THE CHURCH IN PORTSMOUTH AND NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.
In the year 1789, there were a few members in Portsmouth and its vicinity, who were of the Baptist society, but were members in the church at Shoulders's Hill. Through the instrumentality of Elders Elijah Baker, Thomas Armistead and others, there were several added in Portsmouth and Norfolk. After which, the members petitioned the Association, then held in the Isle of Wight, to send helps to constitute them into a church. Whereupon Elders John Meglamre and David Barrow were sent; who, when attending, called to their assistance Elders Elijah Baker, William Morris, Thomas Armistead, James M'Clenny and Etheldred Lancaster. A covenant being formed by a committee appointed for that purpose, was read in conference, consented to and subscribed by the members. They were constituted on the principles of Free-grace. Elder Thomas Armistead took the care of this church, and his labors were blest for a season.
In the year 1791, there came from Europe a certain Mr. Frost, in the habit of a Baptist preacher, who at first seemed to be approved of, but soon began to deny the faith of the church, and preach the doctrines of free-will, supposing man had power to work himself into a state of favor with God. This man caused great uneasiness in the church. The brethren appointed a committee to wait upon him and try to gain him over to embrace the principles of the church; but he remained incorrigible. The church appointed another committee to go and try to silence him, but could not prevail. He said he had a meeting to attend the Wednesday night following; and he should preach. But the Lord interfered in behalf of his distressed church, for when Frost went to preach again, and took his text, which was, "He shall thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner; and coming to the words "purge his floor," his tongue failed; he cried, "Let us pray," but sunk on his knees, and spoke not another word. He was dead in less than three hours. Thus did God avenge his suffering church in these towns, for this fox was spoiling the tender grapes.1
1Taken from Burkitt, Lemuel, 1750-1806; Read, Jesse; Burkitt, Henry Lemuel, b. 1818. A concise history of the Kehukee Baptist association, from its original rise down to 1803. (Kindle Locations 2882-2900). Philadelphia, Lippincott, Grambo and co.
As I stand to preach on Sunday, I will remember this story, and silently praise God for His inconsistency in striking down Non-Calvinist preachers!
Posted by: Rick Patrick | 2015.04.30 at 11:44 AM
When I read this posting, I thought it was a move back to a position of friendship and fellowship between Traditionalists and Calvinists (Sovereign Grace, if you please). Then I read Rick's comment, and was cast down. Wait until I can reply concerning an earlier posting where I hoped to get back and reply after some health issues. Hopefully, I will be able to evaluate the materials I obtained which, while maintaining the positions for both and allowing for people to change their minds (either way), will provide a better appreciation of the vis-à-vis position attained by the Separates and Regulars in the period of 1787-1806.
Posted by: dr, james willingham | 2015.05.01 at 04:52 PM
I am sure the stress of the preceding heresy witch hunt had nothing to do with it. Sigh. Reminds me that some reformers thought a woman was innocent of witchcraft if-she did not sink when thrown in bound, but floated! Dead either way, of course.
That was Gods way of telling them.
Posted by: Lydia | 2015.05.03 at 10:09 AM
Lydia,
Regarding bad calls on floating witches, I can hear the old reformers saying "Shucks, wrong again!" In reference to the article at hand, I wonder if God might start cleaning out the pulpit in that way before this SBC theological debate is over.
Posted by: Max | 2015.05.03 at 10:44 AM
Max,
Here is something they did not know in 1789: Severe stress can kill you. It almost sounds like a stroke.
Throughout much of Christian history (which is why I cannot stand appeals to church history for truth) everything that happened was considered either a punishment from God or His favor. Of course, that would mean powerful,
wealthy safe church leaders were being favored by God. (That thinking is back in vogue)
So match up those two and imagine the outcomes! So, in this situation, was God showing His favor to Mr. Frost's heresy hunters by striking him down as he began to preach? Those ignorant and cruel people thought so. And you can bet many today would believe it, too, or they don't believe what they teach others to believe.
Posted by: Lydia | 2015.05.03 at 11:03 AM
Lydia writes "... was God showing His favor to Mr. Frost's heresy hunters by striking him down as he began to preach?"
Lydia, I hope the contention hasn't got bad enough in some SBC circles that there are brethren wishing secretly that God would nuke some of us. What love is that?
Posted by: Max | 2015.05.03 at 12:01 PM
"When I read this posting, I thought it was a move back to a position of friendship and fellowship between Traditionalists and Calvinists (Sovereign Grace, if you please)"
Dr. James, I hope you are feeling better. I am not sure I understand where you are coming from with the above considering the history of the last 10 years or so in the SBC. What sort of "friends" keep telling you that you do not know the "True Gospel"? What sort of friends declare that if we are not Calvinists we do not want to see the nations rejoice for Christ?
None of the Calvinist leaders of the SBC have made any public statements that they have been wrong in how they approached the Calvinist resurgence and affirmed the behavior of the YRR they trained. In fact, just the opposite. Including promoting/protecting some nefarious people like CJ Mahaney and Driscoll all in the name of "correct Sovereign Grace Doctrine".
If that is the behavior of "friends", no thanks. Everyone keeps skirting the "trust" issue when it comes to unity and friendship. As if none of it ever happened. That is not healthy.
Posted by: Lydia | 2015.05.03 at 12:14 PM
"None of the Calvinist leaders of the SBC have made any public statements that they have been wrong in how they approached the Calvinist resurgence and affirmed the behavior of the YRR they trained."
Lydia, why would they do that?! New Calvinism, with its misbehaving YRR, has accomplished what the Old Calvinists in SBC could not via their years of quiet revolution ... the Calvinization of the Southern Baptist Convention. The old guard may not agree with the methodology of this young breed, nor the non-SBC reformed entities they have aligned themselves with (Acts 29, T4G, Sovereign Grace, etc.), but the old guys put up with New Calvinism because it is pushing reformed theology to the forefront quickly. In the meantime, SBC's non-Calvinist majority may not be dropping dead in the pulpit and pews, but will pass from the scene within one generation as New Calvinists take complete control of the SBC wheel. A change in eccesiology always follows a shift in theology ... the next generation of SBC belief and practice will be no exception.
Posted by: Max | 2015.05.03 at 10:04 PM