Memoirs of Eld. J. N. Hall, the peerless defender of the Baptist faith

Dedication

Dedicated to the Master's Cause, his beloved brethren, his host of beloved and loving friends, and to his bereaved wife and daughter.

Gift

Preface

Tie attempt to set forth a true history of any iran or institution should be an intelligent effort. That is, the biographer must know his eubjec'". It was not the writer's privilege to have a long and intimate personal acquaintance with Bro. J. N. Hall; but the period of our personal acquaintance was one of such vivid and trying experiences that the character and inner life of the man were laid bare at every step and every turn.

It will be remembered that the famous attack by S. A. Hayden of Texas was made during the months from November, 1904, to November, 1905. Those who read the attacks will remember their character and the victory of Dr. Hall before a committee mutually chosen at Texarkana, Texas. This most wanton and unprovoked attack on a friend was one of the painful experiences of his life, and yet how magnanimously he rose above it, and, like the Christian gentleman that he was, offered his hand to his enemies, proposing to forgive all, and' asking forgivenness for any wrong that he may have committed. Death came with the hand of brotherly forgivenness still vainly extended.

During this same period of time others that he had trusted as friends in the most intimate way, seized the opportunity of his confidence toiv Preface.

injure him in every way possible. In all these dire experiences, which affected not only his good lame and fortune, but others with whom he was connected, he stood, like the great oak in the storm with only true and kind words for his enemies. Men of wicked intentions accused him cf working the people after the Texas coal oil i.lan, and charged him with robbing the widow .out in Arkansas.

The strenuous and trying situation into which I was thrust with him on account of these attacks, brought to my view the superiority of the man, not only in intellectual gifts, but in moral and Christian character.

The first time the writer ever saw Dr. Hall, he was climbing the platform in Concordia Hall, Little Rock, Ark., at the opening session of the Baptist State Association in 1903. The first sermon that I heard him preach was on the following Sunday at the same place. The first conversation with him was at the General Association of Texas, at Dallas, in 1904. Our mutual business interests brought us together in personal conversation. At that meeting our strong mutual attachment began and grew and strengthened during the brief, intimate and strenuous association that followed, ending with his death, a little over one year later. Our last meeting was in the Southern Hotel at Texarkana, Texas, at the General Association of America, in 1905. On our way down to that meeting, the subject of his delicate health came up, and the importance of his life to the Baptist interests, and he remarked cheerfully: "Brother Barker,

Preface. V

the Lord is never short of men." The last time I saw him alive was in that hotel as he went to sleep under the influence of medicine. At his suggestion I went to sleep on a bed in the same room. During that period of sleep, our final separation in this world occurrea. He quietly dressed himself and left without disturbing me, and went to Prescott, Arkansas.

Some incidents during our acquaintance show the man. At one time the aspect of the battle was such that I thought of changing my position, and declared my intention to himi and he replied: "Stick to your bush, trust the Lord, and I will stand by you."

At another time I came up with a Convention Baptist (?) preacher at an association in Arkansas, who was circulating a scurrilous report against him, and I suggested to him to handle the man by law. I apprised Brother Hall of my ideas, and he replied: "When you have dealt with as many such skunks as I have, you will want to 'handle' them just as little as possible." The wisdom of the suggestion has since been made manifest.

The first words Dr. Hall ever spoke to me were, "Well, now, Brother Barker, I am devoutly glad to see you ; you look like you might be good." The last words were: "Now lie down and rest, Brother Barker, I ami feeling much better." The last words he ever wrote me were : "I will have to leave the Flag in your hands ; do your best, as I know you will. It will be weeks before I am able •to do anything, if I ever am. I am ready for my vi Preface.

departure, God bless you;" and so he went to his rest.

He also mentioned Brethren Williams and Bandy, in a most tender manner, and that he had spoken to them to assist. me all they could in the crisis. These dying words have always been a bond of tender attachment to these two excellent brethren, who were then and are still personal strangers to me ; but whose names are familiar to all old Flag readers, and who still are staunch friends of The Flag.

This delicate but pleasant work of helping to set forth his life, for the betterment and help of others, comes as a duty as unexpected and unsought as that of sitting at his desk and wielding his pen; and both equally honorable.

My short acquaintance, and a desire to have Dr. Hall seen in the light of his own labors, rather than the glamour of eulogy by another, we have decided that he, himself, shall write the most of this volume.

W. M. Barker.

Chapter I. Family Sketch

The childhood and youth of any great man is always hung about with a mystic charm. Where history is impossible, fancy comes with the creation of ideals that she thinks must correspond with the brilliant manhood. It paints the boy with a halo about his head and a youthful charm that delights the gaze.

The Christ life, the most wonderful of all, and whose childhood is most hidden, has challenged the efforts of curiosity. Fable and fiction have come as the fruits of fancy. Imagination never tires in its work of creation in the realm of the childhood from which emerge great and good people. For some reason, best known . to Himself the God of All has designed that the most striking, and lasting period of men shall be that of refined manhood, and that the time in which the life monument is built, and all substantial character erected. Could we know the details of the child life, and see them in the light of subsequent achievements, there would be seen in the boy prophecies of the man, that, like all prophecies, are not heeded or believed as prophecy. The life of the completed man must define the prophecy by fulfillment.

It is an old, and reasonably, correct saying, that "blood will tell." It is also a proverb, that "all men have a right to be well born," — a thing in which the rights of many are violated. To be "well born" means mental, moral and physical soundness in the parent stock.

To the writer, it is vastly to the credit of the subject of this volume, that his father was of Virginia extraction. In an early day there came from that old state a young man by the name of William E. Hall. He was of robust nature and brave heart and so pushed into the vilds of "the purchase." During his stay in Clinton County, Mr. Hall met a coy and attractive lass by the name of Elizabeth Hall. These two married with result that Elizabeth Hall was Elizabeth Hall, and that was all, only now she became Mrs. Hall. These two earnest and industrious people settled down to the usual battle of life, of striving for a temporary footing on this tottery disc of time, as millions before them had done. There was

seas. %vm 9jn}i39i peuoiiuoui-OAoqB oq; A^uo in any way peculiaar about them. What the

future had in store for them only the years that come and go could reveal. It might be riches cr fame, or both, or either or neither.

On the 5th of February 1849, there was an occurrence in the family that assured the fame — that was the birth of their first-born son. Had such another son ever been born? No doubt the parents could see visions of greatness cluster about the cradle, and prophecies of a remarkable

Family Sketches. 9

man in that little red countenance. Must these be disappointed? Who is the child? His name was Haft. Just Hall, and that was all, but one thing is sure, he was entirely Hall. His parents gave him the name of John Newton, which name became a household word among Baptists. His father and mother, both had been Halls from their birth, and this son was the same kind. When the sun rose on the 5th day of February 1849, it lighted for the first time the face of this infant. It was the countenance of a great man; a very small man yet, it is true, but wait. He will be larger bye and bye. In that infant voice is the Harbinger of that eloquence that in after y< ars thrilled the multitude and swept them u]) close to the gates of light, and the throne c f mercy.

One unique incident comes to mind just here. Both the subject and writer of this were of Virginia extraction, and both parents of each bore the same name before marriage.

Whim. J. N. Hall was seven years old his parents mo^ ed to Ballard County, Ky., and settled on a farm that is now the site of the town of Arlington. The oldest son was one of those studious and dutiful boys tbnt attract attention and cause remark. Men still living, who were the companions of his boyhood and youth, never tire of telling cf "Johnnie" Hall's peculiar traits. Bro. "Brit" Glenn of Arlington was his bosom friend from early bovhood until he went to God. Bro. T. N.- Holt and Bro. John Brent were also the companions of his youth, and the staunch friends of his later years of manly and Christly battle for the faith. These tell of Dr. Hall's acts of unselfishness even before he became a Christian, which occurred at the age of fourteen at old Cane Run Church, and under the preaching of Eld. C. L. Cate, and was baptized into the fellowship of the above church. At that time that church stood just west of Arlington, and afterwards became the Arlington church.

Thoie who knew J. N. Hall best in his boyhood agree that he had a high sense of honor, and a special ly tender .spirit towards the unfortunate. The boy that was so unfortunate as to be known as wortli less and wicked, and the special object of common aversion, that boy was the special object of his pi*y, and subject of his sympathy and beneficence. Like all robust and healthy boys, he loved fur 1 , and had sport, but never at the expense of propr iety or the rights of others. When any boy of 1 is company would suggest any rude or wicked soort he would rebuke it and always carried his point as. he was recognized as a leader and authority on moral subjects.

One most commendable thing that the writer hopes will be considered and acted upon by all boys who may chance to read this, and that is. that he never gave his parents any anxiety about improper conduct when away from home.

Being the oldest of the family, Dr. Hall always felt the obligation of proper conduct for the benefit of the younger members of the family. Thoroughness, diligence and honesty were his characteristics. One who was not so intimate with him

Family Sketches. 11

remarked : "I knew him only as a good, industrious, unassuming, home-loving, gawky youth. It never occurred to me that there was a J. N. Hall in him."

To show how little men may judge of the future of a young man, Bro. Thos. N. Holt tells of an incident where he himself as a captain on one side of an oratorical contest, had the choice of speakers, and chose a Mr. Owens, instead of J. N. Hall. The dashy manner of Mr. Owens gained the decision, and Hall the good will of the audi ence.

All will be interested to know something of liis education, where and how he got it. Dr. Hall always insisted that he never was educated; that he "just grew up." But his preaching and writing have shown him a superb scholar. Before his marriage he attended school at Milburn Academy, at Milburn, Kentucky, for three years, and it may be a surprise to his many admirers for his staunch Baptist faith, to know that that was a Campbellite school. One of Dr. Hall's first debates was with the president of that school, Rev. E. C. L. Denton. During the debate Dr. Hall remarked to his former teacher: "You used to teach and lick me, but now I am teaching and licking you." A brief notice and analysis of the characteristics and character of the man will give a clear view of the reason for his being able to "teach the teacher," and all other men in matters of religious lore. These characteristics loom up like mountain peaks. The reader is referred to the following chapter for that.

Brother Hall was licensed to preach in 1871,. and ordained one year later, by the Hopewell church, and was married in the meantime on July 6, 1871, to Miss Mollie Earl, who was a most faithful helpmeet in his arduous life, until she died, December 12, 1899. She was the mother of three children, one son and two daughters, all of whom, except one, preceded the father to the kingdom above, the paradise of which he loved to speak.

The death of his daughter Beulah seemed to be the severest blow of Dr. Hall's life, and from which he always suffered in spirit, showing his tender attachment to his children. One elegant and cultured Christian young woman of twentytwo years, Miss Ruth, is his only surviving child.

It is said that Dr. Hall received two pounds of bacon and one bushel of potatoes as pay for his first year's preaching, and when speaking of it in after years, he said "the pay was according to the preaching."

The editorial career reaches from 1879 to the day of his death, a period of more than twentyseven years. During this time he was connected with the following papers: the Baptist Gleaner, Fulton, Ky., the Banner and Gleaner, with Eld. W. P. Throgmorton; then the Baptist Gleaner, with Eld. J. B. Moody; then he bought the Baptist Reaper, and changed the name to Baptist Gleaner, which was finally sold to the Western Recorder, with Dr. Hall as editor of the Gleaner Department. The American Baptist Flag, of St, Louis, Mo., was sold at auction in 1898. Dr. Hall

FamiVy Sketches. 13

bought the paper and removed it to Fulton, Ky., where under his able management, it became one of the foremost papers in the Baptist ranks, and so continues, having grown right on since his death, under the management of his widow, Mrs. Lillian J. Hall. The paper long ago ceased to be a local or State paper, and now carries the gospel to all states, and various foreign countries. Indeed, it can now be said that the Baptist Flag nearly follows the English drumbeat around vhe earth. The power of this Baptist enterprise will never be known till the full and glorious reward of Dr. Hall is seen.

Dr. Hall was married the second time to Miss Lillian J. Smith of Trezevant, Tenn., on August 8, 1900. This marriage, like the first, proved to be a happy one, and Mrs. Hall became a most excellent helpmeet by her Christian spirit and loyal endeavors in the work of conducting and publishing the Baptist Flag. This work seemed providential in preparing for the successful continuation of the paper after Dr. Hall's death. Few women, even those with the capabilities, could have had the strength and courage to stand up to such a task. This has been especially trying because some pretended friends have turned to rend The Flag when they could no longer use it for selfish advancement. But she was eminently prepared for all this, by experiences that had opened to her the fact that some can not be trusted beyond their selfish interests. These, however, were few.

Mrs. Hall has been able to withstand the numerous attacks on The Flag from the many directions that all true Baptists and Baptist institutions must expect attack. The spirit of disappointed ambition is perhaps the most bitter of all and entirely relentless, as well as unscrupulous. This has had to be met, under different guises and from various directions. Designing parties have sought to insinuate themselves into her confidence, but she has been sagacious enough to keep clear of their blandishments and save her business from their toils. She has sought the wisdom of God more than the wisdom of men in times of difficulty,, since the death of her illustrious husband. Business problems and church problems alike have Deen carried to that higher wisdom for solution. The matter of selecting an editor for the Flag was one of the most difficult and important of the problems bequeathed her. Dr. Hall's will made no provision for that except that the Flag must continue on the straight Baptistic lines, and maintain the policies as before. There were various aspirants and numerous advisors. Advisors disagreed. The courses advised were almost as various as human feature and form, and as opposite as the poles. | Earnestly was she exhorted to this course and that by real and pretending friends. Real friends had at heart only the good of the Flag and the preservation and advancement of the great work of Dr. Hall, with the happiness of his family. Pretending friends, of course, had "ax*s to grind." These have all been discovered in the light of subsequent events.

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In the midst of this "choppy sea" of conflicting advice, with the future of a great enterprise at stake, Mrs. Hall turned to Him who never fails those that trust Him, and who call on Him in the time of trouble, and she fully believes that her trust was rewarded in the settlement of that most difficult problem. The written advice that has been preserved shows the anxiety of true friends for the success of the Flag, and false ones for its failure.

One and a half years of successful solution of difficult situations and conduct of so large and intricate a business is a demonstration of Mrs. Hall's abilities, and the providence that brings things to pass in a way that men would never suspect, and at a time when they least think of such things. When Brother Hall died all people felt that the conducting of so large a business, and the editing of a paper so unique in its attitude, could not be continued without him. The writer agrees now that only for the divine hand, and power that can "do wonders in the earth," it could not have been done, even to the present.

Mrs. Hall is a woman of sublime faith in the righteousness of the cause for which her husband lived and wrought and died, in the hosts of loyal Baptists that love the Flag, and for whose edification and help the paper is published, and the God to whose glory all is dedicated, in the name of His Son, our Savior. This is what has sustained her in all of her difficulties, in business, in church and in long and painful bodily suffering"

16 Memoirs of Eld. J. X. Hall.

that has more than onca brought her \ery near the grave.

This sketch is not intended as an eulogy so much as a glimpse at the situation for the benefit of those who love the Flag and those who do not. The success of the paper since Brother Hall's death carries its own eulogy.

CHAPTER IX.

THE MAN.

When such a great character passes away from view there is an intensifying of appreciation of his gifts and labors. This sometimes leads to such extravagant eulogy as to make one think that the subject was more than 'man. But the highest encomium to any one is to pronounce him

A MAN.

When the Creator decided to crown his creation he said "let us make man." This was the highest work of "all creative art/' Nothing higher than a man, except God himself.. Of none of the angels did he say : "Let us make" them "in our own likeness and imiage," but this was said of man. But man fell ; yes and was redeemed, and now a real man is the one with the "likeness Rvd image" restored in Christ, and displayed in the Christlike character. A real man is one bearing the image of Him, who is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his person. To say then, that here is a man, comes next to saying here is a god.

Among conspicuous men may' be found those whose lives are double and contradictory. The mere fact that a man is conspicuous is not evidence of greatness. The. empty barrel floats

18 Memorials of Eld. J. N. Hall.

higher on the tide than the one ladened with sweets. The merely conspicuous man is the driftwood on life's stream while the great man controls and modifies the course and trend of the stream.

Some men are great in reputation and small in character. Others are found poor in reputation and rich in character.

Er. Hall was probably as near that as any modern hero of the cross. It was not infrequent to hear men give him a bad reputation. He was accused of destroying Baptist enterprises and catering to ignorance for mercenary reasons. We had often, before meeting Brother Hall, heard men say: "J. N. Hall is doing the Baptist denomination more harm than any other living man." He was known as "a ringleader of the kickers and splitters," a mere fault finder and fussy iconoclast, a demagogue. So among a large element of Baptists he was thus decried. Others who dreaded his power employed still more derogatory epithets, and all together such enemies rejoiced at his death. But what say those who knew him best? To such he was a mighty character. Like all great soldiers he roused the enemy to battle, but elicited his admiration in victory.

John Bunyan in his day, was considered only fit for the felon's cell, but how his character does loom up and grow as the generations pass!

Dr. Hall would likely have been in jail as often and as long as either John Bunyan or the Apostle Paul if his enemies had been in power. The Christ indeed "made himself of no reputation" that he might display the heavenly char-

The Man. ld>

acter. Men who have lived for reputation only, have died witnout character and are soon forgotten. Who ever thinks of Bob Ingersoll any more ? But men who live for right may die in ignominy. tut their lives are immortal.

One of the most vivid and characteristic demonstrations of this is found in the Apostle Paul. His reputation among men was bad. Always in trouble was he. Despised by his country men, persecuted by Jews, persecuted by the heathen, and maligned by false Christians, he found himself a subject of the whipping post and prisons, of stones and stripes, and spending much of his time in jail. His reputation was bad, but what a character!! He was supposed to have been beheaded and thrown away like a worthless cur, but how that character grows and brightens with the ages! To some extent, indeed, this has been the heritage of earth's greatest benefactors. To know the real character of a man, one must get a clear view and come in contact with the real life- There must be a close-range vision, and a discovery of the real man.

With these prefatory remarks, we come to takea glance at the man. That includes all that goes to make a man, his name, character and achievements.

The purpose of this view is not to glorify the man, for he has left his own monument so strong and enduring that no calumny of enemies can darken its glory, nor the immortelles of loving eulogy add to its beauty.

Neither do we praise the man inordinately for doing his duty, in using his splendid talents for the glory of the Master and the blessing of men. And the writer is wholly unable to garnish so great a light among men.

By this passing panorama of an illustrious life we only hope to benefit the living by a brief review of the splendid achievements of faith and the triumphs of faithfulness.

Dr. John Newton Hall did no miore than all other sincere men may do. He used faithfully all of his gifts, facilities and opportunities that God gave him. He was responsible for remarkable gifts, and royally did he measure up to the responsibilities. This is the crowning glory of his illustrious life, and may God bless this review to stimulating us, who still live, to higher aspirations and more faithful service.

It takes but a glance to see that God had endowed Dr. Hall with large gifts, and by the faithful use of them was brought out the marvelous achievements of his career. The first thing that impressed me on meeting him was his positiveness. There were no "shades of belief" or degrees of faith," with him. He admitted to his confidence no theory until its claims of righteousness had been weighed in the balance of truth, and tested in the crucible of logic. It was then fully and positively received, or as fully and positively rejected. With a mind of keen incisive and decisive analysis he dissected all hypotheses, and laid bare all fallacies, dividing the wheat from the chaff, storing the wheat in the garner of faith and knowledge and scattering the chaff to the whirlwinds of righteous rejection. He stood in such rugged contrast with the common practice of holding — not faith — but "shades of belief" and mongrel ideas, that he was considered cruel in his relentless opposition. Men questioned his motives because he would withstand the ideas and teachings of great leaders. Who does not remember his conflict with the Sunday School Board when "Lydia's Babe" was published by that board, though the power of the Southern Baptist Convention was back of the board? Mere sentiment had no place in his creed. He loved poetry,

His voice, his manner, his pose and gestures were full of poetry, but that sublime poetry inspired by the life and thrill of the powers of a world to come. None who heard his last sermon will ever forget the tides of heavenly rythm that swept the audience up to the gates of light, and in "through the gates into the city."

He listened not to that which contained the Siren's song. His love was as positive as his faith. Its power was felt and enjoyed by all, fromi sacred precincts of the home clear out to the outer fringe of his stormy life. That love was as sweet and unreserved as it was unostentatious. All classes and conditions of men were its happy subjects. In this was displayed most peculiarly the Spirit of Him whose servant he was. Neither the railing of enemies nor the praising of friends could change the steady flow of that stream. Friends, like swine with pearls, having turned against and desiring to rend him, were still the objects of his unwavering love, Christian charity and liberal benefactions. He loved his enemies and forgave the meanest of them without the asking-.

Like all positive men, Dr. Hall aroused the most terrific antagonism. This was in proportion to his great powers to propagate and defend his faith. In the positive conflicts of stern conviction, he gave no quarter, and asked none. Triumph or defeat complete and sweeping, was his motto. "Victory or death was emblazoned on his escutcheon and lifted high to the terrified gaze of his antagonist. There was no place in his plans for compromise, capitulation or retreat. Those who engaged him understood his slogan as well as they dreaded his steel. He made no feints in the battle, and used no ruses to entrap the enemy. He fortified himself in the truth, armed himself with the whole armor of God, and drew the sword of the Spirit in the open gaze of the powers of darkness. Some timid antagonists made mouths at him, and shouted "demagogue," at a safe distance, or after he was dead, and declared his sword a mere bludgeon ; but such had always avoided with wise discretion the sweep of that "bludgeon." After his death, too, some cowardly ones rushed from their ambush and declared his warfare an old-fashioned, antiquated and belated failure. These paid him the unintentional compliment of fighting in the armor that had long ago been cast off by the dress parade soldiers of cur times. In this old-fashioned armor the apostles and the faithful in all ages had won their vietories and gone to glory, leaving it to those who are strong enough to wear it. J. N. Hall happened to be one of those mien. This "whole armor of God" is decidedly too heavy for many of the rosewater soldiers of our times. Its use requires battle at close quarters, while the modern warrior prefers a long-distance weapon. Such warriors call the old panoply an antiquated and out of date affair. To them the sword of the Spirit is a homely and useless old war club.