c> m W (6/fA. T.I B RAR.Y OF THE UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS B $6632% - -THE- -. LIFE AND LABORS OF- Founder of the Free Baptist Church in Southern Illinois ..../..... TOGETHER WITH PICTURES AND SKETCHES OF- One Hundred Other Free Baptists, Dead and Living BY- REV. GEO. A. GORDON, Campbell Hill, Illinois. J90J. (Copyrighted 1900 by REV. GEO. A. GORDON.) Yours truly, REV H. S GORDON. PREFACE. PREFACE. o- Fifty years ago Rev. H. S. Gor- don, familiarly known as "Uncle Henry," organized, near where Campbell Hill now stands, the Looney Springs Free Baptist Church, the first church of what is now known as the Central Illi- nois Yearly Meeting of Free Bap- tists. That this work was of God and has been blessed of Him is certainly evidenced by the results accomplished and the fruits borne. In fifty years this movement so small in its beginning has grown to considerable proportions till at present our yearly meeting is com- posed of five quarterly meetings, as follows : Looney Springs, Leba- non, Franklin Co., Wayne Co., and Makanda, with fifty-four ministers, fifty-six churches and four thou- sand members. The official organ of the Y. M. is the Illinois Free Baptist, edited and published by Rev. G. A. Gor- don at Campbell Hill, 111. Rev. H. S. Gordon died January loth, 1898, after watching the growth for forty-eight years of this vine that God through his in- strumentality had planted. While living his counsel and help was sought by his sons in the Gospel and ministry and never sought in vain. Since his departure from us we have asked many times how can we most fittingly honor him and com- memorate his life and deeds? The honor paid to kings and nobles, a marble shaft, would be insufficient, for that would appeal only to passers by. But desiring to do something that shall be more in keeping with the life of him whom we desire to honor, more far-reaching, uplift- ing, ennobling and God-honoring among men than shafts of brick or stone, we concluded to send forth this little volume containing the portrait, life and labors of "Uncle Henry" Gordon, written by his oldest son, who for 32 years stood side by side with him in the sacred desk. And also of a few at least of the many who have been helped either directly or indirectly into a "life hid with Christ in God." Praying that this book may be a God's blessing to us and a fitting tribute to him we lovingly dedicate it to the memory of our beloved and sainted brother, Rev. Henry Smith Gordon. And if this prayer be answered this volume will be an honor to Christ for He said. "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye did it unto me." REV A. J. RENDLEMAN. INTRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION. Of making books there is no end, (nor need there be,) and much study is a weariness of the flesh. This volume need not be- come wearisome since it eschews all controverted subjects, deals not in theological abstractions, phili- sophical deductions, nor ethical science, but is to give a brief history of the life and labors of Rev. H. S. Gordon, and a few of the men and "women who have labored in the Gospel with us." In- stead of weariness then it will no doubt be "to those of like precious faith" a source of spiritual strength and helpfulness. It is difficult for those of one generation to grasp clearly the conditions that prevailed in a form- er, and the material changes are in some respects no more marked than the mental, moral, spiritual and social, especially is this true in a country where primitive condi- tions prevail. Some things, however, remain forever unchanged, as for instance, the old-fashioned hope of immor- tality, and the energy with which certain men push forward into the rank of world's Messiahs, willing, yea anxious to be smitten by the hand of ecclesiastical bigotry, crowned with the obloquy of the unthinking, who fail to sense the force of a principle, nailed to the cross of public censure, and laid in the tomb of official displeasure, from which invariably they rise in the triumph of after judgment, and the approval of a redeemed peo- ple. The above statement is made in general terms without special ap- plication to the subject of this me- morial book. I leave the reader to judge how nearly our quiet, un- assuming, scholarly leader came to placing himself in that illustrious rank. Your temple of fame is full of niches and you may place him where your own judgment directs. In the beautiful tribute of Oliver Goldsmith to his father, in "The Village Preacher," there are some passages that might have been written for Bro. Gordon. "A man he was to all the country dear, ****** Unpracticed he to fawn or seek for power, By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour. But in his duty prompt at every call, He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all. ****** At church with meek and unaf- fected grace, INTRODUCTION. His look adorned the venerable place, Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools who came to scoff re- mained to pray." This book is created to fill no "long felt want," nor is it born of sheer necessity, but unlike some of life's luxuries is in reach of all ; we send it to you in proud confidence that it will create its own place in your life and in the world. It will lie on your table in silence and not complain, or it will speak to you oft if desired ; it is our trib- ute to our absent friend and father who "being absent yet speaketh." For one I shall welcome this book, and give one or more vol- umes a place in my library, and then in after years if "I shall live to be the last leaf on the tree/' it will come as a friend of former years and, "Sweet memory wafted by thy gen- tle gale, To view the fairy haunts of long lost hours, Oft up the stream of time I turn Blest with far greener shades, far lovelier flowers." REV. J. L. MEADS. OPEN COMMUNION. OPEN COMMUNION. There has been a growing senti- ment in the Baptist Church in fa- vor of free or open communion for perhaps a hundred years, but that was not the difficulty with which Benj. Randall had to contend. In the year 1780 he was called to order by his brethren for not preaching the doctrines of John Calvin, he had considered these doctrines but little as they had not been in dispute in the community. He was now called upon three or four times to answer for "his er- rors." And on one occasion the debate lasted two days, on the last day of the meeting, the leading ministers made public declaration of non-fellowship with Randall's principles, to which he replied that it made no difference to him so long as he knew that the Lord owned him. Thus -without seek- ing it Randall was driven either to stand by himself or to accept doc- trines the odious sentiments of which he did not believe. With his characteristic firmness he stood alone. Thus we see Randall was disowned by the Baptist Church because he preached "free will" and "free grace," two very promi- nent doctrines in the larger Bap- tist Church today. The Lord's Supper was not a question of dis- putation at this time, and not for three years after the first organiza- tion by Randall of the Free Bap- tist Church, but when it did come up for settlement they decided to make Christian character the test for admission to the Lord's table. In 1850, Rev. H. S. Gordon, an earnest consecrated minister of the Baptist Church, preaching under the direction of the Association to which he belonged, as their mis- sionary, with a heart warm with love for souls, was preaching "free grace" and "free will," and was studying more earnestly the great question of how to lead souls to accept Christ, than the doctrinal dogmas of his church. And God was blessing his labors and as a result souls were being saved and churches organized, and among the number organized was Looney Springs (now Campbell Hill), to which he was called as pastor, and at their first communion service the church members asked that any of their neighbors who were accustomed to worship with them, might have the privilege of com- muning with them. He was not committed to the idea himself, but knowing one of the cardinal doctrines of the Baptist Church to be, that each individual church has the entire control of its affairs without interference on the part OPEN COMMUNION. of any external power, so he acted as their servant and gave the invi- tation as they required. And for this he was called to account by his brethren, and charged with heresy. This very serious charge brought about a very earnest investigation upon his part for the grounds for such charge, and as a result, he de- cided that the action of himself and his church was entirely scriptural; and thus he was driven to take a stand that caused him to be dis- owned by his brethren. So we see him confronting the same diffi- culties on the communion question that Benj. Randall did on the doc- trines of Calvinism. Today almost the entire Chris- tian world, including the denomin- ation from which Randall was ex- cluded, teach the same doctrine on the atonement and its provisions that he taught. And Bro. Gordon lived to see a church in Southern Illinois num- bering four or five thousand, hold- ing the same doctrines which he held, and that, too, as a result of his w r ork and teaching, and also to see a growing sentiment in favor of scriptural communion among the leading ministers of the Baptist Church. And it is only a question of a few more years of earnest evan- gelical preaching and Bible study in the light of true spiritual ad- vancement until the entire Baptist Church will teach and practice in the main what Bro. Gordon taught as they are now doing in regard to the teaching of Randall. REV. T. O. McMiNN. 10 LIFE AND LABORS OF "GORDON. 1 The first Gordon of whom there is a distinct race is Richard of Gordon, who was Lord of the Bar- ony of Gordon in the Merse be- tween 1150 and 1160. Alicia IV of the Gordon family married her cousin, Adam Gordon. Their grandson, Sir Adam, was the an- cestor of all the Gordons of Scot- land, says Douglas. Robert ist gave to him a charter to the lands of Strathbogie (or Huntley). Sir Adam Gordon, in descent tenth of Gordon and Huntley, was killed at the battle of Homildon in 1402, leaving only a daughter, who mar- ried a Seton. Their eldest son, Alexander, assumed the name of Gordon, and in 1449 was created Earl of Huntley. The line of Hunt- leys and Gordon was warlike in- deed. The fighting force of the Clan estimated at 1,000 claymores in 1715. The Earls of Aberdeen, so created in 1682, are descended from Patrick Gordon of Methlic, cousin of the Earl of Huntlev. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 11 THE; OLD FARM HOMESTEAD NEAR PERCY, ILL. Where he settled in 18.S7 and raised a family of 10 children, 9 boys and 1 girl, with but one death in the family for 50 years. This building was erected in 1863, and still stands. Around it was a large farm of about 400 acres. 12 LIFE AND LABORS OF THE REV. HENRY S. GORDON MEMORIAL BOOK. Rev. Henry Smith Gordon was born in Franklin Co., Pa., June 1 9th, 1816, and was the oldest child of Geo. and Nancy Gordon, who were both descendants of the old Scotch stock or family of Gordons, many of whom figured conspicu- ously among the Highlanders of Scotland, and were one of the lead- ing clans, some of whom were quite warlike and held enviable po- sitions of rank for manv centuries back in the history of the Scotch people. The family from which the subject of this sketch immedi- ately descended emigrated to this country from Scotland in 1697, and his great grandfather was born upon the Atlantic Ocean dur- ing the voyage to this country. This particular branch of the Gor- don family is known on this side of the Atlantic as the Cumberland Valley Gordons, being very num- erous in Pennsylvania and Mary- land. When but a child he came west with his parents, crossing the Mis- sissippi river at St. Louis before they had any ferry boats, but took the wheels off their wagon and took the horses and wagon across separately in a flat boat, making a dozen trips perhaps with a skiff and flat boat to get the outfit across. His grandfather's name was also George, and he had gone to Missouri about 1800, long before it was admitted as a state, and be- cause of some complicity in the rightful ownership of a number of negroes in which his wife held first claim, he was foully murdered one morning on his own door steps by some one in ambush across the road from the house. The accused was the first person ever hanged in Missouri, and in St. Louis, un- der law, and that was territorial law, in which the oldest son had the reprieving power, but his son, George, then a lad 14 years old, re- fused to commute the sentence, and the village of St. Louis wit- nessed the first legal hanging. George then went back to Penn- sylvania, grew to manhood, mar- ried and had three 'children, the oldest of whom was Henry, the subject of this sketch, and with his little family was wending his wax- back to his early home in Missouri. \Yhen St. Louis was yet but a little French village with not a hundred tiny dwellings, I have heard his wife tell how she felt when she with the three little chil- dren were set across the river and REV. HENRY S. GORDON 13 SgQ a-S^'n iPI 5lsa 381 5 . B 58K D 4) I- |g o1*i 4J ni .25-3 14 LIFE AND LABORS OF the skiff had gone back for an- other load, how the Indians came to the bank and looked down upon her and the children with their blankets wrapped about them, and paint on their faces ; before the perpendicular bluffs had been cut away, and only one narrow cut in the bank to provide a means of exit. The family located back of St. Louis about 16 miles on the Meramec river, where his father built and operated for many years a grist mill and carding factory. Here he grew to manhood, learn- ing habits of industry and frugal- ity. He became in time a practical miller, an engineer, and acquired some education. At the age of 19 he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Young, in 1835, at which time his father gave him 100 acres of land and he began to improve it, but finding this a very slow and uphill busi- ness he sold his land for $1,200 and removed to Southern Illinois in the year 1837, locating on wild prairie land in Short's Prairie, one and a half miles east of George- town, (now Steelesville), in Ran- dolph county. At this early day there were a great many difficulties to encounter and discouragements to face, and among other things he lost his first born, a little two year old girl. Another soon took her place, however, and following this, three boys gladdened the home, the oldest of whom was born in 1842, while he was attending Shurtleff Theological College at Alton, 111. The daughter's name was Mary, and the boys' George, Henry and Parker. And in 1848, death came and took his wife away, which was a sore affliction, and brought an increase of cares and responsibilities, so he man- aged to get along for a time, car- ing for a part of his little family at home while some went to live with their grand parents. The youngest was taken by a brother- in-law, Capt. Senica Parker and wife, who became so attached to the child that they kept and raised him. And on November 6th, 1849, he was again married, this time to a Mrs. Nancy Hill, of Centerville. 111., who had one son ; and to this marriage was born five sons, Abram G., Noel R., Charles S., Edward B., and Ora C. ; these with the step-son, Wm. S. Hill, made a family of ten children, all of whom they raised to man and woman- hood, and all were married and had homes, and for fifty years there was not a death in the family (ex- cept the second son, Henry, who died in 1893), from the death of his wife in 1848 to his own death in 1898. He continued to live on and improve his farm, but failing health compelled him in 1852 to make the long and tedious trip across the plains to California. That year was one of the years when so many people were afflicted with gold fever, and crossed the plains in all kinds of trains in REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 15 search of wealth. Some with horses, some with oxen, but he se- lected the unique and unusual, a team of milk cows, thus providing themselves with means of subsist- ence as well as transportation. I can remember well when they yok- ed the cows together and began to break them in to work. Thus equipped he took with him two neighbors, Westly Higgerson and Noah Guymon, and for over six months they trudged along over that long and tiresome journey. Higgerson was a partner, but Guy- mon worked his passage by driv- ing grazing and watching the team of nights. Six months later found them all in California, and with health much improved. After spending a few months he re- turned by vessel by way of Panama route, only to be taken at New Or- leans with a fever, which resulted in bringing on dyspepsia again, and thus returned to his family after a year's absence almost as sorely af- flicted as when he went away. He renewed his efforts and labors on the farm, but in 1855 was com- pelled again to give it up, and re- moved this time to O'Fallon. in St. Clair Co., 111., and embarked in the mercantile business in a small way, being the first person to start any kind of business in the place, now grown to be quite a city. The B. & O. Southwestern, then called the "Ohio & Mississip- pi R. R.," had just been built, and we were there when the third rail was laid changing it from a broad gauge to a compromise gauge. This business he continued for about one year. Health growing better he again returned to the farm, and it being rented for a longer period the man would not give it up, so he built another house on another part of land and enlarged his farm until it was now about 400 acres. Here he contin- ued to live and raised his large family, giving them all a fair edu- cation, sending three of them off to college, making of them a preacher, a lawyer and a doctor, and in 1885, being advanced in years, he left the old farm and moved to Campbell Hill, 111., his family having all married and he and his wife lived alone there for about seven years. Selling this property they went to Percy, 111., near the old homestead, and built them a house where they lived comfortably to the date of his death, at the advanced age of al- most 82 vears. CHAPTER II. I have no exact data to guide me, as to the time of his conver- sion and entering the ministry, as he kept no diary or memorandum of his work ; always had the strongest aversion to anything like egotism or self-praise, or of what he had done, and thus no record is left as to dates and work accom- plished. LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. H. S. GORDON. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 17 But about the year 1837 he united with the Baptist church at Georgetown, 111,, sometimes called Steele's Mills, and Steelesville, in honor of old Uncle Geo. Steele, who was the founder of the town and owned and operated a large grist mill driven by wild cattle or horses on an old-fashioned incline wheel. And shortly after, the church passed a resolution asking Bro. Gordon to exercise his gift in the way of public speaking. This he did, and shortly thereafter he was ordained to the Gospel minis- try by the usual forms of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church. He soon realized, however, that his education was not adequate to this very important undertaking, and there being no facilities or ad- vantages convenient at hand, he arranged to take his family, being a wife and one child, at that time with him to Alton, 111., and in 1841 he entered the theological de- partment of Shurtleff College. Here he remained for about two years, working nights and morn- ings and Saturdays for his board and his wife's at the very desirable occupation of chopping cord wood and splitting rails, and as troubles never come singly, it was at this time that the first boy came to their home. When he had finished school he moved back again and took up his work already begun, and for the first eight years he preached all over Southern Illinois, became quite popular, as he was a very able preacher; organized churches and made himself gener- ally useful. In fact he was the only college man in the Associa- tion, and was employed by the As- sociation in the capacity of a mis- sionary to preach throughout the bounds of the Association and or- ganize churches, the parent society at New York to pay one-half of his salary, which was to be $400 per year. He had entered upon this work, meeting with fair suc- cess. The reader will bear in mind that the first ten or twelve years of his ministry was given to the Missionary Baptist Church, and the church to which he belonged was a member of the Nine Mile Asssociation. On April 28th, 1850, in the prosecution of his work as mission- ary he organized a church at Looney Springs (now Campbell Hill), in Jackson county, 111., with nine members as follows : John McLaughlin, John Burlison (still living), Mary Henry, Sarah White, Serena Bradley, Mary White, Nancy Petty, Jane Burlison and Susan Harrison, all of whom so far as they understood endorsed the doctrines of the Missionary Baptist Church. It was announc- ed that at the next meeting the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper would be administered, which in the meantime was discussed in the neighborhood by the members of the new church as well as others, and there was quite a general feel- 18 LIFE AND LABORS OF ing among the members (for churches were very scattering in Illinois at this time) that their Methodist and Presbyterian neighbors, of which there was two or three in the vicinity, might com- mune with them. This was said by some to be contrary to the us- ages of the Baptist Church, and it was agreed among themselves to leave the whole matter to their new pastor, Bro. Gordon, when he came, for their meetings were held monthly. However, the agitation was continued with much earnest- ness until the time came and he ar- rived, and they presented the mat- ter to him privately, one by one. And now the great and important question must be met somehow. These people are right and my Church is wrong on this vital ques- tion, and in his own words : "I yielded to their entreaties and gave my consent, although I had never publicly advocated free commun- ion in my life," but their claim was just and their cause scriptural, "so I yielded my acquired denomina- tional prejudices." And after preaching, I invited the members forward to the front seats. "Also if there are any persons of our 'faith and order' you will come forward and be seated with us." A few came who were members of the Georgetown church. Now said he, "I have extended the in- vitation as far as my denomination allows me; does this church wish it extended farther? All who do please stand to your feet." And the church all stood. Now said he, "I invite all believers present to a seat with us at the Lord's table," which offence in the eyes of Close Com- munion Baptist was so heretical that he had hardly got back home from his appointment until charges were preferred against him and he was called to appear before his church and give an account for this departure from Baptist usages, for which offence he was excluded from his church for in the lan- guage of the Moderator "damna- ble heresy." That this history may be com- plete, and set forth all the facts connected with the trial and ex- clusion of Rev. Henry S. Gordon from the Missionary Baptist Church at Georgetown (now Steelesville) I will give the report of the committee in full, as fol- lows : Trial and Exclusion of Rev. H. S. Gordon from the Baptist Church at Georgetown, Randolph Co., 111. : We whose names are hereunto assigned, being a committee ap- pointed by the newly organized Baptist Church at Georgetown, Randolph county, Illinois, to pre- pare and publish an account of the trial and exclusion of Rev. H. S. Gordon from the old Baptist Church of that place, make the fol- lowing as our report in compliance of their request. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 19 At a meeting of the Baptist Church December i/th, 1850, Rev. T. Rawson enquired of the Church to know whether the conduct of some of the members of this church in communing with the Looney Springs church was a public offence or not. In order that Church might fully under- stand the motion Bro. Gordon made the following explanation : The Looney Springs church, said he, which I assisted in con- stituting in April last with 9 mem- bers, and selected me as pastor is in a prosperous condition and numbers now between 50 and 60 members. The last meeting was a sacramental occasion. The breth- ren and sisters were requested to come and take their seats, the in- vitation was then given to visiting members of the Baptist denomina- tion ; among others that accepted this invitation were several mem- bers of the Georgetown church. Now, said he, I have extended the invitation as far as our denomina- tion is in the habit of extending, but do you wish to extend it any further? I submit the matter with you. All who wish to extend it to all Christians please rise up. The church unanimously rose ; all Christians were then invited to come and partake with them. Sev- eral came. After this explanation of the matter they resolved to investigate the subject at its next meeting, and that a council of ministers of the denomination be invited to attend, whereupon Elders Peck, Boykin, Peters, Lemon, Arnett, Phillips and Hale were invited. January 18, 1851, Church met agreeable to appointment, P. Heg- lar, Moderator. On motion the subject was taken up for investiga- tion, but instead of investigating it the Church was formed into a regular court to try the said Gor- don and others for being "public offenders." Mr. Rawson then pro- ceeded to read several letters, one from D. L. Phillips, also some ar- ticles from the Western Watch- man, one written by Peck and an- other by Boykin, in answer to the invitation sent them by the Church. The defendants then enquired to know whether these letters were to be taken as evidence in this case, and were answered in the affirma- tive. These letters set forth Baptist principles and Baptist usages, says the Church, therefore they are to be taken as evidence. The de- fendants then urged that they should be tried by the Bible and not by usages ; if our conduct has been contrary to the Bible, we will acknowledge and forsake it, but try us by the Bible ; the Bible the Bible alone, and not by usages. But they urged in vain. The Bible was not to be the rule in this case. Every church has a right to make its own laws, said Arnett. Gordon then urged the impropri- ety of making usages the rule of our conduct, and mentioned sev- 20 LIFE AND LABORS OF eral historical facts as illustrations of what usages had been, and that there had been usages, and many of them had been wrong. He had not proceeded far before some of the brethren became exceedingly restless, and began to mutter and talk. At length their indignation rose so high that they could not re- strain their feelings any longer, and springing from their seats, brethren * * * in a tone of perfect rage, cried out : Put him out ! Turn him out ! He is not of us ! Turn him out ! We are not going to be abus- ed in our own house in this way. Put him out ! And the defendant was not allowed to proceed any further. Bro. Arnett was then called on to give his opinion in this matter. He arose and gave a very sympathetic exhortation to those who had violated Baptist usages, but charged all the sin on Bro. Gordon. He had no doubt if it was to do over again, these mem- bers would not do so any more; exhorted Bro. Gordon to be an ex- ample to the flock and adhere to those customs of the Church which had been long in use, telling him that Methodists and Presbyterians, &c., would not come if he did in- vite them ; that they were all close communionists, and that he would lose his reputation if he would have such notions ; that the ministers of the South District As- sociation always thought a great deal of him, but now abandon him, and that his course would hurt his brothers' feelings ; that he himself had always been a great friend of his and had taken him in one cold night, and treated him kindly, and concluded by urging him to ac- knowledge his fault, to all of which Gordon made a short reply. Elder Hale then rose to speak in behalf of those who were charged, but was refused to be heard in their favor, but they urged that he had a right to speak, for the Church had invited him there. The Mod- erator then decided that he should only give his opinions on the sub- ject, and the defendants were not allowed to have any council what- ever. After a great many ques- tions by various brethren by way of cross-examination, a motion was made to adjourn, but the de- fendants objected, unless the Church would agree to meet again. We don't want the matter to stop in this manner, said they. The defendants are charged with making this difficulty ; if they will just let us alone, said the Modera- tor. Bro. Gordon then arose and asked the congregation who made this difficulty? and if there was a single person in the house who had ever heard him preach or teach the doctrine of free communion. No one said they had. Well, if we have never preached nor talked about it, why does the Moderator ask us to a let them alone?" Now, said he, I do for the first time publicly avow it. I do believe all Christians should commune to- REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 21 gether. Then asked time to give some reasons why he believed so. Ten minutes were then allowed him, when he stated some eight or ten objections to restricted com- munion. On motion the question was then put to the Church to say whether these persons had violated Baptist usages, and it was decided they had. After this decision was made it was unanimously agreed that those sisters should be excus- ed on the score of ignorance ! but Bro. Gordon knew better; there- fore he should make his acknowl- edgements. He replied that he was not convinced that he had done wrong, therefore he could not make any acknowledgment until he was convinced of his er- ror from the Bible. More than that, no acknowledgment could be satisfactory to the Church, be- cause a very respectable part of it thought he had done right. Af- ter much confusion and evidently angry feelings among the accusers themselves, they finally succeeded in forming the following resolu- tion : Resolved, that H. S. Gordon be excluded from the fellowship of this Church. It being suggested by some one that if these other parties were excused they would now be al- lowed to vote in this case ; but that privilege was refused them, and they were not allowed their vote, although they were exonerated from all charge. The question was then put and carried by a small majority, and the said Gor- don was excluded from the Church. The Moderator then re- marked by way of sympathy that he had no doubt but those persons were good Christians, but they were not good Baptists, and the meeting adjourned. R. A. BRADLEY, J. A. BRADLEY, E. T. REESE, THOS. MARTIN, DR. JOB LAWRENCE, Committee. The following was printed on the back of the sheet containing the above account of the trial : In view of the above facts, the unreasonableness of the charge, and the base injustice that was done the man, a great part of the Church became greatly dissatis- fied, and the following notice was read on the following Sabbath in the meeting house : In view of present circumstances it has been thought proper that a meeting be held in this place at one o'clock next Saturday for the purpose of taking into considera- tion the propriety of forming a new church. The old house was refused them, and on Saturday, February i, 1851, one o'clock, the congre- gation assembled at the residence of Deacon Jno. T. Short. The meeting was called to order by ap- pointing R. A. Bradley, Esq., 22 AND LABORS OF chairman, and ' Jno. McLaughlin secretary. After prayer by H. S. Gordon, the chair explained the object of the meeting. The meet- ing being properly organized, pro- ceeded to discuss the propriety of a new church organization. The brethren and friends conversed freely on the subject, and the meeting was addressed by Rev. H. S. Gordon, Dr. Job Lawrence, Rev. Jno. Mathews and M. E. Lof- ton, Esq. After the subject had been freely discussed for some time, Bro. Gordon offered the form of a constitution for the fur- ther consideration of the meeting. After sufficient deliberation it was proposed that all who wished to form a new organization and adopt such a constitution should come forward and take their seats, whereupon twenty-five presented themselves all members of the Baptist church at that place and organized themselves into a church, adopting the following covenant and constitution : We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being personally ac- quainted and having confidence in each other's piety, agree to asso- ciate ourselves together in church relationship for the purpose of each other's mutual benefit, to watch over each other in the spirit of Christian kindness, to pray with and for each other, and in all pru- dent manner seek each other's present and eternal good. Agree to adopt the following as our con- stitution : Article i. We wish to be called the Baptist Church of Christ. Art. 2. We agree to take the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the all-sufficient rule of our faith and practice. Art. 3. We understand the Scriptures to teach the sovereign- ity of God the accountability of man the divinity of Christ the influence of the Spirit the resur- rection of the dead the final judg- ment the everlasting happiness of the righteous, and the misery of the wicked. Art. 4. We understand the Scriptures to teach the necessity of repentance for sins, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ; the all import- ance of humble devout prayer to God; salvation through the merits of Jesus Christ alone, and free for all who would embrace it. Art. 5. We view Baptism as an indispensable duty that all believ- ers in Christ should perform, and that immersion is the proper mode of receiving it. Art. 6. We believe it to be our duty to invite all Christians to par- take with us in communion at the Lord's table, and to exercise Christian charity to all mankind. Art. 7. We further believe it to be our duty to extend the preached Gospel to the destitute as far as in our power lies. Art. 8. We also believe it to be our duty to live peaceably with all men, as far as possible, and keep a conscience void of offence to- ward God and man. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 23 Art. 9. This constitution may be altered or amended at any regu- lar meeting of the Church; pro- vided notice has been given at a preceding meeting, and two-thirds of the members present are in fa- vor of the alteration. Thus you will observe how God providentially seems to have led in this whole matter, whereby Bro. Gordon became the leader and founder of a body of Christians in Southern Illinois, without any sel- fish interest, ambition or motive prompting, only to be true to his convictions. There were now two churches, and shortlv after he organized Pipestone, at what is now called Denmark ; also another near Rockwood, still called Pleasant Ridge. These four he organized into an association in 1851 and named it the Southern Illinois As- sociation of Free Communion Baptists. Under his ministry these churches grew very rapidly, and the new church at Georgetown had built a new house within the first three months and had increased its membership to 60. His preach- ing was pungent and powerful and at every service persons were add- ed to the Church, and baptisms oc- curred every month. Bro. Gordon's ability as a preacher, his remarkable vocabu- lary, fine use of language, native oratory, great earnestness, and natural adaptability to the work- to which he had been so unexpect- edly called, admirably fitted him to become the leader of a more advanced and liberal view of Chris- tianity at a time in the history of the Baptist Church when it was anything but popular. But it was not popularity he was seeking af- ter. Although the people came by thousands to hear him preach, and every service witnessed conver- sions frequently by the score, and every monthly meeting baptisms. With this terrible pressure he continued to go from place to place, everywhere preaching the Gospel. I would not be saying too much, no, not enough, if I should say that he had done more to create a moral and religious sentiment in the towns of Percy and Campbell Hill, where he had preached and lived, than any other dozen men in the community. In the home he was very social, fond of company and enjoyed a joke, sometimes quite facetious. I asked him to tell me something of his early life, and his reply was, "There was nothing remarkable about my early life except my ex- treme awkwardness." Free Will, Free Grace, and Free Communion, became the theme on every tongue, and calls to preach elsewhere multiplied upon him, and the work broadened and en- larged until it had reached over several counties. He organized a church at Ava, then called Head- 24 LIFE AND LABORS OF quarters. Camp Creek, Sato, De Soto, several across Muddy river and eastward into Franklin and Hamilton counties. The apostle of a new doctrine, and success crowned his efforts and the enor- mity of the work began to dawn upon him and how God was mys- teriously impelling him forward not only as the founder but leader in this very popular movement, and bringing to his assistance such men as Hon. R. A. Bradley and Judge Wm. Bradley, who were both brought into the church and the ministry under his preaching. He began to cast about him for somebody who held to and believ- ed the Bible as he did, and hear- ing of a people in Indiana who preached and practiced baptism by immersion and free communion, resolved to go and see for himself what there might be. And so in the fall of 1854 he associated with himself Rev. Wm. Bradley and Deacon John T. Short, and equipped with wagon and team, blankets and some provisions, cof- fee pot and fry pan, started out on what in that day was a long and tedious journey (for there was not a railroad in Southern Illinois at that time), to attend a meeting of the Liberty Association of General Baptists, and there he met their founder, Rev. Benoni Stinson, learned from whence they came, who and what they were, their doctrines, &c., which visit resulted in a fraternal and reciprocal cor- respondence which was continued for many years. Finding them one in doctrine and church gov- ernment, two years later he with his people adopted the name "Gen- eral Baptist," which name they bore for about twenty years. Father Gordon was truly a re- former, and took advanced stands upon all the moral questions of the day, a very pronounced temper- ance man, 30 years before the Murphy movement began, and a strong advocate for legal prohibi- tion, he voted as he preached, and from 1880, when Neal Dow ran for President on the Prohibition ticket to the date of his death he voted the Prohibition ticket straight. All questions that came to him received careful considera- tion. A profound thinker, a care- ful and logical reasoner, a safe councilor, a philanthropist, and the true friend of humanity. There was a sternness of character and determination of purpose in him that was equaled only by his gen- tleness and kind heartedness. So- lemnity rested upon him as a man- tle when he approached the mercy seat, and when he communed with God he talked as man to man. A friend to education, his voice was always heard in behalf of our public school system, having given some time to the school room, the ferule and the recitation class himself. He still continued to preach and organize churches and to enlarge his field of usefulness. He went REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 25 through heat and cold, through dust and mud, crossed swollen streams and traversed trailless ways to reach his appointments ; travel- ed more miles, preached more ser- mons and baptized and received into membership more persons than any Baptist minister of his day. His life work was an illus- tration of the possible strain and endurance of the human body, and with all his manifold duties and labors, the oversight and care of the churches he never for a mo- ment lost sight of home responsi- bilities, the care of a large family and the cultivation of a large farm, all of which under God's blessing enlarged and prospered. Aside from doctrinal sermons his preaching was of a peculiar type, his favorite themes being "Love," "The Angels," and "Heaven," and his descriptions of the New Jerusalem, or his celestial flights among the angels, or his dissertations upon the "Love of God," were not only a pleasure and delight to hear, but an inspir- ation to any one ambitious to preach or hear the good news of the Kingdom. He was not made up of idiosyn- crasies, nor attracted the people by his eccentricities, nor was he unlike common humanity in the main, but there was one thing he did not like, and that was chicken. Returning one Monday morning from his appointment, as the day began to wear away he thought he would stop at the house of an old friend and get some dinner. Dismounting he hitched his mare at the gate and went in. After the usual salutation he told his busi- ness, and presently he saw two of the girls after a chicken. He sauntered leisurely down to the gate and mounting his old black filley he rode away. Here we have one case at least on record of a preacher who did not like chicken. He possessed a very keen sense of honor, and held truth in very high esteem, fond of flowers, music and poetry, especially did he admire Milton, Pollock and Young, and in his preaching quot- ed very largely from the poets. I remember hearing him tell of a vain search for his poet's name, how he forgot what the poet said, and so had to inform his audience that he had "forgotten the poet's name and what he said." Soon af- ter his return from college he was honored with having a minister of considerable ability to hear him preach. After the service the minister approached him with, "I was much refreshed under your preaching." Indeed? "Yes; I had a real good nap." He enjoyed a joke, especially if it was on him- self. For many years he had associ- ated with him Rev. Wm. Bradley. They had grown to be very fast friends. In the troublesome times of the Civil War, when the nation was shook from center to cir- 26 LIFE AND LABORS OF cumference, and men were wild with excitement, and war's terri- bly demoralizing influence was af- fecting the social fabric in every department, they went everywhere preaching the Word, and amidst the excitement and strife, such as this country never felt before or since, he went straight forward with the Master's business. The doctrine of open commun- ion among Baptists in the West was an unknown factor in relig- ious circles anterior to 1850, and it took a fearless and courageous man to declare for it. Perhaps it required as much firmness to es- pouse the Free Communion ques- tion in 1850 as it did in the days of Randall to launch out against the Baptists and Congregational- ists on the doctrine of Calvinism, the freedom of the will. Of course he incurred the displeasure of the Close Baptists. While today it is rare to find a Missionary Baptist church in any of our cities exclud- ing any Christian from the Lord's table, but simply set the table and say nothing about it, let come to the table who may, doing virtually the very same thing for which they excluded him from their fellow- ship. He lived in advance of his age, not only on the communion question, but many other ques- tions. This, however, was the pivotal point then. This was the question of all others, and devel- opments in the past few years has proven him more farsighted than thev all. He and his followers were quite frequently dubbed "Freewillers," "Free Communionists," "The "Freewills," &c., in derision, of course, but in time they "benevo- lently assimilated" the first part of the name and since 1876 have been known as Free Baptists, hav- ing in that year been connected with the larger body of Baptists in the East, holding identically the same views on Free Grace, Free Will, Free Salvation and Free Communion. It is a matter of some regret that no memoranda was kept of his travels, churches organized, sermons preached, number of mar- riages solemnized, persons bap- tized, &c., by which an adequate idea of his indefatigable labors might be set in order, giving facts and dates, that it might be an in- centive to others to emulate his busy, active life. But 'tis enough to say that for 60 years he never faltered, nor hesitated but went where duty called. The last few years of life he did not take much regular work, but did continue to preach to the end, preached the funeral of Aunt Mary Under- wood, one of his oldest members, only about two weeks before he died, and these last years when he could not go out of nights or bad weather, he took great delight in working in the Sunday school each Sabbath morning. The night he died he spent about an hour ex- plaining to two of the teachers the REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 27 quite obscure lesson of January 9th, 1898, of the "Temptation of Jesus," as recorded in Matthew, fourth chapter and i-n verses, where he was "led of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil," and when "he was a hungered," and "the pinnacle of the temple," and the "exceeding high mountain," they both re- marked how clear his brain and how beautifully he set forth this rather difficult and perplexing scripture^ In spite of almost 82 years, his mind seemed to have lost none if its former vigor, nor his tongue to speak in that remark- ably wide vocabulary that to him was a special gift, but few men are endowed with so broad a range of words or gifted in choosing just the right ones in the right place. This accounted largely for his abil- ity as an orator. He could hold an audience spell-bound for hours. The sixteenth annual meeting of the Southern Illinois Association of General Baptists was held with Mount Olivet church in Hamilton Co., in October, 1866. Bro. Gor- don preached the introductory sermon, "and on motion, Rev. J. S. Brown, of the Union Baptist Church, of near Lebanon, 111., be- ing present, was invited to sit with us in council ; also the correspond- ence to be reciprocated. Rev. H. S. Gordon was chosen to visit the above church." I was clerk of that meeting, and remember quite well when those two brethren met at that time, both having been ex- cluded from the Baptist church be- cause of the communion question ; how they fell upon each other's necks and wept. This visit re- sulted in bringing their three churches into the Association. In 1869 the annual meeting was held at Georgetown, (now Steelesville,) and the Association had grown so large and unwieldy, embracing Randolph, Franklin, Jackson, Saline, Williamson, Hamilton, Washington, St. Clair and Perry counties, that upon a motion by Rev. Wm. Carlyle "that the ter- ritory be divided and all the churches east of the Illinois Cen- tral railroad be formed into a new association, to be known as the Mt. Olivet Association of General Baptists, which was carried," and "H. S. Gordon, Wm. Bradley, J. C. Gilliland and G. A. Gordon be appointed from this meeting to as- sist them in their organization." Father Gordon was Moderator of this meeting. The labors of Bro. Gordon began to bear fruits across the Mississippi river in Missouri, and about this time a quarterly meeting was organized over there, known as the St. Francois Quar- terly Meeting. So churches con- tinued to increase in numbers, ministers were gathered about him, the membership of the churches increased rapidly. A lack of religious literature, suited to the needs of his people, with no schools or colleges at all, created a 28 LIFE AND LABORS OF demand on this line that needs must be satisfied. Acquaintanceship with the Free Will Baptists, who had two religious newspapers and a number of good schools had ripened into personal visitations by this time, that opened the way for a consolidation of our forces, which now numbered six Quarter- ly Meetings. About this time there was a general movement all over the states among liberal Bap- tists in this same direction, and conventions were being held to further this end. Rev. J. C. Gilli- land, Wm. Bradley, the writer and others were active in this direc- tion, and on the fourth Sunday in March, 1877, a convention was called by the writer to meet at Looney Springs church, to deter- mine upon what action should be taken in the matter. Rev. H. S. Gordon was Moderator of this meeting, and it was unanimously agreed to adopt the name "Free- will" and report to the next ses- sion of the Central Illinois Year- ly Meeting, which had been organized at Elkton the fall before by four of the smaller Quarterly Meetings of this Association. Franklin Co. Quarterly Meeting did the same thing, and now the whole entire body of six Quarter- ly Meetings were thrown together in the work. Bro. Gordon still continued to lead and direct in this grand work for God and humanity, and was unanimously regarded as our greatest preacher, and acknowl- edged leader, and to whom all looked for council and advice. The result of these years of labor so far is difficult to properly estimate, as in those days there were many people restless and unsettled, a condition in part growing out of the years of war that had pre- ceded and partly the very common custom of going West and "grow- ing up with the country." Natural- ly ministers would be affected in the same way, thus a number of our ministers went to Missouri, Kansas and elsewhere, who con- tinued to preach the doctrine of the Free Baptist Church. And thus has gone out an influence from Bro. Gordon's preaching and teaching that has in a measure entered into the warp and filling of a number of bodies of Liberal Baptists. The Mt. Olivet Associ- ation of General Baptists, a direct result, the Southeast Missouri Yearly Meeting of Free Baptists, and individual churches scattered all over the adjacent territory can trace their origin to the work and teachings of Father Gordon. In all these years of constant travel and preaching, seldom missing a Sabbath in a year, he strove care- fully not to be burdensome to the churches, and so sensitive was he upon this subject that he received comparatively no salary at all, or at best only such things as would be given him a pair of knit woolen mittens, or wool socks, a REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 29 wagon load of pumpkins. During the war when a great deal of cot- ton was grown in Southern Illi- nois, he brought home a bushel of cotton seed, which was planted on the farm, and when gathered and ready to sell, was obliged to be hauled in wagons over hilly roads for 35 or 40 miles to a cotton gin to get the seed out of it. Occa- sionally a good old sister who wanted to help spread the Gospel would give him a pair of hand knit gloves in two colors. These, of course, were something fine, such as only a preacher could afford. The wonderful part of it all is that for 60 years a man would continue to go constantly, persistently, with no let up or rest, and it did always disgust him with a minister who was worked so hard that his church would have to give him a vacation every summer. The fact is he had but little patience with such weak- lings. If he had a weakness him- self it was an indisposition to kill anything for food, such as a beef or hog or chicken. Others could kill if they chose, but he would do without flesh to eat all of his natural life before he would take the life of anything for food. And accustomed to hard labor he never shirked the hardest place up- on his farm, and then in that day farming was not as profitable as it might have been. I remember hearing him tell of raising one year a corn crop which when gath- ered, shelled and sacked, had to be hauled in wagons 17 miles. His crop that year (to sell) was 100 bushels, for which he received a $10 bank note, and it proved to be a counterfeit, and the man would not take it back. In telling this circumstance he said it was hard to ever forgive that fellow. In his personal habits he was sys- tematic and orderly, was rather averse to fashionable dressing and finery; while very unaffected and unassuming he always graced the pulpit with dignity, and while ex- tremely social with all with whom he came in contact, he was always dignified and genteel. He held moral character in very high esteem ; have often heard him say that morality was a large half of Christianity. He especially disliked untruth and deceit. He respected the opinions of those who differed with him so- cially, politically or religiously, but tied himself down to no man's theories, notions nor opinions, carefully investigated for himself all subjects and doctrines that pre- sented themselves or came up for solution or consideration. And in all those 60 years of public life was not sidetracked, but kept steadily on, right on. And in those years very many theories and fads flourished and grew fat, for instance, Millerism, which al- most run the country wild, Mor- monism which carried off its scores and hundreds to Nauvoo and Salt Lake, Spiritualism which 30 UFK AND LABORS OF swept this country like wild fire and in places took whole commu- nities, but our leader pursued the even tenor of his way, and turned neither to the right hand or to the left. He was quick to discover truth, and equally quick to detect error. In argument he was logi- cal and scholarly, and above all intensely scriptural. He was mas- ter of his text book, the Bible, quoting whole chapters from mem- ory. He moved around among its promises, its parables and its mira- cles, as familiarly as friend with friend. Nor is its history, law, poetry or prophesy any the more perplexing. Truly a man of God, and learnedly learned in the deep things of his word. It was a real pleasure to sit and hear him ex- pound the Bible, to unravel the in- tricate and perplexing questions that almost defy solution. And with the lapse of years there seemed to be no abatement of his intellec- tual forces, but to almost 82 years of age his mind was as clear and as active as at 50. He attended Quarterly Meetings in his last years and took as profound inter- est in them as before, in fact such a meeting was held at his old home church at Percy, 111., on Fri- day, Saturday and Sunday before he died on Monday. All of its sessions he attended, except Sun- day night, and took his wanted in- terest in the business of the ses- sion. A discussion upon the pro- priety of establishing a religious newspaper in the bounds of the Central Illinois Yearly Meeting was before the body, and he spoke upon the subject, which was both prophetic and pointed. He intro- duced his remarks by saying, "My work is finished, and I have noth- ing more to do, but if I was a young man I should not hesitate a moment, but know what I should do." And then pointing to the clerk of the Quarterly Meeting said, "If I was you I would start the proposed paper." And so with any business of importance that was considered he took the same lively interest as in former years. The eighty-two years had not whitened his hair, and bent liis form and bowed his head, as is most generally the case. His step had grown unsteady, which was the most visible sign of advancing age, but in spite of all those many years of activity, mentally and phy- sically, he was a remarkably well preserved man. I have often heard him ask the Lord that when he came to die he might retain his mind. And it would seem this his prayer was answered and his de- sire granted, for he passed away without a struggle. The Quarterly Meeting was to close that night with a sermon, preceded by the young people's A. C. F. Society, and as the church was crowded to overflowing, hun- dreds being turned away, I remain- ed at the house to talk with him and mother until the young peo- REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 31 pie's meeting was over, so stayed until about 7 o'clock, and upon bid- ding them good-by, for I was going home on the night train after church was over, he holding on to my hand complimented my sermon that I had delivered that day at 1 1 o'clock, which was the first time in my thirty years that I had stood by him in the pulpit he had ever said a word complimentary or oth- erwise about my preaching. I went down to the church, and two of the neighbors, J. S. Weedon and Isaac Rury, who could not get in the church, called at the house, and they spent about an hour talk- ing on the Sunday school lesson, in which he took the leading part, explaining some Scriptures hard to understand. And immediately upon their departure the old folks retired. He slept like a child all night, and the next morning at 6 o'clock he complained of being cold. Sister Mary Grizzell had stayed all night, being in attend- ance at the Quarterly Meeting. She and mother did what they could to make him comfortable, but in an hour he was unconscious and died the following evening, doubtless without a pain, at least without a struggle. I was noti- fied and was early at his side next morning, and as I watched the "last sands falling from the hour glass," and saw that life going out, which could rise to the dignity of founding and leading a denomina- tion to victory, or stoop to relieve the smallest want of his helpless child, I felt that his prayer, "give me a peaceful hour in which to die,*' had been fully answered. It was meet that a life so well rounded up should spend his last waking hour on earth talking and teaching from the Book. He was held in high esteem by all who knew r him, old and young. Every- one who approached his door re- ceived a hearty and a cordial greet- ing, and the very large funeral cor- tege that followed his remains to the grave was a fitting expression of the affection that thus found ut- terance. The funeral services were appropriately conducted by Rev. J. C. Gilliland, T. O. McMinn and - at the old home church at Percy, 111., where his voice had been so often heard for almost half a century, speaking words of encouragement and hopefulness to afflicted and sor- rowing humanity. January I2th, 1898, we laid him to rest under the wide spreading limbs of a sturdy old oak in the Jones grave yard, one mile west of Percy 111. 32 LIFE AND LABOKS OF NANCY GORDON. NANCY GORDON, Widow of Rev. H. S. Gordon, to whom she was married November 6th, 1849, daughter of Robt. and Mary Gooding. She was born March 4th, 1820. Married John Hill in 1840; had one child. Her husband died, and by her last mar- riage five boys were born to them, which with four step-children, made a family of ten children, all of Vv'hom she raised to manhood and womanhood. They lived on the farm, and she was a helpmeet to him indeed, both in his ministry and on the farm, for about 50 years. She still lives at the ad- vanced age of 80 years in their old home in Percy, 111. MARY S. MACE. MARY S. MACE, The oldest child and only daugh- ter of Rev. H. S. and Rebecca Gordon, born March 3d, 1838. Converted and joined the Free Baptist church at Steeleville September 6th, 1851. United in marriage with Hon. S. P. Mace March 9th, 1856, who was a mem- ber of the Illinois Legislature 1876 to 1878; the mother of three sons and one daughter ; was true to her church and faithful to her God for almost a half century. Removed to St. Louis with her family in 1880, where she died December 3Oth. 1899, leaving her children the example of a well spent life. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. REV. G. A. GORDON. HARRIET GORDON. REV. GEO. A. GORDON, Oldest son of Rev. H. S. and Re- becca Gordon, born at Alton, 111., April I4th, 1842; lived at Percy and Campbell Hill. Converted April i8th, 1861. Married Harriet Glore December 25th, 1866. Or- dained August, 1868. Did pastoral and evangelistic work to 1895, State agent ever since. Organ- ized a number of churches; preached in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. Was delegate to General Conference in 1880 at Wiers, N. H.; 1889 at Harper's Ferry, W. Va. ; 1892 at Lowell, Mass.; 1895 at Winnebago, Minn., and 1898 at Ocean Park, Me. A member of the General Conference Board for 10 years, helped in starting the Manning Bible School at Cairo, 111., and at present editor of the "Illinois Free Baptist," and State agent for Illinois, and resides at Campbell Hill, 111. HARRIET GORDON, Oldest daughter of Jeptha and Margaret (Crisler) Glore, and wife of Rev. Geo. A. Gordon, born January 26th, 1846, at Shiloh Hill, 111. Converted and joined the Free Baptist Church at Steelesville, 111., January ist, 1867. Has been an active worker in the Church and Sunday school and Children's Band ever since, and has rendered her husband invaluable assistance in his ministry. While busied with tlie cares of a large household she always found time for her church work. She has been a faithful and true pastor's wife. 34 LIFE AND LABORS OF PARKER Iv. GORDON. PARKER L. GORDON, Son of Rev. H. S. and Rebecca Gordon, born September ist, 1847, near Steeleville, 111. At 18 entered the army as a drummer, and serv- ed through the Civil War; came home and married; had one son. Married again and the second wife dying, he was married Oc- tober 27th, 1887, to Jane Weedon, being the third time. They have two children, whom they have adopted. He united with the Campbell Hill Free Baptist Church November, 1885, and in March, 1896, changed his mem- bership to Ava. He has been all his life engaged in the mercantile business. Now resides in his com- fortable home in Ava, 111. HENRY E. GORDON. HENRY E. GORDON, Second son of Rev. H. S. and Re- becca Gordon, born November 28th, 1844. Married S. Jane Sau- ders March 25th, 1869. Was con- verted and joined the Free Bap- tist Church in April, 1866, at Steeleville, 111., and served the church as clerk for a number of years. Spent most of his life at Percy, 111., but later lived in St. Louis for about four years before his death, which occurred April 1 8th, 1893, leaving a wife and an only son, Chas. H. Gordon, who followed his father on March 9th, 1900, aged almost 26 years, leav- ing mother, who now resides at Frankfort, Ind. Henry E. was for a number of years a member of the Board of Deacons of Percy church, at Percy, 111. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 35 DEACON ABRAM G. GORDON. DR. NOEL. R. GORDON. ABRAM G. GORDON, Son of Rev. H. S. and Nancy Gor- don, born November 6th, 1849, at Steeleville, 111. Converted and joined the Free Baptist Church April, 1866. Attended McKendree College, studied law and admitted to the bar in 1871. Practiced his profession ever since at Chester, 111. Married Jane Short Novem- ber 6th, 1872, and they have three children. Went into the or- ganization of a Free Baptist Church in Chester in 1896; served on the Board of Deacons since. Now resides in Chester, 111. DR. NOEL R. GORDON, Son of Rev. H. S. and Nancy Gor- don, born May I5th, 1851, at Steeleville, 111. Labored on the farm. Attended district school; graduated from McKendree Col- lege at Lebanon, 111., 1872. At- tended St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated in 1875. Married Miss Emma Hoskinson, of St. Joe, Mo., in 1875, and has two daughters, both married. Practiced medicine in Campbell Hill, 111., from 1875 to 1881 ; re- moved to Sparta, 111., where he continued his profession up to 1885, when he took up special practice and located at Springfield, 111., where he still resides and prac- tices as a specialist in the treat- ment of eye, ear, nose and throat. 36 LIFE AND LABORS OF CHAS. S. GORDON. CHAS. S. GORDON, Son of Rev. H. S. and Nancy Gor- don, born at Steeleville, 111., March 19th, 1858. Received a liberal ed- ucation, and was united in mar- rriage with Mattie E. Hammond. Joined the Percy Free Baptist Church October, 1874. Been en- gaged in the mercantile business most of his life. Now resides in Ava, 111., with his family of a wife and six children, and is a member of the Free Baptist Church at that place. MATTIE E. GORDON. MATTIE E. GORDON, Wife of Chas. S. Gordon, born September I4th, 1860, in St. Louis, Mo. Her maiden name was Ham- mond. She was married September I4th, 1880, the mother of six chil- dren, two boys and four girls. She joined the M. E. Church early in life, of which she still remains a member, and now presides over her little home, consisting of a husband and six happy, hopeful little ones in Ava, 111. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 37 DR. L. E. GORDON, Adopted son of Rev. Geo. A. and Harriet Gordon, born December 1 9th, 1871. Received his early edu- cation at Campbell Hill, 111. ; grad- uated from the Dental Depart- ment of Washington University at St. Louis, Mo. Married Evan- geline Rogers November ist, 1893. Lived at Carbondale, 111., five years, where he united with the M. E. Church and practiced his profession, in which he was very proficient. Removed to Me- tropolis, 111., where he was taken sick, brought back home and died Tune i rth. TOGO. - EVANGELINE GORDON, Wife of Dr. L. E. Gordon, born July 29th, 1874, at Campbell Hill, 111. Attended school at home and at Waterloo, 111., and St. Louis, Mo. Married Dr. Gordon Novem- ber ist, 1893, by whom she bore two sons, Ralph Emmerson and Neal Dow, the former died No- vember 1 5th, 1900, at the age of 4 year, 5 month and 21 days. She united with the M. E. Church at Carbondale, changing her mem- bership to Metropolis, 111., where she now resides. 38 LIFE AND LABORS OP REV. RICHARD A. BRADLEY. REV. RICHARD A. BRAD- LEY, Son of Joshua and Ann (Giles) Bradley, born in Sumner Co., Term., January 3d, 1802. Came to Illinois early. Was converted and joined the Looney Springs Free Baptist Church (then General Baptist) June 23d, 1850, and was ordained to the Gospel ministry by Rev. H. S. Gordon on the 4th Sabbath in March, 1852, and was elected pastor the following month. Served as pastor for a number of years ; represented his county in the Illinois Legislature three terms, first in 1842 to 1844, then to 1846, and again from 1848 to 1850, being I3th, I4th and i6th General Assemblies. In 1842 he was chairman of the Committee on Elections, and REV. WM. BRADLEY. presented a bill to move the county seat to Murphysboro. In 1844 was chairman of the Commit- tee on Public Buildings and Grounds, and presented a bill to reduce the fees of County Judges, Circuit and County Clerks, County Commissioners and Justices of the peace. In 1848 a bill to charter the Chester & Wabash R. R. At- tended 48 days, traveled on horse- back 400 miles and received for the two years $136. Married Elizabeth Oliver Oc- tober 24th, 1826; had 9 children. Lived in Campbell Hill, 111., where he died April i6th, 1860, aged 58 years and 3 months. REV. WM. BRADLEY, Son of Joshua and Ann (Giles) Bradley, born in Sumner Co., REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 39 Tenn., February I3th, 1814. Con- verted 1850; ordained October, 1852. Married Serena Draper in 1835. She died and in 18 he mar- ried Mrs. Ross Reese, and died August loth, 1887. He preached in Southern Illinois; baptized sev- eral hundred converts and helped organize a great many churches. A man of wide acquaintanceship and wonderful influence. Twice elected County Judge and once Associate Judge of Jackson Co., and universally loved and respect- ed. Did pastoral work principally for 35 years. For the last 25 or 30 years he resided in Murphysboro, 111. THE OLD LOONEY SPRINGS CHURCH. THE OLD LOONEY SPRINGS CHURCH, Organized April 28th, 1850, by Rev. H. S. Gordon, who was its first pastor. This being the third house built, the first was built of logs, the next of boards and plas- tered inside, this of brick and was erected in 1865, was 36x50 feet and 12 feet high ; one-half mile east of Campbell Hill, 111., and was torn down in 1900, although it had not been used since 1883, when the new house was built in town. The original 9 members were : Jno. McLaughlin, Jno. Burlison and Mary Henry, Sarah White, Serena Bradley, Mary White, Nancy Pet- tie, Jane Burlison and Susan Har- rison. 40 LIFE AND LABORS OP CAMPBELL HILL FREE; BAPTIST CHURCH. CAMPBELL HILL FREE BAP- TIST CHURCH, Better known as Looney Springs church, built in 1883, at a cost of about $3,000, and is the first Free Baptist church in this part of the State, and is the one over which the difficulty arose that resulted in the exclusion of Rev. H. S. Gordon from the Close Baptist Church, and started the movement for Free Communion in -1850. Membership is about 200, and has a neat five room parsonage ad- joining. Its pastors have been Rev. H. S. Gordon, 2 years; R. A. Bradley, 7 years; Wm. Bradley, ii years; H. S. Gordon, 2 years; Wm. Bradley, 4 years ; G. A. Gor- don, i year ; Wm. Bradley, I year ; G. A. Gordon, \y 2 years; Wm. Bradley, 2 l / 2 years; G. A. Gor- don, i year ; J. W. Phelps, 2 years ; T. O. McMinn, \y 2 years; W. R. Wilson, i year; J. W. McMillan, i 2-3 years ; G. A. Gordon, i year ; H. S. Gordon, 3 years ; G. A. Gor- don I year; J. L. Meads, 2 years, and A. J. Rendleman, 4 years. ",. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 41 REV. J. L. TATUM. S. EMMA TATUM, WIFE OF J. L. TATUM. REV. J. L. TATUM, Born September i8th, 1856, son of Wm. B. and Emily (Johnson) Tatum. Gained a liberal education and was a successful school teach- er. Converted at 15 and joined the Baptist Church, and in 1888 unit- ed with the Free Baptist Church at Percy, 111. Felt called to preach soon after conversion, and was licensed in 1890, and ordained to the ministry by the Looney Springs Quarterly Meeting of Free Baptists ; served as pastor at Percy, and has been quite success- ful in evangelistic work. Now re- sides at Percv, 111. SUSAN E. TATUM, Wife of Rev. J. L. Tatum, born Covington, Ky., September 3oth, 1856, daughter of W. H. and In- diana (Minter) Stephens. She was married to W. J. Robins March 27th, 1879. He died October 28th, 1881, and she married Rev. J. L. Tatum July 8th, 1885, and is the mother of six children. Was con- verted and joined the Free Baptist Church at Percy, 111., in 1888, with which church she is still a faithful member, and president of the Woman's Missionary Society. 42 LIFE; AND LABORS OF REV. GEO. C. BAGWILL. MARY J. BAGWILL, WIFE OF REV. GEO. C. BAGWILL. REV. GEO. C. BAGWILL, Son of Daniel and Sarah Bagwill, born at Campbell Hill, 111., Sep- tember Hth, 1870. Received a common school education, and was united in marriage to Mary Jane Higgins December 3ist, 1891. Joined the Free Baptist Church at Murphysboro, 111., in 1893, and was licensed to preach in 1894, and ordained in 1898, and has done local work most of the time since. On September ist, 1900, he was appointed president of the seventh sub-district U. M. W. of A., and resides with his wife and three little children at Percv, 111. MARY J. BAGWILL, Wife of Rev. Geo. C. Bagwill, born January I2th, 1875, an d was married December 3ist, 1891. Was converted and united with the Free Baptist Church at Mur- physboro, 111., in 1893, of which church she is still a faithful mem- ber. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 43 DEACON WM. C. McCORMICK. MARTHA E. McCORMICK. DEACON WM. C. McCOR- MICK, Born August 2d, 1832, in Indiana, .son of A. G. and Frances McCor- mick, came to Illinois in 1837. Married Martha E. Talbot Janu- ary I4th, 1858, lived on their farm near Dry Hill for 41 years ; raised a large family of children, six of whom are living. For 27 years he has been a worthy member of the Free Baptist Church. He has ac- ceptably filled the office of deacon for many years, and for twenty years has been superintendent of the Sunday school. Served through the Civil War, and was seriously wounded at the siege of Atlanta August 2Oth, 1864. Now living a retired life at Ava, 111. MARTHA E. McCORMICK, Wife of Deacon Wm. C. McCor- mick and daughter of Wm. E. and Elizabeth (Grain) Talbot, born October 27th, 1841, in Jackson Co., 111. Married January I4th, 1858; the mother of ten children, six of whom are now living. She joined the Free Baptist Church at Dry Hill, 111., at its organiza- tion and for many years was clerk of the Church, and an active Sunday school worker, and a true helpmeet to her husband in the church work. 44 LIFE AND LABORS OF C. M. BRADLKY AND WIFE. C. M. BRADLEY, Oldest son of Jas. H. and Ruth (Culley) Bradley, born near Shi- loh Hill, 111., Jan. 2 6th, 1848. Was converted and joined the Free Baptist Church at Sugar Hill, Jackson Co., 111., in 1865. Was for a number of years a member of De Soto Church, but for the past few years of Murphysboro Church. United in marriage with Mary E. Bandy December i2th, 1867. She was born in Herrin's Prairie, Wil- liamson Co., 111., August 8th, 1846. Came to De Soto and was there married. Joined the M. E. Church in 1858, and in March, 1878, united with the De Soto Free Baptist Church. They have raised a large family, and now reside in Mur- physboro, where he has a prosper- ous business. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 45 REV. MORRILI, A. SHBPARD. REV. MORRILL A. SHEPARD Was born of old Puritan stock September 2/th, 1833. His parents came from New Hampshire to what is now known as Linn, Wa- bash Co., 111., the same year, and lived in that vicinity for 33 years. In order to give his children the advantages of an education he re- moved to Lebanon, 111., in 1871. July 7th, 1857, he married Miss Mary J. Moorhead. They had four children, two died in infancy; Olive Belle and John A. are still living. He was converted January 28th, 1858, and was licensed to preach in 1863, and was ordained in 1865 by the Freewill Baptists of Bone Gape, Edwards county, 111. On November 23d, 1887, he ex- perienced the blessing of sanctifi- cation ; from that time he has been quite active in Christian work. In 1888 he was instrumental in get- ing Rev. J. N. Noble, Belle D. Sis- son (now Smith) and Carrie M. MARY JANE SHEPARD. Nichols to come from the east to Illinois, where they engaged very successfully in evangelistic tent work, which under his direction proved a great blessing. The past 12 years has been largely in evan- gelistic work; has traveled and preached, especially emphasizing the doctrine of holiness. His pres- ent wife was formerly Mrs. Mary E. Griffin. He was three times a delegate to the General Confer- ence, attending the Centennial Session in 1880 at the Weirs in New Hampshire. Died Jan. 31, 1901, at Grand Bay, Ala. MARY JANE SHEPARD, Oldest daughter of Major Jno. T. and Jane Moorehead, born near New Harmony, Ind., June 2d, 1831. Married to Rev. M. A. Shepard July 7th, 1857. Mother of four children, two living, Olive B., and John A. She died March I5th, 1898, and was a consistent mem- ber of the M. E. Church from her 1 2th year. 46 LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. THOS. O. Me MINN. REV. THOS. O. McMINN, Son of Jno. and Elizabeth (Black) McMinn, born in Jackson Co., 111., December 2Oth, 1852. Converted when 17 years of age, joined the Free Baptist Church at Freewill, baptized by Rev. W. H. Blanken- ship. Married July 3ist, 1872, to Georgia Ann Blankenship ; again June 2Qth, 1879, to Sarah E. Hampton; again June 8th 1898, to Ida Elsey. Ordained November loth, 1875. Was a member of the 1883 General Conference at Min- neapolis, and in 1895 at Winneba- go, Minn. Preached continuously since ordination. Organized sev- eral churches, and still active in pastoral work. Now resides at Murphysboro ; has nine children, the oldest son is in the ministry. REV. A. J. RENDI,EMAN. REV. A. J. RENDLEMAN. Son of Harris and Elizabeth (Knight) Rendleman, was born in Williamson Co., 111., March 3. 1867. He was converted Novem- ber 22, 1887, and joined the Drury Free Baptist Church. Taught eleven terms in the public schools. Was licensed to preach April, 1894; ordained July, 1895. Has ministered to Drury, Camp Creek, Cottage Home and Meads Chapel churches and since 1896 has pas- tored Campbell Hill and Pipestone churches, and is also pastor of Willisville church, which he or- ganized July, 1899. Has baptized 223 converts. He was married to Miss Maggie Monroe April 29, 1887. Four children have blessed their home, three of whom are liv- ing. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 47 REV. J. J. TATUM. REV. J. J. TATUM, Son of Wm. B. and Emily (John- son) Tatum, born at Steelesville, 111., May 22d, 1863. Married Tlet- tie K. Mason June 22d, 1886. Con- verted August 1 6th, 1877, and joined the Close Baptists, but never did believe their doctrine, and was reclaimed and united with the Free Baptists at Campbell Hill January ist, 1889. Licensed to preach July 1 3th, 1889, and ordained Septem- ber, 1893. He has been actively engaged in pastoral work ever since, and has for the past four years been pastor of the Ava church, where with his family he resides in the beautiful six-room REV. JOE A. COCHRAN. two-story parsonage which the church built through his instru- mentality. REV. JOE A. COCHRAN, The son of J. A. and Susan Coch- ran, was born in Runnells Co., Mo., October I4th, 1869; was converted and joined the Free Baptist Church in November, 1889; baptized by Rev. A. J, Lyons; licensed to preach in 1891, and was ordained in 1897. Labored some as an evangelist ; now a pas- tor in the Wayne Co. Quarterly Meeting. Married Miss Lenora Schee in 1898, and lives at Long Prairie, 111. 48 LIFE AND LABORS OF MURPHYSBORO CHURCH. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 49 MURPHYSBORO CHURCH, Organized February iQth, 1875, by Revs. G. A. Gordon and F. W. Newell, 20 members; J. H. Brad- ley and F. W. Smith deacons, C. C. Culley clerk, G. A. Gordon pas- tor. 1885 discontinued meetings. Reorganized June 21 st, 1893. by Revs. J. L. Meads, G. P. Mc- Bride and G. A. Gordon, with 12 members : Mollie Benson, Mr. and Mrs. Lem Pate, Geo. C. Bag- will, Lillian B. Phoenix, Lizzie Snider, Mr. and Mrs. John Pout- son, Leander Bradley, Susan Bradley, Missouri Berry and Bet- tie A. Phoenix. In this meeting 90 persons united with the Church. Under the pastorate of Rev. J. L. Meads the church grew, and in 1895 they began to build, Rev. G. P. McBride, pastor. On April 23d, 1896, this building was dedicated. Dr. H. M. Ford delivered the ser- mon. September, 1898, Rev. J. L. Meads was called as pastor again and remained two years. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. T. O. McMinn. The church sustains weekly ser- vices, Sabbath school, prayer meeting and A. C. F. society. It has had frequent revivals and earned for itself a reputation for spirituality, cleanliness and power. 50 LIFE AND LABORS OF HON. J. H. BRADLEY. RUTH JANE BRADLEY. JUDGE JAMES H. BRADLEY, Born August 22d, 1821, in Ran- dolph county, 111., the son of Jas. H. and Martha Bradley. Married to Miss Ruth J. Culley July 2d, 1844. To them were born fourteen children, five of whom are living. He enlisted September, 1861, and spent almost four year in the Civil War. On his return home he united with the Free Baptist Church at DeSoto, under the la- bors of Rev. Wm. Bradley, and was faithful until his death, Aug- ust 22d, 1888. He was a lawyer, professionally, and an ultra pro- hibitionist. RUTH JANE BRADLEY Was born in Posey Co., Ind., Jan- uary 23d, 1828. Daughter of Jo- siah and. Elizabeth Culley. Married to James H. Bradley July 2d, 1844. To them was born fourteen children, five still living. Aunt Jane united with the Looney Springs church in 1850; was con- verted under the preaching of Un- cle Henry S. Gordon, and has been true to her Church all these years and faithful to her God. Still lives at De Soto, Til. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 51 REV. J. L,. MEADS. REV. JOSEPH LEVI MEADS, Son of G. W. and H. L. (Hatfield) Meads, born February 25th, 1868, at St. Louis, Mo. Family removed to Murphysboro, 111., and in 1874 to Ava. Converted and united with the Ava Free Baptist Church in 1886; licensed in 1889 and or- dained to preach July I2th, 1889. Organized Murphysboro, Chester, Marion, Creal Springs, Carter- ville, Bushnell and other Free Baptist churches. Received 2,000 or more into the Church ; baptized over 700; served Camp Creek, Sato, Ava, Campbell Hill and Murphysboro churches as pastor, and now at Chester. Delegate to General Conference in 1892 at Lowell, Mass., and delegate-elect to next General Conference at Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Married in 1893 to Stella M. Waldo, of Ben- ton, 111. Politically he is a radical Pro- hibitionist. MRS. STELLA M. MEADS, WIFE OF REV. J. L. MEADS. STELLA M. MEADS, Daughter of Richard E. and Jen- nie (Spence) Waldo, born De- cember, 1867, in Marion Co., 111. United in marriage with Rev. J. L. Meads May loth, 1893 '> to them have been born five children, two of whom are dead. She was con- verted and united with the M. E. Church at 15 years of age. After marriage she united with the Free Baptist Church and was baptized by her husband in Campbell Hill church. When 16 years old she be- gan teaching school, also instru- mental and vocal music, and al- though now busied with the cares of a family, she still finds time to render invaluable aid to her hus- band in the work of the Church, where her musical talent is great- ly blessed. d raised a family of eight children. Joined the Looney Springs Free Baptist Church February ist, 1871, and has been one of its trustees for many years, and lives with his youngest son on the old farm near Campbell Hill, 111. ELIZABETH J. REDFIELD, WIFE OF BENJ. R. REDFIELD. ELIZABETH JANE RED- FIELD, Wife of Benj. R. Redfield, was the daughter of Robison Cheatham ; was born October 3Oth, 1830. Died September 4, 1882. She joined the Looney Springs Free Baptist Church February ist, 1871, and lived a consistent and Christian life ; left a husband and five children to mourn her death. 70 LIFE AND LABORS OF DEACON BURPHET I,. CUI^EY AND WIFE, JANE. DEACON BURPHET L. CUL- LEY AND WIFE, Born June 7th, 1830, at Mt. Ver- non, Ind. Married Permelia Clus- ter December loth, 1856, had four children, one girl and three boys. Married again to Lucinda J. Heg- lar December 22d, 1863. By this wife six boys and one girl. Joined the Looney Springs Free Baptist Church June, 1858, and baptized by Rev. R. A. Bradley the follow- ing month ; was a member of Ava church from 1886, and on its Board of Deacons to the date of his death, June 22d, 1898. She has been a member of the Church from childhood, and now lives at Ava, 111. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 71 DEACON WM. D. RUSSELL. MARY ETTA RUSSELL. DEACON WM. D. RUSSELL Was born at Willisville, 111., May yth, 1864. Went to St. Louis and learned the trade of carpenter. September 5th, 1889, married Angie E. Heiple, of De Soto, 111.; had four children. He and wife joined the Free Baptist Church in Murphysboro, 111., June, 1896, and in March, 1898, she died and he again married September, 1898, to Miss Mary Etta Thompson. They have one child. He has been quite an active member of the Church chairman of the Official Board, superintendent of the Sunday school, and a member of the Board of Deacons, and now re- sides at Murphysboro, 111. MARY ETTA RUSSELL Was born July 28th, 1873, near Campbell Hill, 111. ; moved to Mur- physboro, 111., May 1890; was converted in 1895; married to Wm. D. Russell September, 1898, and united with the Free Baptist Church the same year. 72 MATHEW SNIDER. ADDIE SNIDER. MADISON W. SNIDER Was born April 5th, 1878 at Camp- bell Hill, 111. Since 1887 has resid- ed in Murphysboro, 111. Was con- verted in 1893, and united with the Free Baptist Church, and married October I4th, 1897, to Miss Addie Butler, who was born October 1 5th, 1879, at Oraville, 111.; came to Murphyboro in 1886, and joined the Free Baptist Church in 1893. The former is a grandson of Rev. Wm. Bradley, deceased, and both of them are faithful and inde- fatigable workers in the Church. She has been for years the organ- ist. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 73 CHURCH. SCHELLER CHURCH, At Scheller, 111., was organized by Revs. G. A. Gordon, J. C. Gilli- land and B. H. Keller, May 3Oth, 1897, with 30 members. Rev. T. O. McMinn was its first pastor, and continued to serve the church for three years. The present pas- tor is Rev. A. J. Cochran. They have a comfortable house of wor- ship, and some of the members were self-sacrificing and faithful in its erection. 74 LIFE AND LABORS OF JOHN R. WEEDON. GEO. WM. HAI,!,. JOHN R. WEEDON, Son of Joe S. and Cornelia (Cul- ley) Weedon, born September I2th, 1871, in Randolph Co., 111., and grew to manhood at Campbell Hill, 111. Converted and joined the Free Baptist Church at Campbell Hill, 111. ..'... Attended college at Hillsdale, Mich. Taught school, but failing health com- pelled him to go to New Mexico ; there health was regained. GEO. WM. HALL Was born in Williamson Co., 111., March I4th, 1876; converted and joined Union Free Baptist Church January 3Oth, 1899, under the preaching of Revs. T. O. and J. B. McMinn ; baptized and received into full membership May 3d, 1899. Is the clerk of the Makanda Quarterly Meeting at the present time, and lives at Herrin, 111. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 75 DEACON JOHN B. WILLIAMSON AND WIFE, ALICE- DEACON JNO. B. WILLIAM- SON AND WIFE, The only son of Judge Henry Wil- liamson, was born September 8th, 1855, at Sato, and raised in Jack- son county. 111. Married Alice C. Coyle November 22d, 1877, and raised a large family of children, seven of whom are still living. United with the Sato Free Baptist Church February, 1894, and has acted as clerk and deacon of the church for the past six years, and now resides in their beautiful home on a magnificent farm near Sato, 111. ALICE WILLIAMSON, Wife of Deacon Jno. B. William- son, and daughter of Archy and Mary Coyle, born March 3d, 1861, and united in marriage with Jno. B. Williamson November 22d, 1877. Was converted and joined the Sato Free Baptist Church February, 1894, where she still holds her membership. 76 LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JAMES WESLEY McKINNEY. REV. JAMES WESLEY Mc- KINNEY, Son of Jas. H. and Manerva J. McKinney, born March I3th, 1873, near Carterville, 111., and converted in 1887. Received a lib- eral education at Marion and Car- bondale, 111. Was licensed to preach at the age of 18, and nine months later he was ordained. Taught school and preached con- tinuously. Married March 24th, 1895, t Agnes Neilson. Has preached seven years. Received in- to the Church 143, baptized 121, solemnized 47 marriages, and traveled 6,985 miles, and lives on his farm in Williamson county, 111. HARTLEY A. McBRIDE. HARTLEY A. McBRIDE \Vas born near Ava, 111., August nth, 1854. Received but a limited education. In 1884 went to Arkan- sas for a short time, then back to Ava, and in 1885 he moved to Franklin Co., 111., and followed his trade of blacksmith. Married Florence I. Duncan March 2d, 1876; had three children. W T ife died October 2Oth, 1882, and was again married November 28th, 1886, to Martha E. Greenwood, and has five children. Was con- verted and joined the Bear Point Free Baptist Church October 24, 1897; baptized the following month. His grandmother, Polly Polk, was a cousin to President James K. Polk. REV. HKNRY S. GORDON. 77 DEACON A. J. BARROW. DEACON A. J. BARROW, The son of James and Catherine D. Barrow, was born in Jackson county, 111., March ist, 1852. His youth was spent upon his father's farm, a part of which he now re- sides upon. Attended the district school ; married Nancy A. Mus- grave August 29th, 1872 ; joined the United Baptist Church April, 1876; was married again to Miss Mary L. Merrell September ist, 1885: united with the Free Bap- tist Church at Campbell Hill Jan- uary. 1889, and was elected on the MARY L BARROW. Board of Deacons in June, 1890, and still resides on his farm near Campbell Hill, 111. MARY L. BARROW, Daughter of Alfred S. and Aman- da P. Merrell, was born near Belle- ville, 111., December 28th, 1867; removed with her parents to Jas- per county, Mo., in 1868. Then to Randolph county, 111., in 1874. Married A. J. Barrow in 1885, and united with the Free Baptist Church at Campbell Hill, 111., in January, 78 LIFE AND LABORS OF DEACON ARCHIBALD ROBISON AND WIFE. DEACON ARCHIBALD ROBI- SON, Born January 6th, 1838, near Steelesville, 111., joined the Bap- tist Church in 1866. Married to Sarah I. Simons in 1867. In 1896 he united with the Free Baptist Church in Murphysboro, 111., of which he is a faithful member and one of its deacons. SARAH I. ROBISON, Wife of Deacon A. Robison, born in Wright Co., Mo., in 1845, united with the Baptist Church in 1866. Married at Steeleville in 1867. Joined the Free Baptist Church in Murphysboro in 1896, of which she is a faithful member and a worker in the home and foreign missionary work. , REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 79 DEACON JNO. A. I,. SCOTT. DEACON JNO. A. L. SCOTT, Born March :6th, 1862, in Wayne Co., 111., and was "born again" Oc- tober 1 5th, 1889, and united with the Free Baptist Church Novem- ber 1 7th, 1889, and at once chosen deacon. He served in various ca- pacities in the church, and promi- nent in every forward movement of the denomination. Of modest and quiet manner, yet strictly busi- ness-like. For five years he has been president of the Wayne Co. Sunday school Association, and is a member of the State Execu- tive Committee and County and MARTHA SCOTT. District chairman of the Prohibi- tion party, and was a candidate for the State Legislature in the last election. He was married to Miss Martha Vaughn August I7th, MARTHA SCOTT, Wife of Deacon Jno. A. L. Scott. Her maidenname was Vaughn, and they were married August i/th, 1884, and have lived in the little village of Orchardville, in Wayne Co., 111., ever since, where their lives and work have been a bless- ing to the Free Baptist Church at that place. 80 LIFE AND LABORS OF DEACON THOS. MARY ANN LEMING. DEACON THOS. LEMING Was born in Indiana in 1830; came to Illinois in 1836; married Mary Ann Heard in 1851 ; raised a family of four girls and three boys; con- verted in 1878 under the preaching of Rev. G. A. Gordon at Percy, 111. Has proven himself a true, devoted Christian, and a strong advocate of legal prohibition. Now lives in Willisville, 111., and is one of the deacons of the Free Baptist Church there. MARY ANN LEMING, Wife of Deacon Thos. Leming, was born in 1828; converted under the preaching of Rev. Wm. Bradley during the Civil War in 1862 ; join- ed the Looney Springs General Baptist Church. Since has united with the Free Baptist Church at Willisville, 111. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 81 DEACON H. D. SANDERS. MARY E. SANDERS. DEACON H. D. SANDERS, Born October 26th, 1856, in Wil- liamson Co., 111. His parents were devoted Christians. He was mar- ried August loth, 1879, to Mary E. Lipsey. Converted in a meet- ing held by Rev. Chas. Hayes in 1892, and united with the Chris- tian Church, and in the spring of 1895 he joined Union Hall Free Baptist Church, and was elected one of its deacons soon after. Now lives on his farm near Christo- pher, 111. MARY E. SANDERS, Wife of Deacon H. D. Sanders, born July 9th, 1859, at Frank- fort, 111. Was converted in 1892 under the preaching of Rev. Ghas. Hayes, and with her husband unit- ed with the Free Baptist Church in 1895. She was the mother of six children, one boy and two girls living. She is a kind and devoted wife and mother. 82 LIFE AND LABORS OF CHESTER CHURCH. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 83 CHESTER FREE BAPTIST CHURCH. July, 1895, Revs. J. L. and W. E. Meads. J. H. Bagwill and G. A. Gordon began a series of tent meetings, which resulted in the or- ganization, August 2d, of a church with 6 members, as follows : A. G. Gordon, Ella Short, Mary J. Hood, Mrs. Wm. Henson, Mrs. Hugh Crain and Mrs. Geo. Ham- met. Rev. Kate Veach Haines early took the place of Bro. Gor- don on the staff of workers. Soon proceeded to build a commodious brick church house, and a seven- room parsonage. Membership now of 100. The following have served as pastors : G. A. Gordon, J. C. Daisey, J. H. Bagwill, G. P. McBride and J. L. Meads, the present pastor. Officers are A. G. Gordon, H. H. Wilkinson and Wm. Hecht, trustees; H. H. Wil- kinson and Geo. Azlyn, deacons ; Cora Miller, Clerk, and A. G. Gor- don, treasurer. Sustains a Sabbath school, Y. P. society, Woman's Missionary society and a Mite so- ciety. The success of this church is mainly due to the service and sacrifice of A. G. Gordon and the untiring efforts of Bro. J. H. Bag- will while pastor of it. 84 LIFE AND LABORS OF DEACON JAS. L,. BIBY. MARY J. BIBY. DEACON JAS. L. BIBY, Born March 2d, 1846, in Franklin county, 111. Converted November I2th, 1890; baptized and united with Union Hall church ; was dea- con and trustee, which offices he held until his death, March 3Oth, 1893. Was united in marriage to Mary J. Harris in 1875. MARY JANE BIBY, Born November nth, 1851, in Franklin Co., 111., and was the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Harris. Was converted at about 15 years of age; joined the United Brethren in Franklin county, and remained with them until the or- ganization of Union Hall Free Baptist Church, when she joined it. She was married to Jas. L. Biby in 1875. He died in 1883, and she married again to F. M. Biby May 5th, 1885, and died August 28th, 1899. Lived near Christo- pher, 111. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 85 DEACON MOSES HARRIS. NANCY S. HARRIS, WIFE OF DEACON MOSES HARRIS. DEACON MOSES HARRIS, Of Tamaroa, 111., born in 1844; married August 8th, 1861, to Mary S. French, has five children living. Joined the army in 1864; served until 1865. Converted un- der the ministry of Rev. J. C. Gilliland in 1875, an d joined the Free Baptist Church. Is now one of the Deacons and a member of the Board of Trustees of Tamaroa church, at which town he still re- sides. NANCY S. HARRIS, Wife of Deacon M. Harris, born in 1844, in Perry county, 111. Con- verted in 1868, and joined the Free Baptist Church in 1875, and is now with her husband, and a member of Tamaroa church. 86 LIFE AND LABORS OF DEACON JOHN W. JOHNSON. NORA A. JOHNSON. DEACON JOHN W. JOHN- SON, Born January i6th, 1846, Jackson Co., Tenn. Moved to Missouri in 1854; to Perry Co., 111., in 1861. Entered Civil War February 9th, 1864. Married Nora A. Cleary in 1865. Was converted and joined the Free Baptist Church at Union Hall in 1893. Elected on the Board of Deacons and still serves his Church as such. Lives near Chris- topher, 111. NORA A. JOHNSON, Born March 29th, 1841, in Wil- liamson Co., 111. Mother died and she lived with her aunt in Perry Co. ; later removed to Franklin Co. Converted and became a member of Union Hall Free Bap- tist Church at Christopher, 111., in 1892. United in marriage to Jno. W. Johnson in 1865, and still re- sides on their farm near Christo- pher, 111. RKV. HENRY S. GORDON. 87 WILBURN CAMPBELL. MANERVA CAMPBELL. WILBURN CAMPBELL, Born May 4th, 1839, in Franklin Co., 111. Was converted and united with the Free Baptist Church November I2th, 1890; was elected clerk of the church and continued to be ever since. Married Mary E. Hogue September ist, 1864; has 10 children. She died and he again married, this time to Manerva Howell, November 25th, 1886, and lives near Christopher, 111. MANERVA CAMPBELL, Wife of Wilburn Campbell, born December 25th, 1838, in William- son Co., 111. Converted in 1883 and joined the Christian Church, and continued in that Church until November i2th, 1890, when she united with the Free Baptists at Union Hall. Daughter of David and Sarah Robison. Married Jas- per Howell in 1856. Mother of 13 children. Lastly to Wilburn Campbell, with whom she still lives on their farm, Christopher, 111. LIFE AND LABORS OF WM. CARTER AND WIPE, MARGARET. WM. CARTER, Son of Wm. Carter, born July 22d, 1820, in East Tennessee. Came to St. Clair Co., 111., in 1834, and to the vicinity of Campbell Hill, 111., 1840. About this time he married Mary Loy. They had nine chil- dren. His wife died May 2d, 1862, and he married Vitulia Canaday. She died October 3d, 1863, and he married Mary Moore, by whom he had three children. She died October 6th, 1871, and he married Martha Reese. She died Septem- ber 22d, 1895, and he then married Margaret Shaw July 23d, 1896, who survives him. He with his first wife joined the Looney Springs church July 3Oth, 1850, and remained a member of the church to the date of his death, February 28th, 1898. MARGARET CARTER, Widow of Wm. Carter and daugh- ter of Henry Loy, was united in marriage with David Darrough, by whom she had three children. Af- ter his death she married Daniel Shaw. He died and on July 23d, 1896, she was united in marriage with Wm. Carter, and for many years a member of the Presby- terian Church. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 89 ROBERT SOPER. MRS. MOSES JONES. ROBERT SOPER, Son of Andy and Polly Soper, born in 1822. Joined Free Baptist Church under the preaching of Rev. H. S. Gordon at Percy, 111. Married to Parthena Holt, and died in 1886, leaving four children. MRS. MOSES JONES, Born January loth, 1844, daugh- ter of G. W. Eubanks. Was con- verted and united with McGlasson church under Rev. J. W. McMil- lan's preaching in 1895. Married in 1862, and is the mother of seven children. 90 LIFE AND LABORS OF 3 . M * J3 ^ g| ^1 o a .'S s a = " a * ^ 3 s< a-7^ V w 3 7u fc t^ W cd W fc w 1 < m V w * aa b > O ^ o ? o S ~ v bfl bio 5 a 1" S fl t fc o S g ". J5 i = a n3 < *d O ea a H .a ^ - REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 91 REV. JAMES F. KIRK. EMANUEL STEELE. REV. JAS. F. KIRK, Son of Ulissns and Martha J. Kirk, born in Benton county, Tenn., January I5th, 1843, pro- fessed faith in Christ in 1873, join- ed the Free Will Baptist Church in Williamson Co., 111. : ordained in 1 88 1, and has clone pastoral work every year up to date. Mar- ried Nancy A. Spirs August ist, 1869. Married second wife, Mar- tha Jones, January I4th, 1880, and now resides at Crainville, 111., and is still in the pastoral work. Only son of James C. and Serena Steele, born in 1847 at Steeleville, 111. Converted in 1878, and united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Steeleville, 111., and in 1897 joined the Hickory Grove Free Baptist Church near Chris- topher, 111., where he still holds his membership. He was united in matrimony to Saraphine Thomas, and they had one son, Ottis, and she died. He now resides with his sister in Franklin Co., 111. Was for a time clerk of the Church ; is now its treasurer. 92 LIFE AND LABORS OP DEACON LEVI A. JONES. DEACON LEVI A. JONES, Was born in Indiana in 1826. Came to Williamson county, 111., in 1841. Married Lydia Moore, who dying left him with nine children. In 1863 he married Hester J. Odam, by whom he had ten children. He was converted and joined the church, but differed with his brethren in his religious views. In 1870 he joined the Free Will Baptist Church under Rev. W. H. Blank- enship's preaching at Harmony, and became a very devoted worker, always faithful to his pastor, true to his Church, and loyal to his de- nomination. Died January I5th, 1892. Revs. T. O. McMinn and J. L. Meads preached his funeral. HESTER j. JONES. Truly may we say of him, as of Enoch of old : "He pleased God." HESTER J. JONES, Widow of Levi A. Jones, born May 26th, 1841, was converted young and joined the M. E. Church. Is the mother of nine children. In 1871 she united with Harmony Free Baptist Church; lived seven miles away, yet seldom missed a church meeting. In 1900 she went into the organization of a new Free Baptist church at Spillertown, 111. Her pious life and religious teachings won all her children for Christ and the Church. She resides on the old homestead and is a successful farmer. REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 93 RICHARD W. JONES. RICHARD W. JONES, Born in Lake Creek, 111., Febru- ary 1 3th, 1866, son of Levi and Hester Jones, attended the district schools, gained a fair education and has been a very successful and popular teacher for many years. Was converted November 1 5th, 1884, and joined Harmony Free Baptist Church. He is edi- tor of the "Progress" and has been for some years. Active in church work, his influence is largely felt. Married August, 1897, to Miss Nannie Harris, and now resides at Johnson City, Williamson Co., 111. 3vtv r LA ^Ji 1 ^issass '\XTu\ r r-^^JMj-iT^.