FREE BAPTIST CYCLOPAEDIA HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. Courtesy of David C. Young 1998 Abbee, Rev. Benjamin T., soil of Daniel and Esther (Nunn) Abbee, was born in 1828, in Kent Co., Ont., and married Eliza Hillard ill 1852. He was converted in 1838 ; received license in 1880, and was ordained in 1883. He has charge of three churches, Canboro, Pigeon River, and Berne, all in the Sani- lae Q. M., Mich. Abbey, Rev. Mason H., soil of Heze- kiah and Anna (Goodell) Abbey, was (drawing on Rev. Abbey) born in Westminster, Vt., Aug. 9, 1821. Five years later the family settled in Lewis Co., N. Y., and here, in the Black River woods, strength came to his frail body. When eleven years of age, he was converted and received into the Presbyterian church with his parents ; but six years later, being revived under the preaching of Rev. Wm. Nutting, and studying independently the subject of baptism, he united with the Free Communion Baptist church of Norway. He was educated at Clinton Seminary, and, after serving as a licentiate about three years, was ordained in September, 1843, Revs. H. Whitcher, S. Hart, S. B. Padden and R. Way serving on the coun- cil. A month later he married Maryetta C. Scood, and their two daughters grad- uated, one at Whitestown Seminary and the other at Hillsdale College. Bro. Abbey was pastor of the churches at Harrisburg, Attica, Varysburgh, War- saw, Boston, Depauville, Three Mile Bay, Philadelphia, and Lowville, all in New York, some of the time caring for two of them, and organizing the two last named. He also preached for short periods at several other places. In 1864 he served six months in Norfolk, Va., and vicinity, as missionary among the Freedmen ; and thereafter, for fifteen years, lie devoted his time to evangelis- tic work. In this, as in pastoral work, his labors were blessed, and the conver- sions during his ministry aggregate five, thousand. He refused to baptize in churches with pastors, so that compara- tively few, only about one thousand, were baptized by himself In 1884, he be- came pastor of the church at Port Alle- gheny, Pa., and after so long experience,. ABBEY with " eye not dim, nor natural Strength abated," he reaffirms the word that "He who desireth the office of a bishop, sireth a good work." Abbot, Rev. George J., was born in Jackson, Me. 183o, and died in Oak- land, Me., of heart diseas!, Nov. 3, 1883, aged 53 years. His fattier was a suc- cessful teacher. This afforded the son an opportunity for mental training, of which he made good use. He was fitted to teach when quite. young, and was like- wise successful in this calling. He was baptized by Rev. D. Waterman, under whose labors he was converted about 1852, and joined the church in South Jackson. In June 1856, he was licensed by the Unity Q. M, Soon after this he went to the Theological School at New Hampton, N. H., where he was highly esteemed by his teachers and fellow stu- dents. He was ordained in June, 1858, during a session of the Q. M. at Unity. His pastorates were in South Montville, Wayne, Dover, Me., Gonic, Bristol, Hampton, N. H., and.Apponaug, R. I. He had been pastor but a few months at Oakland, Me., when his sudden death occurred, yet he had greatly endeared himself to the church and people. Rev. E. Knowlton, who knew him in his first pastorate at South Montville, said of him that he was one of the best spirited men he had ever known, and for a young man his sermons were both spiritual and in- structive. Abbott, Rev. A. G., a native of Penn sylvania, died at German, N. V., Feb. 12, 1877. He entered the ministry with the Methodists at an early age, but later moved to Chenango Co., N. V., and spent the last twenty years of his minis- try with the Free Baptists of the McDon- ough Q. M. His faith in God survived many afflictions. He was an earnest, thoughtful preacher, and his wise coun- sels had a wide influence among his brethren by whom he was venerated. Abbott, Rev. William, died in Skow- hegan, Me., July 16, 1877, aged about 8 years. He became a Christian when about 26, was baptized by Rev. S. Hutch- ins and united with the church in New Portland. He was a faithful minister for over fifty years and instrumental in bring- Io Io ADAMS ing many to Christ. He was a strong advocate of education and reforms. He won the affection of his brethren. Adams, Rev. David H., was born in Tunbridge, Vt., Aug. 25, 1835. His parents were George W. and Eliza M. (Haskell) Adams. He was converted when 16 years of age under the labors of Rev. G. Sanborn, by whom he was bap- tized at Tunbridge, July 4, 1852. He prepared for college, mainly, at Royalton Academy, from which he graduated in 1856. He also graduated from Middle- bury College, Vermont, in 186o. After teaching two years, he entered the New Hampton Biblical School, New Hamp- shire, graduating in 1864, and received license to preach the same year, Sept. 3, He was ordained March 12, i865, by the Huntington Q. M., at Huntington, Vt. Revs. E. B. Fuller, R. M. Minard, D. S. Frost, and S. W. Cowell were the coun- cil. His first pastorate was at Underhill Centre, Vt., where he remained six years, and received thirty-seven into the church. After a year at Waterbury Centre, he was pastor for three years of the church at Lyndon Centre, where lie received seven- teen members, ten by baptism. Jan. i, i875, he settled at Farmington, N. H., for four years; and, after two years at New Market, returned to Farmington for three years, and forty-severi were added to the church during that time. He was then pastor at St. Johnsbury, VT., nearly three years, and received over thirty into the church. Since Jan. 18, 1887, he has been pastor of the church at Franklin Falls, N. H. He was a trustee, and, for a time, treasurer, of the Green Mountain Semi- nary, Vermont. He also taught at Lyn- don Centre. Aug. 17, 1865, he married Miss Harriet S. Morey. Adams, Rev. John Quincy, son of John and Henirietta Adams, was born in Bowdoinham, Me., Jan. 19, 1848. He remained on the farm where he was born, till 22 years of age. After two terms at other schools, lie entered Nichols Latin School, Lewiston, Me., in 187i, and fitted for college. He graduated from Bates College in 1878, and from the Divinity School in 1881. He was converted April 28, 1867, when 19 years old, and June 9 was baptized by Rev. Elisha Purington, ADAMS II his pastor. A year before his conversion an impression came to him in a definite form, calling him to the ministry. It followed him six months and then so completely left him that he could not recall the impression. Nine months after the same call came with redoubled power and as if spoken : " Woe unto you if you preach not the gospel. " In April before his graduation, he accepted a call to South Parsonfield, Me. Upon gradu- ation he was married, Aug. 10, 1881, to Miss Minnie L. Jones, of Lewiston, Me., and entered upon his pastorate. During his three years there, the church was harmonized and the meeting house re- paired at an expense Of $700. He then accepted a call to Dover, Me., but the ill-health of his wife prevented him from settling there. He resided at Lewiston and supplied the Kennebunk and Ken- nebunk Port church for one year. After a sickness of eight months, he entered upon his present pastorate of the West Buxton church, Me., October, 1885. He has there baptized eight and received nine into the church. In 1883, he was a delegate to the General Conference from the Maine Western Y.M. In 1885 and 1886 he was corresponding secretary of the Maine Missionary Society, and has de- livered addresses at its annual meetings. Advocates of Christian Fidelity, The, is an organization for work and consecration among the young Christians of our denomination. For many years various organizations have existed in the more progressive of our churches, but with a diversity of names, and with no co-operation or intercommunication. Miss S. A. Perkins, editor of the Little Star, in 1887, by permission of the Cor- porators of the Printing Establishment, set apart one column in the Little Star for the young people's societies. Even before this the need of co-operation among the various societies had been felt. The societies connected with the three churches in Lowell, Mass., had met in council in June, 1886. They de- cided to unite their common interests, and appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. Accordingly, the constitution of the Advocates of Christian Fidelity was reported by the II ALABAMA committee in July, at the Massachusetts Association. Rev. E. N. Farnald pre- sented the merits of the new organiza- tion in October, to General Conference. The voice which the young people's societies found in the Little Star led to increased interest. New societies were everywhere springing up. A call was issued for a general convention of the young people to meet at Ocean Park, August I3, 1888, and on that day sixty societies were reported. The organiza- tion of the United Society was completed. The name and constitution of the Low- ell Society was adopted. Rev. J. B. Jordon was elected President; Miss S. A. Perkins, Gen. Sec. and Treas.; Dea- con. H. Caverly, Rec. Sec., and one person for each state as Vice-president. Rev. E. B. Stiles and wife were adopted as missionaries to India, to be supported by the societies. In January, 1889, the Printing Establishment issued Our Day- spring (q. v.) as the organ of the A. C. F. This periodical for May 25, 1889, en- rolled 106 societies in fourteen states and Nova Scotia. Ainsworth, Rev, Ephraim, was or- dained in 1802, and labored in Vermont. Alabama.-About the year 1834, Rev. Ellis Gore, who held views not in har- mony with those of the Baptist denomi- nation, was, with the Mt. Moriah church of which he was pastor, disowned by that people. He organized also the Macedo- nia church after a time, and the bullet holes in its pulpit evince the fierceness of the opposition encountered. From this source sprang the Mt. Moriah Asso- ciation and other associations in north- western Alabama and northeastern Mis- sissippi. THE MT. MORIAH AssoCIATION was organized in 1851, and now contains twelve churches, viz.: Mt. Moriah, Shiloh, Holly Springs, and Friendship, in Pickens County; Macedonia, Mt. Pleas- ant, Mt. Harmony, Shady Grove, Mt. Zion, and Unity, in Lamar County; Taber- nacle, in Tuscaloosa County, and Antioch, in Fayette County. The total member- ship, in 1888, is 675. The ministers are Rev's W. H. McGee, J. R. Robertson, W. Springfield, J. H. Jordan, D. G. W. Hol- lis, E. M. Vail, W. R. Latham, J. H. ALABAMA L Hinton, I. T. Neighbors, and J. E. Me- Gee. The reports show that the churches of this association are receiving many additions yearly. While visiting friends in northeastern Mississippi, Eld. Gore organized churches which became the UNION GROVE Asso- CIATION. This is now comprised in the Tupelo AssocIATION, which sprung up later from a similar source and was or- ganized in 1884. It is located in the vicinity of Tupelo, Miss. (the north- eastern part of the state), and has a membership of about five hundred. About 1865, Rev's T. Maloy and T. W. Springfield joined with Bro. Gore in the work in Alabama, and churches were multiplied in Pickens, Lamar, Marion, and other counties, until it became nec- essary to divide the Mt. Moriah Asso- ciation. THE VERNoN AssoCIATION, situated north of the Mt. Moriah, was thus formed in 188o. In 1888 it contained twenty churches, viz.: Vernon, Center Point, Springfield, Union Chapel, Liberty, Pil- grim's Rest Piney Grove, New Hope, New Center Point, Barnesville, New Pleasant Ridge, New Pleasant Grove, Mt. Willing, Poplar Springs, Free Water, Macedonia, Fairview, Gavel Hill, Shady Grove, and Pleasant Grove. The pastors are, Rev's T. W. Springfield, T. C. Reese, D. G. W. Hollis, J. A. Brown, J. J. Wes- ley, J. W. Taylor, J. R. Holladay, G. C. Elliott, L. L. Nickols, and R. C. Flipo. The total membership is 682. The Vernon Association increased so rapidly that in 1887 the JASPER Asso- CIATIoN was organized from the north- eastern portion of its churches. The churches in I887 were ten in number, viz.: Mt. Olive, Beech Grove, Blue Springs, Bethlehem, Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Grove, Pleasant Hill, Oak Grove, Mt. joy, and Bethel. The pastors were, R. H. Tomlin, G. C. Elliott, T. R. Hulsey and W. A. Nelson. The total member- ship was 390; now (1888) it is 459. These four Associations have a vigor- ons growth; and, though without a cen- tral organization, they are bound together by their common faith and interests. Although independent in their origin, they agree substantially with other Free- will Baptists in their doctrine and polity. 12 ALDRICH THE FLINT RiVER AssoclATION, in the extreme northwest part of the state, and others associated with it, arose from influences started in Tennessee. See Tennessee. THE, SOUTHEASTERN Association and the STATE LINE AssocIATION had their origin in the Chattahoochee Association, Georgia. See Georgia. Albee, Rev. Isaac, died in Anson, Me., Feb. 27, 1861, aged 94 years, 5 months. He was born in Wiscasset, Me., Sept. 20, 1766, and was converted in Alison in June, 1795, and baptized by Rev. Edward Locke. In August follow- ing, he and others were organized by Locke into the Alison church. Here, Oct. 19, 1812, he was ordained deacon, with authority to administer the ordi- nances. He was a father in Israel, and a friend to all benevolent enterprises. His house was the ministers' home. His wife, a year younger than himself, stir- vived him. Albee, Rev. Samuel, of Wiscasset, Me., died Dec. 17, 1833, in his 64th year. He is represented as a faithful minister. He enjoyed great consolation in his death. Alden, Rev. Simeon, was ordained in 1829, and labored in Canada East. Aldrich, Rev. Abel, was converted in Rhode Island, his native state, under the labors of Elder Colby, and later was connected with the Spafford Q. M. (N. Y.), where lie was ordained. He soon moved to the West, and united with the Methodists, reuniting with the Free Baptists about 1856. He was a good man, emotional in his preaching. He died in Hadley, Mich., Nov. 24, 1865, aged 67 years. Aldrich, Rev. Adon, was a minister in the Ontario Q. M., N. Y. In I827 he went into Chenango Count),-, where he preached, and soon established the Norwich and New Berlin churches. Aldrich, Rev. 0. E., son of Adol- phus, was born in Orleans County, N V., in 1827. He studied at Brooklyn Academy, and four years at Geauga Seminary, O., where lie was a classmate of President Garfield. Granville Col- lege, O., conferred upon him the degree ALDRICH 13 of Master of Arts. He commenced the Christian life in 1843; received license in 1848, and the year following was or- dained. He has ministered to the churches at Spencer, LaGrange, Troy, and Pittsfield, O., and at Clay, Pleasant Hill, Central City, Delhi, Olin, and Welton, la.; and, for the sake of a mild climate, is at present residing in Pied- mont, Kas., devoting a part of his time to ministerial work. He has baptized about 400 converts during his ministry ; has assisted in building four houses of worship, and served seven years as Su- perilitendent of Public Instruction, in Jones County, Ia. He was married to Emma A. Post in 1850, and has two children, three having died. Aldrich, Rev. Schuyler, son of George, was born in Ontario, Can., April 26, 1822. He was brought to Christ in 1839, and studied at Oberlin College, O., receiving ordination May 23, 1847. His ministry was with the Mecca, Henrietta, Pittsfield, and Macedonia churches, O., and with the Buffalo, Bethany, Phoenix, Elmira, and Poland churches, N. Y. Several revivals resulted from his labors, and about 200 converts were baptized by him. About 188o, he made his home in Buffalo, N. Y. His devotion to the cause of education is evinced by a gift of $10,000 to Hillsdale College, to-be used in endowing a theological professor- ship. Alger, Rev. Horace B., a native of Genesee County, N. Y., consecrated his heart to God in early youth. When about 23 years of age, he felt called to mission work in the West, and took up his abode with the Switzerland Q. M., Ind., where he was ordained March 1, 1845, and continued to labor, with great success, until 1857, when he moved to Illinois, within the bounds of the Walnut Creek Q. M. He was active for God until strength and life failed. He died in Wethersfield, Ill., Jan. 13, 1864, aged 43 years. He baptized 215 persons, and filled his years full of devoted service. Allen, Rev. Ebenezer, died in Dix- mont, Me., May 14, 1881, aged 86 years. He was born in Gilmanton, N. H., Dec. 30, 1794. He was converted at the age Of 12. He wanted to tell his father and 13 ALLEN ask him if he was willing that he should be a Christian. It was a great cross. He went to the barnyard and prayed for strength. When he arose, he saw his parents standing at the corner of the house ; they had been listening to his prayer. lie went in with his parents, when his mother said, " Eben, you need not go out to pray, you can pray in the house. Your father and I are willing." Much relieved, he immediately knelt down by his father's side and began to pray for his parents. He said, " 0 Lord, there are none too old, none too young to serve thee." His father immediately began to weep and to pray for mercy. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. During this time he felt called to the ministry. In 1814, he left the army, and till 1816 he was in great distress of mind about his call to the ministry. Then he was baptized by Elder John Buzzell, and soon began to hold meetings in Ossipee, N. H. A goodly number were con- verted. In 1817 he was married, and soon after, a church was organized with which they united. In i822, they re- moved to Tamworth and were members of the First church there four years. He preached in Tamworth and Albany, and saw many converted. In 1826, he re- ceived license to preach. Soon after, he moved to Belfast. There his labors re- sulted in conversions. A church was organized. In 1828 he was ordained, and became pastor of the Belfast church. He helped organize the Prospect Q. M., and was its clerk several years. In 1832, he moved to East Dixmont. He here started a Sunday-school which resulted in an extensive revival. He was pastor of the church in that place till his death. He helped to organize the Penobscot Y. M., and was seven years its clerk. He was three times elected delegate to Gen- eral Conference. He was a good man and loved by his people. His wife and daughters passed on before him, leaving him entirely alone, but God raised up friends who tenderly cared for him in his last days. Allen, Rev. Ira, son of William and C. A. (Rockwood) Allen, was born in Ohio in i822. He was married to Ro- sannah Lewis in 1846, and has five ALLEN 14 children. He was converted in I840; moved to Michigan in 1852 ; received license in 1862 and ordination three years later. He has served the Du Plain church as pastor the last twenty-four years ; and, in the same time, he has organized four churches elsewhere, to one of which he ministered eight years. He has assisted in numerous revival meetings and baptized about one hun- dred converts. Allen, Rev. John, was one of the early Free Communion Baptists, a mem- ber of the old Black River church in Stephentown, N. Y., and its pastor about three years. About ninety were received to this church by baptism dur- ing this pastorate, among them the late Rev. I. B. Coleman. His early death, Dec. 21, 1829, at the age Of 40 years, was a great loss to the cause and brought sadness to many hearts. Allen, Rev, John J., son of Rev. John Allen, was born in Stephentown, N. Y., April 20, i822. He was married (photo of J. J. Allen. to Alma J. Wheeler of Clinton, N. Y., July 13, 1853. He gave his heart to God in 1831, and was educated at Whitestown Seminary and Biblical School. He began to preach in I849 and was ordained in September, 1853. ALLEN After two years at German Flats, he engaged in evangelistic work one year, and was then at Addison two years, and Scriba four years, holding -meeting.;, meanwhile, at Mine Creek, Beach's Is- land and Cheever's Mills, where lie saw many conversions. In 1859 lie went to Depauville, where, with the exception of two years (1875-77,) at Byron, lie has since resided, and served as pastor when health would permit. During his min- istry he has baptized about three hun- dred converts. The past twenty years he has served as Clerk and Treasurer of the Jefferson Q. M. ; and he has been a delegate to the General Conference. Allen, Rev. Jonas, of Madison, O., died Sept. 29, 1864, aged 86 years. He was born in Royalton, Mass., and was baptized by Elder A. Buzzell, in 1809. At the close of the War of 1812 he began to preach, having his first revival in Charleston, Vt., where a church was or- ganized, and he was ordained in 1824. Soon after, churches were organized at East Charleston and at Brighton as a result of his labors. About 1837 he moved to Madison, O., where he con- tinued to preach until more than three- score and tell. He was devoted to every good work-, enjoying the work of the ministry and awaiting in confidence for the rest prepared. Allen, Rev. Reuben, son of James Allen, was born in Gilmanton, N. H., Sept. 4, 1795. After a boyhood of more than usual thoughtfulness, having en- joyed religious privileges, in October, 1811, while apprenticed to a blacksmith, he experienced a radical change of heart. At the age of 19 he began holding meet- ings. After a severe struggle back from death's door, he yielded to the Lord his life and began revival meetings at North- field, where tbirty-five were converted. In 1818 he went to Vermont, where he preached alternately at Wheelock and Cabot. His labors were blessed ; he was ordained ; fifty persons were bap- tized and two churches organized. Early in 1820 he traveled more, preaching in Burlington, St. Albans, and other towns about the lake. In 1821 he visited Rhode Island, reaching Burrillville on horseback, Oct. 13, " the very day of ALLEN I5 the organization of the Rhode Island Q. M. The next day he preached the sermon at the ordination of Daniel Green, the first Free Baptist ordination which took place in the state. He spent that winter visiting among Vermont churches. Early in i822 he returned to Rhode Island and formed a circuit of about eighty miles, embracing for Sab- bath appointments, Pawtucket, Reho- both, Taunton, Blackstone, and Chepa- chet. He passed over this circuit once in five weeks, sometimes attending meetings daily in intermediate places. Revivals everywhere attended his labors and churches were organized in the last three places. May 5, 1824, Ile married Phebe Leonard, of Taunton, and the next December became settled pastor of the Pawtucket church, keeping the care of other churches as well. Without mate- rially changing the sphere of his work, he located at Taunton, in January, 1826. Ill 1829 he moved to Greenville, to take charge of the church there, and on alter- nate Sabbaths at Chepachet. He re- signed the latter charge a year later and gave the time to North Scituate, where a church was soon organized. And for twelve years he divided his time thus between Greenville and North Scituate. Eighty were added to the Greenville church ; the church gathered at North Scituate increased to 300. In the fall of 1841 he resigned his charge at Green- ville, and moving to North Scituate gave all his energies to that church for four years. The Smithville Seminary there was in successful operation and the church increased to over 400 members, nearly 100 being baptized in one day. In 1845, he resigned the pulpit, and though residing there, labored exten- sively in other places. He gathered and organized a church in Coventry. In 1852 he had a short pastorate at North Scituate. For five years before his death feeble health and failing powers confined him largely to his home. He died with scarcely any premonition, May 30, 1872, aged nearly 78 years. He did excellent pioneer work among our early churches in Rhode Island. He baptized 1400 converts, attended over 1600 funerals, solemnized about 650 marriages. As a preacher, he was bold, 15 AMES earnest, scriptural. With a constitution by nature robust, whatever he did he did with his might. He represented Rhode Island in the Second General Conference at Sandwich, N. H., in October, i828. The Fourth General Conference was en- tertained in October, 183o, by the church of which he was pastor at Greenville. His first wife, Alice A. G. Sanborn, of Northfield, N. H., lived but a short time. His second wife, the mother of his family, died in 1864. His funeral was attended by 500 from all the neigh- boring towns and Providence. His com- panions in the work spoke on the occa- sion. Rev. Mowry Phillips preached the sermon. Allensworth, F., is a licensed preacher of the Mound City, Q. M., Ill., 35 years of age and connected with the Grand Chain church. Alsbury, Rev. W. B., son of John Alsbury, was born in Quincy, Ill., Feb. 14, 186o. He turned to God in 1883, received license to preach in 1886 and was ordained two years later. His min- istry has resulted in the organization of a church and the baptism of twenty-five converts. Altman, Rev. L. C., son of John and Martha (Stone) Altman, was born in 1826 and resides at Prospect, Williams- burg County, S. C. He was married in 1848 and has six children. After serving for a time as a deacon, he has recently taken up ministerial work. Ames, Rev. Moses, died in South Dover, Me., Sept. 30, 186o, in his 48th year. He was born in Sullivan, Hancock County, Me., Dec. 8, 1 8 I 2. At the age Of 4, the family moved to Bradford, where after twelve years his parents were re- claimed, and he had the conviction strongly forced home upon his heart that he was a sinner. In the spring of 1834, through a protracted meeting, he and others were converted, and in July fol- lowing he began preaching. He had been baptized by Rev. Nathaniel Harvey, uniting with the church in Bradford. The destitute churches in the Sebec Q. M. were objects of his labor. He was licensed by the Quarterly Meeting Sep- tember, 1838, and labored in Garland and Danville. Sept. 22, 1839, he was or- AMES 16 dained. In May 1838, He began his min- istry at Corinth. In 1840 Ile saw from His preaching a great revival at Garland, and in a short time baptized over twenty. His work in Bradford was blessed. In 1841 he saw revivals both in the Well- ington and in the Springfield Q. In October he was present at the eleventh General Conference at Topsham. He moved his family to Corinth in December, where for some months he had preached half the time. In January 1842, in a re- vival at Hunting's Mills, in Corinth, twenty-three were added to the church. A revival attended him in Garland, where lie preached part of the time. During the summer lie baptized there forty-six, and in 1845 moved there. He attended the thirteenth General Conference, in Sutton, VT, in October 1847, as a delegate from the Penobscot V. M. The next year he moved to Veazie for a pastorate of two years. Here a church was orpan- ized. In November 185o, lie began his labors with the Dover and Foxcroft church, where his strength failed him. During the last year of his ministry seventy were added to the church. He was a mail highly in natural talent he possessed good business ability. His devotion to the ministry cost him his health. He was a gifted speaker and drew multitudes after him. When his health failed through consumption, he retired to his quiet home at South Dover. Anders on, Mrs. Anna Stone, was born in Burlington, Otsego County, N. Y., Aug. 26, 1813. Her parents were John D. and Philura (Williams) Matte- son, her mother being a descendant of Roger Williams. She was married to Joshua B. Stolle, Feb. 5, 1840, and, sev- eral years after his death, on Dec. 22, 1869, to Lewis B. Anderson. She re- ceived a good education and in early life engaged in reaching. She was converted when eighteen years of age, and, after a few years with the Baptists, united with the Free Baptists in Columbus, N. Y. She received license to preach about 1839, and for years engaged actively in ministerial work. While pastor, she ex- changed with other ministers for the ad -ministration of the ordinances. Though .successful as a pastor, her chief labors i6 ANDERSON were as an evangelist. Her work was mostly in Madison, Chenango and Cort- land counties, N. Y., though extending also as far as Pennsylvailia and Rhode Mrs. Anna Stone Anderson. Island. Sometimes alone, sometimes with other ministers, she called sinners to repentance, the conversions under her la- bors numbering several buildreds. Her voice was clear and full, not boisterous ; her manner in the pulpit was deliberate and dignified ; her style hortatory yet with method, and her appeals often thirill- ing. In advanced age, with her four living children occupying honorable posi- tions ill society and in the church, she awaits her calf to the heaven1y rest. Anderson, Rev. Dexter B., soil of Chas. and P. (Morrell) Anderson, was born at Pierpont, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1827. Aug. 18, 1853, he married Harriet E. Clark of Potsdam, N. Y. She was a native of Vermont and died in November 1883, in the full assurance of faith. Bro. Anderson studied at Canton and Pots- dam, N.. Y., and at Beloit, Wis., and practiced medicine twenty years, less three years in the army. He was con- verted in 1845, and ordained in 1859. Since about I877 lie has given himself fully to the work of the ministry in Minnesota and Iowa, where he has gath- ered churches and been devoted in the work. ANDERSON 17 Anderson, Rev. R. E., son of Elijah and Susannah (Williams) Anderson, was born in Norwich, Mass., in 1809. In the year 1831 he married Rachel Hunt. The common school and " sober contact with the world ill Christian service " formed the basis of his education. In 1848 he was ordained by the Wesleyan Metho- dists and afterwards joined the Free Bap- tists. Among his later pastorates were Wellsburgh, Pa., and Conneaut, and Chester, Ohio. In his fifty years of serv- ice he has baptized 2, 000 persons. He has been president of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference and delegate to the General Conference. He was dele- --ate tothe National Free-soil Convention in 1852. In the contest against ilitem- peralice and slavery lie has been a per- sistent worker. His residence now is at Utica, Veliango County, Pa. Andrew, Rev. Ralza E., son of B. F. and Abbie A. (Sanborn) Andrew, was born in Orange, N. H., Aug. 10, 1861, and graduated from the New Hampton Institution in the class of 1883. He was converted at the age Of 14 ; and, while studying law, he gave heed to the divine call and commenced preaching at Sher- burne, N. Y., in August, 1884. He was soon ordained, and in November was mar- ried to Miss Clara A. Fernald of his na- tive state. The pastorate at Sherburne was a pleasant and prosperous one, as has been also his pastorate at Dale, en- tered upon in April, 1886, the blessing of the Lord attending his labors. Andrews, Rev. Otis, soil of Lucius and Olive (Gilmore) Andrews, was born at Livermore, Me., March 14, 1817. He studied in the common schools, and was converted Jan. 1, 1836. Licensed in 1838, lie was ordained by the Bowdoin Q. M., in 1843. He has held the pas- torates at Hartford, seven years ; Sum- ner five years ; Canton, Bath, Lisbon, Monmouth, New Sharon and Abbot, en- joying much revival interest. He has seen many hundreds converted ; has mar- ried over 100 couples and attended 200 funerals. He married Nov. 26, 1840, Sarah C. Lincoln, and has five children living. Andrews, Rev. Winthrop, soil of Charles and Dolly (Bradsweet) Andrews, 17 ANGELL was born at Essex, Mass., in 1819. He studied at Pleasant Ridge, Me., where his father had moved. Early impressed by a Christian mother, he was converted in 1842. Licensed in 1853, be was or- dained in 1856 by the Unity Q. M. He has had charge of two churches and as- sisted in organizing three churches. He is the pastor of the Dix Mountain church, Me. He married in 1846 E. W. An- drews, and has five children living. Andrus, Rev. Amos C. was born in Barkhamsted, Conn., in 18O2. He re- ceived ordination in New York in 1825 and represented the Holland Purchase Y. M. in the General Conference Of 1832. Subsequently he went to the West, under the auspices of the Home Mission So- ciety; and, ill 1842, had organized the church at Newberry, 111. Two years later he was in the Fox River Q. M., 111. Andrus, Rev. L. L., son of Ruel and ______ (Brown) Andrus, was born in Ver- mont, Oct. 12, i822. He was married to Miss Hannah White Feb. 22, 1844, and has four children. His life was conse- crated to God in 1842. License top reach was granted in 1853, and he was or- dained in June 1858 by a council of the Norfolk County Q. M., Ontario, Cali. He ministered to the Black Creek church two years, to the Oak Grove church two years, to the Round Plains church.three years, and, moving to Michigan, to the Birch Run church, 1864-68, to the Reese church, organized by himself, 1868-74, to the Gilford church 1874-84, and then resunied the work at Reese. He has en- gaged in evangelistic work, organizing five churches and baptizing in all about 200 converts. Angell, Prof. Thomas L., of Bates College, Lewiston, Me., was born at Greenville, R. I., Nov. IO, 1837. His parents were Pardon and Mary Ann (Angell) Angell. When 3 years old he began to attend the common school of Greenville, and continued in this school several years with the loss of only one term. December 1855, he went to Thet- ford, Vt., and remained two terms. The next two years he was at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., fitting for college. He entered Brown University in 1858, and graduated in 1862. The fol- ANGELL 18 lowing winter he taught the school in Greenville. In November, 1863, Ile en- tered the Theological School at E. Wind- sor, Conn. The next spring lie taught school in Greenville again, and in the fall of 1864, became an assistant of Rev. B. F. Hayes in Lapham Institute. He was for three years Principal of that Prof. Thomas L. Angell. school, until the Summer of 1868 In January 1869, he entered upon the Pro- fessorship of Modern Languages in Bates College. After the close of the college year, he spent a year in Europe in study. In early years he had marked religious impressions through parental instruction and the powerful influence of the devout teacher of the Greenville school. He was baptized by Rev. James McKenzie. He preaches more or less along with his work in the college. His first sermon was preached in the F. B. Church of Harrison, Me., Jan. 5, 1873. July 31, 1862, he married Miss Emily Brown of Providence, R. I. His only daughter, Miss F. Angell, entered Bates College in 1886, at the age of 18. Anniversaries, The, are held in October of each year for presenting re- ports from all the Benevolent Societies. The Foreign Mission Society was organ- ized in 1833, the Home Mission Society in 1834, and the Sunday-school Union i8 ANTHONY in 1836. On the organization of the Education Society in 1840, the annual reports of these benevolent enterprises had assumed deep interest. In 1841 the reports were given in connection with the eleventh General Conference con- vened at Topsham, Me.. The session of General Conference now became trien- nial. The next year anniversary services were held at Buxton, Me., for listening to the reports from the societies. In 1843 the anniversaries were held at Great Falls, N. H. It was a meeting of deep interest and the Anti-Slavery Society was organized. In 1844 the anniver- saries were again held in connection with General Conference. The anniversaries have thus been held triennially in connection with General Conference, and the intervening two years somewhere in New England. The act of formal organization of the convention took place at Lawrence, Mass., Oct, 13, 1858. The anniversaries have been held at the following times and places: 184I, Topsham, Me.; 1842, Buxton, Me.; 1843, Great Falls, N. H.; 1844, Plainfield, N. Y.; 1845, Lowell, Mass.; 1846, Buxton, Me.; 1847, Sutton, Vt.; 1848, Gilford, N. H.; 1849, Great Falls, N. H.; 1850, Providence, R. I.; 1851, West Lebanon, Me.; 1852, Portland, Me.; 1853, Fairport, N. Y.; 1854, Saco, Me.; 1855, Dover, N. H.; 1856, Maine- ville, O.; 1857, Providence, R. L; 1858, Lawrence, Mass.; 1859, Lowell, Mass.; 186o, Saco, Me.; 1861, Sutton, Vt.; 1862, Hillsdale, Mich.; 1863, Lowell, Mass.; 1864, Providence, R. I.: 1865, Lewiston, Me.; 1866, Lawrence, Mass.; 1867, Dover, N. H.; 1868, Buffalo, N. Y.; 1869, Lowell, Mass.; 187o, Augusta, Me.; 1871, Hillsdale, Mich.; 1872,Haverhill, Mass.; 1873, Farming- ton, N. H.; 1874, Providence, R. L; 1875, Manchester, N. H.; 1876, Saco, Me.; 1877, Fairport, N. Y.; 1878, Lyn- don, Vt.; 1879, Olneyville, R. I.; 188o, Boston, Mass.; 1881, Lawrence, Mass.; 1882, Great Falls, N. H.; 1883, Minne- apolis, Minn.; 1884, Lewiston, Me.; 1885, Providence, R. I.; 1886, Marion, O.; 1887, Portland, Me.; 1888, Laconia, N.H. Anthony, Rev. Abram, was ordained in 182- and labored in Maine. I I i I I ) q I f I @1 ANTHONY Anthony, Rev. Alfred Williams, soil of Dea. Lewis W. and Britannia F. (Waterman) Anthony, was born in Prov- idence, R. I., Jan. 13, 1860. He became a Christian at the age of 14. He prepared for college at Mowry and Goff's School, Providence, and graduated from Brown University, in 1883. He also graduated from Bates Theological School, Lewis- ton, Me., in 1885 ; was ordained Aug. 30, and settled at Bangor, Sept. 27. UP to January, 1887, he had baptized forty- three persons. He was recording secre- tary of the Foreign Mission Society, 1886-87, and was a member of General Conference in i886. He was elected trustee of Me. Cent. Institute this same year. In i887 he was elected to a pro- fessorship in Bates Theological School. He was married, Sept. 15, 1885, to Miss Harriet W. Angell. Anthony, Dea. Lewis Williams, of Providence, R. I., was born in North Providence, Sept. 19, 1825. His parents were James and Sarah P. (Williams) Dea. L. W. Anthony. Anthony. When he was 10 years old his father died ; his mother died when he was 19. He was educated at Fruit Hill Classical School. In 1841, when in his sixteenth year, he was converted, and in September of that year joined the church at Centerdale. In April, 1858, he joined the Roger Williams church in 19 19 ANTI-SLAVERY Providence, R. I., and in November, i 8 65, was chosen a deacon of that church. He became a member of the Executive Committee of the Home Mission Society in October, 1871 , and has been president of the society since 1879. He was chosen a corporator of the printing establish- ment in 1873. At the Centennial Gen- eral Conference at Weirs, N. H., he was assistant moderator. He has been a liberal benefactor of the benevolent en- terprises of the denomination. He is a trustee of Storer College, and Anthony I-Tall, of that institution, toward which he gave $5,ooo, is named for him. He was a member of the Providence City Gov- ernment in 1872-73. He is a member of the firm of Greene, Anthony & Co., Providence, dealers in boots and shoes, and is a director of the Traders' National Bank, and of the Nicholson File Co., of the same city. He is also a director of the Kansas Investment Co., Topeka, Kan., of the Smith & Anthony Stove Co., and the Suffolk Manufacturing Co., Boston, Mass. He was married Sept. I5, 1847, to Britannia Franklin Water- man. Of eight children three are living. Rev. A. W. Anthony, professor-elect of Bates College, Lewiston, Me., is his son. His daughter, Miss Kate Anthony, has shown fine taste in her contributions to periodicals. Anti-Slavery Society, The Free- will Baptist, was organized at Sugar Hill, Lisbon, N. H., June 8, 1843. This formal organization had been preceded by ten years of healthy discussion and unequivocal action. In 183o Garrison had uttered his clarion call : " Immediate emancipation is the right of the slave and the duty of the master," and in De- cember, 1833, the American Anti-slavery Society was organized. For once only, did the Morning Star speak in doubtful tones. It soon took a bold and unflinch- ing position on the side of freedom. In June, 1834, the N. H. Y. M. indorsed its position. The same year Rev. John Chaney gave notice that he would intro- duce antislavery resolutions at the next session of the Farmington Q. M., and Rev Silas Curtis went forty miles to de- fetid them. The resolutions were adopted with only one or two dissenting votes. ANTI-SLAVERY 20 In March, I 835, a resolution was adopted by the Rockingham Q. M., and in June the speeches before the New Hampshire Anti-slavery Society were reported in the Morning Star. Ten days later at the meeting of the V. M. in Lisbon, while the first missionary-elect was or- dained to bear the gospel to our darker- hued brothers in the jungles of India, those in the cotton and rice fields of our own country were not forgotten. A strong resolution was introduced with outspoken words by David Marks and seconded by Jonathan Woodman. Sim - ilar resolutions, recommending the duty of immediate emancipation, were also adopted by the denomination in Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and New York, and the denomination was fully coin- mitted at the General Conference in Byron, N. V., the following October. Surprised and thankful at the unanimity of the denomination on this important question, the General Conference adopted the following: " Resolved, That we have abundant cause for gratitude to God, that as a denomination, we are so generally united in our views on this distracting subject of slavery . " At this time there followed those awful scenes of violence and bloodshed throughout. the nation. Garrison was mobbed in the streets of Boston. From presidential chair to the office of every secular paper, all the strong voices of the nation were upholding the accursed institution. In 1836 the Print- ing Establishment had been twice refused an act of incorporation because the Star was out-spoken on the subject of abolition. Fifteen thousand dollars were due for our publications and many refused payment unless a different policy was adopted. For two years the subscription list of the Star was constantly decreasing. A crisis had come and aspecial meeting of the trustees was called. For a day and night beyconsidered the question with an interest equaled only by the conse- quences that hung upon its decision. At daybreak the vote was unanimous with but one exception for the Star to continue its unequivocal utterance for the abolition of slavery. Not till 1846 bad the political position of the state changed, largely through Free Baptist influence, so that a charter was granted. -- 20 ANTISLAVERY For several years the act of incorporation was refused the Home Mission Society, lest, as was then said, it would sent forth - missionaries to preach abolition." In i 837 General Conference "Resolved, That slavery, as it exists in this country, is a system of tyranny ; of tyranily more cruel and wicked than the oppression and wrong practiced by any other civilized nation in the known world." At the General Conference at Conneaut, Ohio, ill 1839, four clergymen and as many churches from New Hampshire sent a communication complaining of the anti- slavery action of the Rockingham Q. M. and the political character of the Morn- ing Star. But the conference was unani- mous in its position on the subject. Dr. Wm. M. Howsley's request for ordina- tion they refused because of his slavery sentiments, though lie gave the assur- ance that by his acceptance at least 20,000 members would be secured to the denomination from Free Communion Bap- tists in the South. The Free Communion Baptists of North and South Carolina, already in fellowship, were stricken from the list and for the future not counted in the statistics of the denomination. It was a bold step at that early day for a denomination to thus cut itself off from all connection with slavery. Conference in 1841 stigmatized the attempts to sup- port slavery from the Bible as " moral treason against God's word, " and in i 843 declared that the Christian's duty was at the ballot-box. At the anniversaries in I842 a committee was appointed to draft a constitution, and in June, 1843, at the New Hampshire yearly meeting, the Freewill Baptist Anti-slavery Society was organized with Jonathan Woodman as president. For twenty-five years this society did valiant service in keeping the slavery question fresh before the people. The reports of the secretary, and the addresses at the anniversaries usuallv awakened a thrilling interest. At Gen- eral Conference in Providence, in 185o, they " deliberately and calmly " defied the enactment of the highest leisla- tive authority in the nations Confer- ence resolved that in spite of fines alid imprisonments imposed by Con- gress in connection with the Fugi- tive Slave law; " We will do all that ANTI-SLAVERY 21 we can, consistently with the claims of the Bible, to prevent the recapture of the fugitive, and to aid him in his efforts to escape from his rapacious claimants. " This report was discussed for nearly four hours by men from eight or ten different states and unainimoously adopted. "When the war broke out and during its prog- ress fifty-eight of our able-bodied minis- ters and 210 Of our ministers' sons volun- teered in their country's defense. Ninety- nine hundredths of all others, by patriotic preaching, praying and sympathy with the soldiers in the field and their discon- solate families at home, did good service in the Union cause." In 1863 Emancipa- tion came, and the Home Mission Board at once established mission schools among the freedmen. In 1868 the so- ciety dissolved, as slavery was no more. The untold benefit to the great cause of freedom by the early attitude of the de- nomination only the great judgment-day will determine. Oliver Johnson, in his life of William Lloyd Garrison, says (p. 81), "It gives me great pleasure to mention one Christian denomination, somewhat numerous in parts of New England, as well as in other states, that deserves to be excepted from the cen- sures I have been compelled so bestow upon the rest. I allude to the Freewill Baptists, who, from the beginning, re- fused to receive slave-holders into com- munion, and most of whom were prompt to espouse the doctrine of immediate emancipation. The Morning Star, the organ of the denomination, did much to inform public sentiment on the subject of slavery, especially in New Hampshire, where it had a large circulation. The constituency of this church was mainly among the common people, where its influence was chiefly felt. Its leaders, refused to follow the example of other churches in countenancing slavery, and for this reason incurred much censure and some persecution. It is not too much to say that it was more through the influence of the Morning Star than from any other cause that the power of the pro-slavery Democracy in New Hampshire was first broken, and John P. Hale elected to the Senate of the United States. That the Freewill Baptists were in all respects consistent and as earnest 21 APPERSON as they should have been in their testi- mony against slavery, it would be too much to affirm ; but compared with the churches around them, they were as light in the midst of darkness. If all other Christian denominations had come tip to their level, the chains of the slaves might have been broken by moral power. The antislavery record of the Freewill Baptists," says Theodore Weld, "is a trail of light." The officers of the society have been Yrs. President. Cor. Sec. 1843 J. Woodman. 1. C. Dame. '44 D. Waterman. E. Noyes. '45 R. Dunn. J. Fullonton, '46 J. Chaney. A. K. Moulton. '47 ' 48 E. Fisk. '49 S. Curtis. J. Fullonton. ' 50 " 1. D. Stewart. 1851 " " 52 " D. S. Frost. '53 M.W. Burlingame. J J. Butler. '54 D. P. Harriman. '55 '56 " 7 C. 0. Libby. G. H. Ball. 58 W. H. Littlefield. D. P. Cilley. '59 J. L. Sinclair. D. W. C. Durgin. '60 '6i '62 G. T. Day. P. S. Burbank. '63 0. B. Cheney. W. H. Bowen. '64 0. T. Moulton. '65 " '66 " '67 S. P. Morrill. A. D. Smith. The Recording Secretaries have been: G. P. Ramsey, 1843-44; D. P. Cilley, 1845-58 ; and D. W. C. Durgin in 1859 one year, when the office was abolished. The Treasurers have been: Wm. Burr, 1843-66, and A. D. Smith, 1867. Apperson, Rev. David J., was born Jan. 11, 1810, in Clark County, Ga. His parents, James and Elizabeth, were from Mecklenburgh County, Va. Both grandfathers were soldiers in the Revo- lutionary army. Bro. A. united with the Baptist church in 1827, and was a participant in the early efforts to promote liberal views in Georgia. In 1841 he received license to preach, and three years later, was ordained. He ministered to the Corinth and New Prospect churches thirty years, and served the Friendship, Shiloh, Bluff APPERSON 22 Spring, Bethany, Galilee and Silver Run churches for briefer periods. He also traveled as a home missionary. In 185o he was elected moderator of the Chatta- hoochee Association, and was continued in that position until 1881, a sufficient evidence of the esteem of the brethren. He has baptized 1007 converts. Now he is in feeble health, passing an hon- ored old age with his family at Poin- dexter, Ga. Appleby, Rev. Samuel, of York, Me., was ordained at the Elders' Con- ference in Somersworth, N. H., Aug. 23, 1805. He had been preaching for some time with good success. He was bap- tized by Rev. Abijah Watson, and united with the denomination. After- wards they repaired to a beautiful field where the ordination services were per- formed. After a ministry in Maine and New Hampshire, his connection with the denomination was severed. Aray, Rev. Harvey, of Ypsilanti, Mich., was a promising young colored preacher, who began preaching in 1831, and was ordained (just before his death,) NOV. 21, 1835. Arkansas. There are eight organiza- tions in this state, but full reports of their work are not available. THE OLD MT. ZION AssociATION was reported early in the, present decade, when it contained 202 members in seven churches, Viz.: Big Fork, Fellowship, Mt. Zion, Oak Grove, Pleasant Grove, Sugar Creek, and Willow Spring. It is located in the northwest part of the state, in Washington, Benton, and Madi- son counties. The Highland church was added as early as 1885, and the Jerusalem church in September, i886. In 1883, the Oak Grove and Pleasant Hill churches were dismissed to form the Western Mt. Zion Q. M. The present membership is 258. THE WESTERN MT. ZION Q. M. was organized in October, 1883, with the Oak Grove church in Benton Count)-, and the Pleasant Hill church in Mc- Donald County, Mo. The churches added to these, in the report for i887, are Golden Hollow, Honey Creek, Pleas- alit Grove, Semple, Sulphur Springs, 22 ARMINIAN and Wire Springs. The present mem- bership is about 300. THE UNioN AssociATION was reported as early as 1883, when it had a member- Ship Of 507, in ten churches, viz.: Big Spring, Center Point, King's River, Lib- erty, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Zion, Mulberry Ha11, New Bethel, Union, and Walnut Grove. It now reports 874 members. This Association is located in Carroll, Boone, Newton and Madison counties, east of the Old Mt. Zion Association, with which it keeps up a friendly cor- respondence by letter. THE NEw HOPE, Q. M., located in the vicinity of White County, was reported in 188o, with four churches and seventy members. It is said now to have seven churches and two hundred members. THE POLK BAYOU AssocIATION is also reported as having 422 members; the HAMBURG AssOCIATION with 12I members; and the MULBERRY AssocIA- TION with about 400 members. The NEw MT. ZION AssOCIATION is also mentioned. These imperfect statements are all that present information permits us to give. Arminian, or " General Baptists," in the United States, flourished long be- fore the days of Benjamin Randall. Ill the English Reformation in the days of Henry VIII. Anabaptists became nu- merous in England. They suffered se- vere persecution. They were divided into " General and Particular" says Benedict (Ed. 1813, Vol. I, P. 189) " since soon after the Reformation. It will be difficult and indeed unnecessary, to pay a strict regard to these distinctions throughout the following sketch. Both parties have had their share of sufferings, and among them both we find a number of very worthy and distinguished char- acters." The first Baptist church that was formed in the British empire was organized in London in 1633 (Knowles' Memoir of Roger Williams, P. 166). The first in America and second in the Brit- ish empire was formed at Providence, R. I., in March, 1639. Benedict says, "The candidates for communion nom- inated and appointed Ezekiel Holliman, a man of gifts and piety, to baptize Roger Williams, who, in return, baptized Mr. ARMINIAN 23 Holliman and the other ten. This church was soon joined by twelve other persons, who came to this new settlement and abode in harnony and peace. Mr. Hol- liman was chosen assistant to Mr. Wil- liams. This church, according to Chand- ler, held particular redemption, but soon after deviated lo general redemption. * * * and so continued for the most part more than a hundred years. From the commencement of Dr. Manning's min- istry [in I771] they have been verging back to their first principles, and now very little of the Arminian leaven is found among them." (Benedict, vol. i, PP. 475, 486.) It is certain that the church founded of the old members in Johnston by Rev. Samuel Winsor, Jr., on the rupture with Dr. Manning, was of the Six Principle Baptist order. The Johnston church was still fellowshiped by the General Meeting or Association. The first Baptist church in Newport, R. I., which was the second organized in America, contained members who be- lieved in a general atonement. Eigh- teen of these withdrew and formed a church of the Six Principle order. " In I729 the yearly meeting of General or Six Principle Baptist churches consisted of the union of twelve churches and about eighteen ordained ministers, there being at the time but four Calvinistic Baptist churches in New England, viz. : one in Boston, Mass., one in Swansea, Mass., one in Newport, R. I., one in Westerly, R. I. " (Freewill Baptist Quarterly, vol. 3, P. 424.) Of the fifty-eight Baptist churches in the United States in 175o Benedict significantly says, " Some were of the Arminian cast." (Vol. i, P. 273.) According to him the first church founded in New York city amid persecutions was of the General Baptist order. Rev. Wm. Wickenden, of Prov- idence, R. L, preached there before i 669, and was imprisoned for four months. In 1712 Rev. Valentine Wightman of Groton, Conn., accepted an invitation to preach in New York City at the home of Nich- olas Eyres, and after two years baptized seven men and five women, by night, to avoid a mob that had been troublesome. In September, 1724, he formed them into a church and ordained Mr. Eyres as their preacher. A house of worship on Golden 23 ARMINIAN Hill was built in 1728. Eight years later, having lost their house on account of debt incurred in building, the church become extinct. In I762 the first Cal- vinistic Baptist church was organized, and soon became a large and flourish- ing body. From independent English sources and from churches already men- tioned a long line of Arminian Baptist churches early sprang up from New York to South Carolina. The Cohansey church in New Jersey was constituted in 169o. Its original members were from Ireland. Three years before its organiza- tion Rev. Timothy Brooks, with a few brethren, moved from Swansea, Mass., but they did not unite on account of the Calvinistic predestination of their Cohan- sey brethren. Rev. Valentine Wight- man, founder of the General Baptist church in New York City, effected a union in 1710 on " terms of bearance and forbearance. " In Maryland the first Baptist church was the General Baptist church at Chestnut Ridge, organized by Rev. Henry Loveall, from Newport, R. I., of fifty-seven converts in 1742. The Roman Catholics in power in the commonwealth granted them legal pro- tection. In I794 John Healey and oth- ers of the General Baptist church of Friar Lane, Leicester, England, mi- grated to America and in February, 1795 the company of nineteen persons settled in Baltimore. In June, 1797, a church was formed and the same year a brick meeting-house was built. The church, after many reverses, united with the Baltimore Calvinistic Baptist Associa- tion in 18O7. Letters received from Virginia induced the Baptists in London, Eng., to ordain Robert Nordin in May, 1714. He soon sailed for Virginia and gathered a church in Burley, Isle of Wight County. He continued the pastor of this church untill his death,in 1725. In 1727 Richard Jones, a preacher from England, settled with this church and became its pastor. In 1829 the church had forty members. The same year there was reported a church in Surry County of thirty members, which was organized according to Knight in 1725. Both churches sent a letter to the Phila- delphia Calvinistic Baptist Association in December, 1756. In 1743 members of ARMINIAN 24 the Chestnut Ridge church, Maryland, settled at Opeckon Creek. Their min- ister, Rev. Henry Loveall, soon follow- ing them, baptized fifteen persons and organized a church on the General Bap- tist plan. In 1751 the church applied to the Philadelphia Association for help. Three brethren went to them and re- organized them on the Calvinistic plan. The name was changed to Mill Creek. In North Carolina there were individ- ual Baptists as early as 1695. The first church was planted in the northeastern part of the state in 1727 at Perquimans (now Shiloh) on the Chowan river, by Rev. Paul Palmer, of Maryland ; Joseph Parker, probably one of his disciples, be- gan to preach in the same region. The Kehukee church in Halifax County was organized in I742 by emigrants from Berkley, Va., with Rev. Wm. Sojourner as pastor. Burkitt and Read say that it was constituted by persons " received and baptized on the Freewill plan. " The Tosniot church in Edgecomb Coun- ty, was one of the oldest General Bap- tist churches in the country. Asplund's Register gives the organization of the Camden County church as late as 1757. The Meherrin church in Hertford Coun- ty was organized early. The Reedy Creek church, in Warren County, was organized from converts gathered by Dr. Josiah Hart, who began his ministry there "about the year 175O." A few years before this several families from the Burley church, Virginia, had mi- grated there and had made many proselytes. By 1752, sixteen church- es, all of General Baptist sentiments, were flourishing in the state. In the summer of I754 Rev. John Gano was sent out by the Philadelphia Associa- tion "with general and indefinite in- structions to travel in the Southern States," etc. Under these instructions he visited these General Baptist churches. In the fall Of I 75 5 a committee from the same association visited the Freewill Baptist churches in North Carolina and waged there proselyting war upon their weaker brethren, their superior organiza- tion, wealth, refinement and culture, making the scattered churches of the Arminian type no match for them. Mr. Edwards, quoted by Dr. Benedict, thus 24 ARMINIAN describes the visit of Mr. Gano : "On his arrival, he sent to the ministers, re questing an interview with them, which they declined and appointed a meeting among themselves to consult what to do. Mr. Gallo, hearing of it, went to their meeting and addressed them ill words to this effect : I have desired a visit from you, which, as a brother and stranger, I had a right to expect ; but as ye have refused, I give up my claim, and am come to pay you a visit,' with that lie ascended into the pulpit and read for his text the following words : 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know ; but who are ye ? , This text he managed in such a mariner as to make some afraid of him, and others ashamed of their shyness. " (VOL 2, p. 99.) The Kehukee church was gained in 1755, and Reedy Creek church was found to have tell who ac- cepted Calvinism and was accordingly reorganized; in 1758 the Tosniot church with its three preachers accepted the Calvinistic creed. The church in Cam- den County also yielded. But the Per- quimans and Meherrin churches guarded by Elders Joseph and William Parker and Elder Winfield held out resolutelv. What was left unfinished by these Phila- delphian visitors was "carried on with a very laudable zeal, by the ministers among themselves. insomuch that before the year 1765, all the minister and churches " with the few excep- tions mentioned "embraced the princi- ple of the reformation," (VOL 2, P. IOO) and the same year the Kehukee Associa- tion was organized and admitted to the fellowship of the Charleston Association. Gradually Perquimans church, to which Joseph Parker ministered, was weak- ened ; in 1848 this Church bore the name Shiloh of the Chowan Association. When it yielded its Arminian views is not known. The Meherrin church was up- rooted with greater difficulty. In 1773 Wm. Parker became its pastor and bap- tized many persons. The erection of a Calvinistic Baptist meeting-house in its vicinity and the organization there of a church of that faith, soon much reduced its numbers. After Elder Parker's slid- den death in I 784, the remaining mem- bers applied to Elder Burkitt to supply them. Through his influence the de- ARMINIAN 25 clining church came II under re-exami- nation, " and the result was the forma- tion of a small Calvinistic church which joined the Kehukee Association in 1794. Thus were the Arminian churches assim- ilated, by their Calvinistic brethren, from New England to North Carolina. Be- tween these points, the work was com- plete. With no means of intercommuni- cation, with no religious press or corre- spondence by delegation, both in Rhode Island and North Carolina with some measure of organization the Six Princi- ple or General Baptist interests have sur- vived. In North Carolina the process of assimilation by the Calvinistic body was not thorough. We are soon con- fronted with a growing association of General Baptists. Their Luzen Swamp and Grinsley churches possess records reaching back to I793. In i827 Rev. Jesse Heath, of Cox Bridge, representing twenty ministers, as many churches with 845 members, addressed a letter of in- quiry to John Buzzell of Parsonfield, Me., editor of the Morning Star. The reply was published in that paper, April 23. In 1828 the North Carolina brethren adopted the name Freewill Baptists. In a communication sent to the General Conference in November, 1829, the body reported thirty-three ministers, twenty- six churches and 2, ooo, members. From this time the Rev. Elias Hutchins began his visits among them and was cordially received by their churches. They re- ported for some years with the denomi- nation, were counted in the Register in the annual statistics, and though they never formally united with the General Conference yet they sent delegates to that body. Many of them, however, were slave-holders, and the outspoken resolutions passed in General Confer- ences caused them to withdraw their fellowship. Their last report in 1835 showed some forty-four churches, thirty- six elders, eight licentiates and 2,900 members. The Liberty Association in Kentucky, numbering in 1830, eight churches and 214 members, and the United Baptists in Georgia numbering in 1831, sixteen churches, fourteen min- isters, and 861 members opened a corre- spondence looking toward union. Those in Kentucky agreed in 1835 to hold 25 ARMINIAN Quarterly Meetings, but the vexing question of slavery severed the corre- spondence. A formal vote was passed in General Conference to this effect in 1839. Since this question has ceased forever to vex God's people our relation with these Southern Arminian Baptists has been renewed; in some cases union with the denomination has been consum- mated, in others the relation is becoming daily more and more friendly. The Rhode Island Six Principle Bap- tists still exist as a distinct organization. Their conference consisting of a dozen ministers, as many churches, with about 1,000 members, met, in 1886, with the Free Baptist Association of Rhode is- land and the Christian Connection of that state in an Annual Convention known as the Narragansett Convocation of Baptist churches. The old General Baptists of Rhode Island contributed in two ways to the growth of our denomination. First, many of their ancient churches became Free Baptist. Among these are the Tiv- erton, organized in 1684, Johnston organ- ized by Samuel Winsor, Jr., in 1771, Block Island 1772, Rehoboth 1777. The Roger Williams church was organized in 183o, as Six Principle Baptist. The Cranston church, at Knightville, which joined the Q. M. in 1828, was from the same body. A second method by which the General Baptist element in Rhode Island has contributed to our growth is through the accession of the Free Com- munion Baptists of New York. They were of General Baptist origin. Previ- ous to 1783, emigrants from a church in Westerly, R. L, connected with the somewhat celebrated " Groton Union Conference," which was composed large- ly, if not wholly, of churches which sprung up as a result of the labors of Whitefield, settled in Stephentown, Rensselaer County, N. Y. They carried with them their ideas of religious doctrine and polity, and soon organized a church of which Benajah Corpe was the first pas- tor. Members of this first church re- moved to villages and towns farther through their instrumentality west, and other churches were established, holding to general atonement and open commun- ion. In 1841, when they united formally I with the denomination, they had a mem- ARMINIAN 26 bership of more than 2, Soo, embraced in fifty-five churches extending into Penn- sylvania and Canada West. They have given to the denomination such men as William Hunt, Levi G. Gardner and Jeremiah Phillips. Armstrong, Rev. Albert A., son of Wilson and Mary (Ashton) Armstrong, was born in Cuba, N. V., Dec. 11, 1848. He was educated at Pike Seminary and at Tenbroeck Academy, N. V. He re- ceived license to preach in 1869, the year after his conversion, and was ordained by the Cattaraugus Q. M., June 11, 1878. His ministry has continued in Western New York. Nov. 9, 1870, he was married to Elizabeth H. Guthrie, and has four children. Arthur, Rev. James Thornton, was born in Bloom Township, Scioto County, Ohio, April 22, 1853. His parents are Joel and Malinda (Mault) Arthur. June i5, 1873, he was married to Eliza Jane Monroe. Receiving ordination Aug. 20, 1887, he spent several months in evan- gelistic work in the Little Scioto Q. M. of the Ohio and Kentucky Y. M. Re- siding in Scioto he holds the pastorate of the Harrison church. Ashby, Rev. David Wesley, of Thompsonville, Ill., was born to Jonathan and Eliza J. (Cottingham) Ashby, Jan. 7, 1851, in Hopkins County, Ky. He married Susan Hamilton, Feb.1, 1875, and has three children. He experienced religion in January, 1869, received license in 1871, and was ordained April 4, 1875, his connection being with the General Baptists. About 1885 he united with the Freewill Baptists, and has since min- istered to churches in the Makanda Q. M., Ill. During his ministry he has baptized more than 100 converts. Ashcraft, Rev. Richard, was born in Hardin County, Ky., in i8O3. In T826 he moved to Vigo County, Ind., where he was converted three years later and joined the Free Baptists. Later in Illinois he was et colleague of Rev's Shaw and Fast in laying the foundation of the denomination in the state. He traveled quite extensively as an evangelist, aiding the brethren in revivals, laboring as a Free Baptist twenty-six years. 26 ATWOOD Ashley, Rev. James, a native of Canada, moved with the family to Hu- ron County Ohio, in 1824. Here he was converted when 15 years of age, and was married in I838 to Miss Polly L. Magee, whose untiring industry and care was a great help to him in his work. His labors as a preacher began in I84I, in the Huron Q. M.; but most of his pastoral and evangelistic work for four- teen years was in new fields where churches were gathered and the Seneca Q. M. was organized. Here much good was accomplished and a hallowed influ- ence left for years to come. In 1855 he removed to Cass County, Mich., where, mostly in the St. Joseph Valley V. M., he spent the remainder of his useful life. Brother Ashley was characterized by frankness, the entire absence of all cun- ning, and loyalty to his convictions. But his sincerity, unselfishness, wonderful good nature and grace, rendered his bold- est and most positive speeches, expressions of friendship, compelling men to love and honor him. His death occurred March 23, i882, in his 67th year. An immense audience, employing over 18o teams, attended his funeral, attesting the uni- versal esteem in which he was held. Atwood, Rev. Hezekiah, son of Hezekiah and Nancy (Coffin) Atwood, was born at Livermore, Me. He studied at Farmington Academy, and served his denomination for many years in the state of Maine. He organized the church at Barker's Island, Booth Bay, Me. He has recently died. He married Mary A. Baker, and has two children, one the Rev. C. B. Atwood, of Cape Sable Isl- and, N. S. Atwood, Rev. Mark, son of James and Betsey (McCollister) Atwood, was born at Rochester, Vt., in November, 1820. He studied a short time at Parsonfield, Me. Converted at the age of seventeen, he was baptized by Rev. Joshua Tucker, joining the church at Warren, and was licensed two years later. He was or- dained at the September session of the Enosburg Q. M. in 1840, at Franklin, Vt., and the same year baptized six. The ordaining council consisted of Rev's A. Kilborn, S. Hazeltine, M. S. Moody, Amos Davis and Raymond Austin. For ATWOOD 2 four years he traveled ill Vermont, Call- ada and elsewhere, and saw great revi- vals. He frequently went with Rev. Isaac G. Davis. His pastorates are Can- dia, N. H.; Northwood; Salem, Mass.; Underhill, Vt.; Starksborough ; Hopkin- ton, N. Y.; Parishville; Strafford, Vt.; Sutton ; Sheffield; and North Danville, where he settled in 1884. He was em- ployed by the Home Mission Board in Nova Scotia ill 1842-43, and assisted in Rev. Mark Atwuood. the organization of a Quarterly Meet- ing. During a continuous ministry of forty-six years he has helped or- ganize several churches, baptized hun- dreds, and seen 3,000 hopeful conver- sions in the meetings he has con- ducted. He baptized Rev. E. W. Porter, and preached the ordination sermon of Rev. N. L. Rowell. He was delegate to the General Conference at Maineville, O., in 1856, and at Lewiston, Me., in 1865. Ill 1846 he married Lovina Davis, and six children gladden their hearts a-id hearth. Atwood, Dea. Nehemiah, and Pa- melia, his wife, were married in 1819 and spent all their subsequent lives in RaccoonTownship-now Rio Grande- Gallia County, 0. They were converted under the labors of Rev. L Z. Haning, and baptized Jan. 26, 1851. With the 27 AUGIR blessing -of God, they accumulated a large property, and from it they gave lib- erally to the church at Rio Grande, to Atwood Institute (q. v.) and to West Virginia College. Late in life they planned to establish a college at their home, leaving to it all their property. Dea. Atwood died in December 1869. His widow carried out their plans, found- ing Rio Grande College (q. v.). She lived to see the school established (having married Mr. H. Wood), and died in 1885. Their lives were useful, and their influ- ence still remains. Atwood Institute was opened a, Athens, Ohio, in 1866. The buildings and grounds were the gift of Dea. Nehe- miah Atwood. Rev's J. M. Kayser and L. C. Chase were at first associated in the management of the school. The former remained two years, the latter three. They were succeeded by Prof. H. B. Dodge as principal. After some years Rev. L. C. Chase was principal again two years and was followed by Prof C. 0. Clark. But the school was sold soon after to private parties. In the early years of the school, the attendance for a term reached 120, and 210 pupils were present during the year. The lack of interest in the school on the part of citi- zens of Albany, caused Dea. Atwood to found Rio Grande College, and the pat- ronage of Freewill Baptists was trans- ferred to that institution. Augir, Rev. Franklin Page, son of Robert and Abigail (Hough) Augir, was born in Schuyler, N. V., Oct. 14, 1818. He was educated at Western Reserve Seminary, O., Whitestown Seminary, N. Y., and Hillsdale College, Mich. He devoted his life to God in March 1834; was licensed by the Honey Creek Q. M., Wis., in 1843, and ordained by a coun- cil from the same body in April 1847. His forty years of active ministry have been spent in pastoral work in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas, where he is now serving the Pleasant Valley church. He has engaged in numerous revivals, preached 3,575 sermons and baptized two hundred and twenty-four converts. He has been active in temperance and Sunday-school work ; has served as trus- AUGIR 28 tee of the Western Association, and is now chairman of the Executive Commit- tee of the Southern Kansas V. M. Sept. 19, 1847, he was married to Lavinia L. Rev. F. P. Augir. Bixby, and, of their seven children (five now living) four have graduated from Hillsdale College. Augir, Rev. Orlando D., brother of Rev. F. P. Augir, was born at Spring- ville, N. Y., Feb. I 7, 1828. He accepted Christ in 1846; studied at Waukesha Academy, Wis., 1848-49, and at Hillsdale College three years ; received license to preach in 1857, and ordination, Feb. 4, 1859. He has been pastor of the Butler, Quincy, and Cooks Prairie churches of the St. Joseph's Valley Y. M., Mich., and of the Merrimack, Scott and Marcel- lon, Burnett, New Berlin, Rochester, Wheatland, and Raymond churches of the Wisconsin Y. M. He is at present re- siding in Florida, and is pastor of the Crys- tal Lake church. In 185o he was mar- ried to Lucy M. Munger, who died in 1879, and in I884 to Miss Julia Holt. His four children have been students at Hillsdale College. Augir, Ozro G., son of Rev. 0. D. Augir, was born near Portage City, Wis., in 1852. His grandfathers were Free Bap- tist deacons. He was converted in 1866, and after a preparatory course at Rochester Seminary, was graduated from Hillsdale 28 AVERY College in 1877. He has been Principal of Wilton Collegiate Institute, and of West Virginia College, and has taught also elsewhere. He is Clerk of the West Virginia Association. In 1881 he mar- ried Zana M., daughter of Rev. D. Pow- ell, and two children cheer their home. Austin Academy. See Strafford Academy. Avery, Rev. Austin W., died in Haverhill, Mass., Oct. 7, 1865, in his 27th year. He was born in Campton, N. H., Nov. i8, 1838. Brought up at the knee of a Christian mother, he was converted in childhood, and finally made a public stand for Christ during a revi- val, on his sixteenth birthday. After hesitation that resulted in a loss of peace, he entered New Hampton Insti- tution to prepare for the ministry, in 1856. Two years later he was licensed to preach. Being unable to study, through ill-health, he went to Paducah, Ky., early in 1859 to visit a brother, and then made a tour through nine of the Southern States, and saw slavery as it was. He came to Dover, N. H., to sup- ply for three months a vacant pulpit, and fifty-one requested interest in pray- ers. As agent of the New York City church, he went to Parishville, N. Y., to collect funds. A revival began, from which sixty were added to the church during the year. He resigned his agency, and settled at Parishville, where he was ordained at the age Of 2 I, March 24, 1860. In January, 1861 he went to Boston to study with Rev. R. Dunn, and March 13 he became pastor of the Boston church. Through his four years' pastorate there, a great inter- est continued, till 186 were added to the church, 156 of them by baptism. His constitution began to give way. He entered upon a pastorate of a few months in Haverhill. In June, it was evident that his health was declining. In Sep- tember, after a brief vacation which af- forded no relief, he returned to seek to rid the church of a cumbersome debt. The last Sabbath he preached, the sub- ject was presented, and $950 was quick-- ly raised. Within a ministry of six years he baptized 175. During the sick- ness that followed, the debt on the Hav- AVERY 29 erhill church and the pastorless Boston church weighed heavily upon his heart. During his last hours he uttered fre- quently, " Home ... .. Rest," " Glory." He was buried in his native State. Rev. I. D. Stewart preached a sermon to his memory. He married Nov. 4, 1861, Sara S., daughter of Rev. N. K. George, who survived him but a few months. Avery, Rev. Fernald, died of con- sumption, in Cornith, Vt., Oct. 13, 1866, aged 31 years. He was converted in 1855, and feeling a call to the ministry, entered New Hampton in 1859; but ill- health soon compelled him to leave school. In October, 1860, he was licensed by the Cornith Q. M., and became pas- tor of the Williamstown Church. The next year he was ordained there. In August, 1864, he again commenced study at New Hampton, but after a year his disease - became so seated in his lungs that be was obliged to leave his wife and friends, and 'go to his home above. Avery, Rev. Newell Augustus, son of Edward and Hannah F. (Harding) Avery, was born in Prospect, Me., June 30, 1847. He studied at the Methodist 29 Seminary at Bucksport, Me., and gradu- ated from Bates Theological School in 188o. He was converted in 187o, re- ceived license to preach in 1874, and was ordained July 4, 1875, at Islesboro, Me., by Rev. A. Clark and others of the Mont- ville Q. M. He held one pastorate before taking the theological course, and one at Sabattusville, during the course. After graduating he settled in Epsom, N. H. He next became pastor of the Water Village and Second Ossipee churches. From this field he was called to the Man- chester church in 1888. Besides special revivals, he has had continued interest in his churches, and has baptized eighty- four persons and given the hand of fel- lowship to over one hundred. He has been a member of the State and Quarterly Meeting Mission Boards for three years. He was married May 19, 1881, to Sarah C. Goodwin. They have one child. Ayres, Rev. Alexander, died in Cal- edonia, Ill., Nov. 13, 1854, aged 40 years. He united with the Free Com- munion Baptist church in Virgil, N. Y., in 183o, and was ordained in 1838. He was a faithful pastor. His labors were chiefly with the churches in Chenango County, N. Y. (c) 1998 Courtesy of the New England Old Newspaper Index Project of Maine (R) Please site our web site David C. Young, President of NEONIP of Maine PO Box 152 Danville, Maine 04223 ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.