A native of Spottsylvania, and was born in 1750. During the early part of the Revolution he was commissioned to the office of captain in the army, and while absent from home his heart was pierced by the arrows of truth. He saw that he had all his days been waging a war against his Almighty Sovereign, and in deep humiliation he cast himself before the throne, pleading for mercy. He was heard; his iniquities were forgiven; he became a loyal subject, and avowed his subjection by being baptized, according to the direction of his King. This occurred while he was stationed at Williamsburg.It is remarkable that, about this time, the church in his native county were, with great union and earnestness, imploring God to send them a preacher, they being at that time destitute. To their astonishment Mr. Dudley, with whom they had been acquainted from infancy, and who had left home an opposing transgressor, returned a changed man, sought communion with them, and expressed desire to devote himself to the ministry. They considered him as a gift of God in answer to prayer. He began to preach. His first efforts gave great promise of usefulness to the cause of Christ. His manner was zealous, yet dignified, and, under the persecutions which characterized those times, he exhibited the most fearless intrepidity; soon the church became satisfied of his call to the ministry. He was ordained, and continued in that region many years. In 1785 he removed to Kentucky, and, to the time of his death, was one of the most faithful and laborious ministers of the Western country.
Having settled in the vicinity of Lexington, he, with two or three other ministers, built up several churches of the Elkhorn Association. Although he did not travel extensively, yet within the limits of Elkhorn District he was indefatigable in his exertions, exercising a kind of watch-care over that large body. He is said to have been an excellent disciplinarian, and for many years in succession was elected to preside at the annual meetings of the Association. In 1792 his time was employed in visiting the churches, in the character of an evangelist, for the purpose of ascertaining their condition and promoting their spiritual improvement. In this capacity he was useful. Among other things which he urged upon the churches was the most neglected duty of making suitable provision for the support of their pastors. On this subject he avoided that false delicacy indulged by many ministers, and hesitated not to declare the whole counsel of God. In the explanation and defence of doctrinal truth he was intelligent, affectionate, and decided. His influence was extensive.
"His manners and general habits," says Mr. James Welsh,
"seemed to indicate that 'he was born' for discipline. The very glance of his piercing eye was often sufficient to awe into silence. In his personal appearances he was unusually erect and neat, so that once, when a stranger asked, in Lexington, Kentucky, where he could be found, he was told to 'walk down the street, and the first man he met, having 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 highly Calvinistic in his sentiments, and of unbending firmness where he thought truth and duty were involved. Whenever it was known that he had made an appointment to preach, the universal declaration was, 'whether it rain or shine, Brother Dudley will be there.' He never disappointed any engagement he made unless sickness or some equally unavoidable providence prevented. In family discipline he was very decided; he never spoke but once. In political or worldly matters he took little interest, except within the limits of his own plantation. He was a man of God, whose praise is in all the churches throughout the region where he labored. He 'died at the horns of the altar.'"In 1818, an unhappy difficulty existed in the Elkhorn Association, which resulted in a division. How far he was to blame is not for the biographer to determine. The Licking Association was formed, and he became a prominent member. He continued to labor efficiently until his death, in 1823.========== [From James B. Taylor, Virginia Baptist Ministers, 1859, pp. 221-223. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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