Church and Family History Research Assistance for St. Joseph County, Michigan
CHURCHES:FIRST PRIMITIVE OF LEONIDAS
The First Primitive Baptist Church of Leonidas was organized on June 12, 1840, as a result of a division of the Leonidas Church, over the mission system.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Denton, Terry (very incomplete due to loss of records).
Elder Elmore G. Terry left the following account on record, which was published in the Signs of the Times, which we give in full:
Fort Pleasant, St. Joseph Co., Mich., July 8, 1840.
BELOVED IN THE LORD:- It becomes my duty, by the appointment of the church, to write a few lines for publication in the Signs of the Times, relating to our recent trials and travel in our pilgrimage towards the celestial city, - and we count it all joy in that God should ever have counted us worthy to suffer in so glorious a cause.
About three years since, there was a church formed here, consisting of about 15 members. When we were formed into a church, I stood as a Licentiate, and having (as I humbly trust) been taught of God, I endeavored to minister as of the ability that God giveth, and to forewarn them of innovations and error, whether relating to doctrine or practice. We adopted our articles and covenant, and to my understanding were such as would have received the sanction of Baptists forty years ago; in them, the plans and inventions of New Schoolism were not to be found. The church called a council for the purpose of receiving the fellowship of other churches - and also, for the purpose of presenting me for ordination. The council met, with but two ordained ministers present, and moved forward and gave to the church the right hand of fellowship. After the delegates assembled, there was some conversation in private, that the temperance pledge was to be made a test in my ordination. I had conversed with Elder Brown, at his home, on the various benevolent societies (so called), and had freely given him my mind relating to them. After the council had got through with the church, I called Elder Brown out of doors and informed him that if the temperance pledge, or any other pledge not authorized by the word of God was coming up in the way of my ordination, they could go home, for under such circumstances I should not go before them. Elder Brown said, I am the Moderator of this council, and no such thing is coming up. Accordingly I went before them and was ordained. There was some considerable quibbling upon one point of doctrine that I advanced in the closing remark that I made relating to the doctrine of Atonement. I said, "Hence the atonement of Jesus Christ is to all and upon all the elect of God." This idea came a little too close to suit their expanded notions; but after a few shots it passed off. We, as a church, travelled on in harmony and love for about two and a half years. The subject of uniting with the Association was then called up. I had seen the Constitution of the Association and could not accord with it. It first says, The object of this Association shall be to furnish statistics of the several churches composing its body, to aid and assist the various benevolent objects of the day, and to advance the Redeemer's kingdom in general. They there say, This Association shall be composed of such as shall coincide and correspond with the objects of this Association. Hence, conscientious liberty respecting the various societies, is, by their constitution, excluded. Under such circumstances, I could not unite, and there were a number of others on the same ground.
About this time there was an Elder Twist commenced preaching within about one mile of me, decidedly on the new plan. Another man, by the name of Gray, united (by letter) with us a little before this, and soon got in difficulty with me for exposing the speculating plans of the New School; and also for speaking against Theological Schools (a greater curse than which never existed among the Baptists). He went to a neighboring church, (instead of coming to me) for advice. The church met together, for the last time but one, and were unanimous in saying that Mr. Gray had departed from gospel rule, and was not in travel with the church. They then appointed another meeting for a final decision, about uniting with the Association. In the interval I had an opportunity with Elder Twist, and entered into a pointed conversation relative to the benevolent societies, abolition, &c. He told me that if I did not believe in and was opposed to them, he had no fellowship for me, and if he were a member of the Association, he would not receive me. There were four present when he said it. Since that he has both owned and denied it, before many witnesses, hence his name and practice perfectly accord.
I had by this time become perfectly convinced that the New School made their various societies a test of fellowship, and that there was but one alternative left us, and that was to take a stand. The time at length arrived, and the party came on, with Mr. Gray to act as an Aaron for them, and he is actually possessed of an oily tongue. I commenced by saying I would read the Articles of faith and practice, also the covenant, and when I come to a clause where these societies were mentioned, they should stop me that we might examine them. Accordingly I read distinctly and slowly, but no one stopped me, for they were not there; and if they had been, we should never have united under them. I then informed them that if any one would produce a single passage of scripture for their support, we would embrace them, and informed them of the solemn covenant we had entered into to take the word of God as our rule of faith and practice. Mr. Gray answered my proposition (which to me was of the utmost importance) by asking me to show him where our sisters get a scripture authority for cutting their caps this or that way. Thus can men professing godliness sport with sacred things, and it is a manner of fact that words with them are nothing but play things, for in the use of them they mean anything, everything or nothing, just to suit their turn. The motion was finally put, shall we unite with the Association? and was decided in the affirmative by a majority of two or three. A motion was then made for all those that requested letters of dismission to receive them and was carried. Accordingly twelve requested and received letters. We then appointed a meeting for the purpose of forming a church upon such principles that there could be no chance for another division from like causes to those we had been divided upon before. We adopted our Articles, &c., and placed in the fore front the following:
Resolved, that inasmuch as the New School Baptists have made certain societies (called benevolent) a test of fellowship, and would not walk with us because we did not believe in them, therefore Resolved, That we withdraw the hand of fellowship from all societies not authorized in the word of God, and from all that practice them.
We then moved to call a council from churches sound in faith and practice, to give us the right hand of fellowship. Our appellative title which we have adopted, is, "The First Primitive Baptist Church of Leonidas, St. Joseph Co., Mich." and by the grace of God we are what we are, the Lord be praised.
Council convened on the 12th of June, 1840, at Elder E. G. Terry's. Opened meeting by singing and prayer. Proceeded to business by choosing Elder James Carpenter Moderator, and Brother James S. Dean, Clerk. The following delegates from the several churches appeared, produced credentials, and were admitted to seats. From the church at Fairfield, Elder James Carpenter, Deacon John H. Carpenter, and Brethren James S. Dean, and Samuel H. Hagaman; from the church at Canton, Brethren A. Y. Murray, S. H. Obear, Elisha Kenyon and James Foster. The council then proceeded to examine the aritlces of faith and practice of the aforesaid church, and after examination unanimously agreed that we were sound in faith and practice and were walking in gospel order, and accordingly extended to us the right hand of fellowship, by the hand of Elder James Carpenter, in behalf of the council. JAMES CARPENTER, Mod., JAMES S. DEAN, Clerk.
And we can in truth say, that the coming of our brethren to us was like the coming of Titus of old, for by them we were much refreshed. And may the Lord of the vineyard long spare our beloved Elder Carpenter, and all the veteran warriors of truth, for the edification of the mystical body of Jesus. Oh! how unlike was their coming from the coming of those young fops and dandies from the mill! Happy are they who have eyes to see, and ears to hear, and understanding to discern between the precious and the vile - between him that ministereth as of the ability that God giveth, and him that ministereth as of the ability that man giveth. Yet but few among the many that profess the religion of Jesus are capable of drawing the line of distinction.
The next Wednesday after our meeting, for my own satisfaction, I attended the LaGrange Baptist Association at Centreville. I can give but a partial description of their proceedings for want of room. In the first place, they elected their Moderator by ballot, as we would a member to congress, appointed their various committees to Theological Schools, Missionary Societies, digest, etc., in legislative style, and then commenced making a display of their talents by way of public speaking; and there was but one discourse preached, of the three that I heard, that did not partake of the begging spirit. They next proceeded to read the letters from their churches, and when the letter from the party that left us was to be read, Elder Twist (the party's preacher) requested the Association to appoint a committee for that purpose, (so that he need not make his remarks before me.) They accordingly did, and they retired in secret. When the letter was read, my name was held forth in quite an unfavorable light, and I requested an opportunity to make some remarks before the body, but this was denied me, though they could appoint a committee to retire in secret. They were probably afraid I might say something against the craft by which they get their gain. In the intermission, they attacked me pretty heavily. I told them it was the easiest thing possible to gain me on their side, if they were in the truth; for if they would produce one single passage of scripture to show me how much money I must pay, and whether it was my place to be a yearly member, a life member, a life director, a president or vice-president, I would immediately make an effort to get the money and would engage with them; but they were all dumb dogs; they could not bark the first passage, and I defy the world to do so. We should not see them make such a hue and cry about the Old School Baptists if they could only bring one passage. On the subject of Baptism, one of the Elders told me that he would receive a person baptized by immersion, in good faith, (into the church) if they were baptized by THE DEVIL!!!
The whole Association (notwithstanding souls were going to destruction for want of money) raised $4.47. Pure benevolence! One of their honored members delivered a lecture on Temperance. He said a man who drank a drop of liquor was a drunkard; unto him they contributed eighteen pence! But, My soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united. Let my name stand connected with those who are counted the offscouring of all things, and let my life and death be like theirs.
I must now close, Brother Beebe, by subscribing myself, Your unworthy brother and fellow sufferer in gospel bonds, (Elder) ELMORE G. TERRY.
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