A concise history of the Kehukee Baptist Association, from its original rise to the present time

Front matter

v'

A

CONCISE HISTORY

CHAP. I. Page 27

The state of the Churches at first, before they were united in an Association at all. 2. The revolution those churches passed through before they became an established Association. 3. The form of a church covenant, and the plan on which they were established. 4. Biographical Sketches of some of those ministers, who died before the establishment of the Association on its present order.

CHAP. II. Page 34

I. The revolution the Association passed through before established on the present plan. 2. Her organization at the Falls of Tar River, and the principles on which she is founded, adopted at Sappony, in Sussex county, Virginia; and afterwards published by order of the Association held at Whitfield's meeting house, Pitt county, North Carolina, October, 1789. 3. Biographical Sketches of Elder James Bell. 4^Persecution of Elder John Tanner. CHAP. III. Page St.

I. Some of the proceedings of the Association, and remarkable events that took place from the year 1778, until 1785. 2. The Decorum or Rules by which the Association is governed, when made and adopted, and the Rules at large. 3. The nature of a Minister's call to the office of the ministry, and the manner of his ordination. 4. Biographical sketches of Elder Jeremiah Dargan, who departed this life the 25th of December, 1786.

CHAP. IV. Page 70

I. Proceedings of the Association untir 1789. 2. Proceedings of the Association at Whitfield's meeting house. The junction of the Regular Baptist churches with us, and the names to be buried in oblivion; and the Association to be hereafter known by

IV CONTENTS.

the name of the "United Baptist Association." & The constitution of the Association, and form of government. 4. Proceedings until the division took place at Davis's meeting house in 1790. 5. Remarks on the division. 6. Biographical sketches ©f Elders Samuel Harrel and Henry Abbot.

CHAP. V. Page 89

I. Proceedings of the Association until the division took place between the Kehukee and Neuse Associations, concluded on at the Association holden at Skewarkey, in October, 1793. Proceedings continued until 1796. 2. Biographical sketches of Elder John Page, Jonathan Barnes, and brother Joshua Freeman. 3. A few remarks on itinerant preaching. 4. The Association fund.

CHAP. VI. ' Page 99

I. Proceedings of -the Association until 1802. 2. Biographical sketches of Elder John Meglamre, and brother Elisha Battle, who departed this life in 1799.

CHAP. VII. Page 109

I. The happy revival which took place in the churches belonging to the Kehukee Association in 1802 and 1803. 2. Means which the Lord blessed in the revival. 3. Constitution of an Union Meeting.

CHAP. VIII. Page 123

I. On the nature of Circular Letters. 2. A Letter "on the maintenance of the ministry," for 1791, by Eider Martin Ross. 3. "On the final perseverance of the saints in grace," for 1794, by Elder Lancaster. 4. "On good works," for 1800, by Elder Gilbert.

CHAP. IX. Page 140

J. What a true church of Christ is, the manner of receiving members, constitution, discipline, officers, 6cc. 2. Memoirs of Elders Done, Cole, Walker, and Crocker.

CHAP. X. Page 151

I. Frost, an Armenian Baptist preacher, stricken with death while preaching his sentiments. 2. Persecution of Elders Barrow, Mintz, Walker, and Baker. 3. Biographical sketches of Col. Nathan Bryan. 4, Conclusion.

^AHLW II.

CHAP. T. Page 15p

I. Proceedings of the Association at Conoho, in 1803.

2. Sketch of the proceedings in relation to the Mis>- sionary and Other inventions of the day. 3. Proceedings at Parker's meeting house, in 1*804. 4. At Daniel's meeting house, in 1805 — Division of the Association. 5. Proceedings at Skewarkey, in 1806. 6. At Haywood's meeting house, in 1807.

CHAP. II. Page 175

I. Proceedings of the Association at Cross Roads, in 1808— Biography of Elder James McCabe. 2. Proceedings at Morattock, in 1809 — Biography of Elder Nathan Gilbert. 3. Proceedings at Kehukee, in 1810.

CHAP. IN. Page 186

I. Proceedings of the Association at Mearn's Chapel, in 181 1. 2. At Great Swamp, in 1812— Biography of Col. Nathan Mayo. 5. Proceedings at Williams's meeting house, in 1813. 4. At Morattock, in 1814.

CHAP. IV. Page 19tf

1. Proceedings of the Association at Daniel's meeting house, in 1815. 2. At Conoho, in 1816 — Biography of Elder John Bowin. 3. Proceedings at the Falls of Tar River, in 1817.

CHAP. V. Page 209

I. Proceedings of the Association at Skewarkey, in 1818. 2. At Deep Creek, in 1819— Biography of Elder Jonathan Cherry. 3. Proceedings at North Creek, in 1820. At Mearn's Chapel, in 1821.

CHAP. VI. Page 221

I. Proceedings of the Association at Cross Roads, in_ 1822. 2. At Lawrence's meeting house, in 1823.

3. At Great Swamp, in 1824. 4. At the Falls oi Tar River, in 1825. 5. At Skewarkey, in 1826— Biography of Elder Jeremiah Mastin.

CHAP. VII. Page23S

f. Proceedings of the Association at Kehukee, in

1827. 2. At North Creek, in 1828— Biography of

VI 0ONTENT&

Elder Amariah Biggs. 3. Proceedings at Conetoe^ in 1829 — Declaration respecting Missionary and Bible Societies, Theological Seminaries, &c. 4. Proceedings at Morattock, in 1830.

CHAP'. VIII. Page 252:

I. Proceedings of the Association at Flat Swamp, in- 1831 — Biography of Elder James Ambrose. 2. Proceedings at Conoho, in 1832. S. At the Falls of Tar River, in 1833.

A Table of Churches, Page 268

CHAP. IX. Page 27(*

History of the Churches, viz: Bear Grass, Blount's Creek, Cowenjock, Conoho, Conetoe, Conccrd, Cross Roads, Cedar Island, Deep Creek, Falls of Tar River, Flat Swamp, Frying Pan, Goose Creek, Great Swamp, Hunting Quarters, Kehukee, Lawrence's meeting house, and Little Alligator.

CHAP. X. Page 284

Continuation of the History of the Churches, viz: Morattock, North Creek, North Mattamuskeet, OicT Ford, Picot meeting house, Powell's Point, Pungo, Scuppernong, South Mattamuskeet, Skewarkey,. Smithwick's Creek, Sound Side, Spring Green, Tarborough, Washington, WhjUe Plains, Williams's meeting house.

Subscribers' Names, Page 29S

The undersigned was appointed by the Ke^. iiukee Association, at its session held at Moratlock meeting house in 1830, to write a continuation of its History from the termination of the one published by Elders Burkitt and Read, and Elders Joshua Lawrence, William Hyman, Green Carrowan, Micajah Ambrose, and William , B. Worrell, were appointed a committee to collect such necessary information as might be within their reach, and the churches were requested to afford all the aid in their power.

At the Association held at Flat Swamp meeting house, in 1831, the committee appointed to collect information reported some progress, but that much more was necessary to be obtained, and that it was the wish of many that the old Jlistory and the new should be embodied in one volume. Whereupon the Association resolved that the committee with the compiler be requested to arrange the materials as they may think jproper, and that Mr. George Howard, of Tarbojough, be authorised to publish the same on his own responsibility; and the Editor of the Minutes was requested 4o forward to the different churches subscription lists.

At the Association held at Conoho Log Chanel, in 1832, the publication of the History was deferred another year; and it was resolved, that subscription lists be again sent to the churches.

At the Association held at the Falls of Ta* River, in 1833, the publication of the History was taken into consideration; and finding upon examination of the subscription lists that a sufficient amount had not been subscribed to justify ilie undertaking, a collection was taken up m

VUI INTRODUCTION.

their body on the same terms as heretofore pro; posed; and the result being favorable, the Association resolved, that the work be put to press a£ early as practicable. The Association then discharged the former committee, and appointed Elders Joshua Lawrence, William Hyman, and Luke Ward, and brethren Thomas Biggs, Joseph D. Biggs, and Cushion B. Hassell, a committee to examine the manuscript before going to press, which the undersigned was requested to prepare.

Il might be thought by some sufficient in this Introduction to close, having informed :he reader the course that had been pursued by the Association to procure a continuation of its History to be published; but I consider it due to myself and to the Association in conclusion to state, that I am well aware many defects exist in the compilation, having to depend considerably on my own personal knowledge and observation of many facts, and deriving but little information from others; yet I feel assured that however defective it may be, it affords as correct a History as can now be obtained,

Submitting, however, the History as it is now arranged to the members composing the churches of the Kehukee Association, and to all the well wishers of Zion, believing that by them it will not be received or perused with captious criticism, I pray the Almighty disposer of events so to dispose of it, that it may exert a salutary influence on the present generation; and that posterity, emerged from the thick cloud of contention and strife that has lowered over the Kehukee Association at different times, may hail this record of past events as "a light to their path and a lamp to *heir feet." JOSEPH BIGGS, Bm%

$ftuv&<rat<

History is so genuine and familiar to men pT all estates, ages, qualities, sects and conditions, that amongst the many eulogies it hath received from the learned pieces of ancient and modern writers, it may be justly accounted rather the recreation, than the application of a studious, man.

It is indeed that telescope by which we see into distant ages, and take up the actions of our forefathers, with as much evidence as the news of the latest Gazette; it is the mirror that represents the various transactions of times past, and shews us the dress of antiquity, according to which we may rectify, or adjust our present fashions. In a word, it is the last will and testament of our deceased progenitors; which, th ugh it does not expressly leave every one of us a particular legacy, yet it shews us how we may be possessed of their inheritance; and accordingly as we follow their example, live in reputation or ignominy.

Insomuch that the ruder ages of the world, svho were unacquainted with letters, and const- '2

# PREFACE.

quently ignorant of refined sciences, thought his** tory, next to their religion, the only useful and proper study of mankind,; and judging the forming of the manners, and regulating the actions of man, to be ihe duty and care of societies, they thought documents, precepts and laws, too weak a means to work so great effect, without they were confirmed and strengthened by the examples of their predecessors; to which prone nature, even amongst the most barbarous, does willingly render an implicit veneration: And therefore seeing their libraries were their memories, and words their characters, so songs and rude rhymes were their only books whereby their Bards and Druids instructed their children in the histories of former ages, making the famous actions of their ancestors so much the more the pattern of their conduct and manners, as it was the subject of their innocent melody and mirth: And this custom is at this day in practice amongst the uncultivated heathens of Africa and America.

But when the kind Heavens were pleased to gratify the industry of man with the invention of letters, no subject seemed to the ancients so worthy of the prerogative of being transmitted to posterity, as that of history; and indeed, the most ancient of their writings that can be found is of thiskind. Whether it was, that they knew no immortality but that of fame, or found no better way to provide with security for their offsprings in whom they were to live to posterity, than by handing down to them the methods and honest courses; by which some attained to honor, wealth

PREFACE. xi

and command, whilst others, by the contrary ways, lived and died in obscurity, poverty and contempt.

But what satisfaction soever dying men may have in the prospect of a lasting name ? it is certain the living reap great benefit from the regis* fer of their actions; for would a Prince have measures to govern, a Subject how to obey, a Statesman how to give counsel, a Judge and Magistrate how to execute justice, a Husband and Father m how to command and cherish, a Wife or Child how to love, honor and obey, all conditions of men how to perform mutual good offices in every kind of society, history, and especially the truest and most ancient of all, the Holy Scriptures, is that repository from whence they may draw the truest maxims for all duties, exemplified with the good or bad successes of those who have followed or transgressed the same. And thus much, in short, of history in general.

It has been, of late, the wish of some of the heading characters in the churches helorrging to the Kehukee Association, for a brief history of that Association to be published, from its origin to the present time, hoping it may prove a blessing to the churches in general, and ihe\Y posterity in particular; that they may be fully acquainted with the faith and practice of the churches to which their forefathers belonged. It was therefore the request of some of the churches and ministers, that we should engage in this work.

It was a subject which had* not engaged our attention before; but upon a serious reflection*

Vii PREFACE.

that whereas we had been members of this Association as long perhaps as any now living, and one of us had been Clerk of the Association for thirty .years, and acquired a considerable degree of information relative to the Association and churches in general; and being persuaded of the general utility of such an history, we were Encouraged to undertake the publication thereof. As to the history now about to be published, it is an history of a Baptist Association; it might therefore, be thought necessary by some, that something should be said respecting the origin of that society. The name might probably have originated from the word Anabaptist, which was a stigma prefixed on us by the PedobaptistS, who suppose that because we baptize persons on the profession of their frith, who were sprinkled in infancy, that we re-baptise them. But it is the general opinion of the Baptists, that wher6 any person has a valid baptism, agreeable to th6 scriptures, that on such, baptism ought not to be repeated; and as infant sprinkling is not scriptural, and baptizing such persons on profession of their faith in Christ, who were sprinkled in infancy, cannot be re-baptism, therefore we disown the name of Anabaptists. The word Baptist may be considered as a society > or a baptiser* If by it we are to understand a particular society ofpeople,wemay claim the highest original, since we read in the very front of the New Testament, **In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness, Sic." It does not say, in jthose days came John the Churchman, nor John the Presbyterian, nor John the Methodist, noi\

PREFACE. xiii

John the Quaker: But John the Baptist. And we know that where a Baptist preacher comes into any place, and baptizes a number of believers, they are immediately called Baptists. But it may be, that he was so called, because he was a Bapfizer; and we may be called Baptists, because we hold with his baptism, in the manner it was by him and the Apostles administered: if so, we think it no disgrace, to be called by that name. It is most certain that the Baptists do administer the ordinance of Baptism agreeable to the word of God, in the practice of John and the Apostles.

In the first place, we find from the Scriptures that Baptism is a duty. Mat. iii. 15. "Jesus answering, said, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil al! righteousness." Mat. xsviii. 19. "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Acts, x. 47, 48. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? and he commanded them to be baptized."

Second. We have reason to believe that John the Baptist, and the Apostles, baptized none, only such as, within the judgment of charity, they believed to be possessed of Faith and Repentance. This appears from the following scriptures. Mat. iii. 5, 6. "Then went out unto hin\ Jerusalem, and all Judea, p4nd all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." Verse 7. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Saddu- 2*

*tv PREFACE.

cees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee -from the wrath to come. Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance," he. Mark, xvi. 16. "He that betieveth and is baptized shall be saved." Acts, ii. 3. "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus." Verse, 41. "They that gladly received the word were baptized," &ic. Acts, viii. 36. "If thou believcst with all thy heart thou mayest."

Third. We also have reason to believe, that in the primitive times, baptism was administered by dipping, or plunging the party baptized all under water. This seems to appear from the practice of John, and the Apostles — from the practice of John who baptized our Lord and many others in Jordan; and was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. John, iii. 23. *\lso from the practice of the Apostles. Acts, viii. 38, 39. "And they went down into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more." But perhaps some may say, can we trace the practice of adult baptism, by immersion, from us to the Apostles' times? If this was required of the Pedobaptists to trace the practice of baptizing infants, from the present time to the days of the Apostles, we should find the Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Methodists, at a very great loss. For after they had dragged it through Rome, and bad the sane-

■ PREFACE. xv

tion of Popes, Councils, Churches, and some of the ancient Fathers, so far from tracing it to the Apostles da} s, it cannot be carried farther back, by positive proof, than the third century, in which mention is made of it by Tertullian, Origen and Cyprian. And the first of these dissuades from it, and advises to defer baptism to riper years. Origen, with all his corruptions, mentions it, but his translations are so imperfect, that it h observed by some, that, "Origen is not to be found in Origen." And although it is allowed that infant baptism began to be practised in Cyprian's day, yet it was esteemed an upstart notion, since it was not till then determined at what time it should be administered. But it is evident that believers' baptism by immersion, was the primitive practice, and that there have been some, no doubt, ever since the Apostles, in some part of the world, who practised it; as is evident there were in Bohemia, Germany, Piedmont and other places, notwithstanding the general apostacy which took place since the Apostles times throughout the whole world. And as we think we are sufficiently authorized to baptize believers by immersion, so we think that gathering, and organizing particular churches, and their union in an Association way, is agreeable to the standard of truth, the unerring word of God. And for the satisfaction of the reader, we will give a proper definition of the church, and the utility of an Association of churches, which we think is agreeable to the Holy Scriptures. On the Church. — The word church y 'm the New Testament, must necessarily mean an assembly, and itf PREFACE.

not the house in which they assemble. Mat. xviii. 15, 16, 17. ''Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church. ,y It cannot be supposed our Lord meant that we should tell it to the house. Again. Acts, ii. 47. "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." 1 Cor. xiv. 23. "If therefore the church be come together in one place." These places in the sacred writings must undoubtedly allude to the people, and not to the building. The New Testament writers always apply the word church to a religious assembly* selected and called out of the world by the doctrine of the gospel, to worship the true God according to his word. And is emphatically represented in the nineteenth article of the Episcopal church, which saith, "The visible church of "Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the "which the pure word of God is preached, and "the sacraments be duly administered, according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things "that of necessity are requisite to the same."

When we consult the sacred writings, we have sufficient reason to believe that the word churchy is intended to signify the church catholic, triumphant, invisible and particular.

The church catholic, means all that have beeiv or ever will be saved. Eph. L 22, 23. "And

PREFACE. xvli

gave liim to be head over all things to the church which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all " Collos. i. 18, 24. The church triumphant, means all the saints, who are now already in Heaven. Heb. xii. 23. "The general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in Heaven — and to the spirits of just men made perfect." The church militant, means all the saints on earth. There are about nine passages in scripture which refer to this church. Acts, viii. 3. 1 Cor. x. 32.— xii. 28— xv. 9, Gal. i 13 Phil. ill. 16. i Tim. iii. 15, The invisible church, means all the elect not yet called. "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." John x. 16.

A particular church, is a little distinct and separate society, called out of the world, and professing faith iri Christ Jesus, have given themselves up to the Lord, and to one another, to be governed and guided by a proper discipline agreeable to the word of God. Of this sort of church frequent mention is made in the word of the Lord. Some of the passages relative thereto, are, "The church in their house." Rom. xvii 5. — 1 Col. xvi. 9. "The church in thine house." Phil. 2. "The church in Jerusalem." Acts, viii. 1. — At Antioch, at Rome, Corinth, Philadelphia, Ephesus, Smyrna, &x. &c.

The churches which compose the Kehukee Baptist Association, profess to be of this description; and churches baptized vpon profession ijof their faith in Christ Jesus,' and well organicxviii PREFACE,

ed, we think it is agreeable to those particular- Congregational churches mentioned in the Holy Scriptures

An Association, is a combination of churches uniting together in one boay 3 governed by certain rules when met together, and whose business it is to hear from, and enquire into the state of the churches in the union, and give advice, in order to reconcile differences, detect errors and remove difficulties; so as not to lord it over God's heritage, but sit and act only as an advisary council.

The divine authority of this ancient distort seems manifest in the example of our Lord, and his holy Apostles. Our blessed Lord when entering on his divine mission, and laying a plan for the establishment of his kingdom, as soon as he entered on his public ministry, made choice of twelve, with whom he associated, not indeed to assist him by their counsel, but to train them up to assist one another. And we find the Apostles themselves assembled on certain occasions to confer about the affairs of the churches. See Acts, xv. If Paul, Barnabas and others, therefore were delegated by their brethren of the churches at Antioch, to assemble, or associate with the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, how fnuch more will the propriety and necessity of such meetings or assemblies, appear to us who do not enjoy their ohUities, nor possess their powers. And as the scriptures support its divine authority and expediency, so from the experience we have had of its well known benefits, w T e are the more easily persuaded that the churches will

PREFACE. &i*

-always find it of general utility, in maintaining and supporting — 1. A general union, 2 r i he communion of the churches. 3. The increase of brotherly lave. 4, To gain information of the state of the churches. 5. Remove difficulties. 6. Grant supplies to destitute churches. 7. The extirpation of false doctrines; and 8. The benefit arising to the church and neighborhood where *the Association is bolden.

1st. The Association is of general utility iij supporting and maintaining a general union, Now, the more firmly any civil or religious society is knit together by love, and coalesce in uni~ fyi by so much the better they are secured against their common enemies and dangers, and become still the more prosperous and flourishing, United force, we all know, is more than single; and hence it is, we are so frequently in the sacred scriptures exhorted to a general unanimity, Rom. xii. 16.— 1 Cor. i. 10.— Phil. ii. 2« — Psal. cxxxiii. 1.

2d. The general utility of an Association also consists in the communion of the churches. It is through this sameness of love, mind and rule, that a chain of communion is, or can be kept up with the churches. Christ's church is a family. Any thing that is lawful and right, that will maintain an union among the children, so they with love and fellowship, can from time to time eat bread together in the spirit of meekness, must be of use. Christ's church is a body. All proper means that have a tendency to keep the members in place, should be used for that purpose; For the beauty and strength of a bvd/y»

x# PREFACE.

depend on its not being maimed, or disordered, We therefore think that it is impossible that so endearing a privilege, and particular duty, as the communion of the churches, can be preserved sacred, and inviolable without some such mode of associating together; where we can hear from the different churches, know each others principles, and be acquainted with the proper disci* pline of each church; we therefore think that an Association is useful.

3d VVb not only think that it tends to preserve a communion of churehes, but we also be* lieve it has a tendency to increase brotherly love. It is through this medium that an acquaintance is cultivated amongst the brethren, and brotherly love increased and continued. Heb. xiii. 1.

4th. To gain proper information of the state of the churches. It is by the means of an Association that we obtain this information, and from the accounts given^ be able to ascertain whether they be in prosperous or declining circumstances; and so can propose measures accordingly s so as to mourn with them that mourn, and rejoice with them that do rejoice.

5 th. By means of an Association, brethren un* der difficulties of mind may be relieved, by presenting their queries to the Association, and having them properly discussed; which often tends to the satisfaction of the aggrieved party; and as, in the multitude of counsellors there is safety^ we believe an Association is useful.

6th It is through this mode of assembling together, that information is communicated to ibe r Association of the state of destitute churchei.

PREFACE, xxi

and on their request, and by the consent of the brethren in the ministry, supplies can be granted. Ministers receive the intelligence, make their appointments, and the destitute churches get furnished at proper seasons, and the ordinances administered to them.

7th. It is useful for the extirpation of heterodoxy* "Do not err my beloved brethren," was the exhortation of the Apostle to primitive christians; and another Apostle warrantably informs us that some should bring in damnable heresies. Now, if this was the case in ancient times, we may reasonably expect it in this corrupt age of the world. And where are we so likely to gain the information of these heretical principles amongst the church, if there be any, as at the Association; and where so proper a place to nip them in the bud as at this timef Thus we see the primitive churches, and thai under the immediate inspection of the Apostles themselves, were likely to err in this point, had they not had recourse to the assembly of the Apostles and others met at Jerusalem. Witness the great disputation of Paul, with all his experience, his learning, his oratory, and his inspiration (for we may suppose he used all his efforts) to refute an error then getting birth in the church, and all would not do> it must be carried up to the Association of the Apostles and Elders delegated at Jerusalem*

8th. The good effects which have attended the chuvch and neighborhood where these numerous assemblies have attended, bespeak the utility of the Association of churches.