|
The
Name Primitive Baptist in History |
|
Elder Vince Hardy |
|
The
Name Primitive Baptist in History |
|
Elder Vince Hardy |
|
The first instance I have
found of the use of the name "Primitive
Baptist"
occurred October 3, 1835 with the publication of the "Prospectus"
edition of a new Old Baptist periodical bearing the name "The
Primitive Baptist."
The first instance I have found of a person calling himself a "Primitive Baptist" was in a letter dated Jan. 28, 1836 and published in the March 12, 1836 issue of "The Primitive Baptist." (see the attached file for this letter)
It appears that the name "Primitive
Baptist"
as used today by our people was first derived from a periodical with
that name, first issued forth through the influence of Elder Joshua
Lawrence by Elder Mark Bennett of the Kehukee Association with George
Howard as publisher in Tarborough, North Carolina in January 1836, as
the second oldest school periodical in the field. A prospectus for that
periodical was first issued October 3, 1835 - the regular publishing
began in January 1836 and finally ceased publishing in 1879.
When one reads through the first
several issues of this periodical, it becomes apparent that the name
"Primitive Baptist" was a new name to these brethren in the South, but
descriptive of the "ancient" Baptist faith, and a name which our
brethren in the South soon began to adopt for themselves.
In their correspondence
through "The Primitive Baptist" periodical, the "old Baptists" or
"Baptists of the old stamp" (as they referred to themselves) began
referring to themselves as "primitive Baptists" (using the word
"primitive" as an adjective modifying "Baptist"), with some brethren
beginning to sign their name as a "Primitive Baptist" at the end of
their letters to the paper and began calling themselves a "Primitive
Baptist." It appears that as time progressed, the word "primitive" used
as an adjective became part of the name, "Primitive Baptist" and our Old
Baptist brethren readily took upon them this name as they found it
descriptive of the "ancient" Baptist faith of the primitive Church. To
these early Old Baptist brethren, the word "primitive" was used to mean
"ancient." The name "Primitive Baptist" was used to denote "the
primitive Baptist cause, or that faith and order established by the Head
of the Church and tenaciously observed by all the primitive saints, as
delivered unto us in the statute book of the great King."
(Elder John Clark, May 14,
1836 issue, p 135)
In reading through these first
issues, I have listed for your consideration some milestones of
significance in the gradual adoption of the name "Primitive Baptist"
among our people through their association with the periodical named, "The
Primitive Baptist." An exhaustive list of occurrences is appended
at the end of this post.
Milestones of Significance
noted while reading through The Primitive Baptist:
October 3, 1835
- Elder Mark Bennett sent forth a "Prospectus" for a new Old Baptist
periodical named, "The Primitive
Baptist."
Elder Bennett in explaining
the need and purpose of this new periodical, writes, "This
publication is principally intended to defend the old school United
Baptists from the many aspersions cast upon them by deluded persons
professing their own faith, because they cannot conscientiously engage
in the various money-making schemes of the day, ostensibly intended to
promote Christianity, but evidently tending to destroy the great and
fundamental principles upon which it is based, by making a gain of
godliness."
(Oct 5, 1835 p 1; Mark Bennett)
In this "prospectus," Elder
Joshua Lawrence writes a letter "To
the old fashioned United Baptists in the United States"
and, in support of this new old Baptist publication, writes, "The
United Baptists of the old stamp, composing the Kehukee, Contentnea,
Little River, Abbott's Creek Union, Mayho, and Country Line
Associations, with others, have long borne the calumnies and reproaches
of the Missionary Baptists and all those Baptists who advocate the new
schemes of the day-who traffic and sell religious services, Balaam like,
for reward, and run from place to place for money-and are, Balaam like,
a curse to our Israel. And we have borne their sneers and calumniating
publications, and defamation of some of our worthy ministers and
members, until we consider forbearance no longer a virtue. We,
therefore, take this method to defend ourselves and all the Baptists of
the old stamp in the United States, from the unjust aspersions against
their doctrines, ordinances, or practices according with the New
Testament. For we do believe that the Missionary Baptists have deviated
from the good old way in which the apostles and our old Baptist fathers
trod, when compared with the New Testament, both in doctrine and
ministerial practice; making money the mainspring of ministerial motion,
instead of love to Christ and souls-which we consider a great
corruption."
(Oct 5, 1835 p 1-2; Joshua Lawrence)
January 23, 1836
- Reference is made to "an old
primitive Baptist church,"
using "primitive" as an adjective.
Elder Lawrence writes, "Are
you an old primitive Baptist church, and have got an old school
preacher--a word to you."
(Jan 23, 1836, p 22; Joshua
Lawrence)
January 28, 1836
- We have the first instance of a man signing his name as a "Primitive
Baptist or Predestinarian"
at the end of a letter. (see the attached file for this letter).
(March 12, 1836, p 79; P. M. CALHOUN)
Feburary 20, 1836
- We have the second instance of a man referring to himself as a "Primitive
Baptist." Brother Colley writes, "I have seen a specimen copy of a paper called the Primitive Baptist--one of that number I have been for 34 years, 23 years of that time I have been trying to defend the good cause in which your paper has embarked." (March 12, 1836, p 79; Joel Colley)
March 26, 1836
- We find another instance of the phrase "primitive
Baptist" (with the word
"primitive" being used as an adjective to describe our Baptist brethren)
being equated as being the same as the "old
school Baptists."
Brother Gilbert writes, "One
thing is certain with me, that
the primitive Baptists
are a small number when compared with the many professors of religion at
the present day; and that almost all denominations of professors of
religion at the present day are in battle array against
the old school Baptists,
is a thing plain to be seen from their writings and other
proceedings." (March 26, 1836, p 81; Kemuel C. Gilbert)
March 26, 1836
- The Christian Index of February 4, 1836 takes exception to the
paper being called The Primitive Baptist and claims that
it is a misnomer. The editor of The Primitive Baptists, Elder
Mark Bennett, defends the use of this name for the paper.
Elder Bennett writes, "In the
Christian Index, of Feb. 4th, we are presented with two articles,
touching the "Primitive
Baptist," Joshua Lawrence, the
cause of missions, &c. The writer of the first of these articles
affirms of the Primitive Baptist
that, it is "a misnomer, by the way." If he will affirm this, we cannot
help it. But we are of age, we will speak for ourselves. Our paper is
not only intended to administer comfort to those who are grieved with
the corruptions of the doctrine and practice of the gospel, but also
under God, to mark, and place before the public view, the innovations so
far as we can discriminate them, which have found their way into the
church since the apostles' day; and to maintain an adherence to the
original purity and simplicity of gospel doctrine and ordinance. We are
honestly persuaded that, on the decease of the last survivor of the
apostles, there was no church of divine institution except those whose
members were baptised [immersed] on profession of faith in Jesus Christ,
and properly termed Baptist churches. Prompted by the above designs,
and blessed with the hope of success in some good degree, we have named
our paper, and leave it with every man to make of it what seems good to
him. The writer before us appears to think the error of the misnomer
lies in opposition to "all missionary operations, education, temperance,
&c." If he would consult our first No. (Jan. 9.) he would find this
avowal, namely, "We wish to have it distinctly understood, that we are
not inimical to masonry, temperance, the distribution of the Bible, or
the spread of the gospel-but we do condemn the mingling of professors
and non-professors of religion in societies and the making a "craft" of
religious matters by professors, in every shape and form whatsoever."
The above writer has neither proved that such a mingling was practiced
in the primitive church,
nor denied that it is practised by modern benevolent institutions. Nor
has he proved that the apostolic church made a craft of religious
matters, nor, that the above mentioned institutions have not. Hence,
his argument when fairly stated is, that the name of our paper is a
misnomer, because we oppose the mingling of church and world in
societies professedly religious, and also the making a craft of
religious matters by professors. He remarks: "The Philadelphia
Association, the oldest in the United States, is a very active
missionary body. The English Baptists, still older bodies, are nearly
all the advocates of missions, in theory and practice. Christ and his
disciples were active missionaries. The apostle Paul, one of the most
celebrated the word ever saw." The allusion to the Philadelphia
Association and the English Baptists, were unnecessary, since the writer
in question can hardly suppose that
our name (Primitive Baptist)
looks no further back than to the time of these bodies. But admitting
they were now what they had been at any former period, we would not
consider them our foundation and our standard. They now exhibit
features very counter to those by which they were once characterized, by
falling in with the new institutions. The writer appears to wish we
would lose sight of the former attitude of these bodies, and view them
only in the latter." (March 26, 1836 p87-88; Elder Mark Bennett)
April 9, 1836
- The Christian Index of February 18, 1836 has an article wherein
the writer gives his ideas of what the phrase, "Old School Baptists"
means. In opposing such ideas, Elder Mark Bennett equates "Primitive
Baptists" with "Old
School Baptists."
Elder Bennett writes, "It
embraces the idea that, the written word of God does not embrace all
things necessary for the faith and practice of the church; inasmuch
as the Old
School, or Primitive Baptists,
were deficient in point of means or instrumental operations to further
the kingdom of Christ." (April 9, 1836 p 105; Elder Mark Bennett)
April 9, 1836
- Reference is made to "the
primitive Baptists"
("primitive" used as an adjective) as opposed to the "the modern
Baptists" and a description is given as to what "primitive" means.
Hezekiah West writes, "Bro.
Bennett: Having understood that you was editing a religious periodical
entitled "the
Primitive Baptist," and as
doubtless my name and character are familiar to you, I offer no other
apology for introducing a few of my thoughts respecting
the primitive Baptists upon your
notice; together with some remarks on the difference between them and
many of the modern Baptists. I hope
you mean ancient, by primitive,
and not formal, for formality does not agree with the character that I
have heard given to your paper; but with the sentiments and practice of
those which I hope you oppose; nor yet affectedly solemn, for neither
John the Baptist, Jesus the Saviour, nor the apostles were affectedly,
but, really solemn. While contemplating the title of your paper,
intending to send for it, some days ago, I fell into a train of thought
with which to address you on the occasion, "The
Primitive Baptist."
John was the first Baptist preacher that ever I read of,....
"I hope, my brother, that you
have been taught by the revelation of Jesus Christ, experimentally, the
doctrine and practice of
the ancient Baptists,
according to the testimony of God by the apostles and prophets."
(April 9, 1836 p 108-110; Hezekiah West)
April 9, 1836
- Elder Mark Bennett remarks upon Hezekiah West article (as seen above)
as to the reason for the use of the word "Primitive" in the title of his
paper.
Elder Bennett writes, "Our
dear brother West is not mistaken respecting the term Primitive in the
title of our paper.
Our
desire is under God to support that system of faith and practice whose
fundamental principle is embraced in this short sentence: Our salvation
is wholly of God,-in a word that system whose foundation were the
apostles and prophets, whose corner stone was Jesus Christ,-which system
was to the Jews, a stumbling block; to the Greeks, foolishness; to the
Arminians, contracted and devilish; and to the new schemers, lazy and
Antinomian." (April 9, 1836 p 111; Elder Mark Bennett)
April 23, 1836 - Reference is made to a church "of the primitive Baptist faith."
Joseph King writes, "Brother
Editor: The
church in Wilmington of the primitive Baptist faith,
take this opportunity to inform you and all the rest of our beloved
Baptist brethren of the old stamp, what we have suffered here for
righteousness' sake." (April 23, 1836 p 127; Joseph King)
May 14, 1836
- The "primitive Baptist cause" is mentioned by Elder John Clark and his
understanding of that phrase.
Elder Clark writes, "Dear
Brother: From a notice in the "Signs of the Times." I learn that you
have at length embarked in the publication of the "Primitive
Baptist," and that it is to be
devoted, as its name signifies, to
the primitive Baptist cause, or that faith and order established by the
Head of the Church and tenaciously observed by all the primitive saints,
as delivered unto us in the statute book of the great King;
and in the same spirit, to oppose every false way. With this assurance,
my brother, I rejoice, and pray that you may constantly "Stand in the
ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and
walk therein:" for I can assure you that primitive theology is a
very scarce commodity in our market at the present day." (May 14,
1836 p 135; Elder John Clark)
Thus we are able to get a feel for
the introduction and adoption of the name Primitive Baptist by our
people. It was chosen as the name of Elder Bennett's periodical, was
opposed to by our enemies who claimed it a misnomer, and was eagerly
embraced by Baptists of the old stamp or old school as an appropriate
name, as it was descriptive of the primitive or ancient faith once
delivered to the saints. It appears that the name Old School Baptist
became the predominate name among brethren in the North through the
influence of the Signs of the Times and the name Primitive
Baptist became the predominate name used among brethren in the South
through the influence of The Primitive Baptist periodical.
For those interested, from this
periodical, I append below an exhaustive list of the names that our
brethren referred to themselves as (followed in parentheses by the issue
date, page number and author), plus instances of the use of "primitive"
as it relates to the church, doctrines, etc. (through the March 26, 1836
issue).
Blessings,
Vince Hardy
List of names that our brethren
called themselves (or our doctrine) in the periodical called "The
Primitive Baptist" and use of the word "primitive" (through the March
26, 1836 issue)
the old school United Baptists
(Oct 5, 1835 p 1; Mark Bennett)
the old fashioned United
Baptists (Oct 5, 1835 p 1; Joshua Lawrence)
The United Baptists of the old
stamp (Oct 5, 1835 p 1; Joshua Lawrence)
the Baptists of the old stamp
(Oct 5, 1835 p 2; Joshua Lawrence)
our old Baptist fathers
(Oct 5, 1835 p 2; Joshua Lawrence)
the Baptists of the old stamp
(Oct 5, 1835 p 2; Joshua Lawrence)
seven Association in Georgia of
the old stamp (Oct 5, 1835 p 2; Joshua Lawrence)
all others of the old stamp
(Oct 5, 1835 p 2; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptists (Oct 5,
1835l p 2; Joshua Lawrence)
all the Baptists of the old
stamp (Oct 5, 1835 p 3; Joshua Lawrence) the primitive church (Oct 5, 1835 p 5; from Signs of the Times)
the Old School preachers (Oct
5, 1835 p 5; article from the Signs of the Times)
The Brethren of the Old School
(Oct 5, 1835 p 8; Mark Bennett or George Howard)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
the old school United Baptists
(Jan 9, 1836 p 1; Mark Bennett) old Baptist ground (Jan 9, 1836 p 7; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptists of the New
Testament days (Jan 9, 1836, p 9; Joseph Biggs, Sen. )
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
the old Baptist church
(Jan 23, 1836, p 20; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptist churches (Jan
23, 1836, p 20; Joshua Lawrence) the old Baptist spirit (Jan 23, 1836, p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptists (Jan 23, 1836,
p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptists (Jan 23, 1836,
p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
a Baptist church of the old
sort (Jan 23, 1836, p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
a preacher of the old sort (Jan
23, 1836, p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
an old sort of Baptist preacher
(Jan 23, 1836, p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptists (Jan 23, 1836,
p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
an old Baptist church (Jan 23,
1836, p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
old Baptist doctrine (Jan 23,
1836, p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
the old sort of Baptists (Jan
23, 1836, p 22; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptists (Jan 23, 1836,
p 22; Joshua Lawrence)
the old sort of Baptist
churches (Jan 23, 1836, p 22; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptists (Jan 23, 1836,
p 212; Joshua Lawrence)
an old primitive Baptist
church (Jan 23, 1836, p 22; Joshua Lawrence)
the old Baptist churches (Jan
23, 1836, p 21; Joshua Lawrence)
the Old S. Baptists (Jan 23,
1836, p 25; from the Signs of the Times)
publication of the "Primitive
Baptist" (Jan 23, 1836, p 25; from the Signs of the Times) devoted to old school principles (Jan 23, 1836, p 27; William Moseley)
fell into my hands the specimen
number of the "Primitive Baptist." (Jan 23, 1836, p 27; A. B. Reid)
the Old Baptists (Jan 23, 1836,
p 27; A. B. Reid)
but the "Primitive Baptist" comes
home to us. (Jan 23, 1836, p 27; A. B. Reid)
the Old Baptists (Jan 23, 1836,
p 27; A. B. Reid)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
the Particular Baptists (Feb
13, 1836, p 47; Thomas Barton)
Old Fashioned Baptists (Feb 13,
1836, p 47; Thomas Barton)
Old and New School Baptists
(Feb 13, 1836, p 47; Thomas Barton)
the Old School (Feb
13, 1836, p 47; Thomas Barton) the Old School doctrines (Feb 13, 1836, p 47; Thomas Barton)
I have just received....the first
number of the Primitive Baptist (Feb 27, 1836, p 61; Gray Haggard) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
the church of Christ (Feb 27,
1836, p 62; Gray Haggard)
thorough bred Baptist
(Feb 27, 1836, p 62; Gray Haggard)
thanks for the six numbers of the
Primitive Baptist received (Feb 27, 1836, p 62; Gray
Haggard)
few copies ... of the Primitive
Baptist (Feb 27, 1836, p 62; Jonathan Neel)
the old school order (Feb 27,
1836, p 62; Jonathan Neel) in the old track (Feb 27, 1836, p 62; Jonathan Neel)
subscribe for six copies of the
Primitive Baptist (Feb 27, 1836, p 62; Jonathan Neel)
To the Editor of the Primitive
Baptist (Feb 27, 1836, p 62; Rowell Reese)
the Baptists of the old stamp
(Feb 27, 1836, p 63; Rowell Reese ) primitive Christians (Feb 27, 1836, p 63; Rowell Reese)
I received your paper called the
Primitive Baptist (Feb 27, 1836, p 63; R. Rorer)
the old school Baptists (Feb
27, 1836, p 63; R. Rorer)
a paper titled Primitive
Baptist (Feb 27, 1836, p 63; George Little) preaching of the old order (Feb 27, 1836, p 63; George Little) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Primitive
Baptist, or Predestinarian (March 12, 1836, p 79; P. M. CALHOUN)
the Primitive Baptist--one of
that number I have been
(March 12, 1836, p 79; Joel Colley)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
in the columns of the Primitive
Baptist (March 26, 1836, p 81; WM. Mosely)
the primitive Baptists are
a small number (March 26, 1836, p 81; Kemuel C. Gilbert)
the old order of the Baptists
(March 26, 1836, p 81; Kemuel C. Gilbert)
our old Baptists (March 26,
1836, p 82; Kemuel C. Gilbert)
primitive church (March
26, 1836 p87; Elder Mark Bennett)
our name (Primitive
Baptist)
(March 26, 1836 p88; Elder Mark
Bennett)
primitive disciples (March 26,
1836 p88; Elder Mark Bennett)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here ends the exhaustive list.
The remainder below is not necessarily exhaustive.
other writers for the Primitive
Baptist (April 9, 1836 p 101; Joshua Lawrence)
inasmuch as the Old School, or
Primitive Baptists (April 9, 1836 p 105; Elder Mark Bennett),
periodical entitled "the Primitive
Baptist," (April 9, 1836 p 108-110; Hezekiah West)
the primitive Baptists (April
9, 1836 p 108-110; Hezekiah West)
I hope you mean ancient, by
primitive (April 9, 1836 p 108-110; Hezekiah West)
The Primitive Baptist (April 9,
1836 p 108-110; Hezekiah West)
doctrine and practice of the
ancient Baptists (April 9, 1836 p 108-110; Hezekiah West)
the term Primitive in the title of
our paper (April 9, 1836 p 111; Elder Mark Bennett)
of the primitive Baptist faith.
(April 23, 1836 p 127; Joseph King)
publication of the "Primitive
Baptist," (May 14, 1836 p 135; Elder John Clark)
the primitive Baptist cause
(May 14, 1836 p 135; Elder John Clark)
the primitive saints (May 14,
1836 p 135; Elder John Clark)
that primitive theology (May
14, 1836 p 135; Elder John Clark)
|
