advertised in the Minutes of this session as being in 
 disorder. 
 
 The session of 1813 was held at Smyrna church, Burke 
 countv, N". C. Elder Drurv Dobbins preached the introduce 
 tory sermon. There were in union 25 churches ; total mem- 
 bership 1624. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The churches during the past year had enjoyed a pre- 
 cious revival, and 219 members were added by baptism, 
 which revival was confined mostly to the churches of Buffalo, 
 Sandy Run and Providence. Elder Drury Dobbins and Ber- 
 ryman Hicks (who labored together a great deal) held a series 
 of meetings at these churches, aided by other ministers who 
 preached the gospel faithfully to the large congregations that 
 attended, and the result was an extraordinary outpouring of 
 God's Spirit and the ingathering, as above mentioned. 
 
 Elder Berryman Hicks was at that time the eloquent 
 "Apollos" of the Broad River Association. His manner of 
 preaching was generally of an exhortatory character especially 
 in the peroration of his sermons, and he did not often fail to 
 
30 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 make a good impression on his hearers. Elder Drury Dob- 
 bins' manner was doctrinal and expository ; apparently he 
 was specially called to feed the flock of Christ. While en- 
 gaged in this his true line of service, no one was ever more 
 faithful to his duties. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The Association was organized by the election of Elder 
 Drury Dobbins as Moderator and Elder Berryman Hicks as 
 Clerk, when the following 
 
 QUERIES, 
 
 which had been sent up for solution from the churches, were 
 taken up, viz : 
 
 1. "Do the Scriptures mention the gifts of doctrine and exhorta- 
 tion as separate?" 
 
 Answer. "Yes." 
 
 2. "When God, in His wisdom, has thought proper to bestow 
 these gifts separately, ought they not to be separately used in. the 
 Church?" 
 
 Answer. "Yes." 
 
 8. "Are those who profess the gift of exhortation only, qualified 
 to exercise the ministerial function fully?" 
 
 Answer. "No." 
 
 4. "Is it good order for a church to call a minister, or supply from 
 another church, when they have an ordained minister in said 
 church ?" 
 
 Answer. "It may be order, but great caution ought to be used in 
 the matter." 
 
 BAPTIST GENERAL MEETING. 
 
 At this session it is recorded that Elder Drury Dobbins 
 and Ambrose Carlton were appointed messengers to bear 
 dispatches from this body to the "Baptist General Meeting of 
 correspondence in North Carolina." 
 
 P.EMAKKS. 
 
 We are not informed fully as to the nature of that 
 '-General Meeting." It may have been a temporary organi- 
 zation, similar in all respects to that mentioned by Elder 
 Benedict, styled the "General Committee." Which, how- 
 ever, seems to have been disannulled, this institution was 
 established in 1784 and continued only to 1799. He says it 
 was composed of delegates from all the Associations which 
 could with convenience, or was disposed to send messengers 
 to it. But many of the Virginia Baptists were suspicious 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 31 
 
 that this body would in time grow into something like a 
 
 Synod or Dictating Council and for that reason stood aloof 
 
 from it for a time, and, indeed those who sanctioned it and 
 
 assisted in promoting its measures, were so much afraid of 
 
 horns, that they gave it scarcely any head or power. But with 
 
 all its restrictions, most of which were probably necessary 
 
 in order to secure the independency of the numerous churches 
 
 over whose affairs it presided; it was a very useful body, and 
 
 was instrumental in tearing off, one after another, the civil 
 
 and ecclesiastical shackles, by which the Baptist and other 
 
 dissenters from the Episcopal establishment in Virginia had 
 
 been sorely galled, until an entire and equal freedom was by 
 
 law established. 
 
 We do not learn from the minutes, (which are in soma 
 
 particulars very vague) anything more about the matter. 
 
 The messengers either failed to attend or neglected the 
 
 making of a report to the next session of the body. 
 
 MORE WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING. 
 
 A committee was appointed on Corresponding Minutes : 
 who reported "Samuel Whitney, W. Davis, Jesse Hazael, 
 John McCreary, W. Thomas, John Williams and Daniel 
 Brown professing to be Baptist preachers, who were vile im- 
 postors." 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Here we find a list of seven vile impostors in the char- 
 acter of ministers of the Gospel of Christ — false teachers, 
 wolves in sheep's clothing who, by deceitful words, were en- 
 deavorino; to inoratiate themselves into the favor and good 
 graces of the unsuspecting and simple-minded people where 
 they operated, for the nefarious purposes of gratifying their 
 devilish ambition and wicked lusts, under the hallowed cloak 
 
 of religion. 
 
 The following record appears on the Minutes of this 
 
 session. Elder Julius Holland, of Long Creek Church, died 
 since the last session of this body. "He was a pious minis- 
 ter of the Gospel, an ornament to society and a friend to the 
 poor," savs the record. The Circular Letter of this year 
 was prepared by Elder George Brewton, on The Baneful Ef- 
 fects of Cooetousness, which we doubt not was very rife among 
 the churches and people generally about that time. 
 
32 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The session of 1814 met this year at Goucher Creek 
 Church, Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory ser- 
 mon was delivered bv Elder Ambrose Carlton, of Smyrna. 
 
 By reason of the loss of a portion of the Minutes of this- 
 year, we are unable to give the church statistics. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Elder Drury 
 Dobbins as Moderator and Elder Wm. King as Clerk. 
 
 Elder Wm. King, under an appointment of last session, 
 prepared the Circular Letter to the churches, on The Gifts 
 and Qualifications of a Gospel minister. We are unable to give 
 anything more of the doings of the session because of the 
 mutilation of our copy of the Minutes. 
 
 The session of 1815 was held at Buffalo Church, York 
 County, S. C. Elder Nathaniel Jackson, of head of Tyger 
 River Church, delivered the introductory sermon. Antioch 
 and Union, new churches, were admitted at this session. 
 The body then consisted of 26 churches, with a total mem- 
 bership of 1519. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Ambrose Carlton 
 as Moderator and Elder Berry man Hicks as Clerk. 
 
 \ BAPTIST BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. 
 
 A committee of five, consisting of Ambrose Carlton, 
 Wm. King, Drury Dobbins, Wm. Lancaster, and Berryman 
 Hicks was appointed to examine the first annual report of 
 the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions sitting at Philadel- 
 phia, who rported: "We recommend your charitable aide 
 to the Missionary Society for the laudable purpose of pro- 
 mulgating the gospel among the poor heathens." 
 
 In order more properly to co-operate with the Board in 
 missionary operations, Brother Wm. Lancaster was appointed 
 Associational Secretary. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 A strong opposition or prejudice was directly hatched 
 
 up against missionary operations, within the bounds of the 
 
 Association and consequently very little was ever accom- 
 plished through this instrumentality. 
 
 QUERY. 
 
 The following query was sent up for solution, viz : 
 "Is it agreeable to j-ood order for a deacon to be dismissed from 
 office at bis own request ? and if so, by wbat authority ? " 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 33 
 
 Answer. We think a church should be exceedingly cautious 
 how she dismisses a deacon from office, for we do not think it good 
 order to dismiss one at his own request, unless the church shall think 
 lie does not fill the office properly, and in case of such dismission, 
 the church acting in the case is the proper authority." 
 
 ELDER GEORGE BREWT0N. 
 
 The demise of Elder George Brewton of Friendship 
 church is noticed in the minutes ot this session. (See bio- 
 graphical notice in this work.) 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches Avas prepared by 
 Elder Ambrose Carlton on " The Scriptural reasons why the 
 Baptists do not commune with other denominations of Christians." 
 A most excellent letter. > 
 
 The session of 1816 was held at Sandy Run Church, 
 Rutherford County, N. C, Elder Hosea Holcombe, of Union 
 church, had been appointed to preach the introductory ser- 
 mon, but gave way to Elder Luther Rice, agent of the For- 
 eign Mission Board, who being present preached a missionary 
 sermon on the occasion, which gave general satisfaction, and 
 a public collection was taken up forthe objects of the Board. 
 
 CHURCHES ADMITED. 
 
 Two churches Ruhamah and Zion were admitted into 
 the confederacy of churches at this session, making 28 in all, 
 with a total membership of 1503 in fellowship. 
 
 The following queries had been sent up from the churches, 
 
 viz: 
 
 1. "Is it good order for a church to dissolve herself, when said 
 church has a pastor with her? If not how shall she proceed agreea- 
 bly to Scripture? " 
 
 Answer. "Although we cannot cite such to any Scripture, we 
 advise them to apply to the churches for helps and thereby form a 
 presbytery, to dismiss in order, both minister and members." 
 
 2. "Would it be good order to commune with a person after re- 
 ceiving such into our union upon a profession of our faith previous 
 to their being baptized ? " 
 
 Anser. " No. " 
 
 3. "Is it agreeable to the gospel for Baptists to call themselves 
 ' Calvinists, 1 and the doctrines of grace ' Calvinism?' " 
 
 Answer. "We believe John Calvin preached more sound doc- 
 trine than any other noted reformer, yet we think it is contrary to 
 
 the gospel, for Baptists to call themselves and the doctrines of grace 
 by such titles." 
 
 The Circular Letter of this session was written by Elder 
 
 Drury Dobbins on The Union Betwixt Christ and his Church. 
 
84 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 And is a very concise and appropriate document which 
 should be reproduced. 
 
 Elders Drury Dobbins presided as Moderator and Berry- 
 man Hicks as Clerk of this session. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 We are informed that about this time the doctrines of 
 particular election, and the saints final perseverance in grace, 
 on the part of Baptists: while general redemption and possi- 
 ble apostasy on the part of our Methodist friends,- were the 
 great themes of religious discussion. Many sermons and es- 
 says on these novel points found their way into printed 
 pamphlets and other works. And the two parties still cheer- 
 ish their peculiar tenets as though nothing had been said 
 or written. 
 
 "He that complains against his will, 
 Is of his own opinion still. " 
 
 "What a great pity it is, that so many sects or parties, 
 sprang up out of the reformation of popery ! Some people 
 consider this a great blessing because, as they allege it will 
 tend greatly to the evangelization of the world: it being im- 
 possible for all to see alike and entertain the same views in 
 reference to religious matters. That some can be followers of 
 Paul, others of Apollosand Cephas, etc., andthereby a greater 
 number be gathered into the general church of the Redeemer. 
 
 Our doctrine is, that we should all be followers of Christ, 
 that Paul, Apollos and Cephas — Calvin, Luther and Me- 
 lancthon, etc., are only ministers of His and consequently we 
 should ignore the names of Calvinists, Lutheran, Presby- 
 terian, Methodist, etc., and cleave only to that of Christian 
 just as the disciples was first called at Antioch, by which, 
 however we do not mean the followers of Alexander Camp- 
 bell, or any other would be leaders of party sects. If it is 
 best to be organized into petty factions, one calling himself a 
 follower of Paul and another of Apollos, why did Christ pray 
 to his Father that we all might be one: "as thou Father art 
 in me and I in thee ? " 
 
 A SUPERANNUATED MINISTER. 
 
 We notice that Elder Ambrose Carlton (an aged minis- 
 ter) took a final leave of the Association, to meet the body 
 no more in time. How sad it makes us feel ! and yet how 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 35 
 
 pleasant to think and ponder over the aproaching period of 
 our departure from a world of toil and trouble to that rich 
 inheritance at God's right hand laid up for the finally faith- 
 ful. We made the acquaintance several years ago with the 
 aged son of this good man, Thomas Carlton, (also a minister 
 and worthy member of the Catawba River Association) of 
 the old pioneer of the Broad River Association who so af- 
 fectionately bade his brethren a final farewelNn time. 
 
 The session of 1817 was held at Friendship church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder Drury Dobbins. There was 27 churches 
 in union with a membership of 1442. Elders Drury Dobbins 
 was chosen Moderator, and Berryman Hicks Clerk. 
 
 QUERY. 
 
 The church at Union "wishes to know whether the Association 
 approbates their conduct in receiving members from a society of 
 Methodists who have been baptized by immersion and account the 
 same valid ? " 
 
 Answer. "We think that to receive members from other socie- 
 ties as therein described does not comport with the simplicity of the 
 gospel." 
 
 "But as the subject is delicate and needs considerable investiga- 
 tion, we agree to make it the subject of our next Circular Letter." 
 
 * THE CONVERSION OF THE HEATHEN. 
 
 The following record is gleaned from the Minutes of 
 
 this session, viz : 
 
 "While reflecting on the pleasing and important theme — the 
 salvation of the heathen, with the increase of missionaries and the 
 translation of the Scriptures into different languages— we heartily 
 recommend our churches to be more liberal in supporting this laud- 
 able undertaking, remembering, "he that giveth to the poor, lends 
 to the Lord, and He will repay him." 
 
 After the adoption of the foregoing item, a good collec- 
 tion was taken up for missionary purposes. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 We mention this merely to show that the efforts made 
 
 in the Broad River Association by Elder Luther Rice, the 
 
 pioneer agent of Foreign Missions, was not altogether in 
 
 vain. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year, prepared by Elder 
 
 Hosea Holcombe, of Union church, on the Declension of Re- 
 ligion and the Causes thereof, is a document that should be put 
 into the hands of every member of Christ's Church. 
 
36 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The session of 1818 was held at Provident e Church, in 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder Berryman Hicks, of State Line. 
 
 There appears enrolled 28 churches, with a total mem- 
 bership of 1563. The body organized with Elders Drury 
 Dobbins as Moderator and Berryman Hicks as Clerk. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The following queries came up for discussion and to be 
 answered : 
 
 1. "What shall a church do with a member that has been excom- 
 municated for the sin of adultery, said person taking a woman into 
 the house with him and continuing in that sinful way, as the church 
 has reasons for believing, for perhaps twenty years, until the death 
 of his wife : he then comes forward to the church in a few months 
 afterward and states he has married the woman and repented of his 
 sin, and desires again to unite himself with the church ?" 
 
 Answer. "If the church can believe such a person a christian, 
 and he has made such acknowledgments as the Scriptures require, 
 then receive him ; if not, reject him." 
 
 2. "A number of persons, say sixteen, were dismissed twelve 
 years past to form a new church, and have not yet been constituted, 
 and nearly all who were first dismissed are removed away — Is it 
 right for any adjacent church to dismiss members to join thein for 
 any purpose?" Answer — "No." 
 
 PETITION TO DISTRICT THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Green River and Head of Tva;er River churches sent 
 petitions to the Association, praying a division of the body 
 into four sections for the purpose of regulating the sections, 
 — each section alternately to have the session whenever the 
 time arrived, and the churches within each section to decide 
 among themselves which particular church should have the 
 session. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The petition was granted, and the rule as then agreed 
 on has been continued, we believe, ever since. 
 
 AN IMPOSTOR. 
 
 Michael Austin, an impostor, professing to be a Baptist 
 preacher, is advertised in the Minutes of this session. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches for this year was 
 prepared by Elder Win. King, of Head of Enoree church, 
 on the subject of a Baptist Church receiving members who irere 
 baptized by Immersion in the Methodist Society. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 3? 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The writer takes the ground that, as certain Priests an- 
 ciently failed to show their genealogy among the lawful 
 Priests and were rejected, in like manner should all admin- 
 istrators of the ordinance of baptism be rejected, who fail to 
 show their own baptism according to the Gospel by a minis- 
 ter who has himself been baptized in a regular line from the 
 Apostles down to the present time. 
 
 The session of 1819 was held at Head of Tyger River 
 church, Spartanburg county, S, C. The introductory ser- 
 mon was delivered by Elder Jacob Crocker, of Pacolet 
 church. There appear thirty churches enrolled. Baptized 
 since last session, 2-34. Total number of members in the 
 
 body, 1716. 
 
 The Association was organized bv the election of Elders 
 Jacob Crocker as Moderator and Berryman Hicks as Clerk. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The following queries were sent from the churches to be 
 answered ; 
 
 1. "Is it agreeable to Scripture for churches to ordain their own 
 deacons?" 
 
 Answer. -'We think it is, provided they have two or more or- 
 dained ministers." 
 
 2. "Is it consistent with the Gospel for deacons to assist in the 
 ordinatiou of deacons?" 
 
 Answer. "We think it is not inconsistent that they should assist 
 the ministers in that work." 
 
 MISSIONARY OPERATIONS. 
 
 At this sessiou there was a public collection taken up 
 for missionary purposes, and Elder Drury Dobbins was ap- 
 pointed by the body to preach a missionary sermon before 
 the body at its next meeting, for the furtherance of mission- 
 ary objects. The Circular Letter of this year was borrowed 
 from the old Kehukee Association, of North Carolina, on 
 the subject of Good Works. 
 
 The session of 1820 convened at Mountain Creek 
 church, Rutherford county, N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered by Elder Thos. Bomar, of Bethlehem church. 
 
 CHURCHES ADMITTED. 
 
 Four new churches, viz ; New Prospect, Washington, 
 Cross Roads and Macedonia were admitted into the Confed- 
 eracy. 
 
28 BKOAD EIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 There were then 35 churches enrolled. Baptized since 
 the last meetings 371, — making a total membership of 2165, 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 Elders Thomas Bomar was chosen Moderator and Ber- 
 ryman Hicks as Clerk. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 The following queries were taken up for consideration ; 
 
 1. "How shall a church proceed with a member in slavery whose 
 companion was taken away out of the country and sold, and the 
 member left has married another?" 
 
 Answer. "Agreeably to the Scriptures, the church could not hold 
 such an one in fellowship." 
 
 2. "Is it agreeable to Scripture to receive a woman into fellow- 
 ship that was married to an emigrant from Europe who, after a few 
 months, separated from her and embarked for his native country, 
 she remaining for several years destitute, married to another man ?" 
 
 Answer. "No." j 
 
 Elder Thomas Bomar was appointed to preach the mis- 
 sionary sermon next year, after which the practice was drop- 
 ped, so far as we can see. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Berryman Hicks, on the Foundation on which christians can be 
 Agreed. The letter is considered a good one, and is repub- 
 lished in this work, with the biographical notice of Elder 
 Hicks. 
 
 The session of 1821 was held at Zion church, Ruther- 
 ford (now Cleveland) county, ~N. C. The introductory ser- 
 mon was delivered by Elder Sam'l Gibson, of Head of Eno.ree 
 church, Greenville county, S. C. There were two new 
 churches (Bcthesda and Head of Enoree) admitted at this 
 session, making 37 in all, with a membership of 2211, — a 
 handsome increase. Elders Drury Bobbins was elected 
 as Moderator and Berryman Hicks as Clerk. 
 
 BAPTIST BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSION'S. 
 
 At tliis meeting of the body, Bro. William Lancaster, 
 the Corresponding Secretary, was called on for a report from 
 the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, w r ho presented a let- 
 ter which was at first distressing to us. but in the latter part 
 of it a hope was cherished that God will yet bless the poor 
 heathen with saving grace. A small collection was taken 
 up, but we do not find that the Association ever co-operated 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 3ft 
 
 with the board any longer. The Minutes are so meagre and 
 vague that we are unable to know from them as to what was 
 the matter. The lack of more thorough organization, and 
 probably the heavy expense of agencies connected with 
 close-fistedness on the part of the church membership, doubt- 
 less served greatly to give a quietus to the matter at that 
 time. x 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was written by Elder 
 Drury Dobbins, on the Important Necessity of the Operation of 
 the Spirit of God upon the SouL 
 
 CORRESPONDING MESSENGERS. 
 
 We notice at this session, as at nearly all of the meet- 
 ings of the Broad River Association, a pleasant and profita- 
 ble interchange o± associational correspondence. We find 
 from the Bethel, L. C. Thurber; from French Broad, William 
 Ivimsey, &c. How pleasant it is for brethren to dwell togeth- 
 er in unity, and never forsake the very commendable prac- 
 tice of visiting each other, to jointly labor in building up the 
 waste places of Zion. 
 
 The session of 1822 was held at Mount Zion church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. Elder Drury Dobbins preached 
 the introductory sermon from Chronicles, vi. 8-9. 
 
 Camp's Creek church was addmitted into the union, 
 making 38 in all. Total number of members in the several 
 churches 2139. 
 
 Elders Drury Dobbins and Berryman Hicks were re* 
 elected to their places as Moderator and Clerk. 
 
 QUERY. 
 The following query came before the Association from Green 
 River church : "Would it not be most agreeable with gospel order 
 to communeor take the Lord's supper at the Associational meetings?" 
 
 Answer. "We think it best not to adopt such a rule at this time." 
 The body opened correspondence with the Charleston 
 Association and dropped the correspondence with the Bap- 
 tist Board of Foreign Missions. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Samuel Gibson, onthe grand utility of faith to the believing 
 mind. In the biographical notice of Elder Gibson we give 
 this letter entire. 
 
 The session of 1823, the Association met at Reedy River 
 
40 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 church, Greenville county, S. C. Elder Thomas Bomar 
 preached the introductory sermon agreeably to appointment. 
 
 There were 37 churches in union with a membership of 
 2093. The body organized by electing Elder Drury Dobbins 
 Moderator and Brother James Whitten, of Cross Roads,, 
 Clerk, 
 
 Queries. — The following queries came up for discussion ; 
 
 1. "What shallToe done with a minister who has been excom- 
 municated from the privileges of the church, and refuses to give up 
 his credentials* to a member of that church when required in the 
 name and by the authority of said church to do so 9" 
 
 Answer. "After the excommunication ofa minister from a church 
 that church has no power over him, and therefore has no authority 
 whatever to demand his credentials. But if the excommunicated 
 minister should under the sanction of his papers, impose upon the 
 community, he should be reported to the Association, which body 
 would of course make proper mention ot him in its minutes." 
 
 2. "Ought a church of Christ to hold a member in fellowship 
 who believes in what is generally called witch craft, or practices any 
 so-called charm, or other idle means to remove what they call witch 
 craft?" Answer. "No." 
 
 Remarks. — It seems to have been a very common prac- 
 tice of our ancient brethren of the different churches compos- 
 ing the Broad River Association, to test the ability and skill of 
 the body, then considered the assembled wisdom of the 
 churches, and acting for them as an Advisory Council. They 
 would therefore, at nearly every session, have a series of 
 queries involving points of discipline, and sometimes other 
 matters ofa different or doubtful nature before the body for 
 discussion and adjudication. And we doubt not that some 
 of our most level headed old brethren have been taken on 
 surprise, and for the want of time to fully investigate, have 
 very willingly seconded a motion to postpone the questions at 
 issue until a subsequent meeting of the Association. We 
 find at any rate, that course was considerably practiced, and 
 indeed it was necessary often to do so, in order to get a 
 proper solution of .the queries. We are sometimes amused 
 at the simple nature of some of the queries brought up, but 
 when we take into consideration the fact, that many of our 
 old brethren were not much conversant with Encyclopedias 
 or Bible Dictionaries, or such works on discipline as we now 
 have for perusal we should not. We cannot do otherwise 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 41 
 
 than commend their vigilance and great watchfulness over 
 heretical points of doctrine and mooted questions of discip- 
 line in which it seems they were ever faithful to their trusts. 
 And the discussions they were instrumental in getting up 
 before the Associations, were not only interesting and profit- 
 able to them as members of churches, but were of untold 
 worth to the rising ministry, and to the denomination gen- 
 erally. We take pleasure therefore in collating all the va-, 
 rious queries, although quaint and unvarnished in diction, 
 that we can find recorded in the minutes, and give them a 
 welcome place in our work. 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder Jacob 
 Crocker on the manner in which the church of Christ should pro- 
 ceed in calling a pastor. 
 
 The session of 1824 met at Head of First Broad River 
 church, Rutherford county, 1ST. C. The introductory ser- 
 mon was delivered by Elder Fields Bradshaw, of Mount Ru- 
 hamah. State Line church was admitted, making a union 
 of 38 churches. Total membership of the churches, 2236. 
 
 Elders Drury Dobbins was chosen Moderator and Ber- 
 ryman Hicks, Clerk. 
 
 Query. — A query from Cedar Springs was taken up, 
 viz : 
 
 "Is it consistent with the Gospel to preach missionary sermons 
 at the Association on Sunday, for the purpose ot taking up collec- 
 tions of money ?" 
 
 Answer. — (This body evasively answers.) "The Association has 
 ceased to be a Missionary Society. We will therefore no longer take 
 up public collections for that object on Sundays." 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE CONVENTION". 
 
 This body having been solicited to join the South Car- 
 olina State Convention, postponed the matter for considera- 
 tion until the present session, and now by a vote of the body 
 refuses to do. 
 
 Remarks. — There seems to have been some anti-mis- 
 sionary leaven at work among the churches of this Associa- 
 tion about this period of its history. 
 
 FAST DAY. 
 
 • After transacting the usual routine of business, the body 
 set apart the 2d Wednesday of November as a day of humil- 
 iation, fasting and prayer for God's blessings on the churches, 
 6 
 
42 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 and the success of His Gospel amongst the unconverted. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Thomas Bomar, of Bethlehem, on Christian Liberty, 
 and is given in full in this work in the notice of Elder Bomar. 
 
 DEMISE OF DEACONS. 
 
 Deacons Wra. Lancaster, of Cedar Springs church, and 
 William Davidson, of Buffalo church, are noticed in the 
 Minutes as having died within the past associational year. 
 It is said, "they were worthy, pious brethren, gone to join 
 the general assembly or association of glorified souls, where 
 congregations ne'er break up and Sabbaths have no end." 
 
 Remarks. — Bro. William Lancaster, the Free Mason, 
 although he ceased to act as Clerk of the Association in 1811, 
 was continued as a delegate from the Cedar Springs church 
 up to the session of 1823, and died some time between that 
 and the present session of 1824. He died no doubt as he 
 had lived — in the fear and favor of his Maker, and in the 
 esteem of his fellow-men. 
 
 The session of 1825 convened at Buffalo church, York 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder Joel Blackwell, of Green River Church. 
 
 Ebenezer church was admitted into the confederacy, 
 making 39 in all, the membership of which is 2248. 
 
 Elders Drury Dobbins chosen Moderater, Berryman 
 Hicks, Clerk. 
 
 Head of Enoree and Pacolet churches were dismissed to 
 join other bodies. 
 
 Caution. — An impostor by the name of John Roberts, 
 calling himself a Baptist preacheris advertised in the minutes 
 of this session. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Berryman Hicks, and is an elaborate essay on the signification 
 of Bajjtism and what it seals to its proper subjects. 
 
 Messengers. — The French Broad sent Elder Humphrey 
 Posey, the Mountain sent Elder Reuben Coffee, the Saluda 
 sent Elder ISTathan Berry and the Charleston sent Elder 
 Sam'l Gibson as corresponding Messengers to the Broad 
 River at its present session. 
 
 Remarks. — This session of the Association is yet in the 
 recollection of several of our oldest people. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 43 
 
 The session of 1826 met at Macedonia church, Spartan* 
 burg county, S. C. Introductory sermon by Elder Drury 
 Dobbins. 
 
 The Mount Ararat and Bill's Creek churches were ad- 
 mitted, making a union of 41 churches. Total membership 
 2090. Elders Drury Dobbins and Berry Hicks were elected 
 Moderator and Clerk as at previous sessions. 
 
 Courtesy. — An invitation was then given by the Mod- 
 erator in behalf of the Association to ministers of our own 
 and other christian denominations, in good order in their 
 churches, to take seats within the bar of the body, and aid 
 in the deliberations; when the Rev. Mr. Porter, a Presbyte- 
 rian minister and Rev. Sam'l Gibson of our own order ac- 
 cepted the invitation and took part in the proceedings. The 
 subject for discussion being the utility of Bible Societies. 
 Pending this discussion a motion was made that the Associ- 
 tion advise the churches in our union to encourage Bible 
 Societies which was adopted. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was written by 
 Bro. Hugh Quin, of Buffalo church, on Law and Grace, 
 which is republished in this work in connection with the 
 biographical notice of Elder Quin. 
 
 MESSENGERS. 
 
 The following ministers attended this session as messen- 
 gers from other bodies, viz : Thos. Goodwin, Larkin Stepp 
 from Reedy River, Stephen Mangum from French Broad, 
 Reuben Coffee from Mountain, Elias Mitchell, T. S. Greer, 
 W. Alexander from Bethel, and L. Rector from the Saluda 
 River. 
 
 Remarks. — As a matter of course such a ministerial at- 
 tendance as correspondents would impart great interest to 
 associational work, and is always desirable. 
 
 The session of 1827 convened at New Prospect church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. Elders Berryman Hicks and 
 Gabriel Phillips failing to put in an appearance at the 
 appointed time, Elder Samuel Gibson delivered the introduc- 
 tory discourse. New Bethany and Mount Zion were admit- 
 ted at this session, making a union of 41 churches. Mem- 
 bership 1908. 
 
44 BEOAD EIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Elder Gabriel Phillips, of Bethlehem, was elected 
 Moderator, and Bro. Hugh Quin, Clerk. 
 
 TREATING CANDIDATES AND DRAM-DRINKING. 
 
 The Association adopted a resolution to withhold their 
 support from any candidate for office who may be found in 
 the habit of treating with spirituous liquors to obtain votes. 
 And they further advise all the members of the body to ab- 
 stain from the habitual use of ardent spirits as a beverage. 
 
 CATAWBA RIVER ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Mount Ruhamah, Bill's Creek, Ebenezer, Head of First 
 Broad River, Big Spring, New Bethany, Silver Creek and 
 Mountain Creek churches were dismissed by letter to form 
 a new association, which was the Catawba River body. 
 
 The circular of this year was written by Elder Gabriel 
 Phillips, the Moderator, on Intemperance. 
 
 Remarks. — We are inclined to think, judging from the 
 maneuvering of the brethren of this session, that Prince 
 Alcohol was holding high carnival in a considerable portion 
 of the territory of which the Broad River Association is 
 composed, and to some extent disturbing the peace of some 
 of the churches, and hence this forward movement against 
 him. 
 
 The session of 1828 was held at Concord church, Ruth- 
 erford county, IN. C. The introductory discourse was deliv- 
 ered by Elder Thomas Bomar, of Bethlehem church. There 
 were 33 churches left in the union, with a membership of 
 1588. Elders Drury Dobbins was chosen Moderator and 
 Phillip Ramsour, Clerk. 
 
 North Catawba, Smyrna, and Double Springs were dis- 
 missed to join the Catawba River Association. 
 
 Query. — The following query was acted on, viz: 
 
 "What method shall be taken to receive a member again into 
 fellowship in a sister church who withdrew himself from the church 
 to which he belouged, by reason of a charge being brought against 
 him by individuals who were not of the same faith and order, which 
 church has since been dissolved by the Association, and he now 
 wishes to join the nearest church to him ?" 
 
 Answer. "If said member come before the church and make 
 suitable acknowledgments for his former conduct, he can be received 
 again into fellowship according to Gospel order." 
 
 Impostors. — The committee appointed to examine the 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 45 
 
 Minutes of corresponding associations, reported the names 
 of Wm. King, D. A. Balconi of New Jersey, Doctor Miller, 
 John Smith of Hudson River, Mark Andrews, Randolph 
 Mabry, Leonard Prather, and Elisha Revels of Sandy Creek 
 Associations as ministers in disorder. 
 
 Remarks. — Now here is a list of eight false teachers — 
 wolves in sheep's clothing — who, in addition to those already 
 noticed, are traversing the country over, their throats doubt- 
 less being as open sepulchres, their tongues full of deceitful 
 lying, having the poison of asps concealed under them, and 
 their lips full of malicious mischief for the purpose of beguil- 
 ing the unwary or unsuspecting. We should not, however, 
 be surprised at this, for we read in the book of Job : 
 
 "Now there was a clay when the sons of God came to present 
 (themselves to the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the 
 Lord said unto Satan, 'Whence comest thou ?' Then Satan answer- 
 ed the Lord and said, 'From going to and fro in the earth, and from 
 walking up and down in it.' " 
 
 The several false teachers advertised at this session, to- 
 gether with the others heretofore noticed and subsequently 
 to be noticed, will be considered very fit representatives of 
 their old father — the Devil — who distinguished himselt in 
 Job's day and time. But as God, our great leader, is at all 
 times much stronger than the devil, we may, with great con- 
 fidence, expect that his strategy and great cunning will in 
 the end prove a failure, and he will be compelled to succumb 
 at last and submit to the humiliating terms of being only 
 second best, in the great struggle in which he is engaged to 
 destroy the souls of men. 
 
 The Gircular Letter for this year is the production of 
 Elder George Wilkie, of Antioch church. Subject, Where- 
 fore thou art no more a Servant, but a Son ; and if a Son, then 
 an heir of God through Christ. 
 
 Remarks. — Elder M. C. Barnett, associational historian, 
 in noticing this letter, says its method is as follows : 
 
 1. In what sense are believers the sons of God? 2. In what re- 
 spect are they called heirs ? 3. What is the heritage they are enti- 
 tled to ? 4. How they attain to this privilege ? And 5. The wonder- 
 ful free grace of God in granting them this privilege ? 
 
 Negatively, Not the sons of God only by creation, for so are all 
 men. Not only by Providence, not by external profession, but pos- 
 itively by electing grace ; by regeneration, by adoption, by sanctin- 
 
46 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 cation. He allows them te» share in His fatherly love ; to participate 
 in the inheritance of their elder brother. The Holy Ghost is their 
 comforter, and so on— high-strung predestinarianism from begin- 
 ning to end. In the end he draws a strong conclusion from the sov- 
 ereignty of grace to humility and good works." Alas! George 
 Wilkie became heterodox in the faith, and disorderly, and was 
 expelled from the church. He baptized us in the fellowship of the 
 Antioch church, York county, S. O. 
 
 The session of 1829 was held at Antioch Church, York 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder James Eainwaters, of Philadelphia church. 
 
 The union consists of 31 churches, baptized 102; mem- 
 bership 1653. Elders Drury Dobbins was chosen Mode- 
 rator and Phillip Ramsour, Clerk. 
 
 Query. — Is it consistent with the Gospel for a Baptist church 
 to receive a person into fellowship w T ho has been immersed by an 
 administrator of a different denomination, and recognize such as 
 valid baptism ? Answer. — No. 
 
 FALSE TEACHERS. 
 
 The committee on corresponding minutes reported the 
 names of Jesse Dinson of the Bethel, and Jeremiah Cannon 
 of the Charleston Associations, to be Baptist preachers in 
 disorder. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Drury Dobbins, of Sandy Run church, on the Divinity of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 Remarks. — This session of the Association is recollected 
 by the writer of these notes as being the first he ever attend- 
 ed, then in his 18th year. He recollects well of seeingElder 
 Drury Dobbins lor the first time, his locks then being as 
 black as the wings of a raven, and voice smooth and eloquent. 
 lie preached during the session and was much admired by 
 the audience. He also recollects well the discourses of Elder 
 Samuel MeCreary, a corresponding messenger from the 
 Bethel Association. 
 
 We joined the church at Antioch in 1831. Fiftv-three 
 years have passed away since that memorable session of the 
 Broad River Association. What new scenes and changes 
 have we past since then ! 
 
 "Oh ! to grace, how great a debtor, daily we're constrained to be ; 
 Let Thy grace, Lord, like a fetter, bind our wandering hearts to 
 
 Thee!" 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 4? 
 
 The session of 1830 was held at Cedar Springs church-, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder Drury Dobbins. There were 31 churohes 
 in the union, with a membership of 1634. Elders Dobbins 
 and Ramsour were re-elected Moderator and Clerk. 
 
 Query. — The following query came from Macedonia 
 church, where they are beginning to have trouble with Elder 
 Jonathan Guthrie ; 
 
 "When a minister of the Gospel withdraws from a Baptist 
 church in consequence of the principles held by it, has said church 
 a right to demand his credentials?" Answer. "Yes." 
 
 SABBATH-SCHOOLS AND SLAVES. 
 
 A resolution recommending the establishment of Sab- 
 bath Schools and the Scriptural instruction of slaves, was 
 adopted by the body. 
 
 Thomas Bomar. — The demise of Elder Thomas Bomar, 
 of Bethlehem church, was noticed in the Minutes of this 
 session. (See biographical sketch of Elder Bomar.) The 
 Circular Letter to the churches was written by Elder Berry- 
 man Hicks, on the Qualifications and office-work of a Deacon. 
 
 The session of 1831 was convened at Buck Creek, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The introductory discourse was de- 
 livered by Elder Berryman Hicks, of Buffalo church. High 
 Shoals church was admitted into the confederacy, making 32 
 in all, with a membership of 1537. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Berryman Hicks 
 Moderator and Elder Phillip Ramsour, Clerk. 
 
 Queries.— The following queries came up from Phila- 
 delphia and Cedar Springs : » 
 
 1. Does the Word of God forbid a church to ordain a brother to 
 the office of deacon whose wife is not a member of the church ?" 
 
 Answer. "No ; provided the wife profess (abstractly,) and has 
 the prudence and faithfulness of a good wife." 
 
 2. "What shall a church do with members who have been con- 
 tending about a matter, and agree to drop it and live together in the 
 church, but will not commune together?" 
 
 Answer. "They should be dealt with as disorderly members,— 
 first by admonition, and if that should prove ineffectual, then by 
 excommunication." 
 
 MACEDONIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 A committee appointed at last session to attend at Mac- 
 edonia church and look into her standing, reported the 
 
48 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 church as being in order, and their former pastor, Jonathan 
 Guthrie, in disorder; whereupon the Association advised 
 the churches composing the Broad River Association to close 
 their houses of public worship against the said Guthrie ; 
 and they further advise the members of the several churches- 
 to close the doors of their dwellings against him as a preacher. 
 
 Remarks. — The writer of this work recollects Johnathan 
 Guthrie, who ran very well for a time. He was talented and 
 popular as a preacher, and bade fair to be a shining light in 
 the Association. Pie first appeared a lay delegate from Mac- 
 edonia in 1820 and was licensed to preach soon after, and in 
 1821 represented Macedonia again as a licensed preacher. He 
 was in a short time after this ordained to the gospel ministry; 
 and continued to represent Macedonia church until the ses- 
 sion of 1829, at Antioch church, where he preached accepta- 
 bly and was a prominent and rather conspicuous leader in 
 the business of the Association. But soon after, alas! he fell 
 into disorder and shame. Intemperance and lascivousness 
 were first charged, then heterodoxy in the faith. After preach- 
 ing a while at such places as would receive him and to such 
 con o- relations as would attend to hear him, he finallv sank 
 out of notice in the religious world. Like the sow that was 
 washed, he returned to his wallowing again in the mire, and 
 like the dog he returned to take up his filthy vomit. Alas ! 
 for poor depraved human nature when destitute of the cleans- 
 ing virtue of God's grace! 
 
 The session of 1832 was held at Sandy Bun church, 
 Cleveland county, N. C. The introductory sermon was de- 
 livered by Elder John G. Landrum, then of Mount Zion 
 church. 
 
 The union consists of 32 churches, with a membership 
 of 2111. There were during the past year 574 baptisms. 
 The fruits of a glorious revival of religion among the 
 churches. 
 
 Elders Berrvman Plicks was elected Moderator and 
 John W. Lewis, Clerk. 
 
 Queries. — The following queries were taken up and 
 elicited considerable discussion, viz : 
 
 "Have we any command in the word ot God, for the laj'ingon 
 of hands on those whom we baptize ? " Answer. "No." 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 49 
 
 2. "How should a church act under these circumstances: A 
 man marries a woman, twenty years since, and from peculiar reasons 
 lives with her but a very short time; he then removes to another 
 State, leaves his first wife behind and marries within a short time 
 another woman, with this second wife he lives about eighteen 
 years and has a considerable family of children : about this time 
 himself and second wife profess to obtain religion, and one of them 
 applies for admittance into the membership of the church : at the 
 same time it is reported and believed that his first wife is dead, — can 
 they be received as members ?" 
 
 Postponed until next year for consideration. 
 EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES. 
 
 At this session a package of pamphlets was handed in 
 from the Colonization Society, which was promptly rejected. 
 
 Remarks. — The abolition of slavery was then being* 
 greatly agitated throughout the whole northern portion of 
 the country, consequently Southern slave-owners would look 
 upon a package of that kind as comparable to a fire-brand 
 or bomb-shell thrown in among them by an enemy, not only 
 to destroy the institution of slavery, but to destroy the peace 
 and quietude of a large portion of the Southern churches 
 and people. It might well be expected by the Northern agi- 
 tators that the Southern people would resist even unto death 
 so gross an interference with their chartered constitutional 
 rights. But, says the anti-slavery party, the members of the 
 colonization society did not contemplate the abolition ot 
 slavery by any legal enactment, or by any change in the 
 fundamenta! law of the countrv — thev only intended the 
 gradual emancipation of the slaves by the consent of their 
 owners, and in that way relieve the Southern people of what 
 thev considered a growing evil to them. While the nation 
 would thereby be relieved of the damning sin of slavery, 
 which acted as a blot as they alleged upon our professions ot 
 republican freedom and the equal rights of mankind. Our 
 brethren, however, were sensitive as to their vested rights, 
 and were fully aware of the approaching crusade against 
 them. The abolition or destruction of the institution or 
 slavery had been unmistakably decreed, "peaceably if w r e 
 can, or forcibly if we must/' and therefore if a scheme of 
 apparent mildness was first put forward for the purpose and 
 proved insufficient, it only paved the way or served as an 
 entering wedge for something more efficient, which the agi- 
 7 
 
 <e 
 
50 BEOAD KIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 tators would never fail to bring forward, bearing 1 direction 
 on the mooted question at issue. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was written by Dr. J. 
 W. Lewis, of Mount Zion church, on the proper method for 
 a church to 'pursue in calling a pastor or supply, and the duties 
 incumbent on them to each other. We publish this letter in full 
 in our notice of Dr. J. W. Lewis. Dr. Lewis was the patron 
 and friend of Elder John G. Landrum in his early ministe- 
 rial life. Elder Drurv Scrubs as a licentiate Avas in this 
 session. 
 
 The session of 1833 convened at Long Creek church, 
 Gaston county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon was preach- 
 ed by Elder Drury Dobbins, of Sandy Run. The union con- 
 sisted of 31 churches. 314 members, as the fruit of the 
 religious revival of this period, were baptized during the past 
 year. Total membership, 2503. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elders Drury Dobbins 
 Moderator, and John W. Lewis, Clerk. 
 
 Queries. — The following queries were taken up and 
 disposed of, viz : 
 
 1. "Shall an able-bodied male member of a church be retained 
 in fellowship who never contributes anything to the support of the 
 church to which he belongs, without giving satisfactory reasons for 
 it?' ( Answer. "No." 
 
 2. The query of last session (See notice of hist year's record) was 
 answered as follows, viz : "'As we are unacquainted with the pecu- 
 liar circumstances mentioned in the query, we feel unprepared to 
 give a definite answer, but in general terms we would say that we 
 know of but two circumstances under which a man is justifiable in 
 putting away his wife, or the wife her husband, and these are for 
 the cause of fornication, and in case of an invalid marriage, — in both 
 of which cases when either are proven beyond doubt, we conceive 
 the innocent party to be justifiable in a second marriage, and entitled 
 to church privileges." 
 
 TYGER RIVER ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Mount Zion, Holly Springs, Bethlehem, Washington, 
 and Head of Tyger River churches were dismissed, at their 
 request, fof the purpose of uniting with other churches to 
 form the Tyger River Association. 
 
 Remarks. — This body was formed soon afterwards. 
 Elders John G. Landrum and John W. Lewis were both 
 delegated from Mount Zion church, and were in the session 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 51 
 
 of the Broad River that we are now noticing, Dr. Lewis act- 
 ing clerk of the body. We very well recollect the youthful 
 and slender appearance of Landrum, while exhibiting the 
 Gospel in his earnest and pathetic way to the large congre- 
 gations which attended that session of the Association. He 
 was a great revivalist, and spoke cheering words of a good 
 work of grace then going on in the region of country he rep- 
 resented, embracing portions of Spartanburg and Greenville 
 counties, in South Carolina, which seemed to pervade the 
 country where he and Dr. Lewis had been laboring. Lewis 
 was a man of considerable bulk, a little over the medium 
 size, heavy build, with large chest, and stentorian voice, and 
 a good preacher — although not as acceptable as Landrum. 
 
 Dr. Wait. — The venerable Dr. Samuel Wait attended 
 this session of the Association — a man who did more, it is 
 said, for the development of the educational interests of 
 !N"o#th Carolina than any other man living at any time in the 
 State. Whether this be true or not, it is certain that his in- 
 fluence upon the Baptists was very great, and he was the 
 man to whom more than to any other the denomination is 
 indebted for the Baptist State Convention, being the first 
 and most efficient agent of that body ; and as the founder ot 
 Wake Forest College he has laid our people under the most 
 sacred obligations to cherish his memory with grateful affec- 
 tion. Dr. Wait was born in Washington count} 7 , New York, 
 Dec. 19th, 1780, says the Baptist Encyclopedia, and was con- 
 sequently 53 years of age at this session of the Association 
 but looked as though he was more than three-score and ten. 
 It is strange there is no mention of Dr. Wait in the Minutes 
 of the session. So strange was the state of feeling existing 
 at that time between the North and South on the slavery 
 question, that even christian courtesies were withheld. It is 
 possible that angels may sometimes be entertained unawares. 
 We know of our own personal knowledge that Dr. Wait at- 
 tended this meeting of the Association, and preached several 
 good sermons under the requests of the people, sent up to 
 the body through the committee on religious exercises. 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder Phillip Ram- 
 sour, on the method to be 'pursued to keep the unity of the Spirit 
 in the bonds of peace. 
 
52 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Fast Day. — The body requested the churches to observe 
 Christmas day and the fourth of July as days of religious 
 worship every year. And the first day of January next as a 
 day of fasting and prayer. 
 
 The session of 1834 was held at Goucher Creek church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder Berryman Hicks, from 1 Tim. iv. 16. 
 
 The union consisted of 26 churches. Baptized, 109. 
 Total number of members in the several churches, 1748. 
 
 The body elected Elders Drury Dobbins Moderator and 
 Phillip Ramsour, Clerk. Shiloh church was admitted. 
 
 Bro. James M. Webb was a delegated licentiate from 
 the Hi°;h Shoal church this session, beino- the first he ever 
 attended as a deles-ate. 
 
 Query. — The following query was taken up for discus- 
 sion, viz : 
 
 "Is it consistent with the Gospel to receive into the fellowship 
 of the church persons who have been' baptized by a minister in dis- 
 order, without re baptizing them?" Answer. "No." 
 
 Correspondence was opened with the Tyger River Asso- 
 ciation, recently formed of part of the churches of this body. 
 
 JAMES LEWIS, OF GASTON COUNTY, N. C. 
 
 The demise of Elder Jas. Lewis, of Long Creek church, 
 is noticed in the Minutes of this session, viz: 
 
 "It becomes our painful duty to record the death of our beloved 
 brother, James Lewis, under which dispensation we desire to feel 
 deeply humbled under God, and sympathize with t he bereaved 
 widow and fatherless children ; but we would 'not sorrow as those 
 who have no hope.' What is our present loss is his everlasting 
 gain." 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was written by Elder 
 Berryman Hicks, on the design of circumcision, and the differ- 
 ence between that and baptism. 
 
 Fast Days. — The body again urged the churches to ob- 
 serve Christmas day and Ihe fourth of July as days of relig- 
 ious worship every year. 
 
 Remarks. — The writer recollects well that it was cus- 
 tomary about this period ot the world's history, to celebrate 
 these memorable anniversaries in a very loose, licentious and 
 wicked manner, by reveling and excessive debauchery, 
 amounting generally to a complete desecration instqgid of 
 grateful recollection of the festival days meant to be cele- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 53 
 
 forated. Unfortunately the heathenish practice, although in 
 a degree checked, is not yet wholly abated. 
 
 The session of 1835 met at Wolf's Creek church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C, The introductory sermon was deliv- 
 ered by Elder James M. Webb, of High Shoals church. 
 
 There were 26 churches in the union, and a membership 
 of 1751. The body organized with Elders Drury Dobbins 
 Moderator, and Phillip Ramsour, Clerk. 
 
 ABOLITION" OF SLAVERY. 
 
 After the usual routine of associational business was 
 transacted, the following preamble and resolutions were in- 
 troduced and discussed at some length and unanimously 
 adopted by the body, viz: 
 
 "Whereas, the Abolitionists in the Northern States have cir- 
 culated certain incendiary pa?n]3hlets, prejudicial to the interests of 
 the South, and the same are calculated to create much disturbance 
 in our christian community, inasmuch as such productions have 
 been sent to ministers and private members of churches, contrary to 
 their wishes and without their consent; and whereas, ministers of 
 t he Gospel are liable, in this way, to have their usefulness much 
 ■diminished in a community whose feelings are hostile to such senti- 
 ments. Therefore 
 
 Resolved, That this Association disclaim all communion with 
 those engaged in sending abroad productions so corrupt and poison- 
 ous, and that we will in future look with indignation and contempt 
 upon any such efforts as are calculated to disturb the best interests 
 and peace of our country, and we recommend the same course to our 
 churches and sister associations." 
 
 Remarks. — The abolition troubles were being: a'radu- 
 ally and insidiously pushed along by designing abolition 
 politicians, and also by those in many instances professing 
 to be the ministers of peace and reconciliation through the 
 cross of Christ. The leaven was steadily at work which 
 eventually brought about the emancipation of negro slavery 
 and one of the bloodiest of wars recorded any where in the 
 annals of the country, — a weighty responsibility which 
 rests somewhere, and in the great day of accounts the guilty 
 parties will have but a poor opportunity to dodge it. 
 
 DISORDERLY PREACHERS. 
 
 The committee to examine the Minutes of correspond- 
 ing bodies, reported the names of Richard Johnson, K. Hen- 
 drine, Samuel Thompson and Jesse Denson as preachers in 
 disorder in the, bounds of the Tyger River Association. 
 
54 BKOAD EIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Remarks. — There was scarcely ever a good bank char- 
 tered that did not receive some annoyance from counterfeit- 
 ers; the laws, however, are generally made severe on such, 
 and should be rigidly enforced to deter others from pursuing 
 a course so vile and deceitful. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Drury Dobbins, on the duty of a church in the choice of a Deacon. 
 
 The session of 1836 was held at Zion church, Cleveland 
 county, N. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder Jas. Rainwaters, of Philadelphia church. The union 
 consists of 26 churches, with a membership of 1749. 
 
 Organization. — Elders Berryman Hicks was elected 
 Moderator and Phillip Ramsour, Clerk. 
 
 Bro. S. G. Hamilton, of Green River r was a delegated 
 licentiate. 
 
 Personal. — The compiler of this associational history 
 was a delegate to the Association from Antioch church at 
 this session (then in his 26th year,) accompanied by his young 
 wife, having married a short time previous to the meeting. 
 He acted as reading clerk, and has been in nearly all the 
 sessions of the body since, up to the time of the formation of 
 the King's Mountain Association in 1851, and can truthfully 
 sav that he has greatlv enioyed the many annual reunions of 
 the brethren that have been held subsequent to his first ap- 
 pearance in •this very pleasant session at Zion. He hopes 
 that in the Providence of God he will be permitted to enjoy 
 yet the pleasant annual sessions of the bod} T ; and although 
 doubtless he will ere long cross over the river, and not be 
 permitted to witness the centennial session in 1900, vet he 
 as an humble christian looks forward, with a more lively 
 interest, to the inheritance laid up in store for the finally 
 faithful. 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder Berryman 
 Hicks, on the nature of Pojoery, and its probable tendency in the 
 United States of America. 
 
 Remarks. — This is quite an elaborate essay, and we 
 really wish we could republish it entire. A few extracts, 
 
 however, must suffice : 
 
 "Juduizing teachers were the first to corrupt Christianity. See 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 55 
 
 the Epistle to the Galatians. Bowing to the east, the celebration of 
 Easter, the use of the sign of the Cross, and of sponsors, with some 
 other inventions, were established in the second century. Councils 
 which were frequently held in the third century greatly increased 
 the power of the priesthood, and gave the right of their authority to 
 pernicious innovations. The number of church officers were enlarged, 
 ii regular hierarchy was fast forming, and idle ceremonies were in- 
 vented in abundance. Anno Domini 306, Constantine, the Great, 
 ascended the throne, and very soon remodeled Christianity as to its 
 external forms and made it a State engine. Wealth and power flowed 
 in a pace, magnificent buildings, splendid decorations and rites — 
 often borrowed from paganism — were thought to be the religion of 
 Him who was meek and lowly of heart, and the graduation of rank 
 in the church was assimilated as much as possible to that adopted in 
 the State. 
 
 "Anno Domini 325, the council of Nice. Here christians first 
 learned to persecute those who differed from them, and the lesson is 
 scarcely yet forgotten. The fourth and fifth centuries were distin- 
 guished by the increasing prevalence of superstition, — such as pil- 
 grimages to supposed holy places, relic hunting, monasticisms, nu- 
 merous fasts and feasts, auricular confessions, prayers to the saints, 
 ■&o. Anno Domini 606, the Bishop of Rome assumed ' the title of 
 Universal Bishop. A. D. 754 the Pope became a temporal Prince, by 
 acquiring (he exarchate of Ravenna. A D. 787, image worship, 
 sanctioned by the seventh general council held at Nice. Transub- 
 stantiation was first taught by Paschasius Radbuitus, in the ninth 
 century. In the eleventh century, Gregory, the seventh, assumed 
 supremacy over princes as well as prelates, and arrogated to himself 
 the right of disposing crowns. He also interdicted the use of litur- 
 gies in any other language than the Latin. The traffic in indulgen- 
 ces began in the twelfth century. A. D. 1215, communion in one 
 kind established. A. D. 1229, the inquisition formed, and the use of 
 the Scriptures in the vernacular language prohibited. A. D. 1414, 
 the council of Constantine, at which it was agreed that faith is not 
 to be kept with heretics. A. D. 1517, the Reformation commenced 
 in January. A. D. 1540, the order of Jesuits instituted. A. D. 1546, 
 the council of Trent opened its deliberations, which terminated in 
 J563. By this council the errors and absurdities of the Papal system 
 were solemnly authorized. 
 
 ''A scrutiny of ecclesiastical history will lead to the conclusion 
 that almost every corruption in Christianity may be traced to the 
 lusts of power and the pride of false philosophy. Thevulgate is a 
 very ancient translation of the Bible, and the only one acknowl- 
 edged by the Church of Rome to be authentic. A very heavy charge 
 lies against it, with the additions of Pope Clement VIII., viz: that 
 they have new texts added, and many old ones altered, to counte- 
 nance and confirm the Roman Catholic doctrine. 
 
 "No country perhaps has ever produced more martyrs than 
 France. There was a violent persecution against the Protestants in 
 
56 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 the year 1562, in the reign of Charles IX. Many of the principal 
 Protestants were invited to Paris, upon a solemn oath of safety upon 
 the occasion of the marriage of the King of Navarre, with the French 
 King's sister. The Queendowager of Navarre, a zealous Protestant, 
 however, was poisoned by a pair of gloves., before the marriage was 
 solemnized. Coliguy, Admiral of France, was basely murdered in 
 his own house, to gratify the malice of the Duke of Guisci, and after 
 a thousand indignities offered to his body it was hung by the feet to 
 a gibbet. After this, the murderers ravaged the whole city of Paris, 
 and butchered within three days above ten thousand lords, gentle- 
 men, presidents, and people of all ranks. A horrible scene of things, 
 says Thuanus, existed when the very streets and passages resounded 
 with the noise of those who were dying, and the shrieks of those who 
 were going to be butchered were everywhere heard. 
 
 "In conclusion, we say how are we to avert the storm that seems 
 to be hanging over us? Is persecution the proper remedy? No. 
 Is a troublous mob, excited to destroy their property and temples ? 
 By no means. Toleration is our peculiar boast. Let it be fully and 
 sincerely manifested to all men, but with a becoming zeal toward 
 God, earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. 
 And there followed another angel, saying: 'Babylon is fallen, that 
 great city, because she made all nations to drink of the wine of the 
 wrath of her fornication." 
 
 The writer of this letter very plainly points bow the 
 "mother church" (as some are pleased to call the Roman 
 Catholic church) became a corrupt hierarchy, and indeed a 
 'mother of harlots.' There were, at the time that letter was 
 written, about 400 organizations in the United States called 
 Catholic churches. How is it now ? So exeat has been the 
 anxiety of the Sea of R >me to captivate an 1 capture the 
 un.wary citizens and people of free America, that he has in 
 a measure metamorphosed the churches of his faith and order, 
 by manipulating their litany, and so accommodating their 
 ritual of worship to the mode of other denominations. Ro- 
 man Catholicism in the United States is very different now 
 from what it once was in the old world. Their fine cathe- 
 drals, gorgeous pews and enchanting music, with modified 
 liturgy, are designed to attract the aristocratic, vain and irre- 
 ligious portions of mankind, and through instrumentalities 
 of this nature, congregations or followers are easily obtained. 
 The next thing is the establishment of schools and semina- 
 ries of learning, equipped properly with the highest grades 
 of scholarship. And before the unsuspecting, patronizing 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 57 
 
 parent is aware of his mistake, the minds of his children 
 are so moulded at these Catholic schools as to cause them to 
 imbibe the principles of their tutors, and the so-called church 
 is thereby strengthened and built up. 
 
 It is our impression that the Catholic Church has so far 
 departed from the truth and so grievously perverted it as to 
 forfeit all claim to the title of a church of Christ. The ex- 
 ternal organization of it is obviously not that taught by Christ 
 and His Apostles. As to this matter, everything in the Bi- 
 ble is simple. The Kingdom of Christ is not of outward 
 observation : its seat is in the hearts and affections of men 
 — its elements are righteousness, and peace, and joy in the 
 Holy Ghost. The great object of the Apostles and first 
 preachers of the doctrines of Christ, was to win men to the 
 belief and to the practice of the Truth. When men believed 
 the truth they were baptized, and were thus introduced into 
 the communion of the saints; and not a word is said about 
 popes, patriarchs, cardinals, metropolitans, prelates, or of 
 the duty of implicit obedience to their authority. There is 
 a government enjoined, but it is as free and as simple as one 
 can well conceive, whilst that of the Catholic church is as 
 despotic and as absurdly pompous as one can well imagine. 
 As this external obligation is certainly not taught in the 
 Bible, the question arises, where did it come from ? 
 
 The answer to this question is to us very plain. As the ' 
 early church advanced in numbers, influence and wealth, it 
 gradually lost the martyr spirit of its founders. Its minis- 
 ters became corrupt, secular and ambitious. By degrees, 
 bishops from an office became an order. As Rome was the 
 metropolis of the world (and it is there that the greatest 
 number of martyrs had shed their blood,) the bishop of the 
 metropolitan city soon became pre-eminent among the breth- 
 ren. jSTow the State souo-ht the influence of the church to 
 assist in maintaining its authority, and the church sought 
 the influence of the State to assist in building up its ghostly 
 
 dominion. Each yielded to the request of the other. The 
 church rapidly extended, and the ambition of priests con- 
 ceived the idea of o-overnino- it after the model of the State. 
 Rome must be the center of ecclesiastical as of civil power. 
 The State had its Caesar, the Church must have its Pope ; 
 8 
 
 \ 
 
58 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Caesar had his governors of provinces, the Pope must have 
 his patriarchs. The governors had their subordinates, and 
 these again theirs — down to the very lowest office — so that 
 the patriarchs had their archbishops, these theirbishops, and 
 these their priests, and so down to the very lowest office in 
 the church. As in the State, all civil authority emanated 
 from Caesar, and all disputes were finally referable to him ; 
 so in the church all ecclesiastical authority emanated from 
 the Pope, and he was made the final judge of all disputes. 
 
 The foregoing is the outline of Roman Catholicism as it 
 originated and progressed through a long series of years 
 after the days of the Apostles. It was during this period of- 
 time that extreme unction, penance, purgatory, transubstan- 
 tiation, infant baptism, miracles, and many other meaning- 
 less rites were introduced. High-sounding titles were also 
 introduced, such as "His Holiness," "Right Reverend," and 
 "Reverend," having no authority whatsoever in the Scrip- 
 tures. And Protestants and even Baptists seem to be fond 
 of appropriating these unscriptural titles. We have never 
 yet read anything about His Holiness, Right Reverend, or 
 even Reverend Doctor Paul, or Peter; nor do we find that 
 these fashionable titles were ever applied to any of the min- 
 isters of Christ in the days of his incarnation, or during the 
 time of any of His Apostles, and consequently they must 
 have had their origin in the corruptions of popery. The 
 word "Reverend," we believe, occurs only once in the Scrip- 
 tures, (Psalms cxi. 9.) "He sent redemption unto his peo- 
 ple; he hath commanded his covenant forever; hoi} 7 and 
 reverend is his name." This title very well applies to God, 
 but we think it does not well apply to poor, frail, mortal 
 man — one of His creatures. Away with this relic of popery ! 
 Having made mention of fine cathedrals as a Catholic 
 appliance to catch good congregations, we wish to add a few 
 words in regard to fine Protestant or Baptist churches. It 
 was certainly the will of Christ that the poor should have 
 the Gospel preached to them. Then if the paraphernalia of 
 churches is so fine and costly (as does appear almost so some- 
 times,) as to intimidate the poorly clad, unfortunate, and 
 doubtless sometimes unthrifty poor people of the country 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 59 
 
 (who cannot boast of having more than two or three changes 
 of raiment, and that of a cheap texture,) from entering 
 church edifices where there is generally to be seen a great 
 display of finery and other extraordinary trappings, — where 
 the idol god Fastosus appears often to them to have supreme 
 sway, we think there should be something done to meet 
 such cases in village churches. The Gospel should be exhib- 
 ited at other points where the poor would be likely to attend 
 and receive the benefits intended, both from the sanctuary 
 and Sabbath-school. Having always been poor, we know 
 how to sympathize with and plead the cause of the poor. In 
 looking over the last paragraph or two, we are not sure that 
 it would not have been as well to have omitted what has 
 been said, but like Pilate, we say : "what we have written we 
 have written." 
 
 The session of 1837 met at Buffalo church, York coun- 
 ty, S. C. The introductory sermon was preached by Elder 
 James M. Webb, of High Shoals church. There are in the 
 associational union 26 churches and 1652 communicants. 
 The body organized by electing Elders Drury Dobbins Mod- 
 erator, and James M. Webb, Clerk. 
 
 After the usual routine of business was gone through 
 with, the Circular Letter of the churches, prepared by Elder 
 James M. Webb, on the necessity of the agency of the Spirit of 
 God in the work of regeneration on the soul, was read and adopt- 
 ed. This letter is published in full with the notice of Elder 
 Webb in this work. 
 
 A Good Man. — The demise of Deacon William Under- 
 wood, of Cedar Springs Church, is noticed in the Minutes 
 of this session. 
 
 "His long, untiring zeal in the cause of the Redeemer's Kingdom 
 and his faithfulness in the discharge of the office of a deacon, which 
 he held for thirty-four years in Cedar Spring Church, united to al- 
 most every virtue that adorn the character of an upright heart and 
 faithful follower of Him whom he most loved on earth, entitle him 
 to the remembrance of those of his brethren whom he has left be- 
 hindr~In him this Association have to lament the loss of a brother 
 in whose faithfulness and counsel they could much depend, and 
 whilst we sympathize with his relatives and friends we advise Ihem 
 not to sorrow and grieve as those who have no hope, for that which 
 is our loss is his eternal gain ; and although his cold remains may 
 
CO BROAD BIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 lie in solitude until the morn of the resurrection, yet it is confidently 
 hoped and believed that his soul has flown to rest in the bosom of 
 his Heavenly Redeemer and Friend, there to enjoy a crown of life 
 incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away." 
 
 The session of 1838 was held at Friendship church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder Drury Dobbins, of Sandy Run church. 
 In union 27 churches ; membership 1650. Elders Drury 
 Dobbins, Moderator, James M. Webb, Clerk. 
 
 PIONEER MINISTERS FALLEN. , 
 
 The demise of Elders Joel Blackwell, of Greeu River 
 church, and John Padgett, of "New Hope, is noticed in the 
 Minutes of this session. (See biographical notices in this 
 work). 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder Drury Dob- 
 bins, to show who Melchisedec was, and to run the analogy be- 
 tween his -priesthood and that of Jesus Christ. (See biographical 
 notice for the letter. 
 
 The session of 1839 met at Green River church, Ruth- 
 erford county, N. C. Elder Druiw Scruggs preached the 
 introductory sermon. The union consists of 27 churches; 
 baptized 135. Total membership 1725. 
 
 Query. — Query from Green River church, viz: 
 "What shall be done when a married member makes application 
 to the church for aletter of dismission, who has left his family and 
 wishes to remove to a distant country, and who says that his com- 
 panion is so disagreeable that he cannot live with her, and that he 
 does not expect to live with her any more?" 
 
 Answer. "We advise the church to enquire into the circum- 
 stances, and if the evidence should be that the companion complain- 
 ed of is of such turbulent character as to render it impossible for the 
 member complaining to live with the other in peace, and that her 
 conduct is so disagreeable as to make the party miserable and un- 
 happy, in such case a letter should be given, provided the complain- 
 ing member has not married, and is of pious habits and good char- 
 acter; but if the evidence is that the complaining party is a wrong 
 doer, and has so acted as to produce the cause of which he complains, 
 then we think a letter should be refused." 
 
 SALEM ASSOCIATION AND THE CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 After opening correspondence with Salem Association 
 the Circular Letter, prepared by Elder James M. Webb, on 
 the divine and special call from. God to men to preach the Gospel 
 of Jesus Christ, and the evidences that manifest themselves in a 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 61 
 
 person so called, was adopted. Like every other production 
 of Elder James M. Webb, this document is very interesting: 
 and instructive, and fully meets objections to a special call to 
 the ministry. 
 
 The session of 1840 met at Concord church, Rutherford 
 county, N. C. The introductory sermon was preached by 
 Elder S. G. Hamilton, of Green River. Zion Hill church 
 was admitted, making a union of 28 churches and 2165 
 members, — 487 being baptized during the past year. Elders 
 Drury Dobbins and James M. Webb re-elected Moderator 
 and Clerk. Dr. Felix W. Littlejohn, from Goucher Creek, 
 made his first appearance in the Association as a delegate. 
 
 PARTICIPANTS OF THE REVIVAL. 
 
 Goucher Creek, Buck Creek, Green River, New Pros- 
 pect, Providence, Bethesda, Camp's Creek, Macedonia, Zoar, 
 Cedar Springs, etc., enjoyed revival seasons, and were greatly 
 refreshed. 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder S. G. Ham- 
 ilton, on Brotherly Lore. (See biographical sketch of Elder 
 S. G. Hamilton.) 
 
 The session ot 1841 met at Antioch church, York coun- 
 ty, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder 
 James M. Webb, of the High Shoals church. The union 
 had 28 churches, 152 baptized; total membership 2197. 
 Elders Drury Dobbins and James M. Webb were again re- 
 elected Moderator and Clerk. Elder R. P. Logan, delegate 
 from Antioch, made his first appearance in the Association. 
 
 GREEN RIVER ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The following churches applied for letters of dismission 
 to form the Green River Association, to-wit: High Shoals, 
 Concord, Green River, Green's Creek and Shiloh. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder James M. Webb, on the subject of Communion. 
 
 Remarks. — Elder James M. Webb had for several j-ears 
 been a member of this Association, and had become a bright 
 and shining light to the body, and it was with much regret 
 the brethren were called on to give him the parting hand. 
 After the organization of the Green River Association he 
 continued to be a leading member thereof until the day ot 
 his death, often presiding as Moderator of the body. 
 
62 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 A PETITION FROM CROSS-ROADS. 
 
 The petition presented by certain members of Cross- 
 Roads church was taken up and considered, and request 
 granted. Brethren Spencer Morgan, F. W. Littlejohn, 
 Drury Dobbins, E. J. Underwood, Drury Scruggs and Eli- 
 jah Turner were appointed a committee to investigate the 
 whole matter in controversy, and report to the next Associ- 
 ation. 
 
 Remarks. — At the next session the committee was called 
 on for their report, and upon examination said committee 
 was instructed to further investigate and report to the next 
 Association. At the next session no report was made, nor 
 anything minuted about it. We have taken notice of this 
 matter supposing it was a very important one, judging from 
 the complexion of the committee to whom it was referred, 
 but as the matter either died a natural death or the committee 
 neglected to investigate and report as instructed, we are un- 
 able to decide, but would like very well to know what was 
 all this trouble about. 
 
 The session of 1842 met at Elbethel church, Union 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder Drury Dobbins, of Sandy Run church. 
 
 Corinth, Capernaum, Bethlehem, Sulphur Springs (new 
 churches) and Unity from the Bethel Association applied for 
 admission into our union and were received, making a union 
 of 28 churches and a membership of 1993 communicants. 
 
 Organization. — The body organized by electing Elder 
 Drury Dobbins, Moderator, and Elder Drury Scruggs, Clerk. 
 Elder James D. Crowder, from Sandy Run church, made his 
 first appearance in the body, and Elder M. C. Barnett, from 
 Cedar Springs church, was also a delegate at this session. 
 
 Correspondence was opened with the Green River As- 
 sociation, recently organized. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was Andrew Fuller's, 
 on Church Discipline. 
 
 The sessiou of 1843 was held at State Line church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was deliv- 
 ered by Elder Drury Scruggs, of the State Line church. 
 The body organized by electing Elder Drury Dobbins, Mod- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 63 
 
 erator, and Elder Spencer Morgan, Clerk. The union con- 
 sists of 28 churches, and a membership of 2032. 
 
 A PIONEER FALLEN. 
 
 The demise of Elder Zachariah Blackwell, of Mount 
 Ararat, is noticed in the Minutes of this session. (See bio- 
 graphical notice.) 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Drury Scruggs, on the mission of John the Baptist. (See notice 
 of Drury Scruggs.) Elder Wade Hill, afterwards a promi- 
 nent minister of this Association, made his first appearance 
 as a delegate from Antioch at this session, as did Bro. Thos. 
 Dixon, then a licentiate from the same church. 
 
 The session of 1844 met at Providence church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preach- 
 ed by Elder Wade Hill, of Antioch. Upper Fair Forest and 
 Pacolet were admitted into the confederacy of churches, 
 making 28 in all; baptized during the year 133. Total 
 membership 2129. Elders Drury Dobbins and Spencer Mor- 
 gan were re-elected officers of the body. 
 
 Query. — The following query was sent up from Provi- 
 dence church, viz.- 
 
 "Is it consistent with the Scriptures to ordain a man to the sacred 
 office of Deacon, who carries on a distillery?" 
 
 "After some discussion, it was moved to lay the query on the 
 table, which motion prevailed." 
 
 Remarks. — We are sorry to see a matter of such impor- 
 tance so summarily disposed of. The body should have 
 bearded the lion in his den ; and as they were holding the 
 session at the very church which sent the query, they cer- 
 tainly did not act respectfully towards the brethren in snub- 
 bing them as they did. We may not however be fully aware 
 of all the particulars of the case. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Drury Dobbins, On the nature and proper observance of 
 the Lord's Day. Elder John G. Kindrick, of Pacolet church, 
 made his first appearance in the body as a delegate. 
 
 The session ot 1845 met at Philadelphia church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was deliv- 
 ered by Elder Micajah C. Barnett, of Cedar Springs church, 
 Double Springs church was admitted into the union, making 
 
64 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 29 in all ; baptized since the last session, 151. Total mem- 
 bership, 2057. The body organized by electing Elders 
 Drury Scruggs, Moderator, and Micajah C. Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 DOMESTIC MISSION. 
 
 A petition carae up from Long Creek church, praying 
 the body to devise ways and means to establish a Domestic 
 Mission within the bounds of the Broad River Association^ 
 On a motion to adopt, a considerable discussion was had, •pro 
 and con, aud by a vote of the Association afterwards the pro- 
 ject was rejected. 
 
 Volunteers. — Elders Drury Scruggs and Micajah C.Bar- 
 
 nett then volunteered their services each for twenty-eight 
 days, to itinerate within the field as designated in the peti- 
 tion, whereupon a tender of compensation was made by sev- 
 eral of the delegates present. 
 
 Remarks. — The subject of Temperance and Missions 
 was now beginning to be agitated in several of the churches, 
 and the brethren were very much divided in sentiment upon 
 "both. 
 
 Query. — The following query was taken up tor consid- 
 eration, viz : 
 
 "Is it right to hold in fellowship, and admit to our communion, 
 members wii > opsnly profess themselves OampbelLites ?" 
 
 Answer. "No." 
 E. M. Chaffin. — The following resolution was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That we warn our churches against a certain E. M. 
 Chaffin, who sometimes passes himself as a Baptist preacher, as he 
 is in disorder, and not worthy of christian regard. 
 
 Remarks. — E. M. Chaffin made his advent into the 
 bounds of the Broad River Association about the year 1830, 
 and located in Cleveland county, 1ST. C. Soon after that the 
 Zoar church was constituted, and he was one of the original 
 constituents of said church and became its pastor. He was 
 a good preacher, and had the reputation of being a great 
 revivalist. He attracted large congregations and was, with 
 some, a great favorite. Pie seemed to be instrumental in 
 doing a great deal of good in building up the cause of Zion. 
 He sometimes made distant preaching tours, clad in very 
 common home-spun apparel, and made rather a shabby ap- 
 pearance for a minister of the Gospel, possessing the talent 
 or ability that he did. In these preaching tours he some- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 61 
 
 times visited associations and other large assemblages, and 
 preached as few others could, his sermons being character- 
 ized by much zeal and pathos. He frequently complained of 
 the apathy and negligence of his people, as to ministerial 
 support, &c. His sermons very often had a telling effect, and 
 it is said he was often the recipient of .handsome contribu- 
 tions of money and clothing. He appeared to run pretty 
 well for a while. But alas! evil reports began to follow 
 him, and charges of concupiscence were [(referred against 
 him in the church where he was a member and pastor; these 
 lie baffled for a time. At last, however, the strong arm of 
 the law was about to overtake him, when he adroitly man- 
 aged to s;et a letter of dismission from the church and igno- 
 miniously fled to other parts of the country. It is said he 
 became a gambler and black leg, and died during the war. 
 
 The. Circular Letter addressed to the churches was pre- 
 pared by Elder Micajah C. Barnett, on the subject of Tem- 
 perance. The document is rather of a general character, in 
 which there is but slight allusion to intemperate dram- 
 drinking. 
 
 James Crowder. — The demise of Elder James D. Crow- 
 der, of Sandy Run church, who died within the past associ- 
 ational year, is noticed on the face of the Minutes of this 
 .session, whom we esteemed as one of the best of men, and 
 though we have sustained a great loss, we believe it to be his 
 eternal gain." 
 
 The session of 1846 met at Macedonia church, Spartan- 
 burg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered 
 by Elder Drury Scruggs, of State Line. Gilead church was 
 admitted, making a union of 30 churches and a total mem- 
 bership of 2074. Baptized since last session, 139. 
 
 The officers of the last session were re-elected. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Wade Hill, on the subject of Domestic Missions. 
 
 Remarks. — On a motion to adopt the letter, there was 
 elicited a considerable debate, in which EldersDobbins, Webb, 
 (of Green River,) Curtis and others took part. The tone of 
 the letter was considered rather ultra, as a missionary docu- 
 ment, bv Elder Dobbins, while the other brethren named 
 9 
 
66 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 favored its adoption. Elder Dobbins was not opposed to 
 missionary operations among the churches, as churches, but 
 was opposed to any action by the Association, as an agent 
 with plenary powers, to inaugurate such a scheme or system 
 of measures as that indicated in Elder Hill's circular. He 
 claimed that he was a "go-between" the two extremes, and 
 would favor any action taken by the churches, as such, for 
 the furtherance of domestic missions, while he would at all 
 times oppose any action on the part ofthe Association to lord 
 it over the churches, without first being asked by them to do 
 so. He was aware, too, that there was strong opposition to 
 the principles ofthe letter, as manifested by the action taken 
 on the subject at the last session, on the petition sent up from 
 Long Creek, praying the establishment of a domestic mis- 
 sion. He would therefore oppose the adoption ofthe letter, 
 unless certain objectionable features were stricken out., It 
 was very obvious that Elder Dobbins wielded the greater 
 strength of the body, and was fully able to defeat the adop- 
 tion of the letter which, however, out of respect for Elder 
 Hill's feelings he did not wish to do. At the instance of 
 Elder Webb, the objectionable features of the letter were 
 stricken out by erasure with the pen, and the debate ceased 
 by the adoption of the letter with corrections. Elder Dob- 
 bins was fully persuaded in his belief that Elder Webb was 
 the writer of the letter, he said to a brother, "that might be 
 seen through a leather apron;" and although he did not 
 claim the paternity, yet he fought valiantly for the bantling, 
 be it whose it might. The letter is given in the notice of 
 Elder Wade Hill!" 
 
 ELDER M. C. BARRETT'S ACCOUNT OF IT. 
 
 While on this subject we cannot well refrain from giving 
 the episode, as given by Elder Micajah C. Barnctt, in his 
 history of the Association. He says: 
 
 "The Circular Letter, pre] tared by Bro. Hill, on the subject of 
 Domestic- Missions, drew out a great deal of debate— not beeause of 
 the manner in which it was written, for it was an able and well 
 written production— but thoroughly missionary in spirit. After a 
 great deal of debate on Saturday, the day it was called up, the vole 
 Mas taken and the circular rejected. On Monday there was a mo- 
 tion made by Bro. Covington, who had voted in the majority on 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 67 
 
 Saturday to reconsider, and after much debate and some modifica- 
 tions of the production, it was adopted. 
 
 l- At this meeting old Dr. Curtis (I use the word old to distin- 
 guish him from his son, who also has the title of Doctor) and Elder 
 William Curtis were corresponding messengers from the Charleston 
 Association. It was the first time we had met with them in our 
 body. Di*. Curtis took a very active part in the debate in behalf of 
 the circular. To me at that time be was very lingular in his man- 
 ners in debate. He signified that he imagined himself almost an in- 
 truder, especially as he had to take a position which was opposed to 
 Elder Dobbins, whom he seemed to regard with a profound venera- 
 tion. He perhaps had never met with Dobbins be. ore, but he was 
 acquainted with him from character, and to oppose Dobbins in de- 
 bate, seemed to him almost like opposing an oracle. In all his 
 remarks, therefore, he kept his eye steadily on Dobbins. He seemed 
 not to have known that Scruggs was Moderator. He stood up close 
 to the table, facing Dobbins, and while making his speech he wou'd 
 frecmently bow down with his face nearly to the table, and then at 
 the end of his sentence he would suddenly throw himself I ack over 
 a perpendicular, and for a moment look steadily at hisBro. Dobbins, 
 as if he would ask him to forgive him for what he had said amiss, 
 and then down and up in like manner. 
 
 "There was a good deal of impetuosity about Dr. Curtis in debate, 
 still no man ever observed the decorum of debate more strictly than 
 he did. None ever paid more deference to the age and standing of a 
 competitor. With all his singularity of manner, however, he soon 
 ingratiated himself into the favor of the Association. So if you were 
 present at any meeting and see Dr. Curtis ride up, you would see 
 directly the people begin to gather round him to hear his rich sug- 
 gestions r.nd amusing snecdotes, that w< uld tt 11 of things that prin- 
 cipally took place in England. Toward young ministers he was 
 really a father in Israel. I have thought he knew more of the value 
 of learning, and the uses to be made of it, than any man I ever saw." 
 
 STANDING DELEGATES. 
 
 The question of representation in the Association was 
 agaiu agitated by Buck Creek, Buffalo, Providence and Mac- 
 edonia ; that each church be entitled to two delegates, and 
 one for every fifty of increase, exclusive of ordained ministers. 
 
 An Old Minister. — The demise of Elder Joshua Rich- 
 ards, a very old preacher, is noticed in the Minutes of this 
 session. (See biograpb.3 7 .) 
 
 The session of 1847 was held at Zoar church, Cleveland 
 county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder Thomas Dixon, of Antioch. Shelby and Ephesus 
 churches were admitted into the union, making 33 in all, 
 with a membership of 3002. 
 
63 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Elder Drury 
 Scrugg, Moderator, and Bro. John R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Queries. — The following queries were taken up for con- 
 sideration : 
 
 1. "What is the proper course to be pursued by a church in rela- 
 tion to members who remain two or three years at a remote distance, 
 and do not apply for letters of dismission?" 
 
 Answer. "The church holding the membership of such should 
 use a discretionary power as to their retention or exclusion." 
 
 2. "Are ministers of the Gospel authorized to receive and baptize 
 members when sent to labor in distant parts of the world, where no 
 church members are present?" 
 
 Answer. "Ministers of the Gospel may receive and baptize mem- 
 bers in pursuance of our Lord's commission to His Apostles (Mark 
 vi. 15, 16,) when sent to labor among the heathen ; but it is inexpedi- 
 ent now, as a general rule in a land of churches and church mem- 
 bers, to practice such a course except in very extreme cases." 
 
 3. "Is it right to hold in fellowship those who patronize dancing 
 schools, or go themselves, or accompany their families, or those un- 
 der their care or charge ?" Answer. "No." 
 
 Catawba Valley. — In pursuance of a petition from 
 
 Hebron church, in the Catawba valle}', Elders Wade Hill 
 
 and W. B. Padgett were appointed to labor monthly with 
 
 said church and make report to the next associational meet- 
 
 ing. 
 
 Fast Day. — This session of the bodv was held durinsr 
 the pendency of the war between the United States and the 
 Republic of Mexico, and the first day of January was set 
 apart as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer for the bles- 
 sings of peace, and that the dire calamities of war might be 
 averted. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Micajah C. Barnett, of Cedar Springs church, on the 
 
 Unpardonable Sin. 
 
 Memorial Sermon. — The Association while in session 
 appointed Elder James M. Webb to preach on the Sabbath 
 an associational funeral sermon in memory of Elder Drury 
 Dobbins, who died during the past associational year which 
 appointment he accepted and filled in the presence of a large 
 concourse of people gathered at the stand. As being very 
 appropriate we quote the remarks of Elder Micajah C. Bar- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 69 
 
 nett, in his history of the Association bearing on this matter. 
 He says : 
 
 "And now I suppose Bro. Webb never had abetter scope for his 
 imagination to play in, and never had his feelings wrought up to 
 such an intense anxiety as ou this occasion." 
 
 Elder Webb as a preacher was certainly the Apollos of 
 our day, at least in this country. The structure of his mind 
 was different from that of Elder Dobbins, for while Dobbins 
 never advanced an idea without first examining all the evi- 
 dence by which it was sustained, as well as the objections 
 that might be raised against it, Webb seemed not to have 
 time to wait for such a thorough examination of the evi- 
 dences that bore upon the subject. His imagination was 
 lively, and as soon as he had caught an idea he was immedi- 
 ately in search for another. Hence, as a debater, he was 
 more than a match for Dobbins. The vivacity of his mind 
 and the rapidity of his utterance, perplexed and sometimes 
 silenced his more venerable competitor. Yet no two men 
 ever regarded each other with more excessive fondness than 
 they did. Ou that Sabbath day thousands of people assem- 
 bled around the stand in the grove, impatiently awaiting the 
 hour of service. After singing and that prayer which seem- 
 ed to take hold on the horns of the altar, he read his text: 
 "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horse- 
 men thereof! and he saw him no more." — 2 Kings ii. 12. 
 Think of such a man as Webb, with such a text as this, to 
 preach the funeral of Drury Dobbins before the Broad River 
 Association, of which he had been a member for fortv-seven 
 years — the guide of its counsels ! 
 
 He commenced his sermon by presenting a singular 
 combination of the historical and textual parts of his dis- 
 course. He then proceeded to illustrate his subject and en- 
 force its claims in view of the occasion on which he spoke. 
 The congregation was soon melted by his pathos and the 
 clearness of his thoughts, and were prepared to weep tears 
 like "dew drops" when the preacher turned half round from 
 the book-board, threw himself a little back, raising his hands 
 and his eyes, and in one of those exclamations for which he 
 was inimitable, said : "Oh, Dobbins ! dost thy sainted spirit 
 this day witness our feeble efforts to honor thy sacred mem- 
 
7<jf BKOAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ory ? Art thou with the man that returned and smote the 
 waters of Jordan with the mantle, saying : 'Where is the 
 Lord God of Elijah V " .Every spirit felt subdued before 
 him, and for thirty minutes more he lifted them up or let 
 them down, at his will, no man resisting him. 
 
 Bro. Webb was at home on all such occasions as this,, 
 and really the character of his mind and of his feelings, the 
 liveliness of bis imagination, the symphony of his tones, com- 
 bined with an easy deportment in the pulpit, rendered him 
 irresistible. 
 
 As an evidence of the power of his pulpit oratory, the 
 following incident is cited ; Two men of bad morals were 
 one day talking rather slightly of the excitement in a large 
 congregation the day before, produced by one of Webb'fr 
 sermons. One said to the other, reproachfully, "I think I 
 saw you crying." "Yes," was the reply, "but that man 
 Webb can make the devil cry !" 
 
 I have seen him sometimes, on large occasions, come 
 down out of the stand to invite mourners to the anxious seat, 
 and, by a flow of his eloquence for ten minutes, he would 
 put the whole congregation literally in motion, — christian.-'- 
 shouting, mourners praying, and all over the congregation, 
 here and there, the voice would be heard, "Lord, save, or I 
 perish !" 
 
 In person. Bro. Webb was six feet high, slender, and 
 rather slovenly in his appearance. His nose was rather of 
 the Grecian style, bis hair, eye-brows and eye-lashes jet' 
 black, the latter being remarkablv lonar. His eves were 
 dark, and possessed a penetrating brilliancy that is rarely 
 seen. 
 
 ASSOCTATICTNAL NOTICE. 
 
 Elders James M. Webb, Brury Scruggs, Micajah C. 
 Barnett, Wade Hill and Ransom P. Logan were appointed 
 a committee to prepare a suitable obituary notice and tribute 
 of respect to the life and character of Elder Brury Dobbins, 
 deceased, late of Sandy Run church, Rutherford county, 
 X. C.j who reported on Monday as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That with feelings of deep anguish weehroniele the de- 
 parted worth of our beloved and much esteemed, venerable brother, 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 71 
 
 Elder Drury Dobbins, wbose successful labors in tbe ministry for more 
 than forty years, sanctioned by a life of the most exemplary piety, 
 lias imprinted in our affections that memory which we fondly cher- 
 ish, while his loss to us touches everything of painful sensibility. 
 But let us not sorrow as others that have no hope, for if we believe 
 that Jesus died and rose again, even so them which sleep in Jesus 
 will God bring with Him. He departed this life May 19th, 1847, 
 •aged 72 years. 
 
 Remarks. — Elder Dobbins was in the session of 1846 at 
 Macedonia, the last he ever attended, and was tendered the 
 chair of the Moderator by a unanimous vote of the body* 
 He however declined acceptance. At the session of 1845 
 at Philadelphia he had failed to put in an appearance (that 
 •church was remotely situated from his home,) and he was 
 becoming old and infirm, too much so. to ride in the saddle — 
 which was his usual habit — so great a distance, and he some 
 time previous to the meeting of 1844 at Providence, said to 
 us : "If your church (Zoar) will send a petition for the next 
 session of the body, I will speak for it, and we shall proba- 
 bly have the next session nearer to us." The petition was 
 sent as requested, and he did try to prevail on the body for 
 once to ignore their union meeting rule, and grant the peti- 
 tion of the Zoar church. But Elder James M. Webb and 
 some others agreed "it would be establishing a precedent 
 that would not work well, and therefore the Association 
 should rigidly adhere to the rule that had so long governed 
 the body." But in much candor, considering all the circum- 
 stances of the case, the age, past services of the veteran min- 
 ister, remote distance from his home, together with the fact 
 that associational bodies have a clear right to regulate their 
 own sittings, we think they should not have snubbed him as 
 they did. We are not surprised that he was somewhat 
 offended, and did not ride all the way to Philadelphia the 
 next session. Doubtless many of the brethren were as bad 
 hurt as he was when he failed to attend the next session. It 
 was the only session he had ever failed to attend since his 
 connection with the Association. 
 
 ELDER BARNETT'S STATEMENT. 
 
 As Elder Barnett, the historian, has noticed this, matter, 
 we will give his statement in our work. lie says : 
 
 "At this meeting rather an unhappy debate sprang up between 
 
72 BKOAD EIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 old Bro. Dobbins and J. M. Webb and otbers, which resulted not 
 very pleasantly. The state of the case was simply this: The union 
 meeting, which had been entrusted with that business, decided 
 that the next Association should be held with Philadelphia church. 
 Zoar church had sent a very earnest petition that the Association 
 should convene with them. Bro. Dobbins was strongly in favor of 
 Zoar's petition, while the other side was in favor of the decision of 
 the union meeting, principally because it was in accordance with 
 rule. The old preacher pleaded hard for his "little sister Zoar," and 
 proved himself to be a good advocate, possessing something of the 
 spirit of Moses, when he interceded for Israel ; that is, that he had 
 rather die than not succeed. He was rapid, loud and pathetic, while 
 the other side was equally in earnest and all against him Webb, 
 who took the lead, and was very impetuous, and perhaps with a lit- 
 tle too much disregard for the feelings of his elder brother, wounded 
 the sensibilities of Dobbins badly. The vote was taken and decided 
 almost unanimously against Dobbins. This hurt him so much that 
 he could not get over it enough to meet with the Association the 
 next year, although every pains was taken to soothe him. Immedi- 
 ately after taking the vote he said, with emphasis : You have got the 
 Association, but you will not get me /" He afterward said had it not 
 been for that expression which hp uttered hastily, he would have 
 met with the body the next year. However, after one meeting of 
 the body intervened he came to the next, and all was right. The 
 Association cast a unanimous vote for him for Moderator, showing 
 him that he was still the beloved Dobbins; and Webb, having 
 already made reconciliation with him, the thing was forgotten. I 
 am not prepared to say that this dissension served to the same pur- 
 pose as that between Paul and Barnabas ; that is, to the furtherance 
 of the Gospel. Dobbins seems to have taken the wrong side of the 
 question, but he depended upon the potency of his influence in the 
 Association to carry his points. His principal hurt with Webb was 
 that he had wielded his influence against him (he belonging to an- 
 other body.) and told Webb while he was in a pet that he (Webb) 
 was the bell sheep of the whole hang. Webb laughed and said, ''1 
 was only contending for rule, Bro. Dobbins, and not against you as 
 an individual." 
 
 Elder Dobbins was obviously jealous of the rising pop- 
 ularity of Elder Webb. He (Dobbins) had for a long series 
 of years wielded a very potent influence in the Broad River 
 Association, — had generally carried points his own way. 
 That way, however, was generally acquiesced in because he 
 scarcely ever failed in being right. If supposed even by any 
 one to be wrong, they could not muster up the courage to 
 oppose him. 
 
 When Elder Webb become connected with the Associ- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 73 
 
 ation he was fresh from the legislative halls of his State, 
 where he had doubtless acquired uot only an aptitude but a 
 fondness for debate. It was very natural, therefore, that he 
 being in a deliberative body of a different character would 
 embrace every opportunity he could catch, to distinguish 
 himself, by making a display of the talent he possessed, and 
 in doing this had on more than one or two occasions opposed 
 the views of Elder Dobbins ; hence his jealousy. 
 
 In this connection we will mention a little incident 
 where these two brethren were parties. After Elder Webb 
 had been ordained a minister he was engaged by a young 
 man to solemnize the rites of matrimony between him and 
 his affianced. Elder Dobbins was also invited bv the father 
 of the bride to be present on the occasion of the marriage, to 
 eat dinner; and as had been the officiating priest on several 
 marriage occasions previously in that family, and as the father 
 was one of his deacons he entertained no other thought but 
 that he was to solemnize the rites as he had formerly done. 
 On the day of the marriage he was a little behind time, but 
 the dinner was kept back until he would arrive. At last 
 that notable riding mare of his was seen approaching in the 
 distance. The marriage, however, had been now celebrated 
 by Elder Webb, and on the arrival of Elder Dobbins he was 
 first waited on courteously by that brother, and regrets made 
 known that he could not make it convenient to arrive a little 
 s. toner, as he was just in time to be a little too late — the marriage 
 was over. So o;reat was the mortification of Elder Dobbins 
 on being so informed, that he mounted that mare at once 
 and took the most direct route for his home, without waiting 
 for his dinner, or for an explanation that we presume w T ould 
 have been every way satisfactory. He took it for granted 
 that he had been supplanted and made a dupe of by Elder 
 Webb, and he could not brook so great an insult, and there- 
 fore left immediately. Finding out afterwards how it was, 
 he was compelled to acknowledge that he acted in hot haste, 
 and completely stultified himself. 
 
 Elder Drury Dobbins was a great favorite of the people, 
 — married more couples, preached more funeral sermons, had 
 more name-sakes, and preached the Gospel for less money 
 10 
 
74 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 (it is said he preached for Sandy Run church forty years or 
 more for about as many dollars,) and was less complained of 
 than anv other living man of his time. But notwithstanding 
 all this he had his foibles to combat, just as other mortals 
 have in this world of imperfection, and no one was more 
 ready to acknowledge it than he was. But take him "all in 
 all" there were few men equal to Drury Dobbins. 
 
 The session of 1848 convened at Buffalo church, York 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder John G. Kindrick, of Pacolet church. Boiling Springs, 
 Mount Sinai and Bethel churches were admitted into the 
 union — making 36 in all, with a membership of 1630. There 
 were during the year 291 baptisms. 
 
 A Revival. — The churches at Boiling Springs, New 
 Bethel, Double Springs, Zion, Zoar, Providence, Sandy Run, 
 Buffalo and Bethlehem appeared to be the recipients of the 
 revival outpouring. 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elder Drury 
 Scruggs, Moderator, and Bro. John R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Queries. — The following queries from Philadelphia and 
 Cedar Springs churches were taken up for consideration : 
 
 1. ''Is it right and compatible with Baptist principles for a church 
 to have an independent standing delegation ?" 
 
 Answer by the body. "No. ' ' 
 
 2. "Is it consistent with the Scriptures, and the Constitution of 
 the Broad River Association for ministers to be standing delegates?" 
 
 Answer. "No." 
 
 THE REPRESENTATION QUESTION. 
 
 A petition from Friendship church, asking for the recon- 
 sideration of the 13th Article of the Minutes of 1846, upon 
 the subject of representation, was taken up, and after some 
 discussion by members of the body, a motion was made to 
 strike out the words "exclusive of their ordained ministers," 
 and adopt the following resolution : 
 
 licsolved, That each church of which this body is composed, 
 having a membership not exceeding fifty in number, shall be enti- 
 tled to two delegates ; and for every excess of fifty members above 
 that number, one more additional delegate shall be allowed, which 
 was carried. 
 
 Remarks. — It will here be seen that our brethren were 
 greatly exercised about a matter which seems to us rather of 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 75 
 
 a trivial nature, which, however, had been agitated by some 
 for several of the previous sessions. They seem to have en- 
 tertained fears of the destruction of our democratic system 
 of representation, or the rising power and influence of the 
 ministry, when made independent of the voice or suffrages 
 of the laity. 
 
 The matter of church representation as it originally 
 seems to have existed (admitting the ministers as independ- 
 ent or standing delegates,) caused some jealous}' in the minds 
 of some brethren from the time Ephesus or Limestone 
 Springs church was admitted into the Association. The 
 membership of Ephesus was only eight persons, and either 
 two or three of those were ministers. Now the point of 
 complaint was that the large church of Buffalo (for illustra- 
 tion) having a membership of 300, would have less repre- 
 sentative weight than Ephesus, which had only eight, by 
 reason of the number of ministerial delegates in the latter, 
 while Buffalo had no ministerial delegate at all. If the As- 
 sociation was a legislative bodj 7 with power to enact oppress- 
 ive laws, to the detriment of some of the churches — while 
 others might by partiality be favored — then there would lie 
 some plausible ground for complaint; but as the Association 
 is only an advisary council, and not a legislative body at all, 
 it makes no difference as to what number of delegates they 
 send, so that they prove to be wise and sensible ones. 
 
 A Disorderly Minister. — A. resolution cautioning- the 
 churches to beware of one J. Q. Barber, who has been offi- 
 ciating as a Baptist preacher in disorder, within the bounds 
 of this Association, was adopted, and ordered to be spread 
 on the Minutes of the session. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Drury Scruggs, of State Line church, being a synop- 
 sis of the life and character of Elder Drury Dobbins, deceased. 
 
 The session of 1849 was held at Cedar Springs church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder Drury Scruggs. Salem and Mount Pleas- 
 ant churches were admitted — making a union of 38 in all, 
 and a membership of 2835. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Drury Scruggs, 
 Moderator, and Bro. John R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
76 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 DISSOLVING A CHURCH. 
 
 A petition from an aggrieved minority from Bethel 
 church, asking the Association to dissolve her, engaged the 
 attention of the body, bringing out considerable discussion 
 as to the jurisdiction and powers of an Association in such 
 cases, which petition was finally rejected as irrelevant. 
 
 missionary's report. 
 Elder Wade Hill made a verbal report of his mission to 
 Hebron church of rather a discouraging nature, and a motion 
 was made to discontinue the service, which was carried. 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOLS. 
 
 A resolution recommending Sabbath Schools to the 
 consideration and patronage of the several churches, was 
 adopted. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was written by Elder 
 Thomas Curtis, on Baptism, as to mode, subject and maimer, 
 and more especially in reference to those Paul found at Ephesus. 
 (See biography of Dr. (purtis.) 
 
 The session of 1850 met at Buck Creek church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The sermon was delivered by Elder 
 John S. Ezell, of Buck Creek. Broad River church was ad- 
 mitted — making 39 churches in union ; baptized since last 
 session, 226. Aggregate membership, 2945. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Thomas Curtis, 
 Moderator, and Micajah C. Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 F^st Day. — The following was adopted : 
 Whereas, The Governors of North and South .Carolina have 
 requested the citizens of these States, respectively, to observe days 
 of humiliation and prayer, in view of the threatening aspect of our 
 public affairs. Therefore 
 
 JResolved, That the delegates here present will use their influ- 
 ence and endeavors to secure compliance with the request thus made 
 among the churches composing this Association. 
 
 Resolved, That the delegates of this Association recommend 
 their churches to consider the state of the destitute regions of the 
 country around us, and send their free will offerings to the next As- 
 sociation to support such domestic mission&-as may meet that desti- 
 tution. 
 
 Resolved, That this body consider it expedient at the present 
 time to send some preacher to assist Bro. Hill in those destitute sec- 
 tions of our country where he labors. 
 
 Elder Micajah C. Barnett being nominated, accepted 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. * 77 
 
 the appointment, and dollars were immediately collect- 
 ed for this object. 
 
 Elders Thomas Dixon and Joseph Suttle, as ordained 
 ministers, appeared at this session ; and Brethren R. E. and 
 <j. W. Rollins, as licentiates, also made their first appearance 
 in the Association. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Thomas Curtis, on Christian Communion. The letter 
 on Baptism, and this on Christian Communion, united to' 
 gether, make a neat little book, which should be preserved 
 and kept for future references. 
 
 The session ot 1851 was held at Sand}' Run church, 
 Cleveland county, ~N. C. The introductory sermon was de- 
 livered by Elder Thomas Dixon, of Zion church. Beaver 
 Dam and Pleasant Hill churches were admitted into the 
 union — making 41 churches, with a membership of 3812. 
 
 A Revival. — Several of the churches during the past 
 year were greatly blessed with revivals, and there were 798 
 additions by baptism. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Drury Scruggs, 
 Moderator, and Bro. John R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Query. — The following query was taken up from Corinth 
 church : 
 
 "Has a regular organized Baptist church the right to open her 
 doors for Ihe reception of members at any time while her pastor or 
 .supply is absent?" 
 
 Answer. "A church has the right to do so, but it is a very desi- 
 rable thing to have the pastor or supply present on such occasions.' 
 A PETITION FOR LETTERS OF DISMISSION. 
 
 Several of the churches of the Broad River Association 
 situate on the north si'de of/the State line, dividing North 
 and South Carolina, through the influence and advice of 
 Elder Drury Dobbins, had been for several years agitating 
 the question of dividing the Association by the formation of 
 a new body; and at this session, Buffalo, Sandy Run, Zoar, 
 Double Springs, Bethel, Boiling Springs, Mount Sinai, New 
 Bethel, Mount Pleasant, Broad River, Beaver Dam and 
 Pleasant Hill applied for letters of dismission,, for the pur- 
 pose of carrying out this object. (Wolf's Creek was also 
 dismissed to join another body.) 
 
78 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION", 
 
 Remarks. — The letters of dismission were granted, as a 
 matter of course, still there was a lurking unwillingness man- 
 ifested by some of the most prominent brethren of the old 
 body to encourage the formation of a new Association, 
 These brethren urged the propriety of holding together, so 
 as to build up what they called a strong body. And so cha- 
 grined were they at the turn things were taking that, by a 
 vote of the house, they decided that the dismissed churches 
 had no longer, through their delegates, any right to partici- 
 pate in the deliberations of the body during the present 
 session, only in the character of invited messengers, and 
 proceeded to elect Elder Micajah C. Barnett to act as Clerk r 
 rice John R. Logan, of the Zoar church, dismissed. This 
 strange proceeding was not characterized by a spirit of court- 
 esy, nor did it have the sanction of any former precedent. 
 
 When several of the Broad River churches were dis- 
 missed in 1833 to aid in the formation of the Tvarer River 
 body, Elder John W. Lewis, of Mount Zion church, was 
 Clerk of the Association, and continued to act in that capac- 
 ity until the adjournment. And the Mount Zion church, 
 although dismissed de facto, had the privilege of sitting and 
 voting until the close of the session, when her papers were 
 delivered to her. The same course was taken in regard to 
 the formation of the Green River body in 1841. Elder Jas. 
 M. Webb, of High Shoals church, was Clerk of the Assoei- 
 ation, but continued to act (as did Dr. Lewis) until the ad- 
 journment. And the High Shoals church, just as the Mount 
 Zion church did, continued to take pari in the deliberations 
 of the body until the close of the session. But notwith- 
 standing- the old mother body was even then sitting within 
 the bounds of the contemplated new body, occupying one of 
 their meeting houses and enjoying their hospitality, yet she 
 disfranchised them in the face of the precedents above cited. 
 We are willing, however, to concede that it was only an 
 error of the head and not of the heart, — an error however 
 that not one individual of the Broad River Association would 
 now attempt to justify or palliate, so great was the blunder. 
 
 Remodeled. — The body now being in working order, 
 under the new regime, proceeded to take up a collection for 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 79 
 
 foreign missions, and Bro. A. K. Durham was appointed a 
 messenger to bear the same to the Baptist State Convention 
 of South Carolina. 
 
 IGNORING THE WANDERING PILGRIM. 
 
 The following was then adopted : 
 
 "Inasmuch as there is a stranger among us who vails himself 
 J. Alonzo Webb, and a Baptist minister, and inasmuch as we are 
 •accused by other denominations of holding a man among us who is 
 ■occasionally calling them fools, liars, rogues and hypocrites, with 
 many other hard and slanderous names ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That we, as a body, take no responsibility on ourselves 
 us to the conduct or ministerial character of said man, but advise 
 our churches to mark the man that causes divisions, and keep no 
 company with him." 
 
 The Circular Letter, prepared by Elder M. C. Barnett, 
 on the nature of a call to the ministry , and the duty of the churches 
 to their gij "ted brethren, was adopted. 
 
 When the body met on Monday, it was very evident 
 that a relenting had taken place in the minds of the. brethren 
 in regard to the rash and unprecedented action of Saturday. 
 The first act of the body after prayer was the adoption of a 
 motion that "the delegates present of those churches which 
 were dismissed on Saturday, be invited to a participation in 
 our deliberations." The brethren, however, had mostly left 
 for their homes. 
 
 Conciliatory. — The following resolution was then offer- 
 ed to the body and adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That a number of our churches having found it con- 
 venient to establish among ourselves a new Association, and asked 
 for and received regular letters of dismission from this body, we part 
 from those churches with feelings of fraternal regard, and invite 
 them, when constituted, to reciprocate with us the usual correspond- 
 ence and interchange of such associations." 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing resolution being doubtless 
 tendered in a good spirit was, at the proper time, accepted 
 as a sufficient amende honorable, and reciprocated by the new- 
 body immediately after its organization. 
 
 THE WANDERING PILGRIM. 
 
 We will add a word in regard to J. Alonzo Webb, who 
 was sometimes called the "Wandering Pilgrim ;" — haled, we 
 believe, from the Lakes of Canada ; was a native Englishman : 
 had first been a Methodist, but discovering his error in regard 
 
W BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 to the mode and subjects of baptism, he became a Baptist 
 minister, and appears to have come to the conclusion that it 
 was his special mission to set the whole of Christendom "to 
 rights" in regard to the mooted question of Baptism. That 
 was the theme of nearly all his discourses. He carried with 
 him a Greek Testament and several Lexicons, and could 
 read the original Greek and Hebrew languages fluently. 
 He challenged the Pedo-Baptist world to meet him in debate; 
 and during his sojourn in this part of the country he had a 
 public discussion with a Lutheran minister, but we have not 
 been informed that he succeeded in convincing the latter of 
 his error. He had a faculty for attracting large crowds of 
 people to hear him, and his harangues were generally of two 
 or three hours' duration. He succeeded in making numer- 
 ous converts, and baptized large numbers of his hearers. 
 He traveled generally on foot, and appeared to be poor and 
 destitute, and completely indifferent about ministerial sup- 
 port. When last heard from he was in California disputing 
 with a Mormon Elder. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 NOTICES OF THE DIFFERENT SESSIONS OF THE I5ROAD RIVER ASSOCI- 
 ATION, FROM THE SESSION OF 1&>1, IN WHICH YEAK THE KINO'S 
 MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATION WAS ORGANIZED, UP TO THE 
 SESSION OF 1882, AT GRASSY POND CHURCH. 
 
 The session of 1852 met at Antioch church, York coun- 
 ty, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder 
 Wade Hill, of Capernaum church. The union consisted of 
 27 churches ; membership, 2379. 
 
 The body was organized by electing Elder Wade Hill, 
 Moderator, and Elder Micajah C. Burnett, Clerk. 
 
 Resolutions. — The following resolutions were adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That Bro. W. Hill be appointed our Domestic Mission- 
 ary in York 'District, and that we give him dollars per day 
 
 to the extent of the funds in hand. 
 
 Resolved. That having had at this Association especial informa- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 8L 
 
 tion as to portions of our bounds destitute of Baptist preaching, 
 we therefore recommend to our churches to enable us to supply 
 these portions, by sending to our next Association their liberal, free 
 will offerings for Domestic Missions. 
 
 Bro. William Roberts was made a depository for any 
 funds sent up for missionary purposes. 
 
 Long Creek church was dismissed, at her request, to 
 join another association. 
 
 The Circular Letter addressed to the churches was pre- 
 pared bj- Elder Micajah C. Barnett, on Humiliation and 
 Prayer. 
 
 The session of 1853 met at Friendship church, Spartan- 
 burg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered 
 by Elder Micajah C. Barnett, of Cedar Springs church. 
 
 Enon, a new church, was admitted, — making a union of 
 26 churches and a membership of 2292. 
 
 Elder Wade Hill was elected Moderator, and Elder Alex- 
 ander J. Cansler, Clerk. 
 
 After the usual appointment of committee, &c, the fol- 
 lowing was adopted : 
 
 Whereas, There is in our midst a Missionary Society, known 
 as the Broad River Society. Therefore 
 
 Resolved, That this Association intrust to them all the monies 
 belonging to this body, or shall hereafter belong to it, for missionary 
 purposes, to be appropriated at their discretion, and that the mis- 
 sionary operations of this body be also intrusted to them, and that 
 they have permission to hold their annual meetings at some conve- 
 nient time at each session of this Association; to have a sermon 
 preached on the Sabbath, and take up a collection for the benefit of 
 Missions ; provided, that the said society do annually report to the 
 Association all the proceedings, and that they continue to recom- 
 mend to the churches to send up their free will offerings by their 
 delegates to the Association. 
 
 Leave was then granted to the Broad River Society to 
 hold its annual meeting in the meetino; house. 
 The following resolutions were adopted, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Association are due, and are 
 hereby tendered, toBro. Thomas Curtis, D. D., for the labor so kindly 
 bestowed (in compliance with the request of this body at its last an- 
 nual session) at Yorkville, York District, S. C. ; and that the breth- 
 ren and friends in that community aid him in strengthening and 
 establishing a church in that place. 
 
 Resolved, further, That Bro. Curtis be requested to continue his 
 ministerial labors among that people. 
 11 
 
82 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 
 
 DISTILLING AND VENDING ARDENT SPIRITS. 
 
 Resolved, That in the opinion of this Association the practice of 
 distilling and vending ardent spirits promiscuously, is immoral and 
 injurious to the religious prosperity of the community at large, and 
 therefore ought hy all prudent ways to be discountenanced by the 
 churches composing this body. 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOLS. 
 
 Resolved, That we recommend to the churches in our union that 
 they will take iuto consideration the great importance of Sabbath 
 Schools, and that we urge the necessity of each church establishing 
 a school for itself. 
 
 Resolved, That our churches be affectionately requested to report 
 to the next Association their success, the number of their scholars, 
 how often they meet, the name of their superintendent, and the 
 number of books. 
 
 Resolved, That Elder W. Curtis be requested to write an address 
 on the subject of Sabbath Schools to the members of the Baptist 
 churches, and have it published in the "Carolina Intelligencer." 
 
 Resolved, That our beloved Bro. Cansler, having commenced 
 the publication of a weekly religious paper at Shelby, N. C, advo- 
 cating the doctrine and practices of our churches, we especially re- 
 commend his enterprise, with every expression of confidence, to 
 their most favorable notice, and affectionately urge upon them to 
 support it. 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder W. Curtis, 
 on the Final Perseverance of the Saints. The letter is an able 
 document. 
 
 FREE WILL OFFERINGS. 
 
 Resolved, That the churches in our union are affectionately re- 
 quested to send up their liberal free will offerings to our next Asso- 
 ciation, to aid in continuing our promising and most important mis- 
 sionary operations at home and abroad. 
 
 The session of 1854 met at Goucher Creek church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was deliv- 
 ered bv Elder Jno. G. Kendrick, of Pacolet church. Union 
 was admitted into the confederacy of churches, making 26 
 in all ; membership, 2325. 
 
 The body organized bv electing Elder Drurv Scruggs, 
 Moderator, and Micajah C. Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 After the appointment of committees, &c, Bro. Pasley, 
 
 the agent of Furman University, had leave to present the 
 
 claims ot the University. His speech was kindly responded 
 
 to by Bros. Curtis and Scruggs, and the following resolution 
 
 adopted. 
 
 Resolved, That having heard the claims of the Furman Univer- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 83 
 
 sity upon us, we are satisfied they are important, and would affec- 
 tionately commend them to the attention of our brethren. 
 
 Remarks. — We have been looking for responses to the 
 series of resolutions adopted at the last session in regard to 
 Sabbath School matters, &c., but we discover nothing min- 
 uted. We hope there has been an awakening in the old 
 mother body on those important resolutions. 
 
 The Circular Letter, prepared by Elder A. J. Cansler, 
 on the Fellowship of Churches, was adopted. 
 
 The session of 1855 met at Shelby, Cleveland county, 
 £T. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder 
 Micajah C. Barnett, of Cedar Springs church. The church 
 at Rutherfordton was admitted into the union, making 27 
 in all ; membership, 2352. 
 
 The body was organized by the choice of Elders Drury 
 Scruggs, Moderator, and Micajah C. Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 Queries. — After the usual routine of appointments, &c, 
 the body took up the following queries from Cedar Springs 
 
 church : 
 
 1. "Is it agreeable to the Scriptures and Baptist usage for one 
 member to go to law with another, without first laying the case be- 
 fore the church, when time and opportunity will admit of it?" 
 
 Answer. "No." 
 
 "Can we fellowship members of the Baptist church who engage 
 in buying or selling lottery tickets ?" Answer. "No." 
 
 Temperance. — The following resolution was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That in the opinion of this Association the practice of 
 making, vending, or using as a beverage, ardent spirits, is repugnant 
 to the spirit of the Gospel. Therefore we advise our churches to 
 take active measures in putting it down. We further advise our 
 <•hurcb.es not to ordain any man to the office of a minister or deacon 
 who practices any of the above, or entertains the opinion that the 
 above is consistent witli the Word of God. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Wm. Curtis, on the Correlative Duties of Churches and 
 Ministers. 
 
 Courtesies. — The body voted resolutions of thanks to 
 the Methodist brethren for the tender of their house of wor- 
 ship, and to the brethren and citizens of Shelby for accom- 
 modations and kindnesses during the session. 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOLS. 
 
 We give the report on Sabbath Schools, which seems to 
 be intended as a response to the resolutions adopted two 
 years ago : 
 
84 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Whereas, The Association a few years ago recommended the 
 churches to institute Sabbath Schools in each of their bounds. Some 
 few only have complied with this, while numbers of others have not 
 as yet duly noticed the matter. This is not the place to argue the 
 importance of Sabbath Schools at any length, but when we consider 
 the destitution in some parts of the'country of all the other means of 
 grace, and that children and youth instead of being trained especial" 
 ly on that day in good and pious habits, are sometimes running wild 
 three Sabbaths in the month, at least, in every kind of idle deeds 
 and mis-spent time. We would renew the attention of the churches 
 to this subject, and recommend that they be requested with their 
 letters of next year to send up an account whether there are any Sab- 
 bath Schools in their midst, and what are their prospects. 
 
 C. P. Petty, Chairman. 
 Remarks. — The Broad River bodv seemed now to be 
 taking the proper course to encourage the establishment of 
 Sabbath Schools. The report of a committee is made to set 
 forth properly the wants of the churches — where the matter 
 can be well discussed, and urged upon the attendance of all, 
 with the endorsement of the associate body published in its 
 Minutes, to attract more attention and have greater weight 
 than resolutions or essays published in newspapers, where 
 very few will ever see or read what is intended for them. 
 Good reports on the various objects of associational work 
 often times does both the writer and the reader a large 
 amount of good : the writer is benefitted by exercising his 
 mind or thoughts upon the subject matter of the report to 
 be made — so as to bring out a full expose or discussion of 
 the matter — while the reader is benefitted by an examination 
 of the premises and the logical conclusions of the writer. 
 By this his mind becomes influenced, and he sees at once 
 the propriety of the measure advocated, and at once falls 
 into line and endeavors to convince others of its propriety. 
 ISTo great measure was ever carried through a deliberative 
 bodv successfullv and permanently without full and free dis- 
 cussion ; and if Sabbath Schools, Temperance or Missions 
 are ever properly inaugurated, it will be after there has been 
 a proper ventillation and discussion of each. All may rest 
 well assured of that. 
 
 The session ot 1856 met at Sulphur Springs church, 
 Union county, S. C. The introductory sermon was deliver- 
 ed by Elder Wade Hill, of Capernaum church. Holly 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 83 
 
 Springs, from Green River Association, was admitted into 
 the union, making 28 in all ; membership, 2263. 
 
 Elected Elders Wade Hill, Moderator, and Micajah C. 
 Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 Query. — After the transaction of the usual routine of 
 business, the following query from Limestone Springs church 
 
 was taken up : 
 
 "Is it consistent with New Testament usages to hold annual 
 elections for pastors or supplies for our churches?" 
 
 Answer. "The New Testament being silent on the subject, we 
 believe it is the privilege and duty of the churches of this Associa- 
 tion to elect their supplys or pastors as often as it should be thought 
 advisable, for the peace and harmony of the church, and the con- 
 vincing of sinners and turning them to repentance ; and we believe 
 each church should act for itself in its choice of pastor or supply." 
 
 The Shelby church was dismissed to join the King's 
 Mountain body. 
 
 DISSOLUTION OF THE BROAD RIVER SOCIETY. 
 
 Resolved, That the Broad River Association become a mission- 
 ary body, and request the Broad River Missionary Society to merge 
 itself into the same. 
 
 Resolved, further, That Brethren James Ezell, B. B. Foster and 
 J. W. Montgomery be appointed a committee to meet the Board ot 
 the Broad River Missionary Society and, report on Monday next 
 whether or not this arrangement can be effected. 
 
 The committee appointed to confer with the Board, re- 
 ported : that they recommend to that Society that they merge 
 themselves into this body, and that the Society at its annual 
 meeting pass the following resolution . 
 
 Resolved, That this Society, deeply sensible of their indebted- 
 ness to the Great Head of the Church, for the blessings He has be- 
 stowed on the labors of this body during the ten years of its exist- 
 ence; and yet. further, that He has put it into the hearts of the 
 brethren of the Broad River Association to take upon themselves for 
 the future the great work in which they have been engaged, do here- 
 by comply with their request, and unite all their labors with them 
 and hereby dissolve this Society, at the request of the Broad River 
 Association. 
 
 The committee further report, that they submit the fol- 
 lowing as the plan of operations of this body in its future 
 missionary operations : 
 
 1st. That this Association appoint annually seven brethren, a 
 Recording and Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer, as a Board, 
 to carry on its missionary operations. 
 
 2nd. That this board shall meet at least quarterly, and ol'tener if 
 
86 BROAD EIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 they see fit, to attend to this business ; and that a majority of the 
 Board be a quorum to do business. 
 
 3d. That this Board be nominated by a committee appointed by 
 the Moderator of the Association. 
 
 4th. That a brother be elected annually to preach on the Lord'^ 
 day, at the following meeting of the Association, a Missionary Ser- 
 mon, and that afterwards a collection be taken up for missionary 
 purposes. 
 
 They further recommend the passage of the following ; 
 
 Resolved, That this Association affectionately and earnestly re* 
 commend to the churches, ministers, and every member of the Bap- 
 tist churches within its bounds, to do all in their power to further 
 its missionary operations, and to contribute liberally to the support 
 of its Domestic and Foreign Missions, and send up their funds to 
 the Association by the delegates of the churches. All of which was 
 adopted. 
 
 THE RUTHERFORDTON CHURCH. 
 
 Bro. T. Davis made a statement before the Association 
 of the embarrassed state of the church at Rutherfordton, on 
 account of a debt contracted iu building of their new house 
 of worship at that place. The delegates and friends present 
 responded by raising eighty dollars and eighty cents in cash, 
 and ten dollars in pledges. 
 
 Correspondence. — The committee on Corresponding 
 
 Minutes, reported : 
 
 "We find nothing worthy of notice, except the report on Sab- 
 bath Schools, in the Minutes of the Tyger River Association. They 
 report sixteen Sabbath Schools in active operation within their 
 bounds, and that in the many refreshing revivals with which m< st 
 of their churches' have been visited the last year, those with Sabbath 
 Schools were peculiarly blessed, and very many Sabbath School 
 scholars were among the converts. We recommend the Sabhalh 
 School operations especially to the churches of this body, and a bo 
 ' to our ministers, to urge the claims of such schools upon their re- 
 spective churches." 
 
 Remarks. — It seems the regularly appointed committee 
 on Sabbath Schools again failed to make a report, on this 
 important subject. We are unable to know, why it was so. 
 The committee was an able one, from whom much was to 
 be expected. If there was little Sunday School work being 
 done, that is certainly no reason wiry there should not have 
 been an able report showing what ought to be done, and doing. 
 Encouraging words should have been used to impress upon 
 the minds of all the importance of the Sunday School work. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 87 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was written by Elder 
 Thomas Curtis, on the subject of Popery, and its probable tend- 
 encies in the United States, 
 
 Previous to adjournment the following was adopted : 
 Resolved, That the churches composing this Association be affec- 
 tionately requested to engage, as far as possible, in the work of Sab- 
 bath School instruction ; and send up in their annual letters to this 
 body an exact account of the number of volumes in their libraries, 
 and also the number of teachers and pupils in each school. 
 
 The session of 1857 was held at Camp's Creek church, 
 Cleveland county, N. C. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder Drury Scruggs, from Matt. v. 14. 
 
 Mount Lebanon church was admitted into the union — - 
 making 28 in all ; membership, 2448. There were 123 bap- 
 ' tisms since the last session. 
 
 The body 'elected Elder D.Scruggs, Moderator, and 
 M. C. Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 After the usual routine of associational business, the 
 ' committee on Sabbath Schools reported briefly, as follows : 
 We are gratified to learn that several of our churches have adopt- 
 ed the resolution of our last year's Association in regard to Sabbath 
 Schools, and send up the cheering news that the system works well, 
 and has added greatly to the increase of religious interest, in many 
 of the young people remembering their Creator in the days of their 
 youth, and being hopefully converted to the blessed religion of our 
 Lord. We recommend all the churches of this Association to estab- 
 lish schools of this kind, and report to our next meeting all the facts 
 in the case. T. Davis, Chairman. 
 
 Remarks. — We are glad to see that our old friend and 
 brother, the above named chairman, having been a repre- 
 sentative man in the legislature of his State some time pre- 
 viously, was acting as foreman in endeavoring to inaugurate 
 a good system of Sabbath Schools in the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation. We hope that in the progress of this associational 
 review we shall find that his labors were not in vain. 
 
 Finance. — In the absence of other associational matters 
 at this session, we give the report of the committee on Fi- 
 nance, in order to show the operations or labors of the body. 
 The committee on Finance reported moneys sent up by the 
 
 churches : 
 
 For printing Minutes, $40.10. 
 
 Foreign Missions. — Antioch church, $10; Limestone Springs, 
 $17 ; Philadelphia, $1 ; J. W. McCravy, $10. Total, $38.00. 
 
88 BEO AD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Domestic Mtssions.— Philadelphia church, $7.65; Sulphur 
 Springs, $4 ; J. W. McCravy, $2.50 ; Collection on the Sabbath, $43.70. 
 Total for Domestic Missions, $57.85. Amount for all sources, $135.85. 
 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF MISSIONS. 
 
 The Executive Board of the Association made their re- 
 port, which was adopted, and is as follows ; 
 
 Your Board of Missions ask leave to report that they have done 
 all in their power during the year past. They have met as often as 
 there was anything to do. They wrote to Bros. Wade Hill and J. 
 A. Hill, who could not serve; and applied to Bro. TCzell, but could 
 get no one to labor. In paying Bro. Bruce, the Corresponding Sec- 
 retary advanced twenty-one dollars, but the subscription of the 
 churches to this mission was not pressed, as (excepting the above 
 advance) there was no need. The Board has had, therefore, no funds 
 to dispose of for Domestic Missions. It will be borne in mind that 
 the funds contributed at the last Association were given over to the 
 Broad River Society, and included in their financial report to the 
 Association. The fund raised for Foreign Missions was sent as di- 
 rected. Tho, Curtis, Chairman. 
 
 H. G. Gaffney, Secretary. 
 
 Remarks. — It seems there was but little done in the way 
 
 of missionary operations. The larger part ot the churches 
 
 were doing nothing at all in the great work of evangelizing 
 
 the world, and consequently the following resolution very 
 
 properly comes in for discussion and adoption : 
 
 Resolved, That we request our churches to make it an especial 
 part of prayer to the Lord of the harvest, to send more laborers into 
 His vineyard ; for the harvest is great, and the laborers are few ; and 
 for an especial blessing on our Domestic Missions. 
 
 The fores-oino- resolution, although very timelv and 
 proper, reminds us of a story we once heard of a lazy, un- 
 thrifty papist, wliose farm was rather in a dilapidated condi- 
 tion, and, in consequence of which the growing crop was 
 likely to prove a failure. Believing greatly as he did in the 
 power of the Priest to command all the necessary blessings 
 of life, he called him to his fields to offer up prayers in his 
 behalf. lie took the Priest first to where the land was rich, 
 but covered with weeds and grass (which may represent the 
 Foreign Mission field ;) the Priest offered prayers as request- 
 ed, but insisted on his parishoner to cultivate better with the 
 plough and hoe. lie then took his Priest to another field 
 where the land was very poor, and overrun with noxious 
 vines (which may represent the Domestic Mission field over- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 89 
 
 run by the different denominations; and almost exhausted in 
 their struggles to hold the ascendency,) the Priest after 
 making a survey of this field said to his parishoner, "prayers 
 will be of- no avail here, the field is too much exhausted — 
 nothing can grow here profitably to mankind until complete 
 fertilization is attended to and the field made more self- 
 sustaining ; it is now a barren waste, and the laborer cannot 
 expect to reap a harvest which will not grow upon its sur- 
 face." Well did the Hills and Ezells, therefore, refuse en- 
 gagements with the Board to cultivate a field that would not 
 pay. 
 
 Elder L. M. Berry. — The following resolution was 
 adopted : 
 
 lie-solved. That Elder L. M. Berry, agent of the Board of Domes- 
 tic and Indian Missions, have the opportunity immediately to pre- 
 sent the claims of the Board before the congregation at the stand. 
 
 Remarks. — It is not stated in the Minutes what success 
 Bro. Berry met with. He had the reputation of being a 
 good collector. We were riding with him once from a 
 church where he had made a very close drive for money and 
 did not succeed very well. As we were about to pass some 
 persons in the road who had been at the meeting, Bro. Berry 
 observed a man with his pocket book in his hand looking at 
 its contents. "Said he to us, "I shall yet get some monev 
 from that man with his pocket book in his hand." It how- 
 ever, did not happen that he did. We commenced teasing 
 him about it, when he observed th.it "he knew then the 
 reason why the man was looking in his pocket book — he 
 considered him (Berry) a wizard, and he feared that by some 
 hocus-pocus maneuver he had got his money without his 
 consent, and he was looking to see if he had." 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was written by 
 Elder Micajah C. Barnett, on the subject of Sabbath Schools, 
 which was adopted. 
 
 The session of 1858 met at Capernaum church, Cleve- 
 land county, N". 0. The introductory sermon was preached 
 by Elder Mieajab C. Barnett, from Heb. vi.'l. The union 
 consists of 28 churches and a membership of 2905. Bap- 
 tisms, 146. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Wacle Hill, Mod- 
 erator, and MicMJahC. Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 12 
 
90 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Executive Board. — After the transaction of the usual 
 course of business the body, through a nominating commit- 
 tee, appointed Elders Tho. Curtis, Drury Scruggs, Jas. Ezell, 
 J. G. Gaffney, J. Byers, A. Bonner, and M. C. Barnett a 
 Missionary Board: H. G. Gaffney, Recording Secretary; 
 "Win. Curtis, Corresponding Secretary; C. P. Petty, Treas- 
 urer. We again give the report of the Finance committee: 
 
 Money sent up from the churches for Minutes, $41.10. 
 
 Antioch church, $9 ; Limestone Springs, §43.60; E.Thompson 
 fori. M.,$l; Collection on Sabbath, $49.20; balance in Treasurer's 
 hands of last year, $95.85. Aggregate amount, $239.75. 
 Here follows the report of the Board : 
 
 In making our annual report, we can only with regret state in 
 regard to the Home Mission, that while we have used all due efforts 
 to obtain a Missionary and keep him in the field within the bounds 
 of our Association during the past year, we have been unable to suc- 
 ceed. We first made the appointment of Bro. L. M. Berry, with the 
 alary of four hundred dollars for his entire time, and on conditions 
 of locating within the field of his labors. He at first accepted and 
 entered for a few days on his work, but afterwards retired and re- 
 signed. Later in the season we appointed Bro. Gold, who at first 
 accepted, but was unable when the time come to enter on the work. 
 Could we have found suitable men. we should have found no diffi- 
 culty in obtaining the means to support them. The work in this 
 field is pressing. We ought to and we can keep one minister among 
 our feeble churches and destitute parts of the country around us, 
 But where to find the brother to go we have not known. For For- 
 eign Missions, the Treasurer's report will show that we still have 
 funds on hand for both fields. We have felt it unnecessary to ask 
 the churches to contribute for the home field. The body appear to 
 be doing very little indeed. 
 
 Tho. Curtis, Chairman. 
 
 SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 
 
 We give the action of the body this year in reference to 
 Sabbath Schools. Last year we were hopeful, but we now 
 become more despondent than ever. The committee on Sab- 
 bath Schools reported : 
 
 '•That we find a recommendation in the last Minutes that all the 
 churches of this Association should establish schools of this kind, 
 and report next year all the facts of the case. We find but one repor. 
 of this nature has been sent up this year, viz: from Rutherfordtont 
 In that church a school has been established and is doing well. We 
 can only regret, therefore, that the recommendation of the Associa- 
 tion has been so little attended to, and think if the Association con- 
 tinue this recommendation, it will receive more attention the coming 
 year. Thomas Curtis, Chairman." 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 91 
 
 On motion, the recommendation of last year was con- 
 tinued, and we await with anxiety to see to what purpose. 
 It would seem that Sabbath schools had not yet received the 
 proper impetus to drive them forward. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was written by Elder 
 Thomas Curtis, on the projjer observance of t lie Sabbath by our 
 churches and people. 
 
 The 59th session met at Gilead church, Union county, 
 S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder 
 Wade Hill, from Psalms xxvii. 14. Mount Zion church was 
 admitted into the body, making a union of 29 churches and 
 a membership of 2559. 
 
 The Association organized by electing Elders Wade Hill, 
 Moderator, and Micajah C. Barnett, Clerk. 
 
 After appointing committees on the different objects of 
 associational labor, the committee on Sabbath schools re- 
 ported .- 
 
 That the history of the past has abundantly tested the value and 
 blessedness of this institution. We would that our brethren knew 
 some of the glorious results of Sabbath school labors. These interests 
 have never flourished as ranch as we could desire in our midst. 
 Even now there is not, perhaps, a flourishing Sabbath school in our 
 bounds. Dear Brethren, does it not become us to enquire Why this 
 sad deficiency ? Doubtless many of our brethren lack information 
 in this matter. Information is needed in reference to the best man- 
 ner of organizing and conducting Sabbath schools. To this end your 
 committee recommend the following: "The Children's Friend," a 
 periodical devoted to Sabbath school interests, published at Nash- 
 ville, Tenn., should be patronized by us. Books suitable for Sabbath 
 schools and Sabbath school laborers, may also be had directly from 
 our Southern Publication Society, located at Charleston, S. C. The 
 Bjard of Sabbath schools of the Htate Convention proposes to send 
 Out an agent to visit all the churches in the State, and labor for the 
 promotion of Sabbath school interests. We should invite this agent 
 into our bounds. Wm. Curtis, Chairman. 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing report is a suggestion or move 
 in the right direction, and if followed up will soon be instru- 
 mental in establishing the Sabbath school interests in the 
 several churches of the Association. 
 
 Dr. Thomas Curtis. — On the 29th of January last of 
 the present year, Elder Thomas Curtis perished in the flames 
 of the ill-fated steamer, "North Carolina," passing from Bal- 
 timore to Norfolk. This was a sad loss, not only to the 
 
92 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Broad River Association, of which he was a worthy member 
 and shining light to the body, but in fact it was sensibly felt 
 in the whole State of his adoption, both by the literary and 
 religious classes of society. This being the first session of 
 the bodv after his unfortunate demise, it was fitting; and 
 proper that some notice of his great worth, and a tribute of 
 respect of a proper kind, be adopted and entered on the Min- 
 utes of the session. The committee on Obituaries were 
 therefore requested to procure trie biographical sketch of his 
 life, as read by Dr. Manly at Limestone Springs, on the oc- 
 casion of his funeral sermon, which he preached there soon 
 after his decease, which paper was obtained by the commit- 
 tee and is published in this work as a part of the biographi- 
 eal notice taken of Elder Curtis. 
 
 The Circular Letter prepared by Elder John S. Ezell, 
 on Personality , was adopted. 
 
 The committee on Obituaries reported : 
 ''That the Association is called upon to pay an affectionate trib- 
 ute of respect to the memories of our departed brethren, Deacon R 
 Coleman, ot the church with which we are now meeting ; deacon R. 
 Vaughn, of Friendship, and deacon E. Turner, of Buffalo church. 
 They were all men who filled the office of a deacon well, "and pur- 
 chased to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith." 
 Following the example of the first Christians, while we would sym- 
 pathize With those who weep over their loss, it becomes us. thought- 
 fully to recollect that the dove, the laurel and the crown are now the 
 fitting emblems to be inscribed against their names; and that God 
 has graciously in His good time delivered them from the sins and 
 sorrows of this present evil world forever. The direct action of your 
 body in adding to our Minutes a more extended account of the life 
 and labors of our beloved and venerated father in the Gospel, Elder 
 Thomas Curtis, D.D., is referred to as sufficient and appropriate in 
 this matter. 
 
 B. B. Poster, Chairman." 
 
 See biographical notice of Dr. Thos. Curtis. 
 
 Executive Boards. — We give the report for this year 
 of the Missionary Board : 
 
 De-a r Brethren : — Tn making to you this our annual report, 
 we cannot but mourn with you over the irreparable loss at present 
 that we suffer, in that it has pleased the Great Head of the Church 
 as being best in His sight to take from us our beloved and venerable 
 brother and presiding officer. Constantly associated with him in 
 this body, we may well bear tribute to the expanded benevolence, 
 grea'nvss of faith, uninterested energy and love for the souls of men, 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 93 
 
 witli which he has impressed our plans and exertions to spread 
 abroad the saving knowledge of the Truth, as it is in Christ Jesus. 
 •Greatly in consequence of this, our meetings have not been held as 
 regularly as they otherwise would have heen. We appointed, how- 
 ever, our brother J. Suttle to labor in the York Mission half of the 
 year. He has only been able however to give a portion of this time 
 — that is one Saturday and Sabbath a month at Union church — 
 preaching generally on Sabbath evenings at Sardis, besides holding 
 a series of meetings with both these churches ; their meetings, not' 
 withstanding, have been greatly blessed with the Divine favor. 
 Bro. Suttle has received and baptized seven converts at Sardis and 
 thirty-eight at Union. We trust the good work is still going on ; let 
 us thank God and take courage. A commendable liberality has also 
 been shown by the brethren and friends there, especially at Union, 
 as will appear by reference to the report of the contributions given 
 to the Financial committee. As the accommodations at Union are 
 too limited, we are happy to learn and report to you that they are 
 seriously talking of building a suitable meeting house, and that gen- 
 erous contributions for this purpose have already been offered them. 
 We have still a want of means in carrying on the great work, to the 
 watchful care of which you have appointed us. We want laborers; 
 prayer is wanted tor laborers ; the fields are white., ready for the har- 
 vest. The Treasurer's report, herewith submitted, will show that 
 we have on hand a balance of $90.70, to meet our indebtedness to 
 Bro. Suttle for his labors, without receiving any of the contributions 
 that we are glad to see are being so liberally made by the churches 
 tit this present time.- We forward $108.70 for Foreign Missions, and 
 trust the time may not be far distant when there will be a reforma- 
 tion of our churches, laboring as a faithful minister of Christ, sent 
 out and supported by us, and retaining his constant and stimulating 
 reports of God's blessing on his labors, shall be found both in the 
 home and foreign field. Your Board is greatly encouraged by the 
 feeling and interest manifested and growing among our churches; 
 and they confidently believe that in sustaining their missionary, in 
 fostering and directing Sabbath school laborers, and in distributing 
 (hooks— and especially the best of all books— and in wisely consider- 
 ing how the spiritual wants of our colored population may be proj> 
 erly and fully met, a greater work and one more sure immediately 
 to reward your labors than you have been permitted heretofore to 
 inter upon, is before you for the ensuing year, 
 
 H. G. Gaffney, Secretary." 
 c. P. PETTY, treasurer's report: 
 
 Collections front) all sources $H)9.40 
 
 Credit by money sent Foreign Missions.^ ... 108.70 
 
 Balance in hand $90.70 
 
 Remarks. — The above is submitted merely to show what 
 
 the Association was doing on the subject of Missions. In 
 
 looking through the succeeding Minutes of the body we hope 
 
' H BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 to find more being clone in the Lord's vineyard. If we do 
 not, we shall deem it inexpedient to embody in our work 
 any more reports of the Missionary Board, lest in doing so 
 it might be alleged by the casual reader of these notices that 
 we were indirectly poking fun at the old mother body. We 
 however do not mean that. Doubtless the body was doing 
 the best she could, considering the number of drones she 
 had in the associational hive. Such, however, will be drop- 
 ped out by the active workers after awhile, and then the 
 products will be much greater. The missionary spirit and 
 movement is certainly on the onward and upward march 
 throughout the entire country, and we have good grounds 
 now for hoping that all those now sitting in the "regions of 
 darkness and in the shadow of death," will soon be blest 
 with the glorious light of the Gospel of peace. 
 
 The 60th session met at Limestone Springs church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. 0. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder M. C. Barnett, from Isaiah xxvi. 12, 13. 
 Sardis church was admitted into the union, making 31 
 churches, with a membership of 2786. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elders M. C. Barnett, 
 Moderator, and Wm. Curtis, Clerk. 
 
 Distinguished Visitors. — After the appointment of 
 
 committees, &c, Elders E. A. Crawley, D.D., J. 0. B. Dar- 
 
 gan, D.D., "YV. B. Carson, editor Southern Baptist, J. E. Rae, 
 
 of the Bible Revision Society, being present were invited to 
 
 seats. 
 
 Query. — The following query from Goueher Creek was 
 
 taken up: 
 
 "If a member be excluded from one church, not having been 
 justly dealt with, and applies to another church for membership 
 upon a statement of facts, what should be the course of the latter 
 church ?" 
 
 Answer. "In the opinion of this Association, one church is 
 equal to another, and that church independence involves church 
 equality. And i f one church is equal to another, then it is obviously 
 absurd to say that the action of one church binds any other church, 
 much le^s every other church. But christian propriety and the 
 peace of Zion requires that the opinions and decisions of churches 
 and majorities shall lie respected. We would, therefore, recommend 
 that when patties excluded from one church apply for membership 
 in another church, that the church so applied to should not receive 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 95 
 
 such parties on their bare statement ; but if, in her judgment there 
 should appear to be just reasons for believing that said party or par- 
 ties had been unjustly dealt with, that she might with great propri- 
 ety interpose in behalf of said excluded parties, and by negotiating 
 with the church excluding said parties secure an impartial examina- 
 tion of the nature of the charges and evidence upon which such par- 
 ties were excluded, and if, after an impartial examination by dis- 
 interested parties, it should appear that said parties had been unjustly 
 excluded, and if after the excluding church had been admonished 
 to restore to fellowship such excluded parties, she (the excluding 
 •church) should still refuse to do so, the said excluded parties might, 
 if their piety would recommend them, be received into the fellow- 
 ship of another church without any violation of the principles of 
 the Gospel." 
 
 SYNOPTICAL HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The following was adopted : , 
 
 Resolved, That a Synoptical History of the Association, in its 
 rise and progress, be prepared for publication instead of the next 
 Circular Letter, and that Brethren D. Scruggs, W. Curtis, T, B. Jus* 
 tice, M. C. Barnett, James Ezell, sr., and R. White be a committee 
 to prepare the same. 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing committee, with the exception 
 jsf Elder M. G. Barnett, failed to act, and consequently but 
 Httle was done in collecting materials for the contemplated 
 history of the Association. Elder Barnett prepared a pam- 
 phlet of some sixty pages ? which has been published and 
 distributed among the churches, and is a work of much in- 
 terest, in which many incidents and other more valuable 
 associational matters have been collated and preserved for 
 the benefit of succeeding generations of the Baptist family. 
 We shall of course avail ourselves of the benefit of this work 
 and frequently make quotations from it with a view of get- 
 ting it into our work and in a better form for preservation. 
 
 Bro. Toliver Davis. — Bro. Toliver Davis, of the Ruth- 
 erfordton church, and Chairman of the committee on Sab- 
 bath Schools, who has long since crossed over the river and 
 gone to his reward, has left behind him the following Sab- 
 bath School report, which is an honor to his memory, and 
 has doubtless been a great help to the Sabbath School cause 
 
 in the bounds of the Broad River Association. And in or- 
 der that it may be productive of yet more good to the cause 
 <>f Sabbath Schools, we reproduce it in our work, and thereby 
 preserve to Baptist posterity the name of one who honored 
 Christ with his substance : 
 
96 BRO A D RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 "The subject of Sabbath Schools has long been treated as a mat- 
 ter of most serious importance by our Association, and constant ex- 
 perience proves the value of the institution. Whilst all admit the 
 fact, still the larger proportion remain destitute of this great means 
 of religious instruction to the rising generation. Many of our 
 churches have neglected to send statements. Providence, Macedo- 
 nia and Philadelphia report large and flourishing Sabbath Schools. 
 We can do nothing more than urge it upon every church to engage 
 in this holy work ; it is a work calculated to confer present and ever- 
 lasting blessings on those who teach as well as on those who receive 
 instruction. We shall not repeat the arguments so often and so well 
 addressed to us in favor of our Sabbath Schools, — they are no longer 
 needed to convince us ; all are persuaded that it is the duty of each 
 church to establish them if practicable. We think the failure to do- 
 so arises partly from wrong views as to the means and circumstances 
 necessary; if our churches would assemble every Lord's day, whether 
 there is preaching or not, the work would be easy. In neighbor- 
 hoods where the population is much scattered (so that the children 
 and young persons cannot all conveniently attend at the meeting 
 house,) there might be one or more schools at convenient points 
 conducted by members of the church residing in the neighborhood. 
 We would again commend this matter to the earnest attention and 
 exertion of the pastors and ministers who supply the churches : their 
 combined efforts would soon make a change and put in operation 
 Sunday Schools in every possible locality, thus doing a great work 
 for tbe promotion of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 give them many souls for their hire. This implies, of course, the 
 willing co-operation of the brethren of each church. 
 
 "In conclusion, we would suggest that the want of books need 
 'Hot deter any church from undertaking a Sunday School. A very 
 small sum is sufficient to procure the primary books needed, and (be 
 Bible itself is the best of all others, and wfFeiievev a church determ- 
 ines to act, they eaii easily be procured through application lo our 
 book depositories; And we would further recommend our churches 
 to do away with tbe use of the Union Question and Sabbath School 
 books, and procure tbe books prepared by our own denomination. 
 
 Touvhik Davis, Chairman." 
 The following was then adjopted : 
 Resolved, That we invite the Sabbath School Board of the State 
 Convention to direct, as soon as they may be able to perfect their 
 appointment, the General Superintendent of the Sabbath Schools 
 connected with our denomination, to visit our section of the country, 
 and recommend our churches most cordially to receive and listen to 
 his suggestions. 
 
 DISTILIiEBS OF ARDENT SPIRITS. 
 
 The following was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That we recommend the churches and ministers of. 
 this Association not to receive and baptize distillers of ardent spirits 
 into the fellowship of our churches. 
 
BROAD RIVER, BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 97 
 
 OPERATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
 
 The Missionary Board employed Elder Jos. Suttle one- 
 half of his time to supply Union and Sardis churches, and 
 to put in such other portion of his time as he could in the 
 field. They also appointed Elder Wade Hill to labor in the 
 York Mission a short portion of the year, which he attended 
 to with encouraging success. 
 
 The Treasurer reports collections 1312.40 
 
 Disbursed to Elder J. Suttle 42.63 
 
 Balance on hand Oct. 22d, I860 269.86 
 
 $312 49 
 
 The Circular Letter was written by Elder Wm, Curtis, 
 on systematic effort in spreading the Gospel. (See biographi- 
 cal notice of Dr. Wm. Curtis.) 
 
 The session of 1861 met at Gilead church, Union countv, 
 S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered bv Elder 
 Wm. Curtis, Rom. vi. 3, 4. The union consisted of 30 
 churches, and a membership of 2638. 
 
 The body was organized by electing Elders M. C. Bar- 
 nett, Moderator, and Wm. Curtis, Clerk. 
 
 After the appointment, of committees and the usual 
 routine of associational work, the Treasurer reported monies 
 collected (including balance of $269.86 last year,) $370.86 
 
 By am'tspaid Elder Jos. Suttle, Oct. 22d, 1860 $75.00 
 
 W.Hill, 10.00 
 
 J. Suttle, Jan'y, 1861 30.25 
 
 D. Scruggs 56 00 t 
 
 171.25 
 
 Ry 
 
 u 
 
 'I 
 
 (1 
 
 By 
 
 11 
 
 (1 
 
 ( 1 
 
 By 
 
 (I 
 
 It 
 
 11 
 
 Amount to balance 199.61 
 
 ELDERS F. W. I/ITTIiEJOHN AND M. MUJLLINAX. 
 
 The committee on Obituaries reported: 
 We are under the necessity of reporting the departed worth of 
 Elders F. W. Littlejohn and Madison Mullinax, both ministers be- 
 longing to the Broad River Association, of unimpeachable characters. 
 We trust that the exhibition of the life and power of Christianity 
 exemplified in their lives of usefulness in connection with their min- 
 istrations in the Gospel will long be unto us "living epistles, known 
 and read of all men." Bro. Littlejohn was ordained to the ministry 
 in the Goucher Creek church about twenty years ago, and for a long 
 time labored zealously and successfully in the Gospel. For some 
 time past, owing to the infirmities of the body, he refused to take 
 the pastoral charge of any church, still unto the day of his death he 
 never threw off the mantle of his calling. He died of apoplexy on 
 the 10th of October last, being about fifty-five years old. 
 13 
 
/ 
 
 98 BEOAD HIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Bro. Mullinax had been engaged in the ministry about the same 
 number of years, laboring faithfully in his Master's cause until the 
 day of his death. He died on the 20th of February last, of pneumo- 
 nia, aged forty-nine years. 
 
 We would also notice the demise of Elder Joseph Suttle, who, 
 though not a member of this Association, yet living in the esteem 
 and affection of this body, claims from us a tribute of grateful remem- 
 brance. He died in the triumphs of faith on the 26ih May last, in 
 
 his thirty-fifth year, having been engaged in the ministry about 
 thirteen years. 
 
 It has also come to our notice that our aged and well beloved 
 brother, J. W. Cooper', the oldest member of the Cedar Springs 
 church (having been a professor of Christianity about sixty years,) 
 departed this life on the 13th of May last, in the seventy-fourth year 
 of his age. He represented his church in this Association for a 
 number of years, and perhaps no man was ever more beloved, so far 
 as his acquaintance extended ; indeed he was a sort of favorite with 
 all who knew him. He was one of those men who combined the 
 doctrinal and practical parts of religion in himself. 
 
 Those of our brethren that have once associated with us here, 
 now "rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. 
 
 B. Bonner, Chairman." 
 Remarks. — We were well acquainted with the brethren 
 noticed in the foregoing report, having sat with them in dif- 
 ferent sessions of the Association, .and willingly bear testi- 
 mony to their sterling worth, deep piety and great usefulness. 
 The following resolution was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That we deem it in accordance with Scripture, where 
 a member absents himself from the church, to send for him to en- 
 quire his reasons. 
 
 Secession. — The following preamble and resolution was 
 adopted : 
 
 Whereas, Since the last meeting of our body, the Southern 
 States have withdrawn from the Federal Government of the United 
 States and formed a new government, styled the Southern Confede- 
 racy, we, as a religious body enjoying the benefit and protection 
 thereof, feel it our privilege and duty to express our sentiments with 
 regard to this momentous event. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That we do fully acquiesce and heartily concur in the 
 action of the Southern States, and extend to our rulers and soldiers, 
 and officers of the army our best wishes for their success, accompa- 
 nied with our earnest appeal at a throne of Grace for their guidance 
 and protection, commending at the same time our country to the 
 Almighty God. that He may direct all things for the advancement 
 of His Kingdom and glory of H\s name. 
 
 Remarks. — Comment is unnecessary. The Southern 
 people knew their rights and, like men, they resolved to 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 99 
 
 Stand by them and defend them, if possible. The sequel of 
 a hard and protracted struggle shows how well they carried 
 out their resolutions. They had at last to succumb, it is 
 true, but they, as the sons of noble sires of the Anglo-Saxon 
 race, never made a sacrifice of their honor. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches for this year was 
 prepared by Elder Drury Scruggs, the same being a statisti- 
 cal collection for the use of future associational historians. 
 
 The 62d session met at Philadelphia' church, Spartan- 
 burg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preached 
 by Elder B. Bonner, 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. There are 30 churches 
 in the union. Membership, 2516. 
 
 The body organized by electing M. C. Barnett, Mode- 
 rator, and Bro. J. W. Bobo, Clerk. 
 
 Distinguished Visitors. — Elder W. H. Mcintosh, of 
 Domestic and Indian Mission Board, and Elder W. D. Rice, 
 of Sabbath School and Colportage Board of the Baptist 
 State Convention, appeared at this session in behalf of their 
 respective Boards, and were received and aided in then- 
 work. 
 
 Executive Board. — The Missionary Board reported : 
 
 Former balance of. 1199.61 
 
 Cash from ladies 8.00 
 
 $207.61 
 
 1861. Dec. 6. Cr. by amount paid Bro. Suttle's widow. $42.50 
 
 iggs 
 
 - $132.50 
 
 " Scruggs 90.00 
 
 Balance $75.11 
 
 The committee on Sabbath Schools appear to be encour- 
 aged by the operations of the past year, and report a goodly 
 number of schools in good working order. 
 
 Deceased Brethren. — The committee on Obituaries 
 report the names of J. G-. Mullinax, of Antioch church ; 
 E. H. Smith, of Philadelphia church, and C. P. Petty, of 
 Limestone Springs, besides the names of quite a number of 
 young brethren who have fallen during the past year by the 
 relentless hand of death. Peace be to their ashes. 
 The following resolution was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That each member of our churches be affectionately 
 requested to especially remember our beloved soldiers and suffer- 
 ing country, in their private prayers at sunrise and sunset every 
 day, for their temporal and spiritual safety and welfare. 
 
100 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The Circular Letter, on the wants of the churches, was 
 prepared by Elder William Curtis, and is an excellent doc- 
 ument. 
 
 The 63d session met at Pacolet church, Union county, 
 S. C. The introductory sermon was preached by Elder T. 
 B. Justice, of the Rutherfordtou church. Luke ii. 30, 31, 
 32d verses. The Shelby church, dismissed from the Kind's 
 Mountain Association, was again admitted into this body — 
 making a union of 31 churches and a membership of 2713. 
 
 Elder M. C. Barnett was elected Moderator, and Bro. 
 J. W. Bobo, Clerk. 
 
 REQUEST OF STATE LINE CHURCH. 
 
 After the usual routine of associational business, the 
 body took up the special request of State Line church, and 
 appointed Brethren H. Borders, J. Jefferies and A. M. Smith 
 a committee to nominate a committee of twelve to go to 
 State Line church to aid them in their difficulty, — which 
 committee appointed Brethren E. A. Crawley, M. C. Bar- 
 nett, J. S. Ezell, W. Hill, B. B. Foster, H. G. Gaffney, J. G. 
 Kendrick, T. B. Justice, E.Lipscomb, W. Austell, James 
 Ezell and E. Barnett. 
 
 CONFEDERATE DESERTERS. 
 
 Query. — The following query was taken up from Ca- 
 pernaum Church : 
 
 "How shall we proceed with members of our churches who 
 have deserted from service in the Confederate army?" 
 
 Answer. "'That all cases of desertion should not be dealt with 
 immediately, because by delay thus to act the persons may yet be 
 restored to their country, and to the true cause. But this answer 
 is not to be taken as allowing desertion, which is a grievous sin, 
 and deserves the dealings of the church." 
 
 OPERATIONS OF THE MISSIONARY BOARD. 
 
 Elder J. S. Ezell as Chairman, made the following 
 statement of the operations of the Missionary Board : 
 
 There is for last year's report a balance of $75.11 in the hands of 
 the representatives of the estate of Bro. C. P. Petty, deceased, the 
 former Treasurer, of which §20.00 is due for Foreign Missions. It 
 i< also to be noted that §74.50 remains due for Missionary services 
 still unpaid. There is still wanting $19.39 
 
 Remarks. — The body seem to be endeavoring to carry 
 on all the different objects of christian labor, and have a good 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 101 
 
 Sabbath School report by Elder T. R. Gaines, in which it is 
 stated that several of the churches keep up flourishing 
 schools, notwithstanding the vexatious troubles of the war, 
 yet as a general thing there is a great lack of system in eve- 
 rything, and demoralization appears to be engraved on all 
 the efforts of these professed disciples of Christ. 
 
 Demise of Deacons.— Pacolet church reports the demise 
 •pf two of her deacons, James Spears and M. S. Kendrick, 
 and Providence reports the loss of Deacon A. Bonner, while 
 some forty other brethren are reported as having fallen in 
 battle or sickened and died in hospitals or prisons. Oh ! the 
 horrors of a cruel, fratricidal war! 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared b} r 
 Elder. M, C. Baruett, on the subject of National calamities, 
 and is like every thing else coming from the pen of Bro» 
 Barnett — always timely and appropriate. 
 
 The 64th session met at Antioch church, York county, 
 8. C. The introductory sermon was preached by Elder 
 Wade Hill. Psalms 1. 15. New Prospect and Buffalo 
 churches, dismissed from King's Mountain Association, were 
 admitted into this body, making a union of -32 churches and 
 a membership of 3340. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder M. C. Barnett, 
 Moderator, and Elder Wm, Curtis, Clerk. 
 
 Salem church was dismissed to join the Catawba River 
 Association. 
 
 The usual committees on the different objects of associ- 
 ational work were appointed. 
 
 REPORT OF COMMITTEE SENT TO STATK HNE. 
 
 The committee appointed last year to aid the State Line 
 church, was called on for their report, when Elder E. A. 
 Crawle} 7 as Chairman reported as follows: 
 
 The committee appointed by the Broad River Association, at 
 their meeting in 1883, to aid the State Line church in the investiga- 
 tion of certain matters relating to their discipline, met according to 
 appointment at State Line on the loth of September, 18G3, when 
 the following ministering brethren answered to tbeir names : E. A. 
 Crawley and M. C. Barnett; also brethren Edward Lipscomb. Wm. 
 Austell and Elijah Barnett. 
 
 On inquiry made of the church then sitting as to what 
 matters they wished this committee to investigate, the com- 
 
102 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 mittee recorded a resolution stating that they received it 
 from the statements now made to them, to be the wish of the 
 church that they should examine into the validity or non- 
 validity of a certain letter of dismission obtained by D, 
 Scruggs while there were grave charges of immorality pend- 
 ing against him, and twenty-six members objected against 
 such letter being granted. Also that they should instruct 
 the church as to what course to pursue with regard to thirty- 
 six members who, at that time, also took letters of dismission 
 and voted for the same themselves, notwithstanding existing 
 objections. 
 
 These matters having been then by this committee fully 
 examined into, they further 
 
 Resolved, That the said letter obtained by Bro. Scruggs is irreg- 
 ular and invalid, and ought not to be received by any church as a 
 recommendation of the christian character of Bro. Scruggs, and that 
 this committee recommend the State Bine church to recall the said 
 letter until action be finally taken on the charges against Bro. 
 Scruggs, heretofore preferred ; and further, that in the judgment of 
 this committee, Bro. Scruggs is accountable to the discipline of this 
 church so soon as they shall have given notice that the said letter is 
 irregularly obtained. And with regard to the letters of dismission 
 granted at the same time to other members, the committee gave such 
 verbal advice to the church as they judged most desirable under the 
 circumstances. 
 
 During these discussions, very clear and satisfactory statements 
 were publicly made with respect to the necessity of unanimity in a 
 church in granting letters of dismission ; and the committee, though 
 greatly grieved at the necessity of their meeting, could not hut trust 
 that, under Divine Providence, the State Line church and the cause 
 of God would receive aid and benefit from their deliberations and 
 action on this occasion. 
 
 By order of the committee the above is respectfully submitted 
 to the Broad River Association as their report. 
 
 E. A. Crawley, Chairman. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SEVEN. 
 
 On receiving the foregoing report, the body adopted the 
 
 following : 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of seven brethren be appointed to 
 report on the painful case of Elder D. Scruggs, as referred to in the 
 letter of the State Line church and the report of the above commit- 
 tee, and that they be requested to call upon the councils who have 
 investigated the case, and for such papers as may put them in full 
 possession of the merits thereof. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 103 
 
 Under the resolution as adopted the following brethren 
 were appointed : A, M. Smith, D. McCulloeh, F. S. Ram- 
 sour, Jno. R. Jefferies, J. W. Montgomery, E. McBrayer 
 mid A, Lancaster, which committee on Monday of the ses- 
 sion reported that, having attended to the business assigned 
 them, they recommend the following resolution for adoption 
 by the Association, as the best way of disposing of the case: 
 
 ACTION OF THE BODY IN REFERENCE TO D. SCRUGGS AND THE STATE 
 
 LINE CHURCH. 
 
 Resolved', That having carefully examined the records of the 
 State Line church as to their dealings with Drury Scruggs, the re- 
 cords of the three councils that have been held at her request, and 
 the evidence brought before them, as on record and obtained from 
 the Moderators of the councils all the information in their power to 
 give, we cannot but conclude that our sister church has acted pru- 
 dentially and according to Scripture rules, and that we and sister 
 churches are bound to respect the decision of the council in deposing 
 him from the ministry, upon the charge of "the immorality of lewd- 
 ness substantiated against him," and that of the State Line church 
 in excommunicating him upon the said charge of the immorality of 
 lewdness substantiated in many cases, and of refusing in any way to 
 listen to his brethren. And inasmuch as he continues obstinately 
 to refuse to submit to his brethren, and exercises in the offices of the 
 ministry in the country around, and has in a printed circular, and 
 from the pulpit, attacked our beloved brethren in the ministry, we 
 warn our brethren in sister churches of their bounden duty to with- 
 hold all fellowship and countenance from him, and to pray that he 
 may see and be led from the error of his way. And we hereby de- 
 clare that we are in no way responsible for any of his acts while he 
 continues an excommunicated member of the State Line church. 
 
 Remarks. — It is painful to the writer to have these pro- 
 ceedings overhauled and embodied in a history of the Broad 
 River Association, but Elder Drury Scruggs had been prom- 
 inently connected with the body about thirty-two years when 
 this unfortunate affair took place, and had consequently be- 
 come an important factor in the associational history. He 
 had for many years the reputation of being a christian gen- 
 tleman, had served the church and the county where he was 
 a citizen very creditably, and had become a very popular 
 man. Eight different times he was chosen by the suffrages 
 of his brethren to preside as Moderator over the deliberations 
 of the Association, and once as its Clerk. He was a good 
 preacher, and to all visible appearance had a good circum- 
 spect walk and conversation. An able and judicious com- 
 
104 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 
 
 mittee of brethren, however, after a full and fair investiga- 
 tion of the several allegations and charges against him, say 
 he was guilty of improprieties of which no christian should 
 be, much less one who has so long wore the livery of a min- 
 ister of Christ. Alas! poor human nature, how feeble and 
 frail it is, while under the bewitching and seducing influence 
 of the world, the flesh and the devil 1 
 
 While under this baneful influence Elder Scrubs, j n _ 
 stead of humbling himself at the feet of his brethren and 
 imploring their clemency and forbearance, and attempting 
 to show that he was innocent and unjustly persecuted and 
 maligned, he chose rather to show that he was a game man, 
 and published to the world a scurrilous pamphlet, attacking 
 the private character of those brethren who figured in the 
 investigation of his case — accusing them of shortcoming 
 and even crimes he was unable to sustain by testimony — and 
 thus adding to the catalogue of crimes alleged against him 
 (that of libeler and slanderer,) for which he would have been 
 forced by the civil law of the country to atone, had he not 
 ismominiouslv fled without its jurisdiction. Elder Scru«-o-s 
 finding that the charges preferred against him would in all 
 probability be sustained by proper evidence, he, while in the 
 State Line church,. managed dexterously through the agency 
 of a party (on friendly terms with him) to obtain, in a sur- 
 reptitious manner,. a letter of dismission, which he used in 
 joining another church which had formerly belonged to the 
 King's Mountain Association, but had with several other 
 churches seceded from that body by reason of a difference 
 of views on the subject of Temperance. He remained and 
 preached for that church (High Shoals) until he found it 
 would be most advisable for him, under all the circumstances, 
 to vacate ; he then applied for a letter of dismission, and 
 obtained it as "being in full fellowship." With that letter 
 in his pocket, surreptitiously obtained, he now palms himself 
 off on other churches and communities around as a minister 
 of Christ — in fall fellowship^ and in order. As to his exact 
 whereabouts at the time of this writing we are unable to 
 tell, but when last heard of (in a Southwestern State) he was 
 proclaiming that Gospel he used to profess to love so well, 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 105 
 
 just the same as though he had not been deposed by a regu- 
 lar Baptist Qouncil, in the church and Association where his 
 labors were first desired. It" he was unjustly dealt with we 
 cannot blame him so much; still we think that everything 
 should be "done decently and in order." "To his own Mas- 
 ter now he standeth or falleth." He has been disciplined by 
 his brethren according to the requirements of Scripture. It" 
 it should please God, through the "foolishness" of Elder 
 Scruggs' preaching (although in disorder) to save souls, then 
 we ought all to be satisfied, — yea! and we will be satisfied. 
 He may be as loyal to the Master — yea, more so than many 
 who as yet have never been exposed, and who stand very 
 fair to all human discernment — but inwardly are ravening 
 wolves in sheep's clothing. Of this we are unable to say yea 
 or nay, but "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall 
 every word be established." 
 
 The following lines suggest themselves as being appro- 
 priate in this case : 
 
 JUDGE NOT. 
 
 "Judge ye not," Oh, Christian brother, 
 
 'Tis the rock o'er which we fall ; 
 Rather "Love ye one another," 
 
 Give a helping hand to all. 
 
 If you knew the cares and losses 
 
 Lying in your brother's path, 
 Would you add unto his crosses 
 
 One sharp word or scornful laugh? 
 
 Who shall know the weight of sorrow 
 
 Pressing on his aching brow; 
 Who shall say that you to-morrow 
 
 May not be as he is now ? 
 
 Who shall know what stress of tempting 
 
 Brought your erring brother low ; 
 Owe you not your own exempting, 
 
 That you were not tempted so? 
 
 Could you know how sore and weary 
 
 Are his footsteps and his heart, 
 You would make them sure less dreary, 
 
 You would nobly take his part. 
 
 Else you'd fail, oh, Christian brother, 
 
 In the golden ,rule of ail— 
 Saith our Savior, "Love each other, --n 
 
 SeeK and comfort those who falL" 
 
 Judge not, therefore, lest your censure, 
 
 Should return upon your head ; 
 Man in judgment shall not venture — 
 [ Thus the Lord our God hath said. 
 
 14 
 
106 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 THE DOMESTIC MISSION BOARD. 
 
 An opportunity was given Elder S. W. Rogers, repre- 
 senting the Domestic Mission Board, to urge its claims upon 
 the attention of the Association. Elder T. R. Gaines ap- 
 peared in behalf of the Sabbath School Board, and Elder 
 Jno. S. Ezell addressed the body in behalf of the "Confede- 
 rate Baptist ;" then the organ of the Baptist denomination 
 in South Carolina. 
 
 Collection on the Sabbath for Bro. Rogers $393.60 
 
 " for Bro. Rice, Army Colportage 424.68 
 
 $818.28 
 
 This collection was in worthless or depreciated Confed- 
 erate money. 
 
 The 1>emise of Deacons. — The committee on Obituaries 
 report quite a number of brethren who fell in the war during 
 the past year," and we notice the names of several deacons, 
 viz : William Ezell, of Buck Creek church, May 12, 1864; 
 M. T. Pope, of Macedonia ; Wm. Spears, of Pacolet, August 
 21, 1864; William Moore, of Buffalo, March, 1864. 
 
 The Missionary Board made no report of operations 
 this year. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder E. A. Crawley, on the makiny of our lives correspond to 
 the meaning of the ordinance of baptism. 
 
 The session of 1865 was held at Cedar Springs church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder M. C. Barnett, Heb. ii. 20. Churches in 
 union, 32; membership, 3601. Baptisms, 348. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Micajah C. Bar- 
 nett, Moderator, and Elder Tilman R. Gaines, Clerk. 
 
 Sabbath Schools. — After the reception of messengers 
 from corresponding bodies, and the usual routine of associ- 
 ational business, the bod} 7 became ready to hear reports from 
 the various committees on associational work. The commit- 
 tee on Sabbath Schools reported : 
 
 A great increase in the number of Sunday Schools. Last year 
 our churches reported eleven Sunday Schools ; this year they have 
 reported twenty-one. Your committee fondly indulge the hope that 
 at the next meeting of this body all our churches will report flour- 
 ishing schools. The committee would recommend that the superin- 
 tendents of our Sunday Schools send up to our next Association a 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 107 
 
 statistical account of each school, giving the number of teachers, 
 scholars and volumes in library. Address Dr. John A. Broadus, 
 Greenville, S. C, for Sunday School books. ♦ 
 
 H. G. Gaffney, Chairman. 
 
 VOLUNTARY MISSIONARY LABOR. 
 
 Whereas, T. R. Gaines and T. J. Campbell have volunteered 
 to labor with our churches in the Sunday School cause, 
 
 Resolved, That we gratefully accept of their kind jjroffer, and 
 recommend them to the churches. 
 
 THE BOARD DISPENSED WITH. 
 
 The committee to nominate a Missionary Board, recom- 
 mended that such a board be dispensed with the coming 
 year, which was agreed to by the body. 
 
 The committee on Obituaries report the names of seve- 
 ral brethren who have died from wounds or other causes 
 during the past year, among whom we notice the demise of 
 Bro. Joseph Guiton, who had been a deacon for forty years 
 of El Bethel church. Union church lost L. Ferguson, one 
 of their deacons. 
 
 THE OLDEST CHURCH IN THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The Friendship church reports her organization to be 
 one hundred years old. This is the oldest church in this 
 Association. JSTot a member yet survives who was living at 
 the time of its organization. 
 
 The foregoing statement, taken from the Minutes of 
 this session, is probably correct. Friendship church then is 
 one hundred and seventeen years old on this present year of 
 1882. The church was consequently organized in the year 
 1 765, and rightly stands first on the list of churches which, 
 by reference to the Minutes of the body it will appear it has 
 done from the organization of the Broad River Association 
 up. to the year 1816, when by some means Buffalo w r as placed 
 at the head of the column, and Friendship made No. 3. We 
 are at a loss to know why the change was made. We have 
 endeavored to give the true dates of each constitution, and 
 hope we have been successful in our efforts. 
 
 Correspondence. — The committee on Associational Cor- 
 respondence reports very properly as follows : 
 
 We regret to see the interest formerly manifested by associations 
 in reference to correspondence, declining. The result is that being 
 less informed, we are also less interested in each other's prosperity ; 
 consequently the great family of Baptist churches are becoming more 
 
108 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 or less estranged from one another. This year, however, we have 
 been greatly refreshed by the presence and labors of corresponding 
 brethren. How pleasant and delightful for brethren thus to meet 
 and labor together for the advancement of the Kingdom of our com- 
 mon Lord. May the Spirit of our Redeemer pervade all our churches, 
 and peace, harmony and love be their character upon earth, and 
 may the saints be the better prepared to enter upon that state of eter- 
 nal felicity which awaits all the finally faithful. 
 
 Jno. S. Ezell,, Chairman. 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder M. C. Bar- 
 nett. on the importance of Sunday Schools to our churches, and 
 the best method of conducting them. 
 
 The 66th session met at El Bethel church, Union coun- 
 ty, S. C. The introductory sermon was preached by Elder 
 Tilman R. Gaines, Rom. i. 18. The Yorkville church was 
 admitted into the union at this session. The union consists 
 of 33 churches ; membership, 3533. 
 
 Re-elected Elders M. C. Barnett, Moderator, and Tilman 
 R. Gaines, Clerk. 
 
 Distinguished Visitors. — Several messengers from other 
 associations were received, viz : Elders J. 0. B. Dargan, 
 D. D., Thos. Smith, W. D. Beverly, W. D. Lancaster, A. 
 Padgett and others. Dr. Dargan appeared as the special 
 agent of the - * executive board of the State Convention of the 
 Baptist denomination in South Carolina, and made an ear- 
 nest and feeling appeal in behalf of the Board. 
 
 CHANGE IN THE ACTION OF STATE CONVENTION. 
 
 The committee appointed to examine into and report 
 upon the action of the Baptist State Convention, as to its 
 recent modification of its action for the future welfare of our 
 churches and denomination within its bounds, under the 
 late revision of its constitution, submitted the following re- 
 port : 
 
 That they gather from all that is before them, the especial objects 
 now attempted, are first, the uniting of all the Associations of our 
 State more fully in acquaintance with each other; and secondly, 
 that they shall co-operate in their duties among the churches, and 
 to those within oar hounds destitute of Baptist preaching. There 
 are comprised in these objects Domestic or State Missions, in which 
 as now carried on by your associations the Convention desires, with 
 their permission, to aid so far as they may be able the education of 
 pious men, approved by the churches for and in the ministry : Bible 
 distribution and colporlage, the interests of Sabbath Schools, Foreign 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 109 
 
 Missions, and the supervision of the Fumian University. It is the 
 first of t hese to which at present the Convention desires to call our 
 attention and assistance as most readily uniting the brethren in the 
 State as one Baptist family. It is not at all desired to interfere with 
 the present action*) f each Association as to its own missionary work. 
 On the contrary, the Convention, through the Executive Board and 
 Agent, will take pleasure in adopting as their own such plans and 
 appointments as are reported to them, and supplement them when 
 necessary and it is practicable to do so. The Executive Board of the 
 Convention wish only to regard each associational board as a sub- 
 agent of its own appointment, judging and acting on the spot as to 
 the wants and supplies in its own neighborhood. They request, 
 therefore, that the report of each board be also made to them, to 
 show what is done by all our brethren in the State. As to moneys, 
 it is desired that such amount as may be thought proper be sent di- 
 rect to the Executive Board of the State for such appropriation as 
 they may deem best, and that the rest be appropriated by the local 
 boards to the support of such work or mission as they may think 
 best. 
 
 Your committee further report the following resolutions for 
 adoption by the Association, and desire that the resolution presented 
 by this committee and passed by this body on Saturday, be referred 
 to as a part of this report: 
 
 1st Resolved, That this Association greatly desires to see a perfect 
 union and co-operation among the Baptist associations and churches 
 throughout the State, and trust that the recent action of the Baptist 
 State Convention will tend to this result. 
 
 2nd Resolved, That a Board, consisting of Elders Wm. Curtis, 
 B. Bonner, J. S. Ezell, brethren H. G. Gafiney and John Byars— to 
 be known as the Executive Board of Missions — be appointed, whose 
 duty it shall be to look out the destitution within the bounds of this 
 Association, to employ a Missionary to preach in our destitute places, 
 and to build up Sabbath Schools. 
 
 3rd Resolved, That this Board be empowered to receive and dis" 
 burse all money raised by the churches and Sabbath Schools for Mis- 
 sionary purposes. 
 
 4th Resolved, That this Association will unite for this year in 
 their Domestic Missionary operations with the Executive Board of 
 the Baptist State Convention, so far as our Missionary Board may 
 find to be practicable, and they are directed hereby so to report to 
 that Board — to which also, a full report of its operations, together 
 with a correct statistical account of the churches and Sabbath Schools 
 in the Association shall be made as may be required. 
 
 5th Resolved, Also that the pastor of each church be requested 
 to preach Missionary sermons in behalf of missions, explaining the 
 work of our boards, and that each church take up collections and 
 send the contributions to the Executive Board of the Association. 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Wm. Curtis, Chairman. 
 
210 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Remarks. — During the existence of the war, so great 
 was the demoralization or rather subversion of all plans of 
 missionary operations, that a remodeling of measures was- 
 absolutely necessary. The Associational Board had ceased 
 to do anything, and only existed in name without any means, 
 whatsoever. Indeed we find in tracing its history from year 
 to year it never did accomplish much, and hence the propri- 
 ety of amalgamating its work with that of the State Conven- 
 tion, "every little helps." And it is better that the Associa- 
 tion become an auxiliary member of the convention than to 
 attempt to run missionary operations upon our own hook 
 and accomplish but little. The scheme put on foot at this 
 session was certainly the best that could be adopted at the 
 present juncture of time, and it was either that or the aban- 
 donment of the State Mission report. 
 
 We have thought a good deal in reference to State Mis- 
 sions, and hardly know how to arrive at a proper conclusion. 
 The animus of State Missions from a Baptist standpoint, as 
 we understand it, is the propagation of the Gospel as under- 
 stood by Baptists in sections of the country occupied by other 
 denominations of Christians, under the impression that Bap- 
 tists alone have the pure, unadulterated Gospel intrusted to 
 them; and that the other denominations although pious 
 Christians, and orthodox in the generally received faith of 
 the Bible — heterodox only in reference to ordinances which 
 they unfortunately brought with them from popery in the 
 time of the reformation — must yet be instructed as though 
 they had never heard the Gospel preached at all. Now, we 
 concur with our brethren as to the irregularities of Pedo- 
 Baptists, but at the same time we believe that we are not 
 responsible for these defects in their faith. The Master has 
 suffered it, and appears to be blessing their labors in the 
 evangelization ot the world, and we recognize them as good 
 Christians of exemplary piety, zealous of good works, — and 
 they are as zealous, too, as Baptists can be, in endeavoring 
 to propagate their own peculiar tenets. Their young people 
 are carefully tutored and drilled in their churches and Sab- 
 bath schools, and this being the case, it is natural to expect 
 that they will walk in the foot-prints of their parents and 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. Ill 
 
 teachers as long probably as time lasts. Family training has 
 itn immense influence either for good or evil. Why then 
 make efforts to proselyte ? Let well enough alone. It is 
 very seldom that even an eloquent Apollos representing any 
 other sect of professing christians could be found able to 
 shake the faith imbibed by such as have been thus instructed 
 and trained in childhood. 
 
 Why then this great ado in raising funds to send the 
 Gospel where it is evidently an impossibility to make an im- 
 pression ? Our Missionaries are frequently weak, uneduca- 
 ted men, and sometimes taunted and jeered as ignoramuses 
 by those who go out to hear them. If we attempt to con- 
 vince Pedo-Baptists of their errors and irregularities, we 
 ought, to send out as Missionaries the most talented, refined 
 and thoroughly educated ministers we have in our ranks — - 
 men that could stop the mouths of gainsayers, and put to flight 
 those who attempt to reason against the Truth from false and 
 unphilosophical premises. We, however, may be wrong in 
 our conclusions which, if so, we very much regret; but as 
 we have been a long time a careful observer of men and 
 measures, we are unable to arrive at a different conclusion. 
 This is not properly an age of miracles : we have to study to 
 learn some things now, that in the Apostolic age seemed to 
 be intuitively or miraculously communicated. We are told 
 by some good brethren that a very weak and uneducated 
 minister, endued with the Spirit (as is generally alleged such 
 an one,) can accomplish much more than a polished shaft in the 
 quiver of the Lord. We don't exactly know how that is, 
 but we are inclined (reverently of course) to think sometimes 
 as Napoleon Bonaparte is said once to have expressed him- 
 self, "that Providence generally favors the heaviest artillery." 
 
 NOTICE OF THE DEMISE OF SEVERAL GOOD BRETHREN. 
 
 The committee on Obituaries reported as follows : 
 By looking over the different church letters we find that thirty- 
 nine deaths have occurred during our last associational year. Several 
 of our churches have lost leading- members. We deeply sympathize 
 with the El Bethel church, in the loss of her highly esteemed and 
 very useful brother, Col. James Jefferies ; and with the Rutherford- 
 ton church, in the death of her beloved brother and deacon, Toliver 
 Davis; and with the State Line church, in the loss of Deacon Philip 
 Watkins ; and also with the Shelby church, in the death of Deacon 
 
112 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 William Roberts, who was a model of piety and good works. We 
 must say that these churches have sustained a great loss in the death 
 of these brethren ; but we hope our loss is their eternal gain. 
 
 T. Dixon, Chairman. 
 
 REPORT OF STATE CONVENTION ON COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 The war between the States having closed, and recon- 
 struction now going on by the general government, to meet 
 the peculiar wants and necessities of both the white and col- 
 ored races in their present anomalous condition, as well re- 
 ligiously as civilly and politically, a committee had been 
 appointed on Colored People, of which Elder J. C. Barge 
 was Chairman, who reported : That after some deliberation 
 on the subject, they recommended the adoption by the Asso- 
 ciation of the report of the committee on "the instruction 
 of the colored people," passed by the Baptist State Conven- 
 tion at its last session, which was as follows : 
 
 The committee on the Instruction of the Colored People beg 
 leave to report that they have given the subject the most serious con- 
 sideration, and only regret that they cannot perform the duty de- 
 volved upon them by the Convention in a manner more satisfactory 
 to themselves. They are compelled, with little experience, to speak 
 upon a point, the solution of which requires much experience. 
 
 The churches of our State, as well as the whole South, rind them- 
 selves unexpectedly in the midst of the greatest social changes 
 which the history of the world presents. While Rome, in theplen- 
 titude of her power, judged it for the public safety to restrain within 
 certain limits the exercise by her citizens of the right to emancipate 
 their slaves, and thus allowed this work to go on by degrees, in our 
 land the fearful experiment of emancipation has been made on the 
 broadest scale, and with the suddenness and violence of an earth- 
 quake. The work thus done— whether just or unjust, whether wise 
 or foolish — is finally done. No Southern man dreams of a reversal 
 of this act of the government. To us, as good citizens and christ- 
 ians, the only questions left are, What are the duties which arise out 
 of our changed relations, and how may we best perform them f To 
 one class of these duties the attention of the Convention has been 
 called by the resolution under which your committee was appointed, 
 viz : Our obligation in regard to the instruction of the colored people. 
 In the times gone by that duty was recognized and acted upon im- 
 perfectly indeed, as all religious duty is, in the hands of imperfect 
 man, and under certain disadvantages. These disadvantages arose 
 from laws in our State, at least, which prohibited all but oral instruc- 
 tion, and which were intended to prevent the danger that might 
 spring from inflammatory publications, which fanatical zeal was 
 aiming to circulate among the slave population of the South. These 
 laws were, in fact, disapproved by many of the best people of the 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 113 
 
 State, as being unwise in policy and liable to still more serious objec- 
 tions : yet, with the law-abiding spirit of our people, they had tbe 
 effect of diminishing the amount of instruction in letters which the 
 colored people had received, and which they would have continued 
 to receive. Still many slaves did learn to read, and their instruction 
 of each other and sometimes by the children of the family, was not 
 unfrequently winked at by their masters who, but for the law, would 
 themselves have instructed or wuuld have encouraged their children 
 to instruct the blacks. 
 
 As matters now stand, no legal instructions now lie in the way 
 of teaching the colored people ; and it is a plain duty of christians 
 to make efforts or to foster ami encourage efforts made to enable the 
 colored people to read, especially that they may read that blessed 
 Book whose truths, understood and practiced, constitute the only 
 sure basis of the peace and prosperity of society as they do of the 
 true welfare, present and future, of the individual man. 
 
 In almost every family, and upon farms and plantations gene- 
 rally, something can be done to teach the younger negroes and such 
 of the older ones as may be willing to learn. The performance of 
 this labor, as a gratuity, by the former owners of the freed people or 
 by the junior members of the families, would greatly tend to restore 
 the confidence once felt by the slaves in their masters. We say the 
 former confidence, for in many instances it has been apparent that, 
 as in the case of the christian of Golatia and the Apostle Paul, a rude 
 shock has been given to the previously existing confidence by the 
 perverting instructions of persons claiming indeed to be the special 
 •friends of the negro, but with no professed love for the Southern 
 white man, and with little real love for the black. 
 
 In many cases this impression, we have reason to know, has, in 
 a good degree, been corrected. Justice and kindness exercised to- 
 ward the blacks in their new relations have so far served to dispel a 
 mischievous delusion. To restore that confidence between the em- 
 ployed and their employers, which is so necessary to public quiet 
 and domestic peace, few things would operate more powerfully than 
 a cordial readiness to aid them in gaining theadvantage to be derived 
 from the knowledge of letters 
 
 As to the particular modes in which instruction may be impart- 
 ed to them, it is scarcely necessary to say anything. Of course the 
 colored Sunday school will prove a valuable instrument tor accom- 
 plishing this work ; as to other schools and the methods of impart- 
 ing instruction, the circumstances of each case will have to be con- 
 sidered in determining the best mode : only let wmat is done be done 
 in such a manner as will enable the pupil to learn, and then let the 
 Scriptures be put into his hands. Let the New Testament be made 
 a text-book, and then while the learner feels that he is enjoying lib- 
 erty in one of its highest forms he will also be learning to use that 
 liberty as not to abuse it. 
 
 But much of the instruction of the blacks, as of the whites, em- 
 euates from the pulpit, and therefore the question before us involves 
 the consideration of the future church relations of the colored people. 
 15 
 
1.14 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 There is reason to believe that in certain localities and under 
 certain circumstances they will prefer to be organized into separate 
 churches. Where this is strongly felt, and there is any probability 
 of their being able to maintain public worship among themselves, it 
 seems to your committee the better plan to give them letters of dis- 
 mission, to aid them in forming churches of their own, and then to 
 assist them, either by allowing them the use of the house of warship 
 or helping them to build. In churches thus formed there would 
 often exist a need for aid in keeping their records, and this service 
 kindly rendered to them by a white brother would doubtless be ap- 
 preciated by them. In like manner they might be induced, in thus 
 setting up for themselves, to seek the services of white ministers. 
 We do not. see why, in the same neighborhood — oftentimes at the 
 same house of worship — there might not be two churches (one white 
 and one colored,) having the same ministerial supply, but each one 
 transacting its business independently. Unless some such arrange- 
 ment as this be made, it is to be apprehended that the colored people 
 will suffer greatly ; for there are very few of the colored men who 
 are received as preachers from whom any but meagre religious in- 
 structions can be obtained. Should any of these become infected 
 with a fanatical and disorganizing spirit, it is easy to see how much 
 they might mislead their class, and of what wide-spread mischief 
 they might become the authors. 
 
 In other cases it may be found that the colored members of our 
 churches will prefer to go on as they are. In such cases there would 
 be a manifest propriety in allowing things to proceed in their cus- 
 tomary channel until such time as they, themselves shall, of their ■ 
 own accord, seek separation and a distinct organization. 
 
 Should colored churches be thus formed it will be very impor- 
 tant to have the minds of their members impressed with the neces- 
 sity of guarding against the hasty admission of members, and 
 especially against the introduction of incompetent and otherwise 
 unsuitable men into the ministry. Let them be taught the qualifi- 
 cations for the sacred office, authoritatively laid down in the .word 
 of God, and induced to secure the counsel of judicious white breth- 
 ren in deciding upon the claims of such as may seek licensure or 
 ordination. It has sometimes been done that colored men, licensed 
 by their churches to preach, have derived great advantage from 
 occasional instruction afforded them by neighboring pastors. The 
 same thing may be profitably repeated in our present circumstances. 
 
 Your committee beg leave to submit the following resolutions: 
 
 Resolved, 1st, That in our present circumstances there seems to 
 be no one special plan for the general instruction of the colored peo- 
 ple which can confidently be pronounced the best, and that each case 
 must be decided upon its own merits. 
 
 Resolved, 2d, That where the colored people prefer to remain in 
 their present church connexions, it will be better for them so to do; 
 provided, they studiously avoid occasions of irritation and offence. 
 
 Resolved, 3d, That where the colored members become restive 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 115 
 
 from the continuance of such relations, it will be wise regularly to 
 dismiss them for the constitution of separate churches, to aid them 
 by kind counsels, and as far as practicable other means, and to per- 
 suade them to secure for themselves the benefits of an intelligent 
 ministry. 
 
 Resolved, 4th, That colored Sunday schools which have for many 
 years been conducted in some parts of the South ought, in the opin- 
 ion of the committee, to be established Wherever it is practicable; 
 and that it is a worthy christian work for white brethren and sisters 
 to engage in the conduct and instruction of such Sunday schools. 
 
 J. C. Furman, Chairman. 
 
 Remarks. — The social changes produced by the war 
 being of a character so extraordinary, and presenting as they 
 did so many difficulties in regard to the proper course of 
 religious instruction on the part of the churches toward the 
 black race, we thought it advisable and proper to give the 
 able report of the State Convention, which seemed to meet 
 the approbation of the Broad River Association, and was 
 consequently adopted by that bodj\ The Convention at that 
 time "could only shoot a bow at a venture," not knowing 
 fully what course the colored people would prefer to take. 
 It was however soon found out that "Sambo" would hearken 
 to the advice of the fanatical Carpet-bagger of the North 
 much quicker than he would to those who had of long stand- 
 ing been his spiritual advisers at the South. The Carpet- 
 bagger, immediately after peace w r as made, proceeded on his 
 errand of mercy to visit the "man and brother" that had so 
 long been bound with the shackles and fetters of slavery. 
 Having found him, he ate with him, drank with him, per- 
 suaded him, and told him that those, and only those, who 
 struggled to liberate him were his true friends, and ho oth- 
 ers, and especially those who once held him in servitude 
 could not be trusted as counselors. He must ignore all the 
 kind proffers made by those who once controlled his labor ; 
 that such "hollow-hearted hypocrites" only awaited an op- 
 portunity to "put him back in the rice swamps and cotton 
 fields as a laboring slave." It is very natural that a poor, 
 uncultured darkey, operated on in this way, would soon 
 imbibe strong prejudices against those who were really his 
 best friends, but he was too much blinded and stupid to see it. 
 
 The sequel has shown the course preferred by the col- 
 
116 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ored people. They prefer to have their own church and 
 associational organizations, and we concur fully with them 
 in that. As social equality is never once to be thought of, 
 much less desired, it is certainly the best for them and the 
 white race also to have their separate organizations. It is a 
 commendable thing, however/for the white race to aid them 
 in the establishment of schools of a high order for the train- 
 ing of ministers to lead them from the sinks of superstition 
 and fanaticism, which we are glad to see is being done. We 
 hope to see a continuance of the good work, and a corre- 
 sponding improvement of the colored race, until it will no 
 longer be said that "negro meetings are nuisances." This 
 will be soonest done by educating the negro race to meet 
 the requirements of the times. In some localities we are 
 glad to see it has been done, and we take that as prima facie 
 evidence it can be done generally if the proper impetus is 
 given. 
 
 Correspondence. — As the committee on Correspond- 
 ence reported much to our notion about some things, we 
 therefore, hoping it may have a good effect on the reader, 
 give it in this work entire. 
 
 The committee on Correspondence beg leave to report that noth- 
 ing of special importance appears demanding the attention of this 
 committee. We are happy to learn that some of the churches in the 
 Association have enjoyed precious seasons of refreshing from the 
 presence of the Lord since the last meeting of the body. Most of 
 the churches have Sunday schools, some of which are characterized 
 by an interest partly proportionate to the great importance of the 
 Sunday school cause. Let us encourage Sunday schools, not only 
 on account of the salutary influence they are calculated to exert on 
 the communities in which they are located, but also as one great 
 means of replenishing our churches with young, pious and energetic 
 members. 
 
 The practice of dancing, playing and indulging in worldly 
 amusements generally, by members of our churches, has become a 
 most serious evil, demanding the prompt and decided action of all 
 our churches. Those who indulge in these practices not only prove 
 themselves devoid of spirituality, but they exert an influence upon 
 the world detrimental to the cause of Christ and the salvation of 
 immortal souls. With reference to this matter we submit an answer 
 to a query in the Welch Neck Association : "Is it wrong for Church 
 members to dance?" Our unhesitating reply is, that it is wrong. 
 For although the Bible is silent as to direct precept on this and other 
 frivolous amusements of a kindred character, yet the plain and un- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 117 
 
 v 
 
 mistakable influence of all its requisitions and maxims in regard to 
 forsaking all for Christ, the duty of watchfulness, spiritual minded- 
 ness, growth in grace and the acquisition of the higher attainments 
 in the christian life, as well as those injunctions to avoid the appear- 
 ance of evil, conformity to the world, and any departure from a fixed 
 and inflexible adherence to the Truth as it is in Jesus, do plainly in- 
 dicate and emphatically admonish that promiscuous dancing, card' 
 playing, theatre-going, and all the vain and senseless amusements 
 attractive and enticing to the young and unwary ; and so evil in all 
 their tendencies and influences are wholly opposed to lhat gravity 
 of mind, that dignity of character and consistent religious profession 
 which should characterize the disciple of Christ. All of which is 
 respectfully submitted. J. S. Ezell, Chairman, 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder M. C. Barnett, on the subject of Revivals of Religion. 
 
 The 67th session was held at Buffalo church, York 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Eider M. C. Barnett* There were 33 churches in the union, 
 with a membership of 3527. 
 
 The body organized with M. C. Barnett, Moderator, 
 and Bro. R. E. Porter, Clerk. 
 
 ORDINATION OF L. C. EZELL. 
 
 After the appointment of the usual committees on the 
 business of the Association, they received and granted 
 a petition from the Shelby church, that the body ap- 
 point a presbytery to examine Brother L. C. Ezell, a 
 member of said church, and, if found qualified, ordain 
 him to the Gospel ministry. In conformity to said 
 petition the Association appointed Elders T. B. Justice, B. 
 Bonner, R. P. Logan, P. R. Elam and Wra. Curtis, who 
 proceeded to examine and ordain Bro. L. C. Ezell, as re- 
 quested. 
 
 The ordination of Elder Ezell was not intended as a 
 new departure from old usages. It was a matter of conve- 
 nience, as quite a number of ministers would easily be found 
 at the Association, and a good selection to make an able 
 presbytery could soon be made. While it is conceded by all 
 Baptists that the church holding the membership of the can- 
 didate for the ministry has exclusive original jurisdiction of 
 the case, and only asks the Association, through courtesy, 
 to appoint the members of the presbytery without intending 
 to recognize any inherent right of the body to exercise juris- 
 
118 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 diction only by the consent of the church petitioning'. AD 
 Baptist churches are independent sovereignties, while the 
 associations are only the agents of the churches — created by 
 them for specific purposes, as defined in the Associational 
 Constitutions. It is said that Mr. Jefferson, the great apos- 
 tle of American liberty, got his ideas of a purely democratic 
 system of government from the working machinery of a 
 Baptist church near Monticello, where he lived, and we do 
 not doubt it, for the resemblance is very great. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION, 
 
 The following resolution was adopted : 
 Resolved, That the subject of the next Circular Letter be: "7%e 
 History, rise and progress of the Broad River Association and 
 churches composing the same, with a short biographical sketch of the 
 ministers that may have belonged to that body. 
 
 Select Committee. — The following five brethren were 
 then appointed to compile all the information they may be 
 able to get bearing upon the history of this body, their own 
 church, and of any prominent minister or deacon who may 
 have been connected with them, to- wit : Elder Wm. Curtis, 
 L.L. 1)., of Limestone Springs ; Bro. Robert "White, of Cedar 
 Springs; Bro. Abraham Hardin, of Antioch; Elder Til man 
 R. Gaines, of Yorkville, and Elder M. C. Barnett, of Shelby. 
 
 The following brethren were also appointed from the 
 different churches to collect and furnish historical facts con- 
 cerning their respective churches, viz : Friendship, A. Smith; 
 Cedar Springs, Robert White; Buck Creek, James Ezell ; 
 Providence, J. R. Ellis ; El Bethel, A. S. Goudelock ; Goucher 
 Creek, Edward Lipscomb ; Antioch, A. Hardin; Philadel- 
 phia, D. H. Smith ; Macedonia, John Byars ; Bethesda, R. C. 
 Poole; Camp's Creek, E. A. Byars; State Line, K. C. Wat- 
 kins; Mount Ararat, I. Pealer ; Zion Hill, John Epton ; 
 Corinth, A. McPherson ; Capernaum, L. Gardner; Sulphur 
 Springs, M. West; Unity, E. McSwain ; Upper Fair Forest, 
 J. P. Fincher; Pacolet, T. B. Goings; Gilead, L. Berry; 
 Limestone Springs, William Curtis; Enon, A. C. Biggers ; 
 Union, P. S. Thomasson ; Rutherfordton, W. 0. Wallace; 
 Arrowood, A. Lancaster; Mt. Lebanon, J. W. McCravy ; 
 Mt. Zion, T. H. Mullinax; Sardis, D. Mitchel ; Shelby, Thos. 
 Williams; New Prospect, T. Dixon; Buffalo, R. E. Porter; 
 Yorkville, T. R. Gaines. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 119 
 
 THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
 
 The Executive Board reported to the Association, as 
 follows: 
 
 That they met on the 31st of August last, and carried out, so far 
 tis they were then ahle, the directions they had received. They ap- 
 pointed Bro. T. R. Gaines as the Missionary of the Association at 
 the rate of one dollar per day, turningover to him thesubseriptions, 
 amounting to eighty-one dollars and twenty-five cents, with direc- 
 tions to increase the same as far as he might be able. He has per- 
 formed that work, and continued to labor besides throughout the 
 year, for the benefit of the York'ville and four other Baptist churches, 
 and a station at Mulholland's School-house, four miles from the vil- 
 lage. In this time he has preached two hundred and sixteen ser- 
 mons, baptized sixty-three persons, ordained three deacons, and 
 organized five Sabbath schools. He has also realized from a visit to 
 Northern brethren, nearly seven hundred dollars ($700,) and from 
 brethren at home obtained, in cash and subscriptions, nearly three 
 hundred dollars more, for the purpose of securing a house of worship. 
 He has evidently been a hard worker in the vineyard, and much 
 blessed in his labors. The York Mission has now, after so many 
 years of labor, become a most interesting and fruitful field. Surely, 
 brethren, with the Catawba Mission so favored of the Great Head 
 of the Church, and but given up when Salem became self-sustaining 
 and this Mission brought to nearly the .same condition, you are en* 
 cou raged to the work of supplying every destitute portion within 
 our bounds. 
 
 OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD. 
 
 The Board reported to the Agent of the State Conven- 
 tion what they had done, but have received no further com- 
 munication from him to the time, except that he joined in 
 the appointment of Bro. Gaines to this field. They present 
 their Treasurer's Report, as follows : 
 
 Received during past year as per Bro. Gaines' report, $60.25 
 
 In good subscriptions of 1866 11.00 
 
 From Financial committee of '67, assent from churches, 23.50 
 Sabbath collections— specie $12.13, currency $15.25 27.38 
 
 $122.13 
 Paid to Bro. Gaines $90.00 
 
 Balance on hand , 32.13 
 
 122.13 
 
 The Board, in conclusion, respectfully request that you will add 
 
 four more brethren to their number, as by a recent resolution you 
 
 have devolved upon them the management of all the funds sent up 
 
 to your body for benevolent and missionary purposes. 
 
 Wm. Curtis, Chairman. . 
 
120 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The Circular Letter was prepared by Elder "Win. Curtis 
 on the subject of the Christian Ministry. 
 
 The session of 1868 met at Sulphur Springs church, 
 
 Union county, S. C. 
 
 In the absence of Elder T. B. Justice, the appointee, 
 Elder J. C. Furman, D.D., preached the introductory sermon 
 from 2 Sam'l xxiv. 24. 
 
 Dr. Wm. Curtis and Bro. J. R. Logan were appointed 
 Reading Clerks, when letters were read from 33 churches, 
 having a membership of 3834. 
 
 Dr. Wm. Curtis was elected Moderator, and Bro. R, E. 
 Porter, Clerk. 
 
 J. C. Furman, D.D., was allowed to present the claims 
 of Furman University, at Greenville, S. C. 
 
 Elders J. G. Landrum, S. Drummond, T. W. Smith 
 and others were present as messengers from other bodies. 
 
 Denominational Courtesy. — Revs. A. A. James, of 
 the Presbyterian, and C. S. Baird, of the Methodist Church 
 being present, Bro. J. R. Logan moved that they be invited 
 to seats, which was carried, and they kindly accepted the 
 courtesy of the body. 
 
 ASSOCIATI0NAL HISTORY. 
 
 On motion of Elder M. C. Barnett, the Chairman of 
 the committee appointed last year to write the history of the 
 Association, reported verbally that the committee had not 
 finished the work assigned them, by reason of the failure of 
 many of those appointed to furnish any information on the 
 subject; whereupon, Elder B. Bonner moved the appoint- 
 ment of J. R. Logan, Jno. Byars and J. W. Montgomery, 
 and that Elders J. C. Furman, D.D., and J. G. Landrum be 
 requested to aid the committee in their examination of a doc- 
 ument prepared by Wm. Curtis, L.L. D., with a view to 
 having it published as a Circular Letter, in the Minutes of 
 the preseut session, instead of the contemplated history not 
 yet finished, — who reported favorably, recommending the 
 adoption of the document as prepared by Dr. Curtis, and its 
 suitableness for publication with the Minutes of the session. 
 
 On motion of Bro. A. M. Smith, the committee who 
 were appointed last year to write the history of the Associa^ 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 121 
 
 tion, be continued the present year to complete the work. 
 Elder T. R. Gaines moved to add the name of J. R. Logan 
 to the committee, which was agreed to. 
 
 The following resolution was then offered and adopted : 
 Resolved, That the committee be not limited to the space of an 
 ordinary Circular Letter, but prepare what they think will be for 
 the benefit of the Association, and that the churches be recommend- 
 ed to send up greatly augmented contributions for printing the same 
 the ensuing year. 
 
 THE YORK ASSOCIATION. 
 
 At this session the Union, Enon and York churches 
 were dismissed, at their request, to aid in the formation of 
 a new Association. 
 
 REPORT OF EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
 
 The Executive Board of Missions reported as follows, 
 which was adopted : 
 
 That they have met three times during the year and attended to 
 the duties assigned them. At the first business meeting held Oct. 
 123d, they settled with Bro. Games for his additional thirty days' ser- 
 vice rendered, and paid him ; that then finding they had but twelve 
 dollars in the Treasury, they addressed a letter to each church, re- 
 questing them to return an answer as soon as possible as to the 
 amount of money they would send up to this Association to carry 
 on your operations. They received replies assuring them of about 
 eighty dollars; and therefore, considering that the most important, 
 pressing demand for assistance was the Lincointon church, then 
 about to be dissolved, determined to send Bro. Wade Hill to revive 
 and sustain that infant church , if possible. He went for two months, 
 and reported to us at our next meeting in May, that his visits had 
 been acceptable, would result in the establishing of the church, and 
 that if anything could be done to supplement his salary a small 
 amount— say twenty dollars— he would accept the call- of the church 
 to labor with them for one year, to end in June next. This Board 
 agreed to do so, and therefore this work is an accomplished thing, 
 with the blessing of God ; and for the proper expenditure of thirty- 
 six dollars and thirty-three cents the Lincointon church is now again 
 at active work, and sitting with open doors to receive members and 
 to do good. Your Board did not attempt more the past year, because 
 they did not wish to involve the churches in any claims while the 
 difficulties of the times were so great. They have now, therefore, a 
 balance on hand, with the contributions given during the Associa- 
 tion, of one hundred and twelve dollars and ninety-five cents in 
 cash, and twenty one dollars and seventy-five cents in uncollected 
 pledges, with which to push vigorous operations the ensuing year.. 
 They may perhaps be able to send a competent brother to every 
 church, to aid in the establishing of a Sabbath school in every 
 church, and supplying some especially destitute portions that raise 
 16 
 
122 BROAD EIVEE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 
 
 the Macedonia cry, "come over and help us." We urge, therefore, 
 again that each church will send up to the next meeting of the As- 
 sociation from at least five to ten dollars according to its ability. By 
 looking into this matter at your next church meeting after receiving 
 these Minutes, resolving upon it immediately and sending up W4>rd 
 to your Executive Committee, you have hardly an idea of what you 
 can accomplish the ensuing year. The Board will meet on Saturday, 
 November 28th, at Zion Hill. By that time let a letter be sent to 
 the Board, stating what may be expected as the contribution at least 
 from each church. Wm, Curtis, Chairman. 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing shows the missionary opera- 
 tions of the Association during the past year. The Sabbath 
 School interest appears to be prett} 7 well kept up, and in the 
 Minutes of this session i3 a very good report by Elder T. R. 
 Gaines as Chairman who, now being dismissed, goes to a 
 new field to operate under other and different auspices. 
 
 A STANDING DELEGATION. 
 
 Query. — The following query from Pacolet church was, 
 taken up : 
 
 "Is it consistent with Baptist usage and the Constitution of the 
 Broad Eiver Association to have a standing delegation ?" 
 Answered in the affirmative. 
 
 A DOUBTING DISCIPLE. 
 
 Query. — The following query from Buffalo church was 
 taken up : 
 
 "What shall be done with a person who joined the church and 
 was baptized when young, and was excluded from the fellowship of 
 that church and claims now to have been mistaken, and professes a 
 recent change of heart and desires to be re-baptized in another 
 church?" 
 
 Answer. "We believe that those persons who are most fearful of 
 sin and its consequences are always the farthest from it; hence, per- 
 sons sometimes think they have not been converted, and write bitter 
 things against themselves, from penitency of mind and tenderness 
 of heart— such the Lord delights to dwell with — and when He man- 
 ifests His presence to them they take it for conversion, when it is 
 only the renewing of their faith. This is the case often with many 
 if not all christians. We advise that such be not re-baptized. 
 
 The Mount Lebanon church was dismissed to join the 
 Bethel Association. 
 
 * FAST DAY. 
 
 Resolved, That this Association set apart for humiliation, prayer 
 and thanksgiving, the last Thursday (29th) in October next, and 
 that we request all the churches in our bounds to observe this day, 
 by meeting at their several places of worship and returning thanks 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 123 
 
 to Almighty God for the abundant blessings He has vouchsafed to 
 us, and implore a continuation of His mercies ; and that our messen- 
 gers to the King's Mountain, the Green River, the Reedy River and 
 the Bethel Associations be requested to lay this subject before their 
 several bodies. 
 
 The Circular Letter, prepared by Elder Wm. Curtis, 
 L.L. D., in lieu of the History of the Association, on 31ini±- 
 terial Education, was ordered to be published with the Min- 
 utes of the session. 
 
 The 69th session of the body met at Providence church, 
 Spartanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder M. C. Barnett, 2d Chrou. vi. 42. 
 
 Bro. J. R. Logan and Prof. W. L. Johnson were ap- 
 pointed Reading Clerks, who read letters from 27 churches. 
 Membership, 3733. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder M. C. Barnett, 
 Moderator, and Bro. R. E. Porter, Clerk. 
 
 Visitors. — Elders T. H. Pope, representing the Baptist 
 State Convention of South Carolina, W. T. Walters, D.D., 
 W. D. Elkin, T. H. Smith, etc., were present from other 
 bodies. 
 
 ASSOCIATIONAL HISTORY. 
 
 After the appointment of the various committees on As- 
 sociational work, the report of the committee appointed to 
 write the History of the Association was called for, when 
 the Chairman, Elder Wm. Curtis, reported verbally that the 
 work was not yet completed, but would be ready to deliver 
 to the printer by January next, at farthest. 
 
 HEAD-STONE FOR Z. BLACKWELL. 
 
 It was then moved that the Association take up a collec- 
 tion from the delegates and persons present for the purpose 
 of erecting a marble slab over the grave of Zechariah Black- 
 well, deceased, an aged and distinguished pioneer minister 
 of this Association, who has long been buried in obscurity. 
 The collection amounted to ten dollars and seventy-five 
 cents, and the Association appointed Br. William Curtis, 
 H. G. GafYney and Isaac Peeler a committee to procure a 
 suitable slab and set it up. 
 
 Remarks. — Elder Zechariah Blackwell mia;ht well be 
 
124 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 called ' c one of the Lord's poor saints." Like his Master, it 
 is said, he scarcely "had where to lay his head." We do not 
 find, however, that he was like the Lazarus mentioned in the 
 parable, "covered with sores," or that he lay at the gates of 
 the rich and received only the crumbs that fell from their 
 tables, while the dogs only administered to his 'relief by lick- 
 ing his sores ; yet we are warranted in saying that he was a 
 faithful laborer in the Lord's vineyard, commencing; a few 
 years after the organization of the Broad River Association 
 (was a delegate to the body from State Line church in 1808,) 
 and continuing up to the year 1842, when he died in the 
 Gospel harness, and during that long series of years he re- 
 ceived nothing from the churches where he labored more 
 than a mere pittance — hardly sufficient to clothe him with 
 suitable apparel to appear decently before the congregations 
 where he labored. His grave was almost lost sight of, noth- 
 ing having been placed there to mark the spot, but a rude, 
 unsculptured stone. 
 
 Sardis Church. — A committee, consisting of Elders B. 
 Bonner, M. C. Barnett and W. Hill was appointed to visit 
 the Sardis church, and if, as is reported, it be found too fee- 
 hie to continue its church existence, and if desired Iry the 
 members thereof, that said committee grant unto them such 
 letters of dismission or recommendation to other sister 
 churches, or take such other action in the case as may be 
 right and proper, both as to the church and its property, and 
 report at the next meeting of the Association. 
 
 STANDING DELEGATION AGAIN. 
 
 On motion, took up and considered the request sent up 
 from Cedar Springs and Goucher Creek churches, that the 
 Association reconsider the query sent up last year from Pae- 
 olet church : 
 
 "Is it consistent with Baptist usage and the Constitution of the 
 Broad River Association to have a standing delegation ?" 
 
 Answer. "B.esolvcd, That the Constitution does not decide the 
 question." 
 
 JResolved, That a resolution passed by this body in the year 1SU7, 
 viz: "Resolved, That hereafter, as heretofore, all of our ordained 
 Ministers — members of churches be ex ojjicio members of this body, 
 — be rescinded." 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 125 
 
 Remarks. — This matter of church representation has 
 feetfetoibre been noticed in this work. The Broad River As- 
 sociation never did adopt any system or constitution as an 
 organic law that we can find any* account of. If it did so at 
 any time it must have been in the year 1800, when it was 
 first organized, and by reason of the Minutes of that year 
 '■never being published, we have no means of ascertaining 
 whether it did or not But it is certain that at no subsequent 
 session of the, body did they do so, as the Minutes of each 
 session fully show. The document usually recognized as 
 the Constitution was onlv a circular letter of the old Bethel 
 Association, and for aught we know ma} r have been adopted 
 ■by that body as an organic law; and the churches dismissed 
 from the Bethel to form the Broad River body may have 
 brought it with them and introduced it to the Convention 
 that organized the Broad River Association as being suitable 
 for a constitution, and that body may have adopted it, which, 
 .however., as above stated we can never know, unless the 
 Minutes had been published. In this state of uncertainty 
 the question of representation has been an open one from 
 the time the Association was organized until now; and it 
 sometimes happens that the brethren of one session of the 
 body will by resolution make all the ordained ministers of 
 the churches ex officio delegates, and another session will take 
 i\ different view of ithe matter, and acting under the impres- 
 sion that sueh a course is anti-democratic and conferring too 
 much authority on the ministry, proceed at once to repeal 
 in that particular what a previous session had done. There 
 should be more stability one way or the other in reference 
 to such matters, and associational bodies that have' constitu- 
 tions clearly defining their powers in this and other respects, 
 will always have more quietude, and probably be better sat- 
 isfied. 
 
 Executive Board, — The Executive Board reported that 
 they have not accomplished anything during the present 
 year, except to settle up with Bro. Gaines, as will appear by 
 the Treasurer's report herewith submitted. The} 7 met with 
 a quorum but once at Antioch this last spring, and they 
 could then find neither the man nor the field on which they 
 
126 , BKOAB RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 
 
 thought it best to labor in the present state of the country. 
 They believe the plan for attending, to the work is a good 
 one, but more energy must be put forth to the work. This- 
 report was made by the committee, Wm. Curtis, Chairman, 
 
 The Sabbath School interest appears well kept up, aud 
 Union Meetings, not hitherto spoken of, appear to be mat- 
 ters of interest each associational year. 
 
 The 70th session was held at New Prospect church r 
 Cleveland county, N, C. The introductory sermon was- 
 preached by Elder Wade Hill, from Titus ii. 1. Churches,. 
 27 ; members, 3733. 
 
 Elder W. Hill was elected Moderator, and Bro, Ii. E, 
 Porter, Clerk. 
 
 Visitors. — Under the invitation given by the Associa- 
 tion, Elders J. K Mendenhall, D.D., E. A. Poe, G. W. Rol- 
 lins, P. P. Logan, 1ST. B. Cobb of Portsmouth, Va., B. G, 
 Covington of Pee Bee, and J. F. Morall, D.D., Agent of the 
 Executive Board, State Convention, S. C, accepted seats in 
 the body. 
 
 After the usual routine of associational business, Elder 
 B. G. Covington, Agent Southern Mission Board at Marion, 
 Ala., was heard in behalf of the objects of said Board, and 
 a collection taken up. 
 
 Elder !N T . B. Cobb delivered an address upon the Sabbath 
 School cause, and took up a collection. 
 
 FURMAN UNIVERSITY. 
 
 The following resolution respecting Furman University 
 
 was adopted : 
 
 Whereas, The State Convention of the Baptist denomi nation 
 in South Carolina, at its recent meeting in Greenville, sanctioned 
 and encouraged the attempt on the part of the Board of Trustees to 
 raise a permanent endowment for Furman University ; and whereas, 
 the past efforts of the Baptists in South Carolina, in behalf of edu- 
 cation, have been a great public benefit, and especially have been 
 productive of incalculable good to tbe churches of our Lord Jesus. 
 Christ; and whereas, further, a wide door of increased usefulness 
 is now opened, which must soon be entered or closed upon us, per- 
 haps forever. Therefore 
 
 Resolved 1, That this Association hereby concur in this proposed 
 undertaking, and hereby most earnestly call upon the members of 
 our churches to do their full share in this important work. 
 
 Resolved 2, That one member from each church be requested to 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 127 
 
 undertake this work in their churches, and try to raise bonds and 
 persuade our young men to enter Furnian University. 
 
 Remarks. — And the appointments were made, we think 
 however, with but little success. Our Baptist people within 
 the bounds of the Broad River Association had not, at that 
 time, only began to appreciate the advantages and blessings 
 resulting from ministerial education. Indeed a great num- 
 ber of the old fathers held that human learning acquired at 
 Theological schools was not at all necessary in the qualifica- 
 tion of a minister of the Gospel. If an emergency arose, it 
 was an easy thing, said they, for the Lord to call a minister 
 from the bar or the bench, already educated for a different 
 profession, as he did Luke, the beloved physician ; or Paul, 
 who had been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and well 
 versed in all the intricate questions of the law. 
 
 Sabbath Schools, — A good Sabbath School report ap- 
 pears in the Minutes of this session by Elder T. Dixon, the 
 Chairman of the Sabbath School committee, by reference to 
 which it appears that object of associational work is in a 
 prosperous condition. 
 
 In our review of associational work we are somewhat 
 surprised in not finding a report of some kind on the subject 
 of Temperance. Is it possible that Prince Alcohol is quietly 
 asleep, and disturbing neither churches or individuals within 
 the bounds of the Association? We hardly think it at ail 
 probable, and doubtless we shall soon hear otherwise from 
 the demon of discord. 
 
 Demise of Good Brethren. — We give the report of the 
 committee on Obituaries: 
 
 Through the goodness and mercy of God we have had but a 
 •comparatively small number of deaths in our body, among whom 
 we have to mourn the loss of our old and beloved deacons, J. John- 
 sou, of Sulphur Springs, a pious and useful member — and Joseph 
 Whisonant, of Antioch, who had been an efficient member for over 
 fifty years, and a faithful deacon for the last thirt3 7 years. Also our 
 old brothers, pious and faithful members of Buffalo — John Moore 
 and John Young. N. N. Thomassox, Chairman. 
 
 INQUIRY RESPECTING ASSOCIATIONAL HISTORY. 
 
 Inquiries were made respectiug the completion of the 
 History of the Broad River Association, when Bros. J. R. 
 Logan and Dr. Thos. Williams were invited to seats with the 
 
128 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 
 
 body, and examined in reference to the sanity of Dr. ¥m, 
 Curtis who, as Chairman of the committee on that work had. 
 in his hands the records of churches, and other documents 
 relative to the contemplated history. These brethren gave- 
 it as their opinion that said chairman was not at that time of 
 perfect mind and memory, whereupon the Association directed. 
 Elder M. C. Barnett to render such aid as he might be able n . 
 and have the work published at as early a day as possible,,' 
 and at such length as he and the Clerk may think the money 
 on hand will pay for, and have a sufficient number of copies- 
 for distribution, 
 
 The church at Rutherfordton was dismissed at this ses- 
 sion to o-o back to Green River. 
 
 Executive Board-. — That the reader may be able to see- 
 what was accomplished as missionary operations in the Broad 
 Rivet Association, we will give the report for this year of 
 the Executive Board : 
 
 Dear Brethren :— ■ Your Board very much regret that they have 
 to say they have not been able to procure a meeting' during the past 
 year owing, in part, to the fact that we had n-o Minutes printed for 
 last year, and consequently did not know when and where the Union 
 meetings were to be held with which we were directed by the Asso- 
 ciation to convene ; and another cause was that, knowing there was 
 only a small amount of funds in the hands of the Treasurer — say 
 some thirty-five dollars on which they could operate— they did not 
 deem it hardly necessary to urge a meeting, although they made one 
 or two attempts to meet, but failed in getting a quorum. 
 
 Finally, brethren, we think that the most efficient way to pro- 
 cure the means with which to operate in sending the blessed work 
 of God to all the waste and benighted places throughout our land, 
 is for the churches to adopt some plan of systematic beneficence, 
 and we would prayerfully suggest that the delegates be requested 
 that when they return to their churches, they will immediately and 
 urgently lay that plan before them. All of which is respectfully 
 submitted. H. G. Gaffney, Secretary. 
 
 The session of 1871 met at Philadelphia church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, 8. C. The introductory sermon was deliv- 
 ered by Elder W. L. Brown, John v. 39. The union con- 
 sisted of 29 churches; membership, 3712. 
 
 Pleasant Grove and Brown's Chapel, new churches, 
 Avere admitted into the bodv at this session. 
 
 The Association organized by electing Elders M. C. 
 Barnett, Moderator, and Landrum C. Ezell, Clerk. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 129 
 
 Elders M. V. B. Lankford, T. H. Smith, T. R. Gaines, 
 J. L. Vass, etc., were received from other bodies. 
 
 To Answer Query. — After the usual routine ot business, 
 the body appointed 1ST. B. Cobb, J. S. Ezell, B. Bonner, J. 
 R. Logan, H. Borders and Wm. S. Smith to answer a query 
 from Providence church : 
 
 "What shall be done with a sister who married and separated 
 from her husband, and then joined the church and married a second 
 husband — both husbands still living?" 
 
 The committee answered as follows : "After conference with 
 the delegates from Providence church, your committee are of opinion 
 that the above query does not cover all the facts of the particular 
 case wherein advice is sought. They would therefore refer the query 
 back to the church, with advice that a council or presbytery be called 
 in from other churches to confer with them on the matter. 
 
 N. B. Cobb, Chairman." 
 
 ELDER BARNETT CALLED ON FOR REPORT. 
 
 Elder M. C. Barnett having been put in charge of the 
 papers and documents out of which the History of the Asso- 
 ciation was to be prepared, was called on for a report. He 
 stated that he had complied with the request made at the 
 last session, and that there was still due for publishing and 
 freight, $ , which the Association resolved to pay. 
 
 COMPENSATION TO WRITEK. 
 
 On motion, a committee was then appointed to consider 
 and recommend the amount to be given the writer for his 
 trouble and labor in preparing the History, who awarded 
 the sum of fiftv dollars. 
 
 Temperance. — At this session a committee was appoint- 
 ed on Temperance, who reported through their Chairman as 
 follows : 
 
 Temperance is truly designated as one of the christian graces. 
 It was inculcated by the great Author of our being, at a very early 
 period of the world's history, in the garden of Eden. It was taught 
 not only theoretically, but practically, by the Savior of the world, 
 while tabernacling here among the children of men by an upright 
 deportment, godly walk and holy conversation. It has also been 
 ably advocated by the inspired writers of the Holy Scriptures The 
 great Apostle to the Gentiles reasoned before the secular authorities 
 of his day, of this and other eminent christian virtues, by which he 
 no doubt meant temperance generally in all things : in meat, drink, 
 the putting on of apparel, worldly business, conversation, social in- 
 tercourse, etc. Extremes in everything were to be carefully and 
 studiously avoided as useless superfluities, and tending only to wick- 
 edness and sin. We. are exhorted by the highest authority to be 
 
 17 
 
130 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 temperate in all things. This christian virtue should ever adorn 
 the christian profession, and should be a distinguishing badge or 
 characteristic of every child of God, or member ot His visible king- 
 dom on earth. * 
 
 But. dear brethren, what do our eyes oftentimes behold in the 
 walks of life— even among the professors of the christian religion ? 
 Do we not often witness with sadness the evil genius of intemper- 
 ance in many things, stalking about in our midst as a baneful pesti- 
 lence at noon day, disturbing the peace and quiet of the churches of 
 Jesus Christ, and even whole communities, poisoning the very foun- 
 tains of morality and true and vital piety? Alas! alas! it is but 
 too true. Why is this? Has the goodly laws and regulations of 
 State proved defective? Is there no restraining virtue in temporal 
 organizations,— have their efforts all failed and perished with the 
 using ? Verily it seems as if this is but too true, and we are made to 
 exclaim in the language of holy writ, ''vain is the help of man." 
 What then is to be done? Shall we supinely fold our arms and bid 
 the»demon of intemperance to enter in among us unopposed?— to 
 the certain destruction of the old landmarks that once characterized 
 the churches of Christ, obliterating all distinctions betwixt the 
 church and the world — uprooting and subverting the temple of our 
 civil liberty, upon which rest our religious privileges? God forbid ! 
 No, let every one that calls upon the name of the Lord, himself de- 
 part from iniquity. Let all true followers of Christ be united and 
 more vigilant as they see the evil approaching, and, as one man in 
 the strength of the Lord, present a bold front against the great and 
 destructive flood of 'vjce. 
 
 Let the churches use and enforce Gospel discipline more effect- 
 ively. Let them frown down vice and folly in whatever form pre- 
 sented, and thereby prt serve a purer membership ; and especially 
 should the churches discipline all of their members who indulge 
 too freely in the intoxicating bowl; let such beheld to a strict ac- 
 countability at the bar of the church for conduct so licentious and 
 damaging to the cause of religion. If any persist in a course of con- 
 duct so reprehensible alter being properly admonished, let them be 
 cut off at once as cumberers of the cause which they have falsely 
 professed to love and cherish. Then, and not till then, will the 
 churches have rest, and the cause of religion nourish in our borders. 
 Respectfully submitted. J. R. Logan, Chairman. 
 
 Pending the motion to adopt, remarks were made Ivy 
 Elders Brown and Hill, after which the report was unani- 
 mously approved. 
 
 The demise of Bro. Joseph Mullinax, of Antioch church, 
 and the father of two ministers, Elders Madison Mullinax 
 and Thomas II. Mullinax, is noticed in the Minutes of this 
 session. lie died Aug. 2d, 1871 ; had united with the above 
 church at its constitution in 1815, and from that time to the 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 13 1 
 
 day of his death had walked worthy of the vocation where- 
 with he was called. 
 
 GRAVE-STONES OF Z. BLACKWELL AGAIN. 
 
 The Association, at a former meeting, having raised 
 $14.75 to erect a monument over the grave of our much 
 esteemed brother, Elder Zechariah Blackwell, on motion, 
 the amount was increased to $25.75, and Bro. J. R 4 Jefferies 
 was appointed to have the work done. 
 
 A COLORED MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Having heard through Elder IS". B. Cobb a request from 
 the colored Baptists of Cleveland and Gaston counties, IS". 
 C, for aid to organize a Missionary Association, the follow- 
 ing brethren were appointed to meet with them and aid in 
 such organization, viz : JS. B. Cobb, T. Dixon, L. C. Ezell, 
 J. R. Logan and T. H. Mullinax. 
 
 The churches of Shelby, New Prospect and Capernaum 
 were, at thier own request, dismissed from this body to join 
 the King's Mountain Association. 
 
 DOMESTIC AND INDIAN MISSIONS. 
 
 We give entire the report of the committee on Domes- 
 tic and Indian Missions, that the reader may more fully 
 understand the nature and object of that branch of associa- 
 tional work : 
 
 Your committee beg leave to report that, although no reports on 
 these subjects have appeared in our former Minutes, vet we are sure 
 they are subjects of practical importance, and more especially at this 
 time. Your committee desire to submit to you as an Association, 
 and through you to all the churches and members of the same, the 
 great importance of a missionary in our own territory. We feel that 
 at this time there is a great need of interchange and a reciprocation 
 of pulpit labors. Further, owing to the fact that the negroes in our 
 bounds and elsewhere show a disposition to organize churches of 
 their own, and inasmuch as they have but few educated, informed 
 ministers, we ought to have one or more discreet and intelligent 
 ministers to labor among them — to distribute Bibles and religious 
 tracts — to point out to them in a clear and concise manner the doc- 
 trines and usages of our churches. By so doing we feel sure that a 
 growing superstition would be repelled, that a prevailing prejudice 
 which has been infused into their minds by partisans and dema- 
 gogues, would be overcome, and the two races placed on more amica- 
 ble and peaceful terms. They are now an element of power in our 
 country, led on by unscrupulous and unprincipled men, and to coun- 
 teract such influences as are infused into their minds we must prove 
 
132 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 to them that we are their friends, and we know of no other channel 
 through which we can do this so well as in the disseminating of the 
 Gospel and religious instruction among them. 
 
 Surely none need be convinced of the fact that every portion of 
 this great field — not only of our own State, but every State and Ter- 
 ritory in this great nation — needs a pure Gospel ; and when the voice 
 of Revelation is ringing out, "Come up to the help of the Lord — to 
 the help of the Lord against the mighty" — none ought to say, "I 
 pray thee have me excused." 
 
 And as for the Indians, who were the owners and masters of our 
 forests and fields, whereon we have raised our families and accumu- 
 lated our wealth, but who have been driven from them (for whom 
 there is but little room on this Continent, and whose sojourn in time 
 is short,) brethren, we owe it to them under God to aid in sowing 
 among them the good seed of the kingdom, to be "fellow-helpers to 
 the Truth," in breaking to them the bread of life 1 — in bearing to 
 them the cup of salvation ; and your committee feels that there is 
 annually expended (and worse than thrown away) upon our unchas- 
 tened appetites, and hung in superfluities upon our persons, sums of 
 money sufficient to meet all their wants. We need more of the 
 "Spirit of Jesus." 
 
 The object of the Domestic and Indian Mission Board of the 
 Southern Baptist Convention is to send the Gospel to all the desti- 
 tute persons and places in the fourteen States»and two Territories 
 within their limits.' These States are inhabited by thousands of per- 
 sons who have come to us from across the waters — from Britain, 
 Germany, France, Italy, China and Africa — besides the scattered 
 tribes of our own West. These need the Gospel. They will be lost 
 without it. The wants of these must be met by the Baptists of the 
 South. The success of this Board in the past is quite encouraging 
 There never was greater encouragement to labor than at present; 
 hundreds have already accepted Jesus as their Savior through this 
 instrumentality. 
 
 During the past quarter there were two hundred and seventy- 
 nine whites, thirty-five Indians and thirty-five negroes baptized by 
 its missionaries. Anions the three Indian nations (the Creeks, the 
 CheroKees and the Choctaws) are four missionaries from the State of 
 Georgia — all supported by four different associations of that State. 
 Added to this are four native preachers to the Creeks. 
 
 The claim of this work upon us is very great. It should enlist 
 our prayers and sympathies and reach our pockets. The Chinaman 
 is being brought to our country to labor on our farms and to build 
 our railroads. It is through this mission we can reach them and 
 accomplish great good. The Master calls each one to work in His 
 vineyard. J. S. Ezell, Chairman. 
 
 EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
 
 As we have been tracing the annual operations of the 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 133 
 
 Executive Board of Missions of the Broad River Association, 
 we will therefore give the report for this year; 
 
 From past experience we have thought it advisable not to create 
 any pecuniary liabilities, and although we are anxious to labor in 
 building up the kingdom of our Master at home, yet, being short of 
 means, we were forced to allow another year to pass without any 
 material advantage gained on our part. 
 
 We are gratified that we can announce the intelligence that the 
 Beard is out of debt, with the exception of the arrearages due on the 
 publication of the History of our Association. An unexpended bal- 
 ance remains on hand, as will be seen by the Treasurer's Report. 
 With this amount, it is true, we might have performed a small 
 amount of work, but we have thought it best to wait, in the hope of 
 being able to add this to the larger contributions of your present 
 meeting, which might enable us to accomplish more extensive work. 
 
 There is great destitution in regard to the preaching of the Gos- 
 pel in our bounds. Nor is this all. The absorbing influences of the 
 world, its fashions and its pleasures, are getting such a hold upon 
 us that religion is regarded only as a secondary consideration. 
 
 Taking into consideration this condition of our country, your 
 Board were auxious to be at work, but their treasury was empty. 
 Do our pastors do their duty? Do they preach the whole truth, 
 shunning not to declare the whole council of God? They can an- 
 swer for themselves. Do our churches do their duty ? Do they give 
 liberally and bountifully, as God has been liberal and bountiful in 
 bestowing blessings upon them? 
 
 Dear brethren, we can do but little except you aid us liberally. 
 Will you not seek earnestly and prayerfully to know your duty, and 
 thereby enable us to do ours ? 
 
 We would earnestly recommend that the ministers of this Asso- 
 ciation lay the claims of your Board before their respective charges 
 at least at the last church meetings before the assembling of the 
 Association. M. C. Baknett, Chairman. 
 
 Remarks. — Xow we gather information from the second 
 paragraph of the foregoing report, — that the Executive Board 
 was out of debt, excepting some "arrearage on the publica- 
 tion of the History ot the Association," and we are naturally 
 led to inquire, if the publication of Associational histories 
 was one of the objects of the Missionary Boards of the body ? 
 We do not think that it was. And if the missionary funds 
 were used in that way much or little it was certainly a breach 
 of trust, and a diversion of the funds intended for missions 
 to an object not contemplated in the formation of the differ- 
 ent boards of the Association. We hope, however, some 
 good was done. 
 
134 BEOAD EIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The 72nd session met at Arrowood church, Spartanburg 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preached by 
 Elder J. G. Carter, from Job xxi. 15. The Sandy Springs- 
 . church, from Green River Association, was admitted into 
 the union at this session, — making 26 churches in all, with 
 a membership of 3129. 
 
 After reading letters from the churches, Elders Brvant 
 Bonner was elected Moderator and W. L. Brown, Clerk. 
 
 PALMETTO ORPHAN HOME. 
 
 After the appointment of committees and reception of 
 Corresponding Messengers from other bodies, etc., Elder T. 
 
 x. ™ ~ 7 7 
 
 R. Gaines was invited to address the Association in behalf 
 of the Palmetto Orphan Home. Bro. Gaines spoke of the 
 work in which he was engaged, and succeeded in enlisting 
 the sympathies of the Association. After which a handsome 
 collection was taken up for the objects of the Orphan Home 
 and the following resolution was adopted: 
 
 Resolved, That this Association has heard, with deep interest, 
 the address of Bro. Gaines, and that we will lay the matter before 
 our churches and strive to interest them in the work. 
 
 SYSTEMATIC BEN EFICENCE. 
 
 The subject of systematic beneficence was brought up 
 for discussion, which,. after being pretty thoroughly ventila- 
 ted, resulted in the adoption of the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the members of this Association be requested to 
 urge upon their churches the necessity of some plan of "systematic 
 beneficence," and we recommend that as much as twenty-five cents 
 per member be raised during the year for missions. 
 
 Foreign Missions. — We give the report on Foreign 
 Missions as being appropriate at this juncture, after the ill 
 fate of the Pope : 
 
 Your committee on Foreign. Missions find great reasons why we 
 should be encouraged in our efforts to aid in the spread of the Gos- 
 pel, since our Savior said to His desciples, "The Gospel must first 
 be preached among all nations:" "Go ye into all the world and 
 preach the Gospel to every creature." The kingdom of Christ h;;s 
 been making steady progress in the world. During the last eighteen 
 centuries the Gospel of Christ has made the peaceable conquest of 
 many heat ha n nations, overturning their idols and false religions. 
 •This work is now progressing most encouragingly in China, India, 
 T till v, Japan, Africa and many other heathen lands. But surely 
 Italy furnishes the most unmistakable evidence of the progressive 
 
 power of the Gospel. 
 
 For twelve centuries Rome was the seat of Anti-Christ. There 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 135 
 
 the Pope swayed the sceptre of churches and kingdoms, causing 
 bishops and kings to do his bidding. There the great prosecuting 
 power that destroyed so many saints sat enthroned. But the Gospel 
 has at last overcome the Pope. "The accuser of our brethren is cost 
 down." — Rev. xii. 10. ''He that leadeth into captivity shall go into 
 captivity ; but he that killeth with the sword must be killed with 
 the sword." — Rev. xiii. 10. The fulfillment of these prophecies are 
 now taking place in Rome. "Babylon is fallen." — Rev. xiv. 8. The 
 preaching of the Gospel and the patience of the saints have gotten 
 the victory. This is the work Of the Lord, and it is marvelous in 
 our eyes. ' The reaping time is come. Let us "thrust in the sickle 
 mid reap, for the time is come for us to reap, for the harvest of the 
 earth is ripe." — Rev. xiv. 15. 
 
 Italy, France. Spain, all Europe, and all Roman Catholic coun- 
 tries are now open to the preaching of the Gospel. From this day 
 the curse of God will be visited on "him who worships the beast and 
 his image, and receives the mark in his' forehead and in his hand." 
 — Rev. xiv. 9. Romanism will henceforth rapidly decline under the 
 light and liberty which the Gospel is now giving to the nations. 
 
 Your committee would call the special attention of the churches 
 of the Association to the work now in progress in Italy. A Baptist 
 Church has been constituted in the city of Rome, and many others 
 in other parts of Italy, since the downfall of the Pope. The Foreign 
 Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has sent faithful 
 missionaries into Italy, whose labors are wonderfully blessed. Our 
 brethren in the United States are raising money to build a house Of 
 worship for our Baptist brethren in Rome. It is expected that South 
 Carolina will raise two thousand dollars for this purpose. This As- 
 sociation should at once do what she can for this object. As we 
 daily behold the fulfilling of the prophecies concerning the triumph 
 <>t the Gospel over all the world, and the coming of the day when 
 they that have gotten the victory over the beast and all his allies, 
 shall stand on the sea of .glass with the harp of God, singing the 
 soiig of Moses and the Lamb, saying : "Great and marvelous are 
 Thy works, Lord God Almighty ;" as we look forward (o the coming 
 of the blessed millennium let us all become more faithful, zealous 
 and liberal in one common effort to spread the Gospel. Our Foreign 
 Mission Board is located in Richmond, Virginia, and contributions 
 for the foreign mission work should be sent to H. A. Tupper, Rich- 
 mond, Va. Respectfully submitted, 
 
 J. G. Carter, Chairman. 
 There was also a good report made by Bro. John R. 
 Jefferies as Chairman of the committee on Home Missions, 
 which we would reproduce if our space allowed. 
 
 EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
 
 The Executive Board of Missions, through Elder W. L. 
 Brown as Chairman, made a verbal report in relation to its 
 operations substantially as follows : 
 
136 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 That owing to the troublous times of the past year, the Board 
 did not have a full meeting, consequently they had been unable to 
 do anything ; but that the new board had organized and employed 
 Elder Wade Hill as missionary in the bounds of the Association for 
 two months, and earnestly desire if the board can obtain means to 
 keep him in the field for a greater length of time. 
 
 Deaths. — The demise of Elder J. G. Kendriek is noticed 
 in the Minutes of this session. He died June 6, 1872, after 
 a few days' illness of apoplexy, in the 69th year of his age, 
 (See biographical sketch of him in this work.) The demise 
 of Deacon E. A. Byars, of Camp's Creek church, for many- 
 years a model of piety and good works, and much esteemed 
 by all who knew him, is reported in the Minutes of this year. 
 
 Mt. Zion. — A letter of dismission was granted the 
 Mount Zion church, at her request, to join the King's Moun- 
 tain Association. 
 
 The 73d session met at Antioch church, York county, 
 S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder 
 Bryant Bonner, Isaiah ix. 6. 
 
 The union consists of 25 churches ; membership, 3042. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder John S. Ezell, 
 Moderator, and Elder W. L. Brown, Clerk. 
 
 HEAD-STONES OF Z. BLACKWELL. 
 
 After the appointment of committees, &c, the commit- 
 tee on the erection of head and foot-stones in memory of 
 Elder Zechariah Blackwell, reported : 
 
 That they have information as to the grave-yard in which Elder 
 Blackwell was interred, but are still unable to identify the exact 
 spot. They think they may be able to do so, and ask for further 
 time. Respectfully, &c, H. G. Gaffney, Chairman. 
 
 The Executive Board of Missions reported : 
 
 Immediately after the present board was appointed, it organized 
 and secured the services of Elder W. Hill, w T ho entered the field on 
 the 5th Sabbath in September, 187«2, and rode as its missionary for 
 two months. Bro. Hill's time expired November 30th. The board 
 met November, 1872, at the bouse of Bro. J. R. Jefferies, received the 
 report of Bro. Hill and paid his salary — sixty dollars. Bro. Hill re- 
 ported that he had visited most of the churches in the Association. 
 On week days the congregations were small, but large on Sabbaths. 
 Some of the churches gave signs of looseness in discipline, and neg- 
 ligence in keeping their houses of worship. He was generally 
 warmly received, and we are hopeful that his plain, earnest preach- 
 ing has produced good results. Your board has also assisted the 
 Unity Church to the amount of twenty-five dollars. Bro. John Tol- 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 137 
 
 leson has been preaching there once per month, we trust with good 
 results. 
 
 Your board has sadly felt the need of the sympathy and contri- 
 butions of the churches, and are sorry we have so little of the latter. 
 It is with sadness we report that some of the members of the board 
 never attended its meetings. For the want of funds the board could 
 do nothing during the past spring and summer. 
 
 In retiring we would respectfully recommend that the board be 
 abolished, or that it be furnished with funds with which to do some- 
 thing. Respectfully, &c, W. L. Brown, Chairman. 
 
 Demise of M. C. Barnett. — The committee on Obitua- 
 
 rise reported the demise of Elder Micajah C. Barnett, on the 
 
 20th of September of the year 1872, in the town of Shelby, 
 
 N. C, and, on motion, the delegates of El Bethel church 
 
 (where Elder Barnett was a member) had leave to address 
 
 the body in reference to a monument designed to be erected 
 
 to his memory in, their cemetery. 
 
 Bro. J. R. Jefferies stated that it was intended to erect 
 a plain, neat monument — one that would do credit to El 
 Bethel church, to this Association, and to the Baptist de- 
 nomination. That a suitable committee had been appointed 
 by the church to receive funds for the object, and to purchase 
 the monument, and superintend the placing of it over the 
 grave. In closing his remarks he made an earnest and touch- 
 ing appeal to the delegates and churches to aid in the work. 
 One hundred and twenty dollars was raised, and the delegates 
 instructed to lay the matter before their churches immedi- 
 ately on their return home, and solicit funds to be forwarded 
 to the committee. We refer the reader to the biographical 
 sketch of Elder Barnett in this work. 
 
 DEACON THOMPSON ROBBS AND OTHERS. 
 
 The demise of Deacon Thompson Hobbs, of State Line 
 church, "a man of exemplary piety and much beloved by his 
 church." Also Deacon A. Lovelace, of Arrowood church, 
 who died July 16th, 1873, "in the triumphs of the Gospel 
 faith." And our aged and much beloved brother, J. M. By- 
 ars, of Pacolet church, "who was an humble christian, a de- 
 voted lover of his church and pastor, and a liberal supporter 
 of all benevolent objects." And also Sister Caroline More- 
 head, daughter of Elder J. G. Kendrick, "who was for a num- 
 ber of years greatly afflicted, and bore it all with christian 
 18 
 
138 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 
 
 fortitude, and died resigned to the Lord's will." These are 
 noticed in the Minutes of this session. 
 
 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 
 
 The body was entertained with the reading of good re- 
 ports on the various branches of associational work — Foreign 
 and Home Missions, Sabbath Schools, Temperance, Associa- 
 tional Correspondence, etc., all of which seemed to be in 
 rather a languishing condition, but the brethren appeared 
 loath to give them up, and still urged them as strongly as 
 ever upon the attention of the churches. "We hope to see 
 in the examination of the Minutes of future sessions not yet 
 reached, that their efforts were not altogether in vain. 
 
 Antioch Church. — The Antioch church was dismissed 
 at this session to unite with the King's Mountain Association. 
 
 The 74th session met at Pleasant Grove church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preach- 
 ed by Elder J. G. Carter, Matt. xxv. 15. The union consisted 
 of 25 churches; membership, 3110. 
 
 The body organized by electing J. S. Ezeil, Moderator, 
 Bro. Ii. E. Porter, Clerk, and Ii. G. Gaffhey, Treasurer. 
 
 Visitors. — After the usual appointment of committees, 
 &c, Prof. J. B. Patrick and Elders G. S. Anderson and 
 Win, Williams, D. D., made urgent appeals in behalf of the 
 Theological Institution at Greenville, S. C. ' 
 tomb-stones for z. blackwell. 
 
 The committee appointed three years ago to. erect tomb- 
 stones over the grave of Elder Zechariah Blackwell, reported 
 as follows : 
 
 Your committee beg leave to report that they have procured 
 from Mr. John Geddes, of Spartanburg, S. C, a set of white marble 
 grave-stones. The head-stone is oval top, with shoulders, and has 
 an open Bible carved upon it.; also has a granite base. The follow- 
 ing is the inscription : "Erected by the Broad River Association, in 
 
 memory of Elder Z. Blackwell, who died , aged 84 years. He 
 
 is not dead, but sleepeth." 
 
 His grave has been pointed out in the family grave-yard at old 
 
 Bro, Isaac Peeler's, in Union county. S. C. 
 
 H. G. Gaffney, Chairman. 
 
 The Executive Board reported for the associational year 
 ending September 10th, 1874 : 
 
 The present board was organized September 14th, 1873, and held 
 eight meetings during the year, a quorum being always present. We 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 139 
 
 regret to say that we have been deprived of the services of cur 
 esteemed brother, W. Allen, during the whole year, on account of 
 sickness, We have aided Unity church to the amount of $40.0.) in 
 supporting their pastor, and also to the amount of $54.75 in comple- 
 ting their house of worship We have aided Limestone church to 
 the amount of $25. (JO in supporting her pastor. We co-operated with 
 tne Executive Board of the State Convention in securing a mission- 
 ary during the summer months. We hereby annex an extract (,f 
 Elder J. W. Perry's report : 
 
 I began work on the 7th day of June, 1874, and closed August 
 23d. I preached every time an opportunity afforded, but was disap- 
 pointed in some of my appointments. As to the religious condition 
 of the churches that I visited, I can say that there is vast room for 
 improvements in most of them— some seem to be doing well, others 
 are in a lamentable condition, without life enough to maintain any- 
 thing like a wholesome discipline. Some even have office-bearers 
 of such as the Apostle Paul says we must not associate with, or even 
 e.it. — 1 Cor. v. 11. But there is some splendid material that I have 
 met with in my short acquaintance in your section, and there is only 
 needed plenty of the right sort of work, and an humble reliance on 
 the Holy Spirit to make it an enviable field. 
 
 The state of our funds warranted the employing of another mis- 
 sionary for a short time. We employed Elder J. G. Carter, whose 
 report is annexed for information : 
 
 I began labor on the 19th of July and ended on the 9th of Sep- 
 tember. Preached 34 sermons, read the Scriptures and held prayer 
 meetings as often as opportunity offered. I found some of the 
 churches prosperous and others in a cold state. There is great need 
 of missionary labor within your bounds, and 1 would urge that steps 
 be taken to send the Gospel to the destitute places. 
 
 The following is an extract of Elder John Tolleson's 
 report of his services at Unity church : 
 
 The church is in a prosperous condition, with a new house partly 
 built. The large attendance and good attention to the preaching of 
 the Gospel urges me to beg that you continue your aid in sending 
 the preached Word to this church. Send some one who you think 
 will do the most good. 
 
 In retiring, your board can but say that we feel encouraged at 
 the success of the past year, and still recommend to your body to 
 urge upon the churches the great necessity of sending forward funds 
 to sustain the board in their work. For an account of the manner 
 in which your funds have been expended during the past year, we 
 refer you to the Treasurer's report. 
 
 W. L. Brown, Chairman. 
 
 Good reports were made on Sabbath Schools, State of 
 Religion, Domestic and Foreign Missions, etc. 
 
 Deaths. — Bro. H. G. Gaffnev was added to the commit- 
 tee on Obituaries, and, after consultation, that committee 
 
140 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 reported the demise of Elder Wm. Curtis, L.L.D., who had 
 been a prominent member of the body for several years. His 
 death took place October 30th, 1873, in "Walthoursville, Lib- 
 erty county, Ga. (See biography of Dr. William Curtis in 
 this work.) 
 
 The decease of Deacon James Ezell, of Buck Creek 
 church is also noticed. "He had long been a faithful mem- 
 ber and deacon of the church, but is now gone to his reward. 
 The church has sustained a great loss in his death, but her 
 loss is his eternal gain. His life was a living epistle known 
 and seen of all men. 
 
 RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF J. E. BURGESS. 
 
 The following was introduced and adopted : 
 Resolved, That we recommend to the churches composing the 
 Broad River Association, that they aid Bro. J. E. Burgess in acquis 
 iug an education, as he feels it his duty to preach the Gospel; that 
 our Executive Board be instructed to take such action in the case as 
 they may think best. 
 
 Peuding the adoption of the foregoing resolution there 
 were raised from the delegates and congregation over one 
 hundred dollars for the above object. 
 
 The 75th session met at Mount Ararat church, Union 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder J. S. Ezell, from Rom. i. 16. Abington Creek church 
 was admitted at this session, — making a union of 26 churches, . 
 with a membership of 2996. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder J. G. Carter, 
 Moderator, Bros. J. R. Jefferies, Clerk, and H. G. Gaffney. 
 Treasurer. 
 
 After the usual routine of business the Executive Board 
 reported : 
 
 The present board was organized October 3d, 1874, and held six 
 meetings during the year, a quorum being always present. Your 
 board have to regret that some of its members have been very remiss 
 in their attendance. According to a resolution passed at the last 
 meeting of the Association, we made arrangements for Bro. Burgess 
 to go to school at Woodruff's, in Spartanburg county, Bro. H. P. 
 Griffith the principal, charging him no tuition. Bro. Burgess en- 
 tered the school at the beginning of the year. Bro. Griffith reports 
 that he is making tine progress, and is entirely worthy of your sup- 
 port. 
 
 Early in the Spring the board desired to supply Gaffney Station 
 with preaching at least once a month, with the view of building a 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 141 
 
 •church there, but for soine time was not able to secure a suitable 
 man. Following the instructions of the board the Chairman secured 
 the services of Elder J. D. Jamison. Bro. Jamison went to Gaffney 
 on the third Sunday in August, and will also be there the next third 
 ♦Sunday. His continuance at that point is a matter for the new board 
 In May we employed Elder B. Bonner to go and establish a preach" 
 ang point on the west side of Broad River. You are referred to his 
 report for further information in reference to this field. Your board 
 lias also assisted the Unity church, in York county, to the amount 
 of thirty dollars in sustaining their pastor. We refer you to the 
 Treasurer's report for the manner in/whieh your funds have been 
 expended. Respectfully submitted. 
 
 W. L. Brown, Chairman. 
 Elder B. Bonner made a report of his operations, which 
 <bade fair to be productive of much good, and was satisfactory 
 to the Association. 
 
 RETAILING ARDENT SPIRITS. 
 
 The query from Corinth church was taken up, viz : 
 "Is aehurch in order that holds members in its fellowship who 
 iire engaged in retailing ardent spirits to use as a beverage ? If not, 
 what should be done with such a church ?" 
 
 Answer, "Labor with them. Try to show them the error of 
 their course, and reclaim them if possible, If they persist, with- 
 draw from them." 
 
 SPARTANBURG ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Philadelphia, Sulphur Springs, Limestone and Buffalo 
 churches were dismissed — the three first to aid in the forma<- 
 tion of the Spartanburg Association, and the fourth or last 
 to join the King's Mountain body again. 
 
 We find in the report of the committee on Obituaries a 
 notice of the demise of Deacon John Byars, of Macedonia 
 church, "who had been for nearly fifty years a fearless soldier 
 of Christ, and the bright, Christian example of his life is a 
 pattern worthy of our immitation. lie had filled the office 
 of deacon for years with satisfaction and spiritual profit to 
 his brethren, and his death is deeply felt by all with whom 
 he was associated. He died on the 30th of November, 1874, 
 in the full triumph of christian faith." 
 
 Good Reports. — All the objects of associational work 
 appears "well represented on the Minutes of the session in the 
 shape of good reports. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 •T. G. Carter, on the final 'perseverance of the saints in grace. 
 
U2 BROAD KI VER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION; 
 
 The 76th session met at Zion Hill church, Spartanbunr 
 
 tr 
 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
 Elder J. M. Williams, Matt. vii. 24. The union consists at 
 tiiis session of 21 churches and a membership of 2720. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Elder J. G, 
 Carter, Moderator, J. R. Jefieries, Clerk, and W, L, Goude- 
 lock, Treasurer. 
 
 Messengers. — Elders J. G. Landrum and J, S, Ezell 
 were received as messengers from the Spartanburg Associa- 
 tion, recently formed. 
 
 The body proceeded to appoint the usual committees on 
 the different objects of sssociational work. 
 
 REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
 
 The present board was organized September 18th, 1875, a»d held 
 f rar meetings during the year. Your board have to regret that we 
 failed to get a quorum together at two regular meetings, conse- 
 quently we could transact no business. We earnestly recommend 
 to your body to appoint such brethren on the board as will devote- 
 so much of their time and talents to the interests of the board as it 
 demands. We have to say that we have not been able to put a mis- 
 sionary in the field this year for the lack of funds, there not having 
 been any means provided at your last meeting for the use of this 
 board. Our Bro. Burgess, for whom you raised one hundred dollars 
 in cash and pledges, to be used for his education during this year, 
 failing to avail himself of this fund, we decided that we could not 
 use it for any other purpose. We therefore asked the churches to 
 give us one-half the amount pledged by them for Bro. Burgess, to be 
 used in doing missionary worfe, but the churches did not respond ; 
 and this accounts for the reason why we have no missionary in the 
 field. We have aided Unity church to the amount of fifteen dollars 
 in supporting their pastor, and regret that we were not able to aid 
 them more. We endeavored at one time to have monthly preaching 
 at the stand occupied by Bro. Bonner last year, but on account of 
 not getting a sufficient number of the Board together to transact 
 business, we failed. At one time we authorized Bro. Brown to go 
 to the neighborhood of Mount Tabor, in Union county, to try to 
 establish a preaching place on the south side of Pacolet, where there 
 is no church for twelve or fifteen miles below, but on account of the 
 flood which was on the third Sunday in June, he was prevented 
 from reaching his appointment, since which time we have had no 
 board meeting. We recommend that you adopt some plan of syste- 
 matic beneficence, monthly or quarterly, for the use of this board. 
 We refer you to the Treasurer's account for the manner in which 
 your funds have been expended. J. R. Jefferies, 
 
 For the Board. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 143 
 
 THE CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST. 
 
 "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down 
 ihis life for his friends." Our blessed Savior did this on Cal- 
 vary for a lost and ruined worid, and after Jlis resurrection 
 commissioned His disciples, and bade them. "Go ye into all 
 the world aud preach the Gospel to every creature. He that 
 believeth and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that belie v- 
 ■eth not, shall be damned." The Apostle Paul inquires : 
 ■"And how shall they preach except they be sent . ? as it is 
 written, 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the 
 Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things !' " 
 It is certainly the duty of the churches to contribute of their 
 means with which God has blest them to send the Gospel 
 into every dark nook and corner of the world, where it has 
 not heretofore been sent, and to hold up the hands of those 
 who are engaged in propagating and contending for the true 
 faith as once delivered to the saints. In looking at the ope- 
 rations of the executive board of the Broad River Associa- 
 tions, we are reminded of an old problem brought to our 
 attention in our juvenile or school-boy years: "If a frog leaps 
 into a well sixty feet deep, and in endeavoring to get out he 
 leaps two feet up and falls back two aud a half feet every 
 time he makes an effort, how long will he be engaged in 
 aojain ^ettino; to the surface ?" We think he misHit continue 
 through the ceaseless ages of eternity to make efforts of that 
 kind, and never extricate himself from the dilemma in which, 
 for the want of proper caution, he has placed himself. In 
 like manner the executive board of the Broad River Associ- 
 ation will find out that, under the regime of former years, 
 their efforts to evangelize even the waste and meo-lected 
 places within the bounds of the Association will prove a 
 failure, let alone the making of a^^ressive movements against 
 the errors and irregularities of other sects of professing 
 -christians. As the day of miracles is said to have passed 
 (and taking it for granted as true,) it will require a much 
 larger amount of funds thau has heretofore been raised by 
 the churches to procure the necessary appliances to make 
 headway against those already hugely in the ascendency , 
 and well fortified and established iu the positions they now 
 
144 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION". 
 
 occupy. It will require the best talent that can be brought 
 to the front, and well skilled workmen not only in theology 
 but in strategy as well, to make the desired impression,, and 
 td break up systems which, although considered heterodox. 
 and unscriptural, are yet backed up by their advocates with 
 every needed appliance that money and talent can procure. 
 
 Deaths. — We see noticed in the Minutes of this session, 
 the demise of two worthy deacons, Brethren Edward Lip- 
 scomb, of Goucher Creek church, and Lemuel C. Clements, 
 of Arrowood church. They had both adorned their profes- 
 sion, it is said, and purchased to themselves great boldness- 
 in the faith, and have now entered upon their eternal rest 
 which remains for the people of God." 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Bro„ 
 J. R. Jefferies, on the teachings of Christ. 
 
 The session was characterized by efforts in behalf of the 
 different objects of associational work, on each of which 
 there were good reports made to the body. 
 
 The 77th session met at Friendship church, Spartanburg 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preached by 
 Elder T. J. Taylor, John ix. 4. Mount Joy church was ad- 
 mitted into the union. Membership of the 21 churches in 
 confederacy, 2656. 
 
 The Association organized by electing Elder J. M. Wil- 
 liams, Moderator, Bro, J. K. Jefferies, Clerk, and W. L. 
 Goudelock, Treasurer. 
 
 After making the usual appointments of committees, 
 &c, the following resolution was adopted : 
 
 THE EMPLOYMENT OF AN EVANGELIST. 
 
 That it is the sense of this Association that our board ought to 
 employ an evangelist lor the whole year to preach to the destitute 
 places in our bounds, and the board is hereby requested to employ, 
 such evangelist and arrange for his carrying on the work, and to 
 secure good religious literature out of the funds of the Association, 
 and let the evangelist act as colporteur and make regular returns to 
 the board of sales of books and moneys collected. 
 
 Bro. Mens; offered the following as arnendatorv of the 
 above : 
 
 That the pastors of the respective churches be requested to preach 
 missionary sermons and take up collections and forward the funds 
 thus collected to the board between this time and the first of January 
 next, for the purpose of employing a missionary within the bounds 
 of our Association, which was adopted. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 145 
 
 Bro. W. Allen then moved that a collection in cash and 
 pledges be taken up for associational missions, which was 
 done, amounting to $63.20. The Treasury being nearly 
 empty, and the board consequently unable to go into any 
 extensive operations, we have no grounds of expectation that 
 much could be done the present associational year, and there- 
 fore will not copy the report of the Executive Board made 
 at this session, but defer further notice of their operations 
 until the next year. 
 
 The session of this year seems to have been a pleasant 
 one, and characterized by efforts on the part of the body to 
 forward all the different objects of associational work. 
 
 Deaths. — The committee on Obituaries report the de- 
 mise of Elder A. Padgett, ot Sandy Springs church, who 
 departed this life February 2d, 1877. Also the death of our 
 venerable brother, Isaac Peeler, of Mount Ararat church, 
 who had been a deacon for fifty years, and at the age ot 
 near ninety-nine laid oft the armor of his warfare, at the 
 command of his blessed Master, to go up higher. 
 
 Remarks. — We knew Elder Alanson Padgett, formerly 
 of the Green River Association, and esteemed him as a 
 worthy minister of the Gospel ot Christ. He was the father 
 of Dr. B. Pf. Padgett, deceased, who served the people ot 
 Rutherford county in the General Assembly of the State, 
 and had some reputation as a school-teacher and dentist. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this session was prepared by 
 Bro. John R. Jefreries, on the nature, design, qualifications and 
 (Jades of the deaconship. 
 
 Bro. Jefferies is a layman, but wields an able pen- 1 — gen- 
 erally views matters and things from a common-sense stand- 
 point — and is never chargeable with heterodoxy or error ot 
 any kind. He is the worthy and expert Clerk of the Asso- 
 ciation, and generally keeps his records faultless. 
 
 The 78th session was held at Pacolet church, Union 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preached by 
 Elder J. E. Burgess, Matt. xvi. 21. Cowpens church, on 
 the Air-Line Railroad, was admitted, — making a union of 1 
 22 churches, and a membership of 2899. 
 
 The bodv was organized by the election of Elder T. J. 
 *19 
 
146 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Taylor, Moderator, Bros. John R. Jefferies, Clerk, and "W. 
 L. Goucleloek, Treasurer. 
 
 THE STATE BOARD REPUDIATED. 
 
 The usual routine business was transacted, when the 
 following came before the body for consideration : 
 
 Whereas, We feel dissatisfied with the working of the State 
 Board. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That we dispense our missionary funds under the au- 
 spices of our own Board. 
 
 The following resolution by Bro. J. R. Jefferies was 
 adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to communi- 
 cate with the agent of the State Board and set forth our plan for 
 collecting and disbursing funds for the said board, and enclose the 
 resolution just passed by this body. 
 
 The Executive Board reported as follows : 
 
 The new Executive Board was organized October 29th, 1877, and 
 held six meetings during the year. In accordance with the resolu- 
 tion passed by your body at its last meeting the Board, after proper 
 correspondence with various brethren, employed Bro. J. H. Yarboro 
 for one-half of his time as a missionary and colporteur, at a salary of 
 three hundred dollars. We have had preaching regularly at Mount 
 Tabor since May, and Bro. Yarboro, with the assistance of Bro. W- 
 L. Brown, has constituted a church at Hampton City. In addition 
 to this work our missionary has visited and preached in nearly all 
 the churches within our bounds. We have placed in the hands of 
 our colporteur $45.15 worth of books, upon which we will realize 10 
 per cent. 
 
 We recommend to your new board the importance of carrying 
 out the plans of the present board during the remainder of the year. 
 
 We call the attention of the brethren of the churches who made 
 pledges at our last meeting, and urge them to redeem them immedi- 
 ately. Your board base their operations on these pledges, and if 
 they are not redeemed the finances of the board will be very much 
 crippled. If all these pledges are collected, there will still be a defi- 
 cit of thirty or forty dollars in carrying out this year's operations. 
 We recommend to your body the propriety of placing in the hands 
 of your new board kinds sufficient to meet this deficiency. 
 
 In view of the fact that your present board has spent all the 
 money in their hands, we recommend to the new board the neces- 
 sity of concentrating all of their efforts on Mount Tabor and Hamp- 
 ton City. We believe that earnest efforts should be made to sustain 
 preaching at these two points. 
 
 Brethren, believing that we have done something with your 
 means to advance the Master's cause, we hope you will take courage 
 and go boldly forward in this great work of supplying the destitute 
 places with the Gospel. 
 
 Place good and discreet men on your board : aid them with 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 147 
 
 your prayers and sustain them with your money, that they may 
 press forward and build up all the waste places in our bounds. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, J R. Jeffkkiks, Chairman. 
 
 We shall see what we shall see of the operations of an- 
 other year. 
 
 Deaths. — The demise of Deacons Absalom Ward, Jef- 
 ferson Mabry and A. Aiken, bold soldiers of the cross, are 
 noticed in the Minutes of this session. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Bro. Lewis Meng, on the importance of teaching our peculiar 
 principles and tenets as Baptists. A brief, but very appropri- 
 ate and sensible letter. 
 
 The 79th session was held at State Line church, Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preach- 
 ed by Elder T. J. Taylor, Num. xiii. 30. 
 
 Grassy Pond Cherokee Creek, and New Pleasant, new 
 churches, and Pleasant Grove and Bivingsville, dismissed 
 from the Spartanburg Association, were admitted into this 
 body as constituent members. The union now consists of 
 27 churches, with a membership of 3145. 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elder J. G. Car- 
 ter, Moderator, Bros. J. R. Jefteries, Clerk, and W.L. Goud- 
 elock, Treasurer. 
 
 The usual routine business was then transacted, when 
 Elder A. W. Lamar, Corresponding Secretary of the State 
 Board, addressed the Association in behalf of State Missions, 
 after which Bro. L. Meng offered the following resolutions : 
 1st, Revolved, That we undertake to raise within our bounds, 
 during ihe next associational year, the sum of twenty cents per mem- 
 ber, for the objects fostered by this body. 
 
 2d, Resolved, That our Executive Board be instructed to prepare 
 and print in the Minutes, a table, showing what amount this will 
 take for each church to raise, and that they visit the churches, make 
 addresses on the objects of this Association, and aid in raising the 
 part of each church. 
 
 3d, Resolved, That the objects to which we recommend this 
 money to be applied, are Foreign Missions, State Missions, Home 
 Missions, and the education of our young ministers; and further, 
 that each church shall have the right to say to which of theseobjects 
 
 her contributions shall be applied. 
 
 4th. Resolved, That all contributions from churches in our 
 bounds shall be forwarded through the Executive Board. 
 
 5th, Resolved, In case any work is needed in our bounds, our 
 board be instructed to advise with the State Board about it. 
 
148 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The foregoing resolutions, after being properly discuss- 
 ed, were adopted, and if their provisions were applied and 
 complied with by the several churches in the Association 
 would be nearly sufficient to raise a fund of six hundred dol- 
 lars, which, if expended annually within the bounds of the 
 old Broad River Association on the different objects of asso- 
 ciational work which she has in charge, would begin to look 
 like business. But will the churches respond to the call ? 
 We think it hardly probable, and until we know more about 
 it will stand a little in doubt. Let us however be hopeful, 
 and go on with our investigation. Let us first see what the 
 brethren of the Executive Board have to say in their report: 
 
 The new Executive Board of the Broad River Association was 
 organized September 9th, 1878, and held six meetings during the 
 association al year. Your board has aided Unity church to the 
 amount of <?!!), has paid Bro. Yarboro balance on salary of §268.80, 
 and has collected and turned over to Bro. Burgess §35 on pledges 
 made at Pacolet last year, and has now on hand §88.77. We feel 
 under obligations to aid Cowpens church to the extent of our ability, 
 and would recommend to the new board the propriety of aiding it 
 to the amount of §25. 
 
 Brethren, we feel that as a board we are doing nothing for the 
 promotion of our Father's Kingdom, and would submit to your wis- 
 dom the propriety of changing our plan of action. We think that 
 the way could be opened to bring about a reconciliation between this 
 body and the State Board, and feel assured that our mite put into 
 the general treasury and dispensed under its auspices, would do 
 more effectual service. We trust that your action may tend to bring 
 about this desirable end. 
 
 We have a great many pledges in our hands that remain unpaid, 
 and we urge the brethren to meet all their pledges immediately, in 
 order that our work may not be hindered. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 L. Meng. Secretary. J. R. Jefferies, Chairman. 
 
 Deaths. — The demise of Elders J. Lee, Wade Hill, of 
 Green River Association, and B. Bonner, of the Spartanburg 
 Association, is noticed in the report of the committee on 
 Obituaries. (See biographical notices of same in this work.) 
 The jNTew Prospect church reports the death of Deacon Wil- 
 liams. 
 
 A PLEASANT SESSION. 
 
 The session seems to have been an interesting one, char- 
 acterized by harmony and brotherly love. All the objects of 
 associational work appear to be represented as usual. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 149 
 
 The 80th session was held at Cedar Springs church., 
 Spartanburg count}-, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder W, II. Strickland, Psalms 116. The 
 union consists of 28 churches. Membership, 3210, 
 
 Organized by electing Elder T, J, Taylor, Moderator, 
 J. R, Jeiferies, Clerk, and W, L. Goudeloek, Treasurer. 
 
 Beaver Dam, a new church, was admitted into the union 
 nt this session, 
 
 A CORDIAL RECEPTION. 
 
 Bro. E, C, Allen offered the following resolution, which 
 was adopted : ' 
 
 Whekeas, We recognize in our midst the face of Elder W. H» 
 •Strickland, Corresponding Secretary of the State Mission Board, 
 
 JZesolved, That we extend to him a hearty welcome, and earn- 
 estly endorse and will heartily support the work in which he is 
 engaged. # 
 
 Bro, Strickland replied, accepting the compliment and 
 ■ottering his assistance. He for fifteen minutes urged the 
 claims of the Baptist Courier, and distributed some copies of 
 the paper among' the brethren. Remarks were made by 
 Elders W\ L. Brown and G. S. Anderson, tavoring the pat- 
 ronage of the Courier by the brethren. 
 The Executive Board reported ; 
 
 The new board was organized October 7th, 1879, and held four 
 meetings during the year. 
 
 We have aided Cowpens church to the amount of $25 for build- 
 ing purposes. We have turned over to Bro. A. W. Lamar, agent of 
 State Board, $125.86, of which amount $100.86 were paid to Elder M. 
 D. Jefieries, our Missionary, on his salary. We have paid to Elder 
 T. J. Taylor $38.10 for the education of W. T. Tate, a licensed 
 preacher. We have paid to Elder J. E. Burgess $0 on former sub- 
 scription for education. We have collected from all sources, inclu- 
 ding cas-h on hand at last report, $263.61, and we have now on hand 
 $83.15. We are happy to state that the board is in full sympathy 
 with the operations of the State Board. We co-operated with this 
 board in our missionary work during the past year, and have realized 
 great benefit from the union effected between our board and the 
 State Board. Elder M. D. Jefiei its, the missionary provided for us 
 by the State Board has, by his earnest labor and godly deportment, 
 greatly endeared himself to our people. 
 
 A\ r e find in the report of our missionary the following 
 recommendation : 
 
 Might it not be well to have a missionary in each section of your 
 Association? We submit this recommendation to the favorable con- 
 sideration of your body. 
 
150 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCTATTOSr. 
 
 We have the pleasure to inform your body that Elder J. L. ■ Vassv 
 of the Spartanburg Association, made voluntary appointments* 
 throughout our Association, and aided us greatly in raising funds 
 for the State Board, for which services we feel that he is entitled to- 
 your heart-felt thanks. We are happy to have with us* the Corre- 
 sponding Secretary and Treasurer of the State Board. We recom- 
 mend him and his work to your prayerful consideration. 
 
 We have the pleasing of stating to your body that the plan 
 adopted at our last meeting for collecting funds for missions has re- 
 sulted in the collection of $189.10. The following named churches,. 
 El Bethel, Grassy Pond, Pacolet No. 2, Cowpens, and Mount Joy, 
 raised their full quota. We recommend that a similar plan be pur- 
 sued during the next year, and that a more earnest effort be made to 
 raise funds. 
 
 In retiring, your board feel bound to thank God for the work 
 accomplished during the past year, and take courage for the future. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 Lewis Meng. Secretary. J. R, Jefferies, Chairman. 
 
 Remarks. — While copying the foregoing report, our 
 mind and thoughts were engaged in the discussion of the 
 question, "-What is the best method or plan to adopt to raise 
 the necessary funds to successfully carry on missionary ope- 
 rations ? If the Association or churches in their individual 
 capacity attempt to assess any amount, however small, upon 
 the membership, there will always be found some 7 and often- 
 times not a few, ready to oppose such action as tyrannical and 
 oppressive, and contrary to that boasted freedom and inde- 
 pendence generally claimed by Baptists, and savoring too 
 much of popish domineering over the rights and privileges 
 of the people. If they contribute anything in the direction 
 of Gospel support or of missionary operations it must be of 
 their own free will and consent — a free will offering to the 
 Lord ; for it is said lie loves a cheerful giver, and conse- 
 quent! v what is obtained by coercion or unwillingly extorted, 
 is but little less than a sheer abomination in the eye of God, 
 and should therefore not be used. Well, this notion being 
 greatly mixed with truth, as well as often being prompted 
 bv a covetous disposition, we ask such if it is not right and 
 fully in accord with the teaching of the New Testament, 
 that nl! who have been favored with the glad tidings of the 
 Gospel should contribute of their means as God may have 
 blest them to spread the Gospel throughout the world, that 
 those sitting in darkness should receive the light? And if 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 151 
 
 «o, what plan would they prefer? If they can devise a bet- 
 ter system of beneficence than that suggested of giving small 
 •amounts annually (which they will doubtless feel it their 
 duty often to enlarge) as God may enable them, contributed 
 ■as a whole at the end of the .year or in -small amounts 
 (monthly or weekly in the mite boxes or otherwise, then 
 they ought to be heard. We felt much gratified at the, result 
 •of the year's operations, and as the same scheme is put on 
 foot for another year, w-e look forward with pleasing antici- 
 pations: We were greatly disappointed last year, Hope we 
 ?nay not be in the next 
 
 Deaths. — In the Minutes of this session we find an 
 obituary notice of Bro. Woodward Allen, who died April 
 3d, 1880, at his residence near Cedar Springs, Spartanburg 
 county, S, C, (See biographical notice.) We also find a 
 notice of Bro. James K. Finch, who was an accepted Chris- 
 tian .• he was a member of Cedar Springs church for 27 
 years, he was a deacon for a number of years, and was dili- 
 gent in all his Master's work. He was regular in his attend- 
 ance, and liberal in the support of the church and Sabbath 
 School, In his death the church has lost a worthy member, 
 and the community has been deprived of an honest man and 
 a noble citizen. 
 
 Bro, Finch lived to the mature age of 77 years, and 
 during this long life set many noble examples worthy to be 
 copied. 
 
 Bro. Robert White, of the same church, departed this 
 life on the 18th of February, 1880. He lived a consistent 
 Christian life for sixty-one years. He was everything that 
 could be expected of a Christian — steadfast in purpose, strong 
 in the faith, and hopeful of his final reward. During his 
 long life he continued an active member of the church, and 
 took a firm stand in the Sabbath School cause, and in neither 
 was his seat found vacant, unless from providential causes. 
 He was a deacon of the Cedar Springs Baptist church for 
 fifty-nine years, discharging the duties of his office well. 
 Being a man of temperate habits, he lived to the ripe old age 
 of 97. The rich fragrance which lingers around a life thus 
 spent, will long rise like precious incense to shed its bless- 
 ings all around. 
 
152 BEG A D KI VEE BAPTIST A SSOCT ATIGN,. 
 
 Remarks. — We made the acquaintance of Bro. White* 
 in the year 18-38, at the session held that vear at Long Creek, 
 church, and have met him at several sessions of the body 
 cilice that time, and have enjoyed the hospitalities of his- 
 home (having stopped with him on one occasion.,) and we 
 never knew of one who was more a lover of hospitality, a 
 lover of all good men — solder, just,, holy, temperate.. 
 
 Knowing Bro. Allen for many years, and having been 
 kindly entertained under his hospitable roof r we are able to 
 say the same of him. 
 
 The Cedar Springs brethren were remarkable for their 
 intelligence and great moral worth. Deacon J. W. Cooper,, 
 the Walkers and Barnets will long, be bad in remembrance; 
 although the most of the "old guard" have long since cross- 
 t'd over the river, and are now basking under the shade 
 of the trees of the paradisiacal world. 
 
 The 81st session met at Corinth church, Spartanburg, 
 county, S. C. The introductory sermon was preached by 
 Elder A. MeA. Pittman, from Phil, iii. 18. 
 
 The body organized bv electing Elder W. M„ Foster- 
 Moderator, Bro. J. R. Jefferies, Clerk, and W. L. Goudelock,, 
 Treasurer. 
 
 Clifton church was then admitted into the confederacy 
 of churches. Whole number of churches, 29 ; member- 
 ship, 3223. 
 
 The body proceeded to appoint committees on the asso- 
 ciational business. Quite a number of distinguished minis- 
 ters were received from other bodies. Elders W. L.Brown. 
 J. L. Vass, Charles Manly, D.D., J. G. Land rum ? Prof. J. B. 
 Patrick, R. 0. Sams, etc. 
 
 COOPEK LIMESTONE INSTITUTE. 
 
 Elder J. G. Landrum was requested to address the Asso- 
 ciation on the claims of the Cooper Limestone Institute at 
 11| o'clock to-day, which request he complied with. The 
 speaker referred feelingly to the life and labors of the late 
 Dr. Thomas Curtis, at Limestone Springs and in the Broad 
 River Association, giving a short history of the wa} T in which 
 the property came into the possession of the Baptists as a 
 seat of education, urging the brethren to patronize the In- 
 stitute. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAT/TIST ASSOCIATION. 153 
 
 The following resolution was offered by Elder T. J. Tay- 
 lor, and unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That we rejoice to learn that the Cooper Limestone 
 Institute, for the education of young ladies, will open at an early 
 day, and heartily recommend it to the favorable consideration of 
 those who have daughters or wards to educate. 
 
 The Moderator introduced Capt. J. B. Patrick, of the 
 Greenville Military Institute, who set forth the plan of his 
 school, and gave the reason why the military feature was in- 
 corporated into the government of his school. 
 
 Elder Charles Manly, D.D., President of the Furman 
 University, was next introduced by the Moderator, who ad- 
 dressed the Association in the interest of the University. 
 Remarks were made hy Elder J. L. Vass and Prof. J.B.Pat- 
 rick. A collection was taken by Elder Vass for the use of 
 the University amounting to one hundred dollars. 
 
 Prof. R. 0. Sams spoke in behalf of Cooper Limestone 
 Institute, and Elder T. J. Taylor advocated the claims of the 
 Greenville Female College. Elder W. L. Brown distributed 
 some copies of the Baptist Courier, asking for subscriptions 
 . Remarks were made by Elder J. C. Hudson, and Capt. 
 J. B. Patrick. 
 
 Remarks. — The reader will see at a glance the different 
 objects wanting patronage, and all well calculated to assist 
 in rolling on the good work of culture, evangelization and 
 progress generally. It is these institutions that tend so 
 much to the improvement of the people, and give character 
 to the denominations which keep them as a ball continually 
 in motion. How great the contrast will appear in associa- 
 tional work, by taking a retrospective view of half a century. 
 It may well be said by our Pedo-Baptist friends — there is a 
 great future for the Baptists ! 
 
 It w r as resolved by the body to spend half an hour in 
 devotional exercises, and Dr. Manly was requested to address 
 the Association on the importance of praying for God's bless- 
 iugs during seasons of drought and despondency such as 
 we are now undergoing. 
 
 THE PEOPLE SUFFERING GREATLY FROM DROUGHT. 
 
 Dr. Manly spoke eloquently, showing that God is in 
 every thing, and when His children trust Him and take Him 
 in partnership with them, that He will bless them and send 
 the early and latter rains to cause the earth to bring forth 
 sustenance for them. 
 
 20 
 
134 BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 On motion of Elder Taylor, Dr. Manly was requested 
 to lead the Association in special prayer for the healing of 
 our wounded President, which duty was performed with 
 deep feeling, making deep and sad impressions on the con- 
 gregation. 
 
 STATE MISSIONS. 
 
 The hour having arrived for the discussion of State Mis- 
 810ns, Dr. Manly appeared for Elder W. H. Strickland, Cor- 
 responding Secretary of the State Mission Board, setting 
 forth the necessities of the work of State Missions, and com- 
 mended the Association for the liberal contributions made 
 to this board during the past year. Remarks were made by 
 Capt. J. B. Patrick^ T. J." Taylor, W. M. Foster and W. T. 
 Tate. 
 
 The Executive Board then reported : 
 
 Your Board held eight meetings during the year, and have re- 
 ceived from all sources $2(33.65 and paid out $224, — for an itemized 
 account of which you will see the Treasurer's Report. 
 
 The Board employed Bro. G. W, Manly, a theological student, 
 through the State Mission Board ; for a statement of his work we 
 refer you to his own report, which is herewith submitted. We can 
 not speak too highly of Bro. Manly's work and of his earnest chris- 
 tian deportment among us. We commend him as a high-toned 
 Christian and faithful laborer in the Master's vineyard. 
 
 We have also employed Bro. W T. Tate to work in t>he north- 
 ern section of our Association. For a statement of his work we 
 refer you to his report herewith annexed. As Bro. Manly says, the 
 work is too great for any one man. We earnestly recommend that 
 each section of the Association employ a missionary in its own 
 bounds. The middle section has already notified us of its intention 
 to do so. and we feel assured that they will be amply repaid for the 
 funds so expended. In retiring, your Board desire to express their 
 thanks to those churches that have aided us with their means, and 
 beg to remind those that have not done so, that giving to the Lord's 
 cause is as much a christian duty as praying or hearing the preached 
 Word. 
 
 We sincerely believe that our God will prosper that people most 
 who do this duty best, and if we who profess to be God's peculiar 
 people refuse the bread of life to those who sit in the regions of dark- 
 ness, are we not hiding our light and hoarding our means to our 
 own hurt? We pray you, brethren, in God's name arouse from this 
 lethargy, from this sleep of death, and do something now for Jesus, 
 
 who hath redeemed you. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. J. R. .Tefkeries, Chairman. 
 
 Lewis Meng, Secretary. 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 155 
 
 G. W. Manly, missionary, made his report : 
 
 Number of days' labor, 60; number of revivals, 5 ; number of 
 sermons preached, 58 ; number of conversions, 40; number of relig- 
 ious talks, 44 ; number of miles traveled, 544. 
 
 In these revivals I was only assisting pastors, and they had other 
 helps. I have found the field entirely too large for one man. The 
 idea presented by some members of the Board to have a missionary 
 in each section, is a good one. Only by adopting that plan can the 
 work be 'done as it should be. Many neglected neighborhoods, and 
 many of the churches even, need missionary work ; the latter need 
 it for the reason that they are not in full sympathy with mission 
 work in general. ' « G. W. Manly. 
 
 W. T. Tate, missionary, made his report, as follows : 
 
 Number of days' labor, 30; number of sermons preached, 32 ; 
 number of baptisms, 13; number of prayer-meetings, 24; number of 
 religious visits, 54 ; amount collected, $9.57. 
 
 I find by traveling through your territory that your bounds are 
 too large for one man to do the work, and think it would be a wise 
 plan for each section to have its own missionary, and then each 
 could have more preaching, and enable the missionary to do his 
 work more thoroughly. , W. T. Tate. 
 
 THE LAST ADDRESS BY ELDER J. G. LANDRUM, BEFORE BROAD ' 
 
 RIVER ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Upon the adoption of the foregoing report of the Execu- 
 tive Board, Elder J. G. Landrnm macle some feeling 
 remarks, urging the brethren to go before .the churches and 
 stir them up to their duty in giving liberally ; alluded feel- 
 ingly to his being permitted again to be with us; gave us 
 some parting words of encouragement, and begged us to 
 train up the children to the duty of giving liberally to the 
 cause of Christ. 
 
 By request, Bro. Landrum led the Association in prayer, 
 and the body extended to him, Dr. Manly and Prof. Patrick 
 the parting hand. On the 19th day of January succeeding 
 this pleasant interview with his brethren of the Broad River 
 Association, Elder John Gill Landrum was summoned to 
 the great association of angels and the spirits of just men 
 made perfect in the upper and better world. 
 
 Deaths. — The demise of the following brethren is no- 
 ticed in the Minutes of this session, viz : Eli Bryant was born 
 in 1806, and died March 18th, 1881. He joined the Bethesda 
 church in 1841, and lived a consistent Christian 39 years. In 
 his death the church has lost a bright light. He was much 
 loved bj' the church and all who knew him. At the Master's 
 
156 BEO AD BIVEB BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 call, in the 74th year of his age, he laid down his armor and 
 passed over the river, "where the wicked cease from trou- 
 bling and the weary are at rest." 
 
 Deacon W. L. Brown was a member of Brown's Chapel 
 church, was a deacon two years, was a faithful worker for 
 his Master, and was diligent in every good work ; he was 
 regular in his attendance on his church and liberal in its 
 support, and zealous in working for the Sabbath School. He 
 departed this life in January, 1881. 
 
 John F. Clary was a member of Providence church 
 e'ght years. He was an acceptable Christian, and was ever 
 ready to contribute to the support of his church and Sunday 
 School ; his heart and purse was ever open to aid in any 
 christian work. We feel that his place will be hard to fill. 
 He was kind and obliging as a neighbor, as a husband and 
 lather he was affectionate and tender. He died July 17th, 
 1881. 
 
 Reflections. — When our friends die, we only speak of 
 their virtues arid good traits of character manifested in their 
 lives, for the good of others yet on the stage of action, to be 
 emulated and copied for their benefit. The Apostle Paul 
 said, "For scarcely for<a righteous man will one die ; yet 
 peradventure for a good man some one would even dare to 
 die." This, he said, to illustrate the great condescension 
 and kWidness of Christ in suffering on the cross to make 
 atonement for His people. That if "a righteous man" — one 
 of strict integrity, who had committed no crime against the 
 welfare of the community, were about to be put to death 
 through the iniquity and oppression of unjust judges, or in 
 any other way were in danger of losing his life — there would 
 scarcely be found a person who would consent to die in his 
 stead ; though perhaps for "a good man;" one of extensive 
 philanthropy, whose life had been and was likely to be a 
 public blessing, some one might even venture to lay down 
 his life. Yet this most rare instance, the very summit of 
 human affection, falls immensely beneath the love of God to 
 us. It is sufficient for us, when our friends are taken from 
 us by the ruthless hand of death, 
 
 "To be to their errors a little blind, 
 And to their virtues ever kind." 
 
 We are all frail mortals, and must soon leave the walks 
 
BROAD RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 157 
 
 of the living. How proper and fitting, therefore, that every 
 thing savoring of envy or malice should be buried from our 
 Sight or even recollection in the deepest grave of oblivion. 
 If we can say but little that is good, let us refrain from say- 
 ing anything evil : for every one to his own Master standeth 
 or falleth. May God, our Maker and Benefactor, save us 
 from the oreat sin ot selfishness! 
 
 The 82d session of the Broad River Association met at 
 Grassy Poud church, Spartanburg county, S. C. The intro- 
 ductory sermon was preached by Elder T. J.- Taylor, from. 
 James ii. 20. Theme — Faith. 
 
 .Elder T. J. Taylor was elected Moderator, and Bro. J, 
 R. Jefferies, Clerk. 
 
 Nazareth, a new church, was admitted. Number of 
 churches in union, 30. Number of members, 3524. 
 
 Remakes. — Several messengers from corresponding 
 bodies were on hand attending to their mission work, and 
 everything appeared to be moving along harmoniously, con- 
 sidering the stringency of the times in regard to monetary 
 matters. We believe the amounts desired for the different 
 objects were raised and handed in to the treasury. 
 
 Remarks were made very pertinently by Elders Griffith, 
 Pitman, Foster and others, to stir up the pure minds of the 
 brethren, by putting them in rememberance of their relig- 
 ious duties with apparent good effect. 
 
 We attended the session for the purpose of meeting old 
 brethren whom we have not seen in many years; but ah ! 
 the places that once knew them will knoV many of them no 
 more forever ! They* have crossed over the river of death 
 and entered the great association above. Their places are 
 now filled by their youthful descendants, very few of whom 
 we were able to recognize. We felt sad and somewhat as 
 though out of place; still we thank God that He is pushing 
 forward His great work of evangelizing the world through 
 other agencies. As the old and superannuated go to their re- 
 wards, others probably much better endowed, mentally and 
 
 physically, are ready to take their places, and still the work 
 goes on. 
 
 We here close our labors as to the journalistic part of 
 our undertaking. 
 
158 KING'S MO [JNTAIlSf BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ORGT^lSriZA^TIOIsr 
 
 OF THE 
 
 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Believing the formation of a new Association would 
 prove conducive to the religious interests of many of the 
 Baptist brotherhood, and the improvement of the many young 
 ministers included within the limits of the several churches 
 recently dismissed from the Broad River body for this object: 
 — by placing them at the helm of assoeiational business, — 
 and believing, too, that it will prove a god-send to the old 
 and infirm brethren who yet desire to be present at the an- 
 nual meetings of the Association? but by reason of age and 
 of the extensive boundary of the Broad River body tbey are 
 precluded from doing so,' and inasmuch as the contemplated 
 division of the old body leaves ample scope for all who wish 
 to work in the Lord's vineyard — whether in the old or in the 
 new body- — the following churches^ by their delegates, did 
 therefore on the 7th day of November, 1851, meet together 
 in convention, at Double Springs church, in Cleveland 
 count}', N. C, for the purpose of organizing a new Associa- 
 tion, to-wit : 
 
 1. Buffalo— B. E. Rolling, Elijah Turner, Wm, Hamriek, John 
 Turner. , 
 
 2. Sandy Run— Edmund Jones, Robert MeBrayer, Edward P. 
 Jones, Caleb Bridges. 
 
 3. Zion — Thotnas Dixon, John Bailey, William Covington. - 
 
 4. Zoar— William H. Green, John R. Logan, Barnett Putnam, 
 Wm. H. Cabaniss. , 
 
 o. Double Springs— Joseph Suttle, Milton Gold, Dan'l P. Gold. 
 
 6. Bethel — Dove Panned, George Hamriek. Wm. H. Hardin. 
 
 7. Boiling Springs — David Hamriek, David D. Durham, Asa 
 Hamriek. 
 
 8. Mount Sinai— John Webber. 
 
 9. New Bethel— Richard T. Hord, Anderson S. Elam. 
 
 10. Mount Pleasant— George W. Rollins, Merida Jolly, Wm. B. 
 Hamea, 
 
 
"KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 159 
 
 91. Broad River —Not represented. 
 
 12, Beaver Dam — William McSwain, Elijah Eskridge. 
 
 13. Pleasant Hill — Moore Martin, Marcus L. Boss. 
 
 The convention sermon was preached by Elder Dove 
 iiTannel, of Bethel church. Text : John xvii. chap, and part 
 •of 1st verse-: "The hour is come." 
 
 The body was -called to order by Elder Joseph Suttle, 
 ■and on his motion Elder Thomas Dixon was appointed Mod- 
 erator, and Bro. J. R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 The letter of dismission from the Broad River body was 
 ■then read and the names of churches and delegates enrolled 
 sis above set forth. 
 
 Bro. J. R. Logan read before the body a paper intended 
 as a Constitution, prepared by him for the Association, which 
 was adopted, and which reads as follows : 
 
 'CONSTITUTION OF THE KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 We, the united Baptist churches of Jesus Christ, located 
 .in North and South Carolina, having obtained letters of dis- 
 mission from the Broad River Baptist Association, and hav- 
 ing all been baptized upon a profession of faith in Christ, 
 are desirous of reciprocal union. We therefore propose to 
 maintain the Order and Rules of an Association according 
 to the following system : 
 
 1. The Association shall be formed of members elected by the 
 •different churches in our union, who, on producing certificates from 
 their respective churches, in support of their* election, shall be enti- 
 tled to a seat. 
 
 2. The members thus chosen and convened, shall be known by 
 the name of the King's Mountain Association. 
 
 3. The Association thus organized shall elect by ballot a Mode- 
 rator and Clerk, both of whom shall be representatives of some one 
 of the churches in union, and when so elected shall hold their offices 
 for one year. 
 
 4. This body shall have no coercive power to "lord it over God's 
 heritage," or to infringe on any of the internal rights of the churches 
 in union (while they remain orderly,) but shall only act as an Advi- 
 sory Council in matters respecting their internal concerns. Never- 
 theless, it becomes necessary to establish some uniform rules of pro- 
 ceeding, in order to foster and maintain union and Christian fellow- 
 ship. 
 
 5. When offences committed by one church against another 
 shall occur, it shall be the duty of the offended church to labor with 
 the offender for satisfaction ; and in case of failure to obtain redress, 
 then call in the aid of one or two other churches in union to assist 
 
160 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 i« the labor of reconciliation, and if satisfaction (in the opinion of 
 the helps thus called inj cannot be obtained, then the aggrieved 
 church may bring the case before the Association, which is bound 
 to act on it. 
 
 6. Also, when a serious difference arises in an individual church 
 which the members thereof cannot reconcile, they shall call in the 
 assistance of one or two more churches in union to assist in the work, 
 and if satisfaction (in the opinion of the helps) is not obtained, the 
 case may be brought before the Association, which body shall take it 
 up and act upon it. 
 
 7. And should an individual member or members be excluded 
 from any church in our union, if he, she or they, after maturely con- 
 sidering their own conduct and the act of the church, shall feel 
 themselves aggrieved, they may appeal to the church for a new hear- 
 ing, and if there cannot be a reconciliation obtained, the church may 
 call in the aid of one or two 9ister churches; and if, in the opinion 
 of the helps thus called in, the member or members have been un- 
 justly excluded, the case may come before the Association to be 
 acted on ; Provided always, in all cases of grievances, reference has* 
 been had to the 18th chap, of the Gospel by St. Matthew and other 
 Scriptures which respects discipline, for the bringing to trial and 
 determining on all'cases of grievances ; and the Association will not 
 take up any case of the above kind unless the above proceedings 
 have been previously had thereon. 
 
 8. Every church in the union having a membership not exceed- 
 ing fifty in number, shall be entitled to a representation of two del- 
 egates in the Association ; and the number exceeding one hundred 
 members and does not exceed one hundred and fifty, they shall be 
 entitled to three delegates; when over one hundred and fifty and 
 not exceeding two hundred members, four delegates are to'beallowed. 
 
 9. The delegates thus chosen and sent, are to be recommended 
 to the Association by letter from the churches by whom they are 
 sent, which shall be expressive of their fellowship ; also the number 
 of those baptized, received by letter, dismissed, excommunicated, 
 and the number deceased since the last Association, and the total 
 number in fellowship. 
 
 10. Churches producing letters of dismission from other Associ- 
 ations, and by petitioning, and also newly constituted churches who 
 shall, upon examination, be found orthodox and orderly, by petition- 
 ing by letter and delegation, may be received into this union, and 
 the same shall be manifested by the Moderator of the body giving 
 them the right hand in token of fellowship. 
 
 11. The Association shall have power to exclude any church 
 from this union who shall depart from the orthodox principles of 
 the Gospel. 
 
 VI. The Association shall endeavor to furnish the churches with 
 the Minutes of their proceedings, and to enable it to do so, each 
 church shall be required to contribute such sums as.may be proper 
 and necessary. 
 
 13. Every query sent by a church who has labored on it and 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 161 
 
 fails within herself in getting a satisfactory decision on it, shall be 
 taken up by the Association, and not otherwise. 
 
 14. Any church in our union having a member possessed with 
 preaching talents, who is a candidate for the ministry, may invite 
 brethren from one, two, or more sister churches, the aid of their 
 minister and other members who, in conjunction with the church, 
 shall examine the candidate, and, if deemed qualified, may license 
 him to preach the Gospel among the churches at discretion, which 
 shall be reported to the Association and entered on the Minutes. 
 
 15. Any church having a licensed preacher whom they deem 
 worthy of credentials, shall call a presbytery of ministers of our 
 union to officiate ; and a presbytery thus called shall, in all cases of 
 ordinations, both of ministers and deacons and the constitution of 
 churches, be regulated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
 
 16. The Association shall not adjourn until they have gone 
 through the business regularly brought before them, exceptin extra- 
 ordinary cases ; but no act of the body shall go into operation until 
 the close of the session, but may be reconsidered or changed. 
 
 17. The Minutes of the Association shall be read and corrected 
 (if need be,) and signed by the Moderator and attested by the Clerk 
 before the Association rises. 
 
 18. The Association shall, in all cases, be governed by a majority 
 of the members present. 
 
 19. Voting shall be confined exclusively to the body in all acts 
 respecting their internal concerns; but the Association may admit 
 any of the distant brethren in the ministry as assistants who may 
 be present at the time of their sitting. 
 
 20. The Association, when convened, shall be governed by a 
 regular and proper decorum, which they are authorized to form for 
 themselves. , 
 
 21. No alteration or amendment shall be made to this Constitu- 
 tion, unless the same be concurred in by a majority of the members 
 present in two successive sessions of the Association. 
 
 RULES OF ORDER. 
 
 1. The Association shall be opened and closed by prayer. 
 
 2. The Moderator shall be deemed a judge of order, and shall 
 have a right to call to order at anj 7 time ; also it shall be his duty to 
 see that the Rules of Order are attended to ; to take the opinion of 
 the Association on all questions properly brought before the body. 
 
 3. Any member not bring satisfied with his decision on any 
 point of order, may appeal to the Association on the same day the 
 decision is made, but at no other time. 
 
 4. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to keep a regular record ot 
 the transactions of the Association. 
 
 5. But one person shall speak at a time, and he shall rise to his 
 feet and obtain leave of the Moderator • and when he has donespeak- 
 ing he shall sit down, and shall not speak more than twice on the 
 same question, nor more than twenty minutes at one time, unless 
 he obtain permission of the Association. 
 
 6. The Moderator, when addressed for leave of speech, shall sig- 
 nify the same bv naming of them, or otherwise. 
 
 21 
 
162 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 7. No member shall be interrupted while speaking, unless he 
 depart from the subject on hand, or use words of personal reflection, 
 or with a view of calling to order for some particular purpose. Any 
 motion made and seconded, shall come under the consideration of 
 the Association, except withdrawn by him who made it. 
 
 8. Every case taken up by the Association shall be decided first, 
 before another is offered. 
 
 9. When anything is taken up by the Association, after allowing 
 time for the debate, the Moderator shall put the question ; and those 
 in favor of the thing proposed shall rise to their feet, and those op- 
 posed to it, keep their seats : the Moderator shall procure the decis- 
 ion before those standing take their seats. 
 
 10. No person being a member shall depart the service of the 
 Association without leave. 
 
 11. The appellation of ''Brother" shall be used in our address to 
 each other. 
 
 12. The names of the members shall be called as often as neces- 
 sary. 
 
 13. No member shall be indulged in any practice that has a tend- 
 ency to interrupt in the time of a public speech, or any other practice 
 that would dishonor the Association. 
 
 14. The Moderator shall be entitled to the same privilege of 
 speech as any other member, provided he appoints some other mem- 
 ber to his seat while he is speaking, but shall not vote unless the 
 Association be ecmally divided : then he shall give the casting vote. 
 
 15. Any person breaking these rules of order shall be reproved 
 at the discretion of the Association, but only on the day the breach 
 was made. 
 
 ABSTRACT OF PRINCIPLES. 
 
 1. We believe in one only true and living God — the Father, Son 
 and Holy Ghost— three in one. 
 
 2. We believe that the Scriptures of The Old and New Testa- 
 ments are the Word of God, and the only true rule of faith and prac- 
 tice. 
 
 3. We believe in the doctrine of original sin. 
 
 a. We believe in man's im potency to recover himself from the 
 falh n state he is in by nature, by his own free will and holiness. 
 
 5, We believe in the doctrine of Election, through sancliiic-ation 
 of the Spirit and belief of the Truth. 
 
 0. W T e believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God, only 
 by the merits of Jesus Christ. 
 
 7. We believe the saints shall persevere in grace, and not finally 
 fall away. 
 
 8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordi- 
 nances of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the only proper 
 
 * Notf.— At the session of 1871, held with Bethel church, the 8th 
 article of the foregoing Rules of Order was changed, so as to read : 
 We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 163 
 
 subjects; and conscientiously do believe the true mode is *imraer- 
 sion. 
 
 9. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and general judg- 
 ment. 
 
 10. We believe that the joys of the righteous and the punishment 
 of the wicked will be eternal. 
 
 11. We believe that no minister has a right to the administrate n 
 of the ordinances, only such as has been called of God, as was Aaron, 
 and regularly baptized and approved of by the church, and come 
 under the imposition of hands by the Presbytery. 
 
 12 * We believe that none but believers have a right to the ordi- 
 nances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 
 
 Bra. J. R. Lagan moved that the name of the Associa- 
 tion be "King's Mountain," which was agreed to, and the 
 blank in the Constitution just adopted was tilled by inserting 
 that name. 
 
 Rules of Order and on Abstract of Principles were also 
 presented and adopted which accompanies the Constitution. 
 
 The acting Moderator then announced the Association 
 as being duly formed, when, on motion of Bro. Elijah Tur- 
 ner, the body proceeded to ballot for officers, ..which resulted 
 in. the choice ot Elder Thomas Dixon for Moderator, and 
 Bro. John R. Logan for Clerk. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Before giving the boundary lines, it may not be im- 
 proper to state that this Association includes the historic 
 mountain peak where Col. Patrick Ferguson, belonging to 
 His Britanic Majesty was, on the 7th of October, 1780, en- 
 camped en route for Charlotte, 1\ T . C, to put himself under 
 the more safe protection of Lord Cornwallis, who was aware 
 from the time he evacuated Gilberttown, near' the present 
 town of Rutherfordton, that he was being pursued by the 
 brave Campbell — Shelby, Sevier, Cleveland, McDowell, etc., 
 from the Nolachucky country; and not knowing whether he 
 would be able to make the trip or not, before being attacked, 
 lie acted upon the old but sound maxim that "discretion is 
 the better part of valor," and having great confidence in him- 
 self as a strategist, and believing that he had found a point 
 on his march of such a defensive character that no foe could 
 
 Jjsus Christ, and that true believers who have been immersed upon 
 a profession of faith are the only proper subjects for the Lord's table. 
 * Article 12 was at the same time stricken out. 
 
164 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. , 
 
 successfully assail him, he thought it most advisable to turn 
 aside and remain there until he could communicate with his 
 superior chiet and obtain a force sufficient for the emergen- 
 cy. He took possession of the little hill in the name of his 
 sovereign, and called it King's Mountain, and said "he was 
 the King, and that all the devils out of h — 1 could not dis- 
 lodge him from a fortress so impregnable." He probably 
 never once thought of being surrounded and pelted in front 
 and rear, and indeed on every side as he certainly was, while 
 the hill completely protected his assailants from the danger 
 of their own bullets as they advanced upon him from the 
 different sides of the mountain, firing as they ascended. But 
 so it was : in a little over an hour's hot work the British 
 officer atoned for his folly by the loss of his life and the de- 
 struction and capture of his entire army and military stores, 
 and the result certainly contributed largely to the cause of 
 American independence. 
 
 We think the Association acted wisely in the choice of 
 a name. King's Mountain will long be had in remembrance 
 by every patriot and lover of religious liberty ; and as the 
 Baptists were the first to advocate religious liberty and op- 
 pose the union of church and state, the selection was proper. 
 "When the King's Mountain Association was formed its 
 boundary extended easterly to the Catawba valley, but since 
 the formation of the South Yadkin bodv, some of the 
 churches have joined it ; and some the Catawba River Asso- 
 ciation, leaving the South Fork of the Catawba River as the 
 King's Mountain associational line. That line includes the 
 church in the town of Dallas, in Gaston county, and also the 
 Long Creek church, extending southerly to the line of the 
 York Association. Thence along the line of said association, 
 the same being, the Crowder's and King's Mountain range, 
 including the King's Mountain battle-ground, and Antioch 
 Church, on King's Creek. Thence to the mouth of Buffalo 
 Creek. Thence up main Broad River, passing Ellis' and 
 Champion's ferries to the mouth of 2d Broad River. Thence 
 
 along" the said river and with the line ot the Green River 
 Association to its connection with the Catawba River Hue, 
 and thence along the line of that Association to its begin- 
 ning. 
 
KING 7 S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. . 165 
 
 SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 Bro. John R. Logan was appointed to prepare a Circu- 
 lar Letter to be addressed to the churches in union, on the 
 duties of church members towards each other. 
 
 The committee on Correspondence reported that they 
 have had the matter under consideration, and being fully 
 aware of the benefits arising from a friendly correspondence 
 with sister associations, do therefore recommend that a 
 friendly correspondence be solicited with the several associ- 
 ations following : The Broad River, the Green River, the 
 Bethel, and the Catawba River; and that messengers be 
 appointed by this body to attend each of the foregoing asso- 
 ciations, with requests that they reciprocate this proffered 
 interchange of courtesy. 
 
 CORRESPONDING LETTER. 
 
 The King's Mountain Baptist Association — To her sisters, the 
 Broad River, the Green River, the Bethel, and the Catawba 
 River Associations — Greeting : 
 
 Dearly Beloved Brethren: — Through a kind turn of the 
 Providence of God, our Heavenly Father, we have been permitted 
 to meet together in an associate capacity, and have enjoyed a pleas- 
 ant interview. This being the first session of our body since its or- 
 ganization, it will therefore be proper to inform those with whom 
 we solicit a correspondence, that we have been detached from the 
 Broad River Association and erected into a new and distinct body, 
 various reasons impelling us thereto-, a few of which it may not be 
 considered amiss to communicate in this letter. The Broad River 
 Association, previous to its division, was a large body, extending 
 over a considerable area of territory, interspersed with several large 
 streams that not nnfrequently, in time of high waters, intercepted 
 the delegates from churches in their attempts at going to and from 
 the annual sessions. Moreover, the churches numbering upwards 
 of forty, rendered the business of the sessions arduous and often 
 complicated, while the delegations being consequently numerous, 
 were therefore more burthensome to the citizens and brethren who 
 usually support such bodies. 
 
 The foregoing reasons, coupled with a desire to be more conve- 
 niently situated, and with a belief that greater zeal and energy, with 
 a corresponding religious effort, will accompany the separation, have 
 induced us to make the experiment ; and we are not without hope 
 that all the advantages and desirable results so fondly anticipated 
 will be more than realized ; that our churches will feel greater re- 
 sponsibility and do more to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, that His disciples may be greatly increased ; that the churches 
 
166 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 may be filled with devoted converts ; that the kingdom of our Lore? 
 may come with great power and glory until all kindred and people 
 shall become the willing servants of our Lord. 
 
 The information communicated in the letters from our churches 
 in union go to show that several of them, during a short space of 
 time back, have enjoyed gracious revivals of religion, and are made 
 to exclaim : ''The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we 
 are glad!" During the present session our business has been trans- 
 acted in harmony and brotherly love. 
 
 Our next Association will convene with the New Bethel church 
 on Friday before the 4th Lord's day in October next (1852,) * * * * 
 at which time and place we shall hope to receive your correspondence. 
 
 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 
 
 Thomas Dixon, Moderator. 
 J. R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 The Broad River church was dismissed from the Broad 
 River Association to aid in the formation of the new bodv. 
 but failed in being represented. The total membership rep- 
 resented in the constitution was 1825. 
 
 The second ami mil meeting in 1852 was held at New 
 Bethel church, Cleveland comity, X. C. The introductory 
 sermon was delivered by Elder Joseph Suttle, of Double 
 Springs. High Shoals and Mount Vernon churches were 
 admitted into the body, making 15 in all, with a member- 
 ship of 1496. 
 
 The bod}- organized by re-electing Elder Thos. Dixon, 
 Moderator, and Bro. John R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 ^CORRESPONDING BODIES. 
 
 The Broad River, Green River, and Catawba River bod- 
 ies were represented by letter and messengers, making glad 
 the hearts of the Kind's Mountain brethren. 
 
 Fast Day.-*— The following was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That t lie first day of January next be set apart as a 
 flay of fasting, humiliation and prayer for the spread of the Gospel, 
 t ie blessings of peace and unrivaled piety, and tbe several churches 
 in union are requested to meet at their respective meeting-houses on 
 Chat day to engage in religious worship. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches, prepared by Bro. 
 John R. Logan, was read and. adopted. 
 
 The third annual session in 1853 met at Boiling Springs 
 church, Cleveland <ounty, N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder Geo. W. Rollins, of High Shoals. 
 
 Mount Paran and Corinth, (new churches,) and Big 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 167 
 
 Spring, from the Green River Association, were admitted 
 into the union, making 18 in all. Baptized since last session, 
 132. Aggregate membershhip, 1666. 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elder Dove Pan- 
 u ell, Moderator, and Bro. John R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 TEMPERANCE RESOLUTION. 
 
 The following resolution was introduced and referred 
 to the committee on Petitions and Queries : 
 
 That this Association, assuming to be nothing above an advisory 
 council, with a view to the advancement of good order and religion, 
 earnestly recommend to the churches composing the same by all 
 prudent means to dissuade the members of our denomination from 
 the promiscuous making and vending of spirituous liquors. 
 
 The committee reported,. 
 That under existing circumstances they deem it inexpedient to 
 adopt the same, and recommend its rejection: They, however, are 
 fully aware that gtreat and lamentable evils are the continual results 
 of intemperance, both in Church and State, and therefore earnestly 
 recommend that the'members of all our churches pursue a course 
 strictly in conformity with the Word of God, as revealed in the" 
 Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which teaches men to 
 live soberly, righteously and godly in this present evil world. 
 
 On motion, th^ foregoing report was adopted by the 
 body. 
 
 CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION. 
 
 The same committee to whom was referred the petition 
 from Buffalo church, praying the alteration of the 8th Arti- 
 cle of the Constitution "so as to make all ordained ministers 
 a standing delegation," recommended that the same be not 
 
 granted, which was sustained by the body. 
 
 The following resolution was then adopted : 
 That in lieu of any alteration of our system, it is recommended 
 to the several churches composing this body, and they are hereby 
 advised, to select as their annual representatives their most pious and 
 intelligent members, and especially their ministers, to represent 
 them in council. 
 
 Missionaries. — The following resolution was introduced 
 by Bro. Robert Priee : 
 
 Resolved, That this Association appoint two ministers to labor, 
 each one month or more, in the destitute section of country north- 
 east of this Association extending as far as the Catawba River, and 
 that they be paid the sum of twenty dollars per month by the Asso- 
 ciation, which was adopted. 
 
 Whereupon the Association appointed Elders Dove Pan- 
 nell aiid Joseph Suttle its missionaries under said resolution. 
 
168 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Elder Thos. Dixon then moved the appointment of a 
 Treasurer, and the sum of thirty dollars was raised by the 
 delegates for this object. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Dove Pan n ell on the subject of election. (See biograph- 
 ical notice of Elder Pannell.) 
 
 The fourth annual session of 1854 met at Mount Sinai 
 church, Cleveland county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder Dove Pannell, of Bethel. 
 
 Sandy Plains and New Prospect (new churches) and 
 Bethlehem and Long Creek, from the Broad River, were 
 admitted — making a union of 22 churches and a membership 
 of 2096. Baptized since last session, 277 members. The 
 following churches, viz : Zion, Bethlehem, Long Creek, New 
 Bethel, Mount Paran, Big Spring, Mount Vernon, Double 
 Springs and Pleasant Hill received the greatest accessions as 
 the proceeds of the revival of this year. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Dove Pannell, 
 Moderator, and Bro. John R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Bogus Delegates. — Application was made by pretend- 
 ed representatives of Ebenezer church, within the bounds of 
 the Green River Association, to join this body which, after 
 some discussion, was referred to a select committee, and af- 
 terwards rejected. 
 
 Queries. — Took up the following queries : 
 
 1. '-Is it in accordance with Gospel order and the usage of Bap- 
 tists for the eldership of Baptist churches to meet and form presby- 
 teries and constitute new churches, including in them persons who 
 stand as excluded members of other Baptist churches?'' 
 
 Answer. '"We advise our churches not to constitute any mem- 
 ber or members into a church, unless such member or members 
 shall have been regularly dismissed from the church or churches to 
 Which they may have belonged." 
 
 2. "What course shall be taken by a church of the Baptist faith 
 and order in reference to a person who makes application for baptism 
 and membersbip, who has previously been baptized and joined to a 
 Baptist church without the bounds of this Association, which appli- 
 cant alleges he was deceived, not having at that time experienced a 
 genuine conversion, which he now professes to enjoy?" 
 
 Answer. -'We advise our churches not to rebaptize any one who 
 has been baptized by a lawful administrator, of the ordinance, upoii 
 a profession of faith." 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 169 
 
 EBENEZER CHURCH. 
 
 On motion, the Association rescinded all action in regard 
 to Ebenezer church, and ordered that no record of the same 
 be entered on our Minutes, whereupon the following pre- 
 amble and resolution were introduced, and, after some dis- 
 cussion, adopted by the body : 
 
 Whereas, With deep regret information has been received by 
 this body that the course of action pursued by the churches at Big 
 Spring, Sandy Bun and Bethel— members of this Association — in 
 reference to the reconstruction of Ebenezer church, is offensive to 
 the Green Biver Association, to which said church properly belongs 
 until regularly dismissed therefrom. Therefore 
 
 Resolved, That this Association, as a body, greatly deplores the 
 action taken by said churches, and hereby admonishes them, as well 
 as al Lot hers belonging to our body, together with any and all our 
 ministers, to refrain from any interference in the matter until the 
 case be satisfactorily adjusted by the Green Biver Association. 
 
 Remarks. — A split had taken place in Ebenezer church 
 on the subject of Missions and Temperance, and, the mis- 
 sionary and temperance party claiming to be the church, 
 proposed to join the King's Mountain Association while the 
 difficulty existed, and while the church was an undismissed 
 member of the Green River Association. The anti-mission 
 or primitive party being a majority held the meeting-house, 
 and the others joined other churches. 
 
 Report. — Elder Dove Pannell, missionary to Catawba 
 Valley, reported: 
 
 Have traveled 112 miles r preached 37 sermons, delivered two lec- 
 tures on Baptism, labored 26 days, baptized two converts. Beceived 
 from Pisgah church $2, from Mount Gilead $1. 
 Elder Joseph Suttle reported as follows : 
 
 Have labored 9 days, preached 18 sermons, and baptized 11 con- 
 verts, whereupon the Treasurer was ordered to audit their respective 
 claims. 
 
 The mission was continued for the next associational 
 year, and the same brethren engaged in the missionary work. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was. prepared by 
 Elder Thos. Dixon, on the nature, design, and application of the 
 atonement of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The fifth annual session of 1855 met at Zion church, 
 
 Cleveland county, N. C. The introductory sermon was 
 
 preached by Elder Geo. W. Rollins, of High Shoals. Olivet 
 
 and St. John's, from the Catawba River Association, and 
 22 
 
170 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Lebanon (a new constitution) were admitted into the union 
 of churches — making 26 in all, with a membership of 2268. 
 
 The body organized by the re-election of the same offi- 
 cers as last year. 
 
 Missionary Board. — At this session a missionary board, 
 consisting of J. R. Logan, F. S. Ramsour and W. H. Green 
 was appointed by the body, which employed Elder Ransom 
 P. Logan to labor by the month in the same field occupied 
 by Bros. Pannell and Suttle the two past years. 
 
 Free-will Offerings. — The following resolution was 
 passed : 
 
 That the several churches be requested to send up their free-will 
 offerings to the next annual session, to defray the expense of the 
 mission to the Catawba valley. 
 
 Committee of Inquiry. — A committee of brethren, to- 
 wit : Elder Thomas Dixon, J. R. Logan, William Hamrick, 
 F. S. Ramsour and Francis Lattimore were appointed by 
 the body to visit the High Shoal church and inquire respect- 
 ing certain offensive expressions contained in her letter to 
 the Association, and labor for reconciliation, with instruc- 
 tions to report at the next session. 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOLS. 
 
 A good report on Sabbath Schools was made by Elder 
 Ransom P. Logan, the Chairman of the committee, as follows: 
 
 It has truly been said that upon the rising generation depends 
 the future prosperity of the church of Christ. How important and 
 necessary then the proper cultivation and improvement of the 
 youthful mind, in a religious point of view ! 
 
 As a means for the furtherance and consummation of an object 
 so desirable, your committee know of no scheme better adapted to 
 the wants of our churches and people than Sabbath Schools, prop- 
 erly organized in each one of the churches throughout the bounds 
 of our Association. By organization we mean that the schools he 
 superintended by a judicious and pious individual, chosen by the 
 churches themselves, whose duty it will be to attend each meeting 
 of the schools and observe a strict watch over the moral deportment 
 of the scholars in attendance, and preside over and keep proper 
 order and decorum in the schools, and co-operate with those who 
 may be selected by the churches as teachers, in the choice of such 
 books as may be best calculated to educate and lead the minds of the 
 pupils into the true principles of the Gospel of Christ. And your 
 committee recommend as text-books for the use of said schools as of 
 first and paramount importance — the Bible, the holy book of God — 
 and next to it such other works compiled by our own denomination 
 as are or may be published for this specific object. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 171 
 
 Believing, dear Brethren, that such a course of religious train, 
 ing would meet the approbation of Him that has required us to train 
 up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and in 
 the way they should go while young, so that when they become old 
 they will not depart from it, and that each one of you, without the 
 waste of time on the part of your committee in bringing to your no- 
 tice the many incalculable benefits and religious advantages that 
 must inevitably result from a course of religious instruction and 
 reading, will be fully impressed with the importance of at once or- 
 ganizing schools in each and every one of the churches within our 
 associational limits. We need therefore add nothing more than the 
 true observation, "A hint to the wise is sufficent." 
 
 Respectfully, &c. R. P. Logan, Chairman. 
 
 The Circular Letter on the subject of 31issions was pre- 
 pared by Elder J. Suttle, which was adopted. 
 
 The sixth annual session of 1856 met at New Prospect 
 church, Cleveland county, ~N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder Thos. Dixon. Shelby church, dis- 
 missed from the Broad River Association , Coucord from the 
 Green River, and Thessalonica from the Catawba River, 
 were admitted into this bodv — making 29 churches in union, 
 and a membership of 2596. Baptisms during the past year, 
 223. 
 
 Elder Thos. Dixon was elected Moderator, and Bro. J. 
 R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Elder R. P. Logan, Missionary to the Catawba Valley, 
 made his report, as follows : 
 
 Have spent sixty-one days in the service of the Association, 
 preached sixty sermons,* traveled 763 miles, baptized 14 converts, and 
 received in contributions from the people on the field of my mission- 
 ary operations the sum of $22.95. 
 
 On motion, the report was received as satisfactory, and 
 the Treasurer of the Board directed to audit his claim for 
 services, which w r as done. 
 
 A resolution similar to that of last session, calling' on 
 the churches for missionary contributions to sustain the mis- 
 sionary operations of the board, was adopted, and D. Setzer, 
 J. J. Hicks and ¥m. Roberts were appointed to employ a 
 missionary, who again engaged Elder R. P. Logan another 
 year. And the body appointed Win, Roberts, J. R. Logan 
 and F. S. Ramsour a missionary board to direct the mis- 
 sionary operations during the next associational year. 
 
 Remarks. — Many persons thought the animus or at least 
 
1 72 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ostensible design of this mission was a sort of crusade against 
 Lutheranism, which was the prevailing religion of that sec- 
 tion of country — which religion was considered by Baptists 
 a perversion of the true faith as once delivered to the saints. 
 And while there were numbers of well meaning Christian 
 people among those who wore the name of Luther, yet there 
 were many more who had greatly degenerated from the orig- 
 inal faith of their great Founder, and became heterodox and 
 corrupt as Lutherans, so called, giving aid and comfort to 
 many of the evil and licentious practices that always prove 
 baneful to true religion, or even well regulated society. 
 Their lax church systems gave too much tolerance to licen- 
 tiousness. Drunkenness and frivolities of various kinds 
 were too much indulged in and suffered, while conversion or 
 revealed religion was ignored and hooted at as a mere chim- 
 era of the brain, and only insisted on by weak and deluded 
 fanatics, These misguided people (mostly of German an- 
 cestry) were greatly prejudiced against those who were sent 
 among them as missionaries, whom they generally derided 
 as ''ignorant Baptist dippers." And it was often found im- 
 • practicable on the part of such missionaries to get a respect- 
 ful hearing from them, especially on points of difference 
 they would be glad to discuss. Bigotry, the mother of per- 
 secution, having blinded their eyes so completely they could 
 not be reached, it would seem, unless by a miraculous inter- 
 position. 
 
 As these people manifest great fondness for things pe- 
 culiar to their own nationality, we think the better way 
 would be. to send among them a missionary that would grat- 
 ify them in that respect, — one. that could address them in 
 their own language if need be — and in all things convince 
 them that he "is a mau and a brother," and, as such, is will- 
 ing to spend and be spent in their behalf. Such might be 
 able, through God's grace, to make an impression more favor- 
 ably ; but to send weak, uneducated men to labor among 
 such a people is time lost, and means wasted for the accom- 
 plishment of Y<jry little indeed. 
 
 TEMPERANCE, GAMING AND DANCING. 
 
 The following resolutions were adopted : 
 That we, as a denomination, believe thai the church i'a composed 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 173 
 
 i 
 
 of spiritual believers ; therefore we look upon the practice of making, 
 (buying and selling, or using spirituous liquors as a beverage, a very 
 great evil. Therefore we recommend our churches to use all lauda- 
 ble means to suppress the same. 
 
 In connection with the foregoing it was further 
 Resolved, That this Association, acting as an Advisory Council 
 in matters pertaining to the best interests of the churches in a relig- 
 ious point of view, will therefore repudiate and at all times discour- 
 age practices of frivolity, or, in other words, civil mirth, falsely so 
 ■called, whether in the form of gaming, dancing, or playing at par- 
 ties, and hereby caution our churches to beware of practices so well 
 calculated to amalgamate the churches with the world." 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was prepared by 
 Elder Geo. W, Rollins on the subject of Repentance. 
 
 As a chronicler of the acts of the Association, we feel 
 it our duty to notice the report of this session on the subject 
 -of Sabbath Schools. The body was doing its- best to inaug- 
 urate schools in all the churches, and to show this we will 
 give the report in full as we did in the proceedings of last 
 year. 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOL REPORT. 
 
 "While many laudable and praiseworthy efforts are being made 
 by the various denominations of Christians to propagate the Gospel 
 of Christ; we recognize with heart felt pleasure the springing up of 
 ■a judicious system of Sabbath Schools, under the fostering care of 
 our churches, as a measure of paramount importance to the cause of 
 religion and sound morality; a measure not only destined to dif- 
 fuse blessings amongst the churches, but also calculated to improve 
 the future welfare of the Mtate; as, upon the rising generation prop- 
 erly cultivated depends the future welfare of both. How necessary 
 then, the adoption of a proper system of mental and moral training! 
 Let each parent composing the King's Mountain Asssociation, have 
 their minds properly impressed with the wise admonition of one 
 who through inspiration said, 'Train up a child in the way he 
 should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' And 
 again, 'bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord.' What system so well adapted tothiscourse of religious train- 
 ing as Sabbath Schools superintended by pious and judicious Chris- 
 tains ; with the Bible in their lumds as a text-boois for the instruc- 
 tion of those who may be placed as pupils under their care and 
 tuition? 
 
 Your committee in view of the many fascinating allurements so 
 often brought to bear mischievously upon the morals of the young; 
 urge with greater earnestness, the propriety of at once adopting 
 Sabbath Schools, as a preventive, hoping that these churches which 
 may have aebdd upon the previous recommendation of this body, may 
 
m KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 continue to persevere in the good work, while those who have neg- 
 lected to do so, will give it at least a fair trial. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, JNO. R. LOGAN, Chairman, 
 
 The committee appointed to visit High Shoal Cnurch 
 reported as follows : 
 
 That agreeably to appointment of time and place, we met the 
 church at High Shoals, and having conferred together relative to 
 the matter at issue. The Church and her Clerk, declared that they 
 entertained no intention to cast reflection on the Association, or any 
 member thereof, by the expression used in her letter lender unto 
 Cxsar the things that are Ccear f s' &c, that they heartily deprecate 
 any inferences that may have been drawn therefrom, prejudicial to 
 former fellowship and intercourse; and hope that a continuation of 
 the same may subsist through all time ; which feeling was properly 
 reciprocated on the part of your committee in behalf of the Associa- 
 tion. Respectfully submitted, 
 
 THOS. DIXON. Chairman. 
 
 The committee to employ a Missionary again employed 
 Elder Ransom P. Logan for three fourth of his time, to labor 
 with the churches at Thessalonica, Corinth and Lebanon. 
 
 The seventh annual session of 1857 was held at Bi«; 
 Spring Church, Rutherford county, N. C. 
 
 The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Geo. 
 "W. Rollins of Sandy Run. 
 
 The union consisted 29 churches: membership 2648. 
 The number of baptisms since last session 188. 
 
 The Association was organized bv electing Elder Geo. 
 W. Rollins, Moderator and Bro. Jno. R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Elder Larkin M. Berry, agent of Domestic and Indian 
 Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, attended 
 this session in aid of the board. 
 
 The following resolutions were adopted : 
 Resolved, "That it is inconsistent with the faith of Baptists to 
 invite Pedo-Baptists into our pulpits to exercise with us in religious 
 worship in any way whatsoever." "Also to receive persons into 
 fellowship who have been immersed by them without re-baptizing 
 them." 
 
 It will here be noticed that what is called the "Land 
 mark" principles, as advocated by the Editors of the Tennes- 
 see Baptist, was well received by the brethren of this Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 The^ Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Alexander J. Cansler of Shelby, on The design of the Lord's 
 Supper and the right/id recipients thereof. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 175 
 
 DISMISSION OF MEMBERS. 
 
 The following resolution was adopted : 
 "That we advise the several churches composing this Associa- 
 tion that when they grant letters of dismission to any of their mem- 
 bers to join other churches, that theyre quire the members so dis- 
 missed, to report him or herself, as the case may be, whenever so 
 joined, by having the certificate of the clerk of the church receiving 
 them endorsed on the back of their letter, and returned to the 
 church granting the same; which report shall be made within six 
 months from the date of the letter. And in default thereof; 
 said letter if not returned to the church first granting it, shall be 
 null and void, and the individual holding the same shall no longer 
 be held in fellowship." 
 
 Remarks. — The object of the association seems to be a 
 desire to arrive at some degree of certainty as to the correct- 
 ness of the statistical accounts kept by the churches, as well 
 as to prevent looseness on the part of church members. 
 Under the old rule of dismissing members, hundreds are every 
 year dismissed who probably neglect for several years after, 
 to join another church by the letters they hold. All such 
 ■are lost sight of in making out correct tables by the statis- 
 tician. Such members are marked of course as being dis- 
 missed, and therefore not counted — while no other church 
 could mark them as being received while they hold their let- 
 ters in their pockets. The general adoption of the rule pro- 
 vided for in the foregoing resolution would tend greatly to 
 preveut a careless looseness in neglecting to enroll on the 
 church-book, which all good church members should do as 
 soon as possibly convenient, but it would tend also to the 
 advantage of the Baptist denomination in giving a more 
 certain clew to their numerical strength.. We doubt, how- 
 ever, whether the several churches have ever given the reso- 
 lution the attention its merits demand. 
 
 The eighth annual session of 1858 met at Olivet church, 
 Catawba county, N. C. The introductory sermon was deliv- 
 ered by Elder Joseph Suttle, of Double Springs. There are 
 in union 29 churches; membership, 2648. 
 
 REJECTION OF SHELBY CHURCH. 
 
 In consequence of a difficulty having been verbally com- 
 municated by Bro. David D. Durham, one of the delegates 
 from trie Shelby church, that she had disregarded the advice 
 of the Association by inviting into her pulpit a Pedro-Baptist 
 
176 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 minister to assist in public worship, a motion was made to 
 reject her delegates until the matter be investigated, which 
 was carried by a vote of the body. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Elder George 
 "W. Rollins, Moderator, and Bro. Jos. W. Green, Clerk. 
 
 Remarks. — The difficulty between the Association and 
 the Shelby church was afterwards adjudicated and settled by 
 a council of brethren from several of the churches of the 
 Broad River and King's Mountain Associations, which con- 
 vened at Shelby by request of said church, and was organ- 
 ized by the appointment of Elder Drury Scruggs, Chairman., 
 and J. R. Logan, Secretarv. 
 
 The course of action taken by the church was inquired 
 into and duly investigated, after which the council decided 
 that the- church had acted properly, and had in no wise de- 
 parted from the orthodox principles of the Gospel or the 
 iisiges of the Baptist denomination. 
 
 [The church at their next conference meeting tabled a 
 charge against the prosecuting delegate in the Association 
 and expelled him from fellowship, and at the next meeting 
 of the Association applied for a letter of dismission, obtain- 
 ed it, and joined the Broad River Association — believing, 
 doubtless, that they had been unbrotherly treated by the 
 King's Mountain body.] 
 
 SYMPATHIZING WITH J. R. GRAVES. 
 
 The Association, after rejecting the Shelby delegates, 
 adopted the following : 
 
 Eesolvccl, That this Association is greatly pained at hearing of 
 the recent misfortune of Elder J. R. Graves, of the Tennessee Bap- 
 tist, in the shape of charges which, from, their nature, we can only 
 regard as emanating from an evil and malicious, persecuting spirit 
 on the part of his personal enemies. We therefore, as a body, tender 
 to our bi other our condolence and sympathy, and hope that he may 
 be preserved and continued under the Providence of God in his 
 course of great usefulness to the cause of Truth, in which he has so 
 long been engaged. 
 
 Remarks. — This was just after the action of the First 
 Church, in Nashville, Tenn., between Graves and Br. R. B. 
 C. Howell, when the former was expelled from membership. 
 
 FUNDS FOR MISSION. 
 
 One hundred dollars or more was raised for the mission, 
 the churches called on for more money, and a new board ap- 
 pointed to carry on the work. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 177 
 
 The ninth annual session of 1859 met at Pleasant Hill 
 church, Cleveland county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered by Elder George W. Rollins, of Sandy Run. 
 The Lincolnton church was admitted, making a union of 
 30 churches, and a membership of 3090. 
 
 Elder Larkin M. Berry made his first appearance in the 
 Association as a delegate. 
 
 In organizing the body, Elder L. M. Berry was elected 
 Moderator, and Bro. Jno. Ii. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 The subjects of Missions, Sabbath Schools and Temper- 
 ance engaged the full attention of the body at this session. 
 
 THE SHELBY CHURCH DISMISSED. 
 
 The church at Shelby through her delegates applied for 
 a letter of dismission to join the Broad River Association, 
 which was granted, and the following resolution was adopted 
 by the Association : 
 
 That the difficulties reported in last year's Minutes, as existing 
 in the Shelby church, have been removed by said church adopting 
 the advice given her by the council called there to investigate the 
 same. 
 
 Report. — The following is the report of the committee 
 on Temperance, which was adopted : 
 
 We, the committee to report on Temperance to the King's Moun- 
 tain Association, beg leave to say that we are of the opinion that the 
 church is the place to give the most effective check to the evils of 
 intemperance, and we are of the opinion that it will be right and 
 proper, and not inconsistent with any of our privileges or liberties, 
 nor with the Word of God, for this Association to hereafter refuse to 
 receive any church into the union of this body without said church 
 have incorporated into its rules one forbidding its members to make, 
 buy, sell, or use as a common beverage intoxicating liquors. 
 
 After Ae adoption of the foregoing report, the subjoin- 
 ed resolution was introduced and adopted unanimously : 
 
 Resolved, That whereas our Association adopted the report of 
 the committee on Temperance ; therefore we will withdraw ourselves 
 from any church in our union which holds a member or members 
 who buys, sells or drinks as a common beverage, any kind of intox- 
 icating spirits. 
 
 Remarks. — This proceeding on the subject of Temper- 
 ance proved to be like a very explosive bomb-shell or disrupt- 
 ing fire-brand, almost causing apparent destruction of the 
 very life of the Association by the time of its next annual 
 assemblage. Let it suffice, however, to say the body still 
 23 
 
1 78 KING'S MO UNT AIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 survives the shock it then received, and bids fair to be, since 
 the clogs or shackles of intemperance have been removed 
 from its escutcheon, a body of twice the influence and power 
 that it then wielded or possessed. May it still prove to be 
 able, as an aggressive body, to go forward and shake the 
 mighty powers of darkness, and be greatly instrumental in 
 dethroning Prince Alcohol ! 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Joseph Suttle, on Prayer. 
 
 The Mission. — The mission is still being fostered and 
 in a flourishing condition in the hands of Elders Rollins and 
 Suttle. 
 
 STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 We give the report of the committee on the State ot 
 Religion among the churches, believing that it has already 
 accomplished some good and may yet accomplish more: 
 
 It appears from the letters sent up from the churches composing 
 our union that, while a few are rejoicing in the midst of gracious re- 
 vivals, and exclaiming, "The Lord hath done great things for, us. 
 whereof we are glad," others complain of a cold and lifeless state : 
 a few of the churches are almost destitute of a preached Gospel. This 
 state of things should not be permitted to continue. It is certainly 
 the plain duty of those who have been blessed with the means, to 
 have the Gospel preached to the poor ; they should regard it a privi- 
 1 ege that th^y have it in their power to bestow some of their sub- 
 stance on so holy and good a cause. Your committee, therefore 
 recommend the continuance of the mission already set on foot in our 
 associational bounds, and that the necessary steps be taken to place 
 in the hands of the board the means of supplying the destitute 
 churches and other associational territory belonging to us. We again 
 commend to the attention of our churches the great importance of 
 establishing Sabbath Schools, which we regret to see^s almost en- 
 tirely neglected. And as the churches have preaching only once a 
 month, we urge upon them the necessity of holding prayer- meetings 
 every Sabbath. Let as many of the members as conveniently elm 
 go to the Sabbath School, and after the exercises of the school are 
 over, form themselves into a prayer-meeting, read the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and sing and pray with and for each other. This, it is be- 
 lieved, will unite the members of the churches in a closer bond of 
 union, make them watch over each other for good and not for evil, 
 as we fear is too frequently the case. Such a course will certainly 
 promote individual piety, while it will tend to the development of 
 the best gifts, which should be carefully sought out, encouraged and 
 cultivated by the churches. By means like this an intelligent and 
 
 efficient ministry will be built up, and prove a blessing, not only to 
 the churches but to the world at large. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 179 
 
 Your committee would further recommend that great care should 
 be taken to discourage and restrain the unworthy and grossly igno- 
 rant from engaging in a public course which can only be calculated 
 to bring odium and reproach upon the cause of Christ. Let the 
 slanderous charge, "that Baptists are guilty of Jeroboam's sin — of 
 making priests of the lowest order of the people," be wiped from 
 our escutcheon. In connection with the preaching of a pure, una- 
 dulterated Gospel, let means be taken for supplying our churches 
 with good religious books wherein our members may be taught more 
 fully to understand our denominational principles and sentiments, 
 and thus be made more vigilant in defending the ancient landmarks 
 that characterize the true Church of Christ from the assaults of gain- 
 say ers. The present is evidently a fast age of the world, and in 
 order to keep abreast we should make greater and more persevering 
 efforts which, if done in a prayerful and God-honoring manner, 
 seeking the promotion of God's glory in preference to the building 
 up a contentious or factious party, will doubtless meet His divine 
 approbation. Respectfully submitted. 
 
 J. R. Logan, Chairman- 
 REVISION OF CONSTITUTION. 
 
 By reason of the alleged latitudinous character ot the 
 Associational Constitution, which has governed this body 
 from its organization till the present session, a committee 
 consisting of Brethren L: M. Berry, Joseph Suttle and Jno. 
 R. Logan was appointed to revise or remodel that instru- 
 ment so as to restrict its powers to authorize the Association 
 to interfere with or settle church difficulties. p 
 
 Remarks. — It will here be seen that the Baptists of the 
 King's Mountain Association are in favor of church inde- 
 pendency, and undisposed to allow the associate body (which 
 they consider only the creature of the churches for specific 
 objects) any right whatever to interfere in the adjustment or 
 settlement of questions of a local nature which have had their 
 origin in any of the churches in union, only in the shape of 
 advice. The rule works very well, and many disturbing 
 questions are kept down thereby which, if suffered to go up 
 to the Association for adjudication, would shake the confed- 
 eracy of churches from center to circumference, and serious 
 schisms would thereby often be the result. 
 
 THE SECEDING SESSION. 
 
 The tenth annual session in 1860 met at High Shoal 
 church, Rutherford county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder Larkin M. Berry, of the Lincolnton 
 church, from Rom. xiv. 19. "Let us therefore follow after 
 
180 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one 
 may edify another." After recess the churches were called 
 by the presiding officer, Elder L, M. Berry, when letters 
 were handed in and read from Buffalo, Sandy Run, Zoar, 
 Boiling Springs, Mount Sinai, Mount Pleasant, Beaver Darn, 
 Pleasant Hill, Big Spring, Bethlehem, Long Creek, Olivet, 
 Thesalonica, Corinth and Lincolnton, and the state of each 
 minuted. 
 
 The other churches in union (with the exception of St. 
 John's and Lebanon, which were not represented) were not 
 received, by reason of not carrying out the resolution of the 
 last session in reference to Temperance. Their letters were 
 laid on the table. 
 
 Zion Hill, from the Green River Association, was then 
 admitted into the Association. 
 
 The body was then organized by the election of Elder 
 L. M. Berry, Moderator, and Bro. Jno. R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 The body then proceeded to transact the usual business 
 of an Association. On Saturday a memorial came up from 
 sundry aggrieved members of Zion church. Also a petition 
 of similar import from Walls' church, and after a free and 
 full discussion of the ^points involved the body adopted the 
 following: 
 
 Whereas, Several of the members of Zion and Walls' churches 
 have made efforts to pass and carry out the resolution adopted at 
 our last session on the subject of Temperance, but failed ; and, accord- 
 ing to their request, we desire to give them aid. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of five brethren be sent from this 
 body, to examine the condition of each of the said churches and me- 
 morialists which, if received by said churches are to render such 
 aid as they may be able, to reconcileand settle the existing difficulty, 
 and in case of failure, then to declare the said memorialists (if found 
 orthodox and worthy,) the church in each case respectively. 
 
 It was then moved that the standing of those churches whose 
 letters were tabled on Friday be looked into, and a ter obtaining 
 such information as could be given by their delegates the body deci- 
 ded that in consequence of the uncertain position occupied by Dou- 
 ble Springs, High Shoals and Mount Paran, it would not be advisable 
 to receive their delegates at this session ; but prayerfully commend 
 the subject of Temperance to their consideration, hoping they may 
 be disposed to reflect more deeply upon it, and place themselves in a 
 more proper attitude for reception at the next meeting of the Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 The churches at Xew Bethel, Mount Vernon and Xew 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 181 
 
 Prospect evincing a determination to carry out the restora- 
 tion of this body on the-temperance resolution were indulged 
 until the next session and their delegates received. 
 
 Elder Joseph Suttle, of Double Springs church, was in- 
 vited to a seat in council, he being in full accord with the 
 Association. 
 
 The following was adopted : 
 Resolved, That we extend to Zion church all christian courtesy, 
 •and especially to Elder Robert Poston, an ordained minister and 
 member of said church, until the meeting of tlie committee sent 
 there to iuvestigte the diffieuty existing in said church; and brother 
 Poston is hereby invited to a seat in council. 
 
 It was then moved that the action taken as to Mount 
 Paran and High Shoals churches be reconsidered and upon 
 the pledges given by their delegates said churches were re- 
 ceived into the union. 
 
 The status ofBeaver Dam, Bethel and Sandy Plains 
 were further inquired into, but found incorrigible as to the 
 temperance resolution, and were therefore withdrawn from,. 
 
 Elder John J. Jones, of Mount Paran church, profess- 
 ing to be in full accord with the Association was invited to 
 a seat in council. 
 
 The following preamble and resolution was adopted : 
 Whereas, By an act of this body we have withdrawn from 
 churches formerly in union with us; if there be any members be- 
 longing to either of those churches that desire to belong to the 
 churches in our union. 
 
 Resolved, That we advise our churches to receive them in full 
 fellowship, provided nothing sinful or improper be found against 
 them. And should any member be excluded from any Baptist 
 church for advocating temperance principles as embraced in the 
 resolution of our Association that they also be received. 
 
 The committee to revise the constitution reported and 
 were discharged. 
 
 On a motion to adopt, the ayes and nays were recorded, 
 Ayes 25, nays 6. (See constitution as remodeled and re- 
 ported.) 
 
 Remarks. — Thus passed away one of the most stormy 
 sessions ever witnessed by the members of the King's Moun- 
 tain Association. For a considerable space of time before 
 the meeting of the Association there were many very visible 
 and unmistakable signs of trouble brewing in the direction 
 
1S2 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 of High Shoal church, where the Association was to meet. 
 Although it appeared to be a porteutous cloud in the dis- 
 tance, hopes were entertained that it would blow over with- 
 out doing much damage. We however, anticipated a con- 
 siderable storm and sure enough our anticipations were 
 realized; In the first place there was great difficulty in or- 
 ganizing. So great was the noise and confusion when the 
 churches were called, it was found to be very difficult to 
 minute the statistics of the bodv. Before receiving the 
 church letters of credence the interrogatory was put by the 
 acting Moderator as to whether the temperance resolution 
 of the last sessson had been carried out in good faith ? If 
 the answer was in accordance with the resolution the letter 
 and delegation were received, and if otherwise they were re- 
 jected. This created much confusion, and it sometimes hap- 
 pened that several were on the floor at the same time for 
 liberty of speech. It was very difficult to preserve even the 
 semblance of order, but the efficiency and tact of the Mode- 
 rator, although fully tested, proved equal to the emergency. 
 Suffice it to say he succeeded in the organization of the body, 
 and after the appointment of the various committees on the 
 associational business, the Association adjourned. "When 
 the meeting hour arrived on Saturday the doors of the meet- 
 ing house were found closed by lock and key, and the dele- 
 gation retired to a stand erected in a grove, where the busi- 
 ness of the Association was transacted in the rain until the 
 hour of adjournment. On Sunday the doors were opened 
 and the business transacted in the meeting house, the body 
 being invited to do so by the church, which invitation was 
 cordially accepted. 
 
 The Circular Letter, prepared by Elder L. M. Berry, on 
 the design and authority of Associations and the true relations ex- 
 isting between them and the churches they represent, was adopted, 
 and the body adjourned. 
 
 Subjoined is the revised constitution, as reported by the 
 committee : 
 
 CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION. 
 
 At the session of 1859, at Pleasant Hill church, a reso- 
 lution was passed appointing a committee to revise the Con- 
 stitution of the Association, with a view to restricting its 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 183 
 
 jurisdiction over church difficulties, and limiting more spe- 
 cifically its ecclesiastical powers. The committee consisted 
 of Elders L. M. Berry, J. Suttle and Bro. J. R. Logan, who 
 reported to the body at its session of 18G0, at High Shoal 
 church, the following: : 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF THE KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 We, the united Baptist churches of Jesus Christ, located partly 
 in the States of North Carolina and South Carolina, having all been 
 immersed upon a profession of our faith in Christ, propose to main- 
 tain the order and rules of an Association according to the following 
 plan : 
 
 Article 1st. This Association shall be known by the name of the 
 King's Mountain Baptist Association. 
 
 2nd. This Association shall be composed of such members as 
 shall be chosen and recommended by the churches in union. 
 
 3rd.. Other churches may become members of this Association 
 by their delegates presenting certificates of their appointment, pro- 
 vided on examination they be found orthodox. 
 
 4th. The Association shall organize by electing a Moderator and 
 Clerk, who shall hold their appointments until another election, 
 unless displaced by the body. 
 
 5th. This Association, as an act of christian courtesy, may invite 
 ministers of our denomination to seats with us in council. 
 
 6th. This Association, when convened, shall be governed by a 
 regular and proper decorum, which they are authorized to form for 
 themselves. 
 
 7th. This Association hath an inalienable right to judge what 
 churches shall be admitted into its confederacy. 
 
 8th. The Association thus formed shall be regarded by us only 
 in the light of an advisory council, with no coercive power "to lord 
 it over God's heritage." 
 
 9th. This Association shall have power to withdraw from any 
 church in its connection that shall hold corrupt doctrines or indulge 
 in sinful or vicious practices. 
 
 10th. Every church in union having a membership not exceed- 
 ing fifty in number, shall be entitled to a representation of two del- 
 <^ates, and one additional delegate for every increase of fifty over 
 that number. 
 
 11th. The primary object of this Association shall be "to strive 
 for the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace" amongst the 
 •churches, the employment of domestic missioiiaries, and to keep up 
 the statistical accounts of the churches in its connection, and finally, 
 to* concentrate our efforts for the advancement of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom on earth, and for the deposition of the works of darkness. 
 
 12th. None but the members of this body Shall be allowed a vote 
 in its counci-ls, and a majority shall decide in disposing of and set- 
 tling all business that may constitutionally come before them. 
 
 13th. This Association in all cases disclaims the right in its asso- 
 
184 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ciate capacity to settle church difficulties, but when a division occurs 
 and two parties equally claim to be the church, and represent them- 
 selves by letter and delegates, this Association shall have the right 
 to decide at the first or some future meeting of its body thereafter, 
 which party shall be recognized as the constitutional church, and 
 entitled to a seat in council. 
 
 14th. The Minutes of the Association shall be read each day and 
 corrected, if need be, by the body, and when the business shall be 
 gone through with, signed by the Moderator and Clerk before the 
 Association rises. 
 
 15th. Any article of this constitution may be altered or amended 
 at any annual meeting, by a majority of two-thirds of the delegates 
 present voting for the same. 
 
 The foregoing constitution, after some discussion, was adopted 
 by the Association, convened at High Shoals church Oct. 26th, 1860. 
 Ayes 25, nays 6. 
 
 According to the provisions of the old constitution the report of 
 the revision committee was continued until the next session, which 
 convened at Lincolnton church in October, 1861, when and where 
 it was again adopted by the body. Ayes 16, nays 13. 
 
 A majority vote of two successive sessions of the Association 
 having been favorable to the adoption of the reported constitution 
 of the committee, it was therefore enrolled and v ordered to be pub- 
 lished in the Minutes of the body as the Constitution of the King's 
 Mountain Association, by which the body will hereafter be governed. 
 The 11th annual session of 1861 met at Lincolnton 
 church, Lincoln county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder Ransom P. Logan, of Bethlehem 
 church. John iii. 7 : "Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye 
 must be born a wain." 
 
 The new church, Bethel, was admitted — making a union 
 of 22 churches, and membership of 1956 communicants. 
 
 The body was organized by the election of Elder Lar- 
 kin M. Berry, Moderator, and Bro. Jno. R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 HEADING OF CONSTITUTIONS. 
 
 The old or first Constitution, Rules of Order, and Ab- 
 stract of Principles, and also the new constitution as reported 
 by the committee of last year, were read by the Clerk. 
 
 The new constitution was put upon its second reading 
 
 a!nd adopted by the body. Ayes 16, nays 13. 
 
 After the transaction of the usual routine of associa- 
 tional business, the following preamble and resolutions were 
 adopted : 
 
 Whereas, At the last session of this body we were from a sense 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 185 
 
 of duty constrained to withdraw from the churches at Bethel, Beaver 
 Dam and Sandy Plains, by reason of their refusal to adopt and carry 
 out the principles of Temperance, as embodied in the resolution 
 adopted by this body at its session of 1859 ; and whereas, since our 
 last session the churches at Boiling Springs, Mount Sinai, Mount 
 Pleasant, High Shoals and Mount Paran have rent off from our 
 union and leagued with those churches already withdrawn from, for 
 the ostensible object or purpose of forming themselves into a sepa- 
 rate association with anti-temperance proclivities, which act, if con- 
 summated, will be irregular, and contrary to the usages of Baptists 
 in good order and orthodox standing. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, By this Association, that the churches above named 
 in such new and spurious organization shall no longer be recognized 
 by this body as orthodox, and we hereby ignore all intercourse and 
 christian correspondence with them for the future, while they re- 
 main disorderly, and caution our sister associations with whom we 
 correspond, to hold them at a distance as a heterodox and disorderly 
 body. 
 
 - Report. — We give the report in full of the committee 
 sent last year to Wall's church, to enable the reader to form 
 a proper idea of the state of feeling on the vexed question of 
 Temperance : 
 
 We met at Wall's meeting house on the 28th and 29th days of 
 December, 1860, and after a full and fair investigation of all the facts 
 presented, find twenty-six white members besides three colored ones, 
 standing firmly upon the subject of Temperance, and laboring to 
 carry out the resolution of your body at its session of 1859, including 
 
 three deacons of said church. We also ascertained the facts connect- 
 ed with the transaction of said church prior to the meeting 
 of the committee, as follows: That at the ISovember meeting the 
 church met. but having no regular supply, did not sit in conference, 
 and as the twenty-six members understood, agreed to have no meet- 
 ing until the meeting of the committee. But at the time of the 
 December meeting that part of the church opposed to Temperance, 
 met, preferred charges and excluded, or pretended to exclude, the 
 eight members who petitioned your body for a committee, which 
 they did, as they confessed to your committee, for the enormous 
 crime of joining the Temperance party (?) And all this business 
 transaction was done with a man presiding as Moderator whom 
 your body decided at its last session was in disorder, and moreover 
 the said anti-temperance part of the church holds and refuses to 
 surrender the church book, and although the keys with the house 
 were in the possession of the Temperance part of the church, the 
 Anties have fastened the house with three additional locks, and, 
 when your committee met, obstinately and wickedly refused to let 
 the committee or congregation enter the house." Your committee, 
 therefore, have no hesitancy in pronouncing the twenty-six white 
 members with the three colored, as the regular Baptist church at 
 Wall's, and the anti-temperance party as a rebellious faction in gross 
 disorder, and not worthy of the name of Baptist. 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 L. M. Berry, ] 
 G. W. Rollins, [ Committee. 
 J. C. Lattimore. J 
 24 
 
186 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 CORRESPONDING LETTER. 
 
 We give the corresponding letter of the body addressed 
 to the other associations : 
 
 Dearly Beloved Brethren : — We have again, through God's 
 providence, been permitted to assemble together in an associate ca- 
 pacity with the church at Lincolnton, and we are happy to inform 
 you that we have had a very pleasant and we hope profitable session. 
 Some of our churches in union report prosperously, while others 
 appear to be in a cold and languid state, tight of the churches for- 
 merly in union with us having made a stumbling block of our action 
 upon the subject of Temperance, have gone out from among vis to 
 set up for themselves. We very much deprecate . the act of our 
 brethren in their revolutionary project, and would fain hope that, 
 on proper reflection, they will yet see the impropriety and folly of 
 their reckless and disorganizing course. We can but consider them 
 now as being in disorder, and consequently cannot hold christian 
 intercourse with them. Being fully sensible of the disastrous conse- 
 quences of dram-drinking by professing christians to the church of 
 Jesus Christ, and thoroughly convinced, as we are, of our course 
 being the only safe one, it cannot therefore be presumed or expected 
 that we should be influenced to recede from it. We expect to main- 
 tain our position, God being our helper. We hope, therefore, our 
 brethren with whom we correspond will render us such assistance 
 as they may be able, to cany out the great principles for which we 
 are contending. Our Minutes will serve to communicate to yon 
 more fully our situation and standing as an Association, to which 
 you are referred. * * * * 
 
 May the God of all grace continue to prosper His cause on the 
 earth, and may the time speedily arrive when our once happy and 
 prosperous country will be relieved from the thraldom of war and 
 be again restored to peace and harmony, and the cause of Christ be 
 made to flourish and shine with greater lustre and brilliancy, is the 
 
 prayer of yours in Gospel bonds. 
 
 L. M. Berry, Moderator. 
 J. R. Logan, ClerK. 
 
 Deaths. — The demise of Elder Joseph Suttle is noticed 
 in the Minutes of this session, who had died on the 26th of 
 May previouslj-. (See biography of Elder Suttle in this 
 work.) 
 
 The death of Deacon William Covington is also noticed 
 in the report of the committee on Obituaries. Bro. Coving- 
 ton was a father in Israel, having lived for half a century a 
 pious and orderly member of the church, discharging the 
 duties of a deacon for many years. His godly walk and 
 conversation were known to many, while temperance was 
 conspicuous among the christian virtues that adorned his 
 character. He was an honest num. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 187 
 
 Remarks. — To which tribute of respect we can heartily 
 subscribe, having known Bro. Covington from the year 1831 
 up to the time of his death. He generally attended the ses- 
 sions of the Association as one of the representatives of the 
 Ziou church, and w T as ever to be found at the post of duty. 
 He was a man of quick and strong impulses, of unimpeach- 
 able veracity, and always observant of the ties of friendship 
 that bound him to the christian brotherhood. 
 
 HUMILIATION AND PRAYER. 
 
 The cruel war between the States had been inaugurated 
 and some battles fought by the contending parties, which 
 prompted the adoption of the following: 
 
 Resolved, That in all the recent battles fought and won by the 
 Confederate army since the commencement of the present unjust 
 and unholy war upon the South by the abolitionists of the North, 
 this Association recognizes the ringer of God in His special provi- 
 dence, interposing in our behalf as an oppressed section or nation, 
 for which, as a christian body, we feel it to be our duty in deep hu- 
 mility to return thanks to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, whose 
 right and prerogative it is to control not only the actions and desti- 
 nies of men, but also of nations. We therefore agree to set apart 
 the 25th of December and /st day of January next as days of fasting , 
 humiliation and prayer, and hereby request the pastors and supplies 
 of churches in our union to assemble their congregations at their 
 respective houses of worship on the days set apart for the worship of 
 God. And we further invite the co-operation of all those who love 
 God and our country in invoking His blessings upon our army and 
 the cause of the oppressed, that He may thwart the evil machina- 
 tions of our enemies, give them better hearts and purer dispositions 
 towards us, and finally restore peace and harmony to our once happy 
 but now distracted and bleeding country. 
 
 The Circular Letter to the churches was written bv Elder 
 G. W. Rollins, on. the subject of Christian Love. 
 
 The 12th annual session of 1862 met with ISTew Bethel 
 church, Cleveland county, N". C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered by Elder L. M. Berry, 1st Pet. i. 15, 16, Elder 
 P. R. Elam, the appointee, being absent in the camps. 
 
 There appears 21 churches represented ; membership, 
 1878. 
 
 Elder Geo. W. Rollins was elected Moderator, and Jno. 
 R. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Reports. — Elders Lewis McCurry and L. M. Berry 
 reported, as follows : 
 
188 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 That as missionaries under the appointment of the Board, in the 
 Catawba Valley, the former had labored 24 days, the latter 15 days, 
 and that the interest in the field of their operations was increasing, 
 and should by all means be kept up ; whereupon the body ordered 
 the Treasurer to audit the missionary claims. Owing, we suppose, 
 to the distracted situation of the country we do not find that the 
 body continued the mission the ensuing year. 
 
 INTENT OF THE TEMPERANCE RESOLUTION. 
 
 Elder L. M. Berry introduced the following resolution, 
 which was unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the true intent and spirit of the resolution on 
 Temperance, passed at the session of 1859, is intended to prohibit 
 members from making, or having made by others for medicinal pur- 
 poses, any ardent spirits, or to vend or use the same in any sense as 
 a beverage. 
 
 Speculators. — The following preamble and resolution 
 
 was adopted: 
 
 Whereas, A large number of our brethren and citizens of the 
 country are now upon the tented field engaged in the defense of our 
 rights, while many of their families are doubtless suffering, or will 
 suffer, for the wants of life, caused by the high prices produced by 
 speculators, unless something be done to prevent so sad a state of 
 things. 
 
 Resolved, Therefore, that we very much deprecate the course of 
 speculators, and regard them as worse enemies to our country than 
 the Yankee abolitionists of the North, and hope the Legislature of 
 North Carolina will take some steps to put a stop to their operations, 
 by regulating or reducing the prices of the necessaries of life. To 
 procure relief from suffering occasioned thereby, this resolution is 
 intended as a petition to memorialize the General Assembly of the 
 State. 
 
 Remarks. — We recollect that we had the honor of in- 
 troducing a copy of the foregoing paper into the Legislature 
 of North Carolina while occupying a seat in the House of 
 ^Representatives from Cleveland county, which was referred 
 to the committee on Propositions and Grievances, and which 
 doubtless contributed in a degree, in connection with other 
 memorials from different parts of the State, to strengthen 
 the executive arm of the State government so as to amelio- 
 rate the condition of the people, and prevent the contem- 
 plated suffering, by shipping supplies to the most available 
 and practicable points for distribution. The class of crea- 
 tures denounced in the resolution as "speculators," and 
 worse than our Yankee enemies, were certain shy-locks or 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 189 
 
 .skin-flints, moving in every direction through the country— 
 sometimes in the character of government agents, impress- 
 ing the most valuable stock, and otherwise procuring for the 
 smallest amount of money all the surplus food and raiment 
 of the country, under the pretense that it was all for the use 
 of the army, and then extortioning on the people at unheard 
 of prices upon the necessities and wants of life. Many of 
 these soulless bipeds not only attempted to swindle and 
 practice extortion on the necessaries of life, but even life 
 itself was bought and sold in the shape of substitutes, to 
 screen the precious carcasses of monied cowards from being 
 struck by the battles of the enemy. 
 
 OBJECTS OF ASSOCIATIONAL WORK. 
 
 The reports made on the different branches of associa- 
 tional work — Missions, Temperance, Sabbath Schools, &c, are 
 all encouraging — showing that notwithstanding the country 
 is greatly disturbed by war, yet there is a corresponding 
 •effort being made to evangelize the country b}~ sending the 
 Gospel to those who have it not. 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Bro, 
 J. R. Logan, the same being a synoptical history of the Broad 
 Hirer and King's Mountain , Associations. This was prepared 
 merely to preserve old associational records. 
 
 Churches Dismissed. — The churches of Buffalo and 
 New Prospect, for reasons satisfactory to them, asked for 
 and received letters of dismission to join the Broad River 
 Association. St. John's was also dismissed to join Catawba 
 River Association. 
 
 Fast Days, &c. — The following resolutions were adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That we celebrate the first Sunday in December and 
 
 second Sunday in January next, as days of fasting, humiliation and 
 
 prayer for the cause of our country and its army, now engaged in 
 
 the defense of our liberties, that God may bless and prosper them. 
 
 Resolved, That we advise the members of our churches, while 
 engaged in their morning and evening devotions, to specially plead 
 with the Great Ruler of all things for the prosperity of the cause of 
 the Confederate States, and in their epistolary correspondence with 
 friends in the army, they request them to unite their petitions with 
 ours for the same. 
 
 The following were introduced and adopted : 
 Resolved, That we are greatly pained at the news that has reach- 
 ed us during the present session of the death of our much esteemed 
 
190 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 brother, Solomon Baker, of Thessaloniea church, who had been del- 
 egated to this body, but on Friday last at 4 o'clock p. >r., the Great 
 Head of the Church called him to the Great Association above. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved family our prayers and 
 condolence on an occasion so afflicting to them and distressing to us.- 
 
 The 13th annual session of 1863 was held at. Sandy Run 
 ehurch r Cleveland county,. N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered by Elder Geo. W. Rollins, from Lam. iii. 40, 
 The union consists of 20 churches and a membership of 1956. 
 
 Elected Elder Geo. "W".. Rollins, Moderator, and J. 'R. 
 Logan, Clerk. 
 
 The usual assoeiational business was transacted quietly. 
 
 Sabbath Collection.— -The Sabbath collection amounted 
 to §671.50, to aid in sending the Gospel to the North Caro- 
 lina troops in the army of the Confederate States. The 
 Clerk adds, "May God bless the efforts now being made in 
 behalf of the noble defenders of our rights and liberties, and 
 may the blessings of the Gospel of peace be spread far and 
 wide over our sin-stricken land and ultimately evangelize 
 the nations now sitting in gross darkness and iclolatrv." 
 
 CHANGE OF SESSION. 
 
 Resolved, That in future we change the time of holding the an- 
 nual sessions of this body, so as to embrace the third Sabbath in 
 September in each year. 
 
 With a degree of pain we republish to the world the 
 notice taken by the Association of Elder Drury Scruggs, of 
 the Broad River Association : 
 
 Resolved, That we caution the churches of the King's Mountain 
 Association, and all the Baptists with whom we have union and 
 correspondence, against a certain Drury Scruggs, as an impostor, 
 who has been excluded from his church in the Broad River Associ- 
 ation for very immoral conduct, and is now preaching through tbe 
 country, and also advise the churches to warn their members and 
 the community against encouraging such a corrupt man by going to 
 hear him preach. 
 
 Remarks. — We shall have more to say about Elder 
 Scruggs hereafter in a more fitting place. He was for many 
 yearsa^rominent minister of the Broad River Association, 
 and we once thought very well of him, but he may have 
 fallen into sin and thereby brought reproach on himself and 
 the good cause he so long- advocated. We would fondlv 
 cherish the hope that he was only suffering "persecution for 
 righteousness sake." 
 
KIXG^S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 191 
 
 The 14th annual session of 1864 met at Bethel church, 
 Iredell county, N. C. Elder L. M. Berry preached the in- 
 troductory sermon from Psalms 133d, 1st verse. The union 
 consisted of only 17 churches, with a membership of 1226. 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elder Hansom P. 
 Logan, Moderator, and Bro. Jno. Ii. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Elder J. K. Howell from the Central Association, rep- 
 resenting Sabbath School interests, was invited to a seat in 
 ■council. 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. 
 
 The following resolution was adopted by the body : 
 Resolved, That * * * we will appoint Elder G. M, Webb to 
 preach to and organize Sabbath Schools in all the churches he may 
 be able to. and collect whatever funds he can for services rendered, 
 and report the result of his operations to the next session of the Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 Efforts were made to increase the missionary funds by 
 collections and pledges, and a resolution adopted requesting 
 the several churches to send up their free-will offerings to 
 the next meeting of the Association, to keep on foot the 
 mission to the Catawba Valley. 
 
 A Circular Letter, written by Elder Gabriel Phillips, of 
 the Broad River Association, on the subject of Intemperance^ 
 was adopted for this year. (Elder P. Boston failed to write.) 
 
 Remarks. — There was, comnarativelv sneaking, but lit- 
 tie important business transacted at this meeting of the body, 
 vet it was a very pleasant and agreeable session notwith- 
 standing. The brethren and citizen friends around the 
 Bethel church made more than an average display of urban- 
 ity and hospitality in the accommodation of the Association 
 during its session. 
 
 CORRESPONDING LETTER. 
 
 The following is the corresponding letter of the session : 
 Dearly Beloved Brethren composing the Broad River, Bethel, Cataw- 
 ba River, and Brown's Creek Associations: 
 
 Through the Providence of God, our Heavenly Father, we have 
 auain been permitted to meet together in an associate capacity, and 
 through His aid and guidance are yet keeping up a distinct organi- 
 zation as the King's Mountain Baptist Association, and have had, 
 notwithstanding the troubles and outside pressure that surrounds 
 us, a pleasant session. Our business has been transacted in the fear 
 of God, and in brotherly love, while our hearts have been made glad 
 
192 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 because of the presence of a few corresponding and visiting brethren; 
 from other bodies. We have to lament and regret, however, the fail- 
 ure on the part of messengers appointed by nearly all the Associa- 
 tions with whom we correspond, to attend our session. We hope 
 this is not owing to any lack of fellowship or christian' comity, which 
 should at all times characterize the followers of our common Savior, 
 and hope that we shall yet avail ourselves of the good counsels of 
 our brethren in sessions yet to come. A goodly number of our 
 churches, too, have not been represented in the present session, ow- 
 ing, probably, to causes not properly under their control growing 
 out of the cruel war in which we are engaged, and the fact that our 
 session has been held in a remote extreme of our territory. The 
 reports from some of our churches are encouraging, having had 
 refreshing seasons from the presence of the Lord. By reference to 
 our Minutes you will find that the various christian enterprises' 
 requiring patronage have had the consideration of the body, and 
 Sabbath Schools have received a new impetus that we trust will 
 hereafter be productive of great good to the cause amongst all of our 
 churches. 
 
 Our next Association will convene with the church at Zoar. 
 * * * * * * * We anticipate a full attendance 
 from corresponding bodies, as our session will be more central and 
 convenient. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. 
 Amen. Ransom P. Logan, Moderator. 
 
 John R. Logan, Cl«rk. 
 
 ' The 15th annual session of 1865 was held at Zoar churchy 
 Cleveland county, K. C. 
 
 The introductory sermon was preached by Elder Geo. 
 W.Rollins from Exodus xxxii. 25 ''Who is on the Lord's side/" 
 There were 16 churches represented, membership, 1502. 
 
 The body organized with Elder Ransom P. Logan, 
 Moderator and Bro. Jno. R. Logan. Clerk. 
 
 Queries.— After transacting the usual associationa! 
 business, the following queries from Zoar and Double 
 Springs were taken up : 
 
 "Would it not be conducive to the interests of religion, and the 
 general cause of Christ within the bounds of the King's Mountain 
 Association, for said body to labor with and if possible take such 
 measures asmiay be calculated to restore harmony and fellowship 
 With these chinches once constituent members of the Association 
 who, probably by reason of an honest difference of opinion on the 
 subject of Temperance, have seceded from the body?" 
 
 The foregoing query having been referred to the com- 
 mittee on Queries, was considered, and the following report 
 made on the subject : 
 
 In answer to Zoar church your committee believe it to be right 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 193 
 
 to labor with the brethren referred to, and if possible obtain a recon- 
 ciliation according to Gospel principles ; and in order to effect an 
 object so desirable, we, from the purest motives, agree to make the 
 proposition that, should said churches or any number of them, return 
 to us on said terms, t we will cordially receive them, or refer the mat- 
 ters in dispute to a disinterested committee of brethren in good 
 standing (outside of the parties) for adjustment, and abide by their 
 decision. • 
 
 The following is a query from Double Springs church : 
 "Is it consistent for a brother who affiliates with the other divis- 
 ion of the King's Mountain Association to participate with us in 
 worship '?" 
 
 The committee on Queries answered the foregoing as 
 follows : 
 
 'After mature reflection, we advise our ministers not to partici- 
 pate with or invite the ministers of the so-called other division of 
 the King's Mountain Association, or those affiliating with them, to 
 participate with us in religious worship while they remain irrecon- 
 eiled to each other." 
 
 The report of the committee on Queries was adopted by 
 the bodv. 
 
 The Circular Letter, prepared by Elder Larkin M. 
 
 Berry, on the 'proper observance of the Christian, Sabbath, was 
 
 adopted; 
 
 Elder L. M. Berry gave an account of his stewardship 
 as missionary to the Catawba Valle}*, which was satisfactory. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL MESSENGER. 
 
 Elder Tilman R. Gaines obtained leave to urge the claims 
 of his "Baptist Church and Sunday School Messenger" upon 
 the attention of the Association, and the committee on Peri- 
 odicals gave it the following endorsement: 
 
 We know of no Baptist paper now being published in North 
 Carolina ; yet we are happy in being able-to inform you that a Bap- 
 tist monthly, in pamphlet form, is about to be started in the town of 
 Shelby, by Rev. T. R. Gaines, known as "The Baptist Church and 
 Sunday School Messenger," devoted to the Baptist cause and Sabbath 
 S< hool interests. Your committee are of opinion that such a period- 
 ical would be of great seryice to the general cause of Christ, and 
 recommend that it be sustained. L. M. Berry, Ch'm. 
 
 Remarks. — After issuing some half dozen copies of this 
 most excellent work, the editor was compelled to suspend 
 for lack of patronage, much to the regret of all who availed 
 themselves of the benefits of its well filled columns. Could 
 not another such a periodical, devoted to the same good 
 cause, be gotten up and sustained ? We are sure that such 
 
 25 
 
194 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 an enterprise ought to be sustained by the Baptists within 
 flie bounds of the King's Mountain Association. 
 
 Report. — The Sunday School agent made the following 
 report of his work : 
 To the King's Mountain Baptist Association — Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — As agent of your body I submit this, my 
 ajanual report: I have devoted nearly all my time to the work as- 
 signed me, up to the time the Federal troops got possession of the 
 country ; since then I have done but little, owing to the distracted 
 and unsettled condition of the country. I am happy to inform you 
 that while I labored in the cause of Sabbath Schools I had fine suc- 
 cess, and established six schools — one at each of the following 
 churches: Concord, Big Spring, Double Springs, Zion, Pleasant Hill 
 and Olivet. I visited nearly all the churches, but failing to procure 
 books, did not succeed in establishing schools. Besides the six 
 schools established by me, I find flourishing schools at Zoar, Lin- 
 colnton and Mount Vernon churches, and I hope the time is not far 
 distant when we shall have schools established in all of our churches 
 in union, and in every church and Association in the land. 
 
 I received from the Sabbath School Board at Baleigh, N. C, over 
 one thousand copies of Sabbath School books, and. could have sold 
 as many more if I had had the means of getting them from the 
 board. I now recommend that a stronger effort be made by the As- 
 sociation in behalf of Sabbath Schools than ever. Let every minis- 
 ter and deacon, and layman go to work for the cause, and they will 
 never regret the effort. G. M. Webb, Agent. 
 
 Domestic Missions. — Somewhat in connection with the 
 
 Sabbath School work, we give the report of the committee 
 
 on Domestic Missions and Temperance : 
 
 We are truly sorry that a state of depression has seized the minds 
 of brethren upon this important subject It is true that pecuniary 
 embarrassments, for the want of a sound currency, has presented an 
 insuperable barrier at present to missionary operations, causing a 
 temporary suspension of measures, but it is hoped that a brighter 
 day is yet to be seen in the distance, when we shall be enabled to 
 resume the good work of pushing forward more fully all the darling 
 enterprises of the Gospel. 
 
 As it regards the subject of Temperance, we still recognize it as 
 one of the fruits of the Spirit, and recommend to the churches a 
 strict watch over their respective memberships, and, so far as possi- 
 ble, counteract intemperance generally in all tilings, and especially 
 the evils of distilling, vending and immoderately using ardent spir- 
 its. If the churches fail to use proper discipline, and rely too much 
 on the advice of the Association in this important matter, we need 
 expect but little progress. Indeed, associafional resolutions serve, 
 in many instances, only to distract and engender strife amongst the 
 churches, and should therefore be avoided. If any of the churches 
 hold drunken, disorderly members, let them be immediately dealt 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 195 
 
 with and expelled, if not reclaimed. By a faithful exercise of Gospel 
 discipline amongst the churches we shall have the favor of God, our 
 Maker, and prosper and flourish ; otherwise we may expect to retro- 
 grade and fall into many heinous and grievous sins, and eventually 
 bring reproach upon the cause which we profess to love and serve. 
 Respectfully submitted. Jno. R. Logan, Ch'm. 
 
 We also give in our work the report of the committee 
 on the moral aspect and state of the country : 
 
 Your committee, with a degree of pain, mingled with sorrow, 
 have to report that, by recent events growing out of the late civil 
 war between the North and the i^outh, the ship of State has been 
 wrecked and tossed as by a great tempest, from one extreme of the 
 country to another, by reason of which the various enterprises of the 
 church have been made to participate in the general suffering. By 
 the reverses of the war — producing almost general demoralization, 
 and for the want of a reliable currency or circulating medium — it is 
 impossible to make extensive operations of any character or kind 
 "whatsoever ; and, therefore, a general apathy or depression seen. s 
 to have seized the minds of all, and is everywhere abounding, and 
 even preying upon the vitals of religion itself. 
 
 Our young men who have escaped the untimely grave of the 
 soldier, are now amongst us without employment, brooding over 
 blighted hopes and realizing for themselves the sad consequences of 
 defeat, and we fear that not a few of them, by reason of this state of 
 things, have taken to their cups or gambling shops, and are now to 
 be seen on the plain highway to ruin. In view of this deplorable 
 state of things, it behooves all of those professing the name of Christ, 
 however humble or feeble they may be, to endeavor to interpose in 
 their behalf and snatch them as brands from the burning fire of de- 
 struction. Let them be kindly taken by the hand by every christian 
 patriot and philanthropist and properly encouraged and cheered for 
 their noble and valiant deeds of daring in defense of what they 
 honestly conceived to be their dearest rights and interests. Let them 
 not be placed under the ban of public opinion or censure as though 
 they were to occupy the position of alien enemies. The struggle 
 having resulted unfavorably, as to the cause for which they battled, 
 and everything having been done that our resources enabled us to 
 do, let those young men (upon whom hang the hopes of the country) 
 be influenced to ground the arms of rebellion against the properly- 
 constituted authority of the country, and yield their allegiance and 
 loyalty, as required by the divine law to the higher ruling power, 
 and make the best of the present situation — from the fact that good 
 
 order is at all times preferable to anarchy and confusion, and thus, 
 by a course of unfeigned godly obedience to the goodly laws of State , 
 we shall yet secure to ouitelves and posterity many 01 the inestima- 
 ble privileges for which our ancestors struggled in the early days of 
 the Republic — amongst which none are of greater consequence to us 
 than~the liberty of conscience, the privilege of worshipping the true 
 God, under our own vine and fig tree, while no one shall dare to 
 molest or make us ashamed or afraid. 
 
196 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Our various christian enterprises, although suspended for a time, 
 should still be cherished and patronized as much as possible, and 
 kept near our hearts, while our prayers are ascending before the 
 throne of God as the voice of one man, that He would hasten the 
 period of time when it shall please Him to drive away from our 
 political horizon the dark clouds which now seem suspended over 
 us, and once more favor Zion with the true sunshine of Gospel light, 
 truth and love. Let the blessings of peace henceforth be more fully 
 appreciated and cultivated, while extreme men in Church or State 
 shall be marked — and war, with the fomenters of bloody strife, shall 
 be deprecated by all. Respectfully submitted. 
 
 J. R. Logan, Chairman. 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing was written just after the 
 close of the war, while the Federal process of reconstruction 
 was developing its horrid iniquities in attempting to humil- 
 iate the Southern people by disfranchisement, and the en- 
 franchisement of their late slaves, for the purpose of enabling 
 a few adventurers, mostly from New England— generally 
 known about that time as "Carpet-baggers," who, in con- 
 junction with a few recreant sons of the South, known as 
 "Scallawags" — were busily engaged in playing second fiddle 
 to the negro population to procure their co-operation which, 
 when secured, would give the combined trio the numerical 
 strength they desired to run the machinery of the State gov- 
 ernments. They succeeded in this nefarious attempt, and 
 for a while run riot over the best portion of the people, who 
 owned the property, loading them with heavy taxation and 
 burdens intolerable to be borne. This appeared as blight 
 and mildew on the future prospects of the Southern people, 
 who were always a brave and chivalric race, prefering death 
 to ignominious degradation. 
 
 The young' men resolved publicly, as well as in secret 
 conclave, they would not submit to be thus degraded and 
 ruled as with a rod of iron. They organized themselves into 
 secret societies, and to some extent took the law into their 
 own hands and commenced a course of regulation, where 
 they deemed it necessary. And doubtless many excesses 
 were perpetrated which might have been avoided, had the 
 government exercised even-handed justice and common sense 
 in its reconstruction measures. A great hue and cry was 
 now raised from Maine to Texas against a secret organiza- 
 tion known as the Ku-Klux Klan, who, it was said, was 
 raised up as by magic from the graves of the Confederate 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 197 
 
 dead, and the power' of the government was invoked to put 
 <lowu an organization of such clanger and magnitude. It is 
 ■said that a great many good men, even ministers of the Gos- 
 pel, had joined or identified themselves with the new organ- 
 ization; and it is doubtless true that they did, and were 
 influenced to do so from pure motives — to restrain the young 
 and imprudent boys from the perpetration of crime against 
 the people and government that now required their submis- 
 sion and allegiance. That there were a great many good 
 men thus engaged, is a notorious fact, and yet because they 
 were found like poor Tray, in the fable — in bad company — 
 they were incarcerated in prisons and penitentiaries, to make 
 odious what was then considered treason by the ruling pow- 
 ers of the country. "The greater the man, the greater the 
 precedent," was the motto of the party in power, and it was 
 of no consequence whether there was crime committed by 
 any one, so that proof could be made that he was a member 
 of the secret order. The whole South almost was put under 
 martial law, and became a sort of military pandemonium, 
 while the negro race were encouraged and emboldened, and 
 often times through the insinuations of wicked white men 
 (who were acting as traitors to their race) became informants 
 falsely against their late masters and other white friends, 
 who were really much better friends to them than were their 
 new allies; but the stupid darkey could not see it so, and 
 was led against his own best interests, and is to this day 
 governed by the same wicked impulses infused into his na- 
 ture by the Carpet-baggers of the North — so that when he 
 goes to the polls to exercise the right of suffrage, he is gene- 
 rally found in direct opposition to the interests of the white 
 people. Were it not for the interference of unprincipled 
 white political demagogues, who desire to avail themselves 
 of the suffrages of the colored race, to elevate themselves to 
 
 office, there might be some hopes entertained that eventually 
 the two races might to a great extent coalesce in sentiment, 
 and act more in harmony on the great questions that from 
 time to time agitate the country, but it is highly probable 
 that this state of things will not soon cease; -and as the 
 Anglo-Saxon race is expected to contend for the supremacy, 
 we may in the near future live to see the color line more 
 closely and generally drawn between the races, when the 
 
198 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 sons of Ham will not be likely to make a successful show- 
 ing. What is in store for us we know not, and we can here 
 only invoke the interposition of that Providence that rules- 
 all things after the counsel of His own will, to avert the dire 
 calamities which sometimes now appear imminent, and save 
 us from prospective evils and troubles that no one now liv- 
 ing can fully realize or contemplate. 
 
 Deaths. — We copy the report of the committee on Obit- 
 uaries, as mention is made of several of our christian friends 
 whose memory we would perpetuate : 
 
 Your committee report the death of Bro. Abram C.Irvine, many 
 years a deacon of Zion and Double Springs churches. He died in 
 the fellowship of Zion church, in the 63d year of his age, in the hope 
 of a blessed immortality beyond the grave. ' 
 
 John Pinckney Logan, aged 25 years, fell on the 6th of February 
 last (1865,) mortally wounded at Hatcher's Run, near Petersburg, 
 Va., while making a charge on the enemy's works. He joined the 
 church at Zoar in early life. 
 
 B. A. Jenkins, a member of Big Spring, died in prison at Point 
 Lookout, in June last, aged 30 years. 
 
 Sister Judith Blanton was a member of Zion church, a pious 
 mother in Israel, died within the past yeaiy lamented by a large 
 circle of friends and relatives. Aged — — years. 
 
 Sister Elvira Lovelace, a young lady of 16 years, died within the 
 last year. She was a consistent and pious member of Sandy Run 
 church. 
 
 Many others have died during the past year, whose names have 
 not been reported, all of whom, with those mentioned, we hope to 
 see and recognize in the shining courts of Heaven. 
 
 J. H. Yarboro, Chairman. 
 DAVID J. LOGAN. 
 
 A few extracts will briefly show his standing in the 
 community where he lived. The Yojrkville Enquirer says : 
 
 ''David J. Logan was about 27 years of age, and was born in 
 Cleveland county, N. C, but married in this District, and was doing- 
 business here as a merchant, when he voluntarily gave it up, with 
 home and all its fond endearments, to battle for his country. At 
 the formation of the 17tb Regiment he was elected 2nd Lieutenant 
 of Company F, but at the time of his death was in command (Capt. 
 Avery acting as Major). In one of the severe battles of Virginia, 
 Lieut. Logan was shot through the breast, but his ardent patriotism 
 kept him home no longer than was actually necessary — since then 
 he never missed sharing with his men all their dangers, cheering 
 them with kind words and deeds, and dying at last in their arms. 
 Lieut. Logan was calculated to adorn the walks of private life from 
 an amiable disposition, almost effeminate ; all his actions were mark- 
 ed by probity and honor, and if ever he had an enemy, such could 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 199 
 
 not have been worthy to be called a friend. This is no fulsome 
 eulogy of ours —our gifted correspondent is dead and gone— we miss 
 him from our columns when away, and the genial smile that an- 
 nounced his short sojourn when among us ; but there are other cir- 
 cles where his loss will be sincerely felt, whose privacy it is not our 
 privilege or disposition to invade — South Carolina adds another link 
 to the chain which binds her to the noble dead." 
 
 "A Friend" has left the following testimony of him : 
 
 "David was not only a Confederate soldier, but had in early life 
 enlisted as a soldier of the cross, having been baptized into the fel- 
 lowship of the Baptist church at Zoar, Cleveland county, N. C, in 
 the year 1851. He was of course like other frail, imperfect, mortal 
 men, not without sin ; but few indeed walked more circumspectly 
 and worthily of the vocation wherewith he was called. . He was 
 ever conscientious and true to the principles of his profession. His 
 last letters breathe the. spirit of the humble christian devoutly inter- 
 ceding with his Heavenly Master for protection from the missiles of 
 the enemy, and the termination of the cruel war." 
 
 Col. F. W. McMaster, in whose Regiment Lieut. Logan 
 served, in a letter to the bereaved wife writes as tollows : 
 
 Trenches, Petersburg, Va„ June 26th, 1864. 
 
 Dear Madam : — Before this time you have heard of the great 
 calamity which has befallen you and your household, in the death 
 of your noble husband, Lieut. Logan, who fell the 18th instant, from 
 a ball in the forehead, just as he was about to give a command to his 
 company to fire on the enemy. 
 
 I know all human sympathy is cold where alone the comfort 
 must come from the Fountain of all bles-:iu> - . G ,)d alone can pour 
 the balm into your wounded heart and sustain you and your little 
 ones under this bereavement, which now seems to you to render the 
 world void and desolate. But fully appreciating the many beautiful 
 traits which adorned the character of your husband, and rendered 
 him an object of admiration amongst his friends and acquaintances, 
 and feeling for him more than the ordinary attachment which binds 
 comrades-in-arms, I cannot refrain from expressing to you my sor- 
 row at his death, and m\ sincere condolence with you in the afflic- 
 tion which now oppresses you. j 
 
 Many noble men have fallen in this struggle for freedom, and 
 tears of sympathy flow in a continuous stream for the brave who 
 perish ; but while individual losses and individual distresses are 
 great, your misfortune should and does excite more grief than that 
 of his kindred, for I look upon it as a public calamity when such a 
 man is cut off; society loses an ornament and the commonwealth 
 should grieve over the grave of a useful man who seemed created for 
 a high sphere of good to his country. In the death of Lieut. Logan, 
 not only yourself and friends suffer, but York District and the State 
 of South Carolina have lost one of its most promising young men, 
 who possessed qualities of head and heart which undoubtedly would 
 have rendered him an extremely useful and popular citizen. 
 
200 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The evening before he was killed I ordered him to take 1 charge 
 of aline of pickets in advance of the Regiment. He came to my 
 quarters and in that bland and polite manner which never forsook 
 him, stated he had not slept in two days and was nearly exhausted* 
 I stated to him the duty was arduous, and all of us were jaded and 
 I wanted him to take charge of the pickets, as I had faith in hi* 
 skill and discretion. Without a murmur, but on the contrary with 
 that cheerful marfher for which he wa9 conspicuous, he went off. My 
 Adjutant that day remarked to me, he was the best soldier he ever 
 saw— he was always so cheerful in danger and amidst privations. 
 Often has his bright and cheerful countenance gladdened my heart 
 when there were trials enough around us to make the stoutest heart 
 sad. I soon relieved him Friday night, and the nest morning had 
 a short conversation with him, when he suggested getting wire to 
 stretch before our line, and asked permission to detail men for the 
 purpose. In a few hours afterwards it came along the line, "Lieut. 
 Logan is killed." I ran to the right and found the noble fellow 
 weltering in his blood. The noble and handsome Logan slain by 
 the cruel foe! As I stood over bis manly form and reflected on so 
 much worth and youth buried, my heart bled at the sight ! The 
 whole Regiment laments with you over his untimely end. It may 
 be some consolation for you to know that he has left an unspotted 
 name— as a patriot and soldier — and greater than either as an hum- 
 ble and God-fearing christian, as a heritage to his bereaved widow 
 and loved little ones at home to point them to paths of virtue and 
 honor. 
 
 To the God of all mercy— to Him who has promised He will be 
 a father to the fatherless, and a husband to the widow, I commend 
 you and your little children and his noble father in whom he took 
 so much pride. May that God support you all in your sad bereave- 
 ment, and bring light out of the darkness which now overhangs 
 you, and comfort out of your sorrow. 
 
 With sincere sympathy, I subscribe myself the admirer and 
 friend of your departed husband. F. W. McMastek. 
 
 To Mrs. D. J. Logan. Guthriesville, York District, S. C. 
 JOHN PINCKNEY LOGAN. 
 
 Similar in point of facts is the story of John Pinckney 
 Logan, the younger of the two lamented brothers: 
 
 "A braver and more cheerful soldier never died. His piety and 
 trust iu God seems to have been as fervtnt as his patriotism. liis 
 devotion to the cause of Christ and the cause of his country was 
 alike unyielding. At a v< ry early age he became a public follower 
 of Christ. At the very opening of the war he became a soldier. H e 
 fell almost at its close, fully believing that our cause would prevail . 
 The last letter he ever wrote, which was* dated only a few days before 
 he fell, breathes still the spirit of the patriot and christian. Speak- 
 ing in this letter to the able-bodied men who kept themselves out of 
 the army, and reminding them of their doom if subjugated, he says : 
 *• Can you submit to this?" I will say no, never! Come, then, let 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 201 
 
 us present an unbroken front in the coming campaign ; and may 
 God help us, and spread consternation in the ranks of our enemies, 
 and give us that peace — lovely peace — for which we have been so 
 long contending. I feel confident the victory will be ours, if we 
 prove faithful. I hope the people at home will pray earnestly for 
 the success of our arms. 
 
 I hear with regret of many wicked and fraudulent practices 
 going on at home. It seems as if Satan has more liberty than form- 
 erly, and is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may 
 devour. How can a people expect a merciful Providence to smile 
 on us while there is so much wickedness and deception amongst the 
 people at home ? Oh! that we could feel our weakness and proper 
 dependence, and fly to the strong arms of a merciful God before it 
 is too late, and may He spread His balmy wings over us and protect 
 us and give us good will to one another, and may the shout of peace 
 and independence be heard from the mountains to the seaboard." 
 
 We subjoin the following tribute of respect to the mem- 
 ory of John Piuckuey Logan, from his Captain, the late 
 lamented Plato Durham. The Captain says: 
 
 "I have had opportunity of observing his character as a soldier, 
 and, also his moral character to a great extent, for the last two years, 
 and it has never been my fortune to know one of whom I had a 
 higher opinion in these respects. I have never seen a braver soldier, 
 or one whom I believed to be a more devoted patriot ; and this is the 
 testimony of all, both officers and men, who knew him. His early 
 fall is universally lamented in the circle of his acquaintance, and all 
 feel that we lost a comrade and friend whose place cannot be sup- 
 plied. He has left a record of which his comrades and friends may 
 be proud, and the emulation of his example would be an honor to 
 any soldier or christian patriot." 
 
 The following prayer, taken from one of his letters, 
 shows his fervent piety : 
 
 ''May God of His infinite mercy preserve us, and protect us all 
 from the shafts of the enemy ; and if we are never permitted to mi et 
 again on earth, but should be destined to fall by the hand of the en 
 emy , or the ravages of disease, may we all meet together in the upper 
 and better world where parting is no more, and where wars shall 
 no more disturb our peace." 
 
 John Piuckuey Logan entered the service in the first 
 commencement of the war at Fort Sumter, as a member ot 
 the Jasper Light Infantry ; was several times wounded — 
 twice severely— but he continued cheerful and fearless to 
 the day of his death. On the morning of that memorable 
 contest at Hatcher's Run, he observed to a fellow soldier : 
 tk I have* several times been wounded, and made many hair- 
 breadth escapes from the enemies' bullets, but to-day I shall 
 fall at last," which proved true, and was certainly a forebo- 
 ding with him as to what would follow. 
 
 26 
 
202 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 THE BODY IGNORES A FORMER DEFINITION. 
 
 The body, previous to adjournment, adopted the follow- 
 ing resolution: 
 
 Resolved, That this body ignores the definition given to the 
 Temperance resolution at the session held at New Bethel, believing 
 that passed at Pleasant Hill in 1859 amply sufficient. 
 
 The 16th annual session of 1866 met at Concord church, 
 Eutherford county, N\ C. The introductory sermon wa3 
 delivered by Elder Phillip E. Elam, of New Bethel church, 
 from Psalms 84th ch., 11th verse : "For the Lord God is a sun 
 and shield : the Lord will give grace and glory : no good 
 thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." 
 
 The union consists of 16 churches, with a membership 
 of 1673. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Eobert Poston, 
 Moderator, and Bro. Jno. E. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 ELDER D. PANNELL'S MEMORIAL. 
 
 After the appointment of committees, and the transac- 
 tion of the usual routine of business, Elder Dove Pannell 
 presented a memorial touching matters of grievance from 
 brethren composing the so-called "Constitutional King's 
 Mountain Baptist Association'" which was read, and, by 
 unanimous consent of the body, laid on the table ; where- 
 upon, Elder James H. Yarboro introduced the following 
 preamble and resolution : 
 
 Whereas, We find a disposition exhibited by a large number 
 of the brethren on both sides of the King's Mountain Association, 
 to adjust the difficulties now existing between us, and whereas, tbe 
 adjustment is highly desirable by this body ; 
 
 Resolved, That the whole matter in dispute be referred to a com- 
 mittee of nine brethren from this body to meet an equal number of 
 of brethren from the other division, to adjust the difficulties 
 existing between them, and in case said convention should fail 
 to settle the matters in dispute, it shall have power to call in a com- 
 mittee of disinterested brethren of undoubted piety and worth, from 
 other bodies, and let them adjust the whole matter, and we abide 
 their decision. 
 
 After some discussion, on motion of Elder L. M. Berry, 
 the foreo-oino- resolution was amended bv striking out the 
 words, "nine brethren from this body to meet an equal num- 
 ber of brethren from the other division of the Association," 
 and inserting two delegates from each church composing both 
 divisions of the Association. And being thus amended the 
 resolution was adopted. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 2)3 
 
 A COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE. 
 
 On motion, the body appointed Elders G. W. Rollins, 
 L. M. Berry, Jas. H. Yarboro and ^Phillip R. Elam a com- 
 mittee to confer with the brethren present, representing the 
 other division of the Association, and if practicable agree 
 upon a time and place for holding the convention contem- 
 plated in the resolution just adopted, which committee im- 
 mediately retired, and after consultation had with the other 
 party, reported : 
 
 That by mutual consent and agreement to the proposition sub- 
 mitted, a convention would be held with the church at Zoar, on 
 Friday before the 4th Sabbath in October next, which report was 
 /Concurred in by the Association. 
 
 PUBLICATION OF MINUTES DEFERRED. 
 
 The following resolutions were then adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the publication of the Minutes of this session of 
 the Association be deferred until after the meeting of the Convention 
 at Zoar, in order that the journal of said body may be annexed 
 thereto and published, if so ordered, and that each church be request- 
 ed to increase their contributions for that object. And be it further 
 
 Resolved, That all ministers of our faith and order of whatsoever 
 association be requested to attend said Convention to aid in council. 
 On motion, Elder John S. Ezell was appointed and re- 
 quested to attend and preach a sermon introductory to the 
 proceedings of the convention, which appointment he ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 Query. — The following query from Lineolnton church 
 was taken up : 
 
 What is the true Gospel course to be pursued where a member 
 has been excluded from a church for acts of gross immorality (such 
 as wilful lying,) and a sister church of a corresponding association 
 receives such excluded member into fellowship without laboring to 
 reconcile the church from which the member was excluded, or en- 
 deavoring to restore said member to the fellowship of the church 
 from which he was excluded ? 
 
 Answer. — We believe that a church transcends its proper limits 
 
 when it receives a member excluded from another church of the 
 
 same faith and order, without first laboring for reconciliation. And 
 
 we advise our churches to be very careful and cautious in such cases ; 
 
 but when such cases do occur, we thinK all laudable means should 
 be used to reconcile the two churches. And what we say of churches 
 we think the same is true of corresponding associations. 
 
 Remarks. — The reports on the various branches of asso- 
 ciational work are of great interest to the reader, and the 
 session was a very pleasant one. 
 
 Elder Geo. \V. Rollins, failing to prepare a Circular Let- 
 
234 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ter, as appointed to do, the Clerk was requested to supply 
 briefly the lack, which is here given : 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 To the Churches in Union : 
 
 Dearly Beloved Brethren : — The 16th annual session of our Asso- 
 ciation has this clay closed in peace and harmony at Concord, and 
 although some differences of views seemed to be entertained during 
 the session in reference to the reconstruction of our former associa- 
 tional union, and the method of carrying out the principles of Tem- 
 perance amongst the churches, yet, in the sequel and moment of 
 separation for our respective homes, the glowing countenances of 
 the brethren while taking the parting hand, seemed to say, "let by- 
 gones be by-gones ; let there be no more strife and angry contention 
 amongst the household of faith." And the brotherhood manifested 
 unmistakably to each other that christian charity, which envieth 
 not, and doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is 
 not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, but beareth, believeth, hopeth 
 and endureth all things. The session was one of no ordinary amount 
 of interest to the churches and religious community generally ; be- 
 cause measures were initiated, discussed and perfected, having for 
 their object the healing of the sad breach in our associational body 
 which now unhappily exists, caused, no doubt, by extreme zeal in 
 endeavoring to oarry out important measures — which rupture has 
 been too long neglected, and thus suffered to fester and generate 
 gangreen upon our holy cause, and thereby clog the wheels of Zion 
 in our midst. It is now however hoped that gracious oil has been 
 poured upon the wicked elements of strife, and that peace and union 
 will come forth out of confusion and discord. 
 
 It is with feelings of gratitude that we inform you that quite a 
 number of our corresponding brethren from sister associations at- 
 tended with us and gave us the benefit of their counsel, besides min- 
 istering in word and doctrine to anxious hearers ; and we are happy 
 to say the advice given tended to the cultivation of peace and chris- 
 tian harmony, for which we feel truly thankful, and indulge the 
 fond hope that we shall not hereafter fail to appreciate and duly 
 reciprocate such kind and benevolent acts. 
 
 The reports from a goodly number of our churches are cheering 
 indeed to the christian and philanthropist. During the past year 
 it has pleased God to add unto the churches by baptism 233 precious 
 souls, while the good work seems to abound, and is still progress- 
 ing amongst us. To God be all the glory. 
 
 Dearly Beloved Brethren, the places which now know us will, 
 in a very short time probably, know us no more forever. Let us, 
 therefore, eschew vain glory and dissimulation ; let every one esteem 
 his brother better than himself; let there be no angry attempt to 
 arraign each other before earthly tribunals, upon mere rumor or sus- 
 picion of a lack of fealty to the cause of our common Redeemer. 
 Rather let our eyes be fixed upon the heavenly inheritance in reser- 
 vation for the faithful at the right hand of the Father ; while an 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 205 
 
 upright walk and godly conversation shall prove a lamp to our path 
 and a light to our feet while we journey on through the sorrow 
 and cares of this life to the saints' eternal rest in the celestial world 
 of peace and love. "Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are true, 
 whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatso- 
 ever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever 
 things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be 
 any praise, think on these things." 
 
 Fraternally, 
 
 Jno. R. Logan. 
 
 As the convention of the two wings of the King's Moun- 
 tain Association was held at Zoar church soon after the ad- 
 journment of the session at Concord, and a settlement made 
 and agreed on by each party, we deem it advisable, to pre- 
 vent misapprehensions .about it, to give in this work a full 
 transcript of the journal as published in the Minutes of the 
 Association in 1866, which is as follows : 
 
 journal of the convention. 
 
 Friday, October'26, 1866. 
 
 Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the King's Moun- 
 tain Baptist Association, at its late session at Concord church 
 on the 17th clay of September (ultimo ) a Convention of del- 
 egates, composed of each division of the Association, this 
 day convened at Zoar meeting house, Cleveland county, 
 1ST. C, for the purpose of adjusting a matter of grievance ex- 
 isting between the two bodies. 
 
 Elder J. S. Ezell, of the Broad River Association, under 
 an appointment by the regular King's Mountain body, 
 preached a sermon introductory to the proceedings, from 
 Matt. v. 16 : "Let your light so shine before men, that they 
 may see your good works and glorify your Father which is 
 in Heaven." 
 
 Elder ,\. C. Burge then led in prayer, and a recess of 30 
 minutes was given for refreshments. 
 
 The delegates again assembled iu the meeting house, 
 and solemn prayer was offered . by Elder M. C. Baruett. 
 
 On motion ot Elder P. R. Elam, Elder R. Poston was 
 
 appointed President yro tempore, and Elder G. M. Webb, 
 Secretary. 
 
 The following churches were represented by delegates : 
 
 Sandy Run— G. W. Rollins, A. A. McSwain. 
 
 Zion — R. Poston, D. Poston. 
 
 Zoar — J. R. Logan, Joseph Weaver. 
 
238 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Double Springs — J. H. Yarboro, D. D. Suttle. 
 
 New Bethel— P. R. Elam, R. T. Hord. 
 
 Pleasant Hill — J. A. Roberts, James Poston. 
 
 Big Spring — Robert Price, J. C. Lattimore, 
 
 Bethlehem — R. P. Logan. 
 
 Olivet — David Fisher. 
 
 Concord— G. M. Webb, William Harrilh 
 
 Thessalonica — J. J. Hicks, A. Baker. 
 
 Lincolnton — L. M. Bei'ry, J. A. Parker. 
 
 Bethel (Catawba) — C. Clark, J. Setzer. 
 
 Bethel (Rutherford)— D. Pannell, W.McArtbur, 
 
 Mount Sinai — John Harrill, Samuel Wylie. 
 
 Mount Pleasant — T. D. Scruggs, D. Scruggs. 
 
 Beaver Dam — William McSwain, John Bridges. 
 
 Wall's Church — George Davis, Amos Harrill. 
 
 Sandy Plains — J. Walker, Isaac Whitesides. 
 
 High Shoals — Nehemiah Dobbins, A. M. Robison. 
 
 Mount Paran— W. H. Carroll, Abel Earls, 
 
 Mount Harmony — J. Earls, A. Toney. 
 Bro. J. J. Hicks moved that the delegates belonging to 
 the regular division of the Association be formed into a sep- 
 arate bod v. Bro. J. K. Logan offered an amendment, em- 
 bracing the delegates of the other division, that both be 
 merged into one body. 
 
 A protracted discussion followed, in which Bros. M. C, 
 Barnett, J. S. Ezell, G. M. Webb, J. H. Yarboro, Jno. R. 
 Logan, A. Harrill and J. Bridges favored the amendment ; 
 while Bros. L. M. Berry, J. C. Burge, R. P. Logan, G. W. 
 Rollins, A. A. McSwain, J. J. Hicks and J. C. Lattimore 
 favored ,the original motion, which was carried. 
 
 On motion, the delegates of the regular wing repaired 
 to the stand and organized, bv electing; Elder L. M. Berrv, 
 Chairman, and Elder G. M. Webb, Secretary. 
 
 On motion, the Chairman then appointed J. II. Yar- 
 boro, G. W. Rollins, P. R. Elam and J. C. Lattimore, a com- 
 mittee to confer with the other division of the Association, 
 and all papers and other matters in controversy were refer- 
 red to them, with instructions to report on to-morrow morn- 
 ing by 10 o'clock. 
 
 On motion, the Chairman and Secretary were added to 
 the committee. 
 
 On motion of ,). J. Hicks, Elder A. A. McSwain was 
 appointed messenger, to confer with and bear dispatches to 
 and from each wing of the convention during their sittings. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 207 
 
 Solemn prayer was ottered by Elder J. II. Yarboro, and 
 the body adjourned to meet again at 9 o'clock a. m. to-morrow. 
 
 While the foregoing proceedings were being had at the 
 stand, the delegates representing the "constitutional" wing 
 occupied the house, and proceeded to organize by electing 
 Elder D. Paunell, Chairman, and Bro. W. II. Carroll, Sec'y. 
 
 On motion, the following brethren were appointed to 
 confer with the committee of the other division and labor for 
 reconciliation: Elder W. McSwain, John Bridges, 1ST. Dob- 
 bins, A. M. Robison, Isaac Whiteside. 
 
 On motion, the Chairman and Secretary were added to 
 the committee. The Chairman then invoked the Divine 
 benediction, and the body adjourned until 9 o'clock to- 
 
 morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, October 27, 1866. 
 
 Both wings of the convention convened in the house, 
 and solemn prayer was offered by Elder J. C. Burge. 
 
 The roll of delegates was then called and a quorum of 
 each division answered to their names. 
 
 The delegates of- the regular body were then requested 
 by the Chairman to occupy the seats on the right of the pul- 
 pit, and those of the "constitutional" body the seats on the 
 left. Elder L. M. Berry, as Chairman of the committee of 
 the regular division, made the following report, which was, 
 without discussion, unanimously adopted by both wings of 
 the convention, which is in words and figures as follows : 
 
 We, the committee appointed by the wing of the con- 1 
 veution representing the churches composing the regular 
 King's Mountain Association, beg leave to submit the fol- 
 lowing- as our report : 
 
 Whereas, The King's Mountain Association did, at its session 
 held with the Pleasant Hill church in 1859, pass the following reso- 
 lution : 
 
 .Resolved, That whereas our Association adopted the report of 
 the committee on Temperance; therefore we will withdraw our- 
 selves from any church in our union which holds a member or mem- 
 bers who buys, sells, or drinks as a common beverage any kind of 
 intoxicating spirits,— which resolution was unanimously adopted, 
 and the following year, at High Shoals, led to the rejection of three 
 churches; whereupon four others withdrew, and soon thereafter 
 with the rejected churches formed themselves into an association, 
 known by the name of the "Constitutional King's Mountain Associ- 
 ation." And whereas, we otherwise having the utmost confidence 
 
23S KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 in the piety of the churches thus renting, as well as the soundness 
 of their faith in all the distinctive doctrines of the Baptist denomi- 
 nation, and being grieved that irregularities have and are still likely 
 to grow out of this very unhappy affair, and that a union of the two 
 bodies upon amicable terms is desirable, we would present the fol- 
 lowing resolutions as expressive of the desire upon our part to settle 
 the whole difficulty, and do most sincerely hope they will prove 
 satisfactory to all concerned. 
 
 Resolved, Therefore, That while we still maintain the princi- 
 ples of temperance, and are willing and determined to carry them 
 out in all of our churches, yet, on mature reflection, we are convinced 
 that the resolution passed at Pleasant Hill was unconstitutional, and 
 its illegitimate results was the rupture of the body at High Shoals in 
 1860; and that while we deeply deplore its results, the blame rests 
 on the whole body at Pleasant Hill, and that each division of the 
 body is equally responsible for the results of the resolution. 
 
 Resolved, further, That the King's Mountain Association may 
 have and doubtless did err in too hastily publishing the renting 
 brethren as in disorder ; and that we believe both bodies have done 
 wrong in using harsh and unchristian denunciations of each other 
 
 Resolved, further, That we believe the minority did wrung in 
 proceeding to organize an association without taking proper steps to 
 settle the difficulty with the regular body ; and furthermore, that 
 they did wrong in receiving Drury Scruggs among them as a minis- 
 ter, upon a certificate of membership irregularly obtained, when 
 they had good reasons, upon reliable information, to know that he 
 had been deposed from the ministry; and furthermore, that High 
 Shoals church did wrong in refusing to return his certificate of mem- 
 bership when called on by the State Line church, and in granting 
 the said Scruggs a letter of dismission in lull fellowship, when he 
 was about to abscond the country. 
 
 Resolved, furthermore, That We will on both sides recall all un- 
 charitable resolutions and unchristian denunciations of each other, 
 and that we will next year organize the King's Mountain Associa- 
 tion at Thessalonica church, under its present Moderator, and upon 
 its present Constitution, subject to alteration or amendment by its 
 own provisions. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 L. M. Berry, Chairman. 
 An appropriate by riin was then sung and the right hand 
 of fellowship given to each other, whereupon Elder L. M. 
 Berry was unanimously voted permanent President of the 
 
 Convention, and Elder G. M. Webb, permanent Secretary. 
 The President then made a few appropriate remarks, 
 and declared the matter of grievance between the two divis- 
 ions of the Association amicably adjusted and settled ; that 
 they would no longer be known as the "regular" and ''con- 
 stitutional" King's Mountain Associations. The body will 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 209 
 
 hereafter be known as the "United King's Mountain Baptist 
 Association." 
 
 The following resolution was then adopted : 
 Resolved, That under a resolution of the Association calling on 
 the several churches to increase their contributions tor publishing 
 the Minutes and journal of the convention, Elder P. R. Elani, J. A. 
 Roberts and N. Dobbins be appointed to receive funds for that ob- 
 ject from either churches or individuals ; and that the Secretary of 
 this body be instructed to turn over the proceedings to Bro. Jno. R. 
 Logan, Clerk of the Association, and that he revise the same and 
 have them published with the Minutes of the Association. 
 
 Voted a resolution of thanks to the brethren and friends 
 of Zoar church and vicinity for kindness manifested in pre- 
 paring for and entertainingthe Convention during its session. 
 
 On motion, ordered that the President sisrn the forego- 
 ing proceedings, and that the same be attested by the Sec- 
 retary. 
 
 The President invoked the divine benediction on the 
 deliberations, and the body adjourned sine die. 
 
 L. M. BERRY, President. 
 G. M. Webb, Secretary. 
 
 Remarks. — Why Elder L. M. Berry, "on mature reflec- 
 tion," became' "convinced" that the resolution passed at 
 Pleasant Hill in 1859, was unconstitutional, we are at a loss to 
 know, as he does not cite any particular feature of that in- 
 strument. "We have therefore examined it critically, and we 
 find only two clauses that seem to have any bearing upon 
 the matter. In the old constitution (which was the one in 
 force then,) article 4 reads : "This body shall have no coer- 
 cive power to 'lord it. over God's heritage,' or to infringe on 
 any of the internal rights of the churches in union w r hile 
 they remain orderly, but shall only act as an advisory coun- 
 cil in alb matters respecting their internal concerns." Is this 
 the clause that interdicts an associate bodv from withdraw- 
 ing from a disorderly, liquor-loving church ? We think the 
 
 Note. — Under an invitation given by the Association to minis- 
 tering brethren generally (of our faith and order) to attend, we were 
 
 much pleased in being able to record the names of Elders M. C. Bar- 
 nett, J. S. Ezell, T. Dixon, J. C. Burge, D. Wray, and Bro. C. 
 Durham, from other bodies, as being present on the occasion — some 
 of whom rendered material aid in settling the difficulty. Services 
 were kept up at the stand for the benefit of a larfe congregation 
 who attended, and we hope they were much profited thereby. 
 
 Jno. R. Logan, Asso. Clerk. 
 
 27 
 
210 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 exact reverse, if that is the true view of the case. The clause 
 strictlv forbids the Association to meddle with the internal 
 affairs of the church, for the church itself alone has jurisdic- 
 tion of that matter, but the clause of the constitution does 
 not forbid the associate body, but guarantees fully its right 
 to withdraw from a church it considers disorderly, and of 
 that matter the association must be its own judge. Another 
 clause of the Constitution (Article 11) says : The Association 
 shall have power to exclude any church from this union who 
 shall depart from the orthodox principles of th.6 Gospel." 
 Now if a church should become liquor-loving, and in cop- 
 seqnence of it, disorderly — although her articles of faith 
 may appear orthodox, and all right on paper — has the Asso- 
 ciation no right to judge of her moral or religious status 
 and act accordingly ? So far from discovering anv constitu- 
 tional barrier to the action of the Association in reference to 
 the resolution on Temperance, adopted by the body, we find 
 the authority full, and in our opinion perfectly complete. 
 Why then make the concession as to the constitutionality 
 of the Association ? It was enough to remind our "consti- 
 tutional" brethren that they were represented when the res- 
 olution passed unanimously. Why then did they not fight 
 it and enter on the Minutes of the body their solemn pro- 
 test ? They were completely estopped by their own negli- 
 gence, and should not have rent off in such hot haste without 
 making overtures for reconciliation. 
 
 We do not offer these strictures by reason of any un- 
 pleasantness on our part. We are more than gratified that 
 the breach has been healed, and entertain the hope that not- 
 withstanding many gibes and jeers have been thrown out 
 rather of a demoralizing nature, by each one of the divisions 
 then existing as well as by other bodies, and those not of us 
 at all, which were ot an unchristian character and very un- 
 becoming professing people, yet now that is all hushed, and 
 will in a short time be forgotten, and we rejoice greatly that 
 it is so. Let us now pull solid, like a company of horses 
 were formerly said to have done in Pharaoh's chariots. 
 
 Our Association had been weathering the storms of ad- 
 versity for several years. Some of the churches within our 
 bounds seemed to despise the day of small things, and hail 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 211 
 
 taken shelter in bodies of apparent greater strength, and 
 which wielded a, greater influence and respectability. Let 
 us so live and work as becomes the followers of Christ, and 
 in due time we shall realize the blessings of His grace. Our 
 King's Mountain churches will all return to us, if they have 
 not already done so, while others will be built up among us; 
 and we shall eventually become so strong that the work of 
 the Lord, under His own fostering care and protection, will 
 flourish in our midst, the like of which no one heretofore 
 has ever witnessed. 
 
 The 17th annual session of 1867 met at Thessalonica 
 church, Catawba county, N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder James H. Yarboro, 2nd Kings v. 29. 
 The union now consists of 25 churches, and a membership 
 of 2598. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder J. H. Yarboro, 
 Moderator, aiicl Elder G. M. Webb, Clerk. 
 
 RE-DISTRICTING THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 A committee was appointed at this session to re-district 
 the Association, who reported as follows: 
 
 All the churches east of the Morganton or Post road shall com- 
 pose the First District. All churches west of said road and east of 
 First Broad River, shall compose the Second District. All the 
 churches west of said river and east of Sandy Run creek shall com- 
 pose the Third District. All the churches west of said creek shall 
 compose the Fourth District. D. Setzer, Chairman. \ 
 
 Query. — The following query was taken up and an- 
 swered as follows : 
 
 i "What is the proper course to be pursued by the churches com- 
 posing the King's Mountain Association in reference to certain 
 excluded members irregularly received of each division of the Asso- 
 ciation, withouf letters of dismission ?" 
 
 Answer. — "We advise such churches to rescind their acts in the 
 reception of such members ; also, we advise churches which have 
 excluded members upon difference of opinion, and not for acts of 
 immorality, to rescind such acts of exclusion." 
 
 The Circular Letter of this year was prepared by Elder 
 Robert Poston, on the subject of Temperance. 
 
 The session of this year was a very pleasant one, but 
 the body transacted but very little business beyond the usual 
 routine (Lutheran surroundings). 
 
 free-will offerings for missions. 
 
 Elder R. Poston introduced the following resolution, 
 which was passed : 
 
212 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Whereas, The work of missions has heen suspended for a 
 time, owing to the desolated condition of the country. Therefore 
 be it , 
 
 SesQlved, That we advise our churches composing this Associa- 
 tion to take this subject into consideration, and send up their free- 
 will offerings for that purpose to the next session of this body. 
 
 The 18th annual session of 1868 met at Mount Paran, 
 lork county, S. C. The introductory sermon was delivered 
 by Elder G. M. Webb, Leviticus xvi. 34. The union con- 
 sisted of 25 churches; membership, 2555. Baptized 200 
 within the last year, and dismissed to join other churches 110. 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elders J. H. 
 Yarboro, Moderator, and G. M. Webb, Clerk. 
 
 Under the invitation given to visiting brethren, Elders 
 J. S. Ezell, E. Allison, J. J. Jones, and Bros. Wm. Walker, 
 Miles T. Walker and J. H. Mills, editor of the Biblical Re- 
 corder, were received. 
 
 HUMILIATION AND PRAYER. 
 
 After transacting the usual routine of associational busi- 
 ness, the 29th day of October next was set apart in conjunc- 
 tion with the Broad River and other Associations, as a day 
 of humiliation, thanksgiving and prayer. 
 
 The Circular Letter, prepared by Elder J. H. Yarboro 
 on the subject of Missions, was read and adopted. 
 
 OBJECTS OF ASSOCIATIONAL WORK. 
 
 Missions, Sabbath Schools and Temperance, as hereto- 
 fore, was commended to the attention of the churches. 
 
 The 19th session in 1869 was held at Double Springs 
 church, Cleveland county, ~N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered bv Elder Geo. W. Rollins, from John ix. 4. 
 Churches in union, 25 ; membership, 2713. 
 
 Elder George W. Rollins was elected Moderator, and 
 Elder George M. Webb, Clerk. 
 
 THE PAYMENT OF JUST DEBTS. 
 
 After the appointment of committees on the various 
 branches of associational business, the following query was 
 taken up for discussion : 
 
 "What should be done with a member who has the means and 
 refuses to pay his honest debts?" 
 
 The subject matter was being pretty well ventilated, 
 when a motion was made to lav the query on the table, 
 which prevailed. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 213 
 
 WAKE FOREST BENEFICIARIES. 
 
 Prof. W. T. Walters obtained leave to address the body 
 in behalf of the beneficiaries of Wake Forest College, and 
 a collection was taken up of upwards of $50.00 for educa- 
 tional purposes. 
 
 Remarks. — The subject of Ministerial Education was 
 beginning to attract more attention about this time than 
 formerly, as will be seen by the action taken at subsequent 
 sessions of the Association. 
 
 A Bequest. — Bro. J. J. Hicks brought to the notice of 
 the body that there was a legacy willed to the Baptist denom- 
 ination by A. Mull, Esq., of Catawba county, for the purpose 
 of building a Baptist church within the bounds of the Asso- 
 ciation, on a tract of land in the county of Catawba; where- 
 upon, the body appointed J. J. Hicks, D. Setzer, J. J. Sigmau 
 and C. Clark a committee to attend to the matter and confer 
 with a committee of the Catawba River Association ; and 
 said committee are hereby instructed to transfer all the 
 claims of this Association to the Executive Board of the Bap- 
 tist State Convention, for the purpose of procuring the dona- 
 tion and carrying out more fully the will of the testator. 
 
 BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION. 
 
 On motion, Elders J. II. Yarboro, G. M. Webb, P. R. 
 Elam, L. C. Ezell, A. A. McSwain and Bro. J. J. Hicks 
 were appointed delegates to attend the next session of the 
 iXorth Carolina Baptist State Convention. 
 
 Death. — The demise of Deacon David Ham rick, of 
 Boiling Springs church, is noticed as "a man of great piety 
 and devotion, and of advanced age." 
 
 The Circular Letter by Elder G. M. Webb, on the design 
 of Baptism, was adopted, and the practice of writing Circu- 
 lar Letters discontinued. 
 
 The 20th annual session of 1870 was held with High 
 Shoals church, Rutherford county, IS". C. The introductory 
 sermon was ^reached bv Elder R. P. Logan, from Mark iv. 
 24. The union consists of 25 churches ; members, 2828. 
 
 Elders George W. Rollins was chosen Moderator, and 
 Elder George M. Webb, Clerk. 
 
 We do not find, from the Minutes of this session, that 
 any business outside of the usual course was transacted. 
 
214 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 Missions. — The report of the committee on Missions, by 
 Elder T. B. Jutiee, of Green River Association, who appears 
 as Chairman, is so appropriate that we give it in full : 
 
 Your committee on Missions beg leave to report that they are 
 profoundly impressed with the necessity of renewed and enlarged 
 efforts in this department of christian labor. That notwithstanding 
 much has been done, yet much remains to be done. We have great 
 reason to rejoice that God has signally blessed the efforts of our de- 
 nomination heretofore put forth in the dissemination of knowledge. 
 That He has convicted and converted thousands of souls under the 
 ministry of your appointees, or those appointed by your boards or 
 otherwise, Our obligation to labor in this department will not cease 
 xmtil the last sheep shall be brought into the fold of Christ. The 
 fields are now white to harvest, and are found in parts of the terri- 
 tory occupied by your Association as well as in other parts of the 
 State in which we live — in the foreign fields now partially cultiva- 
 ted, and others yet to be occupied. We believe that with a little 
 general effort, the glorious Gospel of the blessed God might be preach- 
 ed in all the world. Your Association has a membership of 2825. 
 If each member would contribute fifteen cents it would give, in 
 round numbers. $141.00 for Missions in your bounds, and a like 
 amount for both State and Foreign Missions. Although the amount 
 mentioned is small, yet we shall be pleased if even this is done 
 during the ensuing associational year. T. B. Justice, Ch'in. 
 
 ACTION OF THE BODY. 
 
 After the foregoing report was adopted, the body 
 appointed Bros. J. A. Roberts, E. J. Lovelace and J. C. Lat- 
 titnore a Missionary Board, and proceeded to raise by contri- 
 butions and pledges the amount indicated in the report, and 
 only lacked $24.00 of tilling the bill. 
 
 The other reports of committees show that the session 
 was an active and profitable one. 
 
 The 21st annual session of 1871 met with the church at 
 Bethel, Iredell county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon was 
 delivered by Elder G. M. Webb. Text: 1st Thess. v. 6. 
 
 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch 
 and be sober." 
 
 The church at Capernaum, (which had never joined this 
 body, preferring to remain a constituent member of the 
 Broad River Association until now,) and the Shelby and 
 New Prospect churches (which had formerly belonged to the 
 King's Mountain Association, but for reasons satisfactory to 
 them had taken letters of dismission and joined the Broad 
 River Association,) made application for admission into our 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 215 
 
 union and were cordially received, — making a union of 28 
 churches, and a membership of 2892. 
 
 The body then organized by the election of Elders Thos. 
 Dixon, Moderator, and G. M. Webb, Clerk. 
 
 CHANGE IN THE ABSTRACT OF PRINCIPLES. 
 
 On the reading of the Abstract of Principles before the 
 
 body, the 8th Article was changed to read as follows : 
 
 "We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances 
 of Jesus Christ, and that true believers who have been immersed 
 upon a profession of faith are the only proper subjects for the Lord's 
 table." 
 
 After having adopted the foregoing change, the 12th 
 article was useless, and therefore stricken out. 
 
 Remarks. — As there is nothing much of a special nature 
 to notice in the proceedings of this session, we will give only 
 the report of the committee on the State of Religion, which 
 appears to be a sort of summing up of associational matters. 
 A few of the churches seem to have enjoyed refreshing seasons 
 of revival during the past year, having received 160 members by 
 baptism. For this we feel truly thankful. But many of the churches 
 complain of coldness and barrenness ; othei's give rather meagre 
 reports of their condition, making no mention of prayer meetings 
 or Sabbath Schools, and from a few we have no reports either by let- 
 ter or delegates. We fear, therefore, that our people are not making 
 proper efforts to advance the Redeemers kingdom on the earth, and 
 we would in love exhort them to not sleep as do others, but to watch 
 and be sober. Our missionary enterprises at home and abroad —the 
 Sabbath school cause, and indeed all the appliances for the spread of 
 the Gospel— require watchfulness. We fear there is too much neg- 
 lect of many christian duties. How is it in reference to family 
 prayer, deeds of charity, visiting the sick and the afflicted? Practi- 
 cal religion, we fear, is at a low ebb among many of us who ought to 
 present better examples to the world, to say nothing of the church. 
 In looking abroad among the churches how often do we see pride, 
 covetousness, vain glory, intemperance, worldly-mindedness, wratb, 
 sedition, idle gossip and frivolities unworthy of the christian name 
 and profession ? Brethren, these things ought not to be. Fashion 
 and folly should not be suffered to engross so much of our time, to 
 the neglect of christian duty. We should rather endeavor to keep 
 ourselves unspotted from the world. We would therefore suggest 
 that every follower of Christ begin at once to examine his heart and 
 
 see whether he be in the exercise of true, living faith, or whether he 
 be guilty of the sin i already hiute 1 at, or at least some of them. K 
 we rind ourselves guilty, let us ask God lor pardon. If we love God 
 Ave should at least endeavor to keep His commandments, and walk 
 in His ordinances blameless. Then may we expect to enjoy religion 
 more, and to have sweeter coairuuuion with Him. Let us humble 
 
216 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ourselves under His mighty hand. Let us aspire to a closer walk 
 with God. J. R. Logan. 
 
 Death. — The committee on Obituaries reported the de- 
 mise of Deacon Samuel Harrill, of Concord churchy who had 
 attained his 90th year, and had been a consistent member of 
 the church for more than fifty years, and filled the office of 
 deacon a large part of that time. He went down to the grave 
 much esteemed by all who knew him. 
 
 The 22nd annual session of 1872 met at Bethlehem 
 church, Cleveland county, N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered by Elder Wade Hill. Text : Mark xvi. 15. 
 
 Mount Zion church, formerly of the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation, was admitted into the confederacy of churches, — 
 making 29 in all, with a membership of 32i>0. Baptized 
 within the last year, 192. 
 
 Elders Thos. Dixon was re-elected Moderator, and Geo. 
 M. Webb was re-elected Clerk. 
 
 The church at Corinth at her request was dismissed to 
 join the Catawba River Association. 
 
 Query.. — The church at Sandy Plains sent up the follow- 
 ing query ; 
 
 '•Can the majority of a church grant a letter of dismission in full 
 fellowship to a member, a minority voting against it?" 
 Answered in the negative. 
 
 The Circular Letter^ prepared by Elder A. A. McSvvain, 
 was adopted. Subject : Systematic beneficence. 
 
 Missions. — We give the report of the committee on 
 
 Missions: 
 
 Our Savior's last commission to His disciples was, that they 
 should ,- go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every crea- 
 ture." This command is still in lull force, and constitutes every 
 believer a missionary. He cannot fail to be a missionary in heart 
 and practice without proving false to the Savior, whom he professes 
 to love. We would call especial attention to two departments of 
 labor. 
 
 1. State Missions. — During the past year the Board of Missions 
 of our State Convention has been actively engaged in trying to sup- 
 ply the destitute portions of our own State with the preaching of the 
 Gospel. Since our last session more than twenty missionaries have 
 been in the field in different parts of the State. Under their labors 
 several hundred persons have been baptized, several churches have 
 been organized, and houses of worship at important points are in 
 contemplation or in process of construction. There have been two 
 missionaries at work in this Association, to-wit: Elders Cobb and 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 217 
 
 Webb. They have met with an encouraging degree of success. This 
 has been the case wherever an effort has been put forth. Everywhere 
 there is a readiness — in some places an earnest desire — to hear us. 
 We only lack the means to carry on this work more extensively. 
 God seems to be calling on us to enlarge our efforts and our liberal- 
 ity in this direction. 
 
 2. Foreign Missions. — From all quarters of the foreign field cheer- 
 ing intelligence reaches us. Our brethren there tell us that their 
 labors are blessed now more than ever, and that new fields are con- 
 stantly opening before them. By a wonderful dispensation of God 
 Rome, so long the headquarters of Anti-Christ, has been thrown 
 open to us, and the Baptists are now preaching the pure Gospel in 
 the city where Paul suffered martyrdom. Our brethren there are 
 asking us to help them build a house of worship. Let us see to it 
 that we do not neglect the calls which come to us from thesequarters. 
 
 [While the Association was engaged in considering the 
 importance of sending the Gospel to the world, the body was 
 'thrown into great confusion by the sudden appearance and 
 curses of ,one Newton J. Long who, in a state of in toxica 
 tion, came on the church-yard with a body of United States 
 Cavalry, and by their disorderly conduct created such excite- 
 ment that the Association dispersed without a formal ad- 
 journment. When the delegates started to their homes they 
 found the roads leading from the church guarded by the sol- 
 diers, and it was only after considerable delay that they were 
 allowed to proceed. 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing entry is on the Minutes of 
 that ever memorable session, and will serve not so much as 
 a beacon hight to point the future Baptist posterity to the 
 refined civilization of the nineteenth century, but rather as 
 a dark stigma on the secular government, which made the 
 civil subservient to the military authority. This squad of 
 military ruffians pretended they were on pursuit of some of 
 the Ku KluxKlan, which they suspected might be attending 
 the services. And hence the raid upon an orderly, church- 
 going congregation, who supposed at least that they could 
 exercise the God-given privilege of worshipping Jehovah at 
 the sanctuaries prepared for that purpose, as well as under 
 their own vine and tig tree at home, without being terrified 
 and detained by military myrmidons. The sheriff of the 
 county was present, and attempted the arrest of the leader 
 of the squad, but might prevailed, as it often does, over th.e 
 right, and they left the place disregarding the civil authori- 
 ties of the State. \ 
 
 28 
 
218 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Bro. J. R. Logan read the report on Temperance, which 
 was adopted : 
 
 The common definition of "Temperance is a moderate use of 
 things lawful and a total abstinence from everything unlawful, per- 
 nicious, or detrimental to good health or morals. It is admitted by 
 all to be a chief and permanent christian virtue. It has therefore 
 been the practice of religious bodies of nearly every name and order 
 to endeavor to inculcate the duty of temperance throughout the hu- 
 man race, and especially among those professing godliness. But 
 alas ! notwithstanding the efforts put forth by the advocates of the 
 great and good cause, we lament that so little has been done, or 
 rather that so much yet remains to be done. We see, on the right 
 hand and on the left, very many of our young men and old men too 
 alike steeped in the foul sinks of intemperance, perverting the cause 
 of christian progress, and that civil liberty which has hitherto been 
 recognized as the bulwark of every benevolent institution in our once 
 happy but now distracted country. It was once our boast that we 
 could sit under our own vine and fig tree and worship our Maker 
 according to the dictates of conscience. How changed now is our 
 condition at the present day ! By the intemperate administration 
 of the secular authority the great bulwark of civil liberty is well 
 nigh supplanted by military domination or despotism. The instru- 
 mentalities used to carry out this vile system of iniquity are often 
 of the lowest classes of society, drunken and profane, and seeming 
 to glory in their shame— invading at times the sanctuary of God, 
 disturbing and intimidating, by deadly weapons, whole assemblies 
 convened for the worship of the Most High. Over this species of 
 intemperance we can exercise no jurisdiction or control: We can 
 only enter our most solemn protest against it, invoking the attention 
 of those who have the rule over us, and ask a guarantee of protec- 
 i tion in our civil and religious rights. 
 
 But we call on the churches that we represent to arouse from 
 their slumbers and try to do their whole duty. Resolutions and 
 assoeiational reports will avail very little unless backed up by acts 
 conformable thereto. Let th^. churches purge themselves of intem- 
 perate persons, and especially of those who are guilty of drunken- 
 ness. Then may we expect a better state of things— greater religious 
 health and prosperity. 
 
 Deaths. — The committee on Obituaries reported the 
 demise of Sister Susanna Ilarrill, aged 75 years, and the 
 widow and relict of our venerable brother, Deacon Samuel 
 Harrill, whose death was noticed in the Minutes of the last 
 session. 
 
 The demise of Deacon Thomas Wilson, one of the orig- 
 inal constituents of the Shelby church, is noticed. He was 
 an upright and useful man in his generation. 
 
 The death of Bro. Joseph Sepoch, of Mount Paran, is 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 219 
 
 also noticed in their report. He attained to a ripe age, and 
 lived before the Lord in humble, faithful service to the last. 
 
 SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE. 
 
 The following resolution was offered and adopted : 
 Resolved, That the delegates be requested to present the subject 
 of Missions to their respective churches, and endeavor to secure the 
 adoption of some systematic plan for raising funds for said object. 
 A GOOD MAN HAS CROSSED THE JORDAN. 
 
 Elder Micajah C. Baruett, of the Broad River Associa- 
 tion, having died on Thursdav night before the meeting of 
 this body, in the town of Shelby, within the bounds of this- 
 Association, his death therefore was suitably noticed in the 
 Minutes of the session. (See biography of Elder Barnett). 
 
 The 23d annual session of 1873 met at Zion church, 
 Cleveland county, ]ST. C. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder Geo. W. Rollins. Text : Jude, 3d verse. 
 
 Antioch church, formerly of the Broad River Associa- 
 tion, was admitted into this body, — making a union of 29 
 churches, and a membership of 3579. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Geo. W. Rollins, 
 Moderator, and Bro. B. H. Bridges, Clerk. 
 
 After the usual appointments were made by the body, 
 the following report was considered and adopted : 
 
 Since your last session there have been in the field, in different 
 parts of the State, about forty missionaries. They have been occu- 
 pying important positions in towns and in the country. Their labors 
 have been attended by most pleasing results. Houses of worship 
 have been commenced or finished. Churches have been organized, 
 and many precious souls have been converted and baptized. 
 
 In this Association Elder G. M. Webb has been laboring at two 
 points, and at one of them a gracious outpouring of the Spirit has 
 been enjoyed, and more than thirty persons have been baptized. 
 Surely we ought to thank God and take courage. There has been a 
 lack during the year just closing of the liberality usually extended 
 to this work by the churches. - We would commend it to the pastors 
 within our bounds, and urge that they bring it before their churches 
 at least once a year, and ask for contributions to carry it on. 
 
 Foreign Missions. — The Southern Baptists are occupy- 
 ing stations in foreign lands, as follows : 
 
 Africa and Italy.— In China there are fifteen missionaries and 
 fourteen native assistants In Italy there is one missionary and six 
 native evangelists. In Africa there are thirteen laborers. In all 
 there are forty-nine missionaries and assistants sustained by the lib- 
 erality of the Baptists of our Southern Zion. 
 
220 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 From all quarters of the field there come the most encouraging 
 reports. In China, at all the stations, the congregations are swarm- 
 ing in numbers and interest, and new stations are calling for labor- 
 ers. In Italy we have been disappointed in securing a house of 
 worship in the city of Bime. The funds raised are securely invested, 
 and when, in the Providence of God the way may be opened, they 
 will be used for the purpose designed by the contributors. Mean- 
 while the preaching of the Gospel goes on and blessed fruits are 
 growing out of it. The supervision of the work in that field has 
 been entrusted to Elder George B. Taylor, of Virginia, a brother 
 whose praise is in all the churches. 
 
 Our missions in Africa are in a hopeful condition. There has 
 been some lack of the usual growth in our missions in that benight- 
 ed land, because we have had no white missionary for two years or 
 more. It is contemplated to appoint a missionary at an early day. 
 
 It is gratifying to know that the Lord is blessing the efforts of 
 His people to spread the Gospel in heathen lands. 
 
 It is, however, matter for humiliation that there seems to be so 
 little of the spirit of foreign missions in this Association. Only one 
 of the churches reports any contributions for this great enterprise 
 during the year now closing. Surely this ought not so to be. Let 
 us awaken to our duty, and endeavor to be more diligent for the 
 future. J. D. Hufham, Chairman. 
 
 After addresses by Elders Hill, Hufham and Webb, the 
 report was adopted, and a good collection taken for the ob- 
 ject of missions. 
 
 The reports on the other branches- of associational busi- 
 ness, such as Sabbath Schools, Education, Temperance, etc., 
 were interesting; to all warm-hearted christians. 
 
 Bethel Dismissed. — The Bethel church (Iredell) was 
 dismissed to join another body. 
 
 The 2nd Sunday in November was appointed as a fast 
 day for spiritual blessings received. 
 
 COMMITTEE TO REVISE THE CONSTITUTIONS 
 
 Resolved, That^Bro. L. N. Durham, J. H, Yarboro and B. H. 
 Bridges be appointed a committee to revise the Constitution, Rules 
 of Order, and Abstract of Principles, and report on Friday of the 
 next session of the Association. 
 
 The 24th annual session of 1874 met at Sandy Run 
 
 church, Cleveland county, N. C. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder W. Hill. Text : Isaiah lxii. 6. The 
 churches in union, 29 ; members, 3840. 
 
 Elder George W. Rollins was elected Moderator, and 
 Bro. B. EL Bridges, Clerk. 
 
 New Hope church was admitted into the union at this 
 
 session. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 221 
 
 The committees on the business of the Association were 
 appointed, and a motion was made to take up the proposed 
 oiew Constitution, as reported by the committee on revision 
 ••appointed at last session. After a good deal of discussion, a 
 motion to lay the matter on the table was sustained by a 
 vote of the body. 
 
 Remarks. — In 1859 objections were urged to the old or 
 tirst Constitution, and a committee appointed to revise, 
 which committee, through their Chairman (L. M. Berry,) 
 did report a new constitution in 1860, which was adopted 
 ■according to the forms or requirements of the old constitu- 
 tion, but contrary to the desires of many of the brethren 
 who preferred the old to the one then reported. 
 
 The body, however, was getting along very well under 
 that instrument until in 1878 — some of the brethren took 
 exceptions to the mere phraseology of the constitution .more 
 than to any particular article or feature ot it. In fact, noth- 
 ing that we ever heard of appears objectionable only the 10th 
 Article, which reads : 
 
 Every church in union having a membership not exceeding 
 fifty in number, shall be entitled to a representation of two dele- 
 gates, and one additional delegate for every increase of fifty over 
 that number. 
 
 Our brethren desiring a change wished to incorporate 
 into our organic law an article .making the ordained minis- 
 ters of the several churches a standing delegation ; or, ex officio 
 delegates, independent of the suffrages of the churches, — a 
 project that is older than the King's Mountain Association I 
 — a project that troubled the old Broad River body a good 
 deal, as will be seen noticed in this work which, however, 
 never could receive the sanction of a majority of the associ- 
 ate bod} 7 . Our Baptist fathers were so zealous for religious 
 freedom and church independence that they would not tole- 
 rate even their ministers to be more than equal peers with 
 them in a representative "point of view. They invariably 
 voted down attempts of that kind' whenever presented, and 
 quite a number of ministering brethren stood shoulder to 
 
 shoulder with the laity in doing so. 
 
 As stated, the report of the committee on the Constitu- 
 tion was laid on the table, where it slept the sleep of death, 
 because it would have been impossible, we presume, to have 
 
i ! 22 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 taken it from the table by a vote of two-thirds of the body. 
 It was thought best to let "well enough alone." The pres- 
 ent constitution may not be faultless, still it will be found to- 
 work very well — while we think it is hardly advisable to be 
 frequently tampering with the constitutions even of States. 
 much less of Associations. 
 
 Sunday Services.— On the Sabbath, Elders J. D. Huf- 
 ham, G. M. Webb and W. W. Gwin entertained the large- 
 congregations with excellent discourses, Elder G. M. Webb 
 preaching the missionary sermon under the appointment of 
 the Association last year. 
 
 The reports on the several objects of associational work. 
 appear to be of much interest. We give Bro. B. H. Bridges r 
 report in full ; 
 
 Within the bounds of this Association there has been during the 
 past associational year quite an increased interest in this subject. 
 Houses are being built in several localities ; one has just been com- 
 pleted on our lines, near the Burnt Chimneys, superintended by 
 Elder J. H. Yarboro ; another on Buffalo, near Capernaum church,, 
 and others are being erected in other places. 
 
 While we are glad to know this, we cannot but urge that a 
 greater interest be manifested upon the part of this body. The sub- 
 ject of education should anxiously concern every member, ' if we 
 would prosper as a denomination. You, who have children to edu- 
 cate, should remember that time is fast fleeting on, and it will soon 
 be too late with us. Bretbren, you are the educators ; it is by your 
 aid, your influence, your sympathies and your prayers that our 
 schools are successful ; and if this body would unite in one general 
 effort as a body of educators we would soon bring up our denomina- 
 tion to the desired point. Could we get a Baptist movement in this 
 direction, the result would be the uprooting of ignorance, and the 
 diffusion of general intelligence. 
 
 There is no lack of schools within the limits of this Association, 
 if they were <>nly patronized. The following are now in operation : 
 First, one in Shelby, that is every way worthy of your patronage. 
 Elder W. W. Gwin, principal ; secondly, Bridges' Academy, which 
 asks a liberal share of your patronage; thirdly, Burnt Chimneys, 
 which calls for her share. Brethren, these are in our midst, and 
 will compare well with other portions of the State, if they were 
 properly sustained by you. Let us try to create a general sentiment 
 among the churches of this Association in favor of the diffusion of 
 knowledge among our children. Let every one be impressed with 
 the duty of sustaining (heir own schools, and learning for himself 
 the way of life, and not depend upon those who have not our inter- 
 ests at heart. 
 
 As a denomination we cannot excuse ourselves on the grounds that 
 we have no denominational schools. Wake Forest College equals any 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 223 
 
 in the State, and is one which thoroughly teaches and practices the 
 doctrines of theScriptures held by us as Baptists. This surely makes 
 us subject to a high obligation to sustain said school in imparting 
 these principles to our people. As Baptists we claim to be the cham- 
 pions of civil and religious liberty, and how can we shun the imper- 
 ative duty of patronizing and contributing in behalf of this institu- 
 tion ? If we would be true to ourselves and our principles, we must 
 lend our influence and our means to those teaching and practicing 
 such principles. 
 
 We wish for success in all the efforts being made to endow Wake 
 Forest College, and hope that this Association will not be tardy in 
 furnishing her part. We think it the proper place for a thorough 
 eourse of instruction and Baptist training. Young ministers espe- 
 cially who are called of God should receive a course of training at 
 this place, and we would urge that the churches take an interest in 
 sending them there for apostolic training. Christ taught a three 
 years' school before His students were allowed to enter wholly upon 
 the work. Our failure, brethren, of following this example — and 
 not only, failure, but the opposition to and the rushing of them into 1 
 the pulpit unprepared for the work — is the leading cause of errors 
 being made by our ministers. It is an obstacle<which impedes the 
 progress of our denomination. We would say to the. brethren who 
 feel that it is their duty to exercise a public gift, to look to the east 
 and consider whether you are prepared for the work that God re- 
 quires at your hands. We believe in a call to the ministry, but as to 
 what constitutes this call we do not propose now to say — only that it 
 is to prepare for the preaching of the Gospel. This seems to be a 
 task to those of much experience, they (the older ministers) seem to 
 ■dread the work assigned them, and would prefer some other depart- 
 ment of christian duty. How is it with the inexpei ien< ed, who feels 
 that he is called of God, and must enter upon the greatest work ever 
 t"al len to man — the preaching of the Gospel of the Son of God- 
 
 Baptists outnumber all other denominations in the State, and 
 should therefore become the leaders in education. Our children 
 -tand in need of it, and let every member of this Association recog- 
 nize it as his duty to educate his children ; these are the obligations 
 of Baptists, if we be right in our belief. Brethren, then, of the 
 King's Mountain Association, we call upon you to consider our in- 
 terests, educationally ; give your sympathies, unite your energies, 
 ■direct your influence, aid in supporting denominational schools, 
 and make one general effort to dethrone ignorance and establish the 
 reign of knowledge and truth within our borders. 
 
 B. H. Bridges, Chairman. 
 Death. — In the report on Obituaries we read : "Our 
 tbearts are made sad at the absence of Bro. L. R. Rollins. 
 Since our last session God has called him into the association 
 of angels. He will meet with us no more on earth. This 
 young minister was a model of piety, zealous in the defence 
 of the Gospel, and an excellent preacher. In the bloom of 
 
224 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 
 
 youth, and in the midst of his preparation for a thorougfo 
 course of literary training at Wake Forest College, God- 
 ealled him home. In morality and religious zeal no young 
 man in the limits of our knowledge was his superior. In 
 his death our hearts are pervaded w T ith a moral sublimity r 
 which teaches us that we should submit to the dispensations 
 of a wise Providence, and may we all be as well prepared to 
 cross over v the Jordan that now separates us from him," 
 
 The 25th annual session of 1875 was held at New Hope 
 church, Cleveland county, N. C, The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder Thos. Dixon. Text * John xiv. 6. 
 
 Buffalo church (after an absence of a few years) return- 
 ed, and was admitted into the confederacy' of King's Moun- 
 tain churches again. The union now consists- of SO churches,, 
 and a membership of 4019, — a large body. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Thomas' Dixon, 
 Moderator, and Bro. Leonida& M. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 OBJECTS OF ASSOCIATIONAL WORK. 
 
 After looking over the Minutes of this session we find 
 that all the departments- of associational labor was well rep- 
 resented. Another good report on education was made by 
 Elder J. H. Yarboro, and a collection taken in cash and 
 pledges for the beneficiaries of Wake Forest College. 
 
 Elder J. B. Richardson, Corresponding Secretary of the 
 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, was on hand, 
 and the cause of missions had a good report by Elder Wade 
 Hill, the Chairman of the committee. 
 
 Services. — On the Sabbath Elder Wade Hill preached 
 a missionary sermon, and a collection of over fifty dollars 
 was taken up for the objects of the Board. Eiders T. B, 
 Justice, of the Green River Association, and T. B. Richard- 
 son, of the State Convention, preached interesting sermons. 
 
 The session was a very pleasant one, and seemed to be 
 very much enjoyed by all. 
 
 Dismissed. — The church at Lincolnton applied for a 
 letter of dismission to join the South Yadkin Association, 
 
 which was granted. 
 
 Query. — The following query from Double Springs 
 church was taken up : 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 225 
 
 "Is it according to Scripture and Baptist usage to receive mem- 
 bers excluded from other churches?" Answer. — ''No." 
 
 The 26th annual session of 1876 met at Sandy Plains 
 church, Cleveland county, N. 0. The introductory sermon 
 was preached by Elder Geo. W. Rollins. Text: Luke xxiv. 
 46, 47. The union consists of 29 churches, and a member- 
 ship ol 4327. 
 
 The body organized by electing Elder Thomas Dixon, 
 Moderator, and Bro. Leonidas M. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 The usual committees were appointed on the different 
 departments of christian labor, and good reports of progress- 
 ive work within the Association. 
 
 Queries. — The following little queries came up from 
 Zoar church : 
 
 '•Who are the eldership of a church ?" Answer. — The ministers. 
 "How long ought a church to hear with a member who obtains 
 a letter and keeps it in his pocket, and does not present it to another 
 church f" ♦ 
 
 Answer.— Not more than twelve months without explanation. 
 
 Services. — On the Sabbath, Elders JL B. Richardson, 
 of the State Convention, A. L. Stough, of the York Asso- 
 ciation, and George M. Webb preached interesting sermons 
 to the large assemblage of people with apparent good effect. 
 
 The 27th annual session of 1877 met at Pleasant Hill 
 church, Cleveland county, N. C. The introductory sermon 
 .was delivered by Elder J. H. Yarboro, from Acts xii. 8. 
 
 The church at Gastonia was admitted into the union, — 
 making a confederacy of 30 churches, and a membership of 
 4424. ' 
 
 Distinguished Visitors. — Elders J. B. Richardson, Cor- 
 re«sponding Secretary of the Baptist State Conv.enti6n, C. T. 
 Bailey, editor Biblical Recorder, J. A.White, of the Brier- 
 Creek, and J. P. Styers, of Rocky Creek Association, were 
 all at this session ot the body. 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elder George W. 
 Rollins, Moderator, and Bro. Leonidas M. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 After the usual appointments of committees on the dif- 
 ferent objects of the Association in reference to christian 
 effort, were made, the discussion of reports as they began to 
 be made, was in order, and the body enjoyed it very much. 
 
 Missions. — We give Bro. G. M. Webb's report on Mis- 
 sions, as follows : 
 
 29 , 
 
226 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The first Baptist church ever planted in North Carolina was or- 
 ganized in 1727, the second in 1743, and the third in 1755. The Bap- 
 tists could do but little in our State till after American Independence. 
 In 1784 we had but 42 churches, 47 ministers, and about 3,200 mem- 
 bers. Now we number 1,442 churches, 793 ministers, and over 137,- 
 000 members. Thus the missionary efforts of our people have been 
 greatly blessed within the last ninety years. 
 
 State Missions.— Fov the last 70 years there has been a Mission 
 Society in our State laboring to give the destitute sections the Gospel. 
 At present the State Mission Board is cultivating some ten impor- 
 tant points, but this is not one-tenth of what it ought to be doing. 
 The lack of funds has greatly circumscribed the Board's labors. In 
 the bounds of our own Association, Bro. P. R. Elam has been suc- 
 cessfully laboring at Dallas and Gastonia, as is seen from his report 
 to the Association. Our Association stands pledged to support Bro. 
 Elam. 
 
 Foreign Missions. — In this department of christian effort our 
 labors have been greatly blessed, and hundreds of thousands of 
 heathen have been brought to Christ within the last 50 years. We 
 must press this work, also the work of the Home and Indian Mission 
 Board oi our Southern Convention, which has done a great work in 
 the South during the last thirty years. G. M. Webb, Ch'm. 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing is given merely that the 
 reader may gather in his mind how the brethren were en- 
 gaged in regard to missionary operations ; and now we give 
 another paper to show how the subject of Temperance was 
 cared for by the brethren of this body. 
 
 Temperance. — That Temperance as a practical theme addresses 
 itself to the heart, conscience and intellect of every man, woman 
 and child. There never has been such a scourge permitted to visit 
 our race as that of intemperance, but the general statistics of in- 
 temperance we do not propose to collect or discuss. We have no 
 disposition to count the number of ruined men, of wretched fami- 
 lies, of lost estates this prevalent vice has occasioned in our country. 
 What part of our world is exempt from this awful scourge? Where 
 is the scourge that can for a moment be brought into comparison 
 with that of intemperance? It is one that never ceases the awful 
 work of destruction. 
 
 Where is the eye that sees not its woes? Where is the ear that 
 hears not its groans ? Where is the heart that does not bleed be- 
 cause of the loss of some dear relative, friend or companion ? We 
 may indeed say with the prophet, "the land mourn eth because of 
 drunkenness." 
 
 Oh ! what a cruel, horrid work is this ! When, when shall it 
 stop? Is there no end to this river of death? Is there no remedy? 
 Is there no remedy at hand? Yes, here it is : total abstinence now ; 
 total abstinence forever from all that intoxicates. And ought not a 
 redeemed world bless God for this discovery ? And ought we not, 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 227 
 
 heart to heart, shoulder to shoulder, press forward the application 
 of such a remedy ? The awful work of intemperance will never 
 cease until the principles of total abstinence from all intoxicating 
 drinks shall everywhere prevail. Never until the name, the influ- 
 ence of all be solemnly pledged to the support of the temperance 
 cause. Can any one, young or old, who but glances at this subject, 
 doubt for a moment into which scale he should throw the weight of 
 his name and influence? Every one that wears the badge of Christ 
 should see that he does not, either directly or indirectly, give his in- 
 fluence to the use of intoxicating drinks. Let each one remember 
 that there is a day of impartial reckoning and balancing of accounts, 
 and that the Judge of all the earth will do right ; that He will mete 
 out strict equity. , 
 
 Let us then use every laudable effort until the glorious work of 
 reform shall be achieved — the awful work of destruction shall cease. 
 This subject makes an especial appeal to the christian churches. It 
 was ascertained some twenty-five years ago (and no doubt the sta- 
 tistics would be greater now) that intoxicating drinks alone caused 
 1,500,000 church trials, and that thirty-three American D.D.'s, and 
 three of them bishops, had become perfect sots. 
 
 Need we be surprised at this when it is a fact that the majority 
 of our churches do not expressly prohibit the use of intoxicating 
 drinks, and some even suffer their own members to manufacture, 
 retail and use intoxicating drinks as a beverage. Let us therefore 
 do all we can to suppress this monster evil until the awful work of 
 destruction shall cease, until the destroying angel shall take his 
 flight — earth shall burst into the beauty and freshness of Eden — and 
 it shall be published through the utmost bounds of earth, and echo 
 and re-echo through the wide vaults of heaven : "The kingdoms of. 
 this world are become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ for- 
 ever and ever. A. L. Stough, Chairman. 
 king's mountain female seminary. 
 Bro. R. E. Porter introduced the followine: resolution, 
 which was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That we, as an Association, heartily endorse the efforts 
 of the Board of Trustees of the King's Mountain Female College to 
 establish such a college in our midst, and urge them to push their 
 work with all their energies and power. And we invite the Green 
 River and any other sister association to join us in this great enter- 
 prise. 
 
 Remarks. — The foregoing resolution very naturally 
 called out a' report from a committee appointed at the previ- 
 ous session in 1876. At that session Elder Geo. M. Webb 
 made a motion (which was sustained by the body) that there 
 be a committee appointed of one from each, church in the 
 Association to make an effort to establish a Female College 
 within the bounds of the Association, and that said commit- 
 tee be instructed to hold a meeting at Shelby on the 2d 
 
22^ KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Tuesday in December, 1876, to take the matter into consid- 
 eration. The committee appointed was W. B. Stroud, A. G. 
 WeatheYs, Jacob Hogue, B. B. Blanton, W. A. Thompson, 
 J. A. Roberts, J. C. Lattimore, P. R. Elam, G. T. Bostic, 
 George Ham rick, Jos. Weaver, T. D. Scruggs, Berry Ham- 
 rick, J. C. Smart, M. C. Crovvder, Thomas Wilkins, Peter 
 Sepoch, W. J. Toney B. II. Bridges, C. C. Durham, John 
 Wray, J. L. Ledford, E. R. Welman, Hugh Borders, J. R. 
 Logan, VV. D. Gaston, and S. J. Weaver. 
 
 A quorum of this committee met in the town of Shelby 
 on the day appointed and obtained such information as they 
 could, and being- very hopeful as to the success of the pro- 
 ject, made the following report : 
 
 That in pursuance of their appointment they met together at 
 Shelby on the day set by the Association, and, organizing, unani- 
 mously agreed to apply to the Legislature of the State, then in ses- 
 sion, for a charter or act of incorporation designating certain persons 
 to act as a Board of Trustees, to receive subscriptions and donations 
 for the purpose of defraying the expense of building, and also to ob- 
 tain by donation or purchase, a suitable site or lot to build on, and 
 transact any other business pertaining to the said seminary they 
 might deem necessary. 
 
 Application was accordingly made, and a liberal charter granted 
 by the General Assembly, and persons named therein to act as Trus- 
 tees, who have since met and procured by donation from C. C. Bur- 
 ham, Esq., (a liberal friend of education, in the town of Shelby,) a 
 very eligible and suitable lot whereon to erect the contemplated 
 seminary. It is therefore no longer a question of uncertainty as to 
 the erection of the College, provided the 4,0' >0 Baptists belonging to 
 thw Kind's Mountain Association will at once put their shoulders to 
 the wheel and, with a united effi >rt, roll up the means necessary to 
 erect the superstructure. We hope they may feel inclined to do so 
 at once. Every Baptist within the bounds of the Association will 
 certainly have denominational pride enough to put his share of 
 bricks in a building that will eventually prove to be of incalculable 
 benefit to us all — not only denominationally, but in many instances 
 individually. 
 
 By all means let our daughters be educated, and untold blessings, 
 mentally and religiously, will result to the future Baptist offspring, 
 and all these, too, whether Baptist or Pedo-Baptist, who may lend a 
 helping hand to build up a school of high grade in our midst. 
 
 The Trustees have resolved to raise ten thousand dollars at the 
 
 earliest practicable period for building purposes. Your committee, 
 
 therefore, hope that every lover oflitcrary improvement will move 
 forward in solid phalanx and contribute his mite to the undertaking, 
 and let the word "fail" be blotted out of their vocabularies. Let 
 other objects, for a time at least, be dropped (if need be] and your 
 
V 
 
 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 229 
 
 whole strength be put forth in this one laudable and paramount 
 effort, Let your watchword be, our Female Seminary must be built, 
 -and it certainly will be. 
 
 Your committee, in concluding this report, ask all good christian 
 men and women to join us in praying God's blessing on so honora- 
 ble and praiseworthy an object. Respectfully submitted. 
 
 J. R. Logan, Chairman. 
 Remarks. — It would seem from the perusal of the fore- 
 going, that the contemplated associational Female College 
 was almost a fixed fact, but it was not. The brakes were 
 secretly being applied to the wheels that were depended on 
 to roll up the means, and consequently nothing was done 
 until the next meeting of the Association. Delays are very 
 truly said to be dangerous to almost any project, and it 
 proved to be too true in this case. 
 
 Bro. James Love, who had been in his day a very libe- 
 ral benefactor and giver, had made a free donation of the 
 land on which the town of Shelbv is erected, — designating 
 in the deed of conveyance he made to the count}', four one- 
 acre lots — one in each square of the town, for the benefit of 
 the four most prevailing religious denominations, viz- Baptist, 
 Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian. Besides the 
 provision made for the churches he also reserved from sale 
 two other lots, for a male and female academy. The lots 
 were of course to be laid off by commissioners who, however, 
 never did lav off the lots of the character designated in the 
 deed of conveyance ; although lots of a certain character 
 were designated on the town plat as church lots remotely 
 situated from the public square or grounds of the town, — so 
 much so that neither of the denominations of christians ac- 
 cepted of them, but obtained by purchase other more eligible 
 and convenient lots, whereon is now erected the several 
 Church edifices of the town. The same was the case in regard 
 to the lots designated for Academies. Neither were ever 
 
 used; nor were they laid off as directed by Bro. Love. In 
 all this there Mas a fault c< mmitkd, and it would seem that 
 it rests with the Town Commissioners, who laid off the lots 
 in an unsatisfactory manner. 
 
 Now, after all this bungling work, in which the inten- 
 tions of the donor is in a measure thwarted, he again, in the 
 goodness of his heart, comes forward after the town is built 
 up — and awhile before his death — proposes to give a four- 
 
230 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 acre lot of land, embracing the most beautiful and conve- 
 nient site, for a Female Seminary that our eyes ever beheld- 
 Was it accepted ? We shall see by the time we get through 
 the examination of the Minutes of next session. 
 
 Olivet Dismissed. — Olivet church asked for and obtain- 
 ed a letter of dismission to join another body. 
 
 The 28th annual session of 1878 met at Boiling Springs 
 church, Cleveland county, IS". C. The introductory sermon 
 was delivered by Elder A. C. Erwin, from Micah iv. 2, 
 There are 29 churches in union, and a membership of 4522. 
 
 The body organized with Elder Thos. Dixon y Modera- 
 tor, and JBro. B. H. Bridges, Clerk. 
 
 After the appointment of committees on the assOcia- 
 tional work, the following very brief report was made : 
 
 There has been no action taken during the past associationai 
 year in regard to the employment of missionaries, and in the ab- 
 sence of the Treasurer of the Board we do not know whether any 
 funds for missionary purposes have been deposited with him or not' 
 
 J. R. Logan, Chairman. 
 
 A proposition was then made to discontinue the Board 
 of Missions and appoint an associationai treasurer, which 
 was carried, and Bro. B. H. Bridges was elected to fill the 
 place for the ensuing year. 
 
 Queries. — The committee on Queries reported as follows; 
 
 From Wall's church. — "Is a church under any obligations to 
 
 restore a person to fellowship who was excluded upon difference of 
 
 opinion, and who has been in disorder a portion of the time since > 
 
 without giving satisfaction to the church ?" Answer. — "No." 
 
 From Pleasant Hill church.— "Does the Word. of God. or Sacred 
 Scriptures, condemn the practice of inviting penitents to present 
 themselves at what is commonly called the mourners' bench or 
 anxious seat? If so, wbere Is the passage to be found condemning 
 such a course?" Answer. — "In our judgment there is none." 
 
 Kemarks. — -A while previous to the meeting of the As- 
 sociation, including the month of August in each year, is 
 what is now familiarly termed the season of protracted meet- 
 i n gs. These meetings began to be introduced about the vear 
 
 1840, when camp-meetings (with Baptists) seemed to have 
 perished with the using. It became an admitted fact pretty 
 generally that, at camp-meetings, the evil overbalanced the 
 good, and whenever that conclusion is arrived at in reference 
 to protracted meetings, they too will be abandoned. We 
 have no doubt but there has been a large amount of good 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 231 
 
 <done at camp-meetings, and also at protracted meetings. 
 But whenever they become too common place, and the 
 improperly-instructed young people begin to consider the 
 mourners' bench as the only place where they have a right 
 to expect the outpouring of God's spirit upon their hearts, 
 a general rally will be there — as much because it is the fash- 
 ionable mode of getting religion as because they are greatly 
 impressed and under deep conviction for sin. If the queiy 
 had been sent up from Pleasant Hill to know whether the 
 Word of God, or the Sacred Scriptures (which we think is 
 •about the same thing, and consequently tautologous,) au- 
 thorized (in common parlance) the mourners' bench as a 
 church fixture or religious appliauce — then the Association 
 would probably have arrived at a more definite answer, yes 
 or no. 
 
 REPORT ON EDUCATION. 
 
 The more enlightened a people are, the more easily can the prin- 
 ciples and doctrines of religion be inculcated. The mind must neces- 
 sarily be prepared to comprehend a principle before it will receive it* 
 Education prepares the mind to instigate and receive those princi- 
 ples. Even among the heathen they must be to some extent enlight- 
 ened before our missioziaries are successful in implanting the Truth 
 as it is in Jesus. The same holds good with us as a people. We 
 must educate — enlighten our people — before we shall be able to hold 
 up successfully before a gain-saying world the faith once delivered 
 to the saints, We are*happy to say that we have a good degree of 
 interest manifested on this important subject within the bounds of 
 this Association, but regret to say that this interest is not as gene- 
 rally diffused as it should be — the masses. The farmers' sons and 
 daughters— the strength of our land — are not fully awake to the im- 
 portance the subject demands. 
 
 Brethren, will you use your efforts in assisting to advance the 
 interest of education that we, as a denomination, may be enabled to 
 present the Gospel to earth's perishing millions with increased en- 
 ergy and power? To this end we should labor to establish schools 
 in our midst in which we can educate our rising generation. We 
 are glad to say that Bro. B. H. Bridges has a flourishing school estab- 
 lished at Boiling Springs church. Bro. Bridges is a very efficient 
 teacher, and well worthy of your support. The writer would also 
 state that he, as associate teacher in the Shelby Male and Female 
 High School, asks for a liberal support at your hands. 
 
 Brethren, second the efforts of the Trustees in their endeavor 
 to establish a Baptist Female College at Shelby. It must be built, 
 and why not we ? 
 
 Brethren, do not suffer this enterprise to die on your hands. We 
 would refer you to Wake Forest as our State denominational school. 
 
232 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The buildings have been materially enlarged, the endowment is 
 progressing, and as a denomination we should be proud of such a. 
 college— second to none in the State, and should be patronized by us, 
 
 J. A. White, Chairman. 
 
 After remarks by Bros. B. H. Bridges, J. A. White and 
 D. McNeill, the report was adopted. 
 
 king's mountain female college again. 
 
 On motion, the above report was followed by the report- 
 of Trustees of the proposed Baptist Female College, read 
 bj 7 J. E. Logan, as follows : 
 
 At an informal meeting of the Trustees of the King's Mountain 
 Baptist Female College, held at the present session of the Associa- 
 tion, a quorum being present, the resignations of Andrew Beam and 
 Thomas Wilkins were accepted, and Allen Bettis and J. L. Ledford 
 recommended to the consideration of the Association as suitable 
 persons to be appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned thereby. The 
 Trustees, by reason of the former locating committee failing to locate 
 the college site, have therefore appointed Allen Bettis, B. H. Bridges,. 
 J. C. Lattimore and Thomas Kendrick to discharge that duty, and 
 have instructed them to meet together in Shelby on the 5th day of 
 October next for said purpose, and make their "written report to a 
 meeting of the Trustees, to be held at Shelby on the first Monday of 
 October thereafter, and should said committee disagree, they are 
 authorized and requested to choose a disinterested person to act as 
 umpire in giving the casting vote, and thereby secure a location. 
 
 % Bru. A. L. Stough, heretofore appointed agent for the purpose of 
 soliciting funds for the college, is retained by the board and instruct- 
 ed to proceed in the discharge of "the duties «of his agency as soon 
 as the location is made and confirmed by the board of trustees. 
 
 Inconsequence of there being no action taken in the matter 
 during the past year, by reason of the failure to locate, the Board of 
 Trustees, therefore, in the discharge of what they considered an im- 
 portant duty, would the more earnestly urge every friend of the un- 
 dertaking to use every effort to patronize and complete so desirable 
 an object. J. R. Logan, 
 
 For the Board of Trustees. 
 The committee appointed by the adoption of the forego- 
 ing report attended on the day appointed and located the 
 Female College on the lot donated and tendered by Bro. 
 J as. Love as being, in their opinion, the most suitable place* 
 for such a school, but by reason of an under-current bearing 
 against the location in the town of Shelby, the a«;ent was 
 deterred from entering: on his work to raise the necessary 
 funds, and by the time the Trustees held their next meeting 
 with the Association at New Prospect in 1870, to approve of 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 233 
 
 the location, it was very plain to be seen the College project 
 had proved a failure. There was no more done under asso- 
 ciations] auspices in behalf of a female college for the town 
 of Shelby, and the beautiful site reverts to the estate of 
 Bro. Love, after the lapse of five years, without acceptance 
 and occupancy. The Shelby Baptist church having made a 
 more effectual move in the direction of a Female College 
 (having purchased a lot and now erecting the necessary 
 buildings,) will in a short time have a school in operation, 
 and thus preclude all probability that the lot donated by Bro. 
 Love will ever be utilized by the present Board of Trustees. 
 
 OBJECTS OF ASSOCIATIONAL WORK. 
 
 The reports made at this session on Missions, Temper- 
 ance, Sabbath Schools and Periodicals are all very interest- 
 ing, showing a working 'disposition. The Gospel was faith- 
 fully exhibited oh" the Sabbath by Elders J. A. White, A. L. 
 Stough, (who preached the missionary sermon) and T. Dixon, 
 to a very large and attentive congregation. 
 
 Death. — The committee on Obituaries reported the 
 death of Deacon John Keudrick, of Capernaum church, as 
 "a faithful servant of Jesus — earnest in every good work, 
 and noted for honesty and uprightness. In his death the 
 church and community have met with great loss. May we 
 bow in humble submission to Him who doeth all things 
 well." 
 
 The 29th annual session of 1879 was held at New Pros- 
 pect church, Cleveland county, N. C. The introductory 
 sermon was preached by Elder Harvey- Hatcher, of Virginia, 
 at the request of Elder J. P. Styers. the appointee, from 
 John x. 27. Pleasant Grove and State Line (new churches) 
 were admitted into the union — making 31 in all, and a mem- 
 bership of 4767. 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elder A. L. 
 Stough, Moderator, and Leonidas M. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 After the usual routine of appointing committees, &c, 
 
 the reception of reports on the various branches of labor 
 was in order, and the body removed to the stand as a more 
 agreeable place to discuss the subject of missions ; after a 
 pretty thorough ventilation of the question a collection of 
 about $30.00 was taken for State Missions. Elder T. H. 
 30 
 
234 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Pritchard, D.D., President of Wake Forest College and 
 messenger from the Central Association, in the afternoon 
 addressed the body and spectators on the subject of Agri- 
 cultural Education. And it was an excellent lecture — replete 
 with good ideas on farming operations. We suspect the 
 Doctor is a granger. 
 
 The reports on the different objects under the watch- 
 care of the Association were all very interesting, but too 
 lengthy to copy and set forth in this work. 
 
 Elder A. A. McSwaiu brought to the notice of the Asso- 
 ciation the demise of Elder Wade Hill, recently of the Green 
 River Association, but formerly of this body. 
 
 Remarks. — In our notice of Elder Hill, in a different 
 part of this work, we will notice the matter more fully. We 
 ' all knew the worth of Elder Wade Hill, and cannot do oth- 
 erwise than lament his unexpected departure so soon, to his 
 reward in the celestial world. (See biographical notice). 
 
 Deaths. — The committee on Obituaries reported the 
 demise of James Poston, a licensed minister of Pleasant 
 Hill church, "who did a great work for the Master — will be 
 much missed and long lamented. It is to be hoped that his 
 pious walk and godly conversation and quiet way of work- 
 ing will be an example to those who live after him." 
 
 The demise of Bro. A. S. Elam, a proficient member 
 and noble-hearted deacon, was a worker in the Master's 
 vineyard for 65 years. Forty years of this time he was a 
 deacon, first at Zion, then at New Bethel. He was father of 
 our dear brother, Elder P. R. Elam. 
 
 The demise also of Deacons Henderson Roberts, of 
 Pleasant Hill, and W. R. Roberts, of Mount Pleasant, are 
 noticed, "who were noted for their deep piety and zeal for 
 the Master, have resigned their seats to others. We can only 
 bow and say God's will be done." 
 
 The 30th annual session of 1880 was held at Double 
 Springs church, Cleveland county, N". C. The introductory 
 sermon was preached by Elder P. R. Elam, from 1st Cor. 
 xii. 31. 
 
 Long Creek, and Dallas (a new church,) were admitted 
 into the union. There are now 32 churches in the bodv, 
 a membership of 5277. 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 235 
 
 The body organized by the election of Elder Thomas 
 Dixon, Moderator, and Bro. Leonidas M. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Distinguished Visitors. — At this session Elders J. C. 
 Grayson and Lewis McCurry (old ministers,) from the Green 
 River;. Elder H. Hatcher, corresponding editor of the Bibli- 
 cal Recorder; Elder T.Harrison, agent foreign missions of 
 the Southern Baptist Convention, and J. M. Williams, from 
 Broad River, were in attendance. 
 
 The usual appointment of committees was made, and 
 brief but very appropriate reports were handed in, discussed, 
 and adopted, the body having charge of Missions, Education, 
 Temperance, Sabbath Schools, Periodicals, &c. •> Bro. T. D. 
 Lattimore was elected Treasurer of the Association by accla- 
 mation ; and Bros. E. J. Lovelace, T. D. Lattimore, J. L. 
 Ledford, B. B. Harris and J. D. Moore were appointed as 
 Executive Committee of Associational missions. 
 
 The committee on Obituaries reported the demise of 
 Deacon George Herndon, of Bethlehem church, "who had 
 been a faithful servant for a number of years and was beloved 
 by all who knew him). Forty-six others have died during 
 the year. While so many have passed over the river, we 
 trust our loss has been their eternal gain. We can only bow 
 and say God's will be done. J. P. Stybrs, Ch'm." 
 
 The 31st annual session of 1881 was held at Buffalo 
 church, York county, S. C. The introductory sermon was 
 preached by Elder W. A. Nelson, of the Shelby church, 
 from Numbers xiii. 30. 
 
 Churches in union, 31; total membership, 5473. 
 
 Elder Thos. Dixon was chosen Moderator, and Bro. 
 Leonidas M. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 Reports. — The reports made by committees on the dif- 
 ferent objects of the Association this year are very interest- 
 ing. The body appeared to be in good working order. We 
 had with us Elders J. B. Boone and W. L. Brown, repre- 
 sentatives of the Biblical Recorder and Baptist Courier. Also 
 Prof. H. W. Reinhardt, Principal of Thomasville Female 
 Seminary, — besides quite a number of corresponding mes- 
 sengers of other bodies. 
 
 We give the report on Education by Prof. Reinhardt : 
 
 It neeus no argument to prove that education is a mighty power 
 
236 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 in every department of human thought and energy. Surely none 
 will deny that the subjection of the world to King Emanuel is the 
 one grand ultimate aim set before the subjects of Christ's Kingdom, 
 before which all other aims and ends dwindle into utter insignifi- 
 cance, and to which they must all be made subservient. God de- 
 mands that we shall use all the means and appliances He has placed 
 within our reach to increase our power and efficiency in His service, 
 and to aid in the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ in the 
 world. Should we not therefore gratefully avail ourselves of the 
 privileges of education for our children afforded by such schools as 
 the Shelby High School, Coopnr Limestone Institute, Thomasville 
 Female Seminary, Judson College at Henderson ville, and Wake 
 Forest College, all under Baptist auspices and deserving the liberal 
 support of the Baptist brotherhood of this Association. We desire 
 to add an earnest word in behalf of female education. If we would 
 even occupy the commanding position in the great army of salvation 
 to which our principles entitle us, we must educate our girls as well 
 as our boys. We especially urge the brethren to aid those young 
 men from our own midst who are seeking an education at Wake 
 Forest College and the Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky., 
 that they may give themselves with greatly enlarged power and use- 
 fulness to the great work of the Master in the proclamation of the 
 Gospel. H. W. Reinhardt, Chairman. 
 
 Afte^r remarks "by Elder W. A. Nelson and others the 
 report was adopted, and the sum of one- hundred and three 
 dollars raised by cash and pledges for the benefit of young 
 brethren Beam, White and Hord, now at Wake Forest -Col- 
 lege, preparing for the. ministry. 
 
 The following report on Sabbath Schools by Elder A. 
 
 A. MeSwaih was adopted : 
 
 The great and glorious work of Sunday Schools is but a return 
 to a spiritual work of reading and expounding the Scriptures, as was 
 the custom of the Jews — a practice confirmed by the acts of our 
 Saviour, and practiced by the Apostles. Many of our churches 
 report flourishing Sunday Schools, which shows a return to the 
 Apostolic practice. Many of our churches are meeting every Sab- 
 bath for some kind of religious service, but as there are no repor s 
 from some, we fear there is not much doing for this glorious work 
 as should be, but we hope much more is being done than is reported. 
 We recommend that a more faithful effort be made upon the part of 
 all in trying to make our Sunday Schools more interesting, and to 
 establish schools where there are none. We would also recommend 
 the Sunday Schools to take a greater interest in the meetings of the 
 Sunday School Convention of the eastern division of the Association, 
 and the Sunday School Institute of the western division— two very 
 flourishing and interesting bodies holding their sessions on the 5th 
 Sabbaths, commencing on Friday. A. A. McSwain, Ch'm. 
 
 Remarks. — Elder W. A. Nelson and Prof. Reinhardt 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 237 
 
 made very appropriate remarks on the subject of Sabbath 
 Schools, showing the great benefits resulting from the usual 
 good training had there ; and contrasting the present with 
 the past of many years ago, when our children, for the want 
 of such nurseries, were often seduced and led into sinful and 
 vicious practices. Why is there not more attention paid to 
 Sabbath Schools ? 
 
 REPORT ON FOREIGN MISSIONS. 
 
 The Foreign Mission enterprise, though feeble and unpropitious 
 in its inception, has been successful in its undertakings, — that it is 
 now the admiration of the world, and its success teaches not to 
 "despise the day of small things." Shall we, amid these brilliant 
 victories, slacken our energies and lay down our arms? No, but if 
 possible let every christian philanthropist redouble his efforts, and 
 then the light of eternity will fully reveal the joyous fruits of such 
 efforts. 
 
 Brethren, are our present efforts, our benefactions, our prayers, 
 even in a proximate degree, commensurate with the great end to be 
 accomplished, the mighty results to be realized ? Truth compels us 
 to answer "No!" far from it. And why this delinquency? Why 
 is it that so many of our churches and so many individual christians 
 whom God has blessed with abundant means, evince so little interest 
 in this great work ? Is it not strange that christians should need to 
 be convinced o;" a duty so plain — or, if convinced already, should 
 need any persuasion to urge them to its performance? Can they 
 wilfully neglect this great and solemn duty without disgracing the 
 christian name? Shall the cause of God suffer? [Shall the world 
 perish because christians love their money or themselves more than 
 they love Christ? Let such remember who said, 'he that loveth 
 houses and lands, or his own life more than Me, is not worthy of 
 Me." Did we not pledge ourselves at the altar of our christian pro- 
 fession to devote ourselves to the cause of Christ? The understand- 
 ing was that our time, our talents, our all was to be given to Christ, 
 and shall we now make it the object, of our lives to seek riches, 
 honors, or pleasures of the world? Shall we serve ourselves instead 
 of Him who loved us and bought us With His blood ? Millions on 
 millions have already perished because processing christians have 
 loved the things of this world more than the i-ouls of men. The 
 heathen now alive must receive the Gospel or perish. We hold their 
 eternal destiny in our hands, and if we will, with the promised help 
 of God, we can secure them from everl/isiing ruin. Brethren in the 
 ministry, to .you especially and for your reflection, we propound 
 thtse inquiries, and may we not further ask, are you faithfully dis- 
 charging your duty to the churches to which you have been called 
 to minister in holy things? May not much of this sin lie at your 
 doors ? Do you faithfully, without the fear of man but in the fear of 
 God, "reprove, rebuke, exhort with long suffering and doctrine?" 
 May God enable us all, ministers and people, to clear our skirts of 
 
538 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 the blood of the perishing heathen. Let us, by our fervent prayers 
 and increased liberality in the future, atone for our past negligence 
 and indifference. A. L. Stough, Chairman. 
 
 The report was adopted, and the body decided to take 
 up a collection on the Sabbath and make an equal division 
 between Foreign and State Missions. The collection- 
 amounted to $50.00. 
 
 REPORT ON STATE MISSIONS. 
 It is a cause for joy that our State Mission Board is doing so- 
 much to supply destitute places with the Gospel, and to aid weak 
 churches in supporting their pastors. The work of this Board is en- 
 larging every year. This year there are 26 missionaries at work in 
 our State — a larger number than has ever been employed by this* 
 Board at any one time. It is very important that the large territory 
 now destitute of Baptist preaching in our own associational bound* 
 be supplied. Nothing is being done in this direction except by the 
 ^tate Board. A member of our own Association is under the em- 
 ploy of the State Board, doing all he can to meet the demands of the 
 case, but where so much destitution exists, one missionary is by no 
 means adequate to the work. Your committee earnestly recommend 
 increased contributions for our State work. Let all the churches 
 send up means as God prospers them, and let us take deeper interest 
 in this most important work. W. A. Nelson, Ch'm. 
 
 The foregoing, after appropriate remarks from some of 
 the brethren, was adopted. 
 
 HOME AND INDIAN MISSIONS. 
 
 The committee reported as follows : 
 
 Missions, oh ! what a grand work ! We are indebted to all who 
 have not the Gospel ; hence an obligation to cultivate our own terri- 
 tory There is a large destitution within the bounds of our own 
 Association to which your attention was called at the last session of 
 our body. Much interest has been taken in this work, but for want 
 of action on the part of the Board, but little has been done. Westill 
 claim that this body should cultivate this field. 
 
 The poor Indian has been driven westwardly from his native 
 home, and we have grown rich from his soil. Therefore we are 
 doubly bound to show him sympathy by sending him the Gospel. 
 
 P. R. El. am, Chairman. 
 The foregoing report was adopted, and Elder A. L. 
 Stough selected as Missionary to labor his whole time in the 
 destitute fields within our own bounds for the next associa- 
 tional year ; and the Association covenants to give him for 
 
 his services six hundred dollars, which appointment he ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 RELIGIOUS LITERATURE. 
 
 The committee reported as follows : 
 If it is the duty of your com nitt^e to select and recommend 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 239 
 
 soicii reading as will best defend our faith and practices as a denom- 
 ination we, without hesitancy, recommend the Biblical Recorder as 
 a medium best calculated to meet these demands. The religious 
 press is the most powerful auxiliary in the spread of the Gospel, and 
 since the reading of journals is very common among our people, we 
 think our denominational organ should first find a place in every 
 family. 
 
 If we, as Baptists, would know what the brethren are doing all 
 over the State and in other States, read the Recorder. If you would 
 have your children trained in contributing liberally to the different 
 objects of benevolence, read the Recorder. And if you would have 
 the contributions of the different churches increased read and cir- 
 culate the Recorder. Controverted points of doctrine are discussed 
 as much perhaps in the Recorder as from the pulpit, and hence how 
 important that we, as Baptists, whose duty it is to contend earnestly 
 for the faith once delivered unto the saints, should have the great 
 Defender of Truth in our midst. Your committee believing that in 
 no other way can knowledge, piety and usefulness be increased for 
 ■so little money, urge the hearty support of the Biblical Recorder by 
 this Association, and each church to strive to increase its circulation 
 during the next year. Your committee recommends that each 
 church appoint one of her members to look after her interests in this 
 respect, and endeavor to place the Recorder in every family through- 
 out the bounds of the Association. 
 
 The Kind Words is the paper for Sunday Schools, and if you 
 would be acquainted with our missionaries in the field, read the 
 Foreign Mission Journal. B. H. Bridges, Ch'm. 
 
 After appropriate remarks by Elders J. B. Boone (and 
 W. L. Brown, who represented the Baptist Courier, and ex- 
 pressed the hope that, although it was of another State, yet 
 it would be properly appreciated,) the report was adopted. 
 
 Eemarks. — Religious literature is certainly too much 
 neglected by Baptists generally within the bound's of the 
 writer's knowledge. We have known some good brethren 
 living in affluence and surrounded by everything apparently 
 necessary, in a temporal point of view, to make life comfort- 
 able ; but at the same time while stopping with one of the 
 brethren of that description, and becoming somewhat hun- 
 gry (as we frequently do) for mental food, we found access to 
 his library (?) to make a selection of something to suit our 
 taste, when, to our astonishment and chagrin, w r e could find 
 nothing more than the fragments of a cheap copy of the 
 Scriptures, a few school books, and probably a half dozen 
 Patent office reports ! Not a newspaper, religious or secular, 
 or anything else of a readable nature excepting that blessed 
 
2 JO KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 old mutilated volume of the Scriptures, could we find to 
 gratify our cravings for literary food. Right -sure, it might 
 be expected, our stay with that brother would be made as 
 brief as possible. There is in our opinion no investment 
 that pays better dividends or interest than a sum of money 
 judiciously used in the procurement of such books and papers- 
 as teud to the culture and enlightenment of the mind. The 
 world is a large book to those who have never traveled 
 much, or read anything beyond the mere title page. It is- 
 the opinion of some scientists and divines that a great part 
 of our engagements or employment in the Heavenly world, 
 after death, will be the study and completion of the higher 
 branches of literature, of which in this life we obtain no 
 greater knowledge than a mere smattering. The most highly 
 cultivated and profound of mankind, after having obtained 
 diplomas as the graduates of the highest schools of the 
 known world, just begin to seej^he immensity of the yet un- 
 explored fields of science and literature. No marvel, there- 
 fore, that such should be the conceptions or ideas of many. 
 
 What does the Apostle Paul meau when he says: 
 "There is one glory of ihe sun, and another glory of the 
 moon, and another .glory of the stars; for one star clifTereth 
 with another star in glory." Is the learned and profound 
 Sir Isaac Newton to take only an even start in the Heavenly 
 world with that good brother of the mutilated Bible and 
 Patent office Reports, in surveying and noting the great 
 mysteries there? And will the progress of each be the same 
 in eternity, regardless of culture in this world? If so, then 
 is literature almost worthless, for life is only 1 a span. We 
 c nit'ess our inability to answer the questions we have pro- 
 p >U!ided. We however prefer to know all we can in this 
 present world, and not depend on intuition or uncertain 
 knowledge being given us by instinct after death. 
 
 We are glad to see the great change that has taken place 
 within the last half century. It is true, the facilities tor ob- 
 taining knowledge are much greater than then, but that is 
 attributable to the march of literature and cultivated intel- 
 lect. Where there is no education there is no improvement. 
 Witness the almost extinct aborigines of this country. They 
 .never did in their savage state make any improvements 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 241 
 
 worthy of the name. Witness also Africa, where the native 
 population are heathens, and, without culture, will ever re- 
 main so. At present they are but little above the level of 
 the brute creation. 
 
 Then let every parent feel that it is an imperative duty 
 he owes to his children to strew their pathway in life with 
 the best of literature and plenty of it. 
 
 Bro. T. D. Lattimore asked leave to introduce a resolu- 
 tion, as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That the ordained ministers of the King's Mountain 
 Association be hereafter constituted ex officio members of this body. 
 
 It was adopted. 
 
 Remarks. — Bro. Lattimore being; a young man was 
 probably not aware of the troubles already had by the old 
 mother body (the Broad River Association,) in regard to that 
 matter, or he would have held up his resolution. For many 
 years there were attempts made to fasten a rule of that kind 
 upon that Association, but it was opposed by a majority of 
 the brethren and finally abandoned. 
 
 When the King's Mountain body was formed, the Con- 
 stitution adopted by the body (Article 8) fixed the represent- 
 ation as follows : 
 
 Every church in the union having a membership not exceeding 
 fifty in number, shall be entitled to a representation of two delegates 
 in the Association ; and when their number exceeds 100 members 
 and does not exceed 150, they shall be entitled to three delegates ; 
 when over 150 and not exceeding 200, four delegates. 
 
 Then in 1860 the body adopted the Constitution which 
 now governs the Association. In it the matter of represent- 
 ation is fixed by Article 10 : 
 
 Every church in union having a membership not exceeding 50 
 in number, shall be entitled to a representation of two delegates, 
 and one additional delegate for every increase of 5 ) over that number. 
 
 The constitution fixes the question of representation, 
 and consequently any resolution of the body making the 
 ordained ministers of the churches ex officio delegates, would 
 be plainly unconstitutional and void. 
 
 We have given our views as to the propriety of the rule 
 as adopted, in another part of this work, and will therefore 
 add nothing more. 
 
 REPORT ON OBITUARIES. 
 Sixty-three members of churches within our bounds have passed^ 
 away to "that bourne from whence no traveler returns." Amongst 
 
 31 
 
242 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 the number are two aged ministers of the Gospel, to-wit : Elders 
 Dove Pannell and Wm . McSwain. Elder Pannell was a native of 
 South Carolina, but immigrated to this State (N.C.) many years ago, 
 and in the year 1844 was ordained to the Gospel ministry by Elders 
 James M. Webb and S, G. Hamilton. In 1851 he was a member of 
 
 the Convention that organized the King's Mountain Association, 
 and preached the introductory sermon before that body and subse- 
 quently was several times chosen to preside over the deliberations of 
 the Association. He died March 26th, 1881, in a triumphant faith, 
 in the doctrines of the Gospel. Aged 74 years. 
 
 Elder Wm. McSwain died in May last, about 75 years of age ; 
 had been exercising in the ministry about 45 years, rendering faith- 
 ful services in tbe cause of Christ within the bounds of the King's 
 Mountain Association. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord 
 from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their 
 
 labors, and their works do follow them." 
 
 J. R. Logan, Chairman. 
 
 Sunday Services. — On the Sabbath, prayer and praise 
 service was conducted at the stand by Prof. H. W. Bernhardt. 
 Dr. W. A. Nelson, then preached one of his thrilling and 
 soul-stirring sermons, followed by Elders J. B. Boon and 
 prayer by Elder Geo. W. Rollins. 
 
 Remarks. — This was one of the most pleasant meetings 
 we ever attended. The body now numbers considerably 
 over 5000 strong, and it is now able to accomplish much for 
 the Master. May it stand firmly united and continue ever 
 to present a bold front in the cause of Christ, and to battle 
 valiantly against the powers of dar/kness. 
 
 The 32d annual session met at Bethel church, Ruther- 
 ford county, 1ST. C. The introductory sermon was delivered 
 by Elder A. L. Stough. The union consists of 86 churches, 
 5 new churches, viz : Ross' Grove, Zion Hill, Leonard's 
 Fork, Shady Grove and Fair View, making a membership 
 
 of 5676. 
 
 The body organized by electing Bros. James Y. Ham- 
 rick, Moderator, and Leonidas M. Logan, Clerk. 
 
 After the appointment ot committees and the usual rou- 
 tine work had been done, the committee on State Missions 
 reported as follows : 
 
 There is a larger number of missionaries under the general su- 
 pervision of the State Mission Board than at any time during our 
 past history — 38 in all — more than half of whom are paid entirely 
 by the Board, the others by the different Associations. 
 
 At the last session of the Baptist State Convention a number 
 of pledges were made by individuals churches and Associations. 
 Among them was one from this Association of one hundred dollars. 
 
 
KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 243 
 
 Of this amount only $5.95 has been paid, leaving a balance of $94.05 
 yet unpaid. We are informed by Jbro. John JE. Ray, the Secretary 
 of the Board, that the third quarter's salaries ofthe missionariesare 
 now due, and the Board is without funds. The work ofthe State 
 Mission Board in supplying neglected fields, and aiding points, de- 
 serves our earnest prayers and liberal contributions. Let us fully 
 meet the pledge made in the Convention. 
 
 Our missionary, Bro. A. L. Stough, has been aided by the State 
 Mission Board, and it is a matter for rejoicing to us all that his 
 labors have been so blessed of God, an account of which is given us 
 in his report herewith. A. L. Stough, 
 
 J. P. Styeks, 
 T. D. Scruggs. 
 Our missionary, A. L. Stough, made Lis report in con- 
 nection with the report ou State Missions as follows : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — The time has arrived when it becomes my duty 
 to submit to you my report as your missionary. I have traveled 
 1,8S0 miles, preached 207 sermons, attended 30 prayer meetings, aid- 
 ed in the constitution of 2 churches, ordination of 8 deacons and 1 
 minister, visited 461 families religiously, received by letter and expe- 
 rience 88, supplied 5 churches, and occasionally preached at 5 out- 
 stations, attended 8 protracted meetings, and organized 3 Sabbath 
 Schools It was expected that before now the church edifice atLin- 
 colnton would have been ready to be occupied. In this we are dis- 
 appointed, owing chiefly to the failure of the crops last season ; c( n- 
 sequently the scarcity of money, and besides I could not spare the 
 time from my work to collect funds already subscribed. The wall is 
 ready for the roof. We have a central location. The building when 
 finished will be such, we think, as the existing and prospective 
 wiints of our denomination require in Lincolnton. lam pledged to 
 give the next two months by way of traveling in the interest of thi,s 
 church. The brethren at Dallas have, during this year, completed 
 one of the handsomest churches in the county. This house reflects 
 credit upon the few members for their generous contributions. I at- 
 tended a meeting of several weeks' continuance at this place ; it is 
 believed nearly 40 persons made a profession of religion — among this 
 number were several infidels. The church is now self-sustaining 
 and has procured a pastor. The church at Gastonia is making an 
 effort to build a house. We have here a beautiful location —a lot 
 centrally located, the generous gift of Rev. S. Head and his good 
 lady. Unfortunately there still seems to be a want of united action. 
 (Several prominent Baptists have moved to this place. 
 
 The Baptist church of Shady Grove was constituted on the 25th 
 of November last. The baptismal waters; have been troubled here 
 several times this year. The church displayed a commendable zeal 
 in building a house of worship during the very inclement weather 
 or last winter. This church is now self-sustaining, and her pastor, 
 Bro. J. A. Hoyle, is doing a good work here; he seems to be "the 
 right man in the right place." He is azealous worker in the Lord's 
 vineyard. 
 
244 KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 
 
 '•'The Leonard's Fork church was constituted April 25th, 1882. 
 This church is making a strenuous effort to build a house of worship. 
 The Lord has done a wonderful work here, but the limits of this re" 
 port do not admit us to enter into details. I have preached occasion- 
 ally at other points where I believe large and efficient churches could 
 be organized, if we could occupy the field as we ought. I have been 
 everywhere kindly received and encouraged. Oar cause is undoubt- 
 edly advancing. Much of the former prejudice has been removed. 
 Many who were uninformed and opposed to us are now sincere 
 friends. But our work is not yet finished— much, very much remains 
 to be done. The great destitution which exists within our bounds , 
 calls upon us in the most imperative manner to increase our exer- 
 tions to give to the destitute the preached word. 
 
 The calls that have been made upon me are more than two mis" 
 sionaries could answer. We need for this field men of deep piety 
 and sound practical sense. And now, brethren, having to the best 
 of my ability performed the duty assigned me by your body, I most 
 respectfully tender to you my resignation as missionary. In sever- 
 ing the ties that have existed between us, let me assure you that it is 
 done with the kindest of feelings and best wishes for your success. 
 And my sincere thanks are tendered to all the friends Of this enter" 
 prise for their encouragement and kindness shown to me. May the 
 great Head of the church preside over all your deliberations, and 
 crown your measures with abundant success is the sincere wish of 
 your humble servant. A. L. Stough. 
 
 Suitable and appropriate remarks were made by Bros. 
 Dr. W. A. Nelson and 1ST. B. Broughton, and the report was 
 adopted. 
 
 A good report on Religious Literature was made by 
 Elder G. M. Webb, and, after suitable discussion, adopted 
 by the body. 
 
 Able reports were also made on Foreign Missions, and 
 on Home and Indian Missions, and fully discussed by Elders 
 Mallary, Nelson, Webb and others. 
 
 Deaths. — The demise of Deacons Abraham Hardin, of 
 Antioch church (aged 92 years,) and George Hamrick, of 
 .Bethel, are noticed in the obituary report; and also that of 
 Elder Ransom P. Logan, who had died within the present 
 associational year. 
 
 The amount of funds for missionary purposes we believe 
 was raised, and the old associational board re-elected. The 
 session was a very agreeable and pleasant one, and largely 
 attended by the people, who seemed to enjoy the remarks bw 
 Bro. Broughton on Sunday Schools ; and the missionary 
 sermon by Elder R. D. Mallary on the Sabbath. 
 
 We here close our journalistic notices. 
 
SUMMARY. 215 
 
 CHAPTER V, 
 
 SUMMAEY. 
 
 We have thus briefly noticed the working of both the 
 Broad River and King's Mountain Associations from the 
 time of their formation to the present year (18S2). "We have 
 given the business items, session after session respectively ; 
 -and although there has not been as much done for the Mas- 
 ter as might have been, yet, everything considered — the 
 ■darkness of the times, the disadvantageous circumstances 
 under which our pioneer fathers had to labor, and the com- 
 bined opposition to the powers of darkness, we feel to say it 
 •might have been much worse than what it is. For many 
 years after the organization of the Broad River Association, 
 •a large portion of the territory of which it was then com- 
 posed was an uncultivated wilderness, covered with little 
 else than moral darkness, and destitute almost entirely of 
 the enlightening influences of the Gospel. In the strict 
 sense of the word this territory was missionary ground. In 
 an area of 3000 square miles there was only'sixteen Baptist 
 churches then planted, and they often thirty or forty miles 
 apart from each other. Only f«jw self-denying, God-fearing, 
 uneducated ministers were to be found willing to take ud 
 the cross, and attend at these churches oeaastonally, and 
 there endeavor to preach the.unsearchable riches of Christ 
 without pecuniary compensation, or even in my thanks. A 
 few, however, did go forth under great disadvantages and 
 preach to such as had their hearts opened by the Spirit to 
 attend and hear their burning words. And although the 
 destitution was then extensive, the large vacuum s have since 
 been pretty well filled up by the Baptist denomination, to 
 
 say nothing of the operations of other religious sects of 
 christians. During the last half of the present 19th century 
 churches have become numerous in the territory mentioned, 
 we are unable now to say how many might be numbered in 
 the original bounds of the Broad River Association. In the 
 
243 SUMMARY, 
 
 territory embraced in the present Broad River and King's- 
 Mountain bodies, there are more than three-score churches,, 
 while numbers of others have been organized within the- 
 original lines and dismissed to become constituent members- 
 of other associations, themselves occupying a portion of the- 
 original Broad River boundary, — amongst which mav be 
 mentioned the Catawba River, the Tyger River, the Green 
 River, the York, and Spartanburg, etc., while a large and 
 respectable corps of ministers corresponding with the increase 
 of churches have been reared up among us — numbers of 
 whom are able ministers of the New Testament, respectable 
 for natural talent, who preach fluently without the polish of 
 education, while not a few have received the drilling culture 
 of high schools, and carry with them collegiate diplomas. 
 
 How great is the contrast now with the period of 1800 I 
 —the period of the organization of the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation. It has been derisively said, even by Baptists, that 
 the Broad River Association only held its annual meetings 
 to hear an introductory sermon by one of its most popular 
 preachers — elect a moderator and clerk, and elect a suitable 
 person to write a Circular Letter on some very abstruse or 
 mysterious subject, to be addressed to the several churches 
 composing the body — and then to enjoy, while the session 
 lasted, luxurious feasting on the rich viands and good things 
 generally so bountifully prepared by the brethran and sisters 
 during the associational year, expressly for the occasion. 
 
 We well know that the ''loaves and fishes" often carry 
 with them an influence now, as they did during the time of 
 Christ's incarnation ; but to allege that such was the chief 
 inducement to hold annual meetings is not only a slur, but a 
 shameful allegation, and no one, we presume, will be deter- 
 red from- duty thereby. While we admit a careful perusal 
 of the records of the several sessions of the Broad River 
 Association, for man}' years after its organization, might be 
 productive of such an impression, yet no one not there pres- 
 ent on those interesting occasions could, from his present 
 standpoint, be fully able to appreciate the great amount of 
 real good resulting from the ministerial labors of the unvar- 
 nished men who figure 1 as embassadors for Christ at that 
 day and faithfully plead His cause before a gain-saying 
 world. Bv the efforts of such, the christian cause received 
 
SUMMARY, 247 
 
 an impetus which the powers of darkness have not since been 
 able to subvert or hinder. The good work has gradually 
 rolled on, crushing by its ponderous weight, every obstacle 
 thrown in its way by men and devils, until now the records 
 appear much brighter than when in its incipient state. The 
 churches having increased in numbers and wealth, measures 
 are constantly being put on foot to disseminate the Gospel or 
 good news of life and salvation to "earth's remotest bounds." 
 
 The beginning of these measures in the early days of 
 the Associations was, of course, rather a day of small things? 
 but not to be despised on that account. Every thing must 
 have a beginning, and it generally requires time to make a 
 proper development of any thing, be it useful or otherwise. 
 We should "let patience have her perfect work." Although 
 seasons and prospects be sometimes gloomy, yet if the seed 
 be planted or sown broadcast, in due time there will be a 
 harvest, — it may be thirty, sixty, or a hundred-fold of in- 
 crease that shall be reaped. 
 
 In noticing the recorded items in the early Minutes of 
 the Broad River Association, and also of the King's Moun- 
 tain body, we discover almost nothing recommended or en- 
 couraged by the brethren of that day and time that we have 
 now to regret, while at the same time we see much recorded 
 that meets our hearty approbation. In noticing those who 
 "were most couspicuous, and occupying a high place on the 
 watch-towers of Zion, we can but regret deeply the irregu- 
 larities and shameful foibles of a few,w T ho were instrumental 
 in bringing reproach and lastiug shame not only on them- 
 selves, but on the cause of Christ also, which they had 
 espoused to cherish and defend from the malignant shafts of 
 the emissaries of the wicked one ! Every man's work will 
 be tried as by fire, and w r e shall be judged according to the 
 deeds done in the body, whether they be good or bad. 
 
 Some of the good brethren of the Broad River Associ- 
 ation were greatly opposed to the dismemberment of the 
 parent body to form new ones. "Let us," said some, "stand 
 united, and build up a strong body and make ourselves re- 
 spectable in the eyes of the world, not only for intelligence 
 but for numbers also." This was doubtless the promptings 
 of ambition and pride to excel all others ; a principle that 
 
24S SUMMARY. 
 
 lurks about the human heart which, although in a degree 
 commendable, yet savors too much of ostentation, folly and 
 pride. That the divisions that have taken place in the Broad 
 River Association have tended to the furtherance of the- 
 Oospel of Christ, no one will now pretend to deny. Proba- 
 bly more than two-fold have been the efforts to propagate 
 Christianity since the divisions were made, while the fruits- 
 resulting have been correspondingly large. The King's 
 Mountain Association, which at first was but a small offshoot 
 from the parent stem (having then only a membership of a 
 little over a thousand souls,) has now nearly six times that 
 number, while the parent body, after several depletions and 
 the formation of the Spartanburg Association, together with 
 dismissions to join other bodies, has still a membership of 
 over 3500 souls, with a lar^elv increased number of newlv 
 constituted churches, — so that instead of disbanding her or- 
 ganization, as many alleged the Broad River would, she pre- 
 fers to take a more judicious and commendable course — not 
 only to struggle for a mere existence, but to build up all the 
 waste places and cultivate all her abundant territory by 
 planting new churches at every accessible and available 
 point, and thereby holding out inducements for the return 
 of other churches who formerly belonged to her body. We 
 bid her God-speed, and say to the Broad River : be thou as 
 the "stone cut out without hands;" roll on until you shall 
 become a great mountain, from which shall radiate in every 
 direction or point of the compass the good news of salvation, 
 — that" all, from the least to the greatest within your limits, 
 may learn Messiah's name, and the knowledge of God spread 
 over the whole earth, as the waters cover the face of the great 
 deep. 
 
 Having gone through the journalistic part of this work, 
 we will next proceed to give brief sketches of the ministers 
 who at anv time belonged to either of the associate bodies, 
 whose records we have endeavored to preserve. The Broad 
 River being the parent body, we. shall designate those belong- 
 ing at any time to the same in contradistinction from the 
 King's Mountain ministers, in the alphabetical list that we 
 make, — from which it will appear that several of them hate 
 at different times belonged to each of the Associations and 
 labored as co-workers together in the Lord's vineyard. May 
 each in a coming day receive from- the Master the plaudit, 
 '•Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the 
 joys of thy Lord !" And may God continue to bless and 
 prosper the work of evangelization in all parts of the habi- 
 table globe. Amen ! 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 249 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 SKETCHES BIOGRAPHICAL OF THE MINISTERS OF THE BROAD RIVER 
 AND KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 Abernathy, Elder Alexander was born in Lincoln 
 county, N. C, March 13th, 1790. His* birth place is near 
 Mountain Island Shoal, on the Catawba River. He remained 
 at that place until he was nine or ten years of age. During 
 that period of time Smith Abernathy, his father, made a pro- 
 fession of religion and joined the Presbyterians at a church 
 called Hopewell, of which Rev. Humphrey Hunter was pas- 
 tor; and wishing to teach his children strictlv in all the doe- 
 trines of the church, he had Alexander, his son, when about 
 six or seven years of age, "dedicated to the Lord" in baptism 
 by sprinkling. Shortly after this he removed from that 
 place and settled nearer to Lincolnton, on a stream known 
 as Dutchman's Creek, but not being yet suited in a situation 
 after remaining there a few years he. again moved to the 
 northwestern extremity of the count} 7 , and settled on Henry's 
 River, but still not satisfied alter a few years' sojourn he re- 
 moved from there to Rutherford county, and settled on the 
 Maters of Broad River, where he remained several vears. In 
 the meanwhile Alexander, the subject of this sketeh, had 
 arrived to manhood and became subject to military duty. 
 In the years 1812 to 1814 the war between England and the 
 United States was being prosecuted, and Alexander Aber- 
 nathy being then 22 years of age was subject to draft, which 
 caused much uneasiness in the family circle; still he was 
 not drafted, and consequently took no part in the war. 
 
 During the second year of this unnatural struggle be- 
 tween the two countries by people of kindred blood, and 
 speaking the same language, it pleases God to move upon 
 the minds of the people by the gentle operations of His Holy 
 Spirit, to take into consideration the great wickedness that 
 abounded in the country (always the outcropping of war,) a 
 eall was made for a more faithful and energetic exhibition of 
 the Gospel among the people. Many became serious and 
 repentant of their sinful ways of living, and began to call on 
 the name of the Lord for succor in this gloomy and severe 
 time of trial. There was no Presbyterian church in this 
 locality to respond to the call of the people ; the old man, 
 32 
 
250 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Smith Abernathy, and several members of the family attach- 
 ed themselves to the Methodist Episcopal church, and about 
 the close of the war Alexander, the son, fell into line also. 
 Preaching became plenteous among the Methodist people — a 
 great number made profession of religion, and what is usu- 
 ally termed a precious revival was the consequence. Alex- 
 ander Abernathy became absorbed in the perusal and study 
 of the Bible, and as he read he became more and more dis- 
 tressed about his future state of existence. The more preach- 
 ing he heard, the more he became confuted in his mind. 
 "While the minister would tell hirii oue way of escape, God's 
 word and the dictates of conscience would tell him another. 
 He was entertained frequently with lectures on the Free 
 Agency of Man, while he read in his Bible, "iSTo man can 
 eonie unto me except my Father who sent me draw him." 
 Feeling that he had lived in sin and took pleasure in it, and 
 no good thing being discoverable in himself, while in lieu of 
 that, he had only to complain bitterly of a wicked, unbeliev- 
 ing heart, prone to sin continually : whvthen, under circum- 
 stances like these, should he attach himself to a church? 
 lie felt that he was entirely unfit for such a position. His 
 spiritual advisors, however, would persuade him that he 
 should join the church as a means of grace, while he enter- 
 tained the notion that unbelievers were not fit subjects for 
 church membership at all. On this subject his troubles in- 
 creased, and although he had many comforters, yet, like an- 
 cient Job's, many of them knew not what they were talking 
 about — one advising one thing while another advised some- 
 thing else. in this distracted condition of mind Mr. Aber- 
 nathy said he almost considered himself out of the reach ot 
 mercy ; so many under similar instruction having made pro- 
 fessions and apparently at ease about their souls' -welfare, 
 while he yet felt that he was "in the gall of bitterness and 
 in the bonds of iniquity.'' His case must be beyond the 
 reach of mercy. In this desperate condition he remained for 
 some time, refusing to attend the meetings of the church, 
 but relying solel\- upon the teachings of the Bible. While 
 in this despondent condition on an ever memorable day he 
 retired from all company, with his Bible in hand, still inter- 
 ceding for pardon, but nearly in despair and without hope; 
 from some unexpected source, however, light sprang up out 
 of darkness, and the merits of Christ's atonement for sinners 
 was made plain to his view ; he was enabled to see that lie 
 had paid the ransom price of man's redemption in full, and 
 that man's part of the business was to trust in Christ alone, 
 making a full surrender of himself and saying, "Here, Lord, 
 1 irive mvself awav, it is' all that I can do.'' .That the work 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 251 
 
 of salvation was His alone; that there is no merit in our 
 works, and therefore it is that we must rely entirely on the 
 merits of Christ for solvation. Taking this view or the case 
 he was made to feel happy indeed, and rejoiced that all was 
 now apparently so well with him ; that Christ had pardoned, 
 freely all his sins, great as they certainly had been. J3ut in 
 this lively state of mind and rejoicing lie was troubled with 
 the idea or thought of the insufficiency of his baptism in 
 infancy by sprinkling. He felt inclined to obey Christ in 
 the ordinance of baptism,; his brethren, however, attempted 
 to dissuade him, alleging his baptism was all right, and there 
 was no need of being buried under the water. This caused 
 a great weight to fall upon his mind, and his condition was 
 somewhat similar to that of man in his fallen state — subject 
 to eternal death without a change from the power of sin and 
 wickedness. Under this consideration another duty began 
 to disturb his mind, — to go and warn people to flee from the 
 wrath to come. This became a mighty weight indeed. 
 What! without education, or an opportunity to obtain any 
 mental culture or training, would the Lord require so frail 
 and ignorant an individual to preach the Gospel '( To use 
 his own language, these impressions continued to increase 
 until he had but little rest day or night, still feeling unwill- 
 ing to undertake so great a task. He thought some of the 
 brethren might be able to tell him how he might be freed 
 from a burden so great; so he made known his troubles to 
 some of them, who at once advised him to go forward in the 
 diseharge of duty in warning sinners, in a public way, ot : 
 their great danger. At first he was only permitted to exhort 
 and pray, then he was licensed to take a text of Scripture 
 and make the effort to preach. Alter having had this lib- 
 erty for a year or more, he was appointed to a circuit, but 
 by reason of the differences hinted at before, he declined to 
 accept the appointment made by the Conference. He was 
 still ill at ease,4n regard to the baptismal question, and could 
 not be reconciled to believe that "sprinkling" could be valid 
 baptism. The brethren, he said, labored hard to convince 
 him, but he coul<l not be satisfied. Besides, there were two 
 other leading doctrines of his church besetting his mind 
 continually. Alan's ability to restore himself from his lost 
 condition by his own free will or agency, was a doctrine he 
 could not hold. And the final perseverance of the saints in 
 grace, is another doctrine repudiated by his church that he 
 lirrnly believed to be true and Scriptural. Entertaining 
 these views, what was he to do ? These doctrines were fre- 
 quently discussed and commented on, and it behooves every 
 honest man "to show his hand." He, however, continued 
 
252 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 to preach in the midst of these differences for some time, 
 his ministering brethren admonishing him in the meantime 
 that if he did not believe in free agency, to keep that to him- 
 self; and if he believed in the final perseverance of the saints, 
 to keep that also to himself, for they considered that a dan- 
 gerous doctrine, and certainly contrary to the Book of Dis- 
 cipline. So in the midst of his troubles in the 24th year of 
 his age he was united in matrimony with Miss Elizabeth 
 Wilkie, a daughter of Elder William Wilkie, of Rutherford 
 county, N. C, and he continued no longer than about one 
 year afterwards in the Methodist connection. 
 
 His father having moved to the State of Tennessee, Al- 
 exander and wife Elizabeth both made application for letters 
 of dismission from the church to which they belonged, and 
 were consequently dismissed from the Methodist connection 
 in full fellowship, and in a short time thereafter moved to 
 the southeast corner of Burke countv and settled on Henrv's 
 River, where he lived to the time of his death. 
 
 Shortly after he settled at this latter place the renowned 
 Baptist preacher of Virginia, Elder Hosea Holcombe, filled 
 a list of appointments at a place known as the Mountain 
 meeting-house, in Lincoln county, four miles from his new 
 home, He visited Elder Holcombe and attended his meet- 
 ings at the Mountain, became fully satisfied in reference to 
 the points heretofore mentioned, presented himself as a can- 
 didate for baptism and membership, and was received into 
 the fellowship of Union church, and was baptized by Elder 
 Hosea Holcombe, in Henry's River. Thus at last he found 
 a more congenial home, and having preached over two years 
 in the Methodist connection, and many of the Baptist breth- 
 ren having heard him preach, and knowing of his good 
 standing in society at once had him licensed to preach the 
 'Gospel on the 26th of April, 1817, at Union church. He 
 continued at that church and sarrouuding neighborhood in 
 the exhibition of the Gospel until the said church presented 
 him for ordination to the full work of the ministry, and lie 
 was ordained by Elders Hosea Holcombe and Drury Dob- 
 bins, acting as a Presbytery. 
 
 Shortly after this Elder Holcombe moved away, and 
 Elder Abernathy was chosen pastor of the Union church, 
 and he continued in the pastorate until a few years previous 
 to his death, which took place August 31st, 1866. He 
 preached in Lincoln, Rutherford, Caldwell and Burke, be- 
 sides other counties, and to great numbers of churches. The 
 text for his last sermon will be found in Hebrews, iv. 9 : 
 '•There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God," 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 253 
 
 which was preached exactly three weeks previous to his 
 death. 
 
 The 15th verse of the first chapter of 1st Timothy was 
 selected by himself as the text of his funeral sermon : "This 
 is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ 
 -Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am 
 chief." The sermon was preached by Elder J. C. Grayson, 
 an old veteran of the cross, and fellow-helper of the Truth. 
 
 Elder Alexander Abernathy had attained to the age of 
 76 years when he died and went to his reward. He had 
 passed beyond the scriptural allotment of thrce-score-and- 
 ten, and died with the Gospel harness girt about him bright- 
 ened by constant use. He leaves behind him a son every 
 way worthy of -such a sire, Elder William Abernathy, who 
 was born in Burke county, ~N. C, on the 25th December, 
 1821. Married Miss Irene, voungest daughter of Elder 
 Thomas Carleton, July 27th, 1853. He joined the church 
 at St. John's, Sept., 1866 ; was licensed to preach Dec. 1st, 
 1866 ; ordained August 10th, 1867. May he rival his father! 
 
 In 1819 Elder Abernathy appeared as a delegate from 
 Union church to the session of the Broad River Association 
 ■held that year at Head of'fyger River church. The church does 
 not appear, from the Minutes, to have been represented 
 again until the session of 1825, when Bro. Abernathy again 
 attended the session of that year at Buffalo church as a 
 delegate. The church after that session was not repre- 
 sented again until after the organization of the Catawba 
 River Association in 1828, when the Union church became 
 a constituent member of that body, and consequently Al- 
 exander Abernathy was no longer a Broad River minister. 
 He, however, continued in his new relationship up to the 
 time of his death. We notice in the .Catawba Minutes 
 that at the sessions ot 1858— '59 he presided' as the Mode- 
 rator of the body. We recollect hearing "Old Aleek," as 
 be was familiarly called, at a session of the Broad River 
 Association in 1829 preach an able sermon to a large con- 
 course of people, who seemed to receive the exhibition of 
 the Word by him with rapt attention. His style of preach- 
 ing was very different from that of many of the olden time 
 "sing-song" preachers. He had a good flow of words, very 
 appropriate and suitable to express the noble thoughts that 
 appeared almost intuitively to originate in his mind without 
 previous reflection or study, and his delivery as to elocution- 
 ary rules was preferable to anything taught in trie schools. 
 It was simply natural and free from affectation of any kind, 
 and peculiar to himself alone. Had Alexander Abernathy 
 
25i BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 been well educated in early life, and had he the patronage 
 of the lovers of the christian cause in which he was en- 
 gaged through a long series of years, instead of dragging 
 along in neglect and extreme poverty, and his ability to do 
 good in the cause of the Master thereby so crippled in the 
 struggle of life in maintaining himself and family by the 
 sweat of his face, there is no one now living able to tell 
 what would have been the results ot his labors in the time 
 he lived. 
 
 Personal Appearance : — Alexander Abernathy was about 
 live feet ten inches in height, of round and heavy build, 
 though not corpulent ; large chest, complexion brown, eyes 
 of hazel color, features tine and handsome, gestures attract- 
 ive, and his general make up was that of a good looking 
 Dutchman. 
 
 Allen, Deacon Woodward was born November 29th, 
 1820, near Woodruff, in Spartanburg county, S. 0. Here 
 he resided until his marriage with Miss Harriet, daughter of 
 John Wells, Esq., of said county, on December 24th, 1840, 
 immediately after which time he moved to the present 
 homestead. While on a visit to his parents in Oct., 1849, 
 he professed conversion in a meeting then in progress at 
 Bethel church, and was baptized into its membership. By 
 letter from this church, a few months after his conversion, 
 he joined the Cedar Springs Baptist church, where he re- 
 mained an honored and useful member until by faith he was 
 translated to the church triumphant, where there is no pain, 
 no sin, no sorrow. 
 
 Bro. Allen served Cedar Springs church with entire 
 satisfaction to all, as clerk and treasurer, for over twenty 
 years, and was only permitted to resign then by reason of 
 continued ill health, His church loves to honor him for his 
 zeal and liberality, as was manifest by his appointment to 
 represent them in the Broad River Association for the last 
 eighteen years in succession, as well as in manv other ways. 
 He loved his Association, and it will greatly miss him, as 
 will also his church. May his mantle fall upon his sons that 
 are in his church, and for his Redeemer's kingdom he, 
 though dead, may still live and labor. 
 
 Bro. Allen was a great sufferer in his last days. God 
 was trying his faith, and it failed not. His christian patience 
 had its perfect work, and his faith in God was strong unto 
 the end. He lived and died in the triumphs of the christian 
 faith. 
 
 As a citizen, Deacon Allen was kind, liberal in mind 
 and means, industrious and progressive ; as a christian he 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 255 
 
 was benevolent, loyal to his Master, and faithful in the per- 
 formance of every known duty; as a father and husband he 
 was kind, affectionate and devoted. We shall all miss him, 
 but our loss is his eternal gain. 
 
 He died April 3d, 1880, at his residence near Cedar 
 Springs, Spartanburg county, S. C, in the 60th } T ear of his 
 age. (See Minutes Broad River Association, session of 1880.) 
 
 Barnett, Elder Joroyal was a member of Cedar Springs 
 church, Spartanburg county, S. C, and was one of the pio- 
 neer ministers of the Broad Iiiver Association, appearing 
 first in the session of 1802, held at Buck Creek church, and 
 for several years afterwards he represented the same church. 
 In 1811 he was chosen Moderator of the body, which is evi- 
 dence ot his high and respectable standing in the Associa- 
 tion at that day and time. 
 
 We have not been able, from any one now living, to 
 ascertain much of his history, not even the date of his advent 
 into the world, or the time of his demise, which has doubt- 
 less been many years since. He was probably a good preacher 
 and energetic pastor during the time ot his ministerial ca- 
 reer. We learn that he was the paternal uncle of the much 
 lamented Elder Micajah Cicero Barnett, whose praise was 
 (but a little while ago) in all the churches oithe Broad River 
 and King's Mountain Associations — What a pity it is that 
 our Baptist people are so remiss and negligent in preserv- 
 ing and handing down to succeeding orenerations the record- 
 ed o-ood deeds or acts of their ancestors ! Doubtless a volume 
 could have been profitably tilled with the acts and wholesome 
 sayings of this good man of God, which can never see the 
 light, to be properly appreciated or copied by the living. 
 
 We can only add, let the veteran pioneer still be had in 
 remembrance, as one who faithfully bore the banner of the 
 cross of Christ in the early days of the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 Baknett, Elder Micajah Cicero, nephew of Elder Jo- 
 royal Barnett, was born May 20th, 1818, near CedarSprings, 
 ♦Spartanburg county, S. C. Was licensed to preach the Gos- 
 pel by the Cedar Springs church. November 27tb, 1841, and 
 ordained March 25th, 1843. The presbytery consisted of 
 Elders John G. Landium, Elias Rogers and Felix W. Little- 
 John. He intermarried with Miss Nazareth Lipscomb, 
 daughter of Edward Liscomb, Esq., a worthy deacon of 
 Goucher Creek church. 
 
 His early education was limited, but, by earnest appli- 
 cation and constant devotion to his studies, he was recognized 
 
256 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 as one of the ablest self-educated men of his day. This,, 
 combined'with his fine personal appearance and social quali- 
 ties, made him attractive as a preacher and agreeable as a 
 companion. His counsel was often sought for by his breth- 
 ren, and in his intercourse with men his aim was to instruct 
 and benefit. With the exception of two years he lived and 
 labored within the bounds of the Broad River Association r 
 to which he was greatly attached ; for many years he was its 
 clerk and for several its moderator, and was universally 
 loved by the whole Association. Although this body may 
 deeply feel the loss of this great and good man, his churches 
 and the community in which he lived have sustained a loss 
 not easily repaired. He supplied at different times during 
 his ministry, Cedar Springs — his mother church — Philadel- 
 phia, Sulphur Springs, Gilead, Limestone, Pacolet, Shelby, 
 and at the time of his death he was a member and the pas- 
 tor of El Bethel church, where he had preached with accept- 
 ance and much success for three years. He died on the 20th 
 September, 1872, in the town of Shelby, Cleveland county, 
 N. C, in the 55th year of his age, and under the watch care 
 of his numerous friends and. sympathizing brethren, on the 
 night previous to the assembling of the 21st annual session 
 of the King's Mountain Association, which body on hearing 
 of his demise, passed the following tribute of respect for 
 one whom they dearly loved : 
 
 Whereas, We have heard with unfeigned sorrow of the death 
 of Elder M, (' Burnett who departed this life in Shelby, within the 
 bounds of our Association, on (he night of the 20th inst., cut down 
 in the prime of his manhood and in the midst of his usefulness, at 
 a time too, when, to his family and to his churches, there seemed to 
 be so much need of him ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Elder Barnett the churches have 
 lost a faithful pastor and able preacher, the State an upright citizen, 
 the cause of religion — to set forth not only in his teachings but also 
 in'his li e, a successful advocate — his family a wise and affectionate 
 husband and father. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender our sympathies to the bereaved famil v 
 in their affliction, and pray that it may be sanctified by Him who 
 hath smitten them, to their well being in this life and to their ever- 
 lasting joy in the world to come. 
 
 His funeral discourse was delivered by Elder John G. 
 Landrum, to a large and sympathizing concourse of people 
 over his grave at El Bethel church, where he was buried 
 with Masonic honors. And now El Bethel church has taken 
 steps to erect a suitable monument to his memory. May 
 success crown the effort, for he richly deserved such a me- 
 mento. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 257 
 
 We first met Elder M. C. Burnett at El Bethel church 
 in 1842. At that session of the Association he made his 
 first appearance as a delegate, and was then an ordained 
 minister. He was frequently dubbed the "Biblical Oracle,'' 
 so thorough was his knowledge of the Scriptures. 
 
 In his pulpit performances he spoke very rapidly — 
 without giving himself much time, it would seem, to evolve 
 an idea, yet iiis discourses were systematic, and the subject 
 matter treated always had ample justice done it. His 
 method or manner of speaking induced some of his critical 
 hearers to allege that he memorized his sermons, and depend- 
 ed more upon his memory than the strength and quickness 
 of his intellect. His sermonizing became a theme of discus- 
 sion and wonder. That he had a superior memory we shall 
 not for a moment urge a doubt, but his intellect was also of 
 the highest order and ever ready to serve him. He once 
 stopped with us to rest for a night, and being doubtless more 
 hungry for mental food than for that which perisheth, after 
 a, few common place and agreeable words he directed his 
 way to our little library" and' very opportunely laid "his hand 
 on the poems of John Milton, and commenced reading his 
 "Paradise Lost and Regained."' The more he read the more 
 he became interested, until finally his mind became deeply 
 absorbed in the subject matter of the book. He however 
 found a stopping place and laid aside, and after descanting 
 awhile upon the topics he had just read the matter was drop- 
 ped, and other subjects taken up and discussed more peculiar 
 to the ordinary business transactions of life. His eodo-quiai 
 powers being of the first order — social anf.1 agreeable — he 
 y was of course entertaining. On the next day (Sunday) we 
 went to church, and he preached from Heb. i. 1, 2. And 
 strange to say, in the elucidation of the subject embraced in 
 the text in reference to the creation of man, and of making 
 the worlds in the beginning, he could quote verbatim et lib- 
 eratim the poems of Milton which he had read the previous 
 evening. It was only necessary for him to read or hear, to 
 have made an indelible impression on his very plastic and 
 retentive mind. 
 
 It was however not memory alone (much as it contribu- 
 ted) that made Elder Burnett a polished shaft in the quiver 
 of the Lord. Nor was it education or scholastic training, tor 
 of that he had but very little. It was the large brain of the 
 man — the cri^antic intellectual reasoning powers that he 
 possessed which, combined with the special blessings of rich 
 grace bestowed on him by the Holy Spirit, that enabled him 
 to grapple with the most abstruse and mysterious questions 
 and arrive almost intuitively at sound and orthodox conclu- 
 33 
 
258 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 sions. His mental powers acted so quickly that little time 
 for reflection was necessary. He was certainly a man of ex- 
 traordinary gifts, and had language completely under his 
 control, and he generally clothed his ideas in the best English 
 dress. He was often chosen to preach the introductory ser- 
 mons at the different sessions oi the Association, and to 
 write the circular letters to the churches in union. He was 
 also appointed one of a committee to prepare a Historical 
 Sketch of the Broad River Association, and is substantially 
 the author of the pamphlet purporting to be such a history, 
 published in 187]. 
 
 We have thought proper to reproduce and embody in 
 this work his circular letter, on the Nature of a call to the Min- 
 istry, and the Duty of Churches to their Gifted Brethren, written 
 in 1851. It will doubtless be read with much interest by all 
 those who have been lavorecl with his acquaintance : 
 
 TO THE CHURCHES IN UNION. 
 
 Dear Brethren : — According to the arrangement of our last As- 
 sociation, we address you this year on the Nature of a call to the 
 Ministry, and the Duty of the Churches to their Gifted Brethren. 
 
 The scheme of Redemption is an object to which all other objects 
 and events-in our world are subordinate ; hence the language of Dr. 
 Porter : "The preaching of the Gospel is a great work. In the mag- 
 nitude of its object it surpasses, beyond all comparison, every other 
 object and employment in which man can engage." There is an 
 awful dignity in the character of this great work, as it is the princi- 
 pal means which the Divine Being has instituted to make known 
 His scheme of mercy to a lost world. "For when the world by wis- 
 dom knew not God it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, 
 to save them that believe." "Who is sufficient for these things?" 
 Preaching being then the appointment of God, the authority to 
 preach is primarily derived from Him— the Great Lord having re- 
 served to Himself the high prerogative of choosing His own spirit- 
 ual teachers from the first period of the world's history. The preach- 
 ing of Christ as the subject and object of the ministry has always 
 been the grand criterion of a faithful preacher. All who were in- 
 strumental in illuminating mankind in any age of the world, derived 
 their light "from the light of the world." In like manner, all true 
 ministers have received the authority to exercise their ministry from 
 Him. 
 
 Believing in Him for their own salvation they receive from Him 
 
 all those peculiar dispositions and endowments which^t them for 
 
 their work. The Priests and Scribes, overlooking the divine power 
 
 of our Lord's miracles, inquired of Him by what authority He acted 
 
 — intimating that He ought to have taken out commission from 
 
 t hem, as the source of ecclesiastical authority. But He plainly showed 
 
 them that they had received no commission from Him, but were 
 leaders of the blind, being blind themselves. Of such we might say 
 were all those who, through love of ease, riches or reputation, intrude 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 259 
 
 themselves into the ministerial office without possessing those qual- 
 ifications, which are so many credentials from Christ, that He has 
 sent them. But as God does not decide the claims of men to the 
 ministerial office by a miracle, as He did in the case of Aaron, nor 
 by limiting it to a particular family, as He did in the Jewish priest- 
 hood ; so neither does He prepare nor set apart meu to the ministry 
 by any providence visible to us, but choosing men from the various 
 ranks and conditions of life, so as to make any settled method with 
 Him unknown to us. 
 
 The ordinary method however with the Divine Being in the 
 Jewish Dispensation, in selecting His public teachers of religion, 
 was to take those who had been educated in the schools'of the Proph- 
 ets (a proceeding corresponding with (.he splendor of that dispensa- 
 tion,) as seems signified by the false Prophets endeavoring to escape 
 the retribution due to their fraud, by asserting they had not enjoyed 
 a prophetic education. Nevertheless, designation of men to the 
 public ministry under God, sometime!? fell on those engaged in the 
 common avocations of domestic life who had never enjoyed such 
 privileges. Such was the call of Amos. "I was no prophet," says 
 he, "nor was I a prophet's son ; but I was a husbandman, and a 
 gatherer of sycamore fruits, and the Lord took me and said unto me, 
 "Go, prophesy to my people, Israel. " The mantle of Elijah fell on 
 Elisha when he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. 
 
 Both Moses and John the Baptist were from their infancy set 
 apart and reared up in the providence of God as public teachers in 
 religion. Moses received an education suited to his rank as the 
 adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter, but John was in the' wilderness 
 from his childhood until the day of his showing unto Israel. Noth- 
 ing therefore can be determined from the circle in which men are 
 brought up, or the advantages they have enjoyed as to their claims 
 to the ministerial call. But the examples we have given of men 
 being called of God to the ministry, has reference to former dispen- 
 sations and the introduction of Christianity, and to these might be 
 added those of the Apostles ; but there were other ministers of sub- 
 ordinate rank in the first days of the Christian Church who were • 
 called, in the New Testament, Evangelists — such as Timothy, Titus, 
 Archippus, and others. To determine the setting apart of this order 
 of the ministry, is to determine the call of the ministry in our days. 
 Unless it can be shown that God's method of converting men by the 
 living ministry as a chosen instrument, is changed by a special law 
 expressed or implied, it follows that what was his mode of proceed- 
 ing at that time, is now, and always will be. To call to the minis- 
 try, is to invite, to appoint and furnish a person into and with 
 such particular endowments by the Word, providences and motives 
 
 of the Holy Ghost as make him suitable for the worK. Archippus is 
 said to have received his ministry in the Lord, and Timothy to have 
 received all his best qualifications as a gift according to a previous 
 prophecy — not by, but with the laying on of the hands of the Pres- 
 bytery ; I. e., at the time the hands of the Presbytery were laid on 
 him, — being trained up from a child in the knowledge of the Scrip- 
 
200 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 tares. Christ, having been exalted to Heaven, gave to the church, 
 Apostles, Prophets, Pastors and Teachers as the invaluable gifts He 
 had received for men. An Apostle must be possessed of an infalli- 
 bility of doctrine, and a power of speech with tongues never learned, 
 and to work miracles ; but the working of miracles and the speaking 
 of different languages, without premeditation, have ceased. The 
 ministry belonging to the church now, is what we call Pastors and 
 Evangelists, and from these we have no right to expect an infalli- 
 bility of doctrine, nor a perfect understanding of all that is revealed 
 in the Bible. This would suppose a greater degree of perfection of 
 the preachers of our days than was enjoyed by the ministers of. other 
 days. If Timothy, Titus, and the other. Evangelists had understood 
 the revealed will of God, and by virtue of their office would have 
 been sure to have carried H out for the perfection of saints, all the 
 advice and admonition of the Apostles to them would have been un- 
 necessary. '"Give thyself to reading,'' was the advice of Paul to Tim- 
 othy : and Aquilla and Priscilla taught Apollos the way of the Lord 
 more perfectly. 
 
 We can not say how far human preparation in the Apostles them- 
 selves was necessary to their teaching the will of the Lord. Paul 
 desired Timothy to bring the books with him to Troas ; Daniel, the 
 Prophet of the Lord, learned, by the study of books, what would be 
 the length of Judah's captivity in Babylon ; hence the importance 
 of all ministers studying to show themselves approved unto God. 
 No man who has any just conception of the transcendant importance 
 of the great work of preaching, will think himself already so per- 
 fect as to need no improvement. There is no way, however, of 
 determining a man's call to the ministry but by his qualification. 
 The church being judge of this brings us to the second part of our 
 subject— the Duty of the Churches to their Gifted Brethren. 
 
 Piety, though essential, is not the only qualification necessary 
 to the character of a preacher. P&tyand human knowledge togeth- 
 er are not all that is necessary. There must be superadded to these 
 a desire for the work and an aptitude to teach. Not only the. possess- 
 ion of knowledge, but also the ability to communicate it to others ; 
 hence the importance of aichurch keeping within her bounds and 
 under her own immediate inspection those of her members just be- 
 ginning to exercise a public gift, and we think it is the duty of the 
 church thus to act until the gift is ascertained to be profitable. Apt- 
 itude to teach is the only qualification upon which the church can 
 decide, the desire of the work being left for the man himself to de- 
 termine upon. When the gift is judged profitable, then it ought to 
 be recommended by a license, but in all cases let a church be willing 
 to receive the gift in the character it recommends it toothers. There 
 may be cases, however, that would justify a church in ordaining a 
 man, when prudence would suggest the pastor should be one of age 
 and experience. The Apostle Paul attached some importance to his 
 age as a man, though an Apostle from the beginning of his ministry, 
 "Being such an one as Paul, the aged, I beseech, &c, &c. The par- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 261 
 
 Wcular locality or disciplinary condition of a church might be a just- 
 ification to them in ordaining a man before he was ripe for their 
 pastorship, Such cases however must necessarily be very rare. In 
 all cases of ordination respect should be had to a probable improve- 
 ment, and it is the remark of a Divine, familiar to us all, that "the 
 fidelity, patience and perseverance of some men in the ministry has 
 enabled them so to read men and things as to shame and put to flight 
 half the readers of books ;" that "a further and fuller development 
 •of a minister's own powers, and the constant increase of his knowl- 
 edge and all his best qualifications which experience teaches, he can 
 only acquire hi his work," But there is another duty resting on a 
 ■church which, though painful, is nevertheless important — that 
 is restraining or silencing those whose gifts, afier sufficient 
 trial, may be thought unprofitable. One of the seven churches of 
 Asia was commended by the Redeemer, for having tried them that 
 said they were Apostles and were not. Fuller says, when a gift is 
 received by a church, it is an evidence to the man that he possesses 
 qualifications ; but if the gift be tolerated, and the church at the same 
 time thinks the man possesses no qualification, he is deceived. Ev- 
 ery charitable allowance should be made, however, both in respect 
 to time and circumstance, before a church passes upon a gift to con- 
 demn it. 
 
 Now, as it respects the duty of churches to their pastors and 
 
 regular supplies, it is unnecessary to say much, for they have already 
 been taught, that they ought to serve one another in love. There is 
 a reciprocal duty existing between the church and him that minis- 
 ters to them. And, as the end of the Gospel ministry is the spiritual 
 advantage of the church, and as it is the duty— and even obligation 
 — of the minister to preach the Word in season and out of season, 
 to exhort with all long-suffering as best suits their interests ; so there 
 is a duty and obligation devolving on the church toward him who 
 ministers to them in holy things. And, as no minister can covet a 
 haughty independence of the church without derogating his minis- 
 terial character, so a church can not let him sink into abject depend- 
 ence, without being unfaithful to the trust committed to them. 
 
 The duty of a church to her pastor besides being fellow-helpers 
 to him by prayer, and by that department which will enable him to 
 speak strongly of the effects of true religion on the conduct, is to 
 administer to his temporal wants. The Apostle insists that those 
 who preached the Gospel had an equitable claim to a maintenance 
 on the principles of natural justice, and urged it not only from the 
 precepts of Moses' law, but also from the common usage among 
 men. Though he did not require them to raise an income for him, 
 yet, in this self-denying, disinterested conduct, his ground of glory- 
 ing he declares was not before God, but before them. For the soldier 
 when fighting for his country, being thus prevented from attending 
 
 to his private concerns, had his charges paid by the State. A person 
 employed in planting a vineyard was allowed a maintenance from 
 its products. Thus, ministers who were fighting the good fight of 
 faith, and laboring in the Lord's vineyard, had a right to expect a 
 
262 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 maintenance by his services. And further (the Apostle reasons,) 
 God would not make a special law for the support of laboring oxen ? 
 and then allow that any of the human species should receive the 
 services of these brethren without a remuneration. 
 
 Is it not said, however, "who goeth a warfare and is not rich ? 
 who planteth a vineyard and heaps not up gold from the fruits of it ? 
 who feedeth a flock and makes not merchandise of the sheep?" — 
 teaching us that the Spiritual pastors should be content with what 
 is necessary — not what is superfluous. Then, as a minister, should 
 not feel it a hardship to be dependent, nor a dishonor to be support- 
 ed by his brethren — so let the church be assiduous to make him 
 happy in his mind, and easy in his circumstances, by administering 
 to his spiritual comfort and temporal necessities. It is the glory of 
 dissenting churches, says one, if they make voluntary sacrifices for 
 
 the maintaining true religion among them. 
 
 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our 
 
 Lord Jesus Christ, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the 
 
 blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good 
 
 work, to do His will — working in you that which is well pleasing in 
 His sight, through Jesus Christ. Micajah C. Barnett. 
 
 October 17th, 1851. 
 
 Berry, Elder Larkin MerteIs a native of Buncombe 
 county, N. C. Come to the King's Mountain Association 
 as a delegate from the newly constituted church at Lincoln- 
 ton, 1ST. C, in 1859; was at that time an energetic agent for 
 Dr. Sumner's Board, at Marion, Alabama. He continued 
 to represent the Lincoluton church until about 1867, when 
 he moved away. During elder Berry's stay with the King's 
 Mountain body, he became popular and useful as a preach- 
 er, and was frequently put forward to defend the peculiar 
 tenets of the Baptists. He was fond of polemics ; and was 
 a fearless and ~~ able debater. He was more than once 
 honored with the appointment of moderator of the body, 
 and presided with efficiency and dignity. At the boisterous 
 session in 1860, at High Shoals church, when the division of 
 the bod\ 7 took place by reason of the adoption of a resolution 
 the previous year on the subject of Temperance, he was 
 then acting moderator, and displayed a great deal of par- 
 liamentary tact in his rulings, and proved equal to the 
 emergency. He was an acceptable preacher, having a clear 
 shrill feminine voice, and very good articulation. He had 
 an excellent Avife and a family of several children, and 
 is probably if now living (1882.) about 60 years of age. He 
 removed (it is said) from here to St. Louis, Missouri. 
 
 As Elder L. M. Berry was the author of several Circu- 
 lar Letters addressed to the churches in union, while a mem- 
 ber of the King's Mountain Association, we will therefore, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 263 
 
 reproduce his letter of I860, on "The design and authority of 
 Associations, and the true relations existing between them and the 
 churches they teprescnt." 
 
 THE LETTER. 
 
 In attempting to define associations, we shall first define our po- 
 sition in relation to their design and authority. Associations consist 
 of delegates chosen and recommended by the churches in union, 
 who, when convened, organize themselves into what is commonly 
 called an Advisory Council, by electing a Moderator and Clerk ; they 
 then transact such business as may legitimately come before them. 
 If we are asked, however, for the Scriptural plan and authority for 
 such organized bodies, we say the New Testament is silent on the 
 subject. It is thought by some, however, that the xv. chap, of Acts 
 furnishes us a sufficient example, at least for Associations. But if 
 the reader will take the pains to read the whole chapter, he will find 
 the brethren at Antioch, who were Gentiles, were not willing to sub- 
 mit to circumcision and Moses' law, as some under pretended au- 
 thority had taught them. Faul and Barnabas, therefore, took it into 
 head to go up to Jerusalem to consult the mother church about this 
 question, because there abode here Apostles and Elders — all laboring 
 under divine inspiration. With them, therefore, they carne together 
 in a church conference, and then and there decided that tbey had 
 given no sued authority ; and after writing letters to Antioch, and 
 to others concerned about the matter, appointed brethren to bear the 
 same, who also should tell them the same by word of mouth. This 
 council or conference then, was in every respect dissimilar to 
 our Associations. 
 
 1st. It was not an annual or periodical meeting. 
 
 2nd. It was not a meeting for business transaction, but simply 
 a meeting to settle a theological question that had arisen. 
 
 But it may be asked, may we not now settle all our theological 
 differences by a Council or Association f We answer : No. We are 
 not divinely inspired as were<the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem. 
 
 We say, then, in settling all our theological questions, we must 
 take them up to the Apostles and Elders, and let them settle them 
 for us; i.e., let the New Testament Scriptures, which is the only 
 sure rule of faith and practice, settle them for us. You ask then if 
 the xv. chap, of Acts does not afford sufficient precept or example' 
 for Associations, why have them ? Answer : We claim them upon 
 the ground of expediency. Religion has its laws and promises, and 
 they are given too by the Law-giver in Zion, and these are as im- 
 mutable and Unchangable as their author. Yet many things per- 
 taining to the establishment and propagation of Christianity are of 
 necessity left to be settled by time and circumstances ; in a word, by 
 expediency. Take for an illustration the following: We have no 
 account of any houses of worship being erected in the days of the 
 Apostles, yet they were commanded to preach the Gospel. Now if 
 this could be done most successfully without houses, then it would 
 be wrong to build and use them. But on examination we find the 
 
284 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES", 
 
 Apostles at first had the free use of the Temple and Jewish Syna- 
 gogues, bat time and circumstances have made it expedient to build 
 houses in which to worship God. Again, there was no religious 
 periodicals in the days of the Apostles, yet we find them a matter of 
 great expediency in disseminating religious truth all around,- where 
 it could hardly be said to be expedient for the living ministry to go. 
 And again, no translations of the Holy Scriptures were made in the 
 days .of the Apostles, and nothing said about it ; yet time and cir- 
 cumstances have made it not only expedient, but a matter of absolute 
 necessity to translate the Scriptures into many different languages 
 aud dialects, and this is done in order to carry out successfully the 
 great commission of our blessed Savior, to preach the Gospel to every 
 creature. We give yet another illustration : We perceive in this 
 same commission of Christ to His Apostles, we are commanded b> 
 baptize all that believe. Well, every man of common Bible infor- 
 mation knows that baptism means immersion, and nothing else. 
 The Savior, iu the same commission, did not say to the Apostles or 
 to the church, make pools and dam up creeks and branches for this 
 purpose; yet sometimes we find it necessary to do this in order to> 
 baptize those who believe through the preaching of the pure Gospel. 
 Then we maintain the churches have a right to organize themselves 
 into associate bodies to carry out the commission of Christ, on the 
 ground of expediency. The fact is, if churches are authorized to do 
 anything for the promotion of Christianity, they are authorized to 
 use combined effort, provided no law of Christ be violated ; and we 
 maintain that none is violated in the organization of an Association, 
 provided such bodies do not attempt to act beyond their proper 
 sphere, or assume powers properly belonging to the churches in a 
 church capacity only. The question then arises, what is, and what 
 is not the legitimate work of Associations ? We maintain, the proper 
 work of an Association is to strive for "the unity of the Spirit in the 
 bonds of peace" amongst the churches; the employment and sus- 
 taining of missionaries in destitute fields ; to keep np our statistical 
 accounts; to concentrate our efforts together for the advancement of 
 the Redeemer's cause on earth, and for the, deposition of the works 
 of darkness, and, finally, to "provoke one another to love and good 
 works." 
 
 We think, from all we can find of the doings of the first Associ- 
 ations, as given to us by history, the Baptists had no other object in. 
 view in their first organization. In Davis' History of the Welch 
 Baptists we find an association in existence in the first part of the 
 sixth century, holding a meeting on the borders of Herefordshire, 
 Wales. History gives us but little of their doings more than to in- 
 form us that Austin, the Romish monk, appeared at the meeting 
 and said he would propose three things to the Welch ministers and 
 messengers of the different churches of the principality: First, he 
 proposed infant baptism. In this he was immediately answered by 
 the Welch Baptists that they would keep this ordinance as well as 
 all other things, as they had received them from the Apostolic age. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. • 2G5 
 
 On this Austin became exceedingly wroth, and influenced the Saxon 
 pagans to murder 1200 ministers and delegates there present. After 
 this we lose sight of Associations until after the Reformation, when 
 we again find Associations organized at Abergaverny, Monmouth- 
 shire, Wales. On the 14th and 15th days of August, 1653, in this 
 meeting the principal business was missionary work, as history in- 
 forms us. It was here proposed to revive the old plan of supporting 
 ministers in weak and destitute churches; whereupon Wm, Thomp- 
 son was appointed missionary for six months, and received from 
 those churches about £10. From the foregoing facts the reader will 
 readily see the old plan, revived in the 16th century, had for its ob- 
 ject the support of the Gospel in destitute places, by the strongest 
 churches aiding the weaker ones. Then the missionary cause is not 
 a new thing, as some vainly suppose, but the old plan revived, and 
 we trust that this Association will never lose sight of this grand 
 object — the spread of a pure Gospel — until the kingdoms of this 
 world shall become the kingdoms of God and of His Christ. Many 
 churches and brethren, however, have fallen into a mistaken notion 
 about the design and authority of Associations, and wish to use them 
 only as courts of appeal, as holding some kind of superior authority 
 over the churches. This has partly risen as we suppose from the 
 unscriptural authority assumed by Councils, Synods, Presbyteries 
 and Conferences, which assume to make laws and settle difficulties 
 for their churches or congregations. 
 
 Dear brethren, we say in postive terms, with the Holy Bible be- 
 fore us, that this Association presumes to hold no such authority 
 over God's heritage. We make no laws to govern the churches. 
 The Bible alone affords a sufficient code for the government of God's 
 people, and this is clearly taught by Paul, when he says to Timothy, 
 his son in the Gospel, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 
 and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc- 
 tion in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thereby 
 furnished to every good work." — 2d Tim. iii. 16, 17. . 
 
 Christ, the Head of the Church, has given to it its laws ; the 
 church therefore has no right — neither has its functionaries — to add 
 to, take from, alter or amend the same. Baptists have always been 
 tenacious for the pure Scriptures as the only law to govern God's 
 people in religious matters, and hence has arisen their opposition to 
 the wicked practice of uniting church and state. As we stated in 
 the outset, the laws of God are immutable and unchangeable. In 
 the xviii. chap, of Matthew we have the law for dealing in private 
 offences, which is as follows : "Moreover, if thy brother shall tres- 
 pass against thee, go and tell him his fault between, thee and him 
 alone ; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother ; but if he 
 will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the 
 mouth of two or three witnesses every word maybe established ; and 
 if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he 
 neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathan man 
 and a publican ;" that is, excommunicate him, which is the final 
 34 
 
 
266 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 issue of the whole matter. No intimation whatever is given by the 
 Savior that either party may, if he or they be dissatisfied with the 
 decision of the church, appeal to some higher authority. And again, 
 in public offences, as in the case of the incestuousperson in 1st Cor. v. 
 4, 5. We are taught "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye 
 are gathered together, and My Spirit, with the power of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction 
 of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord 
 Jesus." No law for an appeal appears in this case, but the trial is 
 final. 1 he church then is the highest ecclesiastical authority on 
 earth, and has no original or independent sovereignty of her own 
 that she can delegate to any one else. This arises from her inde- 
 pendent form of government — one church not being bound by the 
 act of another, especially when said acts are unscriptural and wicked. 
 This being the case, there is therefore no necessity for appeals to asso- 
 ciations. If a member or members feel that they have been wickedly 
 and unscripturally dealt with and excluded, it is his or their duty to 
 go to the church thus dealing and remonstrate with them; and if 
 she still persist in his or their exclusion, he or they may then lay the 
 matter before another church which may, in its independency and 
 discretion, restore the excluded member or members. We would not 
 advise this course, however, until the last named church has made 
 herself fully acquainted with all the facts of the case, and then faith- 
 fully labored with the excluding church. Then if, in the opinion 
 of the church to which the excluded member or members have ap-' 
 plied the excluding church acted wicked and unscripturally, she 
 may receive them into her fellowship. 
 
 We do not think the wicked and unscriptural acts of one church 
 can bind the acts of every other church. If so, every church must 
 act wickedly because one church has chose to do so. 
 
 We do say then, according to the laws of Christ, one church is 
 not bound by the sins of another church. The facts of the case are 
 about these : if a church in her independency, wickedly and unscru- 
 pulously excommunicates a member from her fellowship, another 
 church in her independency may rightfully restore him to fellow- 
 ship, and yet no right of any church is by this act violated. In con- 
 clusion, we then say the churches, in their associate capacity, have 
 a right to say what churches may be admitted into the confederacy 
 and what churches shall not; and in cases of divisions among 
 churches where both parties shall send up a letter and delegates to 
 the Association, she may decide which, if either party, she will re- 
 ceive into her confederacy, and in doing this she is certainly not 
 interfering with the internal rights of any church. 
 
 Our earnest prayer to God is that peace and prosperity may long 
 continue to abound among the churches composing this and similar 
 bodies. Amen. L. M. Berry. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. £67 
 
 Bonner, Elder Bryant was a native of Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, born February 4th, 1817. Intermarried wiiu 
 Miss Hannah Foster, April 7th, 1836, in the 19th year of 
 his age, and settled in his native county. In 1848 he made 
 his first appearance in the Broad River Association at the 
 session held at Buffalo church ; was then a lay delegate; and 
 continued to represent the Buck Creek church tor several 
 sessions. In 1855 he was ordained to the Go&pe.i ministry, 
 and preached acceptably to several of the churches w'ithiu 
 the bounds of the Broad River and King's Mountain Asso- 
 ciations. At the session of the Broad River in 1872 he was 
 chosen Moderator and presided with dignity over the delib- 
 erations of the body. When in 1876 the Spartanburg Asso- 
 ciation was organized (Elder Bonner being at that time a 
 member of Limestone church,) he joined the new body, and 
 was an active member of the same up to the time of his 
 death, which took place April 7th, 1879, in the 6od year of 
 liis age. 
 
 Elder Bonner was above the ordinary size of men in 
 weight and stature, inclining somewhat to corpulency ; was 
 near-sighted, and consequently always wore spectacles, but 
 had a genial and pleasant face. He was in the early part of 
 his ministerial life quite lively and humorous, and a great 
 mimic. We have been greatly amused in hearing him tell 
 funny anecdotes, with'a view sometimes to tease the breth- 
 ren — one of which we will reproduce: Some of the brethren, 
 who shall now be nameless, had held a protracted meeting 
 
 at church, which, if it was not noted for anything else, 
 
 was certainly remarkable for bearing off the palms in point 
 of duration — three weeks having been entirely consumed in 
 the services. The supply of ''creature comforts" thought- 
 fully provided for an anticipated "long-winded" meeting be- 
 came well nigh completely exhausted. The stock of poultry 
 in the vicinity of that church was said to be reduced down 
 to a guinea, an old rooster and a drake. The guinea relied 
 on the strength and elasticity of his wings to save himself, 
 and had selected the top of a high shade tree as his pereh, 
 while the rooster laid betook himself to the upper story of 
 the barn, and the drake occupied the basement or lower 
 apartment of the same building. While thus concealed for 
 several days, suffering in the meanwhile for subsistance, and 
 being extremely anxious for something like armistice or ces- 
 sation of hotilities : the guinea at the risk of his life com- 
 menced crying, protracted, protracted, protracted? Chanticleer, 
 hearing the cry of the guinea, immediately emerged from 
 his concealment, andfiying to a window, at once made inquiry 
 by crowing, ape-they-gone f are-they gone ? The drake, being 
 
288 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 aroused from his carefully selected hiding place by hearing 
 the voice of his fellow bipeds, and being more wary and 
 cautious than either of them, ventured to the eve of his well 
 concealed position, and upon pain of inevitable destruction, 
 bade them hush! h-u-s-h! h-u-s—hl Of course this was in- 
 tended as mere hilarity and joke, and yet it also answered 
 as a philipic on the excesses of protracted meetings. 
 
 Blackwell, Elder Zechariah was a pioneer minister 
 of the Broad River Association, and appears as a delegate in 
 1808, from State Line church, Spantanburg county, S. C, 
 and in 1823, he represented Buck Creek church in the ses- 
 sion at Reedy River of that year. In 1812, he preached the 
 introductory sermon at Friendship church. He was for that 
 period considered an able preacher. 
 
 Elder M. C. Barnett in his Association al Sketches, says: 
 "At the session of 1842, at El Bethel church, I saw Elder 
 Blackwell for the last time. He was very old; but still he 
 had not thrown off the mantel of his calling; I remember 
 yet the veneration I felt for him ; when, after the association 
 adjourned, he came out of the house and pulled off his hat, 
 and standing in the yard he published that he would preach 
 at such a place at such a time. His head was as white as 
 cotton, his voice weak and tremulous, and his whole physi- 
 cal appearance that of a man standing on the brink of the 
 grave. His dress was coarse and well worn, but still there 
 was a dignity of virtue and an air of majesty about him that 
 captivated, even while it subdued. He died in the course of 
 that year, and his grave, which is in the neighborhood of 
 Cherokee Ford, on Broad River, has remained without any- 
 thing to mark it until two years ago when, at the suggestion 
 ofBro. Win. Curtis, the Association resolved to erect a 
 tombstone at his grave, with a suitable inscription to his 
 memory, and immediately raised money in the body for that 
 purpose. 
 
 As a preacher he had nothing of the polish of oratory 
 about him, but having made the Bible his principal study, 
 he always preached as a scribe well instructed in the king- 
 dom — never being at a loss for an apt quotation of Scripture 
 in support of anything he advanced; with a melting pathos 
 and sound sense his sermons could not but be as they were, 
 both interesting and instructive. If he had been favored 
 with the advantages of an early training he would no doubt 
 have been one of the shining lights of his day. Who can 
 forbear a tear of sympathy when standing by the graves of 
 such men as old Bro. Blackwell; and remembering those 
 pathetic lines of Gray : 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 269 
 
 "Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid 
 Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire ; 
 Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed, 
 Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre. 
 But knowledge to their eyes her ample page, 
 Rich with the sports of time did ne'r unroll ; 
 Chill penury expressed their noble rage, 
 And froze the genial current of the soul." 
 "After all," says Roland Hill, "that is the best preach- 
 ing that best answers the end of preaching ;" and says 
 Fuller: 'Those ministers whose labors have been more 
 abundantly owned for the promotion of true religion, have 
 been distinguished by their attachment to the common 
 Truth, and have not descended to curious researches, nor 
 indulged in a spirit of speculation upon what is so clearly 
 revealed. And those churches which have abounded the 
 most in vital and practical goodness, and such as have loved 
 and lived upon the Truth, from whomsoever it has pro- 
 ceeded.' " 
 
 Elder Zechariah Blackwell died October 12th, 1843, 
 and his demise is properly noticed in the Minutes. (See 
 journalistic part of this work, session of 1843). 
 
 Blackwell, Elder Joel was a pioneer minister and 
 member of the Baptist church at Green River, Rutherford 
 county, JST. C, which church was one of the constituent 
 members of the Broad River Association, organized in the 
 year 1800. He continued an active member and represent- 
 ative until the year 1835. The session convened that year 
 at Wolf's Creek church, and he served then and there his 
 last term in the Association. In the succeeding session at 
 Zion church he is recorded an absentee, and in the Minutes 
 of the session of 1839 the following item appears on the 
 record : "It becomes our painful duty to record the death of 
 Elder Joel Blackwell, who departed this life sometime during 
 the past associational year." 
 
 The services rendered by him in the Gospel ministry, 
 and the faithfulness and zeal with which he discharged the 
 various duties assigned him while occupying a station so 
 important on the walls of Zion (which he continued to do 
 for near forty years,) entitle him to the remembrance and 
 . respect of all good men; for he not only in his early life 
 taught the healthful doctrines of the Gospel with force and 
 with confidence in its correctness and truth, but he even, in 
 his declining years, ratified the things which he had spoken, 
 by discovering a holy calmness in view of death and his ap- 
 proaching dissolution, which did honor to the christian 
 
270 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 cause. He died as he had lived, expressing great love and 
 regard for his fellow-men, and beloved "by all whose oppor- 
 tunities in life enabled them to appreciate the worth of such 
 a good man. 
 
 In offering this tribute of respect to the memory of our 
 departed brethren we earnestly sympathize with his rela- 
 tives and friends; vet we advise them not to sorrow and 
 grieve as those having no hope — for although we are deprived 
 of the blessings of his usefulness and presence here, yet we 
 have great reason to believe that his immortal spirit has gone 
 home to rest in a tar better land — to be eiiriched with the 
 full fruition of everlasting joys, and there to lisp undying 
 praises in harmonious songs to his Eternal King, and ever 
 to mingle with the innumerable company of happified spir- 
 its that fly in glorious splendor around the dazzling throne 
 of the great Jehovah God. 
 
 We once heard related an anecdote of this good man. 
 He had a neighbor, S. C, who, bye-the-bye, was- a clever cit- 
 izen and honest-hearted man, but who was of intemperate 
 habits, and had on a certain occasion indulged too freely in 
 quaffing alcoholic draughts, by reason of which he became 
 fuddled and deprived of his proper balance ; and while in 
 that topsy-turvy condition, being mounted in the saddle he 
 fell from his horse on his way homeward from a grocery, 
 and being a corpulent and heavy man he had the misfortune 
 to get his collar bone dislocated, and otherwise seriously in- 
 jured, in consequence of which he was laid up some time — 
 almost at the point of death. Elder Blackwell, hearing of 
 his misfortune, and deeming it a Scriptural duty he owed to 
 frail humanity, paid him a visit to administer to his necessi- 
 ties, and judging it might be a good time to make a religious 
 impression, he inquired in the kindest manner of him if he 
 did not thinly it (the mishap) as a judgment, inflicted upon 
 him by reason of his sinful habits? And after expatiating 
 at some length on the providence of God in sparing the lives 
 of His disobedient and erring creatures, rather in the form 
 of a sick-room lecture, he again turned his eyes toward his 
 suffering neighbor, and asked him if he did not consider his 
 sufferino'S a judgment. Said the suffering man : "I do not. 
 If it was a judgment, I could stay it ; but it is more of the 
 nature of an execution, and therefore I suppose we shall 
 have to let it rip !" Doubtless the old man of God consid- 
 ered his neighbor a depraved specimen of humanity ! — a 
 Tartar that still loved to adhere to the wine cask ! 
 
 Elder Joel Blackwell was a soldier of the Revolutionary 
 war. The date of his birth is unknown to us. His style or 
 manner of preaching was said to be of the sing-song charac- 
 
 i 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 271 
 
 iter. He was of robust, heavy build, pleasant and affable 
 ananners ; and although not an able preacher, yet devotedly 
 pious and useful in the times he lived. 
 
 Bomar, Elder Thomas was a native of Spartanburg 
 county, S. (1, the date of his birth unknown to us. He was 
 a member of Bethlehem church, and in the session of the 
 Broad River Association in the year 1818 appeared in that 
 body as a delegate, and continued to represent said church 
 several sessions afterwards. In the session of 1820 he was 
 chosen Moderator of the Association, and discharged the 
 duties of the chair with ability and dignity. His personal 
 appearance was very fine and prepossessing, tall and erect 
 in his carriage, of graceful gestures, and good voice and 
 articulation. His scholastic attainments were said not to ex- 
 tend further than a tolerably accurate knowledge of the 
 English language ; he was however well posted in the Scrip- 
 tures, and scarcely ever failed to interest the congregations 
 that attended on his ministrations of the "Word. So popular 
 had he become as a preacher that he was appointed by the 
 ^Association to preach the introductory sermons to the ses- 
 sions of 1820-'23 and 1828, and at the session of 1824 he 
 was chosen to write a circular letter to the churches on the 
 subject of Christian Liberty, which we reproduce as a tribute 
 to his memory. 
 
 In the session of the Association of 1830, we find the 
 following entry on the Minutes : "It is with deep-felt sorrow 
 that we record the death of our much esteemed and well 
 beloved brother, Elder Thomas Bomar. The churches un- 
 der his charge have sustained a great bereavement, as have 
 his dear family and relatives. To them his loss is irrepara- 
 ble, but to him infinite gain and everlasting joy at (fod's 
 right hand." 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 Beloved Brethren : — The subject on which we have thought 
 proper to address you this year is that of Christian Liberty — a sub- 
 ject which you will discover is of great importance, if you consider 
 the great price with which it was purchased, viz : the precious blood 
 of Christ. For when we speak of Christian Liberty, we mean a 
 liberty peculiar to christians — that is, a liberty to which none but 
 christians are entitled You will observe, Brethren, that the term, 
 liberty is, in its meaning, very copious, embracing a variety of ideas, 
 and consequently is liable to misconstruction. We shall therefore 
 through the whole of this address speak of liberty and freedom, as 
 being synonymous terms. These things being promised, we pro- 
 ceed to state briefly in the first place what we understand by the 
 term. Christian Liberty, and secondly, how that liberty may be 
 abused. First, our blessed Lord speaks of the state of wrath and 
 
272 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 condemnation in which sinners are by nature in a state of slavery 
 to sin. John viii. 31. "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of 
 sin;" consequently, to be delivered from the guilt of sin, maybe 
 considered christian liberty. For Christ says, "If the Son therefore 
 shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John viii. 36. And 
 the Apostle Paul says, "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus- 
 hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Rom. viii. 2. 
 Furthermore, by christian liberty or freedom, we may understand 
 freedom from the wrath of God and the curse of His law. For the 
 Apostle saith, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, 
 being made a curse for us." Gal. iii. 13. Much more to the same 
 purport might be said : as freedom from the sting of death — victory 
 over the grave, &c, but our limits forbid us to proceed. 
 
 The liberty of which we have been speaking was common to the 
 saints under the Old Testament dispensation as well as under the 
 New ; but under the dispensation of the New Testament Christ hath 
 greatly enlarged the liberty of His church, by delivering them from 
 the yoke of the ceremonial law. To this subject the Apostle evi- 
 dently alludes, when he says: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty 
 wberewith Christ hath made us free." Gal. v. 1. Our blessed High 
 Priest has freed us from those numerctis ceremonies to which the 
 Jewish church was subject — those ceremonies having received 
 their accomplishment in Him, and He having entered into Heaven, 
 where He lives and pleads His own merits in behalf of His church. 
 To this subject the Apostle evidently alludes when he says, "Seeing 
 tben, that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heav- 
 ens — Jesus, the Son of God — let us hold fast our profession." Heb. 
 iv, 14. Christian liberty further consists in a privilege to use and 
 enjoy, in a lawful manner, those temporal blessings which God has 
 provided for mankind in common — such as eating, drinking, &c, 
 together with all tbe real or lawful enjoyments arising from the 
 nuptial or social life. 
 
 Having briefly stated what we understand by christian liberty, 
 we come secondly to speak of the way in which that liberty may be 
 abused. 1st, when professors of Christianity indulge in the practice 
 of licentiousness, or sin of any kind, they abuse christian liberty, as 
 ii evident from the words of the Apostle ; for in tbe epistle to the 
 Galatians he speaks thus : "For, brethren, ye have been called unto 
 liberty : only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but hy love 
 serve one another." Gal. v. 13. For although the saints "are not 
 under the law, but under grace ;" yet they have not liberty to trans- 
 gress the law, nor can they transgress it without chastisement. 
 Rom. vi. 13, II ; Heb. xii. 5, 6, 7, &c, and placed in a state of justifi- 
 cation before God, through the merits of the atonement of Christ. 
 We indulge in the neglect of any of those duties which are enjoined 
 on us as christians ; we, in that case, abuse christian liberty. For 
 Christ hath not freed His people from the curse of the moral law, 
 and from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to indulge them in a sloth- 
 ful or careless neglect of the ordinances of His Gospel ; "but now 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 273 
 
 being made free from sin, and become servants to God," &c. Rom. 
 vi. 22. So that if we are free from sin, we are the servants of God, 
 and we cannot be the servants of God except we serve Him ; nor 
 can we serve Him in the neglect of His ordinances ; so we see that 
 we are not at liberty to neglect any of those. And we have reason to 
 believe, if we are willing to indulge ourselves in sin, or in any respect 
 to neglect the duties of religion, that we are yet under sin, however 
 highly we may endeavor to flatter ourselves to the contrary. I ndeed, 
 we have no right to claim the promises of the Gospel if we indulge 
 in sin, and thus abuse our liberty. For our blessed Lord says, '"He 
 that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth 
 me." John xiv. 20. Again, 'Tf a man love me, he will keep my 
 words ; and my Father will love him," &c. Thus, brethren, we see 
 that although christians under the Gospel are freed from the cere, 
 monies of the Jewish law, from the condemning power of the moral 
 law, and have liberty to come to the throne of grace and plead the 
 merits of their blessed High Priest, yet they have no liberty to neg- 
 lect the ordinances of the Gospel, or to indulge in sin. Let them 
 know that they are abusing christian liberty, wounding the cause of 
 their blessed Redeemer, the feelings of their pious brethren, and are 
 bringing darkness on their own minds, and must finally answer for 
 such conduct to God. 
 
 "And now, brethren, we commend you to God and to the Word 
 of His grace," praying that He may give you grace to rightfully ap- 
 preciate your liberty as christians. Farewell ! 
 
 Thomas Bomar. 
 October 15th. 1824. 
 
 Brewton, Elder George was a pioneer minister and 
 member of Friendship church, Spartanburg county, S. C, 
 the oldest church in the Broad River Association. He ap- 
 pears in 1805 as a delegate, and continued regularly as such 
 until the year 1815. In the Minutes of that session we tin:] 
 the following entry : "It is with sorrow w r e have to announce 
 the death of our venerable and worthy brother in Christ, 
 Elder George Brewton, who was an humble christian, a pious 
 minister, a nursing father in Zion, a good citizen, a loving 
 husband, a tender parent, and a friend to the needy. We 
 lament and are sensible of our loss, while he rejoices in his 
 great gain in the congregation that never breaks up." 
 
 We find that in the year 1812 he was chosen to preside 
 over the deliberations of the Association as Moderator, which 
 circumstance we take as an evidence of his good standing in 
 the esteem of his brethren. We are unable to learn any 
 other particulars of his life. 
 
 Blackwell, Elder Jobin was an old pioneer minister, 
 and was in the organization of the Broad River Association, 
 being a delegate from Green's Creek church, Rutherford 
 "35 
 
274 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 county, K. C. The old brother was said to have been a Rev- 
 olutionary soldier of the war of 1776. We find that he con- 
 tinned to represent Green Creek church almost continuously, 
 to the year 1834, but his name appears in the Minutes 
 marked as an absentee for several sessions previously.. We 
 suppose the infirmities of age prevented his attendance. 
 According to the best information we can get, he died in 
 that same year. His son, John Blackwell, was afterwards a 
 deacon of Green's Creek church, and represented it as a del- 
 egate, as did his father before him, for several years. The 
 old preacher is said to ha^e been a good man, but not gifted. 
 
 Brown, Elder W. L. is a native of Rutherford county, 
 
 N. C, born about the year 1888. It appears from the Min- 
 utes of the Broad River Asscciation that he became a mem- 
 ber of that body in the year 1870, he then being a delegate 
 from Sulphur Springs church, in which connection he con- 
 tinued until 1874, when he became a representative of Phil- 
 adelphia church, and in 1876 he joined the Spartanburg 
 Association, of which he is now a worthy member. At the 
 sessions of the Broad River Association in 1872-73, he was 
 elected clerk of the body, and while a member thereof he 
 filled various appointments on the different boards and com- 
 mittees of the Association, evincing good business tact in 
 the work of the body. 
 
 Elder Brown intermarried with a Worthy daughter of 
 Deacon J. W. Montgomery, of the Sulphur Springs church, 
 and had the pastoral care of that and some other churches 
 of the Broad River Association until the Spartanburg body 
 was organized. He is now pastor of the church at Gaffney 
 City, on the Air-Line Railroad, and has recently received a 
 call from the church at Statesville, Iredell county, 1ST. C, 
 which we are informed he accepts. Elder Brown is a good 
 preacher and a zealous, christian worker, and by his ener- 
 getic efforts for improvement he has great ] y succeeded in 
 overcoming the many disadvantages he has heretofore had 
 to encounter in obtaining a better ministerial education. 
 Being yet in the bloom and vigor of manhood, and his men- 
 ial faculties vet bright and still more brightening, his nume- 
 rous friends are buoyant with the hopes of his great useful- 
 ness in the ereat cause of the Master in which he is now 
 engageo*. May their hopes be fully realized ! 
 
 Burgess, Elder Thomas was a native of Maryland, and 
 previous to the organization of the Broad River Association 
 had loc ited in Spartanburg county, S. C, and become a 
 member of Boiling Springs church, which church was then 
 a member of the Bethel Association, and since dissolved. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 275 
 
 While Elder Burgess was a member of tins church it was, 
 with others, dismissed to join in the organization of i^e 
 Broad .River body, which, tradition says, took place at Sandy 
 Run church in 1800. We have not been able to iind any 
 record of the proceedings of the convention that organized 
 the Association, and incline, to the opinion that the journal 
 never was published at all. We find, however, from the 
 published Minutes of the year 1801 (the session being heid 
 at Greeu's Creek church-, in Rutherford county, N. C.,j that 
 Elder Burgess being a representative of Boiling (Springs was 
 in this session of 1801, and 'was chosen Moderator of the, 
 body. He was probably a veteran in age, and being a man 
 of exemplary piety was doubtless called to the chair as an 
 act of courtesy, and he may ve~y properly be called the father 
 of the Broad River Association. Notwithstanding he was 
 a veteran at this early period of the Association, yet he did 
 not pass away for several years afterwards, for we find it re- 
 corded in the Minutes that he preached the introductory 
 sermon to the session of" 1803, but after that we find no fur- 
 ther account of him ; he either died and went to his reward 
 or removed without the bounds of the Association, which is 
 most probable, as there is no notice of his demise on the 
 face of the Minutes subsequently. 
 
 In the session of 1802 he was appointed to w r rite a cir- 
 cular letter to the churches, on the growing evils and nature of 
 the sin of intemperance. This fact is evidence that the body 
 at that time held him in high esteem, and placed great reli- 
 ance on his ability and the influence that he wielded among 
 the churches and people. He leaves behind him as a repre- 
 sentative a great-grand-son, in the person of Elder W. E. 
 Burgess, of Spartanburg count}', S. C, who it is hoped will 
 prove worthy of the pioneer ancestor. 
 
 Burgess, Elder John E., of Brown's Chapel church, is 
 a native of Spartanburg county, S. C. ; was born May 24th, 
 1854. Is a son ot Darius Burgess, who is a grand-son of the 
 old pioneer minister, Thomas Burgess, who presided as 
 Moderator at the first session of the Broad River Association 
 after its organization in 1800. 
 
 Bro. John E. was a delegate to the Association first in 
 1877 at Friendship church, having been converted in 1872, 
 and baptized by Elder L. Vaughn into the fellowship of 
 Brown's Chapel. In 1878 he was licensed to preach, being 
 then a beneficiary of the Association, and striving to obtain 
 an education. In 1875 he intermarried with Miss Carrie 
 Grier, who proved to be an affectionate and useful helpmate 
 — God's best gift to man. 
 
 In 1876 he was ordained to the full work of the Gospel 
 
276 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ministry by a presbytery, consisting of Elders J. G. Carter 
 and L. Vaughn; and has since served Zion Hill, Cowpens, 
 Camp's Creek, Macedonia, Mount Ararat, Gilead and Biv- 
 ingsville churches, laboring in word and doctrine. 
 
 Elder Burgess being only in the 29th year of his age, 
 has a bright prospect of many years of usefulness in the 
 Master's work. We hope the fond anticipations of his many 
 friends may be realized, and that he as a worthy descendant 
 of the worthy old pioneer may prove to be a polished shaft 
 in the Lord's quiver, and that he may accomplish much good 
 amongst the churches of the Broad River Association. 
 
 Bridges, Elder James Monroe was born April 1st, 1847, 
 in Cleveland county, K C. In 1868 married Miss M. E. 
 Beam, who proves to be an affectionate helpmate in the toils 
 of life. Joined the church at Beaver Dam and was baptized 
 by Elder L. H. McSwain in 1872 ; licensed in 1873 and or- 
 dained to the full Gospel ministry of the word in 1874. 
 Elder Bridges is struggling to obtain an education, being 
 now a student under Prof. King, of the Shelby High School ; 
 is making improvements rapidly in his studies and in the 
 ministry, and is now an acceptable and popular preacher. 
 He first entered the King's Mountain Association as a dele- 
 gate in the session of 1872, and has continued to represent 
 Double Springs church every year since. He is now in the 
 36th year of his age, and in the enjo3-ment of fine health with 
 bright prospects of future usefulness in the ministry. May 
 his life be spared him, and the anticipations of his numerous 
 christian friends be realized in his future labors of love. 
 
 Byers, Elder Joseph appears to have been a Broad 
 River Baptist minister in the year 1805. He probably emi- 
 grated or died soon after that period, as we find nothing re- 
 corded subsequently concerning him in the Minutes of the 
 Association. He leaves many descendants now too young 
 to communicate any information respecting their ancient 
 pioneer ancestor, who was doubtless an able minister of the. 
 Xew Testament in his day and time. 
 
 Blythe, Elder Sion was a minister of the Broad River 
 Association in the year 1805, and was probably cut off from 
 said body by the formation of the French Broad River Asso- 
 ciation in 1807. Elder James Blythe, of Henderson county, 
 N. C, is said to be a descendant of this pioneer Baptist min- 
 ister. For the want of better information we can only make 
 this mere mention of one who was doubtless a worthy min- 
 ister of Christ. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 277 
 
 Bankstone, Elder John was a member of Buck Creek 
 ■church, in Spartanburg county, S. C, and represented that 
 church in the session of the Broad River Association in the 
 year 1808 ; and although we are unable to glean from the 
 Minutes or any one living now, that he ever acted a very 
 conspicuous part in the vineyard of the Lord, yet we are 
 assured of the fact, from the records of the Association, that 
 he was a minister in good standing. Let his name therefore 
 be preserved for his work's sake, which was doubtless often 
 acceptable. 
 
 Bradshaw, Elder Fields was a member of Mount Ru- 
 harna church, Burke county, N. C, and a delegate therefrom 
 to the Broad River Association in 1823, and had served in 
 several sessions previously as a licentiate. He continued in 
 that connection until after the formation of the Catawba 
 River Association in 1828, when his church was dismissed 
 from the Broad River body to aid in that object. 
 
 During the time that Elder Bradshaw remained in the 
 Broad River, we notice that he preached the introductory 
 sermon in 1824. and was recognized as a worthv minister. 
 We have no other knowledge of him. 
 
 Camp, Elder Joseph was one of the old pioneer minis- 
 ters of the Broad River Association, and a native of the State 
 of Maryland, the date of his birth unknown. Tradition has 
 it that he organized the church at Buffalo, and became a con- 
 stituent member thereof previous to the organization of the 
 Association, and baptized Elders Drury Dobbins and Berry- 
 man Hicks, two of the most prominent ministers afterwards 
 in the Association. That previous to the formation of the 
 Association in 1800, in which he bore a conspicuous part, 
 and just after Col. Carleton's defeat at Cowpens, in Spartan- 
 burg county, S. C, by Gen. Morgan in January, 1781, Lord 
 Cornwallis had him arrested with a view to the obtaining of 
 information as to the whereabouts of Morgan, who was then 
 en route to Gen. Greene's headquarters with the prisoners 
 captured by him in the late battle, which Cornwallis was 
 anxious to rescue. Elder Camp however was ignorant of 
 the route taken by Morgan, who it is said found a private 
 passway in the right direction, crossing First Broad River 
 at Proctor's Ford, near the Present Zion church, and mov- 
 ing rapidly in the direction of Greene's headquarters, then 
 at Hillsboro, jST. C. ; he was thereby enabled to elude the 
 British forces who were endeavoring to intercept him. The 
 attempt of Cornwallis proving a failure, and Elder Camp 
 being a non-combatant, was soon afterward set at liberty 
 again, to attend to his ministerial and medical duties, for 
 
278 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 it is said that he rendered a great deal of service to the 
 surrounding community as a physician or meuical man as 
 well. 
 
 Elder Camp was a member of the Association held at 
 Green's Creek church in 180], as appears from the publish- 
 ed Minutes of that session, being the first meeting of the 
 body after its organization ; and it appears minuted that 
 he with Elders Thomas Burgess and John Blackwell were 
 appointed "to labor ministerially with the church at Cedar 
 Springs," which at that time appears to have been "mis- 
 sionary ground,'"' notwithstanding it is now oue of the most 
 intelligent and pious churches in the bounds of the Broad 
 River Association, and can point to such names as the 
 Barnetts, Lancasters, Coopers,TTnderwoods, Finchs,Walkers r 
 etc., etc., which will compare favorably with the member- 
 ship of any of the churches in the Association, and is one 
 among many other proofs of the power and efficacy of the 
 Gospel. 
 
 Elder Camp in 1802 prepared a circular letter, under 
 the order of the Association, on the Duties and Obligations 
 of Matrimony. And in 1804 he prepared another on Church 
 Discipline. He is said, to have been an able preacher for his 
 day and time, but had only a limited education. He lived 
 near the dividing line between the Carolinas, and his old 
 bomestead now belongs to II. F. Ramsour, Esq. , a worthy 
 deacon of Buffalo church. About the year 1808 he emi- 
 grated to Kentucky while pretty far advanced in life, and 
 probably died there, but at what period of time we are not 
 aware, tie had a son (John Camp) who became a preacher, 
 and paid his Carolina relatives a visit some time after the 
 demise of his father, and preached very acceptably to some 
 of the churches who once took so much pleasure in listening 
 to the sermon's of his ancestor. Elder Camp was respecta- 
 bly connected, and has numerous relatives in Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, and in Cleveland and Rutherford coun- 
 ties, 3ST. C. 
 
 Carlton, Elder Ambrose was a worthy member of the 
 Smyrna church, in Burke county, JN r . C. Was one of the 
 early pioneer ministers of the Broad River Association, and 
 was a delegate in 1801. At the session of 1804 he was the 
 preacher of the introductory sermon at Concord church, and 
 in 1807 he prepared the circular letter on the Duties of Dea- 
 cons. In 1814 the old veteran again preached the introduc- 
 tory discourse before the session at Goucher Creek church, 
 and prepared the circular letter to the churches, on the Gifts 
 and Qualifications of a Gospel Minister. At the sessions of 
 1805, 1808 and 1815 he was chosen to preside as Moderator 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. , . 279 
 
 over the deliberations of the Association, and at the session 
 of 1816 he attended the session of the body at Sandy Run 
 church, where its first session was held in 1800; and being 
 well assured that he had arrived at the period of life when 
 "the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men 
 shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because thev 
 are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 
 and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of 
 the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the 
 bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low ; 
 also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and 
 fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, 
 and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail 
 because man goeth to his long home." He affectionately 
 took a final adieu of the Association, "to meet no more in 
 time." We do not find any notice of the demise of Elder 
 Carlton in the Minutes of the Broad River Association ; he 
 probably survived the formation of the Catawba River body, 
 which took place in 1828, and it would include Smyrna 
 church, which held his membership. He had the reputatiou 
 of being an able preacher and exemplary christian. 
 
 Cantrell, Elder Isaac was a member of Buck Creek 
 church, Spartanburg county, S. C, and was chosen a dele- 
 gate to the Broad River Association in 1801. We are unable 
 to find that he ever distinguished himself in any way as a 
 Baptist minister ; he was, however, one of the Broad River 
 pioneer preachers, and was doubtless in the organization of 
 the Association. As we find no mention of him subsequently 
 he mav have emigrated or died soon after. Let his name be 
 preserved and handed down to his descendants and the Bap- 
 tist family, of which he was certainly an honorable member. 
 
 Crocker, Elder Jacob was a native of Wake county, 
 and was born near the city of Raleigh, N". C.,date unknown. 
 He was one of the old Broad River pioneer preachers, and 
 became a member first of State Line, then of El Bethel, and 
 last of Pacolet church, in Spartanburg county, S. C. He 
 became a prominent minister of the Association, and was 
 twice chosen to preside over the deliberations of the body 
 in the sessions of 1807 and 1819. In 1805 at French Broad 
 church he preached the introductory sermon, and again in 
 1819 he performed the same service at Head of Tyger River. 
 In the session of 1823 he prepared the circular letter address- 
 ed to the churches, on the manner in which a church of Christ 
 should proceed in calling a pastor or supply. Soon after this he 
 emigrated to Pickens count} 7 , Alabama, and died, having at- 
 tained to a good old age. The following is the circular let- 
 
 
280 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ter referred to above, which we reproduce, because of its 
 age and quaintness of style : 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The willingness with which you have received our former letters, 
 and the satisfaction which you have expressed in what was contain- 
 ed in them, together with a desire for your peace and happiness and 
 the glory of God, are the motives, we trust, which induce us to 
 address you once more. 
 
 We have felt ourselves at some loss for a subject, as almost every 
 subject that could give information has already been touched on ; 
 nevertheless we, as your council, feel ourselves bound to give you all 
 the information and instruction that we are able to do. We shall 
 address you this year on the manner in which a church of Christ 
 should proceed in calling a pastor or supply. Secondly, shall say a 
 few things relative to the ministers' qualifications. And thirdly, 
 the ministers' duty to the church. Fourthly, the church's duty to 
 their pastor or supply. It will be necessary to say something re- 
 specting achurch, and what we are to understand by the word church. 
 A church is a distinct and separate body, called out of the world by 
 Jesus Christ, who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling 
 (2 Tim. i. 9 ;) and professing faith in Christ have given themselves 
 to the Lord, and to one another, by the will of God ; to be governed 
 by a proper discipline, agreeable to the Word of God. Some of the 
 passages relative thereto we find in Phil. i. 2. "The church in thine 
 house." Acts vii. 1. Church at Jerusalem, at Antioch, at Rome, 
 Corinth, Philadelphia, Ephesus, Smyrna, &c. 
 
 As God has been pleased to bless His people in the manner above 
 described, we have no reason to doubt but that He will still afford 
 them everything that shall be for their good and for His glory while 
 on earth. A church of Christ being destitute of a pastor should, in 
 the first place, be sensible of their destitute condition, and should 
 remember that God has promised to hear their prayers and grant all 
 their laudable requests ; they should converse freely together with 
 a desire that God would direct them in the right way, not forgetting 
 His promise that, "whatsoever they shall ask in Christ's name, He 
 will give it." John xv. 16. Again, "ask and ye shall receive. John 
 xvi. 24. 
 
 A church should be unanimous in their choice of a minister, and 
 should in some degree know the minds of the congregation in gen- 
 eral, that their choice may be a blessing to those who are without. 
 1 Tim. iii. 7. When the mind of the church is made up, of course it 
 centres on one preacher (not on two or three;) then the church 
 should make known their proceedings to the preacher, giving him 
 a call, and at the same time requesting the church having his mem- 
 bership to give him up. When these measures are taken by a church, 
 and no striving one against the other — but all engaged in prayer — 
 there is no reason to doubt but that God will give the preacher 
 selected a proper weight of that people, and they will come together 
 and be made a blessing to each other — although at the same time 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 281 
 
 this church may have a preacher among them; yet they are not 
 bound to have him as their pastor if he is not their choice. Churches 
 too often ordain preachers for others that they would not be willing 
 to have themselves, which cannot be very prudent on their part. 
 
 Agreeable to our promise in the method first proposed, we shall 
 in the second place say something relative to the call and qualifica- 
 tions of a minister of the Gospel. From the information we have 
 received from the Word of God, we have no right to believe that 
 God sends unconverted men to preach the Gospel. A man must be 
 a christian before he can properly be a Gospel minister ; he must 
 receive that call which Paul speaks of, 2 Tim.* i. 9. "who hath saved 
 and called us with an holy calling;" he must receive that faith 
 which the Scriptures say is the gift of God. Eph. ii. 8. He must 
 then receive an inward and special call from God, as was Aaron. 
 Heb. v. 4. He must feel it impressed on his mind that a dispensation 
 of the Gospel is committed unto him, and must feel something of 
 the weight of that woe pronounced against all those who refuse to 
 preach when God calls. He must have correct ideas of the plan of 
 salvation through Christ. We think that a man with the above 
 qualifications is one that God intends shall preach the Gospel, We 
 are far from believing that God has sent all who bear the name of 
 preachers. We see some who, if they have any correct views of 
 Bible doctrine, have no gift to communicate it to others; so that 
 their attempts to preach are not acceptable to christians or sinners. 
 We believe with Mr. Benedict in his history of the Baptists, where- 
 in he says, "Churches are unfaithful with their members where a 
 member would come forward under a notion that he was called to 
 preach, after proving him until all were satisfied that he had no 
 gift to preach, but rather than hurt his feelings they would set him 
 forward." Some of us have seen something of the like nature, and 
 also heard some give their reasons for ordaining one that had not 
 the gift of preaching ; one would say that he believed he was a chris- 
 tian ; another would say he is a very orderly man, and another or 
 third would say that he is sound in the faith; while a fourth would 
 say he is pious, and certainly mean's well. Every christian should 
 have all these qualifications. But we ask, if these alone constitute 
 a Gospel minister ? By no means. Some men are so anxious to 
 preach, and so full of self-confidence, and not willing that any one 
 should judge of their gifts but themselves, that they will continually 
 be urging the church for license. When they succeed in this the 
 next thing is ordination — continually complaining of their cramps. 
 When they obtain this the next thing is the care of churches, and 
 if the church to which they belong, or any other near them calls a 
 pastor, they are affronted, because it was not themselves. A church 
 should not be too hasty in ordaining preachers. Although they 
 may have a promising gift, Paul says "lay hands suddenly on no 
 man." Tim. v. 22. We have seen some of the bad effects of such 
 hasty proceedings in churches. Some preachers think that when 
 they are ordained they are equal with the Apostle Paul, for they 
 
282 ' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 break through the common rules of churches in running into the 
 limits of others— opening a door, receiving and baptizing members 
 without the approbation of the church. If you labor with them as 
 to the propriety of so doing, they will tell you that Paul did so. 
 Some need bits in their mouth to hold them back, whilst others 
 need a spur to push them forward ; and it is something of conse- 
 quence for churches to know when to use these implements. 
 
 Thirdly, the pastor's duty to his flock. He should remember 
 that God has committed to him a great charge ; he should consider 
 himself on Zion's wall, and that the Lord has set him thereto watch 
 for souls and feed the flock of God ; taking the oversight (1 Pet. v. 2,) 
 to speak the things which become sound doctrine (Tit. ii. 1,) and 
 study to show himself approved unto God. 1 Tim. ii. 15. He should 
 make himself acquainted with that discipline which Christ has 
 established, that he may under God afford the church every needful 
 information ; he should pray to God to enable him to make use of 
 arguments that might prove effectual in bringing sinners to Christ ; 
 he should consider himself the servant of the church (2 Cor. iv. 5 ;) 
 he should attend their stated meetings ; in a word, he should be 
 ready to serve the people of his charge as far as he is able. 
 
 We now come to the fourth and last thing promised, which was 
 to say something relative to the duties of the church to their pastor i 
 First, thay should stand by him in all of his difficulties, bear up his 
 hands by their prayers; they should know those who labor among 
 them, and are over them in the Lord, and esteem such very highly 
 in love for their work's sake (1 Thes. v. 12, 13,) and should follow 
 him as he follows Christ. And as he sows to them in spiritual things 
 he should reap of their carnal things (1 Cor. ix. 11,) which, with a 
 number of other passages, prove that it is the church's duty to sup- 
 port their minister. But this with many other duties are too much 
 neglected. Some people appear to think that preachers and their 
 families can live on the empty air. Few are acquainted with the 
 disadvantages and hardships that ministers and their families, labor 
 under. Some members never contribute anything — not even for the 
 Lord's table — which is no doubt, owing to deacons neglecting their 
 duty. But as our limits admonish us, we shall conclude, beseeching 
 you, brethren, to remember your Lord and Master's words : "If ye 
 love me, keep my commandments." John xiv. 15. Again, "Be 
 watchful, and strengthen the things that remain that are ready to 
 die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Rev. iii. 2. 
 
 jSTow may the Lord strengthen, uphold, and help you to watch 
 and pray always, live in love and peace, and the God of love and 
 peace shall be with you. Farewell. Jacob Crocker. 
 
 October 17th, 1823. 
 
 Cansler, Elder Alexander Jacob was born May 26th, 
 1825, in Lincoln county, JST. C, was a son of Henry Cansler- 
 Esquire, who had formerly been sheriff of Lincoln county 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 283 
 
 and several times a representative of the county in the State 
 legislature. The son was prepared for college at Lincolnton, 
 and graduated from the University of the State in the class 
 of 1847. He was intended by his father for the law, but in 
 the providence of God was put under a good influence by 
 the marriage, on Sept. 7th, 1847, of Miss Mary Ann Martin 
 of Wilkes county, an amiable and accomplished lady and 
 devoted christian. Suffice to say he was converted, and 
 baptized by Elder Wade Hill, whom he afterwards recog- 
 nized as his father in the G-ospel. He joined the Baptist 
 church of Christ at Salem near Lincolnton, and was appoint- 
 ed by said church a delegate to the session of the B road 
 River Association, which convened at Buck Creek church, 
 in 1850. He was then a layman, but was licensed to preach 
 previous to the next meeting of the Association, and repre- 
 sented the Salem church as a licentiate; and was continuously 
 a delegate until he joined the King's Mountain Association 
 in 1856. In that year he was appointed to write a circular 
 letter to the churches in union u on the design of the Lord's 
 Sapper and the rightful recipients thereof '." Which was read 
 before the next session of the King's Mountain body and 
 adopted. The letter is a very elaborate and comprehensive 
 document and worthy of presevation. 
 
 Elder Cansler was an able expositor, and good preacher. 
 Was a man of considerable* bulk — inclining somewhat to 
 corpulency — like all such, he possessed a great deal of hu- 
 mor, and none seemed to enjoy with greater zest the hearty 
 laugh, and usual hilarities peculiar to the annual meetings 
 of the association, which was generally recognized as a pleas- 
 ant reunion of the brethren of the different churches. 
 
 Elder Cansler was of German descent, . and like many 
 of his ancestry of the "Fader land," he indulged too freely 
 in the luxuries of the pipe. We think that ministers should 
 be "ensamples to the flock" in all good things, and be care- 
 ful not to set bad examples, for greater the man greater the 
 precedent. And we know that the excessive use of tobacco 
 is an evil. 
 
 After publishing a newspaper in Shelby for a time, El- 
 der Cansler removed to Arkansas, and died there, February 
 24th, 1872. His diary shows that he baptized three thou- 
 sand persons during his ministry. While belonging to the 
 Broad River Association in 1853, he was elected clerk, and 
 in 1854, was appointed to write a circular letter, addressed 
 to theseveral churches in union on the Fellowship of Churches, 
 which letter we reproduce as follows: 
 
 Dear Brethren: — The Almighty, in His kind providence, has 
 seen fit to permit us to assemble in an associate capacity at the place 
 
284 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 appointed ?it our last annual session to attend to the business that 
 may come before us, which should be done with an eye single to the 
 glory of God. Through grace our heavenly Father has seen lit to 
 extend to us a liberal share of His blessings, health and prosperity, 
 and above all a glorious hope of joy and peace, for which let us ask 
 for hearts of gratitude to Him from whom all our blessings come. 
 
 According to appointment it becomes our duty to call your atten- 
 tion through this, our annual letter, to the subject of the Fellowship 
 of Churches. A christian church, viewed as an organized body, is 
 a peculiar institution. The character of its members and the princi- 
 ples of their union — the powers and mode of exercise — its organiza- 
 tion and design — are all peculiar to itself — the church of Christ. 
 
 Every organization involves certain principles on which its ex- 
 istence depends, by the performance of which it becomes an inde- 
 pendent body. Governments are founded on principles peculiar to 
 their nature. All kinds of societies, whether formed for the mutual 
 improvement of each other in science, literature, or for any other 
 purpose, are constituted on principles peculiar to the objects in view. 
 So is the church of God Though differing from ail others, yet is 
 constituted on the principles laid down in the word of God, which 
 are peculiar to the churches of God. 
 
 The English word Church was according to the best authority 
 derived from "Huriakon," in the Greek language, which signifies 
 "belonging to the Lord." It is not used in the English version of 
 the Old Testament, but often in the New, as a translation of the 
 Greek word "ecclesia," — the primary meaning is an assembly or a 
 congregation, called together for any purpose. By examination you 
 will find that this word occurs three times in Acts xix., where it is 
 used to designate the tumultuous gatherings at Ephesus, and is 
 translated assembly. In Acts vii, 38 it is rendered by the word 
 church, where it clearly refers to the whole body of the Israelites. 
 With these and a few others, "ecclesia" is uniformly translated 
 church in the New Testament. The prevailing use of the word is 
 to denote a company of christians. In a few instances it is used to 
 include all believers. As we have shown the primary meaning of 
 'ecclesia" is church, a select assembly or congregation, being in its 
 nature limited to a -local company is, in the New Testament, the 
 distinguishing term applied to a company of believers in Christ. 
 
 As it has been shown that the word church is an assembly of 
 
 believers in Christ, we might here add baptized (immersed) believers, 
 
 and as such we recognize nothing but the Old and New Testaments 
 
 as a rule of our faith and practice. The instructions of our Savior 
 
 and His Apostles, illustrated by the practice of the apostolic churches, 
 
 as recorded in the New Testament, comprise the standing law — the 
 
 rule — and the authoritative examples to christians, ministers and 
 
 churches, through all subsequent ages. The churches formed under 
 
 the, ministry of the Apostles are the models after which all others 
 should be formed. 
 
 True churches are composed of those who have repented of their 
 sins and found peace with God, and have been baptized. This order 
 
 1 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 285 
 
 of the Gospel is a matter of no small importance, though it is almost 
 entirely set aside by the presumed superior judgment of the many 
 Pedo-Baptist Societies. Christ, our blessed Savior, intended that 
 His kingdom should be a spiritual one, and in order that He might 
 be received by those of like faith when He came on earth, God sent 
 John the Baptist to the land of Judea to prepare a way or peojxle for 
 his reception, and in accordance with His direction He came crying, 
 " Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;" and those that be- 
 lieve or confess their sins were baptized. The primitive churches were 
 formed of believers only. The three thousand persons who, on the 
 day of pentacost gladly received the Word, became disciples of 
 Christ — "continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellow- 
 ship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers,'' and all that believed 
 were together. "The Lord added to the church daily such as should 
 be saved." The churches are always addressed by the Apostles as 
 composed of saints only. "Paul unto the church of God which is at 
 Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be 
 saints." Similar addresses were made to the saints at Phillipi ; unto 
 the church of the Thessalonians by Peter, in his general epistles ; by 
 James, and many others. Our Savior warned His ministers and 
 His people not to receive into church" membership nor to the privi- 
 leges and ordinances of His house unsanctified persons, who live 
 devotedly to worldly appetites. "Give not that which is holy to 
 dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample 
 them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." The history 
 of all bodies who have violated this, prove that such warning is 
 needed. Baptized unbelievers are aptly compared to dogs and swine: 
 they have not only trampled church privileges under their feet, but 
 have rent asunder the people of God more than all the unbaptized 
 infidels and pagans together. 
 
 They are not only to be believers, but they are to be baptized be- 
 lievers, as a pledge of their faith in Christ — as a symbol of their spir- 
 itual change— previous to their becoming members of the church. 
 The proof on this point is so abundant and plain that those who 
 earnestlyseek to find out their duty will be led to follow their Savior 
 in the liquid grave. 
 
 A church composed of baptized believers, who have been regu- 
 larly constituted with the proper officers, are fully prepared to dis- 
 charge the duties enjoined upon it. The officers, like the ordinances 
 of the Gospel, are plain and few ; there are but two— a minister or 
 Ushop, and deacon ; and no church is properly in order until equip- 
 ped with officers ; and the duties of each of these officers is plainly 
 pointed out and laid down within the lids of the New Testament. 
 Though a church may be composed of believers, and have the proper 
 officers, yet they may be very far from being entitled to the name 
 of an apostolic church ; for they may be unsound in doctrine, which 
 is altogether essential. The Baptist church at this time is entirely 
 too much divided on doctrine. Some of our brethren have stopped 
 Zion's progress by their iron-hearted notions of Anti-Nomianism, 
 whilst others have fallen into the loose notions of Arminianism. 
 
286' BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Upon these points our officers, especially deacons, should be well 
 versed, in order that they may keep the church clear of these as well 
 as all other unsound doctrines and practices. A church composed 
 of believers, all guided by the same spirit, all looking for the same 
 reward, all standing in their proper places around the camps of 
 Israel, is the most delightful sight the eye of man ever beheld ; truly 
 it is "a quiet habitation." 
 
 Having seen that each church is formed of believers, whose 
 rights are equal by a voluntary compact, in virtue of which they 
 were endowed with equal power, that one church is neither superior 
 nor inferior to another in power and authority, as all the authority 
 comes directly from the Savior, and not from or through any church 
 or churches ; each* body is separately accountable to Him for the use 
 or abuse of power. A suitable number of disciples for a good cause, 
 and in proper order, may form themselves into a church by mutual 
 covenant, and exercise properly the highest ecclesiastical power, 
 without being connected with or dependent upon any other church. 
 
 It is sometimes supposed that an association of churches by their 
 representatives in an Association, Synod, Conference, Presbytery or 
 Convention has more power than an individual church ; but instead 
 of this, they have no church power at all. They have no right to 
 receive or expel a single member from any church, or to dictate in 
 the least degree in respect to the doctrine, discipline, or fellowship 
 of any church. An Association, Convention, &c, has the power to 
 say who shall be associated with them in their deliberations, but no 
 farther can they go. If such were the facts it would deprive the 
 Baptist church of the boasted principle of republicanism ; i. e., all 
 power rests with the people, and it would run our church into the 
 parent error of high church doctrines, of prelacy and Popery, as well 
 as every other form of ecclesiastical intolerance, with all its train of 
 evils. The real bond of union in a church is love. It was love that 
 drew the members together— it is love that holds them in union. 
 This is the element in which they should live and act as a church. 
 The Savior knew full well the principles of church order, and gov- 
 ernment could not be carried into practice without love, and that 
 directed by knowledge ; nor any other church form of government ; 
 indeed, without love there is no church at all. When He was in the 
 act of departing from His disciples, who were at an early period to 
 be formed into a church without His visible presence, He remarked 
 to them, •'This is my commandment, that ye love one another." St. 
 Paul, to the church at Corinth, said: "Let all things be done in 
 charity." "Let brotherly love continue." 
 
 There is therefore no necessary bond of union between individ- 
 ual members, nor between different churches, but fraternal love. In 
 the exercise of this grace it was customary for primitive churches to 
 assist each other by pecuniary aid — by furnishing teachers, and by 
 advice in difficulty. The modern plan of forming associations, of 
 churches, for cultivation of acquaintance and mutual love, and for 
 more unity of effort in the cause of human salvation, while the inde- 
 pendence of each church is recognized. It is in perfect accordance 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. £87 
 
 with this principle, and is of obvious utility. The only object our 
 •church could seek any form of union with others, is that of doing 
 them good, or, in connection with them, doing good to the world — 
 in design, in spirit, in doctrine, in love, in their purposes and de- 
 sires ; the different churches are one — in visible organization, many. 
 And therefore what is injurious to one, is to all. The co-operations 
 mentioned in Scripture are : 
 
 1st. Sending spiritual teachers to assist each other. Such were 
 sent by the church in Jerusalem to the church at Antioch. Acts xi. 
 27 ; xviii. 26. 
 
 2nd. To administer to each other's temporal necessities. 1 Cor. 
 xvi, 1—3 ; Rom. xv. 26. 
 
 3rd. Affording each other advice and assistance in cases of divis- 
 ions and contentions, by which the quiet of the church is aroused 
 •and its prosperity endangered. An example of this kind is recorded 
 in Acts xv. in regard to a very important question of doctrine and 
 discipline. . 
 
 4th. In the spread of the Gospel, this is one of the principal ob- 
 jects of the church militant, and as churches are generally unable 
 to carry on the work separately, a unity of action is necessary. We 
 find that the church at Antioch first engaged as a church in the 
 work (Acts xiii. 2, 3,) and that Paul and Barnabas, as well as others, 
 received their support in part from other churches. 2 Cor. xi. 8 ; xii- 
 13 — 18 ; Phil. vi. 10 — 18. Persecution was enraged to such a height 
 against the primitive churches that they did little else than establish 
 the principle. From these and many other points that might be 
 brought to bear, we see that churches sustain to each other most 
 sacred and endearing relations. The separate independence of 
 churches is no barrier to their cordial extension and useful co-opera- 
 tion, and should never be so regarded ; but on the contrary is an 
 argument in favor of such co-operation, for no service is as pleasant 
 and profitable as those voluntarily given. So that were ten thousand 
 churches formed on these principles, to act consistently with their 
 obvious design, they would, for all the purposes of their existence, 
 be as truly one church as they possibly could be, if consolidated into 
 one organized body under the oversightof a bench of Prelates or Popes. 
 
 May the blessings of Heaven smile upon all in our union. May 
 He guide us into a proper discharge of all our duties, individually 
 •and collectively, and eventually save us with an everlasting salva- 
 tion, is the prayer of your unworthy servant A. J. Cansler. 
 October 13th, 1854. 
 
 Campbell, Elder Thomas Jefferson was born in Am- 
 herst county, Virginia, November 15th, 1821. Moved to 
 North Carolina, and was converted soon after and baptized 
 by Elder S. Morgan, in 1841. In 1857 married Mrs. Eliza- 
 beth J. Hicks, nee Elizabeth J. Simmons. He was an or- 
 dained minister and delegate from Corinth church, of the 
 Broad River Association, at the session of 1850, at Buck 
 
288 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Creek church, and served in that capacity several sessions 
 afterward. He is now a member of Bethel church, of the 
 Kind's Mountain Association. 
 
 Elder Campbell is a good pious brother, and although 
 he does not do a great amount of ministerial labor, is yet an 
 orthodox and useful worker in the Lord's vineyard. He is 
 of Scotch-Irish descent, red haired, and of small stature, and 
 a relative of the celebrated Col. William Campbell, who dis- 
 tinguished himself as chief in command at the battle of 
 Kind's Mountain in 1780. 
 
 Carlton, Elder Thomas was a native of Burke county, 
 N". C ; born about 1802, and a son of the old pioneer, Am- 
 brose Carlton, who figured in the organization of the Broad 
 River Association. Thomas Carlton appears to have been 
 a member of Smyrna church, as had his father been before 
 him. He is minuted as having been a lay delegate from 
 Smyrna in the sessions of the Broad River of 1822-'23-'24- 
 '25-'26. In 1828 the Catawba River Association was formed 
 and the Smyrna church became a constituent member, which 
 isolated brother Carlton from the Broad River body. After 
 he became a member of the Catawba River he was ordained 
 to the full work of the Gospel ministry, and since the organ- 
 ization of the King's Mountain Association he has several 
 times appeared in that body as a corresponding messenger 
 from his own association, and has preached very acceptably 
 for the King's Mountain. Elder Carlton is a small lame 
 man, and moves about with much difficulty on crutches: but 
 as a preacher he ranks high, and no one possesses more po- 
 liteness, or better social qualities. "We always felt glad at 
 the coming of Brother Carlton, at the annual sessions of the 
 Association; but as it has now been several years since we 
 have had the pleasure of seeing his face, or heard any thing 
 from him, we presume he has crossed over the river, and is 
 uovv basking under the shade of the trees of Paradise. Hrf 
 served frequently as Moderator of the Catawba River Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 Carpenter, Elder Daniel is a native of Lincoln, (now 
 Cleveland) county, N\ C. Date of birth unknown to writer. 
 He was licensed to preach in 1858, and ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry in 1859, by the St. John's church, and 
 thereby became a minister of the King's Mountain Associa- 
 tion. In 1832, he transferred his membership to New Pros- 
 pect church, and was a delegate from that church to the ses- 
 sions of the Association of 1862 and 1863. He has since 
 remove:! within the bounds of the Catawba River Associa- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 289 
 
 tion, and is now a member of that body. Elder Carpenter 
 is a well meaning man of moderate preaching talents. 
 There's a work for all to do. 
 
 Carter, Elder John Gaston was born in Chester 
 county, S. C.', July 31st, 1822, and lived in said county until 
 he was about eighteen years of age, his father having died 
 in 1836. His mother some years after moved to Union 
 county, and on the 17th of September, 1840. the subject of 
 this sketch was converted to God, and at that period of time, 
 by reason of having had no school opportunities, he was un- 
 able to read the New Testament. He was at the time living 
 with a Methodist family, and soon after joined the Methodist 
 Episcopal church. Not being able to read, he became dis- 
 satisfied, and doubted whether he had been baptized accord- 
 ing to the requirements of the Scriptures. He had never as 
 yet attended school, but had acquired a knowledge of the 
 alphabet and could spell a little ; he became a laborious stu- 
 dent, and began to try to put words together, so that he 
 could read. Having made this much progress, and yet hav- 
 ing no school opportunities, he procured a Bible, and when 
 an opportunity was afforded him would go to a silent grove 
 somewhere, and upon his knees ask God to assist him in his 
 efforts to learn to read, and also to understand the subject 
 matter of his lessons. He continued thus in the use of 
 such means as he had, and in the course of six months 
 he read (after a fashion) the entire New Testament. Having 
 done this he became satisfied that his doubts in regard to 
 baptism were well founded ; that anything short of immer- 
 sion was a mere mockerv or substitute. Viewing matters in 
 this light, he was never received into full fellowship in the 
 Methodist church, but began to cast about for a more suita- 
 ble and satisfactory connection with a different sect or de- 
 nomination of christians, and for reasons satisfactory to 
 himself he was soon baptized into the fellowship of the Cane 
 Creek Baptist church, in Union county, S. C, by Elder D. 
 Duncan, on the 18th July, 1842. 
 
 Soon after he joined the Baptist church he began to 
 have strong impressions of mind that there was a work 
 for him to do in calling on sinners to repent, but being 
 illiterate and grossly ignorant, as he conceived himself then 
 to be, he ran from them for }^ears, endeavoring all the time 
 to dismiss such thoughts from his mind. 
 
 On the 27th of April, 1846, he no doubt, through the 
 providence of God, intermarried with Miss Mary C. Page, 
 of Union county, S. C, a lady of not only estimable quali- 
 ties of head and heart, but possessing a good English edu- 
 37 
 
290 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 cation. As a matter of course she at once rendered all the 
 service she could in giving literary instruction to her hus- 
 band, who was anxious to acquire all that was obtainable; 
 and as the good work of literary training progressed, the 
 more weighty became the impressions on his mind to preach 
 the Gospel. He however still resisted these impulses, be- 
 lieving the work to be of such magnitude that he would 
 make an utter failure. Time after time he was afflicted, 
 and felt the rod of correction. He began to make pledges 
 and promises, which he invariably broke, until the Lord 
 saw fit to take from him his little son, the idol of his heart -: 
 then it Avas that he felt more sensibly the stroke, and began 
 to think of Jonah's disobedience. In the silent grove upon 
 his knees he cried from the depths of his soul, "Lord, I sur- 
 render ! What wilt thou have me to do V Then and there 
 his duty was made plain to him, and he made known to the 
 brotherhood his grief of mind and the resolve that he had 
 made. On the 1st December, '60, he was licensed to preach 
 the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the next year supplied 
 two churches — Duckpen and Lower Fair Forest. During 
 the vear several requests were sent to his church asking 
 for his ordination, which, however, he opposed vehemently, 
 believing that he ought not to be ordained. Suffice it to say, 
 he was overruled, and a presbytery was called on the 2d. of 
 August, 3 862, consisting of deacons from Unionville, Duck- 
 pen, Lower Fair Forest, Hebron, and Neal's Creek, who, 
 together with Elders J. G. Kindrick and John Gibbs, pro- 
 ceeded to examine aud set apart Elder Carter to the regular 
 work of the ministry, he then being a member of Unity 
 church, Union county, S. C. 
 
 For fifteen years he has supplied four churches. He 
 served as missionary one year under the direction of the Ex- 
 ecutive Board of the Bethel Association, and has done a good 
 deal of missionary work in the Broad River Association, 
 having become a member of that body in 1870, then one of 
 the delegates from Goucher Creek church, and has continued 
 uninterruptedly a member at every annual session since. At 
 the sessions of 1875-'76 and '79 he was chosen Moderator 
 of the body, which we take as evidence of his good standing 
 in the Association. 
 
 We have heard Elder Carter preach the Gospel several 
 times, and feel that we would be doing him injustice were 
 we to say that he was not "a workman that needeth not to 
 be ashamed rightly dividing the word of Truth, and giving 
 to each hearer his portion in due season." 
 
 Bro. Carter's first wife died July 18th, 186(3, from whom 
 he received the principal part of his scholastic training, never 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 291 
 
 having attended school longer than three months during his 
 life. How sad to think of the loss of so great a benefactor ! 
 On the 26th November, 1868, he married Miss Lucinda 
 Briant, with whom he now lives in tender affection. 
 
 At the session of the Broad River Association of 1875 
 Elder Carter was appointed to write the Circular Letter to 
 be read before the next meeting, and as he made choice of 
 the Final Perseverance of the Saints, as a subject, we have 
 thought proper to reproduce the letter in this work, which 
 is as follows; 
 To the Brethren of the Broad River Association : 
 
 As there was no subject assigned me by your body, I have there- 
 fore chosen as a subject for the annual circular letter, the Final Per- 
 severance of the Saints. I am not one who believes that every act of 
 men is a decree of God, yet, at the same time, I believe that God sees 
 the end from the beginning. This subject is intimately connected 
 with the assurance of salvation, for if true believers may lose their 
 faith and totally and finally fall, there can be no such thing as assu- 
 rance of salvation. A person may know that he is a child of God, 
 and at the present time free from all condemnation, but upon this 
 ground he cannot possibly be assured that he will continue in this 
 happy state. In the exercise of his own free will he may depart 
 from God, renounce Christ, and become reprobate, if this doctrine 
 be admitted that all saints are liable to apostatize, and that there is 
 no such thing promised as the grace of perseverance. Then Paul's 
 declaration, in which he expresses the fullest confidence that he 
 should possess a crown of life, must be understood conditionally, 
 provided he should persevere unto the end. And in the same man- 
 ner we must construe those triumphant expressions at the end of the 
 viii. chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans : "For I am persuaded 
 that neither life nor death, nor angels, nor principalities, nor pow- 
 ers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, 
 nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of 
 God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 
 
 According to this theory we must understand the A postle to 
 mean that if he continued in faith, none of these things would be 
 able to separate him from the love of God, which was in Christ Jesus. 
 But who knows whether Paul did persevere to the end ? Who 
 knows but what his faith failed in the last extremity ? We have 
 no account in the New Testament of the circumstances of his death. 
 If the standing of believers depends on themselves, it would not be 
 - surprising that any one should be overcome by temptation, and 
 should finally fall from a state of grace. It is possible then that all 
 the apostles might have fallen away in time of persecution ; for 
 although Christ promised to go and prepare a place for them, and 
 that they should sit on thrones, yet all this must be understood on 
 condition that they persevere to the end. 
 
 Those who maintain that all true believers will persevere to the 
 end, do not ground their opinion on any ability which any of them 
 
292 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 possess within themselves to stand ; but, if left to themselves, they 
 believe that all of them would be sure to apostatize and lose the attii- 
 bute of perseverance in grace, as they do the conversion ox the soul 
 to the love of God. They believe that the same power which brings 
 the soul from death to life is able to preserve it in life, and that the 
 gifts and callings of God are without repentance — that is, without 
 change of purpose. 
 
 Again, believers are intimately and spiritually united to Christ, 
 so as to be members of His mystical body, and as by virtue of this 
 union they receive continual supplies of grace and strength as they 
 need these blessings ; they are of the opinion that Christ, the Head, 
 will never suffer any member actually united to Him to be severed 
 from His body and perish forever. Surely the Spirit of all grace 
 which dwells in believers is sufficient to keep up that spiritual life 
 which God has generated in them, and is also able to keep them from 
 the danger of apostacy ; and if God is able to do this, He will do it ; 
 for whom He loves, He loves to the end. Those whose names were 
 written in the Lamb's book of life before the foundation of the world 
 will at last reach heaven. The kingdom which the saints shall in- 
 herit was prepared for them from the foundation of the world. The 
 Apostle Paul was confident that he who had begun a good work 
 among the Philipians would perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 
 Can it be believed that the same love and power which effectually 
 call believers from death in sin will not preserve them in a state of 
 spiritual life? When it was commenced, in the days of the Apostle, 
 there were many apostates, but John, in his first epistle, clearly 
 teaches that such never had been sincere christians. "They went 
 out from us, but they were notof us ; but they went out that it might 
 be made manifest that they were not all of us." And the Apostle 
 Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, treating of the success of here- 
 tics in subverting the faith of some and seducing them to embrace 
 false doctrines will, by no means, agree that these persons or their 
 teachers, who were thus led astray, had ever belonged to the foun- 
 dation of God, or were among His approved people. For he says, 
 "Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this 
 seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His. 
 
 But it is said by the advocates of this doctrine, that though 
 God wiil not forsake His people, yet they may forsake Him. and 
 that the promises are made to the people of God; but when they 
 cease to be His people they cut themselves off from the blessings of 
 the covenant of grace, which are all conditional and made to believ- 
 ers. TNow we admit that if any should cease to believe they would 
 thus be cut off; but what we maintain is, that the believers in faith 
 shall never fail. If God has made promises to this effect, then they 
 are safe. 
 
 Well, we know that He did, by His intercessions, keep Peter's 
 faith from utterly failing, for He said, "I have prayed for thee that 
 thy faith fail not." And His intercession was not only for Peter and 
 the Apostles, but for all who should, through these, believe on His 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. L93 
 
 name. And in Jer. xxxii. 40, we And a promise and covenant to 
 which God engages to keep His people from falling : "Audi will 
 make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away 
 from them to do them good." This seems to be a very full promise 
 and covenant in all things, well ordered and sure. But this is not 
 ■all : He immediately adds, "And I will put my fear in their hearts, 
 that they shall not depart from me ;" and this seems to be implied 
 •when He promised, "I will put my laws in their minds and write 
 them in their hearts." In the 10th chapter of our Lord's Gospel by 
 John, He speaks of Himself as the "good shepherd," and He gives 
 «s the chief characteristic of a good shepherd, that He loves the 
 -sheep ; and in His own case His love was so great that He was will- 
 ing to "lay down His life for the sheep ;" and He informs us that 
 those who were truly of the number of His sheep would "hear His 
 voice and follow Him ;" while a stranger, thev would not follow. 
 His attention to them as their shepherd was so kind and compas- 
 sionate that He calls each one by name, and goes before them and 
 leads them in the right way. From this description it might be in- 
 ferred that Christ would not forsake them on whom He had set His 
 love, and that He never would suffer His enemy to carry them off. 
 Those persons who were specially the purchase of His blood and His 
 dyingagonies He would certainly be disposedto save from perdition. 
 There can be no doubt of the desire of the Great Shepherd that these 
 objects of His love, and for whom He had paid a price above all esti- 
 mation, should not perish. But we are not left to our own infer- 
 ences on this subject: our blessed Lord has anticipated our conclu- 
 sions by His clear and positive declarations, and His gracious Word 
 should never be forgotten : "My sheep hear my voice, and they 
 know me and follow me, and I give to them eternal life and they 
 shall never perish ; neither shall any man pluck them out of my 
 hands. My Father which gave them me is greater than all, and no 
 man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." 
 
 I do not know how the doctrine of the saints' perseverance could 
 !>e expressed in stronger language. It must be evident that if God is 
 ■a I ile to keep them from perishing, they will be saved. Who will 
 dare to call in question the ability of Christ and His Father to pre- 
 serve whom He will, from apostolizing ? Surely God is able to cause 
 the weakest of them to stand. Suppose the contrary, — suppose that 
 one of these, given by the Father to His only begotten Son, to be 
 redeemed, should be owned by Satan, the enemy of God and His 
 people, and should perish eternally, what a dishonor to God ! And 
 what a triumph to the adversary ! Shall it ever be said in the world 
 of woe — here is one of the beloved of God — one especially given to 
 the Son — one purchased with the blood of Christ — one raised from 
 the death of sin by the power of His spirit — one that heard His 
 voice, loved and followed him ? Is such an one to be eternally lost? 
 Is the Savior not able to preserve his soul from falling under the 
 j »ower of temptation ? Satan, in this contest, gained the victory, and 
 tore away one of Christ's beloved sheep, dismembered His mystical 
 
294 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 body ! for this soul now damned was once a member of the body of 
 Christ! Can you believe this? Does not this argument convince 
 you that such a thing as this can never occur ? 
 
 Again, does not Christ appear in heaven as the advocate of His- 
 people? and does not the Father hear Him always? and shall not 
 His intercessions be effectual to obtain persevering grace for all those- 
 whose cases He pleads ? For He is able to save unto the uttermost 
 all that come unto God by Him, seeing that He ever liveth to make- 
 intercession for them. It is the continual intercession of Christ 
 which preserves His disciples from falling totally and finally. Peter, 
 in self-confidence, fell into an error, and had he been left to himself 
 the devil would have triumphed in that case. The Lord meant to- 
 show Peter that he, left to himself, was nothing but Peter, and there 
 was no confidence to be put in the flesh. We believe that Christ in- 
 tercedes for believers as He does not for others. We learn from that 
 remarkable intercessory prayer which He offered before He left the 
 world : "I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast 
 given me, for they are thine, and all mine are thine, and thine are 
 mine, and I am glorified in them. While I was in the world I kept 
 them in thy name. Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and 
 none of them are lost except the son of perdition." 
 
 Those who oppose this doctrine think that in this last clause the 
 strength of the argument drawn from the passage is destroyed, and 
 that as Judas was one of those given to Christ by the Father, and he 
 perished, therefore all believers may eternally perish. But can any 
 impartial, intelligent christian believe that Judas was really included 
 in the number of those given to Christ by His Father, and for whom 
 He prayed ? This construction would not only be dishonorable to 
 Christ, but it would destroy the force and consistency of what Christ 
 uttered in this remarkable prayer. If Christ prayed not for the 
 world, how came He to pray for Judas, who was a thief and covet- 
 ous from the time of his first becoming an apostle ? Christ had per- 
 fect knowledge of his hypocrisy, and if He specially prayed for him 
 as He did for the other disciples, how came it to pass that this prayer 
 in his case was ineffectual? And if His special intercession may be 
 ineffectual, what solid ground have we to trust in Him, and why was 
 it declared that "he hears him always?" It is hard to believe that 
 those whose names were written in the Lamb's book of life before 
 the foundation of the world shall utterly and eternally fall away and 
 be lost. It is indeed promised to the saints of the church of Sardis 
 that their names shall not be blotted out of the book of life, and it 
 is reasonable to think that the same promise is applicable to all true 
 believers. If these names might be blotted out, there would be no 
 great cause of rejoicing that they were "written in heaven." But 
 our Lord teaches His disciples to rejoice in this above all things. In 
 Luke x. 20, it is said that "if any one shall take away from the 
 words of this prophecy, God will take away His part out of the book 
 of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things written in this 
 Book." In Revelations xxii. 19, the meaning is not that such a per- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 295 
 
 :son ever had ariy part in this Book, but that he never shall have it. 
 It is not stated that the names of such persons ever were written in 
 the Book, but it is declared that it is a privilege of which they never 
 shall partake. 
 
 This doctrine has been opposed on the principle that the belief 
 of it tends to breed presumption and to encourage negligence in 
 "working out our salvation. We do not deny that the doctrine has 
 not been abused by unholy men, but what doctrine may not be 
 abused ? Certainly none more than the love and mercy of God, 
 In answer to this objection we would say that our doctrine is the 
 perseverance of the saints in faith and holiness. Just so far as any 
 professor fails in the exercise of faith and practice, he loses the evi- 
 dence that he is a true christian. According to this view of the 
 subject he never can persuade himself that he will persevere unless 
 he is in the exercise of grace, without which he cannot possess the 
 evidence of being a true believer. 
 
 It is acknowledged that there are' some texts of Scripture which, 
 viewed separately, seem to teach that true believers may fall from a 
 state of grace. But the doctrine is so contrary to the great princi- 
 ples of the covenant of grace that such an interpretation of any text 
 as would favor it cannot consistently, with the analogy of divine 
 truth be admitted. We must compare Scripture with Scripture, and 
 thus try to ascertain the mind of the Spirit, for there is no instance 
 in the Scriptures of the final fall of real saints. To such professors 
 •as will be found at the left hand of the Judge at the last day it will 
 be said, however great their gifts or high their privileges have been, 
 ""depart from me ye workers of iniquity for I never knew you.'" 
 Have we not God's word for it, that His eyes are upon the righteous 
 and his ears ever open to their cries. Certain persons who make 
 profession are represented by the seed which fell on stoney ground, 
 and heard the word with joy and for a season gave pleasing evidence 
 of piety, but having no root in themselves, in the time of temptation, 
 tall away — and to the above cases we may add those who, in apos- 
 tolic times, received the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, for they 
 were not conferred only on real christians, as we know from the case 
 of Judas, and from the accounts given by our Lord, of theplea which 
 will be made by some whom He will condemn at the last day. They 
 are represented as saying "have we not in thy name cast out devils, 
 and done many wonderful works." Combine these two last cases 
 and you have a satisfactory explanation of the characters of thosede- 
 scribed in the vi. chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 In all ages of the church there are persons who greatly resemble 
 true saints, not only in outward profession, but who have feelings and 
 fxereises which are well devised counterfeits of the genuine piety of 
 the heart. But sure it can never be said that one of those who were 
 ehosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and in time ef- 
 fectually called and united to Christ so as to become living members 
 of His mystical body, and whose sins He bore on the cross, and to 
 whom He has promised the constant indwelling of His Spirit, and 
 
29$ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 whose names are written in the book of life, should finally be lost. 
 The enemy of God and man shall never, in the dark dominion over 
 which he reigns, have it in his power to boast triumphantly that he 
 has plucked from the hands of the Great Shepherd, one of the dear 
 lambs of His flock. No, the children of God, cannot be deceived to 
 their ruin. Those whose names are written in the book of life shall 
 not be cast into outer darkness; they shall never perish. 
 
 J. G. Carter. 
 
 Cobb, Elder JSTeedham B. has been for a time a member 
 of the Broad River and King's Mountain Associations. In 
 1871 he represented Shelby church in the session of the 
 Broad River Association of that year, held at Philadelphia 
 church, Spartanburg county, S. C. At that session the 
 Shelby church was dismissed, and afterwards joined the 
 King's Mountain Asssociation in 1872, when Elder Cobb 
 was again a delegate' from the Shelbv church, in the session 
 of the latter body of that year. 
 
 We copy from Dr. Cathcart's Baptist Encyclopedia a 
 notice of Elder N. B. Cobb. "He was born in Wayne coun- 
 ty, lN T . C.,Feb. 1st, 1836; graduated at Chapel Hill at eigh- 
 teen, in 1854; taught school in Cabarrus county and Golds- 
 borough till 1857, when he read law with Chief Justice 
 Pearson, and practiced in Pitt, Wayne and Green counties 
 till October, 1859, when he left the Episcopal church, in 
 which he had been a vestryman for several years, and was 
 baptized by Rev. H. Petty, and ordained in Wilson in 1860, 
 the Presbytery consisting ot Revs. Levi Thorne, I. B. Solo- 
 mon, H. Petty, G. W. Keene, W. C. Lacy and J. G. Barclay. 
 Mr. Cobb was chaplain of the 4th iST. C. Regimeut for a 
 time, and rendered distinguished service to the cause of reli- 
 gion as superintendent of army colportage from 1862 till the 
 close of the war. After the war ended Mr. Cobb in connec- 
 tion with Dr. J. D. Hutham, edited the Daily Record, of 
 Raleigh, for six months ; he then became corresponding sec- 
 retary of the Sunday School board, and has since served as 
 pastor of the churches of Elizabeth City, Second Church of 
 Portsmouth, Va., Shelby, N. C, Lilesviile, Rockingham, 
 and Payetteville, and has taught much in connection with 
 preaching. Mr; Cobb is the Baptist statistician of N. C, 
 and at present the president of the Baptist State Convention. 
 
 Elder Cobb is like Zaccheus of old, "little in stature" but 
 he is a man of large and well developed mind ; and besides 
 preaching good sermons, he writes many good essays, both 
 in prose and poetry. We take the liberty to reproduce 
 one of his poems in this work, as a souvenir, which will 
 probably be read with a degree of interest, coming as it 
 does from the pen of our Bro. Cobb. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 297 
 
 "Full many a gem of purest ray serene, 
 
 The dark unl'athomed caves of ocean bear ; 
 Full many a flower is born to blush unseen 
 
 And waste its sweetness on the desert air. 
 
 — Gray's Elegy. 
 
 No ocean "gem of ray serene" 
 
 Is planted on the deep to perish there ; 
 No flower on earth is "born to blush unseen 
 
 And waste its sweetness on the desert air." 
 
 The eye of man may ne'er behold that gem, 
 "The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear," 
 
 His keenest sense ne'er note the sweet perfume 
 That rose distils upon the desert air. 
 
 Still not one sparkle of that gem is lost, 
 And not one breath of fragrance from the rose, 
 
 For round about them are a countless host, 
 Who in their splendor revel or repose. 
 
 Those "dark unfathomed caves" of ocean deep 
 
 Are not so dark as poets sometimes write ; 
 There myriads moving, mingling monsters creep, 
 
 And doubtless to them all that gem is bright. . 
 
 Within the caverns of the grains of sand, 
 
 That lie around that desert rose's feet, 
 A thousand living things fed by God's hand 
 
 Find joyous homes. To them that rose is sweet. 
 
 And still if hot a creature where 
 
 That rose is blooming or that gem is laid, 
 The great Creator, or God, who placed them there, 
 
 Would take delight in work his hands have made. 
 
 Think not thy worth and work are all unknown , 
 Because no partial pensman paints thy praise ; 
 
 Man may not see nor mind but God will own 
 Thy worth and work and thoughts and words and ways. 
 
 The desert rose though never seen by man, 
 
 Is nurtured with a care divinely good; 
 The ocean gem though 'neath the rolling main 
 
 Is ever brilliant in the eyes of God. 
 
 Chaffin, Elder Edward M. is a native of Iredell coun- 
 ty, N". C. He moved into the bounds of the Broad River 
 (now King's Mountain) Association in the year 1838, and 
 became a constituent member of the Zoar church in its or- 
 ganization. He was a delegate to the Association in 1839, 
 and was about that time a very popular preacher. Soon 
 after, he was accused of improper and lascivious conduct, 
 and not beine; willing to risk a le£ral investigation, he io;no- 
 miniously fled the country. 
 
 "all is not gold that glitters." 
 
 The above trite remark was completely verified in Elder 
 E. M. Chaffin, for when he first made his advent among the 
 38 
 
298 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 people and churches of the Broad River Association he was 
 '•the great revivalist preacher," and attracted large congre- 
 gations wherever he went, and to all human appearance his 
 labor seemed not to be in vain. But ah ! in an evil hour 
 the tempter obtained the victory over him, and he, with ail 
 his eloquence, put to shame. 
 
 It is said that during the late war between the Statts 
 he became a noted libertine and gambler, and died in shame 
 and remorse. He had before this been expelled from 
 church privileges and advertised by the Association to which 
 he had formerly belonged. He would be, if living, about 
 75 years of age. Had an intelligent, cultivated wite and an 
 interesting family of children, who have the sympathies of 
 many. Alas! poor Chaffin ! 
 
 Curtis, Elder William, L.L. D. was the son of that 
 venerable and distinguished man, Elder Thos. Curtis, D. 1). 
 He was born in Cum bu well, England, April 23d, 1817, and 
 in 1832 was baptized into the fellowship of the Baptist 
 church. At what time he was ordained by the church at 
 Columbia, S. C, we are unable to tell. He was for a few 
 years pastor of that church. In the year 1845 he, with his 
 father, moved to Limestone Springs. This place was pur- 
 chased by them in that year, and they established the "Lime- 
 stone Female High School," which proved to be a great 
 success; having as principals two men so well qualified, 
 their fame spread throughout the entire South, and even be- 
 yond. There are now living hundreds of ladies who were 
 educated there. Elder Wm. Curtis was untiring; in anv ^ood 
 work. When he became a member of the Broad River As- 
 sociation a large majority of its members opposed missions, 
 which to him was very mortifying. In 1847 a society was 
 organized at Limestone Springs by Wm. Curtis, his father, 
 and a lew other brethren, which was called the "Broad River 
 Society, in aid of the spread of the Gospel." Through the 
 noble efforts of this society the missionary spirit increased, 
 and darkness gave way to the light untii the society was 
 merged into the Association. Through the untiring efforts 
 of William Curtis and his father, the church called now 
 Limestone was constituted, and for more than fifteen years 
 he was pastor of this church. Some two or three years pre- 
 vious to his death he had a slight attack of paralysis, which 
 impaired both his body and mind, and both gradually gave 
 way until the 30th of October, 1873, he breathed his last. 
 His remains now lie interred at Walthoursville, Liberty 
 county, Georgia. 
 
 Elder Barnett, the associational historian, speaking of 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 29W 
 
 the abilities of Dr. Thomas Curtis, adds : "Yet candor com- 
 pels me to say that, although Dr. Curtis was a most able 
 divine, both as a preacher and writer, yet as a debater he 
 was decidedly inferior to his son, William Curtis. Dr. Wm. 
 Curtis was of quicker perception, more ready to meet a de- 
 bate in eveiw turn it would take ; and w T ith a facility for 
 anticipating his competitors' strong points, and weakening 
 them before he arrived at them, he was evidently superior 
 to his father. '' 
 
 Dr. Wm. Curtis was chosen a delegate to the Associa- 
 tion first in 1852 by the Ephesus church. In 1864 he was 
 elected Clerk, and in 1868 he was chosen to preside as Mod- 
 erator. In 1867 he prepared the circular letter addressed to 
 the churches, on the Christian Ministry, which we reproduce 
 in this work, as follows : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — The welfare of our churches depends so 
 much upon the condition of our ministry, that we this year beg your 
 prayerful consideration of the characteristics of the christian minis- 
 try we always need. We should not, in the first place, forget that 
 the churches do not make the ministry ; they neither create it, nor 
 qualify it, though they have much to do in moulding its temper, its 
 influence and its habits, and it lives most to the glory of its Master 
 when sanctioned and sustained by their approval, their co-operation 
 and their prayers. Each minister of our churches is to be character- 
 ized as being, therefore, that in which alone the Apostle Paul would 
 glory — ''the minister of Christ," (1 Cor. iv. 1 ;) "a minister of God," 
 (2 Cor. vi. 4.) Ministers stand only in their official relation to the 
 churches, as they are Christ's servants. To be a minister, is to be a 
 servant, but it is well to remember that but one is the master — even 
 Christ — and though we serve, that we all are brethren. There is 
 sometimes a great lowering of the office, by regarding and speaking 
 of it as if the churches were the masters, rather than the guests in 
 the Master's house ; the ministry is looked down upon rather than 
 exalted by the churches. Whenever this is done a church can not 
 prosper, a minister can not prosper. At other times individuals 
 would do the same, but the minister is not, must not be the servant 
 of men. He must remember the exhortation of Titus, "Let no man 
 despise thee ;" and this, not by opposing those that would, but by 
 being faithful, irreproachable, a servant of Christ in all things — that 
 to despise Him shall be impossible. 
 
 In the New Testament there are three or four different words 
 employed by the inspired writers to set forth the service of the min- 
 ister. Each has its own peculiar shade of meaning. In Coloss. ii. 
 17, the Church is told to say to Archippus, "Take heed to the min- 
 istry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." In 
 the word "ministry'' (diakorios) here used, the apostle has reference 
 to the diligent, annoying service, which he and every one of his 
 faithful successors will have to perform. His Master, the Lord Jesus,' 
 
3(J0 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 has given him many a dirty place to cleanse, and he must do it 
 promptly ; many a tedious hour of watchfulness, that all things be 
 kept in order about his house, and he must rely upon it. Rom. xii. 7. 
 This is often a weary task, and one in which many must help. It 
 is harder to purify a depraved and polluted heart than to cleanse a 
 pit of filth. A great work of the servant of the Lord is to stop pro- 
 fanity, to prevent the desecration of the holy Sabbath ; to turn aside 
 the filthy torrent of intemperance, and the loathsome streams of 
 gross sensual indulgence. Of all these to say "Repent," is his work ; 
 to guard against them is his life-long labor in any community. 
 
 But the Apostle Paul in Acts xxvi. 16 tells us that Jesus appear- 
 ed unto him for this purpose, "to make him a minister (uperretees) 
 and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of 
 those which I will appear unto thee." A different word is here 
 used to bring out the galling on, as he terms it — the galley-slave-life 
 to which a christian minister is often to be given up ; a life in which 
 every exertion he can make must be made, in which his strength 
 will almost give way, but there is no help save to work at his oar, 
 and push his boat. The lives of many depend upon his life, and on 
 that life being engaged in that work alone. As such a minister Paul, 
 the prisoner, was on his way to Rome to begin the overthrow of its 
 Pagan power, and thus it is that our ministry have again to encoun- 
 ter almost Pagan superstition and opposing wickedness around our 
 own churches. 
 
 Again in Rom. xv. 16, the same Apostle takes a still different 
 view of his ministry and that of the christian church, when he 
 speaks of "the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the 
 minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of 
 God." Indeed, in these few words he uses two different ones to un- 
 fold all the truth. First, he speaks of himself "as the minister (leit- 
 ourgos) for the people, in the economy and frugality with which he 
 must discharge the duties of his office. How true was this of him 
 when he could say of his work in Asia : "Ye know from the first 
 day that I came into Asia after what manner I have been with you 
 at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, * * * 
 and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have 
 showed and taught you publicly, and from house to house (Acts xx.18- 
 20;) and of his work in Europe, that his own hands had ministered 
 to his necessities, and that no man should take this boasting from 
 him that "in Achaia had been chargeable to no man." Next he 
 speaks of his "ministering" (hierourges) as desirous of impressing 
 this most important lesson that when, as the simple and personally 
 independent man (but workman for the people) he stands alone 
 among his fellow creatures, he yet is acting as the very priest of 
 God ; for such in the word he uses does he say it is to be "minister- 
 ing" the Gospel of God. When we can lose sight of ourselves in 
 our w r ork, God will make Himself seen most clearly in us and about 
 us. Let us often meditate on these views of the christian ministry, 
 its ordinary, continuous servant's work ; its galling most oppressive 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 331 
 
 -work ; its self-denying work far the good of others ; its priestly 
 work — and ask, is this the ministry we have ? the ministry we are $ 
 
 But in the passage already quoted, Archippus is told "to take 
 dieed to the ministry ; the Colossian church are to tell him, so that 
 both they and he must have a heeded ministry, or it is not the min- 
 istry of the Savior or the Saviour's churches need. First, the min- 
 ister is to heed his own office ; he must see and find something in it 
 most important— more important, perhaps, than any one else besides 
 imagines. It is his own peculiar and most pressing duty now upon 
 Jiim ; there is woe if he disregard it, danger to himself and all around 
 -that he must heed, with which his service has peculiarly to do. He 
 and nobody beside can avert it, and bring in the stead thereof such 
 winning tidings of deliverance that his very feet shall be blessed. 
 The true minister is always so heedful of this state of things — the in- 
 consistent are so heedless, and therefore so harmful. What minis- 
 ters do not mean to do or neglect to do, has weakened, divided or 
 -destroyed the churches perhaps quite as often as even the outbreak- 
 ing sins of the comparatively few hypocritical ones, who have, in 
 sheep's clothing, stolen in among the flock. But again, he must 
 keep his body under, lest, having preached to others, he himself be 
 a castawav ; and while he 'thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he 
 fall." He must also take heed to the gift that was given him for 
 this ministry and to his doctrine ; must study to show himself ap- 
 proved unto God, and beware how he buildeth in his Master's house, 
 even upon the true foundation : some building will otherwise be of 
 wood, hay or stubble, and with sadly untempered mortar. He has 
 •also to take heed as to the signs of the times, and be no indifferent 
 spectator of passing events, yet he must not strive or entangle him- 
 self in things only of this world. • How few in the ministry have in 
 these respects kept themselves pure I 
 
 But the church is to say, "take heed." Did not the Apostle 
 mean, therefore, that in a sort of peculiar and elevated jealousy, for 
 the entire character of this minister of Christ, they were also to 
 lake heed, both on his behalf and their own? A minister is to be 
 kindly watched by the church; his faults are not to be greedily gath- 
 ered up, and as earnestly bruited abroad ; but he must be prayed for, 
 ■conversed with and encouraged ; sometimes he must be warned, and 
 even urged to a more active, spiritual and entire discharge of his 
 solemn trust. ISoble-minded Bereans, who search the Scriptures 
 daily to see whether what he teaches is so, and watchful Aquillas 
 and Priscillas will mature the charaeter'and usefulness of either an 
 Apostle Paul or an eloquent and mighty Apollos. Words of sound 
 doctrine stir up that faith in the attentive hearer only, which re- 
 acts both upon the ability and the energy of the ministry we need. 
 But forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of 
 some is, or assemble but to enquire of the crops, the neighborhood 
 affairs, or the politics of the country; or disregard both the doctrine the 
 minister teaches, and the exhortation that he gives, either by care- 
 less inattention or oftentimes by actual sleep and talk, and walking 
 to and fro in the very house of God, and soon our churches and our 
 
302' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES- 
 
 ministry will be abondoned. The ministry we need is one that 
 must be heeded both by itself and by the people- 
 
 The important characteristics of this ministry becomes more- 
 striking as we advance. "Itte received in the Lord:" No one, "ex- 
 cept in the Lord," can discharge its duties, or enjoy its privileges. It 
 is only thus to be prepared for. He cannot be a minister who is not 
 in Christ Jesus. The proof once made of not being in. him, every 
 other qualification, education, influence, interest, success, is insuffi- 
 cient. We must have a Godly ministry. But more particularly, to 
 have "received the ministry in the Lord," means nothing less than, 
 that Spiritual union of the sinful man with his Savior of which he 
 speaks, when he says, "The glory which thou gavestme, I have given 
 them; that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them and 
 they in me, that they may be made perfect in one." John xvii : 22 23. 
 It is, that the man be "created anew in Christ Jesus," to have 
 "Christ made to him wisdom and righteousness, sanctifi cation, and 
 redemption;" "to be found in him, not having his own righteousness 
 which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ." 
 The foundation of the character of the ministry we need, is thus laid 
 in peculiar piety of the man, even before he becomes the minister. As- 
 the brave man, alone, can make the good soldier, the man eminent 
 for his piety, may alone make the .a;ood minister. 
 
 But the further meaning of this characteristic is, that the min- 
 istry is in the Lord continuously. There is a living, growing union, 
 between them. No minister, especially, can live on any of his spir- 
 itual blessings, that are altogether past. Out of his treasures of faith 
 of knowledge, of love, of strength, must come things, new and old. 
 The Lord is ever before him, as a lamb recently slain, he everliveth, 
 and comes in and abides with his minister, of his crucified redeemer 
 he never loses sight, if he is in the minister the churches need. If 
 because eminent for piety, he is put into the ministry, he must be- 
 come more known for his simplicity of character, his purity, his 
 freedom from the love of the world, his prudence, his gentleness, his 
 earnestness, his faithfulness, his ardent love, as he continues therein. 
 This is it which we need in a ministry "received in the Lord." 
 
 Again, dear Brethren, that ministry must be fulfilled ; take heed 
 that thou fufill it, "full proof" must be made. And who needs 
 not to be admonished here? Is the ministry not almost at a stand ? 
 Do not the people love to have it so? To fulfill the ministry can 
 only be affected by all of us as united brethren. The minister builds 
 up the church. The church builds up the minister. They are both 
 one body — each is necessary to the other, they can only be strong 
 while in the Lord, and in one another, for all must be one to live 
 and prosper. The ministry, it is meant, must be filled as to all the 
 mind can learn and understand of the gospel; the heart must be 
 filled with all it can feel of the power of the gospel, and the hands 
 must be filled with all they can do for the gospel. 
 
 We need a strong minded ministry. We cannot prosper without 
 it. Bible truths in their importance, their proportion, their proofs 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 303 
 
 ■and their distinction, must be continually brought out more and 
 .more fully. The people must be urgent to ask for this — the ministry 
 as ready and desirous to do it. This can only be done through most 
 diligent and constant reading of the Bible, that contains these truths, 
 and watchful prayer. The ministry and people that do not increase 
 an the knowledge of the Bible, cannot fulfill the ministry. Let the 
 minister say, "I will cease to teach when I cease to learn." Let 
 the people know that the minister ceases to profit when he ceases to 
 teach. The ministry that we need must be an educated ministry. 
 It may not be educated for its duties, but it must be educated in 
 ■them. The teaching and learning of the schools may not have been 
 heard of, but the ministry has been with the great Teacher, Jesus, 
 ■and is with Him constantly or it is not fulfilled. Oh! that there were 
 not a minister among us, who does not study all he can to show him- 
 self "approved unto God," to fill his mind fully, and the minds of 
 ■the people, with all the truth. But the heart must ever take the pre- 
 cedence of the mind, as the characteristic of the ministry we need. 
 There is no profitable ministry without a full heart. "Thou shalt 
 Jove the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart and soul, and mind and 
 strength." The heart takes the precedence. There is needed, there- 
 fore, a holy strength," direction, government, warmth, and energy 
 -of heart unsurpassed, that the ministry may be fulfilled. The 
 greatest powers may become the most destructive, but for that rea- 
 son they need not be abandoned ; they must only be the more closely 
 .regulated. Let it be thus with the heart of the ministry, and the life 
 corresjxiudmg to it in the heart of the peeple. "Now we live, if ye 
 stand fast in the Lord." Both parties must here again join in this 
 great work, using the greatest caution Neither must mistake mere 
 excitement for the true work of the Holy Spirit in the heart— mere 
 imagination for the true revelation of a blessed hope — or the mere 
 power of sympathy for the fellowship of saints. How surely will 
 the enemy of souls counterfeit what is so valuable when genuine! 
 Let the ministry and the people guard against the deception.. Once 
 more : the ministry can only be fulfilled by strong efforts. Ministers 
 must work till they are successful; no other thought than that of 
 success must be their's ; the people must determine to sustain them. 
 Strong efforts is what the Apostle means when he tells Timothy to 
 .make "full proof" of his ministry. He was to "preach" the Wore", 
 to "be instant," (uj'gent he means) "in season, out of season, re- 
 prove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine, watch 
 in all things, endure afflictions, and do the work of an evangelist." 
 Is this our proof in these days that we have the ministry we need ? 
 Practical efforts will here be demanded ; works of the hand 
 that one finds to do must be done with might. Church-meetings, 
 prayer-meetings, Sabbath schools, Bible distribution and reading, 
 sending the knowledge of the Truth where I cannot go by others, 
 and taking it where I can ; visiting the fatherless and the widow, 
 going from house to house, freely giving as I have freely received. 
 All these are practical efforts in which the ministry is to be fulfilled. 
 
SOi BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 The people must aid and support the ministry in all these things, 
 The ministry is to show this pattern of good works; let the people 
 copy it for their own benefit and comfort, and so far as they can_ 
 let them cut loose the hands of their ministers, and devote them 
 wholly to these great works. 
 
 We observe lastly : David speaks with gratitude that "a bow of 
 steel was broken with his own arms," and that God's gentleness had 
 made him great ; to teach us that in crushing enemies without 
 fear and conquering souls for Christ, is the full triumph of the min- 
 istry completed. Error, wickedness, sly deceit, and open scorn must 
 alike be met. The ministry must war a good warfare ;" "many ad- 
 versaries" the Apostle had to encounter, but he overcame them all, 
 fought a good fight, and received his crown. So must we. Some he 
 rebuked and cut off; others he saved with fear, plucking them out 
 of the fire, laying with the angels of divine mercy as at Sodom, his 
 hands on those of lingering nature, and thus compelling the escape 
 of life. The Apostle Paul never forgot that overcoming the opposer 
 and the indifferent, more often can be done by persuasion than by 
 finding fault. The attempt at the contrary often becomes a habit 
 with us, but the wisdom that winneth souls to Christ is the perfec- 
 tion of wisdom. One can rarely scold another into being a christian. 
 Love is the fulfilling of the ministry as it is of the law. 
 
 May we thus find continually the ministry we need in the sal- 
 vation that is brought to our doors, that comforts our hearts, prompts 
 us all to every good word and work, fits us for heaven, and is for the 
 glory of our Lord and Master. William Curtis. 
 
 Curtis, Elder Thomas, D. D. was a native of England, 
 born at Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, May 10, 1787. He was 
 the son of a substantial yeoman of good property. In early 
 life he showed intellectual vigor and a fondnesss for books 
 which his father cultivated, and thus he obtained a good 
 school education. While at school he was competitor for 
 a prize essay, and was successful. By this he would have 
 been entitled to a presentation to the University of Cam- 
 bridge, but he could not accept it, not being able conscien- 
 tiously, to sign the "Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of 
 England." The death of a sister, and ot the venerable Bap- 
 tist clergyman, Dr. Fisher, under whose ministry he sat, 
 early impressed his mind with the importance of religion, 
 and led to his conversion and baptism while a youth. 
 Henceforth he devoted himself to study, labor, and useful- 
 ness for the church of God. Mainly self-instructed at this 
 period of life, he acquired a good knowledge of Latin, 
 Greek and Hebrew. The Baptist church of which he was 
 a member put him forward as a preacher, and availed them- 
 selves of his services for some time. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 205 
 
 He was married to a Miss Reynoldson, June 15th, 1809, 
 a lady of attractive endowments and sweet and gentle tem- 
 per, and then settled in London. Fond of books, he en- 
 gaged in the book business, which, as a commercial enter- 
 prize, was driven with energy and a successful pecuniary 
 result. But his father-in-law, (the father also of the late la- 
 mented Elder John Reynoldson, of Virginia, so well known 
 among our churches,) dying about this time, he was called 
 to succeed him in the pastoral care of the church in the city, 
 and withdrew from active participation in secular business. 
 His literary labors, however, were uninterrupted, and he 
 became one of the editors of the first parts of the "Encyclo- 
 pedia Metropolitana," his chief coadjutor in this great 
 work being S. T. Coleridge. This position led them to call 
 forth the services and labors of a number of eminent men, 
 and to enjoy intimate intercourse with most of the choice 
 spirits of the day. Charles Richardson's English Dictionary 
 and Whately's Logic ;and Rhetoric, with many other inval- 
 uable treatises, were thus first written for this work. After 
 some years, another book-selling house having undertaken 
 to publish the London Encyclopedia at the extraordinary- 
 rate of an octavo volume a month, brought his valuable ser- 
 vices to their aid at a very flattering rate of compensation. 
 This he couducted in three years and a halt to a successful 
 issue. Such also was his acquaintance with the condition of 
 the text of our English Bible, that he was employed by the 
 Oxford University in correcting an edition for their press. 
 He pointed out at that time no less than ten thousand errors 
 of the press in alteration from the standard editions of 1611. 
 This work though completed, the fruit of much labor and 
 care, has not been published. The authorities becoming 
 alarmed for the results, suddenly withdrew their sanction to 
 further proceedings, and, thanking him for his ability and 
 courtesy, abandoned their design. The manuscript is still 
 among his papers. 
 
 To set forward his children, and prompted perhaps by 
 a love of our institutions, he immigrated to America. The 
 voyage ended in shipwreck and loss to himself and almost 
 all the passengers of their worldly goods, but their lives, 
 with difficulty, were saved. Thus, in 1834, he began his 
 residence in the United States, settling first in Bangor, and 
 afterwards for a short time in Augusta, Maine. Boudoin 
 College testified her sense of the value of his labors by con- 
 ferring upon him the title of Doctor of Divinity. But the 
 climate being too rigorous for his family, under the advice 
 and influence of Bro. Holmes Tupper, then of Savannah, he, 
 about the vear 1838, went to Georgia, accepting the call of 
 "39 
 
306 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the Macon church, and settled there for a few years. The 
 friends of Mercer University then desired he should move 
 to Penfield, but after a short stay at that place he was urged 
 to take charge of the "Went worth street Baptist church, in 
 Charleston, IS. C, and moved there in 1841. He was pres- 
 ent and made an address at the laying of the corner stone of 
 their house of worship, and publicly opened it when ready 
 for use with a sermon that will long be remembered. Here 
 he labored with the eminent appreciation of his services by 
 all who had the privilege of enjoying them, even but occa- 
 sionally, till his removal to the last sphere of his constant 
 labors at Limestone Springs in the Fall of 1845. At this 
 place, in conjunction with one of his sons, he began the en- 
 terprise of a Female High School in the mountain districts, 
 bringing to this doubtful problem all the energy of youth 
 with the matured wisdom and experience of a manhood spent 
 amidst the most elevated of religious and literary associa- 
 tions. He set the tone of education high at once. Care was 
 taken as is fit to cultivate the mind to the point of refine- 
 ment and even of elegance, while cheerful fondness, prompt 
 obedience, order nearly perfect, and thorough accuracy char- 
 acterize his pupils. These were the fruits of the rich instruc- 
 tion both in morals and religion that he poured forth as well 
 in the class-room as the pulpit. He attained the happy art 
 of influencing to his high purposes without alone depending 
 on the sternness of simple authority, and he has bequeathed 
 a noble array of daughters to elevate and adorn our race, 
 many of whom rise up in every district and the most of our 
 Southern States to bless his memory. 
 
 In his ministerial labors in this part of the country the 
 public knew him more as an evangelist than as a pastor, and 
 in this capacity his presence was everywhere hailed with sat- 
 isfaction amounting to delight. He made our public meet- 
 ings glad when he appeared in them, and Zion's waste and 
 desolate places rejoiced often in those rich and vigorous min- 
 istrations which, like the fountain in his own beautiful 
 grounds, emitted the same refreshing fullness who ever was 
 there to enjoy them. He gave his mind freely and fully to 
 Bible themes as the basis of his discourses,- dwelling mainly 
 on subjects that he could connect with the sovereignty of 
 God in providence and grace — the Divinity of our Lord, 
 His atonement, the influences of the Holy Spirit, and the 
 fullness and freedom of grace. His preaching, original and 
 striking, did more than fill the mind of the hearer — it quick- 
 ened all his powers and was peculiarly suggestive, inspiring 
 reflection and inquiry that frequently led off into trains of 
 thought previously unexplored. His last sermon was in the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 307 
 
 Central Baptist church, Brooklyn, New York, from Mark i. 
 17 : "Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations 
 the house of prayer?" "With great clearness and power," 
 says the pastor of that church, "he showed what is real 
 prayer, and that such prayer must underlie all that is done in 
 the house of God, or it answers not the purpose of its ap- 
 pointment." Such was the effect of his discourse, his man- 
 ner all life, and singularly impressive, his voice, strong and 
 full, and his own soul deeply absorbed, that the congregation 
 while returning were observed to move in clusters, express- 
 ing the desire to return and hear the message repeated. 
 
 During his entire journey to the North and homeward, 
 the exercises of his mind in the pulpit, the prayer-meeting, 
 and in the families of his friend, even beyond former exam- 
 ples, attracted notice, and evince that he was being prepared 
 for his departure. 
 
 Suddenly called home, by what in the last letter he wrote 
 lie terms "the unimpeachable voice of God in death" in his 
 son's family, he was on board the ill-fated steamer, "North 
 Carolina," passing from Baltimore to Norfolk on the 29th of 
 January, 1859, and perished in the flames that consumed 
 her. Though in his seventy-second year, neither his natural 
 powers of body nor of mind was abated — he did not decline 
 amid the feebleness and senilities of a worn-out life. His 
 sun went down in its full splendor. The call was sudden, 
 but he was not unprepared. The Master came and he open- 
 ed to Him immediately. The presumption is that he passed 
 away without conscious pain — suffocated without awaking, 
 by the smoke and gases that so quickly filled the room. He 
 had spent the evening conversing of his Master, and the last 
 that was seen of him was as he was reading his Bible at his 
 berth, preparing thus either for duty below or for heaven, 
 as the Master should please. He died like Moses, apart and 
 alone, and "no man knoweth of his burial place unto this 
 day." In this mournful dispensation to his relatives and the 
 churches, we have but another example of that upon which 
 Dr. Curtis so often insisted — the peculiar sovereignty of God 
 in the death of man. 
 
 In his character there was uprightness, honesty and 
 firmness conjoined, however, with great ingeniousness and 
 a glowing affection for every one and everything that was 
 good. Though earnest in all things, it was the earnestness 
 of love. Everywhere, in all circles, whether elevated or 
 humble, his visits were welcome. It was only wished that 
 he would stay longer and come again. His generous neigh- 
 bors and the church to which he belonged at home say truly 
 "they who knew him best loved him most." His plans in 
 
338 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 life were as to all things of a conservative turn. His views 
 of whatever he considered or undertook were rapid, com- 
 prehensive and discriminating, and he had that one most 
 important quality of genius — the power to make and sustain 
 great efforts. While his plans were philosophical, and ex- 
 tended to the principles of things, they were not revolution- 
 ary. He knew it was much easier to destroy than to build 
 up, and prudently avoided untried movements and sudden 
 sweeping changes. His attainments were as extended and 
 remarkable as his ability and his associations. He was a 
 christian scholar among christian scholars. In his piety 
 there was much devotedness. It was a saying of his "that 
 he could not always live in company," and his retired hours 
 were especially prayerful. Finding himself a poor sinner, 
 he went to God alone, for he had private business with Him 
 that could not be done in a crowd. He evidently desired to 
 live, realizing the true doctrine of death, that he has himself 
 most happily impressed in one of his letters to his most inti- 
 mate friend, thus writing : "We overrate death sometimes 
 as a change. It will be but a continuance of our better life." 
 "The essential change was our regeneration to God. Death 
 is a greater apparent than the greater real change. (John v. 
 24.) Paul therefore speaks of the former as only a removal 
 from one habitation to another. (2 Cor. v. 1.) Changing 
 houses — not persons or natures — nor character." 
 
 Dr. Curtis having; become a constituent member of 
 Ephesus church, organized at Limestone Springs, after he 
 settled at that watering place, (and subsequently named 
 Limestone church) was appointed a delegate with other 
 brethren to represent the church and make application for 
 admission into the Broad River Association, which amplica- 
 tion was made accordingly at the session of 1847, and he be- 
 came a member of that body and frequently attended its 
 sessions while he lived. At the session of 1850 he was 
 chosen Moderator of the body, and he presided with becom- 
 ing dignity to the satisfaction of all. 
 
 At the session of 1849 he was appointed to write the 
 annual circular letter, and again in 1850 he was likewise ap- 
 pointed, which letters are herewith reproduced : 
 
 CHRISTIAN COMMUNION". 
 
 Upon this subject, as upon the the kindred one of Christian Bap- 
 tism, to which our attention was last year directed, the same intro- 
 ductory remark is in point. There have appeared of late so many 
 valuable tracts and treatises upon it, that any one acquainted with 
 half of them will be unwilling to add to their numbers. Both are 
 subjects upon which it is difficult to write briefly to and good pur- 
 pose, and impossible to write anything new. The present writer 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 309 
 
 will do all he can, however, to meet the wishes of his brethren, in 
 comprising what may be useful in an annual Circular Letter. 
 
 Christian Communion may be regarded in three principal points 
 of view : I. Our communion with Christ. II. Our communion 
 with our fellow christians at large. III. Ecclesiastical or church 
 communion. 
 
 1. Our communion with Christ is clearly the foundation upon 
 which every other view of this subject must be built. Where this 
 is not real, and Scrptural exercise (a personal fellowship on our part, 
 •"with the Father and with His son Jesus Christ,") what commun- 
 ion or scriptural fellowship can we offer or exercise toward any fel- 
 low man. If we endeavor to exhibit it in word or deed we shall be 
 "like a man" truly, "who, without a foundation, built his house 
 upon the earth." Or, if we, being christians, expect the exercise of 
 Christian Communion toward us, by those who are not themselves 
 christians, we shall be disappointed, and may be well described in 
 the poet's words, as 
 
 dropping buckets into empty wells, 
 
 And growing old with drawing nothing up. 
 
 Christians are brethren because the Elder Brother, the Son of God 
 has made them, individually 'free' in a double sense; giving them 
 a freedom of deliverance from the bondage of sin, and a freedom of 
 privilege, or peculiar rights in his Father's house, where all who 
 thus truly enter, abide forever, and because (as in the case of all 
 brotherhood) they are individually of a common parentage; "all 
 the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." They are admonished 
 to love one another with a purity and fervor peculiar to this tie: 
 "•'being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible ; by 
 the wordof God, which liveth and abideth forever." Another motive 
 to this intense affection, mentioned in the same connection, is the 
 work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts and lives. "Seeing ye have 
 purified your hearts in obeying the truth through the Spirit." All 
 the Holy Trinity, therefore, concur in the work of laying deep the 
 foundations of Christian Communion in the individual christian's 
 heart. They are an essential part of that "mystery of God, and of 
 the Father, and of Christ," which this man cherishes there, under 
 his baptism acknowledged, and "in which are hid all the treasures 
 of wisdom and knowledge." The close connection between the 
 communion of Saints, and this individual communion with heaven, 
 is in modern times often overlooked, but they are related as the ef- 
 fect to its cause, as the stream to the fountain, as the beams of the 
 morning to the rising sun; the one cannot be without the other. We 
 are to love the brotherhood," or fraternity of Christians (which is 
 something more than loving particular or any number of brethren) 
 because of its origin in the fatherhood or paternity of God ; and 
 both ties are the more binding because our understandings, con- 
 sciences, affections and will are all consulted and engaged from the 
 first, in the function of both. The children of God, by faith, we are 
 brethren, as no natural brethren are, by choice, and hence, surely 
 
310 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the more distinctly and more firmly bound. We do not find these 
 great truths disputed anywhere among sound christians ; they are 
 only neglected and too little felt. But they establish, in every 
 glance at them, the importance of an individual conversion to God, 
 or of making our own "calling and election sure;" and the equal 
 importance of all preferred churches being composed of such indi- 
 vidual converts only. The Christian Communion of the whole can 
 only be genuine, as genuine personal piety prevails in every mem- 
 ber. 
 
 Thus much for the Christianity of it ; but the term Communion 
 is one of which we should have definite and Scriptural ideas. It 
 signifies, for all practical purposes, the same as "fellowship," and 
 intends a joint or common union, either in action or in feelings and 
 motives, which lead to action. Thus we read (1 Cor. x. 16) of "the 
 Communion of the body and blood of Christ," meaning an union 
 in the common act of partaking of the Lord's Supper, and in the 
 passage already alluded to (1 John i. 3) of "our fellowship." (the 
 same term which in the Corinthians is rendered communion) with ' 
 our Heavenly Father, and with Christ, where also the writer states 
 that he was anxious for his brethren to have a similar fellowship 
 with him and his brother apostles. Here it clearly intends a com. 
 mon union in feelings and motives. The two passages (from 1 Cor- 
 and 1 John) contain, in substance, the whole doctrine of Christian 
 Communion. 
 
 That with the Father and His Son is first in the order of import- 
 ance, and the order of time or personal engagements. It is confined 
 to no forms, places, or seasons of divine worship, and to no partic- 
 ular species of worship ; while it is "the glory in the midst" of the 
 church of social worshippers (and "a wall of fire round about him") 
 it is even more the great attraction and characteristic reward of 
 closet religion, or all the christian's personal approaches to God. It 
 asks for no witness, "but the blessed Spirit within" the believer; it 
 tarries for no created soul or symbol in affording him comfort ; it 
 begins with the very beginning of true piety — grows with its growth 
 — is more continuous and uninterrupted than any other communion 
 he can enjoy on earth ; follows him to the gates of heaven and opens 
 them for him as he approaches. Paul felt its power and profit alike, 
 only in different degrees, at the gate of Damascus, when he besought 
 the Lord thrice for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, and when 
 he was caught up to the third Heaven. It was anticipated, and in a 
 happy measure enjoyed by Abraham, when God "called him alone," 
 from Chaldea; by Moses, at the burning bush; by David, in many a 
 solitary cave (inspiring some of his sweetest psalms) by the 3 children 
 in the fiery furnace, and by Daniel in the lion's den. Old testament 
 saints had not the blessings of this communion with the Father and 
 the Son, either so distinctly or so richly as they may now be ob- 
 tained; but whether ten men in a generation do now obtain them to 
 the degree these worthies did, may be doubtful,. Without doubt, 
 when the Lord looked on Peter from the High Priest's bar and he 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 311 
 
 went out, he had no other communion with heaven or earth in his 
 penitence; when Stephen looked up steadfastly into heaven, while 
 they were dashing out his brains, he enjoyed and wanted no other 
 as the reward of his faith; when Paul and Silas sang together in the 
 prison at Philippi, it was this, more than ought beside, that was the 
 source of their peace and joy, and when the Revelator was in Patmo.i, 
 this it was which bore him on eagle's wing's. Such are a few Bible 
 pictures of the blessedness of this communion. Oh ! for more honest 
 desires after it, more Jacob wrestlings for it, on each of our parts in- 
 dividually ! Effectual fervent prayer is the peculiar means of grace 
 belonging to it — the Jacob's ladder of this heavenly intercourse with 
 earth in all ages. 
 
 11. Our communion with our fellow christians at large is another 
 delightful view of this subject. Whenever we maditate upon it we 
 should begin with the prayer, "Lord, increase our faith !" for it has 
 to deal with a vast extent of christian privileges and christian duty. 
 In a dark or cold state of heart we shall understand very little of it. 
 
 Two distinct but inseparable branches of this communion are 
 brought forward very prominently iu the New Testament : 
 
 The saints on earth, and all the dead, 
 But one communion make ; ' 
 
 All join in Christ, their living head, 
 And of His grace partake. 
 
 Here we sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the king- 
 dom of God ; here stand around us the goodly fellowship of the Apos- 
 tles and the glorious army of the martyrs ; here encircles the "great 
 cloud" of all the faithful witnesses to the truth in the past ; the whole 
 blessed company having, with their infinitely varied themes of 
 praise, but one anxious cry or prayer as to the future, in which we 
 have many more interests at stake than they. How long, O "Lord, 
 holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge us?" They stoop 
 from their repose to cheer us forward and onward, to offer us "the 
 communion of their love, their sympathy and their example." 
 Death does not sever 1 or weaken the links of this golden chain. 
 Rather may it be said to rivet and strengthen them as each success- 
 ive believer disappears from this lower world and is drawn upward. 
 Out of it, assuredly, he never dies, and it is our greatest consolation 
 respecting all that depart hence in the Lord. 
 
 May we not here touch, with caution, on a Christian Communion 
 which must exist between the church, quick and dead, and tbose 
 angelic spirits who "are sent forth to minister" unto her? They 
 have much of Christ, our Master's honor at heart ; "they do always 
 behold the face of our Father in heaven," and thence imbibe all the 
 interest which their noble and spotless natures can, in "the little 
 ones" of the church. It is given as a reason for us to beware of 
 offending "one of these." Is it not in some communion of spirit 
 between these guardians, the wards and all their friends, in which 
 we ever benefit or rightly please those little ones ? 
 
 But there is a commuuion with our fellow-christians at large, on 
 
312 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 earth, which involves a greater union of privilege and duty. Let 
 us contemplate it closely. It embraces all them who love our Lord 
 Jesus in this lower world. The Savior in His resurrection manifest- 
 ations went to the weakest and most sorrowful (always the most 
 faithful of His friends) first. Let us be followers of Him in this 
 spirit. 
 
 This is a communion, then, between all the weakest, most soli- 
 tary and most despised individual believers on earth, and every other 
 believer, with "all that in every place call on the name of Jesus- 
 Christ our Lord ;" "for every one that loveth Him that begat, lov- 
 eth him also that is begotten of Him." It is a communion with 
 believers before they are baptized, and the foundation of allot" which 
 we have more fully made with them afterwards. Baptism, essential 
 as we shall see to Church Communion, is not then essential to this. 
 It is far more proper and Scriptural to call this essential to baptism. 
 The thief on the cross died in this communion of saints ; Cornelius 
 and his household enjoyed it, as their abundant spiritual gifts testify, 
 before baptism ; while Simon Magus, a baptized man, had neither 
 part nor lot in the matter. 
 
 Therefore while we should endeavor, in a proper spirit, to press 
 upon all believers to be baptized, as Ananias found it necessary even 
 with Paul (Acts xxii. 16 :) if they are but believers they are our 
 brethren ; or 1 John v. 1 : (whosoever believeth that Jesus is the 
 Christ is born of God) would be false; and there is a need of closer 
 brotherhood among all those who hold the head from which the en- 
 tire body of Christ, by joints and bands, hath nourishment minis- 
 tered. If those whom we judge to be true believers will not, from 
 whatever cause unite with us in christian ordinances, we ought to 
 cultivate a feeling of union with them, and love all that is like 
 Christ in them. So far as we have attaiued to one belief or one view 
 of things, we ought to walk by the same rule and mind the same 
 things. Satan gloats and glories over all the divisions of real chris- 
 tians, and baits his traps and nets for heedless souls with our strifes, 
 —not troubling them upon the point of what they are, or what they 
 are worth. 
 
 Our points which God hath left at large 
 How fiercely will men meet aud charge, 
 No combatants are stifter. 
 
 These divisions make and keep more people infidels and Roman 
 Catholics than anything besides ; infidels, who have no creed, and 
 Catholics, who are choked with creeds, being made friends — like 
 Herod and Pontius Pilate— when they can make the most of all the 
 difficulties of Christ's cause. 
 
 A bad spirit in regard to such divisions has certainly abated 
 among Evangelical christians of late years ; so that, it may truly be 
 contended, we are not so divided in anythiug important, as are many 
 equal numbers of political, professional and mercantile men in regard 
 to their pursuits. Baptists, and our brethren, the Presbyterian and 
 Methodists, exhibit something much more in principal alike, even 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 313 
 
 with regard to church government than do the wisest politicians at 
 this time in respect to the government of the country ; and we are 
 all more agreed about what sin is, than are the physicians about 
 what cholera is. We would not be misunderstood here. More love 
 of peace and more love of truth too, are everywhere wanted. Some 
 people seem as if they would wish to see the Lord's vineyard a field 
 of endless strife, and the coat of Christ forever rent, even among 
 his friends. Others, and good people, too, are weak enough to con- 
 sider the divided state of those who profess the truth, a blessing — 
 something in itself desirable. It never can be so, and only those 
 can think it so who are of ''little faith," in both the full and close 
 union which there has been and which there shall yet be among all 
 true christians. Once were they all one, and were found acting to- 
 gether as one throughout the world —one in sentiment and one in 
 profession, to a degree which, at our distance in time and feeling 
 from such union, we find it difficult to believe. There was but one 
 Lord owned among them— one faith in the Lord — one baptism into 
 the faith. And if we can think our Savior knew what was in this 
 respect desirable, and the reason for its being so, His own words will 
 set the matter of the future union of His people at rest with us. 
 'That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in 
 Thee ; that the Avorld may believe Thou hast sent me." The harvest 
 of the world, then, will not be reaped while Evangelical christians 
 — wherever the fault is— are so much divided as now they are. It is 
 worthy our deep and frequent recollection. Not, however, is this 
 stated here (nor to be at any time referred to) to produce indifference 
 to any duty or to any part of divine truth in love, and know how so 
 to defend it that men of no religion shall not be strengthened in their 
 infidelity by our unhappy way of enforcing what we believe. It 
 often arises from the inferior motives of pride and envy; because 
 troubled streams bring up straws, and men ot straw — men who love 
 to be at the head of little parties ; men of small minds, but who 
 still know very well that if christians were more agreed, their par- 
 ticular influence would be abolished; that perhaps tfiey would be 
 "snuffed out" as small lights no longer wanted, and their party be 
 first dissolved. 
 
 We could and should therefore promote greater union among 
 Evangelical christians in three ways. 1. By endeavoring every- 
 where to excite and maintain a higher regard for the great points on 
 which we are all at present agreed. A few may be mentioned. The 
 entire personal depravity of man ; the essential divinity and indis- 
 pensable mediation of Christ ; justification by faith in His sufferings 
 and death alone ; the necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit ; 
 and of the fruits of the spirit in good works, to prove that we have 
 the spirit, together with their awful sanctions of eternal life and 
 death. 2. By meditating frequently and devoutly on the vast 
 number of souls daily lost through not receiving — many through 
 sheer ignorance of— these saving truths. 3. By more prayer, hearty 
 prayer, and occasional worship (at opportunities providentially pre- 
 40 
 
814 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 sented) with such as love our Lord, but follow not with us in all 
 things. There have been seasons of revival in which Evangelical 
 christians have thus acted profitably together. Evangelical minis, 
 ters thus very properly and profitably exchange pulpits in our larger 
 towns and cities. Perhaps revivals are still more profitably con- 
 ducted where there is an entire agreement of sentiment, but there 
 can be no question that God has been with and prospered a combined 
 effort of two or more denominations. He may still be phased to do 
 so. We should be ready for every such good work, and then be 
 watchful that the spirit of proselytism to a party which our Lord has 
 wisely condemned (Matt, xxiii. 15,) do not mar our efforts or those 
 of others for the cause of Gcd. All should retain the love of all 
 truth, and yet know how to speak such truths only as are in season 
 and all such in love. 3. We come to our third view of the subject — 
 Ecclesiastical or Church Communion. We invite to the Lord's table 
 in every regular church, brethren and sisters of our own faith and 
 order. It can easily be proved, we think from Scripture, that this 
 is right, and teaches, when properly understood, all that is right in 
 the case. Here we express and enjoy the full communion of saints, 
 all of which we have in this letter already treated — communion with 
 the Lord, communion with those who love Him, and communion 
 in all those great purposes for which He has established a church on 
 earth, viz : for the building up of saints "on their most holy faith ;" 
 for maintaining undivided allegiance and obedience to Himself in 
 doctrines and ordinances, and for gathering those sheep of His not 
 yet brought into the fold. 
 
 Perhaps we may, Avith propriety, glance here for a moment at 
 the communion of churches and associations. The last is our most 
 extended exercise of full christian communion, unless we take into 
 view the conventions of each State, which may be called a commu- 
 nion of associations. Brethren of our faith and order alone, can be 
 delegated to any of these bodies / they represent the various churches 
 and associations for particular purposes, the principal business trans- 
 acted being of a missionary character, domestic or foreign, and two 
 undisputed good results having accrued. The spiritual state of the 
 churches has been fully made known ; their increase rejoicing all 
 the friends of Zion within the circle embraced, while their sorrows 
 meet with sympathy and aid ; but what is more ! many a dark cor- 
 ner of the country has been explored by the faithful missionary of 
 feeble associations, and new churches organized where the name of 
 a church was before scarcely known. Churches will do well, as we 
 believe, to cultivate an increased freedom and fullness, and faithful- 
 ness of intercourse with each other at these associations. It is to be 
 observed, however, that both of these larger bodies, Associations and 
 Conventions, are of modern institution ; they cannot be traced, in 
 their present form, to the New Testament. Though they may use- 
 fully advise in church difficulties, they have no powers of church 
 government. Our attachment to them, therefore, should be simply 
 that which we owe to the plans of good and wise men ; they are not, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 315 
 
 in the same sense, as all church organizations of individual helievers 
 — part of the revealed will and counsel of God. 
 
 To these church organizations, then, we now direct our regard. 
 Here, in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord, He ex- 
 pects His people to be walking ; and before we discuss the pleas that 
 have been made for introducing here some christians who cannot 
 walk with us in all Christ's ordinances, it would be well to consider 
 the state of those who can and do. Do not they need the word of 
 admonition to strengthen and tighten the cords of christian broth- 
 erhood among themselves? Is there not much wandering from 
 church to church, in search of that Spiritual food which each church 
 should try to provide for the sustenance of its own members within 
 itself? Does not much laxity of discipline appear occasionally? 
 and too much satisfaction at the mere increase of members without 
 a due watchfulness for the increase of spirituality ? Much of length- 
 ening the cords without strengthening the stakes of Israel's tents ? 
 Observers who have looked into those small churches of some years 
 since, that are now become large churches — and the lesson may be 
 useful to all that are becoming large — find that often as numbers in- 
 crease, brotherly love seems to diminish / so that the period of warm 
 attachment and close union appears to be that of the youth and 
 small numbers of such churches. ■ Why this is, it might be well to 
 inquire. At the beginning it was not so, says the good Book. The 
 largest churches of the New Testament were some of the warmest 
 and noblest for christian affection and christian exertion. Let the 
 example of those at Jerusalem [the mother of us all] and at Antioch 
 [her eldest born Gentile daughter] be well studied and imitated ! 
 What unparalleled love and unity and personal sacrifices in the one ! 
 What a visible abundance of the grace of God ; what bold exertions 
 to send forth the Gospel ; what great joy and great gifts in the other ! 
 We can only here refer to these pattern churches, and pray that the 
 constituency of all our associations may strive earnestly after copy- 
 ing such models. 
 
 And now would we briefly discuss those pleas for a more open 
 communion in our churches, to which we have alluded ; or for the 
 admission of some who profess an unity of faith with us, but not of 
 order, at the Lord's table. 
 
 Those who have most ably advocated such a communion admit 
 that it te a novelty for which they contend ; or that while it might, 
 as they suppose, promote the faith, it would not be according to the 
 order of the New Testament thus to act. Their language here is 
 very plain, and should be well weighed. The members of the prim- 
 itive church consisted only of such as were baptized. He who had 
 refused to be baptized would, at that period, have been justly debar- 
 red from receiving the Sacramental elements; would have been 
 deemed unworthy of christian communion, have been undoubtedly 
 repelled as a contumacious schismatic, so says the celebrated Mr. 
 Hall. "I freely admit that it is clear, after the institution of baptism 
 by our Lord, no person who refused to be baptized was ever admit- 
 
316 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ted in any christian church to that [the Lord's] Supper," writes 
 Mr. Noel. These two gentlemen being the ablest advocates this in- 
 novation has found among Baptists — men of whom it may be said, 
 that if ability and character of the highest discription, could succeed 
 in establishing error for truth, these were men that had not failed 
 to do it. 
 
 Pedo-Baptist of the greatest learning and ability, make the same 
 concessions. Dr. Wall, the most distinguished Episcopal advocate 
 of infant baptism : "no church ever gave the communion to persons 
 before thev were baptized." Dr. Doddridge : "it is certain, so far as 
 our knowledge of primitive antiquity extends, no un baptized person 
 received the Lord's Supper." Dr. Griffin — "I agree with the advo- 
 cates of close communion, that we ought not to commune with those 
 who are not baptized." Other quotations equally strong, might be 
 made from able writers. 
 
 At this point, then, we conceive that this whole matter might 
 be disposed of. If the Apostles thus acted we are safe, and are justi- 
 fied in following them : if they "rejoiced" in beholding the "order" 
 as well as the faith, of the primitive churches, and write fully as 
 much, perhaps, about one as the other, if in particular they "praise" 
 such churches as "kept the ordinances as they were delivered to" 
 them, what should be our highest ambition as to order and ordi- 
 nances, but to say with their true and immediate successors — "So 
 did the Apostles, and so do we. 
 
 For this we are reproached as "strict communionists," upon 
 which two remarks may be made. 1. If communion is regarded as 
 an act of obedience to Christ, which undoubtedly (while it is also a 
 high privilege) it should be — the obligation to it arising from His 
 express command, "Do this"— strictness is no just reproach, if too 
 common an one, in regard to obedience. The good and faithful ser- 
 vant, or child, must be strictly an obedient one. 2. In the case before 
 us we are no stricter in our view of what is obedience, than the 
 larger portion of those who thus reproach our views, nor so strict as 
 many of them ; that is, no regular Christian Church, Protestant, 
 Greek, or Roman Catholic which teaches and practices in any way 
 the two ordinances, ever receives persons to the Lord's Supper who 
 have not been baptized. A case is related by our Bro. Taylor, of 
 Richmond, The Episcopal minister of a church in Philadelphia, 
 about to distribute the elements of the communion service, observed 
 at the altar, so-called, a pious friend whom he knew to have been 
 all his life a Quaker. Happy in many respects to see him there he 
 inquired, in alow voice, if he had been already baptized, the Quaker 
 answering "No." Then I cannot administer to you this ordinance, 
 said the clergyman ; and who can deny that he acted consistently, 
 or that thus would have acted any regular Presbyterian, Congrega- 
 tionalist or Methodist, as well as Baptist minister ? But our practice 
 is, in some respects, not so strict as that of the body of our Evangel- 
 ical Pedo-Baptist brethren. They require evidence, after baptism, 
 of a faith that has changed the heart ; the christian minister, by a 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 317 
 
 fhappy inconsistency, prevails over the Pedo-Baptist, aud cannot ad- 
 onit to the Lord's Supper, numbers the far greater portion of those 
 whom he has baptized. This appears, however, a piece of unac- 
 countable injustice to his baptized friends. The reproach * of being 
 strict communionists, which we upon the whole regard as a happy 
 one (1 Pet. iv. 14) for us, is only a strangely ignorant and often a 
 mere vulgar and unthought of one, but it does not at all touch the 
 ■merits of this question. 
 
 Our remaining observations shall be directed to these merits ; or 
 to 1st, Why we cannot admit the unbaptized to the Table of the 
 Lord? 2nd, Why we cannot admit the unbaptized {^s we etill re- 
 gard them) to the Table of the Lord, though they consider themselves 
 baptized? 3rd. Popular objections against our course. 4th, What is 
 and must be the tendency of an opposite practice in the case? 
 
 1st. We cannot admit the unbaptized, as we regard them, to the 
 Lord's Table, because the fair construction of our Lord's commission 
 and the practice of the Aposeles alike forbid it. 
 
 (i.) Christ requires the unbaptized, though a believer and be- 
 cause he is a believer, first of all things to be baptized. The com- 
 mand to teach and baptize, in His commission involves, of course, 
 the corresponding duties among our people of learning and being 
 baptized. It prescribes also the order in which these duties are to 
 be performed. Ministers are to teach so as to make disciples [see 
 margin.] 2d T Baptize. 3d. Then to teach all other things command- 
 ed by Christ. Richard Baxter's language respecting the remarkably 
 specific orders of the duties enjoined was quoted in our Letter on 
 Baptism, to which subject it applies as well as to this. We need 
 only to add here the following : 'Tf any should be so imprudent as to 
 say it is not the meaning of Christ — that baptism should immedi- 
 ately, without delay, follow, discipleship, they are comforted by the 
 -constant example of Scripture ; "so that, I dare say," he continues, 
 "this will be without doubt with all consistent, rational and impar- 
 tial christians. ' ; Robert Hall, the great modern advocate of mixed 
 communion before mentioned, says that baptism possesses a orior 
 claim to the attention of the christian convert, and that to receive 
 the Lord's Supper before baptism, is to invert [we should say pervert] . 
 the natural order of His Sacraments ; at least none such will we obey. 
 
 (ii.) The undisputed examples or conduct of the Apostles and 
 primitive churches, as Baxter says, point in this same direction. 
 Wherever the christian ordinances are spoken of together, and men's 
 first belief of the whole — they believed were baptized and continued 
 in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship. Such is the account of the 
 Pentecostal season of the gathering of the Samaritan church, of the 
 baptism of Paul, and of his labors at Corinth and at Thessalonica. 
 
 *It is precisely of the character of the word christian, as used 
 [Acts xi. 26,] upon which no one can now decide whether it were 
 first given reproachfully, or whether it was assumed by the disciples 
 as an honor. It implied, in either case, the most honorable of facts 
 — the "close'' union of his disciples with Christ. 
 
318 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 The only point in question seems to be whether the New Testament; 
 doctrine and examples are sufficient and binding authority in the 
 case. So say strict Baptists, and therefore so much they act. The 
 examples of the Apostles and the first churches are at once a vital 
 branch of all that is authority here, and the best possible comment 
 on what they understood our Saviour's commission to mean. 
 
 2. We cannot admit the unbaptized, as we still regard them, to- 
 the Table of the Lord, though they consider themselves baptized, 
 because other men's consciences are to regulate their views and prac- 
 tice of duty, and our consciences are to regulate our views and prac- 
 tice. We believe one thing about what is baptism, which all anti- 
 quity agrees with us should come first, and they another, and are 
 taught to regard infant baptism, when even [as in the Greek church] 
 immersion is used as a nullity — wanting entirely in the inward and 
 spiritual grace that which, above all things, makes baptism valid. 
 Such a baptism is then, in our eyes, no valid baptism — not the New 
 Testament ordinance at all. Nor can subsequent belief, as we see, 
 put life into this dead form. Baptism was instituted to express a 
 personal repentance and faith. It is the symbol of faith and repent- 
 ance. It never did express such repentance and faith in the case 
 supposed — was no such symbol. Baptism further symbolizes, at the 
 time of receiving it, union by faith with Christ, and, specifically, in 
 His death and resurrection. It could in no way express such union 
 in an infant's case, who can have no thought about these matters. 
 It is essentially also an expression of personal intentions and pur- 
 poses or holy views Intention may enter so materially into various 
 and public transactions that the want of it vitiates them altogether. 
 A man cannot make a will without intending to make a will. He 
 can not contract a marriage without meaning to contract marriage. 
 Nor can he, as we read in the New Testament, be the subject of a 
 valid christian baptism without intending a valid christian baptism; 
 cannot contract the regular vows of baptism, without " be rbre those 
 vows making inquiry," and meaning to beep them. There is a viti- 
 ating want of purpose and intention in the whole transaction of in- 
 fant baptism. The child makfs no vows, for it has no purposes. He 
 is at the time bound to nothing. The whole service of God, freely 
 chosen, is what baptism binds us to, — a thing impossible in the in- 
 fant's case. 
 
 Although, then, the conscientious believer in his own infant 
 baptism as valid, is not to be classed with the dernier of all baptism, 
 we see not how his belief can alter the facts in this case, or entitle 
 him to the privileges grounded on valid baptism. His having been 
 submitted, while altogether unconscious of the transaction to an un- 
 authorized rite, can avail him nothing in claiming authorized privi- 
 leges. On his own testimony, however, to a subsequent conversion, 
 this rite has been demonstrated, in his case, to have been entirely 
 unavailing. All the vows made for him have been broken ; every 
 pledge of his consecration to God violated. Since this alleged bap- 
 tism or professed death unto sin he has been entirely alive to it ; he 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 319 
 
 baa contracted ibe whole of hie personal guilt ; gone greedily into 
 sin, and become so much its subject and servant as to be "free" alto- 
 gether, as the Apostle writes, "from righteousness,'' en system op- 
 posed to all its claims. It seems preposterous to us to admit saving 
 power or any spiritual virtue in that which has been followed uni- 
 foimly by such carnal and condemnatory issues. If it was not a 
 nullity i.t the time, its uses — if we believe in total depravity alter- 
 wards— have all been totally annihilated. We may here touch the 
 case of those who have been admitted to the church by sprinkling 
 or pouring, or a confession of their faith. It is well known that 
 Baptists consider immersion as essential to baptism. These parties 
 are in the position of those who have meant to execute a legal deed, 
 but have executed it illegally. Perhaps the right number of wit- 
 nesses to the signature of a will may illustrate the case. If this is 
 wanting, and the testator alive, the will must be executed again to 
 convey the property. In its present state it would convey none. 
 The informality is fatal ; the whole instrument, in its present state, 
 is a nullity. A command to baptize is a command to immerse, as 
 we hold, and of course for the candidate to be immersed. He who 
 has not been immersed has not obeyed this command. The inform- 
 ality has been fatal —the so-named baptism a nullity. A want of 
 form is held rationally to destroy all the force of a form on many 
 important occasions. 
 
 As, therefore, not his own convictions only of being a true be- 
 liever, but evidence of our conviction is required before we can sat- 
 isfactorily baptize the candidate ; so that which is deemed by us a 
 valid baptism, we feel bound to reemire before the candidate for 
 communion can be admitted to the Lord's Supper. Our firm con- 
 viction is that no servant of the Lord, or His church, however pious 
 and learned, has any legislative authority in the matter, of course 
 none to dispense with the law of Christ in regard to it. All are 
 "under the law of Christ." 
 
 Popular objections to our course, are: 
 
 1. It is bigoted and Sectarian, This is doubtless an availing cry, * 
 but is it a fair one in this case? Bigotry, regarded mildly, is exces- 
 sive attachment to the minor parts of a creed. But the charge takes 
 for granted what we entirely deny. In our view, a great and im- 
 portant institution of Jesus Christ is concerned — the initiatory ordi- 
 nance of His church, one without which no party of Christians, 
 except a small number in modern times (the Quakers and Open 
 Communion Baptist) have ever attempted to organize a church. 
 For the same reason, our conduct cannot be sectarian. The point 
 at issue regards not the mere upholding of the peculiarities of a di- 
 vision of the church ; our principle, that of not receiving the unbap- 
 tized into the church, involves the most elemental views of the 
 Christian community. It has never before been alleged that bap- 
 tism can be overlooked in the gathering of a church. That cannot 
 be sectarian, in an obnoxious sense, which has been the the com- 
 mon sentiment of the orthoelox throughout Christendom in all ages. 
 
320 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 2, But you exclude christians of acknowledged eminense i» 
 piety from the Lord's- Table. Have eminently pious men, then, no> 
 unreasonable or unscriptural prejudices? Or are we not mildly to> 
 withstand "Peter" when he is "to be blamed." What leading chris- 
 tian practice has not been opposed or declined by men of otherwise 
 pious character? The observance of the Sabbath, public prayer, 
 preaching, the circulation and study of the Scriptures, the celebra- 
 tion of the Lord's Supper, as a wholeandin part ? The whole Rom- 
 ish church are contending for the entire omission of the w T ine in the 
 case of the laity. And must we not admit that eminently pious persons- 
 have been found in that church, both before and since the Reforma- 
 tion ? Wycliffe, Tyndale, Sir Thomas Moore, Fenelon, Pascal, 
 Francis Xavier might here be shown to have high claims to that 
 character. But our space and time forbid. We would by no means- 
 exclude by any sentence of ours, all the Popes themselves from the 
 kingdom of God. But what of this? Would Paul have permitted 
 the half communion of the Papal church to be recognized as the 
 Lord's Supper? Or would he have communed therein with the 
 Pope, or Wycliff , or Tyndale, or Fenelon ? All sound Protestants- 
 will say no. That church had changed the ordinance from what 
 the Apostle had left it, and he would have left them as we have 
 done. Neither, as we believe, would he have recognized the half 
 baptism, so to speak, of the Pedo- Baptists, or have given it the kind 
 of standing which a mixed communion would in the christian 
 church. 
 
 3. But you acknowledge the brotherhood of Pedo-Baptists, and 
 avail yourselves sometimes of their ministry, yet refuse the whole 
 of the Lord's Supper. We regard Evangelical Pedo-Baptists as our 
 brethren in Christ; but, brethren, in respect to ordinances,- walking 
 disorderly, and therefore we obey an Apostolic admonition in with- 
 drawing from them in their administration of ordinances. Of the 
 ministry of our Pedo-Baptist brethren we sometimes avail ourselves, 
 because we find them preaching Christ. In the irregular preaching 
 of Christ we find an Apostle rejoicing. Phil. i. 18. Preaching, more- 
 over, is not necessarily connected with church organization ; it may 
 be conducted in or out of the pale of the church. Apollos is an elo- 
 quent man, mighty in the Scriptures, and taught diligently the 
 things of the Lord, when he oniy knew the way of the Lord imper- 
 fectly as to baptism, as do our Pedo-Baptist friends, we think. See 
 Acts xviii. 25. In hearing preaching we feel, again, that we can 
 separate the human testimony from the word of God. We may re- 
 ceive or reject, but to recognize a known unscriptural ordinance like 
 infant baptism, or omit a known scriptural one [in our view] like 
 believers' baptism, is obviously different. We accept thankfully the 
 teachings of any man who can instruct us, as can many of the Pedo- 
 Baptists in the things concerning God's kingdom ; and will not de- 
 prive ourselves of the great satisfaction and advantages we derive 
 from acting with them, so far as we are agreed. But we feel con- 
 strained, when they become irregular as to ordinances— unscriptu- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 821 
 
 ral, as we believe— in their administrations of both baptism and tbe 
 Lord's Supper, to halt; and as Paid and Barnabas, on a less occa- 
 sion, to part ; because, greatly as we love our Pedo-Baptist friends, 
 Christ and His cause we love better. 
 
 4. Tendencies of the new system. Each of the ordinances is a 
 positive institution, wholly originating in and dependent on the 
 will of the legislator. Destroy one [as we shall show this system 
 tends to] and in the vital force of its obligation you assail the other. 
 We receive the sacred elements of the Lord's Supper in both kinds, 
 and we administer one before the other uniformly, because thus the 
 Apostles received the ordinance "of the Lord." The Papists have 
 much to say about a whole Christ being received in the bread, and 
 we could prove no material error to be taught in administering the 
 wine before the bread ; but should we reject all the Papistical reas- 
 onings about the former? That is right to be done here, and only 
 that which the Lord has commanded. 
 
 The new system throws all things out of place in the relation of 
 the christian ordinances to each other. It would displace them, 
 avowedly from their relative position. But shall we thus improve 
 them ? Shall we not corrupt each in turn, and give an anti-christian 
 prominence to one or the other? Already when this point of a 
 mixed communion is urged, the Lord's Supper is dwelt upon and 
 magnified out of all due proportion. It is at least made a frequent 
 substitute for all other tokens of christian charity. You can not 
 love the Pedo-Baptist brethren, it will be rashly charged, because 
 you cannot meet them at the Lord's Table. To this it would seem 
 to be more than a sufficient reply They cannot love me as a brother, 
 or they would meet me at the sacramental water, but I find other 
 tokens of love to them prescribed, consistent with my obedience to 
 Christ, and in them I will seek to excel. 
 
 It is to magnify the Lord's Supper out of due proportion, when 
 we insist that this blessed feast is exclusively the memorial of Christ's 
 death. Baptism is such equally. And when we speak of partaking 
 the Lord's Supper as the chief token of christian love and unity. 1. 
 It is a token of love and unity among christians, but this is not its 
 primary or chief intent, but to symbolize our union with Christ. 
 Ye are all one bread and one body, forasmuch as ye all are partakers 
 of that one bread (Christ,) do this in remembrance of me. Over- 
 looking this essential order of the affections symbolized, serious mis- 
 takes may be made. 2. Nor was the Apostle's fellowship chiefly in 
 the Lord's Supper, but in prayer and praise, the hospitable enter- 
 tainment of the church, and the fraternal relief of the wants of all. 
 Fraternal devotion and fraternal charities of every kind were at least 
 as conspicuous in the best days of the church, and in these are we 
 one with all who love our Lord. 
 
 But the tendency of administering the Lord's Supper to be bap- 
 tized and unbaptized indifferently, is to the extinction of believers' 
 baptism, and indeed of all baptism. This may readily be made ap- 
 parent. Establish a right of the unbaptized to the Lord's Table, and 
 41 
 
322 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 you establish their right to every privilege of God's house, What 
 can you consistently withhold ? and ponder the terms on which you 
 do this. These two are the only positive institutions or ordinances 
 o!" the church, in natural order, as all hold baptism is first. It must 
 come in there, or you can require it nowhere. But this ordinance 
 you now agree to pass unnoticed, and institute an acknowled chris- 
 tian church or organized society without baptism. For peace sake 
 there must be, in such a society, a dead acquiescence in utter silence, 
 or endless disputations on this subject. Half or three-fourths of the 
 church may, consistently with this system, be proveu Pedo-Baptists. 
 On its introduction the barrier of baptism must be broken down. It 
 is not a legitimate fence of Christ's fold, but a wall of Jewish exclu- 
 siveness ; as a law of God's house it may be, by individuals, for 
 awhile, acknowledged, but happily, disobedience has no penalty ! 
 Was such a law ever long respected ? 
 
 In fine, here is a christian community holding as a whole, and 
 as such, with no baptism, — and yet in its component parts with 
 every variety of baptism, or just with baptism enough to destroy 
 the whole doctrine of baptism. The Pedo-Baptists cannot, in char- 
 ity, enforce their views, nor the Baptists theirs. The church, en- 
 deavoring to include both parties, has silenced both — each in the 
 act of their charitable embrace, while disarming an opponent, has 
 stultified itself, and all God's counsel on the subject of baptism is 
 sealed up, on the peril of every old charge of sectarianism and big- 
 otry being renewed. Beguiled by the shadow of an unity of profes- 
 sion this community, surely like the animal in the fable, has drop- 
 ped the children's meat in this ordinance forever. While such a 
 compromise should last it would be a 'church acknowledging no 
 baptism, neither that of infants nor believers. In many cases be- 
 lievers' baptism would be discontinued, accession to the church not 
 requiring it. It would go first. But who that loves consistency 
 can, in either view of the ordinance, desire to live under such a 
 system ? Or who would, by means of such a system, seek such a 
 result as this ? Not a single good man, as we believe, with his eyes 
 open. Thine to serve. T. Curtis. 
 
 October 18th, 18o0. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER OF T. CURTIS. 
 
 Christian Baptism — the Afocle and the Subjects of it. 
 Some few years ago the writer was traveling in a Southern state, 
 and had a letter of introduction to the Episcopal Bishop of the state. 
 'How is it," said that pious and able divine, '£hat go where I will 
 in mj r diocese the colored people will be Baptists? They must go 
 into the water and be baptized in your way. You Baptist ministers 
 are thus' made very responsible for seeing that they do not make it 
 a saving ordinance." Admitting this responsibility the writer's 
 answer in substance was: "You know, Bishop, that these colored 
 people are our Southern poor ; the poor were to have the Gospel 
 preached unto them, and it is especially adapted to them ; these 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 323 
 
 poor people find our baptism on the face of the New Testament. 
 They hear and read of men and women going down into the water, 
 being baptized, and coming up out of the water. This kind of lan- 
 guage describes our baptism, and no other. Some of your ablest 
 writers have said infant baptism is in the New Testament, out not 
 on it. Ours is both on it and in it. 
 
 Now these considerations made us at first unwilling to under- 
 take this letter. Believers' baptism (and that only) is so plainly 
 commanded and described in the New Testament, and various 
 Tracts (Pengilly, Wilson's Scripture Manual, &c.,) have, in addition, 
 so well pointed this out, that the undertaking appeared unnecessary. 
 But this last thought decided us to proceed. The baptism of believ- 
 ers is in the New Testament, closely interwoven with its very text- 
 ure, warp and woof, with the strong threads and the fillings up. It 
 decides the constituency or composition of the church of whom alone 
 it shall consist ; it afreets deeply the whole polity or government of 
 the church, by determining who only can receive its laws and carry 
 on its government. A Bible baptism properly followed out would 
 long since have swept away from the world every form of the Papal 
 hierarchy and of political or established churches. It and it only, 
 as a baptism, gathers its disciples out of the world. Hence it is ex- 
 pressly called in the Gospels "the counsel of God" (Luke vii. 30 ;) so 
 that no man can declare all that counsel and not teach it. As such 
 it is a speaking, eloquent symbol both of all Christ's work for us and 
 of all our duty to Him. When attended to sincerely, no single act 
 of the christian life is so expressive of either. We might expect this 
 from the infinite wisdom and authority which enjoin it, as to be but 
 once performed. None of us, therefore, have as yet either exhausted 
 its import or acted up to its meaning. Our readers who are not Bap- 
 tists should consider prayerfully how much this holy ordinance is 
 exhibited on the face of the New Testament ; Baptists, especially, 
 where and how much it is found'in it. Our remarks will be divided 
 between these two considerations. 1. Believers' baptism is found 
 everywhere upon the face of the New Testament. There are thous- 
 ands of baptisms of believers in express terms, every one of whom 
 were first required to repent and believe ; no clear case can be quoted 
 of any other baptism. All acknowledge this. We ask for one clear 
 case of any other. But a previous question has been started — What 
 is baptism ? In reply to this, we shall consider first, the testimony 
 of the English Scriptures ; secondly, the concessions of learned 
 Pedo-Baptists. 2. All that Baptists in general have learned on this 
 subject, it is to be remembered, has come down to them through 
 their opponents, the Pedo-Baptists. Forty-seven learned men of the 
 reign of King James I. of England — all Pedo-Baptists — have given 
 them the English Bible, and it is this Pedo-Baptist translation of 
 the Scriptures that has made hundreds of thousands of American 
 and English Baptists one of the largest religious denominations, cer- 
 tainly in this only land of entire religious freedom. If learning- 
 could with any tolerable honesty have twisted the testimony of the 
 
324 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Scriptures against them — when the learning was, as to this matter 
 of translation, wholly in their opponents' hands — would it not have 
 so done ? But the Baptists are, in the main, contented to rest their 
 case on the common English Bible. They have received both their 
 faith and its ordinances from it, and it has proof enough that the 
 first churches and first baptisms were like theirs. John's baptisms 
 lead the way. He is emphatically the Baptist, or baptizer of the 
 Gospels — a title descriptive of duty and office, which is frequently 
 given to him by our Savior.* We assume, therefore, that John 
 knew his duty, and did it in the best manner. [Though the mean- 
 ing of baptism, or what was signified, was afterwards enlarged, 
 none contend that the sign itself was altered.] iWhere then, and 
 how, do we ever find him baptizing ? In the valley or the river of 
 Jordan, always— requiring the inhabitants of the region round about 
 "all Judea" that sought baptism, and even the more distant inhab- 
 itants of Jerusalem, to come to his baptism there. We never read 
 of his baptizing anywhere else. The divine Redeemer Himself 
 comes from distant Galilee to that consecrated stream for baptism. 
 So must Pharisees and Sadducees and Publicans and Soldiers — all 
 the country round about — it they would be baptized of Him, which 
 Christ declares in effect to have been the duty of them all. (Matt. 
 xxi. 25.) W T here particular parts of the river or valley which he 
 used are mentioned — one is Bethabara, a ford or a place near a ford, 
 just such as we Baptists choose in country rivers — another is Enon, 
 "because there was much water there." (Luke vii. 28 ; Matt. xi. 12.) 
 The valley of the Jordan, according to the testimony of the best 
 modern travelers, is to this day exactly the place for such a Baptist 
 revival of religion as John conducted — the most suitable place still, 
 perhaps, in all the world. Burckhardt finds the river fordable in 
 many places during the summer, in the rainy season in few. Irby 
 and Mangles, that the water reached the belly of their horses in 
 
 *While the exact situation of Enon is not, perhaps, in modern 
 times to be pointed out, the happy explanatory phrase of the Evan- 
 gelist, near to Salim, suggests a remark or two bearing on our sub- 
 ject. Salim was, according to Jerome and Eusebius, 8 miles S. of 
 Seythopolis or Bethshan ; so was Enon, as they both state, confirm- 
 ing the Evangelist's remark that the one place was near the other. 
 Seythopolis has been well ascertained by Dr. Robinson and Burck- 
 hardt to he but two miles from the Jordan, which here runs from 
 N. to S. Neither Salim nor Enon could then have been far from the 
 river; they were clearly within the valley. Calmet's Dictionary, as 
 edited by Dr. Robinson, speaks of Enon as between Salim and the 
 Jordan.* Seythopolis was not far off. If John resorted to Enon, 
 near Salim, because there was much water there, would he not have 
 gone to this place for the same reason (not half a day's journey N,) 
 had he not been as well accommodated in Enon ? Now at Seythop- 
 olis there were two streams running through the city into the Jordan 
 "almost insulating the Acropolis," says Dr. Robinson, "and uniting 
 below" — over one of which are still seen the ruins of a fine Roman 
 bridge. Such was the neighborhood for natural baptisteries; or ex- 
 actly such as those which country Baptists to this day use. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 325 
 
 March ; afterwards it was much swollen. Buckingham and Banks, 
 that it was easily fordable, flowing over a bed of pebbles. Dr. Rob- 
 inson's account of this river is much the same. The common testi- 
 mony is that it has few rapids, but is a remarkably swift and silent 
 stream. Hew solemn and heart-striking the assembly and in. rner- 
 sion of thousands on the banks, and in the water of such a stream ! 
 Angels we know have rejoiced to witness these scenes, but no infe- 
 rior mode of baptism can possibly renew them, or give anything like 
 a just impression of their solemnity. The verdure of these banks 
 is called in Zechariah (Heb. xi. 3) "the pride of Jordan," and the 
 trees afford freemently what a late traveler calls "convenient anel 
 well-shaded dressing places for the numerous, bathers who usually 
 visit here." The centre and scene of John's baptism, then, are this 
 river and valley ; that is clear, and stronger terms are used of the 
 number of them than respecting those of any other party, Christ and 
 His personal disciples not excepted. * What can plain people make 
 of this? The man who baptized most in the New Testament, anel 
 who was sent of God emphatically to baptize truly or rightly, bap- 
 tized in our way. Did any popular Pedo-Baptist minister ever do 
 the like in modern times? He calls up convicted sinners, and, in 
 some cases if not to join the church, that they may be converted 
 But who ever heard, except among Baptists, of converts being re- 
 quired to seek the river's side, or any public water ? A small portion 
 of the Pedo-Baptist ministers of this country perform their baptism 
 in churches, and with the water contained in a basin ; the larger 
 portion go round and administer this rite in the same way in private 
 rooms. Now, why this palpable difference from the primitive pro- 
 ceedings? They have changed the ordinance; they have not kept 
 that which was delivered to the church for baptism. 
 
 Our Saviour Himself never personally baptized ; although His 
 taking up infants into His arms without baptizing them, is a favor- 
 ite proof text for infant baptism in high quarters. * * But the scene 
 in which, while He tarried with them His disciples baptized, is de- 
 scribed as in the neighborhood of John's ministrations. \ The fair 
 inference is, they all resorted there to administer the same rite in the 
 same way. It is certain, says Neander, that He [Christ] went di- 
 rectly to Enon, a name derived from a Hebrew word,"; signifying a 
 place abounding with water ; and Eusebius speaks of the place as 
 still pointed out in his day. 
 
 The Eunuch's baptism (Acts vii.) is sufficient to establish the 
 Apostolic practice. The Evangelist Philip had been preaching to an 
 ignorant but ardent proselyte of Judaism — Christ and His baptism. 
 Both are clearly included in preaching unto him Jesus. Now he 
 must seize the first opportunity of confessing his faith in Christ. 
 "See here is water!" Where? In the skins of water common to 
 
 *Matt. iii. 5, 6. ** Episcopal Prayer Book, &c. Here Mark x, 
 13 is quoted expressly to show the grounds of infant baptism. 
 I Rom, iii. 23. 
 
326 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 all travelers in the East of decent circumstances, or in a gourd easily 
 rilled from them ? No; it is here by the road side. The chariot 
 must stand still for them to use it in baptism. They must both go 
 down into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and when he 
 had baptized him both came up out of the water. "Here is water : 
 what doth hinder me to be baptized ?" asks the teacher. Two things- 
 then are clear here — one which respects the mode of baptism — the 
 other the subject, (i) Here was a "hindrance" to baptism, until the 
 water at which they stopped the chariot, appeared — although this 
 would be no hindrance to a Pedo-Baptist minister of modern times, 
 similarly circumstanced, (ii) There would have been a hindrance 
 to baptism at the water side, unless the Eunuch had been a believer 
 —although this, the absence of faith, is no hindrance to baptism in 
 our modern Pedo-Baptist churches. "It would be very unnatural to 
 suppose," says the candid Pedo-Baptist Doddridge, "that they went 
 down to the water merely that Philip might take up a little water 
 in his hand to pour on the Eunuch. A person of his dignity had no 
 doubt many vessels in his baggage on such a journey through a des- 
 ert country — a precaution absolutely necessary, and never omitted." 
 Apostolic doctrine and inspired exhortations to duty, grounded 
 on the true form of baptism, confirm the importance of abiding by 
 that form. "We are buried with Christ by baptism into death.'' 
 What other mode but that of immersion in baptism buries anything 
 but the hand of the administrator. "That like as Christ was iai&t-d 
 up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we also should 
 walk in newness of life." Heb. vi. 4. What is there like raising any- 
 thing up in that rite, but in such baptism as first buries the subject 
 of it? Let a Commentator Chrysostom, of the 4th century speak 
 here: "when we sink our heads in the water, as if we were in a 
 tomb, the old man is buried and going down is hidded entire at once. 
 To be baptized and to sink down, then to rise up, is a symbol of 
 the going down into the grave and of the coming up from jt." A 
 parallel passage is found, Col. ii. 12. : "Buried with Him by baptism 
 into death, wherein also ye are risen with Him by the faith of the 
 operation of God." A burial and resurrection are both here said to 
 take place in baptism. True it is, that the party being a professed 
 believer, is said to be risen with Christ by faith. But this does not 
 destroy the plain import of the terms, that there is a burial and res- 
 urrection in baptism itself. It, the sign baptism, is figuratively a 
 burial and raising up in all cases ; it is a burial and raising up with 
 Christ, when the thing signified, a true faith in Christ is betokened 
 by the sign. Afterwards come all the important exhortations of 
 Col. chap. iii. founded on this appeal to the significant ancient-bap- 
 tism. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which 
 are above.-' "Set your affections on things above," &c. None but 
 Baptists ever are buried with Christ in the si£n ! "Can we be buried 
 with Christ by baptism and in baptism? it has been asked. If in 
 baptism itself there is no burial. The ancient method of baptism 
 by immersion is here alluded to, says Mr. Wesley, on Col. ii. 12. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 327 
 
 The concessions of very learned Pedo-Baptists on this subject 
 =are remarkable. We have onl\ room for a few. They might be ex- 
 tended to a large number. Prof. Stuart, of Andover, Mass., has de- 
 voted a long public life to the criticism of the Bible, He has been 
 ■among the most efficient promoters of the Biblical learning of the 
 country. What is his testimony to the meaning of the terms ren- 
 dered baptism and to baptize ? Bapto, baptizo, mean to dip, plungr, 
 or immerse in any liquid. All Lexicographers and critics are agreed 
 in this, he adds. [The Professor elsewhere expresses doubt as to this 
 meaning being always retained in the New Testament, but this does 
 not destroy his testimony as to the original meaning of the words,] 
 
 The late Dr. Chalmers, of Scotland, is considered one of the ablest 
 divines that country ever produced. In his commenting on Rom. 
 vi:3-7 he writes, "The original meaning of the word baptism is im- 
 mersion. We doubt not that the prevalent style in the administra- 
 tion of the Apostle's day, was by an actual submerging of the whole 
 body under water. In the act of descending under the water of bap- 
 tism [we are conceived] to have resigned an old life, and in the act 
 of ascending to emerge into a second and new life." "Alluding to 
 the ancient method of baptism by immersion," says Mr. Wesley 
 (Notes on the New Testament) on this passage. 
 
 Br. Samuel Johnson was the author of the first Standard Dic- 
 tionary in our language and still remarkable for the learning he 
 would pour out in common conversation. He defined in his Dic- 
 tionary to baptize— as to christen; but being asked how he could ac- 
 count for the bold alteration of God's ordinance which the Roman- 
 ists make in denying the cup to the laity in the Lord's Supper, 'T 
 ihink," said he, "They are as well warranted to make this alteration 
 as we are to substitute sprinkling in the room of the ancient baptism." 
 The Romanists are consistent here; they do not pretend to find either 
 alteration in Scripture, but refer openly to tradition and Mother 
 Church for their only authority. Let us now open the more modern 
 but highly valued Dictionary of Richardson, 2 Vols. 4to. The author 
 is of the English Episcopal church. The only definition he gives of 
 baptism is, "To dip or merge frequently, to sink, to plunge, or im- 
 merge," giving as an instance : "Philosophy baptized 
 
 In the pure fountain of eternal love 
 
 Has eyes indeed." 
 
 "I have heard a disputant," says Dr. Geo. Campbell, of Aber- 
 deen, "in defiance of etymology and use, maintain that the word 
 rendered in the New Testament, baptize, means more properly to 
 sprinkle than to plunge, and in defiance of all antiquity to maintain 
 that the former was the earliest and the most general practice in 
 baptizing. One who argues in this manner never fails with persons 
 of knowledge to betray the cause he would defend, and though with 
 respect to the vulgar, bold assertions, generally succeed as well as 
 argument, and sometimes better, yet a candid mind will always 
 disdain to seek the help of falsehood in the support of truth." He 
 
328 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 complains that Protestant translators have not been so faithful as 
 the Romanists in their account of the circumstances attending bap- 
 tism. 
 
 Prof. C. Arthur, of New York, has edited various Greek and 
 Latin authors ; his editions are in constant use in our schools and 
 colleges ; he has been considered one of the most distinguished Greek 
 scholars in the Union. Applied to on the subject by Dr. Parmly, of 
 New York, he says in 1843 : "There is no authority for the remark 
 of Dr. Spring relative to baptize. The primary meaning of the word 
 is to dip, to immerse ; and its secondaey meaning, if it ever had any, 
 in some way or other all refer to the same leading idea. Sprinkling, 
 &c, are entirely out of the question." 
 
 And here I am reminded of the judgment of Prof. Porson, the 
 ablest Greek scholar in England, in my youth : "The Baptists have 
 the advantage of us," he said to Dr. Newman, of London, "in the 
 meaning of that word. It signifies a total immersion." 
 
 The oldest and the latest of the Encyclopedias with which I am 
 acquainted (the largest and most carefully prepared dictionaries in 
 the English language) define baptism ; the first, Rees' Cyclopedia, 
 1786, from the Greek baptizo of bapto — to dip or plunge, a rite or cer- 
 emony by which persons are initiated into the profession of the chris- 
 tian religion. The Penny Cyclopedia, 23 Vols., just completed. Tiie 
 words baptism and to baptize are Greek terms, which imply in the 
 ordinary acceptation, washing or dipping. The Edinburg Encyclo- 
 pedia [about midway] says: "In the time of the Apostles the form 
 of baptism was very simple. The person to be baptized was dipped 
 in a river or vessel, with the words which Christ had ordered The 
 Greek church retains the custom of immersing the whole body ; but 
 the Western Church adopted in the xiii. century the mode of baptism 
 by sprinkling, which has been continued by the Protestants, Bap- 
 tists only excepted." 
 
 Dr. Neander, of Berlin, a converted Jew (expert in all manner 
 of questions among the Jews,) and one of our greatest christian schol- 
 ars and historians, writes : "As John's followers were entirely im- 
 mersed in the water, so the Messiah should immerse the souls of 
 believers in the Holy Ghost." Having been since written to on the 
 subject, he says : "As to your question on the original rite of baptism, 
 there can be no doubt whatever that in the primitive times the cere- 
 mony was performed by immersion." [Letter to Rev. Mr. Judd, 
 1833.] 
 
 In the Biblical Cyclopedia, lately published by Dr. Kitts, a friend 
 of Neander's contributes the article "baptism," which the latter re- 
 vised. The work embodies contributions from a large number of 
 the ablest Pedo-Baptists of Germany, England and America. Here 
 we read the profession of faith [1 Petter iii. 21] was made (using) 
 the formula, in the name of Christ, or according to Matt. xxv. 21, of 
 the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, when the whole body was im- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 329 
 
 mersed in water. Afterwards the writer speaks of "immersing the 
 subject of baptism" as the usual way. 
 
 We may close this part of the subject with the practical conces- 
 sions of Episcopalians. The church of England directs the minis- 
 ter, discreetly and warily, to dip the child in the water unless it 
 should be weak, when it shall suffice to pour water on it. The Amer- 
 ican Episcopal Church, to dip it in the water discreetly or pour 
 water upon it, and furnishes a prayer to be read immediately before 
 the immersion or the pouring of water. Not a word is here said of 
 sprinkling, though that has become the general practice of those 
 churches. The prayer book of each would certainly induce an im- 
 partial reader to suppose that they preferred immersion, and Epis- 
 copal clergymen have sometimes practiced it on this ground 
 expressly, as the good John Wesley, in the early days of his minis- 
 try. There is a remarkable entry upon the point in his Georgia 
 journal. "Mary Walsh," he says, "aged eleven days, was baptized 
 according to the custom of the first church and the rule of the Church 
 of England by immersion." 
 
 Dr. Wall, the ablest advocate of infant baptism in that church, 
 wishes "immersion to be restored," and asserts that it was the gen- 
 eral practice of the church for thirteen hundred years. So says like- 
 wise Dr. Whitby, the celebrated commentator, on Rom. vi. 20: 
 "Immersion was religiously observed by all christians for thirteen 
 hundred years." Learned Pedo-Baptists will freely concede that in 
 the practice of immersion we must be right, the whole amount of 
 their efforts to defend any other mode is that it also may be right. 
 In a matter of disobedience to our divine Redeemer, which must be 
 the safer and more reverential practice — that of those who act upon 
 a mere probability of being right, or that of those who act— their 
 opponents being judges, upon an impossibility of being wrong! * 
 
 Believers' baptism is also in the New Testament, closely inter- 
 woven with its history, its doctrines, its whole plan of gatherings 
 constituting, governing and disciplining the church of Christ. 
 
 We advert again to the baptism of John, which may be called 
 the lowest form of its application in the New Testament. He is a 
 
 * A legal friend once pressed upon a Presbyterian of his own pro- 
 fession the law maxim, that in the construction of a disputed word 
 in a deed or will, that meaning must be received which best suits the 
 words before and after. "Let us," said hie, "try the various mean- 
 ings that have been given to the word baptism in this way. They 
 are but three — pouring, sprinkling, and immersion. Take all the 
 varieties of each and try them." "To pour," Johnson says, "is to 
 emit, give vent to, send forth, or let out in a continued course." 
 Can we say, to take the short record of Philip's baptizing the Eunuch: 
 "And he [Philip] emitted, gave vent to, sent forth, let out in a con- 
 tinued course the Eunuch. To sprinkle, according to the same au- 
 thority, is to scatter, disperse in small masses, scatter in drops. May 
 we then say, "And Philip scattered, dispersed in small masses, scat- 
 tered in drops the Eunuch ? But when I try the only remaining 
 meaning to immerse, Johnson says this is to put under water, sink 
 or cover deep ; and can I not say, Philip put under water, sunk, cov- 
 ered deep the Eunuch ? 
 42 
 
330 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 preacher, the powerful and pungent preacher of rep. ntance to all 
 classes throughout his life ; the entire multitude to be baptized are 
 required to confess their sins. His whole preaching would have 
 been thrown away, therefore, upon all the subjects of the Pedo- 
 Baptist ordinance. He baptizes nobody but upon repentance, and 
 speaks of the dawning day of Christ as onJy to be more searching 
 and particular in its requirements. His baptisms are not only those 
 of moral agents, but of such only as are convicted and penitent sin- 
 ners. In the same manner does the Savior begin His ministry. His 
 first labors are described in the same terms with those of John. 
 When he and His followers therefore make and baptize disciples, 
 we cannot expect them to be of less decided moral and spiritual 
 character. They soon became in this respect greater than John him- 
 self. We now come to the commission given by our Lord to His 
 church and her ministers ; where, as the celebrated Richard Baxter 
 says, "we should expect that He would be specific, and place all 
 things in their due order." 
 
 "This is not," he observes, "like some occasional historical men- 
 tion of baptism, but it is the very commission of Christ to His Apos- 
 tles for preaching and baptizing, and purposely expresseth their 
 several works in their several places and order. To contemn this 
 order is to renounce all rules of order." Baxter further says : "Those 
 that say they are discipled. by baptizing and not before baptizing, 
 speak not the sense of the text —not that which is true or rational." 
 Matthew gives the commission in three great parts. 1. Teach all 
 nations. 2. Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy 
 Ghost. 3. Teach them to observe all things that I have command- 
 ed. Mark gives it in one single clause: "Preach the Gospel to every 
 creature," adding the solemn sanction, "He that believeth and is 
 baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." 
 These two versions of the commission cast great light on each other. 
 Matthew's teaching before baptism is clearly the same thing as 
 Mark's preaching the Gospel or good news; while the awful sanction 
 added by the latter as clearly supposes that every creature to whom 
 this Gospel is preached, can believe or reject it, for he is to be no 
 less than — damned! who believes not. How utterly absurd and 
 cruel to suppose for a moment that infants or idiots can be included 
 here ' On the day of Pentecost all the teaching and preaching are 
 before baptism ; thousands pricked to the heart are exhorted to re- 
 pent and receive in Christ's name the holy ordinance, and thus to 
 save themselves from the coming judgments of their generation. 
 "Repent and be converted. Ye are the children of the prophets! — 
 God hath His Son to bless you in turning away every one of you 
 from his iniquities, — every soul that will not hear that Prophet shall 
 be destroyed from among the people," is the language of this memo- 
 rable sermon. "Then they who gladly received the Word were bap- 
 tized." We have no baptism on this record but that of such as were 
 recipients of the Word preached. 
 
 After the terrible punishment of Ananias and Sapphira, of the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 331 
 
 rest not believers, we are told, "durst no man join" himself to the 
 churches, "but believers were the more added to the Lord." On the 
 larger scale of a city at Samaria, Philip acts as in the individual case 
 of the Eunuch. "And when they believed Philip preaching the 
 things concerning the kingdom of God, they were baptized." The 
 persecuting Saul is converted, then baptized — Cornelius and all bis 
 house, after they had received the Holy Ghost. When the church 
 increases anywhere it is because the Word of God grows and is mul- 
 tiplied, because the churches were established in the faith, and the 
 Lord opened the door of faith. Is Lydia and her household baptized/ 
 It is the result of Paul's preaching in the prayer meeting by the river 
 side ; the jailer and his household, because "he believed in God with 
 all his house," as did Crispus/ and many of the Corinthians hear- 
 ing, believed, and were baptized. This is the constant manner of 
 expression with the sacred Penman — hearing, believing and being 
 baptized. There are now iii the churches but one Lord, one faith 
 in the Lord, and one baptism into the faith. Of five household bap- 
 tisms recorded, four are expressly said to have been all believers, or 
 to have feared God and served Him ; and the household not thus 
 described was that of a woman (Lydia) whom no one can show to 
 have been married. Pedo-Baptism must 1st, marry her ; 2d, give 
 her children ; 3d, infant children at this time, before this can avail 
 that cause. Moreover there were believers in her house. See Acts 
 xxi. 40. 
 
 The highest obligations to christian duty are drawn in the Epis- 
 tles from the vow and professions voluntarily made in baptism. Paul 
 will devote entire chapters to exhortations thus grounded. Of Rom. 
 vi. says Dr. Chalmers before quoted : "We have been in the habit 
 of regarding this chapter as the passage of greatest interest in the 
 Bible ; as that in which the greatest quantity of Scriptural light is 
 thrown on the path of transition which leads from the imputed 
 righteousness, which is by faith to the personal righteousness, which 
 is by a new and spiritual obedience. Baptized into his death, or re- 
 garding ourselves as if like Him, we had actually been slain and 
 buried, and like Him brought forth anew, and made alive again 
 before God. 
 
 1 Corinthians xv. 29. Here is a difficulty as to who are the dead 
 intended, but none at all as the point of who are the proper subjects 
 of baptism. The argument is, AVhy are any baptized [knowingly] 
 for the dead, if they rise not ? They are baptized, believing in the 
 resurrection of the dead. Can this be written of any but professed 
 believers? 
 
 Galatians iii. 27. As many of you as have been baptized into 
 Christ, have put on Christ ; that is, says Dr. Macknight [another 
 eminent Pedo-Baptist writer] have professed that ye have put on 
 Christ — put on the very temper and virtues of Christ. Were cot 
 such parties baptized on their own professions and intentions ? In- 
 tentional baptism is a strong motive to holiness, which all Pedo- 
 Baptists must want. Their candidates are never intentionally or 
 voluntarily baptized. 
 
332 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Hebrews x. 22, 23 argues our privileges of being bold in prayer 
 from our possession of true religion [having our hearts sprinkled 
 from an evil conscience,] and our profession of' it [having our bodies 
 washed with pure water] — "a plain allusion," says Prof. Stuart, "to 
 the use of water in christian baptism." How clear the order of pos- 
 session and profession ! How beautiful the union ! God hath joined 
 them together here : Shall we put them asunder? or try to move 
 the cars on a railroad without a steam engine? 
 
 1 Peter iii. 21. The Reformer Beza and others suppose this an 
 allusion to the answers of questions put to the candidate in primi- 
 tive baptism. Can those have a conscience that answers to anything, 
 who understand no question, and are held responsible by no law for 
 any part of their conduct? "A good conscience," says Leighton, 
 here, "is a working, speaking conscience ; and the conscience that 
 questions itself most is of all sorts the best." So think Baptists with 
 regard to this great matter of baptism ; but who beside ? 
 
 Nor should we forget how instructive in our time is the silence 
 of the New Testament on some subjects. "We have no such com- 
 mandment," is a sound answer to a score of Romish traditions in 
 religion ; as "we gave no such commandment" was a sufficient an- 
 swer to the scores of Judaizing traditions in the Apostle's case. [See 
 Acts xv.] 
 
 It is marvelous, if infant baptism be a christian ordinance, that 
 it should have been entirely unnoticed in the faithful Book of the 
 Acts of the Apostles. This extends thirty years at least from the 
 death of Christ — the Epistles thirty years farther. The. Apostles 
 must have seen a second or third generation in the families of some, 
 yea many, of the thousands of early disciples; or tens of thousands 
 of the children of believers. The writer of this letter, in much less 
 time, has seen the children's children of many he has baptized, fit 
 subjects for Pedo-Baptism, as it is commonly practiced; yet out of 
 the history of Apostolic baptism [if infants were baptized] are left 
 all the cases that must, in the course of nature, have been most fre- 
 quently occurring — the cases, too, such as would most frequently 
 occur in all coming time — the pattern cases of all time ! No single 
 record of such a case is found ; no admonition to parents or sponsors 
 in regard to the treatment of this host of young disciples— not one 
 to any of them as such. Who can believe this and hold fully that 
 our religion is to be nothing but what the Bible teaches? No holy 
 Apostle laments with the pious Leighton, the "much guiltiness" of 
 the church in reference to infant baptism, or speaks of "the holiness 
 and faith" that would be increased by pondering upon it— or calls on 
 paretns to stir up themselves to the actings of faith on this account. 
 What important parts of God's counsel did Apostles and Apostolic 
 men neglect if this successor of the Apostles be right in his views of 
 baptism ! We conclude, therefore, with the greatest of all protestant 
 Peelo-Baptists— Martin Luther : "It cannot be proved by the sacred 
 Scriptures that infant baptism was instituted by Christ, or begun by 
 the first christians after the Apostles." 
 
BIOGRAPHTCAL SKETCHES. 333 
 
 [*** Particular reference was requested to be made in this letter 
 to "those disciples whom Paul found at Ephesus." Acts xix. 1"] 
 We presume the inquiry is here to be regarded as two-fold : 
 
 1. Were these disciples at this time baptized by Paul ? 
 
 2. If so, why? Our answer is : We think they were baptized 
 by the Apostle. Learned and good mtn have doubted this, but it is 
 the most natural construction of the words, *'They who were bap- 
 tized in the name of the Lord Jesus" [verse 5] are they of whom it 
 is said immediately ; "And Paul laid his hands on them [verse 6,] 
 and they spoke with tongues.". We think hebaptized them because 
 their great former ignorance, both of the importanceof faith in Christ 
 and of the work of the Holy Spirit — that they, therefore, had been 
 very imperfectly instructed into John's baptism, which spoke of 
 both of these themes, and especially of the baptism of the Holy 
 Ghost. Apollos, the case immediately preceding, who' knew only 
 the baptism of John, does not appear to have been re-baptized. 
 
 The writer's whole mind on the subject is briefly expressed by 
 the latest and perhaps ablest of our Baptist controversialists — Dr. 
 Carson. "That some of John's disciples," he says on this passage, 
 "were afterwards baptized in the name of the Lord, I know, is dis- 
 puted ; but for my part I can not see how this can be denied without 
 torturing the Word of God, which I will never do for any cause 
 ■whatever." I may add the supposition that these disciples were not 
 the parties now baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, does torture 
 the Word of God in this way. 1. It makes the pronoun "them" of 
 the 6th verse jump over the "they" who were baptized in the 5th, 
 and go back for the parties referred to in the 3d verse— a kind ofcon- 
 struction [after using the same pronoun they in the preceding verse] 
 which is not to be paralleled in Scripture nor any grammatical 
 writing. 2. It positively asserts that the New Testament nowhere 
 else does, that John baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. John's 
 was the baptism of repentance, and while he knew the Messiah 1o 
 be immediately coming, and exhorted the people to believe on Him 
 as the coming one, he did not personally know Jesus to be the Mes- 
 siah until he baptized him ; and there is an evident change in the 
 phraseology when christian baptism [striotly] is described. Compare 
 Acts ii. 3 V : "Be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord 
 Jesus." Acts viii. 16. "They w T ere baptized in the name of the Lord 
 Jesus." Acts x. 48. Peter "commanded them to be baptized in the 
 name of the Lord." 3. The construction we oppose must be follow- 
 ed throughout, if at all ; and (1) this would make Paul to have laid 
 his hands on the disciples of John generally, the greater part of 
 whom he never saw. (2) All those disciples to have spoken with 
 tongues and prophesied — or thousands before the day of Pentecost. 
 (3) Yet "all the men" to have been only "about twelve." 
 
 October 19th, 1849. 
 
 T. Curtis. 
 
334 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 Crawley, Elder Edmund Albern, D. D., is a native of 
 England, born January 20th, 1799, brought up in Sydney, 
 Cape Breton; graduated from King's College, Nova Scotia, 
 1819; converted in Granville, and baptized at Halifax, 
 Nova Scotia, in 1827 ; abandoned the law and studied Bibli- 
 cal interpretation under Prof. Moses Stuart, at Andover; 
 was ordained at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1830. From 
 1832 was pastor of Granville Street church, Halifax, Nova 
 Scotia, for thirteen years; became professor in Acadia Col- 
 lege at its inception, January 1839. Brown University hon- 
 ored him in 1846 with D. D. He became president of 
 Acadia College in 1854; subsequently spent some years in 
 the United States, and in 1867 resumed professorship in 
 Acadia, and is now principal of the theological department 
 in that college. Dr. Crawley was very prominent in origi- 
 nating the educational movement among the Baptists in 
 Nova Scotia, and also in carrying forward the work. / He 
 possessed a philosophic mind and splendid talents, is highly 
 cultured. He is a sound theologian and a magnificent 
 preacher. (The above is taken from Dr. Cathcart's Baptist 
 Encyclopedia.) 
 
 During the time Dr. Crawley sojourned in the United 
 States he spent a portion of his time in the town of Shelby, 
 N. C. He was pastor of the Shelby Baptist church in 1864, 
 and was principal of the Female Seminary in Shelby, he be- 
 ing then a member of the Limestone church, Spartanburg 
 county, S. C. At the session of the Broad River Associa- 
 tion in 1864, he was a delegate from the Limestone church, 
 and prepared the circular letter addressed to the churches 
 on the subject of " making our lives correspond to the meaning 
 of the ordinance of baptism.'" And because of the great at- 
 tainments of Dr Crawley we reproduce the letter for the en- 
 tertainment of the readers of this work which is as follows: 
 
 hear Brethren : — If Baptist views are but Scriptural views, as 
 we all confidently believe, it must be admitted that our faith binds 
 us to some special duties in relation to it ; for as is the measure of 
 our light, so must be the measure of our obligation. 
 
 On the important duty of enforcing the Divine authority of bap- 
 tism, by\ making our lives correspond to the meaning of the ordi- 
 nance, so as to become a counterpart of the main truths it speaks, 
 we desire now to address you in a few earnest words. 
 
 By many, we apprehend, this duty is feebly appreciated. We 
 fear there is often a zeal for the truths we hold that consists only in 
 outward form, and is unaccompanied with a corresponding zeal for 
 those truths in their design and power. But if "the immersion of 
 believers" is an ordinance of God of so great moment that it demands 
 the severance of all previous church ties, in order to form others on 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 335 
 
 this new basis — if it often makes it a duty to forsake friends and 
 kindred, and turn our backs ou old and cherished associations that 
 we may give the entire weight of our influence to the baptized dis- 
 ciples of Jesus, it surely is needful that we show to those from whom 
 we are thus severed that it is more than a form — an idea — that pro- 
 duces the painful separation. If there be not life and power in Bap- 
 tist belief, it might be a question whether the wounds that are often 
 unavoidable in tearing away from other communions, are not a more 
 serious breach of the law of love, than the denial or neglect of im- 
 mersion is a breach of the law of form. 
 
 But we hold that there is in the doctrine of baptism — that is, of 
 the immersion of a believer into Christ — both power and life. Woe 
 be to us Baptists if we fail to perceive or feel it. Is it not the admit- 
 ted design of this ordinance to give new force to the highest truths 
 of Christianity, by presenting them to the eye, as well as the under- 
 standing in vivid symbol ? 
 
 Baptism proclaims the uncompromising character of the religion 
 of Jesus, which tolerates no superficial work as fitting a man for 
 heaven. No more adherance to forms, however just; no improve- 
 ment of character, even, however amiable, that does not involve, as 
 •a radical and essential element, ''being born again of water and of 
 the Holy Ghost." The ordinance speaks this to the eye. The spec- 
 tator is made to feel that to be a christian is a vast and vital change ; 
 that those whom he has seen plunged in the liquid wave are not 
 more separated from their former worldly companions by this image 
 Of death and burial than they are severed from them by the new 
 principle of life within them, to which they are thus pledged ; and 
 many a soul has retired from witnessing the ordinance, troubled in 
 conscience by the conviction of his own awful peril unless he himself 
 become what immersion vividly points to his view. This we all 
 profess to believe and know. Do we not also know that this spirit- 
 ual power is to many lost, when they can derisively point to the 
 worldly lives of Baptists as contradicting what we claim to be the 
 divine meaning of baptism? Behold the Baptist, then, bound by 
 his belief and his profession to be a living witness in his life and 
 character of that spiritual element which the ordinance of baptism 
 proclaims ! 
 
 The degenerate world is continually falling back into that strong- 
 hold of the enemy which puts from her substance, decency of out- 
 ward deportment for radical change of heart and character. Behold 
 the Baptist called, by the special voice of his Divine Master, to form 
 one of a select band who shall storm that fortress and level it to the 
 ground. Baptism is the ensign that waves over this band, for it 
 proclaims: "Death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness." 
 Who are you, my brother, that, by a cold conformity to this symbol 
 as a mere rite, with whatever vehemence of. argument to support it, 
 are yet neglecting that newness of life which it proclaims ? 
 
 Again, baptism significantly sets forth the purity of the new 
 life which, in that ordinance, is openly commenced. Now, all 
 
336 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 agree in regarding water as an emblem of purity — an emblem, then, 
 of the uew, pure life. But we as Baptists hold that the emblem is 
 enhanced in its significance by the copiousness indicated in a total 
 immersion, pointing to the abundance of Divine grace obtained by 
 faith, and are, therefore, specially pledged to a life of purity — a life 
 which means not merely pureness of conscience, as of one cleansed 
 by the blood of Christ, but pureness of heart, intent and aim, as of 
 of one sanctified by the Spirit, and striving after a perfect conformi- 
 ty with that fear of the Lord which is clean, enduring forever. How, 
 brethren, does such profession consist with Sabbath breaking, carous- 
 ing with idle and worldly companions, or that overweening covet- 
 ousness which has spread over the land like a cursej — wasting our 
 spiritual strength more disastrously than an army of hundreds and 
 thousands could lay waste and desolate the land ? 
 
 We might go on to remind you that the act of immersion, in- 
 volving the idea of being planted with Christ in the likeness of His 
 death, and thus becoming a special foundation for the assurance that 
 we shall also be planted with Him in the likeness of His resurrection, 
 binds the baptized believer to Christ under circumstances of signifi- 
 cancy that no mere human device has power to imitate ; that by the 
 act of baptism we become, in a peculiar sense, Christ's men — bound 
 by the most solemn of all pledges to obey, to love, to follow Him ; 
 that it is Christ's voice in a new form of power and energy, calling 
 us to his service; and that its solemnity is enhanced by the won- 
 drous appeal made in its administration to the deepest mystery of 
 faith— ''the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ;" but we forbear 
 to enlarge. Let those few remarks suffice to show — what every in- 
 telligent Baptist admits — the life, and power, and speaking signifi- 
 cance of our distinguishing rite, while we.turn to ask why, with all 
 this Divine power in the ordinance, and the abundance of the evi- 
 dence that the immersion of believers is the only Scriptural baptism, 
 are other christian communions so slow to render obedience to the 
 mind of Christ on this point? 
 
 It is not that these are destitute of the Spirit of Christ, for many 
 of them evince as much piety as we, and often more than some of 
 us. It is not that they neglect learning as an important aid to a 
 sound interpretation of Scripture, for they are, in general, devoted 
 to sacred literature, and diligent in its use. We may indeed appear 
 partially to answer the question, by surmising that they are con- 
 trolled by the mighty energy of public opinion, as formed and sus- 
 tained by the wise and good of their respective bodies ; that supposed 
 personal interest, and the influence even of more unworthy motives 
 in some individuals may blind them to the truth. But does it not 
 become us to ask whether we ourselves may not also be one great 
 hindrance to the.progress of our own principles? 
 
 If baptism, as we allege, is a meaning rite of most significancy 
 
 — if the sj^mbol of a death unto sin involves also as a consequent 
 
 figure, the life of God in the soul, and is .enjoined on everv follower 
 of Jesus, in order that by his burial in the baptismal wave his per- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 337 
 
 sonal death unto sin may beset forth — nothing is more reasonable 
 than that those who differ from us should require to see all this 
 evinced in the pure and holy Jives of the baptized ; that they should 
 demand the evidence of greater grace as testifying the possession of 
 a sounder faith. Are we able to render that evidence ? Can we con- 
 firm the Divine authority of our practice by pointing to the purer 
 piety aud greater Christian energy aud faithfulness of the baptized 
 churches of Christ ? 
 
 If we are unable to do this, and turn in sadness and shame from 
 the inquiry, then must we acknowledge that we ourselves are a chief 
 impediment to the progress of the truth we profess to love. Is it 
 then strange that others fall back on their own ground, and become 
 doubly encased in their cherished prejudices? This will not justify, 
 indeed, a neglect of the evidence and the Scriptures, nor lessen their 
 independent sufficiency ; but it may tend greatly to explain why 
 men neglect that evidence, and may bring us in as guilty causes of 
 it. The Scriptures are the sole and sufficient exponents of the Divine 
 will in baptism ; but the holy lives of the baptized were designed 
 and adapted to be a mighty confirmation of that will ; if not, indeed, 
 "strong as Holy Writ," yet possessing a peculiar fitness to win atten- 
 tion to it. The lofty edifice of error has been often shaken. It has 
 seemed again and again to be ready to totter to its fall. May not we, 
 brethren, be withholding that last blow that would level all opposi- 
 tion, and complete in the church of Christ a perfect copy of the 
 Divine pattern — "one Lord, one faith, one baptism ?" Let those 
 answer the question who have grown cold in the faith, who restrain 
 prayer; who call not on God in their families/ who neglect the 
 assembling of themselves together, (as the manner of too many 
 is;) who spend the Sabbath in journeying, or in idle gossip; 
 who "grind the faces of the poor;" and who "are hot zealous 
 for the truth ;" or whose hearts, during the terrible baptism 
 of blood through which this nation is passing, are more intent on 
 amassing money than in relieving the distressed, or in promoting 
 the cause of true religion and holy charity on the earth. And let all 
 remember that a zeal for our peculiar rite is only a shame and a 
 mockery, unless we can point to the piety, and purity, and active 
 usefulness of our churches, as attesting the Divine character of the 
 baptism by which they are distinguished. Our Divine Master highly 
 regarded this rite. He submitted to it Himself, with the striking 
 words: "Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." On us 
 descends, in His providence, the duty of maintaining by holy living, 
 even more than by Scriptural argument, this important portion of 
 the Truth. 
 
 Is it not time, dear brethren, that we should arise to a more seri- 
 ous consideration of these things? If we are the depositaries of a 
 special trust, must we not expect to render a special account ? Nay, 
 even now, do the Divine judgments on us as Baptists slumber? 
 What then shall we saj of the spiritual death-spread over too many 
 a Baptist community ? What of the frequent loss of important fields 
 43 
 
338 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 once ours to hold and to cultivate, but snatched from us through 
 coldness and neglect? What of the shameful falls of distinguished 
 names among us, sending a pang of dismay and dread to the heart's 
 core of the body ? And what of the* present awful crisis in our 
 public affairs, of which, as a Divine judgment for our sins, we, as 
 Baptists, surely take our share, if we read not in all these things 
 special indications of the displeasure of God, that call to the deepest 
 searchings of heart ? and among many sins are we not called on to 
 confess and renounce the sin of failing to uphold the pure baptism 
 of the Scriptures, by corresponding purity of heart and life — thus 
 denying practically what we profess to believe theoretically — and 
 throwing heavier impediments in the way of progress towards a 
 Scriptural view of the ordinance than all the arguments used against 
 it, and the prejudices that give them strength? 
 
 E. A. Ceawigy. 
 August 26th, 1864. 
 
 Crowder, Elder James R., is a native of Rutherford 
 (now Cleveland) county, K C. Born August 10th, 1821. 
 Joined the church at Sanely Run in early life, and was licensed 
 to preach by that church in 1840, and soon afterward ordain- 
 ed to the full work of the Gospel ministry. He soon be- 
 came a useful and popular preacher, and at the session of 
 the Broad River Association in 1841, at Antioch churc^i, ' 
 York county, S. C, he made his first appearance in the as- 
 sociate body as a delegate from Sandy Run church, then an 
 ordained minister. ' 
 
 He married Miss Biddie Beam, with whom he lived hap- 
 pily and in tender affection until his death, which took place 
 November 14th, 1844. Aud in the Minutes of the Broad 
 River Association at its session held in 1845, at Philadelphia 
 church, the following notice of his demise appears: 
 
 Resolved, That we notice on the face of our Minutes the death 
 of our beloved brother, Elder James Crowder, whom we esteemed 
 as one among the best of men, and though we have sustained a 
 great loss, we believe it to be his eternal gain. 
 
 Elder Crowder was just in the bloom and vi^or of man- 
 
 JO 
 
 hood when called away, occupying, it would seem, a field of 
 great usefulness. Although his opportunities for acquiring 
 an education to prepare him more fully for the arduous task 
 of preaching the Gospel, had been very limited, yet he had 
 been a very laborious Biblical student, and through the Di- 
 vine unction of the Holy Spirit, whose influence seemed 
 always to accompany his efforts, he had become a polished 
 shaft in the quiver of the Lord. His manner of preaching 
 was of an exhortatory character, and the appeals he made to 
 his audience was almost irresistible, and seldom failed to 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. &S9 
 
 make good and lasting impressions. Revivals frequently 
 followed his ministerial labors, and he accomplished much 
 in building up the churches. 
 
 Personal Appearance : — Elder James 1). Crowder was 
 near six feet in height, well built, stood erect, florid com- 
 plexion, fair hair and blue eyes, features liue and beautiful. 
 We thought him one of the handsomest men in the pulpit 
 we almost ever saw. Withal, he had a musical voice, and 
 was the very picture of good health in his entire make-up. 
 
 Craig, Elder Thomas, of JSTorth Catawba River church, 
 Burke county, N. C, was a member of the Broad River As- 
 sociation at the session of 1820, at Mountain Creek as a lav 
 delegate, and of 1825 at Buffalo as an ordained preacher. 
 We suppose he was taken into the Catawba River body 
 when formed in 1827. We have no information as to his 
 nativity, age, or qualifications as a minister. 
 
 Crow, Elder Abram first appeared as a licensed preach- 
 er and delegate from Ebenezer church, at the session of the 
 Broad River Association at Buffalo in 1816- At the sessions 
 of 1823 and 1824, at Reedy River and Head First Broad 
 River he appears in the Minutes as an ordained minister and 
 delegate from Friendship church. At the sessions of 1825- 
 '26 he appears as a member and delegate from Buck Creek 
 church. In ]830-'31-'32 he turns up as a delegate from 
 Bethlehem church, which church was dismissed in 183.3 to 
 aid in the formation of the Tyger River body, and probably 
 carried with it Elder Crow, as we find nothing in the Broad 
 River Minutes respecting him after the last named session. 
 We have no reliable information as to the nativity of Elder 
 Crow, but think he was of Rutherford county, N. C. Of his 
 age or preaching qualifications we are not informed. 
 
 Cockerham, Bro. William was a licensed preacher and 
 delegate from Cross Roads church at the sessions of 1820- 
 '21-'22, of the Broad River Association. We have no sub- 
 sequent account of him. 
 
 Carroll, Bro. Henry Williamson, a native of York 
 county, S. C, was born September 19th, 1819 ; married Miss 
 
 Weathers, of Gaston county, 'N. C. ; joined the Antioch 
 
 Baptist church, and was lettered to Long Creek church, 
 which latter church licensed him to preach in 1840. He 
 was a young man of some promise, and had a good English 
 education. While in the discharge of his ministerial and 
 
340 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 other household duties he mysteriously disappeared, and 
 has never heen heard of since. Foul play or murder has 
 been strongly suspected of those who should have been his 
 friends. Bro. Carroll was a delegate to the Association from 
 Long Creek church in the sessions of 1842-'43-'44. He was 
 respectably connected, and leaves behind him an orphan son. 
 
 Dalton, Elder John was a member and representative 
 of Bill's Creek church, Rutherford county, 1ST. C, as far back 
 as 1802, and was consequently one of the old Broad River 
 pioneers. • At the sessions of 1808 to 1811 his name appears 
 in the Minutes of the Association, marked with an asterisk 
 (*,) denoting absence. We suppose he was an old superan- 
 uated minister, whose name was continued in the Minutes 
 as a delegate; that he might, if able to attend the session, 
 still serve, which it is known was the practice of some 
 churches having the membership of old ministers. We are 
 unable to learn anything more of the biography of Elder 
 Dalton, but avail ourselves of the opportunity we have to 
 transmit his name as a minister of Christ to the present and 
 succeeding generations of Baptists. Doubtless he has some 
 surviving relatives or friends that will take an interest in 
 perpetuating his name, who will be entertained agreeably in 
 the perusal of a sketch of him, although brief and very im- 
 perfect in its details. 
 
 Davidson, Elder Adolphus Junius was born September 
 18th, 1848 ; converted October 14th, 1865, and baptized into 
 the fellowship of Camp's Creek church, Cleveland county, 
 1ST. C, by Elder B. Bonner ; was licensed by the same church 
 in 1872 to preach the Gospel, wherever God in His provi- 
 dence might call him. He soon afterward moved to Ruth- 
 erford county, N. C, where he was ordained, at the request 
 of the Floyd's Creek church on the 27th of December, 1877, 
 by a presbytery consisting of Elders J. H. Yarboro, Alfred 
 McMahan and J. S. Ezell. Outside of his boyhood instruc- 
 tion in the old field schools he has received some instruction 
 in the schools of Limestone Springs, Boiling Springs and 
 Wake Forest College. His English education is said to be 
 tolerably good, with probably a smattering of Latin. 
 
 Elder Davidson since about 1872 or 1878 has been a 
 member of the Green River Association until 1880, he became 
 a member again of the Broad River body. We have never 
 had the pleasure of hearing or making his acquaintance, and 
 cannot therefore make so full a sketch of his ministerial life 
 as we could wish. He is onlv in the 35th year of his age, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 341 
 
 just beginning to make a character for usefulness, and we 
 hope the Lord of the Vineyard at his coming may realize a 
 great amount from the talents entrusted to his care. 
 
 On December 27th, 1877, he married Miss Ida R. Tyn- 
 •dall, who we hope proves a worthy and pious help-meet to 
 feim while toiling in the vineyard of the Master. May they 
 both have an eye single to the furtherance of the great cause 
 in which they are engaged. 
 
 Dlxon, Elder Thomas was born December 24th, 1820, 
 in York county, S. C. ; was baptized by Elder James M. 
 Thomas in 1838, and ordained in 1844, Elders Wade Hill, 
 T. K. Parsley and Spencer Morgan forming the presbytery. 
 
 Elder Dixon has been instrumental in founding several 
 •churches; is a zealous revivalist and successful preacher. 
 His manner of preaching is of the exhortatory character, in 
 which he manifests much pathos. He is considered a good 
 pastor, generally having the care of three or more churches, 
 to whom he preaches once a month. He has been until re- 
 cently the pastor of Buffalo church for about thirty years, 
 and New Prospect church for nearly as long. He has served 
 New Bethel, Antioch, and several others acceptably ; is now 
 the pastor of Sandy Bun, Bethel and New Prospect churches, 
 to which latter church his membership belongs. About the 
 vear 1848 he married Miss Amanda Elizabeth, youngest 
 •daughter of Abner McAfee, Esq., now deceased, by whom 
 he has three sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Elder 
 Amzi Clarence Dixon, was the late pastor of the church at 
 Asheville, N. C, now called to supply one of the churches 
 at Baltimore, Md. His other two sons are now students at 
 Wake Forest College, young men of much promise. 
 
 Elder Thomas Dixon was the first Moderator chosen to 
 preside over the deli be rations of the King's Mountain Asso- 
 ciation, or rather of the convention that organized that bodv, 
 and was several times chosen to preside since. • He resides 
 in the town of Shelby, Cleveland county, N. C, and yet 
 prosecutes his pastoral work with vigor, and wields a large 
 influence in his Association. He has baptized and' married 
 a large number ot persons. 
 
 In the year 1854 a Circular' Letter, on the Nature, Design 
 <n«l Application of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, prepared by 
 Elder Dixon, was read and adopted by the body, which we 
 here reproduce. Elder Dixon's scholastic attainments were 
 somewhat limited and circumscribed, by reason of being 
 destitute of means to <>'et an education in earlv life. He, 
 like many other Baptist ministers, has had to weather the 
 storms of adversity. ' 
 
342 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The King's Mountain Baptist Association to the Churches in Union 
 — Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren :— Agreeably to the direction given us at your 
 last session, we address you this year on the Nature x Design and Ap 
 plication of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The nature of the atonement that God required of man, after he 
 sinned, was such that he, in his fallen state, could not render satis- 
 faction to an infinite law ; hence Christ, as our surety, came in as a 
 mediator between an offended God, and man the offender, and un- 
 dertook the great work of man's redemption, in order that he might 
 be reinstated, or brought back into the favor of God. He came — not 
 to establish the first covenant, which was a covenant of works, and 
 which had been previously broken by apostate man — but more espe- 
 cially to establish the covenant of grace, which is truly said to be 
 the great key to men's salvation, which comports well with the lan- 
 guage of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, ii. 8. "By 
 _grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves: it is 
 the gift of God ; not of works, lest any man should boast." 
 
 The covenant of grace was entered into by God the Father, and 
 God the Son, ere the topmost dust of the earth was laid ; for He was 
 set up from everlasting to everlasting — the same yesterday, to-day r 
 and forever. The same unchangeable I AM. And when we dis- 
 cover that He came not to do His own will but the will of His 
 Father who sent Him, we at once see the peculiar fitness and pro- 
 priety of the Apostle's language when he said, "God commendeth 
 His love to us in, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 
 And again the Prophet Isaiah [chapter -53d, 11th verse,] while dis- 
 coursing on the subject of Christ's atonement, breaks forth in the 
 following language, "He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall 
 be satisfied ; by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify 
 many ; for He shall bear their iniquities." And in the 5th verse of 
 the same chapter it is said : "But He was wounded for our trans- 
 gressions, and He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of 
 our peace was upon Him ; and with His stripes we are healed," 
 The word atonement properly means a covering, and intimates that 
 our sins are, by a proper atonement, covered from the avenging jus- 
 tice of God. In its nature it is generai — all-sufficient to expiate the 
 sins of the whole world, although special in its application. 1 John 
 ii. 2. In the sacred volume we see many beautiful types shadowing 
 forth the great sacrifice that was offered unto God, well pleasing in 
 His sight, illustrative of that eventful offering that was made by Christ 
 on Mount Calvary, to which we would briefly direct your attention. 
 By a close attention to these types, the nature and design of the 
 atonement will be simplified and made plain to all. By reference 
 to the law of sacrifices, as recorded in Leviticus, you will see that 
 beasts or fowls without blemish were invariably selected; for in- 
 stance, the gentle dove is always taken as an emblem of innocence ; 
 or the ox, fitly representing patience ; or the lamb, which is gene- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 343 
 
 rally regarded as an emblem of meekness and humility, — all of 
 which, conjointly represent traits of character in a smaller degree 
 t hat were amply reflected in the person and character of Jesus Christ 
 in His state ot incarnation and humiliation, while He was engaged 
 in the great work of atonement for the sins of .the world. He was 
 meek, innocent, and humble indeed — opening not His mouth when 
 led as a Iamb to the slaughter. But your attention is particularly 
 directed to a sacrifice recorded in the xvi. chapter of the same book, 
 to-wit : the sacrifice of the two goats that were to be offered once a 
 year for general atonement. The officiating priest was required to 
 array himself in linen garments, an emblem, no doubt, of Christ's 
 incarnation, or the robe of human nature with which he arrayed 
 himself when he came to expiate our sins on the cross. In this in- 
 stance, on the appointed anniversary, or day of sacrifice, the priest 
 offered expiatory sacrifices, both for himself and for ail the people. 
 Not so, however, with Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, whoneed- 
 eth not, as those high priests under the law, to offer up sacrifices for 
 his own sins first, and then for the people ; for He was holy unde- 
 fined and without sin. 
 
 Another difference will appear in, that the law made men 
 priests that had infirmities, but the word of the oath since the law, 
 inaketh the Son, who is pure and consecrated a priest forever more. 
 The Priest under the law, on the day of atonement, made his solemn 
 entrance into the holy place made with hands, with the blood of 
 bulls and of goats — typifying, as the Apostle plainly declares, the 
 entrance of Jesus Christ, the High Priest of good things to come, 
 by a greater and more perfect tabernacle into the holy place not 
 made with hands— that is, into Heaven itself, having obtained eter- 
 nal redemption for us. 
 
 Another ceremony, however peculiar to the law dispensation- 
 will claim your attention for a short time. Besides the bullock and 
 the ram, which Aaron was to offer, the first for himself and the sec- 
 ond for the people, he was also to take for all the congregation of 
 Israel, two kids of the goats for a sin offering, which were to be 
 brought, as usual, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 
 but were not both to be killed, as were usually done ; for, by a cer- 
 tain rite, the two victims were selected by lot — the one to be offered 
 in the accustomed manner unto the JLord, and the other to be pre- 
 sented alive before the Lord, while Aaron, laying both his hands 
 upon its head, confessed over it all the iniquities of the children of 
 Israel — their transgressions in their sins. This latter was called the 
 scape goat, which bore away the sins of the people ceremoniously ; 
 so, Jesus Christ, though reputed as a sinner among men, was pure 
 and righteous in the eye of God, and by His death and sufferings, 
 bore away our sins, in His body, on the tree of the cross. They were 
 imputed to Him and He bore the punishment due to them. This 
 -Wiis typified more fully by the goat which was slain and sacrificed. 
 The flesh and blood of this creature are sometimes represented as 
 possessing medicinal qualities, healing maladies, and softening rigid 
 
m BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 adamant, which, if true, is a fit emblem of the efficacy of Christ's 
 blood in healing our sinful leprosies and softening our hand and 
 strong hearts, and changing them into hearts of flesh. 
 
 The first goat was an emblem of Christ sacrificed for us; for like 
 other sacrifices, it was killed ; so in like manner was Christ put to> 
 death. Its blood was carried within the vail ; so Christ suffered 
 without the gate. But let us direct your attention more particularly 
 to the mystery of the scape goat, before mentioned. Its similarity 
 in some respects to Christ will appear obvious to the most superficial 
 observer. Like the other, it was to betaken from the congregation 
 of Israel, and doubtless it was purchased with the public money. 
 So was Christ taken from among his brethren, and bought for thirty 
 pieces of silver out of the public treasury. That He might be num- 
 bered with the transgressors, and bear the sins of many, He was de- 
 livered into the hands of His enemies, according to the determinate 
 counsel and foreknowledge of God, and, by this same counsel, was 
 determined to be done, whatsoever happened unto Him ; hence it 
 was that Pilate was deaf to the remonstrance of his own conscience 
 in condemning Him who was just and without fault, and hence the 
 Jews preferred a murderer to the Lord of life and glory, when they 
 desired that Barabbas should be released, and Christ should be cru- 
 cified. 
 
 It is true indeed that the great propitiatory has already been of- 
 fered, never to be repeated again, because sufficient in its nature for 
 the healing of the nations. For the nature, design, and application 
 of the atonement of Jesus Christ was to prepare a people for Him, 
 and by the instrumentality of the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus 
 Christ by faithful ministers of the cross, to a lost and ruined world, 
 — God attending the exhibition of His own Word by the power and 
 efficacy of the Holy Spirit, this great work is to be accomplished in 
 the fullness of time. "For the Gospel is the power of God to every 
 one that believeth ; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" or Gen- 
 tile. And the Savior had a particular allusion to this when He said 
 to His disciples, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to 
 every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved . 
 and he that believeth not shall be damned." It is clearly set forth 
 in this passage that an application of the atonement or blood of Christ 
 must be applied to the soul, to cleanse it from the pollutions of sin, 
 which is done by exercising faith in Him. For Jesus Christ said to 
 Nicodemus, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born 
 again"— born of the water and of the Spirit. The design of the 
 atonement of Christ is therefore not only to wash away our sins in 
 His own blood, but to prepare our hearts by the exercise of saving 
 faith for the indwellings of His Spirit. "For if any man be in Christ 
 he is a new creature — old things have passed away ; behold all things 
 have become new." And it is also said that "the blood of Christ 
 cleanseth from all sin," haviug our hearts sprinkled from an evil 
 
 conscience, with clear water, and the law of the Lord written 
 therein, which is the happy results of an application of the atone- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 845 
 
 ment of Christ, having thereby obtained a part in the first resurrec- 
 tion, on such the second death hath no power. As the blood of the 
 sacrifice that was offered the evening before the children of Israel 
 left the land of Egypt, they were to take the blood of the sacrifice, 
 and strike it on the two side posts, and on the upper door post of the 
 houses wherein they should eat it, for the destroying angel was to 
 pass that night, and wherever the blood was not applied to the door 
 of the tent, he was to destroy the first born. And so he did ; for the 
 next morning when they arose, the first born of all the Egyptians 
 was dead, for the blood was not applied there, and the destroying 
 angel entered in andreigned there. Now what hinders us from view- 
 ing Christ's blood in the same sense? The Savior said, "Except ye 
 eat of my flesh, and drink of my blood, ye have no life in you ;" and 
 this plainly teaches us that we must individually have an applica- 
 tion of Christ's blood applied to our hearts, or the destroying angel 
 (which, in a spiritual sense, is the second death) will have power 
 upon the soul to destroy it forever. O, the blessings that atteiid the 
 nature, design, and application of the atonement of Jesus Christ ! 
 for it is through" it that we have the glorious Gospel preached unto 
 us, and by it lost sinners, who are blind-folded by the god of this 
 world, can have a knowledge of themselves, and be brought into the 
 glorious liberty of the children of God, and be made partakers of His 
 holiness. But the Gospel must be preached, for God is a Spirit, and 
 they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. 
 And how can they call on Him, of whom they have not heard ? and 
 how can they hear without a preacher ? Does it not therefore behoove 
 the Church of Christ to use greater efforts to spread the glorious Gos- 
 pel of a crucified and risen Savior? 
 
 Dear brethren, permit us to say, in conclusion, that without an 
 application of Christ's atoning blood, sinners will be lost forever. 
 May every child of the Adamic family prayerfully consider this im- 
 portant subject, and prepare to meet the God of all the earth in peace, 
 is The prayer of yours, in the bonds of the Gospel. 
 
 Thomas Dixoikt. 
 October 20th, 1S54. 
 
 Dixon, Elder Amzi Clarence is not properly a Broad 
 River or King's Mountain minister, having left the bounds 
 of these Associations while in the pursuit of an education, 
 hut having been born within the bounds of the Kind's Moun- 
 lain body, we claim the right to class him with the ministers 
 of that Association. , 
 
 He is the eldest son of Elder Thomas Dixon ; was born 
 in Shelby, N. C, July 6th, 1854. He was graduated from 
 Wake Forest College in 1875 ; read theology at Greenville, 
 S. C, for a time, and w T as for three years pastor at Chapel Hill. 
 •He was recently the pastor at Asheville, N. C, where he had 
 much success in revival meetings. In compliance with a late 
 call, he goes to take charge of the New Baptist church at Balti- 
 44 
 
546 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 more, where, it is hoped by his many friends here, that he 
 will distinguish himself as a successful worker in the Lord's 
 vineyard. 
 
 Doyale, Elder David was a member of Xew Salem 
 church, and appears to have been an able and prominent 
 minister as earl} 7 as 1808, and for several years afterwards. 
 Our own memory reaches so far back as to have heard old 
 people speak of him who knew him well, and represented 
 him as one of Broad River's ablest preachers. At the ses- 
 sion of the Association of 1808 we find it recorded that Elders 
 Drury Dobbins, David Doyale and Joel Blackwell were ap- 
 pointed a committee to dissolve the Holly Springs church, 
 which had become unable to keep house, and dismiss or let- 
 ter the members thereof to other churches ; and, at the same 
 session. Elder Doyale was appointed to preach the next intro- 
 ductory sermon to the session of 1809, and he continued to 
 represent the same church until 1817. When he was born, 
 or when he died, we have no means of ascertaining now. 
 His name is preserved, however, by several namesakes he 
 has, which is some evidence of his being highly esteemed as 
 a minister of Christ. 
 
 Dobbins, Elder Drury was a native of York county, 
 S. C, and was the son of William and Susannah Dobbins, 
 both of whom were worthy members of the Baptist church 
 at State Line. Drury was born April 7th, 1776, in the ever 
 memorable year of the declaration of the independence of 
 the United States. 
 
 In writing a notice of this venerable pioneer minister 
 we can not avoid falling into the following reverie : The 
 genuine glory of man consists in his nearest possible resem- 
 blance to his Maker. His creation was the fairest page writ- 
 ten in the volume of nature, and intended to display the 
 brightest signature of the divine hand. The hand-writing 
 was so clear and legible that the blessed worshipers around 
 the eternal throne could read in it a new and surprising ex- 
 ertion of their Creator's wisdom and benignity. Since that 
 signature has been defaced and almost obliterated by sin, it 
 becomes the labor of mere}' and prudence in us to promote 
 as far as practicable the restoration of its lustre, and to re- 
 kindle its primitive glow of beauty. The office of drawing 
 anew the lines of holiness and virtue upon the heart oi fallen 
 man has been undertaken by the same hand that first wrote 
 them out. God himself has assumed the work of Restorer.- 
 He is making all things new ; He is overturning the old 
 foundations, overruling for His own glory the faulty portions 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 347 
 
 of the ancient structure, and building up anew one which 
 shall contain righteousness and true holiness. He has com- 
 manded the whole human family to co-operate in this good 
 and necessary labor of restoration. He has proposed a sig- 
 nal increase of happiness to us, in. calling us to a mutual in- 
 strumentality in this labor. 
 
 But this commendable enterprise rinds among men com- 
 paratively few advocates. Some contend that the page of 
 human existence, as it now stands, is fair enough, and should 
 therefore be permitted to remain as it is ; others contend 
 that if the last impressions are to be re-written, the hand that 
 first drew them will take care that they be restored, without 
 the interposition of any subordinate agents, and not a few 
 give themselves no trouble on this subject. They are content 
 to let the world go on as it is; they charge their crimes and 
 follies upon fickle chance or blind fate, and wait for their 
 destiny in a sort of sullen apathy. 
 
 But there have always been a select few whom an ardent 
 virtue imparted by the good spirit of God has raised above 
 the common supineness of their race, who have exerted their 
 noble powers in the most honorable efforts to benefit their 
 fellow men. There still are a select few who take part with 
 God in endeavoring to restore peace and order and happi- 
 ness to His universe. It is their aim to renovate the moral 
 character of man. This band of united brothers are the 
 true benefactors of their race. They are the hostages which 
 God permits to remain in the camp of His enemy, to prove 
 his willingness to come to terms of reconciliation. , They 
 are the scattered lights which prevent the surrounding dark- 
 ness from becoming total ; they are the priests of mercy who 
 run betwixt the living and the dead, to stay the destructive 
 ravages of the invading pestilence. In a word, they are the 
 orators of peace, whose badges of office are the robes of sal- 
 vation. They are of one heart. All their labors to brighten 
 up the blotted page of humanity have a remarkable consent 
 and harmony. Though centuries in time, and oceans and 
 continents in space divide them, they speak and write one 
 language ; they breathe from the same effusions of goodness; 
 and when they retire from their labors they repose in the 
 same eternity of peace. Heaven accords them a gracious 
 welcome when they die, though earth feels not her bereave- 
 ment. Angels receive joyfully their brothers, whilst men 
 forget them. Eternity enrolls them among its jewels, whilst 
 time frequently blots their names from its annals. But we 
 must not imagine that their removal is a matter indifferent 
 to all. Many anxious hearts pursue them with all those dear 
 recollections that memory can supply, towards the mansions 
 
348 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 which they go to possess. They leave behind them, all those 
 cords by which they were bound to us, and we to them, rent 
 asunder. 
 
 Such is the train of our reflections in view of the short 
 history of one who, with his numerous coadjutors, has fled 
 from us like a winged dream — one whose morning opened 
 upon us with great usefulness about the year 1800, and con- 
 tinued for more than f'ortv years brilliantly to enlighten and 
 bless the churches under his care. 
 
 He, like his pious father, was for a time an active and 
 temperate deacon, whose fidelity to truth and honesty was 
 never impeached. His mother was said to be a lady like 
 unto Elizabeth of old — "walking in all the commandments 
 and ordinances of the Lord blameless." With such fortu- 
 nate surroundings it is no marvel that Drury Dobbins, being 
 rightly trained during his minority, waxed strong in spirit, 
 and in the fullness of time ("about his 20th year") entered 
 upon his great life-work — the preaching of the Gospel of 
 Christ. This was of course a great cross and trial to one 
 who had never enjoyed the advantages of education, beyond 
 the very restricted confines of the old field school curriculum. 
 He had very little knowledge of the grammar of the English 
 language, and consequently his early discourses were often 
 the subjects of criticism by the more learned, and he was 
 often accused of "murdering the Queen's English ;" still his 
 words, though unpolished, accompanied by the Holy Spirit, 
 as they no doubt often were, told powerfully upon the hearts 
 of those who heard them. He was one of Nature's great 
 men, and although he was modest and unassuming generally, 
 he was by many recognized as an oracle, and his opinion 
 carried more weight along with it than the .combined forces 
 of those who under better auspices had temerity enough to 
 oppose his views. He was not only a power in the pulpit to 
 stop the mouths of gainsayers, but his fireside discourses 
 were just as potent ; indeed this appeared often to be his 
 great forte. It was customary in his day, during the annual 
 sessions of the Association, not only to discuss intricate and 
 mysterious questions before the associate body during its sit- 
 sings, but around the firesides of the good brethren, where 
 the body was entertained during the nights, and here it was 
 that Elder Dobbins seemed to take pleasure in drawing out 
 the ideas and views not only of ministers, but lay members 
 as well ; and any one having on their mind anything in ref- 
 erence to texts of Scripture, or matters of experience or dis- 
 cipline, was requested to submit it to the little conference 
 for consideration. On such occasion the writer of this notice 
 could not refrain from unbosoming himself of a matter which 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 349 
 
 was not only bearing heavily on him at the time, but was 
 one well calculated to disturb the equanimity of the little so- 
 cial circle. We had been perusing Paine's Age of Reason, 
 .and noticing the many assaults of the writer upon the Scrip- 
 tures; and, by reason of his great sophistry and astute reas- 
 oning, we had almost been deprived of our true balance, and 
 therefore desired some discussion. We were aware that the 
 •evil spirit, or wicked one, was always on hand and ready on 
 such occasions to surest doubts to the mind. The follow- 
 iug train of thoughts had been by some means evolved : It 
 may be possible after all that rational Deism is the most con- 
 sistent system of religious faith. That there exists a great 
 first cause— a God, who created all things atter the counsel 
 of His will — none but a fool would presume to doubt or deny. 
 The works of nature, as displayed to our view and senses, 
 abundantly prove the existence of a Great Architect, who 
 made the . worlds and put into motion the great machinery 
 of the universe as we behold it. No mortal, frail as man is 
 intellectually, and much more so physically, could possibly 
 make any showing in an undertaking of such magnitude. 
 The most sapient and astute of God's creatures are only able 
 to acquire a mere smattering of the systematic machinery 
 that God has put into operation for the government of the 
 world. None does therefore doubt the existence of God. 
 But here was the trouble now with us : has God given us a 
 revelation of His will ? If so, is the book called the Bible 
 that revelation ? Is that an inspired book? Have we the 
 evidence sufficient to satisfy our minds of its truthfulness and 
 authenticity ? 
 
 Elder Dobbins, in reply said, the question unexpectedly 
 started by us was a very grave and serious one that had 
 troubled a great many minds, and one that each of us had 
 to decide for him or herself. "In the mouth of two or three 
 witnesses shall every word be established," "if," said he, they 
 be good ones;" but without attempting to make any disqui- 
 sition at this time as to the evidence and feasibility of the 
 revelation as contained in the Testaments, we will only add 
 now that the importance of revelation is by nothing render- 
 ed more apparent than by the discordant sentiments of learn- 
 ed men. This shows the insufficiency of human reason, and 
 when we become persuaded of this insufficiency we should 
 act rationally and be disposed to investigate with seriousness 
 and impartiality the truth of Christianity. While it animates 
 our body we may know some of its properties; but when 
 once separated we know not whither it goes or from whence 
 it comes. Since then the Gospel pretends to give us clearer 
 notions of this matter — we ought to hear it, and laying aside 
 
350 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 .ill pastjion and prejudice, follow that which shall appear 
 most conformable to right reason. What a blessing is it to> 
 beings, with such limited capacities as ours confessedly are,,- 
 to have God himself for our instructor in everything which 
 it much concerns us to know. We are principally concerned 
 in knowing not the origin of arts or the recondite depths of 
 science; not the histories of mighty empires desolating the 
 globe by their contentions ; not the subtillies of logic, -the 
 mysteries of metaphysics, the sublimities of poetry, or the 
 niceties of criticism. These and subjects such as these," prop- 
 erly occupy the learned leisure of a few, but the bulk of hu- 
 man kind have ever been and must ever remain ignorant of 
 them all. Taking this view of things, it is not needful that 
 we should speculate and disturb our minds about the matter, 
 but as rational creatures "lay hold of the hope set before 
 us' 5 and take our chances in the paths opened up for us in 
 the Bible; and if, said he, it ultimately turns out that the 
 Scriptures be priest-craft — a mere myth — then the chances 
 of those believing in its truthfulness and adherinsi; to its max- 
 irns of truth, honesty and fair dealing, will be found on as 
 good footiug as those who endeavored to subvert it. 
 
 A disposition more or less to skepticism, he said, he be-' 
 lieved was common to our nature, in proportion as opposite 
 systems and jarring opinions, each being supported by a 
 plausibility of argument, are presented to our minds, and, 
 with some qualification, we will admit of the remark that he 
 who never doubted, never believed. While examining the. 
 grounds of persuasion, it is right for the mind to hesitate. 
 Opinions ought not to be prejudiced any more than crimi- 
 nals. Every objection ought to have its weight, and the 
 more numerous and forcible objections are, the more shall 
 we finally have for the triunrph. 
 
 At last we are compelled after in vain casting about for 
 some new discovery, to lay hold of the atonement made on 
 behalf of sinners by the Son of God — the doctrine of the 
 cross, Jesus Christ and him crucified : "Lord, I believe: help 
 thou my unbelief," Here we must cast anchor unavoidably. 
 It surely cannot be a matter of small concern whether the 
 Creator of all things, out of mere love to rebellious men, ex- 
 changed a throne for a cross, and thereby reconciled a puined 
 world to God. 
 
 Man is a depraved creature — so depraved that his judg- 
 ment is as dark as his appetites are sinful — wholly depend- 
 ant, therefore, on God for religious light as well as true 
 devotion, yet such a dupe to pride as to reject everything 
 which the narrow limits of his comprehension can not em- 
 brace, and such a slave to his passions as to admit no law 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 351 
 
 b\x\ self-interest for his government. With these views of 
 • iiuman nature, we are persuaded we ought to suspect our 
 own decisions whenever they oppose truth too sublime for 
 our understandings or too pure for our lusts. To err on this 
 -side indeed is human, wherefore the wise man saith, "He that 
 trusteth to„his own heart is a fool" Should therefore the 
 -evidence be only equal on the side of the Gospel of Christ, 
 I should think with, the allowance we should do well to ad- 
 mit it 
 
 We thought the remarks appropriate, and felt that we 
 were benefitted thereby, and therefore commend them to 
 such as may be laboring under a like hallucination of the 
 brain, caused by the perusal of infidel works, or otherwise, 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 We give from memory the substance of a conversation 
 we once had with Elder Dobbins, on the subject of Episco- 
 pacy. We asked him for the Scriptural authority relied on 
 by Episcopalians for the three distinct orders of Bishop, 
 Elder and Deacon in the Gospel ministry. He answered 
 that he did not conceive that there existed in/ the New Testa- 
 ment any such authority, in the sense maintained by the 
 Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, or the 
 Methodist Episcopal church as founded by Wesley, or, more 
 properly, by Coke and Asbury. He insisted that Bishop and 
 Elder were synonymous terms, meaning the same thing, the 
 former having no jurisdiction or control over the latter. 
 The idea or notion, said he, that there is Scriptural author- 
 ity for placing a Bishop or superior spiritual head over the 
 elders of the several churches to whom they must make 
 report of their stewardship, as unto men and not unto God 
 alone, is simply absurd, not to say ridiculous. Bishops and 
 Elders are nowhere named together as being distinct orders. 
 Not so, however, in reference to Bishops and Deacons— a 
 Bishop is on a par of equality with an Elder in regard to 
 the administration of the Word and ordinances of the 
 Gospel — while the Deacons are .only the dispensers of the 
 temporal or secular affairs of the churches — not being or- 
 dained or set apart to the work of the ministry. We ask- 
 ed why the three titles were used, apparently denoting 
 distinct functions or orders? He answered that simply be- 
 cause the term "Bishop" was in existence previously in 
 the Jewish church ; and when the organization of the 
 christian churches in Gentile cities involved the assignment 
 of the work of pastoral superintendent to a distinct order, 
 the title at once presented .itself as convenient and famil- 
 iar to all, and was therefore adopted as readily as the term 
 
352 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 ''Elder" had been in the mother church at Jerusalem. Hence 
 we have in use both the terms, "Bishops" and "Elders" from 
 that day to the present time, but in every sense of the word 
 they are of equal purity and significance. Abuses of these 
 terms have crept into the church surreptitiously probably r 
 caused doubtless by the promptings of ambitious desires in 
 men to occupy high places and be called "Rabbi" or spir- 
 itual lords, or potentates in the church of. Christ. In the 
 beginning it was not so, but gradually during the great 
 apostacy, ministerial purity was ignored and a very differ- 
 ent system of church government adopted, which has not 
 been properly wiped out by the Reformers. 
 
 Elder Dobbins said further, that no good argument 
 could be made, from the fact that Phillip (who was one of 
 the first deacons) preached the Gospel to the Ethiopian 
 eunuch, and baptized him ; that therefore deacons as such 
 had authority to preach and administer ordinances. Phillip,, 
 he said, had no doubt served for a time as he had done, 
 in the capacity of a deacon, and afterwards acceded to the 
 ministry, and was at this time an itinerating evangelist on 
 his wav from Jerusalem to Gaza to do the work of such min- 
 ister. 
 
 Elder Dobbins was religiously, as well as politically, a 
 democrat of the straitest sect ; he cherished such views as 
 were conservative and tended to the best interests of the 
 church, and also of the State. He was of the opinion that 
 the affairs of church and State should be kept separate and 
 apart from each other ; that a minister of Christ should give 
 his whole time to the preaching of the Gospel, and in no 
 case turn aside to dabble in the mire and tilth of politics. 
 Like his Baptist predecessors he was, however, a great advo- 
 cate of soul liberty. He was one of those who greatly. 
 admired the God-given privilege of sitting under his own 
 vine and tig tree and worshipping the true God according 
 to the dictates of conscience, not fearing or in the least 
 dreading the interference at any time of the emissaries of a 
 state church. He wished the National Legislature to adhere 
 rigidly to the constitutional and wise policy of liberal tolera- 
 tion to all the different sects or denominations to worship 
 God in their own preferred way, according to their under- 
 standing of the teachings of the Bible. He was opposed to 
 any interference or meddling with such things on the part 
 of the Congress, further than "to say their own prayers." 
 In other words, he was in favor of the people ruling the 
 State; and the clergy and laity as equal peers ruling the 
 church, with a tree ballot in their hands. Elder Dobbins 
 viewed the Episcopal form of church government with an 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 158 
 
 eye of suspicion and jealousy, believing that the rights of 
 t lie laity was not properly respected under such a system. 
 We have heard him express astonishment that so many of 
 the professed advocates of religious liberty should so often 
 be found encumbered with the shackles of episcopacy. It is 
 true, he remarked, that within the lastdalf of the present 
 19th century some changes have been made, and we find 
 now in the various Episcopal conferences of the last few 
 years a few lay delegates which, however, is rather an ex- 
 ception to the former rule, and an augury we hope of a revo- 
 lution or change in the Episcopal system. But why, said he, 
 is this ? Is it because of the restless attitude of the people 
 or membership? or is it because Episcopacy is radically wrong 
 and inexpedient, to say nothing of its unscripturalness ? If 
 the people at any time have fearful apprehensions of popery 
 in a new dress, let them at once begin to consider the evil 
 nature and tendencies of the Episcopal system of church gov- 
 ernment. Let them judge the future by the past and profit 
 by the comparison, said Elder D. ' There can be but little 
 danger of priestly usurpation and domination, if the several 
 churches be watchful and careful in the maintenance ot their 
 independence and reserved rights as vested in them when 
 constituted ; but if the inherent rights of the churches should 
 at any time, by latitudinous construction, be gradually sur- 
 rendered, and unlimited delegation of power be made to a 
 judicature claiming the right to rule all for the general good, 
 then may we, as Baptists begin, when probably too late, to 
 have serious apprehensions for the future welfare of our in- 
 dependent system of church government and prepare for the 
 manacles that such a course would be productive of forging 
 for us. As Baptists, however, we are too fond of freedom 
 for this dire result to overtake us ; it is necessary however 
 sometimes to sound the alarm' at the approach of danger. 
 It is our province to raise the watch-cry of the celebrated 
 Patrick Henry, the Virginia statesman, "Give me liberty or 
 give me death" — whether it be religious or civil liberty that 
 is likely to be imperilled, it does not matter, for they are in- 
 separably connected ; and Baptists should be ready at all 
 times to contend as readilv for one as the other, because the 
 success of one is entirely dependent upon the success of the. 
 other. 
 
 SERMON ON BAPTISM. 
 
 In the year 18 — , a Methodist circuit rider within the 
 bounds ot Elder Dobbins' diocese, preached several times on 
 the subject of Baptism, with a view doubtless of proselyting 
 some unsuspecting young member of his flock into the folds 
 
 45 
 
354 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Society. "With a view to foiling 
 an attempt of this sort in its earliest incipiency, a few of the 
 leading Baptist members thought it advisable to urge "uncle 
 Drury" to preach an opposition sermon or two on the other 
 side of the mooted question, to quiet the consciences of such 
 as might be zealously affected." He consented to do so, 
 and accordingly published an appointment for that purpose. 
 The appointed time arrived, the day was fair, and the con- 
 gregation was extraordinarily large. Elder Dobbins usually 
 had good congregations, but this being an unusual appoint- 
 ment, brought to the front nearly all the members or adhe- 
 rents of all the different religious sects within a considerable 
 distance around. The preacher read his text from Malachi 
 iii. 3. "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; 
 and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold 
 and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in 
 righteousness." [Rather a strange text?] We were on hand 
 for the purpose of hearing and taking notes of the discourse, 
 which was substantially as follows : The preacher first made 
 some prefatory remarks in reference to the morbid state of 
 feeling or curiosity that impels people to attend controversial 
 discussions. He did not denounce the practice as being im- 
 proper, but it evinced a disposition to glory too much in an 
 arm of flesh — too much dependence generally being placed 
 in the colloquial powers or astute skill of the speaker. His 
 motto was, "to the law and to the testimony : if they speak 
 not according to this rule, it is because there is no truth in 
 them." 
 
 He then called the attention of the audience to the 
 preaching of John the Baptist, in the wilderness of Judea, 
 showing from the Scriptures the nature of his commission — 
 to preach repentance for the remission of sins — to point out 
 to the people the coming Savior, on whom they were to be- 
 lieve ; and having clone this, he baptized those who went 
 out to him from Jerusalem and Judea, and all the region 
 around, in the river Jordan. What could be plainer? If 
 John baptized only those who were capable of confessing 
 their sins, and then baptized them in the river of Jordan, 
 where is the warrant for sprinkling babies in the days of 
 John the Baptist? Of course there is none. Jesus Christ 
 here set the great example Himself for all His followers. 
 He came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of John, and 
 although John felt his unworthiness, yet he baptized Him in 
 the river of Jordan, for it is recorded, He went up straight- 
 way out of the water. Matt. iii. 16. Now, said Elder Dob- 
 bins, if King James' translation of the Scriptures be correct, 
 baptism was then rightly administered by immersion, for 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 855 
 
 baptism is immersion itself, and the subjects were such as 
 could mike a confession of their sins. But, says an objector, 
 this may all be so in reference to John's baptism, but the 
 christian baptism afterwards instituted was different. "Go 
 ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the 
 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost — teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I 
 have commanded you ; and lo ! I am with you always, 
 even unto the end of the world. Amen !" The foreo-oinu; 
 is the christian formula. To say that it is different from 
 John's, is a mere quibble, and unworthy of the considera- 
 tion of any candid mind. While the meaning of the Greek 
 word "baptize," is "immersion," in English, the ordinance 
 will always be rightly administered by immersion; and the 
 subsequent practice of Christ's apostles proves its validity 
 beyond the possibility of a reasonable doubt. Witness first 
 the case of the Ethiopian Eunuch, by Philip, the evangelist. 
 Acts viii. 38, 39; Rom. vi. 3-5. The objector, however, says: 
 If Philip and the Eunuch both went down into the water, 
 then were they both immersed ? This allegation is hardly 
 worthy of the name of a quibble, said the speaker, it is so 
 flimsy and devoid of common sense. What says the Word ? 
 "And they went down both into the water, both Philip and 
 the Eunuch, and he (that is Philip) baptized him." Without 
 himself being baptized, of course, only partially, which 
 would render the baptism incomplete, and without point or 
 meaning — something similar to baby sprinkling, as to sig- 
 nification. Away with such nonsense! 
 
 Elder Dobbins, then passing over the baptism of Paul 
 the Apostle, with proper comments, noticed the baptism of 
 Cornelius and his friends, and Lydia and her household, and 
 the Philipian jailer and his (Acts xvi.) He said Lydia had 
 a right to be baptized accordingto the order of Jesus Christ, 
 bjiiii> as she was a believer. But before an argument can 
 be drawn from the circumstances favorable to infant sprink- 
 ling, our opponents must prove that Lydia was married to a 
 husband, and had infant children ; that her children were 
 with her at Philippi, and then that such were actually bap- 
 tized. The language employed by the inspired historian ev- 
 idently implies, a single female at the head of a family and 
 at the head of a business. And the fair conclusion is that 
 her household were servants, or, if her children, that her 
 husband was deceased, and her children so far advanced in 
 life as to join in her journey, her business and her worship, 
 and thus they would be capable of instruction, faith and 
 baptism, as Christ commanded ; and as in effect plainly 
 stated of the household of the jailer, who could not have 
 
356 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 been infants, or persons so young as to be incapable of being 
 taught the Gospel aud of believing it, from the fact we read 
 in verse 32d : "they spake unto him the word of the Lord, 
 and to all that were in his house." 
 
 Elder D. took a cursory glance at several other passages 
 ot Scripture, as much as his time would admit of, and ar- 
 rived at the conclusion that '"infant sprinkling" was not au- 
 thorized by the S"ew Testament, but had its origin in a 
 corrupt age of the world, when the Roman Catholic church, 
 having apostalized from the true faith of the Gospel, had 
 become a secular body and merged itself into the State au- 
 thority. Then it was adopted as an expedient measure to 
 bring the whole world into the church (so called) to strengthen 
 the secular arm ; then it was that the laws of Christ were 
 iu'nored, and new rules and regulations entered into for the 
 convenient government of the church, or, more properly' 
 speaking, hierarchy, as it then had become. The ordinances 
 as once delivered to the saints at a more early day were set 
 aside, and those christians, yet disposed to contend for sound 
 words, were forced to wander about in sheep skins and goat 
 skins, of whom it was said "the world was not worthy" until 
 the days of the reformation by Luther, Calvin, etc., when 
 the condition of such were somewhat ameliorated and made 
 more tolerable. 
 
 What a great pity, said the preacher, that the Reformers 
 suffered this relic of popery, "infant sprinkling," to remain 
 and be fostered and propagated in the reorganization of the 
 apostate church, which was then groaning for deliverance ! 
 It had however been so long recognized through the teach-. 
 ings of w r ily Catholic Priests as being essential to salvation, 
 and by them considered a direct passport to the heavenly 
 world, that ignorant, priest-ridden parents, out of regard to 
 the eternal welfare of their offspring, were thereby induced 
 tenaciously to hold on to it as a sine quanon, or matter of life 
 and death. And it is doubtful whether the vehement earn- 
 esty and thrilling eloquence of even Luther and Calviu, with 
 the co-operation of the many other reformers, could have 
 succeeded, in case they had at that time leveled their batte- 
 ries against infant sprinkling, which had certainly become 
 one of the main pillars of popery. Elder D. however ex- 
 pressed great thankfulness for the progress of Baptist princi- 
 ples within the past century. The practice of infant sprink- 
 ling is now rather the exception than the rule in many 
 localities. The people are becoming more enlightened on 
 the subject, and many persons, although they are content to 
 remain in Pedo-Baptist organizations, yet neglect the christ- 
 ening of their children, because doubtless they make it a 
 
/ 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 357 
 
 matter of conscience; and finally, though gradually, the great 
 popish pillar will tumble down and succumb at last, after 
 Laving stood so long doing battle against the opposing forces 
 «ot truth. 
 
 Elder Dobbins had brought into the pulpit with him as 
 helps several books on baptism other than the Bible, and had 
 intended drawing upon them for- sonic items in reference to 
 the savings of the ancient Fathers and the many fatal ad- 
 missions of eminent Pedo-Baptists, but declined to use them, 
 saying the circumstance reminded him of the putting on 
 David, Saul's apparently superior armor, which he had not 
 .used, and which did not well tit him, to go against the great 
 Philistine Goliah. He, like David, preferred to go to the 
 brook of eternal truth, and gather from it the five smooth 
 stones as arguments he had just used, believing that under 
 ■the guidance of the God of battles he would have greater 
 success. 
 
 He then respectfully addressed himself earnestly and 
 somewhat pathetically and tenderly to his young circuit rider 
 friend (who was present in the congregation, an attentive 
 listener to what was said,) to treasure up the things he had 
 heard in an honest heart, and weigh them well, and he would 
 implore God's blessings on him in his researches after the 
 truth. We never heard anything more of the baptismal 
 •controversy in that section of the Lord's vineyard. 1c seems 
 to have received its quietus, and the sermon doubtless was 
 productive of good results, and we therefore favor such a 
 eourse in opposing error whenever there exists a like neces- 
 sity for it. Faithfulness becomes the followers of Christ, It 
 is their duty as well as privilege to "stop the mouths of gain- 
 savers," To contend earnestly for the faith once delivered 
 to the saints;" to be instant in season, and sometimes even 
 out of season, if such can be the case in the discharge of 
 •duty, having always an eye or view to the furtherance of 
 God's glory, and the defense of the great and fundamental 
 truths of His Gospel. In a course of this kind we have a 
 right to expect His favor and blessing; and whether it meets 
 the approbation of the world, we need not so much care, so 
 that we may be able to have a consciousness of having done 
 our dut}\ Whether the circuit rider became convinced of 
 his error or no, we are not fully aware, but we do know that 
 in a short time afterward he abandoned the Methodist min- 
 istry. 
 
 FAVORITE TEXT. 
 
 "Walkabout Zion, and go round about her: tell the 
 towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, and consider 
 her^palaces, that ye may tell it to the generations following." 
 
358 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Psalms xlviii. 12, 13. We haveheard Elder Drury Dobbins; 
 at different times on the above favorite text, "Walk about 
 Zion," &c. In descanting upon these lines of holy writ he: 
 would ask his congregation to imagine themselves literally 
 walking around the city of Jerusalem in solemn procession,, 
 and while they joyfully praised and blessed the Lord, to- 
 mark all the towers, walls and palaces, observing that not 
 one of them had been in the least injured by their formida- 
 ble invaders. This would tend to impress their minds and 
 prepare them faithfully and diligently to preserve the memory 
 of these interesting events for the benefit of future genera- 
 tions. This exact survey of Jerusalem's walls and fortifica- 
 tions, to be transmitted to posterity, might also intimate that 
 they were typical of more permanent privileges, and they 
 (the walls) would after a time be demolished, that the things 
 signified by them might remain forever. The followers of Christ 
 should therefore endeavor to counteract every disposition to 
 faint, despond or renounce the profession of the Gospel, be- 
 cause of persecutions; considering them as fatherly correc- 
 tions for their profit, submitting to them as such, and seeking 
 to have them sanctified, and directing and encouraging each 
 other to take the same course. Thus they ought patiently 
 and firmly to maintain their profession, and go on in the path 
 of holy obedience, and, by proper instruction, admonitions- 
 and counsels, to remove every false doctrine and every stum- 
 bling block from their pathway. 
 
 We are unable to report anything more than a mere 
 smattering of the good things he said on this, one of his 
 favorite texts, in which he seemed to take so much delight; 
 suffice it to say, his audience was always greatly edified by 
 his pleasing and burning words. 
 
 Elder Dobbins was considered by some who had not 
 studied him aright, a Fatalist, or Antinomian, as others would 
 allege. He was however far from being either the one or 
 the other. That he was a predestinarian of the John Gill 
 school, we do not deny, but while that is admitted, we claim 
 that he was not onlv in company with Dr. Gill, but also with 
 the distinguished Apostle to the Gentiles, both ot whom ap- 
 peared to be strong advocates of the doctrines of grace as set 
 forth in the New Testament. 
 
 He was denounced too as a ''Hard Shell," opposed to 
 missions, education, and religious efforts of almost every 
 kind to spread the Gospel. Such an allegation is not only 
 untrue, but destitute of any solid grounds whereon to base 
 such a charge. His whole ministerial life proves the falsity 
 of the assertion. He was not only an advocate for and con- 
 tributor to Foreign Missions, but in the Home Mission de- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 359 
 
 jpaitment lie and his fellow-laborer, Elder B. Hieks, went 
 -everywhere among the churches preaching the Word, and 
 iis, in the apostolic age, much and lasting good resulted from 
 their labors. 
 
 In regard to ministerial education, we have heard him 
 deploring his great lack of seholastic attainments — howgreat 
 was his embarrassment when associated with the more learn- 
 ■ed in the discharge of his ministerial duties, to acquit himself 
 properly as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 
 rightly dividing the word of truth, &c. 
 
 We have however heard Elder D. repeatedly say that 
 he was not fully iu accord with the idea of educating young 
 men with the express view of making ministers of them, in- 
 dependently of a special call from God, qualifying them 
 expressly for the great and responsible work of preaching 
 the Gospel ; that it is abundantly observable that God often 
 chooses the very weakest things of the world to confound the 
 mighty, who gradually grow and become polished shafts in 
 the quiver of the Lord, and that such are the characters who 
 aieed and should receive the fostering care of the schools and 
 patronage of the churches. 
 
 In tracing the life and character of Elder Drury Dob- 
 bins, we are much impressed with the fact that he was one 
 ■of Nature's great noblemen — that few are found to he his 
 equal peers. It is truly remarked, there is no man faultless 
 — all have their foibles to combat — but agreeably to the gen- 
 eral estimate of those who knew him best, he came as near 
 iin exception as it is possible for any to be. He was very 
 deliberate and dignified in his manner, and somewhat slow- 
 in arriving at a conclusion — to which point he never would 
 arrive until after he had examined all the weak points of the 
 case supposed to be assailable. But after having done this, 
 and finding all right according to his judgment, he then took 
 a position which he maintained as an impregnable fortress, 
 and defied the missiles or shafts of an opponent, come from 
 whatever direction they might. 
 
 Notwithstanding Elder Dobbins' lack of scholarship 
 was deplorable and notorious to the literary world, yet his 
 innate, natural powers of mind and memory gave him the 
 character of an intellectual giant — so much so that the more 
 refined and educated dreaded taking a tilt with him in debate. 
 As an evidence we reproduce from Elder Barnett's history 
 of the Broad River Association the following incident : "At 
 the session of 1846 the adoption of a circular letter was the 
 question before the body. Dr. Thos. Curtis took a very act- 
 ive part in the debate in behalf of the circular. To me at 
 that time he was very singular in his manners in debate. He 
 
330T BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 signified that he imagined himself almost an intruder, espe- 
 cially as he had to take a position which was opposed to 
 Elder Dobbins, whom he seemed to regard with a profound 
 veneration. He perhaps had never met with Dobbins betore,. 
 but he was acquainted with him from character, and to op- 
 pose Dobbins in debate, seemed to him almost like opposing: 
 an oracle. In all his remarks, therefore, he kept his eye 
 steadily on Dobbins, He seemed not to have known that 
 Scruggs w T as the Moderator. He stood up close to the table., 
 facing Dobbins, and while making his speech he would fre- 
 quently bend down with his face nearly to the table, and then, 
 at the end of his sentences he would suddenly throw himself 
 back over a perpendicular and for a moment look tenderly 
 at his brother Dobbins, as if he would ask him to forgive 
 him for what he had said amiss, and then down and up in. 
 like manner. 
 
 LABORED WITH HIS HANDS. 
 
 Drury Dobbins, like the immortal Dr. Carey, was a 
 shoe-maker, and understood his business well. Like the 
 Apostle Paul, although not a tent-maker, he w T orked with 
 his own hands to support himself and family rather than be- 
 come chargeable to the churches he served. For near forty 
 years he served one church as pastor, from which it is said 
 he never received anything beyond a mere pittance. This- 
 circumstance is not mentioned for the purpose of chalking 
 out to other churches any particular course of duty, but 
 merely to show the disinterestedness or careless indifference 
 of the" man in reference to what is called filthy lucre being 
 an inducement for him to preach and supply churches. By- 
 hard labor at the lap-board and on his tarn), coupled with 
 economy and frugality, he was enabled to accumulate a com- 
 petency of the good things of this life, temporally speaking, 
 to render him and his quite comfortable, and he ever appear- 
 ed to be therewith content. He had plenty and enjoyed it 
 with friends, and there never was a real object ot charity 
 turned away from his hospitable door. The self-denying 
 life that he lived, and the many kindnesses that he dealt out 
 to the poor in the shape of charity, accounts for his great and 
 unbounded popularity among the people he served, while, 
 for more than forty years, he acted as a faithful sentinel on 
 the watch-tower of Zion. 
 
 In early life he married Mrs. Hannah Sams, nee Miss 
 Hannah Calahan, and they lived harmoniously together 
 through a long series of years, during which time a daughter 
 was born to them, who afterwards married Richard Harrill, 
 Esq., from whom has descended a numerous progeny of re- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 161 
 
 spectable standing in the community where they live. Mrs. 
 .Dobbins survived the death of her husband, which took 
 place May 19th, 1847, in the 72d year of his age, which is 
 suitably noticed in the Minutes of the Broad River Associa- 
 tion at its session of that year. [See journalistic part of this 
 work.] 
 
 Personal Appearance. — Elder Drury Dobbins was 
 about five feet 10 inches in height, of square heawy build, 
 weight about 200 pounds, somewhat inclined to corpulency. 
 In early life his hair was jet black, his eyes equally so, and 
 very penetrating. Never sported a moustache, but went clean 
 shaved, believing that "beard was given to men to be cut 
 off." He had a large 'projecting forehead. In late life was 
 becoming bald and dignified more than ever; nose of the 
 Roman type; a stentorian voice and good articulation. Sel- 
 dom ever preached a sermon of more than an hour's length. 
 There was so much dignitv about the face of Elder Dobbins 
 as to make it impossible for any one coming into his presence 
 not to discover at once that a great and good man stood be- 
 fore him, and thus feeling, by some incomprehensible power, 
 be restrained from all levity or idle jesting, or frivolous lib- 
 erties of any kind in his presence. So great was the spark- 
 ling tire of his dark eyes that it was almost impossible to 
 take a full face view of him, and vet he was effeminate and 
 kind in his nature and manners towards his brethren and 
 many friends. As a preacher, he was a close student of the 
 Bible, while he was also familiar with many of the best works 
 on theology. The great work of Dr. John Gill was with 
 him a great favorite ; and like the celebrated Apostle to the 
 Gentiles and Dr. Gill, he would often say : "By the grace of 
 God I am what I am." He felt the truth of apostolic expe- 
 rience, and glorified God and His sovereign grace. 
 
 In his day and time he was often called upon to combat 
 the liberal doctrines of James Arminius, and was therefore 
 denounced by some of his followers as an Antino- 
 uiian or Hard Shell, which he but little regarded or cared 
 for. He was much better acquainted with the foundation 
 lie stood on than those who maligned and misrepresented 
 him. 
 
 As we have no access to his religious correspondence 
 with the outside world, and consequently will not be able to 
 preserve from oblivion many of his wise remarks and say- 
 ings, we will therefore republish two of his circular addresses 
 to the churches of the Broad River Association. The first 
 on the subject of Good Works, written in 1811, while he was 
 young in the ministry ; the other to show who Melchisidec ivas, 
 
 46 
 
3G2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 and to run the analogy between his priesthood and that of Jesus 
 Christ, which was written in 1888, and was the last one of 
 the many circular letters prepared by him. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER, ON GOOD WORKS, BY ELDER DRURY DOBBINS. 
 
 Dearly Beloved Brethren: — For your establishment iu every 
 good word and work, we purpose, agreeably to appointment by the 
 Advisory Council last year, to lay before you a short epistle on the 
 important subject of "Good Works." Not indeed as some hold, who 
 depend greatly on works for justification, and thereby corrupt the 
 word and doctrine of the Gospel — teaching a medley of works and 
 grace, and so making man a free agent, capable of keeping the law 
 and saving himself. This, with many other unscriptural doctrines, 
 wrested to prove points never intended (by those who teach for doc- 
 trines the commandments of men, "having men's persons in admi- 
 ration because of advantage,") we are to avoid. There are many 
 questions which engender strife rather than edification, that we 
 should be scrupulously careful to shun. We should rather build upon 
 the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
 corner stone, in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth 
 unto an holy temple in the Lord. 
 
 For a further illustration we will attend to the following partic- 
 ulars: 1. Speak of who may do good works. 2. What it is to do 
 good. And 3. Consider our obligations to do good works. 
 
 First, who are capable of doing good? In this we will let the 
 A postle determine, for saith he, "we are his workmanship, created 
 in Christ Jesus unto good works;" whatsoever God hath before or- 
 dained we should do, and walk in His commandments. He hath 
 saved us and called us with an holy calling — not according to our 
 works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given 
 us in Christ Jesus before the world began ; who gave himself for us, 
 that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself 
 a peculiar people zealous of good works. Thus, dear brethren, ac- 
 cording to the Apostle Paul, it is those who are divinely influenced 
 that are capable of doing good acceptably. The same Apostle saith, 
 'the natural man discerneth not the things of the Spirit," for they 
 are spiritually discerned, &c. 
 
 Secondly. What it is to do good. To do good, implies our hon- 
 est endeavors to keep all God's commandments with regard to Him- 
 self, our neighbor or ourselves. Whether it be the performance of 
 duties enjoined by God, or the refraining from the commission or 
 practice of sin by a deceitful heart, or outward practice at all times 
 and under all circumstances of life. And further, to do good pass- 
 ively is to shun every appearance of evil, to give no offense to either 
 Jew or Gentile, neither the church of Christ. Further to do good, 
 in every sense of the word, is to exercise the ability which God 
 giveth. whether in temporal or spiritual matters; and doing good is 
 not only comprehended in our usefulness as to our gifts and graces 
 which are given to us for the edification of others, but we are also tb 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 363 
 
 .serve the JLord with our substance ; to feed the hungry, and clothe 
 the naked, in accordance with the voice of revelation ; and all such 
 acts of charity done to His poor saints are the same as done unto 
 Christ, who makes it a reason for receiving us into His heavenly 
 kingdom. "I was an hungered and ye fed me, naked and ye clothed 
 me," &c. But as the work of redemption by Christ hath outdone 
 all other works, so doth the ministry of the Gospel excel every other 
 performance by man. He that desireth the office of a Bishop, desir- 
 eth a good work ; and let him that laboreth in word and doctrine be 
 counted worthy of double honor. Further to do good, is to assist 
 those who minister in the Word, by contributing to them in tempo- 
 ral things, and relieving their minds from the inordinate cares and 
 anxieties of this life, which is both reasonable and Scriptural, or the 
 Lord never would have ordained that "those who preach the Gospel 
 should live of the Gospel " For this object we are exhorted to do 
 good works for necessary uses, and would any man deserve the 
 christian name who does not feel it a duty to consider and relieve 
 the temporal wants of his minister or pastor ? It is very perceptible 
 that where the minister is neglected, other ordinances of the Lord's 
 house are attended to with great indifference, and, as a consequence, 
 the church does not thrive. 
 
 Further. Although good works do not sanctify and save us, yet 
 \hey are the natural actings and operations of a sanctified heart, and 
 our lives while in neglecting them give the lie to our profession of 
 upright, holy living. Grace is given for exercise, it is a vital opera- 
 tive principle, and none have a right therefore to flatter themselves 
 with even the dream of being regenerate while they indulge in 
 known sin, or live in the neglect of good works. 
 
 jSc-V a few words in regard to the obligations resting upon us all 
 to be zealous in the performance of good works. Good works are 
 necessary, as they belong to the way and adorn the path that leads 
 to heaven. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord," We 
 must not only enter in at the straight gate, but we must walk in the 
 narrow path that leads unto life eternal. It is certainly true that a 
 life of sin and gross impiety leads down to the chambers of death, 
 and it is equally true that Christ leads none to glory in that way. 
 It is true we may be in the way to heaven when, at times, we are 
 compassed about with many infirmities and groanings while living 
 in the neglect of good works, and without proper charity towards our 
 fellow-men — in which case we do not enjoy the smiles of the Savior. 
 But God has an inalienable claim upon our obedience and service. 
 We are his by creation and redemption, and should feel ourselves 
 under bonds of subjection to Him. Neither doth the liberty of the 
 Gospel cancel these obligations, but rather lays us under greater ones 
 to yield to Him unconditional obedience. Our freedom from under 
 the curse of the moral law does not free us from it as a rule of obedi- 
 ence ; hence it follows that a life of rebellion now would be great in- 
 gratitude. Our obligations to good works are greatly increased 
 When we consider our redemption by Jesus Christ in connection 
 
38-1 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 with our enjoyment of Gospel ordinance— living for God in this 
 world, and being eternally happy with Him in the world to come. 
 And what doth the blessed God require of us for all these inestima- 
 ble favors? Nothing more than, our thankful lips and faithful lives, 
 and that we should be ready to every good work. How unworthy, 
 then, in ust we be, and forever feel, while in a course of disobedience. 
 We cannot even look for a smile from His countenance while we 
 adhere to our lusts and idols, and neglect to make it our business to 
 seek and serve Him. Good works are necessary to honor the profes- 
 sion we have made, to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior, and to 
 bring glory to the great Author of our being. Nothing brings a 
 greater scandal upon our holy religion than the unsanctifted lives of 
 its professors. This gives occasion to the enemies of the Cross of 
 Christ to cast a stumbling block in the way of poor souls that have 
 begun to look heavenward, and brings dishonor upon our blessed 
 Savior as though he was a minister of sin. We hope, therefore, dear 
 brethren, that you will see the necessity of good works, and of living 
 a holy life. Further: good works are necessary to our inward peace 
 and comfort ; for how unhappy and uncomfortable life must be to 
 have our own hearts condemning us; to have a worm gnawing in 
 our own breasts, and applying the terrors of the law, and yet this 
 cannot be avoided without a 1 ife of good works. To this the Apostle 
 has reference when he exhorts us to work out our own salvation 
 with fear and trembling. Further : we are to observe good works 
 in point of duty, and not to expect a reward, or merit anything 
 thereby. Heaven is a purchased possession, and our title to it, and 
 qualifications for it, is through the obedience of Christ. In this re- 
 spect He is our. hope, and our perseverance in the way that leads to 
 the inheritance at God's right hand is through the electing love of 
 the Savior. When we rejoice in our hope, we must do it in the 
 strength and all-sufficiency of the atonement of Christ. Having no 
 confidence in the flesh [and as it is not for us to run without legs or 
 fly without wings,] we must despair of all sufficiency of ourselves, 
 and humbly repair to the source of all power, and before Him, our 
 Sovereign and Kink Redeemer, invoke the blessings we need — trust- 
 ing in Him for life and salvation. Our good works, although desira- 
 ble, and good in their place, will not do as the ground of our hope. 
 Let the life we now live be, through the faith in the Son of God, and 
 our consciences, be relieved of the deleterious effects of a dead, un- 
 productive faith. The servant who knows his master's will and 
 does it not, "shall be beaten with many stripes." And Jesus saith, 
 if ye love me keep my commandments. We therefore humbly hope 
 that the foregoing observations may, by God's blessings, lead you 
 forth in the footsteps of the flock, and may you be safely kept by the 
 power of God, through His grace unto Salvation, that you may fin- 
 ish your course with joy, and finally reign with Him in a state of 
 sinless perfection and glory, which He hath prepared for all those 
 that love Him, is and Will continue to be the prayers of your breth- 
 ren in the bonds of the Gospel. Farewell. D. Dobbins. 
 October lsth, 1811. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 365 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 To the Broad River Baptist Association — To the Churches in Union-: 
 
 Beloved Brethren : — We address you this year according to 
 a resolution of last Association on the following subject: "To show 
 who Melchisidec was, and to run the analogy between tils priesthood 
 and the priesthood of Jesus Christ." To do this we will show 1st, 
 who Melchisidec was as a man, 2d, the nature of his priesthood, 
 and thirdly, that Christ was made a priest after the order of Melchi- 
 sidec, and not after the order of Aaron. 
 
 1st. Who Melchisidec was, hath afforded much dispute. Some 
 Avill have him to be Christ, or the Holy Ghost ; but Paul calls him 
 a man, and represents him to be greater than Abraham, in conse- 
 quence of his being a priest of the most high God; Heb. vii. 4-7, 
 But if Melchisidec was a mere man, who was his progenitor, and of 
 Avhat family or tribe was he? Answer. — The Scripture is silent on 
 that point, and historians are not agreed on the subject. We there- 
 fore cannot say what family he sprang from. Paul says, Melchisidec 
 "was without father, without mother, without descent — having neith- 
 er beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of 
 God, abideth a priest continually. How then is it possible he could 
 be a man with flesh and blood ? Answer. — Paul was speaking of his 
 priestly office, that he did not descend from any priestly family. 
 But what does Paul mean by saying that he (Melchisidec) had neither 
 beginning of days. nor end of life? Answer. — We understand Paul 
 to mean, that there was no record to show the commencement nor 
 end of bis priesthood. We learn from the Scriptures that Melchisi- 
 dec was a man that possessed kingly authority, and his name shows 
 that his Kingdom was a righteous and peaceable one. Melchisidec, 
 King of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, and he was priest of 
 the most High God; and he blessed himaud said, "blessed be Abram 
 •of the most high God, possessor of Heaven and earth ; and blessed 
 be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy 
 hands, and he gave him tithes of alL Gen. xiv. 18, 19. From the 
 above quoted text it is evident that Melchisidec was a man that lived 
 cotemporary with Abram, from whom he received tithes. Paul 
 illustrates the matter clearly in the following text, which we will 
 take the liberty to write at some length : 
 
 "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the 
 patriarch, Abraham, gave the tenth of the spoils; and verily, they 
 that are of the sons of Levi, who receive this office of the priesthood, 
 have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the 
 law — that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of 
 Abraham. But he whose descent is not counted from them, received 
 tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And 
 without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." Heb. vii> 
 beginning at 4th verse. We think the above may be and is sufficient 
 Jo show that Melchisidec was a man, and not a heavenly being, as 
 some have supposed. 
 
 2d. We are to show the nature of his priesthood. The word 
 
36G BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 "priest" signifies one that is divinely appointed of God to offer sac- 
 rifices, and intercede lor guilty men. (Num. xvi. 47, 48,) and no mam 
 taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called and appointed 
 by the Lord ; and such was Melchisidec, as priest of the most high* 
 God, — without predecessor or successor he officiated as priest as long 
 as he lived ; therefore his priesthood is called an everlasting priest- 
 hood. Heb. vii. 3. 
 
 Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, clearly shows that the priest- 
 hood of Melchisidec was far superior to the priesthood of Aaron, as- 
 the Aaronic priesthood was connected with the ceremonial part of 
 the law, and was confined to the Jewish nation. But Melchisidec 
 was king of righteousness and peace, and a universal priest of the 
 most high God, for all the humble worshipers who made application! 
 to him. 
 
 We will now proceed to show the analogy between the priest- 
 hood of Melchisidec and the priesthood of Jesus Christ . That Christ 
 is the great High Priest of His people, and hath made complete 
 atonement by the sacrifice of Himself for all that have believed or 
 will believe in Him, is evident from the Word of God. Heb. iii. 1st, 
 and vii. 27. Melchisidec did not descend from any priestly tribe or 
 family— neither did Jesus Christ, the great High Priest of our pro- 
 fession — for it is evident our Lord sprang out of Judea, of which tribe 
 Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Melchisidec was ap- 
 pointed to the priesthood by God Himself, and continued in that 
 office as long as he lived ; so Jesus Christ was consecrated by him 
 that swore, and he will not repent. "Thou art a Priest forever, after 
 the order of Melchisidec." Melchisidec was a king of righteousness- 
 and peace, as well as priest of the most High God. So it is said of 
 Jesus Christ that, as King, He should reign in righteousness. Isa. 
 xxxii. 1. And Paul said that He [Christ] is our peace ; through Him 
 we have access to the Father. Melchisidec blessed Abraham / so 
 Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession for and to bless all tbe 
 spiritual seed of Abraham. Jesus Christ is Priest after the order of 
 Melchisidec. Psalms ex. 4. Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, has 
 reference to the oath of God in the consecration of Jesus Christ to the 
 prie itly office ; and to show the exalted character of Christ as High 
 Priest, shows how much Melchisidec was. superior to the Levitical 
 priests. This superiority consisted in his being a universal priest of 
 the most High God — appointed to officiate for all true worshipers 
 who applied to him, — whereas the Levitical priesthood was confined 
 to the nation of the Israelites. Nor did he, like the sons of Aaron, 
 begin to exercise his office at a particular age, nor cease to be a priest 
 when old. But in his priesthood he was without beginning of days 
 or end of life ; that is, he officiated during his whole life. If there- 
 fore Melchisidec, who was only a type of Christ, was so much greater 
 than the Levitical priests, how much more was Christ, who was the 
 Son of God— the token of the world, universal King and Priest, and 
 heir, and Lord of all ? Once more, Melchisidec, as priest of the most 
 High God, there was none that succeeded him in the priestly office; 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 867 
 
 as such his priesthood is called an abiding priesthood. So it is said 
 of Jesus Christ : because He ccntinueth ever, hath an unchangeable 
 priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost 
 that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make inter- 
 cession for them. Saith Paul, after showing that Jesus Christ was 
 the great High Priest of His people, and that His consecration and 
 priesthood was after the order of Melcliisidec, and not after the order 
 of Aaron, He goes on to show the deficiency of the first covenant, 
 as connected with the Levitieal priesthood. He then shows the 
 firmness and immutability of the second covenant, as connected 
 with the sacrifice, the atonemeut and all prevailing intercession of 
 Jesus Christ, the great high priest of our profession. Now of the 
 things which we have spoken, this is the sum. We have such an 
 high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in 
 heaven, a Minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched 
 and not man. The first covenant with the ordinances of divine 
 service in connection with the tabernacle and all it contained, to- 
 gether with the Aaronic priesthood offerings was not sufficient to 
 make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience. 
 Heb. x. But Christ being an high priest of good things to 
 eome, by agreater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, 
 that is to say, not of this building, neither by the blood he entered 
 once into the Holy place, having obtained redemption for us. We 
 will now proceed to show more fully the priesthood of Jesus Christ, 
 what he has done, is doing, and will do for his people. That Christ 
 was appointed the high priest of his people before the foundation of 
 the world is certain. Psalms CX:4— 1st Peter. 1st 18. 19. and 20. 
 Zeehariah speaks of Christ (6th chap.) as a Priest upon His throne; 
 every high priest taken from among men is ordained for man in 
 things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices 
 for sins (for without the shedding of blood there is no remission.) 
 Wherefore, it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to 
 •offer. 
 
 We come now to speak of the great sacrifice offering made by our 
 Great High Priest on Calvary, where he gave his body a sacrifice and 
 his soul an offering for sin. The hour of Christ's death (says Blair, 
 vol. 1, sec. 5,) was the most critical, the most pregnant with great 
 events, since hours began to be numbered, since time began to run. 
 It was the hour in which Christ was glorified by His sufferings. No 
 upbraiding, no complaining expressions escaped from His lips. With 
 idl the dignity of a sovereign He conferred pardon on a penitent 
 fellow-sufferer. With greatness of mind beyond example He spent 
 His last moments in apologies and prayers for those who were shed- 
 ding His blood. This was the hour in which Christ atoned for the 
 sins of mankind, and accomplished our eternal redemption. It was 
 the hour when that great sacrifice was offered up, the efficacy of 
 which reaches back to the first transgression of man, and extends 
 ,'<>rward to the end of time ; the hour when from the cross, as from 
 
363 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 an high altar, the blood was flowing which washed away the gilt of 
 the nations. In this hour the long series of prophecies, visions, 
 types and figures was accomplished. 
 
 Significantly was the veil of the Temple rent in twain, for the 
 glory then departed from between the Cherubims ; the legal High 
 Priest delivered up his Urim, and Thummim, his breast-plate, his 
 robes and his incense, and Christ stood forth as the great High Priest 
 of all succeeding generations. Altars on which the fire had blazed 
 for ages were now to smoke no more. Now it was also that he threw 
 down a wall of partition which had so long divided the Gentile from 
 the Jew, and gathered into one all the faithful out of every kindred 
 and people ; for such an High Priest became us who is holy, harm- 
 less and undefined — separate from sinners and made higher than the 
 heavens, where He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. 
 That Christ was to be an intercessor, or was to make intercession for 
 His people, is certain. When Christ was called to the office of a 
 priest, and invested with it, which was done in Council and Cove- 
 nant of grace, He was put upon making request on their behalf— He 
 is bid to ask them of his Father as his portion and inheritance to be 
 possessed and enjoyed by him, which is promised him, and making 
 such a request as he did, and they were given him. Psalms ii. 8; 
 John xvii. 6; and he not only asked them, but life for them— spirit- 
 ual and eternal life, with all the blessings and comforts of life, which 
 upon asking were given. God gave him the desire of his heart, and 
 did not withhold the'request of his lips. All blessings were bestowed 
 on his chosen in him, and grace which is comprehensive of all 
 blessings were given them in him before the world began. Eph, 1. 3 f 
 and 2d Tim, 19. And this requesting is a species of Christ's inter- 
 cession, and an early instance of it, and of its success in it, and a 
 specimen of what was to be done by him hereafter. The intercession 
 is spoken of in prophecy, particularly in Isa. liii. 12; Christ was in- 
 tercessor when in a state of incarnation and humiliation. We often 
 read of his praying to God, and sometimes a whole night together. 
 At other times we find him praying for particular persons — as at the 
 grave of Lazarus, and for Peter particularly. Luke xxii. 32. He 
 prayed for all his disciples [John xvii,] which is a specimen of his 
 intercession in heaven. Christ is now interceding in heaven for his 
 people ; Christ performs this his office also by offering up the prayer 
 and praises of his people which became acceptable to God, 
 through the sweet incense of his mediation and intercesion. Rev- 
 viii. o, 4. 
 
 The next thing to be con udered is, what Christ makes interces- 
 sion for more particularly — for the conversion of his uuconverted 
 ones. Neither pray I for these alone, says Christ [meaning his dis- 
 ciples,] that were called, but for them also which shall believe in me 
 through their word. John xvii. 20. And for the comfort of those 
 that are convinced of sin, particularly for discoveries and applications 
 of pardoning grace and mercy. If any mm sin, we have an.advocate 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 369 
 
 with the Father for strength for his people to bear up under temp- 
 tation. 
 
 Lastly he intercedes for their glorification. Father, I will that 
 they also whom thou hast given me, where I am, that they may be- 
 hold my glory. John xvii. 24. Christ, the great High Priest of his 
 people, reigns as King and Priest to bless them. Jt was promised to 
 Abraham that in his seed all the kindreds of the earth should be 
 blessed, unto you first, God having raised up his Sou Jesus, sent him 
 to bless you, &c. Acts iii. 25, 26. 
 
 Christ's blessing His people was prefigured in Melchisidec, the 
 type of Him, and of w T hose order he was. This illustrious person 
 met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed 
 him ; so Christ, the anti-type, has blessed His people, does bless 
 them, and will continue to bless them. He blessed them under the 
 Old Testament, and after He had offered Himself a sacrifice and 
 risen from the dead — before His ascension to heaven — "he lilted up 
 His hands and blessed His disciples," &c. Luke xxiv. 50, 51. 
 
 We will now observe the qualifications of Christ to bless His 
 people — His fitness, ability, and sufficiency for such a work. As He 
 is God, or a Divine person, He must be able to bless. Blessedness is 
 a perfection of Deity. 
 
 Now Christ is over all, God blessed forever [Rom. ix. 5,] and 
 able to do exceedingly abundant above all that we ask or think. 
 Eph. iii. 20. Christ as a Mediator has a fitness, ability and sufficien- 
 cy to bless His people. Who can doubt His ability to bless his peo- 
 ple with deliverance from sin, Satan and the Law, since he has 
 attained eternal redemption for them? or, with a justifying righte- 
 ousness, since he has become the end of the Law ; or with spiritual 
 peace, since he has made peace by the blood of his cross; or with 
 salvation since he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto 
 God by him. All that are blessed of the Father are blessed by 
 Christ. "Come, ye blessed of my Father," &c. Eph. i. 3 ; Matt. 
 xxv. 34. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly call- 
 ing, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ 
 Jesus, who Avas faithful to him that appointed him. Seeing, then, 
 that we have a great High Priest that is passed into heaven— Jesus 
 the Sou of God — let us hold fast our profession, for we have not an 
 High Priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirm-' 
 ities, but was in all points tempted like as we are — yet without sin. 
 Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may 
 obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
 Drury Dobbins. 
 October 19th, 1839. 
 
 Durham, Elder Josiah was a native of Eutherford 
 county, K C, born April 6th, 1801. In 1829 married Miss 
 Mary Trout, and shortly afterwards joined the church at 
 Sandy Run, and was under the pastoral care of Elder Drury 
 Dobbins until in 1835, he was licensed by said church to 
 47 
 
370 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 preach, and in the year 1839 he was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry. He made his first appearance in the 
 Broad River Association as a delegate in 1835, and continued 
 as one of the representatives of Sandy Run church in the 
 subsequent sessions of 1836-'37-'38. lie was a pious and 
 devoted christian worker, ever at the post of duty to render 
 all the service he was able, to roll on the wheels of Zion. 
 Elder Durham's maternal grand-father, Benjamin Davis, 
 born Dec. 24th, 1731, was a brother of the celebrated Elder 
 Elnathan Davis, the Moderator of the Saluda Association in 
 days of yore, and said to be a relative of Ex President Jeifer- 
 son Davis of the late unfortunate Southern Confederacy. 
 Elder Josiah Durham died August 2nd, 1810, in the full 
 triumphs of a Gospel faith. 
 
 Durham, Elder Columbus although never connected at 
 any time with either the Broad River or King's Mountain 
 Association was nevertheless reared within the bounds of the 
 Kings Mountain body, and joined the church at High Shoals, 
 one of the King's Mountain churches, we therefore, transfer 
 to our work the sketch found in the Baptist Encyclopedia, 
 by Dr. Cathcart, which we fully endorse. 
 
 Elder C. Durham was bdrn in Rutherford county N. C. 
 Apr. 28th, 1844. His mother was the sister of ex-Gov. Baxter 
 of Arkansas, and of Judii'e John Baxter of Tennessee. Mr. 
 Durham was baptized in September, 1860; entered the army 
 April in 1861 ; was wounded four times, though but a boy, was 
 blessed in conducting prayer meetings in the army; was re- 
 ceived by the Board of Education as a student at Wake For- 
 est in 1867; Graduated in 1871; was oastor at Goldsboro 
 from August, 1871, to January, 1876, during. which time the 
 membership of the church more than doubled, an old debt 
 was paid, and a pastor's study and parsonage were built; 
 settled in Durham in 1876, where, by his labors, the church 
 has been greatly strengthened, a new and beautiful house of 
 worship has been built, also a parsonage. Mr. Durham has 
 preached in twenty-five counties in North Carolina and three 
 in South Carolina, and has baptized over 300 persons. He 
 is a trustee of Wake Forest College. 
 
 We take pleasure in adding that Elder Durham is among 
 the most promising young ministers belonging to the Baptist 
 denomination in the State. 
 
 Elam, Elder Philip Ramsour was born in Rutherrord 
 county (now Cleveland,) 1ST. C, March 12th, 1833; converted 
 and joined the church in 1848, in the 15th year ol his age. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 371 
 
 Licensed to preach by the New Bethel church, September 
 15th, 1854, and was chosen a delegate to represent said 
 church in the sessions of the King's Mountain Association 
 in 1855-'56-'57-'58-'59-'60. About this time he volunteer- 
 ed in South Carolina, and was at Col. Anderson's surrender 
 or' Fort Sumter. He afterwards volunteered in Col. Conley's 
 55th N. C. Regiment, and in the engagement at Gettvsburi^ 
 was wounded and captured by the enemy and was impris- 
 oned nine months at Johnson's Island, Ohio. lie w'as a Lieu- 
 tenant of his company, and was wounded in front of Peters- 
 burg, Va., August 5th, 1864, after which he returned home 
 and represented his church in the sessions of the Association 
 in 1865-'66— 67, and in 1868 appears in the Minutes as the pas- 
 tor of the Bethlehem church, in the vicinity of which he mar- 
 ried Mrs. Mary J. Crawford, nee Miss M. J. Barber, by whom 
 he is rearing a very interesting family. 
 
 Elder Elam, although a hard-working tiller of the soil, 
 does a great deal of pastoral and sometimes missionary and 
 Sunday-school work. He has the reputation of being an in- 
 defatigable worker at anything he takes in hand. His op- 
 portunities for acquiring an education have been very limited, 
 but with the smattering he has acquired, with a close appli- 
 cation to Bible study and other good books as helpers, he 
 has become an acceptable preacher and successful pastor. 
 He has many seals to his ministry, and being now in the 
 bloom and vigor of life, we have much of future usefulness 
 to hope for. May our expectations be realized abundantly. 
 
 Elder Elam never fails to be on hand at the annual ses- 
 sions of the Association — not as an idle spectator, but as a 
 vigilant and active representative of the best interests of the 
 spiritual brotherhood. At the session of 1866 he preached 
 ihe introductory sermon before the body with much accept- 
 ance, and whatever his hands finds to do he does it with all 
 his might. 
 
 Ezell, Elder John Swilliving was born January 29th, 
 1825, in Spartanburg county, S. C. Baptized by Elder Jas. 
 M. Webb into the fellowship of Buck Creek Baptist church 
 in 1840, and was in 1841 orally licensed by said church to 
 preach the Gospel. He intermarried with Miss Margaret 
 Mahala Thomas, (a pious, christian lady,) daughter of Dea- 
 con John Thomas, of Macedonia church July 21st, 1842, and 
 the next year was lettered to said Macedonia church, and in 
 1844 regularly licensed to preach 'the Gospel. In 1846 a 
 presbytery was convened consisting of Elders Drury Scruggs, 
 Dr. F. W. Littlejohn and W. B. Padgett, who ordained Bro. 
 Ezell to the full work of the ministry, and the same year he 
 
372 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 appears in the Minutes as a delegate to the Association from 
 Macedonia church, which position he has occupied either 
 from one church or another up to the year 1876, when he 
 became a member of the Spartanburg Association. During 
 the many years that he belonged to the old Broad River 
 body he was an active and useful member, and at the sessions 
 of 1873-'74 was chosen to preside as Moderator. 
 
 In early life Elder Ezell had received very little scholas- 
 tic training. To use his own language : "In my school days 
 I never saw an English Grammar. When I married I could 
 not read a chapter in the New Testament correctly ; my 
 wife aided me greatly in learning to read." lie has reared 
 a family of four sons and two daughters, two of the sons 
 being preachers, and the others Sabbath-school workers; 
 and to their credit be it said they are all Good Templars, 
 and none of them use tobacco. Bro. Ezell says this is largely 
 attributable to the care and influence of their mother. 
 
 Elder Ezell takes rank now among the able ministers of 
 the New Testament. He has, during his ministerial career, 
 performed a great deal of arduous labor — sometimes as a 
 missionary, but mostly as a pastor, being well rewarded with 
 many seals to his ministry. He is yet an active worker in 
 the Lord's vineyard, and we hope his future labors may be 
 productive of much and lasting good to the churches and 
 people where he operates. 
 
 Elder E. prepared the circular letter addressed to the 
 churches in 1859, on the subject of Personal Piety, which we 
 here reproduce : 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Broad River Baptist Association — To the Churches in Union — 
 Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — According to an arrangement made at our 
 last annual meeting, we address you this year upon the subject of 
 Personal Piety. But in directing your attention to a subject of such 
 high magnitude, and to the consideration of a subject of such vast 
 importance, we have great reasons for fear that, in a short letter, we 
 shall be unable to do it that justice to which it is so eminently enti- 
 tled. For when we take into consideration the stress that is laid 
 upon it in the Word of God, both as respects the manner in which 
 it is stated and the frequency with which it is enjoined, sufficient is 
 proven to show us the powerful influence it has in the christian 
 church, for it is spoken of and known to be one of the best proofs of 
 the truth of Christianity, and one of the best means for converting 
 the world. That none are truly pious but the truly converted, is so 
 plainly taught in God's Word that it does not admit of cavil. For 
 "a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit" "As the branch can 
 not bear fruit of itself," says Christ, "except it abide in the vine, no 
 more can ye, except ye abide in me : without me ye can do nothing." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 873 
 
 The belief that men are saved by grace, are justified by faith, 
 *'are saved by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the 
 Holy Ghost," has always obtained favor among the true followers of 
 Christ; for the Scripture saith, "Abraham believed God, and it was 
 counted unto him for righteousness." "Now to him that worketh 
 is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt ; but to him that 
 worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his 
 faith is counted for righteousness." But as causes produce effects, 
 so "faith produces works ; yea, without works faith is dead, being 
 alone!" "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he 
 hath faith, and hath not works, can faith save him?" It is said of 
 Abraham "that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith 
 made perfect. James ii. 22. 
 
 That believers are required to exemplify in their lives the relig- 
 ion they profess, is clearly taught, we think, in the following beau- 
 tiful precepts : "Ye are the light of the world : a city that is set on 
 a bill cannot be hid; neither do men light a candle and put it under 
 a bushel, but on a candle-stick, and it giveth light to all that are in 
 the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see 
 your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." 
 "The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 
 teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should 
 livesoberlv, righteously, and godly in this present world." "Dearly 
 beloved, I beseech as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly 
 lusts that war against the soul : having your conversation honest 
 among the Gentiles that, whereas they speak against you as evil 
 doers they may, by your good works which they shall behold, glo- 
 rify God in the day of visitation. This, I say then, walk in the 
 Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh ; if we live in the 
 Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit." In this form of language the Holy 
 Spirit teaches us the great value of practical religion ; here He com- 
 mands us to exhibit in example our piety for the sake of its saving 
 effects on others. Piety consists in a firm belief and right concep- 
 tions of the Being, perfections and Providences of God, with suita- 
 ble affections to Him, resemblances of Him in His moral perfections, 
 and a constant obedience to His will. 
 
 Two important truths are here suggested to our minds — the one 
 is, that none should ever profess who do not possess religion. We 
 have heard it urged upon men that they should come into the church 
 in order to their becoming christians, when nothing is plainer taught 
 by Christ and His Apostles than that the church is to be composed 
 of those who have been, and not those who are to be converted. 
 "One of the great missions of our denomination," says Mr. Tyree, as 
 distinguished from others, "is to proclaim and require personal re- 
 generation, as indispensably necessary in order to membership in 
 the earthly Kingdom of Christ." 
 
 The other is, that all who possess are bound to profess regenera- 
 tion. To possess without professing it, is treason against its Author, 
 and infidelity to ourselves and the world. There are some who 
 
S74 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 seem to think that, as religion is an individual transaction between? 
 God and the soul, it should he retiring and concealed, but such a 
 notion is rebuked not only by the teachings of the Scriptures, but by 
 all the works of God. Had all the lovers of God been of the opinion 
 of some, Jesus Christ would never have had in our world a church 
 or a martyr. The truth is. the New Testament as much requires us- 
 to appear religiousas to be so. The same authority that enjoins be- 
 lief with the heart requires confession with the mouth. 
 
 In the foregoing we think we have set forth the teachings of the 
 New Testament, showing that it is justifying faith, preceding and 
 prompting profession and practice, and profession and practice fol- 
 lowing, evidencing and recommending faith— thus setting forth a 
 complete definition of Scriptural, personal, saving religion, thereby 
 causing the world to "glorify our Father which is in Heaven." The 
 true christian, first by repentance, faith and love, turns to Christ — 
 "the Sun of Righteousness" — and catches from Him the "light of 
 life," und turns to a world darkened by sin, shedding there the light 
 caught from the brighter Sun and higher Sky, and thus inducing, 
 others to become religious. 
 
 The self-sacrificing Apdstle of Jesus Christ was much emboldened, 
 and was very confident of success, because of the striking pre- 
 sentations of the* truths of the Gospel which he preached, as exem- 
 l' lifted in the lives of thy Corinthians. "For ye are our epistles," 
 said he, "written in our hearts, known and read/of all men ; Foras- 
 much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistles of Christ, min- 
 isteied by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living 
 God— not on tables of etone, but on fleshly tables of the heart." 
 
 Having promised this much we will now more definitely state 
 our position, which is this : A high standard of personal piety is the 
 best proof of Christianity, and the best means for converting the 
 world. 
 
 Brethren, why are there so few christians in the world? Why, 
 in the 'broad way," are there so many? while in the "narrow way" 
 you find but here and there a traveler? Not we suppose that the 
 world doubts our religion in record. In the way of historical proofs 
 t.nd documentary arguments, Christianity has fought her battles and' 
 been victorious. In the way of debate, infidels of every grade have 
 been driven from the field, with broken aud dismantled shields." 
 The mighty apologies of our editors, authors and defenders of the 
 christian religion are now quite absolute. "Why then," in the lan- 
 guage of Elder Tyree, of Virginia, with this mighty array— this re- 
 dundancy of external and logical proofs— "is Christianity making 
 such slow headway in the world? Why, with such mighty appli- 
 ances, are her converts like Angels' visits? Mainly, we solemnly 
 believe, because of the type of piety with christians. More are kept 
 from Christ by this than by all other causes. In theory, in creeds, 
 in forms and professions the world has long seen religion without 
 being made any better by it. The grand desideratum to make man- 
 kind not only almost but altogether christians, is a more thorough, 
 living, striking piety in the professed friends of Christ." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 375 
 
 We will attempt first to describe that piety for which the world 
 Stands in crying need, and thtn understand (if we can) how it ha.i 
 tins effect. Let us describe it : 1. There must be a transformation 
 and purifying of our own characters. Not that we are to reach a 
 state of sinless perfection in this world, — that is not found this side 
 of Heaven — 
 
 •'Defects through Nature's- best productions run — 
 The saints have spots, and spots are in the sun." 
 But in the christian they must not be "spots'' of habitual sins. The 
 death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the descent of the 
 Holy Ghost, and the preaching of the Gospel, are all designed not 
 •only to produce in man's state and heart, but in his life 1 and charac- 
 ter a change for the better. No man is acknowledged, either by the 
 Bible or the world as a christian, unless with him ''old things have 
 passed away, and all things have become neW." The great concen- 
 trated purpose of God towards man, is to make him holy. The 
 atonement, revealed truth, and the Spirit's influences are but nteaiu 
 for the production of this end. Conversion is the commencement of 
 holiness, and baptism a solemn declaration of an intention to aim 
 at holiness in all things till death. 
 
 Now, the religion to meet the exigency in cptestiou, must be dis- 
 played by infusing purity into our tempers— in restraining us front 
 all wrong — disposing us to beneficence — to forgive when wronged— 
 inspiring us with cheerfulness and submission under afflictions, and 
 exciting in us sympathy for the needy, and to sacrifice for the good 
 of others. And when, throughout all the ranks of Gur visible Zion 
 our religion shall appear in making the proud humble, the intempe- 
 rate sober, the 'covetous liberal, the revengeful forgiving, the ljrayer- 
 less devout, the repiuingpatient, and the indolent active, its evidence 
 will be like the sun's meridian beams. The light which thus shine; 
 before men, will not shine uselessly — it will both illuminate and 
 melt. 
 
 2. The piety we need, and for which weplead, should be pre-emi- 
 nent. It should be our highest aim to know and do the will of God. 
 
 The Psalmist prayed, "Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy stat- 
 utes, and I shall keep it unto the end." A christian must be and 
 must appear to be a person of one idea — one all-engrossing purpose 
 of saving himself and others. Paul, defining godliness as his only 
 concern, says : "This one thing I do. Everything else must be sec- 
 ondary and subservient to it; seek ye first the kingdom of God and 
 all these things shall be added unto you." If either interest must 
 be neglected, it should be time and the body— not religion and the 
 soul. "One thing," said the Psalmist, "have I desired of the Lord 
 that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all 
 the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire 
 in His temple." 
 
 By a godly walk and holy conversation we should impress the 
 world that our religion is our one all important, grand business of 
 earth, and to. which every other interest gives place; that it is the 
 
373 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 first with us in time, first in attention, and first in everything, and 
 Ave will do more in diffusing abroad the conviction that Christianity 
 is Heaven born, than would the preaching of an Angel. 
 
 3. Uniformity must be observed. 
 
 We are pained to find in all our churches [more or less] those 
 who are fitful, partial, and irregular in their religious devotions; 
 they are only religious in times of revivals; those seasons onceover 
 and they have another master to serve. Some are prayerful in sick- 
 ness, but prayerless in health ; meek and humble in adversity, but 
 proud and worldly in prosperity. They are like certain streams that 
 only flow during rains, or like comets — they attract for awhile, and 
 then are only known or thought of as "things that have been." 
 Christians of this type do much to provoke the ridicule of the bad, 
 and to discourage the good. 
 
 We want a piety that flows from fixed principles — that is bril' 
 liant in all the variations of human conditions. Our churches should 
 be composed of those and those only who are steadfast, unmovable, 
 always abounding in the work of the Lord ; who are like the stream 
 flowing from the perpetual fountain which, though increased by the 
 rains and diminished by the droughts, flows on constantly with 
 sparkling beauty and increasing fertility; or like the fixed stars 
 which, though sometimes obscured by clouds and tempests, yet shine 
 on steadily, sending down their rays on a darkened world. Christ- 
 ians of this kind are "the light of the world and the salt of the 
 earth. 
 
 4. We want a piety harmonious and minute. 
 
 The christian should make everything bend to his religion, and 
 allow his religion to bend to nothing. [James.] We must be strictly 
 pious in all the relations and conditions of life. It must be worked, 
 as a golden thread, into the entire web of life : our piety must suf- 
 fuse itself over the whole character — nowhere gathered into unseemly 
 blotches, but shed everywhere the hue and bloom of spiritual life. 
 In the healthy child there is an expansion of all the parts and mem- 
 bers of the body — one part is not invigorated while others decay— the 
 arms must not grow r while other parts remain stationary. So with 
 the christian character : to be lovely and influential it must develop 
 itself in the conscientious performance of all duties— small as well 
 as great- Some professors seem to have much religion in the aggre- 
 gate, but little in particular; ill great things and on great occasions 
 they are very religious, but in small matters are very irreligious. 
 And what we want you to observe is, that this inequality in relig- 
 ious deportment, like the "spot in the sun," will be noticed by the 
 keen-eyed world, and made the occasion of stumbling. IS'ay, more ! 
 you may serve God in ninety-nine particulars, and yet, by sinning 
 in the hundredth, exert a bad influence. 
 
 Hence the great importance of harmony and minuteness. We 
 are led therefore to inquire of whom does the Lord require this? 
 Ah ! of whom does He not require it t For He saith, "Let every 
 one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." But let 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 377 
 
 us particularize: first of ministers of the Gospel, it is required that 
 they shall in all things show themselves patterns of good works ; in 
 doctrine, showing un corruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech 
 that cannot be condemned ; that he that is of the contrary part may 
 be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of them. [Tit. ii. 7, 8.] "For 
 a Bishop or Minister must be blameless as the steward of God." A 
 Bishop or Minister then must be blameless, the husband of one wi e, 
 vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach ; 
 not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient ; 
 nota brawler, not covetous, &c. [1 Tim. iii. 2-7.] 
 
 But let us inquire, how does this type of ministerial character 
 and dignity compare wiih the piety of some of Christ's professed 
 ministers? Ah! how do men of the world excuse their intempe- 
 rance and inordinate love of money, while they witness the same 
 in those who are to be "teachers of good things." But we forbear. 
 
 But secondly: The Deacons (the appointment of which was to 
 relieve the ministers, that they might give themselves continually 
 to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word,) is to be a specified char- 
 acter. The Beacon must be grave — not double-tongued, not given to 
 much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre — holding the faith in a pure 
 conscience, &c. With this description of a Deacon no church, it 
 seems to us, can fail to see the impropriety of placing and continu- 
 ing in the deacon's office a man who is not only "given to much 
 wine," butto the making and vending of strong drink ; for theScrip- 
 ture saith, "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord." But 
 thirdly : It is required of all who compose the visible Zion of God, 
 that they walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called ; 
 for in every condition and relation of life the Word of God imposes 
 certain obligations and lays certain restrictions. It requireth "that 
 the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, 
 in patience" The aged women likewise are to "be in behavior as 
 becometh holiness— not false accusers, not given to much wine, 
 teachers of good things." The young women it requireth to be 
 "obedient to their husbands, to love their children ; to be discreet, 
 chaste keepers at home —good, that the Word of God be not blas- 
 phemed." Servants it requireth to be obedient unto their own mas- 
 ters, and to please them well in all things— not answering again, not 
 purloining, but showing all good fidelity — that they may adorn the 
 doctrine of God our Savior in all things. To the master He saith : 
 "Give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that 
 ye also have a Master in Heaven." To wives He saith : "Submit 
 yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord ; for the hus- 
 band is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the 
 Church;" and it is required of the husband "that he love his wife 
 even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." He 
 saith to children : "Obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 
 And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them 
 up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. For the grace of 
 God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men ^teaching us 
 48 
 
378 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, 
 righteously, and godly in this present world." We, to be happy 
 and useful, must descend to minuteness. There are nameless little 
 things in which we must act christianly. To attract the notice, and 
 Win the hearts of those without, there are several spheres in which 
 men must be able to read in us as the "living epistles of Christ— 
 written not with ink; but with the Spirit of the living God"— the 
 truths of Christianity. 
 
 1. The}- should be able to read them in us in the church sphere. 
 As we emerged from the entombing waters of baptism, we lit up 
 
 the lump of profession— every time we partake of the Lord's Supper 
 we "trim the golden flame," But we should appear the christian in 
 the discharge of all christian or church duties as well as church or- 
 dinances, by assembling to hear the Truth ; and for church or prayer- 
 meetings, by giving of our substance to support the Gospel at home 
 aud abroad ; in fine, by prayers, trfels, self-denials and anxieties for 
 the prosperity of the church and the conversion of sinners Let our 
 attachment to Christ and His cause be known and read of all men. 
 
 2. In the domestic sphere. 
 
 When we remember how early and how constantly children be- 
 hold the example of their jDarents — how lasting and mighty, the 
 influence which grows out of that relation — how it blends and be- 
 comes interwoven with the rudiments of their nature, it is manifest 
 that the parent, more than any other creature being, has the mould- 
 ing of his offspring's destiny for both worlds. No being, save God 
 Himself, can do as much as the parent to purify the fountain of 
 existence before it widens into the stream. In the family are daily 
 aud casually put in motion influences that will go on harming or 
 benefitting, blasting or blessing, through all time or eternity ! 
 
 Hence the importance of family religion Parents, you need not 
 be positively irreligious in your families: just conceal your light, 
 and without the invincible grace of God you will give rise to trains 
 of evil that will survive death and the shock of the Arch Angel's 
 trumpet. Let there be merely theabsence of religion in your house- 
 hold, and we would not take your place at the judgment seat for a 
 thousand worlds ; but on the contrary, let your domestics see as 
 well as hear religion — display before them the charms of a religious 
 example ; commence, carry on, and close the day with a consistent 
 pietj', and you will deposit in the virgin soil of their souls the good 
 seed of the Kingdom, which, being warmed by the life-giving beams 
 of the Sun of Righteousness, and refreshed by the dewy influences 
 of the Holy Spirit, will, if not in your, life-time, after you are gone, 
 produce the golden fruit of conversion and usefulness. Live thus, 
 ye professing parents, and you will do more for the prosperity of 
 this Republic than all our armies, navies and laws. In this way 
 your households will become nurseries for the church. My brethren, 
 for the sake of Christ's honor, for the sake of the church of your ' 
 country, of your children's deathless weal, and for your own sake, 
 by all means exhibit religion in your families. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 870 
 
 3. Men should be able to read in us tbe truths of Christianity in 
 the social sphere. 
 
 Here lies the fatal rock against which many professors, and espe- 
 cially young professors, are making wreck of their religious charac- 
 ters. The truth is, in this progressive age public opinion is last 
 excluding religion from the social circle, and with the present pro- 
 clivity — the frequenting of the horse-Tact;, the gaming saloon, the 
 ball room, the circus and theatre— unless bold-hearted christians 
 take a stand against this growing evil, practical godliness will be 
 just as effectually banished from the ordinary converse of society as, 
 by the edict of Claudius, a profession of i! was banished from Rome. 
 Brethren, hear us while we speak our solemn conviction, that no 
 professed christain can attend the horse race, play games, dance, 
 &c, without impairing his religious character and lessening his in- 
 fluence for good, for the temptations here, to compromise with the 
 world and conceal the light of example are numerous and potent. 
 And here it is |hat we, like Peter, who sat down among the enemies 
 of Christ, are tempted to deny our Lord and thus surrender one of 
 our Lord's outposts to the prince of darkness. This were a treason 
 that no true lover of Christ will commit. Rise up, then, to the pre- 
 cious singularity of being manifestly religious in all your social 
 movements ! Do you ask how you can do this without subjecting 
 yourself to the charge of sanctimoniousness? We reply, you can do 
 it in nameless little things. By speaking evil of no one ; by putting 
 away all foolish talking ; by never ascribing to others a bad motive, 
 while you can impute good ones to them ; by discouraging the tat- 
 tler, tale-bearer and slanderer ; by seeking to heal breaches between 
 neighbors; by discountenancing all unnecessary dissipating anune- 
 ments ; by being simple, sincere and tender-hearted; by giving to 
 conversation a religious turn ; and by speaking out, on all suitable 
 occasions, of Christ, His Kingdom, His religion ; of sin, its evils; of 
 hell and of Heaven. In this way, or in like manner, you will shine 
 as lights in the world, and exhibit, amid those without, the winning 
 sweetness of a holy example, and thereby not only impress men 
 with the fact that your religion is an emanation from Heaven, but 
 that it is both practicable and desirable. But space fails me to tell 
 or' the importance in all the business and civil transactions of life. 
 The great error of many is, that they regard religion as something 
 separate from the common duties of life ; it is difficult to say whether 
 more harm aas been done to the cause of Christ, by separating what 
 He lias joined with the injunction, ''Not slothful in business," the 
 command "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Now, what num- 
 bers have woftnded Christ in the house of His friends, by keeping 
 apart these two duties, and, acting on the anti scriptural maxim, 
 'business in its place and religion in its." Especially has this been 
 the case in pecuniary and commercial transactions : some make 
 promises to meet their dues only to break them ; some take advan- 
 tage of their neighbors' necessities to increase their gains ; others 
 show a disposition to take advantage in bargains ; others fail in bu- 
 
3S0 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 siness, when there is ground to suspect that falsehood and fraud 
 have attended the whole transaction ; others borrow money never to 
 return it ; otbers show an overreaching and an underreaching, bor- 
 dering on dishonesty. Verily there must be a reformation. Civil 
 government is as much an ordinance of God as baptism. "The pow- 
 ers tbat be are ordained of God," Christians are deeply interested 
 in civil affairs, from the fact tbat civil necessarily includes religious 
 liberty. They too have bodies, families, characters, and property to 
 protect ; hence, against an enlightened, calm government in politi- 
 cal matters on the part of christians, we say not a word ; nay but we 
 urge it. 
 
 . Having described the kind of piety necessary to evince the truth 
 of Christianity, let us in the next place show how it has this effect. 
 The judgment of the irreligious is thereby convinced, which, after 
 all, brethren, is the best argument in favor of the christian religion. 
 Is it that several hundred prophesies have been fulfilled as the cur- 
 rent of time has swept along ? Is it that many miracles have been 
 wrought in its attestation? Is it the wonders of the cross? — the 
 mysteries of the resurrection ? Is it the rapidity with which it has 
 spread, till it is heard and spoken in more than two hundred lan- 
 guages of the earth? These, though mighty, are not our crowning 
 proofs. Our highest evidence, our most unanswerable, efficacious 
 argument is personal piety, after the primitive pattern. The best 
 c nnmeutary on the Bible the world has ever seen, is a holy life. 
 This is the ''living epistle" that all can read, all understand, and 
 that convinces all. 
 
 In vain may we put in the hands of infidels our best books upon 
 the evidences of Christianity, who are acquainted with professing 
 christians that travel on the Sabbath, patronize sinful amusements, 
 and sometimes drink half way to drunkenness ! The inconsistency 
 of their professions will, with these infidels, neutralize all the argu- 
 ments in favor of Christianity they ever heard or read. How can 
 we hope for the conversion of that young man whose professing 
 mother and sisters are so gay, proud and pleasure-loving as the mul- 
 titudes going away from God and Heaven ? 
 
 But let all our skeptics live among neighbors who act out their 
 religion in all things; let the rising generation have parents who 
 reflect the image of Christ in their daily deportment; let husbands 
 have wifes who, by a meek and benevolent and prayerful spirit, 
 adorn their profession; let pastors have churches ''zealous of good 
 works," poor and ignorant though they be; in fine, let all the visi- 
 ble Zion of God tear the veil from their eyes, rend the world from 
 their hearts, and rise up to the New Testament standard of life and 
 action, and there will be diffused abroad a deep and practical convic* 
 tion that the Gospel is divinely true, and is the "one thing; needful." 
 
 If we had space we would show that it removes objections, wins 
 esteem, and instrumentally convert-:, but our limits are exhausted. 
 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 
 
 J. S. EZELL. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 381 
 
 Ezell, Elder Landrum Cicero was born May 16th, 
 1843, and is also a'native of Spartanburg county, S. C. Is 
 the eldest son of Elder J. S. Ezell, who baptized him about 
 the commencement of the war between the states, into the 
 fellowship of Macedonia church, which church granted him 
 a license to preach soon after his baptism. In January, 
 1866, he married Miss Martha S. Barnett, eldest daughter 
 of the lamented Elder Micajah C. Barnett, deceased, whose 
 praise was in all the churches. 
 
 Elder Ezell was ordained at Buffalo church on Sunday, 
 August 25th, 1867, during the session of the Association. 
 Elders T. B. Justice, B. Bonner, R. P. Logan, P. R. Elam 
 and Win. Curtis, L. L. D., forming the Presbytery. The fol- 
 lowing item appears on the minutes of the Association : "In 
 the afternoon, the presbytery appointed to examine Bro. L. 
 C. Ezell in reference to his ordination, met in the house and 
 in presence of a large concourse of spectators, proceeded sol- 
 emnly and faithfully to examine the candidate, and being 
 perfectly satisfied of his orthodoxy, did by prayer and the 
 imposition of hands, ordain him a minister of the Gospel in 
 the Lord's vineyard." 
 
 Elder Ezell, before his ordination, was a good English 
 scholar, and engaged in teaching school. Since then he has 
 attended the University of Greenville, S. C, for the purpose 
 of better preparing himself for the important duties of the 
 Christian Ministry, and now ranks among the best preachers. 
 He also belongs now to the Spartanburg Association ; but 
 was at the time of his ordination a member of the church at 
 Shelby, 1ST. C, then of the Broad River body, but within the 
 bounds of the King'© Mountain Association : which church 
 he afterwards represented in tjie session of the Broad River 
 Association in 1871, and was chosen clerk of" the body. 
 Elder Ezell since joining the Spartanburg body has been 
 chosen Moderator, and takes rank among the foremost min- 
 isters of the body. 
 
 Forest, Elder David was a pioneer minister, belonging 
 to the Head of Enoree church as far back as 1808. He was 
 doubtless in the convention that organized the Broad River 
 Association in 1800, for he was a member of the body in 
 1801, probably then a veteran. "We have no means of as- 
 certaining when he was born, or where he hailed from; nor 
 when he died and went to his reward. The honorable posi- 
 tion, however, that he once occupied as a minister of Christ, 
 calls aloud for the preservation of his name. Let it be hand- 
 ed down from generation to generation. 
 
382 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Freeman, Elder F. M. was formerly of the Green River 
 Association, and a native of Rutherford county, N. C. 
 
 Foster, Elder William Moultrie is a native of Spar- 
 tanburg county, S. C, born July 28th, 1825 Through a 
 kind and overruling Providence, and his own indefatigable 
 ecertions, he obtained a fair E iglish and classical education^ 
 and up to his 50th year, to use his own language, "rendered 
 faithful service for him who "deceiveth the whole world." 
 At the close of the half century, God, in His sovereign mercy, 
 o )ened the eyei ot his understanding, and he cried unto 
 Him, and He heard his "voice and his supplications," when 
 to him the mountains and the hills broke forth into singing, 
 and all the trees of the forest clapped their hands, and he- 
 was a new creature. 
 
 He began to work for the Master from the day of his 
 conversion, and some five months after being fully satisfied 
 as to his hope, joined the church, and was baptized in the 
 spring of 1876, and soon after was licensed by his church to 
 speak in public. He was ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry in August of the vear 1877, Elders J. G. Landrum 
 and J. T. Guinn composing the Presbytery. 
 
 Elder Foster entered the Broad River Association as a 
 delegate from Grassy Pond chui;cb, at the session of 1880. 
 held at Cedar Springs, and at the session of 1881 was elected 
 Moderator ot the body, which shows the estimate placed on 
 him by the brethren as a business man. Bro. Foster had 
 represented his county in the Legislature of the State with 
 much credit and abjlity before becoming a member of the 
 church, and ranked highly as an educator. He is now en- 
 gaged in running the People's High School, at West's 
 Springs, Union county, S. C, v where a large field of useful- 
 ness is open before him for cultivation, and as he is a vigi- 
 lant and ardent worker he will doubtless avail himself of the 
 opportunity afforded him to render good service. In early 
 life he was somewhat erratic ; was a great mimic, and could 
 tell some very amusing anecdotes, which served to make 
 him a sort of head centre for the young men of the country, 
 and the lovers of fun generally. Of course' he has turned 
 his back on levity of all descriptions, and is now engaged in 
 the "more weighty matters of the law." May great success 
 attend him. He married Miss Sarah L. Sarratt, daughter of 
 Gilbert Sarratt, Esq., and is the brother-in-law of the late 
 Elder B. Bonner, deceased, of Spartanburg county, S. C. 
 
 Gaines, Elder Tilman Rowland was born October 27, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 383 
 
 1834, in the southwestern corner of Greenville county, S. C. 
 His father, Nathaniel Gaines, was born in Abbeville county, 
 8. C, in February, 1798, and lived to the age of nearly 81, 
 within 15 miles of his birth place, dying in May, 1878. His 
 mother, Clarissa Arnold, still lives at the homestead, in An- 
 derson county, now nearly 80 years of age. His parents 
 were Baptists, his father a minister of the primitive order, 
 thoroughly read and deep in the Scriptures, belonging to 
 the John Gill or Calvinistic school of Baptists. 
 
 The subject of this notice was sent to country schools in 
 his youth, taught to farm till 15, then learned the carriage 
 making trade at home in his father's shop, at which he work- 
 ed till in his 20th year, when he entered Furman University 
 in February, 1854 (Greenville, S. C.,j in which he took a 
 thorough literary and scientific course, graduating in June, 
 1860, after which he studied one session [1860-'61] in the 
 Southern Theological Seminary, graduating in Hebrew and 
 several other branches. Joined the Baptist church (Colum- 
 bia church) in Greenville county, S. C, in 1853 ; baptized 
 by his father, Nathaniel Gaines. Licensed to preach in 1857; 
 preached first sermon 2nd Sunday in December, 1857. 
 
 Left the Seminary in the fall of 1861, volunteering as a 
 private soldier, entering Company "A" 16th South Carolina 
 Kegiment, in which he served nearly a year. Came home 
 on "furlough and married Miss Julia Ellen, one of the twin 
 daughters of Deacon H. G. Galihey and Elizabeth S. Gaff- 
 ney, July 24th, 1862; soon after was appointed chaplain of 
 the 3d Regiment of S. ©. Reserves, by Col". C. J. Elford, 
 serving till the Regiment was disbanded. 
 
 Was ordained to the Gospel ministry in August, 1862, 
 at the meeting of Tyger River Association. Presbytery : 
 John G. Landrum, Richard Furman, Simpson Drummond, 
 and several others. 
 
 Took charge of Shelby Baptist church, Shelby, N. C, 
 and organized the "Roberts Female Seminarv," at Shelby, 
 in February, 1863. Voluntarily turned over to Dr. E. A. 
 Crawley the church and school in the fall of 1864, and 
 moved to the neighborhood of Antioch church, York county, 
 S. C, early in 1865, and took charge of said church. He 
 baptized about 50 persons into the Shelby church while pas- 
 tor thereof, completely resuscitating the church. At Anti- 
 och he baptized about 75 persons, and greatly built up the 
 church, organizing a large Sunday-school. 
 
 In 1866 started the "Church and Sunday-school Messen- 
 ger," issuing it monthly for 7 months, but as it was not pay- 
 ing expenses, turned over the subscription list to the "South 
 Carolina Baptist," then published at Anderson, S. C. 
 
384 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Began to preach at Yorkville in 1866. Several were 
 baptized there and a church organized. In the fall ot that 
 year he moved to Yorkville and began to build a Baptist 
 church, almost without means, but by traveling North in 
 ]867-'68, and by appeals at home, he raised funds to nearly 
 complete the hull of the building, lie then used his o\vi> 
 means to plaster and finish it, thus spending several hundred 
 dollars, besides almost entirely supporting himself and fam- 
 ily with his own means. 
 
 In July, 1869, he commenced the publication of the 
 "Working Christian," a weekly, issued from Yorkville, and 
 in 10 months had a cash paid up subscription list of about 
 1300. Moved the paper and family to Charleston in May, 
 1870, and took charge of a city mission, organizing a church, 
 and beginning the construction of a house of worship; but 
 in the summer of 1871 the yellow fever raging in Charleston, 
 he moved his printing office, paper, and family to Columbia, 
 where he run the paper till the fall of 1872, when he sold 
 out the "Working Christian" to C. McJunkin, who, later, 
 sold it J. A. Hoyt, who moved it to Greenville, S, C, where 
 he still runs it as the "Baptist Courier." It has always been 
 a self-sustaining paper. 
 
 In 1872 he founded the Palmetto Orphan Home, in Co- 
 lumbia, and turned it over to an able board of Trustees. 
 
 In 1873 he began the publication of the "Working 
 Man," which he has continued under various names, print- 
 ing it as a monthly for 4 years in New York, in the cause of 
 immigration. He began his immigration labors in 1873, his 
 object then, and all the time since, being to induce manufac- 
 turers, mechanics' skilled labor and capital into the South- 
 ern States, — in which work he was the pioneer, having an 
 office on Broadway, New York, from 1873 to 1879. In 
 person he headed this whole scheme, getting the Richmond 
 & Danville, and Air-Line Railroad authorities, aided by the 
 Pennsylvania Central Railroad, to put on a system of re- 
 duced rate tickets (one and a half cents per mile) in favor of 
 all settlers coming to settle in the South. He published his 
 monthly filled with correct information about the resources 
 of the South — made speeches in the Northern States — issued 
 circulars — and in this way guided thousands of people into 
 the Piedmont Belt of the Southern States, being largely in- 
 strumental in turning the attention of capitalists to the 
 broken-down condition of our Southern railroads, and show- 
 ing them the great opportunities for investments in railroad 
 property, lands, mines, etc. All can now see the fruits of 
 such labors in the millions of capital coming South. When 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 385 
 
 Mr. Gaines gave up the ministry and his religious publica- 
 tions, it was doubtless solely for the purpose of devoting his 
 life and energies to the rebuilding of the Southern States, 
 and especially his native Carolina. In all of this work ho 
 has probably had the unthankful task of doing the work of 
 a pioneer, and of doing it in his own way. He has had no 
 States to back him, and had even to work up the railroads 
 to see their own interest in helping themselves, by aiding 
 him, but as soon as the work was built up so as it would 
 begin to pay him. the railroad agents assumed control ol the 
 scheme and availed themselves of the benefits to be derived, 
 and thus, like all pioneers, Mr. G. (although entitled to re- 
 muneration,) was left without anything to console him but 
 the mere consciousness of having done a good and unself- 
 ish work for the South. 
 
 His peculiar turn of mind, and such a pioneering life in 
 such times as we have had since the war, together with his 
 own faults, mistakes and financial embarrassments — with a 
 mixture, doubtless, of prejudice, too, not to say envy, on the 
 part of some persons, have given rise to various rumors and 
 misunderstandings as to the true religious status, character 
 and opinions of Mr. Gaines, but we find him moving on 
 smoothly with good moral deportment, and acting very re- 
 spectfully towards his former christian friends — apparently 
 seeking neither wealth nor fame from any source. 
 
 He detests the titles, "Rev.," "D.I).," &c, and wants 
 none of them applied to his name, as did his deceased father 
 before him. 
 
 Xo committee or church authority has said that he 
 should not pieach ; he has never formally declared any inten- 
 tion of abandoning the ministry; he' would preach if he felt 
 moved to do so, and was not absorbed in other work. What 
 he does, he endeavors to do with all his might, and does not 
 feel disposed to attempt and half do what he undertakes. 
 Whilst he does not fully accord with all the old views of the 
 Scriptures, he yet regards the christian religion the best the 
 world has ever had. 
 
 In 1865 Mr. Gaines represented the Shelb}? Baptist 
 church in the Broad Kiver Association, and was chosen 
 Clerk of the body, and again re-elected in 1866, after having 
 preached the introductory sermon. In 1868 the York Asso- 
 ciation was organized and he became a member of that 
 body. In all his relations with churches or associate bodies 
 he has proved himself to be an indefatigable worker in the 
 vineyard of the Lord, as will appear from the journalistic 
 part of this work. "To his own Master he standeth or fall- 
 eth." Being now in the prime of life and manhood, he has 
 49 
 
386 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 fair prospects for many future years of usefulness to that 
 Divine Being who holds in His hand the destinies of His 
 creatures. May we and his numerous friends not, therefore, 
 indulge the fond hope that he may see the vanity of pursu- 
 ing tleeting earthly bubbles, and again return to the holy 
 calling which he has so long neglected ! 
 
 As a writer, Mr. Gaines has distinguished himself both 
 in prose and poetry. 
 
 Gibson, Elder Samuel was a member of Head of Eno- 
 ree church in 1819, and continued to belong to the Broad 
 River Association until the year 1826. He was a native 
 Scotchman, and the date of his birth unknown to us. He 
 ranked among the ablest preachers of the Association ; was 
 about the co-equal of Elders Dobbins and Hicks. At the 
 session of 1821 he preached the introductory sermon from 
 Rom. i. 16 : "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ," 
 &c. And at the session of 1822 a circular letter addressed 
 to the churches, prepared by him on the subject of the Grand 
 Utility of Faith to the Believing Mind, was read before the 
 body and adopted. He was of small stature, black hair, 
 and dark, penetrating; eyes, aud very affable manners. He 
 became a member of the Tyger River Association after leav- 
 ing the Broad River. As a tribute to his memory we repro- 
 duce his circular letter in this work. Before giving the let- 
 ter, however, we can't refrain from mentioning some striking 
 remarks we heard him make in one of his sermons. He was 
 a great revivalist, and discoursing on the subject of the new 
 birth he found it necessary, in order to make a suitable illus- 
 tration, to compare natural things with spiritual. He. said, 
 "in all cases of natural births, it life existed, it was made 
 manifest by unmistakable outcrying by the party delivered; 
 and if no life existed it was equally manifested by profound 
 silence."' In like manner, said Eider Gibson, "when a soul 
 is truly converted to God, and delivered from the shackles 
 of sin, and the condemning terrors of an offended or broken 
 law, the convert or delivered one immediately cries out and 
 ^ives God thanks for dying grace .and redeeming love." 
 Elder Gibson added, "he had but very little faith in still-born 
 christians." He has doubtless long ere this time passed over 
 the river of death, and is now in the enjoyment of the fruits 
 of his incessant labors for the welfare of his raee. : 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Broad River Baptist Association — To the Churches in Union 
 
 — Greeting : 
 Beloved Brethren.-— Through the kind providenceof God we have 
 once more met together as your advisory council. Unanimity and 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 387 
 
 brotherly love pervaded our meeting. According to custom, we address 
 you this year on "the Grand Utility of Faith to the Believing Mind." 
 The mind signifies the understanding or judgment which has be- 
 come darkened by sin, according to that Scripture we meet with in 
 2d Cor. iv. 4, in which the god of this world hath blinded the minds 
 of them that believe not. Hence we discover that men in their nat- 
 ural state are aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to 
 the covenants of promise — having no hope, and without God in the 
 world— destitute of that faith which is the gift of God. But some 
 will ask, what is true faith ? We answer, true faith is not a natural 
 principlt, as some have supposed — there being nothing in the dry 
 stock of nature that can produce it, any more than Adam could pro- 
 duce life in himself at first. True faith is a fruit of grace of the Holy 
 Spirit. God tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is faith. Gal. v. 22. 
 He calls it the fruit of the Spirit, because none but God the Spirit 
 can convey the grace of faith to the soul, and because all who have 
 not the Spirit are unbelievers. Rom. viii. 9. How awful and dan- 
 gerous then must the state of them be who presume to say that the 
 Spirit's influence is not to be experienced on the soul in the present 
 day. Such greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power 
 of godliness ; for if they really knew the one or the other, they would 
 not deny such an important fact. Those people are awfully mistaken 
 who suppose that they always believe, for no person can believe 
 until he is regenerated. When Adam fell into sin, all that love to 
 God which happily flowed in his soul before, with every other per- 
 fection, flew from him, and now nothing but a flood of iniquities is 
 found in the human breast. Therefore no person hath the grace of 
 faith, whilst in a state of nature and sin, in which all are born into 
 the world ; hence-God says, "all men have not got faith." 2 Thes. 
 iii. 2. He hath concluded them all [that is naturally] in unbelief. 
 Rom. xi. 3.!. And that they are children in whom is no faith. Deut. 
 xxxii. 20. For this reason our blessed Savior tells us that n<ine can 
 go to heaven, unless they are regenerated and Lorn again. John iii. 
 5. Therefore God graciously conveys the grace of faith into the soul 
 when He regenerates it by His Holy Spirit ; hence it is called the 
 faith— the operation of God. Col. ii. 12. And believers are called the 
 temple of the Holy Ghost, which God says is in them. 1 Cor. vi. 19. 
 Thus it is evident that the essence or grace of faith is a fruit of the 
 Spirit, wrought in the soul when he regenerates it ; and no person 
 hath it until then. God tells us that this faith purifies the heart 
 and works by love. Acts xv. 19 ; Gal. v. 6. And that those who 
 have it shall be saved. Mark xvi. 16. Those are dreadfully deceived 
 who suppose it an easy thing to believe. For no person can obtain 
 the grace of faith by his natural powers, find it by his wisdom, or 
 merit it by his works. It is a new covenant blessing, a grace which 
 the Divine Spirit conveys into, and which abides in the hearts or 
 souls of God's dear children. 2 Tim. i. 5. Yea, it is God's free gift. 
 Full to our point is Eph. ii. 8, 9, when God tells believers by grace 
 are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift 
 
3S8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 of God ; not of works, lest any man should boast. Having given 
 you a short account of the nature of faith, let us turn to its grand 
 utility, and this can only be understood by the effects which the 
 Scriptures assures us it produceth in those who have it. It leads 
 those who have received it truly to credit what God has recorded in 
 His holy Word. This is a fact fully established by the inspired pen- 
 man. Heb. ix. 1, where, connecting the grace of faith and the effects 
 it produceth together, he says, "Now faith is the substance of things 
 hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The principal things 
 hoped for by the subjects of grace are the pardon of all their sins, 
 through the precious blood of Christ, — peace in their souls, under the 
 gracious influences of the Holy Spirit, as an evidence of that pardon 
 and eternal glory with Christ, the supreme object of their love in 
 the world to come. 
 
 The natural eye hath not seen these, but God having clearly re- 
 corded them in the Bible, faith credits them as infallible facts, and 
 they are thus substantiated as divine realities in the souls of believ- 
 ers, — so that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidences 
 of things not seen. Therefore, as we said, the grace of faith leads 
 those who have received it, truly to credit what God hath recorded 
 in His holy Word. 
 
 The grace of true faith influences those who have received it to 
 long for great and fresh spiritual blessings daily from God. Those 
 who have the least degree of this faith, earnestly long for more/ nor 
 can they be satisiied without assurance. Like the church in the 
 Canticles, they feel an aching void in their souls until they find 
 their beloved, and know that their sins are forgiven. 
 
 Thus the grace of" true faith leads all its happy subjects to long 
 for those things that are pleasing to God. Such like St. Paul count 
 all things but clung and dross, for the excellency of the knowledge 
 of Christ Jesus our Lord. Phil. iii. 8. The object of their first pur- 
 suit is the kingdom of God and His righteousness, which blessings 
 they will most certainly possess. And the Lord says, all other bless- 
 ings shall be added unto them. Mat. vi. 33. They long for the com- 
 pany of God's dear children, that they may hear them declare what 
 He hath done for their souls. They long for the constant enjoyment 
 of God's presence. For when He hides His face they are troubled. 
 Ps. xxx. 7. They long for the conquest of all sin, for sin is that 
 which their souls loathe. They long for a greater knowledge of 
 Christ in his person and offices, for He is the object of their real 
 love, and they never will be fully satisfied until they are drinking 
 the rivers of pleasure at God's right band. 
 
 The grace of faith sweetly influences those that are blessed with 
 if. to renounce the devil and his works, the pomps and -vanities of 
 this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh, and to seek 
 for the enjoyment of God, and to act for His glory and the gopd of 
 mankind. It was the grace of faith that influenced Joshua to re- 
 solve that whatsoever others might do, he and his house would 
 serve the Lord. It was the same kind of faith that enabled Abra- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 389 
 
 Sham to forsake his native country and his father's house— to wander 
 du a strange land, and even to offer his only son a sacrifice at Cod's 
 -command. It influenced the little army of martyrs mentioned in 
 the book of Hebrews, to endure such cruel tortures ; and glory be to 
 God, he bestows the same grace of precious faith upon many in the 
 present day, who, under a true conviction of their wretched state by 
 nature and practice, cast their souls upon Christ, crying in tbe lan- 
 guage of holy Job, though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. Also 
 like the above worthies in obedience to God's direction, they come 
 out from the thoughtful and giddy world and live separate, touching 
 not the unclean things. And God graciously accepts such, and is a 
 father unto them ; and they; are his sons and daughters. 2 Cor. iv. 
 17, 18. /This grace of faith sweetly influenceth its happy subjects to 
 a life of grateful activity for God. If, therefore, that grace hath 
 reached thy heart, thou art risen from thy natural death in trespasses 
 and sins, and art called to fight as a good soldier of Christ against 
 the world, flesh and devil. 
 
 We beseech the dear reader to examine carefully by these plain 
 Scripture evidences whether thou art a believer or an unbeliever ; 
 whether in the road to heaven or to hell — in a state of salvation or 
 condemnation. From hence it appears that there is as much differ- 
 •ence between that historical notion, which many ignorantly call 
 faith — and the faith of the operation of God— as there is between the 
 picture of a man and a real man. For this reason this faith hath fre- 
 quently some peculiar title or name of distinction in Scripture. The 
 blessed Jesus tells us that they who have it have passed from death 
 unto life. John v. 24. Because these into whom this invaluable 
 grace is conveyed by the Holy Ghost, are risen from th^t state of 
 death in trespasses and sin, which we have proved all are in by 
 nature unto a life of righteousness, bv the faith of the operation of 
 God. Col. ii. 12. It is likewise called the faith of God's elect. Titus 
 i. 1. Because all who have it wore elected of God. 1 Pet. i. 2, — not 
 only because it views the precious blood of Christ, which frees the 
 •conscience from its guilty fears, but administers real peace to the 
 soul. Rom. v. 1. It is called a faith that overcometh the world. 1 
 John v. 4. It so endears the blessed Savior to those who have received 
 it, that although they were in boudage to the law as a covenant of 
 works before, they are now made free by the blood of Christ. And 
 we are told such are kept by the power of God through faith unto 
 salvation. 1 Pet. i. 15, That this may be the happy lot of all to whom 
 these are addressed, is the prayer of yours in Gospel bonds. Amen. 
 
 Samuel, Gibson. 
 October 21st, 1822. 
 
 Gold, Elder Pleasant Daniel was born in Cleveland 
 county, JsT. C, March 25th, 1833. In 1853, when in the 
 20th year of his age, he joined the Missionary Baptists at 
 Double Springs church, and was baptized by Elder Joseph 
 Suttle. A short time afterward he set in with A. W. Bur- 
 
3$Q BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 ton, Esq., to read law, but before coming to the bar' was- 
 moved by the revival discourses of Elder T. C. Teasdale,. 
 D.D , (who was then holding a protracted meeting at Shelby,. 
 N. C.,) to engage in preaching the Gospel of Christ. In 
 1857 he was licensed by the church at Zion Hill, in Cleve- 
 land county. In 1861 he was ordained to the full work of" 
 the ministry at Chesterville, S. C, by Elders Griffith and 
 Hinton, and became a very acceptable and popular preacher. 
 On the 22d January, 1863, he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Julia Pipkins, of Goldsboro, H. C, by Elder N. B. 
 Cobb. Elder Gold states "that a few years after this I was- 
 very much exercised about my own condition, and afterward 
 became convinced that salvation is of the Lord Jesus, who- 
 is the righteousness of His people. I also was- for years 
 much exercised concerning the doctrine and uractices of the 
 Missionary Baptists, and becoming convinced that they did 
 not hold the doctrine of God our Savior, and had also depart- 
 ed from the ancient landmarks in accepting so many institu- 
 tions of men, my mind was irresistibly led to the Primitive 
 Baptists. I united with them, and was baptized by Elder 
 C. B. Hassell, at Kehukee church, Halifax county, K. C, on 
 the 2d Sunday in March, 1870, since which time I have 
 been with them, and, having obtained mercy of the Lord, I 
 continue to this present." 
 
 In regard to Elder Gold's change of views we will make 
 no remarks. We recognize him as a christian brother, and 
 a good and useful man in the vineyard of the Lord. He is 
 now editor of "Zion's Landmark," a semi-monthly, devoted 
 to the Primitive cause, at Wilson, N. C. We wish him great 
 success in his religious pilgrimage on earth, and a happy en- 
 trance upon a full fruition of permanent happiness in the 
 eternal world above. 
 
 Grayson, Elder Joseph C. was born June 13th, 1804, 
 Was baptized into the fellowship of Head First Broad Bap- 
 tist church, by Elder John Padgett, March 20, 1825. About 
 a year afterward he was appointed Deacon, which office he 
 lilled till 1828, when he began to preach. Shortly after, his 
 health failed; for more than a year he was not able to travel, 
 and preached but little in two years; his health then im- 
 proved, and he exercised his gift in the church and neighbor- 
 ing churches till the 5th of September, 1831, when lie was 
 ordained to the ministry by a presbytery, viz: Elders Drury 
 Dobbins, John Padgett and Alfred Webb. At the next 
 church meeting they called him to take the pastoral care of 
 the church. He served them twelve years in succession, and 
 declined a further call. One of tluse years he baptized 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 391 
 
 lift) -seven persons. He then took a letter of dismission and 
 united with others in the constitution of a new church at 
 Harmony Grove, which he served as pastor for several years. 
 Iu 1844 Cane Creek church was constituted under his labors, 
 -and he was called to serve it several years. In 1857Dysarts- 
 ville church was constituted under his labors also, and he 
 •■served them several years. At different times he supplied 
 the churches at Bill's Creek, Mountain Creek, Round Hill, 
 Crooked Creek, Mt. Vernon, Mt. Zion and Bethel. The 
 last named thirty -live years. When he joined the church at 
 Head of First Broad, it belonged to the Broad River Associ- 
 ation, and wae chosen a lay delegate in 1826, to the Associa- 
 tion which convened that year at Macedonia church. The 
 •church to which he belonged a short time afterward was let- 
 tered from the Broad River to assist in the organization of 
 the Catawba River Association in 1828. The Green River 
 body was subsequently organized in 1840 : the Harmony 
 Grove church to which he then belonged took a letter from 
 •the Catawba and joined the Green River. He is now a mem- 
 ber of the Dysart8ville church of the Green River Associa- 
 tion. He was Clerk of the Catawba Association many years, 
 and Moderator four or five years. He was Clerk of the 
 Green River Association five years, and Moderator twenty 
 years. His manner of preaching is mostly doctrinal, to feed 
 the church of God. He is now in the 78th year of his age, 
 having been an ordained minister fifty-two years. He is 
 now supplying three churches, to-wit: Bethel, Head First 
 Broad, and Bunker's Hill. 
 
 Elder Grayson is recognized as being one of the best of 
 men — alwavs engaged — -endeavoring to roll on the wheels of 
 Zion, by giving aid and encouragement to all the different 
 enterprises now on foot for the spread of the Gospel. He 
 has written several circular letters addressed to the churches 
 on important subjects worthy of preservation, and we avail 
 ourself of the opportunity to reproduce one, on a passage of 
 the Scriptures iu reverence to the evil spirit taking possess- 
 ion of the hearts of men. The letter will doubtless present 
 to many a new phaze, to a subject often quoted, to prove 
 final apostacy. 
 
 On the 25th of January, 1827, he married Miss Eliza 
 R. Wilson, an amiable christian lady, with whom he lived 
 in tender affection near thirty years, and reared an interest- 
 ing family. She died December 31st, 1856. In 1872 (then 
 in his 68th year) he married Eliza Rodrick, with whom he 
 is traveling the journey of life at the present time. 
 
 To use his own language, copied from one of his letters, 
 "His opportunities of an education were very limited. He 
 
392 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 never saw a book on English Grammar till after he was mar- 
 ried. After his wife had two children he boarded out tei» 
 miles from home and went to a Grammar school. The most 
 of his education was obtained from books by pine light,, 
 "when the most of people were asleep." And yet Elder 
 Grayson was a well educated man. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Green River United Baptist Association — To the Churches in 
 
 Union : 
 
 Agreeable t© the direction of our lust Association, we address- 
 yon on Matthew xii. 43-45 : "When the unclean spirit is gone out of 
 a man, he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth 
 none. Then he said, I will return into my house from whence I 
 eame out ; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept and 
 garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other 
 spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there, 
 and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shali 
 it be also unto this wicked generation." 
 
 By the unclean spirit, is meant Satan, the old serpent, the devil r 
 who, by the Jews used to be called as here, "the unclean spirit.' 7 
 As he is the cause of uncleanuess in men, and delights in unclean 
 persons, places and things, this going out of -a man is not to be un- 
 derstood of his being dispossessed of the bodies of men, nor of his 
 going by force through the power of divine grace, out of the souls of 
 men, but of his leaving the Jews for awhile in some sort, while 
 Christ and the Gospel were among them, and of his going out of the 
 Scribes and Pharisees — not really, but putting on another form— ap- 
 pearing as an angel of light, and under the guise of holiness and 
 righteousness. And so he may be said to go out of men when any 
 outward reformation is made in them, and they take up a profession 
 of religion, though destitute of the saving grace of God. 
 
 Like Simon Magus, Acts viii. 13-22, who professed to believe and 
 Was baptized ; who offered the apostles money, that on whomsoever 
 he laid his hands, he might receive the Holy Ghost ; by which Peter 
 perceived that his heart was not right in the sight of God ; that he 
 was in the gall of bitterness and .bonds of iniquity. And like Hy- 
 meneus and Alexander, who had put away holding faith and a good 
 conscience, and concerning the faith made shipwreck. 1 Tim. i. 19, 
 20, which does not emply that they ever had a good conscience or 
 faith, since that may be put away, which was never had. The Jews, 
 who blasphemed and contradicted, and never received the Word of 
 God, are said to put it from them (see Acts xiii. 40 ;) where the same 
 word is used as here, and signifies to refuse or reject anything with 
 detestation and contempt ; concerning the faith have made ship- 
 wreck, which designs not the grace but the doctrines of faith which 
 men may profess, and lall from, and entirely drop and lose, as these 
 men did-; and like Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, whom 
 Christ calls a devil (John vi. 70, 71,) and the Evangelist calls a thief; 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 'dik 
 
 six days before the passover Christ came to Bethany — there they 
 made Him a supper, at which Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with 
 very costly ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair. Judas said, 
 why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence and given 
 to the poor. This he said, nottnat he cared for the poor, but because 
 lie was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 
 (John xii. 1-16.) Thus we see that he was a devil — that is, like the 
 devil, who was a murderer from the beginning, and a liar, and the 
 father of it (John viii. 44,) and a thief, and that he cared not for (lie 
 poor, which proves to a demonstration that he was a bad man before 
 Satan is said to have entered into him [John xiii. 27 ;] and there is 
 no proof that he ever was a good man ; but Satan, the evil spirit 
 returned into his house, from whence he came out when Jesus gave 
 him the sop, and stirred up his lusts, so that he betraj'ed Christ — 
 and the last state of that man is worse than the first. And the above 
 named Simon Magus, Hymeneus and Alexander are in the same 
 predicament. There has been a difference of opinion with some 
 whether it is the unclean spirit, or the man, that walketh through 
 dry places seeking rest and fiudeth none, and that returneth into his 
 house, &c. The grammatical construction of the passage shows 
 clearly that it is the unclean spirit, and not the man. Referring to 
 a prevailing notion among the Jews, that unclean spirits walk in 
 and haunt desert and desolate places, and may have regard to the 
 Gentiles, among whom Satan might go seeking rest and satisfaction 
 among them in their idolatries and other wickedness; till he was 
 there also disturbed by the Gospel sent among them. Iu 1 Peter v. 
 8, we are told that the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seek- 
 ing whom he may devour. Or by these dry places may be meant the 
 saints, among whom he takes his walks in order to distress them by 
 temptation, being secure of Pharisaical persons. And these may be 
 so called, not for what they are in themselves — for they have a well 
 of living water in them, and are watered by the Lord — but for what 
 they are to the unclean spirit, there being nothing in their grace, 
 and the exercise of it, and in their spiritual performances grateful to 
 him ; nor were there in them the mire and dirt of iniquity to roll 
 in, as in unregenerate persons; therefore he is represented as 
 seeking rest and findeth none. [See Dr. Gill's exposition on 
 Matthew xii. 43-45.] His views in walking in these places, or among 
 such persons, is rest— not the rest of the saints [he seeks their dis- 
 turbance,] but his own rest, which is to do all the mischief he can, 
 by stirring up corruption, tempting to sin, and by discouraging the 
 exercise of grace, but is not able to do as much mischief as he would, 
 and cannot Hud the rest he seeks for, [See Job i. 6, 7, and ii. 2, 3.] 
 
 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came 
 out. into the Scribes and Pharisees, outward professors of religion, 
 who, notwithstanding their outward reformation and great preten- 
 sions to holiness, are Satan's house still. And though he says from, 
 whence I came out, yet he never really and properly quitted it, only 
 seemingly, and in appearance he now throws off the guise, re- 
 50 
 
/ 
 
 394 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 assumes his former character, as a vicious and unclean spirit. And 
 when he is come he flndeth it empty, of God, of the true knowledge 
 of him, and love to Him, of Christ, of faith in Him, of the Spirit of 
 God and His graces, and of spiritual internal religion and powerful 
 godliness; swept, not with the spirit convincing of sin, righteous- 
 ness and judgment, but with the besom of an outward reformation, 
 and garnished with secret lusts and corruptions for this unclean 
 spirit, with some show of morality, an observance of some external 
 rites and ceremonies, and a few hypocritical performances of fasting 
 and prayer, which Satan can very well bear with, so long as the 
 heart is empty of spiritual grace. Then goeth he and taketh to him- 
 self seven other spirits more wicked than himself; this may denote 
 a large number of devils [seven being a number of perfection,] or 
 else the various corruptions of a man's heart, the swarms of internal 
 lusts, which are there stirred up by Satan. As these are more per- 
 nicious than the devil himself, and they enter in and dwell there — 
 that is, though they were there before — now they exert and show 
 themselves, and such men appear to be under the power and govern- 
 ment of them. When leaving their seeming religion and holiness, 
 they "return like the dog to his own vomit again, and the sow that 
 was washed to her wallowing in the mire." They become more 
 wicked than they were before they made pretensions to religion, 
 as such apostles generally are more extravagant in sinning, and are 
 s.ldom recovered by repentance and their last end is eternal damna- 
 tion. "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, 
 through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they 
 are ag<iin entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse 
 with them than the beginning." [See 2dPeter ii. 20, 21, 22.] 
 
 Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. From this 
 application the parable or above relation seems primarily to refer to 
 the fickle-minded Jews in general, and the Scribes and Pharisees in 
 particular, who pretend to be very religious outwardly, when the 
 Lord declared that they were like whited sepulchres, which indeed 
 appear beautiful outside, but are within full 6f dead men's bones, 
 and of all uncleanness. [Matt, xxiii. 27.] They wanted to see a sign 
 or some miracle from Christ, and because they were not gratified in 
 their own waj they finally said, crucify Him.! crucify Him! !— His 
 blood be upon us and our children — and brought wrath on them- 
 selves to the utmost ; so they were destroyed soon after from being a 
 nation, and have been a by-word and a reproach among the nations 
 where they are scattered. 
 
 It is thought by some that this passage is susceptible of an indi- 
 vidual application, and that the wicked disposition of aman is here 
 represented by an unclean spirit, which could leave and return to 
 the man at pleasure. That is intended to represent a person who, 
 under conviction of sin, makes good resolutions and partially re« 
 forms, but like the stony ground hearers, "he heareth the Word and 
 anon with joy receiveth it. Yet hath no root in himself, butdureth 
 for awhile, for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 395 
 
 Word, by-and-by he is offended [Matt. xiii. 20, 21 ;] and the last 
 state of tbatman is worse tban the first ; for there is a great differ- 
 ence between the devil going out of a person and being driven out. 
 A person may join a church under deception, thinking he has relig- 
 ion, when the unclean spirit is only gone out, but he has no enjoy- 
 ment there; and he may continue so for a time, when the unclean 
 spirit returns and finds it empty of all good— that is, his heart, and 
 garnished with secret lusts — then he goeth and taketh with himself 
 seven other spirits more wicked than himself. That is, the man, 
 through the influence of the devil, yields to the secret lusts of the 
 flesh, which are worse to a man than the devil himself. If he has 
 only been addicted to swearing, profanely before, perhaps he now 
 takes up lying and drunkenness, uncleanness, and every abomina- 
 tion that comes in his way, — perhaps turns Atheist, and denies that 
 there is any God, or hereafter ; and it is next to impossible ever .to 
 persuade that man to turn his attention to religion ; and the last 
 state of that man is worse than the first. 
 
 Therefore let us take the admonition of Paul : "Take heed, 
 brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in de- 
 parting from the living God ; but exhort one another daily, while it 
 is called to-day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitful- 
 ness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the 
 beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." [Heb. iii. 12, 
 13, 14.] And as there is great danger of being deceived in religion, 
 by the unclean spirit and our own wicked hearts, "Examine your- 
 selves whether ye be in the faith," for it matters not what our pro- 
 fession is, unless we have experienced a change of heart. "Except 
 a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 
 
 Fraternally, Joseph C. Grayson. 
 
 September 30th, 1853. 
 
 Grogan, Elder Thomas was a member of Wolfe's 
 Creek church, and in 1832 was a lay delegate to the Broad 
 River Association at its session at Sandy Run church of that 
 year. He appeared at the next session at Long Creek as a 
 layman, representing the same church, and in 1834 he ap- 
 peared at the session of the Association for that year at 
 Goucher Creek church as a licensed minister with Elder 
 William Hannon ; then in 1835 at the session of Wolfe's 
 Creek he appears as an ordained minister and delegate from 
 the same church. After that we lose sight of him in the 
 Broad River Minutes, and conclude he must have emigrated 
 to some other field. We have heard him spoken of as a- 
 good preacher. We are unable to state the time of his birth, 
 or what became of him after 1835. He must have been or- 
 dained to the full work of the ministry some time within 
 that year. 
 
396 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Guthrie, Elder Jonathan was a member of Macedonia 
 church, and in 1820 he was a lay delegate in the session of 
 the Broad River Association, held at Mountain Creek 
 church. In 1821 he appeared in the session held at Zion as 
 a licensed preacher and delegate from Macedonia. He was 
 ordained to the full work of the ministry in the year 1822, 
 and was again delegated by that church to the session held 
 at Mt. Zion church. He continued in the confidence of his 
 church, and was annually chosen to represent it in the Asso- 
 ciation until 1830. At the session of the body of that vear 
 a committee was appointed to examine into the standing of 
 Macedonia church, who reported "the church in order, and 
 Elder Guthrie in disorder." Measures were afterwards in- 
 stituted to depose him from the ministry, and he was de- 
 posed. The Association advised the churches composing its 
 body to close their houses of public worship against said 
 Guthrie, and further advised the members ot the churcheo 
 to close the doors of their dwellings against him as a preach- 
 er. For a more detailed account ot Jonathan Guthrie, see 
 the journalistic part of this work, session 1830. 
 
 Hamilton, Elder Sanford Griffin was born in Ruth- 
 erford (now Polk) county, N. C, January llth, 1809. He 
 joined the Baptist church at Green River in 1835, a-nd com- 
 menced exercising his girt soon after. In 1836 he made his first 
 appearance in the Broad River Association as one of the 
 delegates from Green River Church. Soon after that session 
 (which was held at Zion Church) he was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry ,and made great improvements in 
 preaching, despite the disadvantages he had to labor under 
 by reason of a great lack of education. He became pastor 
 of several churches, amongst which was Green River, Camp's 
 Creek and Friendship. In 1839, he was so fortunate as to 
 obtain in matrimony the hand of Miss Nancy Wells of Fair 
 Forest, Spartanburg county, S. C, the daughter of a well 
 known deacon, John Wells, Esq., with whom he lived in 
 tender affection for a few years. At the session of the Asso- 
 ciation held that year he was appointed by the body to 
 preach the introductory sermon before the Association in 
 1840, and also to write a circular letter on the subject of 
 Brotherly Love, both ot which appointments he filled with 
 credit to himself. Soon after this, on Sept. 3rd, 1842, he 
 had the misfortune to lose by the ruthless hand of death his 
 dearly beloved wife. He afterward married Mrs. Eliza 
 Eaves of Rutherforclton, and moved to Georgia, Cass county; 
 and remained there until 1859. He then removed to Chero- 
 kee county, Alabama, and the war coming on soon after, he 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. m 
 
 removed back to his native county, where he remained in 
 •care of his family until 1868, he removed to Kansas, and 
 from that new western state he took a sort of exploring 
 tour through Indian Territory, contracted pneumonia, of 
 •which he died, Nov. 28th, 1881. He continued to preach 
 ■during the whole period of his life, but while in Georgia he 
 identified himself with the Primitive sect of Baptists. The 
 •circular letter prepared by him in 1840, is hereby reproduced 
 •and given in this work. 
 
 Personal Appearance. — Elder S. G. Hamilton, was 
 •of small statue, not more than 5 feet 8 or 10 inches in hight, 
 of round heavy build, would probably weigh 150 pounds. 
 Was genial and frank in his manners, always meeting 
 friends with a smiling face. His head was large, well bal- 
 anced and level, of quick apprehension, dark hair and blue 
 •eyes. If not very suitable for a leader, we venture the as- 
 sertion that he generally did his own thinking, and acted 
 •accordingly. 
 
 His history shows that he was of a roving, discontented 
 turn of mind; he, like many other of the Adamic family, 
 found out doubtless while on the brink of the grave, that 
 unalloyed eujoyment in this life is only a myth, a mere 
 phantom, existing only in the imagination* 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Broad River Baptist Association — To the Churches in Union--* 
 
 Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren "—According to an arrangement made in our 
 last annual meeting, we address you this year upon the subject of 
 Brotherly Love; and in directing your attention to a principle of 
 such high magnitude, and to considerations of such vast importance 
 as those embraced in the doctrines of our subject, we have great rea- 
 sons to fear that, in a short letter, we shall not be able to do it that 
 justice to which it is eminently entitled. For when we take into 
 consideration the stress which is laid upon it in the Word of God, 
 both as respects the manner in which it is stated and the frequency 
 with which it is enjoined, sufficiently is proven to show us the pow- 
 erful influence it has in the christian church, for it is enforced by our 
 Lord as the distinguishing law that rules in the hearts of the sub- 
 jects of His Kingdom "For this," says He (John xv. 12,) "is my 
 commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you." 
 Whether, then, we take into consideration the obligation we are 
 under to obey Him whom we regard as the Author of our salvation 
 or the benefits arising to ourselves and others. By a close adherence 
 to this injunction, it embraces considerations of the highest interest 
 to all christian believers who have become members of the mystical 
 body of Christ, and are subjects to and sharers in the blessings of His 
 divine kingdom. Our limits will not permit us to enlarge upon the 
 subject and character of love, as it stands unconnected with the rel- 
 
398 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES'. 
 
 ative term, <: brother ;" for in fact, so far as this principle is seetr t<s* 
 exist in and form the character of the Eternal I Am, it is indescri- 
 bable, and Ave might ju st as well undertake to describe the Eterna 
 Being, who is the source of all creative power, and thereby unfold 
 to view the cause of His existence, as to describe that unbounded 
 ocean of love that exists in the character of the Deity, And although 
 there may be a cause why love exists in our hearts, which is implied 
 in the relative term of brother, yet that sacred principle is uncaused 
 in God, and is as independent for a reason of its existence as any 
 other attribute that belongs to the character of Deity ; for the Word 
 declares that "He is love." (1 John iv. 8.) And it necessarily fol- 
 lows that this principle is as eternal and uncaused in God as any 
 other that belongs to His character. The existence of this fact, how- 
 ever, does not hinder us from taking notice of this lovely principle, 
 as it exists in the human heart in its relative character of brotherly 
 love. For although it is uncaused in God, yet it is plain from His 
 eternal Word that it is caused in us; for it declares "that we love 
 Him, because He first loved us." (1 John iv. 19.) In our endeavors, 
 therefore, to simplify the bearing that this principle has upon the 
 human character, and enforce the interest that all ought to take in> 
 cultivating its native and genuine loveliness upon the minds ofmen r 
 We shall first speak of the distinguishing facts that constitute that 
 spiritual relationship implied in the character of brother. 
 
 The effects that love has upon the family created by this rela- 
 tionship, and the consequences resulting therefrom in all the shades* 
 in which it is to be viewed, both in its declining state in the hearts, 
 of believers as well as at the time when, from a high state of improve- 
 ment, it communicates the blessings enjoyed by those under its- 
 happy influence. First, then, it is plain that all men do not stand 
 in the relation to each other implied in the subject upon which we 
 write, consecmently they do not and can not be in possession of 
 brotherly love — at least until the relationship is formed. For the 
 word brother is a kindred term, and implies in a common parentage 
 — a common likeness, and a common interest ; it is a family word, 
 used to express the tenderest endearments, and strongest ties formed 
 by affinity. Spiritually speaking, it implies a oneness — as all the 
 children of the same family is called our family — possessing common 
 rights, common feelings, and common privileges, which arises out 
 of a common principle of family relationship. This relationship 
 must be formed before there can be formed in the heart a principle 
 of brotherly love. Well may the children of God know that they 
 are disciples of Christ, if they love one another, for in fact they can 
 not possess brotherly love unless they are children. 
 
 We have not space to describe here the manner in which this 
 relationship is formed, for it would extend this letter beyond the 
 usual limits. It will be sufficient to say that, in the economy of Di- 
 vine grace, there has been a channel opened through which that 
 
 creative or adopting power of love could flow to the hearts of believ- 
 ers in Christ Jesus — which changes their relationship from worldly 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 399 
 
 objects and "translates them into the Kingdom of God's dear Son"— 
 which changes their hearts from the love of sin and forms them 
 -anew in Christ. This Divine process upon the hearts of men, alien- 
 ated from God, and who are represented as strangers and foreigners 
 .from the common family, rights and privileges, and that brings 
 them nigh by the blood of the covenant, and adopts them into the 
 family of the saints in Christ, is called the "new birth" — being born 
 ^gain, being born of the Spirit, created anew in Christ Jesus, by 
 which process a family connexion is formed, and the same family 
 feeling and spirit of love is communicated to every heart; and by 
 which a covenant relationship is formed with God, though Jesus 
 Christ as our Father; which makes the believer a child, an heir, and 
 .a joint heir with the blessed Redeemer. And in the communication 
 of love we become partakers of the same nature with him of God, 
 And as Christ was the express image of the Father, so we by becom- 
 ing partakers of His nature, assimilate into His likeness and image 
 in a spiriual point of view. And thus having the family likeness, 
 4ind the family feelings, like as Christ loved us, so we love one 
 ■another. 
 
 The effect and consequences flowing out of this relationship, con,, 
 stitute the second consideration to which we invite your attention. 
 And first, the communication of love for God to man, creates in the 
 heart brotherly love, which is shown in the plainest terms by the 
 language of Scripture. "We love Him because He first loved us.' 
 (1st John xiv; 19.) "He that loveth him that begat, loveth him 
 iilso that is begotten." Consequently, the cause that we love God, 
 is because He first loved us, and the cause that we love him that is 
 begotten, is because we love Him that begetteth. It is therefore the 
 great love of God, made manifest in the hearts in covenant mercies, 
 that produces in the human heart the first principles of brotherly 
 love ; and all that have ever experienced its powerful influence upon 
 their hearts have felt, at the time of its receptiop, not only love to- 
 ward their Redeemer and Friend, but also a strong affection for and 
 great attachment toward those who have, by the power of adopting 
 grace, been made members of the same spiritual family, and parta- 
 kers of the Divine nature with themselves. 
 
 And it is this principle existing in the feelings of the common 
 brotherhood that unites them together, and engages them to take 
 such great interest, and undergo such great labor for each others' 
 welfare, and which should at all times so affect the christian heart 
 toward his brother as to cause him to watch over him for good — to 
 promote his interest and spiritual welfare — to conceal his follies, 
 bear with his imperfections, and increase his happiness by every 
 means which it is in his power to employ. 
 
 Many reasons might be here set forth why this course should be 
 pursued by every christian, a few of which must now suffice ; and 
 first, because it is acting in obedience to the directions, and well 
 pleasing in the sight of God, and tends to the carrying out theobjects 
 intended by the establishment of this great rule and law of His 
 
4W BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Kingdom. Secondly,, it insures to the possessor of it all the advanv- 
 tages arising from the blessings of Divine life ; for in our obedience 
 we are to be blessed — ''for that man," says the Word, "shall be bless- 
 ed in bis deed." The sweet influence, therefore, of the heavenly 
 winds of peace and joy may be expected by those who feel the kind 
 emotions of love toward the brethren, from the fact that it is set 
 down as a rule of evidence by which we know tbat we are the disci- 
 ples of Christ ; for in its enjoyments we see clearly that we are the 
 children of the same Heavenly Parentage, and, by the rule or law 
 of covenant mercies, entitled to the guardian protection and kind 
 assistance of our Heavenly Father. It opens up to our view the 
 kind attention and thoughts of peace that God the Father hath 
 towards us, and the great provisions made for our present and future 
 support and comfort ; yea, it enables us to read in this sacred rule of 
 evidence that we are children, because we feel that which no other 
 can feel for us, to-wit : Love toward the Lovely Parent, who hath 
 begotten us to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from 
 the dead ; and at the same time love toward all the children of like 
 parentage, by which we know ourselves to be heirs and joint heirs- 
 of all the riches and glories that belong and appertain to the Fath- 
 er's house. O! brethren! what a field of heavenly prospects arises- 
 to the view of those in possession of this testimony ! All the heights 
 nf immortal joys belong of right to them. The unfading fields of 
 heavenly bliss, variesrated as they are by the flowers and beauties in- 
 terspersed all through those abodes and mansions of the blessed, are 
 all their's. In reviewing this delightful theme, they s^e themselves- 
 the favored children of parental care through time, and beyond the 
 grave the happy sharers together of everlasting life ; they can view 
 no end to.thejoys of this famjly inheritance. They may gaze through 
 its mighty expanse, and as the mind runs along the flowery land- 
 scape of this prospective view, it is swallowed up in the Divine rev- 
 erie of thought that, while veiled in short-sighted humanity , the 
 mind is enabled to trace only the margin of the riches and heavenly 
 ^oy laid up for those who love God and one another. 
 
 And well may such persons say to themselves, that if the fore- 
 taste or earnest of this inheritance sweetens so much the bitter cup 
 of dull mortality, and renders moments so delightful in their pass- 
 ing bliss, what will the enjoyment be when they are possessed of the 
 inheritance itself in glory? — which insures eternal rest, immortal 
 houors and heavenly joys — and exempts the possessor from every 
 fear and fearful thought of sin, of sorrow and of death. What strong 
 reasons are here presented why we should love the brethren ! And 
 not only is it an evidence to us that we are disciples — and if so — by 
 covenant grace the rightful heirs of those blessings named. But 
 there should be a remembrance in our minds, and which should 
 strongly induce us to cherish this brotherly principle of love, that 
 we shall be sharers of all those great and lasting blessiugs set forth 
 above— that our brethren here will be our associates there— that these 
 considerations may tei.d to heighten the interest we ftel in that 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 401 
 
 abode of everlasting peace; for that while we strike our notes of 
 praise in strains of joy for redeeming grace upon the golden harps of 
 heaven, our happiness may be heightened by the harmony arising 
 out of the songs of kindred souls, shouting forth their piaises in the 
 Heavenly Redeemer for delivering grace. These considerations 
 should strongly influence every believer in the church of Christ to 
 impart to one another every needed assistance, for we should be co- 
 workers together and co- helpers of each other — bearing in mind that 
 our business in life is to secure the crown of immortality for our- 
 selves and others. "This," says the Savior, "is my commandment, 
 that ye love one another as I have loved you." (John xv. 12.) What 
 liKeness then has our love to His? His love to us influenced Him 
 to undergo many painful sensations to relieve us from pain, and our 
 love for the brethren should produce in us a like feeling. His love 
 to us produced in Him a strong desire to administer to our wants, to 
 search out the cause of our sorrow and apply the antidote for its re- 
 lief. And our love, to be like His, must and should influence us to 
 pursue the same high aim toward one another. His love to us had 
 regard to our suffering condition, and so should ours toward our 
 brethren. His love to us induced Him to visit and comfort us in 
 our needy time, to converse with us like a friend speaks to his 
 friends;yea,it was even long suffering towards us. When we wronged 
 Kim He did not complain, but overlooked the wrong, and loved us 
 still / and when we denied Him as our friend He turned and looked 
 upon us with the compassion of dying love, while He hung in pain 
 for our sakes, and not one unkind word He spake against us. After 
 all, to love one another like He loved us, how kind and tender ought 
 we to be ! forbearing toward one another, and comforting, and im- 
 parting to one another those favors their needs require as far as it in 
 our power to do so ; and as saith the Word, "to do good, and to com- 
 municate forget not." Thus love to our brethren will lead us to bear 
 one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. And in fact 
 it is the strongest evidence that we love the brethren if we feel a dis- 
 position fixed in us to visit, relieve, and comfort them, and the 
 strongest expressions of Scripture bear us out in the assertion. Wit- 
 ness 1 John i. 17. "Whoso hath this world's goods and seeth his 
 brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from 
 him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ?" See Rom. xii. 13. 
 
 Forbearance is also a great part of brotherly love. "Forbearing 
 one another in love," says the Word. Eph. iv. 2. In the christian 
 church there is great variety of character, and through the weak- 
 ness of frail humanity it may be expected that causes of distress will 
 arise, in all of which great forbearance should be exercised, which 
 will not only show forth our love, but also tend to cultivate in oth- 
 ers' that principle toward us. It is the heaping coals of fire, or melt- 
 ing love upon the hearts of those that have a quarrel against us — to 
 exercise toward them the gentle principle of love and forbearance. 
 The truth is, if we have cause to speak to our offending brother, all 
 the meekness and gentleness of Christ should be in our temper and 
 51 
 
492 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 manner. We should dip our tongue in the very fountain of love. 
 Every feeling, every look, every tone of anger should be suppressed, 
 if we wish to show a brother's love to him and secure his love to us. 
 And the very favors of heaven are upon such in the discharge of such 
 duties; for "blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called 
 the children of God." Thus you may see, dear brethren, the good 
 effects and consequences that flow from love toward one another in 
 its high state of cultivation. 
 
 If we love one another as we should, w T e have great desire for 
 each others' welfare ; consequently, at a throne of grace, we have 
 remembrance there for each other. If we love each other, we love 
 to meet and attend upon the means of grace. Our churches are full 
 on the times of our assembling for worship, and the highest pleasure 
 known on earth are enjoyed under the exercise of brotherly kindness 
 and tender affection for each other. And by this love and affection 
 we testify that we have been with Jesus, and others take knowledge 
 of the fact. In truth, love is the ruling law of our kingdom, and 
 without it the kingdom itself tumbles down. 
 
 " How great, then, is the injunction "to love one another !" How 
 much depends upon it ! how immutable is loveliness ; how lasting 
 its consequences ; how consoling the blessings it imparts to others ; 
 how sweet the enjoyment to the possessor. It relieves the distressed, 
 it comforts the mourner, it gives rest to the weary, it soothes the sor- 
 rows of the afflicted and makes them forget their pain, it takes away 
 the sting of death, it is the cement that binds together the kingdom 
 of Christ, it unites the powers that pull down the walls of Satan's 
 kingdom, it supports in death, it opens the pass of Jordan and trans- 
 lates the souls of men from the abodes of death to the realms of life ; 
 it has built the high mansions of Heaven, and fills the everlasting 
 fields of love with the sweetest notes of praise ; for in fact Christ is 
 God with us and in Him. We have relationship to God, for He is 
 our elder brother, and the channel through which this distinguish- 
 ing principle has come to us to refresh our weary souls. His love to 
 us was brotherly love — living as a brother, speaking and acting 
 among men ; His birth is regarded as the nativity of love ; His ser- 
 mons, the words of love ; His miracles, the wonders of love; His 
 tears, the meltings of love ; His crucifixion, the agonies of love ; His 
 resurrection, the triumphs of love, Herein it is natural that love 
 should be the cardinal virtue in the character of His saints, and that 
 it should be the law that regulates their conduct towards each other. 
 If, then, dear brethren, as much depends of present happiness 
 and future joy on the cultivation of this principle amongst us, what 
 manner of people ought we to be, in all loveliness, that the image of 
 Jesus may appear in us, and that we stimulate others to the pursuit 
 of objects of like character? Therefore, while we feel great love in 
 our hearts toward you, we beseech you to cultivate among yourselves 
 the tenderest feelings of brotherly love, for we know that the very 
 reverse of what we have said will follow if you have not love one 
 toward another. Every shade of distress and sorrow will follow, 
 which we have not space here to name. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 403 
 
 And may the God of love sanctify your hearts and aid you in 
 your respective duties, so that you may be the happy partakers of 
 the blessings arising out of the heavenly influence of love upon 
 your hearts, is the prayer of yours in Gospel bonds. 
 
 S. G. Hamilton. 
 October 10th, 1SI0. 
 
 Hamrick, Elder George Pinckney was born August 
 23rd, 1849, in Cleveland County, N. C. Professed religion 
 and joined the church at Boiling Springs in August, 1863. 
 Was educated at Wake Forest College. Ordained to the 
 ministry in January, 1880, by Elder J. S. Ezell and A. A. 
 McSwain officiating presbytery. 
 
 Brother Hamrick made his first appearance in the 
 King's Mountain Association in the session of 1873, then a 
 lay delegate. In the session of 1874 he was again a delegate 
 and a licentiate from the Boiling Springs church. He "did 
 not again appear until the session of 1879 and 1880, being 
 absent at College. 
 
 Elder Hamrick having completed his course of studies 
 at Wake Forest College, has entered fully into the ministerial 
 work, and has now the pastoral care of State Line church 
 in the town of Whitaker, and of Bethlehem, besides laboring 
 at other points in the surrounding country. He is not only 
 a very acceptable preacher, but a good pastor and indefatia- 
 ble worker, endeavoring to push forward all the objects or 
 enterprises of the church or Association whether it be home 
 or Foreign Missions, Sunday School, Temperance, Church 
 Music, etc. 
 
 His residence is at Whitaker on the Richmond and At- 
 lanta Air Line Railroad, where he has been engaged in 
 teaching until recently he has given his whole time to the 
 ministry of the Word. 
 
 Elder Hamrick is a young man of 2;reat promise, and 
 we, with his many ardent friends anticipate for him a career 
 of much usefulness as a minister of the Gospel of Christ. 
 His views of the doctrines of sovereign grace are eminently 
 scriptural, and his presentation of them are generally very 
 earnest and effective. His style of preaching is argumenta- 
 tive and persuasive, mixed with much tenderness and melt- 
 ing pathos. He will doubtless be able generally to make a 
 good impression on the congregation that attend his minis- 
 trations of the word. May he be spared many years to labor 
 in the vineyard of the Master! And may he have many 
 seals to his ministry ! 
 
434 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Harrill, Elder William is a native of Rutherford 
 county, N. CL, born October 1st, 1803. He joined the 
 church at Concord in 1828, and was ordained 1833. At the 
 session of the Broad River Association in 1837 he appeared 
 in that body as a delegate, and again in the session of 
 1840. The Concord church was dismissed in 1841 to assist 
 in the organization of the Green River Association, and 
 brother Harrill was isolated thereby from the Broad River 
 body for a time, but in 1847 he joined Bethel church by let- 
 ter, and represented that church in the Broad River body in 
 1847, being then the pastor of the church at Bethel. 
 
 Elder Harrill was blind of an eye, aud said to be a very 
 pious minister of the gospel. He was, however, like a great 
 many Baptist preachers of the olden time, somewhat desti- 
 tute of scholastic attainments. After serving the Bethel 
 church for a few years, we think he returned again to the 
 Green River Association, and a few years since was pastor 
 of the church at Cool Spring. He yet lives, in the 79th year 
 of his age and has a cross-bearing son to represent him in 
 the person of Elder H. D. Harrill, of the Green River Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 Harris, Elder J. Logan appears in the minutes of the 
 Broad River Association as the pastor of Unity church from 
 1856 to 1866. His birth place is unknown to the writer. 
 He married a Miss Spangler, of Cleveland county, N. C. He 
 embraced religion in early life and was licensed to preach 
 about the year 18 — , and has since been ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry. He is a good cabinet workman, and 
 devotes as much ot his time to preaching as he can spare 
 from the requirements of his mechanical profession. He is 
 an uneducated man, but a close student of the Bible, with 
 some fluency of words whereby he is enabled to say some 
 tilings comforting and edifying to those who attend his min- 
 istrations. We are without information as to his present 
 whereabouts, but think he has moved out of the bounds of 
 the Broad River Association. He was probably born about 
 the vear 1825. 
 
 Harguess, Elder Abraham was a pioneer Baptist min- 
 ister, who was doubtless in the Convention that organized 
 the Broad River Association. We find from the Minutes of 
 the Association that he represented one of the churches in 
 the session of 1801, and took part in the deliberations of the 
 body at that early day, and he does not subsequently appear 
 in the records ; he probably emigrated to some other field of 
 labor previous to the meeting of the body in 1802. We are 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 405 
 
 Unable to give his history as to ministerial services or quali- 
 fications. Let his. name, however, be handed down to the 
 generation yet to come as being worthy of grateful remem- 
 brance for the assistance he reudered the denomination to 
 which he belonged in organizing an advisory council, which 
 lias been productive of many blessings to the Baptist people. 
 
 Holland, 'Elder Julius was a member of Long Greek 
 -church, and a lay delegate to the Broad River Association 
 in the session of 1811. He is supposed to have been born 
 -about 1774, and ordained to the ministry in 1812. He is 
 said to be a brother of Hon. James Holland, who represent- 
 ed Rutherford county in the Senatorial branch of the Legis- 
 lature of North Carolina in 1797, and also of Elder Moses 
 Holland, of the Saluda River Association, an able and elo- 
 quent minister for that time. The family of Hollands of 
 •Gaston county, N. C, many of whom are high-toned and re- 
 spectably connected, are represented as being the descend- 
 ants of Elder Julius Holland. 
 
 He died in 1813, about a year after his ordination to the 
 ministry, and we find the subjoined entry on the Minutes of 
 the Association of that year : 
 
 Resolved, That we notice the demise of Elder Julius Holland, 
 ■of Long Creek church, who died since the last session of this body. 
 He was a pious minister of the Gospel, an ornament to society, and 
 a friend to the poor. 
 
 Hannon, Elder William was a member of Wolfe's 
 Creek church in 18*22, and as a layman represented the church 
 in the Broad River Association that year. He was licensed 
 to preach the next year, and continued consecutively as a 
 delegate to the Association annually until 1842, having been 
 ordained to the full work of the ministry about the year 
 1825. During this period of time he was pastor nearly all 
 the time ot Wolfe's Creek and Green's Creek churches, and 
 fur a time Cross Roads. After this we lose -sight of him, 
 and are unable to say whether he emigrated to some other 
 field of labor, or was taken to his reward. We are not in- 
 formed of the date of his advent into the world, but having 
 once seen him, would suppose it may have been about 1795. 
 We never heard Elder Hannon preach the Gospel, but have 
 been informed that he was a good, pious man, of moderate 
 preaching talents. 
 
 Henderson, Elder Hugh was a lay delegate from 
 Green's Creek in 1808, afterward was a member of Wolte's 
 Creek, and a licentiate in 1819, and a delegate to the Broad 
 
403 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 River Association. In 1821 he was ordained to the full min*- 
 isterial work, and was continued as a delegate to the differ- 
 ent sessions of the Association until 1830, when his name- 
 was marked as an absentee. We suppose the old pioneer- 
 had become superannuated, and doubtless soon passed away 
 to his reward. We are not informed as to the date of his- 
 birth or death, nor have we any information as to his quali- 
 fications as a minister. We doubt not, however, that he'ren- . 
 dered much valuable aid to the cause of Christ, in the early 
 days of the Association. Let his name be remembered by 
 succeeding generations. He was doubtless not only a soldier 
 
 I—/ CD « 
 
 of the cross, but a Revolutionary patriot besides, as many of 
 the old pioneer ministers were known to be. In the trou- 
 blous times of the Revolutionary war nearly every man, re- 
 gardless of his calling or profession — whether under com- 
 pulsive requirements or not — did voluntarily (being moved 
 by patriotic impulses,) take a defensive position in behalf of 
 liberty. 
 
 IIicks, Elder Berryman, is a native of Spartanburg- 
 county, S. C. Born July 1st, 1778. Joined the Baptist 
 church at the original State Line a short distance from the 
 present house of worship of that name, about the year 1800. 
 and appears in the minutes as a lay delegate from said church 
 in the session of the Broad River Association held at New 
 Salem in Rutherford county, N. C. in 1801. He was soon 
 afterwards licensed and set apart by ordination in 1808, by'a 
 presbytery consisting (it is said) of Elders Joseph Camp, 
 Drurv Dobbins and others to the full work of the ministry. 
 And believing, as he doubtless did, "it was not good for a 
 man to be alone" he had intermarried with Miss Elizabeth 
 Durham, of Rutherford county, N. Con October 10th, 1799, 
 and now settled on Sandv Run Creek in 1809, where he 
 continued to reside many years, during which they reared a 
 large and interesting family. During this time he, with his 
 fellow-laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, (Elder Drury 
 Dobbins,) "went everywhere preaching the word." He was 
 a great revivalist, and by his persuasive, tender and pathetic 
 manner, he through divine grace accomplished much appa- 
 rent good in building up a religious interest, which at that 
 time was in a drooping and depressed condition. The names 
 of "Hicks and Dobbins" became household words, so great 
 was their popularity as ministers. Hicks possessed some 
 poetical talent and composed numerous hymns and spiritual 
 songs very well adapted to the revival occasions, which were 
 very much in use by the brethren and sisters of that period, 
 and are well remembered by many of the present day. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 407 
 
 Many persons yet living will recollect Hick's experience, 
 which lie put into verse as follows: 
 
 Come all ye christian pilgrims, who are from sin set free, 
 Come here, sit down and listen while I relate to thee : 
 Long time I lived in darkness, in love with vanity — 
 Loved to frequent unholy ways, and from the Lord did flee. 
 
 As I was running from Him He called unto me, 
 The road that you are going leads down to misery; 
 JBut still I pressed — determined for to go — 
 But Jesus followed after to prevent my overthrow. 
 
 He told me of the riches that were laid up on high, 
 And all that did believe on Him, he said should ne'er die ; 
 I thought it was too soon for me, in pleasure I would dwell, 
 -But Jesus still pursu'd me and kept my soul from hell. 
 
 I thought I would reject Him, and oftentimes I tried, 
 At length He made it known to me, He would not be denied; 
 He stretched out the Gospel net and sweetly drew me in, 
 If I'd had my choice, I had lived still in sin. 
 
 I think I ought to love Him for what He's done for me, 
 He took me from the dreadful pit, and set the captive free.; 
 Upon the rock of ages He's fixed my standing sure; 
 <_) for a heart to praise Him till the decisive hour I 
 
 To pattern after Jesus, it was my full intent, 
 
 And in His ordinances most cheerfully I went ; 
 
 My soul did magnify the Lord, free grace 1 then did sing : 
 
 I with my -duties did comply, and Jesus was my theme. 
 
 I lov'd to meet my brethren dear, and with them often join 
 To praise our glorious Savior, that was to us so kind, 
 While joining all together in peace and unity, 
 We had each other's cause at heart, and sweetly did agree. * 
 
 The preachers were engaged, the Gospel sounded loud, 
 And many precious converts to Zion's gates did crowd, 
 While love and acclamation so freely did abound, 
 And glory to King Jesus throughout the camps did sound. 
 
 But now the scene is changed — religion's at its ebb — 
 We see the mourning pilgrim now bowing down his head, 
 In sighs and lamentations he makes a mournful cry ; 
 dome pay to us a visit, dear Jesus from on high. 
 
 •Cheer up my loving brethren, your sorrows soon shall end, 
 And then away to Canaan to see your dearest friend, 
 Where you shall never part again, but in sweet union dwell-^ 
 And now, my loving brethren, I bid you all farewell ! 
 
 As a preacher, however, he excelled, and was certainly 
 the Apollos of the Broad River Association in his day and 
 time, because he was not only gifted in oratory hut was 
 *' mighty in the Scriptures." His mind was of a superior 
 order, and although his education was limited, yet his intel- 
 lectual powers were so massive and penetrating as to enable 
 him to grapple with any great question, either of divinity or 
 science ; and yet he was as unassuming, modest and mild as 
 
408 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the most effeminate of the softer sex. He was never known 
 to be captious, or in anywise contentious. Had Elder Hicks- 
 been educated, and enjoyed the advantages of wealthy and 
 influential family connexions, there is no knowing; what a. 
 bright and shining li^ht he would have been among men of- 
 science and literature. His career, as it is, has not proven a 
 dark and worthless record. As before stated, he made his- 
 tirat appearance in the associate body in 180-3, as a layman ; 
 since that time he has continued almost successively to figure 
 annually in the Association, and frequently as Moderator or 
 Clerk of the body, which shows the esteem in which he was 
 held by the brotherhood ; and the acts of the body with 
 which he was connected speak for themselves, declaring his- 
 ability and usefulness as a religious business man. 
 
 Elder Hicks was always a lover of music, either vocal or 
 instrumental. In early life he became a good performer on 
 the violin, the beautiful and melodious strains of which he 
 suffered to be turned to a bad use in the service of sin. While 
 thus perverting its use, and really abusing it, he acquired an 
 ugly habit of twitching his head in peeping time to the mu- 
 sic, which he afterwards carried with him into the pulpit, 
 ami from which it is said he never, during life, was entirely 
 relieved. Although this was probably the case — for it is- 
 almost impossible to eradicate bad habits — yet he would 
 often, after his conversion, amuse himself and family, even 
 late in life, by playing on the violin as an accompaniment to 
 the singing of the sweet song of Zion. And why should he 
 not? It was just as proper as the use of the organ in the 
 churches at the present day. 
 
 Unfortunately, after Elder Hicks' popular and useful 
 career in the Broad River Association, he became financially 
 embarrassed for a large amount, whereby a brother, Deacon 
 E. Jones, who was his bondsman, became a severe sufferer, 
 and in consequence of which, fellowship could not be main- 
 tained, Elder H. being at the time a member of and pastor 
 of the Buffalo church, one of the constituents of the Broad 
 River Association. A case was made and set for hearing in 
 that church, and after laboring a good deal for fellowship, 
 without any good result, the matter was dropped, Elder 
 Hicks remarking that u if he had committed anything worthy 
 of death, that was the time to slay him." He was not slain 
 by any act of excommunication or censure, but the matter 
 abated, and he moved (without a letter of dismission) to his 
 native county of Spartanburg, S. C, and was (agreeably to 
 the Minutes of the Association) called to the pastorate of 
 Buck Creek church in 1838. It is alleged by some that he 
 never preached any more after his troubles with Deacon 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 409 
 
 Jones, and in that particular acted consistently, and in obedi- 
 ence to the law of Christ in never afterward brinariuff his 
 "gift to the altar," because he remembered his brother had 
 aught against him. But that needs confirmation. If he was 
 chosen pastor, he probably preached — which, however, if he 
 did, was certainly a violation of the law of Christ, which re- 
 quires a reconciliation with his brother before exercising his 
 gift. 
 
 Under this dark cloud our venerable Bro. Hicks was 
 called away, and the difficulty between him and Deacon 
 Jones was never satisfactorily adjusted; consequently Elder 
 Hicks was never afterwards a member of the associate body, 
 in which he had previously borne so distinguished a part. 
 He died on the 11th day of June, 1839, on Little Buck 
 Creek, Spartanburg county, S. C. His demise is unnoticed 
 in the Minutes of the Association at any subsequent session. 
 "Whether this be ungrateful we will not pretend to say. We 
 hope, however, and believe that Elder Hicks was like other 
 men who have to contend with many foibles and imperfec- 
 tions, but withal, was a pious christian and. servant of Grod. 
 "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." 
 
 Elder H. was a strong Calvinist, and believed in the 
 doctrine of "election." We therefore reproduce his song on 
 
 that subject, viz : 
 
 "Come, brethren, let us join and sing 
 The praises of our Heavenly King, 
 Who found us lost and brought us home, 
 Pardoned our sins and made us His own 
 By the glorious plan" of Election. 
 
 Election is a glorious theme, 
 
 It pleases me to hear the name ; 
 
 But some will say they despise the plan, 
 
 And tell you Arminius was the man 
 
 That showed the right way of salvation. 
 
 But Jesus Christ is God's elect, 
 And He will not His own neglect ; 
 His people were all elected in Him 
 Before the world it did begin, 
 
 Or any part of Creation. 
 
 Some will say Election's wrong, 
 And hold with Arminius very strong, • 
 And mix free-will throughout the throng, 
 And say every man can come along 
 And receive a free salvation. 
 
 Some will say Election's right, 
 But then will turn and just deriy't, 
 And say that God has laid a plan 
 That's open'd a way for every man 
 To receive a free salvation. 
 
 52 
 
410 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Some will say Election's wrong, 
 And hold with Arminius very strong, 
 But then will turn and tell you true, 
 A guilty sinner nothing can do 
 
 To merit his own salvation. 
 
 Some will say free-will is true, 
 And there is nothing else will do ; 
 They say that God is gracious still, 
 And every one may, come when they will, 
 And receive a free salvation. 
 
 If this be so I ask' you all, 
 To make a difference in the call, 
 And tell us why somejdo come in 
 While others live and die in sin, 
 
 And never receive salvation. 
 
 Methinks I hear you thus reply, 
 For every one did Jesus die, 
 As much for them that die in sin 
 As them that are by grace brought in 
 To receive a full salvation. 
 
 I wonder why some are so blind 
 To treat the Scriptures so unkind? 
 They give the sinner all the power 
 His happiness for to secure, 
 
 And merit his own salvation. 
 
 I believe Election's right — 
 I never intend for to deny't — 
 Because I rind a golden chain 
 Throughout the Scripture of the same, 
 And every link's Election. 
 
 Come now, my friends, begin to view 
 And search the Scriptures clearly through, 
 And drop the notion of free-will. 
 And now I bid you all farewell, 
 
 And pray for your salvation. 
 
 Personal Appearance. — Elder Hicks was above the 
 ordinary height, very corpulent, and weight probably 250 to 
 300 pounds; blue, or rather hazel eyes, dark hair, erect 
 form, and, upon the whole, of very fine physique and attract- 
 ive appearance generally. 
 
 We give to the public two circular letters written by 
 
 Elder Hicks, believing that their reproduction and perusal 
 
 may prove beneficial to the reader of this work. The first 
 
 is on the Foundation on which Christians can be Agreed ; and 
 
 the second is on the Design of Circumcision, and the difference 
 
 between that and Baptism. The foregoing have been selected 
 
 from various other letters of his, because of the subjects 
 treated. Elder Hicks has written elaborately on other sub- 
 jects : 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 411 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Foundation on zvhich Christians can be Agreed. 
 
 Beloved Brethren : — Through an indulgent Providence we 
 have had another interview, in an associate capacity, while our bus- 
 iness has been conducted in moderation and christian love. The 
 subject on which we address you this year is the foundation on 
 which christians can be agreed. 
 
 The word christian properiy implies one who, by the gracious 
 and almighty act of the Divine Spirit, is actually separated from the 
 world by effectual calling which is sovereign, unconditional, partic- 
 ular and immutable, in consequence of which he is redeemed and 
 everlastingly saved by Jesus Christ. (John xv. 19 ; Eph. i. 4 ; Thess. 
 ii. 13.) He is under solemn obligations to walk in all the commands 
 of the Lord, and in so doing is entitled to all the privileges of the 
 church of Christ. The latter is for him alone, and the former bind- 
 ing upon him and no other character whatever. (Matt, xi, 29 ; John 
 x. 4.) Any acting contrary to this must be guilty of a most egregious 
 error ; must fly in the face of authority, and give that which is holy 
 unto the dogs, which our Lord has strictly forbidden. (Matt. vii. 6.) 
 There is one Lord who is our Creator, preserver, and Saviour ; one 
 faith which is the gift of God, that purines the heart and works by 
 love. (Eph. iv. 5 ; Gal. v. 6 ;) and one baptism which is an ordinance 
 of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ, whereby a pro- 
 fessed believer in Christ is in the name of the Father, and of the 
 Son, and of the Holy Ghost, immersed in and covered with water ; 
 and then raised up out of it as a sign of his fellowship with Christ— 
 in His death, burial and resurrection, and a sign of His own death 
 to sin and resurrection to newness of life here, and to life eternal 
 hereafter. (Rom. vi. 3, 4, 5 ; Col. ii 12.) 
 
 Christ cannot be divided — genuine faith is not divided. And 
 this sacred ordinance of believers — baptism by immersion — is not, 
 cannot be divided ; therefore this is the only foundation on which 
 christians can be agreed. Many have been and all should be. 
 
 Objection by question 1st, cannot the Anti-Pedo-Baptists and 
 Pedo-Baptists come together, be agreed, and have a general union 
 on some other foundation ? 
 
 Answer.— We cannot ; for all other foundations, when compared 
 with the above named, dwindle into nothing — are only tradition, or 
 the commandments of men ; therefore are not permanent. 
 
 Question 2nd, can we not come together, be agreed, and have a 
 general union, and say nothing about our foundation ? 
 
 Answer. — We can not ; it would only be a pretended union / 
 for how shall two walk together except they be agreed? Amos iii. 3. 
 
 Question 3d, can you not bend a little, so that we can be agreed ? 
 for would it not be most to the glory of God and the prosperity of 
 Zion for us all to unite together? 
 
 Answer. — We can not bend little or much ; we can not go beyond 
 the Word of the Lord, or depart from His commandments— because 
 we love Him. "For we are not as many which corrupt the word of 
 t 
 
412 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 God, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty— not walk- 
 ing in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully." (2 Cor. 
 ii. 17. iv. 2. ) If the Lord designs that all christians shall be agreed, 
 and a general union take piece, He will affect it upon the foundation 
 that standeth sure, and undoubtedly it will be most to His glory 
 and the prosperity of Zion ; and we say Lord, hasten the time. But 
 if it tarry we must wait for it. 
 
 Question 4th, can we not be agreed and come together upon this: 
 — think and let think? 
 
 Answer. — Impossible ; for there is no agreement or union in this 
 phrase at all ; for instance, one may say I think there is no God, 
 angel or spirit. I think, says another, there are ten thousand Gods. 
 Another, I think all mankind will be saved. Another, I think 
 there are no future rewards or punishments. Another, I think all 
 mankind will be saved. Another, I think there is no resurrection 
 of the dead. Another, I think Mahomet was greater and better 
 than Jesus Christ. Another, I thins the Pope is greater than Ma- 
 homet. Another, I think David Durrow or Ann Lee is greater than 
 either. Thus it is evident that "think and let think" will admit 
 that Paganism, Atheism, Deism, Universalism, Mahometanism, 
 Roman Catholicism, and Shakerism all stand upon an equal footing 
 with the Christian religion, which we dare not admit. 
 
 Question 5th : but leaving all these as heretics, and coming 
 among ourselves, who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, 
 and that the Christian religion is the only religion that can make 
 men happy 'here or hereafter? we contend that we can come together 
 on this, to think and let think. 
 
 Answer. — In confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we 
 do acknowledge four important things. First, that there are chris- 
 tians ; secondly, that there are certain examples, precepts and ordi- 
 nances in the Gospel ; thirdly, that those christians should strictly 
 adhere to them ; and fourthly, that if they do not, they are guilty of 
 an error in leaving undone the things they should have done. 
 
 It is not a supposition — or I think with us— but is absolutely re- 
 duced to a certainty, and we know. Therefore "think and let think" 
 can not have a place amongst us. It is time it was buried forever, 
 for it not only admits of heresy, folly and sin, but will do away the 
 commandments of God, and is not able to justify us in His sight. 
 
 But further, we know that christians are saved by grace through 
 faith, and that not of themselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph. ii. 8, 
 9.) We think that all men have light and power sufficient given 
 them, if they will improve it, to bring them to Jesus Christ. We 
 know that every soul that receives a pardon of sin, through the 
 atoning merits of Christ, shall be saved with an everlasting salva- 
 tion. (Isa. xiv. 17 ; John x, 27, 28, 29 ; 1 Peter i. 3, -4, -3.) We think 
 the child of God may apostatize, and be forever lost. We know that 
 believers are the only subjects of baptism. (Matt, xxviii. Ii) ; Mark 
 xvi. 16; Acts ii. 38, 41; viii. 12 ; ix. 18; xvi. 15, 33; xviii. 8.) We 
 think penitents and infants are subjects of baptism. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 413 
 
 "We know immersion is the only mode of baptism. (Matt. iii.TB; 
 -John iii. 23; Acts viii. 36, 38, 39 ; Rom. vi. 8, 4, 5 ; Col. ii. 12.) We 
 ■think pouring or sprinkling is the only mode of baptism, but rather 
 than lose a member, we would immerse him, for we think we might 
 act upon his faith. 
 
 We know "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom. xiv. 23.) 
 And we know that none has aright to come to the communion table 
 but orderly, regularly baptized believers. (Ex. xii. 43-49 ; Num. xviii. 
 11 ; Matt. xxvi. 26-29 ; 1 Cor. v. 11 ; x. 7, 14-21.) We think all may 
 ■come to the table that will. 
 
 Thus we see that ''think and let think" will not do for a foun- 
 dation. And know and think are very far from being agreed, then 
 all must know, and all comply, and all will be agreed. Then 
 this great and sweet union will take place upon the right foundation. 
 
 Question 6th. As we all profess to believe in Jesus Christ, can 
 we not be agreed by laying aside all our non-essentials f 
 
 Answer. — If you have non-essentials, you are at liberty to lay 
 them aside. We humbly request you to do so ; but we have not 
 ■any non-essentials, A firm belief in Jesus Christ is essential to sal- 
 vation. ' And all the examples, precepts and ordinances of the bless- 
 ed Gospel is essential to the peace, happiness, love, joy, honor, glory, 
 adorning, beautifying, and prosperity of the Church of Christ. 
 Therefore we cannot — w T e dare not lay them aside. 
 
 Question 7th. Have we not as good aright to our opinion and 
 helief as you have for yours? 
 
 Answer. — There is as great a necessity for you to believe right as 
 for us ; and if your opinion and belief is really congenial with the 
 Scripture, you have as good a right, and we should be no more 
 twain, but one. But if it is not, you have not as good a right; and 
 for us to say you have, would be giving up the point, which we dare 
 not do. (Judei. 3. ) And between us we should thereby make the 
 plain written word as an old enigma put forth, and everybody left 
 to guess at the meaning. 
 
 Question 8th. Are you not a very narrow-hearted and bigoted 
 sect? Do you not assume to yourselves infallibility and unchristian 
 all other denominations ? . 
 
 Answer. — Our hearts and the doors of our churches are as wide 
 as the door of mercy, and we pity those whose hearts and doors are 
 wider. We are much attached to the commands of God and our 
 sacred profession. We are not blindly zealous, but by the light of 
 Divine Truth we stick to the commands to a punctilio, and find rest 
 to our souls. And if we are condemned for doing right, so was our 
 Lord and Master, and we are not greater than He. We do not 
 assume infallibility; as mortals we are fallible, but tbe God we wor- 
 ship and obey is infallible. His Gospel, commands, example, pre- 
 cepts and ordinances are all infallible. This is the old way— this is 
 the good and right way. This is the foundation on which christians 
 can be agreed. Do not censure us for continuing therein, but come, 
 O do come, and walk with us, and let us rejoice together, and feel "a 
 
4U BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 heavenly union." We do not unchristian all others, but do believe> 
 there are many precious christians of other denominations, but they 
 are undutiful — yet we love them, and wish them to do well. There- 
 fore we are waiting with open doors, hearts and hands to receive- 
 you. God commands you— Jesus invites you — we are looking for 
 you — you may come — you can come — you ought to come— do pray 
 come, and let us be agreed upon this precious living foundation,. 
 Jesus Christ, His doctrine, and holy Gospel ordinances. This is the 
 only foundation on which christians can be sweetly and lastingly 
 agreed. Therefore, we again say, come ! Behold ! how good and 
 how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. 
 
 JS T ow to the God who is able to bring and establish all christians, 
 upon this foundation, and give us sweetest union, be honor and 
 glory forever. Amen. Berryman Hicks. 
 
 October 13th, 1820. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Broad Hive)' Baptist Association to the Churches in union Greet- 
 ing : 
 
 Beloved Brethren: — According to a resolve of last year, we 
 address you on "The design of Circumcision, and the difference be- 
 tween that and Baptism. 1 '' 
 
 In doing this, we will first speak of the act of circumcision ; sec- 
 ondly, show the design; thirdly, speak of the act of baptism, and 
 fourthly, show the difference. 
 
 1. On the eighth day from the birth, whatever day of the week 
 that was, the Jews invariably performed the rite of circumcision. 
 Three stools were set in the house, or sometimes in the synagogues, 
 one for the person who held the child; one for the operator or cutter 
 off; and for Elias, who was supposed to be spiritually present as 
 a zealous defender of the divine law. The attendance were gener- 
 ally ten in number, some of which carried torches of twelves wicks 
 to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, and others a knife for the 
 operation, a cup of red wiue to act a styptic, a basin of sand into 
 which to throw the foreskin, a basin of olive oil to anoint the part, 
 and towel and water. When everything was ready, the female em- 
 ployed by the mother, brought the child to the door of the apart- 
 ment or synagogue, and gave it to the one appointed to hold it 
 during the operation, who on entering was hailed by the company 
 in the following words: "Blessed be he who comes." When the 
 operation was finished, the operator having washed, received a cup 
 of wine consecrated with the usual benediction, and added for the 
 child the following prayer: <- Lord our God, the God of our 
 lathers strengthen this child, and preserve him to his parents. May 
 his name be among the people of Israel. — Brownfi Aniiquties. 
 
 2- "And God said unto Abraham, thou shall keep my covenant, 
 therefore, tbou, and thy seed alter thee, in their generations. This 
 is my covenant, which ye shall keep between me and you, and 
 thy seed after thee ; every manchild among you shall be circumcised. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 41 o 
 
 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a 
 token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 
 
 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you 
 •every manchild in your generations; he that is born in the house or 
 •bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He 
 that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, 
 must needs be circumcised/ and my covenat shall be in your flesh 
 for an everlasting covenant. And the un circumcised manchild, 
 whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut 
 off from his people ; he hath broken my covenant. 
 
 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in 
 his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male 
 among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of 
 their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said uuto him." Gen, 
 xvii. 
 
 Hence, if we can understand two plain verses of the Bible in the 
 above named chapter, i. e., 10, and 11, we may understand what the 
 covenant of circumcision is. In these two verses we have the same 
 thing mentioned four times in different words : flrst, God says, this 
 is my covenant: secondly, he tells what it is, every Ujanchild among 
 you shall be circumcised: thirdly, God informs how this covenant is 
 to be kept, ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin fourthly, God 
 informs us what is thedesign or useof thiscovenantofcircumcision. It 
 shall be atoken of the covenant betwixt Him and Abraham. This cov- 
 enant of circumcision, is not, nor cannot be the covenant of grace or 
 promise,as some have boldly asserted. The first covenantor covenant 
 of grace or promise was repeatedly mentioned and confirmed by tne 
 promises of God to Abraham from twelve to ' fourteen years before 
 the second covenant or covenant of circumscision was once brought 
 to his view. — Gen. xiii. 3. 
 
 The covenant of grace is what God agrees, if we may so say, or 
 covenants, or promises to do for Abraham, his posterity, and for the 
 family of mankind, or that which God hath promised to do for the 
 human family is the visible part of the covenant of grace, as it re- 
 spects the good of man. 
 
 The covenant of circumcision is what God required Abraham to 
 agree to and to practice. 
 
 By confounding these two covenants together, we should con- 
 found ourselves, our readers and hearers, and might reduce to prac- 
 tice some error having no foundation in the word of God, and He 
 might well say unto us on a certain day : Who hath required this 
 at your hands? Circumcision was a positive command of God and 
 was by no means transmutable, or liable to change to somethhigelse. 
 Had any person have tried it, it would have been tantamount to de- 
 ferring of the rite, which would have been at the peril of being cut 
 off from among the people. Circumcision was designed as a distin- 
 guishing rite to the Jews, to separate them from all other nations, 
 and give them a happy possession in the promised land. It was de- 
 signed to bring them into actual obedience to the observance of all 
 
416 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 the Temple worship, and they became debtors to do the whole law,, 
 moral, ceremonial and judicial. It was designed as a prerequisite,, 
 to come to the feast of the paschal lamb or passover. All the con- 
 gregation of Israel shall keep it. And when a stranger shall 
 sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his 
 males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it ; and 
 he shall be as one that is born in the land ; for no uncireumcised 
 person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is h-ome-born, 
 and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. (Ex. xii. 47-49,) 
 Circumcision being designed as above, it continued in force, answer- 
 iug in its place the purpose of God, until the accomplishment of the 
 Jewish economy, when it ceased forever — standing all its appointed 
 time, only now as a figure, pointing to the great and spiritual work, 
 of regeneration by grace in the soul of man, under the gospel dispen- 
 sation, down to the end of time. "For by grace ye are saved through 
 faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, Not of works, 
 lest auy man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in> 
 Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that 
 we should walk in them. Wherefore remember that ye being in 
 time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by 
 that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands ; 
 that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the 
 commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of prom- 
 is-, having no hope and without God in the world." But now in 
 Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were afar off' are made nigh by the 
 blood of Christ. For He is our peace, w r ho hath made both one, and 
 hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having 
 abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments 
 contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new- 
 man, so making peace, and that He might^reconcile both unto God 
 iu one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. And ye 
 are complete in Him, which is the head of all principalities and 
 powers; in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision 
 made without hands, in putting off" the body of the sins of the flesh 
 by the circumcision of Christ ; and you being dead in your sins, and 
 the uncircumeisiou of your flesh, hath He quickened together with 
 Him, having forgiven yooall trespasses, &c. (Eph. ii. 8-16; Col. ii. 
 31- 13.) For he is not a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcis- 
 ion is that of the heart— in the spirit, and not in the letter — whose 
 praise is not of men but of God. [Rom. ii. 28, 2y,] 
 
 Thirdly. The church sitting in union, a person comes forward, 
 gives a public declaration of a blessed w T ork of grace in the soul, 
 translating him from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of 
 God's dear Son. The declaration being satisfactory, he is received 
 by the right hand of fellowship, — a regular ordained preacher of the 
 Gospel being pastor or supply of the church, on the responsibility of 
 the Word of God and the church, goes with the person down into 
 the water, and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, im- • 
 merses him in and covers him over with water— raises him up and 
 
 \ 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 417 
 
 cometh straightway out of the water. Thus it is that baptism is im- 
 mersion, and nothing else, and immersion is baptism and nothing 
 else. Let us not say in future, "baptism by immersion," for it is 
 equal to saying "baptism by baptism," or immersion by baptism, 
 which would be superfluous ; and, in fact, it would be conceding 
 the point to an opponent of our divine and very sacred ordinance. 
 Baptism is the door in the Gospel church, regeneration is a prerequi- 
 site! to fellowship, and fellowship to baptism, which is an ordinance 
 of the Gospel — acting in the church, and not out of it. This being 
 the case, the preacher could not act alone in the reception <>f mem- 
 bers; neither could the church without a preacher administer the 
 ordinance of baptism. Therefore they act in unison, It would be 
 passing strange for a preacher, in a Gospel land abounding with 
 churches, alone to receive and baptize persons. 
 
 Fourthly. Circumcision belonged to the law dispensation. 
 
 Baptism belongs to the Gospel dispensation. Circumcision was 
 first performed by Abraham. Baptism was first administered by 
 John the Baptist. Circumcision acted indiscriminately upon all 
 the Jewish males, whether saints or sinners. Baptism acts discrim- 
 inately— selecting those and only those who are regenerated and 
 born again, whether male or female. Circumcision was expressly 
 limited to males. Females, although descended from the same pa- 
 rents, were not subjects of the token of that covenant, but the bap- 
 tismal institution includes both men and women. Circumcision 
 might be lawfully administered by any person — at least any head 
 of a family, whether male or female, for it is only a babe. Baptism 
 is to be administered by particular officers in the christian church, 
 called of God, and qualified for the work. 
 
 Circumcision certainly came in its own place, and acts inde- 
 pendently for itself. Baptism came in its own place and also acts 
 independently under the Gospel dispensation for itself. Hence it 
 is that baptism did not come in the place of circumcision ; for the 
 rite itself is so very unlike the Gospel institute that it appears ex- 
 tremely unnatural to infer one from the other. Circumcision was 
 a painful, bloody rite, cutting off the flesh. &c. But baptism is. an 
 immersion, or washing the whole body in water. 
 
 Other dissimilarities might be urged, but these are thought suf- 
 ficient to show that it is not the easiest thing in the w T orld to infer 
 baptism from circumcision, It certainly requires a large stock of 
 mystical Jesuitical ingenuity to make an inference appear plausible, 
 where the nature, act and design are so different. If baptism came 
 in the room of circumcision, in the manner argued by some, what a 
 pity it is the Apostle had not known it! How conciliatory it would 
 have been to those who were tenacious of Mosaic rites lor the Apos- 
 tles to have told them — do not be uneasy, men and brethren, about 
 circumcision, for baptism is in the room of it ; and moreover, as the 
 keys of the kingdom of heaven are given to us, we have it in com- 
 mission to tell you that female infants are now added to the old 
 account. 
 
 53 
 
418 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 The best argument that we have ever seen, either for infant 
 baptism or infant sprinkling, is that the Catholic Church is infalli- 
 ble, and has decreed that it shall be done. This is worth just what 
 it is, and may answer with some minds to sustain a trembling cause, 
 but christians had better imitate the example of Christ and His 
 Apostles, "and go down into the water." 
 
 If baptism came in the place of circumcision, it is rational to in- 
 fer that it acts with the same force ; consequently, every parent 
 [especially believing ones] should either baptize or sprinkle their 
 children, their servants that are bought with their money, and all 
 that are born in their houses — let there be five, fifty, five hundred, 
 or five thousand. Upon the same principles, to be consistent with 
 themselves, they would be down-right papists, and baptize the sub- 
 jects of a mighty Prince, because he embraced the faith. If this 
 principle be a Gospel one, it will bear examination, and not be the 
 worse from being practiced to perfection If it be absurd when 
 practiced thoroughly, it is not the less so when practiced smally. 
 The only difference is, the absurdity does not appear- so glaring. 
 
 As we do deny the right of baptism to babes from the Abrahamic 
 covenant, we are charged with discarding the idea of infant salva- 
 tion. This we deny. We conscientiously hope and believe that, as 
 Jesus took babes into His arms and blessed them, that all that die 
 in that situation, receive an application of His atoning merits, and 
 are saved with an everlasting salvation. 
 
 In conclusion, we say that the difference between circumcision 
 and baptism is like unto that of debt and credit. The former in- 
 volves men in a state of bankruptcy ; the latter is liberty. The an- 
 swer of a good conscience, and the participant will hear the Master 
 say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." 
 
 We have had a pleasant and favored session of the Association. 
 We desire to thank God for the union, harmony and brotherly love 
 with which the business of the body has been transacted. We now 
 come to a close. May God Almighty bless you. May He bless this, 
 our epistle of love ; and may the Truth shine, God's name be glori- 
 fied, and souls edified and established, is the prayer of yours in Gos- 
 pel bonds. Berryman Hicks. 
 October 20th, 1834. 
 
 Hill, Elder Wade was born in the county of Ruther- 
 ford, N. C, on the 21st July, 1813. His parents were unable 
 to give him the advantages ot'an early education, so that the 
 high character he acquired as a preacher was due, under 
 God, to his deep piety, sound sense, and unceasing efforts to 
 educate himself in the work to which he was called. He 
 was married in August, 1834, to Miss Temperance Ledbetter, 
 and in April, 1837, he was baptized into the fellowship of 
 the church. Immediately after his baptism, he furnished the 
 strongest evidences of a diviue call to the ministry, and just 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 419 
 
 t 
 
 one month from the day of his baptism he preached his first 
 sermon. He had often been heard to say that he never 
 thought of there being any necessity for his obtaining a li- 
 cense from a church to preach, until after be entered upon 
 his work. He "conferred not with flesh and blood," but 
 consulted only the Master of the vineyard, and at His bid- 
 ding he went. In April 1889, Elder Hill was ordained, and 
 from that time until now his name has been a household 
 word amongst the Baptist of this entire section of the State. 
 As a preacher, he had but few equals. He was always sound 
 in doctrine, and his sermons were specially noticeable for 
 their deep solemnity, and the earnestness with which they 
 were delivered. The hearts of his hearers were moved by 
 his tender and earnest persuasiveness, while their minus 
 were enlightened bv his clear logic. There are hundreds of 
 men and women throughout this country who can remember 
 the greater part of many of his sermons; so impressive was 
 his style. While he was a man of strong will, and of re- 
 markable firmness, when he came to talk for his Master, it 
 was with eyes overflowing, and with words of impassioned 
 tenderness., 
 
 As a preacher his loss will be greatly felt in the King's 
 Mountain and Green River Associations. JSTot only was he 
 a great preacher, but his heart was strongly enlisted in all 
 the benevolent works of our Convention and Associations. 
 As a man and citizen, he was upright in his conduct, and his 
 religion was his guide. As a christian he possessed strong 
 faith, and in fact, his entire life and teachings go to furnish 
 conclusive proof of his true and genuine Christianity. As a 
 husband and father, none can ever know his worth save the 
 bereft widow and children, whose hearts are made desolate 
 by his death. 
 
 His work is done (and who can say that it is not well 
 done?) and on the first day of December last (1878), Elder 
 Wade Hill went to his reward. — Min. Green River Asso. 
 
 Elder Wade Hill appeared first in the session of the 
 Broad River Association at its session of 1839, at Green River 
 church, being then a messenger from the Catawba River 
 body, where he preached very acceptably. He did not fully 
 identify himself as a member of the Broad River Association 
 until the year 1843. And at that session of the body he was 
 appointed to preach the introductory sermon for 1844. He 
 located himself within the bounds of the Broad River Assso-. 
 ciation about this time, and continued to be an active and 
 distinguished member thereof until in 1873 he, with the Ca- 
 pernaum church to which he belonged, joined the King's 
 Mountain Association. In 1876, he moved to Rutherford, 
 
420 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 his native county, and at once identified himself with the 
 Green River Association. As above stated he died in 1878, 
 and at the session of the King's Mountain bocly, in 1879, 
 the following tribute of respect to his memory was adopted, 
 and ordered to be published in the minutes of the session: 
 
 "That in the great calamity that has befallen our denomination, 
 in the death of Elder Wade Hill. we. as a denomination, sustain an 
 exceedingly great loss. His noble-hearted spirit, firmness, express- 
 ions of love, and clear manner of presenting the Gospel of Christ to 
 bis hearers made many warm friends for him, and gave him a 
 name that will live among us for years to come, although he has 
 gone to his reward. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from, 
 henceforth," "yea," saith the Spirit, "that they may rest from their 
 labors, and their works do follow them." 
 
 notwithstanding all his faithful efforts and labors for the 
 good ot souls and his Master's cause, which so often weariep 
 and fatigued his body and mind, he is now resting from his 
 laborious task upon -earth, and O! how sweet is that rest! 
 while his works of righteousness will continue to follow him. 
 His earnest, clear, instructive and pathetical manner of pre- 
 senting the gospel to his hearers was so convincing and per- 
 suasive that it seldom failed to make an impression upon his 
 hearers, that proved a blessing of food for christian souls and 
 almost always carried an awakening influence to the 
 minds of sinners. He always thought before speaking, and 
 always drew his conclusions upon the authority of God's 
 Word, and would always speak the truth in soberness, and 
 never feared to declare the whole counsel of God. He ac- 
 complished a great work in the Broad River, King's Moun- 
 tain and Green River Associations, and had been a member 
 of all these bodies, but was a member of the Green River at 
 the time of his death. All these bodies no doubt feel the 
 mighty afflicting hand of God in his death. He was such a 
 strong arm for young ministers to lean upon, and souch a 
 fountain of counsel to the churches and other religious bod- 
 ies, and yet we are compelled to do without him. He was a 
 burning and shining light that is worthy of imitation by us 
 all. His usefulness in his influential work that is following 
 him we hope will accomplish much among us for good al- 
 though his body sleeps and his soul rests. He was a Corres- 
 ponding Messenger to our body last year. We feel that we 
 cannot speak of him as he justly deserves. 
 
 ftcsolved, 1. That we deeply sympathize with the bereaved fam- 
 ily, who have sustained the loss of such a husband and father. 
 
 Mesolved, 2. That we sympathize with our sister, the Green 
 River Association, in the loss of such an excellent minister. 
 
 JRcsolved, 3. That we pray God may, in the abundance of His 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 421 
 
 -goodness and plenitude of His mercies, grant that these sad afflic- 
 tions may work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight 
 of glory. 
 
 Personal Appearance. — Elder Hill was above the ordi- 
 nary size of man, and was upward of six feet in height, of 
 heavy build, inclining somewhat to corpulency; weight, up- 
 wards of two hundred pounds, dark hair and eyes, promi- 
 nent and rather bald forehead; of commanding and dignified 
 aspect, so much so, that a stranger coming into his presence 
 would intuitively feel that he was before a great and good 
 man, and, therefore, feel restrained from committing any 
 rash or imprudent act in his presence. His entire make up 
 .presented him as one of finest looking men to be seen any 
 where. 
 
 He was thought by some to be an extremist on the 
 subject of temperance, as he would have nothing to do with 
 ardent spirits in any shape or form, and he was not only pas- 
 sive, but very active in his opposition to the baneful effects 
 of spirits, and availed himself of every convenient opportu- 
 nity to strike a blow at the hideous monster, which often 
 provoked the ire of the cohorts of the alcoholic prince so 
 much that many tried to throw dirt and filth at him, which 
 only proved that he stood as a polished, marble shaft, im- 
 pervious to such miserable stuff. 
 
 He was equally zealous in the missionary cause, and 
 having labored a good deal as an Evangelist himself, he saw 
 more and more the wants of the people in regard to the 
 spread of the Gospel. He urged the cause of missions upon 
 ■the attention of the churches and of the Association, and 
 sat a good example himself by liberally contributing to the 
 work both of home and foreign missions. At the session of 
 1846 the circular letter on Domestic Missions, which was 
 adopted, was from his pen, and is thought worthy of repro- 
 duction, which here follows in this work. 
 
 [Elder Hill was several times honored by the body with 
 Moderatorship, but always against his protest.] 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER, ON THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 
 
 The Broad River Baptist Association to the Churches in Union: 
 
 Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God. dearly beloved breth- 
 ren, that His Divine Spirit has awakened into notice among you a 
 subject that, in other sections of the country, has proved so fruitful 
 in advancing the cause of our Redeemer's Kingdom; as that upon 
 which, by resolution of last Association, we are directed to write 
 you this letter of love ; i. e., the subject of Domestic Missions. 
 
 In consideration of the design and high aim of those who ap- 
 pointed our theme, we have proceeded to the investigation of the 
 
422 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES., 
 
 premises, with all due diligence aud carefulness of spirit, and now 
 prayerfully submit to your christian and intelligent minds the con- 
 clusions (with the reasons upon wbicb those conclusions were found- 
 ed) to which our researches after truth have brought us. In doing, 
 this, permit us in advance to remind you that the true construction 
 of the term mission, so far as it relates to the subject in debate, is 
 that it simply describes the trust reposed in per&ons sent to preach, 
 the Gospel of the Hon of God; while the word domestic limits in. 
 its application the labors of persons thus sent to our own country 
 exclusively. This plain view of the subject, which is certainly the 
 true one, proves at once that all preaching of the Gospel by per- 
 sons called of God and sent to preach, is in deid and spirit mission- 
 ary preaching; although in character it may not be so regarded by 
 tbe prevailing opinions of the world. Assuming then that our posi- 
 tion as thus entertained is correct, which we think we shall be able 
 clearly to establish, the only remaining questions that need be in- 
 quired into are, 1st : Whether or not good may be expected to result 
 from the preaching of the Gospel of peace among our own people ; 
 and 2nd, whether in .connection with our local pastors a traveling 
 ministry, appointed to supply destitute regions aud to effect an in- 
 terchange of gifts and graces, is not best adapted to accomplish the 
 great object of the ministration of life to a lost and dying world of 
 sinners. 
 
 That good may be expected to result from the preaching of the 
 Gospel, it is presumed no christian will pretend to deny; for the 
 chiistian mind ever places too high an estimate upon the salvation 
 of lost souls ; aud upon that assurance given in our Holy Scriptures, 
 where it is declared that it .pleased God, through tbe preaching of 
 the Gospel, to save sinners, not to be ready to confess its unequalecl 
 advantages to society in general, and d^ ing souls in particular ; yes, 
 verily, the glories of the upper world, arrayed in its radiance of 
 loveliness, with the gloomy abodes of the lost, surrounded with all 
 their horrors and gloom have, by the discoveries of Truth through 
 this medium, made too strong impressions upon every believing 
 heart not to implant therein a deep sense of its great worth to the 
 children of men. It is needless, therefore, to trouble you further 
 upon our first division, than to allude to it as occasion may require, 
 in the prosecution of our labors. 
 
 How this Gospel is to be preached to accomplish the greatest 
 amount of good, conies next to be considered. Where shall we find 
 directions to lead our minds to safe conclusions in this important in- 
 vestigation ? Upon making this inquiry it seems to us that all 
 minds, and all eyes, and all hearts ought at once to turn to and be 
 guided by the great Illuminator of the world, the glorious Son of 
 Righteousness, the Word of God. Yes, dear brethren, there is our 
 sacred directory, our unerring index, that stands ever pointing out 
 to u» the way in which we should be found traveling. By this 
 blessed and holy standard we ought daily to try ourselves, both in 
 spirit and practice, regardless of the opinions of men, the interest of 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 428 
 
 foe world, or the traditions and errors of the Fathers. Thus believ- 
 ing, we proceed to invite your minds "to the law and to the testi- 
 anonj'" — if you will allow the Word of God to be the law of Ziou, 
 and the only safe rule of the christian faith and practice. 
 
 The first notice that our limits will enable us to advert to, in 
 •this connection of our subject, is the practice of the Savior Himself, 
 and the manner in which He called and sent His disciples to preach 
 the Gospel to the Jews before His resurrection ; for in fact, this was 
 strictly domestic missionary preaching, being confined entirely to 
 the Jewish nation. Respecting the missionary labors of the Savior, 
 wh need say but little. All will agree that after He entered upon 
 His important mission, He traveled all through the country, declar- 
 ing His own everlasting Gospel, teaching and instructing the people 
 <to turn from their sins and unrighteousness. Believing that this 
 fact will not be denied, we refer you to some of the leading features 
 of the appointment of and instructions given to the first ministers 
 of the Gospel by Christ Himself, where He says in reference to the 
 twelve disciples [Matt x. 5 :] "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and 
 ■commanded them, saying : go not into the way of the Gentries, aud 
 into any city of the 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 [verse 9.] Provide neither gold, 
 nor silver, nor brass in your purses ; nor scrip for your journey, 
 neither 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 return to you. And whosoever shall not re- 
 ceive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or 
 city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily 1 say unto you, it shall 
 be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day 
 of judgment than for that city." 
 
 The same relation is also recorded (Mark vi. 8, and Luke ix. 3,) 
 when the Savior appointed other seventy disciples. He sent them 
 forth to preach, and with very much the same directions. (See 
 Luke x. 1,) where He says, ''After these things the Lord appointed 
 other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into 
 every city and place whither He Himself would come. Therefore, 
 said He unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are 
 few ; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send 
 forth laborers into His harvest. Go your ways : behold, I send you 
 forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor 
 shoes, and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house 
 ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house [verse 7,] and in the same 
 house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give : for the 
 laborer is worthy of his hire [verse 16.] He thatheareth you, hear- 
 eth Me ; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me ; and he that de- 
 spiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me. And the seventy returned 
 
424 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 again with joy, saying : "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us; 
 through Thy name." We now proceed to lay before you the directions^ 
 given to the disciples and apostles, with their practice upon those 
 instructions, after the resurrection of the Savior. [See Matt, xxviii. 
 19.] "Go ye therefore,."' says He, "and teach, all nations, baptizing: 
 them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
 Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever 
 I have commanded yon : and lo, I am with you always, even untc* 
 the ends of the world, Mark xvi. 15. "Go ye into all the world, and 
 preach my Gospel to every creature: he that believeth and is bap- 
 tized, shall be saved , but he that believeth not, shall be damned." 
 Verse 20. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord 
 working with them, and confirming the word. Acts v. 42. And 
 daily in the temple, and in every house, thej ceased not to teach 
 and preach Jesus Christ," (Acts VI. 4.) "But we will give ourselves 
 continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." (Acts viii. 
 4.) "They that were scattered abroad, went everywhere preaching 
 the word." And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and 
 preached Christ unto them. Verse 14. Now when the Apostles 
 which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word 
 of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, &c. Verse 40. But 
 Philip was found at Azatus, and passing through, he preached in alt 
 the cities till he came to Oesarea. (Acts ix. 32.) And it came to pass 
 as Peter passed through all quarters, he came down also to the saints 
 which dwelt at Lydda. (Acts xi. 20) and some of them were men of 
 Cyprus and Gyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake 
 unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the 
 Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto 
 the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the 
 church which was at Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, that 
 he should go as far as Antioch, who, when he came, and had seen 
 the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with pur- 
 pose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. (Acts sJii. 2. ) "As 
 they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, sepa- 
 i ate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called 
 them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands 
 outturn, they sent thtm away." (Acts xv. 22.) "Then pleased it 
 the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men 
 of theirown company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: namely, 
 Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. 
 Verse 32. And Judas and Silas being prophets also themselves, ex- 
 horted the brethren with many words and confirmed them. Verse40. 
 And Paul chose Silas and departed, being recommended by the 
 brethren, &c," 
 
 We have here, dear brethren, given a few Scriptural quotations; 
 many others of like import might be given to guide your minds to 
 safe conclusions, upon the subject in question. Herein is presented 
 the Christian model, the Heavenly directory, the great Polar star, 
 that is always calculated, when seen, to bring us safe to the haven 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 425 
 
 of truth, although for a time clouds of prejudice and error may have 
 concealed from view its leading advantages and glorious directions. 
 And now we ask, are not the views, doctrines ami practices therein 
 taught and inculcated, missionary— both in deed and spirit,? To 
 convince you of this fact, it will he sufficient here to notice a ivw 
 leading truths contained in this descriptive illustration character- 
 istic of missionary proceedings. First, you wjll observe that the 
 practice of our dear Savior, when on earth, was to travel and preach, 
 that he was seen thus instructing the people in the ship, in the tem- 
 ple, iu the woods, in the people's houses, private and public, from 
 city to city, and from house to house, and to preach His Gospel 
 throughout the Jewish nation ; that they being thus instructed left 
 all their worldly business — their ships, their nets, their homes, their 
 wives and children — and were seen at times attending upon the 
 ministry of their Lord and Master, that they might learn of Him, 
 His doctrines and plan of life and salvation, so that they would be 
 able to teach others to observe whatsoever He had told them. At 
 other times prosecuting their journey, by His immediate appoint- 
 ment, through the country, declaring this news of life and salvation 
 from house to house, by night and by day, throughout the whole 
 region round about Jerusalem. Secondly, that afterthe resurrection 
 these same ministers, with their successors, were directed to go into 
 all the world and to preach the Gospel to every creature, to teach all 
 nations, &c. ; and that in obedience to this direction they went forth 
 everywhere ; that daily in the temple and in every house they ceased 
 not to preach Jesus Christ; that they gave themselves continually 
 to prayer and the ministry of the Word ; passing through all quar- 
 ters, preaching the Gospel, exhorting the people to turn from their 
 sins, and confirming the brethren with many words. That under 
 this operation the Lord blessed their labors abundantly, as you will 
 see by reading the Acts of the Apostles, where thousands upon 
 thousands of souls are represented as believing in Christ, and gladly 
 accepting the reigning influence of the laws of life and salvation, in 
 their dark and benighted minds. You will please notice again, that 
 the disciples and brethren were careful in their church capacity to 
 inquire and ascertain where the preaching of the Word was espe- 
 cially needed; that they were frequently seen sending the ministers, 
 chosen and chief men, such as had ability and fitness, especially to 
 meet the pending emergency, to preach the Gospel, teach chc people, 
 confirm the brethren, dispel error, and establish the laws of the King 
 of Zion in the hearts of the people ; and that in every instance God 
 owned and blessed their labors by the immediate overshadowing of 
 His mercy, and out-pouring of His grace and love among the people 
 where they labored. 
 
 With this light thus afforded through the medium of our Holy 
 Scriptures, so forcibly calculated to bring your minds to rest upon 
 truths thus clearly exhibited, we might here close our address, beino- 
 persuaded of their superior claims to the notice of all men. Never- 
 theless, we deem it expedient, in confirmation of what we have 
 54 
 
426 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 above declared, to lay before you a few facts connected with the his- 
 tory and practice of tbe church from the time of the Apostles up to 
 the present moment. This we can not do in detail, as our limits are 
 too much confined. 
 
 Eusebius, one of the great writers of parts of the third and fourth 
 centuries, in giving the history of the proceedings of the church up 
 to this time, bears direct testimony to the blessedness of this sacred 
 practice. In speaking of the success of the missionaries, in connec- 
 tion with the pastors under the name of evangelists, says that under 
 a celestial influence and this co-operation, the doctrine of the Savior 
 — like the rays of the sun — quickly irradiated the whole world ; that 
 presently the sound of these inspired evangelists and apostles had 
 gone throughout all the earth ; that throughout every city and vil- 
 lage, like a replenished barn floor, churches were rapidly formed, 
 abounding and filled witli members from every people ; and that in 
 this the Scriptures were fulfilled that said, A "nation should be born 
 in one day. " The learned Dr. Mosheim, in his Ecclesiastical History, 
 speaking of the favorable events connected with the procedure of the 
 church in almost every century, leaves ample testimony of the great 
 results of missionary labors — representing that by their names great 
 numbers were brought to the light of tbe Gospel in almost every na- 
 tion. 
 
 We observe, in the next place, that when the Savior sent His 
 ministers to preach the Gospel to a dying world of sinners, He did 
 not leave them (nor any other person wishing to know the Truth) 
 in the dark, as to how their temporal wants and needs were to be 
 supplied ; for in the foregoing Scriptural quotations this subject is 
 clearly set forth, for you will perceive there that in the very first 
 dawning of the day of grace the Savior, in His practice and in His 
 appointment, was careful upon this very point — so as to give infor- 
 mation that while His ministers were performing their laborious 
 duties with deep anxiety of soul, He, the King of Zioii, declared 
 that thev had a right to their reasonable support among the breth- 
 ren and people ; that they need not be careful about gold, nor silver, 
 nor brass, nor scrip, nor clothes, nor provide themselves wherewith, 
 for the laborer was worthy of his meat — was worthy of his hire — 
 meaning, clearly, that their needs as to gold, silver. &c , should and 
 ought to be supplied by the people ; and declaring at the same time 
 most emphatically that whatever was done to them should be taken 
 as done to Himself, and particularly noticing that it should be more 
 tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for 
 such as refused to receive the minister with his oilers of mercy, and 
 to obey the directions given in this sacred Law of His Divine King- 
 dom. In support of this ordinance of the blessed Savior, the Holy 
 Spirit instructed that eminent Apostle Paul to say to the church, 
 that they that are taught in the Word, ought to communicate unto 
 them that seeketh in all good things [see Gal. vi. 6 ;] as also in 1 Cor. 
 9th chap., where he says : ''Have we not power to eat and drink ? 
 Have we not power to lead about a wife or sister? Who goeth a war- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 427 
 
 fare at any time at his own ch; rges ? Who planttth a vineyard and 
 eateth not of the fruit thereof; or who feedeth a flock and eateth 
 not of the milk of the flock ?" Say I these things as a man, or sahh 
 the law the same also, for it is written in the law of Moses, "Thou 
 shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." 
 
 Doth God take care for oxen, or saith it altogether for our sakes ? 
 For our sakes, no doubt, that he that ploweth should plow in hope, 
 and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If 
 we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing that we 
 s'; all reap your carnal things ? Do you not know that they who 
 minister about Holy things, live of the things of the temple, and 
 they which wait at the altar aie partakers with the altar ? Even so 
 hath the Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel, should 
 live of the Gospel. 
 
 May the Lord give you understanding in all things, and hearts 
 to do His will, and prosper you most abundantly in the Spirit and 
 love of the Gospel of peace for the good of souls, and the sake of our 
 blessed and Divine Redeemer. Wade Hull. 
 
 October 19th, 1845. 
 
 Hilderbran, Elder Amos became a member of the 
 King's Mouutain Association in 1855. He was a member 
 of St. John's church, which had Formerly been a member of 
 the Catawba River Association, but joined the King's Moun- 
 tain body in 1855. Elder Hilderbrand we think was a 
 Burke county man, and ordained to the ministry before he 
 identified himself with the King's Mountain body. The St. 
 John's church, and Elder Hilderbran, returned to the Cataw- 
 ba River Association in 1864. We know very little of his 
 history. He was of German descent, and probably if living, 
 is three-score and ten years of age. We are unable to say 
 much in regard to his preaching: qualifications. He was for 
 many years pastor of the St. John's church, and frequently 
 attended the sessions of the Association. 
 
 Holcombe, Elder Hosea was a member of Union church, 
 Lincoln county, N. C„ as far back as 1815, and represented 
 said church in the session of the Broad River Association of 
 that year, and at subsequent sessions of the body. We copy 
 Dr. Cathcart's, account of him from his Baptist Encyclope- 
 dia, viz : 
 
 "Rev. Hosea Holcombe, a native of North Carolina, was born 
 about the year 1780. For some years a minister in upper South Car- 
 olina, he settled in Jefferson county, Alabama, early in the history 
 of the State. Was unquestionably a leader in projecting the plans 
 of the early Baptists of the State, taking a bold and aggressive part 
 in everything that looked to the elevation of the Baptist cause, or 
 to the progress of Baptist principles. Organized nearly all the 
 
428 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 churches for many miles around where he lived, and established 
 them on a sound basis, and traveled and preached over a large part 
 of the State ; went to Associations far and near, and was universally 
 regarded as able to guide them / was six years president of the State 
 Convention ; more than any other man in the State he withstood 
 the anti-missionaries ; was in the strength of his ministerial influ- 
 ence when the anti-missionaries were doing their work of mischief 
 among Alabama Baptists. He was the man for the times and per- 
 formed his work well. One of the founders of our State Convention, 
 and a most earnest advocate for the establishment of good schools 
 by the denomination or for ministerial education. He was an able 
 minister of the New Testament, doctrinal and argumentative iu 
 preaching, clear and forcible in delivery, mighty in the Scriptures, 
 a noble and impressive person, commanding respect and veneration 
 everywhere ; though not so great a man, he holds a position in the 
 history of Alabama Baptists not unlike that of Dr. Mercer among 
 the brethren of Georgia. He wrote a number of controversial pam- 
 phlets, compiled a hymn book, and a history of the Baptists in Ala- 
 bama—a work of 375 pages — which brings its history down to the 
 year 1840. He passed his ministry as pastor of anumberof churches, 
 and as a missionary evangelist. He died in 1841, at his home, and 
 was buried on his farm, near Jonesborough. Two of his sons became 
 Baptist preachers." 
 
 Any people might thank God for such a man. 
 
 Huett, Elder James was a member of Friendship 
 church, and in 1840 made his appearance in the Broad River 
 Association as a delegate, then, a licentiate. He was soon 
 after ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry, and 
 was again a representative of Friendshipin 1841. He then be- 
 came a member and pastor of Sulphur Springs church, and 
 a delegate to the Asssociation from that church in 1842. He 
 continued to bear the same relation until 1845, when we lose 
 sight of him in the minutes. His preaching talents were not 
 above mediocrity, but he was considered a good pious chris- 
 tian minister fully persuaded in his mind that it was his 
 duty to render all the services he possibly could in the Mas- 
 ters cause. Elder Huett, if now living has probably became 
 
 an octogenarian. 
 
 Holyfield, Elder Jacob was a' delegate from Concord 
 church, Rutherford county, 1ST. C, to the session of the 
 Broad River Association held at Sandy Run church in 1808. 
 He afterwards became a member of Ebenezer church, and 
 a delegate from said church in 1811. The Ebenezer church 
 remained a member of the Broad River body many years 
 afterwards; but we lose sight of Elder Ilolytield in the min- 
 utes after 1811. He may have emigrated without the limits 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 426 
 
 >f the Association. We have no information as to the date 
 of his birth or death, or his qualifications as a minister. lie 
 leaves behind him some of his name, and doubtless his de- 
 scendants, in the same region of country where lie, as one 
 of the poineer ministers of the Broad River Association spent 
 his ministerial career. Let his name be preserved, and still 
 ■be had in remembrance. 
 
 Hall, Elder Joshua was onee a member of the Broad 
 ■River Association. In 1820 he was a licensed preacher and 
 lay delegate from Silver Creek church to the session of the 
 Association of that year at Head of Tyger River. He again 
 represented the same church in 1821. Then an ordained 
 minister, and again in 1824 and 1826. The Silver Creek 
 •church was no more a member of the Broad River body 
 after'this session, but in 1828 his church became a constitu- 
 ent member of the Catawba River Association; taking Eld. 
 Hall with it. We are not informed as the date of his birth; 
 •he was of Burke county, BT. C, and said f to be a good preach-, 
 -er for the time in which he had labored in the ministrv. 
 
 Hoyle, Elder Jacob Asbury was born in Burke coun- 
 ty, N. C, on the 21st of March, 1850. His parents moved 
 to Cleveland county and settled of "the waters of Ward's 
 •Creek when he was two years of age. He was raised on a 
 farm by very poor parents, though intelligent and respecta- 
 ble, his father being a school teacher, His son could only 
 ■attend school in the winter time, and his studies were only 
 orthography, reading, writing and arithmetic, but manifest- 
 ing aptitude he progressed rapidly. At the age of nineteen, 
 lie married Miss Ellen J. Crowder of Cleveland, and settled 
 on a small farm; his wife being not only affectionate but in- 
 dustrious, they entered upon the toils of life, and cultivated 
 the soil until December 1878, when they moved to Gaston 
 county, where he now lives, near Cherryville on the Caroli- 
 na Central railroad. 
 
 Elder Hovle was converted under the preaching; of Eld. 
 A. C. Irvin, in August 1880, and baptized into the fellow- 
 ship of Mt. Zion church at the close of a protracted meeting. 
 He was licensed to preach in March 1881. And in October, 
 1881, he moved his membership with an arm of Mt. Zion 
 ■church to aid in the construction of Shad} 7 Grove, which 
 church called him to take the pastoral care of it. He was 
 ordained to the full work of the ministrv, June 16th, 1882, 
 by Elders T. Dixon, A. L. Stough and G. M. Webb. He 
 preaches at a school house on the Lincoln and Castor line as 
 a missionary of the King Mountain Association, and has just 
 
m BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 
 
 received a call from Providence church in Catawba county-, 
 which he accepts as pastor. 
 
 He is a promising young minister of great zeal and en- 
 ergy, using all the means within his power to improve a* 
 detective education, and store his mind with Biblical lore, so* 
 as to enable him to preach the gospel acceptably, and stop the 
 mouths of gainsayers and otherwise render good and faithful 
 service in the vineyard of the Master. We wish him much 
 success. ' 
 
 Irvin, Abram G. was born February 3d, 1843; was con- 
 verted in earlv life, and commenced exercising his gift ir> 
 public in the year 1871. In the year 1875 he received a call 
 from Providence church, Spartanburg county, S. C, and 
 was ordained the same year [on July 4th] at Zion church, of 
 which church he was a member, the presbytery consisting of 
 Elders G. W. Rollins, Wade Hill, T. Dixon, J. M. Bridges,. 
 It. Poston, M. Pannell, G. M. Webb and A. A. McSwain. 
 
 Since the ordination of Elder Irvin he has been actively 
 engaged in his pastoral duties, attending several churches- 
 and preaching the Word very acceptably and with much 
 faithfulness and zeal to all. Like many other Baptist min- 
 isters, Bro. Irvin has to lament his lack of scholastic attain- 
 ments, but feeling that a dispensation of the Gospel is com- 
 mitted to him from which he is not at liberty to shrink, he- 
 has availed himself of all the religious helps within his reach 
 to tit and quality him to stand before a gain-saying world as 
 a mouth-piece for God, and call on sinners to repent ; and 
 in thus preparing himself, through the providence of the 
 Master, he has been enabled to become a useful and popular 
 minister, supplying several churches with much acceptance 
 to them and credit ttf himself, his labors being greatly blest. 
 
 Elder Irvin became a member of the King's Mountain 
 Association first in 1872, since which time we find he has 
 annually attended each session as a delegate from the Zion 
 church. At the session of 1878, at Boiling Springs, he 
 preached the introductory sermon before the Association 
 with muoto credit to himself, from Micah iv. 2. Being in 
 the vigor of manhood, we anticipate much useful labor in 
 the vineyard of the Lord from Bro. Irvin. 
 
 He now lives with a secoud wife, having first married 
 Miss Harriet A. W eathers, and after her decease he married 
 Miss Mariah J. Corn well, with whom he lives very happily 
 at the present time. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. '431 
 
 3T;ackson, Elder Nathaniel appears in the Minutes of 
 ••the Broad River Association as far back as 1807, as an or- 
 dained minister and delegate to the Association from Head 
 ■of Tyger River church, (Spartanburg county, S. C, and he 
 -continued to represent said church until after the session of 
 1819, when we lose sight of him in the Minutes. He prob- 
 ably moved out of the bounds of the Broad River, as the 
 Head of Tyger River church still remained a member of the 
 Broad River Association, and was represented by other par- 
 ties. He was doubtless an old superanuated preacher in 
 1819, and very probably went to his reward not long after. 
 We are without information as to the date of his advent into 
 the world, and also as to his ministerial qualifications. We 
 have no doubt but that he was worthy of a tar better tribute 
 of respect than this, but there has been so little attention 
 ..given to the history of the pioneers, within the bounds of the 
 Broad River Association up to the present time, and, the 
 greater part of the old people being now dead, and but very 
 kittle recorded, we therefore find it impossible to get muck 
 information from the present generation, and consequently 
 •our sketches are shamefully meagre and uninteresting. Let 
 •the name, however, of Elder Jackson be handed down to 
 succeeding venerations as one of the LorcKs ministering ser- 
 vants, who probably spent a great portion of his life in call- 
 ing on sinners to repent, and accept the offered terms of the 
 Gospel of Christ. 
 
 Jones, Elder .John J. was born in Rutherford county 
 (now Cleveland), ]ST. C, February 23rd, 1824. Converted 
 5And baptized in 1850. Ordained to the gospel ministry in 
 August 1853. Elder Jones was chosen pastor of Mt. Paran 
 church in 1855, and was by that church elected a delegate to 
 the Asioeiation the same year. He continued to occupy 
 that relationship until the Tempearance Seism took place 
 in 1860; when Elder L. McSwain was chosen pastor of that 
 church, and they withdrew from the Association immediately 
 after its session that year. Elder Jones sympathized with the 
 temperance movement,and was permitted to participate °in the 
 councils of the "Regular" body that session, but afte wards afili- 
 ated with what was called the "Constitutional" body, until 
 the reconciliation took place in 1866, when harmony was 
 restored in the Convention held at Zoar church. In all this 
 unpleasant movement Bro. Jones manifested a Christian 
 spirit towards all, and was anxious that the breach in fellow- 
 ship should be healed at the earliest ^possible moment, he 
 said and did all he could to effect a reconciliation which af- 
 
43L' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 tervvards was accomplished. Elder Jone had an impediment 
 in his speech Unit prevents his usefulness as a preacher, hut 
 is always to he fount I at his post of duty in teaching a knowl- 
 edge of sacred music (which is verv desirable in the house 
 ot God), or conducting the prayer-meeting or Sunday-school 
 work in the churches. 
 
 He married Miss Mary Ham-rick in 1841 with whom 
 he lives hapily. 
 
 Justice, Elder Thomas Butler is a native of Buncombe 
 county (now Henderson,) N. 0. Born July 27th, 1813. lie 
 proteased conversion in May, 1835, aqd was baptized in Au- 
 gust follo^ng. Was licensed to preach the 1st of August,. 
 1840, and was ordained to the full work of the ministry on 
 June 3d, 1842. He is a nephew of the pioneer, minister* 
 Thomas Justice, of the Broad River Association, who took 
 part iii its organization. 
 
 Elder Justice married Miss Harriet Bailey, of Hender- 
 son county, X. C, who proved to be an affectionate and 
 agreeable help meet to him while engaged in the toils of life. 
 They have reared a family of sons and daughters. One of 
 his sons (Elder C. B. Justice) is an able and popular minis- 
 ter of the Green River Association ; and another, Michael 
 H. Justice, is a practicing attorney at Rutherfordton, and ;> 
 Baptist. 
 
 Elder T. B. Justice, we believe, was first a member of 
 the Union Association, and by reason of some conflicting 
 doctrinal views in reference to the nature of the atonement 
 of Christ, the correspondence between the Green River and 
 Union was disturbed for a time — until an explanatory and 
 reconciliatory conference could be assembled. Eider M. O, 
 Barnett, in his history of -the Broad River Association, ex- 
 plains the matter in this way : 
 
 "In the constitution of the Union Association, which embraced 
 a great part ot* Henderson county, N. C, there was a repudiating 
 clause of the doctrine of election, and on that account the Green 
 River Association refused correspondence with that body, and held 
 Charges against them for heterodoxy. It was finally agreed to by 
 the two Associations— Green River and Union— that the whole mat- 
 ter should be left to a committee of six, chosen from Tyger River 
 and Brqad River Associations; consequently Elders Richard Fur- 
 man, J. G. Landrum, YV. Hill, D. Scruggs, M. C. Barnett. and Bro. 
 William Walker met at Hendersonville, N. C, as a committee to 
 take into toasideration, and if possible, adjust the existing difficulty. 
 The .substance of the charges brought by the Green River Associa- 
 tion against the Union Association, was that of Free willism. This 
 charge thej supported by that clause in their constitution which 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 433 
 
 said: "We repudiate the doctrine of election." The committee to 
 whom the matter was referred, decided thcit, before the Union Asso- 
 ciation could consistently come into correspondence with the regular 
 Baptist Association, they must strike out that repudiating clause 
 from their constitution. This the Union Association, by their rep- 
 resentatives, heartily consented to do, and the whole mutter was set- 
 tled." 
 
 Elder Justice became a member of tbe Green River 
 body, and remaiued with it until 1855 ; when the Ruther- 
 fordton church, of which he was a member, joined the 
 Broad River body, and Elder Justice thereby became iden- 
 tified with that Association, until the session of 1870, when 
 he with the Rutherfordton church, ao-ain identified them- 
 selves with the Green River body, of which he is now a 
 member. 
 
 We have known Elder Justice as a minister and bus- 
 iness man for a number of years. As a preacher he ranks 
 among the ablest and most eloquent; his sermons are at all 
 times characterized by much affection and pathos, while few 
 excel him as an expositor of the doctrines of the Gospel. 
 He has labored for many years under a nervous affection, 
 which greatly affects his voice, until he gets warmed up with 
 the subject matter of his text, when his articulation is much 
 improved, and he acquits himself very satisfactorily to his 
 audience. 
 
 His present residence is in Polk county, 1ST. C., near the 
 famous Mills' Spring. Bro. Justice has reached the allotted 
 period of three-score and ten, yet we hope he has many 
 years of usefulness yet to serve the Master. 
 
 Kinurick, Elder John G., late of Pacolet church, 
 Union count}-, South Carolina, was born in 1804. Made 
 his first appearance in the Broad River Association at 
 its session at Providence church in 1844 as a delegate from 
 the Pacolet church, since which time he has attended the 
 annual sessions regularly up to the time of his death, which 
 took place in 1872, at the house of a friend while on a 
 preaching tour. In noticing the life and character of this 
 good man, we feel that we could not do better than to re- 
 produce the sketch given of him in the Minutes of the Broad 
 River Association, at its session in 1872, which is as follows: 
 "This faithful soldier of the cross died on the 6th of June last, 
 after a few days' illness, from apoplexy, in the 69th year of his life. 
 He had been a member of the Baptist denomination for about S.i 
 years, during all of which time he was actively engaged in the work 
 of the ministry. Bro. Kindrick was brought up by a pious mother, 
 who was a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he was 
 55 
 
4C4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 for many years a zealous member. Several of his children were 
 sprinkled as members of that church ; but in mature manhood he 
 began a careful examination of the Scriptures, and found that he 
 was in error on many of the regulations of the Gospel. "With a 
 great struggle he determined to submit to the ordinance of immer- 
 sion aud become a member of the Baptist church. He, with his 
 wife, was immersed, and united with the Pacolet church, in Union 
 county. He had exercised his gift while a Presbyterian, and was 
 soon after his baptism ordained as pastor of Pacolet church, in which 
 charge he remained until his death. This church, under his care, 
 grew from a small number t to become one of the largest churches in 
 the Broad River Association." 
 
 - During his ministry he supplied, at different times, 
 Upper Fair Forest, New Bethel, Calvary, Beaver Creek and 
 other churches in the adjoining counties of York and Ches- 
 ter. He supplied several mission stations, and traveled in 
 company with Elder Wade Hill and others as a missionary 
 in the hounds of the Broad River Association. 
 
 His education was limited, but having much native 
 power of thought, blest with a logical "mind and Presbyterian 
 training, he became an able and fearless defender of the faith, 
 once delivered to the saints. While his preaching was always 
 plain and Scriptural, he yet had a fluent and forcible form of 
 speech. This, combined with his fine personal appearance 
 and great earnestness, made him attractive and powerful in 
 the pulpit. Elder Kind rick, like many other strong men, 
 had at times some eccentricities of character. Many have 
 heard, with feelings mingled with humor and seriousness, 
 his sermons on the number of the beast, his description of 
 Satan and other things. 
 
 At the meeting of this Association, at Providence 
 church, a few years ago, he closed 'the services on Sunday 
 afternoon with an earnest exhortation, in which he worked 
 in his description of Satan. And in speaking of the power 
 of Satan to deceive the people, he remarked that "the Devil 
 would feed them on soft corn, and choke them to death oh 
 the cobs." He had the facility of changing suddenly from 
 these currents of humor to the most solid and serious dis- 
 course. 
 
 Iu his social intercourse with men, his conduct was seas- 
 oned with prudence, pleasure and profit. He was a model 
 husband and parent, and universally esteemed by all who 
 knew him. However much this bodv niav feel the loss of 
 this good man, that feeling cannot measure the loss sustained 
 bv his churches and the community, in his death. 
 
 He preached his last sermon at Upper Fair Forest 
 church on the Sunday before his death. On leaving home 
 on Sabbath morning his wife, feeling indisposed, at first de- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 435 
 
 •clincd going with him. He insisted on her accompanying 
 him, saying, she did not know what might happen to him. 
 After such earnest persuasion she agreed to go. After 
 preaching on Sunday lie went and spent the night with Mr. 
 Thomas Kelly. On rising to leave the table on Monday 
 morning, he began to stagger, and, on /being supported by 
 his wife and others, he said, "Lay me down and let me die." 
 These were among his last words ; he lingered in a helpless 
 and almost unconscious state until Thursday following, 
 Avhen he fell asleep in Jesus. The funeral discourse was 
 preached at Pacolet church by Eider M. C. Barnett, to a 
 large congregation. His body lies in the grave-yard of 
 Pacolet church. 
 
 Let the ministers and brethren of the Broad River* As- 
 sociation study his character, follow his example and cherish 
 his memory, as they behold his spiritual children, abiding 
 steadfast in the Savior and Gospel which he preached ; and 
 all of us be found like him — at our post — when the Captain 
 of our salvation shall come to relieve us from our earthly 
 warfare. 
 
 Personal Appearance. — Elder Kindrick was tall and 
 straight, somewhat raw-boned ; had a massive head, thickly 
 covered with dark hair, eyes blue, countenance rather stern 
 or serious, voice stentorian, articulation good, gestures' very 
 forcible, natural and dignified, and possessed fascinating 
 power sufficient to hold his congregations as if spell bound 
 for an hour or two without seeming to become restless. He 
 was an original thinker, and relied altogether on his own 
 and Biblical resources, and had certainly become au attract- 
 ive and popular preacher in the bounds of the Broad River 
 Association. He was considered rather an expert in the 
 administration of the ordinance of baptism; having become a 
 convert from Pedo-baptism, he probably gave that matter 
 more attention than the average Baptist preacher. Elder 
 Barnett, the associational historian, in speaking of him, 
 says : 
 
 "1 have thought he performed the ordinance of baptism with 
 as much dignity and solemnity as any man that ever came under 
 my observation. Imagine yourself at the Skull Shoals, on Pacolet 
 river, near the church, on the 2d Sunday in September. Both banks 
 of the river are lined with hundreds of people (the public roads 
 crossing here. ) You see others coming on both sides ; two or three 
 canoes are loaded with persons crossing the river, some going one 
 way and some the other ; at the same time the river is being forded 
 by twenty at the time, in carriages, in buggies, and on horseback ; 
 the people commence singing on the opposite bank from the church, 
 and everything begins to get still. Bro. Kindrick has about twenty 
 to baptize this morning. After prayer he leads one down into the 
 
436 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 water, and with one hand lifted up he says : "In obedience to the' 
 command of God, and after the example of Jesus Christ, I baptize 
 thee," &e. As they come up out of the water he makes some apt 
 quotation from Scripture — such as, "We are buried with Him in 
 baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him from the dead ;" and 
 then another in like manner, until bis work is done. But I guess 
 you will not leave immediately until you witness something more of 
 the stir and bustle of the crowd, in starting back to the church : the 
 river is thronged with persons crossing — some on the shoal, and 
 some higher up, where the water is deeper, but the bottom smoother ; 
 the canoes are doing their part, and in a half hour they are all gone. 
 Such is the scene that I have witnessed at that romantic place." 
 
 And will any one, with the New Testament in their 
 hands, presume to say that such a "scene" is not fully in ac- 
 cord with apostolic usages and practices? and still insist that 
 such a course would be indecorous, and in conflict with the 
 advanced progress of the present age ? 
 
 King, Elder William appeared first in the Broad River 
 Association about 1807, from Head of Enoree church. We are 
 not informed as to the time of his birth or death. We find 
 from the minutes of the Association that he was a min- 
 ister of considerable prominence and ability in the time 
 he lived. In 1808, he prepared a circular letter under 
 the appointment of the body, on The Union and 
 Utility of an Association. Which, out of respect for 
 his memory, we reproduce with this sketch. In 1811, he 
 preached the introductory sermon before the Association, 
 and in the session of 1814 he was chosen clerk, which shows 
 that he was considered a good business man. In 1818 he 
 was again appointed to write the circular letter, On a Baptist 
 Church receiving members into fellowship, ivho were baptized by 
 immersion in Methodist societies. 
 
 The writer took the ground "that as certain priests an- 
 ciently failed to show their genealogy among the lawful 
 priests,- and were rejected; in like manner should all admin- 
 trators of the ordinance of baptism be rejected, who fail to 
 show their own baptism according to the gospel, by a min- 
 ister who has himself been baptized in a regular line from 
 the Apostles down to the present day." . 
 
 From 1811, Elder King represented Double Spring 
 church, which was probably a new organization, and after 
 'the session of 1820, we lose si«rht of him entirely. Doubtless 
 he either dierd and went to his reward, or emigrated to some 
 other part of the Lord's vineyard. Like many other pioneer 
 ministers, he has not had that attention paid him that his 
 eminent services justly demanded, and consecmently at this 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 437 
 
 late day it is impracticable for any writer to do him justice. 
 Let his name, however, be handed down to succeeding" gen- 
 erations as one that was worthy of imperishable fame for his 
 work's sake. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Broad River Baptist Association — To the Churches they Repre- 
 sent—send Christian Salutation : 
 
 Beloved Brethren : — The subjects on which we have to ad- 
 ■dress you this year, are the Union and Utility of an Association, 
 
 In treating on these delightful subjects, we shall consider first, 
 of the union of an Association, — that is the same with the union of 
 •all saints ; secondly, how the union of an Association as a body, 
 joined by mutual consent, should be maintained ; third, of the util- 
 ity of an Association. 
 
 First. Of the union of an Association^the same as the union of 
 all saints. This holy union is derived from God, and takes place 
 first between Him and all His children, iu their being united to 
 Christ and becoming one with Him / they are also united or joined 
 together in this glorious mysterious union and become one in Him. 
 The love of God is shed abroad in their hearts, and Divine Truth in 
 its glorious harmony, beauty and excellence is revealed to them, and 
 they receive it in the love thereof ; and as the Gospel contains all 
 things necessary to be believed and to be done, the union of the 
 saints with one another consists in their agreement in the Truth, 
 tooth as to faith and practice ; and except the faith and practice of 
 professing christians is compatible with the Word of God, there can 
 not be a union between them. And this shows that God has wrought 
 a supernatural change in His people, whereby they are brought to 
 love God in His infinite perfections; to love His word, and to love 
 His people, because they bear the image of Jesus Christ. And this 
 heavenly union is never to have an end, but will be increased in 
 heaven beyond all our comprehension. Under these considerations 
 the union of saints may well be considered a pearl of price unknown. 
 Secondly. How the union of an Association, as a body joined by 
 mutual consent, should be maintained. 
 
 In taking a view of this part of the subject, an Association may 
 toe considered as a larger church, of more extensive bounds. A Gos- 
 pel church consists of a number of members joined in union by mu- 
 tual consent, and each member is under indispensable obligations 
 not to do or say anything contrary to the Gospel, whereby the minds 
 of the rest may be grieved, but is bound by the law of Truth and 
 love to do all things according to the Gospel. When this is the case, 
 a church is in a happy union. An Association consists of a number 
 
 of churches coalesced by mutual consent (it should seem) for the 
 good of the whole, then each church is uuder weighty obligations 
 not to do or propagate anything contrary to the Gospel, wherebv 
 1he mind of any other church or of the Association may be grieved, 
 but it is bound by the glorious law of Christ to do nil tilings accord- 
 ing to the Gospel, aud so to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the 
 bonds of perfectness. 
 
438 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Thia is the way for churches that compose an Association to live: 
 m union. Again, when an Association meets together, their union* 
 (while in conference) is linn, if they do all things according to the 
 Word of God, and are governed by love. Under these considera- 
 tions, every selfish motive should be laid aside ; ambition and vain 
 glory ought never to be seen in such a council, but all the rules of 
 brotherly love should Ive attended to with meekness and humility. 
 
 Thirdly. Of the utility or usefulness of an Association, 
 
 A body of wise an I h >ly men in such a happy union, and gov- 
 erned by truth, can not fail in bein^ useful. The wise mean says r 
 In the multitude of counsel there is safety," (which tends to useful- 
 ness-.) In an Association there is a multitude of counsel, which' 
 tends to usefulness ; therefore an Association is useful. In such a 
 ollection of lights, like bright constellations, the light will shine 
 more clear, and of course discover the hidden works of darkness 
 more plainly, and deep things will be understood with greater ease- 
 It is here a godly minister will be encouraged, while the reverse 
 will be discountenanced ; it is here difficult queries may be proposed 
 and answered ; it is here counterfeit tenets and practices may be de- 
 tected and put down ; it is here an aggrieved church may obtain 
 redress, when all other means fail ; it is here a member, not justly 
 dealt by, may make known his case and find redress. In an associ- 
 ate capacity,churches and ministers may meet and take sweet coun- 
 sel, cultivate christian friendship, and be of mutual advantage to- 
 each other while in a troublesome world. We shall conclude the 
 discussion of these interesting subjects with a few words of exhort- 
 ation : 
 
 Dear Brethren, let it be well remembered that we must not only 
 anticipate, but participate of this glorious and happy union on earth r 
 or w T e never shall enjoy it in heaven Bet us endeavor to realize it 
 every day that we live. Further, let us labor much to be useful in 
 works of justice, mercy and love. ' The grace of our Lord Jesus- 
 Christ be with you all. Amen. William King. 
 October l,th, 1808. 
 
 Kirkindol, Elder J. was the pastor of Buck Creek 
 church in 18Jr2,-'43-'44-'45, and being a member of said 
 church was chosen one of her delegates to represent her in 
 the Association the same years. We are unable to learn 
 much of the history of Elder Kirkindol, and as his sojourn 
 within the bounds of the Broad River Association appears 
 from the minutes to have been only a few years, we incline 
 to the opinion that he emigrated to some other field of labor. 
 lie was, however, once a Broad River minister. 
 
 Ivirby, Elder Bolis Tollison appears first as a member 
 and delegate from Bethesda church, at the sessiono f the 
 Association of 1824. having been licensed to preach a short 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 439 
 
 time previously. In 1827, he was again a delegate from 
 said church, and in 1831, was ordained to the full work of 
 the gospel ministry, and chosen pastor of the Long Creek 
 •church. In the session of the Association held that year at 
 Buck Creek church, he, and Elder James Lewis, were the 
 deleo-ates from Lous; Creek. He continued his connection 
 with the Long Creek church, as pastor and representative, 
 ■until 1835. About this time, very damaging reports were 
 put in circulation detrimental to the virtuous and moral 
 character of Elder Kirby, alleged by some to have grown 
 out of an unfortunate matrimonial alliance, that he had made. 
 He became intemperate and erratic in hisdeportment,where- 
 •by he lost the -confidence of many of his brethren. He was, 
 however, called to labor for a year or two, after this, with a 
 very feeble church in the extreme eastern part of the Asso- 
 ciation, which appearing unprofitable to all the parties con- 
 'Cerned, that was abandoned: and gradually B. T. Kirby 
 once a minister of great promise, sank down in the mire and 
 filth 'of intemperance and became a scoffing infidel. "Let 
 him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." Elder 
 B. T. Kirby was a native of Spartanburg county, S. C. 
 Date of his birth unknown. Said to be very respectably 
 •connected. 
 
 Landrum, Elder John Gill was a member of the Broad 
 River Association, first, in the session at Buck Creek church 
 in 1831. Preached the ■ Associational sermon under an ap- 
 pointment, the next year at Sandy Run. '•The righteous 
 shall flourish like the Palm Tree, he shall grow like a Cedar 
 in Lebanon." (Psalms xcii. 12.) He, with Dr. J. W. Lewis, 
 represented the Mount Zion church in 1833, at Long Creek, 
 when said church was dismissed from the Broad River to 
 aid in the formation of the Tvger River Association. With 
 that body he became identified in its organization in 1833, 
 and continued to be a worthy and prominent member until 
 it was disbanded in 1876, by the organization of the Spar- 
 tanburg Association. With 'which body he acted up to the 
 time of his death, which took place January 19th, 1882. 
 
 Elder Landrum, was a good man, and popular preacher; 
 very attractive in his manners and gestures, had a fine flow 
 ot language, and seemed never to be at a loss in the selection 
 ot the best words to put his ideas or thoughts in good dress, 
 In conversation, he excelled nearly all others, his colloquial 
 talents being of the first and finest order, he by general con- 
 sent took the lead, and,was always admired by his listeners. 
 He had a warm sympathetic heart, and was liberal in his 
 views, and although a strict Baptist,yet he was very respectful 
 
440 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 toward those who differed with him in sentiment. Which) 
 liberal feeling, we think was properly reciprocated toward 
 him generally by his religious opponents. He often preach- 
 ed in pedo-baptist pulpits, while his discourses were well 
 received by all. 
 
 We extract from the minutes of the Spartanburg Asso- 
 ciation — session of 1882, the following proceedings; 
 
 "Dr, Dean from Committee on Memorial Exercises,, 
 read his report. 
 
 Bro. H. P. Griffith said; 
 "This is the second time within the last fifty years when the- 
 form of Land rum was not seen among us. We have abundant reason 
 to thank God that John Landrum ever lived. He was great in his 
 piety, his nobleness, purity, and his humility, and was equal to any 
 emergency. He was an uncompromising Baptist, without a parti- 
 cle of bigotry. He was fifty-three years in the pulpit, died without 
 a blot on his character, and has left his impress on many an enter- 
 prise that is to flourish still." 
 
 Bro. Manly, who only knew Bro. Landrum in the last 
 years of his life, said he desired to bear an humble part in 
 these exercises, and asked that Bro. T. J. Earle should say 
 something. Bro. Earle said : 
 
 "I recall the fact that Bro. Landrum has done a great work in 
 building up the churches in Greenville as well as Spartanburg coun- 
 ty. 1 was his son in tbe ministry. In his private relations he was 
 one of the best men I ever knew. His most effectual preaching was 
 perhaps with families, and he was always faithful in performing his 
 obligations to his churches." 
 
 Bro. R. H. Griffith spoke as the representative of the 
 Baptists of the whole State, and in their behalf he desired to 
 place a wreath upon the grave of Bro. Landrum. He is still 
 living in the hearts and memories of those, and for those for 
 whom he lived and labored. It is our business now to take 
 up the work where he left it and carry.it on to greater suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Bro. Landrum Ezell said (Dr. Manly in the chair) : 
 
 "The main characteristics of Bro. Landrum was to preach the 
 Gospel and educate the people. When we shall have educated the 
 children of our country, then we have opened the avenue of chris- 
 tian success, and accomplished one of the grand purposes of Bro. 
 Landrum's life." 
 
 Dr. Whitfield wisbed it might have been his privilege to know 
 Bro. Landrum personally. Rejoices that he knows him through 
 the churches he built up and the work he has done. It is an un- 
 speakable blessing of God that He has given us such a man. 
 
 Bro. Richard Woodruff said : 
 
 "I may be allowed to say more than others. Bro. Landrum 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 441 
 
 baptized me ; he'ordained me ; he married me. He rests now from 
 his labors, and his works are following him. He has laid down the 
 implements of his warfare and is now singing praises around the 
 throne on high." 
 
 The Memorial Report, as read by Dr. Dean, was adopt- 
 ed unanimously, and is as follows : 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His All-wise Prov- 
 idence, to remove from our midst and his field of earthly labor our 
 dearly beloved brother, Rev. J. G. Landrum, and take him to that 
 heavenly rest which he had spent his life to the various flocks com- 
 mitted to his care ; and whereas, his death takes from us one of the 
 old landmarks of the last generation, and leaves a breach in out- 
 hearts that time and grace from on high alone can heal. Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, 1. That in the death of Rev. J. G. Landrum, the 
 Spartanburg Baptist Association has lost its most gifted and jjowei- 
 ful minister, the most devoted pastor and wise counselor. 
 
 Resolved, 2, That we feel his loss in our Association, in our 
 churches, and at our firesides ; and while our hearts bleed and our 
 heads are bowed down in grief, knowing that we shall see his face 
 no more on earth, we will not murmur at this Divine dispensation, 
 but submitting ourselves to God's gracious providence, exclaim, Thy 
 will be done. 
 
 Resolved, 3. That in the life and labors of this good man the 
 cause of Christ in this county and State has been greatly strength- 
 ened, and the influence of his earnest and devoted work in the cause 
 of Christ will be felt in years to come. 
 
 Resolved, 4. That this Association raise a memorial fund, to be 
 known as the Landrum Memorial Chair, to be applied to educational 
 purposes, as this Association may deem most expedient. 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 G. R. Dean, 
 
 W. T. Wilkins, 
 J. M. Brian, 
 
 Committee. 
 Elder John G. Landrum more than any other man will 
 be missed hy the churches and Associations where he so 
 faithfully labored for the last half a century. His labors 
 were not "few and far between :" he baptized more persons, 
 solemnized the rites of matrimony between a greater num- 
 ber of parties, and preached more funeral sermons (to say 
 nothing of his pastoral labors) than any minister that ever 
 operated in the section of country where he lived and died. 
 VVe hope, however, that his mantle may have providentially 
 fallen upon some worthy young men, who may properly be 
 called his sons in the Gospel, and the good work so well be- 
 gun and carried on by him while living, may yet be contin- 
 ued and fully consummated by his successors, now that he 
 is dead and srone to his reward. That our readers may be 
 56 
 
442 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 enabled to know more of the history and virtues of this no- 
 ble christian minister, we avail ourself of the privilege of 
 reproducing the sketch of his life and labors, by H. P. Grif- 
 fith, as published in the Baptist Courier, which is here sub- 
 joined, with the expectation that it will be carefully perused 
 by his many friends. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was about five feet ten inches 
 in height : in later years inclining somewhat to corpulency ; 
 would weigh something over two hundred pounds ; had a 
 massive head, covered in early life with dark hair ; eyes 
 deep blue, prominent brows, and forehead of much dignity, 
 with a countenance very pleasant and handsome. 
 
 SKETCH OF ELDER JOHN G. LANDRUM, BY H. P. GRIFFITH. 
 
 Rev. John G. Landrum was che son of Rev. Merimon Landrum, 
 who emigrated from Union District [as it was then called,] S. C.,to 
 Williamson county, Middle Tennessee, in the year 1806, where the 
 subject of this sketch was born, on the 22d of October, 1810. The 
 precise place of his birth is about thirty miles south of Nashville. 
 His mother's maiden name was Delilah Jackson, a pious, consecra- 
 ted woman, who early impressed lessons of religion and moral obli- 
 gation upon her son, which no doubt did more towards moulding 
 his character and shaping the coarse of his life than all the other 
 lessons of his youth. The parents were not wealthy, but in easy 
 pecuniary circumstances. They belonged to what might be called 
 the middle class of society. The father was a Baptist preacher of 
 respectable preaching ability, and was a man of considerable per- 
 sonal influence, both as a minister and as a citizen. The country 
 which he had chosen for his home and for the field of his labors, 
 was then a frontier country, with a sparse population, and full of all 
 the inconveniences and drawbacks that were usually found by the 
 early settlers of the West. Lands had to be cleared, houses built, 
 roads opened, and all the machinery of newly-organized neighbor- 
 hoods looked after and put in running order, while many of the 
 common necessities of civilized life were not to be had except at 
 great cost of time and money. But the good man and his wife had 
 entered the western forest with brave hearts, and they were not be 
 discouraged or intimidated by the inconveniences to which they 
 were sometimes subjected, or the hardships which they sometimes 
 endured. The husband worked on the farm during the week, and 
 preached as he could collect on Sunday, while the wife did all of her 
 household work, and made the new home musical with the buzz of 
 
 the spinning wheel and the clash of the loom. Later, when her 
 children had arrived at proper age for instruction, she would gather 
 the little household around her on Sunday while her husband was 
 away, and impress upon them such lessons as she could draw from 
 the open Bible and from the unfathomable depths of a mother's 
 love. Her son often alluded to these lessons in after life as beinu; the 
 very ground-work upon which his character rested ; and to the end 
 of his days he always cherished the profoundest love and venera- 
 tion for his mother. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 443 
 
 John was her second child, her oldest being a daughter, Eliza- 
 beth by name, who is still living, at the age of seventy-seven, having 
 made Texas her home for many years past. He worked on the farm 
 up to the time of his father's death, with few or no opportunities of 
 going to school. He has told us that he frequently worked hard all 
 day on the farm and then spun three cuts at night for his mother. 
 Many of our lady readers will comprehend the precise meaning of 
 this task more readily without an explanation than with one. 
 
 About the year 1815, Mr. and Mrs. Landrum paid a visit to their 
 friends in South Carolina, and little John, then five or six years old, 
 actually rode behind his mother on horseback through the whole 
 journey of over 500 miles. Ten years after this visit the husband 
 and father died very suddenly and unexpectedly in the rnidst*>f act- 
 ive labors. This blow fell heavily upon the devoted family, but the 
 noble wife did not sink under it. She rose in power and resources 
 as difficulties and troubles gathered around her, and the next we 
 hear of her son, he is under the instruction of a private teacher em- 
 ployed by Gov. Cannon, and she is nobly paying his expenses by 
 working with her own hands for the Governor's household. His 
 progress in his studies under this teacher is said to have been aston- 
 ishingly rapid, so much so as to excite the envy of his fellow-students, 
 and to attract the attention of the community. About this time he 
 formed the acquaintance of James K. Polk, then a young lawyer in 
 Nashville, and the acquaintance seems to have ripened into some- 
 thing like intimacy, for we hear of Polk spending a night with him 
 at his mother's house, and of their occupying the same bed together. 
 He seems to have cherished an ambition at this time to become a 
 politician, and no doubt his intercourse with the ambitious young 
 lawyer but added fuel to the flame. One would like to stand awhile 
 just outside the room door of that old farm house, fifty -six years ago, 
 and hear the young lawyer and the farmer boy talk about their 
 plans and hopes for future life. The one no doubt already had his 
 heart set on popular honors and his ear entranced with the "whis- 
 tling of a name ;" the other was feeling in his heart the first bound- 
 ing impulses of youthful ambition — the first purposeless strugglings 
 of a spirit half conscious of inherent greatness — and he was medita- 
 ting, revolving, speculating, dreaming, and ever and anon perhaps 
 gazing with something like superstitious awe out upon the wide 
 gulf that lay between him and ambition's glittering goal. The paths 
 of the two bedfellows soon widely diverged. One passed through 
 Legislatures and Senates up to the chief magistracy of a great repub- 
 lic ; the other through humiliation and self-denial to his stand on 
 the watch-tower of Zion, from which for fifty-three years he pro- 
 claimed the glad tidings of salvation to a dying world. As a further 
 evidence that John G. Landrum at one time meditated becoming a 
 statesman, it is related that he was always fond of popular assem- 
 blies, and when his father would send him to Nashville on business, 
 he would visit the State House and listen with deep interest to the 
 debates going on there. Upon tme occasion he became so absorbed 
 t 
 
444 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 that he remained till adjournment, and was so late reaching home 
 that his father became uneasy and went out to meeet him on the road. 
 He frankly owned up to the cause of his delay, and instead of a rep- 
 rimand, received caresses from his father. On one occasion, while 
 in Nashville, he saw Andrew Jackson and David Crockett; at an- 
 other time he saw LaFayette and Jackson riding together through 
 the streets. All these sights and associations were well calculated 
 to excite in a boy of ardent temperament the liveliest aspirations for 
 political distinction. But such aspirations were soon lost in what 
 lie considered a stronger and more imperative call to a higher sphere 
 of duty. The death of his father made a profound impression upon 
 him, and led him to think seriously of his obligation to God, and 
 the da*ger to which his own soul was exposed. In a letter written 
 several years ago he said : 
 
 "I was brought to feel deeply my lost condition as a sinner at the 
 time of my father's sudden and unexpected death ; and in a few 
 months I was, I trust, enabled to believe with all my heart on the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, and was upon a public profession of that faith 
 baptized bv Elder William Moody, and united with the Baptist 
 church at Mount Pleasant, of which my father was the pastor at the 
 time of his death. I had, soon after my conversion, impressions to 
 preach the Gospel, but if I did not resist them I certainly strove to 
 postpone any attempt to speak for God publicly, or to communicate 
 my feelings to my most intimate or confidential friends." 
 
 When about seventeen years old, and while under the influence 
 of the feelings as mentioned above, it was decided that he should 
 pay a short visit to his relatives in South Carolina. So he bade adieu 
 to his mother and sisters, expecting to return in a short time ; but 
 the old farm house was never to claim him as one of its inmates 
 again, and the family circle was henceforth to have one missing link 
 forever. 
 
 As his mother may be mentioned no more in the progress of this 
 sketch, we will state here that she died only about ten years ago, at 
 the advanced age of ninety. She lived to see the little seeds she 
 had sown in faith and consecrated with prayer and tears, spring up 
 and bear fruit more than a hundred fold. Her grateful son visited 
 her occasionally as time and opportunity would permit, and never 
 forgot as long as he lived to send her every year some pledge of filial 
 affection, some token of grateful remembrance. It was not long 
 that she had had the control of her boy. But in the short period of 
 a few fleeting years, like the mother of Moses, she prepared him to 
 be a leader in Israel. She laid the foundations of a character that 
 could not be shaken by all the tempests of life ; no, nor by all the 
 powers of darkness. Think of her, ye mothers, whose patience is 
 worn, whose spirits are weary, whose lives are a daily scene of toil, 
 by reason of the little crying ones that cling to your skirts ! Think 
 of her, ye fathers, that doat on your boys, and exert yourselves to 
 give them all the advantages of liberal culture, while your girls are 
 left to grow up like the wild flowers of the fields and forests ! And 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 445 
 
 ye law-makers that annually vote away thousands of the people's 
 /money to sustain and build up male schools and colleges, without 
 -ever saying one word about the education of our daughters, — think 
 what one noble, cultivated, consecrated woman is capable of duing 
 for the country, for humanity, for God ! 
 
 When John G, Landrum appeared in Union county, S. C, on 
 the visit just mentioned, he was seventeen or eighteen years old, 
 pale and slender, and from accounts, anything but prepossessing in 
 manners or appearance. 
 
 We had a conversation about a year ago with a gentleman who 
 lives in the Padgett's Creek community, in Union county, who 
 iiaid : "I remember distinctly the first time I ever saw John Lan* 
 drum. It was at a militia muster, and he was beating a drum, with 
 ■a crowd of boys around him. He was a stranger to me, and upon 
 dnquiry I was told it was young Landrum, from Tennessee. I was 
 very unfavorably impressed with his appearance and demeanor, and 
 was astonished to hear soon afterwards that he was trying to get rid 
 of impressions to preach, and that it was for that purpose mainly 
 that he had left Tennessee." 
 
 Whether what this gentleman heard had any foundation or not, 
 I am not able to say. The visit was always mentioned hy himself 
 as a visit to his relatives. In a letter already quoted from, we find 
 in his own hand this sentence : "I decided after great conflict of 
 mind and prayerful anxiety to allow the leadings of my long pent- 
 up impressions to preach the Gospel of our blessed Savior to lost 
 sinners." 
 
 Though in this statement he speaks of the conflict of mind as 
 being great, yet there is nothing in it that would imply that it was 
 so great that it drove him away from his home in Tennessee ; neither 
 has he left on record anything that would lead us to such a conclu- 
 sion. Still there are some things connected with that visit to South 
 ■Carolina which we would like to have more fully explained. It is 
 •certainly not to be wondered at that a boy seventeen years old should 
 under ordinary circumstances pay a visit to relatives in another 
 Wtate. But that a boy, devoted to his mother and to a family de- 
 pendent in a great measure upon him for a support, should undertake 
 a journey of five hundred miles on horseback, through a wild, 
 broken, and sparsely settled country, solely for the sake of visiting 
 relatives that he had never seen but once — and that when he was 
 too young to form much of an attachment to them— seems just a lit- 
 tle improbable. We naturally look for some stronger motive than a 
 desire to see distant relatives, whose faces must have almost faded 
 from his memory, to prompt such a boy to perform such a journey 
 under such circumstances. And when the report spreads abroad 
 immediately on his arrival in South Carolina, that he is, like Jonah, 
 running from a call to preach, we are more than half inclined to 
 give it credence,— because we can see no other reason for his appear- 
 ance in this State that exactly satisfies us. But if it Was true that 
 he was trying to play the role of Jonah, like his prototype he found 
 
440 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES'. 
 
 that God could follow him and could speak to him in tones just as- 1 
 imperative in South Carolina as in Tennessee ; even though he took, 
 the wings of the morning and flew to the uttermost parts of the- 
 earth, there was no escape from His presence. 
 
 Before he had been in Union many weeks, it wasdecided that he 
 should remain a year, and attend the school of John Bostick, an ed- 
 ucated Elglishman, who was teaching in the neighborhood. 
 
 Brother Landrum pronounced this man "a capital English, 
 teacher," and added, "with him I completed what was then con- 
 sidered a good English education." He lived during this year, 
 which was 1829, in the house of his uncle, Rev. Thomas Ray, who 
 Was a pious, consecrated Baptist Preacher, and who took him to his- 
 bosom with more than paternal affection. Thomas Ray was then 
 an old man, and had been a preacher from his youth. He was a 
 man of moderate preaching ability, but of fervent piety and unspotted 
 character. His heart was full to overflowing with love to God and 
 man, and being possessed of charming manners and a most genial 
 nature, literally dispensed joy and sunshine wherever he^went. He- 
 was very fond of jokes and anecdotes, and, while he studiously 
 avoided them in the pulpit, he would enliven the social circle for 
 hours at a time with the rich fund of humorous stories that he al- 
 ways had on hand. Especially was he fond of telling ancedotes up- 
 on himself, generally of his blunders and failures as a preacher. 
 Whatever circumstance or adventure that showed himself to a dis- 
 advantage or made him appear ridiculous, he would tell with great 
 zest and enjoy with huge delight. Rev. M. C. Barnett, in bis history 
 of the Broad River Association, tells the following anecdote, which 
 he says Ray used to tell on himself: 
 
 "At some place where he was a stranger, he was invited to preach, 
 and he said he made a very bungling discourse. However, when he 
 came out of the stand, some brother came to him and insisted that 
 he should visit them again. 'Ah, said brother Ray, you need'nt in- 
 sist on that, for I intend to come back. Jean beat thatpreach and J 
 intend to do it /' 
 
 'Oh,' said the brother, 'you have the best voice that I ever heard. 
 I think you might have been heard a half mile.' 'Yes,' said brother 
 Ray, T used to think it was the thunder that killed the trees, but I 
 have since learned that it is the lightening.' 
 
 The same writer adds : 'I have thought that he was the most 
 delightful companion I ever saw.' 
 
 He was a tall, portly, dignified looking man, with something of 
 the kingly air, and he inspired one at first sight with feelings of re- 
 spect and veneration. If he was not an able man in the pulpit, he 
 had the good sense to know it, and to know moreover, wherein his 
 great power lay. His blamelsss life, his love for Christ, his social 
 influence, his fireside talks, were all so many sources of power upon 
 which he drew largely and constantly. 
 
 HeAvasasound business man, and accumulated considerable 
 property, and cared very little whether his churches paid him for 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 447 
 
 [preaching or not. He traveled altogether on horseback, and never 
 mounted a horse that was not worthy of a knight. When he had 
 supplied the Bethel church, iu Spartanburg county, twenty miles 
 from home, for a year, and when at the end of the year he received 
 twelve dollars from the brethren for his year's work, be laughed and 
 said, 'well brethren, that will buy me a new saddle.' He lived to 
 be eighty-three years old and died suddenly. He was well and 
 (hearty at supper, and before midnight a corpse." 
 
 We have made this seeming digression, because we think he 
 "was the man more than all others that encouraged and strenghed 
 John G. Landrum, at a time when he neededalltheaid that human 
 sympathy and christian affection could bestow. God made Lan- 
 drum a preacher through the instrumentality of his mother and 
 Thomas Ray. I think too,as we proceed with this sketch, we shall find 
 that the latter impiessed upon him some principles and sentiments 
 4hat clung to him through life — gave some of the finishing strokes 
 to a character that stood the tests of fifty-three years and elicited 
 nothing but the warmest love and admiration. 
 
 While attending the school of John Bostick, in the year 1829, 
 Landrum was licensed to preach by the Baptist church at Padgett's 
 creek ; he was then in the 19th year of his age, was pale and thin, 
 and, to human eyes, seemed destined to an early grave. Mr. Wesley 
 Hollis, who lives near Padgett's creek, told us about a year ago that 
 he remembered Landrum's first sermon. He spoke of it as being 
 powerful and unexpected — almost like a clap of thunder from a 
 -cloudless sky, and as making the profoundest impression on the 
 •church and congregation. The effort was repeated again and again, 
 and during the year he made several visits with his Uncle Ray to 
 other churches more or less distant, and he began to be known and 
 talked about over a considerable scope of country. During all this 
 time he was applying himself assiduously to his studies in school, 
 and men predicted that his frail bodily powers would soon sink 
 wndersevere mental application, coupled with the extraordinary 
 y.eai he was accustomed to display in the pulpit. But how little do 
 anen know ! The spirit was rooting itself in a congenial soil, and 
 ere long the hues of health began to tinge the pallid cheeks, the 
 narrow chest began to expand, and men wondered again when they 
 saw the frail, slender boy, in spite of his course of life and their pre- 
 dictions, developing rapidly into a man of portly frame and robust 
 health. 
 
 The usual form of the pulpit then was only a square, deep box, 
 mounted on an elevated rostrum ; and there is a lingering tradition 
 about Woodruff that Phili p Pilgrim, an old member of the Bethel 
 ehurch, upon one occasion had to procure a block of wood for Lan- 
 drum to stand on, so that he might be able to look his congregation 
 hi the face. We mentioned this story to Bro. Landrum several years 
 ago, and asked him if there was any foundation for it. He replied, 
 4 T think not; I have no recollection of any such things having 
 
US BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES', 
 
 been done. I know that I was exceedingly thin and slender; brat 3T 
 think I was about as tall as I am now, and up to the ordinary stand- 
 ard of height." Father Ray, as he was called, on his superb horse 
 continued his monthly visits to the Bethel church for a good many 
 years. Whether the brethren there ever got to thinking it their 
 duty to do more than keep him in saddles or not, we are not able to* 
 tell. We know, however, that the descendants of those old brethren* 
 are as noble and liberal a band of christians as the country affords* 
 and we mean no disrespect to the memory of their ancestors and 
 ours when we make such a.llusions to the history of the past. The.- 
 old pastor had told his flock at Bethel that he was going to bring up 
 with him from Union a "little boy-preacher," who would astonish 
 them ; and expectation and curiosity were running high when Lan- 
 drum, in company with his uncle, made his first appearance at that 
 church. There are those living that well remember both the visit 
 and the sermon, and they give unanimous, testimony to the fact that 
 expectation, high as it was, was more than fully met. It was on the 
 return home from this church, upon one occasion, that a little inci- 
 dent occurred which showed how deep and genuine was the interest 
 felt by the old father in his young protege. As they jogged along the 
 level, sandy road leading from Woodruff to Cross Anchor, the old 
 man, usually so cheerful and jovial, was stern and silent. In vain; 
 did young Landrum attempt to draw him out, by remarks upon the 
 country through which they were passing, the weather, the resi- 
 dences on the road-side, and any number of common-place topics-. 
 If answers came at all they came in monosyllables, and in such a 
 tone as to quell the spirit of conversation. The result was, that ere 
 long they both lapsed into profound and sullen silence, and rode 
 along some distance side by side without either's uttering a word. 
 At last Landrum exclaimed, "Uncle Ray, I can't stand this any 
 longer! What have I done to-day that has displeased you?" The 
 old man then affectionately and tenderly reminded him of some lit- 
 tle things either in his sermon or in his conversation with the 
 brethren which he regarded as improprieties in one so young ; then 
 the cloud passed away from his brow, and the rest of the journey 
 homewards was beguiled with lively and pleasant conversation. 
 
 With the close of the year 1829 and John Bostick's school, Lan- 
 drum's school days were at an end. The year had been to him one 
 of severe application. He had not only applied himself faithfully 
 and diligently to his text-books, but he had read the Scriptures ex<- 
 tensively. and had eagerly devoured the contents of whatever other 
 good books had fallen in his way, besides devoting much time to 
 the preparation of sermons. He was now a correct speller, a good 
 arithmetician and grammarian, which was the extent of what was 
 considered a "good English education." It was a good foundation 
 which he widened and deepened in after years, and upon which he 
 reared the structure of life-long usefulness. After leaving school he 
 was employed by a Mr. Boyce, of Union county, to teach his chil- 
 dren, which must have been in the year 1830, but whether he still 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 449 
 
 lived in the house of his uncle or with his employer, we have not 
 been able to learn. It is stated that Mr. Boyee had two sons that 
 were wild and ungovernable, and fears were entertained that the 
 young teacher would prove unequal to the task of controlling them. 
 But the boys soon learned to love and obey him, and he performed 
 his duties as instructor to the complete satisfaction of all concerned. 
 He was still a diligent student himself, devoting most of his spare 
 moments to reading and study, and advanced more rapidly than any 
 of his pupils. 
 
 On January loth, 1831, he was ordained by the Padgett's Creek 
 church. Rev. Thomas Ray and Rev. Daniel Mangum officiating, 
 and, as he himself expressed it, "clothed with all the functions of 
 an ordained minister of the Gospel." He further adds : "When I 
 received this solemn commission I was but littie over twenty years 
 of age." The energies of the young preacher now began rapidly to 
 unfold themselves, and his character was formed — that character 
 which, through more than fifty years of change and trial, ever main- 
 tained its strict identity. 
 
 About this time Rev. Thomas Bonner, a good man and excel- 
 lent preacher, who had long been the pastor of Mount Zion and 
 Bethlehem churches, in Spartanburg county, fell dead while in the 
 act of starting to church on Sunday morning. By his death the 
 churches named were left without a pastor, and Dr. John W. Lewis, 
 an eminent physician, and at the time a member of the Legis- 
 lature from Spartanburg, was placed at the head of a committee to 
 look out for some man to take the place of the lamented Bonner. 
 By some means the committee found their way down to Bethel, 
 about twenty miles south of Mount Zion, and at the same time Lan- 
 drum accompanied his uncle to the same place about the same dis- 
 tance north of Padgett's ("reek. 
 
 Whether this meeting of the committee with Landrum at Bethel 
 was the result of previous concert or one of those things which we, 
 for the want of a better name, call accidental, we know not. We 
 only know that Lewis and his committee met Landrum at Bethel, 
 the half-way point between them, heard him preach, and invited 
 him up to take a survey of the field. He accepted their invitation, 
 and the result, was he was called to supply Mount Zion and Bethle- 
 hem churches, during the same month perhaps in which he was or- 
 dained. He accepted these calls and lived with Dr. Lewis several 
 years, we think we have been told, without charge. Dr. Lewis him- 
 self soon afterwards became a preacher. Bro. Landrum, in his 
 sketch of the Tyger River Association, pays him the following tri- 
 bute: 
 
 "Dr. John W.Lewis resigned his seat in the Legislature of South 
 Carolina in the year 1832, for the Gospel's sake. He bad for several 
 years been a member of Mount Zion church, with more or less im- 
 pressions to preach the Gospel. The great revival of religion pre- 
 vailing at that time aroused him to action. He was licensed in 1832 
 and ordained to preach the Gospel the following year. He was one 
 57 
 
450 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 of the most active in bringing about the organization of the Tyger 
 River Association, and for some years was clerk of that body. He 
 Mas an educated man, of extensive reading and influence, and was 
 an able, successful aud popular preacher. ****** He pos- 
 sessed much of the goods of this world, and was greatly prospered 
 in his efforts to accumulate ; and those who knew him best will 
 always take pleasure in according to him much benevolence and 
 liberality of spirit." 
 
 We must be allowed the privilege of saying a good deal about 
 Bro. Landrum's friends, for a" man is known by the company he 
 keeps," and his life and life-work were so interwoven with the lives 
 aud works of others, that it is impossible to separate them, "j^o 
 man liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." Though he 
 may tower far above the multitude in intellectual aud moral power, 
 yet in all the ordinary affairs that make up the sum of every 
 man's life, others must act a part— must give direction and coloring 
 to streams that mingle in the tide of his own destiny. 
 
 Bro. Landrum's life-work had now begun in earnest. He opened 
 a school at Mount Zion, into which he gathered the boys and girls 
 of the neighborhood, and it was not lorfg before his reputation as a 
 teacher had extended beyond his immediate locality, and pupils 
 came from other communities to avail themselves of the benefits of his 
 instructions. He had frequent prayer-meetings with his pupils, read 
 the Bibledailyin his school, preached to large congregations on Satur- 
 days and Sundays, and frequently during the week, and all the 
 time added to his own store of information by extensive reading, 
 and enlarged his own intellectual capacities by intense application 
 to study. Many of his pupils afterwards reached eminent positions 
 in life. Some of them who are still alive and in distant States, 
 have since his death paid graceful and becoming tributes to his 
 memory, in letters filled with sweet and grateful recollections of the 
 long atro. "The righteous shall be held in everlasting remem- 
 brance." 
 
 There were at this time comparatively but few churches in the 
 upper counties of South Carolina, and they were situated so remote 
 from one another that it was no unusual thing to find whole neigh- 
 borhoods that rarely, if ever, heard the Gospel preached. The 
 churches that did exist were in many cases extremely weak, and 
 were supplied to a great extent with preaching which, to say the 
 least of it, was" not adapted to the strengthening of the faith, nor to 
 the promulgation even of sound Baptist doctrines. Under this state 
 of things the light of the churches nickered faintly and feebly amid 
 the surrounding darkness, and the struggles of the noble few were 
 less for growth and progress than for very existence The pros- 
 pect was indeed well calculated to discourage a less ardent christian 
 than John G. Landrum. But with a firm trust in a risen Redeemer 
 he "Jaid aside every weight," and, "putting on the whole armor 
 of God," bent every energy of his soul to the great work, aud a 
 great day of grace was at hand. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 451 
 
 In August, 1831, the Saluda Association convened with the 
 Brushy Creek church, eight miles from Greenville C. H., and during 
 the meeting there began a revival of religion which, for extent and 
 duration, has hardly a parallel in the history of revivals. Several 
 eireumstauces connected with the beginning of this revival are 
 worthy of notice. One was tne death of Rev. Lewis Hector, which 
 took place a short lime before its commencement. Lewis Hector 
 was a man far ahead of the age in which he lived. It is said that 
 he had the hill-sides on his farm ditched thirty years before hill-side 
 ditching became generally known and practiced in this part of the 
 country. He was also a man of powerful iutellect and unquestioned 
 piety. He had preached to the section of country lying along the 
 Southern base of the Blue Ridge, and extending as far south as the 
 counties of Laurens, Newberry and Union, with all the powers of 
 his great mind and with all the fervor of bis warm, devoted heart, 
 ever since about the year 1800/ but to those who judged by the im- 
 mediate fruits, his preaching had seemed almost in vain. Yet the 
 good old man, strong still in the faith ,» looked ahead into the unex- 
 plored future, and just before he died, cried out as if suddenly tilled 
 the spirit of prophecy : "A great revival of religion is near at hand. 
 I have labored and prayed for it, but I shall not live to see it." As 
 Moses from the top of Pisgah looked over upon the sweet fields of 
 Canaan, so from the last mount of earthly affliction Lewis Rector 
 caught a sight of the coming harvest. 
 
 . Another circumstance connected with the beginning of this 
 revival was a strange phenomenon in nature. The rays of the sun 
 were dimmed by a dark spot on his disc, visible to the uatural eye, 
 and men who were not alarmed felt humbled as under the finger of 
 God, as they saw the pale, sombre hue that rested on the whole face 
 of creation. The ministers, too, eager to lay hold of every means 
 adapted to the awakening and humbling of sinners, made happy 
 and forcible allusions to the surrounding scene. Several preachers 
 were there from Georgia, who had recently been in a great revival 
 at home, and all thiugs being seemingly ready, the great work be- 
 gan. Landrum was there, a young man and a stranger. But he 
 was appointed to preach, and he preached with a power that aston- 
 ished his hearers, and caused the most hardened sinners to tremble. 
 The meeting closed on the fourth day, but the revival extended to 
 other parts of the country, and continued with' little or no abate- 
 ment for three years. During this time men and women rode on 
 horseback fifteen, twenty, and frequently as far as twenty-five miles, 
 to hear the Gospel preached ; the preachers went from house to 
 house, preached from stands in the woods, and often where these 
 rude accommodations were wanting, stood under the spreading oak 
 'by the roadside, and "reasoned of righteousness, temperance and 
 judgment to come." 
 
 It is difficult now to state the precise results of this revival. 
 "Within an area of twenty miles square, thirteen new churches were 
 formed, while the old ones were filled to overflowing. It is safe to 
 
 t 
 
452 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 estimate that during the whole period there were added to these 
 churches between two or three thousaud souls. . Nor was the great 
 work confined to the ignorant and excitable ; the best material in 
 the country was gathered into the folds of the church, and a new 
 era dawned in the history of the Baptists of upper Carolina. 
 
 We get several glimpses of John G. Landrum during the year 
 1831, which revealed the fact that, young as he was, he was a promi- 
 nent actor in the great scenes around him. The Broad River Asso- 
 ciation met that year with Buck Creek church, and the historian of 
 that Association, Rev. M. C. Barnett, has made the following record: 
 ' 'The name of John G. Landrum now appears for the first time 
 as a member of this Association. He was at this time quite a young 
 men, but possessing such gifts and qualifications as a minister that 
 the Association was proud of him almost to excess. He was appoint- 
 ed (perhaps imprudently) to preach on the Sabbath, in the place of 
 old and experienced ministers, which did not so well comport with 
 the Scriptural instruction in reference to the younger being subject 
 to the elder. However, he did not, as I have been told, disappoint 
 the anxious anticipations of his brethren. He always possesses the 
 power of making great efforts. Some men fail when there is the 
 greatest anxiety for their best performance. This is said by Alex- 
 ander Campbell to have been a weakness of Andrew Broaddus, of 
 Virginia, that most distinguished ministers of the gospel. Lan- 
 drum never disappointed the expectations of his friends on extraor- 
 dinary occasions. I heard . him preach at an Association, not 
 fourteen years ago, on the holiness of God: His thoughts were 
 sublime, and when he supported his position by a quotation from 
 Isaiah'svision. "Holy, holy,, holy, is the Lord of host; the whole earth 
 is full of His glory," his voice echoed over the hills as musical as the 
 sound of a dulcimer sweet ; while it fell upon the ears of listening 
 thousands in most overpowering eloquence, making it another one 
 of his efforts that met the anticipations of his brethren. He has 
 now been in the ministry between forty and fifty years. Of course 
 his sermons are m-ore profound, doctrinal and methodical than they 
 were in his younger days, but whether they are more interesting to 
 the common listener or not is doubtful." 
 
 The above paragraph was written in 1871, just forty years from 
 that Association at Buck Creek. It further added : "Dr. John "W. 
 Lewis was a co-delegate with Landrum at this meeting." We who 
 often listened to Landrum's full sounding voice and felt the power 
 of the stately movements of his sermons before large audiences, 
 knew just how he said "holy, holy," &c, at Buck Creek, fifty years 
 ago. And though scholars and theologians may smile atthe thought, 
 yet the remembrance of those tones awaken strange and strong 
 echoes in our hearts even at this distant day. There is a power in 
 simple words which dry scholarship can never wield, and which 
 mere intellect can never attain. David Garrick said he would give 
 a thousand pounds to be able to say "Oh !" like Whitetield said it ; 
 and the Elder Booth turned the hilarity of a gay dinnerparty into 
 weeping by a repetition of the simple words of the Lord's prayer. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 458 
 
 p 
 In the same year (1831) Landruni and others began to preach in 
 
 the town of Spartanburg. Spartanburg now numbers nearly five 
 thousand inhabitants and boasts its complement of churches, schools 
 ■and colleges ; but it is believed that at that time out of a population 
 of probably a thousand or fifteen hundred there was but one professor 
 ■of religion. There certainly was but one Baptist, and chat one a 
 lady of upwards of seventy years of age. But the influence of the 
 revival started at Brushy Creek soon began to be felt, not definitely 
 •at. first, but vaguely and mysteriously. The manifestations were 
 allied to those of presentiment— that unaccountable feeling which 
 sometimes weighs heavily upon the heart, and which men say her- 
 alds the approach of mighty events. Au observer would have been 
 struck at first with the air of restlessness worn by those he met ; he 
 would have seen then that restlessness settle into a deep, thoughtful 
 solemnity which pervaded the entire community, and he would 
 have sought in vain for the cause in any outward circumstance or 
 ■condition. It w r as the troubling of the waters of the pool of Bethesda 
 by the angel of God. When Landruni first began to visit the town, 
 he preached from the judge's stand in the court house ; afterwards 
 he stood under the branches of a great oak near by, and preached to 
 large congregations so uncomfortably situated that nothing but the 
 intense interest of the occasions could have held them together. So 
 thrilling were the scenes that transpired here, that the spot became 
 enshrined into the hearts of the people, and some were known to 
 shed tears when they visited it, many years after the scenes by which 
 it was hallowed had passed away. 
 
 Samuel Gibson and Thomas Bay, of the Baptist, and Michael 
 Dickson, of the Presbyterian, and Charles Smith, of the Methodist 
 church, all took a part in the meetings under the oak, and their 
 labors laid the foundations of the present Baptist, Methodist and 
 Presbyterian churches in Spartanburg. But to Landruni more than 
 to any one else does the Spartanburg Bajitist church owe its origin. 
 Several of the citizens were baptized during the meetings mentioned ; 
 then several of the members of the Mount Zion church, seven milts 
 distant, were persuaded to unite with them ; and with this little 
 band, which seemed like a forlorn hope sent out iuto a land of dan- 
 ger, a church was organized and put in working order. For years 
 the struggle was a hard one. Satan's emissaries were busy at work 
 in every part of the town, and wealth, position and influence gave 
 them countenance and encouragement. Still the little church held 
 together, and still Landruni met with it once a month and preached 
 as only Landruni could preach. Actuated, as he was at this time, 
 by every motive that could animate a christian's heart, his spirit 
 rose with the buoyancy of 3-outh and hope over the surrounding dif- 
 ficulties, and he boldly assailed the very doors of Satan's strongest 
 holds. Then the little stone cut outof the mountains withouthands 
 began to roll. Some who had been loud in denunciations, and who 
 had indulged in many a coarse jest at the expense of the preacher 
 and his little flock, and mauj' others who had stood aloof in mere 
 
454 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 indifference, now came forward and listened attentively to the words? 
 of life ; others still, who came out of cariosity to hear the preacher's- 
 eloquence, found themselves forgetting alike the preacher and his 
 eloquence, in the all-absorbing theme of salvation. Additions were 
 made to the church from time to time, and ere long these additions 
 included persons from the highest circles of society, among whom, 
 were numbered men eminent in the professions of medicine, law 
 and literature. Then it was determined to build a house of worship, 
 and the present beautiful church edifice arose at a cost of about ten 
 thousand dollars, every dollar of which was paid, it may be said, by 
 the time the last sound of the hammer had died away on the moun- 
 tain air. 
 
 In the meantime Spartanburg had grown to a town of consider- 
 able proportions, and other denominations had entered the field in 
 force. Wofford College was established within its limits, with an 
 able faculty, under the auspices of the Methodist denomination, and 
 Landrum saw that the surrounding circumstances called for increased 
 vigilance and renewed efforts. He was again equal to the occasion, 
 and maintained the soundness and purity of the Baptist faith with 
 the same earnestness and convincing power with which he had at 
 first stirred the depths of wickedness and shaken the foundations 
 of unbelief. He was now in the prime and vigor of manhood, and 
 his mind had reached the full maturity of its powers. The fail body 
 which had been thought destined to an early grave, as if it had been 
 thrilled by the glowing fires of the mind or animated by the boundr 
 iug impulses of the heart, had expanded into noble proportions, and 
 was capable of sustaining almost any amount of mental or physical 
 toil. And rarely were powers of endurance subjected to severer 
 trial, for the demand for services were such as would have completely 
 overwhelmed any man of ordinary capacity and endurance. He 
 could give but one Saturday and Sunday in each month to the Spar- 
 tanburg church, with an occasional night or evening as opportunity 
 might suggest. The remaining Sundays in the month were given 
 to as many churches, scattered over a wide extent of territory ; and 
 hVre and there was one that had its meeting on Tuesday or Wed- 
 nesday, or on whatever day might suit the convenience of the 
 preacher. In passing to and from these regular charges, there was 
 generally a series of appointments to fill on the road ; and indeed, 
 whenever it was known that Landrum was to be at any place at 
 any time, there was almost sure to be a crowd there before him, 
 waiting in eager expectation for his appearance. "When he entered 
 the door of a church, such of the crowd as had not preceded him 
 pressed immediately after him, and by the time he rose in the pulpit 
 everything was as still as the grave. 
 
 To those who knew him only during the later years of his life, 
 when good preachers and forcible preaching had btcome in a meas- 
 ure common, and when people had come to regard both with the 
 indifference usually generated by familiarity, some of these pictures 
 may seem too highly colored. But as the writer we cherish many 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 453 
 
 < 
 
 vivid recollections, brought d<Avn from early boyhood of illustrations 
 •of the facts just mentioned. Bro. Landrum preached to the Spar- 
 tanburg church thirty-four years in succession. When he resigned 
 in 1865, the ladies of the town presented him a handsome gold watch 
 and chain as a slight token of ^heir appreciation of his long and 
 faithful services. 
 
 He married in 1836 to Miss Elizabeth Montgomery, who was in 
 every way worthy of him, and with whom he lived as happily as 
 man can live on this earth, until she was removed from him by 
 death in 1857, leaving him six children for whom he was henceforth 
 to act the parts of both father and mother. About the time of his 
 marriage he purchased a farm near Mount Zion, on which he lived 
 comfortably and independently. Indeed through life he was a fine 
 business man. Though he seemed not to pay much attention to 
 worldly affairs, yet he held his business well in hand, and under his 
 management it steadily prospered, and his worldly substance gene- 
 rally increased. 
 
 When this sketch was begun, it was intended to make it com- 
 prehensive enough to embrace a tolerably full account of the labors 
 of his life ; of his fifty-one years at New Prospect ; his fifty -two 
 years at Mount Zion and Bethlehem, and his forty years' copnection 
 with the Tyger River Association. It was intended also to make a 
 hasty review of Baptist progress in the upper part of our State during 
 the last half century, and to notice many of the public enterprises 
 with which as a citizen Landrum was identified, and upon which 
 he left the impress of his mind and character; to present a picture 
 of his domestic life ; to record many of his fire-side talks ; to present 
 .some of his skeleton sermons, and to follow him as faithfully as time 
 and circumstances would permit through all the changing scenes of 
 his active and glorious life. And ample materials have been collected 
 from which to construct the story. But it is found that that story 
 would extend far beyond the limits which The Baptist Courier could 
 be expected to grant, and would still be in an evanescent form. The 
 materials are worthy of being incorporated into a volume, and the 
 writer of this, after consulting with many brethren in whose judg- 
 ment he has confidence, has determined that such a volume shall be 
 written. He will therefore pass over a period of fifty years, crowded 
 with religious and patriotic enterprises, with which Landrum was 
 more or less indentified, and in which his influence was felt and 
 acknowledged. 
 
 During this period, the Tyger River Association which he help- 
 ed to organize, and of which for along time- he was the moving 
 spirit, was formed, assumed proportions bordering on the gigantic, 
 and at last something like a miniature Roman Empire was dismem- 
 bered principally by its own weight ; the Furman University, of 
 which he was a Trustee, w r as located at Greenville, and reached a 
 high degree of prosperity ; the Limestone Springs Female High 
 School, of which he was also a Trustee, and the Johnson Female 
 University arose and flourished until they were swept away by the 
 
456 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 tide of war; the Theological Seminary, of which he was a strong: 
 supporter, came to Greenville on its noble mission, quickened Bap- 
 tist life, and gave new direction to Baptist energies in our State, and 
 then removed beyond our borders ; the Secession Convention, of 
 which he was a member, met in St. Andrews' Hall, and was opened 
 by him in earnest, solemn prayer ; the Spartanburg and Asheville 
 Kailroad was projected and built, and in consideration of his ser- 
 vices the Directors stamped his name upon the enterprise in charac- 
 ters more lasting than the iron bars that link the summit of the- 
 Blue Ridge to the Southern coast ; and at last the child of his old 
 age, the Cooper Limestone Institute, arose Phcenix-like from the 
 ashes of war and destruction, baptized in his affections and conse- 
 crated by his prayers. These are some of the monuments to his in- 
 dustry, his benevolence and his public spirit. 
 
 It may be beneficial to some, and interesting to many, to notice 
 more particularly some of the leading traits ot that cbaracter which 
 has stamped itself upon so many of the public enterprises of the day, 
 and enshrined itself in the affections of our entire people. These 
 traits are soon enumerated. They were promptitude, earnestness, 
 originality, honesty, fixedness of purpose — all coupled with christian 
 faith, fortitude and meekness. His manner of treating a subject in 
 the pulpit was somewhat similar to that of Dr. Chalmers. He had 
 but few points in a discourse, but these were strong ones, around 
 which his mind seemed to move as if on hinges. No man ever un- 
 derstood better how to repeat an idea in ever-varying forms of ex- 
 pression> each one of which advanced in regular climax towards the 
 point of culmination, until it had been completely driven home to 
 tbe hearts and understandings of his hearers. These repetitions- 
 were sometimes made with remarkable effect. The writer remem- 
 bers when a little boy to have heard him preach a sermon from the 
 text, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth ; 
 yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their 
 works do follow them." He gradually rose in power as he advanced 
 with his subject, and carried in his congregation with him. Having 
 asserted tbe proposition that the works of the pious dead follow 
 them here on earth as well as up to Heaven, he began to detail as 
 illustrations some of tbe scenes of the great revival of lS32-'33, of 
 which he himself had been a witness, and in which he had been a 
 prominent actor. He told of one convert after another coming to 
 the church and beginning to relate his experience by saying he was 
 first awakened years ago by a sermon preached by Lewis Rector. 
 And then another would come, saying : "I, too, was awakened by 
 Lewis Rector," and still another, saying it was Lewis Rector, and 
 when the meeting closed to be resumed at some other church, it was 
 the same story— Lewis Rector ! Lewis Rector! "and, I," exclaimed 
 the preacher, "Well, surely Lewis Rector's works are following 
 him." It is impossible to give on paper any idea of the effects pro- 
 duced in that case by the continued repetition of the name of Lewis 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 437 
 
 Rector in such connections. It will be remembered that Lewis 
 Rector had preached all his life without seeing many taugible 
 results. 
 
 Bro. Landrum never disappointed his congregations if it was in 
 his power to meet them. The last sermon he preached at Mount 
 Zion was on last Xew Year's day. The ground was covered with 
 snow to the depth of rive or six inches, while a chilling northwind 
 was shaking the ice from the trees, and driving the snow through 
 the air ; yet seventy -two years old, as he was, he drove seven miles 
 that morning to meet his appointment. On his way he overtook an 
 orphan boy on foot, making his way to church. He took him into 
 his buggy and said, "Will, I'll have one to hear me preach, if no 
 more." But his congregation that day was respectable in numbers, 
 for they knew he would be there. He was not only punctual to his 
 appointments abroad, but equally so to his appointments at home. 
 The family knew the day and the hour of his return, and, if not 
 kept away by providential hindrances, he was sure to be there. So 
 there is something approaching to truth in the assertion, paradoxi- 
 cal as it may seem, that he was more at home and more away from 
 home than any other man. Some minister who has given his heart 
 and soul to the work may feel inclined to sneer at so humble a trait 
 of character, but his wife, who has often watched anxiously for his 
 return, and felt her heart sinK within her as the hours passed and 
 still his coming was delayed, will honor it as one that belongs to the 
 truly great. 
 
 His manner of delivery was peculiarly his own. Some of his 
 gestures would appear awkward when judged by the set rules of 
 gesticulation, and many of his figures as well as his modulation and 
 emphasis might fail to meet the abstract requirements of school 
 books, but from the moment he began, the interest of his hearers in 
 the subject presented, increased ; and as he proceeded, and the eye 
 kindled from the glowing fires within, they forgot to apply rules, 
 and every tone and every movement of his body seemed in perfect 
 keeping with grand and mighty thoughts struggling for utterance. 
 
 During the whole period of his ministry he baptized over five 
 thousand persons, and at the time of his death he was preaching 
 regularly to about twelve hundred church members, and yet he was 
 never a revivalist, in the accepted sense of the term. His preaching- 
 was of a character to make a man think and act, rather than merely 
 feel, and though sometimes large audiences were melted under his 
 genuine pathos, it was when the depths of the understanding had 
 been reached, and the walls behind which sin had intrenched itself 
 had been shaken to their foundations. The way in which he then 
 frequently discussed the high principles of duty, interest, and obli- 
 gation, was truly sublime. 
 
 It is believed that during his life he never failed to attend the 
 
 annual meeting of the Association to which his churches at the time 
 
 belonged. It is certain that he never missed but one meeting of the 
 
 Tyger River Association, which was in existence forty years, and 
 
 58 
 
API 
 
 458 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 then be was standing bj tbe bedside of his dying wife. The last 
 Association be attended was tbe Broad River, at Corinth church, 
 last fall. At tbe close of tbe morning session on Saturday, he, with 
 some other brethren, was going to leave, and he spoke to tbe Asso- 
 ciation some words of encouragement and fatherly advice. It is said 
 that he seemed to be unusually affected, and that the brethren gem 
 erally felt that they weie listening to him for the last time. Rev. 
 W. L. Brown, of Gaffney City, made notes of his talk, as follows: 
 
 In speaking to the ministers present with reference to training 
 their churches to give to Christ's cause, he said : "My dear brethren, 
 train your churches to give to all of our objects of benevolence ; and 
 as they learn to give they mil love to give, and giving will become a 
 positive pleasure." 
 
 In speaking of the short crops, the result of the very dry year, he 
 said.- "You must give a part of what you make this year to the 
 Lord. When you sell your corn and cotton this fall, though you 
 may have but little left after meeting your liabilities, you must give 
 a part of that little to God. You must not be in debt to God. You 
 can't afford to forget God in your contributions. Give freely and 
 trust Him to give back to you Take Gcd into partnership with 
 you and see if you do not get along better. If God has given you a 
 short crop this year, if you will take him into partnership with you, 
 may be He will give you a larger one next year." 
 
 In speaking of education he said: "An educated man is more 
 useful, can do more good than one who is not educated. Send your 
 sons to Bro. Manly (Furman University) and Lro. Patrick. Y T ou 
 can't do better than that. Send your daughters to Bro. Sams and 
 Bro. Griffith. They have charge of the Cooper Limestone Institute] 
 We want to see old Limestone prosper as in the days of the past, 
 and we believe that we shall see it. We know all these brethren 
 that I have mentioned to be noble, good men." Then to all present 
 be said : "Go to work, my brethren. Work in your churches ; work 
 in your Sunday-schools ; train up the young to love the Savior. I 
 am glad to see so many young persons growing up to takethe places 
 of those of us who are growing old. I am proud of the young- 
 preachers. I want them to do better work than the old ones have 
 done. I pray that you may be more useful and train your churches 
 tetter, and have better Sunday-schools than any of us have ever 
 had. I am an old man now. Perhaps I shall never meet with this 
 Association again, and I bid you all an affectionate farewell." 
 
 Tbe last sermon John G. Landrum ever preached was at Wolfe's. 
 Creek church, on the 2nd Sunday in January, 1SS2, from the text : 
 "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men." 
 He p-eached to a crowded house, and it was generally remarked that 
 he displayed unusual earnestness and emotion. He spoke of his 
 friends and brethren who had gone to their reward, whom he said 
 he should soon join ; of his deceased wives, the mothers of his chil- 
 dren, whom he would meet in Heaven, and made an earnest and 
 affectionate appeal to the unconverted, assuring them of the deep 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 459 
 
 interest he felt in their welfare, and his heart-felt desire that they 
 should be saved 
 
 On the next Tuesday night he made his last public prayer. Kev_ 
 Milner Jones, of the Episcopal Church, engaged in missionary work 
 in the mountains, failed to reach Landrum Station on Tuesday 
 morning in time for the train, and was compelled to remain over 
 until the next day. He made an appointment to preach at the 
 Academy that night. Bro. Landrum invited him to his house and 
 accompanied him to the Academy. After preaching, Bro. Landrum 
 closed with prayer. Several who heard it remarked that it was one 
 of the most feeling and fervent petitions they had ever heard. Rev. 
 Milner Jones writes : "Bev. John G. Landrum closed the exercises 
 with a prayer of unusual eloquence and power, and even how much 
 more would we have appreciated it, had we known that this was 
 his last public ministration— that the life which then pleaded so 
 earnestly at the throne of grace would soon be cold and dumb in 
 death. As it is, I shall always be thankful to our God and Savior 
 Jesus Christ, that the last public benediction of this veteran of the 
 cross, fell on me, and I pray God to grant me grace to be, as Lan- 
 drum was, faithful even unto death." 
 
 On Thursday following this meeting, Bro. Landrum complained 
 of heartburn. His son, Furmau gave him a little soda, which seem- 
 ed to relieve him. On Friday night he ate a hearty supper and was 
 taken-very sick during the night. His son, Dr. J. B. O. Landrum, 
 was sent for, who came and found him suffering from extreme nau- 
 sea, with constant disposition to vomit. Aside from this he com- 
 plained of a severe pain in the chest, such as he said he had never 
 felt before. Dr. Landrum promptly administerd an emetic, and he 
 obtained partial relief. On the next day Lr. Landrum called in Dr. 
 Geo. R. Dean, and when he arrived it was thought that he was bet- 
 ter, and from that day till his death -he seemed to be improving. 
 Dr. Landrum with his family visited him again on Sunday, and 
 found him still seemingly better, but complaining of a lurking pain 
 in tbe region of his heart. He was disposed to talk a good deal 
 about death, and said so far as his preparation was concerned he 
 had made up his mind long ago that he was as ready as he ever 
 would be. ''But, oh !" he exclaimed, "there is so much Work forme 
 to do !" He added : "But when I do die I shall not plead my own 
 works, but the merits of a crucified Savior, and I shall die an hum- 
 ble penitent at his feet." Dr. Landrum thought it not best to en- 
 courage him to talk about death, so the subject was changed, and 
 the rest of the day was spent in cheerful conversation. Dr. Lan- 
 drum visited him again on Monday and found him sitting up and 
 apparently doing w.ell. He himself thought that he would be able 
 to meet his appointment to preach on the next Sunday. 
 
 On Thursday, 19th of January, he directed his son Furman to go 
 down to Spartanburg and attend to some business that was weigh- 
 ing upon his mind, and added : "Be sure to come back to-day, Fur- 
 man, for I may not live more than a day or two. However, I hope 
 t 
 
460 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the Lord will spare my life at least one year longer." The day was 
 bright and pleasant — about the only pretty day in the mouth of 
 January. He walked out towards noou to a place some three hun- 
 dred yards from his dwelling, where he had some hands engaged in 
 cutting wood. The wood-cutters say that he came up to them, stop- 
 ped, looked up at the sky, and turned and walked off without saying 
 one word. On his return to the house it was remarked by those who 
 saw him that beseemed to be very much exhausted. He went into 
 the house and said to his daughter-in-law (Mrs. Furman Landrum,) 
 '•Fannie, it is past twelve o'clock ." Mrs. Landrum replied : "Yes, 
 Pa, do you want your dinner?" He answered, "yes; I'm hungry." 
 Mrs. Landrum left the room to hasten the preparation of dinner, 
 while be walked towards the back piazza, remarking in her hearing 
 as he went, "This is a sweet, beautiful day." These were his last 
 words. In a few moments Mrs Landrum heard the sound as of a 
 heavy fall, followed by a long, deep groan, and running to the back 
 piazza she found him lying motionless on the floor. She attempted 
 to revive him, but life had departed. She called, but the trumpet- 
 toned voice of John Gill Landrum was hushed forever! Fifty-two 
 ,> ears a preacher of righteousness ! Seventy-two years in the battle 
 of life, and never found wanting ! Such is the record. 
 
 "Servant of God, well clone! 
 
 Rest from thy hard employ. 
 The battle fought the victory won, 
 
 Enter thy Master's joy." 
 
 Lankford, Elder Wm. was a delegate to the session of 
 1850 and 1851, of the Broad River Association, from Friend- 
 ship church ; and was pastor of Sulphur Springs and Bethesda 
 churches. Since that period of time, we are not advised as to 
 his operations. Xor do we know the 'date of his birth, con- 
 version or ordination to the work ot the gospel ministry. 
 We opine that he has removed into the bounds of some other 
 Association; but, having once been a Broad River minister, 
 we therefore, make this mere mention of him. We know 
 that he was a good preacher. 
 
 Lemmoks, Elder Isaac appears in the Broad River As- 
 sociation in 1815 as a delegate from the Head of Enoree 
 church. He afterwards became a member of Washington 
 church in Greenville county, S. C, and in 1820-'21-'22-'23 
 _"24-'25-'26 and '27, he represented the church in the As- 
 sociation, and labored faithfully for the promotion of the 
 best interests of all the churches. His stvle or manner of 
 
 if 
 
 preaching, was said to be, ot an allegorical character. With 
 him it did not matter what the literal reading of the text or pass- 
 age might be, it had a spiritttalsigtvjieancij, that must be evolved 
 or brought out, to the attention of his hearers, and his whole 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 461 
 
 time was generally taken up (and sometimes a good deal of 
 it) in unfolding the spiritual mysteries embodied in the text 
 •of his choice. This, however, was one of his peculiarities. 
 He was an uneducated man, but spoke with considerable flu- 
 •ency, and great "power and demonstration of the spirit." 
 He was a devotedly pious and useful minister, in his daj- and 
 time. The Washington church to which be belonged be- 
 -came a constituent member of the Tyger River Association, 
 when organized in 1833, and Elder Lemmons (if still living) 
 probably became a member of the new organization. We 
 .are not apprized of the period of his birth or death, or nativ- 
 ity. We doubt not, however, that he has long since gone 
 to receive the reward of the finally faithful, and is now real- 
 izing for himself the joys and happiness, he was only capable 
 of illustrating while here in allegory. 
 
 Lewis, Elder James was born about the year 1780, in 
 Lincoln (now Gaston) county, 1ST. C, on the waters of Crow- 
 der's Creek. When quite a }'Oung man, and prior to his 
 marriage, he went to the State of Virginia on business, and 
 while there was fortunate in being placed under good influ- 
 ence, and thereby converted to God and His truth. He 
 < conferred not with flesh and blood," but immediately 
 joined a Baptist church in that State, and was baptized. 
 After sojourning there for a time, he returned to his native 
 State and county, about the close of the year 1807: and at- 
 tended the school of a Mr. Collins, until he acquired a com- 
 mon English education, with a smattering of the Latin 
 language. He then commenced teaching, he become im- 
 
 C7 CD O ? 
 
 pressed weightily with the propriety and duty of attempting 
 to speak to the people publicly in reference to the salvation of 
 their souls. Pie was licensed by a church near the South 
 Carolina line, where Elder John Rooker, of the Bethel Asso- 
 ciation was pastor, known by the name of Mill Creek, and 
 after exercising his gift for some time, was ordained to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry, the precise date of which at 
 this time we are unable to state. 
 
 He married Miss Anuie Witherspoon, in Lincoln coun- 
 ty, 1ST. C, on the 27th January, 1812, daughter of James 
 Witherspoon, an Irish Covenanter, whose wife was a Pres- 
 byterian lady. 
 
 Elder Lewis, after his marriage, was employed by a 
 Baptist Mission Board, for some time, to teach the Catawba 
 Indians, and located himself while engaged in the mission, 
 in Lancaster county, S. C, near the Catawba river, where 
 some of his first children were born, amongst which was 
 
452 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 John G. Lewis, Esq., of Dallas, N. C, formerly the expert 
 Clerk of the Superior Court of Gaston county. 
 
 Sometime near 1820, he removed from his mission sta- 
 tion to his former home, in Gaston county, near the State- 
 Line, and became a member of and the pastor of Long Creek 
 church, where he remained until the time of his' death, which 
 occurred on the 4th day of June, 1884, from the effects of 
 Typhoid fever. He had labored also with Thessalonica and 
 Hebron churches for several years, and generally was prompt 
 in attending the different sessions of the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation while he was a member of that body. 
 
 He was about five feet eight or ten inches in height, of 
 round heavy build, large chest, dark hair, and hazel or brown 
 eyes, of pleasant and affable manners, and fluent speech. 
 
 Lewis, Elder John W. appeared in the Broad River 
 Association in 1830, at the session held that year at Cedar 
 Springs church. He w T as a member of the Mount Zion 
 church, in Spartanburg county, S. C, and represented said 
 church with Elder John G. Landrum in the subsequent 
 sessions of the Association at Buck Creek in 1831. At 
 Sandy Run in 1832, when he was elected clerk of the body ? 
 and at Long Creek in 1833, when he was re-elected, clerk. 
 At this latter session the Mount Zion with the other churches- 
 were dismissed from Broad River for the purpose of forming 
 a new body (Tyger River,) and Elder Lewis was thereby 
 taken from the Broad River body. To enable the readers 
 of this work to know more about Dr. Lewis, we copy the 
 following from Cathcart's Baptist Encyclopedia : 
 
 "Rev. John W. Lewis, one of the most distinguished Baptist 
 ministers of North Georgia, was born near Spartaburg, S. C., Feb. 
 1st, 1801. Educated at a classical academy near Spartanburg, he 
 a udied and practiced medicine at Greenville, S. C, becoming a 
 skillful and popular physician. He united with the Baptist church 
 of that town. Duringthe years 1830 and 1851 he was a member of the 
 South Carolina Legislature. About this time he began to preach, 
 and was ordained in 1832. He removed to Canton, Ga., in 1839 or 
 184), becoming pastor of that and other churches in Cherokee, Ga. r 
 and accpviiring a great influence. He was a preacher of much force 
 and energy; a strong and bold defender of tae faith; an able expoun- 
 der of the Word, and an eloquent advocate of the truth, A man of 
 line practical sense, he had a strong mind, and was a deep, original 
 thinker. He had a benevolent heart, and was steadfast in his friend- 
 ships. He had extraordinary forecast, and managed business mat- 
 ters with great ability aud success. In 1857 he was appointed super- 
 intendent of the State Road by Gov. Brown, and his management 
 
 was eminently successful. During the war he served in the Con- 
 gress of the Confederate States, as Senator, with great ability, and 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 463 
 
 jprevious ro the war he served in the State Senate, and was instru- 
 mental in the establishment of the Supreme Court of Georgia. His 
 -character stood extraordinarily high in Georgia. A man of firm 
 faith, deep piety and unabated zeal, he won many souls to Jesus. 
 After a life of great usefulness he died in Cherokee county in June, 
 1865." t 
 
 We can bear testimony to his zealous manner of preaching 
 the Gospel, having witnessed for ourself his pathetic appeals to the 
 hearts and consciences of men to be reconciled to God on several 
 occasions. In his preaching effort* he manifested not only great 
 ability but intense earnestness both in his words and manner. 
 
 Dr. Lewis was a heavy built, robust looking man, large chest, 
 inclining -a little to corpulency, of the ordinary height, with blue 
 eyes and light hair, rounded visage and stentorian voice. 
 
 At the session of 1S31 Dr. Lewis was appointed to write a Circu* 
 lar Letter on the proper method for a church to pursue, in cqlling 
 •of a pastor, which is reproduced in this work as follows : 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER, 
 
 Dear Brethren : — Pursuant to a resolution of our last Association, 
 we address you the present year <l oii the proper method for a church 
 to pursue in calling of a pastor or supply, and the duties incumbent 
 on them to each other. 
 
 In doing this we are aware that we are treating upon a subject 
 of vital importance, of considerable difficulty, and one in which much 
 of the peace and prosperity of Christ's Church upon earth is involv- 
 ed. Deeply impressed with this view, it shall be our aim to exhibit 
 the subject in plainness and simplicity, and with a view to the ben- 
 efitting, both of pastors and churches. It will not be expected that, 
 in treating of the relative duties of churches and pastors, we can 
 speak of the individual and often peculiar cases which exist in this 
 relationship, but only give our opinion as to a general course, leav- 
 ing the application to the prudence and discretion of the churches. 
 
 And first, as to "the proper method for a church to pursue, in 
 calling of a pastor or supply." This call must either be made upon 
 a member of the church that makes die call, or upon a member of 
 a sister church. We conceive that a preference should be made in 
 calling a pastor whose membership is in the church making the 
 call, unless there should exist some prominent reason to the contrary. 
 This should be more especially the case, provided the minister whose 
 membership is with them has been advanced to the station he occu- 
 pies, by and with the consent of the church of which he then is a 
 member.- But it is not unfrequeutly the case that there are minis- 
 ters of the Gospel whose membership is in a church who are desir- 
 ous of obtaining the pastoral care of some other minister. In this 
 case, if the church should conscientiously, and upon deliberate 
 consultation, believe that the gift of the minister whose membership 
 is with them is unprofitable, then if the advancement of said minis- 
 ter has been the act of another church, the church should then feel 
 itself entirely at liberty to call a pastor or supply from elsewhere. It 
 
464 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES". 
 
 is true that churches, at many times, are at a loss with regard to the? 
 propriety of pursuing this course, for the fear of wounding the feel- 
 ings of the brother whose membership is with them. But it should 
 be remembered that each of our churches has a government, free 
 and independent of any other churches, and if a church should be 
 desirous and think it their duty to obtain a pastoral supply out of 
 their immediate church, then, although they may have a minister 
 whose name is enrolled on their church book, yet his reception as a 
 member was not his reception as a minister or pastor, and conse, 
 quently a church would be no more bound to call him than another- 
 But if there should be a minister in the church whose moral conduct 
 is blameless, and who has been put forth by and with the consent of,, 
 and as an act of the church itself, where his membership is, then 
 the church would certainly be bound, for the sake of consistency at 
 least, to make the call on the minister whose membership is with 
 them ; the contrary would be both cruel and inconsistent. To illus- 
 trate this subject more fully, we will suppose that a minister of the 
 Gospel who has been regularly ordained, removes from Virginia to 
 South Carolina, and becomes, by a regularly certified letter of dis- 
 mission, a member of one of the churches of that State ; as soon 
 as he is received as a member, he produces before the church sat- 
 isfactory evidence of his being a regularly ordained minister of the 
 Gospel; the church, as a matter of course, invites his public min- 
 istry, and he continues perhaps his public exercises for a conside- 
 rable length of time, until the pastor in charge is removed by death 
 or otherwise. Would a church in th;s case be bound to call for the 
 pastorship of this minister? Certainly not; because they may think 
 his gift unprofitable in reference to pastorship, and although the 
 church in Virginia, from whence he came, may have thought dif- 
 ferently; yet upon the principle of independence of judgment 
 among churches, each church has, and of right ought to have, the 
 liberty of judging for itself. , 
 
 Another difficulty in which churches are not unfrequently situ- 
 ated, is that of their having a pastor who has long labored with them 
 without producing any, or at least but little visible good effect, and 
 with whom the members, together with the attending congregation 
 have, to a great extent, become indifferent. The question arises, 
 what course should a church pursue under such a state of things ? 
 The most easy, and doubtless the best answer that can possibly be 
 given, is for the church to act faithfully. At the termination of the 
 time that may have been covenanted for his pastoral labors, the 
 question will arise, both with the pastor and the church, whether 
 their then pastor shall continue his labors; this with the pastor him- 
 self is often a matter of anxious and prayerful anxiety, and one which 
 should be submitted to the wish and discretion of the church. When 
 thus left to the option of the church, it is plain that if thev should 
 be conscientious in the belief, that it would be more for the advance- 
 ment of the cause of religion to call for a pastoral supply elsewhere, 
 they have the right and are in duty bound to do it ; and although 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 465 
 
 the church may have fears of injuring the feeling of the minister 
 who had hitherto had the charge of the church, yet it is evident that 
 he should submit to the will of the church cheerfully, as it is said to 
 be in possession of the "mind of Christ/" but that in addition to this 
 consideration it would be better for the feelings of one individual to 
 suffer than for a church and community to be unprofited. It is not 
 unfrequently the case that a church is divided on this subject, aud 
 the question arises, shall a majority govern, or shall the church re- 
 quire unanimity ? We would give it as our opinion that the major- 
 ity should govern, but certainly each church will judge for itself in 
 this particular. But we would suppose that as unanimity could 
 scarcely ever be expected, if churches were to wait for it, the proba- 
 bility is that very few churches would have a pastoral supply. With 
 regard to the manner of proceeding, when a church shall have de- 
 termined upon calling any T certain person : this may vary somewhat 
 from peculiar circumstances, but generally the wishes of the church 
 should be stated in writing (officially signed by the church clerk) and 
 communicated by a committee appointed for the purjDOse— first to 
 the minister, and if his consent is gained, then to the church where 
 his membership may be. This should be done not only as a matter 
 of courtesy, but also for the purpose of preventing any subsequent 
 difficulties which might have arisen from charges of immoral or dis- 
 orderly conduct on the part of the minister called. 
 
 It may not be amiss to say something of the right that a church 
 has of calling upon any minister of the Gospel to labor for their re- 
 ligious benefit and advancement. This certainly cannot be consid- 
 ered a natural right, but one which emanates from the command 
 given to all Gospel ministers "to feed the flock of Christ:" It may 
 be defined a relative right — one which, to a considerable extent, de- 
 pends for its existence (in reference to man) upon the fact of its in- 
 volving or creating a reciprocal right, to which we shall presently 
 call your attention. We conceive that none but God Himself has 
 the right of calling a man to the ministry of the Gospel, and if this 
 be the fact, it will at once be seen that all the right (strictly speak- 
 ing) that any church has of calling for the labors of a minister of the 
 Gospel, may be defined a social right, arising from the connexion 
 of members of the body of Christ. On this particular subject we 
 refer you to the 9th chapter of Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. 
 The relationship between a church and pastor will be found to resem- 
 ble that which exists between the members of a natural body — all 
 depending and being dependent on each other, both for the comple- 
 tion of a system which embraces beauty, symmetry, strength, and 
 harmony of action. 
 
 We now call your attention to the reciprocal duties of churches 
 and pastors. And first of the pastoral duties : and these we conceive 
 to be more extensive and important than is generally conceived. 
 With many it seems that a mere attending at the meeting house at 
 stated times, preaching twice per month, and administering the 
 ordinances, comprises, as they think, the principal part of the pasto- 
 58 
 
466 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ral duties, but surely this conclusion can not be drawn from the 
 Scriptures. His labors certainly embrace a much larger field of ac- 
 tion. He should view it as his bounden duty not only to labor in 
 public in the ministration of the Word, but also in private, with in- 
 dividuals ; to visit the sick and the afflicted ; to be a sort of day's 
 man, between not only his brethren who may be at variance, but 
 also between those who are not members of the church, but who 
 form a part of the congregations on whom his labors are bestowed. 
 Ministers of the Gospel should invariably take Christ as their model, 
 in doing which they will find it necessary that nearly the whole of 
 their time should be devoted to the general cause and advancement 
 of His kingdom. They should study to show themselves "work- 
 men approved." This study will ever be found most successful, by 
 being accompanied by a life of action ; to reduce to practice, and 
 thereby enforce by the power of example the doctrines they may be 
 desirous of inculcating. If this course is pursued, it will at once be 
 seen that there will remain but little time to be devoted to secular 
 concerns. Many of the ministers of our denomination have the 
 charge of four churches, which takes constantly two-sevenths of 
 their time to attend to, and if we add to this the time used in going 
 to and returning from them, together with the time that is (orshould 
 be) devoted to visiting the sick and the afflicted, reconciling per- 
 sons at variance, &c, it will be found that much the larger part'of 
 their time will be consumed in the discharge of duties strictly pas- 
 toral. It will thus be seen that the notion of a faithful pastor pur- 
 suing any worldly avocation to profit, is vain ; true, he has sometime 
 by his own labor to gain a living, and it is his duty to use it to the 
 best advantage, lawfully ; but certain it is that even the amount of 
 work rendered under these circumstances can not be so profitable as 
 if rendered in its proper season. We now call your attention to the 
 right your pastor has in calling upon you in some degree to supply 
 this deficiency ; and with regard to this right we would say that 
 neither is rhis a natural right, but one growing out of the relative 
 position of church and pastor. If a church has a right to call for 
 and obtain the labors of a pastor, it is but right that he should 
 receive somewhat in return. On this subject (as on many others,) 
 two opposite extremes have been run into. The one is that of 
 churches pursuing a course of extravagant donation to their minis- 
 ters, so as to be a sort of temptation to w-orldly-minded men — to take 
 upon themselves the hieh and sacred office of a minister of the Gos- 
 pel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the sole, the unhallowed purpose of 
 obtaining "the loaves and fishes;" the other extreme is that churches 
 are often too remiss about this matter, and their pastors are not only 
 in straightened but in suffering circumstances, for the want of that 
 which is but their reasonable due. "The laborer is worthy of his 
 hire." We know of no better way of illustrating to your minds the 
 real situation of a true minister of the Gospel of Christ than that of 
 exhibiting him to you as holding in his right hand this passage of 
 Scripture: "Go ye into all the world and preach my Gospel," &c. ; 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 467 
 
 while at the same time in his left he holds this passage : "He that 
 provideth not for his household and family is worse than an in ridel," 
 due. Now it will be plain to you that both of these commands can 
 not be completed in the same person. It would be impossible for a, 
 man to be going through the world preaching the Gospel, and at the 
 same time be cultivating the earth, in order to support himself 
 and household. It is the fact though, that this seeming contradic- 
 tion (like many others in the Scriptures) is reconciled by that pass- 
 age which says, ''Thou shalt^not muzzle the mouth of the ox that 
 treadeth out the corn." 
 
 If these statements are correct, you will at once perceive that if 
 it is important that the ministers of the Gospel should preach, it is 
 — from the relationship which we have attempted to show — import- 
 ant that you should act that part which will make the system a 
 harmonious one. 
 
 Some are ready to object to all human action towards the support 
 
 of the preaching of the Gospel, but it should be rememiuereu tbac 
 
 bare opinion must give -way to revelation ; and if you will read the 
 
 chapter to which we have already referred you, together with the 
 
 Scriptures generally, we deem it useless to say anything more on 
 
 the subject. In conclusion, we would exhort both pastors and 
 
 churches to renewed diligence in the discharge of their duties, and 
 
 they may expect the work of the Lord to prosper in their hands. 
 
 Farewell. / John W. Lewis. 
 
 October 19th, 1832. 
 
 Lee, Elder Jeremiah was a Broad River minister, elate 
 of his birth unknown. The following" sketch of his life ap- 
 pears in the minutes of the Broad River Association, at its 
 session in 1879, which we take the liberty to reproduce. 
 
 "Elder J. Lee has been called from the labors of earth to the 
 joys of Heaven: He had long been a faithful christian and laborer 
 in our midst. He quietly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus on the 22d 
 of December last, after an illness of four years. He had been a mem- 
 ber of the Baptist church about -47 years. He was licensed to preach 
 November 30th, 1850, and ordained June loth, 1852. He was set 
 apart to the office of a regular ordained minister by prayer and the 
 imposition of hands by Elders F. W. Littlejohn, M. C. Barnett and 
 J. S. Ezell, in which office he continued to officiate up to the time 
 of his affliction. He bore his trials with christian fortitude, and 
 
 often said that his faith was growing stronger and his evidences 
 brighter, and that he was waiting his Master's call. 
 His trials are o'er, his body sleeps 
 
 Beneath a bed of earth. 
 His tongue lies mute with all its powers, 
 Subdued by conquering death. 
 
 His soul has spread its wings in haste, 
 
 And to its God hath flown, 
 Where he sits in righteousness, 
 
 With an immortal crown. 
 
46* BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Bro. Lee never had the advantage of an early education, but, by 
 close alliance with Jesus, had become an acceptable preacher of the 
 Gospel. His life was "a living epistle, read and known of all men." 
 He was a bold defender of his Master's cause, a true and devoted 
 friend, a kind, affectionate husband and father; and while we 
 mourn his loss, we sorrow not as those that have no hope. We ten- 
 der our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved and heart-stricken 
 widow and family, praying that God may sanctify this dispensation 
 of His providence for good, knowing that all things work together 
 for good to those that love the Lord, and are called according to His 
 purpose." 
 
 At the session of the Broad River Association of 1849 
 and 1850 brother Loe was a lay delegate from Bethesda 
 church, and in 1851 appeared from the same church as a li- 
 centiate. In 1852-'5B-'54, &c, he appears in the minutes as 
 an ordained minister and delegate from the same church. 
 
 Leatherman, Elder John F. appears in the King's 
 Mountain Association in 1856 and 1860 as a member of, 
 and a delegate to the Association, from Mount Vernon 
 church. We are uninformed as to the date of Elder Leath- 
 erman's birth, but suppose he was born in Lincoln county, 
 N. C, about the year 1820, and has been preaching about 
 twenty-five years. He has labored some with Mount Vern- 
 on and Corinth churches. Is said to be a well meaning 
 brother, but of moderate attainments. If, however, he has 
 only a single talent it is as much his duty to cultivate it, as 
 if he had ten. There is a work for all to do. "Go work in 
 my vineyard" says the Husbandman. 
 
 Lee, Elder James K. is an ordained minister of the 
 Broad River Association. We find in the minutes of 1868 
 that he was a delegate to the Association from Corinth church, 
 and appears still as one of the ministry of that body. He 
 was born Dec. 2nd, 1826, and is a native of Spartanburg 
 count}', S. C. His residence is near Pacolet depot on the 
 Spartanburg and Union Railroad. He joined the church in 
 1846 and was ordained in the year 1866. His work has 
 been specially that of an evangelist laboring in Spartanburg 
 and Union counties, S. C, and the extreme western part of 
 North Carolina. 
 
 Littlejohn, Elder Felix W., a native of Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, appeared in the Broad River Association as a 
 licensed preacher and delegate, from Goucher Creek church, 
 in 1840 : at the session held that vear at Concord church, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 469 
 
 Rutherford county, N. C. He was ordained in 1841, to 
 the full work of the ministry, and represented Goueher Creek 
 almost consecutively until about 1855, when his health fail- 
 ing, he did not afterwards attend the sessions as formerly. 
 After having served as pastor of Goueher Creek church 
 many years, he died of apoplexy, on the 10th of October, 
 1860, being about 55 years of age. 
 
 The Broad River Association, at its session in 1861, 
 adopted the following notice : 
 
 "Brother F. W. Littlejohn was ordained to the ministry in the 
 •Goueher Creek church, about twenty years ago, and for a long time 
 labored zealously and successfully in the Gospel. For some time 
 past, owing to the infirmities of the body, he refused to take the pas- 
 toral charge of any church, still unto the day of his death he never 
 threw off the mantle of his calling." 
 
 We knew Dr. Littlejohn, who had the reputation, not 
 only of being a good preacher, but a good physician as well. 
 In early life he had the appearance of being an athletic, hale, 
 hearty and healthy man, being of round heavy build, large 
 chest, and good lungs. His health, however, from some 
 cause failed, and for a few years previous to his death, he 
 rapidly declined. Dr. Littlejohn was about five feet ten 
 inches in height, dark hair and eyes, and visage somewhat 
 rounded like his body, with a playful and sprightly counte- 
 nance ornamenting his entire physique. We loved his soci- 
 ety very much, and feel that the Broad River Association 
 sustained a great loss in the death of one so popular and 
 useful. 
 
 Lindsey, Elder William was a member of Cross Roads 
 church, and licensed by said church in 1834. Was a dele- 
 gate to the Broad River Association at Goueher Creek the 
 same year. In 1835 he was ordained to the full work of 
 the ministry, and delegated to represent Cross Roads in the 
 session of the Association at Wolf's Creek, the same year. 
 After which we find no further account of him in the min- 
 utes of the Association. He probably emigrated to some 
 other field of labor. We are uninformed as to the date of 
 his birth, or of his proficiency as a minister. 
 
 Lyon, Elder John appears to have been a Broad River 
 minister in 1834. The niinutes show that he represented 
 Green River church that year in the" session held at Goueher 
 Creek. And again in 1835 at Wolf's Creek church. After 
 which, we find no other account of him, and presume he 
 emigrated, like many others, to a more inviting field of la- 
 
470 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 bor. We have no definite information of Elder Lyon only: 
 what we gather from the minutes of the Asssoeiatiou. 
 
 Lancaster, Elder Wm. Decatur appears in the min- 
 utes as a member of Sandy Springs church, and was a dele- 
 gate to the Broad River Association from the said church 
 first in 1874, and then continuously at each annual session 
 since. He was born in the suburbs of Spartanburg city, S- 
 C, on the 14th of February, 1824. Converted 1846, and 
 was married on the 11th April, 1850, to Miss R. C. Padgett r 
 a daughter of Elder A. Padgett, dec'd, a young lady every 
 way worthy of a good husband. Elder Lancaster was licens- 
 ed in October, 1858, and was ordained by S. ISL Whitson,, 
 H. Culbreth and A. Padgett, on the 17th October, 1862. 
 He is a nephew of Wm. Lancaster, who was clerk of the 
 Broad River Association from its organization up to the year 
 1811. We hope Elder Lancaster may prove himself worthy 
 of being the namesake of his venerated uncle. We are sor- 
 ry we have not a more full history of his past life and labors. 
 
 Logan, Elder Ransom P. was born January 10th, 1810 y 
 and married Miss Belinda Gladden October 2nd, 1834. He 
 was converted and licensed to preach about 1839, and or- 
 dained to the full work of the Gospel ministry a short time 
 afterwards. In 1841 he appeared first in the Broad River 
 Association as a delegate from Antioch church. In the ses- 
 sion of 1842 he was a delegate from Bethlehem churchy 
 which church was constituted the same year, and chose Elder 
 Loo;an as pastor. He continued in the discharge of his pas- 
 toral duties with this church several years, and was engaged 
 to supply Beaver Dam and Broad River churches for some 
 time, when he subsequently removed to the eastern part of 
 the Association, and was engaged as pastor of the Olivet 
 Church; and while laboring for said church was appointed 
 by the King's Mountain Associatian as missionary to the 
 Catawba Valley, where he labored acceptably for a few years, 
 after which the mission was discontinued, and Elder Logan 
 ao-ain resumed pastoral work. Although he labored under 
 great disadvantages by reason of his lack of education, yet 
 he h#d become popular and useful as a disciplinarian and 
 explanatory preacher, and at the sessions of the King's 
 Mountain Association in 1864- J 65, he was complimented by 
 the body with the Moderatorship, the duties of which he 
 discharged very creditably. 
 
 Some time after the late war ended, Elder Logan began 
 to manifest symptoms of absent-mindedness, and finally in- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 47l 
 
 «amty overtook him, and on the 1st day of July, 1882, he 
 ■died, in the 73d year of his age. 
 
 The following notice appears on the face of the Minutes 
 of the King's Mountain Association, 1882. : 
 
 "Elder R. P. Logan was for many years a member of this Asso 
 •ciation, and Moderator for two of the sessions of the body. He died 
 •at his residence, in Iredell county, N. C, on the 1st of July, 1882. 
 For many years he was a faithful minister and pastor of churches 
 in our bounds. Although his mind failed him for a year or two be- 
 fore 1 his death, we trust the Lord was pleased to take him to his rest 
 .in heaven." 
 
 McDo-ugal, Elder Hezekiah was . said to be of Scotch 
 •descent; date of his birth unknown to us. Was pastor of 
 Cedar Springs church, in Spartanburg county, S. C, from 
 1825 to 1834. He made his first appearance in the Broad 
 River Association as a delegate from Cedar Springs church 
 at its session held in 1825, at Buffalo, and afterward attended 
 .annually in the same capacity until 1834, after which we lose 
 sight of him. He had become an old man, and probably 
 died about that time. He was a good pious brother, but 
 possessed no extraordinary preaching talent ; was somewhat 
 formal in his religious exercises. Elder Barnett, speaking 
 of Elder McDougal in his sketches of the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation, says: "I remember the benediction of old Bro. Hez- 
 ■ekiah McDougal, who was a long time pastor of Cedar 
 Springs church, which, though it was very affectionate, seem- 
 ed- to me to be a very unnecessary circumlocution . It ran 
 about this way: Now mav the rich and saving grace of our 
 once humbled but now highly exalted Lord and Savior Jesus 
 Christ, the love of God, His and our Heavenly Father, and 
 the comfortable communion of the Holy Spirit, rest, remain 
 and abide with 3'ouandall the Israel of God, now, henceforth 
 and forever more. Amen.'" 
 
 In looking over tire Minutes of the Association, we do 
 not find that Elder McDougal was ever connected with any 
 important business matter in which the body was concerned, 
 save one— he was appointed with Dobbins, Hicks, Crow, 
 Rainwater and Ramsour a committee "to visit Macedonia 
 church, to inquire into, her standing, and set in order any 
 thing that may be found wanting, and report to next Asso- 
 ciation." Thev attended, and found that the church had 
 attended strictly to Gospel order in her dealing with Jona- 
 than Guthrie, her former pastor, who had become disorderly, 
 and they so reported to the Association. 
 
472 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 McBee, Eldek Edward appears to have been an ordain*- 
 ed minister of the Broad River Association, and was a mem- 
 ber of Zion Hill church, and a delegate to the Associations 
 in the session of 1841 and 1812. We are informed that he 
 moved outside the Associational bounds, and we are unable 
 to trace him in the minutes after that period. We are with- 
 out information as to his history. 
 
 Mallary, Elder R. D. is a native of S. C, though 
 reared in Georgia. Located now in Shelby ,N. C.,he has taken 
 charge of the Shelby Female College, which he appears to- 
 be running to a very good account. Having moved into the 
 bounds of the King's Mountain Baptist Association, and 
 thereby identified himself with the Association, we there- 
 fore enter his name on the roll of ministers, feeling and be- 
 lieving that the bodv has been fortunate in obtaining an 
 acquisition so desirable. 
 
 Professor Mallary was ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry in Albany, Ga., Nov. 8th, 1874. Before the war, 
 he was connected with the Georgia Female College, Madison, 
 Ga., and later, President of a Baptist College in Cuthbert, 
 Ga. After the war, he took charge of the Union Female 
 College, Eufaula, Ala., and for six years before he moved to 
 N. C, was President of Shorter Female College, which he 
 had the honor of placing in the front rank of Southern In- 
 stitutions for females. 
 
 McCraw; Elder James Madison is a native of Cleve- 
 land county (formerly Rutherford county, N. C. ;) was born 
 in 1823 ; converted in his 18th year, and joined the church 
 at Providence. He was chosen a delegate to the Broad River 
 Association at the session of 1850, then a lavman. In 1851 
 he was licensed to preach, and again represented Camp's 
 Creek church in the Association in the sessions of 1852-'53. 
 Some time afterward he emigrated to Texas, and settled 
 finally in the State of Arkansas, where we learn that he is 
 laboring in the Lord's vineyard with great success, having 
 been ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry by a 
 presbytery. 
 
 We were well acquainted with Bro. McCraw, and know 
 that he manifested o-reat zeal in the cause of the Master 
 while laboring among the Broad River churches, and hope 
 that he may prove in his new western field "a workman that 
 needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of 
 Truth." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. , 473 
 
 McSwain, Elder "William was a native of Rutherford 
 county, (now Cleveland,) N. C, born about 1806; joined the 
 church in early life, and was licensed to preach about 1837. 
 He appeared as a delegate from Beaver Dam church in the 
 session of the Broad River Association in 1851. lie then 
 became a member of the King's Mountain, and was in its 
 organization the same year. He was chosen a delegate and 
 represented Beaver Dam in several sessions of the Associa- 
 tion afterwards, and at the session of 1855 he appeared as an 
 ordained minister and delegate. He continued that relation- 
 ship until 1860, when the division of the Association took 
 place on the question of temperance. Elder McSwain affili- 
 ated with the "constitutional" party and remained with them 
 until the reconciliation took place in 1866. The King's 
 Mountain body having united again, and harmony being re- 
 stored, Bro. McSwain again represented Beaver 13am in the 
 Association. He died in May, 1881, and at the session of 
 the Association of that year the following notice was entered 
 on the Minutes : 
 
 "Elder McSwain died in May last, about 75 years of age. He 
 had been exercising in the ministry about forty-five years, rendering 
 faithful services in the cause of Christ within the bounds of the 
 King's Mountain Association. "Blessed are the dead who die in 
 the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may resG 
 from their labors, and their works do follow them." 
 
 Morgan, Elder Perminter was a member of Bethel 
 church, situate in Buncombe county, 1ST. C. He appeared in 
 the session of the Broad River Association in 1801, and was 
 one of the organizers of that body in 1800. He preached 
 the introductory sermon before the Association in 1802, at 
 Buck Creek church, and under the appointment of that body 
 prepared the Circular Letter for 1*803, on the Doctrines of 
 Grace, — a brief, but comprehensive letter, breathing strong 
 anti-Arminian sentiments. In 1803 he was chosen Modera- 
 tor, and again in 1804. He again preached the introductory 
 sermon before the body at its session at Cedar Springs in 
 1806, and again prepared the Circular Letter for that year, 
 on the Constitution of a Gospel Church, and the Door of Admis- 
 sion therein. At this session also he was chosen Moderator 
 of the body, and again he was chosen Moderator in 1809. 
 Soon after this the French Broad Association was formed, 
 and Elder Morgan, now an old man, ceased crossing the 
 mountains to attend the Broad River Association. We are 
 not in possession of the date of his advent into the world, 
 nor do we know the time he died, but doubtless long since 
 he has crossed over the river and entered into his promised 
 rest. It will be seen, from what hus been collated from the 
 60 
 
474 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Minutes, that Elder Perminter Morgan was a prominent 
 actor in the early clavs of the Broad River Association. 
 Peace be to his ashes ! and let his name be had in perpet- 
 ual remembrance. 
 
 McKissick, Elder Isaac, a member of Pacolet church 
 and a delegate to the Broad River Association in 1820, ap- 
 pears to have been an ordained minister at that time. He 
 appeared regularly as a delegate until the year 1826, when 
 Pacolet church had doubtless connected itself with some 
 other Association, as it does not appear on the Broad River 
 list as formerly. Elder McKissick was of course transferred 
 with his church, and we consequently lose sight of him in 
 the Broad River Minutes. We are informed that he was a 
 Scotch-Irish Revolutionary Whig, and that Capt. Daniel 
 McKissick, who was severelv wounded in the battle of Ram- 
 sour's Mill, in Lincoln county, N. C, was a near relative of 
 his. We are uninformed as to the preaching talents that he 
 possessed, but will presume that, as he was of Scotch-Irish 
 stock, he was probably well educated, and preached fluent 
 sermons for one of his day and time. We are without in- 
 formation as to the date of his birth or death. He was a 
 resident .of Union county, S. C, and there are a number of 
 McKissicks now living in that part of South Carolina,. of 
 high standing and respectability, who are doubtless some of 
 his descendants. Let them be proud of their pioneer Bap- 
 tist ancestor. It might have been one much less respectable. 
 
 Martin, Elder William, a native of York county, S. 
 C, first a member of Buffalo church, was, with other mem- 
 bers, dismissed to form Antioeh church in 1815. He was 
 chosen pastor of the new church, and became a useful and 
 popular preacher. At the session of the Association in 1816, 
 at Buffalo church, Antioeh was admitted into the body, 
 Elders William Martin, George Wilkie and Bro. Sherrod 
 James being the representatives. Elder Martin soon after 
 emigrated to the State of Tennessee, which accounts for the 
 non-appearance of his name in the Minutes, after the ad- 
 mission of Antioeh into the Association. It is said that, 
 alter his removal, "his praise was in all the churches" in the 
 State of his adoption, and he became a prominent and useful 
 minister. 
 
 MooRE,ELDEiiHuGH\vasa member of Goucher creek, church 
 and a lay delegate to the Broad River Association in 1819. 
 Soon alter this he was licensed and ordained to the full work 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 475 
 
 of the Gospel ministry. In several subsequent sessions 
 Elder Moore's name appears on the Minutes as an absentee, 
 and we are informed that he had become ensealed as an 
 agent to represent pension claims, and was consequently ab- 
 sent from home as well as from' the Association on pension 
 business, and, being- tempted by the Devil, he committed 
 gross frauds on the United States Government by forgery, 
 and was arrested, tried, found guilty, and incarcerated for 
 life. Alas ! poor Moore found, when sadly too late, that 
 "honesty is the best policy." 
 
 We recollect seeing Hugh Moore, and he was a portly, 
 fine looking man, with gold spectacles on his face. He was 
 said to be a near relative of the celebrated loyalist, Capt. 
 Patrick Moore, who was so signallv routed in the time of 
 the Revolutionary war by Col. Isaac Shelby, on Pacolet 
 river. This is another evidence that "it is not all gold that 
 glitters." Although this great misfortune befell Mr. Moore, 
 he was said to be very respectably connected in the section 
 of country where he was reared, in Spartanburg, S. C. Alas ! 
 covetousness has been the cause of the downfall of many ! 
 
 McSwain, Elder Asa A. is a native of what is now 
 Cleveland county (formerly Rutherford,) ]ST. C, born March 
 10th, 1832. Was converted in his 16th year, and baptized 
 by Elder J. S. Ezell ; licensed in 1855. Entered the King's 
 Mountain Association in 1858 as a delegate from Double 
 Springs church, having been ordained the year previous ('57) 
 to the full work of the Gospel ministry, by Elders T. Dixon, 
 J. Suttle, A. J. Cansler and William McSwain as the pres- 
 bytery. On the 29th of January, 1862, he married Miss 
 Elizabeth Cornwell, and having attached himself to the Sandy 
 Run church in 1859, he from that time was annually chosen 
 a delegate to the present, to represent said church in the As- 
 sociation, and served as pastor of Pleasant Hill, Beaver Dam, 
 Bethlehem, Mount Paran and other churches, in all of which 
 responsible trusts it is said he acted very truly and faithfully 
 as a minister of the Gospel of Christ. 
 
 Elder McSwain, although a faithful and energetic pastor 
 and Sunday-school worker, is yet, physically speaking, a 
 very feeble man, and no doubt discharges his pastoral duties 
 under great disadvantages on that account; he, however, 
 feels that a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto 
 him, and that a woe rests upon him if he does not go forward 
 in the discharge of duty. 
 
 He has proved an active and useful member of the As- 
 sociation, and is often chairman of the committee on Obitu- 
 aries, and has submitted to the body some good reports on 
 
476 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the lives and characters of some of our deceased brethren, 
 both of the ministry and laity. Besides these labors he has 
 written under the direction of the Association an annual 
 Circular Letter addressed to the several churches in union 
 on the subject of Beneficence, which we here reproduce, be- 
 lieving that a perusal of it may prove profitable to those who 
 may ieel inclined to read and study it : 
 
 CiJRCU-LAR LETTER. 
 
 The King's Mountain Baptist Association — To the Churches in Union 
 
 — Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — According to an appointment of last year, we 
 address you this year upon Systeynatic Beneficence. Beneficence is_ 
 the practice of doing good or active goodness, and is a conspicuous 
 quality in the system of morality. Authority compels us to be fear- 
 ed, wealth to be praised, erudition to be esteemed, but beneficence 
 renders us useful in society. Some endowments are solitary, and 
 centre mostly in ourselves, but beneficence is social, diffusive and 
 kind. The disciples of Jesus Christ, under the influence of the Holy 
 Spirit, were beneficent. "And all that believed' were together, and 
 had all things common ; and sold their possessions and goods, and 
 parted them to all men, as every man had need." (Acts ii. 44, 45.) 
 That is, so far as their mutual wants required. What a beautiful 
 picture was the first church at Jerusalem ! It was a church in 
 which no person called anything his : but in the unity of the Spirit 
 and in the bonds of peace they had all things common. It was a 
 church preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and praising God day 
 and night; and the Word of God was magnified and grew mightily, 
 and the saved of the Lord were added daily to the church. The ob- 
 jects ©f our beneficence should be all those who are in the sphere of 
 our influence and action. Toward superiors, beneficence expresses 
 itself in esteem, obedience and service; toward inferiors, in liberal- 
 ity, condescension, protection and support; toward equals, in the 
 functions of affection as their cases require, and for which they 
 have ability. It includes all the tender efforts on the behalf of the 
 poor, the sick, the fatherless, the widow, the distressed, those desti- 
 tute of religious knowledge, and especially those ' 'who are of the 
 household of faith." (Gal. vi. 10.) Each man should compare his 
 views, motives, and conduct with the Bible. If they agree with 
 that, they are right, and he may rejoice in them as evidence that he 
 is born of God, and is an heir of heaven. But if they do not, they 
 are wrong and must be changed, or whatever he or they may think, 
 he will be an outcast from God and all good forever. Life is the seed 
 time for eternity, and the fruit of what each one here sows he 
 will there forever reap. "Let him that is taught in the Word com- 
 municate unto him that teacheth in all good things." (Gal. vi. (3.) 
 Benefactions ought to be accompanied with prayer, for "the fervent, 
 effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." We should 
 always manifest a deep interest, a tender sympathy in the joys and 
 sorrows of others. Good men will desire to do good— nut to friends 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 477 
 
 'only, or to such as do good to them, but also to enemies, and suck 
 as do evil. We may more clearly see the religious characters of men 
 ■by their treatmeut of enemies than of friends, — and those destitute 
 of religious knowledge than those who possess it: ''Rejoicing with 
 them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Rom. xii. 
 15.) A spirit of beneficence generally arises from a spirit of benev- 
 olence, the love of mankind in general, accompanied with a desire 
 .to promote their happiness, extending to all men universally with- 
 out exception, and is the practice of it ; and is not so universal as it 
 .is, but is confined to objects around us from several considerations — 
 such as our knowledge of others and their different circumstances, 
 and our abilities and opportunities. "As we have, therefore, oppor- 
 tunity, let us do good unto all men." (GaL vi. 10.) Our salvation, 
 (health, prosperity and reputation should all be objects of concern ; 
 nor will this clash with the affection we may bear to others ; on the 
 •contrary, experiencing the importance of these blessings ourselves, 
 we are anxious for others to enjoy them also. We owe to men, 
 purely on the ground of their being of the same species with our^ 
 selves, sympathy, relief and religious instruction. Obligations to 
 beneficence arise from the law of nature : "And hath made of one 
 blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and 
 .hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their 
 (habitation ; that they should seek the Lord, if happily they might 
 feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one 
 ■of us : For in Him we live, and move and have our being, ascertain 
 of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring." (Acts 
 -xvii. 26, 27, 2s.) If God has caused all men to spring from one fam- 
 ily, and has determined the countries where they should live, and 
 •the periods of time during which they should occupy them, and if 
 the object of God in creation and providence is, that men may know, 
 worship and enjoy Him, does not the laws of nature teach us that 
 beneficence is a duty ? And this they may do, for He is everywhere 
 present, sustaining, upholding and governing all things. Your own 
 poets — Aratus, of -Celicia, a Greek poet, who lived more than three 
 hundred years before; andCleanthes, who lived about the same time, 
 and was the successor of Zeno, the founder of the Stoics, both ■ex- 
 pressed the sentiment referred to. And Aratus expressed it in the. 
 very word which Paul quotes. As all the human race are the off- 
 spring, and are under the government of one common Father, they 
 are all brethren of one family, and are bound to treat oneanother as 
 such. Each has rights given by his Heavenly Father, of which no 
 man or body of men can deprive him, without deep injustice against 
 a brother and flagrant rebellion against God. But where the law s 
 of nature leaves us in obscurity, the law of revelation throws upon 
 us the light of noonday. It is a pleasure to the christian to impart 
 blessings as opportunity affords itself to the needy, "But to do good 
 and to communicate, forget not ; for with sacrifices God is well 
 pleased." (Heb. xii. -16.) It is not enough for men to be pious, devo- 
 votional and grateful. They must also be beneficent, disposed to 
 
478 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 communicate of their blessings to others. This they are prone to 
 forget, and thej need often to be reminded that it is with such things 
 God is well pleased. They would thus give evidence that their nat- 
 ural selfishness which, if continued will ruin them, is in a way of 
 being subdued. A spirit of beneficence manifests itself by being 
 pleased with the share of good every creature enjoys ; in a disposi- 
 tion to increase it ; in feeling an uneasiness at their suffering, and in 
 the abhorence of cruelty under every disguise or pretext. 
 
 System is a connection of parts of a whole connected scheme. 
 Systematic Beneficence is a Scriptural method of liberality for the 
 support of the poor and the spread of the Gospel, and for the benefit 
 of all that are needy. The Tabernacle was not only a type of Christ's 
 human nature, but was a type of Christ's Church, whose "tent was 
 enlarged and her curtains stretched out, her cords lengthened, and 
 stakes strengthened," when the Gentiles were converted to Christ 
 and her Gospel state established [Isa. liv. 2,] and are to be still more 
 so when the heathen shall be converted to Christ When Moses 
 was to erect the Tabernacle he gathered a congregation of the peo- 
 ple, and after repeating the law of the Sabbath he asked their free 
 gifts for it and its furniture."" The spoils of the "Egyptians were 
 brought as a free-will offering to Jehovah ; jewels and precious met- 
 als, skins and woven fabrics, spices, oils and incense." Two men 
 were filled by God with skill for the work. Bezaleel, the son of Uri, 
 of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisomach, of the 
 tribe of Dan, and they wrought with every wise-hearted man in 
 whom Jehovah put wisdom and understanding to work for the ser- 
 vice of the sanctuary. They soon found the offerings of the people 
 far above what was required. O, if we could see an Apostolic 
 church, what a different thing it would appear to one of our 
 churches! — as different as light from darkness. There was not a 
 member of that church, as a rule, who was halfhearted/ they gave 
 their soul wholly to God. In the Apostle's days they gave all their 
 substance. It was not demanded of them then, and it is not now ; 
 no one thinks of asking such a thing — still we have run to the other 
 extreme, and many give nothing at all; for we have not the Apos- 
 tolic mode of liberality, — and while we need means, we want men 
 with Apostolic zeal, who can do as Paul did when he went to Phil- 
 lippi. Did he know a soul there? Not one. He had the Redeemer's 
 truth and. believed in the power of it. Men will be rewarded in pro- 
 portion to what, from love to Christ, they do for His cause. "Every 
 man according as he purposeth in heart, so let him give, not grudg- 
 ingly, or of necessity : for God loveth the cheerful giver." [2 Cor. 
 ix. 7.] Cheerful contributions for christians who are in want, or 
 those who are destitute of Gospel Truth, are peculiarly pleasing to 
 God, and the greater amount in proportion to their means which any 
 rightly bestow, the greater will be their reward. That which is 
 given in expression of love to Christ by His sincere and devoted fol- 
 lowers, is often thought by others to be wasted and lost. . But in the 
 view of Christ it is well used, and He will see that it receives a gra- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 479 
 
 <cious and honorable reward. "There is that scattereth and yet in- 
 civasetb, and there is that withholdeth nipre than is meet, but it 
 tei'.deth to poverty." A system of beneficence, as directed by the 
 Apostle for the relief of poor saints at Jerusalem, was upon the first 
 day of the week, the day set apart and observed by the Apostles and 
 christians as the Lord's day, which is the christian Sabbath. "Now 
 concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the 
 church at Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let 
 every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that 
 there be no gathering when I come. [1 Cor. xvii. 1, 2.] We believe 
 that on that day every one ought to lay by him in store, as God has 
 prospered him, at home on each and every Sabbath ; we believe that 
 every one ought to consider the blessings of God upon them, and lay 
 up accordingly lor the various benevolent causes, that thfoe may be 
 no improper gathering. As the first day of the week is the Lord's 
 day, and from His resurrection has been observed by His people as 
 sacred to His worship, it is a proper time for us to consider His 
 goodness, and contribute or lay by in store, as He has prospered us, 
 for the simply of the wants of our fellow-men. Wise and good 
 ministers exceedingly desire that christians should be prompt and 
 liberal in their benefactions, and will be disposed to make honorable 
 mention of such as are so, that others may be led to imitate their 
 example. Faithful ministers of the Gospel will, if practicable, in- 
 duce their hearers to liberally contribute 'for the benefit of the needy 
 and for the spread of the Gospel, and regular, systematic beneficence 
 will, in the end, be much more abundant than that which is merely 
 occasional — and much more useful, both t<\> giver and receiver. In 
 forming plans for future action, we should remember our dependence 
 on God, seek to understand His will, and commit ourselves in well 
 doing to His merciful guidance and disposal. Christian brethren, 
 and even pious and faithful ministers of the Gospel may differ in 
 judgment about the best way of doing good ; and while they exer- 
 cise the right of private judgment as to their own duty, they should 
 cheerfully concede the same privilege toothers. The possession of 
 property involves high responsibilities, increases obligations and 
 multiplies duties. "But whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth 
 his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion 
 from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" ' [1 John, iii. 17.] 
 By the manner in which men use what they possess, they show their 
 christian character and the manner of their love to God and Jesus 
 Christ. The Disciples at Jerusalem, continuing in the Apostles' doc- 
 trine, included the whole body of Divine Truth, which was based on 
 the Old Testament, viewed in the new light of the Spirit, bestowed 
 upon the apostles to lead them into all truth. The fellowship, 
 though a word used in a wide sense which is familiar to us, seems 
 here to denote that communication of the goods of this life which 
 was needful fro supply the necessities of the poorer brethren, and 
 those starving for the bread of life, and the collection of which seems 
 to have formed a part of their united worship. If our churches were 
 
480 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 
 
 like the Dieiples. and had a common fund, as their's, to be divided*' 
 among the poor, and to send the Gospel where it is not, we would 
 carry into full effect the principles that "nought of the thingswhich. 
 we possess is our own ;' our prayers, as their's, would be answered 
 by another sign of God's presence, in the shaking of the place in-, 
 which we meet, as their's and Sinai was shaken of old, and would 
 be answered by a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And the Apos- 
 tolic work would be resumed with fresh power, and the church, 
 would be endued still more manifestly with Divine grace and har- 
 mony ; and the poor, who form a great iDart of our number, would 
 be preserved from want; and the heathen, who form a greater part 
 of the world, would receive Gospel light and be saved, by sharing 
 the wealth of the rest, according to their necessities. 
 
 Brethren, let us try to be more systematic in our benefactions,, 
 that in Heaven may be written in fairer lines, with us Jehovah is- 
 well pleased.' And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with, 
 you all. Amen. A. A. McSwain. 
 
 September 20th, 1872. 
 
 Morehead, Elder W. G. is a Broad River minister, and 
 member of Gilead church. We find, by examination of the 
 Minutes, that he has been pastor of Macedonia, Pleasant 
 Grove and Bethesda churches, and has served frequently in 
 a representative capacity in the different sessions of the 
 Broad River Association. We, however, have no definite 
 information as to the preaching talent of Bro. Morehead, 
 nor do we know when he was ordained to the work of the 
 ministry. 
 
 McSwain, Elder Lewis H. is a native of Rutherford 
 (now Cleveland County, North Carolina,) was born Oct. 30, 
 1814, joined the church first at Buffalo in 1839. Was licensed 
 to preach in 1839, and ordained to the lull work of the min- 
 istry in 1848. He became a consistent member of Mount 
 Zion church m its formation, and was chosen pastor in 1848. 
 He was also chosen one of the delegates to represent the 
 church in the sessions of the Broad River Association of 
 that year, and 1849 to 1851, when the King's Mountain body 
 was organized, of which he became a member. He attended 
 regularly all the sessions of the King's Mountain bodv up to 
 time ot the division of the Association on the temperance 
 question in 4860. Elder McSwain then sympathized and 
 affiliated with what was called the "constitutional" party 
 until the reconciliation took place in 1866. Since then he 
 has attended nearly all the sessions, and st^ll exercises in the 
 ministry of the Word. He has been a faithful pastor of 
 Mt. Sinai church from the time of its constitution, until the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 481 
 
 organization of the King's Mountain body, and for several 
 rears since. He was destitute of education, but sound in the 
 faith and well versed in the Scriptures. And through the 
 favor of God he has rendered some good service in His 
 cause, having been instrumental in the salvation of many 
 precious souls. He married Miss Mary Ilamrick, daughter 
 of Deacon D. Ilamrick. 
 
 Morgan, Elder Spencer, a native of Spartanburg coun- 
 ty, S. C. He made his first appearance in the Broad River 
 Association at its 32d anniversary session at Sandy Run 
 church in 1832. He was afterward chosen consecutively as 
 one of the delegates to the Association until 1846, having 
 served as clerk of the body at the sessions of 1843-'44. 
 
 Elder Morgan was licensed to preach by the Providence 
 church, and was ordained about the year 1833. His labors 
 in the ministry were dispensed with great earnestness and 
 zeal, but lacking in that moving unction and pathos that is 
 so necessary to impress an audience. He married Miss 
 Nancy Lipscomb, and after his ordination to the full work 
 of the ministry he was chosen pastor of the Providence and 
 Macedonia churches, where he labored many years; and 
 ■about the vear 1846 he emigrated to the State of Georgia, 
 since which we are unadvised as to his christian course. 
 
 Mullinax, Elder Madison made his first appearance 
 in the Broad River Association as a delegate and licentiate 
 from Pacolet church in 1847. He was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry the next vear, and continued regularly 
 a member of the Association until the session of 1860. We 
 find on the face of the Minutes of 1861 the following entry : 
 
 '"We are under the necessity of reporting the departed worth of 
 Madison Mullinax, a minister belonging to the Broad River Associ- 
 ation, of irreproachable character. We trust that the exhibition of 
 the life and power of Christianity exemplified in his life of useful- 
 ness, in connection with his ministrations in the Gospel, will long 
 be unto us "living epistles, known and read of all men." 
 
 Elder Mullinax had been engaged in the ministry for 
 some time before he appeared in the Association, being then 
 a member of Antioch church. He was a native of York 
 county, S. C., born February 25th, 1819. And intermar- 
 ried with Miss Roxana Spears, of Union county, S. C., with 
 whom he lived happily until the time of his death, which 
 took place February 16th, 1861. 
 
 Moss, Elder Noah H. is a native of what is now Cleve- 
 land county, X. C.,born February 8th, 1823. Was convert- 
 ed in early life and baptized by Elder Wade Hill into the 
 61 
 
4 f 2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 fellowship of Capernaum church. He was licensed to preach 
 about the year 18 — , and ordained to the full work of the 
 Gospel ministry in 187(3. Elder Moss, we believe, is not the 
 pastor of any church within the bounds of the King's Moun- 
 tain, but frequently assists other ministers in revival meet- 
 ings, Sunday-schools and prayer-meetings. He is well posted 
 in the (Scriptures, and preaches acceptably. Is an humble, 
 unassuming christian, disposed to do all the good within his 
 ability, in ttie cau^e of (Jurist. 
 
 Mullinax, Elder Thomas Henry several years ago was 
 a member of Mount Ziori church which, although within 
 the bounds of the King's Mountain Association, yet remain- 
 ed a. member of the Broad River until the session of 1872, 
 when she joined the Kind's Mountain bodv. Elder Mullinax 
 had joined the Antioch church in 1870, and afterward the 
 Buffalo church in 1872, which church was then a member 
 of Broad River Association, and he was chosen one of the 
 delegates to represent said church in the sessions of 1871 to 
 1874. We believe he never was identified with the King's 
 Mountain Association, but was pastor of Mount Sinai for a 
 year or two, and rendered faithful services. His principal 
 labors, however, are being dispensed among the Broad River 
 churches — Providence, Camp's Creek, Unit} 7 , and Abingdon 
 Creek, etc. He is a brother of Elder Madison Mullinax, 
 dec'd, and also a native of York county, S. C. He married 
 Miss Julia Aim Moore, July 20th, 1852, a daughter of Bea- 
 con Win. Moore, dec'd, a very worthy christian lady. 
 
 Elder Mullinax is a very worthy minister, endeavor- 
 ing, we believe, to do all the good he can in the cause of 
 Christ. He was born May 29th, 1830, joined the Antioch 
 church, and was baptized by Eider W. Hill, in the 19th 
 vear of his a^e. 
 
 *& 
 
 Mullixo, Elder Pinckxey' Sylvanus is a native of 
 York county, S. C, born October 7th, 1844 ; married Miss 
 Julia Hamrick, daughter of D. Hamrick, Esq., dec'd, and 
 joined first the Methodist Episcopal church, but after recon- 
 sideration, joined the Baptist church at New Hope, one of 
 the King's Mountain churches, and during the period of a 
 revival in said church he felt the influence of the Spirit 
 moving him to pray and speak in public. He was licensed 
 to preach hi 1379, and continued to exercise his gift for 
 a time, and having been lettered to Mount Sinai church, he 
 was examined by a presbytery consisting of Elders Thomas 
 II. Mullinax and Lewis H. McSwaiu, on the 25th day of 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4S3 
 
 August, 1882, and set apart to the full work of the ministry. 
 And his name appears enrolled on the face of the King's 
 Mountain Minutes of 1882 as an ordained minister. 
 
 Nelson, Elder W. A. is now a King's Mountain min- 
 ister, having accepted the call to the pastorate of the Shelby 
 church in the year 1880. Elder Nelson is a very worthy 
 christian minister and effective pastor. He possesses a keen, 
 logical mind, sterling integrity, fervent piety and sound the- 
 ology. He has an eye to the religious operations of his 
 flock. The whole machinery of the church where he serves 
 as pastor is expected to engage fully in the prosecution of 
 such work as may be considered necessary for the further- 
 ance of the Gospel ; or general christian cause of the Redeemer 
 among the churches. And in order to succeed well in a 
 cause so laudable, and fraught with consequences so very 
 important and desirable to all the real lovers of Christianity, 
 he spares no pains in leading a faithful and spirited attack 
 upon all the strongholds of Satan, let their colors be dis- 
 guised and deceptive as they may, which at any time present 
 themselves in opposition to the truth of God's word. Dr. 
 Nelson's text-book is the revealed will of God, as stated in 
 the Bible, without any dissimulation or sugar-coating. We 
 reproduce here from. Dr. Cathcart's Baptist Encyclopedia 
 the following notice of the subject of this sketch as being 
 appropriate : 
 
 "Rev. W. A. Nelson, D D. was born in Jefferson county, Teun., 
 July 1st, 1837 ; baptized by M. Cate ; graduated at Carson College, 
 Tenn., in 1859 ; ordained in 1860 ; was missionary during the war; 
 did good work as a pastor at Shelby ville, Tenn., and was very suc- 
 cessful at Edgefield, Nashville, where, under his pastorate, the 
 church increased from 31 to 350, and built a fine house and parson- 
 age ; came to North Carolina in search of health in 1899 ; became 
 president of Judson College, and has gone into the pastorate again at 
 Shelby ; a very successful man. He received D.D. from his alma 
 mater. The church at Shelby has, by his persevering efforts, been 
 greatly revived and built up since he became pastor, and would 
 probably be unwilling to exchange him for any other minister. 
 
 "Dr. Nelson has served in three several sessions of the King's 
 Mountain Association, and been a leading factor in Associational 
 work." 
 
 Owens, Elder M. C. was a Broad River minister for a 
 time, said to have formerly belonged to the Reedy River 
 Association. In the session of the Association held at Zoar 
 church in 1847, he was a delegate to the body from Sulphur 
 Springs church, and pastor of that church in the years 1817 
 
484 , BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 -'48- : 49. We know scarcely nothing of the history of Elder 
 Owens. We are informed that he was a mechanic, and 
 worked at a trade for the support of himself and family, 
 and labored in the ministry as he had opportunity afford- 
 ed him. He probably emigrated West, as we lose sight of 
 him in the Minutes of the Association after 1849. 
 
 Paxxell, Elder Martin is a member of Beaver 
 Dam church, of the King's Mountain Association. Date of 
 birth unknown to author. A brother, according to flesh, of 
 Elder Dove Pannell, dec'd. He is an humble christian min- 
 ister, of moderate preaching abilities ; was licensed to preach 
 in 1860, and ordained to the full work of the ministry by a 
 presbytery, while he was identified with a seceding party 
 known as the "Constitutional Kind's Mountain Association." 
 After the reconciliation convention was held at Zoar, the 
 Beaver Dam church, with Elder Pannell, returned to their 
 places as a constituent of the King's Mountain Association, 
 and has ever since proved loyal to the associate body. Elder 
 Pannell, while a lay member, represented his church in the 
 Association several times before the "temperance troubles" 
 disturbed the body, and was always recognized as a pious, 
 well disposed member of the church of Christ. He still 
 lives. 
 
 Padgett, Elder John appears to have joined the church 
 first at Sandy Run, soon after the organization of the Broad 
 River Association, and continued his membership thereuntil 
 1819, when he appeared in the Association as a delegate 
 from Xew Hope church, Rutherford county, 1ST. C. He was 
 afterwards transferred to Big Spring church, where he re- 
 mained for several vears, becoming a member of the Catawba 
 River Association. He afterward became a member of High 
 Shoals church in its organization in 1830. He was ordained 
 to the Gospel ministry in the year 1811, and at the session 
 of the Broad River body in 1838, the following entry was 
 made on the minutes : "It becomes our painful duty to re- 
 cord the death of Elder John Padgett, who departed this 
 life some time during the past associational year." 
 
 The services rendered by him in the Gospel ministry, 
 and the faithfulness and zeal with which he discharged the 
 various duties assigned him, while. occupying his respective 
 and important station upon the walls of Zion (which he con- 
 tinued to do for more than forty years,) entitle him to the 
 remembrance and respect of all good men ; for he not only, 
 in his early life, taught the healthful doctrines of the Gospel 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 485 
 
 with force and with confidence in their correctness and truth, 
 l>ut he even, in his declining years, ratified 1 the things which 
 he had spoken, by discovering a holy calmness in view of 
 death and his approaching dissolution, which did honor to 
 the christian cause. He died as he had lived, expressing 
 great love and regard for his fellow-men, and beloved by ail 
 whose opportunities in life enabled them to appreciate the 
 worth of such a good man. 
 
 In ottering this tribute of respect to the memory of our 
 departed brother, we earnestly* sympathize with his relatives 
 and friends; yet we advise them not to sorrow and grieve as 
 those having no hope; for although we are deprived of the 
 blessings of his usefulness and presence here, yet we have 
 great reason to believe his immortal spirit has gone home to 
 rest in a far better land — to be enriched with the full frui- 
 tion of everlasting joys, and there to lisp undying praises in 
 harmonious songs to his Eternal King, and ever to mingle 
 with the innumerable company of happified spirits that fly 
 in glorious splendor around the dazzling throne of the 
 Great Jehovah, God." 
 
 Elder Padgett had not only been a soldier of the Cross, 
 but. in the war of the Revolution, when men's souls were 
 well tried, he bore arms in defence of that liberty and inde- 
 pendence we have all so long enjoyed, and which we should 
 all so much appreciate and endeavor to perpetuate. As a 
 preacher he ranked amongst the most useful in the discharge 
 of pastoral duties, and where best known was most appreci- 
 ated and loved. He was a large, raw-boned mat], of great 
 strength and endurance. The hardships and toils he had 
 undergone in his early pioneer life had tended greatly to de- 
 velop his muscular system, and he had become almost a giant, 
 physically speaking. We are not informed as to the time 
 of his birth, but learn from the minutes of the Association 
 that he became a member of the bodv in 1808, then an or- 
 dained minister, and consequently he must have attained to 
 i a great age when he died in 18.38, having served at the 
 probable age of twenty-five in the Revolutionary war. He 
 leaves behind him a good manv descendants who, like their 
 venerated ancestor, are mostly of the Baptist faith and order. 
 He intermarried with Miss Celia Hollyfield, a sister of Elder 
 J. Hollvfield. 
 
 Padgett, Elder Alanson was born April 10th, 1800, in 
 Rutherford county, N. C. Joined the church at High 
 Shoals, that church then being a member of the Broad River 
 Association. In 1841 the High Shoals church was dismissed, 
 
486 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 and joined in the organization of the Green- River Associa- 
 tion, and Elder Padgett was transferred to- that bodv, whe're- 
 he remained an active member until 1872, when Sandy 
 Springs, the church to which he then belonged, was dismiss- 
 ed, and joined the Broad River body : so that the first and' 
 last portions of his ministerial labors were spent within the- 
 bounds of the Broad River Association. 
 
 While a member of High Shoals, on January 24th r 
 1848, he was licensed to preach, and on September 10th, 
 1844, he was ordained to the full work of the Gospel minis- 
 try, by Elders J. M. Webb, S. G. Hamilton and others, from 
 whom, as a presby tery, he received his credentials. 
 
 We were well acquainted with Elder Padgett, and be- 
 lieved him to be a devoted and pious christian minister, hum- 
 ble and condescending toward all his brethren, and ever 
 ready to do any one an act of kindness. He was a good 
 preacher, his style or manner of preaching partaking largely 
 of the expository character, and greatly edifying to the chris- 
 tian portion of his audience. He was truly an orthodox and 
 sound Baptist — never was tempted or tossed about by every 
 for any) wind of doctrine. He was steadfast and immovable 
 in the true faith of the Gospel, and we are informed that 
 when death approached him he cheerfully resigned his labors 
 for that "rest which remaineth to the people of God." He 
 died February 2d, 1877. 
 
 In the Minutes of the Broad River Association at its 
 session of 1877, we find recorded : 
 
 "We mourn the death of Elder A. Padgett, of Sandy Springs 
 church, who died February 2d, 1S77." 
 
 How brief is such a notice of a good minister of the 
 Hew Testament ! 
 
 Padgett, Elder William Bryson appeared first in the 
 Broad River Association in 1846 as a delegate from Camp's 
 Creek church, then an ordained minister. He continued 
 to be a member of the Association, and delegate from the 
 same church, until the session of 1849, after which we find 
 no account of him in the minutes of the Association, and 
 learn that he became disorderly and was deposed from the 
 ministry. At the session of 1847 he, with Elder W. Hill, 
 was appointed by the body to perform some missionary labor 
 in the extreme eastern section of the Association ; that in con- 
 nection with his pastoral duties at Camp's Creek, Boiling 
 Springs and Bethlehem churches, is all that we find recorded 
 of him in the minutes. The date of his birth we know not, 
 but suppose it was about 1820. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 487 
 
 Poston, Elder Furman Hill is a native of Cleveland 
 •county, N. C., and son ot Elder Robert Poston. Born July 
 ■3d, 1855. Baptized by his father in 1871, into the fellow- 
 ship of Zion church. Married Miss Alice T. Fulton, (Sept. 
 16th, 1873. After exercising in the ministry for a time was 
 ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry in 1879, 
 and became connected with the Green River Association, 
 but is at this time a member of, and pastor of, Ross' Grove 
 ■church, within the bounds of the King's Mountain Associa- 
 tion. Elder Poston is now attending Prof. King's academ- 
 ical school, at Shelby, N. C, with a view to the obtaining a 
 better education, and better preparation to preach the un- 
 searchable riches of Christ. May great success attend him ! 
 
 Pannell, Elder Dove was a native of South Carolina, 
 and moved within the bounds of the Broad River Association 
 about the year 1831, and joined the High Shoals church; 
 ■date of birth unknown to author. During the time he lived 
 in Rutherford county he acted as a civil magistrate, and hav- 
 ing joined the Baptist church he was licensed by the High 
 Shoals church to preach the Gospel, and in the year 1844 
 was ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry, by 
 Eiders J. M. Webb and S. G. Hamilton. He was chosen 
 pastor ot Bethel church, and in 1851 he was a member of 
 the convention that organized the King's Mountain Associ- 
 ation, and preached the introductory sermon before that 
 body from the words, "The hour is come." Elder Pannell 
 having identified himself with the King's Mountain bodv, 
 was at several times subsequently chosen to preside as Mod- 
 erator over the deliberations of the body, and at the session 
 of 1852 he was appointed to write a Circular Letter on £he 
 subject of Election, — which letter, out of respect to the mem- 
 ory of Elder Pannell, we reproduce in this work. At the 
 session of the Association in 1380, as will appear from the 
 journalistic part of this work, a division of the Association 
 took place on the subject of Temperance, and Elder Pannell 
 became the most prominent in leadership in the secession 
 movement. A new body or association was organized the 
 same year, and continued to hold annual sessions until in 
 1866, a reconciliation was effected by mutual concession, and 
 ever since the rival parties have been acting together in har- 
 
 11IODV. 
 
 Elder Pannell, after laboring faithfully many years in 
 the ministry, under great disadvantages by reason of the 
 lack of early educational training, died at his home on the 
 26th of March, 1881, in the exercise of the Gospel faith he 
 had so earnestly preached. v 
 
488 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 The Association, at its session in the same year, noticed 
 his demise on the. face of their Minutes T substantially as 
 above stated. He was a well-meaning, pious christian min- 
 ister, and doubtless is now realizing in full fruition the re- 
 ward laid up for the finally faithful. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 To the Churches Composing the King's Mountain Baptist Association 
 
 — Greeting : , 
 
 Dear Brethren : — According to custom and a decision of your 
 last Association, we now address you a letter on the subject of Elec- 
 tion. First, election in Scripture means God's taking a whole nation, 
 community, or body of men into eternal covenant with Himself, by 
 giving, them the advantage of revelation, as a rule of their belief,, 
 when other nations were left without. — [See Deut. vii. 6.] 
 
 Secondly. As regards the salvation of sinners, it means God's 
 eternal purpose that He had in Himself before the world began ; that 
 through His Son there might a way be opened or made from earth 
 to Heaven ; that through this way sinners might be saved There- 
 fore, the Son of God is spoken of as the Elect of the Father ; for thus 
 runs the Divine sentence, "Behold my servant whom I uphold, 
 mine elect in whom my soul delighteth." [Isa. xliii. 1.] That God 
 the Father did not only elect His Son to die for sinners, but chose 
 the means and instruments through which the means were to be 
 conveyed, appears obvious. The means of grace are the Gospel ; for 
 it pleased God, through the foolishness of preaching, to save them 
 that believe. "But how can they believe in Him of whom they have 
 not heard ? and how can they hear without a preacher ? and how 
 can he preach without he be sent?" [Rom. x.] It is clear, then 
 that a man must be called before he can be sent ; and that God calls 
 men, is a revealed truth, as it is written: "Listen, O! iles, unto me, 
 and hearken ye people from afar : the Lord hath called me." [Isa. 
 xlix. 1.] And it is said of the prophet Jeremiah, that God called 
 him and ordained him before he came into existence. [See Jer. i. 6.] 
 Thus we see that those prophets, together with all "the ministry of 
 reconciliation," are called or elected according to God's purpose ; for 
 "whom He did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His 
 Son, them He called ; ar,d whom He called, He justified." [Rom. 
 viii. 6.] So also when Christ came into the world in the days of His 
 incarnation, He called men who were not only to preach the Gospel, 
 but to be eye and ear witnesses to the miracles which He did. There- 
 fore Peter declares that "Pie went about doing good, and healing all 
 that were opyressed with the Devil." For God was with Him. And 
 w r e are His witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land 
 of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a . 
 tree." Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly — 
 
 not to all the people, but unto witnesses, chosen before of God ; even 
 to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He arose from the 
 dead." [Acts x. 39, 40, 41.] 
 
 We sae, therefore, that those prophets and apostles, were God's 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 489 
 
 elect : chosen before, predestined of Him to be witnesses of tbe death, 
 resurrection and ascension of the Messiah. And that all tbose thatbe- 
 , lieved God's word through them might be saved. Hence, we see, 
 when Christ was going to leave the world, He addressed the Father, 
 saying: I have manifested thy name unto the men that thou gavesfc 
 me out of the world, and I pray not that thou shouldest take them 
 out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil ; and 
 neither pray I for these alone, but for them also, which shall believe 
 on me through thy word, that the world may believe that thou hast 
 sent me. (John xviii.) So, as Christ came into the world and died 
 by appointment, to save sinners, being chosen or elected, so also, He 
 has chosen or elected men, and commanded them to "go imo all the 
 world and preach the gospel to every creature, saying, he that be- 
 lieveth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall 
 be damned." (Mark xvi.) 
 
 And, Saint Paul, speaking on the subject, goes on to show that Al- 
 mighty God had laid down a plan to gather together all things in 
 Christ, thus exclaims: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly 
 places in Christ, according as He hath chosen us in Him before the , 
 foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame 
 before Him in love; that in the dispensation of the fullness of time, 
 He might gather together in one, all things in Christ" (Eph. i. 1-2.) 
 It is, therefore, through the agency of these holy men, whom God hath 
 chosen, thatthe word oflife is preached to sinners. And not only the ap- 
 ostles, but the Lord has had, and now has ministers of hisown choice 
 whom He has chosen or elected to preach to sinners, and to gather 
 them unto Christ, that they mey believe and be saved. And sinners 
 are under as great an obligation to obey the Word of God by the 
 mouth of His messengers as if God called Himself unto them. Be- 
 cause they are God's chosen instruments for this purpose ; and those 
 that believed or trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the 
 Gospel of your salvation, ye were sealed with that holy spirit of 
 promise and made an heir of God and a joint heir with the Lord 
 Jesus Christ ; therefore being made an equal heir with Christ, the 
 believer becomes one with Christ, one with Hi!s apostles, one with 
 the ministers of reconciliation, and consequently the whole mass of 
 evangelical believers are called God's elect ; therefore it is said, He 
 shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they 
 shall gather together His elect from the four winds from one end of 
 heaven to the other." (Matt, xxiv.) 
 
 The believer being thus united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, 
 the declaration is, he shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, 
 for He saith, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never 
 perish." And again, "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ 
 in God, and when Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye 
 also appear with Him in glory, and be put in possession of that in- 
 heritance that is incorruptible and undenTed, and that fadeth not 
 away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are kept by the power of 
 62 
 
490 . BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 God, ready to be revealed in the last time." [Gal. iii., also 2 Peter i.] 
 It is said by some, that the believer may be a chid of God to-day, 
 beloved of his Redeemer, and on his way to heaven ; and to-morrow 
 he may lose his religion, fall from grace, and go to eternal perdition 
 at last. Away with such an idea from the earth ! The believer, be- 
 coming one with Christ, by drinking into the same spirit, he is 
 called the seed of David ; that is, our spiritual David which is 
 Christ — hence the language of Almighty God : "Once have I sworn 
 by my holiness that I will not lie unto David (or Christ) that his 
 seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me." 
 [Psalms lxxxix. 35, 36.] 
 
 Again we hear Christ saying, "I am the good shepherd ; I lay 
 down my life for the sheep, and I give unto them eternal life and 
 they shall never perish ; neither shall any pluck them out of my 
 hand ; and my Father who is greater than all, gave them me, and 
 none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." [John x.] 
 Hence we see the plan of Almighty God in saving sinners, and 
 bringing them into eternal rest at His right hand, where they shall 
 enjoy His peaceful presence throughout long eternity. But when 
 we view the goodness of God in man's redemption, in sending His 
 Son into the world to die for men, and also calling men of like pas- 
 sions with ourselves to go to the impenitent sinner and call upon 
 him to repent, and he, like Pharaoh of old, refuse to obey, we are 
 often constrained to cry out and say, "How long, O, Lord, will Thy 
 goodness and forbearance and long suffering continue with the im- 
 penitent sinner?" For He willeth not the death of the sinner, and 
 though after long striving with such an individual, after trying him 
 with the various incitements which are best calculated to stir a ra- 
 tional creature and agitate an immortal mind, God may withdraw- 
 all the aids of the spirit, and so give him over to hardness of heart 
 and reprobacy of mind, to work out his own destruction with greed- 
 iness, as in the case of the Egyptian King of whom it is- said, "God 
 hardened his heart;" and when the expression is repeated so as to 
 make a continual and onward hardening, we have no other idea of 
 the meaning than that God, moved by the obstinacy of Pharaoh, 
 withdrew from him all the restraints of His grace, and as those re- 
 straints were more and more removed, the heart of the King was 
 more and more hardened. We look upon the instance as a precise 
 illustration of the truth, that "whatsoever a man soweth that shall 
 he also reap." The King sowed obstinacy, and consequently reaped 
 obstinacy; The seed was put into the soil, and nothing more was 
 required than that it should be left to vegetate and act out its own 
 nature, to wit : infidelity. This was the seed sown by the Egyptian 
 King, when he rejected the miracles and disobeyed the commands 
 of the Almighty, who sent His elected or chosen servant, to wit : 
 Moses, saying : "Let my people go," which grew into a greater de- 
 gree of hardness and persisting on in his rebellion, he was over- 
 thrown with his army and perished in the sea. 
 
 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 491 
 
 arise with healing in His wings ; and you shall be mine when I 
 come to make up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth 
 his own son that serveth him, saith the Lord of hosts. 
 
 Finally, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the union 
 and communion of His Holy Spirit be with His elect children for- 
 ever more. Amen. 
 
 Thine to serve in all good things. Dove Pannell, 
 
 October 24th, 1854. 
 
 Phillips, Elder Gabriel was a member of Friendship 
 church, and delegate to the Broad River Association at its 
 session in 1819, then a licensed preacher. He was ordained 
 to the full work of the ministry sometime during that or the 
 next year, and was a delegate to the next sessions of 1820- 
 '21-'22-'23-'24-'25-'26-'27, at which last session he was 
 chosen Moderator of the body. At the previous session 
 (1826) he w T as appointed by the Association to prepare a 
 Circular Letter on the subject of Intemperance, which we 
 here reproduce in this work as a memento. 
 
 We are without information as to the birth or demise 
 of Elder Phillips, but as there is no notice of his death in 
 the Minutes of the body, we presume he emigrated in his 
 old age to some other State or iield of labor. He appears 
 to have been a prominent minister of the Gospel in the time 
 he lived. And his views, which are embodied in the letter 
 he wrote on Intemperance, are certainly very sound, and 
 should be put into practice by all those who would lead quiet 
 and orderly lives, and desire the furtherance of the Gospel 
 of Christ : 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Broad River Baptist Association, to the Churches in Union — 
 
 Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — Intemperance, that bane of society — that great 
 moral sin — being the subject proposed for this Circular Letter, we 
 will proceed to recount a few of its miseries. From the creation to 
 the present day the world has by intemperance been involved in 
 misery. Noah was "a preacher of righteousness previous to intoxi- 
 cation ; the righteous soul of just Lot was vexed from day to day at 
 the deeds of the wicked, but he became intemperate and committed 
 incest. Subsequent silence seems designed as a punishment of these 
 two men, as the reward of their intemperance. Belshazzer, the 
 great King of Babylon, by intemperance lost his kingdom and his 
 life. Scriptural quotations on this subject might be multiplied, but 
 as brevity is our intent these may suffice. But, beloved brethren, 
 as the ages of the world have multiplied, the awful voice of intem- 
 perance and its consequent direful effects have increased in a ten-fold 
 ratio ; the present age might emphatically be styled the drunken 
 age, so much does inebriety prevail. 
 
492 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 A late writer tells us that temperance, by fortifying the mind 
 and body, leads to happiness ; intemperance, by enervating them, 
 leads to misery ; and those who destroy a healthy constitution of 
 body by intemperance, do as manifestly kill themselves as those 
 who hang, poison or drown themselves. Virtue is no enemy to 
 pleasure, but on the contrary is its most certain friend. Her office 
 is to regulate our desires, that we may enjoy pleasures with modera- 
 tion, and then our relish for them will continue. 
 
 Some, alas ! have recourse to ardent spirits as a refuge from mis- 
 fortune, but this-is the most frail, the most broken of all reeds: the 
 solace is short-lived ; every fresh dose makes way for another till the 
 miserable wretch becomes the slave of his intoxication, and falls a 
 sacrifice to his false medicine. How different the life of the wise, 
 who rest their case on the stable hope of an all-wise Providence, 
 who chastens whom he would amend, and afflicts whom he would 
 exhalt ! O ye ! who, by ardent liquid poison into your frames daily 
 infused, madly dare to rush into the presence of your omnipotent 
 Judge as in defiance of his wrath, reflect, O ! ere it be too late, reflect, 
 and hurl the poisoning cup away ! 
 
 That there is an hereafter, conscience, as though with powerful 
 lungs, proclaims to all : then it must be an awful thing to die ! but 
 still more to die by one's own hand ; for that daily intoxication is 
 mature, deliberate suicide, every one in his senses will surely allow. 
 Remember that use, custom and habit are but synonymous terms 
 for the thing called second nature ; that this second nature is, than 
 our first, more stubborn, more difficult to be subdued. Remember 
 also, that by little, unsuspecting beginnings, murderous inebriety 
 usurps her reign ; then resist her first advances, beware of her be- 
 witching smiles that would allure you to her fatal grasp. 
 
 Those who pride themselves on living fast, and are bent on a 
 short and merry life, as they call it (though we should term it a mis- 
 erable one,) may spurn at these admonitions and rush headlong to 
 their own destruction ; but let them beware, for the day of retribu- 
 tion is at hand, their short-lived imaginary pleasures are the certain 
 avenues to eternal, real pains. If. when we died., we ceased to be — 
 if death were nothing but a return to the barren womb of nothing 
 whence we sprung — then might the wretch, weary of life and by 
 sorrow worn, give misery the slip and steal from being Avhen he 
 pleased ; but even in that case why not prefer the halter or the 
 knife? Why die by inches? Why make daily attempts on one's 
 own life by murderous, liquid fire? No reason why, but that wick- 
 edness is abroad in the land ; and in our own land proverbially so, 
 we blushingly subscribe to the proverb. 
 
 Societies have been recently established in our different seaports 
 for the suppression of intoxication ; medicines have been publicly 
 vended and dispensed throughout the union, the benign effects of 
 which, 'tis said, will deter the tippling maniac and bid him sin no 
 more. Amen ! say we, to the successful issues of these humane 
 efforts : and let us, dear brethren, unite in earnest supplication to 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 493 
 
 the great Creator, that His creatures may cease to defile the image 
 •of their Maker by brutal sensuality, as in that image they were cre- 
 mated ; and verily we say unto them that in brutalizing the creature, 
 they heinously oftend the Creator. Gabriel Phillips. 
 
 October 19th, 1827. 
 
 Posey, Elder Humphrey is claimed by some as having 
 once been a member of the Broad River Association about 
 the year 1806, but we do not find irom the Minutes that he 
 ever was. But inasmuch, as he performed a great deal of 
 ministerial labor within the bounds of the Broad River As- 
 sociation, in the character of an Evangelist, or Missionary, 
 ■about that time, we have thought proper to copy from Dr. 
 Cathcart's Encyclopedia, the following account of him : 
 
 "Rev Humphrey Posey, an eminent Baptist minister, was dis- 
 tinguished for his benevolent spirit and great abilities. He was 
 above the ordinary size with a large frame, and a fine face and head. 
 Born in Henry county, Va., January 12th, 1780 he commenced 
 preaching in 1803, and was ordained in 1805, in Buncombe county, N. 
 C, and, among others, preached to the Cherokee Indians. He was 
 regularly appointed a missionary to the Cherokees at Valley Town, 
 in North Carolina, by the Baptist Mission Board, of Philadelphia, 
 in 1817, and maintained his connection with the mission until 1821, 
 accomplishing great good. In 1824 he settled in Cherokee, Ga., and 
 became a very successful agent for the Hearn School, relieving it of 
 much pecuniary embarassment. In 1S44, he married a second time, 
 .and removed to Newman, where he died, Dec. 28th, 1816. Dr. J. H. 
 Campbell in his Georgia Baptist records it 'as his deliberate convic- 
 tion that -Humphrey Posey was naturally one of the greatest men, 
 and for his limited opportunities, one of the greatest preachers he 
 has ever known. His person, his countenance, his voice, the throes 
 of his gigantic mind, the conceptions of his large christian soul, all 
 proclaimed him great.' The first time Dr. Campbell ever met him 
 was at the Georgia- Baptist Convention, in 1835, near Penfield, and 
 the doctor says, 'such men as Mercer, Sanders, Dawson, Thornton, 
 Mallary, Brooks, and others were there, but Posey was a giant among 
 them all.' Dr. C. D. Mallary wrote and published a 'Life of Hum- 
 phrey Posey.' 
 
 Poston, Elder Robert was born in Cleveland county, 
 3jT. C, February 4th, 1825. Converted in early life, and in 
 1852, appeared in the session of the King's Mountain Asso- 
 ciation as a licensed preacher and delegate from the Double 
 Springs church. In that same year he was ordained to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry. And again in 1853-'54-'55, 
 was a delegate and ordained minister from the same church 
 to the Association. He then intermarried with Miss Julia 
 
434 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 London, an estimable young lady of his own county, and 
 joined Zion church by letter, and was chosen pastor also of 
 the same church. In 1857, he appears on the minutes as 
 pastor and delegate from the same church, which relation- 
 ship he continued to fill for a number of years. In 1866, he 
 was chosen moderator of the Association, and prepared the 
 Circular Letter on Temperance, which was adopted by the 
 Association the next year. He has been pastor of several 
 of the King's Mountain churches for limited periods, and is- 
 now we believe pastor of Mount Harmony church, while his- 
 membership is still with the Zion church. 
 
 Elder Poston as a hard laboring tiller of the soil, and 
 by frugality and industrious habits has reared a large family T 
 and lives well at home. He has one son laboring in the 
 ministry within the bounds of the Green River Association. 
 Elder Robert Poston's scholastic advantages have been but 
 moderate. He has, however, labored hard to educate him- 
 self, since he engaged in ministerial work, and besides being- 
 orthodox in the faith, he has made great improvements in 
 preaching the gospel, and is held in great esteem for his- 
 godly walk and conversation. Subjoined is the circular let- 
 ter prepared by him on Temperance, which we have thought 
 proper to reproduce. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The King's Mountain Baptist Association — To the Churches in Union, 
 
 sendeth Christian Salutation — Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — In compliance with an act of the last year's 
 council, we address you a short Circular Letter, on the subject of 
 Temperance. In writing upon a subject that has employed both the 
 talent and the pens of so many wise and good men, we are at a non 
 plus — not knowing how to present the subject in any new light, or 
 add any new interest — but perhaps we can "stir up your pure minds, 
 by way of remembrance," if nothing more. 
 
 Temperance, in a Scriptural sense, is a principal that acts upon 
 the passions, and so controls them as to keep them in subjection to 
 the laws of moderation and prudence, and by which we are enabled 
 to abstain from all things pernicious, and to use in moderation all 
 things lawful and expedient, — in doing of which it acts in such 
 close connection with the other christian graces that the Apostle 
 Peter would have those who had escaped the corruption that is in 
 the world, through lusts, to add it (in common with the other 
 graces) to their faith : when he says, ''And besides this, giving all 
 diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to temperance patience, and 
 to patience godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness 
 charity." These all being so dependent, one upon the other, that no 
 one of them can have its perfect work without the others ; and as 
 faith sweetly works by love, and purifies the heart, so temperance 
 gently works by moderation and prudence, and thereby governs the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 495 
 
 passions; and as faith operated on the mind in renovating our na- 
 tures, so temperance acts upon the passions in regulating our actions. 
 The observance of temperance is one of the works of which James 
 •speaks, when he says . "Show me thy faith without thy works, and 
 I show thee my faith by my works." Again, "As the body without 
 the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." While it is 
 ■the business of faith to control the outward, man — and we are not to 
 he judged according to our faith, but according to our works — there- 
 fore it is that by works faith is made perfect. 
 
 Temperance is both a principle and a virtue ; for while Peter 
 ■speaks of it as a principle, Paul speaks of it as a virtue, and as one 
 of the fruits of the spirit. For he, after pointing out to the brethren 
 ■at Galatia, the manifest works of the flesh, such as emulations, strife, 
 hatred, murders, drunkenness, and such like deeds of unbridled 
 ■sensual indulgencies, adds "that they that do such things, shall not 
 inherit the Kingdom of Heaven." "But the fruit of the Spirit is 
 iove, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- 
 ness, temperance," and says against such holy dispositions there is 
 no law. Hence, as a principle, it acts upon the passions, and produces 
 s moderation and prudence, and is tantamount to a good regulator of 
 •society. 
 
 Having thus in a few words defined this complex term, we 
 would say that we should not have such contracted views of temper- 
 ance as to think it respects the appetite only. We are striving for 
 the mastery over all our sensual propensities, that we may obtain an 
 incorruptible crown. Temperance was honored by the example of 
 our Savior, who also taught it by precept, and after speaking of the 
 last day, and of the final dissolution of all things, says : "Take heed 
 to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with sur- 
 feiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day 
 come upon you unawares. Again He reproved the Pharisees for 
 their intemperance and hvpocrisy and said : "Woe unto you Scribes 
 and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye pay tithes of mint, anise, and cum- 
 min, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, 
 mercy and faith ; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the 
 others undone ; ye blind guides, which .strain at a gnat and swallow 
 a camel, ye make clean the outside of the cup and platter, but within 
 they are full of extortion and excess." The apostle Paul would 
 recommend this principle to Titus, when he said : "But speak thou 
 the things that become sound doctrine, that the aged men be sober, 
 grave, temperate ; likewise exhort the young men to be sober-mind- 
 ed, for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all 
 men, teaching us that denying ungodly and worldly lusts we should 
 live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world." The 
 apostle Peter insists upon the practice of this virtue, saying for the 
 time past of our life may suffice to have wrought the will of the Gen- 
 tiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revel- 
 ings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." And again he says, 
 "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain 
 
496 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 from fleshly lusl^s which war against the soul." We are also admon- 
 ished, in the exercise of prudence, to abstain from all appearance of 
 evil, and to let our moderation be known unto all men." Many 
 other Scriptures might be adduced to sustain this principle, but we 
 deem it unnecessary, and would now urge the necessity of the ob- 
 servance of this principle upon all men, and especially the young, 
 as a safeguard against the baneful influences of turbulent passions ; 
 it is both the armament and defence of the christian, and is requi'J 
 site in every situation and in every enterprise, and upon all occa- 
 sions ; without it we are exposed to all the merciless waves of intem- 
 perance, without an anchor. Let us therefore "nse the world as not 
 abusing it," showing all good fidelity, that we may adorn the doc- 
 trine of God our Savior in all things, looking for that blessed hope,, 
 and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior, Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 Brethren, we commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, 
 who is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance with them 
 that are sanctified. May grace be with you all. Amen. 
 
 Robert Boston. 
 September 16th, 1867. 
 
 Pursbly, Elder Thomas Kikg is a native of York coun- 
 ty, S.C. Born about the year 1814. Professed conversion 
 about 1836, and was licensed to preach soon afterward. He 
 was ordained to the full work of the ministry about the year 
 1838. Joined the Antioch church by letter, and was chosen 
 pastor that year, and was sent as one of her delegates to the 
 Broad River Association at Green River church. In 1839 
 he was chosen pastor of Long Creek, Zoar and Mount Ara- 
 rat, and represented Antioch in the session of the Association 
 that vear, and again in 1840. About this time he married the 
 daughter of Elder Spencer Morgan, and transferred his 
 membership to Providence church, where he labored as 
 joint pastor ofthe church with his father-in-law. He after- 
 wards joined Corinth church, and still continued a member 
 of tbe Association from Corinth until 1850. He then moved 
 to tlie State of Georgia, and connected himself with the Bap- 
 tist brotherhood of that State, where, after laboring in tbe 
 ministry for a time, had the misfortune to lose the use of one 
 of his arms, which finally withered away. 
 
 Elder Pursely was an uneducated minister, and of mod- 
 erate preaching talent. In the first, or early part of his 
 ministry, he manifested a ^reat deal of zeal in the discharge 
 of his ministerial duties, and sometimes succeeded in waking 
 up a good deal of interest in tbe cause of religion, and he 
 baptized a number of converts into the fellowship of the 
 churches where he labored. 
 
 We believe that he yet lives, and labors in the cause of 
 the Master; and although he is doubtless beginning to feel 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 497 
 
 the infirmities of age and decrepitude, yet we hope, through, 
 the Providence of God, he' may yet be spared to accomplish 
 more than ever in the cause of Christ. 
 
 Quin, Bro. Hugh was a member of Buffalo church, 
 York county, S. C. At the session of the Broad River As- 
 sociation in 1820 he made his first appearance in the body 
 at Mountain Creek as a lay delegate. He again appeared 
 in the body in like manner in 1822 at Mount Zion church, 
 and in the session of 1823 at Reedy River he appeared as a 
 delegate and licensed preacher. The same in 1824 at First 
 Broad River, and Buffalo in 1825, Macedonia in 1826, and 
 New Prospect in 1827. At this latter session he was elected 
 Clerk of the Association, and at the last previous session he 
 was appointed to write a Circular Letter on Law and Grace s 
 which we reproduce, out of regard to the memory of Bro. 
 Quin. Soon after the session of 1827 he emigrated to the 
 State of Georgia, where we suppose he continued to exercise 
 in the ministration of the Word. He was a verv good En- 
 glish scholar, and fluent speaker; but, we believe that dur- 
 ing his seven or eight years connection with the Broad River 
 Association, he was never ordained to the full work of the 
 gospel ministry. We have heard him preach and lecture, 
 on baptismal occasions, (we thought) with considerable 
 ability. He married Mrs. Fannie Allison, nee Miss Fannie 
 Carruth, and lived several years on Main Broad river, at 
 the crossing of Main Broad river now known as Ellis' Ferry, 
 but then known as Quin's Ferry. He was a well to do far- 
 mer and good citizen, of very respectable connections, a 
 large number of whom emigrated to the Southwest before 
 he did, and have amassed wiealth and distinction in the 
 homes of their adoption. ' Hugh Quin is a son of Peter 
 Quin who, with Abraham Collins [being loyalists] was en- 
 trusted with a dispatch from Maj. Patrick Ferguson, then 
 at Gilberttown, in Rutherford county, 1ST. C, to Lord Corn- 
 wallis, at Charlotte, N. C, to send him succor, which they 
 failed to deliver in time to prevent his destruction at King's 
 Mountain on 7th of October, 1780. Hugh Quin w T as prob- 
 ably born four or five years after that period of time. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The Broad River Baptist Association, to the Churches in Union — 
 Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren: — We address you this year on the subject of 
 
 Law and Grace, distinguished. In the prosecution of this subject, 
 
 we shall give a brief explanation of what is meant by law, and en- 
 deavor to explain its office. Secondly, we shall explain the term 
 grace, and show its office, and mark the distinction by way of con- 
 clusion. 
 
 63 
 
498 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Law, in its most general and comprehensive sense, signifies a 
 rule of action, and is applied indiscriminately to all to whom it is 
 considered to be given, as that rale of action which is prescribed by 
 some superior, and which the inferior is bound to obey Thus, 
 when God-created matter out of nothing, and formed the universe, 
 he impressed certain principles upon its component matter from 
 which it can never depart, and without which it would cease to be. 
 And on putting that matter into motion he established certain laws 
 of motion to which all movable bodies must conform. In like man- 
 ner when He made man to inhabit the universe, He gave him a law 
 or laws which, so long as they were observed, were realized by man 
 to be "Holy, just and good," because they were and are the eternal 
 rule of right, by which the Deity determined to act, but as soon as 
 they were violated his original happiness ceased to be. 
 
 The particular laws mentioned in the Scriptures are, 1st: The 
 moral law ; 2nd, the ceremonial, and 3rd, the judicial, — to which 
 might be added the law of nature and reason, which the Gentile 
 world had before the written law had ever reached them. And it is 
 matter of great moment properly to distinguish the several laws, in 
 order to a proper understanding of the Scriptures ; but as we have 
 not sufficient room here to make those distinctions, we shall confine 
 ourselves to the moral law, in which consists our duty towards God 
 and each other. But how unavailing is the tongue and pen of man 
 to give an adequate idea of the law of a God of attributes and per- 
 fections so infinite and transcendent! God Himself has, in great 
 condescension and mercy, taken care to engage our attention to its 
 importance by His manner of introducing it into the world. [Exo- 
 dus, 19th chap.] 
 
 1st, Three days in preparing the -Israelites, and engaging their 
 attention to receive it. 2nd, Supernatural thunder and lightning, 
 and a thick cloud. 3rd, the voice of the trumpet exceedingly loud, 
 making all the people in the camp to tremble. 4th, Mount Sinai 
 covered with smoke. 5th, the Lord descended upon it in fire, and 
 tbe whole Mount from the summit to the base greatly quaked ; and* 
 6th, the mere mount, from which it was given, was so sacred that it 
 was immediate death for any but Moses and Aaron to touch it. 
 
 If its promulgation be thus tremendous and awful, how awfully 
 tremendous and terrible must that law itself be, which is armed 
 with incomprehensible vengeance ! demands perfect and perpetual 
 obedience, and hurls the thunder of its curses down upon a law- 
 violating world. [Gal. iii. 10.] 
 
 By this law is the knowledge of sin, as sin consists in any vio- 
 lation of the law, or any want of conformity to it. Where there -is 
 no law there is no transgression (or sin ;) without sin no death, as 
 death is the wages of sin ; and as death reigned fronjAdam to Moses, 
 we conclude that this law was made known to man from Adam to 
 Moses, though not declared to the world in so conspicuous a man- 
 ner. And the Gentiles, who had not the written law, ''were a law 
 unto themselves," and violated a law for wiich they stood condemn- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 499 
 
 ed. "They that have sinned without law, shall perish without 
 law." Kom. i. 1:!. From these premises we draw die conclusion 
 that mankind generally have sufficient knowledge of the substance 
 of this law to be condemned for the violation of it. 
 
 But nowhere are we informed in the Sacred Scriptures that 
 man's compliance with this law can give life, since he is fallen 
 under its curse and penalty, which is death. Moreover, no mere 
 man since the fall has been able to keep the law ; and if there 
 should be one found that could comply with its requisitions, it could 
 not save his soul since, "by the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be 
 justified in the sight of God." The law is the broad rule that dis- 
 tinguishes betwixt right and wrong ; and as all who in a state of 
 nature are wrong, the law is evidently designed to ascertaiu the case 
 of poor guilty sinners, and show them their condemnation. * 
 
 But the fulfillment of this law is in the Son of God, the Savior 
 of poor, guilty and condemned sinners. The requisitions of the 
 law are complied with, and its penalty paid in the obedience and 
 death of Christ, and through the atonement by him made for his 
 people, grace pours like a stream to relieve and eternally save every 
 guilty sinner, who comes to Christ with full sincerity of heart, and 
 prays aright for life and salvation. "The law came by Moses, but 
 grace and truth came by Jesus Christ - " But grace must be received 
 as grace ; that is, as the free and unmerited gift of God, which alone 
 can save us, and it is in its nature as unconditional as it is free, and 
 could not be free if conditional. If it were not so the compliance 
 with a stipulated condition would purchase it; and a purchased gift 
 is a solecism in terms, which brings us to the irresistible conclusion 
 that salvation is not merited by poor, unholy man, either in whole 
 or in part. But by pure, unmixed, heavenly and divine grace are 
 ye saved through faith, which is productive of good works. The 
 atoning blood of Christ is the meritorious cause — faith in Him, the 
 vehicle through which it is conveyed to the soul, and good works 
 its declarative evidence. The law condemning the sinner for having 
 violated, and continuing in the violation of it, and passes the senfc 
 ence of death upon him. 
 
 But oh! view the contrast between law and grace. Grace 
 _th rough Jesus Christ brings to the soul a satisfaction of that law by 
 Him our surety — with the surety and satisfaction by Him made for 
 His people. God is well pleased— calls not upon us to do the works 
 of the law and live, but to repent, believe, be baptized and saved— 
 in obedience, but ndt for it. The law in its spiritual office shows 
 the heart of man to be in its very essence, violation, rebellion and 
 enmity against God and His law. Grace changes the heart to com- 
 pliance, submission and love to God and His laws. Yet the law is 
 not made void through faith, but rather established for the soul that 
 realizes the pardoning grace and love of God— through Christ "de- 
 lights in the law of God after the inward man," and desires to make 
 it his "rule of action." Yet he is not under the law, but under 
 grace, therefore sin shall not have dominion over him. Grace de- 
 
5C0 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 throned the law, as to its condemning power, and "reigns through 
 righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." 
 
 O ! Prince of Peace, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Creator 
 of Heaven and earth, Law-giver and LavV-satisfier, Son of God, and 
 Savior of sinners! gi»e us more and more of that grace which 
 chooses, effectually calls, quickens, convicts, pardons, unites to 
 Christ, justifies, sanctifies, and takes to glory Thy beloved people. 
 Let us live to the glory of God while on earth, and in Heaven be 
 capacitated to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, forever and 
 ever. Amen. Hugh Quin. 
 
 October 18th, 1826. 
 
 Rainwaters, Elder James appeared first in the Broad 
 River Association in 1822, as a lay delegate from Philadel- 
 phia church, at the session of the body held that year at 
 Mount Zion church. He again appeared in the body at 
 Head of First Broad River, in 1824, and again in 1825, at 
 the session at Buifalo, still as a layman. He was ordained 
 to the ministry in 1826, and still represented Philadelphia in 
 the different sessions until 1837, preaching the introductory 
 sermon at Zion in 1836. We copy the following from Elder 
 Bennett's history in reference to Elder Rainwaters : 
 
 "James Rainwaters, a pious, zealous, and efficient minister, was 
 at this time attaining considerable notoriety in the Association. He 
 
 moved to the State of Georgia, about the year 1838. He is still living, 
 
 and I suppose is seventy-five years of age." 
 
 Elder Barnett's work was prepared in 1871, or twelve 
 years ago. So that if Elder Rainwaters still lives, he is now 
 about 87 years of age, and may be called an octogenarian. 
 
 We were acquainted with Elder Rainwaters, and have fre- 
 quently heard him preach, and considered him a very attrac- 
 tive and good preacher. He, however, had a peculiar way 
 of preaching apparently to only a part of his congregation. 
 He scarcely ever changed the position he first took in the 
 pulpit, until he got through with the discussion of his sub- 
 ject. This peculiarity very often induced some of the mem- 
 bers of his congregations to express some surprise that the 
 preacher should not honor them with a part of the discourse. 
 
 Personal Appearance. — Elder James Rainwaters was 
 of medium size, dark hair, a little tinged with red, sandy 
 beard, a massive forehead, blue eyes, and pleasant and affable 
 manners; had a quick and active movement, lively and jovial 
 in company, and generally greatly admired. . 
 
 Ramsour, Elder Philip is a native of Lincoln county, 
 N. C. Born about the year 1784, of German parentage. 
 Married in early life to Miss Sallie Summey, with whom he 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 501 
 
 Dived happily many years, and reared a family of several chil- 
 dren. Notwithstanding he was brought up in the Lutheran 
 ipersuasion, yet, he embraced Baptist principles, and having 
 moved into the bounds Of the Broad River Association, he 
 joined the church at Buffalo, and at the session of the Asso- 
 ciation in 1820, he was a lay delegate from his church, and 
 again in 1822. Ln 1825 he again appeared in the Associa- 
 tion from Buffalo, as a delegate and licensed preacher, and 
 ■again in 1826 and 1827. From 1828 to 1837 he appears in 
 the Minutes of the Association as an ordained minister and 
 -delegate from Buffalo church. He' was probably ordained 
 to the full work of the ministry in 1828. And having lost 
 the companion of his bosom by death, and finding it not 
 good to be alone, he intermarried with Miss Mary .Rhodes, 
 who proved to be an affectionate help meet to him in the 
 toils of life. In 1828-'29-'30 and '31 he was elected clerk 
 •of the Association. And again in 1834-'35 and 36, he 
 duties of which, it is said, he discharged with much satisfac- 
 tion. At the session of 1832 he was appointed to prepare a 
 •Circular Letter, on themethod to be pursued to keep the jjnity of 
 ■the Spirit in the bonds of -peace, which, out of respect for 
 the memory of Elder Ramsour, is here reproduced in this 
 work, which will doubtless be read with interest, and we 
 hope with profit. 
 
 Elder Ramsour was a pious and strictly temperate man; 
 and while remarking about his being temperate, it brings to 
 our recollection an anecdote we once heard about one of the 
 disciples of Bacchus, accosting him while a good deal under 
 the influence of the "critter," and complimenting him tor 
 the kindness he had done him "in converting his soul." 
 "Yes," said Elder Ramsour, "this looks very much like some 
 of my work. If God had converted you, and not I, the pros- 
 pect would have been much better." He emigrated to Geor- 
 gia in 1837, and while laboring in the Lord's vineyard, in 
 July, 1842, he died in the pulpit, fully harnessed in the great 
 cause he had been so long endeavoring to propagate, and 
 which he loved so dear]}'. 
 
 Elder Ramsour was also a physician on the botanic sys- 
 tem of practice, and rendered much service in nursing the 
 sick. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. , 
 
 The Broad River Bai^tist Association, to the Churches of which she 
 
 is composed, sencleth christian salutation. 
 
 Beloved Brethren : — According to appointment at our last Asso- 
 ciation, we now address you on "the method to he pursued to keep 
 the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." 
 
 We consider the subject as one of great importance to the church 
 
502 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 as a collective body, and also to the individuals of which the body 
 is composed, as much of their happiness and prosperity depends 
 both in the understanding the subject and acting out in their lives 
 what is understood. 
 
 By unity we understand union, concord, agreement, many uni- 
 ted in one, &c. This is applicable to the church, consisting of many 
 members, yet but one body, of which Christ is the head, — in whom 
 the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that, which 
 every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the meas- 
 ure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of 
 itself in love, and, being renewed in the spirit of their mind by the 
 operation of the Spirit of God, are brought willingly to give them- 
 selves to the Lord, and unto one another by the will of God ; and of 
 such it is said : "I will give them one heart and one way ; and i will 
 be their God and they shall be my people. This, although called a 
 mystical union, is nevertheless one which is abundantly testified in 
 the Word of God, and one which cannot be affected in any part 
 without more or less affecting the whole ; and considering this union 
 under the notion of the union of a natural body, it will be seen that 
 there is not only a necessity for the existence of all the parts to con- 
 stitute a perfect system — embracing beauty, strength and symmetry 
 of proportion — but it is also necessary that every part should be re- 
 garded as important in point of action, "for the body is not one 
 member, but many." 
 
 Having said a sufficiency on this glorious union, we shall in the 
 next place say something relative to its preservation. And first, as 
 this body is composed of many members, we would say that every 
 member should not only be satisfied with the part they may form of 
 tbis mystical body, but that every one should "stand in their place 
 round about the camp," and be ready aud willing to discharge, as 
 with the ability that God giveth. whatever the Lord in His Word 
 enjoins on them, and in order that every one may learn their 
 place, and the duties' therewith connected, we should recommend 
 them to search the Scriptures with prayerlul attention and inquiry : 
 '•Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" and "what shall I render 
 unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me?" 
 
 Secondly. The method to be pursued to keep the unity of the 
 Spirit in the bond of peace, consists in refraining from "walking in 
 the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way of sinuers, and sit- 
 ting in the scoruer's seat," and. in a word, avoiding every appear- 
 ance of evil. We should not only do this, but also should be both 
 ready and willing to discharge all that the Lord Jesus has enjoined 
 on His followers in general, and also the duties that may be con- 
 nected with our stations in particular, for our happiness does not 
 consist in knowing only, but doing. 
 
 We will name a few things. We should put off the old man 
 With his deeds, "for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die : but if ye, 
 through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds Of the body, ye shall live." 
 We should walk in newness of life, "for if we have been planted to- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. -503 
 
 get her in the likeness of His death, we shall also he in the likeness 
 of His resurrection." And as we are beset and opposed by three 
 grand and powerful enemies, the world, ihe flesh and the devil, 
 ■who are combined together to lead us astray, and destroy our union 
 and peace, we should be constantly engaged in watchfulness and 
 prayer to God for His spirit and grace, to enable us to withstand 
 temptation and "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are 
 called "Walk in love as children of light, and have no fellowship 
 with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, and 
 be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess ; but be filled with the 
 •spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual 
 songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord." 
 And as there are different situations in life, such as parents and 
 children, husbands and wives, masters and servants, we should 
 occupy our several stations in the way that the Lord has directed 
 us in His Word, that it may redound to His honor and glory, and 
 the peace and comfort of our souls. 
 
 We will now speak of our standing as members of the church, 
 and our duties to God and to one another. There is an invisible 
 church and a visible one ; being born again of the Spirit of God by 
 the word (John iii. 3 ; 1 Pet- i. 23) alone can constitute us members 
 of the church. A profession of faith in Christ, with a submission 
 to the ordinance of baptism, will entitle us to the privileges of the 
 church, and we thereby become members of the visible church ; but 
 this will avail us nothing in the trying day, unless we have in fact 
 experienced the work of the Spirit or God upon our souls. And 
 here it is necessary that we have "one Lord, one faith, one Baptism," 
 to form a lasting and happy union. But there are many things 
 which are calculated to cause divisions and destroy this union, 
 which should be carefully avoided. The church at Corinth was re- 
 proved, and the brethren were called carnal, because one said, "I 
 am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos " We believe similar 
 filings may and do exist at this time, and should be guarded 
 against ; for the^ cause divisions and iuterrupt that union and peace 
 which is so desirable. We would esteem the ministers of Christ as 
 His servants and ours, for His sake, and conduct ourselves accord- 
 ingly ; but give the giory to God, and say send, by whom Thou wilt 
 .send. It is not uncommon for different sentiments to exist, as it 
 respects things pertaining to godliness ; we should labor for union 
 in this, by reading God's Word, and form our sentiments by the 
 Word instead of forming them without that unerring rule, or upon 
 a wrong understanding of it, and then try to bend the rule to fit our 
 opinions. We should attend strictly to the Word of God and the 
 guidance of His spirit for our faith and practice — not forsaking the 
 assembling of ourselves together, but exhort one another to love and 
 good works ; esteeming each other better than ourselves, confessing 
 our faults to one another, and pray with and for one another, and 
 avoid persons and things that cause divisions and contentions 
 among us; pursue a principle of love to God and to one another; 
 
504 BIOGKAFHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 having two things in view — the honor and glory of God, and the* 
 peace and comfort of His people ; you will then realize "how good, 
 and how pleasant it is for brethren, to dwell together in unity." We 
 do not write these things because you do not know them, but be- 
 cause you do know them ; and to "stir up your pure minds by put- 
 ting you in remembrance." And if ye know these things, happy 
 are ye if ye do them. 
 
 We have had a pleasant meeting. We desire to thank God for 
 the union, harmony and brotherly love with which the business of 
 the Association has been conducted. We must come to a close. 
 May the God of all grace bless you and enable you to keep the unity 
 of the spirit in the bond of peace, i& the prayer of yours in Gospel 
 bonds. Philip Eamsour. 
 
 October 18th, 3833. 
 
 Rice, Elder Thomas S. appears as ao ordained minister 
 and delegate from Wolf's Creek church, to the Broad River 
 Association in 1833, and again in 1835, from Cross Roads 
 church. We can trace him no farther in the minutes at sub- 
 sequent sessions. We suppose, after serving as pastor of Cross 
 Roads one year he moved to some other field of labor. 
 
 Richards, Elder Joshua is reported to be a native 
 North Carolinian, and came well recommended to Goucher 
 Creek church, about the year 1800, and joined that church 
 by letter, and was chosen their pastor for upward of twenty 
 years. Elder Barnett says: "he was a very plain man in his 
 manners, and a very efficient minister in his day. I remem- 
 ber that he used to delight in singing his favorite song: 'Lead 
 me to the rock that is higher than I,' and when he would 
 come to that part of the song, he would throw up both hands 
 and say with great emphasis : '■Lead me to the rock that is high- 
 er than J.'" 
 
 One of his singularities as a man was, that though he 
 possessed a considerable amount of property, and kept good 
 horses, yet he did the most of his traveling on foot. He 
 used to tell, in an amusing way, that the horse he rode (allud- 
 ing to his walking stick) never scared or stumbled. He said 
 he rode that horse all the way to Florida and back, and the 
 horse never ate nor drank during the time, as he knew of. 
 Moreover, he was a very faithful horse in another respect — ■ 
 he would carry him into any man's yard, and if the dogs 
 came at him he would commence kicking, and never stop 
 until every dog was gone. 
 
 Injierson, Elder Richards was a very large man — not 
 corpulent, but very coarse features, and possessing great 
 physical strength. I think he lived to the age of about 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 5 05 
 
 ninety years, and was very useful all his life as a minister, 
 excepting some few of his last years, when his extreme old 
 age had rendered him quite childish. 
 
 lie appeared in the Broad River Association in 1815 as 
 a delegate from Providence church, but had represented 
 Goucher Creek as far back as 1808, during, probably., all the 
 years of his pastorate there. We knew old -'Daddy Rich- 
 ards," as he was familiarly called, almost from our child- 
 hood, and we understood he came among us as a slave-driver, 
 and settled near to where Gaffney City is now situate, on the 
 Air-Line Kail road; and after living there upwards o± forty 
 years as a farmer and minister, he died in 1846, aged about 
 ninety years. We find the following notice of his demise on 
 the face of the Minutes of the Broad River Association, ses- 
 sion of 1846 : 
 
 "Besolved, That we notice on our Minutes the death of our be- 
 loved brother, Elder Joshua Richards, who has died in extreme old 
 age, since the last session of our Association." 
 
 As a preacher, Elder Richards had a peculiar sort of 
 declamation, partaking of the "sing-song" style, with a voice 
 very loud and harsh, especially to ears polite or refined. He 
 often called God to witness his assertions, in his harsh, God- 
 Almighty style, which seemed to the hearers as almost de- 
 famatory, and really a desecration of God's holy name — 
 although certain lv not so intended. On one occasion, after 
 Elder Richards had preached, a Presbyterian lady inquired 
 of us who that was that used so much profanity in the pul- 
 pit. We assured her the remarks of the speaker was not 
 intended to be so considered. She replied, that might be so, 
 but surely it had that appearance, and that kind of preaching 
 could not be productive of much good, in which opinion we 
 fully concurred. 
 
 Elder Richards' singing, if any odds, was more objec- 
 tionable to the ear than his preaching, having, as he had, a 
 very harsh voice, and being entirely tuneless. At the Asso- 
 ciations, or big meetings, he had a habit of strolling about 
 through the congregations, and singing in his peculiar way, 
 his favorite "'Lead me to the rock," or "Jerusalem" songs; 
 much to the amusement of the juvenile portion of the assem- 
 blages. He would see that his songs afforded great amuse- 
 ment, and he would sometimes say, "that he enjoyed his own 
 singing as well as any of them could enjo} 7 theirs," which 
 we have no doubt was the case, notwithstanding, the chords 
 were not very harmonious. 
 
 As a neighbor and citizen he was highlv esteemed and 
 beloved, and with one consent all believed him to be a chris- 
 tian. Like all other men he had his foibles to contend with, 
 64 
 
506 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 and although he had been a dealer in slaves and had proba- 
 bly amassed a fortune in the traffic, ye't the business under 
 the then existing laws was strictly legal, if it was not expe- 
 dient. The Scriptures of Eternal Truth did not seem to 
 present any insuperable barrier to business ot that kind, 
 although philanthropy and fellow-feeling, under a more cul- 
 tivated and enlightened age of the world, seems now to revolt 
 at the mere thought of such a practice. Elder Richards' 
 works, like those of all christians will, in a coming day, be 
 tried by fire. "If any man's work abide which he hath built 
 thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work 
 shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be 
 saved, yet so as by fire." How encouraging it is, humanly 
 speaking, to be assured that all our toils and labors in a good 
 cause, will in a coming day be rewarded ! But oh ! how 
 vain it is to suppose that all our toils and sufferings' in a bad 
 cause shall ever be rewarded with the blessing of God ! Such 
 must be burnt up, and we be the sufferers in the day when 
 all our works shall be tried. How careful then ought we to 
 be in giving proper direction to our footsteps, so as to keep 
 them in the King's hio-hwav of holiness! 
 
 Rollins, Elder George Washington is a native of 
 Rutherford county (now Cleveland,)]^. C., born August 7th, 
 1828 ; converted in 1845. Made his first appearance in the 
 Broad River Association at its session at Buck Creek church 
 in 1850, as a delegate and licentiate, from Mount Pleasant 
 church. Was ordained to the full work of the Gospel min- 
 istry in August, 1851, was in the organization of the King's 
 Mountain Association JSTov. 7th, 1851, and a delegate from 
 the same church. Preached the introductory sermon before 
 the body in 1853 ; changed his membership to Pleasant Hill 
 church and was then chosen pastor of that church, also of 
 Boiling Spring, Big Spring and Mount Pleasant ; preached 
 the introductory sermon in 1855, chosen pastor this year at 
 Wall's and Sandy Run, and appointed to prepare the Circu- 
 lar Letter for 1856, on the subject of Repentance, which we 
 reproduce in this work. 
 
 In 1856 Elder Rollins transferred his membership to 
 Sandy Run, and at the sessions of 1857-'58 was chosen to 
 preside as Moderator over the deliberations of the Associa- 
 tion, and again in 1862-'63, after preaching the introductory 
 sermOn the latter year. Elder Rollins has subsequently had 
 honorable appointments conferred upon him by the Associ- 
 ation, and this is only mentioned to show the estimate the 
 brethren have made of his valuable services. Bro. Rollins 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 507 
 
 joined the church in early life, and was baptized in the 17th 
 year of his age. 
 
 In the year 1851 he married Miss Mlianda J. Jenkins, 
 who has proved a loving and affectionate help-meet to him 
 in the journey of life. May they live together many more 
 years happily, while laboring in the vineyard of the Lord. 
 Elder Rollins has heretofore been a good pastor and faithful 
 laborer in the ministration of the Word. May he still be 
 spared to render yet more acceptable services in the cause of 
 the Master, and have awarded him yet many more seals to 
 his ministry. He is at present a member, we believe, of 
 Concord church, Rutherford county, 1ST. C, and the pastor 
 thereof. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The King' 1 s Mountain Baptist Association — To the Churches in Union.' 
 
 Dear Brethren : —According to last year's appointment, we ad- 
 dress you this year on the subject of Repentance, which is by some 
 lightly esteemed, but is nevertheless of such vital interest that it has 
 claimed the attention of God, of angels, and of men, and will be the 
 primary test of our future happiuess in eternity. In entering upon 
 this vast subject we would implore the Divine assistance of Him 
 who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. 
 
 We understand that there are two kinds of repentance, and 
 they are contrary one to the other. One is true or evangelical — the 
 other is false and delusive. One is unto life — the other is unto death. 
 Evangelical repentance consists in four things, to-wit : conviction 
 for sin — contrition for the same — confession of sin, and conversion 
 from sin. Conviction leads its subjects to inquire for a remedy, as 
 did the jailer, when he said sirs. ''What shall I do to be saved ?" 
 (Acts xvi. 30,) and also in the case of Saul when he trembled, say- 
 ing : "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do V (See Acts ix. 6.) 
 
 Contrition causes them to say like Job, "I abhor myself and 
 repent," and with David when he said, "I will declare my iniquity, 
 I will be sorry for my sins." (Psalms xxviii. IS.) 
 
 This we understand to be that godly sorrow which worketh re- 
 pentance to salvation— not to be repented of. The confession of sin 
 causes them to say as David did, I acknowledge my sin unto thee. 
 I will confess my transgression unto the Lord, and like the prodigal 
 sou, "I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight, and am no 
 more worthy to be called thy son." (See Luke xv. 21.) Wealso hear 
 it said that if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive our sins. 
 
 Conversion from sin will enable them to say with the blind man 
 "Wherein I was blind now I see;" and with Paul when he said, 
 "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from 
 the law of sin and death" (Rom. viii. 2 ;) and like Job when he 
 said, "I know that my Redeemer lives." 
 
 Repentance is the first requirement of the Gospel, and was the 
 first thing proclaimed by the messenger John, being sent from 
 
508 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Heaven more than eighteen hundred years ago ; for we learn that 
 he was the voice of one crying in the wilderness and saying, "repent 
 ye, and believe the Gospel" (Matt. iii.,j and when they repented he 
 baptized them. It is to be remembered that he baptized those only 
 who brought forth fruits meet for repentance, and rejected all others, 
 
 The next messenger we read of is the Lord Jesus Christ, and He 
 was also from Heaven. So we find that they were the first two 
 messengers or preachers in the new dispensation, and they both 
 preached the same thing, saying to the people : '•Repent ye and be- 
 lieve the Gospel, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," 
 
 This we understand to be the setting up of that Kingdom which 
 Danhd speaks of, which is to be an everlasting Kingdom. (See Dan. 
 ii. 44.) So we find that this Kingdom was set up or established by 
 those Heavenly messengers just mentioned. The laws and regula- 
 tions fixed according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge 
 of God, and after this Jesus called men of like passion with our- 
 selves, and they preached that men should repent ; and after His 
 resurrection He commissioned them saying: "Thus it is written, 
 and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the' dead the 
 third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be 
 preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem ;" 
 so we understand that it is through God's ministers and church that 
 the gift of repentance is to be conveyed to the perishing nations of 
 the earth, and with it the remission of sin, which will secure their 
 eternal redemption. 
 
 How careful then, should every true minister be, to obey the 
 Divine injunction of his Master when he says, "Go ye," &c, remem- 
 bering that it is by this means the nations are to be given to the Son 
 as an inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for a possession. 
 Bat we fear there are too many who profess to be ministers, who are 
 saying, "Let me first accomplish some worldly gain or carnal pleas- 
 ure," as was said by some anciently, "Let me first go and bury my 
 father and bid them farewell at home." Such should remember 
 that our Savior permitted them not, but said, "Go thou and preach 
 the Kingdom of God." 
 
 Every minister of Christ then, should go impressed with the 
 weight and worth of perishing souls, and say by their words and 
 actions, with Paul, "woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel," 
 and it is not only the duty of God's ministers to go and preach repent- 
 ance toward God, and faith in theLord Jesus Christ, but it is the duty 
 of churches to help them go. They should help them by their prayers, 
 and by their means in every way they possibly can, but instead of 
 this, many who profess Christianity oppose the spread of the gospel, 
 which is the only means of life, but we hope the time is near at 
 hand when every christian will have learned the great lesson that 
 without faith it is impossible to please God, and begin to make the 
 great inquiry, 'how shall they hear without a preacher, and how 
 shall they preach except they be sent." 
 
 When we make this inquiry as we should do, we are led to con- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 509 
 
 •elude that it is just as necessary that messengers be sent to teach 
 ihem the plan of salvation now, as it was for John the Baptist to be 
 sent from Heaven to preach repentance in the wilderness of Judea, 
 .f>r in the language of the Eunuch, now can they understand except 
 some one teach them? And again, it has pleased God by the fool- 
 ishness of preaching to save tliem that believe. So we find thai the 
 Gospel is the only means of life to a lost world of sinners, and we do 
 believe that every christian will say in eternity, "glory be to God," 
 for it was by its teaching that I was led to repentance, and by its 
 power I am saved. 
 
 Let us then as christians, shun every appearance of evil, and 
 endeavor to abound in every good work, that those around us may 
 'be constrained to glorify God, that we may rejoice together in eter- 
 nity. 
 
 Repentance is incumbent upon all, for we hear it said by Paul : 
 "''The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth 
 all men everywhere to repent," &c. (Acts xvii. 20.) This teaches us 
 that all- are sinners, and that without repentance not one can be 
 saved ; "''for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation ?" 
 And again, ''Without holiness no man can see the Lord," in peace. 
 
 So, dear brethren, we close our short letter by noticing the final 
 destiny of those who reject the counsel of God against themselves, 
 and cry peace! peace! when there is no peace, as did those who con- 
 tented themselves with passing sentence against the eighteen, upon 
 whom the tower in Siloarn fell, that they were sinners above all oth- 
 ers ; but our Savior said to them : "I tell you nay, but except ye re- 
 cent ye shall all likewise perish.'' So we find that all sinners must 
 repent, or be inevitably lost. We would say with the poet then ; 
 
 "Repent, the voice celestial cries, 
 
 Nor longer dare delay ; 
 The wretch that scorns the mandate dies, 
 
 And meets a fiery clay." 
 
 When God sent Jonah to preach totheNinevitesthey repented in 
 sacs -cloths and ashes, but when Jesus Christ stretched out his band 
 all the day long and' says, repent and believe the Gospel that your 
 sins may be blotted out, no man regards it, or at least, but few, and 
 for this reason tbe men of Nineveh shall rise up at the judgment 
 day with this generation, and shall condemn it, and why all this? 
 Because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, a mere man, and 
 behold a greater than Jonah is here! Even the Lord of life and 
 glory, and yet many regard Him not, for we hear Him say; "If I 
 had not come and done among them the works which no other man 
 ever did, they had not had sin, but now they have no cloak for their 
 sin ;" so they are left without excuse, and it is written in their law, 
 "they hated me without cause;" and we find that God "so loved 
 the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever be- 
 lieveth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And 
 we learn that He suffered and died to make a propitiation "for our 
 sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world." 
 
510 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 And this atonement is now offered to perishing sinners through the 
 medium of the Gospel ; and in this we find that Jesus Christ is in- 
 terceding at the right hand of God for sinners, while His spirit is iru 
 the world pleading with them to repent, saying : come, for all things- 
 are now ready, and the church is pleading by her prayers, and God's 
 ministers are lifting up their voices- like trumpets and saying, who- 
 soever will, let him take the water of life freely. And angels in* 
 Heaven are rejoicing over those that do repent ; for we understand 
 that there is more joy in the presence of the angels of God over one 
 sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine just persons that 
 need no repentance. And we learn that the rich man in hell plead 
 for his five brethren, and desired that Lazarus be sent to warn them 
 to repent, but the answer was : they have Moses and the prophets; 
 if they hear not them, they will not be persuaded by any other 
 means, even if one should arise from the dead. Oh ! that every sin- 
 ner may remember that this is the accepted time and day of salva- 
 tion, and harden not their hearts, knowing of a truth that God is- 
 not slack concerning His promises, but is long suffering toward us — 
 not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to re- 
 pentance. 
 
 And finally, may every christian in our associational union be 
 led by the great goodness of God to repent of their sins and serve 
 
 Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 
 
 George W. Roleins. 
 October 27th, 1856. 
 
 Rollins, Elder Berry E. is a native of Rutherford 
 (now Cleveland) county, jS". C, born about the year 1828. 
 Joined the church in early life at Buffalo, and appeared first 
 in the Broad River Association in the session of 1850 at 
 Buck Creek church. He was a delegate the next year, at- 
 tending both sessions as a licentiate. He soon afterwards 
 connected himself with the Green River Association, and 
 was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry. He 
 then put in his letter of dismission from Buffalo with the 
 Head of First Broad, and remained with that church till he 
 died We copy the notice of the Green River Asssoeation 
 in reference to his demise, as follows : 
 
 "Elder B. E. Rollins. — Your committee not having time and 
 opportunity to get up the facts fully, and get their report into the 
 Minutes, have been unable to ascertain the time of Rro. Rollins' 
 birth, or the time of his becoming a member of the church. We 
 find that in 1851 he was pastor of Big Spring church, which we sup- 
 pose was about the beginning of his ministry, and he continued in 
 the pastoral service of different churches until 1874, when, from de- 
 clining health, he gave up ministerial work, except preaching occa- 
 sionally, until his death, which occurred in 1879. 
 
 "During the 28 years of his ministry he preached forthe churches 
 at Ebenezer, Big Spring, Head 1st Broad, Wall's, Cane Creek, Camp 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 511 
 
 Creek, Mount Vernon, Round Hill, Mt. Lebanon, ^Bill's Creek, Dy- 
 sartville and Rock Spring. His manner of preaching was earnest 
 and impressive. Many religious revivals occurred under his minis- 
 trations, aud the churches were generally in peace. He was a fast 
 friend of temperance, and of missions both State and Foreign, and 
 •of ministerial education. Though he was denied the advantages of 
 early and thorough education — only enjoying that education which 
 -constant thought and earnest wore would give him — he was ever 
 ready to help young men entering the ministry to acquire early train- 
 ing. In his last years he was a great sufferer and a remarkably 
 patient man— seeming to look for death as a messenger of rest to 
 Lim, rather than as a dread monster." 
 
 Ruppe, Elder John is a native of Cleveland county, !N". 
 C, and_a member of Mount Pleasant church. Born April 
 11th, 1823, and reared a farmer, and like many others of 
 that class, he has had to contend with the adversities and 
 misfortunes of poverty. Hia opportunities, therefore, in 
 early life of acquiring an education has been very limited. Ou 
 the 14th of March, 1849, he "married Miss Anna McCraw of 
 Cleveland county, N. C, who proved to be a very worthy 
 and affectionate help meet to him, while engaged in the toils 
 of life. Having embraced religion several vears ago, and 
 witnessing the rapid strides of the great Adversary to accom- 
 plish the ruin of the Adamic family, he, therefore, felt the 
 force of the oft reoeated remark, "there is a work for all to 
 do," and he resolved that he would no longer act as a "dead 
 head" while traveling on the car of Zion. He made known 
 his determinations to the church, and was at the September 
 meeting in 1873, licensed by the Mount Pleasant church to 
 preach the Gospel of Christ. He continued in the work as 
 faithfully as his circumstances in life would permit, in revi- 
 vals, protracted meetings, etc., until May 6th, 1881, at the 
 instance of his church, a presbytery was convened consisting 
 of Elders J. M. Bridges, A. C. Ir^in, A. A. McSwain and 
 J. J. Jones, which after examination of Bro. Ruppe, pro- 
 ceeded to ordain him by the imposition of hands to the full 
 work of the Gospel ministry. 
 
 Elder Ruppe, although defective in education, voice, 
 some other requisites that make an eloquent preacher, is, 
 notwithstanding, a pious and devoted christian, whose godly 
 walk and conversation will be to many of the human family, 
 we hope, a savor of life unto life and not of death unto death. 
 May he, as an eleventh-hour laborer in the vineyard of the 
 Lord, so demean himself as to be entitled to a laborers full 
 
 wages 
 
512 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Scruggs, Elder Drury is a native of Spartanburg corrr?- 
 ty, S. C, born about the year 1806. Converted in early life,, 
 and joined the church at State Line. He appeared as a lay 
 delegate in the sessions of the Broad River Association at Ce- 
 dar Springs church in 1830, and then again at other sessions \m 
 1831 and '32. He was licensed the latter year to preach the Gos- 
 pel, and in 1833 he was ordained by a presbytery to the full 
 work of the ministry. He became a popular minister in the- 
 Broad River Association, and in 1842 was elected clerk, and 
 in 1845-'46-'47-'48>-'49 and '51 was chosen to preside over 
 the deliberations of the Association as moderator, and again 
 in 1854-'55 and '57. Besides being appointed at various- 
 times to preach the introductory sermons, and to prepare the 
 annual circular letters addressed to the churches in union. 
 But ah! at the session of 1863, we find the following item; 
 on the face of the minutes; 
 
 "The committee of three to nominate brethren to aid the State 
 Line church in her difficulty, report the following named brethren z 
 E. A. Crawley, M. C. Barnett, J. H. Ezell, W. Hill, B. B. Foster, 
 H. G. Gaffney, J. G. Kindrick, T. B. Justice, E. Lipscomb, W, 
 Austell, James Ezell and E. Barnett. What is the matter — requir- 
 ing such an array of names of the ablest and best brethren in the 
 Association ? It is because the State Line church has charged Elder 
 Scruggs with the 'immorality of lewdness,' and through the agency 
 of a Council have deposed him from the ministry, — while the said 
 Scruggs refuses to acquiesce in the decision made against him, and 
 has surreptitiously obtaiued from a faction of the State Line church 
 a paper writing, professing to be a bona fide letter of dismission in 
 full fellowship, when indeed it is not such a letter, and by no means, 
 legally obtained according to the rules and usages of the Baptist de- 
 nomination. (For a more full account of this difficulty, see the jour- 
 nalistic part of this work, Chap. 2,Session of 1864 ) 
 
 Suffice it to say for the present that Elder Scruggs, hav- 
 ing lost the confidence of his former friends and brethren, 
 was looked upon as an evil doer, and advertized as such ifi 
 the Minutes of the associate bodies, whereupon he emigrated 
 without the limits of the Association with a spurious letter 
 of dismission in his pocket, and, as we are informed, is en- 
 gaged in his ministerial calling in the West. If he has been 
 unjustly treated, then he is not so much to blame, but if oth- 
 erwise, he is certainly guilty of a great impropriety. "To 
 his own Master he standeth or talleth." 
 
 Drury Scruggs for many years was a highly esteemed 
 citizen as well as minister of the Gospel, and had at different 
 times been favored at the ballot-box with the suffrages of the 
 people, and we are not aware of his ever abusing the confi- 
 dence of those who thus favored him. He was respectably 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 513 
 
 connected, and has an interesting family to suffer from these 
 aspersions. We are sorry for it, and would certainly rejoice 
 to see them relieved of the consequences of such improprie- 
 ties ; but "it must needs be that offences come, but woe unto 
 that man by whom they come !" "Every tub must stand 
 upon its own bottom." No one is to be held responsible for 
 the misdeeds of another. 
 
 "Honor and shame from no condition rise. 
 Act well your part — there the honor lies." 
 I 
 
 Shadwkjk, Elder Lazarus was for a time a minister of 
 the Broad River Association. His membership being with 
 the Head of Tyger River church in 1882, he was chosen a 
 delegate to the Association that vear, and attended the ses- 
 sion at Sandy Run. In the session of 1833 that church was 
 dismissed from the Broad River body*! to aid in the forma- 
 tion of the Tyger River Association, when Elder Shadvvick 
 was thereby isolated from the Broad River, and we are una- 
 ble to obtain information as to his whereabouts since. Of 
 his history we know nothing previous to 1832. 
 
 Stough, Elder A. L. moved into the bounds of the 
 King's Mountain Association from the York Association, 
 and appeared first as a delegate from the Shelby church in 
 1877 to the session of the King's Mountain bodv at Pleasant 
 Hill church. Having been chosen pastor of the Shelby 
 church, he has become identified with the King's Mountain, 
 and at the session of 1879 waschoseu Moderator of the body. 
 Elder Stough, besides being an able minister, is a scientific 
 agriculturist, and Master of a Grange, the object of which 
 is to promote good farming. 
 
 He "was born in Germany in 1827 ; was educated for the 
 Catholic priesthood, was baptized in Norfolk, Va., in 1847, 
 read theology for two years with Dr. George W. Purefoy, 
 and began to preach ; is a successful pastor, has been for a 
 time in charge of the Shelby church, and Moderator of the 
 King's Mountain Association." — Baptist Encyclopedia. 
 
 Elder Stough, like quite a number of other ministers of 
 the Gospel, sets a bad example before mankind — not in 
 (piaffing the contents of the wine cup, of course, but in 
 drawing and letting off" the fumes of tobacco smoke. It is 
 said by a distinguished and accurate writer that the con- 
 sumption of the weed in Great Britain annually amounts in 
 value to forty millions of dollars, and in the United States 
 to over thirty-five millions. In the city of iSTew York alone 
 over ten millions of dollars are puffed away in smoke, daily, 
 65 
 
514 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 or three millions six hundred and fifty thousand dollars 
 every year. Yet this sinks quite into insignificance com- 
 pared with the consumption of some European cities. In 
 the city of Hamburg, probably not over one-sixth "the size 
 of New York, more than a million ot dollars every year dis- 
 solves in smoke. 
 
 The entire tobacco crop of the world is put down at 
 four thousand four hundred and eighty millions of pounds, 
 of which the United States produce probably two hundred 
 millions. Merely the cigars consumed yearly in the United 
 States cost more than all our common schools; and more, 
 some say — possibly it is an exaggeration — than all our bread- 
 stutfs. When we add to this all the other items of this most 
 useless and inexcusable of all expenditures, the labor of a 
 million and a half of men who are employed in the cultiva- 
 tion of tobacco, or in its preparation for use, and also the 
 immense quantities of fertile land used for the cultivation, 
 we are able to appreciate in some degree the value — at least 
 the cost — of a single useless, nauseous, hurtful, and there- 
 fore .sinful habit. Should not ministers of the Gospel there- 
 fore (who ought to have more influence than other men,) 
 instead of setting a bad example before the rising genera- 
 tion — or young men of thte country so easily misled — rather 
 preach, yea preach by example, too, against so great a folly. 
 At this period of the world, when the churches are endeav- 
 oring to make ao-oressive movements against the kirrerdorh 
 of Satan, and calling so frequently on the people for means 
 to accomplish the ends in view, what a blessed thing it 
 would be if they could be relieved of this worthless and 
 filthy tobacco drain that absorbs so much of their hard earn- 
 ings ! They could then afford to contribute so much more 
 to the objects of philanthropy and Christianity. 
 
 If the vast sum of money which is worse than wasted 
 for tobacco was carefully deposited in the different mission- 
 ary boxes, and then proper!}- utilized by those who handle 
 it, the whole world probably in a few years would (if money 
 could accomplish it) begin to show unmistakable signs of 
 evangelization, and the long anticipated Millenium would 
 no longer be a mooted question as to its coming. 
 
 We think it the duty of the ministers of Christ to attack 
 and preach against the practice of using tobacco just the 
 same as against ardent spirits as a beverage. The minister 
 claims to be a mouth for God, or a gospel trumpet, which 
 we admit, but we claim that the month or that trumpet 
 should not be fouled with the filthy juice or fumes of to- 
 bacco. 
 
 Elder Stough is an able minister, and "the greater the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 515 
 
 man the greater the precedent."' Let Elder Stough there- 
 fore take the lead hi a well directed crusade against the use 
 of the "sweet-scented poisonous plant of Virginia." 
 
 Styers, Elder John Pressley is a native of Davidson 
 county, N. C, born June 21st, 1847; moved into the bounds 
 of the King's Mountain Association from Rocky River As- 
 sociation in 1877. Joined the chureh at' New Prospect, and 
 was chosen one of the delegates to represent said church iu 
 the Association at its session of 1878. He was again a dele- 
 gate from New Prospect in 1879. in 1880, Pleasant Grove 
 church was constituted, Elder iStyers beeoming a constitu- 
 ent member thereof, since which he has been chosen one of 
 its annual representatives. He is also pastor of said church, 
 and seems to be instrumental in the hand of God iu building 
 it up into a strong body, now numbering nearly 200 mem- 
 bers. He was ordained in 1873 by Elders W. A. Pool and 
 A. P. Stoker, at Trading Ford church, Rowan county, N. C. 
 
 Elder Styers, like a great many Baptist ministers, is 
 laboring under great disadvantages, by reason of a lack of 
 earh 7 scholastic training, but he is a close Biblical student, 
 and gifted with a goodg utterance, and has sound orthodox 
 doctrinal views. Why then may he not be very useful in 
 the highways and hedges, while the more learned and re- 
 fined are engaged iu the towns and cities ? There is work 
 for all to do, and it is often the case that an "illiterate fish- 
 erman's" simple words delivered in an impressive, loving, 
 and tender manner will accomplish much more real good 
 than high-flown language, which sometimes may be greatly 
 lacking, too, in holy unction and pathos, and only calculated 
 to tickle the ear of fancy, while the heart escapes untouched 
 and is still left in its callous and flinty state. Education, 
 however,, is certainly a great blessing, when not abused. 
 We might say with propriety that next to regenerating grace 
 it is the greatest blessing of all others. But let all of its 
 recipients be on their guard, lest they should become vain 
 and puffed up in their minds, and despise too much the day 
 of small things. 
 
 We will return again to Elder Styers to remark that 
 he is an indefatigable preacher and worker, whether it be 
 iu the pastoral pulpit, Sunday-school, or in missionary labors. 
 May he be rewarded with many seals ! ' 
 
 Suttle, Elder Joseph was a native of Rutherford coun- 
 ty, N. C, born April 25th, 1827 ; was converted in early 
 life, and baptized by Elder James M. Webb in the year 
 
516 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 1846, into the fellowship of the church at Concord. Soon 
 after his baptism he was licensed to preach, and about the 
 year 1849 he had the sood fortune to marrv Miss E. E. 
 .Blanton who, in all respects, was .worthy of him, and con- 
 tributed greatly to make his life happy and agreeable. *He 
 then transferred his membership from Concord to Zion, and 
 was chosen a delegate to represent the church in the session 
 of the Association of that year, held at Cedar Springs. He 
 again, after his ordination, February 2nd, 1850, represented 
 Ziou in the Association, and in 1851 he became a member 
 'and pastor of the church at Double Springs, which church 
 was dismissed with fourteen others the same year to form 
 the King's Mountain Association. 
 
 Since the organization of the new body he has remained 
 with the Double Springs church as pastor, and has at 
 various times had the pastoral care of . several other 
 churches, besides doing a large amount of missionary work, 
 a large portion of which has been dispensed within the 
 bounds of the old parent body. 
 
 Elder Suttle was a man of strong impulses, and nerve r 
 doubted or hesitated about undertaking to carry out any 
 scheme that he considered right and just. He had an abiding 
 confidence in the Master's power arid willingness to bless 
 the efforts of His creatures to evangelize the world. What 
 he found to do, and thought it right and proper to do it, he 
 went at it with all his might. 
 
 His educational advantages had been very poor, but he 
 had a good native intellect, susceptible of receiving and im- 
 parting to others impressions calculated to make the heart 
 better, and right faithfully did he exhort mankind to be re- 
 conciled to God while time and opportunity was afforded. 
 
 At the session of 1854 he was appointed to prepare a 
 Circular Letter on the subject of Missions, which we repro- 
 duce in this work, out of respect for Elder Suttle, and the 
 exalted character of his views upon that important subject: 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The King's Mountain Baptist Association, to the Churches in Union- 
 Greeting : 
 
 Dear Brethren : — According to an appointment of last Associa- 
 tion, we address you upon the subject of Missions. 
 
 In entering upomtbe discussion of this subject, we would im- 
 plore the assistance and direction of that Spirit which guides in the 
 way of all truth. The subject of Missions is one of vast importance 
 and vital interest. It would fill an angel's hand or a Saviors heart. 
 This subject ought to interest every christian, for by this means, the 
 nations of the earth are to be given to the Son as an inheritance, and 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ' 517 
 
 tthe utmost parts of the earth for a possession. Therefore let us love 
 ■and esteem it, and especially because our suffering Savior was him- 
 self a missionary, and says, this is the way, walk ye in it. 
 
 Christ was the embodiment and living illustration of divine 
 goodness The whole history of His earthly career may be compre- 
 hended in a single sentence. "He went about doing good." For 
 this, He came into the world. For this, He lived, suffered and at 
 last died on the cross. He brought all the resources of His God- 
 •iiead and the office of his Sonship to carry on the great work of 
 •doing good. He became poor that we, through His poverty, might 
 become rich. He took of the things of the Father and showed them 
 -unto us. He cared not for comfort, human rank nor honor. He 
 strove not for a crown nor a kingdom of this world. 
 
 His ambition' ( if we may so speak) was only to do good. To ac- 
 complish His mission He took a place among the most huhible, and 
 carefully ministered to the wants of all. Every page of His eventful 
 history is refulgent with naercj. Every line is an emblem of benev- 
 olence, Go with us to the garden, dear brethren, behold the Savior 
 in the stillness of the night giving vent to the agonizing emotions of 
 His soul ! He is bowed to the ground, and as the load of excruciat- 
 ing agony weighs upon him, O ! what grief and sorrow ! See the 
 bloody sweat falling to the ground. Why all this? For the good 
 of man. Behold Him in the judgment hall, suffering abuse and in- 
 sulted ! See Him bending under the cross as He moves on towards 
 ■calvary. He is there nailed to the wood ! Thus He bleeds and dies! 
 "Why all this intense suffering ? To do good unto men. Yes, says 
 the opposer of missions, that is the kind of a missionary we want, 
 that will do all the good he can and have nothing for it. 
 
 But this character should remember that, although the Savior 
 was abie to multiply the few loaves and fishes to feed a host in the 
 wilderness, and could fast forty days and forty nights, yet He made 
 at the duty of the people to minister unto Him, and they did so. 
 "And Joana and Susanna and many others ministered unto Him of 
 their substance." (Luke viii: 3.) Just so He would have His people 
 act towards His ministers, in this and every other age of the world. 
 Although He could feed them with manna from heaven or command 
 the ravens to feed them, as they did Elijah, yet He says His minis- 
 ters shall not go a warfare at his own expense, but they that preach 
 the Gospel, shall live of the Gospel. 
 
 Notwithstanding the Savior was a great blessing to the world, 
 while He was upon earth, yet He says, it is needful for the world, 
 "that I go away." So in the absence of the Savior, the great work 
 of diffusing abroad the light of eternal truth, was committed to the 
 church. This church is that kingdom, that shall break in pieces all 
 other kingdoms of the earth, and shall stand forever as a monument 
 to the glory of its author. This glorious kingdom is the light of the 
 world; it is the instrumentality, by means of which, the world is 
 to be regenerated and saved. This heavenly kingdom of holiness 
 and love, is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of 
 
518 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the truth. To this church has been committed a sacred treasure 1 - 
 It is the truth as it is in Jesus. This truth has been committed to the- 
 church, and it is able to save the soul, being the eternal truth of 
 God, and it is the duty of the church to sustain,, preserve and pro- 
 mulgate it in the world. How energetic then ought the church to 
 be in the cause of missions! Founded, herself, on the rock, of eternal 
 ages, she is destined to be the means of upholding the truth in the- 
 world. She has received, that she may impart it to others. Her 
 mission is a mission of mercy to the lost sons and daughters of men. 
 
 But, we regret to say, that she does not exert that inflence and 
 power to save a sinking world, that she ought. There are several 
 things that clog the wheels of Zion, and weaken her power, which 
 tend to retard her progress in the conversion of the world, one of 
 which we shall notice : Division of Sentiment. This is one great 
 obstacle to the onward march of Zion, especially in regard to the 
 nature of her mission. While some are trying to push on the car of 
 salvation they meet with a great deal of opposition, even from their 
 brethren, by reason of conflicting views ; owing to this cause she has- 
 lost that simplicity, peace and unity which her dying Savior prayed 
 might be hers forever ; and while the world He came to save is going, 
 down to death, she is wasting her time and strength in mutual 
 broils and controversies about the nature of her mission, which she 
 ought long ago to have known. And what is the cause of all this 
 division of sentiment with its ruinous train of consequences? The 
 history of the past eighteen hundred years attests the truth that it 
 is, in consequence of partiality, prejudice, education or tradition ; 
 for the first breathings of a newly-converted soul is, that God's king- 
 dom might come, and over all prevail, which would continue to be 
 the case, if the judgment was not warped by some of the things- 
 above mentioned. 
 
 Oh ! would she but emerge from under the clouds of ignorance 
 in which she is involved, and shake herself from every clog, and ex- 
 ecute her mission more fully ! How mighty would be her energies 
 in the subjugation of the world, and how like the voice of God 
 would her voice be sounded through the abodes of unbelief and sin I 
 But instead of this many, it seems, would lock the wheels of salva- 
 tion, and impede the progress of the angel that fiies in the midst of 
 heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto men ; and in- 
 stead of converting the world to God, we fear they have become 
 themselves partially converted to the world. O! would the church 
 but arise above the dim and murky atmosphere of earth and lay 
 hold with a deathless grasp upon the immutable promises of God ! 
 whajfc a revolution would be wrought in her feelings and views! and 
 how bright would be that light which she woidd scatter throughout 
 the world ! for the church is destined to be the great fountain of 
 light to a guilty world— the reservoir from which is to flow forth the 
 streams of salvation to a perishing world ! 
 
 Her mission will not be accomplished until every nation on earth 
 shall acknowledge the Lord and be made the recipients of that truth 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 519 
 
 which she was commissioned to preach, — not until the heathen shall 
 \>e given to the Son as an inheritance, and the utmost parts of the 
 -earth for a possession. 
 
 The church is said to look forth as the morning sun that illumi- 
 nates the earth, rises higher and higher, scattering the shades of 
 aiight and lighting up this dark earth until every valley and remote 
 corner of the earth are illuminated and warmed by its rays ; so the 
 •candle of the church was lit up more than eighteen hundred years 
 •ago, and has been looking forth from that time down to the present. 
 Though for eighteen centuries she has been baffeted by the waves of 
 persecution and ly false brethren, and though the lightnings have 
 played around her, and clouds and darkness have involved her, yet 
 Jier course is onward — still she glides along, spreading wider and 
 wider the light of eternal Truth— being guided by the light of the 
 past and the infallible Word of God ; but let us look down through 
 the vista of the future, that we may learn the future triumphs of 
 the church : here a glorious prospect lies before us. The effects she 
 lias already wrought are but the presage of her future triumphs ; 
 yet she can not triumph without a conflict. Then let every christian 
 say, let the conflict come — we will not remain idle spectators of the 
 »scene; we will enter the field of battle under the blood-stained ban- 
 ner of the cross ; we will raise the Son of righteousness higher and 
 higher until every valley and dark corner of the earth is lit up by 
 His rays, and His glory shall cover the earth as the waters cover the 
 basin of the great deep. 
 
 Then, dear brethren, we should look abroad and see that dark- 
 ness yet covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. Look over 
 the briny deep, and there behold mothers sacrificing their children, 
 to appease the wrath of their deities, made with their own hands ! 
 and where is the christian that is not willing to lend a helping hand 
 to rescue innocent babes from being crushed before the wheels of the 
 great car of juggernaut ? That christian ought not to be found on 
 the face of the earth. 
 
 We remember once asking an anti-missionary if one of his eh.il- 
 * dren was carried to a heathen land and left in that dark and benight- 
 ed country, if he would be willing that some missionary should be 
 sent to preach the Gospel to that child, and the only answer he gave 
 us was, "that alters the case." Now, we awfully fear this is the 
 case with too many ; because the heathen are not their children, ac- 
 cording to the flesh, they are concerned but little about them. How 
 much more praiseworthy and christian-like the conduct of a noble- 
 hearted lady in one of the great cities of this Union, when she dis- 
 covered a frightened horse running away with a vehicle, and a little 
 child therein, she became so distressed as to immediately run out 
 iuto the street and cry aloud for some efforts to be made to save the 
 child ! her daughter at the same time rebuking her and telling her 
 that "it was not her child!" "I know it," she replied, ''but it is 
 some one's child." Let us rather act the part of this good, tender- 
 hearted lady, and let us also act the good Samaritan -not pass by 
 
5zd BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 our fellow-creatures in distress or in a perishing condition and have- 
 no compassion on them. Let us also act the part of the little maid 
 that was taken captive by the Assyrians out of the land of Israel,, 
 who waited on Naaman's wife, who said : would to God that my 
 Master was with the prophet in Samaria, for he would recover hint 
 of his leprosy. 
 
 We should not only be missionaries in word, but indeed and in> 
 truth, for when it was necessary that the house of the Lord should 
 be built at Jerusalem, (Ezra 1:5.) "there rose up the ehief of the 
 fathers of Judab and Benjamin, and the priestsand Levites, with all 
 them whose spirit God has raised to go up to build the house of the 
 Lord ; and all they that were about them strengthened their hands- 
 with vessels of silver, with gold, and with goods, with beasts, and 
 with many precious things," &c, &c. Shall we be less charitable- 
 and williugto strengthen the hands of the men of God, who are go- 
 ing to and fro in the earth, to establish the bouse of the Lord in all the 
 world, by giving our substance to send the Bible, and the man of 
 God to the heathens, who have never heard of God, that they might 
 call on Him and be saved? 
 
 Another example, when the demoniac of Godara was brought 
 to bis right mind, (Mark v. 19, 2),) Jesus said unto him, "go home- 
 to thy friends and tell them how great things the Lord has done for 
 thee," and he departed and began to publish in Deca polls, how great 
 things Jesus had done for him and aJl men did marvel." Ought not 
 we as Christians to dothe same, and if some of us cannot publish the 
 truth abroad we can support those that can, and we must do it if 
 we do our duty. 
 
 Another example. (Luke ii. 17.) When the angels of the Lord 
 had informed the shepherds that a Savior was born in Bethlehem, 
 the shepherds immediately made known abroad the sayings that 
 was told them concerning the Child. And cannot we, clear breth- 
 ren, make known abroad, that Jesus is not only born into the world, 
 but that He has suffered, died, and rose again for the justification 
 of all that believe on Him. This we' can do by loosing the hands of r 
 our ministers, while we say with the poet : 
 
 "Go messengers of peace and love, 
 To sinners plunged in shades of night, 
 
 Like-Gabriel sent from fields above, 
 •Be yours to shed celestial light." 
 
 And let it be in deed, as well as word, for there are many that 
 say and do not. 
 
 Another example, and this ought to shame many called chris- 
 tians, who have rendered so little to the Lord for all his benefits. 
 (Luke xvii. 15-18.) "When Jesus had healed ten lepers, and one of 
 them when he saw that he was healed, turned back and with a loud 
 voice glorified God, and Jesus answered and said, "Were there not 
 ten cleansed, and where are the nine?" Is it possible that nine 
 christians out of ten just sit down and never glorify God in carryiug 
 out that great commission, "Go ye into all the world and preach the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 521 
 
 ' i 
 
 Gospel to every creature?" "Go ye therefore and teach all nations. 
 But perhaps the nine says, this command is only to the tenth, to- 
 wit: the minister, and we are exempt. Let them take notice when 
 the Savior ascended on high as the captain of our salvation, He gave 
 gifts unto men, and doubtless some of these gifts were the ministry 
 of the cross, and they are servants of the church, and are to obey 
 her Gospel calls and orders. They are represented as the servants 
 of the church, serving the church as an ox serves his owner. Sup- 
 pose A was to bid your servant to come and labor in his farm, and at 
 the same time had no power or authority to say to you to send him, 
 what would it avail? Then, you see, dear brethren, that the com- 
 mand is to both, it is to the minister to go, and to the church at the 
 same time to send him. And if the minister refuses to go he should 
 remember that ''woe is me if I preach not the Gospel ;" and if the 
 church refuse to send and enable him to go, she should remember 
 that it is written, "woe unto them that are at ease in Zion." 
 
 We should be willing at least to devote some of our substance 
 and time to the Lord, but this is very hard for some to do, and they 
 will contend that it is not their duty. But what savs the law and 
 the testimony? (1 Chron. xxix. 4-6.) In the building of the temple 
 David shows his liberality and says that he had given even three 
 thousand talents of silver, and then says, who then is willing to con- 
 secrate his services this day to the Lord? Then, dear brethren, the 
 church of Christ is to be built up in all the world ; and if it required 
 gold and silver in the days of David, to carry on the work of the 
 Lord, why not now ? Do we suppose the Lord has lowered His de- 
 mands in consequence of the covetousness of His people? Not in 
 the least ; but to the contrary He has raised them, for where much 
 is given much is required. As our property increases, our obligation 
 to throw into the treasury of the Lord increases ; for we are com- 
 manded to give according to what we have. Then how hardly shall 
 the rich enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, whom God has blessed 
 with a great deal of the goods of the world ? And yet they will 
 shut up their bowels of compassion towards the heathen that are 
 perishing for the bread of life. And 
 
 "The poor, the object of God's love, 
 Who want and famine dread." 
 
 (Eccl. xx. 1.) Solomon, in giving directions for charity, says,"Cast 
 thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days." 
 "Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for thou knowest not 
 what evil shall be upon the earth." (Frov. xi. 24, 25.) "There is 
 that scattereth yet increaseth ; and there is that withholdeth more 
 than is meet, and tendeth to poverty." "The liberal soul shall be 
 made fat." The Savior was careful in His day to notice the liberal 
 soul — so much so that He stood over against the Treasury, and He 
 saw the rich man casting in much, and also the poor widow cast in 
 her two mites, and He said that she had cast in more than they all. 
 And the Savior commands His people to sell that they have and give 
 alms. This was His advice to that young man that wished to know 
 66 
 
522 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 what good thing he must do, yet he refuses to do it. Just so it is 
 with many called christians in this our day and time : if the minis- 
 ters of Christ tell them that they ought to give to the missionary 
 cause, they go away offended, like that young man ; but, my dear 
 brethren, it is our duty to send the Word of God far and wide. 
 
 How few christians in this day and time are willing to act the 
 part of tbe primitive christians, who sold their possessions and goods 
 and parted them as every man had need. "Neither was there any 
 that lacked ; for as many as were possessors of houses or lands, sold 
 them and distribution was made unto every man according as they 
 had need." 
 
 iSoine churches will say they are willing to pay for their own 
 preaching, but they are unwilling to support a minister to go and 
 preach to others ; but the Apostle says to the Corinthians that he 
 lobbed other churches to do them service ; i. e., other churches sup- 
 ported him when he was preaching to them, when they ought to 
 have done it — and the reason was the Corinthians had not yet learn- 
 ed their duty. We that know our duty should be willing to send 
 them ministers, that they may learn their duty. "But," some will 
 say, "charity should commence at home." Well then, be sure that 
 you do not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out your corn. 
 We are sorry to say that there are churches that do not do their duty 
 in this respect ; such churches ought to be afraid that the cries of 
 the children of those ministers who have went a warfaring at their 
 own expense and fed the flock, and did not eat of the milk thereof, 
 and stood at the altar and labored day and night, and was not made 
 partakers of the things of the altar, will rise up against them and 
 condemn them, when they are waiting to hear that welcome ap- 
 plause. "Well done, good and faithful servant." 
 
 There is one thought that should stimulate every Baptist to 
 action ; that is — God has kept us, as a people, distinct from all other 
 societies in the world. What society but this could have subsisted 
 amidst the mutations of a hating world? Where are now the 
 mighty empires of antiquity ? They are but an empty name — live 
 only in history, crushed by bloody wars. But the church of Christ, 
 though she has undergone many revolutions, remains and will re- 
 main when the consumption determined by the Lord of hosts shall 
 come upon all the earth. Therefore, dear brethren, we ought to look 
 around us and say not, "there are four months and then cometh 
 harvest ; for behold the fields are white already to harvest." We 
 should remember that thousands of the human family are perishing 
 for want of the bread of life, every day that we live in the world ; 
 therefore let us up and be doing while it is day, for the night cometh 
 when no man can work. Let us look through the telescope of love, 
 over all the earth where the Gospel has not been preached, and see 
 the ignorance, darkness, superstition, idolatry, cruelty, and perish- 
 ing condition of man ! and will not that zeal for the salvation of a 
 sinking world become like Are shut up in the bones'? And may the 
 cry be extorted from the bosom of every christian, "Oh ! that my 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 523 
 
 head were waters arid my eyes were a fountain of tear.-!, that I might 
 weep day and night" for the perishing condicioa of man ! And may 
 Zion awake and arise, and shake herself from every clog, and travel 
 in her strength until many sons and daughters shall be born of God 
 on the heathen shores! It seems unnecessary to prove that the 
 heathen cannot be saved without tjie Gospel ; for it is so plain it 
 needs no proof. Yet we will cite your attention to a few Scripture 
 texts: The Apostle says "that it has pleased the Lord, through the 
 foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." And again, 
 "Without faith it is impossible to please God." "And he that comes 
 to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of them that 
 diligently seek Him." Again, "How can they believe on Him of 
 whom they have not heard, and how can they hear without a 
 preacher?" The Eunuch, with toe Scriptures in his hand, says: 
 "How can I understand them, except some man guide me?" How, 
 then, can the heathen believe, without the assistance of the Bible 
 and teachers? 
 
 It is perfect nonsense to talk of believe in a thing never heard of. 
 Then if theheathenaresaved itmustbeupon some unknown plan dif- 
 erent from that of the Gospel, yet we read of but one cistern being hewn 
 out, and but one system being set up by our Savior to save sinners. 
 But some will say like Peter, the heathen are unclean, and, therefore, 
 not worthy of the Gospel, and God does not intend they shall hear it. 
 The answer to this is, "The times of this ignorance God winked at, 
 but now commands all men every where to repent." And he more- 
 over says, "He is no respecter of person." 
 
 It was predicted by the prophet, that the once hostile nations 
 around about Jerusalem " should pay them annual visits, and join 
 in their festivals." Yea, saith the prophet Isaiah, "From new 
 moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, shall all flesh 
 come to worship before the Lord of hosts." Now it is evident that 
 these high predictions were never accomplished in the earthly Zion, 
 and Jerusalem, yea, it is impossible they could be in their literal 
 sense, the nature of things forbids it. But to the spiritual Zion and 
 heavenly Jerusalem they have been fulfilled, and shall be more and 
 more accomplished. For this holy hill must be established in all 
 the world, and we can come to the city of the living God without a 
 pilgrimage. "Then the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the 
 leopard with the kid, and the young lion and fatling together, and 
 they shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain." When 
 shall these high predictions be fully accomplished? Not until God's 
 kingdom will come and over all prevail. Then the nations shall 
 learn war no more. 
 
 But some will admit that the Gospel is to be preached to all na- 
 tions, whieh will be at God's own good time. Now let us inquire 
 when that "good time" is? To-morrow? No. For God says "boast 
 not thyself of to-morrow," for thou knowest not what a day will 
 bring about. Then now is the time, says God, we have no promise 
 of to-morrow, now is the time for us to lay our shoulder to the Gos- 
 
524 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 pel wheel, and roll it on to earth's remotest bounds. Or will you be 
 at et.se in Zion, i.iid slumber while the Savior pleads for a sinking 
 world ? 
 
 Universal nature, as well as the word of God, has pronounced a 
 woe upon them that are at ease in Zion. If then brethren, you 
 would till the design of your holy mission, O ! if you would share in 
 the blit-s and triumph of the Redeemed in Heaven, whose employ- 
 ments and exercises are full of action, you must throw your whole 
 energy into the mighty work before you. Let one simultaneous on- 
 set be made upon the territory of sin, renewing the attack day by 
 day, and press on with unfaltering ranks until the bread of life, the 
 Bible faithfully translated; is carried to the millions of earth, and 
 the blessed Gospel is extended through the borders of our own land, 
 and to the uttermost limits of the habitable globe. 
 
 Behold these two gigantic enterprises of the church ! The 
 Bible and the Missionary Cause! Going forth in their peerless 
 majesty, linked hand in hand, to regenerate and exalt to God a 
 ruined race, now in their struggle at the threshold of infidelity ! 
 They turn to you for sympathy and help. Shall they look in vain 
 and be disappointed f Let the universal response be, No--no. Can 
 you say in the magnanimity your souls, God being our helper, we 
 are able for the task of doing our share of spreading the Gospel to the 
 ends of the world ! If so, shrink not dear brethren, beneath this 
 stupendous atlas. God is your strength, therefore, with a faith and 
 heroism that knows no surrender, nerve your mind for the giant 
 effort. And let the magnificent glory that shall crown your victory, 
 give immortal strength to your broad shoulders to sustain the migh- 
 ty load. 
 
 Already the sound of vicotrj is coming in loud swelling notes 
 over the din of ihe battle field. The shouts of your brethren in foreign 
 lands are heard rolling across the mighty waters. AVill you then, 
 not help to push on the triumphs until our united hosts shall be seen 
 coming uvj from the wilderness, shining as the morning, "fair as the 
 moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" 
 Then the redeemed millions of justified spirits and angelic armies 
 will rejoice to behold those triumphs in a glorious eternity; then 
 the throng of the redeemed and shining legions of angels will join 
 the shoutings of universal triumph, — saying, blessing and honor, 
 and power and glory, unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and 
 unto the lamb forever and ever. Amen! Joseph Suttle. 
 
 October 29th, 1855. 
 
 Elder Tate W. T. Avas born in Spartanburg county, 
 S. C, on the 19th of October, 1858 ; joined the church at 
 Sandy Springs in Polk county, and was baptized February, 
 1874. Shortly afterwards united with Arrowood church, 
 where his membership now is. He was ordained to the 
 work of the ministry May 27th, 1881, and has rendered good 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 525 
 
 service as a missionary within the bounds of the Broad River 
 Association, both in sustaining feeble churches and organ- 
 izing new ones. Elder Tate's scholastic opportunities have 
 been limited, but he has greatly overcome that deficiency 
 by a close application to books and self-culture. He proves 
 himself a workman by his many labors ministerially that 
 needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, 
 iind giving to each his respective portion in due season. 
 Having labored successfully for a time as a missionary, and 
 becoming acceptable to many as a preacher, he has been 
 •called to the discharge of pastoral labor by several of the 
 churches, and we are informed that he renders satisfaction, 
 and is generally popular and practical as a pastor. 
 
 As Elder Tate still lives, and is in the prime and vi^or 
 •of "manhood, it is hoped earnestly by his brethren and nu- 
 merous friends that his subsequent life may not only be pro- 
 tracted in years, but be characterized for perseverance in 
 well doing in the cause of the Master, and that in the long 
 future he may be able to retrospect a well spent and useful 
 life, and have many seals to his ministry. 
 
 Taylor, Elder Thomas Jerome was born in Mecklen- 
 burg county, 1ST. C, on the 14th of April, 1849. His early 
 .years were spent in Charlotte, where he received the rudi- 
 ments of an education under such eminent educators as 
 Profs. Mortimer, Johnson, Armstead, Burwell, and Elder 
 R. C. Griffith. In November, 1864, there was a wonderful 
 work of grace in the Tryon street Methodist church of which 
 Rev. Claudius II. Pritchard was pastor. Mr. Taylor attend- 
 ed the meetings, was deeply convicted for sin, and after 
 three days' earnest struggle was happily converted and en- 
 tered the Methodist communion. He was early impressed 
 with his obligations to preach Christ, but on account of his 
 extreme vouth, want of education, and beinj>; destitute of 
 the means and in every way feeling unfitted for the work 
 lie, for some considerable time, resisted the impressions to 
 preach. The work of preaching thrust itself upon him in 
 this way : boys of his own age came to him to inquire the 
 way of salvation ; brethren would call on him to pray, con- 
 duct prayer-meetings and deliver exhortations. This kind 
 of work was well calculated to lead him into the ministry. 
 \When he finally made up his mind to enter the ministry, 
 the question as to what he should preach naturally presented 
 itself, and he beo;an to studv the Bible with a view to ascer- 
 taining what he ought to preach. At this juncture he met 
 with Elder A. J. Cansler, who directed his attention to the 
 
526 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 subject of baptism, and he at once began the investigation.) 
 with no books but the Bible and Sommers on baptism. He 
 studied at first for the purpose of refuting Mr. Cansler's ar- 
 gument, and afterwards, when the truth began to force itself 
 upon his mind, he studied for the purpose of learning the- 
 trnth in regard to the mode and subjects of baptism. After 
 considerable time spent in the investigation of the subject he- 
 arrived at the conclusion that the immersion of a believer in 
 water, in the name of the Trinity , was the only baptism 
 known in the Word of God. It then became his duty to- 
 connect himself with the Baptist church. Acting on his- 
 convictions of dutv he went to Bruington church, in Gaston- 
 county, and sought membership and was received into their 
 fellowship, being baptized on the 13th day of January, 1866,, 
 by Elder A. J. Cansler. On the same day the church 
 licensed him to preach, and he at once entered upon the 
 work of preaching the Gospel. The first year of his minis- 
 try was spent as an independent missionary in the counties- 
 of Mecklenburg, Gaston and Catawba. 
 
 After working for several months among the destitute- 
 in these counties, he went to Charlotte and became a pupil 
 of that very earnest, self-denying, consecrated servant of 
 Christ, J. J. Blackwood. Through his influence he was in- 
 troduced to Elder A. L. Stough, who became and continued 
 his staunch friend during the years he was struggling to se- 
 cure an education. During these vears he was a student 
 from time to time in several institutions. At one time he 
 was in Mr. George Anderson's school ; then he was a stu- 
 dent under .Elder R. H. Griffith, in Charlotte. He also 
 attended the school taught by Elder E. A. Poe, in Dallas, 
 and Prof. McCauley. in Monroe. His last educational advan- 
 tages were enjoyed in Furman University, Greenville, S. C. 
 His eyes failing from overwork it became necessary for him 
 to leave school when, at the call of Tuckascge church, he 
 was ordained at Bruington church on the 16th day of May, 
 1868, by a presbytery consisting of Elders E. A. Poe, James 
 Brumheld and Jeptlia Clark. On the 29th day of Septem- 
 ber; 1870, he was married in the Cheraw Baptist church to 
 Miss Emily B. King, by Elder J. 0. B. Dargan, D.D., assist- 
 ed by J. W. Bum." His ministerial life has been spent in 
 connection with churches in the Catawba River and Brown's 
 Creek Associations in North Carolina, and the Welsh Neck, 
 •the Moriah, the York and Broad River Associations in South 
 Carolina, lie is the present Moderator of the Broad River 
 Association, which position he has heretofore occupied since 
 becoming a member of said body. He is at present serving 
 Mount Joy, Goucher Creek and Grassy Pond churches in 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 527 
 
 i:l, e Broad River Association, and Putmaii church, in the 
 -Union Association. 
 
 As Elder Taylor is yet living, it is not meet to speak of 
 the results of his labors in detail. The Lord was anointed 
 -for his burial ; k is not meet therefore that the oil of praise 
 should anoint the servant while he lives. Therefore 
 we will not eulogize Ins life or labors now, further than to 
 .■say, that as he is only in the 34th vear of his age — judging 
 "the future by the past — we have encouargement to hope that 
 -lie may be able to render much and lasting; service in the 
 cause of the Master, We may add, however, that during 
 .his ministry he has been successful as an evangelist, many 
 hundreds having been converted through his instrument- 
 ality, and he has buried more than 1000 in the liquid grave 
 •of baptism. May the Lord bless his future labors ! 
 
 Turner, Elder John was a pioneer minister of the 
 Broad River Association. Doubtless, he participated in the 
 •organization in 1800. The Minutes of 1801 show that he 
 was in the session of that year as a delegate from Buck Creek 
 •church, associated with Elders Burges, Camp, the Blackwells, 
 Morgan, Cantrell and Carlton in devising measures for the 
 future welfare of the denomination. We know nothing of 
 his ministerial qualifications, nor of the date of his advent 
 into the world. He was probably a veteran in 1801, and 
 died soon afterward or emigrated to some other field, as we 
 are unable to trace him any farther in the Minutes of the 
 Association. He has numerous descendants, some of whom 
 reside within the limits of the Broad River Association, that 
 will doubtless take a pride in preserving the name and praise- 
 worth v deeds of their ancestor, who bv the neglect of thought- 
 3ess friends, has been suffered to siuk almost into oblivion. 
 May his name long be had in remembrance. 
 
 Tollison, Elder John appears in the Minutes of the 
 Broad River Association of 1870, as a member of, and dele- 
 gate from El Bethel church, then a layman. He was proba- 
 bly licensed to preach in 1871, and ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry soon afterwards, as we find that he was 
 pastor of (iilea-d, Upper Fair Forest, Unity and Abingdon's 
 Creek churches in the years 1872 to 1877. 
 
 We are not informed as to the date of Elder Tollison's 
 birth, or of his ministerial qualifications, but learn from the 
 Minutes that he has labored under the direction of the Mis- 
 sion Board in supplying feeble churches, and destitute settle- 
 ments with the ministration of the word, very satisfactory to 
 
528 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the Association to which he belongs,, and to those among; 
 whom he labored. 
 
 Underwood, Elder E. J. was a member of the Phila- 
 delphia church, Spartanburg county, S. C, as far back as 
 1830. He appears in nearly all the sessions- of the Broad 
 River Association as a lay delegate till 1839. At that ses- 
 sion he appe'ars a licentiate, and in 1845 an ordained minis- 
 ter. Ke probably emigrated to some other field of labor r 
 outside of the bounds of the Broad River body, as we are 
 unable to trace him any further in the Minutes, We sup- 
 pose he was a near relative of Deacon W. Underwood, of 
 Cedar Springs, whose demise was so favorably noticed in 
 the Minutes of 1837. 
 
 West, Elder James appears to have been & member of 
 Head of Tyger River church, and a licensed preacher in 
 1819. He, with Elders Nathaniel Jackson and D. Forest, 
 represented the church that year in the session of the Asso- 
 ciation at Head of Tyger River, and the next year at Moun- 
 tain Creek. He was probably ordained to the full work of 
 the Gospel ministry in 1820, for at the sessions of 1821 to 
 1826 he appeared as an ordained minister. He probably 
 died soon after the organization of the Tyger River Associ- 
 ation. We are uninformed as to the date of his birth, but 
 he doubtless attained to a considerable age. We know some 
 of his descendants, who still live in the region of country 
 where many years ago he proclaimed the glad tidings of the 
 Gospel. Let his name still be had in remembrance. 
 
 Weathers, Elder Thomas was a member of and dele- 
 gate from Bethesda church (a new constitution) to the ses- 
 sions of the Broad River Association in 1821 to 1829. He 
 was an ordained minister when he first joined the Associa- 
 tion, and may have continued with the Broad River as long 
 as he lived. It is probable, however, that he moved away 
 to some other field, as the Bethesda church still remained 
 in the Broad River. If he had died doubtless the Associa- 
 tion would have noticed it in the Minutes. We have no in- 
 formation only as we glean from the Minutes. 
 
 Webb, Elder James Milton was born October 7th, 
 1802, in Rutherford county, N. C. In the year 1834 he was 
 converted and baptized by Elder John Padgett, into the fel- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 52.) 
 
 lowship of the High Shoal church and soon afterward licensed 
 to preach the Gospel, and sent as a delegate to the Associa- 
 tion. And in 18-35 he appeared in the Broad River Associ- 
 ation as a delegate and ordained minister, and again in the 
 sessions of 1836 to 1841. In 1836 he was appointed to preach 
 the introductory sermon for 1837. That year he was elected 
 Clerk of the Association and prepared the Circular Letter, 
 on the necessity of the agency of the spirit of God, in the work of 
 regeneration on the soul, — which letter we have thought prop- 
 er to reproduce in this work, lie continued to act as clerk 
 of the body until the session of 1841, when the High Shoal 
 church with others were dismissed to aid informingthe Green 
 River Association, and thereby isolated Elder Webb from the 
 Broad River body. During his stay with the Broad River 
 he was a very important factor in the associational proceed- 
 ings. He prepared a Circular Letter for the session of 1839, 
 on the divine and special call from God to men to preach the Gos- 
 pel of Jesus Christ, and the evidences that manifest themseloes in 
 a person so ccdled — which was a document of rare interest 
 and worth; and then again he prepared a letter on the sub- 
 ject of Communion the same year that he left the Broad River 
 body, that should be reproduced and preserved. 
 
 When the Green River Association was organized he 
 was at once called to preside over its deliberations and con- 
 tinued a prominent and leading factor in the business opera- 
 tions of the bodv as long as he lived, which was something 
 over twelv;e years afterwards. 
 
 He had been for many years (extending back before he 
 joined the church) a very popular citizen, and had served 
 several times in the Legislature of the State, and was after- 
 wards elected clerk of the Superior Court, which office he 
 filled with such entire satisfaction that he was suffered to 
 hold it as by the almost unanimous consent of the people 
 for the space of about sixteen years. 
 
 In the year 18 — he married Miss Kitty White, with 
 whom he lived in tender affection manv years, bv whom was 
 born to him thirteen children — ten sons and three daughters, 
 when, by the ruthless hand of death, she was taken from 
 him to her reward in the skies. He afterward married a 
 second wife, Miss Nancy Hampton, a most excellent lady, 
 by whom was borne to him yet three more children — two 
 sons and a daughter, making sixteen in all , and thev all 
 ade a profession of religion, and one of the sons is a min- 
 ister. But strange to say — of this large progeny, only five 
 are known as survivors of the present period. The second 
 wife died several years ago, and Elder J. M. Webb himself 
 died on the 24th of April, 1854, in the 52nd year of his age. 
 67 
 
530 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 His personal appearance will be recollected by many that sur- 
 vive him. He was full six feet in height of slender, loose 
 build, somewhat stooped, moved awkwardly, had large black 
 ej-es protected by long dark lashes, which seemed to be 
 beaming with unquenchable fire ; his mouth large but thin 
 lipped; his nose thin and straight, and the whole face partak- 
 ing rather of the bilious temperament, His hair being very 
 black, long and straight, was generally turned on the right 
 side when uncovered. He was an eloquent preacher, but 
 his great forte was displayed in debate, he had the faculty to 
 anticipate the strong points of his opponents, and generally 
 destroyed them before they could be used against him in the 
 argument. In company he was generally taciturn in his manner 
 and not having a very prepossessing appearance, his ability to 
 grapple with obstruse questions would never be anticipated by 
 a stranger, and consequently his demolishing remarks gen- 
 erally came as a surprise entirely unexpected, and always' 
 spread dismay and confusion into the ranks of his opponents. 
 He generally succeeded in bearing off the palm of victory, 
 and a second trial was never desired by his opponent. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 To the several Churches of the Broad River Association. 
 
 Dear Brethren : — Under the direction of a resolution of our last 
 Association, we address you by letter upou the subject then submitted 
 to our notice, to-\vit : The necessity of the Agency of the Spirit of God 
 
 in the work of Regeneration on the soul. 
 
 In reviewing the importance of the great variety of subjects con- 
 nected with the economy of man's redemptions there seems to be 
 but few that would equal that to which your attention is now in- 
 vited. And we are impressed with a knowledge of the fact, that we 
 shall be entirely unable to do anything like partial justice of so 
 much magnitude, upon which we might write volumes, while our 
 labors are confined to, and circumscribed by, the limits of a short 
 circular letter. 
 
 We feel the more embarrassed and uneasy in consequence of the 
 facts above alluded to, when we take into consideration the danger 
 to which men are exposed in coming to a correct conclusion upon a 
 subject, the right understanding of which virtually affect their im- 
 mortal interests, which danger in a great degree arises Irom the fact 
 that many men who set themselves up to be teachers in Israel, hav- 
 ing not themselves tasted or experienced the divine influence of the 
 Holy Spirit upon their own hearts, refuse the testimony and disbe- 
 lieve the declarations of those who have, and by a forced construc- 
 tion of the Word of God — false in fact — bring themselves to the 
 conclusion that, as the Spirit has never produced a change in their 
 minds, that all who profess it are misguided enthusiasts, who make 
 professions that are not sustained by facts. These men being or pro- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 531 
 
 fessing to be teachers, and having a name to live, though dead, by 
 their ingeneous arguments aud laborious efforts in encompassing 
 sna and laud to proselyte others into a belief of their doctrine — and 
 propped, as their efforts are, by a large share of the wisdom of the 
 world, united to an appearance of great zeal in professing the form 
 of godliness, while they deny its power, are well calculated to deceive 
 and mislead the unlearned and unwary part of society, and charm 
 their minds, already corrupt, into a belief of their false and danger- 
 ous doctrines. 
 
 Such considerations as the foregoing make us much desire that 
 while we take up our pen to write, our limits would enable us to 
 bring such an embodied view of the testimony and facts to your no- 
 tice as would present the subject in its most clear and proper light. 
 In laying before you, however, such facts and arguments as our lim- 
 its will enable us, we premise that it will be admitted by all as a 
 sound maxim in the doctrine of theology, that God would not in His 
 dealings with mankind, and in the planning of His eternal purposes 
 relative to man's salvation, have introduced and brought into exer- 
 cise the employment of means for which there was no necessity. As 
 the necessity of a thing, however, arises from the interest we have 
 in the success of a measure, aud the danger there is of its failure, we 
 think that we can hardly give you a correct understanding of our 
 subject without showing what the true situation of man is, and in 
 doing this we shall be governed by the account of his condition as 
 given us in the Word of God, which account represents man as hav- 
 ing once been a happy being, living in the midst of the richest abun- 
 dance — enjoying the sweetest intercourse with his Divine Creator, 
 and surrounded by the dazzling beauties of an unfaded Paradise. 
 But this glorious view of his condition by the introduction of sin 
 into the world is soon changed from its blooming appearance into 
 that of gloominess, sorrows and death ; man disobeyed the command 
 of his God and thereby incurred His divine displeasure, and brought 
 upon himself ruin and misery ; he became a lost being — lost beyond 
 recovery and hope, so far as that hope and power of recovery rested 
 in himself. These facts are made manifest by proofs that we might 
 introduce in a variety of ways, which would be calculated to demon- 
 state the facts above set forth, a few of which, drawn from the Word 
 of God, must at present suffice. "And you (said the inspired Apos- 
 ^tie) hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and in sins." 
 (Eph. ii. 1.) Aj;ain (Col. ii. 13,) "And you being dead in your sins, 
 hath he quickened," &c. (Born. v. 12, "Wherefore, as by one man. 
 sin eptered into the world ; and death by sin, and so death passed 
 upon all men, for all that have sinned ;" and in John v. 20, it is der 
 clared that those that hear and believe have passed from death unto 
 life. Many other, like Scriptural texts, might we introduce, and 
 stronger still, if possible, to show that man, in the fall, had all his 
 powers of spiritual life destroyed, and became lost beyond recovery, 
 so far as the power of recovery rested in himself; for death is a state 
 of insensibility and inactivity, spiritually as well as literally, and a 
 
532 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 dead man is insensible and incapable of restoring himself to life, 
 and the Scriptures abundantly declare that poor man in a state of 
 nature is dead in trespasses and in sins and buried in the grave of 
 transgressions That the innate depravity and corruption of the 
 heart, and the habits of sin and transgression confirmed by this 
 state of inbred corruption, are the poisonous deadly things that have 
 slain the soul and which hath destroyed all the powers that depend 
 upon a state of life, and without the possession of which none can 
 be saved, about which powers we beg leave to take a passing notice. 
 And 1st, it is evident that knowledge is dependent upon a state of 
 life ; for a man that is dead, though he may be under the influence 
 of, and surrounded by the cold damps of a loathsome grave, yet he 
 has not the power of knowing what his true situation is ; and a soul, 
 dead in trespasses and in sins, lie buried in and surrounded by the 
 effluvia and rottenness of a dead soul, with the vilest lusts like worms 
 preying and rioting in this mass of its corrupted existence, and yet 
 it is unconscious of its melancholy and deplorable condition ; not 
 only is man unable to know his own dread situation, but he has lost 
 all saving knowledge of his God ; and although in other respects he 
 may be possessed of great scientific knowledge, and a large share 
 of the wisdom of the world, yet it is evident that he knows nothing 
 of the character of the true God ; for the Apostle Paul declares that 
 the world by wisdom knew not God, and John is very pointed on 
 this subject, for he says that, "he that saith I know Him and keep- 
 eth not His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in Him." 
 
 2d. The power of sight is lost by death, and man is under the 
 influence of spiritual blindness, which will be proven by reference 
 to the 4th chapter of Luke and 18th verse, where it is declared that 
 the coming of the Savior, with other things, was for the recovery of 
 sight to the blind [See 2d Peter i. 9 ;] and many other Scriptures 
 might we recite, which would go to prove that the god of this world 
 hath blinded the eyes of poor sinful man, and which, united with the 
 foregoing proofs, leaves the matter beyond doubt that he is under 
 the influence of spiritual depravity, with all the powers of spiritual 
 life destroyed, and that under these circumstances he is pressing on 
 the road to everlasting misery and sorrow, without being able to see 
 or know whither he is going, and what is the true extent and awful 
 nature of the danger that awaits him. Being under circumstances 
 like those related, man is ihdeed an alien and stranger, without 
 hope, ruined and lost, miserable and undone, without the possession 
 of a single power that could in any degree tend to his recovery. 
 Awful indeed ! beyond the power of the imagination to picture out, 
 i,s the depth of that dark abyss into which we were plunged by the 
 fall ! and more awful still must that state be in which man will find 
 himself, if deliverance therefrom depended on himself alone. 
 
 But, thanks to the intervention of the tender mercies of our 
 God, who, in tender consideration of this, our woe-worn condition, 
 and for the great love which He had in eternal wisdom, devised a 
 plan and covenanted that by the employment of means embraced in 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 533 
 
 that plan, man should be redeemed from death, restored to life, and 
 finally accepted and received into the presence and bosom of his 
 Heavenly Father. 
 
 About this covenant we shall say but little, as our limits forbid. 
 But the parties contracting are represented in the Scriptures to be 
 •the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which form the adorable Trinity 
 •or Triune. Each of which is represented as sustaining and cove* 
 aianting to perform a certain office in the economy of man's redemp* 
 tion, and in the fulfillment of which a discovery is made to a dying 
 world, and that in living beauties and loveliness the great love of 
 God towards the sons of man, and the rich reward that they shall 
 reap by the accomplishment of the parts assigned to each of the high 
 contracting parties, and by which is also exhibited the Godhead in 
 •distinct and glorious manifestations of its eternal excellencies. For 
 in the history that is given of this covenant, the Father is represent- 
 ed as planning the scheme, the Son as executing it, and the Divine 
 Spirit as applying to believers the benefits of the planned and pur- 
 chased redemption. We shall not stop to bring the proofs that 
 might be introduced which relate to the performance of the parts 
 ■assigned to the two first persons named in the covenant, but shall 
 confine ourselves to that part which establishes the agency of the 
 third person, or Holy Spirit, in this great work, and which tends to 
 the accomplishment of the great end in view, which was to restore 
 man to spiritual life, and revive in him all the powers dependent 
 thereon. And first, we see this agency wonderfully displayed in its 
 sanctifying influence upon the offering or atonement made in the 
 person of Jesus Christ, the body of whom became a sacrifice, and 
 who, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to 
 God [Heb, ix, 1-i.] which body was the gift, sanctified by the Altar, 
 which Altar was the Holy Spirit, and without which sanctifying 
 influence the atonement would have been rendered unfit for accept- 
 ance, and never could have effected the object designed, for it is the 
 Altar that sanctifieth the gift. The uniting of this sanctifying in- 
 fluence with the works of the Son of God, in accomplishing the 
 great end in view, is more fully established by the decided manner 
 in which the Prophet Isaiah speaks in the Ixi. chapter of his proph- 
 ecy : he says, commencing at the 1st verse: "The Spirit of the Lord 
 God isupon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good 
 tidings \uuto the meek ; he hath sent me to bind up the broken- 
 hearted j; to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the 
 prisons to them that are bound ; to proclaim the acceptable year of 
 the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that 
 mourn, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion ; to give unto them 
 beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of 
 praise for the spirit of heaviness." That this was spoken of the Sa- 
 vior, is made manifest by reference to the 18th and 19th verses of the 
 same prophecy: it is declared 'that the Spirit of the Lord should rest 
 upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding," &c. 
 
 By reviewing the foregoing facts, it will be seen how much de- 
 
534 BIQGEAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 pencled on the aid of the Spirit in the accomplishment of cut re- 
 demption, without which the atonement could not have been- 
 accepted, the righteous law of God must have remained unsatisfied - r 
 the thunders of which would have roared in long and awful peals- 
 against a sinful and condemned world, and the fiery vengeance of 
 Almighty God unappeased must have fallen upon the whole family 
 of suffering man. The glorious news of redeeming grace could not. 
 have been preached without the anointing of the Holy Spirit; the 
 poor, broken-hearted sinner must have remained without the heal- 
 ing influence of the Balm of Gilead, and the nidurning soul might 
 in vain have turned its wishful eyes to see if there was any hope of 
 deliverance from this body of death, and long might the prisoner 
 have remained enchained under the influence of that sentence, which 
 is incident to the curse of God's broken law. 
 
 The atonement, however, is by tlie sanctifying influence of the 
 Holy Spirit made complete and acceptable to God. It now remained 
 that through some channel the virtue of the death of Christ, under 
 these circumstances, should be conveyed to man, and the means ap- 
 plied and sanctified, so that they might produce their healing influ- 
 ence in the restoration of his soul from a state of death unto a state 
 of life ; for, notwithstanding the means might be provided and pre- 
 pared, yet if they remain unapplied the communications of life can- 
 not be produced, without which man remains as helpless as ever. 
 This is effected by the declarations of the Word of God in the preach- 
 ing of the Gospel, attended by the qualifying influence of the Holy 
 Spirit ; tor as the Son aud Spirit is united in the life and death of 
 Christ in making the offering complete, so we see that the united 
 virtue of the Word and Spirit is necessary in the communications of 
 life to the soul. And this explains the language of the Apustle Paul, 
 when he says, "How can we believe in him of whom we have not 
 heard? and how can we hear without a preacher? and how can he 
 preach except he be sent?" The dispensation of the Gospel must 
 be given to enable man to believe, and it must be given through a 
 channel prepared by the Holy Spirit, for as the Spirit of the Lord 
 God was upon Christ as the great preacher of Righteousness, it cer- 
 tainly must in its qualifying degree rest upon those who come as 
 ambassadors in His stead ; and if He was anointed by the unction 
 of the Holy Spirit, much more is it necessary that those that come 
 in His name should be. Here we might introduce testimony of the 
 strongest kind in addition to that above, to show that those who 
 preach the Gospel are, or ought to be, assisted by the attendant agen- 
 cy of the Spirit of Almighty God. In consequence, however, of our 
 confined limits, we offer only a few passages as it stands recorded in 
 the volume of life, says Christ Himself. John xiv. 26. "But the 
 comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in 
 my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to 
 your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you." [same book 
 xvi. 13.] "Howbeit, when He, the spirit of truth is come, He will 
 guide you into all truth [verse 10.] He shall glorify me, for He shall 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 533 
 
 vcceive of mine and show it unto you." Acts ii. -1. "And they were 
 all tilled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak as the Spirit gave 
 them utterance." [See Acts xv. 28, and xvi. 6, 7.] We deem it un- 
 necessary to multiply proofs from this and many other texts. In the 
 hook of life it is plainly manifested that unless the Holy Spirit does 
 attend, and give life to the Word spoken by the ministers of the Gos- 
 pel, their labor is in vain; and all those who deny its influence and 
 power upon them, while dispensing the Word of Truth, most un- 
 questionably have no part nor lot in this matter; and however labo- 
 rious they may be in the exercise of their ministerial functions, it 
 is in evidence that the Lord has not required this at their hands, 
 hut that they are acting the part of those who would be priests in 
 Moses' time who were not called legally to the priesthood. After 
 such do all they can their rods remain withered, parched and dry. 
 Not so with those who preach under the qualifying influence of the 
 Spirit, for while they dispense the Word of Truth, the Word is made 
 spiritual food, and falis like manna around the camps of Israel ; and 
 like Aaron's rod, their labors are seen to bud and bloom, and while 
 they pour forth in living excellence the rich doctrines of the Gospel 
 truths, the children of the Lord are feasted on heavenly delights ; 
 their hearts are made to overflow with love to God, and they are 
 made to dwell in rich pastures of beauteous and heavenly enjoy- 
 ments. Their bosoms swell with the emotions of joy and flowing 
 tears bedew their eyes, because their souls have been made glad by 
 the droppings of the sanctuary, or by the reception of Heavenly life 
 and love conveyed to their hearts by Gospel communications that 
 flow through the channel, prepared by the direction of God, influ- 
 enced and qualified by the direct agency of the Holy Spirit, — the 
 benefits of which does not stop here, but worketh life into the hearts 
 of rebel sinners, who are dead in trespasses and in sins. This brings 
 us to show more fully the effectual workings, and agency of the 
 Spirit on the work of regeneration on the soul. That man is spirit- 
 ually dead, we think we have made manifest, and if dead it is clear 
 that he can never live unless life is communicated; and if life is to 
 be communicated, it is as clear that there must be a channel of com- 
 munication. How the death of Christ can give a spark of life'to 
 those who have never heard of Christ, and who have never felt the 
 Working's of the Spirit, is a matter that remains in mystery and is 
 not revealed, for there is no channel through which mercy can be 
 conveyed] from God to man, save that of Christ Jesus through a 
 knowledge of and by an application of His atoning merits; for the 
 Scripture saith, as much as that we cannot "believe in Him of whom 
 we have not heard." "And he that believeth notshall be damned." 
 Hence, we must know God ; and the power of knowledge depends 
 on life, and life depends upon an application of the means of grace, 
 made by the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, which is 
 proved abundantly in the Word of God— a few of which proofs we 
 Mill here introduce ; and first, Christ Himself, in His conversation 
 with Nicodemus, is very much in point where He says [John iii. 3,] 
 
•58S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cats 
 not see the Kingdom of God." Nicodemus marvelled and seemed 
 to inquire, how born? and by what means? The blessed Savior 
 does not tell the inquiring Ruler that man, to be able to see the- 
 Kingdom of God, must be born of the flesh, or by the works of man r 
 nor by the Word alone, but informs him that except a man be born> 
 of the Spirit he cannot see the Kingdom of God ; for, says He, "that 
 which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and that which is bora of the 
 Spirit is Spirit." Here we see the labors of the flesh are set aside in 
 this case, and so will be all the hopes that depend and trust alone in> 
 an arm of flesh ; for the Savior further illustrates this matter by say- 
 ing "that the wind bloweth where it listeth," &c,, by which a com- 
 parison is made of the wind, to show that man knows not of any 
 cause in himself that would influence this heavenly breath of life to- 
 come or go 4 ; and the very word that it "bloweth where it listeth," 
 seems to leave this matter beyond doubt, and proves that if the cause 
 of spiritual life existed in us, that there would be no necessity of 
 this blowing of the Holy Spirit ; and also that if life was produced 
 by us without spiritual aid, we should know from whence it cometh. 
 But now we know it only at last in part r for so, says the Word, "is 
 every one that is born of the Spirit," 
 
 2d. Christ, in another place, says [John vi, 63 T ] "It is the spirit 
 that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing, the words that I speak, 
 unto you, they are spirit and they are life." A plainer truth thau 
 the above could not be introduced, coming as it does from the Author 
 of the whole plan, and who declares unequivocally that it isthewpirit 
 that quickeneth. and to quicken, all agr>_e, is to make alive that 
 which has no life. Hence we hope you will keep this in view while 
 we bring a few corresponding proofs, which are explained by the 
 foregoiug passages. Also remember that the flesh profiteth nothing, 
 but that it is the spirit alone which brings us. 
 
 3d. To notice what Paul says in his epistle to the Collossians, ii. 
 15. "And you being dead in your sins, hath he quickened." The 
 question here is, by what means? Christ in the foregoing passage 
 hath answered, "It is the spirit that quickeneth." And the same 
 Apostle writing to the Romans viii. chapter gives us an enlarged ac- 
 count of the Spirit's agency in the work of spiritual regeneration, 
 for, says he, in the second verse "that the law of the spirit of life in 
 Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death." By 
 what law of the spirit of life ? This is also illustrated in the above 
 quoted passage. Is it the spirit that quickeneth and maketh alive, 
 and by its influence sets the captivated soul free from the law of sin 
 and death. And thus, by an application of the merits of Christ, 
 restores itagain to the enjoyment of all the functions of spiritual 
 life and liberty, which is effected by the word conveyed through its 
 proper channel, for Christ and His word is one, the letter of which 
 cannot produce life, for, says the same Apostle, 2d. Cor. iii. 6, "who 
 .also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament— not of the 
 letter, but of the Spirit, for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth 
 
EICGRAFIIICAL SKETCHES. 537 
 
 life." And in Cor. xii. 3, it is declared "that no man can say that 
 Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost." And in the succeed ! in- 
 verses it is stated that "there are diversities of gifts but t-ne same 
 Spirit, and there are diversities of operations, but it is the sameGod 
 which worketh in all ; for to one is given by the Spirit the word of 
 wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, to 
 another faith by the same Spirit; but all these worketh that one 
 and the selfsame Spirit, dividingto every man severallyas he will ; ' 
 and in the ii. 8 of the same book, "eye hath not seen nor ear heard, 
 neither has it entered into the heart of man the things that God 
 hath prepared for them that love Him, but God hath revealed them 
 unto us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things ; yea, the 
 deep things of God ; and 11th verse, "even so the things of God 
 knoweth no man. but the Spirit of God ; now we have received, not 
 the Spirit of the world, but theSpirit which is of God, .that we might 
 know the things that are freely given to us of God ; but the natural 
 man receiveth not the things of the Spirit, for they are foolishness 
 to him ; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually 
 discerned." Thus we see that not only is the quickening influ- 
 ence of the Spirit necessary to the salvation of the soul, but the 
 teaching influence likewise. See, in addition to the above, John 
 xiv. 26 ; xvi. 7, 8, and up to the 13th verse of the same chapter ; and 
 see also Rom. viii. 26, wherein it is said "that we even know not 
 what we should pray for, but that the Spirit helpeth our infirmities 
 and maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be 
 uttered." Here we stop writing- down the texts at length, deeming 
 those already written to be sufficient for any whose minds are un- 
 prejudiced, to see that our positions have thereby been established ; 
 yet if any have time and inclination to look further into the truths 
 established by the testimony of God, in His Word, we refer them 
 to the following texts, which are promiscuously given, and which 
 united to that already said, will show that by the agency of the 
 Spirit christians see,- know, are taught, made regenerate, quickened 
 and made alive from their dead state and saved from the wrath to 
 come, to wit : Rom. viii. 15, 16 ; Eph. i. 13. 14; Heb. x. 15, IS ; 2nd 
 Thess. i iX 13 ; 1 Cor. vi. 11 ; Rom. xv. 16 ; Acts ii. — ; John iv. 24 . 
 1 Peter v.\s; Rom. i. 4 ; 1 Cor. xv. 40; 1 Peter i. 2; Ps. Ii., from 1(1 
 to 12 ; Ps. Axliii. 10 ; 2d Tim. i. 7; 2d Cor. iv. 13 ; Ezek. xii. 10 ; 1st 
 Pet. iv. 4 ; Ezek. i. 20 ; John vii. 59 ; Prov. i, 23 ; Acts i. 8 ; Acts xi. 
 12; Gen. yi. 3 ; Eph. iv. 30; Isa. vi. 3-10 ; Acts vii. 51, We have 
 given the foregoing references because our limits will not permit us 
 to set down the texts at length, connected with the reasons above 
 mentioned, which united to those passages above set forth, with 
 many others to which your attention might be called, show conclu- 
 sively to our mind the necessity of the agency of the Spirit in the 
 work of regeneration on the soul ; for therein it is declared that the 
 Spirit giveth life and openeth the eyes of the blind — the teaching- 
 influence of which enables us to see the necessity of a Savior's blood, 
 gives us knowledge of God's dealings toward us, and the depraved 
 68 
 
533 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 condition of our sinful hearts, discovers to us the way to the city of 
 refuge— helpeth our infirmities, and euableth us to exercise all the 
 powers that depend upon a state of life, by which we are enabled to 
 flee to the bosom of our adorable Savior for safety from the evils that 
 surround us; beareth witness with our spirits that we are born of God, 
 and children; and if children, then heirs and joint heirs with the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and finally seals us such until the redemption of the 
 purchased possession. We wind up our testimony and remarks, 
 Lear Brethren", upon the foregoing interesting subject, by asking 
 you to take an impartial and thankful review of the facts set forth 
 in this, our letter, and what great things, by the Spirit's agency, are 
 communicated to the suffering condition of man ; and first, behold! 
 and see in every land and in every age what great companies have 
 been unifpd to each other by the tenderest endearments, have joined 
 hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart in their endeavors to advance the 
 progress of spiritual life and faith, being themselves possessed of a 
 faith that worked by love and purified the heart ! See the labors of 
 the christian world all pointing to the same great end and uniting 
 to save their fellow-men from, ruin and misery ! Watchmen or min- 
 isters, denying themselves the enjoyments of this present world, 
 traveling under a load of sorrow, and meeting death in all its varied 
 features with undaunted firmness, mark their Heavenly walk while 
 they pour forth in beauteous streams the waters of God's grace into 
 the hearts of thirsty sinners. See christians all uniting and bearing 
 their respective burthens and sorrows while they labor with unceas- 
 ing desire in the general cause ; see all together pouring forth their 
 souls in prayer to God, which rises beore His heavenly throne and 
 fills the Golden Censer with sweetest incense, the odor of which de- 
 lights the Almighty Ru'er of the Universe and suspends the thun- 
 derbolts of His wrath from falling on this guilty world ! See those 
 lovely companies all uniting in fellowship and love, one for another, 
 and breathing the very essence of love from and towards their God, 
 and by their labors and prayers and intercessions with their Great 
 Redeemer at their head, wresting their fellow-man from the dark 
 abodes of death and hell ! Ask yourselves from whence cometh this 
 unity of action, this success of purpose, this brotheriy love and fel- 
 lowship, and love to God, and you are met by the declarations of 
 holy writ — that it is produced by the agency of the Holy Spirit; for 
 the fruit of the Spirit is love, and love brings into action and effects 
 all the good works above named. 
 
 But list ! O, list ! what voice is this salutes the ear, and echoes 
 in harmonious songs of delight from many a tongue of all nations? 
 Tongues and kindreds under the whole heaven ? Hear, this song- 
 begin on earth in living strains of harmonious and melodious exulta- 
 tion, which comes in shouts from rich, from poor, from wise, from 
 simple— that rejoices the heart in life's fairest scenes and drives the 
 clouds of gloom from affliction's path ; that gives rest to the weary 
 pilgrims' feet, and spreads a downy pillow for the head of a dying- 
 believer; that passes the weary soul over the highest wave of Jor- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 539 
 
 dan's stream with glad acclaim. Yea, look higher still : lift your 
 enraptured vision to yonder amazing heights of dazzling bliss, where 
 loud hosannas and acclamations roll unceasing through ages yet to 
 come, and echoes through the fields of immortal love, which fills 
 the eternity of heaven's high dume with endless delights and crowns 
 of glory, and then say, O !. say, to what Scion or Holy Tree are we 
 indebted for this rich abundance and sweet clusters of joy, and then 
 remember what the Scriptures saith — that joy is the fruit of the 
 Spirit. 
 
 Mark again the troubled ocean of man's soul, like lashing waves 
 throwing up mire and dirt, darkened by the thick clouds of sin, 
 which brings the tempest of God's displeasure trembling and ago- 
 nizing in view of Sinai's mountain that burns with sulphurous fire, 
 and shocked by the awful peals of thunder, louder and louder still, 
 while the lightnings glare that burns with wrath, makes the ap- 
 proaching storm more gloomy and awful still. Look again and see 
 the billows cease to roll, the clouds brushed all away, the stormy 
 thunders roar and the lightning's glare stilled into a holy, pure and 
 heavenly calm, the sunshine of truth beaming light and love, and 
 dazzling the whole landscape of man's existence with stillness and 
 lasting peace. Rise higher still and see that peace flow like a river 
 in its gentle course and wafting the delighted soul beyond the reach 
 of the turbulent waves of sin and death, and ending in everlasting 
 peace; and wonder still, when you hear the voice of Holy Writ say, 
 peace is the fruit of the Spirit, and from the same sacred fount flow 
 in streams of living excellence, good works, gentleness, kindness, 
 meekness, &c. And when you have taken notice of all the things 
 above set forth, ask yourselves what man would do if all these glori ■ 
 bus hopes were lost? and lost they most assuredly will be if the Holy 
 Spirit does not lend its heavenly aid in the regeneration and salva- 
 tion of the souls of men from the deep abyss of sin and sorrow into 
 which they have plunged themselves. And how debased and mel- 
 ancholy is that existence in whom the Spirit does not dwell ! There 
 is seen no love to God, no holy love for friend or foe, no lasting joy 
 or lasting peace, but there the foul passions reign and sink the soul 
 into endless death and misery ! 
 
 And, dear brethren in the Lord, we have not in the foregoing 
 letter peen able to set before you half the facts to which your atten- 
 tion might have been directed. We might, if limits would have 
 permitted, have drawn your minds to some very sublime and phil- 
 osophical views that exist in Nature's Book, by which views reason 
 might have been assisted, and the judgment informed, by walking 
 through the paths of nature to nature's God, and drawing inferences 
 both positive and circumstancial, which would have been of a char- 
 acter strengthening, at least, to the positions and proofs taken and 
 brought forward in this our letter, which has brought us to the con- 
 clusions to which said positions, proofs, arguments and facts have 
 landed us. We think, however, that we have said enough fo con- 
 vince you that the well being of the people of God, and harmony 
 
£40' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 and fellowship of the churches, as well as quickening grace, depends 
 upon the indwelling of the Spirit of God in the hearts of the breth- 
 ren, ivithout whose assistance every Gospel preacher Knows he can 
 not preach, — while every true christian must feel from experience 
 » long felt and known, that spiritual life, light, love, grace and joy 
 depends upon the reception of this holy and heavenly fire ; and to 
 such we need not argue long upon points which their own feelings 
 have proven. But Oh, brethren, how ought our souls to be drawn 
 out to God in prayer, while we cling with jealous and anxious solic- 
 itude around this our only hope of life, that He would, for His great 
 name's sake revive, by His Holy Spirit the drooping state of Zion ! 
 that He would send or revive the Heavenly flame in every heart, 
 and be with and aid His ministers in their holy but laborious task, 
 and fill our souls again with delightful praises and thankfulness to 
 God ; and in this we should be encouraged when we remember that 
 the promise is that if you lack, ask of God, and the glorious Re- 
 deemer has promised that if we ask, it shall be given ; and many other 
 like promises are left us for our encouragement. 
 
 Dear Brethren, pray therefore without ceasing, and remember 
 too, at a throne of grace, the poor, misguided souls that have never 
 tasted that life and delight given by the Holy Spirit's aid ; for most 
 assuredlj*, if the Scriptures be true — and our own experience has not 
 lied — all such, however wise, laborious, or however much they may 
 feel disposed to laugh at the doctrine of the Holy Spirit's assistance 
 and workings upon the immortal souls of men and women ; and 
 however, much they may have trusted to theirown moral excellence, 
 yet when the great day of the wrath of God is come, they will find 
 to their everlasting shame and confusion that without it they will 
 he like the boasting Pharisee, and will be utterly unable to stand the 
 fiery indignation of His avenging stroke, but must sink in hopeless 
 ruin down to the abodes of everlasting sorrow, where the worm dieth ' 
 not, and the fire is not quenched. And further, brethren, let us en- 
 deavor to sing with the Spirit, pray with the Spirit, praise with the 
 Spirit, live in love, peace and joy. And may the God of peace by 
 His Holy Spirit seal instruction to your every mind. 
 
 James M. Webb. 
 October 16th, 1837. 
 
 Webb, Elder Alfred was born in Rutheford county 
 about 1800 of wealthy parents, but enjoyed only common 
 .school advantages, working on a farm until he attained to 
 the age of manhood. He was doubtless a "chosen vessel," 
 and directed by the Spirit to attend the ministration of the 
 Word by those eminent servants of God Dobbins and Hicks, 
 the result was, he was converted and baptized into the fel- 
 lowship of the church at Concord, near the home of his 
 youth. Some short time afterward he felt impressed to 
 speak a word for the Master, and the church licensed him 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 5*1 
 
 fo do so about the year 1822. The next year he was chosen 
 to represent the church as one of her delegates at the session 
 of l he Broad River Association hekl at Reedy River church, 
 <Greenville county, S. C. And the Minutes show that he 
 tilled the appointment, and was marked as a licentiate. A 
 short time after this session of the Association he was or- 
 dained by a presbytery to the full work of the Gospel min- 
 istry, probably in 1824, for he appears in the Minutes of that 
 vea'r as a delegate and ordained minister from Concord. lit 
 1825, Ebenezer church was constituted, and admitted into 
 the Broad River body, and Elder Webb became a member and 
 pastor of said church, and was chosen with Aaron Bigger- 
 staff and Williamson Fortune its representatives in the ses- , 
 sion of that year (1826) and 1827. In the latter year Ebene- 
 zer with several other churches were dismissed to aid in the 
 formation of the Catawba River Association, and Elder 
 Webb was consequently separated from the Broad River 
 body, and he continued his new relationship until sometime 
 after the year 1836, when he emigrated to the State of 
 Georgia, And after connecting himself with the Georgia 
 Baptists in the Stare of his adoption, we are informed he at 
 ■once set about improving a defective education, in which un- 
 dertaking he succeeded admirably, and soon 'mastered the 
 Hebrew and Greek languages, besides taking a course of 
 theoligical studies. By which means he became much more 
 ■efficient in the ministration of tiie Word, and was consid- 
 ered an able minister of the New Testament wherever he 
 labored. We heard Elder Webb preach at Zion church in 
 1836, then a messenger from the Catawba River Association 
 to the Broad River, and the last session that he ever attended 
 of that body. We considered him an able minister at that 
 time, and very attractive in his manner and gestures. He 
 was a fine looking man, rather above the ordinary s'.ze, in- 
 ch ning\somewhat to corpulency, large chest, massive head 
 and stentorian vioce, and very commanding in his general 
 itppearanee. 
 
 Whitten, Brother James was a member of Cross 
 Roads church, and joined the Broad River Association in 
 1823, he was then a layman. Soon after this session of the 
 body he was licensed to preach, and again chosen by Cross 
 Roads to represent the church in the session of the Association 
 in 1824 and 1825. He aoneared in the associate body these 
 years, as the Minutes show, as a licentiate. He was elected 
 clerk ot the Association in 1823. After this we lose sight 
 of brother Whitten in the Minutes. "We do not find j»ny where 
 
542' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHED 
 
 that he was ever ordained to the full work of the ministry 
 while a member of the Broad River Association. He prob- 
 ably removed to some other field of labor. 
 
 Webb, Elder George Milton was- bom November 14^ 
 1831, in Rutherford county, N. C. Was converted in early 
 life and baptized by Elder J. M. Webb in>to the fellowship* 
 of the Concord church in 1844. In 1850 he married Miss- 
 Priscilla J. Blauton, a lady every way worthy of him, and 
 they entered upon the toils of life with buoyant hopes of" 
 success in the career of life. In 1857 (his church having: 
 joined the King's Mountain Association in 1856) he appear- 
 ed in the Association as a lay delegate, and then again in. 
 the sessions of 1858-'59-'61. In 1863 he was licensed by 
 the Concord church to preach, and appeared in the associate: 
 body as a delegate and licentiate. He was ordained to the- 
 full work of the Gospel ministry in 1864, and again ap- 
 peared in the Association as a delegate at that session. We 
 believe he has attended all the sessions of the Association 
 since, and in 1867-'68-'69-'70-'71 and '72 he was elected 
 clerk of the body. And the Circular Letter, addressed to- 
 the churches in union on the Design of Baptism, and adopted 
 in 1869, was from his pen, which we reproduce in this work. 
 
 Elder G. M. Webb is a son of the lamented James Ml 
 Webb, deceased, and in person resembles his parent very 
 much. He has been pastor of several of the King's Moun- 
 tain churches, namely ; Buffalo, Pleasant Hill, Capernaum 
 and others, and has preached for four churches every year 
 since his ordination, and appears to be a popular pastor with 
 his several flocks. Like a large number of Baptist preach- 
 ers, Bro. Webb has to labor under the disadvantages of a 
 defective education ; he is, however, a close student of Bib- 
 lical theology, around his own hearth-stones at home, and 
 to a great extent has overcome the seeming impediment. 
 He has a good flow of language, and considerable back-bone 
 or nerve-power, which enables him to contend earnestly for 
 the form of sound words. And feeling that he is armed 
 "with the sword of the Spirit," he does not quail at the 
 giants of Gath, but without dismay moves straight along, 
 using only the smooth stones of the Gospel from the fragile 
 sling with which nature has endowed him. No one, how- 
 ever, more than he, is more sensible of the fatal consequences 
 of the great lack of early literary training, and he is a 
 strong advocate of ministerial education. He is also a fast 
 friend of Missions and Sabbath-schools, together with all 
 the various appliances put on foot for the furtherance of 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 5iS 
 
 tfhe 'Gospel of Christ. He has baptized abaut §00 persons 
 linto the fellowship of the churches, 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The King's Mountain JSqptist Association — To the Churches in Union 
 
 — Greeting: 
 
 Dear Brethren: — According to an appointment it becomes our 
 •duty to address you, by way of a Circular Letter, on the Design of 
 Haptism, and for a foundation we have selected from the word of 
 •God this text: "For as many of you as have been baptized into 
 Christ have put on Christ." (Gal. iii : 27.) 
 
 These words seems to us appropriate to the occasion. The As>- 
 ■sociation is made up of just such persons as are here referred to — per- 
 sons who have been baptized into Christ, and the churches they 
 -represent are composed in like manner of just such persons as have 
 put on Christ by being baptized in His name. Our object in writing 
 ou this subject is, that we may consider the nature and obligations 
 of the christian profession, remembering that we Were baptized into 
 Christ. The general design of baptism is a public and formal profes- 
 sion of the Christian religion. We are baptized into Christ ; in bap- 
 tism we publicly acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, our Lord and 
 Savior, and declare ourselves His followers. It is a symbolic act by 
 which we profess discipleship to Jesus Christ, aud engage to receive 
 His doctrines. Of similar import is the expression, "baptized in the 
 name of Christ." The eager inquirers, on the day of Pentecost, were 
 ■directed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; the 
 Samaritans, believing, were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. Their baptism was a public acknowledgement of the medi- 
 atorial character and walk of the Lord Jesus Christ; that is, as the 
 adherents, the disciples, the followers of Jesus Christ. That this is 
 the design of baptism is evident from the commission : "Go teach all 
 nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the rton, 
 and of ihe Holy Ghost." Go teach, make disciples. The Apostles 
 were to preach the Gospel, and in that way make disciples to Christ; 
 then thejy were to baptize them, that they might be publicly known 
 as disciples. It is certain that the Apostles so understood the com- 
 mission; for they baptized none but those thev had first made disci- 
 
 y - . . -' i 
 
 pjes to Jesus Christ, in precise accordance with the instructions 
 they had received from their Master. "Go makedisciples, baptizing 
 them," &c. In the beginning of the Gospel dispensation a consent 
 to be baptized was regarded as a reception and an acknowledgement 
 of Jesus' Messiahship, and a refusal to be baptized was regarded as 
 a rejection of the Gospel, and a denial of His Messiah ; for it is said, 
 <l all the people that heard him, and the publicans justified God, 
 being baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and law- 
 yers rejected the counsel of God against) themselves, riot being bap- 
 tized." [Luke vii. 29, 30.] 
 
 We will now notice the latter clause of the text : "As many of 
 you as have been baptized into Christ have put tin Christ." The 
 same expression occurs in Romans: "But put ye on the Lord Jesus 
 
5i4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Christ, and make no provision for the flesh." So to put on Christ 
 is to take Him as our teacher, our guide, our governor and our 
 Savior. We put on Christ externally when we follow Him into the 
 baptismal water; ''for as many of you as have been baptized into 
 Christ, have put on Christ " Since baptism is designed to be the 
 badge of our public profession of Christianity, it forms the visible 
 boundary between the church and the world : "for except a man be 
 born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the. Kingdom, 
 of God." [John iii. 5.] By the expression, "born of water,*' is gen- 
 erally understood the visible kingdom or Church of Christ upon the 
 earth. For admission to this Kingdom the Savior here demands- 
 two prerequisites — to be born of water, and to be born of the Spirit. 
 No one is a fit subject for church membership until he is born of the 
 Spirit —until he is baptized or born of water. Hence it' follows that 
 baptism is a solemn, public, formal profession of Christianity. It is*. 
 the initiation by which we are admitted into the fellowship of the 
 church, the act by which we assume the christian name — the badge 
 of our discipleship to Christ. But this general design includes a 
 number of particulars. Christianity consists of doctrines to be re- 
 ceived, emotions to be felt, precepts to be practiced, and promises to- 
 be trusted. In baptism we declare our belief in its doctrines, our 
 experience of its emotions, our obedience to its precepts, our reliance 
 upoo its promises. Baptism is also an acknowledgement of our sin- 
 fulness. The religion of Christ is a religion for sinners ; "they that 
 are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. Christ came 
 not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." The ordinances 
 administered by John contemplated its subjects as sinners. "John 
 did baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance 
 for the remission of sins. ■ Then went out unto him Jerusalem and 
 all Judea, and all region round about Jordan, and were baptized of 
 him in Jordan, confessing their sins." [Mark i. 4, 5.] Those bap- 
 tized by the Apostles, as well as those baptized by John, were sup- 
 posed to be penitent sinners, deeply impressed with a sense of their 
 guilt. Those baptized on the day of pentecost,. were the subjects of 
 pungent and powerful conviction. They said unto Peter and the 
 rest of the Apostles, "Men aud brethren, what shall we do?" Then 
 Peter said unto them "Repent and be baptized every one of you in 
 the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sin, and ye shall re- 
 ceive the fdft of the Holy Ghost." It is clear that the Ap istles ad- 
 mit none to baptism but such as declare themselves peniteut sinners 
 Saul felt himself a sinner, when, trembling and astonished, he said : 
 "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" Ananias thought Saul a 
 penitent sinner when he said, "Arise, and be baptized, and wa*>h 
 away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." 
 
 Again, baptism is a declaration of our faith in Christ. It is said 
 "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto 
 the people that they should believe on Him that should come after 
 Him;" that is, on Jesus Christ. The terms of the commission is, 
 "Go ye into all the world and i reach the Gospel to every creature ; 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 545 
 
 he that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved." In every case 
 of baptism mentioned, as performed by the Apostles, it is expressly 
 affirmed or plainly intimated that the subjects declared themselves 
 believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Philip taught the Eunuch that 
 he must believe with all his heart before he was a fit subject for bap- 
 tism. The Samaritans, when they believed in Jesus Christ, were 
 baptized, both men and women. Cryspus, whom Paul baptized, 
 believed in the Lord with all his house. And many of the Corinth- 
 ians, hearing, believed, and were baptized. 
 
 From all this it is plain that the design of baptism is a public 
 declaration of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the bun of God 
 and Savior of sinners. Again, faith in Christ implies faith iu all the 
 facts of the Gospel — are most strikingly symbolized in the ordinance 
 of baptism. The most prominent of these facts are the death and 
 resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. "He was delivered for our 
 offences and raised again for our justification." 'Tf Christ be not 
 raised from the dead, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is 
 also vain." In our baptism we declare our faith in the death and 
 resurrection of the Savior, and all those glorious doctrines connected 
 with these great facts. How significantly are they set forth in this 
 holy ordinance : "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized 
 unto Christ were baptized unto His death ; therefore we are buried 
 with Him in baptism unto death, that like as Christ was raised from 
 the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in 
 newness of life. " k (Rom. vi. 3, 4.) 
 
 Peter, speaking of the family of Noah saved by water, says: 
 "The like figure whereuuto even baptism doth also now save us (not 
 the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good 
 conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Bap- 
 tism is symbolic of His resurrection ; hence, as Noah was saved by 
 water, we, in a figure, are saved by baptism. In baptism we declare 
 not only our faith in the fact of Christ's resurrection, but also in the 
 doctrine of the general resurrection. In commemorating the resur- 
 rection of the Savior, we anticipate our own. Some of the Corinthi- 
 ans denied the doctrine of the resurrection, in proof of which Paul 
 jvppealed to their own baptism, and says : "Else what shall they do. 
 who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all ? Why are 
 they then ba2)tized for the dead ?" (1 Cor. xv. 29.) The point of the 
 argument is this : if there be no resurrection of the dead, why is our 
 resurrection symbolized in the ordinance of baptism? Why are we 
 required to perform an act which so strikingly sets forth the death 
 and resurrection of the body ? If there is to be no resurrection of 
 the body, why are we buried with Christ in baptism, if we are not 
 with Him to be raised from the dead ? "If we have been planted 
 together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness 
 of His resurrection. (Rom. vi. 5.) We declare this by being buried 
 in water, and raised from the liquid grave. "Likewise reckon ye 
 also yourselves to be "buried with Him in baptism, wherein ye are 
 raised with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath 
 69 
 
546 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 raised Him from the dead." From all this it is plain that baptism 
 is a metaphor, not only of the death, burial and resurrection of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, but also of the burial and resurrection of our own 
 bodies. Baptism is also spoken of as the answer of a good conscience 
 towards God. (1 Peter iii. 4.) In its observance we profess to be at 
 peace with God — to have our conscience void of offence, both toward 
 God and man. Again, baptism is a pledge of our allegiance and 
 fidelity to Jesus Christ, Believers are the property of Him — they 
 belong to Him ; they are His by purchase. He has bought them. 
 "What, know ye not that ye are not your own ? for ye are bought 
 with a price." (1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.) In our baptism we acknowledge 
 the right of Jesus Christ in us, and convey ourselves to Him as His 
 property. When a piece of property is sold and the price paid, the 
 purchaser is entitled to a bill of sale, or a deed conveying the right 
 and title of the property to him. The believer executes such a deed 
 when he is baptized. He then publicly declares that he by pur- 
 chase belongs to Jesus Christ, and surrenders himself to his rightful 
 owner. Believers are the servants of Christ — under the Mosaic dis- 
 pensation, when a person purchased a Hebrew servant it was the 
 custom of the servant to have his ear bored in token of fidelity to his 
 master. (Ex. xxi, 6.) In our baptism we acknowledge Christ as our 
 master, we pledge ourselves as His obedient and faithful servants. 
 
 Again, believers are the subjects of Christ. He is their Sover- 
 eign Ruler. When a foreigner emigrates to this country, and pro- 
 poses to live under our government and laws, he must first take the 
 oath of allegiance before he is entitled to citizenship. His oath does 
 hot change his character, but it changes his relationship, and enti- 
 tles him to privileges, which otherwise he could not enjoy. So in 
 our baptism, it is our oath of allegiance to Jesus Christ, as Head of 
 the Church, King in Zion, Spiritual Lord and Ruler in the new cre- 
 ation. When a sinner is renewed by grace, and made nigh by the 
 blood of Christ, it is expected and required that he come out from 
 among the wprld and be separate, and make it manifest by taking 
 the oath of loyalty to Christ. This is done in baptism; by it we be- 
 come visibly the subjects of Christ's kingdom. Clearly this is the de- 
 sign of baptism, it is a solemn pledge of our attachment, our allegi- 
 ance, our fidelity to Jesus Christ, as our owner, our master, our 
 husband and our sovereign. Baptism, as we have seen all along, x is 
 declarative and emblematic. We are born of water to declare the 
 fact that we have been born of the Spirit. Our bodies are washed in 
 the water of baptism to signify that our souls are washed and cleansed 
 in the blood of Christ. Our sins are said to be remitted in baptism. 
 because in that act we declare our reliance for pardon upon the 
 atoning merits of the Son of God. We are buried in the water of 
 baptism, and raised again from the water, to signify that whilst our 
 bodies are to die, they are, nevertheless, to be raised out of the grave. 
 1 Again, our baptism is not the ground of our hope, not by any 
 means, but it a most beautiful and impressive representation of the 
 true, and only ground of hope, which is based on the death aud res- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 547 
 
 urreeiiou of the Lord Jesus Christ. We think brethren, we have 
 exhibited the Scriptural view of the design of baptism.. It is a form- 
 al and practical profession of the Christian Religion. That is to 
 say, "it is an acknowledgement of our sinfulness, a declaration of 
 faith, a profession of repentance, a pledge of our obedience, an ex- 
 pression of our hope. In attending to tiie ordinance of baptism, it 
 is important that it be so observed as that its design shall be an- 
 swered, its entire significancy be preserved, its full meaning be 
 clearly and exactly set forth. As well neglect it altogether, as to 
 change its form or apply it to those to whom it does not properly 
 belong, or in any way pervert its design. The design of the ordi- 
 nance is not answered when it is applied to an infant, for the simple 
 reason that infants are incapable of making the profession which 
 baptism supposes. How can an infant believe — how can such walk 
 in newness of life— how can an infant repent and exercise faith in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ? These are things they have not ability to do, 
 and consequently, cannot perform. Baptism is described as being 
 the answer of a good conscience toward God. Is it so to an infant 
 child ? To them it is neither the answer of a good nor an evil con- 
 science, their consciences have nothing to do with it. Its design is 
 not answered when the rite is applied to unconverted persons, 
 whether infants or adults. Only such as give evidence of having 
 embraced the gospel are fit subjects for baptism. 
 
 May this important matter be duly weighed and considered by 
 all professors of the christian religion, and may the blessings of God 
 attend their researches, and enable them to see the truth as it is set 
 forth in the Scriptures of eternal truth! 
 
 Fraternally, G. M. Webb. 
 
 Sept. 27th, 1S69. 
 
 "Wjlkie, Elder George appears in the Broad River 
 Association first in the session of 1816, at Buffalo church, as 
 undelegate from Antioch church in York countv, S. C. He 
 was then an ordained Minister. He was chosen pastor of 
 Antioch church, and continued to represent the church in 
 the Association annually until the session of 1837. About 
 that time he became hetorodox in the faith, advancing what 
 was termed free-will ideas. He was discarded as pastor and 
 he then moved to Georgia, and soon after identified himself 
 with the Methodist. After remaiuing in that connection for 
 a time he was disciplined for intemperate habits, and some 
 years afterwards died in disorder. 
 
 Elder Wilkie was, for many years, an active and ener- 
 getic minister. He preached a great deal among the Broad 
 River churches, and although he was not an eloquent preach- 
 er, his manner of address was of a character calculated , to 
 win the affections, and make good impressions upon the 
 
548 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 minds of his hearers. A great many persons professed con- 
 version through his instrumentality and he baptized many 
 into the fellowship of the Antioch and other churches. . He 
 was, however, considered by those who knew him best to be 
 a very vaseillatiug and unstable man, in his ways, all his life, 
 and many lacked confidence in him. On the 22nd of June, 
 1831, he baptized us into the fellowship ofthe Antioch church, 
 and we would rather feel to be, 
 
 "To his foibles a little blind, 
 And to his virtues ever kind." 
 
 But still, faithfulness becomes the household of God, 
 and all those professing to have identified themselves with 
 His people, should not only endeavor to walk circumspectly 
 themselves, but expose to the world's gaze the evil deeds of 
 such as profess and do not the requirements of a holy calling. 
 !See the journalistic part of this work in reference to George 
 Wilkie. Session 1828. 
 
 Williams, Elder Joseph M. is a native of .Rutherford, 
 (now Cleveland) county, IS". C. Born October 1st 1827, con- 
 verted in August. 1847, baptized in December afterwards by 
 Elder Thomas Dixon into the fellowship of an arm of Zion, 
 afterwards organized into N"ew Bethel church. Was licensed 
 by said church to preach September 15th, 1854, and ordained 
 to the full work of the ministry April 16th, 1658, the pres- 
 bytery consisting of Eiders Wade Hill, Joseph Suttle and G. 
 W. Rollins. A while before his ordination Xovember 24th, 
 1857, he had the £ood fortune of intermarrving with Miss 
 Martha Young, of York count} 7 , S. C, who proves to be an 
 affectionate and industrious help meet to him in the rugged 
 toils of life. He moved to Polk county where he now lives, 
 in December 1862, when he and his better half connected 
 themselves with Arrowood church a member of the Broad 
 River Association. 
 
 While he was a member of New Bethel church Ave find 
 from the minutes of the King's Mountain Association that 
 he served as a delegate to that body in 1854 to 1862, the 
 year he identified himself with the Broad River bodv. Since 
 then he has served the Arrowood church as pastor, and fre- 
 quently represented said church in the different sessions of 
 the Broad River Association and in 1877 was elected Mod- 
 erator. 
 
 We are well acquainted with Elder Williams and, while 
 in his company many vears asro, heard him say that his lath- 
 er, who was a distiller of spirits, had, during his best days in 
 early life, kept him so closely engaged in the still-house, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 54!) 
 
 tnaking whisky, that he never had much opportunity to ac- 
 quire au education. He was sorry it was the case for he was 
 one that appreciated learning very much, and the restrictions 
 laid on him had not only prejudiced his mind against the 
 making of spirits but against their use as a beverage. He 
 had therefore, seeing the great and irreparable evils result- 
 ing from the use of spirits, resolved within himself to give 
 all the aid and comfort he possibly could to the temperance 
 movemenl, and in order to do this as effectually as possible, 
 he embraced every opportunity that presented itself to him 
 to obtain all the education he possibly could to enable him 
 to make a more formidable opposition. While under the in- 
 fluence of these good resolutions it pleased God through the 
 instrumentality of a preached gospel to convert his soul, not 
 only to the love of sobriety but to godliness in all things. He 
 joined the church and tried to live the life of a christian, and 
 during his experience, since he made these resolutions, we 
 have not heard him, nor do we expect ever to hear him say that 
 he repented the course he took in early life, to endeavor to 
 frown the evil genius of intemperance. If all young men 
 •could only see things in the light that Elder Williams did, 
 whether from the same stand-point or not, but in such a 
 way as to stimulate them to put to shame and drive out the 
 filthy and destructive practice of making, vending or using 
 ardent spirits as a beverage, from all would be decent socie- 
 ty — what a great blessing it would prove to them ! And 
 not only to them but to society in general ! Recollecting 
 Elder Williams' remarks long airo when in his youth, and 
 seeing and knowing how the Lord has prospered him in a 
 religious /point of view, we could not refrain from making 
 the foregoing remarks, hoping they may be utilized to their 
 fullest extent by every reader of this work who may need 
 any admonition on the subject. And let all recollect the 
 trite remark of the Apostle, "Let him that thinketh he 
 ■standeth take heed lest he fall." 
 
 Elder Williams beino; vet in the prime of life, through 
 
 •the providence of God, may yet accomplish much in the 
 
 cause of the Master. He has the reputation now of being 
 
 au able minister of the New Testameut. May his shadow 
 
 never grow less. 
 
 Wilkie, Elder William is a native of Rutherford 
 county, N. C, born about 1784, and a brother of George 
 Wilkie. Was a member of Big Spring church, and appoint- 
 ed a delegate to the Broad River Association in 1827. The 
 same year the Big Spring church was dismissed to aid in 
 the formation of the Catawba River Association, and Elder 
 
550 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 "Wilkie became a member of that body. We have no other- 
 information from Minutes concerning him. We know .that 
 he became very deaf many years before his death, and in. 
 consequence of which, he seldom preached, and probably 
 never did any regular ministerial work for any of the churches,. 
 although, we know he did preach sometimes with much- 
 ability, and great satisfaction to his hearers. He was what 
 might be termed a Hyper Calmnist. A man of great reason- 
 ing powers, and logical in his conclusions. 
 
 Wilkie, Elder Joab is native of Rutherford county, IN". 
 C, and is a son of Win. Wilkie. He was born about 1805 y 
 professed religion in early life and joined the church at Big 
 Spring, and was chosen a lay delegate to represent the 
 church in the session of the Broad River Association in 1826. 
 He then became identified with the Catawba River body,, 
 and remained with it until after the formation of the Green 
 River Association, when he became a member of that body r 
 and we think is vet a member thereof. Elder Wilkie is a 
 good pious christian minister, 'subject to the same drawbacks . 
 that cripple the usefulness of a large majority of olden time 
 Baptist ministers — we mean a lack of early educational train- 
 ing. He has, however, been ordained bv a Presbvtrv to the 
 regular and full work of the Gospel ministry, and has prob- 
 ably more than doubled the talents entrusted to his care, 
 and is therefore, entitled to the plaudit, "well done,, good 
 and faithful servant." 
 
 White, Elder William is an ordained minister of the 
 Broad River Association. He appears from the Minutes to 
 have been a licentiate in 1877, and ordained to the full work 
 of the ministry 1881. His residence is near Hicksville, N. 
 C. Date of his birth not known to the writer. 
 
 Williams,'' Elder Millington is a native of Lincoln' 
 county, N. C, date of birth unknown to the writer. His 
 residence is near Hull's Cross Roads. He has been an or- 
 dained minister about thirty two years,and has been pastor of 
 the Mount Vernon church several years. We learn that 
 Elder Williams, although destitute of early literary training, 
 is a good pious man, of a godly walk and conversation, and 
 of great service in the church of which he is a member. He 
 has formerly been identified with the Catawba River Associ- 
 ation. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. &5l 
 
 Wray, Elder David, is a native a Cleveland County, 
 3S". C, born July the 5th, 1826, professed conversion in ear- 
 ly life and joined the church at Capernaum. In 1854 he 
 represented the church in the Association as a lay delegate. 
 Was licensed to preach in 1855, and on Dec. 22nd, 1859, 
 •ordained to the full work of the ministry. He assisted Elder 
 W. Hill in pastoral labors until about 1808, when he emi- 
 grated to the state of Texas, and connected himself with the 
 Baptist brotherhood in that state. He had some time pre- 
 viously intermarried with Miss Violet Ii. Hunter, daughter 
 of Dr. John B. Hunter of York county, S. 0.., an estimable 
 lady, whom by the relentless hand of death he lost, after set- 
 tling in his new home. Elder Wray still lives in the State- 
 •of his adoption, and pursues his ministerial duties as hereto- 
 fore, believing that it is the duty of every one entrusted with 
 «a talent to cultivate as best he may be able, until the Hus- 
 bandman shall call the several laborers to an account of 
 their stewardship. He has married a second wife and still 
 livse in Texas. 
 
 White, Elder J. A. came from the Brier River Asso- 
 ciation in 1877, and identified himself with the King's 
 Mountain body at the sessiou of 1878, being then a delegate 
 from Shelby church. 
 
 Elder White is a -native of Alexander county, X. C, 
 horn Nov. 1/, 1848, educated at Wake Forest College, N. C, 
 .and follows the business of teaching and preaching. On his 
 moving to Shelby he at once took charge of the Academical 
 High School at that place, and rendered general satisfaction, 
 ■we believe, to the patrons and friends of the Institution. 
 After teaching several sessions' brother White, wishing to 
 en^ao-e more fully in the discharge of his ministerial duties, 
 declined teaching anj^ longer, and now has charge of two 
 ■churches, Antioch and Black's Station, of which he has been 
 chosen pastor,where he si devoting nearly all his time to the 
 ministry of the Word. He is an excellent preacher and 
 able divine. Enjoying the advantages of a classical educa- 
 tion, he is able to grapple with obstruse questions, either of 
 divinity or science. He is very popular with the people 
 where he preaches, and, being yet a young man, he has in 
 prospect many years of usefulness before him. May he be 
 spared to render much service in the cause of the Master. He 
 married Miss Maggie A. Sharpe, of York Institute, Alexan- 
 der County, N". ' C, who is an estinable lady everv wav worth v 
 of him. 
 
m 
 
 55 f I BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 Yarboro, Elder James H. was for a time a member of 
 the King's Mountain Association and was reared within its 
 bounds. He was born October 23d, 1831, converted in 185t> 
 and joined the church at Rock Spring, Polk county, 1ST. C. 
 and was baptized the same year by Elder Berry E. Rollins, 
 He was licensed to preach by the Rock Spring church in. 
 Oct. 1857, and in Jan. 1863 was ordained to the full work of 
 the gospel ministry by Elders Bailey Brace, Thomas Stradly, 
 Lewis McCurry and Berry E. Rollins, constituting the pres- 
 bytery. 
 
 Elder Yarboro had obtained in the country schools a 
 tolerable good English education and was for a time a stu- 
 dent at Taylorsville high school in Alexander county. In. 
 order to complete his education he entered Wake Eorest 
 College but by reason of the war coming on he left school 
 a few months-after entering the senior class and did not re- 
 turn after the war to finish his collegiate course. 
 
 Some time after Brother Yarboro commenced preach- 
 ing he married Miss Leonora Stroud on the 19th of Eebrua- 
 ry 1865, who proves to be an affectionate help meet to him 
 while engaged in the busy and toilsome scenes of life. 
 
 While a member of, the King's Mountain Association,, 
 Elder Yarboro has been prominent in the body as a preach- 
 er and business man, appointed sometimes to preach the in- 
 troductory sermons and write the annual Circular Letters tos 
 the churches in union. At the session of 1866 it will be seen 
 by reference to the minutes of that year, that he took a very 
 active and praise worthy part in healing the breach that had 
 taken place in the Association in regard to temperance. And 
 at the session of 1868 he was honored with the appointment 
 of Moderator of the body, the duties of which he discharged 
 very creditably to himself and entire satisfaction to the mem- 
 bers. At the same session the Circular Letter prepared by 
 him on Missions was adopted by the body which we here re- 
 produce as being considered worthy of perservation. Elder 
 Yarboro follows the business of teaching and is now en- 
 gaged in running a high school of much merit at Forest City, 
 Rutherford county, N. C. So, that as Elder or Professor, he 
 is an active worker in the cause of the Master. As he is still 
 living and in the nritne of life and manhood we will add no 
 more. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 
 
 The King's Mountain Baptist Association, to the Churches in Union 
 
 sendcth christian salutation. 
 
 Dear Brethren : — According to an appointment of yonr body at 
 its last session, we address you upon the great and important subject 
 of Missions. 
 
 / 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 553 
 
 The primitive christians, under the guidance of the Hoi;, Spirit, 
 uniformly enforced their instructions, by tender appeals to the ex- 
 ample, sufferings and death of our ascended Lord. It was, therefore, 
 the last command of. our Savior to His disciples to go "teach all na- 
 tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son. 
 and of the Holy Ghost." In order to obey this injunction, there are 
 three things which should be inseparably asociated with the people 
 of God. First, humility of heart, because Christ "humbled Himself 
 and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross." 
 Second, purity of life, because Christ "gave Himself for us that he 
 might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a pecu- 
 liar people." Third, liberality is required, because Christ "though 
 l He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His 
 poverty might be rich." 
 
 So, in arriving at the true idea of the spirit of Missions, the 
 proper course evidently is to look at the missionary character of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. He was indeed ft missionary; He came to save 
 the lost; He was a missionary to us. We were under condemnation, 
 the sentence of God's righteous law was against us, the flaming 
 sword of Divine vengeance was against us. To save the lost, then, 
 was the spirit of Christ. The apostles imbibed this spirit, and this is 
 the spirit of missions. The heathen are in a lost condition, and if 
 we possess the spirit of Christ we will do what we can to save them. 
 The spirit of Missions is not something different from, or something 
 superadded to the christian spirit, but is simply essentially and em- 
 phatically the spirit of Christ ; it is compassion for the destitute, and 
 such compassion as leads the possessor to put forth powerful efforts, 
 and to undergo, if necessary, the severest suffering. 
 
 When we try to look into the manifestation of the spirit of 
 Christ, we see very evidently the great outlines of what is worthy to 
 be called the spirit of missions. Behold the condescension of the 
 Savior, and we learn a lesson of duty towards the destitute and de- 
 graded of the human race. The Son of God, before whom ten thou- 
 sand times ten thousands of thousands prostrate themselves ; this 
 Infiuite Being empties Himself of His Glory and comes down to toil 1 
 suffer and die, for whom? For us, worms of the dust, insects that 
 may be crushed in a moment before His wrath ! 
 
 When the millions and hundreds of millions of our race come up 
 before our imagination, when we behold them sunk into untold vio- 
 lence, covered in abominations, dropping one after another as fast as 
 the beating of our pulse, twenty millions a year into the world of spirits 
 shoidd not our Savior's last command bear with irresistable force 
 upon us?* We, brethren, should regard ourselves under God, as the 
 means of saving them from perdition. We have idol gods without 
 number to destroy, a veil of forty centuries thick to rend, a horrible 
 darkness to dispel, hearts of stone to break, a gulf of pollution to pu- 
 rify, nations, in God's strength to reform and regenerate ; but to do 
 this requires a spirit of liberality, and such liberality as will induce 
 us to contribute of our mean3 so as to send the gospel to all destitute 
 70 
 
554 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 locations, so far as we may be able. But alas ! how small the sum 
 appropriated by a million and a half of God's stewards to save and 
 elevate a sinking world! Tbe price of earthly ambition, conveni- 
 ence and pleasure is counted by millions. Navies and armies have 
 their millions, railroads and canals have their millions, colleges and 
 schools have their millions, excessive fondness of the alluremements 
 of dress and vain glory have their millions, parties of pleasure and 
 licentiousness in high life have their millions, and what has the 
 treasury of God and the Lamb to redeem a world of souls from the 
 pains of eternal death and to till them with unspeakable joy ? The 
 sum is so small in comparison to the wealth of our churches that our 
 tongues refuse to utter it. 
 
 Money, though greatly needed, is by no means all that is re- 
 quired of God's people, bodies and minds are wanted, the bone and 
 sinews of men are required. These more substantial things are needed 
 as well as money in arduous services at home and still more self- 
 denying labor abroad. The pleasure of doing good is the joy of angels, 
 it is the thrill of delight which pervades the soul of Jesus. Let us 
 then try to obey His last command. The heathen world, as a mass 
 has been left to perish, and by whom ? Not by the Father of mer- 
 cies ; He gave His only Son to redeem it. Not by the Savior of sin- 
 ners ; behold, and see his agonies on Cavalry, not by the Holy Spirit, 
 His influences have always been ready, not by the angels, their 
 wings have never yet become weary or tiresome when sent on 
 errands of mercy. All that heaven could do has been done consist- 
 ently with the all-wise arrangement of committing an important 
 agency to the church of Jesus. 
 
 The church has been slothful and negligent. Each generation 
 of christians has in turn received the vast responsibility neglected it 
 iu a great measure and transmitted it to the next. Is it true that 
 the heathen world is sinking into hell ? As fast as time rolls on 
 they are passing into the world of retribution and the inquiry is, 
 what is the doom they meet ? Do they arise to meet and unite with 
 angels in the songs of glory ? or do they sink in ceaseless and untold 
 torments ? 
 
 Certain it is that they are not saved through faith in Christ, for 
 "how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard ? " It 
 is also clear that God, in His usual method does not bestow the gift 
 of repentance and eternal life where a Savior is not known. "It 
 pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that be- 
 lieve." Those who are saved are said to be "begotten by the word 
 of truth— born of the word of God." As the heathen nations there- 
 fore, are not furnished with the means of salvation, it follows that as 
 a mass, at least they are lost. They are the nations that have forgot- 
 ten God and shall be turned into hell. 
 
 It is unnecessary for us to enter into any inquiry whether it is 
 possible for the heathen, unacquainted with the gospel, to be saved. 
 All that concerns us is, to, know that God has ordained the preach- 
 ing of the gospel as the means of saving the nations. It is not rea- 
 
BI0GEAPH1CAL SKETCHES. 555 
 
 sonable, therefore, to suppose that God will transplant the vine of 
 Sodom, unchanged in its nature, to over-run His Paradise above. 
 He will not throw open the gates of His Holy City and expose its 
 peaceful inhabitants to those hearts of cruelty and to those whose 
 hands are red with blood. There is then, no hope of converting the 
 heathen if christian nations do not send them the precious gospel, but 
 this mass of corruption and pollution must disgorge itself into the 
 pit of an awfull hell. 
 
 And shall the churches of our own land, with all their peculiar 
 advantages to send the gospel into all parts of the world, lie dormant 
 and neutral while a sinking world is crying for help ? But oh ! how 
 astonishing it is to see what a small amount of what we claim in 
 this life is appropriated to the evangelization of the world. It would 
 be, perhaps, a large estimate to say that the professed christians of 
 the United States give twenty cents per annum, on an average, for 
 the spread of the gospel of Jesus. There is indeed a deplorable defi- 
 ciency in our churches of the deep devotion and missionary spirit of 
 our ascended Lord. 
 
 Money is not wanting when lucrative gain is the end in view. 
 Professed christians can collect together large sums of money when 
 some great enterprise promises a good income. What is it that the 
 American christian could not accomplish for Christ if their hearts 
 and feelings were as much enlisted in His cause as they are in the 
 accumulation of worldly gain ? The world would soon have the gos- 
 pel preached in all the benign tened regions, and the wheels of Ziou 
 would roll on conquering and to conquer. It is certainly the duty 
 of the churches and ministry to put forth more strenuous efforts, to 
 buildjup-ahd sustain the gospel in all destitute regions. We know 
 this to be so from the injunction of our Savior to the primitive 
 christians. Was not Jerusalem an important place ? far more im- 
 portant, compared with other cities of that time than any city in 
 the United States ? And yet all the Apostles, except one, were re- 
 quired not only to leave that city, but to go beyond the limits of 
 Palestine. Antioch was an important place, yet Paul and Barnabas 
 were not suffered to remain in that City. Thus in the early ages of 
 the gospel dispensation the gospel was carried into destitute regions 
 by missionaaies, and as much as some persons may oppose mission- 
 ary operations, we from the Scriptures, regard it as an apostolic and 
 scriptural work, and brethren, it is a difficult, important and respon- 
 sible work. The Holy Spirit thought so in apostolic times, because 
 when a man was needed to preach to Cornelius and his household, a 
 man of just such ability and influence as Peter was sent, and when 
 the gospel was to be preached in Antioch, Barnabas, a man of great 
 piety and influence was sent. And when two preachers were called 
 to go to the heathen, we see that Simeon, Lucius or Mancan were not 
 chosen but the Holy Ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul," 
 men of greatest ability, experience, piety and wisdom. And thus it 
 seems that the work of a missionary requires talents, more mature 
 wisdom and deeper piety, than pastoral charges in the largest and 
 
556 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 most influential churches. And brethren, this idea seems to accord 
 perfectly with the instructions of the Holy Ghost as well as with 
 the dictates of common sense. WeaK men were not chosen in the 
 apostolic age to penetrate into the very midst of the enemy and to 
 grapple with the enemies of Christ, but the strong, the powerful and 
 influential were selected to bear the gospel into the enemy's land. 
 And surely, if talent, ability and influence are needed any where in 
 all tbe kingdon of our blessed Redeemer, it is needed in the great 
 and important work of missions. 
 
 Let us then brethren try to discharge our duty so far as we can 
 in this great work, both foreign and domestic, so as that the record- 
 ing angel shall not be compelled, with aching heart and streaming 
 eyes, to inscribe lchabod on our Zion, but with willing soul and 
 ready hands shall write in fairer lines, "Beautiful for situation the 
 joy of the whole earth ! " Fraternally, 
 
 September 21, 1868. James H. Yarboko. 
 
 -0 — 0- 
 
 CHAPTER VII, 
 
 SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES OF THE BROAD RIVER BAPTIST 
 
 ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Abingdon Creek Church is situated in Union Count}*, 
 S. C, near a creek called Abingdon creek from which the 
 church, we suppose, derived its name. It is situated a few 
 miles from Smiths' Ford, on main Broad River, and has a 
 membership of 79 persons. It was organized mainly through 
 the missionary labors of Elder Jno. Tollison in 1875, that 
 being the date of the Constitution. This church has good 
 surroundings and ample material for building up a strong- 
 hold, at this place, for the Baptist denomination. It only 
 needs proper cultivation. Elder L. B. Vaughn was the pas- 
 tor of the church in 1876, after which Elder J. Tollison again 
 took charge in 1877, Elder J. R. Osment in 1878, Elder T. 
 H. Mullinax was pastor in 1879 and Elder W. L. Brown is 
 now the pastor from 1879 to 1882. The pastors salary is re- 
 ported at $75.00. J. R. Tollison, Smith's Ford, S. C, is 
 church clerk. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 557 
 
 Arrowood Church is situated on the Mills' Gap road 
 irbur miles westerly from Cowpens battle-ground and about 
 •the same distance south-westerly from Island Ford, on main 
 Broad River, in Polk County, N. C. It was constituted Feb- 
 ruary 24th 1844, and joined the Green River Association at 
 ■its session of the same year. In 1856 the Arrowood church 
 became a member of the Broad River Association, at her 
 session at Sulphur Springs church, and has continued such 
 until the present time. Since she left the Green River body 
 Elder A. Padgett washer pastor until 1858, Elder J. S. Ezell 
 till 1862, Elder A. A. McSwain in 1862 and "63, Elder J. 
 M. Williams from 1864 to '66, Elder G. M. Webb in 
 1867 and '68, Elder J. M, Williams again in 1861) 
 ■consecutively until 1877, and Elder J. H. Yarboro from then 
 to the present time. (1882.) The church numbers 204 mem- 
 bers. The present corps of deacons are R. L. Nathins, T. 
 •J. McKinney, John Clements, Jonas Vassy and Perry Carter. 
 The present pastor is Elder A. J, Bonner, who appears to be 
 an efficient and acceptable minister. R. L. Watkins is clerk 
 of the church, Hicksville, N. C. 
 
 Bethesda Church is situated in Spartanburg county, 
 8. C, about two miles from Glendale on Lawson's Fork and 
 through the^ ministerial labors of Elder Thomas Weathers 
 and others^it was organized and constituted some time in 
 the year 1821, and at the session of the Broad River Associ- 
 ation held the same year at Zion church in Rutherford (now 
 Cleveland) county, K. C, it was admitted as a member of 
 said body, Elder Thos. Weathers, John Poole and James 
 Haynes being her representatives. She then had a member- 
 ship of fiifty-eight persons, and Elder Thos. Weathers was 
 her pastor. In 1830, Elder Abram Crow was called to the 
 pastorate,, who continued till 1832. From then to 1835 Elder 
 Joshua Richards was pastor. In 1835 to '37, Elder D. Scruggs; 
 from 1837 to '39 Elder Joshua Richards again tilled the pas- 
 toral office From 1839 to '45, Elder S.^Drummond, from 
 1845 to '48, Elder T. Dixon; from 1848 to '51, Elder J. S. 
 Ezell; in 1851, Elder W. Lankford; from 1852 to '55, Elder 
 J. Lee; in 1855, Elder F. W. Littlejohn; from 1856 to '59, 
 Elder Richard Woodruff; from 1859 to '66, Elder J.Lee; 
 from 1866 to '68, Elder L. Vaughn ; in 1869-'70-'71, Elder 
 B. Bonner; in 1872, Elder W. G. Morehead ; in 1873, Elder 
 L. B. Vaush; in 1875-76, Elder J. E. Kino;; in 1878-79, 
 Elder W. M. Foster; in 1880-'81, Elder J. G. Carter; in 
 1882, Elder W. T. Tate. 
 
 This church now numbers 77 member. Her present 
 
■558 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 corps of deacons are J. J. Lee, W. C. Carter and VV. 2C 
 Brown. J. C. Brown, Church Clerk, Glendale, S. C. 
 
 Bivingsville Church is situated in Spartanburg county r 
 S. C, on Lawson's Fork Creek, in Glendale, a factory towns. 
 formerly known as Bivingsville, from which this church de- 
 rives its name. It was constituted July the 4th 1876, and 
 the same year joined in the organization of the Spartanburg 
 Association, at New Prospect church. She remained with 
 that body until the session of the Broad River Association in 
 1879, when, for reasons satisfactory to the parties concerned,, 
 she joined the Broad River body and is yet a member of the 
 same. At that time she reported a membership of eighty 
 persons, Elder J. S. Ezell her pastor. At the session of 1882 y 
 she reported 109 members, and pastors salary $60.00. Her 
 present corps of deacons are Hugh Thomas Wm. Thomas r 
 J. A. Brown, Geo. T. Walker, Geo. Ward and Jas. Thomas. 
 J. A. Brown, church clerk, Glendale, S. C. 
 
 Note. — Bivingsville church is near the historic Swaffbrd's Old 
 Iron Works where the Whigs of 1776 gained a victory over the Brit- 
 tish Red Coats and Tories. 
 
 Beaverdam Church (Broad River) is situated on the 
 A. L. R. R., 4 miles south of Gafrhey City, Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, and was constituted by a presbytery on the 
 17th day of July 1880, and the same year admitted to mem- 
 bership in the Broad River Association at her session at 
 Cedar Springs church. This church when admitted had a 
 membership of 23 persons, and had Elder A. D. Davidson 
 as her pastor. Her present corps of deacons are J. W. 
 Quinti and J. P. Whelehel. J. W. Quinn, Church Clerk. 
 Gaiiney City, S. C. 
 
 This little church has not reported contributions to 
 pastor, or religious objects of any kind, as she is doubtless 
 struo-oHina; for existence in an infantile state. 
 
 Browns' Chapel Church is situated in Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, near the Trough Shoals, on Pacolet River, 
 about eiij'ht miles below Clifton Mills. It was constituted 
 by a presbytery October the 23rd 1871, Elder L. B. "Vaughn 
 being her pastor, who, with Elder E. S. V. Bryant and oth- 
 ers, had taken an active part in the organization of the 
 church. At the session ot the Broad River Association, the 
 same year, at Philadelphia church, the Brown's Chapel 
 church was admitted to membership with that body, having 
 then a membership of 31 persons in fellowship. Elder L. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 559 
 
 B. Vaughn continued in the pastorate from the time of the 
 constitution of the church till 1882. The church now num- 
 bers eighty-four members, and pays $75.00 as pastor's salary, 
 •but makes no special report of a Sunday school, or contribu- 
 tions for missions, or other benevolent objects now engaging 
 ■•so ffenerallv the attention of the churches throughout Chris- 
 tendom. The following is the present corps of deacons 
 ■serving this church: G. W. Brown, Sr., W. T. Bryant, S. 
 M. C. McKinney and R. W. Spake. S. Spake, Church 
 Clerk, Pacolet Depot, S. C. 
 
 Buck Creek Church is situated in Spartanburg county, 
 S. C, near to a stream so called from which the church de- 
 rives its name. It is located about half way between Paris' 
 Bridge and Coulter's Ford on Pacolet River, distance from 
 Spartanburg village twelve miles easterly with beautiful sur- 
 roundings. This venerable church was first a member of 
 the Bethel Association, being constituted by a presbytery in 
 the year 1779. The Broad River Association was organized 
 in 1800 and'' Buck Creek having been dismissed by letter 
 became a constituent member thereof. Elder John Bank- 
 stone being a member of this church was called to the pas- 
 torate, and was probably its first pastor after the formation 
 of the Broad River Association. Brethren John Cautrell, 
 John Turner and Charles Cantrell were probably the first 
 deacons of the Buck Creek Church. 
 
 It does not appear from the minutes of the Association 
 that the church had any regular pastor until Elder Zechariah 
 Blackwell, in 1822 joined it by letter who officiated as such 
 until 1825. In 1823 Brother Jacob Cantrell appears to 
 have been licensed to preach by this church, who dou'itlj'sa 
 assisted Elder Blackwell in the administration of the Word. 
 From 1825 to 1830 Elder Abram Crow was pastor, after 
 which the church appears destitute until 1832 when Elder 
 Berryman Hicks was chosen, who continued until 1839, or 
 to the time of his death which took place that year. Elder 
 J. M. Webb became pastor in 1840 and continued till 1844. 
 Elder J. Kuykeudal having joined this church by letter 
 served as pastor till 1846, Elder D. Scruggs then served till 
 1849. The church was destitute in 1849- 5 50. Elder D. 
 Scruggs again served in 1851. Elder L. H. McSwain in 1852 
 -'53^Elder J. M. Webb in '54-'55, Elder J. G. Landrum in 
 : 56-'57-'58. Elder B. Bonner in 1859-"60-'61, Elder J. S. 
 Ezell in '62, Elder A. Padgett in '63, Elder J. M. Webb 
 again in '64-'65, Elder J. S. Ezell in '66 to 71, Elder B. 
 Bonner in '71 to '78, Elder J. M. Williams in 78 to '80, 
 
5C0 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 Elder W. M. Foster in '80, Elder J. H. Yarboro in '81 an J 
 Elder W. T. Tate in '82, 
 
 This church has a membership of 226 persons and pays- 
 $100.00 to her pastor. The present corps of deacons are- 
 M. McKinney, Henry Paris, Nathan Paris, W. "W. Turner,, 
 J. J. C. Ezell and F. H. Cash. W. P. G. Ezell, Church 
 Clerk, Martinsville, S. C. 
 
 In reviewing the list of pastors the names- of some of 
 the most gifted ministers of the Association appear, and. 
 the representatives of the church in the different sessions of 
 the Association embrace some of the most worthy citizens 
 of Spartanburg county. The Pooles, Ezells, Bouners, Hines y 
 Dobbins, Linders, Cooleys, etc. It is needless to eulogize- 
 these men, for their pious walk and godly conversation, as- 
 they were well known to many. Maj r their worthy deeds in the- 
 cause of the Master be emulated and copied by their survi- 
 vors I 
 
 Camp's Creek Church is situated near a stream having- 
 that name, which runs into main Broad River, and is ire 
 Cleveland county, N. C, about two miles southerly from the- 
 old Champion's Ferry (now Settlemeyr's Ferry.) and about 
 six miles nearly North from Gafihey City on the air-line- 
 railroad. 
 
 Owing to the loss of church records we have failed in our 
 researches to be able to give the precise date of the constitu- 
 tion of this church, but we find from an examination of the 
 minutes of the Broad River Association that at the session 
 of 1822, at Mount Zion church, the "Camp's Creek Church' 7 
 was admitted as a member of that bodv, which doubtless 
 was the first opportunity she had to make application after 
 being constituted some time in that same year. When or- 
 ganized the church had 37 members, and Elder B. Hicks 
 appears to have been the first pastor. Lewis Jones, Moses 
 Davidson and David Humphries were probably the first, 
 deacons. Elder B. Hicks continued in the pastorate until 
 1831 when Elder John Padgett served one year! Elder D. 
 Scruggs then served until 1838. Elder Z. Blackwell served 
 in 1839, Elder S. G. Hamilton in '40, Elder Joab Wilkie in 
 '41-'42-'43, Elder D. Scruggs again in '44, Elder W. B. Pad- 
 gett in '45 to '50; in '50 and '51 Elder J. S. Ezell served, in 
 '52 and '53 Elder J. G. Ken d rick was pastor, in "54 Elder T. 
 Dixon, in '55-'56-'57 Elder J. Suttle served, in '58 Elder P. 
 R. Elam, in '59-'60-'61- , 62 Elder D. Scruggs was again pas- 
 tor, in '63 Elder J. G. Kendrick again served, in '64-'65-'66- 
 67-'68 Elder B. Bonner was pastor, in '69-'70-71-'72-'73 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 561 
 
 Elder A. A. McSwain served as pastor, in '74 Elder T. II. 
 Mullinax, in 75-'76 Elder J. G. Carter served, in '77-'78 
 Elder J. E. Burgess served, in '79-80 Elder W. M. Foster 
 and in '81- : 82 Elder A. MeMahan was pastor. 
 
 The Camp's Creek Church has enjoyed good meetings 
 frequently and the brethren have the reputation of being 
 hospitable to strangers. She reports a membership of 135. 
 No report of Sunday School is made in the minutes, nor is 
 there any report of contributions for missions or other be- 
 nevolent objects. 
 
 Her present corps of deacons are D. G. Palmer, S. R. 
 Humphries and J. E. Wood. The church clerk is J. T. M. 
 D. Helton, Byarsville, N. C. This church is incorporated 
 and prohibits the sale of ardent spirits within three miles of 
 their meeting house, this fact serves to show that they have 
 doubtless heretofore been greatly annoyed by the forces of 
 prince alcohol. W. B. Padgett, a deposed minister, was 
 licensed to preach by this church. 
 
 Cedar Springs ChurchIs situated in Spartanburg coun- 
 ty, S. C, on the Glenn Springs road, near the famous Cedar 
 Springs, a point of interest in the history of the revolutiona- 
 ry war, from which the church derives its name. Its loca- 
 tion is about four miles nearly south from Spartanburg vil- 
 lage and about three miles south-easterly from Glendale on 
 Lawson's Fork of Pacolet river. 
 
 This church, agreeable to the minutes of the Association 
 of 1861, was constituted in 1787. Its first pastor was Elder 
 Joro3 r al Barnett, and the first deacons were Wra. Lancaster, 
 Wm. Underwood and Thos. Weathers, the latter of whom 
 afterwards became a minister. Wm. Lancaster was the 
 clerk of the church, who was also clerk of the Association 
 from the time of its organization until 1812, or eleven years. 
 
 The Cedar Spring church had formerly been a member 
 of the Bethel Association, and was dismissed therefrom to 
 become a constituent member of the Broad River Associa- 
 tion in its organization in 1800. It has some attractive his- 
 toric feature* in reference to its religious progress, and revo- 
 lutionary war incidents, which if fully detailed would form 
 a volume of much interest. Besides Cedar Springs has been 
 for many years the seat of learning where that unfortunate 
 class of deaf and dumb and blind have received instructions 
 in the rudiments of the English language. The church has not 
 only been made historically famous by thesethings, but more 
 especially by reason of the many cultivated minds that have 
 from time to time adorned its membership, and served in the 
 various high places of trust both in the church and also in 
 71 
 
532 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 State. The names and charitable deeds of many of her 
 numbers will not soon be forgotten, who were ever found 
 ready to give timely assistance to every good and worthy 
 cause, to say nothing of their unfeigned love of their church 
 at home which appeared at all times manifest and abounding. 
 The following ministers have from time to time had the 
 pastoral care of this church: Elders Joroyal Barnett, H. 
 McDougal, E. Ray, D. Scruggs, M C. Barnett, J. G. Kin- 
 drick, J. S. Ezell, B. Bonner, M. V. B. Lankford, W. L. 
 Brown, G. S. Anderson, J. M. C. Breaker, R. Woodruff, J. L. 
 Yass, L. C. Ezell. ISTot exactly, however, in order of their 
 names as here entered. The church does not report a Sun- 
 day school in the Minutes of the Association, nor does she 
 report the amount of her contributions for missions or other 
 benevolent objects. She pays her pastor one hundred dol- 
 lars annually, and has a membership of 144 persons. Her 
 present corps of deacons are Monroe Barnett, James K. 
 Finch, Washington Poole and W. F. Coggins. S. M. Bag- 
 well, Church Clerk, Cedar Springs, S. C. 
 
 Cherokee Creek Church is situated in Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, about seven miles from Settlemyer's Ferry 
 and about nine miles northwest from Gaffney City on the 
 Air-line railroad. 
 
 This church was constituted on the 22d day of August, 
 1879, and the same year was admitted to membership in the 
 Broad River Association at its session at S tat £. Line church. 
 When constituted it had a membership of 57 persons, with 
 Elder John Ruppe as pastor. In 1881-'82 Elder A. C. Irvin 
 was pastor, and the church had increased to eighty-five mem- 
 bers in fellowship, and the prospects were good for building 
 up the cause of Christ in this hitherto neglected localitv. A. 
 B. Ruppe, church clerk, Grassy Pond, S. C. 
 
 Clifton Church is situated in Spartanburg county, S. 
 C. in the Factory town of the same name, formerly called 
 "Huricane Shoals," on Pacolet river, about eight miles east- 
 erly from Spartanburg village and on the South side of the 
 air-line railroad. 
 
 This church was constituted on the 27th day of March, 
 1881, by a presbytery of Elders, T. J. Taylor and J. G. Car- 
 ter, and at the session of the Broad River Association held 
 that year at Corinth Church in Spartanburg county, S. C. 
 it was admitted as a member of said body, Bro. B. E. Pen- 
 tuff being her representative, and the church then having a 
 membership of ten persons only. Elder W. T. Tate was 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 563 
 
 called to the pastorate in 1882, and the Minutes of the Asso- 
 ciation for this year show the present membership to be 93 
 persons and the pastor's salary $125.00. 
 
 The deacons are R. M. Crocker, N. J. Hoilifield, L. R. 
 Lancaster, J. H. Hamrick and W". B. Sorgee. W. T. Whit- 
 aker is church clerk, Clifton, S. C. 
 
 The prospects are very good for the building up of a 
 strong and active church in this flourishing manufacturing 
 town. Much is anticipated from the zealous ministerial la- 
 bors of Elder W. T. Tate, who is in the prime of life and at 
 all times manifesting a disposition to do faithful work in the 
 Master's vineyard. 
 
 Brother B. E. Pentufl, of the Clifton Church, has been 
 licensed to preach the gospel and is making educational 
 preparations for the better discharge of his ministerial duties. 
 
 Corinth Church is situated in Spartanburg county, S. 
 C, about 5 miles south from Gaffney City on the Air Line 
 Railroad. This church was organized mainly through the 
 ministerial labors, of Elder T. K. Pursley, some time in the 
 year 1842, and at the session of the Broad River Association 
 held the same year at El Bethel church it was admitted to 
 membership with that. body. When this church joined the 
 Asssociation she had twenty-one members in fellowship, 
 and Elder T. K. Pursley was then her pastor, who continued 
 to discharge his duties as such until 1850. Elder Thomas 
 Curtis, D. I)., served in 1850-'51, in 52-'58-'54-'55 Elder T. 
 K. Pursley was again pastor, in 56-'57-'58 Elder J. Lee serv- 
 ed, in 59-'60 Elder J. J. Jones, in '61 Elder J. Gibbs, in '62, 
 Elder T. J. Campbell, in '63 Elder T. K Pursley again 
 served, in 64-'65-'66-'67 Elder J. Gibbs again served, in' '68- 
 '69-70 Elder J. K Lee, in 72 Elder J. Lee, in 73-74 Elder 
 John Tollison, in 76-77-78-79-'80-'81-'82 Elder John G. 
 Carter served as pastor. Corinth Church has now a mem- 
 bership of one hundred and twenty-eight persons, pays to 
 her pastor §50.00, but does not report a Sunday school, or 
 other benevolent objects as being fostered by her. It is 
 hoped, however, her Lord's money is actively employed in 
 some worthy object. The following are her present corps 
 of deacons : Z. Philips, John Pettit and Wm. Welchel. Z. 
 Philips, church clerk, Bowlinsville, S. C. 
 
 Cowpens Church is situated on the Air-line railroad in 
 Spartan burg/county, S. C. at the station so called, which is 
 about ten miles southeasterly from the Cowpens battle 
 ground, from which historic place the station and church 
 
564 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 derive their names. It is located about ten miles west of 
 Gaffney City, a flourishing town on said railroad. 
 
 Through the efforts and ministerial labors of Elders T. 
 J. Taylor and J. H. Yarboro the church was organized and 
 constituted on the 13th of August, 1878, of 31 members, the 
 most of whom had been dismissed from other churches for 
 this object. At the session of the Broad River Association 
 the same year the Cowpens church was admitted to member- 
 ship in that body, J. H. Yarboro being their pastor. In 1880 
 Elder T. J. Taylor served as pastor and in 1881-'82 Elder J. 
 G. Carter served said church. 
 
 The number of members now in fellowship is reported 
 71. The Minutes contain no report of minister's salary or 
 other contributions to benevolent objects. The present corps 
 of deacons are A. W. Brown, R. R. Brown and I. W. 
 Moore. J. A. R. Wilkins, church clerk. 
 
 El Bethel Church was admitted as a member of the 
 Broad River Association in the year 1803 at her session at 
 New Salem Church in Rutherford county, N. C. It is prob- 
 ble she was constituted some time in that same year, the 
 precise date, however, we are unable in our researches to as- 
 certain. 
 
 This church is situated in Union county, S. C, on the 
 main public road leading from Star Farm to Gowdeysville 
 surrounded by a wealthy and refined neighborhood, the 
 population of which has the reputation of being kind and 
 hospitable. 
 
 It appears from the Minutes of the Association that Elder- 
 Jacob Crocker was the first pastor of this church and J. Pet- 
 ty, I. Guyton and A. Guyton, were among the first deacons. 
 The church, at the time of its admission into the Association, 
 had only 21 members in fellowship, and it does not appear 
 that the little band of worshippers had any regular pastor 
 until after the removal of Elder Jacob Crocker in 1828. In 
 that year Elder W". Walker was called to the pastorate, and 
 continued until 1834, in '31 Elder George Wilkie served in 
 the pastoral office, and continued until '36, from that time 
 until '47, Elder D. Scruggs served, when Elder F. \\T- Littler 
 John served from then to '52, Elder R. P. Logan served in 
 '52, Elder D. Scrugers again served until 56, and Elder F. 
 W. Littlejohn again served in 57, Elder J. G. Kindrick in 
 58, Elder W. Curtis in '59, Elder I). Scruggs again served 
 until '64, Elder W. Hill in '65, Elder T. W. Smith served 
 until '70, Elder M. C. Barnett until '73, (the year of his death.) 
 Elder W. L. Brown until '81, and Elder A. McA. Pitman 
 in '81-'82. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 565 
 
 The present membership of El Bethel is one hundred 
 •find eighty-nine persons, and she pays §150.00, pastor's salary. 
 Her contributions to missions and other benevolent objects 
 do not appear in the Minutes of the Association. The 
 church is engaged in Sunday school work, but does not 
 report in the Minutes. 
 
 The following is her present corps of deacons: A. S. 
 Goudelock, W. L. Goudelock, G. T. Wood, J. T. Moore- 
 iiead, J. D. Jeffries., S. R. Thackston, T. M. Littlejohn and 
 •J. R. Jeffries. AV. L. Goudelock, clerk of the church, Star 
 Farm, S. C. 
 
 Elder M. C, Barnett's last resting place is in El Bethel 
 Cemetery. 
 
 Friendship Church is the oldest of an}* of the Broad 
 River churches, and agreeable to the best information that 
 we can get, was constituted b} 7 a presbytery of ministers in 
 1765. Iu 1800 the Broad River Association was organized 
 and Friendship then belonging to the Bethel Association be- 
 came a constituent member of the Broad River body and has 
 continued in that connection ever since. The first pastor 
 this church had after joining the Broad River Association 
 ■was Elder George Brewton, a very worthy and able preacher. 
 AVe mention the names of Benj. Bearden, Nathaniel Burton, 
 John Thornton and Sand. Smith who were once deacons 
 and members of this church in days of yore, some of whom 
 are still represented by w'orthy descendants. 
 
 There are 166 members reported as belonging (in 1882) 
 to this ancient church, but we do not rind that any Sunday 
 School is reported in the Minutes of the Association or any 
 amount of contributions to the different objects of ussocia- 
 tional work. AVe, however, are well assured that she is a 
 working body and has been the foster mother of many pious 
 christians, some of whom after being baptized into her fel- 
 lowship have been dismissed and joined to other churches, 
 while many others have died and long since gone to their 
 rewards in the celestial world, and other, j T et remain to "hold 
 i"he fort" and to welcome into her watch-care those who feel 
 inclined and have heretofore neglected to enlist themselves 
 in the cause of the Redeemer. May she continue to be a 
 nursing mother and carry out still more fullj' the object of 
 her earl}' organization ! 
 
 Friendship we believe was the foster mother of Elder 
 Gabriel Phillips who was licensed by her and sent out to 
 prech the Gospel and who proved to be a bright and shining 
 light amongst the churches. 
 
 Elder Abram Crow, a native of Rutherford county, JS". 
 
566 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 C, was for several years a member and fellow-laborer with? 
 Eider Phillips as pastor of this church. In later years Elder 
 James Hewitt was licensed and sent out as a minister by the 
 Friendship church, and Elders J. S. Ezell, T. Dixon, J. G„ 
 Carter and L. Lankford subsequently became pastors of this 
 church. This old church reported her centennial year at the 
 session of the Association in 1865 (see minutes). Her loca- 
 tion is in Spartanburg- county, S. C, about 25 miles from 
 Spartanburg village. 
 
 Her present corps of deacons are Wm. Bennett, J. W, 
 Bennett, A. Akin, J. J. Williams and E. M. Calvert. The 
 clerk of the church is J. M. Smith, Rockford, S. C. 
 
 Gilead Church is situated in Union county, S. C, about 
 one miles from Jonesville on the S. & U. Railroad, was first 
 a member of the Bethel Association as far back as 1823 ; 
 was admitted as a member of the Broad Biver Association 
 at her session at Macedonia church in 1846, then represented 
 by E. Palmer and D. Mitchell. The precise date of her con- 
 stitution we have not from our researches been able to ascer- 
 tain. We iiud that while she was a member of the Bethel 
 Association the celebrated Elder Elias Mitchell and Hezekiah 
 MeDougal were a part of her membership, and labored witn 
 her in word and doctrine. When she joined the Broad 
 River she had 71 Members in fellowship, and has now (1882) 
 94 member. Elder J. E. Burgess is her pastor to whom she 
 pays annually $50.00. No report of a Sunday school or 
 contributions to missions, or other benevolent objects are 
 found entered to her .credit in the Minutes of the Association. 
 The following ministers have been her pastors since she be- 
 came a- member of the Broad River Association: T. K. 
 'Pursley, Dr. F. VV. Littlejohn, J. G. Kindriek, D. Scruggs, 
 B. Bonner, M C. Barnett, W. Lee, J. E. King, J. Tollison, 
 AV. M: Foster and J. E. Burgess. 
 
 Tne Gilead church has good surroundings, amidst 
 wealth and refinement, and has a good reputatiou for hospi- 
 tality and kindness, especially toward all those professing to 
 belong to the household of faith. 
 
 Her present corps of deacons are Thos. T. Foster and 
 Thos. J. Fowler. J. L. Ward, church clerk, Jonesville, S. C. 
 
 Goucher Creek Church is situated in Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, about eight miles southwesterly from Gaffney 
 City on the air-line railroad and about sixteen miles nearly 
 east of Spartanburg village. This ancient church was form- 
 erlv a member of the Bethel Association and was dismissed 
 
f»»> 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 5 
 
 "fro become a constituent member of the Broad Biver Asso- 
 ciation when formed in the year 1800. The historians of 
 the Association have heretofore failed to give us the date of' 
 the constitution of this church, but according to information 
 kept and transmitted from reliable sources it was proably 
 •organized in the year 1770, and is the fourth in point of age 
 in the original Broad River body. Friendship, Green's 
 Creek, (now of Green River Association) and Boiling Spring 
 (now extinct) being the oldest in the order of their names. 
 
 The Goucher Creek church does not appear to have 
 had any regular pastor until 1784 when Elder Joshua Rich- 
 ards was engaged and who continued until 1811, after whiah 
 the church was destitute of a regular supply until 1820, 
 when Hugh Moore, being an ordained minister and member 
 of Goucher Creek became her pastor and in an irregular 
 manner continued so for about two years, when about this 
 time he became involved in legal difficulties and was deposed 
 from the ministry. 
 
 In 1829 Elder H. McDougal became pastor and in '31 
 Elder Joshua Richards ixas again chosen till '34, Elder J. 
 Rainwaters then served until '38, ElderD. Scruggs from then 
 to '42, Elder F. W. Littlejohn till '47, Elder TJLMxonin '48, 
 Elder F. W. Littlejohn again served until '55, Elder B. Bon- 
 ner was then chosen till 4 63, when Elder T. W. Littlejohn 
 again served in '64, Eider B. Bonner again served till '71, 
 Elder J. G. Carter then served until '73 when Elder B. 
 Bonner served again till '79, Elder T. J. Taylor was then 
 called to the pastorate and is serving in '82. 
 
 The church has a membership of 198 persons, is wealthy 
 and refined, kind and courteous towards strangers, but is not 
 credited in the Minutes of the Association with a report of a 
 good Sunday school, or of contributions to missions or other 
 benevolent objects. Surely her Lord's money is not laid away 
 in a napkin, if so, it is hoped it will be immediately put into 
 the hands of the exchangers, so that by the time of his coming 
 He may receive his own with usury. 
 
 The following are the persent corps of deacons, W. P. 
 Brown, B. F. Botiner, M. W. Goforth, W. Sam. Lipscomb 
 and M. A. Littlejohn. B. F. Bonner, church clerk, Thickety 
 Depot, S. C. 
 
 Crassy Pond Church is situated in Spartanburg county, 
 S. C, on the Bonner Road about 4 miles westerly from El- 
 lis' Ferry on Main Broad River, and about six miles nearly 
 north from Gaffne\' Cit}' on the Air Line railroad. A pres- 
 bytery was convened at this place on February 9th, 1879, 
 and the Grassv Pond Church was constituted according to 
 
o3S HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 the form and usages of the Baptist Denomination, and at 
 the session of the -Broad River Asssociation held the same 
 year at State Line church, she was admitted to membership- 
 in said body. Elder W. L. Brown was called to the pastor- 
 ate and J. R. Ellis, A. C. Robbs, Thomas McCraw, and J, 
 Jones were chosen deacons. W. C. S. Wood was chosen 
 church clerk. 
 
 This church when constituted numbered only 20 persons,, 
 and now has an increased membership of 48 persons, and had 
 the entertainment of the session of 1882, which they did 
 gracefully and bountifully to the complete satisfaction of all 
 ^yJlo attended. Elder W. M. Foster was called to the pas- 
 torate in 1880 and served through the vears of '81 and '82, 
 and is an efficient and worth} 7 pastor. We are glad to note 
 the fact that this new church evinces a disposition to go for- 
 ward in the discharge of her duties in reference to all church 
 work, while she appears courteous and kindly affectionate 
 towards strangers who visit their meetings. 
 
 May she prove successful in contending for "the form of 
 sound words," and "the faith once delivered to the saints," 
 which is doubtless, to some extent, being opposed in her im- 
 mediate vicinity. "There is a way which seemeth right unto 
 a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Pro. 14:*12. 
 
 Macddonia Church is situated in Spartanburg county, 
 S. C, about fourteen miles from Spartanburg city and about 
 five miles from Cowpens on the Air-line railroad. This church 
 was after being constituted in 1820 admitted as a member of 
 the Broad River Association at her -session at Mountain 
 Creek of the same year, Jonathan Guthrie (then a layman) 
 and Samuel Guthrie being her representative. She had then a 
 membership ot seventy-two persons. The aforesaid Jonathan 
 Guthrie was soon after licensed to preach the gospel by Mace- 
 donia, and became her pastor in 1822 and continued in that 
 connection until the time of his defection in 1830. The church 
 very properly labored with him and through associational ad- 
 vice and co-operation finally deposed him from the discharge 
 of ministerial work as a Baptist minister. 
 
 After her troubles with her truant and hetrodox pastor 
 the church had the good fortune to engage the services of that 
 worthy man of God Eider Phillip Ramsour who Served them 
 as pastor from 1831 to '37, during which time much was ac- 
 complished in restoring harmony to the disaffected. Elder B. 
 Hicks was afterwards engage! in 1839 and continued in the 
 pastorate until '42, Elder S. Morgan succeeded him till '44, 
 Dr. F. W. Littlejohnthen served in '44, Elder D. Scruggs then 
 served in 45, Elder C. E. W. Lindsey in '46 to 49, Elder J. S. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 569 
 
 EzelitiU'52.Dr. F. W. Littlejohn again till '53, Elder J. S. 
 Ezell again until '55,EJer J. Lee until '62, Elder J. S. Ezell 
 again to '63. Elder A. Padgett till '65, Elder W. B. Padgett 
 until '66, Elder A. Padgett again till '67, Elder W. Bill until 
 '68, Elder J. F. Gibbons till 72, Elder J. G. Carter till 7-1, 
 Elder B. Bonner till 75, Elder J. S. Ezell again till 7(3, 
 Elder A. D. Davidson to 77, Elder W. G. Moorheadtill 79, 
 Elder A. D. Davidson till '80,Elder J.E. Burgess till '82. When 
 this long pastoral list is closely scanned it will be seen that 
 some of the ablest and best of the Broad River ministers 
 Yiave been called to do pastoral work for this church througn 
 a series of three score years with what profit God alone, with 
 those better acquainted than we are, can tell. He has said, 
 however, that His word shall not return to Him void as to 
 the accomplishment of the object He has in sending it broad- 
 cast through the length and breadth of His moral vineyard. 
 We have no doubt therefore that evervthin^ said and done 
 will be fully utilized if not already then in the far distant 
 future. 
 
 The Macedonia church notwithstanding her internal 
 troubles with one sheJimdly hoped would prove a shining 
 light to the christian cause and an honor to her that g;ave 
 him the necessary credentials to make him useful has yet 
 other things to glory in. She has had many precious and 
 reviving seasons from the presence of the Lord and is blessed 
 with that peace and harmony so desirable to the hearts of 
 christians, of that she doubtless will glory. 
 
 The membership of Macedonia is 128 persons. Her 
 present corps of deacons are A. Harris, L. B. Davis, Wm. 
 D. Byars and P. H. Byars. P. PI. Byars is reported church 
 clerk, Allgood, S. 0. 
 
 Mount Ararat Church is situated in Union county, S. 
 C, about six miles south easterly from Gafihey City on the 
 Air Line railroad, and three miles west of Main Broad River, 
 in the vicinity of Draytonsville. It was constituted by a 
 Presbytery some time in the year 1826, and admitted to 
 membership in the Broad River Association the same year 
 at its session at Macedonia church, having a membership at 
 that time of 31 persous. Isaac Peeler, Joseph Guyton, and 
 James Dunn were among the first deacons of the Ararat 
 church, and W. W. Guyton was the church clerk. 
 
 Elder W. Walker was the first pastor, who continued 
 
 until 1831. Elder J. G. Laudrum succeeded him the next 
 
 year, Elder B. Hicks the next three years (till 1834), Elder 
 
 George Wilkie next served until '38, Elder E. M. Chaffin 
 
 72 
 
570 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 the next year, Elder T. K. Pursley then served until '44, 
 Elder S. Morgan till '46, Elder -T. Dixon then served until 
 '47. (In 1847-'48-'49 the church had no pastor.) In 1850-'51- 
 '52-'53 Elder J. S. Ezell was pastor, in '54 Elder J. Suttle 
 served, '55 Elder F. W. Littlejohn, in '56-'57-'58 Elder M. 
 Mullinax, in '59 Elder J. J. Jones, in '60 J. Lee. (in '6I-'62 
 no pastor), in '63 Elder J. S. Ezell again was pastor, in '65- 
 ; 66-'67-'68 Elder J. Gibbs. in '69-'70-'71 J. G. Carter, in '72 
 Elder Wm. Curtis, in '73-74 Elder John Tollison, in '75 
 Elder J. G. Carter was again pastor, in 76-'77-'78-'79-'80 
 Elder T. J. Taylor was called to the pastorate, and in '81-'82 
 Elder W. L. Brown was the pastor. 
 
 The membership of this church has increased to 137. 
 The present corps of deacons are Jacob Guyton, Chester 
 Stacy, R. Elmore, G. W. McCowan, T. J. Patrick and W. 
 D. Alexander. J. M. Peeler, church clerk, Pine Grove, S. C. 
 
 Mount Joy Church is situated in Union County, S. C, 
 about five miles from Skull Shoals on Pacolet and about ten 
 miles from Union Court House. 
 
 This church was mainly organized through the ministe- 
 rial labors of Elder T. J. Taylor and constituted November 
 30th, 1876, and at the session of the Broad River Association 
 the same year at Friendship church it was admitted as a 
 .member of said bodv, having at that time a membership of 
 23 persons. In 1878 Elder^T. J. Taylor was called to the 
 pastorate and has continued in the place ever since. 
 
 The following is the present corps of deacons: Robert 
 Little, Daniel Garner and A. A. Gault. J. II. Mclvissick 
 is church clerk, Kelton, S. C. 
 
 The church now numbers 61 members, and in the ab- 
 sence of any report of Sunday school or contributions for 
 missions or other benevolent objects,we feel sure with such a 
 pastor the church will prove a working body in the cause of 
 the Master. 
 
 New Pleasant Church is situated in Spartanburg coun- 
 ty, S. G, near Cowpens battle-ground. This church was 
 constituted on October 26th, 1878, by a Presbytery consist- 
 ing of Elders W. D. Lancaster, J. S. Ezell and B. Bonner, 
 and had a membership of 42 persons in fellowship with 
 Elder W. D. Lancaster as pastor, and in 1879, at the session 
 of the Broad River Association, it was admitted as a member 
 of said body. In 1881-'82 v Elder A. C. Irvin was in the pas- 
 torate, and the membership was increased to 46, and the 
 prospects very good for a still larger and growing interest. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 571 
 
 There is ample material in the surroundings of this church 
 to build up a large and self-sustaining body. The present 
 corps of deacons are J. II. Ezell and J. M. Price. J. II. 
 Ezell is church clerk, Ezell, S. C. 
 
 Pacolet Church is situated in Union county, S. C, at 
 or near the Skull Shoals on Pacolet River, from which stream 
 the church derives its name. In our researches we find this 
 church an ancient organization, constituted previous to 1804, 
 and a member first of the Bethel Association with which it 
 remained until the year 1818, when it was addmitted into 
 the Broad River Association. The precise date of its con- 
 stitution we are unable to ascertain. Elder Jacob Crocker 
 appears from the Minutes to have been its first pastor after 
 joining the Broad River Association, and A. Summerford, I. 
 McKissick, Nathan Pettit and Thompson Clayton were 
 probably the first deacons. Elder Jacob Crocker (assisted 
 by Elder Isaac McKissick 7 part of the time) supplied the 
 church until 1825. Efd'Cr Isaac McKissick was then pastor 
 for 1826, when Pacolet church and Head of Enoree were 
 dismissed that year to join other bodies. She then does not 
 ■appear in the list of Broad River churches until the session 
 of 1844 at Providence church, when she was again admitted 
 to membership in the Broad River body, dismissed then 
 from the Bethel Association with Elder J. G. Kindrick, her 
 worthy paster who still continued to serve as her pastor (as- 
 sisted by Elder M. Mullinax several years) until 1853 when 
 Elder M. Mullinax served for '54, after which Elder J. G. 
 Kindrick resumed his pastoral labors until '63, Elder M. 
 Mullinax again serving in '64, Elder J. G. Kindrick then 
 resumed pastoral Avork again and served until '72 and in this 
 year he finished his labors here upon earth which had been 
 very abundant, and went to his reward above. Elder W". G. 
 Moorehead was the successor of Elder J. G f Kindrick for 
 1872, Elder W. L. Brown in '73-'74-'75-'76 was pastor, Elder 
 T. J. Taylor in '77-'78-'79-'80, Elder A. McA. Pitman in '81- 
 '82. 
 
 Pacolet church has* a membership of 149 persons and 
 reports minister's salary $225.00. She lacks system in re- 
 porting Sunday schools and contributions for missions and 
 other benevolent objects, which should be done in the Min- 
 utes of the Association. 
 
 The following is the present corps of deacons, A.' F. 
 Kendrick, J. J. Kendrick, E. Wood and J. H. Spears. I. J. 
 Spears, church clerk, Skull Shoals, S. C. 
 
 t 
 
572 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 Pacolet Church (Ko. 2) is situated in Spartanburg 
 county, S. C, on the S. & U. railroad in the little town of 
 that name about 11 miles easterly from Spartanburg village, 
 and near the Skull Shoals on Pacolet river. 
 
 This church is said to have been constituted March 25th, 
 1871, with 10 members, but does not appear from the Minu- 
 tes of the Association to have been separately represented 
 until the session of the Broad River Association in 1880, it 
 then had 62 member reported but no pastor till '82, when 
 the membership of that year was reported at eighty -seven, 
 and Elder L. Vaughn in the pastorate at a salary of $75.00. 
 The following are the deacons of this church: Elijah Bar- 
 ne„., Elijah P. Brown, Win, Coleman, T. C. Brown, W. 1). 
 Wilkins. G. W. Brown, church clerk, Pacolet Depot, S. C. 
 
 Note:— In the absence of more full information, we state that, 
 the original Pacolet church, by reason of a railroad location near it, 
 divided into Nos. 1 and 2, as a matter of convenience, affording the 
 opportunity to establish a church in the railroad town for those de- 
 siring it, while those wishing to remain with the old or first organi- 
 zation were permitted to do so. Two churches instead of one was 
 the result, which we hope may tend to the furtherance of the gospel 
 of Christ. 
 
 Piedmont Church is situated on the Island Ford road 
 3J miles northerly of Coulter's Ford bridge on Pacolet river, 
 and about the same distance south westerly of Cowpens bat- 
 tle-ground in Spartanburg county, S. C. This church was 
 constituted August 24th, 18 — , by a Presbytery consisting 
 of Elders W. T. Tate and A. J. Bonner, and united with the 
 Broad River Association at its session the same year at Zion 
 Hill church. Its present corps of deacons are J. F. Quinu, 
 J. C. Bonner and A. B. Martin. Elder A. J. Bonner is the 
 pastor now in office. 
 
 Providence Church is situated in Spartanburg county, 
 S. C, on the old Deer's Ferry road about 1J miles nearly 
 north of Gaffney City on the Air Line railroad, and about 
 6 miles southerly from Ellis' Ferry on Main Broad River. 
 
 This church was constituted sometime in the year 1803, 
 and was admitted to membership in the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation at her session the same year at Xew Salem church in 
 Rutherford county, N. C. It does not appear that she had 
 any regular pastor until 1812, when Elder Joshua Richards 
 formerly a member and pastor of Goucher Creek church 
 joined by letter, and served in that capacity until 1840. 
 Elder Spencer Morgan was licensed to preach by this church 
 in 1830, and doubtless labored with Elder Richards a nor- 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 573 
 
 tion of the time. In 1840 he was called to the pastorate 
 himself, and filled the place until '44, when Elder T. K. 
 Pursley served in '45, from then to '47 Elder Spencer Morgan 
 again served, from then to '50 Elder D. Scruggs was pastor, 
 from then -to '53 Elder F. W. Littlejohn served, from then 
 4o '56 Elder Joseph Suttle, from then to '58 Elder T. Curtis, 
 I). IX, was in the pastorate. In 1858-59 Elder P. R. Elam, 
 from then to '64 Elder E, A. Crawley, D. D., served this 
 church, from then to '66 Elder Wade Hill, from then to '67 
 Elder J. 8. Ezell, from then to '68 Elder B. Bonner served, 
 from then to '69 Elder L. C. Ezell, from then to '72 Elder 
 J. G. Carter, from then to : 76 Elder T. H. Mullinax, from 
 then to '79 Elder P. R, Elam again served, from then to '80 
 Elder J, G. Carter again served, in '80-'82 Elder G. P. Ham- 
 rick was pastor. 
 
 The membership of this venerable church is now 257 per- 
 sons. She pays pastor's salaVy of eighty-two dollars (?) 
 Makes no report of con^rthlitions to missions or other benev- 
 olent objects. We, however, know that she is engaged in 
 Sunday school work, but makes no report in the Minutes 
 •of the Association. The present corps of deacons are P. 0. 
 Lemmons. B. F. Camp, church clerk, Gaffney City, S. C. 
 The Providence church has very good surroundings, 
 many of the members are intelligent well-to-do agriculturists. 
 They are a church going and church loving people, always 
 hospitable to strangers, while humbugs or pretenders, are 
 generally avoided by them without regard to outside appear- 
 ances. Many precious souls have passed through this 
 church to their heavenlv reward, while their zeal in winning 
 souls to the cause of the Master seems in no way yet abated. 
 The following representative names once belonging to 
 this church will long be remembered by many of the present 
 fnembership; The Camp's, Gaffney 's, Robertson's, Gordon's, 
 Daffern's, Amos', Morgan's, Cooper's, Byars', Turner's, 
 Sarratt's, etc., most of whom have crossed over the river 
 into the promised land, and are now basking under the shade 
 of the paradisaical trees in the haven of rest. 
 
 Sandy Springs Church is 'situated in the northeast corner 
 of Polk county, N. C, about one-half mile south of Mills 
 Gap road and on the head waters of Buck Creek near 
 Sbield's X Roads and was constituted by a presbytery in 
 Februarv 1858, and the same vear joined the Green River 
 Association, and remained a member of that body until the 
 session of the Broad River Association held at Arrowood 
 church in 1872 when she became a member of said body, 
 
574 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES". 
 
 having a membership of 70 persons and Elder A. Padgett as 
 her pastor. In 1874 Elder W. D. Lancaster was chosen the 
 pastor, and in '75 Elder A. D. Davidson was pastor for that 
 year. In 1876 Elder W. D. Lancaster was again called to* 
 the pastorate and is now (188-2) in the pastoral office. The 
 chnrch has now a membership of 114 persons who appear to- 
 be a devoted and faithful band of worshippers. 
 
 Her present corps of deacons are 8. D. Splawn, J. T. 
 Splawn, J. E. Prince and 13. B. Lancaster. J. E. Prince- 
 church clerk, Sandy Springs, 1ST. C. 
 
 We are unable to learn from the Minutes of the Associ- 
 ation whether this church is engaged in Sunday school work 
 or not, as no report is made from her of such work T or of con- 
 tributions to missions or other benevolent objects. It is 
 hoped these important matters are being attended to in the 
 church's own peculiar way, and not by any means entirely 
 neglected. 
 
 State Line Church is situated in Spartanburg county, 
 S. C, a short distance south of the North Carolina State 
 line which gives rise to its name. It is northwesterly of 
 Gaffney City about six miles and southwesterly from Set- 
 tlemeyer's Ferry on Main Broad River about three miles. 
 
 The original State Line church was constituted in 1796% 
 and was one of the constituent members of the Broad 
 River Association when organized in 1800 this old church first 
 of the Bethel Association and the nursing mother of Drury 
 Dobbins and Berryman Hicks had been disbanded sometime 
 previous to 1824, and in that year a reconstruction or re- 
 modeling of the church took place a short distance from 
 where the original church was located, and at the session of 
 the Broad River Association in that year at Head of First 
 Bro*id River churAch the reconstructed body was admitted to 
 membership in said Association having a membership of 29 
 persons with Elder Zechariah Blackwell as their pastor who 
 continued until 1831 to serve in that capacity. Elder Joshua 
 Richards succeeded him and was the pastor until '34, when 
 Elder Drury Scruggs, a nephew of Elder Drury Dobbins (who 
 was a member of this church and had been- licensed and or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry by her) was called to 
 serve as pastor. He continued until 1854, from then till '58 
 Elder W. Curtis, L. L. D. served, from then to '63 Elder D. 
 Scruggs again served, (his pastorate ending with his troubles 
 in said church on a charge of immoral conduct, by reason of 
 which his deposition from the ministry resulted.) Elder W. 
 Curtis served the church in 1864, Elder J. M. Williams 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 575 
 
 served from '05 to '68, Elder A. McMahan served in '68 to 
 -73, Elder A. A. McSvvain from 73 to 74, Elder A. D. Da- 
 vidson from 74 to 70, from 76 to 77 Elder J. G. Carter 
 served, in 77 to 78 Elder J. E. Burgess, in 78 to 79 Elder 
 J. II. Yarboro, in 79 to '82 Elder A. McMahan was pastor. 
 
 This church has now a membership of 208 persons, and 
 jpays to her pastor a salary of $50.00. Her present corps of 
 deacons are R. MeCraw, J as. Philips, T. Yassy, K, C. Wat- 
 kins, J. T. Vassy, M. B. Scruggs. J. T. Wood, clerk, State 
 Line, S. C. 
 
 No report is published in Minutes of Suntlay school 
 work, or contributions for missions or other benevolent 6b- 
 jects. Still we doubt not that she is laboring in some way to 
 build up the waste places of Ziou. 
 
 Unity Church is situated in Union county, S. C. ; was 
 a member of the Bethel Association as far back as 1823, and 
 joined the Broad River Association in 1842, having a mem- 
 bership at that time of 45 persons with Elder R. P. Logan 
 pastor. Through aid ofthe Association Unity lias been built up 
 so that she numbers 103 members, and is so far self-sustain- 
 ing now as to be able to pay her pastor's salary of $40.00. 
 This feeble church has had ministerial aid from quite a num- 
 ber of preachers, Elder R. P. Logan labored with them till 
 1845, from '47 to '49 Elder Madison Mul'linax was pastor, 
 in '49-'50-'51 Elder J. Newland served, in '52-'53 Elder J. S. 
 Ezell, '55-'56 Elder M. Mullinax ascain served, in '57-'58 
 Elder J. L. Harris, in '68 Elder J. F. Hullendcr, in 71 
 Elder W. G. Morehead served, in 73-74-75 Elder John 
 Tollison, 76 Elder T. J. Taylor, in 77 Elder John Tollison 
 aarain served, in 78 Elder M. Mullinax a^ain served, and in 
 79-'80-'81-'82 Elder T. H. Mullinax served in the pastorate. 
 
 We learn that through the aid given this church by the 
 Broad River Association, in missionary operations, it is now 
 able to sustain itself, and render good service to the Master, 
 and we therefore su^o-est that a s;ood Sunday school be or- 
 
 CO O « ' 
 
 ganized,and that all ofthe benevolent objects ofthe Associ. 
 ation be aided by the church according to her ability, then 
 will her prosperity be assured. The present corps of dea- 
 cons are W. Neal. J. L. Huffman, church clerk, Hickory 
 Grove, S. C. 
 
 Zion Hill Church is situated in Spartanburg county, 
 S. C, about 3 miles south westerly from the town of Clifton 
 on Pacolet river, and on the south side ofthe Air Line rail- 
 road, about 3 miles east of Spartanburg village. 
 
•5 76 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 This church was constituted by a Presbytery consisting 
 of Elders J. G. Laud-rum and Warren Drunimond, with 
 several deacons from other churches, on March 14th, 1840,, 
 and was admitted to membership in the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation at its session the same year at Concord church in. 
 Rutherford county, IS". C, having 37 members in fellowship, 
 and Elder W. Drummond in the pastorate. Since then. 
 Elder T. K. Pursley served as pastor from 1844 to '47. 
 Elders Thomas and Win. Curtis preached for this church in 
 1848,'1851-'52-'53, in '54 Elder A. Padgett served, in '55-'56,. 
 Elder J. L'ee, in '57 to 60 Elder R. Woodruff, in '60 Elder 
 F. W. Littlejohn, in '61 Elder David Billiard, in '62, 
 Elder L. Vauguu, in '63 Elder W. Curtis, from '65 to 
 '69 Elder L. -Vaughn, from '69 to 72 Elder M. V. B. Lank- 
 ford, from '72 to 77 Elder J. M. Williams, from '78 to '81 
 Elder J. E. Burgess, in '81-'82 Elder J. G. Carter, 
 
 The Zion Hill church has now a membership of 71 per- 
 sons, and is becoming an energetic and working body. She 
 reports pastors salary at $50.00; no report, however, is made 
 in the Minutes of the Association of Sunday school work, 
 or contributions to missions or other benevolent objects. The 
 church doubtless has her own peculiar methods of working 
 for the Master. 
 
 Her present corps of deacons are John Coen, James. 
 Wood, H. J. Lolesby, Marshal Kirby, and G. W. Ally. 
 James Wood, church clerk, Spartanburg, S. C. 
 
 Elder E. McAbee was licensed and ordained to the 
 ministry by this church in June, 1841. 
 
 -o — o- 
 
 CHAPTER VIII, 
 
 SKETCHES OP THE CHURCHES OF THE KING'S MOUNTAIN BAPTIST 
 
 ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Antioch Church is situated in York county, S. C, about 
 four miles nearly due west from the King's Mountain battle 
 grounds and two miles southeasterly from Whitaker'6 sta- 
 tion on the air-line railroad. 
 
 This church was constituted in the year 1815. In 1814 
 it became an arm of Buffalo church, and through the minis- 
 terial labors of Elder William Martin, (Cedar Billie,) and 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 577 
 
 others the membership became sufficiently strong for a con- 
 stitution. A presbytery was convened of Elders G. Wm. 
 Martin, Drury Dobbins and other ministers together with 
 the deacons of the adjacent or nearest churches, and the sev- 
 eral persons baptized and dismissed from other churches for 
 this object, were declared by the presbytery convened, a reg 
 ular church of the Baptist faith an order to be known by the 
 name and style of Antioch Baptist Church. 
 
 Eider W. Martin was the first pastor, and Abraham 
 Hardin, Edward Bird and Sherrod James were selected the 
 first deacons. Edward Bird was appointed church clerk. 
 
 Antioch joined the Broad River Association at her ses- 
 sion in 1815, and remained a constituent member of that 
 body until 1873. She was then dismissed, and joined the 
 King's Mountain at her session the same year. This church 
 has been a nursing mother to many of the Baptist family, 
 and at times has had enrolled on the pages of her church 
 book a very large membership, many of whom adorned the 
 christian profession with orderly and profitable lives. Many 
 of her members have emigrated to other States, while many 
 others have paid the debt of nature and gone to their final 
 rewards, while many others yet remain within her folds to 
 call her blessed for the fostering care she has been enabled 
 to extend to them from time to time in their travail and sore 
 trials to escape the wiles of the great adversary. 
 
 Elder George Wilkie was ordained in 1819 and was 
 chosen pastor of* the church in 1820, and remained in that 
 relation eighteen years, till 1837, when he emigrated to the 
 State of Georgia. Elder T. K. Pursley was pastor in 1838 
 to '40, Elder R. P. Logan in '41, T. K Purslev again in '42- 
 '43, Elder W. Hill in '44 to '48, Elder L. McCurry in '49-'50, 
 Elder W. Hill again in '51. The King's Mountain Associa- 
 tion was formed this year but Antioch still remained with 
 the Broad Eiver until 1873. 'Elder P. R. Elam became her 
 pastor in '74-75, Elder J. G. Carter in '76-'77, Elder T. 
 Dixon in '78-'79, Elder J.A. White in '80 to '82. 
 
 Antioch church has at present 193 members and a Sun- 
 day School of fifty scholars, superintended by E. Hardin in 
 good working order. 
 
 The contributions to pastor and other objects for 1882 
 is reported $258.55. Her present corps of deacons are H. 
 Borders, D. R. Bell, E. Hardin, F. H. Dover, J. R. Dixon 
 and D. R. Bird. J. R. Dixon, church clerk, Whitaker, S. C. 
 
 Antioch can claim the honor under God of being the 
 foster mother of Elders T. Dixon and R. P. Logan, two min- 
 isters of some prominence in the Broad River and King's 
 Mountain Associations. 
 73 
 
578 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 Beaverdam Church is situated in Cleveland countv, X. 
 C, a short distance south of the main public road leading 
 from the town of Shelbv to Rutherfordton, near Beaverdam 
 creek, from which stream it derives its name. In the vear 
 1850, religious meetings were begun to be held by various 
 ministers, and the prospect for founding a church being 
 good, a presbytery having this object in view was ^convened 
 December 23d, 1850, and proceeded to organize 42 persons 
 into a regular church to be known by the name and style of 
 the Beaverdam Baptist Church; and at the session of the 
 Broad River Association the same year was admitted to 
 membership with that body ; and with other churches it was 
 dismissed to become a constituent member of Kind's Moun- 
 tain bod} T formed shortly afterwards. It remained in that 
 connection until the session of 1860, and then seceeded and 
 took part in the organization of the "Constitutional" King's 
 Mountain Association, until in 1866, when the matters of 
 difference were settled by a convention of churches. Elder 
 L. H. McSwain had served as pastor in 1854, Elder R. Pos- 
 ton then to '57, Elder Vm. McSwain in '58, Elder R. Poston 
 in '59, Elder A. A. McSwain in '60. After the schism, 
 Elder L. H. McSwain was pastor till '68, Elder L. C. Ezell 
 from then to '72, Elder M. Pannel in '73, Elder T. H. Mul- 
 linax in '75, Elder R. Poston in '76, Elder G. M. Webb 
 till '78, and Elder J. M. Bridges till '82. 
 
 The church now numbers 207 member, and has a Sunday 
 school of 70 scholars superintended by J. L. Wray, in good 
 working order. Anuual contributions to pastors, missions, 
 etc., is reported at 8136.95. Her present corps of deacons 
 are David Hamrick, Cornelius Green, George McSwain, J. L. 
 Wrav and George McSwain. Jr. J. T. Harrill, church clerk, 
 Shelby, K C. 
 
 This church has the honor of sending Elders J. H. Yar- 
 boro and M. Pannel into the Gospel field. 
 
 Bethel Church was formerly a member of the Broad 
 River Association, but was dismissed therefrom for the pur- 
 pose of becoming- a constituent member of the King's Moun- 
 tain body in 1851. She was constituted June 4th, 1847, and 
 is situated in Rutherford county, N". C, on the Piney Moun- 
 tain road, about 10 miles south easterly from Rutherfordton 
 and twelve miles north easterly from Shelby, N. C. and about 
 four miles nearlv east from Forest Citv. 
 
 Brethren G. R. Hamrick and W. H. Hardin were cho- 
 sen the first deacons, and W. H. Hardin acted as church clerk. 
 
 The Bethel church was organized mainly through the 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 579 
 
 labors of Elders Dove Pannel and William Harrill, and had 
 at first only 25 members. She, however,' is stronger in point 
 of members than she ever was; numbering 1 at this time 106 
 members on her church book, and has a very good meeting 
 house, and apparently in good working condition, having a 
 Sabbath school of 122 scholars superintended by I). N. Ham- 
 rick, which of course has a progressive tendency in point of 
 religious interest. After the organization of this church, 
 Elder Wm. Harrill was first called to the pastorate for a few 
 years, when about 1855, Elder D. Pannel had the pastoral 
 care for a time, succeeded by Wm. McSwain for a year. 
 After which he (Pannel) again resumed the pastoral relation 
 and continued until 1860, when the schism about temperance 
 divided the Association. The Bethel church affiliating with 
 the seceding part}', they were no longer of the regular King's 
 Mountain Association until the niatter of difference was ad- 
 judicated and settled by a convention of churches in 1866. 
 Since then Elder J. H. Yarboro was pastor in 1867, Elder 
 D. Pannell in '68, Elder T. J. Campbell then became pastor 
 till 73' Elder J. J. Jones till 74. Elder D. Pannell again in 
 '75, Elder A. A. McSwain in '76-77, Elder T. J. Campbell 
 again in '78, and Elder A. A. McSwain in '79-'80-'81. D. IS. 
 Hamrick, church clerk, Mooresboro, IS. C. 
 
 Bethlehem Church was formerly one of the Broad River 
 churches but joined the King's Mountain Association in 1854. 
 In the year 1841 several Baptists living in the vicinity of White 
 Plains, being remote from anv church of their faith and 
 order thought it expedient to build a meeting house and ask 
 the church at Antioch to extend to that place an arm to re- 
 ceive members, which request was granted, and after the 
 holding of services at different times by Elder R. P. Logan 
 and other ministers, and the reception and baptism of several 
 persons, a presbytery of Elders Drury Dobbins and R. P. 
 Logan together with the deacons of the surrounding churches 
 was convened atthe meetinghouse mentioned (which is about 
 a mile south of where the present Bethlehem church is now 
 situate,) and proceeded to constitute a church of the follow- 
 ing persons : Elder R. P. Logan, Belinda Logan, James 
 Altom, Elizabeth Altom, Zechariah Earles, Preston 
 Harmon, Elizabeth Harmon, Elijah Spurlin, Susan Spurlin, 
 Nancy Collins, JSTathen Earles, Mariah Lutz, Benjamin Wat- 
 terson, Sarah Spurlin, Elizabeth Spurlin, John McArthur, 
 William Camp, Mary Patterson, David H. Harmon, Mary 
 Watterson, Louisa Earles, Sarah Earles, Jemima Earles, 
 Martha Jarrall, Talitha McArthur and Fanny Camp, which 
 
 t 
 
5S0 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 took place agreeably to the forms an J usages of the Baptists 
 on the 16th of July*1842. 
 
 Brethren Zechariah Earles, James Alton and Preston 
 Harmon were the first deacons, and the church records were 
 kept by Elder K. P. Logan until B. Goforth joined the 
 church, who was the first regularly appointed clerk. 
 
 The Bethlehem church is situated in Cleveland county, 
 K". C, on the Dixon's gap road leading from Shelby, N. C, 
 to Yorkville, S. C, about ten miles southeast of Shelby and 
 two miles northwest from where the Air-line railroad crosses 
 the Dixon's Gap road, and five miles nearly west from the 
 town of King's Mountain. The location is one of great beau- 
 ty and the lot was presented to the church by the late Dr. 
 Thomas Williams, of Shelby, upon which the brethren have 
 erected a first class wooden structure of ample dimentions to 
 seat a large congregation of people. The church, at pres- 
 ent, numbers 210 persons and, although pretty much sur- 
 rounded by other denominations, is in a progressive and 
 steady movement onward in her work in the vineyard of the 
 Master. She has an excellent Sunday school of seventy -five 
 scholars superintended by L. M. Logan, which appears to be 
 doing much good. 
 
 Elder G. P. Hamrick is the present pastor, who renders 
 faithful services. This church, like nearly all Baptist churches, 
 has had quite a number of pastors. In 1842 to '45 Elder K. 
 P. Lo^an had charge, Elder T. Dixon in '46-'47, Elder W. 
 B. Padgett in '48-'49, Elder B. E. Rollins in '50 and R. P. 
 Logan again in '51, she then had no pastor until '54. She 
 joined the King's Mountain Association and had Elder A. 
 J. Cansler, who continued until '57, Elder Wade Hill in '57, 
 Elder R. P. Logan was then retained until '65, in "65 Elder 
 L. M. Berry was pastor, and Elder A. A. MeSvvain in '66-'67, 
 Elder P. R. Elam in '68 to "80, Elder G. P. Hamrick from 
 *81 to present time. The church has had some very inter- 
 resting revival meetings and quite a number have, we trust, 
 been born of the Spirit through her instrumentality. Her 
 present corps of deacons are T. W. Harmon, R. U. Patter- 
 son, John Barber, Thos. Bell and Dr. J. A. Wray. The 
 present church clerk is L. M. Logan, King's Mountain, N. C. 
 Annual contributions to pastor, missions, etc., $140.25. 
 
 Big Spuing Church is situated in Rutherford county, 
 N. C, on the waters of Duncan's creek, about 14 miles a 
 little north westerly from Shelby, and about the same dis- 
 tance nearly east of Rutherfordton. 
 
 This church was constituted September 5th, 1818, and 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 581 
 
 became a member of the Catawba River Association. The 
 Green River Asssociation was formed in 1840, and Big 
 Spring was a constituent member, and remained in that con- 
 nection until the session of the King's Mountain in 1853, 
 when she joined that body, and has remained a member 
 ■ever since. When she joined King's Mountain she had a 
 membership of 110 persons, and has at this time only 118, this, 
 however, may be acconnted for on the ground that she has 
 at various times lettered a part of her membership to aid in 
 ■construction of other churches. 
 
 Her present corps of deacons are J. C. Lattimore, A.' 
 J. Hughes, W. P. Withrovv and John C. Gettys. J. C. 
 Geitys, church clerk, Duncan's Creek, N. C. She has a 
 Sunday school of 70 scholars superintended by O. D. Price. 
 Her last years contributions to pastor, missions, etc., is 
 reported at 8147.75. 
 
 This church since joining the King's Mountain has had 
 the following pastors: Elder G. W. Rollins till 1877, from 
 then to '82 Elder J. M. Bridges. Big Spring has ever had 
 the reputation of being watchful and vigilant in regard to 
 the true faith of the Gospel. She takes a pride in being con- 
 sidered orthodox in all things. She adheres with great tenac- 
 ity to the old Biblical land marks, and consequently is not 
 easily led away by spurious isms that lack the endorsement 
 of ''thus saith the Lord." 
 
 Boiling Spring Church is one of the original thirteen 
 -churches of which the King's Mountain Association was 
 formed, and is situated in Cleveland county, N. C, a short 
 distance south westerly from the point where the public 
 road leading from Rutherfordton to Yorkville, S. C, crosses 
 the old High Shoals road, near a famous boiling spring of 
 good free stone water, which is well known to many of the 
 traveling public, from which bold boiling spring, the church 
 derives its name. It is about 10 miles in a south westerly 
 direction from the town of Shelby. An arm of Sandy Run 
 church in pursuance of a request was extended to receive 
 and baptize members in the year 1847, and several ministers 
 (amongst whom Elder W. B. Padgett was conspiuous for 
 faithful labors) preached freouentlv to large and greatly in- 
 terested congregations of people, who resolved to call for a 
 presbytery with a view to the constitution of a church. On 
 the 1st day of December, 1847, the desired presbytery was 
 convened, and proceeded to organize 69 persons into a reg- 
 ular Baptist church by the name and style of Boiling Springs 
 Baptist church. D. D. Durham, Thos. Pruitt and R. L. D. 
 
582 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 Hicks were appointed delegates to attend the meeting of the 
 Broad River Association to ask admission into that body y 
 and said church was admitted to membership accordingly it> 
 the session of 1848, with a report of 48 members received 
 and baptized since her constitution, making a total member- 
 ship of 117 persons. The Boiling Springs church was sub- 
 sequently dismissed from the Broad River body to become a 
 constituent member of the King's Mountain Association at 
 its organization, in 1851, and is now a worthy member of 
 the same at the present time. 
 
 Elder VV. B. Padgett was called to be the first pastor of 
 this church and continued until 1851, when Elder J. Suttle 
 was chosen to serve until '54, Elder G. W. Rollins till '55, 
 Elder D. Pannel till '56, Elder B. Bonner till ,58, Elder J. 
 Suttle till '59, Elder J. M. Williams till '60. The church 
 this year b}* reason of disagreement upon a temperance res- 
 olution seceded from the regular King's Monntain Asssbci- 
 ation, and joined with other churches in the organization of 
 the "Constitutional" King's Mountain body, but returned 
 again to the regular body in 1867, after the matters of griev- 
 ance were settled by a convention of the churches of both bod- 
 ies the previous year. Elder J. S. Ezell afterward was chosen 
 pastor, who contiuued until 1869, Elder L. C. Ezell succeed- 
 ed him the next year, Elder A. A. McSwain was then called 
 Avho served until '76, Elder W. Hill served the next year, 
 and Elder A. A. McSwain again served till '79, when Elder 
 J. S. Ezell again served till '81, Elder J. M. Bridges was then 
 engaged and is now the pastor. 
 
 The Boiling Springs church has a membership of 195 
 persons, and a Sunday school of 95 scholars, superintended 
 by brother D. S. Lovelace, and in good working order. The 
 church frequently enjoys "refreshing seasons from the pres- 
 ence of the Lord,"' and is composed of very good material. 
 Her present corps of deacons are Asa Hamrick, John Pruitt, 
 W. H. Green and Reuben Green. I). S. Lovelace, church 
 clerk, Boiling Spring, N". C. Annual contributions to pas- 
 tor, missions, etc., §132.45. 
 
 Buffalo Church is one of the original sixteen of which 
 the Broad River Association was constituted, and is situated 
 on the main public road leading from Rutherfordton, N. C. 
 to Yorkville, S. C, about four miles North ofBuffalo Creek, 
 from which stream it derives its name, and about one-half 
 mile South of the North Carolina State line. We are informed 
 by brother R. E. Porter, the acting clerk of the church, that 
 he had it from the mouth of Dr. William Curtis, now de- 
 ceased, that while engaged in his researches preparatory to 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 583 
 
 the publishing of an Associational history, (which was com- 
 pleted by Elder M. C. Barnett,) he found an old copy of the 
 Minutes (of the Bethel Association we suppose) in which it 
 Avas stated that Buffalo church was first organized in 1772, 
 while the historian Benedict gives the date of the constitution 
 in 1777,. Bro. Porter suggests that the first organization 
 may have been defective, owing to some informality, and was 
 probably in 1777, remedied and made more valied by a 
 properly organized presbytery, as he is informed two travel- 
 ing ministers from the Sandy Creek Association in North 
 Carolina that } - ear visited the section of country and organ* 
 ized the church in regular order, ordaining at the same. time 
 two ministers and three deacons. Elder Joseph Camp was 
 probabl}' one of the ministers, and William Davidson, Jacob 
 Green and James Bridges were doubtless the deacons. But 
 there being no records preserved, the names cannot now be 
 given certainly. Elder Joseph Camp resided in the vicinity 
 of this church in 1781 (see sketch) and was probably the 
 pastor for several years. But we do not find from anything 
 minueted that there was ever chosen an} 7 one to the regular 
 pastorate until in 1812, Eder B. Hicks was installed as 
 such who continued until 1834. In 1821 Hugh Quin and in 
 1826 P. Ramsour both members of Buffalo were licensed to 
 preach, who doubtless assisted the regular pastor in the exhi- 
 bition of the word. From 1834 to 1847 Elder D. Dobbins 
 was pastor. After the demise of Elder D. Dobbins Elder R. 
 P.Logan was pastor until 1851, Elder T. Dixon in '60, Elder 
 G. W. Rollins in '61, Elder D. Hilliard till '62. Elder T. 
 Dixon was then pastor till 1880, since then Elder G. M. Webb 
 has been laboring as pastor of the church. 
 
 The Buffalo church has been a fruitful mother, many 
 churches having sprang from her arms and constituents, chief 
 among which we mention Antioeh, Providence, Camp's 
 Creek, Zoar, Mount Sinai, Mount Paron, and more recently 
 Xew Hope. 
 
 There have been somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 
 persons enrolled as members upon her church books so far 
 as preserved, while many others, prior to 1803, for which no 
 records now appear, are known to have passed through the 
 Buffalo church a period of 26 years after its organization. 
 
 This venerable church continued its connection with the 
 Broad "River Association from its organization until the for- 
 mation of the King's Mountain body of which it became a 
 constituent member in 1851. In 1863 for reasons satisfac- 
 tory the church took a letter of dismission and 
 again attached itself to the Broad River Association, with 
 which it remained until the project of attempting the organ- 
 
-5S4 HISTORICAL SKETCHES . OF CHURCHES. 
 
 ization of County Associations was about to be made in 1877? 
 when it as-ain returned to the Kind's Mountain, of which 
 body it is now a worthy member, having a membership at 
 this time of 228. Having also a good and efficient corps of 
 deacons consisting of F. 8. Ramsour y Wm. D. Gaston, John 
 Turner, William Hamriek, A. W. Holt. R. E. Porter, 
 church clerk, Black's Station, S. C. 
 
 Bro. Porter writes : "One peculiar characteristic in the 
 history of this church is shown in her tenacity to any received 
 doctrine or practice. And through her history she has not 
 been given to change, nor has she been ' blown about by 
 every wind of doctrince.' " 
 
 The Buffalo church has existed over 100 years and during 
 that long period of time she has never changed her days of 
 public worship from the fourth Sunday and Saturday pre- 
 vious in each month of the year.. Annual contributions to 
 pastor, missions, etc., $174.13. 
 
 Capernaum Church is situated in the northeastern part of 
 Cleveland countv, N. C, about twelve miles norteasterlv 
 from Shelby, a short distance west of the main post road 
 leading from Lincolnton to Spartanburg, S. C, and three 
 miles southwesterly from Cherryville on the Carolina Central 
 rail road. 
 
 This church was constituted by a presbytery on the 9th 
 da} 7 of July 1842 Elders D. Dobbins and R. P. Logan and 
 deacons from surrounding churches composed the presby- 
 tery for this purpose; and Wm. Roberts, Lewis Gardner and 
 Wm. Kendrick were the first deacons, and Lewis Gardner 
 was appointed Clerk. Elder D. Dobbins was chosen pastor 
 and continued until 1845. Elder W. Hill was then chosen 
 and he continued in the pastorate until 1851. In that year 
 the King's Mountain Association was organized, and Caper- 
 naum although within its boundary, preferred to remain a 
 member of the northern body; and did remain so, until the 
 session of 1871; when she was dismissed and joined King's 
 Mountain at her session of the same year. Elder W. Hill 
 was pastor in '72, Elder P. R, Elam in '73, W. Hill again in 
 '74 and '75, Elder G. M. Webb from '75 till '82. 
 
 The church at the time of constitution had a member- 
 ship of thirty-five persons. She has at the present time 
 (1882) one hundred and seventy members, and a flourishing 
 Sunday school of fifty-six scholars superinteded by J. C. 
 Parker. 
 
 Her annual contributions to pastor, missions etc. are 
 $122.65. Her present corps of deacons are Thos. Kindrick, 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 585 
 
 Martin Moss, W. G. Lindsey andF. M. Miller. A. S. Kin- 
 drick, church clerk, Waco, N. C, Thos. Kindrick, church 
 treasurer. 
 
 Concord Church is situated in Rutherford county, N". C, 
 about eight miles southeasterly from Rutherfordton, on the 
 east side of second Broad River, and about a mile north 
 from the main road leading from Rutherfordton via. Webb's 
 Ford to Shelby. 
 
 This church was constituted in 1804, after the forma- 
 tion of the Broad River Association in 1800, and admitted 
 into that body the same year, the session being held at Sandy 
 Run church. It remained in that connection until the form- 
 ation of the Green River body in 1840 when it joined that 
 Association and confined a member thereof till after the or- 
 ganization of the King's Mountain Association in 1851 and at 
 the session of '56 joined that body and still remains a mem- 
 ber. She had a membership then of 54 persons, she now 
 has 170, and a Sunday school of 100 scholars, superintended 
 by C. T. Hollifield. Her last year's contributions to pastor, 
 missions, etc., is $65.80. 
 
 Her pastor in 1856 to '59 was Elder G. W. Rollins, in 
 '60 Elder G. M, Webb, in '61 to '65 Elder G. W. Rollins, in 
 7 66 to '69 G. M. Webb, in '70 to '82 G. W. Rollins. Her 
 present corps of deacons are brethren G. T. Bostic, W. H. 
 Martin, H. Harrill, B. Metcalf, A. P. Hollifield, John Davis, 
 James Lattimore and A. L. Sm^rt. A. L. Smart, church 
 clerk, Forest City, N". C. 
 
 Concord has the honor to send several ministers into 
 the gospel field amongst whom are Elders Alfred Webb, Wm. 
 Harrill, G. M. Webb, G. P. Bostic and J. A. Green. 
 
 The church is located in a very hospitable neighbor- 
 hood, who seem to enjoy the God given privilege of attend- 
 ing public worship at the sanctuary, as well probably as any 
 others. 
 
 Dallas Church is situated on a beautiful lot in the town 
 of Dallas in Gaston county, ^N". C. The church edifice is one 
 of rare beauty of sufficient size to seat a large congregation. 
 After the rendition of ministerial labors of an acceptable and 
 profitable character by Elders J. H. Booth, A. L. Stough 
 and others in the year 1880, a few members of Baptist 
 churches residing in and near the town of Dallas covenant 
 together and resolved to organize a church; whereupon a 
 presbytery was convened for that purpose on the 25th day of 
 September 1879 consisting of ministers and deacons, and in 
 accordance with the usages of the denomination they pro- 
 74 
 
58G HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 ceeded to constitute a church by the name and stvle of the 
 Dallas Baptist church. Elder J. H. Booth was chosen pastor, 
 and Jas. D. Moore and L. P. Stowe were chosen deacons 
 and James R. Lewis, clerk, Dallas N". C. The church at tne 
 present time (1882) has a membership of thirty-live persons, 
 and a Sunday school of forty-one scholars superintended by 
 James D. Moore in good working order. The contributions 
 tor pastor, missions etc. for the year is $880.50. 
 
 Double Springs Church is situated in Cleveland county, 
 ]S r . C. a short distance north of a public road leading from 
 Shelby to Rutherford ton, via. Beam's store into Whiteside 
 settlement. About seven miles northwesterly from the town 
 of Shelby KC. 
 
 In the year 1844 Elders L. McCurry, Drury Dobbins, 
 Josiah Durham, L. D. Crowder and others began to conduct 
 religious services at a stand near the present Double Springs 
 meeting house, and a lively interest resulted from their 
 labors, whereupon, it was thought advisable to constitute a 
 church, and a presbytery for that purpose was therefore con- 
 vened in the year 1845 consisting of Elders D. Dobbins, L.' 
 McCurr} T and others; and thirty three persons were organ- 
 ized into a regular church of the Baptist faith and order, to 
 be known by the name and style of the Double Springs 
 Baptist church; and brother W. Covington was appointed a 
 delegate to represent the church in the next session of the 
 Broad River Association and ask admission as a member of 
 that body; which was done by the delegates and Double 
 Springs became a member of the Broad River Association 
 in 1845; and continued to be until she became a constituent 
 member of the King's Mountain, in its organization at her 
 
 ~ 7 ~ 
 
 meeting honsein 1851. 
 
 Brethren Wm. Covington, M. Gold and Thos. Wilson 
 were the first deacons of this church, and Wm. M. Gold was 
 appointed church clerk. Elder Lewis McCurry was chosen 
 pastor, and continued in that relationship until 1847. Elder 
 W. B. Padgett was his successor until '50, Elder J. Suttle 
 till '55, Elder R. Poston till '56, Elder J. Suttle again till '60, 
 Elder D. Wray till '62, Elder J. H. Yorboro till '66, Elder 
 J. S. Ezell tilf'68, Elder T. Dixon till 71, Elder L. C. Ezell 
 till '73, Elder G. M. Webb till '77, and Elder G. W. Robins 
 till '82. 
 
 This church derived its name from two notable free 
 stone springs which supplies the huge congregations that 
 often attend the services of the sanctuary with very good and 
 cool drinking water, the same being the fountain head of a 
 branch of Brushy Creek. It now has a membership of 204 
 
HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 587 
 
 members, and has enjoyed many precious revival meetings 
 and appears to be realizing as fully as any, the object of its 
 organization. It can also rejoice in having sent into the gos- 
 pel vineyard one promising laborer in the person of Eider J. 
 M. Bridges. Double Springs has at present the following corps 
 of deacons, viz: Bros. John Bridges, D. A. F. Hamrick, 
 Streete Harrill, E.J. Lovelace and Berry Hamrick, Bro. W. 
 W. Washburn church clerk Shelby, N. C. Annual contri- 
 butions to pastor, missions etc $264.12 
 
 Fair View Church is situated in Rutherford County N.- 
 C.in "Whitesides settlement" near the head of Golden Vallev 
 on the public road leading to Marion, about 17 miles north- 
 easterly from Rutherfordton and a short distance from where 
 the Head of First Broad church was first located on an em- 
 inence commanding a delightful view of the surrounding 
 mountain scenery, hence the appropriate name Fair View. 
 
 About fifteen members of Baptist churches in this sec- 
 tion of country being inconveniently situated to attend pub- 
 lic worship and hoping and believing that the organization 
 of a church in this locality would tend to the furtherance of 
 the gospel of Christ, did on Friday before the 3rd Lord's day 
 in August 1882 call to their aid a presbytery of ministers and 
 deacons who proceeded to look into their religious standing, 
 and finding the little band orthodox in their true faith of the 
 gospel constituted them into a regular Baptist church to be 
 known by the name and style of the Fair View Baptist 
 Church. J. L. Yelton was ordained a deacon, and J. W. 
 Whisnant was appointed the clerk, Golden Valley, N. C. 
 
 At the session of the Kind's Mountain Association at 
 Bethel church in 1882 this church was admitted to member- 
 ship in said body. No report is made ,of pastor, Sunday 
 school or contributions to Associational objects, the church 
 being in an infantile state and without a meeting house at 
 the present time. 
 
 Gastonia Church is situated in the town of Gastonia on 
 the Air Line rail road in Gaston county 1ST. C. About eight 
 miles from the town of King's Mountain and on the west side 
 of the Catawba River. This church was constituted by a 
 presbytery consisting of Elders A. K. Durham, P. R. Elam 
 and D. Thomasson, together with some attending deacons, 
 on the 28th of April 1877, under the name and style of the 
 Gastonia Baptist church. Elder P. R. Elam was chosen 
 pastor and at a subsequent meeting brethren T. G. Chalk and 
 R. L. Johnson were ordained deacons; and T. G. Chalk church 
 
 t 
 
588 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 clerk Gastonia 1ST. C. The following is a list of the names of 
 those organized, : E. C. McAlister, Martha McAlister, Jonas 
 Jenkins, Sarah Jenkins, J. W. Smith, V. S. Smith, S. Head, 
 R. S. Head, J. E. Robinson, T. G. Chalk, M. N. Chalk, C. H. 
 Lay, Eliza Lay, Lee Garrison, Florence Garrison, J. M. 
 Bvnum, SallieBynum, Isabella Smith, Eliza Johnson, S. F. 
 Chalk, C. C. Smith, P. C. Gladden, J. A. Mason, Martha M. 
 Glenn, Sarah Lay, Ella Chalk, Martha Capps. 
 
 From some unknown cause this church has failed to be 
 represented in the Association for the last two years. At 
 the session of the King's Mountain, in 1877, after their or- 
 ganization, the church through her delegates applied for 
 admission into the cofederacy of churches of which that body 
 is composed, and were cordially received and is recognized 
 as one of the churches of that body. Gastonia has had Elder 
 S. T. Pugh in the pastorate in"l878 and '79, Elder P. R. 
 Elam in '80, Elder J. H. Booth in '81. 
 
 High Shoal Church is situated in Rutherford county, 
 ]ST. C, about one mile northeasterly from the High Shoals 
 on second Broad River, from which the church derives its 
 name. This church was constituted by a presbytery con- 
 sisting of Elders Drury Dobbins, John Padgett and others, 
 July 27th, 1831. And at the session of the Broad River 
 Association the same vear at Buck Creek church, was ad- 
 mitted to membership in that body, having then seventeen 
 members in fellowship. Elder John Padgett was chosen 
 pastor andbrethren J. Dobbins,Dan'l Rollins and W.Padgett 
 were among the first deacons, and Micajah Durham was 
 church clerk for several years. 
 
 At the session of 1841 the High Shoal church was dis- 
 missed to join with the Green River body, then a new or- 
 ganization, and she contiuned in that connection until after 
 the formation of the Kings Mountain Association in 1851, 
 and the next year (1852) joined that body and continued un- 
 til the session of 1860 when at her own meeting house she 
 seceeded and united with other churches in organizing the 
 "Constitutional" King's Mountain Association, with which 
 she remained until 1866, when the matters in dispute were 
 compromised and settled by a convention of the churches of 
 both parties. 
 
 Elder' John Padgett having served as pastor until 1835, 
 Elder J. M. Webb then served until '41, when the church 
 joined the Green River Association. After her return to 
 Kind's Mountain in 1852 Elder G. W. Rollins was her pas- 
 tor until 1856, Elder D. Pannell then till '58, Elder W. Mc- 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 599 
 
 Swiain till '60. Then the schism took place and continued 
 until 1866. Elder G. M. Webb served from 1867 to '71, 
 Elder R. Poston to '73 and Elder G. W. Rollins till '82. 
 
 The present membership number, for 1882, 262 persons 
 and a Sunday school superintended by J. M. Goode is re- 
 ported . Her last year's report of contributions for pastor, 
 missions, etc., is only $5.80. Her present corps of deacons 
 -are brothers ISTehemiah Dobbins, E. D. Hawkins, J. M. 
 Goode, ¥m, Walker and Silas Bland, and J. P. Burgess, 
 •clerk. 
 
 High Shoal is greatly honored under God of being the 
 foster mother of Elders J. M. Webb and Alanson Padgett, 
 both of whom are now dead, but were able and useful min- 
 isters of the gospel of Chris>in~tlieir time. 
 
 / 
 
 Leonard's Fork Church is situated in Lincoln county 
 N\. C. about five miles west from the town of Lincolnton, 
 eighteen persons being members of Baptist churches in the 
 vicinity of this place, desiring as a matter of convenience in 
 attending public worship, to be organized into a church, did 
 for this purpose ask for the assembling of a presbytery having 
 this object in view; and on the 25th day of April 1882 such 
 presbytery was convened, consisting of Elder A. L. Stough 
 and others, who being satisfied of their orthodoxy in the faith 
 •of the Gospel of Christ, did proceed to constitute them into 
 a regular Baptist church, by the name and style of the 
 Leonard's Fork Baptist church. J. J. Cornwell and W. H. 
 Hoover were ordained deacons; and W. H. Hoover, church 
 clerk, Lincolnton N". C. This church is a nart of Elder A. 
 L. Stough's missionary labors in a section of country where 
 Lutheranism is the most prevalent religious profession. 
 
 Long Creek Church was once a member of the Bethel 
 Association; which body was organized in 1789. The Broad 
 River body was organized in 1800, and the Long Creek 
 ■church being one of those dismissed from the Bethel for the 
 purpose of becoming a constituent member of the Broad 
 River body, was probably constituted some time previous to 
 1789. But no church records can now be found to give the 
 precise date of its constitution. It is however reasonable to 
 suppose that the two ministers mentioned by brother R. E. 
 Porter in the case of Buffalo church as coming from Sandy 
 Creek Association in North Carolina in the year 1772, and 
 in an informal way of some sort organizing that church, did 
 in like manner organize not only Long Creek but also Sandy 
 Run church the same year. This is probable from the fact 
 
500 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OFCHUE€HES. 
 
 that these three old churches are situated in the same regiora 
 of country and would be compassed in their missionary tour. 
 The probable true date of the constitution of Long Creek 
 church, therefore, is 1772, the same as Sandy Run and 
 Buffalo churches. 
 
 This ancient church is situated in what is now Gaston 
 county (formerly Lincoln) N. C. About three miles south- 
 easterly from the town of Dallas. It remained a member of 
 the Broad River Association until the session of the King's. 
 Mountain in 1854, when it joined that body by letter, and 
 remained in that connection until 1862, it was then dismissed 
 and rejoined the Broad River, butin the session of 1880 of the 
 King's Mountain it was again admitted to membership in 
 that body, and is now a member. 
 
 This church has had many pastors, but seemes to have 
 had no regular supply until the year 1827. Elder B. T. 
 Kirby was pastor till 1833, Elder J. Lowe in 35-'36, Elder 
 John Mullinax in '37,-'38, Elder T. K Purseley in '39-'40, 
 Elder W. Noland in '41, Elder J. M. Thomas in '42. Elder 
 W. Hill from '43 to '47, Elder M. Mullinax in '48, Elder, J, 
 Suttle in '50, Elder I. D. Durham in '51, ('52 and '53 no 
 pastor,) Elder A. J. Cansler in '54, Elder R. P. Logan '55, 
 Elder A. J. Cansler in '56, Elder W. Hill from '57 to '60, 
 Elder R. P. Logan in '61, Elder A. J. Cansler in '62. She 
 then left the King's Mountain Association till '80, Elder G. 
 M. Webb iu '81 and '82. Brethren Reuben Jenkins, Sam'l 
 Weathers, W. Holloway were deacons of this church in days 
 of yore. 
 
 The present membership numbers 146 ; and a Sunday 
 school of twenty three scholars is reported superintended by 
 J. A. Eaton. Her contributions for 1882 to different objects 
 is reported $339.91. Her present pastor is Elder G. M. 
 Webb. Her present corps of deacons are Allen Withers, 
 Wm. Smith and Thos. Smith, J. A. Eaton, church clerk, 
 Dallas N. C. 
 
 Mount Harmony is situated in Rutherford county, N. 
 C, near the main road leading into Whiteside settlement in 
 the Bi^fferstati" neighborhood, nearlv east of Rutherfordton 
 about twelve miles, and southerly from Golden Valley about 
 four miles; was formerly a member of the Green River As- 
 sociation, but joined the King's Mountain at its session in 
 1867. It was constituted by a presbytery consisting of Elders 
 Wm. McSwain, D. Pannell, and others, on the 16th day of 
 November 1860. Elder Wm. McSwain was chosen first pas- 
 tor and Abram Toney and Joshua Earles were the first 
 deacous, and A. W. Biggerstaff was the church clerk. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 591 
 
 Brethren J. Earles and C. Yelton represented the church 
 when she was received into the King's Mountain body, her 
 total membership at that time being 93 persons. Elder Wnu 
 McSvvain contiuued to supply this church until 1872, when 
 Elder M. Pannell was chosen pastor until '74, then Elder B. 
 E. RolHus was chosen. Elder J. M. Bridges became pastor in 
 1876 and has continued that relationship to the present time 
 (1882.) The church now numbers 145 members and has a 
 {Sunday school of 35 scholars, superintended by J. W. Mur- 
 ray very profitably. No contributions only for minutes are 
 reported. Her present corps of deacons are W. J. Toney, 
 John Melton, Charles Yelton and J. W. Murray. J. L. 
 Padgett, church clerk, Sunshine, N. C. 
 
 Mount Paran Church is situated in York county S. C. 
 near the Whitaker Mountain, about three miles northeaster- 
 ly from Black's Station on the Air Line rail road. This 
 church was constituted 1853 of thirty-nine members, through 
 the labors of Elder J. J. Jones and others. The first deacons 
 were Joseph Sapaugh, A. W. Holt, P. Harmon and P. 
 Sapaugh, W. H. Carroll was chosen clerk of the church, and 
 it was admitted into the King's Mountain Association at its 
 session in 1853. Elder J. J. Jones was chosen pastor, who 
 continued in that connection until 1860; when the church 
 seceded from the Association, and joined in the organiza- 
 tion of the "constitutional" King's Mountain Association; 
 and remained until the matters in dispute were settled bv a 
 convention of the churches in 1866. In 1867 Elder D. Pan- 
 nell was pastor, in '68 Elder T. Dixon, in '69 A. A. McSwain, 
 'in '70 Elder P.P. Elam to '75, in '75 till '77 Elder A. A. 
 McSwain and Elder A. C. Ervin from '77 to 82. The pres- 
 ent membership is 120 persons.- And the church has a 
 Sunday school superintended by James M. Martin of seventy 
 scholars in good working order. Her present corps of 
 deacons are George H. Martin,Peter Sapaugh, Willie Martin, 
 A. W, Holt, P. Harmou and J. S. Earls. And Farmer 
 Moore is church clerk, Whitaker's S. C. Annual contribu- 
 tions to pastor, missions etc. $139.95. 
 
 Mount Pleasant Church issituated in Cleveland county, 
 N. C, about three miles northwesterly from the mouth of 
 Sandy Run Creek at Nicholson's old Ferry, and about eight 
 miles southeasterly from Forest City. 
 
 This church was constituted January 12th, 1849, through 
 the ministerial labors of Elders T. Dixon, G. W. Rollins and 
 others. At the time of organization forty members were en- 
 
592 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHUBCHESV 
 
 rolled, and Elder T. Dixon was chosen pastor, and M. Jolly r 
 John Matheny and J. M. Hamrick were the first deacons^, 
 and W. B. Hames the church clerk. The church was ad- 
 mitted to membership with the Broad River Association at 
 her session in 1849, and she continued that relationship until 
 in 1851, she was then dismissed to become a constituent 
 member of the King's Mountain body. In 1851 Elder D. 
 Pannell was pastor "till 1852, Elder G. W. Rollins till '53 T 
 Elder D. Pannell till '54, Elder L. H. McSwaintill '57, Elder 
 "Wm. McSwain till '59, Elder A. A. McSwain till '60. The 
 church then seceded and with Elder Wm. McSwain as pas- 
 tor joined in the organization of the "Constitutional" King's- 
 Mountain Association. After the reconstruction in 1866 
 Elder L. C. Ezell was pastor till 1870, Elder A. A. McSwain 
 till '74, Elder J. M. Bridges till '76, Elder A. C. Irvin till '82. 
 The church now has a membership of 212 persons and a 
 Sunday school of forty scholars superintended by T. M. Hol- 
 land. The present corps of deacons are Toliver D. Scruggs,. 
 David Matheny, J. D. Simmons, J. A. Scruggs, J. M. Ham- 
 rick and John Matheny. Brother J. D. Simmons is church 
 clerk, Nicholsonville, N. C. 
 
 The M ount Pleasant church is now on a progressive 
 march, having had some very interesting revival meetings- 
 within the last few years. She is entitled to the honor of 
 licensing Elder G. W. Rollins in 1851 to preach the gospel 
 of Christ, he then being a member of said church, and now 
 a prominent minister of the King's Mountain Association, 
 Annual contributions to pastor, missions, etc., $54.50. 
 
 Mount Sinai Church is situated in Cleveland county, H,* 
 C, on the McS wain's Ford road; about three miles north 
 easterly from Ellis' Ferry on main Broad River, and about 
 eight miles south westerly from Shelby N. C. This church 
 was first an arm of Buttalo, and constituted on the 20th of 
 May 1848 by a presbytery consisting, of Elders L. H. Mc- 
 Swain and deacons from several churches. When constituted 
 Mount Sinai had thirty members, and joined the 'Broad 
 River Association at its session in 1849, remaining with said 
 body until 1851. It was then dismissed to become a consti- 
 tuent member in the formation of the King's Mountain 
 Association. Elder L. H. McSwain having taken an active 
 part in the measures leading to the organization of this 
 church, was therefore, chosen pastor; who continued till 
 1854; when Elder B. Bonner, became pastor until 1856, 
 Elder L. H. McSwain again till '60. The church then se- 
 ceded and became a member of the "Constitutional" King's 
 Mountain Association when Elder Wm. McSwain became 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 593 
 
 the pastor. After the reconstruction, in 1860 the church was 
 not represented until 1867, Elder L. H. McSwain was then 
 pastor till '71, when A. A. McSwain became pastor till '72, 
 Elder T. H. Mullinax till '73, Elder L. H. McSwain till 77, 
 and Elder T. H. Mullinax till the present time (1882.) 
 
 Thos. McSwain, John Randall and John McSwain were 
 the first deacons, audi John Randall church clerk. Her 
 present membership is eighty three persons. She has a 
 Sunday school of fifty five scholars, superintended by 0. B. 
 Blanton. Her present corps of deacons are W. R. Ham rick 
 C. B. Blanton, Starling Weaver and G. W. Blanton. Bro. 
 S. Wylie the church clerk, Erwinsville N. C. In 1882 
 Mount Sinai church ordained P. S. Mullino, to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry. /Annual contributions to pastor, 
 missions etc. not fully reported. 
 
 / 
 
 Mount Vernon Church is situated in Lincoln county N. 
 C. on the main Morganton road, about sixteen miles south 
 westerly from Lincolnton. This church was first a member 
 of Catawba River Association, (which was formed in 1828,) 
 and joined the King's Mountain in 1852. When Mount Ver- 
 non joined the King's Mountain body she had a membership 
 of fifty persons, and Elder A. J. Cansler had been retained 
 as pastor. In 1853-'54, Elder M. Williams served, in 1855- 
 '56 Elder J. F. Leatherman was pastor, in '57 J. M. Wil- 
 liams, in '58 A. A. McSwain. From then to 1867 J. F. 
 Leatherman was pastor, Elder T. H. Mullinax till '70, J. F. 
 Leatherman asrain till '72, Elder J. Smith till '73, Elder Geo. 
 J. Wilkie till '76, Elder A. Hilderbran till '77, Elder G. J. 
 Wilkie till '78, and Elder J. P. Styers until '82. - The mem- 
 bership has increased to 119 persons; and the church has a 
 Sunday school superintended by O. C. Thompson, doing 
 good service in training the young, which has been greatly 
 neglected. The contributions to pastor, mission etc., as 
 reported are $69.50, which although small is an improvement 
 on former years. S. J. Weaver is the clerk of the church, 
 Hull's Cross roads N. C. 
 
 New Bethel Church is situated in Cleveland county, 
 N. C, on the main public road leading from Shelby to Ma- 
 rion, about twelve miles nearly north from Shelby, and nearly 
 one mile southeasterly from Maple Shoal on Maple Creek. 
 
 There being several members of Baptist churches in this 
 
 section remotely situated from their respective places of 
 
 worship, the church of Zion was requested to extend an arm 
 
 to this place to receive and baptize members, which was 
 
 75 
 
59-1 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 granted, whereupon after successful labors by several minis- 
 ters, prominent among whom were Elders J. Suttle and T. 
 Dixon, the several brethren and sisters covenanted togeth- 
 er in the year 1847, and agreed to ask for a presbytery to 
 organize them into a church of the Baptist faith and order, 
 and such presbytery was convened on the 29th of July, 1848, 
 thereafter and twenty-five person were constituted a regular 
 Baptist church by the name and style of New Bethel Baptist 
 Church, which church at her request was admitted into the 
 Broad River Association at its session of 1848, in which 
 body she remained a worthy member until dismissed in '51 
 to become a constituent member of the King's Mountain 
 body the same year. Her first pastor was Elder T. Dixon 
 who continued until 1857, Elder J. Suttle then became pas- 
 tor until '61, Elder P. R. Elam till '62, Elder L. McCurrv 
 till 7 6o, Elder T. Dixon again till '66, Elder R. Poston till 
 70, T. Dixon till '73, R. Poston till '74, T. Dixon till '79, 
 Elder J. A. White was then chosen till '81 who is now the 
 pastor (1882.) 
 
 The first deacons were A; S. Elam, R, T. Hord Fr's 
 Lattimore, and the first clerk was R. T Hord. New Bethel 
 now has a membership of 165 persons, and a Sunday school 
 of 55 scholar superintended by R. L. Limrick. a licensed 
 preacher. 
 
 This church has enjoyed many good revival meetings, 
 and is a progressive bodv. Her present corps of deacons are 
 R, T. Hord, W. A. Thompson", David Cline, Thomas J. 
 Dixon and E. A. Morgan. E. A. Morgan is church clerk, 
 Double Shoals, K C, 
 
 The New Bethel church has been the foster mother of 
 brethren I. M. Williams, P. R. Elam, J. A. Beam and A. T. 
 Hord The two latter of whom are now students at Wake 
 Forest College, and licentiates of the church to preach the un- 
 searchable riches of Christ, while the first two named have 
 been engaged in ministerial work since 1855. Annual con- 
 tribution to pastor, mission etc., §231.05. 
 
 New Hope Church is situated in Cleveland county N. 
 G. on tbe Ross Ferrv road about seven miles nearlv south of 
 Shelby; and four miles nearly west from Whitaker station on 
 the Air Line railway. A presbyterv consisting of Elders T. 
 Dixon, T. II. Mullinax, L. H. McSwain, G. M. Webb, A, C, 
 Dixon and P. R. Elam, together with deacons from several 
 of the churches around was convened August 1874, and 
 proceeded to constitute 161 persons mostly dismissed from 
 other churches, (and those having joined this arm of Buffalo,) 
 into a regular church to be hereafter known bv the name 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 505 
 
 and style of New Hope Baptist church. Elder T.Dixon was 
 chosen pastor; and A. Earls, James McSwain and J. II. 
 Austell were chosen the first deacons; andL. M. Logan clerk 
 of the church. This church now numbers 247 members and 
 has a Sabbath school of fifty scholars, superintended by W. 
 M. Francis. 
 
 No contributions for any object only the publishing of 
 minutes appear reported. Elder T. Dixon was pastor until 
 1882, Elder P. K, Elam was then chosen, and is now 
 pastor. The present corps of deacons are brethren K. E. 
 Harrill, J. H, Austell, J as, McSwain, A. Earls. A. I. Borders 
 is clerk of the church, Erwinsville, N. C. The New Hope 
 church licensed Elder P. S, Mullirio to preach the gospel 
 who was afterwards ordained by Mount Sinai. The brethren 
 here enjoy protracted meetings; and are hospitable to strangers 
 and tolerably prompt in their attendance on divine worship. 
 
 New Prospect Church is situated in Cleveland county 
 N. C. on the road leading from Shelby to Lincoluton via. of 
 Beam's Mills on main Buffalo creek. The church being 
 only about two hundred yards east of where the road crosses 
 the creek, and about eight miles northeasterly from Shelby. 
 The organization of this church resulted chiefly from the 
 labors of El-ders T. Dixon, W. Hill and J. Suttle; and was 
 constituted October 6th, 1854, numbering then eighty-five 
 members; being the proceeds mostly of protracted meetings 
 held some time previously. Elder T. Dixon was chosen 
 pastor of the church, and brethren J: C. Hoyle, J. L. ( Bed- 
 ford, Andrew Beam, V. H. Elliott and J. P. Wilson were 
 chosen the first deacons, and J. C. Hoyle church clerk. The 
 locality of New Prospect is some what broken, but not in- 
 accessible, the church is situated, too, in a fertile and popu- 
 lous section of country, where there is ample material for 
 large congregations. The people are neaily all of the Baptist 
 persuasion, and seem to have no relish for anything but the 
 plain old Gospel of their fathers. It is no place for new isms to 
 take root and develop their pernicious influences. 
 
 In 1863, for reasons satisfactory to the church, she took a 
 letter of dismission from the King's Mountain Association, 
 and joined the Broad River body; but returned again in 
 1871, and is now v a worthy member of the King's Mountain, 
 numbering at this time 282 members, and had a Sundaj 7 
 School in 1881, of ninety scholars superintended by Brother 
 W. J. Nantz. Elder T. Dixon has been the pastor of New 
 Prospect from the time of constitution to the present time 
 excepting the year 1878; when Elder J. P. Styers was pastor. 
 The following are the present corps of deacons, Andrew 
 
 t 
 
596 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 Beam, J. C. Hoyle, Alpbeus Hamrick, J. L. Ledford, W. M. 
 Alexander and Jesse Herd. J. C. Hoyle is the clerk of the 
 church, Shelby IS". C. 
 
 Pleasant Grove Church is situated in Cleveland county, 
 N. C, on the main road leading from Shelby to Morganton, 
 about ten miles a little northeasterly from the tirst named 
 place. 
 
 This church was formed through the instrumentality of 
 ministerial labors dispensed mostly by Elder J. P. Styers 
 who is now a member of the same. A presbytery consisting 
 of Elders T. Dixon, A. C. Irvin and J. P. Styers was con- 
 vened at this beautiful grove on the 11th of October, 1878, 
 and fifty-one persons from New Bethel church and forty-seven 
 from New Proepect, making an aggregate of ninety-eight 
 members were regularly constituted into a Baptist church to 
 be hereafter known by the name and style of the Pleasant 
 Grove Baptist Church. Eider J. P. Styers was chosen pas- 
 tor, and the following brethreu were subsequently chosen as 
 deacons: Andrew Beam, Hezekiah Dedman, P. Z. Carpenter 
 and Rums W. Gardner. Brother R. W. Gardner was also 
 chosen church clerk, Beam's Mill, 1ST. C. 
 
 At the session of the King's Mountain Association held 
 in 1879 at New Prospect, this church through her delegates 
 H. Dedman, P. Z. Carpenter, J. A. Hendrick and E. W. 
 Gardner applied for membership in that body and was cor- 
 dially received. She then reported 159 persons as her mem- 
 bership at the time of admission, thirty-five having been bap- 
 tized into her, fellowship and seventeen received by letter 
 since she was constituted. She now has a membership of 
 180 persons and reports a Sunday school of sixty-five scholars 
 and has excellent prospective surroundings; has a good meet- 
 ing house and a lot of five acres of land not easily excelled 
 in beauty and convenience, while the population around is 
 tolerably dense and well-to-do, entertaining too, pretty much 
 the same views in matters pertaining to religion. Her annual 
 contributions to pastor and missions are reported §145.25. 
 
 The session of the Association for 1883 convenes with 
 this church and a pleasant time is anticipated by the mem- 
 bership. May their expectations and desires in that direc- 
 tion be fully realied ! 
 
 Pleasant Hxll Church is one of the original constitu- 
 ents of the King's mountain Association; located in Cleveland 
 county, N. C, on the road leading from Shelby N. C. via. 
 Strouo Bro's mills on main Buifalo creek, and King's Moun- 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 597 
 
 tain Battle Ground, to Yorkville S. C. About five and a 
 half miles south east from Shelby; one half mile north west 
 of Buffalo, and eight auda half miles from the Battle Ground. 
 
 In the year 1850, an arm of the Zoar church was ex- 
 tended to the neighborhood of this church, then destitute of 
 preaching; and religious services were conducted under a 
 bush arbor erected for the occasion; and several ministers, to 
 wit: Elders T. Dixon, R. P„ Logan, L. IT. McSwain and 
 brethren B. E. and G. W. Rollins, and sometimes J. M. Mc- 
 : C raw, then Licentiates frequently attended and preached for 
 the people at this rude place. During the period of their 
 labors a considerable revival resulted; and quite a number of 
 persons joined by| experience; and it was thought advisable to 
 organize a church there, whereupon a meeting house was 
 soon erected and a presbytery convened on the 7th day of 
 February 1851; which being regularly organized by calling 
 Elder T. Dixon to the chair as moderator and Brother J. R. 
 Logan to act as secretary, the names of twenty nine persons 
 were then reported as having been dismissed from the Zoar 
 church to become constituents of the contemplated new 
 church. Their articles of faith as submitted to the presby- 
 tery being examined and considered orthodox, a suitable 
 church covenant was agreed on and signed by the parties; 
 and upon a motion of presbytery they were constituted a 
 regular Baptist church of Christ, to be known and distin- 
 guished from other churches by the name of Pleasant Hill. 
 
 At a meeting of the church on April 17th thereafter, 
 Henderson Roberts, John Ham and Clark Allen were elected 
 ■deacons and Simeon Putman, church clerk. And on the 
 18th July following those -chosen to the office of deacons 
 were regularly ordained by Elder R, P. Logan leading the 
 presbytery in prayer and the imposition of hands. Brethren 
 G. W. Rollins and J. M. McCraw preached awhile for the 
 newchurch, and subsequently Brother Rollins was engaged to 
 continue his labors, which he did regularly until 1856, Elder 
 R. Poston was then chosen pastor for 1856 and '57. Bro. 
 J. A. Roberts had been chosen church clerk on 6th May 
 1854, on July 4th '56 brothers J. A. Roberts, D. R, Bell and 
 S. A. Wilson having been previously elected deacons were 
 ordained by Elders T. Dixon, R. Poston and others. Elder 
 A. A. McSwain was at this meeting chosen pastor and served 
 the church in 1858 and '59. Elder J. Suttle was chosen pas- 
 tor in '60, and Elder D. Wray in '61 and '62, Elder G. "W. 
 Rollins in '63, in '64 Elder D. Wray was again chosen pastor 
 and continued in that relationship through the year '65 and 
 '66. The war between the States had made sad havoc of the 
 membership of this church; no less thau twenty of the male 
 
598 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHESv 
 
 members were killed or sickened and died; amongst whom< 
 was deacon Clark Allen, who fell at the battle of Manassas,, 
 in Virginia. Elder T. Dixon was again chosen pastor for 
 1867, Elder R. P. Logan succeeded him in '68 and '69, in 
 '70 the church engaged the sendees of Elder G. M. Webb,. 
 who still remains the pastor to this present time (1882); and 
 it is hoped there will not be so many changes hereafter. 
 
 On the 2nd day of May, 1879, brothers David Allen, D. 
 T. Dover, W. A. J. Hamrick and M. L. Putnam having; 
 been previously elected by the church were ordained to the 
 office of deacon by Elders T. Dixon, P. R. Elam and others 
 as a presbyter^ 7 . 
 
 The present acting corps of deacons are brothers J. A. 
 Roberts, S. A. Wilsom D. Allen, D. T. Dover, W. A. J. 
 Hamrick and M. L. Putnam. J. A. Roberts, church clerk., 
 Durbro, K C. 
 
 At present the church numbers 247 members, has an- 
 evergreen Sunday school of fifty scholars superintended by 
 Brother J. A. Roberts, which appears to be doing much good 
 in imparting to the scholars Biblical instruction and a 
 thorough knowledge of vocal music. The Bible in conec- 
 tion with the denominational Sunday school literature of the- 
 Baptists is the only thing used in the school. 
 
 The Pleasant Hill church is an active progressive insti- 
 tution, prompt in the discharge of christian duties, and es- 
 pecially so in their attention to divine worship at the sanctu- 
 ary, liberal in supporting their pastor and home and foreign 
 missions, and indeed every other laudable enterprise, having 
 for its object the spread of the gospel of Christ according to 
 the ability with which God has blessed them. When we 
 first became acquainted with thePlensant Hill church, which 
 was in its first incipiency and organization, it w T as certainly 
 verv feeble and hardlv self-sustaining;, but it is now through 
 the providence of God and its own praise-worthy exertions 
 one among the best and most energetic of the King's Moun- 
 tain churches. Since it organization in 1851 it has enjoyed 
 many refreshing seasons and precious revivals. May it en- 
 joy many more and prove a fruitful and fostering mother of 
 other churches in the future ! Annual contributions to pas- 
 tor, missions, etc., $162.25. 
 
 Ross' Grove Church is situated in Cleveland county, N. 
 C, about 2 miles northeasterly from the town of Shelby. 
 Fifty-seven persons living convenient to this place, being 
 mostly members of Zion, Shelby and other churches around, 
 through the ministerial labors of Elders A. L. Stough, J. P. 
 Styers, R. Poston and others covenanted together, and peti- 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. $S 
 
 rioned the Zion church to extend to them an arm to receive 
 members with the view to the organization of a church, 
 which request was granted, and after some profitable labors 
 were dispensed among them a presbytery consisting of 
 Elders R. Poston,- A. C. Irvin, A. A. McSwain, J. P. Styers 
 together with several deacons from the surroundine: churches 
 •was convened on the 30th of September, 1881, and a regular 
 Baptist church was constituted to be known by the name 
 and style of R<ks' Grove church, whereupon Brother R. Y. 
 
 Weathers was ordained a deacon and C. C. Wilson appointed 
 clerk of the church. At the late session of the King's Moun- 
 tain Association (in 1882) this church being repesented by 
 brethren R. Y. Weathers and H. Dedman asked for admis- 
 sion and was received as a member of that body. They are 
 yet without a pastor, but reports a flourishing Sunday school 
 superintended by H. Dedman of 87 scholars. Annual con- 
 tribution for missions reported $4.10. 
 
 Sandy Run Church was once a member of the Bethel 
 Association, a body organized in 1879; but in 1800 she became 
 a constituent member of the Broad River Association, organ- 
 ized that year. According to the historian, Benedict, the 
 'Sandy Run church was constituted in the year 1788; which 
 is probably correct; although a later writer, Elder D. 
 Scruggs, gives 1772 as the proper date. If the latter date be 
 correct, there was probably some defect or informality in the 
 first presbyterial trial proceedings, as in the case of Buffalo 
 church; which was afterwards rectified in 1788. The church 
 is situated in what is now Cleveland county, formerly Ruth- 
 erford county N. C. a short distance south of the main public 
 road leading from Shelby to Rutherfordton. about ten miles 
 from Shelby, and in the suburbs of a little town by the name 
 of Mooresboro, about\one mile west of Sandy Run creek; 
 from which stream the church derived its name. Tradition, 
 (in the absence of published records) says the Broad River 
 Association was organized at this church; which is doubtless 
 true from other circumstances. 
 
 Elder Drury Dobbins, appears to have been the pastor 
 from 1803 to the year of his death, which occurred in 1847 
 — a pastorate of forty four years- — and during that long 
 period, it is said he scarcely ever failed to till his pulpit ac- 
 cording to his appointments. About the year 1842, an 
 attempt was made, (which to some extent succeeded) by a 
 "Primitive" minister, to draw off a portion of this church, , 
 with a view to" the organization of a church of the Primitive 
 order, a church of that kind was constituted in the vicinity 
 of Sandy Run, and several of the members joined, two of 
 
mo HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES; 
 
 ■ 
 
 whom were afterwards ordained ministers of that order. The 
 defection however, was not extensive and it is believed has- 
 about died out entirely. Some at this day allege that Elder 
 Drury Dobbius was a Primitive, but such do greatly err~ 
 The first deacons of this old church are not now certainly 
 known; brethren VVm. McKinney, David Beam and J. 
 Huckaby were certainly deacons in the days of yore; and 
 Daniel Gold was an old clerk. The Sandy Run church now 
 numbers 304 persons in fellowship; and has a Sunday school, 
 of seventy scholar, superintended by J. E. Green. Her last 
 years contributions to pastor, missions etc. (as reported) is put 
 at $19. The present corps of deacons are brethren W. B. 
 Stroud, J. H. Jones, M. D. Padgett, B. B. Harris, J. H. Beam,, 
 Robt. McBraver and W. B. Lovelace. Brother W,B. Love- 
 lace is the church clerk, Mooresboro N. C. Elder J. S. Ezell 
 since Elder D. Dobbin's death was pastor in 1848-49, Elder 
 T. Dixon in '50, Elder J„ S. Ezell in '51-2, T. Dixon till '54„ 
 Elder J. Suttle till '55, Elder G. W. Rollins till '66, Elder J. 
 i:S. Ezell till '69, Elder G. W. Rollins till '79, Elder T. Dixon 
 till '82. Elder A. A. McSwain was sent into the gospel 
 ministry by this church, who proves a faithful and useful- 
 laborer in the Lord's vineyard. 
 
 Shady Grove Church is situated in Gaston county N. C, 
 on the road leading from Cherryville station on the Carolina 
 Central railroad to Dallas; about three miles south easterly 
 from the said station. The following named persons having 
 been dismissed from Moun^ Zion church for the purpose of 
 organizing a new church affording more convenience in at- 
 tending public worship. I. P. Hicks, Mary Hick, Noah 
 Mauney, Catherine Mauney, John Neill, James Snead, M. 
 L. Hullett. M. L. Neill, Jacob Brilheardt, C. M. Crowder, 
 James Faris, Samuel Faris, R. B. Hicks, J. G. Taylor, 0. 
 Eaker, J. A. Hoyle, E. L. Faris, sfarah Brilheardt, Lydia 
 Stroup, Sarah Beam, P. C. McGiunas, M. E. Black, Sarah 
 Brown, Isabel Black, Anna Black, Cynthia Beam, M. A. 
 Crowder, Elizabeth Mauney, M. A. Hullett, E. C. Faris and 
 Elvira Mauney, were on November 25th 1881, constituted a 
 regular Baptist church to be known by the name and style of 
 Shady Grjve Baptist church. The presbytery officiating 
 consisting of Elders A. L. Stough, A. A. McSwain, A. C. 
 Irvin, and deacons from surrounding churches. Brother J. 
 A. Hoyle a constituent member, was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry June 16th 1882, and chosen pastor of 
 the church, and Noah Mauney, M. L. Hullett and James 
 Faris were ordained deacons to act with brother I. P. Hicks, 
 who was formerly a deacon of Mount Zion; and M. L. Hullett 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. ml 
 
 was chosen to act as church clerk, Cherryville X. C. This 
 church when admitted into the King's Mountain Association 
 reported a membership of forty one persons, and a Sunday 
 school of 11(3 scholars, superintended by S. R. W. Faris in 
 good working order. Annual contributions to pastor, mis- 
 sions etc. S14.10. 
 
 Shelby Church is situated in the North west square of 
 the town of Shelby, fronting LaFayette street on the east 
 side, on a lot of 100 by 200 feet. In the year 1816, a meet- 
 ing house was erected for public worship, and religious 
 services were conducted at various times by Elders D. Dob- 
 bins, J. M. Webb and others, until on the 19th day of June 
 1847 a presbytery was convened consisting of Elders Drury 
 Dobbins, J. M. Webb and several other ministers and dea- 
 cons from the surrounding churches, and 25 persons dis- 
 missed from other churches aiound, were constituted a regular 
 Baptist church of Christ, to be known by the name and 
 style of the Shelby Baptist Church. 
 
 Brethren William Roberts, J. R. Logan and David 
 Warlick were the first deacons, Dr. Thomas Williams, the 
 clerk of the church. Elder James M. Webb was chosen 
 pastor, and William Roberts and J. R. Logan appointed 
 delegates to represent the church in the Broad River Asso- 
 ciation, (which convened at Zoar, October 15th 1847.) and 
 ask for admission into that body, and the church was received 
 accordingly at that session. 
 
 The Shelby church has had several pastors, serving at 
 different times since her organization; Elder J. M. Webb in 
 1847-48-49, Elder M. C. Barnett in '50-51. After joining the 
 King's Mountain Association in 1856 she called to the pas- 
 torate Elder A. J. Cansler, in '57 Elder T. Dixon, in '58 the 
 church had no pastor, in '59 Elder T. Dixon was again pas- 
 tor and the church was dismissed from the King's Mountain 
 Association. She again joined the Broad River Association 
 in 1863 and remained until the session of '71, when she was 
 dismissed from said body to rejoin the King's Mountain; of 
 which body she is now an active progressive and worthy 
 member; having had Elders E. A. Crawly, T. R. Gaines, W. 
 Hill, M. C. Barnett, N. B. Cobb, and more recently, W. A. 
 Xelson, as her pastor; during which time the church has 
 been greatly revived and built up, her present membership 
 exceeding 200 persons. She has an evergreen Sabbath 
 school of 240 scholars well equipped and in good progressive 
 working order. 
 
 Most of all, this church is worthy of praise for the noble 
 efforts thev have made in behalf of Female Education, as 
 70 
 
602 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 manifested in the erection of the Shelby Female Seminary; 
 which stands out in bold relief not 'only as an honor to the 
 church, but to the Baptist denomination in the section of its 
 locality. 
 
 The church has a live corps of deacons consisting of W. 
 W, Green, L. H". Durham, Thos. D. Lattimore, J. S. Wray 
 and J. A. Parker. A. R. Eskridge clerk of the church, 
 Shelby N. C, and T. D. Lattimore treasurer. W. A.Nelson 
 D. D. is the present pastor of the church, who proves a host 
 within himself in point of administrative talent. Annual 
 contributions to pastor, missions, education etc. $1680.93. 
 
 * State Line Church (Whitaker) is located in Cleveland 
 county N. C. on the northside of the line dividing North 
 and South Carolina, and a few paces north of the Air Line 
 Railway, in the town of Whitaker, which is a little south of 
 the road leading from Shelby to Yorkville S. C. via. King's 
 Mountain Battle Ground, about ten miles southeasterly 
 from Shelby. 
 
 The King's Mountain church of recent organization, 
 near the Battle Ground, together with several members of 
 other churches around, finding this place more accessible 
 and convenient in other respects for the observance of public 
 worship, united together and on the 23rd of November 1878 
 was constituted a regular Baptist church to be known by the 
 name and style of the State Line Baptist church. The pres- 
 bytery officiating were Elders L. H, McSwain, A. A. Mc- 
 Swain, T. H. Mullinax together with the deacons of several 
 churches. At the session of the King's Mountain Associa- 
 tion in 1879 this church was admitted to membership in that 
 body. Elder L. H. McSwain was called to the pastorate and 
 continued until 1880; Elder G. P. Hamrick succeeded him 
 and is still pastor of the church. 
 
 This church when first organized had 62 members, and 
 now numbers 154; has a good house of worship, and an in- 
 teresting Sunday school of seventy scholars, superintended 
 by W. R. Turner. Her present corps of deacons are L. M. 
 Hardin, R. C. Gladden, Henderson Whisnant, W. H. Car- 
 roll, F. H. Bridges, B. F. Turner and E. B. McSwain, Bro. 
 Columbus Wilson is the church clerk, Whitaker, S. C. The 
 annual contributions to pastor, missions etc. reported $183. 
 The town is improving and the population increasing. Why 
 then should not the future prospects of the church be good ? 
 
 * Note. — The name of the church and town has been changed 
 to G rover. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 603 
 
 Wall's Church is situated in Rutherford county 1ST. C. 
 four miles southeasterly from Carson's Mills, near the Piney 
 Mountain road, and was formerly one of the Green River 
 churches; but joined the King's Mountain Association in 
 1855. This church was constituted by a presbytery consist- 
 ing of Elders M. Pannell, L.McCurrie,James Webb and Jas. 
 Crowder on the 21st day of September 1844 and after joining 
 King's Mountain Elder G. W. Rollins was chosen pastor 
 from 1856 to '59, Elder D. Pannell was pastor in '60, when 
 the church seceded and joined others in organizing the 
 "Constitutional Association;" which lived until 1866, and 
 the matters in dispute were settled by a convention of 
 churches that year. The church returned to the regular body 
 in 1867 and has remained a member ever since. Elder J. 
 H. Yorboro was her pastor in 1867, Elder Wm. McSwain 
 was chosen for '68 to '75, Elder R. Poston in '76 to '80, E1-. 
 der H. D. Harrill in '81 and '82. 
 
 The present corps of deacons are brethren Samuel 
 Bridges, C. B. Walker, J. P. Green, and B. Melton. John 
 AVomaek is the church clerk, Oak Springs N", C. The pres- 
 ent membership of Wall's is 128 persons; no report appears 
 of Sunday school or contributions to any object, but the 
 publication of minutes. The temperance and missionary 
 questions have heretofore met considerable opposition in 
 this church, which has doubtless retarded its progress some 
 what in the past. 
 
 Zion Church was one of the Broad River churches, situ- 
 ated in Cleveland countv 1ST. C. and is about six miles nearly 
 north from the town of Shelby; and a mile nearly west ot 
 Weather's mill on First Broad River. This church was con- 
 stituted on Saturday before the first Sunday in September 
 1816, by Elders Drury Dobbins and Berryman Hicks, to- 
 gether with deacons from the surrounding churches. Elder 
 Drury Dobbins was chosen pastor, and served until 1847 the 
 year of his death. 
 
 Brethren Samuel Bailev, Wm. Covington and David 
 Warlick were ordained the first deacons; and David Warlick 
 the church clerk. This church in 1851 was dismissed from 
 the Broad River Association and became a constituent mem- 
 ber of the King's Mountain body in its organization, and has 
 remained a member thereof ever since. When constituted 
 it had 30 members, and now has 167. When we take into 
 consideration the many souls that have passed through this 
 church to their eternal rewards, and the man} 7 others that 
 have been dismissed to ioin other churches, some in the far 
 
604 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 
 
 west while others have become constituents of new churches 
 at home, we can truly say that Zion has been a "nursing 
 mother," and answered well the purpose other organization. 
 Many will come from the North and from the South, from 
 the East and from the West and call her blessed, because of 
 the fostering care she has exercised over them. Since the 
 demise of Elder Drury Dobbins Zion has had several pastors. 
 Elder T, Dixon was in the pastorate until 1854, Elder R. 
 Poston until '56, when Elder A. J. Cansler was in '56, Elder 
 R. Poston was then pastor till y 66, Elder J. EL Yarboro till 
 '67, then Elder R. Posten again until '70, Elder L. C. Ezell 
 till '73, Elder J.'H. Yarboro a^ain till '75, Elder R. Posten 
 till '76, Elder A. C. Irvin till '80, Elder J, P, Styers till 1882. 
 
 The present corps of deacons are J. D. Weathers, A. J. 
 Irvin, Daniel Poston and A. G. Weathers. She has a Sunday 
 school superintended by S. L. Gillespie of 90 scholars, and of 
 much usefulness in framing the young. A. J. Irvin is clerk 
 of the church, Shelby, N. 0. 
 
 Zion is the foster mother of Elders R. Poston, J. Suttle 
 and A. (J. Irvin; who have proved worthy and useful minis- 
 ters ot the Kind's Mountain Association. 
 
 Annual contributions to pastor; missions eta $157.30. 
 
 Zoar Church is situated in Cleveland county, N. C, on 
 the public road leading from Shelby to Spartanburg, S. C, 
 about three miles southwesterly from Shelby, and about one 
 mile nearly east from Elliott's bridge on First Broad river. 
 
 In the year 1837 Elder James M. Thomas of the Moriah 
 Association preached several times at a stand erected for 
 public worship near the present Zoar meeting house with ap- 
 parent good success, whereupon, several brethren meeting 
 together resolved to build a house, and solicited the Buffalo 
 church to extend an arm to receive members with the view 
 to the constitution of a church of the Baptist faith and order. 
 The house was soon thereafter erected and several persons 
 received and baptized. 
 
 On the 7th of September 1838, a presbytery consisting 
 of Elders Drury Dobbins and E. M. Chaftin and the deacons 
 from the neighboring churches around was convened, and 
 Elder E. M. (Jhaffiri and wife Susan Chaffiin, James Love and 
 Susan Love, Elias Putman and Nancy Putman, Barnett Put- 
 man and Ursula Putman, J. R. Logan and Sarah P. Logan, 
 Francis Adams and Cynthia Adams, Jane Hogue, R. L. Dog- 
 gett, Esther Irvine, Win. McEntire, Elizabeth S. Alexander, 
 Roberts Putman and Susan Putman, Maria Wesson, Lucinda 
 Sanders, Jemima McEntire, A. J. McBrayer, Willis Putman 
 and Elizabeth Putman were constituted a regular Baptist 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHURCHES. 605 
 
 church of Christ to be known by the name as above stated. 
 Elder E. M. Chaffin was chosen pastor and brethren James 
 Love, J. R. Logan and Roberts Putman were ordained the 
 first deacons, and J. R. Logan clerk of the church. The fore- 
 going members were partly! from Buffalo, Zion and Antioch 
 churches. \ 
 
 This church was afterwards supplied at various times 
 by Elders T. K. Pursley, R, P. Logan, W. Hill, T. Dixon, J. 
 Suttle, B. Bonner, J. H. Yarboro, D. Hilliarcl, W. W. Gwyn, 
 G. M. Webb, J. A. White and probably others. 
 
 Although Zoar is a feeble church, she has enjoyed sev- 
 eral revivals and many precions souls have been saved through 
 her instrumentality. She numbers at present 93 members, 
 and has a Sabbath school of thirty members, superintended 
 by Miss Emily Iiogue to much profit. 
 
 Her present corps of deacons are P. D. Wilson, S. W. 
 Hughes, M. O. McEntire, Joseph Weaver, A. R. Henry and 
 A. R. Putman. S. W. Hughes, clerk of the church, Shelby, 
 N". C. Annual contributions to pastor, missions, etc'., not 
 reported. 
 
 THE ENL». 
 
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S™,° FNCAT CHAPEL HILL 
 
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