10 Meeting at Fulton Kentucky
10. Meeting at Fulton Kentucky Autobigraphy - James H. Oliphant
Chapter X In November, 1900, I attended the national meeting at Fulton, Kentucky. It was the largest gathering of Primitive Baptists I ever saw. Fourteen states were represented, and numerous preachers from many state; were there. The old London Confession was publicly read and approved, section by section. I served as moderator of the meeting. I thought it was prudent to hold that meeting, and some thought that it would be prudent to hold such a meeting every year, which seemed to me to be unwise. I met a great many elders at this meeting. Elders Hanks of Georgia, Webb of Texas, Little of Arkansas, Verell of Mississippi, Stevens of Arkansas, Cayce of Tennessee, and many others. The meeting was made up, for the most part, of true Primitive Baptists. There were many tears shed as the strong sentiments of the London Confession were read and considered. None could see the manifestation of love for the old doctrine that was there made without being impressed that these truths will still survive many years to come. It has long been predicted that the Primitive Baptists will pass away "when the ministers now living are dead." But as death takes the old ones away, others are raised up to take their places. The doctrine of our people is taught in the Bible, and is in harmony with the experience of all the children of God and common sense. It has the elements that will endure strong opposition, and even persecution, and will yet live as the centuries go by. When the Lord comes again He will find these principles still dear to many who "love His appearing."
After this meeting I visited several of the churches in Tennessee. I was at the home of Elder S. F. Cayce, of Martin, Tenn. He was an able minister of the New Testament and had the love and confidence of the Baptists. I was at the home of Elder Claude Cayce, who was then a young preacher. I also met Elder J. C. Ross, of Greenfield, Tennessee, who was a precious gift. I met at this meeting many Baptists in western Kentucky, and afterwards I visited the churches in south of Paducah, Kentucky, where I formed numerous acquaintances among our people. I found a great many Baptists in Tennessee and western Kentucky. Where we find our churches content with the old paths, we find precious happiness, and this was the state of our people in that part of the country. They were as entirely free of pride, and a desire to modernize our people as any Baptists I have ever met.
Elder S. F. Cayce was born in 1850 and died in 1905. He was an able preacher and a true Primitive Baptist. He held a great many debates and was a strong debater. He was loved by our people throughout the country, and frequently visited our churches in Indiana, and was greatly appreciated. I visited churches in Illinois---Carmi, Calvin, Grayville and other points in southern Illinois---where I met Elders Arnold, Hunsinger, Fuller and others.
"The Gospel Light," a paper started by Elder H. A. Todd, in 1902, caused deep trouble among our people by introducing Fuller sentiments and reproaching our people in many ways. In 1904, S. B. Luckett, of Crawfordsville, wrote "A Candid Review of the Gospel Light," and soon after this pamphlet appeared "The Light" was discontinued, and "The Primitive Baptist" took the task of supplying its patrons. S. B. Luckett has been a distinguished writer, but he never excelled this little pamphlet. Elders Todd and Hackman went at once to the Missionaries. There were nearly a dozen of our elders that left us and went to the Missionaries. They tried first to modernize our people, and, failing to do so, they left us. It seems that there have ever been men among us who sought to make our people more acceptable to the world. The first move of this kind that ever came under my notice was in 1861-1865. A dozen preachers in southern Indiana went into Arminian practices, such as protracted meetings, mourner’s benches, and Sunday schools. Division resulted, in which White River association was nearly evenly divided. I have seen this same move repeated several times since. It is the same spirit, a desire to conform more and more to the world. I have no doubt but that on and on through time men will rise up among us to repeat this move, and I think there will ever be men to oppose these efforts, and preserve our people from ruin by these "would be" reformers.
I visited our people in Missouri in 1896. Elder G. M. Thompson then lived at Ashland, Missouri, and was pastor of Goshen church, I went first to his house. He was born in 1811, and died soon after I visited him. I was delighted to spend a week with him and his brethren.
I had traveled with him a great deal in Indiana, Ohio and Missouri and enjoyed him much. After visiting with him at his churches, the Missionary Baptists in Ashland requested me to preach in their house, which I did. When I was done Elder Thompson arose and began to talk. As he talked he warmed up to his subject, grew eloquent and walked down the aisle, to the middle of the house. I never listened to anything finer than that address. I shook his hand and bade him goodbye that evening and never saw him afterwards.
I then went on up the Missouri river and visited churches, and met a number of elders, among whom were Elders Cash, Sisk, Higdon, Brown, Elkins, Sears, Hardesty, Jones and my dear brother in the flesh, Elder R. A. Oliphant. I made numerous acquaintances and met with churches that were genuine Primitive Baptists. It was one of the most pleasant trips of my life. Elder Cash of St. Joseph, Missouri, took charge of the "Messenger of Peace" when its founder, Elder J. E. Goodson, died. On this trip I formed Elder Cash’s acquaintance and we have been fast friends ever since. He has visited me and my churches here, and I have since visited him. A great many of those elders have died since, and members also. Among the elders that have died are Elders Thompson, Sears, Pollard, Elkins and my brother, R. A. Oliphant. Elder Elkins visited me here. He was an excellent preacher and a dear lover of the principles of our people. He was born in 1843, and died in 1909. I visited the West Union church in Nodaway county, Missouri, on this trip. It was composed mostly of members from our old home church in southern Indiana. I knew almost every person at the meeting there. I had baptized many of them before they moved to Missouri.
I am solemnly impressed with the nearness and certainty of death as I recall the men and women whom I have met in my journeys. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul," a hope that we shall meet where "None ever grow old" where our trials will forever end, and I can truly say "I would not live alway."