This Day in Baptist History
September 27 God’s Apostle to a Suffering People Scripture: II Timothy 2:1-8 Humphrey Posey was an eminent Baptist preacher of large stature, great abilities, and a great and benevolent heart. Dr. J. H. Campbell, in his Georgia Baptists, records his conviction “that Humphrey Posey was naturally one of the greatest men, and, for his limited opportunities, one of the greatest preachers he has ever known. His person, his countenance, his voice, the throes of his gigantic mind, the conceptions of his large Christian soul—all proclaimed...
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September 26 “Your Imprisonment Is Not a Punishment, But a Glory” Scripture: II Chronicles 16 In 1763 the Elder David Thomas became the first Baptist preacher ever to proclaim the gospel of God’s grace in the counties of Orange and Culpeper, Virginia. His preaching was in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. Mr. Nathaniel Saunders was among the “first seals” to his ministry. Many others were also baptized about the same time. In 1766 Saunders began to preach, and in 1768 he was ordained to the care of Mountain-Run Church,...
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September 25 Baptists and the Federal Bill of Rights Scripture: II Chronicles 17:1-19 The final drafts of the twelve amendments (out of the many that had been suggested by James Madison and others) were passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, after only seven or eight days of debate, and were presented to the states for approval. 1 This action fulfilled the promise of Madison to John Leland and the Baptist when, as a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention and later as a candidate from Orange County for the House of...
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September 24 Baptist Education: Training for Spiritual Leadership Scripture: I Samuel 2:1-15 The idea that the Baptists were not at all interested in or concerned with an educated ministry in America is an absolutely false concept. Though many outstanding men were deprived of an early formal, classical education because their frontier upbringing did not provide such, many of them overcame this obstacle through the diligence of a godly mother and /or father, who provided means for the hungry heart and thirsty soul to receive enough education...
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September 23 James Hickey, the Apostle of Mexico Scripture: Matthew 13:34-43 James Hickey, like so many of the outstanding early missionaries, did not become a Baptist because he was reared in a Baptist family or because he sat under the ministry of a faithful Baptist pastor. His birthplace was Sligo, Cork County, Ireland, and his birth date was September 23, 1800. He was born of devout Roman Catholic parents who were dedicated to the upbringing of their son as a priest committed to the church. This goal seemingly was being...
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