From the Rev. James E. Welch
Hickory Grove, Warren County. Mo.,
December 13, 1853. Rev. and dear Sir: I am happy to say that my knowledge of the life and character of the Rev. Ambrose Dudley is such that I am able to furnish you a sketch of him, which I believe you may rely on as entirely authentic. He baptized both my parents, at Bryan's Station, in 1789. My recollections of him, though it is many years since he has passed away, are still perfectly distinct, and I have little fear that I shall mistake in describing him to you.
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AMBROSE DUDLEY was born not far from Fredericksburg in Spottsylvania County, Va., in 1750; and, of course, at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, was in the vigour of early manhood. Possessed, as he was, of an ardent love of freedom, he engaged with all the zeal of '70, for the emancipation of his down-trodden country.Being a man full six feet high; of fine personal appearance; unusually active, intelligent and decided, be was readily commissioned as a Captain in the Continental army. When he left home to engage in the service of his country, he had never made the great truths of the Bible a subject of candid and prayerful examination. It is believed, however, that the scenes of carnage and death through which he passed, first gave a serious direction to his thoughts; and from becoming deeply impressed with the uncertainty of life, he became yet more deeply impressed with his ruined condition as a sinner, being brought to feel that he had been all his life in an attitude of rebellion against an infinitely higher power than the King of England, - even the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
This conviction of his sinfulness was succeeded by a truly penitent and contrite spirit, associated with joy and peace in believing. He was, at this time, in command of his company, and stationed at Williamsburg; and, notwithstanding his circumstances seemed most adverse both to the culture of religion, and to a public profession of it, he had too much firmness of purpose to yield to the influence of circumstances in so momentous a concern. He therefore publicly declared himself on the Lord's side, by being baptized at Williamsburg; and, if I mistake not, it was done in the presence of the company he commanded, and of some of his fellow officers of the army.
While devout Cornelius was praying to God, the Disposer of events was preparing Peter to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ:" so, while the church in his native county was earnestly beseeching the Great Head of the Church, that He would remember them in their destitute condition, and send them a Pastor, Ambrose Dudley was converted in camp, was baptized, and shortly after left the army and returned home. When, however, he "essayed to join himself to the disciples," those who had known him from early life could scarcely "believe that he was a disciple;" for when he left home he was not only openly immoral, but it was understood that he was inclined to infidel opinions. He, however, soon convinced them that he had indeed passed from death unto life. Shortly after, he united with the church, and at the same time intimated to them his ardent desire to devote himself to the Gospel ministry. They received him with open arms, regarding him as a special gift from God in answer to their prayers. Nor were they disappointed; for his earliest efforts gave promise of that high degree of usefulness which attended and crowned his whole ministry.
After labouring in the Gospel, for several years, with great acceptance, in his native State, he removed to Kentucky in 1785, and settled near Bryan's Station, in the vicinity of Lexington; nor did he change his place of residence, after that, till he was taken to the "house appointed for all living."
Few men have ever laboured in the West witli greater success than he. The Church at Bryan's Station, which was organized under his ministry
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in 1786, had two hundred and nineteen members in 1793. In the great revival, which swept over that part of the State in 1803, I saw him baptize, on one occasion, fifty-eight persons at David's Fork; and the following Sabbath he baptized sixty-eight at Bryan's Station, only six miles distant.He was domestic in his habits, and very fond of his family, and his home; and hence never travelled extensively. His labours were principally within the bounds of the Elkhorn Association; and I think I may safely say, without disparaging other excellent men, that there never was, in that large and intelligent Body, one whose influence was wider and more powerful than was that of Ambrose Dudley. He was their presiding officer for many years, and the first man in all that region who bad moral courage enough to tell the churches plainly from the pulpit that God hath "ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel." As a preacher, he was zealous, dignified and solemn. No one who heard him could doubt that he was deeply impressed with the truths which he delivered, and that the great object at which he constantly aimed, was not to gain the applause of his hearers, but to save their souls.
His manners and general habits seemed to indicate that he was born to exercise authority. The very glance of his piercing eye was often enough to awe into silence. In his personal appearance he was unusually erect and neat, so that when a stranger in Lexington asked where he might be found, he was told to walk down the street, and the first man he met having on a superfine black coat, without a single mote upon it, would be Ambrose Dudley. And but few men have ever lived and died in the ministry, who "kept their garments more unspotted from the world." He was, in his religious views, a thorough Calvinist; and, whenever he thought truth or duty was involved, he showed the most unbending firmness. He was remarkably punctual to his engagements, and never failed of fulfilling one, unless he was prevented by sickness, or some other cause beyond his control. Whenever it was known that he had made an appointment to preach, the common saying was, " Rain or shine, Brother Dudley will be there."
In family discipline he was very decided. He never spoke but once. In political matters he took but little interest, nor had he much to do with the affairs of the world beyond the limits of his own plantation.
He was a man of God, whose praise is in all the churches throughout the region in which he lived. He "died, at the horns of the altar," in the year 1823.
Believe me your brother in Christ, JAMES E. WELCH. ============= [From Henry Keeling, editor, Annals of the American Pulpit, Volume VI, 1860, pp. 202-204. Document from Google Books. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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