This county lies on the Mississippi river, and by the census of 1854, contained a population of 7,682; 3,842 whites, and 3,840 blacks -- three of the latter were free.

     There were in cultivation 28,952 acres of land, upon which were raised 11,300 bales of cotton, 399,010 bushels of corn, 80 bushels of wheat, and 6,473 bushels of oats, &c.

LIBERTY.
     This is the oldest missionary Baptist church in the County, and was organized on the 25th of June, 1848, on the St. Francis road, north-west from Helena, 25 miles. Elder James M. Cox was the only minister present.

     D. W. Obarr, who had been licensed to preach, was recognized as a licentiate by this church.

     The majority of the above members had but recently come from Mississippi.

     Pastors. Elder James M. Cox served as pastor from the organization to September, 1852, with the exception of fourteen months; during this interval there was no regular pastor. Elder A. W. Ellege was invited but declined, he however, preached a few sermons for them. From the last date to March, 1853, they were again destitute; since that, the writer has served them.

     Ministers: Deacon W. J. Bowdon was licensed to preach in October, 1853, and ordained in April, 1854, by Elders James M. Cox, Ezekiel Holland and P. S. G. Watson. He soon after moved to Texas, where he yet resides.

     Revivals: The first and only revival worthy of note, was in the fall of 1850. The church was without a pastor, but a meeting was conducted for nine days by Elders A. W. Ellege, James M. Cox and the writer. Before the close, the news had spread, and some came from twenty miles distant. On the last day, Elder Ellege baptized ten persons. Others, at subsequent meetings were received, as fruits of the revival. Many persons from New Hope church, attended this meeting, and by request, after a day's rest, the labors were resumed at that church.

     There have been a few other seasons of deep interest, but not sufficient to justify a particular notice.

     This body being composed of those holding the principles dear to missionaries, sought for an Association of like faith to which they could unite themselves. This they found in the "Rocky Bayou," distant 160 miles. Elder Cox and R. J. Thornton were dispatched as messengers in the fall of 1851, and were received in behalf of their church. On account of the distance, a letter of dismission was obtained the ensuing fall, through the delegate, Elder Cox, and in the fall of 1853, the "Mt. Vernon" Association was formed, -- this church being a constituent member.

     This church also belonged to the eastern portion of the "White River Arkansas Baptist Convention," and to the "General Association of Eastern Arkansas," during the short existence of those bodies.

     This church has Pedo-ism on one side, and Anti-ism on the other, to contend with, yet the Lord has been with them, and preserved them hitherto.

     This church owns an acre of ground, and a small log house, altogether worth about $150. Much has been said about building, but feeling unable, they have not undertaken.

     No Sabbath School. Occasional prayer meetings; monthly preaching.

     Of the forty at present members of the church, four are colored. P. S. G. WATSON, Pastor; William H. Williams and James M. Shepard, Deacons; and Henry L. Cordell, Clerk, P .O. Mariana, Arkansas.

NEW HOPE
     Is the second in age in the county, and was formed on the 9th of July, 1848, on the St. Francis road, 13 miles from Helena. Ministers in attendance, J. M. Cox, and M. M. Wallace. The latter was general agent of the Domestic Missionary Board, Alabama, and took up a collection at this time of $60 in behalf of the Board.

     The constituents were seven, three males and four females.

      Pastors. Elder Porter Clay, (brother of Hon. Henry Clay, of Ky.) by letter from Shelbyville, Kentucky, united with this church in the fall of 1848, and labored as pastor six months, preaching two Sabbaths at this place, and the remainder elsewhere. In the spring of 1849, he went into the southern part of the State and died. In 1850, Elder A. W. Ellege, from Mississippi, united with this church, and served them regu1arly about one year; and occasional1y during 1851. Early in 1852, Elder John Bateman, of the Helena church, was called as pastor half his time, but from various hindrances, came but few times. March, 1853, P. S. G. Watson, of the Batesville church, in this State, was chosen, which relation is still sustained. He subsequently united by letter.

     It is proper here to remark that immediately after the organization, and at various other times, Elder King, whose membership was part of the time in this church, was called to accept the pastoral oversight, but as often declined. However, when without a pastor, he often preached to them with much success.

     Ministers. Thomas P. Boone, a licentiate from Mississippi, is a member of this church, and his ordination set for the fourth Sabbath in April, (inst.) 1855.

      Revivals. This flock has enjoyed three delightful revival seasons; the first in the fall of 1850, which was a continuation of that in the Liberty, mentioned before. Elders T. S. N. King, A. W. Ellege, J. M. Cox and the writer, were present. The service lasted seven days, and besides fifteen baptized by Elder Ellege, at the close, many more joined soon after, and it spirit of love appeared to pervade the entire community. From this, the revival spread to Sterling. The second revival was in the fall of 1853, and was the most powerful of three. Between twenty and thirty were added to the church. Elder King was the principal laborer, assisted by Elders Cox, Lea, and toward the last, by the writer. The third, in the fall of 1854, at the session of the Mt. Vernon Association. The work was deep and powerful, yet without undue excitement. The principal laborers, were Elders R. Jones and T. S. N. King, of Helena, Elders Cox and the writer were also present during the whole time, and Elder Ezekiel Holland, during the first part. At the close, the pastor baptized sixteen; others were converted also who joined churches nearer their homes.

     For the past two years, this church has met semi-monthly; the forenoon, for the last few months, has been devoted to the whites, and the afternoon to the blacks. Large congregations attend upon occasions; and much interest is felt by all.

     Such has been the success of the gospel here, that it may be said, with but few exceptions, that this is "Baptist ground." But few sermons are preached in this neighborhood by any but Baptists.

      In the fall of 1851, two-thirds of the number that formed the church in Helena, were dismissed by this body; and in 1854, four of the seven, that formed the Sterling Church. In assisting Helena, this church lost three officers, Elder King and Deacons Hall and Hicks.

      A Union Sabbath School with a small library, was established in the house in which this church meets, in the spring of 1854, and has been irregularly kept up since. Prayer meetings ebb and flow; somewhat controled [sic] by the season of the year, and the temperature of the atmosphere, religiously as well as naturally.

     This church was a member of the two missionary bodies mentioned before, and also assisted in constituting the Mt. Vernon Association, to which it now belongs.

     The "Ministers' and Deacons' meeting for Eastern Arkansas" was organized at this place in the spring of 1854.

     In the fall of 1853, a subscription of sixteen hundred dollars was raised, to build a house of worship, but not reaching twenty-five hundred, the desired amount, the whole business was dropped. The church meets in a house used for school and preaching purposes.

     A beautiful lot of two acres, immediately on the St. Francis road, 13 miles from Helena, with comfortable Country buildings for a small fami1y, belongs to the church, and is the residence of their pastor. The whole is worth about $400.

     Since the organization 122 have been added, 85 being the present total. Of this number 10 are colored.

     Pastor. P. S. G. Watson. Deacons: A. H. Hopkins, John C. McCrary, and John A. Gilbert. E. St. J. Martin, Clerk P. O. Lagrange, Arkansas.

HELENA.
      This church is in a very important locality. Helena is the county seat of Phillips, the largest town in the eastern part of the State; is a place of much commercial consideration, and in many other respects, second to no place in the State. Notwithstanding all this, no effort had been made prior to the fall of 1851 to constitute a church in the place. An occasional sermon had been preached here by Baptists, the first of whom was Elder James P. Edwards, of Kentucky. Elder Edwards informed me some months ago, that he was preparing a work for the press, that would give a detailed account of his early travels in this State, which, I am sorry to say, I have not yet seen.

     In the fall of 1851, the "White River Arkansas Baptist Convention" met in Helena, and this was the occasion of a visit from Elder J. R. Graves, of Nashville, Tennessee. Elders A. W. Ellege, T. S. N. King, and J. M. Cox were also present. Elder Graves did the preaching, and after the meeting had progressed with absorbing interest for twelve days, he took the vote of the congregation " whether they would hold a protracted meeting?" which was, of course, decided most anxiously in the affirmative. And a "protracted meeting" they held. About seventy persons professed hope in Christ during the meeting. Twenty-seven united with the church that was organized while the meeting was in progress, and some others afterwards.

     On the 12th of October, the church was organized, with sixteen members, all whites, four males, and twelve females.

Pastors. Elder John Bateman, from Tennessee, was chosen pastor the following month and continued a year -- interrupted, however, by absence from the State a few months. In January, 1854, Elder Reuben Jones, from Norfolk, Virginia, became pastor, which relation yet continues. Elder Bateman received a salary of six hundred dollars, one hundred of which he gave to assist in building the meeting house. Elder Jones receives one thousand per annum. To the present time this church has received from the Board in Alabama, three hundred and fifty dollars; one hundred and fifty for the former pastor, and the remainder for the present. During 1853, the church had no pastor. Elder King, whose membership was with them, supplied them, and with much success, but desired them to choose another.

     Ministers. Abner Morrel was licensed in February, 1852, and soon after went to Tennessee. In July of this year, by request of the Mt. Vernon church, for convenience, a presbytery was called by this church, to ordain as minister, N. P. Moore, whose membership was in that body. The request was complied with. Elders King, Bateman and Wm. M. Lea officiating.

     Revivals. While there have been occasional ingatherings, there is nothing to record as a revival. Being surrounded by conflicting views, feelings and interests, this church must contend for every foot of ground it obtains.

     Immediately after its organization, a suitable lot was purchased, and a house of worship erected upon it within a few months. The following description was furnished by Elder R. Jones.

     This edifice was erected in the year, 1852. It is a neat, wooden structure; 40 feet in width, and 60 feet in length, with three large windows in each side, shaded by venetian blinds; -- a portico fourteen feet wide, supported by four large, square columns, and surmounted by a tower, and a bell of 700 pounds in weight. The entrance to the main building is from the portico, through a large center door. The seats are divided by two aisles, and a middle partition, into four rows; and will accommodate about 600 persons. The pulpit and aisles are neatly carpeted. The entire cost, for building and fitting up complete, was about $3000, exclusive of the bell which cost $300.

     A large sized organ melodion has been recently purchased for the use of the choir. It is in contemplation to build a baptistry and dressing room.

      A good Sabbath school is kept up by the members of this church. There is a fine library, and a sufficient number of competent teachers, and as a matter of course, a large number of scholars.

     Prayer meetings are regularly observed, also the monthly concert for prayer.

     There have been received, since the constitution, by baptism, 51; by letter, 20; total, 71; in the constitution, 16; grand total, 87. Of this number, 79; at present remain, -- all white but two.

     REUBEN JONES, Pastor. John H. Hicks, Spence Hall, John Q. Taylor and Wim. D. Jones, Deacons, and C. C. Bliss, Clerk, Helena, Arkansas.

STERLING.
     The village of Sterling is situated at the entrance of the St. Francis river into the Mississippi, upon a tongue of land, being surrounded on all sides but the south, by water. A few years past, it was a place of considerable trade, but on account of the frequent caving of the banks, all the good houses have been torn down, and the spirit of improvement has fled. It is, however, a place of some religious consequence. Many boatmen, raftmen, and other transient persons, often spend several days, and sometimes weeks here, and it is not unfrequent that half the congregation is of such characters.

     Previous to the fall of 1850, this place had been noted for its wickedness, taking its character, in a great measure, from the dissolute morals of a floating population. But at the time mentioned, the revival from the New Hope church had spread to this place, and an almost entire revolution took place. The ball room was given up to be used as a meeting place, and several previous dancers were converted, and became zealous advocates for the principles they had once despised. The ministers who 1abored in this revival, and that again in the spring of 1851, were A. W. Ellege, J. M. Cox and P. S. G. Watson.

     There were no regular appointments for preaching in this place, until March, 1853, when the writer undertook to serve them monthly, and has attended them ever since.

     In February, 1854, seven persons were constituted into a church, three males and four females.

     In l854, the church united with the Mt. Vernon Association.

     Prayer meetings occasionally observed.

     A very interesting Sabbath school was kept up until January 16, 1855,when by fire, their house of worship and their library were entirely consumed. Worship is now held in what was recently a grocery. Steps are on foot to rebuild.

     Ministers of no other denomination preach here; it is given over to the Baptists. There is a story sometimes told of a brace of Methodist preachers who went into Sterling in 1847, intending to do "great things!" Walking along the treacherous Mississippi bank at night, they lost their steadfastness, and without time to consult their wills, they were "immersed" beneath the yielding waves. They soon after left, and have not ventured again to trust themselves where the very banks favor immersion. Present number 24, -- all white but one.

     Pastor, P. S. G. WATSON; Deacons, L. B. Dunn, Jesse Tidwell and Wm. B.. Sisk; H. F. Tewksbury, Clerk, Sterling, Arkansas.

HICKORY RIDGE.
      This church is on the Little Rock road, twenty miles from Helena, in the south-western part of the county, and was organized on the 28th of May, 1854, by Elder J. M. Cox and P. S. G. Watson. There were but five in the constitution, -- all whites.

      The church united with the Mt. Vernon Association in the fall of 1854.

     This little body is in a fertile region of country, good society, and in short, an interesting field, but the Baptists have greatly neglected it.

     Pastor, EZEKIEL HOLLAND, Isaac D. Mooney, Clerk, Spring Creek, Ark.

SALEM.
     This church is distant eight miles from Hickory Ridge, and about 25 from Helena, and is immediately on Coffee creek. It was formed on the 31st of May, 1842,by some anti-missionary Baptists. For a few years, the church had a name to live, while it was almost literally dead. In this condition, Elder Ezekiel Holland, undertook the pastoral oversight of the flock, in 1852, and has labored with them monthly since.

     In September, 1854, they joined the Mt. Vernon Baptist Association, having discarded their old anti views. Hence they are placed as the youngest missionary church in Phillips County, though in reality, they were organized six years before the Liberty, which takes precedence in age amongst the missionary churches.

     Elder John A. Baker was ordained in this church, while it was an anti-missionary body, but he soon came over, and having labored with his effort-brethren a few years, he died in Lawrence county, in 1852.

     The number of members in this church has never at anyone time, exceeded 30; but for several years it has not been above the present, eight; about half males; two colored. Nothing else is known worthy of record.

     Pastor, EZEKIEL HOLLAND; Deacon, Richard Brown, who also is the clerk. Spring creek P.O., Ark.

RECAPITULATION.
     Six churches, 250 members, 19 of whom are colored. Four ordained ministers, one licentiate; one minister to every 1,536 of the population. This has reference to the missionary Baptists alone.
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[From Basil Manly, editor, American Baptist Memorial, 1855, pp. 173-178. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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