Nineteenth Century Mississippi Baptists not strictly Calvinistic

According to Mississippi Baptist historians, Z. T. Leavell and T. J. Bailey, the first attempt by Mississippi Baptists to form a statewide convention failed.¹

In 1823, three Baptist associations—Pearl River, Union, and Mississippi—proposed a meeting for all Mississippi Baptists for "preserving and continuing the ties of brotherly love"; for "union between sister associations; for "the propagation of the pure doctrines of the gospel"; and finally to prevent "innovations in practice and heresies in doctrine'" (p. 1321).

After five to six years of ups and downs, the initial convention appeared to vanish. Apparently, no records exist after 1829. While the convention "did good" by preserving "the ties of brotherly love," nonetheless it seemed "the organization of that convention was premature."  

It wasn't until almost two decades later the Pearl River Association once again desired more theological fellowship with other Baptists the state over. "The strong men of the Pearl River Association, in 1848, sighed for greater uniformity of belief among Baptists of the State." (p.1324). According to Leavell and Bailey, Pearl River Baptists desired "a uniform creed of faith among the associations and churches" by passing the following resolution:

Resolved, That in view of the painful division, which, in some parts of our common Zion, have grown out of a difference of articles of faith adopted by different associations and churches, this Association feels impressed with the importance and utility of uniformity of articles upon which associations are constituted.

Apparently, Mississippi Baptists were so diverse in at least some aspects of doctrine that the Baptists of Pearl River association felt it necessary to host a convention calling for more uniformity of belief.

Consider.

If this is a correct interpretation of what was happening with Mississippi Baptists in the middle of the 19^th century, what might this mean concerning a supposition which implies that virtually all Baptists of the south in the 19^th century were definitively, strictly Calvinistic in their theological persuasion?

Pearl River Baptists requested other associations in the state to join them in a convention specifically to form a "uniform system of constitutions." The meeting was to be held at Hopewell church, Copiah county, on Saturday before the first Sunday in August, 1849 (p.1325).

Sister associations began to respond positively including the Mississippi Association and the Mount Pisgah Association. Union Association responded positively but with two caveats to the movement toward uniformity of constitution and doctrine—1) individual churches already had confessions of their own; 2) they felt a convention like this would cause strife among the churches.

It was the Central Association, however, that logged the biggest complaint. Central Association was made up of "strong men of culture and thought" who recorded a six-fold objection to the uniformity convention

1. Churches were not consulted
2. Hostilities might be engendered
3. Annual discussions about confessional theology would create hostile parties
4. Difficulty in getting just representation from all the churches
5. History shows that such efforts at uniformity of articles of faith have created discord
6. History of our Baptist denomination showed that such efforts are unwise, as we are general and particular, united and separate Baptists (pp.1325-26).

Consider again.

If this is a correct interpretation of what was happening with Central Baptist Association in the middle of the 19^th century, what might this mean concerning a supposition which implies that virtually all Baptists of the south in the 19^th century were definitively, strictly Calvinistic in their theological persuasion?

According to Leavell and Bailey, the 1849 Minutes of the Pearl River Association reports that contrary to Central Association's six-fold objection, the convention took place and the articles of faith were adopted as given in the record. Evidently, however, the articles of faith adopted reflected neither the Philadelphia nor Charleston confession as strict Calvinists would have demanded. Rather, the articles of faith they adopted have this telling description:

They are in keeping with the New Hampshire declaration of faith.

What is more, the confessional description given of other Baptist churches and associations across Mississippi at that time remains striking:

The articles of all the associations and churches of the State are about the same, and are the New Hampshire confession either in substance or form.

Consider once again.

If this is a correct interpretation of what was happening with Mississippi Baptists in the middle of the 19^th century, what might this mean concerning a supposition which implies that virtually all Baptists of the south in the 19^th century were definitively, strictly Calvinistic in their theological persuasion?

The next time someone insists that strict Calvinism virtually dominated Baptist churches all over the 19^th century south, please point them to the historical record.

 

¹Leavell, Z.T. and T. J. Bailey. A Complete History of Mississippi Baptists From the Earliest Times. Vol. II.  Jackson: Mississippi Baptist Publishing Co. 1904

Comments

[Lydia]

In effect, the Calvinists want to present the Founding as more of a denomination in structure than independent churches formed to "cooperate" on missions.

[Lydia]

As an aside, when reading all these historical snippets from Baptists, I am starting to gain insight into perhaps why I never heard a reference to any creed or confession in all the SBC churches we were in. I can start to see the trajectory of thinking....questioning...from historical snippets.

We were actually taught that we were not 'man made creed or confession people'. I can remember that plain as day from Training Union. My family and extended family affirmed it. We had scripture, Jesus Christ/Holy Spirit so the creeds and confessions were not needed.

And I even see the same wrangling today over which creed or confession and then wrangling over interpreting them! It's a fools game and it concerns me to see adults get sucked into that.

[Robert Vaughn]

Peter,

I offer a little historical tweak to your article on Mississippi Baptists, which does not change your point or interpretation.

The Convention called for by the Pearl River Association in 1848 was apparently a one time Convention for the purpose of seeking greater uniformity of belief -- or at least the way that belief was stated. It does not represent the formation of the current Mississippi Baptist State Convention, which was organized in December 1836 and therefore already in existence at the time this other Convention was called for.

The Abstract History of the Mississippi Baptist Association (a local association, not the state convention) by T. C. Schilling suggests this Convention called for was related to a difference between the Mississippi Baptist Association and the Mississippi River Baptist Association, the latter's correspondence not being received by the former in 1844. Schilling says, "The point of difference between the two Associations is not given, but it is probable that it involved the matter of election, since the two bodies express this doctrine in different terms." In 1846 a church came to the Mississippi Baptist Association, having "withdrawn from the Mississippi River Association, and adopted articles of faith that were orthodox..." Apparently they got whatever the difference was ironed out, because after 1848 Mississippi River was once again in correspondence with Mississippi. Schilling's work also suggests differences over the doctrine of election in the mid-1800s in the state of Mississippi.

[peter lumpkins]

Robert,

Thanks for the corrections which prove helpful in better understanding some of the division among 19th century Mississippi Baptists. More are welcome!

With that, I am...
Peter

[Robert Vaughn]

You're welcome. My wife's ancestor Jesse Crawford was an early Baptist preacher in south Mississippi, so I've studied the old Mississippi Association a bit. But I still have a lot to learn.