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A History of the Primitive Baptists of Mississippi
From the First Settlement by the Americans, Up to the Middle of the XIXth Century
Including a brief allusion to the course, doctrines, and practice of the Christian church from Jerusalem to America; also, the doctrine and practice of modern missionaries, from the days of Andrew Fuller, and a brief notice of D. Benedict's late history of the Baptists; concluded with an address to the general reader.
PREFACE.
In September, 1850, the Primitive Baptist Association appointed two persons (Joseph Erwin and Benjamin Griffin,) to write " A Brief History of the Old School Baptists of Mississippi." The object of the Association, as appeared from the discussion, was to set forth our platform of principles, and show the contrast between the Old and New Schools. How far this object has been attained, is not for the writer to say.
In September, 1851, the Association was again convened. But little had been done towards the contemplated history—and, indeed, the Author was more than half inclined to evade the task. But he was stimulated by the influence of friends to persevere in accomplishing the object in view.
In writing a history of this kind, a wide field has to be reconnoitred. What is now written only pretends to be a mere sketch of a vast subject. And no one can be more sensible than the writer of its numerous defects.
After all, it must be frankly confessed, that writing on an unpopular subject, without a literary reputation, and in a state of suspense as to its reception by friends or foes, had much to do in relaxing the energies of both body and mind. But ' what is written is written;' and if the outlines of the Missionary System have been sketched in colors too dark to please its friends, they may be assured that the writer had no other design in view than simply to state the truth, on what he believed to be reliable authority. And if, by chance, he has been misled so as to do injustice to any man or holy of men, no one would be more ready to make suitable reparation, when made sensible of the fact.
It will perhaps be necessary to notify the reader, that Particular, Regular, Primitive, or Old School Baptists, mean the same—being different appellations, applied at different periods and localities, to the same people.
With these remarks, the history is left to explain and speak for itself, to those who may, from curiosity or any other motive, peruse the following pages.
BENJAMIN GRIFFIN.
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