ANNA BAPTIST CHURCH OBSERVES 90TH
ANNIVERSARY
McKinney Weekly Democrat Gazette, October 17, 1940
Hundreds of members and friends of the
Anna Baptist Church gathered there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the past week
for the three-day celebration in honor of the ninetieth anniversary of the
church since its founding in 1850. Special tribute was paid to Pastors, who have
served the church during its career, and Deacons and Clerks.
List of former Pastors includes Eli Witt, the first Pastor, Thomas Cotten, J. C.
Portman, T. B. McComb, David Elliott, R. W. Thomas, R. C. Buckner, E. W. Holeman,
J. W. Connelly, Wm. A. Dunn, Levi Dunn, G. O. Key, C. A. Loveless, H. N. G.
Bentley, M. L. Fuller, L. L. Sams, W. L. Evans, H. F. Vermillion, J. A. Caraway,
J. C. O’Farrell, C. B. Williams, M. T. Tucker, R. J. Fletcher, G. R. West, O. D.
Williams, R. L. Bonner, M. M. Barnett, Geo. C. Humphrey, and the present pastor,
Barnard Franklin.
***
Deacons of the Church.
Past and present Deacons are John Coffman, J. M. Graves, Wm. A. Portman, Hance
McAfee, Thad Parris, Sr., J. R. Rogers, J. M. Griffin, J. A. Brown, W. P. Lair,
J. C. McAnally, J. S. Dunlop, A. T. Bryant, T. A. Parris, W. P. Daniel, J. H.
Lawless, S. H. Gaddis, W. L . Strother, R. T. Shelton, C. A. Morgan, Y. H. E.
Powell, M. C. Powell, W. R. Bartlett, J. B. Lair, R. F. Strother, G. W. West, D.
F. Luscomb, S. L. Bradshaw, W. G. Strother, A. W. Powell, L. D. Hendricks, Sam
Hagin, H. C. Rutherford, and F. C. Ogilvie.
Clerks have been Joe Wilcox, 1850-54; W. P. McWhorter, 1854-62; Wm. A. Portman,
1862-65; W. D. Lair, 1865-79; F. H. Ogilvie, 1879-84; J. B. Lair, 1884-1916; W
G. Strother, 1916-40.
During the life of the Church, it has been productive in Christian work sending
out Miss Lena Lair as missionary to Nigeria, Africa; it has ordained four
ministers, James A. Gleen, H. A. Sutherland, Joel S. Graves, and J. O. Strother;
and is training for Christian work Miss Oleta Strother in Howard Payne College,
Brownwood; and Bobbie Ogilvie, Baylor University, Waco. Churches organized out
of the church are Farmington, Weston, Fairview, Stony Point, Melissa and Roseman
Chapel.
During the Friday night session of the celebration the program was presided over
by Rev. G. O. Key, during which the two principal speakers were Dr. M. T.
Tucker, who discussed “The Ordinances of the Church,” and Dr R. C. Campbell who
gave a sermon on Missions.
Saturday morning the main speaker was Dr. W. W. Barnes, who chose as his
address, “Church History.” A memorial service for deceased pastors, deacons and
members was given Saturday afternoon with Rev. G. O. Key in charge, after which
Rev. H. F. Vermillion, former Pastor, delivered the main address. Sunday morning
a review of the Anna Church history was given by the present Pastor Rev. Barnard
Franklin, and recognition of visitors. An orphans home service in memory of
former Pastor R. C. Buckner and Deacons J. R. Rogers and James M. Graves was
carried out, followed by an address on “Religion in the a Home” by Dr. F. M.
McConnell.
History of the Anna Baptist Church, written by the present Pastor, Rev. Barnard
Franklin, has been appearing in the Daily Courier-Gazette and the Weekly
Democrat-Gazette.
Weekly Democrat Gazette, October 3, 1940
SHORT HISTORY OF ANNA BAPTIST CHURCH
(part 1)
by Barnard Franklin
(Introduction)
All history is "His
Story," and history is just the fulfillment of prophecy, for "known unto God are
all His works from the beginning of the ages" (Acts 15:18). Setting forth the
history of even one of the churches of Christ brings a feeling of utter
dependence on the ever present Spirit of God for His guidance and help.
It is not out of
place in the very beginning to pay tribute to the hardy pioneers who blazed the
trail and at personal sacrifice laid the foundation upon which others have
built. There were pastors, deacons, laymen, and, not the least, noble women who
endured hardships, working side by side with husband and son in hewing timber,
rearing log houses, clearing land, and working in the garden and field,
cultivating character and moral stamina in their children, as they carved a new
civilization out of this one-time wilderness.
Anna Church Records.
Few churches in
Texas could have records and minutes covering a longer period of time. Minutes
of the original constitution of the church have been misplaced in the last
twenty years, but members now living have read them repeatedly before they were
lost. There are, however, several other sources of reliable information
concerning the institution of the church. In the "Texas Baptist Herald,"
published by J. B. Link at Houston, Texas, issue of Dec. 18, 1867, page 1, there
is an historical sketch of the church. In the Elm Fork Minutes for the year
1857, there is another sketch of the church's organization. That pioneer of
pioneers, Elder Z. N. Morrell, mentions the Friendship (now Anna) church in
connection with the history of Elm Fork Association organized in 1849. (See
"Flowers and Fruits," Third Edition, page 308.)
The church now has
an unbroken line of minutes continuing from 1858 until the present - more than
82 years.
Anna Church Clerks.
A testimony to the
stable and durable character of the church is the fact that for ninety years
only seven clerks have served the church; one, Bro. J. B. Late, serving for
thirty-two years, and the present clerk serving for the last twenty-four years.
The earliest clerk's
record is a relic. Sometimes the words are spelled differently; archaic words
are used occasionally, and in some instances the letters in long hand are
construed in the old style way. The oldest book carries the names of the Negro
slaves who, upon their profession of Christ as Savior, were baptized into the
fellowship of the church.
In the early days,
members joined on "credit of letter" instead of "on promise of a letter' as in
our time. When conference was over, it was "adjourned until meeting in course."
The expression "excommunicated" was sometimes used for those excluded on ground
of heresy. Every service was recorded. Even when inclement weather precluded
their meeting, the clerk faithfully recorded the fact.
Sources of
Historical Data.
The chief sources of
historical information are, first, the church; next, Minutes of the Elm Fork
Association from 1849 to 1867; Minutes of the Sister Grove Association from 1867
to 1886, when the Collin County Association was formed, with which the church
has affiliated until the present. The "Texas Baptist Herald, mentioned above,
and "The Texas Baptist," published by Elder George W. Baines at Anderson, Texas,
from 1855 to 1860, are two rich sources of historical information.
Dr. J. B. Link has
preserved a valuable store of information in his "Texas Historical and
Biographical Magazine" published in 1891-1892. Other sources are the well-known
histories of Texas Baptists by Morrell, mentioned above; life and writings of
Rufus C. Burleson' History of Texas Baptists by Carroll; Fuller's History of
Texas Baptists; Riley's History of Texas Baptists; Story of Rehoboth, by
Johnson; History of Denton County Assn. By Rayzor; Miscellaneous association and
state convention minutes; and other Baptist publications. Some details have been
gleaned from obituaries and news items concerning various Baptist pioneers.
CHAPTER I.
Some Baptist
Beginnings in Texas.
The first Baptist
minister who came to Texas was Freeman Smalley, who preached at Pecan Point on
Red River in 1822, according to Carroll's History (page 26). Dr. Link (Hist. &
Biog. Mag.) Gives the date as two years later.
The first conversion
under Baptist preaching was at the house of Moses Shipman, west of the Brazos,
under the preaching of Thomas Hanks, of Tennessee, in 1829 (according to
Morrell. Dr. Burleson gives the date as two years earlier, 1827.)
The first Sunday
school in Texas was organized and conducted at San Felipe by Bro. T. J. Pilgrim,
in 1829.
The first missionary
Baptist church organized in Texas was instituted at Washington on the Brazos in
1837.
The first missionary
to Texas was Elder James Huckins, sent in 1839, by the Home Mission Society, New
York.
The first
association organized in Texas was the Union, at Travis, in 1840.
The first missionary
society organized in Texas was on Clear Creek, at the Union Association, in
1841.
The first Baptist
school chartered was Baylor University, located at Independence by the Republic
of Texas, Feb. 1, 1845.
The Coming of Elder
Freeman.
A word-picture of
conditions existing in North Texas ninety-five years ago is preserved in a
testimony from the pen of a pioneer Baptist preacher, Elder John A. Freeman,
excerpts of which are given here:
"I crossed the Red
River into Texas north of Bonham about the First of November, 1845...I was just
then entering my twenty-fifth year, full of life and full of hope, and an
earnest desire to preach Christ in this new and strange land, for it was for
this I came to Texas. ..Not far from the East Fork of the Trinity we passed Col.
Geary's place, where there was a company of Rangers stationed. At that time they
were a wild, rough looking set of men. Some of them were dressed in buckskin,
and some of them wore coon-skin caps. Some were drinking bad whiskey, and some
were playing cards. In this way they spent their time when not in pursuit of
Indians, who came in every now and then to commit depredations on the settlers.
From Rowlett's Creek
to the Elm Fork of the Trinity there were no settlers; nothing to be seen but
bands of wold horses and droves of deer and antelope. We crossed the last named
stream about the 15th of November, 1845, six miles west of Elm Fork, at the
house of James Gibson. Myself and wife were taken in and cared for. Bro. Gibson
was deacon of the Baptist Church. To him and his wife, we were indebted for many
acts of kindness, and until death, they were our true and tried friends.
I found here a dozen
or more families, and among them ten or twelve Baptists, and others came in. At
Bro. Gibson's house I preached my first sermon.
In a few weeks after
this, I first met Elder David Myers. He held many revival meetings and was
instrumental in winning many souls to Christ... The third Sunday in July, 1846,
I was ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry...."
Primitive
Conditions.
From the above,
copied from the Texas Historical and Biographical Magazine, may be seen the
conditions that obtained about the time that the first Missionary Baptist church
was organized in Collin County. Dr. R. C. Burleson states (Life and Writings,
pages 254) that up to 1851, when he made his report as secretary to the State
Convention, that there were about twenty houses of worship in the entire State
of Texas. The country was thinly settled and nearly all lived in log houses.
In 1852, Dr.
Burleson, in his annual report to the State Convention, said, "The counties in
northern Texas, bordering on the Red River, are another equally destitute and
important field. There are several small churches here that say they will
support a pastor if one can be found. But where is the man?
Weekly Democrat Gazette, October 10, 1940
(part 2)
by Barnard Franklin
Rowlett's Creek Church.
One of the earliest preachers to settle in
North Texas was under David Myer who came to Texas in 1845 and settled in Dallas
County. Soon after, on May 10, 1846, Elder Myers led in the organization of the
first Baptist church in Dallas County, the old Union church, now Carrollton.
In 1847, Deacon Jesse H. Gough "located in
Collin County on the headwaters of Rowlett's Creek which was one mile from where
the old Rowlett's Creek Baptist meeting house was built. The next year, 1848,
Elders David Myers and Jonathan Phillips and seven constituent members organized
the "Wilson's Creek Baptist Church," the name of which was soon changed to
Rowlett's Creek. This was the first Missionary Baptist church ever to be
organized in Collin County.
The next year, Bethel church, twelve miles
South of McKinney, in Collin County, was organized by Elders Myers and Phillips
with eight constituent members. On Feb. 16, 1850, a presbytery, composed of
Elders David Myers, Eli Witt, J. M. Myers and Deacon Jesse Gough met on White
Rock Creek in Collin County and constituted the Liberty Baptist church with
seven members.
In those days the monthly meetings of the
churches were held in private homes-there being no houses of worship. At certain
seasons of the year, the several Baptist churches "united in holding in
conjunction revival meetings," which they called "union meetings."
Elm Fork Association.
While most accounts of the organization of the
Elm Fork Association give four constituent churches, the account given by Dr. J.
M. Carroll in "Texas Baptist Statistics," page 27, is, most likely, the correct
version. His account follows:
"ELM FORK - In October, 1849, delegates from
three churches, Lonesome Dove, Union and Wilson' Creek (now Rowlett's Creek),
representing 131 members, met in convention with Union church, Dallas County,
and organized the "Elm Fork Association." Deacon J. B. Lee was president of the
convention and Elder David Myers, secretary. The first annual session, beginning
on Friday, November 2, 1849, was held with the lonesome Dove church, Navarro
(now Tarrant) County, near where the town of Grapevine now stands.
"Bethel church with eight members was admitted
to membership at this session. Elder J. A. Freeman preached the introductory
sermon. Jonathan Phillips was moderator. Chilton Smith, clerk, and A. S. Harris,
treasurer."
CHAPTER II.
The Coming of Elder Eli Witt.
The name of Elder Eli Witt is inseparably
connected with the history of the Anna church. Born in Pope County, Illinois, on
December 26, 1818, he was converted at the age of 22 in April, 1841, and joined
the Taylor's Creek church of United Baptists in Green County, Illinois, by which
church he was licensed to preach in 1844. Moving his membership to the
Providence church, he was ordained to preach on the Fourth Sabbath in August,
1841 and in the Spring of 1845, he immigrated to Texas, settling in Collin
County. Elder Witt was a member of the Union church in Dallas County until in
1850 when he assisted in the organization of the Liberty church on White Rock
Creek in Collin County, where he served as pastor and remained a member for
several years.
Friendship Church Organized.
Meanwhile, the rich fertile lands of Collin
County were being settled by emigrants from Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Virginia and other states, and some of these settlers were Baptists.
Feeling the need of fellowship together in
religious worship several of these pioneer Baptists determined on the
organization of a church, and in the Fall of 1850, eight Baptists met in the
home of Milton Mugg, 1 1-2 miles North of Weston on the old McKinney-Sherman
Road. Led by a presbytery composed of Elders Eli Witt, Jonathan Phillips and
Jehu Fyke, those eight Baptists constituted what was named "The Baptist Church
of Christ called Friendship."
The eight charter members were John Coffman,
Elizabeth Coffman, Milton Mugg, Catherine Mugg, Thomas Bruce and wife, Joe
Wilcox, and a Brother Adamson. John Coffman was elected deacon and Joe Wilcox,
clerk, which office he held until he was succeeded in 1854 by W. P. McWhorter.
Elder Eli Witt was chosen pastor and served the church for the first three years
of its history.
The date of organization is given on the fly
leaf of the second church clerk's record over the signature of Bro. J. M.
Graves.* The statement is as follows:
"Friendship church was organized by Elder Eli
Witt Saturday before the second Sunday in Oct. 1850 with 8 members.
J. M. GRAVES.
There being no house of worship, the church
met in the homes of its members, first with one, then the other. Before the
close of the first associational year they added five members, all received by
letter or "recommendation."
Join Elm Fork Association.
In October, 1851, the church sent its
petitionary letter to the Elm Fork Association of United Baptists, by the hand
of its first two elected "delegates," John Coffman and Thomas Bruce. The
association convened that year with the Union Church, Dallas County, on Friday
before the Second Saturday in October, 1851, and the following days.
Regarding the reception of Friendship church
(now Anna church) into the association, items from the minutes of the Third
Annual session are copied verbatim as follows:
"3. On motion, a door was opened for the
reception of churches, and a letter was presented from friendship church,
whereupon Brethren Freeman, J. Myers, E. Witt, D. Myers and A. S. Harris were
named a committee to examine the delegates and articles of faith, with respect
to their orthodoxy, - to report tomorrow morning."
*See Appendix, Note 1.
The Saturday morning session of the
association opened at 9 o'clock after prayer by Elder J. W. D. Creath, and under
paragraph 11, there is the following committee report:
"The committee appointed to examine the
delegates and articles of faith of Friendship church recommend to the
association that she receive said church, PROVIDED, she drop Eld. James Smith
from her watch-care."
Nothing is known of this Elder Smith, and it
is presumed that he was dropped as required by the act of the associational
body, as minutes show that Friendship continued to affiliate with the Elm Fork
Association until 1867, when the church corresponded with the Sister Grove
Association.
Notes on the third annual session of the
association as given below are taken from the Texas Historical and Biographical
Magazine for 1892.
"Third Annual Meeting, held with the
Union church in October, 1851. Elder Eli Witt preached the introductory sermon;
read letters from seven churches as follows: Lonesome Dove, Union, Rowlett's
Creek, mt. Gilead, Liberty, Bethel, Friendship; Chose Elder David Myers,
moderator; A. S. Harris, clerk; H. Suggs, treasurer. Friendship church was
received into the fellowship of the association.
Baptisms for the year, 43; received by letter, 10; total membership 253. Elder
J. W. Creath, agent of the Baptist State Convention, was invited to a seat with
us... On Sabbath, Elder Creath preached... After explaining the object of the
State Convention, he collected $8.00 in cash and secured $25.00 in
subscription... During this session, Elder Creath started the missionary work by
pledging $50.00 each to Elders J. A. Freeman and Eli Witt. At this date, there
was some opposition to missionary operations among the old members, but Bro.
Creath conquered by love and kindness. He stated that he got a bare support as
agent, that he had been offered $1,000 per year to teach school, but that he
would preach Jesus if he had to live on bread and water, as he said it, big
tears rolled down his cheeks.
(J. M. MYERS)
First Baptism.
In 1852, the letter of Friendship church to
the Elm Fork Association showed an increase of ten members seven by letter and
three by baptism. One of those baptized was bro. J. M. Graves, son-in-law of
Bro. Coffman, and later (in 1858) to be the first deacon to be ordained by the
church. Messengers to the association in 1852 were R. M. Mugg and Joseph Wilcox.
They met with the Liberty church in Collin County on the Second Saturday in
October, 1852 and following days.
On Monday morning of the sessions there were
scheduled the "union meetings" for the next year. Each church was to have a
"union" meeting. That is, the association was divided into districts, and at
time of the revival each church would have its meeting with the help and
fellowship of those churches nearest it. Pastors, deacons and members would go
in "camp meetin' style" on horseback, in covered wagons, or afoot, and spend
what time could be spared in the revival services. The time set for Friendship's
meeting was beginning "Friday before the first Saturday in September, 1853.
"Union Meeting" Fruitful.
The next year was very fruitful for the little
church of about twenty members. The Elm Fork Association met with the Mt. Gilead
Baptist church in Tarrant County in 1853. No messengers from Friendship church
are mentioned, but the letter was received and showed an increase by Baptism of
15. The "union meeting" for 1854 was scheduled as follows: "Wilson's Creek and
Friendship churches shall compose District No. 4 and the union meeting shall be
held with Friendship church, commencing on Friday before the first Saturday in
August, 1854.
In the year, 1853, important events developed
for both Friendship church and Collin County Baptists. Elder Eli Witt was pastor
of Friendship, Rowlett's Creek, Liberty and Bethel church, all four in Collin
County. Though the country was still thinly settled and the people poor yet the
spirit of missions was aflame throughout the state. Through the recommendation
of Elder J. W. D. Creath, financial agent for the State Convention Elder Witt
had received an appointment from the Marion (Alabama) mission board and was
doing mission work throughout the bounds of the Elm Fork Association, which at
that time was composed of churches in Collin, Dallas and Tarrant counties.
CHAPTER III.
In the Fall of 1853, Elder Witt closed his
work as pastor of Friendship but continued as pastor of the other three
churches.
Elder Thomas W. Cotten became the next pastor
of Friendship Church. Born on the frontier in Miller County, Missouri, on Dec.
29, 1817, he was converted early in life and ordained to the Gospel ministry
when a young man. Elder Cotten immigrated to Texas in December 1853, having
served as pastor in Missouri before coming to Texas.
Elder Cotten married Miss Catherine S. (Katie)
McComb, sister of Rev. T. B. McComb, later to become pastor of Friendship
church. In December 1853, Elder Cotten settled in Grayson County, about four
miles west of Van Alstyne, and near the Collin County line. He reserved
Friendship as pastor in 1854-1855 and again in 1856-1857.
Portman Caravan from Ky.
In 1853, seventy-three emigrants from Casey
County, Kentucky, in a caravan of eighty covered wagons, settled in Collin
County in the vicinity of Friendship church. In this group were Elder Jesse C.
Postman and his family, and families of Deacon Wm. A. Portman, James H.
Slaughter, together with the "Vardemans, Coffey and Riffes."
The year 1854 showed a substantial increase in
the membership of Friendship church. The Elm Fork Association met that year with
the Bethel church, Collin County, "on Friday before the 2nd Saturday in October,
1854, and following days." J. M. Graves and Joseph Wilcox represented the
church. Friendship's letter to the association showed 24 additions - 9 by
baptism and 15 by letters making a total membership for the church of 50.
The minutes of the 1854 association reflect
the missionary character of the pioneers that struggled and sacrificed in those
early days. Writing for the "Texas Baptist Herald" in 1867, Elder J. M. Myers
gives a "condensed report of J. A. Freeman and J. M. Myers, missionaries: We
were employed by your committee to ride and preach... in the bounds of our
association. Miles traveled, 1194; sermons delivered, 131; exhortations, 47;
baptized, 35; received by letter, 14; witnessed 100 conversions; ordained 5
deacons; organized three churches; labored 144 days, and received $104.00 for
services rendered." Elder Myers continues, "Committee named to raise means and
place a missionary in the field for the ensuing year. Elder N. T. Byars was
employed."
In 1855, the nest year, Friendship church was
host to the Elm Fork Association meeting on "Friday before the 3rd Sabbath in
September, 1855, and following days." The church was represented in the
association by W. Wilson, J. Graves, Thos. Bruce and J. Faulkner.
On the first day, Friday, Sept. 14, 1855,
paragraph 2 of the minutes gives this interesting record:
"On motion, all Baptist preachers and lay
members present who are in good standing at home, were invited to seats;
whereupon Elders J. C. Portman, T. W. Cotten, T. B. McComb and Bro. David
Elliott from the Sister Grove Association accepted the invitation."
Elder Cotten was at the time, pastor of
Friendship church, according to available records, and the other three brethren
were later to become pastors. Evidently their membership was in churches
affiliated with the Sister Grove Association, though they were well known
throughout Collin County. Elders Cotten, McComb and Portman all preached during
the sessions. Bro. Elliott who was to become pastor in 1866 may not at this time
have been an ordained minister.
Missionary N. T. Byars.
At Friendship church, during this association,
that pioneer missionary of Texas Baptists, Elder Noah T. Byars, made his first
and only report as Elm Fork missionary. He wrote in his report, "The field in
which I am laboring is 100 miles long and 30 to 50 miles wide, and I am the only
minister that is devoting his time to the work."
It was in the blacksmith shop of this same N.
T. Byars that the Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2, 1836. It
was in that same shop that Elder Z. N. Morrell organized the first missionary
Baptist church ever to be instituted in Texas. The following is an account
written by Dr. R. C. Burleson, (Life and Writings, page 696):
"N. T. Byars...was converted when sixteen
years old, and felt a strong desire to exhort sinners and lead them to Christ.
His education was limited.... He therefore smothered these conviction and
learned and pursued vigorously his trade as blacksmith. In 1830...He moved to
Georgia, and five years later...came to Texas and located at Washington on the
Brazos, then the capital of Texas. He opened a large blacksmith shop and armory
to make and repair implements of warfare for Gen. Houston's army, and also
agricultural implements... And as this was the largest hall in Washington, it
was used for an assembly of the Constitutional Convention. And there the
immortal Declaration of Independence of Texas was made March 2, 1836... And when
that grand old hero, Elder Z. N. Morrell proposed to establish an appointment
for preaching every Sunday, prayer meeting every Wednesday night, Brethren N. T.
Byars, H. S. Cartmel, A. Buffington, Richard Ellis and J. R. Jenkins promptly
responded to his call. And in 1837 they organized a Baptist church, the first
ever organized in Texas..."
Elder Byars also organized the historic First
Baptist Church of Waco in 1851, the year after Friendship church was instituted.
Little is known of the work of Friendship
church for the associational year 1855-1856, except that according to a list of
pastors written by Bro. J. B. Lair about 1906, an "Elder Davis" served the
church during that period. According to this same source, Elder Cotten was
pastor again for the associational year 1856-1857. Thomas Bruce and J. H. Wilcox
were messengers to the association in 1856. A protracted meeting was held at
Friendship church beginning Friday before the First Sunday in October, 1856.
Nothing is known of the results of that revival.
However, the letter to the association the
next year, 1857, showed an increase of 12 by letter and one by baptism. This was
the Ninth Annual Session of the Elm Fork Association of United Baptists, and was
held with the Bethany church in Dallas County. At this association, Elder J. C.
Portman is shown to be a member of Friendship church and was the only messenger
from the church attending the association.
Weekly Democrat Gazette, October 17, 1940
(part 3)
by Barnard Franklin
Chapter IV.
The association of 1856 had asked Elder J. M.
Myers to prepare historical sketches of all churches and biographical sketches
of all pastors in the association. They were presented to the association in
1857, and ordered printed in the minutes for that year. The historical sketch of
Friendship church is given in the Appendix, Note 1, of this history.
It is not certain what pastor or pastors, the
church had in the latter part of 1857. The historical sketch alluded to above,
and appended to the associational minutes of 1857, says of Elder J. C. Portman,
"He is their present pastor. However from March, 1858, until the Fourth Saturday
in August that same year, Elder Davis was again pastor of Friendship church. It
is not certain what Davis this is. Bro. J. N. Razor (History of Denton County
Assn.) Mentions a "Bro. Asa Davis" who organized a church in Denton County in
1857. Another brother, Elder John D. J. Davis helped to organize and served as
first pastor of the Black Oak church in Hopkins County in 1856 (Story of
Rehoboth by Johnson.)
The minutes still preserved by Friendship
church begin with the meeting of Aug. 28, 1858, and read as follows:
August 4th Saturday, 1858, Church meet.
Preaching by Elder Davis who has served as pastor since March last up to this
meeting. The church now entered into the choice of a pastor during this
associational. The choice fell on Elder J. C. Portman.
Sabbath preaching by Elds. Davis and Portman
-W. P. McWhorter.
4th Saturday in September-Church meet.
Preaching by the Pastor, Elder Portman. No business. The conference adjourned
until meeting in course.
Sabbath preaching by the Pastor.-William P.
McWhorter, Clk. J. C. Portman, Mod.
Elder Portman continued as pastor until
November, 1852, when he tendered his resignation to the church.
Weekly Prayer Meeting.
The next entry in the church minutes tells of
the revival that began on the Fourth Sunday in October, 1858. The minutes of
that meeting follow:
The church met on the Fourth Saturday in
October, however, there was no meeting on Saturday in consequence of rain, but
on Sabbath church met. Elders H. E. Callahan and S. L. Jenkins, with the pastor,
commenced a protracted meeting which continued 9 days. 35 united with the church
by experience and baptism, and 12 by letter and recommendation.
Meeting closed under a fine state of feelings,
the church having entered a regular course of prayer meetings once a week. - W.
P. McWhorter, Clk.
It seems that Elder Portman, living on the
field, introduced the weekly prayer meetings for the first time. This revival
meeting was reported by Elders Portman and Callahan in letters to Elder George
W. Baines, editor of the "Texas Baptist," and these letters, dated from
"Highland P. O., Collin County, Texas" were published in the Texas Baptist for
Nov. 18, 1858. Elder Portman's letter follows:
Highland P. O. Collin Co.
Texas, Nov. 8, 1858.
Brother Baines:
I hasten to give you the result
of a protracted meeting held by the Friendship church, Collin...weeks ago. I
attended a weekly p... meeting on Wednesday night. The members all took hold and
came up to the work heart and hand. And on the Fourth Sabbath in October,
Brethren Callahan and Jenkins commenced a meeting, and I can truly say the Lord
revived us, and consequently, many were enabled to rejoice in the Lord. We
received and baptized thirty-five and two were baptized previous to the present
meeting, who joined the church previous to our protracted meeting, twelve more
joined by letter and recommendation, making in all fifty additions. This makes
our whole number ninety-nine.
To God and the lamb be all the
praise.
Yours in Christ,
J. C. Portman.
The old copy of the Texas Baptist was worn and
had holes where the fold of the paper were made, which account for the blank
spaces in Bro. Portman's letter.
Elect Two Deacons.
The year 1858 was a year of progress for
Friendship church. On Saturday NO. 27, 1858, the church met in conference and
elected two deacons, Brethren James M. Graves and William A. Portman. Bro.
Billie Portman had been ordained in Kentucky and as mentioned above, Bro. Raves
became the first deacon to be ordained by Friendship church.
Dr. W. D. Lair Joins.
On Christmas Day, the Fourth Saturday in
December, 1858, Dr. W. D. Lair presented himself for membership by letter and
"was received by a unanimous vote."
Born in Russell County, Kentucky, May 12,
1814, William D. Lair was converted when about 17 years of age. He was baptized
into the fellowship of the Mt. Vernon Baptist church, in Kentucky, in 1831 by
Elder William Bailey. He was licensed to preach when about 26 years old, but
when the church called for his ordination, William Lair declined to be ordained,
and he continued his chosen profession, that of a physician.
In Kentucky, Dr. Lair organized the first
Sabbath school in the Mt. Vernon church, and as superintendent he traveled five
miles each Sabbath to act in that capacity.
He served one term in the Legislature of
Kentucky, and in 1857, he immigrated to Texas and settled in Grayson County,
from where he moved to Collin County in 1858. He immediately united with
Friendship church. Dr. Lair served as moderator of the Sister Grove association
for a number of years, and in 1886, he presided at the organization of the
Collin County Baptist Association in McKinney.
Dr. Lair practiced medicine in Collin and
adjoining counties and served two terms in the state Senate of Texas. He was a
power for truth and a guiding influence in the growth of Friendship church. When
he fell asleep on June 3, 1887, his friends paid to his memory the following
tribute:
"In personal appearance, he was grand,
dignified and commanding, and with a heart so warm and tender, and a disposition
so affable and genial, that to see him was to admire him;; to know him was to
love him. And yet no man moved the truth and right better, or contended more
earnestly therefor. A lion in courage for right and yet gentle among his
associates; amiable and kind, he was ever ready to
hear all, sympathize with all, and unite all.
Was there a sick bed in the community, whether
called as physician or moved by his own volition, he was the first to be
present. He was the last to leave. When the cry of anguish reached his ear, he
never failed to respond. "Twas to him humanity's wail, and his great heart was
full of sympathy and love. He wept with those who wept; and rejoiced with those
who rejoiced.
In him were happily blended all the amenities
and all the courtesies of life. Possessed of all these lovely qualities, he was
loved and venerated by his brethren."
Weekly Democrat Gazette, October 14, 1940
(part 4)
by Barnard Franklin
CHAPTER V.
Before closing reference to the year 1858, it
will bee necessary to give space to matters of Elm Fork Association that have a
direct bearing on the growth of Friendship Church.
The Tenth Annual Session of Elm Fork
Association began on Friday, Sept. 3, 1858, and continued through Monday, Sept.
6. Elder Jesse Portman pastor of the Friendship church, was elected moderator.
Messengers from Friendship church were the pastor, Elder Portman, W. P.
McWhorter and John Hale. The postoffice address of the church is given for the
first time as Highland, Texas.
***
Only One Sunday School.
A report brought by Elder S. L. Jenkins called
attention to the "Immense destitution within the limits of this association."
Reports on Domestic Missions Religious Literature and Christian Education were
adopted Elders Jacob Routh, Eli Witt, and H. E. Callahan brought a report on
Sunday Schools, which follows:
Your committee would beg leave to report that
but few of the churches composing your body have a Sabbath school perhaps but
one. This should not be. We therefore respectfully recommend that Sabbath
schools be organized in all of our churches. This is the more necessary because
most of our churches have preaching but once a month. Let each church,
therefore, wherever this is the case, have a well-organized Sabbath school and
let the members go to the school, and after the exercises are over form
themselves into a prayer-meeting, read the Scriptures and sing and pray with and
for each other. This blending together the two interests will be attended with
great good to the school, while it will unite the members of the church in a
closer bond of union, and lead them to watch over each other for good and not
for evil.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Routh, Chairman
***
Baylor University.
The report on Christian Education endorsed
training and proper education for ministers, "Especially would we speak in
behalf of our own school at Independence - Baylor University - for the
improvement of the minds of our young ministers... It is religion in the heart,
and knowledge in the head, that constitute the zealous, efficient and
evangelical minister of Jesus Christ. Hence how important, then, that we should
educate."
On Saturday, May 28, 1859, Bro. J. M. Graves
was elected treasurer of Friendship church, which office he seems to have held
until the organization of the Melissa church in 1884. "In June we had no meeting
in consequence of the convention in Bonham." This was the Eastern Texas Baptist
Convention, convening in Bonham that year. Friendship church dismissed its
services and all who could attended the convention.
***
McKinney Church.
In the Summer of 1859 the church began
meeting on the Second Saturday in each month, and the change from the Fourth to
the Second Saturday was officially made on August 14, 1859. This, doubtless, was
made to accommodate the pastor, Elder Portman, who became pastor that year of
both the Rowlett's Creek church and the McKinney church. Elder Portman was
instrumental in the organization of the McKinney church, according to a letter
written by Elder J. M. Myers and published in the Texas Baptist, Jan. 28, 1857.
The letter is as follows:
Farmer's Branch, Texas.
Dec. 26, 1856.
Brother Baines:
On the First Sunday in November
last, brother J. C. Portman and myself constituted a Baptist church, at the
flourishing town of McKinney, in Collin County; we organized on ten members I
have been at some precious meetings this fall. I have witnessed 31 accessions to
our churches, mostly by letter-enclosed you will find two dollars and fifty
cents for the Texas Baptist. I have received one copy. If you have Spurgeons'
sermons send me one copy, and I will send you the money by the next mail. There
is none of these sermons in all this country.
J. M. Myers
McKinney church was received into the
fellowship of the Elm Fork Association on Friday before the First Sunday in
September, 1857, according to minutes of Elm Fork Assn. For that year.
In 1859, the Elm Fork Association met with the
Rowlett's Creek church, and messengers from Friendship church were Elder
Portman, Dr. Lair, and Bro. Hance McAfee. Elder Portman was re-elected
moderator. Dr. Lair brought a strong report pleading for missions. Elder D B.
Morrill, agent for the Baptist Convention of Eastern Texas, attended the
sessions and brought a report on Christian Education. The report on Temperance,
adopted by the association is of special interest because it reflects the
attitude of the earliest pioneer Baptists toward that great moral enemy, the
liquor traffic. Part of that report is given here:
There is no evil so great in the known world.
It pierces its poisonous fangs into the vitals of man of all grades; it fastens
and holds the pens of the best writers; it stops the tongues of the most
eloquent; it distracts the brightest talents; it makes feeble the mighty arm; it
causes widows to go from house to house and cry for support, the orphan boy to
beg for bread. Does the monster stop here? No-he slyly and secretly finds his
way into the church of the living God. How painful to know that many of our
brethren give way to this destructive evil, and are led by it to do many low and
degrading acts. We are aware of the fact that five unsound, compromising and
intemperate Baptists will do our cause more injury than one hundred of those who
are known to be our bitter enemies. When shall we have the church PURE".... O
for the time to come when every Baptist will BE a Baptist-a Bible Baptist."
Weekly Democrat Gazette, October 31, 1940
(part 5)
by Barnard Franklin
CHAPTER VI.
Steady Growth.
Friendship church, in its associational letter
of 1859, showed an increase of 53; two deceased and a membership of 101 (which
made this church the largest that year in association.)
From December, 1859, to September, 1860, a
"Brother Andrew Shearley" preached on several occasions. In June, 1860,
Friendship church extended an arm to the "meeting on Sister Grove" and
authorized the reception of members from that revival held by the pastor. On the
Second Saturday in August, Elder Portman, and Brethren James Graves, Lemuel
Morris and Wm. D. Lair were elected messengers to the association, but the
minutes indicate that only Dr. Lair and Elder Portman attended.
Friendship church had two revival in 1860. The
first was on Sister Grove Creek, alluded to above, and at Shady Grove
Schoolhouse in October. In the latter meeting, Elder Portman was assisted by
Elders John M. Myers and H. E. Callahan. Twelve were baptized at the close. The
letter to the association the next year (1861) reported a total of 17 baptized.
Messengers in 1861 were Elder Portman and Brethren D. Arnspiger and J. Trout.
In September, 1862, Wm. A. Portman, brother of
the pastor, was elected clerk of Friendship church. It is in connection with the
minutes of this conference that first reference is made to Highland. In
November, the meeting was held back at Shady Grove Schoolhouse.
Elder Portman Resigns.
At the meeting in November, 1862, Elder
Portman resigned as pastor of Friendship church. Elder Portman continued as
pastor at Rowlett's Creek and Liberty, in Collin County and in 1864 he became
pastor of the Union church (now Carrollton) in Dallas County. On Second
Saturday, Jan. 10, 1863, Elder T. B. McComb was chosen pastor of Friendship
church. On the Second Sunday in February, letters of dismission were granted to
Elder Portman and family, and to Wm. P. McWhorter and wife.
In March and May, 1863, the minutes show that
the church met at the Shady Grove schoolhouse, and in June, again at Highland.
August found them back in Shady Grove.
Association Meets With Friendship.
Elm Fork Association held it Fifteenth Annual
Session with the Friendship church, and the church minutes show that the
sessions were held at Highland, Collin County. Messengers representing the
church were John Coffman, James Graves, Wm. Portman and W. D. Lair. Elder
Portman was re-elected moderator.
On the Second Saturday in October, minutes
state that Wm. D. Lair was elected assistant clerk during W. A. Portman's stay
in the army." The churches throughout Texas were facing a period of depression
occasioned by the Civil War. Many members of Friendship served in the
Confederate Army, and in December, 1863, several members reported to have
deserted from the army were excluded from church membership.
The January, 1864, meeting was held at the
home of John Coffman, and in February the church met at the home of Col.
Fitzhugh's, east of where Melissa now stands. The March meeting was at Highland.
Later that year, in September, the church organized a Sunday School.
Vote to Sell "Old Meeting House"
In February, 1865, the church met at Dr.
Lair's home, and there it was unanimously agreed to "sell the old meeting house
to the highest bidder" and the following Saturday was set at the day of sale.
Bro. W. G. Strother was appointed to sell the house.
Weekly Democrat Gazette, October 31, 1940
(part 6)
by Barnard Franklin
CHAPTER VII.
Places of Meeting.
Evidently, this was the old Shady Grove
meeting house, and frequently called "Shady Grove School House." This house was
built sometime in the 1850's, evidently by the Baptists, as they seem to have
had the right to sell the property. Shady Grove meeting house was about one and
one-fourth miles west of the present town of Anna, south of the old road (north
of the present road) and on the west side of a branch that ran between the farms
of Brown and Dysart. Built of logs, it was floored with rough lumber and had a
fire place on one side. Split logs ere used for seats. Other denominations used
the building.
A spring near the old meeting house furnished
clear, cool water, even in the heat of Summer. "Aunt Sallie" Slaughter, daughter
of Deacon Wm. A. Portman, went to school when a girl in this building. Her
uncle, George Portman, was teacher. Mrs. Harvey Arnspiger of Van Alstyne,
daughter of Elder T. B. McComb, used to ride horseback, in company with other
girls, on Sundays to Shady Grove meeting house to hear her father preach.
Born in 1847, Sister Arnspiger was 15 years
old when her father first became pastor of Friendship church.
Worship at Highland.
As indicated above at Highland the church
alternated between Shady Grove and Highland in the Summer months, but usually in
bad winter weather, they met in private homes.
The building at Highland, Texas, located on
the highest point of what is now Highland Cemetery, was, at best, but a poor
affair. It was a "Boxed shed building with no floor except straw spread over the
ground." Several denomination worshipped in this building, but the services in
Winter were held mostly in private homes. Many old settlers now living, attended
school in this building.
Minutes for June 9, 1866, state that a
committee was appointed "to confer with other religious denominations who
worship here to try to floor and seat this house." Nothing else is recorded in
the minutes concerning a building until in April, 1869, another committee is
appointed to "draft a plan, choose a location and raise a subscription for the
purpose of building a Baptist meeting house." Bro. W. G. Strother gave two acres
of ground located about a mile south of the town of Anna, and in June, 1869, the
church accepted the gift and appointed a building committee to superintend the
building of the house.
Because of delays, perhaps many of them
unavoidable, it was four years later, in June 1873, that they were privileged to
hold service in the new building. The Sabbath school, of which Bro. C. H. Wysong
was superintendent moved in June to the new building. Dedicatory services were
held on the second Sunday in July when "a large audience" gathered to hear
messages brought by Elders David Elliott and T. B. McComb.
Friendship church worshipped in this building
until in August, 1891, the church voted to move to Anna, one mile north, and
during the Winter of 1891-1892, the church worshipped in the "Anna School
Building," while their new building was under construction. This building was on
a lot just a short distance east of the present school buildings in Anna. On
Sunday, June 12 1892, special services were held and Dr. R. C. Buckner, former
pastor, preached the dedication sermon.
This building served the church as a meeting
house until the present structure was built in 1912.
Weekly Democrat Gazette, November 14, 1940
(part 7)
by Barnard Franklin
CHAPTER VIII.
Revival in 1863.
The associational sessions that met with the
Friendship Church in September, 1863, left the church in high spirits, and Elder
Portman and other brethren were invited to protract the meeting. From this
revival there were received 13 new members.
Elder McComb continued as pastor until August,
1865, when Elder Portman was again called as pastor. In the previous March, W.
A. Portman had resigned as clerk and W. D. Lair was chosen as his successor.
The Civil War continued its depressing effect
on the growth and activity of the church. However, in October, 1865, Elders T.
B. McComb, Thomas Cotten and David Elliott assisted the pastor, Elder Portman,
in a protracted meeting, resulting in 13 being baptized and one received by
letter.
Following the close of the Civil War in 1865,
the church was obliged to consider charges made against a member accused of
stealing "an estray horse" and riding him off to the war. A trial committee was
appointed, heard testimony from witnesses, each witness giving testimony "after
first being duly sworn," and made its report at the regular conference meeting
in February, 1866. One witness, a woman, "refused to be sworn, and stated' her
testimony. The trial committee was composed of Martin Barnett, W. G. Strother,
James Graves, W. D. Lair and J. F. Kyle.
Death of Elder Portman.
On the Second Saturday in August, 1866, W. G.
Strother, James Groves, S. D. Smith and Elder Portman, pastor, were elected as
messengers to represent the church at the Elm Fork Association. But Eld. Portman
was called to a greater place. On the 23rd of August, just nine days before he
was to preside as moderator over the associational sessions, he was called home.
He became "absent from the body, and present with the Lord."
Born in Casey County, Kentucky, Sept. 2, 1805,
Jesse Coffey Portman was the son of George Portman, a native of South Carolina,
and Patsey Coffey Portman, a native of Virginia. Jesse was the second son of 15
children; ten brothers and five sisters. When only five or six year old, Jesse
was accustomed to assemble the little boys of the neighborhood, assume the role
of a preacher, and entertain them thus.
Converted in August, 1826, young Portman was
baptized by elder Jacob Warner, and was licensed to preach in 1827, being
ordained shortly afterward to the full work of the gospel ministry by Elders
Thomas J. Chilton and A. Quinn. He was immediately called as pastor to the Green
River church and served them as pastor for nearly 25 years. During this period,
Elder Portman organized the Rocky Ford church. He baptized about 500 persons in
those two churches. At various times he also was pastor of Concord, Union, Rifle
Creek, Freedom, Bradfordsville, Stanford, Gilbard, Drake's Creek and South Fork,
most of which, and others, he organized. Elder Portman is said to have been
moderator of the South Kentucky Association of Baptists for 20 years. He
baptized 1,500 persons in Kentucky.
Immigrating to Texas in 1853, Elder Portman
settled in Collin County in the vicinity of Friendship church. Besides
Friendship, Elder Portman served as pastor of Kentuckytown, Pilot Grove,
Rowlett's Creek, Liberty, Union, Spring Creek, McKinney Stewarts' Creek,
Lewisville, and other churches in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Grayson Counties.
He served Elm Fork Association as moderator seven years.
According to the late W. M. Gough, Rowlett's
Creek "was the field of his greatest pastoral triumph in Texas. The writer
remembers that this church numbered exactly sixty when he took charge. In less
than two years, it numbered two hundred and was the great rallying point of the
Baptist Israel in North Texas. The writer saw him baptize over fifty at one time
in a pool on upper Rowlett." He baptized about 500 persons in Texas.
At the September, 1866, meeting, resolutions
offered by Dr. Lair were adopted by Friendship church and are recorded in the
minutes.
David Elliott Pastor.
At the same conference, Elder David Elliott
was called as pastor and accepted. In November, he led in a protracted meeting.
In December, 1866, Bro. Thaddeus Parris was received by letter from the
Farmington church in Grayson County, and in January, 1867, Bro. Parris was
unanimously elected deacon, having been ordained by the Farmington church.
Weekly Democrat Gazette, November 21, 1940
(part 8)
by Barnard Franklin
CHAPTER IX.
Join Sister Grove.
It would seem that Elder Portman was the tie
that bound Friendship church with the Elm Fork Association. He had served as
moderator from 1858 until the time of his death. Elm Fork had contributed to the
growth of Baptist work in North Texas. When Elm Fork met with Friendship in
1855, four churches, Lonesome Dove, Mt. Gilead, Bear Creek and Birdville, had
asked for letters of dismission that they might organize the West Fork
Association.
In 1853 the Sister Grove association had been
organized near Kentuckytown, Grayson County. The first annual session was held
with the New Hope (now Bonham) church the same year beginning Oct. 15, 1853 (see
Carroll's History, page 247) According to Z. N. Morrell in "Flowers and Fruits"
the three churches originally composing the Sister Grove Association were
Pleasant Hill, Salem and New Hope from Fannin and Grayson counties.
In 1867, Friendship church received a letter
of dismission from th eElm Fork Association and joined the Sister Grove
Association.
In the winter months of 1867-1868, services of
Friendship church were held in the homes of J. M. Graves. W. D. Lair and John
Coffman. In April, 1868, James A. Glenn was ordained to the gospel ministry.
Elders David Elliott and T. B. McComb and the deacons composed the presbytery.
In September 1868, Elder McComb again was
called to be pastor of Friendship and the next month accepted, serving the
church until August, 1870, when Elder David Elliott became pastor. In the Fall
of 1870, Elder McComb assisted Elder Elliott in a revival that resulted in
nineteen being baptized and three received by letter and four by restoration.
Another fruitful revival was held in 1871,
beginning the Second Saturday in August. After nine days, there were received 21
for baptism, five by letter and two by watch-care. Following this revival,
McComb again became pastor, serving until September, 1867, when he declined to
serve again. Whereupon Elder R. W. Thomas was called.
Articles of Faith Lost.
In the minutes of January 1872, the
church clerk, Dr. Lair, makes the following entry: "A committee consisting of J.
R. Rogers, W. D. Lair and J. M. Graves were appointed to present articles of
faith for this church, the old articles having been lost." The articles were
rewritten b the committee and on Second Saturday in March were adopted by the
church. They are reproduced here:
ARTICLES OF FAITH OF FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST
CHURCH.
I. We believe in one only true and living God,
the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and these three are one, equal, co-equal and
eternal.
II. We believe that the scriptures of the Old
and New Testaments are the Word of God and that they are the only perfect rules
of Faith and Practice.
III. We believe in Election, according to the
foreknowledge of God, the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the Truth.
IV. We believe in the doctrine of original sin
(viz.) that man is incapable of retrieving himself from the fallen state he is
in, by nature, and if ever saved, it will be by grace through faith in Christ,
which is effected through the means of God's appointment, by the operation of
the Hold Ghost.
V. We believe that sinners are justified in
the sight of God by the imputed righteousness of Christ.
VI. We believe that every child of God will
persevere in Grace and ultimately be saved.
VII. We believe that Christian Baptism is the
immersion of a believer in water by a legal administrator, in the Name of the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our
faith in Christ, our death to sin, and a resurrection to a new life and that
baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church communion.
VIII. We believe in the resurrection of the
dead, in a general judgment, and that the punishment of the wicked will be
everlasting, and the joys of the righteous will be eternal.
IX. We believe that it is the imperative duty
of every member of the church to attend their conference meetings.
CHAPTER a.
Church Discipline.
The pioneers, too, were most consistent and
persistent in adhering closely to their rules of both faith and practice. The
church minutes contain frequent reference to charges of heresy and misconduct.
Committees were invariably appointed to investigate the accusations and where
the charges were substantiated, the accused either made acknowledgment or was
excluded from membership in the church.
Fellowship with the church and with one
another, was not an optional matter. It was required. Bitterness and
unforgiveness between members were not tolerated. Heresy, drunkenness, profane
language, and other cases of misconduct were considered breaches of fellowship
and were promptly attended to. The courage of their convictions is demonstrated
by the fact that in some cases the bretheren found it necessary to exclude their
own brothers or members of their own family.
Stand On Civic Righteousness.
Their stand on moral conditions in the
community was equally strong. The following resolution on gambling and lottery
was adopted by the church and recorded in the minutes of Jan. 10, 1903:
We, your committee, appointed to define our
position on games of chance and the raffling of articles of merchandise make the
following report: According to Webster's dictionary, to gamble is "To play or
game for money or other stage;" raffle is "a game of chance or lottery in which
several persons deposit or furnish a part of the value of something and it is
determined by chance which of them shall become sole possessor." From the above
definitions we are forced to the conclusion that any one putting up a stake of
either money or other valuable on any play, game or raffle is guilty of gambling
which is condemned by the teaching of the Word of God and also by the criminal
statutes of our State profession as to Christianity.
Therefore, resolved, 1st. That we condemn as
contrary to the teaching of the New Testament all species of gambling, whether
play, game, raffle or lottery. Resolved. 2nd. That all violations of these
resolutions shall be dealt with according to New Testament rules of discipline.
J. B. Lair, S. H. Gattis, w. L. Strother.
Committee
Throughout the years, the church has stood for
the proper respect for Sunday, the Lord's Day. On July 13, 1902, the church
appointed Bros. J. B. Lair, T. A. Parris, and R. T. Shelton, a committee to
confer with the business men of Anna in an effort to have them close their
stores on Sunday. The minutes of Sept. 13, 1902, show that the business men
agreed to the request of the church.
Weekly Democrat Gazette, December 12, 1940
(part 9)
by Barnard Franklin
Resolution On Dancing.
Not the least of the social evils was the
dance. A resolution adopted by the church Feb. 13, 1897, is given here:
Your committee appointed to draft resolutions
expressive of the church's attitude toward dancing, beg leave to offer the
following:
Resolved 1st, That we condemn as contrary to
the letter and spirit of the New Testament teaching, all dancing or so-called
plays which are practically dancing, either with or without music.
Resolved, 2nd, That all violations of these
resolutions shall be dealt with in accord with the New Testament rules for
church discipline.
C. H. Wysong
L. B. Johnson
J. P. Merrill
G. O. Key.
J. B. Lair.
Committee.
Dr. Lair On Temperance.
Dr. W. D. Lair was the first member of the
Texas State Senate to offer a resolution designed to bring about state-wide
prohibition. The temperance question was constantly before the Christian people
of Texas. The following resolutions are taken from the minutes of the Sister
Grove Association for the years 1881 to 1870, respectively.
Resolutions.
Whereas, The Moderator of the Sister Grove
Association, W. D. Lair, introduced the first petition in the Senate of Texas
looking to the passage of a law so as to allow the people to vote on the
question of prohibiting the importation, sale and manufacture of intoxicating
liquors in our State; therefore,
Resolved, That the thanks of this body are
due, and are hereby tendered, to our Moderator, for his labors in the interest
of prohibition.
Resolved, That we heartily sympathize with,
and will co-operate with, the friends of prohibition in the coming struggle.
(Signed)
J. M. Graves.
J. R. Rogers.
S. Johnson.
Report On Temperance.
Your Committee on Temperance beg leave to
submit the following report:
That we should obey the divine instruction,
and live temperately in all things, but it is especially our duty to be
temperate in the use of ardent spirits. It is sinful to use ardent spirits in
any other way than as remedial agent, and it should be labelled as other
poisonous drugs. A dram drinker is a drunkard in his first stage, for the habit
is so insidious in its advances, so deceitful in its approaches, that it has its
victim bound in chains before he dreams of danger. When we consider that the
destroying angel makes his visitation so frequently and so fearfully as a reward
of intemperance, the paramount importance of the subject should be earnestly
forced upon our convictions, and the Church of Christ should stand as a sentinel
and warn the unsuspecting traveler to destruction, who has the premonitory
symptoms of a drunkard, that he may make his escape before it is too late, and
be eternally lost. Intemperance is one of the greatest curses of the church, and
should be sufficient cause for the enforcement of rigid discipline.
Respectfully submitted,
W. D. Lair, Chairman.
CHAPTER XI.
Two Deacons Elected.
In 1874, during the pastorate of Elder McComb,
Friendship church elected two deacons, J. R. Rogers and J. M. Griffin. Rogers
was ordained by the church in August, 1874, Bro. Griffin having been ordained in
Alabama.
Revival of 1875.
In the Summer of 1875, the Baptist General
Association of Texas met in Sherman, and Friendship church elected Bros. L. D.
Lair and W. D. Lair messengers to that body of which Dr. R. C. Burleson was
president.
On July 10, 2nd Saturday, 1875, the church
protracted the meeting for 31 days, a full month. It was a very fruitful season
as there were 43 additions, among whom were Laura Strother, later, Mrs. T. A.
Parris; Frederic H. Ogilvie, clerk for 1879 to 1884 and charter member of the
Melissa church; John B. Lair, clerk for 32 years, 1884 - 1916; Hugh Graves who
was to serve Melissa church as clerk for many years; and other prominent
members.
No "Fifth-Columnists."
A testimony to the loyalty and patriotism of
the membership is found in the action of the church on the Second Saturday in
June, 1876. Resolution adopted by the church follows:
Resolved, that the church have a mass meeting
at this place on the 4th Day of July to celebrate Baptist influence in procuring
religious liberty to one hundred years age.
An interesting side-light of the history of
Anna church is the record of the membership of the Negro slaves. Upon their
conversion they were baptized into the fellowship of the church. Even after the
close of the Civil War, many of "the colored brethren" remained members. Minutes
of 1891 show that "Aunt Vina Lair," erstwhile Negro slave of Dr. Lair, was
granted a "letter of recommendation." This was more than 26 years after the
close of the Civil War. Tradition is that Sister Vina Lair called for her letter
to join the newly instituted Negro church at Melissa, but after several months,
becoming dis-satisfied wit their ways, she withdrew and returned to the "white
folks' church."
Elder R. W. Thomas continued to serve the
church as pastor until in September, 1876, he offered his resignation, effective
in December, three months later. In that year, the church was torn by dissension
by what was termed "an unfortunate difficulty and breach of fellowship" between
two of the leading brethren in the church. This misunderstanding likely was a
contributing cause of the resignation of the pastor.
Weekly Democrat Gazette, December 19, 1940
(part 10)
by Barnard Franklin
Dr. Buckner, Pastor.
The church was without an under-shepherd from
December, 1876, until the coming of Dr. R. C. Buckner as pastor in April, 1877.
This was an eventful year for all Texas Baptists.
It was while Dr. Buckner was pastor of
Friendship church that the call was made for a Deacons Convention as preliminary
to the Baptist General Association meeting at Paris in July, 1877. In the
Friendship minutes for June 30, 1877, we have the following: "After preaching by
Elder R. C. Buckner from the 1st chapter of the General Epistle of Peter, church
sat in conference. Elected J. R. Rogers and W. A. Portman to represent us in the
General Association, and that we request our deacons conference at the same
place."
From the Centennial Story of Texas Baptist,
Pages 191 and 255, the following quotations are taken: "The Deacons' Convention
met in Paris, Texas, July 16, 1877, and Dr. Buckner was called upon to present
the matter of the proposed Orphans' home. After hearing his plea, the Convention
appointed a committee composed of Dr. R. H. Carroll, Dr. R. C. Buckner and Mr.
J. R. Rogers to report to the Convention with reference to the matter." After a
general discussion that was attended by more than fifty laymen from various
churches of north and east Texas, Deacon J. R. Rogers of Melissa offered a
resolution that the deacons undertake the erection of an orphans home, in
keeping with Dr. Buckner's suggestions. This resolution was adopted unanimously
and a committee of three to devise a plan of procedure was named, including Drs.
R. C. Buckner and R. H. Carroll, ministers, and Deacon Rogers...Shortly after
the adjournment of the Deacons Convention Secretary J. R. Rogers addressed a
communication to the "Texas Baptist," in which he made the fervent appeal for
the support of the home. Deacon F. H. Ogilvie of Melissa decided to plant an
acre of wheat and devote the proceeds to the new orphanage."
Orphan Home Dedication.
There is, today, on the courthouse square in
the City of Dallas a log cabin called by Dr. Buckner "Dedication Cottage." It is
a gift of Buckner Orphans Home to the people of Dallas County because "It was
the first residence, the first postoffice, the first courthouse in the county
before it was moved from the bank of the Trinity River to the site which was
purchased for a home for the homeless." (Hal F. Buckner in Centennial Issue of
Baptist Standard.)
In this log cabin, built in 1841 there was
held on Sept. 27, 1880, a "dedication service of the land and house to the cause
of orphans." Three laymen of Friendship church were present in that service, and
all three were members of the board of directors of the orphans home. They were
Deacons J. R. Rogers, secretary of the board; J. M. Graves, treasurer of the
board and Samuel Dunn Smith, member.
According to Carroll's History (page 631), the
dedication service was led by Dr. R. C. Buckner "with only a quorum of the board
of directors present. Those present were E. T. Brown, president: J. R. Rogers,
secretary; J. M. Graves, treasurer, together with Sam Smith and L. H. Tillman."
Collin County, as well as Friendship church,
made vital contributions to the establishment of the home. The first charter was
written by Dr. Buckner and adopted on April 8, 1879 at a meeting held in the
First Baptist Church of McKinney, Texas. The first three orphans were cared for
in the home of members of Friendship church. Bro. Frederic H. Ogilvie and his
wife, Sister Virginia R. Ogilvie, until "Dedication Cottage" was provided and
fitted for use. Brother and Sister Ogilvie were later to become charter members
of the Melissa church in 1884.
Tradition is that the first contributions for
the home came from Collin County, and from members of Friendship church.
CHAPTER XII.
During the Winter of 1876-1877, while the
church was without a pastor, former pastors, David Elliott and Thomas Cotten,
supplied the pulpit. As mentioned above, the church suffered from the
unfortunate difficulty between members and the congregation.
What a blessing Dr. Buckner was to the church
at this time. One of his messages, mentioned in the church minutes, was taken
from the Lord's letter to the church of the Ephesians, Rev. 2:1-7, in which are
the words, "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left
thy first love."
Pressing duties prevented Dr. Buckner from
continuing longer as pastor of Friendship church. That year, 1877, the Baptist
General Association elected Dr. Buckner Corresponding Secretary, and in
addition, he had now to assume the leadership in the founding of the home for
orphans.
McComb Pastor Again.
In September, 1877, Elder T. B. McComb was
called to serve a fourth term as pastor, and he assumed his ministry at the
December meeting.
At this conference meeting, September 1, 1877,
resolutions were adopted that give evidence of the care and concern of the older
members for the spiritual welfare of the younger generation. Charges of dancing
and using profane language had been brought against younger members of the
church. Because of the Scriptural character of the resolution, it is reproduced
here:
"Whereas several of our young brethren have
visited dancing parties and danced and have been guilty of swearing contrary to
the rules of the church and the Word of God, and have afiled to make the
necessary reparation, after they have been labored with;
Resolved, that it is our duty to try to
reclaim our erring brethren and that we bear with them until our next meeting,
and it they still refuse and to satisfy the church, that we shall take up their
cases each separately, and investigate them as Christians upon earth."
Ogilvie Church Clerk.
In November, 1878, Dr. Lair resigned as church
clerk. On several occasions the names of J. R. Rogers and F. H. Ogilvie appeared
in the minutes as clerk pro tem. Dr. Lair had been elected to the State Senate
of Texas and of course could not do the office justice. Accordingly in April,
1879, Bro. Frederic H. Ogilvie was elected to succeed Dr. Lair.
During Dr. Lair's stay in Austin as State
Senator, he was a member by watch-care of the First Baptist Church there. A
spread on the minutes of Friendship church for May 10, 1878, is a letter of
commendation of Dr. Lair from Bro. C. C. Chapton, pastor of the Austin church.
During these years, the church affiliated with
the Sister Grove Association and the Baptist General Association of Texas.
According to Dr. Burleson (Life and Writings, page 414), the "North Texas
Convention was formed at Plano, July 3, 1878. However, Friendship church
continued its affiliation with the General Association. No mention is found in
the minutes of any action of the church regarding the North Texas Convention and
the body voted in 1883 to unite with the Baptist State Convention.
ANNA
Churches Index
- Recommended citation:
- "Anna Baptist Church,
Collin County Churches," Collin County, Texas History and Genealogy Webpage
by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
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