ARKANSAS is a new State. Churches are of recent origin; yet the fist Baptist Church was formed in Little Rock, in 1824. This Church flourished but a few years. In 1832, a Campbellite visited Little Rock. Finding the Church without a pastor, he preached, and by using the phrase common among Campbellites, that there was but the slightest difference between Campbellites and Baptists, succeeded, after preaching a few months, in making out of it a Campbellite Church. A few days since I examined the original Church Books, when I found they had been constituted as a worthy Baptist Church, except that one of their articles was a little Antinomian. I read their Church proceedings until I came to the chapter where it is recorded, they dispensed with creeds, and established themselves on "the New Testament order." It is amusing to see such a statement, when it can be seen in the Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge that Alexander Campbell publishes as lengthy a view of Church doctrines as the Baptist Church publish.The next Church, in point of time, so far as the writer knows, is the Kentucky Baptist Church, in Sabine county, Arkansas. This Church came near being taken by the Campbellites; formed in 1826. They soon saw one article was too Antinomian; they changed that article, which caused a division; among others, the Church clerk left, and took their record. Their early history can now be gathered only through Bro. Lindsey, present pastor, and one of the original members. After the division, they were without preaching. A Campbellite minister came among them, who preached and labored to show the Church that there was but a slight difference between them. When candidates for baptism presented themselves, he was for baptizing them according to the Campbellite order. The Church saw he was no Baptist, and dispensed with his services, and made an effort to secure a Baptist minister, but were unable to find one. Bro. Lindsey was appointed by the Church to administer the ordinance. Soon after, they succeeded in obtaining a Baptist minister. He ordained Bro. Lindsey, and since that time he has continued their pastor. The writer has just attended a communion meeting with Bro. Lindsey and his Church, and was gratified to find their devotion to the cause in that dark day of trial, and their opposition to the innovations even yet practiced on the Baptist Churches.
Baptist Churches are second in number in the State. Having passed over half of it, at least, I find them occupying an important position throughout. Baptist ministers are receiving the least aid in the State. Many I found not receiving $200 per year, and preaching to four Churches. Ministers have failed to urge almost any benevolent claim upon the people. This year, very little is done for Foreign, Home, or Indian missions. Baptists of Arkansas will do much better hereafter. The State Convention in October will be one of interest. Ministers and other members will unite in the plan for benefiting the cause very materially. There are pleasant Churches in Arkansas without pastors, and if ministers will show the Church that they are to sustain those who labor with them in the word and doctrine, they will do so. They are benevolent men, and in many communities have the means. Those interested in securing a new home, could not do better, or more good, than by selecting Arkansas as their home.
A. L. H.============ [From S. H. Ford, editor, The Christian Repository, July, 1856, pp. 23-25 - Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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