By John T. Christian, A.M. D.D. LL.D.
Professor of Christian History in The
Baptist
Bible Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.
(c) 1922
VOLUME ONE
The New Testament Churches. The Great Commission—A Definition of
a Church—A Voluntary Association—A Church Not National or General—The
Officers of a Church—The Ordinances—The Proper Subjects of Baptism—The Form
of Baptism—The Lord’s Supper—The Ordinances as Symbols—The Churches
Missionary Bodies—The Continued Existence of the Churches. The Ancient Churches. Early Conditions—Isaac
Taylor—Epistola ad Diognetum—The Beginning of Dangerous Heresies—Baptismal
Salvation—Metropolitan Bishops—Gregory the Great—The Baptism of
Believers—The Fathers—The Early Councils and Infant Baptism—The Baptism of
Adults Who Had Christian Parents—The First Law and The First Rule for Infant
Baptism—The Testimony of Scholars—The Form of Baptism—Six Rituals on the
Subject—The Christian Monuments—The Catacombs—The Baptisteries—Clinic
Baptism—Religious Liberty— Tertullian, Justin Martyr and
Lactatius—Constantine the Great Issues an Edict—Theodosius the Great Enforces
Religion by Law. The Struggle Against Corruption. Incorruptible Churches—The Testimony
of Bunsen—The Montanist Churches—The Anabaptism—The Spread of the
Movement—The Novatian Churches—Robinson Traces Them to the Reformation—They
Were Called Anabaptists—The Donatist Churches—Their Origin—Rejected Infant
Baptism—Benedict—Lincoln—Augustine—Liberty of
Conscience—Neander—Their Attitude Toward Liberty—Their Protest. The Paulician and Bogomil Churches. The Sources of Information—The
Greeks, The Armenians—“The Key of Truth.”—The Apostolic
Origin—They Rejected Other Communions—The Story of Constantine—The
Connection of the Mohammedans—The Sabians—The Numbers of the
Paulicians—Religious Liberty—The Free State of Teprice—Among the Albigenses
in France—Persecuted—Conybeare on Baptist Succession—Justin A.
Smith—Widely Scattered in Europe—the Paulicians not Manichaeans—Their
Doctrines—The Synod of Arras—A Confession of Faith—The
Adoptionists—The Form of Baptism—Macarius—The Oriental Church—The
Bogomils—Brockett—Their Persecutions—The Form of Baptism. The Albigensian, the Petrobrusian, the
Henrician, the Arnoldist, and the Berengarian Churches. The Origin and Spread of These
Churches—Prof. Bury—Their History—Their Good Character—Their Writings
Destroyed—They Were Not Manichaeans—Two Classes of Believers—In Southern
France—The Crusades Against Them—Their Doctrines—Rejected Infant
Baptism—Peter of Bruys—His Opinions—The Petrobrusians Accused of Being
Anabaptists—Henry of Lanusanne—His Great Success—Held the Opinions of the
Anabaptists—Arnold of Brescia—The Testimony of Otto Freising—The
Arnoldist—Berengarius—His Troubled Career. The Waldensian Churches. The Alps as a Hiding Place—Peter
Waldo—The Preaching Tour—Origin of the Waldenses—The Name—Roman
Catholic Historians on Their Origin—Rainerio Sacchoni—Preger—The Statement
of the Waldenses—The Noble Lessons—The Reformers—Beza—Later
Writers—The Special Historians of the
Waldenses—Faber—Moreland—Claudius Seisselius on Their Character—Their
Manners and Customs—Their Principles—Infant Baptism—Their Change of Views
in Regard to the Practice—Adult Baptism—Immersion. The Origin of the Anabaptist Churches. The Anabaptist
Movement—Mosheim—Sir Isaac Newton—Alexander Campbell—Robert
Barclay—Von Usinger—Sacchoni—Cardinal
Hosius—Luther—Zwingli—Anabaptism no New Thing—They Were Found in Many
Lands—Different Leaders—Kinship to The
Waldenses—Limborch—Keller—Moeller—Lindsay—The Waldenses and The
Anabaptists Found in the Same Places—Waldensian Preachers Found Among the
Anabaptists—Points of Agreement—The Anabaptists Claimed a Succession From
Earlier Times—The Antiquity of the Netherland Baptists—The
Swiss—Moravia—The Picards—Erasmus—Sebastian
Frank—Schyn—Abrahamson—Ypeij and Dermout. The Character of the Anabaptists. Called by Many
Names—Anabaptist—Catabaptists—The Popularity of the Movement—Not a
Turbulent People—Lovers of Peace—Bayle—Cassander—Pastor of
Feldsburg—The Swiss Baptists—Erasmus—Persecuted in Every
land—Religious Liberty—Hubmaier—Their Appeal to The New Testament—The
Baptismal Question—A Spiritual Church Their Aim—Hast—Infant
Baptism—The Form of Their Organization. The Reformers Bear Witness of the Baptist. The attitude of the Reformers to Infant
Baptism—The History of Immersion in Germany, North and East—The Saxon
Confession—Melanchthon—Pomerania—Sadoleto—Luther—John
Bugenhagen—Zwingli—The Catabaptists—Erasmus—Melanchthon—William
Farel—Martin Bucer—Baptisms in a Tub—Calvin—Baptism Not an Especial
Discussion Between the Baptists and the Reformers. The Baptist in the Practice of Dipping. The Testimony of Fleury—“The
Sum of the Holy Scripture”—Conrad Grebel in Switzerland—A Moravian
Chronicle—Its Doubtful Authority—Some Roman Catholic Converts May at First Have
Practiced Sprinkling—Kessler—Ulimann Dipped in The Rhine—The Dippings at
St. Gall—The Baptistery—The Baptisms in the Sitter River—Persecutions on
This Account—The Dippings at Appenzell—John Stumpf—The Decrees Against the
Baptisms of the Baptists—The Persecutions at Zurich—The Strong Arm of the
Law—The Famous Decree of Zurich—Gastins—Felix Manz Drowned Because he
Practiced Dipping—The Baptists in Vienna—The Italian Baptists Other Baptist Churches in the Practice of
Dipping. The Church in Augsburg—Hans
Denck—The Leaders all in the Practice of Dipping—Baptisteries in the Houses and
Cellars—Sender—The Augsburg Historian—Urbanus Rhegius—The River
Lech—The Church at Strassburg—Melchior Hofmann—The Baptisms at
Emden—Tubs Used for Baptismal Purposes—Dr. Winkler—Obbe Philips—The
Words of Keller—Melchior Rink—“The Ordinance of God”—The Moravian
Churches—Baithasar Hubmaier—His Character and Work—Denies Infant
Baptism—Adopts immersion—Zwingli and Hubmaier—Capito—Farel—John
Fabricius—The Books of Hubmaier—Peter Reidermann—Erhard. The Practice of Dipping in the Netherlands,
Poland, Lithuania, and Transylvania Baptist Churches. The Waldenses in Holland—Religious
Liberty—Remhrandt—Learned Men—Simon Menno—His Views of
Baptism—“A Handful of Water”—Luther on This Phrase—The Doop—Roman
6:3—Anabaptist Literature on The Subject—1 Corinthians 12:13—The Practice
of Meno—Immersion in the
Netherlands—Bastingius—Boltens—Dooreslaar—Stark—Schyn—The
Change of Practice Among the Mennonites—The Collegiants of Rhynesburg—Poland and
Silesian Baptists—Immersion—Sandius—Bock—The Unitarian
Baptists—Their Great Learning and Culture—Peter Gonesius—Gregory
Paulus—Their Numbers and Spirit—Socinus—Martin Czechovicus—The
Racovian Catechism—The Lord of Cracow. The Peasant Wars and the Kingdom of
Munster. The trouble between the Peasants and the
Nobility—Thomas Munzer—The Twelve Articles—The Battle of
Schlatchtberg—Thomas Munzer Never a Baptist—The Responsibility of
Luther—Grebel and Manz Disavow Munzer—His Views on Infant Baptism—The
Munster Tumults—Largely a Political Affair—The Desire for
Liberty—Polygamy—Marriage Sacred—The Anabaptists Did Not Originate the
Tumults—The Leaders Were All Pedobaptists—Fair Minded
Historians—Keller—D’Aubigne—Ypeij and Dermout—Arnold—The
“Common Man”—The Act of Baptism at Munster—“The Confession of
Both Sacraments”—The Form of Baptism Dipping—Jesse B.
Thomas—Keller—Heath—Cornelius—Rhegius—Fischer—John of
Leyden. The British Baptist Churches. The Statement of the
Historians—Thomas Crosby—B. Evans—Adam Taylor—Robert
Barclay—David Masson—The First Churches in Britain—Missionary Work—The
Persecutions—The Early Britons
Baptists—Crosby—Davis—Immersion—Richards on the Welsh Word—Bede
and Other Historians—St. Patrick in Ireland—Immersion and The Lord’s
Supper—Austin—The Saxons—An Attempt to Convert the Britons to Roman
Catholic Views—The Differences—Infant Baptism—The First Instance of Infant
Baptism—Laws Enacted on the Subject—The Paulicians in England—Hill Cliffe
Church—Goadby—Walter Lollard—John Wyclif—His Views on
Baptism—Thomas Walden—The Opinions of the Lollards—William Tyndale. The Baptists in the Reformation Period in
England. Henry VIII.—The Persecution of the
Baptists—The hatred of the King—The Opinions of the Baptists—Alice
Grevill—Simon Fish A—Royal Proclamation Against Strangers—The Coming of the
Dutch—The Baptists Burnt—Stowe—Froude—A Sensation—The Baptists
Increase Daily—Their Numbers—Their Churches—Immersion—The Sum of the
holy Scripture”—Immersion Among the Baptists—The
Donatists—Fuller—Featley—Edward VI—The Baptist Increase in
Numbers—In London—In Kent and Elsewhere— In Essex—Baptists
Burnt—The Influence of John Calvin—Joan of Kent— The Practice of
Immersion—The Baptism of Adults—J. Bales—Giles Van Bellen—Robert Cooke
and Dr. Turner—Queen Mary—She attempts to Reestablish Romanism—Philip II of
Spain—Bishop Gardiner—Edward Bonner—The Baptists were Numerous—Shoals
of Them from Abroad—immersion—The Martyrs—Queen Elizabeth—The Name
Baptist—Their Churches—The coming From Over-Seas—The Heavy Hand of the
Law— More Baptists Burnt—The Independents—Learn their Ideas From the
Baptists—Immersion the Rule—Immersion Among the Baptists—James I—The
Baptist Not Numerous in His Reign—The Burnning of Edward Wightman—A Petition to
the House of Lords—An Humble Supplication to the King—An Appeal for Liberty of
Conscience—Mark Leonard Busher. The Episode of John Smyth. He Was an Unusual Man—The Material
for his Life Rare and Complicated—Lincoln—Gainsborough—The Crowle
Documents—Animosity Against Him—He is Baptized—His Great Ability—The
Anabaptists in Holland—Baptist Succession—The Question of his
Sec-baptism—The Position of Baptist Writers—His Own Words—His
Immersion—No Difficulty to Obtain Immersion in Holland—Ashton—The
Mennonites—B. Evans—Muller—Robert Barclay—P. B.—R. B.—Thomas
Wall—Giles Shute—Crosby—Ivimey—Taylor—Masson—Bishop
Hall—Clyfton—Baillie—J. H .—Mark Leonard Busher—Helwys—John
Norcott—John Morton—I. Graunt—Smyth His Own Witness—Excluded From the
Baptist Church—He Differs From the Mennonites—The Testimony of
Helwys—Helwys Returns to England. Origin of the Particular Baptist Churches. The General Baptists
Numerous—Calvinistic Views Among Baptists—The Rise of the Particular
Baptists—The Independent Church of Henry Jacob—Crosby—Underhill—Crosby
Sometimes Misleading—The Opinion of Lewis—The MS. of William Kiffin—The
Sending to Holland for Baptism—The Statement of Hutchinson—John
Spilsbury—The Right to Begin Baptism—The Administrator of Baptism—The
Continuance of Baptist Churches—William Kiffin—Daniel King—A Notable
Introduction—Henry D’Anvers—The Confession of Somerset—Thomas
Grantham—Joseph Hooke—Samuel Stennett—The Baptist Magazine—Thomas
Pottenger—James Culross—The Story of Blount Going to Holland—The Mistakes
of the So-called Kiffin Manuscript—Two Kiffin Manuscripts—The So-called Practice
of Sprinkling—Hanserd Knollys—The Jacob Church Often in Trouble on The Subject
of Dipping—The Practice of Spilsbury—Of Eaton—Of Kiffin—Of Henry
Jessey—The Church of Hubbard—John Canne—The Broadmead Church—Samuel
Howe—Paul Hobson—Thomas Kilcop—The Practice of Dipping Called
“New”—The Answer of the Baptists—Samuel Richardson—Thomas
Collier—Hanserd Knollys—John Tombes—Jeffrey Watts—The Confession of
1643—The Form of Baptism Dipping—Jesse B. Thomas—The Practice of the
General Baptists—Masson—Featley. A Great Debate on Baptism. Charles I. Brought Disaster—William
Laud—The Prevalence of Baptists—Persecutions—Search For The
Baptists—Lord Robert Brooke—The High Commission Court Destroyed—The
Boldness of the Baptists—The Church of England Tries to Enforce
Immersion—Articles to he Enquired of—Baptisteries—Thomas Blake—Walter
Craddock—Daniel Featley—Denne—John Floyer—Schaff—Greek
Lexicons—The Edinburgh Encyclopedia—William Wall—The Westminster
Assembly—John Lightfoot—The Action of Parliament—The Book of
Vellum—The Beginning of the Great Debate—The Practice of the Baptists—W. H.
King—George C. Lorimer—Joseph Angus—Daniel Featley—Thomas
Collier—Lewes Hewes—Thomas Lamb—John Goodwin—Edward
Barber—William Jeffrey—Clem Writer—Goadby—Featley and Four Particular
Baptists—Tombes and Henry Vaughan and John Cragge—William Russell and Samuel
Chandler. The Rise and Progress of Baptist
Institutions and Customs. Baptist Associations—They Originated
With the Particular Baptists—The General Baptists the First to Organize—J. M.
Davis—The Great Authority of the
Association—Business—Number—Date—The Custom of Appeal—The Office
of Messenger—The Organization of the Particular Baptists—A Letter From
Ireland—The Midland Association—The Circular Letter—Objects of the
Union—Support of the Ministry—Education—Hebrew, Greek and
Latin—Bristol College—Mile End Academy—Pastor and Deacons—The
Permanency of the Pastoral Relation—The Support of the
Ministry—Ordination—Discipline—Amusements—Marrying—Laying on of
Hands and Anointing of the Sick—Singing. The Achievements of the English Baptists. Opportunity for Growth—Robert
Baillie—Thomas Edwards—Daniel Featley—An Epitome of the Period—William
R. Williams—The High Attainments of the
Baptists—Dr. Hawes—Mackintosh—Hugh Price Hughes—Chalmers—The
Price of Human Liberty—Persecutions—An Act of Parliament — The “Gag
Law”— The Cruelty of Infant Baptism —Oliver Cromwell—Prominent Baptist
Preachers in Prison—Cromwell Casts His Influence Against the Baptist—Liberty of
Conscience—Confession of the Particular Baptists—Of the General
Baptists—John Milton—John Bunyan—William Kiffin—James II.—William
and Mary—The Baptists Brought Liberty of Conscience—John
Locke—Price—Charles Butler—Herbert S. Skeats—Phillip Schaff—A
Time of Paralysis Antinomianism—John Gill—John Rippon—Baptist
Publications—Abraham Booth—John Howard—Andrew Fuller—Moderate
Calvinism—The Missionary Movement—William Carey—Joseph Hughes and the Bible
Society—Sunday Schools—Robert Raikes—W. Fox—The Relation of the
Baptists to the Young—Regents Park College—Great Authors and Able
Preachers—Hymn Writers. The Origin of the American Baptist Churches.
The Date of the First Baptists in America
Uncertain—Many of the Early Settlers Baptists—Cotton
Mather—Plymouth—Roger Williams and Samuel Howe—The Fear of
Anabaptism—A Disturbance on Account of Immersion—Governor Winthrop—Governor
Bradford—A Debate on Baptism—President Chauncey—Scituate—The Lathrop
Church—Henry Dunster—Hanserd Knollys—The General Court of Massachusetts
Takes Part—Weymouth—Lady Moody—Painter—Persecutions—Roger
Williams—At Salem—At Providence—The Form of His Baptism
Immersion—Richard Scott—William Coddington—Williams Himself
Testifies—Joseph B. Felt—George P. Fisher—Philip Schaff—Williams
Separates From the Baptists—Apostolic Succession—The Baptists Do not Derive
Their Baptism From Williams—The First Democracy—The Provisions For the Charter
of Rhode Island—Religious Liberty—Arnold—Hough—Bancroft—Judge
Story—Gervinus—Straus—The Persecutions of the Baptists in
Massachusetts—John Clark—Obadiah Holmes—Virginia a Battle Ground for
Freedom—Severe Laws—Sir W. Berkeley—The Destruction of the
Establishments—The Testimony of Hawks—James Madison—Thomas
Jefferson—Bishop Meade—George P. Fisher Sums up the Case—The Revolutionary
War—William Pitt—Fox—Burke—Robert Ryland—No Tories Among the
Baptists—The Continental Congress—The Philadelphia Association—A Memorial
to Congress—The Baptists in the Army—The Chaplains—James Manning—John
Hart—Thomas Jefferson—John Leland—Safe-guarding the Liberty of the
Land—The First Amendment to the Constitution—The Eulogy of the Baptist by George
Washington.
I. THE COLONIAL PERIOD THE FIRST BAPTISTS IN AMERICA. First Settlers —Separatists and
Puritans —The Difference in the Parties —The Puritan a Church of England Man
—Reformed —Character of the Puritans —Religious Intolerance
—Frothingham —Neal —Ruffini —The Theocracy —The First Baptists
—Their Character—Statistics . THE BAPTISTS IN RHODE ISLAND. Baptists Organize —Roger Williams
—Relations to Sir Edward Coke —Arrival in New England —How Recognized
—Estimates of Him —Pastor in Salem —Interference of the Magistrates
—Plymouth —Returns to Salem —Before the Court in Boston —The Attitude
of the People of Salem —His Banishment —His Popularity in Salem —Revocation
of the Order of Banishment —Roman Catholics —Organization of the Church in
Providence —The Baptism of Williams —The Form of Baptism —Abandons the
Church Apostolic Succession and the Administration of Baptism —Irregularity
—John Spilsbury —Further History of the Church —Pardon Tillinghast
—Williams on Liberty —His Character —The Church at Newport —John
Clarke —His Character —Recognition of Charles II —A New Charter —Rhode
Island Persecuted by Other Colonies —Better Opinion of the State —Prosperity of
the Baptists. THE PERSECUTION OF THE BAPTISTS IN
MASSECHUSETTS. Charter Rights—A Christian
State—Violations of the Charter—Peter Oliver—Episcopal Worship not
Allowed—The Browns—The Rise of the Baptists—The Baptists
Denounced—Petitions Against Them—Lady Moody—William Witter—Thomas
Painter—The Governor Acts—A Severe Law—Baptists Punished—The Law
Explained—Goodman Johnson—Letters on Severity—Letter to Plymouth
Colony—The Persecution of the Quakers—Dissenters Forced to Pay Taxes—The
Opinion of Ruffini . THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHES IN MASSECHUSETTS. The First Church in the
State—Swansea—Prosecutions of the Church—A Grant of Land—The
Conditions of the Grant—The Church in Boston—Richard Mather—John
Clarke—Obadiah Holmes and Crandall—They Are Arrested—The Whipping of
Holmes—Letter to Kiffin—The Conversion of Henry Dunster—History of the
Case—Removed as President of Harvard—Thomas Gould—The Church
Formed—The Action of the Congregational Church—Persecutions—The Action of
the Court—The Place of Meeting—The General Spirit of the Puritans—House of
Worship—Some Changes in Sentiment—Their Punishment—The Witches
Burned—The Opinion of the Baptists—William Melbourne—Robert Calef—The
Power of the Theocracy Broken—The Later Laws. THE BAPTISTS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THE
JERSEYS. William Penn—The "Frame of
Government"—"The Great Law"—Liberal Provisions in
Religion—Baptists from Rhode Island—Thomas Dungan—Cold
Springs—Pennepek—Baptists from Wales, Ireland and England—Elias
Keach—The Keithian Quakers—Mennonites—Bapti5ts in
Philadelphia—Jersey Baptists—Emigrants from Many Countries—The
Congregationalists in Newark—A Curious Incident. THE BAPTISTS OF MAINE AND SOUTH CAROLINA. Baptists in Kittery—The Letter of
Humphrey Churchwood—William Screven—Before the Grand Jury—The Account of
Joshua Millet—Screven Convicted of Contempt—Fined—His
Character—Screven in South Carolina—The Opinion of His Enemies—Joseph Lord
Writes to the Governor—The Settlement of Charleston—The Established
Church—The Different Religious Sects—The First Baptists There—Lady
Blake—Religious Conformity Demanded—No Other Baptist Church in the
State—The Euhaw and Other Churches. The Baptists in New York, Delaware,
Connecticut and Vermont. The Baptists in New York—Dutch
Settlers—The Reformed Church—The Baptists Conventicles Suppressed—Lady
Moody—Baptists in Flushing—Francis
Doughty—Laws—Fines—Valentine—Wightman—The Various
Sects—Governor Andros—Governor Hunter—First Baptist Church, New
York—Nicholas Eyres—Fines—The Baptists in Central New
York—Delaware—The Settlement of the State—The Welsh Tract
Church—Elijah Baker and Philip Hughes—The Sounds Baptist
Church—Connecticut—The Severity of the Laws—Early Baptist—The Slow
Progress—Vermont—The Rise of the Baptists . The Baptists in Maryland and New Hampshire. Maryland—Claims of the Roman
Catholics—Bishop Gilmour—Cardinal Gibbons—Lord Baltimore—His Views of
Liberty—A Forced Baptism of Infants—The Protestant Charter—Rufuni—De
Courcey—Religious Provisions of the Charter—The Testimony or Dr.
Brownson—An Attempt to Establish the Roman Catholic Religion in l638—The Famous
Act of l649—The Political Fortunes of Baltimore at the Time—Population Mostly
Protestant—The Opinion of the Historians—The Law a Compromise Measure Between
Roman Catholics and the Puritans—Governor Stone a Protestant—No Liberty of
Conscience Allowed—Roman Catholic View—The Terrible Penalties—The Virgin
Mary—The Sabbath—Imprisonment and Public Whippings—The Baptists in
Maryland—New Hampshire—The Baptist Church at Newton—Other Baptist Churches. The Philadelphia Association, Brown
University, and Baptist Customs. Organization of the Philadelphia
Association—Quarterly Meetings—The Early Churches of the Body—Other
Associations—Powers of an Association—The Declaration of the
Association—The Separate Association in Virginia—John L.
Waller—Discipline—Trouble in the Pennepek Church—The First Church,
Charleston, S. C—Requirements to Unite With a Church—Ministerial
Education—Thomas Hollis and Harvard College—Scholarships for Baptists—Abel
Morgan—The Academy at Hopewell—Missions—Oliver Hart—John
Gano—Circular Letter on Education—Isaac Eaton—Brown University—James
Manning—Dr. Ezra Stiles—The Charter—The First Commencement of
Brown—The College Suspended—Resolutions on Temperance—Early Customs of the
Baptists. The Great Awakening. Baptists in Massachusetts—Position
of the Puritans— Reaction Against the Standing Order—Thirteen Evils—The
Account of Jonathan Edwards of Conditions—A Minister in New Hampshire—The
Historian Trumbull—The Drink Habit—The Half Way Covenant—The Burning of
Witches—The Awakening in Northampton—The Sermons of Edwards—The Revival
Begins—The Effects of the Revival—George Whitefield—The Estimate of
Benjamin Franklin—Manner of Preaching of Whitefield—Calvinism—The Baptists
Calvinistic—Disorders—Persecutions of the Standing Order—Edwards Ejected
from His Church—The Boston Gazette—Opposition of the
Episcopalians—Action of the Connecticut Legislature—The New Lights—The New
Lights Become Baptists—Bacon's Account—Great Growth of the Baptists. The Baptists of Virginia. The First Settlers of Virginia—The
Episcopalians—Contrasts with New England—First Efforts of the Baptists—The
Church of England Established by Law—The Virginia Charter—No Toleration
Allowed—The Bloody Laws—"Neck and Heels" in Jail for Not Attending
Church—The First Act of Parliament—The Salary of the Clergy Paid in
Tobacco—Dissenters Must Depart the Colony—Whippings and
Brandings—Ordination from the Church of England Demanded—Quakers and Baptists in
Virginia—Infant Baptism—Presbyterians Tolerated for a Strange
Reason—Baptists Slow in Entering the State—Marvelous Growth—Dr.
Hawks—Bishop Perry—The Statement of Semple—The First Baptists from
England—Robert Norden—Collection of Money in England for the Baptist—Church
at Burley—Churches in Berkeley and Loudon Counties—The Statement of John
Gano—David Thomas. The Baptists in Virginia, North Carolina and
Georgia. The Third Company of Baptists in
Virginia—The Separatist—Shubea1 Stearns—Daniel Marshall—Stearns Unites
with the Baptist—North Carolina Settled—Individual Baptist—Paul
Palmer—William Sojourner—Kehukee Association—Vanhorn and Miller—The
Preaching of the Separatists—The Character of Stearns—History of the
Movement—Many Notices of the Growth of the Baptist—Baptists in
Georgia—Nicholas Bedgewood—Benjamin Stark—Botsford—Gano—Marshall
Arrested—Kiokee Church—Samuel Harris—Elijah Craig—The Election of
Bishops by the Baptists. II. THE PERIOD OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION The Baptists in the American Revolution. The Thirteen Colonies— The Policy of
England—The Discovery of the Valley of the Ohio—The Population of the
Country—The Social, Political and Religious Conditions—Political and Religious
Freedom—The Forces Against America—George Ill—The Attitude of Pope Pius
VI—John Adams on the situation—The Position of Canada—The Quebec
Act—The Roman Catholics of Great Britain—The Attitude of America Toward the
Roman Catholics—The Mercenaries from Germany—The Roman Catholics of
Ireland—Of America—The Clergy of the Established Church of England—Rev.
Charles Inglis—Foreign Born Citizens— A Conspiracy Against
Washington—William Pitt—The Baptists of England—Dr. Rippon—The
Baptists of America—The Warren Association—The Philadelphia Association—An
Appeal to the Continental Congress—Rhode Island Favors Independence—The Baptists
of Virginia—A Memorial to Congress—Soldiers—Chaplains in the
Army—Oliver Hart—John Hart. The Baptists and the American Constitution. The Constitution—The
Ratification—Two Objections to the Constitution—Liberty not Sufficiently
Guarded—Massachusetts—James Manning—Virginia—James Madison and John
Leland—J. S. Barbour—Governor Briggs on Leland—Patrick Henry Against the
Constitution—John Adam—And Religious Liberty—Thomas Jefferson—First
Amendment to the Constitution—The Baptists of Virginia Propose the Amendment—The
Forces Working for Liberty—Leonard Bacon—Ruffini. The Period of Imprisonment and Strife in
Virginia. The Persecutions in Virginia—
Imprisonments—Spotsylvania—Lewis Craig—Letter of John Blair—Waller
forty—three Days in Jail—The Members of the Establishment Enraged—Others
Imprisoned—William Fristoe on Persecutions—The Baptists Greatly Increase in
Number—James Madison Writes Letters—The Action of the House of
Burgesses—The Baptists Present Petitions—The Baptists Attack the Establishment. The Baptists and the Destruction of the
Establishment. The Evils of the Establishment in
Virginia—The Baptists Render Service to the Country—Dr. Hawks on the
Situation—The Convention at Williamsburg—Petition of the Clergy—Terrible
Charges Against the Baptists—The Statement of Fristoe—The Tax Law
Suspended—Counter Memorials—The Law Repealed—The Statement of
Rayner—The Historians Speak—The Glebe Lands—The General Assessment
Proposed—The Presbyterians—The Reasons the Baptists Opposed the Measure—The
Bill Examined and Rejected—The Bill of Thomas Jefferson—Bishop Perry on the
Baptists—Jefferson and the Baptists—The Union of the Regular and Separate
Baptists—The Terms of The Union—The Revival. III. The Period of Growth and Organization The Baptists in Kentucky. The Ohio Valley—Kentucky—John
Finlay—Hunters from North Carolina—Daniel Boone—Lexington—The Customs
of the People—The County of Fincastle—Baptists the Pioneers—John Lythe
holds "Divine Service" at Harrodsburg—Bishop Smith on the
Baptists—Thomas Tinsley and William Hickman—John Taylor—William
Marshall—Severn's Valley Church—Cedar Creek Church—The Traveling
Church—Lewis Craig—Other Famous Preachers—The Negro Servant Peyer—The
Land and Water Routes to Kentucky—Calvinistic and Separate Churches—Religious
Conditions—The Revivals—John Gano—The Elkhorn Association—Foot
Washing—United Baptists—Augustine Eastin and James Garrard—Cooper Run
Church—A Horrible Murder—The Unitarian Movement—The Universalists. The Baptists of the Ohio Valley. The Ohio Valley—The
Conditions—George Rogers Clark—The American. Settlers—The French
Settlers—The First Churches in Ohio—John Smith and James Lee—The
Indians—The Miami Association—Illinois—J. M. Peek—Indiana—Isaac
McCoy and George Waller—Judge Holman—Missouri—Hardships—Bethel
Church—Fee Fee Church—Tennessee—Middle Tennessee—Alabama—Revivals
in Alabama. The Baptists in Mississippi and Louisiana. Spanish America—The
Inquisition—Florida—New Mexico—The French Occupy Louisiana—The
Conditions—The Mississippi Country—The Claim of Great Britain—The Uprising
Against Spain—Emigrants in the Natchez Country—Richard Curtis—Journey by
Flatboats—Religious Liberty—Salem Church—Meetings Held at Night—The
Spanish Officers—The Flight of Curtis—In South Carolina—The Return of
Curtis—The Dissensions of the Salem Church—The Baptists Enter
Louisiana—Mills and Smith—The Conditions in
Louisiana—Persecutions—Bailey E. Chancy—Half Moon Bluff
Church—Baptists in New Orleans. The Great Revival of 1800. The Deplorable Conditions of the
Country—Low State of Morals—Terrible Practices—Deistical Opinions of the
French and Indian Wars—Alliance of America and France—The Effects of French
Infidelity—Thomas Paine—Infidel Clubs—Illuminism—Want of Religious
Instruction—Baptist and Presbyterian Ministers—Dull Preaching—Conditions in
the Colleges—Kentucky and Tennessee—Logan County—The Great
Revival—James McGready—His Sermons—The Camp Meeting at Casper
River—The Account of McGready—The Meeting Described—Barton W.
Stone—Other Meetings—Extravagance—Lorenzo Dow—The Jerks and Other
Violent Exercises—Disorders—Such Meetings Continued for Years—The Revival
Did Great Good—Testimonies—Results Among the Baptists—Effects Felt
Throughout the United States. The Rise of Foreign Missions Among American Baptists. The Opinion of Southey—The Baptists
of the United States Missionary—Had not Undertaken Foreign Mission Work—The
Appeals of Carey and Others—The Contributions to India—Early Missionary
Enterprises—No General Organization—The Spirit of the Times—The
Congregationalists—The American Board of Commissioners—Young Men in the Andover
Theological Seminary—Hall, Mills, Judson, Nott and Luther Rice—Americans Seek to
Be Sent from England—The Missionaries Ordained—They Sail for Foreign
Lands—Adoniram Judson—Studies the Subject of Baptism—Becomes a
Baptist—Informs the American Board—Appeals to the Baptists—Accepted by the
Baptists—Judson in Burmah—The Return of Luther Rice. The General Convention of the Baptist
Denomination in the United States. Luther Rice—His
Character—Kingsford's Account—Note in His Journal—Before the American
Board—Appeal to the Baptists—The Savannah Baptist Society—Organization of
the Triennial Convention—The Numbers of the Baptists Small—The
Messengers—The Constitution—Dr. Furman Preaches the Sermon—Judson Accepted
as Missionary—Hough and Wife Sent to India—Domestic Missions—The
Program—Indian Missions—Isaac McCoy—Rice Visits the Churches—A Great
Crisis—A Resume of the Work. The Anti-Effort Secession from the Baptists.
The Rise of the Division—The Rancor
of the Discussions—The Misunderstandings—Opposition to Missions—To
Education—Masonry—Drinking—"Old School Baptists"—The
Opposition Widespread—Bebee in The Signs of the Times—Tennessee.—Arkansas—Kentucky—Hill
Grove Church—Otter Creek Association—Georgia—Hepziban
Association—Yellow River—Flint River—Alabama—Virginia—Reasons for
the Divisions— State of Religion—John Taylor—Samuel Trott—Daniel
Parker—Illinois—Peck and Parker—Indiana—Texas—Sad Results. The Schism of Alexander Campbell. Rise of the "Current
Reformation"—Calvinism—Arminianism—Alexander Campbell—In
Pennsylvania—A Presbyterian—Unites with the Baptists—Described by
Archbishop Purcell—Debate with John Walker—Barton W. Stone and the
Reformation—Campbell and Stone Unite Their Forces—The Ten Articles—The
Debate with McCalla—Immense Crowds—Peculiar Views—A Great
Sensation—Prominent Ministers—His Great Talent in Debate—His Views Slowly
Introduced—Baptism for the Remission of Sins—Call to the Ministry—Paid
Ministry—Poorly Prepared Ministers—The Separation—Action of the
Associations—The Account of Dr. W. C. Buck—The Increase of the Baptists. A Number of Baptist Activities. Alien Immersions—J. L.
Reynolds—Crosby—Philadelphia Association—The Case of James
Hutchinson—Jesse Mercer—The Christian Review—Benedict—Education—Colombian
College—The Triennial Convention on Education—An Address—The Effect of the
Revolutionary War—The Charleston Association—Baptist Education Society in the
Middle States—The Massachusetts Education Society—A School of Theological
Instruction in Philadelphia—Washington, D. C.—The Progress of the Colombian
College—President Monroe—The Resignation of Rice—Newton Theological
Institution—Hamilton College—The Education Society in South Carolina and
Georgia—Mercer College—Other Colleges—State Conventions—The General
Convention of Western Baptists—Home Missions in the West—Sunday
Schools—Baptist Publication Society—Newspapers and Periodicals—Conclusion.
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